Regulation of actin in rat adrenocortical cells by corticotropin

Corticotropin (ACTH) induces a characteristic retraction of rat adrenocortical cells in culture. Densitometric analysis of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis gels of cell lysates showed that ACTH induced a 20% decrease in actin content. These results were fully confirmed by quantitation of actin by the DNase 1 inhibition assay. The decrease in actin is hormone-specific, concentration-dependent, and correlates temporally with the morphological change induced by ACTH. The change in actin content and the reorganization of microfilament ultrastructure may together mediate hormone regulation of cell shape at the cytoskeletal level.

Isolation of alpha-melanotropin and N, O-diacetylserine1-alpha-melanotropin from porcine pituitary extracts

In the course of isolation of alpha-melanotropin (alpha-MSH) from porcine pituitary extracts, a peptide with identical amino acid composition but slightly less polar properties compared to alpha-MSH was detected and isolated by partition chromatography. The new peptide was identified as N, O-diacetyl-Ser1-alpha-MSH by high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. N, O-diacetyl-Ser1-alpha-MSH was readily converted to alpha-MSH by incubation at pH 9.5. The O-acetyl analog of alpha-MSH was found to be as active as alpha-MSH in stimulating lipolysis in isolated rabbit adipocytes.

Preparation of tritiated alpha-melanotropin with high specific radioactivity

alpha-Melanotropin (alpha-MSH) was iodinated and 3,5-diiodotyr2-alpha-MSH was isolated by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Catalytic dehalogenation of the diiodo derivative in the presence of tritium resulted in the formation of 3,5-ditritiotyr2-alpha-MSH. The tritiated peptide was purified by ion exchange and partition chromatography. The radioactive peptide was found to be homogeneous and identical to alpha-MSH by paper electrophoresis and HPLC. The tritiated alpha-MSH stimulated lipolysis in rabbit adipocytes nearly as well as alpha-MSH. The specific radioactivity of tritiated alpha-MSH was 42 Ci/mmol or 73% of the theoretical value.

The effect of glucocorticoids on adipocyte corticotropin receptors and adipocyte responses

A specific and sensitive assay for determining the binding of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) to isolated rat adipocytes has been developed and utilized to study the effect of glucocorticoids on ACTH receptor. Measurement of the binding of tritiated ACTH (spec. act. 90 Ci/mmol) to adipocytes isolated from normal, adrenalectomized, and adrenalectomized dexamethasone-treated rats indicated that there are no differences among these three populations in either the magnitude or the affinity of the binding reaction. The binding interaction was found to be of high affinity (Kd = 5.23 + 1.92 . 10(-9) M and paralleled closely the stimulation of lipolysis (Km = 2.09 +/- 0.35 . 10(-9) M. About 16,300 receptors were calculated to be presented per adipocyte. Hormone-induced cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate production remained intact after adrenalectomy, thereby confirming that receptors are not lost during steroid deprivation. The lipolytic response did, however, become less sensitive to both ACTH and epinephrine following adrenalectomy. Pre-treatment of adrenalectomized rats with dexamethasone resulted in an increase in basal and hormone-stimulated levels of cyclic AMP and glycerol production to super-normal values. In adipocyte ghost preparations, ACTH and epinephrine sensitive adenylate cyclase activity was not decreased by adrenalectomy and dexamethasone administration did not result in a selective enhancement of ACTH sensitive adenylate cyclase activity. Our results indicate that glucocorticoids do not cause their permissive effects by specific regulation of the ACTH receptor on the adipocyte.

Effects of antiserum to luteinizing hormone on the structure and function of rat Leydig cells

The influence of LH on morphology and function of Leydig cells was investigated in adult rats by selective neutralization of endogenous hormone with specific antibodies. Administration of antiserum to LH to mature male Sprague-Dawley rats for 8 days caused a significant decrease in testis weight and levels of testosterone in serum but had no effect on the overall number of interstitial cells per testis. The ability of interstitial cells isolated from antiserum-treated animals to produce testosterone in response to exogenous LH was also significantly lower than that of cells derived from animals treated with normal rabbit serum. Although the number of interstitial cells was similar in the treated and control groups, morphological studies indicated a major decrease in the number of fully differentiated Leydig cells in the antiserum-treated animals. Furthermore, neutralization of LH with antiserum resulted in disruption of the endoplasmic reticulum and accumulation of dense bodies resembling lysosomes in the Leydig cells. These results suggested that the primary trophic action of LH is to induce and maintain the steroidogenic capacity of the Leydig cells.

Photoreactive derivatives of corticotropin. 1. Preparation and chracterization of 2,4-dinitro-5-azidophenylsulfenyl derivative of corticotropin

A photoaffinity probe for corticotropin (ACTH) receptors was prepared by selective modification of the single tryptophan residue in ACTH. A new photoreactive agent, 2,4-dinitro-5-azidophenylsulfenyl chloride, was synthesized and used for introducing the photoreactive group into ACTH. 2,4-Dinitro-5-azidophenylsulfenyl-Trp9-ACTH (DNAPS-ACTH) was also prepared by thiolysis of 2,4-dinitrophenyl-sulfenyl-Trp9-ACTH to form 2-thiol-Trp9-ACTH and reaction of this with 2,4-dinitro-5-azidofluorobenzene. DNAPS-ACTH was characterized by ultraviolet spectra, peptide mapping, and amino acid analysis. Covalent attachment of DNAPS-ACTH to a pituitary protein fraction FI by photolysis was demonstrated by ultraviolet absorption changes as well as by the use of tritiated DNAPS-ACTH.

Photoreactive derivatives of corticotropin. 2. Preparation and characterization of 2-nitro-4(5)-azidophenylsulfenyl derivatives of corticotropin

Two new photoreactive arylsulfenyl chlorides, 2-nitro-4-azidophenylsulfenyl chloride (2,4-NAPS-Cl) and 2-nitro-5-azidophenylsulfenyl chloride (2,5-NAPS-Cl), have been synthesized and used for the selective modification of corticotropin (ACTH). Both reagents reacted rapidly with N-acetyltryptophanamide and ACTH under acidic conditions. The NAPS derivatives of ACTH were purified by partition chromatography and characterized by absorption spectra, amino acid analysis, and peptide mapping. The spectral changes caused by photolysis as well as the kinetics of photolysis are described. Tritiated 2,5-NAPS-ACTH was attached covalently to a pituitary protein fraction FI by photolysis. The photolabeling of FI was blocked in the presence of excess ACTH.

Inhibition of DNA synthesis in adrenocortical cells by cytochalasin B

ACTH inhibits DNA synthesis in normal rat and mouse tumor Y-1 adrenocortical cells within the same concentration range that it stimulates steroidogenesis. These processes can be independently regulated as demonstrated by the divergent actions of cytochalasin B on these cells. In the normal cells, cytochalasin B does not increase steroidogenesis in serum-free or serum-containing media, and it decreases the stimulation produced by ACTH. In the absence of serum, the Y-1 cells respond in a similar way. However, in serum-containing media, cytochalasin B increases steroidogenesis in these cells and does not inhibit the response to ACTH. In both cell types, cytochalasin B inhibits [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA by a mechanism different than that of ACTH. In the Y-1 cells, this inhibition is caused by a decreased uptake of [3H]thymidine into the cell, which probably reflects a decreased transport across the cell membrane. In the normal cells, cytochalasin B, like ACTH, does not affect [3H]thymidine transport, but it decreases DNA synthesis much more rapidly than does ACTH. This inhibition may be the result of the disruption of microfilaments by cytochalasinB, because our evidence indicates that it is not caused by a decrease in glucose uptake by the cells.

Photoaffinity labeling of corticotropin receptors

A photoaffinity label for corticotropin (ACTH) receptors was prepared by selective chemical modification of the single tryptophan residue in the hormone by reaction with 2-nitro-5-azidophenylsulfenyl chloride. The photoreactive derivative, [(2-nitro-5-azidophenylsulfenyl)-Trp9]ACTH (2,5-NAPS-ACTH), stimulated corticosterone synthesis to 60% of the maximal rate induced by ACTH in isolated rat adrenocortical cells. 2.5-NAPS-ACTH caused only a marginal stimulation of cyclic AMP production compared to the unmodified hormone. Stimulation of corticosterone production and cyclic AMP accumulation induced by ACTH were both inhibited in a competitive manner by 2,5-NAPS-ACTH. Photolysis of adrenocortical cells in the presence of 2,5-NAPS-ACTH resulted in a 40% inactivation of ACTH receptors mediating steroidogenesis, as shown by the decrease in response to subsequent stimulation with ACTH. No loss of function was observed when photolysis was conducted in the presence of the photoresistant analog [(2,4-dinitrophenylsulfenyl)-Trp9]ACTH. Covalent attachment of the hormone to the receptors was also demonstrated by photolyzing adrenocortical cells in the presence of tritiated 2,5-NAPS-ACTH of high specific radioactivity (90 Ci/mmol) and analyzing the cell proteins by sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A protein with an approximate molecular weight of 100,000 was specifically labeled by this procedure. The unique labeling of an adrenocortical cell protein and the concomitant loss of ACTH responsiveness suggest that physiologically relevant receptors are photolabeled by this method.

Immunochemical studies of adrenocorticotropin using tritium labeled hormone

A radioimmunoassay using specifically tritiated corticotropin (3H-ACTH) of high specific radioactivity (46 Ci/mmol) and full biological activity has been developed. The assay is sensitive to ACTH in the range 200 pg-10 ng. 50% displacement of 3H-ACTH is produced by less than a twofold excess of unlabeled hormone. Immunochemical studies with various ACTH analogs showed that the antiserum recognized the intact molecule better than any of other fragments.

Responses of Y1 adrenocortical tumor cells to o-nitrophenyl sulfenyl ACTH

NPS(o-nitrophenyl sulfenyl)-ACTH stimulated steroidogenesis in Y1 cells to the same maximum level as did ACTH, but with a 60-fold lower potency than the native hormone. NPS-ACTH also stimulated the extracellular accumulation of cAMP in Y1 cells with lower potency than the unmodified hormone. The amount of cAMP accumulated in the presence of NPS-ACTH approached 75% of the maximum with ACTH. In Y1 plasma membranes, NPS-ACTH was a partial agonist of adenylate cyclase activity, witn an efficacy dependent upon the type of guanyl nucleotide present. The steroidogenic responses of two Y1(Kin) mutants and two Y1(Cyc) mutants to NPS-ACTH paralleled their responses to ACTH and reflected closely their defects in cAMP-dependent protein kinase and ACTH-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity. These data imply an obligatory role for adenylate cyclase and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activities in stimulation of steroidogenesis in Y1 cells by NPA-ACTH.

Study of Metals Erosion in High Temperature Coal Gas Streams

In order to provide the basis for alloy selection in future turbines using pulverized coal, an investigation is undertaken to obtain a basic understanding of the mechanisms of erosion at high temperatures. The test equipment has been designed to simulate the aerodynamic and thermodynamic conditions in the turbine. This facility has the capability of providing between ambient and a 1093°C (2000°F) environment temperature for erosion testing of various materials. The effects of high temperature on the erosion rate was determined and the test results from 304 stainless steel alloy are presented.

alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone and adrenocorticotropin in the regulation of glucocorticoid secretion during the perinatal period in sheep

To determine the role of other ACTH-like peptides in the regulation of glucocorticoid secretion in fetal sheep, we examined the responses of the adrenal gland of fetal and newborn sheep to comparable single doses of alpha MSH (75 micrograms) or ACTH (50 micrograms) during the last third of gestation and the first month of postnatal life. alpha MSH first increased the plasma glucocorticoid concentration at 121--130 days of gestation [from 16 +/- 1.5 to 36.9 +/- 9 (SE) ng/ml]; the response to alpha MSH persisted on days 131--140 of gestation and during the first month after birth. ACTH first increased the plasma glucocorticoid concentration at 131--140 days of gestation and increased it further in the first month after birth (from 18.9 +/- 3.6 to 97.0 +/- 10 ng/ml). The observations that the adrenal glands of fetuses and newborn lambs responded to alpha MSH at a dose comparable to that of ACTH and that the response to alpha MSH in the fetus preceded the response to ACTH may indicate that adrenal receptors mature during fetal development. These data also suggest that the regulation of the adrenal during fetal life may involve more than one tropic hormone.

Isolation and primary structure of adrenocorticotropin from several species of whale

The isolation of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) from fin (Balaenoptera physalus), sei (Blaenoptera borelis) and sperm (Physeter catodon) whale pituitaries is described. Their primary structures have been elucidated by the fluorescein isothiocyanate method and revealed to be identical to the structure of the human hormone. Fin whale exhibited an identical steroidogenic activity to that of the porcine hormone.

Physicochemical and biological characterizations of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin and its subunits

Pregnant mare serum gonadotropin and its subunits have been further characterized. Ultracentrifugation of the gonadotropin at pH 1.3 and 11.5 showed little evidence of dissociation compared to pH 8.2. Highly purified subunits are obtained by urea dissociation and ion-exchange chromatography followed by gel-filtration. Circular dichroism spectra of the gonadotropin and its subunits are much like those of ovine lutropin and its subunits in that there is little evidence for secondary structure and one or more tyrosine residues are inaccessible in the intact gonadotropin compared to the subunits. The alpha-subunit possesses almost 3 times as much total carbohydrate as the beta-subunit; the individual sugar composition of each was determined as well as the amino acid composition. The alpha-subunit begins with the sequence NH2-Phe-Pro (Gly or Pro) ... and terminates with isoleucine. The beta-subunit has the sequence NH2-Ser-Pro-Gly ...; no C-terminal residue is detectable by either carboxypeptidase or hydrazinolysis. Biological studies show the gonadotropin to be active in assays specific for both lutropin and follitropin. Precipitin test in agar with rabbit antiserum against the gonadotropin show that the beta subunit cross-reacts whereas the alpha subunit does not.

Ultrastructural changes induced by ACTH in normal adrenocortical cells in culture

The effects of ACTH, its o-nitrophenyl sulfenyl derivative (NPS-ACTH) and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbc AMP) on the ultrastructural morphology of adrenocortical cells of adult rats in monolayer culture have been investigated. NPS-ACTH, which has previously been shown to stimulate steroidogenesis but not cAMP synthesis in adrenal cells, induced the same characteristic transformation of mitochondrial architecture as produced by ACTH or high concentrations of dbcAMP. All three agents caused the disappearance of electron-opaque granules present in the mitochondria of unstimulated cells. It was found that these granules could be extracted with EGTA (ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether) N,N,N',N'-tetraacetate). These results are discussed in the light of the known importance of calcium ions in the actions of ACTH.

Preparation and characterization of specifically tritiated adrenocorticotropin

The catalytic dehalogenation of iodinated derivatives of corticotropin in the presence of tritium was investigated. In 0.1 M acetic acid, complete and rapid removal of iodine was achieved in the presence of freshly prepared palladium or palladium oxide as catalyst, but the specific radioactivity of the product was only 10-20% of the theoretically attainable value. Synthetic human corticotropin containing a 3,5-diiodo tyrosine in position 23 in place of tyrosine was successfully dehalogenated in solvent mixture 0.1 M acetic acid: hexamethylphosphoramide: dimethylformamide (1 : 10 : 90, v/v) in the presence of palladium oxide and calcium carbonate. The product was obtained in 30% yield after purification by carboxymethyl cellulose chromatography. The tritiated hormone had a specific radioactivity of 46 Ci/mmol (80% of the theoretical value) and was as potent as synthetic human corticotropin in stimulating steroidogenesis and lipolysis.

Effects of ACTH and its O-nitrophenyl sulphenyl derivative on adrenocortical function in vivo

Both ACTH and NPS-ACTH in which the single tryptophan residue of the hormone is modified were able to stimulate adrenal corticosterone concentration to the same extent in hypophysectomized rats, although a higher dose of NPS-ACTH was required. ACTH stimulated adrenal cyclic AMP levels 120-fold in hypophysectomized rats whereas NPS-ACTH caused a marginal increase. In the case of ACTH, low doses of the hormone capable of producing maximal stimulation of corticosterone synthesis did not produce any detectable change in cyclic AMP concentration. The rates of secretion of corticosterone induced by ACTH and NPS-ACTH in vivo were the same. NPS-ACTH was found to be 1.2% as potent as ACTH. The role of cyclic AMP in adrenal repair was investigated by administering equipotent doses of ACTH or NPS-ACTH to hypophysectomized rats. In adult rats both failed to produce a significant increase in adrenal weight. Adrenal function (measured by responsiveness to exogenous ACTH in vitro) was restored by NPS-ACTH but not to the same degree as ACTH. In hypophysectomized weanling rats, ACTH produced a small but significant increase in adrenal weight but NPS-ACTH did not. These results suggest that an increase in adrenal cyclic AMP may not be obligatory for the stimulation of steroidogenesis by ACTH and that some of the trophic actions of the hormone may be mediated by cyclic AMP.

Divergent effects of adrenocorticotropin and melanotropin on isolated rat and rabbit adipocytes

The stimulation of lipolysis in isolated rat and rabbit fat cells by adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and alpha-melanotropin has been studied. The concentration of alpha-melanotropin required for half maximal stimulation is 0.23 times that of ACTH in rabbit adipocytes but as high as 1140 times that of ACTH in rat fat cells. Chemical modification of the tryptophan residue in ACTH and melanotropin resulted in a loss of lipolytic activity in rat adipocytes and an increase in lipolytic potency in rabbit fat cells. These differences between rat and rabbit fat cells were evident when stimulation of cyclic AMP synthesis was measured in isolated cells or ghosts. The results are discussed in terms of the difference in the hormone receptors of the fat cells of the two species.

Comparison of the steroidogenic and melanotropic activities of corticotropin, alpha-melanotropin and analogs with their lipolytic activities in rat and rabbit adipocytes

The ability of alpha-melanotropin and a series of synthetic peptides related to adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) to stimulate steroidogenesis in isolated rat adrenal cells, melanin dispersion in frog melanophores and lipolysis in rat and rabbit fat cells have been studied. It was found that the steroidogenic activity closely paralleled the lipolytic activity of these peptides in rat fat cells, whereas the melanocyte stimulating activity paralleled the lipolytic activity in rabbit fat cells. These results indicate that the structural requirements for stimulating steroidogenesis in isolated rat adrenal cells and lipolysis in isolated rat fat cells are quite similar. The structural features required for eliciting lipolysis in rabbit fat cells appear to be very similar to those necessary for stimulating frog melanophores. The possibility that regulation of lipid metabolism in the rabbit may be a new function acquired by melanotropin is discussed.

Chemical modification of the tryptophan residue in adrenocorticotropin

The single tryptophan residue in the pituitary hormone adrenocorticotropin was modified selectively by reaction with a variety of substituted o-nitrophenylsulfenyl chlorides. In addition to quantitative modification of the tryptophan residue, the reaction invariably resulted in partial oxidation of the methionine residue to the sulfoxide. The methionine sulfoxide derivative could be separated from the desired product by partition chromatography on Sephadex G-50 in the solvent system 1-butanol-pyridine-0.1% acetic acid (5:3:11). Thus, the 2,4-dinitrophenylsulfenyl, 2-nitro-4-carboxyphenylsulfenyl, and 2-nitro-4-carbamidophenylsulfenyl derivatives of adrenocorticotropin were prepared and characterized. Modifications in the isolation of adrenocorticotropin from ovine pituitaries are also described. The melanocyte stimulating activities of the native hormone and the analogues are discussed.

Human pituitary growth hormone. 44. Effects of plasmin-modified hormone and its fragments on ornithine decarboxylase activity and lipolysis

The rat hepatic ornithine decarboxylase stimulating activity of plasmin-modified human growth hormone and its two peptide fragments has been investigated. The activity was completely retained after plasmin treatment. The NH2-terminal fragment [Cys (Cam)53-HGH-(1-134)] retained 10% of the activity, whereas the COOH-terminal fragment [Cys (Cam) 165, 182, 189-(141-191)] was not active. The lipolytic activity of human growth hormone was greatly reduced after plasmin treatment, as examined in isolated rabbit adipocytes. It is suggested that the structural requirements for the lipolytic activity of the hormone are different from those required for stimulation of ornithine decarboxylase activity.

Inhibition of replication of normal adrenocortical cells in culture by adrenocorticotropin

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) inhibited [3H]thymidine incorporation in normal adrenocortical cells of adult rats in culture, with a concomitant increase in corticosterone production and a characteristic retraction of cells. Both dibutyryl cyclic AMP and an analog of ACTH, which produces virtually no cyclic AMP, inhibited DNA synthesis and stimulated steroid production. ACTH inhibited the proliferation of adrenocortical cells obtained from suckling rats as well as the cells obtained from the capsular tissue of adult rat adrenal glands, whereas insulin caused a stimulation of DNA synthesis. These results suggest that the major role of ACTH is to induce the transformation of the undifferentiated cells of the adrenal gland into functional fasciculata cells and that the proliferation of adrenocortical cells may be under control of factors other than ACTH.