Responsiveness of mutants of NHE1 isoform of Na+/H+ antiport to osmotic stress

Hypertonic activation of NHE1, the ubiquitous Na+/H+ exchanger, plays a central role in cell volume regulation, yet little is known about the underlying mechanism. We probed the osmotic responsiveness of full-length and truncated constructs of NHE1 transfected into cells lacking endogenous antiport activity. The hypertonic stimulation of NHE1 was preserved after heterologous transfection of the full-length NHE1 or of constructs truncated at positions 698 or 703. In contrast, mutants truncated at position 635 (delta 635) failed to respond to osmotic challenge. Transfectants (delta 635) behaved as if constitutively activated, having a permanently elevated cytosolic pH (pHi) under isotonic, unstimulated conditions. The delta 635 mutant displayed H+ binding with high affinity and low cooperativity. Constructs delta 582 or delta 566 had a reduced H+ sensitivity and were therefore inactive at resting pHi. Such cells were unresponsive to osmotic stress near physiological pHi but could be activated by shrinking after an acid load. Jointly, these results suggest that the H+ affinity and high cooperativity of the antiporter, earlier attributed to a single "modifier site," can be varied independently and are probably controlled by different regions of the molecule. The data indicate that volume or osmolarity-sensitive site(s) exist between the NH2-terminus and residue 566. This putative volume-sensitive site is therefore different from the site(s) postulated to mediate the stimulatory effects of calcium and growth factors.

In vivo imaging of brain incorporation of fatty acids and of 2-deoxy-D-glucose demonstrates functional and structural neuroplastic effects of chronic unilateral visual deprivation in rats

Regional cerebral 'incorporation coefficients' k* of each of 3 labeled long-chain fatty acids -[9,10-3H]palmitate ([3H]PA), [1-14C]arachidonate ([14C]AA) and [1-14C]docosahexaenoate ([14C]DHA)-were measured using quantitative autoradiography in 11 bilateral brain visual areas of 3.5-month-old awake, hooded, Long-Evans rats, and were compared with regional cerebral metabolic rates for glucose (rCMRglc). The rats, which had undergone unilateral orbital enucleation at 15 days of age, were studied either in the dark with eyelids of the intact eye sutured, or when stimulated in a light box with the intact eye open. rCMRglc did not differ between homologous contralateral and ipsilateral visual areas in the dark or during stimulation, but was elevated bilaterally by 25% or more in many visual areas during stimulation compared with dark. Contralateral compared with ipsilateral k* was lower for each fatty acid tracer in superficial gray of the superior colliculus (in dark and during stimulation) and dorsal nucleus of lateral geniculate body (during stimulation). In the dark, k* for [3H]PA was correlated significantly with rCMRglc for the 22 visual areas studied, whereas during stimulation k* for [14C]AA was correlated with rCMRglc. These results suggest that central neuroplastic changes following chronic unilateral enucleation are accompanied by reduced incorporation of [3H]PA, [14C]AA and [14C]DHA into contralateral brain ares that normally receive crossed retinofugal fibers, and by symmetry of rCMRglc in the dark but increased bilateral symmetrical responsiveness of rCMRglc to visual stimulation of the intact eye.

Basal cell tumor in a Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata)

A rare case of basal cell tumor of the skin in a wild-caught female Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) was studied. Tumor growth, which was composed of cells resembling basal cells, was observed in the dermis and subcutis and showed a mixture of ribbon, solid, glandular, and cystic patterns. The tumor was separated from surrounding normal tissue by a compressed zone of fibrous connective tissue. The nuclei were round and hyperchromatic and possessed a single centrally located nucleolus. Mitotic figures were common. Immunohistochemically, a positive reaction for epithelial membrane antigen, keratin, and cytokeratin AE3 was evident. Electron microscopic examination revealed a small number of tonofilaments in the cytoplasm.

Growth factor-induced phosphorylation and activation of aortic smooth muscle Na+/Ca2+ exchanger

Although the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger is one of the major Ca2+ extrusion systems in excitable tissues, little is known about its regulation via protein phosphorylation. We now present evidence that the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger is phosphorylated in quiescent and growth factor-stimulated cultured aortic smooth muscle cells. The Na+/Ca2+ exchanger was isolated from 32P-labeled cells by immunoprecipitation with a specific polyclonal antibody. Phosphorylation of the exchanger was increased by up to 1.7-fold in response to platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), alpha-thrombin, or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). However, angiotensin II did not enhance the phosphorylation significantly. The extent of phosphorylation appeared to correlate with the growth factor-induced increase in cell 1,2-diacylglycerol. At least four phosphopeptides (P1 to P4) were detected by tryptic phosphopeptide map analysis of the phosphorylated exchanger, suggesting that phosphorylation occurred at multiple sites. PDGF-BB and PMA increased phosphorylation of the same phosphopeptides (in particular P1). Phosphorylated amino acids were exclusively serine residues in both quiescent and stimulated cells. We found that growth factors enhanced Na+/Ca2+ exchange activity and that there was a good correlation between the growth factor-induced stimulations of phosphorylation and exchange activity. PDGF-BB-induced activation of the exchanger was abolished by prior long treatment of cells with PMA. These results suggest that the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger is activated by protein kinase C-dependent phosphorylation in response to growth factors in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Effects of indigestible dextrin on glucose tolerance in rats

A recently developed indigestible dextrin (IDex) was studied for its effects on glucose tolerance in male Sprague-Dawley rats. IDex is a low viscosity, water-soluble dietary fibre obtained by heating and enzyme treatment of potato starch. It has an average molecular weight of 1600. An oral glucose tolerance test was conducted with 8-week-old rats to evaluate the effects of IDex on the increase in plasma glucose and insulin levels after a single administration of various sugars (1.5 g/kg body weight). The increase in both plasma glucose and insulin levels following sucrose, maltose and maltodextrin loading was significantly reduced by IDex (0.15 g/kg body weight). This effect was not noted following glucose, high fructose syrup and lactose loading. To evaluate the effects of continual IDex ingestion on glucose tolerance, 5-week-old rats were kept for 8 weeks on a stock diet, a high sucrose diet or an IDex-supplemented high sucrose diet. An oral glucose (1.5 g/kg body weight) tolerance test was conducted in week 8. Increases in both plasma glucose and insulin levels following glucose loading were higher in the rats given a high sucrose diet than in the rats fed a stock diet. However, when IDex was included in the high sucrose diet, the impairment of glucose tolerance was alleviated. Moreover, IDex feeding also significantly reduced accumulation of body fat, regardless of changes in body weight. These findings suggest that IDex not only improves glucose tolerance following sucrose, maltose and maltodextrin loading but also stops progressive decrease in glucose tolerance by preventing a high sucrose diet from causing obesity.

Subclinical renal oxalosis in wild-caught Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata)

Various degrees of crystal deposition were found in the kidneys of 12 out of 59 Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) caught in the wild in Gifu, Japan. The needle- or rod-shaped crystals, which were radially arranged and occurred in the lumen and epithelium of the renal (mainly the proximal) tubules, were birefringent under polarized light. They stained with alizarin red S at a pH of 7.0 but not 4.2, and were identified as calcium oxalate. The morphological features of the renal lesions were similar to those previously reported in oxalate poisoning, and it was believed that the macaques ingested the oxalate in plants.

Effects of intravenous injection and intraperitoneal continual administration of sodium propionate on serum cholesterol levels in rats

To examine the effects of sodium propionate on serum cholesterol levels, rats were given sodium propionate intravenously and intraperitonealy. Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were kept on a cholesterol-free semisynthetic diet for 2 weeks, fasted, and given 400 microliters of saline solution intravenously supplemented with 0.01-10 mg sodium propionate. Three hours after injection of 1 mg of sodium propionate, the serum total-cholesterol level was significantly reduced (85.4 +/- 4.0 mg/dl) compared with its starting level (102 +/- 3.4 mg/dl), with the reducing effect lasting for 24 h. The intensity of the reduction increased proportionately with increased sodium propionate concentrations from 0.01 to 1 mg. Next, to evaluate the influence of continual sodium propionate administration on serum cholesterol levels, 6-week-old male rats were implanted with an osmotic pump intraperitonealy (ALZET Model 2ML2, pumping rate: 5.0 microliter/h; duration: 14 days; reservoir volume: 2,000 microliters). At day 14, serum total-cholesterol levels were reduced by continual sodium propionate administration at both 0.12 and 1.2 mg/day. The maximum percentage change in the serum total-cholesterol level was 78.5 +/- 6.7% of its starting level (111 +/- 7.1 mg/dl), observed at 1.2 mg/day at day 7. These results indicate that sodium propionate can reduce serum total-cholesterol levels in vivo.

Hypocholesterolemic effect of dietary fiber: relation to intestinal fermentation and bile acid excretion

Rat cecal contents were static-cultured with three kinds of dietary fibers and examined for the production of short-chain fatty acids after 24h of cultivation. The total amount and molar ratio of acetate, propionate and butyrate (n = 8) were 7.20 +/- 0.62 mM and 38:19:43 with indigestible dextrin (ID), a low-viscosity, water-soluble dietary fiber, 10.88 +/- 0.46 mM and 49:5:46 with pectin (PE), a high-viscosity, water-soluble dietary fiber, and 1.83 +/- 0.19 mM and 64:11:25 with corn fiber (CF), a water-insoluble dietary fiber, respectively (the corresponding values obtained with glucose were 10.59 +/- 0.37 mM and 15:27:58). Next, rats were kept on a cholesterol- and bile acid-free high-sucrose diet. At the completion of the 8-week feeding period, the serum total-cholesterol levels were significantly lower, at 57.6 +/- 3.8 (n = 8), 63.2 +/- 4.67 (n = 7), and 77.8 +/- 3.7 mg/dl (n = 9), in the ID-, PE-, and CF-supplemented diet groups, respectively, than in the control group given no dietary fiber (92.7 +/- 3.8 mg/dl, n = 7). The cecal propionate production was significantly increased in both the ID and PE groups, while the fecal excretion of bile acids was increased in all three fiber groups compared to the control group. In addition, there was a significantly negative correlation between the serum total-cholesterol level and cecal propionate production in the ID group, between the serum cholesterol level and bile acid excretion in the CF group, and between the serum cholesterol level and cecal propionate production or bile acid excretion in the PE group. These results suggest that the degree of intestinal fermentation and bile acid excretion, which are considered to be associated with the hypocholesterolemic action of dietary fiber, varies with each kind of dietary fiber.

Warfarin causes the degradation of protein C precursor in the endoplasmic reticulum

Warfarin, an antagonist of vitamin K, is known to disrupt the microsomal vitamin K cycle, which results in a decrease in the plasma level of protein C, an anticoagulant factor, as well as some other vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors. Here, we examined the effect of warfarin on the secretion of recombinant protein C expressed in human kidney 293 or BHK cells. In transient expression, warfarin caused a 2-4-fold decrease in the quantity of protein C secreted, compared to findings with vitamin K-treated cells. Pulse-chase experiments using stable cells showed that, although recombinant protein C was secreted in the presence of vitamin K, the decrease in the total amount of radioactivity in the warfarin-treated cells suggested intracellular degradation. This degradation depended on the concentration of warfarin and was not inhibited by an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-Golgi transport inhibitor (brefeldin A) or by lysosomotropic inhibitors (chloroquine and NH4Cl). Thus, protein C synthesized in the presence of warfarin is probably selectively degraded, and this degradation occurs in a pre-Golgi, nonlysosomal compartment. Among the protease inhibitors tested, N-alpha-acetyl-Leu-Leu-methioninal and N-alpha-acetyl-Leu-Leu-norleucinal blocked the degradation of protein C precursor synthesized in the presence of warfarin, and the precursor accumulated intracellularly, in a dose-dependent manner. Both inhibitors, however, did not disturb the secretion of protein C precursor in the vitamin K-treated cells. Thus, a cysteine protease(s) appeared to be responsible for the degradation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pharmacological properties of KT3-671, a novel nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonist

We examined pharmacological profiles of KT3-671, 2-propyl-8-oxo-1-[(2'-(1H-tetrazole-5-yl) biphenyl-4-yl)methyl]- 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-cycloheptimidazole, a newly synthesized nonpeptide angiotensin II (AII) receptor antagonist in various in vitro and in vivo studies. KT3-671 displaced specific binding of [125I]Sar1 Ile8-AII to AT1 receptor with a Ki value of 0.71 +/- 0.14 x 10(-9) M in rat liver membranes, but had no affinity for AT2 receptor in bovine cerebellar membranes (Ki > 10(-5) M). In isolated rabbit aorta, KT3-671 produced a parallel rightward shift in the concentration-response curve for AII with a pA2 value of 10.04 +/- 0.12, but had no effect on KCl-, norepinephrine (NE)-, and serotonin (5-HT)-induced contractions. In conscious normotensive rats, KT3-671 (0.3-10 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibited the AII-induced pressor response dose dependently. In renal artery-ligated hypertensive rats, KT3-671 (0.1-3 mg/kg, p.o.) decreased arterial blood pressure (BP) dose dependently. The hypotensive action of 3 mg/kg KT3-671 was maintained for at least 24 h. These results suggest that KT3-671 is a potent AT1 subtype-selective and competitive nonpeptide AII receptor antagonist and has an orally active antihypertensive effect without agonistic activity.

Multilens system design with an athermal chart

We have introduced an athermal chart that plots chromatic dispersive power and thermal dispersive power on a Cartesian coordinate, and we give the design method of a multilens system in contact that satisfies achromatism and athermalization. The advantages of this chart are (1) that the condition of achromatism and athermalization is clear and (2) that the approximate power of the lenses that compose the multilens system is easily found on the chart. Design indices are given through a few design examples with an athermal chart.

Amino acid sequence of porcine antithrombin III

Antithrombin III (ATIII) is a member of the serine protease inhibitor (serpin) family. As a step towards a better understanding of the heparin-binding mechanism of mammalian ATIIIs, the amino acid sequence of porcine ATIII was established by sequence analysis of the peptides derived from cyanogen bromide cleavage and enzymatic digestion with lysyl endopeptidase, V8 protease, and trypsin. Porcine ATIII was found to consist of 431 amino acid residues, with a calculated molecular weight of 48,930 without carbohydrate. Its molecular weight with 16.4% carbohydrate was estimated as 56,955, which is in good agreement with the value determined by SDS-PAGE. Porcine ATIII showed high sequence similarity to other mammalian ATIIIs, including the reactive site, heparin-binding basic amino acid residues, and disulfide bonds. The most notable feature of porcine ATIII was that it possesses only three carbohydrate chains, at Asn136, 156, and 193, whereas other mammalian ATIIIs have four, additional chain being at Asn97; this is replaced by Asp in porcine ATIII. In the case of human ATIII, the chains are at Asn96, 135, 155, and 192. The heparin-binding affinities of human and porcine ATIIIs were compared using an immobilized heparin column. Porcine ATIII eluted from the column with a peak at an NaCl concentration of 924 mM while human ATIII eluted at 838 mM NaCl. Neuraminidase treatment of each ATIII enhanced the heparin-affinity to the same extent. These results suggest that in spite of the high degree of amino acid sequence identity between porcine and human ATIIIs (91% identical), porcine ATIII has a higher heparin-binding affinity than human, because it lacks a carbohydrate chain at Asp97.

The effect of methyl palmoxirate on incorporation of [U-14C]palmitate into rat brain

We examined the dose response, time course and reversibility of the effect of methyl 2-tetradecylglycidate (McN-3716, methyl palmoxirate or MEP), an inhibitor of beta-oxidation of fatty acids, on incorporation of radiolabeled palmitic acid ([U-14C]PA) from plasma into brain lipids of awake rats. MEP (0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg) or vehicle was administered intravenously from 10 min to 72 hr prior to infusion of [U-14C]PA. Two hr pretreatment with MEP (0.1 to 10 mg/kg) increased brain organic radioactivity 1.2 to 1.8 fold and decreased brain aqueous radioactivity by 1.2 to 3.0 fold when compared to control values. At 10 mg/kg, MEP significantly increased brain organic fraction from 40% in controls to 85%, 30 min to 6 hr pretreatment, and resulted in a redistribution of the radiolabeled fatty acid toward triacylglycerol. MEP changed the lipid/aqueous brain ratio of incorporated [U-14C]PA from 0.67 to 5.7. The incorporation rate coefficient, k*, was significantly increased by MEP (10 mg/kg) at 2 hr (31%), 4 hr (59%) and 6 hr (34%). All effects were reversed by 72 hr, consistent with a half-life of approximately 2 days for carnitine palmitoyl transferase I. These results indicate that intravenous MEP may be used with [1-11C]palmitic acid for studying brain lipid metabolism in vivo by positron emission tomography, as it significantly reduces the large unincorporated aqueous fraction that would result in high background radioactivity.

Pre- and postjunctional actions of endothelin in the rat iris sphincter preparation

Effects of endothelins (ETs) were studied in the rat iris sphincter preparation. Three peptides (ET-1, ET-2 and ET-3) caused contractile responses, and the rank order of agonist potency was: ET-1 = ET-2 > ET-3. The concentration-response curve to ET-1 was shifted to the right by the ETA receptor antagonist cyclo [D-Asp-L-Pro-D-Val-L-Leu-D-Trp] (BQ-123: 10(-7) M), the pA2 value of which was 7.41 +/- 0.09 (n = 4). ET-1 and ET-3, at the concentration of 10(-9) M, potentiated cholinergic contractions evoked by electrical field stimulation (5 and 20 Hz) without affecting the postjunctional sensitivity to carbachol. This potentiating effect was not influenced by BQ-123 (10(-6) M). The ET-evoked percentage increase in the stimulation-induced contraction observed at 5 Hz was significantly greater than that at 20 Hz. A release of immunoreactive ET was detected when the preparation was stimulated at 20 Hz (1.81 +/- 0.36 pg/sphincter n = 6). ET release evoked by 20 Hz stimulation was completely abolished by tetrodotoxin (10(-7) M). In conclusion, ET interacts with two different receptor types, ETA and non-ETA receptors (probably ETB) which exist post- and presynaptically at cholinergic neuroeffector junctions of the rat iris preparation. Stimulation of ETA receptor results in a direct muscle contraction and non-ETA receptor activation facilitates the acetylcholine output from cholinergic nerve endings. It is suggested that ET released from a tetrodotoxin-sensitive site is involved in the modulation of acetylcholine release in the rat iris sphincter preparation.

Effect of inhibition of beta-oxidation on incorporation of [U-14C]palmitate and [1-14C]arachidonate into brain lipids

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of inhibiting the mitochondrial beta-oxidation of free fatty acids on the incorporation of radiolabeled free fatty acids into brain lipids. To this end, methyl 2-tetradecylglycidate (MEP), an irreversible inhibitor of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I, was given orally to male rats 2, 4, and 6 h prior to an intravenous infusion of the saturated fatty acid [U-14C]palmitic acid (PA) or the polyunsaturated fatty acid [1-14C]arachidonate (AA). With [U-14C]PA, MEP (10-25 mg/kg) increased brain organic radioactivity 2-fold and decreased brain aqueous radioactivity 3- to 5-fold relative to control values at all pretreatment times. The effect was due to prolongation of the plasma integral of [U-14C]PA due to peripheral inhibition of beta-oxidation, and to direct inhibition of beta-oxidation of the tracer within the brain. MEP had no effect on brain organic radioactivity after infusion of [1-14C]AA. Increasing the interval between MEP administration and [U-14C]PA infusion from 2 to 6 h resulted in a dramatic redistribution of [U-14C]PA within brain lipids. The percentage of radioactivity in phospholipids decreased from 65 to 33%, whereas that in the free fatty acid fraction increased from 10 to 47% and that in triglycerides was elevated 2-3 fold over control levels. These results indicate that MEP may facilitate the use of radiolabeled PA as an in vivo probe of brain lipid metabolism using quantitative autoradiography or positron emission tomography.

The Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1) is a novel member of the calmodulin-binding proteins. Identification and characterization of calmodulin-binding sites

The Na+/H+ exchange activity (NHE1 human isoform) is rapidly activated in response to growth factors and hyperosmotic stress. To get insight into the mechanism of NHE1 activation, we studied the direct interaction of a ubiquitous Ca(2+)-dependent regulatory factor, calmodulin (CaM) with NHE1. Binding experiments with CaM-Sepharose, as well as fluorescence measurements with dansylated CaM, revealed that the NHE1 cytoplasmic domain strongly binds CaM in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. Fusion protein analysis with deletion mutants provided evidence for high (Kd approximately 20 nM) and intermediate (Kd approximately 350 nm) affinity CaM-binding sites located in neighboring regions of NHE1 (amino acids 636-656 and 657-700). To assess a regulatory role of CaM-binding sites, several cDNAs having deletion and point mutations in the high affinity site were generated and expressed in the exchanger-deficient fibroblast cell line PS120. Deletion and point mutations of positively charged residues of the high affinity CaM-binding site resulted in up to 50 and 80% reductions of cytoplasmic alkalinization caused by growth factors (alpha-thrombin, etc.) and 100 mM sucrose, respectively. In these mutants, the reduction in alkalinization was apparently in proportion to that of the CaM-binding ability. These results suggest that binding of Ca2+/CaM to the high affinity site is involved at least partly in the activation of NHE1 in response to different extracellular signals.

Mutation of calmodulin-binding site renders the Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE1) highly H(+)-sensitive and Ca2+ regulation-defective

The ubiquitous plasma membrane Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE1) is rapidly activated in response to various extracellular signals. To understand how the intracellular Ca2+ is involved in this activation process, we investigated the effect of Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin on activity of the wild-type or mutant NHE1 expressed in the exchanger-deficient fibroblasts (PS120). In wild-type transfectants, a short (up to 1 min) incubation with ionomycin induced a significant alkaline shift (approximately 0.2 pH unit) in the intracellular pH (pHi) dependence of the rate of 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl) amiloride-sensitive 22Na+ uptake, without changes in the cell volume and phosphorylation state of NHE1. Mutations that prevented calmodulin (CaM) binding to a high affinity binding region (region A, amino acids 636-656) rendered NHE1 constitutively active by inducing a similar alkaline shift in pHi dependence of Na+/H+ exchange. These same mutations abolished the ionomycin-induced NHE1 activation. These data suggest that CaM-binding region A functions as an "autoinhibitory domain" and that Ca2+/CaM activates NHE1 by binding to region A and thus abolishing its inhibitory effect. Furthermore, we found that a short stimulation with thrombin and ionomycin had apparently no additive effects on the alkaline shift in the pHi dependence of Na+/H+ exchange and that deletion of region A also abolished such an alkaline shift induced by a short thrombin stimulation. The results strongly suggest that the early thrombin response and the ionomycin response share the same activation mechanism. Based on these data and the results shown in the accompanying paper (Bertrand, B., Wakabayashi, S., Ikeda, T., Pouysségur, J., and Shigekawa, M. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 13703-13709), we propose that CaM is one of the major "signal transducers" that mediate distinct extracellular signals to the "pHi sensor" of NHE1.

ATP dependence of NHE-1, the ubiquitous isoform of the Na+/H+ antiporter. Analysis of phosphorylation and subcellular localization

ATP is not hydrolyzed during the transport cycle of the Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE), yet depletion of the nucleotide drastically reduces the rate of cation exchange. The mechanism underlying this inhibition was investigated in fibroblasts transfected with NHE-1, the growth factor-sensitive isoform of the antiport. NHE-1 was found to be phosphorylated in serum-starved, unstimulated cells. Acute ATP depletion induced a profound inhibition of transport without detectable changes in NHE-1 phosphorylation. Analysis of cells transfected with truncated mutants of NHE-1 indicated that the carboxyl-terminal cytosolic domain of the antiport is required for expression of its ATP dependence. To define whether inhibition of Na+/H+ exchange resulted from internalization of NHE-1, extracellularly exposed proteins were labeled with impermeant biotin derivatives. The proportion of NHE-1 exposed to the surface was comparable before and after ATP depletion. Immunofluorescence determinations revealed focal accumulations of NHE-1 on the membrane of untreated cells. NHE-1 redistributed following ATP depletion, showing a more homogeneous localization. F-actin, which co-localizes with the antiport in untreated cells, also redistributed when cells were ATP depleted. These findings suggest an interaction of NHE-1 with the cytoskeleton. Accordingly, disassembly of actin filaments with cytochalasin D induced redistribution of the antiport. However, Na+/H+ exchange activity was unaltered by cytochalasin D. We propose that ancillary proteins confer ATP sensitivity to the antiporter and may also mediate its association with the cytoskeleton. Depletion of the nucleotide would alter the interaction between NHE-1 and the putative regulator, inhibiting Na+/H+ exchange and inducing subcellular redistribution. However, disruption of the cytoskeleton at distal sites, such as induced by cytochalasins, is insufficient to inactivate the antiport.

In vivo cerebral incorporation of radiolabeled fatty acids after acute unilateral orbital enucleation in adult hooded Long-Evans rats

We examined effects of acute unilateral enucleation on incorporation from blood of intravenously injected unsaturated [1-14C]arachidonic acid ([14C]AA) and [1-14C]docosahexaenoic acid ([14C]DHA), and of saturated [9,10-3H]palmitic acid ([3H]PA), into visual and nonvisual brain areas of awake adult Long-Evans hooded rats. Regional cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (rCMRglc) values also were assessed with 2-deoxy-D-[1-14C]glucose ([14C]DG). One day after unilateral enucleation, an awake rat was placed in a brightly lit visual stimulation box with black and white striped walls, and a radiolabeled fatty acid was infused for 5 min or [14C]DG was injected as a bolus. [14C]DG also was injected in a group of rats kept in the dark for 4 h. Fifteen minutes after starting an infusion of a radiolabeled fatty acid, or 45 min after injecting [14C]DG, the rat was killed and the brain was prepared for quantitative autoradiography. Incorporation coefficients k* of fatty acids, or rCMRglc values, were calculated in homologous brain regions contralateral and ipsilateral to enucleation. As compared with ipsilateral regions, rCMRglc was reduced significantly (by as much as -39%) in contralateral visual areas, including the superior colliculus, lateral geniculate body, and layers I, IV, and V of the primary (striate) and secondary (association, extrastriate) visual cortices. Enucleation did not affect incorporation of [3H]PA into contralateral visual regions, but reduced incorporation of [14C]AA and of [14C]DHA by -18.5 to -2.1%. Percent reductions were correlated with percent reductions in rCMRglc in most but not all regions. No effects were noted at any of nine non-visual structures that were examined. These results indicate that enucleation acutely reduces neuronal activity in contralateral visual areas of the awake rat and that the reductions are coupled to reduced incorporation of unsaturated fatty acids into sn-2 regions of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylethanolamine. Reduced fatty acid incorporation likely reflects reduced activity of phospholipases A2 and/or phospholipase C.

Growth factor activation and "H(+)-sensing" of the Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1). Evidence for an additional mechanism not requiring direct phosphorylation

Growth factors stimulate the Na+/H+ exchange activity (NHE1 human isoform) and at the same time increase the phosphorylation state of the exchanger at serine residues. To determine the role of NHE1 phosphorylation, a set of deletion and point mutants has been generated. Functional characterization of deletion mutants expressed in fibroblastic cells revealed that the cytoplasmic region between amino acids 567 and 635 is required for both growth factor-induced cytoplasmic alkalinization and maintenance of high intracellular pH (pHi) sensitivity. In contrast to the loss of growth factor activation and pHi sensitivity caused by the deletion of amino acids 567-635, the same deletion had no apparent effect on the pattern of growth factor-induced phosphorylation. In addition, individual replacement of any of the serine residues between amino acids 567 and 635 with alanine also had no effect on growth factor activation of the exchange activity. Comparison of phosphopeptide maps for the wild type with those for the internal deletion mutant exchangers and the expressed cytoplasmic domain revealed that all major in vivo phosphorylation sites including growth factor-sensitive ones map to the cytoplasmic tail (amino acids 636-815). Deletion of these sites preserves high pHi sensitivity and reduces by only 50% growth factor-induced cytoplasmic alkalinization. Taken together, these data support the existence of a mechanism not requiring direct phosphorylation of NHE1, by which growth factor signals transmit to the "H(+)-sensor" and control the set point value of the exchanger. We propose that a regulatory factor(s) controls NHE1, presumably through its interaction with the critical cytoplasmic region prior to amino acid 635.

[The effects of indigestible dextrin on sugar tolerance: III. Improvement in sugar tolerance by indigestible dextrin on the impaired glucose tolerance model]

Recently developed, Indigestible Dextrin (PF-C) is a low viscosity, water-soluble dietary fiber obtained by heating and enzyme-treatment of potato starch. It has an average molecular weight of 1600. Results from methylation analysis via gas chromatography show the indigestible portion to be a dextrin composed of alpha-1.4, alpha-1.6, beta-1.2, beta-1.3, and beta-1.6 glucosidic bonds and 1.6-anhydro-beta-D-glucose (levoglucosan) as part of the reducing terminal. Physiological attributes such as an improvement in sucrose tolerance and a reduction in blood lipid levels have since been demonstrated. In this study to establish a dose response for PF-C on blood glucose and insulin levels following a sucrose load, administration studies were conducted on normal rats and rats with impaired glucose tolerance. The results are summarized as follows: 1) To estimate an effective dose of PF-C on the reduction in blood glucose and insulin levels following an oral sucrose load, an oral sucrose (1.5g/kg body weight) tolerance test was conducted on rats. The increase in both plasma glucose and insulin levels following a sucrose+PF-C (0.075, 0.15, 0.60, and 1.5g/kg body weight) load was significantly lower compared to the sucrose load. The results show that the most effective dose of PF-C was found to be 0.15g/kg body weight. 2) Another sucrose tolerance test was conducted on three different rat model groups with drug or diet induced impaired glucose tolerance. Impaired glucose tolerance was achieved by injecting one group with streptozotocin at 1.5 days (60mg/kg body weight); a second group was injected at seven weeks (30mg/kg body weight), and a third group was fed on a high (65%) sucrose diet. For this sucrose tolerance test, the adult (7-week) streptozotocin induced diabetic rats and the high-sucrose diet rats on concurrent administrations of PF-C (0.15g/kg body weight) showed decreases in both plasma glucose and insulin levels following a sucrose (1.5g/kg body weight) load. For the neonatal (1.5-day) streptozotocin induced diabetic rat group, reduced increases in plasma glucose were observed with no change in insulin levels as a result of concurrent administration of PF-C following a sucrose load.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Thalamic infarction in young adult caused by embolism from an unruptured aneurysm of the posterior cerebral artery--a case report]

A 21-year-old man presented with sudden weakness and dysesthesia of his right limbs. Computerized tomography (CT) scan showed a low density area in the posterolateral part of the left thalamus. Right vertebral angiography revealed a small aneurysm at the P2 segment of the posterior cerebral artery. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated intra-aneurysmal clot and signal void in the residual lumen. There were no other lesion and no predisposing risk factors that produced cerebral ischemia. It was thought that the aneurysm was the source of emboli resulting in thalamic infarction. The patient underwent a left subtemporal craniotomy, and the aneurysm was clipped. Following surgery, there has been no recurrence of ischemic attacks. The diagnosis and the therapy were discussed, with reference to the literature.

Design, synthesis, and pharmacology of 3-substituted sodium azulene-1-sulfonates and related compounds: non-prostanoid thromboxane A2 receptor antagonists

A series of novel azulene-1 carboxylic acid derivatives 28-30, azulene-1 sulfonic acid sodium salts 41a-c, and related compounds were synthesized. These compounds were tested for TXA2 receptor antagonistic activity. The inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of these compounds for vascular contraction (TXA2 tau receptor) and platelet aggregation (TXA2 alpha receptor) induced by (15S)-15-hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5(Z),13(E)- dienoic acid (U-46619) were obtained. Azulene-1-sulfonic acid sodium salts 41a-c were over 3 times more potent than azulene-1-carboxylic acids 28-30. The most potent compound, 41b was 4 orders of magnitude more potent than a TXA2 antagonist, BM13,177, in inhibiting vascular contraction (tau receptor) and had an IC50 of 9.0 x 10(-10) M. Compound 41b was also found to be a tau receptor selective antagonist (IC50 of contraction/IC50 of aggregation = 378) and to have no TXA2 synthetase inhibitory activity at concentrations up to 10(-4) M and no partial agonistic activity at concentrations up to 10(-5) M in rabbit aorta (tau receptor) and up to 10(-4) M in rabbit platelet-rich plasma (alpha receptor). In a radioligand binding assay using rabbit gel-filtered platelets, compound 41b had a high-affinity binding for the TXA2 receptor. In an in vivo study, compound 41b inhibited U-46619-induced sudden death in mice at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg and its duration of action was over 8 h when administered orally at 3 mg/kg.