Two constituent proteases of a teleostean hatching enzyme: concurrent syntheses and packaging in the same secretory granules in discrete arrangement

Formation, accumulation, and storage of two components of the Oryzias latipes hatching enzyme, high and low choriolytic enzymes (HCE and LCE), were examined by immunocytochemical and immunoblotting methods. Both of the enzymes were found to be formed specifically in the hatching gland cells at the stages of lens formation to eye pigmentation and their accumulation proceeded markedly and concurrently up to Day 5.5 embryos (the stage just before hatching). The amount of HCE formed was more abundant than that of LCE. In the hatching gland cells, HCE and LCE were found to be packaged in the same secretory granules but in distinct arrangement; HCE is localized to the inside of granules whereas LCE is situated at the periphery of the same granules. Their segregated arrangement is compatible with their relative quantities formed per embryo. The results provide not only the cellular and developmental basis for a view that this hatching enzyme is an enzyme system composed of HCE and LCE but also a clue to the regulatory mechanism of concurrent syntheses of two different specific proteins in the same embryonic cell.

A muscarinic receptor agonist mobilizes Ca2+ from caffeine and inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive Ca2+ stores in cat adrenal chromaffin cells

To gain some understanding of the characteristics of intracellular Ca2+ stores of cat adrenal chromaffin cells, we investigated the effects of ryanodine, a blocker of Ca(2+)-induced Ca2+ release channels in muscle, on both cytosolic Ca2+ concentration and catecholamine secretion induced by caffeine or methacholine. The results suggest that Ca2+ stores consist of at least two compartments, one which is sensitive to both caffeine and inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), and the other which is sensitive to IP3 alone.

Muscarinic receptor concentrations and dopamine release in aged rat striata

The extent to which age-related decreases in muscarinic enhancement of K(+)-evoked dopamine release (K(+)-ERDA) from perifused striatal slices is dependent upon the loss of striatal muscarinic receptors (mAChR) was determined. Both K(+)-ERDA and mAChR (M1, M2) concentrations were assessed from the same animals (3, 5-7 and 24-27 months). Results indicated associated decreases of 70% in oxotremorine-enhanced K(+)-ERDA and 36% in Bmax (3H-QNB) (3 and 24-27 months groups). Decrease of mAChR Bmax was not the result of membrane sequestration. Although both the concentrations of M1 and M2 muscarinic receptor subtypes decline with age, only the M2 receptor decline was correlated with the age-related decreases in muscarinic enhancement of K(+)-ERDA (r = .71, p less than 0.001). Results suggest that age-related decreases in mAChR concentrations as being partially responsible for deficits in muscarinic enhancement of K(+)-evoked release of DA.

Internal Ca2+ mobilization by muscarinic stimulation increases secretion from adrenal chromaffin cells only in the presence of Ca2+ influx

The cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]in) in single cat and bovine adrenal chromaffin cells was measured to determine whether or not there was any correlation between the [Ca2+]in and the catecholamine (CA) secretion caused by muscarinic receptor stimulation. In cat chromaffin cells, methacholine (MCh), a muscarinic agonist, raised [Ca2+]in by activating both Ca2+ influx and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization with an accompanying CA secretion. In bovine cells, MCh elevated [Ca2+]in by mobilizing intracellular Ca2+ but did not cause CA secretion. The MCh-induced rise in [Ca2+]in in cat cells was much higher than that in bovine cells, but when Ca2+ influx was blocked, the rise was reduced, with a concomitant loss of secretion, to a level comparable to that in bovine cells. Intracellular Ca2+ mobilization due to muscarinic stimulation substantially increased secretion from depolarized bovine and cat cells, where a [Ca2+]in elevated above basal values was maintained by a continuous Ca2+ influx. These results show that Ca2+ released from internal stores is not effective in triggering secretion unless Ca2+ continues to enter across the plasma membrane, a conclusion suggesting that secretion depends on [Ca2+]in in a particular region of the cell.

Antitumor activity of 2'-deoxy-2'-methylidenecytidine, a new 2'-deoxycytidine derivative

The antitumor activity of 2'-deoxy-2'-methylidenecytidine (DMDC), an inhibitor of DNA synthesis, was examined and compared with that of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) against various murine tumors and human tumor xenografts. Against P388 murine leukemia, repeated treatments of DMDC were more effective than its single administration. Interestingly, DMDC was effective against colon 26 murine carcinoma, M5076 murine reticulum cell sarcoma, LX-1 human lung cancer xenograft, and SK-Mel-28 human melanoma xenograft, which are less sensitive or refractory to ara-C, while DMDC was not more potent against murine leukemias P388 and L1210 than ara-C. The in vitro cytotoxic effects of DMDC and ara-C against L1210 leukemia cells were prevented dose dependently by deoxycytidine, suggesting that DMDC, like ara-C, may require phosphorylation by deoxycytidine kinase for antitumor activity. DMDC was effective against human and murine experimental tumor models, especially nonleukemic tumors refractory to ara-C, suggesting that DMDC will be a promising agent for the treatment of cancer.

Correlations between IL-2 enhancing activity and clinical parameters in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus

In a previous paper (Tomura, K. et al. Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 1989, 159, 171-183), we discovered IL-2 enhancing factor(s) designated B cell derived-growth enhancing factor-2 (BGEF-2), which enhanced IL-2 dependent cell proliferation, and reported that BGEF-2 was produced by B cells of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) only when they were in the active stage of the disease. In this paper, we studied relationship between each IL-2 enhancing activity from B cell supernatant of the patients with these diseases and clinical parameters. IL-2 enhancing activities did not correlate with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), but correlated with plasma concentrations of gamma-globulin from the patients with RA and SLE in the active stages. IL-2 enhancing activities correlated with hypocomplementemia and leukocytopenia in the patients with SLE, and also correlated with RAHA titer in the patients with RA. Moreover, on several patients with RA or SLE in the active stages, diminution of IL-2 enhancing activity was found when they were in the remission stage after treatments. These findings suggested that IL-2 enhancing activity (i.e., BGEF-2 activity) correlated with activity of these diseases and supported the hypothesis that BGEF-2 played an important role in the polyclonal B cell activation and autoantibody production in patients with these diseases.

GABA inhibits the rise in cytosolic free calcium concentration in depolarized immature cerebellar Purkinje cells

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) reduced the peak rise or slowed the rate of rise in cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca]in) induced by quisqualate, kainate, or high KCl in immature cerebellar Purkinje cell bodies. The sustained rise or repeated transient of [Ca]in induced by tetraethylammonium, veratridine, or Bay-K-8644 was lowered to the basal level by adding GABA, although the inhibition by GABA of Bay-K-8644-induced rise in [Ca]in was only slight and transient in some cells. These findings indicate that GABA inhibits the rise in [Ca]in by hyperpolarizing the membrane potentials at Purkinje cell bodies.

Tetraethylammonium stimulates adrenomedullary secretion by causing fluctuations in a cytosolic free Ca concentration

Tetraethylammonium (TEA) caused marked fluctuations in a cytosolic free Ca concentration, which was measured by fura-2 microfluorimetry in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. At the same time. TEA stimulated catecholamine secretion from cat and bovine chromaffin cells. Present results suggest that TEA indirectly increases the Ca2+ influx by depolarizing the cell membrane and consequently stimulates catecholamine secretion.

Prolonged exposure to a K-rich medium makes the rat mast cell membrane permeable to external calcium ions

Rat mast cells, pretreated with a Ca-free, high KCl medium for more than 30 min, released histamine when subsequently exposed to a medium containing 0.1-2 mM Ca, despite the absence of voltage-dependent Ca channels. Morphological studies showed that high KCl-treated cells became swollen and that the addition of Ca caused degranulation (exocytosis). Ca-stimulated histamine release was inhibited when the high KCl treatment medium contained dinitrophenol and 2-deoxyglucose. The response to Ca was also observed when KCl in the treatment medium was replaced by RbCl, CsCl, KBr or KNO3. When the high K-treated cells were incubated with 0.5 mM 45Ca at 0-1 degree C, 45Ca uptake by these cells was much larger than that by untreated cells, suggesting that the membrane permeability to Ca of these cells is increased. Although prolonged (90 min) incubation of the cells with an isotonic KCl medium increased the rate of leakage of lactate dehydrogenase possibly reflecting extensive cell swelling, most cells recovered the ability of responding to stimulation with compound 48/80 or with simultaneous removal of Na and Ca when subsequently incubated with a Na-based medium containing Ca. Raising the KCl concentration above normal osmolarity in the treatment medium reduced the extents of cell swelling, without reducing the response to Ca addition. Under various other experimental conditions, a poor correlation was also found between the extents of swelling and the magnitude of the response to Ca. These results raised the possibility that intracellular accumulation of a particular species of anions increased membrane permeability to Ca.

A unique proteolytic action of HCE, a constituent protease of a fish hatching enzyme: tight binding to its natural substrate, egg envelope

High choriolytic enzyme (HCE), a constituent protease of the hatching enzyme of the teleost, Oryzias latipes, swells its natural substrate, egg envelope (chorion) by hydrolyzing it partially. This enzyme was found to be bound tightly to the chorion when it exerted catalytic action. This was evidenced by the experimental results showing (i) that the turnover of this enzyme seemed to be hindered by the chorion, (ii) that the enzyme bound to the chorion could be recovered by washing with an alkaline medium, and (iii) that the bound enzyme could be quantified by radioimmunological estimation. The bound enzyme sustained its original activity and the binding between the enzyme and the chorion seems to be stoichiometric.

A glycoprotein from the liver constitutes the inner layer of the egg envelope (zona pellucida interna) of the fish, Oryzias latipes

A glycoprotein from the liver, which shares epitopes with chorion (egg envelope or zona pellucida) glycoproteins, is present only in the spawning female fish, Oryzias latipes, under natural conditions. This spawning female-specific (SF) substance is distinct from vitellogenin but closely resembles a major glycoprotein component, ZI-3, of the inner layer (zona radiata interna) of the ovarian egg envelope with respect to some biochemical and immunochemical characteristics. Here we report that the [125I]SF substance, injected into the abdominal cavity of the spawning female fish, was rapidly transported by the blood circulation into the ovary and incorporated into the inner layer of egg envelope of the growing oocytes. The result strongly suggests that the SF substance from the liver is a precursor substance of the major component, ZI-3, of the inner layer of egg envelope in the fish.

Isolation and some properties of low choriolytic enzyme (LCE), a component of the hatching enzyme of the teleost, Oryzias latipes

One of the two component proteases of the hatching enzyme of the fish, Oryzias latipes, low choriolytic enzyme (LCE), was isolated from the hatching liquid and partly characterized. The enzyme was a basic protein with molecular weight of about 25.5 kDa. Like high choriolytic enzyme (HCE), the other component of the O. latipes hatching enzyme [Yasumasu, S. et al. (1989) J. Biochem. 105, 204-211], LCE was considered to be a zinc-protease from the results of inhibitor studies and metal analyses. However, LCE was found to be distinct from HCE not only in some biochemical characteristics such as molecular weight, amino acid composition, and isoelectric point, but also in some enzymological properties such as substrate specificity, heat stability, and mode of action toward their natural substrate, chorion (egg envelope). Although LCE was almost incapable of digesting the inner layer of intact chorion, it very efficiently digested the inner layer of chorion that had been swollen previously by the action of HCE. Taking account of the fact that HCE swells the inner layer of intact chorion by partial proteolysis but does not efficiently digest the swollen chorion any more [Yasumasu, S. et al. (1989) J. Biochem. 105, 204-211], the present results demonstrated an essential role of LCE in choriolysis, in cooperation with HCE.

Purification and partial characterization of high choriolytic enzyme (HCE), a component of the hatching enzyme of the teleost, Oryzias latipes

The hatching enzyme is an embryo-secreted enzyme(s) which digests the egg envelope, allowing the embryo to emerge at the time of hatching. The hatching enzyme of the fish, Oryzias latipes, has recently been found to consist of two kinds of proteases which may digest the inner layer of chorion (egg envelope) cooperatively [Yasumasu, S. et al. (1988) Zool. Sci. 5, 191-195]. In the present study, one of them, high choriolytic (egg envelope digesting) enzyme (HCE) was purified and some biochemical and enzymological properties were examined. The enzyme was a basic protein with a molecular weight of about 24 kDa, and exhibited choriolytic activity as well as proteolytic (caseinolytic) activity. The results of inhibitor studies and metal analyses strongly suggested that it was a zinc-protease. The purified HCE consisted of two probable isomers, HCE-1 and HCE-2. Both of them were markedly similar in amino acid composition, specific activities of choriolysis and proteolysis, and substrate specificity as determined using MCA-peptides. Moreover, they were not separable on SDS-PAGE, electrofocusing PAGE, or ultracentrifugal analysis, but were discriminated only on HPLC with a CM-300 column. Thus, the mixture of HCE-1 and HCE-2 could be regarded as almost a single enzyme, HCE. When it acted on an intact chorion, the purified HCE caused a remarkable swelling of its inner layer with concomitant release of peptides from it. Once the inner layer of chorion was swollen, the enzyme hardly digested it.

Spontaneous and secretagogue-induced changes in cytosolic free Ca concentration measured by microfluorimetry with fura-2 on single bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

The concentration of cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca]in) was examined in single bovine adrenal chromaffin cells by monitoring fura-2 fluorescence with microspectrofluorimetry. To see the correlation between [Ca]in and secretion, we also measured the rates of catecholamine (CA) secretion and 45Ca efflux from populations of cells. [Ca]in was constant in the majority of single cells, but the small oscillatory changes in [Ca]in were observed in a population of cells. These spontaneous Ca oscillations, when observed, disappeared either after removal of extracellular Ca2+ or by addition of D-600 or Mn2+, but still persisted in the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX) or after removal of extracellular Na+. In the silent cells the Ca fluctuations were often induced by Bay-K-8644. The characteristics of Bay-K-8644-induced Ca fluctuations were very similar to those of spontaneous ones. Low concentrations of nicotine (1 microM), acetylcholine (ACh; 1-2 microM), or KCl (12.5 mM) often induced oscillations riding on a steady rise in [Ca]in. These changes were rapidly suppressed by removal of either extracellular Ca2+ or Na+, or by addition of either D-600 (methoxyverapamil) or TTX. A low concentration of ACh (1 microM) or KCl (12.5 mM) also increased the rate of 45Ca efflux, but substantial secretion was not detected. On the other hand, the sustained rise in [Ca]in was evoked by 0.1 mM ACh, 20 microM nicotine, or 30 mM KCl, which was suppressed by removal of extracellular Ca2+, but was little affected by TTX. A sustained increase in 45Ca efflux upon exposure to ACh was observed, possibly reflecting the sustained rise in [Ca]in. ACh also stimulated CA secretion, which was faded out during the prolonged application. Veratridine, a Na channel activator, caused repetitive sequence of Ca transients followed by a sustained rise in [Ca]in. These results, together with the previous electrophysiological findings, suggest that: (1) the spontaneous Ca fluctuations are closely associated with occurrence of spontaneous Ca2+ and Na+ action potentials; (2) the rise in [Ca]in induced by a low concentration of nicotinic agonists of KCl is mediated by Na+ action potentials as well as gradual membrane depolarizations; (3) the oscillatory changes subsequent to a rise in [Ca]in reflect fluctuations in Ca2+ influx through the Ca2+ channels; (4) the critical [Ca]in needs to be attained before the CA secretion takes place.

Fluoroaluminates stimulate histamine secretion in the digitonin-permeabilized rat mast cells

The combination of NaF and AlCl3 stimulated histamine secretion from digitonin-permeabilized rat mast cells only in the presence of trace amount of Ca2+. When NaF plus AlCl3 were added together with a maximal dose of guanosine-5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP gamma S), the combined effect was less than additive. The results suggest that the secretory effect of fluoroaluminates is, at least partially, mediated by GTP-binding protein, which is previously found to be activated by GTP gamma S.

The secretory mechanism in adrenal chromaffin cells by nitrophenol compounds: possible involvement of the change in the surface potentials

The rabbit adrenal gland was perfused with a modified Locke's medium and the mechanism of adrenaline secretion induced by nitrophenol compound was investigated. The secretory response to 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) or trinitrophenol (TNP) showed the following peculiar features. (1) Prolonged exposure to DNP or TNP caused an immediate, and long-lasting increase of secretion only in the presence of Ca. (2) The response to DNP depended on the concentration of Ca, but that to TNP was largest in the presence of 0.5 mM Ca. (3) Re-addition of 2 mM Ca during prolonged exposure to DNP or TNP produced a larger response than did the simultaneous addition of Ca and either DNP or TNP. (4) The response to DNP in the presence of 2 mM Ca was markedly reduced by removal of external Na, but the Na dependency became less marked in the presence of 0.1 mM Ca. The response to TNP in the presence of 0.5 mM Ca was slightly reduced in the absence of Na. (5) DNP or TNP caused a much larger response during depolarization with a high K, Rb, or Cs medium than that with a 5 mM KCl medium. (6) The response to DNP was largely potentiated in the absence of most ions in the presence of only 0.1 mM Ca and that to TNP was potentiated in the presence of only 0.5 mM Ca under the same condition. (7) Re-addition of Ca 5 min after the removal DNP or TNP still caused substantial secretion. These results suggest that nitrophenol compounds stimulate secretion by two independent mechanisms: one is related to its effect on the surface potentials of the plasma membrane and the other unknown except for the possible dependence of Na and Ca.

Mechanism of histamine secretion from rat mast cell by calcium reintroduction

Rat mast cells treated with Ca-free medium were stimulated with Ca reintroduction and its secretory mechanism was investigated. The response was modulated by experimental manipulations which are supposed to alter the level of internal Na, suggesting the involvement of internal Na in this response.

Specific cleavage of calmodulin-binding proteins by low Ca2+-requiring form of Ca2+-activated neutral protease in human platelets

Occurrence of Ca2+-dependent calmodulin-binding proteins in lysed human platelets and their cleavage by low Ca2+-requiring Ca2+-activated protease were investigated by a gel overlay technique using [125I]calmodulin. Calmodulin-binding polypeptides of Mr 100K, 90K, 60K, and 40K were detected in lysed platelets, of which 90K and 60K polypeptides were rapidly degraded to lower molecular weight products in the presence of micromolar concentrations of Ca2+. Then, we investigated cleavage of calmodulin-binding proteins by purified low Ca2+-requiring Ca2+-activated neutral protease from human platelets. As substrate, myosin light chain kinase and caldesmon purified from the chicken gizzard smooth muscle were used. In the presence of micromolar concentration of Ca2+, these two proteins were also rapidly degraded to lower molecular weight species, which were still capable of binding to calmodulin.

Nitriphenol compound induces Ca-dependent exocytotic secretion of catecholamines by a direct effect on the plasma membranes of the adrenal medullary cells

2,4-Dinitrophenol induced Ca-dependent secretion of adrenaline from the perfused adrenals of the rabbits. Secretion of adrenaline was accompanied by that of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase showing the exocytotic nature, 2,4,5-Trinitrophenol, which is devoid of uncoupling activity, and other nitrophenol compounds were also effective in inducing secretion, suggesting that secretion by nitrophenol compound is due to increased Ca entry through its direct effect on the plasma membrane.

Dynamics of calmodulin and cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase in plasma membranes of rat livers and ascites hepatomas

1. Plasma membranes from ascites hepatoma cells (AH-7974, AH-130) contained much smaller amounts of calmodulin (about half) and cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (about one-third) compared to plasma membranes of rat livers. 2. Some of calmodulin molecules in liver plasma membranes were released by repeated washing. The 'washed' liver plasma membranes showed the presence of specific binding sites for externally added calmodulin molecules (bovine brain) (N = 140 pmol/mg protein, Kd = 7.9 . 10(-8) M). The calmodulin content of AH-7974 plasma membranes was not reduced by repeated washing. The binding of calmodulin to the 'washed' AH-7974 plasma membranes was only of nonspecific nature with negative cooperativity. 3. Plasma membranes (liver and AH-7974) appeared to contain both calmodulin-dependent and calmodulin-independent phosphodiesterase, but the stimulation by externally added Ca2+ plus calmodulin was rather small. Externally added calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterase (bovine brain) was bound more to 'washed' liver plasma membranes than to 'washed' AH-7974 plasma membranes. Newly bound phosphodiesterase appeared to be more sensitive to the stimulation by Ca2+ plus calmodulin in 'washed' hepatoma plasma membranes than in 'washed' liver plasma membranes. 4. Preincubation of 'washed' plasma membranes (liver and hepatoma) with calmodulin did not affect the binding of phosphodiesterase, but the sensitivity of phosphodiesterase to the stimulation by Ca2+ plus calmodulin in hepatoma plasma membranes was lost.

Possible occurrence of Na+-dependent Ca2+ influx mechanism in isolated bovine chromaffin cells

Chromaffin cells were isolated from bovine adrenals and the effects of experimental manipulations which alter the level of internal Na+ on the release of catecholamines and 45Ca uptake by these cells were investigated. In response to NA+ deprivation both parameters were increased or decreased when internal NA+ was raised or reduced, respectively. The results suggest the existence of Na+-dependent Ca2+ influx mechanism in these cells.