High glucose concentrations and protein kinase C isoforms in vascular smooth muscle cells

High extracellular glucose activates protein kinase C (PKC), a family of kinases vital to intracellular signaling. However, which PKC isoforms are involved and where in the cell they operate is unclear. We tested the hypothesis that only those PKC isoforms binding to diacylglycerol (DAG) are activated by high glucose. We also reasoned that the isoforms would translocate to different parts of the cell, where they presumably serve different functions. The PKC isoforms alpha, beta, delta, epsilon, and zeta were studied. Twenty mM glucose caused an increase in total PKC activity at six hours, which was maintained at 24 hours. High glucose decreased the angiotensin II-induced calcium signal. This effect was reversed by preincubating the cells with the PKC inhibitor staurosporine. Glucose induced a translocation of all PKC isoforms except PKC zeta by Western blot. Confocal microscopy showed that PKC alpha, beta, and epsilon were translocated into the nucleus. PKC delta showed strong association with cytoskeletal structures. The effects were sustained at 24 hours for PKC isoform beta and to a lesser extent for PKC delta and epsilon, but not for PKC alpha. Thus, PKC isoforms differ in their propensity to be activated by high glucose. Those isoforms binding to DAG are activated. Both cytoskeletal and nuclear signaling may be involved.

Pharmacological effects of dai-saiko-to on lipid biosynthesis in cultured human hepatocyte HepG2 cells

The pharmacological effects of Dai-saiko-to, a Japanese and Chinese traditional medicinal mixture (Kampohozai), on lipid biosynthesis were investigated in cultured human hepatocyte HepG2 cells. The addition of Dai-saiko-to (0.5 mg/ml), which had no significant effect on cell proliferation, caused a marked decrease in the intracellular triglyceride content with no significant changes in the other lipid fraction. At the same time, the incorporation of 14C-acetate or 3H-glycerol into the triglyceride or diglyceride fractions also decreased significantly. These results suggest that Dai-saiko-to decreases hepatic triglyceride biosynthesis, which might contribute to a reduction in plasma VLDL levels.

Stimulation of phospholipase D by epidermal growth factor requires protein kinase C activation in Swiss 3T3 cells

The proposal that epidermal growth factor (EGF) activates phospholipase D (PLD) by a mechanism(s) not involving phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2) hydrolysis was examined in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts. EGF, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), bombesin, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) activated PLD as measured by transphosphatidylation of butanol to phosphatidylbutanol. The increase in inositol phosphates induced by bFGF, EGF, or bombesin was significantly enhanced by Ro-31-8220, an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), suggesting that PtdIns(4,5)P2-hydrolyzing phospholipase is coupled to the receptors for these agonists but that the response is down-regulated by PKC. Activation of PLD by EGF was inhibited dose dependently by the PKC inhibitors bis-indolylmaleimide and Ro-31-8220, which also inhibited the effects of bFGF, bombesin, and PDGF. Down-regulation of PKC by prolonged treatment with 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate also abolished EGF- and PDGF-stimulated phosphatidylbutanol formation. EGF and bombesin induced biphasic translocations of PKC delta and epsilon to the membrane that were detectable at 15 s. In the presence of Ro-31-8220, translocation of PKC alpha became evident, and membrane association of the delta- and epsilon-isozymes was enhanced and/or sustained in response to the two agonists. The inhibitor also enhanced EGF-stimulated [3H]diacylglycerol formation in cells preincubated with [3H]arachidonic acid, which labeled predominantly phosphatidylinositol, but inhibited [3H]diacylglycerol production in cells preincubated with [3H]myristic acid, which labeled mainly phosphatidylcholine. These data support the conclusion that EGF can stimulate diacylglycerol formation from PtdIns(4,5)P2 and that PKC performs the dual role of down-regulating this response as well as mediating phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis. In summary, all of the results of the study indicate that PLD activation by EGF is downstream of PtdIns(4,5)P2-hydrolyzing phospholipase and is dependent upon subsequent PKC activation.

Human IL-3 receptor signaling: rapid induction of phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis is independent of protein kinase C but dependent on tyrosine phosphorylation in transfected NIH 3T3 cells

Although tyrosine kinases are clearly activated after ligand engagement of the human IL-3R in both hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cytoplasmic environments, a role for phospholipid hydrolysis and protein kinase C in IL-3R signal transduction is emerging. We have used NIH 3T3 cells transiently transfected with human IL-3R alpha- and beta-subunits to study phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis in response to human IL-3. We have found that NIH 3T3 cells expressing the complete human IL-3R respond to human IL-3 with a rapid and sustained increase in sn-1'2'-diacylglycerol. Accompanying this was a rapid increase in intracellular levels of phosphorylcholine. The protein kinase C inhibitor H-7, however, was not effective in inhibiting phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis in response to human IL-3 in NIH 3T3 cells expressing the human receptor. Thus the human IL-3R induces a rapid protein-kinase-C-independent hydrolysis induced by the murine receptor. Simultaneous with the increase in phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis induced by the murine receptor. Simultaneous with the increase in diacylglycerol levels was an increase in membrane-bound protein kinase C enzyme activity. Immunoblotting with isoform-specific Abs against protein kinase C showed that, whereas the zeta-isoform is constitutively membrane bound, the alpha-isoform of protein kinase C is translocated to the membrane in response to IL-3. Activation of phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis and protein kinase C activation required both alpha- and beta-receptor subunits. To determine the relationship of tyrosine phosphorylation to the activation of phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis and protein kinase C translocation, we used the specific and structurally unrelated tyrosine kinase inhibitors genistein and herbimycin. Both inhibitors effectively blocked human IL-3-induced tyrosine phosphorylation. In addition, both inhibitors blocked phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis and protein kinase C translocation. These data, combined with our previous report showing that c-jun induction by IL-3 is dependent on protein kinase C, suggest that, in hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells expressing the human IL-3R, phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis and protein kinase C are downstream effectors of tyrosine phosphorylation in the IL-3 signal transduction cascade resulting in immediate early response gene induction.

Glyceride synthesis catalyzed by cutinase using the monomolecular film technique

The monomolecular film technique previously used to study the kinetics of lipase hydrolysis was adapted to synthesizing oleoyl glycerides (monoolein, diolein, and triolein). The water subphase was replaced by glycerol, and a film of oleic acid was initially spread on the glycerol surface. In this system a recombinant cutinase from Fusarium solani was able to catalyze oleoyl glyceride synthesis. More than 50% of the oleic acid film was acylated after 7 min of reaction. The surface pressure applied to the monomolecular film acts as a physical selectivity factor since glyceride synthesis can be steered so as to produce either diolein or triolein.

Ultraviolet radiation stimulates a biphasic pattern of 1,2-diacylglycerol formation in cultured human melanocytes and keratinocytes by activation of phospholipases C and D

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) induces melanin synthesis by human epidermal melanocytes, and phospholipid-derived 1,2-diacylglycerols (DAGs) have been implicated in mediating this response. In previous experiments, addition of the synthetic DAG 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol to cultured pigment cells stimulated melanogenesis. The purpose of the present study was to analyse the effects of UVR on the endogenous generation of DAGs. It was found that in a number of cultured cell types, including human melanocytes and B16 mouse melanoma cells, but also human keratinocytes and Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts, exposure to a single dose of UVR stimulated a biphasic increase in endogenous DAG formation. An early transient rise, over seconds, was followed by a more sustained delayed rise over minutes. The early rise in DAG levels was accompanied by a transient rise in inositol trisphosphate formation, indicating activation of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C. The delayed rise was accompanied by activation of phospholipase D. This endogenous DAG formation by pigment cells is further evidence for the involvement of DAGs in UVR-induced epidermal melanin synthesis. Since DAG formation is also seen in other cells types, it is possible that DAGs may be involved in an array of UVR-induced responses.

Activity and subcellular distribution of phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (EC 3.1.3.4) in alcoholic liver disease

A micromethod was developed to assay the hepatic activity and subcellular distribution of phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAH, EC 3.1.3.4), an important regulatory enzyme in triacylglycerol synthesis, in human needle biopsy specimens. In normal liver PAH is predominantly cytosolic in distribution, but on treatment with oleic acid it shifts to the membranous compartments of the cell, its physiologically active site. The hepatic specific activity of PAH was similar in controls and patients with fatty liver but significantly more of the enzyme was associated with the membranous compartments in patients with severe alcoholic fatty liver. These observations may explain the enhanced rates of triacylglycerol synthesis observed in these patients and may be implicated in the pathogenesis of alcoholic fatty liver.

The mitogenic action of recombinant basic FGF in Swiss 3T3 cells is independent of early diradylglycerol production and downregulatable protein kinase C activity

In this study we have investigated the requirement for phosphoinositide metabolism, diradylglycerol (DG) production and protein kinase C (PKC) activation in recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor (rbFGF)-mediated reinitiation of DNA synthesis in Swiss 3T3 cells. We have assessed the involvement of PKC activation in rbFGF-induced DNA synthesis by two approaches; enzymic inhibition by H7 and down-regulation by prolonged phorbol-ester treatment. In both conditions we observed that rbFGF was able to sustain a significant component of its mitogenic response, therefore denying an exclusive role for the activation of downregulatable and H7-sensitive PKC isoforms in rbFGF-induced reinitiation of DNA synthesis. Moreover, we have found no evidence for diacylglycerol accumulation in response to rbFGF by 3T3 cells. In previous studies, we observed that rbFGF caused a moderate and slow accumulation of total inositol phosphates. This effect was significant only after a 60 min incubation. It is our contention that rbFGF, in our culture system, does not exert a direct effect on phosphoinositide metabolism.

Angiotensin II-mediated stimulation of phospholipase D in rabbit kidney proximal tubule cells

The present study was undertaken to demonstrate whether or not angiotensin II activates a phospholipase D in rabbit kidney proximal tubule cells. By measuring the formation of [3H]phosphatidic acid and [3H]phosphatidylethanol, we elucidate the direct stimulation of phospholipase D by angiotensin II. Angiotensin II leads to a rapid increase in [3H]phosphatidic acid and [3H]diacylglycerol, and [3H]phosphatidic acid formation preceded the formation of [3H]diacylglycerol. This result suggests that some phosphatidic acid seems to be formed directly from phosphatidylcholine by the action of phospholipase D, not from the action of diacylglycerol kinase on the diacylglycerol. In addition, the other mechanisms by which phospholipase D is activated was examined. We have found that phospholipase D was activated by extracellular calcium ion. It has also been shown that angiotensin II may activate phospholipase D through protein kinase C-independent pathway.

Effects of insulin on protein kinase-C (PKC) in HIRC-B cells: specific activation of PKC epsilon and its resistance to phorbol ester-induced down-regulation

We evaluated the role of protein kinase-C (PKC) during insulin action in HIRC-B cells. Insulin provoked rapid increases in 1) diacylglycerol; 2) translocation of PKC epsilon, but not PKC alpha, PKC delta, or PKC zeta, from the cytosol to the membrane fraction; 3) membrane PKC enzyme activity; and 4) phosphorylation of immunoprecipitable 80-kilodalton (kDa) myristylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS) protein and heat-stable 80-kDa protein (also probably MARCKS). Phorbol esters stimulated the translocation of PKC alpha and PKC delta as well as PKC epsilon, but not PKC zeta. The effects of phorbol esters on 80-kDa MARCKS phosphorylation were approximately 4 times as strong as those of insulin. Treatment of HIRC-B cells with phorbol esters for 20-24 h resulted in complete loss of immunoreactive PKC alpha and PKC delta in cytosol and membrane fractions, but substantial amounts of PKC epsilon were persistently translocated to the membrane fraction of down-regulated cells. This persistently translocated, residual PKC epsilon in down-regulated cells was associated with increased basal hexose uptake, but this was not due to PKC activation, as it was not inhibited by the PKC inhibitor, RO 31-8220. Acute insulin treatment, on the other hand, increased hexose uptake in down-regulated cells, and this insulin-stimulated uptake was inhibited by RO 31-8220 in down-regulated cells as well as in nondown-regulated cells. Insulin also stimulated the phosphorylation of the heat-stable 80-kDa protein in down-regulated cells, suggesting that the residual PKC epsilon in these cells can be activated by insulin.

Thioredoxin increases the proliferation of human B-cell lines through a protein kinase C-dependent mechanism

Thioredoxin (Trx) catalyzes thiol-disulfide oxidoreductions. We and others recently showed that human Trx could function as an autocrine growth factor for human lymphoid cells immortalized by the human T-lymphotrophic virus type I or the Epstein-Barr virus. Here we report that reduced Trx from Escherichia coli generated by NADPH and thioredoxin reductase increases the proliferation of an Epstein-barr virus(+)-B cell line 1G8, which constitutively produces low amounts of human Trx. This proliferative effect involved the activation of protein kinase C through its translocation to the membrane. Staurosporin and calphostin C, two inhibitors of protein kinase C, but not of H8, a protein kinase A inhibitor, were able to block Trx-dependent proliferation. The addition of Trx to 1G8 cells resulted in the formation of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate and sn-1,2-diacylglycerol by a phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C, as well as increased free calcium concentration. Diacylglycerol showed a biphasic increase; the first phase, corresponding to an early peak (30 s) of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate and a second larger, prolonged phase. The second phase was inhibited by propranolol, a specific inhibitor of phosphohydrolase, indicating that it is most likely derived from phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis by the sequential action of phospholipase D and phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase. Our data suggest that enhanced phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C activity induced by the dithiol form of Trx in 1G8 cells is associated to protein kinase C activation, and thus plays a role in the permanent growth of Epstein-Barr virus-infected B cells.

The role of diacylglycerol and ceramide in tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1 signal transduction

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) are cytokines with pleiotropic biological activities, exerting a broad range of overlapping biological functions. The redundancy of TNF and IL-1 activities may be based on the utilization of shared key components of intracellular signaling pathways. Two lipid second messengers have been found to transmit TNF and IL-1 intracellular signals: 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG), generated by a phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C, and ceramide, generated by sphingomyelinase (SMase). DAG is a well established activator of the important signaling system protein kinase C (PKC), which appears to mediate various cellular responses to TNF or IL-1. In addition, it is obvious that DAG also activates other enzyme systems like acidic sphingomyelinase. SMases have been implicated in a number of TNF responses, including stimulation of cell growth and differentiation, as well as triggering cytotoxicity and apoptosis. The metabolic active cleavage product of SMase, ceramide, is a novel multifunctional lipid second messenger capable of inducing various signaling systems. Both cytokines, TNF and IL-1, stimulate a neutral,plasma membrane-associated SMase that leads to stimulation of a protein kinase and eventually to activation of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascade and phospholipase A2. Ceramide is also capable of stimulating a cytosolic protein phosphatase. PKC plays a role in activation of the nuclear transcription factor AP-1, and the DAG-regulated acidic SMase is involved in transducing TNF signals to the cell nucleus via activation of the nuclear transcription factor NF-kappa B.

Identification of a defect in the phospholipase D/diacylglycerol pathway in cellular senescence

Normal cells become senescent in culture after a limited number of population doublings becoming unable to respond to mitogens. This raises the possibility of defects in mitogenic signaling pathways in cellular senescence. In contrast to young human diploid fibroblasts (HDF), their senescent counterparts failed to undergo protein kinase C translocation in response to serum stimulation. On the other hand, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate was equally active in inducing protein kinase C translocation in young and senescent HDF. This suggested a defect in generation of the endogenous activator of protein kinase C, diacylglycerol. Stimulation of young HDF with serum resulted in 3-4-fold generation of diacylglycerol (DAG). In contrast, senescent cells displayed insignificant DAG formation in response to serum. The mechanism of DAG generation was investigated next. In young HDF, serum induced a 5-fold activation of the phospholipase D (PLD) pathway as measured by the incorporation of exogenous ethanol into phosphatidylethanol, which is a measure of the transphosphatidylation reaction of PLD. In contrast, PLD in senescent cells was not activated by serum. Since senescent cells demonstrate significant elevations in the level of endogenous ceramide, the impact of ceramide on the PLD/DAG pathway was also investigated. A soluble analog of ceramide, C6-ceramide, was found to inhibit serum-stimulated DAG accumulation and PLD activation in young cells. These data demonstrate for the first time a defect in PLD activation in cellular senescence and suggest that ceramide may be responsible for the inhibition of this pathway.

Stimulation of interleukin-6 production by endothelin in rat bone marrow-derived stromal cells

Endothelin (ET) produced by endothelial cells has recently been found to be a potent vasoconstricting hormone. In this report, ET is shown to be a potent stimulator of interleukin-6 (IL-6) production by rat bone marrow (BM)-derived stromal cells. It was also shown that ET increased the level of mRNA for IL-6 in these cells. The two types of ET receptor (R), ETAR and ETBR, were shown to be expressed on both BM-derived stromal cells in culture and ex vivo in BM tissue, suggesting that ET works as a physiologic stimulator of IL-6 production in the BM. It was shown that ETAR is coupled to phospholipase C activation, leading to the production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) as second messengers in BM-derived stromal cells. This was corroborated by data showing that IL-6 production in these cells was induced by combined stimulation with ionomycin and phorbol myristate acetate, thereby bypassing the effects of IP3 and DAG, respectively. This is the first report on the hormonal regulation of IL-6 production by BM stromal cells, indicating that hematopoiesis is subject to endocrinologic regulation under physiologic conditions. ET has recently been reported to be produced by macrophages in response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide and human immunodeficiency virus-1 glycoprotein 120. These facts, taken together with our findings, raise the possibility that ET shares the same role of IL-1 as a local cytokine, mediating an intercellular signal between macrophages and BM stromal cells in response to bacterial or viral stimulation.

Pancreastatin activates protein kinase C by stimulating the formation of 1,2-diacylglycerol in rat hepatocytes

We describe here the stimulation by pancreastatin of 1,2-diacylglycerol production and protein kinase C activity in liver plasma membrane and isolated hepatocytes. The dose-dependency for the stimulation of both processes was similar to the recently described pattern of glucose output and cytosolic Ca2+ transients produced by pancreastatin. The time course of diacylglycerol production at 30 degrees C showed a rapid increase within 5 min, reaching a maximum at 10 min. Protein kinase C from hepatocytes was dependent on Ca2+ and phosphatidylserine. Neither the pancreastatin-stimulated diacylglycerol production nor the activation of protein kinase C was affected by pretreatment with pertussis toxin. However, the presence of GTP partially inhibited this pancreastatin stimulation of 1,2-diacylglycerol in a dose-dependent manner, although GTP alone stimulates diacylglycerol accumulation. This inhibitory effect of GTP on pancreastatin stimulation of diacylglycerol synthesis was completely abolished by the pretreatment with pertussis toxin. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that pancreastatin stimulates the formation of 1,2-diacylglycerol by a pertussis-toxin-independent mechanism, which may be responsible for the pancreastatin activation of protein kinase C.

Interleukin 4 receptor signaling in human monocytes and U937 cells involves the activation of a phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C: a comparison with chemotactic peptide, FMLP, phospholipase D, and sphingomyelinase

Interleukin 4 (IL-4) diminishes cytokine activation of human macrophage. IL-4 binding to monocyte IL-4R is associated with protein kinase C (PKC) translocation to a nuclear fraction. The cleavage of diacyglycerol (DAG), an activator of PKC, from membrane phospholipids was investigated to define the proximal events of IL-4R signaling. IL-4 induced a statistically significant time-and dose-dependent generation of DAG. The IL-4-triggered production of DAG was not derived from phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) hydrolysis, since neither cytosolic calcium flux nor liberation of inositol phosphates was detected in response to IL-4. Experiments were performed using [14C-methyl]choline-labeled U937 cells and monocytes to determine whether IL-4R activated phospholipase C (PLC), PLD, or PLA2 to use membrane phosphatidylcholine (PC) to form DAG. IL-4 induced a time- and dose-dependent increase of phosphocholine (pchol) with concomitant degradation of membrane PC (p < 0.05 compared with control). The finding that the peak reduction of PC was equivalent to peak production of pchol suggested that IL-4R signaling involved the activation of a PC-specific PLC. Changes in choline (chol) or lyso-PC and glycerolphosphocholine, the respective products of PC cleavage by PLD or PLA2, were not detected in IL-4-treated cells. In contrast, exogenous PLD induced an increase in chol and concomitant loss of membrane PC. Additional investigation suggested that IL-4R signaling does not involve PLD. In cells labeled with L-lyso-3-PC 1-[1-14C]palmitoyl, PLD but not IL-4, increased the production of phosphatidic acid (PA) and phosphatidyl-ethanol when pretreated with ethanol. Propranolol, an inhibitor of phosphatidate phosphohydrolase, and calyculin A, a phosphatase 1 and 2A inhibitor, blocked DAG production in response to FMLP but not to IL-4. In propranolol pretreated cells, PMA but not IL-4 triggered the production of PA and lowered the amount of DAG. Evidence that PLA2 is not coupled to IL-4R is the detection of arachidonate production in response to FMLP but not to IL-4. Furthermore, IL-4R is not coupled to sphingomyelinase (SMase) since IL-4, unlike exogenous SMase, did not generate ceramide but induced the hydrolysis of PC to pchol that was comparable to exogenous PLC. In summary, IL-4R signaling in monocytes and U937 cells involves PLC and not PLD, PLA2, or SMase, and it uses PC and not PIP2 to form DAG.

Potential role for phosphatidic acid in mediating the inflammatory responses to TNF alpha and IL-1 beta

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta), and endotoxin (LPS) are potent pro-inflammatory mediators which induce multiple and diverse biological responses in a wide variety of cell types. However, these pro-inflammatory mediators also have significant overlap and redundancy in their biological effects. This suggests that there is significant diversity in second messenger signal transduction systems induced by these stimuli to explain the diversity in biological responses, as well as significant redundancy. Here we show that one such second messenger common to several proinflammatory stimuli may be phosphatidic acid (PA). Intracellular PA species, which may have intracellular signaling functions, are rapidly induced in P388 monocytic leukemia cells by TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, or LPS. These PA species vary according to the bond type (i.e., sn-1 ester vs. ether vs. vinyl ether), acyl chain length, and the degree of saturation in the sn-1 and sn-2 positions. Although PA itself may have direct second messenger activities, many of the PA species induced are converted to diacylglycerol species (DG), which are structurally distinct from the DGs generated by phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC). Lisofylline [(R)-1-(5-hydroxyhexyl)-3,7-dimethylxanthine; LSF] selectively inhibits generation of selected species of PA in P388 cells induced by TNF alpha, IL-1 beta or LPS. TNF alpha-induced sphingomyelin hydrolysis, PLC-mediated PC hydrolysis, and DG kinase-mediated PA formation or TNF alpha-induced NF-kappa B activation and apoptosis are not inhibited by LSF. LSF has a marked protective effect in a variety of acute inflammatory animal models that may be due to inhibition of this shared second messenger pathway involving PA.

Insulin-stimulated phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis, diacylglycerol/protein kinase C signalling, and hexose transport in pertussis toxin-treated BC3H-1 myocytes

Pertussis toxin was used to block insulin-stimulated phosphatidylinositol (PI)-glycan hydrolysis, consequent de novo synthesis of phosphatidic acid (PA) and the diacylglycerol (DAG) production that results from these two related processes in BC3H-1 myocytes. In contrast, pertussis toxin pretreatment did not inhibit insulin-stimulated hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine (PC) which was found to be at least partly due to activation of a phospholipase D. Moreover, pertussis toxin-insensitive PC hydrolysis was accompanied by rapid biphasic increases in DAG and translocative activation of protein kinase C (PKC). Insulin-stimulated glucose transport was also insensitive to pertussis toxin pretreatment. Our findings suggest that insulin-stimulated PC hydrolysis pays an important role in DAG/PKC signalling during insulin action.

Second messenger formation altered by different dialysis membranes in human leukocytes

A number of agents stimulate transmembrane cell-signaling in different cell types through the formation of the second messenger diacylglycerol (DAG) which activates protein kinase C (PKC). The aim of this study was to investigate phospholipase C activation, DAG formation, and cellular adhesion to dialysis membranes after simulated dialytic treatment of either human leukocytes or clonal hematopoietic cells. Cells were circulated for 60 minutes in a closed-loop dialysis system using three different dialyzers: cuprophan (CU), polysulphone (PS), and AN69 (PAN). Another cell aliquot was left within the dialyzers without circulation. Samples were taken at different time intervals and cells counted. Cells were labeled with tritiated glycerol overnight, and DAG was measured by thin-layer chromatography. Our data showed that cells tended to adhere with more efficiency to CU than to the synthetic dialyzers. Circulation in the in vitro dialysis circuit resulted in the rapid (5 min) formation of [3H]DAG (CU 1.95-; PS 1.34-; PAN 1.24-fold increase over untreated cells). The DAG level peaked at 15 to 30 minutes and remained constant thereafter (CU 1.70; PS 1.96; PAN 1.66). When we measured DAG formation in cells that had been kept in the dialyzers without circulation, we found that cells exposed to CU showed a much higher and rapid activation than those exposed to PS or PAN, as if CU per se was able to activate early cell signaling (CU 1.95-; PS 0.97-; PAN 1.09-; DAG, -fold increase over control).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Role of diradylglycerol formation in H2O2 and lactoferrin release in adherent human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) adherent to fibrinogen exhibit a delay in the release of H2O2 in response to fMLP. Previously, we demonstrated that H2O2 release in adherent PMNs coincides with the exocytosis of lactoferrin-containing specific granules and activation of phospholipase D (PLD). We also found that chelation of intracellular calcium blocked both lactoferrin and H2O2 release in stimulated PMNs in spite of the fact that adhesion and spreading remained normal. Since diradylglycerol (DRG) formation has been implicated in PMN secretion and oxidant release, we determined the effect of intracellular calcium chelation on PLD activation and DRG formation to ascertain whether DRG formation was coupled to lactoferrin and H2O2 release. We observed that chelation of intracellular calcium with bis-(O-aminophenoxy)-ethanol-N,N;N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) prevented PLD activation as monitored by inhibition of phosphatidylethanol formation. Formation of DRG derived from phosphatidic acid (PA) was also inhibited in the presence of BAPTA. Following the addition of the calcium ionophore ionomycin to the BAPTA-treated PMNs, lactoferrin and H2O2 release was coincident with the onset of DRG formation. Also the addition of sn-1,2-didecanoylglycerol to the BAPTA-treated PMNs stimulated them to release H2O2. Our studies support the hypothesis that DRG derived from PLD activation is required for degranulation of specific granules and associated H2O2 release from adherent PMNs.

Comparative study of high-glucose effect on phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis of cultured retinal capillary pericytes and endothelial cells

Recent studies have suggested the importance of phosphatidylcholine (PC) hydrolysis in the control of cell growth. Because of the different replicative behavior between retinal pericytes and endothelial cells in early diabetic retinopathy, we have compared PC metabolism of these two types of cells under high-glucose conditions. Both types of cells growing in controlled glucose conditions were prelabeled with [32P]P(i) for testing phosphatidylethanol (PEt), a unique product of PC-specific phospholipase D, with [14C]glycerol for determining 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) de novo synthesis and labeled with selective fatty acids for PC-derived and phosphoinositide (PI)-derived DAG. The prelabeled cells were stimulated with ATP, a purinergic agonist. Analyses of products of PI and PC hydrolysis were carried out by TLC and/or HPLC. In both types of cells, ATP activated PI and PC hydrolysis. The dose and time dependencies of IP3 and PI-derived DAG formation with respect to ATP were essentially identical. When the level of IP3 and PI-derived DAG returned toward the baseline, a second increase in DAG mainly derived from PC occurred, lasting at least 1 h. High glucose altered DAG kinetics: in pericytes it suppressed both PI- and PC-derived DAG formation; in endothelial cells it stimulated the PC-derived DAG increase, but kept the PI-derived DAG unchanged. DAG de novo synthesis was stimulated in endothelial cells growing in high glucose, but was left unchanged in pericytes. Contrast to endothelial cells, in pericytes, subsequent mitogenic process may be negatively regulated by the inhibitory effects of high glucose on PI and PC hydrolysis, resulting in reduced levels of PC-derived DAG.

Insulin-stimulated hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine by phospholipase C and phospholipase D in cultured rat hepatocytes

We have investigated the mechanism of action by which insulin increases phosphatidate (PA) and diacylglycerol (DAG) levels in cultured rat hepatocytes. Insulin initially stimulated phosphatidylcholine-dependent phospholipase D (PC-PLD) with a significant increase in both PA and intracellular as well as extracellular choline. The involvement of phospholipase D was confirmed by the formation of PC-derived phosphatidylethanol in the presence of ethanol. The DAG increase appeared to be biphasic. Only the early phase of DAG production was inhibited by propranolol, an inhibitor of the phosphatidate phosphatase (PAP) responsible for the conversion of PA into DAG, suggesting that initially the DAG increase is due to the PLD-PAP pathway. The delayed DAG increase was in parallel with increased intracellular and extracellular phosphocholine and probably derived directly from PC-PLC activity. Experiments performed in the presence of 1 microM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) indicated that protein kinase C (PKC) mediated the insulin effect on PC-PLC, but not on PC-PLD. These findings were confirmed using the PKC inhibitors calphostin, H7 and staurosporine. The dual activation of these phospholipases with a biphasic elevation of DAG levels and activation of specific PKC isoenzymes could be necessary to elicit both early and delayed effects of insulin.

Lipopolysaccharide-mediated signal transduction through phospholipase D activation in monocytic cell lines

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced phospholipase D (PLD) activation was investigated in undifferentiated monocytic leukemic cell lines THP-1 and U-937. Treatment of THP-1 or U-937 cells labelled with [32P]orthophosphate, [32P]acyl GPC or [3H]alkyl GPC with LPS, in the presence of 0.5% ethanol, resulted in the accumulation of labelled phosphatidylethanol (PEt) through PLD activation. LPS-mediated PLD activation of THP-1 or U-937 was inhibited by staurosporine (2 microM) and by protein kinase C (PKC) down-regulation with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) suggesting a role for PKC. In addition to LPS, TPA, ionomycin and cell-permeant analogs of diacylglycerol also stimulated [3H]PEt accumulation. The TPA-induced PEt accumulation was also completely abolished by staurosporine or down-regulation of PKC (> 95% inhibition). Furthermore, the LPS-mediated [32P]PEt formation was attenuated by either depletion of extracellular Ca2+ with EGTA (5 mM) or chelation of intracellular Ca2+ by BAPTA (30 microM). These results indicate that an increase in intracellular Ca2+ is necessary for LPS-mediated PLD activation. Further support for PKC activation by LPS was obtained by determining PKC activity in an in vitro assay of histone H1 phosphorylation using [gamma-32P]ATP. In untreated THP-1 cells, approximately 64% of the PKC activity was localized in the cytosol and 36% in the membrane fraction. Treatment of the cells with LPS (10 micrograms/ml, for 2 h) resulted in an increase of 10% of the membrane-associated PKC activity and a corresponding decrease in the cytosol fraction. These data provide evidence that one of the mechanisms of LPS-mediated signal transduction in human monocytic cell lines involves activation of PLD.

1-beta-D-Arabinofuranosylcytosine stimulates ceramide and diglyceride formation in HL-60 cells

The effect of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) on phospholipid metabolism was investigated in HL-60 cells. Treatment of cells with ara-C resulted in a time- and dose-dependent increase in the mass of ceramide and diglyceride. When cells were treated with 10 microM ara-C, an increase in the mass of ceramide and diglyceride was detectable at 5 min and reached a plateau at 30 min with a 2-fold increase compared to control cells. Treatment of cells with 10 microM ara-C resulted in the activation of neutral sphingomyelinase with a peak at 30 min that represented a 2-fold increase in specific activity. ara-C also increased expression of the transcription factor NF-kappa B which is related to the control of monocyte differentiation. These findings suggest that ara-C activates phospholipid hydrolytic pathways to generate second messengers that control gene expression and differentiation in the HL-60 cell line.

Regulation of endothelin-induced Ca2+ mobilization in smooth muscle cells by protein kinase C

We have investigated the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in regulating vascular smooth muscle cell responses to endothelin (ET). During the initial phase of the response, ET stimulated rapid formation of diacylglycerol due to rapid and transient activation of phosphatidyl inositol-specific phospholipase C and to rapid and prolonged activation of phospholipase D. Concurrently, ET stimulated translocation of PKC activity that reached a peak at 1 min and remained elevated for at least 20 min. Activation of PKC produced early inhibitory effects. Treatment of cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) 5 min before stimulation with ET inhibited total inositol phosphate formation by > 50%. Because each inositol phosphate isomer was equally affected, the target appears to be either phospholipase C or some upstream component of the receptor coupling mechanism. Activation of PKC was important for sustained response to ET. Treatment of cells with staurosporine significantly reduced sustained elevation of cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) normally seen with ET. We had previously shown that sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i initiated by ET was due to continued activity of L-type Ca2+ channels. Our current data suggest that PKC is important in this response. For example, staurosporine inhibited both ET-induced 45Ca2+ and Mn2+ entry occurring 10 min after stimulation of influx mechanisms by the agonist. Similarly, pretreatment of cells for 18 h with phorbol dibutyrate depleted the cells of PKC and blocked the sustained activity of Ca2+ entry mechanisms stimulated by ET. Finally, PMA initiated a slowly developing, sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Endothelin stimulates phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis through both PLC and PLD pathways in mesangial cells

Endothelin (ET) is a recently characterized vasoconstrictor hormone that has potent effects on glomerular function. Many vasoconstrictors, like ET, that stimulate phospholipase C (PLC) hydrolysis of polyphosphoinositides also stimulate phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) hydrolysis via both PLC and phospholipase D (PLD) pathways. We have previously reported that ET stimulates a protein kinase C (PKC)-regulated, intracellular calcium-insensitive PLD activity that forms phosphatidic acid (PA) in rat mesangial cells (MC). We now ask whether ET-induced diglyceride (DG) production is also, in part, a result of either PLC- or PLD-induced hydrolysis of PtdCho. ET induced both a time- and dose-dependent stimulation in DG as measured by radioflux and mass assays. ET-stimulated DG production was still elevated even at time points where inositol polyphosphates had returned to basal levels. In addition, using [3H]choline-labeled cells, ET stimulated [3H]phosphocholine accumulation, suggesting a PLC-mediated hydrolysis of PtdCho. Stimulation of DG was unaffected by the presence of ethanol or propranolol, suggesting that ET-stimulated DG were not a result of a sequential PLD/PA phosphohydrolase activity. We further dissociated PtdCho-dependent PLC and PLD activities because, in contrast to ET-induced stimulation of PLD, the effect of ET on DG formation was mimicked with ionomycin and was inhibited with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid but not ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid. ET stimulation of DG could not be mimicked by phorbol myristate acetate and was not blocked by PKC inhibition or depletion. Together, these data suggest that ET stimulates multiple signaling pathways in MC that hydrolyze PtdCho via separate PLC and PLD mechanisms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

IL-1 beta amplifies bradykinin-induced prostaglandin E2 production via a phospholipase D-linked mechanism

The proinflammatory cytokine IL-1 was shown to increase the responsiveness of synovial cells to the potent inflammatory peptide bradykinin (BK). We have investigated the biochemical events linked to this amplifying action of IL-1. Stimulation of synoviocytes with only BK elicited a rapid increase in inositol phosphates and a concomitant accumulation of diacylglycerol (DAG), monoacylglycerol, and free arachidonic acid (AA). In contrast, IL-1 did not stimulate any of these events. Thus, BK can induce AA release via the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositols by a phospholipase C (PLC). BK also activated a phospholipase D (PLD) to cleave phosphatidylcholine (PC), because it caused an increase in phosphatidic acid (PA) content and a sustained DAG formation, which both were inhibited by ethanol in [3H]myristic acid-labeled cells. Moreover, the addition of ethanol diverted PLD into the formation of phosphatidylethanol (PEt) thus inhibiting the amounts of PA and DAG formed. Priming of synovial cells with rIL-1 beta 24 h before exposure to BK in the presence of ethanol further enhanced the BK-induced formation of PEt. Conversely, preincubation with IL-1 did not influence the BK-induced PLC activation nor did it alter the liberation of AA. Finally, we demonstrated that the IL-1-mediated amplification of PGE2 release in response to BK was reduced by the presence of ethanol in the culture medium, suggesting that part of the synergistic action of IL-1 and BK on prostanoid production was dependent on the activation of the PC-specific PLD pathway.

Lipid biosynthesis by axenic strains of Blastocystis hominis

Axenic strains of Blastocystis hominis incorporated 32P, added to the medium as orthophosphate, into a number of phospholipids, including sphingomyelin, cardiolipin, phosphatidic acid, the phosphoglycerides of choline, ethanolamine, serine, and inositol and some other minor phospholipids. Radioactive palmitate and glycerol provided in the growth medium introduced radiolabel into diacylglycerols, triacylglycerols, and all major phosphoglycerides found in the organism. Palmitate is a major fatty acid of cholesterol esters in B. hominis, but radioactive palmitate did not enter the cholesterol ester pool. Radioactive acetate was not incorporated into any lipids. Cholesterol and cholesterol esters of the organism were not labeled when cells were grown in the presence of radioactive glucose, mevalonic acid, or mevalonolactone. Radioactive cholesterol added to the medium became stably associated with B. hominis cells, but none of the radioactive cholesterol entered the cholesterol ester pool. Cholesterol-[3H]-palmitate added to the medium became stably associated with the organism, and most of the radioactivity associated with the cells remained in the cholesterol ester fraction on extended incubation. These results show that this parasitic protozoan has the capacity to synthesize most cellular lipids de novo, but suggest that it acquires free cholesterol and intact cholesterol esters directly from growth medium.

Temporal regulation of the IgE-dependent 1,2-diacylglycerol production by tyrosine kinase activation in a rat (RBL 2H3) mast-cell line

We explored the possible role of tyrosine kinases in the IgE-dependent regulation of 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) production in RBL 2H3 cells. When triggered via their high-affinity IgE receptors (Fc epsilon RI), there was a rapid phosphorylation of tyrosine residues on a number of proteins. The phosphorylation of these proteins and ultimately histamine release were inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, tyrphostin. In cells labelled with [3H]myristic acid, we observed a characteristic biphasic increase in [3H]DAG production. In the presence of tyrosine kinase inhibitor, the initial increase in DAG was still observed, but the secondary increase, which was dependent on phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase D (PC-PLD) activation, was completely abolished. Tyrphostin significantly inhibited IgE-dependent activation of PC-PLD, suggesting that PC-PLD activation was regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation. Furthermore, when proteins from RBL 2H3 cells were immunoprecipitated with an anti-phosphotyrosine antibody, PC-PLD activity was recovered from the immunoprecipitated fraction. These results demonstrate that the secondary, but not the initial, phase of 1,2-DAG production in response to Fc epsilon RI aggregation is regulated by the initial activation of tyrosine kinases and that PC-PLD may be regulated directly by this mechanism.

Activation of human platelet phospholipases C and A2 by various oxygenated triterpenes

Eight structural analogues of oxygenated triterpenes exerted striking differences in activation of human platelets. They are four pairs of stereoisomers and two pairs of positional isomers with varying: 1) acetoxyl/hydroxyl substituents; 2) the position of the substituents at C-3 and C-15; and 3) the stereochemistry of a substituent at C-3. It required a threshold concentration for each agent to cause the concentration-dependent activation. These triterpenes were hydrophobic with < 20% difference in the partition coefficients between 1-octanol and water. They caused differential effects on: inositol triphosphate production; the increase in [Ca2+]i; diacylglycerol formation; phosphatidic acid accumulation, protein phosphorylations and arachidonate release. These agents activated both phospholipases C and A2. The trend of activating phospholipase C was triterpenes with two acetoxyl substituents > one acetoxyl/one hydroxyl substituents > two hydroxyl substituents. In activating phospholipase A2, triterpenes with two acetoxyl substituents were most effective, whereas the paired isomers with a hydroxyl group at C-15 alpha and an acetoxyl substituent at C-3 failed the activation. The results enable one to discuss the possible structure-activity relationship of various oxygenated triterpenes in the activation of both phospholipases C and A2.

Epidermal growth factor stimulates distinct diradylglycerol species generation in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts: evidence for a potential phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C-catalysed pathway

Stimulation of 3T3 fibroblasts with epidermal growth factor (EGF) results in an increase in 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) mass which is maximal at 25 s, declining at 1 min and returning to basal levels by 30 min. No changes in alkylacylglycerol or alkenylacylglycerol were detected. Three species account for most of this mass increase: 18:0/20:5,n-3, 18:0/20:4,n-6 and 18:0/20:3,n-9. These species are characteristic of the phosphoinositides; however, previous work failed to detect any EGF-stimulated rise in inositol phosphates in these cells [Cook and Wakelam (1992) Biochem. J. 285, 247-253]. This ruled out phosphoinositide hydrolysis by phospholipase C, but raised the possibility of phospholipase D/phosphatidate phosphohydrolase-catalysed hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol. The inclusion of butanol in the incubation medium failed to block the diacylglycerol changes, indicating that the phospholipase D pathway is not involved and that DAG must be derived from another source, probably via phospholipase C-catalysed hydrolysis of a phosphatidylcholine pool that is particularly rich in these species. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor ST-271 almost abolished the elevation in 18:0/20:5,n-3, 18:0/20:4, n-6 and 18:0/20:3,n-9 at 25 s, but only reduced the rise in total DAG mass by about 50%. The protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor Ro-31-8220 increased DAG levels at all time points but had no effect on the species profiles. This provides additional evidence for PKC-mediated regulation of cell-surface EGF receptors, since the inhibition of PKC would increase the availability and/or ligand binding affinity of receptors at the plasma membrane and hence increase and prolong the response to EGF.

Androgens increase intracellular calcium concentration and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol formation via a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein

Bone is a target tissue of androgens, but the mechanisms by which they act on bone are still unclear. This study examines the early (5-60 s) effects of 1 pM to 1 microM testosterone on cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) and diacyglycerol (DAG) formation in confluent male rat osteoblasts. 10 pM to 10 nM testosterone increased [Ca2+]i within 5 s via Ca2+ influx as shown by the effects of EGTA and the Ca2+ channel blockers nifedipine and verapamil and via Ca2+ mobilization from the endoplasmic reticulum as shown by the effects of thapsigargin and neomycin. 10 pM to 10 nM testosterone increased InsP3 and DAG formation within 10 s. Testosterone immobilized on bovine serum albumin (testosterone (O-carboxymethyl)oxime/bovine serum albumin) and its derivative, (O-carboxymethyl)oxime, rapidly increased [Ca2+]i and InsP3 and DAG formation and were full agonists, although they were less potent than the free steroid. Cyproterone acetate, a nuclear antagonist, did not block the increase in [Ca2+]i and InsP3 and DAG formation induced by testosterone. Finally, neomycin and pertussis toxin totally abolished the effects of testosterone on InsP3 and DAG. These results suggest that male rat osteoblasts bear nongenomic unconventional cell-surface receptors for testosterone that belong to the class of the membrane receptors coupled to a phospholipase C via a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein.

Prostaglandin F2 alpha-stimulated phospholipase D activation in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells: involvement in sustained 1,2-diacylglycerol production

In [3H]myristic acid-labelled osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells, prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha)-induced PLD activity was assessed by measuring the [3H]phosphatidylethanol (PEt) formation in the presence of ethanol. Inhibition of the increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) by U73122, an inhibitor of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC), or chelation of extracellular Ca2+ with EGTA or of intracellular Ca2+ with BAPTA, suppressed PGF2 alpha-induced phospholipase D (PLD) activation. Neither protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors nor PKC down-regulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate affected PGF2 alpha-induced [3H]PEt formation. In permeabilized cells, guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate enhanced PGF2 alpha 's potency in [3H]PEt formation in the presence of Ca2+. The pretreatment of intact cells with pertussis toxin failed to inhibit PGF2 alpha-induced [3H]PEt formation. PGF2 alpha caused a biphasic production of [3H]1,2-diacylglycerol ([3H]1,2-DAG) in [3H]glycerol-labelled cells. The initial transient phase was decreased by U73122, whereas the late sustained phase was decreased by ethanol and the phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase inhibitor, propranolol. From these results, it was suggested that PGF2 alpha-induced PLD activation was mediated by the dual control of the [Ca2+]i increase due to PI-PLC activation and activation of pertussis-toxin-insensitive G-protein, but not mediated by PKC, and also that PLD activation was involved in the late sustained 1,2-DAG generation in MC3T3-E1 cells.

Effect of triamcinolone on parathyroid hormone-stimulated second messenger systems and phosphate transport in opossum kidney cells

Although PTH is known to stimulate both the adenylate cyclase/protein kinase-A system and the phospholipase-C/protein kinase-C second messenger systems, the relative roles of these second messenger pathways remain unclear. The present studies were designed to examine the effect of triamcinolone on PTH-stimulated second messenger systems and phosphate transport in confluent cultures of opossum kidney cells. Triamcinolone was added to these cultures at a concentration of 10 nM for 24-48 h. Neither cell number nor protein content was changed by this treatment. The addition of triamcinolone did not alter PTH receptor binding or competitive displacement radioligand binding assay curves. PTH-stimulated cAMP generation and activation of protein kinase-A were not altered by triamcinolone. The glucocorticoid, however, increased basal phosphate uptake from 1.0 +/- 0.1 to 1.28 +/- 0.1 pmol/5 min.culture (P < 0.01). Phosphate transport was significantly decreased by PTH (0.01 nM) in the triamcinolone-treated cultures, but not in control cultures. Phosphate uptake in the presence of maximal doses of PTH was similar in both control and triamcinolone-treated cultures. Thus, the PTH-responsive component of phosphate transport was preserved, and the threshold dose for the effect of PTH was reduced after treatment with triamcinolone. Studies were then performed to evaluate the alternate second messenger pathway. In control cultures, PTH rapidly increased the level of diglyceride mass, as measured by diglyceride kinase assay, from 0.18 +/- 0.01 to a peak of 0.26 +/- 0.02 mol/100 mol total phospholipid (P < 0.002), 1 min after addition of the hormone. Triamcinolone pretreatment for 48 h, however, elevated the basal diglyceride levels, but the increase after the addition of PTH was totally abolished. The absence of an increase in diglyceride upon stimulation with PTH correlated with elimination of the PTH-stimulated increase in the activity of particulate protein kinase-C. Thus, in triamcinolone-treated cells, the effect of PTH on phosphate transport was preserved, and the threshold dose of PTH-induced alteration in phosphate transport was reduced in the absence of stimulation of this alternate second messenger pathway. These data show that triamcinolone in opossum kidney cells does not alter PTH activation of the cAMP/protein kinase-A system, but eliminates the increase in diglyceride and the activation of protein kinase-C in response to PTH. These studies emphasize the major role of the protein kinase-A system in the regulation of phosphate transport by PTH.

Lack of the stimulatory effect of guanine nucleotide on diacylglycerol generation in permeabilized adipocytes from diabetic rats

Insulin caused an 8- or a 3-fold increase in lipogenesis in control rats (C) or diabetic rats (DM), respectively. Following insulin treatment for DM, insulin resistance was clearly reversed. Phospholipase C (PLC) caused a 4-fold increase in lipogenesis in C, but not in DM. Insulin treatment partially restored PLC-induced lipogenesis. Insulin or PLC increased protein kinase C (PKC) activity in the membrane fraction in C, but not in DM. Insulin treatment partially restored insulin- or PLC-stimulated PKC activity. 5'-Guanylylimidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) exerted a stimulatory effect on diacylglycerol (DAG) generation in permeabilized adipocytes from C, but not in DM. Insulin treatment partially restored the stimulatory effect of Gpp(NH)p. These findings suggest that a particular G protein(s) is involved in the regulation of DAG generation in adipocytes, and that diabetes leads to a functional or quantitative abnormality in G protein and G protein-PLC. Insulin therapy partially restored G protein-PLC dependent glucose uptake.

[Arginine]vasopressin hydrolyses phosphoinositides in the medullary thick ascending limb of mouse nephron

NaCl reabsorption across the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (TAL) is stimulated by several hormones, in particular vasopressin acting through V2 receptors and cyclic AMP production. This study used suspensions of medullary TAL (mTAL) tubules from the mouse nephron to investigate the possibility that, besides activating adenylyl cyclase, vasopressin also stimulates phospholipase C via V1 receptor occupancy. Two different methods, phosphoinositide labelling and inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) radioimmunoassay, were used to show that [arginine]vasopressin (AVP) rapidly stimulated the formation of InsP3, which peaked at 200%-250% of control within the first minute of incubation with 10 nmol/l vasopressin at 37 degrees C, and declined to basal level after 5-10 min. Dose/response curves for InsP3, established at 30 degrees C and 37 degrees C using radioimmunoassay, showed a half-maximal stimulation of InsP3 production at about 1 nmol/l AVP and a maximal response at 10 nmol/l. Similar values were obtained for the response to AVP in terms of cAMP accumulation. InsP3 content in the presence of higher concentrations of AVP (1 mumol/l) was significantly lower (P < 0.001) than in the presence of 10 nmol/l AVP, giving a bell-shaped appearance to the dose/response curve at 37 degrees C but not at 30 degrees C. The V2 receptor agonist, 1-deamino-[8-D-Arg]vasopressin (dAVP) did not stimulate the formation of InsP3, and the V1 receptor antagonist d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2]AVP inhibited AVP-induced InsP3 formation, which therefore appeared to be mediated by V1 receptor occupancy. Under the same conditions, AVP also induced the formation of diradylglycerol via V1 receptor activation, with an analogous dose/response curve.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Formation of diacylglycerol, inositol phosphates, arachidonic acid and its metabolites in macrophages

Treatment of macrophages with zymosan, 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and fluoride but not with A 23187 or arachidonic acid (delta Ach) leads to a generation of diacylglycerol (acyl2Gro). Formation of inositol phosphates is achieved with zymosan, only. An elevation of intracellular calcium is obtained with zymosan and A 23187 but not with PMA, fluoride or delta Ach. Prior treatment of the cells with phorbol ester for 3 h which has been shown recently to result in a down-regulation of protein kinase (PK) C-beta but not PKC-delta [Duyster, J., Schwende, H., Fitzke, E., Hidaka H. & Dieter P. (1993) Biochem. J. 292, 203-207] has no effect on the zymosan-induced formation of acyl2Gro or inositol phosphates but inhibits the PMA-induced generation of acyl2Gro. Down-regulation of PKC-delta by prior phorbol ester treatment for 24 h augments the zymosan-induced generation of acyl2Gro and inositol phosphates. The acyl2Gro lipase inhibitor RG 80267 inhibits the PMA-induced and fluoride-induced generation of prostaglandin (PG) E2, reduces the zymosan-induced release of PGE2 by 50% but has no effect on PGE2 formation of unstimulated, A 23187-treated or delta Ach-treated cells. Furthermore, RG 80267 enhances accumulation of delta Ach-labeled acyl2Gro in response to zymosan, PMA and fluoride. These data indicate that zymosan activates a phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-specific phospholipase (PL) C, that generation of acyl2Gro by PMA and fluoride occurs via hydrolysis of other phospholipids, that PKC-beta is involved in the PMA-induced generation of acyl2Gro and PKC-delta negatively modulates the zymosan-induced activation of PLC and PMA and fluoride induce a liberation of delta Ach from acyl2Gro, A 23187 activates the PLA2 pathway and zymosan stimulates both, the acyl2Gro- and PLA2-pathway.

Distinct muscarinic receptors, G proteins and phospholipases in esophageal and lower esophageal sphincter circular muscle

Acetylcholine (ACh)-induced contraction of esophageal circular smooth muscle cells was inhibited by the M2 muscarinic antagonist methoctramine. In lower esophageal sphincter (LES) cells contraction was inhibited by the M3 antagonist p-fluoro-hexa-hydro-sila-difenidol (pF-HSD). Pertussis toxin (PTX) reduced ACh-induced contraction of esophageal but not of LES cells, which suggested that different receptor-linked G proteins are involved. Antibodies against G13 antagonized contraction of esophageal cells and G9-G11 antibodies antagonized contraction of LES cells. The phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitors, U-73122 and neomycin, reduced ACh-induced contraction of LES but not of esophageal cells. Conversely, propranolol and p-chloromercuribenzoic acid (pCMB), which inhibit a phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase D (PLD)-dependent pathway, reduced contraction of esophageal but not of LES muscle cells. At 1 and 5 sec after the administration of ACh (10(-5) M), inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) increased only in LES muscle, which suggested that contraction results from PLC-induced IP3 production in the LES but not in the esophagus. The IP3 receptor antagonist heparin, and depletion of intracellular Ca++ stores by thapsigargin or A23187, inhibited ACh-induced contraction of LES but not of esophageal muscle. It was concluded that ACh-induced esophageal contraction depends preferentially on M2 receptors, a PTX-sensitive G13 protein, phosphatidylcholine-specific PLD and production of diacylglycerol (DAG) and is independent of IP3 formation and the release of intracellular Ca++. Conversely, LES contraction is mediated through M3 receptors, a PTX-insensitive G9-G11 protein, activation of PLC, IP3 formation and the release of intracellular Ca++.

Translocation of the alpha-isozyme of protein kinase C during stimulation of rat parotid acinar cells by phorbol ester and carbachol

Protein kinase C activity was detected in the cytosolic fraction of quiescent parotid acinar cells; the particulate fraction contained a much smaller proportion of the enzyme. Protein kinase C activity was increased in the membrane fraction and decreased in the cytosol after exposure of intact cells to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or the muscarinic-receptor agonist carbachol. The effect of PMA was potentiated by a subthreshold concentration of ionomycin. Immunoblot analysis with anti-protein kinase C antibodies revealed that the protein kinase C-alpha isoform is expressed in rat parotid cells. Other Ca(2+)-dependent isoforms were not detected. Further, agonist stimulation caused the redistribution of protein kinase C-alpha from cytosol to a membrane fraction. Agonists may promote parotid acinar cell activity, including amylase secretion, by increasing the affinity of protein kinase C-alpha for the membrane fraction, presumably via a rise in Ca2+ and diacylglycerol derived from polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis.

Decreased activities of phosphatidate phosphohydrolase and phospholipase D in ras and tyrosine kinase (fps) transformed fibroblasts

The activity of N-ethylmaleimide-insensitive phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAP-2) was characterized in control, ras-transformed, and tyrosine kinase-(fps) transformed rat fibroblasts. PAP-2 was assayed in two different ways: 1) within its natural membrane using liposomes of phosphatidate and 2) in the presence of sufficient Triton X-100 to solubilize PAP-2, and to form mixed micelles with the phosphatidate. Harvesting the fibroblasts in medium containing orthovanadate and Zn2+ gave up to 3-fold higher PAP-2 activities when measured in the absence, but not in the presence, of Triton X-100. PAP-2-specific activities from both assays increased in the control fibroblasts as the cells reached confluence. Both specific activities were lower in the oncogenically transformed fibroblasts than in controls at all cell densities tested. The specific activities of PAP-2 did not increase with time in culture in transformed cells which continued to divide. The relative increase in activity of phospholipase D after stimulation with serum or phorbol myristate acetate was lower in the transformed fibroblasts compared to control cells. This indicates a coordinated decrease in the phospholipase D/phosphatidate phosphohydrolase pathway at the level of both enzymes in ras and fps transformed fibroblasts. The ratio of the production of diacylglycerol relative to phosphatidate, after stimulation with serum, or phorbol ester, was lower in both transformed fibroblasts relative to the controls. This is compatible with the decreased specific activity of PAP-2 and indicates functional significance for the differences in PAP-2 activity in regulating the balance between the two mitogenic lipids, phosphatidate and diacylglycerol. Control of PAP-2 activity could be an important factor in regulating appropriate signals for cell division.

Modulation of signalling initiated by phosphoinositidase-C-linked receptors

An extensive group of cell surface receptors are coupled to phosphoinositidase C and thus to the production of the intracellular second messengers inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and 1,2-diacylglycerol. While the mechanisms and consequences of phosphoinositidase C activation have been the target of intensive study for over a decade, information is scarce regarding the regulatory processes that modulate this system during receptor stimulation. This situation, however, is now beginning to change. Recent data indicate (a) that Ca2+, mobilized concurrently with activation of phosphoinositidase-C-linked receptors, is a feedback activator and amplifier of phosphoinositide hydrolysis, (b) that rapid desensitization, possibly associated with receptor phosphorylation, regulates phosphoinositidase-C-linked receptors, (c) that receptor internalization can mediate desensitization at later times and (d) that signalling can be regulated at additional sites downstream of phosphoinositidase C. These diverse regulatory events provide the means by which the breakdown of phosphoinositides and cellular responsiveness to their products are controlled during cell stimulation.

Selective coupling of the T cell antigen receptor to phosphoinositide-derived diacylglycerol production in HPB-ALL T cells correlates with CD45-regulated p59fyn activity

In HPB-ALL T-cells the p59fyn tyrosine kinase is regulated by the CD45 phosphotyrosine phosphatase and plays a critical role in coupling the T cell receptor (TCR) to the generation of intracellular signals which include diacylglycerol (DAG) production and protein kinase C activation. The aim of this study was to determine the phospholipid pools from which the DAG is generated and to identify which phospholipase activities are regulated by the TCR. When CD45+ cells were pre-labeled with [3H]arachidonic acid, CD3-antigen cross-linking stimulated negligible increases in both [3H]DAG and [3H]phosphatidic acid (PA). However, CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) induced an increase of 300% in [3H]PA when the cells were permeabilized with streptolysin-O, and this correlated with increased levels of protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Stimulation of [3H]PA production upon CD3 cross-linking was 77% lower in permeabilized CD45- cells than in CD45+ cells, consistent with the reduced activity of p59fyn in CD45- cells. The stimulated production of PA was not mediated by activation of phospholipase D (PLD), although the presence of a G-protein-regulated PLD activity was established. The CD3-induced increase in total inositol phosphates (InsP) in permeabilized cells was similar to the stimulated production of [3H]PA production in both CD45+ and CD45- cells. Dose-response curves for InsP and PA production triggered by CD3 mAb were super-imposable and the production of InsP and PA over a range of Ca2+ concentrations was comparable. Differential labeling of phospholipids with 3H-labeled fatty acids revealed that CD3-induced PA production reflected incorporation of label into the phosphatidylinositol pool. Our data suggest that in HPB-ALL cells the production of DAG following CD3-antigen cross-linking can be fully accounted for by the selective coupling of the TCR to breakdown of phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate as the result of phospholipase C gamma 1 activation. This event correlates with the activity of the CD45-regulated TCR-associated tyrosine kinase, p59fyn.

Induction of phosphatidic acid by fibroblast growth factor in cultured baby hamster kidney fibroblasts

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF/FGF-2) is a strong mitogenic inducer of cultured baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells. When cultured BHK cells were stimulated with FGF-2, phosphatidic acid (PA) was induced within 2 min, peaked at 5 min and gradually decreased. Phospholipase D (PLD) was also mitogenic for cultured BHK cells and this effect was mediated via PA. The possibility that PA induction by FGF-2 is an essential signaling step for BHK cell proliferation is discussed.

Indirect inhibition by bradykinin of cyclic AMP generation in isolated rat glomeruli and mesangial cells

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of the activation of bradykinin (BK) receptors on intracellular cAMP levels in isolated glomeruli as well as in cultured rat mesangial cells. BK affected basal cAMP content only in the presence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine. Furthermore, BK inhibited forskolin-, prostaglandin E2-, and isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP accumulation, both in the presence and in the absence of isobutylmethylxanthine. The inhibitory effect of BK was independent of stimulation of cAMP degradation by phosphodiesterase. No direct inhibition of the in vitro adenylyl cyclase activity was observed, suggesting a requirement for cytoplasmic constituents. Use of the phospholipase A2 inhibitor mepacrine and treatment with pertussis toxin did not modify the inhibitory effect of BK, indicating that neither the phospholipase A2 pathway nor the inhibitory G protein is involved. The effect of BK was completely prevented by two selective protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, staurosporine and bisindolylmaleimide. Furthermore, use of the diacylglycerol analog 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-rac-glycerol and direct activation of PKC with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate mimicked the effect of BK, whereas the biologically inactive phorbol ester 4 alpha-phorbol-12, 13-didecanoate was without effect. Furthermore, down-regulation of PKC by long term pretreatment with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate abolished the inhibitory effect of BK on stimulated cAMP levels. These results demonstrate that BK inhibits forskolin-, prostaglandin E2-, and isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP formation through activation of the phospholipase C pathway. The subsequent production of diacylglycerol associated with stimulation of PKC in turn inhibits stimulated cAMP accumulation.

Diacylglycerol/protein kinase C signalling: a mechanism for insulin resistance?

It is proposed that an intracellular cycle exists to limit or terminate the insulin signal. The cycle involves increased synthesis of sn-1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) in response to insulin. The DAG activates protein kinase C (PKC) which phosphorylates glycogen synthase either directly or through other protein kinases to render it inactive. Protein kinase C may also inhibit the insulin receptor by phosphorylation of receptor serine residues. Insulin resistance could then arise as a consequence of a persistent increase in DAG levels. Such an increase could occur in three different ways. Chronic hyperinsulinaemia could increase DAG levels by de-novo synthesis from phosphatidic acid, by hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine, or by hydrolysis of glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol; DAG is also formed by hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate (PIP2). This reaction, known as the 'PI response,' may be the connection between hypertension and insulin resistance. A third mechanism for an increase in DAG involves neural abnormalities. Thus, muscle denervation in the rat is characterized both by a profound insulin resistance and a large increase in DAG. It is possible that a similar increase occurs in humans and may explain the association between denervation, inactivity, and insulin resistance.

Angiotensin-mediated phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis and protein kinase C activation in mesangial cells

Angiotensin II (ANG II) in mesangial cells (MC) promotes phosphatidylinositol (PI) hydrolysis resulting in diacylglycerol (DAG)-mediated increases in protein kinase C (PKC) activity. The paucity of MC inositol lipid prompted us to consider whether phosphatidylcholine (PC) could sustain DAG formation. ANG II released choline and increased phosphatidylethanol (PEt) via PC-phospholipase D (PC-PLD). ANG II also stimulated phosphorylcholine consequent to PC-phospholipase C (PC-PLC) activation. ANG II-mediated PC hydrolysis augmented DAG for 30 min. PC breakdown was influenced by extracellular Ca2+, because Ni2+ partially inhibited ANG II-induced PEt and obliterated agonist-mediated DAG formation. The consequence of Ca2+ modulation of PC metabolism was investigated by measuring PKC activity. Ni2+ had no effect on early (PI-associated) activation by ANG II at 90 s but obviated translocation from cytosol to the membrane at 10 min. The pathway responsible for PC-associated DAG was studied in PKC downregulated cells. Whereas downregulation prevented PLD-mediated PEt elevation, ANG II-stimulated DAG formation in myristate-labeled cells was unaltered, indicating PC-PLC activation. In summary, ANG II stimulates PC-PLD and PC-PLC in MC. PC-PLD is tightly regulated by PKC, whereas PC-PLC is stringently controlled by extracellular Ca2+. ANG II mediated PC breakdown principally via PC-PLC provides a mechanism for maintaining elevated DAG levels and PKC activation.

1-Alkyl-2,3-diacylglycerol synthesis in primary culture cells of guinea pig harderian gland

Using a primary culture system of guinea pig Harderian gland cells, we investigated the metabolism of a unique lipid: 1-alkyl-2,3-diacylglycerol containing methyl-branched fatty acids. The cells were obtained by collagenase digestion, and cells with lipid-droplets were collected by two-step centrifugation. We cultured these cells, and examined their lipid and fatty acid compositions. The de novo synthesis of lipids in these cells was studied as to the incorporation of [1(2)-14C]acetate and [U-14C]glucose. The major lipid proved to be 1-alkyl-2,3-diacylglycerol, as in tissue, and it contained a large amount of methylbranched fatty acids specific to this gland. The incorporation of [14C]acetate and [14C]glucose into 1-alkyl-2,3-diacylglycerol in the cultured cells amounted to 79.7 and 88.2% of the total incorporation into the lipid fraction, respectively. The incorporation of [14C]acetate into fatty acids in the cultured cells was detected for the chain lengths of C14 to C25. The activities of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase in the cultured cells and Harderian gland were lower than that in adipose tissue. These results confirm that cultured cells reflect the lipid metabolism originating in the Harderian gland and show that this culture system can serve as one part of the armamentarium for further study of this unique lipid metabolism.

In vitro lipid synthesis in human adipose tissue from three abdominal sites

The association between abdominal deposition of adipose tissue and morbidities accompanying obesity may be related to high rates of free fatty acid release from enlarged intra-abdominal stores. To investigate cellular mechanisms that might contribute to enlargement of intra-abdominal adipocytes, lipolysis, triacylglycerol (TG), and diacylglycerol (DG) synthesis from [14C]glucose was measured in abdominal subcutaneous, omental, and mesenteric adipose tissue from severely obese women and men. Subcutaneous adipose tissue from women showed the highest rates of TG synthesis compared with the intra-abdominal site, or any site in men. isoproterenol stimulated TG synthesis more in intra-abdominal than subcutaneous adipose tissue. In the basal state, intra-abdominal adipose tissue from both men and women showed rates of [14C]DG accumulation approximately 50% total [14C]acylglyceride accumulation, whereas, in subcutaneous adipose tissue, [14C]DG accumulation was approximately 25% of total. Basal lipolysis was lower in intra-abdominal than subcutaneous adipocytes. Stimulation of lipolysis reduced [14C]DG accumulation more in intra-abdominal than subcutaneous adipose tissue. Low rates of acylglyceride synthesis in intra-abdominal adipocytes may prevent accumulation of large intra-abdominal fat stores in women.