Mechanism of prostaglandin E2-induced arachidonic acid release in osteoblast-like cells: independence from phosphoinositide hydrolysis

We previously reported that pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive GTP-binding protein is involved in the coupling of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptor to phospholipase C in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells (1). In the present study, we analyzed the mechanism of PGE2-induced arachidonic acid (AA) release in MC3T3-E1 cells. PGE2 stimulated the release of AA and the formation of inositol trisphosphate (IP3) dose dependently in the range between 1 nM and 10 microM. The effect of PGE2 on AA release (ED50 was 80 nM) was more potent than that on IP3 formation (ED50 was 0.8 microM). Quinacrine, a phospholipase A2 inhibitor, suppressed the PGE2-induced AA release but had little effect on the IP3 formation. NaF, a GTP-binding protein activator, mimicked PGE2 by stimulating the AA release. The AA release stimulated by a combination of PGE2 and NaF was not additive. PTX had little effect on the PGE2-induced AA release. These results strongly suggest that the AA release and the phosphoinositide hydrolysis are separately stimulated by PGE2 in osteoblast-like cells, and the PGE2-induced AA release is mediated by PTX-insensitive GTP-binding protein.

Autoregulation of prostaglandin E2-induced Ca2+ influx in osteoblast-like cells: inhibition by self-induced activation of protein kinase C

In cloned osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) stimulated 45Ca2+ influx even in the presence of nifedipine, a Ca2+ antagonist that inhibits voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel, in a dose-dependent manner, attaining a maximum at 0.5 microM. Dose of PGE2 above 0.5 microM caused less than maximal stimulation. While PGE2 stimulated the formation of inositol trisphosphate dose dependently in the range between 1 nM and 10 microM. 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a protein kinase C (PKC)-activating phorbol ester, which by itself had little effect on 45Ca2+ influx, significantly suppressed the 45Ca2+ influx induced by PGE2 in a dose-dependent manner between 1 nM and 1 microM. 4 alpha-Phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, a phorbol ester which is inactive for PKC, showed little effect in this capacity. Staurosporine, a PKC inhibitor, enhanced the PGE2-induced 45Ca2+ influx. On the other hand, dibutyryl cAMP had little effect on the 45Ca2+ influx induced by PGE2. Our data suggest that PGE2 regulates Ca2+ influx through self-induced activation of PKC. These results indicate that there is an autoregulatory mechanism in signal transduction by PGE2, and PGE2 modulates osteoblast functions through the interaction between Ca2+ influx and phosphoinositide hydrolysis in osteoblast-like cells.

The exposure of carcinogen-initiated primary neonatal rat hepatocytes to tumor promoters modulates both the transcripts and the enzymatic activity of nuclear poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase

Four tumor promoters, i.e. PB, TPA, NAF, and DDT, added singly to a calcium-deprived synthetic medium, elicited early and late mitogenic effects and concurrent surges of nuclear poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (pADPRP) activity in primary neonatal rat hepatocytes mutagenized with an intra-uterine dose of DMN. These actions were fully abated by the pADPRP inhibitor 3-MBA. Conversely, EGF only acted as a full mitogen when medium's calcium was at physiological levels, and its effects could not be blocked by 3-MBA. The same tumor promoters, but not EGF, also evoked a swift and lingering amplification of pADPRP transcripts in DMN-initiated hepatocytes kept in low-calcium medium. Hence, a coordinated modulation of both pADPRP transcripts and activity by xenobiotics is likely to be involved in the clonal expansion of early preneoplastic hepatocytes.

Increase of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase mRNA levels during TPA-induced differentiation of human lymphocytes

The non-mitogenic stimulation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with low concentrations of the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) caused a progressive increase in the percent fraction of the cells that were positive for the early activating antigen CD69. At the same time, it caused a progressive increase in the steady-state levels of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (pADPRP) transcripts. A further increase in TPA concentration, while inducing the maximal expression of the levels of CD69 activating surface antigen, both in the presence or in the absence of proliferative activity, did not evoke any additional hightening of pADPRP mRNA levels. Time course of PBMC stimulation with a non-mitogenic dose of TPA showed an early increase in the accumulation of pADPRP mRNA, which changed at 8-16 h, and remained high for several days thereafter. On the basis of these data, we suggest that the increase in pADPRP mRNA may be associated with the commitment of human lymphocytes from a quiescent (G0) to an activated (G1) state.

Regulation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase gene expression in mitogen-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

The level of mRNA for poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase in human PBMC increased 8 h after addition of PHA, reaching its maximum (9-fold over the basal level) 3-4 days after the stimulation and decreasing thereafter. mRNA maximum slightly preceded in time the maximal value of DNA synthesis. The half-life of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase mRNA, which is 1.2 h in quiescent PBMC, increased up to 3.4 h in stimulated PBMC. This PHA-induced stabilization of the mRNA for poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase could account for the accumulation of the transcript in mitogen-treated PBMC.

Release of newly synthesized platelet-activating factor (PAF) from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes under in vivo conditions. Contribution of PAF-releasing factor in serum

The behavior of platelet-activating factor (PAF) produced in stimulated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) was investigated in the presence of serum under conditions close to those existing in vivo. When the cells were stimulated in the presence of the serum obtained from a PAF acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH)-deficient Japanese subject, over 60% of synthesized PAF was detected in the extracellular medium by bioassay, scintillation proximity RIA and selected ion monitoring/gas chromatography/mass spectrography analysis. The release of PAF from PMN after stimulation with FMLP and A23187 was also observed in the presence of normal serum treated with acid to inactivate PAF-AH. The heterogeneity of the molecular species of extracellular PAF was similar to that of intracellular PAF produced in stimulated PMN in the presence of PAF-AH-deficient serum, ruling out the possibility that a specific molecular species of PAF was preferentially released from the cells in the presence of the serum. As these data suggested the occurrence of PAF-releasing factor(s) in the serum, an attempt was made to partially purify this factor from PAF-AH-deficient serum and acid-treated normal serum by ammonium sulfate fractionation and column chromatography with DEAE-Cellulofine and Sepharose CL-6B. The molecular mass of PAF-releasing factor revealed on a TSK gel G3000 SW HPLC column was 240 kDa, which was different from that of albumin. The binding assay, newly developed for this study, revealed that the PAF-binding activity of PAF-releasing factor is stronger than that of albumin, and that the PAF-releasing factor forms a complex with PAF at low concentration (10(-9) M). PAF bound to this factor was difficult to be hydrolyzed by serum PAF-AH. On the other hand, the PAF/PAF-releasing factor complex had aggregatory activity toward washed rabbit platelets. These observations suggest that certain protein(s) releases and carries the PAF newly synthesized by PMN in blood plasma/serum. Thus it appears that PAF functions as an autacoid in vivo, along with other mediators.

Release of newly synthesized platelet-activating factor (PAF) from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes under in vivo conditions. Contribution of PAF-releasing factor in serum

The behavior of platelet-activating factor (PAF) produced in stimulated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) was investigated in the presence of serum under conditions close to those existing in vivo. When the cells were stimulated in the presence of the serum obtained from a PAF acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH)-deficient Japanese subject, over 60% of synthesized PAF was detected in the extracellular medium by bioassay, scintillation proximity RIA and selected ion monitoring/gas chromatography/mass spectrography analysis. The release of PAF from PMN after stimulation with FMLP and A23187 was also observed in the presence of normal serum treated with acid to inactivate PAF-AH. The heterogeneity of the molecular species of extracellular PAF was similar to that of intracellular PAF produced in stimulated PMN in the presence of PAF-AH-deficient serum, ruling out the possibility that a specific molecular species of PAF was preferentially released from the cells in the presence of the serum. As these data suggested the occurrence of PAF-releasing factor(s) in the serum, an attempt was made to partially purify this factor from PAF-AH-deficient serum and acid-treated normal serum by ammonium sulfate fractionation and column chromatography with DEAE-Cellulofine and Sepharose CL-6B. The molecular mass of PAF-releasing factor revealed on a TSK gel G3000 SW HPLC column was 240 kDa, which was different from that of albumin. The binding assay, newly developed for this study, revealed that the PAF-binding activity of PAF-releasing factor is stronger than that of albumin, and that the PAF-releasing factor forms a complex with PAF at low concentration (10(-9) M). PAF bound to this factor was difficult to be hydrolyzed by serum PAF-AH. On the other hand, the PAF/PAF-releasing factor complex had aggregatory activity toward washed rabbit platelets. These observations suggest that certain protein(s) releases and carries the PAF newly synthesized by PMN in blood plasma/serum. Thus it appears that PAF functions as an autacoid in vivo, along with other mediators.

Influence of poly(ADP ribose) polymerase depletion on promotion of liver carcinogenesis

In previous studies we demonstrated that liver poly(ADP ribose) polymerase (pADPRP) activity was lost in animals exposed to N-2-acetylaminofluorene (2AAF) according to the Teebor and Becker experimental model (Cancer Res 31:1-3, 1971). In addition, we used the resistant hepatocyte model of Solt and Farber (Nature 263:702-703, 1976) to further investigate pADPRP activity during the multistep process of liver carcinogenesis. A marked depletion of the catalytic protein was evidenced after 2AAF exposure, confirming previous results and indicating a specific effect of 2AAF on this nuclear enzyme that controls conformational changes of chromatin and regulates several catalytic activities in the nucleus. The levels of pADPRP mRNA, measured by northern blot analysis using both experimental models, indicate that the enzyme depletion is not due to a loss of transcript. Moreover, these data indicate that pADPRP depletion, caused by 2AAF, was also maintained during liver compensatory growth, which is known to induce a rapid and marked increase in pADPRP activity and protein level. Treatment of 2AAF-exposed animals with N-acetyl-L-cysteine not only efficiently protected against DNA damage, but also prevented a rapid depletion of the catalytic protein. Interestingly, these data indicate that the marked loss of liver pADPRP occurred during the promotion step induced by 2AAF feeding and that this loss was observed using different models for experimental hepatocarcinogenesis. This phenomenon can be ascribed to a highly defective transcript that cannot be correctly translated into the specific protein or to a rapid degradation of the translated protein.

Cross-talk regulation between cyclic AMP production and phosphoinositide hydrolysis induced by prostaglandin E2 in osteoblast-like cells

In cloned osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells, PGE2 stimulated both cAMP accumulation and the formation of inositol trisphosphate (IP3) dose dependently. The cAMP accumulation showed the peak value at 5 min and decreased thereafter, whereas the IP3 formation reached a plateau almost within 10 min and sustained it up to 30 min. The effect of PGE2 on cAMP accumulation (EC50 was 80 nM) was more potent than that on IP3 formation (EC50 was 0.8 microM). 12-O-Tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a protein kinase C (PKC)-activating phorbol ester, reduced the PGE2-induced cAMP accumulation, whereas 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, a PKC-nonactivating phorbol ester, had little effect on the cAMP accumulation. 1-Oleoyl-2-acetyl-glycerol, a specific activator for PKC, inhibited PGE2-induced cAMP accumulation. TPA had little effect on cAMP accumulation induced by forskolin or NaF, a GTP-binding protein activator. So, the effect of TPA is presumed to be exerted at the point between the PGE2 receptor and Gs. On the other hand, forskolin and dibutyryl cAMP had little effect on the IP3 formation stimulated by PGE2. H-7, a PKC inhibitor, enhanced the PGE2-induced cAMP accumulation in comparison with HA1004, a control for H-7. Our data suggest that PGE2 regulates cAMP production through self-induced activation of PKC. These results strongly suggest that there is an autoregulatory mechanism in PGE2 signaling, and PGE2 modulates osteoblast functions through a cross-talk interaction between cAMP production and phosphoinositide hydrolysis in osteoblast-like cells.

Molecular heterogeneity of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in rat glandular stomach determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. PAF molecular species changes upon water-immersion stress

The molecular heterogeneity of 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (alkylacetyl-GPC) and 1-acyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (acylacetyl-GPC) in normal rat glandular stomach was studied by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and tandem mass spectrometry. The percentage compositions of the molecular species of 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-GPC and 1-acyl-2-acetyl-GPC in the antrum were, respectively, 1-alkyl [16:0 (34%) and 18:0 (66%)]-2-acetyl-GPC and 1-acyl [16:0 (60%), 18:0 (14%) and 18:1 (26%)]-2-acetyl-GPC. The alkyl chain composition of 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-GPC was quite different from that of 1-alkyl-2-acyl-GPC in both the antrum and corpus, demonstrating a high degree of selectivity of alkyl chain utilization in PAF biosynthesis. The amount of 1-acyl-2-acetyl-GPC was much greater than that of 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-GPC. The molecular heterogeneity of 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-GPC and 1-acyl-2-acetyl-GPC in the corpus was similar to that in the antrum. Water-immersion stress affected not only the amount of 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-GPC and 1-acyl-2-acetyl-GPC, but also their molecular heterogeneity in the antrum and corpus. Whereas the amounts of 1-hexadecyl-2-acetyl-GPC and 1-acyl [16:0, 18:0 and 18:1]-2-acetyl-GPC decreased markedly (to less than one-fifth) in the antrum after such stress for 1 hr, the amount of 1-octadecyl-2-acetyl-GPC increased markedly (up to 4-fold) in the corpus and severe lesions were observed after stress for 7 hr.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Differential expression of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and DNA polymerase beta in rat tissues

The activities of two DNA repair-related enzymes, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and DNA polymerase beta, and their mRNA levels were measured in 17 tissues of Wistar rats. A large variety in enzyme activity values could be detected in the tissues examined; the highest levels of activity for both enzymes were found in the testis. A good correlation between poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activity and the level of the transcript of the gene coding for the enzyme was observed in many tissues. A less satisfactory correlation could be evidenced for DNA polymerase beta. The almost parallel amounts of the mRNAs for poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and DNA polymerase beta in the tissues examined suggest a possible coexpression of the genes coding for these enzymes. Additional studies have been carried out in testis and liver by immunohistochemical techniques and by in situ hybridization analyses. While in the testis the spermatocytes were shown to contain both enzymes and their transcripts, in other types of cells this could not be observed. In the liver mRNAs and enzymes were only found in 20% of the hepatocytes. This may in part explain both the low levels of the mRNAs and the modest activities of the two enzymes in that tissue.

Study on the metabolic fate of catena-(S)-[mu-[N alpha-(3- aminopropionyl)histidinato(2-)-N1,N2,O:N tau]-zinc]. 1st communication: absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion after single administration to rats

Studies on the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of 14C-Z-103 and 65Zn-Z-103 (catena-(S)-[mu-[N alpha-(3- aminopropionyl)histidinato(2-)-N1,N2,O:N tau]-zinc], CAS 107667-60-7) were performed after oral administration to rats. After oral administration of 14C-Z-103 and 65Zn-Z-103, the blood concentrations of 14C-radioactivity were 30- to 40-fold higher than those of 65Zn-radioactivity. The 14C-radioactivity showed a dose-dependent increase of Cmax and AUC values in the dose range from 13.1 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg, and remained longer in the blood. In contrast, no dose-dependent increase of AUC was observed with 65Zn-radioactivity, suggesting saturation of absorption at doses more than 30 mg/kg of 65Zn-Z-103. The major route of excretion of 14C-radioactivity was by excretion into the expired air, amounting to 38.8% of the administered dose, while the urinary and fecal excretions were low values at 4.1% and 13.3%, respectively. The radioactivity remaining in the carcass accounted for 39.3% of the dose. On the other hand, in the case of 65Zn-radioactivity, 85.0% of the administered dose was excreted into the feces and 10.5% of the dose remained in the carcass. Both 14C- and 65Zn-radioactivities were distributed to the whole body, while 14C-radioactivity showed higher concentrations in the body, and was retained longer than the 65Zn-radioactivity. When the plasma and the liver and kidney homogenates, from rats received 14C-Z-103, were treated with trichloroacetic acid (TCA), the radioactivities in the TCA-insoluble fraction increased as a function of time. Following the treatment of the homogenates with protease, the radioactivities in the TCA-insoluble fraction decreased. In vitro study was showed that L-carnosine of 14C-Z-103 added to the homogenates of liver and small intestine was metabolized to L-histidine. The results suggest that the remaining radioactivities in tissues and organs caused the incorporation of the metabolites of 14C-Z-103 into endogenous high molecular substances.

Study on the metabolic fate of catena-(S)-[mu-N alpha-(3-aminopropionyl)histidinato(2-)-N1,N2,O:N tau]-zinc]. 3rd communication: transfer into fetus and milk in rats

Studies on the transfer into the fetus and the milk were performed after administration of 14C-Z-103 and 65Zn-Z-103 (catena-(S)-[mu-[N alpha-(3-aminopropionyl)histidinato(2-)-N1,N2,O:N tau]- zinc], CAS 107667-60-7) to rats. After oral administration of 14C-Z-103 to pregnant rats, the transfer of radioactivity to the fetus was studied by means of whole body autoradiography (ARG) and measurement of radioactivity in the fetus. The concentration of radioactivity in the fetus was approximately the same as those in the blood and the placenta of the maternal animal. The transfer of radioactivity into the milk was demonstrated after administration of 14C-Z-103 to lactating rats. Radioactivity in the fetus and milk are considered to be due to metabolites of L-carnosine of Z-103, such as amino acid or protein. The distribution of radioactivity in the fetus was also observed after administration of 65Zn-Z-103 to pregnant rats. However, after administration of non-radioactive Z-103 to pregnant rats, the zinc level in the fetus was found to be almost the same level as that in the fetus of the untreated rats. The transfer of radioactivity to the milk was studied after administration of 65Zn-Z-103 to the lactating rats, and it was seen that the concentration of radioactive zinc in the milk was much lower than the endogenous level of zinc in the milk at any of the time points investigated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Study on the metabolic fate of catena-(S)-[mu-[N alpha-(3- aminopropionyl)histidinato(2-)-N1,N2,O:N tau]-zinc]. 2nd communication: absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion after repeated administration to rats

After repeated administration of 14C-Z-103 (catena-(S)-[mu-[N alpha-(3- aminopropionyl)histidinato(2-)-N1,N2,O:N tau]-zinc], CAS 107667-60-7) to rats for 21 days, the accumulation of radioactivity in the blood and tissues was proportional to the number of doses given. Following treatment of the terminal blood, plasma, liver and kidney samples with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or protease, the radioactivity in these tissues was demonstrated to be TCA-insoluble and solubilized by the protease treatment. Thus, the accumulation of radioactivity after repeated administration of 14C-Z-103 was considered to be due to the utilization of the metabolites of L-carnosine, the constituent of Z-103, into a protein. The cumulative ratios of radioactivity excreted into the urine, feces and expired air and the radioactivity remaining in the carcass after repeated administration of 14C-Z-103 for 21 days were similar to those values obtained after a single administration, suggesting that repeated administration did not influence the excretion profile of Z-103. During the period of repeated administration of non-radioactive Z-103 to rats for 21 days, the fecal content of zinc was higher than that in nontreated rats, whereas it returned to the control level at 48 h after the final administration. There was no significant difference in the urinary concentration of zinc between treated and non-treated animals during the period of repeated administration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Study on the metabolic fate of catena-(S)-[mu-[N alpha-(3-aminopropionyl)histidinato(2-)-N1,N2,O:N tau]-zinc]. 4th communication: disposition of zinc and amino acids in rats, dogs and monkeys

The time course of the zinc plasma concentrations in rats, dogs and monkeys and the metabolic fate of L-carnosine were investigated after oral administration of Z-103 (catena-(S)-[mu-[N alpha-(3-aminopropionyl)histidinato(2-)-N1,N2,O:N tau]-zinc], CAS 107667-60-7). There was no intradiurnal variation in the plasma concentrations of endogenous zinc in rats, dogs and monkeys. The plasma concentrations of endogenous zinc in dogs and monkeys were approximately the same as that in humans, whereas the plasma concentration of zinc in rats was 2.2-fold higher than that in man. After administration of Z-103 to non-fasted dogs at 100 mg/kg, the plasma concentration of zinc reached Cmax at 0.5 h after administration (1.7-fold higher than endogenous zinc level), while the plasma concentration was the lowest in comparison with other animal species. After administration to fasting rats at 50 mg/kg, the plasma concentration of zinc reached Cmax at 1 h after administration (2.5-fold higher than endogenous zinc level) and decreased thereafter, returning to the endogenous level at 8 h after administration. After oral administration to monkeys at 10 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg, the Cmax values were 4.1-fold and 6.8-fold higher than the endogenous level, respectively. The Tmax values were achieved at 4-6 h and 8 h after each administration, respectively, showing slower absorption in comparison with other animal species.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Immunohistochemical localization of spleen-type prostaglandin D synthetase in rat nasal mucosa

Using the specific antibody of spleen-type prostaglandin D synthetase, we investigated the immunohistochemical localization of this enzyme in rat nasal mucosa. The excised tissues were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde and immunohistochemically stained by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. Formalin-resistant connective tissue mast cells were positive for spleen-type prostaglandin D synthetase.

[Comparative studies on the antitumor activity of fluorinated pyrimidine derivatives against human bladder, cervical and ovarian cancer xenografts in nude mice]

Fluorinated pyrimidines given orally were examined for their antitumor activity with 11 human cancer xenograft models (4 bladder, 4 cervical and 3 ovarian cancers). The drugs were evaluated to be effective when they inhibited tumor growth over 58%. UFT was not effective against all of 11 cancer xenografts tested. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) was effective against only one bladder cancer xenograft among 6 cancer xenografts tested. On the other hand, 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'-DFUR) was effective against one bladder, 3 cervical and one ovarian cancer xenografts. The Antitumor activity of 5'-DFUR was correlated with the enzyme activity of pyrimidine nucleoside phosphorylase, which is an essential enzyme for phosphorolysis of 5'-DFUR to 5-FU.

Effects of hypergravity on proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast-like cells

We investigated the effects of hypergravity on DNA synthesis and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in cloned osteoblast-like cells, MC3T3-E1. Hypergravity (5 x g) stimulated DNA synthesis in these cells in a time-dependent manner and increased it approximately up to 150% of that of the control (1 x g). 12-O-Tetra-decanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a protein kinase C activator, and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) enhanced DNA synthesis additively with hypergravity (5 x g). An increase in ALP activity induced by 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) was suppressed by hypergravity (2 x g, 5 x g). Five x g completely suppressed the increase in ALP activity. TPA and hypergravity (2 x g) suppressed the increase in ALP activity induced by FCS additively. Hypergravity (5 x g) showed no significant effect on cAMP nor cGMP production in these cells, but increased prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. Exogenous PGE2 stimulated DNA synthesis in these cells but had little effect on 10% FCS-induced ALP activity. These results suggest that hypergravity stimulates proliferation but suppresses differentiation of osteoblast-like cells through a pathway independent of the activation of protein kinase C and the production of cyclic nucleotides, and that hypergravity and IGF-I stimulate proliferation of these cells through an independent signal transduction pathway. Moreover, our data strongly suggest that PGE2 mediates the signalling of hypergravity on the proliferation of osteoblast-like cells.

Relationship between nasal absorption and physicochemical properties of quaternary ammonium compounds

The present study was undertaken to investigate the in situ nasal absorption of a series of tetraethylammonium chloride-related aliphatic quaternary ammonium compounds in rats and its relationship with their physicochemical properties (molecular weight and partition coefficient). All of the ten quaternary ammonium compounds examined were found to be absorbed through the nasal mucosa of rats. The nasal absorption rates of ethyltrimethyl-ammonium iodide and tetraethylammonium chloride, with the lowest molecular weight, were the highest, and those of tetra-n-butylammonium chloride and tetra-n-propylammonium bromide, with high molecular weight, were much lower. Thus, there was a tendency that the nasal absorption rates of quaternary ammonium compounds in rats decreased with an increase in their molecular weight. A physicochemical study has shown that there was a linear relationship between the molecular weight of the ten quaternary ammonium compounds and their partition coefficient, thereby suggesting an increase in lipophilicity with the molecular weight. In addition, there was a good correlation between the extent of the nasal absorption of the quaternary ammonium compounds studied and their molecular weight or partition coefficient. These data suggest that there is a reciprocal relationship between the membrane transport of quaternary ammonium compounds in the nasal mucosa and their lipophilic character. In conclusion, it seems likely that quaternary ammonium compounds are predominantly absorbed from the nasal mucosa of the rat through waterfilled channels or pores rather than through the lipid membrane.

Changes in 40 serum proteins of post-menopausal women

Sera were sampled from 83 people (pre- and post-menopausal women and men). Climacteric symptoms of 23 women were treated with conjugated estrogen. Sera were sampled serially until the 21st day of estrogen administration. Serum concentrations of 40 protein components were measured by micro single radial immunodiffusion. The serum proteins were classified into 5 types according to changes after menopause and estrogen therapy, respectively. Type 1 (decreased after menopause and increased by estrogen; alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 2-HS - glycoprotein, beta 2-glycoprotein III, Gc-globulin, alpha 1-lipoprotein and alpha 2-AP-glycoprotein), type 2 (unchanged and increased; ceruloplasmin), type 3 (increased and decreased; alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, haptoglobin, serum amyloid P-component, Zn-alpha 2-glycoprotein, beta-lipoprotein and C1-components), type 4 (unchanged and decreased; hemopexin, antithrombin III, beta 2-glycoprotein I, prealbumin and retinol-binding-protein), type 5 (unchanged by estrogen; immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgG and others). Estrogen replacement therapy restored pre-menopausal levels of serum proteins, types 1 and 3. However, estrogen therapy was associated with significantly abnormal levels of proteins, types 2 and 4 in post-menopausal women. Serum levels of type 1 proteins and some type 5 proteins (IgM, alpha 1B-glycoprotein, C9-component and alpha 2-macroglobulin) were higher in pre-menopausal women than in men, whereas type 3 proteins were the opposite.

The zinc fingers of human poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase are differentially required for the recognition of DNA breaks and nicks and the consequent enzyme activation. Other structures recognize intact DNA

The recognition of double-stranded DNA breaks and single-stranded nicks by human poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and the consequent enzymic activation were examined using derivatives of the enzyme expressed in Escherichia coli. The N-terminal 162 residues encompass two zinc fingers. Deletion or mutation of the first finger results in a loss of activation by DNA with either single-stranded or double-stranded damage. Destruction of the second finger reduces activation by double-stranded DNA breaks only slightly, but eliminates activation by single-stranded DNA nicks. These data suggest that activation by single-stranded DNA nicks requires two zinc fingers, but activation by double-stranded DNA breaks requires only the finger closer to the N terminus. Variant proteins that lack both zinc fingers are enzymically inactive but still exhibit weak DNA binding, which is independent of DNA damage. Thus, other regions are also capable of binding intact DNA, but the recognition of a strand nick or break which occasions the synthesis of poly(ADP-ribose) specifically requires the zinc fingers.

Soybean trypsin inhibitor and beta-amylase stimulate macrophages

Mature soybean seeds were found to contain macrophage stimulation activity. The activity existed in a water-soluble fraction of soybean whey. Gel filtration, DEAE-cellulose column chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography of the water-soluble fraction gave two active proteins. By N-terminal and total amino acid analyses, these were effectively stimulated by each of the two proteins to produce nitrite.

Establishment of a macrophagelike cell line derived from U-937, human histiocytic lymphoma, grown serum-free

A human macrophagelike cell line which grows in serum-free medium was established from a histiocytic lymphoma cell line, U-937. U-937 cells failed to differentiate into macrophagelike cells in serum-free medium plus 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA). Fibronectin and albumin in serum were necessary for differentiation of U-937 cells into macrophagelike cells in enriched RDF medium supplemented with insulin, transferrin, ethanolamine, selenite, egg yolk lipoprotein (eRDF-ITESL medium). The established cell line exhibited several characteristic properties of macrophage such as nitroblue tetrazolium reduction, phagocytic and alpha-naphthylbutyrate-esterase activities, and tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 1 production. At present the cells have been continuously maintained in eRDF-ITESL medium through over 150 passages.