Metabolism of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate in rat parotid glands

Phospholipase C activity and substrate specificity in frog photoreceptors

The photoreceptor, like many other cells, undergoes receptor-mediated breakdown of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2]. The lack of phosphatidylinositol (PdtIns) breakdown during receptor stimulation suggests the existence of a phospholipase C specific for polyphosphoinositides. Phospholipase C activity in frog rod outer segments was assayed with several substrates. The activity was selective for the polyphosphoinositides, phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate [PtdIns(4)P] and PtdIns(4,5)P2. PtdIns was hydrolysed at 2% of the rate of hydrolysis of PtdIns(4,5)P2. No activity was detected when phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, or phosphatidylethanolamine were used as substrates. The enzymatic activity was optimal at neutral pH. These findings suggest, but do not prove, that this activity might contain the light-regulated phospholipase C of the photoreceptor.

Inositol 1,2-cyclic 4,5-trisphosphate is formed in the rat parotid gland on muscarinic stimulation

Hawkins et al. [Hawkins, P.T., Berrie, C.P., Morris, A.J., and Downes, C.P. (1987) Biochem J. 243, 211-218] were unable to find any formation of inositol 1,2-cyclic 4,5-trisphosphate on muscarinic stimulation of rat parotid slices, contrary to what has been found in mouse pancreas and in platelets. We have repeated the studies of Hawkins et al. using [3H]inositol-prelabelled rat parotid minilobules and our improved HPLC method for clearly separating the three inositol trisphosphates. Substantial amounts of inositol 1,2-cyclic 4,5-trisphosphate formed on muscarinic stimulation of rat parotid minilobules, amounting to 5% of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate at 10 sec and one third of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate at 5 min.

Observation of inositol pentakis- and hexakis-phosphates in mammalian tissues by 31P NMR

In analyzing the 31P NMR spectra of extracts of mammalian tissues and cells we have identified inositol pentakis- and hexakis-phosphates in essentially all of the samples examined. These compounds were present at concentrations of at least 5-15 microM. While the sources and functions of these compounds in mammalian cells are not clear, they may play an important role in phosphoinositol metabolism. For example, one obvious possibility is that these compounds may be sources of or sinks for the Ca++ mobilizing inositol tris- and tetrakis-phosphates.

Specific binding sites for [3H]inositol(1,3,4,5)tetrakisphosphate on membranes of HL-60 cells

Membranes of HL-60 cells were shown to possess saturable binding sites for [3H]inositol(1,3,4,5)tetrakisphosphate, with nanomolar affinity (KD = 90 nM) and a density of 250 fmol/mg protein. The specificity of the binding sites for Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 was assessed by competition studies utilising a variety of inositol polyphosphates; results indicated that both the presence and the correct grouping of the phosphates were important for high affinity recognition. The apparent affinity of the binding sites for Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 was over 200-fold greater than for Ins(1,4,5)P3. The possibility is discussed that this binding site represents the receptor which mediates the action of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 as a putative intracellular second messenger.

Synthesis of polyphosphoinositides in nuclei of Friend cells. Evidence for polyphosphoinositide metabolism inside the nucleus which changes with cell differentiation

Previous work demonstrated the existence of phosphatidylinositol kinase and phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase in rat liver nuclei, with the suggestion that these activities are in the nuclear membrane [Smith & Wells (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 9368-9373]. Here we show that highly purified nuclei from Friend cells, washed free of nuclear membrane by Triton, can incorporate radiolabel from [gamma-32P]ATP into phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylinositol phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. The degree of radiolabelling of phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate is highly dependent on the state of differentiation of the cells, being barely detectable in growing cells and much greater after dimethyl sulphoxide-induced differentiation; this difference is mostly due to different amounts of phosphatidylinositol phosphate in the isolated nuclei. We suggest that polyphosphoinositides are made inside the nucleus and that they have a role in chromatin function; either the phospholipids themselves play a role, or there is a possibility of intranuclear signalling by inositide-derived molecules.

Regulation of inositol phospholipid and inositol phosphate metabolism in chemoattractant-activated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Binding of chemoattractants to specific cell surface receptors on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) initiates a series of biochemical responses leading to cellular activation. A critical early biochemical event in chemoattractant (CTX) receptor-mediated signal transduction is the phosphodiesteric cleavage of plasma membrane phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), with concomitant production of the calcium mobilizing inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) isomer, and the protein kinase C activator, 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG). The following lines of experimental evidence collectively suggest that CTX receptors are coupled to phospholipase C via a guanine nucleotide binding (G) protein. Receptor-mediated hydrolysis of PIP2 in PMN plasma membrane preparations requires both fMet-Leu-Phe and GTP, and incubation of intact PMNs with pertussis toxin (which ADP ribosylates and inactivates some G proteins) eliminates the ability of fMet-Leu-Phe plus GTP to promote PIP2 breakdown in isolated plasma membranes. Studies with both PMN particulate fractions and with partially purified fMet-Leu-Phe receptor preparations indicate that guanine nucleotides regulate CTX receptor affinity. Finally, fMet-Leu-Phe stimulates high-affinity binding of GTP gamma S to PMN membranes as well as GTPase activity. A G alpha subunit has been identified in phagocyte membranes which is different from other G alpha subunits on the basis of molecular weight and differential sensitivity to ribosylation by bacterial toxins. Thus, a novel G protein may be involved in coupling CTX receptors to phospholipase C. Studies in intact and sonicated PMNs demonstrate that metabolism of 1,4,5-IP3 proceeds via two distinct pathways: 1) sequential dephosphorylation to 1,4-IP2, 4-IP1 and inositol, or 2) ATP-dependent conversion to inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (IP4) followed by sequential dephosphorylation to 1,3,4-IP3, 3,4-IP2, 3-IP1 and inositol. Receptor-mediated hydrolysis of PIP2 occurs at ambient intracellular Ca2+ levels; but metabolism of 1,4,5-IP3 via the IP4 pathway requires elevated cytosolic Ca2+ levels associated with cellular activation. Thus, the two pathways for 1,4,5-IP3 metabolism may serve different metabolic functions. Additionally, inositol phosphate production appears to be controlled by protein kinase C, as phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) abrogates PIP2 hydrolysis by interfering with the ability of the activated G protein to stimulate phospholipase C. This implies a physiologic mechanism for terminating biologic responses via protein kinase C mediated feedback inhibition of PIP2 hydrolysis.

[3H]protein secretion in rat parotid gland: substance P-beta-adrenergic synergism

In parotid fragment [3H]protein, secretion induced by substance P was moderate, but strongly Ca dependent. However, secretion induced by isoproterenol was large and Ca independent. Potentiation of protein secretion was observed when substance P (SP) and isoproterenol (ISO) acted together. Addition of 10(-8) M SP caused a shift to the left in the secretion dose-response curve caused by ISO, but did not enhance ISO-induced maximal response. The potentiating effect seems to be a postreceptor event, since it can be mimicked by forskolin (FK), known to induce directly cAMP accumulation, thus bypassing the beta-adrenergic receptor. The synergism described above was, therefore, investigated at the second messenger production level. Stimulation of parotid gland fragments by simultaneous addition of SP plus ISO or FK did not modify cAMP nor inositol trisphosphate (IP3) accumulation induced independently by each secretagogue alone. The ionophore A23187 was also able to potentiate secretion induced by a beta-adrenergic agonist, this effect being totally abolished by external calcium omission, thus suggesting a role for external calcium in this potentiation phenomenon. These results suggest that the potentiation phenomenon observed is a postreceptor event that occurs at a step distal from the second messenger production.

Stimulation of inositol phosphate formation in FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells by catecholamines and its relationship to changes in 45Ca2+ efflux and cyclic AMP accumulation

Catecholamines specifically stimulated the rapid formation of inositol phosphates, bisphosphates and trisphosphates in a concentration-dependent manner in FRTL-5 thyroid cells. Further analysis by high performance liquid chromatography revealed the presence of two isomers of inositol trisphosphate, 1,4,5- and 1,3,4-trisphosphate, suggesting that the 1,4,5-trisphosphate of inositol is further metabolized to the 1,3,4-trisphosphate isomer. The alpha 1-adrenoreceptor antagonist, prazosin, inhibited the effects of epinephrine, while the alpha 2-adrenoreceptor antagonist, yohimbine, was without effect. Treatment of FRTL-5 cells with pertussis toxin (to inhibit Ni) did not abolish the epinephrine effect on inositol trisphosphate formation. Carbachol, N6-[L-2-phenylisopropyl]-adenosine and forskolin were without effect on phosphoinositide metabolism. Both epinephrine and the calcium ionophore A23187 stimulated 45Ca2+ efflux from 45Ca2+-loaded FRTL-5 cells. The time-course of the epinephrine effect indicates that inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate formation (t1/2 approximately 1 s) precedes both the efflux of 45Ca2+ (t1/2 approximately 30 s) as well as the reduction of cyclic AMP levels (t1/2 approximately 90 s) in response to epinephrine. These results strongly suggest that inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate has the appropriate properties to act as a second messenger by which alpha 1-adrenergic hormones, through mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ and activation of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase, reduce cyclic AMP levels in FRTL-5 cells.

Formation of inositol phosphate isomers in GH3 pituitary tumour cells stimulated with thyrotropin-releasing hormone. Acute effects of lithium ions

With a h.p.l.c. system, the inositol mono-, bis- and tris-phosphate isomers found in [3H]inositol-labelled GH3 cells were resolved and identified. These cells possess at least ten distinct [3H]inositol-containing substances when acid-soluble extracts are analysed by anion-exchange h.p.l.c. These substances were identified by their co-elution with known inositol phosphate standards and, to a limited extent, by examining their chemical structure. Two major inositol monophosphate (InsP) isomers were identified, namely Ins1P and Ins4P, both of which accumulate after stimulation with the hypothalamic releasing factor (TRH) (thyrotropin-releasing hormone). Three inositol bisphosphate (InsP2) isomers were resolved, of which two were positively identified, i.e. Ins(1,4)P2 and Ins(3,4)P2. TRH treatment increases both of these isomers, with Ins(1,4)P2 being produced at a faster rate than Ins(3,4)P2. The third InsP2 isomer has yet to be fully identified, although it is co-eluted with an Ins(4,5)P2 standard. This third InsP2 is also increased after TRH stimulation. In common with other cell types, the GH3 cell contains two inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) isomers: Ins(1,4,5)P3, which accumulates rapidly, and Ins(1,3,4)P3, which is formed more slowly. The latter substance appears simultaneously with its precursor, inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate. We also examined the effects of acute Li+ treatment on the rates of accumulation of these isomers, and demonstrated that Li+ augments TRH-mediated accumulation of Ins1P, Ins4P, Ins(1,4)P2, the presumed Ins(4,5)P2 and Ins(1,3,4)P3. These results suggest that the effects of Li+ on inositol phosphate metabolism are more complex than was originally envisaged, and support work carried out by less sophisticated chromatographic analysis.

Rapid desensitization of substance P- but not carbachol-induced increases in inositol trisphosphate and intracellular Ca++ in rat parotid acinar cells

The effects of supramaximal concentrations of substance P and the cholinergic agonist carbachol on the accumulation of inositol trisphosphate and the elevation of the intracellular free calcium concentration were compared in rat parotid acinar cells. Substance P was fully as effective as carbachol at initial times, but there was a rapid loss of the substance P responses while the effects of carbachol were well maintained. The loss of the substance P responses represented desensitization rather than degradation of the peptide since further additions of substance P were without effect. Desensitization to substance P did not involve long-term loss of substance P receptors as it was fully reversible in less than twenty minutes, the minimum time to extensively wash previously desensitized cells.

Actions of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on cyclic nucleotide concentrations and phosphatidylinositol turnover in ventricular myocytes

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) stimulates cGMP production in isolated rabbit ventricular myocytes incubated in the presence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine (1mM). Half maximal activation was found at 10(-8)M ANP. Cellular cGMP concentrations of around 0.6 pmol/10(6) cells were elevated 4-6 fold by ANP (10(-6)M), 3-4 fold by carbachol (1mM) and around 10 fold by sodium nitroprusside (1mM). ANP had no effect on basal or isoprenaline-stimulated cAMP concentrations or on basal or noradrenaline-stimulated turnover of phosphatidylinositol. From these results we conclude that ANP receptors, coupled to particulate guanylate cyclase, exist in cardiac ventricular muscle. This indicates that ANP may also have a physiological action on ventricular muscle contractility during volume expansion.

Stimulation by bradykinin, angiotensin II, and carbachol of the accumulation of inositol phosphates in PC-12 pheochromocytoma cells: differential effects of lithium ions on inositol mono- and polyphosphates

Rat PC-12 pheochromocytoma cells respond to stimulation with bradykinin, angiotensin II, and carbachol with an increased formation of labeled inositol phosphates after preincubation of the cells with [3H]inositol. Li+ potentiates greatly the agonist-induced increase in amount of inositol mono-, bis-, and trisphosphate but not the increase in amount of inositol tetrakisphosphate. Separation of the isomers of inositol trisphosphate shows that the lithium-induced increase in amount of inositol trisphosphate is due to potentiation evoked by lithium of the accumulation of inositol-1,3,4-trisphosphate.

Stimulation of phosphatidylinositol metabolism in the isolated, perfused rat heart

Receptor-stimulated phosphatidylinositol turnover has been studied in isolated, perfused, [3H]inositol-labelled rat hearts by measuring accumulation of inositol phosphates in the presence of lithium chloride. Inositol phosphate accumulation was stimulated by norepinephrine (3 X 10(-5) M) and carbachol (10(-3) M), the increases averaging from 931 +/- 59 (n = 6, mean +/- SEM, cpm/g heart) to 4,165 +/- 609 (n = 6, p less than 0.01) for norepinephrine and to 1,853 +/- 354 (n = 6, p less than 0.05) for carbachol. The norepinephrine stimulation was antagonized by prazosin (10(-7) M) but not by propranolol (10(-7) M), indicating mediation via alpha 1-adrenoceptors. The carbachol stimulation was antagonized by atropine (10(-7) M). The stimulation by norepinephrine was significantly higher in right atria (837 +/- 151 to 6,614 +/- 1,210, n = 6, cpm/g tissue) than in other regions of the heart. Both norepinephrine and carbachol stimulated the formation of inositol monophosphate, inositol bisphosphate, and inositol trisphosphate with norepinephrine stimulation being detected as early as 15 seconds. Furthermore, the inositol trisphosphate was identified as the -1,4,5 isomer by anion exchange high-performance liquid chromatography. These data are consistent with the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate yielding inositol-(1,4,5)-trisphosphate. Inositol-(1,3,4)-trisphosphate was not detected in heart preparations, suggesting unusual metabolism of inositol-(1,4,5)-trisphosphate in heart tissue.

Differential effects of phorbol ester and diacylglycerols on inositol phosphate formation in C62B glioma cells

Application of acetylcholine (ACh) to C62B glioma cells results in a rapid release of inositol phosphates. Since this response is transient, we evaluated the possible role of protein kinase C (PKC) in its desensitization. Pretreatment with 100 nM phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) significantly inhibited ACh-induced accumulation of [3H]inositol mono-, bis-, and trisphosphates. However, interpretation of this result as proof of PKC involvement was complicated by the failure of 1,2-dioctanoylglycerol, 1,2-didecanoylglycerol, or 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol pretreatments to mimic the phorbol ester effect. Further evidence against PKC involvement was obtained using the PKC inhibitor sphingosine; PDBu inhibition of inositol phosphate formation was not reversed by sphingosine pretreatments at concentrations which blocked ACh-stimulated PKC activation of inositol trisphosphate phosphatase activity. These results suggest that there may be phorbol effects not mediated by PKC.

Light-induced changes in the content of inositol phosphates in squid (Loligo pealei) retina

Illumination induced an increase in inositol polyphosphates, inositol 1,4-bisphosphate and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, in the photoreceptors of the squid, Loligo pealei. There was a concomitant decrease in phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, but no light-induced change in any other phosphoinositide. None of these stimulus-induced changes were altered by treatment in vivo with pertussis toxin, which ADP-ribosylated a Mr-39000-peptide. These findings support the hypothesis that inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate participates as either a messenger or a modulator in transduction in invertebrate photoreceptors.

Evidence for a lack of inositol--(1,4,5)trisphosphate kinase activity in norepinephrine-perfused rat hearts

The products of the phosphatidylinositol turnover pathway in norepinephrine-perfused hearts have been examined using high performance liquid chromatography. Inositol-1 phosphate, inositol-(1,4)bisphosphate and inositol-(1,4,5)-trisphosphate were all increased in response to norepinephrine stimulation. However, at perfusion times from 5 sec to 20 min there was no appearance of inositol-(1,3,4,5)tetrakisphosphate or inositol-(1,3,4)trisphosphate. This suggests the absence of the inositol-(1,4,5)trisphosphate phosphorylation/dephosphorylation pathway in heart and demonstrates that this secondary pathway is not essential to the functioning of the phosphatidylinositol turnover cycle.

Alpha 1-adrenergic inositol trisphosphate production in brown adipocytes is Na+ dependent

In order to investigate the ionic requirements for inositol trisphosphate production, brown adipocytes were prelabelled with myo-[3H]inositol and the formation of inositol trisphosphates and inositol bisphosphates as a consequence of alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation was monitored. Omission of Ca2+ from the incubation medium diminished the norepinephrine-induced increase in inositol trisphosphate levels, but it would seem that this reduction can be fully accounted for by a decreased level of the 'inactive' isomer inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate. Omission of Na+ fully abolished the norepinephrine-induced inositol trisphosphate response. However, it was observed that the presence of Li+ in the incubation medium could fully reconstitute the ability of the cells to yield the early response of inositol trisphosphate production; Li+ could, however, not substitute for Na+ in the entire alpha 1-adrenergic cellular pathway. It was concluded that the Na+-dependent step is found in the coupling mechanism between the alpha 1-receptor and the activation of the phosphodiesterase responsible for inositol trisphosphate production. Thus, all events in the alpha 1-adrenergic pathway which are consequences of IP3 production should appear to be Na+-dependent in these cells.

Guanine nucleotide and pyrophosphate activate exogenous phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate hydrolysis in rat liver plasma membranes

5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate (GppNHp) in the presence of deoxycholate, stimulated the phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of exogenous [3H]phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate ([3H]PIP2) to myo-[3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in rat liver plasma membranes. Activation was not specific for guanine nucleotides as 5'-adenylylimidodiphosphate, imidodiphosphate and pyrophosphate stimulated the enzyme with similar efficacies and potencies. Enzyme activation by GppNHp was most pronounced when [3H]PIP2 was used as substrate. No added Ca++ was required for [3H]PIP2 breakdown but hydrolysis was inhibited by divalent ion chelators. GppNHp stimulation was apparent in the presence of Ca++ or Mg++ as well as chelator concentrations that partially inhibited the enzyme, indicating that this effect was not attributed to changes in affinity of these divalent cations for the enzyme or substrate. These results suggest that guanine nucleotides can stimulate the hydrolysis of exogenous [3H]PIP2 in rat liver membranes by a non-specific effect probably due to the interaction of the diphosphate moiety with the enzyme or substrate.

Effects of calcium depletion on norepinephrine- and A23187-induced stimulation of inositol phosphate formation

The role of calcium in the stimulation of phosphoinositide (PIn) hydrolysis by norepinephrine and the calcium ionophore A23187 was investigated in chopped cerebral cortex in which the PIns had been labeled previously with ([3H]myo-inositol. The accumulation of the newly formed [3H]inositol phosphate ([3H]IPs) was used as an index of PIn hydrolysis. Norepinephrine produced a concentration-related increase in the accumulation of [3H]inositol-phosphates ([3H]IP), and this effect was only partially antagonized by omission of calcium from the incubation medium. Norepinephrine had relatively little effect on the accumulation of [3H]inositol 1,4-bisphosphate [3H]IP2 and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate and/or inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate ([3H]IP3). A23187 also increased the accumulation of [3H]IP but this effect was not antagonized by omission of calcium from the incubation medium. When the tissue had been washed extensively with EGTA, the basal levels of [3H]IP, [3H]IP2 and [3H]IP3 were decreased markedly, and the effects of both norepinephrine and A23187 were antagonized. Addition of calcium back to the depleted tissue led to an increase in the basal level of [3H]IPs as well as restoration of the stimulation produced by norepinephrine and A23187. The calcium threshold for the PIn effect was 0.1 microM. Additional calcium did not affect markedly the stimulation of accumulation of [3H]IP produced by norepinephrine and A23187. The results suggest that there is an absolute calcium requirement for PIn phosphodiesterase which is attained at 0.1 microM Ca2+. A23187 can stimulate the accumulation of [3H]IP perhaps by providing access of another form of the enzyme to artificially high concentrations (millimolar range) of calcium.

Activation by calmodulin of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate 3-kinase in guinea pig peritoneal macrophages

The activity of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate 3-kinase in the cytosol fraction of guinea pig macrophages was assayed with special reference to the dependence on the free Ca2+ concentration. The enzyme activity, as assessed by the production of inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate was reversibly activated by free Ca2+ concentrations ranging from 10(-7) to 10(-6)M. The calmodulin antagonists, W-7 and chlorpromazine, inhibited the Ca2+-activated enzyme activity in a dose-dependent fashion, thereby indicating that calmodulin may be involved in the activation by Ca2+. The content of calmodulin in the cytosol fraction (about 2.8 micrograms/mg of cytosol protein) was markedly reduced to less than 0.03 microgram/mg of proteins by subfractionation by ammonium sulfate, followed by an anion-exchange chromatography. The subfraction obtained by the chromatography showed no Ca2+ dependence in the enzyme activity, while an exogenous addition of calmodulin with 10(-6)M Ca2+ increased the enzyme activity. The enzyme activity was retained on a calmodulin-affinity column in the presence of Ca2+, and was eluted from the column by lowering the free Ca2+ concentration by adding ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid. These results clearly indicate that calmodulin activates the inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate 3-kinase activity.

Formation and metabolism of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in human platelets

1. myo-[3H]Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3], when added to lysed platelets, was rapidly converted into [3H]inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate [Ins(1,3,4,5)P4], which was in turn converted into [3H]inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate [Ins(1,3,4)P3]. This result demonstrates that platelets have the same metabolic pathways for interconversion of inositol polyphosphates that are found in other cells. 2. Labelling of platelets with [32P]Pi, followed by h.p.l.c., was used to measure thrombin-induced changes in the three inositol polyphosphates. Interfering compounds were removed by a combination of enzymic and non-enzymic techniques. 3. Ins(1,4,5)P3 was formed rapidly, and reached a maximum at about 4 s. It was also rapidly degraded, and was no longer detectable after 30-60 s. 4. Formation of Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 was almost as rapid as that of Ins(1,4,5)P3, and it remained detectable for a longer time. 5. Ins(1,3,4)P3 was formed after an initial lag, and this isomer reached its maximum, which was 10-fold higher than that of Ins(1,4,5)P3, at 30 s. 6. Comparison of the intracellular Ca2+ concentration as measured with fura-2 indicates that agents other than Ins(1,4,5)P3 are responsible for the sustained maintenance of a high concentration of intracellular Ca2+. It is proposed that either Ins(1,3,4)P3 or Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 may also be Ca2+-mobilizing agents.

Light induces a rapid and transient increase in inositol-trisphosphate in toad rod outer segments

The sub-second time course of changes in the content of [3H]inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate was determined in rod outer segments from very rapidly frozen Bufo retinas that had been incubated with [3H]inositol. Rod outer segments were cut off frozen specimens with a cryostat microtome and the water soluble extracts were analyzed. The content of [3H]inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate rose after approximately 250 msec of bright illumination, but returned to the unstimulated level after 1 sec, whether the stimulus remained on or not. That is, there was rapid but transient change in the content of [3H]inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate after the onset of stimulation.

Increase in IP3 precedes alpha-adrenoceptor-induced increase in force of contraction in cardiac muscle

In electrically driven left auricles isolated from rat hearts the alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine increased inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and force of contraction. The increase in IP3 preceded the increase in force of contraction, indicating that the alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated increase in IP3 and force of contraction may have been causally related.

Protein kinase C-mediated negative-feedback inhibition of unstimulated and bombesin-stimulated polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis in Swiss-mouse 3T3 cells

Bombesin-related peptides stimulate a rapid increase in polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis in Swiss-mouse 3T3 cells. These peptides generate an increase in the efflux of 45Ca2+ from pre-labelled cells, a response consistent with an inositol trisphosphate-mediated mobilization of intracellular Ca2+. The bombesin-stimulated release of cellular 45Ca2+ is inhibited by tumour-promoting phorbol esters (e.g. 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate, TPA). Although there are several possible sites of action at which this effect might occur, our results indicate that TPA induces an uncoupling of bombesin-stimulated hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) without decreasing cellular binding of bombesin. In cultured cells, protein kinase C can be down-modulated by a prolonged incubation of the cells with phorbol esters. Such pretreatment greatly decreased the inhibitory effect of TPA on bombesin-stimulated PIP2 hydrolysis, suggesting that this action of the phorbol ester is mediated via protein kinase C. Since diacylglycerol is an endogenous activator of protein kinase C and a direct product of PIP2 hydrolysis, these results suggest that protein kinase C inhibition of polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis may function as a negative-feedback pathway. Cells in which protein kinase C has been down-modulated show elevated basal and bombesin-stimulated production of inositol phosphates, providing evidence that such a feedback loop limits polyphosphoinositide turnover in both unstimulated and mitogen-stimulated cells.

Inositol(1,3,4,5)tetrakisphosphate-induced activation of sea urchin eggs requires the presence of inositol trisphosphate

We have earlier reported that Inositol (1,3,4,5)tetrakisphosphate microinjection will activate eggs of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus provided that it is co-injected with inositol (2,4,5)trisphosphate (Irvine and Moor, Biochem. J. 240, 917-920, 1986). Here we extend these observations to show that inositol (1,3,4,5,6)pentakisphosphate is a partial agonist in this assay and the requirement for the presence of inositol (2,4,5)trisphosphate cannot be bypassed by raised, but sub-threshold, Ca2+ concentrations. A mechanism for the proposed stimulation of Ca2+ entry into the cell requiring both inositol tris- and tetrakisphosphates is presented.

Metabolism of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in permeabilized rat aortic smooth-muscle cells. Dependence on calcium concentration

The metabolism of [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate ([3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3) was studied in permeabilized rat aortic smooth-muscle cells. Addition of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 to the leaky cells led to formation of several labelled metabolites. Amounts of [3H]inositol bisphosphate and [3H]inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate ([3H]InsP4) reached a maximum within 2 min of incubation, whereas production of [3H]inositol monophosphate and [3H]inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate ([3H]Ins(1,3,4)P3) was delayed. Formation of InsP4 and Ins(1,3,4)P3 was Ca2+-sensitive in the physiological intracellular range (0.06-5 microM), showing a maximum at 1 microM-Ca2+. A correlation between the formation of InsP4 and that of Ins(1,3,4)P3 was observed, suggesting that the former is the precursor of the latter. These results suggest that, in vascular smooth-muscle cells, Ins(1,4,5)P3 is metabolized via two distinct pathways: (1) a dephosphorylation pathway, leading to formation of inositol bis- and mono-phosphate; and (2) a Ca2+-sensitive phosphorylation/dephosphorylation pathway, involving formation of InsP4 and leading to formation of Ins(1,3,4)P3.

Ethanol does not stimulate guanine nucleotide-induced activation of phospholipase C in permeabilized hepatocytes

Guanine nucleotides are thought to mediate the interaction of the receptors for calcium-mobilizing hormones and phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C. In the present study the characteristics of guanine nucleotide-dependent phospholipase C activation were studied in [3H]inositol-labeled permeabilized hepatocytes. The nonhydrolyzable GTP analogs guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) and guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate stimulated the production of inositol phosphates by phospholipase C. The effect was concentration-dependent with half-maximal and maximal stimulation occurring with 0.6 and 10 microM GTP gamma S, respectively. The guanine nucleotide-induced stimulation of phosphoinositide breakdown was selective for phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate over phosphatidylinositol (4)-phosphate. The individual inositol phosphates formed after maximal GTP gamma S exposure were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate was rapidly produced, followed by the formation of inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate and inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate. Ethanol is known to activate hormone-sensitive phospholipase C in intact rat hepatocytes. Ethanol (0.3 M) was ineffective in altering the characteristics of GTP gamma S-stimulated phospholipase C activation, in both digitonin-treated and sonicated hepatocytes. The metabolism of the various inositol phosphate isomers was unaffected by ethanol. The findings demonstrate the potential for the use of permeabilized hepatocytes in the analysis of phospholipase C activation by guanine nucleotides. Ethanol does not activate phospholipase C by altering this process.

Homologous desensitization of substance-P-induced inositol polyphosphate formation in rat parotid acinar cells

Maximal concentrations of substance P and methacholine induced a rapid increase in [3H]inositol trisphosphate ([3H]IP3) formation. After about 1 min, the [3H]IP3 in the substance-P-treated cells ceased to increase further, whereas in the methacholine-treated cells [3H]IP3 continued to increase. Addition of methacholine to the substance-P-treated cells caused a rapid increase in [3H]IP3, whereas a second addition of a 10-fold excess of substance P had no effect. Pretreatment of cells with substance P, followed by removal of the substance P by washing, resulted in a decreased response to a second application of substance P. A similar protocol involving pretreatment with methacholine had no effect on subsequent responsiveness to substance P. Analysis of [3H]substance P binding to substance-P-treated cells indicated that the number of receptors for substance P was decreased, but the affinity of the receptors for substance P was unaffected. After substance P pretreatment, a prolonged incubation (2 h) restored responsiveness of the cells to substance P, measured as [3H]IP3 formation, and restored the number of binding sites to control values. These findings indicate that, in the rat parotid gland, substance P induces a homologous desensitization of its receptor, which involves a slowly reversible down-regulation or sequestration of substance-P-binding sites.

Confirmation of the identities of inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate and inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate by the use of one-dimensional and two-dimensional n.m.r. spectroscopy

Multinuclear n.m.r. spectroscopy, including the use of two-dimensional methodology, was used to confirm the identity of inositol 1,3,4-triphosphate and its metabolic precursor inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate. The cyclohexane ring in each molecule exhibits a chair conformation with all phosphate groups occupying equatorial positions.

Does the inositol tris/tetrakisphosphate pathway exist in rat heart?

Appearance of two isomers of inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) was observed when [3H]inositol prelabelled rat heart ventricles were stimulated for 10 and 30 s with noradrenaline. In contrast, inositol tetrakisphosphate (InsP4) could not be detected. However the existence of the inositol tris/tetrakisphosphate pathway was demonstrated by studying [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins-1,4,5-P3) metabolism in a soluble fraction of rat heart. There, [3H]Ins-1,4,5-P3 was phosphorylated to form [3H]Ins-1,3,4,5-P4. Raising [Ca2+] from 1 nM to 1 microM increased InsP3 kinase activity by 2-fold (EC50 for Ca2+ approx. 56 nM). This effect appeared to be due to an increase of the apparent Vmax of the enzyme while the apparent Km was unchanged.

Rapid formation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in rat pancreatic acini stimulated by carbamylcholine

Cholinergic stimulation of inositol phosphate formation was studied in isolated rat pancreatic acini, prelabelled with myo-[2-3H]inositol. Carbamylcholine increased incorporation of radioactivity into Ins(1,4,5)P3 and InsP4 within 5 s. Increases in [3H]Ins(1,3,4)P3 were delayed with marked stimulation occurring between 10 s and 1 min. Inositol polyphosphate formation was less sensitive to carbamylcholine concentration than was stimulation of amylase release. At a low (0.3 microM) carbamylcholine concentration, no increase in inositol polyphosphate formation was detected, whereas stimulation of amylase release, which was not dependent on extracellular calcium, was observed. Ins(1,4,5)P3 was shown to release actively accumulated 45Ca2+ from isolated rough endoplasmic reticulum membranes to a similar extent as that released from rough endoplasmic reticulum following cholinergic stimulation of pancreatic acini (Richardson, A.E. et al. (1984) Biochem. Soc. Trans. 12, 1066-1067). The data is consistent with Ins(1,4,5)P3 being produced rapidly enough to release sufficient calcium from the rough endoplasmic reticulum to cause an observed increases in cytoplasmic free Ca2+.

Inositol phosphate metabolism in bradykinin-stimulated human A431 carcinoma cells. Relationship to calcium signalling

Stimulation of human A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells by bradykinin causes a very rapid release of inositol phosphates and a transient rise in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). Bradykinin-induced inositol phosphate formation is half-maximal at a concentration of 4 nM and is not affected by pertussis toxin. H.p.l.c. analysis of the various inositol phosphates shows an immediate but transient accumulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3], which reaches a peak value of approx. 10 times the basal level within 15 s and slightly precedes the rise in [Ca2+]i, both parameters changing in parallel. After a lag period, bradykinin also induces a massive accumulation of Ins(1,3,4)P3 and inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate [Ins(1,3,4,5)P4]. Our data support the view that part of the newly formed Ins(1,4,5)P3 is converted into Ins(1,3,4)P3 phosphorylation/dephosphorylation with Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 as intermediate. Furthermore, A431 cells were found to contain strikingly high basal levels of two other inositol phosphates, presumably inositol pentakisphosphate (InsP5) and inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP6), representing more than 50% of the total 3H radioactivity incorporated into inositol phosphates. The presumptive InsP5 and InsP6 are only slightly affected by bradykinin. Although Ins(1,3,4)P3 and InsP4 could function as second messengers, our results suggest that, unlike Ins(1,4,5)P3, neither Ins(1,3,4)P3 nor InsP4 are involved in Ca2+ mobilization.

Effects of sialagogues on the syntheses of polyamines and DNA in murine parotid gland

When rat parotid explants were cultured on siliconized lens paper floating on chemically defined 199 medium, all of sialagogues tested increased ornithine decarboxylase activity, which was roughly proportional to the amylase released into the culture medium. S-Adenosylmethionine decarboxylase and DNA synthesis were also induced by isoproterenol, methoxamine, carbachol and pilocarpine, but not by serotonin or substance P. The increases of the two decarboxylase activities and DNA synthesis were observed in vivo in mouse parotid gland after repeated injections of carbachol or pilocarpine. These results indicate that both adrenergic and cholinergic sialagogues stimulate the syntheses of polyamines and DNA in murine parotid gland.

Regulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate kinase activity after stimulation of human T cell antigen receptor

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins-1,4,5-P3), a Ca2+-mobilizing messenger, can be phosphorylated by a cytoplasmic kinase, yielding inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (Ins-1,3,4,5-P3). We observed that stimulation of the antigen receptor on a malignant human T cell line, Jurkat, led to substantial, sustained increases in Ins-1,4,5-P3 and InsP4. The Ins-1,4,5-P3 kinase partially purified from resting Jurkat cells had a maximum velocity (Vmax) of 0.09 nmol/min/mg protein and an apparent Michaelis constant (Km) of 0.2 microM. When the kinase was partially purified 10 min after stimulation of the antigen receptor or after the addition of phorbol myristate acetate, the Vmax was increased twofold. The activity of the Ins-1,4,5-P3 kinase obtained from either resting or stimulated Jurkat cells was enhanced in vitro by increasing the concentration of free Ca2+ from 0.1 to 0.5 microM. These results indicate that the activity of the Ins-1,4,5-P3 kinase is regulated as a consequence of stimulating the T cell antigen receptor.

The role of calcium in the cyclic AMP response to histamine in rabbit cerebral cortical slices

The effect of calcium on the H1- and H2-receptor components of the cyclic AMP response to histamine in rabbit cerebral cortical slices has been investigated. Removal of calcium ions from the incubation medium during the preparation, preincubation and final incubation of brain slices significantly reduced the cyclic AMP responses to adenosine, histamine and the H2-selective agonist, impromidine. Removal of calcium ions from the incubation medium during only the final incubation with agonists did not influence the responses to adenosine, histamine, impromidine and the H1-selective agonist, 2-thiazolylethylamine. Final incubation of rabbit cerebral cortical slices in calcium-free buffer containing EGTA (1 mM) however, selectively reduced the cyclic AMP responses to the H1-agonists histamine and 2-thiazolylethylamine without affecting the response to impromidine or adenosine. These latter incubation conditions significantly reduced the maximal extent of the augmentation of impromidine- or adenosine-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation produced by H1-receptor stimulation, without affecting the EC50 values of the H1-agonists. Calcium-free/EGTA conditions did not, however, alter the dose-response parameters for the response to the H2-agonist, impromidine. These data provide further evidence that the two histamine receptor systems affect cyclic AMP accumulation in rabbit cerebral cortical slices by different mechanisms.

Activation of phospholipase C associated with isolated rabbit platelet membranes by guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate and by thrombin in the presence of GTP

Rabbit platelets were labelled with [3H]inositol and a membrane fraction was isolated in the presence of ATP, MgCl2 and EGTA. Incubation of samples for 10 min with 0.1 microM-Ca2+free released [3H]inositol phosphates equivalent to about 2.0% of the membrane [3H]phosphoinositides. Addition of 10 microM-guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]) caused an additional formation of [3H]inositol phosphates equivalent to 6.6% of the [3H]phosphoinositides. A half-maximal effect was observed with 0.4 microM-GTP[S]. The [3H]inositol phosphates that accumulated consisted of 10% [3H]inositol monophosphate, 88% [3H]inositol bisphosphate ([3H]IP2) and 2% [3H]inositol trisphosphate ([3H]IP3). Omission of ATP and MgCl2 led to depletion of membrane [3H]polyphosphoinositides and marked decreases in the formation of [3H]inositol phosphates. Thrombin (2 units/ml) or GTP (4-100 microM) alone weakly stimulated [3H]IP2 formation, but together they acted synergistically to exert an effect comparable with that of 10 microM-GTP[S]. The action of thrombin was also potentiated by 0.1 microM-GTP[S]. Guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate not only inhibited the effects of GTP[S], GTP and GTP with thrombin, but also blocked the action of thrombin alone, suggesting that this depended on residual GTP. Incubation with either GTP[S] or thrombin and GTP decreased membrane [3H]phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate ([H]PIP) and prevented an increase in [3H]phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate ([3H]PIP2) observed in controls. Addition of unlabelled IP3 to trap [3H]IP3 before it was degraded to [3H]IP2 showed that only about 20% of the additional [3H]inositol phosphates that accumulated with GTP[S] or thrombin and GTP were derived from the action of phospholipase C on [3H]PIP2. The results provide further evidence that guanine-nucleotide-binding protein mediates signal transduction between the thrombin receptor and phospholipase C, and suggest that PIP may be a major substrate of this enzyme in the platelet.

Identification of a novel inositol bisphosphate isomer formed in chemoattractant stimulated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

Analysis of inositol phosphate formation in chemoattractant-stimulated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes demonstrated the production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate, inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate, inositol 1,4-bisphosphate and another inositol bisphosphate isomer not detected in unstimulated cells. Studies in cell sonicates provided evidence that the previously unidentified inositol bisphosphate isomer is produced via the degradation of inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate. This unidentified inositol bisphosphate peak was purified by high pressure liquid chromatography, and base hydrolyzed to form a mixture of inositol monophosphate isomers. Based on these studies, the unidentified peak was identified as inositol 3,4-bisphosphate. Identification of this isomer defines a new metabolic product derived from the initial inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate formation, and also suggests another substrate for the inositol 1-phosphatase.