Action of phorbol esters in cell culture: mimicry of transformation, altered differentiation, and effects on cell membranes

Bond reactivity indices approach analysis of the [2+2] cycloaddition of jatrophane skeleton diterpenoids from Euphorbia gaditana Coss to tetracyclic gaditanone

The reaction mechanism of the intramolecular [2 + 2] cycloaddition from a jatrophane precursor to the gaditanane skeleton, an unprecedented 5/6/4/6-fused tetracyclic ring framework recently isolated from Euphorbia spp., was studied using the bond reactivity indices approach. Furthermore, six diterpenoids, including three undescribed jatrophanes isolated from E. gaditana Coss, were described. The structures of these compounds were deduced by a combination of 2D NMR spectroscopy and ECD data analysis.

In vitro immune response of chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide

We investigated cellular functional and targeted immune cytokine responses of farmed Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in vitro to LPS from Escherichia coli (E. coli) serotypes O111: B4 and O55: B5, and a phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Bacterial LPS and PMA significantly (p < 0.05) induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in O. tshawytscha PBMCs, and enhanced by interferon (IFN)-inducible cytokine production. Cellular phagocytosis was significantly enhanced with PMA and E. coli serotype O111: B4 LPS after 1 and 2 h respectively. At the molecular level, LPS and PMA significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated pro-inflammatory cytokine gene transcripts for IFNγ, TNF-α, and anti-inflammatory IL-10, 24 h post-stimulation. This response is postulated to be mediated via the MyD88 and TRIF pathways in TLR4, or synergistic TLR1 and TLR2 receptors. This is the first report of LPS induced immune related in vitro responses in farmed O. tshawytscha PBMCs.

Gaditanone, a Diterpenoid Based on an Unprecedented Carbon Skeleton Isolated from Euphorbia gaditana

A novel diterpenoid, gaditanone (2), which possesses an unprecedented 5/6/4/6-fused gaditanane tetracyclic ring skeleton, and a new jatrophane (1) were isolated from the aerial parts of Euphorbia gaditana. The chemical structures and absolute configurations were determined by extensive spectroscopic NMR studies and ECD data analysis. A proposed biosynthetic pathway is presented for compound 2.

The Indian Magical Herb 'Sanjeevni' (Selaginella bryopteris L.) - A Promising Anti-inflammatory Phytomedicine for the Treatment of Patients with Inflammatory Skin Diseases

Objectives

Selaginella bryopteris L. (family: Selaginaceae), is often used in traditional Indian systems of medicine for the prevention and cure of several disorders and for the treatment of patient with spermatorrhoea, venereal disease, constipation, colitis, urinary tract infections, fever, epilepsy, leucorrhoea, beri-beri and cancer. It is also used as a strength tonic. This study aimed to evaluate the mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of topically administered aqueous, polar and non-polar methanolic fractions (10 mg/20 μL) of Selaginella bryopteris.

Methods

An acute oral toxicity study of Selaginella bryopteris at doses from 250 to 2,000 mg/kg body weight (bw) was performed. Aqueous, polar and non-polar methanolic extracts (10 mg/20 μL) applied topically for 5 days were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory effects against 12-tetra-O-decanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA)-induced inflammation by using the redness in the ear, the ear’s weight (edema), oxidative stress parameters, such as lipid-peroxide (LPO) and nitric oxide (NO), and the pro-inflammatory cytokines involved in inflammation, such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6. Indomethacine (0.5 mg/20 μL) was used for the positive control.

Results

Selaginella bryopteris produced no mortalities when administered orally at doses from 250 to 2,000 mg/kg bw. Topical treatment with the non-polar methanolic fraction (10 mg/20 αL) significantly suppressed redness (2.4 ± 0.5) and edema (30.4 ± 1) and effectively reduced the LPO level (32.3 ± 3.3). The NO level was (8.07 ± 0.55), and the TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels were decreased to 69.6 ± 15.5, 7.7 ± 4.8 and 82.6 ± 5.9, respectively.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated for the first time the mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effect of medicinal plants like Selaginella bryopteris and quantified the pharmacological interactions between them. The present study showed this herbal product to be a promising anti-inflammatory phytomedicine for the treatment of patients with inflammatory skin diseases.

Histopathological and Reproductive Evaluation in Male Rats Fed Jatropha curcas Seed Cake with or without Alkaline Hydrolysis and Subjected to Heat Treatment

Jatropha curcas cake, a by-product of biodiesel production, is rich in protein and has potential to be used in livestock feed; however, the presence of antinutritional factors and phorbol esters limits its use. Thus, this study investigated toxicological and reproductive effects in male Wistar rats after subchronic exposure to J. curcas cake subjected to detoxification procedures. Rats were divided into seven groups (n = 10) and treated for 60 days. The control group received commercial feed, while experimental groups received a diet containing 5% J. curcas cake nonhydrolyzed or hydrolyzed with 5 M NaOH. The cakes were unwashed or washed with ethanol or water and were autoclaved at 121°C for 30 minutes. Alkaline hydrolysis combined with ethanol washing decreased the phorbol ester concentration in the cake by 98%. Histopathological findings included diffuse degeneration of the liver and edema around the pulmonary vessels in the nonhydrolyzed groups. In addition, nontreated females mated with males of nonhydrolyzed unwashed group showed a decreased number of live fetuses and an increased placental weight. There were no signs of toxicity in rats given hydrolyzed cakes washed and unwashed, indicating that alkaline hydrolysis associated with heat treatment is an efficient method for detoxification of the J. curcas cake.

Biologically active diterpenes containing a gem-dimethylcyclopropane subunit: an intriguing source of PKC modulators

This review describes diterpenes containing thegem-dimethylcyclopropane subunit isolated from natural sources with a special emphasis on their intriguing biological activities as a source of PKC modulators.

Flavonoids from Citrus unshiu Marc. inhibit cancer cell adhesion to endothelial cells by selective inhibition of VCAM-1

Citrus fruits have been used as edible fruit and a component of traditional medicine for various diseases including cancer since ancient times. Herein, we investigated the anticancer activity of flavonoids of Citrus unshiu Marc. (FCM) focusing on anti-metastatic effects. We prepared FCM and performed experiments using MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. FCM inhibited TNF-induced cancer cell adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) without showing any toxicity. FCM inhibited the expression of VCAM-1, but not of ICAM-1, on MDA-MB-231 cells as well as HUVECs. FCM inhibited protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation, but not Akt phosphorylation. FCM also inhibited cancer cell invasion in a dose-dependent manner, but not MMP-9 expression. In conclusion, this study suggested that FCM inhibits TNF-induced cancer cell adhesion to HUVECs by inhibiting VCAM-1 through inhibition of PKC, providing evidence that FCM have anti-metastatic activity by inhibiting adhesion molecules and invasion on human breast cancer cells.

New procedure for epidermal cell isolation using kiwi fruit actinidin, and improved culture of melanocytes in the presence of leukaemia inhibitory factor and forskolin

OBJECTIVES

Conventional isolation of epidermis from the dermis and disruption of epidermal sheets to liberate the cells, are performed using proteolytic enzymes such as thermolysin or collagenase. Selective population expansion of melanocytes is achieved by suppressing proliferation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts in epidermal cell suspensions, using phorbol esters and cholera toxin. Here, we introduce a new procedure for isolation of epidermal cells, using proteolytic activity of kiwi fruit actinidin, and also an improved growth medium for melanocytes in the presence of leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and forskolin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Dermo-epidermal separation and epidermal sheet cell dispersion were performed using actinidin compared to conventional proteases including collagenase, thermolysin or trypsin. Thereafter, melanocyte culture was performed in two common media and one modified medium to discover optimization for these cells.

RESULTS

We found that dermo-epidermal separation and epidermal sheet cell dispersion using kiwi fruit actinidin were considerably better than previously used methods, both from the aspect of less fibroblast and keratinocyte contamination, and of more viable native cells. Also, melanocytes proliferated better in phorbol ester- and cholera toxin-free proliferation medium supplemented with LIF and forskolin.

CONCLUSION

Less contamination and higher numbers of viable cells were actinidin preferential for separation of epidermis and isolation of epidermal cells. Supplementation of LIF and forskolin to new medium increased proliferation potential of melanocytes in comparison to exogenous mitogens.

Poisoning by Jatropha ribifolia in goats

Human poisoning by Jatropha species and poisoning when livestock have been fed processed plant material has been described. Additionally, poisoning has been experimentally reproduced in various animal models. But, no cases of poisoning in livestock grazing standing and unprocessed Jatropha spp. has been reported. This study reports the poisoning of goats with Jatropha ribifolia in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil during the dry season. The mortality of the goats ranged from 6% to 40%. The main clinical signs were apathy, anorexia, soft feces, weight loss, and severe dehydration. The skin, lips, horns, and teeth of the affected goats were stained with a reddish pigment that is present in the J. ribifolia plant. Emaciation was the main lesion observed in one necropsied goat. In 2 out of 3 goats that ingested a single dose of J. ribifolia, 10 g or 20 g of leaves of the plant per kg body weight (g/kg), mild dehydration and soft feces were observed. The plant was also administered daily to two goats for 8 days. One animal received 10 g/kg per day, and the other received 20 g/kg per day and the goats showed clinical signs after 4 and 3 days, respectively. The goat that received 10 g/kg daily recovered, and the other was euthanized. The clinical signs and lesions that were observed were similar to those observed in the spontaneous cases. This is the first case of Jatropha spp. poisoning in grazing animals that ingested the plant spontaneously.

Oxidative Stress Induced by MnSOD-p53 Interaction: Pro- or Anti-Tumorigenic?

The formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a result of incomplete reduction of molecular oxygen during cellular metabolism. Although ROS has been shown to act as signaling molecules, it is known that these reactive molecules can act as prooxidants causing damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids, which over time can lead to disease propagation and ultimately cell death. Thus, restoring the protective antioxidant capacity of the cell has become an important target in therapeutic intervention. In addition, a clearer understanding of the disease stage and molecular events that contribute to ROS generation during tumor promotion can lead to novel approaches to enhance target specificity in cancer progression. This paper will focus on not only the traditional routes of ROS generation, but also on new mechanisms via the tumor suppressor p53 and the interaction between p53 and MnSOD, the primary antioxidant enzyme in mitochondria. In addition, the potential consequences of the p53-MnSOD interaction have also been discussed. Lastly, we have highlighted clinical implications of targeting the p53-MnSOD interaction and discussed recent therapeutic mechanisms utilized to modulate both p53 and MnSOD as a method of tumor suppression.

Inhibition by retinoids of neoplastic transformation in vitro: cellular and biochemical mechanisms

We have demonstrated that non-toxic concentrations of retinoids can cause a dose-dependent inhibition of 3-methylcholanthrene-induced transformation of C3H/10T1/2 cells. On removal of the retinoid, transformed foci appear after a latent period of about four weeks at the same frequency as observed in controls treated with carcinogen only. Reasoning that this activity is compatible with the stabilization of the carcinogen-initiated state, we have succeeded in isolating from carcinogen-treated cultures a cell line which in the presence of retinyl acetate is similar to the parental 10T1/2 cells, but without retinyl acetate transforms at a high frequency after a latent period of about four weeks. Retinyl acetate treatment of this cell line (INIT/10T1/2) and the parental 10T1/2 cells induces an ultra-normal phenotype. In retinoid-deprived INIT/10T1/2 cells, the first sign of transformation (an increased thymidine-labelling index) occurs 16 days after retinyl acetate removal. We have detected by two-dimensional electrophoresis that concomitant with this there is an increase in phosphorylation of a protein of Mr 34 000 (34K) which may be associated with the cytoskeleton. This phosphoprotein has been found in all transformed lines examined. A second phosphoprotein, of about 38K, has also been detected in transformed cells. Retinyl acetate treatment of transformed cells alters the isoelectric point of this protein, a change compatible with decreased phosphorylation. Alkali-resistant phosphorylation, presumably on tyrosine, has been found on a second 34K protein of transformed cells. Retinyl acetate treatment specifically decreases this phosphorylation. Mechanisms for the altered tyrosine phosphorylation induced by retinyl acetate are as yet unresolved, but the decrease could be due to altered levels of substrate, kinase or phosphorylase. In view of the apparent role of tyrosine kinases as mediators of growth factors and as oncogene products, we consider the activity of retinoids as modulators of tyrosine phosphorylation to be of great potential significance.

Curcumin decreases 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced protein kinase C translocation to modulate downstream targets in mouse skin

Curcumin has been shown to inhibit 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced tumour promotion and some of the TPA-responsive markers in mouse skin. However, its mechanism of action is not fully elucidated. The present study focuses on understanding the role of protein kinase C (PKC), the major cellular receptor of TPA, in mediating TPA-induced biological responses in mouse skin and subsequently, elucidating the effects of curcumin on PKC and its downstream target molecules. As compared with controls, single topical application of TPA (5 nmol) to skin increased the translocation of PKC from cytosolic to particulate fraction, determined in terms of activity and protein levels. Ro-31- 8220 (PKC inhibitor, 1 nmol) when applied topically, alone or prior to TPA, inhibited PKC activity in both the compartments but did not affect the TPA-induced protein translocation. In contrast, though curcumin (10 mumol) alone did not alter the basal activity/levels, its pre-treatment decreased the TPA-induced translocation of PKC isozymes (alpha, beta, gamma, epsilon, eta), resulting in appropriate alterations in activity. Despite differences in modes of action of Ro-31-8220 (activity inhibition) and curcumin (decreasing translocation) in modulating PKC, their pre-treatment blunted the TPA-induced levels of mitogen-activated protein kinases and transcription factors (c-jun, c-fos and nuclear factor-kappa B) and downstream target proteins associated with cell proliferation (cyclin D1 and ornithine decarboxylase), cell death (Bax and Bcl2), inflammation (cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandin E2) and oxidative stress (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine) in skin. These results demonstrate the crucial role of PKC in TPA-mediated cellular responses in skin and that curcumin modulates transmembrane signal transduction via PKC to affect TPA-induced biochemical and molecular alterations in mouse skin.

Phorbol esters: structure, biological activity, and toxicity in animals

Phorbol esters are the tetracyclic diterpenoids generally known for their tumor promoting activity. The phorbol esters mimic the action of diacyl glycerol (DAG), activator of protein kinase C, which regulates different signal transduction pathways and other cellular metabolic activities. They occur naturally in many plants of the family Euphorbiacaeae and Thymelaeaceae. The biological activities of the phorbol esters are highly structure specific. The phorbol esters, even at very low concentrations, show toxicological manifestations in animals fed diets containing them. This toxicity limits the use of many nutritive plants and agricultural by-products containing phorbol esters to be used as animal feed. Therefore, various chemical and physical treatments have been evaluated to extract or inactivate phorbol esters so that seed meals rich in proteins could be used as feed resources. However, not much progress has been reported so far. The detoxifying ability has also been reported in some molluscs and in liver homogenate of mice. Besides, possessing antinutritional and toxic effects, few derivatives of the phorbol esters are also known for their antimicrobial and antitumor activities. The molluscicidal and insecticidal properties of phorbol esters indicate its potential to be used as an effective biopesticide and insecticide.

Neurotrophic factors for the investigation and treatment of movement disorders

Neurotrophic factors (NFs) are proteins that enhance neuronal survival, differentiation, neurotransmitter function and resistance to neurotoxins and lesions. For these reasons the NFs are considered as a new potential therapeutic tool for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, a group of diseases that produce the most important cause for disability in the Western world. Some NFs prevent or even reverse the behavioral, biochemical, pharmacological and histological abnormalities observed in several in vitro and in vivo models of neurodegenerative disorders, namely Parkinson's disease. Several NFs have been investigated in primate models of neurological disorders and some of them have been used for patients with these diseases. The results so far obtained in humans have been disappointing for several reasons, including technical problems for delivery, unbearable side effects or lack of efficacy. Future approaches for the use of NFs in humans should include the following: (1) Investigation of the putative compounds in animal models more related to the pathophysiology of each disease, such as in genetic models of neurodegenerative diseases; (2) New methods of delivery including genetic engineering by viral vectors and administration through implantable devices; (3) More precise methods of continuous response evaluation, including the novel neuroimaging techniques; (4) Investigation of the effects of behavioral stimulation and conventional pharmacotherapy on the metabolism of NFs.

Increased protein kinase C delta in mammary tumor cells: relationship to transformtion and metastatic progression

Relatively little is known about the molecular mechanisms of tumor promotion/progression in mammary carcinogenesis. Increased protein kinase C (PKC) activity is known to promote tumor formation in several tissues; however, its role in mammary carcinogenesis is not yet known. To determine if individual PKCs may selectively regulate properties of mammary tumor cells, we compared PKC isozyme levels in mammary tumor cell lines with low, moderate and high metastatic potential. All three cell lines expressed alpha, delta, epsilon and zeta PKCs; however, PKC delta levels were relatively increased in the highly metastatic cells. To determine if increased PKC delta could contribute to promotion/progression, we overexpressed PKC delta in the low and moderately metastatic cell lines. PKC delta overexpression had no significant effect on growth of adherent cells, but significantly increased anchorage-independent growth. Conversely, expressing the regulatory domain of PKC delta (RD delta), a putative PKC delta inhibitory fragment, inhibited anchorage-independent growth. The efficacy of RD delta as a PKC delta inhibitor was demonstrated by showing that RD delta selectively interfered with PKC delta subcellular location and significantly interfered with phosphorylation of the PKC cytoskeletal substrate, adducin. PKC-dependent phosphorylation of cytoskeletal substrate proteins, such as adducin, provides a mechanistic link between increased PKC delta activity and phenotypic changes in cytoskeletal-dependent processes such as migration and attachment, two processes that are relevant to metastatic potential. The reciprocal growth effects of expressing PKC delta and RD delta as gain and loss of function constructs, respectively, provide strong evidence that PKC delta regulates processes important for anchorage-independent growth in these mammary tumor cells.

Role of protein kinase C isoforms in locomotion of Walker 256 carcinosarcoma cells

Treatment with low (nanomolar) concentrations of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) for 5 to 30 min suppresses locomotion of Walker 256 carcinosarcoma cells, suggesting that activation of protein kinase C (PKC) is a stop signal for tumor cell locomotion. We have compared the effects of PMA on cell shape and motility with down-regulation of specific PKC isoforms. Using specific antibodies, we show that Walker carcinosarcoma cells express PKC isoforms alpha, betaI, betaII, gamma, lambda, mu, eta and zeta. Short-term incubation with PMA induced a marked shift of isoforms alpha, betaI, betaII, gamma and eta to the particulate fraction. Long-term incubation with PMA (0.1 microM, 6 hr) resulted in significant reduction of expression of conventional PKCs alpha, betaI, betaII and gamma and of the novel PKC eta to 10% to 26% of controls. Down-regulation of PKC alpha, betaI and betaII by long-term incubation with PMA was reversible after removal of PMA, whereas that of isoforms gamma and eta was not. The motile properties of cells after down-regulation of PKC isoforms were investigated. Concomitant with down-regulation of PKC isoforms, long-term incubation of cells with PMA resulted in recovery of the polar shape and the ability to migrate. Motility and polarized shape of the down-regulated cells were no longer susceptible to short-term treatment with PMA, showing that active PKC is indeed responsible for the inhibitory effects of PMA. Effects of long-term incubation with PMA on cell shape and motility were reversible. Our findings strongly suggest that PKCs alpha, betaI and betaII activated by PMA are involved in stopping Walker carcinosarcoma cell locomotion.

12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate inhibits aminophospholipid translocase activity and modifies the lateral motions of fluorescent phospholipid analogs in the plasma membrane of bovine aortic endothelial cells

The tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) is a potent mitogenic factor which can replace the growth promoting activity of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on bovine aortic endothelial cells. However, TPA-treated cells lose their strict contact inhibition at confluence, which is a characteristic of cells grown in the presence of bFGF. We have examined whether these changes could be related to modifications of the transbilayer and lateral motions of fluorescent lipids, namely 1-acyl-2-[6-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]caproyl]-p hosphatidylcholine (C6-NBD-PC), -phosphatidylserine (C6-NBD-PS), and -phosphatidylethanolamine (C6-NBD-PE) inserted in the outer leaflet of the cell plasma membrane. In TPA-treated cells, the three fluorescent phospholipids remained located in the outer leaflet for at least 1 h at 20 degrees C after their insertion, indicating a blockade of the aminophospholipid translocase activity which is normally present in the plasma membrane of bFGF-treated cells. TPA also induced a large increase in the percentage of C6-NBD-PC and C6-NBD-PE probes which were free to diffuse laterally. The mobile fractions M reached values of approximately 100% for the two lipids, while for bFGF-treated cells they were found around 85 and 75%, respectively. For the C6-NBD-PS probe, M remained unchanged in bFGF and TPA-treated cells, at around 85%. TPA treatment also induced a twofold increase in the lateral diffusion coefficients of C6-NBD-PC and C6-NBD-PE, while that of C6-NBD-PS remained nearly unchanged. These effects of TPA may be related to the observed loss of differentiated properties of vascular endothelial cells and not to its mitogenic properties.

A two-dimensional model of cell movement. Well differentiated human rectal adenocarcinoma cells move as coherent sheets upon TPA stimulation

We previously found that 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-enhanced invasion of Matrigel was associated with augmentation of cell motility but not with metalloproteinase activity in a highly metastatic variant (L-10) of human rectal adenocarcinoma cell line RCM-1. In the present study, with a two-dimensional cell motility assay, we investigated morphology of TPA-induced motility and biochemical pathways that may be involved in the induction of such a motile response to TPA. TPA induced active cell locomotion in L-10 cells with characteristic morphology: the cells moved outwards from the cell islands mainly as a localized coherent sheet of cells with few single moved out cells, but not cell proliferation. The front cells showed locomotor morphologies with front-tail polarity and well-spread leading lamella. Thus, this TPA-induced L-10 cell spreading and motility system seems to be a good model to investigate how well-differentiated adenocarcinoma cells move as cohesive cell nests. Agents which selectively modulate the adenylate cyclase or G protein-related pathways, e.g., 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine and pertussis toxin, had negligible effect upon motility. In contrast, the membrane-permeable synthetic diacylglycerol 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-glycerol, which has been reported to activate protein kinase C (PKC) directly, could induce cell spreading and motility. Unexpectedly, PKC inhibitors staurosporine and H-7 enhanced TPA-induced cell spreading and motility. Staurosporine itself could induce cell spreading and motility. Taken together, these observations suggested possible involvement of PKC in TPA-induced L-10 cell spreading and motility and that staurosporine might have PKC agonist effect on induction of the spreading and motility.

12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate not only modulates proliferation rates, but also alters antigen expression and LAK-cell susceptibility of normal human melanocytes in vitro

For serial cultivation of normal human melanocytes media supplemented with the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) are largely employed. By using a culture medium that permits cultivation of melanocytes without TPA, the effects of TPA on melanocyte proliferation, phenotype, and susceptibility to lymphokine-activated killer cells were studied. Addition of 50 ng/ml TPA to the medium induced rapid dendrite formation and increased the cell proliferation rate by 16-63% in mitogen-rich media (four of seven cultures, p < 0.01), and by 237% in mitogen-reduced media (p < 0.001). Furthermore, several phenotypic changes indicating early stages of melanocyte transformation were induced by 50 ng/ml TPA. These included increased expression of melanoma progression-associated antigens such as A.1.43 and A.10.33, upregulation of nerve-growth factor receptor as well as of the melanocyte-activation marker HMB-45 and of histocompatibility class I antigens. In contrast, the expression of the differentiation marker K.1.2 and of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 was decreased in TPA-treated cultures. Most of these changes persisted even after removal of TPA from the culture medium (> or = 2 weeks). Staurosporine, a protein kinase C inhibitor, modulated melanocyte-antigen expression similar to TPA, suggesting that protein kinase C downmodulation rather than activation by TPA is involved. In addition to the antigenic alterations, the susceptibility of TPA-treated melanocytes to lymphokine-activated killer cell cytotoxicity decreased by 40% (p < 0.01), possibly due to their altered surface antigen expression. The presented data reveal that the tumor promoter TPA hitherto used as a supplement of melanocyte culture media induces profound phenotypic and functional changes of the cultured cells, indicating incipient transformation of normal human melanocytes in vitro.

Inhibition in L-type Ca2+ channel by stimulation of protein kinase C in isolated guinea pig ventricular cardiomyocytes

1. Electrophysiological effects of phorbol esters on the L-type Ca2+ current (ICa(L)) in isolated single ventricular cells from guinea pig hearts were investigated. 2. In whole-cell voltage-clamped myocytes, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) at 10(-7) M inhibited ICa(L). An antagonist of protein kinase C (PK-C), H-7, at 10(-5) M did not modify the TPA-induced inhibition. The time-course of inactivation process for ICa(L) was greatly slowed. 3. In cell-attached patch-clamp experiments, TPA (10(-7) M) also markedly decreased the opening of L-type Ca2+ channels. The conductance was unaffected. 4. Even H-7 (10(-5) M) alone inhibited the opening of the channels. Addition of TPA (10(-7)-10(-8) M) caused further decrease in the opening. 5. On the other hand, 4-alpha-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate (not a PK-C activator) had no effect on the Ca2+ channels. 6. These results indicate that the PK-C activation induced by TPA greatly depresses the opening of L-type Ca2+ channels in ventricular cell membranes.

The effects of hormonal and other stimuli on cell-surface Ro/SSA antigen expression by human keratinocytes in vitro: their possible role in the induction of cutaneous lupus lesions

Ultraviolet B light (UVB) has previously been shown to induce the expression of the extractable nuclear antigens (e.g. Ro/SSA) on the surfaces of human keratinocytes in vitro. This study assessed whether injurious, metabolic, inflammatory, immunological or hormonal stimuli would also induce this expression or modulate that produced by UVB. No stimulus initiated expression alone, but 17-beta oestradiol doubled that found in response to UVB. These findings confirm the potential role of UVB in the initiation and potentiation of cutaneous lupus lesions and may help to explain the female preponderance of the disease.

Role of activator protein-1 and methylation function in 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate--mediated inhibition of differentiation of Friend erythroleukemia cells

Friend erythroleukemia cells (FELCs) differentiate after hexamethylene-bis-acetamide treatment. This differentiation is characterized by an increase in beta-globin gene expression that is followed by appearance of the hemoglobin. Phorbol-ester tumor promoters, such as 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), inhibit differentiation of TPA-sensitive cells but not TPA-resistant cells. We have shown that the increase in beta-globin expression is inhibited by TPA in a TPA-sensitive clone but not in a TPA-resistant clone. To study the molecular mechanisms of regulation of gene expression by TPA, we examined the possible involvement of gene methylation and the TPA-responsive element (TRE). Both clones showed similar patterns of methylation around the beta-globin gene. Moreover, TPA-induced TRE binding and TRE enhancer activity were similar in both variants. These results suggest that the TPA inhibition of induced differentiation may not be explained by regulation of the methylation state. The activator protein-1 also does not play a crucial role in the sensitivity of FELCs to TPA.

Sphingosine and unsaturated fatty acids modulate the base exchange enzyme activities of rat brain membranes

The base exchange enzymes catalyze the incorporation of L-serine, ethanolamine and choline into their corresponding phospholipids. The L-serine base enzyme activity was increased 120% by 0.1 mM sphingosine. There was a modest increase of the ethanolamine base exchange enzyme activity but the choline base exchange enzyme activity was unaffected. Na-arachadonate, Na-oleate and Na-linolenate at 0.2 mM concentration increased the activity of the L-serine and ethanolamine base exchange enzymes but inhibited the choline base exchange enzyme activity. A model is proposed suggesting that modulations of the L-serine base exchange enzyme may participate in the regulation of the calcium phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C.

The effect of a phorbol ester on the lipid microviscosity of two endoplasmic reticulum membrane fractions isolated from Krebs II ascites cells

This paper deals with microviscosity parameters and thermoinduced structural transitions in the lipids of smooth and heavy rough endoplasmic reticulum membranes isolated from Krebs II ascites cells incubated with the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate. The phorbol ester was found to bring about a threefold increase in the microviscosity of the lipids in heavy rough membranes. Spin probe I (2,2,6,6-tetrahydro-4-capryloyl-oxypiperidine-1-oxyl), localized in the surface layer of the membrane lipids, gave results which indicate an increased number of thermoinduced structural transitions in the smooth membranes in the treated cells due to the transitions occurring at relatively low temperature and a decreased number of such transitions in the heavy rough fraction especially at high temperature. For 5,6-benzo-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-gamma-carboline-oxyl, probe II, mainly distributed in the annular lipids, a decrease in the number of low temperature transitions in the smooth fraction was observed, while an increase occurred in the heavy rough one. The results obtained are discussed in terms of the effect of phorbol esters as promoters of tumor progression.

A study of the effects of phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate on cell differentiation of pure human melanocytes in vitro

Pure human melanocyte cultures were established in a serum-free medium containing epidermal growth factor (10 ng/ml), hydrocortisone (10(-7) M), insulin (5 micrograms/ml), transferrin (10 micrograms/ml), cholera toxin (2 ng/ml), isobutylmethyl xanthine (10(-4) M) and bovine pituitary extract (30 micrograms/ml). To investigate the biological effects of PMA on melanocytes in vitro, the cells were incubated in media containing various concentration of PMA (including 0 nM, 85 nM and 170 nM), and grown continuously for 12 days without passage. The cells were observed for changes in cell morphology, cell cycle, cytoskeleton and HLA-DR expression. In addition, the effect of PMA on tyrosinase activity was also evaluated. The results revealed that the higher the PMA concentration, the higher the percentage of large irregularly shaped melanocytes. These large melanocytes were three to ten times the size of small bipolar or multipolar cells. A higher concentration of PMA was also associated with a higher percentage of melanocytes in the S and G2-M phases of the cell cycle and with a higher percentage of melanocytes as tetraploid and octaploid karyotypes. The cytoskeleton (vimentin) in the large irregularly shaped cells appeared disaggregated as compared with that in the usual dendritic cells with a compact distribution. HLA-DR was found to be expressed on some melanocytes growing in media containing PMA, appearing both in large dendritic cells and large irregularly shaped cells. None of the cells expressed HLA-DR when cultured in the absence of PMA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cell density dependent effect of a tumor promoter on proliferation and chondrogenesis of limb bud mesenchymal cells

When limb bud mesenchymal cells are cultured at high density, chondrogenesis takes place in vitro. Treatment of such cultures with the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) resulted in complete inhibition of chondrogenesis as indicated from staining the cultures for proteoglycans and from RNA hybridization to cDNA probes specific for four cartilage macromolecules. The effect of TPA varied depending on the initial plating density. At high density, TPA inhibited cell proliferation. At low density, cell proliferation was stimulated by TPA and above a certain cell density, chondrogenesis took place even in the presence of TPA. These results are interpreted to mean that the effect of TPA on chondrogenesis is indirect, possibly through its influence on cell proliferation.

The phorbol ester TPA strongly inhibits HIV-1-induced syncytia formation but enhances virus production: possible involvement of protein kinase C pathway

Cocultivation of MOLT-4 and MOLT-4/HIVHTLV-IIIB cells with more than 0.01 ng/ml of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) for 20 hr strikingly inhibited HIV-induced syncytia formation resulting from cell to cell infection. Interestingly, the production of HIV-specific p24 antigen in the culture fluid was significantly enhanced by TPA. TPA down-modulated the expression of CD4. CD4 is essential for syncytia formation through interaction with viral envelope protein gp120 on the surface of MOLT-4 cells. The effects of TPA on syncytia formation and on CD4 expression were specifically interfered with by nontoxic doses of blockers of protein kinase C (PKC) such as staurosporine and H7. These data suggest that (1) TPA inhibits HIV-induced syncytia formation through down-modulation of CD4 molecules on the surface of MOLT-4 cells and (2) PKC may play an important role in cell to cell as well as in cell-free infection of HIV.

Protein kinase C is localized in focal contacts of normal but not transformed fibroblasts

Transformed cells differ from normal cells in that they fail to respond to normal signals for regulation of growth and differentiation. This disordered signal transduction probably contributes to maintenance of the transformed phenotype. Several lines of evidence suggest that changes in the Ca2(+)- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase, protein kinase C (PKC), may be important for transformation. To determine the role of PKC in transformation, we compared the levels and subcellular distribution of total phorbol ester receptors and PKC in normal and SV40-transformed rat embryo fibroblasts (REF52 cells). We also used our alpha-PKC (Type 3)-specific monoclonal antibodies to compare alpha-PKC content and regulation. We found no differences in quantity or subcellular distribution of PKC in 100,000 x g soluble and pelletable fractions. Downmodulation, which represents a feedback loop for limiting PKC activity, occurs to the same extent in both cell types. A major difference between the normal and transformed cells was revealed by immunofluorescence of alpha-PKC. In normal cels, alpha-PKC is tightly associated with the cytoskeleton and appears to be organized into focal contacts because it colocalizes with talin. In contrast, in SV40-REF52 cells, alpha-PKC is not tightly associated with the cytoskeleton and does not colocalize with talin. The difference in subcellular localizations correlates with a loss of two alpha-PKC-binding proteins in the transformed cells. These results indicate that inappropriate subcellular location of alpha-PKC may contribute to maintenance of the transformed phenotype.

Development of in vitro systems for chemoprevention research

The C3H/10T1/2 mouse fibroblast cell line has been developed as a predictive model for cancer chemopreventive agents. The retinoids, which are currently being evaluated as chemopreventive agents in the clinic, are potent inhibitors or chemically induced neoplastic transformation in this cell line. Mechanistic studies suggest that retinoids stabilize chemically initiated cells and prevent their transformation by enhancing gap junctional communication between these cells and adjacent growth-inhibited normal 10T1/2 cells. Carotenoids also prevent chemically and physically induced neoplastic transformation of 10T1/2 cells. beta-Carotene is active without evidence of bioconversion to retinoids, implying that this dietary constituent has intrinsic chemopreventive activity. This cell culture system mimics many aspects of carcinogenesis in animals and man and appears well suited to mechanistic studies at the cellular and molecular level.

Effects of fluorescent derivatives of TPA on HL60 cells: dissociation between the differentiation-induced and protein kinase C activity

The four fluorescent derivatives of TPA--dansylaza-TPA, NBDaza-TPA, and (N)- and (P)-dansylamino-TPA--were synthesized and examined for their ability to induce differentiation in human promyelocytic leukemic HL60 cells. At a concentration of 20 nM, all the derivatives inhibited proliferation and induced 60-80% of the cells to differentiate into macrophage-like cells. Removal of dansylaza-TPA from the medium after 5 h did not arrest adherence or the expression of nonspecific esterase activity. However, upon removal of any of the other three compounds after 5 h, HL60 cells became nonadherent and expressed low nonspecific esterase activity after additional culture. To investigate the relationship between protein kinase C (PKC) activation and cell maturation, PKC activity and translocation were measured after 0.5, 5, 24, and 48 h of treatment with each compound. Cells induced to differentiate by dansylaza-TPA or (N)- or (P)-dansylamino-TPA exhibited enhanced PKC activity, 50-80% of which was located in the particulate fraction. In cells that differentiated with NBDaza-TPA, 65-70% of PKC activity remained in the cytosol. After removal of the TPA derivatives, all cells exhibited PKC activity in the cytosol. These results indicate that the fluorescent derivatives are as potent as TPA in inducing HL60 cell differentiation. However, in the case of NBDaza-TPA and (N)- or (P)-dansylamino-TPA, their continuous presence in the culture medium was required for the recruitment of cells to differentiate. Consequently, it is suggested that activation and translocation of PKC are among the early biochemical events that trigger HL60 cell differentiation. Nevertheless, these two events alone are not sufficient to induce differentiation.

The NF-kappa B-binding site mediates phorbol ester-inducible transcription in nonlymphoid cells

The mouse immunoglobulin kappa light-chain enhancer can interact with at least three independent nuclear proteins. One of these proteins, NF-kappa B, is constitutively present only in nuclear extracts derived from B cells and plasma cells. A DNA-binding protein with the same sequence specificity (and therefore presumed to be NF-kappa B itself) can be induced in pre-B cells, T cells, and nonlymphoid cells by phorbol 12-acetate-13-myristate (PMA); however, it is not clear whether the induced factor can activate transcription in nonlymphoid cells as NF-kappa B does in B cells. In this paper we show that multimerization of a fragment of the mouse kappa enhancer that carried only the binding site for NF-kappa B behaved like a B-cell-specific regulatory element. Furthermore, this unit served to activate transcription in nonlymphoid cells after treatment with PMA (but not with cyclic AMP derivatives), and the kinetics of transcription activation correlated well with the kinetics of factor induction. Thus, the induced DNA-binding activity appeared to be functionally indistinguishable from that of NF-kappa B.

Antioxidants and multistage carcinogenesis in mouse skin

The two-step initiation-promotion protocol for the induction of skin tumors in mice is a convenient model to elucidate what molecular events are involved in the multistage process of carcinogenesis and how they can be modulated. The current theories concerning the mechanisms of skin tumor initiation, stages 1 and 2 of tumor promotion, and tumor progression are reviewed. Because chemical carcinogens and tumor promoters may, directly or indirectly, generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and because various antioxidants inhibit effectively some of the biochemical and biological events linked to tumor initiation, promotion and/or progression, it is conceivable that different sequences and levels of free radical-induced macromolecule damage may contribute to the evolution of the epidermal target cells from the preneoplastic stage to the malignant stage.

The jun proto-oncogene is positively autoregulated by its product, Jun/AP-1

Binding of the human transcription factor Jun/AP-1 to a conserved 8 bp nucleotide sequence (TRE) is responsible for increased transcription of different cellular genes in response to tumor promoters, such as TPA, and serum factors. Enhanced Jun/AP-1 activity in TPA-stimulated cells is regulated by two different mechanisms: a posttranslational event acting on pre-existing Jun/AP-1 molecules, and transcriptional activation of jun gene expression leading to an increase in the total amount of Jun/AP-1. Induction of jun transcription in response to TPA is mediated by binding of Jun/AP-1 to a high-affinity AP-1 binding site in the jun promoter region. Site-specific mutagenesis of this binding site prevents TPA induction and trans-activation by Jun/AP-1. These results clearly demonstrate that jun transcription is directly stimulated by its own gene product. This positive regulatory loop is likely to be responsible for prolonging the transient signals generated by activation of protein kinase C.

Microtubule-dependent effect of phorbol ester on the contractility of cytoskeleton of cultured fibroblasts

The effect of the tumor promoter phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) upon the contractility of permeabilized cell models (cytoskeletons) of mouse fibroblasts was examined. Contraction was induced by incubation of cell models in a solution containing ATP and was assessed quantitatively by measuring alterations of the area of cell model projection on the substrate. Immunofluorescence microscopy was used to assess alterations of cytoskeleton morphology in the course of permeabilization and contraction. It was found that contractility of cell models from PMA-treated fibroblasts was considerably diminished as compared with the models from control fibroblasts. ATP induced only local contraction of certain zones of actin cortex in models from PMA-treated fibroblasts; it did not induce general contraction, characteristic of control models. Normal high contractility was characteristic of the models from the cells preincubated with PMA in combination with Colcemid. PMA is a specific activator of protein kinase C, one of the key enzymes of the membrane signal-transduction pathway. It is suggested that protein kinase C regulates contractility of actin cortex and that the pathway of this regulation has a microtubule-dependent stage blocked by Colcemid.

Characterization of the morphological, growth, and steroidogenic effect of TPA on mouse Y-1 adrenal cortical tumor cells in culture

The tumor-promoting agent 12-0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) caused a time- and dose-dependent morphological change in Y-1 adrenocortical tumor cells. The morphological alteration was apparent 2 hr following addition of 1 microgram/ml TPA to cell cultures and became more striking with longer treatment times. Smaller doses of TPA took a longer time to produce an effect. Cultures grown in the presence of TPA exhibited more rounding and piling up of cells than similar cultures maintained in medium lacking TPA. These TPA-stimulated morphological changes were reversible, and after 24 hr in TPA-free media, the cultured cells began to flatten. After 96 hr in TPA-free media they resembled the control cultures. The reversibility of the morphological change was also dose dependent: cells treated with 1 microgram/ml TPA took a longer time to resume the typical control morphology than did cultures treated with 0.01 microgram/ml TPA. In addition, TPA treatment resulted in a decrease in cell growth rate, an increase in steroid production, and an increase in the localization of free catalytic units of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in the cytoplasm. The steroidogenic effect of ACTH on the cell population was inhibited in cultures maintained in TPA. The results of this study indicate that TPA induces morphological changes in the Y-1 adrenocortical tumor cell population while increasing steroidogenesis and the activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and decreasing cell growth rate.

The NF-kappa B-binding site mediates phorbol ester-inducible transcription in nonlymphoid cells

The mouse immunoglobulin kappa light-chain enhancer can interact with at least three independent nuclear proteins. One of these proteins, NF-kappa B, is constitutively present only in nuclear extracts derived from B cells and plasma cells. A DNA-binding protein with the same sequence specificity (and therefore presumed to be NF-kappa B itself) can be induced in pre-B cells, T cells, and nonlymphoid cells by phorbol 12-acetate-13-myristate (PMA); however, it is not clear whether the induced factor can activate transcription in nonlymphoid cells as NF-kappa B does in B cells. In this paper we show that multimerization of a fragment of the mouse kappa enhancer that carried only the binding site for NF-kappa B behaved like a B-cell-specific regulatory element. Furthermore, this unit served to activate transcription in nonlymphoid cells after treatment with PMA (but not with cyclic AMP derivatives), and the kinetics of transcription activation correlated well with the kinetics of factor induction. Thus, the induced DNA-binding activity appeared to be functionally indistinguishable from that of NF-kappa B.

Induction of nerve growth factor receptors on cultured human melanocytes

Normal differentiation and malignant transformation of human melanocytes involve a complex series of interactions during which both genetic and environmental factors play roles. At present, the regulation of these processes is poorly understood. We have induced the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) receptors on cultured human melanocytes with phorbol 12-tetradecanoate 13-acetate and have correlated this event with the appearance of a more differentiated, dendritic morphology. Criteria for NGF receptor expression included protein accumulation and cell-surface immunofluorescent staining with a monoclonal antibody directed against the human receptor and induction of the messenger RNA species as determined by blot-hybridization studies. The presence of the receptor could also be induced by UV irradiation or growth factor deprivation. The NGF receptor is inducible in cultured human melanocytes, and we suggest that NGF may modulate the behavior of this neural crest-derived cell in the skin.

Tumor promoters alter the temporal program of adenovirus replication in human cells

In this study we evaluated the effect of phorbol ester tumor promoters on the kinetics of adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) replication in human cells. When added at the time of infection, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) accelerated the appearance of an early virus antigen (72,000-molecular-weight [72K] deoxyribonucleic acid-binding protein), the onset of viral deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis, and the production of infectious virus. The appearance of an Ad5-specific cytopathic effect (CPE) was also accelerated in infected cultures exposed to TPA, whereas phorbol, 4 alpha-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate and 4-OmeTPA, which are inactive as tumor promoters, were ineffective in inducing this morphological change. The acceleration of the CPE seen in TPA-treated Ad5-infected cells was not caused by TPA induction of the protease plasminogen activator, since the protease inhibitors leupeptin and antipain do not inhibit the earlier onset of this CPE and, in contrast, epidermal growth factor, which induces plasminogen activator in HeLa cells, does not induce an earlier CPE. Evidence for a direct effect of TPA on viral gene expression was obtained by analyzing viral messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) synthesis. TPA accelerated the appearance of mRNA from all major early regions of Ad5, transiently stimulated the accumulation of region III mRNA, and accelerated the appearance of late Ad5 mRNA. Thus, TPA altered the temporal program of Ad5 mRNA production and accelerated the appearance of at least some Ad5-specific polypeptides during lytic infection of human cells. These effects presumably explain the earlier onset of the Ad5-specific CPE in TPA-treated cells and may have relevance to the effects of TPA on viral gene expression in nonpermissive cells carrying integrated viral deoxyribonucleic acid sequences.

Interlaboratory studies with the Chinese hamster V79 cell metabolic cooperation assay to detect tumor-promoting agents

Three laboratories participated in an interlaboratory study to evaluate the usefulness of the Chinese hamster V79 cell metabolic cooperation assay to predict the tumor-promoting activity of selected chemicals. Twenty-three chemicals of different chemical structures (phorbol esters, barbiturates, phenols, artificial sweeteners, alkanes, and peroxides) were chosen for testing based on in vivo promotion activities, as reported in the literature. Assay protocols and materials were standardized, and the chemicals were coded to facilitate unbiased evaluation. A chemical was tested only once in each laboratory, with one of the three laboratories testing only 15 out of 23 chemicals. Dunnett's test was used for statistical analysis, and differences between treated- and control-cell responses were analyzed at P less than or equal to .01. Chemicals were scored as positive (at least two concentration levels statistically different than control), equivocal (only one concentration statistically different), or negative. For 15 chemicals tested in all three laboratories, there was complete agreement among the laboratories for nine chemicals. For the 23 chemicals tested in only two laboratories, there was agreement on 16 chemicals. With the exception of the peroxides and alkanes, the metabolic cooperation data were in general agreement with in vivo data. However, an overall evaluation of the V79 cell system for predicting in vivo promotion activity was difficult because of the organ specificity of certain chemicals and/or the limited number of adequately tested nonpromoting chemicals.

Phorbol ester-inducible genes contain a common cis element recognized by a TPA-modulated trans-acting factor

The promoter regions of several phorbol diester-(TPA-) inducible genes (collagenase, stromelysin, hMT IIA, and SV40) share a conserved 9 bp motif. Synthetic copies of these closely related sequences conferred TPA inducibility upon heterologous promoters. Footprinting analysis indicated that these TPA-responsive elements (TREs) are recognized by a common cellular protein: the previously described transcription factor AP-1. A point mutation that eliminated the basal and induced activity of the TRE also interfered with its ability to bind AP-1. Treatment of cultured cells with TPA led to a rapid 3- to 4-fold increase in TRE binding activity, by a posttranslational mechanism. These results strongly suggest that AP-1 is at the receiving end of a complex pathway responsible for transmitting the effects of phorbol ester tumor promoters from the plasma membrane to the transcriptional machinery.

Stimulation of choline release from NG108-15 cells by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate

The effects of the potent tumour-promoting phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) on phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) metabolism were investigated in the neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid cell line NG108-15. TPA (100 nM) stimulated by 150-200% the release into the medium of 3H radioactivity from cells that had been pre-labelled with [3H]choline. H.p.l.c. analysis of the medium revealed that TPA stimulated the release of only free [3H]choline (212 +/- 11% of control), without affecting such other labelled metabolites as [3H]phosphocholine and [3H]glycerophosphocholine. This effect was concentration-dependent, with a half-maximal effect obtained at 27.5 +/- 6.8 nM, and was observable as early as 5-10 min after exposure to TPA. The TPA-induced release of [3H]choline into the medium was accompanied by a small and variable decrease in cellular [3H]PtdCho (to 93 +/- 4% of control). However, the radioactivity associated with water-soluble cellular choline metabolites (mainly [3H]phosphocholine and [3H]glycerophosphocholine) remained unchanged. TPA also stimulated the release of [3H]choline derived from [3H]PtdCho that had been produced via the methylation pathway from [3H]methionine. These data suggest that phosphatidylcholine may serve as the source of free choline released from the cells in response to TPA. The possible enzymic mechanisms underlying this response are discussed.

Changes in polypeptide synthesis and glycosylation in mouse embryonic fibroblast C3H/10T1/2 Cl 8 cells caused by the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate

The mechanism of tumor promotion is not well understood. We have used the transformable, tumor promotable, mouse embryo fibroblast C3H/10T1/2 Cl 8 cells to study tumor promoter specific changes in protein synthesis and protein glycosylation. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis showed that 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate caused a significant increase in the synthesis of five cellular and 34 extracellular polypeptides. One of these polypeptides has tentatively been identified as ornithine decarboxylase. One new polypeptide (p 62, Mr 58,000) was found in the medium of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate-treated cells. The amounts of several excreted proteins were enhanced 5-10 fold by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate. 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate interfered with glycosylation both by affecting protein synthesis and also directly with glycosylation. At least 15 polypeptides in the medium and two cellular polypeptides decreased after 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate treatment. Two of the major polypeptides found in the medium (p 8 and 10, Mr approx. 200,000-220,000) have properties similar to fibronectin, while p 9 and 11 both found in the cellular preparations and in the medium (Mr 180,000 and 150,000) were collagenase sensitive and their synthesis was inhibited by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate.

Phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in the neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid cell line NG108-15: stimulation by phorbol esters

We have examined the effects of phorbol esters on phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) metabolism in the neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid cell line NG108-15. 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), 100 nM, stimulated twofold the incorporation of [3H]choline into PtdCho during 2 h of incubation at 37 degrees C. This effect of TPA was concentration dependent, exhibiting an EC50 of 24.5 +/- 4.4 nM. The effect of TPA was also time dependent and became apparent only after a lag period of 15-30 min. TPA also decreased the incorporation of [3H]choline into water-soluble cellular constituents in a manner whose concentration and time-dependence paralleled the changes observed in PtdCho content. HPLC analysis of this pool revealed that the levels of its major (85-95%) constituent, [3H]phosphocholine, were decreased by 29 +/- 5%, whereas those of [3H]glycerophosphocholine (0.5-2% of the pool) were increased by 84 +/- 4%. PtdCho labeling was also stimulated when cells were pulse labeled with [3H]choline and chased in the presence of TPA. The incorporation of [3H]inositol, [14C]ethanolamine, or [14C]serine into phospholipids was not affected by TPA. The non-tumor-promoting compounds phorbol and 4 alpha-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate (at 100 nM) were completely ineffective in modulating choline incorporation, whereas the biologically active analogs 4 beta-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate and 4 beta-phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate were as effective as TPA. We conclude that tumor-promoting phorbol esters can modulate PtdCho metabolism in neural-derived cells. The mechanisms mediating this effect and the possible involvement of PtdCho metabolism in normal signal transduction events and in the biological actions of tumor promoters are discussed.

Gonadotropin release and redistribution of calcium-activated, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase in phorbol-stimulated rat pituitary cells

The effect of phorbol esters on calcium-activated, phospholipid-dependent kinase (protein kinase C) and luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion was examined in cultured rat anterior pituitary cells. The potent tumor promoter 12-O-tetra-decanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) stimulated LH secretion and activated pituitary protein kinase C in the presence of calcium and phosphatidylserine. The enzyme activity present in cytosol and particulate fractions was eluted at about 0.05 M NaCl during DE52-cellulose chromatography. Preincubation of pituitary cells with TPA markedly decreased cytosolic protein kinase C activity and increased enzyme activity in the particulate fraction. The maximal TPA-induced change in enzyme activity, with a 76% decrease in cytosol and a 4.3-fold increase in the particulate fraction, occurred within 10 min. The dose-dependent changes in protein kinase C redistribution in TPA-treated cells were correlated with the stimulation of LH release by the phorbol ester. These results suggest that activation of protein kinase C by TPA is associated with intracellular redistribution of the enzyme and is related to the process of secretory granule release from gonadotrophs.