Effects of genistein, tyrphostin, and pertussis toxin on EGF-induced mitogenesis in primary culture and clonal osteoblastic cells

Effects of sphingosine-1-phosphate and lysophosphatidic acid on human osteoblastic cells

The effects of the lysophospholipids, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) were studied in human primary osteoblastic cells and the human osteosarcomal cell lines, G292 and MG-63. The studies focused on the role of the Gi protein in the regulation of S1P and LPA-induced proliferation, the effects of the phospholipids on alkaline phosphatase, an early marker of osteoblastic cell proliferation, and the presence of edg receptors. Proliferation was assessed by 3H-thymidine incorporation. Short-term incubation with S1P or LPA induced increases in proliferation that were attenuated in the presence of the Gi inhibitor, pertussis toxin. Alkaline phosphatase activity was measured with a spectrophotometric assay. Biphasic effects of S1P and LPA were observed with the nature of the response dependent upon the cell type, concentration of test agent and the time period of incubation. RTPCR studies revealed that edg-1,2,4,5 receptors are present in the primary normal osteoblastic cells, the MG63 and G292 cells. Only the G292 cells expressed the edg-3 receptor to any significant extent.

Plant-derived estrogens relax coronary arteries in vitro by a calcium antagonistic mechanism

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the potential for plant derived estrogens (phytoestrogens) genistein, phloretin, biochanin A and zearalanone to relax rabbit coronary arteries in vitro and to determine the mechanism(s) of such relaxation.

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological data suggests a reduction in the incidence of coronary heart disease in humans who have a high intake of phytoestrogens.

METHODS

Isolated rabbit coronary artery rings were suspended in individual organ baths, precontracted with potassium chloride (30 mM), and the relaxing effects and mechanisms of relaxation to genistein, phloretin, biochanin A and zearalanone were determined by measurement of isometric tension.

RESULTS

Genistein, phloretin and biochanin A induced significant gender-independent relaxation in rings with and without endothelium. Inhibition of nitric oxide and prostaglandin synthesis with L-NAME and indomethacin had no effect on genistein-induced relaxation. Relaxation was unaffected by the specific estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780, the ATP-sensitive potassium channel inhibitor glibenclamide and the potassium channel inhibitor, barium chloride. Calcium concentration-dependent contraction curves in high potassium depolarization medium were significantly shifted to the right and downward after incubation with genistein and zearalanone. An inhibitory effect of genistein (2 microM) on L-type calcium current in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes confirmed a calcium antagonist relaxing mechanism of action. In healthy volunteers, plasma genistein levels of approximately 2 microM are achieved after ingestion of a commercially available soy protein drink (Supro) containing 37 mg genistein.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that phytoestrogens induce endothelium-independent relaxation of coronary arteries; the mechanism involves calcium antagonism. These mechanisms may contribute to the potential long-term cardiovascular protective effect of these substances.

Changes in sphingolipid levels induced by epidermal growth factor in osteoblastic cells. Effects of these metabolites on cytosolic calcium levels

Sphingolipids mediate a number of cellular functions in a variety of cell systems. The role they play in osteoblast signaling is yet unknown. This study investigated the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the levels of ceramide, sphingosine (SPH), and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in rat calvariae osteoblastic cells, and whether these metabolites mediated cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) mobilization in these cells. EGF significantly (P<0.05) increased the levels of all three sphingolipids, and the phorbol ester PMA partially inhibited these effects. SPH and S1P markedly increased [Ca2+]i levels, with thapsigargin (depletes [Ca2+]i pools) decreasing the response by 60%. Verapamil (calcium channel blocker) only inhibited ceramide's effects on [Ca2+]i. Furthermore, SPH enhanced the EGF' induced increase in [Ca2+]i. This study demonstrates that ceramide, SPH and S1P mediate [Ca2+]i mobilization in rat calvarial osteoblastic cells, and that EGF induces changes in the levels of these metabolites with PKC playing an important role in the mechanisms regulating these events.

Molecular characterization of the alpha1 subunit of the L type voltage calcium channel expressed in rat calvarial osteoblasts

Voltage-activated calcium channels (VACCs) regulate extracellular calcium influx in many cells. VACCs are composed of five subunits. The alpha1 subunit is considered the most important in regulating channel function. Three isoforms of this subunit have been described: skeletal, cardiac, and neuroendocrine. It was the purpose of the present study to determine the molecular identity of the alpha1 subunit of the VACCs in rat calvarial osteoblasts and to study the nature of the regulation of these channels as a function of cellular growth. We also attempted to identify which isoform of the alpha1 subunit of the VACCs mediates the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on osteoblastic cell proliferation. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the isoforms of the VACCs that are expressed in osteoblastic cells. These analyses showed that the proliferative state of the cell and the time in culture influence RNA expression. The only alpha1 subunit detected in osteoblasts corresponds to the cardiac isoform. In additional experiments, the effects of EGF on cytosolic calcium and osteoblast proliferation were determined. For these experiments, the synthesis of the different isoforms of the VACCs was selectively blocked by antisense oligonucleotides prior to EGF stimulation. These studies showed that the cardiac isoform mediates the effects of EGF on cytosolic calcium and cellular proliferation in rat calvarial osteoblasts.

Activation of phospholipase D signaling pathway by epidermal growth factor in osteoblastic cells

The receptor-mediated activation of phospholipase D (PLD) is a major signaling pathway in several cell systems. This study determined the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on PLD activity in normal rat osteoblastic cells. Primary cultures were obtained from fetal rat calvaria by sequential collagenase digestion and seeded in BGJb media supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum. PLD activity was assayed by the transphosphatidylation reaction in [H3]myristic acid (5 microCi/ml)-labeled cells treated with EGF in the presence of 5% ethanol and measuring the production of phosphatidylethanol (PEtOH). Lipids were extracted and separated by thin-layer chromatography, detected by iodine staining, and the areas of interest were scraped off and transferred to vials for scintillation counting. EGF significantly increased PEtOH production in a dose-dependent manner and at short (10-60 s) and long (up to 30 minutes) incubation periods (p < 0.05). Phosphatidic acid levels were also significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared with unstimulated controls, but the levels were approximately 60% less than those of PEtOH. 4b-phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate (PMA) also produced a significant increase in PEtOH levels when compared with unstimulated control cultures, but when PMA was added together with EGF, the production of PEtOH was reduced about 30%. Pretreatment of cells with the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor H-7 caused a significant increase in PEtOH levels, compared with cells stimulated with EGF alone. Preincubation of cells with pertussis toxin produced a partial decrease in PEtOH levels. This study demonstrates that EGF activates the PLD signaling cascade in normal rat osteoblastic cells and that the pathway appears to involve, at least in part, a PKC- and Gi protein-dependent mechanism.

Phosphatidic acid effects on cytosolic calcium and proliferation in osteoblastic cells

Our previous studies show that epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates phospholipase D (PLD)-induced phosphatidic acid (PA) formation in rat calvarial osteoblastic cells. This study investigated the effects of PA on cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) and proliferation, and the possible involvement of the PLD pathway in EGF effects on [Ca2+]i and proliferation in rat calvarial osteoblastic cells. PA markedly increased [Ca2+]i. This response was unaffected by thapsigargin, which depletes [Ca2+]i pools, blocked by verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, and enhanced by propanolol, an inhibitor of PA-phosphohydrolase. PA also reduced the EGF dependent-[Ca2+]i increase by 60%, while a PLD inhibitor blocked these effects. Furthermore, PA significantly increased cell proliferation (P < 0.05) which was inhibited by verapamil and enhanced by H-7 (PKC inhibitor). The PLD inhibitor significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the EGF-induced increase in proliferation. In summary, PA stimulates rat calvarial osteoblastic cell proliferation and mobilization of [Ca2+]i using extracellular pools, and EGF's mitogenic effect on these cells requires activation of PLD.

Signal pathways that transduce growth factor-stimulated mitogenesis in bone cells

This investigation examined which signal pathways are of relevance in growth factor-stimulated bone cell mitogenesis. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) were potent mitogens for both the MG-63 osteoblast cell line and for primary cultures of human osteoblasts (HObs). The mitogenic action of both IGF-II and PDGF was attenuated by pertussis toxin (Ptx), by indomethacin, and by the lipoxygenase inhibitors BW755C74 and BW4AC. A combination of Ptx and indomethacin caused much greater inhibition but failed to abolish mitogenesis completely. PDGF significantly elevated inositol phosphates levels in both cell types; IGF-II had no effect on this pathway. In MG-63 cells, we demonstrated tyrosine phosphorylation of high-molecular-weight substrates elicited by both PDGF and IGF-II. Genistein inhibited the phosphorylation and mitogenic response to PDGF, but had no effect on IGF-II-induced tyrosine phosphorylation or mitogenesis. Another inhibitor of tyrosine kinases, methyl 2,5-dihydroxycinnamate, (MDHC), inhibited PDGF-stimulated mitogenesis effectively in both cell types but only blocked IGF-II-induced mitogenesis in MG-63 cells. The specificity of these inhibitors suggests that particular tyrosine kinases may regulate growth factor-induced stimulation of bone cells.

Regulation of Na+/H+ exchanger gene expression: mitogenic stimulation increases NHE1 promoter activity

We examined factors important in regulation of expression of the Na+/H+ exchanger gene in NIH/3T3 cells. A stable fibroblast cell line was generated that contained a 1.1-kb proximal fragment of the mouse NHE1 promoter. The addition of serum to serum-starved cells resulted in an increase in activity of the NHE1 promoter. The mitogenic agonists insulin, thrombin, and epidermal growth factor also increased transcription from the NHE1 promoter. Phorbol esters also increased NHE1 promoter-directed transcription, whereas the serine/threonine protein kinase inhibitor 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine inhibited this stimulation. The protein kinase inhibitors GF-109203X, PD-98059, and genistein all stimulated promoter activity. Promoter deletion analysis and gel mobility shift assays showed that a region between 0.9 and 1.1 kb from the start site was involved in mediating the effect of mitogenic stimulation. The results show that a variety of mitogenic factors can activate the NHE1 promoter during cell growth and proliferation.

Inositol trisphosphate receptor gene expression and hormonal regulation in osteoblast-like cell lines and primary osteoblastic cell cultures

The inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) is an intracellular calcium channel that mediates the cellular actions of a wide variety of hormones, growth factors, and cytokines. In osteoblastic cell cultures, many bone resorbing hormones increase phosphoinositide turnover, inositol trisphosphate production, mobilization of intracellular calcium, and the secretion of osteoclast recruitment and activating factors. In this study, the effects of 17 beta-estradiol, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), phrobol ester, and serum on IP3R mRNA levels were evaluated in osteogenic-osteosarcoma cells and in primary osteoblastic cultures derived from neonatal rat calvaria. Type-specific reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) indicated that all cell types evaluated (G-292, U-2 OS, Saos-2, MC3T3-E1, UMR-106, and calvarial osteoblastic cells) express IP3R mRNA type I; G-292, U-2 OS, MC3T3-E1, and calvarial osteoblastic cells also express type II IP3R mRNA; and UMR-106 and the calvarial osteoblastic cells express type III IP3R mRNA. Northern blot and RT-PCR analyses of human G-292 osteosarcoma cells and rat calvarial osteoblastic cells showed that phorbol ester and serum increase IP3R mRNA levels, whereas 17 beta-estradiol and 1,25(OH)2D3 decrease these levels. In G-292 cells, the effect of 17 beta-estradiol was not due to accelerated IP3R mRNA degradation and required continued protein synthesis. The results show that multiple IP3R types are expressed in osteoblasts and osteoblastic osteosarcoma cells and that this expression is regulated by 17 beta-estradiol and other osteoporotic and antiosteoporotic hormones. These findings indicate that hormonal control of IP3R expression may be relevant in the chronic regulation of osteoblast secretory activity.

Inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphorylation reduce the proliferation of two human glioma cell lines

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and platelet-derived growth (PDGF) are suggested to be involved in the proliferation of human gliomas. We examined the effects of these growth factors on two human malignant glioma cell lines. Treatment of the A172 glioblastoma and the Hs683 glioma cell line with EGF and PDGF resulted in the tyrosine autophosphorylation, and hence activation, of the respective growth factor receptors. In addition, both cell lines responded to EGF and PDGF with increased deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis. Because the intrinsic protein tyrosine kinase activity of this class of growth factor receptors is indispensable for their functioning, we tested the effects of specific protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors on growth factor-induced DNA synthesis and glioma cell proliferation. Genistein inhibited both EGF- and PDGF-stimulated autophosphorylation of the receptors and induction of DNA synthesis. However, genistein seemed to be cytotoxic to the cells. The tyrphostins RG 50875 and RG 13022 dose-dependently inhibited DNA synthesis induced by EGF, PDGF, and serum. RG 13022 completely blocked the EGF- and PDGF-induced DNA synthesis at a concentration of 50 mumol/L. The tyrphostins showed no selectivity in blocking either EGF or PDGF signaling. With concentrations up to mumol/L, no cytotoxic side effects of the tyrphostins were observed. Both tyrphostins also inhibit serum-driven cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. These results support the hypothesis that activated protein tyrosine kinase receptors are involved in the proliferation of A172 and Hs683 glioma cells. Selective inhibitors of protein tyrosine kinases, therefore, might have the potential to contribute to the treatment of growth factor-dependent gliomas.

Interaction of the protein nucleobindin with G alpha i2, as revealed by the yeast two-hybrid system

The heterotrimeric G protein, G alpha i2, transduces signals from seven membrane spanning receptors to effectors such as adenylyl cyclase and ion channels. The purpose of this study was to identify these or other cellular proteins that interact with G alpha i2 by use of the yeast two-hybrid system. A human B cell cDNA library was screened by this system using full length G alpha i2. Four positive colonies were obtained. Two of the four were identified as nucleobindin, a calcium binding protein and a putative antigen to which anti-nuclear antibodies are generated in mice with a disorder that resembles systemic lupus erythematosus. Nucleobindin has a leucine zipper, EF hands, and a signal peptide sequence and is thought to localize to the nucleus as well as being secreted. The specificity of intehraction between G alpha i2 and nucleobindin was confirmed by an in vitro binding assay using recombinant proteins. Transfection of G alpha i2 and nucleobindin in COS cells increased G alpha i2 expression relative to cells transfected with G alpha i2 and mock vector. Our results indicate that the yeast two-hybrid system provides a means to identify novel proteins that interact with G alpha proteins. Nucleobindin appears to represent one of those proteins.

Role of epidermal growth factor-induced membrane depolarization and resulting calcium influx in osteoblastic cell proliferation

This study investigated the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the membrane potential of rat calvarial osteoblasts, in order to understand the mechanism responsible for calcium influx and the role these EGF-induced events have in osteoblastic cell proliferation. Changes in plasma membrane potential were measured using patch clamp techniques in isolated cells. EGF induced changes in plasma membrane potential only after cells had been in culture for at least 6 days. EGF induced membrane depolarization in 55% of rat calvarial osteoblasts studied after 6 to 8 days in culture. This membrane event was dependent on extracellular calcium, therefore, one or more calcium conductances were involved. Nifedipine, a voltage-activated calcium channel blocker, significantly reduced membrane depolarization, and demonstrated the existence of a nifedipine-insensitive conductance. Osteoblastic cell proliferation was measured by cell count. The EGF-dependent increase in cell proliferation was blocked by addition of 10 microM nifedipine. Therefore, it appears that the mechanism of action of EGF-induced osteoblastic cell proliferation is mediated by changes in plasma membrane potential which result in extracellular calcium influx.

EGF-mediated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases in osteoblastic cells

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) induces a rapid increase in the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) in the human osteosarcoma osteoblastic cell line G292 and in primary cultures of rat osteoblastic cells. This phosphorylation is transient and time-dependent. Maximal stimulation is attained within 1 min in G292 and within 5 min in rat osteoblastic cells. Enzymatic activity in G292 cells is also induced rapidly after EGF stimulation. Western blot analysis revealed that enhancement of the phosphorylation of ERKs in the EGF-stimulated cells is not due to an increase in ERK protein, since EGF-treatment does not lead to an increase in the absolute amount of ERKs present even after 2 days of stimulation. The pattern of expression of the ERKs observed in the two cell types differs in the apparent molecular weights observed. The most slowly migrating immunoreactive protein (approximately 45 kDa) in normal rat osteoblastic cells is ERK1, identified by an ERK1-selective antiserum. The same antiserum reacts only weakly with one of the ERK proteins (44 kDa) blotted from the human osteosarcoma cell line G292. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) is also capable of inducing ERK phosphorylation, albeit to a lasser degree. The combination of PMA and EGF does not produce a greater response than EGF alone. The role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the EGF-stimulated ERK signaling pathway was further examined by inhibition of PKC with the staurosporine analog, CGP41251, and by down-regulation of PKC via chronic treatment with PMA. Chronic PMA treatment results in a partial inhibition of the EGF-mediated phosphorylation. CGP41251 completely abolishes the increased ERK activity produced by PMA, but the effect of EGF in this regard is potentiated. We conclude that PKC and EGF act through parallel pathways to stimulate ERK phosphorylation and activity. The inhibitor studies, in addition, indicate that activation of PKC may moderate the actions of the EGF pathway via a tonic inhibitory feedback.