Studies on intracellular transport in the rat exocrine pancreas. I. Inhibition by aromatic amino acids in vitro

Early toxicology signal generation in the mouse

The rat has been the preferred rodent toxicology species since before regulatory requirements have been in place, and there exists in the pharmaceutical industry and the regulatory agencies a significant amount of historical data for the rat. The resulting experience base with the rat makes the possibility of replacing it with the mouse for regulated toxicology studies untenable for all but the most extreme circumstances. However, toxicologists are very familiar with the mouse as a model for chronic carcinogenicity studies, and there exist multiple preclinical mouse models of disease. The authors evaluated the use of the mouse for early in vivo toxicology signal generation and prioritization of small molecule lead compounds prior to nomination of a development candidate. In five-day oral gavage studies with three test agents in the mouse, the authors were able to identify the same dose-limiting toxicities as those identified in the rat, including examples of compound-mediated hemolysis as well as microscopic lesions in the alimentary canal, kidney, and pancreas. Performing early signal generation studies in the mouse allows for earlier assessment of the safety liabilities of small molecules, requires significantly less compound, and allows evaluation of more compounds earlier in the project's life cycle.

Condensation-sorting events in the rough endoplasmic reticulum of exocrine pancreatic cells

In guinea pig exocrine pancreatic cells intracisternal granules (ICGs) occur at a low frequency within the lumen of the RER. By starving and refeeding guinea pigs or injecting them in CoCl2 solution, the number of these granules is greatly increased. We show here that ICGs contain the complete set of secreted pancreatic digestive enzymes and proenzymes. Two other soluble proteins in the lumen of the RER, GRP 78/BiP and protein disulphide isomerase (PDI), are specifically excluded from ICGs. The formation of ICGs, which occurs without acidification of the RER cisternae, is therefore a sorting event involving the cocondensation of a complete set of secretory enzymes and proenzymes, which for brevity we refer to collectively as the zymogens. With the exception of approximately 50% of the RNase, the zymogens in ICGs are covalently cross-linked by intermolecular disulphide bonds. The synthesis of all three resident ER cisternal proteins--PDI, GRP 78/BiP, and GRP 94--with the carboxy-terminal sequence KDEL, is induced in response to the accumulation of massive amounts of misfolded secretory protein in the ICGs in the lumen of the RER. After injection of rats with large doses of parachlorophenylalanine-methylester, crystals form in the lumen of the RER. We show that these crystals appear to be a lattice of amylase with the other zymogens incorporated between the layers. Both GRP 78/BiP and PDI are excluded from these crystals. The formation of these amylase crystals within the RER and the inclusion of other zymogens is, therefore, also a sorting event. These data establish that in exocrine pancreatic cells zymogens can cocondense in the RER into either amorphous aggregates or crystals that exclude other soluble RER proteins. This demonstrates that cocondensation is a mechanism capable of sorting zymogens within the secretory pathway.

In vitro stimulation of pancreatic enzyme discharge by calcium

The mechanism for acute hypercalcaemia increasing pancreatic enzyme secretion is unknown. To determine if raised extracellular calcium concentrations can directly stimulate pancreatic enzyme output, we measured discharges of pulse labelled protein and chymotrypsin from isolated cat pancreatic lobules in the presence of normal and raised calcium concentrations. Incubation in 5.0 mmol/l calcium increased discharges of pulse labelled protein (four fold), chymotrypsin (2.5 fold) and amylase (2.2 fold), compared with control experiments with 2.5 mmol/l calcium (p less than 0.001). This effect was similar to the maximal effect of carbachol or caerulein. Compared with 5.0 mmol/l calcium, incubation at the higher calcium concentration of 10.0 mmol/l induced similar discharges of chymotrypsin and amylase, whereas the increase in discharge of pulse labelled protein was smaller (p less than 0.01). The effects of raised calcium were not altered by atropine. Incubation in a high calcium medium did not impair pancreatic acinar response to subsequent stimulation with carbachol, but incubation in hypothermia abolished the effects of high calcium concentrations, suggesting that increased enzyme discharge is caused by stimulation of secretion not to cell damage. These data are consistent with a direct stimulatory effect of raised extracellular calcium concentrations on pancreatic acinar cell function.

Electrophoretic and cytological evidence for heterogeneity of pancreatic acinar cell responsiveness to carbachol, caerulein and secretin

Incubation of rat pancreatic lobules for 90 min with optimal concentrations of caerulein, carbachol or secretin caused the release of about 30% of the amylase content. Combination of secretin with carbachol or caerulein increased the amylase output to about 40%. With secretin, as with carbachol or caerulein, heterogeneity of cellular responsiveness was observed, some acini being partially or completely depleted of their zymogen granules, whereas others appeared to be resting. When secretin was combined with carbachol or caerulein, granule depletion, originally confined to small groups of neighbouring acini, spread to form large areas of degranulated cells, sometimes comprising a whole section of a lobule. In dispersed acini, under the same conditions, carbachol caused the release of about 60% of the amylase content, and secretin 40%. When both secretagogues were combined, a significant increase to 78% was observed. Under these conditions, there was some important cellular damage, as indicated by the release of 20% of the amylase content and between 6 and 12% of lactate dehydrogenase into the media, in the absence of stimulus. These results were corroborated by cytological observations. On the basis of their secretory response two groups of acini can be distinguished, those that respond to carbachol, caerulein or secretin and those that respond to the combination of secretin with carbachol or caerulein. Electrophoretic patterns of secretory proteins released by lobules stimulated by these different types of secretagogues were essentially similar. The pattern was quite different, however, in the absence of a stimulus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of clanobutin on pancreatic secretion in vitro

The effects of clanobutin (4-[4-chloro-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-benzamido]butyric acid) were investigated on two in vitro pancreatic preparations. In rat pancreatic lobules clanobutin (7.2 mM) stimulated the secretion of amylase and radiolabeled proteins to the same or higher extent as did CCK-PZ and carbachol in maximally active doses, but with a delay of 1-2 h. In the isolated rabbit pancreas clanobutin (3.3 mM) stimulated protein secretion about half as much as did carbachol, but without significant delay. The effect of clanobutin on protein secretion was prevented by prior application of carbachol, was not affected by the omission of Ca2+ from the medium and was only partly inhibited by the presence of atropine (0.1 mM). Prior addition of clanobutin did not prevent the effects of carbachol on enzyme secretion. In addition, clanobutin (3.3 mM) inhibited fluid secretion in the rabbit pancreas by about 50 percent; the inhibition was reversible. No effects on paracellular permeability were found with sucrose used as test substance. The findings indicate that clanobutin has opposite effects on enzyme and fluid secretion by rat and rabbit pancreas, which are not due to circulatory effects.

Amino acid transport in the rat exocrine pancreas. I. Transport of neutral amino acids and their utilization in protein synthesis

The transport and utilization of three neutral amino acids in protein synthesis was studied using isolated pancreatic lobules in vitro. The significance of the extracellular and intracellular amino acid pool in this process was analyzed removing the extracellular pool (labeled by inulin) by a cold-wash procedure. This was especially useful in short-term experiments. Double-labeling experiments indicated a predominant utilization of the intracellular amino acid pool during protein synthesis. The advantage of isolated pancreatic lobule preparations compared to tissue fragments or slices was emphasized by fine structural studies. Using freeze-etching techniques on the same preparations, differences in the distribution of membrane particles between luminal and lateral plasma membranes described earlier were confirmed, as well as the abundant occurrence of gap junctions on both membrane faces.

Studies on intracellular transport of secretory proteins in the rat exocrine pancreas. V. Kinetic studies on accelerated transport following caerulein infusion in vivo

The previous finding that intracellular transport of secretory proteins in the rat exocrine pancreas is accelerated by in vivo stimulation with a pancreatic secretagogue has been further analyzed. Using a radioassay for discharge of newly synthesized proteins, the rate of release was compared in control and prestimulated lobules. In control preparations discharge occurred with an initial lag period of 30 minutes and a maximum after two hours of incubation. After in vivo infusion of 5 x 10(-8) g/hr. caerulein for 24 h in vitro discharge started after 10 minutes of in vitro incubation and attained a maximal rate after one hour. Using the same radioassay and several inhibitors of intracellular transport and granule discharge, it could be demonstrated that both processes were reduced to the same extent in controls and in lobules with accelerated transport. To obtain direct evidence for the degree of acceleration of the different transport steps between rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex and zymogen granules, the respective subcellular fractions of these organelles prepared and characterized ultrastructurally and biochemically. The rate of disappearance of newly formed proteins from rough microsomes and the appearance in smooth microsomes and zymogen granules were significantly increased after in vivo stimulation. The data substantiate an acceleration of the regular transport steps by the secretagogue. There was no indication that a high level of secretory activity leads to a rerouting of secretory proteins or to an omission of one of the regular steps in intracellular transport.

Studies on intracellular transport of secretory proteins in the rat exocrine pancreas. III. Effect of cobalt, lanthanum and antimycin A

The effects of cobalt and lanthanum on the secretory process of the rat exocrine pancreas was studied in vitro using isolated pancreatic lobules. Cobalt in concentrations between 10(-3) to 10(-5) M has no effect on the rate of protein synthesis, intracellular transport, or discharge of zymogen granules, if the total population of stored granules is considered. It has, however, a marked effect on the release of newly packed zymogen granules which are formed during incubation in 10(-3) M CoC1(2). Determination of specific radioactivity in amylase released under the stimulation of 5X10(-6) M carbamylcholine and of total proteins retained in the zymogen granule fraction during stimulation indicate that granules formed during incubation in CoC1(2) are excluded from discharge. Lanthanum, on the other hand, has a differential effect on protein synthesis, intracellular transport, and discharge. Incorporation of tritiated leucine into TCA-precipitable proteins is inhibited by 50% at 10(-3) M LaC1(3). Intracellular transport as studied by cell fractionation is not changed during the first 35 min post pulse but is delayed from then on. This late effect is more pronounced if pancreatic lobules are preincubated for 60 min in 10(-3) M LaC1(3). Discharge of amylase and newly synthesized proteins is inhibited dose-dependently up to 80% by 10(-3) M LaC1(3). The effects of both cobalt and lanthanum are not due to an inhibition of cellular respiration. Comparison of these results with the inhibitory action of antimycin A between 10(-4) to 10(-8) M concentrations reveals a dose-dependent diminution of the rate of protein synthesis and intracellular transport, while discharge of granules is less energy dependent. The fine structural appearance of pancreatic lobules after 3 hrs incubation in 10(-3) M CoC1(2) is not altered, while in 5X10(-3) and 10(-3) M lanthanum acinar lumina are enlarged and the apical cytoplasm contains large vacuoles. At the highest concentration of lanthanum a flocculent electron dense material is observed apposed to the external lamina of the plasma membrane. The distribution of this material on the membrane is described. Antimycin A leads to cellular changes corresponding to the irreversible inhibition of cellular respiration. It is concluded from the results that cobalt acts on the process of granule formation inside the cell, while lanthanum by its binding to the plasma membrane may alter molecules involved in secretagogue binding and transport systems into the cell.

Studies on intracellular transport of secretory proteins in the rat exocrine pancreas. II. Inhibition of antimicrotubular agents

The possible role of microtubules and microfilaments in the secretory process of the rat exocrine pancreas was analysed in vitro using isolated pancreatic lobules. Colchicine and vinblastine as microtubule inhibitors, hexylene glycol as a microtubule stabilizer, and cytochalasin B as a disruptive agent for microfilaments were used in increasing concentrations to test their effects on protein synthesis, intracellular transport, zymogen discharge, and cellular respiration. Colchicine only at 10(-2) M concentrations inhibits protein synthesis, while vinblastine inhibits at 10(-6) and 10(-5) M by 20% and at 10(-4) M by 55%. A similar inhibition is observed with 1.5% concentrations of hexylene glycol while cytochalasine B at 1,5 and 10 mug/ml is without effect on protein synthesis. Colchicine and vinblastine have their major effects on intracellular transport both in secretion studies and cell fractionation experiments. Colchicine in concentrations between 10(-3) to 10(-5) M inhibits discharge of newly synthesized proteins by 50%, while vinblastine shows a dose-response relationship of 40% inhibition of 10(-6) M to 90% at 10(-4) M. Discharge of amylase is uniformly reduced by 30% by both colchicine and vinblastine in the whole dose range. The pronounced effect of colchicine and vinblastine is evident in cell fractionation studies: both drugs inhibit the disappearance of protein radioactivity from microsomes and its appearance in zymogen granules; similarly the peak radioactivity in smooth microsomes (Golgi) appears delayed. No differential effect on the secretory process was observed with 1.5% concentrations of hexylene glycol or cytochalasin B at 1.5 and 10 mug/ml concentrations. A fines tructural analysis of microtubules and microfilaments in the exocrine pancreatic cell reveals their distribution in all parts of the cytoplasm and in relation to all cell organelles. Both systems (microtubules, microfilaments) seem to be connected, at least in certain areas of the cytoplasm and at the plasma membrane. The reduction of transport efficiency by microtubule inhibitors results in a deposition of secretory material in the cristernal space of the rough endoplasmatic reticulum, which leads to the formation of paracrystals. Colchicine at 10(-3) M concentrations leads to an enlargement of condensing vacuoles in the Golgi complex.