Regulation of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis by mitogenic growth factors

Direct inhibition of choline kinase by a near-infrared fluorescent carbocyanine

Choline kinase alpha (ChoK) expression is increasingly being recognized as an important indicator of breast cancer prognosis; however, previous efforts to noninvasively measure ChoK status have been complicated by the spectral limitations of in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and the complex network of enzymes involved in choline metabolism. The most effective ChoK inhibitors are symmetric and contain quaternary ammonium groups within heterocyclic head groups connected by an aliphatic spacer. Characterization of these bis-pyridinium and bis-quinolinium compounds has led to phase I clinical trials to assess small-molecule inhibitors of ChoK for solid tumor treatment. We report the development of a novel carbocyanine dye, JAS239, whose bis-indolium structure conforms to the parameters established for ChoK specificity and whose spacer length confers fluorescence in the near-infrared (NIR) window. Fluorimetry and confocal microscopy were used to demonstrate that JAS239 rapidly enters breast cancer cells independent of the choline transporters, with accumulation in the cytosolic space where ChoK is active. Radio-tracing and (1)H MRS techniques were used to determine that JAS239 binds and competitively inhibits ChoK intracellularly, preventing choline phosphorylation while inducing cell death in breast cancer cell lines with similar efficacy to known ChoK inhibitors. Fluorescent molecules that report on ChoK status have potential use as companion diagnostics for noninvasive breast tumor staging, because NIR fluorescence allows for detection of real-time probe accumulation in vivo. Furthermore, their ability as novel ChoK inhibitors may prove effective against aggressive, therapy-resistant tumors.

Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor-based targeting using bombesin analogues is superior to metabolism-based targeting using choline for in vivo imaging of human prostate cancer xenografts

Purpose

Prostate cancer (PC) is a major health problem. Overexpression of the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) in PC, but not in the hyperplastic prostate, provides a promising target for staging and monitoring of PC. Based on the assumption that cancer cells have increased metabolic activity, metabolism-based tracers are also being used for PC imaging. We compared GRPR-based targeting using the ⁶⁸Ga-labelled bombesin analogue AMBA with metabolism-based targeting using ¹⁸F-methylcholine (¹⁸F-FCH) in nude mice bearing human prostate VCaP xenografts.

Methods

PET and biodistribution studies were performed with both ⁶⁸Ga-AMBA and ¹⁸F-FCH in all VCaP tumour-bearing mice, with PC-3 tumour-bearing mice as reference. Scanning started immediately after injection. Dynamic PET scans were reconstructed and analysed quantitatively. Biodistribution of tracers and tissue uptake was expressed as percent of injected dose per gram tissue (%ID/g).

Results

All tumours were clearly visualized using ⁶⁸Ga-AMBA. ¹⁸F-FCH showed significantly less contrast due to poor tumour-to-background ratios. Quantitative PET analyses showed fast tumour uptake and high retention for both tracers. VCaP tumour uptake values determined from PET at steady-state were 6.7 ± 1.4%ID/g (20–30 min after injection, N = 8) for ⁶⁸Ga-AMBA and 1.6 ± 0.5%ID/g (10–20 min after injection, N = 8) for ¹⁸F-FCH, which were significantly different (p <0.001). The results in PC-3 tumour-bearing mice were comparable. Biodistribution data were in accordance with the PET results showing VCaP tumour uptake values of 9.5 ± 4.8%ID/g (N = 8) for ⁶⁸Ga-AMBA and 2.1 ± 0.4%ID/g (N = 8) for ¹⁸F-FCH. Apart from the GRPR-expressing organs, uptake in all organs was lower for ⁶⁸Ga-AMBA than for ¹⁸F-FCH.

Conclusion

Tumour uptake of ⁶⁸Ga-AMBA was higher while overall background activity was lower than observed for ¹⁸F-FCH in the same PC-bearing mice. These results suggest that peptide receptor-based targeting using the bombesin analogue AMBA is superior to metabolism-based targeting using choline for scintigraphy of PC.

Proteomic and metabolomic analysis of H2O2-induced premature senescent human mesenchymal stem cells

Stress induced premature senescence (SIPS) occurs after exposure to many different sublethal stresses including H(2)O(2), hyperoxia, or tert-butylhydroperoxide. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) exhibit limited proliferative potential in vitro, the so-called Hayflick limit. According to the free-radical theory, reactive oxygen species (ROS) might be the candidates responsible for senescence and age-related diseases. H(2)O(2) may be responsible for the production of high levels of ROS, in which the redox balance is disturbed and the cells shift into a state of oxidative stress, which subsequently leads to premature senescence with shortening telomeres. H(2)O(2) has been the most commonly used inducer of SIPS, which shares features of replicative senescence (RS) including a similar morphology, senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity, cell cycle regulation, etc. Therefore, in this study, the senescence of hMSC during SIPS was confirmed using a range of different analytical methods. In addition, we determined five differentially expressed spots in the 2-DE map, which were identified as Annexin A2 (ANXA2), myosin light chain 2 (MLC2), peroxisomal enoyl-CoA hydratase 1 (ECH1), prosomal protein P30-33K (PSMA1) and mutant β-actin by ESI-Q-TOF MS/MS. Also, proton ((1)H) nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) was used to elucidate the difference between metabolites in the control and hMSCs treated with H(2)O(2). Among these metabolites, choline and leucine were identified by (1)H-NMR as up-regulated metabolites and glycine and proline were identified as down-regulated metabolites.

Alterations of Choline Phospholipid Metabolism in Ovarian Tumor Progression

Recent characterization of abnormal phosphatidylcholine metabolism in tumor cells by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has identified novel fingerprints of tumor progression that are potentially useful as clinical diagnostic indicators. In the present study, we analyzed the concentrations of phosphatidylcholine metabolites, activities of phosphocholine-producing enzymes, and uptake of [methyl-14C]choline in human epithelial ovarian carcinoma cell lines (EOC) compared with normal or immortalized ovary epithelial cells (EONT). Quantification of phosphatidylcholine metabolites contributing to the 1H NMR total choline resonance (3.20-3.24 ppm) revealed intracellular [phosphocholine] and [total choline] of 2.3 +/- 0.9 and 5.2 +/- 2.4 nmol/10(6) cells, respectively, with a glycerophosphocholine/phosphocholine ratio of 0.95 +/- 0.93 in EONT cells; average [phosphocholine] was 3- to 8-fold higher in EOC cells (P < 0.0001), becoming the predominant phosphatidylcholine metabolite, whereas average glycerophosphocholine/phosphocholine values decreased significantly to < or =0.2. Two-dimensional (phosphocholine/total choline, [total choline]) and (glycerophosphocholine/total choline, [total choline]) maps allowed separate clustering of EOC from EONT cells (P < 0.0001, 95% confidence limits). Rates of choline kinase activity in EOC cells were 12- to 24-fold higher (P < 0.03) than those in EONT cells (basal rate, 0.5 +/- 0.1 nmol/10(6) cells/h), accounting for a consistently elevated (5- to 15-fold) [methyl-14C]choline uptake after 1-hour incubation (P < 0.0001). The overall activity of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C and phospholipase D was also higher ( approximately 5-fold) in EOC cells, suggesting that both biosynthetic and catabolic pathways of the phosphatidylcholine cycle likely contribute to phosphocholine accumulation. Evidence of abnormal phosphatidylcholine metabolism might have implications in EOC biology and might provide an avenue to the development of noninvasive clinical tools for EOC diagnosis and treatment follow-up.

Regulatory enzymes of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis: a personal perspective

Phosphatidylcholine is a prominent constituent of eukaryotic and some prokaryotic membranes. This Perspective focuses on the two enzymes that regulate its biosynthesis, choline kinase and CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase. These enzymes are discussed with respect to their molecular properties, isoforms, enzymatic activities, and structures, and the possible molecular mechanisms by which they participate in regulation of phosphatidylcholine levels in the cell.

[methyl-3H]Choline incorporation into MCF7 tumour cells: correlation with proliferation

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to investigate the intracellular location of [methyl-(3)H]choline in MCF7 tumour cells and to determine the relationship between [methyl-(3)H]choline incorporation and proliferation.

METHODS

Tumour cells were incubated with [methyl-(3)H]choline for 10 min, and then in cold medium to simulate the rapid blood clearance of [methyl-(11)C]choline. Labelled metabolites were then extracted from cells by treating them with organic and aqueous solvents to determine the distribution of tracer between phospholipid and water-soluble metabolite pools. Aqueous extracts were subjected to thin-layer chromatography, ion exchange chromatography and a choline extraction procedure to identify (3)H-containing metabolites. Procedures were carried out on fast- and slow-growing populations of MCF7 cells to determine the relationship between choline incorporation and proliferation.

RESULTS

Only about 5% of [methyl-(3)H]choline was present as phospholipid. [methyl-(3)H]choline incorporation was found to be related to S-phase fraction. In another experiment, [methyl-(14)C]choline incorporation was found to be correlated with [methyl-(3)H]thymidine incorporation. The V(max) of choline uptake was found to be increased whilst K(m) was decreased in populations of MCF7 cells with higher proliferative fractions, compared with populations having lower proliferative fractions.

CONCLUSION

Choline incorporation into tumour cells under conditions that simulate rapid blood clearance of [methyl-(11)C]choline is correlated with proliferation. Most of the activity (about 95%) was in the non-lipid fraction of the cell.

Transcription of the CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase alpha gene is enhanced during the S phase of the cell cycle

We have studied the transcription of the CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase alpha (CTalpha) gene in C3H10T1/2 fibroblasts as a function of the cell cycle. The cells were incubated for 48 h with 0.5% fetal bovine serum. The cells were induced into the G(1) phase of the cell cycle by the addition of medium with 10% fetal bovine serum. The cells began the synthesis of DNA after 12 h. At 16 and 20 h there was an increased amount of CTalpha mRNA that coincided with an increase in the expression of CTalpha proximal promoter-luciferase constructs (-201/+38 and -130/+38). Luciferase constructs with the basal promoter (-52/+38) showed no change in activity during the cell cycle. Incorporation of [(3)H]choline into phosphatidylcholine began to increase by 8 h after the addition of serum and peaked at 18 h. The mass of phosphatidylcholine nearly doubled between 8 and 26 h after addition of serum. CT activity increased by 6 h after serum addition and was maintained until 22 h. Thus, the increase of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis in the G(1) phase of the cell cycle is not due to enhanced transcription of the CTalpha gene. Instead increased transcription of the CTalpha gene occurred during the S phase of the cell cycle in preparation for mitosis.

Measurements of human breast cancer using magnetic resonance spectroscopy: a review of clinical measurements and a report of localized 31P measurements of response to treatment

A review of the literature has shown that in human breast tumours, large signals from phosphomonoesters (PME) and phosphodiesters (PDE) are evident. In serial measurements in 19 patients with breast cancer, a decrease in PME was significantly associated with a stable or responding disease (p = 0.017), and an increase in PME was associated with disease progression. Extract studies have shown PME to comprise of phosphoethanolamine (PEth) and phosphocholine (PCho), with the PEth to PCho ratio ranging from 1.3 to 12. The PCho content of high grade tumours was found to be higher than low grade tumours. In some animal models, changes in PCho have been shown to correlate with indices of cellular proliferation, and spheroid studies have shown a decrease in PCho content in spheroids with smaller growth fractions. A serial study of 25 patients with advanced primary breast tumours undergoing hormone, chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatments, showed that in this heterogenous group there were significant changes in metabolites that were seen during the first 3 weeks (range 2-4 weeks) of treatment, that correlated with volume change over this period, employed here as a measure of response. Changes in PME (p = 0.003), total phosphate (TP) (p = 0.008) and total nucleoside tri-phosphate (TNTP) (p = 0.02) over 3 (+/-1) weeks were significantly associated with response, as were the levels of PME (p<0.001), PDE (p = 0.01), TP (p = 0.001) and TNTP (p = 0.007) at week 3 (+/-1). PME at week 3 (+/-1) was also significantly associated with the best volume response to treatment (p = 0.03). A reproducibility analysis of results from the observation of normal breast metabolism in four volunteers showed a mean coefficient of variation of 25%, after correcting for changes resulting from the menstrual cycle. Reproducibility studies in four patients with breast cancer showed a mean coefficient of variation of 33%, with the reproducibility being better in patients measured on different days (difference in TP was -6%) compared with those measured on the same day (difference in TP was -29%).

Competitive inhibition of choline phosphotransferase by geranylgeraniol and farnesol inhibits phosphatidylcholine synthesis and induces apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells

We have previously shown that, among various isoprenoids, farnesol and geranylgeraniol specifically induced actin fiber disorganization, growth inhibition, and apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells (Miquel, K., Pradines, A., and Favre, G. (1996) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 225, 869-876). Here we demonstrate that isoprenoid-induced apoptosis was preceded by an arrest in G0/G1 phase. The isoprenoid effects were independent of protein prenylation and of mitogen-activated protein kinase activity. Moreover, geranylgeraniol and farnesol induced a rapid inhibition of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis at the last step of the CDP-choline pathway controlled by choline phosphotransferase and not at the level of CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase, the key enzyme of the pathway. Inhibition of choline phosphotransferase was confirmed by in vitro assays on microsomal fractions, which clearly showed that the isoprenoids acted by competitive inhibition with the diacylglycerol binding. Exogenous phosphatidylcholine addition prevented all the biological effects of the isoprenoids, including actin fiber disorganization and apoptosis, suggesting that inhibition of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis might be the primary event of the isoprenoid action. These data demonstrate the molecular mechanism of geranylgeraniol and farnesol effects and suggest that the mevalonate pathway, leading notably to prenylated proteins, might be linked to the control of cell proliferation through the regulation of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis.

Stimulation of phospholipid synthesis in HeLa cells by epidermal growth factor and insulin: activation of choline kinase and glycerophosphate acyltransferase

The cultivation of HeLa cells in the absence of growth factors reduced proliferation with a considerable decrease in the phospholipid content. A single addition of EGF or insulin was not enough to stimulate proliferation, but still sufficient to efficiently restore the phospholipid content to the level of serum-grown cells. Both EGF and insulin stimulated the synthesis of major phospholipids in HeLa cells. Irrespective of whether cells were stimulated or not, the phospholipid composition and the phospholipid/protein ratio remained constant, suggesting the existence of a mechanism that keeps them constant under varying conditions. The degradation of phosphatidylcholine was not affected by EGF or insulin. Both EGF and insulin increased choline kinase activity equally and promoted the conversion of choline to cholinephosphate, accompanied by an expansion of the cholinephosphate pool in treated cells. The level of glycerophosphate acyltransferase was enhanced by EGF and insulin but EGF was more effective than insulin. The present results provide evidence that one of the roles of EGF and insulin during cell growth is to stimulate the synthesis of phospholipids.

Ethanolamine analogues stimulate DNA synthesis by a mechanism not involving phosphatidylethanolamine synthesis

Dimethylethanolamine (0.5-1 mM), added to serum-starved NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, stimulated DNA synthesis 11-32-fold, and it also greatly enhanced the relatively modest (15-20-fold) mitogenic effect of insulin. Ethanolamine and monomethylethanolamine alone had no effects on DNA synthesis, but they also enhanced the stimulatory effect of insulin, although less effectively than dimethylethanolamine did. Lower concentrations (2.5-5 microg/ml) of compound D 609 (tricyclo-9-yl-xanthogenate), which had no effects on phospholipase activities, synergistically enhanced the combined effects of ethanolamine analogs and insulin on DNA synthesis without affecting the synthesis of ethanolamine phospholipids. These results suggest that ethanolamine and its analogues, formed by phospholipase D-mediated hydrolysis of ethanolamine phospholipids, may have growth regulatory functions independent of their role as phospholipid precursors.

Kinetic selectivity of cholinephosphotransferase in mouse liver: the Km for CDP-choline depends on diacylglycerol structure

The effects of different 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerols on the kinetic properties of CDP-choline:1,2-diacylglycerol cholinephosphotransferase (EC 2.7.8.2) from mouse liver microsomes have been studied. Initial-velocity experiments were carried out with various concentrations of several species of diacylglycerol at different fixed concentrations of CDP-choline. Kinetic analysis of these data showed a family of intersecting lines consistent with a sequential kinetic mechanism of catalysis. The Km and Vmax. values derived from rate data revealed a pronounced effect of diacylglycerol species utilization on the Km value for CDP-choline. There was a biphasic relationship between diacylglycerol chain length and the Km for CDP-choline. Substitution of an unsaturated fatty acid in the sn-2 position of distearin also dramatically increased the CDP-choline Km value as well as the Vmax. 1,2-Dipalmitoyl-sn-glycerol was the preferred substrate over other disaturated species, but 1,2-dihexanoyl-sn-glycerol could not be utilized. These results demonstrate the kinetic mechanism of in vitro catalysis and suggest a regulatory role for CDP-choline concentration in the diacylglycerol species selectivity of cholinephosphotransferase resulting in the de novo biosynthesis of different molecular species of phosphatidylcholine.

1,2-Diacylglycerol does not mediate the stimulatory effect of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate on phosphatidylcholine synthesis in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts

In HeLa cells, increased 1,2-diacylglycerol (1,2-DAG) has been suggested to mediate the stimulatory effect of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) on phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) biosynthesis (A. K. Utal, H. Jamil, and D. E. Vance, 1991, J. Biol. Chem. 266, 24,084-24,091). The aim of this study was to examine if 1,2-DAG might have a similar mediatory role in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. In these cells, PMA-induced hydrolysis of PtdCho and the formation of secondary product 1,2-DAG was inhibited by exposing the cells to either 300 mM ethanol for 15 min (less than 80% inhibition) or 43 degrees C for 60 min (less than 50% inhibition). In contrast, neither ethanol nor heat-treatment caused significant inhibition of PMA-stimulated PtdCho synthesis. These data indicate that in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, 1,2-DAG is not a mediator of the stimulatory action of PMA on PtdCho synthesis.

The phosphocholine and glycerophosphocholine content of an oestrogen-sensitive rat mammary tumour correlates strongly with growth rate

An oestrogen sensitive rat mammary tumour was grown in two groups of female and one group of male hooded rats. The male group and one of the female groups were supplemented with oestrogen. The tumours grew most rapidly in the female supplemented group. When the tumours reached 1.5 cm in diameter they were harvested and the cell cycle distribution and number of cells actively synthesising DNA (bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labelling index) determined in each case. Chemical extracts were prepared from each tumour and the concentration of phosphorus-containing metabolites determined using high resolution NMR spectroscopy. The concentration of phosphocholine was found to correlate strongly with the number of cells in S-phase and the number of cells labelled with BrdU, whilst a highly significant negative correlation was observed between these two parameters and glycerophosphocholine. The concentration of phosphoethanolamine did not correlate with either of these measures of proliferation rate. The concentration of glycerophosphorylethanolamine showed a weak negative correlation with the number of cells in S-phase.

Lipid metabolism in T47D human breast cancer cells: 31P and 13C-NMR studies of choline and ethanolamine uptake

31P and 13C-NMR were used to determine the kinetics of choline and ethanolamine incorporation in T47D clone 11 human breast cancer cells grown as small (150 microns) spheroids. Spheroids were perfused inside the spectrometer with 1,2-13C-labeled choline or 1,2-13C-labeled ethanolamine (0.028 mM) and the buildup of labeled phosphoryl-choline (PC) or phosphorylethanolamine (PE) was monitored. Alternatively the PC and GPC pools were prelabeled with 13C and the reduction of label was monitored. 31P spectra were recorded from which the overall energetic status as well as total pool sizes could be determined. The ATP content was 8 +/- 1 fmol/cell, and the total PC and PE pool sizes were 16 and 14 fmol/cell, respectively. PC either increased by 50% over 24 h or remained constant, while PE remained constant in medium without added ethanolamine but increased 2-fold within 30 h in medium containing ethanolamine, indicating a dependence on precursor concentration in the medium. The 31P and 13C data yielded similar kinetic results: the rate of the enzymes phosphocholine kinase and phosphoethanolamine kinase were both on the order of 1.0 fmol/cell per h, and the rate constants for CTP:phosphocholine cytidyltransferase and CTP:phosphoethanolamine kinase were 0.06 h-1 for both enzymes. The kinetics of choline incorporation did not alter in the presence of 0.028 mM ethanolamine indicating that they have non-competing pathways.

Phosphatidylcholine metabolism in rat liver after partial hepatectomy. Evidence for increased activity and amount of CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase

The effect of partial (70%) hepatectomy on phosphatidylcholine (PC) synthesis in rat liver was investigated during the first 4 post-operative days. Between 4 and 96 h after partial hepatectomy, the mass of PC increased from 30% to 80% of sham-operation values, being comparable with the restoration of total liver mass after partial hepatectomy. Relative to control (sham-operation), the incorporation in vivo of [3H]choline into PC was stimulated 2.6-fold at 22 h after partial hepatectomy. Moreover, CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (EC 2.7.7.15) activity was significantly enhanced, and the pool size of phosphocholine decreased at 22 and 48 h after partial hepatectomy, whereas the activity of choline kinase (EC 2.7.1.32) was augmented at a later stage of liver regeneration (48 and 96 h). Stimulation of CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase activity by partial hepatectomy occurred in both the microsomal and cytosolic fractions. The stimulatory effect in the cytosolic fraction was mainly due to an increase in the number of enzyme molecules, as demonstrated by immunotitration of the amount of cytosolic cytidylyltransferase protein.

Hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine by phospholipase D is a common response to mitogens which stimulate inositol lipid hydrolysis in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts

The stimulated hydrolysis of inositol lipids and phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) by bombesin, [Arg8]vasopressin ([Arg8]Vp) and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) was analysed in Swiss 3T3 cells pre-labelled to isotopic equilibrium with either [methyl-3H]choline, myo-[2-3H]inositol or [9,10 (n)-3H]palmitic acid. All three agonists activated the phospholipase D-catalysed hydrolysis of PtdCho as determined by the release of [3H]choline (Cho) and the formation of [3H]phosphatidylbutanol (PtdBut). The release of [3H]choline by each agonist exhibited similar sensitivity to prolonged pre-exposure to the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). The release of [3H]choline exhibited the same dose dependency as the production of total inositol phosphates for each mitogen suggesting that the two responses might be mediated through identical receptors. Acute pre-treatment with TPA allowed the dissociation of inositol lipid hydrolysis from PtdCho breakdown, since it inhibited inositol phosphate accumulation but stimulated choline generation. The loss of mitogen stimulated choline release in cells pre-treated with the phorbol ester for 48 h was not due to loss of stimulated inositol phosphate production which was reproducibly enhanced in these 'down-regulated' cells.

Epidermal growth factor-induced hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine by phospholipase D and phospholipase C in human dermal fibroblasts

The enzymatic pathways for formation of 1,2-diradylglyceride in response to epidermal growth factor in human dermal fibroblasts have been investigated. 1,2-Diradylglyceride mass was elevated 2-fold within one minute of addition of EGF. Maximal accumulation (4-fold) occurred at 5 minutes. Since both diacyl and ether-linked diglyceride species occur naturally and may accumulate following agonist activation, we developed a novel method to determine separately the alterations in diacyl and ether-linked diglycerides following stimulation of fibroblasts with EGF. Utilizing this method, it was found that approximately 80% of the total cellular 1,2-diradylglyceride was diacyl, the remaining 20% being ether-linked. Addition of EGF caused accumulation of 1,2-diacylglyceride without alteration in the level of ether-linked diglyceride. Thus, the observed induction of 1,2-diradylglyceride by EGF was due exclusively to increased formation of 1,2-diacylglyceride. In cells labelled with [3H]choline, the water soluble phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis products, phosphorylcholine and choline, were increased 2-fold within 5 minutes of addition of EGF. No hydrolysis of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, or phosphatidylinositol was observed. Quantitation by radiolabel and mass revealed equivalent elevations in phosphorylcholine and choline, suggesting stimulation of both phospholipase C and phospholipase D activities. To identify the presence of EGF-induced phospholipase D activity, cells were labelled with exogenous [3H]1-0-hexadecyl, 2-acyl phosphatidylcholine and its conversion to phosphatidic acid in response to EGF determined. Radiolabelled phosphatidic acid was detectable in 15 seconds after addition of EGF and was maximal (3-fold) at 30 seconds. Consistent with the presence of EGF-induced phospholipase D activity, treatment of cells with EGF, in the presence of [14C]ethanol, resulted in the rapid formation of [14C]phosphatidylethanol, the product of phospholipase D-catalyzed transphosphatidylation. The formation of phosphatidylethanol, which competes for the formation of phosphatidic acid by phospholipase D, did not diminish the induction of 1,2-diglyceride by EGF. These data suggest that the phosphatidic acid formed by phospholipase D-catalyzed hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine is not a major precursor of the observed increased 1,2-diglyceride. Thus, the induction of 1,2-diacylglycerol by EGF may occur primarily via phospholipase C-catalyzed hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine.

Production of phosphatidylethanol by phospholipase D phosphatidyl transferase in intact or dispersed pancreatic islets: evidence for the in situ metabolism of phosphatidylethanol

To determine if phospholipase D is present in intact adult islets, we took advantage of the fact that, in the presence of ethanol, this enzyme generates phosphatidylethanol via transphosphatidylation. Extracts of cells prelabeled with [14C]arachidonate, [14C]myristate, or [14C]stearate were analyzed via three TLC systems; the identify of phosphatidylethanol was further confirmed via incorporation of [14C]ethanol into the same phospholipid bands. The phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate stimulated phosphatidylethanol (to 603% of basal by 60 min) both in intact adult islets and in dispersed neonatal islet cells. A nonphorbol activator of protein kinase C (mezerein) also stimulated phospholipase D, whereas a phorbol which does not activate protein kinase C (4 alpha-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate) was virtually inactive. The effects of the active phorbol ester or of mezerein were reduced by the protein kinase C inhibitor H-7 and were virtually eliminated by prior down-regulation of that enzyme. In addition, a calcium-selective ionophore (ionomycin) or fluoroaluminate also activated the islet phospholipase D. When accumulation of phosphatidylethanol (labeled with any of three fatty acids) was induced by a preincubation in the presence of ethanol plus agonist, which then were removed, phosphatidylethanol declined by 34-47% over a subsequent 60-min incubation. Thus, while phosphatidylethanol is relatively stable metabolically, it is detectably degraded (a variable overlooked in previous studies). In the absence of ethanol, stimulated islet cells generated phosphatidic acid, although such hydrolysis was less evident than transphosphatidylation. Ethanol provision distinguished phosphatidate formed via phospholipase D (inhibition, via phosphatidylethanol formation) from that due predominantly to phospholipase C (phosphatidate not inhibited). In view of our recent findings that phosphatidic acid (or exogenous phospholipase D) has potent insulinotropic effects, this pathway could play a role in stimulus-secretion coupling; conversely, stimulation of transphosphatidylation at the expense of hydrolysis could contribute to the inhibition of secretion caused by ethanol.

Purification and properties of choline kinase from rat brain

A blue-dye column separated rat brain choline kinase (EC 2.7.1.32) into two peaks, very likely corresponding to distinct isozymes. The major-peak enzyme was purified 15,000-fold to homogeneity. The final specific activity was approx. 40 mumol.min-1.mg-1. This is 10-times higher than that reported for the enzymes from lung and kidney. The purified enzyme gave a single 44 kDa protein band on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Analytical gel-filtration showed that the native enzyme had a molecular weight of 90,000 and a Stokes radius of 4.2 nm. The sedimentation coefficient was deduced to be 4.8 S and the molecular weight 87,600 by sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation. Hence, the native enzyme appears to be a dimer. The apparent Km values for ATP and choline were 1.0 mM and 14 microM, respectively. At high choline concentrations, the enzyme showed deviation from Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The enzyme was active in a high pH range and utilized a variety of amino alcohols structurally related to choline, including ethanolamine, N-methylethanolamine and N,N-dimethylethanolamine as substrates. Spermine and spermidine stimulated the enzyme by decreasing the apparent Km for ATP and increasing Vmax. Although less efficiently, monovalent cations such as NH4+, K+, Li+ and Na+ and quaternary amines such as carpronium, chlorocholine and acetylcholine were also stimulatory.

Stimulation of phosphatidylcholine breakdown and diacylglycerol production by growth factors in Swiss-3T3 cells

The effect of a number of growth factors on phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) turnover in Swiss-3T3 cells was studied. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), bombesin, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and vasopressin rapidly stimulated PtdCho hydrolysis, diacylglycerol (DAG) production, and PtdCho synthesis. Insulin and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) stimulated PtdCho synthesis, but not its breakdown, whereas epidermal growth factor (EGF) and bradykinin were without effect. Stimulation of PtdCho hydrolysis by the above ligands resulted in increased production of phosphocholine and DAG (due to phospholipase C activity) and significant amounts of choline, suggesting activation of a phospholipase D as well. CDP-choline and glycerophosphocholine levels were unchanged. Down-regulation of protein kinase C with PMA (400 nM, 40 h) abolished the stimulation of PtdCho hydrolysis and PtdCho synthesis by PMA, bombesin, PDGF and vasopressin, but not the stimulation of PtdCho synthesis by insulin and PGF2 alpha. PtdCho hydrolysis therefore occurs predominantly by activation of protein kinase C (either by PMA or PtdIns hydrolysis) leading to elevation of DAG levels derived from non-PtdIns(4,5)P2 sources. PtdCho synthesis occurs by both a protein kinase C-dependent pathway (stimulated by PMA, PDGF, bombesin and vasopressin) and a protein kinase C-independent pathway (stimulated by insulin and PGF2 alpha). DAG production from PtdCho hydrolysis is not the primary signal to activate protein kinase C, but may contribute to long-term activation of this kinase.

Analysis of the water-soluble products of phosphatidylcholine breakdown by ion-exchange chromatography. Bombesin and TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate) stimulate choline generation in Swiss 3T3 cells by a common mechanism

A method for the rapid and quantitative separation of glycerophosphocholine, choline phosphate and choline upon ion-exchange columns is described. The method has been utilized to examine the stimulation of phosphatidylcholine breakdown in quiescent Swiss 3T3 cells in response to bombesin and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). The stimulated generation of choline is shown to precede that of choline phosphate, with no effect upon glycerophosphocholine levels; but was attenuated in cells in which protein kinase C activity was down-regulated. The results thus suggest that stimulation of the cells with either bombesin or TPA activates phospholipase D-catalysed phosphatidylcholine breakdown by a common mechanism involving the activation of protein kinase C.

Uptake of exogenous phosphatidylserine by human neuroblastoma cells stimulates the incorporation of [methyl-14C]choline into phosphatidylcholine

The phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) content of human cholinergic neuroblastoma (LA-N-2) cells was manipulated by exposing the cells to exogenous PtdSer, and the effects on phospholipid content, membrane composition, and incorporation of choline into phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) were investigated. The presence of liposomes containing PtdSer (10-130 microM) in the medium caused time- and concentration-dependent increases in the PtdSer content of the cells, and smaller and slower increases in the contents of other membrane phospholipids. The PtdSer levels in plasma membrane and mitochondrial fractions prepared by discontinuous sucrose density gradient centrifugation increased by 50 and 100%, respectively, above those in control cells after 24 h of exposure to PtdSer (130 microM). PtdSer caused a concomitant, concentration-dependent increase of up to twofold in the incorporation of [methyl-14C]choline chloride into PtdCho at a choline concentration (8.5 microM) compatible with activation of the CDP-choline pathway, suggesting that the levels of PtdSer in membranes may serve as a stimulus to regulate overall membrane composition. PtdSer caused a mean increase of 41% in PtdCho labeling, but the phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), which stimulates PtdCho synthesis in a number of cell lines, increased [14C]PtdCho levels by only 14% in LA-N-2 cells, at a concentration (100 nM) which caused complete translocation of the calcium- and phospholipid-dependent enzyme protein kinase C to the membrane. The translocation was inhibited by prior exposure of the cells to PtdSer. Treatment with PMA for 24 h diminished protein kinase C activity by 80%, but increased the labeling of PtdCho in both untreated and PtdSer-treated cells. These data suggest that uptake of PtdSer by LA-N-2 cells alters both the phospholipid composition of the membrane and synthesis of the major membrane phospholipid PtdCho; the latter effect does not involve activation of protein kinase C.

Early estrogen-induced metabolic changes and their inhibition by actinomycin D and cycloheximide in human breast cancer cells: 31P and 13C NMR studies

Metabolic changes following estrogen stimulation and the inhibition of these changes in the presence of actinomycin D and cycloheximide were monitored continuously in perfused human breast cancer T47D clone 11 cells with 31P and 13C NMR techniques. The experiments were performed by estrogen rescue of tamoxifen-treated cells. Immediately after perfusion with estrogen-containing medium, a continuous enhancement in the rates of glucose consumption, lactate production by glycolysis, and glutamate synthesis by the Krebs cycle occurred with a persistent 2-fold increase at 4 hr. The content of phosphocholine had increased by 10% to 30% within the first hour of estrogen stimulation, but the content of the other observed phosphate metabolites as well as the pH remained unchanged. Pretreatment with either actinomycin D or cycloheximide, at concentrations known to inhibit mRNA and protein synthesis, respectively, and simultaneous treatment with estrogen and each inhibitor prevented the estrogen-induced changes in glucose metabolism. This suggested that the observed estrogen stimulation required synthesis of mRNA and protein. These inhibitors also modulated several metabolic activities that were not related to estrogen stimulation. The observed changes in the in vivo kinetics of glucose metabolism may provide a means for the early detection of the response of human breast cancer cells to estrogen versus tamoxifen treatment.

Insulin-like growth factor I stimulates phospholipid synthesis in renal cortical slices without production of inositol phosphate

The effects of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) on the metabolism of phospholipids in renal cortical slices were examined using either sodium [32P]orthophosphate or myo-[3H]inositol. IGF-I was found to increase the incorporation of phosphate into phospholipids about 2-3-times above control values, leading to an increase in the concentration of total phospholipid phosphorus of 20% above control value after 1 h of incubation. The increased incorporation of phosphate into phospholipids could be prevented by 10 microM cycloheximide, while with 1 microM TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate) it could not. Insulin was also found to increase the incorporation of phosphate into phospholipids, but only if its concentration was at least 100-times higher than that of IGF-I. When phospholipids were prelabelled, IGF-I neither decreased the level of 32P in phospholipids nor stimulated the formation of inositol phosphates. The results show that IGF-I stimulates phospholipid synthesis without production of inositol phosphates in renal cortical slices.

Effects of dietary conditions on the pool sizes of precursors of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine synthesis in rat liver

We developed a new method for the determination of choline- and ethanolamine-containing precursors of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine after their separation by HPLC and we have studied the effects of different dietary conditions on the pool sizes of these metabolites in rat liver. Fasting for 48 h induced only a small decrease in the amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine and its water-soluble precursors. Upon refeeding with a high-sucrose, fat-free diet for 72 h, the levels of ethanolamine-containing compounds were only slowly restored. The effects of various dietary conditions on the amounts of phosphatidylcholine and its water-soluble precursors were much more pronounced. Fasting induced a sharp decrease, especially of the amount of cholinephosphate. However, the levels of phosphatidylcholine and the choline-containing precursors were rapidly restored upon refeeding for 24 h. Continued refeeding for an additional 48 h enhanced the cholinephosphate pool size to a level more than double that found in normally fed rats. The latter effect was accompanied by an inhibition of the enzyme CTP:choline-phosphate cytidylyltransferase. The results are discussed in view of a possible regulatory mechanism that may balance the amounts of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine.

Bombesin and phorbol ester stimulate phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis by phospholipase C: evidence for a role of protein kinase C

Bombesin caused a marked stimulation of 32Pi into phosphatidylinositol (PI), with no apparent lag, and into phosphatidylcholine (PC), after a lag of about 20 min. Stimulation was blocked by the bombesin receptor antagonist, [D-Arg1, D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9, Leu11] substance P, indicating that the effects on both PI and PC were mediated through the same receptor. The tumor-promoting phorbol ester 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and dioctanoylglycerol (diC8) both directly activate protein kinase C and in this report were shown to stimulate 32Pi incorporation into PC but not into Pl. In addition, TPA stimulated the release of [3H]choline and [3H]phosphocholine and the accumulation of [3H]diacyglycerol from prelabelled cells. These results strongly suggest that TPA activates a phospholipase C specific for PC. Pretreatment of cells with phorbol-12, 13-dibutyrate (PDBu) for 24 h depleted cellular protein kinase C activity and inhibited the ability of TPA to induce these effects suggesting a direct involvement of protein kinase C. Similarly the bombesin stimulation of 32Pi into PC and of [3H]choline and [3H]phosphocholine release was inhibited by PDBu pretreatment. DiC8 and, to a lesser extent, TPA stimulated the translocation of CTP:phosphocholine cytidylytransferase from the cytosolic to the particulate fraction. DiC8 also stimulated this translocation in cells depleted of protein kinase C. It was concluded that both bombesin and TPA activated protein kinase C leading to activation of a phospholipase C specific for PC.

Alveolar pre-type II cells from the fetal rabbit lung: effect of confluence on the production of disaturated phosphatidylcholine

Pre-type II alveolar cells isolated from the fetal rabbit lung on the 24th gestational day have been maintained in vitro for 14 days in a chemically defined medium supplemented with hormone-stripped serum. These cells replicate in culture. Measurement of the incorporation of [14C]choline into cellular disaturated phospholipid indicated that those cells grown in vitro under standard conditions for 8 days (pre-confluent) incorporate the radioactive precursor at a similar rate to cells maintained for 14 days (post-confluent). Both dexamethasone and serum-free medium conditioned by monolayer cultures of fetal rabbit lung fibroblasts stimulated [14C]choline incorporation into disaturated phosphatidylcholine (PC) by the pre- and post-confluent cultures after 24 or 48 h of exposure: the conditioned medium was more effective than the steroid. These treatments had little effect on choline incorporation into disaturated phosphatidylcholine of preconfluent cells during the first 12 h. A marked response occurred by 24 h after which the labelling of disaturated phosphatidylcholine plateaued. In contrast, with post-confluent cells labelling of disaturated PC increased in a more linear fashion and only plateaued after 72 h. Determination of the ratio of incorporation of [14C]choline into disaturated versus unsaturated phospholipid indicated that serum-free medium conditioned by monolayer cultures of fetal lung fibroblasts specifically increased the level of radioactive precursor in the disaturated phospholipid in both the pre- and post-confluent cell monolayers.

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.

Early increase in phosphatidyl choline synthesis by choline and transmethylation pathways in spreading fibroblasts

Phosphatidyl choline (PC) synthesis in trypsinized and reattaching fibroblasts during the spreading state was studied by incorporation of [14C]choline and [methyl-14C]methionine. The choline and phosphatidyl-ethanolamine (PE) transmethylation pathways were both transiently increased about 2-fold during the first 2 h after replating. Maximum increase appeared to be simultaneous with maximum spreading. Incorporation of [32P]orthophosphate showed that the increase in PC synthesis was specific and most probably related to establishment of cell-substrate adhesion sites.

The effects of phorbol ester on anabolism of lipids of cultured human skin fibroblasts

We have investigated the independent effects of phorbol ester (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) on anabolism of the major lipid components in cultured diploid human skin fibroblasts. When we incubated these cells with [3H]acetate in serum-free medium for 18 h in the presence of 16 nM phorbol ester, [3H]acetate incorporation and the cellular content of cholesterol ester increased, and free cholesterol decreased. Enhancement of [3H]acetate incorporation into cholesterol ester was also observed when the cells were incubated with phorbol ester for 5 h in medium containing lipoprotein-deficient serum. Incorporation of [3H]galactose into glycosphingolipids increased many fold upon exposure of the cells either to fetal calf serum or separately to phorbol ester. Therefore, phorbol ester independently affects cholesterol and glycosphingolipid metabolism in a way that may be similar to that reported for serum low-density lipoproteins and unknown other factors in fetal calf serum. We have observed these effects of phorbol ester in the intact living cell. These findings should provide useful means for the study of metabolism of the plasma membrane lipid components in fibroblasts.

Measurement of insulin-like growth factor-II by radioreceptor assay using ovine placental membranes

A new radioreceptor assay for insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II), using receptors on ovine placental membranes, is described. Half-maximal displacement of specifically bound radioiodinated human IGF-II tracer was seen at 1.0 ng/tube of unlabelled IGF-II. The cross-reactivity of IGF-I was 1%, and insulin was entirely without effect. Measured on serum samples from 100 healthy adults, the mean IGF-II concentration (+/- SD) was 576 +/- 160 ng/ml. Identical mean values were seen for all adult age groups up to 65 years. The mean value for 10 acromegalic adults was 583 +/- 155 ng/ml, and for 9 GH-deficient subjects, 161 +/- 26 ng/ml (P less than 0.001 compared to normals). Of eight patients with chronic renal failure, none had an IGF-II level less than 2SD above the normal mean. No significant effect of renal dialysis was seen. In groups of patients with gastric, breast, lung, testicular, oat cell, ovarian, colonic and prostatic carcinoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, sarcoma and teratoma (5-12 patients per group), mean IGF-II levels were in the lower part of the normal range. Thus this study does not provide evidence supporting a role for excessive IGF-II production in the growth of any of these tumour types.