Action of neomycin on the metabolism of polyphosphoinositides in the guinea pig kidney

The moonlighting protein c-Fos activates lipid synthesis in neurons, an activity that is critical for cellular differentiation and cortical development

Differentiation of neuronal cells is crucial for the development and function of the nervous system. This process involves high rates of membrane expansion, during which the synthesis of membrane lipids must be tightly regulated. In this work, using a variety of molecular and biochemical assays and approaches, including immunofluorescence microscopy and FRET analyses, we demonstrate that the proto-oncogene c-Fos (c-Fos) activates cytoplasmic lipid synthesis in the central nervous system and thereby supports neuronal differentiation. Specifically, in hippocampal primary cultures, blocking c-Fos expression or its activity impairs neuronal differentiation. When examining its subcellular localization, we found that c-Fos co-localizes with endoplasmic reticulum markers and strongly interacts with lipid-synthesizing enzymes, whose activities were markedly increased in vitro in the presence of recombinant c-Fos. Of note, the expression of c-Fos dominant-negative variants capable of blocking its lipid synthesis-activating activity impaired neuronal differentiation. Moreover, using an in utero electroporation model, we observed that neurons with blocked c-Fos expression or lacking its AP-1-independent activity fail to initiate cortical development. These results highlight the importance of c-Fos-mediated activation of lipid synthesis for proper nervous system development.

Maintenance of CaV2.2 channel-current by PIP2 unveiled by neomycin in sympathetic neurons of the rat

Membrane lipids are key determinants in the regulation of voltage-gated ion channels. Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂), a native membrane phospholipid, has been involved in the maintenance of the current amplitude and in the voltage-independent regulation of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC). However, the nature of the PIP₂ regulation on VGCC has not been fully elucidated. This work aimed to investigate whether the interacting PIP₂ electrostatic charges may account for maintaining the current amplitude of Ca_V2.2 channels. Furthermore, we tested whether charge shielding of PIP₂ mimics the voltage-independent inhibition induced by M₁ muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M₁R) activation. Therefore, neomycin, a polycation that has been shown to block electrostatic interactions of PIP_2, was intracellularly dialyzed in superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons of the rat. Consistently, neomycin time-dependently diminished the calcium current amplitude letting the channel exhibit the hallmarks of the voltage-independent regulation. These results support that interacting PIP₂ charges not only underly the maintenance of the channel-current but also that charge screening of PIP₂ by itself unveils the voltage-independent features of Ca_V2.2 channels in SCG neurons.

Polyphosphoinositide synthesis in human neutrophils. Effects of a low metabolic energy state

Phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) synthesis and polyphosphoinositide (PPI) formation were measured as the incorporation of [32P]orthophosphate ([32P]Pi) or [3H]inositol into non-stimulated intact human neutrophil membrane phospholipids. The rate of PtdIns "de novo" synthesis appeared to be a slow mechanism when compared to the rapid incorporation of [32P]Pi into PPIs. Of the "de novo" synthesized [3H]PtdIns, 70% was further phosphorylated to PPI. Nevertheless, this PPI pool represented less than 0.01% of the total nmols of PPIs formed evaluated as [32P]Pi labeling, indicating that PPI formation mainly involves a no "de novo" synthesized phosphatidylinositol pool. When evaluated at short incubation times, oscillations in the formation of PPIs were detected. A rapid phase was characterized after 30 s of incubation with [32P]Pi Phosphorylation levels returned to an equilibrium state within a minute, and the second phase peaked at 5 min., returning to equilibrium at 15 min. The fluctuant kinetics though not the equilibrium level of PPI formation, could be abolished by neomycin. On the other hand, a selective inhibition of the rapid phase of PPI synthesis occurred in the presence of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein. When the incorporations of [gamma-32P]-adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or [32P]Pi into human neutrophil particulate fraction membranes were evaluated, PPIs synthesis showed fluctuations independently of the precursor used. Noticeably, [32P]from [32P]Pi was incorporated more efficiently into PPIs than that from [gamma-32P]ATP, when evaluated in parallel using equal specific activities for both radiolabeled precursors and under non-ATP synthesizing conditions. Moreover, the incorporation of [32P]Pi into particulate fraction PPIs was not abolished by high concentrations of non-radiolabeled ATP, and metabolically inhibited PMNs showed high rates of PPI synthesis. These data suggest that PPI formation is not necessarily a futile cycle in PMNs.

Quantitative chromatographic analysis of inositol phospholipids and related compounds

The metabolism of phospholipids and the mobilization of second messengers such as inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate, 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) and arachidonic acid (AA) from phospholipids is commonly studied by radiolabelling phospholipids with [3H]myo-inositol or [32P]ATP and measuring the incorporation of radioactivity in different phospholipids or their hydrolysis products. However, for the radiolabelling method to accurately reflect changes in the compound's mass, it is essential that the tissue is labelled to isotopic equilibrium which is difficult to achieve. To circumvent the disadvantages of the radiolabelling method, several analytical procedures have been developed for the mass analysis of phospholipids and inositolphosphates (IPs). Quantitation of the mass or the radiolabelling of phospholipids is a complex multi-step procedure that involves quantitative isolation of phospholipids, fractionation of individual phospholipids and either determination of radioactivity in each component or the measurement of their mass. Phospholipids, DAG and AA are extracted from tissue sample with organic solvents such as chloroform-methanol (2:1) containing HCl or formic acid. The extract is separated by TLC, cartridge-column chromatography or HPLC on a reversed-phase column. Phospholipids are quantitated by measuring inorganic phosphate, absorption at 200 nm or mass spectrometry. Inositol phosphates are extracted with perchloric acid or trichloroacetic acid and separated by ion-exchange cartridge-column or HPLC with an ion-exchange column. IPs are quantitated by measuring inorganic phosphate or by using enzymatic reaction, metal-dye coupling, NMR or mass spectrometry.

Electric field-directed growth and branching of cultured frog nerves: effects of aminoglycosides and polycations

The direction and rate of earliest nerve growth are critical determinants of neuronal architecture. One extrinsic cue that influences these parameters is a small direct current electric field, although the underlying mechanisms are unclear. We have studied the orientation, rate of growth, and branching behavior of embryonic Xenopus spinal neurites exposed to aminoglycoside antibiotics, to raised external cations, to applied direct current electric fields, and to combinations of these treatments. Field-induced cathodal turning and cathodal branching of neurites were blocked by the aminoglycosides, by raised extracellular calcium ([Ca2+]0) and by raised extracellular magnesium ([Mg2+]0). Neomycin together with high external Ca2+, by contrast, induced a reversal in the polarity of turning and branching, with neurites reorienting and branching more frequently anodally. Aminoglycosides decreased neurite growth rates, and for neomycin this was partially reversed by high external Ca2+. Raised [Ca2+]0 alone but not raised [Mg2+]0 altered growth rates in a field-strength dependent manner. Modulation of membrane surface charge may underlie altered galvanotropic orientation and branching. Such an effect is insufficient to explain the changes in growth rates, which may result from additional perturbations to Ca2+ influx and inositol phospholipid metabolism.

Ototoxicity in vitro: effects of neomycin, gentamicin, dihydrostreptomycin, amikacin, spectinomycin, neamine, spermine and poly-L-lysine

The effects that the aminoglycoside-aminocyclitol antibiotics amikacin, dihydrostreptomycin, gentamicin, neomycin, and spectinomycin, the neomycin fragment neamine, and the polybasic compounds spermine and poly-L-lysine, have on outer hair cells in cochlear cultures prepared from the early post-natal mouse have been assessed using both scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). The antibiotics were used at concentrations ranging from 0.25-1.0 mM, spermine from 10 microM to 3.0 mM, and poly-L-lysine from 0.05-2 microM. Qualitative assessment of apical surface damage allows the antibiotics to be ranked in the following order: neomycin > gentamicin > dihydrostreptomycin > amikacin > neamine > spectinomycin. At a concentration of 1 mM spectinomycin is essentially non-toxic and the effects of neamine are marginal. Poly-L-lysine and spermine also cause surface damage, with poly-L-lysine being substantially more toxic than any of the antibiotics, and spermine ranking, on the basis of SEM observations, between dihydrostreptomycin and amikacin. TEM indicates that although all toxic compounds cause damage to the apical surface of the hair cell, only neomycin, poly-L-lysine and spermine induce the formation of whorls of tightly packed membrane resembling myelin within the apical surface lesions to any great extent. Apical-surface changes induced by dihydrostreptomycin and amikacin are simply large distensions of the cell filled with cytoplasmic organelles of normal appearance. Although the effects of the aminoglycoside antibiotics are largely limited to the apical surface of the cell, poly-L-lysine induces complete necrosis of the cell, and spermine causes a dramatic increase in cytoplasmic electron density and condensation of the nuclear chromatin.

Intracellular injection of heparin and polyamines. Effects on phototransduction in limulus ventral photoreceptors

Heparin is thought to inhibit InsP3 binding to receptors involved in the intracellular release of Ca2+. Injection of heparin into Limulus ventral photoreceptors to high intracellular concentrations reduces the amplitude and slows the rate of rise of voltage-clamp currents induced by brief flashes, tends to make the responses to long flashes more "square," and tends to block the light-induced rise in [Ca2+]i detected by arsenazo III. In these ways, intracellular heparin mimics the effects of high concentrations of intracellular BAPTA or EGTA. In addition, the effects of heparin are attenuated by prior injection of BAPTA to high intracellular concentrations. Neomycin and spermine are thought to inhibit phospholipase C activity. Injections of spermine or neomycin to low intracellular concentrations largely mimic the effects of intracellular heparin. These findings suggest that the predominant effect of polyamines is to inhibit light-induced production of InsP3 by phospholipase C activity and thereby reduce the light-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. Our findings suggest that excitation can proceed in the absence of InsP3-induced increases in [Ca2+]i, but (a) the gain and speed of transduction are reduced and (b) adaptation is largely blocked.

Carrageenan-induced activation of human platelets is dependent on the phospholipase C pathway

Stimulation of washed human platelets by the pro-inflammatory polysaccharide carrageenan is accompanied by shape change, aggregation and release of granule contents and unaccompanied by thromboxane A2 synthesis. Carrageenan triggers platelet activation through a prostaglandin synthetase-independent mechanism. The phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor, p-bromophenacyl bromide suppresses platelet responses to carrageenan (Vargaftig et al, 1980) probably by mechanism(s) other than those which involve PLA2 activity. Exposure of platelets to carrageenan (2-25 micrograms/ml) induced inositol phosphate formation in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, the level of inositol phosphate formation correlating with the intensity of aggregation. Neomycin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic which inhibits the phospholipase C-mediated phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate breakdown, suppressed both platelet activation and inositol phosphate formation. Inhibition was concentration-dependent with an IC50 value of about 180 microM. Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is not responsible for carrageenan-induced platelet activation and inositol phosphate formation, since exposure of platelets to carrageenan (25 micrograms/ml) in the presence of compound WEB 2086 (100 microM), a PAF antagonist, failed to inhibit carrageenan responses. However, compound Ro 19-3704, a structurally related antagonist of PAF reported to be also an inhibitor of phospholipases A2 and C, inhibited concentration-dependently (0.1-10 microM) aggregation and ATP release induced by carrageenan (25 micrograms/ml). These findings indicate that carrageenan activates human platelets through a phospholipase C-dependent mechanism and show that neomycin, at low concentrations, can be a selective inhibitor of phospholipase C-mediated PIP2-breakdown.

PDGF and neomycin induce similar changes in the actin cytoskeleton in human fibroblasts

The addition of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) to serum-starved fibroblasts induces increased motility, formation of lamellipodia, increased ruffling activity, and actin ring structures associated with dorsal ruffles. Involvement of the phosphatidylinositol cycle (PI-cycle) in these morphological changes was investigated by observing the effects of neomycin, an inhibitor of the PI-cycle, on cultured human foreskin fibroblasts. The role of actin in the changes was investigated by using cytochalasin D (CD). Actin in detergent-extracted cells was labelled with TRITC-phalloidin and examined with fluorescence microscopy. Using PDGF and neomycin simultaneously potentiated lamellipodia formation, ruffling activity, as well as the number of cells with actin rings. Furthermore, neomycin by itself induced morphological changes similar to those induced by PDGF. Quantitation of actin rings showed dose and time dependency for PDGF and neomycin respectively, with a maximal number of cells containing rings after 15 min of exposure to either 3.5 mM neomycin or 10 ng PDGF/ml. Comparing the two substances, PDGF induced ring formation in a greater number of cells. These processes were inhibited by the presence of CD. PDGF- and neomycin-induced changes in the actin cytoskeleton were also observed in human embryonic lung fibroblasts, human glial cells, and embryonic mouse fibroblasts, all of which are known to express PDGF-receptors. In conclusion, the present study indicates that an increased turnover of the PI-cycle is not essential for the changes in actin organization induced by PDGF.

Kanamycin inhibits cochlear-renal ODC in neonatal rats

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), a key enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis, is important in development and regeneration. We hypothesize that aminoglycoside inhibition of ODC mediates developmental hypersensitivity to aminoglycoside ototoxicity. Kanamycin effects on ODC activity (decarboxylation of ornithine) in vitro were determined in the postmitochondrial fraction of cochlear and renal homogenates from 11-day-old rats. Kanamycin inhibited cochlear and renal ODC by an uncompetitive mechanism. For the cochlear enzyme, the inhibitor constant (Ki) for kanamycin was 99 +/- 25 mumol/L; for the renal enzyme, the Ki = 1.5 +/- 0.1 mmol/L. In vivo effects of kanamycin on cochlear, renal, brain ODC activity were determined in rats treated with kanamycin (400 mg/kg/day, intramuscularly) or saline during postnatal days 11 through 20, the hypersensitive period for ototoxicity. Rats were killed on postnatal days 12, 14, 16, and 20 and ODC was assayed. Kanamycin significantly inhibited ODC in the lateral wall-organ of Corti and kidney (ANOVA alpha = 0.05), but had no effect on cochlear nerve and no consistent inhibitory effect in the brain. These results suggest that ODC is a potential target of kanamycin in susceptible tissues and may be a contributing factor in developmental sensitivity to the drug by inhibiting repair and developmental processes mediated by ODC.

Prostaglandin synthesis by the lateral cochlear wall under streptomycin influence

The synthesis of 4 prostaglandins (PGs), PGD2, PGE2, PGF2 alpha and PGI2, detected as 6keto PGF1 alpha in the guinea pig lateral cochlear wall (LW) was investigated under streptomycin treatment. Animals underwent daily injections of the antibiotic at dosages of 20, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight. Prostaglandins were detected 1, 5 and 10 days after drug administration using radioimmunoassay. Under aminoglycoside administration a general reduction of PG-synthesis was evident, which was highest for PGI2. Already after 5 days of treatment the PGI2-synthesis was decreased down to 50% under the lowest drug dosage. The highest antibiotic dosage induced an abrupt decline of PGI2 synthesis, down to 26%, in animals with the longest duration of treatment. The significant synthesis reduction of PGI2 was followed by PGE2. The reduction of PG-synthesis seems to be influenced rather by duration than dosage of drug administration. The decreased synthesis of PGs under streptomycin treatment is interpreted as an inhibition of cell membrane phospholipids, the phosphoinositides. This assumption becomes plausible since the phospholipids represent endogenous precursors of the PG-synthesis.

Production of human interferon-beta by Sendai virus and poly(rI).poly(rC): inhibition by neomycin

Neomycin inhibits the production of interferon-beta (IFN-beta) in human fibroblast cells in response to Sendai virus or to poly(rI).poly(rC) in a concentration-dependent manner, and to the greatest extent effective when added prior to or up to 2 h after induction. This inhibitory effect is negated when the protein kinase C activator, SC-9, is present during IFN-beta production in response to poly(rI).poly(rC), but not in response to Sendai virus. These results suggest that in human cells both virus and poly(rI).poly(rC) utilize an early neomycin-sensitive signal transduction step for the production of IFN-beta; because neomycin binds specific phosphatidylinositol phosphates, both of these inducers very likely require hydrolysis of these phosphates.

Doxorubicin interactions at the membrane: evidence for a biphasic modulation of inositol lipid metabolism

Doxorubicin, when incubated for 30 minutes with [32P]-labelled human erythrocyte membrane vesicles, produced an elevation of [32P]inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate levels. The maximum rise was obtained with 10(-8) mol/l doxorubicin [132 (S.E. 13%) of control, n = 6, P = 0.001]. However, when the inositol lipids were examined, there was no evidence that doxorubicin stimulated the breakdown of [32P]phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate under resting conditions, suggesting that the elevated levels of [32P]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate were not the result of the stimulation of phospholipase C. Instead, it was found that the dephosphorylation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate by a 5'-phosphomonoesterase was partially inhibited by 10(-8) mol/l doxorubicin so that the rise in [32P]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate resulted from the inhibition of the breakdown of constitutively released [32P] inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. Similar data was also obtained with another aminoglycoside antibiotic, neomycin. The release of [32P] inositol 1,4-bisphosphate and [32P] inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and the breakdown of the inositol lipids in response to calcium (2.5 x 10(-4) and 10(-3) mol/l) stimulation was enhanced by doxorubicin (10(-6) to 10(-12) mol/l). These effects on resting and stimulated inositol lipid metabolism are discussed with reference to the paradoxical effects of doxorubicin to both stimulate and inhibit proliferation, according to concentration.

Neomycin does not interfere with the inositol phospholipid metabolism, but blocks binding of alpha-thrombin to intact human platelets

Neomycin was demonstrated to inhibit the binding of thrombin to intact human platelets. The effects of neomycin on both thrombin binding and thrombin-induced changes in inositol phospholipid metabolism could be reproduced by the thrombin antagonist hirudin. We propose that neomycin inhibits thrombin-induced platelet activation by interference with the cellular receptor.

Herpes simplex virus type-1 immediate-early gene expression and shut off of host protein synthesis are inhibited in neomycin-treated human epidermoid carcinoma 2 cells

Infection of human epidermoid carcinoma-2 (HEp-2) cells by Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) leads to significant activation of inositol phospholipid turnover after 15 min. The effect of neomycin, an inhibitor of inositol phospholipid turnover, has been investigated for its effect on HSV-1 multiplication in HEp-2 cells. HSV-1 multiplication is inhibited by neomycin. This inhibition is not due to a block of virus adsorption or penetration. Neomycin inhibits the expression of virus immediate-early genes, as well as expression of early genes and viral DNA synthesis. In neomycin-treated cells, the usual virion-associated shut off of host protein synthesis does not occur. These results indicate that the inositol phospholipid pathway is involved in immediate-early gene expression and shut off of host protein synthesis in HEp-2 cells.

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate stimulates protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation of soluble brain proteins. Inhibition by neomycin

Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) at 0.1 mol% activated the protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated phosphorylation of 87-, 55- and 47-kDa brain proteins. Neomycin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic that binds PIP2 with a high affinity, inhibited PIP2.PKC activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Low concentrations of neomycin (less than 2 mM) did not affect DG.PKC activity; however, 4 mM neomycin inhibited 50% of this activity. This inhibition of DG-stimulated activity at high neomycin concentration may be the result of its binding to Ca2+ and ATP in the assay system. These results suggest that PIP2 is a physiological activator of PKC, and show that neomycin can be an inhibitor of PIP2.PKC activity at concentrations where DG.PKC activity is not affected.

Effect of adrenergic and Ca2+ antagonists on increased ornithine decarboxylase expression in regenerating rat liver

Partial hepatectomy (PH) (70% resection) causes within 4 hr an accumulation of ornithine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.17, ODC) mRNAs concomitant with an increase in ODC activity, maximum values being observed at 8 and 16 hr, respectively. In the early hours of hepatic regeneration, enhancement of transcriptional-rate of ODC gene, demonstrated by nuclear run-on analysis, can account for the accumulation of ODC mRNAs. The involvement of catecholamines in these processes is demonstrated by using prazosin and propranolol, specific antagonists of alpha 1 and beta adrenoceptors, respectively. Prazosin reduces almost completely the rise of ODC activity at 4 hr, without affecting mRNA levels. At 16 hr, enzyme activity and mRNAs increase, however, over the values observed in regenerating liver of prazosin-untreated animals. These findings suggest that alpha 1-receptor activation triggers positive control signals for ODC gene expression at the early time of liver regeneration and, on the contrary, negative signals at later times by mainly post-transcriptional and transcriptional mechanisms, respectively. Propranolol reduces similarly the initial 4 hr-rise of ODC activity. These results indicate that activation of both alpha 1- and beta-adrenoceptors causes the large increase in ODC activity. Pharmacological manipulation of intracellular Ca2+ levels by verapamil, a Ca2(+)-channel blocker, or neomycin, an inhibitor of Ca2+ release from endogenous stores, diminishes ODC activity at 4 and 16 hr after PH. ODC mRNA levels, which are not modified at 4 hr, increase over the values of partially hepatectomized rat liver at 16 hr. Trifluoperazine inhibits both ODC activity and mRNA accumulation at the times studied. As a working hypothesis it is proposed that Ca2(+)-mediated processes induced by catecholamines are involved in ODC gene expression during the prereplicative phase of liver regeneration.

Studies on the nephrotoxicity of aminoglycoside antibiotics and protection from these effects (9): Protective effect of inositol hexasulfate against tobramycin-induced nephrotoxicity

We examined the protective effect of inositol hexasulfate (IS6) against tobramycin (TOB)-induced nephrotoxicity. In the electrophoretic analysis, TOB alone and IS6 alone were observed as single spots on the cathode and anode sides, respectively. However, in the mixture of TOB and IS6 preincubated at 37 degrees C for 3 hr, the tailing of the spots of TOB and IS6 were observed from the origin to the cathode and the anode sides, respectively, and the overlapping of the spots of TOB and IS6 was recognized at the origin. These results indicated that TOB directly interacted with IS6 in vitro. Assay of TOB binding to rat kidney brush border membranes (BBMs) indicated that IS6 inhibited the binding of TOB to BBMs through an interaction of TOB and IS6. No significant reduction in intrarenal TOB level was observed in the rats given TOB (90 mg/kg, s.c.) and IS6 (153 or 610 mg/kg, s.c.). However, the treatment of rats with a combination of TOB and IS6 reduced the degree of necrosis of renal tubular cells and also suppressed the increases in urinary protein, urinary enzyme activities, blood urea nitrogen and plasma creatinine induced by TOB. Additionally, we detected a complex of TOB and IS6 in the urine of rats given both compounds simultaneously. These results indicate that IS6 protects against TOB-induced nephrotoxicity and that the protective action of IS6 may be due to the inhibition of TOB binding to BBMs through an interaction of TOB with IS6.

Role of phosphatidylinositide metabolism in ras-induced Xenopus oocyte maturation

Microinjection of Xenopus oocytes with ras protein (p21) was used to investigate the role of phospholipid metabolism in ras-induced meiotic maturation. Induction of meiosis by ras was compared with induction by progesterone, insulin, and the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Neomycin, which specifically binds to phosphatidylinositides and inhibits their metabolism, blocked meiotic maturation induced by ras or insulin but not by progesterone or TPA. In addition, p21 and TPA, but not insulin or progesterone, stimulated the incorporation of 32Pi into oocyte lipids. ras protein specifically stimulated 32P incorporation into phosphatidylinositides, whereas both ras and TPA stimulated 32P incorporation into phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. The stimulatory effect of p21 on phosphatidylinositide metabolism correlated with the dose response and kinetics of ras-induced meiotic maturation. In addition, the ras oncogene protein was more potent than the proto-oncogene protein both in inducing meiotic maturation and in stimulating phosphatidylinositide metabolism. These results indicate that phosphatidylinositide turnover is required for ras-induced meiosis and suggest that phosphatidylinositide-derived second messengers mediate the biological activity of ras in Xenopus oocytes.

Role of phosphatidylinositide metabolism in ras-induced Xenopus oocyte maturation

Microinjection of Xenopus oocytes with ras protein (p21) was used to investigate the role of phospholipid metabolism in ras-induced meiotic maturation. Induction of meiosis by ras was compared with induction by progesterone, insulin, and the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Neomycin, which specifically binds to phosphatidylinositides and inhibits their metabolism, blocked meiotic maturation induced by ras or insulin but not by progesterone or TPA. In addition, p21 and TPA, but not insulin or progesterone, stimulated the incorporation of 32Pi into oocyte lipids. ras protein specifically stimulated 32P incorporation into phosphatidylinositides, whereas both ras and TPA stimulated 32P incorporation into phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine. The stimulatory effect of p21 on phosphatidylinositide metabolism correlated with the dose response and kinetics of ras-induced meiotic maturation. In addition, the ras oncogene protein was more potent than the proto-oncogene protein both in inducing meiotic maturation and in stimulating phosphatidylinositide metabolism. These results indicate that phosphatidylinositide turnover is required for ras-induced meiosis and suggest that phosphatidylinositide-derived second messengers mediate the biological activity of ras in Xenopus oocytes.

Neomycin inhibits mastoparan-induced lactate dehydrogenase release, ethidium bromide accumulation, and intracellular fluorescein depletion in MDCK cells

Mechanisms of cell death induced by toxins probably involve one or more processes such as inhibition of protein synthesis and impairment of plasma membrane integrity leading to an increase in membrane permeability. Since one of the possible actions of mastoparan, a cationic tetradecapeptide from wasp venom, is to perturb membrane phospholipids resulting in an increase in membrane permeability, we studied the effect of chemically synthesized mastoparan on lactate dehydrogenase release (LDH), ethidium bromide and fluorescein accumulation in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cultured cells. Our results demonstrated that mastoparan induced cytosolic LDH release, ethidium bromide accumulation and intracellular fluorescein depletion in MDCK cells. Neomycin, a polycationic aminoglycoside, interacts with anionic polyphosphoinositides at the plasma membrane. Since both mastoparan and neomycin are cationic peptides and react with the negatively charged membrane phospholipids, we studied the interaction of these two peptides on membrane permeability. Our results demonstrated that neomycin inhibited mastoparan-induced LDH release, ethidium bromide accumulation and intracellular fluorescein depletion.

Role of sodium in the protective effect of ticarcillin on gentamicin nephrotoxicity in rats

Coadministration of sodium ticarcillin with an aminoglycoside is known to reduce the nephrotoxicity of the aminoglycoside. However, it is not known whether the penicillin or the obligatory sodium load confers protection. To investigate this, gentamicin has been administered intraperitoneally in doses of 50, 60, or 80 mg/kg per day for 12 days in groups of rats receiving either a normal or a low sodium intake. Alterations in creatinine clearance have been measured. Salt depletion resulted in an enhanced nephrotoxic response with a shift in the dose-response curve to the left. Administration of sodium ticarcillin to rats with a salt-depleted intake at a dose sufficient to replace sodium intake conferred an equal degree of protection to rats with a normal salt intake. We report that the obligatory salt supplement with ticarcillin is sufficient to account for the renal sparing effect of the combination treatment without having to infer a direct chemical interaction of penicillin with the aminoglycoside.

Binding of neomycin to phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2)

Schacht (Schacht, J. (1976) J. Neurochem. 27, 1119-1124) demonstrated that neomycin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, binds with high affinity to phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). We investigated the binding of neomycin to PIP2 by making electrophoretic mobility measurements with multilamellar bilayer vesicles and surface potential measurements with monolayers. The bilayers and monolayers were formed from mixtures of PIP2 and egg phosphatidylcholine (PC) in 0.1 M KCl at pH 7. Neomycin does not bind to PC; 10(-3) M neomycin affects neither the zeta potential of PC vesicles nor the surface potential of PC monolayers. In contrast, 10(-6) M neomycin reduces the magnitude of the zeta potential of PC/PIP2 vesicles (5, 9, and 17 mol% PIP2) and the surface potential of monolayers (17 mol% PIP2) to less than 50% of their initial values. The electrophoretic mobility results indicate that neomycin forms an electroneutral complex with PIP2; high concentrations (greater than 10(-4) M) of neomycin reduce the zeta potential of the PC/PIP2 vesicles to zero. We could describe our data with the Gouy-Chapman-Stern theory assuming the intrinsic association constant of the 1:1 neomycin-PIP2 complex is 10(5) M-1. Neomycin is widely used in cell biology to interfere with the generation of second messengers; we discuss the relevance of our results to these studies. Specifically, 10(-6) M neomycin binds greater than 50% of the PIP2 in a bilayer or monolayer but 10(-5)-10(-3) M neomycin is required to affect the turnover of PIP2 in permeabilized platelets, mast cells, and sea urchin eggs. This result is consistent with a hypothesis that most of the PIP2 in the inner leaflet of these plasma membranes is not accessible to neomycin because it is associated with proteins.

Metabolic correction of defects in the lipid anchoring of Thy-1 in lymphoma mutants

Many plasma membrane proteins, including Thy-1, are anchored by a carboxyl terminal glycophospholipid. This unit is absent from the Thy-1 of several lymphoma mutants that synthesize the Thy-1 polypeptide but fail to express it at the cell surface. Recessive mutants of complementation groups A to C, E, and F contain Thy-1 mRNA of normal size, which suggests that their Thy-1 polypeptide is normal. To identify possible metabolic lesions, each mutant was grown with various supplements. The class F and B mutants exhibited a reversible induction of surface lipid anchored Thy-1 when grown with the aminoglycoside G418. Other aminoglycosides, sugars, and ethanolamine were inactive. These unexpected observations are discussed in the context of lipid anchor biosynthesis.

Transmodulation of the epidermal-growth-factor receptor in permeabilized 3T3 cells

Binding of murine epidermal growth factor (EGF) to its high-affinity receptor can be modulated by a variety of structurally unrelated mitogens. The transmodulation, however, is temperature-dependent and has not been observed in isolated membranes. We report here the transmodulation of high-affinity EGF receptors by platelet-derived growth factors (PDGF) and tumour-promoting phorbol esters in 3T3 cells even when they are rendered incapable of fluid-phase endocytosis by treatment with phenylarsine oxide or by permeabilization with lysophosphatidylcholine. The relative affinity of the EGF receptors in the absence of modulating agents is not significantly altered by phenylarsine oxide treatment. Thus the difference in affinity between the two classes of EGF receptors seems to be unrelated to dynamic membrane changes or to differential rates of internalization. In permeabilized cells, non-hydrolysable GTP analogues transmodulate the high-affinity EGF receptor; however, the effects of these analogues are blocked by the protein kinase C inhibitor chlorpromazine. In contrast, transmodulation by PDGF is not blocked by chloropromazine. Thus the high-affinity EGF receptor can be transmodulated by both protein kinase C-dependent or -independent pathways, and the transmodulation processes do not require fluid-phase endocytosis.

GTP- and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-induced release of 45Ca2+ from a membrane store co-localized with pancreatic-islet-cell plasma membrane

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3], arising from hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2], is proposed as the link between membrane-receptor activation and mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular sites in hormone-secreting cells. The location of Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive membranes was investigated in cultured neonatal beta-cells. Membranes were obtained after lysis of cells attached to positively charged Sephadex. After lysis the presence of the enzyme markers 5'-nucleotidase, glucose-6-phosphatase, NADH-cytochrome c reductase, UDP-galactosyltransferase and succinate dehydrogenase indicated the mixed nature of the preparation. After sonication, however, UDP-galactosyltransferase and succinate dehydrogenase activities were undetectable, but 4.8% of total cellular glucose-6-phosphatase and 3.4% of total cellular NADH-cytochrome c reductase remained with 5'-nucleotidase in the preparation, indicating endoplasmic-reticulum association. ATP-dependent 45Ca2+ accumulation was shown in this preparation (410 +/- 24 pmol/mg of protein at 150 nM free Ca2+) and was inhibited by vanadate (100 microM). Ca2+ release was effected by Ins(1,4,5)P3, with half-maximal release at 0.5 +/- 0.14 microM-Ins(1,4,5)P3, t1/2 11.2 +/- 1.1 s. GTP- and guanosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate (p[NH]ppG)-promoted release of 45Ca2+ was demonstrated in this preparation, but the kinetics of release (half-maximal Ca2+ release at 5.4 +/- 0.7 microM, with t1/2 77.3 +/- 6.9 s, and at 51.1 +/- 4.2 microM, with t1/2 19.0 +/- 2.2 s, for GTP and p[NH]ppG respectively), and the ability of neomycin sulphate to block p[NH]ppG-induced release only, are indicative of separate release mechanisms after treatment with these agents. A close association between plasma membrane and elements of the endoplasmic reticulum is indicated in this model, providing a possible mechanism for local alterations in free Ca2+ in the sub-plasma-membrane region.

Inhibition of renal ornithine decarboxylase by aminoglycoside antibiotics in vitro

The inhibition of renal ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) by aminoglycoside antibiotics was characterized in the postmitochondrial fraction of a kidney homogenate from adult pigmented guinea pigs. Enzymatic activity was defined as the rate of decarboxylation of [14C]ornithine sensitive to a specific ODC inhibitor, alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO). The Km for ornithine was 61 +/- 32 microM. There were two forms of the enzyme with respect to their affinity for pyridoxal phosphate (PLP): (I) Km = 2.1 +/- 1.8 microM; (II) Km = 36.2 +/- 12.7 microM. Putrescine, a known ODC inhibitor, acted competitively on the renal enzyme with Ki = 1.7 +/- 1.4 mM. Aminoglycoside antibiotics inhibited ODC by an uncompetitive mechanism with inhibitor constants of comparable magnitude: neomycin, Ki = 1.3 +/- 0.1 mM; gentamicin, Ki = 1.6 +/- 0.1 mM; kanamycin, Ki = 1.9 +/- 0.2 mM; and netilmicin, Ki = 1.7 +/- 0.2 mM. Neomycin inhibited both forms of the enzyme (low and high affinity for PLP) uncompetitively with similar inhibitor constants (1.5 +/- 0.3 and 1.8 +/- 0.4 mM respectively), suggesting a single mechanism of action. Inhibition of ODC suggests that aminoglycoside-polyamine interactions may be an important component of the sequence of biochemical events associated with aminoglycoside toxicity.

Cations that alter surface potentials of lipid bilayers increase the calcium requirement for exocytosis in sea urchin eggs

1. We examined the effects of cations that bind to phospholipid bilayers on the calcium requirement for exocytosis in vitro. 2. Tetracaine and trifluoperazine, two monovalent cations that bind hydrophobically to lipid bilayers, decreased the zeta-potential of lipid vesicles with a phospholipid composition similar to sea urchin plasma membranes; the decrease in the magnitude of the negative zeta-potential was consistent with the Gouy-Chapman-Stern theory. 3. Trifluoperazine and tetracaine also increased the concentration of calcium required to produce half-maximal exocytosis (Ca50) in isolated fragments of plasma membranes from sea urchin eggs. 4. The effects of trifluoperazine and tetracaine on the Ca50 of egg fragments can be explained quantitatively from the zeta-potential data obtained with phospholipid vesicles if we assume the calcium binding sites responsible for triggering exocytosis lie within a Debye length (less than 1 nm) of the surface of the plasma membranes, such that the concentration of calcium at the sites is affected by the surface potential of the membrane. 5. The divalent cation magnesium, which binds specifically to the phosphate group of lipids, affected Ca50 in a manner that can also be explained quantitatively from its effects on the zeta-potential of phospholipid vesicles. 6. The polyvalent cation neomycin, which adsorbs to the lipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate with high affinity, also binds co-operatively to phosphatidylinositol; its effect on Ca50 can be explained quantitatively from its effects on the zeta-potential of vesicles containing the latter lipid. 7. A decrease in the ionic strength increases the magnitude of the surface potential of membranes; the effect of ionic strength on Ca50 can be explained qualitatively from its effect on the zeta-potential of phospholipid vesicles. 8. All our results are consistent with the hypothesis that calcium binding sites lie within a Debye length of the plasma membrane; they also indicate that drugs with specific, high-affinity sites may affect exocytosis by a non-specific mechanism.

Evidence that the phosphatidylinositol cycle is linked to cell motility

Transmembrane signaling via specific ligand/receptor interactions induces the immediate polymerization of actin and formation of microfilament assemblies close to the plasma membrane. The profilin:actin complex appears to provide the actin for this filament formation. A clue to the nature of the regulatory mechanism involved was recently found in that phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate can bind to profilin, dissociate the profilactin complex, and thus liberate actin for polymerization. This suggests that the phosphatidylinositol (PI) cycle, which plays important roles in cellular regulation, also might control microfilament-based motility. We show here that neomycin, a drug which has a high affinity for phosphoinositides and in vivo interferes with the PI cycle, inhibits the polymerization of actin in platelets induced either by thrombin or by ADP. When ADP was used as agonist (but not in the case of thrombin) the induction of actin polymerization could also be blocked by the addition of aspirin. Introduction of Ca2+ into platelets by the use of the ionophore A23187 or stimulation of protein kinase C (PkC) by the phorbol ester TPA did not induce actin polymerization; neither did the addition of a combination of these two agents. Retinoic acid which inhibits PkC was also without effect on thrombin-induced actin polymerization.

Evidence that neomycin inhibits binding of herpes simplex virus type 1 to the cellular receptor

The effect of neomycin, a phosphoinositide-binding aminoglycoside, on herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection of BHK cells was studied. We showed earlier that it specifically inhibits HSV-1 production but not HSV-2 production (Langeland et al., Biochem Biophys. Res. Commun. 141:198-203, 1986). We now show that neomycin had no effect on cellular protein synthesis, as judged by the appearance of 35S-labeled polypeptides separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Virus-induced polypeptides, however, were strongly inhibited at neomycin concentrations above 2 mM. Comparison among different aminoglycosides showed a variation in inhibition of HSV-1 production that paralleled the cationic charge of the aminoglycosides. HSV-1 receptor binding at 4 degrees C was completely inhibited by neomycin. At 37 degrees C both receptor binding and internalization, as measured by an indirect assay, appeared to be inhibited by more than 90%. The effect of neomycin on the infection was almost immediate upon the addition of the drug and preceded virus internalization. Possible mechanisms of the neomycin effect are discussed.

Regulation of expression of c-fos and c-myc in rat lymphoma Nb-2 cells

This study examined the effects of the mitogen, prolactin and the cell cycle inhibitors, cyclosporin A and neomycin sulfate, on expression of the proto-oncogenes c-fos and c-myc in the rat lymphoma Nb-2 cell line. Stimulation of quiescent cultures with prolactin resulted in a 2-3-fold increase in the constitutive levels of c-myc mRNA which peaked at 4 h and declined thereafter. c-Fos mRNA was not detected in quiescent or prolactin-stimulated cultures. Cyclosporin A or neomycin sulfate reversibly blocked the mitogenic effect of prolactin on Nb-2 cells, but had little effect on constitutive levels of c-myc. However, the release of Nb-2 cells from a cyclosporin A or a neomycin sulfate block resulted in a rapid transient induction of c-fos which peaked at 0.5-1 h and declined rapidly thereafter. These results indicate that the rapid transient expression of c-fos following release from cell cycle blockage was not sufficient to elicit cell division, but these cells were competent to respond to prolactin. Prolactin allows progression through the cell cycle and enhances c-myc mRNA levels.

Aminoglycoside antibiotics preferentially increase permeability in phosphoinositide-containing membranes: a study with carboxyfluorescein in liposomes

The rate of release from multilamellar liposomes of the fluorescent probe carboxyfluorescein was determined as a measure of membrane permeability. Liposomes of phosphatidylcholine and different anionic phospholipids were incubated with low (1 microM) and high (3 mM) concentrations of calcium in the absence or presence of aminoglycoside antibiotics. The leakage of carboxyfluorescein into the medium was not caused by liposomal fusion as no vesicle fusion was observed in experiments with terbium and dipicolinic acid-loaded liposomes. The basal rate of carboxyfluorescein release (in the absence or presence of 1 microM calcium) from all types of liposomes ranged from 0.1 to 0.3% of trapped carboxyfluorescein per hour. The presence of 3 mM calcium caused the greatest increase in the rate of carboxyfluorescein release (about 9-fold) in liposomes containing phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) whereas liposomes containing the other anionic phospholipids (phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate) showed an approximate 5-fold increase. In the presence of 1 microM calcium, the aminoglycosides neomycin and gentamicin also increased the rate of carboxyfluorescein release, with PIP2-containing liposomes showing a 3-5-times greater response than the other liposomes, releasing up to 4.6% of trapped carboxyfluorescein per hour. This drug-induced release was dose-dependent and antagonized by calcium. In the presence of 3 mM calcium, 0.1 mM gentamicin or neomycin were ineffective while the drug at 1 mM affected carboxyfluorescein release from PIP2-liposomes only. The aminoglycoside antibiotics, neomycin, gentamicin, tobramycin, kanamycin, amikacin, netilmicin, as well as neamine and spectinomycin (all at 0.1 mM) showed a graded effect on the rate of carboxyfluorescein release from PIP2-containing vesicles in the presence of 0.1 mM calcium. The magnitude of the effect correlated well with the ototoxicity of the drugs previously determined directly in cochlear perfusions in the guinea pig. The study demonstrates that aminoglycoside antibiotics are capable of altering membrane permeabilities and that this effect is most pronounced if PIP2 is present in the bilayers. The excellent correlation between this membrane action and the in-situ toxicity of the drugs further establishes the specific role of PIP2 in the molecular mechanism of aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss. Moreover, it confirms the usefulness of such physicochemical models for the screening and prediction of aminoglycoside toxicity.

Neomycin inhibits K+- and veratridine-stimulated noradrenaline release in rat brain slices and rat brain synaptosomes

The possible involvement of phosphoinositides' turnover in the process of neurotransmitter release in the central nervous system (CNS) was studied using rat brain slices and synaptosomes. A depolarizing concentration of potassium chloride (25 mM) induces an 8.6 +/- 0.4% increase of [3H]noradrenaline [( 3H]NA) fractional release in cerebral cortical slices above spontaneous release, and 15 mM KCl induces a 3-fold increase of [3H]NA release in rat brain synaptosomes. Neomycin, an aminoglycoside which binds phosphoinositides, inhibits the potassium-induced release in cortical slices with an IC50 = 0.5 +/- 0.07 mM and with IC50 = 0.2 +/- 0.03 mM in synaptosomes. Veratridine, a veratrum alkaloid which increases membrane permeability to sodium ions and causes depolarization of neuronal cells, induces a net 13.4 +/- 0.3% increase of [3H]NA fractional release above spontaneous release in cortical slices. In analogy to K+ stimulation, neomycin inhibits the veratridine-stimulated release in cortical slices with an IC50 = 0.65 +/- 0.1 mM. It appears that the recycling of phosphoinositides, which is necessary for Ca2+ mobilization, participates in the Ca2+-dependent induced neurotransmitter release in the central nervous system.

Neomycin cannot be used as a selective inhibitor of inositol phospholipid hydrolysis in intact or semi-permeabilized human platelets. Aminoglycosides activate semi-permeabilized platelets

High concentrations of neomycin (2-10 mM) inhibited aggregation, but not shape change, of intact platelets by collagen, ADP and the Ca2+ ionophore, A23187, the last two studies being carried out in the presence of the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. In contrast, over the same range of concentrations neomycin inhibited both aggregation and shape change induced by thrombin. Under these conditions activation of platelets by collagen and by thrombin, but not by A23187 or by ADP, is believed to be dependent on the hydrolysis of membrane inositol phospholipids. These data therefore suggest that the inhibitory action of neomycin on intact platelets is not related to its previously reported inhibitory effect on phosphoinositide metabolism. The selective inhibition of thrombin-induced shape change indicates a second site of action of neomycin on intact platelets. On platelets rendered semi-permeable with saponin, neomycin and a second aminoglycoside antibiotic, streptomycin (each 0.06-2 mM), stimulated secretion and aggregation responses. These effects were inhibited by indomethacin and by EGTA. Activation of semi-permeabilized platelets by neomycin is associated with the formation of inositol phosphates and phosphatidic acid, indicating activation by phospholipase C. This effect is also inhibited by indomethacin, implying that it is secondary to the formation of prostaglandins and endoperoxides. These results are discussed in the context of the use of neomycin as a selective inhibitor of polyphosphoinositide metabolism.

Neomycin inhibits agonist-stimulated polyphosphoinositide metabolism and responses in human platelets

The effect of neomycin on agonist-induced changes in polyphosphoinositide metabolism was studied in human platelets. Neomycin induced no changes in the 32P-labeled phospholipids of unstimulated cells. Between 1 and 5 mM of neomycin the initial thrombin-induced decrease in [32P]phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bis-phosphate and production of [32P]phosphatidic acid were gradually inhibited. In contrast, the production of [32P]phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate was increased. The thrombin-induced decrease in mass of phosphatidylinositol was completely inhibited at 5 mM of neomycin. Collagen- and PAF acether-induced changes in platelet phosphoinositide metabolism as well as aggregation and dense granule secretion induced by all three agonists were inhibited by neomycin. The results indicate that neomycin inhibit platelet responses by selective interference with the interconversions and hydrolysis of polyphosphoinositides upon thrombin stimulation.

The influx of Ca2+ induced by the administration of glucagon and Ca2+-mobilizing agents to the perfused rat liver could involve at least two separate pathways

The Ca2+-mobilizing actions of ADP, ATP and epidermal growth factor (EGF) and their interaction with glucagon were studied in a perfused liver system incorporating a Ca2+-selective electrode. ADP (1-100 microM), ATP (1-100 microM) and EGF (10-50 nM) all induced a net efflux, followed by a net uptake of Ca2+ in the intact liver. The co-administration of glucagon (or of cyclic AMP) with these agents resulted in a synergistic potentiation of the Ca2+ uptake response in a way which resembles the synergism observed when glucagon is administered with phenylephrine, vasopressin or angiotensin [Altin & Bygrave (1986) Biochem J. 238, 653-661]. The inability of diltiazem, verapamil and nifedipine to inhibit the Ca2+-influx response suggests that the stimulation of Ca2+ influx does not occur through voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels. By contrast, the synergistic effects of glucagon in the stimulation of Ca2+ influx are inhibited by 10 mM-neomycin, and a lowering of the extracellular pH to 6.8. Simultaneous measurements of perfusate Ca2+ and pH changes suggest that the Ca2+ influx response is not mediated by a Ca2+/H+ exchange. The inability of neomycin and low extracellular pH to inhibit the refilling of the hormone-sensitive pool of Ca2+, after the administration of Ca2+-mobilizing agents alone, provides evidence for the existence in liver of at least two Ca2+-influx pathways, or mechanisms for regulating Ca2+ influx.

Aminoglycoside-induced alterations of phosphoinositide metabolism

There exists a strong interaction between aminoglycosides and phosphoinositides, and these membrane lipids are even considered as the drug receptors. To shed some light on the role of such an interaction in the drug nephrotoxicity, we have investigated the influence of aminoglycosides on phosphoinositide metabolism in kidney proximal tubules where these compounds accumulate. Experiments were carried out by measuring 32P labelling of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI-P) and of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI-P2) after incubation of homogenates of isolated proximal tubules with [gamma-32P] ATP. The treatment of rabbits with neomycin, gentamicin and amikacin (50, 50 and 300 mg/kg/day, respectively for seven days) promoted a decrease in 32P-PI-P2 and an increase in 32P-PI-P, when compared to the respective values observed in tubules from untreated rabbits. Under these conditions, the extent of modifications in lipid labelling was similar with the three drugs tested. In in vitro experiments, the exogenous addition of the above aminoglycosides to the incubation medium containing tubule homogenates from untreated rabbits also produced, in a dose dependent manner, a decrease in 32P-PI-P2 and an increase in 32P-PI-P. In the in vitro experiments, however, amikacin and gentamicin appeared to be less potent than neomycin. The results indicated moreover that phosphoinositide metabolism was more sensitive to the in vivo (vs. in vitro) action of the drugs. Phosphoinositides are involved in Ca2+ transport and/or mobilization processes, and aminoglycosides are known to interfere with the Ca2+ binding to membranes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Neomycin inhibits inositol phosphate formation in human platelets stimulated by thrombin but not other agonists

Neomycin (0.1-1 mM) added to human platelet-rich plasma or washed platelets prelabeled with [3H]inositol inhibits aggregation, ATP secretion (ID50 0.2 mM) and formation of [3H]inositol mono-, bis- and trisphosphate (ID50 0.6-0.8 mM) in response to thrombin (0.25 U/ml). The production of inositol phosphates in response to other platelet agonists (vasopressin, platelet activating factor, prostaglandin endoperoxide analogs and collagen) is not inhibited by neomycin, even at a concentration of 2 mM. At this concentration neomycin reduces the secretion of ATP stimulated by these agents (by up to 50%). The results indicate that neomycin has multiple effects on platelets that are unrelated to a specific inhibition of inositol phospholipid degradation by phospholipase C. Low concentrations (0.1-1 mM) of neomycin might selectively inhibit the interaction of thrombin with the platelet surface, and high concentrations (greater than 2 mM) might unspecifically reduce platelet secretion in response to various platelet agonists.

A role for calcium in the breakdown of inositol phospholipids in intact and digitonin-permeabilized pancreatic islets

Glucose (20 mM) and 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate (10 mM) both caused a pronounced stimulation of insulin release and of [3H]inositol phosphate production in rat pancreatic islets prelabelled with myo-[3H]inositol. Secretory responses to these nutrients were markedly impaired by lowering the Ca2+ concentration of the incubation medium to 10(-4)M or less, whereas stimulated inositol phosphate production was sensitive to Ca2+ within the range 10(-6)-10(-4)M. Inositol phosphate formation in response to carbamoylcholine was also found to be dependent on the presence of 10(-5)M-Ca2+ or above. Raising the concentration of K+ in the medium resulted in a progressive, Ca2+-dependent stimulation of inositol phosphate production in islets, although no significant stimulation of insulin release was observed. In islets prelabelled with myo[3H]inositol, then permeabilized by exposure to digitonin, [3H]inositol phosphate production could be triggered by raising the Ca2+ concentration from 10(-7) to 10(-5)M. This effect was dependent on the concentration of ATP and the presence of Li+, and involved detectable increases in the levels of InsP3 and InsP2 as well as InsP. A potentiation of inositol phosphate production by carbamoylcholine was observed in permeabilized islets at lower Ca2+ concentrations, although nutrient stimuli were ineffective. No significant effects were observed with guanine nucleotides or with neomycin, although NADH produced a modest increase and adriamycin a small inhibition of inositol phosphate production in permeabilized islets. These results strongly suggest that Ca2+ ions play an important role in the stimulation of inositol lipid metabolism in islets in response to nutrient secretagogues, and that inositide breakdown may actually be triggered by Ca2+ entry into the islet cells.

Neomycin: a specific drug to study the inositol-phospholipid signalling system?

Neomycin, an antibiotic previously thought to interact specifically with inositol-containing phospholipids, was found to inhibit IP3-mediated Ca2+ release from the intracellular stores of permeabilized insulinoma and liver cells. This inhibition could be relieved by increasing the IP3 concentration. Radiolabelled IP3 was found to bind tightly to columns prepared from neomycin covalently attached to glass beads. ATP was also bound by these columns. It is concluded that neomycin acts in biological systems as a weak anion exchanger and is therefore unsuitable for use as a specific tool to study the role of inositol phospholipids in intracellular signalling.

Molecular mechanisms of drug-induced hearing loss

Although the ototoxic actions of a variety of drugs have long been documented, the biochemical mechanisms underlying such toxicity largely remain to be established. For example, recent advances have provided us with information about the actions of salicylates (aspirin) and diuretics (furosemide) but we are not yet able to specify the mechanisms by which these drugs damage the cochlea. On the other hand, the considerable amount of biochemical and pharmacological data on the effects of aminoglycosides (streptomycin, neomycin, gentamicin and related compounds) has enabled us to formulate a rational hypothesis of their mechanism of action. We have previously presented evidence for an involvement of polyphosphoinositides in the ototoxic actions of aminoglycosides. Recent electrophysiological and pharmacokinetic studies have shown in addition that aminoglycosides occupy at least two distinct compartments in the course of their actions. Further studies of drug uptake in vitro and of drug toxicity in cochlear perfusions suggested the involvement of an active (energy-requiring) aminoglycoside transport system. These and other data are compatible with the following multi-step model of aminoglycoside toxicity: The initial step in the reaction sequence is an electrostatic interaction of aminoglycosides with the plasma membrane. The resulting displacement of calcium accounts for acute effects but the action is reversible and antagonized by divalent cations. An energy-dependent uptake process is required for the expression of toxicity. It can be prevented by select metabolic blockers. A crucial step in subsequent intracellular drug actions is the binding of aminoglycosides to phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate inhibiting its hydrolysis and preventing its physiological function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Distribution of gentamicin by immunofluorescence in the guinea pig inner ear

We studied the distribution of gentamicin in the inner ear, brain and kidney of the guinea pig following intraperitoneal administration or perfusion of gentamicin through the perilymphatic space. The resulting histopathological changes were examined by immunofluorescence using antigentamicin antiserum. After perfusion of gentamicin through the perilymphatic space, specific fluorescence was found in the cochlea, and was especially prominent in the outer hair cells, basilar membrane and basilar crest. Although no fluorescence was observed in the cochlea following intraperitoneal administration of high doses of gentamicin, type I hair cells in the vestibule were seen to be selectively stained with the antibody. Furthermore, some of the vestibular ganglion cells, Purkinje cells and unidentified nuclei in the brain stem were also stained. In particular, fine granules showing relatively intense fluorescence were recognized in the cytoplasm of the stained cells. In the cortex of kidney, only proximal tubular cells were stained with intense fluorescence. Our results suggest that the aminoglycoside antibiotics have two sites of action: one is the cell membrane of the sensory hair cells and the other is the cytoplasm.

Phosphoinositides in mitogenesis: neomycin inhibits thrombin-stimulated phosphoinositide turnover and initiation of cell proliferation

Thrombin stimulates 32Pi incorporation into phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PIP), phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bis-phosphate (PIP2), and phosphatidylinositol (PI), and initiates DNA synthesis in hamster (NIL) fibroblasts at a half-maximal concentration of 125 ng/ml. Neomycin, which binds PIP2 and PIP, inhibits both thrombin-stimulated initiation of cell proliferation and 32P pI incorporation into at concentrations above 2 mM without affecting thrombin binding, thymidine uptake, or cellular protein synthesis. At lower concentrations, neomycin inhibits thrombin-stimulated release of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), by selectively binding PIP2, but does not inhibit 32P incorporation into PI or initiation of DNA synthesis. Phosphoinositide recycling and diacylglycerol release therefore appear necessary for initiation of cell proliferation by thrombin. IP3-stimulated Ca++ mobilization may not be required for thrombin mitogenesis, however, since neomycin can block IP3 release without inhibiting initiation.

Inhibition of polyphosphoinositide phosphodiesterase by aminoglycoside antibiotics

The calcium-activated phosphodiesteratic hydrolysis of 32P-labeled phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate in prelabeled nerve ending membranes is inhibited by the aminoglycosides neomycin and gentamicin, and to a lesser extent, by streptomycin. The inhibition is overcome by increasing concentrations of Ca2+, indicating that the aminoglycosides exert their effect by displacing Ca2+ from lipid.

Calcium-dependent polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis is associated with exocytosis in vitro

Micromolar calcium ions stimulate both exocytosis and polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis in sea urchin egg plasma membrane in vitro. Strontium and barium ions also stimulate both processes equally. Magnesium ions reduce the calcium sensitivity of both. Neomycin, a drug which prevents phosphoinositide hydrolysis, inhibits exocytosis in vitro. We suggest that hydrolysis of plasma membrane phosphoinositides may be an essential step in the fusion of the secretory granule and plasma membranes.

Clinical and pathophysiologic aspects of aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity

Aminoglycoside antibiotics continue to be a mainstay of therapy in the clinical management of gram negative infections, but a major factor in the clinical use of aminoglycosides is their nephrotoxicity. With gram negative organisms accounting for the majority of hospital acquired infections, the occurrence of aminoglycoside induced acute renal failure has become commonplace. Presently at least 10% of all cases of acute renal failure can be attributed to these antibiotics. This article will cover the renal handling of the aminoglycosides, the pathogenetic mechanisms of nephrotoxicity, and the clinical aspects of aminoglycoside induced acute renal failure with particular emphasis on recent data which have increased our understanding of the interaction of aminoglycosides with the renal tubular cell and the effects of this interaction on cellular function and integrity.