Arginine vasopressin (AVP) causes the reversible phosphorylation of the myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) protein in the ovine anterior pituitary: evidence that MARCKS phosphorylation is associated with adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion

The interplay of hypoxic and mental stress: Implications for anxiety and depressive disorders

Adequate oxygen supply is essential for the human brain to meet its high energy demands. Therefore, elaborate molecular and systemic mechanism are in place to enable adaptation to low oxygen availability. Anxiety and depressive disorders are characterized by alterations in brain oxygen metabolism and of its components, such as mitochondria or hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-pathways. Conversely, sensitivity and tolerance to hypoxia may depend on parameters of mental stress and the severity of anxiety and depressive disorders. Here we discuss relevant mechanisms of adaptations to hypoxia, as well as their involvement in mental stress and the etiopathogenesis of anxiety and depressive disorders. We suggest that mechanisms of adaptations to hypoxia (including metabolic responses, inflammation, and the activation of chemosensitive brain regions) modulate and are modulated by stress-related pathways and associated psychiatric diseases. While severe chronic hypoxia or dysfunctional hypoxia adaptations can contribute to the pathogenesis of anxiety and depressive disorders, harnessing controlled responses to hypoxia to increase cellular and psychological resilience emerges as a novel treatment strategy for these diseases.

Pathophysiological roles of myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS) in hematological malignancies

The myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS) protein has been at the crossroads of multiple signaling pathways that govern several critical operations in normal and malignant cellular physiology. Functioning as a target of protein kinase C, MARCKS shuttles between the phosphorylated cytosolic form and the unphosphorylated plasma membrane-bound states whilst regulating several molecular partners including, but not limited to calmodulin, actin, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate, and phosphoinositide-3-kinase. As a result of these interactions, MARCKS directly or indirectly modulates a host of cellular functions, primarily including cytoskeletal reorganization, membrane trafficking, cell secretion, inflammatory response, cell migration, and mitosis. Recent evidence indicates that dysregulated expression of MARCKS is associated with the development and progression of hematological cancers. While it is understood that MARCKS impacts the overall carcinogenesis as well as plays a part in determining the disease outcome in blood cancers, we are still at an early stage of interpreting the pathophysiological roles of MARCKS in neoplastic disease. The situation is further complicated by contradictory reports regarding the role of phosphorylated versus an unphosphorylated form of MARCKS as an oncogene versus tumor suppressor in blood cancers. In this review, we will investigate the current body of knowledge and evolving concepts of the physical properties, molecular network, functional attributes, and the likely pathogenic roles of MARCKS in hematological malignancies. Key emphasis will also be laid upon understanding the novel mechanisms by which MARCKS determines the overall disease prognosis by playing a vital role in the induction of therapeutic resistance. Additionally, we will highlight the importance of MARCKS as a valuable therapeutic target in blood cancers and will discuss the potential of existing strategies available to tackle MARCKS-driven blood cancers.

Arginine Vasopressin Modulates Ion and Acid/Base Balance by Regulating Cell Numbers of Sodium Chloride Cotransporter and H+-ATPase Rich Ionocytes

Arginine vasopressin (Avp) is a conserved pleiotropic hormone that is known to regulate both water reabsorption and ion balance; however, many of the mechanisms underlying its effects remain unclear. Here, we used zebrafish embryos to investigate how Avp modulates ion and acid–base homeostasis. After incubating embryos in double-deionized water for 24 h, avp mRNA expression levels were significantly upregulated. Knockdown of Avp protein expression by an antisense morpholino oligonucleotide (MO) reduced the expression of ionocyte-related genes and downregulated whole-body Cl⁻ content and H⁺ secretion, while Na⁺ and Ca²⁺ levels were not affected. Incubation of Avp antagonist SR49059 also downregulated the mRNA expression of sodium chloride cotransporter 2b (ncc2b), which is a transporter responsible for Cl⁻ uptake. Correspondingly, avp morphants showed lower NCC and H⁺-ATPase rich (HR) cell numbers, but Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase rich (NaR) cell numbers remained unchanged. avp MO also downregulated the numbers of foxi3a- and p63-expressing cells. Finally, the mRNA expression levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide (cgrp) and its receptor, calcitonin receptor-like 1 (crlr1), were downregulated in avp morphants, suggesting that Avp might affect Cgrp and Crlr1 for modulating Cl⁻ balance. Together, our results reveal a molecular/cellular pathway through which Avp regulates ion and acid–base balance, providing new insights into its function.

MARCKS and Lung Disease

MARCKS (myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate) is a prominent PKC substrate expressed in all eukaryotic cells. It is known to bind to and cross-link actin filaments, to serve as a bridge between Ca²⁺/calmodulin and PKC signaling, and to sequester the signaling molecule phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate in the plasma membrane. Since the mid-1980s, this evolutionarily conserved and ubiquitously expressed protein has been associated with regulating cellular events that require dynamic actin reorganization, including cellular adhesion, migration, and exocytosis. More recently, translational studies have implicated MARCKS in the pathophysiology of a number of airway diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, lung cancer, and acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome. This article summarizes the structure and cellular function of MARCKS (also including MARCKS family proteins and MARCKSL1 [MARCKS-like protein 1]). Evidence for MARCKS's role in several lung diseases is discussed, as are the technological innovations that took MARCKS-targeting strategies from theoretical to therapeutic. Descriptions and updates derived from ongoing clinical trials that are investigating inhalation of a MARCKS-targeting peptide as therapy for patients with chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, and ARDS are provided.

Gestational hypoxia modulates expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone and arginine vasopressin in the paraventricular nucleus in the ovine fetus

Maturation of the fetal hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis is critical for organ maturation necessary for the fetus to transition to the ex-utero environment. Intrauterine stressors can hasten maturation of the HPA axis leading to fetal growth restriction and in sheep, premature birth. We have previously reported that high-altitude mediated, long-term-moderate gestational hypoxia (LTH) during gestation has a significant impact on the fetal HPA axis. Significant effects were observed at the level of both the anterior pituitary and adrenal cortex resulting in elevated plasma ACTH during late gestation with decreased adrenocortical expression of enzymes rate limiting for cortisol synthesis. As such, these fetuses exhibited the normal ontogenic rise in fetal plasma cortisol but an exaggerated cortisol response to acute stress. This study extended these findings to ACTH secretagogue expression in the PVN using in situ hybridization. We report that the expression of AVP but not CRH was increased in the medial parvocellular PVN (mpPVN) in the LTH fetus. This represented an increase in both AVP mRNA per neuron as well as an increase in AVP hybridizing neurons with no increase in mpPVN CRH neurons. LTH had no effect on PVN volume, area of CRH or AVP hybridization, thus LTH did not have a trophic effect on the size of the nucleus. In conclusion, there appears to be a switch from CRH to AVP as a primary ACTH secretagogue in response to LTH, supporting our previous findings of increased anterior pituitary sensitivity to AVP over CRH in the LTH fetus.

Modulation of phosphoinositide-protein kinase C signal transduction by omega-3 fatty acids: implications for the pathophysiology and treatment of recurrent neuropsychiatric illness

The phosphoinositide (PI)-protein kinase C (PKC) signal transduction pathway is initiated by pre- and postsynaptic Galphaq-coupled receptors, and regulates several clinically relevant neurochemical events, including neurotransmitter release efficacy, monoamine receptor function and trafficking, monoamine transporter function and trafficking, axonal myelination, and gene expression. Mounting evidence for PI-PKC signaling hyperactivity in the peripheral (platelets) and central (premortem and postmortem brain) tissues of patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder, coupled with evidence that PI-PKC signal transduction is down-regulated in rat brain following chronic, but not acute, treatment with antipsychotic, mood-stabilizer, and antidepressant medications, suggest that PI-PKC hyperactivity is central to an underlying pathophysiology. Evidence that membrane omega-3 fatty acids act as endogenous antagonists of the PI-PKC signal transduction pathway, coupled with evidence that omega-3 fatty acid deficiency is observed in peripheral and central tissues of patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder, support the hypothesis that omega-3 fatty acid deficiency may contribute to elevated PI-PKC activity in these illnesses. The data reviewed in this paper outline a potential molecular mechanism by which omega-3 fatty acids could contribute to the pathophysiology and treatment of recurrent neuropsychiatric illness.

Development and therapeutic indications of orally-active non-peptide vasopressin receptor antagonists

Vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT) are cyclic nonapeptides whose actions are mediated by the stimulation of specific G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) currently classified into V(1)-vascular (V(1)R), V(2)-renal (V(2)R) and V(3)-pituitary (V(3)R) AVP receptors and OT receptors (OTR). The signal transduction pathways coupled to the different subtypes of AVP/OT receptors are reviewed. The recent cloning of the different members of the AVP/OT family of receptors now allows the extensive characterisation of the molecular determinants involved in agonist and antagonist binding, as well as signal transduction coupling. Potential therapeutic uses of AVP receptor antagonists include: the blockade of V(1)-vascular AVP receptors in arterial hypertension, congestive heart failure (CHF) and peripheral vascular diseases; the blockade of V(2)-renal AVP receptors in the syndrome of inappropriate vasopressin secretion, CHF, liver cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome and any state of excessive retention of free water and subsequent hyponatraemia; the blockade of V(3)-pituitary AVP receptors in adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)-secreting tumours. The pharmacological and clinical profile of orally-active non-peptide AVP receptor antagonists is reviewed.

Myristoylated Alanine-rich C Kinase Substrate-mediated Neurotensin Release via Protein Kinase C-δ Downstream of the Rho/ROK Pathway

Myristoylated alanine-rich protein kinase C substrate (MARCKS) is a cellular substrate for protein kinase C (PKC). Recently, we have shown that PKC isoforms-alpha and -delta, as well as the Rho/Rho kinase (ROK) pathway, play a role in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-mediated secretion of the gut peptide neurotensin (NT) in the BON human endocrine cell line. Here, we demonstrate that activation of MARCKS protein is important for PMA- and bombesin (BBS)-mediated NT secretion in BON cells. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) to MARCKS significantly inhibited, whereas overexpression of wild-type MARCKS significantly increased PMA-mediated NT secretion. Endogenous MARCKS and green fluorescent protein-tagged wild-type MARCKS were translocated from membrane to cytosol upon PMA treatment, further confirming MARCKS activation. MARCKS phosphorylation was inhibited by PKC-delta siRNA, ROKalpha siRNA, and C3 toxin (a Rho protein inhibitor), suggesting that the PKC-delta and the Rho/ROK pathways are necessary for MARCKS activation. The phosphorylation of PKC-delta was inhibited by C3 toxin, demonstrating that the role of MARCKS in NT secretion was regulated by PKC-delta downstream of the Rho/ROK pathway. BON cell clones stably transfected with the receptor for gastrin releasing peptide, a physiologic stimulant of NT, and treated with BBS, the amphibian equivalent of gastrin releasing peptide, demonstrated a similar MARCKS phosphorylation as noted with PMA. BBS-mediated NT secretion was attenuated by MARCKS siRNA. Collectively, these findings provide evidence for novel signaling pathways, including the sequential regulation of MARCKS activity by Rho/ROK and PKC-delta proteins, in stimulated gut peptide secretion.

Spatiotemporal interactions of myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) protein with the actin cytoskeleton and exocytosis of oxytocin upon prostaglandin F2alpha stimulation of bovine luteal cells

In the bovine corpus luteum (CL) phosphorylation of myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) protein in response to prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) is correlated with the secretion of oxytocin. The present study was conducted to 1) examine the intracellular translocation characteristics of wild-type and mutant forms of a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-conjugated MARCKS (MARCKS-GFP) after PGF2alpha treatment and 2) evaluate PGF2alpha-induced temporal changes in MARCKS-GFP and actin cortex associated with exocytosis of oxytocin. In experiment 1, cells of the bovine CL were cultured on coverslips overnight. Then, wild-type and mutant MARCKS-GFP constructs were transfected separately into cells and expression was detected through fluorescence microscopy. Forty-eight hours after transfection, cells were treated with vehicle, PGF2alpha (56 nM), or a phorbol ester (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate [TPA], 1 microM). Treatment of cells expressing wild-type MARCKS-GFP with PGF2alpha and TPA resulted in translocation of MARCKS from the plasma membrane to the cytoplasm within 2.5 min. Phosphorylation mutant MARCKS-GFP (m3) protein was localized on the plasma membrane, and treatments did not cause its translocation to the cytoplasm. Myristoylation mutant MARCKS-GFP (G2A) was observed solely in the cytoplasm, and no changes were detected in the intracellular location of this mutant MARCKS after treatment. In experiment 2, luteal cells were transfected with one of the three MARCKS-GFP constructs. Cells were then fixed and probed sequentially for oxytocin and filamentous actin. Results revealed that only wild-type MARCKS-GFP transfected large luteal cells contained advanced signs of exocytosis (peripheral movement of oxytocin vesicles; shorter actin filaments) with translocation of MARCKS-GFP from membrane to cytoplasm in response to PGF2alpha treatment. These data demonstrate that phosphorylation of membrane-bound MARCKS protein is requisite for exocytosis of oxytocin to occur in bovine large luteal cells.

Chronic carbamazepine treatment increases myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate phosphorylation in the rat cerebral cortex via down-regulation of calcineurin Aα

Carbamazepine (CBZ) is generally used as a mood-stabilizing drug for the treatment of bipolar disorders. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of CBZ actions in the brain, which account for this therapeutic profile. In the present study, we examined the effects of chronic CBZ treatment on the protein kinase C (PKC) pathway. Male Wistar rats received injections of CBZ once daily for 3-5 weeks. The protein levels of PKC isozymes, calcineurin Aalpha subunit (CaN-Aalpha) and myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS), and phosphorylation of MARCKS in the rat cerebral cortex were determined by immunoblot analysis. The content of CaN-Aalpha mRNA was determined by Northern blot analysis. Nomicr; significant changes were observed in PKC alpha, beta, gamma, delta and epsilon in the cytosol and membrane fractions after 5 weeks of CBZ treatment. There were no significant changes in the actin-binding PKCepsilon. Interestingly, phosphorylation of MARCKS was increased more than twofold, while no significant changes were observed in MARCKS protein level in the cytosol fraction. Furthermore, CaN-Aalpha was significantly decreased at both the protein and mRNA levels. The level of MARCKS phosphorylation is reportedly regulated by the balance between PKC-mediated phosphorylation and CaN-mediated dephosphorylation. Our results indicate that chronic CBZ treatment increases MARCKS phosphorylation via decreasing the content of CaN-Aalpha. Phosphorylation of MARCKS has been reported to play an important role in the release of neurotransmitters, such as noradrenaline and serotonin. Therefore, the increase in phosphorylation of MARCKS observed only after chronic CBZ treatment may be related to the mood-stabilizing effects of CBZ.

Pathways that control cortical F-actin dynamics during secretion

Chromaffin cells possess a mesh of filamentous actin underneath the plasma membrane which acts as a barrier to the chromaffin vesicles access to exocytotic sites. Disassembly of cortical F-actin in response to stimulation allows the movement of vesicles from the reserve pool to the release-ready vesicle pool and, therefore, to exocytotic sites. The dynamics of cortical F-actin is controlled by two mechanisms: a) stimulation-induced Ca2+ entry and scinderin activation and b) protein kinase C (PKC) activation and MARCKS phosphorylation as demonstrated here by experiments with recombinant proteins, antisense olygodeoxynucleotides and vector mediated transient expressions. Under physiological conditions (i.e., cholinergic receptor stimulation followed by Ca2+ entry), mechanism (a) is the most important for the control of cortical F-actin network whereas when Ca2+ is released from intracellular stores (i.e., histamine stimulation) cortical F-actin is regulated mainly by mechanism b.

Prostaglandin F2alpha-activated protein kinase Calpha phosphorylates myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate protein in bovine luteal cells

Prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha)-induced secretion of oxytocin by the bovine corpus luteum involves the phosphorylation of a unique protein kinase C (PKC) substrate, myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) protein. This study was conducted to determine the specific PKC isoform engaged in phosphorylation of MARCKS protein in bovine luteal cells. In experiment 1, dispersed luteal cells recovered from the corpus luteum on d 8 of the estrous cycle were preincubated with [32P] orthophosphate and then exposed to PGF2alpha alone or in combination with PKC inhibitors. Autoradiography and densitometry of Western blots revealed that MARCKS protein was phosphorylated by a conventional PKC (cPKC) isoform. Experiment 2 was conducted to identify the specific cPKC isoform that phosphorylates MARCKS protein in luteal cells. Corpora lutea were removed from control and PGF2alpha-treated heifers on d 8 of the cycle, and PKC isoforms associated with membrane and cytosolic fractions were determined. Treatment with PGF2alpha increased membrane concentrations of PKCalpha within 5 min after treatment (p < 0.005). Collectively, these data suggest that phosphorylation of MARCKS protein coinciding with oxytocin secretion is mediated by PKCalpha.

Chromaffin cell F-actin disassembly and potentiation of catecholamine release in response to protein kinase C activation by phorbol esters is mediated through myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate phosphorylation

The large majority of chromaffin vesicles are excluded from the plasma membrane by a cortical F-actin network. Treatment of chromaffin cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate produces disassembly of cortical F-actin, increasing the number of vesicles at release sites (Vitale, M. L., Seward, E. P., and Trifaró, J. M. (1995) Neuron 14, 353-363). Here, we provide evidence for involvement of myristoylated alanine-rich protein kinase C substrate (MARCKS), a protein kinase C substrate, in chromaffin cell secretion. MARCKS binds and cross-links F-actin, the latter is inhibited by protein kinase C-induced MARCKS phosphorylation. MARCKS was found in chromaffin cells by immunoblotting. MARCKS was also detected by immunoprecipitation. In intact or permeabilized cells MARCKS phosphorylation increased upon stimulation with 10(-7) m phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. This was accompanied by cortical F-actin disassembly and potentiation of secretion. MARCKS phosphorylation, cortical F-actin disassembly, and potentiation of Ca(2+)-evoked secretion were inhibited by a peptide (MARCKS phosphorylation site domain sequence (MPSD)) with amino acid sequence corresponding to MARCKS phosphorylation site. MPSD was phosphorylated in the process. A similar peptide (alanine-substituted phosphorylated site domain) with four serine residues of MPSD substituted by alanines was ineffective. These results provide the first evidence for MARCKS involvement in chromaffin cell secretion and suggest that regulation of cortical F-actin cross-linking might be involved in this process.

Microglial signaling by amyloid beta protein through mitogen-activated protein kinase mediating phosphorylation of MARCKS

Myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS), an acidic protein associated with cell motility and phagocytosis, is activated upon phosphorylation by protein kinase C (PKC) and proline-directed protein kinases. In Alzheimer disease (AD), activated microglia expressing MARCKS migrates around senile plaques. We reported that amyloid beta protein (A beta), a major component of senile plaques, activated MARCKS through a tyrosine kinase and PKC-delta. We have now identified another A beta signaling pathway through a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) involved in the phosphorylation of MARCKS and analysed cross-talk between PKC and MAPK pathways in primary cultured rat microglia. A selective inhibitor for MAPK kinase, PD098059, significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of MARCKS induced by A beta. Extracellulary regulated kinases, the activities of which were induced by A beta, directly phosphorylated a recombinant MARCKS in vitro. The MAPK pathway was sensitive to wortmannin, but not to a PKC inhibitor or to tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The activation of PKC by A beta was not sensitive to wortmannin. Our findings suggest involvement of the MAPK pathway through phosphoinositol 3-kinase in the phosphorylation of MARCKS in rat cultured microglia, an event may be associated with mechanisms activating microglia in AD.

The basic and clinical pharmacology of nonpeptide vasopressin receptor antagonists

The neurohypophysial hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a cyclic nonpeptide whose actions are mediated by the stimulation of specific G protein--coupled membrane receptors pharmacologically classified into V1-vascular (V1R), V2-renal (V2R) and V3-pituitary (V3R) AVP receptor subtypes. The random screening of chemical compounds and optimization of lead compounds recently resulted in the development of orally active nonpeptide AVP receptor antagonists. Potential therapeutic uses of AVP receptor antagonists include (a) the blockade of V1-vascular AVP receptors in arterial hypertension, congestive heart failure, and peripheral vascular disease; (b) the blockade of V2-renal AVP receptors in the syndrome of inappropriate vasopressin secretion, congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome and any state of excessive retention of free water and subsequent dilutional hyponatremia; (c) the blockade of V3-pituitary AVP receptors in adrenocorticotropin-secreting tumors. The pharmacological and clinical profile of orally active nonpeptide vasopressin receptor antagonists is reviewed here.

Phosphorylation of myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) protein is associated with bovine luteal oxytocin exocytosis

The ruminant corpus luteum, in addition to producing progesterone, synthesizes and secretes oxytocin (OT) during the estrous cycle. Secretion of oxytocin occurs by exocytosis of membrane-encapsulated granules of this hormone. Exocytosis of oxytocin involves transport of granules through a cytoskeletal matrix including an actin cortex closely associated with the plasma membrane (PM). Actin filaments crosslinked by various proteins give rise to the structural integrity of the cortex. Myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS), a protein specifically phosphorylated by protein kinase C (PKC), crosslinks actin filaments and anchors the actin network to the inner leaflet of the PM. There is evidence that the intact actin cortex may serve as a barrier, precluding fusion of transport vesicles with the PM. In some secretory cells, phosphorylation of MARCKS has resulted in its translocation from the PM to the cytoplasm with an associated disassembly of the actin cortex. Prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) stimulation of the bovine corpus luteum during the midluteal phase of the estrous cycle activates PKC, which is associated with an increase in OT secretion in vivo and in vitro. Data are presented demonstrating that stimulation of bovine luteal cells with PGF(2alpha) on Day 8 of the cycle promotes rapid phosphorylation of MARCKS protein and causes its translocation from the PM to the cytoplasm and concomitant, enhanced exocytosis of OT. These data are consistent with the premise that MARCKS plays a role in the exocytotic process.

Platelet secretion induced by phorbol esters stimulation is mediated through phosphorylation of MARCKS: a MARCKS-derived peptide blocks MARCKS phosphorylation and serotonin release without affecting pleckstrin phosphorylation*

Previous experiments suggest that actin disassembly, perhaps at a specific site, is required for platelet secretion. Platelet stimulation by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) induced pleckstrin phosphorylation, platelet aggregation, and secretion. Inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) is accompanied by inhibition of pleckstrin phosphorylation and serotonin secretion. Here, we demonstrate the presence of myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS), another PKC substrate, in platelets and its phosphorylation during PMA stimulation. MARCKS is known to bind actin and to cross-link actin filaments; the latter is inhibited by PKC-induced MARCKS phosphorylation. MARCKS phosphorylation and serotonin release from permeabilized platelets have the same time course and were blocked by a peptide (MPSD) with the amino acid sequence corresponding to the phosphorylation site domain of MARCKS. Pleckstrin and myosin light chain phosphorylation was not modified. A peptide (Ala-MPSD) in which the four serine residues of MPSD were substituted by alanines was ineffective. These results provide the first evidence that MARCKS may play a role in platelet secretion. Moreover, pleckstrin phosphorylation has a different time course than that of MARCKS or serotonin release and was not modified when MARCKS phosphorylation and serotonin release were inhibited, suggesting that pleckstrin is either not directly involved in secretion or that it might only be involved upstream in the cascade of events leading to exocytosis.

Signal transduction pathways of the human V1-vascular, V2-renal, V3-pituitary vasopressin and oxytocin receptors

Vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) are cyclic nonapeptides whose actions are mediated by stimulation of specific G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) currently classified into V1-vascular (V1R), V2-renal (V2R) and V3-pituitary (V3R) VP receptors and OT receptors (OTR). The recent cloning of the different members of the VP/OT family of receptors now allows the extensive characterization of the molecular determinants involved in ligand binding and signal transduction pathways coupled to a given VP/OT receptor subtype in stably transfected mammalian cell lines. In this article, we review the present knowledge of the signal transduction pathways coupled to the different VP/OT receptor subtypes and we present new observations derived from the study of each human VP or OT receptor subtype stably expressed in CHO cells.

Leukemia inhibitory factor as an intrapituitary mediator of ACTH secretion

In the normal anterior pituitary, intercellular interactions are important for the expression of hormones including adrenocorticotropin (ACTH). Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is secreted by anterior pituitary cells and stimulates both basal and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-stimulated ACTH secretion in AtT20 cells. To determine the effects of LIF on normal pituitary cells, we measured the effects of LIF and an immunoneutralizing antiserum against LIF on ACTH secretion by cultured sheep anterior pituitary cells. In intact populations of anterior pituitary cells, LIF (10 nM) stimulated ACTH secretion (from 0.30 +/- 0.06 to 0.77 +/- 0.01 ng/well per 3 h) and antiserum to LIF (by itself) had no effect (0.29 +/- 0.05 ng/well per 3 h). In marked contrast, following pharmacological elimination of CRH-target cells, a condition known to disinhibit ACTH secretion, basal ACTH secretion was elevated (0.74 +/- 0.13 ng/well per 3 h); LIF produced no further stimulation (0.73 +/- 0.22 ng/well per 3 h) but immunoneutralization of LIF significantly reduced secretion to 0.50 +/- 0.10 ng/well per 3 h. Medium, conditioned by exposure to CRH-target-depleted cultures of anterior pituitary cells, increased net ACTH secretion (from 0.29 +/- 0.03 to 6.54 +/- 0.71 ng/well per 3 h), when added as a challenge to naive, cultured anterior pituitary cells. Inclusion of antiserum to LIF significantly attenuated (5.29 +/- 0.62 ng/well per 3 h) this response. The presence in and secretion of LIF by normal individual pituitary cells was detected using immunocytochemical methods. Seven to 8% of all cells stained positively for LIF, with 66 +/- 11% of those secreting detectable amounts of LIF under unstimulated conditions. LIF colocalized with TSH and LH in pituitary cells. Taken together, these data suggest that LIF can stimulate ACTH secretion by normal anterior pituitary cells, and potentially plays a role as an intrapituitary stimulator of ACTH secretion under certain conditions.

The regulation of neurotransmitter secretion by protein kinase C

The effect of protein kinase C (PKC) on the release of neurotransmitters from a number preparations, including sympathetic nerve endings, brain slices, synaptosomes, and neuronally derived cell lines, is considered. A comparison is drawn between effects of activation of PKC on neurotransmitter release from small synaptic vesicles and large dense-cored vesicles. The enhancement of neurotransmitter release is discussed in relation to the effect of PKC on: 1. Rearrangement of the F-actin-based cytoskeleton, including the possible role of MARCKS in this process, to allow access of large dense-cored vesicles to release sites on the plasma membrane. 2. Phosphorylation of key components in the SNAP/SNARE complex associated with the docking and fusion of vesicles at site of secretion. 3. Ion channel activity, particularly Ca2+ channels.

Hydrogen peroxide-induced cytoskeletal rearrangement in cultured pulmonary endothelial cells

Although the signaling pathways leading to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced endothelial monolayer permeability remain ambiguous, cytoskeletal proteins are known to be essential for maintaining endothelial integrity and regulating solute flux through the monolayer. We have recently demonstrated that thrombin-induced actin reorganization in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC) requires activation of both myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) and protein kinase C (PKC). Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the effects of H2O2 on actin reorganization in BPAEC. H2O2 initiated sustained recruitment of actin to the cytoskeleton and transient myosin recruitment in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The H2O2-induced actin recruitment was significantly inhibited by the calmodulin antagonists, W7 and TFP, but not by the MLCK inhibitor, KT5926, nor the PKC inhibitors, H7 and calphostin C. H2O2 also caused actin filament rearrangement in BPAEC with disruption of the dense peripheral bands and formation of stress fibers. These alterations occurred prior to actin translocation to the cytoskeleton and are prevented by inhibition of either MLCK or PKC. High concentrations of H2O2 transiently attenuated PKC activity but slightly increased the phosphorylation of the prominent PKC substrate and actin-binding protein, myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS), by 5 min. However, MARCKS phosphorylation was reduced to below basal levels by 30 min. On the other hand, H2O2 induced a time- and dose-dependent phosphorylation of myosin light chains which was eliminated by both MLCK and PKC inhibitors. These data suggest that MLCK contributes to H2O2-induced myosin light chain phosphorylation and actin rearrangement and that PKC may play a permissive role. Neither of these enzymes appears to be involved in the H2O2-induced recruitment of actin to the cytoskeleton.

Aspirin inhibits vasopressin-induced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity in normal humans

PGs influence ACTH secretion. However, their specific role in modulating the activity of the human hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis remains unclear. Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) inhibits the synthesis of PGs from arachidonic acid by blocking the cyclooxygenase pathway. In this study we administered a single, clinically relevant dose of aspirin before HPA axis stimulation by a bolus dose of iv arginine vasopressin (AVP) to seven normal males using a randomized, placebo-controlled, single blinded design. Aspirin significantly reduced the cortisol response to AVP [mean peak increase from basal, 221.1 +/- 20.1 vs. 165.4 +/- 22.5 nmol/L (P = 0.0456); mean integrated response, 11,199.3 +/- 1,560.0 vs. 6,162.3 +/- 1,398.6 nmol.min/L (P = 0.0116) for placebo aspirin/AVP and aspirin/ AVP, respectively]. The ACTH response was reduced, but did not reach statistical significance [mean peak increase from basal, 7.5 +/- 2.2 vs. 4.3 +/- 0.3 pmol/L (P = 0.0563); mean integrated response, 142.6 +/- 36.0 vs. 96.2 +/- 8.7 pmol.min/L (P = 0.12) for placebo aspirin/ AVP and aspirin/AVP, respectively]. PGs may influence ACTH secretion by being stimulatory or inhibitory to the HPA axis at different levels, such as hypothalamic or pituitary. Which effect predominates in vivo during dynamic activation of the axis may depend on the level at which the secretory stimulus acts. We showed that when normal male volunteers were treated with the PG synthesis inhibitor, aspirin, they had a blunted HPA axis response to the pituitary corticotroph stimulator, AVP.

Thrombin-induced phosphorylation of the myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) protein in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells

Myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrates (MARCKS) is a prominent protein kinase C (PKC) substrate that is targeted to the plasma membrane by an aminoterminal myristoyl group. In its nonphosphorylated form, MARCKS cross-links Factin and binds calmodulin (CaM) reciprocally. However, upon phosphorylation by PKC, MARCKS release the actin or CaM MARCKS may therefore act as a CaM sink in resting cells and regulate CaM availability during cell activation. We have demonstrated previously that thrombin-induced myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation and increased monolayer permeability in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC) require both PKC-and CaM-dependent pathways. We therefore decided to investigate the phosphorylation of MARCKS in BPAEC to ascertain whether this occurs in a temporally relevant manner to participate in the thrombin-induced events. MARCKS is phosphorylated in response to thrombin with a time course similar to that seen with MLC. As expected, MARCKS is also phosphorylated by phorbol 12-myristate 13 acetate (PMA), a PKC activator, but with a slower onset and more prolonged duration. Bradykinin also enhances MARCKS phosphorylation in BPAEC, but histamine does not. MARCKS is distributed evently between the membrane and cytosol in BPAEC, and neither thrombin nor PMA caused significant translocation of the protein. Specific PKC inhibitors attenuated MARCKS phosphorylation by either thrombin or PMA. Since thrombin-induced MLC phosphorylation is also attenuated by these inhibitors, MARCKS may be involved in MLC kinase activation and subsequent BPAEC contraction. W7, a CaM antagonist, enhances the phosphorylation of MARCKS. This was expected since CaM binding to MARCKS has been shown to decrease MARCKS phosphorylation by PKC. On the other hand, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, genistein and tyrphostin, attenuate MARCKS phosphorylation but have no effect on MLC phosphorylation, suggesting that MARCKS may be phosphorylated by kinases other than PKC. Phosphorylation of MARCKS outside the PKC phosphorylation domain would not be expected to induce the release of CaM. These data provide support for the hypothesis that MARCKS may serve as a regulator of CaM availability in BPAEC.

Wortmannin inhibits the activation of MAP kinase following vasopressin V1 receptor stimulation

Treatment of rat 3Y1 fibroblasts with vasopressin (AVP) results in a transient activation of MAP kinase as potent as with EGF and serum. An antagonist of vasopressin receptor V1, but not an antagonist of V2, inhibited the AVP-induced activation of MAP kinases, indicating that AVP activates MAP kinases through V1 receptor. Prolonged TPA treatment of cells resulted in partial MAP kinase activation, indicating the presence of PKC-independent pathway. The pathway was inhibited by wortmannin, an inhibitor of PI3-kinase. The results suggest that wortmannin-sensitive molecules such as PI3-kinase, are involved in the V1 receptor-mediated activation of the MAP kinase pathway independent of TPA-sensitive PKC.