Inositol lipids and cell proliferation

The Effects of Inositol Metabolism in Pregnant Women on Offspring in the North and South of China

Background

Inositol is an essential nutrient for cell growth, survival and embryonic development. Myo-inositol is the predominant form in natural. To investigate the correlation between inositol metabolism and embryonic development, we assessed the metabolic characteristics of myo-inositol, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P₂) and phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PI(3,4,5)P₃) of pregnant women in the North China (Yangquan and Weihai) and South China (Nanchang and Haikou) China.

Material/Methods

All data were collected by face-to-face interview during pregnant women health visits using a questionnaire. Plasma levels of myo-inositol, PI(4,5)P₂ and PI(3,4,5)P₃ from 89 randomly collected pregnant women were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

A total of 400 pregnant women were included in this survey. The plasma levels of myo-inositol and PI(4,5)P₂ in the North China group of pregnant women were significantly higher than that in the South China group (P<0.01). The birth weight of fetuses in the North China group was heavier than that in the South China group (P<0.01). The birth length of fetuses in Yangquan was the longest among the 4 cities (P<0.01). The incidence rate of birth defects was 3.05% in the North China group, and 0.0% in the South China group. In bivariate linear correlation analysis, the body weight correlated with myo-inositol (r=0.5044, P<0.0001), PI(4,5)P₂ (r=0.5950, P<0.0001) and PI(3,4,5)P₃ (r=0.4710, P<0.0001), the body length was correlated with PI(4,5)P₂ (r=0.3114, P=0.0035) and PI(3,4,5)P₃ (r=0.2638, P<0.0130).

Conclusions

The plasma levels of myo-inositol and PI(4,5)P₂ in pregnant women had significant difference between the North and the South of China, which might be correlated with fetal development and birth defects.

Characterization and classification of rat neural stem cells and differentiated cells by comparative metabolic and lipidomic profiling

It is necessary to characterize and classify neural stem cells (NSCs) and differentiated cells (DCs) for potential use of NSC to treat neurodegenerative diseases. We therefore performed an analysis of NSCs and DCs using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and direct infusion mass spectrometry (DI-MS) with elaborate multivariate statistical analysis for the characterization and classification of rat NSCs and DCs. GC-MS and DI-MS detected a total of 92 metabolites and lipids in NSCs and DCs, and the levels of 72 of them differed significantly between NSCs and DCs. The optimal model for partial least squares (PLS) discriminant analysis was constructed by applying 3 and 2 PLS components with a unit-variance scaling method for classifying NSCs and DCs based on the data obtained in the GC-MS and DI-MS analyses, respectively. The obtained results from PCA and PLS-DA suggest that creatinine, lactic acid, lysine, glutamine, glycine, pyroglutamic acid, PG 18:1/20:2, PS 18:0/20:2, PI 18:0/20:3, PC 16:0/20:4, PI 16:0/20:4, and PI 18:1/20:4 were the main contributors that provided distinct characteristics of NSCs and DCs. The results of this study suggest objective and complementary criteria for the characterization and classification of NSCs and DCs for potential clinical applications. Graphical abstract.

Lifestyle and fertility: the influence of stress and quality of life on male fertility

BACKGROUND

Male infertility is a widespread condition among couples. In about 50% of cases, couple infertility is attributable to the male partner, mainly due to a failure in spermatogenesis. In recent times, the crucial role that modifiable lifestyle factors play in the development of infertility have generated a growing interest in this field of study, i.e. aging, psychological stress, nutrition, physical activity, caffeine, high scrotal temperature, hot water, mobile telephone use. Several studies have investigated associations between semen quality and the presence of lifestyle stressors i.e. occupational, life events (war, earthquake, etc.) or couple infertility; overall, these studies provide evidence that semen quality is impaired by psychological stress. In this review, we will discuss the impact of quality of life (modifiable lifestyle factors) and psychological stress on male fertility. In addition, the role that increased scrotal temperature along with inappropriate nutritional and physical exercise attitudes exert on male fertility will be presented.

CONCLUSION

The decline of male fertility, particularly associated with advancing age, incorrect lifestyles and environmental factors plays an important role on natality, and its consequences on the future on human population makes this an important public health issue in this century. Thus, modification of lifestyle through a structured program of educational, environmental, nutritional/physical exercise and psychological support, combined with the use of nutraceutical antioxidants can prevent infertility and therefore, may help couples to obtain better quality of life and improved possibility to conceive spontaneously or optimize their chances of conception.

Improving fertilization rate in ICSI cycles by adding myoinositol to the semen preparation procedures: a prospective, bicentric, randomized trial on sibling oocytes

PURPOSE

To evaluate whether the in vitro incubation of spermatozoa with myoinositol may improve the fertilization rate in ICSI cycles.

METHODS

This is a prospective, bicentric, randomized study on 500 MII sibling oocytes injected in 78 ICSI cycles performed between March and October 2013. Randomization of the oocytes into two groups was performed at the time of the denudation. Fertilization rates (per oocyte injected with spermatozoa treated with myoinositol versus per oocyte injected with spermatozoa treated with placebo) were measured as primary outcome and embryo morphology as secondary outcome. Clinical outcomes were also documented.

RESULT (S)

Fertilization rate (78.9 ± 28.6% vs 63.2 ± 36.7, P = 0.002) and percentage of grade A embryos on day 3 (59.8 ± 35.6% vs 43.5 ± 41.5, P = 0.019) were significantly higher when spermatozoa were treated in vitro with myoinositol versus placebo. No differences were found for the expanded blastocyst formation rate.

CONCLUSION (S)

In vitro treatment of spermatozoa with myoinositol may optimize ICSI outcomes by improving the fertilization rate and embryo quality on day 3. The improvement of the number and the quality of embryos available in an ICSI cycle may have clinical utility if these findings can be confirmed.

Pretreatment with myo-inositol in non polycystic ovary syndrome patients undergoing multiple follicular stimulation for IVF: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Aim of this pilot study is to examine the effects of myo-inositol administration on ovarian response and oocytes and embryos quality in non PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) patients undergoing multiple follicular stimulation and in vitro insemination by conventional in vitro fertilization or by intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

METHODS

One hundred non-PCOS women aged <40 years and with basal FSH <10 mUI/ml were down-regulated with triptorelin acetate from the mid-luteal phase for 2 weeks, before starting the stimulation protocol for oocytes recovery. All patients received rFSH, at a starting dose of 150 IU for 6 days. The dose was subsequently adjusted according to individual response. Group B (n=50) received myo-inositol and folic acid for 3 months before the stimulation period and then during the stimulation itself. Group A (n-50) received only folic acid as additional treatment in the 3 months before and through treatment.

RESULTS

Total length of the stimulation was similar between the two groups. Nevertheless, total amount of gonadotropins used to reach follicular maturation was found significantly lower in group B. In addition, the number of oocytes retrieved was significantly reduced in the group pretreated with myo-inositol. Clinical pregnancy and implantation rate were not significantly different in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the addition of myo-inositol to folic acid in non PCOS-patients undergoing multiple follicular stimulation for in-vitro fertilization may reduce the numbers of mature oocytes and the dosage of rFSH whilst maintaining clinical pregnancy rate. Further, a trend in favor of increased incidence of implantation in the group pretreated with myo-inositol was apparent in this study. Further investigations are warranted to clarify this pharmacological approach, and the benefit it may hold for patients.

Imaging of desmoplastic infantile ganglioglioma: a spectroscopic viewpoint

PURPOSE

Desmoplastic infantile gangliogliomas (DIG) are rare benign intracranial neoplasms of early childhood with involvement of superficial cerebral cortex and leptomeninges. The purpose of the study was to determine the alterations in metabolite ratios occurring in the neoplasm and combine with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features to narrow down the diagnosis.

METHODS

MR imaging sequences include T1- and T2-weighted sequences, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequences, and post-gadolinium-contrast T1-weighted imaging. Single-voxel short TE (1)H MR spectroscopy was used to study the changes in metabolite ratios in the tumor.

RESULTS

Comparison of metabolite ratios between normal brain tissue and tumor-affected region showed lower N-acetyl aspartate to creatine (Cr; 1.58 vs.1.28), higher choline to Cr (0.82 vs.2.03), and no significant change in myo-inositol to Cr (0.42 vs.0.39).

CONCLUSION

MR spectroscopy and imaging provide valuable information in the diagnosis of DIG.

In vitro effects of environmentally relevant polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners on calcium buffering mechanisms in rat brain

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widely used as additive flame-retardants and have been detected in human blood, adipose tissue, and breast milk. Developmental and long-term exposures to these chemicals may pose a human health risk, especially to children. We have previously demonstrated that polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are structurally similar to PBDEs and cause neurotoxicity, perturb intracellular signaling events including calcium homeostasis and protein kinase C translocation, which are critical for neuronal function and development of the nervous system. The objective of the present study was to test whether environmentally relevant PBDE congeners 47 and 99 are also capable of disrupting Ca(2+) homeostasis. Calcium buffering was determined by measuring (45)Ca(2+)-uptake by microsomes and mitochondria, isolated from adult male rat brain (frontal cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus, and hypothalamus). Results show that PBDEs 47 and 99 inhibit both microsomal and mitochondrial (45)Ca(2+)-uptake in a concentration-dependent manner. The effect of these congeners on (45)Ca(2+)-uptake is similar in all four brain regions though the hypothalamus seems to be slightly more sensitive. Among the two preparations, the congeners inhibited (45)Ca(2+)-uptake in mitochondria to a greater extent than in microsomes. These results indicate that PBDE 47 and PBDE 99 congeners perturb calcium signaling in rat brain in a manner similar to PCB congeners, suggesting a common mode of action of these persistent organic pollutants.

K-RAS mutation in transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder

In the present study it was aimed to investigate the frequency of K-RAS mutation in the human bladder transitional cell carcinoma. For this purpose, tissue specimens obtained from the patients with bladder tumors. Genomic DNAs were isolated and then PCR-SSCP analysis of K-RAS gene were performed. A heterozygous deleted mutation was detected in K-RAS oncogene (exon 2) in agarose gel electrophoresis in one patient and point or substitution mutations are detected using single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) in other different patients with bladder cancer (4/14). In conclusion, the frequency of K-RAS mutation is not rare and the role of this mutation in oncogenesis and in infiltration of the urinary bladder wall needs to be confirmed in a larger study.

K-RAS mutation in transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder

In the present study it was aimed to investigate the frequency of K-RAS mutation in the human bladder transitional cell carcinoma. For this purpose, tissue specimens obtained from the patients with bladder tumors. Genomic DNAs were isolated and then PCR-SSCP analysis of K-RAS gene were performed. A heterozygous deleted mutation was detected in K-RAS oncogene (exon 2) in agarose gel electrophoresis in one patient and point or substitution mutations are detected using single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) in other different patients with bladder cancer (4/14). In conclusion, the frequency of K-RAS mutation is not rare and the role of this mutation in oncogenesis and in infiltration of the urinary bladder wall needs to be confirmed in a larger study.

Follicular fluid and serum concentrations of myo-inositol in patients undergoing IVF: relationship with oocyte quality

BACKGROUND

The follicular microenvironment is an important determinant of oocyte development. The aim of this study was to examine whether the myo-inositol (MI) content in human follicular fluid (FF) was associated with better oocyte quality.

METHODS

A total of 53 patients treated with IVF was recruited to a prospective observational study. FF and serum samples collected were divided into two groups: group A consisted of FF associated with matured and fertilized oocytes, whilst group B was from follicles with immature and unfertilized oocytes.

RESULTS

Patient's age, total ampoules of HMG used, days of stimulation, basal levels of FSH, estradiol (E(2)) levels on the day of HCG, and serum MI content were not significantly different between the two groups. FF volume and its MI content were significantly higher in group A compared with group B (P < 0.05). The levels of MI in FF were positively correlated with the amount of E(2) in their corresponding FF samples and also correlated with embryo quality.

CONCLUSIONS

We propose that higher concentrations of MI and E(2) in human FF appear to play a role in follicular maturity and provide a marker of good quality oocytes.

Ceramides in phospholipid membranes: effects on bilayer stability and transition to nonlamellar phases

The effects of ceramides of natural origin on the gel-fluid and lamellar-inverted hexagonal phase transitions of phospholipids (mainly dielaidoylphosphatidylethanolamine) have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry, with additional support from infrared and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. In the lamellar phase, ceramides do not mix ideally with phospholipids, giving rise to the coexistence of domains that undergo the gel-fluid transition at different temperatures. The combination of differential scanning calorimetry and infrared spectroscopy, together with the use of deuterated lipids, allows the demonstration of independent melting temperatures for phospholipid and ceramide in the mixtures. In the lamellar-hexagonal phase transitions, ceramides (up to 15 mol %) decrease the transition temperature, without significantly modifying the transition enthalpy, thus facilitating the inverted hexagonal phase formation. 31P-NMR indicates the coexistence, within a certain range of temperatures, of lamellar and hexagonal phases, or hexagonal phase precursors. Ceramides from egg or from bovine brain are very similar in their effects on the lamellar-hexagonal transition. They are also comparable to diacylglycerides in this respect, although ceramides are less potent. These results are relevant in the interpretation of certain forms of interfacial enzyme activation and in the regulation and dynamics of the bilayer structure of cell membranes.

Two new sphingomyelin analogues inhibit phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis by decreasing membrane-bound CTP: phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase levels in HaCaT cells

The effects of two newly synthesized sphingomyelin analogues on phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis were investigated in the immortalized human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. N-Acetyl-erythro-sphingosine-1-phosphocholine (AcSM) and N-octanoyl-erythro-sphingosine-1-phosphocholine (OcSM) inhibited the incorporation of choline into phosphatidylcholine with half-inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 6 micrograms/ml and 10 micrograms/ml respectively. Further experiments revealed that AcSM and OcSM interfered with the translocation of the rate-limiting enzyme of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis, CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (EC 2.7.7.15), in HaCaT cells and inhibited cytidylyltransferase activity in vitro. Despite the fact that OcSM was a potent inhibitor of cytidylyltransferase in vitro, its effects on phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis and translocation of cytidylyltransferase in HaCaT cells were less pronounced as compared with AcSM. Finally, we showed that the comparatively strong effects of AcSM in cell culture experiments were due to the uptake of large amounts of this sphingomyelin analogue into the cells. The results presented demonstrate that the activity of cytidylyltransferase may be negatively regulated by a high ratio of choline head group-containing sphingolipids.

Inactive membrane protein kinase Cs: a possible target for receptor signalling

The activation of the multifunctional cell signalling enzymes, the protein kinase Cs (PKCs), is generally thought to result from the translocation of inactive cytosolic enzymes to activation sites in cell membranes. However, recent studies suggest that PKCs may also be stimulated in cells by processes independent of translocation. One possible mechanism is the modulation of the activity of PKCs already resident in membranes. A PKC assay that measures enzyme activity directly in isolated native membranes has revealed the presence of an activatable pool of PKCs resident in native membranes of various cells and tissues. In 3T3-L1 cells, some or all of this pool of membrane PKCs was stimulated within 10 min of exposing the cells to 10 ng/ml epidermal growth factor or 100 ng/ml fibroblast growth factor. Similar increases in PKC activity were observed in native membranes isolated from CTLL-2, WEHI-231 and S49 lymphoma cells that had been exposed to interleukin-2. These growth factors all stimulated membrane PKC activity without detectably translocating cytosolic enzymes to the membranes. In intact WEHI cells, low concentrations (5-10 microM) of a diacylglycerol, 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG), or low concentrations (2-10 nM) of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate sufficed to activate PKCs already resident in membranes, but much higher concentrations (50-100 microM and 50-100 nM respectively) were needed to detectably stimulate the translocation of cytosolic PKCs. A phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C also selectively stimulated membrane PKCs in WEHI cells at concentrations that were much less than those needed to induce the translocation of cytosolic enzymes. Furthermore, interleukin-2 and low concentrations of OAG both stimulated the phosphorylation of the 85 kDa PKC-selective substrate protein in intact WEHI cells in which translocation of PKCs was not evident. These results suggest that the membranes of some cells maintain a pool of activatable PKCs that respond to lower levels of extracellular stimuli than cytosolic PKCs, and that can be stimulated by signals which produce diacylglycerols through the hydrolysis of phospholipids other than polyphosphoinositides.

Epidermal growth factor, phorbol esters, and aurintricarboxylic acid are survival factors for MDA-231 cells exposed to adriamycin

The ability of epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), and aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) to protect the human breast cancer cell line MDA-231 from death induced by the anticancer drug adriamycin was investigated. Cell death was induced in the MDA-231 cells either by a short-time exposure to a high dose of adriamycin (2 micrograms.ml-1.1h-1) and further culturing in the absence of the drug, or by continuous exposure to a low dose of adriamycin (0.3 micrograms/ml). Cell death was evaluated after 48 h of incubation by several techniques (trypan blue dye exclusion, lactic dehydrogenase activity, cellular ATP content, transmission electron microscopy, and DNA fragmentation). EGF, TPA, and ATA, each at an optimal concentration of 20 ng/ml, 5 ng/ml, and 100 micrograms/ml respectively, substantially enhanced survival of cells exposed either to a high or low dose of adriamycin. Neither IGF-1 nor insulin, each at concentrations of 20 ng/ml, had an effect on cell survival. The three survival factors enhanced protein synthesis in the untreated cells and attenuated the continuous decrease in protein synthesis in the adriamycin-treated cells. Moreover, the three survival factors protected the MDA-231 cells from death in the absence of protein synthesis (cycloheximide 30 micrograms/ml). These results suggest that EGF, TPA, and ATA promote survival of adriamycin pretreated cells by at least two mechanisms: enhancement of protein synthesis and by a protein synthesis independent process, probably a posttranslational modification effect.

Epidermal growth factor stimulates distinct diradylglycerol species generation in Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts: evidence for a potential phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C-catalysed pathway

Stimulation of 3T3 fibroblasts with epidermal growth factor (EGF) results in an increase in 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) mass which is maximal at 25 s, declining at 1 min and returning to basal levels by 30 min. No changes in alkylacylglycerol or alkenylacylglycerol were detected. Three species account for most of this mass increase: 18:0/20:5,n-3, 18:0/20:4,n-6 and 18:0/20:3,n-9. These species are characteristic of the phosphoinositides; however, previous work failed to detect any EGF-stimulated rise in inositol phosphates in these cells [Cook and Wakelam (1992) Biochem. J. 285, 247-253]. This ruled out phosphoinositide hydrolysis by phospholipase C, but raised the possibility of phospholipase D/phosphatidate phosphohydrolase-catalysed hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol. The inclusion of butanol in the incubation medium failed to block the diacylglycerol changes, indicating that the phospholipase D pathway is not involved and that DAG must be derived from another source, probably via phospholipase C-catalysed hydrolysis of a phosphatidylcholine pool that is particularly rich in these species. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor ST-271 almost abolished the elevation in 18:0/20:5,n-3, 18:0/20:4, n-6 and 18:0/20:3,n-9 at 25 s, but only reduced the rise in total DAG mass by about 50%. The protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor Ro-31-8220 increased DAG levels at all time points but had no effect on the species profiles. This provides additional evidence for PKC-mediated regulation of cell-surface EGF receptors, since the inhibition of PKC would increase the availability and/or ligand binding affinity of receptors at the plasma membrane and hence increase and prolong the response to EGF.

Effects of fluorinated inositols on the proliferation of Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts

The six monodeoxyfluoro-myo-inositols (nFIns) have previously been synthesized as potential inhibitors of signalling pathways mediated by phosphoinositides and their derivatives. Each of the six nFIns isomers was introduced into Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts by the techniques of microinjection or scrape loading at intracellular concentrations of approx. 2-4 mM. Of the six nFIns analogues, only 3FIns and 5FIns inhibited the serum-stimulated proliferation of 3T3 fibroblasts assayed by cell counting. Proliferation was inhibited to a similar extent by 3FIns or 5FIns, irrespective of which technique was used to introduce the nFIns analogues into the cells. Proliferation of cells 35 h after serum stimulation (i.e. when the first cell cycle was completed in control cells) was inhibited by approx. 50% by both 3FIns and 5FIns, and entry into S phase in the first cell cycle was inhibited to the same extent. This indicated that the nFIns analogues were inhibiting proliferation in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Proliferation during the second cell cycle (35-60 h after stimulation) was inhibited by 75-85%. The inhibitory nFIns analogues were not toxic to the cells, nor did they affect the cellular ATP/ADP ratio. The effectiveness of the nFIns analogues in inhibiting proliferation was directly correlated with their ability to be incorporated into phosphatidylinositol analogues, suggesting that they may act by modulating phosphoinositide signalling pathways or other functions essential for DNA synthesis.

Bombesin stimulates distinct time-dependent changes in the sn-1,2-diradylglycerol molecular species profile from Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts as analysed by 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl derivatization and h.p.l.c. separation

We have developed procedures for the analysis of endogenous diradylglycerol (DRG) molecular species using derivatization with 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl chloride. The introduction of this strong chromatophore enabled us to separate less than 1 nmol of DRG into its three classes (diacylglycerol, alkylacylglycerol and alkenylacylglycerol) using a combination of h.p.l.c. and t.l.c. followed by reversed-phase h.p.l.c. to resolve these classes into their component molecular species. When applied to Swiss 3T3 mouse fibroblasts stimulated with bombesin for 25 s, 5 min or 30 min, subtle time-dependent changes in the DRG patterns were observed, with only certain polyunsaturated 1,2-diacyglycerol species [18:0/20:3(n-9), 18:0/20:4(n-6), 18:0/20:4(n-3), 18:0/20:5(n-3), 18:1(n-9)/20:3(n-9), 18:1(n-9)/20:4(n-6), 16:0/22:6(n-3), 18:0/20:3(n-6) and 16:0/20:5(n-3)] showing significant agonist-stimulated increases. The amounts of the first six species were all raised at 25 s, whereas all except the latter two were elevated at 5 min. By 30 min these last species were also increased but 18:0/20:3(n-9) had returned to basal levels. Overall DRG levels, as measured by total molecular-species peak area, remained effectively constant. No changes in the amount or species profile of 1-alkyl-2-acylglycerol were observed. Comparison of these species with the acyl-chain structure of phospholipids supports the idea that inositol lipids could be the source of DRG at early stimulation times, but phosphatidylcholine appears to be a phospholipase substrate at all times. These results indicate sequential activation of several phospholipases with different substrate specificities and/or access to different phospholipid pools. They also suggest that only polyunsaturated DRGs act as second messengers and that changes in the relative amounts of these species may trigger activation of different proteins and/or isoforms (e.g. the different isoforms of protein kinase C).

Physiological concentrations of inorganic phosphate affect MgATP-dependent Ca2+ storage and inositol trisphosphate-induced Ca2+ efflux in microsomal vesicles from non-hepatic cells

1. MgATP-dependent 45Ca2+ uptake by microsomes obtained from various non-hepatic tissues, namely rat brain, rat solid Morris hepatoma 3924A and human platelets, was measured in the presence of P(i) at low, cytosol-like, concentrations. 2. Increasing P(i) concentrations (0.5-3 mM) caused a progressive enlargement of the 45Ca(2+)-storage capacity of all the microsomal fractions. 3. As a result of P(i) stimulation of Ca2+ uptake, 45Ca2+ and [32P]P(i) were co-accumulated by the three microsomal fractions. 4. The time course for 45Ca2+ and [32P]P(i) accumulation in brain microsomes revealed a biphasic 45Ca2+ uptake: a rapid phase was followed by a second, slower, phase, which depended on the presence of P(i). During the P(i)-dependent phase, the uptake of 45Ca2+ was paralleled by the uptake of [32P]Pi. 5. The passive efflux of Ca2+ was paralleled by the efflux of P(i) and vice versa. In fact, the inhibition of active Ca2+ uptake by excess EGTA, or lowering the P(i) concentration of the incubation system by dilution, caused the release of 45Ca2+ and [32P]P(i) from 45Ca2+ or [32P]P(i) pre-loaded brain microsomes. The Ca2+ ionophore A23187 also released 45Ca2+ and [32P]P(i). 6. Ca2+ efflux by A23187 was rapid (t 1/2 approx. 2 s) and independent of the extent of intravesicular Ca2+ loading, which indicates that Ca2+ and P(i) do not form intravesicular insoluble complexes. 7. The progressive increase in Ca2+ accumulation, depending on P(i) stimulation, resulted in a proportional increase in the amount of Ca2+ releasable by InsP3 in the three non-hepatic microsomal fractions and in digitonin-permeabilized platelets. 8. Concomitantly to Ca2+, microsomal P(i) was also released by InsP3.

Comparison of diglyceride production from choline-containing phosphoglycerides in human neutrophils stimulated with N-formylmethionyl-leucylphenylalanine, ionophore A23187 or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate

The turnover of choline-containing phosphoglycerides (PC) in response to agonist stimulation is well documented in human neutrophils. We have now compared the enzymic pathways of N-formylmethionyl-leucylphenylalanine (fMLP)-, A23187- and phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced diglyceride (DG) and phosphatidic acid (PA) generation in these cells. In order to distinguish between phospholipase C- and D-mediated PC breakdown, human neutrophils were radiolabelled with 1-O-[3H]alkyl-2-acyl-glycero-3-phosphocholine and stimulated in the presence of ethanol or propranolol. The addition of 0.5% ethanol to the incubation mixture resulted in the production of phosphatidylethanol, indicative of phospholipase D activation, in response to all three stimuli. Concomitant with phosphatidylethanol formation was a partial block of PA production. The production of DG was also partially blocked by addition of ethanol. Propranolol (200 microM) was also used to assess the contributions of phospholipases C and D toward DG generation. Inhibition of PA phosphohydrolase by propranolol resulted in the complete abolition of DG generation when neutrophils were stimulated with fMLP. In contrast, propranolol only partially inhibited DG generation in response to A23187 and PMA. These results suggested that DG production in response to fMLP stimulation is mediated via the activation of phospholipase D, whereas A23187- or PMA-induced DG generation may involve more than one pathway. However, examination of the water-soluble choline metabolites produced indicated that phospholipase D was responsible for the production of PA and DG in response to all three stimuli.

Hypolipidaemic drugs are activated to acyl-CoA esters in isolated rat hepatocytes. Detection of drug activation by human liver homogenates and by human platelets

The formation of acyl-CoA esters of the hypolipidaemic peroxisome proliferators clofibric acid, ciprofibrate and nafenopin was studied in isolated rat hepatocytes. The concentration of ciprofibroyl-CoA in the liver of ciprofibrate-treated rats was in the range of 10-30 microM. The three drugs formed acyl-CoA esters when incubated with isolated hepatocytes. Their formation was saturable and reached a plateau after 30 min incubation. Maximal intracellular concentrations of ciprofibroyl-CoA and clofibroyl-CoA (100 microM and 55 microM respectively) were attained at 0.5 mM of the free drugs in the incubation medium, whereas for nafenopin-CoA, the maximal intracellular concentration (9 microM) was reached at 1 mM-nafenopin. At low concentrations of the hypolipidaemic compounds in the incubation medium a significant proportion of the total intracellular drug was present as its acyl-CoA ester (25-35% for ciprofibrate). When isolated hepatocytes were incubated with a ciprofibrate concentration comparable with that observed in the blood of drug-treated rats (0.1 mM), ciprofibroyl-CoA attained an intracellular concentration similar to that previously observed in the liver of treated rats. The formation of ciprofibroyl-CoA by isolated rat hepatocytes was stimulated by the addition of carnitine and partially inhibited by the addition of palmitate. Further, it was shown that human liver homogenates synthesized ciprofibroyl-CoA at a rate similar to that observed for rat liver homogenates. Solubilized human platelets also formed ciprofibroyl-CoA, although at a rate two orders of magnitude lower than that of liver. The results support the view that acyl-CoA esters of hypolipidaemic peroxisome proliferators may be the pharmacologically active species of the drugs.

Signal transduction pathways in keratinocytes

Mammalian cells do not live as isolated organisms, but are instead organized into complex, highly specialized tissue organs composed of a homogeneous or a mixed cell population. In order to maintain tissue homeostasis in physiological and pathophysiological conditions, intercellular communication is an absolute requirement. This review will summarize our current knowledge as to how an extracellular signal is transduced via a specific receptor to the interior of the cell and how this signal will induce special cell functions. Attention will be paid to the major signal transduction pathways known to be active in keratinocytes, namely the adenylate cyclase, guanylate cyclase, tyrosine kinase, and phospholipase C systems. Finally, examples will be given of how interactions between these signal transduction pathways can take place and how 'signal cross-talk' might regulate keratinocyte function.

Detection of a rare point mutation in Ki-ras of a human bladder cancer xenograft by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing

This paper represents the first report of a codon 59 mutation in Ki-ras from a spontaneous human transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Point mutations have the potential to activate the ras genes if they occur in critical coding regions. These include the sequences of codons 12, 13, 59, 61 and 63. Mutations in codons 12, 13 and 61 have been reported in a wide variety of human cancers, including transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. However mutations in codon 59 have been reported only in retroviral Ki-ras and as a result of in vitro mutagenesis experiments. We have used the polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing to detect mutations of Ki-ras, and allele-specific restriction analysis to detect mutations of N-ras in xenografts and continuous cell lines established from bladder cancer biopsies of ten different patients as well as in direct biopsy specimens from five human bladder tumours. For studies of Ki-ras, a 139 bp fragment which spanned the critical codons 12 and 13 and a 128 bp fragment that spanned the sequences of codon 59, 61 and 63 were enzymatically amplified and then sequenced. No N-ras mutations were detected. A heterozygous mutation of Ki-ras at codon 59 GCA----G/ACA was detected in one line. This mutation is being expressed and appears stable as it was detected over several xenograft passages and was present in paraffin-embedded tissue from the primary tumour of the patient. The biological significance of the mutation in bladder cancer is currently under study.

Amiodarone and desethylamiodarone increase intrasynaptosomal free calcium through receptor mediated channel

Long term amiodarone (AM) therapy has been associated with several side effects including neurotoxicity. Since AM alters Ca2+ regulated events, we have studied its effects on the compartmentation of free Ca2+ in the synaptosomes as an attempt to understand the mechanism of AM and its metabolite, desethylamiodarone (DEA)-induced neurotoxicity. Intact brain synaptosomes were prepared from male Sprague-Dawley rats. Both AM and DEA produced a concentration dependent increase in intrasynaptosomal free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2]i) to micromolar levels. The increase in [Ca2]i was not transient and a steady rise was observed with time. Omission of Ca2+ from the external medium prevented the AM- and DEA-induced rise in [Ca2+]i suggesting that AM and DEA increased the intracellular [Ca2+]i due to increased influx of Ca2+ from external medium. AM- and DEA-induced increase in intrasynaptosomal [Ca2+]i was neither inhibited by a calcium channel blocker, verapamil, nor with a Na+ channel blocker, tetrodotoxin. However, the blockade of [Ca2+]i rise by AM and DEA was observed with MK-801, a receptor antagonist indicating that AM and DEA induced rise in [Ca2+]i is through receptor mediated channel. Both AM and DEA also inhibited N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA)-receptor binding in synaptic membranes in a concentration dependent manner, DEA being more effective, indicating that AM and DEA compete for the same site as that of NMDA and confirm the observation that these drugs increase intrasynaptosomal [Ca2+]i through receptor mediated channel. 45Ca accumulation into brain microsomes and mitochondria was significantly inhibited by AM and DEA, but without any effect on the Ca2+ release from these intracellular organelles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate kinase by heparin. A possible mechanism for the antiproliferative effects of heparin

Heparin and related glycosaminoglycans are important modulators of vascular smooth muscle cell growth, and may be involved in pathological processes such as atherosclerosis. Since polyphosphoinositide metabolism is a major mechanism for regulating cellular activities, including proliferation, the effects of glycosaminoglycans and polyanionic compounds on the activities of phosphoinositide kinases were characterized. Heparin and heparan sulphate caused dose-dependent inhibitions of rat brain cytosolic phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PIP) kinase activity, with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations of approx. 0.5 and 5 microM respectively. PIP kinase was also inhibited by several dextran sulphates, but was not sensitive to inhibition by keratin sulphate, chondroitin sulphate or hyaluronic acid. Polynucleotides and acidic polypeptides were only weakly inhibitory. Heparin did not alter either the PIP- or the Mg(2+)-dependence of PIP kinase. Addition of heparin to brain membranes suppressed PIP kinase activity without affecting phosphatidylinositol (PI) kinase activity. Heparin interfered with the ability of a GTP analogue to stimulate PIP kinase activity in these membranes, suggesting that it uncouples the kinase from an activating guanine-nucleotide-binding protein. In cultured A-10 vascular smooth muscle cells, heparin caused dose- and time-dependent inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA. Similar treatments with heparin decreased cellular levels of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) without changing PI and PIP levels. Therefore heparin-mediated inhibition of PIP kinase appears to lead to decreases in PIP2 levels which may attenuate cellular proliferation.

The regulation of phospholipase D activity and its role in sn-1,2-diradylglycerol formation in bombesin- and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-stimulated Swiss 3T3 cells

Addition of the phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) to quiescent Swiss 3T3 cells resulted in a sustained increase in sn-1,2-diradylglycerol (DG) mass and [3H]DG in [3H]palmitate-labelled cells where phosphatidylcholine was the major labelled phospholipid. This occurred in the absence of inositol phosphate accumulation. In [3H]palmitate-labelled cells both bombesin and PMA stimulated the formation of phosphatidylbutanol ([3H]PtdBut) in the presence of 0.3% (v/v) butan-1-ol. The kinetics of [3H]PtdBut formation were consistent with phospholipase D (PLD) activation preceding sustained DG formation. The inclusion of butan-1-ol inhibited 70% of PMA-stimulated DG formation but only 30% of the bombesin response. The ability of bombesin and PMA to stimulate the accumulation of [3H]PtdBut was completely abolished in Swiss 3T3 cells which had been pre-treated with 400 nM-PMA for 48 h to down-regulate protein kinase C activity. PMA-stimulated [3H]PtdBut formation was inhibited by 90% by the protein kinase C inhibitor Ro-31-8220 (10 microM), but bombesin-stimulated PtdBut accumulation was inhibited by at most 50% by the same concentration of inhibitor. Cyclic AMP-elevating agents, i.e. forskolin, dibutyryl cyclic AMP and isobutylmethylxanthine, did not inhibit bombesin stimulation of PLD activity. Bombesin-stimulated PLD activity was inhibited by 50% by buffering of the extracellular Ca2+ concentration to 150 nM, but combination of this treatment with Ro-31-8220 addition was less than additive. Ionophore A23187 alone was able to stimulate PLD activity, but this response was inhibited 50% by Ro-31-8220. Thapsigargin was unable to stimulate PLD activity and had no modulatory effect upon bombesin-stimulated PLD activity at any agonist concentration. The results are discussed in terms of the role of PLD in DG generation and the regulation of PLD activity both by bombesin and by PMA.

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

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

Immunocytochemical localization of phospholipase C-gamma in rat embryo fibroblasts

Rat embryo fibroblasts (REF52) exhibit a distinctive, transformation-sensitive distribution of alpha-protein kinase C (alpha-PKC). Receptor-mediated activation of phospholipase C (PLC)-gamma generates diacylglycerol, the major cellular activator of PKC. Immunofluorescence techniques were used to investigate the subcellular localization of two PLC isozymes (PLC-gamma and PLC-delta) in normal and simian virus 40-transformed REF52 cells to determine (i) if PLC colocalizes with alpha-PKC and (ii) if PLC isozyme distribution is sensitive to transformation. PLC-delta was not detected in either cell type. In REF52 cells, PLC-gamma was associated with the actin cytoskeleton and was evenly distributed along the length of the actin microfilaments. PLC-gamma was coincident with alpha-PKC at the points where the filaments are anchored to the membrane (i.e., the focal contacts). Cytoskeletal association of PLC-gamma was not transformation sensitive, although the actin cytoskeleton was more disordered in simian virus 40-transformed cells. In REF52 cells, platelet-derived growth factor induced tyrosine phosphorylation of both soluble and cytoskeletal PLC-gamma. Tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-gamma did not seem to be a determinant of its subcellular localization, but there was a detectable increase in cytoskeleton-associated PLC-gamma in response to platelet-derived growth factor treatment.

Activation of Na+/H+ exchange is unnecessary in the induction of c-fos mRNA in serum-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cells

1. The effects of extracellular Na+ concentration ([Na+]o) on serum-stimulated c-fos mRNA induction in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) were studied to examine whether the activation of Na+/H+ exchange and the following intracellular alkalinization are necessary in the induction of c-fos in VSMC. 2. When monitored with 2', 7'-bis (carboxylethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein, the reduction in [Na+]o in HCO(3-)-free buffer caused a dose-dependent inhibition of Na(+)-dependent intracellular pH recovery in acid-loaded VSMC. In addition, serum-stimulated intracellular alkalinization in VSMC was completely blocked by the removal of extracellular Na+. 3. By contrast, c-fos induction, quantified by slit blot hybridization of c-fos mRNA, was not fully inhibited by the reduction of [Na+]o. Furthermore, amiloride and ethylisopropyl-amiloride, inhibitors of Na+/H+ exchange, only partially blocked c-fos induction by serum. 4. We concluded from the observation above, that the intracellular alkalinization caused by the activation of Na+/H+ exchange was unnecessary in serum-stimulated induction of c-fos mRNA in VSMC.

Abnormal phosphomonoester signals in 31P MR spectra from patients with hepatic lymphoma. A possible marker of liver infiltration and response to chemotherapy

Hepatic infiltration by lymphoma can be difficult to detect by conventional methods. We have studied 22 patients in vivo 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the liver and compared the results with the clinical staging and assessment of liver involvement by computed tomography (CT), ultrasound (US), and liver function tests (LFTs). We find that the phosphomonoester (PME) to ATP, and the PME to Pi ratios are the best indication of liver involvement as in all the patients with liver involvement apparent on CT or US, these ratios were elevated (greater than 2 s.d. above the control mean). Of the patients with deranged LFTs but normal CT or US, five out of nine showed increased PME/ATP and PME/Pi ratios, and in the patients with normal LFTs and normal CT or US, three out of eight patients had raised PME ratios. Extracts of lymphomatous lymph nodes contain high concentrations of phosphoethanolamine which suggests that this compound is responsible for the increase in the PME peak. Eleven patients were studied again after chemotherapy, and those with initially raised PME/ATP and PME/Pi ratios all showed a decrease in these ratios towards normal. The patients with initially normal ratios showed no changes.

Expression of CD40 and CD43 during activation of human B lymphocytes

CD40 and CD43 are two cell-surface glycoproteins that appear to be functionally involved in the growth stimulation of human B cells. Whereas CD40 is structurally similar to the NGF receptor and is present on all resting B cells, CD43 displays no homology to other known proteins and is expressed only on a subpopulation of these cells. To further understand the extra- and intracellular signals regulating these molecules and in which stage of activation they may play a role, we used various activation strategies and studied their expression on tonsillar B cells. As expected, activation of protein kinase C by TPA increased both CD40 and CD43. In contrast, a rise in intracellular Ca2+, e.g. by ionomycin, did not influence the expression of these antigens. However, in the presence of TPA, ionomycin further up-regulated CD43 but not CD40. Anti-IgM behaved similarly to ionomycin suggesting that the effect of this reagent was due primarily to its ability to increase intracellular Ca2+. Of three interleukins (IL-2, IL-4 and IL-6) only IL-4 had a significant effect when used alone in that it up-regulated CD40 but not CD43. However, in the presence of anti-IgM, both IL-2 and IL-4 synergistically up-regulated the two antigens. Complementation of antigen receptor stimulation with TPA or IL-4 increased CD40 during the first 24 h, whereas up-regulation of CD43 did not occur until 24 to 48 h after stimulation. With regard both to up-regulation in response to different stimuli and to kinetics, CD40 expression paralleled that of the early activation antigen CD23, whereas CD43 was induced in parallel with the transferrin receptor (CD71). Taken together, our results suggests that the expression of CD40 and CD43 is regulated by different intracellular signals and that CD40 may be important during early activation, whereas CD43 may have its major function during later stages of B-cell differentiation. These assumptions are in line with the observations that CD40 antibodies can directly activate resting B cells and that CD43 are retained on plasma cells.

Second messengers derived from inositol lipids

Many hormones, growth factors, and neurotransmitters stimulate their target cells by promoting the hydrolysis of plasma-membrane phosphoinositides to form the two second messengers, diacylglycerol and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3]. In such cells, ligand-receptor interaction stimulates specific phospholipases that are activated by guanyl nucleotide regulatory G proteins or tyrosine phosphorylation. In many cells, the initial rise in cytoplasmic calcium due to Ins(1,4,5)P3-induced mobilization of calcium from agonist-sensitive stores is followed by a sustained phase of cytoplasmic calcium elevation that maintains the target-cell response, and is dependent on influx of extracellular calcium. Numerous inositol phosphates are formed during metabolism of the calcium-mobilizing messenger, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3], to lower and higher phosphorylated derivatives. The cloning of several phospholipase-C isozymes, as well as the Ins(1,4,5)P3-5 kinase and the Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor, have clarified several aspects of the diversity and complexity of the phosphoinositide-calcium signaling system. In addition to their well-established roles in hormonal activation of cellular responses such as secretion and contraction, phospholipids and their hydrolysis products have been increasingly implicated in the actions of growth factors and oncogenes on cellular growth and proliferation.

MgATP-dependent accumulation of calcium ions and inorganic phosphate in a liver reticular pool

1. MgATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake by rat liver microsomal preparations and permeabilized hepatocytes was measured in the presence or absence of Pi. 2. Monitoring of free Ca2+ in incubation systems with a Ca2+ electrode in the presence of Pi (2-7 mM) revealed a biphasic Ca2+ uptake, with the onset of a second, Pi-dependent, Ca2+ accumulation. 3. Increasing Pi concentrations (up to 10 mM) caused a progressive enlargement of 45Ca2(+)-loading capacity of microsomal fractions. 4. As a result of Pi stimulation of active Ca2+ uptake, [32P]Pi and 45Ca2+ were co-accumulated. 5. Experiments with permeabilized hepatocytes revealed that the amount of Ca2+ releasable by myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate is unaffected by Pi.

Human cytomegalovirus. Stimulation of [3H] release from [3H]-arachidonic acid prelabelled cells

Exposure of human lung fibroblasts to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) stimulated a rapid increase in the release of [3H] from cells prelabelled with radiolabelled arachidonic acid ([3H]AA). Maximum stimulation of [3H] release was observed at 20 min postinfection and was quantitatively similar to that induced by the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA: 10 nM) or fetal calf serum (5%). The level of [3H] release was dependent on the multiplicity of infection, and appeared to be mediated by a component(s) of the virion, since the findings from three series of experiments suggested that neither infectious virus, nor HCMV-specific macromolecular synthesis was required for stimulation of [3H] release. (1) Inactivation of HCMV infectivity with ultra-violet (UV) light (approximately 254 nm, 4.80 x 10(4) ergs/mm2) did not diminish the stimulation of [3H] release. (2) Significant reduction in the level of [3H] release was not observed when infected cells were maintained in the presence of a protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide (50 micrograms/ml), or an inhibitor of mRNA synthesis, 3'-deoxyadenosine (cordycepin, 50 micrograms/ml). (3) No correlation was established between the expression of HCMV immediate early (IE) antigens and the induction of [3H] release, since there was little, if any, synthesis of HCMV IE antigen detectable by anticomplement immunofluorescence through the first 30 min postinfection. These findings suggesting that the HCMV particle rapidly stimulates AA metabolism are consistent with the view that the interaction of a HCMV virion component(s) with the cell surface may initiate membrane-associated events similar to those induced by growth factors.

Phosphofructokinase 2 and glycolysis in HT29 human colon adenocarcinoma cell line. Regulation by insulin and phorbol esters

Kinetic properties of phosphofructokinase 2 (PFK2) and regulation of glycolysis by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and insulin were investigated in highly glycolytic HT29 colon cancer cells. PFK2 was found to be inhibited by citrate and, to a lesser extent, by phosphoenolpyruvate and ADP, but to be insensitive to inhibition by sn-glycerol phosphate. From these kinetic data, PFK2 from HT29 cells appears different from the liver form, but resembles somewhat the heart isoenzyme. Fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (Fru-2,6-P2) levels, glucose consumption and lactate production are increased in a dose-dependent manner in HT29 cells treated with PMA or insulin. The increase in Fru-2,6-P2 can be related to an increase in the Vmax. of PFK2, persisting after the enzyme has been precipitated with poly(ethylene glycol), without change in the Km for fructose 6-phosphate. The most striking effects of PMA and insulin on Fru-2,6-P2 production are observed after long-term treatment (24 h) and are abolished by actinomycin, cycloheximide and puromycin, suggesting that protein synthesis is involved. Furthermore, the effects of insulin and PMA on glucose consumption, lactate production, Fru-2,6-P2 levels and PFK2 activity are additive, and the effect of insulin on Fru-2,6-P2 production is not altered by pre-treatment of the cells with the phorbol ester. This suggests that these effects are exerted by separate mechanisms.

Palmitoyl-CoA and the acyl-CoA thioester of the carcinogenic peroxisome-proliferator ciprofibrate potentiate diacylglycerol-activated protein kinase C by decreasing the phosphatidylserine requirement of the enzyme

To gain insight into the mechanism by which long-chain acyl-CoA thioesters potentiate diacylglycerol-activated protein kinase C, the cofactor dependence of this activating effect was studied with purified rat brain enzyme and histone H1 as substrate. Using two different assay systems, palmitoyl-CoA was found to decrease greatly the amount of phosphatidylserine required to activate the kinase. No relative changes were observed in the dependence of the enzyme for other cofactors (diacylglycerol, ATP, and Ca2+) in the presence of palmitoyl-CoA. The potentiating effect of palmitoyl-CoA and the decrease in phosphatidylserine requirement of the kinase was also demonstrated using the 47-kDa protein of human platelets as substrate and platelet protein kinase C as source of enzyme. The acyl-CoA thioester of the carcinogenic peroxisome-proliferator ciprofibrate was also found to decrease the phosphatidylserine requirement of protein kinase C. The data suggest that acyl-CoAs may play a role in the regulation of protein kinase C activity.

Translocation-independent activation of protein kinase C by platelet-activating factor, thrombin and prostacyclin. Lack of correlation with polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis in rabbit platelets

The relationship between polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis and protein kinase C (PKC) activation was explored in rabbit platelets treated with the agonists platelet-activating factor (PAF), thrombin and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), and with the anti-aggregant prostacyclin (PGI2). Measurement of the hydrolysis of radiolabelled inositol-containing phospholipids relied upon the separation of the products [3H]inositol mono-, bis- and tris-phosphates by Dowex-1 chromatography. PKC activity, measured in platelet cytosolic and Nonidet-P40-solubilized particulate extracts that were fractionated by MonoQ chromatography, was based upon the ability of the enzyme to phosphorylate either histone H1 in the presence of the activators Ca2+, diacylglycerol and phosphatidylserine, or protamine in the absence of Ca2+ and lipid. Treatment of platelets for 1 min with PAF (2 nM) or thrombin (2 units/ml) led to the rapid hydrolysis of inositol-containing phospholipids, a 2-3-fold stimulation of both cytosolic and particulate-derived PKC activity, and platelet aggregation. Exposure to TPA (200 nM) for 5 min did not stimulate formation of phosphoinositides, but translocated more than 95% of cytosolic PKC into the particulate fraction, and induced a slower rate of aggregation. PGI2 (1 microgram/ml) did not enhance phosphoinositide production, and at higher concentrations (50 micrograms/ml) it antagonized the ability of PAF, but not that of thrombin, to induce inositol phospholipid turnover, even though platelet aggregation in response to both agonists was blocked by PGI2. On the other hand, PGI2 alone also appeared to activate (by 3-5-fold) cytosolic and particulate PKC by a translocation-independent mechanism. The activation of PKC by PGI2 was probably mediated via cyclic AMP (cAMP), as this effect was mimicked by the cAMP analogue 8-chlorophenylthio-cAMP. It is concluded that this novel mechanism of PKC regulation by platelet agonists may operate independently of polyphosphoinositide turnover, and that activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase represents another route leading to PKC activation.

Activation of inositol phospholipid breakdown by prostaglandin F2 alpha without any stimulation of proliferation in quiescent NIH-3T3 fibroblasts

Stimulation of NIH-3T3 cells with prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) caused a dose- and time-dependent generation of inositol phosphates. The first detectable changes were in the levels of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4. Increases in Ins(1,3,4)P3, InsP2 and InsP were detected later, and only minor changes were observed in putative InsP5 or InsP6. The accumulation of inositol phosphates was synergistically increased by the addition of calf serum, whereas PGF2 alpha had no effects on cell proliferation in either the presence or the absence of calf serum. Stimulation of a different clone of NIH-3T3 cells (AmNIH-3T3) or Swiss 3T3 cells with PGF2 alpha resulted in both inositol phospholipid breakdown and cell proliferation. No differences were found in the characteristics of PGF2 alpha-stimulated inositol phosphate generation between the two clones of NIH-3T3 cells, nor was there any difference in receptor number of Kd. These results question the role of inositol phospholipid breakdown in mitogenesis and demonstrate significant differences in the biochemical properties of apparently the 'same' cells.

Biochemical characterization of phospholipase D activity from human neutrophils

We have found a phospholipase D activity in the postnuclear fraction of human neutrophils, employing phosphatidylinositol as exogenous substrate. This phospholipase D activity was assessed by both phosphatidate formation and by free inositol release in the presence of 15 mM LiCl in the reaction mixture and in the absence of Mg2+ ions to prevent inositol-1-phosphate phosphatase activity. To assess further the phospholipase D activity, we studied its capacity to catalyze a transphosphatidylation reaction, as a unique feature of the enzyme. It was detected as [14C]phosphatidylethanol formation when the postnuclear fraction was incubated with [14C]phosphatidylinositol in the presence of ethanol. The phospholipase D showed a major optimum pH at 7.5 and a minor one at pH 5.0. Neutral and acid phospholipase D activities were differentially located in subcellular fractionation studies of resting neutrophils, namely in the cytosol and in the azurophilic granules, respectively. Neutral phospholipase D required Ca2+ ions to the active, whereas the acid enzyme activity was Ca2(+)-independent. The neutral phospholipase D activity showed a certain specificity for phosphatidylinositol, as it was able to hydrolyze phosphatidylinositol at a much higher rate than phosphatidylcholine, in the absence and in the presence of different detergents. This neutral phospholipase D activity behaved as a protein of high molecular mass (350-400 kDa) by gel filtration chromatography. Moreover, neutral phospholipase D activity was detected in the postnuclear fraction of human monocytes, by measuring free inositol release from phosphatidylinositol as exogenous substrate, under the same experimental conditions as those used with neutrophils. The enzyme displayed similar specific activities in both cell types as well as the same degree of activation after cell stimulation with the calcium ionophore A23187. These results demonstrate the existence of two phospholipase D activities with different pH optima and intracellular location in human neutrophils. Furthermore, these results suggest that this phospholipase D can play a role in signal-transducing processes during cell stimulation in human phagocytes.

Independent expression of human alpha or beta platelet-derived growth factor receptor cDNAs in a naive hematopoietic cell leads to functional coupling with mitogenic and chemotactic signaling pathways

Distinct genes encode alpha and beta platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptors that differ in their abilities to be triggered by three dimeric forms of the PDGF molecule. We show that PDGF-receptor mitogenic function can be reconstituted in a naive hematopoietic cell line by introduction of expression vectors for either alpha or beta PDGF receptor cDNAs. Thus, each receptor is independently capable of coupling with mitogenic signal-transduction pathways inherently present in these cells. Activation of either receptor also resulted in chemotaxis, alterations in inositol lipid metabolism, and mobilization of intracellular Ca2+. The magnitude of these functional responses correlated well with the binding properties of the different PDGF isoforms to each receptor. Thus, availability of specific PDGF isoforms and relative expression of each PDGF-receptor gene product are major determinants of the spectrum of known PDGF responses.

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

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

Phosphoinositide hydrolysis in mitogen-stimulated human peripheral-blood T lymphocytes

Both phytohaemagglutinin and antibodies to the CD3 molecule induced proliferation and phosphoinositide hydrolysis in human peripheral-blood T lymphocytes, but the magnitude of the inositol phosphate response was small and the rate of accumulation slow [significant increases in Ins(1,4,5)P3 were observed only after 10 min]. Hence this response differs from the well-characterized Ins(1,4,5)P3 responses of many other systems. This slow response, its abrogation in Ca2+-depleted medium, the slow and maintained increase in Ca2+ as measured by Quin-2, and the ability of the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 to stimulate Ins(1,4,5)P3 accumulation all suggest that the increase in Ins(1,4,5)P3 occurs, at least in part, as a result of receptor-mediated Ca2+ influx in mitogen-stimulated T lymphocytes.

Amplification of fluoroaluminate-stimulated inositol phosphate generation in a cell line overexpressing the p21N-ras gene

The stimulation of inositol phosphate generation in NIH-3T3 cells and a derived transformant overexpressing the p21N-ras gene (T15+ cells) was examined. Incubation with NaF in the presence of Al3+ leads to the generation of inositol phosphates in each cell type, though the response in the T15+ cells is significantly amplified. The effect of fluoroaluminate is dose- and time-dependent. No differences were observed in fluoroaluminate-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation among the cell types. In another NIH-3T3-derived cell line that expresses the transforming lys61 mutant of N-ras, no amplification of fluoroaluminate-stimulated inositol phosphate generation is observed. These results provide support for the proposal that, in the T15 cell line, p21N-ras can act in a guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein (G-protein)-like manner.

The effect of cholera toxin on the inhibition of vasopressin-stimulated inositol phospholipid hydrolysis is a cyclic AMP-mediated event at the level of receptor binding

Incubation of L6 skeletal myoblasts for 16 h with cholera toxin but not with pertussis toxin, led to the inhibition of inositol phosphate generation induced by subsequent exposure to vasopressin. The effects of the toxin on inositol lipid metabolism were accompanied by the total ADP-ribosylation of the available cholera-toxin substrates within the cells. Immunological analysis demonstrated that the two polypeptides modified in vivo by cholera toxin were different forms of Gs alpha (alpha subunit of Gs). No novel cholera-toxin substrate(s) were detected. The cholera-toxin-mediated inhibition of vasopressin-stimulated inositol phosphate generation could be mimicked by both forskolin and dibutyryl cyclic AMP, but not by the separated subunits of the toxin. Receptor-binding studies demonstrated that the inhibition of agonist-stimulated inositol phosphate generation was accompanied by a decrease in cell-surface vasopressin-binding sites, with no effect on the affinity of these for the hormone. We suggest that the effect of cholera toxin and agents which increase intracellular cyclic AMP on vasopressin-stimulated inositol lipid hydrolysis is an effect on receptor number, and that there is no requirement to postulate a role for a novel G-protein, which is a substrate for cholera toxin, in the regulation of inositol phospholipid metabolism.

Enhancement of human B-cell proliferation by a monoclonal antibody to CD43

Monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) to human leucocyte sialoglycoprotein, CD43, have been shown to deliver mitogenic signals to human T cells or to enhance T-cell proliferation induced by concanavalin A, anti-CD3 antibodies or phorbol ester. In this paper, we studied the effects of anti-CD43 MoAb B1B6 on the activation of human B cells. Anti-CD43 MoAb B1B6 was not mitogenic by itself for human B cells. However, when added together with TPA, both resting and in vivo activated tonsillar B cells, containing 5-10% and about 35% CD43+ respectively, responded with three- to fivefold higher proliferation compared to that obtained with TPA alone. A peak in the proliferative response was reached on day 3. Optimal proliferation was obtained when the antibody was present from the start of culturing. Addition of MoAb B1B6 together with a calcium ionophore, ionomycin, did not induce B-cell proliferation. Neither did mAb B1B6 sustain the growth of B cells that were already in the cell cycle, i.e. precultured with phorbol ester (PDB) and ionomycin for 3 days. The results are similar to those obtained with antibodies to CD22 and CD23 and show that early progression signals are delivered to resting B cells through CD43 in the presence of primary activators of protein kinase C.

Studies on the role of CD43 in human B-cell activation and differentiation

The monoclonal antibody (MoAb) B1B6 to human leucocyte sialoglycoprotein, CD43, induces aggregation of T cells and delivers progression signals early during activation of both T and B cells in the presence of primary activators of protein kinase C. In this report we further studied the role of CD43 in human B-cell activation and differentiation. About 5-10% of resting tonsillar B cells are CD43+. In the presence of TPA or antibodies to CDw40, the proportions of CD43+ cells drastically increased. The expression was optimal on day 3 of culture, when up to 80% and 50%, respectively, were CD43+. Whereas MoAb B1B6 together with TPA induced a three- to fivefold higher proliferative response as compared to TPA alone, antibodies to CDw40 did not synergize with MoAb B1B6 in B-cell proliferation. Tonsillar populations depleted of CD43+ B cells responded with lower proliferation to TPA alone or to TPA and B1B6 or anti-CDw40 antibodies. MoAb B1B6 did not affect the production of IgM or IgG as induced by pokeweed mitogen in the presence of autologous T cells, from either peripheral blood or tonsillar B cells. Neither did it affect the IgG production from the CD43+ BSF-2 sensitive Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphoblastoid cell line CESS. The results show that CD43 is upregulated on B cells during activation. Furthermore, CD43+ B cells are included in the population which responds to signals delivered by TPA, anti-CD43 or anti-CDw40 antibodies, and the proliferation of this population is not merely due to an expansion of the small population of CD43+ cells present among these cells. Moreover, the epitopes recognized by MoAb B1B6 are not involved in the differentiation of and ultimate Ig-secretion from activated B cells.

Generation of inositol phosphates during triggering of cytotoxicity in human natural killer and lymphokine-activated killer cells

We investigated early molecular mechanisms involved in the triggering of cytolytic responses in natural killer (NK) and lymphokine-activated (LAK) cells. When NK or LAK cells were conjugated to the sensitive target cells K562, an increased formation of both inositol monophosphate (IP1) and inositol trisphosphate (IP3) was detected. Target cells like Raji or Jok-1, which form conjugates with NK cells but are insensitive to NK lysis, did not elicit IP1 formation. Treatment of NK cells with interleukin 2 increased the basal turnover of inositol phosphates and enhanced the phosphatidyl inositol breakdown upon confrontation with sensitive targets. These finding indicate that hydrolysis of phosphatidyl inositols is associated with the signal which triggers the cytolytic response in NK and LAK cells. These events therefore constitute an early marker of the cytolytic activation.

Mechanism of action of bombesin on amylase secretion. Evidence for a Ca2+-independent pathway

The mode of action of bombesin on amylase secretion was investigated in rat pancreatic acini. Bombesin induced a dose-dependent increase in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and cytosolic free Ca2+. The threshold concentration capable of inducing both effects was 0.1 nM and the half-maximal dose of the peptide for Ca2+ mobilization was approximately 0.6 nM. By contrast, amylase release was approximately 30 times more sensitive than inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production and Ca2+ mobilization to bombesin action, with 1 pM being the first stimulatory concentration and a half-maximal effect at approximately 20 pM. The ability of low bombesin doses to trigger enzyme secretion was unaffected by chelation of extracellular Ca2+ with EGTA. In order to test whether the stimulation of amylase release was truly a Ca2+-independent response, the intracellular Ca2+ stores were depleted by pretreating acini with EGTA plus ionomycin, the Ca2+ ionophore. Under these conditions bombesin was still capable of eliciting a significant twofold enhancement of the secretory activity. These results indicate that bombesin, an agonist thought to activate secretion mainly through mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular stores, elicits amylase release at low concentrations, independently of a concomitant rise in cytosolic free Ca2+. The relevance of these findings to the physiological regulation of pancreatic exocrine secretion is discussed.

Endothelin stimulates phospholipase C, Na+/H+ exchange, c-fos expression, and mitogenesis in rat mesangial cells

A recently described peptide hormone, endothelin, is a potent vasoconstrictor, but it is unclear whether endothelin has other biological actions. These experiments extend the range of biological actions of endothelin to stimulation of mitogenesis. Endothelin at low concentrations (0.1-10 nM) induced mitogenesis by quiescent rat glomerular mesangial cells in culture. Mitogenesis induced by endothelin was accompanied by activation of phospholipase C with increased inositol phosphate turnover and increments of intracellular [Ca2+]. Endothelin also activated Na+/H+ exchange, causing cytosolic alkalinization, and enhanced transcription of the c-fos protooncogene, additional biochemical signals closely linked to proliferation. In addition to being a vasoconstrictor, endothelin thus also functions as a mitogen, presumably through activation of phospholipase C.