Increase in level of functional messenger RNA coding for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) during induction by cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate

Metabolic control through glucocorticoid hormones: an update

In the past decades, glucocorticoid (GC) hormones and their cognate, intracellular receptor, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), have been well established as critical checkpoints in mammalian energy homeostasis. Whereas many aspects in healthy nutrient metabolism require physiological levels and/or action of GC, aberrant GC/GR signalling has been linked to severe metabolic dysfunction, including obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Consequently, studies of the molecular mechanisms within the GC signalling axis have become a major focus in biomedical research, up-to-date particularly focusing on systemic glucose and lipid handling. However, with the availability of novel high throughput technologies and more sophisticated metabolic phenotyping capabilities, as-yet non-appreciated, metabolic functions of GC have been recently discovered, including regulatory roles of the GC/GR axis in protein and bile acid homeostasis as well as metabolic inter-organ communication. Therefore, this review summarises recent advances in GC/GR biology, and summarises findings relevant for basic and translational metabolic research.

Glucocorticoids, metabolism and metabolic diseases

Since the discovery of the beneficial effects of adrenocortical extracts for treating adrenal insufficiency more than 80 years ago, glucocorticoids (GC) and their cognate, intracellular receptor, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) have been characterized as critical components of the delicate hormonal control system that determines energy homeostasis in mammals. Whereas physiological levels of GCs are required for proper metabolic control, excessive GC action has been tied to a variety of pandemic metabolic diseases, such as type II diabetes and obesity. Highlighted by its importance for human health, the investigation of molecular mechanisms of GC/GR action has become a major focus in biomedical research. In particular, the understanding of tissue-specific functions of the GC-GR pathway has been proven to be of substantial value for the identification of novel therapeutic options in the treatment of severe metabolic disorders. Therefore, this review focuses on the role of the GC-GR axis for metabolic homeostasis and dysregulation, emphasizing tissue-specific functions of GCs in the control of energy metabolism.

Effects of Short-Term Glucagon Administration on Gluconeogenic Enzymes in the Liver of Midlactation Dairy Cows

During lactation, the dairy cow experiences an increased demand for glucose to support milk production. Increased glucose demand can be met through increased capacity for gluconeogenesis, increased supply of glucose precursors, or a combination of both processes. Glucagon, a key hormone in glucose homeostasis, acts to promote gluconeogenesis and increase glucose output from liver. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of short-term administration of glucagon on expression of gluconeogenic enzymes in lactating dairy cattle. Sixteen multiparous Holstein cows were selected from the Purdue University Animal Sciences Dairy Research Center herd. Cows were stratified on the basis of milk production and days in milk and randomly assigned to either a saline or glucagon injection group (n = 8 per group). Cows were injected subcutaneously at -21, -14, -7, and 0 h relative to final glucagon and saline injections with either 3.75 mg of lyophilized bovine glucagon (15 mg/d) dissolved in 60 mL of 0.15 M NaCl (pH 10.25) or 60 mL of 0.15 M NaCl. Liver biopsy samples were obtained 1 wk before injection to establish baseline values and at 3 h after cows received final glucagon and saline injections. Biopsy samples were analyzed for mRNA abundance, enzyme activity, protein abundance, and in vitro measures of gluconeogenesis. Glucagon did not alter pyruvate carboxylase or cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) mRNA abundance, enzyme activity, or protein abundance, although there was a tendency for greater mRNA expression with the glucagon treatment (4.69 vs. 6.78, arbitrary units). Glucagon injections did not change mitochondrial PEPCK mRNA expression. Gluconeogenesis from 2.5 mM [2-(14)C]propionate and 2.0 mM [U-(14)C]lactate was similar in liver biopsy samples from glucagon-treated and control cows. There was no effect of glucagon on dry matter intake and milk production. Glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, beta-hydroxybutyrate acid, and insulin were not altered by glucagon. Blood glucagon was elevated, 76.09 vs. 96.14 pg/mL, for cows receiving glucagon injections. The data indicate that 24-h administration of glucagon does not alter cytosolic PEPCK mRNA expression or result in immediate alterations in total PEPCK enzyme activity and gluconeogenic capacity.

Antihyperglycemic action of isoferulic acid in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Wistar rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes (STZ-diabetic rats), which is similar to human insulin-dependent diabetic mellitus (IDDM), were employed to investigate the antihyperglycemic action of isoferulic acid. A single intravenous injection of isoferulic acid decreased the plasma glucose in a dose-dependent manner in the STZ-diabetic rats. Repeated intravenous administration of STZ-diabetic rats with isoferulic acid (5.0 mg kg(-1)) also resulted in the lowering of plasma glucose after one day. Stimulatory effects of isoferulic acid on the glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis in soleus muscles isolated from STZ-diabetic rats were also obtained indicating an increase of glucose utilization following isoferulic acid treatment which was not dependent on insulin. The mRNA level of glucose transporter subtype 4 form (GLUT4) in soleus muscle was raised by isoferulic acid after repeated treatment for 1 day in STZ-diabetic rats. Similar repeated treatment with isoferulic acid reversed the elevated mRNA level of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) in liver of STZ-diabetic rats to the normal level. However, expression of GLUT4 and PEPCK genes in nondiabetic rats were not influenced by similar treatment with isoferulic acid. These results suggest that isoferulic acid can inhibit hepatic gluconeogenesis and/or increase the glucose utilization in peripheral tissue to lower plasma glucose in diabetic rats lacking insulin.

Glycemia-lowering effect of cobalt chloride in the diabetic rat: role of decreased gluconeogenesis

Results of previous studies indicated that treatment of diabetic rats (induced by streptozotocin) with cobalt chloride (CoCl2) resulted in a significant decrement in serum glucose concentration. The present study was designed to determine the potential role of enhanced glucose uptake vs. decreased glucose production in the above response. The rate of systemic appearance of glucose, measured under fasting conditions using [3-3H]glucose tracer, was reduced from 35.5 +/- 2.5 to 17.5 +/- 1.8 micromol . kg-1 . min-1 in diabetic rats treated with 2 mM CoCl2 added to the drinking water for 10-14 days (P < 0.01). Tissue accumulation of intravenously administered 2-deoxy-[14C]glucose was significantly reduced in kidney and eye of diabetic rats treated with CoCl2, whereas the uptake remained unchanged in several other tissues including cerebrum, red and white skeletal muscle, heart, and liver. The relative content of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) mRNA was increased 3.1-fold in livers of diabetic compared with normal rats (P < 0.001), and treatment of diabetic rats with CoCl2 decreased hepatic PEPCK mRNA levels to normal. The content of PEPCK mRNA in the liver was decreased by 33% in CoCl2-treated normal rats (P < 0.05). Treatment with CoCl2 resulted in no change in cAMP levels in the livers of either diabetic or normal rats. These results suggest that the glycemia-lowering effect of CoCl2 is mediated by reductions in the rate of systemic appearance of glucose and hepatic gluconeogenesis.

Regulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) gene expression

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) (EC 4.1.1.32) (PEPCK) is a key enzyme in the synthesis of glucose in the liver and kidney and of glyceride-glycerol in white adipose tissue and the small intestine. The gene for the cytosolic form of PEPCK (PEPCK-C) is acutely regulated by a variety of dietary and hormonal signals, which result in alteration of synthesis of the enzyme. Major factors that increase PEPCK-C gene expression include cyclic AMP, glucocorticoids, and thyroid hormone, whereas insulin inhibits this process. PEPCK-C is absent in fetal liver but appears at birth, concomitant with the capacity for gluconeogenesis. Regulatory elements that control transcription of the PEPCK-C gene in liver, kidney, and adipose tissue have been delineated, and many of the transcription factors that bind to these elements have been identified. Transgenic mice have been especially useful in elucidating the physiological roles of specific sequence elements in the PEPCK-C gene promoter and in demonstrating the key role played at these sites by the isoforms of CAAT/enhancer binding protein in patterning of PEPCK-C gene expression during the perinatal period. The PEPCK-C gene provides a model for the metabolic control of gene transcription.

Messenger RNA sorting in enterocytes. Co-localization with encoded proteins

This study describes the intracellular compartmentalization of three different mRNAs in the polarized rat fetal enterocyte. They encode proteins that are known to be localized within different regions of the epithelial cell namely (i) the apical, membrane-bound glycoprotein, lactase-phlorizin hydrolase (lactase), (ii) the mitochondrially localized enzyme, carbamoylphosphate synthetase (CPS), and (iii) the cytoplasmically localized enzyme, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK). These mRNAs are found in close proximity to their respective protein products, i.e. the apical membrane, mitochondria and cytoplasm, respectively. The significance of these observations is twofold; (i) they indicate that mRNAs are sorted into specific domains of the cytosol of intestinal epithelial cells; and (ii) they imply the presence of two distinct pathways of mRNA targeting one that allows transport of mRNAs that are translated on ribosomes associated with the rough endoplasmic reticulum (lactase mRNA), and the other that allows sorting of mRNAs that are translated on free polysomes (CPS and PEPCK mRNA).

Serotonin increases the cAMP concentration and the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase mRNA in rat kidney, small intestine, and liver

Within 60 min of the administration of serotonin to fasted-refed rats, there was a 5-, 16-, and 20-fold stimulation of the mRNA coding for the cytosolic form of P-enolpyruvate carboxykinase in the kidney, small intestine and liver, respectively. This stimulation was 5-, 1.3-, and 2-fold higher than noted in the same tissue after 24 h of starvation. Dose- and time-response curves to serotonin in the three tissues were similar. The level of PEPCK mRNA in the liver was significantly elevated within 30 min of serotonin administration, whereas 60 min was required in the small intestine and the kidney. The direct effect of serotonin on PEPCK mRNA was also assessed in hepatocytes maintained in primary culture. Serotonin (10(-8) M to 10(-4) M) caused a dose-dependent increase in the level of PEPCK mRNA and a transient increase in cAMP concentration. Within the first min of serotonin (10(-6) M) addition to cells, cAMP concentration increased 4-fold and returned after 10 min to basal level. Therefore, these results provide functional evidence of serotonin action in the rat peripheric tissues and suggest that cAMP is involved in its intracellular signalling.

Interaction of adrenal and pancreatic hormones in the control of hepatic enzymes during development

In the liver of suckling rats, the synthesis of hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase, serine dehydratase, and phosphofructokinase 2 as well as of renal beta-glucosidase is controlled by the circulating concentrations of adrenal and pancreatic hormones. Glucagon is capable of stimulating enzyme synthesis only in the presence of a steroid hormone. Dexamethasone and estradiol have been found to exert a permissive function on the inducibility of the studied enzymes by glucagon. Between the hormones of the adrenal medulla and glucagon antagonistic effects in enzyme induction were observed. Obviously, this antagonism is mediated by the alpha 1-adrenergic signal transferring system. A characteristic age dependence of enzyme induction by dexamethasone has been established. This might be correlated to alterations in the degree of methylation of the respective promoters. The methylation inhibitor 5-azacytidine influences significantly the enzyme induction by glucocorticoid hormones.

Regulation of lactate dehydrogenase gene expression by cAMP-dependent protein kinase subunits

The studies described in this report suggest a rather complex, albeit incomplete, sequence of molecular events that we believe form part of the cascade of reactions through which a series of hormones, via cAMP, regulates the expression of specific gene products. The majority of our own studies relate to cAMP-mediated induction of LDH. Some, if not all, of the molecular steps discussed in this paper may ultimately be recognized as part of a universal mechanism by which cAMP controls gene expression in higher eukaryotes. The idea of a functional role for cAMP-dependent protein kinase subunits in cAMP-mediated gene control has already had experimental support, but our identification of the regulatory subunit RII as a topoisomerase now more firmly points to a complex function for the kinase in regulating gene function at the DNA level. We look forward to the elucidation of the function of those nuclear proteins that serve as substrate for the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Further studies related to the molecular interaction of RII with chromosomal DNA should be a fruitful area for future research.

Effects of adrenaline on the turnover of lipoprotein lipase in rat adipose tissue

The mechanisms by which adrenaline brings about a reduction in the lipoprotein lipase activity of adipose tissue in vitro were investigated. The incorporation of [3H]leucine into lipoprotein lipase was measured during 1-h pulse incubations of rat epididymal fat bodies that had been preincubated for 4 h in the presence of glucose, insulin and dexamethasone. When adrenaline was added to the incubation medium at the start of the pulse, the incorporation of [3H]leucine was markedly reduced, suggesting that the rate of the enzyme's synthesis had decreased. On the other hand, the degradation of lipoprotein lipase, as measured by the loss of 3H-labelled enzyme protein during pulse-chase incubations of the epididymal fat bodies, was found to be significantly increased by the addition of adrenaline to the incubation medium at the start of the chase period. It is concluded that adrenaline is able both to inhibit the synthesis of lipoprotein lipase and to stimulate its degradation.

cDNA clones for liver cytochrome P-450s from individual aroclor-treated rats: constitutive expression of a new P-450 gene related to phenobarbital-inducible forms

Differential hybridization and screening with cloned inserts was used to identify two families of cytochrome P-450 cDNA clones in libraries prepared from total liver poly(A)+RNA of individual Aroclor-treated rats. One family has cDNA inserts for the major phenobarbital-inducible P-450s, P-450b and P-450e. Two types of P-450e inserts were identified. In addition, irregular inserts were characterized from two clones (PB23 and PB24) of this group. The other family has cDNA inserts for the major 3-methylcholanthrene-inducible species, P-450c and P-450d. No coding sequence restriction site variants were detected among 26 P-450d and P-450c inserts analyzed. The restriction map of the irregular 2.2-kb PB23 insert has a P-450b-like portion, followed by a 3' extension that hybridizes to RNAs of 2.7 and 4.8 kb, which are also detectable with a classical P-450b probe. The PB23 insert and the 2.7- and 4.8-kb RNAs presumably represent 3' extensions of P-450b/P-450e mRNAs, polyadenylated at downstream sites. The 858-bp sequence of the PB24 insert encodes the carboxy-terminal portion of a P-450b/P-450e-like protein. There is approximately 20% divergence at the polypeptide level between the PB24 and P-450b/P-450e sequences; nevertheless, they share many essential features. A PB24-specific probe hybridizes to a 1.9-kb RNA species which is present in the liver of untreated rats and which is not appreciably induced by phenobarbital or Aroclor. The PB24 cDNA most likely represents a constitutive cytochrome P-450, related to phenobarbital-inducible forms.

Regulation of diamine oxidase expression by beta 2-adrenoceptors in normal and hypertrophic rat kidney

The administration of preferential adrenergic receptor antagonists to uninephrectomized rats revealed the beta 2-adrenergic mediation in diamine oxidase activity increase that occurs in the remaining kidney undergoing compensatory hypertrophy. In fact, beta 1, beta 2- or beta 2, but not alpha 1-, alpha 2-, or beta 1-receptor-blocking agents prevented this enzyme enhancement. Further studies with adrenoceptor agonists, such as epinephrine (alpha 1, alpha 2, beta 1, beta 2), isoproterenol (beta 1, beta 2) or terbutaline (beta 2) showed that also in normal rat kidney diamine oxidase activity is under the control of catecholamine-beta 2-receptors through a mechanism that involves new synthesis of mRNA and protein. Theophylline, an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase, or forskolin, an activator of adenyl cyclase, increased diamine oxidase activity as does epinephrine or nephrectomy. Thus, catecholamine-triggered beta 2-receptors coupled to adenyl cyclase are involved in the regulation of diamine oxidase activity in normal and hypertrophic rat kidney.

Effect of hormones on transcription of the gene for cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) in rat kidney

The effect of hormones on the transcription rate of cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and level of mRNA for this enzyme in the rat kidney has been investigated. In renal nuclei isolated from rats given dibutyryladenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate (Bt2cAMP) or 8-bromoadenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate (8-Br-cAMP), [32P]UMP incorporation into hybridizable phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase mRNA increased severalfold within 1 h. Changes in the concentration of cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase mRNA, measured by hybridization of [32P]cDNA to poly(A)+ mRNA, paralleled alterations in the transcription rate. Dexamethasone treatment of adrenalectomized rats increased the transcription rate and the level of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase mRNA 3-4-fold after 4 h. Both parameters then declined to control values by 8 h. When dexamethasone (5 mg/kg) and Bt2cAMP (25 mg/kg) were given together, the rate of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase RNA synthesis and the level of cytosolic mRNA were not increased more than those with either drug alone. Transcription of the gene for renal phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase was not affected by diabetes or glucose refeeding but was increased 2-fold after 24 h of starvation and reduced by bicarbonate feeding after 2 h. We conclude that glucocorticoids and cAMP change the rate of transcription of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene in rat kidney, leading to changes of similar magnitude in mRNA level and, hence, enzyme activity. The results presented here and in previous work [Lamers, W., Hanson, R. W., & Meisner, H. (1982) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 79, 5137] indicate that the transcription rate of the gene for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in liver and kidney responds to hormones in a tissue-specific manner.

Effects of glucagon, dexamethasone and triiodothyronine on phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) synthesis and mRNA level in rat liver cells

Acute hormonal effects on the synthesis rate of the cytosolic form of the gluconeogenic enzyme, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP), were investigated using rat hepatocytes maintained in short-term suspension culture. Cells were pulse-labeled with [3H]leucine or [35S]methionine and the rate of synthesis of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase was estimated after immunoprecipitation of cell extracts with specific antibodies or following high-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of cell proteins. Total RNA was also extracted from cultured cells and subsequently translated in a wheat germ cell-free protein-synthesis system, in order to quantify the level of functional mRNA coding for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. Glucagon, the single most effective inducer, causes a 15--20-fold increase in the level of specific mRNA in 2 h, accompanied by a similar increase in enzyme synthesis rate. The extent of induction is further amplified about threefold when dexamethasone is added to the culture medium. The synergistic action of dexamethasone does not require pre-exposure of the cells to the glucocorticoid, but on the contrary occurs without lag upon simultaneous addition of glucagon and dexamethasone. The induction of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase mRNA by glucagon is markedly depressed in hepatocytes inhibited for protein synthesis by cycloheximide. Cycloheximide-inhibited cells, however, display a considerable induction of the message after joint stimulation with dexamethasone and glucagon. Thus, the synergistic action of dexamethasone does not require concomitant protein synthesis. These data provide indirect evidence for a primary effect of the glucocorticoids on the expression of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene. Besides glucagon and dexamethasone, the thyroid hormones are shown to influence the rate of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase synthesis in isolated liver cells. The stimulatory effect of 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) is best demonstrated as a twofold increase in relative rate of enzyme synthesis in cells supplied with T3 plus glucagon, as compared to cells challenged with glucagon alone. The effect of T3 relies on a pretranslational mechanism, as shown by a commensurate increase in functional mRNA coding for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. Dose-response experiments with T3 as well as dexamethasone demonstrate effects at very low hormone levels, consistent with a role for these hormones as physiological modulators of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase expression.

The long-term effect of glucagon on pyruvate kinase activity in primary cultures of hepatocytes

Glucagon caused a marked decrease in the total L-pyruvate kinase activity of control hepatocytes maintained in monolayer culture (t1/2 = 54 h), while the addition of insulin to hepatocytes isolated from a fasted rat caused a four- to fivefold increase in the total enzyme activity. Maintenance of L-pyruvate kinase in control cultures of hepatocytes was shown to require insulin. However, when 1 microM glucagon was present in the medium, the total L-pyruvate kinase activity was not maintained even in the presence of 1 microM insulin, but rather the total L-pyruvate kinase activity of the cells steadily declined from 12.1 to 5.7 units/mg DNA by the 6th day in culture. The increase in the total L-pyruvate kinase activity of fasted hepatocytes cultured in the presence of insulin was shown to result from an increase in protein synthesis, since actinomycin D and cycloheximide blocked the insulin-induced increase in the enzyme activity. The addition of 1 microM glucagon to cultures of fasted hepatocytes also blocked the insulin-induced increase in total L-pyruvate kinase activity. Since glucagon decreased the total L-pyruvate kinase activity in control hepatocytes and blocked the increase in L-pyruvate kinase activity in fasted hepatocytes, it is suggested that, in addition to the phosphorylation of L-pyruvate kinase by a cAMP-dependent protein kinase, glucagon also acts to decrease the synthesis of L-pyruvate kinase in vitro.

Regulation of citrate synthase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase by hydrocortisone in the liver of aging rats

The activities and hormonal regulations of citrate synthase (CS) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) in the liver of male rats of various ages were studied. It has been observed that the activity of CS increases gradually as a function of age of the rat. The activity of PEPCK, on the other hand is highest in the liver of adult rats. Adrenalectomy causes no significant change in the activity of CS of the liver of young, adult and old rats. However, this treatment decreases significantly the activity of PEPCK of the liver of rats of all the ages. Administration of hydrocortisone to adrenalectomized rats depresses and induces, respectively, the activity of CS and PEPCK in the liver of young and adult rats but not in the old rats. This hormone mediated effect of the enzymes decreases with increasing age of the rats. Treatment of actinomycin D prior to hydrocortisone administration tends to normalize the depressed level of CS. However, this inhibitor inhibits the PEPCK induction.

Effect of Zajdela ascites hepatoma on the activity and synthesis of liver histidase of tumor-bearing rats

The synthesis of histidase occurs only in free polyribosomes. The relative content of histidase synthesizing polyribosomes in rat liver, in Zajdela ascites hepatoma cells and in the liver of tumor-bearing rats is equal to 1.35%, 0.11% and 0.57%, respectively (of the total amount of free polyribosomes). It was found that hepatoma cell sap has an inhibitory effect on the synthesis of proteins in the cell-free system reconstructed from polyribosomes and cell sap of control rats.

Segmental homologies in the coding and 3' non-coding sequences of rat liver cytochrome P-450e and P-450b cDNAs and cytochrome P-450e-like genes

The nucleotide sequence of a cloned cDNA insert carried by pHDQ14 was determined and found to code for the 107 C-terminal amino acids of rat liver cytochrome P-450e. Comparison of the pHQ14 cDNA sequence with those of cloned cDNAs for cytochrome P-450b and of 2 P-450e-like genes revealed segmental homologies that may have resulted from gene conversion. These results suggest that gene conversion may generate sequence variants of genes for rat liver cytochrome P-450s.

Regulation of pyruvate kinase expression and growth in mastocytoma cells. I. Initial observations

The specific activities of pyruvate kinase and phosphofructokinase but not lactate dehydrogenase increase as P-815 mastocytoma cells approach the stationary phase. During this growth period, the rates of uptake of labelled precursors into DNA, RNA and total protein decreases. On the other hand, the pyruvate kinase protein level changes in parallel with activity. Although the K-isozyme is the primary form of pyruvate kinase expressed, some M-type subunit is also present and both forms undergo an increase in specific activity. In addition, pyruvate kinase expression is also elevated by adding cAMP analogues with theophylline, butyrate or conditioned media. This increased level of expression is hypothesized to be a secondary event associated with a differentiation-like-induced expression of the mast cell phenotype.

Control of the activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and the level of its mRNA in livers of newborn rats. Effect of diabetes, glucose load and glucocorticoids

Streptozotocin treatment produces a typical experimental diabetes in neonates exhibiting hyperglycemia, glucosuria, ketonemia and increased level of fatty acids in the blood. The liver is affected as well, with reduced activity of glycogen synthase and a corresponding decrease in the content of liver glycogen. In contrast, the activity of liver cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and the level of its mRNA are not affected. Using a cDNA containing P-pyruvate carboxykinase sequence, the relative abundance of the enzyme mRNA was estimated. The level of the mRNA was readily observed increasing by glucocorticoid treatment or decreasing in response to administered load of glucose. These parallel the changes observed in the activity of the enzyme under these treatments, indicating that the level of P-pyruvate carboxykinase mRNA actually determines that of the enzyme. The failure of diabetes to increase the level of enzyme mRNA and the limited response to glucose loading strongly suggest that the mechanisms controlling the level of P-pyruvate carboxykinase mRNA in neonates are relatively resistant to insulin. This is unique to neonates, since in both the adult and the fetal liver. P-pyruvate carboxykinase readily responds to insulin. The minimal levels of glucocorticoids characteristic of neonates may be associated with this phenomenon.

Decrease of renal phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase RNA and poly(A)+ RNA level by ochratoxin A

Ochratoxin A, a nephrotoxin produced by Aspergillus ochraceus, decreases the activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) (EC 4.1.1.32) (PEPCK) in the cytosol of rat kidneys, as well as inhibits renal gluconeogenesis (Meisner, H., and Meisner, P. (1981) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 208, 146-153). Ochratoxin A greatly reduces the level of translatable mRNA for PEPCK in kidneys of rats fed the toxin for 2 days, while the efficiency of translation of poly(A)+ RNA is not affected. A species of poly(A)+ RNA coding for a 72,000 Mr protein is increased in relative amount. Although similar in molecular weight to PEPCK, this protein is not precipitated by an antibody to PEPCK, and has a different peptide map. The sequence abundance of PEPCK mRNA, as measured by either Northern blotting or the dot blot technique, is reduced, while the hepatic level of PEPCK mRNA is not changed. The total poly(A)+ RNA level is reduced 50% in kidneys, but not livers, of rats fed a standard dose of ochratoxin A for 3-5 days. In nuclei isolated from toxin-fed rats, the rate of transcription of total RNA or PEPCK mRNA, as measured by incorporation of [32P]UTP, is not reduced by the toxin. Ochratoxin A therefore lowers total renal mRNA concentration, and certain species, notably PEPCK, are reduced to a greater extent than the bulk of the RNA pool.

Correlation of the biosynthesis of prostaglandin and cyclic AMP in monolayer cultures of rabbit articular chondrocytes

We have utilized ionophores to test whether stimulation of chondrocyte prostaglandin biosynthesis is accompanied by an increase in cyclic nucleotide levels in these cells. Radioimmunoassay of prostaglandin E2, 6-oxo-prostaglandin F1 alpha (the stable metabolite of prostaglandin I2) and prostaglandin F2 alpha showed that synthesis of each was stimulated by the divalent-cation ionophore, A23187 after short-term incubation (1-7 min) in serum-free medium. No stimulation of thromboxane B2 was detected. Two monovalent ionophores, lasalocid and monensin failed to stimulate prostaglandin biosynthesis after short-term incubation. Ionophore A23187-stimulated prostaglandin biosynthesis was variably and partially inhibited by sodium meclofenamate, indomethacin and aspirin, but not by sodium salicylate. Ionophore A23187-stimulated prostaglandin biosynthesis was accompanied by a 7.5-fold increase in cyclic AMP levels after 15 min. Sodium meclofenamate, indomethacin and aspirin which inhibited prostaglandin E2 biosynthesis also reduced cyclic AMP levels. Exogenous prostaglandin E2 (1 microgram/ml) stimulated cyclic AMP biosynthesis, which was not inhibited by aspirin. These results indicated that prostaglandins can be considered as one of the local effectors controlling cyclic AMP production in articular cartilage.

Coordinate regulation of gluconeogenesis by the glucocorticoids and glucagon: evidence for acute and chronic regulation by glucagon

The coordinate regulation of gluconeogenesis by the glucocorticoids and glucagon in primary cultures of adult rat liver parenchymal cells has been studied. The results suggest that glucagon stimulation of glucose production from 3-carbon precursors is composed of at least two components which the glucocorticoids differentially affect. Glucagon treatment of hepatocytes results in an immediate increase in glucose production which is not blocked by cycloheximide and occurs in the absence of any detectable increase of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity. This component appears to be regulated by a post-translational mechanism and involves redirection of carbon flow from glycolysis to gluconeogenesis. The second component is characterized by the need for long-term glucagon treatment. This increase in glucose production can be blocked by cycloheximide and is correlated with an increase in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity. The reaction that is accelerated by long-term glucagon incubation is located prior to the triose-phosphate level since long-term incubation with glucagon fails to increase glucose production from dihydroxyacetone any more than does short-term incubation. It is suggested that phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase rather than amino acid transport is the key pacemaker reaction in the long-term incubation since the direction and magnitude of the response for glucocorticoid and glucagon stimulation of glucose production is the same whether alanine or lactate is used as the 3-carbon precursor. The glucocorticoids exhibit an additive effect on glucagon-stimulated glucose production for the first component whereas they amplify the second component.