The direct involvement of vitamin A in glycosyl transfer reactions of mammalian membranes

Analysis of the expression pattern of the carrier protein transthyretin and its receptor megalin in the human scalp skin and hair follicles: hair cycle-associated changes

Transthyretin is a serum and cerebrospinal fluid protein synthesized early in development by the liver, choroid plexus and several other tissues. It is a carrier protein for the antioxidant vitamins, retinol, and thyroid hormones. Transthyretin helps internalize thyroxine and retinol-binding protein into cells by binding to megalin, which is a multi-ligand receptor expressed on the luminal surface of various epithelia. We investigated the expression of transthyretin and its receptor megalin in the human skin; however, their expression pattern in the hair follicle is still to be elucidated. This study addresses this issue and tests the hypothesis that "the expression of transthyretin and megalin undergoes hair follicle cycle-dependent changes." A total of 50 normal human scalp skin biopsies were examined (healthy females, 53-62 years) using immunofluorescence staining methods and real-time PCR. In each case, 50 hair follicles were analyzed (35, 10, and 5 follicles in anagen, catagen, and telogen, respectively). Transthyretin and megalin were prominently expressed in the human scalp skin and hair follicles, on both gene and protein levels. The concentrations of transthyretin and megalin were 0.12 and 0.03 Ul/ml, respectively, as indicated by PCR. The expression showed hair follicle cycle-associated changes i.e., strong expression during early and mature anagen, very weak expression during catagen and moderate expression during telogen. The expression values of these proteins in the anagen were statistically significantly higher than those of either catagen or telogen hair follicles (P ≤ 0.001). This study provides the first morphologic indication that transthyretin and megalin are variably expressed in the human scalp skin and hair follicles. It also reports variations in the expression of these proteins during hair follicle cycling. The clinical ramifications of these findings are open for further investigations.

Seminal quality and sperm production in beef bulls with chronic dietary vitamin A deficiency and subsequent re-alimentation

Sixteen Hereford bulls (16 mo of age, 462 kg average body weight) were used in each of 2 yr to evaluate the effects of hypovitaminosis A on seminal quality and sperm production. Bulls were fed a high-concentrate diet with (+VIT) or without (-VIT) supplemental Vitamin A until the apparent onset of hypovitaminosis A (28 and 32 wk in Year 1 and 2, respectively). Half of the bulls on each treatment were then slaughtered and those remaining were re-alimented with Vitamin A. Plasma retinol concentration in -VIT bulls reached a nadir at approximately 25 wk. In Year 1, the proportion of progressively motile spermatozoa was lower in -VIT bulls after 17 wk but returned to that of the +VIT group after re-alimentation. The proportion of spermatozoa with primary morphological defects appeared to be greater in -VIT bulls compared to +VIT bulls by 26 and 24 wk in Year 1 and 2, respectively. The incidence of these defects declined in -VIT bulls upon re-alimentation, and approached the incidence observed in +VIT bulls by 8 to 12 wk of re-alimentation. Hypovitaminosis A decreased paired testes weight, daily sperm production, and epididymal sperm reserves but did not affect daily gain. Prolonged dietary Vitamin A deficiency impaired semen quality and sperm production in the absence of other clinical symptoms. However, under practical feeding conditions, diets that result in long-term, marginal Vitamin A deficiency or a relatively short-term absence of Vitamin A intake probably would have minimal effects on spermatogenesis.

Rough and rocky road to the retinoid revolution

Some of us who were born in the middle of Europe between World Wars I and II had to face quite a few unusual challenges that we all met in different ways. I was born and raised in Prague, Czechoslovakia, a country at the time of my birth that was governed by a Western style of democracy, which was later destroyed by the occupation by Nazi Germany and subsequently by the takeover by the equally cruel Communists. Life required special means of adaptation to the changing living conditions and a great deal of luck to survive. After graduating from the School of Technology, I started working in the Department of Medicine at Charles University in Prague as a clinical chemist in endocrinology. This work was followed with training in basic biochemistry and the study of metabolic changes in stress. This rather diversified research, due to my changing of workplaces, led to the findings that diet can change enzymatic activity of liver tryptophan oxygenase. For a short time I worked on the metabolism of cyclic AMP in Escherichia coli, and at the age of 41, I made a risky move and succeeded in escaping with my family from the "paradise of communism." The reasons for this decision will become clear. After settling in the United States, I worked on the mechanism of activation of liver tryptophan oxygenase by cyclic AMP and eventually moved to the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. There I initially worked on the mechanism of action of steroid hormones and finally on the molecular mechanism of action of retinoids, retinol, and retinoic acid. Also in cooperation with neonatologists, I initiated studies on prematurely born human neonates which led to successful supplementation of these patients with vitamin A. The work from my laboratory and my coworkers eventually became recognized.

Micronutrient malnutrition and the pathogenesis of malarial anemia

Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and anemia is a common and sometimes serious complication of Plasmodium falciparum infection. Although micronutrient malnutrition is usually highly prevalent in malaria endemic areas, the contribution of micronutrient deficiencies to malarial anemia is often overlooked. Recent investigation suggests that micronutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin E, and zinc, may improve the morbidity of malaria through immune modulation and alteration of oxidative stress. Micronutrients are also involved in the pathogenesis of anemia and likely play a role in malarial anemia, but many clinical trials have not specifically addressed the impact of micronutrient supplementation on malarial anemia. Further work is needed to assess the effect of both clinic and community-based micronutrient interventions on malarial anemia in infants, children, and pregnant women.

Vitamin A, Vitamin E or beta-carotene status and hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma

A case-control study was carried out in 59 patients with newly diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma and 101 control subjects, who were all male hepatitis B carriers. The odds ratios of hepatocellular carcinoma occurring among hepatitis B carriers in the lowest quartile and those highest quartile of dietary and serum status were 5.3 (1.9 to 15.0) and 86.9 (20.0 to 377.2), respectively. The odds ratios for hepatitis B carriers in the lowest quartile and those in the highest quartile of dietary and serum beta-carotene status were 1.7 (0.7 to 4.1) and 5.0 (1.9 to 13.2). Vitamin E status did not differ in case patients and control subjects. Low education level, heavy consumption of alcohol, and smoking status were also associated with increased odds of hepatocellular carcinoma. Serum retinol, positively associated with dietary retinol, demonstrated an independent effect on hepatocellular carcinoma. This effect may reflect changes in the physiologic condition of the patients at the time of entering the hospital.

Nutritional and developmental regulation of glycosylation processes in digestive organs

We review the nutritional and developmental variations of the glycosylation processes in digestive organs, since glycoproteins play a prominent part as mucins or digestive enzymes in these tissues. The biosynthesis of the glycannic chains is demonstrated to be largely sensitive to various exogenous (such as nutritional) or endogenous (such as developmental) factors. Although the metabolic regulation by dietary variations appears as rather complex, according to the variety of experimental conditions and the diversity of the organs studied, available data demonstrate that this regulation does exist, depending on the quantity or sometimes the quality of the major or minor components of the diet, which induce significant variations in the glycosylation processes. The synthesis of the internal core of N-glycans is essentially regulated by diet-induced variations of the phosphoryl-dolichol level, whereas the modulation of the biosynthesis of the external part of N-glycans or the biosynthesis of O-glycans is controlled by diet-induced variations in the systems transferring fucose, galactose, sialic acid or hexosamines. Modifications in intestinal glycosylation during post-natal development in the rat control the quality of the glycannic chains of mucins and brush-border enzymes. The post-natal maturation of the intestinal rat tissue is characterized by a shift from sialylation to fucosylation, depending on coordinate changes in glycosyltransferase activities, in sugar-nucleotide breakdown or synthesis or in the activity of regulatory proteins. These activities are largely sensitive to dietary manipulations at weaning and to hormonal stimulations before weaning. However, glucocorticoid hormones do not appear as the triggering signal for the induction of these changes.

The acute phase response and vitamin A status in malaria

Plasma retinol and 5 carotenes were assayed by high performance liquid chromatography in Thai rural and urban malaria patients and matched control subjects. Plasma retinol was lower in the rural than in the urban controls and both groups of malaria patients had lower serum retinol concentrations than their respective controls. 29% (6/21) of the rural patients were biochemically deficient in retinol (less than or equal to 0.35 mumol/litre), suggesting severely depleted liver stores of vitamin A. The carotene data suggest that the intake of total carotenoids may be 50 to 100% greater than in the UK and that a much higher proportion of dietary beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A than in British adults. The concentrations of non-pro-vitamin A carotenoids in both groups of malaria patients were not compatible with vitamin A deficiency. The differences between patient and control median concentrations of pro-vitamin A (PVA) carotenoids were greater than those of non-PVA carotenoids, suggesting increased utilization of vitamin A in malaria. There was no evidence of clinical vitamin A deficiency in either of the communities studied; therefore, severely depleted stores of retinol are very unlikely. There is an alternative explanation for low plasma retinol levels in malaria patients because retinol is bound to the negative acute phase proteins, retinol binding protein and transthyretin. We suggest that the behaviour of retinol during infection indicates a rapid distribution into extravascular fluids and an increased availability to the tissues; i.e., it may be another beneficial effect of the acute phase response.

Distinct patterns of sulfated proteoglycan biosynthesis in human monocytes, granulocytes and myeloid leukemic cells

The production of sulfated proteoglycans was compared in mature peripheral blood granulocytes and monocytes and HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells. We found that HL-60 cells synthesized 5-10 times more proteoglycans than peripheral blood leukocytes. Differentiation of HL-60 cells toward mature monocytes by treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or towards granulocytes by treatment with retinoic acid or dibutyryl cyclic adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate (dbcAMP) resulted in a small (20-30%) decrease in sulfated proteoglycan biosynthesis. Chondroitin sulfate was found to be the predominant proteoglycan produced by monocytes, PMN and undifferentiated HL-60 cells. Differentiated HL-60 cells produced chondroitin sulfate as well as sulfated proteoglycans sensitive to nitrous acid degradation. Similar results were observed in TPA, dbcAMP and retinoic acid differentiated HL-60 cells indicating that the changes in proteoglycan biosynthesis observed were independent of the developmental pathway. Using specific monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry, we also found that HL-60 cells and monocytes produced chondroitin-4-sulfate, chondroitin-6-sulfate and chondroitin-O-sulfate while PMN only produced chondroitin-4-sulfate. In addition, although there were no significant differences in antibody binding to undifferentiated and differentiated HL-60 cells, the tumor cells bound 5-20 times more of the antibodies than the peripheral blood leukocytes. Our data demonstrate that sulfated proteoglycan production by HL-60 cells is distinct from PMN and monocytes. In addition, the fact that differentiated HL-60 cells continue to synthesize larger amounts of the proteoglycans than the peripheral blood leukocytes indicates these cells have not completely matured.

Selective isolation of human breast carcinoma cells resistant to the growth-inhibitory effects of retinol

The anchorage-dependent and anchorage-independent growth of the human mammary carcinoma cell line MDA-MB-231 is inhibited by vitamin A (retinol). Clones resistant to growth inhibition by retinol were isolated from this cell line in soft agar without the use of mutagens. This paper describes the isolation and characterization of the resistant lines. The clones were selectively resistant to retinol. There was significant growth inhibition after treatment with retinoic acid and 13-cis-retinoic acid. The resistant clones maintain their resistance to retinol through multiple passages. Resistance is specific for inhibition of growth, because treatment of the resistant clones results in stimulation of plasminogen activator activity without alteration of proliferation. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis shows no significant qualitative or quantitative difference in the clones when compared with the MDA-MB-231 parent line. Although the clones do not regrow in soft agar, they are tumorigenic in athymic mice. Tumors are produced at a rate similar to the parent line. The advantage of this isolation method is that sensitive and resistant malignant cells derived from the same parent cell line are now available to study the molecular events involved in the inhibition of cellular proliferation after treatment with retinol.

Effect of vitamin A deficiency on the in vitro transfer of mannose and N-acetylglucosamine in rat liver nuclei

Liver nuclei, prepared from normal and vitamin A-deficient rats, were incubated in the presence of GDP-(14C)mannose or UDP-N-acetyl(14C)glucosamine and the labelled glycoproteins analysed by SDS PAGE. Fluorographic analysis has shown that (14C) mannose labelling is enhanced by vitamin A deficiency whereas N-acetyl(14C)glucosamine transfer remains approximately at the same level regardless of the vitamin A status; we did not notice any modification when the proteins were monitored by Coomassie blue or by silver nitrate.

Mechanism of activation of choline acetyltransferase in a human neuroblastoma cell line

In our previous report we have shown that the enzyme choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), responsible for the synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, can be regulated in response to treatment by either retinoic acid or sodium butyrate. These responses were dose and time dependent, but the mechanism by which these agents were acting was not understood. We now report the results of studies aimed at elucidating the level at which both sodium butyrate and retinoic acid are able to increase ChAT activity. The effects of these agents on macromolecular synthesis appeared to be limited to small but statistically significant increases in the rate of RNA synthesis. However, inhibition of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis in these cells had no effect on the stimulation of ChAT activity by either sodium butyrate or retinoic acid. Several experiments appeared to rule out a role for cyclic AMP or protein kinase C in the regulation of ChAT activity, even though retinoic acid treatment could increase endogenous levels of cyclic AMP 3- to 4-fold over the time course of ChAT activity stimulation. Experiments performed to determine kinetic parameters of this enzyme demonstrated changes only in the Vmax, but not the Km of ChAT, suggesting that the affinity of enzyme for either of its substrates was not responsible for the increase in specific activity. Taken together, this evidence suggests that the activation of choline acetyltransferase in this human neuroblastoma cell line occurs at the post-translational level.

Cell type expression mediated by cell cycle events, and signaled by mitogens and growth inhibitors

It is initially pointed out that the majority of factors that induce cell type expression in mature precursor cells are either mitogens or growth inhibitors. On the basis of available data, a theoretical model of regulation of cell type expression for each group of factors is proposed. In model A the mitogen affects the expression of cell type through the positive control of cell cycle progression, while in model B the growth inhibitor induces the negative control of cell cycle progression, which in its turn causes the cell type expression. In connection with those two models, various systems of cell type expression are classified into three groups. In model A systems, the cell lineage has an option of autotypic and allotypic cell types. The former is expressed in the absence of added mitogen, and the latter is expressed in its presence. In model B systems the cell lineage-specific cell type is expressed by the negative cell cycle control induced by the growth inhibitor. In model A-B systems both mitogen and inhibitor are needed in tandem for the expression of a cell type. The second major point made is that the expression of cell type follows the negative control of cell cycle progression even in model A systems. However, in this system the control occurs spontaneously. This suggests that the negative control is essential for cell type expression in all systems, and directly precedes the expression. In contrast, the positive control induced by exogenous mitogen is not required in the expression in model B systems or in that of autotypic cell types in model A systems. The third point is that on the basis of the hypothesis of replication-transcription coupling, proposed by Sauer and colleagues, it is speculated that the pattern of early-replicating genes may be functioning as the potential gene transcription pattern for cell type expression in precursor cells. If this pattern is perpetuated through cell generations, the original cell type specificity of the precursor cell lineage should be maintained. If this pattern is modified by the positive control of cell cycle progression in model A systems, the potential transcriptional pattern for the allotypic pathway may emerge. Furthermore, it is proposed that the realization of the potential pattern may depend on a signal, informing the completion of the negative control of cell cycle progression. Thus in all cell lineages, when the negative cell cycle control is completed, chromatin receives this signal, and the potential transcription pattern is converted into cell type differentiation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Retinol induces platelet aggregation via activation of phospholipase A2

All-trans-retinol induced aggregation of rabbit platelets, and this effect could be inhibited by a cyclooxygenase inhibitor and a thromboxane A2 (TXA2) receptor antagonist, indicating an essential role for endogenously produced TXA2. We found a two-phase arachidonic acid release in retinol-stimulated platelets. The first phase was induced by the action of retinol alone and not inhibited by TXA2 receptor antagonist. The second phase was induced via synergistic action of retinol and initially generated small amount of TXA2, and was inhibited by the antagonist. Moreover, we discussed that the arachidonic acid release may be mediated by the action of phospholipase A2.

Adverse reactions to isotretinoin. A report from the Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting System

Between October 1982 and June 1985 the Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting System received reports of 104 suspected adverse reactions occurring in 93 patients who took isotretinoin. Adverse reactions involving the skin and mucous membranes (29 reports), central nervous system (23), musculoskeletal system (12), pregnancy (11), and eyes (8) were most commonly reported. Severe headache was the most frequently reported adverse reaction (15 reports). In four cases headaches were attributed to pseudotumor cerebri. Some of the reported reactions, for example, a disulfiram (Antabuse)-like reaction and oculogyric crisis, have not been described previously in the literature. Other reports, such as congenital malformations, serve to emphasize some of the serious reactions that are known to occur. These spontaneous reports of adverse reactions associated with isotretinoin use, together with the literature we review, may help alert physicians to the diverse spectrum of adverse reactions that may develop in patients taking isotretinoin.

In vivo formation of tritium-labeled lactic acid from [2-3H]mannose or [15-3H]retinol by hamster intestinal epithelial cells

In studies designed to reexamine the in vivo occurrence of retinyl phosphate mannose we injected hamsters intraperitoneally with either [2-3H]mannose or [15-3H]retinol and sacrificed the animals 15 min later. The small intestine was removed, the epithelial cells were scraped, and a methanolic extract of the labeled cells was prepared and chromatographed on a Mono Q anion-exchange column. Intraperitoneal administration of either [2-3H]mannose or [15-3H]retinol lead to the formation of a tritium-labeled anionic compound with a retention time on the Mono Q column similar to that of standard retinyl phosphate mannose. However, the biochemical properties of this labeled anionic compound were those expected of an organic acid and not retinyl phosphate mannose. The compound was resistant to both strong acid hydrolysis and mild base hydrolysis, as well as digestion with alpha- or beta-mannosidase, phosphodiesterase I, nucleotide pyrophosphatase, or beta-glucuronidase. When chromatographed on an Aminex HPX-87H organic acid analysis column or a silicic acid column the labeled anionic compound derived from either [2-3H]mannose or [15-3H]retinol comigrated with standard lactic acid. Treatment of the anionic compound derived from [2-3H]mannose with lactate oxidase or L-lactate 2-monooxygenase resulted in the formation of a tritium-labeled product that cochromatographed, respectively, with pyruvate or acetate on the Aminex HPX-87H column. However, treatment of the anionic compound derived from [15-3H]retinol with these same two enzymes resulted in a labeled product that migrated on the Aminex column at the same position as tritiated water. This result demonstrated that the labeled hydrogen was removed during enzymatic digestion and suggested that it was present on the second carbon of lactic acid. During the course of these studies no evidence for the in vivo labeling of a compound with the properties of retinyl phosphate mannose was found. Since [2-3H]mannose leads to labeled lactic acid in vivo the tritium label must not always be lost, as expected, during the entry step into glycolysis in which mannose 6-phosphate is converted to fructose 6-phosphate. The results suggest that an intramolecular hydrogen transfer from the C-2 position of mannose 6-phosphate to the C-1 position of fructose 6-phosphate can occur during the phosphomannose isomerase reaction. The finding that the position of the tritium label on lactic acid derived from [15-3H]retinol is on the second carbon is consistent with it coming from NADH labeled with tritium in the transferable hydrogen which was formed intracellularly during the NAD+-linked oxidation of retinol to retinaldehyde.

Retinoic acid alters the metabolic 3H-labelling of glycosphingolipids

Retinoic acid increases the incorporation of radioactivity from a mixture of [3H]-galactose and [3H]-glucosamine into glycosphingolipids of serum-starved quiescent human foreskin fibroblasts with a preferential labelling of ceramide mono- and dihexoside as compared to ceramide tri- and tetrahexoside. Under the conditions used, no similar change in the specific labelling of glycoprotein is observed. Alteration in [3H]-precursor uptake into glycolipids comparable to that seen under the influence of retinoic acid does not occur in the presence of phorbolester, colchicine, butyrate or after infection with cytomegalovirus.

Modulation of the rabbit chondrocyte phenotype by retinoic acid terminates type II collagen synthesis without inducing type I collagen: the modulated phenotype differs from that produced by subculture

The differentiated phenotype of rabbit articular chondrocytes can be characterized by the synthesis of high levels of cartilage specific proteoglycan and collagen (type II). Treatment of these cells in primary monolayer culture for periods of up to 18 days with 0.03 to 3.0 micrograms/ml retinoic acid (RA) resulted in suppression of colony formation, altered morphology, and decreased (eightfold) proteoglycan and collagen synthesis. With the exception of collagen synthesis, these changes were complete with all doses after 4 days of treatment. Collagen synthesis declined more slowly; it was dose dependent after 4 days and maximally inhibited by all doses by 9 days. Detailed analysis of the collagen phenotype was performed using SDS-PAGE of intact chains and 2-D CNBr peptide analysis. RA caused cessation of type II synthesis, and transient stimulation of type III and type I trimer collagen synthesis, without induction of type I collagen. Essentially identical results were obtained with retinol. The resultant collagen phenotype differed significantly from the type I-containing phenotype induced by subculture. Thus, suppression of this differentiated program did not elicit a common modulated phenotype. The results are discussed in the context of direct and indirect mechanisms of RA-dependent modulation of chondrocyte gene expression.

Epidermal effects of retinoids: supramolecular observations and clinical implications

Retinoids, synthetic vitamin A analogs, stimulate mucous metaplasia and gap-junction proliferation in embryonic and neoplastic epidermis. Such effects demonstrate that vitamin A has potent effects on epidermal differentiation. Oddly, however, retinoid action in normal postnatal tissues, where these drugs are used clinically, appears to be quite different. In animals and humans, both topical and systemic retinoids produce acanthosis, hypergranulosis, and a relative (but not absolute) decrease in the thickness of the stratum corneum. These changes reflect the distinct boost in cell turnover that results from retinoid treatment. On the ultrastructural level, desmosomes are actively shed by cells of the spinous layer, resulting in many fewer attachment points along the cell membranes of the outer epidermis. Loss of desmosomes, coupled with decreased tonofilaments, enhanced keratinocyte autolysis, and intercellular deposition of glycoconjugates (not mucin), cause loosening and fragility of the stratum corneum (so-called anti-keratinizing effects). The biochemical basis of retinoid activity, in addition to stimulating increased cell turnover, appears to be a global enhancement of glycoconjugate synthesis and the generation of less mature keratins. The epidermal effects of retinoids can be exploited therapeutically: to cause loosening of thickened stratum corneum, for example in psoriasis or ichthyosis; to enhance penetration of pharmacologic agents such as 5-fluorouracil across hypertrophic actinic keratoses; and to normalize differentiation in neoplastic epidermis involving mucous metaplasia and gap-junction proliferation.

Adverse metabolic consequences of nutritional support: micronutrients

The role of total parenteral nutrition in cancer patients is still a matter of controversy. Over the last decade there has been a heightened interest in the interaction of micronutrients with tumor cells. A review of the literature reveals that the question of feeding or suppressing the tumor by supplementing micronutrients remains unanswered. Prospective studies are needed to define the requirements of vitamins and trace elements in the cancer patient.

Vitamin A modifies the glycopeptide composition of cultured Sertoli cells

Sertoli cells obtained from prepubertal rat testes were cultured in the presence or absence of retinol. Incorporation of monosaccharides and glycopeptide composition of the cells were studied under two experimental conditions. The results indicate that retinol increases the amount of mannose and glucosamine incorporated into cellular glycoconjugates. The labeled glycopeptides obtained from control and retinol-treated cells were separated by size and lectin affinity. Gel filtration analysis showed no size differences between the glycopeptides obtained from control and vitamin A-treated cells. Affinity chromatography on Concanavalin A and Wheat Germ Agglutinin of 3H-mannose-labeled glycopeptides showed that Sertoli cells cultured in the presence of retinol contain a higher percentage of high mannose-type glycopeptides compared with control cells. The effect of retinol on Sertoli cell glycopeptide composition is partially reversed by the administration of FSH.

Characterization of a retinylmonophosphatase in the plasma membrane of mouse brain

Retinylmonophosphatase (RMPase) activity in mouse brain paralleled the subcellular distribution of the plasma-membrane marker Na+ + K+-dependent ATPase. The enzyme had a pH optimum between 5.5 and 7.0. The enzyme demonstrated linear kinetics with respect to time and both protein and substrate concentrations. RMPase was saturated by low retinyl monophosphate (RMP) concentrations and exhibited an apparent Km of 4.6 microM. The enzyme did not require MgCl2 for activity, and in fact assays were routinely run in the presence of 10 mM-Na2EDTA. In general, detergents inhibited the enzyme, with 0.05% Triton X-100 causing a 30% loss of activity. Phosphatidic acid was also inhibitory, but phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin stimulated phosphatase activity. RMPase was inhibited 35% by 5 mM concentrations of fluoride, phosphate or pyrophosphate. A series of other phosphorylated compounds, including glucose 6-phosphate, alpha-glycerophosphate, ATP, AMP, p-nitrophenyl phosphate and thiamin pyrophosphate, showed little or no inhibition. RMPase activity differed in several characteristics from that previously reported for dolichylmonophosphatase. It is concluded that RMP could play a distinct role in the plasma membrane.

The effect of retinoids on the activity of the membrane form of galactosyltransferase, studied in an enzyme/liposome model system

In the present study the effect of retinoids on the membrane form of galactosyltransferase was tested. A model system consisting of pure bovine milk galactosyltransferase and phosphatidylserine vesicles was used for this investigation. Retinol, retinal and retinylphosphate were able to overcome the modulating effect of phosphatidylserine, that is, activated the enzyme. Retinoic acid and retinylpalmitate were ineffective in this system.

Some thoughts on the relationship between vitamin A and cancer

Retinoids clearly show both prophylactic and therapeutic effects against many kinds of neoplasm. Vitamin A deficiency and vitamin A excess, which are very different states clinically and metabolically, should be separately considered relative to carcinogenesis. The anticancer effects of retinoids and related compounds may be more closely related to their chemical structure than to their similarity to the structure and function of vitamin A. Retinoids act on cells and tissues in a number of ways. Although many interesting ideas have been proposed to clarify their mode of action, no single hypothesis adequately explains their many molecular interactions and responses. Investigation of early molecular interactions between retinoids and cells and the subsequent metabolism of retinoids in neoplastic and normal cells may aid in the clarification of their action as antineoplastic agents.

Retinoic acid induced HL-60 myeloid differentiation: dependence of early and late events on isomeric structure

The capability of HL-60 cells to undergo G1/0 specific growth arrest and myeloid differentiation in response to isomers of retinoic acid (RA) having an altered alkyl chain was determined. At a concentration where beta-all trans RA induces myeloid differentiation and G1/0 specific growth arrest, 11,13-dicis and 9,13-dicis isomers failed to induce significant phenotypic differentiation, assayed by the inducible superoxide production characteristic of mature myeloid cells, but could induce moderate G1/0 specific growth arrest. The 9-cis and 11-cis isomers induced both phenotypic differentiation and G1/0 specific growth arrest. The occurrence of G1/0 specific growth arrest without phenotypic differentiation indicates that the induced cellular programs leading to phenotypic differentiation and G1/0 specific growth arrest are not tightly coupled. Within the 48-h period usually required by beta-all trans RA to induce onset of phenotypic differentiation and G1/0 specific growth arrest, all isomers could complete early events in the cellular programs leading to G1/0 specific growth arrest and phenotypic differentiation, but the dicis isomers could not complete late events in the phenotypic differentiation program. The capability of dicis isomers to drive late events in the G1/0 specific growth arrest program was also compromised. Characteristic early and late changes in Ca2+ binding cytosolic proteins induced by RA and its isomers were consistent with their early and late capabilities. Failure of the dicis isomers to induce differentiation was thus due to a failure in late events associated with aberrations in cytosolic, Ca2+ binding proteins. The results suggest a model in which RA presents two signals to induce HL-60 terminal differentiation.

The effects of vitamin A deficiency on hepatic folate metabolism in rats

The effects of severe vitamin A deficiency (liver retinol less than 2 micrograms/g) on hepatic folate metabolism in rats were studied. The oxidation of a [ring-2-14C] histidine load or a [14C]formate load to 14CO2 was significantly depressed in vitamin A-deficient rats and those given histidine also excreted more urinary formiminoglutamic acid (FiGlu) than pair-fed controls. The increase in FiGlu excretion was not due to augmented production from histidine, implicating an impairment of FiGlu catabolism. FiGlu formiminotransferase activity was unaltered in vitamin A-deficient rats, but hepatic tetrahydrofolic acid (THF) concentration was decreased by 58% in vitamin A-deficient rats given a histidine load while 5-methyl-THF concentration was increased by 39%. Formyl-THF and total folate levels were similar to controls. A redistribution of folate coenzymes was not found in vitamin A-deficient rats not force fed histidine. A 43% decrease in 10-formyl-THF dehydrogenase activity, which generates both THF and the 14CO2 from the labeled substrates, and an 81% increase in 5,10-methylene-THF reductase activity, which generates 5-methyl-THF, were found in vitamin A-deficient rats. It appears that the production of severe vitamin A deficiency results in selective changes in the activities of hepatic folate-dependent enzymes, so that when a load of a one-carbon donor is given, THF concentration decreases and metabolism of the load is impaired.

Synthesis of retinyl phosphate mannose in vitro. Non-enzymic breakdown and reversibility

Hamster liver microsomal membranes catalyse the synthesis of retinyl phosphate mannose (Ret-P-Man) from GDP-mannose and exogenous retinyl phosphate (Ret-P). We have previously shown that maximal Ret-P-Man synthesis occurs in vitro at 20-30 min, followed by a subsequent loss of mannose from Ret-P-Man, suggestive of an intermediary function of Ret-P-Man and/or Ret-P-Man breakdown [Shidoji, Silverman-Jones & De Luca (1982) Biochem. J. 208, 865-868; Creek, Morre, Silverman-Jones, Shidoji & De Luca (1983) Biochem. J. 210, 541-547). To monitor Ret-P-Man synthesis and breakdown carefully, we developed a chromatographic system in which mannose, Ret-P-Man, mannose phosphate and GDP-mannose are separated in a single analysis on a Mono Q column eluted with a gradient of NaCl. Using this chromatographic system, we have determined that 80-90% of the Ret-P-Man made in vitro by hamster liver membranes in 30 min is recovered with the membranes upon centrifugation. Subsequent incubation of Ret-P-Man-loaded membranes at 37 degrees C results in a non-enzymic breakdown of Ret-P-Man to beta-mannopyranosyl phosphate and anhydroretinol. However, incubation of the Ret-P-Man-loaded hamster liver membranes with GDP, but not GMP, ADP, CDP or UDP, results in a loss of mannose from Ret-P-Man and the formation of GDP-mannose and Ret-P. These results demonstrate that Ret-P-Man synthesized in vitro is subject to non-enzymic breakdown to beta-mannopyranosyl phosphate and anhydroretinol and that the GDP-mannose:retinyl phosphate mannosyltransferase reaction is reversible.

Biotransformation and protein binding of N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide in murine mammary epithelial cells

The biotransformation of N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (HPR), and interactions of parent compound and/or metabolites with the cellular retinoid binding proteins (CRBPs) and cellular retinoic acid binding proteins (CRABPs) were examined in murine mammary tumor virus (MuMTV)-induced murine mammary tumor cells (GR-3A) grown in monolayer cell culture. Soluble fractions (cytosols) obtained from the extracts of GR-3A cells after high speed centrifugation were found to contain proteins of approx. 15,000 daltons which bound retinol and retinoic acid, but did not bind HPR or HPR metabolites. Moreover, HPLC analysis of GR-3A cell extracts demonstrated that [3H]retinol and [3H]retinoic acid were not detected in cells that had been exposed to [3H]HPR for 48 h. These findings, that under in vitro conditions there is no appreciable enzymatic hydrolysis of HPR to retinoic acid or conversion to retinol, suggests that the metabolism and cytological effects of HPR may be distinct from those of retinol or retinoic acid within murine mammary epithelial cells.

Induction of retinol esterification in retinal pigment epithelial cells by butyrate

Butyrate induced marked morphological changes in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. The cells assumed a flattened structure within six hours of exposure to butyrate. The butyrate-treated retinal pigment epithelial cells possessed an enhanced capacity to esterify retinol. Among all short chain organic acids tested, butyrate was by far the most effective, followed by pentanoate and hexanoate. The inductive effect of butyrate was specific for retinol esterification, since the incorporations of fatty acid into phosphatidyl choline and cholesteryl ester were not enhanced. Time-dependent, butyrate-enhanced retinol esterification may be related to the inhibition of cell proliferation. This represents the first report on the induction of retinol esterification in cultured retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Induction of murine teratocarcinoma cell differentiation by suppression of poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis

Poly(ADP-ribose) synthesizing activity in mouse teratocarcinoma EC-A1 cells decreased markedly during differentiation induced by retinoic acid; the activities assayed in permeabilized cells decreased to 25% and 10% of the activity of control (uninduced cells) 2 and 3 days, respectively, after the addition of 0.1 microM retinoic acid to the culture medium. This change preceded changes in morphology and DNA synthesis, which became prominent after 4 days. The decrease in poly(ADP-ribose) synthesizing activity appeared to be caused by a diminution of the synthetase protein and not by a decrease in its catalytic activity, because the full activity disclosed by DNase I treatment decreased in parallel, albeit at about 20 times higher levels. When 8 mM 3-aminobenzamide or 10 mM nicotinamide, specific inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase, was added to the culture medium, the cells underwent differentiation after 7-9 days. An analogue, 3-aminobenzoic acid, which is not inhibitory to the synthetase, induced differentiation much less efficiently than did 3-aminobenzamide, and the effect of 3-aminobenzoic acid appeared to be ascribable to its potent cytotoxicity. Immunohistochemical analysis using anti-poly(ADP-ribose) antibody confirmed the marked reduction in poly(ADP-ribose) synthesizing activity in nuclei of the cells treated with retinoic acid or 3-aminobenzamide but not with 3-aminobenzoic acid. These results suggest that a decrease in poly(ADP-ribose) synthesis triggers differentiation of teratocarcinoma cells.

The effect of retinoic acid on collagen synthesis by human dermal fibroblasts

The effect of all-trans retinoic acid (RA) on cell proliferation and protein synthesis was examined using neonatal human dermal fibroblasts in culture. Incorporation of [3H]-methylthymidine showed that cell proliferation decreased in response to increasing concentrations of RA. Analysis of proteins secreted into culture medium showed a decrease in the synthesis of both collagen and non-collagenous proteins, paralleling the effect on cell proliferation. Secreted proteins showed increased enzymatic processing of type I procollagen. The enhanced appearance of pc collagens, intermediates in the enzymatic conversion of procollagen to collagen, indicated that retinoic acid increased the activity of procollagen aminoterminal protease. Electrophoretic mobility and mannosylation of fibronectin was unchanged at RA concentrations tested. Cell morphology was unchanged at all concentrations of retinoic acid. The inhibitory effect of RA on cell proliferation is consistent with previous observations. The enhanced activity of procollagen aminoterminal protease may be important in the overall influence of RA on the elaboration of connective tissue.

Role of retinoic acid in maturation of fetal liver cells in vitro

Regulation of the biosynthesis of alpha-fetoprotein and albumin was studied in a temperature-sensitive fetal rat hepatocyte line (RLA209-15) which exhibits a differentiated phenotype when grown at 40 degrees C. Retinoic acid inhibited alpha-fetoprotein production but increased albumin production. This retinoid also changed the proportion of three forms of alpha-fetoprotein; the biosynthesis of the 73,000- and 69,000-dalton variants, which are indistinguishable from authentic rat alpha-fetoprotein, was inhibited and an additional 65,000-dalton variant was induced. It has previously been shown that alpha-fetoprotein production decreases during maturation whereas albumin production increases. Our data suggest that retinoic acid induces maturation of fetal liver cells in vitro. Further, the 65,000-dalton alpha-fetoprotein variant may be characteristic of liver maturation.

The effect of vitamin A deficiency and fluoride on glycosaminoglycan metabolism in bone

The effects of fluoride intake and vitamin A deficiency on glycosaminoglycan metabolism in vivo were investigated. Weanling female rats were fed either a vitamin A deficient diet ad libitum, a vitamin A supplemented diet pair-fed to the deficient animals, or the vitamin A supplemented diet ad libitum. Additionally, each vitamin A dietary group was divided into three subgroups with the animals receiving water containing 0, 10 or 50 ppm fluoride. The results showed that the groups receiving 10 and 50 ppm fluoride at all dietary levels of vitamin A had significantly higher in vivo 35SO4 incorporation in both the epiphyseal and diaphyseal regions of the bone than the animals receiving 0 ppm fluoride. The vitamin A deficient animals incorporated significantly less 35SO4 into glycosaminoglycans in the epiphyseal and diaphyseal regions of the bone compared to the pair-fed, vitamin A sufficient animals for all three fluoride receiving groups. There was no interaction between fluoride intake and dietary vitamin A levels on 35SO4 incorporation into glycosaminoglycans. Fluoride either increased sulfation or turnover of glycosaminoglycans.

Stimulation of sialyltransferase activity of melanoma cells by retinoic acid

Retinoic acid (RA) treatment of murine S91-C2 melanoma cells has been found to augment the activity of glycoprotein: sialyltransferase in a dose-dependent and time-dependent process. The enzymatic activity in cells treated with 10 microM RA reached a maximal level, 3-fold higher than in untreated cells, 72 h after initiation of treatment. In contrast, the addition of RA directly into the reaction mixture had no stimulatory effect on sialyltransferase. The endogenous glycoproteins to which sialic acid is transferred from cytidine monophosphate (CMP)-[14C] sialic acid by the action of sialyltransferase have been identified by fluorography after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. One of these acceptors, a glycoprotein of Mr 160 000, comigrated in gel electrophoresis with a cell surface sialoglycoprotein that can be labeled by the periodate-tritiated borohydrate procedure more intensely on intact RA-treated than on untreated cells. Removal of sialic acid residues exposed on the surface of either control or RA-treated cells enhanced 2- to 3-fold the transfer of sialic acid to endogenous acceptors. These results suggest that the increased sialyltransferase activity in RA-treated melanoma cells may be responsible for the enhanced sialylation of certain cell surface glycoproteins. RA treatment of several other tumor cell lines also resulted in stimulation of sialyltransferase activity indicating that this effect of RA is not limited to the S91-C2 melanoma cells.

High pressure liquid chromatographic detection of intracellular retinoid binding proteins from cultured cell and tumor cytosols

We report the first application of high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the rapid detection of cellular retinoic acid binding protein (CRABP) and cellular retinol binding protein (CRBP). Cytosols from cultured cells (3T6 and MCF-7) or from tumors (melanoma and ovarian) were labeled with [3H]retinoic acid (30 Ci/mmol) and [3H]retinol (43 Ci/mmol) and analyzed via HPLC employing a 60 cm TSK 3000 sw column. In each case CRABP and CRBP were readily detectable at an elution volume of 22.5 ml, consistent with their molecular weights of 14,600. Identity of the binding protein peaks was established by saturability, specificity, and selective inhibition of binding by an organomercurial. Thus, this method, which resolves CRABP and CRBP in crude mixtures from the majority of cytosolic proteins, should be a valuable tool in the evaluation of vitamin A-binding protein interactions and their biological significance.

Effect of retinoic acid on cell-cell adhesiveness in cloned BHK21/C13 cells which form piling-up colonies

The effect was studied of retinoic acid (RA) on cell-cell adhesiveness in Ag8-1 cells, which are piling-up colony-forming cells cloned from a Syrian hamster kidney fibroblastic cell line BHK21/C13. From the piled-up part of the colonies grown with RA (10 microM), many cells were dissociated by mere shaking or pipetting. The dissociated cells soon adhered to and spread on plastic surfaces in the presence of RA. The number of cells per colony increased almost at the same rate in the presence or absence of RA. The effect of RA on the appearance of cells dissociable from colonies was noticeable above 0.1 microM, prominent from 1 to 10 microM, greater when added in the earlier stages of colony formation and negligible when added just before the dissociation assay. Single cells from the monolayer culture grown with RA (10 microM) had less tendency to aggregate than did those from the control culture. Cells from the colonies grown with RA adhered to and spread on a plastic dish for bacterial use, but control cells seldom adhered. These results indicate that RA decreases the cell-cell adhesiveness or suppresses the development of it but increases cell-substratum adhesiveness.

Interactions between retinyl phosphate and bivalent cations

In the presence of Mn(II) ions, the u.v. absorption spectrum of retinyl phosphate (Ret-P) solubilized in Triton X-100 micelles, phosphatidylcholine liposomes or rat liver microsomes exhibited a shift from the maximum of 330 nm to 287 nm. The effect of Mn(II) was reversed by adding EDTA or phosphate buffer. The same spectral change was found in the presence of poly-L-lysine in place of Mn(II) ions. The e.s.r. spectrum of Mn(II) in the presence or in the absence of Ret-P clearly showed that approx. 75% of the initial concentration of Mn(II) ions is bound to Ret-P when the molar ratio of Ret-P to Mn(II) ions is 4:1; no such binding occurred in the presence of retinol or retinoic acid. The appearance of two isosbestic points at 303 and 368 nm, in the presence of Mn(II) ions, suggests the existence of an equilibrium between an Mn(II)-bound monomer and an Mn(II)-bound dimer of Ret-P in Triton X-100 micelles. The same effect on the u.v.-absorption spectrum of Ret-P was also induced by Co(II), Cr(II), Zn(II) and Fe(II), but not by Mg2+ or Cu(II). The formation of the 'metachromatic complex' between Ret-P and Mn(II) or Co(II) inhibited the synthesis of retinyl phosphate mannose (Ret-P-Man) from exogenous and endogenous Ret-P and guanosine diphosphate [14C]mannose when bovine serum albumin was added after the metal ion. However, the order of addition did not influence Ret-P-Man synthesis in incubations containing MgCl2, which does not form the metachromatic complex with Ret-P. These results suggest that the bioavailability of proteins, polyamines and metal ions may control the extent to which Ret-P can be mannosylated in the intact membrane.

Metabolism of [11-3H]retinyl acetate in liver tissues of vitamin A-sufficient, -deficient and retinoic acid-supplemented rats

A study was conducted on the incorporation of [11-3H]retinyl acetate into various retinyl esters in liver tissues of rats either vitamin A-sufficient, vitamin A-deficient or vitamin A-deficient and maintained on retinoic acid. Further, the metabolism of [11-3H]retinyl acetate to polar metabolites in liver tissues of these three groups of animals was investigated. Retinol metabolites were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. In vitamin A-sufficient rat liver, the incorporation of radioactivity into retinyl palmitate and stearate was observed at 0.25 h after the injection of the label. The label was further detected in retinyl laurate, myristate, palmitoleate, linoleate, pentadecanoate and heptadecanoate 3 h after the injection. The specific radioactivities (dpm/nmol) of all retinyl esters increased with time. However, the rate of increase in the specific radioactivity of retinyl laurate was found to be significantly higher (66-fold) than that of retinyl palmitate 24 h after the injection of the label. 7 days after the injection of the label, the specific radioactivity between different retinyl esters were found to be similar, indicating that newly dosed labelled vitamin A had now mixed uniformly with the endogenous pool of vitamin A in the liver. The esterification of labelled retinol was not detected in liver tissues of vitamin A-deficient or retinoic acid-supplemented rats at any of the time point studied. Among the polar metabolites analyzed, the formation of [3H]retinoic acid from [3H]retinyl acetate was found only in vitamin A-deficient rat liver 24 h after the injection of the label. A new polar metabolite of retinol (RM) was detected in liver of the three groups of animals. The formation of 3H-labelled metabolite RM from [3H]retinyl acetate was not detected until 7 days after the injection of the label in the vitamin A-sufficient rat liver, suggesting that metabolite RM could be derived from a more stable pool of vitamin A.

Induction of differentiation of embryonal carcinoma cells by retinol: possible mechanisms

Retinol, like retinoic acid, can induce differentiation of two embryonal carcinoma cell lines. These cells contain the specific retinol binding proteins in the cytosolic fractions. No correlation was found between the levels of binding activity and the effectiveness of retinol to induce differentiation. Microsomal fractions of embryonal carcinoma cells catalyse mannosyl transfer from GDP-mannose to retinyl phosphate. The formation of mannosyl retinyl phosphate appears a constitutive property and can be a mechanism by which retinoids induce early cell surface changes during differentiation of embryonal carcinoma cells.

Mannosyl carrier functions of retinyl phosphate and dolichyl phosphate in rat liver endoplasmic reticulum

Of the subcellular fractions of rat liver the endoplasmic reticulum was the most active in GDP-mannose: retinyl phosphate mannosyl-transfer activity. The synthesis of retinyl phosphate mannose reached a maximum at 20-30 min of incubation and declined at later times. Retinyl phosphate mannose and dolichyl phosphate mannose from endogenous retinyl phosphate and dolichyl phosphate could also be assayed in the endoplasmic reticulum. About 1.8 ng (5 pmol) of endogenous retinyl phosphate was mannosylated per mg of endoplasmic reticulum protein (15 min at 37 degrees C, in the presence of 5 mM-MnCl2), and about 0.15 ng (0.41 pmol) of endogenous retinyl phosphate was mannosylated with Golgi-apparatus membranes. About 20 ng (13.4 pmol) of endogenous dolichyl phosphate was mannosylated in endoplasmic reticulum and 4.5 ng (3 pmol) in Golgi apparatus under these conditions. Endoplasmic reticulum, but not Golgi-apparatus membranes, catalysed significant transfer of [14C]mannose to endogenous acceptor proteins in the presence of exogenous retinyl phosphate. Mannosylation of endogenous acceptors in the presence of exogenous dolichyl phosphate required the presence of Triton X-100 and could not be detected when dolichyl phosphate was solubilized in liposomes. Dolichyl phosphate mainly stimulated the incorporation of mannose into the lipid-oligosaccharide-containing fraction, whereas retinyl phosphate transferred mannose directly to protein.

Vitamin A-deficiency impairs the normal mannosylation, conformation and iodination of thyroglobulin: a new etiological approach to endemic goitre

This study was undertaken in order to validate the hypothesis that vitamin A-deficiency alters the structure of thyroglobulin (Tg). For that purpose, four groups of 20 Sprague-Dawley rats were submitted during two months to varying dietary conditions, namely a control diet (C+), a vitamin A-deficient diet (A-), an iodine-deficient diet (I-) and a diet characterized by the association of both deficiencies (A-I-). Both the conventional parameters of thyroid function, the intracellular steps of Tg glycosylation and iodination were analyzed. In the A- and A-I- groups, blood levels of retinol fell to one tenth of the control mean and circulating concentrations of total and free T4 and T3 increased significantly. This biochemical hyperthyroidism contrasted with the maintenance of normal TSH plasma values, suggesting a generalized peripheral refractoriness to thyroid hormones. In both A- and A-I- groups, thyroid cytosol 3H-RPM (retinyl-phosphate-mannose) and 3H-mannose incorporation into the core of the 12S-Tg and 19S-Tg species were reduced by 40-50%. In contrast, cytosolic concentrations of 3H-DPM (dolichyl-phosphate-mannose) rose, suggesting that the N-glycosylation pathways are affected in opposite direction. The sedimentation coefficient in sucrose gradient of the purified dimeric 125I-19S-Tg after guanidine 6M and dithiothreitol denaturation showed that most of the A- Tg molecules were transformed into monomeric 12S species, implying alterations of both noncovalent and covalent bonds. Finally, the radiochromatogram of 125I-iodothyronines recovered after Tg pronase digestion revealed a significant increase in the mono- (MIT) and diiodothyronine (DIT) fractions in contrast with a significant decrease in the T3 and T4 hormonal compounds. These findings are consistent with the view that vitamin A-depletion impairs the endogenous RPM synthesis and, therefore, the normal Tg 0-mannosylation. The growing peptide is characterized by steric hindrance, leading to abnormal closure of disulphide bonds, reduced MIT-DIT coupling reactions and depressed generation of physiologically active thyroid hormones. pure iodine deficit (I-) induces no effects on the above-mentioned glycosylation reactions, but iodine shortage superimposed on preexisting vitamin A-deficit (A-I-) aggravates the Tg dysmaturation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)