Studies on the golgi apparatus. Cumulative inhibition of protein and glycoprotein secretion by D-galactosamine

Metabolic Glycoengineering with N-Acyl Side Chain Modified Mannosamines

In metabolic glycoengineering (MGE), cells or animals are treated with unnatural derivatives of monosaccharides. After entering the cytosol, these sugar analogues are metabolized and subsequently expressed on newly synthesized glycoconjugates. The feasibility of MGE was first discovered for sialylated glycans, by using N-acyl-modified mannosamines as precursor molecules for unnatural sialic acids. Prerequisite is the promiscuity of the enzymes of the Roseman-Warren biosynthetic pathway. These enzymes were shown to tolerate specific modifications of the N-acyl side chain of mannosamine analogues, for example, elongation by one or more methylene groups (aliphatic modifications) or by insertion of reactive groups (bioorthogonal modifications). Unnatural sialic acids are incorporated into glycoconjugates of cells and organs. MGE has intriguing biological consequences for treated cells (aliphatic MGE) and offers the opportunity to visualize the topography and dynamics of sialylated glycans in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo (bioorthogonal MGE).

L-Gln and L-Ser suppress the D-galactosamine-induced IL-18 expression and hepatitis

D-Galactosamine (GalN) induces acute hepatitis in experimental animals and this hepatitis has been shown to be suppressed by preceding ingestion of amino acids such as Gly, L-Ser, and L-Gln. However, little is known about the mechanism of its action. The present study shows for the first time that IL-18 reduction is involved in the suppressive actions of L-Gln and L-Ser on GalN-induced hepatitis. Elevation of IL-18 mRNA expression in liver and its concentration in serum in GalN-treated rats were found to be suppressed by preceding ingestion of 10% L-Gln- or 10% L-Ser diets, and resulted in the attenuation of the increase in serum transaminase (ALT and AST) activities, indexes of hepatic injury. These results suggest that suppressive effects of some dietary amino acids on the GalN-induced hepatitis are mediated by IL-18 reduction.

Effects of dietary corn bran hemicellulose and neomycin on hepatic caspase-3 activity and glycoprotein concentration in rats treated with or without D-galactosamine

The effects of dietary corn bran hemicellulose (CBH) and neomycin (Neo) on hepatic caspase-3 activity and glycoprotein concentration were investigated to explore the possible mechanism of the alleviative action of dietary CBH and Neo on the development of D-galactosamine (GalN)-hepatitis. Rats were fed a diet containing 5% CBH with or without neomycin (Neo) for 7 or 14 d. On the last day of feeding, the rats were treated with GalN (400 mg/kg body weight, i.p.), and their plasma transaminase activities, hepatic glycoprotein concentrations and hepatic caspase-3 activities were determined 6 or 24 h later. Although the elevations of plasma transaminase activities were suppressed by CBH or Neo 24 h after GalN-treatment, the activities were not affected by CBH or Neo at an early stage (6 h) of GalN action. At 6 h, hepatic caspase-3 activity was elevated by CBH diet alone as high as that of the GalN-injected control-diet group, and the activity was not elevated further by GalN. At the same time, both GalN-treatment and CBH feeding reduced the hepatic glycoprotein (Mw. 64,000-74,000) concentration, but Neo did not affect the caspase activity or the glycoprotein concentration. These results suggest that dietary CBH elevates hepatic caspase-3 activity and reduces hepatic glycoprotein concentration, and may imply that CBH would suppress GalN-hepatitis not at the early- or middle-step of apoptosis but at the late-step of apoptosis or necrosis, although the relation between these phenomena and the alleviative effects of CBH and Neo on GalN-induced hepatitis is yet to be clarified.

Evolution of intrahepatic carbon, nitrogen, and energy metabolism in a D-galactosamine-induced rat liver failure model

A clearer picture of the hepatic metabolic pathways affected by fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) would help develop nutritional support and nonsurgical therapies for FHF. We characterized the evolution of hepatic metabolism in a rat model of FHF using an isolated perfused liver system together with a mass-balance model of intermediary metabolism. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify potential new sensitive markers for FHF. To induce FHF, rats were given two D-galactosamine injections under fasting conditions. Controls were fasted only. Livers were harvested 1, 4, 8, and 12 h later and perfused with Eagle minimal essential medium supplemented with amino acids and bovine serum albumin, and equilibrated with 95% O2/5% CO2. At the 1 h time point, lactate release increased concomitant with a decrease in gluconeogenesis, TCA cycle and mitochondrial electron transport fluxes. At 4 h, amino acid metabolism and urea cycle fluxes were significantly depressed. By 8 h, gluconeogenesis had switched to glycolysis. By 12 h, amino acid metabolism was broadly inhibited, and there was a net release of many amino acids. Mass-balance analysis shows that the main source of ATP production in the FHF liver gradually changed from mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis. PCA suggests that a linear combination of glucose, lactate, and glutamine concentrations in arterial plasma is a sensitive marker for FHF. We conclude that D-galactosamine causes early mitochondrial dysfunction while glycolytic ATP synthesis remains functional. Markers that are indirectly linked to these pathways may be used to evaluate the progression of FHF.

Availability of specific sugars for glycoconjugate biosynthesis: a need for further investigations in man

We review the metabolism of specific sugars used for protein glycosylation, focusing on the fate of exogenously provided sugars. Theoretically, all glycoprotein sugars can derive from glucose, but previous studies show that other exogenous sugars can be incorporated into glycoproteins. From data obtained in congenital galactosemia, exogenous galactose may be important for correct glycosylation. Contrary to galactose, the metabolism of other sugars seems to depend on insulin regulation: stimulation of their endogenous production in diabetic subjects might participate in some diabetic complications, precluding the need for an exogenous supply. The metabolic fate of these sugars is different according to the administration route and exogenous supply may be important either in enteral nutrition or in some clinical situations as has been suggested for sialic acid in the newborn. Data in man are too sparse to reach firm conclusions, implying a need for further investigations. Our preliminary results in animals and man demonstrate that stable isotope methodology allows one to trace glycoprotein sugar metabolism in nutritionally relevant conditions with accuracy and sensitivity, using doses of specific sugars well below toxic levels.

Evaluation of the activities of eight lysosomal hydrolases in sera of humans, rats and pigs of different ages

The activities of 21 enzymes (belonging to four classes of enzymes) involved in different metabolic pathways were assayed in blood sera of healthy young and adult/elderly groups of humans, rats and pigs, to determine whether activity changes coinciding with changes in age and aging could be detected. In all three species analysed, measurable activities (performed by highly specific and sensitive techniques, generally spectrofluorimetric procedures) were found, usually following a decreasing order of: among glycosidases, beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) > alpha-L-fucosidase > alpha-mannosidase > beta-glucuronidase > beta-galactosidase > alpha-galactosidase. In addition, among esterases very high values were found for arylesterase and acid phosphatase. By contrast, no measurable activity was found for the remaining enzymes assayed (8 hydrolases, 1 oxidoreductase, 3 transferases and 1 lyase). In the elderly group of humans, significantly higher activities (P < or = 0.05) were found for NAG, alpha-mannosidase and beta-glucuronidase in comparison to the adult and young groups. However, several activities in rats and all activities in pigs decreased with age. In conclusion, differences in the activities of 6 lysosomal glycosidases and 2 esterases (but no significant differences for another 13 enzymes belonging to several enzyme classes) are found in the sera of healthy humans, rats and pigs. These differences coincide with changes observed in aging.

Perifusion of co-cultured hepatocytes: optimization of studies on drug metabolism and cytotoxicity in vitro

The combination of co-cultivation of hepatocytes and epithelial cell lines with a newly developed perifusion system was used for in vitro studies on drug metabolism and cytotoxicity. This approach improved the viability and enhanced the induction of the biotransforming capacity of the hepatocytes. As demonstrated for the induction of 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity by 3-methylcholanthrene or benzanthracene, co-cultured hepatocytes in the perifusion system responded more sensitively to these inducers than without perifusion, most likely owing to stable (steady-state) concentrations of the inducers under the former conditions and rapidly declining concentrations under the latter conditions. The perifusion approach rendered it possible to determine the kinetics of drug metabolism during single or sequential incubations. After induction with 3-methylcholanthrene and phenobarbital, phase I metabolism of lonazolac to the monohydroxylated product in perifused co-cultures closely (87%) approached the values reported for the in vivo production, whereas in stationary co-cultures only 52% could be reached. Likewise, cytotoxic effects could be detected more precisely in the perifused co-cultures. If cells were pretreated with 0.2 mmol/L galactosamine for 3 h, perifusion with increasing concentrations of menadione differentially killed epithelial RL-ET-14 cells and hepatocytes at low and high concentrations, respectively, while in stationary co-cultures no differential effect was observed and only the higher concentrations were cytotoxic for both cells. Prevention by incubation with S-adenosylmethionine of menadione cytotoxicity up to a menadione concentration of 250 micromol/L was seen only in the perifused co-cultures, whereas in stationary cultures only a slight shift of the cytotoxic concentration exerting 50% cell damage to higher values was noted. These results demonstrate the versatile application of perifused co-cultures for studies on drug metabolism including induction of cytochrome P450-dependent enzymes and steady-state kinetics of biotransformation, as well as cytotoxic and protective effects of different drugs.

Selective reentry of recycling cell surface glycoproteins to the biosynthetic pathway in human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells

Return of cell surface glycoproteins to compartments of the secretory pathway has been examined in HepG2 cells comparing return to the trans-Golgi network (TGN), the trans/medial- and cis-Golgi. Transport to these sites was studied by example of the transferrin receptor (TfR) and the serine peptidase dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPPIV) after labeling these proteins with the N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide ester of biotin on the cell surface. This experimental design allowed to distinguish between glycoproteins that return to these biosynthetic compartments from the cell surface and newly synthesized glycoproteins that pass these compartments during biosynthesis en route to the surface. Reentry to the TGN was measured in that surface glycoproteins were desialylated with neuraminidase and were monitored for resialylation during recycling. Return to the trans-Golgi was traced measuring the transfer of [3H]fucose residues to recycling surface proteins by fucosyltransferases. To study return to the cis-Golgi, surface proteins were metabolically labeled in the presence of the mannosidase I inhibitor deoxymannojirimycin (dMM). As a result surface proteins retained N-glycans of the oligomannosidic type. Return to the site of mannosidase I in the medial/cis-Golgi was measured monitoring conversion of these glycans to those of the complex type after washout of dMM. Our data demonstrate that DPPIV does return from the cell surface not only to the TGN, but also to the trans-Golgi thus linking the endocytic to the secretory pathway. In contrast, no reentry to sites of mannosidase I could be detected indicating that the early secretory pathway is not or is only at insignificant rates accessible to recycling DPPIV. In contrast to DPPIV, TfR was very efficiently sorted from endosomes to the cell surface and did not return to the TGN or to other biosynthetic compartments in detectable amounts, indicating that individual surface proteins are subject to different sorting mechanisms or sorting efficiencies during recycling.

The submicrosomal localization of uridine 5'-diphosphate-glucose dolichyl-phosphate glucosyltransferase and bile acid glucosyltransferase in the human liver

Uridine 5'-diphosphate-glucose dolichyl-phosphate glucosyltransferase and bile acid glucosyltransferase were quantitatively determined in subcellular fractions obtained by differential centrifugation of human liver homogenate. Both enzymes were exclusively enriched in the microsomal fraction with a recovery of total enzyme activity of 65.9 +/- 9.9% and 69.1 +/- 13.8%, respectively. Microsomal preparations were further subfractionated by isopycnic centrifugation on a continuous sucrose density gradient. Both glucosyltransferases closely followed marker constituents of endoplasmic reticulum, as shown by similar distribution profiles in the gradient, but differed in their quantitative distribution among the endoplasmic reticulum membranes. The bile acid glucosyltransferase showed an almost identical distribution with NADPH-cytochrome c reductase as marker of smooth endoplasmic reticulum with a modal density of 1.16 g/cm3. The uridine 5'-diphosphate-glucose dolichyl-phosphate glucosyltransferase equilibrated at a higher density with a peak at a model density of 1.174 g/cm3. Its marked overlap with the distribution of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase suggests that the major activity of uridine 5'-diphosphate-glucose dolichyl-phosphate glucosyltransferase is also associated with smooth endoplasmic reticulum membranes, whereas minor proportions of enzyme activity are present in the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Association of both glucosyltransferases with membranes derived from Golgi-complex or plasma membranes could be excluded by treatment of microsomes with membrane reagents prior to isopycnic centrifugation. Digitonin did not alter the equilibrium densities of the glucosyltransferases and endoplasmic reticulum markers in contrast to markers of plasma membranes and the Golgi-complex shifting to higher densities. The reversed effect was observed in case of pretreatment of microsomes with pyrophosphate known to detach ribosomes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

New amino sugar analogues are incorporated at different rates into glycoproteins of mouse organs

Different radiolabelled N-acyl-derivatives of D-glucosamine were synthesized using D-glucosamine and the respective carbonic acid anhydride. Metabolism of these sugar analogues could be shown in vitro as well as in vivo. After the intraperitoneal administration of these radiolabelled N-acyl-D-glucosamines to mice, their rate of incorporation into glycoproteins of different organs was found to increase markedly with the length of the N-acyl side chain. Highest incorporation was measured in the whole intestine using N-pentanoyl-D-glucosamine as label.

Comparative study of high-mannose-type oligosaccharides in membrane glycoproteins of rat hepatocytes and different rat hepatoma cell lines

A comparative study was undertaken to characterize the oligosaccharides released by endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H (endo H) from the membrane glycoproteins of rat hepatocytes and three different Morris hepatoma cell lines (NA-MH 7777, HTC and MH1C1). It is shown that the membrane glycoproteins of hepatocytes and hepatoma cells contain markedly different quantities and forms of high-mannose-type carbohydrate chains. After radiolabelling of the cells with D-[2-3H]mannose, in the absence and presence of 1 mM 1,5-dideoxy-1,5-imino-D-mannitol (1-deoxymannojirimycin), high-mannose-type oligosaccharides were released from delipidated membrane glycoproteins by enzymic digestion with endo H. The carbohydrate chains were converted to their corresponding oligosaccharide alditols by reduction with sodium borohydride, then further analysed by HPLC using an APS-2 Hypersil column. In the absence of 1-deoxymannojirimycin, up to 10% of the radiolabelled oligosaccharides were released by endo H-treatment of the membrane glycoprotein fraction from rat hepatocytes. In contrast, the quantity of radiolabelled high-mannose-type carbohydrate chains released by endo H-treatment from tumour-cell membrane glycoproteins of hepatoma cell lines NA-MH 7777 (31.5%). MH1C1-MH 7795 (37.2%) and HTC-MH 7288c (48%) was increased up to fivefold. The formation of higher-mannosylated structures after oligosaccharide analysis was observed in all hepatoma cell lines, with Man8GlcNAcOH as the major component, whereas in hepatocytes Man5GlcNAcOH was the predominant high-mannose-type structure. In contrast, in the presence of the Golgi alpha-D-mannosidase I inhibitor, 1-deoxymannojirimycin, no significant differences were observed between the distribution of high-mannose-type oligosaccharides in the membrane glycoproteins of hepatocytes and hepatoma cells. However, in the presence of this inhibitor, the proportion of radiolabelled glycans sensitive to deglycosylation by endo H was greatly increased (> 85%) in all the cell lines investigated, the predominant structures being Man8-9-GlcNAcOH. This study shows that an increased content of high-mannose-type sugar chains is a general characteristic of membrane-bound glycoproteins for malignant transformed hepatocytes.

Synthesis of 2-deoxy-D-galactose containing gangliosides in vivo

Incorporation of 2-deoxy-D-galactose into the oligosaccharide moieties of different gangliosides of rat liver was examined. After intraperitoneal administration of 2-deoxy-D-galactose it was shown by GLC/MS analysis that this hexose analogue is metabolized and incorporated into all the gangliosides investigated, and predominantly into GM3 and GD3. In both of these gangliosides, 25-55% of the galactose residues were substituted by 2-deoxy-D-galactose. The epimer, 2-deoxy-D-glucose, was not detectable.

Occurrence of alpha 1-2-fucosylation in membrane glycoproteins of Morris hepatoma 7777 but not in liver. Aberrant type of fucosylation in a malignant tissue

A comparative study was undertaken to characterize the linkages of L-fucose in N-glycans of plasma membrane glycoproteins from Morris hepatoma 7777, host liver and kidney cortex, as well as from rat serum. After in-vivo radiolabelling of rats with L-[6-3H]fucose, the asparagine-linked carbohydrate chains were released from delipidated plasma membrane glycoproteins, as well as from serum glycoproteins, by enzymic digestion with peptide-N4-(N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminyl)asparagine amidase from Flavobacterium meningosepticum. They were then converted to their corresponding oligosaccharide alditols by reduction with sodium borohydride. Two specific alpha-L-fucosidases from almond emulsin and from Aspergillus niger, combined with affinity HPLC on immobilized Aleuria aurantia lectin were used to study the linkage of L-fucose in the oligosaccharide chains. Fucose alpha 1-2 linked to galactose, was present only in the plasma membrane of hepatoma 7777 (18% of total L-[3H]fucose in N-glycans), but was not expressed in host liver, kidney cortex and serum. None of the investigated sources contained an appreciable amount of fucose alpha 1-3/4 linked to N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. All the radioactively labelled oligosaccharides from host liver, kidney cortex and serum, but only 82% of these oligosaccharides from hepatoma, contained alpha-fucosyl residues linked at the C6 position of the proximal N-acetyl-D-glucosamine.

Incorporation of the hexose analogue 2-deoxy-D-galactose into membrane glycoproteins in HepG2 cells

The incorporation of 2-deoxy-D-galactose into the oligosaccharide moieties of glycoproteins and the consequences of 2-deoxy-D-galactose treatment on the fucosylation of glycoproteins were investigated in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2. Using different methods, it was shown that treatment of HepG2 cells with 2-deoxy-D-galactose leads to an incorporation of 2-deoxy-D-galactose and a decrease of L-fucose incorporation into the oligosaccharides of glycoproteins. The extent of labeling by L-[3H]fucose was determined by removing L-[3H]fucose from labeled cells with the aid of a purified alpha 1,2-fucosidase from Aspergillus niger. Using this method, it was shown that 2-deoxy-D-galactose markedly inhibits alpha 1,2-fucosylation. Measurement of the amount of 2-deoxy-D-galactose incorporated, however, showed that replacement of D-galactose by 2-deoxy-D-galactose does not entirely account for the decrease in alpha 1,2-fucosylation. In addition, a hitherto unreported compensatory increase of alpha 1,3/alpha 1,4-fucosylation was found to occur when alpha-1,2-fucosylation was inhibited by treatment with 2-deoxy-D-galactose.

N-glycosylation of membrane glycoproteins in retinol-deficient rat liver

The effect of vitamin A deficiency on N-linked oligosaccharides of membrane glycoproteins was studied in rat liver in order to evaluate the suggested role of retinol in protein N-glycosylation. First, oligosaccharides of newly synthesized glycoproteins from rough endoplasmic reticulum of vitamin A deficient liver were compared with that of pair-fed controls. Oligosaccharides were metabolically labelled with D-[2-3H]mannose, released from the glycoproteins with endoglycosidase H, purified by reversed phase HPLC and ion exchange chromatography, and were reduced with sodium borohydride. HPLC fractionation of the oligosaccharide alditols showed that the glycoproteins carried mainly four oligosaccharide species, Glc1Man9GlcNAc2, Man9GlcNAc2, Man8GlcNAc2 and Man7GlcNAc2, in identical relative amounts in the vitamin A deficient and the control tissue. In particular, no increase in the proportion of short chain oligosaccharides was noted in vitamin A deficient liver. Second, the number of N-linked oligosaccharides was estimated in dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPP IV), a major glycoprotein constituent of the hepatic plasma membrane, comparing the newly synthesized glycoprotein from rough endoplasmic reticulum and the mature form of DPP IV from the plasma membrane. No evidence was obtained that retinol deficiency caused incomplete glycosylation of this membrane glycoprotein. From these data, the suggested role of retinol as a cofactor involved in the synthesis of N-linked oligosaccharides of glycoproteins must be questioned.

Intracellular distribution of endothelin-1 receptors in rat liver cells

We studied the binding of (125I)-endothelin-1 as well as that of the vasopressin analogue (125I)-[8-phenylpropionyl]-LVP to purified plasma membranes, Golgi cisternae and cell nuclei from rat liver. Cell organelles were isolated by differential centrifugation and discontinuous sucrose gradients. Endothelin-1 exhibited specific binding to plasma membranes, Golgi cisternae and nuclei, while the binding of (125I)-[8-phenylpropionyl]-LVP was restricted to the plasma membranes. The number of receptors (Bmax) and the binding constants (Kd) were determined by Scatchard analysis of competition binding studies. In all cases only one class of Et-1 binding sites could be detected. The presence of Et-1 receptors on the Golgi complex either indicates that the receptor is glycosylated within the cisternae or alternatively, there exists a recycling pathway. The unexpected finding of Et-1 receptors on highly purified nuclei suggests that this peptide may exert part of its biological functions intracellularly via the nucleus.

Hepatocyte specific long lasting inhibition of protein N-glycosylation by D-galactosamine

The effect of D-galactosamine on protein N-glycosylation was studied in rat hepatocyte primary cultures for alpha 1-antitrypsin (three complex type oligosaccharide chains) and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (six complex type oligosaccharide chains). D-Galactosamine at a concentration of 4 mM inhibited partially de novo N-glycosylation leading to the formation of alpha 1-antitrypsin lacking one to two and of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein lacking one to five of its carbohydrate side chains. In addition D-galactosamine interfered with oligosaccharide processing, leading to the formation of some carbohydrate side chains remaining in an endoglucosaminidase H sensitive, i.e., not completely processed, form. D-Galactosamine impaired the secretion of alpha 1-antitrypsin and of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein but did not inhibit the secretion of the unglycosylated albumin. The inhibitory effect of D-galactosamine on de novo glycosylation as well as on oligosaccharide processing lasted for at least 24 h after it had been removed from the cells. D-Galactosamine impaired the glycosylation of alpha 1-antitrypsin only in hepatocytes, but not in human monocytes. Furthermore, D-galactosamine did not impair the N- and O-glycosylation of interleukin-6 in human monocytes and in MRC 5 fibroblasts. The results indicate that the effect of D-galactosamine on protein glycosylation is restricted to D-galactosamine metabolizing hepatocytes and is not exerted by the drug itself but by its metabolites.

Studies on the hepatotoxicity of galactosamine/endotoxin or galactosamine/TNF in the perfused mouse liver

Livers of male albino NMRI mice were perfused in situ at a flow rate of 3 ml/min/g liver in a non-recirculation system. The organs remained intact for at least 3 hr as assessed by release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) into the perfusate and by constant O2 consumption. The infusion of the following agents did not cause significant enzyme release or microscopically visible organ injuries: galactosamine (1.8 mg/ml), endotoxin (1 microgram/ml), murine recombinant tumor necrosis factor alpha (0.3 micrograms/ml/g) or combinations of them. In contrast, in vivo pretreatment of the animals with 700 mg/kg galactosamine + 5 micrograms/kg endotoxin, or 700 mg/kg galactosamine + 15 micrograms/kg tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) led to a massive LDH release into the perfusate. Infusion of uridine (0.67 mg/ml/g) into perfused livers from animals in vivo pretreated with either galactosamine/endotoxin or galactosamine/TNF, prevented LDH release and histologically visible liver injury. We conclude from these findings that in vivo pretreatment of the animals resulted in latent and reversible damage of the liver induced by extrahepatic factors which are prevented by intrahepatic events sensitive to uridine.

Rapid intramolecular turnover of N-linked glycans in plasma membrane glycoproteins. Extension of intramolecular turnover to the core sugars in plasma membrane glycoproteins of hepatoma

Plasma membrane glycoproteins of rat hepatocytes undergo a rapid terminal deglycosylation in that the terminal sugars of the oligosaccharide side chains are rapidly removed from the otherwise intact glycoproteins [Tauber, R., Park, C.S. & Reutter, W. (1983) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 80, 4026-4029]. The present paper demonstrates that this rapid intramolecular turnover of plasma membrane glycoproteins is not restricted to peripheral sugars but, in contrast to liver, in hepatoma the core sugars of the oligosaccharide chains are also involved. Intramolecular turnover was measured in Morris hepatoma 7777 in five plasma membrane glycoproteins with Mr of 85,000 (hgp85), 105,000 (hgp105), 115,000 (hgp115), 125,000 (hgp125), 175,000 (hgp175) (hgp = hepatoma glycoprotein) that were isolated and purified to homogeneity by concanavalin-A--Sepharose affinity chromatography and semipreparative SDS gel electrophoresis. Analysis of the carbohydrates of hgp85, hgp105, hgp115 and hgp125 revealed the presence of N-linked oligosaccharides containing L-fucose, D-galactose, D-mannose and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, but only of trace amounts of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine; hgp175 additionally contained significant amounts of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, indicating the presence of both N- and O-linked oligosaccharides. As shown by digestion with endoglucosaminidase H, the N-linked oligosaccharides of hgp105, hgp115, hgp125 and hgp175 were of the complex type, whereas hgp85 also contained oligosaccharides of the high-mannose type. Half-lives of the turnover of the oligosacharide chains and of the protein backbone of the five glycoproteins were measured in the plasma membrane in pulse-chase experiments in vivo, using L-[3H]fucose as a marker of terminal sugars, D-[3H]mannose as marker of a core sugar and L-[3H]leucine for labelling the protein backbone. Protein backbones of the five glycoproteins were degraded with individual half-lives ranging over 41-90 h with a mean of 66 h. Compared to the degradation of the polypeptide backbone, both the terminal sugar L-fucose and the core sugar D-mannose turned over with much shorter half-lives averaging about 20 h in the five glycoproteins. The data show that, conversely to liver, within plasma membrane glycoproteins of hepatoma not only peripheral sugars but also core sugars of the oligosaccharides are split off during the life-span of the protein backbone. It may therefore be assumed that this reprocessing of plasma membrane glycoproteins is sensitive to malignant transformation.

Colchicine prevents D-galactosamine-induced hepatitis

The hepatoprotective effect of colchicine in a model of liver intoxication with galactosamine (GalN), 375 mg/kg, i.p., was studied in rats. At 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 18 and 24 h after GalN intoxication the following markers of liver damage were measured: serum activity of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, hepatic calcium and glycogen contents, liver lipoperoxidation, and liver plasma membrane activity of alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase and high-affinity Ca2+-ATPase. 24 h after GalN intoxication increases in serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase were observed along with decreases in plasma membrane activities of alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, and high-affinity Ca2+-ATPase. A sharp increase of lipoperoxidative processes measured as malondialdehyde production was also observed. Pretreatment of rats with colchicine 10 micrograms/rat/day p.o. for 7 days before GalN injection prevented partially the toxic effects of GalN. When a dose of 50 micrograms/rat/day for 7 days was given the drug prevented almost completely the damage induced by galactosamine, with the exception of glycogen and serum alkaline phosphatase that remained different from controls. Time-course experiments showed that malondialdehyde formation increased 30 min after intoxication while all other changes became apparent from 6 h after treatment, suggesting that lipoperoxidation may be a prerequisite for galactosamine-induced damage. The protection offered by colchicine was related to its capacity to inhibit lipoperoxidation. Histochemical findings paralleled the biochemical results. The possible role of lipoperoxidation in galactosamine-induced liver damage is discussed.

Further characterization of the impaired protective function in mice fed with lipid diet

Female mice were maintained on lipid diet for 20 days. The nonspecific and immunological defense capability was determined by in vitro and in vivo methods. It was found that mice held mostly on a lipid diet demonstrate an all-round lowered response. Following 20 days of lipid diet the splenocytes exhibit: (1) an inversed lipid-protein ratio; (2) an inability to respond to sheep erythrocytes; (3) a reduction in [3H] thymidine incorporation in splenocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or with concanavalin A; (4) a reduction in the number of cells bearing surface immunoglobulins in splenocytes stimulated with LPS; (5) an inhibition of phagocytosis and intracellular killing in macrophages; (6) a lowering in granulocyte chemotaxis and adherence capacity; (7) a higher mortality to LPS after loading with galactosamine; and (8) a lowered complement activity even following LPS activation.

Leukotriene-mediated liver injury

The pathogenic mechanism of fulminant hepatitis induced by 700 mg/kg D-galactosamine plus 33 micrograms/kg endotoxin was investigated in male NMRI mice. The extent of liver injury was assessed by measurement of serum transaminases and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities 9 hr after intoxication, as well as by histopathological evaluation. When the hepatic glutathione content of galactosamine endotoxin-treated animals had been decreased by more than 90% following administration of 250 mg/kg phorone or 400 mg/kg diethyl maleate given three times, no signs of liver injury were observed. Since different agents interfering with the leukotriene synthesis pathway also prevented galactosamine/endotoxin-induced hepatitis, we suspected that a glutathione-derived peptidoleukotriene may be the pathogenic metabolite. In vivo inhibition of the catabolism of leukotriene C4 by administration of 50 mg/kg of the glutamyl transpeptidase inhibitor AT 125 (Acivicin) also protected the animals against liver injury. In order to elucidate which metabolite of leukotriene C4 was responsible for the observed hepatotoxicity we intravenously injected leukotrienes into animals that had received only galactosamine. Injection of 50 micrograms/kg leukotriene E4 1 hr after galactosamine had no effect. The same dose of leukotriene D4 led to a fulminant hepatitis which was prevented when the leukotriene D4 antagonist FPL 55712 had been given before. In contrast, lipoxygenase inhibitors or AT 125 did not protect against galactosamine + LTD4. Galactosamine/endotoxin-induced and galactosamine/leukotriene D4-induced hepatitis resulted in similarly localized histopathological changes, i.e. diffuse necrosis in the organ. We conclude from our results that galactosamine/endotoxin-induced hepatitis is mediated by a leukotriene D4-dependent mechanism.

Ganglioside biosynthesis in rat liver: effect of UDP-amino sugars on individual transfer reactions

Several glycosyltransferases participating in ganglioside biosynthesis were measured in Golgi-rich fractions from rat liver. Addition of those UDP-amino sugars to the enzyme assays which accumulate in liver after treatment of rats with D-galactosamine inhibited the transferases to different degrees. The simultaneous presence of UDP-GalN, UDP-GalNAc, UDP-GlcN, and UDP-GlcNAc in concentrations resembling their overall content in livers 6 h after D-galactosamine administration led to an inhibition of the glycolipid galactosyltransferases, GL2 and GM1 synthases of 44 and 64%, respectively. GM2 synthase was moderately inhibited whereas the sialyltransferases (GM3, GD3, and GD1a synthases) were almost unimpaired. Induction of liver cell damage by D-galactosamine did not cause any change of glycosyltransferase activities as determined in rat liver homogenates and Golgi-rich fractions. These results indicate a possible role for UDP-amino sugars in the depression of ganglioside biosynthesis observed in vivo after GalN administration.

UDP-glucosamine as a substrate for dolichyl monophosphate glucosamine synthesis

The sugar nucleotide analogue UDP-glucosamine was found to function as a sugar donor in microsomal preparations of both chick-embryo cells and rat liver, yielding dolichyl monophosphate glucosamine (Dol-P-GlcN). This was characterized by t.l.c. and retention by DEAE-cellulose. Glucosamine was the only water-soluble product released on mild acid hydrolysis. Dol-P-GlcN did not serve as substrate by transferring its glucosamine moiety to dolichol-linked oligosaccharide. Competition experiments between UDP-[3H]glucose and UDP-glucosamine showed Dol-P-[3H]glucose synthesis to be depressed by 56 or 73% in microsomes from chick-embryo cells and rat liver respectively. The concentrations of the UDP-sugars in this experiment were comparable with those occurring in galactosamine-metabolizing liver. These findings suggest that Dol-P-GlcN, formed as a metabolite of D-galactosamine, may interfere with Dol-P-dependent reactions.

Effect of D-galactosamine in vitro on [U-14C]palmitate oxidation, triacylglycerol synthesis and secretion in isolated hepatocytes

Isolated rat hepatocytes were used to study in vitro effects of 10 mM D-galactosamine (GalN) on hepatic fatty acids metabolism. At this concentration, membrane integrity and biochemical competence (i.e., gluconeogenesis and ureogenesis) remained unaffected. Protein synthesis and secretion, as measured by the incorporation of [U-14C]leucine into total and medium protein, was significantly inhibited when incubated for more than 2 h. GalN activated the incorporation of [U-14C]palmitate into triacylglycerols and depressed its utilization in the formation of labelled ketone bodies and 14CO2. Hepatocytes isolated from fasted rats exposed to GalN in vitro did not show any variation in prelabelled triacylglycerol secretion. GalN induced a rapid inhibition of prelabelled triacylglycerol secretion by hepatocytes isolated from fed rats in which this secretion occurred to a larger extent than in hepatocytes isolated from fasted rats. The data reported here suggest that GalN induces a rise of triacylglycerol synthesis by inhibiting the palmitate oxidation pathway and a decrease of triacylglycerol secretion through an early derangement of the secretory pathway.

45Calcium uptake during the transition from reversible to irreversible liver injury induced by D-galactosamine in vivo

The hepatic uptake of 45calcium (45Ca) was studied in rats after administration of D-galactosamine (3 mmoles per kg, i.v.). In contrast to measurements of the hepatic calcium content, 45Ca uptake served as a dynamic rather than a static indicator of calcium homeostasis during the transition from reversible to irreversible liver injury which occurs between 3 and 4 hr after injection of the hepatotoxin. 45Ca uptake during a 1 hr-labeling period increased from 25 to 100% above control between 3 and 4 hr and subsequently remained at this level. The rise in 45Ca uptake and in hepatic calcium content occurred 2 to 3 hr after the D-galactosamine-induced depletion of UTP, UDP-galactose, UDP-glucose and UDP-glucuronate. The level of UDP-glucuronate was the earliest to recover. The enhanced 45Ca uptake was associated with hepatic glycogen breakdown and with an increased SGPT activity in plasma. Inhibition of RNA polymerase II by alpha-amanitin (0.5 mg per kg, i.p.) and of dolichol-dependent protein glycosylation as well as ganglioside synthesis by tunicamycin (2 mg per kg, i.p.) were used to imitate two of the early actions of D-galactosamine and indicated that an interference with either process can lead to an enhanced uptake of 45Ca into the liver in vivo. Uridine, at a dose replenishing uracil nucleotide pools after their depletion by D-galactosamine, prevented or reversed the rise in 45Ca uptake. The antiinflammatory steroid dexamethasone, injected prior to or simultaneously with D-galactosamine also protected against the loss of calcium homeostasis and the development of liver injury.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Methionine metabolism and ultrastructural changes with D-galactosamine in isolated rat hepatocytes

The biochemical and morphological effects of 2, 10 and 100 mM of D-galactosamine (GalN) were studied in isolated rat hepatocytes during 2 h of incubation. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) and cell viability did not change, whatever the concentration used. The variations observed, which were dose dependent, included a large drop in ATP levels and inhibition of RNA and protein synthesis. A very high concentration of GalN was necessary, however, to induce a significant decline in methionine adenosyltransferase activity compared to control cells. The use of L-[methyl-14C]methionine during cell incubation with GalN demonstrated a decrease of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) and an accumulation of L-methionine content related to the GalN concentration. These results suggested that an hepatotoxic agent such as GalN was able to induce disturbances of methionine metabolism. Some of the ultrastructural changes observed were different from those previously found in vivo, in rats given GalN intraperitoneally, underlining the marked difference between in vivo and in vitro intoxication.

Intramolecular heterogeneity of degradation in plasma membrane glycoproteins: evidence for a general characteristic

Five integral plasma membrane glycoproteins (60, 80, 120, 140, and 160 kilodaltons) were isolated to homogeneity from rat liver by a four-step procedure: (i) extraction of plasma membranes with lithium diiodosalicylate, (ii) solubilization of glycoproteins with Nonidet P-40, (iii) affinity chromatography on concanavalin A-Sepharose, and (iv) semipreparative NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The glycoproteins contained 48.5--51.5% hydrophobic amino acids. Carbohydrate moieties contained N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, D-mannose, D-galactose, L-fucose, and N-acetylneuraminic acid. N-Acetyl-D-galactosamine was not detectable. Half-lives of degradation of the carbohydrate and protein moieties of the five glycoproteins were measured by pulse-chase experiments in vivo. Protein moieties had half-lives ranging from 52 to 88 hr in the five glycoproteins, with a mean of 73 +/- 15 hr. Terminal sugars, L-fucose, and N-acetylneuraminic acid had significantly shorter half-lives, averaging 18 +/- 2 hr and 29 +/- 3 hr, respectively. The half-life of D-mannose varied between that of the terminal sugars and that of the protein moiety, depending on the type of the glycoprotein. The data show that the carbohydrate moieties are degraded faster than the protein portion of the glycoproteins. As this finding was obtained in each of the five glycoproteins, intramolecular heterogeneity of breakdown may be a general characteristic of plasma membrane glycoproteins in liver.

Lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase deficiencies associated with impaired chylomicron clearance in D-(+) galactosamine hepatitis

D-(+) galactosamine (GaIN) produces a reversible from of hepatic injury in the rat, accompanied by alterations in morphology and composition of plasma lipoproteins in the fasting state. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL) activities were measured in fasting control and GaIN rats 24 hr after GaIN injection and initiation of fasting. Significant (p less than 0.001) deficiencies of both enzymes were noted in GaIN animals as compared to controls with LPL activity decreasing to 37.6% and HL activity to 23.2% of control values in GaIN animals. Serial enzyme determinations performed in both GaIN and control animals after gastric fat loading revealed an early persistent HL deficiency (p less than 0.025) at 9 hr after GaIN injection and initiation of fasting which persisted after the fat loading at 15 hr, and a later appearing LPL deficiency (p less than 0.025) was noted at 24 hr after GaIN injection and at 9 hr after fat loading. Serial compositional studies of plasma lipoproteins in pooled specimens after a gastric fat load revealed a marked chylomicronemia in GaIN animals compared to controls which reached a maximum at 12 hr after fat loading. A slight increase in VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) triglyceride and total cholesterol (CH) and a late-appearing (16 hr after fat loading) LDL (low density lipoprotein) CH peak, consisting mostly of unesterified CH, were also noted in GaIN rats as compared to control animals. These data demonstrate a defect in chylomicron (CM) catabolism in GaIN hepatopathy in the rat which is probably secondary to the observed severe LPL and HL deficiencies, although other factors such as activator deficiency, plasma inhibitory substances, and a defective CM particle may be important.

Effects of early diabetes on uridine diphosphosugar synthesis in the rat renal cortex

To assess the effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on the substrates utilized in the formation of glycoproteins, the pools of uridine 5'-diphosphoglucose (UDPG), uridine 5'-diphosphogalactose (UDP-GAL), uridine 5'-diphosphoglucuronic acid (UDPGA), and uridine 5'-diphospho N-acetyl galactosamine (UDPA-GAL) were measured in the renal cortex of control and over a 48-hr period in diabetic rats. In control rats these pools measured: UDPG, 256 +/- 23; UDP-GAL, 75 +/- 14; UDPGA, 147 +/- 16; UDPAG, 367 +/- 23; UDPG-GAL, 131 +/- 13 nmoles/mg DNA. In diabetic rats, except for UDP-GAL, all pools were increased 41 to 68%. The incorporation of radiolabeled orotate was increased in all pools, except UDP-GAL, in diabetic rats by 41 to 77% compared to control rats. The incorporation into UDPG and UDPAG was increased even after correction for the specific radioactivity of their immediate precursor, uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP). Expansion of the UTP pool after orotate infusion was associated with an increase in the size of the UDPG and UDPAG pools in both control and diabetic rats. Depletion of the UTP pool after adenine infusion in controls was associated with a decrease in all pools. This study demonstrates that after the induction of diabetes there is a rapid increase in the bioavailability of substrates utilized in the synthesis of glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans. It is theorized that this increase is necessary for the augmented synthesis of basement membrane-like material in the diabetic kidney.

Galactosamine-induced sensitization to the lethal effects of endotoxin

Treatment of rabbits, rats, and mice with D-galactosamine increased their sensitivity to the lethal effects of lipopolysaccharide several thousand fold. The susceptibility of the animals was highest when the lipopolysaccharide was injected together with galactosamine and decreased successively when injection was carried out 1, 2, and 3 hr later. Sensitization was absent when the lipopolysaccharide was administered 1 hr before or 4 hr after galactosamine. The onset of lethality after treatment with galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide occurred faster than with lipopolysaccharide alone; usually all animals died 5-9 hr later. The galactosamine-induced sensitization to lipopolysaccharide could be reversed by uridine which is known to inhibit the early biochemical alterations induced by the amino sugar in the hepatocytes. Although galactosamine is known to exhibit hepatotoxic activity inducing ultimate necrosis of the hepatocytes, the data so far suggests that the sensitization to lipopolysaccharide is related only to the early metabolic effects of the hexosamine.

A histochemical study about changes in rat liver plasma membrane enzyme activities after galactosamine administration

In rats changes in plasma membrane enzyme activities due to Gal-N intoxication were studied by enzymehistochemical methods. The bile canalicular 5'-nucleotidase and nucleoside polyphosphatase activities decreased; the sinusoidal 5'-nucleotidase remained unchanged. The bile canalicular leucyl-beta-naphthyl-amidase showed an increase in activity; the alkaline phosphatase activity remained unchanged. In contrast to the spotty necrosis, changes in plasma membrane enzyme activities were seen in all liver cells, suggesting that changes of these activities, occurring after Gal-N treatment, do not correlate with cell death. The conclusion was drawn that the deviations of the enzyme activities might be due to changes in the lipid environment of the enzyme proteins in the membrane. With the exception of alkaline phosphatase, partial hepatectomy caused the same changes in enzyme activities as did Gal-N intoxication. Nevertheless Gal-N administration to partial hepatectomized rats did not lead to hepatic necrosis. Galactose given simultaneously or within two hours after Gal-N prevented both changes in plasma membrane enzyme activities and hepatocellular damage. This suggests an important role of galactolipids and galactoproteins in the plasma membrane alterations.

The lipids of the Golgi apparatus subfractions from rat liver

Golgi apparatus were isolated from untreated rat liver and separated into three fractions. One consisted mainly of vesicles, a second of tubular particles (dictyosomes) and the third was a mixed fraction. Large differences between these fractions could be seen in the electron microscope and by enzyme analysis. The total lipid content of the vesicles was 3.5-times greater than that of the dictyosomes and the neutral lipid value was 7-times greater. The ratio of phospholipids to protein was approximately the same in the three fractions. However, the phospholipid patterns differed between the vesicle and dictyosome fractions.

The effect of D-galactosamine on plasma protein synthesis by the perfused rat liver from turpentine-stimulated donors

D-galactosamine (100 mg) was added to the reconstituted blood during 4h perfusion of livers isolated either from control rats or those injected with turpentine 20 h or 5 h earlier. This dose of galactosamine administered 30 min before [3H]lysine significantly inhibited the incorporation of the label into liver proteins, and even more into plasma proteins, but albumin and acute-phase reactants (fibrinogen, seromucoid fraction, Concanavalin A-adsorbed glycoproteins) were all similarly affected. When galactosamine was administered in vivo simultaneously with turpentine, and the liver was isolated 5 h later, trauma-induced fibrinogen synthesis was selectively inhibited. This can be explained either by a differential control of synthesis of various acute-phase reactants, or by augmentation of catabolism of fibrinogen in galactosamine-treated rats. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis of the full perfusate or Concanavalin A-adsorbed glycoproteins did not reveal any significant effect of galactosamine on the protein pattern obtained from control or turpentine-stimulated liver donors.

Effect on vitamin A on the development of galactosamine-induced hepatitis in rats

In order to elucidate the role of lysosomes in experimental hepatitis caused by D-galactosamine in rats the activities of cathepsin A and D and acid carboxypeptidase were measured. Enzyme activities were assayed in liver homogenate, lysosomal supernatant fraction and lysosomal sediment fraction. Lysosomal enriched fractions were prepared according to De Duve. Vitamin A in high doses aggravates the morphological alterations observed in galactosamine treated rats. At the same time the labilization of lysosomes increases substantially. This effect was induced by doses of retinyl-palmitate that normally caused only an activation of Kupffer cells and no significant liberation of lysosomal peptidehydrolases. The activities of cathepsin A and D increased 2-fold in liver homogenate after combined treatment with galactosamine and vitamin A, whereas the activity of acid carboxypeptidase decreased markedly.

Adaptive changes of rat liver cells induced by repeated intraperitoneal injections of d-galactosamine. III-Light- and electron-microscopic investigations of hepatocellular cytoplasmic changes

In rats hepatocellular cytoplasmic changes after daily repeated D-galactosamine (GalN) intoxication--i.e. subacute GalN intoxication--were studied by light and electron microscopy. The number of GalN injections--and thus the days of survival--was between one and 30. The rats were killed six hours after the last GalN injection. Less degenerative changes were found after repeated GalN injections. An increased formation of atypical dense bodies (ADB), a temporary pronounced lipid accumulation and changes of the rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum were prominent features of subacute GalN intoxication. The implications with respect to a modified GalN action in subacute GalN intoxication are discussed with special reference to biochemical data obtained in the same experimental model (Schuchhardt et al., 1977).

Induction and 'superinduction' of sialylation of membrane-bound gamma-glutamyltransferase during liver regeneration

The present paper shows that in the regenerating rat liver the membrane-bound-gamma-glutamyltransferase exists in two molecular forms. Depending on the state of proliferation, a sialic-acid-rich enzyme (in the fetal or regenerating liver) or a sialic-acid-poor enzyme (in the adult or quiescent liver) could be detected. In regeneration liver (24 h after 2/3 resection) only the sialic-acid-rich or fetal enzyme could be found. Since total enzyme activity (adult + fetal type) remained unchanged, it is assumed that the adult type of gamma-glutamyltransferase was modified by sialylation during the initial phase of liver regeneration. This process of sialylation was prevented by inhibitors of RNA or protein synthesis such as D-galactosamine, actinomycin D or cycloheximide, provided that the inhibitor (D-galactosamine) was given within the first 8 h after partial hepatectomy. Sialylation was not impaired by inhibitors of DNA synthesis, e.g. hydroxyurea or cytosine arabinoside. Administration of actinomycin D during a defined phase of proliferation (24 to 48 h after partial hepatectomy) stimulated the transfer of sialic acid to gamma-glutamyltransferase, a finding which describes for the first time the so-called 'superinduction' of a sialylation process.