Evidence from studies employing radioactively labelled fatty acids that the stimulation of flux through the diacylglycerol pool is an early action of vasopressin on hepatocytes

Molecular species of phospholipids in a murine stem-cell line responsive to erythropoietin

The generation of the lipid signalling molecules, diacylglycerol (DAG) and phosphatidic acid (PA), has been implicated in the transduction events essential for proliferation of murine B6SUt.EP stem cells responsive to erythropoietin (EPO). Some of the responses were rapid and transient while others were slower and sustained. In an attempt to better understand the biphasic nature of DAG and PA appearance in response to EPO, an analysis of the molecular species of DAG, phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylinositol (PI), and PA in control and EPO-treated B6SUt.EP cells was made by HPLC and TLC. Fifteen to eighteen species were identified, which were increased non-uniformly by 0.2 unit/ml EPO. Greater increases (x6) were observed in 16:0,20:4 and 18:0,20:4 DAGs than in other species. The molecular species profiles of the stimulated DAGs were compared with the profiles of molecular species contained in the phospholipids. Comparison of the increase in DAG species caused by EPO with the molecular species present in PC and PI showed both PI and PC as the source of the fast DAG accumulation and only PC as the source of the slow DAG accumulation. PE was involved in both phases. We found a consistent formation of ethanolamine over time, in larger amounts than choline, providing strong evidence that, in addition to PC, PE is a major substrate. In addition, changes in molecular species of PA in response to EPO suggest that PI cannot account for the mass of PA formed during the first 30 s incubation with EPO, nor for PA formed during 30 min with EPO. It is concluded that the majority of PA was formed by a direct action of phospholipase D on PC.

Epidermal growth factor increases 32P incorporation into phosphatidylcholine and protein kinase C activity in colon carcinoma cell line (HT29)

There are conflicting data about the effect of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) on protein kinase C (PKC) enzyme activity. The aim of our study was to find out which type of phospholipids [phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate PI4,5P2 or the other phospholipids-phosphatidylcholine (PC) or phosphatidic acid (PA)] could be the source of 1,2-diacylglycerol (1,2-DAG) in PKC activation. In colon carcinoma cells (HT29) we observed a more than 2-fold increase in the PC pool and at the same time decreased tyrosine kinase activity (50%). With increasing incubation time EGF affects the pools of both phosphatidylinositols and other phospholipids parallel with the activation of the tyrosine kinase activity. EGF increases the activity of PKC in the HT29 cell line and PC could be the source of 1,2-DAG which may stimulate PKC activity.

Quantification of inositol phospholipid breakdown in isolated rat hepatocytes

The hydrolysis of inositol phospholipids induced by vasopressin in hepatocytes during 60 min was quantified chemically. There was a large release of myo-inositol which was abolished by Li+, indicating that it was derived from inositol phosphates and not from phospholipase D action on PtdIns. There was also a large release of inositol phosphates which was increased approx. 2-fold by Li+ at 30 min, but then remained constant, suggesting that inositol phospholipid breakdown declined substantially beyond this time. In cells prelabelled with myo-[3H]inositol and treated with Li+, [3H]PtdIns(4,5)P2 decreased maximally (50%) at 15 s and then recovered to a level at 5 min that was maintained at 25% below control for 40 min. [3H]PtdIns4P and [3H]PtdIns showed slower decreases to approx. 30% below control at 15 min, but with no further changes. Labelled Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4)P3 showed 2-4-fold increases within 30 s and then declined to values that were maintained at a constant level above the control, except for [3H]Ins(1,3,4)P3, which showed a second increase. [3H]Ins(1,4)P2 showed a very large increase over 10 min, whereas [3H]Ins4P and [3H]Ins1P showed little change before 6 and 15 min respectively. The total [3H]inositol phosphates showed little further increase after 20 min. These data are consistent with a rapid, but not sustained, hydrolysis of PtdIns-(4,5)P2, but not of PtdIns, by phospholipase C, but do not exclude PtdIns4P as a substrate. Phosphatidate was rapidly increased by vasopressin, whereas diacylglycerol was increased after a 1-2 min lag. Both were maintained at levels 2-3-fold above control for 60 min. The vasopressin-induced increase in inositol phosphates plus myo-inositol (approx. 120 nmol/100 mg) was greater than the increase in diacylglycerol plus phosphatidate (approx. 60 nmol/100 mg) between 10 and 40 min. This indicates that there was substantial further metabolism of these lipids. Addition of 75 mM ethanol resulted in rapid production of phosphatidylethanol in response to vasopressin and a 35% reduction in phosphatidate, but no decrease in diacylglycerol. In summary, the results indicate that inositol phospholipid hydrolysis by phospholipase C can account for most of the diacylglycerol and phosphatidate that accumulate during 60 min of vasopressin action, but that these phospholipids are probably not the major source of the phosphatidate that is formed during the first 2 min by phospholipase D, or of the diacylglycerol and phosphatidate that are formed beyond 30 min.

Insulin effect on isolated rat hepatocytes: diacylglycerol-phosphatidic acid interrelationship

It is widely accepted that insulin action does not involve inositol phospholipid hydrolysis through the stimulation of a phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC). This consideration prompted us to investigate the insulin effect on the mechanism leading to the accumulation of diacylglycerol (DAG) and phosphatidic acid (PA) in rat hepatocytes. Basically, insulin induces: (i) a significant increase of both [3H]glycerol and fatty acid labelling of DAG; (ii) a significant increase of PA labelling preceding DAG labelling and paralleled by a decrease of phosphatidylcholine (PC) labelling. These observations, which suggest an insulin-dependent involvement of a phospholipase D, are strengthened by the increase of PC-derived phosphatidylethanol in presence of ethanol. Finally, the observation that the PA levels do not return to basal suggests that other mechanisms different from PC hydrolysis, such as the stimulation of direct synthesis of PA, may be activated.

Vasopressin stimulation of vanadate-sensitive Na+ transport by liver plasma membrane vesicles. Evidence for regulation via phospholipase C and protein kinase C activities

The rate of vanadate-sensitive 22Na+ uptake by isolated liver membrane vesicles, reflecting transport by Na+/K(+)-ATPase, was measured to study the role played by phospholipase C and protein kinase C in the regulation of this process by vasopressin. Na+ uptake was enhanced 2-3-fold by 100 nM [Arg8]vasopressin and the hormone effect was mimicked by 0.1 microM inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate as well as by 1.0 microM myo-inositol. The stimulation by vasopressin was potentiated by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C from Bacillus thuringiensis (5-10 mU/ml). No effect of the bacterial enzyme was observed in the absence of the hormone. Phorbol myristate acetate (0.5-1 microM) suppressed the stimulation by vasopressin but had no effect in the absence of the hormone. High concentrations of bacterial phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (50-100 mU/ml) also antagonized the hormone stimulation. Staurosporine (50-100 nM) prevented the antagonistic effect of bacterial phospholipase C (50 mU/ml) and EGTA (1 mM) partially protected the hormonal stimulation in the presence of phorbol myristate acetate. Our results suggest that the stimulatory effect of vasopressin on Na+ transport is mediated by phospholipase C and products derived from the inositol moiety of membrane phospholipids. Membrane-associated protein kinase C appears to be at least partially responsible for the desensitization to stimulation by vasopressin.

Regulation of the metabolism of 1,2-diacylglycerols and inositol phosphates that respond to receptor activation

This review assimilates information on the regulation of the metabolism of those inositol phosphates and diacylglycerols that respond to receptor activation. Particular emphasis is placed on the regulation of specific enzymes, the occurrence of isoenzymes, and metabolic compartmentalization; the overall aim is to demonstrate the significance of these activities in relation to the physiological impact of the various cell signalling processes.

The roles of phospholipase D and a GTP-binding protein in guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate-stimulated hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine in rat liver plasma membranes

1. Guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]) stimulated by 50% the rate of release of [3H]choline and [3H]phosphorylcholine in rat liver plasma membranes labelled with [3H]choline. About 70% of the radioactivity released in the presence of GTP[S] was [3H]choline and 30% was [3H]phosphorylcholine. 2. The hydrolysis of phosphorylcholine to choline and the conversion of choline to phosphorylcholine did not contribute to the formation of [3H]choline and [3H]phosphorylcholine respectively. 3. The release of [3H]choline from membranes was inhibited by low concentrations of SDS or Triton X-100. Considerably higher concentrations of the detergents were required to inhibit the release of [3H]phosphorylcholine. 4. Guanosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate and guanosine 5'-[alpha beta-methylene]triphosphate, but not adenosine 5'-[gamma-thio]-triphosphate, stimulated [3H]choline release to the same extent as did GTP[S]. The GTP[S]-stimulated [3H]choline release was inhibited by guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate, GDP and GTP but not by GMP. 5. It is concluded that, in rat liver plasma membranes, (a) GTP[S]-stimulated hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine is catalysed predominantly by phospholipase D with some contribution from phospholipase C, and (b) the stimulation of phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis by GTP[s] occurs via a GTP-binding regulatory protein.

Vasopressin stimulates phospholipase D activity against phosphatidylcholine in vascular smooth muscle cells

It is now clear that various hormones and agonists can stimulate the production of lipid mediators from non-phosphoinositide phospholipids. We have investigated the production of diacylglycerol from nonphosphoinositide sources, and we demonstrated that vasopressin and other vasoactive agents stimulate hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine in a variety of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells of rat and human origin. We used vasopressin to characterize this response and found that vasopressin stimulates phospholipase D activity against phosphatidylcholine in A-10 vascular smooth muscle cells. The vasopressin-stimulated phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis is both time- and concentration-dependent. The half-maximal dose of vasopressin required for phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis (ED50 approximately 1 nM) correlates well with vasopressin binding to A-10 cells (Kd approximately 2 nM). The phosphatidylcholine in A-10 cells can be preferentially radiolabeled with [3H]myristic acid; subsequent treatment with vasopressin stimulates a rapid increase in 3H-labeled phosphatidate (approximately 4 X control values at 3 min), and after a short lag, 3H-labeled diacylglycerol rises and reaches maximal levels at 10 min (approximately 2 X control values). Similar temporal elevations of phosphatidate and diacylglycerol occur in A-10 cells labeled with [3H] glycerol. In A-10 cells radiolabeled with [3H] choline, the elevation of cellular phosphatidate and diacylglycerol is concomitant with the release of [3H] choline metabolites (predominantly choline) to the culture medium. The temporal production of phosphatidate and diacylglycerol as well as the release of choline to the culture medium are consistent with vasopressin activating phospholipase D. In addition, vasopressin stimulates a transphosphatidylation reaction that is characteristic of phospholipase D. The transphosphatidylation reaction is detected by the production of phosphatidylethanol that occurs when A-10 cells are incubated with ethanol and stimulated with vasopressin. The phospholipase D is active in the absence of extracellular Ca++ whereas the vasopressin-stimulated mobilization of arachidonic acid is dependent on extracellular Ca++. The data indicate that vasopressin stimulates phospholipase D which hydrolyzes phosphatidylcholine to phosphatidate. The phosphatidate is then metabolized, presumably by a phosphatidate phosphohydrolase, to produce sustained levels of cellular diacylglycerol. These sustained levels of diacylglycerol may activate protein kinase C and thereby function in the "sustained phase" of cellular responses.

Age-related changes of lipid fractions and total fatty acids in liver lipids and heart lipids of female and male rats aged 37-1200 days (liver) and 331-1200 days (heart)

1. Total lipids and the lipid fractions cholesterol ester, triacylglycerol, free cholesterol, free fatty acids and phospholipids, as well as the fatty acid patterns of total lipids, were measured in liver homogenates of female and male rats (Wistar SPF, strain Hannover) aged 37-1213 days. 2. The same parameters were measured in the apex of the heart in female and male rats aged 331-1213 days. 3. All parameters were monitored every 49th day. Five female and five male animals were used in each experiment. 4. The lipid fractions in liver showed a positive linear regression vs age, whereas all lipids in rat heart showed a negative regression vs age in both sexes. 5. The significance of regression vs age of fatty acids was much less than that in the lipid fractions of liver and heart of these animals.

Effect of vasopressin on the regulation of protein synthesis initiation in liver cells

Vasopressin was found to be an effective inhibitor of protein labelling in isolated liver cells. Its effect shows the following distinct characteristics: (1) in contrast with alpha-adrenergic agonists, its effect is observable under a wide range of cellular Ca2+-loading conditions; (2) it is not influenced by the nutritional state of the animal. The lack of vasopressin effect on valine production, and its ability to decrease protein labelling from near-saturation concentrations of [3H]valine, indicate that the observed variations in protein labelling reflect actual changes in the rate of protein synthesis. The action of vasopressin is primarily exerted on the initiation step of protein synthesis and this effect is accompanied by a decreased activity of eukaryotic initiation factor 2. Activators of protein kinase C showed similar but not additive effects on protein synthesis, as did vasopressin. It seems plausible to conclude that protein kinase C activation may play an important regulatory role in hepatic protein synthesis as a transducer of hormonal and perhaps other type of signals.

Palmitate dependence of insulin secretion, "de novo" phospholipid synthesis and 45Ca2+-turnover in glucose stimulated rat islets

Palmitate ability to modify D-[U-14C]glucose incorporation into different lipids ("de novo" synthesis), as well as sugar-stimulation of insulin release and 45Ca2+-fluxes, was investigated in islets of fed and 48-h starved rats. The fatty-acid induced dose-dependent, correlative increments of insulin secretion, 45Ca2+-influx and the "de novo" synthesis of each phospholipid fraction analysed at 20 mmol/l (but not 3 mmol/l) glucose. Omission of calcium reduced drastically (p less than 0.001) insulin release and the "de novo" synthesis of neutral glycerolipids, leaving unaltered that of acidic phospholipids (phosphatidate and phosphoinositides). The increased synthesis of the latter is therefore not the consequence of stimulated secretion. It could initiate or contribute to maintain an increased turnover of islet phosphoinositides, thus generating some mediators of the calcium signalling system (inositol phosphates). Starvation led to a drastic reduction (p less than 0.001) of both insulin secretion, "de novo" synthesis of each lipid fraction, and 45Ca2+-influx in response to glucose and palmitate. The presence of a fatty-acid oxidation inhibitor (2-bromostearate or 2-tetradecylglycidate) prevented the effect of starvation on 45Ca2+-influx, as it has been shown to do on insulin secretion and palmitate incorporation into islet lipids. It is finally suggested that palmitate might amplify the insulin secretory response of islets to glucose, through the stimulation of the "de novo" synthesis of phosphoinositides and the subsequent generation of inositol phosphates, which would contribute to accelerated calcium turnover.

Effects of inhibitors of diacylglycerol metabolism on protein kinase C-mediated responses in hepatocytes

In hepatocytes pre-labelled with [3H]glycerol, compound R59022 (6-[2-(4-[(4-fluorophenyl)phenylmethylene]-1-piperidinyl)ethyl]-7- methyl-5H-thiazolo[3,2-alpha]pyrimidin-5-one) and 2-bromooctanoate each increased the amount of radioactivity in diacylglycerols. R59022 mimicked the actions of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate in completely abolishing the activation by adrenaline (but not that by vasopressin or glucagon) of glycogen phosphorylase a, and in decreasing the activity of glycogen synthetase. Exogenous dioctanoylglycerol caused a small inhibition of adrenaline-stimulated phosphorylase activity. The concentration of R59022 which gave half-maximal inhibition of adrenaline-stimulated phosphorylase activity was 15 microM. Maximal inhibition was observed within 2 min of addition of R59022. 2-Bromooctanoate activated phosphorylase by a process independent of changes in cyclic AMP and Ca2+, and decreased glycogen synthetase. It is concluded that in hepatocytes (i) diacylglycerols which accumulate as a result of the inhibition of diacylglycerol kinase by R59022 activate protein kinase C and (ii) 2-bromooctanoate increases diacylglycerols but also has other effects on hepatocyte metabolism.

On the source of the vasopressin-induced increases in diacylglycerol in hepatocytes

In hepatocytes pre-labelled with [3H]glycerol, vasopressin increased by 20% the amount of radioactivity present in diacylglycerols. The effect of vasopressin was partially dependent on Ca2+. The magnitude of the increase in [3H]diacylglycerol was 5-times the sum of the radioactivity present in phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. No stimulation by vasopressin of the initial rate of incorporation of radioactivity into diacylglycerols was observed in cells incubated in the presence of 10 mM [3H]glycerol. Treatment of hepatocytes labelled with either [3H]ethanolamine or [3H]choline with vasopressin, ionophore A23187 or phospholipase C increased the amount of radioactivity present in trichloroacetic acid extracts of the cells. The effect of vasopressin was dependent on extracellular Ca2+. It is concluded that in hepatocytes vasopressin increases diacylglycerols by a process which does not principally involve the conversion of phosphoinositides to diacylglycerol or the de novo synthesis of diacylglycerol from glycerol 3-phosphate, but does involve the Ca2+-dependent conversion of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine to diacylglycerol.

Vasopressin is the only component of serum-free medium that stimulates phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis and accumulation of diacylglycerol in cultured REF52 cells

Vasopressin stimulates phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis in REF52 cells, and this phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis results in increases in choline containing metabolites in the culture medium (2.3 x control levels) and accumulation of cellular diacylglycerol (6.5 x control levels). Vasopressin is the only component of a 6-component mixture of the serum-free medium for REF52 cells that induces the phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis response. The effect of vasopressin is both time- and concentration-dependent. Maximal levels of both phosphatidyl-choline hydrolysis and accumulation of diacylglycerol are observed between 10 and 20 min after treatment with vasopressin. Effects are maximal at vasopressin concentrations of 100 ng/ml; the ED50 for vasopressin-stimulated phosphatidyl-choline hydrolysis is approximately 0.7 ng/ml. The evolution of diacylglycerol occurs in a time frame that is consistent with the diacylglycerol activating protein kinase C in a "second phase" agonist response.