Subcellular location of stimulus-affected endogenous phosphoproteins in the rat parotid gland

Visfatin is released from 3T3-L1 adipocytes via a non-classical pathway

Visfatin is a secretory protein which exerts insulin mimetic and proinflammatory effects, also functioning as an intracellular enzyme to produce NAD. Plasma visfatin levels and visfatin mRNA expression in adipose tissues are increased in obese subjects. Visfatin does not have a decent cleavable signal sequence, and the mechanism, that mediates release of visfatin from adipocytes, remains poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that visfatin is released abundantly into culture medium from 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Subcellular fractionation analysis showed that visfatin was localized in the cytosol, but not in nucleus, membrane, vesicles, or mitochondria fractions. Visfatin release was not reduced by Brefeldin A and Monensin, inhibitors of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-Golgi-dependent secretion. In addition, visfatin was not released on microvesicles. These results suggest that visfatin should be released from 3T3-L1 adipocytes via an ER-Golgi or microvesicles independent pathway.

Calcium-calmodulin-stimulated phosphorylation of rat parotid secretion granule proteins

In studies designed to determine the mechanism by which Ca++ and calmodulin stimulate the fusion of parotid secretion granules with plasma membrane vesicles, the hypothesis tested was that Ca++ and calmodulin act by stimulating protein phosphorylation. It was earlier found that Ca++ and calmodulin, but neither alone, stimulated the phosphorylation of four secretion granule proteins with molecular masses of 64, 58, 55 and 31 kDa, and decreased the degree of phosphorylation of a 36-kDa protein. Further studies have shown that in the presence of an optimal concentration of calmodulin (2.4 microM), half-maximal activation of phosphorylation of the four proteins occurred at approx. 8 microM Ca++, and at a maximally effective Ca++ concentration (10(-4) M), half-maximal stimulation occurred at calmodulin concentrations between 0.13 and 1.1 microM for the different proteins. The studies now described also demonstrate that the need for calmodulin for stimulating the phosphorylation, but not the dephosphorylation, is specific; two other Ca(++)-binding proteins, parvalbumin and troponin, could not replace calmodulin in stimulating phosphorylation of the four secretion granule proteins, but either one could substitute for calmodulin in stimulating dephosphorylation of the 36-kDa protein. Additionally, the phosphorylated proteins appear to be located on the granule surface. When secretion granules were subjected to mild treatment with a concentration of trypsin that did not lyse the granules, the 31-, 36-, 55-, 58- and 64-kDa proteins were no longer observed. In the presence of optimal concentrations of Ca++ and calmodulin, a dose-dependent inhibition of the phosphorylation of the various proteins by two calmodulin antagonists, trifluoperazine and calmidazolium, was observed; 50% inhibition of phosphorylation of the different proteins was obtained at approx. 20-40 microM trifluoperazine and at about 2.5-3.0 microM calmidazolium. Inhibition of the dephosphorylation of the 36-kDa protein required greater concentrations of trifluoperazine and calmidazolium; 128 microM and 50 microM, respectively. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the phosphorylation of one or more of the 31-, 55-, 58- and 64-kDa proteins, but not the dephosphorylation of the 36-kDa protein, may be involved in the action of Ca++ and calmodulin in secretion granule-plasma membrane fusion.

Effects of calcium and calmodulin on the binding of rat parotid secretion granules to the plasma membrane

Since numerous studies suggest that Ca++ and calmodulin may modulate the fusion of secretion granules to the plasma membrane which takes place in exocytosis, we have examined the role of calcium and calmodulin in the binding of isolated parotid secretion granules to plasma membrane vesicles. 125I-labeled inside-out plasma membrane vesicles were incubated with secretion granules, the mixture was layered over 20% sucrose, the gradient was centrifuged, and the amount of 125I in the granule pellet was determined. Addition of Ca++ (20 nM to 10 microM) produced a concentration-dependent increase in the binding of 125I-labeled plasma membrane vesicles to the secretion granules, reaching a maximum value at 10 microM free Ca++; half-maximal binding occurred at 400 nM. Neither right-side-out parotid plasma membrane vesicles nor inside-out pancreatic islet plasma membrane vesicles bound to granules in the presence of 1 microM Ca++. Calmodulin produced a concentration-dependent increase in binding above that of Ca++ alone, and this effect was inhibited by the calmodulin antagonists, trifluoperazine and calmidazolium. Incubation of secretion granules with octadecylrhodamine B (R18)-loaded inside-out plasma membrane vesicles and 2 microM Ca++ caused de-quenching of fluorescence, indicating that the lipids in the granule membrane and the plasma membrane had intermixed. Added calmodulin increased the fluorescence two-fold above that with Ca++ alone. These results suggest that Ca++ and calmodulin may play a role in parotid gland exocytosis by modulating the interaction between the secretion granules and plasma membrane.

Identification of two 17-kDa rat parotid gland phosphoproteins, subjects for dephosphorylation upon beta-adrenergic stimulation, as destrin- and cofilin-like proteins

We previously reported that when 32Pi-loaded rat parotid slices are incubated with the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol, the level of a soluble 32P-labeled 17-kDa protein (pp17) decreases rapidly (Kanamori, T., and Hayakawa, T. (1982) Biochem. Int. 4, 517-523). Here we show that pp17 consists of two distinct phosphoproteins (pp17a and pp17b), identify their unphosphorylated forms (p17a and p17b, respectively), and provide evidence for their beta-adrenergic stimulation-induced dephosphorylation. Since p17a and p17b were predominant forms even in nonstimulated cells, peptides were generated from them with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease or cyanogen bromide; subsequent sequencing of these peptides and homology search allowed identification of p17a and p17b as destrin- and cofilin-like proteins, respectively. Interestingly, they were also dephosphorylated in response to cholinergic stimulation. Because destrin and cofilin are actin-depolymerizing proteins whose activities are possibly regulated by their phosphorylation/dephosphorylation, the two parotid proteins reported here might be involved in cortical F-actin disruption observed in parallel with exocytotic amylase secretion.

Evidence for the involvement of protein phosphorylation in cyclic AMP-mediated amylase exocytosis from parotid acinar cells

We evaluated the role of protein phosphorylation in cAMP-mediated amylase exocytosis from parotid acinar cells by using H89, a new protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, which is more lipophilic and 25 times more potent than H8. In our previous studies, H8 markedly inhibited protein phosphorylation without decreasing amylase release [Takuma, T. (1988) Biochem. J. 256, 867-871]. These findings were completely reproduced even in the small acini that were prepared by trypsin treatment before collagenase digestion. In the present study, however, H89 strongly inhibited both amylase release and protein phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect was specific for PKA at least up to 33 microM, since 33 microM H89 did not block amylase release stimulated by PMA. H85, a closely related compound of H89 without inhibitory effect on PKA, did not prevent amylase release or protein phosphorylation at least up to 33 microM. These results suggest that protein phosphorylation by PKA is involved in cAMP-mediated amylase exocytosis. The inhibition of protein phosphorylation by H8 might be insufficient or inadequate for blocking of amylase release.

Phosphorylation of elongation factor 2 during Ca(2+)-mediated secretion from rat parotid acini

In this paper we report the rapid phosphorylation of a cytosolic 100 kDa protein during stimulation of secretion from dispersed aggregates of parotid acinar cells with Ca(2+)-mobilizing secretagogues (carbachol, Substance P, ATP and the Ca2+ ionophore A23187). Phosphorylation was inhibited by removal of extracellular Ca2+ but was not observed during stimulation with phorbol esters, suggesting that this protein is not a substrate for protein kinase C. Two-dimensional PAGE and immunoprecipitation with a specific antiserum indicated that this protein is elongation factor 2, whose Ca2+ calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation has been shown to inhibit protein synthesis [Nairn & Palfrey (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 17299-17303]. These results suggest that phosphorylation of elongation factor 2 is the molecular mechanism for the inhibition of protein synthesis which has been previously observed in rat parotid cells during stimulation with Ca(2+)-mobilizing secretagogues.

Purification and partial characterization of analogous 26-kDa rat submandibular and parotid gland integral membrane phosphoproteins that may have a role in exocytosis

Rat submandibular and parotid gland exocytosis is primarily controlled by beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation. Although its precise role in the regulation of salivary gland exocytosis is not fully understood, protein phosphorylation, mediated by the activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, may be directly involved. Previous studies suggest that analogous 26-kDa integral membrane phosphoproteins may play a direct role in regulating exocytosis. Studies were here undertaken to purify and partially characterize both phosphoproteins. After endogenous phosphorylation with 32P, subcellular fraction and solubilization of the microsomal fraction in n-octyl beta-glucopyranoside, the 26-kDa integral membrane phosphoproteins were purified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), followed by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electroelution of the proteins. Amino acid analysis indicated a significant number of serine amino acids: N-terminal sequence data demonstrated a high level of homology; and trypsin digestion followed by reversed-phase HPLC indicated the possibility of multiple phosphorylation sites.

Stimulation of rat parotid secretion by cAMP analogues that synergistically activate the type II isoenzyme of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase

Beta-adrenergic-stimulated parotid secretion is believed to be mediated by activation of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PK-A). However, the relative roles of the type I and II PK-A isoenzymes are still unclear. Combinations of site-selective, lipophilic cAMP analogues that synergistically activate each PK-A were used to investigate this problem. The selectivity of synergistic activation with these combinations was verified with the partially purified parotid PK-A isoenzymes, using kemptide as a substrate. Synergism in activation of PK-AII was only seen with 8-thiomethyl cAMP (8-TM) and N-6-benzoyl cyclic AMP (N6B), while PK-AI was only synergistically activated by 8-(6-aminohexyl) amino cyclic AMP (AHA) and N6B. Additive activation of each isoenzyme was observed for the combination of 8-TM and AHA. Rates of amylase secretion from dispersed parotid acini in response to secretagogues were determined with a coupled enzyme assay for amylase activity, which was adapted for use in a microplate reader. Cells were stimulated to secrete during 30 min with different doses (0.1-1.0 mM) and combinations of the cyclic nucleotide analogues. Alone, N6B was most effective in stimulating amylase secretion. The basal amylase secretory rate was stimulated by these secretagogues (0.44 mM) to the following extent: 53-fold (N6B), 8-fold (8-AHA), 2-fold (8-TM). In combination at a series of concentrations, only 8-TM + N6B produced synergistic stimulation of secretion, while AHA + N6B and 8-TM + AHA did not.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of RER proteins from rat liver: relationship with GTP-dependent membrane fusion

Incubation of stripped rough microsomes (SRM) with the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PKA) permitted specific phosphorylation of seven proteins having relative molecular mass values of 55, 35, 23, 22.5, 22, 18.5 and 16.5 kDa (P55, P35 etc.). By two dimensional gel analysis, we compared these phosphoproteins with low-molecular-weight GTP-binding proteins and revealed that P23 and P22.5 co-migrated with known GTP-binding proteins. Next we examined the effect of cAMP-dependent phosphorylation on a GTP-dependent membrane function, membrane fusion. Quantitative analysis indicated no difference in the amount of membrane fusion obtained whether SRM were incubated in the absence or in the presence of PKA. Thus several rough microsomal proteins underwent cAMP-dependent phosphorylation and this post-translational modification did not affect GTP-dependent membrane fusion in a cell free system.

Sialagogue-stimulated protein phosphorylation related to ornithine decarboxylase induction in cultured rat parotid explants

Both beta-adrenergic (isoproterenol) and cholinergic (carbachol) sialagogues increase amylase secretion, ornithine decarboxylase activity and DNA synthesis in murine parotid gland in vivo and in vitro. These agonists enhanced the incorporation of labelled inorganic orthophosphate into parotid proteins in rat parotid explants cultured on siliconized lens paper floating on serum-free 199 medium. Analysis of the labelled proteins by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography revealed that isoproterenol enhanced the phosphorylation of four proteins with apparent molecular weights of 17, 20, 31 and 32 kDa and carbachol stimulated the phosphorylation of 31 and 32 K proteins. Isoproterenol-dependent ornithine decarboxylase induction and phosphorylation of the proteins were selectively suppressed by monensin but not by polymyxin B, whereas carbachol-dependent ornithine decarboxylase induction and protein phosphorylation were inhibited by polymyxin B but not by monensin. Neither monensin nor polymyxin B suppressed isoproterenol- or carbachol-stimulated amylase secretion. Time course experiments showed that sialagogue-stimulated protein phosphorylation preceded the increase of ornithine decarboxylase activity and had almost disappeared when it was maximal. Propranolol and atropine, antagonists of isoproterenol and carbachol, respectively, completely inhibited not only amylase secretion and ornithine decarboxylase induction but also protein phosphorylation stimulated by the corresponding agonists. These findings suggest that increased phosphorylation of specific proteins is associated with sialagogue-stimulated ornithine decarboxylase induction but not amylase secretion.

Activation and distribution of rat parotid cAMP-dependent protein kinase following beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation in vitro

The extent of activation of parotid protein kinase A (EC 2.7.1.37) isozymes was determined using dispersed cells and an 8-N3-[32P]-cAMP photoprobe. Cold-trap studies indicated that 40% of type I protein kinase A was activated following maximal beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation, whereas type II activation was less than 20%. Both cytosolic and microsomal type I activation occurred rapidly after stimulation and both remain activated throughout the entire secretory period. The dose-response relationship for the isotypes following beta-adrenergic receptor activation demonstrated a greater extent of type I activation at maximal concentration of agonist. Although protein kinase A may not be the only kinase involved in rat parotid amylase release, these findings add further evidence of a direct regulatory role for this kinase, with type I having potentially a greater role than type II.

Evidence against direct involvement of cyclic AMP-dependent protein phosphorylation in the exocytosis of amylase

To examine whether or not the activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase is coupled to the exocytosis of amylase from rat parotid cells, the effect of protein kinase inhibitors on amylase release and protein phosphorylation was studied. A membrane-permeable inhibitor of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, N-[2-(methylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulphonamide (H-8), and peptide fragments of the heat-stable protein kinase inhibitor [PKI-(5-24)-peptide and PKI-(14-24)-amide] strongly inhibited cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity in the cell homogenate. However, H-8 had no inhibitory effect on amylase release from either intact or saponin-permeabilized parotid cells stimulated by isoproterenol or cyclic AMP. Moreover, PKI-(5-24)-peptide and PKI-(14-24)-amide did not inhibit cyclic AMP-evoked amylase release from saponin-permeabilized cells, whereas cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylations of 21 and 26 kDa proteins in intact or permeabilized cells were markedly inhibited by these inhibitors. These results suggest that cyclic AMP-dependent protein phosphorylation is not directly involved in the exocytosis of amylase regulated by cyclic AMP.

cAMP-dependent protein phosphorylation of membrane proteins in the parotid gland, platelets and liver. Comparison of a 22-kDa phosphoprotein from rat parotid microsomes (protein III) with phosphoproteins of similar molecular size from platelet and liver membranes

Stimulation of secretion in exocrine secretory glands leads to the phosphorylation of a 22-kDa membrane protein (protein III) whose function is still unknown [Jahn et al. (1980) Eur. J. Biochem. 112, 345-352; Jahn & Söling (1980) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 78, 6903-6906]. This report describes the comparison of this protein with phosphorylated membrane proteins of similar molecular mass in platelets and liver. Incubation of platelets with agents which raise the intracellular cAMP concentration results in the phosphorylation of a 22-kDa protein which is also phosphorylated in membrane preparations by endogenous kinases or by exogenous cAMP-dependent protein kinase. It is shown that this protein is distinct from protein III although both proteins have the same molecular mass and are substrates of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. In contrast to platelets, protein III could be demonstrated in liver microsomes. This indicates that the function of protein III is not exclusively linked to the stimulus-secretion coupling in exocrine cells.

The role of protein kinase C on amylase secretion from rat parotid gland

The activities of Ca2+.phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) in rat salivary gland were assayed using synthetic peptide syntide-2(Pro-Leu-Ala-Arg-Thr-Leu-Ser-Val-Ala-Gly-Leu-Pro-Gly-Lys- Lys) as substrate. Levels of the protein kinase C were less than 0.05 units/g in the parotid and submandibular glands. The protein kinase C inhibitor, H-7, inhibited amylase secretion from rat parotid gland stimulated by PMA or the combination of phosphatidylserine and 1,2-diolein. The results supported the hypothesis of the secretory mechanism that protein kinase C mediates amylase secretion in rat parotid glands.

Purification and characterization of a 22-kDa microsomal protein from rat parotid gland which is phosphorylated following stimulation by agonists involving cAMP as second messenger

Stimulation of secretion in exocrine glands by agonists involving cAMP as second messenger leads to the phosphorylation of the ribosomal protein S6 (protein I) and two other particulate proteins with apparent molecular masses of 24 kDa (protein II) and 22 kDa (protein III) [Jahn, R., Unger, C. & Söling, H. D. (1980) Eur. J. Biochem. 112, 345-352]. This report describes the purification and characterization of protein III. Solubilization studies indicate that protein III is an intrinsic membrane protein. It could be extracted from the endoplasmic reticulum membrane only with Triton X-100, SDS or concentrated formic or acetic acid. The purification of this protein involved extraction of the microsomes with Triton X-100, removal of the detergent by acetone precipitation, extraction of water-soluble proteins, lipids and lipoproteins, and preparative SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The protein has a basic pI (greater than 8.7). For determination of the amino acid composition of protein III and for sequencing of its amino-terminal portion, the protein was electroeluted out off the gel, the detergent removed and the protein finally purified by reversed-phase HPLC. Protein III could be phosphorylated in vitro by the catalytic subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase to a degree of approximately 0.14 mol phosphate/mol protein. The only phosphopeptide obtained after in vitro phosphorylation and subsequent tryptic or chymotryptic digestion was identical with the phosphopeptide obtained after stimulation of intact rat parotid gland lobules with isoproterenol. The sequence of this peptide was Lys-Leu-Ser(P)-Glu-Ala-Asp-Asn-Arg. It was confirmed by an analysis of the synthetic peptide following in vitro phosphorylation with cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The first 41 N-terminal residues of protein III were sequenced. So far no sequence homology with other known peptides or proteins could be found.

Involvement of a 65 kDa phosphoprotein in the regulation of membrane fusion during exocytosis in Paramecium cells

Antisera were raised against a phosphoprotein of 65 kDa (PP65) from Paramecium cells (shown before to be selectively dephosphorylated during synchronous exocytosis) and specified by immunoblotting. By immunofluorescence PP65 has been localized within the cortex, beneath the cell membrane. This corresponds to data obtained by cell fractionation, applying SDS-PAGE autoradiography to cortices prepared from 32P-prelabeled cells. Antisera against PP65 inhibit exocytosis in vivo (microinjection). Applying anti-PP65 antisera in vitro to cortices we could demonstrate inhibition not only of exocytosis, but also of PP65 dephosphorylation. We conclude that PP65 is involved in the regulation of membrane fusion during exocytosis.

Exocytosis induction in Paramecium tetraurelia cells by exogenous phosphoprotein phosphatase in vivo and in vitro: possible involvement of calcineurin in exocytotic membrane fusion

Since it had been previously shown that in Paramecium cells exocytosis involves the dephosphorylation of a 65-kD phosphoprotein (PP), we tried to induce exocytotic membrane fusion by exogenous phosphatases (alkaline phosphatase or calcineurin [CaN]). The occurrence of calmodulin (CaM) at preformed exocytosis sites (Momayezi, M., H. Kersken, U. Gras, J. Vilmart-Seuwen, and H. Plattner, 1986, J. Histochem. Cytochem., 34:1621-1638) and the current finding of the presence of the 65-kD PP and of a CaN-like protein in cell surface fragments ("cortices") isolated from Paramecium cells led us to also test the effect of antibodies (Ab) against CaM or CaN on exocytosis performance. Microinjected anti-CaN Ab strongly inhibit exocytosis. (Negative results with microinjected anti-CaM Ab can easily be explained by the abundance of CaM.) Alternatively, microinjection of a Ca2+-CaM-CaN complex triggers exocytosis. The same occurs with alkaline phosphatase. All these effects can also be mimicked in vitro with isolated cortices. In vitro exocytosis triggered by adding Ca2+-CaM-CaN or alkaline phosphatase is paralleled by dephosphorylation of the 65-kD PP. Exocytosis can also be inhibited in cortices by anti-CaM Ab or anti-CaN Ab. In wild-type cells, compounds that inhibit phosphatase activity, but none that inhibit kinases or proteases, are able to inhibit exocytosis. Exocytosis cannot be induced by phosphatase injection in a membrane-fusion-deficient mutant strain (nd9-28 degrees C) characterized by a defective organization of exocytosis sites (Beisson, J., M. Lefort-Tran, M. Pouphile, M. Rossignol, and B. Satir, 1976, J. Cell Biol., 69:126-143). We conclude that exocytotic membrane fusion requires an adequate assembly of molecular components to allow for the dephosphorylation of a 65-kD PP and that this step is crucial for the induction of exocytotic membrane fusion in Paramecium cells. In vivo this probably involves a Ca2+-CaM-stimulated CaN-like PP phosphatase.

Calcium-dependent protein kinase reactions associated with parotid gland secretory granule membranes

Rat parotid secretory granule membranes were examined for the presence of calcium-dependent protein kinase activities and kinase substrates. Protein kinase C (C-kinase), which is stimulated by certain phospholipids, was present in the membranes, as indicated by its ability to catalyze the phosphorylation of histone. Two substrates for protein kinase C were seen in the granule membranes. The cytosolic fraction from the cell contained kinase activity, which was stimulated by phosphatidylserine and which caused the phosphorylation of two granule membrane polypeptides. In addition, when both granule membranes and cytosol were incubated together, phosphorylation of the cytosolic substrates was inhibited, indicating that the granule membrane substrates were phosphorylated preferentially. The results indicate that the granule membranes may react with cytosolic protein kinase C activity in a way which would direct an intracellular calcium and diacylglycerol signal toward the granule membrane. Since these signals occur during stimulation by various agonists, the mechanism may contribute to secretion.

Phorbol ester stimulates amylase secretion from rat parotid cells

Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), a potent activator of Ca2+- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C), evoked amylase release from rat parotid cells. In dose-response studies, PMA stimulated amylase release independently of db-cAMP, but potentiated the effect of carbachol. PMA and A23187, a Ca2+ ionophore, synergistically increased amylase release. The maximum effect of carbachol was further enhanced by PMA but not by A23187, suggesting that protein kinase C is not fully activated by the muscarinic-cholinergic agonist under the condition where calcium is fully utilized for amylase secretion.

Neuroendocrine control of secretion in pancreatic and parotid gland acini and the role of Na+,K+-ATPase activity

The results of our investigations into the localization of Na+,K+-pump activity in pancreatic and parotid acinar cells and the effects of hormones and neurotransmitters on pump turnover can be integrated with data on other aspects of stimulus-response coupling to construct models of the neurohumoral control of protein, fluid, and electrolyte secretion (Fig. 23). In both tissues, Ca2+ and cyclic AMP serve as intracellular messengers. In pancreatic acinar cells, the Ca2+-dependent pathway activated by the occupation of CCK or cholinergic receptors provides the primary stimulus for digestive enzyme secretion. Cyclic AMP plays a comparatively minor role; VIP and secretin are much less effective stimulators of protein secretion. Conversely, cyclic AMP levels in parotid acinar cells, which are modulated primarily through occupation of beta-adrenergic receptors, are a major determinant of enzyme secretion. Activation of the Ca2+-dependent pathway by cholinergic or alpha-adrenergic agonists or substance P is less important. The presence of dual control processes in each gland suggests that the observed differences in effectiveness of cyclic AMP- versus Ca2+-dependent secretagogues may reflect not different mechanisms, but rather a shift in the relative emphasis placed on each pathway. This emphasis could conceivably result from subtle variations in the interaction between cellular protein kinases and phosphatases and their phosphoprotein substrates. Electrolyte secretion, on the other hand, appears to involve both discrete and common entities. In pancreatic acinar cells from rodent species, cholinergic or CCK receptor occupancy elicits a Ca2+-dependent increase in the open-state probability of nonselective cation channels in the basolateral plasma membrane. The resultant influx of Na+ and efflux of K+ is most probably the factor which activates Na+, K+-pumps. Based on electron probe studies of the effects of cholinergic agonists on acinar cell Na+ and K+ contents discussed earlier, a transient reduction in the intracellular K+/Na+ ratio of up to 4-fold may occur. A shift of this magnitude in the cytoplasmic microenvironment of the Na+, K+-pump clearly would have a stimulatory influence (see discussion by Jorgensen, 1980). In addition, Ca2+ itself may have direct effects on Na+,K+-pump activity. Calcium at levels much above 1 microM progressively inhibits Na+,K+-ATPase activity (Tobin et al., 1973; Yingst and Polasek, 1985). In unstimulated guinea pig pancreatic acinar cells, Ca2+i measured by quin-2 fluorescence was 161 +/- 13 nM (Hootman et al., 1985a) which increased to a maximal concentration of 803 +/- 122 nM following CCh stimulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Synchronous exocytosis in Paramecium cells involves very rapid (less than or equal to 1 s), reversible dephosphorylation of a 65-kD phosphoprotein in exocytosis-competent strains

Synchronous exocytosis in Paramecium cells involves the rapid (less than or equal to 1 s) dephosphorylation of a 65-kD phosphoprotein, which, after a lag phase of approximately 5 s, is reversed within approximately 20 s. Exocytosis inhibitors suppress this reaction; stimulatory and inhibitory effects are dose dependent. The dephosphorylation of the 65-kD phosphoprotein occurs only in exocytosis-competent strains, but not in mutant strains that cannot carry out membrane fusion, or that are devoid of secretory organelles or cannot transport them to the cell membrane. Since under all conditions analyzed the transient dephosphorylation of the 65-kD phosphoprotein strictly parallels the actual amount of exocytosed organelles, this process might be involved in exocytosis performance, perhaps in its initiation.