A study of the role of protein synthesis in the stimulation of acid secretion by gastrin and a gastrin-like pentapeptide

Gastric antisecretory activity of cycloheximide due to inhibition of protein synthesis

Treatment of rats with cycloheximide 1 h before carbachol dose-dependently reduced the secretagogue-stimulated gastric acid secretion in pylorus ligated rats, and partially blocked carbachol- or histamine-induced activation of rat gastric (H+ + K+)-ATPase which includes translocation of reserve intracellular (H+ + K+)-ATPase into the apical membrane of the parietal cells and induction of a KCl pathway. Time-course studies showed that the drug was effective only when administered at least 30 min before the secretagogues. Puromycin showed the same effect as cycloheximide. Pulse labelling studies with [35S]methionine led to identification of two most actively synthesized polypeptides in rat gastric mucosa; the proteins of 38,000 and 14,000 molecular weight. The larger polypeptide was identified as rat pepsinogen. The identity of the smaller protein is not known yet. We suggest that synthesis of nascent polypeptide(s) is required for certain steps of the acid secretory process leading to the activation of the acid pump.

Requirements for restitution of the surface epithelium of frog stomach after mucosal injury

In frog fundic mucosae mounted in Ussing chambers, exposure to luminal 1 M NaCl for 10 min caused a sharp immediate decrease in potential difference, resistance, short circuit current, and acid secretion, but within 4-6 h these readings had returned toward control values. After initial severe destruction of surface epithelial cells, gradual morphologic restitution occurred within 4-6 h. A Ca2+-free nutrient solution and 4 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid administered after injury prevented both physiologic and morphologic restitution. A Ca2+-free nutrient solution administered alone after injury prevented physiologic recovery, but although narrow gaps and lack of tight junctions were found between some cells, there was near-complete epithelial cell coverage. The addition of 2 mM Ca2+ to these tissues 3 h after injury effected rapid recovery of electrophysiologic parameters and a complete closure of the intercellular spaces. Cytochalasin B (3 X 10(-3) M nutrient) prevented physiologic recovery and mucosal restitution. Neither cycloheximide nor colchicine had any effect on the normal process of restitution. Autoradiography of [3H]thymidine incorporation showed no increase in labeling within 4 h of hyperosmolar injury. We conclude that adequate Ca2+ is required for complete restitution of gastric mucosa after hyperosmolar injury, and that restitution occurs by migration of persisting viable gastric pit cells.