Mechanism of cytotoxic action of crambescidin-816 on human liver-derived tumour cells

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Marine sponges have evolved the capacity to produce a series of very efficient chemicals to combat viruses, bacteria, and eukaryotic organisms. It has been demonstrated that several of these compounds have anti-neoplastic activity. The highly toxic sponge Crambe crambe has been the source of several molecules named crambescidins. Of these, crambescidin-816 has been shown to be cytotoxic for colon carcinoma cells. To further investigate the potential anti-carcinogenic effect of crambescidin-816, we analysed its effect on the transcription of HepG2 cells by microarray analysis followed by experiments guided by the results obtained.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

After cytotoxicity determination, a transcriptomic analysis was performed to test the effect of crambescidin-816 on the liver-derived tumour cell HepG2. Based on the results obtained, we analysed the effect of crambescidin-816 on cell-cell adhesion, cell-matrix adhesion, and cell migration by Western blot, confocal microscopy, flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy. Cytotoxicity and cell migration were also studied in a variety of other cell lines derived from human tumours.

KEY RESULTS

Crambescidin-816 had a cytotoxic effect on all the cell lines studied. It inhibited cell-cell adhesion, interfered with the formation of tight junctions, and cell-matrix adhesion, negatively affecting focal adhesions. It also altered the cytoskeleton dynamics. As a consequence of all these effects on cells crambescidin-816 inhibited cell migration.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The results indicate that crambescidin-816 is active against tumour cells and implicate a new mechanism for the anti-tumour effect of this compound.

Yessotoxin induces ER-stress followed by autophagic cell death in glioma cells mediated by mTOR and BNIP3

Yessotoxin at nanomolar concentrations can induce programmed cell death in different model systems. Paraptosis-like cell death induced by YTX in BC3H1 cells, which are insensitive to several caspase inhibitors,has also been reported. This makes yessotoxin of interest in the search of molecules that target cancer cells vulnerabilities when resistance to apoptosis is observed. To better understand the effect of this molecule at the molecular level on tumor cells, we conducted a transcriptomic analysis using 3 human glioma cell lines with different sensitivities to yessotoxin. We show that the toxin induces a deregulation of the lipid metabolism in glioma cells as a consequence of induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress. The endoplasmic reticulum stress in turn arrests the cell cycle and inhibits the protein synthesis. In the three cell lines used we show that YTX induces autophagy, which is involved in cell death. The sensibility of the cell lines used towards autophagic cell death was related to their doubling time, being the cell line with the lowest proliferation rate the most resistant.The involvement of mTOR and BNIP3 in the autophagy induction was also determined.

Comparative study of toxicological and cell cycle effects of okadaic acid and dinophysistoxin-2 in primary rat hepatocytes

AIMS

To determine the relative toxicity and effects on the cell cycle of okadaic acid and dinophysistoxin-2 in primary hepatocyte cultures.

MAIN METHODS

Cytotoxicity was determined by the MTT method, caspase-3 activity and lactate dehydrogenase release to the medium. The cell cycle analysis was performed by imaging flow cytometry and the effect of the toxins on cell proliferation was studied by quantitative PCR and confocal microscopy.

KEY FINDINGS

We show that dinophysistoxin-2 is less toxic than okadaic acid for primary hepatocytes with a similar difference in potency as that observed in vivo in mice after intraperitoneal injection. Both toxins induced apoptosis with caspase-3 increase. They also inhibited the hepatocytes cell cycle in G1 affecting diploid cells and diploid bi-nucleated cells. In proliferating hepatocytes exposed to the toxins, a decrease of p53 gene expression as well as a lower protein level was detected. Studies of the tubulin cytoskeleton in toxin treated cells, showed nuclear localization of this molecule and a granulated tubulin pattern in the cytoplasm.

SIGNIFICANCE

The results presented in this work show that the difference in toxicity between dinophysistoxin-2 and okadaic acid in cultured primary hepatocytes is the same as that observed in vivo after intraperitoneal injection. Okadaic acid and dinophysistoxin-2 arrest the cell cycle of hepatocytes at G1 even in diploid bi-nucleated cells. p53 and tubulin could be involved in the cell cycle inhibitory effect.

Resveratrol inhibits proliferation of primary rat hepatocytes in G0/G1 by inhibiting DNA synthesis

Resveratrol is a phytoalexin that has been shown to inhibit cell proliferation of several cancer cell lines. In some cases this inhibition was specific for the transformed cells when compared with normal cells of the same tissue. To test whether this was the case in rat hepatocytes, we exposed primary rat hepatocytes in culture and transformed rat hepatic cells to this compound and studied its effect on cell proliferation, measuring deoxy-bromouridine incorporation and total DNA. We also studied the effect of resveratrol on the cell cycle of normal and transformed rat hepatocytes. We observed that resveratrol inhibited proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in both cases, with no differential action in the transformed cells compared to the normal ones. This compound arrested the cell cycle in G0/G1 in primary hepatocytes, while it arrested the cell cycle in G2/M in transformed cells. Transformed hepatocytes showed accumulation of cells in the S phase of the cell cycle.

Okadaic acid and dinophysis toxin 2 have differential toxicological effects in hepatic cell lines inducing cell cycle arrest, at G0/G1 or G2/M with aberrant mitosis depending on the cell line

Okadaic acid is one of the toxins responsible for the human intoxication known as diarrhetic shellfish poisoning, which appears after the consumption of contaminated shellfish. The main diarrhetic shellfish poisoning toxins are okadaic acid, dinophysistoxin-1, -2, and -3. In vivo, after intraperitoneal injection, dinophysistoxin-2 is approximately 40% less toxic than okadaic acid in mice. The cytotoxic and genotoxic effect of okadaic acid varies very significantly in different cell lines, so similar responses could be expected for dinophysistoxin-2. In order to determine whether this was the case, we studied the effect of okadaic acid and dinophysistoxin-2 in two hepatic cell lines (HepG2 and Clone 9). The cytotoxicity of these toxins, as well as their effects on the cell cycle and its regulation on both cell lines, were determined. Okadaic acid and dinophysistoxin-2 resulted to be equipotent in clone 9 cultures, while okadaic acid was more potent than dinophysistoxin-2 in HepG2 cell cultures. Both toxins had opposite effects on the cell cycle; they arrested the cell cycle of clone 9 cells in G2/M inducing aberrant mitosis while arresting the cell cycle of HepG2 in G0/G1. When the effect of the toxins on p53 subcellular distribution was studied, p53 was detected in the nuclei of both cell types. The effect of the toxins on the gene expression of cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases was different for both cell lines. The toxins induced an increase in gene expression of cyclins A, B, and D in clone 9 cells while they induced a decrease in cyclins A and B in HepG2 cells. They also induced a decrease in cyclin-dependent kinase 1 in HepG2 cells.

Cytoskeletal toxicity of pectenotoxins in hepatic cells

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Pectenotoxins are macrocyclic lactones found in dinoflagellates of the genus Dinophysis, which induce severe liver damage in mice after i.p. injection. Here, we have looked for the mechanism(s) underlying this hepatotoxicity.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Effects of pectenotoxin (PTX)-1, PTX-2, PTX-2 seco acid (PTX-2SA) and PTX-11 were measured in a hepatocyte cell line with cancer cell characteristics (Clone 9) and in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. Cell morphology was assessed by confocal microscopy; F- and G-actin were selectively stained and cell viability measured by Alamar Blue fluorescence.

KEY RESULTS

Clone 9 cells and primary hepatocytes showed a marked depolymerization of F-actin with PTX-1, PTX-2 and PTX-11 (1-1000 nM) associated with an increase in G-actin level. However, morphology was only clearly altered in Clone 9 cells. PTX-2SA had no effect on the actin cytoskeleton. Despite the potent F-actin depolymerizing effect, PTX-1, PTX-2 or PTX-11 did not decrease the viability of Clone 9 cells after 24-h treatment. Only prolonged incubation (> 48 h) with PTXs induced a fall in viability, and under these conditions, morphology of both Clone 9 and primary hepatocytes was drastically changed.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Although the actin cytoskeleton was clearly altered by PTX-1, PTX-2 and PTX-11 in the hepatocyte cell line and primary hepatocytes, morphological assessments indicated a higher sensitivity of the cancer-like cell line to these toxins. However, viability of both cell types was not altered.

Resveratrol protects primary rat hepatocytes against necrosis induced by reactive oxygen species

Reactive oxygen species can be important mediators of damage to cell molecules and structures. Besides the endogen antioxidant defences, the antioxidant intake in the diet has an important role in the protection against the development of diseases produced by oxidative damage. Resveratrol is a naturally occurring compound present in many plants some of which are part of the human diet. This molecule has been thoroughly investigated because of its antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties among others. We investigated whether resveratrol could provide protective antioxidant action in primary rat hepatocyte cultures. Primary rat hepatocytes cultures were exposed to 300 microM tert-butyl hydroperoxide; 25, 50 or 75 microM resveratrol or to 300 microM tert-butyl hydroperoxide plus 25, 50 or 75 microM resveratrol for different time periods. Necrosis was evaluated by lactate dehydrogenase liberation to the medium. Apoptosis was evaluated by caspase 3 activity measurement. Changes in cellular morphology after the different treatments were recorded using bright field microscopy. Inhibition of the reactive oxygen species by resveratrol was studied by confocal microscopy and spectrofluorimetrically. Resveratrol inhibited necrosis induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide. No apoptosis was observed in any treatment. It also was effective in eliminating reactive oxygen species. At 75 microM, the highest concentration tested, resveratrol became slightly cytotoxic. Our results show that resveratrol protects primary rat hepatocytes in culture from oxidative stress induced cell death. These results suggest that resveratrol could enhance the antioxidant status of hepatic cells.

GHRP-6 in heifer and cow adenohypophisial cells separated by elutriation

Previous studies have reported that the growth hormone (GH)-releasing peptide (GHRP-6), a synthetic Met-enkephalin peptide analog, stimulates GH release in vivo in a variety of species, including bovine. In the present study, the in vitro effects of GHRP-6 on bovine somatotropes separated by elutriation were analyzed as well as its interactions with the GH-releasing hormone (GHRH). The administration of GHRP-6 at doses from 10(-8) M to 10(-5) M stimulated GH release, and also 10(-9) M in cow pituitary cells, and produced maximal stimulation at 10(-6) M. The effects of GHRP-6 (10(-6) M) on GH release were shown at 1, 2, 3 and 4-h incubation (p < 0.05), except for heifer pituitary cells at 1-h incubation (p > 0.05). The GH releasing effects of either GHRH alone or GHRH+GHRP-6 were significantly more potent than that of GHRP-6 alone (p < 0.05). Contrary to what occurred in rat pituitary cells, the combined administration of 10(-6) M GHRP-6 with 10(-8) M GHRH did not result in a synergist action of GH release. Although the additive effect was significant when compared with GHRH alone (p < 0.05). The results demonstrate the existence of differences in the effect of GHRH+GHRP-6 on bovine somatotropes. These differences may reflect the physiological importance of distinct cell subpopulation, like the mammosomatotroph cells.

Detection of prothymosin alpha in oocytes and embryos of Bufo arenarum

Prothymosin alpha (PTA) was detected by immunocytological and biochemical methods in oocytes at different stages of oogenesis, and in early embryos of the amphibian Bufo anenarum. In all cases PTA was detected in the nucleus and was absent from the cytoplasm. This indicates that this protein could act at the level of regulating transcription. Western blots were carried out using polyclonal antibodies with extracts of embryos at different stages of development from early fertilisation up to neural tube. With this method PTA was detected in all the samples under study.

Prothymosin alpha stimulates Ca2+-dependent phosphorylation of elongation factor 2 in cellular extracts

Prothymosin alpha (PTA) stimulates in a dose-dependent manner the phosphorylation of a 105-kDa protein (p105) in cell extracts from different cell types. Protein sequencing and immunological analysis indicated that this protein is elongation factor 2 (EF-2). We propose that calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase III is responsible for the PTA-dependent EF-2 phosphorylation based on the following lines of evidence: (a) Ca2+ is required for the effect; (b) calmodulin enhances the reaction, and calmodulin inhibitors block the phosphorylation; and (c) no phosphorylation is seen in cell extracts depleted of calmodulin-binding proteins. To obtain a strong phosphorylated EF-2 band, we found it necessary to add PTA to cytosolic extracts from synchronized dividing cells in various phases of the cell cycle except in mitosis. Since PTA is a nuclear protein everywhere in the cell cycle except in mitosis, when it is found in the cytoplasm, we hypothesize that, if PTA activates EF-2 phosphorylation in vivo, as present data suggest, its presence in the cytoplasm during mitosis could explain why EF-2 phosphorylation is mainly restricted to that phase of the cell cycle. Moreover, other bands in addition to EF-2 were phosphorylated in a calmodulin- and PTA-dependent manner, and several of them (in a range between 50 and 60 kDa) have similar Mr to those that conform to the holoenzyme calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II, suggesting that PTA could have a more general function modulating the activity of various Ca2+/CaM-dependent enzymes along the cell cycle.

cAMP-dependent phosphorylation activates phosphofructokinase from mantle tissue of the mollusc Mytilus galloprovincialis. Identification of the phosphorylated site

Phosphofructokinase from mantle tissue of the sea mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis was phosphorylated in vitro by a protein kinase isolated from the same tissue, homologous to mammalian cAMP-dependent protein kinase; the maximal level of phosphorylation achieved was around 1 mol of Pi/mol of phosphofructokinase subunit. The covalent incorporation of phosphate leads to a notable increase in the enzyme activity assayed at near-physiological concentrations of substrates and allosteric modulators and neutral pH. Tryptic digestion of labeled phosphofructokinase released a phosphopeptide whose sequence was Lys-Asp-Ser(P)-Ile-Trp-Ile-Gln-Thr-Gly-Arg. This sequence showed high homology with the phosphopeptides from other invertebrates whose phosphofructokinase is also activated by cAMP-dependent phosphorylation.

Regulation of thymosin beta 4 mRNA levels during cell proliferation

The levels of thymosin beta 4 mRNA were studied throughout the cell cycle of NIH 3T3 cells. In serum deprived, quiescent cells, the levels of thymosin beta 4 were undetectable; after serum restoration, the cells were induced to proliferate and we found a pronounced increase in thymosin beta 4 mRNA levels at the G1/S transition. Thymosin beta 4 mRNA was induced even in the presence of cycloheximide. On the other hand, cycling cells that were synchronized at different stages of the cycle by means of mitotic shake-off after nocodazole arrest or a double thymidine block did not show any variation in the levels of thymosin beta 4 mRNA when they progressed synchronously through the cycle. In conclusion, the present data indicate that the thymosin beta 4 gene is regulated by cell proliferation but it is not a cell cycle-regulated gene. Finally, we studied thymosin beta 4 mRNA stability by inhibiting thymosin beta 4 gene transcription with actinomycin D. Our results suggest that thymosin beta 4 mRNA has a pronounced stability, a fact that might be relevant to account for the presence of thymosin beta 4 in enucleated cells like platelets.

Effect of histamine on soluble and membrane-associated carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity of pig and bovine gastric mucosa

1. As part of their characterization, the effect of histamine (H) on both soluble and membrane-associated carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity of pig and bovine gastric light microsomal membranes was investigated. 2. H did not affect the activity of soluble CA purified from pig oxyntic mucosa, whereas 10(-7) and 10(-4) M H produced a significant enhancement of pig gastric firmly-membrane-associated CA activity at 20 and 30 degrees C (about 2-3-fold), but it failed at 0 degree C. The increase of activity produced by H occurred within 1 min and it was maintained for at least 15 min. 3. H also stimulated bovine gastric firmly-membrane-associated CA activity, the stimulation also being dependent on temperature.

Prothymosin alpha mRNA is expressed in competent and proliferating rat thyroid cells (FRTL-5) but is not sufficient to elicit cell progression through the cell cycle

Using flow cytometry we observed the effects that different hormonal treatments had on the progression of rat thyroid (FRTL-5) cells through the cell cycle. The absence of hormones or the addition of TSH (6 mU/ml) did not induce DNA synthesis; however, the addition of IGF-I (30 ng/ml) promoted cell proliferation. The number of cells recruited by IGF-I was lower than when IGF-I and TSH were used. We therefore concluded that we had a model with three different types of cells: (1) quiescent cells, cells cultured in the absence of hormones, considered to be G0-arrested cells, (2) competent cells, TSH-treated cells that did not proliferate (being arrested in a cycle phase different from G0) and (3) actively proliferating cells, cells treated with TSH plus IGF-I. Prothymosin alpha (PTA) mRNA levels were almost undetectable in cells cultured without hormones at all times studied, i.e. 8, 14 and 24 h. On the contrary, TSH and/or IGF-I greatly increased PTA mRNA. These data indicate that G0-arrested quiescent cells do not express PTA mRNA and that PTA mRNA is induced when FRTL-5 cells are committed to proliferate by the addition of TSH, in spite of being arrested by the lack of IGF-I. We therefore conclude that PTA mRNA expression may be an event that is necessary for cells to proliferate, but that it is not sufficient for the promotion of cell progression through the cell cycle.

Regulation of prothymosin alpha mRNA levels in rat pituitary tumor cells

Prothymosin alpha (PTA) mRNA and histone H4 (H4) mRNA levels were studied in various experimental conditions that affected GH1 pituitary tumor cell proliferation. Cell proliferation and progression through the cell cycle was assessed by counting cells, 3H-thymidine incorporation and flow cytometry. PTA mRNA levels were decreased in a time-dependent fashion following serum deprivation; when the cells were induced to grow by serum refeeding, PTA mRNA expression was greatly stimulated. Interestingly, after caprylic acid treatment (2.5 mM for 24 h) that arrested cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle, PTA mRNA and H4 mRNA levels were almost undetectable; conversely, following caprylic acid withdrawal, PTA mRNA and H4 mRNA expression were greatly stimulated. Furthermore, cells cultured in T3-deprived serum, which was found to decrease GH1 cell proliferation, had low levels of PTA and H4 mRNAs. This effect was reversed by the addition of nanomolar concentrations of T3 to the culture. On the other hand, IGF-1 addition to the culture did not substantially modify PTA mRNA levels. The present data clearly indicate that PTA mRNA expression is tied to the proliferating activity of GH1 cells and, thus, could be used as a marker of the action that various agents have on GH1 cell proliferation.

pH-dependent association of carbonic anhydrase (CA) with gastric light microsomal membranes isolated from bovine abomasum. Partial characterization of membrane-associated activity

1. The effect of pH on the association of carbonic anhydrase (CA) with bovine gastric light microsomal membranes (LMMs) was investigated (a) by washing LMMs containing CA activity with solutions of different pHs; (b) by studying the adsorption at various pHs of soluble bovine erythrocyte CA to washed gastric LMMs. In both cases, the association of CA with gastric LMMs was dependent on pH, being lower at neutral or alkaline pH. 2. The amount of soluble CA associated with gastric LMMs at pHs 8.0 and 9.0 was reduced when 140 mM K+/10 mM Na+ was added to the incubation medium. 3. Two sources of CA activity in bovine gastric LMMs were assumed: a loosely- and a firmly-membrane-associated activity. Both CA activities were dose-dependently inhibited by acetazolamide (I50: 3.6 x 10(-9) and 8.4 x 10(-9) M, respectively) and by chloride, acetate, iodide, bromide and nitrate at 100 mM. Firmly-membrane-associated activity appeared to be less sensitive to inhibition by acetazolamide, chloride and iodide. 4. Both activities exhibited different behavior and stability following treatment with alkaline Triton X-100. 5. The possible importance of a membrane-associated CA activity in gastric LMMs related to gastric acid secretion is discussed.

Studies on carbonic anhydrase (CA) of light microsomal membranes isolated from bovine and pig gastric mucosa

1. The occurrence and characteristics of carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity were studied in light microsomal membranes (LMM) purified from bovine gastric mucosa. 2. Bovine gastric LMM contained a high activity of CA ranging from 170 to 400 mumol.H+/min/mg protein when assayed at 0 degree C by pH-stat technique. 3. The addition of 2mM EDTA to the assay mixture increased the enzyme activity. Lower concentrations (0.5-1 mM) had no effect. 4. The enzyme activity was dose-dependently inhibited by acetazolamide and furosemide (I50: 5 x 10(-10) M and 4.8 x 10(-7) M, respectively) and by chloride ion (Ki 85 mM) and appeared to be quite stable to treatment with alkaline Triton X-100. 5. Most of the CA activity is loosely associated with the LMM since it was removed by different washing treatments. Nevertheless, after extensive washes, gastric LMM still contained CA activity suggesting the existence of a firmly membrane-associated form of CA. 6. Values of CA activity higher than those reported previously were found in pig gastric LMM. Furthermore, the washing treatments described in this work were more effective in washing CA activity off pig gastric LMM than procedures described previously.

The liver glucose-6-phosphatase of intact microsomes is inhibited and displays sigmoid kinetics in the presence of alpha-ketoglutarate-magnesium and oxaloacetate-magnesium chelates

We have recently shown that the Ca.EGTA and Mg.EDTA complexes, but not free Ca2+ or Mg2+, inhibit the liver glucose-6-phosphatase (Mithieux, G., Vega, F. V., Beylot, M., and Riou, J. P. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 7257-7259). In this work, we report that, when complexed with Mg2+, two endogenous dicarboxylic keto acids (alpha-ketoglutarate (alpha-KG) and oxaloacetate (OAA] inhibit the glucose-6-phosphatase activity at low concentrations of substrate. This phenomenon is specific for complexes of Mg2+ with alpha-KG and OAA since 1) the complexes of Mg2+ with a number of other di- or tricarboxylic acids having high structural analogy with alpha-KG and OAA (oxalate, malate, succinate, citrate, aspartate, and glutamate) do not inhibit the glucose-6-phosphatase activity and 2) the Ca.alpha-KG and Ca.OAA chelates do not inhibit the glucose-6-phosphatase activity. In the presence of Mg.alpha-KG or Mg.OAA chelates, the enzyme displays sigmoid kinetics; the Hanes plots deviate from linearity, indicating the positive cooperative dependence of the velocity upon the substrate concentration. Hill coefficients (equal to 1 in the absence of the chelates) of 1.23 and 1.33 have been determined in the presence of Mg.alpha-KG and Mg.OAA complexes, respectively. The disruption of microsomal integrity by detergents abolishes the effect of Mg.alpha-KG and Mg.OAA, suggesting that the magnesium chelates inhibit the translocase component of the glucose-6-phosphatase system.

Inhibition of H,K-ATPase and Na,K-ATPase by DIDS, a disulphonic stilbene derivative

Disulphonic stilbenes are effective inhibitors of an anion exchanger which is present in the plasma membranes of many cells (Cabantchik et al. 1978). In the present study, the effects of 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-disulphonic stilbene acid (DIDS) on the transport activity of the hydrochloric acid pump isolated from pig stomach (H,K-ATPase, EC 3.6.1.36) were tested. Half-maximal inhibition of proton transport carried out by the H,K-ATPase in the isolated vesicles was observed at micromolar concentrations of DIDS. The effects of DIDS on the adenosine-trisphosphatase and p-nitrophenyl-phosphatase activities of isolated H,K-ATPase were also studied and compared with those of the kinetically and structurally related Na,K-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.37). Half-maximal inhibition of the enzymatic activities of both enzymes were observed in the micromolar range of DIDS. The lipid bilayer of the gastric vesicle membrane is highly asymmetric and the original cytosolic side is facing the outside of the vesicle. Since DIDS does not readily cross the membrane, it is most likely that DIDS exerts its inhibitory effects by modifying the transport ATPases on their cytosolic sides.

Stimulation of acid formation by histamine, carbachol and pentagastrin in isolated pig parietal cells

Free cells were obtained by sequential incubations of pig gastric mucosa with pronase and collagenase. Approximately 10-15% of the cell population represented parietal cells. Accumulation of aminopyrine (AP) in the acid compartments of parietal cells was used as an index of their acid production. Histamine, carbachol and pentagastrin each independently stimulated aminopyrine accumulation. The initial rate of aminopyrine accumulation, observed after addition of 10(-4) M carbachol or 10(-6) M pentagastrin, were 32% and 10%, respectively, of that observed with 10(-4) M histamine. Steady-state aminopyrine accumulation in the presence of 10(-4) M histamine, 10(-4) M carbachol or 10(-6) M pentagastrin were 6.2 +/- 3.3, 2.6 +/- 0.6 and 3.0 +/- 1.5 pmol AP per 10(4) parietal cells, respectively (mean +/- SD, n = 5). The EC50 value for histamine was 3.4 +/- 1.4 X 10(-7) M, and for pentagastrin 5.9 +/- 4.2 X 10(-8) M (mean +/- SD, n = 5). The dose-response curve for carbachol was biphasic. A plateau was reached at 10(-5)-10(-4) M carbachol, and for this phase an apparent EC50 of 2.1 +/- 1.4 X 10(-6) M carbachol was calculated (mean +/- SD, n = 5). A further increase to 10(-3) M carbachol increased the aminopyrine accumulation. Atropine (10(-6) M) inhibited the response to concentrations up to 10(-4) M carbachol, but was without effect on the histamine- and pentagastrin-stimulation. The H2-receptor antagonist, cimetidine, right-shifted the dose--response curve for histamine. Also, the pentagastrin-stimulated aminopyrine accumulation was inhibited by cimetidine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Distribution of carbonic anhydrase in cells and membranes isolated from pig gastric mucosa

Mucosal cells were isolated from pig stomachs and then fractionated on linear density gradients of Percoll. Different types of cells were identified by their typical staining and morphology. In disrupted cell fractions, hydration of CO2 by carbonic anhydrase was measured by means of pH-stat technique. Localization of carbonic anhydrase to certain cell fractions was also studied by histochemical staining. Both parietal cells and carbonic anhydrase were confined to the low and intermediate density fractions of the gradients. Purified membranes from pig gastric mucosa, which contained the acid pump of the stomach, the H,K-ATPase, also contained a firmly bound carbonic anhydrase of high activity. The enzyme activity in the membranes was inhibited by acetazolamide, furosemide and KSCN. The molecular mass of the carbonic anhydrase was 33 kDA as estimated by its binding of [14C]furosemide followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Previous suggestions of a role of carbonic anhydrase as a supplier of H+ in the secretion of acid are supported by its high activity and its localization to the same membrane as the acid pump of the stomach.

Characterization of proton-transporting membranes from resting pig gastric mucosa

Membrane vesicles were purified from resting corpus mucosa of pig stomachs by velocity-sedimentation on a sucrose-Ficoll step gradient. Two vesicular fractions containing the (H+ + K+)-ATPase were obtained. One fraction was tight towards KCl, the other was leaky. At 21 degrees C maximal (H+ + K+)-ATPase activities of 0.8 and 0.4 mumol X mg-1 X min-1, respectively, were observed in lyophilized vesicles. The vesicles contained a membrane-associated carbonic anhydrase, the activity of which was in 100-fold excess of the maximal ATPase activity. Both vesicular fractions were rich in phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingomyelin and cholesterol. The characteristics of ion permeability and transport in the tight vesicles were in agreement with corresponding data for vesicles of a tubulovesicular origin in the parietal cell. Measurement of the rate of K+ uptake into the vesicles was based on the ability of K+ to promote H+ transport. The uptake was slow and dependent on the type of anion present. The effectiveness in promoting uptake of K+ by anions was SCN- greater than NO3- greater than Cl- much greater than HCO3- greater than SO4(2-). Uptake of K+ was much more rapid at alkaline pH than at neutral or at acidic pH. Addition of CO2 at alkaline pH strongly stimulated the rate of H+ accumulation in the vesicles. The initial part of this stimulation was sensitive to acetazolamide, an inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase. A model how the (H+ + K+)-ATPase and the carbonic anhydrase may co-operate is presented. It is concluded that membrane vesicles of a tubulovesicular origin can produce acid.

Effects of pH on the interaction of ligands with the (H+ + K+)-ATPase purified from pig gastric mucosa

The effects of K+, Na+ and ATP on the gastric (H+ + K+)-ATPase were investigated at various pH. The enzyme was phosphorylated by ATP with a pseudo-first-order rate constant of 3650 min-1 at pH 7.4. This rate constant increased to a maximal value of about 7900 min-1 when pH was decreased to 6.0. Alkalinization decreased the rate constant. At pH 8.0 it was 1290 min-1. Additions of 5 mM K+ or Na+, did not change the rate constant at acidic pH, while at neutral or alkaline pH a decrease was observed. Dephosphorylation of phosphoenzyme in lyophilized vesicles was dependent on K+, but not on Na+. Alkaline pH increased the rate of dephosphorylation. K+ stimulated the ATPase and p-nitrophenylphosphatase activities. At high concentrations K+ was inhibitory. Below pH 7.0 Na+ had little or no effect on the ATPase and p-nitrophenylphosphatase, while at alkaline pH, Na+ inhibited both activities. The effect of extravesicular pH on transport of H+ was investigated. At pH 6.5 the apparent Km for ATP was 2.7 microM and increased little when K+ was added extravesicularly. At pH 7.5, millimolar concentrations of K+ increased the apparent Km for ATP. Extravesicular K+ and Na+ inhibited the transport of H+. The inhibition was strongest at alkaline pH and only slight at neutral or acidic pH, suggesting a competition between the alkali metal ions and hydrogen ions at a common binding site on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane. Two H+-producing reactions as possible candidates as physiological regulators of (H+ + K+)-ATPase were investigated. Firstly, the hydrolysis of ATP per se, and secondly, the hydration of CO2 and the subsequent formation of H+ and HCO3-. The amount of hydrogen ions formed in the ATPase reaction was highest at alkaline pH. The H+/ATP ratio was about 1 at pH 8.0. When CO2 was added to the reaction medium there was no change in the rate of hydrogen ion transport at pH 7.0, but at pH 8.0 the rate increased 4-times upon the addition of 0.4 mM CO2. The results indicate a possible co-operation in the production of acid between the H+ + K+-ATPase and a carbonic anhydrase associated with the vesicular membrane.

Effect of pH on lipolysis, cAMP and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity in isolated rat fat cells

The effect of acidosis and alkalosis on lipolysis, cAMP production and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity in isolated rat fat cells incubated in the presence of norepinephrine and norepinephrine plus theophylline has been investigated. The pH of the incubation medium was adjusted to 6.8, 7.4 and 7.8 respectively. Acidosis inhibited both norepinephrine- and norepinephrine plus theophylline-induced release of glycerol whereas alkalosis led to slight stimulation. Norepinephrine produced an increase in cAMP and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity. However, comparison of both parameters in acidosis and alkalosis with those at pH 7.4 indicates that they were higher at pH 7.8 and lower at pH 6.8. Addition of theophylline in combination with norepinephrine increases cAMP production within 5 min, under acidosis to values similar to those obtained at pH 7.4 with norepinephrine. The same effect on protein kinase activity was obtained. In spite of this increment in cAMP and protein kinase activity produced by addition of norepinephrine plus theophylline, lipolysis remains inhibited by acidosis. Addition of theophylline at pH 7.4 and 7.8 induced a much higher cAMP production and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity although at pH 7.8 there was a statistically significant increase in protein kinase activity at 10 min it did not induce a significant increase in lipolysis. This is discussed and possible mechanisms are suggested to explain the effect of acidosis and alkalosis on the lipolysis induced by norepinephrine in rat fat cells.

Effects of insulin on the uptake of D-galactose by isolated rat epididymal fat cells

In muscle, insulin stimulates uptake of D-galactose as well as D-glucose and certain other sugar isomers (Kono, T. and Colowick, S.P. (1961) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 93, 514--519). In fat cells, the hormone also stimulates uptake of D-glucose and certain other monosaccharides. Nonetheless, the hormone does not increase the uptake, as determined by the utilization, of D-galactose by fat cells (Ball, E.G. and Cooper, O. (1960) J. Biol. Chem. 235, 584--588; Kuo, J.F. and Dill, I.K. (1969) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 177, 17--26). As pointed out by Ball and Cooper, this does not necessarily indicate that insulin has no effect on the membrane transport of D-galactose in fat cells. The possible effect of the hormone on transport may not be seen in the utilization data if the intracellular metabolism is considerably slower than the rate of transport and insensitive to insulin.

Actions of insulin in fat cells. Effects of low temperature, uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation, and respiratory inhibitors

When isolated rat epididymal fat cells were incubated with [125I]iodoinsulin for 5 min at 37 degrees, radioactivity accumulated in the plasma membrane fraction (Peak 1) and an unidentified particulate fraction (Peak 2) as reported previously (Kono, T., Robinson, F.W., and Sarver, J.A. (1975) J. Biol. Chem. 250, 7826-7835). This accumulation of radioactivity in Peak 2 (but not that in Peak 1) was greatly impaired when cells were incubated with iodoinsulin in the presence of a variety of metabolic inhibitors that reduce the cellular content of ATP. The reduction in the ATP level coincided with a disappearance of the stimulatory effects of insulin on sugar transport and the hormone-sensitive phosphodiesterase. In contrast, ATP depletion had no significant effects, at least during a 5-to 15-min incubation, on the intracellular water space and on the basal sugar transport and phosphodiesterase activities. When cells once depleted on ATP by treatment with 2,4-dinitrophenol (1 mM; 10 min) were washed and suspended in fresh buffer, the ATP level was recovered almost fully in 10 min. This recovery coincided with the restoration of responsiveness to insulin. When cells were incubated with [125I]iodoinsulin or insulin for 5 min at 15 degrees instead of 37 degrees, a negligible quantity of radioactivity accumulated in Peak 2 and insulin failed to activate sugar transport. In contrast, under the same conditions, radioactivity accumulated in Peak 1 and insulin stimulated phosphodiesterase considerably. These results suggest that ATP, or some other compound metabolically related to ATP, may be necessary for the actions of insulin on sugar transport and phosphodiesterase. ATP, or some other related compound, may also be necessary in the formation of the radioactive Peak 2, although the physiological function and cellular location of this peak are yet to be ascertained.

Effect of PCO2 on epinephrine-induced lipolysis in isolated fat cells

The effect of different pHs obtained by changing the PCO2 and the effect of PCO2 at constant pH on the lipolysis induced by epinephrine in isolated fat cells have been investigated. An inhibition of activated lipolysis was found in acidosis while in alkalosis no significant change was detected. When the experiments were performed at different PCO2s but at constant pH, the results showed an inhibition of lipolysis by high PCO2 whereas low PCO2 did not affect it. It is concluded that either acidosis or high PCO2 lead to an inhibition of the lipolysis induced by epinephrine in isolated fat cells. As regards alkalosis and low PCO2 it seems likely that the intracellular pH is not affected to the same extent as in alkalosis by high [HCO(-3)] or under the conditions of the present experiments the [H+] needed to alterate lipolysis was not reached.