Sexual and reproductive health information and referrals for resettled refugee women: A survey of resettlement agencies in the United States

BACKGROUND

Refugee resettlement offices are the first point of contact for newly arrived refugees and play a significant role in helping refugees acclimate and settle into life in the United States. Available literature suggests that refugee women are vulnerable to poor sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes, including sexually transmitted infections and HIV infections as well as adverse pregnancy outcomes, but little is known about the role that refugee resettlement offices play in supporting refugee women's SRH. This study examines the capacity and interest of resettlement offices in providing SRH information and referrals to newly arrived refugees.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

The research team conducted an online survey of staff members at refugee resettlement offices throughout the US in 2018 to determine (1) available SRH resources and workshops; (2) referrals to and assistance with making appointments for SRH and primary care appointments; (3) barriers to addressing SRH needs of clients; and (4) interest in building the capacity of office staff to address SRH issues. The survey was created for this study and had not been previously used or validated. Survey data underwent descriptive analysis. A total of 236 resettlement offices were contacted, with responses from 100 offices, for a total response rate of 42%. Fifteen percent (N = 15) of refugee resettlement agencies (RRAs) who responded to the survey provide materials about SRH to clients, and 49% (N = 49) incorporate sexual health into the classes they provide to newly arrived refugee clients. Moreover, 12% (N = 12) of responding RRAs screen clients for pregnancy intention, and 20% (N = 20) directly refer to contraceptive care and services. This study is limited by the response rate of the survey; no conclusions can be drawn about those offices that did not respond. In addition, the survey instrument was not validated against any other sources of information about the practices of refugee resettlement offices.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we observed that many resettlement offices do not routinely provide information or referrals for SRH needs. Responding offices cite lack of time and competing priorities as major barriers to providing SRH education and referrals to clients.

Typical antipsychotics exhibit inverse agonist activity at rat dopamine D1-like receptors expressed in Sf9 cells

The baculovirus system has been used to express the rat dopamine D1 receptors in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells. A panel of typical antipsychotics including, alpha-flupenthixol, fluphenazine and thioridizine were found to inhibit dopamine-dependent stimulation of adenylyl cyclase. However, these compounds were also found to inhibit adenylyl cyclase activity in the absence of agonist in Sf9 cells expressing dopamine D1-like receptors. Therefore, these nonselective dopamine receptor compounds displayed negative intrinsic or inverse agonist activity. None of the compounds tested were neutral antagonists.

Sick sinus syndrome in nine West Highland white terriers

Sick sinus syndrome is a clinical term used to describe the clinical signs of sinus node dysfunction. This paper describes the clinical data from nine West Highland white terriers, eight females and one male, in which a diagnosis of sick sinus syndrome was made. The most common clinical signs were episodic weakness and presyncope. Electrocardiographic findings included sinus bradycardia, sinus arrest with or without escape complexes, disturbances of atrioventricular conduction, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, or some combination of these dysrhythmias. The main radiographic changes were mild right-sided cardiomegaly in five cases, and a slight increase in bronchial and interstitial markings in four, but there was no evidence of congestive heart failure in any of the dogs. Echocardiography revealed mild to moderate mitral endocardiosis in three cases with no other significant abnormalities. The dogs' responses to parenteral atropine were variable and were not necessarily related to their response to oral anticholinergic agents. Five of the dogs were initially treated with propantheline bromide, but in only two of them were the clinical signs controlled in the long term. Six of the dogs were successfully treated by the implantation of a transvenous pacemaker.

Characterization of (125)I-IABN, a novel azabicyclononane benzamide selective for D2-like dopamine receptors

The properties of an (125)I-labeled structural analog of 2, 3-dimethoxy-N-[9-(4-fluorobenzyl)-9-azabicyclo[3.3. 1]nonan-3beta-yl]benzamide (MABN), (125)I-IABN, are described. (125)I-IABN was developed as a high-affinity radioligand selective for the D2-like (D2, D3, and D4) dopamine receptor subtypes. (125)I-IABN binds with picomolar affinity and nonselectively to rat D2 and D3 dopamine receptors expressed in Sf9 and HEK 293 cells. (125)I-IABN binds with 7- to 25-fold lower affinity to human D4.4 dopamine receptors expressed in HEK 293 cells. Dissociation constants (Kd) calculated from kinetic experiments were in agreement with equilibrium Kd values obtained from saturation binding studies. Saturation plots of the binding of (125)I-IABN with rat caudate membrane preparations were monophasic and exhibited low nonspecific binding. The pharmacologic profile of the binding of (125)I-IABN to rat caudate was consistent with a D2-like receptor, suggesting that the ligand binds primarily to D2 dopamine receptors. In addition, IABN was found to bind with low affinity to D1 dopamine receptors, as well as to the sigma1 and sigma2 receptor subtypes. Quantitative autoradiographic studies using rat brain slices indicate that (125)I-IABN selectively labels the striatum and the olfactory tubercle area, which is consistent with the labeling of D2-like receptors. IABN blocks dopamine-dependent inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity at D2 or D4.4 receptors expressed in HEK cells. Therefore, (125)I-IABN appears to be a high-affinity, selective antagonist at D2-like dopamine receptors. Finally, a unique property of the azabicyclononane benzamide (125)I-IABN compared to previously studied substituted benzamides is that the binding of this radioligand is not effected by variations in Na(+) concentration.

The association between severity of sanction imposed for violation of tobacco policy and high school dropout rates

This investigation explored the association between severity of sanctions imposed on students resulting from tobacco policy violation and the event dropout rate in South Carolina public high schools. The study employed a cross-sectional design (n = 132). Surveys were mailed to school principals to assess tobacco policy and sanctions for violation. Severe sanctions were categorized as those resulting in the student being denied onsite instruction, such as out-of-school suspension or expulsion. General linear regression models adjusting for SES, ethnicity, and rural/urban status, tested for an association between event dropout rate and severity of sanction imposed. The mean dropout rate in 1998 for high schools in South Carolina was 2.58% (+1.74). Suspension at first violation and expulsion were associated with lower dropout rates. Suspension at second violation was not associated with dropout behavior while suspension at third violation was associated with higher dropout rates. Results from the study provide preliminary evidence that severe sanctions imposed for violation of tobacco policy may help reduce high school dropout rates.

Age of Neoproterozoic bilatarian body and trace fossils, White Sea, Russia: implications for metazoan evolution

A uranium-lead zircon age for a volcanic ash interstratified with fossil-bearing, shallow marine siliciclastic rocks in the Zimnie Gory section of the White Sea region indicates that a diverse assemblage of body and trace fossils occurred before 555.3 +/- 0.3 million years ago. This age is a minimum for the oldest well-documented triploblastic bilaterian Kimberella. It also makes co-occurring trace fossils the oldest that are reliably dated. This determination of age implies that there is no simple relation between Ediacaran diversity and the carbon isotopic composition of Neoproterozoic seawater.

Secondary school tobacco policy and prevention curricula in South Carolina

The primary purpose of this study was to describe tobacco control policy in secondary schools in South Carolina, and sanctions imposed on students for violation of these policies; and to explore potential associations between policies and sanctions. A secondary purpose was to explore the use of tobacco education curricula in the state. This study employed a cross-sectional design in which two surveys were mailed to all secondary schools in South Carolina (n = 437): the School Principal Questionnaire (SPQ) and the Lead Health Education Teacher Questionnaire (LHETQ). The SPQ elicited information about tobacco control policies and the sanctions imposed on violators of such policies. The LHETQ was sent to lead health education teachers to elicit information about use of packaged curricula addressing tobacco use and prevention. Over 95% of respondents reported having school policies that prohibited use of tobacco inside buildings, and explicitly prohibited the use of cigarettes for students anywhere on school grounds. Sanctions imposed for violation of tobacco policy were severe. For a second offense, nearly 68% of students were suspended out-of-school or expelled, and for a third offense, almost 28% of students were expelled. There is some evidence to suggest that more stringent policies were associated with more severe sanctions. Cessation from tobacco programs were rarely used as a sanction, and in fact, tobacco education curricula were rarely used by health education teachers. In South Carolina secondary schools, tobacco policies are prevalent. Student violators of such policies are punished by means that potentially detract from their educational experience (e.g., out-of-school suspension, expulsion). It is recommended that school administrators and school health education teachers implement tobacco cessation programs as part of appropriate sanctions for violations of school tobacco use policy.

Chronic pulmonary disease in West Highland white terriers

This paper describes the clinical features, and diagnostic findings of a chronic respiratory condition in 29 West Highland white terriers. Typically, the dogs were coughing chronically, had dyspnoea and tachypnoea of varying severity, and had deteriorated progressively over months to years. The mean (sem) survival time in months from the clinical signs being first noted by the owners was 17.9 (2.3). Most cases had a combination of respiratory signs, but coughing was the predominant sign in 18 cases. Inspiratory crackles were audible on chest auscultation in 28 cases, 10 of which were also wheezing. Rhonchi were the predominant sound in the remaining case. The main radiographic changes were mild to severe increased Interstitial markings in all cases, with additional bronchial markings in 14 of the dogs. Right-sided cardiomegaly (cor pulmonale) was recorded in 15. Bronchoscopic findings in 17 of the dogs were either normal or involved a mild airway mucoid reaction in eight. Chronic mucosal changes were observed in eight, but in two this finding was equivocal. Dynamic changes to the lumen of the airway were present in seven cases. No significant haematological or biochemical changes could be detected in 20 cases, but four cases were hypercholestrolaemic. A histopathological assessment of four cases revealed alveolar septal fibrosis to be the predominant change. Prednisolone, with or without bronchodilators, was the most commonly used therapy, and the response was variable. The condition appears to be associated with significant pulmonary interstitial fibrosis of unknown aetiology and has clinical similarities to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis) in human beings.

Inhibition by cromoglycate and some flavonoids of nucleoside diphosphate kinase and of exocytosis from permeabilized mast cells

1. The anti-allergic compound, cromoglycate, is reported to possess affinity for, and to suppress the autophosphorylation of a 72kDa protein having the sequence of nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDPK). 2. We have tested the ability of cromoglycate, and a panel of ten structurally related flavonoids of plant origin, to inhibit the NDPK reaction and the exocytotic process of permeabilized mast cells. The conditions of permeabilization (use of an isotonic medium based on sodium glutamate) were selected to ensure that NDPK activity would be an essential component in the induction of Ca(2+)-induced exocytosis in which ATP is required for generation of GTP. For comparison, we also measured the inhibition of exocytosis induced by GTP-gamma-S; this proceeds in the absence of ATP and bypasses the need for NDPK activity. 3. We found that cromoglycate does not discriminate between Ca2+ and GTP-gamma-S-induced exocytosis and is a poor inhibitor of NDPK activity. Concentrations in the millimolar range are required for inhibition of all these functions. By comparison, many of the flavonoids are effective at concentrations in the micromolar range. 4. While we were unable to discern any systematic relationships between their ability to inhibit the three functions, two compounds, quercetin and genistein, inhibit Ca(2+)-induced, but not GTP-gamma-S-induced exocytosis. Inhibition of the late stages of the stimulus-response pathway in mast cells by these compounds is therefore likely to be due to inhibition of NDPK and the consequent failure to generate GTP.

A survey of cattle for antibodies against bluetongue and epizootic hemorrhagic disease of deer viruses in British Columbia and southwestern Alberta in 1987

In 1987 a serological survey of cattle for antibodies (Ab) to bluetongue virus (BTV) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) was undertaken in British Columbia and southwestern Alberta after infection with the viruses was diagnosed in wild and domestic ruminants in the Okanagan Valley. Of 4610 cattle tested, five had Ab only to BTV, 125 had antibodies only to EHDV and 16 had Ab to both viruses. The Ab were identified as specific for BTV type 11 (BT-11) or EHDV type 2 (EHDV-2). All but one of the seropositive cattle originated in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. The remaining one seropositive animal which had Ab to EHDV-2 was pastured with a bull purchased from the Okanagan Valley.

Modulation of benzodiazepine agonist and inverse-agonist receptor binding by GABA during ethanol withdrawal

1. The present study examined the capacity of GABA to modulate flunitrazepam and Ro15-4513 binding to putative GABAA receptors. Binding was measured in distinct brain regions both before and during selected periods of withdrawal from ethanol. 2. Rats were fed a nutritionally complete liquid ethanol (4.5% w/v) diet for 4 days and at various times after the last dose of ethanol (0, 12, 24, & 72 hr), rats were sacrificed and extensively washed brain membrane fractions were prepared. 3. Competitive inhibition of 3H-flunitrazepam binding by either flunitrazepam or Ro15-4513 (10(-10)M to 10(-7)M) was performed in the absence and presence of GABA (10(-5)M). In the presence of GABA, the apparent affinity for flunitrazepam was increased approximately 1.7 fold and the apparent affinity for Ro15-4513 was decreased by 1.7 fold. 4. No alteration in the capacity of GABA to modulate flunitrazepam or Ro15-4513 affinity (e.g. GABA-shift) was observed in cortical membrane preparations either 12 or 72 hr following ethanol cessation. 5. Further, no changes in GABA-modulation of flunitrazepam binding was evident 0, 12, 24, or 72 hr after the last ethanol dose in membranes prepared from cortex, hippocampus or cerebellum. 6. Therefore, results from the present study indicate that the capacity of GABA to modulate receptor affinity for benzodiazepine agonists and inverse-agonists in rat cortex, hippocampus or cerebellum is not altered during withdrawal from chronic ethanol.

Biochemical properties of a P2Y-purinergic receptor

The turkey erythrocyte has substantial value as a model for the study of a receptor that exhibits pharmacological properties very similar to those delineated in mammalian tissues for a P2Y-purinergic receptor. The G protein-dependent coupling of this receptor to phospholipase C can be studied in detail, and the availability of an abundant source of homogeneous cells from which highly purified plasma membranes can be prepared, has led to the development of a radiolabeled, reversibly binding radioligand for a P2Y-purinergic receptor and a photoaffinity covalent radiolabel for this receptor. This source of plasma membranes highly enriched in P2Y-purinergic receptors should also serve as a rich starting material for the eventual purification and structural characterization of this important signaling protein.

Agonist-induced desensitization of a P2Y-purinergic receptor-regulated phospholipase C

A guanine nucleotide-dependent P2Y-purinergic receptor-regulated phospholipase C activity of turkey erythrocyte membranes has been characterized in detail previously (Boyer, J. L., Downes, C. P., and Harden, T. K. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 884-890). The occurrence of agonist-induced desensitization of this receptor-regulated phospholipase C is now described. Preincubation of turkey erythrocytes with the P2Y-purinergic receptor agonist ADP beta S resulted in a marked loss of capacity of ADP beta S plus GTP to stimulate phospholipase C in membranes derived from these cells. The half-time of occurrence of desensitization was 0.5-2.0 min, and within 10 min responsiveness had reached a new quasi-steady state level representing 40-55% of control. Transfer of agonist-preincubated erythrocytes to agonist-free medium resulted in recovery of agonist plus GTP responsiveness of the membrane phospholipase C activity to control levels with a half-time of 10-20 min. The change in ADP beta S plus GTP responsiveness occurred as a loss of maximal effect with little or no change in the apparent affinity of agonist for stimulation of inositol phosphate production. Induction of desensitization occurred with an agonist-specificity that followed that expected of a P2Y-purinergic receptor. Neither the rate of activation nor the final phospholipase C activity attained in the presence of GTP gamma S alone was altered in membranes from cells preincubated with ADP beta S for 15 min. AlF-4-stimulated inositol phosphate production was also not modified in membranes from agonist-preincubated erythrocytes. In contrast, the capacity of ADP beta S to increase the rate of activation of phospholipase C by GTP gamma S was markedly reduced in membranes from agonist-preincubated cells. The amount of 3H-radioactivity in phosphoinositides, as well as the ratio of labeling among the phosphoinositides, was not altered by incubation of erythrocytes with a P2Y-purinergic receptor agonist. Taken together these data suggest that P2Y-purinergic receptor agonist-induced desensitization occurs as a consequence of a modification at the level of the receptor or at the level of receptor-guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (G-protein) coupling with no change occurring in the capacity of the G-protein to activate phospholipase C.

Interaction of beta-adrenergic receptors with the inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding protein of adenylate cyclase in membranes prepared from cyc- S49 lymphoma cells

beta-Adrenergic receptors on membranes prepared from L6 myoblasts, wild-type S49 lymphoma cells, and an adenylate cyclase-deficient variant (cyc-) of S49 lymphoma cells bind the agonist [3H]hydroxybenzylisoproterenol ([3H]HBI) with high affinity. In each case the agonist [3H]HBI is associated with a larger complex than is the antagonist [125I]iodopindolol, and the binding of [3H]HBI can be inhibited by GTP. These observations suggest that there is an agonist-dependent association of the receptor with a guanine nucleotide-binding protein. The goal of the present experiments was to investigate the possibility that an interaction of beta-adrenergic receptors with the inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding protein of adenylate cyclase was responsible for these observations. Treatment of S49 cells with pertussis toxin decreased the extent of pertussis toxin-catalyzed [32P]ADP-ribosylation of a 41,000-dalton protein, measured in vitro, and decreased the inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity observed in the presence of somatostatin or analogues of GTP. Isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was potentiated following treatment of wild-type S49 cells and L6 myoblasts with pertussis toxin. Although the ability of receptors on membranes prepared from L6 myoblasts to bind the agonist [3H]HBI was not affected by treatment of cells with pertussis toxin, treatment of cyc- S49 cells with pertussis toxin markedly decreased the ability of receptors to bind [3H]HBI. The observed inhibition of the binding of the agonist [3H]HBI to beta-adrenergic receptors on membranes prepared from cyc- S49 cells after treatment with pertussis toxin could be explained by an interaction between beta-adrenergic receptors and the inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding protein. Such an interaction may represent a mechanism through which stimulation of the activity of adenylate cyclase by beta-adrenergic receptors can be regulated or through which beta-adrenergic receptors can affect the activity of cyclic AMP-independent cellular processes.

Adenosine inhibition of the hormonal response in the Sertoli cell is reversed by pertussis toxin

The rat Sertoli cell in culture expresses A1 inhibitory adenosine receptors. In this study, we have used pertussis toxin as a tool to characterize the mechanism of action of adenosine on these cells. Cells were preincubated for 18-24 h with pertussis toxin, and the responses to FSH and to the adenosine analog phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA) were measured by assaying cAMP accumulation. The effect of toxin on adenosine receptors was also evaluated by measuring binding of the adenosine agonist cyclohexyladenosine (CHA). The total number of specific CHA-binding sites was reduced 60-70% in membranes prepared from cells cultured for 24 h in the presence of pertussis toxin; the binding sites remaining after treatment displayed no apparent change in affinity for [3H]CHA. The effect of guanine nucleotides on CHA binding was also reduced after toxin pretreatment, but not abolished. PIA inhibited FSH-stimulated cAMP accumulation by 70-80%. Maximal inhibition was observed at a concentration of 10 nM PIA, and the ED50 of the dose-response curve was 1 nM. Pretreatment of the Sertoli cell with pertussis toxin completely blocked the PIA inhibition. The pertussis toxin effect was time and dose dependent. Reversal of the inhibition was observed after 6 h of treatment with a maximal dose of toxin (100 ng/ml). The dose of toxin producing a half-maximal effect was 10-30 ng/ml. In addition to this blockade of purine nucleotide inhibitory effects, exposure of the Sertoli cell to pertussis toxin concentrations ranging from 1-400 ng/ml consistently led to a potentiation of the FSH response measured as cAMP accumulation. In cell-free preparations (crude particulate fraction of the Sertoli cells, or sucrose gradient-purified plasma membranes), pertussis toxin catalyzed the incorporation of [32P]ADP ribose into a polypeptide with a molecular mass of 40-41 K. This peptide had electrophoretic mobility similar to that of a partially purified guanine nucleotide-binding protein (Gi). These data indicate that adenosine A1 inhibitory receptors are coupled to an inhibitory component (Gi) of adenylate cyclase. In the Sertoli cell, inhibitory and stimulatory signals interact in a bimodal regulation of adenylate cyclase and intracellular cAMP.

[3H]propylbenzilylcholine mustard-labeling of muscarinic cholinergic receptors that selectively couple to phospholipase C or adenylate cyclase in two cultured cell lines

Although both second messenger response systems are fully functional in both cell lines, activation of muscarinic cholinergic receptors only results in inhibition of adenylate cyclase in NG108-15 neuroblastoma X glioma cells and stimulation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells. Muscarinic receptors on both cell types were covalently labeled with [3H]propylbenzilylcholine mustard ([3H]PBCM), and the mobilities of the [3H]PBCM-labeled species of both cells were compared by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. 1321N1 and NG108-15 cells each primarily expressed a single [3H]PBCM-labeled species with an apparent size of approximately 92,000 and 66,000 Da, respectively. [3H]PBCM labeling was completely inhibited by 1 microM atropine or by down-regulation of muscarinic receptors by an overnight incubation with carbachol. The apparent size of the [3H]PBCM-labeled species of both cell lines was not altered by treatment with a series of protease inhibitors or by treatment with dithiothreitol and iodoacetamide. Since muscarinic receptors are glycoproteins, the contribution of carbohydrate groups to the difference in apparent size of the [3H]PBCM-labeled proteins was determined by treatment of [3H]PBCM-labeled membranes with endoglycosidase F, an enzyme that removes both complex and high mannose type N-linked carbohydrate chains. Endoglycosidase F treatment reduced the apparent size of the [3H]PBCM-labeled species in 1321N1 cells from 92,000 to approximately 77,000 Da and in NG108-15 cells from 66,000 to 45,000 Da. Neuraminidase produced no further reduction of the apparent size of the [3H]PBCM-labeled species from either cell after endoglycosidase F treatment, suggesting the absence of sialic acid containing O-linked carbohydrate chains on the muscarinic receptors of the two cell lines. The results suggest that different muscarinic receptor proteins may be responsible for the two different biochemical responses to muscarinic receptor activation.

Identification and purification from bovine brain of a guanine-nucleotide-binding protein distinct from Gs, Gi and Go

A guanine-nucleotide-binding protein (G-protein) was purified from cholate extracts of bovine brain membranes by sequential DEAE-Sephacel, Ultrogel AcA-34, heptylamine-Sepharose and Sephadex G-150 chromatography. Guanosine 5'-[gamma-[35S]thio]triphosphate (GTP[35S])-binding activity copurified with a 25,000 Da peptide and a 35,000-36,000 Da protein doublet. Neither pertussis toxin nor cholera toxin catalysed the ADP-ribosylation of a protein associated with the GTP[35S]-binding activity. Photoaffinity labelling of the purified protein with 8-azido[gamma-32P]GTP indicated that the GTP-binding site resides on the 25,000 Da protein. The 35,000-36,000 Da protein doublet was electrophoretically indistinguishable from the beta-subunits of other GTP-binding proteins, and the 36,000 Da protein was recognized by antiserum to oligomeric Gt. The purified protein specifically bound 17.2 nmol of GTP[35S]/mg of protein. The Kd of the binding site for radioligand was approx. 15 nM. The brain GTP-binding protein co-migrated during SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis with a GTP-binding protein, named Gp, purified from human placenta [Evans, Brown, Fraser & Northup (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 7052-7059], and cross-reacted with antiserum raised against the placental protein, but not with antiserum raised to brain Go. SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis of the brain and placental GTP-binding proteins in the presence of Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease yielded identical peptide maps.

Identification of the phosphodiesterase regulated by muscarinic cholinergic receptors of 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells

Agonist occupation of muscarinic cholinergic receptors of 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells results in an activation of phosphodiesterase and a resultant 50-75% attenuation of isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation. The effects of a series of phosphodiesterase inhibitors on muscarinic receptor-mediated inhibition of cyclic AMP accumulation and on the activities of partially purified, soluble phosphodiesterase have been compared to determine which form of phosphodiesterase activity is regulated by muscarinic receptors. The phosphodiesterase inhibitors (50 microM) 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine (MIX), 1-methyl-3-isobutyl-7-benzylxanthine (7-BzMIX), 1-methyl-3-isobutyl-8-methoxymethylxanthine (8-MeOMeMIX), and 2-O-propoxyphenyl-8-azapurin-6-one (MB 22948) blocked the effect of muscarinic receptor activation. However, 1-isoamyl-3-isobutylxanthine (IIX) and 4-(3-butoxy-4-methoxybenzyl)-2-imidazolidinone (Ro 20-1724) did not block muscarinic receptor-mediated effects but enhanced isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation. Three forms of soluble phosphodiesterase activity were resolved by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and sucrose density gradient centrifugation. A calmodulin-stimulated phosphodiesterase activity was inhibited by MIX, 7-BzMIX, 8-MeOMeMIX, and MB 22948 (IC50 values = 1-10 microM) but was not inhibited by IIX and Ro 20-1724. The similar relative capacities of the phosphodiesterase inhibitors for blocking both the muscarinic receptor-mediated attenuation of cyclic AMP accumulation and the calmodulin-stimulated phosphodiesterase activity in vitro suggest that it is this form of enzyme that is regulated by muscarinic receptor stimulation.

H1-histamine receptors on human astrocytoma cells

The H1-histamine receptor antagonist [3H]mepyramine bound with high affinity (Kd = 3-5 nM) to membranes derived from 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells. The H1-receptor antagonists triprolidine and diphenhydramine inhibited [3H]mepyramine binding with Kj values of 1-5 nM, whereas the Kj of the H2-histamine receptor antagonist cimetidine was greater than 100 microM. Histamine also inhibited [3H]mepyramine binding to 1321N1 cell membranes, and the histamine inhibition curve was shifted to the right and steepened in the presence of 1 microM guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate). Treatment of 1321N1 cells with pertussis toxin had no effect on the capacity of histamine to inhibit [3H]mepyramine binding either in the absence or presence of guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate). Therefore, agonist-occupied histamine receptors in these cells apparently interact with a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein that is not the inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory protein of adenylate cyclase. Although adenylate cyclase activity was not affected by histamine in a cell-free preparation, incubation of 1321N1 cells with histamine resulted in an attenuation of cyclic AMP accumulation. Analysis of cyclic AMP degradation in the presence of histamine indicated that the effects of histamine on cyclic AMP accumulation are mediated through activation of phosphodiesterase. This idea was supported by the fact that the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 1-isobutyl 3-methylxanthine blocked attenuation of cyclic AMP accumulation by histamine in a noncompetitive manner. Histamine also markedly increased phosphoinositide breakdown and 45Ca2+ efflux in 1321N1 cells. These histamine-induced effects apparently are mediated through H1-receptors, since triprolidine, but not cimetidine, potently inhibited histamine action. As for histamine interaction with its receptor, pertussis toxin had no effect on histamine-induced phosphoinositide breakdown, 45Ca2+ efflux, or attenuation of cyclic AMP accumulation. Taken together, these data indicate that 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells are a useful model system for the study of H1-histamine receptors and the biochemical responses mediated through these receptors.

Further evidence that muscarinic cholinergic receptors of 1321N1 astrocytoma cells couple to a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein that is not Ni

Inhibitory coupling of receptors to adenylate cyclase previously has been shown to be relatively sensitive to inactivation by alkylation with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). Modification of the inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory protein, Ni, has been proposed to be responsible for this effect. The effects of NEM on GTP-sensitive binding of carbachol to muscarinic cholinergic receptors has been compared in a cell line (1321N1 human astrocytoma cells) in which these receptors stimulate phosphoinositide breakdown and in a cell line (NG108-15 neuroblastoma X glioma cells) in which activation of these receptors results in inhibition of adenylate cyclase. Pretreatment of membrane preparations from 1321N1 cells with NEM resulted in a concentration-dependent decrease in the extent of pertussis toxin-catalysed [32P]ADP-ribosylation of a 41 000 Da protein previously proposed to be the alpha subunit of Ni. Under conditions where 32P-labelling of Ni in 1321N1 membranes was reduced by NEM by 90%, no effect was observed on the extent of guanine nucleotide-sensitive high-affinity binding of carbachol to muscarinic cholinergic receptors. In contrast, treatment of NG108-15 membranes with NEM under the same conditions resulted in complete loss of high-affinity guanine nucleotide sensitive binding of carbachol. These results illustrate another difference between the muscarinic receptor population of these two cell lines, and support the previous proposal that muscarinic receptors of 1321N1 cells couple to a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein that is not Ni.

Guanine nucleotide-sensitive, high affinity binding of carbachol to muscarinic cholinergic receptors of 1321N1 astrocytoma cells is insensitive to pertussis toxin

Activation of muscarinic cholinergic receptors of 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells attenuates cyclic AMP accumulation. This effect results from an activation of phosphodiesterase with no direct inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity. In spite of this lack of coupling of muscarinic receptors to adenylate cyclase, guanine nucleotides reduce the apparent binding affinity of the agonist carbachol in a washed membrane preparation of 1321N1 cells. The order of potency for this effect is guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) greater than 5'-guanylyl-imidodiphosphate = GTP = GDP; ATP has no effect. The occurrence of a Mr = 41,000 protein labeled in the presence of [32P]NAD and pertussis toxin as well as the occurrence of guanine nucleotide-mediated inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity indicate that the functional inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory component of adenylate cyclase (Ni) is present in 1321N1 cells. Pertussis toxin pretreatment of NG108-15 neuroblastoma X glioma cells, which express muscarinic receptors that link through Ni to inhibit adenylate cyclase, blocked the GTP-sensitive, high affinity binding of carbachol. In contrast, pretreatment of 1321N1 cells with a concentration of pertussis toxin that blocked [32P]ADP ribosylation of the Mr = 41,000 substrate and GTP-mediated inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity had no effect on GTP-sensitive high affinity binding of carbachol. These results suggest that muscarinic cholinergic receptors of 1321N1 cells couple to a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein that is distinct from Ni.

Pertussis toxin differentiates between two mechanisms of attenuation of cyclic AMP accumulation by muscarinic cholinergic receptors

It has been proposed elsewhere [Meeker, R.B. & Harden, T. K. (1982) Mol. Pharmacol. 22, 310-319] that muscarinic cholinergic receptor-mediated attenuation of cAMP accumulation occurs through activation of phosphodiesterase in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells. Pertussis toxin, which ADP-ribosylates the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein involved in receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase (Ni), has been utilized to further differentiate between the mechanism of cholinergic regulation of cAMP metabolism in 1321N1 cells and the mechanism involving inhibition of adenylate cyclase in other tissues. Muscarinic receptor-mediated regulation of cAMP accumulation in NG108-15 neuroblastoma-glioma cells occurs through inhibition of adenylate cyclase. Pretreatment of these cells with pertussis toxin completely blocked the capacity of carbachol to attenuate cAMP accumulation. In contrast, concentrations of pertussis toxin two to three orders of magnitude higher than those effective in NG108-15 cells had no effect on muscarinic receptor-mediated attentuation of cAMP accumulation in 1321N1 cells. In addition, no effect of pertussis toxin was observed either on the control rate or the carbachol-stimulated rate of cAMP degradation measured directly in intact 1321N1 cells. A 41,000 Mr protein previously proposed to be the alpha subunit of Ni was labeled during incubation of a plasma membrane fraction from 1321N1 cells with [32P]NAD and pertussis toxin. Pertussis toxin is apparently active in 1321N1 cells, since this protein substrate was not labeled in plasma membrane preparations from cells previously incubated with toxin. Functional activity of Ni was demonstrated by the observation that guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate- and GTP-mediated inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity occurred in cell-free preparations from 1321N1 cells. The inhibitory activity of these guanine nucleotides was lost in membrane preparations from pertussis toxin-treated cells. The data suggest that adenylate cyclase is not involved in cholinergic action in 1321N1 cells and, furthermore, Ni is not involved in muscarinic receptor-mediated activation of phosphodiesterase in these cells. Thus, pertussis toxin can be used to differentiate between two mechanisms of cholinergic regulation of cAMP metabolism.

Modulation of muscarinic cholinergic receptor affinity for antagonists in rat heart

Modulation of the affinity of agonists and antagonists at muscarinic cholinergic receptors in rat heart membranes was investigated using the radiolabeled antagonist, [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate ([3H]QNB), and the radiolabeled agonist, [methyl-3H]oxotremorine acetate ([3H]OXO). Receptor affinity for oxotremorine measured in competition binding assays with [3H]QNB or by equilibrium binding of [3H]OXO was increased when the incubation temperature was reduced to 4 degrees C. In contrast, the receptor affinity for [3H]QNB was decreased at lower incubation temperatures and a marked effect of guanine nucleotides on the affinity for [3H]QNB was revealed. Guanine nucleotides increased receptor affinity for [3H]QNB without changing the total number of binding sites. The GTP-induced increase in the affinity for [3H]QNB was reflected by an increase in the rate constant for association of [3H]QNB. At subsaturating ligand concentrations, guanine nucleotides increased [3H]QNB binding and decreased [3H]OXO binding with the same order of potency: GppNHp = GTP gamma S greater than GTP greater than guanosine 5'-diphosphate greater than GMP. Free Mg++ ion was required to observe guanine nucleotide effects on antagonist binding. Pretreatment of heart membranes with N-ethyl-maleimide increased [3H]QNB affinity and blocked the effects of guanine nucleotides. N-Ethylmaleimide also decreased [3H]OXO binding and increased [3H]QNB binding with a similar concentration-effect relationship. Thus, antagonist and agonist binding to muscarinic cholinergic receptors is modulated in a reciprocal manner by a number of factors; this modulation appears to reflect interaction of agonist and antagonist-occupied receptors with a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein, Ni.

Interaction of a radiolabeled agonist with cardiac muscarinic cholinergic receptors

The interaction of a radiolabeled muscarinic cholinergic receptor agonist, [methyl-3H]oxotremorine acetate [( 3H]OXO), with a washed membrane preparation derived from rat heart, has been studied. In binding assays at 4 degrees C, the rate constants for association and dissociation of [3H]OXO were 2 X 10(7) M-1 min-1 and 5 X 10(-3) min-1, respectively, Saturation binding isotherms indicated that binding was to a single population of sites with a Kd of approximately 300 pM. The density of [3H]OXO binding sites (90-100 fmol/mg of protein) was approximately 75% of that determined for the radiolabeled receptor antagonist [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate. Both muscarinic receptor agonists and antagonists inhibited the binding of [3H]OXO with high affinity and Hill slopes of approximately one. Guanine nucleotides completely inhibited the binding of [3H]OXO. This effect was on the maximum binding (Bmax) of [3H]OXO with no change occurring in the Kd; the order of potency for five nucleotides was guanosine 5'-O-(3-thio-triphosphate) greater than 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate greater than GTP greater than or equal to guanosine/diphosphate greater than GMP. The [3H]OXO-induced interaction of muscarinic receptors with a guanine nucleotide binding protein was stable to solubilization. That is, membrane receptors that were prelabeled with [3H]OXO could be solubilized with digitonin, and the addition of guanine nucleotides to the soluble, [3H]OXO-labeled complex resulted in dissociation of [3H]OXO from the receptor. Pretreatment of membranes with relatively low concentrations of N-ethylmaleimide inhibited [3H]OXO binding by 85% with no change in the Kd of [3H]OXO, and with no effect on [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate binding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of testosterone propionate on ABP levels in rats hypophysectomised at different ages using individual sampling

The effect of age at hypophysectomy on the response of the regressed rat testis to testosterone propionate (TP) and FSH with respect to androgen-binding protein (ABP) levels was studied in individual animals. All treatments were begun 30 days after surgery. Treatment of rats 35, 45, 55 and 75 days of age at surgery with TP (1 mg/260 g for 25 days) significantly increased the level of ABP in the testes of animals in all age groups except those hypophysectomized at 35 days of age. TP treatment did not significantly elevate epididymal levels of ABP above those found in untreated rats in any age group. In animals hypophysectomized at 100 days of age, acute treatment (3 days) with FSH (150 and 300 mug/day) significantly increases the ABP levels per testis and per epididymis. Similar treatment with 750 mug TP/day did not result in a statistically significant increase in testicular ABP. No synergism between the two hormones was noted under the conditions described. Significant restoration of testicular ABP levels per mg protein was achieved with 1 mg TP/day by 5 days of treatment. Treatment of hypophysectomized adult rats with FSH raised the epididymal/testicular ratio of ABP to about 40% of that found in intact rats while comparable treatment with TP (750 mug/day for 3 days or 1 mg/day for 10 days) only slightly affected the ratio. It is postulated that FSH may facilitate ABP transport to the epididymis in addition to affecting its production by the testis.