bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protein kinase C and the regulation of insulin secretion from pancreatic B cells
Authors: Jones P. M. , Persaud S. J. , Howell S. L.
Published: December 2008

Protein kinase C (PKC) has been identified in islets of Langerhans and insulin-secreting tumour cells. Diacylglycerols (DAGs, the endogenous PKC activators) are generated in response to insulin secretagogues, although nutrient and non-nutrient secretagogues generate DAGs of different compositions and of different potencies as PKC activators. Exogenous activators of PKC stimulate insulin secretion from B cells, but attempts to define a physiological role for PKC by using inhibitors of this enzyme have produced ambiguous results. However, in studies using PKC-depleted B cells the loss of PKC activity does not inhibit glucose-induced insulin secretion, but markedly reduces responses to cholinergic agonists. These observations are supported by measurements of PKC activation which suggest that the enzyme is activated by cholinergic agonists, but not by nutrient secretagogues. Currently available experimental evidence therefore suggests that activation of PKC is not essential for nutrient-induced insulin secretion, but is required for the expression of a normal secretory response to cholinergic neurotransmitters.
Abrogation of dominant glucose intolerance in SJL mice by a growth hormone transgene
Authors: Bchini O. , Mehtali M. , Lathe R.
Published: December 2008

Glucose tolerance was studied in transgenic mice (SJL × C57BL/6) expressing human GH under the control of a housekeeping promoter. Parental SJL mice were found to harbour a dominant allele, termed here glid, determining glucose intolerance in pure-bred animals and in Fl hybrids with glucose-tolerant C57BL/6 mice. Blood glucose levels in transgenic SJL × C57BL/6 hybrid mice were well controlled following glucose challenge, whereas non-transgenic hybrids failed to control their glucose adequately. Pancreatic morphology was normal in all animals. In confirmation of a physiological role for GH in glucose regulation, GH-deficient lit/lit mice were pathologically sensitive to glucose.
Growth hormone induces expression of c-jun and jun B oncogenes and employs a protein kinase C signal transduction pathway for the induction of c-fos oncogene expression
Authors: Slootweg M. C. , de Groot R. P. , Herrmann-Erlee M. P. M. , Koornneef I. , Kruijer W. , Kramer Y. M.
Published: December 2008

Although the structure of several members of the GH receptor family has been defined, signal transduction following GH binding to its receptor has not been elucidated. Mouse osteoblasts were used to study the effect of GH on immediate early gene expression and, subsequently, the cellular signal(s) mediating this expression were analysed. GH rapidly and transiently induced the expression of c-jun and jun B in concert with the already reported expression of c-fos. The GH-induced expression of c-fos was completely blocked by the protein kinase inhibitors staurosporine and H7, indicating that the action of GH is mediated by one or several protein kinases. We next analysed the identity of the putative protein kinases in more detail by using a more specific protein kinase inhibitor, namely the ether-lipid 1-O-alkyl-2-O-methylglycerol, understood to be an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC). Data obtained from these studies revealed that GH-induced expression of c-fos is mediated by PKC. In addition, we observed a profound increase in formation of the PKC activator diacyglycerol upon addition of GH, a natural activator of PKC.

In conclusion, upon binding of GH to mouse osteoblasts, the receptor-mediated cellular signal involves diacyglycerol formation and activation of PKC, leading to the induction of oncogene expression. Finally, the expression of c-fos, c-jun and jun B results in an increased binding of protein complexes to AP-1 binding sites.
Cloning the cDNA for horse growth hormone and expression in Escherichia coli
Authors: Stewart F. , Tuffnell P. P.
Published: December 2008

A 514 bp cDNA transcript coding for 78% of horse (Equus caballus) GH has been cloned and sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequence corresponded precisely to that previously obtained by protein sequencing and, in addition, provided new sequence information for the signal peptide. The missing 3′ fragment of the cDNA was reconstructed using synthetic oligonucleotides and site-specific directed mutagenesis. The complete cDNA sequence was then inserted into an expression vector (PIN-III-lppp−5) which utilizes a bacterial signal peptide to secrete the expressed product into the periplasmic space of Escherichia coli. Western blot analysis of cell lysates and periplasmic fractions prepared from cells harbouring this construct revealed significant quantities of immunoreactive GH and indicated that the bacterial signal peptide was successfully cleaved from the fusion protein on secretion. Recombinant-derived horse GH, recovered by osmotic shock from the periplasm, was active in a heterologous radioimmunoassay and a horse liver radioreceptor assay and resulted in a recovery of 0·5–2 mg GH/l cell culture. An apparent limitation on the secretion rate of horse GH in E. coli, possibly involving a block to translocation across the cytoplasmic membrane, prevented higher levels of expression being obtained.
Dose-dependent effects of angiotensin II, acetylcholine and vasopressin on the cytosolic concentration of Ca2+ in suspension primary cultures of zona fasciculata/reticularis cells from bovine adrenal cortex
Authors: Walker S. W. , Strachan M. W. J. , Nicol M. , Williams B. C. , Bird I. M.
Published: December 2008

The effects of angiotensin II (AII), acetylcholine and vasopressin on the intracellular concentration of Ca2+ have been little studied in adrenocortical cells from the zona fasciculata/reticularis (ZFR).

Primary cultures of bovine ZFR cells maintained in suspension culture for 72 h produce cortisol in response to AII (0·1 μm), acetylcholine (0·1 mm) and vasopressin (1 μm). This response is accompanied by a breakdown of membrane phosphoinositides from [3H]inositol-prelabelled cells.

Using cells loaded with the Ca2+ indicator fura-2, the intracellular concentration of Ca2+ was measured in response to increasing doses of all three agonists and found to increase in a graded fashion in each case. The basal intracellular concentration of Ca2+ was 75±3 nm (mean±s.e.m., n=52), rising to a maximum 1·82±0·14-fold (n=6) for AII (0·1 μm), 1·35±0·05-fold (n=7) for acetylcholine (0·1 mm) and 1·27±0·10-fold (n=6) for vasopressin (1 μm).

In the case of AII and acetylcholine, agonists were added sequentially in medium of normal extracellular Ca2+ concentration (1·2 mm) or in medium in which the Ca2+ concentration was buffered to approximate to the intracellular concentration of Ca2+ (75–100 nm). Evidence was thereby obtained that both AII and acetylcholine mobilize a common intracellular pool of Ca2+.

Our findings suggest that these three agonists, all of which stimulate phospholipase C, increase intracellular Ca2+ through a mechanism which depends, at least in part, on the release of Ca2+ from a common intracellular pool.
Evidence for the involvement of multiple signalling pathways in C5a-induced actin polymerization and nucleation in human monocyte-like cells
Authors: Monk P. N. , Banks P.
Published: December 2008

The signal transduction mechanisms involved in complement fragment C5a-induced recruitment of actin to the cytoskeleton have been investigated using U-937 cells differentiated by exposure to dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Two parameters of cytoskeletal activation were compared: F-actin formation and nucleation of polymerization of pyrenyl-actin in whole cell lysates. The dose dependency of these responses to C5a was clearly different to that observed for [3H]inositol phosphate formation and also markedly different from that observed for the production of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI). Further evidence to dissociate inositol lipid hydrolysis from these cytoskeletal responses was obtained by treating cells with neomycin, phorbol myristate acetate and pertussis toxin and by modulating the levels of intracellular Ca2+ using quin 2. Inhibition of [3H]inositol phosphate and ROI production was not correlated with effects on actin recruitment or nucleation. In addition, these agents had differing effects on F-actin formation and nucleation activity. The results show that the production of inositol phosphates is not required for stimulating either F-actin formation or nucleation activity and also that ligand-induced polymerization of actin depends primarily upon an increase in the availability of G-actin rather than nucleation sites. These cytoskeletal responses are apparently controlled by different signalling pathways which diverge at an early stage.
Signal transduction alterations in GH12C1 rat pituitary tumour cells following treatment with 5-azacytidine
Authors: Parrow V. C. , Gordeladze J. O. , Paulssen E. J. , Aleström P. , Gautvik K. M.
Published: December 2008

In GH12C1 rat pituitary cells treated with 5-azacytidine, the stimulatory effects exerted by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), the GTP analogue guanyl-5′-yl imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p), 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate, cholera toxin and pertussis toxin on the membrane-bound adenylyl cyclase were almost completely abolished. The corresponding inhibitory effect of somatostatin was increased. Alterations in adenylyl cyclase responsiveness began at the end of the drug treatment, and were most pronounced on day 5 after removal of 5-azacytidine. The cells subsequently and completely recovered after 10 days in the absence of the drug. Measurements of cholera toxin- and VIP-enhanced cyclic AMP levels in intact cells confirmed these results, and VIP appeared to have no stimulatory effect on GH secretion after 5-azacytidine treatment. Down-regulation of Gαs RNA also occurred on day 5 after cessation of drug treatment. ADP-ribosylation subsequent to stimulation with pertussis toxin was markedly increased, indicating an enhancement of Gαi and/or GGαo. Furthermore, both basal and Gpp(NH)p-stimulated phospholipase C activities were augmented by pre-exposure to 5-azacytidine.

Treatment of GH12C1 rat pituitary tumour cells with 5-azacytidine therefore causes a marked but temporary increase in the ratio of Gαi/Gαs protein levels.
17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases in human breast tissues: purification and characterization of soluble enzymes and the distribution of particulate and soluble forms in adipose, non-adipose and tumour tissues
Authors: Mann V. Z. , Newton C. J. , Tait G. H.
Published: December 2008

17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) is present in multiple forms in human breast tissue. One soluble form, with a molecular weight of approximately 35 kDa, was purified to near homogeneity from whole normal breast tissue. This form catalysed the oxidation of oestradiol and the reduction of oestrone, with NADP+ and NADPH as the preferred coenzymes. Three other soluble forms with higher molecular weights (in the range 50–80 kDa) were isolated. They catalysed the oxidation of oestradiol but not the reduction of oestrone, and all of them had properties very different from those of the low molecular weight enzyme.

Activities of 17β-HSD were measured in particulate and soluble fractions from normal breast adipose and non-adipose tissues, and from breast tumours obtained from post-menopausal women, in the oxidative direction with NAD+ and NADP+ as coenzymes and in the reductive direction with NADH and NADPH as coenzymes. Particulate fractions from tumours had much higher oxidative and reductive activities than those from normal tissues. Soluble fractions from tumours had higher oxidative activities than those from the normal tissues but similar reductive activities. The major soluble form of 17β-HSD in adipose tissue was the 35 kDa enzyme which had both oxidative and reductive activities. In contrast, the majority of the soluble activity in non-adipose tissue was due to enzymes, with molecular weights in the range 50–80 kDa, which had oxidative activity only. The soluble fractions of tumours, like those of non-adipose tissue, contained enzymes with molecular weights in the range 50–80 kDa. In addition, they contained a 35 kDa enzyme with properties different from those of the enzyme with the same molecular weight present in adipose tissue.
Lack of expression of the mRNA encoding a major protein of the mouse vas deferens after neonatal exposure to oestrogens
Authors: Pailhoux E. , Martinez A. , Jean-Faucher Ch. , Veyssière G. , Jean Cl.
Published: December 2008

We have previously characterized an androgen-inducible secretory protein from the mouse vas deferens (MVDP), and a cDNA to its mRNA has been obtained. This report describes altered MVDP gene expression after neonatal exposure to oestrogens. As shown by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis, MVDP was missing in the vas deferens from adult mice neonatally exposed to oestrogens. Northern blot analysis showed that the expression of MVDP mRNA was also suppressed. Exogenous testosterone was unable to stimulate MVDP production (either message or protein) in neonatally oestrogenized males. The results suggest that the alterations in gene expression in the oestrogen-exposed vas deferens reflect changes in the programme of differentiation of the organ itself.
Genetic variation of the glucocorticoid receptor from a steroid-resistant primate
Authors: Brandon D. D. , Markwick A. J. , Flores M. , Dixon K. , Albertson B. D. , Loriaux D. L.
Published: December 2008

The neotropical cotton-top marmoset (Saguinus oedipus) is a New World primate known to have markedly increased total and free plasma cortisol concentrations when compared with Old World primates including man. The relative end-organ 'resistance' to glucocorticoids found in various New World primates has been attributed to a glucocorticoid receptor (GR) with diminished affinity for glucocorticoids. It has been demonstrated that the marmoset GR has approximately tenfold lower binding affinity for dexamethasone when compared with the human GR. We have examined the primary structure of the marmoset GR by molecular cloning and sequencing of GR functional domains. A library of cDNA clones was constructed in the phage vector λgt10 using poly(A)+ RNA from a marmoset-derived lymphoid cell line, and screened using the human GR cDNA. DNA sequencing determined 76 individual nucleotide substitutions in the coding region of the marmoset GR. Comparison of the marmoset GR nucleotide sequence with the human GR cDNA coding region indicated an overall sequence homology of about 97%. Thirty of the nucleotide substitutions lead to alterations in the predicted amino acid sequence (28 amino acid substitutions) of the marmoset GR.

The size of the marmoset GR predicted from the 778 amino acids is approximately 90 000 which is in agreement with previous size estimates of the human and marmoset GRs. Alterations of amino acid sequence in the marmoset GR were greatest towards the amino terminus, including the τ1 domain putatively involved in transcriptional activation. The DNA-binding domain contained an additional codon (arginine). Comparison of the DNA-binding domain of the marmoset GR with other members of the steroid receptor superfamily indicates that the additional arginine occurs in the same position as other amino acid insertions within the interfinger region of the human androgen receptor and the erb-A proto-oncogene. There are only four missense substitutions within the steroid-binding domain. Two of these substitutions occur within the transducing site which has been associated with binding of the GR to a 90 kDa heat shock protein. These data suggest that diminished GR affinity for glucocorticoids in the marmoset may be due to alterations in the primary structure of one or more functional domains of the GR gene. In addition, other important regulatory functions, such as transcriptional activation, DNA binding and receptor transduction, may also be affected.
Stimulatory effect of oestradiol-17β and tamoxifen on gross cystic disease fluid protein 15 000 production and mRNA levels in T47D human breast cancer cells
Authors: Dejardin L. , Gol-Winkler R. , Collette J. , Delvenne C. , Carlisi I. , Haagensen D.E. , Franchimont P.
Published: December 2008

Oestradiol-17β and tamoxifen regulate the synthesis of a gross cystic disease fluid protein (GCDFP-15) in T47D human breast cancer cells. Dose-response curves of GCDFP-15 mRNA contents and GCDFP-15 levels in culture media and cells versus hormone or antihormone concentration have been established. Production of GCDFP-15 was increased by oestradiol-17β, tamoxifen and 4-OH tamoxifen. The effect of tamoxifen and 4-OH tamoxifen was greater than the effect of oestradiol-17β. Moreover, oestradiol-17β and 4-OH tamoxifen acted synergystically in enhancing GCDFP-15 release. The strong oestrogenic effect of the antioestrogen tamoxifen in regulating GCDFP-15 may reflect an unusual interaction between the tamoxifen-oestrogen receptor complex and the DNA oestrogen-responsive elements. As oestrogen control of GCDFP-15 depends also on the cell line studied, investigation of GCDFP-15 could extend our knowledge of the possible mechanism of action of oestrogens or antioestrogens.
Evidence that androgen-binding protein endocytosis in vitro is receptor mediated in principal cells of the rat epididymis
Authors: Guéant J.-L. , Fremont S. , Felden F. , Nicolas J.-P. , Gerard A. , Leheup B. , Gerard H. , Grignon G.
Published: December 2008

We have studied the binding of [ I-iodo]androgen-binding protein (ABP) and of [3H]Δ6-testosterone photoaffinity-labelled ABP to receptors in the plasma membrane of rat epididymal cells in three ways: ABP binding to a Triton X-100-solubilized membrane extract, ABP binding to isolated epithelial cells in suspension and autoradiography of segments of dissected epididymides after in-vitro intraluminal injection of labelled ABP. The binding of iodinated ABP to the receptor was similar to that of photoaffinity-labelled ABP in gel filtration. The ABP-receptor complex was eluted from Superose 6 gels as an aggregate, with a molecular mass of 2000 kDa. It was separated into two peaks by sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation, with respective sedimentation coefficients of 18.4 and 9.0s. The activity of the receptor (ABP-binding capacity/mg protein) was tenfold higher in the caput than in the cauda. The binding of ABP to the receptor was pH dependent, being almost abolished at pH <4. The binding at 4°C of photoaffinity-labelled ABP to epithelial cells corresponded to two types of binding sites. The numbers of high-affinity and low-affinity sites per cell were 1600 and 7700 respectively; the association constants of these sites were 67.9 and 2.8litres/ nm respectively. The binding was decreased by treatment of the cells with trypsin or incubation in the presence of ED TA. The binding in vitro of labelled ABP to the epididymis epithelium reached a maximum after about 20 min at 4°C. In the autoradiographic study the tracer was found to be closely associated with coated pits, coated vesicles, endosomes and pale multivesicular bodies. Treatment of rats with cycloheximide significantly reduced the uptake of the tracer. Perfusion in vitro of epididymides with chloroquine produced a fourfold increase of the tracer in endosomes and multivesicular bodies.
Identification of antisense transcripts of the chicken insulin-like growth factor-II gene
Authors: Taylor E. R. , Seleiro E. A. P. , Brickell P. M.
Published: December 2008

Insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) is a polypeptide mitogen which is believed to play an important role in fetal development. The human and rat IGF-II genes are complex transcription units, which contain multiple promoters and polyadenylation sites and which exhibit alternate splicing of their primary transcripts. In order to study IGF-II gene expression during chick embryonic development, we screened a 10-day chick embryo cDNA library with a human IGF-II cDNA probe. We isolated a clone, designated cigf, that was comprised, in part, of sequences homologous to the second coding exon of the human, mouse and rat IGF-II genes. Comparison of the nucleotide sequence of cigf with that of the corresponding genomic clone indicated that cigf was derived from a spliced antisense transcript of the chicken IGF-II gene, which overlapped the second coding exon. Northern blotting experiments with single-stranded RNA probes synthesized using cigfDNA as a template showed that stage 22 and stage 36 chick embryos contained sense strand IGF-II transcripts of 1.4, 2.2, 4.7 and 7.0kb and antisense strand transcripts of 0.7, 1.3, 1.8, 2.5, 4.9, 6.0 and 8.0kb. The pattern of sense strand IGF-II transcripts was similar to that previously found in rat fetal tissues. Whilst there are precedents for the transcription of both strands of a single gene, this is the first evidence for antisense transcription of an IGF gene. The functions of the antisense transcripts remain to be determined. These findings demonstrate a further level of complexity in the IGF-II transcription unit and indicate that studies of IGF-II transcript distribution performed with double-stranded probes should be interpreted with caution. They also suggest explanations for the recent finding that IGF-II peptides are present at much lower levels in embryos than expected from the high levels of IGF-II transcripts present.
Tissue distribution of the cellular binding protein for the mouse mammary tumour virus
Authors: Bolander F. F. , Blackstone M. E.
Published: December 2008

The envelope protein, gp52, of the mouse mammary tumour virus (MMTV) binds to a cell-surface receptor as a first step in infection. A protein with characteristics of this receptor was measured on freshly isolated cells using, as ligand, 125I-labelled gp52 purified from C3H/HeN mice. The gp52-binding protein was found in all mouse tissues examined, but was present at highest concentrations in the mammary gland and spleen where it reached 4.2±0.3 (s.e.m.) pmol/mg protein; the dissociation constant was 30±7 pm. Binding to mammary epithelium could be displaced by either the RIII or 34I-R strains of MMTV, and binding was blocked by antibodies to gp52. Levels in the liver and adrenal glands were only 25% of those in the mammary gland, while the concentrations in the ovary and salivary gland were intermediate. Scatchard analyses of the binding data suggested that there was only a single set of high-affinity binding sites. During late pregnancy and lactation, receptor levels in mammary epithelium rose threefold, while those in the liver and salivary gland were unchanged. This induction would result in the mammary gland having 12 times the gp52-binding protein than other tissues and may result in the preferential reinfection of this tissue during lactation, with subsequent tumour formation.
Comparative analysis of human and chicken transforming growth factor-β2 and -β3 promoters
Authors: Burt D. W. , Paton I. R. , Dey B. R.
Published: December 2008

The promoters for chicken transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) and TGF-β3 were cloned and sequenced to study the regulation of these genes. The promoters are GC-rich and lie within CpG islands. Several putative DNA regulatory sequence motifs were identified in the 5′-flanking regions, including matches to particular recognition sequences for several nuclear factors found in other genes. A comparison of chicken and human TGF-β2 promoters revealed a 111 bp conserved sequence surrounding the major transcription start site. Two regions of sequence homology were detected in the 5′-flanking regions of chicken and human TGF-β3 genes: an 86 bp sequence surrounding the major transcription start and a 156 bp sequence in the 5′-untranslated region. No DNA sequence homology was detected between TGF-β1, -β2 or -β3 promoters. The conserved region near the major transcription start sites in both the TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 genes, however, does show some structural homology; both promoters contain short conserved sequences that resemble TATA box, cyclic AMP-responsive element and AP-2 sequence motifs, cis-acting elements we believe may be important for promoter activity.
Influence of chronic restraint stress on proopiomelanocortin mRNA and β-endorphin in the rat hypothalamus
Authors: López-Calderón A. , Ariznavarreta C. , Chen C.-L. C.
Published: December 2008

It has been postulated that some endocrine responses to stressful stimuli are mediated through the activation of hypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides. The aim of the present study was to analyse the effect of chronic stress on expression of the POMC gene in the medial basal hypothalamus and pituitary, and on serum concentrations of LH, β-endorphin and corticosterone. Adult male rats were killed after being subjected to restraint stress for 6 h/day over 2, 3 or 4 days. Chronic restraint induced an increase in serum concentrations of β-endorphin and corticosterone and a decrease in serum LH levels. To determine whether chronic stress induced any change in POMC synthesis, a dot-blot method was used to measure POMC mRNA levels. No significant changes were detected either in the β-endorphin content or in POMC mRNA levels in the medial basal hypothalamus after 2, 3 or 4 days of chronic restraint. This observation contrasts with the stimulation of POMC mRNA levels in both lobes of the pituitary. The data suggest that although chronic restraint induces an increase in POMC synthesis and secretion in the pituitary and a decrease in LH secretion, it has no effect on hypothalamic POMC neurones.
4 S Oestrogen receptor isoforms and their distribution in breast cancer samples
Authors: Marsigliante S. , Baker V. A. , Puddefoot J. , Barker S. , Vinson G. P.
Published: December 2008

The variability in the profile of oestrogen receptor (ER) isoforms in breast tumours has been studied.

Using low-resolution isoelectric focussing (IEF), two major ER isoforms with isoelectric point (pI) values of 6.1 and 6.6 could be identified, with corresponding sedimentation coefficients in sucrose density gradients of 8 S and 4 S respectively.

Using high-resolution IEF or immunoblotting, the pI 6.6 form (4S) was shown to be composed of three different species, with pI values of 6.3, 6.6 and 6.8, while the oligomeric pI 6.1 protein (8 S) did not show charge heterogeneity. Data were obtained on the soluble receptors from supernatants of 42 ER-positive primary breast tumour homogenates using high-resolution IEF to obtain ER isoform profiles. It was found that 54.7% of tumours contained the isoforms at pI 6.6 and 6.1, while only 11.9% contained the full complement of isoforms (pI 6.1, 6.3, 6.6 and 6.8). Of the tumours studied, 11.9% contained isoforms of pI 6.1, 6.6 and 6.8, with 14.3% containing isoforms with pI 6.1, 6.6 and 6.3. Very few tumours contained only one isoform, with 4.8% of tumours containing a single isoform at pI 6.1 and 2.4% of tumours containing only the isoform at pI 6.6.

All four ER isoforms were also shown to be present in some tumours by immunoblotting using antibody H222 and, in addition, high-resolution IEF indicated that all isoforms bind oestradiol, diethylstilboestrol and tamoxifen.

The variability in the ER isoform profile may have a bearing on the known variability of tumour response to endocrine therapy and prognosis.
ACTH and angiotensin II regulation of insulin-like growth factor-I and its binding proteins in cultured bovine adrenal cells
Authors: Penhoat A. , Leduque P. , Jaillard C. , Chatelain P. G. , Dubois P. M. , Saez J. M.
Published: December 2008

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is required for the maintenance of differentiated functions of bovine adrenal fasciculata cells in culture. We have investigated, by immunocytochemistry, the presence of IGF-I in cells cultured in the absence or presence of ACTH and angiotensin II (AII), as well as the secretion of IGF-I and its binding proteins (IGFBPs). In control cultures, very few cells were specifically stained with the anti-IGF-I serum. Following 2 days of treatment with AII (1μm) or ACTH (10 nm) the number of stained cells increased by 5- and 14-fold respectively. In all cases the staining was specific, since it was abolished when non-immune rabbit serum replaced the anti-IGF serum or when the anti-IGF-I serum was preincubated with saturating concentrations of the peptide. Under the same experimental conditions the secretion of IGF-I into the medium, evaluated by a specific radioimmunoassay, was increased two- and sevenfold by AII and ACTH respectively. Using the method of Western ligand blotting, the major form of IGFBP secreted by control adrenal cells was found to be a 38–42kDa doublet protein. Two minor forms with apparent molecular weights of 28–31 kDa and 24kDa have also been identified. Following acid—ethanol extraction of the conditioned medium, all the IGFBPs were recovered in the pellet, whereas most of the IGF-I was in the supernatant. ACTH and, to a lesser extent, AII pretreatment increased the 38–42kDa IGFBP by several fold, decreased the 28–31 kDa IGFBP and had no effect on the 24kDa IGFBP. In conclusion, these results demonstrate (i) that bovine adrenal cells contain IGF-I-like immunoreactive material, (ii) that the stimulatory effects of ACTH and AII on IGF-I secretion by bovine adrenal cells are due mainly to an increase in the number of IGF-I-producing cells and (iii) that ACTH and AII modulate the secretion of IGFBP by adrenal cells. Although the roles of IGFBPs have not been defined in adrenal cells, they are capable of modulating the biological action of IGFs in other cell cultures. Regulation of both IGF-I and its binding proteins by the two specific hormones ACTH and AII suggests important roles for these binding proteins in modulating the action of IGF-I in bovine adrenal cell function.
The sequence and tissue expression of ovine renin
Authors: Aldred G. P. , Fu P. , Crawford R. J. , Fernley R. T.
Published: December 2008

The primary structure of the sheep renin precursor has been determined from its cDNA sequence. A library of cDNA clones was constructed from adrenalectomized sheep kidney poly(A)+ RNA and screened for sheep renin sequences with a cloned mouse renin cDNA probe. Of the 300 000 clones generated, 24 were hybridization positive and the nucleotide sequences of two of the longest clones were determined. These clones coded for the mature sheep renin protein and the 3′-untranslated sequence but did not extend to the amino-terminal region of preprorenin. Clones corresponding to the 5′ region of renin mRNA were generated by the polymerase chain reaction and their nucleotide sequences determined. The sheep renin precursor consists of 400 amino acids with a putative leader sequence of 14 amino acids and a putative 45 or 53 amino acid prosegment. The mature sheep renin protein has a 73% sequence identity with human renin. Northern analysis demonstrated the presence of renin mRNA in the kidney but not in other tissues in the sheep. While sodium depletion of sheep caused a rise in renin mRNA in the kidney, adrenalectomy also led to a large increase in renal renin mRNA. Southern analysis of genomic DNA suggests that there is only one gene coding for renin in the sheep.
Molecular characterization and in-vitro hormonal requirements for expression of two casein genes from a marsupial
Authors: Collet C. , Joseph R. , Nicholas K.
Published: December 2008

Two marsupial casein genes have been isolated from a tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) mammary gland cDNA library. Comparisons of the tammar α- and β-casein genes with their eutherian homologues reveal extensive divergence at the levels of nucleotide and amino acid sequences. Regions of similarity between the tammar and eutherian Ca2+-sensitive caseins are restricted to the major phosphorylation sites and the signal peptides. Quantification of casein mRNA levels in hormone-stimulated mammary gland explants from tammars in late pregnancy suggests that maximal induction of the β-casein gene is dependent upon prolactin and insulin, while maximal induction of the α-casein gene is dependent upon prolactin, insulin and cortisol. These results are in contrast to earlier studies which show that the maximal induction of a putative 19 kDa casein, α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin in the tammar mammary gland is dependent upon prolactin alone. The expression of the latter three genes is not modulated by other hormones known to play a role in the in-vitro initiation of lactation in eutherians.
Cloning and sequence analysis of the cDNA encoding P-450 aromatase (P450arom) from a rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) ovary; relationship between the amount of P450arom mRNA and the production of oestradiol-17β in the ovary
Authors: Tanaka M. , Telecky T. M. , Fukada S. , Adachi S. , Chen S. , Nagahama Y.
Published: December 2008

The enzyme aromatase P-450 (P450arom) catalyses the conversion of androgen to oestrogen. A cDNA insert encoding P450arom was isolated from a rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) ovary cDNA library. The insert was sequenced and found to contain an open-reading frame predicted to encode a protein of 522 amino acid residues. The deduced polypeptide is 52% homologous with human, mouse and rat P450arom and 53% homologous with that of chicken. The insert was confirmed to encode P450arom by introducing it into COS-1 monkey kidney tumour cells (COS-1 cells) and detecting the conversion of testosterone to oestradiol-17β by radioimmunoassay. The N-terminal region of the deduced polypeptide was 19 amino acids longer than that of the other four species, and was found by hydropathy plotting to be very hydrophobic.

Northern blot analysis revealed 2.6kb RNA transcripts which were present in the trout ovary during vitellogenesis and hybridized to the cDNA insert. In preparations from subsequent stages of ovarian development, no RNA transcripts hybridized to the probe. Since the RNA transcripts are present only during the stage of oestradiol-β production by the ovarian follicles, oestradiol-17β production may be regulated, in part, by the amount of P450arom mRNA present.
Regulation of prolactin receptor gene expression by thyroid hormone status in the rat
Authors: Tiong T. S. , Stevenson J. L. , Herington A. C.
Published: December 2008

The nature and tissue distribution of prolactin receptor (PRL-R) mRNA in both male and female rats was studied. A single mRNA species of 2.2kb was identified in the liver, kidney, adrenal, prostate, lactating mammary gland and ovary but not in the male lung, heart, skeletal muscle, thymus, adipose tissue or brain. There were distinct and contrasting sex differences in abundance of PRL-R mRNA in some tissues: liver (female>>male), kidney and adrenal (male >>female). A mRNA species of 4kb was occasionally detected in the male adrenal and female liver. Given previous reports on the effects of thyroid status on PRL binding, the effects of thyroxine (T4), propylthiouracil (PTU) or combined treatment on PRL-R mRNA were assessed. In the male rat, PTU treatment markedly increased (three- to fourfold) PRL-R mRNA in the liver but decreased it (∼50%) in the kidney. These changes were reflected in similar changes in lactogenic binding activity. T4 or PTU treatment increased PRL-R mRNA in the prostate, with no obvious changes in binding. No major changes were seen in adrenal glands. In the female rat, PTU had little effect on PRL-R mRNA in any tissue, although binding of 125I-labelled lactogen was decreased in both the liver and kidney. There was an unexpected threefold rise in PRL-R mRNA in the female kidney following combined T4 and PTU treatment. Overall, there was a quite close correlation between the effects of thyroid status on PRL-R mRNA levels and specific lactogenic binding to membranes prepared from the same tissue samples. These studies provide data on the tissue distribution and size of PRL-R mRNA in rats and suggest a novel and complex tissue- and sex-dependent regulation by thyroid hormone.
Insensitivity of the chick embryo Müllerian duct to human recombinant Müllerian-inhibiting substance
Authors: Weniger J.-P. , Cate R. L. , Zeis A.
Published: December 2008

To determine whether mammalian Müllerian-inhibiting substance (MIS) is active in birds, Müllerian ducts from 7- to 8-day-old male or female chick embryos were cultured in the presence of human recombinant MIS at concentrations between 2.5 and 12.5μg/ml. None of 20 ducts regressed at any concentration. In contrast, at concentrations of 2.5–5 μg/ml, all 12 Müllerian ducts from 13-day-old male mouse embryos and 13 out of 14 female ducts were inhibited to varying degrees. It is concluded that avian Müllerian ducts are unresponsive to mammalian MIS. There may be a difference in structure between the MIS of birds and mammals, or the signal-transduction system may be different.
Immunological characterization of the guanine-nucleotide binding proteins Gi and Go in rat islets of Langerhans
Authors: Berrow N. S. , Milligan G. , Morgan N. G.
Published: December 2008

Inhibition of insulin secretion from rat islets of Langerhans is known to involve at least one pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine-nucleotide binding (G) protein. We have used antisera raised against unique antigenic determinants of different members of the family of pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins to identify these proteins in rat islets. Antiserum SG1, which recognizes both Gi1 and Gi2, reacted with an islet protein having an approximate Mr of 40 000. Antiserum IlC (Gi1 specific) failed to recognize any islet proteins, suggesting that Gi2 is present in much greater amounts than Gi1. Indeed, Gi1 levels were below the detection limit of a sensitive immunogold/silver-staining method, indicating that it may be absent from the cells of rat islets.

Two different antisera were used to identify Go-like G proteins in rat islet homogenates. Both antisera reacted with a protein band which, under appropriate conditions, could be resolved to reveal two separate proteins of Mr 39–40 000. Thus, at least two molecular forms of Go are present in rat islets.

Subcellular fractionation indicated that all three G proteins identified in this study (Gi2 and two forms of Go) are localized to islet membranes. No immunoreactivity could be detected in the cytosolic fraction.
Relationship between gonadotrophin subunit gene expression, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone receptor content and pituitary and plasma gonadotrophin concentrations during the rebound release of FSH after treatment of ewes with bovine follicular fluid during the luteal phase of the cycle
Authors: Brooks J. , Crow W. J. , McNeilly J. R. , McNeilly A. S.
Published: December 2008

The modulation of FSH secretion at the beginning and middle of the follicular phase of the cycle represents the key event in the growth and selection of the preovulatory follicle. However, the mechanisms that operate within the pituitary gland to control the increased release of FSH and its subsequent inhibition in vivo remain unclear. Treatment of ewes with bovine follicular fluid (bFF) during the luteal phase has been previously shown to suppress the plasma concentrations of FSH and, following cessation of treatment on day 11, a rebound release of FSH occurs on days 12 and 13. When luteal regression is induced on day 12, this hypersecretion of FSH results in an increase in follicle growth and ovulation rate. To investigate the mechanisms involved in the control of FSH secretion, ewes were treated with twice daily s.c. injections of 5 ml bFF on days 3–11 of the oestrous cycle and luteal regression was induced on day 12 with prostaglandin (PG). The treated ewes and their controls were then killed on day 11 (luteal), or 16 or 32h after PG and their pituitaries removed and halved. One half was analysed for gonadotrophin and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor content. Total pituitary RNA was extracted from the other half and subjected to Northern analysis using probes for FSH-β, LH-β and common α subunit. Frequent blood samples were taken and assayed for gonadotrophins. FSH secretion was significantly (P<0.01) reduced during bFF treatment throughout the luteal phase and then significantly (P<0.01) increased after cessation of treatment, with maximum secretion being reached 18– 22h after PG, and then declining towards control values by 32h after PG. A similar pattern of LH secretion was seen after bFF treatment. Pituitary FSH content was significantly (P<0.05) reduced by bFF treatment at all stages of the cycle. No difference in the pituitary LH content was seen. The increase in GnRH receptor content after PG in the controls was delayed in the treated animals. Analysis of pituitary mRNA levels revealed that bFF treatment significantly (P<0.01) reduced FSH-β mRNA levels in the luteal phase. Increased levels of FSH-β, LH-β and α subunit mRNA were seen 16h after PG in the bFF-treated animals, at the time when FSH and LH secretion from the pituitary was near maximum. These results suggest that the rebound release of FSH after treatment with bFF (as a source of inhibin) is related to a rapid increase in FSH-β mRNA, supporting the concept that the rate of FSH release is directly related to the rate of synthesis.
LH receptor RNA and protein levels after hormonal treatment of porcine granulosa cells in primary culture
Authors: Goxe B. , Salesse R. , Remy J. J. , Genty N. , Garnier J.
Published: December 2008

Granulosa cells were prepared from small follicles (<3 mm) from the ovaries of 5-month-old gilts. They were cultured in plastic dishes coated with a synthetic adhesion peptide in a chemically defined medium supplemented with 2% serum substitute. After 3 days of culture, the cells reached confluence and expression of the LH receptor could be stimulated in a hormonally defined medium. LH receptor RNAs were estimated by autoradiography using Northern blots and dot blots of total cell RNA. LH receptor RNAs were hybridized with a homologous 32P-labelled random-primed DNA probe. The LH receptor was measured using 125I-labelled human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) as tracer.

Northern blots of LH receptor RNAs revealed a predominant signal of 4.4kb and two less-intense hybridization bands of 7.5 and 1.9kb. The 4.4kb band was used for quantification of LH receptor RNAs because it was the most intense and may be attributed to the full-length messenger RNA. In these conditions, after 72h stimulation, FSH (0.6 nm), insulin (5 μg/ml), oestradiol (30 nm) and deoxycorticosterone (0.3 nm) yielded high LH receptor RNA levels (eight times unstimulated cell level), while dibutyryl cyclic AMP (1 mm), cortisol (5.4 nm), thyroxine (100 nm) and epidermal growth factor (16pm) gave low LH receptor RNA levels (one to five times). However, the respective amounts of the receptor RNA did not give yield to the same proportion of LH receptor for every factor, indicating some post-transcriptional regulations.

The kinetic study of the production of the LH receptor obtained in a defined medium supplemented with FSH, oestradiol and insulin showed that the receptor appeared after 48 h of stimulation and reached a maximum of about 7000 receptors per cell at 72 h. The three hybridization bands on Northern blots evolved in parallel and appeared as early as 24 h. They were at maximal level from 24 to 48 h of stimulation. When the granulosa cells were pulse-treated for 2 h with cycloheximide (10 μg/ml), they exhibited a transient rise in LH receptor RNA content which was followed by a delayed receptor increase especially at 72 h of stimulation.

Taken together, these results indicate that the LH receptor in primary culture of granulosa cells seems to be regulated by different physiological factors both at the transcriptional and the translational levels.
Interleukin-1β stimulates growth of adrenocortical cells in primary culture
Authors: Hanley N. , Williams B. C. , Nicol M. , Bird I. M. , Walker S. W.
Published: December 2008

Using tritiated-thymidine incorporation as a measure of cell growth, interleukin-1β stimulated the growth of bovine zona fasciculata/reticularis adrenocortical cells after 72h in primary culture. Within the range of 10–1000pg/ml, interleukin-1β produced over 40% of angiotensin II-stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation (P<0.005 compared with basal for 10pg/ml and 1000pg/ml; P<0.05 for 100pg/ml; two-tailed unpaired Student's t-test). Interleukin-1β did not directly stimulate cortisol secretion.

By stimulating adrenocortical growth, the increase in interleukin-1 during fever provides a potential mechanism for chronically raising glucocorticoid output. This study is the first demonstration of a long-term effect involving interleukin-1β on the adrenal cortex.
Expression of a human thyrotrophin receptor fragment in Escherichia coli and its interaction with the hormone and autoantibodies from patients with Graves' disease
Authors: Huang G. C. , Collison K. S. , McGregor A. M. , Banga J. P.
Published: December 2008

Graves' disease is an autoimmune thyroid disease characterized by the presence of pathogenic autoantibodies to the TSH receptor (TSH-R). By using polymerase chain reaction, the extracellular region of the human TSH-R cDNA has been amplified and used to prepare recombinant TSH-R (extracellular) protein fused with glutathione-S-transferase (GST). Purification of the recombinant TSH-R (extracellular)-GST fusion protein was achieved by preparative gel electrophoresis in SDS or by preparative isoelectric focusing in urea. Following removal of SDS by detergent exchange or urea by dialysis, the purified recombinant receptor preparations were assessed for binding to the hormone or to autoantibodies from Graves' disease patients. The purified recombinant receptor preparations fail to show any binding to the hormone or autoantibodies either by inhibition of binding assays or by immunoblotting. The results imply that the correct folding and/or post-translational modifications of the polypeptide chain which are not achieved in recombinant proteins produced in Escherichia coli may be important for the binding of the hormone or Graves' disease autoantibodies to the TSH-R. The recombinant receptor prepared in this manner will be useful for immunological and cellular investigations in patients with Graves' disease.
Differential expression of the insulin-like growth factor binding proteins in spontaneously diabetic rats
Authors: Luo J. , Murphy L. J.
Published: December 2008

Diabetes-induced growth retardation in the rodent is associated with both reduced circulating insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and enhanced levels of inhibitors of somatomedin activity. IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) are present in the circulation and tissue fluids and are believed to modulate the actions of IGF-I. Since elevated concentrations of the IGFBPs may contribute to the enhanced somatomedin-inhibitor activity observed in serum from diabetic animals, we have examined the amounts of hepatic IGFBP-1, -2, -3 and -4 mRNA in the spontaneously diabetic BioBreeding/Worcester rat.

The study used two types of diabetic animal: mildly diabetic animals, which received suboptimal insulin treatment (0.5–1 U/day) and diabetic animals, which received intensive insulin treatment (3–6 U/day). A significant increase in the amount of IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2 mRNA was seen 1 month and 3 months after the onset of diabetes. Intensive insulin treatment for 3 weeks normalized the amount of IGFBP-1 mRNA in diabetic rats and resulted in a decrease in IGFBP-2 mRNA. In contrast to the increase in IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2 mRNA, a significant decrease in IGFBP-3 mRNA was seen in diabetic rats (54.6% of control, P < 0.0005 and 64.6% of control, P < 0.005 for 1 and 3 months respectively) and intensive insulin treatment for 3 weeks did not restore the IGFBP-3 mRNA level in diabetic rats. No significant difference in IGFBP-4 mRNA levels was seen in diabetic compared with non-diabetic rats. When serum was analysed by ligand blotting the major finding was a reduction in the 39–42kDa binding protein. No increase in 29–30kDa IGFBP in the serum was detected in the diabetic rats. From these studies we conclude that the major change in IGFBPs in mildly hyperglycaemic spontaneously diabetic rats is a decrease in IGFBP-3. The changes in hepatic IGFBP-1 and -2 mRNA do not appear to be of sufficient magnitude to result in an increase in serum concentrations of these binding proteins.