bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial ATP-synthase activity in cardiomyocytes after aerobic-anaerobic metabolic transition
Authors: Noll T. , Koop A. , Piper H. M.
Published: December 2017

It has been hypothesized that, in oxygen-depleted myocardial cells, mitochondria are depolarized and the F1,F0-proton adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) catalyzes net ATP hydrolysis when the cells exhibit the signs of an aerobic-anaerobic metabolic transition, which are increased lactate formation and decline in high-energy phosphate reserves [W. Rouslin, C. W. Broge, and I. L. Grupp. Am. J. Physiol. 259 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 28): H1759-H1766, 1990]. This hypothesis was tested by incubating isolated cardiomyocytes from the adult rat in substrate-free Tyrode solution (37 degrees C, pH 7.4) at a PO2 less than or equal to 0.1 Torr, i.e., 1,000-fold below the normal arterial level. At this deep hypoxia, the following results were found. 1) Lactate production was activated to maximal rates and high-energy phosphate contents decreased (aerobic-anaerobic metabolic transition). The inhibitor of the mitochondrial F1,F0-proton ATPase oligomycin, however, added upon establishment of hypoxia, did not slow down, as in the case of depolarized mitochondria, but moderately accelerated energy depletion. 2) Activation of mitochondrial ATP hydrolysis could be provoked in these hypoxic cells by addition of cyanide, antimycin A, and rotenone, i.e., specific inhibitors of certain sites of the respiratory chain. The enhancement of loss of ATP could be inhibited by oligomycin. The results demonstrate that states of deep hypoxia of the cardiomyocyte are possible in which it undergoes an aerobic-anaerobic metabolic transition, indicated by increased lactate formation and progressive loss of cellular energy reserves, and yet mitochondrial ATPase hydrolytic activity is not activated.
Epithelial permeability factor: a serum protein that condenses actin and opens tight junctions
Authors: Marmorstein A. D. , Mortell K. H. , Ratcliffe D. R. , Cramer E. B.
Published: December 2017

An epithelial permeability factor (EPF) in human serum lowered, within 1 h, the transepithelial electrical resistance and opened the tight junctions of a cultured kidney epithelium (Madin-Darby canine kidney) when it came in contact with the basolateral surface of the kidney epithelium. Size-exclusion chromatography of serum or heat-inactivated serum resolved seven peaks of EPF activity (approximately 15, approximately 30, approximately 45, approximately 60, approximately 120, and approximately 240 kDa and greater than 240 kDa) with 65% of the activity at approximately 45, approximately 60, and approximately 120 kDa. Heat inactivation, which had no effect on total activity, caused a significant decrease in the activity at 120 kDa and an equivalent rise in activity at 45 kDa. Although acid charcoal extraction or lectin affinity chromatography did not remove activity, EPF activity was eliminated by pepsin. Heat-inactivated serum or fractions containing EPF had no effect on ZO-1 localization but did cause a dose-dependent focal condensation of the perijunctional actin ring at sites where three or more cells were in contact. These data suggest that EPF is a protein that appears to form multimers that interact with the basolateral surface of the epithelium and cause constriction of the cytoskeleton and an increase in permeability at specific sites along the tight junction.
Differential effects of cytokines on long-term mitogenic and secretory responses of fetal rat pancreatic beta-cells
Authors: Sjoholm A.
Published: December 2017

It has been proposed that certain cytokines secreted by islet-infiltrating leukocytes may be involved in the pathogenesis of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus by participation in beta-cell destruction. In the present study, the impact of various cytokines on replication and long-term insulin secretion by pancreatic beta-cells was investigated. To this end, fetal rat pancreatic islets containing a high fraction of beta-cells were exposed in culture for 1-3 days to interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) at different concentrations. It was found that IL-1 beta markedly decreased beta-cell DNA synthesis during the first day of exposure, an effect that vanished after 2 days and was turned into a potent and dose-dependent stimulation by 3 days of exposure. At this latter time point, IL-1 beta also amplified the mitogenicity of growth hormone (GH) and 16.7 mM glucose. In contrast, basal as well as glucose- and GH-stimulated insulin secretion was consistently suppressed by IL-1 beta from days 1-3. IL-1 beta also lowered the islet adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) content at all time points studied. However, addition of the stimulatory cAMP analogue Sp-diastereomer of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphothioate or pertussis toxin, which themselves enhanced DNA synthesis and insulin secretion, failed to prevent the inhibitory actions of IL-1 beta on these parameters, making it unlikely that a decrease in cAMP is an important event in transduction of the inhibitory effects of the cytokine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Carbachol modulates voltage sensitivity of calcium channels in bronchial smooth muscle of rats
Authors: Kamishima T. , Nelson M. T. , Patlak J. B.
Published: December 2017

The role of voltage-dependent Ca channels in carbachol (CCh)-induced contraction of rat bronchus was investigated. Membrane depolarization and BAY K 8644, a Ca channel opener, significantly enhanced CCh-induced contractions. Nisoldipine, an organic Ca channel blocker, significantly inhibited the contractions. Cadmium, an inorganic Ca channel blocker, completely inhibited maintained contractions caused by CCh. These results suggested that the voltage-dependent Ca channels play an important role in sustained cholinergic contractions. This hypothesis was tested further by investigating the properties of single Ca channels of rat bronchus smooth muscle cells. We used 10 mM Ba as the charge carrier and BAY K 8644 to increase open times. The single-channel conductance was 16.8 pS. Steady-state open probability (NP(o)) increased steeply with membrane depolarization (e-fold for 4 mV). The primary effect of CCh (10 microM) on Ca channels was to shift the membrane potential at which NP(o) was half maximal from -34 to -43 mV without changing the steepness factor or maximal NP(o). This CCh-induced increase in NP(o) was not caused by depolarization, because the single-channel current amplitude was unchanged by CCh. We conclude that one of the mechanisms by which CCh opens Ca channels of rat bronchus smooth muscle is by shifting the activation curve in the hyperpolarized direction.
Early effects of aldosterone on apical and basolateral membrane conductances of TBM cells
Authors: Horisberger J. D.
Published: December 2017

The early effects (1-4 h) of aldosterone on membrane conductance were studied in the TBM cells, an epithelial cell line derived from the toad urinary bladder. Aldosterone stimulated Na+ transport (measured as short-circuit current) and induced parallel increases of the amiloride-sensitive apical membrane Na+ conductance and the basolateral membrane conductance. In another set of experiments, we prevented the aldosterone-induced increase of the Na+ transport by adding amiloride to the apical solution in concentrations sufficient to reduce short-circuit current to values similar to that of matched control. The effect of aldosterone on the basolateral conductance was not inhibited. This effect was essentially due to a change of the barium-sensitive K(+)-specific conductance. We also observed that aldosterone prevented a time-dependent decline of the paracellular resistance observed in control preparations. Aldosterone induces an early increase of the basolateral membrane conductance, an effect that is not secondary to the increase of the Na+ load to the cell.
Transient myosin phosphorylation at constant Ca2+ during agonist activation of permeabilized arteries
Authors: Moreland S. , Nishimura J. , van Breemen C. , Ahn H. Y. , Moreland R. S.
Published: December 2017

Norepinephrine (NE) plus guanosine triphosphate (GTP) increases myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity in alpha-toxin-permeabilized smooth muscle. We used alpha-toxin-permeabilized rabbit mesenteric arteries to determine the temporal relationships among force, myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, stiffness, and shortening velocity during contractions in response to Ca2+ alone and to the same [Ca2+] in the presence of NE plus GTP. The addition of NE plus GTP caused a marked increase in the tonic contraction but only transiently elevated the level of MLC phosphorylation over that observed in the presence of Ca2+ alone. NE plus GTP induced similar increases in force and stiffness, but shortening velocity depended solely on the [Ca2+]. A regulated MLC phosphatase could explain the initial increase in force and MLC phosphorylation, but not the maintenance of enhanced force while MLC phosphorylation levels fell to values similar to those in response to Ca2+ alone. Therefore, additional elements must be involved in the maintenance of the receptor and G protein-dependent increase in myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity.
Altered coupling of α1-adrenergic receptor-G protein in rat parotid during aging
Authors: Miyamoto A. , Villalobos-Molina R. , Kowatch M. A. , Roth G. S.
Published: December 2017

Pages C1181–C1188: A. Miyamoto, R. Villalobos-Molina, M. A. Kowatch, and G. S. Roth. “Altered coupling of agr1-adrenergic receptor-G protein in rat parotid during aging.” Figure 5 should have appeared as follows:

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Fetuin: its enigmatic property of growth promotion
Authors: Nie Z.
Published: December 2017

A variety of cell types in culture respond to fetuin, a glycoprotein from fetal bovine serum, which is often an important supplement to many serum-free media. Bovine fetuin preparation has been shown to inhibit trypsin activity and promote cellular attachment, growth, and differentiation in many different culture systems. In addition, fetuin associates with various growth factors or growth-promoting substances. However, whether the growth-promoting activity of fetuin preparation is due to fetuin per se or to its minor contaminant(s) has been a long-standing puzzle. The present review surveys the literature concerning this enigmatic property of fetuin and summarizes three possibilities: 1) fetuin itself is active, although the majority of studies do not support this; 2) various contaminants of fetuin preparations, including potentially unidentified ones, are responsible for the activity, a possibility supported by numerous reports; and 3) one of the fetuin subspecies, one of its contaminants, or a combination of both of these is responsible for growth of a specific cell type. In addition, the basic physicochemical properties and other biological functions of fetuin have also been presented.
Phospholipid metabolism and intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in cultured rat hepatocytes intoxicated with cyanide
Authors: Sakaida I. , Thomas A. P. , Farber J. L.
Published: December 2017

The killing of cultured hepatocytes by 1 mM sodium cyanide was reduced by 100 microM chlorpromazine or cytochalasin B (25 micrograms/ml) or by lowering the pH of the culture medium to 6.0. In each case, ATP was depleted despite the decreased number of dead cells. The cell killing by cyanide was accompanied by an accelerated release of 3H-labeled arachidonate from phospholipids. Depletion of ATP by oligomycin did not accelerate phospholipid degradation or kill the hepatocytes. Chlorpromazine, cytochalasin B, and extracellular acidosis reduced the rate of phospholipid degradation in control cells as well as the increase that occurred with cyanide. The calcium ionophore A23187 increased phospholipid degradation and killed the hepatocytes. Chlorpromazine and extracellular acidosis, but not cytochalasin B, protected the cells and prevented the increased lipid degradation in response to A23187. After addition of cyanide, cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) did not change for 71 +/- 8 min, at which time it rose to a plateau of 683 +/- 210 nM within 10 min. A second and larger rise occurred after 84 +/- 8 min and before the death of the cells at 89 +/- 8 min. Treatment with 3.5 mM ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, as well as removal of extracellular calcium, prevented these late increases in [Ca2+]i without affecting the loss of viability. It is concluded that cyanide kills cultured hepatocytes by a mechanisms that is likely related to an accelerated degradation of phospholipids. This change in lipid metabolism is not mediated by a rise in [Ca2+]i but rather may relate to an alteration in the interaction between the cytoskeleton and the plasma membrane.
Small linear chloride channels are endogenous to nonepithelial cells
Authors: Gabriel S. E. , Price E. M. , Boucher R. C. , Stutts M. J.
Published: December 2017

We used both single-channel and whole cell patch-clamp techniques to characterize chloride channels and currents endogenous to Sf9 cells, 3T3 fibroblasts, and Chinese hamster ovary cells. In cell-attached patches from these cell types, anion channels were observed with low ohmic conductance (4-11 ps), linear current-voltage relationships, and little time- or voltage-dependent behavior. These channels are very similar to the Cl- channels reported to appear concomitant with the expression of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in these cell lines. The presence of such endogenous channels suggests either that low levels of CFTR are present in all of these cell lines prior to transfection or that an endogenous non-CFTR channel is present in these cell types. Our results suggest that at least some of the channel behaviors attributed to expressed, recombinant CFTR in previous studies may have been due to these endogenous Cl- channels.
Converting-enzyme inhibitors increase converting-enzyme mRNA and activity in endothelial cells
Authors: King S. J. , Oparil S.
Published: December 2017

Exposure to angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors has been associated with increased ACE activity in vivo and in vitro. In the current study, we examined the effects of the active site-directed ACE inhibitors lisinopril and captopril on ACE gene expression and activity in cultured porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cells. Exposure of endothelial cells to both lisinopril and captopril was associated with increased ACE mRNA levels and concomitant increases in ACE activity. These effects were both concentration and time dependent. ACE mRNA levels began to increase within 30 min of ACE inhibitor exposure and showed an early peak at 2 h and a higher, delayed peak at 48 h. ACE activity peaked at 24 h. Both ACE mRNA levels and activity were highest during incubation with 100 microM inhibitor. Nuclear runoff assays indicated that 48 h of exposure to 100 microM of either captopril or lisinopril increased ACE gene transcription approximately threefold relative to a tubulin control, a level comparable to the increases in ACE mRNA levels and activity observed during ACE inhibitor exposure. These findings support the hypothesis that ACE gene expression endothelial cells is stimulated by active site-directed ACE inhibitors in vitro. This provides a molecular mechanism for the observation that plasma and tissue ACE activity in vivo is increased during chronic exposure to ACE inhibitors.
Beta-adrenergic inhibition of Na-K-Cl cotransport in lymphocytes
Authors: Feldman R. D.
Published: December 2017

Lymphocytes contain a homogeneous population of beta 2-adrenoceptors. However, their physiological role in the regulation of lymphocyte function, especially early in the activation/proliferation process, remains unclear. To study the role of beta-adrenergic activation on the regulation of membrane transport, we examined 86Rb uptake in the Jurkat human lymphoma cell line. 86Rb uptake was predominantly accounted for by bumetanide-sensitive uptake (74 +/- 2% total 86Rb uptake) and ouabain-sensitive uptake (20 +/- 2%). Bumetanide potently inhibited 86Rb uptake (50% inhibitory concentration = 210 +/- 40 nM), and bumetanide-sensitive uptake was dependent on extracellular sodium and chloride, consistent with uptake via Na-K-Cl cotransport. The beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (10 microM) mediated a 50 +/- 11% reduction in bumetanide-sensitive uptake without a significant alteration in ouabain-sensitive uptake. The effect of isoproterenol was potent (50% effective concentration = 4.42 +/- 1.70 nM), stereoselective, and was inhibited by the beta-adrenergic antagonist nadolol. The effect of isoproterenol was mimicked by permeant adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate analogues but not by pindolol. These data indicate that beta-adrenoceptor activation decreases 86Rb uptake in lymphocytes via inhibition of Na-K-Cl cotransport. Modulation of this transporter could be one mechanism by which beta-adrenergic agonists regulate lymphocyte function.
Single-channel behavior of a purified epithelial Na+ channel subunit that binds amiloride
Authors: Sariban-Sohraby S. , Abramow M. , Fisher R. S.
Published: December 2017

The apical membrane of high electrical resistance epithelia, which is selectively permeable to Na+, plays an essential role in the maintenance of salt balance. Na+ entry from the apical fluid into the cells is mediated by amiloride-blockable Na(+)-specific channels. The channel protein, purified from both amphibian and mammalian sources, is composed of several subunits, only one of which the 150-kDa polypeptide, specifically binds the Na+ transport inhibitor amiloride. The goal of the present study was to investigate whether the isolated amiloride-binding subunit of the channel could conduct Na+. The patch-clamp technique was used to study the 150-kDa polypeptide incorporated into a lipid bilayer formed on the tip of a glass pipette. Unitary conductance jumps averaged 4.8 pS at 100 mM Na2HPO4. Open times ranged from 24 ms to several seconds. The channel spent most of the time in the closed state. Channel conductance and gating were independent of voltage between -60 and +100 mV. Amiloride (0.1 microM) decreased the mean open time of the channel by 98%. We conclude that the 150-kDa subunit of the amiloride-blockable Na+ channel conducts current and may be sufficient for the Na+ transport function of the whole channel.
Ca2+ mobilization by extracellular ATP in rat cardiac myocytes: regulation by protein kinase C and A
Authors: Zheng J. S. , Christie A. , Levy M. N. , Scarpa A.
Published: December 2017

Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) modulates the mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ induced by extracellular ATP in rat ventricular myocytes. Pretreatment of myocytes with PKC activators attenuated both the ATP-induced Ca2+ transient and the noradrenergic potentiation of the Ca2+ response. Various PKC activators decreased both the basal cAMP level and the cAMP levels that had been elevated by norepinephrine, forskolin, or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. The inhibitory effects of PKC activators were reversed by the PKC inhibitor staurosporine. The ATP-induced Ca2+ response is an integrated response resulting from ATP eliciting an inward cation current (IATP), cellular depolarization, Ca2+ influx through Ca2+ channels, and Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. We used the whole cell voltage-clamp technique to investigate which steps of this integrated response are affected by PKC. PKC activators did not significantly affect the IATP. In contrast, PKC activators decreased the basal Ca2+ current (ICa) or Ba2+ current and the beta-adrenergic-stimulated ICa. These results suggest that PKC-induced suppression of the ATP-induced Ca2+ response and the beta-adrenergic-potentiated Ca2+ response is achieved at least partially by decreasing the intracellular cAMP level and ICa.
Characterization of cultured chemoreceptor cells dissociated from adult rabbit carotid body
Authors: Perez-Garcia M. T. , Obeso A. , Lopez-Lopez J. R. , Herreros B. , Gonzalez C.
Published: December 2017

Short-term cell cultures were obtained from enzymatically dissociated carotid bodies from adult rabbits, and morphological and functional characterization of the cultured chemoreceptor cells were carried out. Under phase contrast, freshly isolated type I cells are round, bright, and 10-14 microns in diameter and exhibit strong fluorescence when stained with the glyoxylic acid technique. The content of endogenous dopamine in the cultures increased from 80 pmol/10(5) cells 2 h after plating the cells to 200 pmol/10(5) cells on the 3rd day, and the rate of synthesis and storage of [3H]dopamine from the precursor [3H]tyrosine increased from 1.7 pmol.10(5) cells-1.h-1 in 1-day cultures to 4 pmol.10(5) cells-1.h-1 on the 3rd day; the later values represent 80-85% of the expected values for the intact carotid body. After labeling with [3H]tyrosine, cultured chemoreceptor cells release [3H]dopamine when challenged by hypoxia, high external K+, or the protonophore dinitrophenol, the pattern of response being similar to that of the intact carotid body. When studied by whole cell clamp recording, individual chemoreceptor cells exhibit a marked variability in the properties of some ionic currents; the data, however, do not support the existence of distinct subpopulations of type I cells.
Agonist activation modulates cross-bridge states in single vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Brozovich F. V. , Yamakawa M.
Published: December 2017

To determine cross-bridge properties during agonist-stimulated contractions, steady-state force and relative steady-state stiffness were recorded at rest (pCa 9) and during both full (pCa 4) and partial (pCa 7) Ca2+ activations of isolated single alpha-toxin permeabilized vascular smooth muscle cells. For pCa 4 and pCa 7, agonist (1 microM histamine) activation resulted in significant (P < 0.05) increases in both force and stiffness. The agonist-induced increase of steady-state force was significantly (P < 0.05) greater than that of stiffness; at pCa 4, there was a 48% increase for force vs. 17% for stiffness, and, at pCa 7, there was a 160% increase for force vs. 57% for stiffness. The increase in force and stiffness after agonist prestimulation implies that the number of attached cross bridges has increased. However, after agonist prestimulation, we found that the increase of force was greater (P < 0.05) than that of stiffness, resulting in a greater force at any given level of stiffness. Thus these data indicate that agonist activation, presumably via activation of a G protein, increases the relative force per attached cross bridge, possibly by modulating the kinetics of the actomyosin adenosinetriphosphatase to increase in the relative population of cross bridges in force-producing states [actinomyosin (AM) or AM.ADP].
Relationship between functional Na+ pumps and mitogenesis in cultured coronary artery smooth muscle cells
Authors: Feltes T. F. , Seidel C. L. , Dennison D. K. , Amick S. , Allen J. C.
Published: December 2017

An increase in functional sarcolemmal Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase (Na+ pump) precedes proliferation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) seeded in 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), but its role in mitogenesis is unresolved. Enzymatically dispersed canine coronary artery VSMCs were seeded in FBS and studied through confluence. Before a shift in cell cycle (G1-->S, G2 + M) and appearance of the nonmuscle isoform of myosin (MHCnm), intracellular Na+ content (Na+i) and cell volume (CV) increased (day 0 through day 3). Na+ pump number ([3H]-ouabain binding) increased at day 4 followed by a decrease in Na+i and CV. When Na+ pumps were inhibited by the addition of ouabain to FBS, VSMCs were arrested in G1, and MHCnm was not upregulated. Na+i increased similarly to that in FBS but failed to correct to day 0 levels. Withdrawal of ouabain at day 4 in culture led to an increase in Na+ pump number, a decrease in Na+i, entry of cells into S and G2 + M, and upregulation of MHCnm. These data suggest that Na+i, phenotypic modulation, and entry of cells into the cell cycle are temporally related, with Na+ pump-mediated correction of increased Na+i as a key event in the VSMC mitogenic process.
Morphological and biochemical analysis of angiotensin II internalization in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells
Authors: Anderson K. M. , Murahashi T. , Dostal D. E. , Peach M. J.
Published: December 2017

The intracellular pathway and kinetics of angiotensin II (ANG II) internalization are not well understood. We developed a biologically active ANG II-colloidal gold complex to qualitatively examine, by transmission electron microscopy, the ultrastructural details of ANG II binding and internalization in cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). To quantitatively evaluate ANG II internalization, we analyzed intracellular accumulation of 125I-labeled ANG II. These studies show that ANG II is internalized by VSMC in a time- and temperature-dependent fashion with a half time of < 2 min at 37 degrees C. Initially, ANG II binds diffusely over the entire cell surface. After binding, the ANG II receptors aggregate in coated pits that transform into small intracellular vesicles. By 60 min after internalization, gold particles are evident within large lysosome-like vesicles deep within the cell. ANG II-gold binding and internalization were selective: control probe (no ANG II) did not internalize; losartan potassium effectively competed for ANG II-gold binding and internalization.
Acute exposure to cholesterol increases arterial nitroprusside- and endothelium-mediated relaxation
Authors: Bialecki R. A. , Tulenko T. N.
Published: December 2017

The effect of cholesterol enrichment on arterial relaxation was studied by evaluating sodium nitroprusside (SNP)- and endothelium-mediated relaxation of isolated rabbit carotid artery. Arterial segments were perfused in vitro (4 h) with cholesterol-rich liposomes consisting of free cholesterol (FC) and phospholipid (PL) in a 2:1 molar ratio. Ring segments from arteries exposed to cholesterol-rich liposomes exhibited a 60% increase (P < 0.01) in FC content without affecting PL content. Cholesterol-enrichment was associated with a twofold increase (r = 0.92, P < 0.05) in acetylcholine- and A23187-induced endothelium-mediated relaxation. Bioassay of endothelium-derived relaxing factor(s) (EDRF) after cholesterol exposure indicated that EDRF half-life and/or release increased (P < 0.05) threefold. A trend (P = 0.07) toward increased smooth muscle cell sensitivity to EDRF after cholesterol enrichment was also observed. Cholesterol enrichment increased (P < 0.05) sensitivity to SNP 12-fold, and this difference was further augmented (P < 0.01) twofold with endothelium removal. Cholesterol enrichment had no effect on relaxation to N2,2'-O-dibutyrylguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate. These data indicate that acute cholesterol enrichment increases EDRF activity from arterial endothelium and increases smooth muscle responses to both EDRF and SNP.
Gap junctions between human corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells: gating properties and unitary conductance
Authors: Moreno A. P. , Campos de Carvalho A. C. , Christ G. , Melman A. , Spray D. C.
Published: December 2017

We previously showed that corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells are connected via gap junctions in situ and in culture and that a major protein component of these gap junctions is connexin43. To characterize the physiological properties of the gap junctions between corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells, we now demonstrate that the cells are dye and electrically coupled and describe some of the gating properties of these gap junctional channels at macroscopic and single-channel levels. Junctional conductance (gj) between corporal smooth muscle cells was moderately voltage sensitive; was reduced rapidly, reversibly, and completely by halothane; and was increased by treatment with a tumor-promoting phorbol ester [12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)] and decreased by isoproterenol. Histograms of unitary junctional currents revealed multiple conductance peaks with events of approximately 90 pS being the most abundant. TPA and phenylephrine produced large increases in relative frequencies of the smaller events, whereas isoproterenol and 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-BrcAMP) slightly increased the relative frequencies of the larger events. None of the tested drugs substantially affected the steady-state voltage dependence of gj. These second messenger systems also affected expression of connexin43 by corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells, as judged by immunoblots. At 6 h of treatment, both TPA- and 8-BrcAMP-treated cultures showed markedly elevated levels of connexin43, whereas at 24 h, the level of connexin43 in TPA-treated cultures had returned to control levels. Together, these data indicate that second messenger molecules involved in penile erection produce changes in gap junction expression and function; it is plausible that these changes could be physiologically relevant in altering and propagating changes in vasomotor tone.
Role of protein kinase A in the regulation of cytosolic free calcium in human osteoblast-like SaOS-2 cells
Authors: Fukayama S. , Tashjian A. H. , Bringhurst F. R.
Published: December 2017

We have used wild-type and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-resistant mutant osteoblast-like SaOS-2 cells to investigate the role of protein kinase A (PKA) in the regulation of cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). Basal levels of [Ca2+]i were the same in wild-type (127 +/- 6.1 nM) and transfected (117 +/- 6.8 nM) SaOS-2 cells, although 45Ca2+ efflux was slower in the transfected cells. In wild-type cells, thapsigargin (TG, > or = 200 nM), an inhibitor of the Ca(2+)-ATPase activity of the endoplasmic reticulum, acutely increased [Ca2+]i (by up to 2-fold), which then returned promptly to basal [Ca2+]i. In cAMP-resistant cells, TG elicited a significantly greater acute rise in [Ca2+]i, which then decayed to an elevated plateau level. In mutant cells, high concentrations of dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, which overcome the PKA blockade, restored the changes in [Ca2+]i to the wild-type pattern. In cAMP-resistant, TG-blocked cells, ionomycin (or alpha-thrombin) induced a further elevation in [Ca2+]i, which then declined rapidly to the original basal level. We conclude that basal PKA activity is involved actively in regulation of [Ca2+]i in SaOS-2 cells by promoting Ca2+ efflux from the cell and, possibly, by inhibiting Ca2+ release from or stimulating net Ca2+ sequestration into the ER. We have also obtained evidence for an alternate Ca(2+)-triggered Ca2+ reuptake mechanism in SaOS-2 cells that is not dependent on either Ca(2+)-ATPase or PKA.
Intracellular pH regulation of SV-40 virus transformed human MRC-5 fibroblasts and cell membrane cholesterol
Authors: Ng L. L. , Delva P. , Davies J. E.
Published: December 2017

Alterations in membrane cholesterol could affect the activity of various membrane transporters, including the Na(+)-H+ antiport. The effect of cellular cholesterol depletion (with phosphatidylcholine liposomes) and enrichment (with cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine liposomes) on cellular pH regulation was studied in SV-40 virus transformed human MRC-5 fibroblasts. Cellular cholesterol depletion led to activation of the Na(+)-H+ antiport by an increased maximal velocity (Vmax) of the transporter, with no changes in the apparent dissociation constant (Kd) or Hill coefficient for intracellular H+. Cholesterol enrichment had no effect on the activation of the Na(+)-H+ antiport by intracellular acidosis. However, activation of the Na(+)-H+ antiport by an osmotic stimulus was enhanced in cholesterol-depleted cells and reduced in cholesterol-enriched cells. Liposomes that had no effect on cellular cholesterol did not alter the activation of Na(+)-H+ antiport activity by intracellular acidosis or an osmotic stimulus. Thus in situ modification of cellular cholesterol altered Na(+)-H+ antiport activity differently depending on the type of activating stimulus.
Volume-activated Rb+ transport in astrocytes in culture
Authors: Sanchez-Olea R. , Moran J. , Martinez A. , Pasantes-Morales H.
Published: December 2017

The involvement of K+ on the volume regulatory process in astrocytes was investigated by characterizing the hyposmolarity-induced efflux of K+ using 86Rb as a tracer. About 70 and 30% of the intracellular content of 86Rb was released after reductions in osmolarity from 320 to 160 or 220 mosM, respectively, during the time in which cells exhibit a volume regulatory response subsequent to swelling. No significant increase in 86Rb efflux was observed with lower reductions in osmolarity. The 86Rb efflux was Ca2+ independent and insensitive to temperature. It was inhibited by furosemide but not by bumetanide and was unaffected when nitrate, but not gluconate, replaced intracellular Cl-. The efflux was markedly inhibited by quinidine and by 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid. Quinidine also prevented the volume regulatory decrease of cells, and this effect was overcome when a large cation permeability was imposed by gramicidin. In isosmotic conditions 86Rb efflux was not activated by N-ethylmaleimide, but this drug strongly inhibited the hyposmolarity-activated release. These findings suggest that 86Rb efflux from astrocytes associated to cell swelling is not mediated by an electroneutral cotransporter and rather favor the implication of a conductive exit pathway that may be a Ca(2+)-independent K+ channel.
Ca transport by plasma membrane and intracellular stores of gastric cells
Authors: Negulescu P. A. , Machen T. E.
Published: December 2017

The relative Ca transport activities (i.e., of both pumps and leaks) of carbachol-releasable intracellular stores and the basolateral plasma membrane of gastric parietal cells were studied using digital image processing of fura-2 fluorescence. Cells were treated with either carbachol (a cholinergic agonist) or thapsigargin (an inhibitor of microsomal Ca-adenosinetriphosphatase) or a combination of the two. Ca-free solutions were used to selectively investigate intracellular store release and plasma membrane pump activity, whereas Ca-containing solutions were used to investigate Ca influx and refilling of the intracellular pool. In the resting cell depletion of the intracellular pool in Ca-free solutions was 15-fold faster than control in the presence of thapsigargin, indicating the efficient (> 90%) recycling of leaked Ca by the store Ca pump. Stimulation with carbachol increased the rate of pool depletion by 70-fold, and this Ca flux out of the internal store was ten times larger than the flux across the plasma membrane. Thus the internal store has ten times greater fluxes (both leaks and pumps) than the plasma membrane during resting and stimulated conditions. After carbachol removal (i.e., reloading) the permeability of the internal store decreases, whereas increased influx across the plasma membrane persists until the store is refilled. Cytoplasmic Ca does not increase during refilling because the intracellular store pump operates eightfold faster than the plasma membrane pump, effectively sequestering Ca as quickly as it enters the cell.
Ca(2+)-dependent Cl- channels in undifferentiated human colonic cells (HT-29). II. Regulation and rundown
Authors: Morris A. P. , Frizzell R. A.
Published: December 2017

The regulation of 15-pS Cl- channels by Ca(2+)-mobilizing agonists was investigated by simultaneous cell-attached patch and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) measurements. Cells were loaded with a synthetic peptide made from the calmodulin binding domain of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. This caused inhibition of Cl- channel activity without any corresponding effect on either agonist-induced [Ca2+]i mobilization or K+ channel activation. Calmodulin therefore confers Ca2+ sensitivity to the 15-pS channel. When patches were excised from the cell, Cl- channel activity ran down. Channel rundown was not reversed by ATP or calmodulin. When recording from cell-attached patches of detergent-treated cells, similar phenomenology was observed. Therefore, other factors that are lost upon plasma membrane permeabilization are required for the functioning of Ca(2+)-dependent Cl- channels. After rundown of these channels, a large-conductance, multistate, Ca(2+)-insensitive Cl- channel was seen. The smallest subconductance state of this channel was of similar magnitude to that of the Ca(2+)-dependent Cl- channel. Furthermore, its voltage and halide sensitivities were similar to those reported for the 15-pS Cl- channel and Ca(2+)-dependent whole cell Cl- currents. Because this channel is not observed in the intact cell, this may be a remnant conductance of the Ca(2+)-sensitive 15-pS Cl- channel.
Artifactual expression of maxi-K+ channels in basolateral membrane of gallbladder epithelial cells
Authors: Copello J. , Wehner F. , Reuss L.
Published: December 2017

To patch clamp the basolateral cell membrane, sheets of Necturus gallbladder epithelium were stripped of the subepithelial tissue layers and affixed apical side down on cover slips coated with Cell-Tak [F. Wehner, L. Garretson, K. Dawson, Y. Segal, and L. Reuss. Am. J. Physiol. 258 (Cell Physiol. 27): C1159-C1164, 1990]. In 90% of the patches we observed K+ channels identical to the maxi-K+ channels previously demonstrated in the apical membrane (Y. Segal and L. Reuss. J. Gen. Physiol. 95: 791-818, 1990). To ascertain whether these channels were present in the native tissue, we carried out intracellular-microelectrode studies. We tested for activation of basolateral membrane K+ conductance by depolarization or by elevation of intracellular Ca2+ and for tetraethylammonium sensitivity of the basolateral membrane voltage and fractional resistance. The results were negative, indicating that maxi-K+ channels are not expressed in the basolateral membrane of the "intact" epithelium. Using the same intracellular-microelectrode protocol on the apical membrane, we demonstrated the presence of an apical K+ conductance attributable to maxi-K+ channels. Additional experiments revealed a Ba(2+)-sensitive basolateral K+ conductance in the native epithelium. We conclude that in the stripped preparation there is artifactual expression of maxi-K+ channels. In addition, the native basolateral membrane K+ channels either are not expressed in this preparation or have a low conductance and cannot be discerned from the background noise.
Chronic exercise alters contractility and morphology of isolated rat cardiac myocytes
Authors: Moore R. L. , Musch T. I. , Yelamarty R. V. , Scaduto R. C. , Semanchick A. M. , Elensky M. , Cheung J. Y.
Published: December 2017

Chronic exercise training elicits positive adaptations in cardiac contractile function and ventricular dimension. The potential contribution of single myocyte morphological and functional adaptations to these global responses to training was determined in this study. Left ventricular cardiac myocytes were isolated from the hearts of sedentary control (Sed) or exercise-trained (TR) rats. Training elicited an approximately 5% increase in resting myocyte length (Sed, 121.0 +/- 2.0 vs. TR, 126.7 +/- 2.0 microns; P < 0.05), whereas resting sarcomere length and midpoint cell width were unaffected. These data suggest that longitudinal myocyte growth contributes to the training-induced increase in end-diastolic dimension. Single myocytes (28 degrees C) were stimulated at 0.067 and 0.2 Hz and shortening dynamics assessed at extracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]o) of 0.6, 1.1, and 2.0 mM. In both groups, maximal extent of myocyte shortening (ESmax) increased as [Ca2+]o increased and decreased as contraction frequency increased. TR myocytes were more strongly influenced by the effects of [Ca2+]o and frequency. At 0.067 Hz and 2.0 mM, ESmax was greater in TR than in Sed myocytes. The magnitude of this difference decreased as [Ca2+]o was reduced. At 0.2 Hz, ESmax was similar in Sed and TR myocytes at 2.0 mM [Ca2+]o. As [Ca2+]o was reduced, ESmax decreased more rapidly in TR than in Sed myocytes; at 0.6 mM, ESmax was greater in Sed than in TR myocytes. Our data indicate that chronic exercise influences cardiac contractile function at the single myocyte level. This study also provides evidence in support of the hypothesis that chronic exercise influences myocyte Ca2+ influx and efflux pathways.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Use of a PCR-based method to characterize protein kinase C isoform expression in cardiac cells
Authors: Kohout T. A. , Rogers T. B.
Published: December 2017

Molecular cloning has identified at least nine unique isozymes of protein kinase C (PKC) designated alpha, beta I, beta II, gamma, delta, epsilon, zeta, and eta/L, with the recent addition of the theta-isoform. Previous attempts to characterize PKC isoform expression in heart have been limited by low levels of protein and perhaps by the presence of novel isoforms. Thus to critically examine the diversity of PKC expression in cardiac cells, we developed a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) approach that would amplify regions of the target cDNA of all the PKC isozymes in a single reaction. Degenerate oligonucleotide primers were designed to recognize sequences in the conserved regions of the PKC sequence motif: the cysteine-rich and the ATP-binding regions. Amplification of target PKC cDNA sequences resulted in PCR products with unique sizes and restriction digestion properties. The system was validated by identifying PCR products that correspond to all of the PKC isoform transcripts, except PKC-zeta, in a single reaction with cDNA derived from hippocampus. Cardiac cDNA was RT-PCR amplified, and the products were analyzed by a combination of restriction mapping and DNA sequencing that revealed the presence of only the alpha, delta, epsilon, and eta isoforms in adult rat cardiac myocytes and cultured neonatal ventricular myocytes. A unique nondegenerate primer pair was synthesized to recognize PKC-zeta cDNA. Results with these primers show that PKC-zeta is present in both cardiac myocyte preparations as well. The RT-PCR method developed here is an efficient approach that is broadly useful to examine PKC expression in many tissues, including the identification of potentially novel isoforms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
K+ channel and alpha 2-adrenergic effects on glucose-induced Ca2+i surges: aberrant behavior in ob/ob mice
Authors: Fournier L. , Whitfield J. F. , Xiang H. , Schwartz J. L. , Begin-Heick N.
Published: December 2017

Glucose-induced shifts in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were quantitatively and temporally the same in ob/ob and +/+ beta-cells. In both, epinephrine promptly and protractedly inhibited the glucose-induced [Ca2+]i surge via a pertussis toxin-sensitive alpha 2-adrenergic mechanism that was reversible by potassium depolarization. When added before glucose, epinephrine blocked completely in the ob/ob beta-cells, but in the +/+ beta-cells it produced a delayed, reduced, and transient intracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+i) surge. Neither the ATP-sensitive K+ channel blocker tolbutamide nor the large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ channel (Kmaxi) blocker charybdotoxin reversed the effect of epinephrine. Tetraethylammonium (TEA), a blocker of both the Kmaxi and the delayed-rectifier K+ channel, and forskolin attenuated the effect of epinephrine in +/+ but not in the ob/ob beta-cells. The data show that 1) alpha 2-adrenoreceptor activation decreases the glucose-stimulated Ca2+i surge in +/+ beta-cells primarily by activating a tolbutamide- and charybdotoxin-insensitive, TEA- and forskolin-sensitive K+ channel; 2) the hypersecretion of insulin in ob/ob beta-cells is not due to enhanced glucose-induced Ca2+ influx; and 3) the ob/ob beta-cells are aberrant with regard to alpha 2-adrenergic modulation.
Effect of heat shock, [Ca2+]i, and cAMP on inositol trisphosphate in human epidermoid A-431 cells
Authors: Kiang J. G. , McClain D. E.
Published: December 2017

The basal levels of inositol monophosphate, inositol bisphosphate, and inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) in A-431 cells incubated in Na(+)-Hanks' solution were, respectively, 1.23 +/- 0.18, 0.17 +/- 0.03, and 0.69 +/- 0.07% of the total radioactivity in the cell. When cells were heated, InsP3 increased in a temperature-dependent manner related to the duration of heating. The active form of InsP3, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, increased 237 +/- 17% after heating (45 degrees C, 20 min) then returned to baseline within 15 min after the return to 37 degrees C. The heat-induced increase in InsP3 was not observed in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ or with amiloride treatment. Treatment with the nonhydrolyzable GTP analogue 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate stimulated that component of the InsP3 increase due to G proteins. U-73122, an inhibitor of phospholipase C-mediated processes, blocked the increase in InsP3 resulting from heat exposure. Both pertussis toxin (30 ng/ml, 24 h), an inhibitor of G inhibitory protein, and cholera toxin (1 microgram/ml, 1 h), a stimulator of G stimulatory protein, increased InsP3 in unheated cells, and heating failed to induce a further increase, suggesting that heat activates G proteins. Likewise, 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-BrcAMP), 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, Ro 20-1724, or forskolin increased InsP3 in unheated cells, and heat did not cause an additional increase. The InsP3 increase induced by 8-BrcAMP was inhibited by removal of extracellular Ca2+ or treatment with verapamil, suggesting that an influx of extracellular Ca2+ stimulates InsP3 production.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Antidiabetic agent pioglitazone enhances adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-F442A cells
Authors: Sandouk T. , Reda D. , Hofmann C.
Published: December 2017

Adipocytes play an important role in normal physiology as a major site for systemic energy homeostasis. In disorders such as diabetes, adipocyte function is markedly altered. In this study, we investigated the effect of pioglitazone, a novel antidiabetic agent known to lower plasma glucose in animal models of diabetes mellitus, on cellular differentiation and expression of adipose-specific genes. Treatment of confluent 3T3-F442A preadipocyte cultures for 7 days with pioglitazone (Pio; 1 microM) and insulin (Ins; 0.17 microM) resulted in > 95% cell differentiation into lipid-accumulating adipocytes in comparison with 60-80% cell differentiation by treatment with either agent alone. Analysis of triglyceride accumulation showed increases of triglyceride content over time above untreated preadipocytes by treatment of the cells with Ins, Pio, and especially with Ins + Pio. Basal glucose transport, as measured by cellular uptake of 2-deoxy-D-[14C]glucose, was likewise enhanced in a time-dependent manner by treatment of preadipocytes with Ins, Pio, or Ins + Pio, such that a synergistic effect resulted from the combined treatment with both agents. It was further determined that RNA transcript abundance for genes encoding glucose transporters GLUT-1 and GLUT-4, as well as the adipose-specific genes encoding adipsin and aP2, were increased by the Ins, Pio, or Ins + Pio treatment. Taken together, these findings indicate that pioglitazone is a potent adipogenic agent. By promoting differentiation, this agent may move cells into a state active for glucose uptake, storage, and metabolism.