bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PKC-mediated redistribution of mitogen-activated protein kinase during smooth muscle cell activation
Authors: Khalil R. A. , Morgan K. G.
Published: December 2017

Protein kinase C (PKC) translocates from the cytosol to the surface membrane at the time it mediates agonist-induced contraction of ferret vascular smooth muscle cells (R. A. Khalil and K. G. Morgan. J. Physiol. Lond. 455: 585-599, 1992). However, no direct communication between membrane-associated PKC and the contractile filaments has been identified. Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase is a substrate for PKC and is also capable of phosphorylating the actin-binding protein caldesmon at sites phosphorylated during smooth muscle contraction in vivo (L. P. Adam, C. J. Gapinski, and D. R. Hathaway. FEBS Lett. 302: 223-226, 1992). In the present study, the hypothesis that PKC and MAP kinase are involved in a signal-transduction cascade leading to smooth muscle contraction was tested. Immunofluorescence and digital-imaging microscopy were used to localize the epsilon-PKC isoform and MAP kinase during phenylephrine-induced Ca(2+)-independent activation of ferret aorta cells. We report that maintained phenylephrine-induced translocation of cytosolic PKC to the surface membrane is associated with transient redistribution of cytosolic MAP kinase to the surface membrane before cell contraction. Coincident with cell contraction, MAP kinase undergoes a second redistribution away from the plasmalemma and toward the vicinity of contractile filaments. Redistribution of MAP kinase is not stimulated by Ca2+ but is completely prevented by PKC inhibitors. The transient Ca(2+)-independent but PKC-dependent redistribution of MAP kinase points to MAP kinase as a missing link in the signal-transduction cascade between membrane-bound PKC and smooth muscle activation.
Lovastatin inhibits cAMP- and calcium-stimulated chloride secretion by T84 cells
Authors: Ecay T. W. , Valentich J. D.
Published: December 2017

Isoprenylated proteins function in the processes of signal transduction and membrane vesicle trafficking. To investigate the role of isoprenylated proteins in secretagogue-stimulated epithelial ion transport, we studied the effects of lovastatin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, on adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)- and Ca(2+)-stimulated Cl- secretion by monolayers of T84 colonic epithelial cells. Lovastatin reduces protein isoprenylation in many cell types. In T84 cells, lovastatin reversibly inhibits forskolin-stimulated equivalent short-circuit current (I(sc)eq) by 50% after 2 days of treatment. The concentration of lovastatin resulting in half-maximal effects on forskolin-stimulated I(sc)eq is consistent with inhibition of protein isoprenylation, and lovastatin effects on forskolin-stimulated I(sc)eq are not associated with inhibition of cholesterol or glycoprotein biosynthesis. Lovastatin blocks N6,2'-O-dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate- and ionomycin-stimulated Isc, suggesting that it inhibits a process beyond the stimulation of cAMP and Ca2+ second-messenger systems. In monolayers in which the basolateral membrane has been permeabilized with nystatin, lovastatin inhibits cAMP activation of a diphenylamine-2-carboxylate-sensitive, apical membrane Cl- conductance. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that an isoprenylated protein is involved in the regulation of a secretagogue-activated apical membrane Cl- conductance in T84 cells.
Absence of endonuclease activation during acute cell death in renal proximal tubules
Authors: Schnellmann R. G. , Swagler A. R. , Compton M. M.
Published: December 2017

The role of endonuclease and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activation in various types of cell injuries and death to rabbit renal proximal tubule suspensions was examined. Proximal tubules were exposed to the mitochondrial inhibitor antimycin A (0.1 microM), the protonophore carbonyl cyanide p-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone (FCCP, 1 microM), the calcium ionophore ionomycin (5 microM), or the oxidant t-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP, 0.5 mM) in the absence or presence of the endonuclease inhibitor aurintricarboxylic acid or the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor 3-aminobenzamide. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release was used as a marker of cell death and analysis of genomic DNA for internucleosomal cleavage was used as a marker of endonuclease activation. Aurintricarboxylic acid and 3-aminobenzamide had no effect on the proximal tubule LDH release produced by 1 h exposure to antimycin A, FCCP, or ionomycin, or 2 h exposure to TBHP. Furthermore, there was no evidence of DNA fragmentation with any compound prior to or after cell death began. As a positive control, proximal tubules exposed to digitonin in the absence of metabolic substrates resulted in the chelator-inhibitable fragmentation of DNA, indicating that the endonuclease is present in proximal tubules. These results show that endonuclease activation did not occur prior to or after cell death began. Furthermore, these results suggest that endonuclease and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activation do not play a role in this model of acute renal proximal tubule cell injury and death induced by agents that cause oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, or increases in cytosolic free calcium.
Effects of a Shaker K+ channel peptide and trypsin on a K+ channel in Necturus enterocytes
Authors: Mayorga-Wark O. , Costantin J. , Dubinsky W. P. , Schultz S. G.
Published: December 2017

We have previously demonstrated that a synthetic peptide composed of the first 22 amino acids from the NH2-terminus of the Shaker B K+ channel protein deactivates a voltage-dependent K+ channel present in basolateral membrane of Necturus small intestinal epithelial cells reconstituted into planar lipid bilayers (Dubinsky et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89: 1770-1774, 1992). We now demonstrate that this peptide interacts with the inner surface of the Necturus channel only when it is in the open or conducting configuration and that this interaction is hindered by tetraethylammonium ion, a well-established blocker of this and other K+ channels. We conclude that this peptide is an open-pore blocker of the Necturus K+ channel as it appears to be in the case of the Shaker B K+ channel. We further demonstrate that trypsin, which abolishes the ability of this peptide to block both the Necturus and the Shaker K+ channels and inhibits spontaneous inactivation of the Shaker K+ channel, also impairs the voltage-gate of the Necturus K+ channel. These findings, and others to be reported in a companion paper, suggest structural homologies between the "inactivation peptide" of the Shaker B K+ channel and the voltage-gate of the Necturus K+ channel.
Laser light-scattering system for studying cell volume regulation and membrane transport processes
Authors: McManus M. , Fischbarg J. , Sun A. , Hebert S. , Strange K.
Published: December 2017

A simple and relatively inexpensive device utilizing laser light scattering for the study of volume regulatory behavior and membrane transport phenomena in cells cultured on or affixed to a rigid substrate is described in detail. Validation of the method is provided by study of cell types with known volume regulatory responses. The method we describe has numerous advantages over currently available techniques used to monitor cell volume changes. These advantages include 1) the ability to rapidly detect and quantify small cell volume changes on-line, 2) the ability to maintain natural cell morphology, cell surface contacts, and cell-to-cell interactions, 3) the ability to easily control solution temperature and gas and solute composition, and 4) the ability to perform multiple perturbations in a single experiment. The light-scattering system we describe can be modified to allow for simultaneous measurement of light-scattering signals and fluorescence emission from intracellular ion-sensitive probes and membrane potential dyes. In addition, our method may be useful for the study of apical and basolateral membrane transport processes in epithelial monolayer cell cultures.
Angiotensin II type 2 receptor-modulated changes in potassium currents in cultured neurons
Authors: Kang J. , Sumners C. , Posner P.
Published: December 2017

We have previously shown that angiotensin II (ANG II) stimulates an increase in net outward ionic current (Ino) in neurons cocultured from neonate rat hypothalamus and brain stem, an effect mediated by ANG II type 2 (AT2) receptors. Ino consists mainly of K+ and Ca2+ currents, and in the present study we used whole cell voltage clamp procedures to define which of these currents are modulated by AT2 receptors. We determined that ANG II (50-100 nM) stimulated both transient K+ current (IA) and delayed-rectifier K+ current (IK) in cultured neurons. The effects were mediated by AT2 receptors (blocked by 1 microM PD-123177 but not by 1 microM losartan). For both IA and IK, ANG II elicited an increase in maximal conductance. By contrast, ANG II altered neither Ca(2+)-activated K+ current nor Ca2+ current. Our data demonstrate discrete AT2 receptor-mediated effects of ANG II on IA and IK in cultured neonate neurons. Importantly, these data provide an electrophysiological basis for behavioral or physiological effects (as yet undefined) mediated by this ANG II receptor subtype in the brain.
Changes in calcium channel current densities in rat colonic smooth muscle cells during development and aging
Authors: Xiong Z. , Sperelakis N. , Noffsinger A. , Fenoglio-Preiser C.
Published: December 2017

The age-related changes of Ca2+ channel currents were investigated in freshly isolated single smooth muscle cells from the circular layer of the distal colon from the rat using the whole cell voltage clamp technique. Under physiological conditions (Ca2+ concentration of 2.0 mM), the averaged total Ca2+ current density increased markedly from 1.25 pA/pF in the newborn rat to 6.46 pA/pF in the 60-day-old rat; it then gradually declined with aging. Two types of Ca2+ channel currents seemed to be present; one type possessed more negative threshold potentials (-70 to -60 mV) when the cells were held at -80 or -100 mV and inactivated quickly. The voltage for peak current was -20 to -10 mV, and the reversal potential was +60 to +70 mV. This current was highly sensitive to low concentrations of Ni2+ (30 microM) but was resistant to nifedipine, diltiazem, cadmium, and tetrodotoxin. In contrast, the other type of Ca2+ channel current possessed more positive threshold potential (-40 mV) and inactivated more slowly. The voltage for peak current was 0 mV, and the reversal potential was +60 to +70 mV. This current was insensitive to low concentrations of Ni2+ but highly sensitive to nifedipine, diltiazem, and cadmium. These results suggest that the fast inactivating (transient) current might be T-type Ca2+ current [ICa(T)], and such cells were ICa(T) positive cells; whereas the sustained Ca2+ current was L-type Ca2+ current [ICa(L)], and such cells were ICa(L) positive cells. Our results showed that the fraction of ICa(T) positive cells increased with development; the current densities of both ICa(L) and ICa(T) also increased with development.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Muscarinic stimulation of tracheal smooth muscle cells activates large-conductance Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channel
Authors: Wade G. R. , Sims S. M.
Published: December 2017

We investigated the regulation of the large-conductance Ca(2+)-dependent K+ (KCa) channel by acetylcholine (ACh) in freshly dissociated tracheal smooth muscle cells. Channels were recorded in the cell-attached patch configuration, and cells were stimulated with ACh, muscarine, or caffeine. We identified KCa channel activity based on 1) the voltage dependence of channel opening; 2) the large unitary conductance (242 +/- 5 pS with symmetrical 135 mM K+); 3) dependence of the reversal potential on the [K+] gradient, shifting 56 +/- 3 mV/10-fold change in extracellular [K+]; and 4) opening of channels after elevation of cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) using the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. When cells were bathed either in a physiological saline solution or a solution containing 135 mM K+ (to clamp cell membrane potential near 0 mV), ACh caused contraction of cells and activation of voltage-dependent channels. With 135 mM extracellular K+, the channels activated by ACh had a unitary conductance of 247 +/- 10 pS, and currents reversed near the K+ equilibrium potential (-1 +/- 1 mV). The effects of ACh were reversible, blocked by atropine, and mimicked by muscarine. From these characteristics we conclude that muscarinic stimulation of canine tracheal smooth muscle cells leads to activation of the large-conductance KCa channel. Because the KCa channels were isolated from ACh by the patch pipette, the increased channel activity was probably mediated by a cytosolic second messenger. ACh shifted the threshold for KCa channel opening to less positive membrane potentials, similar to that seen with elevation of [Ca2+]i.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Structural changes in the apical membrane of lamprey chloride cells after acclimation to seawater
Authors: Bartels H. , Schewe H. , Potter I. C.
Published: December 2017

Freeze-fracture replicas demonstrate that the apical membrane of the chloride cells of young adult lampreys (Geotria australis) undergoes a structural change when the animal is acclimated from freshwater to seawater. Although the particles on both the P face and the E face of this membrane are randomly distributed in freshwater animals, they are usually arranged in clusters on both fracture faces in seawater-acclimated animals. Light optical diffraction analysis demonstrates that the particles forming the clusters are periodically arranged. Although comparable clusters of particles have not been recorded in other epithelial membranes that are engaged in transporting ions into a hypertonic environment, they may be involved in the final step of Cl- secretion by the chloride cells of lampreys in seawater.
Thrombin-induced mitogenesis of vascular SMC is partially mediated by autocrine production of PDGF-AA
Authors: Stouffer G. A. , Sarembock I. J. , McNamara C. A. , Gimple L. W. , Owens G. K.
Published: December 2017

Previous studies have shown that alpha-thrombin (Thr) is a mitogen for cultured smooth muscle cells (SMC), but controversy exists concerning mechanisms of growth stimulation. The purpose of these studies was to determine whether autocrine production of platelet-derived growth factor-AA (PDGF-AA) mediated Thr-induced SMC mitogenesis. SMC derived from aortae of Sprague-Dawley rats were grown to confluence, growth arrested in serum-free medium, and treated. Conditioned medium (CM) was harvested by adding bovine serum albumin as a carrier and hirudin to neutralize residual Thr. Results demonstrated that CM from Thr-treated SMC (Thr CM) had increased mitogenic activity compared with control CM (Cnt CM) and that PDGF-AA levels were increased 12-fold in Thr CM compared with Cnt CM. The excess mitogenic activity in Thr CM was markedly inhibited by PDGF-AA-neutralizing antibodies. Cotreatment with Thr and PDGF-AA-neutralizing antibodies resulted in a 30% decrease in Thr-induced [3H]thymidine incorporation. These results demonstrate that autocrine production of PDGF-AA partially mediated Thr-induced SMC mitogenesis.
Imaging of reconstituted biological channels at molecular resolution by atomic force microscopy
Authors: Lal R. , Kim H. , Garavito R. M. , Arnsdorf M. F.
Published: December 2017

Using atomic force microscopy (AFM), we obtained high-resolution surface images of the bacterial outer membrane channels Escherichia coli OmpF porin and Bordetella pertussis porin that were reconstituted in artificial bilayer membranes as two-dimensional crystalline arrays. These porins were chosen because they are among the most extensively studied proteins of this type and are known for their well-defined crystalline nature in the native membrane. Such reconstituted membrane proteins are ideal specimens to assess the suitability and resolution of AFM for imaging biomembranes and associated proteins. Although OmpF porin often showed a mixed pattern of rectangular and hexagonal arrays with approximately 8.4 x 9.8- and approximately 7.2-nm-spacings, respectively, B. pertussis porin showed mostly a rectangular pattern with an approximately 7.9 x 13.8-nm spacing. The packing patterns of the E. coli OmpF porin in the membrane are very close to those found in electron-microscopic studies. When B. pertussis porin was imaged in a buffer solution, its trimeric subunits were apparently resolved, and the surface of each monomer revealed beadlike structures. This is the first report of such a high-resolution structural analysis of B. pertussis porin by any imaging method. We also imaged the lipid bilayer itself as an internal control for imaging and to further ascertain the resolution. Individual polar head groups of bilayer lipid molecules were resolved, suggesting the intrinsic resolution of AFM for bioimaging.
Characterization of amino acid transport in human endothelial cells
Authors: Bussolati O. , Sala R. , Astorri A. , Rotoli B. M. , Dall'Asta V. , Gazzola G. C.
Published: December 2017

The transport of amino acids has been studied in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Neutral amino acids enter human umbilical vein endothelial cells through three distinct agencies endowed with the characteristics of systems A, ASC, and L. Each system has been studied by evaluating the influx of preferential substrates. The influx of L-proline and 2-methylaminoisobutyric acid occurs through an Na(+)-dependent adaptively regulated trans-inhibited agency identifiable with system A. L-Threonine influx occurs mainly through a distinct Na(+)-dependent trans-stimulated pathway corresponding to system ASC. System L accounts for Na(+)-independent influx of L-leucine. These systems cooperate for the transport of L-glutamine, which is due mainly to system ASC, whereas the component due to the operation of system A increases upon amino acid starvation. No clear evidence was found for a glutamine-specific system ("system N"). Two systems, one Na+ dependent (system XAG-) and the other Na+ independent (system xc-), transport anionic amino acids. L-Arginine influx exhibits a poor dependence on extracellular Na+, whereas it is sensitive to conditions known to change membrane potential and to trans-stimulation by intracellular amino acids. These features are consistent with a process mediated by system y+ and may be of significance for the regulation of the intracellular concentration of L-arginine.
Nonpolarized surface distribution and delivery of human CD7 in polarized MDCK cells
Authors: Haller C. , Alper S. L.
Published: December 2017

Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells grown on permeable supports have served as the most common experimental system for in vitro studies of the generation and maintenance of epithelial surface polarity. Protein targeting to the apical and basolateral plasmalemmal domains of these and other polarized epithelia has been suggested to rely on targeting sequences. Two simple sorting models for MDCK cells have proposed active sorting to a single domain, with "default" movement to the other domain. Examples of both apical and basal sorting signals have been found to support each hypothesis, but the idea of a default pathway has remained in question. Indeed, all endogenous and heterologous wild-type proteins so far studied in MDCK cells achieve polarized distributions at steady state. It is not known whether these selected proteins are representative of all surface membrane proteins or represent only a subset. We report here the apparent absence of sorting by MDCK cells of the transmembrane protein of T-cells, CD7. CD7 is expressed at similar density in apical and basolateral membranes of MDCK cells as assessed by both immunocytological and biochemical criteria. Furthermore, CD7 appears to be directly sorted to both surfaces at similar rates and turns over at both surfaces at similar rates. The nonpolarized distribution of CD7 appears independent of its level of expression. CD7 may identify a "bulk-flow" default pathway for plasma membrane proteins expressed in polarized MDCK cells.
Angiotensin-mediated phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis and protein kinase C activation in mesangial cells
Authors: Barnett R. L. , Ruffini L. , Ramsammy L. , Pasmantier R. , Friedlaender M. M. , Nord E. P.
Published: December 2017

Angiotensin II (ANG II) in mesangial cells (MC) promotes phosphatidylinositol (PI) hydrolysis resulting in diacylglycerol (DAG)-mediated increases in protein kinase C (PKC) activity. The paucity of MC inositol lipid prompted us to consider whether phosphatidylcholine (PC) could sustain DAG formation. ANG II released choline and increased phosphatidylethanol (PEt) via PC-phospholipase D (PC-PLD). ANG II also stimulated phosphorylcholine consequent to PC-phospholipase C (PC-PLC) activation. ANG II-mediated PC hydrolysis augmented DAG for 30 min. PC breakdown was influenced by extracellular Ca2+, because Ni2+ partially inhibited ANG II-induced PEt and obliterated agonist-mediated DAG formation. The consequence of Ca2+ modulation of PC metabolism was investigated by measuring PKC activity. Ni2+ had no effect on early (PI-associated) activation by ANG II at 90 s but obviated translocation from cytosol to the membrane at 10 min. The pathway responsible for PC-associated DAG was studied in PKC downregulated cells. Whereas downregulation prevented PLD-mediated PEt elevation, ANG II-stimulated DAG formation in myristate-labeled cells was unaltered, indicating PC-PLC activation. In summary, ANG II stimulates PC-PLD and PC-PLC in MC. PC-PLD is tightly regulated by PKC, whereas PC-PLC is stringently controlled by extracellular Ca2+. ANG II mediated PC breakdown principally via PC-PLC provides a mechanism for maintaining elevated DAG levels and PKC activation.
Surplus Na+ pumps: how low-K(+)-incubated LLC-PK1 cells respond to K+ restoration
Authors: Lescale-Matys L. , Putnam D. S. , McDonough A. A.
Published: December 2017

We have previously shown that a pig kidney cell line (LLC-PK1/Cl4) responds to chronic exposure to 0.25 mM extracellular K+ by increasing the beta-, not alpha-, subunit mRNA levels and both alpha- and beta-abundance twofold over control. Our objective in the present study was to determine how the LLC-PK1/Cl4 cells respond when returned to control (5.5 mM) medium. A 1.8-fold increase in ouabain binding established that the induced pumps were expressed at the cell surface following 24-h incubation in low K+. On restoration to 5.5 mM K+, intracellular Na+ and K+ concentrations ([Na+]i and [K+]i, respectively) rapidly returned to control levels within 15 min. The doubled pool size of pumps in the chronic low K+ cells had no significant influence on the rate of ion restoration when compared with the rate in cells acutely exposed to low K+. Despite the rapid return of ions to control values, beta-mRNA levels remained elevated for 2 h, then sharply declined to control levels by 6 h of K+ restoration. From these data, we estimate that the half-life of beta-mRNA is 2-3 h during restoration. alpha-Subunit mRNA remained essentially unchanged from control after return of K+ to the medium and restoration of intracellular ions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
ATP-inhibitable Cl- channel in apical membranes of cultured rabbit cortical collecting duct cells
Authors: Superdock K. R. , Snyders D. K. , Breyer M. D.
Published: December 2017

Excised patches of apical membranes from immunodissected rabbit cortical collecting duct cells in primary culture were studied by the patch-clamp technique. Barium (1 mM) and tetraethylammonium chloride (5 mM) were added to all solutions to block potassium channel activity. A unique channel was observed that exhibited inward rectification under symmetrical ionic conditions with a measured chord conductance of 54.0 +/- 2.5 pS at -80 mV (n = 11) and 22.1 +/- 1.7 pS at +80 mV (n = 5). This channel was chloride selective, with a PNa:PCl of 0.16 (n = 3). Kinetic analysis revealed a voltage-independent open-time probability of 0.80 +/- 0.07 (n = 6). Open-time probability within bursts was 0.96 +/- 0.01. Addition of ATP to the cytosolic surface of the channel resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in open probability, with a threshold effect at 10(-4) M, due to a reduction in burst open time. The effect of ATP was immediate, rapidly reversible at room temperature, and mimicked by GTP, adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate), and guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate). This channel may link epithelial chloride permeability to cellular ATP content in the rabbit cortical collecting duct.
Intracellular Ca2+ signaling induced by vasopressin, ATP, and epidermal growth factor in epithelial LLC-PK1 cells
Authors: Himpens B. , De Smedt H. , Casteels R.
Published: December 2017

The free calcium concentrations in nucleus ([Ca2+]n) and in cytoplasm ([Ca2+]c) of cultured renal LLC-PK1 epithelial cells were estimated by confocal laser microscopy. No difference between the resting mean [Ca2+]n and [Ca2+]c was found. During stimulation with maximal effective concentrations of arginine vasopressin (AVP) or the purinergic agonist ATP, the transient Ca2+ rise was followed mostly by a decline to basal levels. A differential rise could be observed when the increase in [Ca2+]n attained higher values than [Ca2+]c. In 50-60% of the cells, epidermal growth factor (EGF) also induced a transient Ca2+ rise, and a differential increase ([Ca2+]n > [Ca2+]c) was found. The G protein-linked stimuli AVP and ATP were however quantitatively much more efficacious at stimulating the [Ca2+]n and [Ca2+]c increases than was EGF. To investigate whether AVP, ATP, and EGF released Ca2+ from distinct or overlapping stores, the agonists were sequentially added. AVP and ATP applied after EGF in Ca(2+)-free medium elicited an increase in [Ca2+]n and [Ca2+]c that was not significantly lower than the release of Ca2+ in control cells without EGF prestimulation. Similarly, the amplitude of the Ca2+ responses attained by EGF in cells prestimulated by ATP or AVP was comparable to the response in naive cells. Neither EGF, ATP, nor AVP evoked a Ca2+ signal after thapsigargin treatment, indicating that the intracellular Ca2+ pools stimulated by all these agonists are part of the thapsigargin-sensitive Ca2+ pools. In contrast, when ATP was applied after AVP in Ca(2+)-containing as well as in Ca(2+)-free solutions, the Ca2+ transients were lower as compared with the response without preincubation. No differential rise could be found in Ca(2+)-free conditions. An explanation could be the use of different phospholipase C isozymes by the different receptor types, which possibly gives rise to the mobilization of different Ca2+ pools.
Fluid-phase endocytosis by in situ cardiac myocytes of rat atria
Authors: Page E. , Upshaw-Earley J. , Goings G. E. , Hanck D. A.
Published: December 2017

Fluid-phase endocytosis (FPE) associated with recycling of fused plasmalemma-secretory granules or membranes and/or membrane receptors by in situ cardiac myocytes was studied at 37 degrees C in vitro noncontracting adult rat atrial preparations. Measurements included 1) the volume (VS*) of the compartment consisting of presumptive endocytotic vesicles and the endosomes or lysosomes transiently in continuity with them (S*), which internalizes [14C]-sucrose but is inaccessible to simultaneously measured [methoxy-3H]inulin, 2) the kinetics of [14C]sucrose efflux from S*, and 3) morphometry to quantify interstitial space and non-heart muscle cells. Vs* (0.39 +/- 0.04 ml/g dry atrium for unstretched atria at 37 degrees C) was 1) variable over a 3.7-fold range under various experimental conditions, 2) significantly increased by neomycin or by lowering the temperature to 18 degrees C, and 3) significantly decreased by alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation. Analysis of sucrose efflux kinetics confirmed the presence of an intramyocytic sucrose-containing compartment. A smaller inulin-inaccessible sucrose space (S*) was also present in right ventricle. Thus, during FPE, vesicles and endosomes initially containing high (extracellular) Ca2+ and Cl- concentrations continually enter, circulate within, and undergo exocytosis from myocardial cells.
Induction of GLUT1 mRNA in response to inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation
Authors: Shetty M. , Ismail-Beigi N. , Loeb J. N. , Ismail-Beigi F.
Published: December 2017

In previous studies, we have shown that inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation in Clone 9 cells (a nontransformed rat liver cell line) by 5 mM azide results in a marked biphasic stimulation of glucose transport that is mediated by GLUT1 [M. Shetty, J. N. Loeb, and F. Ismail-Beige. Am.J. Physiol. 262 (Cell Physiol. 31): C527-C532, 1992]. The late phase of the response (at 8-24 h) is associated with a doubling of cell GLUT1 content and an 8- to 10-fold increment in GLUT1 mRNA abundance. To investigate the mechanisms mediating GLUT1 mRNA induction, we have examined the effect of incubation in the presence of azide on GLUT1 gene transcription. In nuclear run-on assays, the rate of GLUT1 gene transcription was increased 2.5 +/- 0.3-fold in nuclei from cells exposed to azide for 4 h. Additionally, GLUT1 mRNA turnover was decreased in cells treated with azide: upon inhibition of RNA synthesis by actinomycin D, GLUT1 mRNA content decreased with half-lives of 2.3 +/- 0.3 and 8.0 +/- 0.5 h in control cells and cells treated with azide for 4 h, respectively. GLUT1 mRNA half-life was most prolonged (> 12 h) when azide was added subsequent to the addition of actinomycin D, and the half-life continued to be prolonged (6.5 +/- 0.5 h) in cells exposed to azide for 16 h.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Microelectrode measurements of pericellular PO2 in erythropoietin-producing human hepatoma cell cultures
Authors: Wolff M. , Fandrey J. , Jelkmann W.
Published: December 2017

On the basis of Fick's law of gas diffusion, it has been proposed that cells in conventional monolayer cultures may be severely hypoxic. Because knowledge of the cellular O2 availability is important for the interpretation of biochemical and toxicological cell culture work, microelectrode measurements of the pericellular PO2 were carried out using the erythropoietin (Epo)-producing human hepatoma cell lines Hep G2 and Hep 3B as an in vitro model. In confluent hepatoma cultures grown in polystyrene dishes and incubated in air with 5% CO2, the pericellular steady-state PO2 was < 1 mmHg. The rates of the production of immunoreactive Epo and lactate were high due to a misproportion between O2 supply and O2 requirements. Epo production decreased when shaken instead of static cultures were studied, or when the O2 concentration in the gas atmosphere was increased gradually up to 95%. In cultures grown on gas-permeable supports, pericellular and gas PO2 values were very similar, with increased Epo production at lowered PO2. In agreement with mathematical models, our experimental data make PO2 measurements desirable for studies of O2-dependent biological functions in cell cultures.
Stretch-activated channels in airway epithelial cells
Authors: Kim Y. K. , Dirksen E. R. , Sanderson M. J.
Published: December 2017

Two type of stretch-activated (SA) ion channels were identified in the basolateral membrane of isolated rabbit airway epithelial cells by patch-clamp techniques. Pressure activation and deactivation of one channel, which had a conductance of 29 pS, occurred after a delay of approximately 20-30 s. The open probability of this delayed stretch-activated (DSA) channel was increased from < 0.01 to 0.45 at 50 mmHg of suction. The reversal potential of the DSA channel, calculated from the pipette potential at which membrane currents reversed [-31.3 +/- 3.6 (SD) mV] and the resting membrane potential (-27.8 +/- 3.3 mV) was +3.5 +/- 3.3 mV. None of the equilibrium potentials of the ions used were similar to the calculated reversal potential of the DSA channel, suggesting that this channel is nonselective for cations. The DSA channel gating behavior was characterized by bursts of rapid transitions between open and closed states. The distribution of the open and closed times revealed that this gating behavior could be fitted with two open states and two closed states. Only the slow time constant of the closed state was decreased by suction. The second SA channel was selective for K+ and had a conductance of 65 pS but a long delay was not associated with the pressure sensitivity of this channel. The open probability of the K(+)-selective SA channel was increased from < 0.01 to 0.30 by 50 mmHg of suction. The K(+)-selective SA channel was distinct from the well-characterized basolateral K+ channel.
A computer-based servo system for controlling isotonic contractions of muscle
Authors: Smith J. P. , Barsotti R. J.
Published: December 2017

We have developed a computer-based servo system for controlling isotonic releases in muscle. This system is a composite of commercially available devices: an IBM personal computer, an analog-to-digital (A/D) board, an Akers AE801 force transducer, and a Cambridge Technology motor. The servo loop controlling the force clamp is generated by computer via the A/D board, using a program written in QuickBASIC 4.5. Results are shown that illustrate the ability of the system to clamp the force generated by either skinned cardiac trabeculae or single rabbit psoas fibers down to the resolution of the force transducer within 4 ms. This rate is independent of the level of activation of the tissue and the size of the load imposed during the release. The key to the effectiveness of the system consists of two algorithms that are described in detail. The first is used to calculate the error signal to hold force to the desired level. The second algorithm is used to calculate the appropriate gain of the servo for a particular fiber and the size of the desired load to be imposed. The results show that the described computer-based method for controlling isotonic releases in muscle represents a good compromise between simplicity and performance and is an alternative to the custom-built digital/analog servo devices currently being used in studies of muscle mechanics.
Muscarinic stimulation of gallbladder epithelium. I. Electrophysiology and signaling mechanisms
Authors: Altenberg G. A. , Subramanyam M. , Bergmann J. S. , Johnson K. M. , Reuss L.
Published: December 2017

To understand the effects of acetylcholine (ACh) on fluid-absorbing epithelia, we carried out experiments on Necturus gallbladder epithelium. Binding studies with 1-quinuclidinyl[phenyl-4(N)-3H]benzilate (QNB) demonstrated that Necturus gallbladder epithelial cells express high-affinity muscarinic receptors. The effects of ACh and carbachol were exerted from the basolateral surface and consisted of a transient hyperpolarization of both cell membranes and a concomitant decrease in the apparent fractional resistance of the apical membrane. Atropine blocked both effects. ACh also elicited transient elevations of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) levels, the latter by both release from intracellular stores and basolateral influx. The phospholipase C antagonist U-73122 inhibited the effects of ACh, whereas inhibition of prostaglandin and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate synthesis with indomethacin or methylene blue, respectively, had no effect. In conclusion, Necturus gallbladder epithelium expresses muscarinic receptors in the basolateral membrane. Receptor activation stimulates phospholipase C and elevates cellular levels of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and [Ca2+]i. The elevation in [Ca2+]i activates K+ channels but apparently not Cl- channels.
ATP dependence of K-Cl cotransport in dog red blood cells
Authors: Colclasure G. C. , Parker J. C.
Published: December 2017

Swelling-induced K-Cl cotransport in resealed dog red blood cell ghosts requires the presence of an ATP-generating system (G. C. Colclasure and J. C. Parker. J. Gen. Physiol. 100: 1-10, 1992). The present study shows that the endogenous adenine nucleotide present in the dog ghosts is sufficient to activate K-Cl cotransport, provided that creatine phosphate is incorporated in them. Creatine kinase is not required, because dog red blood cells, unlike those of humans, possess this enzyme. Although some ATP appears to be required for K-Cl cotransport by dog ghosts, an excess of this nucleotide is inhibitory. Creatine phosphate appears to play a special role in generating the ATP required for activation of K-Cl cotransport. If ghost ATP content is manipulated in the absence of creatine phosphate, by simply adding ATP to the hemolysate, no stimulation of K-Cl cotransport occurs. On the other hand, when creatine phosphate is present, K-Cl cotransport is activated. The results are discussed in relation to current views regarding the role of ATP in activation of K-Cl cotransport and the concept of the "phosphocreatine shuttle."
Bombesin treatment enhances vasopressin receptors in Swiss 3T3 cells
Authors: Civan M. M. , Sinnett-Smith J. , Bouzyk M. , Rozengurt E.
Published: December 2017

Cells possess receptors for multiple different peptides that regulate a wide spectrum of biological processes. Although examples of homologous and heterologous downregulation have been reported, relatively little is known about the interaction between different peptides in modulating cellular activities. Here we demonstrate that pretreatment of Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts with 10 nM bombesin for 48 h enhanced the 45Ca2+ efflux acutely stimulated by vasopressin. The effect was not reciprocal, since preincubation with vasopressin did not affect the bombesin-stimulated Ca2+ efflux. Measurement of displaceable [3H] vasopressin binding demonstrated that bombesin pretreatment increases the hormonal binding by 3.8 +/- 0.2-fold (SE; n = 14) measured at 37 degrees C or at 4 degrees C. Scatchard analysis at 4 degrees C indicated that the increased binding reflects an increase in the number of vasopressin receptors without any significant effect on the apparent affinity of binding. Furthermore, addition of cycloheximide completely prevented the increase in [3H] vasopressin binding induced by bombesin. We conclude that long-term bombesin pretreatment induces heterologous enhancement of vasopressin responsiveness by increasing the number of membrane receptors.
Intracellular free Ca2+ and vasoconstriction determined simultaneously in the perfused rat tail artery
Authors: Capdeville-Atkinson C. , Oster L. , Thorin-Trescases N. , Robert A. , Boutinet S. , Atkinson J.
Published: December 2017

To measure, simultaneously, intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and vasoconstriction in a perfused vessel, we used the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fura 2 with a dual-wavelength excitation method. One-centimeter-long segments of the caudal artery were dissected from 12-mo-old male Wistar rats. The endothelium was removed by gentle rubbing. The artery was mounted in a specially constructed spectrofluorometer cuvette, perfused with oxygenated physiological saline solution at 37 degrees C, and loaded by perfusion with fura 2 acetoxymethyl ester (5 microM) over a 90-min period. This paper is a description of the technique and the experiments that validate it as a useful method for examining Ca(2+)-related vascular reactivity in an intact perfused vessel.
Na(+)-H+ antiporter activity in relation to membrane fatty acid composition and cell proliferation
Authors: Gore J. , Besson P. , Hoinard C. , Bougnoux P.
Published: December 2017

Na(+)-H+ exchange activity was studied in a human breast cancer cell line. At steady state, the intracellular pH (pHi) of the cells was 7.23 +/- 0.01, and intracellular buffering capacity (beta i) was 44 +/- 4 mM/pH unit. pHi was controlled by a Na(+)-H+ antiporter that was reversible, electroneutral, inhibited by 5-(N-methyl-N-isobutyl)amiloride, and dependent on extracellular Na+. The exchanger function depended on internal H+ concentration, according to an allosteric activation mechanism obeying the model of Hill. The exchanger was inactive at pHi > or = 7.22, and its maximal activity was reached at pHi < 6.60. The exchanger was stimulated by osmotic shrinking but was unaffected by growth factors (epidermal growth factor, insulin-like growth factor I) or by serum. When cells were grown in a medium supplemented with linoleic or alpha-linolenic acids, large quantities of the additional fatty acid accumulated in membranes, saturated fatty acids increased, and monounsaturated fatty acids decreased. These changes reduced cell proliferation but had no effect on the steady-state value of pHi, on beta i, or on the kinetic parameters of the Na(+)-H+ exchanger. Therefore, in this system, cell proliferation is not directly related to the activation of the Na(+)-H+ exchanger.
Expression, functional analysis, and in situ hybridization of a cloned rat kidney collecting duct water channel
Authors: Ma T. , Hasegawa H. , Skach W. R. , Frigeri A. , Verkman A. S.
Published: December 2017

The cloning and expression of an apical membrane water channel from rat kidney collecting duct (WCH-CD) homologous to a 28-kDa integral membrane protein (CHIP28) was reported recently (K. Fushimi, S. Uchida, Y. Hara, Y. Hirata, F. Marumo, and S. Sasaki. Nature Lond. 361: 549-552, 1993). We obtained an approximately 1.8-kilobase clone from a rat kidney lambda gt10 cDNA library by a polymerase chain reaction cloning method; whereas the coding sequence (814 base pairs, predicted protein size 29 kDa) was identical to that reported, we identified an in-frame ATG codon at base pair -123 predicting a protein size of 33 kDa. On Northern blots probed by cDNAs corresponding to the WCH-CD coding sequence (base pairs +1 to +814) or 5'-untranslated sequence (-403 to -16), a single band at 1.9 kilobases was observed in kidney medulla greater than in cortex but not in other tissues; mRNA expression was increased strongly by dehydration. Translation and oocyte expression studies were performed to identify the translation start site. The short (base pairs +1 to +814) and long (base pairs -123 to +814) cDNAs were subcloned in vector pSP64 containing the 5'-untranslated Xenopus globin sequence upstream to the ATGs; a 30-base pair c-myc sequence was engineered at the COOH- terminal for antibody recognition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Ca2+ stores in smooth muscle cells: Ca2+ buffering and coupling to AVP-evoked inositol phosphate synthesis
Authors: Berman D. M. , Sugiyama T. , Goldman W. F.
Published: December 2017

Cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]cyt) and [3H]inositol phosphates ([3H]InsP) were correlated while decreasing the Ca2+ content of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) stores in cultured A7r5 cells at rest and after activation with 8-arginine vasopressin (AVP). Decreasing Ca2+ influx by reducing extracellular Ca2+ or by treatment with verapamil had no effect on resting [Ca2+]cyt but significantly inhibited the AVP-evoked Ca2+ transients (delta Ca2+). Neither treatment affected basal [3H]InsP, but both treatments increased AVP-evoked synthesis of [3H]InsP. Likewise, basal [3H]InsP were unaffected by brief (10-30 s) exposures to thapsigargin (TG), while AVP-induced [3H]InsP synthesis was significantly augmented. Similar treatment with TG rapidly increased resting [Ca2+]cyt and decreased SR Ca2+ by 9-25% as manifested by decreased delta Ca2+. By contrast, ryanodine induced slow increases in [Ca2+]cyt that stabilized within 30 min; subsequent AVP-induced delta Ca2+ were attenuated by 50%. Ryanodine had no effect on either basal or stimulated [3H]InsP levels. Agents that elevate adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) such as caffeine, 8-bromo-cAMP, and forskolin inhibited AVP-evoked [3H]InsP formation. These observations provide further characterization of a communication pathway between the AVP-sensitive Ca2+ stores in the SR and the plasmalemmal enzyme system involved in the synthesis of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. This pathway is manifested by an inverse relationship between the Ca2+ content of an AVP-sensitive, ryanodine-insensitive SR Ca2+ store and evoked [3H]InsP synthesis and may represent an important component in the tonic regulation of resting [Ca2+]cyt and vasoconstrictor- and hormone-evoked SR Ca2+ release.
Characterization of the endogenous Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporter in Xenopus oocytes
Authors: Suvitayavat W. , Palfrey H. C. , Haas M. , Dunham P. B. , Kalmar F. , Rao M. C.
Published: December 2017

Over time, Xenopus laevis changed from producing stage V and VI oocytes with little native Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransport activity to those with substantial activity. In oocytes with high endogenous activity, K+ uptake, using the tracer 86Rb+ was approximately 20 pmol.min-1.oocyte-1 in the presence of blockers of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and conductive K+ transport. Bumetanide (10 microM) inhibited > 90% of this uptake, suggesting involvement of Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransport. This was confirmed by two observations that are found in this cotransporter in other tissues: 1) The related diuretics, thiobenzmetanide [50% inhibitory concentration (IC50), 2 x 10(-11) M] > bumetanide (IC50, 7 x 10(-8) M) > furosemide (IC50, 2.5 x 10(-6) M) inhibited the cotransporter in a dose-dependent manner. 2) There was little uptake of K+ in the absence of extracellular Na+ or Cl-. Halving medium osmolarity to 92 mosM decreased bumetanide-sensitive K+ uptake by approximately 75%, whereas a doubling of medium osmolarity increased it by approximately 50%. The cotransport activity was increased fourfold by the phosphatase inhibitor calyculin A (200 nM) but was unaffected by 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, 8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, ATP, ionomycin, or okadaic acid. Both the photoaffinity bumetanide analogue, 4-[3H]benzoyl-5-sulfamoyl-3-(3-thenyloxy)benzoic acid, and an antiserum raised against Ehrlich ascites cell cotransporter specifically labeled an approximately 140-kDa oocyte membrane protein. These results demonstrated that, in addition to the Na+ pump and K+ channels, K+ uptake in Xenopus oocytes occurs via a loop-diuretic-sensitive Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Acidification of three types of liver endocytic vesicles: similarities and differences
Authors: Van Dyke R. W. , Belcher J. D.
Published: December 2017

Endocytosed ligands move through a series of progressively more acidic vesicles. These differences in pH (pHi) could reflect differences in ion transport mechanisms. Vesicles representing three stages of endocytosis, compartment for uncoupling of receptor and ligand (CURL), multivesicular bodies (MVB), and receptor recycling compartment (RRC), were studied, and all exhibited ATP-dependent electrogenic acidification that was a saturable function of medium chloride. Initial rates of acidification differed (RRC > CURL > MVB), and proton influx was similar for CURL and RRC but slower for MVB. Steady-state ATP-dependent pHi in the three vesicles was more similar. Vesicle membrane potential was substantial (+41 to +69 mV) in low-chloride medium and greatest for RRC but was low (-6 to +6 mV) in 140 mM KCl. These vesicles also exhibited -22 to -37 mV Donnan potentials. Steady-state pump-generated proton electrochemical gradients (delta mu H+) ranged from 114 to 175 mV and were greater for CURL and RRC than for MVB; however, delta mu H+ changed little over a 140-fold difference in chloride concentration. Proton leak rates were faster in CURL and RRC than in MVB, but proton efflux was similar. Finally, proton fluxes and permeabilities, calculated with regard to surface area, differed in the opposite direction (MVB > CURL > RRC). Thus, for the endocytic vesicles studied, intrinsic differences in proton flux and in vesicle geometry could be demonstrated that contributed to differences in pre-steady-state vesicle pHi.