bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple kinetic effects of beta-adrenergic stimulation on single cardiac L-type Ca channels
Authors: Hirano Y. , Suzuki K. , Yamawake N. , Hiraoka M.
Published: December 2017

During beta-adrenergic stimulation, several different mechanisms are known to modulate single cardiac L-type Ca channels, such as an increase in the proportion of nonblank sweeps (availability), graded changes in open and closed time constants, and potentiation of "mode 2" gating. To clarify the interrelationships of the above mechanisms in terms of "molecular modulation," we reevaluated the adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-dependent increase in single cardiac Ca channel activity under conditions where all of the proposed mechanisms could take place. We observed considerable variations in the kinetic properties of basal channel activity among individual patches, presumably due to the diversity of intracellular metabolic conditions of individual myocytes. This made the contribution by each mechanism as described above variable from one patch to another. Increases in open probability during nonblank sweeps (associated with increased open time constant and/or promotion of mode 2 gating) were observed in patches were the increased nonblank rate was already established in the control state. In contrast with the report by D. T. Yue, S. Herzig, and E. Marban (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87: 753-757, 1990), graded changes in the open time constant could take place independently from the potentiation of mode 2 gating behavior. Our results suggest that the enhancement of cardiac L-type Ca channels during beta-stimulation involves multiple functional modulatory sites, which might be phosphorylated independently.
Heterogeneity of endosomal populations in the rat renal cortex: light endosomes
Authors: Hammond T. G. , Verroust P. J.
Published: December 2017

The endosomal pathway of the rat renal cortex was labeled by intravenous infusion of fluorescent dextran small enough to cross the glomerular ultrafiltration barrier and be taken up by luminal endocytosis in the proximal tubule. Using Percoll gradient centrifugation, we isolated and characterized a previously undetected renal cortical endosomal fraction slightly lighter than basolateral membranes. Assay of entrapped dextran on a vesicle-by-vesicle basis using small-particle flow cytometry techniques demonstrates homogeneity for entrapped dextran. Flow cytometry colocalization of entrapped markers with brush-border enzymes in > 99% of the vesicles and the absence of Na-K-adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) suggest both that these vesicles are of apical origin and that apical enzymes traffic into endosomal elements. Furthermore, two glycoproteins derived from intermicrovillar clefts are detectable in this fraction. Ultrastructurally the vesicles are heterogeneous, consisting of multivesicular bodies together with vesicles of diverse size and coating. Populations of vesicles can be cleanly separated from each other and basolateral membranes according to their surface charge by high-resolution free-flow electrophoresis. Multiparameter flow cytometry analysis demonstrates that a more abundant population of smaller vesicles has brisker H(+)-ATPase activity, whereas a less abundant population of larger vesicles has slower H(+)-ATPase activity. In contrast, brush-border membrane vesicles contained no entrapped markers and lacked H(+)-ATPase activity. Analysis of vesicles prepared after addition of dextran to the homogenate confirms that the vesicles form in vivo. Hence a heterogeneous renal cortical endosomal population is of apical origin.
ADH-induced recycling of fluid-phase marker from endosomes to the mucosal surface in toad bladder
Authors: Coleman R. A. , Wade J. B.
Published: December 2017

In the toad urinary bladder, the reversal of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) stimulation results in the endocytosis of apical membrane water channels, along with any fluid-phase marker present in the mucosal bathing solution. We have loaded vesicles with horseradish peroxidase (HRP), then restimulated the bladders and measured the reappearance of endocytosed HRP in the mucosal bath. HRP-loaded bladders that were restimulated showed HRP release that peaked sharply within 15 min after restimulation. Varying the interval between loading and restimulation did not vary HRP release significantly. Restimulation with forskolin gave HRP release values similar to ADH. The amount of HRP released correlated with the magnitude of water permeability induced. The demonstration that fluid-phase markers can be recycled from endosomes to the apical surface in a hormone-dependent fashion indicates that endocytosed membrane, containing water channels, is able to rapidly recycle back to the surface in response to hormone restimulation. In addition, marker release declined progressively with repeated restimulation, totaling < 30% of the retrieved amount. This result indicates that a relatively large proportion of the retrieved marker reaches a nonrecycling compartment.
Mitochondrial calcium transport: physiological and pathological relevance
Authors: Gunter T. E. , Gunter K. K. , Sheu S. S. , Gavin C. E.
Published: December 2017

Since the initiation of work on mitochondrial Ca2+ transport in the early 1960s, the relationship between experimental observations and physiological function has often seemed enigmatic. Why, for example, should an organelle dedicated to the crucial task of producing approximately 95% of the cell's ATP sequester Ca2+, sometimes in preference to phosphorylating ADP? Why should there be two separate efflux mechanisms, the Na+ independent and the Na+ dependent, both thought until recently to be driven exclusively either directly or indirectly by the energy of the pH gradient? Does intramitochondrial free Ca2+ concentration control metabolism? Is there evidence for any separate function of the mitochondrial Ca2+ transport mechanisms under pathological conditions? What is the relationship between mitochondrial Ca2+ transport, the mitochondrial membrane permeability transition, and irreversible cell damage under pathological conditions? First, we review what is known about control of metabolism, evidence for a role for intramitochondrial Ca2+ in control of metabolism, the cellular conditions under which mitochondria are exposed to Ca2+, characteristics of the mitochondrial Ca2+ transport mechanisms including the permeability transition, and evidence for and against mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake in vivo. Then the questions listed above and others are addressed from the perspective of the characteristics of the mechanisms of mitochondrial Ca2+ transport.
Regulation of parathyroid hormone-related peptide production in normal human mammary epithelial cells in vitro
Authors: Sebag M. , Henderson J. , Goltzman D. , Kremer R.
Published: December 2017

We have examined the expression and production of parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHRP) in primary cultures of normal human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) derived from nonlactating breast tissue. In response to growth factors such as insulin, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and epidermal growth factor (EGF), immunoreactive PTHRP was released into conditioned medium, and PTHRP mRNA rapidly increased. In contrast, hydrocortisone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] inhibited these effects in a dose-dependent manner. Addition of prolactin (PRL) in the presence or absence of insulin, IGF-I, or EGF did not influence PTHRP production during the time course studied. To investigate whether these factors were acting at the transcriptional level, we performed nuclear run-on assays and demonstrated that IGF-I increased PTHRP gene transcription whereas hydrocortisone and 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibited this effect. These studies therefore demonstrate that IGF-I, EGF, 1,25(OH)2D3, and hydrocortisone modulate PTHRP expression in HMEC and that these effects occur in part at the level of gene transcription. Additionally, PRL, a known stimulator of PTHRP expression in vivo, has no effect in this in vitro model.
Anti-idiotypic antibodies to delineate epitope specificity of anti-amiloride antibodies
Authors: Lin C. , Musch M. , Meo P. , Zebrowitz J. , Chang E. , Kleyman T. R.
Published: December 2017

Amiloride and related compounds have found widespread use as cation transport inhibitors. We have previously raised a series of polyclonal anti-amiloride antibodies using different amiloride-protein conjugates as immunogens, where amiloride was coupled to protein either through its guanidino moiety or through its 5-aminopyrazinyl moiety. The anti-amiloride antibodies recognized distinct sites on amiloride, and the site of attachment of amiloride to carrier protein was a critical factor in determining which part of the amiloride molecule was recognized by the anti-amiloride antibody. The specificity of binding of amiloride analogues to these polyclonal anti-amiloride antibodies mimicked the specificity of binding of amiloride analogues to selected isoforms of the epithelial Na+ channel or the Na+/H+ exchanger, suggesting that antigen binding site of these antibodies might be similar in structure to amiloride binding sites on selected Na+ transport proteins. We previously generated monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies RA2.4 and RA6.3 by an auto-anti-idiotypic approach, using amiloride coupled to albumin through the guanidinium moiety (amiloride-A1). We have now raised a series of monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies, T6, T26, T40, and T181, using amiloride coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin through the 5-aminopyrazinyl moiety (amiloride-A5) as an immunogen with the same auto-anti-idiotypic approach. These monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies recognized both polyclonal anti-amiloride-A1 and anti-amiloride-A5 antibodies, suggesting that idiotype-anti-idiotype interaction was not epitope restricted.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Rapid turnover of myosin light chain phosphate during cross-bridge cycling in smooth muscle
Authors: Butler T. M. , Narayan S. R. , Mooers S. U. , Siegman M. J.
Published: December 2017

The rate of phosphatase-mediated dephosphorylation of the regulatory light chain of smooth muscle myosin was determined under nearly steady-state conditions in permeabilized muscles, from the time course of incorporation of 33P-labeled phosphate into the light chain after the photolytic release of [gamma-33P]ATP from high specific activity caged [gamma-33P]ATP. The extent of myosin light chain phosphorylation is unchanged, and, if the kinase and phosphatase reactions are irreversible, the rate constant for the exponential increase in 33P in the light chain is equal to the rate constant for the phosphatase reaction. Under activated conditions (pCa 4.5) at 20 degrees C, the incorporation of 33P into approximately 80% of the phosphorylated light chain is fit by a single exponential with a rate constant of 0.37 s-1. ATP usage due to phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of the light chain is about one-third of the suprabasal energy requirement. The high phosphatase rate constant suggests that dephosphorylation of the light chain is rapid enough to interact with and potentially modify the completion of the cross-bridge cycle.
Extracellular Ca2+ sensing is modulated by pH in human osteoclast-like cells in vitro
Authors: Grano M. , Faccio R. , Colucci S. , Paniccia R. , Baldini N. , Zallone A. Z. , Teti A.
Published: December 2017

Osteoclasts are polarized cells with a basolateral and an apical membrane exposed to different extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]o) and H+ (pHe) concentrations. Osteoclast bone resorption is inhibited in vitro by increases of [Ca2+]o slightly above physiological levels, detected by a [Ca2+]o sensing causing elevations of the intracellular signal, [Ca2+]i. Nevertheless, during bone resorption the apical membrane is exposed to [Ca2+]o severalfold higher than physiological without apparent inhibition of osteoclast functions. Because pHe facing the apical membrane is acidic, in this single-cell [Ca2+]i and intracellular pH study we addressed the question of whether the responses of human osteoclast-like cells from a giant cell tumor of bone to elevated [Ca2+]o are altered by reducing pHe. We first observed that low pHe stimulated Ca2+ efflux and cell acidification. We then demonstrated that the amplitude of the [Ca2+]o-dependent [Ca2+]i "spikes" is downregulated by low pHe, with approximately 70-fold higher [Ca2+]o required to induce significant responses at pHe 6.0 compared with pHe 7.4. Similar downregulation was observed in authentic freshly isolated rat osteoclasts. Finally, we observed that occupancy of the [Ca2+]o sensing by Ca2+ prompted rapid and transient cell acidification partially counteracted by a Na(+)-dependent amiloride derivative-sensitive H+ transport. These results demonstrate that the cascade of events triggered by activation of the [Ca2+]o sensing is affected by environmental pH and in turn influences cellular H+ transport. Such pH-related features of the [Ca2+] o sensing mechanism might be relevant for the regulation of osteoclast-like function.
Functional characterization and regulation by pH of murine AE2 anion exchanger expressed in Xenopus oocytes
Authors: Humphreys B. D. , Jiang L. , Chernova M. N. , Alper S. L.
Published: December 2017

cRNA encoding the murine band 3-related protein AE2 was expressed in Xenopus oocytes. AE2-mediated transport function and regulation were analyzed by unidirectional 36Cl- influx and efflux studies. AE2 cRNA-injected oocytes took up 36Cl- as much as 40-fold faster than did water-injected oocytes. AE2-mediated 36Cl- uptake increased as a function of increasing uptake time, number of days after cRNA injection, and amount of injected cRNA. Among the functional properties of AE2 evaluated were transport mechanism and substrate specificity, inhibitor pharmacology, and regulation by pH. The apparent Km for external Cl- was 5.6 mM. AE2 was defined as a Cl-/anion exchanger by two criteria: 1) 36Cl- efflux from AE2-expressing oocytes was maximally stimulated by extracellular Cl- or nitrate; AE2-associated 36Cl- efflux was supported by substitution of extracellular Cl- with other anions in the rank order bromide > isethionate > or = gluconate > iodide and 2) prolonged preincubation of AE2 cRNA-injected oocytes in Cl(-)-free media containing isethionate, gluconate, or glutamate decreased subsequent AE2-associated 36Cl- uptake from Cl- media in rough proportion to the degree of intracellular Cl- depletion, whereas preincubation in nitrate medium had no effect. AE2-associated 36Cl- uptake was inhibited by 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid at half-maximally inhibitory concentrations between 0.5 and 19 microM, depending on extracellular Cl- concentration, and progressed to irreversibility at 20 degrees C with a half-time of 20-30 min. Many additional inhibitors showed lower potency for AE2 than previously reported for AE1. Although AE2 expression did not change oocyte resting intracellular pH, AE2-associated 36Cl- influx and efflux were each decreased in acid incubation medium and increased in alkaline medium.
Regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase mRNA, protein, and activity during cell growth
Authors: Arnal J. F. , Yamin J. , Dockery S. , Harrison D. G.
Published: December 2017

Cell growth influences the expression of several important tissue-specific functions. We sought to examine the effect of cell proliferation on nitric oxide (NO) synthase gene expression in cultured aortic bovine endothelial cells. Western and Northern blot analysis revealed three- and sixfold increases in NO synthase protein and mRNA, respectively, in growing compared with growth-arrested cells. The release of nitrogen oxides was also increased in proliferating cells compared with growth-arrested cells, as was the NO synthase activity assessed by L-arginine/L-citrulline conversion. Neither NO synthase inhibitors nor superoxide dismutase affected proliferation or thymidine incorporation, suggesting that increased NO release had no effect on endothelial cell growth. In conclusion, these studies demonstrate that expression of endothelial cell NO synthase is markedly increased in proliferating compared with quiescent nongrowing cells. The mechanisms underlying this and its physiological consequences remain to be defined.
Angiotensin II type 2 receptor stimulation of neuronal K+ currents involves an inhibitory GTP binding protein
Authors: Kang J. , Posner P. , Sumners C.
Published: December 2017

Angiotensin II (ANG II) elicits an ANG II type 2 (AT2) receptor-mediated increase in outward K+ current (IK; delayed rectifier K+ current) in neurons cocultured from rat hypothalamus and brain stem. Here we have shown that the AT2-receptor-mediated stimulation of neuronal IK by ANG II (100 nM) was abolished by pretreatment of cultures with pertussis toxin (PTX; 200 ng/ml) and by intracellular application of an antibody against the inhibitory guanine nucleotide (GTP) binding protein (anti-Gi alpha, 1:200). Antibodies against other GTP binding proteins (anti-Go alpha, 1:50 and 1:200; anti-Gq/11 alpha, 1:200) did not alter the AT2-receptor-mediated stimulation of neuronal IK by ANG II (100 nM). Furthermore, this effect of ANG II (100 nM) was inhibited by the serine/threonine phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid (1-10 nM) and by anti-type 2A protein phosphatase (PP2A) antibodies but not by the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor sodium orthovanadate (1 mM). Thus we have identified key components (Gi and PP2A) of the signal transduction pathway that is responsible for the AT2-receptor-mediated stimulation of neuronal K+ currents.
Mechanosensitive modulation of myosin phosphorylation and phosphatidylinositol turnover in smooth muscle
Authors: Yoo J. , Ellis R. , Morgan K. G. , Hai C. M.
Published: December 2017

Myosin light chain phosphorylation and phosphatidylinositol turnover were measured at different muscle lengths in bovine tracheal smooth muscle. The relationship between myosin phosphorylation and muscle length was linear between optimal length (Lo) and 0.1 Lo in both unstimulated and carbachol-activated tissues. However, myosin phosphorylation in carbachol-activated tissues was more sensitive to changes in muscle length. As a result, suprabasal myosin phosphorylation induced by carbachol was significant at Lo but became insignificant at 0.1 Lo. Phosphatidylinositol turnover was assayed by measuring the formation of myo-[3H]inositol phosphates in unstimulated and carbachol-activated tissues using the Li+ method. Pairs of time-matched and length-matched muscle strips were used for control (unstimulated) and activation by carbachol. Phosphatidylinositol turnover in carbachol-activated tissues was more sensitive than that in unstimulated tissues to changing length. As a result, suprabasal phosphatidylinositol turnover induced by carbachol was significant at Lo but became insignificant at 0.1 Lo. These results indicated that myosin phosphorylation and phosphatidylinositol turnover mediated by muscarinic receptor activation were modulated by the mechanical state of smooth muscle.
Protooncogene product, c-mos kinase, is involved in upregulating Na+/H+ antiporter in Xenopus oocytes
Authors: Rezai K. , Kulisz A. , Wasserman W. J.
Published: December 2017

Progesterone-stimulated Xenopus laevis oocytes undergo an increase in their intracellular pH from 7.3 to 7.7 because of the activation of Na+/H+ antiporters in their plasma membrane. Activation of Na+/H+ exchangers (NHE) in other cell systems appears to be regulated by phosphorylation of the NHE protein. In the current study we demonstrated that cytoplasm taken from steroid-stimulated oocytes rapidly induced an increase in intracellular pH when microinjected into full-grown stage VI recipient oocytes. The protein within the cytoplasm that appears to be responsible for this activity is c-mos kinase. Microinjected pure mosxe kinase protein rapidly activated the Na+/H+ exchangers in full-grown recipient oocytes. Furthermore, injected mosxe protein rapidly activated the Na+/H+ exchangers in smaller progesterone-insensitive stage IV oocytes. Therefore, it appears that the protooncogene product, p39 c-mos kinase, which is normally synthesized in full-grown stage VI oocytes in response to progesterone stimulation, is involved in the upregulation of the Na+/H+ antiporters during oocyte meiotic maturation.
Regulation of intracellular pH in J774 murine macrophage cells: H+ extrusion processes
Authors: McKinney L. C. , Moran A.
Published: December 2017

Mechanisms of intracellular pH (pHi) regulation were characterized in the murine macrophage cell line J774.1, using 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein to measure pHi. Under nominally HCO3(-)-free conditions, resting pHi of nonadherent J774.1 cells was 7.53 +/- 0.02 (n = 86), and of adherent cells was 7.59 +/- 0.02 (n = 97). In the presence of HCO3-/CO2, pHi values were reduced to 7.41 +/- 0.02 (n = 12) and 7.40 +/- 0.01 (n = 28), respectively. Amiloride, an inhibitor of Na+/H+ exchange, did not affect resting pHi. Inhibitors of a vacuolar type H(+)-ATPase [bafilomycin A1, N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), 7-chloro-4-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazide (NBD), and p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonic acid (pCMBS)] reduced pHi by at least 0.2 pH units. Inhibitors of other classes of H(+)-ATPases (oligomycin, azide, vanadate, and ouabain) were without effect. Inhibition of H+ efflux, measured by the change in extracellular pH of a weakly buffered cell suspension, followed the same pharmacological profile, indicating that the reduction of pHi was due to inhibition of H+ extrusion. Mechanisms of recovery from an imposed intracellular acid load were also investigated. In NaCl-Hanks' solution, pHi recovered exponentially to normal within 2 min. The initial rate of recovery was inhibited > 90% by amiloride or by replacement of extracellular Na+ concentration by N-methyl-glucamine. Inhibitors of the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase also inhibited recovery. NEM and NBD nonspecifically inhibited all recovery. Bafilomycin A1 and pCMBS did not inhibit the initial amiloride-sensitive portion of recovery, but they did inhibit a late component of recovery when pHi was above 7.0. We conclude that the Na+/H+ exchanger is primarily responsible for recovery from an acid load but does not regulate resting pHi. Conversely, a vacuolar H(+)-ATPase regulates the resting pHi of J774 cells but contributes little to recovery from acidification.
Differential expression of ORCC and CFTR induced by low temperature in CF airway epithelial cells
Authors: Egan M. E. , Schwiebert E. M. , Guggino W. B.
Published: December 2017

When nonepithelial cell types expressing the delta F508-cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutation are grown at reduced temperatures, the mutant protein can be properly processed. The effect of low temperatures on Cl- channel activity in airway epithelial cells that endogenously express the delta F508-CFTR mutation has not been investigated. Therefore, we examined the effect of incubation temperature on both CFTR and outwardly rectifying Cl- channel (ORCC) activity in normal, in cystic fibrosis (CF)-affected, and in wild-type CFTR-complemented CF airway epithelia with use of a combination of inside-out and whole cell patch-clamp recording, 36Cl- efflux assays, and immunocytochemistry. We report that incubation of CF-affected airway epithelial cells at 25-27 degrees C is associated with the appearance of a protein kinase A-stimulated CFTR-like Cl- conductance. In addition to the appearance of CFTR Cl- channel activity, there is, however, a decrease in the number of active ORCC when cells are grown at 25-27 degrees C, suggesting that the decrease in incubation temperature may be associated with multiple alterations in ion channel expression and/or regulation in airway epithelial cells.
Effects of estrogens on Ca channels in myometrial cells isolated from pregnant rats
Authors: Yamamoto T.
Published: December 2017

Whole cell patch-clamp techniques were applied to cultured smooth muscle cells isolated from the longitudinal layer of the late pregnant rat myometrium. Effects of estrogens on Ca channels were examined. Inhibitory effects of beta-estradiol (1 microM) on Ca channel currents were recognized. The inhibitory effects of beta-estradiol depended on holding potentials. beta-Estradiol shifted the steady-state inactivation curve in the negative direction by 7 mV at mid potential (n = 9). Diethylstilbestrol, a synthetic estrogen, gave similar effects on Ca channel currents at lower concentration (2 microM) to those of beta-estradiol. Strong inhibitory effects on Ca channel currents were obtained by higher concentration (20 microM). Diethylstilbestrol shifted the steady-state inactivation curve in the negative direction by 7 mV at mid potential (n = 5). The results indicate that estrogens influence the voltage dependency and the whole cell conductance of Ca channels of pregnant rat myometrial cells. The acute effect of estrogens may cause both electrical and mechanical depression of myometrium.
A simple biochemical approach to quantitate rough endoplasmic reticulum
Authors: Rajasekaran A. K. , Langhans-Rajasekaran S. A. , Gould R. M. , Rodriguez-Boulan E. , Morimoto T.
Published: December 2017

In this report we demonstrate that the changes in size of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) can be determined by quantifying the membrane-bound ribosomal population separated by cell fractionation and sucrose density gradient analysis. Total cell membranes, rather than microsomes, were used as the source of membrane-bound ribosomes to eliminate potential losses during the preparation of microsomes. Bound ribosomes were assayed after quantitative release and recovery from total cell membranes using puromycin in the presence of high-salt buffer. Using this analysis, we demonstrate a 4.2-fold increase in RER in estrogen-treated male Xenopus laevis liver. Furthermore, we show that the ratio of the distribution of free to membrane-bound ribosomes in a nonsecretory cell line (HeLa) was 3.3, while this ratio in a secretory cell line (AR42J) was 1.2, indicating that cells active in secretion contain more RER. We suggest that this biochemical technique provides a simpler assay to detect changes in the size of the RER.
Effects of glucocorticoids on transcription factor activation in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Authors: Adcock I. M. , Brown C. R. , Gelder C. M. , Shirasaki H. , Peters M. J. , Barnes P. J.
Published: December 2017

Glucocorticoids have an inhibitory effect on inflammatory and immune responses, and this may be through the modulation of transcription factor binding to DNA. The interaction of the transcription factors, activator protein-1 (AP-1), nuclear factor kappa B (NF kappa B), and cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) with DNA and glucocorticoid receptors (GR) was analyzed in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells by gel mobility shift assays. TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) treatment increased AP-1 and NF kappa B DNA binding by up to 200% but decreased CREB binding (38%) over a 60-min time course. Dexamethasone produced a rapid and sustained increase in glucocorticoid response element binding and a concomitant 40-50% decrease in AP-1, NF kappa B, and CREB DNA binding that was blocked by combined dexamethasone and cytokine or PMA treatment. These latter effects were due to increases in the nuclear localization of GR, not to reduced amounts of the other transcription factors. This suggests that in these cells GR within the nucleus interacts with cytokine-stimulated transcription factors by the process of cross coupling. This may be an important molecular site of steroid action.
Na+ channels in membrane vesicles from intralobular salivary ducts
Authors: Moran A. , Davis V. H. , Turner R. J.
Published: December 2017

Electrical potential-driven 22Na+ fluxes were measured in membrane vesicles prepared from male and female rat submandibular intralobular ducts. A relatively temperature-independent (Q10 = 1.45 +/- 0.15), amiloride-inhibitable (mean affinity constant approximately 1 microM), rheogenic Na+ transport pathway was observed. The relative potency of amiloride analogues for inhibition of this pathway was amiloride > ethylisopropyl-amiloride > phenamil, similar to that of the “low-amiloride-affinity” Na+ channel recently observed in a number of other tissues. These results are consistent with the existence of the apical Na+ channel thought to be involved in intralobular ductal salt reabsorption. No significant difference was found in the magnitude or pharmacology of electrogenic Na+ fluxes in vesicles prepared from male and female rat intralobular ducts, suggesting that the sexual dimorphism observed in this tissue is not reflected at the level of the apical membrane Na+ channel. Amiloride-sensitive 22Na+ fluxes in intralobular ductal membranes were of the same magnitude as 22Na+ fluxes measured in similarly prepared and assayed vesicles from the toad bladder, a tissue thought to be a rich source of amiloride-sensitive Na+ channels.
Activation of CFTR Cl- conductance in polarized T84 cells by luminal extracellular ATP
Authors: Stutts M. J. , Lazarowski E. R. , Paradiso A. M. , Boucher R. C.
Published: December 2017

Luminal extracellular ATP evoked a bumetanide-sensitive short-circuit current in cultured T84 cell epithelia (90.2 +/- 18.2 microA/cm2 at 100 microM ATP, apparent 50% effective concentration, 11.5 microM). ATP appeared to increase the Cl- conductance of the apical membrane but not the driving force for Cl- secretion determined by basolateral membrane K+ conductance. Specifically, the magnitude of Cl- secretion stimulated by ATP was independent of basal current, and forskolin pretreatment abolished subsequent stimulation of Cl- secretion by ATP. Whereas ATP stimulated modest production of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) by T84 cells, ATP caused smaller increases in intracellular Ca2+ and inositol phosphate activities than the Ca(2+)-signaling Cl- secretagogue carbachol. An inhibitor of 5'-nucleotidase, alpha,beta-methyleneadenosine 5'-diphosphate, blocked most of the response to luminal ATP. The adenosine receptor antagonist 8-(p-sulfophenyl)theophylline blocked both the luminal ATP-dependent generation of cAMP and Cl- secretion when administered to the luminal but not submucosal bath. These results demonstrate that the Cl- secretion stimulated by luminal ATP is mediated by a A2-adenosine receptor located on the apical cell membrane. Thus metabolism of extracellular ATP to adenosine regulates the activity of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductor regulator (CFTR) in the apical membrane of polarized T84 cells.
Characterization of plasminogen system on rat yolk sac carcinoma (L2) cells
Authors: Kanalas J. J.
Published: December 2017

The plasminogen (Plg) system on rat yolk sac carcinoma (L2) cells was characterized by zymography, Western and immunoprecipitation analysis, reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, binding, and activity assays. The L2 cells produced tissue Plg activator but not urokinase Plg activator and contained RNA for Plg activator inhibitor 1, but Plg activator inhibitor 1 was not detectable by zymography or Western analysis and contained the receptor for urokinase Plg activator. Plg bound to the cells in a saturable manner when plasmin inhibitors were present with a dissociation constant of 1.34 +/- 0.18 x 10(-6) M and 1.54 +/- 0.25 x 10(7) sites/cell. Immunoprecipitation analysis showed that Plg was binding to gp330, a known Plg receptor. Once bound to the L2 cells, Plg was activated by tissue Plg activator to plasmin in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Under saturating Plg conditions, most of the plasmin produced was released into the medium. Inhibition of plasmin activation occurred when Plg activator inhibitor 1, anticatalytic tissue Plg activator antibody, or Heymann nephritis autoantibody was present.
Effect of physiological ADP concentrations on contraction of single skinned fibers from rabbit fast and slow muscles
Authors: Chase P. B. , Kushmerick M. J.
Published: December 2017

To directly assess the possible role of ADP in muscle fatigue, we have studied the effect of physiological MgADP levels on maximum Ca(2+)-activated isometric force and unloaded shortening velocity (Vus) of single skinned fiber segments from rabbit fast-twitch (psoas) and slow-twitch (soleus) muscles. MgADP concentration was changed in a controlled and well-buffered manner by varying creatine (Cr) in solutions, which also contained MgATP, phosphocreatine (PCr), and creatine kinase (CK). To quantify ADP as a function of Cr added, we determined the apparent equilibrium constant (K') of CK for the conditions of our experiments (pH 7.1, 3 mM Mg2+, 12 degrees C): K' = (sigma [Cr]. sigma [ATP])/(sigma [PCr]. sigma [ADP]) = 260 +/- 3 (SE). In this manner, ADP was altered essentially as occurs during stimulation in vivo but without the concomitant changes in pH and P(i), which affect force and Vus. As ADP (and Cr) was increased, force and Vus decreased in both fiber types; at the highest ADP level used, 200 microM, normalized force was 96.6 +/- 1.7% for psoas (n = 6) and 93.7 +/- 2.8% for soleus (n = 6), and Vus was 80.4 +/- 2.4% for psoas and 91.3 +/- 7.7% for soleus. Diffusion-reaction calculations indicated that radial gradients of metabolite concentrations within fibers could not explain the small effects of ADP on fiber mechanics, and experiments verified that metabolite levels were well buffered within fibers by the CK reaction. Exogenous CK was added to bathing solutions at 290 U/ml, threefold above that necessary to maintain Vus independent of CK concentration; in the absence of PCr and exogenous CK, at least a fourfold increased MgATP was necessary to maintain Vus at the control level. Adenylate kinase activity was not detectable; thus myofibrillar adenosine-triphosphatase and exogenous CK activities were the major determinants of nucleotide levels within activated cells. Cr alone (in absence of PCr and exogenous CK) also decreased force and Vus, presumably by a nonspecific mechanism. Over the physiological range, altered ADP had little or no effect on force or Vus in well-buffered conditions. It is therefore likely that other factors decrease force and Vus during muscular fatigue.
PKC-sensitive Cl- channels associated with ciliary epithelial homologue of pICln
Authors: Coca-Prados M. , Anguita J. , Chalfant M. L. , Civan M. M.
Published: December 2017

Swelling activates and protein kinase C (PKC) downregulates Cl- channels in cultured nonpigmented ciliary epithelial (NPE) cells. We now report that the PKC inhibitor staurosporine upregulates whole cell Cl- currents isosmotically. The kinetics and current-voltage relationship are similar to those of volume-activated Cl- channels of these cells. These properties are inconsistent with cloned ClC-0, ClC-1, ClC-2, and MDR1 channels but could reflect the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) channel or the Cl- channel regulator pICln. CFTR mRNA was undetectable by Northern analysis of cultured NPE cells or ciliary body tissue. In contrast, a human pICln probe obtained by polymerase chain reaction cloning and showing 90% identity with the rat cDNA clone detected high levels of transcripts in NPE cells. The level was low in tissue, where the NPE message was diluted by RNA from other cells. We conclude that NPE cells display staurosporine-activated Cl- channels [gSt(Cl)] likely identical with the volume-activated channels. The same cells expressing gSt(Cl) transcribe mRNA for a novel homologue (pHCBICln) of pICln that may regulate Cl- transport into the aqueous humor.
Impact of nitric oxide on macrophage glucose metabolism and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity
Authors: Mateo R. B. , Reichner J. S. , Mastrofrancesco B. , Kraft-Stolar D. , Albina J. E.
Published: December 2017

Conflicting evidence has been presented regarding the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the regulation of cellular glucose metabolism. While it enhances glucose uptake and utilization through glycolysis and the hexose monophosphate shunt in macrophages and other cells, NO also inhibits glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, an enzyme catalyzing the metabolism of intermediates generated by both pathways. Indeed, it has been proposed that NO modulates glycolytic flux by suppressing glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. To establish the relative impact of these apparently incompatible actions, the effects of exogenous or endogenous NO on different aspects of glucose metabolism in macrophages were investigated. Cell activation increased NO production, maximal glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, and glucose metabolism through glycolysis and the hexose monophosphate shunt. NO generated endogenously or from S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (> 500 microM) reduced maximal glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in culture. The suppression of maximal glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase coincided with decreased lactate accumulation only in concert with a marked loss of viable cells in the cultures. The maximal glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity did not appear to be rate limiting for glucose metabolism when moderately inhibited by NO. A potential causal relationship between profound glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase inhibition and cell death remains to be established.
Ca2+ depletion prevents anoxic death of hepatocytes by inhibiting mitochondrial permeability transition
Authors: Pastorino J. G. , Snyder J. W. , Hoek J. B. , Farber J. L.
Published: December 2017

Removal of Ca2+ from the culture medium or treatment with the intracellular Ca2+ chelator 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N', N'-tetraacetic acid-acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA-AM) prevented the killing of rat hepatocytes by anoxia and rotenone, but not by cyanide. Neither manipulation prevented the loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential or the depletion of ATP. A mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) was demonstrated in digitonin-permeabilized hepatocytes as an increased [3H]sucrose-accessible space sensitive to cyclosporin A (CyA). Ca2+ depletion by either means prevented the MPT measured in intact cells made anoxic or treated with rotenone. In isolated mitochondria deenergized by rotenone, BAPTA-AM prevented the MPT induced by palmitoyl CoA. By contrast, in isolated mitochondria deenergized by cyanide, BAPTA-AM alone did not prevent the MPT. Rather, BAPTA-AM plus CyA were required. Similarly, the killing of cultured hepatocytes by cyanide was prevented by BAPTA-AM plus CyA, but not by either agent alone. The MPT in intact cells treated with cyanide was also prevented by BAPTA-AM plus CyA. These data define a specific requirement for Ca2+ in the killing of hepatocytes that follows the inhibition of electron transport. A model is presented in which the MPT depends on factors that modulate the sensitivity of the permeability transition to the matrix concentration of Ca2+.
cAMP- but not Ca(2+)-regulated Cl- conductance in the oviduct is defective in mouse model of cystic fibrosis
Authors: Leung A. Y. , Wong P. Y. , Gabriel S. E. , Yankaskas J. R. , Boucher R. C.
Published: December 2017

Defective adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-mediated Cl- transport in cystic fibrosis (CF) reflects defects in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). A moderate level of CFTR mRNA expression has been found in rodent and human oviductal epithelium, but unlike other CFTR-expressing tissues, the oviduct in CF patients is apparently normal. The present study was carried out to investigate the relative magnitude of the cAMP- and intracellular Ca2+ (Cai2+)-regulated Cl- secretion in primary cultures of the oviduct from normal and CF mice generated by targeted disruption of the murine CF gene. Normal oviductal epithelium exhibited a basal equivalent short-circuit current (Ieq) of 20.3 +/- 1.7 muA/cm2. CF oviduct exhibited a lower basal Ieq of 4.5 +/- 1.9 muA/cm2. In normal mice, forskolin (10(-5) M, apical) elicited a slowly developing sustained rise in Ieq, whereas ionomycin (5 x 10(-6) M, apical) and ATP (10(-4) M, apical) induced larger increases in Ieq consisting of a prompt, transient response followed by a slowly decreasing component. The Ieq response to forskolin was totally abolished in CF mouse oviducts, but the magnitudes of the peak Ieq responses to ionomycin and ATP were not different from normal. The time courses of the ionomycin- and ATP-evoked responses, however, were significantly more transient in CF than in normal oviducts. These results demonstrate that CF mouse oviduct exhibits defective cAMP- but not Cai(2+)-mediated Cl- secretion. The relatively high level of functional expression of the alternative Cai(2+)-activated Cl- secretory pathway in the mouse oviduct may contribute to the absence of major pathology in the CF oviduct.
Mechanisms of regulatory volume decrease in nonpigmented human ciliary epithelial cells
Authors: Adorante J. S. , Cala P. M.
Published: December 2017

To study the net solute and water efflux pathways of the ciliary epithelium we employed a cultured human NPE cell line. Because of the possible relationship between transepithelial ion and water flux and cell volume regulation, the ion efflux pathways mediating regulatory volume decrease (RVD) were investigated. Osmotic swelling of NPE cells was followed by a volume recovery. Volume recovery was K+ dependent and inhibited by K+ channel blockers such as quinine (1 mM). After osmotic swelling, a Cl(-)-dependent membrane depolarization occurred that was inhibited by Cl- channel blockers such as 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid (100 microM) or Ca2+ chelators such as ethylene glycolbis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA, 2.0 mM). Cell swelling was also accompanied by an increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) of approximately 200 nM. The swelling-induced rise in [Ca2+]i and RVD were diminished in the presence of 10 microM La3+, 50 nM 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate, and nominally Ca(2+)-free medium. Near total blockage of RVD occurred after pretreatment of NPE cells with Ca(2+)-free EGTA-1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) acetoxymethyl ester-containing solutions. The inhibition of RVD by EGTA-BAPTA treatment was overcome by increasing K+ conductance with gramicidin. The above findings indicate that RVD in NPE cells is mediated by separate K+ and Cl- conductances (channels). These data also show that swelling-induced increases in [Ca2+]i help modulate net ion efflux during regulation.
Effects of urea on K-Cl cotransport in sheep red blood cells: evidence for two signals of swelling
Authors: Dunham P. B.
Published: December 2017

The activation proceeds with a delay, like activation by swelling. Swelling of cells in urea activates K uptake further, but with no delay. Inactivation after removal of urea also proceeds without delay. With cotransport partially activated by reducing intracellular Mg concentration ([Mg]i) or with staurosporine, urea did not activate cotransport further. However, swelling activated cotransport further in these two types of cells. In terms of the three-state process for swelling-activation of K-Cl cotransport (P. B. Dunham, J. Klimczak, and P. J. Logue, J. Gen. Physiol. 101: 733-765, 1993), these results indicate that urea activates the first conversion, A-->B, and does so by inhibiting the reverse reaction promoted by a kinase, just as reducing [Mg]i does. Stimulation of cotransport by urea is nearly completely reversed by shrinkage, whereas activation by reducing [Mg]i is reversed only approximately 35%. Therefore urea inhibits the kinase indirectly, like swelling, by reducing macromolecular crowding of cytoplasmic proteins (A. P. Minton, G. C. Coleclasure, and J. C. Parker. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89: 10504-10506, 1992). Since swelling activates cotransport in two ways, one mimicked by urea and one not, there must be two signals of swelling, one a reduction of macromolecular crowding and the other probably a mechanical signal.
Isoform-specific induction of the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene by platelet-derived growth factor
Authors: Rechtoris C. , Mazzone T.
Published: December 2017

We investigated the effect of recombinant platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) isomers on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene expression and compared this with two indexes of cell growth response: expression of the immediate early gene c-myc and the rate of DNA synthesis. In human skin fibroblasts and NIH 3T3 cells, the PDGF-BB homodimer was more effective in inducing the LDL receptor gene and cell growth response compared with the PDGF-AA homodimer. The second messenger pathways utilized by PDGF receptors for enhancing LDL receptor gene response could, however, be dissociated from those utilized for enhancing c-myc gene response and were insensitive to inhibitors of tyrosine phosphorylation. Inhibition of tyrosine kinase activity inhibited c-myc gene response to PDGF-BB at 10(-8) M but had little effect on LDL receptor gene response. Such inhibition increased expression of the LDL receptor gene in the presence of the PDGF-AA isomer. Our results indicate that the response of the LDL receptor gene to PDGF isoforms reflects cellular growth response. However, different transduction pathways are utilized for PDGF activation of the c-myc and LDL receptor genes in mesenchymal cells.
cAMP-independent activation of CFTR Cl channels by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein
Authors: Illek B. , Fischer H. , Santos G. F. , Widdicombe J. H. , Machen T. E. , Reenstra W. W.
Published: December 2017

Genistein, a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor, activates the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in transfected NIH-3T3 fibroblasts that express the CFTR (3T3-CFTR). CFTR activity was assayed by 125I efflux and by patch clamping in the cell-attached mode. Both forskolin and genistein stimulated 125I efflux and activated a 9-10 pS anion channel in 3T3-CFTR cells but failed to activate 125I efflux in mock-transfected NIH-3T3 cells. Genistein, unlike forskolin and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, did not increase intracellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) above control levels. This demonstrates that genistein-dependent activation does not involve inhibition of phosphodiesterase activity and suggests that stimulation does not involve a direct activation of protein kinase A. Genistein stimulated 125I efflux to approximately 50% of the maximal rate with forskolin. Genistein did not increase 125I efflux at saturating forskolin but decreased the concentration of forskolin required for half-maximal stimulation. Orthovanadate (VO4), a phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, inhibited genistein-induced channel activation with an inhibition constant of approximately 20 microM. These effects suggest that, in addition to activation by protein kinase A, the CFTR is regulated by a tyrosine kinase-dependent pathway.
Calponin is not phosphorylated during contractions of porcine carotid arteries
Authors: Adam L. P. , Haeberle J. R. , Hathaway D. R.
Published: December 2017

Calponin and caldesmon were purified from porcine carotid arteries that were preincubated with [32P]orthophosphate, and the stoichiometry of phosphorylation was measured. In resting arteries, caldesmon was phosphorylated to a level of 0.41 mol PO4/mol protein, while calponin was phosphorylated to levels < 0.01 mol PO4/mol protein. Stimulation by histamine (1 or 5 min), KCl (1, 5 or 60 min), or phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu; 1 microM for 15 or 60 min) did not lead to measurable increases in the PO4 content of calponin. Because dephosphorylation of calponin during the purification procedure could account for these results, we also determined stoichiometries after firat denaturing endogenous phosphatases with trichloroacetic acid. In these experiments, calponin was determined to be phosphorylated to the same low levels as in the first set of experiments. Collectively, these data show that calponin is not phosphorylated to significant levels during contractions of carotid arteries under conditions where caldesmon phosphorylation is apparent. The circumstances under which calponin may be phosphorylated in intact smooth muscle, and the purpose that may be served by this potential regulatory process, remain to be determined.