bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A review of water diffusion measurement by NMR in human red blood cells
Authors: Herbst M. D. , Goldstein J. H.
Published: December 2017

This review of water transport measurement in normal human erythrocytes attempts to harmonize discordant results obtained under diverse study conditions with two different techniques: nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and radioactive tracer (THO) diffusion. Natural aggregation of red cells into rouleaux appeared to cause most of the variation among results from NMR experiments. The remainder of the discrepancy was attributed to the use of inappropriate mathematical approximations of the two-site exchange equations, differences in blood storage time, and failure to adjust NMR calculations for the nonwater protons. Differences in hematocrit, frequency-magnetic field strength, or NMR pulse technique played no apparent role in the disparity among NMR reports. When these confounding factors were removed, diffusion results obtained by NMR or by influx or bulk diffusion of radioactive tracer agreed within a relatively narrow range of values. These techniques place the mean lifetime of water inside fresh normal human erythrocytes at room temperature (20-25 degrees C) between the extremes of 9.8 and 14 ms, where the uncorrected range was previously 9.8-21.7 ms. This new range of water exchange times corresponds to a range of diffusional permeability between 3.3 and 4.7 x 10(-3) cm/s.
Angiotensin receptors in pulmonary arterial and aortic endothelial cells
Authors: Patel J. M. , Yarid F. R. , Block E. R. , Raizada M. K.
Published: December 2017

Angiotensin II (ANG II) is formed from angiotensin I by the action of angiotensin-converting enzyme located on the luminal surface of vascular endothelial cells. We determined whether binding sites specific for ANG II exist on pulmonary artery and aortic endothelial cells. The binding of 125I-ANG II to pulmonary artery and aortic endothelial cells was time dependent, saturable, and reversible. Scatchard analysis indicated a single class of high-affinity binding sites with equilibrium dissociation constants (Kd) of 0.85 and 0.81 nM and total binding capacities of 70 and 73 fmol/mg protein in pulmonary artery and aortic endothelial cells, respectively. Angiotensin analogues [Sar1,Ile8]ANG II and [Sar1,Ala8]ANG II, as well as angiotensin I and angiotensin III, competitively displaced 125I-ANG II in both pulmonary artery and aortic endothelial cells. The degree of inhibition of 125I-ANG II binding by these angiotensin analogues and antagonists was comparable except that [Sar1,Ala8]ANG II was 65% less potent than the other antagonists in both cell types. The binding of 125I-ANG II in pulmonary artery and aortic endothelial cells was not affected by vasopressin, substance P, or insulin, suggesting the presence of specific angiotensin receptors on these cells. These receptors appear to recognize the general configuration of angiotensin peptide rather than being specific to ANG II with no major differences between endothelial cells from pulmonary arterial or aortic vessels.
Neuraminidase selectively enhances transient Ca2+ current in cardiac myocytes
Authors: Yee H. F. , Weiss J. N. , Langer G. A.
Published: December 2017

Sialic acid, an anionic sugar moiety found peripherally on membrane glycoconjugates, is specifically hydrolyzed from the cell surface by neuraminidase. Because neuraminidase has previously been demonstrated to augment myocardial cell calcium content, the effects of neuraminidase on Ca channel function were studied on voltage-clamped guinea pig ventricular myocytes. In 25-50% of cells, neuraminidase treatment (0.12 U/ml for 20 min) enhanced current through the transient (T) Ca channel by 304 +/- 35% without significantly altering the magnitude of the long-lasting (L) Ca channel current. Exposure to neuraminidase did not affect the voltage dependence of activation or inactivation, nor did it affect the selective inhibition of the T-channel current by amiloride or the L-channel current by nifedipine. After neuraminidase treatment, the T-channel current inactivated more rapidly (time constant decreasing from 8.9 +/- 0.9 to 7.7 +/- 0.6 ms), whereas there was no change in the rate of inactivation of the L-channel current. Neuraminidase treatment removed approximately 20% of the total cellular sialic acid. These results indicate that neuraminidase treatment selectively modulates the function of the T Ca channel in ventricular myocytes, possibly through removal of sarcolemmal sialic acid, suggesting that glycosylation of membrane macromolecules may influence membrane function.
Regulation of ion transport in porcine gallbladder: effects of VIP and norepinephrine
Authors: O'Grady S. M. , Wolters P. J. , Hildebrand K. , Brown D. R.
Published: December 2017

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and norepinephrine (NE) on Na and Cl transport across the isolated porcine gallbladder. Serosal addition of either VIP or secretin increased the short-circuit current (Isc). The half-maximal effect for VIP was 84.3 nM. The effect of VIP was mimicked by 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-BrcAMP). Replacement of Cl with gluconate nearly abolished the effect of 8-BrcAMP on Isc, whereas HCO3 replacement with N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethane-sulfonic acid buffer had no effect. Transepithelial flux measurements indicated that 8-BrcAMP stimulates net Cl secretion and inhibits Na absorption. Norepinephrine inhibits VIP-stimulated changes in Isc as well as the basal Isc. NE does not, however, reverse the effects of 8-BrcAMP on Isc. The effects of NE are antagonized by yohimbine (alpha 2-adrenergic receptor antagonist) but not prazosin (an alpha 1-adrenergic receptor antagonist). VIP causes a 2.5-fold increase in cAMP content in the gallbladder epithelium. This increase is blocked by NE. Serosal tetrodotoxin did not inhibit the peptide effects, indicating that VIP receptors are localized on the epithelium. Depolarization of submucosal nerves with veratrine inhibited the basal Isc and was reversible with yohimbine. This result indicated that sympathetic nerve pathways regulate Na and Cl absorption in vitro.
Chloride channels in cultured glomus cells of the rat carotid body
Authors: Stea A. , Nurse C. A.
Published: December 2017

As part of our investigations on the chemosensory mechanisms in the rat carotid body, we are studying the physiology of the parenchymal glomus cells by the patch-clamp technique. Here we characterize a large-conductance chloride channel (approximately 296 pS) with random open and closed kinetics in inside-out patches of cultured glomus cells. The open-state probability (Po; mean = 0.61) was hardly affected by membrane potential (-50 to +50 mV) and cytoplasmic calcium (0-1 mM). Similarly, the channel did not appear to be regulated by cytoplasmic nucleotides (1 mM) or pH (6.5-8). Ion-substitution experiments yielded the following selectivity sequence: chloride greater than bicarbonate greater than sulfate greater than glutamate approximately sodium. Single-channel currents were reversibly reduced or blocked by anthracene-9-carboxylic acid (5-10 mM) but were unaffected by stilbene derivatives (0.5-1 mM), by furosemide (1 mM), and by 5-nitro-2-(3-phenyl-propylamino)benzoic acid (0.01 mM). Because these cultured glomus cells have been shown to express carbonic anhydrase, it is inferred that the chloride channels may play an important role in the physiology of glomus cells by aiding in the regulation of pHi and the resting potential via bicarbonate and chloride permeability.
Leukotriene D4-induced proliferation of glomerular epithelial cells: PKC- and Na+-H+ exchanger-mediated response
Authors: Baud L. , Perez J. , Cherqui G. , Cragoe E. J. , Ardaillou R.
Published: December 2017

The growth-promoting effect of leukotriene D4 (LTD4) has been observed in a variety of cells, including human glomerular epithelial cells. The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanisms underlying this process. LTD4 induction of [3H]thymidine uptake in human glomerular epithelial cells was blocked by the LTD4 receptor antagonist L648,051 when added in a 50-fold excess and by pertussis toxin. Neither drug affected basal DNA synthesis. These results suggest that the LTD4-mediated signal transduction implies activation of a GTP-binding protein that is coupled to a specific receptor. The possible role of protein kinase C (PKC) activation was also studied. In the presence of the PKC inhibitor H-7 or after downregulation of PKC levels by chronic treatment with phorbol ester, stimulation of [3H]thymidine uptake by LTD4 was greatly inhibited. Moreover, treatment of the cells by LTD4 resulted in a time-dependent increase of cytosolic PKC activity, whereas addition of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate reduced this activity. Therefore PKC-dependent mechanisms are likely to mediate the growth-promoting effect of LTD4. Finally, three approaches were used to determine the potential role of the Na+-H+ exchanger. First, progressive removal of extracellular Na+ using N-methyl-D-glucamine+ as a substitute inhibited LTD4-induced [3H]thymidine uptake with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 85 mM. Second, addition of amiloride reduced the LTD4 growth effect with an IC50 of 6.5 microM, whereas three amiloride analogues exhibited lower IC50 values in accordance with their greater affinity for the Na+-H+ exchanger.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Excess membrane cholesterol alters calcium channels in arterial smooth muscle
Authors: Bialecki R. A. , Tulenko T. N.
Published: December 2017

We studied the effects of cholesterol enrichment on arterial function by evaluating its effects on 45Ca2+ uptake and tension development in the carotid artery of the rabbit. Arterial segments were enriched with cholesterol in vitro, using media containing liposomes composed of free (unesterified) cholesterol (FC) and phospholipid (PL) in a 2:1 molar ratio. Control segments were simultaneously perfused with 0.5:1 liposomal medium to compare the possible effects of PL. Rings from these arteries were then tested for basal and activated Ca2+ uptake and for contractile responses to norepinephrine (NE) and KCl. We found elevated 45Ca2+ uptake under basal and NE-activated conditions along with an increased contractile sensitivity (4-fold) to NE. These alterations correlated with a 78% increase in the FC/PL ratio reflecting cholesterol enrichment of cellular membranes. Cholesterol enrichment did not alter resting or maximal tensions, K+-activated Ca2+ uptake, or contractile sensitivity to K+. Pretreatment with 1 microM diltiazem abolished the cholesterol-induced increase in basal as well as NE-activated 45Ca2+ uptake but had no effect on either uptake in control vessels. These studies suggest that excess membrane cholesterol selectively increases NE contractile sensitivity by increasing basal or NE-activated Ca2+ influx (or both) as a result of fundamental alteration in the calcium channels in arterial smooth muscle cell membrane.
Glycolytic and oxidative metabolism in primary renal proximal tubule cultures
Authors: Dickman K. G. , Mandel L. J.
Published: December 2017

Cultured cells often exhibit alterations in energy metabolism (increased glycolytic activity and decreased oxidative metabolism) during adaptation to the culture environment. The role of hypoxia as a mediator of these effects was examined by comparison of metabolism in primary rabbit renal proximal tubule (RPT) cultures maintained in stationary culture dishes (DISH), shaking Erlenmeyer flasks (SHAKE), and DISH cultures transferred back to SHAKE conditions (RESHAKE). Both oxidative metabolism and transport capacity were fully preserved in SHAKE cultures over a 24-h period. In contrast, within 6 h, DISH cultures exhibited a continuous decline in transport-dependent and -independent oxygen consumption, respiratory capacity, and ATP and K+ contents. The loss of oxidative metabolism in DISH cultures was accompanied by stimulation of lactate production, detectable within 1 h after plating. Comparison of metabolic properties of DISH cultures to those of RPT exposed to graded levels of hypoxia suggested that medium oxygen tensions may be as low as 1-3% in DISH cultures. RESHAKE cultures exhibited metabolic properties comparable to those of SHAKE cultures, indicating reversibility of DISH culture metabolism on reoxygenation. We concluded that DISH cultures rapidly become hypoxic as a consequence of static culture conditions. Shaking suspension cultures may provide a more metabolically appropriate model for long-term in vitro studies.
Calcium pump epitopes in placental trophoblast basal plasma membranes
Authors: Borke James L. , Caride Ariel , Verma Anil K. , Kelley Lucky K. , Smith Carl H. , Penniston John T. , Kumar Rajiv
Published: December 2017

The syncytiotrophoblast represents the primary cellular barrier between maternal and fetal circulations in the placenta. Large amounts of Ca2+ are transported across this barrier by mechanisms that are not clearly understood. To further understand this phenomenon, we examined rat and human placenta by immunohistochemical and protein blotting techniques with a monoclonal antibody raised against the human erythrocyte plasma membrane Ca2+ pump. Immunohistochemistry with this antibody showed specific staining in the human placenta of the basal (fetal facing) surface of the syncytiotrophoblast. In the rat placenta, immunohistochemistry also showed specific staining of the innermost (fetal facing) layer of the trophoblast and the basal surface of the endoderm of the intraplacental yolk sac. In Western blots of placental homogenates and membranes, the monoclonal antibody bound to a 140,000-mol wt band, characteristic of Ca2+ pumps in other tissues. Western blots of isolated basal membranes showed more intense staining than isolated microvillous membranes, confirming the results of the immunohistochemistry. In addition, Ca2+ transport in basal membrane vesicles from human placenta was inhibited by polyclonal antibodies prepared against the erythrocyte Ca2+ pump. We conclude that basal (fetal facing) layers of human and rat placentas contain a high-affinity Ca2+ pump situated to transport Ca2+ from the maternal to the fetal circulation.

calcium-magnesium-adenosinetriphosphatase; calcium transport; immunohistochemistry; rat and human placenta

Submitted on November 14, 1988

Accepted on March 27, 1989
Effect of pH on growth of mouse renal cortical tubule cells in primary culture
Authors: Blumenthal S. S. , Lewand D. L. , Buday M. A. , Mandel N. S. , Mandel G. S. , Kleinman J. G.
Published: December 2017

We examined the effect of the medium pH on growth of primary cultures of mouse cortical tubule cells grown in defined medium. A significantly higher DNA content was observed within 24 h of lowering medium pH from 7.4 to 6.8 or 7.1 and persisted for the duration of the study. Further studies revealed that either medium acidification or insulin plus prostaglandin E1 nearly doubled uptake of [3H]thymidine in cells deprived of other growth factors for the previous 72-110 h. Moreover, the effects of insulin, prostaglandin E1, and medium acidification on [3H]thymidine uptake of quiescent cells were additive. An alkaline medium pH appeared to have a small but significant effect on cell hypertrophy, since cells exposed to pH 7.4 and 7.7 had a higher protein-to-DNA ratio than cells incubated at a lower pH. Cell pH of monolayers grown on glass slides determined from fluorescence of the carboxyfluorescein analogue 2',7'-biscarboxyethyl-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) was linearly correlated with medium pH, and changes in medium pH resulted in changes in steady-state cell pH of a similar magnitude. Four hours after medium acidification, relative increases in cell Na+ and water content occurred, whereas medium alkalinization led to decreases in cell Na+ and water content. The increases in cell Na+ and cell water content at pH 6.8 could be inhibited by amiloride. We conclude that decreasing the cell pH can be a mitogenic stimulus for renal tubule cells. Medium acidification is accompanied by changes in cell Na+ transport, which may be mediated in part by altered Na+-H+ antiporter activity.
Participation of Ca currents in colonic electrical activity
Authors: Langton P. D. , Burke E. P. , Sanders K. M.
Published: December 2017

Canine colonic myocytes were studied with the whole cell patch-clamp technique. In 1.8 mM Ca2+, inward currents were evoked by depolarization. Currents activated positive to -50 mV, peaked at approximately 0 mV, and reversed at approximately +50 mV. Inward current was potentiated by high external Ca2+ concentration and BAY K8644 and was decreased by low external Ca2+, nifedipine, and Mn2+, indicating that the current was carried by Ca2+. Overlap of the activation-inactivation properties indicated a "window current" range (-40 to -20 mV) in which inward current might be sustained for long durations at potentials achieved during electrical slow waves. Voltage-clamp protocols simulating physiological depolarizations elicited sustained inward currents. Maximum changes in intracellular Ca2+ resulting from sustained inward currents were calculated, which suggested that depolarizations at the level of slow waves may increase cell Ca2+ sufficiently to cause contraction. The data suggest that electrical slow waves in colonic myocytes are due in part to inward Ca current. This current appears to be sufficient to explain the relationship between slow waves and contractions and provides an explanation for the mechanical threshold in colonic muscles.
Terminal cisternae of denervated rabbit skeletal muscle: alterations of functional properties of Ca2+ release channels
Authors: Zorzato F. , Volpe P. , Damiani E. , Quaglino D. , Margreth A.
Published: December 2017

Terminal cisternae (TC) of skeletal muscle represent the specialized compartment from which Ca2+ is released into the myoplasm after a propagated action potential. In this study we have investigated the morphology, protein composition, and Ca2+ release properties of TC isolated from rabbit gastrocnemius muscle 2 wk after nerve sectioning. Thin-section electron microscopy showed that TC vesicles from denervated muscle were enriched in calsequestrin (CS) and contained a larger fraction of the junctional sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), as judged by membrane profiles with morphologically intact feet structures. Accordingly, the yield of junctional SR from denervated muscle was twice that of control muscle, and the protein pattern of TC vesicles exhibited an increase in junctional protein components, e.g., CS and the 350-kDa protein. The larger content of the 350-kDa protein, or ryanodine receptor (F.A. Lai, H. Erickson, E. Rousseau, Q.-Y. Liu, and G. Meissner, Nature Lond. 331: 315-319, 1988; T. Imagawa, J. S. Smith, R. Coronado, and K. P. Campbell. J. Biol. Chem. 262: 10636-10643, 1987; L. Hymel, M. Inui, S. Fleischer, and H. Schindler, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:441-445, 1988) was paralleled by an increased binding site density (Bmax) for ryanodine binding in denervated muscle TC. The effects of ruthenium red, a Ca2+ release blocker, on Ca2+ loading rate and Ca2+-ATPase activity suggested that TC from denervated muscle were less permeable to Ca2+. After active Ca2+ loading, both doxorubicin and caffeine induced Ca2+ release from isolated TC, yet Ca2+ release rates were reduced in denervated muscle TC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Phallacidin prevents thrombin-induced increases in endothelial permeability to albumin
Authors: Phillips P. G. , Lum H. , Malik A. B. , Tsan M. F.
Published: December 2017

Calf pulmonary artery endothelial monolayers cultured on polycarbonate filters were utilized to study 125I-labeled albumin permeability and actin filament distribution in response to thrombin challenge. Thirty-minute exposure to alpha-thrombin (10(-7) M) significantly increased albumin clearance rates. These changes were associated with marked alterations in actin filament distribution, resulting in loss of peripheral actin bands and an increase in the number of cytoplasmic stress fibers. Because the actin peripheral filaments are thought to play an important role in junctional stability, we postulated that stabilization of actin filaments should protect against thrombin-induced barrier disruptions. Pretreatment of cells with 0.3 microM 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD)-phallacidin, a specific actin-stabilizing agent, prevented the changes in actin filament distribution and markedly attenuated the increase in albumin permeability. Because of the potential toxicity of phallatoxins, we evaluated the effects of pretreatment on cell viability and growth parameters. There were no differences in viability, seeding efficiency, or doubling times in cells treated with 0.3 microM NBD-phallacidin in comparison to controls. Our data support the hypothesis that actin filaments, particularly peripheral bands, contribute significantly to the maintenance of barrier function in cultured endothelial cells.
Release of immunoreactive angiotensin II from neuronal cultures: adrenergic influences
Authors: Richards E. M. , Hermann K. , Sumners C. , Raizada M. K. , Phillips M. I.
Published: December 2017

The effects of adrenergic drugs on the release of immunoreactive angiotensin II (ANG II-ir) from brain cells in culture were examined. In neuronal cultures, basal release of Ang II-ir was 43.65 +/- 7.44 pg/5-min incubation period (n = 14 experiments; 52 individual determinations), and in astrocytic glial cultures, it was 21.76 +/- 5.7 pg (n = 8 experiments; 24 individual determinations) when cells were exposed to buffer alone. Incubation of neuronal cultures with the alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist yohimbine (0.1-50 microM, 5 min) caused concentration-dependent increases in ANG II-ir release above basal levels. Analysis of the released material by high-pressure liquid chromatography revealed that authentic ANG II was present. No increase in the release of ANG II-ir was seen from glial cells. Experiments using neuronal cultures revealed that the yohimbine-induced release of ANG II-ir may be secondary to increased norepinephrine (NE) release. Incubation of neuronal cultures with NE (10 nM-50 microM) caused concentration-dependent increases in the release of ANG II-ir. This effect of NE was not inhibited by the alpha 1-adrenergic blocker prazosin. However, a weaker release of ANG II-ir from neuronal cultures was stimulated by the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol at 100 microM. These data show that ANG II-ir can be released from neuronal but not glial cell cultures by adrenergic receptor-mediated mechanisms.
Parathyroid hormone-induced translocation of Na-H antiporters in rat proximal tubules
Authors: Hensley C. B. , Bradley M. E. , Mircheff A. K.
Published: December 2017

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is believed to inhibit bicarbonate reabsorption by inhibiting Na-H antiport activity in proximal tubular brush-border membranes. The sequence of events triggered by PTH was investigated in a crude preparation of proximal tubules obtained by mechanical disruption and filtration through nylon mesh filters. Tubule samples were subjected to analytical subcellular fractionation after 2-, 5-, and 30-min treatments with 1 IU/ml PTH. These PTH-treatment intervals caused 54, 63, and 68% decreases in the Na-H antiport activity of a population of brush-border membrane vesicles that was resolved from a PTH-unresponsive brush-border population by density-gradient centrifugation. The rapid loss of Na-H antiport activity from the responsive population was accompanied by a transient increase in the Na-H antiport activity of a region of the density gradient, designated density window III, which was shown to contain two distinct membrane populations; these populations were both enriched in acid phosphatase activity, and one of them was also an important locus of galactosyltransferase activity. The increase in the Na-H antiport activity of window III accounted for 52% of the activity lost from the PTH-responsive population after 2 min, and for 43% of the activity lost after 5 min, but it was completely abolished after 25 more minutes in the presence of PTH. These observations suggest that PTH triggers a rapid translocation of Na-H antiporters from the microvillus membrane to a distinct membrane domain, where they are subsequently inactivated.
Role of HCO3- in regulation of cytoplasmic pH in ciliary epithelial cells
Authors: Helbig H. , Korbmacher C. , Stumpff F. , Coca-Prados M. , Wiederholt M.
Published: December 2017

Cytoplasmic pH (pHi) was monitored using the pH-sensitive absorbance of 5(6)carboxy-4',5'-dimethylfluorescein in monolayers of a cell clone derived from bovine pigmented ciliary epithelium (PE) transformed with the simian virus 40. 1) Changing extracellular media from a nominally HCO3(-)-free solution to a solution containing 28 mM HCO3(-)-5% CO2 at constant extracellular pH (7.4) resulted in a delayed alkalinization of pHi, which was 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) sensitive and was inhibited in Na+-free medium and in Cl(-)-depleted cells. 2) DIDS pretreatment acidified pHi in HCO3(-)-containing media. 3) Replacing extracellular Cl- resulted in a DIDS-sensitive, HCO3(-)-dependent, and Na+-independent alkalinization. 4) Replacing extracellular Na+ in HCO3(-)-containing media led to a partly DIDS-sensitive intracellular acidification. 5) Recovery of pHi after an alkali load (acetate prepulse) had a HCO3(-)-dependent and DIDS-sensitive component. 6) Two Na+-dependent components participated in pHi regulation after an acid load (NH4+ prepulse) in HCO3(-)-containing solution. One was amiloride sensitive, the other was DIDS sensitive and was inhibited in HCO3(-)-free media and after Cl- depletion. We conclude that in cultured PE, in addition to Na+-H+ exchange, two HCO3-transporters participate in pHi regulation. Cl(-)-dependent Na+-HCO3-symport regulates pHi during steady state and after an acid load, and Na+-independent Cl(-)-HCO3-exchange is involved in pHi recovery after an alkali load.
Enhanced erythropoietin secretion in hepatoblastoma cells in response to hypoxia
Authors: Ueno M. , Seferynska I. , Beckman B. , Brookins J. , Nakashima J. , Fisher J. W.
Published: December 2017

Erythropoietin (Ep) levels in spent culture media of a Hep G2 human hepatoblastoma cell line were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA), fetal mouse liver erythroid colony formation (FMLC), and the exhypoxic polycythemic mouse assay (EHPCMA). The Hep G2 cells at high density produced approximately 700 mU/ml Ep when measured with the RIA. On the other hand, the Ep levels when assayed in EHPCMA and FMLC were 50 and 2,600 mU/ml, respectively. The bioactivity in FMLC was completely neutralized by an antibody to purified human recombinant Ep, indicating that the erythropoietic activity in the Hep G2 spent culture medium was immunologically equivalent to Ep. Ep levels in the medium from low-density Hep G2 cells in 5% O2 and 1% O2 were 2.5- and 4-fold greater, respectively, than that of 20% O2. In contrast, hyperoxia (40% O2) significantly inhibited Ep production. A significant increase in Ep secretion was also observed when the cells were incubated with cobaltous chloride (2 X 10(-6) -2.5 X 10(-4) M). Tunicamycin (0.5 micrograms/ml), which inhibits N-linked glycosylation, significantly reduced the enhancement of Ep secretion induced by hypoxia (1% O2) without affecting cell growth. Forskolin and cholera toxin, each of which increased the levels of cyclic AMP in the Hep G2 cells by 40-fold, produced a significant (P less than 0.05) further increase in Ep secretion in the presence of hypoxia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Malignant hyperthermia: slow sodium current in cultured human muscle cells
Authors: Wieland S. J. , Fletcher J. E. , Rosenberg H. , Gong Q. H.
Published: December 2017

Voltage-activated ion currents were measured in cultured skeletal muscle myoballs. Cultures were generated from biopsies from patients referred for diagnosis of susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia (MH); diagnosis of susceptibility (MH+) or nonsusceptibility (MH-) was made on the basis of in vitro halothane-induced contracture of a separate piece of biopsy. Measurements of ion currents were made at room temperature in the absence of anesthetic agents, using tight-seal whole-cell recording. Fast transient Na+ currents and delayed outward K+ currents were similar in magnitude and kinetics in cells from MH+ and MH- patients. An additional slowly inactivating inward current component was commonly observed in cells from MH+ patients. This current was blockable by tetrodotoxin and was carried by Na+ but not by Ba2+. The component was less frequently observed and was of a lower magnitude in cells from MH- patients. The increased magnitude of the slow inward current observed in cultured muscle cells from MH+ patients may be a manifestation of the lesion that causes MH.
Effects of cholera toxin on gene expression in brown preadipocytes differentiating in culture
Authors: Herron D. , Nechad M. , Rehnmark S. , Nelson B. D. , Nedergaard J. , Cannon B.
Published: December 2017

To investigate the cellular control of the recruitment process in brown adipose tissue, the ability of cholera toxin to influence the differentiation of brown preadipocytes developing in culture was investigated. Stromalvascular cells obtained from the brown adipose tissue of 3-wk-old rats were grown in culture for 6-7 days in the presence or absence of cholera toxin. It was found that cholera toxin treatment decreased the expression of the actin gene (indicating an increased degree of differentiation), while at the same time promoting the expression of the genes coding for the mitochondriogenesis marker cytochrome-c oxidase and for the adipocyte conversion marker lipoprotein lipase (all followed at the mRNA level). Chronic cholera toxin treatment also increased the total amount of protein per cell in culture, and a specific cholera toxin-induced 35-kDa protein was identified. It was concluded that (in contrast to the case suggested for white preadipocytes) cholera toxin treatment of brown preadipocytes may not only affect the activity of catabolic enzymes but may also directly promote the differentiation process, indicating that this process is under beta-adrenergic control in the adapting animal.
Low-affinity transport of pyroglutamyl-histidine in renal brush-border membrane vesicles
Authors: Skopicki H. A. , Fisher K. , Zikos D. , Flouret G. , Peterson D. R.
Published: December 2017

These studies were performed to determine if a low-affinity carrier is present in the luminal membrane of proximal tubular cells for the transport of the dipeptide, pyroglutamyl-histidine (pGlu-His). We have previously described the existence of a specific, high-affinity, low-capacity [transport constant (Kt) = 9.3 X 10(-8) M, Vmax = 6.1 X 10(-12) mol.mg-1.min-1] carrier for pGlu-His in renal brush-border membrane vesicles. In the present study, we sought to demonstrate that multiple carriers exist for the transport of a single dipeptide by determining whether a low-affinity carrier also exists for the uptake of pGlu-His. Transport of pGlu-His into brush-border membrane vesicles was saturable over the concentration range of 10(-5)-10(-3) M, yielding a Kt of 6.3 X 10(-5) M and a Vmax of 2.2 X 10(-10) mol.mg-1.min-1. Uptake was inhibited by the dipeptides glycyl-proline, glycyl-sarcosine, and carnosine but not by the tripeptide pyroglutamyl-histidyl-prolinamide. We conclude that 1) pGlu-His is transported across the luminal membrane of the proximal tubule by multiple carriers and 2) the lower affinity carrier, unlike the higher affinity carrier, is nonspecific with respect to other dipeptides.
Expression of nonmuscle myosin heavy and light chains in smooth muscle
Authors: Gaylinn B. D. , Eddinger T. J. , Martino P. A. , Monical P. L. , Hunt D. F. , Murphy R. A.
Published: December 2017

We have compiled evidence that nonmuscle isoforms of both myosin heavy chain (NM MHC) and myosin regulatory light chain (NM LC20) are present in fully differentiated smooth muscles (SM). In swine carotid media sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis separated three MHC bands. The upper two bands were identified by immunoblotting as SM-specific isoforms. The lowest MHC band amounted to 14 +/- 2% of the total MHC and was electrophoretically and antigenically similar to platelet MHC. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of swine carotid media extracts resolved multiple LC20 species, including phosphorylated and "satellite" forms. Mass spectrometric analysis of tryptic peptides from blots of these gels demonstrated two LC20 isoforms. The measured peptide masses correspond with two published cDNA sequences proposed to represent SM and NM LC20 isoforms. These sequences readily explain the electrophoretic behavior of the isoforms. The minor isoform's abundance (16 +/- 3%, corresponding to NM MHC), antigenic properties, and pattern of expression in tissue culture all confirm that this is a NM LC20 isoform. The localization and functional significance of NM myosin in smooth muscle is unknown.
Caffeine-induced Ca2+ release activates Ca2+ extrusion via Na+-Ca2+ exchanger in cardiac myocytes
Authors: Callewaert G. , Cleemann L. , Morad M.
Published: December 2017

Pages C147–C152: G. Callewaert, L. Cleemann, and M. Morad. “Caffeine-induced Ca2+ release activates Ca2+ extrusion via Na+-Ca2+ exchanger in cardiac myocytes.” Page C149: Fig. 2 should appear as follows:
Endothelin, a peptide inhibitor of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in intact renaltubular epithelial cells
Authors: Zeidel M. L. , Brady H. R. , Kone B. C. , Gullans S. R. , Brenner B. M.
Published: December 2017

Endothelin, a potent vasoconstrictor released by vascular endothelial cells, can induce natriuresis in vivo. These studies examined the regulation of Na+ transport by endothelin in suspensions of rabbit proximal tubule (PT) and inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells. Endothelin reduced oxygen consumption (QO2) by 18 +/- 1% in IMCD cells but did not alter QO2 in PT cells. In IMCD cells, endothelin inhibited QO2 half maximally at approximately 5 x 10(-12) M. Several lines of evidence indicate that endothelin reduces QO2 by inhibiting the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase. 1) Endothelin gave no further inhibition of QO2 after ouabain and blunted the stimulatory effect of amphotericin B on QO2 (+29 +/- 4% in absence of endothelin, 0 +/- 5% in presence of endothelin; n = 6 preparations, P less than 0.001). 2) Endothelin inhibited ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake by 46.6 +/- 8.6% at 10 s and by 35.4 +/- 5.3% at 30 s without altering uptake at 60 min. 3) Addition of endothelin to IMCD cells induced a net K+ efflux with an initial rate of 32.2 +/- 4.8 nmol.min-1.mg protein-1, consistent with inhibition of the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase. In contrast to the response observed in intact cells, in permeabilized IMCD cells endothelin did not inhibit ouabain-sensitive ATPase. Several observations indicated that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) mediates endothelin inhibition of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity. 1) The response to endothelin was blocked by ibuprofen in assays of QO2, net K+ flux, and 86Rb+ uptake. 2) Endothelin and PGE2 gave equivalent, nonadditive inhibition of ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Activation of myocardial protein kinase C by plasmalogenic diglycerides
Authors: Ford D. A. , Gross R. W.
Published: December 2017

Recently, we have demonstrated that myocardial sarcolemma is predominantly comprised of plasmalogen molecular species and that the plasmalogen metabolite 1-O-alk-1'-enyl-2-acyl-sn-glycerol (AAG) accumulates during myocardial ischemia despite substantial decreases in 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol (DAG) content. To elucidate the physiological significance of AAG accumulation during myocardial ischemia, rabbit myocardial protein kinase C was partially purified by DE-52 and high-performance hydroxylapatite chromatographies, and the potency of AAG as an activator of myocardial protein kinase C was assessed. Both AAG and 1-O-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycerol are potent activators of myocardial protein kinase C with obligatory requirements for physiological increments in free Ca2+ concentration. In contrast, a substantial amount of myocardial protein kinase C activity elicited by DAG was calcium independent. Concentration dependence of ATP for protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation was identical utilizing either ether-linked diglycerides or DAG as activators, with maximal phosphorylation manifest at ATP concentrations two orders of magnitude less than those found in ischemic myocardium. Thus accumulation of AAG in ischemic myocardium in conjunction with increases in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration may synergistically activate protein kinase C and therefore modulate phosphorylation of proteins in specific subcellular loci.
Atrial natriuretic factor alters phospholipid metabolism in mesangial cells
Authors: Barnett R. , Ortiz P. A. , Blaufox S. , Singer S. , Nord E. P. , Ramsammy L.
Published: December 2017

The mechanism for the vasorelaxant effect of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) remains to be clarified. Recent evidence suggests that this agent can antagonize the action of angiotensin II (ANG II) by affecting intracellular calcium metabolism. The biochemical basis for this phenomenon was investigated in cultured rat mesangial cells (MCs), a preparation which exhibits the contractile properties of smooth muscle cells and is responsive to ANG II and ANF. Preincubation of MCs with ANF significantly inhibited ANG II-induced release of inositol trisphosphate (IP3) resulting from hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate. Similarly, ANG II-stimulated increases in cytosolic free Ca2+ [( Ca2+]i), 45Ca efflux, as well as 45Ca influx were diminished by ANF. In addition, these alterations in Ca2+ kinetics were associated with ANF-mediated antagonism of ANG II-induced phospholipid turnover and prostaglandin (PG) E2 release. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), which augmented guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) accumulation to a degree comparable to ANF, likewise inhibited ANG II action on the phosphoinositide (PI) pathway, Ca2+ regulation, and PGE2 production. Collectively our results indicate that the effects of ANF on [Ca2+]i in MCs relate to cGMP-induced alterations of PI metabolism. In this fashion cGMP-elevating agents may influence a variety of calcium-dependent biochemical pathways including prostaglandin synthesis.
Heparin inhibits Na(+)-H+ exchange in vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Zaragoza R. , Battle-Tracy K. M. , Owen N. E.
Published: December 2017

Vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation has been shown to be an important factor in atheromatous plaque formation, hypertrophy associated with essential hypertension, and failure of balloon angioplasty procedures. Investigators have shown that a number of different agents stimulate vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, including epidermal growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, angiotensin II, and catecholamines. Previously, we have demonstrated that these agents also cause immediate changes in ion transport and second messenger generation in vascular smooth muscle cells. We have proposed that these immediate changes may be linked to each other and to cell proliferation. In contrast to the many agents that have been shown to stimulate vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, only a few agents (e.g., heparin sodium or transforming growth factor-beta) have been shown to inhibit vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. In the present study we have investigated whether heparin inhibits serum- or growth factor-stimulated changes in ion transport and second messenger generation in vascular smooth muscle cells. We found that heparin inhibits serum- or growth factor-stimulated Na(+)-H+ exchange in a concentration-dependent manner that is not dependent on the ability of heparin to function as an anticoagulant agent. In addition, other glycosaminoglycans were not found to be inhibitory, and the inhibitory effects of heparin were discovered to be limited to vascular smooth muscle cells. Heparin does not appear to be acting by binding to growth factors, or by directly inhibiting the Na(+)-H+ exchange protein. However, heparin did inhibit serum- or growth factor-stimulated inositol trisphosphate release and calcium mobilization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Relative efficacy of slow and fast alpha-motoneurons to reinnervate mouse soleus muscle
Authors: Desypris G. , Parry D. J.
Published: December 2017

Contractile and histochemical properties of reinnervated motor units in soleus muscles of C57BL/6J mice were examined 1 mo after sectioning the soleus nerve. Fifty-one motor units were isolated by the technique of ventral root splitting. Their sizes ranged from 0.4 to 13.6% of whole muscle tetanic tension (Po) with a mean size of 5.3% Po corresponding to 19 motor units. In control unoperated mice, the range was 2.2-8.6% Po, with a mean size of 4.8% Po corresponding to 22 motor units. Although no clear relationship between unit time to peak tension and size was seen in control units, it appeared that in the reinnervated muscle the large units were also slow contracting, whereas the smaller units were predominantly fast contracting. Adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) staining revealed an increase in the proportion of muscle area occupied by type I fibers in reinnervated soleus compared with control soleus. Immunohistochemical staining of reinnervated soleus with monoclonal antibodies against type I and IIa myosin showed the presence of hybrid fibers containing both myosins. It is concluded that during reinnervation most motoneurons reinnervate the soleus muscle of the mouse. The hypothesis that slow motoneurons are more adept at expanding their innervating field than fast motoneurons is also supported by the data.
Accelerated ribosome formation and growth in neonatal pig hearts
Authors: Camacho J. A. , Peterson C. J. , White G. J. , Morgan H. E.
Published: December 2017

Rapid growth (5 mg dry heart/h) of the left ventricular free wall (LVFW) in the newborn pig heart accompanied by lack of growth of the right ventricular free wall (RVFW) represents a unique natural model of cardiac enlargement that is free of pathophysiological influences. By 3 days of life, LVFW was 71% larger than at 4 h of age. Rates of protein synthesis were measured during perfusion of isolated pig hearts with bicarbonate buffer containing glucose, lactate, insulin, and plasma concentrations of amino acids of an aortic pressure of 60 mmHg. In hearts from pigs that were 18 h of age, rates of protein synthesis were the same in RVFW and LVFW, but in 2-day-old pigs the rate was 52% greater in LVFW than RVFW. During the first 3 days of life, RNA content (mg/g) increased 3.4-fold faster in LVFW than RVFW. When RNA content was expressed per total heart portion, the increase was 7.9-fold greater. Because approximately 85% of total RNA is rRNA, these values indicated much more rapid formation of ribosomes in the LVFW than RVFW. When ribosome formation was measured in vitro in hearts from 48-h-old pigs, rates of formation were 39% greater in LVFW than RVFW, and at 18 h of age, ribosome formation was 40% faster in LVFW than RVFW. These findings indicated that formation of new ribosome preceded accelerated synthesis of total heart proteins. These findings indicated that rapid growth of LVFW compared with no growth of RVFW was associated with a 67% faster rate of ribosome formation and a 32% greater rate of protein synthesis.
Myosin light chain phosphorylation in human myometrial smooth muscle cells
Authors: Mackenzie L. W. , Word R. A. , Casey M. L. , Stull J. T.
Published: December 2017

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation of the 20-kDa regulatory light chain of myosin is of signal importance in the initiation of contraction in a number of smooth muscle tissues. In this investigation, we evaluated the relationship between intracellular free Ca2+/concentration [( Ca2+]i) and the extent of myosin light chain phosphorylation in cultured human myometrial smooth muscle cells. Treatment of myometrial cells with ionomycin caused a concentration- and time-dependent increase in [Ca2+]i and phosphorylation of myosin light chain. Temporally, the increases in light chain phosphorylation and [Ca2+]i in response to ionomycin were similar. In myometrial cells treated with ionomycin (10(-5) M) for 10 s, [Ca2+]i increased from 138 to 800 nM; in these same cells, myosin light chain phosphorylation increased from 5% to a maximum value of 54%. Half-maximal phosphorylation of myosin light chain was attained at 300 nM [Ca2+]i. Treatment of myometrial smooth muscle cells with prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha (10(-8) M) and PGE2 (10(-8) M) caused a proportionate increase in [Ca2+]i and myosin light chain phosphorylation. In addition, [Ca2+]i and myosin light chain phosphorylation increased in response to oxytocin and angiotensin II. These findings indicate that a number of uterotonic agents effect an increase in [Ca2+]i, which in turn causes phosphorylation of myosin light chain. Furthermore, the concentration of Ca2+ in the cytoplasm is a primary determinant for myosin light chain phosphorylation in human myometrial smooth muscle cells.
Modification of temperature dependence of myofilament Ca sensitivity by troponin C replacement
Authors: Harrison S. M. , Bers D. M.
Published: December 2017

The Ca sensitivity of chemically skinned right ventricular trabeculae from the rat heart was determined at 22 and 8 degrees C. Endogenous troponin C (TnC) was then extracted with EDTA and replaced with either bovine cardiac TnC or rabbit fast-twitch skeletal TnC. The temperature dependence of myofilament Ca sensitivity was then reevaluated. Cooling native cardiac tissue from 22 to 8 degrees C reduced the pCa (-log10 [Ca2+]), generating half-maximal tension (K1/2) from 5.20 +/- 0.07 to 4.89 +/- 0.08 (SD, n = 14), and also reduced maximum Ca-activated force to 33 +/- 6% of its value at 22 degrees C. After extraction of endogenous TnC and reconstitution with cardiac TnC, cooling from 22 to 8 degrees C caused a similar shift in mean K1/2 from 4.93 +/- 0.08 to 4.69 +/- 0.06 (n = 7). When skeletal TnC was reconstituted into TnC-extracted ventricular fibers, cooling from 22 to 8 degrees C led to a much smaller mean shift in K1/2 from 4.88 +/- 0.07 to 4.78 +/- 0.04 (n = 7). The results show that the magnitude of the cooling-induced shift in myofilament Ca sensitivity observed in the native state (or after reconstitution with cardiac TnC) is significantly reduced if the fiber is reconstituted with skeletal TnC (P less than 0.001). This indicates that the temperature dependence of myofilament Ca sensitivity of cardiac muscle can be modified by incorporation of skeletal TnC. Thus Ca binding to TnC plays an important role in determining the temperature dependence of myofilament Ca sensitivity.