Acinar Membranes Research Articles

Effect of protein kinase C on amylase secretion and cyclic AMP production in rat pancreatic acinar cells

The authors examined the effects of protein kinase C on secretin-induced amylase release and cyclic AMP production in rat pancreatic acinar cells. Secretin (10(-6) M) and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) (10(-6) M) induced 53% and 60% increase of amylase release from the basal level, respectively during 10 min. Simultaneous addition of TPA and secretin resulted in 42% amylase release from the basal level for 10 min. Suppression of secretin-induced amylase release was evident within 5 min of pretreatment with TPA. TPA showed the same effect on cyclic AMP production; secretin-induced increase of cyclic AMP was suppressed by pretreatment of TPA for 5 min. To explore the mechanism by which TPA inhibits secretin-induced cyclic AMP production, we also examined the effects of protein kinase C purified from rat brain on adenylate cyclase activity in pancreatic acinar membranes. Basal, forskolin- and secretin plus guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]trisphosphate-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity were inhibited by protein kinase C in the presence of Ca++. These results suggest that protein kinase C might have a role in the inhibitory effect on adenylate cyclase in exocrine pancreas.

Relationship between Ca2+-transport and ATP hydrolytic activities in guinea-pig pancreatic acinar plasma membranes

Partially purified plasma membrane fractions were prepared from guinea-pig pancreatic acini. These membrane preparations were found to contain an ATP-dependent Ca(2+)-transporter as well as a heterogenous ATP-hydrolytic activity. The Ca(2+)-transporter showed high affinity for Ca2+ (KCa2+ = 0.04 +/- 0.01 microM), an apparent requirement for Mg2+ and high substrate specificity. The major component of ATPase activity could be stimulated by either Ca2+ or Mg2+ but showed a low affinity for these cations. At low concentrations, Mg2+ appeared to inhibit the Ca(2+)-dependent ATPase activity expressed by these membranes. However, in the presence of high Mg2+ concentration (0.5-1 mM), a high affinity Ca(2+)-dependent ATPase activity was observed (KCa2+ = 0.08 +/- 0.02 microM). The hydrolytic activity showed little specificity towards ATP. Neither the Ca(2+)-transport nor high affinity Ca(2+)-ATPase activity were stimulated by calmodulin. The results demonstrate, in addition to a low affinity Ca2+ (or Mg2+)-ATPase activity, the presence of both a high affinity Ca(2+)-pump and high affinity Ca(2+)-dependent ATPase. However, the high affinity Ca(2+)-ATPase activity does not appear to be the biochemical expression of the Ca(2+)-pump.

Molecular characterization of the solubilized receptor of somatostatin from rat pancreatic acinar membranes.

The somatostatin receptors on rat pancreatic acinar membranes were demonstrated by use of a radioiodinated (125I-) analogue of somatostatin (SMS 204-090 or [Tyr3]SMS). The tracer was found to bind to the receptor with a Kd of 58 pM. The number of sites detected by this tracer (4.7 pmol/mg of protein) was 5-10 times higher than the number of sites previously found with other tracers. Since the level of non-specific binding was also very low as compared with findings with other tracers, 125I-204-090 might be of interest in future attempts to characterize the somatostatin receptors in the pancreas. The prelabelled membranes were solubilized with 1% CHAPS, and the solubilized complexes were found to adsorb to wheat-germ-agglutinin-coupled agarose, from which they could be eluted with 4 mM-triacetylchitotriose. The complexes within this eluate were shown by gel filtration on Trisacryl GF-2000 to have an Mr of about 400,000. The dissociation of the complexes was augmented both within the membranes as well as in the solubilized state by incubation with the GTP analogue guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate, indicating that the complexes are probably functionally linked to a guanine-nucleotide-binding regulatory protein. After SDS/slab-gel electrophoresis and autoradiography of cross-linked complexes after treatment with the heterobifunctional reagent N-5-azido-2-nitrobenzoyloxysuccinimide, a broad band occurred at approximately Mr 90,000 both in the membranes and in the eluates of complexes after lectin-adsorption chromatography. We conclude that the augmentation of the number of detectable sites for binding of somatostatin, as well as the very low level of non-specific binding obtained by the use of 125I-[Tyr3]SMS as tracer, has made it possible for us to demonstrate the solubilization of the somatostatin receptor in conjunction with its ligand and a GTP-binding regulatory protein, and we have succeeded in cross-linking 125I-[Tyr3]SMS to a binding subunit of Mr 90,000 in the membranes and in demonstrating the presence of the same labelled binding subunit within complexes solubilized and chromatographed on a lectin column before cross-linking.

Characterization of covalently cross-linked somatostatin receptors in hamster beta cell insulinoma.

The selective binding of somatostatin-28 (SS-28) to beta cells of hamster insulinoma was characterized using HPLC-purified 125I-[Leu8,D-Trp22,Tyr25]SS-28 or 125I-SS-28. A single class of high-affinity sites (Kd = 53 +/- 5 pM) was observed with a binding capacity of 2.85 pmol/mg membrane protein. A large number of relatively low-affinity sites was found also. The order of potency of different peptides to inhibit 125I-SS-28 binding is SS-28 greater than SS-14 greater than SMS-201-995 and the respective half-maximal inhibitory doses are 0.16 nM, 10 nM and 1000 nM. CCK8 and other active pancreatic peptides (glucagon, insulin, gastric inhibitory peptide, vasoactive intestinal peptide, oxyntomodulin) do not inhibit the SS-28 receptor binding. 125I-SS-28-labeled beta membranes were successfully cross-linked using either the cleavable cross-linker dithiobis(succinimidylpropionate) (1 mM) alone or with a heterobifunctional agent, N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-4-azidobenzoate (HSAB). In both cases five molecular components were revealed, after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the membrane proteins and autoradiography, with the following molecular mass: 196-kDa, 132 kDa, 69 kDa, 45 kDa and 28 kDa. The labeling of 196-kDa, 132-kDa and 45-kDa species was specific in that they could be inhibited by unlabeled SS-28. The major labeled species corresponds to the 132-kDa band and no change in the mobility of this HSAB covalently bound SS-28 receptor was found after addition of dithiothreitol, suggesting that this specific receptor does not contain interchain disulphide bonds. The molecular mass of SS-28 receptors differs markedly from that of guinea-pig pancreatic acinar membranes, where a single 93-kDa protein is identified as a 125I-SS-28 receptor site in comparative experiments. Both the binding kinetics and structural differences sustain the selective action of SS-28 in the endocrine pancreas.

Pancreatic secretagogues regulate somatostatin binding to its receptors on rat pancreatic acinar membranes.

Labeled somatostatin binding to pancreatic acinar membranes was examined to investigate how pancreatic secretagogues regulate somatostatin receptors in the pancreas. Pretreatment of pancreatic acini at 37 degrees C for 120 min with not only pancreatic secretagogues, such as carbachol and bombesin, but also vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and secretin reduced subsequent labeled somatostatin binding to the acinar membranes in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effects of these secretagogues on labeled somatostatin binding were also time dependent. Both types of secretagogues maximally reduced subsequent somatostatin binding when acini were incubated with them for more than 120 min. However, the degree of the inhibition was greater with carbachol or bombesin than VIP or secretin; the former secretagogues reduced the binding to 40-45%, and the latter to 75-80% of a control, respectively. These pancreatic secretagogues had no inhibitory effect on somatostatin binding when added directly to the binding media. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of carbachol was attenuated by the presence of 1 mM EDTA in media for pretreatment, suggesting that intracellular pathways activated by pancreatic secretagogues may be responsible for somatostatin receptor modulation. Interestingly, when combined with VIP, pretreatment of acini with carbachol produced an additive inhibition of labeled somatostatin binding to the membranes. Results, therefore, suggest that somatostatin binding to its receptors in the pancreas may be regulated via two functionally distinct intracellular pathways.

Effect of islet activating protein on somatostatin-induced inhibition of cellular cyclic AMP content in isolated rat pancreatic acini

Our previous study concerning guanine nucleotides regulation of labeled somatostatin binding has suggested that somatostatin receptors on pancreatic acinar cell membranes probably couple with the inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (Ni). In order to clarify the possible role of Ni in mediating signal transduction of somatostatin in the pancreas, we further examined the effect of pretreatment with islet activating protein (IAP) on the inhibition of VIP-stimulated cellular cyclic AMP content by somatostatin in isolated rat pancreatic acini. Increasing concentrations of somatostatin decreased VIP-stimulated cellular content of cyclic AMP in the acini, with a maximal inhibition at 10(-8) M somatostatin. When pancreatic acini were pretreated with varying concentrations of IAP for 4 hours, the somatostatin-induced inhibition of cyclic AMP content was attenuated in a dose dependent manner by IAP pretreatment. Incubation of pancreatic acinar membrane with preactivated IAP and [32P] NAD resulted in labeling of a Mr = 41,000 protein band, consistent with alpha-subunit of Ni in many other cell types previously reported. On the other hand, a Mr = 41,000 protein band on SDS gel was reduced in a dose dependent fashion by IAP pretreatment, when acini were pretreated with increasing concentrations of IAP. These results suggest that only the Mr = 41,000 protein is a specific substrate in pancreatic acinar membranes for IAP-induced ADP-ribosylation. Furthermore, the reduction of 32P incorporation to Mr = 41,000 protein by IAP pretreatment occurred in parallel to decreases in somatostatin-induced inhibition of cellular cyclic AMP contents in pancreatic acini.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Coupling of guanine nucleotide inhibitory protein to somatostatin receptors on pancreatic acinar membranes.

Guanine nucleotides and pertussis toxin were used to investigate whether somatostatin receptors interact with the guanine nucleotide inhibitory protein (Ni) on pancreatic acinar membranes in the rat. Guanine nucleotides reduced 125I-[Tyr1]somatostatin binding to acinar membranes up to 80%, with rank order of potency being 5'-guanylyl imidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p] greater than GTP greater than GDP greater than GMP. Scatchard analysis revealed that the decrease in somatostatin binding caused by Gpp(NH)p was due to the decrease in the maximum binding capacity without a significant change in the binding affinity. The inhibitory effect of Gpp(NH)p was partially abolished in the absence of Mg2+. When pancreatic acini were treated with 1 microgram/ml pertussis toxin for 4 h, subsequent 125I-[Tyr1]somatostatin binding to acinar membranes was reduced. Gpp(NH)p further decreased somatostatin binding to islet-activating protein (IAP)-treated acinar membranes. Pertussis toxin treatment also abolished the inhibitory effect of somatostatin on vasoactive intestinal peptide-stimulated increase in cellular content of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) in the acini. Furthermore, exposure of acini to IAP caused ADP ribosylation of a membrane protein with Mr = 41,000 in parallel to the inhibition of cAMP accumulation in acini. The present results suggest, therefore, that 1) somatostatin probably functions in the pancreas to regulate adenylate cyclase enzyme system via Ni, 2) the extent of modification of Ni is correlated with the ability of somatostatin to inhibit cAMP accumulation in acini, and 3) guanine nucleotides also inhibit somatostatin binding to its receptor.

Characterization of receptors for VIP on pancreatic acinar cell plasma membranes using covalent cross-linking

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors on guinea pig pancreatic acini differ from those on all other tissues in containing a high-affinity VIP receptor and a low-affinity VIP receptor that has a high affinity for secretin. To characterize the molecular components of these receptors, 125I-VIP was covalently cross-linked to these receptors by four different cross-linking agents: disuccinimidyl suberate, ethylene glycol bis (succinimidyl succinate), dithiobis (succinimidylpropionate), and m-maleimidobenzoyl N-hydroxysuccinimide ester. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated a single major polypeptide band of Mr 45,000 and a minor polypeptide band of Mr 30,000 were cross-linked to 125I-VIP. Covalent cross-linking only occurred when a cross-linking agent was added, was inhibited by GTP, was inhibited by VIP receptor agonists or antagonists that interact with VIP receptors, and not by other pancreatic secretagogues that interact with different receptors. For inhibiting both cross-linking and binding of 125I-VIP to the major polypeptide Mr 45,000 and the minor polypeptide Mr 30,000 components, the relative potencies were VIP greater than helodermin greater than rat growth hormone releasing factor greater than peptide histidine isoleucine greater than secretin. The apparent molecular weight of the cross-linked polypeptides were unchanged by dithiothreitol. Thus the high-affinity VIP receptor on pancreatic acinar cell membranes consists of a single major polypeptide of Mr 45,000, and this polypeptide is not a subunit of a larger disulfide-linked structure. Furthermore, either the low-affinity VIP/secretin-preferring receptor was not covalently cross-linked under the experimental conditions or it consists of a major polypeptide with the same molecular weight as the high-affinity VIP receptor.

Coupling of guanine nucleotide inhibitory protein to somatostatin receptors on rat pancreatic acinar membranes

To investigate whether somatostatin receptors couple to guanine nucleotide inhibitory protein, Ni, on rat pancreatic acinar membranes, the effects of guanine nucleotide analogs or pretreatment of acini with islet activating protein (IAP), pertussis toxin on labeled somatostatin binding were examined. Guanine nucleotides reduced labeled somatostatin binding to acinar membranes up to 80%, with rank order of potency being guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) greater than GTP greater than GDP greater than GMP. Scatchard analysis of the labeled somatostatin binding revealed that the decrease in somatostatin binding caused by Gpp(NH)p was due to the decrease in the maximum binding capacity without a significant change in the binding affinity. The inhibitory effect of Gpp(NH)p was partially abolished in the absence of Mg2+ and Na+ also reduced labeled somatostatin binding. Furthermore, inhibitory effects of 100mM Na+ and Gpp(NH)p were additive in reducing labeled somatostatin binding. A half maximal inhibitory concentration of Gpp(NH)p was decreased to 10(-7)M in the presence of 100mM Na+ and 5mM Mg2+ as compared to 10(-6)M in the presence of 5mM Mg2+ alone. Results therefore suggest that Gpp(NH)p requires Mg2+ for Ni activation and Na+ increases sensitivity of Ni to guanine nucleotide analogs. When pancreatic acini were treated for 4 hours with varying concentrations of IAP, which has been shown to uncouple Ni-mediated communication between inhibitory receptors and adenylate cyclase catalytic unit, subsequent labeled somatostatin binding to the acinar membranes was decreased in a dose dependent manner. These results indicate that somatostatin receptors on pancreatic acinar membranes couple to guanine nucleotide inhibitory protein, Ni and thus somatostatin probably functions in the pancreas to regulate intracellular signal transduction via Ni.

Evaluation of the role of calcium in cytotoxic injury in isolated rat pancreatic acini

The role of extracellular Ca2+ in pancreatic acinar membrane damage (cellular injury) by nicotine, membrane-active agents (mellitin, snake venom and Ca2+ ionophore A23187) and secretagogues (CCK-8 and secretin) was investigated. Freshly isolated dispersed pancreatic acini from 18 h fasted adult rats were incubated with one of the aforementioned agents, in the absence and presence of Ca2+. Cellular injury was assessed by measuring the release of pulse-labeled 51Cr and LDH. In addition, release of amylase, trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen was also determined. In the absence of Ca2+ nicotine (6 mM) caused a profound release of 51Cr and LDH as well as amylase, trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen from the isolated pancreatic acini. Release of these enzymes and 51Cr decreased sharply with addition of increasing concentrations (0.25-5 mM) of Ca2+. Release of 51Cr and amylase by snake venom (50 micrograms/ml) was found to be 100 and 25% higher, respectively, in the absence of Ca2+ than in its presence. On the other hand, the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 (7 micrograms/ml) was found to be effective in releasing 51Cr and amylase only in the presence of Ca2+. CCK-8, (0.25nM), secretin (1 microM) and mellitin (0.5 microgram/ml) although significantly stimulated amylase secretion (225-350%) in the presence of Ca2+, none of the agents induced 51Cr release from acini, either in the absence or in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. It is concluded that the extracellular Ca2+ plays no specific role in cytotoxic injury in isolated pancreatic acini.

Identification of a gastrin binding protein in porcine gastric mucosal membranes by covalent cross-linking with iodinated gastrin.

A gastrin binding protein (GBP) has been identified in detergent extracts of porcine gastric mucosal membranes by covalent cross-linking to 125I-[Nle15]gastrin with disuccinimidyl suberate. The apparent molecular weight of the cross-linked complex (80,000) is uneffected by reduction suggesting that the GBP is not composed of disulfide-bonded subunits. Subtraction of the molecular weight of 125I-gastrin indicates that the molecular weight of the GBP is 78,000. A similar molecular weight has been observed previously for the gastrin receptor (74,000) on intact canine parietal cells and plasma membranes therefrom, and for the receptor for the related hormone cholecystokinin (76,000-85,000) on pancreatic acinar membranes under reducing conditions. The similarity in molecular weight between the gastrin receptor and the solubilized GBP suggests that the latter protein is probably the gastrin receptor. However, the concentration (2 microM) of [Nle15]gastrin required for 50% inhibition of cross-linking of gastrin to the GBP solubilized in 0.1% Triton X-100 is 200-fold greater than the value (10 nM) observed for the gastrin receptor on isolated canine gastric parietal cells. A lower concentration (0.3 microM) of [Nle15]gastrin was required to inhibit cross-linking in a milder detergent (0.4% digitonin, 0.08% cholate). Thus, the reduced affinity for gastrin of the putative solubilized form of the gastrin receptor appears to be a result of detergent extraction.

Mapping subcellular distribution of Na+-K+-ATPase in rat parotid gland.

Recent subcellular fractionation studies have raised the possibility that Na+-K+-ATPase might be present in both the apical and the basal-lateral membranes of exocrine gland acinar cells. Analytical fractionation and immunofluorescence microscopy studies of rat parotid glands were performed to confirm this interpretation. The distributions of biochemical markers after analyses based on differential sedimentation, equilibrium density-gradient centrifugation, and partitioning in an aqueous polymer two-phase system defined a total of 15 physically and biochemically distinct membrane populations. Among these populations, it was possible to select one (designated population i) with the characteristics expected of acinar cell basal-lateral plasma membranes. It contained Na+-K+-ATPase enriched 33-fold, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase enriched 23-fold with respect to the initial homogenate. A second population (designated population c) had the characteristics expected of acinar cell apical plasma membranes; it contained Na+-K+-ATPase enriched 28-fold, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase enriched 53-fold with respect to the initial homogenate. Although the identification of population c remains provisional, immunofluorescence studies verified that Na+-K+-ATPase is present in both the apical and the basal-lateral acinar cell plasma membranes. In view of these results, it is likely that the apical Na+-K+-ATPase would participate in series with basal-lateral sodium- and chloride-entry pathways in driving the secretory electrolyte fluxes.

CCK and carbachol differently modulate somatostatin binding to rat pancreatic acinar membranes

Somatostatin binding to its receptors on rat pancreatic acinar membranes was characterized with [125I-Tyr1]somatostatin. The COOH-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK8), when present at various concentrations in the reaction mixture for the binding study, reduced labeled somatostatin binding in a dose-dependent manner, whereas carbachol or Ca2+ ionophore did not affect the binding. By contrast, when pancreatic acini were first treated with carbachol and thereafter [125I-Tyr1]somatostatin binding to membranes prepared from these acini was examined, carbachol reduced subsequent somatostatin binding in a dose-dependent manner. Scatchard analysis of the labeled somatostatin binding revealed that carbachol pretreatment decreased the maximum binding capacity from 142 +/- 20 fmol/mg of membrane protein to 63.5 +/- 3.5 fmol/mg of membrane protein without significantly affecting the binding affinity. To test for the possibility that CCK8 also may affect labeled somatostatin binding through an intracellular process, pancreatic acini were first treated with CCK8 and then the membrane bound CCK8 was washed out. Subsequent labeled somatostatin binding to membranes from these acini was also decreased. When 1 mM EDTA was present in the pretreatment medium, the inhibitory effect of carbachol or CCK8 was partially abolished, suggesting that an intracellular process to modulate somatostatin binding is dependent on Ca2+. On the other hand, pretreatment of acini with Ca2+ ionophore almost failed to affect subsequent labeled somatostatin binding. Results therefore suggest that CCK8 can modulate labeled somatostatin binding to pancreatic acinar membranes not only acting through an intracellular process but also at membrane sites and carbachol- or CCK8-activated intracellular process to modulate somatostatin binding is dependent on Ca2+, but Ca2+ mobilization itself is not sufficient to affect subsequent somatostatin binding.

Phorbol ester or diacylglycerol modulates somatostatin binding to its receptors on rat pancreatic acinar cell membranes

To clarify the precise mechanism by which unrelated peptides, cholecystokinin or carbamylcholine, modulate the somatostatin binding, the effect of a phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) or a synthetic diacylglycerol analog, 1-oleyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG) on [125I-Tyr1]somatostatin binding to pancreatic acinar cell membranes was examined. Pretreatment of pancreatic acini for 120 min at 37 degrees C with 100 ng/ml TPA maximally reduced subsequent labeled somatostatin binding to acinar membranes. The inhibitory effect of TPA on the somatostatin binding was dependent on the dose used, or the time and temperature of pretreatment. These effects of TPA were almost mimicked by the treatment of acini with OAG. Scatchard analysis of [125I-Tyr1]somatostatin binding demonstrated that the decrease in the labeled somatostatin binding induced by TPA or OAG pretreatment was due to the decrease in the maximum binding capacity without a significant change in the binding affinity. A specifically labeled single band of the Mr = 90 K obtained with a photoaffinity cross-linking study indicates that the somatostatin binding sites are the same somatostatin receptor as previously described. Moreover, the intensity of the Mr = 90 K band was dramatically decreased when acini were treated with increasing concentrations of TPA, a finding consistent with TPA-induced decrease in binding capacity. Such an inhibitory effect of TPA was abolished when pretreatment of acini with TPA was performed in the presence of Ca2+ chelating compounds such as EDTA and EGTA. Interestingly, the combined treatment of TPA and Ca2+ ionophore A23187 caused synergistic inhibition of the subsequent labeled somatostatin binding to acinar membranes, although Ca2+ ionophore itself almost failed to affect the somatostatin binding. These results suggest, therefore, that TPA or OAG can modulate somatostatin binding to its receptors on rat pancreatic acinar cell membranes, presumably through activation of Ca2+-activated, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) and the activated protein kinase C and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization presumably act to modulate pancreatic acinar somatostatin receptors synergistically.

Effects of various pancreatic secretagogues on somatostatin binding to rat pancreatic acinar cell plasma membranes

The effects of pretreatment with pancreatic secretagogues and subsequently activated cellular events on [125I-Tyr1] somatostatin binding to acinar membranes were studied. Pretreatment of pancreatic acini with bombesin at increasing concentrations for 120 min reduced labeled somatostatin binding to the acinar membranes in a dose-dependent fashion with a maximal reduction of binding at 10(-8)M bombesin (44.3 +/- 1.8% of control). The maximal inhibition of labeled somatostatin binding by pretreatment with bombesin was almost comparable to that with COOH-terminal octapeptide cholecystokinin (CCK8) or carbamylcholine (carbachol). Furthermore, pretreatment of acini with vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) as well as secretin resulted in a small, but significant decrease of subsequent labeled somatostatin binding. In addition, adenosine 3', 5' cyclic nucleotide derivatives or a phosphodiesterase inhibitor mimicked the effect of VIP or secretin. The effect of simultaneous pretreatment of acini with VIP and carbachol on subsequent labeled somatostatin binding appeared to be almost equal to the calculated additive value for each peptide. These results suggest that the binding of somatostatin to its receptors in the pancreatic acini may be regulated via two functionally distinct pathways.

Phorbol ester or diacylglycerol modulates somatostatin binding to its receptors on rat pancreatic acinar cell membranes.

We and others have suggested previously that the binding of somatostatin to its receptors in the pancreas is regulated by not only somatostatin analogs but also cholecystokinin analogs in proportion to their known biological potencies. To clarify the precise mechanism by which unrelated peptides modulate somatostatin binding, the effect of a phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), or a synthetic diacylglycerol analog, 1-oleyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG), on [125I-Tyr1]somatostatin binding to pancreatic acinar cell membranes was examined. Pretreatment of pancreatic acini for 120 min at 37 degrees C with 100 ng/ml TPA maximally reduced subsequent labeled somatostatin binding to acinar membranes. The inhibitory effect of TPA on the somatostatin binding was dependent on the dose used or the time and temperature of pretreatment. These effects of TPA were almost mimicked by the treatment of acini with OAG. Scatchard analysis of [125I-Tyr1]somatostatin binding demonstrated that the decrease in the labeled somatostatin binding induced by TPA or OAG pretreatment was due to the decrease in the maximum binding capacity without a significant change in the binding affinity. A specifically labeled single band of Mr = 90,000 obtained with a photoaffinity cross-linking study indicates that the somatostatin-binding sites are the same somatostatin receptor as previously described. Moreover, the intensity of the Mr = 90,000 band was dramatically decreased when acini were treated with increasing concentrations of TPA, a finding consistent with TPA-induced decrease in binding capacity. Such an inhibitory effect of TPA was abolished when pretreatment of acini with TPA was performed in the presence of Ca2+-chelating compounds such as EDTA and EGTA or phospholipid-interacting drugs such as chlorpromazine and tetracaine. Interestingly, the combined treatment of TPA and Ca2+ ionophore A23187 caused synergistic inhibition of the subsequent labeled somatostatin binding to acinar membranes, although Ca2+ ionophore itself almost failed to affect the somatostatin binding. These results suggest, therefore, that TPA or OAG can modulate somatostatin binding to its receptors on rat pancreatic acinar cell membranes, presumably through activation of Ca2+-activated, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C); and the activated protein kinase C and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization presumably act to modulate the pancreatic acinar somatostatin receptors synergistically.

Acute change in the cyclic AMP content of rat mammary acini in vitro. Influence of physiological and pharmacological agents.

The cyclic AMP content of acini, freshly prepared from mammary tissue of lactating rats, was measured during incubation in vitro. Neither adrenergic agonists nor cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inhibitors alone caused a change of more than 2-fold in the basal cyclic AMP content of acini. Together, however, these agents provoked increases of around 20-fold in acini cyclic AMP content. Forskolin caused similar effects. The relative potency of adrenergic agonists in increasing cyclic AMP in acini, together with the ability of selective antagonists to oppose such rises, indicated that beta 2-adrenergic receptors were involved in mediating the effects. Receptor-binding experiments using [3H]dihydroalprenolol and selective beta-antagonists confirmed the predominant presence of beta 2-adrenergic receptors on acini membranes and on membranes prepared from purified mammary secretory epithelial cells. These results elucidate some previous findings [Robson, Clegg & Zammit (1984) Biochem. J. 217, 743-749; Williamson, Munday, Jones, Roberts & Ramsey (1983) Adv. Enzyme Regul. 21, 135-145], questioning the role of cyclic AMP in the regulation of lipogenesis in mammary acini.

Acetylcholine-evoked potassium release in the mouse pancreas.

Mouse pancreatic segments were superfused with physiological saline solutions and the K+ concentration in the effluent was measured by flame photometry. Acetylcholine (ACh) evoked a dose-dependent and transient increase in the K+ concentration in the effluent (K+ release). The removal of calcium (Ca2+) from the superfusing solution and addition of 10(-4) M-EGTA (ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta-amino-ethylether)N,N'-tetraacetic acid) caused a significant reduction in the ACh-elicited K+ outflow. Pre-treatment of pancreatic segments with the 'loop diuretics' (furosemide, piretanide and bumetanide; all 10(-4) M) resulted in uptake of K+ into the tissue segments. The diuretics also caused a marked reduction in the ACh-induced K+ release. Replacement of chloride (Cl-) in the physiological salt solution by nitrate (NO3-), sulphate (SO42-) or iodide (I-) caused K+ uptake and a significant reduction in the ACh-evoked K+ release. However, when Cl- was replaced by bromide (Br-) the response to ACh was virtually unaffected. When sodium (Na+) was replaced by lithium (Li+) ACh did not evoke K+ release but instead K+ uptake was observed. However, when Tris+ was substituted for Na+ ACh evoked a very small K+ release. Pre-treatment of pancreatic segments with 10(-3) M-ouabain resulted in a marked sustained K+ release. In the continuing presence of ouabain ACh induced a further increase in K+ outflow. Pre-treatment of the preparation with 10 mM-tetraethyl-ammonium (TEA) caused a small transient increase in K+ efflux, but TEA had virtually no effect on the secretagogue-evoked changes in effluent K+ concentration. The results suggest the presence of a diuretic-sensitive Na+-K+-Cl- co-transport system in the mouse pancreatic acinar membrane.

Intracellular Ca2+ and phorbol esters synergistically inhibit internalization of epidermal growth factor in pancreatic acini.

The association of 125I-labelled epidermal growth factor (125I-EGF) with mouse pancreatic acinar cells was inhibited by secretagogues which increase intracellular free Ca2+ concentrations. These agents included cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK8) and the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. Inhibition by CCK8 was blocked by lowering the incubation temperature from 37 degrees C to 15 degrees C. Moreover, in contrast with studies of intact acini, the binding of 125I-EGF to isolated acinar membrane particles was not affected either by CCK8, or by varying the level of Ca2+ in the incubation medium. These results indicated, therefore, that the inhibition of 125I-EGF association with acinar cells required intact cells that are metabolically active. Since intact cells at 37 degrees C are known to internalize bound EGF rapidly, acid washing was used to distinguish membrane-associated hormone from internalized hormone. Under steady-state conditions 86% of the 125I-EGF associated with the acini was found to be internalized by this technique. When agents that increased intracellular Ca2+ were tested they all markedly reduced the amount of internalized hormone, whereas surface binding was only minimally affected. The phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate (TPA), which is known to activate protein kinase C, a Ca2+-regulated enzyme, also inhibited the association of EGF with acini. This inhibition was similar to that induced by elevated intracellular Ca2+. To test whether these two inhibitory phenomena were related, the effects of TPA in combination with the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 were examined. At low concentrations the effects were synergistic, whereas at high concentrations the maximal level of inhibition was not changed. We suggest therefore that elevated intracellular Ca2+ and phorbol esters may inhibit EGF internalization by a mechanism involving activation of protein kinase C.

The somatostatin receptor on isolated pancreatic acinar cell plasma membranes. Identification of subunit structure and direct regulation by cholecystokinin.

Somatostatin binding to its receptors on rat pancreatic acinar membranes was characterized with [125I-Tyr1]somatostatin. Binding at 24 degrees C was rapid reaching a maximum after 60 min and was reversible upon the addition of 1 microM unlabeled ligand. Scatchard analysis revealed a single class of binding sites, with a Kd of 0.32 +/- 0.03 nM and a binding capacity of 600 +/- 54 fmol/mg of protein. Specificity for the somatostatin was demonstrated with the inhibition of labeled hormone binding by somatostatin analogs in proportion to their biological activities. When [125I-Tyr1]somatostatin was cross-linked to its receptors with the photoreactive cross-linker n-hydroxysuccinimidyl-4-azidobenzoate, the hormone was associated with Mr = 90,000 protein. Similar mobilities of the radioactive band were observed in the presence and absence of dithiothreitol. In contrast to other unrelated peptides, cholecystokinin (CCK) and its analogs directly reduced [125I-Tyr1] somatostatin binding to isolated membranes. The effect of CCK was one-half-maximal at 3 nM and maximal at 100 nM. In the presence of 3 nM CCK8, the binding capacity for somatostatin was decreased to 237 +/- 39 fmol/mg of protein without a significant change in affinity. Dibutyryl cyclic GMP, a CCK receptor antagonist, blocked this action of CCK8 indicating that the CCK receptor mediated the decrease in [125-Tyr1]somatostatin binding. In contrast cerebral cortex membranes, which also possess a somatostatin receptor, were not regulated by CCK. These results indicate, therefore, that 1) purified pancreatic acinar plasma membranes contain specific receptors for somatostatin, 2) the receptor has an apparent Mr of about 90,000, and 3) the binding of somatostatin to its receptor on pancreatic plasma membranes is regulated by CCK analogs acting via the CCK receptor.