Changes In Cyclic AMP Concentration Research Articles

Quantification of the glycogen cascade system: the ultrasensitive responses of liver glycogen synthase and muscle phosphorylase are due to distinctive regulatory designs

BackgroundSignaling pathways include intricate networks of reversible covalent modification cycles. Such multicyclic enzyme cascades amplify the input stimulus, cause integration of multiple signals and exhibit sensitive output responses. Regulation of glycogen synthase and phosphorylase by reversible covalent modification cycles exemplifies signal transduction by enzyme cascades. Although this system for regulating glycogen synthesis and breakdown appears similar in all tissues, subtle differences have been identified. For example, phosphatase-1, a dephosphorylating enzyme of the system, is regulated quite differently in muscle and liver. Do these small differences in regulatory architecture affect the overall performance of the glycogen cascade in a specific tissue? We address this question by analyzing the regulatory structure of the glycogen cascade system in liver and muscle cells at steady state.ResultsThe glycogen cascade system in liver and muscle cells was analyzed at steady state and the results were compared with literature data. We found that the cascade system exhibits highly sensitive switch-like responses to changes in cyclic AMP concentration and the outputs are surprisingly different in the two tissues. In muscle, glycogen phosphorylase is more sensitive than glycogen synthase to cyclic AMP, while the opposite is observed in liver. Furthermore, when the liver undergoes a transition from starved to fed-state, the futile cycle of simultaneous glycogen synthesis and degradation switches to reciprocal regulation. Under such a transition, different proportions of active glycogen synthase and phosphorylase can coexist due to the varying inhibition of glycogen-synthase phosphatase by active phosphorylase.ConclusionThe highly sensitive responses of glycogen synthase in liver and phosphorylase in muscle to primary stimuli can be attributed to distinctive regulatory designs in the glycogen cascade system. The different sensitivities of these two enzymes may exemplify the adaptive strategies employed by liver and muscle cells to meet specific cellular demands.

Melatonin induces alterations in protein expression in the Xenopus laevis retina.

The hormone melatonin is synthesized by pinealocytes and retinal photoreceptors with a diurnal rhythm. Melatonin produced in the retina at night is thought to exert local modulatory effects by binding to specific receptors in several different retinal cell types. The mechanisms by which melatonin influences circadian activity in retinal cells is poorly understood. Suppression of cyclic AMP synthesis appears to be a major signaling pathway in response to melatonin receptor binding in many tissues. A potential downstream consequence of melatonin-induced changes in cyclic AMP concentrations and protein phosphorylation is the up- or down-regulation of expression of specific genes. In this report, we examined the changes in expression levels of specific proteins in the neural retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in response to melatonin treatment, because both of these tissues express melatonin receptors. Neural retina and RPE isolated from the eyes of Xenopus laevis were treated with or without 1 microM melatonin for 6 hr, then the rapidly synthesized tissue proteins were radiolabeled by a 15 min incubation with 35S-methionine, and the proteins were subsequently analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. In both the neural retina and RPE, the densities of some specific proteins were altered in response to melatonin treatment, and the few protein spots that were altered were distinct between the two tissues. These results support the concept that one function of melatonin may be to regulate the expression of specific genes and the consequent protein levels, and that the target genes may differ according to the cell or tissue type.

Action of 50 Hz magnetic fields on cyclic AMP and intercellular communication in monolayers and spheroids of mammalian cells.

To investigate the influence of physiological parameters such as cell density and three-dimensional cell contact on the biological action of a 2 mT/50 Hz magnetic field, mouse fibroblasts were exposed as monolayers and as multicellular spheroids. Changes in cyclic AMP content of cells and alterations in gap junction-mediated intercellular communication were measured immediately after 5 min of exposure to the field. In monolayers of intermediate cell density (1 x 10(5) cells/cm2), the field treatment caused an increase in cAMP to 121% of the control level, whereas, at 3 x 10(5) cells/cm2 (near confluence), a decrease to 88% of the unexposed cells was observed. Furthermore, field exposure stimulated gap-junction communication to 160% of the control level as determined by Lucifer yellow dye exchange. In spheroids, alterations in the radial profile of cellular cAMP were observed that were due both to field-induced local cAMP changes and to increased gap-junction permeability for this second messenger, the latter causing radial cAMP gradients to be flattened. The results indicate a strong dependence of field action on physiological parameters of the system exposed.

Binding of phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase to CD28 is required for T-cell signalling.

The engagement of CD28 with its ligand B7.1/CD80 results in potent costimulation of T-cell activation initiated through the CD3/T-cell receptor complex. The biochemical basis of CD28 costimulatory function is poorly understood. The signalling pathways used by CD28 are unlike those used by the CD3/T-cell receptor in that they are resistant to cyclosporin A and independent of changes in cyclic AMP concentrations. These differences suggest that each pathway provides unique biochemical information which is required for T-cell activation. We report here that CD28 becomes tyrosine-phosphorylated following interaction with B7.1/CD80, which induces formation of a complex with phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase, mediated by the SH2 domains of the p85 subunit of the kinase. Phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase is a heterodimer of this 85K regulatory subunit and a 110K catalytic subunit, and is a common substrate for most receptor tyrosine kinases and some cytokine receptors, binding through its SH2 domain to phosphotyrosine in the motif Tyr-X-X-Met in the CD28 sequence, which is highly conserved between human, mouse and rat and lies in the intracellular domain. We show that CD28 mutants that have their kinase-binding site deleted or the tyrosine at position 173 substituted by phenylalanine do not associate with the kinase after CD28 stimulation and cannot stimulate production of interleukin-2. Our results suggest that phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase is critical for signalling by CD28.

Role of Extracellular Adenosine in Ethanol‐Induced Desensitization of Cyclic AMP Production

The decrease in receptor-stimulated cyclic AMP production after chronic ethanol exposure was suggested previously to be secondary to an ethanol-induced increase in extracellular adenosine. The present study was undertaken to ascertain whether a similar mechanism was responsible for the ethanol-induced desensitization of cyclic AMP production in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells. The acute addition of ethanol in vitro significantly increased both basal cyclic AMP content and extracellular levels of adenosine. A 4-day exposure to ethanol decreased basal as well as 2-chloroadenosine- and forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP contents. No change in cyclic AMP content was observed after a 2-day exposure of PC12 cells to ethanol. Inclusion of adenosine deaminase during the chronic ethanol treatment significantly decreased extracellular levels of adenosine, yet the percentage decrease in 2-chloroadenosine- and forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP levels after chronic ethanol exposure was not changed by the inclusion of the adenosine deaminase. Similar results were obtained when the chronic treatment was carried out with serum-free defined media. The ethanol-induced desensitization could not be mimicked by chronic exposure of PC12 cells to adenosine analogues. A 24-h exposure of PC12 cells to 2-chloroadenosine resulted in a decrease in the subsequent ability of this adenosine analogue to stimulate cyclic AMP content, but basal and forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP levels were increased. Similar results were obtained after a 4-day exposure of PC12 cells to 2-chloroadenosine or 5'-N-ethylcarboxamido-adenosine. The present results indicate that the ethanol-induced decrease in receptor-stimulated cyclic AMP content in PC12 cells is not due to an increase in extracellular adenosine.

The relationship between cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate and morphology in exponential phaseCandida albicans

The relationship between changes in cyclic AMP content and germ tube formation in exponential phase Candida albicans was investigated using two simple media containing glucose plus ammonium chloride, or N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc). The glucose medium did not promote germ tube formation unless the cells were starved before inoculation, whereas the GlcNAc medium promoted germ tube formation in both non-starved and starved cells. The cyclic AMP content of exponential phase cells, non-starved cells and starved cells was 0.21, 0.34 and 0.64 pmol mg-1 dry wt, respectively. In glucose medium, cyclic AMP content in both non-starved cells and starved cells increased for a period of 60 min after inoculation, but then decreased for a further 120 min. The cyclic AMP content of non-starved cells and starved cells was 0.16 and 0.29 pmol mg-1 dry wt, respectively, after 180 min. The maximum percentage of non-starved cells with germ tubes was around 20%. Starved cells with germ tubes were observed after 40 min and reached a maximum (around 90%) after 140 min. The number of germ tubes remained constant for the next 40 min. In GlcNAc medium, the cyclic AMP content of both non-starved cells and starved cells showed a tendency to increase for 180 min. The content of non-starved cells and starved cells was 2.02 and 1.75 pmol mg-1 dry wt, respectively, after 180 min. Germ tube formation in non-starved cells started after 70 min, reached around 80% after 150 min, and remained stable for the next 30 min.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Circadian rhythmicity in the activities of adenylate cyclase and phosphodiesterase in synchronously dividing and stationary-phase cultures of the achlorophyllous ZC mutant of Euglena gracilis.

Key factors in the adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) metabolic pathway are two enzymes responsible for its generation and degradation, namely, adenylate cyclase (AC) and phosphodiesterase (PDE). In LD: 12,12 (12 h light, 12 h dark), these enzymes were found to undergo bimodal, circadian variation of activity in both dividing and nondividing cultures of the photosynthesis-deficient, achlorophyllous ZC mutant of Euglena gracilis Klebs (Z). Maximal AC activity occurred 2 h after the onset of the light interval (CT 02) and at the beginning of darkness (CT 12-14); these times corresponded to the acrophase profile for the rhythmic changes in cyclic AMP content that have been previously reported. The activity of PDE also exhibited a daily oscillation, but with an inverse phase pattern. Both the AC and PDE activity rhythms persisted after the cultures were transferred from LD: 12,12 to constant darkness. The activity of AC was activated significantly in vivo by forskolin at the trough phase (CT 20), while that of PDE was inhibited by 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine (IBMX) at its peak phase. These results indicate that the rhythms of both AC and PDE may be the main factors generating the circadian oscillations of cyclic AMP content in Euglena, which appear to be under control of an endogenous pacemaker.

Effects of tumor necrosis factor on prostacyclin production and the barrier function of human endothelial cell monolayers.

The endothelium controls the influx of macromolecules into the tissues, a process that may be disturbed at sites of inflammation and in atherosclerotic plaques. In this article, we report our evaluations of the effects of the inflammatory mediator, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), on the production of prostacyclin and the barrier function of human endothelial cell monolayers in an in vitro model. TNF-alpha (500 units/ml) had no direct effect on the passage of sucrose, peroxidase, and low density lipoprotein through monolayers of human aortic endothelial cells. On the other hand, during the first hours after addition 500 units/ml TNF-alpha induced a reduction of the permeability of umbilical artery endothelial cell monolayers. Within 10 minutes TNF-alpha induced an increase in prostacyclin production by primary cultures of umbilical artery endothelial cells. However, the reduction in permeability was not caused by a change in prostacyclin production or by a change in cyclic AMP concentration because 1) the effect of TNF-alpha on permeability was not prevented by aspirin, 2) no change in the cellular cyclic AMP concentration could be observed after addition of TNF-alpha, and 3) TNF-alpha was still able to reduce the passage rate in the presence of 25 microM forskolin. The reduction in permeability was accompanied by a decrease of F-actin in stress fibers. With prolonged incubation with TNF-alpha, the permeability of umbilical artery endothelial cell monolayers increased, and F-actin was found again in stress fibers. However, these effects of TNF-alpha were only significant at high concentrations of TNF-alpha.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Changes in Cyclic AMP Content of Rat Gastric Mucosa Induced by Ulcerogenic Stimuli — In Relation to the Antiulcer Activity of Irsogladine Maleate

Changes in the cyclic AMP (cAMP) content of the gastric mucosa induced by ulcerogenic stimuli were investigated in rats. Ligation of the pylorus for 5 hr produced no glandular mucosal lesion, but increased the cAMP content in the fundus and antrum. Aspirin produced glandular mucosal lesions in the pylorus-ligated rats and caused an increase of the cAMP content in the fundus and a decrease in the antrum. Irsogladine maleate (IM), an antiulcer agent, inhibited both the changes in the cAMP content and the mucosal damage induced by aspirin. IM increased the cAMP content in both regions, especially the antrum, in normal rats. Dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) given orally prevented the gastric mucosal lesions induced by aspirin without affecting gastric secretion. These results suggest that 1) the changes in the cAMP content of the fundus and antrum induced by aspirin may be associated with the formation of glandular mucosal damage, 2) the antiulcer activity of IM may be ralated to an increase of the cAMP content in mucous cells, and 3) dbcAMP given orally may penetrate into the surface mucous cells and activate defensive functions. Thus, cAMP in the mucous cells may protect the gastric mucosa.

Changes in cyclic AMP content of rat gastric mucosa induced by ulcerogenic stimuli--in relation to the antiulcer activity of irsogladine maleate.

Changes in the cyclic AMP (cAMP) content of the gastric mucosa induced by ulcerogenic stimuli were investigated in rats. Ligation of the pylorus for 5 hr produced no glandular mucosal lesion, but increased the cAMP content in the fundus and antrum. Aspirin produced glandular mucosal lesions in the pylorus-ligated rats and caused an increase of the cAMP content in the fundus and a decrease in the antrum. Irsogladine maleate (IM), an antiulcer agent, inhibited both the changes in the cAMP content and the mucosal damage induced by aspirin. IM increased the cAMP content in both regions, especially the antrum, in normal rats. Dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) given orally prevented the gastric mucosal lesions induced by aspirin without affecting gastric secretion. These results suggest that 1) the changes in the cAMP content of the fundus and antrum induced by aspirin may be associated with the formation of glandular mucosal damage, 2) the antiulcer activity of IM may be related to an increase of the cAMP content in mucous cells, and 3) dbcAMP given orally may penetrate into the surface mucous cells and activate defensive functions. Thus, cAMP in the mucous cells may protect the gastric mucosa.

Dimethylphenylpiperazinium(DMPP)-induced relaxation and elevation of cyclic GMP content in canine lower esophageal sphincter (LES)

Cyclic GMP has been proposed as an intracellular mediator of neuronally-induced relaxation in lower esophageal sphincter (LES) smooth muscle. If cyclic GMP is indeed an intracellular messenger, then agents that activate enteric neurons of the sphincter [e.g. the ganglionic nicotinic receptor agonist dimethylphenylpiperazinium (DMPP)] also should cause a relaxation that is associated with an increase in cyclic GMP content. In isolated smooth muscle strips of canine LES, DMPP produced a rapid relaxation that was accompanied by a significant (P < 0.05) increase in cyclic GMP content with no change in cyclic AMP content. Pretreatment of tissues with either tetrodotoxin or hexamethonium antagonized both the DMPP-induced relaxation and the associated increase in cyclic GMP. The combination of phentolamine and meclofenamic acid also antagonized both the relaxation and the elevation of cyclic GMP produced by DMPP. Electrical field stimulation (EFS)-induced relaxation and elevation in cyclic GMP was unaltered by meclofenamic acid and phentolamine. In conclusion, DMPP (like neuronal electrical activation) relaxed isolated canine LES through an enteric neuronal inhibitory pathway. The presence of phenotolamine and meclofenamic acid did not affect EFS-induced effects, but blocked both the relaxation and the increase in cyclic GMP produced by DMPP, suggesting a more complicated pathway for DMPP in the release of inhibitory transmitter.

Agents which increase cyclic AMP have diverse effects on low-density-lipoprotein-receptor function in human vascular smooth-muscle cells and skin fibroblasts

Receptor-mediated binding and metabolism of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in cultured human vascular smooth-muscle cells and skin fibroblasts are altered by increased cellular cyclic AMP concentrations. However, the LDL receptor does not respond to changes in cyclic AMP concentration in a simple manner. The activation of adenylate cyclase with forskolin, or the addition of membrane-permeant cyclic AMP analogues, initially decreases the expression of the LDL receptor, but is followed by a substantial increase in receptor expression after 24 h. This increase does not occur in the presence of inhibitors of RNA or protein synthesis, and is due to doubling of the Bmax. of the LDL receptor, without alteration of its affinity for LDL. By contrast, elevation of cyclic AMP concentration by inhibition of phosphodiesterases results in decreased receptor expression throughout the 24 h period. These two response patterns are reproducible phenomena, consistently observed in low-passaged cells derived from seven unrelated individuals.

The Hexokinase Isoenzyme PII of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a Protein Kinase

The HXK2 gene product has an important role in controlling carbon catabolite repression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We have raised specific antibodies against the hexokinase PII protein and have demonstrated that it is a 58 kDa phosphoprotein with protein kinase activity. The predicted amino acid sequence of the HXK2 gene product has significant homology to the conserved catalytic domain of mammalian and yeast protein kinases. Protein kinase activity was located in a different domain of the protein from the hexose-phosphorylating activity. The hexokinase PII protein level remained unchanged in P2T22D mutant cells (hxk1 HXK2 glk1) growing in a complex medium with glucose. The protein kinase activity of hexokinase PII is regulated by the glucose concentration of the culture medium. Exit from the carbon catabolite repression phase and entry into derepression phase may be controlled, in part, by modulation of the 58 kDa protein kinase activity by changes in cyclic AMP concentration.

Second-messenger generation in PC12 cells. Interactions between cyclic AMP and Ca2+ signals.

Changes in cyclic AMP concentrations were studied in intact PC12 pheochromocytoma cells exposed to a variety of treatments. A marked increase was triggered by N-(L-2-phenylisopropyl)adenosine, the activator of an adenosine receptor, whereas a decrease (observed even after phosphodiesterase blockade) was induced by carbachol, working through a muscarinic receptor inhibited by the selective muscarinic blocker pirenzepine, only at high concentration (Ki 450 nM). A decrease in cyclic AMP was also induced by clonidine, an alpha 2-adrenergic-receptor agonist. Both the alpha 2-adrenergic and the muscarinic inhibitions were prevented by pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin, and were unaffected by the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate. The latter drug caused a decrease in the resting cyclic AMP concentrations, and a potentiation of the increase induced by adenosine-receptor activation. Except for clonidine, all these treatments were found to be effective in both growing PC12 cells and, although to a smaller degree, in cells that had stopped growing and had acquired a neuron-like phenotype after prolonged treatment with nerve growth factor (NGF). Neither forskolin (a direct activator of adenylate cyclase) nor the activation of adenosine and alpha-adrenergic receptors was able to modify the resting cytosolic Ca2+ concentration [Ca2+]i in PC12 cells. Likewise, the K+-induced [Ca2+]i transients were unchanged after these treatments, whereas the transients induced by carbachol through the activation of a muscarinic receptor highly sensitive to pirenzepine were moderately potentiated by forskolin (and, to a lesser degree, by the adenosine analogue) and attenuated by clonidine. These results characterize in further detail the spectrum and the mutual interrelationships of the intracellular signals induced by receptor activation in PC12 cells, also as a function of the NGF-induced differentiation.

Spike-shaped oscillations in the absence of measurable changes in cyclic AMP concentration in a mutant of Dictyostelium discoideum

Periodic activities of Dictyostelium discoideum cells involve two types of oscillations, spike-shaped and sinusoidal. Spike-shaped oscillations are accompanied by the periodic synthesis and release of cyclic AMP, and cyclic AMP-activated cyclic AMP synthesis is believed to control these oscillations. Experiments described here call into question the importance of cyclic AMP in spike-shaped oscillations. Cell suspensions of strain agip43, an aggregation-deficient mutant of D. discoideum, displayed spike-shaped oscillations in light scattering with period lengths about 1.5 times larger than those of the parent strain. These oscillations were not accompanied by measurable oscillations of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP. Applied cyclic AMP pulses elicited increases of two- to threefold in the cyclic AMP level and increases of seven- to ninefold in the cyclic GMP concentration. Cyclic AMP additions caused phase shifts in the oscillations of agip43 cells, suggesting that cyclic AMP receptors at the cell surface communicate with the oscillator. We interpret these results in terms of an oscillator not based on cyclic AMP. This oscillator should be coupled to the reaction system involving cyclic AMP synthesis and release. The latter can operate in an oscillatory manner in the parent strain Ax2 but not in mutant agip43.

Growth promoting effect of head activator in cultured chick embryo brain cells.

To investigate the regulatory role of head activator (HA) and its synthetic analogue, (Arg1,Phe5)-HA(AHA) on brain cell growth, we measured serial uptakes of [3H]thymidine, [3H]uridine and [3H]leucine and changes in cyclic AMP content in cultured chick embryo brain cells. HA stimulated all of these uptakes at a concentration of 10(-10) M, while 10(-9) M AHA suppressed them. The stimulatory effect of HA on [3H]thymidine uptake was observed after 4 h of the treatment, reached a maximum of 200% of the initial value at 8 h and declined to the pre-treatment level at 14 h. [3H]uridine uptake began to increase after 6 h of HA treatment, and the effect lasted for 4 h. Increase in [3H]leucine followed after 12 h and sustained for 4 h. Prior to the initiation of HA stimulation, cyclic AMP also began to rise, reaching 170% of the pre-treatment level at 6 h. In contrast, depression of [3H]thymidine uptake by AHA was noted at 6 h and continued for 8 h. Uptake of [3H]uridine and [3H]leucine showed similar tendency. Cyclic AMP in AHA-treated cells at 6 h was significantly lower than that in non-treated cells. These results indicate that HA stimulates DNA, RNA and protein synthesis in an early stage of growing brain cells, in which cAMP may be involved as a regulator of nerve cell growth.

4 beta-Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate attenuates the glucagon-induced increase in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration in isolated rat hepatocytes.

Hepatocytes were isolated from rats and then loaded with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator quin2. Glucagon caused a sustained increase (at least 5 min) in the fluorescence of the quin2-loaded cells; the increase was much greater than that observed with control, non-quin2-loaded, cells. These observations indicate that glucagon caused an increase in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration [( Ca2+]c). The effects of glucagon were mimicked if forskolin (to activate adenylate cyclase), dibutyryl cyclic AMP or bromo cyclic AMP were added directly to the cells. Thus an increase in cyclic AMP concentration may mediate the effect of glucagon on [Ca2+]c. If 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA; an activator of protein kinase C) was added to the cells before glucagon, the magnitude of the increase in [Ca2+]c was greatly diminished. If PMA was added after glucagon it caused a lowering of [Ca2+]c. These effects of PMA on the glucagon-induced increase in [Ca2+]c could not be mimicked if [Ca2+]c was increased by the Ca2+-ionophore ionomycin. Thus an event involved in the mechanism by which glucagon increases [Ca2+]c appears to be required for the action of PMA. If [Ca2+]c was increased by forskolin, dibutyryl cyclic AMP or bromo cyclic AMP, the effect of PMA on [Ca2+]c was similar to that observed when glucagon was used to elevate [Ca2+]c. When [Ca2+]c was raised by dibutyryl cyclic AMP the presence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine did not prevent the subsequent addition of PMA from causing [Ca2+]c to decrease. These observations suggest that PMA can inhibit the cyclic AMP-induced increase in [Ca2+]c independently of any changes in cyclic AMP concentration. Glucagon appears to increase [Ca2+]c by releasing intracellular stores of Ca2+ and stimulating net influx of Ca2+ into the cell; PMA greatly diminishes both of these effects.

Mechanism of action of extracellular calcium on isoprenaline‐evoked amylase secretion from isolated rat parotid glands.

The effects of extracellular Ca2+ deprivation on amylase secretion, 45Ca efflux and cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) metabolism were investigated in incubated parotid glands of young rats. Reducing the extracellular Ca2+ concentration from 2.5 X 10(-3) M to 10(-6) M had no effect on amylase secretion but did increase the rate of 45Ca efflux from unstimulated glands. Isoprenaline (10(-5) M) increased amylase secretion and the rate of 45Ca efflux in media containing 2.5 X 10(-3) M-Ca2+, and also increased the parotid cyclic AMP content. When glands were pre-incubated for either 10, 20, or 30 min in media containing either 10(-3) or 10(-6) M-Ca2+ there was no effect on the peak rate of amylase secretion stimulated by isoprenaline but the response took longer to develop. The effects of the same experimental manoeuvre on the net change in 45Ca efflux stimulated by isoprenaline were consistent with the idea that the beta-adrenergic agonist mobilizes Ca2+ from a number of intracellular pools. When glands were pre-incubated for 100 min in Ca2+-depleted buffers and then exposed to isoprenaline a triphasic effect on amylase secretion was observed. The secretory response was depressed when the extracellular Ca2+ concentration was lowered from 2.5 X 10(-3) M to 10(-3) M; remained unaffected when the extracellular Ca2+ was further reduced to 10(-5) M; and was virtually abolished when the extracellular Ca2+ concentration was decreased to 10(-6) M. When glands were pre-incubated for 100 min in media containing Ca2+ at concentrations above 10(-5) M and then stimulated with isoprenaline parallel changes in cyclic AMP content and amylase secretion were observed. At lower Ca2+ concentrations there was no further reduction in cyclic AMP content. The lipophilic cyclic AMP analogue N6,O2-dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (dibutyryl cyclic AMP) mimicked the effects of isoprenaline on amylase secretion and 45Ca efflux. However, the amylase secretory response took longer to develop and the 45Ca efflux response was of shorter duration. These responses were reduced after pre-incubation of glands for 100 min in a medium containing 10(-6) M-Ca2+. Ca2+ at concentrations up to 10(-7) M enhanced parotid adenylate cyclase activity but higher concentrations were inhibitory. The same pattern of Ca2+ sensitivity was seen for basal and also isoprenaline and F--stimulated activities. The results show that isoprenaline can mobilize Ca2+ from a number of intracellular pools which may exchange at different rates with the extracellular medium. This Ca2+ may be required at a minimum of two sites in the amylase secretory pathway.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Subclone heterogeneity in a clonally-derived osteoblast-like cell line

To analyze the phenotypic diversity of a clonal rat osteosarcoma cell line (ROS 17/2) we have subcloned the cell line and characterized four sub-clones, ROS 17/2-A.II, A.III, A.V, and A.XIV. The subclones retained many of the characteristics of the parent clone that are considered typical of normal osteoblast-like cells; they responded to parathyroid hormone and isoproterenol, and had a negligible response to prostaglandin E 2 as measured by their respective changes in cyclic AMP concentration. In addition up to a 75% decrease in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 (1,25(OH) 2D 3) binding was observed over a four-fold increase in cell density. The morphologies of the subclones varied from spindle-shaped, fibroblast-like to cuboidal. Doubling times varied from 24 to 48 hours, and basal alkaline phosphatase (AP) levels differed by as much as 10 times over the initial 3 months in culture. After 6 months (~ 100 PDL), the population doubling time of subclone A.XIV decreased from ~ 48 to ~ 20 hrs and there was a 2.5 to 3-fold increase in saturation density. This cell line was designated A.XIV.1 and was compared to a thawed sample from frozen stock of the original A.XIV isolate, designated A.XIV.2. These two populations, the parent cell line (ROS 17/2) and subclone A.V had similar growth properties, but differed with respect to changes in their alkaline phosphatase activity (AP) with time in culture: that is, all clones increased AP with time but there was a three to five-fold difference in their respective AP levels at various times in culture. All clones except A.V exhibited decreased AP activity upon reaching their saturation densities. The observed subclone diversity could provide a basis for creating a dynamic heterogeneous cell population in the parent cell line and thus alter its expressed phenotype with time in culture or with changing culture conditions.

Adrenergic regulation of glucose metabolism in rat heart. A calcium-dependent mechanism mediated by both alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors.

Epinephrine treatment of the perfused rat heart led to an increase in glucose uptake, detritiation of [5-3H] glucose, glycogenolysis, and the formation of lactate. The change in the rate of formation of 3H2O from [5-3H]glucose was slower to develop (commencing at approximately 30 s) than changes in cyclic AMP concentration, hexose-6-P concentration, and the phosphorylase a/(a + b) ratio which were maximal at 24 s. Epinephrine plus propranolol (alpha-adrenergic combination) treatment of the perfused heart also led to increases in glucose uptake, detritiation of [5-3H]glucose, and the formation of lactate, but these occurred without significant changes in cyclic AMP concentration, hexose-6-P concentration, or the phosphorylase a/(a + b) ratio. Half-maximal stimulation of glucose uptake occurred at 0.2 microM epinephrine, 1.5 microM methoxamine, and 1 microM isoproterenol. The increase in glucose uptake mediated by 1 microM epinephrine was blocked by 10 microM prazosin but unaffected by 10 microM propranolol. The increase in glucose uptake mediated by 10 microM epinephrine plus 10 microM propranolol was partly blocked by yohimbine and completely blocked by prazosin. A role for Ca2+ in the adrenergic regulation of glucose uptake was indicated by the sensitivity of the epinephrine dose curve to Ca2+ and the dependence of epinephrine on Ca2+. In addition the increases in glucose uptake mediated by 1 microM epinephrine, 1 microM epinephrine plus 10 microM propranolol, 1 microM isoproterenol, and by 10 mM CaCl2 were each blocked by the Ca2+ channel blocker nifedipine (1 microM). It is concluded that Ca2+-dependent alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptor mechanisms are present in rat heart for controlling glucose uptake. At submicromolar levels of epinephrine the predominant receptors utilized appear to be alpha 1.