COOH-terminal Octapeptide Of Cholecystokinin Research Articles

Src kinases play a novel dual role in acute pancreatitis affecting severity but no role in stimulated enzyme secretion.

In pancreatic acinar cells, the Src family of kinases (SFK) is involved in the activation of several signaling cascades that are implicated in mediating cellular processes (growth, cytoskeletal changes, apoptosis). However, the role of SFKs in various physiological responses such as enzyme secretion or in pathophysiological processes such as acute pancreatitis is either controversial, unknown, or incompletely understood. To address this, in this study, we investigated the role/mechanisms of SFKs in acute pancreatitis and enzyme release. Enzyme secretion was studied in rat dispersed pancreatic acini, in vitro acute-pancreatitis-like changes induced by supramaximal COOH-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK). SFK involvement assessed using the chemical SFK inhibitor (PP2) with its inactive control, 4-amino-7-phenylpyrazol[3,4-d]pyrimidine (PP3), under experimental conditions, markedly inhibiting SFK activation. In CCK-stimulated pancreatic acinar cells, activation occurred of trypsinogen, various MAP kinases (p42/44, JNK), transcription factors (signal transducer and activator of transcription-3, nuclear factor-κB, activator protein-1), caspases (3, 8, and 9) inducing apoptosis, LDH release reflective of necrosis, and various chemokines secreted (monocyte chemotactic protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted). All were inhibited by PP2, not by PP3, except caspase activation leading to apoptosis, which was increased, and trypsin activation, which was unaffected, as was CCK-induced amylase release. These results demonstrate SFK activation is playing a dual role in acute pancreatitis, inhibiting apoptosis and promoting necrosis as well as chemokine/cytokine release inducing inflammation, leading to more severe disease, as well as not affecting secretion. Thus, our studies indicate that SFK is a key mediator of inflammation and pancreatic acinar cell death in acute pancreatitis, suggesting it could be a potential therapeutic target in acute pancreatitis.

Cholecystokinin-stimulated enzyme secretion from dispersed rabbit pancreatic acinar cells: phosphorylation-dependent changes in potency and efficacy.

In order to establish a regulatory role for phosphoproteins in receptor-stimulated enzyme secretion, dispersed rabbit pancreatic acinar cells were stimulated with the COOH-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK8) in the absence and presence of staurosporine and/or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) or forskolin. The dose/response curve for the stimulatory effect of CCK8 on amylase secretion was biphasic, with a mean half-maximal concentration (EC50) of 21 pM. Staurosporine (1 microM) did not affect secretion elicited by CCK8 concentrations below 0.1 nM, but reduced the response to CCK8 concentrations above 0.1 nM. As a result, the mean EC50 for CCK8 decreased to 8 pM and its efficacy to 70%. The phorbol ester TPA (0.1 microM) attenuated secretion evoked by CCK8 concentrations below 0.1 nM and potentiated the response to CCK8 concentrations above 0.1 nM. As a result, the mean EC50 for CCK8 increased to 0.14 nM and its efficacy to 300%. Staurosporine abolished both the inhibitory and the potentiating effect of TPA, thereby turning the inhibitory effect into a strong potentiating effect. As a result, the mean EC50 for CCK8 decreased to 3 pM, whereas its efficacy increased to 190%. Forskolin (30 microM) potentiated the response to both the lower and the higher CCK8 concentrations. As a result, the mean EC50 for CCK8 increased to 28 pM and its efficacy to 300%. Staurosporine enhanced the potentiating effect of forskolin at CCK8 concentrations below 0.1 nM, but abolished potentiation at CCK8 concentrations above 0.1 nM. As a result, the mean EC50 for CCK8 decreased to 1.4 pM, whereas its efficacy increased to 260%. The data presented demonstrate that the apparent sensitivity of dispersed pancreatic acinar cells to stimulation of the process of enzyme secretion by CCK8 decreases when kinases are activated and increases when kinases are inactivated. Moreover, they show that the efficacy of CCK8 increases by the action of kinases, both sensitive and insensitive to staurosporine.

Age-related changes in gallbladder contractility and cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration in the guinea pig.

Gallbladder (GB) motility diminishes with aging. This study was performed to characterize mechanisms that are involved in changes in GB contractility that occur during aging. Cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) and the contractile force of guinea pig GB muscle strips were simultaneously measured using fura-2 and force-displacement transducers. The binding ability of the Ca2+ channel antagonist and GB muscle compliance were also examined. The COOH-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK-8) evoked a dose-dependent increase in force and [Ca2+]i. Changes of [Ca2+]i and contractile force of muscle strips in response to CCK-8 were significantly greater in young (2 mo old) compared with mature and aged (12 and 24 mo old) guinea pigs (changes in [Ca2+]i, ED50: 46.1 nM at 2 mo, 6.1 microM at 12 mo, and 2.8 mM at 24 mo; changes of contractile force, ED50: 24.8 microM at 2 mo, 2.1 mM at 12 mo, and 357 mM at 24 mo). However, the magnitude of the contraction at each percent change in [Ca2+]i was actually similar in young and aged guinea pigs. In a Ca(2+)-free buffer, the responses of [Ca2+]i and force to CCK-8 in both young and aged GB muscles decreased, but those were still dose and age dependent. Binding ability of the Ca2+ channel antagonist did not differ in the young and aged groups, but the compliance of the GB muscle strip decreased with aging. These results suggest that both a reduced mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ and a decreased muscle compliance are responsible, at least in part, for age-related reduced contraction of guinea pig GB in response to CCK.

Potassium transport across basolateral membrane of acinar cells in the perfused rat pancreas

Efflux and influx of K+ across the basolateral membrane of acinar cells were continuously computed from the change in K+ concentration in the perfusate collected from the portal vein of the isolated perfused rat pancreas. Continuous stimulation with different concentrations of COOH-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK-8) caused characteristic patterns of K+ flux and fluid secretion as follows: 1) stimulation with 10 pM CCK-8 induced a gradual and small increase in K+ influx and sustained fluid secretion; 2) stimulation with 100 pM CCK-8 caused an initial transient K+ efflux followed by a secondary slow K+ influx and sustained fluid secretion; 3) stimulation with 1 nM CCK-8 also induced an initial transient K+ efflux followed by a secondary slow K+ influx, whereas there was only a slight transient increase in fluid secretion. Ouabain abolished the CCK-8-induced K+ influx, but furosemide had little, if any, effect on the CCK-8-induced K+ flux and fluid secretion. Complete replacement of Cl- with equimolar NO3- had little effect on the CCK-8-induced K+ influx. These results suggest that CCK-8 activates not only passive K+ transport but also an ouabain sensitive Na(+)-K+ pump and that the furosemide-sensitive Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- symport may not play a significant role in CCK-8-induced K+ transport.

Interaction of cholecystokinin-8 and pancreatic glucagon in control of food intake in dogs

Feeding responses to continuous intravenous administration of graded doses of the COOH-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK-8) and pancreatic glucagon, alone and in combination, were determined in dogs fasted 4 h. Low doses of glucagon (50, 500, 5,000, 6,000 pmol.kg-1.h-1) had no effect on food intake, whereas higher doses (12 and 24 nmol.kg-1.h-1) depressed intake by 50-60%. Of the CCK-8 doses administered (50 and 400 pmol.kg-1.h-1), food intake was depressed only at the higher dose (53%). This effect was blocked by glucagon (50-5,000 pmol.kg-1.h-1). Simultaneous administration of 50 or 500 pmol.kg-1.h-1 of glucagon and 50 pmol.kg-1.h-1 of CCK-8, doses currently thought to produce plasma peptide levels similar to those occurring postprandially in dogs, had no effect on food intake. These results suggest that plasma levels of CCK and glucagon after a meal are not sufficient alone or in combination to produce satiety.

Characterization of a gastrin-type receptor on rabbit gastric parietal cells using L365,260 and L364,718

Previous studies have demonstrated that gastrin and the COOH-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK-8) stimulated in vitro acid secretion from isolated rabbit gastric parietal cells. Both peptides bind to receptor sites located on these cells and induce an increase in phosphoinositide turnover and an uptake of [14C]aminopyrine ([14C]AP) with the same efficacy and potency. In the present study, we used the 3-(benzoylamino)-benzodiazepine analogue L365,260 and the 3-(acylamino)-benzodiazepine analogue L364,718 to investigate what type of receptor (gastrin type or CCK-A type) is involved in the regulation of the H+ secretory activity of the rabbit parietal cell. Neither L365,260 nor L364,718 alone caused stimulation of [3H]inositol phosphates ([3H]InsP) production. Each analogue inhibited 125I-labeled gastrin or 125I-CCK-8 binding to parietal cells and gastrin- or CCK-8-induced [3H]InsP production and [14C]AP accumulation. In all cases, L365,260 was approximately 70-100 times more potent than L364,718 (IC50 approximately 2-4 nM for L365,260 and approximately 0.2-0.4 microM for L364,718). Nevertheless, each antagonist displayed the same potency to inhibit the effects of gastrin or CCK-8. These results demonstrate that gastrin and CCK-8 interact with the same "gastrin-type" receptor on parietal cells. Moreover, L365,260 behaves as a competitive antagonist of the action of gastrin on parietal cells. Gastrin induces a rise in the levels of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] and inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate [Ins(1,3,4,5)P4] within the first seconds after parietal cell stimulation. The fact that L365,260 (10 nM) totally suppressed the gastrin-induced formation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 suggests the involvement of these isomers in the mediation of acid secretion through gastrin receptor activation.

Ethanol stimulates pepsinogen release by opening a Ca2+ channel of guinea pig gastric chief cells

To better understand the mechanism by which ethanol causes gastric mucosal injury, the effects of ethanol on isolated guinea pig gastric chief cells were investigated in vitro. Ethanol at 300–900 mmol/L dose-dependently stimulated an increase in pepsinogen release without affecting chief cells' viability. Ethanol stimulated an increase in initial Ca2+ influx rate and intracellular Ca2+ concentration at the same concentrations as it stimulated pepsinogen release, whereas it did not stimulate cyclic adenosine monophosphate accumulation. Pepsinogen release stimulated by 900 mmol/L ethanol was almost equal to that stimulated by 10−8 mol/L COOH terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin. Ethanol did not stimulate an increase in the accumulation of inositol trisphosphates and tetrakisphosphates in [3H]inositol-labeled chief cells, whereas cholecystokinin octapeptide caused a significant increase in inositol trisphosphates and tetrakisphosphates. Ethanol-stimulated pepsinogen release and increases in the initial Ca2+ influx rate and intracellular Ca2+ concentration were inhibited by 0.5 mmol/L La3+ or 1 mmol/L ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid but were not inhibited by nifedipine or verapamil. These results suggest that the effect of ethanol on pepsinogen release from the gastric chief cells may be due to its opening of a Ca2+ channel that is sensitive to La3+ and that the pepsinogen releasing action of ethanol may be one of factors for ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury.

Characterization of cholecystokinin receptors on the sphincter of Oddi

To characterize directly the ability of cholecystokinin (CCK) to interact with receptors on the sphincter of Oddi (SO), we measured binding of 125I-labeled Bolton-Hunter-labeled COOH-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (125I-BH-CCK-8) to tissue sections from the guinea pig SO. Autoradiography localized binding of 125I-BH-CCK-8 over the SO smooth muscle layer. Binding was saturable, specific, dependent on time, pH, and temperature, and was reversible. Binding of 125I-BH-CCK-8 was inhibited by various CCK receptor agonists with the following potencies: CCK-8 much greater than des(SO3)CCK-8 much greater than gastrin-17-I and by various CCK receptor antagonists with the following potencies: L-364,718 greater than proglumide analogue 10 much greater than carbobenzoxy-Tyr(SO3H)-Met-Gly-Trp-Met-Asp-NH2 greater than N2,O2' dibutyryl guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate. The potencies of agonists in stimulating and of antagonists in inhibiting CCK-8-stimulated SO contractions correlated closely with their abilities to inhibit binding of 125I-BH-CCK-8. Analysis of binding of 125I-BH-CCK-8 to SO tissue sections revealed two classes of CCK binding sites: a high-affinity site [dissociation constant (Kd) 0.2 nM] and a low-affinity site (Kd 70 nM). Atropine or tetrodotoxin (TTX) caused a similar rightward shift of the CCK-8 dose-response curve for stimulation of SO contraction. Comparison of receptor occupation to CCK-8-induced contraction suggested that CCK-8 occupation of the high-affinity binding site correlated with contraction in the absence of atropine and the low-affinity CCK binding with contraction in the presence of atropine or TTX.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Satiation due to CCK-8 derivative infusion into VMH is related to a specific macronutrient selection

Diet self-selection from carbohydrate, protein and lipid offered simultaneously was studied in adult male rats infused for 8 days with pyroglutamyl-CCK-8 (pGlu-CCK-8) (0.8 pmol/hr), a derivative of the COOH-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK), or vehicle bilaterally into the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH). Infusion with pGlu-CCK-8 markedly decreased total daily energy intake mainly due to a suppressed carbohydrate intake. Both pGlu-CCK-8 and vehicle infusions caused a nonspecific decrease in protein intake, but the vehicle infusion caused a compensatory increase in lipid intake as well as carbohydrate intake, so their total energy intake was well maintained. These results suggest that the process of infusion into the VMH elicited itsell a suppressive effect on protein intake, but that pGlu-CCK-8 infusion elicited a more specific suppressive effect on carbohydrate intake and, to a lesser extent, on lipid intake. These results also support the prediction that centrally administered CCK may suppress food intake and show in addition that such a suppression occurs selectively. The similarities and the differences in the patterns of macronutrient selection produced by vehicle of pGlu-CCK-8 infusions into the VMH provide further evidence of the unique functions of VMH and CCK in the feeding process.

Regulation of bombesin receptors on pancreatic acini by cholecystokinin

When guinea pig pancreatic acini are first incubated with the COOH-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK-8), washed, and then reincubated with 125I-[Tyr4]bombesin (125I-[Tyr4]BN) there is a significant decrease in binding of 125I-[Tyr4]BN compared with that observed with pancreatic acini that have been first incubated with no additions. The CCK-8-induced decrease in binding is maximal after 90 min of first incubation is abolished by reducing the temperature of the first incubation from 37 to 4 degrees C or by adding L364,718 to the first incubation and cannot be reproduced by first incubating acini with A23187, 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8Br-cAMP), 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8Br-cGMP), or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate. 125I-[Tyr4]BN interacts with a single class of receptors on pancreatic acini, and first incubating acini with CCK-8 decreases the affinity of BN receptors for BN with no change in the maximal binding capacity. CCK-8 does not alter the rate at which bound 125I-[Tyr4]BN dissociates from pancreatic acini; therefore, CCK-8 must alter the rate at which the radiolabeled BN analogue associates with its receptor. Pancreatic acini possess two classes of CCK receptors: one has a high affinity for CCK-8; the other has a low affinity for CCK-8. The dose-response curve for CCK-8-induced inhibition of binding of 125I-[Tyr4]BN appears to to reflect occupation of low-affinity CCK receptors by CCK-8.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Kinetics of binding of cholecystokinin to pancreatic acini.

In the present study we examined the kinetics of binding of iodinated COOH-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (125I-CCK-8) to its receptors on dispersed acini prepared from guinea pig pancreas. At 37 degrees C, binding of 125I-CCK-8 reached a steady state after 60 min of incubation. Dissociation of bound 125I-CCK-8 was biphasic, indicating that the labeled peptide binds in two distinct states: a rapidly dissociating state and a slowly dissociating state. Binding of 125I-CCK-8 in the rapidly dissociating state was maximal within 3 min of incubation, did not depend on incubation temperature or cellular energy metabolism, could be stripped by 0.5 M potassium thiocyanate, and showed accelerated dissociation with CCK-8 or dibutyrylguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (Bt2cGMP). Binding of 125I-CCK-8 in the slowly dissociating state was maximal after 60 min of incubation, was decreased by reducing the incubation temperature or inhibiting cellular energy metabolism, was not stripped by 0.5 M potassium thiocyanate, and did not show accelerated dissociation with CCK-8 or Bt2cGMP. Increasing the concentration of 125I-CCK-8 increased the fraction of radioactivity bound in the rapidly dissociating state. When binding of 125I-CCK-8 reached a steady state, nearly all of the bound radioactivity was in the slowly dissociating state. Computer analysis of the inhibition of 125I-CCK-8 by CCK-8 under experimental conditions where the rapidly dissociating state predominates demonstrated a complete loss of high-affinity binding sites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Regulation of free cytosolic Ca 2+ in the isolated guinea pig gastric chief cells

Stimulation with COOH-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK 8) or carbachol resulted in a rapid increase in Quin-2 fluorescence of isolated guinea pig gastric chief cells, whereas histamine, vasoactive intestinal peptide, secretin or forskolin had no effect. The minimum effective dose of CCK 8 or carbachol to elicit the rise in Quin-2 fluorescence was almost similar to that for pepsinogen secretion. Removal of Ca 2+ from extracellular medium or Ca 2+ channel blockers did not affect CCK 8- or carbachol-induced increase in Quin-2 fluorescence. Moreover, following addition of CCK 8, carbachol was unable to stimulate a second increase in Quin-2 fluorescence. These results suggest that CCK 8 and carbachol share common Ca 2+ pools and an increase in free cytosolic Ca 2+ concentration may mediate CCK 8- or carbachol-induced pepsinogen secretion from gastric chief cells.

Intracranial infusion of CCK-8 derivatives suppresses food intake in rats.

The effects of infusions for approximately 1 wk of the synthetic COOH-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK-8) and its derivatives, pyroglutamyl-CCK-8 (pGlu-CCK-8) and glutaryl-CCK-8 (Glt-CCK-8), into the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus of male Wistar rats on their feeding behavior under 12:12 light-dark cycle were examined. Infusion of CCK-8 (0.8 pmol/h) did not change the total daily food intake but caused slight decrease in food intake during the 12-h dark period with slight increase in the 12-h light period. Infusions of pGlu-CCK-8 (0.8 pmol/h) and Glt-CCK-8 (0.8 pmol/h) markedly reduced food intake during the 12-h dark period but had little effect in the light period and thus decreased total daily food intake. The reductions in food intake during the 12-h dark period due to infusions of the CCK-8 derivatives were greater than that due to CCK-8 infusion. Body weight changes reflected changes in food intake. CCK-8 derivatives appeared to suppress both meal size and frequency at the early part of the infusion period but reduce only meal size at the later part. Histological examination showed that infusion sites in the brain were widely damaged; however, neurons in the SCN appeared to be intact. These findings suggest that CCK-8 suppresses food intake during the dark period in rats by acting on some site(s) in the brain. The results also support the possibility that CCK-8 is degraded enzymatically in the brain, whereas the two derivatives, pGlu-CCK-8 and Glt-CCK-8, are resistant to degradation.

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.

Molecular forms of gastrin in canine duodenum after antrectomy.

Extracts of the proximal third of the duodenum from 8 antrectomized dogs with the gastrointestinal continuity restored by gastroduodenostomy (n = 4) or gastrojejunostomy (n = 4) as well as from 4 unoperated controls were subjected to gel chromatography. The eluates were all assayed using two different gastrin antisera, one directed against the COOH-terminal end of gastrin and the other directed against the NH2-terminal end of gastrin-17. The gastrin component pattern was very similar in all antrectomized dogs regardless if they had a gastroduodenostomy or a gastrojejunostomy. Gastrin-17 was found to dominate while the amount of gastrin-34 was at most one tenth of that of gastrin-17. Using the COOH-terminal directed antiserum approximately 15% (mean value) of the total gastrin-like immunoreactivity eluted in a peak appearing in the same region as the COOH-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin. In unoperated control dogs the corresponding peak constituted approximately 70% (mean value) of the total gastrin-like immunoreactivity. In two of the control dogs small amounts of gastrin-like immunoreactivity appeared at the elution volumes of gastrin-34 and gastrin-17. In the duodenal extracts of all dogs gastrin-like immunoreactivity was found between the elution sites of gastrin-34 and gastrin-17. This material probably represents cholecystokinin-33. The present results show that the increase in duodenal gastrin found after antrectomy, which we have reported previously, is due mainly to an increase in gastrin-17.

Crude substance P from brain contains a cholecystokinin-like peptide.

The subfractions Fa, Fb, and Fc of crude substance P (SP) preparations made from human and bovine brains were analysed for SP and the COOH-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK-8). The methods were specific radioimmunoassays (RIAs) for SP and CCK-8, and bioassays on isolated organs of the guinea pig: the ileum, the gallbladder and the field-stimulated vas deferens. 1. In bioassays of synthetic peptides the vas deferens reacted specifically to SP and the gallbladder to CCK-8. 2. RIAs and bioassays revealed unequivocally that most of SP-like activity was present in Fb, while Fc contained mainly CCK-8-like activity. Varying results were obtained with Fa. 3. The pharmacologically active principle of Fc is CCK-8 or a closely related peptide. Earlier results concerning the pharmacological and neurochemical properties of Fc must be ascribed to this peptide.

Action of cholecystokinin and cholinergic agents on membrane-bound calcium in dispersed pancreatic acinar cells.

In dispersed acinar cells prepared from guinea pig pancreas, cellular uptake of 45Ca was moderately rapid and reached a steady state by 60 min. At the steady state, 69% of total cellular 45Ca was membrane-bound. In acinar cells preloaded with 45Ca and then incubated with COOH-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK-OP) or carbamylcholine, total cellular 45Ca decreased by approximately 40% within 5-10 min and then steadily increased to control values by 60 min. Under identical conditions, membrane-bound 45Ca decreased by 40% within 5-10 min and remained constant for the duration of the incubation. Free cellular 45Ca did not change during the initial 30 min but then increased steadily to values three times those in control cells by 60 min. In cells preloaded with 45Ca and then incubated with EDTA, the loss of total cellular radioactivity stimulated by CCK-OP could be accounted for by loss of membrane-bound 45Ca. CCK-OP failed to alter total cellular uptake of 45Ca when both tracer and peptide were added at the beginning of the incubation. Under identical conditions, membrane-bound 45Ca was not altered by CCK-OP during the first 30 min of incubation but was significantly below control values after this time. The effect of CCK-OP on free cellular 45Ca was the same as in cells preloaded with the tracer. These results suggest that CCK-OP causes release of 45Ca from a membrane-bound compartment that equilibrates slowly with extracellular fluid and that the change in free cellular 45Ca is a secondary effect.

Action of cholecystokinin, cholinergic agents, and A-23187 on accumulation of guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate in dispersed guinea pig pancreatic acinar cells.

The COOH-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK-OP) and carbamylcholine each increased calcium outflux, cellular cyclic GMP and amylase secretion in dispersed guinea pig pancreatic acinar cells. Following addition of CCK-OP or carbamylcholine, cellular cyclic GMP increased as early as 15 s, became maximal after 1 to 2 min, and then decreased steadily during the subsequent incubation. For both CCK-OP and carbamylcholine there was close agreement between the dose-response curve for stimulation of calcium outflux and that for increase of cellular cyclic GMP. With CCK-OP an effect on both functions could be detected at 10(-10) M and maximal stimulation occurred at 3 X 10(-8) M. With carbamylcholine an effect on both functions could be detected at 10(-5) M and maximal stimulation occurred at 3 X 10(-3) M. Atropine inhibited stimulation of both cyclic GMP and calcium outflux by carbamylcholine but not by CCK-OP. Stimulation of calcium outflux or cellular cyclic GMP by CCK-OP or carbamylcholine did not require extracellular calcium since stimulation occurred in a calcium-free, ethylene glycol bis(beta, beta-aminoethyl ether) N,N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA)-containing solution. The divalent cation ionophore A-23187 increased bidirectional fluxes of calcium, cellular cyclic GMP and secretion of amylase from dispersed pancreatic acinar cells. Like CCK-OP and carbamylcholine, the ionophore stimulated calcium outflux and cellular cyclic GMP in a calcium-free, EGTA-containing solution. These results suggest that in pancreatic acinar cells the initial step in the sequence of events mediating the action of ionophore as well as that of CCK-OP and carbamylcholine is stimulation of calcium outflux, and that this stimulation then increases cellular cyclic GMP.

Action of cholecystokinin and cholinergic agents on calcium transport in isolated pancreatic acinar cells.

COOH-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK-octapeptide) and the cholinergic agent carbamylcholine each produced a fourfold stimulation of calcium outflux in guinea pig isolated pancreatic acinar cells. Neither agent altered calcium influx. Stimulation of calcium outflux was rapid and specific, was abolished by reducing the incubation temperature to 4 degrees C, and was a saturable function of the secretagogue concentration. The concentrations of CCK-octapeptide and carbamylcholine that produced half-maximal stimulation of calcium outflux were 3.1 x 10(-10) M and 4.9 x 10(-5) M, respectively. The cholinergic antagonist antropine competitively inhibited carbamylcholine stimulation of calcium outflux but did not alter stimulation produced by CCK-octapeptide. Stimulation of calcium outflux by maximal concentrations of carbamycholine plus CCK-octapeptide was the same as that produced by a maximal concentration of either agent alone.Calcium outflux became refractory to stimulation by secretagogues, and incubation with either CCK-ostapeptide or carbamylcholine produced a refractoriness to both agents. The relative potencies with CCK and its related fragments stimulated calcium outflux were CCK-octapeptide greater than heptapeptide greater than CCK greater than hexapeptide = gastrin. Secretin, glucagon, and vasoactive intestinal peptide, at concentrations as high as 10(-5) M, failed to alter calcium outflux and did not affect stimulation by CCK-octapeptide or by carbamycholine.