Formation Of Choline Research Articles

Structure-guided function discovery of an NRPS-like glycine betaine reductase for choline biosynthesis in fungi

Nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) and NRPS-like enzymes have diverse functions in primary and secondary metabolisms. By using a structure-guided approach, we uncovered the function of a NRPS-like enzyme with unusual domain architecture, catalyzing two sequential two-electron reductions of glycine betaine to choline. Structural analysis based on the homology model suggests cation-π interactions as the major substrate specificity determinant, which was verified using substrate analogs and inhibitors. Bioinformatic analysis indicates this NRPS-like glycine betaine reductase is highly conserved and widespread in kingdom fungi. Genetic knockout experiments confirmed its role in choline biosynthesis and maintaining glycine betaine homeostasis in fungi. Our findings demonstrate that the oxidative choline-glycine betaine degradation pathway can operate in a fully reversible fashion and provide insight in understanding fungal choline metabolism. The use of an NRPS-like enzyme for reductive choline formation is energetically efficient compared with known pathways. Our discovery also underscores the capabilities of the structure-guided approach in assigning functions of uncharacterized multidomain proteins, which can potentially aid functional discovery of new enzymes by genome mining.

Influence of Bio-Oil Phospholipid on the Hydrodeoxygenation Activity of NiMoS/Al2O3 Catalyst

Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) activity of a typical hydrotreating catalyst, sulfided NiMo/γ-Al2O3 for deoxygenation of a fatty acid has been explored in a batch reactor at 54 bar and 320 °C in the presence of contaminants, like phospholipids, which are known to be present in renewable feeds. Oleic acid was used for the investigation. Freshly sulfided catalyst showed a high degree of deoxygenation activity; products were predominantly composed of alkanes (C17 and C18). Experiments with a major phospholipid showed that activity for C17 was greatly reduced while activity to C18 was not altered significantly in the studied conditions. Characterization of the spent catalyst revealed the formation of aluminum phosphate (AlPO4), which affects the active phase dispersion, blocks the active sites, and causes pore blockage. In addition, choline, formed from the decomposition of phospholipid, partially contributes to the observed deactivation. Furthermore, a direct correlation was observed in the accumulation of coke on the catalyst and the amount of phospholipid introduced in the feed. We therefore propose that the reason for the increased deactivation is due to the dual effects of an irreversible change in phase to aluminum phosphate and the formation of choline.

Preparation, optimization and in vitro–in vivo investigation for capsules of the choline salt of febuxostat

The objective of the present study was to exhibit the enhanced water-solubility and in vivo oral absorption when febuxostat (FXT) became the salt formation of choline. The formation of the choline salt of febuxostat was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction, infrared spectroscopy analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The direct filling method was used to develop a capsule formulation. Cellactose 80 was used as the filler due to its good fluidity, while cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPP) and magnesium stearate (MS) were used as the disintegrant and lubricant, respectively. Then the in vitro release of the formulation was carried out in five different dissolution media including HCl solution (pH 1.2), acetate buffer (pH 4.5), phosphate buffer (pH 6.8 and pH 7.2) and water. Evident improvement of release for choline febuxostat (CXT) was presented in water while the dissolution degree was decreased for CXT in the medium of phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) in comparison with FXT. Furthermore, the pharmacokinetics of CXT was studied in rats using UPLC-MS/MS compared with FXT. The data acquired illustrated that AUC0-24h of CXT and FXT were 22,245.96 ± 7342.92 µg⋅h/l and 12,249.70 ± 2024.04 µg⋅h/l, respectively. The relative bioavailability of CXT to FXT was about 181.6% and the P value of AUC0-24h was less than 0.05. It showed significant difference between the two drugs after oral administration. In conclusion, the water-solubility and oral bioavailability were both improved remarkably for the choline salt of febuxostat and choline salinization was proved an effective way to increase the in vivo absorption for FXT.

Development of a seaweed derived platelet activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) inhibitory hydrolysate, synthesis of inhibitory peptides and assessment of their toxicity using the Zebrafish larvae assay

The vascular inflammatory role of platelet activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) is thought to be due to the formation of lysophosphatidyl choline and oxidized non-esterified fatty acids. This enzyme is considered a promising therapeutic target for the prevention of atherosclerosis and there is a need to expand the available chemical templates of PAF-AH inhibitors. This study demonstrated how natural PAF-AH inhibitory peptides were isolated and characterized from the red macroalga Palmaria palmata. The dried powdered alga was hydrolyzed using the food grade enzyme papain, and the resultant peptide containing fraction generated using RP-HPLC. Several oligopeptides were identified as potential PAF-AH inhibitors following bio-guided fractionation, and the amino acid sequences of these oligopeptides were confirmed by Q-TOF-MS and microwave-assisted solid phase de novo synthesis. The most promising PAF-AH inhibitory peptide had the amino acid sequence NIGK and a PAF-AH IC50 value of 2.32mM. This peptide may constitute a valid drug template for PAF-AH inhibitors. Furthermore the P. palmata hydrolysate was nontoxic when assayed using the Zebrafish toxicity model at a concentration of 1mg/ml.

Nuclear Phospholipase D1 in Vascular Smooth Muscle

See related article, pages 132–139 Activation of phospholipase D (PLD) is a major component of signal transduction cascades activated by G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) agonists such as lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and angiotensin II (Ang II), as well as growth factors such as PDGF and EGF that promote proliferation, migration, and inflammation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). In mammalian cells, PLD catalyzes the hydrolysis of the principal membrane lipid phosphatidylcholine (PC), resulting in the formation of choline and bioactive lipid phosphatidic acid (PA). PA is subsequently metabolized to diacylglycerol by PA phosphohydrolase or to LPA by phospholipase A2. PLD been implicated in signal transduction, exocytosis and endocytosis, cell proliferation, cytoskeletal reorganization, and gene expression.1–3 There are two mammalian PLD genes, PLD1 and PLD2, and two splice variants of each isoform. PLD1 has a low basal activity and is activated by the small GTP-binding proteins (Rho, Ral, and ADP ribosylation factor [Arf]) and protein kinase C (PKC). In contrast, PLD2 has a high basal activity and its in vitro activity is not or less responsive to PKC, Rho, or Arf.1–3 Both PLD1 and PLD2 are activated by phosphatidylinositol 4,5- bis phosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2), but PLD1 is inhibited whereas PLD2 is activated by oleic acid in vitro.1,4 PLD1 and PLD2 have been proposed to mediate isoform-specific functions, based on their selective abilities and variable patterns of subcellular localization.2 Numerous studies have used overexpression systems to show that PLD1 localizes to perinuclear vesicles,5–7 plasma membrane,8–10 including caveolin-enriched membrane,11 and that PLD2 localizes to the plasma membrane,5,12–14 and internalizes after agonist stimulation.5,15 In contrast, endogenous PLD2 detected by a specific antibody localizes to the rim of …

A semiempirical study of acetylcholine hydrolysis catalyzed by Drosophila melanogaster acetylcholinesterase

The enzymatic mechanism of acetylcholine hydrolysis was evaluated by semiempirical molecular orbital calculations with a model constructed with the coordinates of sixteen amino acids and four water molecules from the crystallographic structure of Drosophila melanogaster acetylcholinesterase (AChE, entry 1QO9 in the Protein Data Bank). Nine proposed reaction points for the hydrolysis mechanism were obtained, including four for the acylation step and five for the deacylation step. Our results indicate that in the Michaelis complex of the acylation step, a looser interaction between the substrate and the oxyanion hole may result from an amino acid change in the acyl pocket observed in insect as compared to the vertebrate enzyme. Detailed descriptions of the reaction profile for the formation of both acylation and deacylation tetrahedral intermediates were obtained. The results indicate the occurrence of partially concerted mechanisms, with deprotonation of the nucleophiles (Ser238 in the acylation step and a water molecule in the deacylation step) by His480 facilitating the nucleophilic additions. Both processes were completed by enthalpically favorable steps, formation of choline in the acylation step and of acetic acid in the deacylation step.

Glycerophosphocholine Catabolism as a New Route for Choline Formation for Phosphatidylcholine Synthesis by the Kennedy Pathway

In eukaryotes, neuropathy target esterase (Nte1p in yeast) deacylates phosphatidylcholine derived exclusively from the CDP-choline pathway to produce glycerophosphocholine (GroPCho) and release two fatty acids. The metabolic fate of GroPCho in eukaryotic cells is currently not known. Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains two open reading frames predicted to contain glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase domains, YPL110c and YPL206c. Pulse-chase experiments were conducted to monitor GroPCho metabolic fate under conditions known to alter CDP-choline pathway flux and consequently produce different rates of formation of GroPCho. From this analysis, it was revealed that GroPCho was metabolized to choline, with this choline serving as substrate for renewed synthesis of phosphatidylcholine. YPL110c played the major role in this metabolic pathway. To extend and confirm the metabolic studies, the ability of the ypl110cDelta and ypl206cDelta strains to utilize exogenous GroPCho or glycerophosphoinositol as the sole source of phosphate was analyzed. Consistent with our metabolic profiling, the ypl206cDelta strain grew on both substrates with a similar rate to wild type, whereas the ypl110cDelta strain grew very poorly on GroPCho and with moderately reduced growth on glycerophosphoinositol.

Structural Basis for Metal Ion Coordination and the Catalytic Mechanism of Sphingomyelinases D

Sphingomyelinases D (SMases D) from Loxosceles spider venom are the principal toxins responsible for the manifestation of dermonecrosis, intravascular hemolysis, and acute renal failure, which can result in death. These enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin, resulting in the formation of ceramide 1-phosphate and choline or the hydrolysis of lysophosphatidyl choline, generating the lipid mediator lysophosphatidic acid. This report represents the first crystal structure of a member of the sphingomyelinase D family from Loxosceles laeta (SMase I), which has been determined at 1.75-angstrom resolution using the "quick cryo-soaking" technique and phases obtained from a single iodine derivative and data collected from a conventional rotating anode x-ray source. SMase I folds as an (alpha/beta)8 barrel, the interfacial and catalytic sites encompass hydrophobic loops and a negatively charged surface. Substrate binding and/or the transition state are stabilized by a Mg2+ ion, which is coordinated by Glu32, Asp34, Asp91, and solvent molecules. In the proposed acid base catalytic mechanism, His12 and His47 play key roles and are supported by a network of hydrogen bonds between Asp34, Asp52, Trp230, Asp233, and Asn252.

1P-0264 cDNA array analysis of increased gene expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and Chlamydia pneumoniae (C.pn)

The vascular inflammatory role of platelet activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) is thought to be due to the formation of lysophosphatidyl choline and oxidized non-esterified fatty acids. This enzyme is considered a promising therapeutic target for the prevention of atherosclerosis and there is a need to expand the available chemical templates of PAF-AH inhibitors. This study demonstrated how natural PAF-AH inhibitory peptides were isolated and characterized from the red macroalga Palmaria palmata. The dried powdered alga was hydrolyzed using the food grade enzyme papain, and the resultant peptide containing fraction generated using RP-HPLC. Several oligopeptides were identified as potential PAF-AH inhibitors following bio-guided fractionation, and the amino acid sequences of these oligopeptides were confirmed by Q-TOF-MS and microwave-assisted solid phase de novo synthesis. The most promising PAF-AH inhibitory peptide had the amino acid sequence NIGK and a PAF-AH IC50 value of 2.32 mM. This peptide may constitute a valid drug template for PAF-AH inhibitors. Furthermore the P. palmata hydrolysate was nontoxic when assayed using the Zebrafish toxicity model at a concentration of 1 mg/ml.

Zinc suppresses IL-6 synthesis by prostaglandin F2alpha in osteoblasts: inhibition of phospholipase C and phospholipase D.

We previously reported that prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2alpha) induces phosphoinositide hydrolysis by phospholipase C and phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis by phospholipase D through heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein, resulting in the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells and that PGF2alpha stimulates the synthesis of interleukin-6 (IL-6) via PKC-dependent p44/p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation. In the present study, we investigated whether zinc affects the PGF2alpha-induced IL-6 synthesis in these cells. Zinc complex of l-carnosine (l-CAZ) dose-dependently suppressed the PGF2alpha-stimulated IL-6 synthesis. In addition, zinc alone reduced the IL-6 synthesis. L-CAZ suppressed the PGF2alpha-induced p44/p42 MAP kinase phosphorylation. However, the p44/p42 MAP kinase phosphorylation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a direct activator of PKC, or NaF, a direct activator of GTP-binding protein, was not affected by l-CAZ. l-CAZ reduced the PGF2alpha-stimulated formation of inositol phosphates and choline. However, l-CAZ did not affect the formation of inositol phosphates or choline induced by NaF. These results strongly suggest that zinc reduces PGF2alpha-induced IL-6 synthesis via suppression of phosphoinositide-hydrolyzing phospholipase C and phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D in osteoblasts.

Sensitization of human neutrophil defense activities through activation of platelet-activating factor receptors by ginkgolide B, a bioactive component of the Ginkgo biloba extract EGB 761

Ginkgolide B (GKB, BN 52021) was described as a platelet-activating factor (Paf) receptor antagonist. However, it is not known whether all GKB biological effects are mediated through Paf receptor antagonism only. To gain insight into the drug mode of action, we investigated here the effects of GKB per se on functional and signaling activities in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). Treatment of PMN with GKB (0.5–12 μM) stimulates a rapid and weak production of reactive oxygen species determined by chemiluminescence. ROS production required the activation of protein kinase C (PKC), tyrosine kinases and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase as indicated by inhibitory effects of, respectively, GF 109203X ( ic 50 of 0.5 μM), genistein ( ic 50 of 0.5 μM) and SB 203580 ( ic 50 of 0.2 μM) or SB 202190 ( ic 50 of 1.1 μM). GKB stimulated a Pertussis toxin-sensitive PLD activity assessed by the formation of tritiated phosphatidic acid and choline. By contrast, GKB did prevent the Paf-mediated PLD activity and CL response ( ic 50 of 2 μM). Interestingly, both GKB and Paf-induced CL response were prevented by selective Paf antagonists such as CV 6209 or WEB 2086 indicating that GKB may directly activate Paf receptors. Finally, GKB potentiated the CL response induced by fMet-Leu-Phe and zymosan. These results show that GKB is the first partial agonist of the Paf receptor described so far capable of priming the polymorphonuclear leukocyte function.

Cloning of cytidine triphosphate: phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase mRNA upregulated by a neuropeptide arginine-vasopressin((4-8)) in rat hippocampus.

Neuropeptide arginine-vasopressin((4-8)) (AVP(4-8)) is a metabolite of arginine-vasopressin which has been shown to have potent memory-enhancing activity, facilitate neurite elongation and prolongate cell aging. Identification of differentially expressed genes in hippocampus induced by AVP(4-8) is important for understanding the molecular basis of AVP(4-8) function. Differential display PCR and 5'rapid amplification of cDNA Ends were used. One new full length cDNA encoding rat cytidine triphosphate: phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (CCT) beta was thus obtained. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that it was upregulated by AVP(4-8) in mature rat hippocampus. The study of tissue distribution with reverse transcription PCR showed that the gene was abundant in brain. Since CCT catalyzes the formation of cytidine diphosphate choline, which was reported to have a beneficial therapeutic effect on Alzheimer's disease, so we speculated that AVP(4-8) may be a potential candidate for treating Alzheimer's disease by upregulating CCT mRNA level.

Regulation of the activity of choline acetyl transferase by lipoic acid.

The observations reported in this article demonstrate that lipoic acid strongly influences the activity of a purified preparation of choline acetyl transferase. The reduced form, dihydrolipoic acid, is a powerful activator of the enzyme while lipoic acid itself has an inhibitory effect and counteracts the stimulatory effect of dihydrolipoic acid. It is proposed that dihydrolipoic acid serves an essential function in the action of this enzyme and that the ratio of reduced to oxidized lipoic acid in the cell may play an important role in the regulation of the activity of the enzyme. The implications of these findings for cell function and acetyl choline formation are discussed.

Effect of Propofol on Arachidonate Cascade by Vasopressin in Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells

The mechanisms underlying the vascular effects of propofol are not fully understood. Vasopressin, a potent vasoactive peptide, stimulates the arachidonate cascade and the synthesis of prostacyclin (PGI2; the main metabolite of the cascade in vascular smooth muscle cells). Arachidonic acid (AA) release by phospholipases is the rate-limiting step in the cascade. We investigated the mechanisms underlying vasopressin-induced AA release and the effect of propofol on PGI2 synthesis in a rat aortic smooth muscle cell line: A10 cells. In cultured A10 cells pretreated with propofol, the stimulation by vasopressin of AA release and PGI2 synthesis was evaluated by measuring [3H]AA and 6-keto PGF1alpha, respectively, in the culture medium. The effects of propofol on vasopressin-induced activation of phosphoinositide-hydrolyzing phospholipase C and phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D were evaluated by measuring inositol phosphate formation and choline formation, respectively. A phospholipase C inhibitor and a phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase inhibitor both attenuated vasopressin-induced AA release and PGI2 synthesis, as did a phospholipase A2 inhibitor. Propofol inhibited vasopressin-induced activation of phosphoinositide-hydrolyzing phospholipase C and phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D, but this effect of propofol was significant only at supraclinical concentration (0.1 mM). Propofol reduced vasopressin-induced PGI2 synthesis. The inhibitory effect was observed at concentrations (10 microM-0.1 mM) higher than those used clinically. Propofol suppresses the arachidonate cascade caused by vasopressin at least partly by inhibiting phosphoinositide-hydrolyzing phospholipase C and phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D, resulting in the inhibition of PGI2 synthesis. Propofol-mediated inhibition of vasopressin-stimulated synthesis of PGI2 may reduce the vasorelaxation by propofol.

Phospholipase A2-Mediated Activation of Phospholipase D in Rat Heart Sarcolemma

The effect of phospholipase A2(PLA2)-dependent release of unsaturated fatty acids (FA) on phospholipase D (PLD) function was examined in purified sarcolemmal (SL) membranes isolated from rat heart. PLD hydrolytic activity was determined by measuring either [14C] phosphatidic acid formation from exogenous [14C] phosphatidylcholine (PtdCho) or [3H] choline release from prelabelled SL Ptd[3H]choline. SL membranes with endogenous [3H] PtdCho that were prelabelled with [3H] myristic acid were used for testing PLD transphosphatidylation activity. Exogenouscis-unsaturated FA, arachidonate and oleate, significantly enhanced the [3H] choline formation at 50 and 100μm, respectively; their effect was maximal at 250μmand declined at higher concentrations. Use of melittin (which stimulates membrane-bound PLA2, thus releasing FA) or exogenous PLA2reproduced the stimulatory effect of added arachidonate and oleate. Under melittin, PLA2-dependent FA release was strongly correlated (r=0.99) to the PLD-dependent phosphatidic acid formation. Arachidonate- or melittin-enhanced PLD transphosphatidylation activity confirmed the augmented catalytic rate of PLD by these agents. Melittin-evoked PLD activation was completely blocked by 1μmE-6-(bromomethylene) tetrahydro-3-(1-naphthalenyl)-2H-pyran-2-one, a selective inhibitor of Ca2+-independentvCa2+-dependent PLA2, thus indicating that PLD stimulation under melittin occurred via PLA2. Activity measurement and Western blotting studies revealed the presence of a Ca2+-independent, high molecular weight (110 kDa) PLA2in the SL membrane, and its immunoprecipitation by monoclonal antibodies significantly reduced the melittin-related PLD stimulation. These results suggest that Ca2+-independent PLA2and subsequent endogenous mobilization ofsn-2 unsaturated FA modulate PLD activity in heart SL membranes. This event may occur in physiological conditions via hormonal stimulation of membranal PLA2as well as in heart diseases characterized by PLA2pathological dysfunction.

Tiludronate inhibits interleukin-6 synthesis in osteoblasts: inhibition of phospholipase D activation in MC3T3-E1 cells.

In previous studies, we have reported that PGF2alpha stimulates phosphoinositide hydrolysis by phospholipase C and phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis by phospholipase D through heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells, and that PGF2alpha and PGE1 induce interleukin-6 (IL-6) synthesis via activation of protein kinase C and protein kinase A, respectively. In the present study, we investigated the effect of tiludronate, a bisphosphonate known to inhibit bone resorption, on the PGF2alpha- and PGE1-induced IL-6 synthesis in these cells. Tiludronate significantly suppressed the PGF2alpha-induced IL-6 secretion in a dose-dependent manner in the range between 0.1 and 30 microM. However, the IL-6 secretion induced by PGE1 or (Bu)2cAMP was hardly affected by tiludronate. The choline formation induced by PGF2alpha was reduced by tiludronate dose-dependently in the range between 0.1 and 30 microM. On the contrary, tiludronate had no effect on PGF2alpha-induced formation of inositol phosphates. Tiludronate suppressed the choline formation induced by NaF, known as an activator of heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein. However, tiludronate had little effect on the formation of choline induced by TPA, a protein kinase C activator. Tiludronate significantly inhibited the NaF-induced IL-6 secretion in human osteoblastic osteosarcoma Saos-2 cells. These results strongly suggest that tiludronate inhibits PGF2alpha-induced IL-6 synthesis via suppression of phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D activation in osteoblasts, and that the inhibitory effect is exerted at the point between heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein and phospholipase D.

Inhibitory effects of propofol on intracellular signaling by endothelin-1 in aortic smooth muscle cells.

Blood pressure decreases when propofol is administered. However, the exact mechanism underlying the vascular effects of propofol has not yet been elucidated. Endothelin produced by vascular endothelial cells is a potent vasoactive peptide that elicits prolonged contraction of vascular smooth muscle cells. The effects of propofol on endothelin-1-induced intracellular signaling in an aortic smooth muscle cell line, A10 cells, were examined. Cultured A10 cells were pretreated with propofol for 20 min and then stimulated with endothelin-1. The effect of propofol on the endothelin-1-induced Ca2+ influx into A10 cells was evaluated by measuring intracellular 45Ca2+. The effects of propofol on the endothelin-1-induced activation of phosphatidylinositol-hydrolyzing phospholipase C and phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase D were evaluated by measuring the formation of inositol phosphates and choline, respectively. The effect of propofol on endothelin-1 binding to its receptor was determined by an [125I] endothelin-1-binding assay. Propofol inhibited the endothelin-1-induced Ca2+ influx, but this was significant only at supuraclinical concentrations. The endothelin-1-stimulated formation of inositol phosphates was significantly suppressed by propofol. However, propofol had no effect on the formation of inositol phosphates induced by NaF, an activator of heterotrimeric guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding proteins. Propofol inhibited the endothelin-1-induced formation of choline. Propofol had no effect on the binding of endothelin-1 to its receptor. These results suggest that propofol inhibits endothelin-1-induced intracellular signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells. The inhibitory effect of propofol might be exerted at a point between the endothelin-1 receptor and its GTP-binding protein. However, because all significant effects are observed at high concentrations, clinical relevance is unclear.

Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Autoregulates Interleukin-6 Synthesis via Activation of Protein Kinase C

We investigated the mechanism of interleukin-6 (IL-6) synthesis induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. TNF stimulated the synthesis of IL-6 dose dependently in the range between 1 and 30 ng/ml. Staurosporine and calphostin C, inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC), significantly enhanced the TNF-induced synthesis of IL-6. 1-Oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol, a specific activator of PKC, inhibited the TNF-induced IL-6 synthesis. The stimulative effect of TNF was markedly increased in the PKC down-regulated cells. TNF produced diacylglycerol. TNF had little effect on the formation of inositol phosphates and choline. On the contrary, TNF significantly stimulated the formation of phosphocholine dose dependently. D-609, an inhibitor of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C, suppressed the TNF-induced diacylglycerol production. The TNF-induced IL-6 synthesis was significantly enhanced by D-609. TNF induced sphingomyelin hydrolysis. Neither C2-ceramide nor sphingosine but sphingosine 1-phosphate significantly stimulated the synthesis of IL-6. PKC down-regulation amplified the IL-6 synthesis by sphingosine 1-phosphate. These results strongly suggest that sphingosine 1-phosphate may act as a second messenger for TNF-induced IL-6 synthesis and that TNF autoregulates IL-6 synthesis due to PKC activation via phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C in osteoblast-like cells.

Protein kinase C activation by interleukin (IL)-1 limits IL-1-induced IL-6 synthesis in osteoblast-like cells: Involvement of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C

We investigated the regulatory mechanism of interleukin-6 (IL-6) synthesis induced by interleukin-1 (IL-1) in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. IL-1 stimulated the secretion of IL-6 in a dose-dependent manner in the range between 0.1 and 100 ng/ml. Staurosporine and calphostin C, inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC), significantly enhanced the IL-1-induced secretion of IL-6. The stimulative effect of IL-1 was markedly amplified in PKC down-regulated MC3T3-E1 cells. IL-1 produced diacylglycerol in MC3T3-E1 cells. IL-1 had little effect on the formation of inositol phosphates and choline. On the contrary, IL-1 significantly stimulated the formation of phosphocholine dose-dependently. D-609, an inhibitor of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C, suppressed the IL-1-induced diacylglycerol production. The IL-1-induced IL-6 secretion was significantly enhanced by D-609. These results indicate that IL-1 activates PKC via phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C in osteoblast-like cells, and the PKC activation then limits IL-6 synthesis induced by IL-1 itself.

Cross-talk Between Receptor-mediated Phospholipase C-βand D via Protein Kinase C as Intracellular Signal Possibly Leading to Hypertrophy in Serum-free Cultured Cardiomyocytes

Phospholipase C-β(PLC-β) signalling via protein kinase C (PKC) has been recognized as a major route by which stimuli such asα1-adrenergic agonists, endothelin-1 (ET-1) and angiotensin II (Ang II) induce hypertrophy of myocytes. The goal of this study was to evaluate the role of phospholipase D (PLD) in contributing to the formation of the PKC activator 1,2-diacylglycerol (1,2-DAG) and to study the mechanism(s) of PLD activation by agonists. Stimulation of serum-free cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes with ET-1 (10−8m), phenylephrine (PHE, 10−5m) or Ang II (10−7m) resulted in a rapid (0–10 min) activation of PLC-βto an extent (ET-1>PHE>Ang II) that correlated with the magnitude of stimulation of protein synthesis ([3H]leucine incorporation into protein) measured after 24 h. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 10−6m) and ET-1 were equipotent in stimulating protein synthesis. ET-1 and PMA, but not PHE and Ang II stimulated [3H]choline formation from labelled PtdCho after a lag-phase of about 10 min. That this [3H]choline formation was due to the action of PLD was confirmed by measurement of phosphatidylgroup-transfer from cellular [14C]palmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine to exogenous ethanol. ET-1 and PHE, to much lesser extent, produced a rapid (0–5 min) translocation of PKC-εimmunoreactivity from the cytosol to the membrane fraction, whereas no intracellular redistribution of PKC-α, -δand -ξimmunoreactivities was observed. PMA caused translocation of PKC-α, PKC-εas well as PKC-δ. Cellular redistribution of PKC activity measured by [32P]-incorporation into histone III-S was not observed with ET-1 and PHE, but only with PMA stimulation. Down-regulation of PKC isozymes by 24 h pretreatment of cells with PMA or blockade of PKC by chelerythrine (10−4m) inhibited ET-1 and PMA stimulated [3H]choline production. Staurosporine (10−6m) had, however, no effect. In conclusion, the results indicate that in serum-free cultured cardiomyocytes, ET-1 initially activates PLC-βand after a lag-phase PLD, whereas PHE and Ang II activate only PLC-β. PLC-βstimulated by ET-1, may cross-talk with PLD via translocation of PKC-ε. These signals are possibly linked to the hypertrophic response.