Mol Wt Species Research Articles

Developmental regulation of unique adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-specific phosphodiesterase variants during rat spermatogenesis.

Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that messenger RNAs (mRNAs) coding for a cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE4A) are present in mature rat and mouse germ cells. However, no information is available about the properties of the expressed proteins. To determine their structure and regulation, the PDE4A isoforms expressed in the rat testis were identified and compared to the variants expressed in the brain. Western blot analysis using an antiserum specific for PDE4A demonstrated the presence in testis extracts of two distinct proteins with apparent masses of 98.8 and 86 kDa. The electrophoretic mobilities of these proteins differ from those of proteins detected in the brain extracts (113 and 76 kDa). Reverse transcriptase-PCR of the different splicing mRNA variants expressed in testis confirmed the presence of at least one novel PDE4A mRNA that is distinct from the PDE4A splicing variants identified in the brain and other tissues. Expression of the complementary DNA encoding this variant in a heterologous system resulted in an increase in PDE activity and the appearance of an immunoreactive protein with a mass of 98.8 kDa. No 86-kDa protein could be generated with this transfection. Upon fractionation of testis extracts by HPLC diethylaminoethyl-chromatography, a peak of cAMP-PDE activity coeluted with the two immunoreactive species. During testicular development, the 98.8-kDa protein is present in trace amounts at 10 days, and its level increases with the age of the animals, reaching a plateau at 40 days. The 86-kDa protein appears at 20 days of age and reaches its maximum at 40 days. Studies on the cellular site of expression demonstrated that the two polypeptides are most abundant in round spermatids and are expressed in trace amounts in pachytene spermatocytes, whereas they could not be detected in Sertoli or interstitial cells. The 98.8-kDa, but not the 86-kDa, protein was also expressed in epididymal spermatozoa. These data demonstrate the expression of novel cAMP-specific PDEs coded by the PDE4A gene. The expression of these isoforms is maximal in round spermatids and is maintained in mature spermatozoa. The genesis of the lower mol wt species remains to be determined.

A transforming growth factor-alpha pathway is expressed in GH4C1 rat pituitary tumors and appears necessary for tumor formation.

Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha) is a growth regulatory peptide expressed largely as a high mol wt species in the anterior pituitary gland. The overall objective of this work was to test the hypothesis that altered expression of TGF alpha may play a role in the tumorigenicity of the GH4C1 cell line. We examined expression of TGF alpha in three related clones of pituitary tumor cells (GH1, GH3, and GH4C1) grown as transplantable tumors, the MtT/W5 tumor from which they were derived, and anterior pituitary glands of Wistar-Furth rats, the source of the MtT/W5 tumor. Wistar-Furth anterior pituitary, MtT/W5, GH1, GH3, and GH4C1 extracts all contained TGF alpha-specific immunoreactivity, which, when examined on sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel transfers, was of high relative mol wt, corresponding to incompletely processed TGF alpha. In neither the anterior pituitary nor the tumors was the fully processed 6-kilodalton TGF alpha form identified, indicating that mature TGF alpha is expressed to only a limited degree in normal and tumor pituitary tissue. We next determined whether a lack of receptors for TGF alpha may account for the MtT/W5 tumor phenotype in vivo. Scatchard analysis of [125I] epidermal growth factor ([125I]EGF) saturation isotherm binding identified a comparable class of sites in both the anterior pituitary gland and GH4C1 transplantable tumors. Specific binding sites were also found in MtT/W5, GH1, and GH3 tumors. Thus, the functional components of a TGF alpha pathway exist in both the anterior pituitary gland and GH4C1 transplantable tumors. We lastly examined whether a TGF alpha pathway plays a functional role in GH4C1 tumor formation. Toward this aim, we isolated TGF alpha-nonresponsive variants by two different selection schemes: one using a TGF alpha-toxin conjugate, and the other using a TGF alpha-inducible morphological phenotype. Each variant had decreased [125I]EGF specific binding and little or no EGF growth inhibitory response in vitro. We also isolated a mutagen-induced revertant from one of the variants based on expression of the TGF alpha-inducible morphological phenotype. These cells were found to have a normal complement of receptors and EGF growth inhibitory response in vitro. GH4C1, the two variants, and the revertant cells were inoculated into Wistar-Furth rats, and their growth observed for 8 weeks. The GH4C1 cells and the revertant formed tumors by 8 weeks, whereas the two variant cells failed to form tumors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Expression, purification, and characterization of recombinant rat placental lactogen-I: a comparison with the native hormone.

Rat placental lactogen-I (rPL-I), a member of the PRL/GH gene family, is produced by giant cells in the early trophoblast. The small amount of early placental tissue has limited the purification of rPL-I from this source. To obtain sufficient material for in vitro studies we have used a rPL-I cDNA to express this protein in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and in these studies have compared the recombinant protein with the native rPL-I. Using an affinity column composed of monoclonal antibody to rPL-I coupled to Sepharose 4B, we have purified rPL-I from four sources: 1) recombinant rPL-I produced and secreted in rPL-I-transfected CHO cells, 2) nonglycosylated recombinant PL-I produced by adding tunicamycin (10 microM/ml medium) to rPL-I-transfected CHO cells, 3) native rPL-I secreted by rat choriocarcinoma (RCHO) cells, and 4) serum rPL-I isolated from day 12 pregnant rats. Analysis by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting revealed nine subforms with increasing mol wt [approximately 34 kilodaltons (kDa)] and acidic pI for recombinant rPL-I and RCHO-derived rPL-I. Four major species of lower mol wt (approximately 23 kDa) were evident in the nonglycosylated rPL-I, suggesting additional peptide cleavage sites. Serum rPL-I contained four additional forms of higher mol wt (approximately 37 kDa) and more acidic pI. When analyzed by the Nb2 lymphoma cell bioassay, RCHO rPL-I, serum rPL-I, and nonglycosylated rPL-I were equipotent with ovine and human PRL. Recombinant rPL-I was 1.5-2.0 times as active as ovine PRL in the Nb2 assay. A RIA was established for rPL-I. The variant rPL-Iv, displayed nonparallel displacement of [125I]rPL-I from the antibody. There was no cross-reactivity with other pituitary or placental members of the GH/PRL family. Measurement of serum levels of rPL-I by RIA after the injection of recombinant-rPL-I into adult female Sprague-Dawley rats revealed a half-life of 9 min for the recombinant protein compared to 7.8 min for the choriocarcinoma-derived hormone. In conclusion, we have shown that although CHO cells will glycosylate the recombinant protein differently than normal placental cells, the biological properties of our recombinant rPL-I are similar to those of the native, placenta cell-derived hormone.

Expression, purification, and characterization of recombinant rat placental lactogen-I: a comparison with the native hormone

Rat placental lactogen-I (rPL-I), a member of the PRL/GH gene family, is produced by giant cells in the early trophoblast. The small amount of early placental tissue has limited the purification of rPL-I from this source. To obtain sufficient material for in vitro studies we have used a rPL-I cDNA to express this protein in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and in these studies have compared the recombinant protein with the native rPL-I. Using an affinity column composed of monoclonal antibody to rPL-I coupled to Sepharose 4B, we have purified rPL-I from four sources: 1) recombinant rPL-I produced and secreted in rPL-I-transfected CHO cells, 2) nonglycosylated recombinant PL-I produced by adding tunicamycin (10 microM/ml medium) to rPL-I-transfected CHO cells, 3) native rPL-I secreted by rat choriocarcinoma (RCHO) cells, and 4) serum rPL-I isolated from day 12 pregnant rats. Analysis by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting revealed nine subforms with increasing mol wt [approximately 34 kilodaltons (kDa)] and acidic pI for recombinant rPL-I and RCHO-derived rPL-I. Four major species of lower mol wt (approximately 23 kDa) were evident in the nonglycosylated rPL-I, suggesting additional peptide cleavage sites. Serum rPL-I contained four additional forms of higher mol wt (approximately 37 kDa) and more acidic pI. When analyzed by the Nb2 lymphoma cell bioassay, RCHO rPL-I, serum rPL-I, and nonglycosylated rPL-I were equipotent with ovine and human PRL. Recombinant rPL-I was 1.5-2.0 times as active as ovine PRL in the Nb2 assay. A RIA was established for rPL-I. The variant rPL-Iv, displayed nonparallel displacement of [125I]rPL-I from the antibody. There was no cross-reactivity with other pituitary or placental members of the GH/PRL family. Measurement of serum levels of rPL-I by RIA after the injection of recombinant-rPL-I into adult female Sprague-Dawley rats revealed a half-life of 9 min for the recombinant protein compared to 7.8 min for the choriocarcinoma-derived hormone. In conclusion, we have shown that although CHO cells will glycosylate the recombinant protein differently than normal placental cells, the biological properties of our recombinant rPL-I are similar to those of the native, placenta cell-derived hormone.

Prohormone convertase-1 will process prorelaxin, a member of the insulin family of hormones.

Relaxin is a polypeptide hormone involved in remodeling of the birth canal during parturition. It is synthesized as a preprohormone precursor, which undergoes specific processing to form the mature two-chain disulfide-linked active species that is secreted by the cell. A major part of this processing requires endoproteolytic cleavage at specific pairs of basic amino acid residues, an event necessary for the maturation of a variety of important biologically active proteins, such as insulin and nerve growth factor. Human type 2 preprorelaxin was coexpressed in human kidney 293 cells with the candidate prohormone convertase-processing enzymes mPC1 or mPC2, both cloned from the mouse pituitary tumor AtT-20 cell line, or with the yeast kex2 alpha-mating factor-converting enzyme from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Prorelaxin expressed alone in 293 cells was secreted into the culture medium unprocessed. Transient coexpression with mPC1 or kex2, but not with mPC2, resulted in the secretion of a low mol wt species with an electrophoretic mobility very similar, if not identical, to that of authentic mature relaxin purified from human placenta. This species was precipitable by monoclonal antibodies specific for relaxin and had a retention time on reverse phase HPLC comparable to that of relaxin. Its analysis by both electrospray and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry generated mass data that were consistent only with mature relaxin. The basic residues required for mPC1-dependent cleavage of prorelaxin are defined by site-directed mutagenesis.

In vitro evidence for modulation of morphological and functional development of hypothalamic immunoreactive atrial natriuretic peptide neurons by cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate.

In the hypothalamus of the rat, the precursor of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is produced and processed into its smaller congeners of 3K mol wt species, which are secreted from neurons with cell bodies in the periventricular areas and the paraventricular nuclei of the tissue. Employing long term monolayer cultures of neonatal rat hypothalamic cells, we have identified a small population of cells that stained positive for immunoreactive (ir) ANP. Seventy-two +/- 7% (mean +/- SE; n = 4 per 1000 cells) of the irANP positive cells were colocalized with the staining of neuron-specific enolase; some of the cells possessed multiple neurites and showed irANP staining in the perikarya, in the varicosities along neuronal processes, and at the terminals of long neurites. Over the range of 10(-6)-10(-4) M, forskolin, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, or 8-bromo-cAMP significantly augmented the total number of irANP-positive cells and those possessing neurites in a dose-related and time-dependent manner. At 10(-4) M, 4 days of forskolin treatment increased the number of irANP-positive neurons 4-fold (P less than 0.01) while tripling that of the cells with long neurites (P less than 0.01). Furthermore, it approximately tripled the number of cells (P less than 0.01) showing positive signals for pro-ANP mRNA, as ascertained by colorimetric in situ hybridization using a 30-basepair antisense oligonucleotide probe labeled with digoxigenin. Consistent with the above observation, forskolin, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, or 8-bromo-cAMP treatment significantly augmented the total amount of irANP present in the cultures, with an ED50 of forskolin approximating 5 x 10(-5) M. Although treatment with 10(-7) M phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate approximately doubled the production of irANP in the cultures (P less than 0.05), phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate had little effect on modulating the number or neurite outgrowth of irANP neurons. Thus, our present findings suggest that protein kinase-A pathways are of greater importance than protein kinase-C pathways in regulating both the functional and morphological development of ANP-producing neurons during the ontogenesis of the rat hypothalamus.

The role of asparagine-linked oligosaccharides in the subunit structure, steroid binding, and secretion of androgen-binding protein.

Testicular androgen-binding protein (ABP) and liver sex hormone-binding globulin are encoded by the same gene. These proteins have the same primary amino acid sequences, but they differ in attached oligosaccharides; the differences are presumably due to cell-specific glycosylation mechanisms. To investigate the role of oligosaccharides in ABP/sex hormone-binding globulin subunit structure, secretion, and steroid binding, mutant rat ABP proteins were constructed that eliminated one or both of the two potential sites of asparagine (Asn)-linked glycosylation. Immunoblot analysis of wild type recombinant ABP yielded the typical heterogeneous banding pattern. Secreted ABP was composed of two protomers of M(r) 46,000 and M(r) 43,000, while cellular ABP yielded three mol wt species (M(r) 43,000, 41,000, and 39,000). Substitution of the Asn residue in either consensus sequence for Asn-linked glycosylation with an Ile residue resulted in increased mobility of the immunoreactive ABP species. These changes are consistent with the loss of an Asn-linked oligosaccharide. Substitution of both Asn residues yielded a single immunoreactive species in the medium and cell extracts that migrated as a M(r) 39,000 protein. These results demonstrate that the mol wt heterogeneity of ABP is due to differential Asn-linked glycosylation of both potential sites. All three mutant forms of ABP were secreted by the COS cells. However, the amount of immunoreactive ABP and [3H]5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone binding in the medium was lower than wild type (100%) in one of the single mutants (65%) and in the double mutant (29%). Unlike the glycosylation mutants, alteration of other residues, not involved in glycosylation, yielded cellular ABP and no detectable medium ABP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ligand-mediated internalization of glucagon receptors in intact rat liver.

The ligand-induced internalization of the hepatic glucagon receptor has been studied in rats in vivo using cell fractionation. Injection of glucagon (11 nmol/100 g BW) led to a 2- to 3-fold increase in glucagon-binding activity in Golgi-endosomal (GE) fractions along with a 10-20% decrease in binding activity in plasma membrane (PM) fractions. These changes were time and dose dependent, reaching a maximum by 12-24 min and undergoing reversal in 2 h. Glucagon injection also caused a 20% decrease in glucagon binding to the total particulate fraction, which did not occur when binding was measured in the presence of the detergent octylglucoside. The change in glucagon-binding activity in PM and GE fractions resulted mainly from a change in receptor number; affinity remained unaffected (apparent Kd, 0.5 and 5 nM, respectively). A 5- to 10-fold increase in the glucagon content of GE fractions was observed in glucagon-treated rats. Neither the distribution of PM and Golgi marker enzymes nor that of the asialoglycoprotein receptor was affected by glucagon treatment. Regardless of glucagon treatment, glucagon receptors in GE fractions were less sensitive to GTP than receptors in PM fractions with respect to both inhibition of steady state binding and dissociation of prebound ligand. On sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, glucagon-receptor complexes formed in PM and GE fractions and subsequently cross-linked showed the same apparent mol wt (57 kilodaltons). In addition, they were identically sensitive to N-glycanase treatment, with two major species of lower mol wt generated. However, only cross-linked complexes associated with PM fractions showed detectable GTP sensitivity. GE fractions displayed a GTP-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity that was about 12 times lower than that of PM fractions. In both fractions, activity was stimulated by the addition of forskolin (8-fold) and, to a lesser extent, glucagon (3-fold). In vivo glucagon treatment led to an increase in activity in GE, but not PM, fractions. These results are consistent with the view that upon acute occupancy, hepatic glucagon receptors are rapidly and specifically internalized along with their ligand. During this process, receptor retained structural integrity and uncouple, albeit partially, from other components of the adenylate cyclase system.

Ontogeny of gastrin, somatostatin, and the H+/K(+)-ATPase in the ovine fetus.

In the term human and ovine fetus, plasma gastrin is elevated, but gastric acid secretion is below adult levels, suggesting a developmentally related immaturity in gastrin and gastric acid regulation. This study investigated a number of elements of the gastric acid regulatory system: gastrin and its glycine-extended precursor, somatostatin, and the H+/K(+)-ATPase. Measurements were made in blood, antrum, and fundus of the ovine fetus during the last half of gestation, of 15-day-old lambs, and of adult sheep at the level of mRNA synthesis, tissue storage, and secretion. Plasma amidated gastrin (gastrin-amide) was elevated at or above adult values from 125 days (term is 145 days) and steadily increased with development, peaking in the lamb. Similar changes occurred with plasma glycine-extended gastrin (gastrin-gly). The peak concentration of antral gastrin-amide was present in the lamb, while the maximum antral gastrin-gly level occurred 1 week before birth. Gastrin mRNA paralleled the changes in antral gastrin-gly. The proportion of higher mol wt species of gastrin decreased during gestation in both plasma and antrum. Low amounts of mRNA for the H+/K(+)-ATPase was present from at least 120 days of gestation and antedated gastric acid secretion. However, there was a 3-fold increase in H+/K(+)-ATPase mRNA from the 140-day-old fetus to the lamb, the period when the greatest reduction in gastric pH occurred (pH 5 to 2). Antral and fundic somatostatin increased rapidly in the fetus at 120 days gestation and were above adult values at term and in the lamb. Somatostatin mRNA changed in parallel to somatostatin peptide. Somatostatin-14 was the major species in antrum and fundus throughout development. The increase in circulating and antral gastrin-amide after birth may be the result of increased amidation of gastrin-gly as well as increased expression of gastrin mRNA. Amidation of gastrin may be a regulatory step in the production of biologically active gastrin during development. The major increase in gastrin and the H+/K(+)-ATPase that occurs in the week before and after gestation correlated with the onset of increased gastric acidity.

Subgroups of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone perikarya defined by computer analyses in the basal forebrain of intact female rats.

The hypothesis that the basal forebrain population of LHRH perikarya is composed of heterogeneous subgroups was examined in this study. We used three-dimensional computerized reconstruction to examine populations of LHRH-immunopositive neurons detected in noncolchicine treated cycling female rats. Perikarya were detected with two antisera capable of detecting LHRH decapeptide within larger mol wt species, i.e. Millar's (RM) 1076 and Arimura's (AA) 419. No immunopositive perikarya were detected with antiserum AA 422, which requires the fully processed decapeptide for binding. A more broadly distributed population of LHRH neurons was detected in females killed on proestrus than in females killed on estrus or the other days of the cycle. These relationships were observed with both antisera, RM 1076 and AA 419. Subgroups of cells were clearly defined when the population of LHRH neurons detected on proestrus was simultaneously displayed with the population detected on estrus. Strikingly similar subgroups were revealed by simultaneous displays of populations of LHRH neurons detected by the antisera RM 1076 and AA 419 in proestrous females. This study revealed a three-dimensional onion skin-like laminar organization of LHRH subgroups expanding from the ventricle outward laterally and from the diagonal band of Broca to the hypothalamus caudally. We propose that these subgroups vary in their metabolic activity of biosynthesis, processing, transport, or release of LHRH in relation to the proestrous preovulatory release of LH.

Distribution of Circulating Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I) into Tissues*

Intravenous infusions of amino terminal methionyl insulin-like growth factor-I (N-Met IGF-I; 8 micrograms/kg body wt x h; 24 h) were performed in lactating sheep and samples of mammary lymph, cerebrospinal fluid, and postinfusion tissues collected to examine distribution of the recombinant analog outside the vascular space. Samples were analyzed using an antibody specific for N-Met IGF-I and a second IGF-I antibody which recognized endogenous IGF-I and the N-Met variant equally. N-Met IGF-I infusion increased total plasma IGF-I immunoreactivity (ir) from 150 to 290 ng/ml. N-Met IGF-I was distributed into mammary lymph, increasing total lymph IGF-I from 60 to 130 ng/ml. By contrast iv N-Met IGF-I had no significant effect on IGF-I ir in cerebrospinal fluid. N-Met IGF-I was distributed on plasma and lymph IGF binding protein as endogenous IGF-I with binding to the 150,000 mol wt species predominant in plasma and the 40,000-50,000 mol wt pool of proteins predominant in lymph. N-Met IGF-I was also distributed into extra-vascular tissue accounting for 36% (kidney) to 62% (spleen) of total tissue IGF-I ir at the end of the infusion. The IGF-I antibodies were also used for the autoradiographical localization of IGF-I in postinfusion muscle and mammary tissue. No significant difference in antibody binding was observed to muscle fiber and mammary epithelium, but in marked contrast binding of the N-Met specific antibody to connective tissue of muscle and mammary was significantly less than the total IGF-I antibody (P less than 0.001; N-Met/total, 0.12). The data suggest that the contribution of blood-derived N-Met to total IGF-I varies markedly between tissues and provides evidence that blood-borne IGF-I may fill specific endocrine functions in selected tissues.

Monoclonal Antibodies against Luteinizing Hormone Receptor. Immunochemical Characterization of the Receptor*

Human CG (hCG)-receptor complexes were solubilized from porcine testicular membranes. They were chromatographed on an immunomatrix of Affi-Gel 10-D1E8 anti beta-hCG monoclonal antibody (this antibody has been shown not to interfere with hCG binding to receptor). Elution was performed at alkaline pH, a condition in which hCG-receptor complexes are relatively stable. Immunization of a mouse with these partially (approximately 15%) purified hormone-receptor complexes allowed the preparation of 20 different hybridomas, each secreting antireceptor antibodies. The latter were used for receptor characterization. Immunoblot of testicular membrane extracts or of purified receptor preparations showed the presence of a major band at approximately 85,000 mol wt and minor bands at approximately 68,000 mol wt and approximately 48-45,000 mol wt. The width of all these bands suggested some microheterogeneity possibly due to glycosylation. The same approximately 85,000 mol wt receptor was seen in ovarian membranes, but no detectable antigen was observed in liver, muscle, and kidney membranes. An immunoaffinity method (using antibody LHR 38) was devised to purify the receptor in a single step. This demonstrated that the purified receptor preparation did not contain any protein component other than those detected by immunoblot. Comparison of receptors purified by immunoaffinity chromatography using either antireceptor or antihormone monoclonal antibodies showed in both cases the presence of the 85,000 mol wt and 48-45,000 mol wt species, but the absence, in the latter case, of the 68,000 mol wt species. This suggests that the 68,000 mol wt receptor cannot bind hormone and does not form oligomers with other receptor species.

Secretion of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I and Binding Proteins by Rat Liver Fat-Storing Cells: Regulatory Role of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor*

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) is synthesized in multiple organs, including the liver, and may play a role in tissue growth and repair. We report that liver fat-storing cells (FSC) secrete IGF-I immunoreactivity in the culture medium. Secretion of IGF-I immunoreactivity was blocked in the presence of cycloheximide, suggesting de novo synthesis. Culture medium conditioned by FSC was concentrated and applied to a Sephadex G100 column equilibrated in a denaturing buffer. Two major species with apparent mol wts of 7.5 and greater than 25 k were identified by IGF-I RIA. Reverse phase HPLC of the 7.5 kilodalton species (the size of IGF-I) showed that it eluted in a single peak. To determine whether the higher mol wt species possessed IGF-I binding activity, appropriate fractions were desalted, incubated with [125I]IGF-I for 2 h at 30 C and applied to a Sephadex G100 column equilibrated in a nondissociating buffer. The major peak of radioactivity was confined to a high mol wt region. Western blot ligand analysis revealed the presence of two insulin-like growth factor binding proteins of approximately 28 and 31 kilodaltons. Platelet-derived growth factor, a potent mitogen for FSC, resulted in a 230% increase in release of IGF-I immunoreactivity that could be accounted for by an increase in IGF-I binding activity. In addition IGF-I increased DNA synthesis in FSC and this effect was additive to that of platelet-derived growth factor. IGF-I treatment also resulted in an increase in cell number. IGF-I and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins secreted by FSC may play a role in the hepatic tissue response to injury via autocrine and/or paracrine mechanisms.

Sertoli Cells Are the Primary Site of Prodynorphin Gene Expression in Rat Testis: Regulation of mRNA and Secreted Peptide Levels by Cyclic Adenosine 3′, 5′-Monophosphate Analogs in Cultured Cells

Prodynorphin is one of three endogenous opioid peptide genes expressed in testis. Through the use of cell fractionation procedures and Northern blot analysis, Sertoli cells were found to be the primary site of prodynorphin mRNA synthesis in rat testis. In situ hybridization of a prodynorphin cRNA probe to fixed adult tissue confirmed this result. Treatment of primary cultures of rat Sertoli cells with a cAMP analog, 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)cAMP, resulted in a transient 5.6-fold increase in steady state prodynorphin mRNA levels relative to those in control cells. This increase was maximal at 48 h of treatment, after which mRNA levels gradually declined. Treatment of Sertoli cells with cAMP analogs resulted in concurrent 2.6-fold decreases in sulfated glycoprotein-2 mRNA levels. Culture medium from Sertoli cells showed a 3.1-fold increase in secreted dynorphin immunoreactivity after treatment with 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)cAMP. Chromatographic analysis indicates that the majority of the immunoreactive dynorphin peptide synthesized in Sertoli cells is present as high mol wt species, with some processing to bioactive peptides.

Regulation and Secretion of Proopiomelanocortin Peptides from Isolated Perifused Dog Pituitary Pars Intermedia Cells*

The dog pituitary pars intermedia (PI) appears to consist of relative large numbers of ACTH-containing cells in addition to the more abundant alpha MSH-containing cells. Since regulation of PI secretion probably varies across mammalian species, this study was undertaken to identify substances potentially involved in the control of dog PI POMC peptide secretion and to determine if these substances altered the secretion of immunoreactive (IR) ACTH and IR-alpha MSH in a parallel fashion. Pituitary neurointermediate lobes from dogs were collected and dispersed, and the PI cells obtained were perifused. For comparison, rat PI and pars distalis (PD) cells as well as dog PD cells were similarly collected and perifused. Dog PI cells secreted IR-alpha MSH at a basal rate of 125 +/- 59 (mean +/- SD) pg/min.10(5) cells and IR-ACTH at a rate of 40 +/- 9 pg/min.10(5) cells (molar IR-alpha MSH/IR-ACTH = 10). In contrast, secretion rates for IR-alpha MSH and IR-ACTH from perifused rat PI cells were 171 +/- 108 and 3 +/- 2 pg/min.10(5) cells, respectively (molar IR-alpha MSH/IR-ACTH = 179). Using Sephadex G-50 gel filtration chromatography, virtually all of the IR-beta-endorphin secreted by dog PI cells eluted near beta-endorphin (1-31). In addition, all of the IR-alpha MSH secreted by dog PI cells coeluted with synthetic alpha MSH on the G-50 column, but IR-ACTH appeared in two peaks, one eluting near porcine ACTH-(1-39) and another, apparently larger mol wt species. Dopamine and somatostatin were found to inhibit the secretion of IR-alpha MSH and IR-ACTH from perifused dog PI cells in a parallel and dose-dependent fashion. Norepinephrine and epinephrine similarly inhibited POMC peptide secretion, but this effect was blocked by haloperidol, suggesting that it was mediated through a dopamine receptor. CRF stimulated the secretion of both hormones from dog PI, and this effect was abolished by treatment of the cells with either dopamine or somatostatin. Cortisol had no effect on either basal or CRF-stimulated secretion of IR-alpha MSH or IR-ACTH from dog PI cells, but it did inhibit CRF-stimulated IR-ACTH from perifused dog PD. These results suggest that 1) dog PI secretes considerably more IR-ACTH than that in the rat; 2) the probable separate cell sources of IR-alpha MSH and IR-ACTH in dog PI are regulated in an identical fashion; and 3) dopamine, somatostatin, and CRF may function in the physiological or pathophysiological regulation of dog PI.

Generation of Met-Enkephalin Arg6Phe7Immunoreactivity by Proteolytic Cleavage of Mammalian Plasma Precursors by Pepsin

A region-specific antiserum raised against the C-terminal heptapeptide of proenkephalin A (Met-enk Arg6Phe7) was used in RIA studies to show that rat, human, and ovine plasma contain substrates (mol wt, 68K) that yield nanomolar amounts of Met-enk Arg6Phe7 (ME-RF) after treatment with pepsin under acid conditions. This ovine plasma-derived immunoreactivity diluted in parallel to the ME-RF standard in RIA and chromatographed as two low mol wt species (approximately 1K) which were less hydrophobic than the standard on size exclusion and reverse phase chromatography. The pepsin-generated material displaced [3H]naloxone from rat brain binding sites; its potency was about 1000-fold that of ME-RF, assuming near 100% cross-reactivity with the antiserum. Taken together these observations suggest that the pepsin-generated material is of similar mol wt and amino acid sequence to ME-RF, but differs with respect to opiate-binding efficacy, and that the plasma precursor is distinct from proenkephalin in both size and processing sites.

Synthesis and Binding of Insulin-Like Growth Factor I by Human Glomerular Mesangial Cells*

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) has been found in the kidney, but its precise cellular localization is not known. Since there is evidence that IGF-I is an autocrine factor in many tissues and since murine mesangial cells have IGF-I receptors, we examined whether human mesangial cells produce IGF-I. Culture medium conditioned by mesangial cells was concentrated by reverse phase chromatography and applied to a Sephadex G-100 column equilibrated in a denaturing buffer. Two major species with apparent mol wt (MW) of 7,500 and 25,000 daltons were identified by IGF-I RIA. To determine whether the high MW species possessed IGF-I binding activity, appropriate fractions were desalted, incubated with [125I]Thr59-IGF-I for 2 h at 30 C, and applied to a Sephadex G-100 column equilibrated in a nondissociating buffer. The major peak of radioactivity was confined to a high MW region; there was no radioactivity in the fractions corresponding to 7,500 daltons. Further characterization of 7,500 dalton IGF-I immunoreactive species by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography showed that it coeluted with synthetic human IGF-I. Isoelectric focusing revealed it to have a pI between 8.1 and 8.5, corresponding to the pI of human IGF-I of 8.25. Northern blot analyses of poly(A)+ RNA from human mesangial cells and human liver using a cDNA probe for human IGF-I showed that a 2.0-kilobase transcript predominated in the mesangial cells, whereas the liver contained 1.1- and 2.0-kilobase species. Specific binding of IGF-I to mesangial cells was demonstrated, and competition curves indicated a rank order of potency (IGF-I greater than IGF-II greater than insulin) consistent with type I IGF receptors. We conclude that human mesangial cells 1) express IGF-I mRNA transcripts, 2) secrete IGF-I and IGF-I-binding activity, and 3) possess specific IGF-I receptors. These data suggest that IGF-I may act as an autocrine or paracrine factor that regulates glomerular cell functions.

Solubilization of luteinizing hormone receptor from human corpora lutea in a stable form and identification of the hormone-binding unit by ligand blotting.

LH receptors were solubilized from human corpora lutea in phosphate-buffered saline containing 1% Triton X-100, 20% glycerol, and protease inhibitors. The presence of 20% (vol/vol) glycerol was necessary for quantitative preservation of [125I]hCG-binding activity in detergent solution. The solubilized receptors were stable for several weeks at -20 C and at -80 C and for at least 18 h at 4 C. Binding of [125I]hCG to the soluble LH receptors was time and temperature dependent and varied linearly with the amount of soluble protein. Equilibrium binding studies revealed a single class of high affinity [125I]hCG-binding sites with an equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of 4.3 x 10(-10) mol/L (at 20 C). The molecular size of the human LH receptors was analyzed by ligand blotting. Solubilized receptors were subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under nonreducing conditions and transferred to nitrocellulose. Incubation of the protein blot with [125I]hCG to the 85/90K mol wt species was inhibited by unlabeled hCG. These results indicate that LH receptors can be solubilized in nonionic detergent while maintaining their hormone-binding activity and demonstrate that the receptors contain 85/90K hormone-binding species.

Measurement and characterization of somatostatin-14-like immunoreactivity in human urine.

Timed urine collections were obtained from normal men and women for a study of somatostatin in urine. Somatostatin-14-like immunoreactivity (S-14 LI) was extracted from urine by adsorption to C-18 silica cartridges, and the extracts were analyzed by RIA directly or after gel and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). S-14 LI was consistently detected in all urine samples. The mean S-14 LI content in 24-h collections in men [10.96 +/- 0.91 (+/- SE) pmol/24 h; n = 10; total volume, 1.96 +/- 0.09 L] was not significantly different from that in women (9.09 +/- 0.85 pmol/24 h; n = 10; total volume, 1.87 +/- 0.09 L). Gel chromatography of 24-h urine collections revealed three major peaks of S-14 LI coeluting with S-14, S-28, and a 12,000 mol wt species corresponding to prosomatostatin. HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of S-14, S-28, and the 12,000 mol wt form and additionally revealed a major fourth peak of 3,000 mol wt, closely related to S-28. Immunoreactivity corresponding to [Des,Ala1]S-14 (S-13) was identified by HPLC coelution with synthetic S-13 and reactivity in a centrally, but not N-terminally directed, S-14 RIA. The relative proportions of the different HPLC peaks varied considerably during the 24-h period. S-14 and S-28 were excreted preferentially during the day, whereas the 12,000 and 3,000 mol wt forms were excreted preferentially at night. The ingestion of a mixed meal evoked parallel increases in plasma S-14 LI and urinary S-14 LI excretion in six normal subjects. We conclude that the principal circulating forms of S-14 LI (S-14, S-28, S-13, and pro-S) are present in urine and that the measurement of urinary S-14 LI could provide a reliable index of integrated plasma S-14 LI concentrations.

Pharmacokinetic studies of highly purified human prolactin in normal human subjects.

Previous estimates of PRL pharmacokinetics have been made using radioiodinated human PRL (hPRL) infusions or by measuring serum PRL disappearance following prolactinoma resection. The recent purification of hPRL in significant quantities made it possible to measure the clearance and volume of distribution directly. Studies were also carried out to determine absorption and clearance after im injection. In five normal men whose endogenous PRL secretion was suppressed by dopamine, a loading dose of hPRL (70-90 micrograms) followed by a constant infusion (1.39-2.9 ng/min) produced steady state serum PRL levels of 15.2-25.4 ng/mL by 30-60 min. The calculated mean volume of distribution was 7.3 +/- 2.9 (+/- SD) L. The calculated MCR was 71 +/- 19 mL/min X m2, and the calculated production rate was 802 +/- 377 micrograms/24 h X m2. The plasma disappearance half-life following discontinuation of the infusion was 37 +/- 10 min. The PRL infusate consisted primarily (75.6%) of a 22.5 K dalton species, probably PRL monomer, a component eluting at 45K daltons (16.1% of the total radioimmunoreactivity), probably dimer, and a small amount of a larger mol wt species. Serum obtained during dopamine infusion but before hPRL infusion contained 68.1% of the 22.5K, 7.2% of the 45K, and 24.7% of the larger mol wt moieties. During hPRL infusion in two men there was a relative decrease in the proportion of PRL monomer to 55% and 69% and a relative increase in the PRL dimer to 33% and 18%, respectively. hPRL was injected im in doses of 1, 2, 4, and 8 micrograms/kg without prior dopamine infusion. No significant changes in serum PRL levels occurred after the 1 and 2 micrograms/kg doses (n = 5). After the 4 micrograms/kg dose (n = 8), mean serum PRL levels rose from 10.0 +/- 1.8 (+/- SEM) ng/mL to peak levels of 13.1 +/- 1.8 ng/mL (P less than 0.01). After the 8 micrograms/kg dose (n = 7), PRL levels rose from 9.3 +/- 1.6 to 16.5 +/- 1.8 ng/mL (P less than 0.01). The PRL rise began between 60 and 80 min after injection; peak levels occurred at 160-180 min. In two men given 8 micrograms/kg who were sampled for an additional 3 h, PRL levels peaked at 200-220 min and began to fall by 220-240 min, but had not returned to baseline by 6 h. There were no side-effects of PRL administration, although the 8 micrograms/kg dose caused transient local discomfort.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)