Nb2 Cell Mitogenesis Research Articles

Implication of alpha4 phosphoprotein and the rapamycin-sensitive mammalian target-of-rapamycin pathway in prolactin receptor signalling.

A prolactin (PRL)-responsive 3'-end cDNA encoding rat alpha4 phosphoprotein was previously isolated from a rat lymphoma cDNA library. Rat alpha4 is a homologue of yeast Tap42 and is a component of the mammalian target-of-rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathway that stimulates translation initiation and G1 progression in response to nutrients and growth factors. In the present study, the full-length rat alpha4 cDNA was obtained by 5'-RACE and the 1023 bp open reading frame predicted a 340 amino acid protein of 39.1 kDa. The alpha4 mRNA was expressed in quiescent PRL-dependent Nb2 lymphoma cells deprived of PRL for up to 72 h but expression was downregulated within 4 h of PRL treatment. In contrast, PRL-independent Nb2-Sp cells showed constitutive expression of alpha4 that was not affected by PRL. Western analysis of Nb2 cell lysates or of V5-tagged-alpha4 expressed in COS-1 cells detected a single immunoreactive band of approximately 45 kDa. Enzymatic deglycosylation of affinity-purified 45 kDa alpha4 yielded the predicted 39 kDa protein. Phosphorylation of Nb2 alpha4 was induced by PRL or 2-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and further enhanced by a combination of PRL and TPA. The Nb2 alpha4 associated with the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A and localized predominantly in Nb2 nuclear fractions with trace amounts in the cytosol. The immunosuppressant drug rapamycin inhibited proliferation of Nb2 cells in response to PRL or interleukin-2, but had no effect on Nb2-Sp cells. Furthermore, transient overexpression of alpha4 in COS-1 cells inhibited PRL stimulation of the immediate-early gene interferon regulatory factor-1 promoter activity. Therefore, PRL downregulation of alpha4 expression and/or PRL-inducible phosphorylation of alpha4 may be necessary for PRL receptor (PRLr) signalling to the interferon regulatory factor-1 promoter in the Nb2 cells and, furthermore, implicates cross-talk between the mTOR and PRLr signalling cascades during Nb2 cell mitogenesis.

A monoclonal antibody recognizing an epitope shared by receptors for growth hormone, prolactin, interleukin 2 and interleukin 6.

Monoclonal antibody (MAb) termed R7B4 was generated throughout the idiotypic-anti-idiotypic network from mice immunized with human and bovine growth hormones (GH). The Ab was selected on the basis that it did not recognize human GH (hGH) neither insolubilized nor in solution but inhibited 125I-hGH binding to receptors from rat and rabbit liver and from Nb2-cell membranes. Since it inhibited Nb2-cell mitogenesis stimulated by hGH, prolactins or placental lactogens, MAb R7B4 behaved as an antagonist of lactogenic hormones. Furthermore, the Ab impaired proliferative activity of interleukin 2 (IL-2) on Nb2 cells as well as growth of 7TD1 cells, an interleukin 6 (IL-6) dependent hybridoma not expressing GH receptors. Biotin-labeled MAb R7B4 specifically bound to rat liver microsomes, and the Ab was able to recognize Nb2 and 7TD1-cell membranes as shown by flow cytometry experiments. However, MAb binding was not hampered by hGH, indicating that the Ab did not mimic GH binding site to receptors. Immunoblot assays indicated that rat and rabbit liver as well as Nb2-cells membrane antigens recognized by MAb R7B4 were similar to those revealed by a MAb directed to prolactin receptors. In addition, MAb R7B4 was able to detect two bands probably corresponding to the somatogenic receptor in rabbit liver microsomes as well as three different proteins in 7TD1-cells showing molecular weights similar to those of the IL-6 receptor complex. Results suggest that MAb R7B4 is directed to an epitope shared by receptors for lactogenic and somatogenic hormones, IL-2 and IL-6. To our knowledge, these data are the first experimental evidence of the existence of structural similarity between some of the receptors grouped in the cytokine receptor superfamily.

The MEK inhibitor PD 098059 inhibits prolactin-induced Nb2 cell mitogenesis but not milk product synthesis in cultured mouse mammary tissues

The MAP kinase pathway has been shown to be active in many growth factor signaling systems, including that of prolactin (PRL). In our studies, the main objective was to examine the possible involvement of MEK kinases (Map/Erk kinase kinases) in PRL-stimulated mitogenic and lactogenic processes. We used the MEK kinase inhibitor PD 098059 to block MEK kinase activation in the Nb2 cell line and mammary gland explants derived from 12- to 14-day pregnancy mice. PD 098059 attenuated PRL-induced Nb2 cell mitogenesis at 10 μM and a maximum inhibition was observed at 100 μM. In cultured mammary tissues, PD 098059 at 100 μM had no effect on the PRL stimulation of lipid, casein and lactose synthesis and iodide uptake. Further, the growth-inhibitory effect of PD 098059 on Nb2 cells was ameliorated when the drug was removed from the culture medium, indicating that PD 098059 acts in a reversible manner. When MEK1 was immunoprecipitated from PD 098059 and/or PRL treated Nb2 cells, PRL-stimulated MEK1 kinase activity was directly inhibited by PD 098059 at concentrations employed in the culture experiments. PRL has no effect on the tyrosyl phosphorylation of MAP kinases in cultured mammary tissues derived from pregnant mice, whereas earlier we found that PRL stimulates the tyrosyl phosphorylation of all four MAP kinases in Nb2 cells. The results suggest that the MAP kinase pathway plays an important role in the PRL stimulation of Nb2 cell mitogenesis but is not involved in the PRL stimulation of milk product synthesis.

Lovastatin inhibits prolactin-induced Nb2 cell mitogenesis and milk product synthesis in mouse mammary gland explants.

The p21ras protein has been shown to be active in many growth factor signaling systems, including that of prolactin (PRL). In our studies, the main objective was to examine further the involvement of ras in prolactin-stimulated mitogenic and metabolic processes. We used the farnesylation inhibitor lovastatin to block effectively ras-dependent signaling in Nb2 cells, a pre-T lymphoma cell line, and mammary gland explants derived from 12- to 14-day pregnant mice. Lovastatin completely inhibited PRL-induced Nb2 cell mitogenesis at 1 micron. In the mammary gland, lovastatin at 0.1 micron inhibited the PRL stimulation of lipid and lactose synthesis; at 2 microns, lovastatin abolished the PRL stimulation of casein production. When p21ras was immunoprecipitated from lovastatin (25 microns)-treated Nb2 cells and mammary gland explants, the unfarnesylated (inactive) form of ras was shown to be redistributed from the cell membrane to the cytosolic compartment of the cell. This suggests that the anchoring of ras to the cell membrane is essential for its action in prolactin signal transduction. Thus, in addition to the well-known active participation of ras in mitogenic growth factor signaling, the presence of functional ras also appears necessary for the PRL stimulation of specific metabolic processes involved in lactation.

Investigation of intracellular signals mediating the anti-apoptotic action of prolactin in Nb2 lymphoma cells.

Studies were undertaken to identify intracellular mediators of prolactin inhibition of glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis in Nb2 lymphoma cells. A short-term assay was implemented that quantitates fragmented DNA released from the genome by reaction with diphenylamine. Induction and inhibition of internucleosomal DNA cleavage (indicative of apoptosis) was verified by agarose gel electrophoresis of extracted cellular DNA. Synchronized Nb2 cells (G0/G1) exhibited increased DNA fragmentation after 4-hr incubation with dexamethasone (DEX) (25-100 nM) which was inhibited by ovine prolactin (oPRL) (0.1-1 ng/ml), the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, RU486 (500 nM), and the nuclease inhibitor, aurintricarboxylic acid (100 microM). Signals previously implicated in prolactin induction of mitogenesis in Nb2 cells were investigated for their role in prolactin inhibition of apoptosis including: protein kinase C activation, arachidonic acid metabolism, polyamine production, tyrosine phosphorylation, and extracellular calcium. Protein kinase C agonists, phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate, and 1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol, +/- the calcium ionophore, A23187 (200 nM), did not mimic oPRL inhibition of DEX-induced DNA fragmentation. Protein kinase C inhibitors, gossypol and quercetin, did not block prolactin action. Arachidonic acid did not mimic prolactin protection against DEX-induced DNA fragmentation. Inhibitors of arachidonic acid metabolism, 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, and indomethacin did not block prolactin action. The polyamine, spermine, inhibited DEX-induced DNA fragmentation at 1.5 to 2.5 mM. However, inhibition of polyamine synthesis with alpha-difluoromethyl ornithine or methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) did not inhibit prolactin action. Prolactin action was not blocked by inhibitors of tyrosine kinase activation, genistein and tyrphostin-47. On the other hand, pervanadate, a potent tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, consistently inhibited DEX-induced DNA fragmentation. Prolactin action and DEX-induced apoptosis both occurred in calcium-free PBS. In summary, protein kinase C activation and eicosanoid production do not appear to mediate this prolactin action. Although spermine could block DNA fragmentation, blockade of the polyamine cascade did not inhibit prolactin action, suggesting that polyamines do not mediate this prolactin effect. While inhibitors of tyrosine kinase activation did not block prolactin action, tyrosine phosphatase inhibition in the presence of basal tyrosine kinase activity mimicked prolactin action, suggesting tyrosine phosphorylation participation in the anti-apoptotic effect. Extra-cellular calcium was not required for prolactin or DEX action.

Prolactin (PRL)-dependent expression of a zinc finger protein-encoding gene, Gfi-1, in Nb2 lymphoma cells: constitutive expression in autonomous sublines

The proliferation of cultured rat Nb2 lymphoma cells is dependent on prolactin (PRL) acting as the principal growth factor. Previously, PRL-independent Nb2 sublines were obtained by PRL starvation of the parent line and cloning of surviving cells. Development of PRL independence was in some cases found to be associated with a reciprocal translocation involving chromosome 14 at breakpoint 14p22. In the present study, a novel, 14p22 zinc finger protein-encoding gene, Gfi-1, has been examined for a role in Nb2 cell proliferation. PRL-dependent Nb2 cells expressed the gene during active growth; in comparison, in stationary, early G1-arrested cells obtained by an 18 hr lactogen starvation, Gfi-1 gene expression was markedly decreased. Addition of PRL to such stationary cells led to induction of Gfi-1 gene expression within a few hr with a maximum in late G1. Actively growing cells from 5 different PRL-independent Nb2 sublines, cultured in chemically defined, mitogen-free medium, expressed the gene constitutively. In two sublines, carrying the 14p22 rearrangement, the gene was markedly overexpressed. The results suggest the Gfi-1 gene product has a regulatory role in Nb2 cell mitogenesis and that unscheduled activation could contribute to loss of PRL dependency.

Prolactin (PRL)-dependent expression of a zinc finger protein-encoding gene, Gfi-1, in Nb2 lymphoma cells: constitutive expression in autonomous sublines.

The proliferation of cultured rat Nb2 lymphoma cells is dependent on prolactin (PRL) acting as the principal growth factor. Previously, PRL-independent Nb2 sublines were obtained by PRL starvation of the parent line and cloning of surviving cells. Development of PRL independence was in some cases found to be associated with a reciprocal translocation involving chromosome 14 at breakpoint 14p22. In the present study, a novel, 14p22 zinc finger protein-encoding gene, Gfi-1, has been examined for a role in Nb2 cell proliferation. PRL-dependent Nb2 cells expressed the gene during active growth; in comparison, in stationary, early G1-arrested cells obtained by an 18 hr lactogen starvation, Gfi-1 gene expression was markedly decreased. Addition of PRL to such stationary cells led to induction of Gfi-1 gene expression within a few hr with a maximum in late G1. Actively growing cells from 5 different PRL-independent Nb2 sublines, cultured in chemically defined, mitogen-free medium, expressed the gene constitutively. In two sublines, carrying the 14p22 rearrangement, the gene was markedly overexpressed. The results suggest the Gfi-1 gene product has a regulatory role in Nb2 cell mitogenesis and that unscheduled activation could contribute to loss of PRL dependency.

Effects of cholera and pertussis toxins on prolactin stimulation of lactose synthesis and ornithine decarboxylase activity in mouse mammary gland explants.

Studies indicate that G proteins are likely involved in the signal transduction pathway for prolactin's stimulation of mitogenesis in Nb2 cells. In the mammary gland, little is known about the possible role of G proteins in the prolactin (PRL) stimulation of milk product synthesis. Therefore, the effects of cholera and pertussis toxin, enzymes that modify G protein activity, were tested on several actions of prolactin on mouse mammary tissue in culture. At concentration of 0.1-0.5 micrograms/ml, cholera toxin stimulated ornithine decarboxylase activity in a dose-response fashion; when tested in concert, cholera toxin and prolactin caused an additive response. Cholera toxin by itself did not affect the rate of lactose synthesis, but at concentrations above 0.5 micrograms/ml, it attenuated the magnitude of the prolactin stimulation of lactose synthesis. Pertussis toxin (0-0.5 micrograms/ml), both by itself and in concert with PRL, had no effect on ornithine decarboxylase activity. At concentrations of 25 ng/ml and above, pertussis toxin inhibited the PRL stimulation of lactose synthesis, whereas at 0.2 and 0.5 micrograms/ml, pertussis toxin abolished the PRL response. These observations suggest that a G protein, but not Gs, may be involved in prolactin's mechanism of signal transduction in the mouse mammary gland.

Prolactin-induced proliferation of the Nb2 T-lymphoma is associated with protein kinase-C-independent phosphorylation of stathmin.

Phosphorylation of stathmin, a 19-kDa protein found in many tissues, has been linked to cell differentiation and proliferation. This protein is present in lymphocytes, and both phosphorylation and expression of stathmin are regulated by lymphotropic agents. In this study an antibody specific for stathmin was used to examine phosphorylation in response to PRL. The results suggest that PRL stimulates stathmin phosphorylation in the Nb2 lymphoma and that phosphorylation correlates with PRL-induced cell proliferation. Stathmin expression does not change substantially as PRL-stimulated Nb2 cells move through the cell cycle and enter into the S-phase. Thus, stathmin phosphorylation, but not expression, is regulated by PRL. Activation of protein kinase-C (PKC) in Nb2 cells also induces phosphorylation of stathmin, but PKC does not appear to mediate phosphorylation in response to PRL. The pattern of phosphorylation in response to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate differs from that in response to PRL, and down-regulation of PKC does not inhibit PRL-induced phosphorylation or proliferation. In addition to stathmin, PRL increases phosphorylation of a group of stathmin-like proteins. Phosphorylation of these proteins also correlates well with PRL-induced proliferation. Taken together, the results suggest that phosphorylation of stathmin and stathmin-like proteins may mediate some actions of PRL in Nb2 cells. The results further suggest that activation of PKC is not an important early event in PRL-stimulated mitogenesis in Nb2 cells.

Human growth hormone enhances pertussis toxin-stimulated ADP-ribosylation of Gi in Nb2 cell membrane.

The Nb2 node lymphoma cell line has been widely used as a model for investigating lactogen cellular actions. Both pertussis (PTX) and cholera (CTX) toxins modulate lactogen-stimulated Nb2 cell mitogenesis, suggesting G protein involvement in lactogen signal transduction. The following studies were performed to further investigate this possibility. Both PTX-sensitive (41 kDa) and CTX-sensitive substrates (42 and 45 kDa) were identified in Nb2 cell membrane and recognized by specific anti-Gi and anti-Gs antibodies, respectively. Equal numbers of Nb2 cells were then incubated with the lactogen human growth hormone (hGH, 10 ng/ml) for 0-72 h. Membrane protein prepared from each time point (50 micrograms) was compared in toxin-stimulated ADP-ribosylation studies. CTX-stimulated ADP-ribosylation was unaffected by prior hGH incubation. PTX-stimulated ADP-ribosylation increased 237 +/- 69% (X +/- S.E.) compared with 0-h controls (n = 11; p less than 0.01) after 4-7 h of hGH incubation then decreased toward 0-h samples by 24 and 72 h. No change in Gi alpha concentration was observed, but beta subunit concentration increased (145 +/- 14% at 7 h; p less than 0.01; n = 3) in a time course that paralleled the changes in PTX-stimulated ADP-ribosylation. In summary, 1) both Gi and Gs were present in Nb2 cell membrane, 2) incubation of cells with a lactogen, hGH, for 4-7 h markedly enhanced PTX-stimulated ADP-ribosylation of Gi alpha in vitro, whereas CTX-stimulated ADP-ribosylation of Gs alpha was unchanged, and 3) although no change in Gi alpha concentration was observed, beta subunit concentration increased in parallel with the increase in PTX-stimulated ADP-ribosylation of Gi alpha. These results suggest that hGH may modify PTX-stimulated ADP-ribosylation of Gi not by changing Gi alpha concentration, perhaps by increasing beta subunit concentration, enhancing association of Gi alpha by beta gamma subunits, which, in turn, is preferentially ADP-ribosylated. This may represent a late signal transduction event and may also have implications for other effectors dependent on Gi-mediated events.

Cyclic guanosine monophosphate analogs do not reverse bacterial toxin modulation of lactogen-stimulated NB2 cell mitogenesis.

Pertussis toxin (PT) and cholera toxin (CT) have been shown to modulate lactogenic hormone-stimulated Nb2 cell mitogenesis, a lactogen-dependent cell line. As both toxins have been shown to alter guanylate cyclase activity in other cell systems, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) analogs, 8-bromo or dibutyryl cGMP, were added to determine if they could reverse the toxin-mediated effects. In the absence of bacterial toxins, both cGMP analogs enhanced lactogen-stimulated Nb2 cell mitogenesis in a multiphasic pattern. At maximal enhancement, the effect was statistically significant but not marked (113 +/- 5%; p less than 0.01). Neither cGMP analog increased lactogenic binding site number or affinity so cGMP must affect lactogen action following receptor binding. Neither analog could stimulation Nb2 cell mitogenesis in the absence of lactogens so cGMP is not a second messenger for lactogens in this cell system. Finally, neither cGMP analog reversed the inhibitory effects of either bacterial toxin on lactogen-stimulated Nb2 cell proliferation. In summary, although bacterial toxins may be capable of altering guanylate cyclase activity, as addition of cGMP analogs do not reverse toxin-mediated effects on lactogen-stimulated mitogenesis, these toxins' actions must be mediated predominantly through other mechanisms that may have significant importance to lactogen signal transduction.

Endocytosis and Degradation of Ovine Prolactin by Nb2 Lymphoma Cells: Characterization and Effects of Agents Known to Alter Prolactin-Induced Mitogenesis*

Rat Nb2 node lymphoma cells proliferate in response to lactogens, but the signal transduction mechanism involved remains unclear. Specific binding, internalization, and degradation of ovine PRL (oPRL) were examined under a variety of experimental conditions to characterize the metabolism of receptor-bound hormone by these cells. Stationary-phase cells were incubated with [125I]oPRL in Fischer's medium containing horse serum. Cell suspensions were centrifuged, and the cell pellets were assayed to determine specific cell-associated radioactivity. Internalized ligand was measured by exposing the cells to an acidic buffer before centrifugation to dissociate hormone from plasma membrane receptors, and cell-surface ligand was calculated by subtracting internalized hormone from the total [125I]oPRL bound by the cells. Hormone degradation was assessed by measuring the radioactivity in an acid-soluble fraction prepared from the incubation medium. Endocytosis of [125I]oPRL was observed within 30 min at 37 C, and the internalized component accounted for approximately 50% of the bound hormone under steady-state conditions. Hormone degradation was detectable within 1 h at 37 C and continued at a relatively linear rate thereafter; by 4 h, 8% of the added [125I]oPRL was acid soluble. Chloroquine (0.2 mM), methylamine (20 mM) and monensin (20 microM) prevented [125I]oPRL degradation and elevated both cell-surface and intracellular hormone 2-fold during a 4-h incubation. Leupeptin (0.2 mM) decreased degradation by only 15% under the same conditions. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA; 20 nM), a comitogen for lactogen-stimulated Nb2 cells, increased cell-surface hormone by 20% and decreased intracellular hormone by a corresponding amount 1 h after administration. Calcium ionophore A23187 (1 microM) produced similar changes, and a synergistic effect was noted when cells were exposed to both agents for 4 h. Amiloride (125 microM), an inhibitor of Nb2 cell mitogenesis, decreased [125I]oPRL degradation by 25% during a 4-h incubation. This response was abolished when the cells were exposed simultaneously to PMA. These experiments demonstrate that receptor-bound oPRL is rapidly internalized and extensively degraded via the endosome-lysosome pathway when Nb2 cells are maintained at 37 C. The inhibitory effect of PMA on oPRL internalization may help to explain the comitogenic action of this phorbol on Nb2 cells. Since amiloride also produced major changes in oPRL metabolism, post-binding events in lactogen processing by target cells could play an important role in the mitogenic response elicited by such hormones.

Nb2 cell mitogenesis: effect of lactogens on cAMP and protein phosphorylation

Rat lymphoma cells (Nb2) are exquisitely sensitive to lactogenic hormones and are an ideal system to study receptor-mediated signal transduction. The effect of human growth hormone (hGH) on macromolecular synthesis, intracellular cAMP concentrations and protein phosphorylation was investigated in Nb2 cells maintained in serum-free medium. hGH stimulated the incorporation of radiolabelled precursors into protein, RNA and DNA in a time-dependent manner. The concentration of hGH inducing half-maximal DNA synthesis was 11 pM, indicating that Nb2 cells cultured in serum-free medium maintain the same sensitivity to lactogen as cells in horse serum-containing medium. hGH over a period of 4 h had no effect on intracellular cAMP regardless of the presence or absence of isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX). IBMX (250 μM), increased intracellular cAMP levels 2-fold indicating that the cAMP assay was sufficiently sensitive to detect relatively small changes in intracellular cAMP. Cyclic AMP had no effect on protein phosphorylation. However, hGH, prolactin and placental lactogen enhanced phosphorylation of many protein targets, as well as that of a specific protein ( M r = 29 000). Rat growth hormone, which is not mitogenic, had no effect on protein phosphorylation. These results suggest that lactogen-mediated Nb2 mitogenesis does not involve modulation of intracellular cAMP concentration and that cAMP-independent protein phosphorylation may play a role.

Modulation of prolactin-stimulated Nb2 lymphoma cell mitogenesis by cholera toxin and pertussis toxin.

We have investigated whether cholera toxin (CT)- or pertussis toxin (IAP)-sensitive G proteins are involved in ovine (o) PRL-stimulated mitogenesis in the lactogen-dependent rat Nb2 node lymphoma cell line. Addition of IAP to medium caused a biphasic effect on oPRL-stimulated cell number. Low doses (10(-3) ng/ml) enhanced (mean +/- SEM, 15 +/- 3%) whereas higher doses (greater than or equal to 10 ng/ml) inhibited (24 +/- 3%) mitogenesis stimulated by a submaximal dose of oPRL (0.1 ng/ml) compared to control values. The cAMP analog 8-bromo-cAMP also had a biphasic effect on cell division stimulated by submaximal doses of PRL. Low doses (10(-5) M) enhanced whereas higher doses (10(-3) M) inhibited Nb2 cell growth in response to PRL. Incubation with CT only inhibited oPRL-stimulated mitogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal inhibition (63 +/- 7%) occurred at a concentration of 10 ng/ml or more. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) enhanced mitogenesis stimulated by PRL alone and in the presence of either stimulatory or inhibitory doses of IAP, but PMA did not block IAP inhibition. In contrast, PMA had no effect on cells incubated with CT; the inhibition of PRL-stimulated cell division by CT remained unchanged. Lactogenic receptor-binding sites per cell and affinity were not significantly affected by PMA, IAP, or CT, suggesting a postreceptor mechanism of action. In summary, these data demonstrate that cAMP modifies PRL-stimulated Nb2 cell mitogenesis. The differences between IAP and CT (i.e. biphasic effect, degree of inhibition, and differential effect of PMA) suggest that these agents could also modulate PRL actions in the Nb2 cell through different mechanisms, including a cAMP-independent pathway.

Prolactin as a mammalian mitogen and tumor promoter

Cellular proliferation and differentiation of the mammalian mammary gland requires a medley of hormones including the anterior pituitary hormone, PRL. Recent evidence extends the role of PRL as a mammalian mitogen to cells in several physiological systems not directly involved in reproductive functions, such as liver and lymphocytes. PRL administration induces biochemical markers expressed during the G 1 phase of cell cycle and activates DNA synthesis in rat liver. Chronic PRL treatment causes hepatomegaly, reflecting its stimulation of the proliferative process. In vitro, a lactogen-dependent cell line, the Nb2 rat node lymphoma cell, serves as a useful paradigm to study PRL action on mitogenesis. These cells, when cultured in the presence of lactogens, proliferate in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of various pharmacological agents on discrete phases of the cell cycle may be readily assessed in these cells since PRL-stimulated entry into cycle is signalled by an elevation of ODC activity at 6 hr and entry into S-phase at 6–12 hr. The parallel effects of phorbol ester tumor promoters and PRL on cell cycle progression in Nb2 lymphoma cells and in hepatic proliferation suggest that PRL may likewise mediate proliferation in aberrant growth conditions such as neoplasia. The data presented support the hypothesis that PRL is capable of promoting hepatocarcinogenesis. Its chronic administration after a hepatic initiating agent stimulated the development of histochemical and biochemical markers characteristic of preneoplasia. Further, the effect of PRL was comparable to that of the hepatocarcinogen when either was administered alone. Thus, hyperprolactinemia may serve to promote the development of hepatic tumors. Phorbol esters are thought to promote tumorigenesis by directly activating PKC. In the Nb2 lymphoma cell model, tumor promoting phorbol esters mimic the effects of PRL. Similarily, PRL-stimulated enzyme induction in liver is mirrored by phorbol ester treatment, and inhibitors of PKC block PRL-stimulated mitogenesis in Nb2 cells. Further, PRL or TPA administration to rats causes translocation of PKC activity from the hepatic cytosol to the membrane fraction, reflecting kinase activation. Therefore, PRL activation of PKC appears to be a physiological phenomenon of general significance, occurring as the result of lactogen receptor stimulation and serving to transmit intracellular signals linked to the regulation of mitogenesis. Further study is required to more fully define the scope of PRL-mediated mitogenic actions as well as its effects on the expression of differentiated products in tissues and cells.

Identification of amiloride-sensitive Na+/H+ exchange in rat NB2 node lymphoma cells. Stimulation by 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate.

Stimulation of mitogenesis in rat Nb2 node lymphoma cells by human (h) PRL was inhibited by inhibitors of Na+/H+ exchange (viz. amiloride and its analogs) and inhibitors of protein kinases (isoquinolinesulfonamide derivatives). The most potent were ethylisopropylamiloride (EP-Am) (IC50, 13 microM) and H-7, selective for protein kinase C (IC50, 23 microM), suggesting the possible involvement of Na+/H+ exchange and protein kinase C in mediating Nb2 cell mitogenesis. In the presence of hPRL, the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), known to activate the Na+/H+ antiporter as well as protein kinase C in other cell systems, enhanced the hPRL-stimulated Nb2 cell mitogenesis. TPA alone caused a dose- and time-dependent stimulation of H+ efflux in stationary cultures of Nb2 cells but had no effect on cell growth. From 25-100 nM TPA, the increase in the rate of H+ efflux was detectable by 3 min, reached a maximum by 15 min, and was sustained 30 min after the addition of TPA. The TPA-stimulated H+ efflux was dependent on extracellular Na+ and was almost completely inhibited after a 10 min preincubation with 25 microM EP-Am. TPA also increased the intracellular pH (pHi) of stationary cultures of Nb2 cells from 7.29 +/- 0.02 (n = 8) to a maximum of 7.45 +/- 0.03 (n = 10). The most rapid and greatest response was observed with 40 nM TPA which gave a detectable increase in pHi within 1 min and reached a maximum alkalinization by 6 min. Higher concentrations of TPA had no additional effect. The nontumor promoter phorbol 12,13,20-triacetate (PTA), either alone or in the presence of hPRL, had no effect on Nb2 cell proliferation or on H+ efflux or pHi in Hb2 cells. The TPA-induced increase in pHi was Na+-dependent and was inhibited by EP-Am and H-7. A preincubation with EP-Am (25 microM) for 5-10 min abolished the TPA-induced increase in pHi whereas prolonged incubation with H-7 (50 microM) for up to 3 h was required to decrease the stimulatory effect of TPA by approximately 50%. Although activation of the Na+/H+ exchange system is clearly an early consequence of the action of TPA on Nb2 cells, the failure of TPA to stimulate Nb2 cell proliferation suggests that stimulation of Na+/H+ exchange and protein kinase C activity are not sufficient to generate a mitogenic response in these cells.