Rat Liver Cell Line Research Articles

Inhibitory effects of capsaicinoids on fatty acid desaturation in a rat liver cell line.

The inhibitory effects of such vanillylamides as capsaicin and nine capsaicinoids on fatty acid desaturation in liver cells were investigated by using the cultured rat liver cell line, BRL-3A. When capsaicin was added to the medium, it had a relatively strong inhibitory effect on delta6 desaturation and clear inhibitory effects on delta5 and C24delta16 desaturation (delta16 desaturation of C24-polyunsaturated fatty acids). Capsaicinoids with side carbon chain lengths of C10:0 and C12:0 expressed the maximum inhibitory effects of the nine capsaicinoids on fatty acid desaturation in the BRL-3A cells. The inhibitory effects of the capsaicinoids were not correlated with their pungency.

Cytokine-induced STAT signalling through the cytoplasmic compartment.

The standard model for cytokine-induced signalling through the cytoplasmic compartment by the family of proteins designated “STATs” (“signal transducers and activators of transcription”) posits that STAT proteins exist in the cytoplasmic compartment as monomers which are activated by tyrosine (Tyr) phosphorylation by receptor-associated Janus family kinases (JAKs), the Tyr-phosphorylated STATs dimerize and then the STAT dimers translocate to the nucleus’. In previous work from this laboratory we have evaluated whether STAT proteins existed in the cytoplasmic compartment as free monomers and whether these then dimerized upon Tyr-phosphorylation following cytokine induction2’3. We used gel-filtration chromatography through Superose-6 columns for sizing STAT protein complexes, and observed that STAT1, STAT3, STAT5a, and STAT5b existed in complexes of size 200-400 kDa and 1-2 MDa in the cytosolic compartment of hepatocytes (rat liver or human Hep3B hepatoma cell lines)2’3. Upon stimulation with interleukin-6 (IL-6) there was no appreciable shift in size of the Tyr-phosphorylated STAT3 that would indicate the occurrence of a simple monomer to dimer transition2’3. These observations, among others, led us to propose that STAT proteins existed in the cytoslic compartment not as free monomers but as high molecular weight complexes of size 200-400 kDa (“statosome I”) and 1-2 Mda (“statosome II”) in association with othor proteins which regulated STAT function and trafficking through the cytoplasmic compartment 2,3(Fig.1).

Development and Evaluation of a Boronate Inhibitor of γ-Glutamyl Transpeptidase

γ-Glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) plays a central role in the metabolism of glutathione and is also a marker for neoplasia and cell transformation. We have investigated the compound l-2-amino-4-boronobutanoic acid (ABBA) as a structural analog of the putative ternary complex formed by the enzyme, l-serine, and borate, proposed to function as a transition state analog inhibitor. ABBA was found to be a potent inhibitor of the enzyme, with Ki = 17 nM using typical assay conditions (pH 8, γ-glutamyl-p-nitroanilide substrate, 20 mM glycyl-glycine acceptor). ABBA is a stable amino acid analog with pK values determined from 13C and 11B NMR to be 2.3, 11.0 (amino titration), and 7.9 (boronate titration). The structural similarity to glutamate suggested that it might function as a glutamate analog for some glutamate-dependent enzymes or receptors. Transamination of pyruvate by ABBA to yield alanine in the presence of glutamic pyruvic transaminase was demonstrated by 13C NMR. The 2- keto-4-boronobutanoicacid transamination product is apparently fairly labile to hydrolysis, leading to formation of 2-ketobutanoic acid plus borate. The latter is also subsequently transaminated to yield 2-aminobutanoic acid. Both of these metabolites were observed in the 13C NMR spectrum. However, the corresponding transamination of oxaloacetate by ABBA in the presence of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase was not observed. Effects of ABBA on the growth of cultured rat liver cell lines ARL-15C1 (nontumorigenic, low γ-GT activity) and ARL-16T2 (tumorigenic, high γ-GT activity) were also investigated, both in standard Williams Media as well as in a low cysteine growth medium. A high concentration (1 mM) of ABBA inhibited the growth of both cell lines in both media, with the degree of inhibition greater in the low cysteine medium. Alternatively, growth inhibition by 10 μM ABBA could be observed only in the low cysteine media. In general, there were no significant differences between the two cell lines in terms of sensitivity to ABBA.

Genetic events associated with arsenic-induced malignant transformation: applications of cDNA microarray technology.

Arsenic is a human carcinogen. Our recent work showed that chronic (>18 wk), low-level (125-500 nM) arsenite exposure induces malignant transformation in normal rat liver cell line TRL1215. In these arsenic-transformed cells, thecellular S-adenosylmethionine pool was depleted from arsenic metabolism, resulting in global DNA hypomethylation. DNA methylation status in turn may affect the expression of a variety of genes. This study examined the aberrant gene expression associated with arsenic-induced transformation with the use of Atlas Rat cDNA Expression microarrays. Poly(A(+)) RNA was prepared from arsenic-transformed cells and passage-matched control cells, and (32)P-labeled cDNA probes were synthesized with Clontech Rat cDNA Synthesis primers and moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase. The hybrid intensity was analyzed with AtlasImage software and normalized with the sum of the four housekeeping genes. Four hybridizations from separate cell preparations were performed, and mean and SEM for the expression of each gene were calculated for statistical analysis. Among the 588 genes, approximately 80 genes ( approximately 13%) were aberrantly expressed. These included genes involved in cell-cycle regulation, signal transduction, stress response, apoptosis, cytokine production and growth-factor and hormone-receptor production and various oncogenes. These initial gene expression analyses for the first time showed potentially important aberrant gene expression patterns associated with arsenic-induced malignant transformation and set the stage for numerous further studies. Mol. Carcinog. 30:79-87, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Maitotoxin-Activated TRP-1 Calcium Channels in a Rat Liver Cell Line

Maitotoxin-Activated TRP-1 Calcium Channels in a Rat Liver Cell Line

Activation of Potassium and Chloride Channels by Tumor Necrosis Factor α: ROLE IN LIVER CELL DEATH

Despite abundant evidence for changes in mitochondrial membrane permeability in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-mediated cell death, the role of plasma membrane ion channels in this process remains unclear. These studies examine the influence of TNF on ion channel opening and death in a model rat liver cell line (HTC). TNF (25 ng/ml) elicited a 2- and 5-fold increase in K(+) and Cl(-) currents, respectively, in HTC cells. These increases occurred within 5-10 min after TNF exposure and were inhibited either by K(+) or Cl(-) substitution or by K(+) channel blockers (Ba(2+), quinine, 0.1 mm each) or Cl(-) channel blockers (10 microm 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid and 0.1 mm N-phenylanthranilic acid), respectively. TNF-mediated increases in K(+) and Cl(-) currents were each inhibited by intracellular Ca(2+) chelation (5 mm EGTA), ATP depletion (4 units/ml apyrase), and the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors chelerythrine (10 micrometer) or PKC 19-36 peptide (1 micrometer). In contrast, currents were not attenuated by the calmodulin kinase II 281-309 peptide (10 micrometer), an inhibitor of calmodulin kinase II. In the presence of actinomycin D (1 micrometer), each of the above ion channel blockers significantly delayed the progression to TNF-mediated cell death. Collectively, these data suggest that activation of K(+) and Cl(-) channels is an early response to TNF signaling and that channel opening is Ca(2+)- and PKC-dependent. Our findings further suggest that K(+) and Cl(-) channels participate in pathways leading to TNF-mediated cell death and thus represent potential therapeutic targets to attenuate liver injury from TNF.

Organization and regulation of the gene encoding the sheep acid-labile subunit of the 150-kilodalton insulin-like growth factor-binding protein complex.

In adult animals, most circulating insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and IGF-II is sequestered in a 150-kDa complex composed of 1 molecule each of IGF, IGF-binding protein-3 or -5, and the acid-labile subunit (ALS). Capture of IGF in ALS-containing complexes increases their circulating half-lives and concentrations and suppresses their hypoglycemic potential. ALS has been studied almost exclusively in rodents and primates, and no information exists in the sheep despite its extensive use to study the circulating IGF system. To initiate studies in the sheep, we isolated the ovine ALS gene and characterized its spatial and developmental regulation. The ALS gene spans about 3.0 kb of chromosomal DNA and consists of 2 exons interrupted by a 977-bp intron. Exon 1 encodes the first 5 amino acids of the signal peptide; exon 2 encodes the remaining 27 amino acids of the signal peptide and the entire mature protein of 579 amino acids. Transcription initiation occurs at nucleotides -58 and -29 (ATG, + 1), 2 sites that are not preceded by TATA or initiator sequences. A DNA fragment extending from -727 to - 11 of the sheep ALS gene directed basal expression of a luciferase reporter plasmid in the rat liver cell line H4-II-E. GH increased promoter activity by 1.8-fold, consistent with conservation in the sheep promoter of the GH response element previously identified in the mouse gene. A survey of adult tissues by Northern analysis revealed the presence of a 2.2-kb transcript only in liver. Weak expression was first detected in liver on day 130 of fetal life, increased suddenly on day 7 of postnatal age, and changed little thereafter. The sheep is a useful model to understand the regulation and role of ALS, particularly around the time of birth, when final maturation of the circulating IGF system occurs.

Analysis of Benzo[a]pyrene Partitioning and Cellular Homeostasis in a Rat Liver Cell Line

The uptake and subcellular partitioning of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) were examined in a rat-liver cell line (Clone 9) using confocal and multiphoton microscopy. Following a 16-h treatment, intracellular accumulation of BaP increased with increasing concentration, and cytoplasmic BaP fluorescence reached saturation at 10 microM. Analysis of the kinetics of BaP uptake at this concentration indicated that BaP is rapidly partitioned into all cytoplasmic membranes within several min, although saturation was not reached until 4 h. Based upon the rapid uptake of BaP into membranes, the chronology of changes in gap junction-mediated intercellular communication (GJIC), plasma membrane potential (PMP), and steady state levels of intracellular Ca2+ in relation to the time-course for induction of microsomal ethoxyresorufin-0-deethylase (EROD) activity were examined. EROD activity in Clone 9 cells treated for 16 h increased with increasing concentrations of BaP and reached the highest levels at 40 microM BaP. In addition, kinetic analysis of EROD activity in Clone 9 cells treated with 10 microM BaP indicated that significant induction of EROD activity was not detected before 3 h, and it reached maximal levels by 16 h of treatment at this concentration. Both GJIC and PMP were directly affected by the partitioning of BaP into cellular membranes. The most sensitive index of BaP-induced changes in membrane function was GJIC which revealed a 25% suppression in cells exposed to 0.4 microM BaP for 16 h. Kinetic analysis revealed that suppression of GJIC occurred within 15 min of exposure of cells to 10 microM BaP, whereas significant suppression of PMP was not detected prior to 30-min exposure at this concentration. Elevation of basal Ca2+ level was also detected simultaneously with PMP at this dose. These data suggest that early changes in cellular membrane functions occur prior to detectable induction of EROD activity, although basal metabolic activation of BaP may contribute to these changes.

Role of the mitochondrial membrane permeability transition (MPT) in rotenone-induced apoptosis in liver cells.

Rotenone inhibits spontaneously and chemically induced hepatic tumorigenesis in rodents through the induction of apoptosis. However, the mechanism for the induction of apoptosis by rotenone has not been defined. Mitochondrial dysfunction, in particular the induction of the mitochondrial membrane permeability transition (MPT), has been implicated in the cascade of events involved in the induction of apoptosis. Inhibition of the mitochondrial electron-transport chain reduces the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (delta(psi)m), which may induce the formation of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore and the subsequent MPT. Fluorescent microscopy of Hoechst 33258-stained WB-F344 cells, a rat-liver cell line, was utilized to examine the effect of the mitochondrial respiratory chain inhibitor, rotenone (0.5-5 microM), atractyloside (5-10 microM), and cyclosporin A (2.5-10 microM) on apoptosis. A time- and concentration-dependent increase in liver cell apoptosis was observed following treatment with rotenone and atractyloside (11.7- and 7.7-fold, respectively, over solvent control). Cotreatment with 7.5- and 10 microM-cyclosporin A for 12 h inhibited the apoptogenicity of 5-microM rotenone treatment. A similar effect was observed following cyclosporin A cotreatment with atractyloside. Rotenone induced a rapid increase in apoptosis (within 20 min of treatment). By 2 h of treatment, the morphological appearance of apoptosis was similar to that observed in cultures treated continuously with rotenone for 12 h. Inhibition studies demonstrated that cyclosporin A prevented apoptosis if the exposure to it occurred prior to the 20-min threshold necessary to induce apoptosis by rotenone. Mitochondrial function was examined by staining with the mitochondrial membrane potential (delta(psi)m)-sensitive fluorochrome, MitoTracker Red (CMXRos) and confirmed utilizing cytofluorometric analysis of DiOC6(3)-stained cells. Rotenone (5.0-microM) and atractyloside (5.0-microM) reduced the percent of CMXRos or DiOC6(3)-positive (delta(psi)m-positive) liver cells within 15 min and throughout the duration of the study (6 h) to approximately 65-80% and 50-80% of control. However, cotreatment with concentrations of cyclosporin A that inhibited the apoptogenicity of rotenone and atractyloside prevented the rotenone- and atractyloside-induced reduction of the delta(psi)m. Therefore, the apoptogenic effect of rotenone and atractyloside appears to occur rapidly (within 20 min) and is irreversible once mitochondrial damage occurs. The inhibition of the rotenone- and atractyloside-induced apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction by cyclosporin A suggests the MPT may be involved in the induction of apoptosis by rotenone.

C19 odd-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUfas) are metabolized to C21-PUfas in a rat liver cell line, and curcumin, gallic acid, and their related compounds inhibit their desaturation.

It was demonstrated that the rat liver cell line BRL-3A converted exogenous C19 odd chain-polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) into the corresponding C21- and C23-PUFAs as follows: 21:3n-8, 21:4n-8, 23:3n-8, and 23:4n-8 (from 19:3n-8); 21:4n-5, 21:5n-5, 23:4n-5, and 23:5n-5 (from 19:4n-5); 21:5n-2, 21:6n-2, 23:5n-2, and 23:6n-2 (from 19:5n-2). It presumed that these C19 PUFAs were converted through the mimic route to docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) from eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3). In addition, the characterization of the change of fatty acid composition of cellular lipids in rat liver cells were examined, using 19:4n-5 and several fatty acid desaturation inhibitors. Curcumin related compounds, curcumin, capsaicin, isoeugenol, 4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-buten-2-one, and gallic acid esters with near five carbon numbered alcohol had great changes of fatty acid composition of cellular lipids based on inhibition of the A6 desaturation of C24-PUFAs in rat liver cells.

Association of Stomatin (Band 7.2b) with Glut1 Glucose Transporter

Employing a monoclonal antibody directed against the C-terminal peptide of glucose transporter molecule 1 (Glut1), we identified a ∼30-kDa polypeptide which coimmunoprecipitated with Glut1 from sample of human red blood cells (RBC) membranes. The ∼30-kDa polypeptide reacted with an antibody directed against stomatin, an integral plasma membrane protein which is also present at a high abundance in the human RBC plasma membrane. Likewise, employing anti-stomatin antibody, we found that Glut1 coimmunoprecipitated with stomatin from samples of RBC membranes. However, neither band 3, which is the most abundant integral membrane protein in the RBC, nor actin coimmunoprecipitated with Glut1, indicating a specific interaction between Glut1 and stomatin. Similar to the results obtained in the RBC, Glut1 and stomatin immunoprecipitated with each other in lysates of Clone 9 cells, a rat liver cell line in which Glut1 is expressed at ∼1/200 the level present in RBC. Employing conditions that resulted in immunoprecipitation of ∼10% of Glut1 in RBC membranes led to a ∼3% coimmunoprecipitation of stomatin. A mixed population of Clone 9 cells stably transfected with a plasmid overexpressing the mouse stomatin exhibited 30 ± 3% reduction in the basal rate of glucose transport compared to control cells or cells stably transfected with the empty vector. The above results suggest that stomatin is closely associated with Glut1 in the plasma membrane and that overexpression of stomatin results in a depression in the basal rate of glucose transport.

Cis desensitizes GH induced Stat5 signaling in rat liver cells

Recently a novel family of proteins, the Cis/Socs family, has been shown to constitute negative regulators of cytokine-induced Jak/Stat signaling. Here we demonstrate that Socs-2 and Cis mRNA expression in rat liver is dependent on the presence of growth hormone (GH), and that GH induce Cis mRNA expression in cultures of primary rat hepatocytes. Furthermore, cotransfection studies in the rat liver cell line, BRL-4, revealed that constitutive expression of Cis, but not Socs-2, inhibited the GH-induced transactivation of a Stat5-responsive reporter gene construct. This indicates a functional role for Cis in the desensitization of GH activated Jak/Stat5 signaling in rat liver cells. In response to the intermittent pattern of GH secretion in male rats, GH activates Stat5b signaling whereas this activation is blunted in female rats having a continuous pattern of GH secretion. We hypothesize that GH induction of Cis could be one mechanism by which sexually dimorphic GH signaling via Stat5b is achieved in the rat liver.

Enhancement of excision repair of cisplatin-DNA adducts by cell-free extract from a cisplatin-resistant rat cell line

To characterize the enhanced repair synthesis of defined DNA lesions, oligodeoxyribonucleotides were synthesized and inserted into plasmid DNA. The inserted plasmid DNA was treated with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin) and subjected to in vitro DNA repair assay with soluble extract from the rat liver cell line Ac2F. All cisplatin adducts tested stimulated DNA repair synthesis. Moreover, two cisplatin-resistant cell lines, Ac2F-CR4 and Ac2F-CR10, were established by stepwise exposure of Ac2F cells to this drug. The DNA repair synthesis was enhanced 3- to 4-fold in the extract from cisplatin-resistant Ac2F cells relative to that from Ac2F cells. Such repair synthesis was suppressed by the specific DNA polymerase inhibitor aphidicolin. The results of the present study suggested that the enhanced repair activity induced by a cisplatin adduct can be detected by in vitro DNA repair assay with soluble cell extract.

Locomotory behaviour of epitheliocytes and fibroblasts on metallic grids.

Behaviour of epitheliocytes and fibroblasts on special discontinuous substrata (metallic grids with square openings of 45x45 microm2) was examined in order to compare the ability of these cells to spread in two mutually perpendicular directions and to stretch over the void spaces. Two cell types with typical fibroblastic morphology, the AGO 1523 line of human foreskin fibroblasts and secondary cultures of mouse embryo fibroblasts, and three cell types with typical epithelial morphology, primary mouse hepatocytes, the IAR-2 line of rat liver cells and the MDCK line of canine kidney epithelial cells (clone 20) were used. We also examined the epitheliocytes (MDCK cells, clone 20) transformed to fibroblast-like morphology by treatment with hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF). Time-lapse video microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and immunofluorescence microscopy were used to examine cell reorganizations at various stages of spreading. It was found that early stages of spreading of fibroblasts and epitheliocytes were similar: the cell spread along two bars, perpendicular to each other (bar and crossbar), with the formation of a small triangular lamellar cytoplasm stretched over the opening. Later central parts of the bodies of the fibroblasts retracted from the bars so that the cells remained attached only by their polar lamellae. Successive expansions and partial retractions of these lamellae led to elongation of the cell body crossing several openings of the grid. Epitheliocytes, in contrast to fibroblasts, at the late stages of spreading did not retract their bodies and did not contract polar lamellae. As a result, their central lamellae stretched progressively over the openings. As a result of the treatment of MDCK epitheliocytes with HGF/SF the behaviour of the cells on the grids became similar to that of fibroblasts. It is suggested that these distinct spreading patterns of epitheliocytes and fibroblasts are due to the type-specific differences in the actin-myosin cortex. Experiments with microtubule-specific drugs, colcemid and taxol, indicate that the organization of this cortex is under microtubular control.

Mechanism of Stimulation of Glucose Transport by H2O2: Role of Phospholipase C

Exposure of Clone 9 cells, a rat liver cell line, to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) resulted in a striking and rapid stimulation of glucose transport (8- to 10-fold in 1 h). A comparable response was found in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, C2C12myoblasts, and NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, which, similar to Clone 9 cells, express only the Glut 1 glucose transporter isoform. The enhancement of glucose transport in Clone 9 cells in response to H2O2was significantly attenuated by genistein and the phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, U73122. Exposure to H2O2resulted in a rise in cellsn-1,2-diacylglycerol content, and the rise was significantly inhibited by U73122. Moreover, the H2O2-induced stimulation of glucose transport was significantly blocked by thapsigargin. Neither staurosporine nor a 24-h preincubation in the presence of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (TPA) affected the stimulatory effect of hydrogen peroxide on glucose transport. The activity of big mitogen-activated kinase (BMK1) and of stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK), both members of mitogen-activated protein kinases, were enhanced in response to exposure to H2O2; however, neither protein kinase appeared to be linked to the enhancement of glucose transport by H2O2. It is concluded that the stimulation of glucose transport in response to H2O2is independent of changes in PKC, BMK1, and SAPK activity, and is mediated, at least in part, through H2O2-induced stimulation of protein tyrosine kinase and PLC pathways.

Down-regulation of liver JAK2-STAT5b signaling by the female plasma pattern of continuous growth hormone stimulation.

The suppression of male-specific, GH pulse-induced, liver transcription in adult female rats has been linked to the down-regulation of STAT5b activation by the female plasma pattern of near-continuous GH exposure. The mechanism underlying this down-regulation was studied in the rat liver cell line CWSV-1, where continuous GH suppressed the level of activated (tyrosine- phosphorylated) STAT5b to approximately 10-20% of the maximal GH pulse-induced STAT5b signal within 3 h. In contrast to the robust JAK2 kinase-dependent STAT5b activation loop that is established by a GH pulse, JAK2 kinase signaling to individual STAT5b molecules was found to be short lived in cells treated with GH continuously. Moreover, maintenance of the low-level STAT5b signal required ongoing protein synthesis and persisted for at least 7 days provided that GH was present in the culture continuously. Increased STAT5b DNA-binding activity was observed in cells treated with the proteasome inhibitor MG132, suggesting that at least one component of the GH receptor (GHR)-JAK2-STAT5b signaling pathway becomes labile in response to continuous GH treatment. The phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitor pervanadate fully reversed the down-regulation of STAT5b DNA-binding activity in continuous GH-treated cells by a mechanism that involves both increased STAT5b activation and decreased STAT5b dephosphorylation. Moreover, the requirement for ongoing GH stimulation and active protein synthesis to maintain STAT5b activity in continuous GH-treated cells were both eliminated by pervanadate treatment, suggesting that phosphotyrosine dephosphorylation may be an obligatory first step in the internalization/degradation pathway for the GHR-JAK2 complex. Finally, the sustaining effect of the serine kinase inhibitor H7 on GH pulse-induced JAK2 signaling to STAT5b was not observed in continuous GH-treated cells. These findings suggest a model where continuous GH exposure of liver cells down-regulates the STAT5b pathway by a mechanism that involves enhanced dephosphorylation of both STAT5b and GHR-JAK2, with the latter step leading to increased internalization/degradation of the re-ceptor-kinase complex.

Free radical–induced megamitochondria formation and apoptosis

Pathophysiological meaning and the mechanism of the formation of megamitochondria (MG) induced under physiological and pathological conditions remain obscure. We now provide evidence suggesting that the MG formation may be a prerequisite for free radical-mediated apoptosis. MG were detected in primary cultured rat hepatocytes, rat liver cell lines RL-34 and IAR-20 and kidney cell line Cos-1 treated for 22 h with various chemicals known to generate free radicals: hydrazine, chloramphenicol, methyl-glyoxal-bis-guanylhydrazone, indomethacin, H 2O 2, and erythromycin using a fluorescent dye Mito Tracker Red CMXRos (CMXRos) for confocal laser microscopy and also by electron microscopy. Remarkable elevations of the intracellular level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), monitored by staining of cells with a fluorescent dye carboxy-H 2-DCFDA, were detected before MG were formed. Prolongation of the incubation time with various chemicals, specified above, for 36 h or longer has induced distinct structural changes of the cell, which characterize apoptosis: condensation of nuclei, the formation of apoptotic bodies, and the ladder formation. Cells treated with the chemicals for 22 h were arrested in G 1 phase, and apoptotic sub-G 1 populations then became gradually increased. The membrane potential of MG induced by chloramphenicol detected by CMXRos for flow cytometry was found to be decreased compared to that of mitochondria in control cells. Rates of the generation of H 2O 2 and O 2 − from MG isolated from the liver of rats treated with chloramphenicol or hydrazine were found to be lower than those of mitochondria of the liver of control animals. We suggest, based on the present results together with our previous findings, that the formation of MG may be an adaptive process at a subcellular level to unfavorable environments: when cells are exposed to excess amounts of free radicals mitochondria become enlarged decreasing the rate of oxygen consumption. Decreases in the oxygen consumption of MG may result in decreases in the rate of ROS production as shown in the present study. This will at the same time result in decreases in ATP production from MG. If cells are exposed to a large amount of free radicals beyond a certain period of time, lowered intracellular levels of ATP may result in apoptotic changes of the cell.

LY-83583 stimulates glucose transporter-1-mediated glucose transport independent of changes in cGMP levels

Exposure of Clone 9 cells, a nontransformed rat liver cell line expressing only the Glut1 glucose transporter isoform, to the guanylyl cyclase inhibitor LY-83583 was found to stimulate the rate of glucose transport (∼7- to 8-fold in 1 h). A similar response to LY-83583 was found in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes, and C 2C 12 myoblasts. Neither the rate of glucose transport in cells under control conditions nor the effect of LY-83583 on glucose transport was altered by 10, 50, or 100 μM 8-bromo-cGMP or by addition of cGMP phosphodiesterase inhibitors, zaprinast, or dipyridamole suggesting that glucose transport and the response to LY-83583 is independent of cGMP levels. In addition, the effect of LY-83583 on glucose transport was not mediated by inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation, since exposure to the agent resulted in no increase in lactate production. Incubation of Clone 9 cells in the presence of the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122, however, attenuated the glucose transport response to LY-83583. Moreover, exposure to LY-83583 resulted in a rise in cell diacylglycerol content, and preincubation with U73122 significantly diminished this rise as well as the glucose transport response to LY-83583. The stimulatory effect of LY-83583 on glucose transport was significantly blocked by thapsigargin. Down-regulation of protein kinase C activity, resulting from 24 h pre-incubation in the presence of 160 nM phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate, did not attenuate the glucose transport response to LY-83583. It is concluded that the stimulation of glucose transport in response to LY-83583 is independent of changes in cGMP levels, is not mediated by inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation, and is mediated, at least in part, through stimulation of the phospholipase C pathway.

Termination of growth hormone pulse-induced STAT5b signaling.

STAT5b (signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b) is a key mediator of the effects of plasma GH pulses on male-specific liver gene expression. STAT5b is activated in liver cells in vivo by physiological pulses of GH and then is rapidly deactivated. Investigation of the cellular events involved in this activation/deactivation cycle using the rat liver cell line CWSV-1 established that a brief exposure to GH and the associated activation of JAK2 (Janus kinase 2) tyrosine kinase activity are both necessary and sufficient to initiate all of the downstream steps associated with STAT5b activation by tyrosine phosphorylation and the subsequent deactivation of both JAK2 kinase and STAT5b. JAK2 signaling to STAT5b at the conclusion of a GH pulse could be sustained by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide or by the proteasome inhibitor MG132, indicating that termination of this JAK2-catalyzed STAT activation loop requires synthesis of a labile or GH-inducible protein factor and is facilitated by the proteasome pathway. This factor may be a phosphotyrosine phosphatase, since the phosphatase inhibitor pervanadate both sustained GH pulse-induced JAK2 signaling to STAT5b and blocked the rapid deactivation of phosphorylated STAT5b (t(1/2) = 8.8 +/- 0.9 min) seen in its absence. Finally, the serine kinase inhibitor H7 blocked down-regulation of JAK2 signaling to STAT5b in a manner that enabled cells to respond to a subsequent GH pulse without the need for the approximately 3-h interpulse interval normally required for full recovery of GH pulse responsiveness. Termination of GH pulse-induced STAT5b signaling is thus a complex process that involves multiple biochemical events. These are proposed to include the down-regulation of JAK2 signaling to STAT5b via a cycloheximide- and H7-sensitive step, proteasome-dependent degradation of a key component or regulatory factor, and dephosphorylation leading to deactivation of the receptor-kinase signaling complex and its STAT5b substrate via the action of a phosphotyrosine phosphatase.

Mechanism of stimulation of glucose transport in response to inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation: analysis with myc-tagged Glut1.

To determine the role of 'translocation' vs. 'activation' of Glut1 in the stimulation of glucose transport in response to inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation, we measured the abundance of myc-tagged Glut1 in plasma membrane of stably transfected Clone 9 cells, a rat liver cell line expressing only the Glut1 isoform. The myc epitope-tag is located between Ile56 and Pro57 in the putative first extracellular loop of Glut1. Under basal conditions, transfected cells expressed approximately 3 fold higher levels of Glut1 and exhibited a approximately 3 fold higher rate of glucose transport than non-transfected cells. To delineate the mechanism mediating the stimulation of glucose transport by a azide we employed two strategies: (1) mild cell surface biotinylation followed by isolation of plasma membranes and quantitation of Glut1 sites in Western blots employing anti-Glut1 and anti-myc antibodies, and (2) quantitative immunofluorescence of myc epitopes in plasma membrane sheets. The rate of glucose transport increased 2.9 +/- 0.5 fold in transfected cells exposed to 5 mM azide for 1 h. Exposure to azide, however, resulted in no significant increase in Glut1 content of plasma membranes using anti-Glut1 or anti-myc antibodies in Western blots (1.0 +/- 0.1 and 0.9 +/- 0.2 fold, respectively; azide/control), and was associated with no detectable increase in immunofluorescence using either anti-Glut1 or anti-myc antibodies (p > 0.1 for both measurements). Treatment of cells with cobalt chloride (employed as a positive control) resulted in marked increases in glucose transport, cell and plasma membrane Glut1 content, and immunofluorescence of plasma membrane sheets (8-10 fold increase in each parameter). We conclude that the stimulation of glucose transport by azide results mainly from activation of Glut1 transporters pre-existing in the plasma membrane.