Saponin-treated Cells Research Articles

Paris Polyphylla-Derived Saponins Inhibit Growth of Bladder Cancer Cells by Inducing Mutant P53 Degradation While Up-Regulating CDKN1A Expression

Objectives: Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis (PPVY), a Chinese herb, has long been used for cancer treatment, and its steroidal saponins are suggested to exert an anti-tumor activity, however, the underlying mechanism is incompletely understood and their effect on bladder cancer (BC) remains unknown. The present study is thus designed to address these issues. Material and Methods: Total steroidal saponins were extracted with ethanol from PPVY and used to treat BC cells (HT1197 and J82 carrying mutant p53). Gene expression was determined using qPCR and immunoblotting and cell cycle analyzed using flow cytometry. DNA damage response activation was assessed using immunofluorescence staining. Results: PPVY saponins treatment led to dose-dependent declines in the number of both HT1197 and J82 cells with IC50 approximately 1.2 μg/ml, which was coupled with strong growth arrest at G2/M phase and the activation of DNA damage response pathway. Moreover, the clonogenic potential of these cells was severely impaired even in the presence of low concentrations of PPVY saponins. Mechanistically, PPVY saponins induced the degradation of mutant p53 while stimulated CDKN1A gene transcription. Phosphorylated AKT was diminished in PPVY saponin-treated cells, but its specific inhibitor LY294002 exhibited significantly weaker efficacy in inducing CDKN1A expression than did PPVY saponins. Conclusion: PPVY saponins activate DNA damage response pathway, degrade mutant p53 and stimulate CDKN1A expression, thereby inhibiting BC cell growth. Given their poor absorption via oral administration, PPVY saponins may be applicable for intravesical instillations in BC treatment.

Enhancement of saporin cytotoxicity by Gypsophila saponins—More than stimulation of endocytosis

Saporin is a type I ribosome-inactivating protein with N-glycosidase activity. It removes adenine residues from the 28S ribosomal RNA resulting in inhibition of protein synthesis. Recently we have shown that saporin exerts no cytotoxicity on seven human cell lines. However, the combination of saporin with a special mixture of Gypsophila saponins ( Soapwort saponins) from Gypsophila paniculata L. (baby's breath) rendered saporin to a potent cytotoxin comparable to viscumin, a highly toxic type II ribosome-inactivating protein. In this study we investigated whether the enhancement of the saporin-cytotoxicity by Gypsophila saponins is mediated by a saponin-triggered modulation of endocytosis, exocytosis or impaired degradation processes of his-tagged saporin ( hissaporin) in ECV-304 cells. For this purpose hissaporin was labelled with tritium and cytotoxicity of the toxin alone and in combination with Gypsophila saponins was scrutinized. The transport and degradation processes of hissaporin were not different in Gypsophila saponin-treated and control cells. However, after ultracentrifugation of a post-nuclear supernatant the amount of cytosolic hissaporin was significantly higher in saponin-treated cells than in cells, which were only incubated with hissaporin. This indicates a saponin mediated endosomal escape of saporin.

The relationship between the metabolism of sphingomyelin species and the hemolysis of sheep erythrocytes induced by Clostridium perfringens α-toxin

Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin induces the hemolysis of sheep erythrocytes by activating the metabolism of sphingomyelin (SM) via a GTP binding protein in membranes. alpha-Toxin stimulated the formation of 15-N-nervonoyl sphingosine (C24:1-ceramide), which was identified by positive ion fast atom bombardment-MS and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. C24:1-ceramide stimulated the toxin-induced hemolysis of saponin-pretreated sheep erythrocytes and increased the production of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) in the cells, but N-lignoceroyl sphingosine did not. These events elicited by the toxin in the presence of C24:1-ceramide were significantly attenuated by treatment with dihydrosphingosine, a sphingosine kinase inhibitor. TLC showed that the level of C24:1-ceramide was highest among the ceramides with an unsaturated bond in the fatty acyl chain in the detergent-resistant membranes (DRMs). The toxin specifically bound to DRMs rich in cholesterol, resulting in the hydrolysis of N-nervonoic sphingomyelin (C24:1-SM) in DRMs. Treatment of the cells with pertussis toxin (PT) inhibited the alpha-toxin-induced formation of C24:1-ceramide from C24:1-SM in DRMs and hemolysis, indicating that endogenous sphingomyelinase, which hydrolyzes C24:1-SM to C24:1-ceramide, is controlled by PT-sensitive GTP binding protein in membranes. These results show that the toxin-induced metabolism of C24:1-SM to S1P in DRMs plays an important role in the toxin-induced hemolysis of sheep erythrocytes.

Halteria grandinella: A rapid swimming ciliate with a high frequency of ciliary beating

A ciliated protozoan, Halteria grandinella, swam backward rapidly with a migration distance per second attaining 100 times the cell size. This high swimming velocity was accompanied by a high frequency of ciliary beating. Recordings with a high-speed digital video (10(3) frames/s) revealed that the frequency during forward and backward swimming was, respectively, 105 +/- 10 Hz and 260 +/- 30 Hz. These frequencies are the highest among cilia and flagella reported to date. Electron microscopic observation of the ciliary structure confirmed normal 9 + 2 arrangements of the axoneme except that cilia for migration are bundled into membranelles. Ciliary beating of saponin-treated cells was reactivated by the addition of Mg2+ -ATP, although the beating amplitude was smaller than that of intact cells. Kinetic analysis of the ATP-dependent increase of beating frequency revealed that the maximal frequency in the presence of free Ca2+ and 0.9 microM Ca2+ was approximately 60 and 110 Hz, respectively. A possible mechanism to increase beating frequency with Ca2+ is discussed.

Induction of cell death by saponin and antigen delivery.

Saponin is the major component in the formation of immune stimulating complex (ISCOM), a potent adjuvant able to induce both humoral and cellular immune reactions. The immunogenicity induced by saponin, however, has been unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the apoptotic and necrotic effects induced by saponin in ELA mouse lymphoma cells, expected to be a possible mechanism of the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) effect elicited by the ISCOM. EL4 cells were treated with saponin, and viability of the cells was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase release assays. Fluorescence microscopy was used to detect the morphological changes by staining saponin-treated cells with Hoechst 33342. Extent of apoptosis and necrosis was determined by Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide staining, followed by flow cytometric analysis. Dendritic cells were cultured with either saponin-protein complexes or saponin-treated cells and analyzed by flow cytometry. Treatment of EL4 cells with saponin resulted in concentration-dependent cytotoxicity and the appearance of the hypodiploid DNA peak. Cells treated with saponin showed highly condensed chromatin when stained with fluorescent DNA-binding dye Hoechst 33342. Analysis of EL4 cells by flow cytometry after Annexin V/propidium iodide staining demonstrated that saponin induced both apoptosis and necrosis. Pretreatment of EL4 cells with zVAD-fmk, a broad-range caspase inhibitor, did not prevent cell death induced by saponin, indicating the non-caspase-dependent cell death. Dendritic cells were shown to phagocytose both the antigen-saponin complexes and the saponin-induced dead cells. Results obtained in this study demonstrated that saponin induced both apoptosis and necrosis in ELA cells. These events are critical for antigen processing and presentation.

Identification of two regions in apolipoprotein B100 that are exposed on the cytosolic side of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane.

Protease protection assays of apolipoprotein B100 (apoB) in digitonin-permeabilized HepG2 cells indicated that multiple domains of apoB are exposed to the cytosol through an extensive portion of the secretory pathway. The intracellular orientation of apoB in the secretory pathway was confirmed by immunocytochemistry using antibodies recognizing specific domains of apoB in streptolysin-O (STP-O)- and saponin-permeabilized HepG2 cells. Lumenal epitopes on marker proteins in secretory pathway compartments (p63, p53, and galactosyltransferase) were not stained by antibodies in STP-O-treated cells, but were brightly stained in saponin-treated cells, confirming that internal membranes were not perforated in STP-O-treated cells. An anti-apoB peptide antibody (B4) recognizing amino acids 3221-3240 caused intense staining in close proximity to the nuclear membrane, and less intensely throughout the secretory pathway in STP-O-permeabilized cells. Staining with this antibody was similar in STP-O- and saponin-treated cells, indicating that this epitope in apoB is exposed to the cytosol at the site of apoB synthesis and throughout most of the remaining secretory pathway. Similar results indicating a cytosolic orientation were obtained with monoclonal antibody CC3.4, which recognizes amino acids 690-797 (79-91 kD) in apoB. Two polyclonal antibodies made to human LDL and two monoclonal antibodies recognizing amino acids 1878-2148 (D7.2) and 3214-3506 (B1B6) in apoB did not produce a strong reticular signal for apoB in STP-O-treated cells. The anti-LDL and B1B6 antibodies produced almost identical punctate patterns in STP-O-treated cells that overlapped with LAMP-1, a membrane marker for lysosomes. These observations suggest that the B1B6 epitope of apoB is exposed on the surface of the lysosome. The results identify two specific regions in apoB that are exposed to the cytosol in the secretory pathway.

Thyrotropin chronically regulates the pool of thyroperoxidase and its intracellular distribution: a quantitative confocal microscopic study.

The regulation of thyroperoxidase (TPO) expression and of its intracellular distribution was studied in porcine thyroid cells cultured on porous bottom filters. Cells were cultured for 18 days in the absence or in the presence of thyrotropin (TSH) and with or without iodide. Microsomes were purified and analyzed by electrophoresis. TPO was detected by immunoblotting with polyclonal anti-porcine TPO antibodies and quantified by scanning the bands. The amount of TPO was increased 2-fold by TSH. High concentrations of iodide (1-50 microM, added daily) decreased the level of TPO. Confocal microscopy served to determine the intracellular localization of TPO and its quantitative distribution. Intracellular and surface-located TPO was detected by fluorescein-labeled antibodies on saponin-treated cells. Quantitative confocal microscopy showed that TSH increased the total amount of TPO 2-fold as for immunoblotting. The highest amount of TPO was found in the perinuclear area and between the nucleus and the Golgi apparatus. Only 4% of TPO was present on the apical surface and about 1% on the basolateral membrane; the remainder (about 95%) was inside the cells. TSH did not change these relative contents. TSH modified the intracellular distribution of the enzyme, increasing the TPO pool from the perinuclear area to apical membrane. This domain could be a site of storage of TPO. Adding a physiological concentration of iodide (0.5 microM, daily) did not influence the intracellular distribution of TPO. We concluded that chronic TSH stimulation 1) increased 2-fold the pool of TPO but did not change the relative proportion of TPO inside the cells and on the apical surface, and 2) modified the intracellular distribution of vesicular TPO, the major part of which was accumulated in the perinuclear and cytoplasmic area under the subapical domain of the polarized cells.

Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate-dependent Oscillations of Luminal [Ca2+] in Permeabilized HSY Cells

Oscillations in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) are thought to play an important role in phosphoinositide-linked Ca2+ signaling events. We demonstrate corresponding inositol 1,4, 5-trisphosphate (IP3)-dependent oscillations of Ca2+ concentration within the lumen of the IP3-sensitive stores ([Ca2+]L) of saponin-permeabilized HSY cells by monitoring [Ca2+]L with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator Mag-fura-2. The associated openings and closings of the IP3-sensitive Ca2+ release channel were detected via quenching of Mag-fura-2 fluorescence due to the entry of Mn2+, a Ca2+ surrogate, into the stores. Evidence for complimentary Ca2+ oscillations at the external surface of the stores was provided by the membrane-bound Ca2+ probe Calcium Green C18. The permeabilization of saponin-treated HSY cells to macromolecules was confirmed by demonstrating that permeabilized cells readily took up and lost (t1/2 approximately 46 s) a fluorescently tagged 70-kDa dextran. Our results impose a number of constraints on possible mechanisms for [Ca2+]i oscillations. In addition, they support recent proposals that [Ca2+]i oscillations arise directly from the (biphasic) effects of Ca2+ itself on IP3-sensitive Ca2+ channel activity.

Activation of Adenylate Cyclase by Divalent Cations and Polyamines in Saponin-Treated Dictyostelium discoideum Cells

Binding of an intrinsic agonist (cyclic AMP) to specific receptors on the cell surface induces transmembrane signals for the activation of adenylate cyclase in the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum. We found that stimulation by CaCl2, MgSO4 or polyamines having two to four positive charges induced the activation of adenylate cyclase in cells treated with saponin. The activation was roughly identical to the stimulation of the intrinsic agonist both in amount and in time course. The intact cells (saponin-untreated cells) responded to neither divalent cations nor polyamines. While saponin is known to have a detergent-like effect and to make the plasma membrane permeable, low molecular weight dyes did not penetrate the plasma membrane under our conditions for the saponin-treatment. Caffeine is known to inhibit the cAMP-induced activation of adenylate cyclase by blocking signal transduction, but not by acting directly on the enzyme [Brenner, M. and Thoms, S.D. (1984) Dev. Biol. 101, 136-146]. We found that caffeine inhibited the cation-induced activation. These results suggest that these divalent and polyvalent cations do not act directly on adenylate cyclase but that they mimic or induce the transmembrane activation signal for adenylate cyclase in the saponin-treated cells.

Effect of soybean saponins and gypsophila saponin on morphology of colon carcinoma cells in culture

The effect of saponins on colonic epithelial carcinoma cell (HCT-15) morphology was studied. Cells in culture were incubated with different concentrations of soybean saponins (SS) or gypsophila saponin (GS) for 24 hr. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a very rough and granular cell surface in cells treated with the lowest concentration of GS (40 ppm). Minor morphological changes were observed in the cell surface of soybean saponin-treated cells at a concentration of 1200 ppm. Examination by transmission electron microscopy indicated a dose-dependent effect of saponins on intracellular morphology of colonic epithelial carcinoma cells. Cells treated with 600 ppm or more of soybean saponins developed numerous cytoplasmic vesicles, had decreased density of cytoplasmic material and demonstrated deformations in plasma and nuclear membranes. Gypsophila saponin at a concentration of 40 ppm produced few changes in intracellular and membrane structure, whereas 80 ppm saponin induced the formation of vesicles. However, at both concentrations, changes in the density of cytoplasmic material was less extensive than in soybean saponin-treated cells. The highest concentration of gypsophila saponin used (160 ppm) completely destroyed the plasma membrane. These results indicate that soybean saponins and gypsophila saponin interact with cell membranes and induce significant dose-dependent cell morphological changes; however, they appear to act through different mechanisms.

Saponin-induced release of cell-surface-anchored Thy-1 by serum glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D

A glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D (GPI-PLD) was purified from human serum and used for studies on the release of GPI-anchored Thy-1 glycoprotein from mouse T lymphoma cells Y191. Previous studies have shown that whereas GPI-PLD is highly active against detergent-solubilized GPI-anchored proteins, it is normally unable to release GPI-containing proteins anchored in a lipid bilayer. Confirming these findings, the addition of GPI-PLD to intact Y191 cells did not result in cleavage of Thy-1. However, pretreatment of cells with saponin, a cholesterol-sequestering agent, rendered Thy-1 susceptible to hydrolysis. Very little solubilization of GPI-containing Thy-1 occurred under these conditions. From experiments with reconstituted liposomes it was inferred that the effect of saponin on cells was to aid in the presentation of Thy-1 to GPI-PLD. Furthermore, it was concluded that cholesterol-saponin complexes formed in the membrane were not alone responsible for the effect. Rather, additional molecules in the plasma membrane are possibly involved in the presentation of Thy-1 on saponin-treated cells. This finding may have implications for a physiological role of circulating GPI-PLD in the regulation of GPI-anchored proteins on cells.

Intermediates in translocation of diphtheria toxin across the plasma membrane.

Active diphtheria toxin consists of two parts, fragments A and B. Fragment A has enzymatic activity and inhibits protein synthesis. Fragment B binds to cellular receptors, and upon exposure to low pH it inserts into the membrane and facilitates translocation of the A fragment into the cytosol, concomitantly with formation of cation-selective channels. Reduction of the interfragment disulfide bridge is required for release of fragment A and intoxication. In cells treated with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), which inhibits reduction of the disulfide bridge, fragment A was translocated to the cytosol but not released from fragment B. In the presence of NEM a peptide larger than fragment A was protected against extracellularly added Pronase. This peptide (M(r) approximately 24,000) was released to the supernatant fraction of saponin-treated cells. This indicates that fragment A, which is 21 kDa, is covalently attached via a disulfide bond to an N-terminal (M(r) approximately 3,000) piece of fragment B. The 24-kDa fragment disappeared upon reduction, and the 21-kDa fragment A appeared instead. NEM did not prevent channel activity by fragment B in the context of full-length toxin, demonstrating that channel formation occurs in spite of inhibited reduction of the disulfide bond. Thus, channel formation is not dependent on release of fragment A from the toxin-receptor complex.

Latency is the major determinant of UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity in isolated hepatocytes

The glucuronidation of p-nitrophenol was measured in intact, saponin- and alamethicin-treated isolated mouse hepatocytes. In saponin-permeabilized cells the elevation of extrareticular UDP-glucuronic acid concentration enhanced the rate of glucuronidation threefold. When intracellular membranes were also permeabilized by alamethicin, a further tenfold increase in the glucuronidation of p-nitrophenol was present. Parallel measurements of the ER mannose 6-phosphatase activity revealed that saponin selectively permeabilized the plasma membrane, whereas alamethicin permeabilized both plasma membrane and ER membranes. The inhibition of p-nitrophenol glucuronidation by dbcAMP in intact hepatocytes was still present in saponin-treated cells and disappeared in alamethicin-permeabilized hepatocytes. It is suggested that the permeability of the endoplasmic reticulum membrane is a major determinant of glucuronidation not only in microsomes but in isolated hepatocytes as well.

Taurolithocholate-induced Ca2+ release is inhibited by phorbol esters in isolated hepatocytes.

The monohydroxy bile acid taurolithocholate (TLC) causes a rapid and transient increase in free cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in suspensions of rat hepatocytes similar to that elicited by the InsP3-dependent hormone vasopressin. The effect of the bile acid is due to a mobilization of Ca2+, independent of InsP3, from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Short-term preincubation of cells with the phorbol ester 4 beta-phorbol 12 beta-myristate 13 alpha-acetate (PMA), which activates protein kinase C (PKC), blocked the increase in [Ca2+]i induced by TLC, but did not alter that mediated by vasopressin. We obtained the following results, indicating that the effect of PMA is mediated by the activation of PKC. (1) Phorbol esters were effective over a concentration range where they activate PKC (IC50 = 0.5 nM); (2) phorbol esters that do not activate PKC did not inhibit the effects of TLC; (3) the permeant analogue oleoylacetylglycerol mimicked the inhibitory effect of PMA; (4) lastly, the inhibition of the TLC-induced Ca2+ mobilization by phorbol esters was partially prevented by preincubating the cells with the PKC inhibitors H7 and AMG-C16. Preincubating hepatocytes with PMA had no effect on the cell uptake of labelled TLC, indicating that the phorbol ester does not interfere with the transport system responsible for the accumulation of bile acids. In saponin-treated liver cells, PMA added before or after permeabilization failed to abolish TLC-induced Ca2+ release from the ER. The possibility is discussed that PMA, via PKC activation, may alter the intracellular binding or the transfer of bile acids in the liver.

G-protein mediation of cannabinoid-induced phospholipase activation

The release of arachidonic acid from mouse peritoneal and S49 cells induced by Δ 1-tetrahydrocannabinol was found to be altered by prior exposure of the cells to either pertussis toxin or cholera toxin. The stable analogs of GTP and GDP, GTP-γ-S and GDP-β-S, were also effective in changing the extent of arachidonate release in saponin-treated cells. GDP- β-S essentially abolished the THC response, while GTP- γ-S showed effects mainly on vehicle-treated cells. The cataleptic action of THC in intact mice which is mediated by eicosanoids was also attenuated by pertussis toxin pretreatment. It is suggested that the THC receptor is coupled to phospholipases through one or more G-proteins and that adenylate cyclase probably does not have a role in this mechanism.

Silver Ion Triggers Ca2+ Release from Intracellular Store Sites in Saponin-Treated HL-60 Cells

We examined the effect of silver ion on Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular stores in permeabilized HL-60 cells using a filtration method and 45Ca2+. In HL-60 cells preloaded with Ca2+ in the presence of ATP, micromolar concentrations of AgNO3 elicited marked Ca2+ release within 1 min. The AgNO3-induced Ca2+ release was not affected by the free Ca2+ concentration in the medium. Equivalent concentrations of AgNO3 inhibited energy-dependent Ca2+ uptake as well as oxalate-supported Ca2+ uptake. In passive Ca2+ release experiments when ATP was completely depleted in the solution, AgNO3 also triggered Ca2+ release. Sulfhydryl protecting agents such as 2-mercaptoethanol, dithiothreitol, and glutathione (reduced form) blocked the AgNO3-induced Ca2+ release. From these results, we conclude that the apparent Ca2+ release induced by AgNO3 is mainly due to inhibition of the Ca2+ pump with increased permeability for Ca2+ and partly due to a direct effect on the Ca2+ release channel, probably by modification of sulfhydryl groups on these proteins.

Cytoskeletal filaments in embryonic chick myocardial cells as revealed by the quick-freeze deep-etch method combined with immunocytochemistry

The three-dimensional organization of cytoskeletal filaments associated with the myofibrils and sarcolemma of the myocardial cells of early chick embryos was studied by the rapid-freeze deep-etch method combined with immunocytochemistry. In the endoplasmic region of saponin-treated myocardial cells, 12-14 nm filaments formed a loose network surrounding nascent myofibrils. These 12-14 nm filaments attached to the myofibrils and some of them converged into Z disc regions. In the non-junctional cytocortical region thinner 8-11 nm filaments composed a dense network just beneath the sarcolemma. In myofibril terminating regions at the sarcolemma, i.e., the fascia adherens, 3-5 nm cross-bridges were observed among the thin filaments. In Triton-permeabilized and myosin subfragment 1 (S1)- treated samples, subsarcolemmal 8-11 nm filaments proved to be S1-decorated actin filaments under which there was a loose network of S1-undecorated filaments. Subsarcolemmal S1-decorated actin filaments had mixed polarity and attached to the sarcolemma at one end. A loose network of S1-undecorated filaments among myofibrils in the endoplasmic region was revealed to consist of desmin-containing intermediate filaments after immuno-gold staining for desmin. These networks connecting myofibrils with sarcolemma were assumed to play an important role in integrating and transmitting the contractile force of individual myofibrils within early embryonic myocardial cells.

Muscarinic cholinergic stimulation of inositol phosphate production in cultured embryonic chick atrial cells. Evidence for a role of two guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins

These studies demonstrate a novel mechanism for the coupling of the muscarinic receptor to phospholipase C activity in embryonic chick atrial cells. In monolayer cultures of atrial cells from hearts of embryonic chicks at 14 days in ovo, carbamylcholine stimulated the sequential appearance of InsP3, InsP2 and InsP1 with an EC50 (concn. causing 50% of maximal stimulation) of 30 microM. In the presence of 15 mM-Li, a 5 min exposure to carbamylcholine (0.1 mM) increased InsP3 levels to a maximum of 47 +/- 12% over basal, InsP2 to 108 +/- 13% over basal and InsP1 to 42 +/- 5% over basal. This effect was blocked by 5 microM-atropine. Incubation of these cells with pertussis toxin (15 h; 0.5 ng/ml) inhibited carbamylcholine-stimulated InsP3, InsP2 and InsP1 formation by 42 +/- 7%, 30 +/- 3% and 48 +/- 7% respectively. The IC50 (concn. causing 50% inhibition) for pertussis toxin inhibition of all three inositol phosphates was 0.01 ng/ml, with a half-time of 6 h at 0.5 ng/ml. This partial sensitivity to pertussis toxin was not due to incomplete ADP-ribosylation of the guanine-nucleotide-binding protein (G-protein), since autoradiography of polyacrylamide gels of cell homogenates incubated with [32P]NAD+ in the presence of pertussis toxin demonstrated that incubation of cells with 0.5 ng of pertussis toxin/ml for 15 h resulted in complete ADP-ribosylation of pertussis toxin substrates by endogenous NAD+. In cells permeabilized with saponin (10 micrograms/ml), 0.1 mM-GTP[S] (guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate) stimulated InsP1 by 102 +/- 15% (mean +/- S.E.M., n = 4), InsP2 by 421 +/- 67% and InsP3 by 124 +/- 33% above basal. Incubation of cells for 15 h with 0.5 ng of pertussis toxin/ml decreased GTP[S]-stimulated InsP1 production in saponin-treated cells by 30 +/- 10% (n = 3), InsP2 production by 45 +/- 7% (n = 4) and InsP3 production by 49 +/- 6% (n = 4). These data demonstrate that in embryonic chick atrial cells at least two independent G-proteins, a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein and a pertussis toxin-insensitive G-protein, play a role in coupling muscarinic agonist binding to phospholipase C activation and to inositol phosphate production.

Action and formation of inositol bisphosphate and inositol trisphosphate in rat anterior pituitary cells

Inositol 4,5-bisphosphate and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, administered exogenously at a concentration of 3 x 10(-5) mol/l increased LH release in superfused rat pituitary cells by 950 +/- 267% and 281 +/- 83%, respectively. This stimulatory effect was reversible and dose-dependent. Other inositol phosphates (inositol 1-monophosphate, inositol 1,4,5,6-tetrakisphosphate, inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate and inositol 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakisphosphate), tested in vitro, did not significantly influence LH release. In saponin-permeabilized cells, the rate of basal and stimulated LH release was twice that in non-permeabilized cells. Penetration of inositol bisphosphate and inositol trisphosphate into saponin-treated pituitary cells did not increase the secretory potency of these agents compared with their effect on non-permeabilized cells. The new findings document that inositol trisphosphate formation occurs within 5-45 s after GnRH (10(-7) mol/l) administration and seems to be involved in mediating the rapid, first phase of LH release, whereas inositol bisphosphate formation occurs after 3-15 min and is probably related to later phases of LH secretion. Our results suggest that inositol bisphosphate and inositol trisphosphate are important regulators of the release of luteinizing hormone and can exert their effects not only intracellularly, but also extracellularly.

Fast kinetics of calcium release induced by myo-inositol trisphosphate in permeabilized rat hepatocytes

We used a stopped-flow method for determining the kinetic properties (between 10 ms and 10 s) of the Ca2+ release induced by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) in saponin-treated rat hepatocytes. Preliminary experiments ensured that the indicator was able to monitor rapid changes in free Ca2+ reliably. At 20 degrees C, a maximally efficient concentration of 10 microM InsP3 released Ca2+ with a half-time of 150-300 ms, the initial rate being about 1-2 nmol of Ca2+/mg of cell protein/s. The delay between the addition of 10 microM InsP3 and the onset of Ca2+ release was shorter than 20 ms, suggesting that the opening process of Ca2+ channels after binding of InsP3 to receptors is completed within a few milliseconds. Half-maximal initial rates for Ca2+ release occurred at about 1 microM InsP3 (Hill index was 1.6). The resulting Ca2+ efflux had a moderate temperature dependence. It could not be fitted to a single exponential. After low speed centrifugation of saponin-treated cells (1000 x g for 1 min), part of the InsP3-sensitive Ca2+ pool was recovered in the cell-free supernatant fraction, suggesting that the response to InsP3 arises from a vesicular fraction which may diffuse from the saponin-treated cells into the medium.