Activation of [C]chlorobiphenyls to protein-binding metabolites by rat liver microsomes

The irreversible binding of [¹⁴C]2,2′-di- and [¹⁴C]2,4,5,2′,4′,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl ([¹⁴C]DCB and [¹⁴C]HCB) to protein was studied in the presence of rat liver microsomes and a NADPH-generating system. Protein-bound radioactivity was found with [¹⁴C]DCB but not with [¹⁴C]HCB. The binding of ¹⁴C-metabolites was increased by pretreatment of the rats with phenobarbital or polychlorinated biphenyls. Protein binding was linear for 80 min. In contrast, monohydroxy-metabolites of DCB were formed and degraded within 40 min. Inhibition of secondary oxidation of DCB by scavening superoxide anions or by glucuronidation of the monophenols markedly decreased the protein binding. Addition of trichloropropene oxide or styrene oxide, both inhibitors of epoxide hydrase, did not significantly stimulate the binding. The results suggest that the majority of reactive metabolites of DCB arise from secondary metabolism, i.e., the subsequent oxidation of the phenolic metabolites. Arene oxides, the primary products, appear to play a minor role in the protein binding of DCB.     

Bradykinin effects on phospholipid metabolism and its relation to arachidonic acid turnovers in neuroblastoma × glioma hybrid cells (NG 108-15)

In neuroblastoma × glioma hybrid cells (NG 108-15) labelled with [³²P]-trisodium phosphate, [³H]-inositol and [¹⁴C]-arachidonic acid, bradykinin stimulated the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂) while it had no effect on the release of [¹⁴C]-arachidonic acid (AA). The effect on PIP, was time- and dose-dependent with a maximal effect on [³H]-inositol- and [³²P]-labelled cells after 10–30 s of stimulation with 10⁻⁶ M bradykinin. However, the hydrolysis of [¹⁴C]-AA labelled PIP₂ was delayed compared to the effect on [³H]- and [¹⁴C]-PIP₂ and was not detectable until after 60 s of stimulation. Bradykinin stimulation resulted in an increased formation of [³H]-inositol phosphates (IP) and [³²P]- and [¹⁴P]- and [¹⁴C]-phosphatidic acid (PA) but the time course for PA formation did not allow the time-course for PIP₂ hydrolysis. A reduced labelling of [²³P]- and [¹⁴C]-phosphatidylcholine was also found in stimulated cells suggesting that PA may derive from other sources than PIP₂. In conclusion, our results indicate that bradykinin activates phospholipase C, but not phospholipase A₂, in NG 108-15 cells.     

Synthesis of carbon-11 labeled fluorinated 2-arylbenzothiazoles as novel potential PET cancer imaging agents

Fluorinated 2-arylbenzothiazoles are new potential antitumor drugs, which show potent and selective inhibitory activity against breast, lung, and colon cancer cell lines. Carbon-11 labeled fluorinated 2-arylbenzothiazoles may serve as novel probes for positron emission tomography (PET) to image tyrosine kinase in cancers. The preparation of 4-fluorinated 2-arylbenzothiazoles 4-fluoro-2-(3-benzloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)benzothiazole (6a) and 4-fluoro-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)benzothiazole (6b) was achieved by a modification of Jacobson thioanilide radical cyclization chemistry. Hydrogenolytic cleavage of the benzyl ether group of compound 6a using H₂/Pd–C provided the precursor 4-fluoro-2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)benzothiazole (7) for radiolabeling. Synthesis of radiolabeling precursors and the reference standards 5- and 6-fluorinated arylbenzothiazoles (11c–n) was achieved via the reaction of o-aminothiophenol disulfides with substituted benzaldehydes under reducing conditions. The target radiotracers carbon-11 labeled 4-, 5-, and 6-fluorinated arylbenzothiazoles (3-[¹¹C]6b, 4-[¹¹C]11c, 3-[¹¹C]11c, 5-[¹¹C]11f, 4-[¹¹C]11f, 4-[¹¹C]11i, 3-[¹¹C]11i, 5-[¹¹C]11l, and 4-[¹¹C]11l) were prepared by O-[¹¹C]methylation of the phenolic hydroxyl precursors (7, 11d, 11e, 11g, 11h, 11j, 11k, 11m, and 11n) with [¹¹C]methyl triflate and isolated by solid-phase extraction (SPE) purification in 30–55% radiochemical yields.     

Mechanism of chain initiation by dextransucrase: Absence of terminal ‘sucrose’ linkage in newly synthesized dextran chains

Dextran was synthesized using dextransucrase from Streptococus sanguis 10558 and (F)-[¹⁴C]sucrose as substrate to test the possibility that sucrose may be the initial acceptor for glucose. If sucrose is the initial acceptor, then dextran chains should have [¹⁴C] fructose in a terminal ‘sucrose’ linkage which can be cleaved under mild conditions. Although incorporation of [¹⁴C]fructose into dextran was observed, the label was not released by mild hydrolysis, indicating that sucrose is not the initiator for dextran synthesis. Incorporation of [¹⁴C]fructose into dextran might represent its ability to act as an acceptor, as suggested by the isolation of leucrose as a by-product in the reaction.     

Transport in C4 mesophyll chloroplasts. Characterization of the pyruvate carrier

1. Evidence is presented for high rates of carrier-mediated uptake of pyruvate into the stroma of intact mesophyll chloroplasts of the C₄ plant Digitaria sanguinalis, but not the chloroplasts of the C₃ plant Spinacea oleracea. Uptake of pyruvate in the dark with the C₄ mesophyll chloroplasts was followed using two techniques: uptake of [¹⁴C]pyruvate as determined by silicon oil centrifugal filtration and uptake as indicated by absorbance changes at 535 nm (shrinkage/swelling) after addition of 0.1 M pyruvate salts.

2. Uptake of the pyruvate anion by an electrogenic carrier is suggested to be the major mode of transport. Chloroplast swelling was observed in potassium pyruvate plus valinomycin and uptake of [¹⁴C]pyruvate was inhibited by membrane-permeant anions. Valinomycin reduced uptake in the absence of external potassium and the inhibition could be reversed by addition of external potassium.

3. Uptake of pyruvic acid (or a pyruvate ⁻/OH⁻ antiport) is ruled unlikely since [¹⁴C]pyruvate uptake was relatively independent of the pH gradient across the envelope and addition of pyruvate to chloroplasts did not result in an alkalization of the medium. The low rate of swelling observed in ammonium pyruvate may be due to non-mediated permeation of pyruvic acid, which is possible only at high pyruvate concentrations.

4. The concentration of pyruvate in the stroma increased with external concentration over the range tested (up to 40 mM) but the concentration ratio (internal/external) was always less than one. The steady-state concentration of [¹⁴C]pyruvate in the stroma was dependent on the ionic strength of the medium, with saturation at roughly I = 0.04 M, while accumulation of the membrane-permeant cation tetraphenylmethylphosphonium decreased with increasing ionic strength. This suggests that ionic strength modifies a membrane potential (inside negative) across the envelope and that pyruvate uptake responds to the magnitude and direction of that potential (−80 mV at low ionic strength).

5. Chloride and inorganic phosphate were potent inhibitors of [¹⁴C]pyruvate uptake. Of the sulfhydryl reagents tested, N-ethylmaleimide was not inhibitory while mersalyl completely blocked [¹⁴C]pyruvate uptake and swelling in potassium pyruvate plus valinomycin. Pyruvate uptake, as measured by valinomycin induced swelling in potassium pyruvate, was highly temperature sensitive, with an energy of activation of 39 kcal/mol above 9 °C.

6. Phenylpyruvate, -ketoisovalerate, -ketoisocaproate, -cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid and -cyanocinnamic acid inhibited [¹⁴C]pyruvate but not [¹⁴C]-acetate uptake in the dark and also reduced pyruvate metabolism by the chloroplasts in the light.     

Differential production of prostaglandins D2 and E2 and of unusual prostanoid by chick spinal cord and meninges in vitro

In order to specify the source of locally synthesized prostaglandin (PG) E₂ which is able to saturate the large class of low affinity PGE₂ receptors in chick spinal cord, bioconversion of [1-¹⁴C]arachidonic acid into prostanoids was studied in homogenates of chick spinal cord and meninges first without addition of exogenous glutathione (GSH). Homogenates of spinal cord produced ¹⁴C-labeled PGE₂, PGD₂ and PGF₂. Homogenates of meninges accumulated much larger amounts of [¹⁴C]PGE₂ than spinal cord and surprisingly a ¹⁴C-labeled arachidonate metabolite referred to as compound Y. Compound Y generation, which was inhibited by indomethacin and enhanced by esculetin, was therefore mediated through the cyclooxygenase pathway. The fact that no labeled compound Y was detected in homogenates incubated with [³H]PGD₂ or [³H]PGE₂ indicated that compound Y was not degradation product of PG_s. Secondly, after addition of exogenous GSH, ¹⁴C-labeled compound Y was totally converted into [¹⁴C]PGE₂. The compound Y which is converted into PGF_s after a strong reduction with NaBH₄ and into PGE₂ after a mild reduction with GSH-hemin system or SnCl₂ was therefore assumed to be a 15 hydroperoxy-PGE₂ (15 HP-PGE₂). These results suggest that PGE₂ can be synthesized in meninges either by the classical isomerization of PGH₂ or by isomerization of PGG₂ followed by a GSH-sensitive reaction.     

Labeling of v-Src and BCR-ABL tyrosine kinases with [C]herbimycin A and its use in the elucidation of the kinase inactivation mechanism

The ansamycin antibiotic, herbimycin A, selectively inactivates cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases, most likely by binding irreversibly to the reactive SH group(s) of kinases. To further investigate the mechanism of herbimycin A action, we attempted to label tyrosine kinases with [¹⁴C]herbimycin A. p60^v-src and p2 10^BCR-ABL in immune complexes were labeled with [¹⁴C]herbimycin A, demonstrating that the antibiotic binds directly to tyrosine kinases. Digestion of [¹⁴C]herbimycin A-labeled p60^v-src with Staphylococcus taureus V8 protease revealed that the herbimycin A binding site is within the C-terminal 26-kDa fragment of p60^v-src, which contains the tyrosine kinase domain. Herbimycin A treatment inhibited labeling of p60^v-src by [¹⁴]C]fluorosulfonylbenzoyl adenosine, an affinity labeling reagent of nucleotide binding sites, indicating that herbimycin A-modified p60^v-src cannot interact with ATP. The results suggest that herbimycin A inactivates tyrosine kinases by binding directly to the kinase domain, thereby inhibiting access to ATP.     

Retrograde axonal transport after radioactive hydroxyindole injections into the olfactory bulb—an autoradiographic study

Light microscope autoradiography was used to study the retrograde transport of labelled material after injection of [³H]serotonin ([³H]5-HT), [³H]5-hydroxytryptophan ([³H]5-HTP) and [¹⁴C]5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid ([¹⁴C]5-HIAA) into the olfactory bulb (OB) of rat. A perikaryal labelling was clearly visualized in the Raphe Dorsalis (RD) and the Raphe Centralis (RC) 24 h after injection of [³H]5-HT (but not after injection of [³H]5-HTP or [¹⁴C]5-HIAA) into the OB of rats without monoamine-oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). In the OB, the labelled cells (mitral, granular, periglomerular and tufted cells) and the varicosities (dispersed in granular, plexiform and glomerular layers) were greater in number and intensity at 8 h than at 24 h after [³H]5-HT (10⁻³ M) injection. Five hours after injection of [¹⁴C]5-HIAA (10⁻³ M) some mitral, granular and tufted cells were labelled in the cytoplasm, nuclei and dendrites. A few varicosities were also observed. In contrast, after [³H]5-HTP injection no clear labelling was visualized in axonal processes. A net autoradiographic reaction was seen, however, in the capillary walls and some granular cells.

After injection of [³H]5-HT at various concentrations (10⁻² M to 10⁻⁵ M) into the OB of rats pretreated with MAOI, a selectivity in the pattern of labelling in the injection site and the afferent cell bodies was found at 10⁻⁴ M and 10⁻⁵ M. At these concentrations, the serotoninergic RD and RC neurons were clearly labelled, but the non-serotoninergic neurons such as those originating in the Locus Coeruleus, prepiriform cortex were devoid of label. In the OB, only varicosities and fiber-like structures were reactive. In the RD cell bodies, the intensity of labelling as well as the number of labelled cells were greater at higher concentrations of injected [³H]5-HT and when rats were pretreated with a MAOI.     

Effects of vesamicol on acetylcholine metabolism and synaptic transmission in the electric organ of Torpedo

Vesamicol [2-(4-phenylpiperidino)cyclohexanol, formerly AH5183] at a concentration of 10 μM reduced by 16–20% the amount of vesicle-bound ACh in intact pieces of Torpedo electric organ (isolated prisms). When [¹⁴C]acetate was applied to prisms in the presence of 10 μM vesamicol, vesicular translocation of newly synthesized [¹⁴C]ACh was inhibited by 40%. During short trains of field shocks given at 10 Hz to the tissue, vesamicol inhibited by 93% the release of [¹⁴C]ACh, but left the release of prestored ACh unaltered. In spite of these alterations, 10 μM vesamicol did not impair nerve-electroplaque transmission, even after prolonged electrical stimulation and during a recovery period. It is concluded that in the Torpedo electric organ the actions of vesamicol on ACh metabolism have apparently little or no effect on the efficiency of synaptic transmission.     

Biosynthesis of Polyamines in Mouse Brain: Effects of Methionine Sulfoximine and Adenosylhomocysteine

Abstract: This study examines the consequences on cerebral polyamine biosynthesis of increases and decreases in cerebral methylation. Increases were elicited by administering the convulsant agent methionine sulfoximine (MSO) and decreases by elevating in vivo the cerebral levels of the methylation inhibitor S -adenosyl-homocysteine. Following the intraventricular (i.vt.) administration of one of the two possible polyamine precursors, [1,4-¹⁴C]putrescine, the specific radioactivity (sra) of the newly formed [¹⁴C]spermidine remained unchanged. Conversely, after i.vt. l -[3,4-¹⁴C]methionine, the other polyamine precursor, significantly higher sra values for [¹⁴C]spermidine and [¹⁴C]spermine were recorded in the brains of the MSO-treated animals. [¹⁴C] S - adenosylmethionine in the brain of the MSO-treated animals was also more highly labeled following [1-¹⁴C]-methionine, indicating its accelerated formation relative to controls. We also investigated the effect of the administration of adenosine + homocysteine, a treatment that results in elevated brain adenosylhomocysteine levels, on polyamine biosynthesis from [3,4-¹⁴C]-methionine. The results of these experiments show both significantly lower sra values for [¹⁴C]spermidine and [¹⁴C]spermine and significantly higher than control endogenous methionine levels, a clear sign of the existence of a retardation in the conversion of methionine to polyamines under these conditions. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that while interference with cerebral methylation results in significant alterations of the rate of formation of the methionine moiety of spermidine and spermine, it has no effect on the entry of the putrescine moiety into the two polyamine molecules.     

Stereospecific bioactions of 5-hydroxyicosatetraenoate

Interaction of mitochondrial F₁-ATPase with the isolated natural inhibitor protein resulting in the inhibition of multi-site ATP hydrolysis is accompanied by the loss of activity at low ATP concentrations when single-site hydrolysis should occur. Catalytic site occupancy by [¹⁴C]nucleotides in F₁-ATPase during steady-state [¹⁴C]ATP hydrolysis, which is saturated in parallel with single-site catalysis, is prevented after blocking the enzyme with the inhibitor protein.     

Modulation of protein kinase C activity by NaF in bone marrow derived macrophages

Stimulation of murine bone marrow derived macrophages with NaF, prelabeled with [1-¹⁴C]oleate and [³H]inositol, increased the production of inositol phosphates and the release of 1,2-[¹⁴C]diacylglycerol (DAG). Moreover, NaF also induced activation of protein kinase C. These results indicate that bone marrow derived macrophages exhibit a phosphatidyl-4,5-bisphosphate phospholipase C activity, sensitive to NaF, which might be modulated by G-proteins. Activation of protein kinase C could have been mediated by NaF-induced release of DAG.     

Regulation of pathways of glucose metabolism in kidney: Specific linking of pentose phosphate pathway activity with kidney growth in experimental diabetes and unilateral nephrectomy

The pentose phosphate pathway operates at an elevated level in rat kidney following induction of diabetes and in the compensatory hypertrophy following unilateral nephrectomy in control and alloxan-diabetic rats, as shown by the yields of ¹⁴Co₂ from [1-¹⁴C]glucose, [6-¹⁴C]glucose and ³H₂O yields from [2-³H]glucose. The elevated flux through the pentose phosphate pathway is correlated with the increased RNA content and weight of the kidney. The direct utilization of NADPH for reductive synthetic reactions and the potential for indirect utilization via the sorbitol route and the linked transhydrogenase reactions of the glucuronate-xylulose pathway, for NADH and ATP generation, are also discussed.     

μ-opioid receptor-mediated inhibition of the release of radiolabelled noradrenaline and acetylcholine from rat amygdala slices

Presynaptic modulation by opioids of electrically-evoked neurotransmitter release from superfused rat amygdala slices prelabelled with [³H]noradrenaline (NA) and [¹⁴C]choline was examined. Both [³H]NA and [¹⁴C]acetylcholine release were strongly inhibited by morphine, the mixed δ/μ-receptor agonist [ -Ala², -Leu⁵]enkephalin (DADLE) and the highly selective μ-agonist [ -Ala², MePhe⁴, Gly-ol⁵]enkephalin (DAMGO), whereas the highly selective δ-agonist [ -Pen², -Pen⁵]enkephalin and the κ-agonist bremazocine were without effect. The inhibitory effects were potently antagonized by naloxone but not by the selective δ-receptor antagonist fentanylisothiocyanate. When the selective uptake inhibitor desipramine was used to prevent uptake of [³H]NA into noradrenergic nerve terminals, but sparing the uptake into dopaminergic nerve terminals, the electrically evoked release of tritium was strongly inhibited by bremazocine but not by DADLE or DAMGO.

The data indicate, that in the amygdala transmitter release from dopaminergic nerve fibres is inhibited only via activation of κ-receptors, whereas transmitter release from noradrenergic and cholinergic nerve fibers is subjected to inhibition by opioids via activation of μ-receptors only. Regional differences and similarities of modulation of neurotransmitter release by opioids in the rat brain are briefly discussed.     

The synthesis of [26,27-11C]dihydroxyvitamin D(3), a tracer for positron emission tomography (PET).

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D₃, an endogenous ligand with the highest affinity for the vitamin D receptor (VDR), was labeled with ¹¹C for use in biological experiments. The radionuclide was incorporated via the reaction of [¹¹C]methyllithium on a methyl ketone precursor in tetrahydrofuran at −10 °C. Deprotection of the labeled intermediate yielded 2.5–3 GBq [26,27-¹¹C]1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [¹¹C-1,25(OH)₂ D₃] with specific radioactivity averaging 100 GBq/μmol at the end of synthesis and HPLC purification. The entire process took 48 min from the end of radionuclide production. In vitro binding experiments in rachitic chick purified VDR demonstrated the high affinity binding of this novel tracer. Thus; ¹¹C-1,25(OH)₂ D₃ is available for in vivo distribution studies and may be suitable for the positron emission tomography (PET) determination of VDR levels and occupancy in animals and humans.     

Biosynthesis of monogalactosyl diglyceride by chloroplasts from spinacia oleracea and from some gramineae

Synthetic diglycerides which differed in unsaturation of fatty acids gave the same incorporation of [¹⁴C]galactose from UDP-[¹⁴C]galactose when added to acetone powders of spinach chloroplasts up to about 0·6 mg diglyceride/20 mg acetone powder. Diolein and the endogenous diglyceride isolated from the acetone extract of chloroplasts stimulated galactolipid biosynthesis to a similar extent. With all diglycerides used, monogalactosyl diglyceride was the main product with little accompanying synthesis of digalactosyl diglyceride. The radioactivity in the monogalactosyl diglyceride synthesized from UDP-[¹⁴C]galactose by whole chloroplasts was distributed widely among the monogalactosyl diglycerides with different fatty acid composition. It is concluded that the enzyme which catalyses the transfer of galactose from UDP-galactose to diglyceride is not specific for polyunsaturated diglycerides and that the polyunsaturated monogalactosyl diglycerides arise either by desaturation of the fatty acyl residues after monogalactolipid synthesis or by transacylation. Acetone powders of chloroplasts prepared from several Gramineae did not exhibit transferase activity although whole chloroplasts were active.     

Quantitative Measurement of the Diastereoisomers of CIS Thymidine Glycol in Gamma-Irradiated DNA

A technique for determing the relative content of each of the diastereoisomers of cis thymidine glycol (dTG) in DNA exposed to ionizing radiation has been developed. [³H]thymidine DNA was gamma-irradiated, digested to 2'-deoxyribonucleosides, authentic [¹⁴C] (+, -) cis dTG added to the digestate and the mixture resolved by HPLC. ³H fractions coeluting with [¹⁴C] (+, -) dTG were collected and acetylated.

The acetoxy derivatives.of (+) and (-) cis dTG were easily resolved by a second HPLC analysis and their absolute configuration determined by NMR amd mass spectroscopies. We have constructed a dose-response curve for formation of each isomer in gamma-irradiated DNA and shown that they are formed in equal amounts. This technique may be used to determine the relative formation of cis dTG isomers in DNA resulting from other oxidative stresses and whether repair of these is influenced by their configuration.     

Ascorbic acid catabolism by gut microflora: studies in germ-free and conventional guinea pigs

The role of gut microflora in ascorbic acid catabolism was investigated in both conventional and germ-free guinea pigs. In vitro studies demonstrated extensive degradation of the vitamin by fresh feces, cecal, and colonic contents of conventional guinea pigs. Direct injection of [1-¹⁴C] ascorbic acid into the cecum of conventional guinea pigs in vivo yielded a 70% recovery of the label as respiratory ¹⁴CO₂ within 6 hr compared with only 5% recovery following injection into the virtually sterile peritoneum in a comparable group of conventional guinea pigs. Thus, ascorbic acid not absorbed prior to reaching the lower gastrointestinal tract stands to be extensively decarboxylated by microflora in the cecum. In a companion study of germ-free guinea pigs, 10% of an administered dose of [1-¹⁴C] ascorbic acid was expired as ¹⁴CO₂ within 36 hr post-injection following intraperitoneal injection compared with 16% recovery in a matched group of conventional animals injected at the same site. Results of this series of studies suggest that hepatic decarboxylation and gut microflora, in tandem, contribute to ascorbic acid decarboxylation in this species.     

Mode of action of glyphosate in relation to metabolism of indole-3-acetic acid

Studies were conducted with radio-labeled indole-3-acetic acid ([2-¹⁴C] IAA) and tobacco callus culture ( Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. White Gold) to investigate the mode of action of the herbicide glyphosate (N-phosphonomethylglycine). The tissue was first grown with or without glyphosate for 1 to 14 days and then incubated with [2-¹⁴C] IAA for 4 h. Metabolism of [2-¹⁴C] IAA in the tissue was studies by solvent fractionation, high performance liquid chromatography and liquid scintillation counting. The tissue grown with 0.2 m M glyphosate had low level of free [2-¹⁴C] IAA and high levels of other fractions containing metabolites and conjugates of the labeled IAA. After 1 day of glyphosate treatment the free [2-¹⁴C] IAA level in the tissue was reduced by 77% compared to that of the control; after 10 days of treatment the decrease was 96%. The decrease in the free [2-¹⁴C] IAA level was not due to inhibition of IAA uptake, but due to enhanced rates of oxidation and conjugate formation of IAA. The increased oxidation of IAA in the treated tissue was not due to a direct effect of glyphosate on IAA-oxidase since glyphosate was inactive on IAA oxidation in a cell-free system in vitro. The glyphosate-induced growth inhibition was partially overcome by addition of 1 μ M 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid to the medium. The results lead to the conclusion that glyphosate inhibits growth by depletion of free IAA through rapid acceleration of both conjugate formation and oxidative degradation of IAA.