Anti-Ig induces release of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, which mediates mobilization of intracellular Ca++ stores in B lymphocytes

Evidence from a variety of laboratories indicates that crosslinking of B cell mIg induces a rapid increase in intracellular free calcium (Ca++i). This mobilized Ca++ appears to act in concert with diacylglycerol (DAG; also released upon mIg cross-linking) to optimally activate Ca++/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C, which plays a pivotal role in B cell activation. Here we report analysis of the source of this mobilized calcium and the mechanism responsible for its release into the cytosol. We observed the cross-linking of mIg induces the release of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3), presumably as a result of action of phospholipase C on plasma membrane phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdInsP2). The release of InsP3 and the elevation of Ca++i are coincidental, suggesting that they may be causally related. Finally, we demonstrate that submicromolar doses of InsP3 induce release of Ca++ from permeabilized cells that had preaccumulated 45Ca++ in the endoplasmic reticulum. On the basis of these findings we suggest that mIg cross-linking leads to mobilization of Ca++, in part by causing hydrolysis of PtdInsP2, yielding InsP3, which in turn causes release of calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum.     

B cell activation. VII. Independent and synergistic effects of mobilized calcium and diacylglycerol on membrane potential and I-A expression

Although cross-linking of murine B cell membrane Ig (mIg) has been shown to induce a rapid increase in intracellular free calcium [Ca++)i), both the source and the function of the Ca++ in lymphocyte activation is unclear. Toward elucidation of its function, we investigated the relationship between the initial (Ca++)i response and other cell physiologic changes that occur early after mIg cross-linking, apparently as a linear cascade, leading to increased membrane I-A expression. Results suggest that the (Ca++)i response results from polyphosphoinositol hydrolysis induced by mIg cross-linking. The (Ca++)i response cannot be induced by activation of protein kinase C (PKC) with phorbol diesters (e.g., PMA) or synthetic diacylglycerol (DAG), suggesting that this response precedes the PKC activation. However, inhibition of phosphatidylinositol turnover by exposure of cells to dbcAMP during anti-Ig stimulation significantly inhibits the (Ca++)i response, suggesting that phosphatidylinositol turnover may be causally related to Ca++ mobilization. The ability of exogenous phospholipase C to induce the (Ca++)i response also supports this conclusion. Of the products of mono- and poly-phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis, the inositol phosphates (InsP, InsP2, InsP3) are implicated as promoters of Ca++ mobilization, because exogenous synthetic diacylglycerol is without effect on (Ca++)i. In light of recent evidence obtained with other systems, we suggest that InsP3 is responsible for mIg cross-linking-induced Ca++ mobilization from intracellular stores in B lymphocytes. Both depolarization and increased I-A expression are induced by increasing (Ca++)i with the Ca++ ionophores A23187 and ionomycin. These events can also be induced by the activation of PKC with high doses of PMA. When suboptimal doses of both A23187 and PMA are present, these reagents synergize in the induction of depolarization. This suggests that one role for the initial rise in (Ca++)i is to act with the DAG liberated from PtdIns turnover, possibly by enhancing translocation of cytosolic PKC to the plasma membrane, and thereby promote changes in ion transport that are apparent as a decrease in the membrane potential.     

k-Binding and Degradation of [3H]Dynorphin A (1–8) and [3H]Dynorphin A (1–9) in Suspensions of Guinea Pig Brain Membranes

Following incubation of [3H]dynorphin A (1-8) and [3H]dynorphin A (1-9) with suspensions of guinea pig brain membranes, analysis of the supernatants by HPLC has shown that both peptides are degraded at 25 degrees C and at 0 degrees C. Bestatin and captopril reduce degradation at 0 degrees C but for a similar degree of protection at 25 degrees C arginine-containing dipeptides are also required. The effects of these peptidase inhibitors on the degradation profiles indicate that [3H]dynorphin A (1-8) has three main sites of cleavage: the Tyr1-Gly2, Arg6-Arg7, and Leu5-Arg6 bonds. With [3H]dynorphin A (1-9) as substrate the Arg7-Ile8 and Ile8-Arg9 bonds are also liable to cleavage. In binding assays, in contrast to the effects of peptidase inhibitors on the degradation of unbound [3H]dynorphin A (1-8) and [3H]dynorphin A (1-9), bestatin and captopril have little effect on the binding characteristics of the tritiated dynorphin A fragments at the kappa-site at 0 degrees C. However, at 25 degrees C binding is low in the absence of peptidase inhibitors. When binding at mu- and delta-sites is prevented, the maximal binding capacities of [3H]dynorphin A (1-8), [3H]dynorphin A (1-9), and [3H](-)-bremazocine at the kappa-site are similar; [3H]dynorphin A (1-9) has 5-10 times higher affinity for the kappa-site than [3H]dynorphin A (1-8). Comparison of the effects of peptidase inhibitors on unbound dynorphin A fragments with their effects in binding assays suggests that the bound peptides are protected from the action of peptidases.     

The oral assimilation of radiomanganese by the mouse

The metabolism of orally administered radiomanganese was studied in mice. Assimilation of absorbed manganese (Mn) was determined using whole body counting techniques. When⁵⁴MnCl₂ was administered, 2.7% of the dose was retained after 10 d compared with 1.2% from the⁵⁴Mn-nitrilotriacetate (NTA) complex. However, this difference was accounted for by the rapid and persistent adsorption of the Mn onto the teeth of the lower jaw when fed as the ionic salt at pH 2.0 compared with the NTA-chelate fed at pH 9.0. Once corrected for the amount adsorbed onto the teeth, the biodistribution and relative specific activity of the assimilated radiomanganese into a variety of tissues were similar for both forms of the metal.     

Extraction and Partial Characterization of Enkephalin-Like Peptides from Splanchnic Nerve

A method is described for the extraction of enkephalin-like peptides from peripheral nerve using chloroform and acidic methanol to facilitate a differential extraction of peptides and lipid. Porcine splanchnic nerve contains enkephalin-like peptides in low amounts compared to porcine adrenal medulla and striatum. Gel filtration chromatography reveals the presence of enkephalin-like peptides in both processed and cryptic forms. This is the first reported isolation and partial characterization of these peptides in splanchnic nerve. The presence of these peptides in this nerve provides support for the contention that the splanchnic nerve can modulate catecholamine release from the adrenal medulla through an effect on opiate receptors located on chromaffin cells.     

B cell activation. VIII. Membrane immunoglobulins transduce signals via activation of phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis

Considerable evidence indicates that cross-linking of B cell surface Ig results in a "first signal" in B cell activation. We have shown that transduction of this signal is manifest by changes in plasma membrane potential leading to increased expression of surface I-A antigen. In previous studies, we have provided evidence that suggests that this signal is transduced via phosphatidylinositol (PI) hydrolysis liberating diacylglycerol (DAG), which subsequently activates protein kinase C. These biochemical events are aspects of a transmembrane signal transduction mechanism that is common in nature and utilizes the PI metabolic cycle for generation of "second messenger" diacylglycerol. Here we report direct evidence that treatment of B cells with various antibodies to surface Ig results in activation of the PI cycle. Results suggest that the increased phospholipid metabolism that occurs in B cells in response to anti-Ig involves only those phospholipids in the PI cycle and is a consequence of turnover of existing lipid rather than de novo synthesis. Furthermore, we show that PI cycle activation requires cross-linking of membrane Ig and is inhibitable by increased intracellular cyclic AMP. These findings are particularly important in view of previous studies that have shown identical requirements for and inhibitability of induction of B cell membrane depolarization and increased I-A expression. Thus, these results are consistent with our previous hypothesis that early B cell activation events initiated by receptor Ig occupancy are mediated via PI hydrolysis, diacylglycerol generation, and protein kinase C activation.     

The possession of coli surface antigen CS6 by enterotoxigenicEscherichia coli of serogroups O25, O27, O148, and O159: a possible colonization factor?

A total of 134 enterotoxigenicEscherichia coli (ETEC) of serogroups O25, O27, O148, and O159 were tested in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for the colonization factor antigens I (CFA/I), CFA/II (coli surface antigens CS1, 2 and 3) and putative colonization factor (PCF) 8775 (CS4, 5 and 6). CS6 was detected without CS4 or CS5 in 94% of the strains of serogroup O25, 86% of strains of serogroup O27, 87% of strains of serogroup O148, and 29% of strains of serogroup, O159. The frequency with which CS6 occurs in ETEC of common serotypes without the antigens CS4 or CS5 suggests that it might be a colonization factor.     

Examination of genome stability in cultured Lycopersicon

The genetic stability of plants regenerated from either mesophyll protoplasts or leaf slices of the F1 hybrid between Lycopersicon esculentum and L. pennellii was assayed by comparing the ploidy level, leaf morphology and isozyme patterns of the regenerants with their somatic parents. Regenerants from protoplasts were predominantly tetraploid, regenerants from leaf slices were predominantly diploid; both classes of regenerants had isozyme patterns identical to those of the parent plant. Callus was analyzed that grew up from cultures containing fused protoplasts from either irradiated or untreated protoplasts of L. esculentum and L. pennellii. The L. pennellii cell line used was 18 months old and could no longer regenerate. Out of 75 calli scored at 3 isozyme loci, 51 were heterozygous at only one or two of the loci. Irradiation of the two parental lines was not necessary to produce fusion products exhibiting asymmetric expression of parental genes.Abbreviations Got-2 glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase-2 - Pgi-1 phosphoglucoisomerase-1 - Pgm-2 phosphoglucomutase-2     

Elucidation of a minimal immunoreactive site of vertebrate calmodulin

The heptapeptide AsnTyrGluGluPheValGlnNH₂ corresponding to residues 137–143 of vertebrate calmodulin is as immunoreactive as the entire 148-residue protein. A reproducible and rapid procedure for producing antisera against vertebrate calmodulin has been previously described (L. J. Van Eldik and D. M. Watterson (1981) J. Biol. Chem.256, 4205–4210). Most of the antisera elicited by this method react with a major immunoreactive region (residues 127–144) in the COOH-terminal domain of vertebrate calmodulin. In this report, the minimum segment of calmodulin required for reactivity with an antiserum that readily distinguishes various types of calmodulins is defined. These studies demonstrate that a linear segment of seven amino acid residues shows a competition curve in radioimmunoassay resembling the competition curve of intact calmodulin. This heptapeptide is the smallest calmodulin segment and the only sevenresidue segment in the 135–145 region that shows quantitative immunoreactivity with the anti-calmodulin serum. These data demonstrate that this heptapeptide is a major immunoreactive site of calmodulin. However, when this immunoreactive site heptapeptide is conjugated to a carrier and injected into rabbits, it does not elicit antisera that react with the native protein. These studies demonstrate that quantitative immunoreactivity of antisera produced in animals can be found in small peptide segments and that, for calmodulin, the requirements for production of anti-peptide antibodies that react with the native protein molecule are not as simple as surface exposure of the peptide region.