Chronic lead intoxication causes a brain-specific nuclear protein to accumulate in the nuclei of cells lining kidney tubules

A characteristic feature of chronic lead intoxication is the induction of intranuclear inclusion bodies in cells lining kidney proximal tubules. These are relatively insoluble lead- and protein-rich structures which may serve a protective function by sequestering lead. The most abundant protein of isolated inclusion bodies, p32/6.3, has been partially characterized by use of a monoclonal antibody. As predicted by biochemical analysis, p32/6.3 occurs in kidney only in conjunction with lead intoxication and inclusion body formation. It does not accumulate in other tissues as a result of lead exposure. Unexpectedly, p32/6.3 was found to be a constitutive protein of adult brain, occurring primarily in the cerebral cortex. Within this tissue, both neurons and astrocytes contained p32/6.3. The brain p32/6.3 was concentrated in the insoluble nuclear protein or matrix fraction, a localization reminiscent of the intranuclear inclusion bodies from lead-exposed kidney. Brain p32/6.3 was detected in rat, mouse, dog, man, and chicken. In rat brain, the appearance of p32/6.3 was developmentally regulated. Only traces were detected 3 days after birth but within 1-2 weeks adult levels were achieved. The presence in brain of a protein which is involved in a potentially protective response to lead suggests that the brain may also have such a protective mechanism.     

Novel anthranilamide-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine conjugates modulate the expression of p53-MYCN associated micro RNAs in neuroblastoma cells and cause cell cycle arrest and apoptosis

It has previously been shown that anthranilamide-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine conjugates activate p53 and cause apoptosis in cervical cancer cells such as HeLa and SiHa. Here we establish the role of these conjugates in activating p53 pathway by phosphorylation at Ser15, 20 and 46 residues and downregulate key oncogenic proteins such as MYCN and Mdm2 in IMR-32 neuroblastoma cells. Compounds decreased the proliferation rate of neuroblastoma cells such as IMR-32, Neuro-2a, SK-N-SH. Compound treatment resulted in G2/M cell cycle arrest. The expression of p53 dependent genes such as p21, Bax, caspases was increased with concomitant decrease of the survival proteins as well as anti-apoptotic proteins such as Akt1, E2F1 and Bcl2. In addition the expression of important microRNAs such as miR-34a, c, miR-200b, miR-107, miR-542-5p and miR-605 were significantly increased that eventually lead to the activation of apoptotic pathway. Our data revealed that conjugates of this nature cause cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in IMR-32 cells [MYCN (+) with intact wild-type p53] by activating p53 signalling and provides a lead for the development of anti-cancer therapeutics.     

Neuromodulator-Mediated Phosphorylation of Specific Proteins in a Neurotumor Hybrid Cell Line (NCB-20)

Mouse neuroblastoma X embryonic Chinese hamster brain explant hybrid cell line (NCB-20) forms functional synapses when intracellular cyclic AMP levels are elevated for a prolonged period of time. NCB-20 cells were labeled with [32P]orthophosphate under conditions where 2-chloroadenosine gave maximum increases of 32P incorporation into tyrosine hydroxylase in nerve growth factor dibutyryl cyclic AMP-differentiated PC12 (pheochromocytoma) cells. When NCB-20 cells were exposed to activators [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), prostaglandin E1, or forskolin], resulting in activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, increased 32P incorporation into two major proteins [130 kilodaltons (kDa) and 90 kDa] occurred. 5-HT (in the presence of phosphodiesterase inhibitor, isobutylmethylxanthine) gave a three- to fourfold increase, and forskolin a four- to sevenfold increase in 32P incorporation into the 90-kDa protein. [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]-enkephalin, which decreased cyclic AMP levels and reversed the 2-chloroadenosine-stimulated phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase in differentiated PC12 cells, also reversed the stimulation of phosphorylation of the 90-kDa protein in NCB-20 cells. Pretreatment of NCB-20 cells with a calcium ionophore, A23187, gave increased phosphorylation of the 90- and 130-kDa proteins, but phorbol esters such as 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (tumor promoting agent), cell depolarization with high K+, or pretreatment with dibutyryl cyclic GMP had no effect on phosphorylation of these proteins. In contrast, phosphorylation of an 80-kDa protein was decreased by forskolin, but increased following activation of the calcium/phospholipid-dependent kinase with tumor promoting agent. Neither the 90-kDa nor the 80-kDa protein showed any immunological cross-reactivity with synapsin, a major synaptic protein known to be phosphorylated by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, but not calcium/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase. This suggests that in NCB-20 cells, several unique proteins can be phosphorylated by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase in response to hormonal elevation of cyclic AMP levels. In contrast, an 80-kDa protein is the primary substrate for calcium/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase, and its phosphorylation is inhibited by agents that elevate cyclic AMP levels and thereby activate cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase.     

Metabolism of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in renal slices from the X-linked hypophosphatemic (Hyp) mouse: abnormal response to fall in serum calcium

The effect of the X-linked Hyp mutation on 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OH-D3) metabolism in mouse renal cortical slices was investigated. Vitamin D replete normal mice and Hyp littermates fed the control diet synthesized primarily 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (24,25-(OH)2D3); only minimal synthesis of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) was detected in both genotypes and 1,25-(OH)2D3 formation was not significantly greater in Hyp mice relative to normal littermates, despite hypophosphatemia and hypocalcemia in the mutants. Calcium-deficient diet fed to normal mice reduced serum calcium (p less than 0.01), increased renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1-hydroxylase (1-OHase) activity (p less than 0.05), and decreased 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-24-hydroxylase (24-OHase) activity (p less than 0.05). In contrast, Hyp littermates on the calcium-deficient diet had decreased serum calcium (p less than 0.01), without significant changes in the renal metabolism of 25-OH-D3. Both normal and Hyp mice responded to the vitamin D-deficient diet with a fall in serum calcium (p less than 0.01), significantly increased renal 1-OHase, and significantly decreased renal 24-OHase activities. In Hyp mice, the fall in serum calcium on the vitamin D-deficient diet was significantly greater than that observed on the calcium-deficient diet. Therefore the ability of Hyp mice to increase renal 1-OHase activity when fed the vitamin D-deficient diet and their failure to do so on the calcium-deficient diet may be related to the resulting degree of hypocalcemia. The results suggest that although Hyp mice can respond to a disturbance of calcium homeostasis, the in vivo signal for the stimulation of renal 1-OHase activity may be set at a different threshold in the Hyp mouse; i.e. a lower serum calcium concentration is necessary for Hyp mice to initiate increased synthesis of 1,25(-OH)2D3.     

Low temperature protects mammalian cells from apoptosis initiated by various stimuli in vitro

Mild hypothermia shows protective effects on patients with brain damage and cardiac arrest. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects, we examined the effects of low temperature (32 degrees C) on cells exposed to a variety of stress in vitro. We found that 32 degrees C suppressed induction of apoptosis by cytotoxic stimuli such as adriamycin, etoposide, thapsigargin, NaCl, H(2)O(2), and anti-Fas antibody. In adriamycin-treated BALB/3T3 cells, the down-shift in temperature from 37 degrees C to 32 degrees C increased the Bcl-xL protein level and decreased the mRNA level of Puma and mitochondrial translocation of Bax, suppressing caspase-9-mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, the protein level and stability of p53 were decreased, and its nuclear export was increased concomitant with Mdm2 mRNA upregulation. The low temperature effect was not observed in p53(-/-)/Mdm2(-/-) mouse embryonic fibroblasts, suggesting that the effect is mediated by suppression of the p53 pathway. In contrast, while thapsigargin-induced apoptosis was suppressed by the low temperature, no effect on the p53 protein level was observed. Furthermore, the survival rate of p53(-/-)/Mdm2(-/-) cells exposed to thapsigargin was increased when cultured at 32 degrees C compared with 37 degrees C. In conclusion, mild hypothermia protects cells from a variety of stress by p53-dependent and p53-independent mechanisms.     

Effect of synthetic oligopeptides on osteoporosis

The objective of this study was to establish the solution method of GHRPS, the synthetic oligopeptides Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-NH2, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-OH, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-NH2, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-OH, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Gly-NH2, and Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Gly-OH, to verify their effect on osteoporosis. Male ICR mice (20 +/- 2 g) were used. The intramuscular injection dose of 6.3 mg/kg prednisone induced a significant decrease of body and femur weight of the animals. The subcutaneous injection dose of 18 microg/kg synthetic peptide was not effective to prevent the decrease of body and femur weight of the animals. The subcutaneous injection dose of 6.3 mg/kg prednisone elicited a decrease in content of femur calcium and in the level of serum calcium of the animals. The subcutaneous injection dose of 18 microg/kg Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-NH2, or Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-OH, or Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Gly-NH2, significantly increased the content of femur calcium and decreased the level of serum calcium of the animals. It was also observed that the subcutaneous injection dose of 18 microg/kg Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Gly-OH, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-OH, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-OH, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-NH2 significantly increased the content of femur phosphorous and decreased the activity of ALP of the animals.     

Effect of synthetic oligopeptides on osteoporosis

The objective of this study was to establish the solution method of GHRPS, the synthetic oligopeptides Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-NH2, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-OH, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-NH2, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-OH, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Gly-NH2, and Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Gly-OH, to verify their effect on osteoporosis. Male ICR mice (20+/-2 g) were used. The intramuscular injection dose of 6.3 mg/kg prednisone induced a significant decrease of body and femur weight of the animals. The subcutaneous injection dose of 18 microg/kg synthetic peptide was not effective to prevent the decrease of body and femur weight of the animals. The subcutaneous injection dose of 6.3 mg/kg prednisone elicited a decrease in content of femur calcium and in the level of serum calcium of the animals. The subcutaneous injection dose of 18 microg/kg Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-NH2, or Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-OH, or Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Gly-NH2 significantly increased the content of femur calcium and decreased the level of serum calcium of the animals. It was also observed that the subcutaneous injection dose of 18 microg/kg Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Gly-OH, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Leu-OH, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-OH, Tyr-Gly-Gly-Phe-Met-NH2 significantly increased the content of femur phosphorous and decreased the activity of ALP of the animals.     

Growth inhibition in G(1) and altered expression of cyclin D1 and p27(kip-1 )after forced connexin expression in lung and liver carcinoma cells

Gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) and connexin expression are frequently decreased in neoplasia and may contribute to defective growth control and loss of differentiated functions. GJIC, in E9 mouse lung carcinoma cells and WB-aB1 neoplastic rat liver epithelial cells, was elevated by forced expression of the gap junction proteins, connexin43 (Cx43) and connexin32 (Cx32), respectively. Transfection of Cx43 into E9 cells increased fluorescent dye-coupling in the transfected clones, E9-2 and E9-3, to levels comparable to the nontransformed sibling cell line, E10, from which E9 cells originated. Transduction of Cx32 into WB-aB1 cells also increased dye-coupling in the clone, WB-a/32-10, to a level that was comparable to the nontransformed sibling cell line, WB-F344. The cell cycle distribution was also affected as a result of forced connexin expression. The percentage of cells in G(1)-phase increased and the percentage in S-phase decreased in E9-2 and WB-a/32-10 cells as compared to E9 and WB-aB1 cells. Concomitantly, these cells exhibited changes in G(1)-phase cell cycle regulators. E9-2 and WB-a/32-10 cells expressed significantly less cyclin D1 and more p27(kip-1) protein than E9 and WB-aB1 cells. Other growth-related properties (expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta, epidermal growth factor receptor, protein kinase C-alpha, protein kinase A regulatory subunit-Ialpha, and production of nitric oxide in response to a cocktail of pro-inflammatory cytokines) were minimally altered or unaffected. Thus, enhancement of connexin expression and GJIC in neoplastic mouse lung and rat liver epithelial cells restored G(1) growth control. This was associated with decreased expression of cyclin D1 and increased expression of p27(kip-1), but not with changes in other growth-related functions.     

Stimulation of phosphatidic acid of calcium influx and cyclic GMP synthesis in neuroblastoma cells

Phosphatidic acid added to the medium markedly elevated intracellular cyclic GMP content in cultured neuroblastoma N1E 115 cells. There was a significant elevation of cyclic GMP with 1 micrograms/ml and a maximum (70-fold) elevation with 100 micrograms/ml of phosphatidic acid. Other natural phospholipids did not increase, or increased only slightly, the cyclic GMP content in the cells. The elevation of cyclic GMP content by phosphatidic acid was absolutely dependent on extracellular calcium. Phosphatidic acid stimulated the influx of calcium into neuroblastoma cells 2- to 5-fold. The pattern of the calcium influx induced by phosphatidic acid was comparable to that of cyclic GMP elevation. The stimulation of calcium influx by phosphatidic acid was also observed in cultured heart cells, indicating that phosphatidic acid acts as a calcium ionophore or opens a specific calcium-gate in a variety of cell membranes. Treatment of neuroblastoma cells with phospholipase C increased 32Pi labeling of phosphatidic acid, stimulated the influx of calcium, and elevated the cyclic GMP content in the cells. Thus exogenous as well as endogenous phosphatidic acid stimulates the translocation of calcium across cell membranes and, as a consequence, induces the synthesis of cyclic GMP in the neuroblastoma cells.     

p32, a novel binding partner of Mcl-1, positively regulates mitochondrial Ca uptake and apoptosis

Mcl-1 is a major anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein. It is well known that Mcl-1 can interact with certain pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins in normal cells to neutralize their pro-apoptotic functions, thus prevent apoptosis. In addition, it was recently found that Mcl-1 can also inhibit mitochondrial calcium uptake. The detailed mechanism, however, is still not clear. Based on Yeast Two-Hybrid screening and co-immunoprecipitation, we identified a mitochondrial protein p32 (C1qbp) as a novel binding partner of Mcl-1. We found that p32 had a number of interesting properties: (1) p32 can positively regulate UV-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells. (2) Over-expressing p32 could significantly promote mitochondrial calcium uptake, while silencing p32 by siRNA suppressed it. (3) In p32 knockdown cells, Ruthenium Red treatment (an inhibitor of mitochondrial calcium uniporter) showed no further suppressive effect on mitochondrial calcium uptake. In addition, in Ruthenium Red treated cells, Mcl-1 also failed to suppress mitochondrial calcium uptake. Taken together, our findings suggest that p32 is part of the putative mitochondrial uniporter that facilitates mitochondrial calcium uptake. By binding to p32, Mcl-1 can interfere with the uniporter function, thus inhibit the mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uploading. This may provide a novel mechanism to explain the anti-apoptotic function of Mcl-1.     

Carnosic acid, a rosemary phenolic compound, induces apoptosis through reactive oxygen species-mediated p38 activation in human neuroblastoma IMR-32 cells

Carnosic acid (CA), a rosemary phenolic compound, has been shown to display anti-cancer activity. We examined the apoptotic effect of CA in human neuroblastoma IMR-32 cells and elucidated the role of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) associated with carcinogenesis. The result indicated that CA decreased the cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Further investigation in IMR-32 cells revealed that cell apoptosis following CA treatment is the mechanism as confirmed by flow cytometry, hoechst 33258, and caspase-3/-9 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) activation. Immunoblotting suggested a down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein in the CA-treated cells. In flow cytometric analysis, CA caused the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS); however, pretreatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) attenuated the CA-induced generation of ROS and apoptosis. This effect was accompanied by increased activation of p38 and by decreased activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) as well as activation of c-Jun NH₂-terminal kinase (JNK). Moreover, NAC attenuated the CA-induced phosphorylation of p38. Silencing of p38 by siRNA gene knockdown reduced the CA-induced activation of caspase-3. In conclusion, ROS-mediated p38 MAPK activation plays a critical role in CA-induced apoptosis in IMR-32 cells.     

The induction of stress-related proteins by lead

Differential inductive effects of lead on protein synthesis in rat fibroblasts and kidney epithelial cells were examined. The lead was administered as lead glutamate, a complex known to introduce lead into cells. Lead exposure induced the synthesis of three proteins which constitute two separate stress protein subgroups. Two of these proteins have been previously identified as the glucose-regulated proteins because their synthesis is induced by reagents which perturb glucose utilization. The third protein is inducible by several sulfhydryl-binding reagents including lead. This third protein has been compared with a protein, p32/6.3, of very similar size and isoelectric point, which has been associated with lead-induced intranuclear inclusion bodies. However, several features, including one-dimensional peptide maps, indicated that the third protein and p32/6.3 are not identical. The three lead-induced proteins are distinguished from the major group of stress proteins by their relative insensitivity to heat stress. Lead glutamate, on the other hand, induces neither the heat shock protein 70 nor metallothionein, both of which are strongly induced by several metals including cadmium, zinc, and mercury.     

Developmentally-regulated expression of mNapor encoding an apoptosis-induced ELAV-type RNA binding protein.

Proteins with RNA recognition motifs (RRMs) participate in many aspects of RNA metabolism, and some of them are required for the accomplishment of normal development. The neuroblastoma apoptosis-related RNA binding protein (NAPOR) is an ELAV-type RNA-binding protein with three characteristic RNP2/RNP1-type RRMs, which we identified as a gene induced during apoptosis of neuroblastoma cells. Here we isolated and characterized the cDNA for mNapor, the mouse homolog of NAPOR. The mNapor encodes mRNA sharing striking homology with that of NAPOR, not only in its open reading frame (98.5%) but also in the 3'-untranslated region (80.1%), and is mapped to chromosome 2 A2-A3, a region syntenic to the human NAPOR locus. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that the expression pattern of mNapor is spatially and temporally coincident with the occurrence of programmed cell death, suggesting its involvement in the development of the central nervous system in which apoptosis plays a crucial role.     

Differential expression of adrenomedullin and its receptor component, receptor activity modifying protein (RAMP) 2 during hypoxia in cultured human neuroblastoma cells.

Adrenomedullin is a potent vasodilator peptide originally isolated from a pheochromocytoma. Recently, a novel adrenomedullin receptor has been identified as a complex consisting of calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) and receptor activity modifying protein (RAMP) 2. To explore possible pathophysiological roles of adrenomedullin and its receptor component RAMP2 in hypoxic tissues, we studied effects of hypoxia on expression of adrenomedullin and RAMP2 in two human neuroblastoma cell lines, IMR-32 and NB69, by radioimmunoassay and Northern blot analysis. Expression levels of adrenomedullin were increased by hypoxia in both cell lines. Treatment with cobalt chloride or desferrioxamine mesylate also increased expression levels of adrenomedullin mRNA. On the other hand, expression levels of RAMP2 mRNA were decreased in IMR-32 cells and were not changed in NB69 cells by hypoxia. Treatment with cobalt chloride or desferrioxamine mesylate decreased expression levels of RAMP2 mRNA in both IMR-32 and NB69 cells. These findings indicate that adrenomedullin expression is induced during hypoxia in IMR-32 and NB69 neuroblastoma cells, but RAMP2 expression is rather suppressed under the same conditions. The decreased expression of RAMP2 and the ADM expression induction under hypoxia may constitute one mechanism of cellular adaptation to hypoxic stress.     

Tauroursodeoxycholic acid modulates p53-mediated apoptosis in Alzheimer's disease mutant neuroblastoma cells

Early onset familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) is linked to autosomal dominant mutations in the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin 1 and 2 (PS1 and PS2) genes. These are critical mediators of total amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) production, inducing cell death through uncertain mechanisms. Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) modulates exogenous Abeta-induced apoptosis by interfering with E2F-1/p53/Bax. Here, we used mouse neuroblastoma cells that express either wild-type APP, APP with the Swedish mutation (APPswe), or double-mutated human APP and PS1 (APPswe/DeltaE9), all exhibiting increased Abeta production and aggregation. Cell viability was decreased in APPswe and APPswe/DeltaE9 but was partially reversed by z-VAD.fmk. Nuclear fragmentation and caspase 2, 6 and 8 activation were also readily detected. TUDCA reduced nuclear fragmentation as well as caspase 2 and 6, but not caspase 8 activities. p53 activity, and Bcl-2 and Bax changes, were also modulated by TUDCA. Overexpression of p53, but not mutant p53, in wild-type and mutant neuroblastoma cells was sufficient to induce apoptosis, which, in turn, was reduced by TUDCA. In addition, inhibition of the phosphatidylinositide 3'-OH kinase pathway reduced TUDCA protection against p53-induced apoptosis. In conclusion, FAD mutations are associated with the activation of classical apoptotic pathways. TUDCA reduces p53-induced apoptosis and modulates expression of Bcl-2 family.     

Transglutaminase catalyzed incorporation of putrescine into surface proteins of mouse neuroblastoma cells

Summary Transglutaminase, purified from guinea pig liver, was used to catalyze the incorporation of [¹⁴C]putrescine into exposed surface proteins of intact mouse neuroblastoma cells. This method specifically labeled two surface proteins (Mr = 92 000 and 76 000) in the N-18 mouse neuroblastoma cells and three surface proteins (Mr = 92 000, 76 000, and 72 000) in the NB-15 mouse neuroblastoma cells. In addition, transglutaminase also catalyzed cross-linking reactions of exposed surface proteins. In both the N-18 and NB-15 cells, differentiation was accompanied by a 2-fold increase of specific radioactivity incorporated into trichloroacetic acid insoluble cellular material, suggesting that the differentiated mouse neuroblastoma cells may possess greater amount of accessible peptide-bound glutaminyl residues on their surface than their malignant counterparts. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorographic method revealed that while the [¹⁴C]putrescine-labeled protein patterns of undifferentiated and differentiated mouse neuroblastoma cells were similar, the intensity of labeling of individual bands was specifically modulated by cell differentiation.Abbreviations PMSF phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride - Bt₂cAMP,N⁶,O² Dibutyryl adenosine 3:5-cyclic monophosphate - IBMX 3-isobutyl-l-methyl xanthine - SDSPAGE sodiumdodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - HEPES N-2-hydroxylethylpiperazine-N-2-ethanesulfonic acid     

Plasma angiotensin II: interdependence on sodium and calcium homeostasis

Interactions between sodium and calcium metabolism and the renin angiotensin system (RAS) have been studied. In rats drinking highly palatable 0.5% sodium chloride solution for a 6 month period, plasma angiotensin II (p[AII]) levels after 6 months did not differ from control animals drinking water. However, plasma ionized calcium (p[iCa]) levels were significantly reduced compared to controls. In a third group of animals which drank saline, but consumed a calcium supplemented chow (2% calcium by weight vs. 1%), p[AII] was significantly elevated above both other groups. Further experiments were performed to study short term (4 weeks) changes in calcium intake and p[AII] levels. Diets contained high (4%), normal (1%) and low (0.05%) calcium content. All animals drank water. Plasma total calcium (p[tCa]) and p[iCa] concentration were elevated in the 4% calcium group compared with 1% calcium. In the 0.05% calcium group, p[iCa] was significantly reduced compared with the 1% group. Compared with the 1% calcium group, 4% calcium animals showed significant elevation of p[AII] levels. A slight, insignificant elevation was observed in 0.05% calcium rats compared with those consuming 1% calcium. A final experiment studied animals on the same calcium intakes (0.05, 1 and 4%), but consuming 0.5% saline in place of water. No differences in p[iCa], p[tCa] or p[AII] were observed in these experiments. However, consumption of saline lead to the expected reduction in p[AII] levels which was absent after 6 months in the earlier studies, indicating that normal levels of p[AII] in saline drinkers after 6 months was not a measurement error.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Regulation of apoptosis during neuronal differentiation by ceramide and b-series complex gangliosides

Lipid analysis of gestational day E14.5 mouse brain revealed elevation of ceramide to a tissue concentration that induced apoptosis when added to the medium of neuroprogenitor cells grown in cell culture. Elevation of ceramide was coincident with the first appearance of b-series complex gangliosides (BCGs). Expression of BCGs by stable transfection of murine neuroblastoma (F-11) cells with sialyltransferase-II (ST2) resulted in a 70% reduction of ceramide-induced apoptosis. This was most likely due to an 80% reduced expression of prostate apoptosis response-4 (PAR-4). PAR-4 expression and apoptosis were restored by preincubation of ST2-transfected cells with N-butyl deoxinojirimycin (NB-DNJ) or PD98059, two inhibitors of ganglioside biosynthesis or p42/44 mitogen-activated protein (MAPK) kinase, respectively. In sections of day E14.5 mouse brain, the intermediate zone showed intensive staining for complex gangliosides, but only low staining for apoptosis (TUNEL) and PAR-4. Apoptosis and PAR-4 expression, however, were elevated in the ventricular zone which only weakly stained for complex gangliosides. Whole cell patch clamping revealed a 2-fold increased calcium influx in ST2-transfected cells, the blocking of which with nifedipine restored apoptosis to the level of untransfected cells. In serum-free culture, supplementation of the medium with IGF-1 was required to maintain MAPK phosphorylation and the anti-apoptotic effect of BCG expression. BCG-enhanced calcium influx and the presence of insulin-like growth factor-1 may thus activate a cell survival mechanism that selectively protects developing neurons against ceramide-induced apoptosis by up-regulation of MAPK and reduction of PAR-4 expression.