Pertussis toxin B-subunit-induced Ca2(+)-fluxes in Jurkat human lymphoma cells: the action of long-term pre-treatment with cholera and pertussis holotoxins

The exotoxins of Bordetella pertussis and Vibrio cholera have been used to investigate signal transduction in the human T-cell lymphoma Jurkat. Stimulation of the cells, leading to an increase in cytoplasmic free calcium, could be achieved by the anti-T-cell receptor complex antibody OKT3 and by pertussis holotoxin (PTHT), or its B-subunit (PTB), but not by cholera holotoxin (CTHT) or its B-subunit (CTB). Both holotoxins ADP-ribosylated specifically G-proteins in the plasma membrane of intact cells, while their B-subunits had no ADP-ribosyltransferase activity. Incubation of the cells with CTHT led to a state of unresponsiveness to all stimulants. CTB was without any effect, indicating that the ADP-ribosyltransferase activity of cholera toxin (located in the A-subunit of the holotoxin) was necessary for the inhibition of cellular signalling. The inhibitory effect of cholera toxin on the pertussis toxin action was not due to a blockade of pertussis toxin interaction with the cell surface, because pertussis toxin was still able to ADP-ribosylate membrane proteins in cholera toxin treated intact cells. In addition, the cholera toxin mediated inhibition was not due to elevated levels of cyclic-AMP, as forskolin (a direct activator of the adenylate cyclase) and no inhibitory effect. The stimulating effect of PTHT was independent of its ADP-ribosyltransferase activity, because it could also be obtained by the B-subunit alone. In addition, the increase of cytoplasmic free calcium after stimulation by PTHT clearly preceded the ADP-ribosylation. Pre-treatment with PTHT, PTB or OKT3, led to a long lasting increase in the level of intracellular Ca2+ in Jurkat cells, which could not, therefore, be stimulated further. Inhibition by cholera holotoxin of the stimulation by OKT3 and pertussis toxin (PTHT and PTB) imply that the mitogenic effect of pertussis toxin is perhaps mediated via the T-cell antigen receptor signalling cascade. The presented data do not support the idea that a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein is involved in coupling the T-cell antigen receptor to the phospholipase C.     

Biosynthesis of paf-acether in cultured-mouse mast cells: the role of calcium and G proteins.

We examined the potential role of a guanine nucleotide-binding protein in the biosynthesis of paf-acether (paf) and the release of beta-hexosaminidase during antigenic stimulation of cultured mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells. Unlike pertussis toxin, cholera toxin treatment enhanced the antigen-stimulated production of paf and calcium mobilisation without affecting acetyltransferase activation and cell degranulation. The level of intracellular cAMP doubled in cholera toxin-treated cells. Our data suggest that a cholera toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide-binding protein is involved in the IgE receptor-mediated signal transduction leading to paf production most probably at the level of Ca2+ influx.     

Intracellular acidification, guanine-nucleotide binding proteins, and cytoskeletal actin

The addition of propionic acid to rabbit neutrophils causes cell acidification and increases the amount of actin associated with the cytoskeleton. Both responses are rapid, and while the cell acidification is somewhat long-lasting, the increase in cytoskeletal actin is transient. It reaches a maximum value within 15 seconds and then returns to the basal level. Unlike fMet-Leu-Phe, however, propionic acid does not cause a rise in the intracellular concentration of free calcium. Pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin inhibits the propionic acid-produced increase in cytoskeletal actin but not the decrease in intracellular pH. However, the rate of return to the base line of the cell acidification produced by propionic acid is diminished in cells pretreated with pertussis toxin. On the other hand, both the decrease in intracellular pH and the increase in cytoskeletal actin produced by fMet-Leu-Phe are inhibited by pertussis toxin treatment. The results presented here suggest two important points. First, while cell acidification may trigger directly or indirectly the association of actin with the cytoskeleton, it is certainly not sufficient. Second, a functional guanine-nucleotide regulatory protein is required for stimulated cytoskeletal actin. One or more components of the G-protein and/or their effects on phosphoinositide hydrolysis may increase the number of actin monomers and the availability of preexisting actin filaments to these monomers.     

Effects of G protein and cGMP on phytochrome-mediated amaranthin synthesis inAmaranthus caudatus seedlings

The effects of G protein and cGMP on phytochrome-mediated amaranthin biosynthesis inAmaranthus caudatus seedlings were studied. It was shown that G protein agonist cholera toxin induced amarathin synthesis in darkness, whereas G protein antagonist pertussis toxin inhibited red light-induced amaranthin synthesis. Amaranthin synthesis was also induced by exogenous cGMP, while the amaranthin biosynthesis induced by cholera toxin, red light and exogenous cGMP was inhibited by genistein. L Y-83583, an inhibitor of guanylyl cyclase, inhibited the amarenthin synthesis induced both by red light and cholera toxin, while it was not able to inhibit the amaranthin synthesis induced by exogenous cGMP. These results suggest that G protein, guanylyl cyclase and cGMP were the candidates in phytochrone signal transduction chain for red light-induced amaranthin biosynthesis and the red light signal transduction chain might be as follows: red light → phytochrome → G protein → guanylyl cyclase → cGMP.     

The presence of a heterotrimeric G protein and its role in signal transduction of extracellular calmodulin in pollen germination and tube growth

The role of heterotrimeric G proteins in pollen germination, tube growth, and signal transduction of extracellular calmodulin (CaM) was examined in lily pollen. Two kinds of antibodies raised against animal Gzalpha, one against an internal sequence and the other against its N terminus, cross-reacted with the same 41-kD protein from lily pollen plasma membrane. This 41-kD protein was also specifically ADP ribosylated by pertussis toxin. Microinjection of the membrane-impermeable G protein agonist GTP-gamma-S into a pollen tube increased its growth rate, whereas microinjection of the membrane-impermeable G protein antagonist GDP-beta-S and the anti-Galpha antibody decreased pollen tube growth. The membrane-permeable G protein agonist cholera toxin stimulated pollen germination and tube growth. Anti-CaM antiserum inhibited pollen germination and tube growth, and this inhibitory effect was completely reversed by cholera toxin. The membrane-permeable heterotrimeric G protein antagonist pertussis toxin completely stopped pollen germination and tube growth. Purified CaM, when added directly to the medium of plasma membrane vesicles, significantly activated GTPase activity in plasma membrane vesicles, and this increase in GTPase activity was completely inhibited by pertussis toxin and the nonhydrolyzable GTP analogs GTP-gamma-S and guanylyl-5'-imidodiphosphate. The GTPase activity in plasma membrane vesicles was also stimulated by cholera toxin. These data suggest that heterotrimeric G proteins may be present in the pollen system where they may be involved in the signal transduction of extracellular CaM and in pollen germination and tube growth.     

Is a rise in intracellular concentration of free calcium necessary or sufficient for stimulated cytoskeletal-associated actin?

The addition of the calcium ionophore A23187 to rabbit neutrophils increases the amount of actin associated with the cytoskeleton regardless of the presence or absence of calcium in the incubation medium. In the presence of extracellular calcium, the effect of A23187 is biphasic with respect to concentration. The action of the ionophore is rapid, transient, and is inhibited by pertussis toxin, hyperosmolarity, and quinacrine. On the other hand, the addition of pertussis toxin or hyperosmolarity has small if any, effect on the rise in intracellular calcium produced by A23187. While quinacrine does not affect the fMet-Leu-Phe-induced increase in cytoskeletal actin and the polyphosphoinositide turnover, its addition inhibits completely the stimulated increase in Ca-influx produced by the same stimulus. The results presented here suggest that a rise in the intracellular concentration of free calcium is neither necessary nor sufficient for the stimulated increase in cytoskeletal-associated actin. A possible relationship between the lipid remodeling stimulated by chemoattractants and the increased cytoskeletal actin is discussed.     

Effects of G protein and cGMP on phytochrome-mediated amaranthin synthesis in Amaranthus caudatus seedlings

The effects of G protein and cGMP on phytochrome-mediated amaranthin biosynthesis inAmaranthus caudatus seedlings were studied. It was shown that G protein agonist cholera toxin induced amarathin synthesis in darkness, whereas G protein antagonist pertussis toxin inhibited red light-induced amaranthin synthesis. Amaranthin synthesis was also induced by exogenous cGMP, while the amaranthin biosynthesis induced by cholera toxin, red light and exogenous cGMP was inhibited by genistein. L Y-83583, an inhibitor of guanylyl cyclase, inhibited the amarenthin synthesis induced both by red light and cholera toxin, while it was not able to inhibit the amaranthin synthesis induced by exogenous cGMP. These results suggest that G protein, guanylyl cyclase and cGMP were the candidates in phytochrone signal transduction chain for red light-induced amaranthin biosynthesis and the red light signal transduction chain might be as follows: red light → phytochrome → G protein → guanylyl cyclase → cGMP.     

Neutrophil activation by surface bound IgG: pertussis toxin insensitive activation

Surface bound IgG induces neutrophil degranulation and production of superoxide radicals by a mechanism that is not inhibited by either pertussis toxin or cholera toxin, whereas these functions induced by soluble mediators such as FMLP and soluble aggregates of IgG are profoundly inhibited by pertussis toxin. Interaction of neutrophils with surface bound IgG triggers the loss of 32P labeled PIP2 and PIP and the influx of extracellular calcium. Neither of these cellular events when induced by surface bound IgG is inhibited by pertussis toxin. These observations suggest that neutrophil activation induced by surface bound IgG proceeds along a pathway which is not regulated by proteins which are inhibited by either pertussis or cholera toxins.     

Signal transduction of a tissue interaction during embryonic heart development.

During early cardiac development, progenitors of the valves and septa of the heart are formed by an epithelial-mesenchymal cell transformation of endothelial cells of the atrioventricular (AV) canal. We have previously shown that this event is due to an interaction between the endothelium and products of the myocardium found within the extracellular matrix. The present study examines signal transduction mechanisms governing this differentiation of AV canal endothelium. Activators of protein kinase C (PKC), phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and mezerein, both produced an incomplete phenotypic transformation of endothelial cells in an in vitro bioassay for transformation. On the other hand, inhibitors of PKC (H-7 and staurosporine) and tyrosine kinase (genistein) blocked cellular transformation in response to the native myocardium or a myocardially-conditioned medium. Intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was measured in single endothelial cells by microscopic digital analysis of fura 2 fluorescence. Addition of a myocardial conditioned medium containing the transforming stimulus produced a specific increase in [Ca2+]i in "competent" AV canal, but not ventricular, endothelial cells. Epithelial-mesenchymal cell transformation was inhibited by pertussis toxin but not cholera toxin. These data lead to the hypothesis that signal transduction of this tissue interaction is mediated by a G protein and one or more kinase activities. In response to receptor activation, competent AV canal endothelial cells demonstrate an increase in [Ca2+]i. Together, the data provide direct evidence for a regional and temporal regulation of signal transduction processes which mediate a specific extracellular matrix-mediated tissue interaction in the embryo.     

Signalling for increased cytoskeletal actin in neutrophils

The addition of fMet-Leu-Phe, platelet-activating factor, leukotriene B4 or sodium propionate to rabbit neutrophils causes an increase in the amount of actin associated with the cytoskeletal actin. The increase is rapid, transient and inhibitable by pertussis toxin. On the other hand, the addition of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or NH4Cl causes a pertussis toxin-insensitive increase in cytoskeletal actin. The effects of the phorbol ester and fMet-Leu-Phe are additive, and in the presence of the phorbol ester, the fMet-Leu-Phe induced effect declines to the level produced by the phorbol ester. These results suggest that: one of the signalling pathways for actin polymerization involves a guanine-nucleotide binding protein; actin polymerization mediated through this pathway is rapid, transient and inhibitable by pertussis toxin, and a second signalling pathway is independent of this guanine-nucleotide binding protein; actin polymerization, mediated by this second pathway, is somewhat slower, sustained and insensitive to pertussis toxin. These results are discussed in terms of a model which includes gelsolin, profilin and the pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine-nucleotide binding protein.     

Propionic acid-induced calcium mobilization in human neutrophils

The ability of propionic acid to elicit an increase in the level of cytoplasmic free calcium in human neutrophils was examined in detail. Propionic acid induced a rapid and dose-dependent mobilization of calcium that relied on both internal and external sources of calcium. The effects of propionic acid on the mobilization of calcium were inhibited by pertussis toxin, but not cholera toxin, implicating a guanine nucleotide binding protein. Furthermore, preincubation of the neutrophils with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate resulted in a decreased mobilization of calcium. This inhibitory activity of phorbol myristate acetate was antagonized by the protein kinase C inhibitor H-7. Preincubation of the cells with the synthetic chemotactic factor fMet-Leu-Phe caused a reduction in the magnitude of the calcium transient elicited by propionic acid. However, the calcium response to propionic acid was not affected by antagonists of fMet-Leu-Phe and platelet-activating factor binding or by an inhibitor of leukotriene synthesis. Propionic acid did not elicit a mobilization of calcium in monocytes, platelets, lymphocytes, or undifferentiated HL-60 cells. However, the treatment of the HL-60 cells with dimethylsulfoxide resulted in the appearance of a calcium response to propionic acid. The potential physiological significance of these findings are discussed.     

Protein-tyrosine phosphorylations induced by concanavalin A and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine in human neutrophils.

The ability of the lectin concanavalin A (ConA) and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLF) to induce protein-tyrosine phosphorylation in human neutrophils was examined by immunoblot analysis. ConA caused an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of protein bands with apparent molecular masses of 120, 80, 76, 66 and 40 kDa; on the other hand, fMLF caused an increase in those of only 80-kDa and 40-kDa proteins. These protein-tyrosine phosphorylations were time- and dose-dependent. The tyrosine phosphorylation of 40-kDa protein induced by fMLF was suppressed but that by ConA was not suppressed by pertussis toxin pretreatment. At the same time, pertussis toxin pretreatment also inhibited lysozyme release and aggregation of neutrophils induced by fMLF but did not inhibit those responses induced by ConA. These results suggest that the tyrosine phosphorylation of 40-kDa protein may be involved in a part of neutrophil activation and be regulated via pleiotropic signal transduction pathways. In addition, immunoblot analysis employing antibodies against microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) kinase suggested that this tyrosine-phosphorylated 40-kDa protein might be the MAP2 kinase.     

Bradykinin stimulates a rise in cytosolic calcium in renal glomerular mesangial cells via a pertussis toxin insensitive pathway

Bradykinin elicits a complex response in the renal glomerulus which includes a reduction in the glomerular capillary ultrafiltration coefficient. To elucidate the biochemical mechanism of this response, we investigated calcium signalling in rat renal glomerular mesangial cells in culture using the calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye, Indo-1. Bradykinin was found to cause a concentration-dependent transient rise in cytosolic free calcium followed by a sustained slower secondary rise. The bradykinin response persisted with acute removal of extracellular calcium using EGTA, indicating that calcium entry from outside the cell did not mediate this primary response. Prolonged exposure to EGTA, which reduced intracellular stores, eliminated the calcium response to bradykinin but not to vasopressin, indicating differential sensitivity to intracellular calcium stores of these two hormonal responses. In agreement, prior stimulation with vasopressin significantly attenuated the response to bradykinin, but the converse did not occur. Aluminum fluoride and pertussis toxin were used to investigate the possible involvement of a guanyl nucleotide regulatory protein in signal transduction. Aluminum fluoride induced a transient rise in cytosolic calcium that was abrogated by prior exposure of the cells to pertussis toxin. This demonstrates the effectiveness of pertussis toxin and the presence of a calcium-signalling pathway susceptible to pertussis toxin in these cells. In contrast, the responses to bradykinin and vasopressin were unaffected by pertussis toxin. We conclude that bradykinin stimulates release of calcium from intracellular stores in glomerular mesangial cells via a pertussis toxin insensitive pathway. This mesangial response provides a direct biochemical basis for the bradykinin-induced fall in glomerular capillary ultrafiltration coefficient which has been observed in vivo.     

Mechanism involved in the mobilization of neutrophil calcium by 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoate

5-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoate (5-HETE), like leukotriene B4 and platelet-activating factor, stimulated human polymorphonuclear neutrophils to mobilize intracellular calcium. The three compounds acted through mechanisms that were inhibited by pertussis toxin, cholera toxin, and PMA. Each agonist, furthermore, desensitized (or down-regulated) the neutrophil's calcium mobilization response to a second challenge with the same agonist. However, 5-HETE and leukotriene B4 had little or no activity in cross-desensitizing neutrophil responses to each other or to platelet-activating factor. Furthermore, 5-HETE interfered minimally or not at all with the binding of radiolabeled leukotriene B4 and platelet-activating factor to their respective receptors on neutrophils. Thus, 5-HETE mobilizes neutrophil calcium by a mechanism different from those used by leukotriene B4 and platelet-activating factor. This mechanism appears to involve specific 5-HETE receptors that couple to pertussis toxin-inhibitable, GTP-binding proteins.     

Role of gelsolin in actin depolymerization of adherent human neutrophils.

Human neutrophils generally function adherent to an extracellular matrix. We have previously reported that upon adhesion to laminin- or fibronectin-coated, but not uncoated, plastic there is a depolymerization of actin in neutrophils. This phenomenon was not affected by inhibitors of the more well-studied components of the signal transduction pathway, specifically, pertussis toxin, an inhibitor of G-proteins, H-7 or staurosporine, inhibitors of protein kinase C, or herbimycin A, an inhibitor of nonreceptor tyrosine kinase. We therefore focused our attention on actin-binding proteins and measured the changes in the partitioning of gelsolin between the Triton X-100-soluble and -insoluble cellular fractions which occur upon neutrophil adhesion by means of quantitating anti-gelsolin antibody binding to aliquots of these fractions. It was found that approximately 90% of the total cellular gelsolin was found in the Triton X-100-soluble fraction in suspended cells, but that upon adherence to either fibronectin- or laminin-coated plastic about 40% of the soluble gelsolin could be detected in the insoluble fraction. This effect was not observed in cells adherent to uncoated plastic, wherein more than 90% of the gelsolin was found in the soluble fraction. Results of immunofluorescence microscopy of these cell preparations was consistent with this data. A gelsolin translocation to the insoluble cellular actin network may account for a part of the observed actin depolymerization.     

Effects of calcium on light-activated GTP-binding proteins in squid photoreceptor membranes

1. At least two distinct G-proteins are activated by light in squid photoreceptor membranes, a 45,000 mol. wt cholera toxin substrate and a 40,000 mol. wt pertussis toxin substrate. 2. The light-stimulated GTPase activity is partially inhibited by pretreatment with either toxin and abolished by treatment with both toxins. 3. At 24 degrees C, a free calcium ion concentration of 1 microM inhibits GTPase activity of both toxin substrates and ADP ribosylation by pertussis toxin. 4. This calcium sensitivity of squid G-proteins may be important in interpretation of experimental results on the phosphoinositide or other signalling pathways in squid visual transduction.     

Effect of botulinum D toxin on neutrophils

Activated botulinum D toxin ADP-ribosylates a 22 kDa molecular weight protein in homogenates obtained by sonication of a suspension of rabbit peritoneal neutrophils. The ADP-ribosylation catalyzed by activated botulinum D toxin is inhibited in homogenates obtained from cells pretreated with the toxin, suggesting that it is able to enter into these cells and be activated by them. The rise in intracellular concentration of free calcium in toxin treated cells stimulated by fMet-Leu-Phe is similar to that found in control cells. The basal concentration of intracellular free calcium is significantly elevated in neutrophils treated with the intact but not with the activated form of the botulinum D toxin. Superoxide generation in control and native toxin treated cells stimulated with fMet-leu-Phe, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or opsonized zymosan is the same. The release of beta-glucosaminidase produced by fMet-Leu-Phe or Concanavalin A in botulinum D toxin treated neutrophils was slightly higher than the corresponding release in control cells. Furthermore, the fMet-Leu-Phe-induced increase in the amount of actin associated with the cytoskeleton is not inhibited by botulinum D toxin. These results suggest that the 22 kDa protein which can be ADP-ribosylated by botulinum D toxin is not involved in these stimulated neutrophil responses.     

Fluoride-mediated activation of guinea pig neutrophils

In guinea pig periotoneal neutrophils NaF at a concentration of above 5 mM elicited a dose-dependent, delayed and sustained activation of NADPH oxidase. Unlike in human neutrophils, in guinea pig cells, this response was independent of extracellular calcium. Fura2 fluorescence measurements indicated also a fluoride-mediated moderate elevation in the level of cytosolic calcium concentration. Pretreatment of neutrophils with pertussis toxin, blocked fluoride-promoted activation of NADPH oxidase, indicating that NaF stimulation was mediated by a G protein which is a pertussis toxin substrate. NaF-elicited calcium elevation was insensitive to the toxin. Upon transfer of NaF-stimulated cells to a fluoride-free medium, superoxide release declined and calcium levels diminished. The response of the deactivated, fluoride-prestimulated guinea pig neutrophils to a secondary stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or fMet-Leu-Phe, was either unaffected by the previous challenge with NaF (PMA) or augmented by it (the chemotactic peptide). In parallel to the activation of NADPH oxidase, NaF also induced translocation of protein kinase C to cell membranes. This effect was also abolished by a pretreatment with pertussis toxin.     

Effects of fibronectin on actin organization and respiratory burst activity in neutrophils,monocytes, and macrophages

Previous studies have shown that fibronectin (Fn) enhances phagocytosis and killing of antibody-coated bacteria by neutrophils and macrophages. In an attempt to understand the mechanism of this enhancement, we have investigated the effects of Fn on phagocytosis-related actin organization as well as respiratory burst activity in neutrophils, monocytes and culture-derived macrophages. Employing an NBD-phallacidin flow cytometric analysis of filamentous actin formation, we found that Fn promotes rapid actin polymerization within 30 seconds in neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages, but not lymphocytes. Enhancement of actin polymerization by Fn was concentration-dependent and mediated by a pertussis toxin- but not cholera toxin- sensitive G protein. Inhibition of protein kinase C by sphingosine (20 μM), calcium influx by verapamil (0.1 mM), or intracellular calcium mobilization by 8-(N, N-diethyl-amino) octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate HCI (TMB-8; 0.1 mM) did not block Fn-enhanced actin polymerization in phagocytes. Incubation of neutrophils and macrophages on microtiter plates precoated with Fn suppressed superoxide (O₂^?) production induced by IgG- and IgA- opsonized group B streptococci. In contrast, Fn significantly enhanced IgA- and IgG-mediated O₂^? production by freshly isolated monocytes. These data suggest that Fn enhances phagocytosis, presumably through G protein-coupled cytoskeleton reorganization and augments O₂^? production by circulating monocytes. In contrast, it appears to suppress O₂^? production by the active phagocytic cells, neutrophils and macrophages. This may result in enhanced phagocytosis and intracellular killing of microorganisms without damaging interstitial tissues. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Suppression of cytoskeletal rearrangement in activated human neutrophils by botulinum C2 toxin. Impact on cellular signal transduction.

Botulinum C2 toxin, a binary toxin which selectively ADP-ribosylates nonmuscle G-actin, was used to evaluate the role of cytoskeletal rearrangement in ligand-evoked signal transduction and secretory processes in human neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocyte). Preincubation with the combined toxin components reduced the basal F-actin content and nearly completely suppressed the actin assembly initiated by the peptide and lipid chemoattractants formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, platelet activating factor, and leukotriene B4. Superoxide production and elastase secretion were increased markedly under these conditions. Concomitantly, ligand-elicited phosphoinositide hydrolysis was augmented with particular increase in inositol monophosphate. This was paralleled by a severalfold amplification of diacylglycerol formation and sustained elevation of cytosolic calcium. The toxin-effected amplification of postreceptor events and secretory responses was most pronounced in response to formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine greater than platelet activating factor greater than leukotriene B4. All metabolic and secretory effects in C2 toxin-pretreated cells were sensitive to pertussis toxin inhibition. In conjunction with the recent finding of unchanged formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine receptor binding and dissociation dynamics under influence of C2 (Norgauer, J., Just, I., Aktories, K., and Sklar, L. A. (1989) J. Cell Biol. 109, 1133-1140), the present investigation suggests amplification of postreceptor events as a major mechanism underlying C2 toxin-related increase in polymorphonuclear leukocyte secretory responses. Cytoskeletal rearrangement, putatively linked to phosphoinositide turnover and calcium transients, thus appears to be operative in temporal and/or spatial limitation of chemoattractant-evoked cellular signal transduction.