Prolactin actions on casein and lipid biosynthesis in mouse and rabbit mammary gland explants are abolished by p-bromphenacyl bromide and quinacrine, phospholipase A2 inhibitors

p-Bromphenacyl bromide (BPB) at concentrations of 50 microM and above and quinacrine (50 microM) abolished the actions of prolactin (PRL) on casein and lipid biosynthesis in cultured mouse mammary gland explants. In cultured rabbit mammary gland explants, 100 microM BPB or quinacrine abolished the PRL stimulation of casein synthesis, while 50 microM BPB or 250 microM quinacrine abolished the PRL stimulation of lipid biosynthesis. Since BPB and quinacrine are known to inhibit the enzyme phospholipase A2 (PLA2), it is possible that ongoing PLA2 activity is essential for prolactin to express its actions on at least certain lactogenic processes.     

Studies on the possible role of protein kinase C in the prolactin regulation of cell replication in Nb2 node lymphoma cells

The results of several recent studies have indicated that protein kinase C (PKC) may be involved in the prolactin (PRL) stimulation of mitogenesis in the Nb2 node lymphoma cell line. The PKC activator 12-O-tetradeconylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) at certain concentrations has been shown to potentiate the mitogenic effect of PRL, whereas at higher concentrations, TPA inhibits the PRL response. Several inhibitors of PKC have also been shown to impair the PRL stimulation of metabolic process in the Nb2 cells. These studies provide further evidence for the likely involvement of PKC in the PRL stimulation of mitogenesis in the Nb2 cells. A transient, time-dependent accumulation of PKC in the particulate fraction of the Nb2 cells is observed in response to PRL. TPA is also shown to elicit a similar effect, albeit at a much earlier time and with a greater magnitude. On long-term exposure (3 days), high concentrations of TPA down-regulate the PKC enzyme; this down-regulation likely accounts for the inhibitory effect of high concentrations of TPA on the PRL stimulation of cell division. In further studies, the PKC inhibitors H-7 and gossypol were shown to inhibit the PRL stimulation of cell division in a concentration-dependent fashion.     

Effects of mezerein and diglycerides on the PRL stimulation of cell replication in Nb2 node lymphoma cells

These studies provide further support for the thesis that the activation of protein kinase C is likely involved in the prolactin (PRL) stimulation of mitogenesis in the Nb2 node lymphoma cell line. The diterpene mezerein is shown to potentiate the mitogenic effect of PRL at a hormone concentration which elicits a less than maximum response. A similar response was observed with two diglycerides, diolein and dicaprin. Neither mezerein nor the diglycerides affected the magnitude of response to a maximum stimulatory concentration of PRL.     

Influence of beta-radiation on human erythrocyte surface potential under eicosanoid metabolism inhibition

The aim of the research consisted in the study of influence of beta-radiation on response of erythrocyte surface potential to inhibitors of eicosanoid metabolism enzymes (cyclo-, lipoxygenase and phospholipase A2). It was shown, that inhibitors of phospholipase A2 (quinacrine, 10-100 microM), cyclooxygenase (aspirin, 10-100 microM) and cyclo- and lipoxygenase (BW755c, 1-100 microM) lowered electrophoretic mobility (EPM) of erythrocytes by 20-30%. An analogous effect can be exerted by beta-radiation. Nonradioactive leucine in the studied concentrations cannot simulate EPM erythrocytes. Response of cellular EPM to these inhibitors depended on their concentration in the incubation medium. Addition of 14C to the incubation medium changed response of EPM of cells to inhibitors of cyclo- and lipoxygenase but not to quinacrine. However beta-radiation fully abolished the stimulative action of nonspecific activator of phospholipase A2 (Ca-independent), H2O2, on cellular EPM. Under these conditions beta-radiation enhanced EPM response to aspirin only at concentration of 100 microM. The EPM response to BW755c is reduced by irradiation at all concentrations with the exception of equal-effective one (10 microM). Data obtained evidence for modification of eicosanoid metabolism by beta-radiation, probably, as a result of phospholipase A2 inhibition, as evident from elimination by radiation of stimulated action of hydrogen peroxide on EPM. The radiation action can also affect the cyclooxygenase lipoxygenase activity ratio, this activity being mediated by cellular membrane signaling systems.     

The possible involvement of protein kinase C(s) and inositol phosphate metabolism in the basal but not in the prolactin stimulated casein release by the lactating rabbit mammary epithelial cell.

The secretagogue effect of prolactin (PRL) on casein release by epithelial mammary cells has been previously related to stimulation of the phospholipase A2-arachidonic acid cascade. In order to determine whether other intracellular pathways are implicated in this secretagogue effect, different agents acting on protein kinase C (PKC) and phospholipase C (PLC) activity have been assessed in vitro in lactating rabbit mammary gland fragments. Phorbol ester (20 nm TPA and 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (10 microM (OAG) stimulated newly synthesized casein secretion and potentiated the PRL secretatogue effect. However, 100 microM quercetin, 100 microM H-7 and 5 and 20 nM staurosporine did not inhibit the latter effect. Exogenous PLC did not stimulate casein secretion. PRL did not affect production of inositol phosphates (IPs) during 10 or 60 min exposure. These results show that PKC activation may increase basal levels of casein secretion, and demonstrate that PRL does not act primarily via PKC activation or by PLC activation to stimulate casein secretion.     

Characteristics of the action of prolactin on [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA in mammary gland explants from virgin mice

The prolactin stimulation of the rate of [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA in mammary gland explants from virgin C3H mice was studied. The onset of this effect occurred between one and two days after adding prolactin to the culture medium. Prolactin effected an enhanced rate of [3H]-thymidine incorporation at all concentrations from 10 ng/ml to 10 micrograms/ml. The response is essentially an "all or none" phenomenon since the effect at 10 ng/ml was not different from that at 10 micrograms/ml. Hydrocortisone was not essential from the prolactin response, but it did significantly increase the basal rate of [3H]-thymidine incorporation. Both quinacrine (an inhibitor of phospholipase A2 activity) and indomethacin (an inhibitor of prostaglandin biosynthesis) abolished the action of prolactin on [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA.     

Prolactin secretion in permeable GH3 pituitary cells is stimulated by Ca2+ and protein kinase C activators

We have used GH3 cells permeabilized by electric field discharge to examine the effects of Ca2+ and protein kinase C activators (phorbol ester and diacylglycerol) on prolactin (PRL) release. Ca2+ was found to stimulate PRL release approximately 4 fold at 3 microM Ca2+ with a half-maximal response at approximately .5 microM estimated free Ca2+. 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate and 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol stimulated PRL release throughout a range of Ca2+ concentrations (1 nM -3 microM), but stimulation was greater at higher Ca2+ concentrations (.1 microM to 1 microM). Both agents decreased by 1.8 fold the apparent [Ca2+] at which half-maximal stimulation of secretion occurred. Quin 2 was used to measure the free [Ca2+] of intact and permeable cells; PRL secretion at a free [Ca2+] corresponding to resting cytoplasmic [Ca2+] was 10% of maximal, while secretion at the [Ca2+] corresponding to the Ca2+ spike induced by thyrotropin-releasing hormone was approximately 25% of maximal.     

Prolactin stimulation of iodide uptake and incorporation into protein is polyamine-dependent in mouse mammary gland explants

Previous studies have demonstrated that the prolactin stimulation of most lactational processes (casein, lactose, and triglyceride synthesis) requires an earlier stimulating effect of prolactin on the synthesis of the polyamines. Spermidine appears to be the specific polyamine required for prolactin to enhance milk product synthesis. Inorganic iodide is present in milk at more than an order of magnitude higher concentration than that of the maternal plasma. Since prolactin stimulates iodide accumulation in milk, the goal of these studies was to determine the role of the polyamines in this hormone response. Two drugs were employed in these studies: DFMO (difluoromethylornithine), which inhibits ornithine decarboxylase, and MGBG [methylglyoxal bis(guanyl-hydrazone)], which inhibits S-adenosyl methionine decarboxylase. In mammary gland explants from midpregnant (10-14 days of pregnancy) mice, MGBG at 100 microM abolished the prolactin stimulation of iodide uptake and incorporation into milk proteins, whereas DFMO caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of the PRL response. Selected sensitivity of the MGBG and DFMO inhibitions was validated by a reversal of the drug inhibitions with the addition of 1 mM spermidine to the culture medium. These data suggest that the polyamine signaling pathway is involved in the prolactin stimulation of iodide uptake into milk.     

Characteristics of the early effect of prolactin on lactose biosynthesis in mouse mammary gland explants

These studies were carried out to characterize the early effect of prolactin (PRL) on lactose biosynthesis in cultured mammary gland explants derived from 12- to 14-day pregnant mice. The rate of lactose biosynthesis was assessed by the rate of radiolabeled glucose incorporation into lactose. For the rapid isolation of lactose, a new method which involves the use of thin-layer chromatography on cellulose-impregnated plastic sheets was employed. The onset of the PRL stimulation of [3H]glucose incorporation into lactose occurred 6-8 hr after exposing the explants to PRL. The response to PRL was essentially all or none with maximum responses occurring with PRL concentrations above 25 ng/ml. The lowest stimulatory concentration of PRL was 10 ng/ml. The action of PRL on lactose biosynthesis requires both ongoing RNA and protein synthesis since puromycin, cyclohexamide, and actinomycin D abolished the PRL effect.     

3-phenylacetylamino-2,6-piperidinedione inhibition of rat Nb2 lymphoma cell mitogenesis

3-Phenylacetylamino-2,6-piperidinedione (A10), an amino acid analog, has been reported to possess antineoplastic activity against certain neoplastic tissues. The antimitogenic properties of A10 were studied by determining its effect on prolactin (PRL)- and interleukin 2 (IL-2)-stimulated mitogenic responses in the rat Nb2 lymphoma cell line. The addition of A10 (1-12 mM) to PRL (0.4 ng/ml)-stimulated cells inhibited growth in a dose-dependent manner. DNA synthesis patterns studied by thymidine incorporation demonstrated that A10 was significantly inhibitory (25% at 20 hr; 50% at 40 hr, P less than 0.01). IL-2 stimulation of mitogenesis was also sensitive to A10 inhibition. The inhibition of PRL stimulated mitogenesis was reversible when A10 was removed after 24 hr of culture and A10 showed no toxicity in a chromium release assay. These data suggest that A10 effects may be cytostatic, rather than cytotoxic.     

Studies on the mechanism by which prolactin regulates protein, RNA, and DNA synthesis in Nb2 node lymphoma cells

Specific aspects of the prolactin stimulation of RNA, DNA and protein synthesis in the Nb2 node lymphoma cell line were determined. In time sequence studies the onset of the prolactin stimulation of the incorporation of radiolabeled precursors into these macromolecules was found to be 0.5-1 h for [3H]uridine incorporation into RNA, 1-2 h for [3H]leucine incorporation into protein, and 4-8 h for [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA. The total DNA content of the cell cultures was increased by 12-18 hours after addition of prolactin. Amiloride, an inhibitor of the plasma-membrane-bound Na+/H+ antiporter, was found to inhibit the mitogenic effects of prolactin. Amiloride was also found to inhibit the prolactin stimulation of DNA, RNA and protein synthesis, thus suggesting that the initial regulation of the Na+/H+ antiporter may initiate these responses as well as the mitogenic effect of prolactin. In contrast, H-7, a drug which inhibits protein kinase C, had no effect on the magnitude of the prolactin stimulation of DNA, RNA or protein synthesis at a drug concentration (100 muM) that abolished the mitogenic effect of prolactin. The early effects of prolactin on RNA, DNA and protein synthesis would therefore appear not to involve an activation of protein kinase C.     

Limits to the early increase in free cytoplasmic calcium concentration during the mitogenic stimulation of lymphocytes.

Three aspects of the calcium hypothesis we have proposed previously [Metcalfe, Pozzan, Smith & Hesketh (1980) Biochem. Soc. Symp. 45, 1-26] for the control of mitogenic stimulation of lymphocytes are examined in studies on the mitogenic action of the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 and its effect on cap formation. (1) Pig lymphocytes that were mitogenically stimulated by continuous incubation with 3H-labelled A23187 for 48 h contained between 3 and 15 amol of ionophore per cell. Lymphocytes exposed to 3H-labelled A23187 for 2h before washing the cells and resuspending them in ionophore-free medium were only stimulated mitogenically at 48h if the residual ionophore associated with the cells after washing was in the concentration range 3-15 amol per cell. When the cells were washed repeatedly after 2h incubation with ionophore to reduce the cell-associated ionophore below the critical concentration range, no mitogenic stimulation occurred as a result of short-term exposure to any ionophore concentration. Re-addition of ionophore to within the indicated range of cell-associated concentrations restored mitogenic stimulation at 48h. We conclude that large, short-term Ca2+ fluxes into the cells induced by the ionophore cannot generate a mitogenic signal that commits the cells to enter the cell cycle. (2) Further experiments with the ionophore showed that detectable mitogenic stimulation at 48h required a minimum of 3h exposure to optimal ionophore concentrations, and that maximal stimulation required at least 20h exposure. This is consistent with the view that a prolonged increase in the free cytoplasmic calcium concentration is required to stimulate the maximum proportion of the cells into the cell cycle. (3) Mouse splenic lymphocytes treated for short periods with very high ionophore concentrations (30 microM) in the presence of various external Ca2+ concentrations showed significant inhibition of cap formation of surface immunoglobulin receptors in the range 1-10 microM-Ca2+ in normal or depolarizing medium. We conclude that mitogens at optimal concentrations for the stimulation of lymphocytes do not cause any early increase in the free cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration above 10 microM.     

Phosphatidylethanolamine turnover is an early event in the response of NB2 lymphoma cells to prolactin

The effect of prolactin on phospholipid metabolism in the prolactin-dependent rat lymphoma cell line Nb2 was investigated in cells prelabeled with [3H]arachidonic acid or [3H]ethanolamine. Prolactin (20 ng/ml) caused (a) a 20-60% loss of radiolabeled phosphatidylethanolamine within 0.5 to 2 min, (b) a loss of [3H]ethanolamine-labeled phosphatidylethanolamine from crude membranes, (c) a rapid accumulation of [3H]phosphoethanolamine and [3H]ethanolamine, and (d) a transient increase (15 s to 2 min) in prostaglandin F2 alpha and E2. Arachidonic acid (1-2 micrograms/ml) induced Nb2 cell growth but prostaglandin F2 alpha, E2, ethanolamine, and phosphoethanolamine did not. Prostaglandin E2 inhibited while prostaglandin F2 alpha enhanced growth in the presence of prolactin or arachidonic acid. These results suggest that stimulation of Nb2 cell growth by prolactin is linked to activation of a phosphatidylethanolamine-specific phospholipase C. Arachidonic acid and prostaglandin F2 alpha may participate in regulating the mitogenic action of prolactin.     

Characterization of a phospholipase C activity regulated by the purified Gh in reconstitution systems.

Recently, we have reported that the isolated guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein, Gh, couples to the alpha 1-adrenergic receptor (Im, M.-J., and Graham, R. M. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 18944-18951 and Im, M.-J., Riek, R.P., and Graham, R. M. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 18952-18960) and has a molecular mass of approximately 74 kDa, and the approximately 50-kDa protein which is copurified probably regulates guanine nucleotide binding of the 74-kDa GTP-binding protein. In this paper, we describe the role of purified Gh in the regulation of phospholipase C in the reconstitution system. The stimulation of phospholipase C activity by Gh effectively occurred at a low calcium concentration (less than or equal to 2 microM), but the phospholipase C (PLC) itself required at least 50-100 times more calcium to become fully activated. The characteristic nature of phospholipase C stimulation by Gh is its response to the calcium concentration. Thus, the enzyme activity changes in narrow submicromolar ranges and reaches maximal stimulation, but it does not extend to the levels above those stimulated by calcium alone. The calcium concentrations for the maximal stimulation of phospholipase C activity were 10-20 microM with phospholipid vesicles and 100-200 microM with detergent solution. These calcium concentrations were further decreased when Gh and phospholipase C were co-reconstituted into the phospholipid vesicles or in the detergent solution. The maximal stimulations of the PLC activity were reached at less than 5 microM calcium in both the vesicles and the detergent solution. The changes of calcium concentration for the activation of PLC are quite different from those obtained by reconstituting PLC-beta 1 with Gq-like G-proteins (Smarcka, A. V., Hepler, J. R., Brown, K. O., and Sternweis, P. C. (1991) Science 251, 804-807 and Taylor, S. J., Chae, H. Z., Rhee, S. G., and Exton, J. H. (1991) Nature 350, 516-518). The phospholipase C activity was stimulated in a Gh concentration-dependent manner in the presence of GTP gamma S. The phospholipase C activity was activated by Gh alpha in the presence of aluminum fluoride, but not by Gh beta. Furthermore, a Gh.PLC complex can be induced by incubation with aluminum fluoride in a detergent solution and partially purified without the dissociation of related proteins. Thus, our reconstitution studies show that the pattern of stimulation of PLC by AIF-4-activated Gh in the ternary complex is similar to the stimulation of PLC activated by Gh in both detergent solution and phospholipid vesicles.     

Stimulation of arachidonic acid metabolism via phospholipase A2 by triethyl lead

Human blood platelet aggregation and the formation of icosanoids were studied in response to triethyl lead chloride (Et3PbCl). Concentrations higher than 75 microM stimulate platelets to aggregate, whereas low concentrations (less than or equal to 20 microM) caused platelet hypersensitivity to aggregating agents such as collagen or arachidonic acid. Incubation of suspensions of washed platelets with Et3PbCl resulted in a stimulated liberation and subsequent metabolism of arachidonic acid. This response was dependent on the concentration of Et3PbCl and the incubation time. Using low concentrations of Et3PbCl and up to 3 h of incubation, the lipoxygenase product 12-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-icosatetraenoic acid was the major metabolite. Under normal conditions, however, stimulation of platelets with collagen, thrombin, or arachidonic acid leads to higher amounts of the cyclooxygenase products 12-hydroxy-5,8,10-heptadecatrienoic acid and thromboxane B2. The aggregation of human platelets induced by Et3PbCl was inhibited by three different drugs: acetylsalicylic acid, forskolin and quinacrine; but only quinacrine could prevent the liberation of arachidonic acid and the appearance of its metabolites. These specific effects of the inhibitors on Et3PbCl-stimulated platelets as well as the differences in the pattern of arachidonic acid metabolites and phosphatidic acid suggest a direct stimulatory action of Et3PbCl on platelet phospholipase A2.     

Arachidonic Acid Release and Catecholamine Secretion from Digitonin-Treated Chromaffin Cells: Effects of Micromolar Calcium, Phorbol Ester, and Protein Alkylating Agents

The relationship between catecholamine secretion and arachidonic acid release from digitonin-treated chromaffin cells was investigated. Digitonin renders permeable the plasma membranes of bovine adrenal chromaffin cells to Ca2+, ATP, and proteins. Digitonin-treated cells undergo exocytosis of catecholamine in response to micromolar Ca2+ in the medium. The addition of micromolar Ca2+ to digitonin-treated chromaffin cells that had been prelabeled with [3H]arachidonic acid caused a marked increase in the release of [3H]arachidonic acid. The time course of [3H]arachidonic acid release paralleled catecholamine secretion. Although [3H]arachidonic acid release and exocytosis were both activated by free Ca2+ in the micromolar range, the activation of [3H]arachidonic acid release occurred at Ca2+ concentrations slightly lower than those required to activate exocytosis. Pretreatment of the chromaffin cells with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) or p-bromophenacyl bromide (BPB) resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of 10 microM Ca2+-stimulated [3H]arachidonic acid release and exocytosis. The IC50 of NEM for both [3H]arachidonic acid release and exocytosis was 40 microM. The IC50 of BPB for both events was 25 microM. High concentrations (5-20 mM) of Mg2+ caused inhibition of catecholamine secretion without altering [3H]arachidonic acid release. A phorbol ester that activates protein kinase C, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), caused enhancement of both [3H]arachidonic acid release and exocytosis. The findings demonstrate that [3H]arachidonic acid release is stimulated during catecholamine secretion from digitonin-treated chromaffin cells and they are consistent with a role for phospholipase A2 in exocytosis from chromaffin cells. Furthermore the data suggest that protein kinase C can modulate both arachidonic acid release and exocytosis.     

Effect of prolactin on sodium iodide symporter expression in mouse mammary gland explants

Iodide accumulates in milk at a concentration that is more than an order of magnitude higher than the iodide concentration in maternal plasma. In earlier studies from our laboratory, we have shown that prolactin (PRL) enhances iodide accumulation by two- to threefold in cultured mammary tissues taken from pregnant mice. In the present studies, we demonstrate via Western blotting techniques that prolactin elevates the quantity of the sodium iodide symporter (NIS) in cultured mouse mammary tissues. In time-course studies, the onset of the PRL effect of NIS accumulation was found to be between 4 and 16 h after addition of PRL to the explants. The lowest PRL concentration that elicited a significant response was 1 ng/ml, and a maximum effect was elicited with PRL concentrations >100 ng/ml. Actinomycin D, cycloheximide, and thiocyanate abolished the PRL effect on NIS accumulation, whereas perchlorate was without effect. These studies suggest that the PRL stimulation of iodide accumulation in milk is mediated, at least in part, by the PRL stimulation of NIS accumulation in mammary gland tissues. These studies further demonstrate that the PRL effect on NIS accumulation occurs via an RNA protein synthesis-dependent mechanism.     

Evidence that IP3 and ryanodine-sensitive intra-cellular Ca2+ stores are not involved in acute hyposmotically-induced prolactin release in Tilapia.

Prolactin (PRL) cells from the euryhaline tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus, behave like osmoreceptors by responding directly to reductions in medium osmolality with increased secretion of the osmoregulatory hormone PRL. Extracellular Ca(2+) is essential for the transduction of a hyposmotic stimulus into PRL release. In the current study, the presence and possible role of intracellular Ca(2+) stores during hyposmotic stimulation was investigated using pharmacological approaches. Changes in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration were measured with fura-2 in isolated PRL cells. Intracellular Ca(2+) stores were depleted in dispersed PRL cells with thapsigargin (1 microM) or cyclopiazonic acid (CPA, 10 microM). Pre-incubation with thapsigargin prevented the rise in [Ca(2+)](i) induced by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA, 1 microM), an activator of the IP(3) signalling cascade, but did not prevent the hyposmotically-induced rise in [Ca(2+)](i) in medium with normal [Ca(2+)] (2mM). Pre-treatment with CPA produced similar results. Prolactin release from dispersed cells followed a pattern that paralleled observed changes in [Ca(2+)](i). CPA inhibited LPA-induced prolactin release but not hyposmotically-induced release. Xestospongin C (1microM), an inhibitor of IP(3) receptors, had no effect on hyposmotically-induced PRL release. Pre-exposure to caffeine (10mM) or ryanodine (1microM) did not prevent a hyposmotically-induced rise in [Ca(2+)](i). Taken together these results indicate the presence of IP(3) and ryanodine-sensitive Ca(2+) stores in tilapia PRL cells. However, the rapid rise in intracellular [Ca(2+)] needed for acute PRL release in response to hyposmotic medium can occur independently of these intracellular Ca(2+) stores.     

In vivo and in vitro effects of cholecystokinin octapeptide on the release of prolactin in rats

The effect of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) on the release of prolactin (PRL) in rats was studied in vivo and in vitro. Intravenous injection of 5 micrograms/100 g BW of CCK-8 resulted in significant increase in the plasma PRL level after 10 and 20 min. CCK-8 at concentrations of 10(-11) M to 10(-7) M also caused dose-dependent stimulation of PRL release from dispersed cells of rat anterior pituitary. On the other hand, dopamine inhibited PRL release from dispersed cells of rat anterior pituitary in a dose-related manner at concentrations of 10(-8) M to 10(-6) M. Release of PRL from the cells was increased by addition of K+ at high concentration (53 mM) in a Ca++-dependent manner. Addition of 10(-3) M verapamil to the incubation medium inhibited CCK-8-induced PRL release from the cells. Addition of dopamine (10(-7) M) to the incubation medium inhibited PRL release from the cells induced by CCK-8 or high K+ (53 mM). These results indicate that CCK-8 acts directly on the anterior pituitary cells to stimulate PRL release and that calcium ion is involved in the mechanism of this effect.     

Defining the role of protein kinase c in calcium-ionophore-(A23187)-mediated activation of phospholipase A2 in pulmonary endothelium.

We sought to investigate the mechanisms by which the calcium ionophore A23187 triggers arachidonic acid release in bovine pulmonary endothelial cells and to test the hypothesis that protein kinase C is involved in this process. Our results indicate that the mechanism by which A23187 increases phospholipase A2 activity and arachidonic acid release in bovine pulmonary arterial endothelial cells depends upon the concentration studied. At concentrations of 1 microM and 2.5 microM, A23187 increases phospholipase A2 activity and arachidonic acid release without stimulating protein kinase C. At concentrations of 5-12.5 microM, A23187 increases arachidonic acid release and phospholipase A2 activity in conjunction with a dose-dependent activation of membrane-bound protein kinase C. To test the hypothesis that these doses of A23187 increase phospholipase A2 activity by stimulating protein kinase C, we studied the effect of prior treatment with the protein kinase C inhibitor sphingosine. Sphingosine inhibits the increase in phospholipase A2 activity and arachidonic acid release caused by A23187 over the range 5-12.5 microM. To investigate further the potential role of protein kinase C, we studied the effects of the inactive phorbol ester 4 alpha-phorbol 12 beta-myristate 13 alpha-acetate (4 alpha-PMA) and an active phorbol ester 4 beta-phorbol 12 beta-myristate 13 alpha-acetate (4 beta PMA). Neither 4 alpha-PMA nor 4 beta-PMA affected basal arachidonic acid release. 4 alpha-PMA also did not augment the effects of A23187. In contrast, 4 beta-PMA significantly augments the increase in phospholipase A2 activity and arachidonic acid release caused by lower doses of A23187. Under these conditions, sphingosine completely inhibits the stimulatory effects of 4 beta-PMA on protein kinase C translocation, phospholipase A2 and arachidonic acid release. Thus, at low doses (1 microM and 2.5 microM) A23187 increases phospholipase A2 activity and arachidonic acid release by a mechanism that does not involve protein kinase C. At these A23187 doses, activating membrane-bound protein kinase C with 4 beta-PMA causes a synergistic increase in phospholipase A2 activity and arachidonic acid release. At higher doses (5-12.5 microM), A23187 acts in large part by stimulating protein kinase C translocation. Overall, our results indicate that activating membrane-bound protein kinase C by itself is an insufficient stimulus to increase phospholipase A2 activity and arachidonic acid release in pulmonary endothelial cells, but activating protein kinase C can substantially augment the increase in phospholipase A2 activity and arachidonic acid caused by a small increase in intracellular calcium.