Arachidonic acid release by bombesin. A novel postreceptor target for heterologous mitogenic desensitization

Prolonged exposure of Swiss 3T3 cells to vasopressin causes heterologous mitogenic desensitization to bombesin and structurally related peptides including gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) without down-regulation of the bombesin receptor. The number and affinity of bombesin/GRP receptor sites and modulation of 125I-GRP binding by guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) are unaffected in membrane preparations from vasopressin-treated cultures. Stimulation of inositol phosphate accumulation, mobilization of intracellular calcium, production of diacylglycerol, and transmodulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor by bombesin are similarly unaffected. Thus, the heterologous mitogenic desensitization is not due to uncoupling of bombesin receptor from transducing G protein(s) or to an inability to activate phospholipase C. Bombesin, unlike vasopressin, causes a rapid dose-dependent release of [3H]arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E2 from Swiss 3T3 cells (EC50 approximately 4 nM), which is inhibited by the specific bombesin receptor antagonist [Leu13-psi(CH2NH)-Leu14]bombesin. Crucially, release of [3H]arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E2 by bombesin is completely suppressed by prolonged pretreatment with vasopressin (EC50 = 0.6 nM). The mitogenic action of bombesin is restored by adding arachidonic acid to vasopressin-treated cells. We conclude first that arachidonic acid release is an early signal in the mitogenic response to bombesin and second that pretreatment with vasopressin induces heterologous mitogenic desensitization to bombesin by a novel mechanism: inhibition of arachidonic acid release.     

Desensitization of the human V2 vasopressin receptor. Homologous effects in the absence of heterologous desensitization.

Three main pathways have been implicated in desensitization of receptors that stimulate adenylylcyclase (AC): cAMP-mediated phosphorylation; cAMP-independent phosphorylation, and receptor internalization. Cell lines derived from the murine Ltk- cell were found useful in exploring the contribution of cAMP-dependent phosphorylation in V2 vasopressin receptor desensitization. The HTB-2 cell expresses the human V2 vasopressin receptor, introduced by transfection of human genomic DNA, and the prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) receptor, endogenous to the Ltk- cell. The A7 cell expresses the hamster beta 2-adrenoceptor, which undergoes the above-mentioned desensitization processes. Treatment of HTB-2 cells with arginine-vasopressin (AVP) had no effect on AC responsiveness to PGE1, but promoted desensitization of the AVP response. This was seen as a 5-6-fold right shift in the dose-response curves for AVP action (cAMP accumulation in intact cells and AC stimulation in homogenates and isolated membranes) and in a decrease in the maximum effect of AVP on these parameters. AVP treatment caused a decrease in cell surface receptors to approximately 75% of control without changes in KD, as determined by Scatchard analysis. When cAMP was increased by treatment with 10 microM PGE1 and isobutylmethylxanthine, desensitization of the PGE1 receptor was observed but not of the AVP receptor. In A7 cells the same treatment caused, as expected, a 3-fold right shift in the dose-response curve for AC stimulation by isoproterenol, indicating that L cells can mediate heterologous desensitization. These data demonstrate that the V2 vasopressin and the PGE1 receptors undergo homologous desensitization in the absence of cAMP-mediated phosphorylation and that this component is not required for vasopressin receptor internalization.     

Vasopressin V1a receptor signaling in a rat choroid plexus cell line

A new cell line was derived from primary culture of rat choroid plexus (RCP) by immortalization with the TSOri minus adenovirus. The selected clone expressed vasopressin V1a receptors at a density of 64,000 sites per cell, and a K(d) of 7.2 nM. Addition of vasopressin to the RCP cells induced a transient calcium peak comparable to V1a receptor signalling in different expression systems. This [Ca(2+)](i) increase was dose-dependent with an EC(50) of 22 nM vasopressin. Similar [Ca(2+)](i) increase was elicited by addition of serotonin, angiotensin II, endothelin-1, and bradykinin. Heterologous desensitization of V1a receptor was observed in RCP cells exposed to the phorbol ester PMA or following stimulation of other receptors coupled to the phosphoinositide pathway. Positive immunolabelling with Factor VIII, Flt1 and CD 34 antibodies suggests that this new RCP cell line originated from endothelial cells of rat choroid plexus.     

Decreased PDGF Receptor Kinase Activity in Fibroblasts Contracting Stressed Collagen Matrices

Fibroblasts cultured in mechanically stressed collagen matrices proliferate, whereas cells in floating collagen matrices become quiescent. Previous research indicated that one factor contributing to cell quiescence in floating matrices was reduced receptor autophosphorylation in response to PDGF stimulation (i.e., PDGF receptor desensitization). To learn more about the mechanism of PDGF receptor desensitization, we analyzed changes in PDGF receptor autophosphorylation and receptor kinase activity after stressed collagen matrices were switched to floating conditions, which results in rapid cell contraction and dissipation of mechanical stress. PDGF receptor desensitization occurred during contraction stimulated by serum but not in the absence of serum, and desensitization was prevented by inhibitors of contraction but not by inhibitors of the contraction-activated cyclic AMP signaling pathway. Receptor desensitization resulted from decreased receptor kinase activity rather than from elevated protein tyrosine phosphatase activity, and only receptors unoccupied at the time of contraction were affected. After contraction, radiolabeled PDGF binding to the cells was decreased, which suggested that receptor desensitization resulted from a contraction-dependent change in receptor availability or affinity.     

Heparin amplifies platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)- BB-induced PDGF alpha -receptor but not PDGF beta -receptor tyrosine phosphorylation in heparan sulfate-deficient cells. Effects on signal transduction and biological responses

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) induces mitogenic and migratory responses in a wide variety of cells, by activating specific receptor tyrosine kinases denoted the PDGF alpha- and beta-receptors. Different PDGF isoforms bind in a distinct manner to glycosaminoglycans, particularly heparan sulfate. In the present study, we show potentiation by exogenous heparin of PDGF-BB-induced PDGF alpha-receptor tyrosine phosphorylation in heparan sulfate-deficient Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) 677 cells. This effect was not seen for PDGF-AA treatment, and heparin lacked a potentiating effect on PDGF-BB stimulation of the PDGF beta-receptor. Heparin did not affect the affinity of PDGF-BB binding for the PDGF receptors on CHO 677 cells. The PDGF-BB-stimulated PDGF alpha-receptor phosphorylation was enhanced in a dose-dependent fashion by heparin at low concentration. The effect was modulated by 2-O- and 6-O-desulfation of the polysaccharide. Maximal induction of PDGF alpha-receptor tyrosine phosphorylation (6-fold) in CHO 677 cells was achieved by treatment with a heparin decasaccharide, but shorter oligosaccharides consisting of four or more monosaccharide units were also able to augment PDGF alpha-receptor phosphorylation, albeit at higher concentrations. Heparin potentiated PDGF-BB-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and protein kinase B (Akt) and allowed increased chemotaxis of the CHO 677 cells toward PDGF-BB. In conclusion, heparin modulates PDGF-BB-induced PDGF alpha-receptor phosphorylation and downstream signaling, with consequences for cellular responsiveness to the growth factor.     

Differential inhibitory effects of TGF-beta on EGF-, PDGF-, and HBGF-1-stimulated MG63 human osteosarcoma cell growth: possible involvement of growth factor interactions at the receptor and postreceptor levels

The growth of MG63 human osteosarcoma cell line in 5% serum is stimulated by epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), or heparin-binding growth factor-1 (HBGF-1). The mitogenic effect of EGF and PDGF is completely blocked by TFG-beta at 1 ng per ml and the effect of HBGF-1 is attenuated by 75-80%. Treatment of MG63 cells with TGF-beta reduces HBGF-1 receptor binding affinity from 1.24 x 10(-11) M to 3.51 x 10(-11) M with no change on the receptor number (1.1 x 10(3) per cell). The receptor-binding affinity of EGF and PDGF is not altered by TGF-beta treatment; however, the number of EGF receptor is increased by 25%. Both EGF and PDGF stimulate MG63 cellular tyrosine kinase activity, and such stimulation is inhibited by TGF-beta pretreatment. No change in the cellular protein tyrosine phosphorylation pattern can be detected in HBGF-1-stimulated cells with and without TGF-beta pretreatment. These data suggest that TGF-beta inhibits EGF and PDGF mitogenicity by blocking EGF- and PDGF-stimulated tyrosine kinase activity and attenuates HBGF-1 mitogenicity by decreasing its receptor affinity.     

Homologous and heterologous desensitization mediated by vasopressin in smooth muscle cells

Prolonged exposure of A-10 cells to Arginine Vasopressin (AVP) resulted in the following responses: (a) loss of vasopressin receptors from the cell surface (30-40%), (b) increased basal levels of inositol and inositol monophosphate, (c) decreased inositol di- and trisphosphate production and decreased intracellular calcium release in response to a second challenge with AVP, (d) attenuation of AVP-mediated inhibition of isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP and ANF-stimulated cGMP accumulation and (e) attenuation of thrombin and ATP-mediated increase in inositol di- and trisphosphate accumulation and intracellular calcium release. All the above responses depended on the time of exposure of the cells to AVP with the responses being attenuated as early as 5-10 min of exposure to AVP. The desensitization also depended on the concentration of AVP used with 50% of maximal desensitization for each response being observed at 5 nM of AVP. This concentration of AVP corresponded well with the Kd of vasopressin for binding to these sites. Desensitization of protein kinase C (PKC) by prolonged exposure of the cells to PDBu or addition of the PKC inhibitor staurosporine during pretreatment with AVP did not prevent AVP-mediated desensitization, suggesting that PKC may not be involved in AVP-mediated desensitization in smooth muscle cells. It is concluded that AVP induced both homologous and heterologous desensitization of phosphatidylinositol turnover and calcium release in smooth muscle cells. The desensitization processes did not appear to be mediated by protein kinase C. The possibility that the locus of the heterologous desensitization may be at the level of substrates such as PI, PIP and PIP2 is discussed.     

Homologous and heterologous phosphorylation of the vasopressin V1a receptor

The vasopressin V1a receptor undergoes homologous and heterologous desensitizations which can be mimicked by activation of protein kinase C. This suggests that phosphorylation of the V1a receptor may be involved in the desensitization mechanisms. Such a phosphorylation was presently investigated in HEK 293 cells stably transfected with rat vasopressin V1a receptor. Metabolic labelling and immunoprecipitation of epitope-tagged V1a receptor evidenced a 52-kDa band and a 92-kDa band. Glycosidase treatments and immunoblotting experiments suggest that the 52-kDa band corresponds to an immature unprocessed receptor protein, whereas the 92-kDa band would correspond to a highly glycosylated form of the mature V1a receptor. Exposure of the cells to vasopressin induced a selective 32P phosphate incorporation in the 92-kDa form of the receptor. This homologous ligand-induced phosphorylation was dose dependent with maximal phosphate incorporation corresponding to four times the basal level. Stimulation of the endogenous phospholipase C-coupled m3 muscarinic receptor by carbachol-induced heterologous phosphorylation of the V1a receptor whose amplitude was half that of the homologous phosphorylation. This heterologous phosphorylation was associated with a reduced vasopressin-dependent increase in intracellular calcium.     

Desensitization of Sertoli cell-enriched cultures by FSH, L-isoproterenol and glucagon. Influence on subsequent stimulation of 17 beta-estradiol production

Sertoli cell-enriched cultures derived from 19-day old rats were exposed to FSH, L-isoproterenol, glucagon and dbcAMP for 24 up to 96 h. The influence of primary stimulation with these agonists on the response of the cells to subsequent stimulation with the homologous or heterologous agonists was investigated. Particular attention was paid to the response of the aromatase system defined as the ability of the cells to convert testosterone into 17 beta-estradiol. The responsiveness of this system was compared with the responsiveness of two other systems: adenylate cyclase and phosphodiesterase. It could be demonstrated that preincubation with the mentioned agonists results in a decreased responsiveness (maximal response) and a decreased sensitivity (ED50) upon re-stimulation with the homologous agonists. Preincubation with FSH also provokes partial desensitization for glucagon and L-isoproterenol. This heterologous desensitization can be mimicked by dbcAMP. The mentioned desensitization reactions are accompanied by a marked decrease in the accumulation of cAMP in the medium. Whereas desensitization of the adenylate cyclase occurs rapidly, desensitization of the aromatase response requires protracted stimulation for 3-4 days. In contrast with the adenylate cyclase and the aromatase system, the responsiveness of phosphodiesterase to FSH, L-isoproterenol, glucagon and dbcAMP is not affected by repeated stimulation for 96 h. It is concluded that hormonal desensitization affects both early (cAMP) and late (aromatase) responses of the Sertoli cell. However, some responses, such as phosphodiesterase activity seem to escape the desensitization process.     

Bombesin and platelet-derived growth factor stimulate formation of inositol phosphates and Ca2+ mobilization in Swiss 3T3 cells by different mechanisms.

Highly purified platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) or recombinant PDGF stimulate DNA synthesis in quiescent Swiss 3T3 cells. The dose-response curves for the natural and recombinant factors were similar, with half-maximal responses at 2-3 ng/ml and maximal responses at approx. 10 ng/ml. Over this dose range, both natural and recombinant PDGF stimulated a pronounced accumulation of [3H]inositol phosphates in cells labelled for 72 h with [3H]inositol. In addition, mitogenic concentrations of PDGF stimulated the release of 45Ca2+ from cells prelabelled with the radioisotope. However, in comparison with the response to the peptide mitogens bombesin and vasopressin, a pronounced lag was evident in both the generation of inositol phosphates and the stimulation of 45Ca2+ efflux in response to PDGF. Furthermore, although the bombesin-stimulated efflux of 45Ca2+ was independent of extracellular Ca2+, the PDGF-stimulated efflux was markedly inhibited by chelation of external Ca2+ by using EGTA. Neither the stimulation of formation of inositol phosphates nor the stimulation of 45Ca2+ efflux in response to PDGF were affected by tumour-promoting phorbol esters such as 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). In contrast, TPA inhibited phosphoinositide hydrolysis and 45Ca2+ efflux stimulated by either bombesin or vasopressin. Furthermore, whereas formation of inositol phosphates in response to both vasopressin and bombesin was increased in cells in which protein kinase C had been down-modulated by prolonged exposure to phorbol esters, the response to PDGF was decreased in these cells. These results suggest that, in Swiss 3T3 cells, PDGF receptors are coupled to phosphoinositidase activation by a mechanism that does not exhibit protein kinase C-mediated negative-feedback control and which appears to be fundamentally different from the coupling mechanism utilized by the receptors for bombesin and vasopressin.     

Vasopressin V1 receptors contribute to hemodynamic and sympathoinhibitory responses evoked by stimulation of adenosine A2a receptors in NTS

Activation of adenosine A2a receptors in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) decreases mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), whereas increases in preganglionic adrenal sympathetic nerve activity (pre-ASNA) occur, a pattern similar to that observed during hypotensive hemorrhage. Central vasopressin V1 receptors may contribute to posthemorrhagic hypotension and bradycardia. Both V1 and A2a receptors are densely expressed in the NTS, and both of these receptors are involved in cardiovascular control; thus they may interact. The responses elicited by NTS A2a receptors are mediated mostly via nonglutamatergic mechanisms, possibly via release of vasopressin. Therefore, we investigated whether blockade of NTS V1 receptors alters the autonomic response patterns evoked by stimulation of NTS A2a receptors (CGS-21680, 20 pmol/50 nl) in alpha-chloralose-urethane anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats. In addition, we compared the regional sympathetic responses to microinjections of vasopressin (0.1-100 ng/50 nl) into the NTS. Blockade of V1 receptors reversed the normal decreases in MAP into increases (-95.6 +/- 28.3 vs. 51.4 +/- 15.7 integralDelta%), virtually abolished the decreases in HR (-258.3 +/- 54.0 vs. 18.9 +/- 57.8 integralDeltabeats/min) and RSNA (-239.3 +/- 47.4 vs. 15.9 +/- 36.1 integralDelta%), and did not affect the increases in pre-ASNA (279.7 +/- 48.3 vs. 233.1 +/- 54.1 integralDelta%) evoked by A2a receptor stimulation. The responses partially returned toward normal values approximately 90 min after the blockade. Microinjections of vasopressin into the NTS evoked dose-dependent decreases in HR and RSNA and variable MAP and pre-ASNA responses with a tendency toward increases. We conclude that the decreases in MAP, HR, and RSNA in response to NTS A2a receptor stimulation may be mediated via release of vasopressin from neural terminals in the NTS. The differential effects of NTS V1 and A2a receptors on RSNA versus pre-ASNA support the hypothesis that these receptor subtypes are differentially located/expressed on NTS neurons/neural terminals controlling different sympathetic outputs.     

Real-time analysis of the activities of GnRH and GnRH analogs in alphaT3-1 cells by the Cytosensor microphysiometer

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), acting via the GnRH receptor, elicited rapid extracellular acidification responses in mouse gonadotrope-derived alphaT3-1 cells as measured by the Cytosensor microphysiometer, which indirectly monitors cellular metabolic rates. GnRH increased the extracellular acidification rate of the cells in a dose-dependent manner (EC(50) = 1.81 +/- 0.24 nM). The GnRH-stimulated acidification rate could be attenuated by protein kinase C (PKC) down-regulation, extracellular Ca2+ depletion, and the voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channel (VSCC) blocker nifedipine, indicating that the acidification response is activated by both Ca2+ and PKC-mediated pathways. Upon continuous exposure to 100 nM GnRH or periodic stimulation by 10 nM GnRH at 40 min intervals, homologous desensitization was more pronounced in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, suggesting that desensitization of GnRH activity may be mediated via depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores. We have also compared the potency of eight GnRH analogs on alphaT3-1 cells. No acidification response was detected for GnRH free acid, consistent with the idea that the C-terminal amide is a critical structural determinant for GnRH activity. Replacement of Gly-NH(2) at the C-terminus by N-ethylamide dramatically reduced the EC(50) value, suggesting that substitution of the Gly-NH(2) moiety by N-ethylamide increases the potency of GnRH analogs. Substitution of Gly at position 6 by D-Trp significantly reduced the EC(50) value, whereas D-Lys at the same position slightly increased the EC(50) value, implying that either an aromatic amino acid or a non-basic amino acid at position 6 may be essential for potent GnRH agonists. In summary, our results demonstrate that the Cytosensor microphysiometer can be used to evaluate the actions of GnRH and GnRH analogs in alphaT3-1 cells in a real-time and noninvasive manner. This silicon-based microphysiometric system should provide new information on the structure-function studies of GnRH and is an invaluable tool for the screening of new GnRH agonists and antagonists in the future.     

Angiotensin II stimulates rat astrocyte mitogen-activated protein kinase activity and growth through EGF and PDGF receptor transactivation

We showed that the intracellular tyrosine kinases src and pyk2 mediate angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulation of growth and ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphorylation in astrocytes. In this study, we investigated whether the membrane-bound receptor tyrosine kinases platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors mediate Ang II stimulation of ERK1/2 and astrocyte growth. Ang II significantly stimulated PDGF and EGF receptors in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The PDGF receptor and the EGF receptor were maximally stimulated with 100 nM Ang II (0.98+/-0.18- and 4.4+/-1.4-fold above basal, respectively). This stimulation occurred as early as 5 min, and was sustained for at least 15 min for both receptor tyrosine kinases. Moreover, 1 microM AG1478 and 0.25 microM PDGFRInhib attenuated Ang II stimulation of the EGF and PDGF receptors, respectively. Ang II-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and astrocyte growth was mediated by both PDGF and EGF receptors. This report also provides novel findings that co-inhibiting EGF and PDGF receptors had a greater effect to decrease Ang II-induced ERK1/2 (90% versus 49% and 71% with PDGF receptor and EGF receptor inhibition, respectively), and astrocyte growth (60% versus 10% and 32% with PDGF receptor and EGF receptor inhibition, respectively). In conclusion we showed in astrocytes that the PDGF and the EGF receptors mediate Ang II-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation and astrocyte growth and that these two receptors may exhibit synergism to regulate effects of the peptide in these cells.     

Differential involvement of Src family kinases in pervanadate-mediated responses in rat myometrial cells

We previously described that pervanadate, a potent tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, induced contraction of rat myometrium via phospholipase (PL) C-gamma1 activation [Biol Reprod 54 (1996) 1383]. In this study, we found that pervanadate induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-beta receptor, interaction of the phosphorylated PDGF receptor with the phosphorylated PLC-gamma1, production of inositol phosphates (InsPs), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation and DNA synthesis. All these responses were insensitive to PDGF receptor kinase inhibition or PDGF receptor down-regulation. We showed that Src family kinases were activated by pervanadate, and that InsPs production and phosphorylation of both PLC-gamma1 and the PDGF receptor were blocked by PP1, an Src inhibitor. In contrast, the stimulation of ERK by pervanadate was totally refractory to PP1. These results demonstrated that the activation of Src by pervanadate is involved in PLC-gamma1/InsPs signalling but does not play a major role in ERK activation.     

Homologous and heterologous mitogenic desensitization of Swiss 3T3 cells to phorbol esters and vasopressin: role of receptor and postreceptor steps

Prolonged treatment of Swiss 3T3 cells with phorbol 12,13 dibutyrate (PDB) rendered the cells refractory to subsequent mitogenic stimulation by both PDB and vasopressin. In contrast, the cells retained full responsiveness to a wide variety of other mitogens. An early response to vasopressin and phorbol esters, inhibition of (125I)-labeled epidermal growth factor [(125I)-EGF] binding, was also substantially decreased in PDB pretreated cells. The cross desensitization was not produced by vasopressin; this ligand induced homologous but not heterologous desensitization. Exposure of Swiss 3T3 cells to PDB caused a down regulation of (3H)-PDB receptors but did not reduce the binding of vasopressin to refractory cells. The time-course (t1/2 = 7 h) and dependence on PDB concentration (half maximal at 20 nM) for this phorbol ester receptor loss paralleled the induction of the mitogenic desensitizations to both PDB and vasopressin. However, the time-course of recovery revealed an important dissociation between receptor presence and mitogenic response. When Swiss 3T3 cultures, which had been pretreated with PDB, were washed to remove this ligand and incubated in its absence for 24 h, both (3H)-PDB receptors and PDB or vasopressin inhibition of (125I)-EGF binding were almost completely restored to control levels. However the homologous and heterologous mitogenic desensitizations showed a very different reversal time. After a 24-h recovery period PDB-treated refractory cells were still unable to synthesize DNA in response to PDB or vasopressin. The mitogenic desensitizations were however completely reversible; after a 48-h incubation in the absence of PDB the cells responded fully to the mitogenic actions of PDB or vasopressin. This finding suggests that a further postreceptor step was also desensitized by prolonged PDB treatment. The presence of a low level of cycloheximide during the PDB pretreatment blocked induction of this postreceptor refractoriness. We propose that this refractory postreceptor step selectively blocks both PDB and vasopressin stimulation of DNA synthesis and may represent the point at which the mitogenic pathways of phorbol esters and vasopressin converge.     

Role of tyrosine kinase and membrane-spanning domains in signal transduction by the platelet-derived growth factor receptor.

Three types of mutations were introduced into the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor to cause a loss of PDGF-stimulated tyrosine kinase activity: (i) a point mutation of the ATP-binding site, (ii) a deletion of the carboxyl-terminal region, and (iii) replacement of the membrane-spanning sequences by analogous transmembrane sequences of other receptors. Transfectants expressing mutated receptors bind, 125I-labeled PDGF with a high affinity but had no PDGF-sensitive tyrosine kinase activity, phosphatidylinositol turnover, increase in the intracellular calcium concentration, change in cellular pH, or stimulation of DNA synthesis. However, PDGF-induced receptor down regulation was normal in the mutant cells. These results indicate that the transmembrane sequence has a specific signal-transducing function other than merely serving as a membrane anchor and that the receptor kinase activity is necessary for most responses to PDGF but is not required for receptor down regulation.     

Insulin receptor desensitization correlates with attenuation of tyrosine kinase activity, but not of receptor endocytosis.

A model of insulin-receptor down-regulation and desensitization has been developed and described. In this model, both insulin-receptor down-regulation and functional desensitization are induced in the human HepG2 cell line by a 16 h exposure of the cells to 0.1 microM-insulin. Insulin-receptor affinity is unchanged, but receptor number is decreased by 50%, as determined both by 125I-insulin binding and by protein immunoblotting with an antibody to the beta-subunit of the receptor. This down-regulation is accompanied by a disproportionate loss of insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis, yielding a population of cell-surface insulin receptors which bind insulin normally but which are unable to mediate insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis within the cell. Upon binding of insulin, the desensitized receptors are internalized rapidly, with characteristics indistinguishable from those of control cells. In contrast, this desensitization is accompanied by a loss of the insulin-sensitive tyrosine kinase activity of insulin receptors isolated from these cells. Receptors isolated from control cells show a 5-25-fold enhancement of autophosphorylation of the beta-subunit by insulin; this insulin-responsive autophosphorylation is severely attenuated after desensitization to a maximum of 0-2-fold stimulation by insulin. Likewise, the receptor-mediated phosphorylation of exogenous angiotensin II, which is stimulated 2-10-fold by insulin in receptors from control cells, is completely unresponsive to insulin in desensitized cells. These data provide evidence that the insulin-receptor tyrosine kinase activity correlates with insulin stimulation of an intracellular metabolic event. The data suggest that receptor endocytosis is not sufficient to mediate insulin's effects, and thereby argue for a role of the receptor tyrosine kinase activity in the mediation of insulin action.     

Vasopressin rapidly stimulates protein kinase C in digitonin-permeabilized Swiss 3T3 cells: involvement of a pertussis toxin-insensitive guanine nucleotide binding protein

Guanine nucleotides and pertussis toxin were used to test for the involvement of a guanine nucleotide binding protein in the vasopressin V1 receptor-mediated stimulation of protein kinase C activity in Swiss 3T3 cells. Addition of vasopressin in the presence of [gamma-32P]ATP and digitonin caused a marked and rapid increase (8 +/- 1-fold after 1 min) in the phosphorylation of an Mr = 80,000 cellular protein (80K), a specific marker for protein kinase C activation. This phosphorylation was selectively blocked by the V1 receptor antagonist Pmp1-0-Me-Tyr2 [Arg8] vasopressin, indicating that the effect was mediated through the vasopressin V1 receptor. Down regulation of protein kinase C by prior prolonged pretreatment of intact cells with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PBt2) blocked the ability of vasopressin to stimulate the phosphorylation of 80K in digitonin-permeabilized cells. Addition of a submaximal concentration of vasopressin together with the GTP analogue GTP-gamma-S caused a synergistic stimulation of 80K phosphorylation. The GDP analogue GDP-beta-S caused a 50% inhibition of the phosphorylation of 80K induced by a saturating concentration of vasopressin and shifted the vasopressin dose-response curve to the right. GDP-beta-S had no effect on the dose-response for the stimulation of 80K phosphorylation induced by PBt2. Prior incubation of intact quiescent cultures of Swiss 3T3 cells with pertussis toxin did not impair either vasopressin-induced increase in cytosolic [Ca2+] or activation of protein kinase C. These findings provide functional evidence for the involvement of a pertussis toxin-insesitive G protein in the vasopressin V1 receptor-mediated stimulation of protein kinase C in Swiss 3T3 cells.     

Cholinergic desensitization of pepsinogen secretion and calcium mobilization of dispersed guinea pig chief cells

When dispersed chief cells from guinea pig stomach were first incubated with carbachol, washed, and then reincubated with carbachol in fresh incubation solution, the stimulation of pepsinogen secretion and the rise in intracellular calcium concentration during the second incubation were reduced. Carbachol did not cause residual enzyme secretion, but the same range of concentrations that causes enzyme secretion caused desensitization that was rapid, temperature dependent, and reversible with time. Preincubation with carbachol caused approximately a 65% reduction in enzyme secretion stimulated during a subsequent incubation with this agonist, but the potency of carbachol was unaffected. Prior exposure to carbachol also reduced subsequent stimulation caused by cholecystokinin (CCK-8), gastrin I, ionophore A23187, or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate but did not alter stimulation by any agonist that increases cellular cAMP. Carbachol pretreatment of Fura-loaded chief cells caused a threefold increase in the EC50 for carbachol-stimulated [Ca2+]i and approximately a 30% reduction in the maximal rise in [Ca2+]i in response to carbachol or CCK-8. Inhibition of [N-methyl-3H] scopolamine binding by carbachol following carbachol pretreatment indicated that modulation of receptor affinity or number did not account for functional desensitization. These data indicate that carbachol causes heterologous desensitization of pepsinogen secretion stimulated by agonists that mobilize cellular Ca2+ or activate protein kinase C through a postreceptor action and suggest that an attenuated rise in chief cell calcium is one mechanism mediating the desensitization of enzyme secretion.     

Calcium influx induced by activation of tyrosine kinase receptors in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells

We studied the ionic currents activated by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAE-1) by using patch-clamp and single-cell fluorimetric calcium measurements. In whole-cell, voltage-clamp experiments at V(h) = -50 mV, the addition of either bFGF (20 ng/ml) or IGF-I (50 ng/ml) induced an inward current with similar amplitude, time course, and permeation properties. The response was dependent on receptor occupancy and showed a desensitisation in the continued presence of the factors. Ionic substitutions in whole-cell experiments indicated that the current barely discriminated among Na(+), Ca(+), and K(+) ions. Accordingly, stimulation with bFGF or IGF-I induced a dose-dependent [Ca(2+)](i) elevation completely due to entry from the extracellular medium, whereas no detectable release from internal stores was observed. Calcium influx was dependent on protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activity; it was significantly inhibited by treatment with genistein or tyrphostin 47, two PTK inhibitors, and not affected by inactive analogues, daidzein, and tyrphostin 1. Moreover, addition of 200 microM Na(3)VO(4), an inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) activity, evoked the responses to the factors both in patch-clamp and in fluorimetric measurements. Cell-attached recordings using 100 mM CaCl(2) in the pipette showed that bFGF and IGF-I activate calcium-permeable channels with similar properties. These results provide evidence for a calcium influx induced by two factors that bind to tyrosine kinase receptors (RTK) in endothelial cells.