Tumour promoter-mediated reversible inhibition of cell-cell communication (electrical coupling) : Relationship with phorbol ester binding and de novo macromolecule synthesis

A tumour promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), reversibly inhibits the onset and maintenance of cell-cell communication measured by electrophysiological method. We have now studied the mechanism by which TPA inhibits communication of human cells (FL) in culture. Using [³H]phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate ([³H]PDBu), we found a class of specific, high-affinity, saturable binding sites in intact FL cells; they have a dissociation constant of 15.4 nM, and at saturation about 3 × 10⁵ PDBu molecules were bound to each cell. The binding of [³H]PDBu to FL cells was inhibited by TPA, phorbol-12-13-didecanoate and mezerein, whereas phorbol and 4α-phorbol-12-13-didecanoate had no effect. There is a close correlation between the ability of the former compounds to inhibit [³H]PDBu binding and their capacity to inhibit cell-cell communication. When FL cells are dispersed with EDTA and plated onto a culture dish, they start to couple electrically within 2 h; such cell coupling was not affected by the presence of cycloheximide or actinomycin D. TPA inhibits the formation of electrical cell coupling as well as its maintenance, even in the presence of cycloheximide; the recovery of cell-cell communication after the removal of TPA was not significantly affected by the addition of cycloheximide or actinomycin D. Taken together, these results suggest that TPA-mediated reversible inhibition of intercellular communication is mediated by specific binding of TPA to cellular receptors and that macromolecular synthesis is not necessary.     

Role of phorbol ester receptors in the 12-0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced down-regulation of colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1) binding to murine peritoneal exudate macrophages

Treatment of murine peritoneal exudate macrophages (PEM) by tumor-promoting phorbol esters (TPA) results in a rapid loss of binding activity to radioactive-labeled colony-stimulating factor ([125I]-CSF-1) on the cell surface. The inhibitory effect of TPA on PEM is transient; treated cells recover full [125I]-CSF-1 binding activity in less than 6 hr at 37 degrees C either in the presence or after the removal of added TPA. The role of phorbol ester receptors in the induction of [125I]-CSF-1 binding inhibition was studied. The biologically active ligand [3H]-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate ([3H]-PDBu) bound specifically to cultured murine PEM. At 0 degree C, stable and equilibrium binding occurred after 2-3 hr. Scatchard analysis revealed linear plots with a dissociation constant and receptor number per cell of 20.9 nM and 3.9 X 10(5)/cell, respectively. Treatment of PEM with biologically active phorbol esters at 37 degrees C rapidly inhibited the binding activity of [3H]-PDBu on cell surface (down-regulation) and rendered these cells refractory to the TPA-induced [125I]-CSF-1 binding inhibition by the subsequent TPA treatment. The inhibition of phorbol ester binding activity on TPA-treated PEM is caused by a reduction in the total number of available phorbol ester receptors rather than by a decrease in receptor affinity as judged by Scatchard analysis. The disappearance of [3H]-PDBu binding activity is reversible and transient. However, unlike CSF-1 receptors the restoration of phorbol ester receptors on TPA-treated PEM is a very slow process; a prolonged incubation of up to 72 hr after the removal of TPA was required for PEM to regain fully its [3H]-PDBu binding activity. Furthermore, the degree of TPA-induced CSF-1-receptor down-regulation is closely associated with the number of available phorbol ester receptors present on PEM at the time of treatment. Thus, the refractoriness to TPA diminished as the phorbol ester receptors on PEM recovered. A 72-hr incubation time at 37 degrees C was needed for PEM to lose their refractoriness and again become fully sensitive to TPA-induced CSF-1-receptor down-regulation. This study provides evidence that the loss of CSF-1-receptors induced by TPA treatment requires the presence of phorbol ester receptors and proceeds presumably via a co-internalization of both CSF-1 and phorbol ester receptors; the refractoriness to TPA is thereby induced by a transient loss of available phorbol ester receptors.     

Intercellular communication of transformed and non-transformed rat liver epithelial cells : Modulation by TPA

Gap-junctional intercellular communication of transformed and non-transformed rat liver epithelial cell lines was compared using a dye transfer method in the presence and absence of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA). Whereas non-transformed cells (IAR 20, non-tumorigenic in newborn rats and in nude mice) showed very high communication capacity throughout a culture period of 3 weeks, transformed cells (IAR 6-1, tumorigenic in newborn rats and in nude mice) were less able to communicate. Similar correlation between intercellular communication and expression of transformed phenotypes were also found in newly cloned epithelial cell lines, IAR 27 E and IAR 27F. When TPA was added to culture medium at 100 ng/ml, intercellular communication in all lines tested was reduced within 60 min. However, communication recovered completely from the effect within 10 h after addition of TPA. Further addition of TPA to the cultures every 24 h for 3 weeks had no effect on intercellular communication (measured 30 min after each TPA addition), suggesting that a single application of TPA made these cells refractory to further doses. A known stimulator of gap-junctional communication, db-cAMP, also increased dye transfer in IAR 20 and IAR 6-1 cells. TPA added to db-cAMP-treated cultures of IAR 20 and IAR 6-1 cells inhibited intercellular communication, suggesting that cAMP is not an antagonist of the effect of TPA on intercellular communication in these cell lines. These results are in sharp contrast to those obtained with the fibroblast cell line BALB/c 3T3, in which db-cAMP antagonized TPA effect [1] and inhibition by TPA of intercellular communication was transient only when administered during their growth phase, and was stable and continuous when TPA was applied at confluence [2], and suggest that TPA may not be an effective tumour promoter in rat liver.     

Mimicry of phorbol ester responses by diacylglycerols. Differential effects on phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis, cell-cell communication and epidermal growth factor binding

The biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine (PC) in HEL-37 cells was followed by measuring the incorporation of [32P]Pi into PC. Incorporation was stimulated by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) and by the synthetic diacylglycerol, sn-1,2-dioctanoylglycerol (diC8), but not by sn-1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol or sn-1,2-dihexanoylglycerol (diC6). DiC8 was rapidly metabolised by HEL-37 cells to the corresponding PC and phosphatidic acid derivatives. diC8, diC6 and oleoylacetylglycerol effectively displaced [3H]phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate bound to a soluble cell extract from HEL-37 cells, but only diC8 was able to displace the labelled phorbol ester from prelabelled cells. TPA, diC8, diC6 and oleoylacetylglycerol were all effective inhibitors of 125I-labelled epidermal growth factor binding to, and gap junctional communication between, HEL-37 cells. It is concluded that only cell-permeable diacylglycerols stimulate PC biosynthesis which may therefore require interaction with membranes other than the plasma membrane.     

Effect of TPA on ion fluxes and DNA synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells

Previous reports have suggested that phorbol esters can decrease the affinity of epidermal growth factor (EGF) for its cellular receptors. Investigations of the consequences of the interaction between phorbol esters and EGF, however, have been limited to EGF-stimulated Na/H exchange in A431 cells (Whitely, B., D. Cassel, Y.-X. Zuang, and L. Glaser, 1984, J. Cell Biol., 99:1162-1166). In the present study, the effect of the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) on EGF-stimulated ion transport and DNA synthesis was determined in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (A7r5). It was found that TPA stimulated Na/H exchange when added alone (half-maximal stimulatory concentration, 25 nM). However, when cells were pretreated with TPA and then challenged with EGF, TPA significantly inhibited EGF-stimulated Na/H exchange (78%; half-maximal inhibition [Ki] at 2.5 nM). Subsequently the effects of TPA on Na/K/Cl co-transport were measured. TPA was observed to inhibit Na/K/Cl co-transport (half-maximal inhibitory concentration, 50 nM) and also to inhibit EGF-stimulated Na/K/Cl co-transport (100%; Ki at 5 nM). Finally, the effects of TPA on DNA synthesis were assessed. TPA had a modest stimulatory effect on DNA synthesis (half-maximal stimulatory concentration, 6 nM), but had a significant inhibitory effect on EGF-stimulated DNA synthesis (56%; Ki at 5 nM). These findings suggest that the inhibitory effect of TPA on EGF-receptor functions goes beyond previously reported effects on Na/H exchange in A431 cells and extends to EGF-stimulation of Na/K/Cl co-transport and DNA synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells.     

Differential effects of norepinephrine and phorbol ester on alpha-1 adrenergic receptor number and surface-accessibility in DDT1 MF-2 cells

The short (5-60 min) and long (24 hrs) term effects of norepinephrine (10 uM) and the phorbol ester, 12-0-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (10 nM), on total cellular and surface-accessible alpha-1 adrenergic receptor number were determined in DDT1 MF-2 smooth muscle cells. The density of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors was determined with [3H]-prazosin in a crude cellular homogenate (total cellular receptors) and in intact cells at 4 degrees C (surface-accessible receptors). Under basal conditions, all receptors were accessible to the cell surface at 4 degrees C. Short term norepinephrine exposure caused an approximately 40% decrease in surface-accessible binding without a change in total receptor number. Long term norepinephrine exposure caused a further decrease in surface-accessible binding, and an approximately 30% decrease in total receptor number. In contrast, phorbol ester had no effect on surface-accessible or total receptor number with either short or long term exposure. These data suggest that sequestration of cell surface alpha-1 adrenergic receptors is an early step in the process of agonist-mediated down-regulation. In DDT1 MF-2 cells, phorbol ester, alone, does not mimmick the effect of agonist on receptor sequestration or number.     

Bombesin and phorbol ester stimulate phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis by phospholipase C: evidence for a role of protein kinase C

Bombesin caused a marked stimulation of 32Pi into phosphatidylinositol (PI), with no apparent lag, and into phosphatidylcholine (PC), after a lag of about 20 min. Stimulation was blocked by the bombesin receptor antagonist, [D-Arg1, D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9, Leu11] substance P, indicating that the effects on both PI and PC were mediated through the same receptor. The tumor-promoting phorbol ester 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and dioctanoylglycerol (diC8) both directly activate protein kinase C and in this report were shown to stimulate 32Pi incorporation into PC but not into Pl. In addition, TPA stimulated the release of [3H]choline and [3H]phosphocholine and the accumulation of [3H]diacyglycerol from prelabelled cells. These results strongly suggest that TPA activates a phospholipase C specific for PC. Pretreatment of cells with phorbol-12, 13-dibutyrate (PDBu) for 24 h depleted cellular protein kinase C activity and inhibited the ability of TPA to induce these effects suggesting a direct involvement of protein kinase C. Similarly the bombesin stimulation of 32Pi into PC and of [3H]choline and [3H]phosphocholine release was inhibited by PDBu pretreatment. DiC8 and, to a lesser extent, TPA stimulated the translocation of CTP:phosphocholine cytidylytransferase from the cytosolic to the particulate fraction. DiC8 also stimulated this translocation in cells depleted of protein kinase C. It was concluded that both bombesin and TPA activated protein kinase C leading to activation of a phospholipase C specific for PC.     

Phorbol Esters Attenuate Glutamate-Stimulated Inositol Phospholipid Hydrolysis in Neuronal Cultures

The phorbol diesters 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate, but not 4-alpha-phorbol-didecanoate, inhibited the stimulation of inositol phospholipid hydrolysis by excitatory amino acids and carbamylcholine in primary cultures of cerebellar neurons. This inhibition was mimicked by the synthetic diacylglycerol 1,2-dioleoyl-rac-glycerol (DOG) and was selective for a specific glutamate-phosphoinositide receptor subtype (GP2 receptor) activated by glutamate and quisqualate. TPA was nearly inactive in inhibiting the stimulation of inositol phospholipid hydrolysis by N-methyl-D-aspartate, a selective agonist of the GP1 receptor. Phorbol diesters and DOG attenuated the stimulation of inositol phospholipid hydrolysis by glutamate and quisqualate also in cerebellar slices from 9-15-day-old rats; however, using this preparation, their action was weak and required high concentrations (greater than 1 microM). The inhibition of signal transduction by phorbol diesters was not consequent to a reduced binding of glutamate to its membrane recognition sites. In fact, TPA induced only a small increase in the KD but no change in the Bmax of [3H]glutamate binding in cerebellar membranes. Phorbol diesters may act to inhibit specific GTP-binding proteins or particular molecular forms of phosphoinositidase C associated with GP2 or muscarinic cholinergic receptors.     

Tumor-promoting phorbol esters inhibit the binding of colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1) to murine peritoneal exudate macrophages

L-cell colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1) is a sialoglycoprotein of molecular weight 70,000 daltons that specifically stimulates macrophage colony formation by single committed cells from normal mouse bone marrow and by various classes of more differentiated tissue-derived mononuclear phagocyte colony-forming cells (Stanley et al., 1978). CSF-1 interacts with target cells by direct and specific binding to membrane receptors (CSF-1 receptors) that are present only on cells of the mononuclear phagocyte series and their precursors. We studied the effect of tumor-promoting phorbol esters on the binding of 125I-labeled CSF-1 (125I-CSF-1) to murine peritoneal exudate macrophages (PEM). Biologically active TPA (12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate) inhibits the binding of 125I-CSF-1 to its receptor on PEM. This inhibition exhibits temperature, time, and concentration dependence. At 37 degrees C, maximum inhibition occurred at about 10(-7) M; inhibition was 50% at 5 X 10(-9) M. At 0 degrees C, the inhibitory activity of TPA is diminished. The action of TPA on PEM is transient. Treated cells recover their 125I-CSF-1-binding activity whether TPA is later removed or not. The process of recovering CSF-1-binding activity is completely blocked by the addition of cycloheximide. When several phorbol derivatives were tested for their inhibitory activities, only biologically active phorbol esters were found to possess such activities. Furthermore, the inhibitory activities of various phorbol esters are proportional to their tumor-promoting activities. Inhibition appears to be due to a reduction in the total number of available CSF-1 receptors rather than a decrease in receptor affinity.     

Specific binding and biological effects of tumor promoting phorbol esters on sponges

Sponges grown in the presence of 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) show deep alterations of their structure and development. Their aquiferous system (flagellated cells and canals) is largely altered and the tissues show an unusually high cell density. This focalized effect of TPA on the aquiferous system seems specific and is reversible at low concentrations (100 ng/ml). A toxic, non-specific effect is also noted, particularly at high concentrations (5000 ng/ml). Using 3H-phorbol-12, 13-dibutyrate (3H-PDBu), we demonstrate a class of specific binding sites for phorbol esters in the homogenates of sponges. These binding sites have high affinity (Kd = 26.0 nM) for PDBu and at saturation about 20 pmoles of 3H-PDBu is bound per mg protein of sponge homogenates. The binding of 3H-PDBu was inhibited by other phorbol esters and their congeners, and there was a good correlation between their potency in binding inhibition and their tumor promoting activity. It is concluded that sponges have a class of specific saturable and high affinity receptors for phorbol esters and that there is a very high conservation of these receptors during evolution. Such specific binding may be responsible for subsequent biological effect of TPA on sponges.     

Phorbol ester-mediated desensitization of histamine H1 receptors on a cultured smooth muscle cell line

The present study was undertaken in order to examine the effect of protein kinase C (PKC) on histamine H1 receptors (H1R) present on the smooth muscle cell line, DDT1MF-2. [3H]-pyrilamine binding revealed that specific [3H]-pyrilamine binding sites were reduced by pretreatment with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), an activator of PKC, but not the Kd. The TPA analogue, 4 alpha phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, which does not activate PKC, failed to induce down-regulation of H1R. TPA-induced down-regulation of H1R was inhibited by pretreatment with 1-(5-Isoquinilinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride (H-7), a PKC inhibitor, in a dose dependent manner. The H-7 analogue, H-8, which is a less potent inhibitor of PKC, but a potent inhibitor of cyclic nucleotide dependent protein kinase, had no effect on H1R. Moreover, treatment with TPA inhibited histamine-induced increases in [Ca2+]i in cells loaded with the fluorescent indicator, indo-1. These data suggest that H1R in DDT1MF-2 cells are functionally regulated by PKC.     

The kinetics of fibronectin synthesis and release in normal and tumor promoter-treated human lung fibroblasts

Summary The present study is a detailed kinetic analysis of the synthesis, release and multimerization of fibronectin (FN) in normal and tumor promoter-treated human lung fibroblasts. Pulse/chase and surface labeling experiments were performed to follow the fate of both newly synthesized and pre-existing cell-surface FN over time. The majority of FN (80%) left the intracellular compartment within one hour of synthesis. However, the rate of direct secretion was very low and after one hour, 70% of newly synthesized FN was still at the cell surface. This material was primarily dimeric. Dimeric and multimeric (very high molecular weight) FN was detectable at the cell surface and in the medium 4 hours after synthesis. Pulse-labeled FN multimer levels peaked at 12 hours and declined thereafter. After 24 hours, 85% of pulse-labeled FN had been shed into the medium and the labeled FN remaining at the cell surface was primarily multimeric. Surface labeling experiments confirmed that the majority of FN resides at the cell surface prior to release into the medium.One hour treatment with the phorbol ester tumor promoter, 12-0-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), stimulated a nine-fold increase in release of preexisting, dimeric cell-surface FN (¹²⁵I-labeled). The major effect of longer term TPA treatment up to nine hours was continued depletion of dimeric cell-surface FN. Increased release of cell-surface multimeric FN was also stimulated by TPA, but to a much lesser extent. Release of newly synthesized (pulse-labeled) dimeric FN was also stimulated by TPA though much less than pre-existing FN, and TPA treatment produced a small decrease in the steady-state level of multimeric FN. Thus, preexisting cell-surface IN and newly synthesized FN differ dramatically in their susceptibility to TPA treatment.Abbreviations FN fibronectin - HLF human lung fibroblasts - PMSF phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride - TPA 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate - DMSO dimethylsulfoxide - MEM minimal essential medium - ELISA enzyme linked immunosorbent assay - PBS phosphate-buffered saline - BSA bovine serum albumin - SDS-PAGE sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis - DOC deoxycholate - DTT dithiotreitol     

Characterization of phorbol diester binding to isolated cardiac myocytes

There are specified and saturable binding sites for [20-3H]phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate on enzymatically dissociated rat cardiac myocytes. At 37 degrees C, maximal binding occurs within 20 min, with a KD of 3.9 nM and Bmax of 0.275 pmol/mg. [3H]Phorbol dibutyrate binding is blocked by 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate but not by 4 alpha-phorbol or 4 alpha-phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate. Dibucaine, tetracaine, chlorpromazine, and phospholipase C lowered phorbol binding through a competitive mechanism. Similarly, unsaturated (but not saturated) diacylglycerols competed with [3H]phorbol dibutyrate for the binding site. There was a progressive decline in specific binding of phorbol diesters to cardiac myocytes which occurred primarily during the first 3 weeks of postnatal life. Cardiac phorbol diester receptors may mediate protein kinase C-dependent effects on important cellular functions such as Ca2+ transport.     

Protein Kinase C Agonists Increase the Expression of Angiotensin II Receptors in Neuronal Cultures

Previous studies have shown that norepinephrine is important in the regulation of central angiotensin II receptors, an effect mediated by alpha 1-adrenergic receptors. Because alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation leads to inositol phospholipid hydrolysis and activation of protein kinase C, we have examined a possible role of this enzyme in the regulation of central angiotensin II (Ang II) receptors. In the present study, we have examined the effects of protein kinase C activators, phorbol esters, on the expression of Ang II receptors in neuronal cultures prepared from 1-day-old rat brains. The active phorbol ester phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (TPA) caused time- and concentration-dependent increases in the specific binding of [125I]Ang II to its receptors in neuronal cultures of normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rat brains. The stimulatory effect of TPA on Ang II receptors was apparent within 15 min and reached a maximum between 1 and 2 h. Ang II specific binding had returned to control levels by 24 h. Various phorbol esters increased [125I]Ang II binding in accordance with their order of potency in stimulating protein kinase C activity. Saturation and Scatchard analysis revealed that the phorbol ester-induced increase in [125I]Ang II binding was due to an increase in the number of Ang II receptors. These observations indicate that activation of protein kinase C results in an increased expression of Ang II receptors in neuronal cultures from both normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rat brains. The results suggest a possible role of phosphorylation in Ang II receptor expression in neuronal cultures.     

Effect of phorbol ester on stimulus-secretion coupling mechanisms in gonadotropin releasing hormone-stimulated pituitary gonadotrophs

The feedback regulatory control mechanism exerted by activated Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein C kinase upon gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) binding, stimulation of phosphoinositide turnover and gonadotropin secretion was investigated in cultured pituitary cells. Addition of the tumor promoter phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), at concentrations which activate pituitary protein C kinase, to cultured pituitary cells resulted in up-regulation of GnRH receptors (155% at 4 h). The stimulatory effect of GnRH on [3H]inositol phosphates (Ins-P) production in myo-[2-3H]inositol prelabeled pituitary cells was not inhibited by prior treatment of the cells with TPA (10(-9)-10(-7) M). Higher concentrations of TPA (10(-6)-10(-5) M) inhibited the effect of GnRH on [3H]Ins-P production. Increasing concentrations of TPA or the permeable analog of diacylglycerol 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG) stimulated luteinizing hormone (LH) release from cultured pituitary cells with ED50 values of 5 x 10(-9) M and 10 micrograms/ml, respectively. No consistent inhibition or additivity of LH release was observed when increasing doses of TPA or OAG were added with a submaximal dose of GnRH. These results suggest that protein C kinase might mediate the known homologous up-regulation of GnRH receptors during the reproductive cycle. Protein C kinase is positively involved in mediating the process of gonadotropin secretion. Unlike many other systems, activation of protein C kinase in pituitary gonadotrophs is not involved in negative feed-back regulation of stimulus-secretion-coupling mechanisms in GnRH-stimulated gonadotrophs.     

Down-regulation of protein kinase C in rat glioma C6 cells: effects on the beta-adrenergic receptor-coupled adenylate cyclase

Continuous exposure of rat glioma C6 cells to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) resulted in a time and dose dependent loss of [3H]phorbol dibutyrate binding sites and protein kinase C activity. Thus, by 24 h, the cells were essentially depleted of protein kinase C activity. In agreement with previous studies, TPA treatment caused a reduction in isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity and a sequestration of beta-adrenergic receptors. Cells were treated with TPA for 24-48 h to completely down-regulate protein kinase C and then exposed to isoproterenol. Agonist-mediated desensitization of adenylate cyclase and sequestration of beta-adrenergic receptors occurred at similar rates in control and TPA-treated cells. In addition, agonist-mediated down-regulation of beta-adrenergic receptors was not impaired by the absence of protein kinase C activity. Although both agonists and phorbol esters cause desensitization of the beta-adrenergic receptor-coupled adenylate cyclase, agonist-mediated events can occur independently of protein kinase C.     

Inhibition of insulin receptor binding by phorbol esters

Phorbol esters inhibit the binding of insulin to its receptors on U-937 monocyte-like and HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia human cell lines. Within 20-30 min, exposure of these cells to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) at 37 degrees C results in a 50% reduction of the specific binding of 125I-insulin. Half-maximal inhibition occurs at 1 nM TPA. Other tumor-promoting phorbol esters also inhibit 125I-insulin binding in a dose-dependent manner which parallels their known promoting activity in vivo. TPA does not alter the degradation of the hormone nor does it induce any shedding of its receptors in the medium. The effect of phorbol esters is dependent on temperature and cell type. It is less prominent at 22 degrees C than at 37 degrees C. It is reversible within 2 h at 37 degrees C. TPA reduces the binding of insulin predominantly by increasing its dissociation rate. This effect results in an accelerated turnover of the hormone on its receptors.     

Acquisition of deoxyguanosine resistance by TPA-induced T lymphoid lines

The human leukemic T cell line 8402, which contains terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) and phenotypically resembles precursor thymocytes, when exposed to the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) undergoes in vitro T maturation. TdT disappears from virtually all the cells and a fraction of TdT- -cells express specific T surface markers, such as the T3 determinant. Like T lymphocytes from the thymus, 8402 cells are extremely sensitive to the cytotoxic effect of deoxyguanosine (dGuo). As a consequence of TPA treatment, resistance to dGuo is observed in 8402, as well as in two other TdT+ lymphoid T cell lines, Molt-4 and CEM-10. These results suggest the occurrence of changes in deoxynucleoside metabolism in TPA-treated cells related to the in vitro maturation process. Maturation of 8402 cells, once started, progresses in the presence of additional physiologic stimuli provided by conditioned medium from lymphocyte culture, because a portion of cells display the T8+/T4- phenotype characteristic of cytotoxic/suppressor T cells. This in vitro lymphoid system may thus be used to study the relationships of molecular differentiation between precursor thymocytes and cytotoxic/suppressor T cells.     

Phorbol ester receptors and the induction of differentiation in the human T lymphoblastic cell line MOLT-3

To examine the mechanism of induction of differentiation in the human malignant T-lymphoblastic cell line, MOLT-3, by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), the role of receptors for phorbol esters was investigated. Binding of [20-3H]-phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate to TPA-resistant subclones derived from MOLT-3 was less than 50% of that of the parental MOLT-3. Scatchard analysis showed that the concentration of phorbol ester receptors in a TPA-resistant subclone was about 50% of that in the parental MOLT-3, but affinities of binding were similar, indicating that more than a certain number of phorbol ester receptors is required to induce differentiation by TPA in this human T cell line.