Alpha-tocopherol-mediated caspase-3 up-regulation enhances susceptibility to apoptotic stimuli

Although alpha-tocopherol is known as an essential micronutrient involved in various oxidative stress-related processes, its non-antioxidant activities have only been characterized in recent years. In this study, we reveal that (+)-alpha-tocopherol [RRR-alpha-tocopherol] enhances cellular susceptibility to both oxidative and non-oxidative apoptosis-inducing stimuli through up-regulation of caspase-3/CPP32 expression in several human cell lines. Exposure of (+)-alpha-tocopherol pretreated cells to known apoptosis-inducing stimuli, such as Fas, H(2)O(2), or etoposide, resulted in an increase in cellular apoptotsis. In addition, (+)-alpha-tocopherol also elevated the pro-caspase-3 protein level and mRNA expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner, while other tocopherol analogues showed no effect. Experiments using a GC-specific DNA binding agent, mithramycin A, and an electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated that Sp1 might mediate the enhanced expression of caspase-3. Our results also confirmed that (+)-alpha-tocopherol promotes the expression, but not the activation, of caspase-3 in various human cell lines. These findings provide biological evidence showing that (+)-alpha-tocopherol can amplify the apoptotic response by up-regulating the expression of pro-caspase-3.     

Influence of dietary vitamin E on the intermembrane transfer of alpha-tocopherol as mediated by an alpha-tocopherol binding protein

The effect of dietary vitamin E on the intermembrane transfer of (3R)-alpha-tocopherol, a spontaneous process accelerated in the presence of an alpha-tocopherol binding protein (alpha TBP), was examined. The transfer activity of this cytosolic liver protein was assayed via in vitro transfer of (3R)-alpha-[3H]tocopherol (alpha[3H]T) from egg lecithin liposomes to human erythrocyte ghosts (EG). Male Fisher 344 rats (1 and 20 months old) were fed diets containing 0, 30, and 500 mg/kg vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate) for 15 weeks. Liver cytosol fractions were assayed for alpha[3H]T transfer activity (alpha TTA). Among young rats, those fed vitamin E-deficient diets had the highest alpha TTA, 5.02 +/- 3.10 pmole alpha[3H]T/min (mean +/- SD), which was different (P less than 0.05) from the spontaneous transfer rate of 2.10 pmole/min. Neither young rats fed 30 and 500 mg/kg vitamin E diets nor any of the aged rats showed alpha TTA which differed significantly from the spontaneous transfer rate. To examine the relationship between hepatic alpha-tocopherol levels and alpha TTA, alpha-tocopherol concentration per gram of wet liver was assayed by HPLC. A steep positive slope (6.39 +/- 1.46 pmole min-1 nmole g-1) and strong correlation (r = 0.873) between hepatic alpha-tocopherol and alpha TTA were observed (P less than 0.005) among young vitamin E-deficient rats. The data indicates that alpha TTA varies directly with hepatic alpha-tocopherol concentration when total liver vitamin E stores are very low. Thus, alpha TBP-mediated transfer of alpha-tocopherol may be manifest only when vitamin E status is compromised.     

A source of error in the chromatographic study of 35S-sulfate labeled mucous glycoproteins secreted by the gill epithelium of Mytilus edulis

HPLC combined with [35S]-sulfate/[3H]-glucosamine radiolabeling were employed to study the synthesis and secretion of mucous glycoproteins. The secreted radiolabeled glycoproteins were separated from the medium by precipitation with a mixture of trichloroacetic-phosphotungstic acids (TCA/PTA). The redissolved glycoproteins were chromatographed on an anion exchange protein column at varying pH of the mobile phase and fractions were collected for liquid scintillation counting. Varying the pH of the mobile phase from pH 3 to 7 resulted in a decrease of glycoprotein bound [35S] from 69.5 to 0.5% of the total recovered [35S]-sulfate with the remainder recovered as free [35S]-sulfate. The [3H]-labeled glycoprotein recovered under the uV peaks at this pH range was 99.5%. When high performance size exclusion chromatography was performed the change in mobile phase pH did not affect the 100% recovery of either [35S]-or [3H]-labels under the uV peaks. No free [35S]-sulfate was obtained when [35S]-labeled glycoproteins were separated from the medium using dialysis. These data suggest that the standard method of TCA/PTA precipitation of [35S]-labeled glycoproteins may cleave the [35S]-sulfate ester linkages to the oligosaccharide chains. The [35S]-sulfate may then rebind to the macromolecule by a relatively strong noncovalent bond. This may prove critical in anion exchange protein HPLC studies.     

3H]prostaglandin F2 alpha membrane binding reexamined

Tritiated prostaglandin F2 alpha ([3H]PGF2 alpha) binding to bovine corpora luteal membranes has been reexamined from the viewpoint of eventual PGF2 alpha receptor purification. Several modifications of the literature on PGF2 alpha binding allow for a more stabilized [3H]PGF2 alpha PGF2 alpha receptor complex which should then facilitate the PGF2 alpha receptor purification. Of particular importance were: identification of protease inhibitors which protect [3H]PGF2 alpha binding and protease inhibitors which are detrimental to subsequent [3H]PGF2 alpha binding; the finding that EGTA treatment of tissue homogenates greatly protects subsequent [3H]PGF2 alpha binding; the observation that Mn(+)+ substitutes for Ca(+)+ and, in fact, among the divalent cations Mn(+)+ greater than Mg(+)+ greater than Ca(+)+ in facilitating [3H]PGF2 alpha binding where as Cd(+)+, Cu(+)+ and Zn(+)+ either have no effect or are detrimental to this binding; the lack of effect of ATP, GTP, GDP and cAMP or of kinase and phosphatase inhibitors and activators to alter binding of [3H]PGF2 alpha to isolated membranes; and the ease with which the [3H]PGF2 alpha-PGF2 alpha receptor complex can be removed from the membrane in spite of the receptor being an integral membrane protein. A new simple technique for separating protein bound [3H]PGF2 alpha (PGF2 alpha receptor-[3H]PGF2 alpha complexes) from free [3H]PGF2 alpha by use of hydroxyapatite (HAP) is introduced. This HAP method is of particular use in solubilized membrane preparations (but can also be used during PG radioimmunoassays to separate free PG from antibody bound PG). These changes were required to facilitate subsequent chromatographic steps leading to identification and purification of the PGF2 alpha receptor. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Characterization of the proteins from Melanoplus bivittatus that bind juvenile hormone, and a refined EFDA photolabeling technique.

1. Juvenile hormone (JH) is specifically bound by a protein from hemolymph and fat body cytosol of the grasshopper, Melanoplus bivittatus. 2. This protein has a native molecular weight of 331,000 and subunits of 77,000. 3. Proteins that bind JH were covalently photolabeled with a JH analog, epoxyfarnesyl diazoacetate (EFDA). Samples were irradiated in spot plates and hydroxyapatite was used to separate bound from free [3H]EFDA. Differential solubilization was used to extract unlinked [3H]EFDA and solubilize [3H]EFDA linked to protein. 4. Hemolymph proteins of M(r) 479,000, 240,000 and 77,000 also bound [3H]EFDA. 5. Proteins that bound [3H]EFDA were not vitellogenins.     

Binding of [3H]forskolin to solubilized preparations of adenylate cyclase

The binding of [3H]forskolin to proteins solubilized from bovine brain membranes was studied by precipitating proteins with polyethylene glycol and separating [3H]forskolin bound to protein from free [3H]forskolin by rapid filtration. The Kd for [3H]forskolin binding to solubilized proteins was 14 nM which was similar to that for [3H]forskolin binding sites in membranes from rat brain and human platelets. Forskolin analogs competed for [3H]forskolin binding sites with the same rank potency in both brain membranes and in proteins solubilized from brain membranes. [3H]forskolin bound to proteins solubilized from membranes with a Bmax of 38 fmol/mg protein which increased to 94 fmol/mg protein when GppNHp was included in the binding assay. In contrast, GppNHp had no effect on [3H]forskolin binding to proteins solubilized from membranes preactivated with GppNHp. Solubilized adenylate cyclase from non-preactivated membranes had a basal activity of 130 pmol/mg/min which was increased 7-fold by GppNHp. In contrast, adenylate cyclase from preactivated membranes had a basal activity of 850 pmol/mg/min which was not stimulated by GppNHp or forskolin. Thus, the number of high affinity binding sites for [3H]forskolin in solubilized preparations correlated with the activation of adenylate cyclase by GppNHp via the guanine nucleotide binding protein (GS).     

Uptake of Liposomally Entrapped Adenosine-3′-5′-Cyclic Monophosphate in Mouse Brain

[3H] Adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) could be entrapped efficiently into small unilamellar vesicles when bound to cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The leakage of [3H]cAMP protein kinase complex from liposomes was reduced by more than 60% as compared to free [3H]cAMP. Hyperosmolar mannitol increased the delivery of liposomally entrapped [3H]cAMP protein kinase to the brain with maximum uptake occurring at 10 min after mannitol administration. Optimal delivery to the brain was observed when vesicles composed of total brain lipids or phosphatidylcholine:cholesterol:sulfatides (7:2:1) were used. A slower clearance of liposomally entrapped material from brain tissue was seen under hyperosmolar conditions.     

Esterification of exogenously derived free cholesterol by cultured fibroblasts

The incorporation and esterification by cultured human fibroblasts of vesicle- or low density lipoprotein-derived free [3H]cholesterol was examined. The rate of the cellular uptake of free [3H]cholesterol from lipid vesicles was similar in both LDL-receptor positive lung fibroblasts and in LDL-receptor negative fibroblasts. When human LDL was used as the carrier of free [3H]cholesterol, however, the LDL-receptor positive lung fibroblasts incorporated significantly more [3H]cholesterol than did the LDL-receptor negative cells. The exchangeable free [3H]cholesterol was available for intracellular esterification. The formation of [3H]cholesteryl esters was markedly inhibited by lysosomotropic drugs, either indicating a partly lysosomal esterification reaction, or implying that free [3H]cholesterol moves through the lysosomal compartment on its way to intracellular esterification sites. Either way, the lysosomes appear to have a metabolic role in the metabolism of exchangeable free [3H]cholesterol.     

Phosphatidylcholine hydrolysis stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate is mediated principally by phospholipase D in endothelial cells

The mechanism of phosphatidylcholine (PC) degradation stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) was investigated in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells prelabeled with [methyl-3H]choline ([3H]choline) or [9,10-3H]myristic acid ([3H]myristic acid). Both labels were selectively incorporated into PC, and addition of PMA stimulated comparable losses of 3H from PC in cells prelabeled with [3H]choline or [3H]myristate. In cells prelabeled with [3H]choline, the loss of 3H from PC correlated with a rapid increase in intracellular free [3H]choline. The increase in intracellular [3H]choline stimulated by PMA was not preceded by an increase in any other 3H-labeled PC degradation product. PMA did not stimulate the formation of PC deacylation products in cells prelabeled with [3H]choline. In permeabilized cells prelabeled with [3H]choline, PMA stimulated the formation of [3H]choline but not [3H]phosphocholine. In intact cells prelabeled with [3H]myristate, the loss of 3H from PC induced by PMA correlated with the formation of [3H]phosphatidic acid ([3H]PA) and [3H]diacylglycerol. In the presence of ethanol, PMA stimulated the formation of [3H]phosphatidylethanol ([3H]PEt) at the expense of [3H]PA. The time-course of [3H]PEt formation was similar to the time-course of intracellular [3H]choline formation in cells stimulated with PMA. These data taken together support the notion that PC degradation in endothelial cells stimulated with PMA is mediated principally by phospholipase D. PC breakdown via phospholipase D was not observed in cells treated with phorbol esters incapable of interacting with protein kinase C. Activation of phospholipase D by phorbol esters was inhibited by long-term pretreatment of cells with PMA to down-regulate protein kinase C and by pretreatment of the cells with staurosporine. These data support the notion that activation of phospholipase D by phorbol esters is dependent upon protein kinase C.     

Dihydropyridine binding to the L-type Ca2+ channel in rabbit heart sarcolemma and skeletal muscle transverse-tubules: role of disulfide, sulfhydryl and phosphate groups

The dihydropyridine receptor is associated with the L-type Ca2+ channel in the cell membrane. In this study we have examined the effects of group-specific modification on dihydropyridine binding in heart sarcolemmal membranes isolated from the rabbit. Specifically, dithiothreitol and glutathione were employed to assess the possible role of disulfide (-SS-) bonds in the binding of [3H]dihydropyridines. NEM, PCMS and iodoacetamide were employed to examine the effect of blocking free sulfhydryl groups (-SH) on the binding of [3H]dihydropyridines to their receptor in heart sarcolemma. Glutathione inhibited [3H]PN200-110 binding to sarcolemmal membranes 100%, with an IC50 value of 50 microM, while DTT inhibited maximally by 75% with an IC50 value in the millimolar range. Alkylation of free sulfhydryl groups by NEM or iodoacetamide inhibited binding of [3H]PN200-110 binding in cardiac sarcolemma approx. 40-60%. Blocking of free sulfhydryl groups by PCMS completely inhibited [3H]PN200-110 binding to their receptor in sarcolemmal membranes in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 20 microM. These results suggest the involvement of disulfide bonds and free sulfhydryl groups in DHP binding to the L-type Ca2+ channel in heart muscle. We also examined the effect of membrane phosphorylation on the specific binding of the dihydropyridine [3H]nitrendipine to its receptor. Phosphorylation was studied in cardiac sarcolemmal as well as skeletal muscle transverse-tubule membranes. Phosphorylation due to endogenous protein kinase and cAMP-dependent protein kinase was without effect on [3H]nitrendipine binding in both cardiac sarcolemmal and skeletal muscle membranes. Addition of exogenous calmodulin under conditions known to promote Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation increased [3H]nitrendipine binding 20% with no alteration in KD in both types of membrane preparation. These results suggest a role for calmodylin in dihydropyridine binding to L-type Ca2+ channels.     

The glycophospholipid anchor of Thy-1. Biosynthetic labeling experiments with wild-type and class E Thy-1 negative lymphomas

The Thy-1 antigen of the surface of lymphocytes and neurons is anchored to the plasma membrane via a glycophospholipid moiety. In contrast, the Thy-1 synthesized by the class E Thy-1 negative mutant lymphoma is secreted as a hydrophilic species. The present investigation uses the approach of biosynthetic labeling to investigate further the structure of the intracellular Thy-1 of wild-type cells and the secreted Thy-1 of these mutant cells. In the wild-type cells, Thy-1 can be labeled with [3H] mannose, [3H]galactose, [3H]fucose, [3H]ethanolamine, and [3H]palmitic acid. In the latter two cases the label is recovered almost exclusively in a detergent-binding Pronase fragment of the protein. The incorporated label is in the form of [3H]ethanolamine, or [3H]palmitate and stearate, respectively. Reductive methylation of biosynthetically labeled Thy-1 and a nonradioactive sample of Thy-1 shows that [3H]ethanolamine is incorporated equally into two residues of ethanolamine, only one of which has a free amino group. A single residue of glucosamine with a free amino group is also detected. Each of the sugar precursors is incorporated with extensive conservation of chemical identity. In the class E cells, each of the labeled sugars but neither [3H]ethanolamine nor [3H]palmitate is incorporated into Thy-1. The anchor moiety therefore appears to be entirely missing, although N-linked oligosaccharide processing is essentially normal. We postulate that the anchor deficiency in the mutant cells results from a biosynthetic lesion.     

Direct photoaffinity labeling of tubulin with guanosine 5'-triphosphate

Irradiation of tubulin in the presence of [3H]GTP or [3H]GDP at 254 nm led to the covalent incorporation of nucleotide into the protein. The specific nature of the labeling was shown in the following manner: with tubulin depleted of exchangeable nucleotide, the amount of labeling increased to a plateau value as the [3H]GTP concentration was increased, with saturation being reached at a ratio of approximately 1.5; the same amount of labeling was obtained with GTP/tubulin ratios of 1 and 100; [3H]GMP was not incorporated into the dimer, nor did GMP inhibit the incorporation of [3H]GTP; [3H]ATP was not incorporated; [3H]GTP incorporation did not occur into denatured tubulin or into serum albumin. When [alpha-32P]GTP was used in the irradiation experiments, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the carboxymethylated protein demonstrated that the incorporated label was associated with the beta subunit. The radiation treatment did cause changes in the tubulin molecule resulting in a decrease in assembly competence and in sulfhydryl groups, but these effects were minimized when a large excess of GTP was present during irradiation. Labeling of tubulin in the assembled state was much less than that observed in the free state.     

Immunological and molecular characterization of the cAMP-dependent protein kinases in AtT20 cells

The properties of the cAMP-dependent protein kinases in AtT20 mouse pituitary tumor cells were characterized by a combination of immunological and biochemical techniques. Ninety per cent of the total cAMP-dependent protein kinase was in the 40,000 X g supernatant fraction. Protein kinases I and II were immunoprecipitated with specific antisera directed against their regulatory subunits. The immunoprecipitated kinases bound [3H]cAMP and were catalytically active when incubated with [gamma-32P]ATP-Mg and protamine or histone H2B. Immunoprecipitated protein kinases I and II bound [3H]cAMP with apparent Kb values of 1.5 and 15 nM, respectively. Regulatory subunit concentrations in AtT20 cells were measured by immunoprecipitation of [3H]cAMP-R complexes. R-I and R-II levels were 2.7 and 3.0 pmol of [3H]cAMP binding activity per mg of cytosolic protein, respectively, however, the ratio of protein kinase II to protein kinase I was 2.5 indicating the presence of a significant amount of free R-I. This was confirmed by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and the isolation of immunoreactive R-I devoid of protein kinase activity. A significant amount of R-I also coeluted with protein kinase II when AtT20 cell extracts were subjected to DEAE-cellulose chromatography. In quantitative immunoprecipitation experiments, 0.1 microliter of anti-brain R-II serum complexed up to 0.5 pmol of the [3H]cAMP-binding activity of protein kinase II prepared from bovine and rat brain, and AtT20 cells while 2 microliter of anti-brain R-II serum was required to precipitate an equal amount of protein kinase II from bovine skeletal muscle showing that the protein kinase II in AtT20 cells contained the neural-specific R-II subunit.     

Putative role of cholesteryl ester transfer protein in removal of cholesteryl ester from vascular interstitium, studied in a model system in cell culture

A model system to study the putative role of cholesteryl ester transfer protein in the egress of interstitial cholesteryl ester is described. Confluent cultures of bovine aortic smooth muscle cells were labeled for 24 h with [3H]cholesteryl linoleyl ether and [14C]cholesteryl linoleate by incubation with bovine milk lipoprotein lipase. This method of labeling results in the transfer of cholesteryl linoleyl ether and cholesteryl ester to three compartments: a trypsin-releasable, trypsin-resistant and catabolic compartment (Stein, O., Halperin, G., Leitersdorf, E., Olivecrona, T. and Stein, Y. (1984) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 795, 47-59). The efflux of labeled cholesteryl linoleyl ether and cholesteryl ester from the extracellular and cell-surface related compartments into a serum-free culture medium containing 1% bovine serum albumin was studied during 24 h of postincubation. The efflux was expressed as a percentage of pulse value, i.e., radioactivity retained by the cell culture at the end of the labeling period. The efflux of [3H]cholesteryl linoleyl ether, [14C]cholesteryl ester and 14C-labeled free cholesterol (formed by cellular hydrolysis of cholesterol ester) into the culture medium with 1% bovine serum albumin was about 5% of the pulse value. Addition of human lipoprotein-deficient serum resulted in a 3-10-fold increase in the efflux of [3H]cholesteryl linoleyl ether and [14C]cholesteryl ester, but did not change markedly the efflux of 14C-labeled free cholesterol. Rat lipoprotein-deficient serum which does not contain cholesteryl ester transfer protein did not increase the efflux of [3H]cholesteryl linoleyl ether or [14C]cholesteryl ester. The rate of cholesteryl ester efflux in the presence of human lipoprotein-deficient serum was linear for about 6 h and increased further up to 24 h. Addition of Intralipid to medium containing human lipoprotein-deficient serum further enhanced the efflux of [3H]cholesteryl linoleyl ether and, to a lesser extent, that of cholesteryl ester. A similar effect was observed also by addition of rat VLDL to medium containing human lipoprotein-deficient serum. Inhibition of cholesteryl linoleyl ether and cholesteryl ester efflux and marked enhancement of free cholesterol efflux occurred when rat HDL was added to medium containing human lipoprotein-deficient serum, while human HDL was only slightly inhibitory. The results obtained with human lipoprotein-deficient serum were reproduced with partially purified cholesteryl ester transfer protein. Using the partially purified cholesteryl ester transfer protein, the efflux of cholesteryl linoleate was compared to that of cholesteryl oleate and was found to be the same.     

Effect of free radicals on adenosine A(2A) and dopamine D2 receptors in the striatum of young adult and aged rats

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent age-related motor dysfunction resulting from the hyperactivity of the indirect striatal pathway, which is controlled in an antagonistic manner by inhibitory dopamine D2 and facilitatory adenosine A(2A) receptors. Thus, dopamine precursors like l-DOPA are the standard therapy and A(2A) antagonists are now tested as anti-parkinsonians. Increased free radicals levels occur on aging and are proposed to be a contributing factor for PD. We now tested if free radicals affected A(2A) and D2 receptors in striatal membranes of young adult (2 months) and old (24 months) rats. The A(2A) receptor antagonist [3H]SCH 58261 bound to striatal membranes with a KD of 0.9 nM and a Bmax of 953 fmol/mg protein in young rats and with a KD of 0.8 nM and a Bmax of 725 fmol/mg protein in aged rats (24% decrease). The D2 receptor antagonist [3H]raclopride bound to striatal membranes with a KD of 4.0 nM and a Bmax of 598 fmol/mg protein in young rats and with a KD of 4.3 nM and a Bmax of 368 fmol/mg protein in aged rats (38% decrease). Exposure of striatal membranes to a free radical generation system (2 mM FeSO4 and 4 mM ascorbate) caused a similar decrease of [3H]SCH 58261 (35%) and [3H]raclopride (37%) binding in young adult rats but caused a greater decrease of [3H]SCH 58261 (49%) than of [3H]raclopride (20%) binding in aged rats. Thus, in aged rats, there is an unbalance of A(2A)/D2 receptor density favouring A(2A) receptors, which is restored on exposure to free radicals. This supports the hypothesis that the effectiveness of A(2A) receptor antagonists as anti-parkinsonians, demonstrated in young adult animals, may not be affected by a modified A(2A)/D2 receptor density in aged individuals suffering from exposure to increased free radical levels, as occurs in PD.     

Differential Binding Properties of Adenosine Receptor Agonists and Antagonists in Brain

The binding properties of N6-cyclohexyl [3H]adenosine ( [3H]CHA) and 1,3-diethyl-8-[3H]phenylxanthine ( [3H]DPX) in rat forebrain membrane are compared. The kinetic parameters of binding for each ligand are quite distinct, with [3H]CHA displaying two populations of binding sites (KD = 0.4 +/- 0.05 nM and 4.2 +/- 0.3 nM; Bmax = 159 +/- 17 and 326 +/- 21 fmol/mg protein), whereas [3H]DPX yielded monophasic Scatchard plots (KD = 13.9 +/- 1.1 nM; Bmax = 634 +/- 27 fmol/mg protein). The metals copper, zinc, and cadmium are potent inhibitors of [3H]CHA binding, with respective IC50 concentrations of 36 microM, 250 microM, and 70 microM. Copper is a much less potent inhibitor of [3H]DPX binding (IC50 = 350 microM). The inhibitory effect of copper on both [3H]CHA and [3H]DPX binding is apparently irreversible, as membranes pretreated with copper cannot be washed free of its inhibitory effect. The inhibitory effect of both copper and zinc on [3H]CHA binding was reversed by the guanine nucleotide Gpp(NH)p. [3H]DPX binding is only partially inhibited by zinc and cadmium (60% of specific binding remains unaffected), suggesting that this adenosine receptor ligand binds to two separate sites. Guanine nucleotides had no effect on the inhibition of [3H]DPX binding by either copper or zinc. Differential thermal and proteolytic denaturation profiles are also observed for [3H]CHA and [3H]DPX binding, with the former ligand binding site being more labile in both cases. Stereospecificity is observed in the inhibition of both [3H]CHA and [3H]DPX binding, with L-N-phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA) being 50-fold more potent than D-PIA in both cases. Evidence is therefore provided that adenosine receptor agonists and antagonists have markedly different binding properties to brain adenosine receptors.     

Extensive labeling with [3H]ethanolamine of a hydrophilic protein of animal cells

Murine T-lymphomas and Thy-1- mutants were labeled overnight with [3H]ethanolamine to detect proteins which possess a glycophospholipid anchor. When labeled cells were treated with 10% trichloroacetic acid and then analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography, both Thy-1 and a second intensely labeled protein (46 kDa) were observed. The presence of the radiolabeled 46-kDa protein in wild type and class E Thy-1 negative cells (cells in which Thy-1 is synthesized but cannot be labeled with [3H]ethanolamine) suggested incorporation into a distinct moiety. Labeling of the 46-kDa protein with [3H]ethanolamine is rapidly inhibited by cycloheximide. Further characterization of the 46-kDa protein by subcellular fractionation and Triton X-114 partitioning indicated that the protein is located in the cytosol. The protein is basic and does not bind to either concanavalin A or wheat germ agglutinin. Labeling of a 46-kDa protein has also been demonstrated in Chinese hamster ovary, COS, rat myeloma, cloned human T-lymphocytes, and HeLa cells. Pronase digestion of the [3H]ethanolamine-labeled 46-kDa protein of wild type lymphoma cells generated a nonbasic and polar labeled fragment which is labile to strong acid and base ([3H]ethanolamine is liberated), insensitive to periodate oxidation and alkaline phosphatase, and does not bind to concanavalin A or wheat germ agglutinin. Judging from methylation studies, the labeled ethanolamine residue does not contain a free amino group. Based on these results, we report a novel post-translational modification of selected protein(s) by the covalent addition of [3H]ethanolamine.     

A specific photoaffinity label for hemolymph and ovarian juvenile hormone-binding proteins in Leucophaea maderae

A tritium-labeled diazocarbonyl juvenile hormone (JH) analog, (10-[10,11-3H]epoxyfarnesyl diazoacetate, [3H]EFDA), covalently bound to proteins in both hemolymph and ovarian extracts when reaction mixtures were irradiated with UV light. The addition of various concentrations of unlabeled JH III selectively inhibited [3H]EFDA photoattachment to proteins. Using the Scatchard method of analysis, [3H]EFDA bound specifically and with relatively high affinity (KD = 1.5 X 10(-6) M) to a macromolecule in each extract, although nonspecific binding to other molecules was also present (20-50%). To determine if [3H]EFDA bound at the JH III-binding site on the binding proteins, radioactive [3H]JH III or [3H]EFDA was complexed with proteins in the presence of various concentrations of either unlabeled JH III or JH I under equilibrium conditions. The results demonstrated that the natural hormone, JH III, displaced both bound labeled ligands 4.1 +/- 0.5 times better than the homolog JH I. Thus, the photoaffinity label [3H]EFDA bound at the same site on the protein as [3H] JH III. Fluorescent autoradiography of [3H]EFDA-labeled proteins separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis revealed that several proteins in both hemolymph and ovarian extracts bound [3H]EFDA. To determine the specificity of binding, extracts were irradiated with UV light in the presence of unlabeled JH III and [3H]EFDA. The results demonstrated that JH III prevented photoattachment of [3H]EFDA to a major protein in each extract. The molecular weight of these proteins was estimated at approximately 200,000 for both the hemolymph protein and the ovarian protein.     

Guanosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate)-dependent inositol trisphosphate formation in membranes is inhibited by phorbol ester and protein kinase C

Phosphoinositide hydrolysis was studied in a washed membrane preparation of 1321N1 astrocytoma cells prelabeled with [3H]inositol. GTP gamma S stimulated the formation of [3H]inositol mono-, bis-, and trisphosphate ([3H]InsP, [3H]InsP2, and [3H]InsP3) with a half-maximal effect on [3H]InsP formation at 5 microM. Carbachol increased the accumulation of [3H]inositol phosphates only in the presence of added guanine nucleotide. Calcium increased [3H]InsP3 accumulation over a range of concentrations (10 nM-3 mM free calcium). When 1321N1 cells were treated with phorbol ester (100 nM 4 beta-phorbol 12 beta-myristate 13 alpha-acetate (PMA)) prior to preparation of the membranes, the maximal [3H]InsP formation induced by GTP gamma S or GTP gamma S plus carbachol was decreased by 50-75%. In contrast, the response to a maximal calcium concentration presumed to activate phospholipase C directly was minimally inhibited (approximately 15%). PMA treatment did not affect muscarinic receptor affinity for carbachol or the effect of GTP on agonist binding. PMA treatment was also without effect on the breakdown of exogenous [3H]InsP3 in homogenates, permeabilized cells, and membranes, indicating that the InsP3-phosphatase was not the site of phorbol ester action. PMA treatment inhibited [3H] InsP3 formation only in membranes and not in cytosol prepared from the same cells, suggesting a membrane site of PMA action. Membranes were also required to demonstrate GTP gamma S-stimulated [3H]InsP3 formation although calcium-stimulated [3H]InsP3 formation was demonstrable in both membranes and cytosol. The addition of purified protein kinase C to the membranes mimicked the effect of PMA treatment to decrease GTP gamma S-stimulated [3H]InsP3 production. These data indicate that the effect of PMA on phosphoinositide metabolism is demonstrable in a cell-free system and that it can be mimicked by protein kinase C. We suggest that the ability of PMA to block GTP gamma S-stimulated formation of [3H]InsP3 results from inhibition of the G protein interaction with phospholipase C.     

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.