Pertussis toxin inhibits thrombin-induced activation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis and Na+/H+ exchange in hamster fibroblasts.

Prior treatment with pertussis toxin of G0-arrested hamster fibroblasts (CCL39) results in a dose-dependent inhibition of two early events of the mitogenic response elicited by alpha-thrombin: accumulation of inositol phosphates in Li+-treated cells, and activation of the Na+/H+ antiport, measured either by the amiloride-sensitive 22Na+ influx or by the increase in intracellular pH. At 10(-1) U/ml of alpha-thrombin, the maximal inhibition was approximately 50% for these two early cellular responses, but the pertussis toxin effect was more pronounced at lower thrombin concentrations. In contrast, pertussis toxin does not affect the Na+/H+ antiport activation induced by phorbol esters or EGF, the action of which is not mediated by the phosphoinositide-metabolizing pathway in CCL39 cells. Therefore, our data suggest the following. A GTP-binding regulatory protein is probably involved in signal transduction between thrombin receptors and the phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate-specific phospholipase C. This regulation does not seem to be exerted via modulations of cyclic AMP levels. The thrombin-induced activation of Na+/H+ antiport is, at least in part, mediated by the protein kinase C, as a consequence of stimulation of phosphatidylinositol turnover.     

alpha-Thrombin-induced early mitogenic signalling events and G0 to S-phase transition of fibroblasts require continual external stimulation.

In resting Chinese hamster fibroblasts (CCL39) alpha-thrombin rapidly stimulates several biochemical events implicated in the mitogenic response, including the breakdown of inositol phospholipids, activation of a plasma membrane Na+/H+ antiporter, phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 and increased expression of the proto-oncogene c-myc. Complete removal of the growth factor during cellular G0/G1 transit precludes the re-initiation of DNA synthesis. The present study was designed to examine the fate of alpha-thrombin-activated early events following growth factor inactivation. In cells stimulated for 30 min with alpha-thrombin, neutralization of the growth factor results in: (i) immediate arrest of inositol phosphate formation, (ii) rapid inactivation of Na+/H+ exchange, (iii) deactivation of the S6 phosphorylating system and (iv) strong reduction of c-myc mRNA level. Our findings that commitment for DNA synthesis as well as persistent activation of 'early' cellular events requires continual growth factor stimulation suggest that: (i) growth factor-induced transmembrane signals have a short life and (ii) the generation of these signals during the 8 h of the pre-replicative phase is required for G0-arrested cells to enter the S phase.     

Mechanism of activation of lymphocyte Na+/H+ exchange by concanavalin A. A calcium- and protein kinase C-independent pathway

Treatment of thymic lymphocytes with the mitogenic lectin concanavalin A (ConA) increases the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration and stimulates phosphoinositide turnover. ConA also induced a rapid, amiloride-sensitive, Na+-dependent increase in cytosolic pH of 0.13 +/- 0.01, indicative of stimulation of the Na+/H+ antiport. To investigate the mechanism underlying activation of Na+/H+ exchange by ConA, the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration changes induced by this lectin were precluded by loading the cells with Ca2+-buffering agents and suspension in Ca2+-free media. Under these conditions, the ConA-induced cytoplasmic alkalinization proceeded normally. Two approaches were used to assess the role of protein kinase C. First, this enzyme was inhibited by the addition of 1-(5-isoquinolinysulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine. In the presence of this potent antagonist, stimulation of the antiport by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate was greatly inhibited. In contrast, stimulation by ConA was unaffected. Second, protein kinase C was depleted by overnight incubation with phorbol esters. Following this treatment, Na+/H+ exchange was no longer activated by 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13-acetate, but was still stimulated by ConA. These data suggest that a Ca2+- and protein kinase C-independent mechanisms mediates the activation of Na+/H+ exchange by ConA. The possible role of GTP-binding proteins in the activation was also studied. The antiport was not stimulated by either fluoroaluminate or vanadate. Moreover, pretreatment with pertussis toxin failed to inhibit the ConA-induced cytoplasmic alkalinization. In contrast, preincubation with cholera toxin partially inhibited activation. Under these conditions, cholera toxin significantly elevated intracellular cAMP levels. Inhibition was also observed in cells treated with forskolin at concentrations that increased [cAMP]. The data suggest that a novel cAMP-sensitive signaling mechanism not involving Ca2+ and protein kinase C is involved in the stimulation of Na+/H+ exchange by mitogens in T lymphocytes.     

Alpha 2-adrenergic agonists stimulate DNA synthesis in Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts transfected with a human alpha 2-adrenergic receptor gene.

To test the hypothesis that agents activating receptors negatively coupled to adenylyl cyclase (AC) can stimulate cell proliferation, we have expressed a human alpha 2-adrenergic receptor (alpha 2-C10) in CCL39 cells and studied the effects of alpha 2-agonists on reinitiation of DNA synthesis in quiescent cells. We report that the alpha 2-agonists epinephrine and clonidine stimulate [3H]-thymidine incorporation in synergy with fibroblast growth factor and that the alpha 2-antagonist yohimbine efficiently inhibits this response. Epinephrine- and clonidine-stimulated DNA synthesis is completely blocked by pertussis toxin and correlates well with the inhibition of prostaglandin E1-stimulated AC. Thus, their action closely resembles the action of serotonin in the same cell system, which is mediated through 5-HT1b receptors. In fact, serotonin- and epinephrine-stimulated DNA synthesis reinitiation is not additive, suggesting that both agents act through a common pathway. Interestingly, alpha 2-agonists also induced a moderate release of inositol phosphates, indicating that alpha 2-adrenergic receptors can interact both with the AC and phospholipase C messenger system. Activation of phosphoinositide (PI) turnover by epinephrine leads to a significant stimulation of Na+/H+ exchange but is insufficient to trigger a mitogenic response in CCL39 cells, as will be discussed. We found no evidence for epinephrine-induced activation of Na+/H+ exchange by a mechanism independent of PI breakdown.Our data show that alpha 2-adrenergic receptors can play a role in the regulation of cell proliferation in an appropriate context; also, the data support the hypothesis that receptors negatively coupled to AC must be taken into account as mediators of growth factor action in fibroblasts, in particular when activated in parallel with receptor tyrosine kinases.     

Further evidence for a phospholipase C-coupled G protein in hamster fibroblasts. Induction of inositol phosphate formation by fluoroaluminate and vanadate and inhibition by pertussis toxin

We have previously reported that alpha-thrombin induces in resting hamster fibroblasts (CCL39) the formation of inositol phosphates (IP) by activating a GTP-binding protein (G protein) sensitive to pertussis toxin (Paris, S., and Pouysségur, J. (1986) EMBO J. 5, 55-60). Here we show that IP formation in CCL39 cells can also be induced by NaF with AlCl3 and by vanadate. In the presence of Li+, IP accumulation is linear over 30 min with no detectable lag and is concentration-dependent. NaF alone is slightly stimulatory, but a marked potentiation is observed in the presence of AlCl3, by itself without effect. Maximal stimulation is obtained with 10 mM NaF and 3 microM AlCl3, and with vanadate half-maximal effect is achieved at 0.3 mM. Both stimulations are markedly inhibited (up to 80%) by pertussis toxin (half-maximal inhibition at 1-2 ng/ml). We therefore conclude that phospholipase C is stimulated by NaF plus AlCl3 (presumably acting as AlF-4) and by vanadate by direct activation of the regulatory G protein. In addition, NaF inhibits the inositol-1-phosphatase, but this effect is not potentiated by AlCl3. Similarly, vanadate inhibits inositol trisphosphate degradation. Maximal stimulations of phospholipase C by AlF-4 and vanadate are not additive, whereas they are both additive with thrombin effects. Pretreatment of cells for 15 min with the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate nearly completely abolishes induction of IP formation by AlF-4 and vanadate, suggesting that protein kinase C exerts a feedback negative control either on the G protein or on phospholipase C itself. An increase in cellular cyclic AMP similarly results in a marked attenuation of AlF-4-induced IP formation, indicating that activation of phospholipase C can be controlled also by cyclic AMP. However, the stimulatory effect of AlF-4 on phospholipase C is clearly dissociated from its effect on the adenylate cyclase system.     

Mastoparan, a novel mitogen for Swiss 3T3 cells, stimulates pertussis toxin-sensitive arachidonic acid release without inositol phosphate accumulation

Mastoparan, a basic tetradecapeptide isolated from wasp venom, is a novel mitogen for Swiss 3T3 cells. This peptide induced DNA synthesis in synergy with insulin in a concentration-dependent manner; half-maximum and maximum responses were achieved at 14 and 17 microM, respectively. Mastoparan also stimulated DNA synthesis in the presence of other growth promoting factors including bombesin, insulin-like growth factor-1, and platelet-derived growth factor. The synergistic mitogenic stimulation by mastoparan can be dissociated from activation of phospholipase C. Mastoparan did not stimulate phosphoinositide breakdown, Ca2+ mobilization or protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation of a major cellular substrate or transmodulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor. In contrast, mastoparan stimulated arachidonic acid release, prostaglandin E2 production, and enhanced cAMP accumulation in the presence of forskolin. These responses were inhibited by prior treatment with pertussis toxin. Hence, mastoparan stimulates arachidonic acid release via a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein in Swiss 3T3 cells. Arachidonic acid, like mastoparan, stimulated DNA synthesis in the presence of insulin. The ability of mastoparan to stimulate mitogenesis was reduced by pertussis toxin treatment. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that mastoparan stimulates reinitiation of DNA synthesis in Swiss 3T3 cells and indicate that this peptide may be a useful probe to elucidate signal transduction mechanisms in mitogenesis.     

Tyrosine kinase-activating growth factors potentiate thrombin- and AIF4- -induced phosphoinositide breakdown in hamster fibroblasts. Evidence for positive cross-talk between the two mitogenic signaling pathways

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and alpha-thrombin can stimulate DNA synthesis in Chinese hamster fibroblasts (CCL39) by two separate signaling pathways (Chambard, J.C., Paris, S., L'Allemain, G., and Pouysségur, J. (1987) Nature 326, 800-803) but can also act synergistically. We have examined whether this synergism might depend upon changes in inositol lipid metabolism. Indeed, FGF, which has no effect on its own on phosphoinositide hydrolysis, potentiates (by up to 2-fold) thrombin-induced formation of inositol phosphates. This enhancing effect is also observed upon direct activation by AIF4- of the GTP-binding protein coupled to phospholipase C, and is best revealed when phospholipase C is weakly stimulated. With low thrombin concentrations or with AIF4-, the formation of inositol phosphates is immediately increased with a marked reduction of the initial lag, whereas at high thrombin concentrations, the stimulation by FGF becomes pronounced only after desensitization of phospholipase C to thrombin. FGF-induced potentiation is not mimicked by calcium ionophores, but is likewise elicited by epidermal growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, and to a lesser extent by insulin, other growth factors known to activate receptor tyrosine kinases. We therefore propose that the tyrosine kinase-activating growth factors enhance the coupling between GTP-binding protein and phospholipase C, presumably through the phosphorylation of one of these two proteins. Treatment of cells with pertussis toxin attenuates thrombin-induced phospholipase C activity but does not impede the potentiation by FGF. Comparison of the potentiating effects of FGF on inositol phosphate formation and on DNA synthesis suggests than an increased production of second messengers by the inositol lipid pathway in the first hours of stimulation might be, at least in part, responsible for the synergistic actions of FGF and thrombin on DNA synthesis.     

The mitogenic signaling pathway of fibroblast growth factor is not mediated through polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis and protein kinase C activation in hamster fibroblasts

Basic or acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF), alone, was found to be as potent as alpha-thrombin to reinitiate DNA synthesis in G0-arrested Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (CCL39). Basic FGF at 50 ng/ml or thrombin at 1 unit/ml rapidly initiated early events such as cytoplasmic alkalinization (0.2-0.3 pH units), rise in cytoplasmic Ca2+, phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 and increased c-myc expression, followed by a 30-40-fold increase in labeled nuclei. Whereas thrombin is a potent activator of phospholipase C as judged by the rapid release of inositol trisphosphate, inositol bisphosphate and by the massive accumulation of total inositol phosphate (IP) in the presence of 20 mM Li+, FGF failed to induce the breakdown of polyphosphoinositides in quiescent CCL39 cells. Indeed, no inositol trisphosphate nor inositol bisphosphate could be detected in response to FGF; in presence of Li+ the total IP release never exceeded 8% of the IP released by the action of thrombin. Two additional findings indicated that FGF and thrombin activate different signaling pathways. First, we found that, in contrast to thrombin, the FGF-induced rise in the cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration measured by quin-2 fluorescence, is strictly dependent upon the presence of Ca2+ in the external medium. Second, we found that FGF failed to activate protein kinase C as judged by the epidermal growth factor-receptor binding assay. Treatment of the cells with either thrombin or phorbol esters, rapidly inhibited 125I-labeled epidermal growth factor binding (50-60%). Basic or acidic FGF had no effect. We conclude that: the FGF-receptor signaling pathway is not coupled to phospholipase C activation, and early mitogenic events and reinitiation of DNA synthesis can be initiated independently of inositol lipid breakdown and protein kinase C activation.     

Lysophosphatidate-induced cell proliferation: identification and dissection of signaling pathways mediated by G proteins

Lysophosphatidate (LPA), the simplest natural phospholipid, is highly mitogenic for quiescent fibroblasts. LPA-induced cell proliferation is not dependent on other mitogens and is blocked by pertussis toxin. LPA initiates at least three separate signaling cascades: activation of a pertussis toxin-insensitive G protein mediating phosphoinositide hydrolysis with subsequent Ca2+ mobilization and stimulation of protein kinase C; release of arachidonic acid in a GTP-dependent manner, but independent of prior phosphoinositide hydrolysis; and activation of a pertussis toxin-sensitive Gi protein mediating inhibition of adenylate cyclase. The peptide bradykinin mimics LPA in inducing the first two responses but fails to activate Gi and to stimulate DNA synthesis. Our data suggest that the mitogenic action of LPA occurs through Gi or a related pertussis toxin substrate and that the phosphoinositide hydrolysis-protein kinase C pathway is neither required nor sufficient, by itself, for mitogenesis. The results further suggest that LPA or LPA-like phospholipids may have a novel role in G protein-mediated signal transduction.     

Cyclic AMP inhibits mitogen-induced DNA synthesis in hamster fibroblasts, regardless of the signalling pathway involved

Mitogen-induced initiation of DNA synthesis in quiescent Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (CCL39) is strongly inhibited by 8-Br cAMP and cAMP-evaluating agents (prostaglandin E1, cholera toxin, isobutylmethylxanthine). This inhibition is reversible and occurs very early in G0/G1. As exponential growth is much less affected by increased cAMP, we propose that cAMP inhibits an early signal essential for the exit from G0. CCL39 cells can be stimulated by alpha-thrombin, which activates phosphoinositide (PI) breakdown, as well as by mitogens (FGF or FGF + serotonin) which do not involve the PI pathway. Here we show that the action of both classes of mitogens is likewise inhibited by cAMP. Therefore, although PI breakdown is inhibited by cAMP in CCL39 cells, this effect cannot entirely account for th antimitogenic activity of cAMP. Other early steps of the mitogenic response must be also affected.     

Homologous desensitization of thrombin-induced phosphoinositide breakdown in hamster lung fibroblasts

Activation of phosphoinositide breakdown is thought to be an important signaling pathway involved in the mitogenic effects of alpha-thrombin in Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts. We have previously shown that the initial strong stimulation of inositol phosphate formation induced by thrombin in quiescent hamster cells (CCL39 line) is rapidly attenuated. We now report that this desensitization of phospholipase C to thrombin 1) is independent of protein kinase C activation, because thrombin-induced desensitization normally occurs in cells that have been depleted in protein kinase C by a prolonged treatment with a phorbol ester, and 2) is even independent of phosphoinositide hydrolysis because the desensitization still occurs, although at a lesser degree, at 4 degrees C, in the absence of any phospholipase C activity. Furthermore, phospholipase C desensitization to thrombin is homologous. It does not affect the response to thrombin-free serum or the direct activation by A1F-4 of the GTP-binding protein (G-protein) coupled to phospholipase C. We therefore conclude that the desensitization of phospholipase C to thrombin does not result from an impairment of the G-protein-phospholipase C complex, or from a depletion in phosphoinositides, but rather from a modification of thrombin receptors leading to their uncoupling from G-protein. This modification is slowly reversible because, upon thrombin removal, a prolonged incubation (approximately 2 h) restores responsiveness of the cells to thrombin. Although the desensitization seems to depend on thrombin receptor occupancy, it cannot be accounted for by an internalization of the occupied receptors, because it is not blocked at 4 degrees C. The exact mechanism underlying this homologous desensitization of thrombin receptors remains to be elucidated.     

Basic fibroblast growth factor does not initiate mitogenic signalling via phosphoinositide hydrolysis in PC12 cells

Basic fibroblast growth factor (b FGF) was found to be equally potent mitogen as compared to alpha-thrombin to reinitiate DNA synthesis in quiescent PC12 cells. Whereas thrombin was found to be an activator of phospholipase C as judged by a rapid increase in the formation of inositol triphosphate, inositol biphosphate and a massive accumulation of inositol phosphate when 20 mM LiCl was present as an inhibitor of inositol mono phosphatases, basic FGF failed to induce the breakdown of the polyphosphoinositides in quiescent PC12 cells to any appreciable levels, however, a simultaneous increase in the level of diacylglycerol was observed. b FGF also failed to stimulate protein kinase C which is believed to be activated by diacylglycerol. It is therefore concluded that bFGF receptor mediated 'signalling is not via phospholipase C activation and bFGF's early mitogenic responses and DNA synthesis are initiated independent of the inositol lipids and protein kinase C activation. Thus bFGF must have its own unique signal transducing mechanism independent of inositol pathways.     

Different sensitivity to phorbol esters and pertussis toxin of bombesin- and platelet-derived growth factor-induced, phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of phosphoinositides in NIH/3T3 cells

Incubation of the serum-deprived cultures of NIH/3T3 cells with bombesin or platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) induced the phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of phosphoinositides. Protein kinase C-activating 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) and pertussis toxin inhibited the bombesin-induced phospholipase C reactions. AlF4-, a direct activator of GTP-binding proteins (G proteins), also induced the phospholipase C reactions and TPA inhibited the AlF4- -induced reactions. These results suggest that a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein is involved in the coupling of the bombesin receptor to the phospholipase C and that the coupling of the G protein to the phospholipase C is inhibited by protein kinase C. In contrast, neither TPA nor pertussis toxin inhibited the PDGF-induced phospholipase C reactions, indicating that a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein is not involved in the coupling of the PDGF receptor to the phospholipase C and that this coupling is insensitive to protein kinase C. These results suggest that the regulatory mechanism of the PDGF receptor for the phospholipase C activation is different from that of the bombesin receptor.     

Inhibition of bombesin-induced mitogenesis by pertussis toxin: dissociation from phospholipase C pathway

Prior incubation of quiescent cultures of Swiss 3T3 cells with pertussis toxin selectively inhibited the stimulation of DNA synthesis induced by peptides of the bombesin family. While pertussis toxin blocked mitogenesis at an early stage in the action of the peptide, the toxin did not impair the rapid stimulation of polyphosphoinositide breakdown, Ca2+ mobilization or activation of protein kinase C promoted by bombesin. Thus, inhibition of bombesin-induced mitogenesis by pertussis toxin can be dissociated from inactivation of the phospholipase C signalling pathway.     

Serotonin-induced deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells involves a novel, pertussis toxin-sensitive pathway

Serotonin-induced DNA synthesis in bovine aortic smooth muscle cells was totally abolished by pretreatment of cultures with 5 ng/ml pertussis toxin. The half maximally effective concentration of toxin was approximately 10 pg/ml. Pertussis toxin did not affect platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-stimulated DNA synthesis and actually enhanced the mitogenic effect of the phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Pertussis toxin did not inhibit serotonin-stimulated inositol phosphate accumulation or increases in intracellular calcium or cAMP concentrations under conditions sufficient to completely inhibit serotonin-induced (3H)thymidine incorporation. These results demonstrate that a novel, pertussis-sensitive pathway is required for serotonin-, but not platelet-derived growth factor-induced DNA synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells. The pertussis-sensitive step does not involve cAMP, phosphoinositide hydrolysis, mobilization of intracellular calcium, or phorbol ester-sensitive protein kinase C activity.     

5-HT1A and histamine H1 receptors in HeLa cells stimulate phosphoinositide hydrolysis and phosphate uptake via distinct G protein pools.

Regulation of phosphate uptake was studied in a HeLa cell line after transfection with DNA encoding the human 5-HT1A receptor. In these cells, 5-HT stimulates sodium-dependent phosphate uptake via protein kinase C activation. Endogenous histamine H1 receptors (739 +/- 20 fmol/mg protein) were identified with [3H]pyrilamine. Histamine (i) stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis (EC50 = 8.6 +/- 4.1 microM), (ii) activated protein kinase C (2.4-fold increase in activity), and (iii) increased phosphate uptake (EC50 = 3.2 +/- 1.8 microM) by increasing maximal transport (Vmax(basal) = 6.2 +/- 0.3 versus Vmax(histamine) = 9.1 +/- 0.4) without changing the affinity of the transport process for phosphate. Prolonged treatment with 16 microM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate completely blocked protein kinase C activation and markedly attenuated the stimulation of phosphate uptake induced by histamine, establishing that 5-HT and histamine stimulate phosphate uptake through the common pathway of protein kinase C activation. The linkages of the histamine H1 and 5-HT1A receptors to G protein pools were assessed in two ways. (i) The stimulation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis, protein kinase C activity, and phosphate uptake associated with histamine were insensitive to pertussis toxin, whereas those associated with 5-HT were very sensitive to pertussis toxin. (ii) The stimulation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis, protein kinase C activity, and phosphate uptake induced by histamine and 5-HT were additive. These findings suggest that distinct receptor types can stimulate phosphoinositide hydrolysis, protein kinase C, and phosphate uptake in an additive fashion through distinct pools of G proteins in a single cell type.     

Growth factor action and intracellular pH regulation in fibroblasts. Evidence for a major role of the Na+/H+ antiport

Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (CCl39) possess in their plasma membrane an amiloride-sensitive Na+/H+ antiport, activated by growth factors. Measurements of intracellular pH (pHi), using equilibrium distribution of benzoic acid, provide evidence for a major role of this antiport in 1) regulation of cytoplasmic pH, in response to an acute acid load or to varying external pH values, and 2) the increase in cytoplasmic pH (by 0.2-0.3 pH unit) upon addition of growth factors (alpha-thrombin and insulin) to G0/G1-arrested cells. Indeed, these two processes are Na+-dependent and amiloride-sensitive; furthermore, CCl39-derived mutant cells, lacking the Na+/H+ exchange activity, are greatly impaired in pHi regulation and present no cytoplasmic alkalinization upon growth factor addition. In wild type G0-arrested cells, the amplitude of the mitogen-induced alkalinization reflects directly the activity of the Na+/H+ antiport, and is tightly correlated with the magnitude of DNA synthesis stimulation. Therefore, we conclude that cytoplasmic pH, regulated by the Na+/H+ antiport, is of crucial importance in the mitogenic response.     

Lipid characteristics of Friend erythroleukaemia cells differentiated by dimethyl sulphoxide or hexamethylenebisacetamide, and of non-inducible clones treated with the inducers.

We have compared the effects of pretreatment of Swiss 3T3 cell with pertussis toxin on the stimulation of DNA synthesis and phosphoinositide hydrolysis in response to a wide variety of mitogens. The toxin substantially inhibited the stimulation of DNA synthesis in response to a phorbol ester or various peptide and polypeptide growth factors irrespective of their ability to activate phosphoinositidase C. Production of inositol phosphates in response to platelet-derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factor and prostaglandin F2 alpha were unaffected by the toxin while bombesin- and vasopressin-stimulated formation of inositol phosphates were inhibited by only 27 and 23% respectively. These results argue against a major role for a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein in coupling any of these mitogen receptors to activation of a phosphoinositidase C. Furthermore, the results suggest that the widespread inhibitory effects of pertussis toxin on mitogen-stimulated DNA synthesis may be unrelated to the toxin's limited actions on phosphoinositide hydrolysis.     

Biphasic and synergistic activation of p44mapk (ERK1) by growth factors: correlation between late phase activation and mitogenicity.

We have examined the phosphorylation and protein kinase activity of p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p44mapk) in growth factor-stimulated hamster fibroblasts using a specific antiserum. The activity of p44mapk was stimulated both by receptor tyrosine kinases and G protein-coupled receptors. Detailed kinetics revealed that alpha-thrombin induces a biphasic activation of p44mapk in CCL39 cells: a rapid phase appearing at 5-10 min was followed by a late and sustained phase still elevated after 4 h. Inactivation of alpha-thrombin with hirudin after 30 sec, which prevented DNA synthesis, did not alter the early p44mapk response but completely abolished the late phase. Pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin, which inhibits by more than 95% alpha-thrombin-induced mitogenicity, resulted in the complete loss of late phase activity, while the early peak was partially attenuated. Treatment of CCL39 cells with basic fibroblast growth factor also induced a strong activation of p44mapk. Serotonin, which is not a mitogen by its own, had no effect on late phase p44mapk activity, but synergized with basic fibroblast growth factor to induce late kinase response and DNA synthesis. Both early and late phase activation of p44mapk were accompanied by tyrosine phosphorylation of the enzyme. Together, the results indicate that there is a very close correlation between the ability of a growth factor to induce late and sustained p44mapk activation and its mitogenic potential. Therefore, we propose that sustained p44mapk activation is an obligatory event for growth factor-induced cell cycle progression.