Effects of guanine nucleotides on cholera toxin catalyzed ADP-ribosylation in rat adipocyte plasma membranes

ADP-ribosylation of rat adipocyte plasma membrane proteins was investigated following incubation of membranes with [alpha-32P]NAD and cholera toxin in the presence and absence of various guanine nucleotides. In membranes incubated without guanine nucleotides, cholera toxin induced incorporation of 32P into three discrete proteins of 48, 45, and 41 kDa. In membranes containing 100 microM GTP or GDP, toxin-catalyzed incorporation of 32P into the 41-kDa protein was inhibited. GMP and Gpp(NH)p (100 microM) allowed moderate incorporation of 32P into the 41-kDa protein. Toxin-catalyzed labeling of all proteins was rapid, reaching maximal levels between 5 and 10 min. Toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of the 48- and 45-kDa proteins was stimulated by GTP, reaching maximal levels at 10(-5) M GTP. Inhibition of toxin-dependent labeling of the 41-kDa protein required GTP concentrations above 10(-7) M with complete inhibition occurring between 10(-5) and 10(-4) M GTP. Cholera toxin catalyzed ADP-ribosylation was increased up to 2-fold in membranes supplemented with adipocyte cytosol. These results indicate that cholera toxin catalyzes ADP-ribosylation of three distinct adipocyte plasma membrane proteins, each of which is regulated by the amount and type of added guanine nucleotides.     

Proline-rich peptide from the coral pathogen Vibrio shiloi that inhibits photosynthesis of Zooxanthellae

The coral-bleaching bacterium Vibrio shiloi biosynthesizes and secretes an extracellular peptide, referred to as toxin P, which inhibits photosynthesis of coral symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae). Toxin P was produced during the stationary phase when the bacterium was grown on peptone or Casamino Acids media at 29 degrees C. Glycerol inhibited the production of toxin P. Toxin P was purified to homogeneity, yielding the following 12-residue peptide: PYPVYAPPPVVP (molecular weight, 1,295.54). The structure of toxin P was confirmed by chemical synthesis. In the presence of 12.5 mM NH(4)Cl, pure natural or synthetic toxin P (10 microM) caused a 64% decrease in the photosynthetic quantum yield of zooxanthellae within 5 min. The inhibition was proportional to the toxin P concentration. Toxin P bound avidly to zooxanthellae, such that subsequent addition of NH(4)Cl resulted in rapid inhibition of photosynthesis. When zooxanthellae were incubated in the presence of NH(4)Cl and toxin P, there was a rapid decrease in the pH (pH 7.8 to 7.2) of the bulk liquid, suggesting that toxin P facilitates transport of NH(3) into the cell. It is known that uptake of NH(3) into cells can destroy the pH gradient and block photosynthesis. This mode of action of toxin P can help explain the mechanism of coral bleaching by V. shiloi.     

Pertussis toxin reverses prostaglandin E2- and somatostatin-induced inhibition of rat parietal cell H(+)-production.

In enzymatically dispersed enriched rat parietal cells we studied the effect of pertussis toxin on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)- or somatostatin-induced inhibition of H(+)-production. Parietal cells were incubated in parallel in the absence (control cells) and presence of pertussis toxin (250 ng/ml; 4 h). [14C]Aminopyrine accumulation by both pertussis toxin-treated and control cells was used as an indirect measure of H(+)-production after stimulation with either histamine, forskolin or dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (dbcAMP) alone and in the presence of PGE2 (10(-9)-10(-7) M) or somatostatin (10(-9)-10(-6) M). PGE2 inhibited histamine- and forskolin-stimulated [14C]aminopyrine accumulation but failed to alter the response to dbcAMP. Somatostatin was less effective and less potent than PGE2 in inhibiting stimulation by histamine or forskolin and reduced the response to dbcAMP. Pertussis toxin completely reversed inhibition by both PGE2 and somatostatin on histamine- and forskolin-stimulated H(+)-production but failed to affect inhibition by somatostatin of the response to dbcAMP. After incubation of crude control cell membranes with [32P]NAD+, pertussis toxin catalysed the incorporation of [32P]adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribose into a membrane protein of molecular weight of 41,000, the known molecular weight of the inhibitory subunit of adenylate cyclase (Gi alpha). Pertussis toxin treatment of parietal cells prior to the preparation of crude membranes almost completely prevented subsequent pertussis toxin-catalysed [32P]ADP ribosylation of the 41,000 molecular weight protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Adenylate cyclase from rabbit small intestine: activation by cholera toxin and interaction with calcium

The stimulation of adenylate cyclase in various fractions of plasma membranes from rabbit small intestinal epithelium has been studied. In crude plasma membranes cholera toxin activated 5-fold at 10 micrograms/ml; vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) activated at concentration from 10(-8) to 10(-7) M, the maximal stimulation being 6-fold. Fluoride activated 10-fold at 10 mM. VIP-stimulated enzyme was inhibited by Ca2+ concentrations in the micromolar range. In the presence of calmodulin a biphasic response was obtained. At low Ca2+ concentration (4 x 10(-9)-6 x 10(-8) M) the enzyme was activated. As the Ca2+ concentration was increased the enzyme was concomitantly inhibited. We have investigated the mechanism by which cholera toxin activates intestinal adenylate cyclase. We have found that cholera toxin catalyzed incorporation of 32P into proteins located in the brush-border membrane whose molecular weights are in the range of 40-45kDa. These membranes bind [3H]GTP with a Kd of 1.8 x 10(-7) M. In contrast, basal lateral membranes do not contain any protein which becomes labeled in a toxin-dependent manner when incubated with cholera toxin and [32P]NAD. The modification of brush-border membrane protein occurred in spite of the absence of adenylate cyclase in these membranes. Adenylate cyclase in basal lateral membranes was poorly activated by cholera toxin as compared to crude plasma membranes. On the other hand, the ability of VIP and fluoride to activate the enzyme was enhanced in basal lateral membranes with respect to crude membranes. The results are discussed in relation to the mechanism by which cholera toxin activates adenylate cyclase in intact intestinal cells.     

The activation of adenylate cyclase from small intestinal epithelium by cholera toxin

ADP-ribosylation of membrane proteins from rabbit small intestinal epithelium was investigated following incubation of membranes with [32P]NAD and cholera toxin. Cholera toxin catalyzes incorporation of 32P into three proteins of 40 kDA, 45 kDa and 47 kDa located in the brush-border membrane. In contrast, basal lateral membranes do not contain any protein which becomes labeled in a toxin-dependent manner when incubated with cholera toxin and [32P]NAD. The modification of membrane proteins from brush border occurred in spite of the virtual absence in these membranes of adenylate cyclase activatable either by cholera toxin, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) or fluoride. The three agents activated adenylate cyclase when crude plasma membrane were used. Cholera toxin activated fivefold at 10 micrograms/ml. Vasoactive intestinal peptide activated at concentrations from 10-300 nM, the maximal stimulation being sixfold. Fluoride activated 10-fold at 10 mM. When basal lateral membranes were assayed for adenylate cyclase it was found that, with respect to the crude membranes, the specific activity of fluoride-activated enzyme was 3.3-fold higher, VIP stimulated enzyme was maintained while cholera-toxin-stimulated enzyme showed half specific activity. Moreover, while fluoride stimulated ninefold and VIP stimulated fivefold, cholera toxin only stimulated twofold at the highest concentration. The results suggest that the activation by cholera toxin of adenylate cyclase located at the basal lateral membrane requires ADPribosylation of proteins in the brush border membrane.     

Proline-Rich Peptide from the Coral Pathogen Vibrio shiloi That Inhibits Photosynthesis of Zooxanthellae

The coral-bleaching bacterium Vibrio shiloi biosynthesizes and secretes an extracellular peptide, referred to as toxin P, which inhibits photosynthesis of coral symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae). Toxin P was produced during the stationary phase when the bacterium was grown on peptone or Casamino Acids media at 29°C. Glycerol inhibited the production of toxin P. Toxin P was purified to homogeneity, yielding the following 12-residue peptide: PYPVYAPPPVVP (molecular weight, 1,295.54). The structure of toxin P was confirmed by chemical synthesis. In the presence of 12.5 mM NH₄Cl, pure natural or synthetic toxin P (10 μM) caused a 64% decrease in the photosynthetic quantum yield of zooxanthellae within 5 min. The inhibition was proportional to the toxin P concentration. Toxin P bound avidly to zooxanthellae, such that subsequent addition of NH₄Cl resulted in rapid inhibition of photosynthesis. When zooxanthellae were incubated in the presence of NH₄Cl and toxin P, there was a rapid decrease in the pH (pH 7.8 to 7.2) of the bulk liquid, suggesting that toxin P facilitates transport of NH₃ into the cell. It is known that uptake of NH₃ into cells can destroy the pH gradient and block photosynthesis. This mode of action of toxin P can help explain the mechanism of coral bleaching by V. shiloi.     

Altered responses to modulators of guanine nucleotide binding protein activity in endotoxin tolerance

The effects of cholera toxin or pertussis toxin and nonhydrolyzable GTP analogs on Salmonella enteritidis endotoxin stimulation of iTxB2 and i6-keto-PGF1 alpha synthesis in control and endotoxin tolerant rat peritoneal macrophages were determined. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin alone had no effect on basal macrophage iTxB2 or i6-keto-PGF1 alpha production, but pertussis toxin (0.1, 1.0 and 10 ng/ml) significantly inhibited endotoxin-stimulated iTxB2 and i6-keto-PGF1 alpha synthesis. Pretreatment with cholera toxin, which did not affect basal iTxB2 or i6-keto-PGF1 alpha synthesis, significantly enhanced endotoxin-induced synthesis of iTxB2 and i6-keto-PGF1 alpha. The effects of pertussis and cholera toxin with or without endotoxin were significantly (P less than 0.05) less in macrophages from endotoxin tolerant rats compared to control macrophages. GTP[gamma-S] (100 microM) significantly increased iTxB2 synthesis and significantly augmented endotoxin-stimulated iTxB2 synthesis in control macrophages (P less than 0.05). However, in macrophages from endotoxin tolerant rats the effect of GTP[gamma-S] on iTxB2 synthesis was significantly less (P less than 0.05) compared to control macrophages. Collectively, these data suggest that: (1) guanine nucleotide binding regulatory proteins mediate endotoxin-stimulated arachidonic acid metabolism in rat peritoneal macrophages; and (2) endotoxin tolerance induces alterations in guanine nucleotide binding protein activity.     

Bioproduction of rubratoxin in a glucose-mineral salts broth with nutritional supplements and metabolic inhibitors.

A sterile glucose-salts broth fortified with various metabolic inhibitors and nutritional supplements was inoculated with conidia of Penicillium rubrum P3290, and incubated quiescently at 28 degrees C for 14 days. Potassium sulfite and sodium metabisulfite at all test concentrations caused moderate reduction in rubratoxin formation; at high concentrations (greater than or equal to 2.7 X 10(-2)M) accumulation of fungal tissue was also retarded. Production of rubratoxin and cell mass was inhibited by p-aminobenzoic acid; syntheses of toxin were completely blocked by 7.5 X 10(-2)M of the vitamin. Effects of sodium fluoride on P. rubrum cultures grown on inorganic nitrogen sources varied from inhibition of mold growth and (or) rubratoxin A production to reduction in formation of rubratoxin B. With organic nitrogen sources, fluoride caused a 30 and 60% reduction in synthesis of rubratoxins A and B, respectively. Sodium acetate at all test concentrations enhanced formation of rubratoxin; mold growth was enhanced when acetate concentration was larger than or equal to 6.0 X 10(-2)M. A moderate reduction in mold growth was caused by lower acetate concentrations (1.2 X 10(-2)M or 2.4 X 10(-2)M). Sodium arsenite and iodoacetate at test concentrations blocked mold growth and toxin formation; sodium azide and 2,4-dinitrophenol caused a marked reduction in mold growth but inhibited toxin formation completely. However, sodium azide permitted slight growth and toxin formation when mold cultures were incubated for 28 days.     

Selective regulation by pertussis toxin of insulin-induced activation of particulate cAMP phosphodiesterase activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Incubation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with insulin or isoproterenol for 10 min increased particulate "low Km" cAMP phosphodiesterase activity by 42% and 50%, respectively. Pertussis toxin catalyzed the [32P]-ADP ribosylation of a 41,000 dalton protein in adipocyte particulate fractions; prior incubation of adipocytes with toxin markedly reduced incorporation of radiolabel. Exposure of adipocytes to pertussis toxin (0.3 microgram, 18 hr) increased glycerol production and inhibited activation of cAMP phosphodiesterase by insulin, but not by isoproterenol. These results suggest that pertussis toxin can interfere with receptor-mediated processes that stimulate cAMP hydrolysis as well as those that inhibit cAMP formation.     

Bacillus thuringiensis Cry4Aa insecticidal protein: Functional importance of the intrinsic stability of the unique α4–α5 loop comprising the Pro-rich sequence

The long loop connecting transmembrane α4 and α5 of the Bacillus thuringiensis Cry4Aa toxin possesses a unique feature with Pro-rich sequence (Pro¹⁹³Pro¹⁹⁴_Pro¹⁹⁶) which was shown to be crucial for toxicity. Here, the structural role in the intrinsic stability of the Pro-rich sequence toward toxin activity was investigated. Three Val-substituted mutants (P193V, P194V and P196V) and one Phe-substituted mutant (P193F) were generated and over-expressed in Escherichia coli as inclusions at levels equal to the wild-type. Bioassays demonstrated that all mutants, particularly P193V and P193F whose inclusions were hardly soluble in carbonate buffer (pH 9.0), exhibited reduced toxicity, suggesting an essential role in toxin function by the specific cyclic structure of individual Pro residues. Analysis of the 65-kDa Cry4Aa structure from 10-ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations revealed that the α4–α5 loop is substantially stable as it showed low structural fluctuation with a 1.2-Å RMSF value. When the flexibility of the α4–α5 loop was increased through P193G, P194G and P196G substitutions, decreased toxicity was also observed for all mutants, mostly for the P193G mutant with low alkali-solubility, suggesting a functional importance of loop-rigidity attributed by individual Pro-cyclic side-chains, particularly Pro¹⁹³. Further MD simulations revealed that the most critical residue−Pro¹⁹³ for which mutations vastly affect toxin solubility and larval toxicity is in close contact with several surrounding residues, thus playing an additional role in the structural arrangement of the Cry4Aa toxin molecule. Altogether, our data signify that the intrinsic stability of the unique Cry4Aa α4–α5 loop structure comprising the Pro-rich sequence plays an important role in toxin activity.     

Production and characterization of a monoclonal antibody cross-reactive with most group A trichothecenes

A monoclonal antibody cross-reactive with most group A trichothecenes was produced by fusion of P3/NS-1/1-AG4-1 myeloma cells with spleen cells isolated from a BALB/c mouse that had been immunized with 3-acetyl-neosolaniol-hemisuccinate conjugated to bovine serum albumin. One stable clone, H159B1D5, which produced monoclonal antibody that bound with both T-2 toxin and diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) was obtained after subcloning. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) revealed that the antibody belongs to the immunoglobulin G1 (kappa chain) isotype and had binding constants of 2.81 x 10(9), 1.05 x 10(9), and 1.57 x 10(8) liters per mole for T-2 tetraol tetraacetate, T-2 toxin, and DAS, respectively. The relative cross-reactivities of the antibody with T-2 tetraol tetraacetate, T-2 toxin, and DAS were 200, 100, and 20, respectively, with tritiated T-2 toxin as the marker ligand. The relative cross-reactivities for the above toxins were 667, 100, and 73, respectively, with tritiated DAS as the marker ligand. No cross-reaction with HT-2 and deoxynivalenol triacetate was observed in either system. By using this monoclonal antibody, an indirect ELISA for analysis of T-2 toxin was also developed. The linear portion of the standard curve for analysis of T-2 toxin in each analysis by radioimmunoassay and ELISA was in the range of 0.1 to 2 ng and 0.05 to 1.0 ng, respectively.     

Induction of oxidative stress in leukocytes by an Enterobacter cloacae toxin able to form oligomers and binding to proteins

A leukotoxic and hemolytic toxin was purified from cultures of Enterobacter cloacae. Stimulation of oxidative stress was observed and the production of reactive oxidant species was measured in leukocytes treated with toxin by means of nitroblue tetrazolium and chemiluminescence assays. Molecular weight of toxin was estimated by chromatography and SDS-PAGE. Two protean peaks with toxic activity were found in Sephadex G-100 (P1, 42.0 kDa; and P2, 13.3 kDa). The relative amounts between the peaks (P1/P2 = 0.36) changed when 2-mercaptoethanol was employed (P1/P2 = 0.59). When Sephadex G-200 chromatography was performed, a protean peak of Ve = 113 mL (100 kDa) was found; its was dissociated with 3 M urea in toxic proteins of lower mass: 42, 27, and 13.3 kDa. SDS-PAGE (15%) showed a single toxin band of purified monomer (13.3 kDa), but electrophoresis of a 42-kDa toxin with urea presented three bands of trimer, dimer, and monomer. An increase of casein hydrolysate and albumin molecular weight was observed by chromatography after incubation with toxin due to the binding of both proteins with toxin.     

Toxin B of Clostridium difficile activates human VIP submucosal neurons,in part via an IL-1beta-dependent pathway

This study investigated whether toxin B of Clostridium difficile can activate human submucosal neurons and the involved pathways. Isolated segments of human colon were placed in organ culture for 3 h in the presence of toxin B or IL-1beta. Whole mounts of internal submucosal plexus were stained with antibodies against c-Fos, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), and substance P (SP). The membrane potential (Vm) response of submucosal neurons to local application of toxin B and IL-1beta was determined by a multisite optical recording technique. Toxin B (0.1 to 10 ng/ml) increased the proportion of c-Fos-positive neurons dose dependently compared with the control. In the presence of toxin B (10 ng/ml), most c-Fos-positive neurons were immunoreactive for VIP (79.8 +/- 22.5%) but only 19.4 +/- 14.0% for SP. Toxin B induced a rapid rise in IL-1beta mRNA level and a sixfold increase in IL-1beta protein in supernatant after 3 h of incubation. c-Fos expression induced by toxin B was reduced dose dependently by IL-1 receptor antagonist (0.1-10 ng/ml). IL-1beta significantly increased c-Fos expression in submucosal neurons compared with the control (34.2 +/- 10.1 vs. 5.1 +/- 1.3% of NSE neurons). Microejection of toxin B had no effect on the Vm of enteric neurons. Evidence of a direct excitatory effect of IL-1beta on Vm was detected in a minority of enteric neurons. Therefore, toxin B of C. difficile activates VIP-positive submucosal neurons, at least in part, via an indirect IL-1beta-dependent pathway.     

Production and characterization of a monoclonal antibody cross-reactive with most group A trichothecenes.

A monoclonal antibody cross-reactive with most group A trichothecenes was produced by fusion of P3/NS-1/1-AG4-1 myeloma cells with spleen cells isolated from a BALB/c mouse that had been immunized with 3-acetyl-neosolaniol-hemisuccinate conjugated to bovine serum albumin. One stable clone, H159B1D5, which produced monoclonal antibody that bound with both T-2 toxin and diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) was obtained after subcloning. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) revealed that the antibody belongs to the immunoglobulin G1 (kappa chain) isotype and had binding constants of 2.81 x 10(9), 1.05 x 10(9), and 1.57 x 10(8) liters per mole for T-2 tetraol tetraacetate, T-2 toxin, and DAS, respectively. The relative cross-reactivities of the antibody with T-2 tetraol tetraacetate, T-2 toxin, and DAS were 200, 100, and 20, respectively, with tritiated T-2 toxin as the marker ligand. The relative cross-reactivities for the above toxins were 667, 100, and 73, respectively, with tritiated DAS as the marker ligand. No cross-reaction with HT-2 and deoxynivalenol triacetate was observed in either system. By using this monoclonal antibody, an indirect ELISA for analysis of T-2 toxin was also developed. The linear portion of the standard curve for analysis of T-2 toxin in each analysis by radioimmunoassay and ELISA was in the range of 0.1 to 2 ng and 0.05 to 1.0 ng, respectively.     

Anthrax edema toxin has cAMP-mediated stimulatory effects and high-dose lethal toxin has depressant effects in an isolated perfused rat heart model

While anthrax edema toxin produces pronounced tachycardia and lethal toxin depresses left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction in in vivo models, whether these changes reflect direct cardiac effects as opposed to indirect ones related to preload or afterload alterations is unclear. In the present study, the effects of edema toxin and lethal toxin were investigated in a constant pressure isolated perfused rat heart model. Compared with control hearts, edema toxin at doses comparable to or less than a dose that produced an 80% lethality rate (LD(80)) in vivo in rats (200, 100, and 50 ng/ml) produced rapid increases in heart rate (HR), coronary flow (CF), LV developed pressure (LVDP), dP/dt(max), and rate-pressure product (RPP) that were most pronounced and persisted with the lowest dose (P ≤ 0.003). Edema toxin (50 ng/ml) increased effluent and myocardial cAMP levels (P ≤ 0.002). Compared with dobutamine, edema toxin produced similar myocardial changes, but these occurred more slowly and persisted longer. Increases in HR, CF, and cAMP with edema toxin were inhibited by a monoclonal antibody blocking toxin uptake and by adefovir, which inhibits the toxin's intracellular adenyl cyclase activity (P ≤ 0.05). Lethal toxin at an LD(80) dose (50 ng/ml) had no significant effect on heart function but a much higher dose (500 ng/ml) reduced all parameters (P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, edema toxin produced cAMP-mediated myocardial chronotropic, inotropic, and vasodilatory effects. Vasodilation systemically with edema toxin could contribute to shock during anthrax while masking potential inotropic effects. Although lethal toxin produced myocardial depression, this only occurred at high doses, and its relevance to in vivo findings is unclear.     

Tightly bound binary toxin in the cell wall of Bacillus sphaericus

We have shown that urea-extracted cell wall of entomopathogenic Bacillus sphaericus 2297 and some other strains is a potent larvicide against Culex pipiens mosquitoes, with 50% lethal concentrations comparable to that of the well-known B. sphaericus binary toxin, with which it acts synergistically. The wall toxicity develops in B. sphaericus 2297 cultures during the late logarithmic stage, earlier than the appearance of the binary toxin crystal. It disappears with sporulation when the binary toxin activity reaches its peak. Disruption of the gene for the 42-kDa protein (P42) of the binary toxin abolishes both cell wall toxicity and crystal formation. However, the cell wall of B. sphaericus 2297, lacking P42, kills C. pipiens larvae when mixed with Escherichia coli cells expressing P42. Thus, the cell wall toxicity in strongly toxic B. sphaericus strains must be attributed to the presence in the cell wall of tightly bound 51-kDa (P51) and P42 binary toxin proteins. The synergism between binary toxin crystals and urea-treated cell wall preparations reflects suboptimal distribution of binary toxin subunits in both compartments. Binary toxin crystal is slightly deficient in P51, while cell wall is lacking in P42.     

Pertussis toxin-mediated ADP-ribosylation of rabbit luteal Gi uncouples enkephalin inhibition of adenylyl cyclase

1. Some of the actions of pertussis toxin on the rabbit luteal adenylyl cyclase system were analyzed. 2. Incubation of luteal membranes with pertussis toxin and [32P]NAD resulted in the [32P]ADP-ribosylation of a 40,000 Da protein that is distinct from the proteins ADP-ribosylated by cholera toxin. 3. Pertussis toxin specific [32P]ADP-ribosylation was time-dependent and dependent upon the concentration of pertussis toxin present during the incubation. 4. Pertussis toxin mediated [32P]ADP-ribosylation was enhanced by ATP, ADP, adenylyl imidodiphosphate, GTP, guanosine-5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate), guanosine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate), and NaF but not AMP or guanylyl imidodiphosphate [GMP-P(NH)P]. 5. Treatment of luteal membranes with NAD and pertussis toxin prevents GTP and enkephalin but not GMP-P(NH)P mediated inhibition of forskolin stimulated adenylyl cyclase, demonstrating the existence of a functional Gi in the rabbit corpus luteum.     

Effect of Sarkosyl and heparin on single-step addition reactions catalysed by wheat-germ RNA polymerase II--poly[d(A-T)]transcription complexes.

The action of carbamoylcholine (Cchol), NaF and other agonists on the generation of inositol phosphates (IPs) was studied in dog thyroid slices prelabelled with myo-[2-3H]inositol. The stimulation by Cchol (0.1 microM-0.1 mM) of IPs accumulation through activation of a muscarinic receptor [Graff, Mockel, Laurent, Erneux & Dumont (1987) FEBS Lett. 210, 204-210] was pertussis- and cholera-toxin insensitive. Ins(1,4,5)P3, Ins(1,3,4)P3 and InsP4 were generated. NaF (5-20 mM) also increased IPs generation (Graff et al., 1987); this effect was potentiated by AlCl3 (10 microM) and unaffected by pertussis toxin. Although phorbol dibutyrate (5 microM) abolished the cholinergic stimulation of IPs generation (Graff et al., 1987), it did not affect the fluoride-induced response. Cchol and NaF did not require extracellular Ca2+ to exert their effect, and neither KCl-induced membrane depolarization nor ionophore A23187 (10 microM) had any influence on basal IPs levels, or on cholinergic stimulation. However, more stringent Ca2+ depletion with EGTA (0.1 or 1 mM) decreased basal IPs levels as well as the amplitude of the stimulation by Cchol without abolishing it. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP, forskolin, cholera toxin and prostaglandin E1 had no effect on basal IPs levels and did not decrease the response to Cchol. Iodide (4 or 40 microM) also strongly decreased the cholinergic action on IPs, this inhibition being relieved by methimazole (1 mM). Our data suggest that Cchol activates a phospholipase C hydrolysing PtdIns(4,5)P2 in the dog thyroid cell in a cyclic AMP-independent manner. This activation requires no extracellular Ca2+ and depends on a GTP-binding protein insensitive to both cholera toxin and requires no extracellular Ca2+ and depends on a GTP-binding protein insensitive to both cholera toxin and pertussis toxin. The data are consistent with a rapid metabolism of Ins(1,4,5)P3 to Ins(1,3,4)P3 via the Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase pathway, followed by dephosphorylation by a 5-phosphomonoesterase. Indeed, a Ca2+-sensitive InsP3 3-kinase activity was demonstrated in tissue homogenate. Stimulation of protein kinase C and an organified form of iodine inhibit the Cchol-induced IPs generation. The negative feedback of activated protein kinase C could be exerted at the level of the receptor or of the receptor-G-protein interaction.     

Pasteurella multocida toxin, a potent mitogen, increases inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and mobilizes Ca2+ in Swiss 3T3 cells

Pasteurella multocida toxin, both native and recombinant, is an extremely potent mitogen for Swiss 3T3 cells and acts to enhance the formation of total inositol phosphates (Rozengurt, E., Higgins, T., Changer, N., Lax, A.J., and Staddon, J.M. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 87, 123-127). P. multocida toxin also stimulates diacylglycerol production and activates protein kinase C (Staddon, J.M., Chanter, N., Lax, A.J., Higgins, T.E., and Rozengurt, E. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 11841-11848). Here we analyze, by [3H]inositol labeling and high performance liquid chromatography, the inositol phosphates in recombinant P. multocida toxin-treated cells. Recombinant P. multocida toxin stimulated increases in [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate ([3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3) and its metabolic products, including Ins(1,3,4,5)P4, Ins(1,3,4)P3, Ins(1,4)P2, Ins(4/5)P, and Ins(1/3)P. The profile of the increase in the cellular content of these distinct inositol phosphates was very similar to that elicited by bombesin. Furthermore, recombinant P. multocida toxin, like bombesin, mobilizes an intracellular pool of Ca2+. Recombinant P. multocida toxin pretreatment greatly reduces the Ca2(+)-mobilizing action of bombesin, consistent with Ca2+ mobilization from a common pool by the two agents. The enhancement of inositol phosphates and mobilization of Ca2+ by recombinant P. multocida toxin were blocked by the lysosomotrophic agents methylamine, ammonium chloride, and chloroquine and occurred after a dose-dependent lag period. The stimulation of inositol phosphate production by recombinant P. multocida toxin persisted after removal of extracellular toxin, in contrast to the reversibility of the action of bombesin. Recombinant P. multocida toxin, unlike bombesin and guanosine 5'-O-(gamma-thiotriphosphate), did not cause the release of inositol phosphates in permeabilized cells. These data demonstrate that recombinant P. multocida toxin, acting intracellularly, stimulates the phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate.     

Cloning of the toxin gene from Pasteurella multocida and its role in atrophic rhinitis

The gene for the osteolytic toxin of Pasteurella multocida has been cloned into a plasmid vector and expressed off its own promoter in Escherichia coli. Particular restriction endonucleases failed to cut the gene and regions flanking it, suggesting an A + T base ratio significantly greater than the remaining genome of P. multocida. Cloned toxin was indistinguishable from the native toxin with respect to molecular mass, antigenicity and toxicity in different tests. A single intraperitoneal injection of toxin purified from the recombinant E. coli reproduced in gnotobiotic pigs the pathological changes characteristic of atrophic rhinitis. The recombinant E. coli produced at least 10 times as much toxin as P. multocida.