Studies on the hepatic calcium-mobilizing activity of aluminum fluoride and glucagon. Modulation by cAMP and phorbol myristate acetate

The effects of submaximal doses of AlF4- to mobilize hepatocyte Ca2+ were potentiated by glucagon (0.1-1 nM) and 8-p-chlorophenylthio-cAMP. A similar potentiation by glucagon of submaximal doses of vasopressin, angiotensin II, and alpha 1-adrenergic agonists has been previously shown (Morgan, N. G., Charest, R., Blackmore, P. F., and Exton, J. H. (1984) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 81, 4208-4212). When hepatocytes were pretreated with the protein kinase C activator 4 beta-phorbol 12 beta-myristate 13 alpha-acetate (PMA), the effects of AlF4- to mobilize Ca2+, increase myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), and activate phosphorylase were attenuated. Treatment of hepatocytes with PMA likewise inhibits the ability of vasopressin, angiotensin II, and alpha 1-adrenergic agonists to increase IP3 and mobilize Ca2+ (Lynch, C. J., Charest, R., Bocckino, S. B., Exton, J. H., and Blackmore, P. F. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 2844-2851). In contrast, the ability of AlF4- or angiotensin II to lower cAMP or inhibit glucagon-mediated increases in cAMP was unaffected by PMA. The ability of AlF4- to lower cAMP was attenuated in hepatocytes from animals treated with islet-activating protein, whereas Ca2+ mobilization was not modified. These results suggest that the lowering of cAMP induced by AlF4- and angiotensin II was mediated by the inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein of adenylate cyclase, whereas Ca2+ mobilization was not. Addition of glucagon, forskolin, or 8CPT-cAMP to hepatocytes raised IP3 and mobilized Ca2+. Both effects were blocked by PMA pretreatment, whereas cAMP and phosphorylase a levels were only minimally affected by PMA. The mobilization of Ca2+ induced by cAMP in hepatocytes incubated in low Ca2+ media was not additive with that induced by maximally effective doses of vasopressin, angiotensin II, or alpha 1-adrenergic agonists, indicating that the Ca2+ pool(s) affected by agents which increase cAMP is the same as that affected by Ca2+-mobilizing hormones which do not increase cAMP. These findings support the proposal that AlF4- mimics the effects of the Ca2+-mobilizing hormones in hepatocytes by activating a guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein (Np) which couples the hormone receptors to a phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2)-specific phosphodiesterase. They also suggest that Np, PIP2 phosphodiesterase, or a factor involved in their interaction is activated following phosphorylation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase and inhibited after phosphorylation by protein kinase C.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

The phorbol ester TPA inhibits cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity in intact hepatocytes

Treatment of intact hepatocytes with the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) potentiated the ability of glucagon to increase intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations. This effect was dose-dependent upon TPA, exhibiting an EC50 of 0.39 ng/ml and such activation was observed at both saturating and sub-saturating concentrations of glucagon. However, this stimulatory effect of TPA was completely abolished by the presence of the cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor 1-isobutyl-3-methylxanthine, when TPA now inhibited the glucagon-stimulated increase in intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations. It is suggested that, as well as inhibiting glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity, TPA also inhibits cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity in intact hepatocytes. Treatment of either hepatocyte homogenates or purified cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase with TPA failed to show any direct inhibitory effect of TPA on activity showing that TPA did not exert any direct inhibitory action on phosphodiesterase activity. However, homogenates made from hepatocytes that had been pre-treated with TPA did show a reduced cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity. It is suggested that TPA might inhibit cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity through phosphorylation by C-kinase.     

Inhibition of glucagon-stimulated cAMP accumulation and fatty acid oxidation by E-series prostaglandins in isolated rat hepatocytes

E-series prostaglandins have been shown to inhibit hepatic glucagon-stimulated glycogenolysis without inhibiting glycogenolysis stimulated by cAMP analogs. In the present studies, prostaglandin E2 and 16,16-dimethylprostaglandin E2 inhibited glucagon-stimulated cAMP accumulation in isolated rat hepatocytes by 25% and 46%, respectively, without affecting basal cAMP levels. Half-maximal inhibition of glucagon-stimulated cAMP accumulation occurred at approx. 10(-7) M 16,16-dimethylprostaglandin E2. 16,16-Dimethylprostaglandin E2 inhibited glucagon-stimulated palmitate oxidation in intact hepatocytes without affecting basal rates of palmitate oxidation. 16,16-Dimethylprostaglandin E2 had no effect on palmitate oxidation in a liver homogenate system. These studies demonstrate that prostaglandin E antagonizes the effects of glucagon on hepatic metabolism by inhibiting glucagon-stimulated cAMP accumulation.     

Resensitization of hepatocyte glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase can be inhibited when cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inhibitors are used to elevate intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations to supraphysiological values.

Treatment of intact hepatocytes with glucagon led to the rapid desensitization of adenylate cyclase, which reached a maximum around 5 min after application of glucagon, after which resensitization ensued. Complete resensitization occurred some 20 min after the addition of glucagon. In hepatocytes which had been preincubated with the cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), glucagon elicited a stable desensitized state where resensitization failed to occur even 20 min after exposure of hepatocytes to glucagon. Treatment with IBMX alone did not elicit desensitization. The action of IBMX in stabilizing the glucagon-mediated desensitized state was mimicked by the non-methylxanthine cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor Ro-20-1724 [4-(3-butoxy-4-methoxylbenzyl)-2-imidazolidinone]. IBMX inhibited the resensitization process in a dose-dependent fashion with an EC50 (concn. giving 50% of maximal effect) of 26 +/- 5 microM, which was similar to the EC50 value of 22 +/- 6 microM observed for the ability of IBMX to augment the glucagon-stimulated rise in intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations. Pre-treatment of hepatocytes with IBMX did not alter the ability of either angiotensin or the glucagon analogue TH-glucagon, ligands which did not increase intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations, to cause the rapid desensitization and subsequent resensitization of adenylate cyclase. It is suggested that, although desensitization of glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase is elicited by a cyclic AMP-independent process, the resensitization of adenylate cyclase can be inhibited by a process which is dependent on elevated cyclic AMP concentrations. This action can be detected by attenuating the degradation of cyclic AMP by using inhibitors of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase.     

The Identification of Novel Protein-Protein Interactions in Liver that Affect Glucagon Receptor Activity

Glucagon regulates glucose homeostasis by controlling glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in the liver. Exaggerated and dysregulated glucagon secretion can exacerbate hyperglycemia contributing to type 2 diabetes (T2D). Thus, it is important to understand how glucagon receptor (GCGR) activity and signaling is controlled in hepatocytes. To better understand this, we sought to identify proteins that interact with the GCGR to affect ligand-dependent receptor activation. A Flag-tagged human GCGR was recombinantly expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, and GCGR complexes were isolated by affinity purification (AP). Complexes were then analyzed by mass spectrometry (MS), and protein-GCGR interactions were validated by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and Western blot. This was followed by studies in primary hepatocytes to assess the effects of each interactor on glucagon-dependent glucose production and intracellular cAMP accumulation, and then in immortalized CHO and liver cell lines to further examine cell signaling. Thirty-three unique interactors were identified from the AP-MS screening of GCGR expressing CHO cells in both glucagon liganded and unliganded states. These studies revealed a particularly robust interaction between GCGR and 5 proteins, further validated by Co-IP, Western blot and qPCR. Overexpression of selected interactors in mouse hepatocytes indicated that two interactors, LDLR and TMED2, significantly enhanced glucagon-stimulated glucose production, while YWHAB inhibited glucose production. This was mirrored with glucagon-stimulated cAMP production, with LDLR and TMED2 enhancing and YWHAB inhibiting cAMP accumulation. To further link these interactors to glucose production, key gluconeogenic genes were assessed. Both LDLR and TMED2 stimulated while YWHAB inhibited PEPCK and G6Pase gene expression. In the present study, we have probed the GCGR interactome and found three novel GCGR interactors that control glucagon-stimulated glucose production by modulating cAMP accumulation and genes that control gluconeogenesis. These interactors may be useful targets to control glucose homeostasis in T2D.     

Metabolic deviation of mouse liver by RhIL1-alpha or RhTNF/cachectin.

In this work deviation of liver metabolism by cytokines, especially recombinant human interleukin 1-alpha (rhIL1-alpha), was investigated. Administration of rhIL1-alpha or recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (rhTNF/cachectin) to normal mice resulted in rapid, dose-dependent induction of high liver ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity. The effects of these cytokines on liver ODC were not indirect effects mediated by eicosanoids. The induction of liver ODC by rhIL1-alpha was at least partly a direct effect on hepatocytes, and was due to increase in de novo synthesis of the enzyme protein after increase in ODC mRNA. No specific protein was required for increase in the level of ODC-mRNA. On IL1 treatment, actinomycin D caused superinduction of liver ODC, which was at least partly due to increased stability of the ODC enzyme, because actinomycin D doubled the apparent half-life (from 50 to 95 min). Daily administration of 2 x 10(3) U of rhIL1-alpha to mice for 3 days also caused decrease in the level of the differentiated type of pyruvate kinase isozyme (PK-L) and marked increase in that of the prototype isozyme (PK-M2) in the liver, but did not cause significant change in the isozyme patterns of the kidney, thymus, and spleen. RhIL1-alpha also induced hypertrophy of the spleen. These results indicate that rhIL1-alpha causes metabolic deviation of the liver similar to that in tumor-bearing hosts.     

The phorbol ester TPA prevents the expression of both glucagon desensitisation and the glucagon-mediated block of insulin stimulation of the peripheral plasma membrane cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase in rat hepatocytes

The phorbol ester TPA (12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate) causes a dose-dependent inhibition of the glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity expressed in plasma membranes isolated from TPA-treated hepatocytes. However, no observable inhibitory effect of TPA on adenylate cyclase activity was observed in cells which had been exposed to glucagon for 5 min, prior to isolation, to desensitise adenylate cyclase. The degree of inhibition of adenylate cyclase elicited by both glucagon desensitisation and TPA treatment of hepatocytes was identical. Pre-treatment of hepatocytes with TPA was also found to prevent glucagon from blocking insulin's activation of the peripheral plasma membrane cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase in intact hepatocytes. TPA treatment also inhibited the ability of cholera toxin to activate the peripheral cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase in intact hepatocytes. It is suggested that in these particular instances TPA and glucagon elicit mutually exclusive processes rather than TPA mimicking glucagon desensitisation per se.     

The role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, Src kinase, and protein kinase A signaling pathways in insulin and glucagon regulation of CYP2E1 expression

The signaling pathways involved in insulin and glucagon regulation of CYP2E1 expression were examined in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Insulin addition to primary cultured rat hepatocytes for 24 h resulted in an approximately 80% and >90% decrease in CYP2E1 mRNA levels at 1 and 10 nM insulin, respectively, relative to untreated cells. Addition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin, or the Src kinase inhibitor geldanamycin, prior to insulin addition, inhibited the insulin-mediated decline in CYP2E1 mRNA. In contrast, treatment of cells with glucagon (100 nM), or the cAMP analogue dibutyryl-cAMP (50 microM), for 24 h increased CYP2E1 mRNA levels by approximately 7-fold. Addition of the protein kinase A inhibitor H89 prior to glucagon treatment attenuated the glucagon-mediated increase in CYP2E1 mRNA by approximately 70%. Glucagon (100 nM) opposed the effects of insulin (1 nM) on CYP2E1 mRNA expression and conversely, insulin blocked the effects of glucagon. These data provide compelling evidence for the regulation of CYP2E1 expression via mutually antagonistic signaling pathways involving insulin and glucagon.     

Evidence that the mitochondrial activator of phosphorylated branched-chain 2-oxoacid dehydrogenase complex is the dissociated E1 component of the complex

The ability of glucagon (10 nM) to increase hepatocyte intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations was reduced markedly by the tumour-promoting phorbol ester TPA (12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate). The half-maximal inhibitory effect occurred at 0.14 ng/ml TPA. This action occurred in the presence of the cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine (1 mM) indicating that TPA inhibited glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. TPA did not affect either the binding of glucagon to its receptor or ATP concentrations within the cell. TPA did inhibit the increase in intracellular cyclic AMP initiated by the action of cholera toxin (1 microgram/ml) under conditions where phosphodiesterase activity was blocked. TPA did not inhibit glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in a broken plasma membrane preparation unless Ca2+, phosphatidylserine and ATP were also present. It is suggested that TPA exerts its inhibitory effect on adenylate cyclase through the action of protein kinase C. This action is presumed to be exerted at the point of regulation of adenylate cyclase by guanine nucleotides.     

Rapid inverse changes in alpha 1B- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors and gene transcripts in acutely isolated rat liver cells.

In vitro incubation of hepatocytes acutely isolated from adult male rats leads to a rapid conversion of the adrenergic activation of glycogenolysis from an alpha 1-receptor (alpha 1AR) to a beta 2-receptor (beta 2AR) mediated response within 4 h. In order to understand the underlying mechanism, we examined time-dependent changes in alpha 1- and beta 2-adrenergic activation of glycogenolysis and second messenger systems, the cellular density and affinity of alpha 1AR and beta 2AR, and the steady state levels of alpha 1BAR and beta 2AR mRNAs. Incubation of hepatocytes for 4 h resulted in a decrease in phosphorylase activation and inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate accumulation in response to phenylephrine, a 40% decrease in alpha 1AR density, and a 70% decrease in alpha 1BAR mRNA levels. Incubation of hepatocytes for 4 h also resulted in the emergence of a phosphorylase response to isoproterenol, an increase in isoproterenol-induced but not in glucagon- or forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation, no significant change in beta 2AR density, and a twofold increase in beta 2AR mRNA levels. Exposure of cells to cycloheximide, 2 microM throughout the 4 h incubation, prevented the emergence of the phosphorylase response to isoproterenol and reduced beta 2AR densities, while the decrease in alpha 1AR density was not affected and the decrease in phosphorylase activation by phenylephrine was attenuated. The results indicate that dissociation of rat liver cells triggers a rapidly developing decrease in alpha 1BAR mRNA and increase in beta 2AR mRNA levels and corresponding inverse changes in the synthesis of alpha 1BAR and beta 2AR which account, at least in part, for the rapid conversion from alpha 1- to beta 2-adrenergic glycogenolysis.     

Hepatic cyclic AMP generation and ornithine decarboxylase induction by glucagon and beta adrenergic agonists

The relationship of hepatic ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity to cyclic AMP levels and nutritional status was studied in the pre-weanling rat. Previous studies demonstrated that 2 hr without food causes a loss of hepatic ODC induction after glucagon or catecholamine injection. Isoproterenol or glucagon administration produced increased hepatic cyclic AMP and tyrosine aminotransferase activity which were not prevented by nutritional deprivation. Blockade of hepatic beta 2 receptors by the selective antagonist ICI 118,551 prevented increased cAMP levels and ODC activity after isoproterenol administration. Blockade of beta 1 receptors by atenolol did not prevent increased cAMP levels or ODC induction by isoproterenol although it did block activation of cardiac ODC. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor RO20-1724 increased hepatic cAMP levels as well as ODC and TAT activities, although the increase in ODC activity was attenuated by nutritional deprivation. RO20-1724 also potentiated the induction of hepatic ODC after glucagon or isoproterenol administration. Administration of 8-bromo cAMP elevated hepatic ODC activity regardless of nutritional status but also elevated serum levels of growth hormone and corticosterone. Hepatic ODC induction by glucagon or beta 2 agonists can be dissociated from changes in cAMP levels during nutritional deprivation.     

Studies on the inhibition of glycogenolysis by D-galactosamine in rat liver hepatocytes.

Effect of galactosamine on glycogenolysis was studied in isolated hepatocytes. It was found that addition of galactosamine strongly inhibited glycogenolysis in normal hepatocytes. Galactosamine-inhibited glycogenolysis was not stimulated by epinephrine or glucagon. This inhibition was specific as no such inhibition was observed with galactose, 2-deoxy-glucose or glucosamine. The glucagon-stimulated cyclic AMP formation in galactosamine-treated hepatocytes was the same as in normal cells; Glc-1-P and Glc-6-P did not accumulate nor was lactate formation enhanced. The glucose production by hepatocytes from regenerating liver was only slightly inhibited by galactosamine and glucagon addition stimulated glycogenolysis in the presence of the amino sugar.     

Endotoxin induced hyperlactatemia and hypoglycemia is linked to decreased mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase

AimsPhosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) is the rate limiting enzyme for gluconeogenesis, and plays a key role in recycling lactate for glucose production. It is synthesized as two separate isoforms; cytosolic (PEPCK-C, gene code; PCK1) and mitochondrial (PEPCK-M, gene code; PCK2). Previous studies of gluconeogenesis in endotoxemia have focused solely on PCK1. We investigated the relative roles of the two isoforms in hepatic and renal gluconeogenesis in a rat model of endotoxic shock, and in cultured hepatocytes.Main methodsRats were administered lipopolysaccharide (6 mg/kg; LPS) for 6 h. Cultured cells were incubated with lactate (5 mM) with or without tumor necrosis factor alpha (1 – 10 ng/ml). Rat liver and kidney samples as well as cultured cells were subjected to subcellular fractionation to produce mitochondrial and cytosolic fractions for PEPCK activity assay. PCK1 and PCK2 mRNA levels were measured using quantitative RT-PCR.Key findingsIn rat endotoxemia, hepatic PCK2 mRNA and PEPCK-M enzyme activity decreased by 53% and 38%, compared to sham controls. Hepatic PCK1 mRNA levels increased by 44%, but PEPCK-C enzyme activity remained unchanged. The changes in hepatic PEPCK-M coincided with a marked hypoglycemia and hyperlactatemia as well as elevated plasma interleukin 1 beta (IL1beta). Incubation of cultured hepatocytes with TNF-alpha inhibited lactate-induced increases in glucose production, PCK2 mRNA levels and PEPCK-M enzyme activity but had no effect on PCK1 mRNA levels or PEPCK-C activity.SignificanceThese results indicate that decreases in hepatic PEPCK-M play a key role in the manifestation of hyperlactatemia and hypoglycemia in endotoxemia.     

Mice with a deletion in the gene for CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta have an attenuated response to cAMP and impaired carbohydrate metabolism

Fifty percent of the mice homozygous for a deletion in the gene for CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta (C/EBP beta-/- mice; B phenotype) die within 1 to 2 h after birth of hypoglycemia. They do not mobilize their hepatic glycogen or induce the cytosolic form of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK). Administration of cAMP resulted in mobilization of glycogen, induction of PEPCK mRNA, and a normal blood glucose; these mice survived beyond 2 h postpartum. Adult C/EBP beta-/- mice (A phenotype) also had difficulty in maintaining blood glucose levels during starvation. Fasting these mice for 16 or 30 h resulted in lower levels of hepatic PEPCK mRNA, blood glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate, blood urea nitrogen, and gluconeogenesis when compared with control mice. The concentration of hepatic cAMP in these mice was 50% of controls, but injection of theophylline, together with glucagon, resulted in a normal cAMP levels. Agonists (glucagon, epinephrine, and isoproterenol) and other effectors of activation of adenylyl cyclase were the same in liver membranes isolated from C/EBP beta-/- mice and littermates. The hepatic activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinase was 80% of wild type mice. There was a 79% increase in the concentration of RI alpha and 27% increase in RII alpha in the particulate fraction of the livers of C/EBP beta-/- mice relative to wild type mice, with no change in the catalytic subunit (C alpha). Thus, a 45% increase in hepatic cAMP (relative to the wild type) would be required in C/EBP beta-/- mice to activate protein kinase A by 50%. In addition, the total activity of phosphodiesterase in the livers of C/EBP beta-/- mice, as well as the concentration of mRNA for phosphodiesterase 3A (PDE3A) and PDE3B was approximately 25% higher than in control animals, suggesting accelerated degradation of cAMP. C/EBP beta influences the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism by altering the level of hepatic cAMP and the activity of protein kinase A.     

Pertussis toxin abolishes the inhibitory effects of prostaglandins E1, E2, I2 and F2 alpha on hormone-induced cAMP accumulation in cultured hepatocytes

Several prostaglandins inhibit the cAMP response to glucagon and beta-adrenergic stimulation in hepatocytes. To probe the mechanism of this inhibition, we have examined in primary hepatocyte cultures how pretreatment with pertussis toxin (islet-activating protein) influences the ability of the cells to respond to hormones and prostaglandins. Pertussis toxin augmented the effects of glucagon, epinephrine and isoproterenol, and also markedly enhanced the cAMP response to prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). Furthermore, whereas PGE1, PGE2, PGI2 and PGF2 alpha attenuated the cAMP responses to glucagon in control cultures, this inhibition was abolished in cells pretreated with pertussis toxin. A more detailed comparison was made of the effects of PGE1 and PGF2 alpha. In cells not treated with pertussis toxin, both these prostaglandins at high concentrations reduced the cAMP response to glucagon and isoproterenol by approximately 50%, but dose-effect curves showed that PGE1 was about 100-fold more potent as an inhibitor than PGF2 alpha. Pertussis toxin abolished the inhibitory effects of PGE1 and PGF2 alpha with almost identical time and dose requirements. The results obtained with PGE1, PGE2, PGI2 and PGF2 alpha suggest that prostaglandins of different series attenuate hormone-activable adenylate cyclase in hepatocytes through a common mechanism, dependent on the inhibitory GTP-binding protein.