Mechanisms of taurocholate transport in canalicular and basolateral rat liver plasma membrane vesicles. Evidence for an electrogenic canalicular organic anion carrier

The driving forces for taurocholate transport were determined in highly purified canalicular (cLPM) and basolateral rat liver plasma membrane (LPM) vesicles. Alanine transport was also examined for comparison. Inwardly directed Na+ but not K+ gradients transiently stimulated [3H]taurocholate (1 microM) and [3H]alanine (0.2 mM) uptake into basolateral LPM 3-4- fold above their respective equilibrium values (overshoots). Na+ also stimulated [3H]taurocholate countertransport and tracer exchange in basolateral LPM whereas valinomycin-induced inside negative K+ diffusion potentials stimulated alanine uptake but had no effect on taurocholate uptake. In contrast, in the "right-side out" oriented cLPM vesicles, [3H]taurocholate countertransport and tracer exchange were not dependent on Na+. Efflux of [3H]taurocholate from cLPM was also independent of Na+ and could be trans-stimulated by extra-vesicular taurocholate. Furthermore, an inside negative valinomycin-mediated K+ diffusion potential inhibited taurocholate uptake into and stimulated taurocholate efflux from the cLPM vesicles. These studies provide direct evidence for a "carrier mediated" and potential-sensitive conductive pathway for the canalicular excretion of taurocholate. In addition, they confirm the presence of a possibly electroneutral Na+-taurocholate cotransport system in basolateral membranes of the hepatocyte.     

Sodium gradient-dependent L-glutamate transport is localized to the canalicular domain of liver plasma membranes. Studies in rat liver sinusoidal and canalicular membrane vesicles

The driving forces for L-glutamate transport were determined in purified canalicular (cLPM) and basolateral (i.e. sinusoidal and lateral; blLPM) rat liver plasma membrane vesicles. Initial rates of L-glutamate uptake in cLPM vesicles were stimulated by a Na+ gradient (Na+o greater than Na+i), but not by a K+ gradient. Stimulation of L-glutamate uptake was specific for Na+, temperature sensitive, and independent of nonspecific binding. Sodium-dependent L-glutamate uptake into cLPM vesicles exhibited saturation kinetics with an apparent Km of 24 microM, and a Vmax of 21 pmol/mg X min at an extravesicular sodium concentration of 100 mM. Specific anionic amino acids inhibited L-[3H]glutamate uptake and accelerated the exchange diffusion of L-[3H]glutamate. An outwardly directed K+ gradient (K+i greater than K+o) further increased the Na+ gradient (Na+o greater than Na+i)-dependent uptake of L-glutamate in cLPM vesicles, resulting in a transient accumulation of L-glutamate above equilibrium values (overshoot). The K+ effect had an absolute requirement for Na+. In contrast, in blLPM the initial rates of L-glutamate uptake were only minimally stimulated by a Na+ gradient, an effect that could be accounted for by contamination of the blLPM vesicles with cLPM vesicles. These results indicate that hepatic Na+ gradient-dependent transport of L-glutamate occurs at the canalicular domain of the plasma membrane, whereas transport of L-glutamate across sinusoidal membranes results mainly from passive diffusion. These findings provide an explanation for the apparent discrepancy between the ability of various in vitro liver preparations to transport glutamate and suggest that a canalicular glutamate transport system may serve to reabsorb this amino acid from bile.     

Separation of the microvillous (maternal) from the basal (fetal) plasma membrane of human term placenta: methods and physiological significance of marker enzyme distribution.

Plasma membranes from normal, full-term human placental trophoblast have been isolated by a new procedure. The method depends upon isopycnic zonal centrifugation using linear sucrose/Ficoll density gradients. Enrichment of plasma membrane marker enzymes with respect to trophoblast homogenate is found in two distinct peaks (designated B and D) of the fractionated effluent recovered from the rotor. Fraction B is enriched with membrane-bound alkaline phosphatase and 5'-nucleotidase, but not with (Na+, K+)-ATPase of F(-)-stimulated adenylate cyclase. It is suggested that this material is derived from the maternal-facing microvillous plasma membrane. Fraction D, enriched with (Na+, K+)-ATPase, F(-)-stimulated adenylate cyclase and, to a smaller extent, with 5'-nucleotidase and alkaline phosphatase is, by exclusion, proposed to be derived from the fetal-facing basal plasma membrane. Both plasma membrane fractions are shown to be free of appreciable contamination, using specific markers for endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, nuclei and lysosomes. The separation of the two membrane fractions is shown to depend both upon these membranes forming closed vesicles during homogenization and upon the buoyant densities of such vesicles differing in such a way that microvillous plasma membranes band at a lower density than basal plasma membranes. No separation of the membranes is achieved in gradients in which the vesicles are collapsed.     

Effect of thiazolidinediones on bile acid transport in rat liver

The thiazolidinedione derivatives, troglitazone, rosiglitazone, and pioglitazone, are novel insulin-sensitizing drugs that are useful in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, hepatotoxicity associated with troglitazone led to its withdrawal from the market in March 2000. In view of case reports of hepatotoxicity from rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, it is unclear whether thiazolidinediones as a class are associated with hepatotoxicity. Although the mechanism of troglitazone-associated hepatotoxicity has not been elucidated, troglitazone and its major metabolite, troglitazone sulfate, competitively inhibit adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent taurocholate transport in isolated rat canalicular liver plasma membrane vesicles mediated by the canalicular bile salt export pump (Bsep). These results suggest that cholestasis may be a factor in troglitazone-associated hepatotoxicity. To determine whether this effect is 1) limited to canalicular bile acid transport and 2) is specific to troglitazone, the effect of troglitazone, rosiglitazone, and ciglitazone on bile acid transport was examined in rat basolateral (blLPM) and canalicular (cLPM) liver plasma membrane vesicles. In cLPM vesicles, troglitazone, rosiglitazone, and ciglitazone (100 microM) all significantly inhibited ATP-dependent taurocholate transport. In blLPM vesicles, these three thiazolidinediones also significantly inhibited Na(+)-dependent taurocholate transport. Inhibition of bile acid transport was concentration dependent and competitive in both cLPM and blLPM vesicles. In conclusion, these findings are consistent with a class effect by thiazolidinediones on hepatic bile acid transport. If hepatotoxicity is associated with this effect, then hepatotoxicity is not limited to troglitazone. Alternatively, if hepatotoxicity is limited to troglitazone, other mechanisms are responsible for its reported hepatotoxicity.     

Separation of basolateral plasma membranes from smooth endoplasmic reticulum of the rat enterocyte by zonal electrophoresis on density gradients

Basolateral plasma membranes of rat small intestinal epithelium were purified by density gradient centrifugation followed by zonal electrophoresis on density gradients. Crude basolateral membranes were obtained by centrifugation in which the marker enzyme, (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, was enriched 10-fold with respect to the initial homogenate. The major contaminant was a membrane fraction derived from smooth endoplasmic reticulum, rich in NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity. The crude basolateral membrane preparation could be resolved into the two major components by subjecting it to zonal electrophoresis on density gradients. The result was that (Na+ + K+)-ATPase was purified 22-fold with respect to the initial homogenate. Purification with respect to mitochondria and brush border membranes was 35- and 42-fold, respectively. Resolution of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase from NADPH-cytochrome c reductase by electrophoresis was best with membrane material from adult rats between 180 and 250 g. No resolution between the two marker enzymes occurred with material from young rats of 125 to 140 g. These results demonstrate that zonal electrophoresis on density gradients, a simple and inexpensive technique, has a similar potential to free-flow electrophoresis.     

Hepatic alpha-adrenergic receptors. Identification and subcellular localization using [3H]dihydroergocryptine.

Recently, several workers have shown that adrenergic control of hepatic carbohydrate metabolism has the characteristics of an alpha-receptor-mediated process. Using the rat liver membrane preparation of Neville (Neville, D. (1968) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 154, 540-552), alpha-adrenergic receptors have been identified using the ligand [3H]dihydroergocryptine. The receptors are saturable and of high affinity. Scatchard analysis yields a KD of 1.8 nM with 1.7 +/- 0.55 pmol of sites/mg of protein. Competition of dihydroergocryptine binding with various pharmacologic agents yields the typical (alpha-adrenergic potency series: (-)-epinephrine greater than (-)-norepinephrine greater than (-)-isoproterenol. (-)-Isomers are more potent than (+)-isomers. The alpha-blocker phentolamine is 3.4 orders of magnitude more potent than the beta-blocker propranolol. To determine subcellular localization of alpha-adrenergic receptors, livers were fractionated into a crude homogenate, a 1500 X g pellet, and the purified membrane preparation used previously for binding. Specific dihydroergocryptine binding, ouabain-inhibitable (Na,K)-ATPase, and F--stimulated adenylate cyclase activities, were followed in these fractions. Specific binding was enriched, relative to that in the crude homogenate, 2.88-fold in the pellet and 6.28-fold in the membranes. Similarly, (Na,K)-ATPase acticity was enriched 2.6-fold in the pellet and 7.1-fold in the membranes while adenylate cyclase activity was enriched 2.9-fold in the pellet and 3.5-fold in the membranes. It is concluded that hepatic alpha-adrenergic receptors are likely concentrated in the plasma membranes.     

Studies on isolated subcellular components of cat pancreas. I. Isolation and enzymatic characterization.

Pancreas of the cat was fractionated into its subcellular components by centrifugation through an exponential ficoll-sucrose density gradient in a zonal rotor. This enables a preparation of four fractions enriched in plasma membranes, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and zymogen granules, respectively. The first fraction, enriched by 9- to 15-fold in the plasma membrane marker enzymes, hormone-stimulated adenylate cyclase, (Na+K+)-ATPase, and 5'-nucleotidase, is contaminated by membranes derived from endoplasmic reticulum but is virtually free from mitochondrial and zymogen-granule contamination. The second fraction from the zonal gradient shows only moderate enrichment of the above marker enzymes but contains a considerable quantity of plasma membrane marker enzymes and represents mostly rough endoplasmic reticulum. The third fraction contains the bulk of mitochondria and the fourth mainly zymogen granules as assessed by electron microscopy and marker enzymes for both mitochondria and zymogen granules, namely succinic dehydrogenase, trypsin and amylase. Further purification of the plasma membrane fractions by differential and sucrose step-gradient centrifugation yields plasma membranes enriched 40-fold in basal and hormone-stimulated adenylate cyclase and (Na+K+)-ATPase.     

Separation of hepatocyte plasma membrane domains by free flow electrophoresis

We have applied free flow electrophoresis to separate the canalicular and basolateral (sinusoidal and lateral) domains of rat hepatocyte plasma membranes. Hepatocyte plasma membranes were prepurified by rat zonal and discontinous sucrose gradient centrifugation. In electrophoretic separation, the canalicular membranes were more deflected toward the anode than the basolateral membranes. Na+-dependent taurocholate uptake could be measured in both membrane fractions, transport activity being highest in fractions containing the highest specific activity in the basolateral marker enzyme Na+-K+-ATPase. Thus, differences in electrophoretic mobility permit the separation of functional intact plasma membrane vesicles derived from basolateral and canalicular plasma membrane domains of rat hepatocyte.     

The surface membrane of the small intestinal epithelial cell. I. Localization of adenyl cyclase.

The subcellular distribution of adenyl cyclase was investigated in small intestinal epithelial cells. Enterocytes were isolated, disrupted and the resulting membranes fractionated by differential and sucrose gradient centrifugation. Separation of luminal (brush border) and contra-luminal (basolateral) plasma membrane was achieved on a discontinuous sucrose gradient. The activity of adenyl cyclase was followed during fractionation in relation to other enzymes, notably those considered as markers for luminal and contraluminal plasma membrane. The luminal membrane was identified by the membrane-bound enzymes sucrase and alkaline phosphatase and the basolateral region by (Na+ + K+)-ATPase. Enrichment of the former two enzymes in purified luminal plasma membrane was 8-fold over cells and that of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase in purified bisolateral plasma membranes was 13-fold. F--activated adenyl cyclase co-purified with (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, suggesting a common localization on the plasma membrane. The distribution of K+-stimulated phosphatase and 5'-nucleotidase also followed (Na+ + K+)-ATPase during fractionation.     

Isolation of basolateral and brush-border membranes from the rabbit kidney cortex. Vesicle integrity and membrane sidedness of the basolateral fraction

A rapid and reproducible method has been developed for the simultaneous isolation of basolateral and brush-border membranes from the rabbit renal cortex. The basolateral membrane preparation was enriched 25-fold in (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and the brush-border membrane fraction was enriched 12-fold in alkaline phosphatase, whereas the amount of cross-contamination was low. Contamination of these preparations by mitochondria and lysosomes was minimal as indicated by the low specific activities of enzyme markers, i.e., succinate dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase. The basolateral fraction consisted of 35-50% sealed vesicles, as demonstrated by detergent (sodium dodecyl sulfate) activation of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity and [3H]ouabain binding. The sidedness of the basolateral membranes was estimated from the latency of ouabain-sensitive (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity assayed in the presence of gramicidin, which renders the vesicles permeable to Na+ and K+. These studies suggest that nearly 90% of the vesicles are in a right-side-out orientation.     

Isolation of basolateral membranes from columnar cells of the proximal colon of the guinea pig

A method for an analytical isolation of plasma membranes from columnar cells (colonocytes) of the proximal colon of the guinea pig is described. Isolation of the colonocytes was performed by a mild EDTA-chelation method. After homogenization, two subsequent sucrose gradient centrifugations (isokinetic and isopycnic) yielded a plasma-membrane fraction which was enriched 12-fold in (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity and 8-fold in adenylate cyclase activity. It is suggested that the purified membrane fraction consists mainly of basolateral membranes of the colonocytes. Due to the lack of suitable marker enzymes, no evidence for enrichment of the brush-border membranes was obtained. Histochemical studies demonstrated that alkaline phosphatase is absent from the luminal membrane of the surface epithelial cells of the proximal colon of the guinea pig.     

Preparation of renal cortex basal-lateral and bursh border membranes. Localization of adenylate cyclase and guanylate cyclase activities.

Luminal brush border and contraluminal basal-lateral segments of the plasma membrane from the same kidney cortex were prepared. The brush border membrane preparation was enriched in trehalase and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, whereas the basal-lateral membrane preparation was enriched in (Na+ + K+1)-ATPase. However, the specific activity of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase in brush border membranes also increased relative to that in the crude plasma membrane fraction, suggesting that (Na+ + K+)-ATPase may be an intrinsic constituent of the renal brush border membrane in addition to being prevalent in the basal-lateral membrane. Adenylate cyclase had the same distribution pattern as (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, i.e. higher specific activity in basal-lateral membranes and present in brush border membranes. Adenylate cyclase in both membrane preparations was stimulated by parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, epinephrine, prostaglandins and 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate. When the agonists were used in combination enhancements were additive. In contrast to the distribution of adenylate cyclase, guanylate cyclase was found in the cytosol and in basal-lateral membranes with a maximal specific activity (NaN3 plus Triton X-100) 10-fold that in brush border membranes. ATP enhanced guanylate cyclase activity only in basal-lateral membranes. It is proposed that guanylate cyclase, in addition to (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, be used as an enzyme "marker" for the renal basal-lateral membrane.     

Studies on isolated subcellular components of cat pancreas

Summary Pancreas of the cat was fractionated into its subcellular components by centrifugation through an exponential ficoll-sucrose density gradient in a zonal rotor. This enables a preparation of four fractions enriched in plasma membranes, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and zymogen granules, respectively. The first fraction, enriched by 9- to 15-fold in the plasma membrane marker enzymes, hormone-stimulated adenylate cyclase, (Na⁺K⁺)-ATPase, and 5-nucleotidase, is contaminated by membranes derived from endoplasmic reticulum but is virtually free from mitochondrial and zymogen-granule contamination. The second fraction from the zonal gradient shows only moderate enrichment of the above marker enzymes but contains a considerable quantity of plasma membrane marker enzymes and represents mostly rough endoplasmic reticulum. The third fraction contains the bulk of mitochondria and the fourth mainly zymogen granules as assessed by electron microscopy and marker enzymes for both mitochondria and zymogen granules, namely succinic dehydrogenase, trypsin and amylase. Further purification of the plasma membrane fractions by differential and sucrose step-gradient centrifugation yields plasma membrane enriched 40-fold in basal and hormone-stimulated adenylate cyclase and (Na⁺K⁺)-ATPase.     

Basal-lateral membranes from rabbit renal cortex prepared on a large scale in a zonal rotor

Basal-lateral membranes from the renal cortex of the rabbit were isolated by sucrose gradient centrifugation in a zonal rotor which allows for a large-scale preparation of these membranes. A heterogeneous population of membranes (P4) which contained 29% of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase found in the homogenate of renal cortex was prepared by differential centrifugation. When pellet P4 was subjected to centrifugation in a sucrose gradient the activity of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, a marker for basal-lateral membranes, could be separated from enzymatic markers of other organelles. The specific activity of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase was enriched 12-fold at a density of 1.141 g/cm3. Membranes (P alpha) contained in the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase-rich fractions consisted primarily of closed vesicles which exhibited probenecid inhibitable transport of rho-aminohippurate. These membranes did not exhibit Na+-dependent, phlorizin-inhibitable D-glucose transport. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of proteins from P alpha revealed at least six major protein bands with molecular weights of 91000, 81000, 73000, 65000, 47000 and 38000. A small fraction of total alkaline phosphatase found in the homogenate was found in pellet P4. Membranes containing this alkaline phosphatase activity were distributed widely over the gradient, with peak activity found at a density of 1.141 g/cm3. In contrast, when brush borders were subjected to gradient centrifugation under the same conditions as P4, alkaline phosphatase was found in a narrow distribution, with peak activity at a density of 1.158 g/cm3. The principle subcellular localization of the alkaline phosphatase found in P4 could not be determined unambiguously from the data, but the activity did not seem to be primarily associated with classical brush borders.     

Separation of basolateral plasma membranes from smooth endoplasmic reticulum of the rat enterocyte by zonal electrophoresis on density gradients

Basolateral plasma membranes of rat small intestinal epithelium were purified by density gradient centrifugation followed by zonal electrophoresis on density gradients. Crude basolateral membranes were obtained by centrifugation in which the marker enzyme, (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase, was enriched 10-fold with respect to the initial homogenate. The major contaminant was a membrane fraction derived from smooth endoplasmic reticulum, rich in NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity. The crude basolateral membrane preparation could be resolved into the two major components by subjecting it to zonal electrophoresis on density gradients. The result was that (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase was purified 22-fold with respect to the initial homogenate. Purification with respect to mitochondria and brush border membranes was 35- and 42-fold, respectively. Resolution of (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase from NADPH-cytochrome c reductase by electrophoresis was best with membrane material from adult rats between 180 and 250 g. No resolution between the two marker enzymes occurred with material from young rats of 125 to 140 g. These results demonstrate that zonal electrophoresis on density gradients, a simple and inexpensive technique, has a similar potential to free-flow electrophoresis.     

Effect of a NaCl gradient on the transport of para-aminohippuric acid into the vesicles of the basolateral membrane of the kidney cortex

Basolateral membrane vesicles were isolated from the rat kidney cortex by a modified method of cation precipitation. Different steps of preparation were analysed using the marker enzymes: Na+,K+-ATPase (for basolateral membrane), alkaline phosphatase (for apical membrane), glucose-6-phosphatase (for membranes of endoplasmic reticulum) and succinate dehydrogenase (for mitochondria). The basolateral membrane was purified by a 8-9-fold treatment with Na+,K+-ATPase, while other membrane contaminations were as low as 2% (as compared to homogenate). The transport of 3H-p-aminohippurate (3H-PAH) by basolateral membrane vesicles was measured under different experimental conditions. The 3H-PAH uptake was found to be Na-gradient dependent. The initial rate of 3H-PAH uptake in the presence of NaCl gradient (500 pM/mg X min) was higher than without the gradient (88 pM/mg X min). It is concluded that the PAH transfer across the basolateral membrane may be energized by the Na+ chemical gradient.     

Isolation of the basal and lateral plasma membranes of rat kidney tubule cells.

A method was developed to isolate renal basolateral membranes from cortical kidney tubule cells of single rats. The isolated membrane fraction was characterized by the measurement of marker enzyme activities and by electron microscopy. 1. After centrifugation of crude plasma membranes on a discontinuous sucrose density gradient the basolateral membranes accumulated at a sucrose density of p= 1.14-1.15 g/ml. The yield was 147 mug membrane protein/g kidney wet weight. Protein recovery was 0.1%. 2. (Na+ + K+)-ATPase was enriched 22-fold from the homogenate. The recovery was 2.6%. The (Na+ + K+)/Mg2+-ATPase ratio was 4.1. 3. The contamination by brush borders was small. Alkaline phosphatase was 1.6-fold enriched and 0.2% was recovered. Aminopeptidase was 1-fold enriched with a recovery of 0.1%. The contamination by mitochondria, lysosomes and endoplasmic reticulum was negligible. 4. In electron micrographs the basolateral membranes showed a typical triple layered profile and were characterized by the presence of junctional complexes, gap junctions or tight junctions.     

Prolactin directly enhanced Na+/K+- and Ca2+-ATPase activities in the duodenum of female rats

Prolactin has recently been shown to directly stimulate 2 components of the active duodenal calcium transport in female rats, i.e., solvent drag-induced and transcellular-active calcium transport. Since the basolateral Na(+)/K(+)- and Ca(2+)-ATPases, respectively, play important roles in these 2 transport mechanisms, the present study aimed to examine the direct actions of prolactin on the activities of both transporters in sexually mature female Wistar rats. The results showed that 200, 400, and 800 ng/mL prolactin produced a significant increase in the total ATPase activity of duodenal crude homogenate in a dose-dependent manner within 60 min (i.e., from a control value of 1.53 +/- 0.13 to 2.29 +/- 0.21 (p < 0.05), 2.68 +/- 0.19 (p < 0.01), and 3.92 +/- 0.33 (p < 0.001) micromol Pi x (mg protein)(-1) x min(-1), respectively). Activity of Na+/K+-ATPase was increased by 800 ng/mL prolactin from 0.17 +/- 0.03 to 1.18 +/- 0.29 micromol Pi x (mg protein)(-1) x min(-1) (p < 0.01). Prolactin at doses of 400 and 600 ng/mL also significantly increased the activities of Ca(2+)-ATPase in crude homogenate from a control value of 0.84 +/- 0.03 to 1.75 +/- 0.29 (p < 0.05), and 2.30 +/- 0.37 (p < 0.001) micromol Pi x (mg protein)(-1) x min(-1). When the crude homogenate was purified for the basolateral membrane, the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activities were elevated 10-fold. In the purified homogenate, 800 ng/mL prolactin increased Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity from 1.79 +/- 0.38 to 2.63 +/- 0.44 micromol Pi x (mg protein)(-1) x min(-1) (p < 0.05), and Ca(2+)-ATPase activity from 0.08 +/- 0.14 to 2.03 +/- 0.23 micromol Pi x (mg protein)(-1) x min-1 (p < 0.001). Because the apical calcium entry was the first important step for the transcellular active calcium transport, the brush border calcium uptake was also investigated in this study. We found that, 8 min after being directly exposed to 800 ng/mL prolactin, the brush border calcium uptake into the duodenal epithelial cells was increased from 0.31 +/- 0.02 to 0.80 +/- 0.28 nmol x (mg protein)(-1) (p < 0.05). It was concluded that prolactin directly and rapidly enhanced the brush border calcium uptake as well as the activities of the basolateral Na(+)/K(+)- and Ca(2+)-ATPases in the duodenal epithelium of female rats. These findings explained the mechanisms by which prolactin stimulated duodenal active calcium absorption.     

Changes in plasma membrane enzyme activities during liver regeneration in the rat.

Changes in activities of plasma membrane enzymes during liver regeneration may be related to the maintenance of hepatic function or to the regulation of cell proliferation. Plasma membranes were isolated from rat livers at various times after partial hepatectomy, and the specific activities of alkaline phosphatase, (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, leucine aminopeptidase, 5'-nucleotidase, and adenylate cyclase (basal and with glucagon or epinephrine) were measured. Alkaline phosphatase and (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity increased 3.6-fold and 2-fold respectively, during the first 48 h after partial hepatectomy. The time of onset and duration of change suggest that these increases in activity are involved in the maintenance of bile secretion. Decreases in leucine aminopeptidase activity at 48--108 h and in 5'-nucleotidase activity at 12--24 h were observed, which may be involved in the restoration of protein and accumulation of RNA. The basal activity of adenylate cyclase increased after partial hepatectomy. The response of adenylate cyclase to epinephrine showed a transitory increase between 36 and 108 h after surgery, while the response to glucagon was decreased by approximately 50% at all time points through 324 h after surgery. These changes in the hormone responsiveness of adenylate cyclase are similar to those previously observed in fetal and preneoplastic liver.     

Properties of prostaglandin-sensitive adenylate cyclase system of a murine macrophage-like cell line (P388D1)

The properties of basal and prostaglandin (PG)-stimulated adenylate cyclase of membrane preparations of P388D1 cells were investigated. Three partially purified membrane fractions were obtained by sucrose density gradient centrifugation at the final step of purification from crude homogenate. About 96% of the basal and 89% of PGE2-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in the homogenate were recovered in three membrane fractions. Two lighter membrane fractions (I and II), which were enriched 11-fold and 8.4-fold in adenylate cyclase activity over crude homogenate, were pooled and subjected to various studies. Results suggested that the basal activity of the membrane preparations has, as in many other cell types, a relatively broad pH optimum (pH 7.5 to 8.5), requires Mg2+, which must be present in excess ATP, and is inhibited by Ca2+. Highly reactive sulfhydryl group(s), which may be present in the lipid bilayer, is required for the adenylate cyclase activity. Because both fluoride ions and GTP augment the enzymatic activity, P388D1 cell membrane adenylate cyclase must possess stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding protein. The membrane preparations respond to exogeneously added PG by 1.5-fold to 3-fold increase in adenosine 3'-5' cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) production. The magnitude of PG-responsiveness was dependent on the types of PG and the order of potency in stimulation was PGE1 greater than PGE2 greater than PGI2. PGA1, B1, B2, F1 alpha, and F2 alpha stimulated adenylate cyclase only at the highest concentration tested.