Evidence for a pertussis toxin sensitive calcium entry pathway in thyroid FRTL-5 cells

Receptor-mediated calcium entry was investigated in Fura 2 loaded FRTL-5 cells. The purinergic agonist ATP activated the release of sequestered calcium and the entry of extracellular calcium. Downregulation of protein kinase C (PKC) substantially enhanced the ATP-evoked calcium entry. Pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin (Ptx) decreased the ATP-evoked calcium entry by 56% and the release of sequestered calcium by 34%. In PKC-downregulated cells, the effect of Ptx treatment on the ATP-evoked increase in [Ca²⁺]_iwas 73% and 44%, respectively. Phorbol myristic acetate (PMA) decreased the ATP-evoked calcium entry to the same extent as Ptx. In Ptx-treated cells, the ATP-evoked influx of ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ was attenuated. Stimulation of the cells with P_2p-purinergic agonist GTP evoked no entry of calcium, although GTP released the same amount of sequestered calcium as did ATP. PKC downregulation or pretreatment with Ptx had no effects on the GTP-evoked responses, whereas PMA decreased the GTP-evoked release of calcium. We conclude that the ATP-activated rapid calcium entry pathway is a second messenger-operated calcium channel. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Reciprocal modulation of thyrotropin actions by P1-purinergic agonists in FRTL-5 thyroid cells. Inhibition of cAMP pathway and stimulation of phospholipase C-Ca2+ pathway.

In FRTL-5 thyroid cells, thyrotropin (TSH) stimulates I- efflux in association with phospholipase C activation and Ca2+ mobilization. TSH also stimulates DNA synthesis, accompanied by cAMP accumulation. Significant activation of the phospholipase C-Ca2+ pathway requires 10-100 nM TSH a concentration 10(3) to 10(4) times higher than necessary to stimulate the cAMP pathway. When the P1-purinergic agonist, phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA) is added to the reaction medium, the former pathway is markedly enhanced, whereas the latter pathway is inhibited. As a result, in the presence of PIA, both TSH-induced pathways are activated at similar TSH concentrations. These PIA actions are completely reversed by a prior treatment of cells with islet-activating protein (IAP); pertussis toxin. When adenosine deaminase is added to the reaction medium, TSH-induced cAMP accumulation is significantly enhanced, suggesting an autocrine action of adenosine. In IAP-treated cells, the level of TSH-induced cAMP accumulation reaches that of deaminase-treated control cells, and no further increase is observed when adenosine deaminase is added. We conclude that in the thyroid, either an neural or autocrine adenosine signal, mediated by an IAP-sensitive G-protein, switches TSH signal transduction from the cAMP pathway to the phospholipase C-Ca2+ pathway.     

P2-purinergic agonists activate phospholipase C in a guanine nucleotide- and Ca2+-dependent manner in FRTL-5 thyroid cell membranes

Various adenine nucleotides activated phospholipase C of FRTL-5 cell membranes in the following order of activity, ATP gamma S greater than ATP greater than AppNp greater than AppCp = ADP greater than MeSATP. This order was well consistent with that observed in intact cells. Such activation occurred only in the presence of appropriate concentrations of GTP gamma S and Ca2+, in a way similar to the norepinephrine-induced activation. NaF, a non-specific GTP-binding protein (G-protein) activator, also stimulated the enzyme. These adenine nucleotides, norepinephrine and NaF-induced activations were inhibited by GDP beta S. We conclude that a G-protein is involved in the adenine nucleotides-induced activation of phospholipase C via P2-purinergic receptor in FRTL-5 cells.     

Thyrotropin effect on the availability of Ni regulatory protein in FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells to ADP-ribosylation by pertussis toxin

Incubation of FRTL-5 rat thyroid cell membranes with [32P]NAD and pertussis toxin results in the specific ADP-ribosylation of a protein of about 40 kDa. This protein has the same molecular mass of the alpha i subunit of the adenylate cyclase regulatory protein Ni and is distinct from proteins ADP-ribosylated by cholera toxin in the same membranes. Prior treatment of FRTL-5 cells with pertussis toxin results in the ADP-ribosylation of Ni, as indicated by the loss of the toxin substrate in the ADP-ribosylation assay performed with membranes prepared from such cells. Preincubation of FRTL-5 cells with thyrotropin causes the same loss; cholera toxin has no such effect. Pertussis toxin, as do thyrotropin and cholera toxin, increases cAMP levels in FRTL-5 cells. Forskolin together with thyrotropin, cholera toxin or pertussis toxin causes a further increase in cAMP levels. Pertussis toxin and thyrotropin are not additive in their ability to increase adenylate cyclase activity, whereas both substances are additive with cholera toxin. A role of Ni in the thyrotropin regulation of the adenylate cyclase activity in thyroid cells is proposed.     

Thyrotropin stimulation of lysosomal tyrosine transport in rat FRTL-5 thyroid cells

Tyrosine countertransport was used to demonstrate the hormonal stimulation of neutral amino acid transport across the lysosomal membrane of FRTL-5 cells. Cells grown with thyrotropin (1 X 10(-10) M) had 7-fold (+/- S.E.) higher tyrosine countertransport activity in their lysosomes than cells grown without thyrotropin. Thyrotropin also stimulated the uptake into tyrosine-loaded lysosomes of other neutral amino acids recognized by the tyrosine carrier, namely, phenylalanine (3-fold) and leucine (6-fold). In contrast lysosomal cystine countertransport was not affected by thyrotropin. Addition of thyrotropin to cells grown without thyrotropin showed that the stimulation of tyrosine counter-transport (a) required at least 48 h to reach the level of the thyrotropin-supplemented cells, (b) depended upon protein synthesis, since cycloheximide (20 microM) was inhibitory, and (c) depended upon RNA synthesis, since actinomycin D (1 nM) was inhibitory. Cells grown without thyrotropin but with dibutyryl cyclic AMP (1 mM) or cholera toxin (1 nM) exhibited enhanced lysosomal countertransport of tyrosine, suggesting that cyclic AMP may act as a messenger. This represents the first demonstration of hormonal responsiveness in a lysosomal transport system and may reflect the importance of salvage and reutilization of lysosomal degradation products for the thyroid epithelial cell.     

P2-purinergic receptors are coupled to two signal transduction systems leading to inhibition of cAMP generation and to production of inositol trisphosphate in rat hepatocytes

Stimulation of P2-purinergic receptors by ATP resulted in activation of phosphorylase, which was associated with marked production of inositol trisphosphate (Ins-P3), in rat hepatocytes. ATP also inhibited forskolin-induced accumulation of cAMP in the presence of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. On the contrary, adenosine or AMP never inhibited the cAMP accumulation, but increased hepatocyte cAMP; the stimulation was antagonized by a methylxanthine. Thus, P1-purinergic receptors are linked to adenylate cyclase in a stimulatory fashion in hepatocytes. Various kinds of purine nucleotides stimulating P2-receptors can be divided into two groups on the basis of their relative abilities to stimulate Ins-P3 production and to inhibit cAMP accumulation; the first group including adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATP gamma S), ADP, 5-adenylyl imidodiphosphate, GTP, and guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) has an efficacy similar to that of ATP, and the second group of nucleotides including alpha, beta-methyleneadenosine 5'-triphosphate, beta, gamma-methyleneadenosine 5'-triphosphate (App(CH)2)p), and GDP exerts considerable inhibitory effects on cAMP accumulation, but only slight effects on inositol lipid metabolism. Treatment of hepatocytes with islet-activating protein, pertussis toxin, blocked the nucleotide-induced inhibition of cAMP accumulation, but exerted only a small effect on Ins-P3 production. In membranes prepared from hepatocytes, forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase was inhibited by GTP. This GTP-induced inhibition of the enzyme was susceptible to islet-activating protein and dependent on the concentration of ATP (or its derivatives, ATP gamma S or App(CH2)p). It is concluded that there are two types of P2-purinergic receptors: one is linked to adenylate cyclase via an inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (Gi) and the other is linked to phospholipase C.     

The effects of pertussis toxin and cholera toxin on mitogen-induced interleukin-2 production: evidence for G protein involvement in signal transduction

GTP-binding proteins, known as G proteins, play important roles in transducing signals generated by the binding of specific ligands to cell surface receptors. We examined the possibility that a G protein is involved in transducing the concanavalin A (Con A) signal for IL-2 production using a T-cell hybridoma, FS6-14.13, and the bacterial toxins, pertussis toxin (PTX) and cholera toxin (CTX). These toxins are known to interact with and modify the functions of G proteins. High concentrations of PTX (25-50 micrograms/ml) stimulated IL-2 production in the FS-6 cells in the absence of Con A, presumably due to the ability of its B subunit to crosslink membrane proteins. However, in the presence of Con A, PTX inhibited IL-2 production at concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 50 micrograms/ml. It is unlikely that this inhibition was due to a competitive interaction between Con A and PTX for binding sites at the cell surface, since high concentrations of PTX only minimally reduced Con A-FITC binding, evaluated by FACS analysis. In addition, concentrations of PTX which were not able to stimulate IL-2 production in the absence of Con A, retained their ability to inhibit IL-2 production in the presence of Con A. These data suggest the involvement of the PTX A subunit in this activity. In support of this possibility, PTX catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of a Mr = 41,000-Da protein in FS-6 membranes. This strongly suggests that a PTX substrate is involved in transducing the Con A signal for IL-2 production in FS-6 cells. CTX also inhibited Con A-induced IL-2 production, an effect mimicked by the addition of dibutyryl-cAMP. This suggests that a CTX substrate linked to the adenylyl cyclase-cAMP pathway is probably not involved in transducing the stimulatory Con A signal, but may play a role in downregulating T-cell activation.     

Evidence for a positive role of PtdIns5P in T-cell signal transduction pathways

Phosphatidylinositol 5-phosphate (PtdIns5P) is emerging as a potential lipid messenger involved in several cell types, from plants to mammals. Expression of IpgD, a PtdIns(4, 5)P₂ 4-phosphatase induces Src kinase and Akt, but not ERK activation and enhances interleukin II promoter activity in T-cells. Expression of a new PtdIns5P interacting domain blocks IpgD-induced T-cell activation and selective signaling molecules downstream of TCR triggering. Altogether, these data suggest that PtdIns5P may play a sensor function in setting the threshold of T-cell activation and contributing to maintain T-cell homeostasis.     

Coupling of the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein to chemotactic peptide receptors in neutrophil membranes and its uncoupling by islet-activating protein, pertussis toxin. A possible role of the toxin substrate in Ca2+-mobilizing receptor-mediated signal transduction

A chemotactic peptide stimulated the high-affinity GTPase activity in membrane preparations from guinea pig neutrophils. The enzyme stimulation was inhibited by prior exposure of the membrane-donor cells to islet-activating protein (IAP), pertussis toxin, or by direct incubation of the membrane preparations with its A-protomer (the active peptide) in the presence of NAD. The affinity for the chemotactic peptide binding to its receptors was lowered by guanyl-5'-yl beta, gamma-imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) reflecting its coupling to the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein in neutrophils. The affinity in the absence of Gpp(NH)p was lower, but the affinity in its presence was not, in the A-protomer-treated membranes than in nontreated membranes. The inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory protein of adenylate cyclase (Ni) was purified from rat brain, and reconstituted into the membranes from IAP-treated cells. The reconstitution was very effective in increasing formyl-Met-Leu-Phe-dependent GTPase activity and increasing the chemotactic peptide binding to membranes due to affinity increase. The half-maximal concentration of IAP to inhibit GTPase activity was comparable to that of the toxin to inhibit the cellular arachidonate-releasing response which was well correlated with ADP-ribosylation of a membrane Mr = 41,000 protein (Okajima, F., and Ui, M. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 13863-13871). It is proposed that the IAP substrate, Ni, couples to the chemotactic peptide receptor and mediates arachidonate-releasing responses in neutrophils, as it mediates adenylate cyclase inhibition in many other cell types.     

Role of pertussis toxin sensitive G proteins in the alpha 1 adrenergic receptor but not in the thyrotropin receptor mediated activation of membrane phospholipases and iodide fluxes in FRTL-5 thyroid cells

The regulation of thyroid hormone formation by thyrotropin and norepinephrine involves the activation of both phospholipases C and A2. When FRTL-5 cells are incubated with 10(-10)M pertussis toxin for 4 to 20 h, the stimulation of iodide efflux by norepinephrine is inhibited by 50 to 70%. At the same toxin concentration the norepinephrine induced increase in cytosolic Ca2+ is unaffected; however upon 20 h pretreatment with 10(-9)M pertussis toxin a 30% inhibition is observed. By contrast, the pertussis toxin treatment had no effect on the increase in iodide efflux or in cytosolic Ca2+ levels induced by thyrotropin. Our data suggest that two GTP binding proteins sensitive to pertussis toxin are involved in the alpha 1 adrenergic but not in the thyrotropin induced activation of the signal transduction mechanisms leading to iodide efflux in FRTL-5 cells.     

P2-purinoceptor-stimulated phosphoinositide turnover in chick myotubes. Calcium mobilization and the role of guanyl nucleotide-binding proteins

ATP, a trigger of P2-purinoceptor-mediated polyphosphoinositide (PI) turnover in cultured myotubes, increased cytosolic calcium levels in a time- and dose-dependent manner (quin2 fluorescence). The calcium was released from intracellular stores, as acute addition of 5 mM EGTA was without significant effect. Adenosine 5'-(3-thiotriphosphate) and 5'-adenylyl imidodiphosphate also increased intracellular levels of inositol phosphates (InsP) and cytosolic calcium levels. Treatment with cholera or pertussis toxin of myotube cultures did not affect the P2-purinoceptor-mediated InsP increase although PI turnover in permeabilized myotubes was stimulated by guanosine 5'-(3-thiotriphosphate). The results suggest that myotube P2-purinoceptors trigger PI turnover and increase intracellular free calcium levels, via a mechanism insensitive to ADP-ribosylation, by cholera or pertussis toxin of guanyl nucleotide-binding (G) proteins. However, the presence of a phospholipase C-coupled G-protein was otherwise demonstrated.     

Activation of inositol phospholipid breakdown in HL60 cells by P2-purinergic receptors for extracellular ATP. Evidence for mediation by both pertussis toxin-sensitive and pertussis toxin-insensitive mechanisms

The mechanisms whereby P2-purinergic receptors for extracellular ATP are coupled to the inositol phospholipid-signaling system were studied in the HL60 human promyelocytic leukemia cell line. Brief pretreatment of either undifferentiated or differentiated HL60 cells with various activators of protein kinase C Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent enzyme (e.g. phorbol myristate acetate) produced a 50-fold decrease in the potency of extracellular ATP to induce mobilization of intracellular Ca2+. The ATP-induced increase in rate of inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) accumulation in these 4-beta-phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate-treated cells was characterized by a 40% decrease in the maximal rate of InsP3 accumulation. Incubation of the cells with NaF also induced mobilization of the same Ca2+ stores released in response to extracellular ATP; this provided indirect evidence that the transmembrane signaling actions of P2-purinergic receptors may be mediated by GTP-binding regulatory proteins. This latter possibility was further supported by the finding that treatment of either undifferentiated or differentiated HL60 cells with pertussis toxin produced a significant, but partial, inhibition of ATP-induced signaling actions. These included: 1) a 60-70% decrease in the maximum rate of InsP3 accumulation, and 2) a 1.5 log unit increase in the half-maximally effective [ATP] required for mobilization of intracellular Ca2+. In cells treated with both pertussis toxin and 4-beta-phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate, there was an 80% decrease in maximal rate of ATP-induced InsP3 accumulation and near-complete inhibition of ATP-induced Ca2+ mobilization. Significantly, the residual, pertussis toxin-insensitive portion of ATP-induced signaling was observed in the same samples of differentiated HL60 cells wherein pertussis toxin treatment produced complete abolition of InsP3 accumulation and Ca2+ mobilization in response to occupation of chemotactic peptide receptors. These results indicate that the activation of inositol phospholipid breakdown by P2-purinergic receptors in HL60 cells may be mediated by both pertussis toxin-sensitive and toxin-insensitive mechanisms; this suggests that these myeloid progenitor cells may express two distinct types of GTP-binding proteins coupled to phospholipase C.     

Responses of pertussis toxin-treated microvascular endothelial cells to transforming growth factor beta 1. No evidence for pertussis-sensitive G-protein involvement in TGF-beta signal transduction.

Responses of bovine adrenal capillary endothelial cells (BACE) on treatment with transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) have been characterized and tested for sensitivity to inactivation of pertussis toxin-sensitive G-proteins. TGF-beta 1 elicited growth inhibition, monolayer remodeling, elevation of steady state mRNA levels for collagen type 1 (alpha 1(1) and alpha 2(1)) and TGF-beta 1, and inhibition of p34cdc2 histone H1 kinase activity in BACE cells. Pertussis toxin treatment enhanced both inhibition of BACE cell [3H]methylthymidine uptake and remodeling of BACE monolayers by TGF-beta 1. These findings contrast with studies of mink lung epithelial cells, in which TGF-beta 1 growth inhibition has been shown to be pertussis-sensitive. Further investigation revealed that pertussis toxin treatment of BACE cells had no effect on TGF-beta 1-stimulated elevation of steady state mRNA levels for collagen type 1 (alpha 1(1) or alpha 2(1)) or for TGF-beta 1. Analysis of p34cdc2 activity in BACE cells revealed potent inhibition of p34cdc2 histone H1 kinase activity by TGF-beta 1. Pertussis toxin treatment also abolished the increase in p34cdc2 activity, however, precluding the determination of the pertussis toxin sensitivity of this response to TGF-beta 1. Consistent with suppression of p34cdc2 activation, pertussis toxin also caused substantial inhibition of mitogen-stimulated BACE cell [3H]methylthymidine uptake. It is concluded that TGF-beta 1 signal transduction in this cell type does not involve G-proteins of the pertussis toxin-sensitive class and that, in view of its potent effects on DNA synthesis and p34cdc2 activation, the use of pertussis toxin to determine G-protein involvement in cytokine signalling pathways should be approached with caution.     

Inhibition of atrial natriuretic peptide-induced cGMP accumulation by purinergic agonists in FRTL-5 thyroid cells. Involvement of both pertussis toxin-sensitive and insensitive mechanisms

Extracellular ATP, N6-(L-2-phenylisopropyl)adenosine (PIA) and other purinergic agonists inhibited atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)-induced cGMP accumulation in FRTL-5 thyroid cells. These agonists were functionally classified into three groups. Group 1 agonists represented by ATP inhibited the ANP action in association with phospholipase C activation in a partially islet-activating protein (IAP, pertussis toxin)-sensitive manner. Group 2 including GTP and 8-bromoadenosine 5'-triphosphate acted similarly to Group 1 except for total insensitivity of the former to IAP. The IAP-insensitive portion of Group 1 actions and the actions of Group 2 as well as of A23187, a Ca2+ ionophore which mimicked the Group 2 agonist actions, were almost completely inhibited by phosphodiesterase inhibitors such as M & B 22948 (2-O-propoxyphenyl-8-azapurin-6-one) and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. Group 3 including PIA and AMP did not affect phospholipase C, but inhibited the ANP performance in an IAP-sensitive fashion. This action of Group 3 and the IAP-sensitive portion of Group 1 actions were insensitive to the phosphodiesterase inhibitors. We conclude that ATP and other Group 1 agonists attenuated the ANP-induced cGMP accumulation by at least two mechanisms: 1) stimulation of cGMP hydrolysis via a phospholipase C-Ca2(+)-phosphodiesterase system and 2) inhibition of cGMP generation, probably by an IAP-sensitive G-protein-mediated inactivation of the ANP-receptor-coupled guanylate cyclase. Group 2 agonists stimulate only the first mechanisms, whereas Group 3 agonists prefer the second one.     

Bradykinin binding to B2 kinin receptors and stimulation of phosphoinositide turnover and arachidonic acid release in primary cultures of cells from late pregnant rat myometrium.

Primary cultures of cells from late pregnant rat myometrium contain B2 kinin receptors through which bradykinin (BK) stimulates inositol phosphate (InsP) formation and arachidonic acid (20:4) release. Equilibrium binding at 4 degrees C revealed that [3H]BK identified a maximal number of cell surface B2 kinin receptor binding sites on rat myometrial cells of 308 +/- 78 fmol/10(6) cells with apparently a single equilibrium dissociation constant of 1.8 +/- 0.2 nM. At 37 degrees C, [3H]BK binding was associated with a time-dependent decrease in the reversibility of the binding. This decrease was due in part to formation of slowly dissociating cell surface receptor [3H]BK binding and in part to internalization of the receptor-bound [3H]BK. Exposure of labeled cells to BK resulted in dose-dependent increases in [3H]InsP3, [3H]InsP2 ([3H]Ins(1,4)P2), and [3H]InsP1 ([3H]Ins(1)P1) formation and [3H]20:4 release. Pretreatment with 100 ng/mL pertussis toxin did not perturb BK stimulation of [3H]InsP formation but partially (approximately 30%) inhibited BK stimulation of [3H]20:4 release. BK stimulation of [3H]20:4 release was directly proportional to the number of receptor sites occupied by BK. In contrast, stimulation of [3H]InsP formation required a threshold level of receptor occupancy, which decreased as a function of time of BK exposure. These results show that BK interacts with B2 kinin receptors on rat myometrial cells with apparently a single affinity through which BK stimulates [3H]InsP formation and [3H]20:4 release. BK stimulation of [3H]InsP formation requires a threshold BK concentration, which decreases with time, and we suggest that the decrease is due to a time-dependent formation of a BK receptor binding state from which BK slowly dissociates.     

Thyrotropin and insulin-like growth factor I regulation of tyrosine phosphorylation in FRTL-5 cells. Interaction between cAMP-dependent and growth factor-dependent signal transduction.

Pretreatment of rat FRTL-5 thyroid cells with thyrotropin (TSH) markedly potentiated the mitogenic response to insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) (Tramontano, D., Moses, A. C., Veneziani, B. M., and Ingbar, S. H. (1988) Endocrinology 122, 127-132; Takahashi, S.-I., Conti, M., and Van Wyk, J. J. (1990) Endocrinology 126, 736-745). The present study was undertaken to determine whether this synergism between TSH and IGF-I in FRTL-5 cells was correlated with changes in tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular proteins. Tyrosine phosphorylation in intact cells was determined by gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting using monospecific anti-phosphotyrosine antibodies. Cells were preincubated for up to 24 h with TSH, dibutyryl cAMP, forskolin, or cholera toxin and then incubated for an additional 1 min in the absence or presence of IGF-I. As reported by others, IGF-I rapidly increased tyrosine phosphorylation of a 175-kDa protein as well as a less intense band of 90-100 kDa. Pretreatment for 6-12 h with either TSH or other agents that elevate intracellular cAMP potentiated the IGF-I-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of the 175-kDa substrate by 3-5-fold. Since TSH did not increase IGF receptor number of kinase activity, the effect of TSH is assumed to be exerted at a step distal to IGF receptor tyrosine kinase. Surprisingly, IGF-I-independent tyrosine phosphorylation was also increased by pretreatment with TSH. When intact cells were analyzed TSH produced a time- and concentration-dependent increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of a prominent 120-125-kDa substrate and less prominent 100- and 80-kDa substrates. Assays using Triton X-100-soluble extracts incubated with MgCl2, ATP, and orthovanadate demonstrated that TSH pretreatment increased tyrosine phosphorylation over that observed in untreated cells. In this cell-free assay, TSH pretreatment enhanced the phosphorylation of multiple substrates. These studies suggest that a cAMP stimulus that initiates a trophic effect can be propagated indirectly through multiple pathways including enhancement of tyrosine phosphorylation.     

Effects of insulin,pertussis toxin and cholera toxin on protein synthesis and diacylglycerol production in 3T3 fibroblasts: Evidence for a G-protein mediated activation of phospholipase C in the insulin signal mechanism

The rapid increase in protein synthesis that occurs on addition of insulin (1 mU/ml) to stepped-down 3T3 cells was blocked by pre-incubation of the cells with pertussis toxin. Cholera toxin on the other hand stimulated protein synthesis and this effect was insensitive to actinomycin D and inhibited by pro-treatment of the cells with phorbol dibutyrate to deplete cell protein kinase C. Insulin was found to cause a rapid and transient increase in diacylglycerol (DAG) synthesis. The insulin-induced increase in diacylglycerol was blocked by pertussis toxin. Exogenous DAG (10 M) stimulated protein synthesis within 1 hour. The results suggest that insuIin stimulates ribosomal activity through a signal mechanism that involves a G-protein mediated activation of phospholipase C to increase DAG levels.     

Regulation of proliferation by the cholera toxin B subunit in FRTL-5 cells may involve a mechanism independent from the modulation of membrane receptor function

In quiescent rat thyroid (FRTL-5) cells, the B subunit of cholera toxin, which binds to cell surface ganglioside GM1 specifically, alone induced DNA synthesis and markedly enhanced that induced by insulin in serum-free medium. On the other hand, the B subunit inhibited DNA synthesis induced by thyrotropin (TSH). The B subunit did not activate adenylate cyclase and had no effect on the TSH-induced cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) production. Moreover, the B subunit inhibited DNA synthesis induced by dibutyryl cAMP (Bt2cAMP) or phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA). These data demonstrate that the B subunit has both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on DNA synthesis in FRTL-5 cells depending on the presence of other growth factors and that these effects on cell proliferation by the interaction of the B subunit, possibly with cell surface ganglioside GM1, may involve a mechanism independent from the modulation of membrane receptor function through interaction with growth factor receptor.     

Specific uncoupling by islet-activating protein, pertussis toxin, of negative signal transduction via alpha-adrenergic, cholinergic, and opiate receptors in neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells

Exposure of NG108-15 hybrid cells to islet-activating protein (IAP), pertussis toxin, caused strong ADP-ribosylation of one of the membrane proteins with a molecular weight of 41,000. This ADP-ribosylation was paralleled by decreases in the inhibition of cAMP accumulation in intact cells or associated with reversal of the inhibition of GTP-dependent membrane adenylate cyclase, via alpha-adrenergic, cholinergic muscarinic, or opiate receptors. The affinity of these receptors for agonists was lowered by guanyl-5'-yl beta-gamma-imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) reflecting their coupling to the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein in this cell line. This effect of Gpp(NH)p was lost in membranes of IAP-treated cells; in the absence of Gpp(NH)p, the affinity for agonist was lower in treated than in nontreated cells. In contrast, the function of these receptors to bind antagonists remained unaltered in IAP-treated cells. Thus, IAP treatment of NG108-15 cells caused specific uncoupling of negative signal transduction from inhibitory receptors to the adenylate cyclase catalytic unit via the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein, as a result of ADP-ribosylation of one of the subunits of the regulatory protein.