Calcitonin binding and degradation by two cultured human breast cancer cell lines (MCF 7 and T 47D).

Two human breast cancer cell lines (MCF 7 and T 47D) possess calcitonin-responsive adenylate cyclase systems. Suspended cells of both lines specifically bound 125I-labelled salmon calcitonin with mean dissociation constants of 1.7 nM (MCF 7) and 1.4 nM (T 47D); mean receptor numbers were 5300 and 24400 per cell respectively. Measurement of specific binding to MCF 7 cells was obscured by rapid and substantial degradation of the labelled hormone. Degradation of 125I-labelled salmon calcitonin: (i) was of high capacity; (ii) lacked the specificity displayed by 125I-labelled salmon calcitonin binding to the same cells; and (iii) was not related to binding since cell incubation supernatants retained full degrading activity. The degrading activity was inhibited by corticotropin (1-24)-tetracosapeptide, insulin and bacitracin. Inclusion of bacitracin in the incubation resulted in apparently fewer numbers of lower affinity receptors on MCF 7 cells, whereas these parameters were identical to T 47D cells incubated in the presence or absence of bacitracin. Eel [2-aminosuberic acid 1,7]-calcitonin was resistant to proteolysis in the presence of either cell line. Analysis of hormone-receptor interactions with calcitonin-responsive cells should take account of potent calcitonin-degrading activities in some cell lines.     

Action of calcitonin gene-related peptide at the calcitonin receptor of the T47D cell line

Some effects of calcitonin (CT) can also be produced by calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), an alternative product of the calcitonin gene. This might be mediated by interaction of CGRP at the CT-receptor site. The human breast cancer cell line T47D possesses well characterized CT-receptors (KD = 2.3 x 10(-10) M for 125I salmon CT). 50% inhibition of 125I-sCT binding was achieved with 10(-9) M sCT, 5 x 10(-6) M rat CGRP and 10(-5) M human CGRP. Half maximal cAMP production in T47D cells was seen with 6 x 10(-10) M sCT, 5 x 10(-6) M rCGRP and 10(-5) M hCGRP. Binding and displacement capacity as well as the biological activity of CT and CGRP seems to correlate well. These findings suggest that CGRP in pharmacological doses acts via the CT-receptor. This could be explained by the homology and conformational similarities between CT and CGRP.     

Pathway of urokinase-type plasminogen activator induction in the T47D and LLC-PK1 cell lines

Induction of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) in response to either reagents activating cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAMP-PK) or the calcium ion phospholipid-dependent kinase (C-kinase) was compared in the LLC-PK1 and T47D cell lines. The two cell lines exhibited quantitatively different responses to calcitonin, to the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine, and to the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin. Both showed activation of cAMP-PK in response to all these reagents, with T47D cells displaying a greater extent of activation. T47D cells, however, failed to produce uPA in response to calcitonin, forskolin, or the cAMP analog 8-bromo-cAMP, whereas LLC-PK1 cells produced high levels of uPA in response to all these agents. Both cell lines responded to phorbol esters in terms of uPA induction, though to differing extents. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) was shown conclusively not to activate cAMP-PK in either cell line, even at concentrations 10-fold higher than those promoting maximal uPA induction. It was concluded that phorbol ester-mediated induction of uPA does not involve cAMP or cAMP-PK activation. These results are discussed in relation to proposed models concerning the role of cAMP-PK in uPA induction.     

Growth inhibition of human breast cancer cells induced by calcitonin

The human breast cancer cell line (T47D) has specific, high affinity calcitonin receptors and calcitonin-responsive adenylate cyclase. Human, salmon and [Asu1,7]eel calcitonin inhibited cell growth in a dose-related manner with almost equipotency. Analogues of human calcitonin demonstrated slight cell growth inhibition. We found extreme growth inhibition with daily treatment with dibutyryl cyclic AMP (10(-4) M). In contrast to calcitonin 1,25-(OH)2D3 had a biphasic effect on cell growth. Physiological doses (5 X 10(-10) M) of 1,25-(OH)2D3 stimulated growth of T47D, whereas treatment by supraphysiological amounts (2.5 X 10(-7) M) caused significant inhibition of growth. Calcitonin and 1,25-(OH)2D3 appeared to have additive effects.     

Characteristics of selective activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase isoenzymes by calcitonin and prostaglandin E2 in human breast cancer cells.

The characteristics of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase isoenzyme response to calcitonin stimulation have been studied in two human breast cancer cell lines, T47D and MCF 7. Both cell lines possess calcitonin receptors, a calcitonin-responsive adenylate cyclase and the two isoenzymes of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, types I and II. The adenylate cyclase also responds to prostaglandin E2. Acute activation of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase isoenzymes was determined by using a modification of a multiple small anion exchange column method [Livesey, Kemp, Re, Partridge & Martin (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 14983-14987]. Control experiments showed that post-extraction activation did not influence the data. Calcitonin caused a rapid, selective activation of isoenzyme II in the T 47D cells with half-maximal response at 10(-10)M, and persisting for at least 24h. In MCF 7 cells calcitonin also caused a highly selective activation of isoenzyme II with half-maximal response at 5 X 10(-11) M, but the response was transient with a return to basal isoenzyme activity by 4-6 h. At this time further addition of calcitonin did not restimulate the cyclic AMP-dependent kinase activity. In neither cell line did calcitonin treatment result in activation of isoenzyme I. Prostaglandin E2, on the other hand, the only significant alternative agonist of adenylate cyclase in T 47D cells, activated isoenzymes I and II to an equal extent in these cells, illustrating that two hormones activating adenylate cyclase in the one cell type might exert different effects by their selective actions upon protein kinase isoenzymes.     

Is helodermin-like immunoreactivity in human thyroid C cells due to a salmon calcitonin-like substance?

Helodermin-like and salmon calcitonin (sCT)-like immunoreactivities co-existed in a subset of human calcitonin (hCT)-containing cells in normal human thyroid tissue and medullary thyroid carcinomas. Helodermin/sCT-immunoreactive cells were mostly different from calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-positive cells. Helodermin and sCT immunoreactivities were not identified in pulmonary and pancreatic hCT-positive neuroendocrine tumors, except for a few lung tumor cells showing positive staining with one of two sCT antisera used. Helodermin immunoreactivity demonstrated by rabbit antiserum R0086 was completely abolished in the presence of synthetic sCT, while sCT immunoreactivity was not absorbed by synthetic helodermin. The carboxyl terminal Arg30-Thr31 sequence (and Pro35 amide structure) of helodermin would be the epitopic site recognized by this antiserum, since a similar amino acid sequence is present in sCT molecules but absent from hCT and CGRP.     

Discovery of a non-peptide small molecule that selectively mimics the biological actions of calcitonin

Calcitonin (CT), a 32-amino acid peptide hormone secreted mainly from the thyroid gland, plays an important role in maintaining bone homeostasis. To discover non-peptide small molecules with biological actions similar to those of CT, a cell-based screening of an in-house chemical library was performed and a pyridone derivative (SUN B8155) was identified. Like CT, it elevated cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels in T47D and UMR106-06 cells which endogenously express human and rat CT receptor, respectively. SUN B8155 also stimulated cAMP formation in cells expressing recombinant human CT receptor, but not in those expressing human parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone-related peptide receptor. Accumulation of cAMP in T47D cells was blocked by a selective antagonist of CT receptor, salmon CT(8-32), whereas SUN B8155 did not displace the specific binding of [(125)I]CT to the receptor. Our results suggested that the compound selectively interacts with the CT receptor by a mechanism similar to but probably different from that of CT itself. In rats, intraperitoneal administration of SUN B8155 significantly lowered serum calcium levels, like CT. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that the biological activities of the newly identified small molecule can mimic that of CT, acting via the CT receptor.     

Effect of thioacetamide on cytochrome P-450 synthesis in rat liver.

Both calcitonin and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) stimulate adenylate cyclase activity in the human breast cancer cell line (T 47D). The maximum cyclic AMP response to calcitonin exceeds that of PGE2. When maximal concentrations of the two hormones were added simultaneously to the cells, the amount of cyclic AMP generated was less than that seen with calcitonin alone. When cells were treated with the protein toxin of Bordetella pertussis (islet-activating protein; IAP) which inactivates the inhibitory regulatory component (Ni) of adenylate cyclase, there was no change in basal or calcitonin-responsive adenylate cyclase in intact cells. However, the PGE2 response was augmented at all dose levels, and this effect was dependent on the concentration of IAP. Moreover, in cells pretreated with IAP, simultaneous addition of PGE2 and calcitonin resulted in additivity rather than in inhibition of cyclic AMP production. The additivity of the response to calcitonin and PGE2 after IAP treatment implies activation of separate pools of adenylate cyclase catalytic subunit by the two hormones. These data are consistent with a model in which calcitonin acts on adenylate cyclase in T 47D cells through stimulatory regulatory components alone, whereas PGE2 acts on the same cells through both stimulatory and inhibitory components. The Ni input can limit the maximum effect of PGE2 and is capable of limiting calcitonin effects when the two agonists are used simultaneously.     

Activities of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and related peptides at the CGRP receptor.

In guinea pig pancreatic acini rat calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) increased amylase release 2-fold, salmon calcitonin had an efficacy of only 44% of that of CGRP and [Tyr0]CGRP(28-37) and human calcitonin had no actions. [Tyr0]CGRP(28-37), but not human calcitonin, antagonized the actions of CGRP in pancreatic acini with an IC50 of 3 microM. [Tyr0]CGRP(28-37) produced a parallel rightward shift in the dose-response curve for CGRP-stimulated amylase secretion. The inhibition was specific for CGRP and was reversible. Studies with 125I-CGRP demonstrated that CGRP, salmon calcitonin and [Tyr0]CGRP, but not human calcitonin, interacted with CGRP receptors on pancreatic acini. These results indicate that various CGRP-related peptides demonstrate different relationships between their abilities to occupy the CGRP receptor and to affect biologic activity, with CGRP itself being a full agonist, salmon calcitonin a partial agonist, [Tyr0]CGRP(28-37) a competitive antagonist, and human calcitonin having no actions.     

Calcitonin-responsive adenylate cyclase in cultured F9 embryonal carcinoma cells

Hormonal responsiveness of the adenylate cyclase system of cultured F9 teratocarcinoma cells was investigated. Of numerous hormones tested only calcitonin, (−)isoproterenol, and prostaglandin E₁, stimulate F9 adenylate cyclase activity. Of the active hormones, calcitonin is the most potent stimulator of cAMP formation. Treatment of intact F9 cells with calcitonin results in a time- and hormone concentration-dependent increase in the intracellular concentration of cAMP. cAMP accumulation is enhanced within 5 min after addition of 60 nM synthetic salmon calcitonin to intact F9 cells. These results raise the possibility that calcitonin may play a regulatory role in early embryonic development.     

Treatment of Paget's Disease of Bone with Synthetic Salmon Calcitonin

Thirteen patients with painful Paget''s disease of bone were treated as outpatients with low doses of synthetic salmon calcitonin 22·5-50 μg three times weekly. Treatment produced full remission of pain in a mean time of 5·5 weeks and a mean depression of serum alkaline phosphatase activity of 33%.The interval before symptomatic relief could not be predicted from the variables studied. The ultimate fall in serum alkaline phosphatase activity, however, could be predicted from the initial levels and from the early rate of decrease (P < 0·001). Biochemical resistance to treatment, which occurred in three cases, could be related to the dose and duration of treatment.Prolonged remissions of pain may occur which are not related to biochemical remission, to the dose of calcitonin, or to the duration of treatment. The side effects attributable to salmon calcitonin were transient nausea (in nine patients), transient flushing (in four), diarrhoea (in two), and rash (in one) though in only one patient did treatment have to be withdrawn prematurely because of these effects.     

Effect of calcitonin on fractional delivery of sodium and solutes to the juxtamedullary end-descending limb of the rat

The purpose of the present studies was to examine, by micropuncture, the effect of salmon calcitonin on fractional sodium and solutes deliveries to the juxtamedullary end-descending limb of the rat. All animals were postprandial and thyroparathyroidectomized Munich-Wistar rats. Group 1 (N = 8) consisted of time control water-diuretic rats; group 2 (N = 8) received synthetic salmon calcitonin (10 mU/min) intravenously while undergoing water diuresis; group 3 (N = 8) was treated as group 2 but also received calcium intravenously to prevent the calcitonin-induced fall in plasma calcium. Calcitonin, alone and with calcium, produced a marked fall in urine flow rate and a marked increase in urinary osmolality. Concomitant fractional water delivery to the end-descending limb fell significantly (28 +/- 0.8 to 21 +/- 1.0%, p less than 0.05), while fractional solute and sodium deliveries increased significantly (36 +/- 1.3 to 55 +/- 2.6%, p less than 0.05; 34 +/- 2.0 to 48 +/- 3.5%, p less than 0.05, respectively). The three groups did not significantly differ in fractional water and sodium deliveries to the superficial end-accessible proximal tubule. We conclude that salmon calcitonin is antidiuretic in the rat and that it also produces an increase in fractional sodium and total solute deliveries to the end-descending limb, which we suggest is due to transepithelial sodium addition. The physiological significance of these observations to water homeostasis in vivo remains to be determined.     

Converting the highly amyloidogenic human calcitonin into a powerful fibril inhibitor by three-dimensional structure homology with a non-amyloidogenic analogue

Irreversible aggregation limits bioavailability and therapeutic activity of protein-based drugs. Here we show that an aggregation-resistant mutant can be engineered by structural homology with a non-amyloidogenic analogue and that the aggregation-resistant variant may act as an inhibitor. This strategy has successfully been applied to the amyloidogenic human calcitonin (hCT). Including only five residues from the non-amyloidogenic salmon calcitonin (sCT), we obtained a variant, polar human calcitonin (phCT), whose solution structure was shown by CD, NMR, and calculations to be practically identical to that of sCT. phCT was also observed to be a potent amyloidogenesis inhibitor of hCT when mixed with it in a 1:1 ratio. Fibrillation studies of phCT and the phCT-hCT mixture mimicked the sCT behavior in the kinetics and shapes of the fibrils with a dramatic reduction with respect to hCT. Finally, the effect of phCT alone and of the mixture on the intracellular cAMP level in T47D cells confirmed for the mutant and the mixture their calcitonin-like activity, exhibiting stimulation effects identical to those of sCT, the current therapeutic form. The strategy followed appears to be suitable to develop new forms of hCT with a striking reduction of aggregation and improved activity. Finally, the inhibitory properties of the aggregation-resistant analogue, if confirmed for other amyloidogenic peptides, may favor a new strategy for controlling fibril formation in a variety of human diseases.     

Renal production and excretion of AMPc after intravenous infusion of salmon calcitonin in man]

Intravenous infusion of salmon calcitonin in man produced an increase in the plasma levels and urinary excretion of cyclic AMP. This study demonstrates a net extraction of cyclic AMP from plasma by the kidneys but salmon calcitonin does not act only on the kidney and stimulates the production of cyclic AMP in extra renal tissues. The excess of cyclic AMP formed is catabolized by the kidneys.     

Tumour calcitonin. Interaction with specific calcitonin receptors.

The human epidermoid bronchial carcinoma (BEN) cell line has been shown to have specific membrane binding sites for calcitonin and to secrete high-molecular-weight forms (ranging from 40000 to 10000) of immunoreactive calcitonin. Synthetic salmon and human calcitonins and a thyroid extract of porcine calcitonin have been shown to displace 125I-labelled salmon calcitonin from the receptors in a dose-related fashion. The binding to these receptors of calcitonins derived from the BEN cell line and a medullary thyroid carcinoma with molecular weights ranging from 28000 to 3500 (both separated by gel-filtration chromatography) has been investigated. Neither major peaks of BEN-cell-line calcitonin showed receptor binding activity. Only one form of medullary thyroid carcinoma calcitonin, that which co-eluted with synthetic calcitonin monomer on gel-filtration chromatography, caused any significant displacement of labelled hormone from the receptors.     

Calcitonin stimulates adenylate cyclase activity, the accumulation of cyclic adenosine 3',5' monophosphate and the release of prostaglandin E2 in rat intestinal mucosa

Calcitonin stimulates intestinal fluid and electrolyte secretion by an unclear mechanism. The present results show that synthetic salmon calcitonin significantly stimulates adenylate cyclase activity in the membranes of rat intestinal mucosal cells. The effect of the hormone was in a dose-dependent manner for a dose range of 10(-9)-10(-7) M. The stimulated enzyme activity was followed by a progressive accumulation of cyclic adenosine 3',5' monophosphate and release of prostaglandin E2 in these cells during a 20 min experimental period of time. These results are discussed, and suggest that the formation of cyclic adenosine 3',5' monophosphate possibly mediates the action of calcitonin on intestinal cell functions.     

Calcitonin inhibits the rise of intracellular calcium induced by thyrotropin-releasing hormone in GH3 cells

Both human and salmon calcitonins markedly inhibit the TRH-stimulated rise in intracellular [Ca2+] in GH3 cells. Calcitonin also inhibits prolactin release from these cells. Both [Ala] salmon calcitonin and salmon calcitonin (1-23) peptide amide also inhibit this rise in [Ca2+] and also inhibit TRH-stimulated prolactin release from GH3 cells as well as from primary pituitary cell cultures. It is likely that calcitonin inhibits prolactin release in the pituitary by decreasing the extent of the rise of intracellular calcium concentration. Neither an intact disulfide bond at the amino terminus nor residues 24-32 of the carboxyl terminus of salmon calcitonin are required for this inhibition.     

Calcitonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide interact with the same receptor in cultured LLC-PK1 kidney cells

Calcitonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide stimulate adenylate cyclase activity and plasminogen activator production in cultured renal tubular LLC-PK1 cells. Salmon [125I]calcitonin and human [125I]calcitonin gene-related peptide bound specifically to the cells. Salmon [125I]calcitonin binding was reduced at lower concentrations of non-radioactive salmon calcitonin than of human calcitonin gene-related peptide. For the stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity and plasminogen activator production, the potency of salmon calcitonin was higher than that of human calcitonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide. In a subclone of LLC-PK cells lacking salmon calcitonin binding sites, no specific binding of [125I]CGRP occurred, and adenylate cyclase activity and plasminogen activator production was not increased by the peptides. Thus, in LLC-PK1 cells the stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity and plasminogen activator production by calcitonin gene-related peptide is probably mediated by the calcitonin receptor.     

Effect of salmon calcitonin on renal excretion of adenosine 3', 5' monophosphate in man.

Intravenous infusion of salmon calcitonin in six healthy subjects produced an increase in the plasma levels and urinary excretion of cyclic AMP. Cyclic AMP clearance diminished but remained higher than inulin clearance. Salmon calcitonin was also infused in six hypertensive patients with normal glomerular filtration rate. Arterial and renal venous plasma concentration of cyclic AMP were clearly raised. The difference between both these concentrations was not significant in the control periods but became marked during the treatment and post treatment periods demonstrating a net extraction of cyclic AMP from plasma by the kidneys. Renal extraction of cyclic AMP was lower than its urinary excretion in the control periods whereas it was clearly higher after salmon calcitonin was given. This shows that salmon calcitonin stimulates the production of cyclic AMP in extra-renal tissues and that the excess of cyclic AMP formed is catabolized by the kidneys.