Ethanol does not stimulate guanine nucleotide-induced activation of phospholipase C in permeabilized hepatocytes

Guanine nucleotides are thought to mediate the interaction of the receptors for calcium-mobilizing hormones and phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C. In the present study the characteristics of guanine nucleotide-dependent phospholipase C activation were studied in [3H]inositol-labeled permeabilized hepatocytes. The nonhydrolyzable GTP analogs guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) and guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate stimulated the production of inositol phosphates by phospholipase C. The effect was concentration-dependent with half-maximal and maximal stimulation occurring with 0.6 and 10 microM GTP gamma S, respectively. The guanine nucleotide-induced stimulation of phosphoinositide breakdown was selective for phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate over phosphatidylinositol (4)-phosphate. The individual inositol phosphates formed after maximal GTP gamma S exposure were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate was rapidly produced, followed by the formation of inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate and inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate. Ethanol is known to activate hormone-sensitive phospholipase C in intact rat hepatocytes. Ethanol (0.3 M) was ineffective in altering the characteristics of GTP gamma S-stimulated phospholipase C activation, in both digitonin-treated and sonicated hepatocytes. The metabolism of the various inositol phosphate isomers was unaffected by ethanol. The findings demonstrate the potential for the use of permeabilized hepatocytes in the analysis of phospholipase C activation by guanine nucleotides. Ethanol does not activate phospholipase C by altering this process.     

Muscarinic Cholinergic Stimulation of Exogenous Phosphatidylinositol Hydrolysis Is Regulated by Guanine Nucleotides in Rabbit Brain Cortical Membranes

Rabbit brain cortical membranes, which have been extracted with 2 M KCl, hydrolyze exogenously added [3H]phosphatidylinositol [( 3H]PI) in a guanine nucleotide- and carbachol-dependent manner. Both oxotremorine-M and carbachol are full agonists with EC50 values of 8 and 73 microM, respectively. Pirenzepine and atropine inhibit carbachol-stimulated [3H]PI hydrolysis. The hydrolysis-resistant guanine nucleotide analog guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) is the most potent in supporting carbachol-stimulated hydrolysis of PI. There is no effect of carbachol in the absence of guanine nucleotides or in the presence of 100 microM adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate), adenosine-5'-(beta, gamma-imido)triphosphate, or sodium pyrophosphate. Guanylyl-5'-(beta,gamma-imido)triphosphate [Gpp(NH)p] in the presence of carbachol also stimulates PI hydrolysis although much less than that seen with GTP gamma S. GDP and Gpp(NH)p are potent antagonists of the GTP gamma S-dependent carbachol response. Optimal stimulation by carbachol and GTP gamma S was observed at 0.3-1 microM free Ca2+ and 6 mM MgCl2. Limited trypsinization resulted in loss of receptor-regulated PI breakdown and a slight decrease in basal activity. These results demonstrate that phospholipase C hydrolysis of exogenous PI by rabbit cortical membranes may be stimulated by carbachol in a guanine nucleotide-dependent manner.     

Guanosine 5'-O-thiotriphosphate stimulates phospholipase C activity in plasma membranes of rat hepatocytes

The guanine nucleotide analogue, guanosine 5'-O-thiotriphosphate (GTP gamma S) stimulated plasma membrane-associated phospholipase C. Phosphoinositides were the substrates for the reaction. Significant losses of phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol phosphate occurred at lower doses of GTP gamma S than did significant loss of phosphatidylinositol. Loss of 32P-labeled phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate was equal when plasma membranes were treated with either 100 microM GTP or 100 microM GTP gamma S, but accumulation of inositol trisphosphate was more apparent when the nonhydrolyzable analogue was used. The action of GTP gamma S alone was not dependent on Ca2+ although loss of 32P-labeled phosphoinositides was stimulated by Ca2+ alone or with GTP gamma S. The results are consistent with a role for guanine nucleotide binding proteins in the activation of membrane-bound phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C.     

Guanine nucleotides stimulate soluble phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C in the absence of membranes

The effect of guanine nucleotides on platelet and calf brain cytosolic phospholipase C was examined in the absence of membranes or detergents in an assay using labeled lipid vesicles. Guanine nucleotides stimulate hydrolysis of [3H]phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [( 3H]PtdIns-4,5-P2) catalyzed both by enzyme from human platelets and by partially purified enzyme from calf brain. Guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) was the most potent guanine nucleotide with a half-maximal stimulation at 1-10 microM, followed by guanosine 5'-(beta, gamma-imido)triphosphate greater than GTP greater than GDP = guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate). Guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) was able to reverse the GTP gamma S-mediated stimulation. NaF also stimulated phospholipase C activity, further implying a role for a guanine nucleotide-binding protein. In the presence of GTP gamma S, the enzyme cleaved PtdIns-4,5-P2 at higher pH values, and the need for calcium ions was reduced 100-fold. The stimulation of PtdIns-4,5-P2 hydrolysis by GTP gamma S ranged from 2 to 25-fold under various conditions, whereas hydrolysis of [3H]phosphatidylinositol was only slightly affected by guanine nucleotides. We propose that a soluble guanine nucleotide-dependent protein activates phospholipase C to hydrolyze its initial substrate in the sequence of phosphoinositide-derived messenger generation.     

Chronic Lithium Treatment Impairs Phosphatidylinositol Hydrolysis in Membranes from Rat Brain Regions

Membranes prepared from rat brain regions were used to measure the receptor-coupled and/or guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein)-mediated hydrolysis of exogenous [3H]phosphatidylinositol ([3H]PI). Guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) and NaF (in the presence of AlCl3) caused concentration-dependent stimulations of [3H]PI hydrolysis, supporting the conclusion that G proteins mediating [3H]PI hydrolysis can be activated in this preparation. Neither of these responses was altered by in vitro incubation with 8 mM LiCl, but both were reduced in hippocampal, striatal, and cortical membranes from rats that had been treated with lithium for 4 weeks compared with controls. Two cholinergic agonists, carbachol and pilocarpine, induced no hydrolysis of [3H]PI unless GTP gamma S was also present, in which case each equally stimulated [3H]PI hydrolysis above that obtained with GTP gamma S alone. In the presence of GTP gamma S several excitatory amino acid agonists stimulated [3H]PI hydrolysis to an extent similar to that of carbachol. After chronic lithium treatment, [3H]PI hydrolysis stimulated by carbachol was significantly attenuated, but the response to quisqualate was unaffected. Therefore, lithium added in vitro does not have an effect on cholinergic receptor- or G protein-mediated [3H]PI hydrolysis, but each of these is reduced by chronic lithium treatment. Because exogenous [3H]PI was provided as the substrate, it is evident that the inhibitory effect of chronic lithium treatment cannot be due to substrate depletion. Impaired function of G proteins appears to be the most likely mechanism accounting for attenuated [3H]PI hydrolysis after chronic administration of lithium.     

Characterization of fMet-Leu-Phe-stimulated phospholipase C in streptolysin-O-permeabilised cells

Phospholipase C (specific for inositol lipids) is known to be present both in membranes and cytosol. Receptor-mediated activation of this enzyme occurs via a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (G-protein), designated Gp. We have compared the stimulation of this enzyme by fMet-Leu-Phe via the G-protein in HL60 membranes and in permeabilised cells. fMet-Leu-Phe stimulated phospholipase C in membranes at 2 min and the response was dependent on exogenously added GTP. GTP alone also stimulated phospholipase C activity such that at 10 min the response to fMet-Leu-Phe was minimal. In comparison, the response to fMet-Leu-Phe in permeabilised cells was greater in extent but did not require added GTP. However, it was antagonized by GDP analogues (GDP[beta S] greater than GDP greater than dGDP) and by pertussis toxin pretreatment, indicating that fMet-Leu-Phe-stimulated phospholipase C activity was also mediated via Gp. GTP and its analogue GTP[gamma S] also stimulated phospholipase C and their effects were strictly additive to the stimulation obtained with fMet-Leu-Phe. Such additivity was also observed when two receptor-directed agonists, fMet-Leu-Phe and ATP, were used to stimulate intact cells. It is concluded that (a) the size of the response with fMet-Leu-Phe in membranes is limited by the loss of a component, possibly phospholipase C, and (b) stoichiometry and physical organisation of multiple species of G-proteins and/or phospholipases C may explain the independent nature of phospholipase C activation by fMet-Leu-Phe, ATP and guanine nucleotides.     

Regulation of brain phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate kinase by GTP analogues. A potential role for guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins

Incorporation of 32P from [gamma-32P]ATP into phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) in membranes isolated from rat brain was enhanced in a concentration-dependent manner by the GTP analogue guanosine 5'-O-(thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S). In contrast, neither the labeling of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate in the same membranes nor PIP kinase activity in the soluble fraction were stimulated by GTP gamma S. Synthesis of [32P]PIP2 was not stimulated by GTP, GDP, GMP, or ATP; however, the stimulatory effects of GTP gamma S were antagonized by GTP, GDP, and guanosine 5'-O-thiodiphosphate (GDP beta S). The nucleotide-stimulated labeling of PIP2 was not due to protection of [gamma-32P] ATP from hydrolysis, activation of PIP2 hydrolysis by phospholipase C, or inhibition of PIP2 hydrolysis by its phosphomonoesterase. Therefore, phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate kinase activity in brain membranes may be regulated by a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein. This system may enhance the resynthesis of PIP2 following receptor-mediated activation of phospholipase C.     

Guanine nucleotides induce Ca2+-independent insulin secretion from permeabilized RINm5F cells

The role of guanine nucleotides in insulin secretion was investigated in electrically permeabilized RINm5F cells. Ca2+ stimulated insulin release (EC50 approximately 2 microM Ca2+). The GTP stable analog, GTP gamma S, elicited insulin secretion at vanishingly low Ca2+ concentrations (less than 10(-11) M), slightly potentiated the response to intermediate Ca2+ levels, but exerted less than additive effects at maximal Ca2+ concentrations. The GDP analog, GDP beta S, inhibited both GTP gamma S- and Ca2+-stimulated secretion. The action of GTP gamma S was not mediated by cAMP, as the latter only enhanced Ca2+-induced secretion. In contrast, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, an activator of protein kinase C, promoted insulin release at nonstimulatory Ca2+ levels as well as potentiating the Ca2+ response. GTP analogs stimulated hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdInsP2), as assessed by inositol phosphate generation. However, this could not fully explain guanine nucleotide-induced secretion because: GTP gamma S-stimulated PtdInsP2 breakdown was totally dependent on Ca2+ and abolished at Ca2+ below 10(-11) M; at these Ca2+ levels, activators of protein kinase C were weak or ineffective secretagogues; the GTP analog Gpp(NH)p was much less effective than GTP gamma S in activating PtdInsP2 hydrolysis, while fully mimicking the effect on Ca2+-independent secretion. Both GTP gamma S-induced PtdInsP2 hydrolysis and insulin release were insensitive to pertussis toxin and cholera toxin. The findings point to a guanine nucleotide-regulated site in the activation of insulin secretion different from the known transmembrane signalling systems.     

Hormone-stimulated polyphosphoinositide breakdown in rat liver plasma membranes. Roles of guanine nucleotides and calcium

Calcium-sensitive inositide release in a purified rat liver plasma membrane preparation is increased by calcium-mobilizing hormones in the presence of guanine nucleotides. Vasopressin-stimulated inositide release is evident in the presence of GTP or its nonhydrolyzable analogs guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate and guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S). The stimulation of inositide release by (-)-epinephrine (alpha 1), angiotensin II, or vasopressin in the presence of either 1 microM or 10 microM GTP gamma S correlates with the number of receptors present for each hormone. The guanine nucleotide and hormonal stimulation is evident on both inositol trisphosphate production and phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate degradation. Ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (1 mM) completely abolishes stimulation by guanine nucleotides and hormone. Prior treatment of plasma membranes with cholera toxin or islet activating protein or prior injection of animals with islet activating protein does not affect stimulation of inositide release by GTP gamma S or GTP gamma S plus vasopressin. Stimulation by GTP gamma S is dependent upon magnesium and is inhibitable by guanosine 5'-(2-O-thio) diphosphate. Inositide release from the plasma membrane exhibits half-maximal stimulation by calcium at approximately 100 nM free calcium in the presence of 1.5 mM MgCl2 and at approximately 10 microM free calcium in the presence of 10 mM MgCl2. Addition of guanine nucleotides decreases the requirement for calcium and also increases the activity at saturating calcium. The results presented suggest that calcium-mobilizing hormones stimulate polyphosphoinositide breakdown in rat liver plasma membranes through a novel guanine nucleotide binding protein.     

5-Methyltryptamine stimulates phospholipase C-mediated breakdown of exogenous phosphoinositides by blowfly salivary gland membranes

5-Methyltryptamine, through a GTP-dependent mechanism, stimulated breakdown of endogenous [3H]inositol-labeled phosphoinositides in membranes prepared from blowfly salivary gland homogenates through a phospholipase C exhibiting a pH optimum of approximately 7.0. Unlabeled membranes, prepared from salivary gland homogenates, hydrolyzed exogenous [3H]phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate substrate with generation of labeled inositol phosphates. Inositol trisphosphate formation was increased approximately 200% by 10 microM guanosine 5'-(O-thio)-trisphosphate (GTP gamma S) within 30 s. 5-Methyltryptamine, in the presence of 10 microM GTP gamma S, increased the rate of inositol trisphosphate formation by approximately 500% within 30 s. Half-maximal activation of hormone-stimulated breakdown of exogenous substrate required approximately 0.05 microM GTP gamma S. [3H]Phosphatidylinositol was also hydrolyzed during incubation with membranes, resulting in the generation of inositol, glycerol phosphoinositol, and inositol monophosphate. Formation of inositol monophosphate was stimulated approximately 30% by 10 microM GTP gamma S and 10 microM 5-methyltryptamine. Neither inositol nor glycerol phosphoinositol formation was affected by hormone. These results indicate that in a cell-free system from blowfly salivary glands, 5-methyltryptamine, through a GTP-dependent mechanism, directly activates a phospholipase C which mediates phosphoinositide hydrolysis.     

Evidence that guanine-nucleotide binding regulatory proteins couple cell-surface receptors to the breakdown of inositol-containing lipids during T-lymphocyte mitogenesis

We have studied the role of guanine-nucleotide binding regulatory proteins (G proteins) in the stimulation of inositol lipid breakdown during mitogenic activation of normal human T lymphocytes. The effect of the mitogen phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was compared with the action of two G-protein activators, fluoroaluminate (AlF4-) and guanosine-5'-O-thiotriphosphate (GTP gamma S). PHA and AlF4- stimulated the breakdown of inositol lipids via both the phospholipase A and C pathways when added to intact lymphocytes. PHA, AlF4- and GTP gamma S also triggered both these pathways when added to permeable lymphocytes. The magnitude of the response obtained with AlF4- and GTP gamma S was about four-fold less than with PHA. This difference was attributable to increases in cAMP elicited by AlF4- and GTP gamma S which inhibited the phospholipase pathways. AlF4-, GTP gamma S, and PHA all stimulated the phosphorylation of a 42 kDa protein on tyrosine residues. We propose a model for the early steps following mitogen binding, including sequential activation of a G protein, phospholipase C, protein kinase C and a tyrosine protein kinase. A parallel pathway involving G protein mediated activation of phospholipase A is also implicated.     

Phospholipase D activation in a cell-free system from human neutrophils by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate). Activation is calcium dependent and requires protein factors in both the plasma membrane and cytosol

Receptor-linked activation of phospholipase D has been demonstrated recently in a variety of intact cell types including granulocytes, but little is known about the enzyme, its cofactor requirements, and regulation. Using [3H]alkyllysophosphatidylcholine to prelable an endogenous phosphatidylcholine substrate pool in conjunction with transphosphatidylation using ethanol to generate labeled phosphatidylethanol, we demonstrated a novel phospholipase D activity in neutrophil subcellular fractions. Guanosine 5'-O-3-(thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) activated both phosphatidic acid generation and transphosphatidylation. Activity using both activators required the presence of not only plasma membrane but also cytosol, and proteolytic and thermal inactivation demonstrated the requirement for protein factors in both fractions. Using both stimuli, activity increased with increasing cytosol concentration. Product formation was approximately linear for about 10 min with PMA and 30 min with GTP gamma S, and both activators resulted in the total hydrolysis of up to 10% of the labeled phosphatidylcholine. The activity using both activators showed similar broad neutral pH optima, and both required the presence of micromolar levels of calcium, which by itself failed to activate at concentrations up to 1 mM. At low micromolar concentrations of nucleotides, activation was specific for guanine nucleotides and showed a specificity of GTP gamma S greater than guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate greater than GTP, with no effect of GDP and GMP or adenine nucleotides, consistent with the participation of a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein. PMA activation was dependent on the presence of ATP, in particular when dialyzed cytosol was used, and was inhibited by about 50% by staurosporine, supporting a role for protein kinase C. However, purified protein kinase C failed to substitute for cytosol, implicating an additional cytosolic factor(s) in this response. These results indicate that the granulocytic phospholipase D pathway is a complex system that is regulated by at least two activation pathways, each comprised of components in two subcellular compartments.     

GTP and GDP will stimulate platelet cytosolic phospholipase C independently of Ca2+

The hydrolysis of [3H]phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) by cytosolic phospholipase C from human platelets was determined. Cytosolic fractions were prepared from platelets that had or had not been preactivated with thrombin. Thrombin pretreatment did not affect cytosolic phospholipase C activity. In both cytosolic fractions, phospholipase C was activated by GTP and GTP gamma S. This action is observed in the presence of 2 mM EGTA. GDP was as effective as GTP in stimulating cytosolic phospholipase C in the presence of Ca2+ or EGTA. Partially purified phospholipase C obtained from platelet cytosol is activated by GTP, but not by GTP gamma S, in the presence of 2 mM EGTA. However, in the presence of 6 microM Ca2+, both GTP and GTP gamma S stimulated the partially purified phospholipase C. Our present information indicates that GTP and GDP have a direct effect on the cytosolic phospholipase C.     

Kinetic analysis of guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) effects on phosphatidylinositol turnover in NRK cell homogenates

Addition of the guanine nucleotide analogue guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) to [3H]inositol-labeled NRK cell homogenates resulted in rapid breakdown of cellular polyphosphoinositides. GTP gamma S stimulated phospholipase C, resulting in a more than 4-fold increase in the hydrolysis rates of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PIP) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bis(phosphate) (PIP2). No significant effect of GTP gamma S on direct phosphatidylinositol (PI) hydrolysis was detected. There was an increase in water-soluble inositols, with inositol tris(phosphate) (IP3) levels increasing at least 10 times over the decrease seen in PIP2, indicating that PIP kinase activity was also accelerated following GTP gamma S addition. Inositol 1,4,5-tris(phosphate) peaked rapidly after GTP gamma S addition (less than 2 min) while inositol 1,3,4-tris-(phosphate) was produced more slowly and leveled off after approximately 10 min. The differential equations describing conversion between intermediates in the PI turnover pathway were solved and fitted to data obtained from both [3H]inositol and [32P]phosphate fluxes by nonlinear least-squares analysis. GTP gamma S effects on the pseudo-first-order rate constants for the lipase, kinase, and phosphatase steps were determined from the analysis. From these measurements it can be estimated that, in the presence of GTP gamma S and calcium buffered to 130 nM, hydrolysis of PIP2 accounts for at least 10 times as much diacylglycerol as direct PI breakdown despite the 100-fold excess of PI over PIP2. From the kinetic model it is predicted that small changes in the activities of PI and PIP kinases can have large but different effects on the level of IP3 and diacylglycerol following GTP gamma S addition. These results argue that regulation of PI and PIP kinases may be important for determining both cellular IP3 and diacylglycerol levels.     

Polyamines inhibit phospholipase C-catalysed polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis. Studies with permeabilized GH3 cells.

[3H]Inositol-labelled GH3 rat anterior pituitary tumour cells were permeabilized with digitonin and were incubated at 37 degrees C in the presence of ATP and Mg2+. [3H]Polyphosphoinositide breakdown and [3H]inositol phosphate production were stimulated by hydrolysis-resistant GTP analogues and by Ca2+. Of the nucleotides tested, guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP gamma S) was the most effective stimulus. Activation by GTP gamma S appeared to be mediated by a guanine nucleotide-binding (G) protein as GTP gamma S-stimulated [3H]inositol phosphate production was inhibited by other nucleotides with a potency order of GTP = GDP = guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate greater than ITP greater than GMP greater than UTP = CTP = adenosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate. The stimulatory effects of 10 microM-GTP gamma S on [3H]inositol phosphate levels were reversed by spermine and spermidine with IC50 values of approx. 0.25 and 2 mM respectively. Putrescine was inhibitory only at higher concentrations. Similarly, GTP gamma S-induced decreases in [3H]polyphosphoinositide levels were reversed by 2.5 mM-spermine. The inhibitory effects of spermine were not overcome by supramaximal concentrations of GTP gamma S. In contrast, [3H]inositol phosphate production stimulated by addition of 0.3-0.6 mM-Ca2+ to incubation media was only partially inhibited by spermine (5 mM), and spermine was not inhibitory when added Ca2+ was increased to 1 mM. These data show that polyamines, particularly spermine, inhibit phospholipase C-catalysed polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis with a marked selectivity towards the stimulatory effects of GTP gamma S.     

Activation of phospholipase C in rabbit brain membranes by carbachol in the presence of GTP gamma S; effects of biological detergents

Rabbit brain cortical membranes incubated with carbachol in the presence of GTP gamma S show a marked increase in the degradation of exogenous phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. This activation of phospholipase C is dependent on the presence of deoxycholate and maximal at 0.8-1 mM deoxycholate. There is negligible activation by carbachol alone but in the presence of GTP gamma S a carbachol effect can be readily demonstrated. Optimal activation of phospholipase C by carbachol was seen at 10 to 100 nM free Ca2+. Washing cortical membranes with hypertonic buffer extracted 60% of the membrane protein yet the carbachol and GTP gamma S coupling remained intact. Incubation of the membranes with lysophosphatidylcholine, Nonidet P-40, sodium deoxycholate or digitonin at concentrations considerably less than those frequently used to solubilize membrane proteins abolished the carbachol response. Octyl glucoside and sodium cholate also uncoupled receptor regulation of phospholipase C but only at concentrations where solubilization of membrane proteins occurred. Prior exposure of membranes to carbachol did not prevent the uncoupling observed as a result of detergent treatment. Incubation of the membranes with carbachol and GTP gamma S did not appear to be accompanied by specific release of either active phospholipase C or inhibitors of phospholipase C activity.     

Regulation of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C

The receptors involved in the regulation of phospholipase C by hormones, neurotransmitters and other ligands have seven transmembrane-spanning hydrophobic regions (seven-helix motif) and no known enzymatic activity. Furthermore these receptors can be isolated as complexes with guanine nucleotide binding (G) proteins. Guanine nucleotides affect the binding of hormones that stimulate phospholipase C and it has been possible to see activation of GTPase activity in membranes upon addition of these ligands. Further indirect evidence for a Gp (p stands for phospholipase C activation) protein is the finding that in membranes agonist activation of phospholipase C requires the presence of GTP gamma S a non-hydrolyzable analog of GTP. Furthermore, fluoride is able to activate phospholipase C but its inhibition of phosphatidylinositol-4' kinase (PI-4' kinase) can interfere with efforts to demonstrate this in intact cells. There are four major isozymes of phospholipase C that have been cloned and sequenced. Recently it was found that phospholipase C-gamma as well as PI-3'-kinase are substrates for phosphorylation on tyrosine residues by the EGF and PDGF receptors. The PI-3' kinase is able to convert phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) to phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3) but the function of this lipid is unknown since it is not a substrate for any known phospholipase C. While much has been learned about the structure and regulation of the phosphoinositide specific kinases and phosphodiesterase enzymes this is a relatively new field in which we can expect many advances during the next few years.     

P2-purinergic receptors activate a guanine nucleotide-dependent phospholipase C in membranes from HL-60 cells

We have previously determined that human neutrophils and monocytes, as well as neutrophil/monocyte progenitor cells, express a subtype of P2-purinergic receptors (for ATP) which activate the inositol phospholipid signalling system. In the present study, membranes prepared from HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells were used to examine the mechanism by which these ATP receptors activate phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) under defined in vitro conditions. Micromolar concentrations of the receptor agonists ATP, UTP, and ATP gamma S stimulated the GTP-dependent formation of inositol bisphosphate (IP2) and inositol trisphosphate (IP3) in washed membranes prepared from undifferentiated HL-60 cells prelabeled with [3H]inositol. The stimulatory effects of these nucleotides on PI-PLC appeared to be mediated through a GTP binding protein since minimal inositol polyphosphate accumulation was observed in the absence of guanine nucleotides. The increased inositol polyphosphate formation triggered by these nucleotide receptor agonists did not result from inhibition of GTP breakdown. Neither was it a consequence of increased [3H]polyphosphatidylinositol levels resulting from enhanced activity of membrane-associated PI- or PIP-kinases. Instead, the stimulated phospholipase activity was apparently receptor-mediated. The rank order of potency observed in these in vitro membrane assays (ATP = UTP greater than ATP gamma S much greater than TTP greater than CTP much greater than beta, gamma-CH-ATP) was similar to that observed with intact HL-60 cells. This order of potency appears to distinguish the P2-purinergic receptors expressed by human phagocytic leukocytes from the P2 gamma-purinergic receptors which activate PI-PLC in turkey erythrocyte membranes.     

Effect of guanine nucleotides on phospholipase C activity in permeabilized pituitary cells: possible involvement of an inhibitory GTP-binding protein

Cultured pituitary cells prelabeled with myo-[2-3H] inositol were permeabilized by ATP4-, exposed to guanine nucleotides and resealed by Mg2+. Addition of guanosine 5'-0-(3-thio triphosphate) (GTP gamma S) to permeabilized cells, or gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) to resealed cells, resulted in enhanced phospholipase C activity as determined by [3H] inositol phosphate (Ins-P) production. The effect was not additive, but the combined effect was partially inhibited by guanosine 5'-0-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDP beta S) or by neomycin. Surprisingly, addition of GDP beta S (100-600 microM) on its own resulted in a dose-related increase in [3H]Ins-P accumulation. Several nucleoside triphosphates stimulated phospholipase C activity in permeabilized pituitary cells with the following order: UTP greater than GTP gamma S greater than ATP greater than CTP. The stimulatory effect of UTP, ATP and CTP, but not GTP gamma S or GDP beta S, could also be demonstrated in normal pituitary cells suggesting a receptor-activated mechanism. GTP and GTP gamma S decreased the affinity of GnRH binding to pituitary membranes and stimulated LH secretion in permeabilized cells. These results suggest the existence of at least two G-proteins (stimulatory and inhibitory) which are involved in phospholipase C activation and GnRH action in pituitary cells.     

The differentiating agent, retinoic acid, causes an early inhibition of inositol lipid-specific phospholipase C activity in HL-60 cells

Retinoic acid, a derivative of vitamin A, is shown to inhibit the levels of inositol phosphates and diacylglycerol by 25-30% when added to intact HL-60 cells at concentrations which induce differentiation. The onset of inhibition occurs after 10 min and reaches a maximum at 45 min. To study the mechanism and the site of action of retinoic acid, the activity of the phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate-specific phospholipase C was studied in cells permeabilized with streptolysin O and in membrane preparations. Phospholipase C activity was stimulated either via the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (G-protein) or directly by Ca2+. Retinoic acid treatment, in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, led to a decrease in phospholipase C activity when stimulated with either GTP gamma S or NaF, both of which activate the enzyme via the G-protein. By contrast, it had no effect on the enzyme activity when stimulated with Ca2+ alone. This indicates that retinoic acid interferes with the coupling of the G-protein and phospholipase C. A relationship between the inhibition of phospholipase C activity and the induction of differentiation by retinoic acid was investigated. Only a small inhibition of GTP gamma S-stimulated phospholipase C activity was observed when an analogue of retinoic acid, etretine or Ro10-1670, with low differentiating activity, was used. Moreover, no inhibition of the GTP gamma S-stimulated phospholipase C activity was observed in an HL-60 sub-line resistant to retinoic acid. These results suggest that phospholipase C inhibition is an important step in the induction of differentiation.