Regulation of chromogranin B/secretogranin I and secretogranin II storage in GH4C1 cells

GH4C1 cells are a rat pituitary tumor cell strain in which the level of cellular prolactin (PRL) and PRL-containing secretory granules can be regulated by hormone treatment. The chromogranins/secretogranins (Sg) are a family of secretory proteins which are widely distributed in the secretory granules of endocrine and neuronal cells. In the present study, we investigated in GH4C1 cell cultures the regulation of the cell content of the Sg by immunoblotting and the relationship between the storage of Sg I and Sg II and PRL by double immunocytochemistry. GH4C1 cells grown in the presence of gelded horse serum, a condition in which these cells contain a low level of secretory granules, contained low levels of PRL, Sg I, and Sg II. Treatment of GH4C1 cells with a combination of 17 beta-estradiol, insulin, and epidermal growth factor for 3 days, known to induce a marked increase in the number of secretory granules, increased the cell contents of PRL, Sg I, and Sg II. To determine whether the induction of PRL was morphologically associated with that of the Sg, the distribution of PRL and the Sg was determined by double immunofluorescence microscopy. After hormone treatment, 54% of cells showed positive PRL immunoreactivity, fluorescence being extranuclear and consistent with staining of the Golgi zone and secretory granules. Forty-six percent of PRL-positive cells stained coincidently for Sg I, while 72% of the PRL cells were also reactive with anti-Sg II. To determine whether PRL storage was associated with storage of at least one of the Sg, cells were stained with anti-PRL and anti-Sg I and anti-Sg II together. Eighty-six percent of PRL cells stained for one or the other of the Sg. Therefore, PRL storage in GH4C1 cell cultures is closely but not completely associated with the storage of Sg I and/or II.     

Nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence of bovine adrenal medulla chromogranin B (secretogranin I)

1. A novel 1745-dalton pyroglutamyl peptide (BAM-1745)6 was recently isolated and characterized from bovine adrenal medulla chromaffin granules. Its amino acid sequence was found to be 93% identical to residues 580-593 of human chromogranin B (secretogranin I). 2. Based on this sequence a degenerate oligonucleotide probe was synthesized and used to identify a 2.4-kb bovine adrenal medulla chromogranin B cDNA. 3. The deduced polypeptide is 647 amino acids long and begins with a putative signal sequence of 20 residues as in the human, rat, and mouse proteins. Also conserved in the bovine protein is a tyrosine residue which may be sulfated, two N-terminal cysteines, and many paired basic amino acids which may serve as sites of posttranslational processing. The peptide BAM-1745 is flanked by paired basic amino acids and therefore is most likely a product of posttranslational processing. Bovine chromogranin B is 67, 58, and 58% identical to the human, rat, and mouse chromogranin B proteins, respectively. 4. The carboxyl terminus of bovine chromogranin B, including BAM-1745, was found to be the most conserved region of the polypeptide and may identify it as an important functional domain.     

Immunolocalization of secretogranin II, chromogranin A, and chromogranin B in differentiating human neuroblastoma cells.

In order to obtain further insights into the expression of the known markers of secretory neuroendocrine dense core organelles, secretogranin II (SgII), chromogranin A (CgA), and chromogranin B (CgB) during neuronal differentiation, the immunolocalization of these proteins was studied by means of double immunofluorescence in both undifferentiated and retinoic acid-differentiated SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. The majority of undifferentiated cells was not immunolabeled for all three proteins. In the majority of differentiated cells, a clearly punctate SgII immunolabeling indicative of the presence of secretory organelles was present in the Golgi region, at the cell periphery, along the neurites and in growth cones. Only relatively few of the SgII-immunolabeled cells were also immunolabeled for CgA and CgB, and in a single cell the three proteins were not always present in the same organelles. These results, obtained in a cultured cell line, confirm the not necessarily parallel distribution of SgII, CgA, and CgB observed in different neuroendocrine tissues and suggest that SgII may be the best marker of human neuroblastoma cell differentiation.     

Purification, pH-dependent conformational change, aggregation, and secretory granule membrane binding property of secretogranin II (chromogranin C).

Secretogranin II (SgII) is one of the three major proteins, the other two being chromogranins A (CGA) and B (CGB), of secretory granules of neuroendocrine cells. The Ca(2+) storage proteins CGA and CGB not only are coupled to the IP(3) receptor (IP(3)R)/Ca(2+) channels that exist on the secretory granule membrane but also are known to play key roles in secretory granule biogenesis. Unlike the better studied CGA and CGB, secretogranin II has never been completely purified in the native state and studied. We have therefore purified SgII in native form from bovine adrenal medulla and subjected it to biochemical characterization. Secretogranin II consisted of largely beta-sheet and random coil structures with a low level of alpha-helicity. Like CGA and CGB, it also underwent pH-dependent conformational changes, showing 9.5% alpha-helicity at pH 7.5 and 17.0% alpha-helicity at pH 5.5. Secretogranin II also underwent acidic pH- and Ca(2+)-dependent aggregation, and it was approximately 8-fold more sensitive than CGA to Ca(2+) in its pH-dependent aggregation but was 8-fold less sensitive than CGB. Further, similar to CGA and CGB that had interacted with the secretory granule membrane at the intragranular pH 5.5, SgII also interacted with the secretory granule membrane at pH 5.5 and dissociated from it at near-physiological pH 7.5, implying similar roles of SgII in the cell as those of CGA and CGB. Secretogranin II hence appeared to actively participate in secretory granule biogenesis as has been proposed for CGA and CGB.     

Characterization of squid enolase mRNA: Sequence analysis,tissue distribution,and axonal localization

Enolase is a glycolytic enzyme whose amino acid sequence is highly conserved across a wide range of animal species. In mammals, enolase is known to be a dimeric protein composed of distinct but closely related subunits: (non-neuronal), (muscle-specific), and (neuron-specific). However, little information is available on the primary sequence of enolase in invertebrates. Here we report the isolation of two overlapping cDNA clones and the putative primary structure of the enzyme from the squid (Loligo pealii) nervous system. The composite sequence of those cDNA clones is 1575 bp and contains the entire coding region (1302 bp), as well as 66 and 207 bp of 5 and 3 untranslated sequence, respectively. Cross-species comparison of enolase primary structure reveals that squid enolase shares over 70% sequence identity to vertebrate forms of the enzyme. The greatest degree of sequence similarity was manifest to the isoform of the human homologue. Results of Northern analysis revealed a single 1.6 kb mRNA species, the relative abundance of which differs approximately 10-fold between various tissues. Interestingly, evidence derived from in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction experiments indicate that the mRNA encoding enolase is present in the squid giant axon.     

Rat-liver-type phosphofructokinase mRNA. Structure, tissue distribution and regulation.

We have cloned a full-length cDNA for rat-liver-type phosphofructokinase. The similarities of the rat liver-type phosphofructokinase mRNA to the human and mouse counterparts were 94% and 99% in their amino acid sequences and 88% and 94% in the nucleotide sequences of their coding regions, respectively. Rat liver-type phosphofructokinase mRNA was expressed in all tissues examined, but its level was regulated tissue-specifically. The nutritional and hormonal regulations of the mRNA in the liver were examined in comparison with those of two other key glycolytic enzymes, glucokinase and L-type pyruvate kinase. The level of liver-type phosphofructokinase mRNA was essentially unchanged by starvation (72 h) or diabetes. The mRNA level also did not change significantly on refeeding starved rats on a high carbohydrate diet, or treating diabetic ones with insulin. These results suggested that rat liver-type phosphofructokinase mRNA in the liver was not under control of diet or insulin, in contrast to glucokinase and L-type pyruvate kinase.     

Cyclic AMP and calcium interplay as second messengers in melatonin-dependent regulation of Plasmodium falciparum cell cycle

The host hormone melatonin increases cytoplasmic Ca(2+) concentration and synchronizes Plasmodium cell cycle (Hotta, C.T., M.L. Gazarini, F.H. Beraldo, F.P. Varotti, C. Lopes, R.P. Markus, T. Pozzan, and C.R. Garcia. 2000. Nat. Cell Biol. 2:466-468). Here we show that in Plasmodium falciparum melatonin induces an increase in cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) activity (40 and 50%, respectively).When red blood cells infected with P. falciparum are treated with cAMP analogue adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate N6-benzoyl/PKA activator (6-Bz-cAMP) there is an alteration of the parasite cell cycle. This effect appears to depend on activation of PKA (abolished by the PKA inhibitors adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate/8 Bromo Rp isomer, PKI [cell permeable peptide], and H89). An unexpected cross talk was found to exist between the cAMP and the Ca(2+)-dependent signaling pathways. The increases in cAMP by melatonin are inhibited by blocker of phospholipase C U73122, and addition of 6-Bz-cAMP increases cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration, through PKA activation.These findings suggest that in Plasmodium a highly complex interplay exists between the Ca(2+) and cAMP signaling pathways, but also that the control of the parasite cell cycle by melatonin requires the activation of both second messenger controlled pathways.     

Co-localization of chromogranin A and B,secretogranin II and neuropeptide Y in chromaffin granules of rat adrenal medulla studied by electron microscopic immunocytochemistry

Summary The co-localization of various antigens in rat chromaffin granules was investigated by the immunogold staining procedure. In ultrathin serial sections staining of chromaffin granules was obtained with antisera against chromogranin A, chromogranin B, secretogranin II and neuropeptide Y. These results indicated that these antigens are costored within chromaffin granules. To further corroborate this point a double immunogold staining procedure was used. This method unequivocally established that chromogranin A, chromogranin B, secretogranin II and neuropeptide Y are co-localized in the same chromaffin granules. These results are relevant for studies demonstrating changes in the level of these peptides in adrenal medulla. The co-localization makes it likely that such changes lead to a different relative composition of the secretory quanta of chromaffin granules.     

Sequence analysis, tissue distribution, and expression of rat cathepsin S.

Cysteine proteases are involved in many diverse cellular processes ranging from processing of precursor proteins to intracellular degradation. In an effort to identify novel cysteine proteases, we used the polymerase chain reaction and primers directed against the catalytic sites of previously cloned cysteine proteases. From rat brain mRNA, a 600-base pair band was amplified; cloning and partial sequence analysis of this band resulted in the identification of cathepsins B and L and five novel sequences. The novel cDNAs contained a number of residues conserved in lysosomal cysteine proteases, including the active site residue His159 (papain numbering). In addition, the amino acid homology between the novel sequences and either cathepsins B, L, or H, ranged from 63 to 32%. The insert with highest homology was used to screen a rat brain cDNA library; a 1334-base pair cDNA was isolated and the nucleotide sequence determined. This sequence encodes an open reading frame of 330 amino acids which is 82% homologous to human cathepsin S, suggesting that this sequence represents rat cathepsin S. Northern blot analysis for rat cathepsin S revealed tissue-specific expression distinct from the distribution of cathepsin B and L. The regulation of expression of rat cathepsin S mRNA in response to thyroid-stimulating hormone was studied in a rat thyroid cell line FRTL-5. The level of cathepsin S mRNA was substantially increased in response to thyroid-stimulating hormone, whereas cathepsin B and cathepsin L mRNA levels were not altered by this treatment. A portion of cDNA encoding the predicted mature protein of rat cathepsin S was expressed as a glutathione S-transferase-fusion protein. The affinity-purified protein exhibited proteolytic activity with properties similar to bovine cathepsin S. Taken together, these results imply highly specific functions for cathepsin S.     

Recent advances in the regulation of plant calcium channels: evidence for regulation by G-proteins, the cytoskeleton and second messengers

Important aspects of the regulatory properties of plant calcium channels have been discovered during the past few years. These include the control of plasma membrane-bound channels by regulatory proteins and the characterization of a plethora of intracellular calcium release channels. Deciphering the mechanisms of regulation of different Ca2+ channels and the probable co-operation of their activities in response to various stimuli is leading to a better understanding of Ca2+-signalling processes in higher plants.     

Structure and tissue distribution of chicken leptin receptor (cOb-R) mRNA

Chicken leptin receptor (cOb-R) cDNA has been cloned, sequenced and characterized. The predicted cOb-R preprotein was composed of 1148 amino acids showing approximately 60% sequence identity with the long isoform of mammalian leptin receptor, and contained a putative signal peptide, a single transmembrane domain and the conserved box 1, 2 and 3 motifs in the cytoplasmic region. High levels of cOb-R mRNA expression were observed in ovary and brain, and less abundant expression of the mRNA was detected in liver, kidney and intestine in juvenile females and sexually matured hens. The expression levels of cOb-R mRNA did not change during sexual maturation in most tissues, but the mRNA level in the intestine was higher in matured hens than in juveniles. Estrogen treatment was found to enhance the Ob-R mRNA expression in the intestine, but not in other tissues.     

Effect of secretagogues on chromogranin A synthesis in bovine cultured chromaffin cells. Possible regulation by protein kinase C.

Chromogranin A is a major component of storage granules in many different secretory cell types. After [35S]methionine labelling of proteins from cultured bovine chromaffin cells, chromogranin A was immunoprecipitated with specific antibodies, and the radioactivity incorporated into chromogranin A was determined and used as an index of its synthesis rate. Depolarization of cells with nicotine or high K+ evoked a Ca2+-dependent increase in chromogranin A synthesis, whereas muscarine, which does not evoke significant Ca2+ influx from bovine chromaffin cells, had no effect on chromogranin A synthesis. Forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase, affected neither the basal nor the nicotine-stimulated rate of chromogranin A synthesis. In contrast, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), an activator of protein kinase C, significantly enhanced the incorporation of radioactivity into chromogranin A. Sphingosine, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, abolished both nicotine-stimulated and TPA-induced chromogranin A synthesis. In addition, long-term treatment of chromaffin cells with TPA decreased protein kinase C activity and inhibited the nicotine-stimulated chromogranin A synthesis. These results suggest that protein kinase C may play an important role in the control of chromogranin A synthesis.     

Regulation of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 in rat Sertoli cells: induction by germ cell residual bodies, interleukin-1alpha, and second messengers

In the testis, FSH has been shown to induce the expression and secretion of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) from Sertoli cells in vitro. This study was performed to elucidate further the cellular origin of testicular TIMP-1 and its expression by hormonal and paracrine factors. This is the first report on the expression of testicular TIMP-1 in vivo. TIMP-1 mRNA in whole testis was decreased after hypophysectomy and strongly increased by the injection of FSH-S17 to hypophysectomized rats. Primary cultures of both peritubular and Sertoli cells showed basal expression of TIMP-1 mRNA. In contrast, we were unable to detect TIMP-1 mRNA in Leydig cells, freshly isolated immature germ cells (primary spermatocytes and spermatids), or residual bodies. We further show that treatment of Sertoli cells with 8-(4-chlorophenyl)thio-cAMP (8-CPTcAMP) in combination with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) or Ca(2+) inducers (calcium ionophore A23187 or thapsigargin) had additive (TPA) and synergistic effects (Ca(2+)) on the level of TIMP-1 mRNA and secreted protein. We also show that both the level of TIMP-1 mRNA and secreted protein from Sertoli cells were strongly increased by residual bodies, as well as by the cytokine interleukin-1alpha. TIMP-1 was not up-regulated by either 8-CPTcAMP or interleukin-1alpha in peritubular cells. In contrast to the regulated secretory fraction of TIMP-1, we also detected constitutively expressed immunoreactive TIMP-1 in the nucleus of Sertoli cells, suggesting a role of nuclear TIMP-1 in these cells. In conclusion, our data show that secretion of TIMP-1 from Sertoli cells is highly regulated by hormonal and local processes in the testis, indicating that TIMP-1 is of physiological importance during both testicular development and spermatogenesis.     

LH action in the Leydig cell: modulation by angiotensin II and corticotropin releasing hormone, and regulation of P450(17) alpha mRNA

Luteinizing hormone is the major regulator of Leydig cell differentiation and steroidogenic function. A number of hormones produced by the Leydig cell (e.g. estrogen, angiotensin, CRF, vasopressin) and the tubular compartment (inhibin, TGF beta), can influence both acute and long-term actions of LH. Conversely, hormones produced in the Leydig cells modulate tubular function (e.g. androgen, beta-endorphin, oxytocin). The LH stimulatory event can be negatively influenced by the action of angiotensin II through the guanyl nucleotide inhibitory unit of adenylate cyclase. We have recently discovered an action of corticotrophin releasing hormone through specific high-affinity low-capacity receptors in the Leydig cells which involves a pertussis toxin insensitive guanyl nucleotide regulatory unit with interaction between signalling pathways and resulting inhibition of LH induced cAMP generation and consequently of steroidogenesis. In contrast to other tissues the CRF receptor in the Leydig cells did not couple to Gs. CRF action is exerted through direct or indirect action of protein kinase C, at the level of the catalytic subunit of adenylate cyclase. Physiological increases in endogenous LH cause positive regulation of membrane receptors and steroidogenesis, while major elevations in circulating gonadotropin can induce down-regulation of LH receptors and desensitization of steroid responses in the adult cell. Gonadotropin-induced desensitization in adult rat tests include an estrogen mediated steroidogenic lesion of the microsomal enzymes 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-desmolase. For further understanding of the regulation of this key enzyme of the androgen pathway the rat P450(17) alpha cDNA was cloned and sequenced. This cDNA expressed in COS-1 cells 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-desmolase activities. From the deduced amino acid sequence, two transmembrane regions were identified, a signal peptide for insertion in the ER, and a 2nd transmembrane region separated from the first by 122 amino acids. The carboxy terminal non-transmembrane region possesses 4 hydrophobic clefts, of which cleft II would contain the putative steroid binding site for both hydroxylase and lyase activities. The rat cDNA was employed to evaluate the hormonal regulation of mRNA levels in adult and fetal Leydig cells. Low dose hCG treatment caused an early increase in mRNA levels followed by a return to control values at later times, while with higher desensitizing doses the initial increase in mRNA was followed by a marked reduction in mRNA at 24 h and a small recovery at 48 h. Fetal rat Leydig cells treated with E2 showed a 70% decrease in P450 mRNA levels, and testosterone production closely followed the changes in mRNA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

cDNA cloning, sequence analysis and tissue distribution of rat preproendothelin-1 mRNA.

We report the cloning of a full-length cDNA encoding rat preproendothelin-1 (preproET-1). The predicted rat preproET-1 consists of 202 amino acid residues and highly similar to human, porcine and bovine preproET-1, respectively. The deduced 21-residue sequence of mature rat ET-1 is identical to human, porcine, canine and bovine ET-1. As in other mammalian species, the mature ET-1 is predicted to be produced from a 39-residue big ET-1 in the rat. Northern blot analysis showed that a single 2.3-kb preproET-1 mRNA is expressed not only in vascular endothelial cells but also in other rat tissues, including the lung, brain, uterus, stomach, heart, adrenal gland and kidney. These findings suggest that ET-1 may play roles as a local mediator in multiple organs both within and outside the cardiovascular system in the rat.