Bifunctional effects of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) on endothelial cell growth correlate with phenotypes of TGF-beta binding sites.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a bifunctional, dose-dependent regulator of endothelial cell proliferation induced in vitro by heparin-binding growth factor 1 (HBGF-1, acidic FGF). Here we have examined the relationship between endothelial cell growth and the expression of cell surface binding sites for TGF-beta and HBGF-1. Fetal bovine heart endothelial cell (FBHEC) growth was stimulated by low concentrations of TGF-beta and inhibited by high concentrations of TGF-beta while expressing two distinct classes of TGF-beta binding sites with binding constants of 24 pM (6300 sites/cell) and 900 pM (12,000 sites/cell). In contrast, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), whose growth was slightly promoted by TGF-beta, exhibited a single class of high-affinity TGF-beta binding sites (Kd = 45 pM, 4500 sites/cell). Affinity crosslinking using [125I]TGF-beta showed that FBHEC expressed two distinct low molecular weight TGF-beta binding sites (Mr 85,000 and 58,000), while HUVEC expressed a single type of low molecular weight TGF-beta binding site (Mr 85,000). As detected by binding of [125I]HBGF-1, preincubation of FBHEC with high concentrations of TGF-beta transmodulated the expression of high-affinity HBGF-1 receptors. In contrast, no transmodulation of HBGF-1 receptors occurred in FBHEC during preincubation with low concentrations of TGF-beta. Furthermore, preincubation of HUVEC with TGF-beta did not transmodulate the expression of HBGF-1 receptors. The data suggest that the ability of TGF-beta to stimulate or inhibit endothelial cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner correlated with the expression of specific TGF-beta binding site subtypes and involved the transmodulation of HBGF-1 receptors.     

Transforming growth factor-beta receptor profiles of human and murine embryonic palate mesenchymal cells.

Cell signalling in the developing mammalian palate appears to involve various growth factors and hormones. An important developmental role for the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) class of growth factors is suggested by the immunolocalization of TGF-beta 1 in the palate during its ontogeny. This study examined the effects of TGF-beta stimulation of, as well as TGF-beta receptor profiles in, murine embryonic palate mesenchymal (MEPM) and human embryonic palate mesenchymal (HEPM) cells. Results showed that TGF-beta 1 (1 ng/ml) stimulated proliferation of HEPM cells and inhibited proliferation of MEPM cells in a dose-dependent manner. The time course of 125I-TGF-beta 1 binding to specific receptors was determined by incubating cells in the presence of 170 pM 125I-TGF-beta 1 for up to 4 h. In both cell types, at 37 degrees C, the binding of 125I-TGF-beta decreased linearly over 4 h, while at 4 degrees C, binding increased with time of incubation. Incubation of both cell types at 4 degrees C for 4 h, with increasing concentrations of 125I-TGF-beta 1, resulted in binding which demonstrated saturation kinetics. Scatchard analyses revealed one class of receptors for HEPM (K 32.3 pM) and MEPM (K 26.3 pM). However, SDS-PAGE analyses of 125I-TGF-beta chemically crosslinked to specific receptor sites revealed that both cell types contained the types I (65,000 Mr) and III (230,000 Mr) TGF-beta receptors while MEPM also contained the type II (86,000 Mr) receptor. Binding studies further demonstrated the ability of platelet-derived growth factor to transmodulate TGF-beta binding. These results indicate that the HEPM cell line and primary cultures of MEPM cells, although obtained from palates at similar developmental stages, are dramatically different in their responsiveness to TGF-beta and have disparate TGF-beta receptor profiles.     

Distribution and modulation of the cellular receptor for transforming growth factor-beta

Scatchard analyses of the binding of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) to a wide variety of different cell types in culture revealed the universal presence of high affinity (Kd = 1-60 pM) receptors for TGF-beta on every cell type assayed, indicating a wide potential target range for TGF-beta action. There was a strong (r = +0.85) inverse relationship between the receptor affinity and the number of receptors expressed per cell, such that at low TGF-beta concentrations, essentially all cells bound a similar number of TGF-beta molecules per cell. The binding of TGF-beta to various cell types was not altered by many agents that affect the cellular response to TGF-beta, suggesting that modulation of TGF-beta binding to its receptor may not be a primary control mechanism in TGF-beta action. Similarly, in vitro transformation resulted in only relatively small changes in the cellular binding of TGF-beta, and for those cell types that exhibited ligand-induced down-regulation of the receptor, down-regulation was not extensive. Thus the strong conservation of binding observed between cell types is also seen within a given cell type under a variety of conditions, and receptor expression appears to be essentially constitutive. Finally, the biologically inactive form of TGF-beta, which constitutes greater than 98% of autocrine TGF-beta secreted by all of the twelve different cell types assayed, was shown to be unable to bind to the receptor without prior activation in vitro. It is proposed that this may prevent premature interaction of autocrine ligand and receptor in the Golgi apparatus.     

Solubilization and affinity purification of the Y2 receptor for neuropeptide Y and peptide YY from rabbit kidney.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is an important neuropeptide in both central and peripheral neurones whereas peptide YY (PYY) is a gut hormone present in endocrine cells in the lower bowel. Both peptides interact with multiple binding sites that have been further classified into Y1 and Y2 receptors. We have solubilized native Y2 receptors both from basolateral membranes of proximal convoluted tubules from rabbit kidney and from rat hippocampal membranes. Solubilization of functional Y2 receptors was obtained with both 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS) and digitonin and resulted in each case in a single class of high affinity binding sites. The soluble receptor retained the binding specificity for different peptides and long C-terminal fragments of NPY exhibited by membrane preparations. Gel filtration of solubilized receptors resulted in a single peak of specific PYY binding activity corresponding to Mr = 350,000 whereas affinity labeling revealed a major band of Mr = 60,000. Since this binding activity was inhibited by guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S) the Y2 receptor is probably solubilized as a receptor complex containing a G-protein along with the ligand binding protein. Y2 receptor binding sites from kidney tubular membranes were purified to homogeneity by a three-step procedure employing Mono S cation-exchange adsorption, affinity chromatography on wheat germ lectin-agarose beads, and affinity chromatography on NPY-Affi-Gel. Electrophoresis and silver staining of the final receptor preparation revealed a single protein with Mr = 60,000 whereas gel filtration showed a single peak at approximately Mr = 60,000. The purified protein can be affinity labeled with [125I-Tyr36]PYY, indicating that the Mr = 60,000 protein contains the ligand binding site of the Y2 receptor, and this binding is not affected by GTP gamma S. Scatchard transformation of binding data for the purified Y2 receptors was compatible with a single class of binding sites with Kd = 76 pM. The purified Y2 receptors retain their binding properties with regard to affinity and specificity for different members of the pancreatic polypeptide-fold peptide family. The specific activity of purified Y2 receptors was calculated to approximately 14.7 nmol of ligand binding/mg of receptor protein, which is consistent with the theoretical value (16.6 nmol/mg) for a pure Mr = 60,000 protein binding one PYY molecule. Purification to homogeneity thus reveals the Y2 receptor as an Mr = 60,000 glycoprotein.     

Multimeric structure of the tumor necrosis factor receptor of HeLa cells

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor of HeLa cells was solubilized in Triton X-100 and characterized by gel filtration, affinity labeling, and ligand blotting studies. Receptors solubilized with Triton X-100 eluted in gel filtration as a major peak of Mr = 330,000 and retained high affinity binding (KD = 0.25 nM). Affinity labeling of soluble receptor/125I-TNF complexes using the reversible, bifunctional bis[2-(succinimidooxycarbonyl-oxy)ethyl] sulfone resulted in the formation of cross-linked species of Mr = 310,000, 150,000-175,000, 95,000, and 75,000. The formation of these complexes was competitively inhibited by unlabeled TNF. Partial reversal of cross-linking in these complexes and their analysis by two-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) resolved 125I-TNF dimers cleaved from the 95,000 band and 125I-TNF monomer cleaved from the 75,000 band, providing evidence for a Mr approximately 60,000 subunit. In addition, the 95,000 and 75,000 bands were resolved as components of larger complexes (Mr = 150,000-175,000), which presumably contain two receptor subunits. The Mr 95,000 and 75,000 bands were also released from the Mr 310,000 complex by reduction with dithiothreitol, suggesting a role for disulfide bond stabilization. To investigate the association of the putative receptor subunits, Triton X-100 extracts from HeLa membranes were fractionated by SDS-PAGE without reduction and transferred electrophoretically to nylon membranes for TNF binding assays. Only two bands of Mr = 60,000 and 70,000 specifically bound TNF, and higher Mr binding activity was not observed. These results indicate that TNF receptors in HeLa cells are high molecular weight complexes containing Mr = 60,000 and 70,000 subunits each capable of binding TNF and that the complexes are primarily stabilized by non-covalent, hydrophobic interactions.     

Characterization of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors in mammalian lung

125I-VIP bound specifically to sites on human, rat, guinea pig, and rabbit lung membranes with a dissociation constant (KD) of 60-200 pM and binding site maxima of 200-800 fmol/mg of protein. The presence of a second lower affinity site was detected but not investigated further. High affinity 125I-VIP binding was reversible and displaced by structurally related peptides with an order of potency: VIP greater than rGRF greater than PHI greater than hGRF greater than secretin = Ac Tyr1 D Phe2 GRF. 125I-VIP has been covalently incorporated into lung membranes using disuccinimidyl suberate. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis of labeled human, rat, and rabbit lung membranes revealed major 125I-VIP-receptor complexes of: Mr = 65,000, 56,000, and 64,000 daltons, respectively. Guinea pig lung membranes exhibited two 125I-VIP-receptor complexes of Mr = 66,000 and 60,000 daltons. This labeling pattern probably reflects the presence of differentially glycosylated forms of the same receptor since treatment with neuroaminidase resulted in a single homogeneous band (Mr = 57,000 daltons). Soluble covalently labeled VIP receptors from guinea pig and human lung bound to and were specifically eluted from agarose-linked wheat germ agglutinin columns. Our studies indicate that mammalian lung VIP receptors are glycoproteins containing terminal sialic acid residues.     

The brain corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptor is of lower apparent molecular weight than the CRF receptor in anterior pituitary. Evidence from chemical cross-linking studies

The ligand binding subunits of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptors in brain and anterior pituitary of a number of species have been identified by chemical affinity cross-linking using the homobifunctional cross-linking agent disuccinimidyl suberate and 125I-Tyr0-oCRF (ovine CRF). In homogenates of rat, monkey, and human cerebral cortex, 125I-Tyr0-oCRF was covalently incorporated into a protein of Mr = 58,000. Under identical conditions in the anterior pituitary of rat, monkey, cow, and pig, 125I-Tyr0-oCRF was incorporated into a protein of apparent Mr = 75,000. The specificity of the labeling was typical of the CRF binding site since both the cerebral cortex- and pituitary-labeled proteins exhibited the appropriate pharmacological rank order profile characteristic of the CRF receptor (Nle21,Tyr32-oCRF approximately equal to rat/human CRF approximately equal to ovine CRF approximately equal to alpha-helical CRF(6-41) greater than alpha-helical oCRF(9-41) greater than or equal to oCRF(7-41) greater than rat/human CRF(1-20) approximately equal to vasoactive intestinal peptide). In addition to the major labeled proteins, 125I-Tyr0-oCRF was incorporated into higher molecular weight peptides which may represent precursors and into lower molecular weight components which may represent fragments of the major labeled proteins or altered forms of the CRF binding subunit. In summary, these data indicate a heterogeneity between brain and pituitary CRF receptors with the ligand binding subunit of the brain CRF receptor residing on a Mr = 58,000 protein, while in the anterior pituitary, the identical binding subunit resides on a protein of apparent Mr = 75,000.     

Characterization of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) receptors on BeWo choriocarcinoma cells including the identification of a novel 38-kDa TGF-beta binding glycoprotein.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a potential mediator of placental trophoblast functions, including differentiation, hormone production, endometrial invasion, and immunosuppression. Equilibrium binding and affinity-labeling assays were used to investigate the binding characteristics of TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 on an established human choriocarcinoma trophoblastic cell line (BeWo). The equilibrium binding experiments indicated that the BeWo cells exhibited similar average affinities and total number of binding sites for TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2. The Kd values obtained from Scatchard analyses were approximately 65 pM for 125I-TGF-beta 1 and approximately 40 pM for 125I-TGF-beta 2, with 70,000 and 85,000 sites per cell, respectively. Competitive equilibrium binding experiments indicated that TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 were equipotent (apparent half maximal inhibition [IC50] approximately 70 pM) and that all binding sites were capable of recognizing both isoforms. Affinity-labeling studies with 125I-TGF-beta 1 and 125I-TGF-beta 2 and the chemical cross-linking agent bis(sulfosuccinimidyl)suberate (BS3) revealed a predominant type III/betaglycan receptor, a low level of apparently heterogeneous type I and II receptors and an additional novel 38-kDa TGF-beta binding glycoprotein that was present both under reducing and nonreducing conditions on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Affinity-labeling saturation and competition studies indicated that the type III/betaglycan component appears to have a 7-fold higher capacity for TGF-beta 1 than for -beta 2 yet exhibits a 5- to 10-fold higher affinity for TGF-beta 2 than for -beta 1. The 38-kDa TGF-beta binding component, an N-linked glycoprotein, exhibits a higher affinity for TGF-beta 2 than for -beta 1 that is strikingly similar to that of the type III/betaglycan receptor. This 38-kDa binding protein appears to be upregulated after methotrexate-induced differentiation of the BeWo cells.     

Transforming growth factor-beta modulates the high-affinity receptors for epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor-alpha

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor mediates the induction of a transformed phenotype in normal rat kidney (NRK) cells by transforming growth factors (TGFs). The ability of EGF and its analogue TGF-alpha to induce the transformed phenotype in NRK cells is greatly potentiated by TGF-beta, a polypeptide that does not interact directly with binding sites for EGF or TGF-alpha. Our evidence indicates that TGF-beta purified from retrovirally transformed rat embryo cells and human platelets induces a rapid (t 1/2 = 0.3 h) decrease in the binding of EGF and TGF-alpha to high-affinity cell surface receptors in NRK cells. No change due to TGF-beta was observed in the binding of EGF or TGF-alpha to lower affinity sites also present in NRK cells. The effect of TGF-beta on EGF/TGF-alpha receptors was observed at concentrations (0.5-20 pM) similar to those at which TGF-beta is active in promoting proliferation of NRK cells in monolayer culture and semisolid medium. Affinity labeling of NRK cells and membranes by cross-linking with receptor-bound 125I-TGF-alpha and 125I-EGF indicated that both factors interact with a common 170-kD receptor structure. Treatment of cells with TGF-beta decreased the intensity of affinity-labeling of this receptor structure. These data suggest that the 170 kD high-affinity receptors for EGF and TGF-alpha in NRK cells are a target for rapid modulation by TGF-beta.     

Identification of a receptor for peptides of the bombesin family in Swiss 3T3 cells by affinity cross-linking

The cross-linking agent ethylene glycol-bis(succinimidyl succinate) was used to covalently link 125I-labeled gastrin releasing peptide (125I-GRP) to an Mr 75,000-85,000 surface protein in Swiss 3T3 cells that displays many characteristics of a specific receptor for peptides of the bombesin family. This protein was not present in other cell lines which do not exhibit receptors for bombesin-like peptides. Unlabeled GRP competed for affinity labeling of the Mr 75,000-85,000 protein in a concentration-dependent manner, and other bombesin-related peptides also inhibited the cross-linking of 125I-GRP to this component. In contrast, high concentrations of a variety of other peptide hormones and mitogens had no effect. Affinity labeling of the Mr 75,000-85,000 protein was dependent on the concentration of 125I-GRP and exhibited saturability. 125I-GRP affinity labeling of this protein was also demonstrated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. These studies suggest that an Mr 75,000-85,000 surface protein with an isoelectric point of 6.0 to 6.5 is a major component of the receptor for peptides of the bombesin family in Swiss 3T3 cells.     

Identification of the Subunit Structure of Rat Pineal Adrenergic Receptors by Photoaffinity Labeling

The adrenergic receptors of rat pineal gland were investigated using radiolabeled ligand binding and photoaffinity labeling techniques. 125I-2-[beta-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylaminomethyl]tetralone (125I-HEAT) and 125I-cyanopindolol (125I-CYP) labeled specific sites on rat pineal gland membranes with equilibrium dissociation constants (KD) of 48 (+/- 5) pM and 30 (+/- 5) pM, respectively. Binding site maxima were 481 (+/- 63) and 1,020 (+/- 85) fmol/mg protein. The sites labeled by 125I-HEAT had the pharmacological characteristics of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors. 125I-CYP-labeled beta-adrenergic receptors were characterized as a homogeneous population of beta 1-adrenergic receptors. The alpha 1- and beta 1-adrenergic receptors were covalently labeled with the specific photoaffinity probes 4-amino-6,7-dimethoxy-2-(4-[5-(4-azido-3-[125I]iodophenyl) pentanoyl]-1-piperazinyl) quinazoline (125I-APDQ) and 125I-p-azidobenzylcarazolol (125I-pABC). 125I-APDQ labeled an alpha 1-adrenergic receptor peptide of Mr = 74,000 (+/- 4,000), which was similar to peptides labeled in rat cerebral cortex, liver, and spleen. 125I-pABC labeled a single beta 1-adrenergic receptor peptide with a Mr = 42,000 (+/- 1,500), which differed from the 60-65,000 peptide commonly seen in mammalian tissues. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed.     

Characterization of the human melanoma nerve growth factor receptor

Monoclonal antibodies to the human nerve growth factor receptor have been used to biochemically characterize the receptor in the human melanoma cell line A875. Labeling of A875 cell proteins by culture with [35S]cysteine or labeling of cell surface proteins with 125I followed by immunoprecipitation with anti-nerve growth factor receptor antibody reveals a receptor protein with an apparent Mr of 70,000-75,000 and an isoelectric point of 4.9-5.2. Incorporation of [3H]glucosamine into this species indicates it is a glycoprotein. The receptor becomes phosphorylated on serine residues in intact cells and in isolated membranes incubated with [gamma-32P]ATP. The receptor appears to exist, at least partially, in the form of a disulfide-linked oligomer (probably a dimer) of Mr = 75,000 subunits. Kinetic [35S]cysteine labeling studies reveal an Mr = 59,000 core protein which is glycosylated via N-linked and probably also O-linked sugar moieties to produce the mature (Mr = 70,000-75,000) receptor.     

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptors in intermediate lobe of the pituitary: biochemical characterization and autoradiographic localization

CRF receptors were characterized using radioligand binding and chemical affinity cross-linking techniques and localized using autoradiographic techniques in porcine, bovine and rat pituitaries. The binding of 125I-[Tyr0]-ovine CRF (125I-oCRF) to porcine anterior and neurointermediate lobe membranes was saturable and of high affinity with comparable KD values (200-600 pM) and receptor densities (100-200 fmoles/mg protein). The pharmacological rank order of potencies for various analogs and fragments of CRF in inhibiting 125I-oCRF binding in neurointermediate lobe was characteristic of the well-established CRF receptor in anterior pituitary. Furthermore, the binding of 125I-oCRF to both anterior and neurointermediate lobes of the pituitary was guanine nucleotide-sensitive. Affinity cross-linking studies revealed that the molecular weight of the CRF binding protein in rat intermediate lobe was identical to that in rat anterior lobe (Mr = 75,000). While the CRF binding protein in the anterior lobes of porcine and bovine pituitaries had identical molecular weights to CRF receptors in rat pituitary (Mr = 75,000), the molecular weight of the CRF binding protein in porcine and bovine intermediate lobe was slightly higher (Mr = 78,000). Pituitary autoradiograms from the three species showed specific binding sites for 125I-oCRF in anterior and intermediate lobes, with none being apparent in the posterior pituitary. The identification of CRF receptors in the intermediate lobe with comparable characteristics to those previously identified in the anterior pituitary substantiate further the physiological role of CRF in regulating intermediate lobe hormone secretion.     

Structural characterization of the 9-10S estradiol receptor from calf uterus

An affinity chromatography-based method has been developed for estrogen receptor isolation which requires the inclusion of sodium molybdate in purification buffers for maintaining the large 9-10S form of the receptor. The protein products obtained from affinity chromatography of calf uterine receptor extracts or from extracts presaturated with estradiol have been analyzed by gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions. Major estrogen sensitive proteins were peptides with Mr approximately 90,000, 65,000 and 50,000. Two additional proteins (60,000 and 53,000) of lower abundance and with demonstrated estrogen sensitivity were also observed. Affinity labeling with [3H]tamoxifen aziridine identified the Mr 65,000 protein as the estrogen receptor and suggested that the Mr 60,000, 53,000 and 50,000 peptide components were derived proteolytically from this parent unit. The 90,000 mol. wt component was readily dissociated from heparin-sepharose immobilized estrogen receptor by elution with low salt buffers without molybdate. Peptide mapping experiments indicated that the 90,000 mol. wt component was not related to the Mr 65,000 and 50,000 estrogen receptors, but confirmed the smaller binding unit to be a proteolytic fragment of the 65,000 mol. wt receptor. The results suggest that the 90K protein associates non-covalently with the Mr 65,000 estrogen binding unit as a nonhormone binding component of the 9-10S receptor.     

Two distinct affinity binding sites for IL-1 on human cell lines

We used two human cell lines, NK-like YT-C3 and an EBV-containing B cell line, 3B6, as models to study the receptor(s) for IL-1. Two distinct types of saturable binding sites were found on both cell lines at 37 degrees C. Between 1 pM and 100 pM of 125I-IL-1-alpha concentration, saturable binding sites were detected on the YT-C3 cells with a K of 4 x 10(-11) M. The K found for the IL-1-alpha binding sites on 3B6 cells was 7.5 x 10(-11) M. An additional binding curve was detected above 100 pM on YT-C3 cells with a K of 7 x 10(-9) M and on 3B6 cells with a K of 5 x 10(-9) M. Scatchard plot analysis revealed 600 sites/cell with high affinity binding and 7000 sites/cell with low affinity for YT-C3 cells and 300 sites/cell with high affinity binding and 6000 sites/cell with low affinity for 3B6 cells. At 37 degrees C, the internalization of 125I-labeled IL-1 occurred via both high and low affinity IL-1R on both YT-C3 and 3B6 cells, whereas the rates of internalization for high affinity binding sites on YT-C3 cells were predominant in comparison to that of low affinity binding sites. In chemical cross-linking studies of 125I-IL-1-alpha to 3B6 and YT-C3 cells, two protein bands were immunoprecipitated with Mr around 85 to 90 kDa leading to an estimation of the Mr of the IL-1R around 68 to 72 kDa. In similar experiments, the Mr found for the IL-1R expressed on the murine T cell line EL4 was slightly higher (around 80 kDa). Whether these distinct affinity binding sites are shared by a single molecule or by various chains remains to be elucidated.     

Biphasic effects of type beta transforming growth factor on epidermal growth factor receptors in NRK fibroblasts. Functional consequences for epidermal growth factor-stimulated mitosis

Exposure of confluent NRK cells to transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) results in distinct alterations in subpopulations of plasma membrane epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors. The low affinity sites increase in number, whereas the high affinity sites undergo a transient decrease in affinity followed by a prolonged increase in number. Cycloheximide inhibits both of these effects. Functional assays measuring EGF-stimulated thymidine incorporation in the presence of TGF-beta show that the resulting long-term stimulation of EGF receptor binding is associated with an increased sensitivity to EGF. Similarly, the initial, transient decrease in EGF binding is associated with a temporary inhibition of EGF-stimulated thymidine incorporation. The results describe a bifunctional effect of TGF-beta at the biochemical level consistent with the action of this peptide on NRK cell growth.     

Evidence for an age-related dysfunction in the antiproliferative response to transforming growth factor-beta in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Previous studies have indicated that aged animals show an increased intimal hyperplasia after arterial injury. The present studies examined the hypothesis that the increased serum-free proliferation of aged smooth muscle cells (SMC), in vitro, was due to a loss of an antiproliferative signal, such as transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1). Northern blot analysis of the mRNA derived from old (> 19 mo) or young (3-4 mo) rat aortic SMC indicated that both groups had an equivalent level of the 2.5 kB TGF-beta 1 message. Metabolic labeling with 35S-methionine and immunoprecipitation for TGF-beta 1 confirmed the de novo synthesis of TGF-beta 1 in rat SMC. Old and young SMC supernatants showed equal levels of active or latent (acid-activated) TGF-beta activity. Despite the similarities in the production of TGF-beta 1, old SMC were refractory to inhibition by TGF-beta 1, whereas young SMC were markedly inhibited (80%) by low levels of TGF-beta 1 (IC50 < 5 pg/ml). Binding studies at 4 degrees C indicated that old SMC exhibited reduced binding capacity for 125I-TGF-beta 1. Cross-linking studies confirmed that old SMC showed reduced binding of 125I-TGF-beta 1 to membrane sites corresponding to the high molecular weight type III receptor, as well as the 85-kDa type II and 65-kDa type I receptor. However, at 37 degrees C, old SMC degraded 125I-TGF-beta 1 more rapidly than young SMC. Combined, this data suggests that SMC derived from older animals are capable of normal production of TGF-beta 1 but fail to respond to the autocrine growth inhibitory effects of this agent, thereby leading to enhanced proliferation.     

Photoaffinity labeling of the beta-adrenergic receptor with azide derivatives of iodoccyanopindolol

Two photosensitive iodocyanopindolol derivatives, 1-(4-azidobenzimidyl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-hydroxy-7-(2-cyano-3-iodoindol-4-yloxy)-1,4-diazaheptane (ICYP-azide-1) and 1-(4-azidobenzoyl)-3,3-dimethyl-6-hydroxy-7-(2-cyano-3-iodoindol-4-yloxy)-1,4-diazaheptane (ICYP-azide-2) have been prepared. [125I]ICYP-azide-1 and -2 (specific radioactivity up to 2.2 Ci/mumol) bind specifically and with very high affinity (KD = 40-45 pM) to beta-adrenergic receptors of turkey erythrocyte membranes. When [125I]ICYP-azide-1 or -2 were incubated with membranes and UV-irradiated, two polypeptides (Mr = 40,000 and 50,000) were specifically photolabeled as shown by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. These polypeptides may represent subunits of the beta-adrenergic receptor. The yield of specific covalent label incorporation into both polypeptides was up to 17.2% with [125I]ICYP-azide-2 when expressed as fraction of total beta-receptor binding sites. Since the Mr = 40,000 polypeptide was labeled predominantly and since covalent incorporation had the same concentration dependence as reversible specific binding, this polypeptide could contain a beta-adrenergic ligand binding site. Due to the low working concentration (10-100 pM) of [125I]ICYP-azide-1 and -2, nonspecific labeling of membrane proteins was extremely low. The new photoaffinity labels should therefore become valuable tools for probing beta-receptor structure.     

Biological effects and binding properties of transforming growth factor-beta on human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells

The effects of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) on three human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines, HSC-2, HSC-3, and HSC-4, were investigated. Although these cell lines were equally sensitive to epidermal growth factor, responses to TGF-beta were variable. Dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth and [3H]thymidine incorporation of HSC-4 were observed by the addition of TGF-beta, whereas growth inhibitory effects on HSC-2 and HSC-3 were marginal. Moreover, treatment of HSC-4 with TGF-beta led to a more than 300-fold increase in fibronectin secretion into the medium. In contrast, TGF-beta did not increase the secretion of fibronectin on HSC-2 and HSC-3. Scatchard analysis of the binding of TGF-beta suggested that all squamous cell carcinoma cell lines have similar binding properties, with two classes of binding sites for TGF-beta. Affinity labeling of 125I-TGF-beta to cell surface receptors revealed the two major affinity crosslinked bands with Mr values of 65 kDa (type I) and 280 kDa (type III). A concomitant loss of 85 kDa band (type II) was observed in all squamous carcinoma cell lines examined. Although the proportions of type I and type III receptors were variable, the type I receptor, which is reported to be the main functional receptor in mediating the TGF-beta action, was commonly observed in these squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. These results indicate that the heterogeneity in response to TGF-beta between cell lines may be due to the difference in the signal transduction pathway of TGF-beta.     

Characterization of a bombesin receptor on Swiss mouse 3T3 cells by affinity cross-linking

We have previously identified by chemical cross-linking a cell surface protein in Swiss 3T3 cells of apparent Mr 75,000-85,000, which may represent a major component of the receptor for peptides of the bombesin family in these cells. Because bombesin-like peptides may interact with other cell surface molecules, it was important to establish the correlation between receptor binding and functions of this complex and further characterize the Mr 75,000-85,000 cross-linked protein. Detailed time courses carried out at different temperatures demonstrated that the Mr 75,000-85,000 affinity-labelled band was the earliest cross-linked complex detected in Swiss 3T3 cells incubated with 125I-labelled gastrin-releasing peptide (125I-GRP). Furthermore, the ability of various nonradioactive bombesin agonists and antagonists to block the formation of the Mr 75,000-85,000 cross-linked complex correlated extremely well (r = 0.994) with the relative capacity of these peptides to inhibit 125I-GRP specific binding. Pretreatment with unlabelled GRP for up to 6 h caused only a slight decrease in both specific 125I-GRP binding and the affinity labelling of the Mr 75,000-85,000 protein. We also show that the cross-linked complex is a glycoprotein. First, solubilized affinity labelled Mr 75,000-85,000 complex applied to wheat germ lectin-sepharose columns was eluted by addition of 0.3 M N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. Second, treatment with endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase F reduced the apparent molecular weight of the affinity-labelled band from 75,000-85,000 to 43,000, indicating the presence of N-linked oligosaccharide groups.