The regulation of proteolysis in normal fibroblasts as they approach confluence. Evidence for the participation of the lysosomal system.

The effect of the lysosomotropic agent NH4Cl and the proteinase inhibitors leupeptin, Z-Phe-Ala-CHN2 (benzyloxycarbonylphenylalanylalanyldiazomethane) and pepstatin on the degradation of intracellular proteins in Swiss 3T3 mouse and normal human fibroblasts in both the exponential and stationary (confluent) growth phases in nutritionally complete conditions was investigated. Inhibitory effects of all four agents on degradation in both growth states were detected. The increase in proteolysis normally occurring as cells approach confluence could be completely blocked by NH4Cl, by Z-Phe-Ala-CHN2, or by pepstatin in the presence of leupeptin. These results suggest that the lysosomal system is responsible for the regulation of proteolysis at confluence and further confirm its role in 'basal' proteolysis in growing cells.     

Adrenoceptor regulation of canine skeletal muscle blood flow during carbon monoxide hypoxia.

We questioned whether carbon monoxide hypoxia (COH) would affect peripheral blood flow by neural activation of adrenoceptors to the extent we had found in other forms of hypoxia. We studied this problem in hindlimb muscles of four groups of anesthetized dogs (untreated, alpha 1-blocked, alpha 1 + alpha 2-blocked, and beta 2-blocked). Cardiac output increased, but hindlimb blood flow (QL) and resistance (RL) remained at prehypoxic levels during COH (O2 content reduced 50%) in untreated animals. When activity in the sciatic nerve was reversibly cold blocked, QL doubled and RL decreased 50%. These changes with nerve block were the same during COH, suggesting that neural activity to hindlimb vasculature was not increased by COH. In animals treated with phenoxybenzamine (primarily alpha 1-blocked), RL dropped (approximately 50%) during COH, an indication that catecholamines played a significant role in maintaining tone to skeletal muscle. Animals with both alpha 1 + alpha 2-adrenergic blockade (phenoxybenzamine and yohimbine added) did not survive COH. RL was higher in beta 2-block than in the untreated group during COH, but nerve cooling indicated that beta 2-adrenoceptor vasodilation was accomplished primarily by humoral means. The above findings demonstrated that adrenergic receptors were important in the regulation of QL and RL during COH, but they were not activated by sympathetic nerve stimulation to the limb muscles.     

Spatial expression of the kallikrein-kinin system during nephrogenesis

During nephrogenesis, new nephrons are induced in the periphery of the kidney, while maturing nephrons occupy a deeper position in the renal cortex. This centrifugal pattern of maturation is characterized by nephron patterning, establishment of proximal-distal segment identity, tubular and glomerular growth and differentiation, and acquisition of specialized functions. All of these processes are coordinated in time and space with renal vasculogenesis, glomerulogenesis and regional hemodynamic changes. The end-result ensures that tubular structure and function are tightly coordinated with glomerular filtration during normal kidney development. To achieve this delicate task of glomerulotubular balance, the developing kidney produces growth factors and vasoactive hormones that act in a paracrine manner to regulate nephrovascular growth, differentiation and physiological functions. One such paracrine system is the kallikrein-kinin system (KKS), which generates bradykinin (BK) from the cleavage of kininogen by kallikrein. BK activates a G-protein coupled receptor, B2R, to regulate renal blood flow and salt and water excretion. The developing kidney expresses an endogenous KKS. Expression of the KKS components and B2R is intimately coordinated with the terminal differentiation of the distal nephron. Kallikrein marks the onset of connecting tubule development, whereas kininogen and B2R map to the developing ureteric bud branches and maturing collecting ducts.Gene targeting studies indicate that the fetal KKS plays an important role in the maintenance of terminal epithelial cell differentiation.     

Parasympathetic component of the regulation of the kallikrein-kinin system in experimental pneumonia

Experimental vagus-bacterium pneumonia was modeled on 53 rabbits. Influence of nervous vagus on kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) was studied on 23 rats. It is obvious that disturbance of parasympathetic regulation may be an additional factor of KKS activation. Lowering of kinase II under experimental pneumonia was discovered both in the blood and in the lung. Activation of kinase II in the blood was after vagotomy. So parasympathetic regulation of kinase activity is of no significance in experimental pneumonia, and lowering of kinase activity is connected with bacterial factors.     

Glutathione participation in the regulation of methanol metabolism in yeasts

The activity of enzymes involved in methanol oxidation and assimilation as well as the levels of formaldehyde and glutathione were determined during batch cultivation of Candida boidinii KD1 in a medium with methanol. The distribution of [14C]methanol between oxidative and biosynthetic processes in the yeast was analysed. Changes in the concentrations of formaldehyde and glutathione were found to correlate with the activity of formaldehyde dehydrogenase. The results indicate that an increase in the concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) at the early logarithmic phase of the yeast growth stimulates formaldehyde oxidation via formate to carbon dioxide whereas a subsequent decrease in the concentration of GSH favours formaldehyde assimilation.     

Lactate metabolism in the muscle of the crab Chasmagnathus granulatus during hypoxia and post-hypoxia recovery

The present study showed that the lactate/glucose ratio in the hemolymph of Chasmagnathus granulatus maintained in normoxia (controls) was 4.9, suggesting that lactate is an important substrate for this crab. Periods of hypoxia are part of the biological cycle of this crab, and lactate is the main end product of anaerobiosis in this crab. Our hypothesis was that this lactate would be, therefore, used by gluconeogenic pathway or can be oxidized or excreted to the aquatic medium during hypoxia and post-hypoxia periods in C. granulatus. The concentrations of hemolymphatic lactate in animals in normoxia are high, and are used as an energy substrate. In hypoxia, muscle gluconeogenesis and excretion of lactate to the aquatic medium would contribute significantly in regulating the concentration of circulating lactate. Utilization of these pathways would serve the objective of maintaining the acid-base equilibrium of the organism. Muscle gluconeogenesis participates, during the recovery process, in metabolizing the lactate produced during the period of hypoxia. Lactate excretion to the external medium, was one of the strategies used to decrease the higher hemolymphatic lactate levels. However, oxidation of lactate in the muscle is not a main strategy used by this crab to metabolize lactate in the recovery periods.     

Evidence for the compartmentation of pyruvate metabolism in perfused rat skeletal muscle.

In rat hindlimbs perfused with [1-14C]pyruvate and 5 mM-dichloroacetate, the calculated apparent rate of pyruvate decarboxylation was decreased with increasing perfusate pyruvate concentrations. However, in the absence of dichloroacetate the apparent rate of decarboxylation increased under these conditions. Dichloroacetate enhanced [1-14C]pyruvate uptake, but decreased the specific radioactivity of effluent lactate. Glycogen metabolism remained unaffected. The results were not consistent with a common pyruvate pool, but provide evidence for the compartmentation of pyruvate metabolism.     

A role for the kallikrein-kinin system in the regulation of osmotic water permeability in the toad bladder

Captopril (CA), a specific inhibitor of kininase II, did not alter osmotic water permeability (Posm) when present in the mucosal bath of the urinary bladder isolated from the toad Bufo arenarum at a concentration of 2.3 X 10(-3) M. This treatment, however, caused a 65% enhancement in the increase in Posm following serosal exposure to vasopressin, oxytocin or theophylline, agents that increase intracellular cyclic AMP levels. The effect of captopril was prevented by procedures that reduce the kallikrein (KK)-like alkaline esterase activity present in the bladder (such as simultaneous exposure to 2.3 X 10(-5) M aprotinin, or pretreatment of the toads with 0.1 N NaCl for several days before the experiment) or by replacing the mucosal bath with fresh solution of identical composition after exposure to captopril. In contrast, changing the serosal bath did not alter the effect of the drug. These results are consistent with an effect of CA at a step beyond cAMP generation, and suggest it is mediated by release of a soluble factor, probably a kinin, into the mucosal bath. These observations, together with data previously published, suggest that the KK-kinin system may participate in the control of epithelial water and electrolyte permeability in the toad bladder. In particular, under environmental stress, it may become important in the regulation of the animal's extracellular fluid volume, thus exhibiting an adaptive value.     

Evidence for a substrate regulation of triglyceride lipolysis in human skeletal muscle

Glycerol release from the human forearm which is generally used as a semiquantitative index of intramuscular lipolysis was studied under different hormonal influence and substrate supply in healthy volunteers and juvenile diabetics using the forearm technique. Acute insulin deficiency in juvenile diabetics failed stimulating the rate of muscular lipolysis since the rates of glycerol release in normals and diabetics were the same. In addition, in normal volunteers high physiological levels of insulin caused by an intraarterial infusion of the hormone exhibited no effect on the glycerol release from deep forearm tissue. Similarly, an intraarterial infusion of metaproterenol did not accelerate muscular glycerol release in normal man. However, in juvenile diabetics in acute insulin deficiency the same dose of the catecholamine increased the rate of muscular glycerol production. Elevated substrate supply during intravenous infusion of glucose or fructose yielded increased uptake of glucose and fructose into the deep forearm tissue and thereby promptly blocked muscular glycerol release in normal volunteers and in juvenile diabetics. These findings suggest that the rate of lipolysis in muscle tissue is not primarily under the control of hormones but rather by substrate supply.     

Characterization of the kallikrein-kinin system during the bovine ovulation process

The kallikrein–kinin system (KKS) has been described as an important mediator of physiologic processes. Kallikreins use kininogen (KNG) as substrate to generate bradykinin, the main active peptide of the KKS that acts through two types of receptors, the B₁R and the B₂R. The goal of this study was to characterize some components of the KKS in different compartments of the ovary during the bovine ovulation process. The KNG, B₁R and B₂R mRNA expression patterns were assessed in theca and granulosa cells, as well as the bradykinin concentration and kallikrein-like activity in follicular fluid of bovine periovulatory follicles. To obtain a periovulatory follicle (≥12 mm), twenty-seven cows were submitted to estrus synchronization protocol and ovariectomized by colpotomy at 0, 3, 6, 12 or 24 h after a GnRH-analog injection (gonadorelin; 100 μg, IM). Follicular fluid was aspirated for enzymatic assays while granulosa and theca cells were harvested for mRNA analysis. The mRNA expressions in follicular cells were evaluated by real-time RT-PCR and data representation related to the cyclophilin housekeeping gene. The bradykinin concentration and kallikrein-like activity were measured in follicular fluid by enzymatic immunoassay and selective substrate cleavage, respectively. The B₂R expression in theca cells and B₁R expression in theca and granulosa cells showed different profiles during the periovulatory period (P < 0.05). The bradykinin concentration and kallikrein-like activity in the follicular fluid were different (P < 0.05) due to the time during the ovulation process. KNG mRNA expression was similar for both follicular cell types (P > 0.05). Taken together, these results provide an important characterization of the presence and possible KKS regulation during the bovine ovulation.     

Mesothelial cells activate the plasma kallikrein-kinin system during pleural inflammation

Abstract Pleural inflammation underlies the formation of most exudative pleural effusions and the plasma kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) is known to contribute. Mesothelial cells are the predominant cell type in the pleural cavity, but their potential role in plasma KKS activation and BK production has not been studied. Bradykinin concentrations were higher in pleural fluids than the corresponding serum samples in patients with a variety of diseases. Bradykinin concentrations did not correlate with disease diagnosis, but were elevated in exudative effusions. It was demonstrated, using a range of primary and transformed mesothelial and mesothelioma cell lines, that cells assembled high molecular weight kininogen and plasma prekallikrein to liberate bradykinin, a process inhibited by novobiocin, a heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitor, cysteine, bradykinin and protamine sulphate. Of the common plasma prekallikrein activators, mesothelial cells expressed HSP90, but not prolylcarboxypeptidase or Factor XII. Calcium mobilisation was induced in some mesothelium-derived cell lines by bradykinin. Des-Arg(9)-bradykinin was inactive, indicating that mesothelial cells are responsive to bradykinin, mediated via the bradykinin receptor subtype 2. In summary, pleural mesothelial cells support the assembly and activation of the plasma KKS by a mechanism dependent on HSP90, and may contribute to KKS-mediated inflammation in pleural disease.     

Theory of metabolism regulation: a complete system of equations for regulation coefficients

Basic quantitative parameters of control in a metabolic system are considered: control coefficients of enzymes with respect to metabolic fluxes and concentrations, and in the case when there are conservation laws, the response coefficients of metabolic fluxes and concentrations to changes in the conserved sums of metabolite concentrations (e. g. conserved moieties). Relationships are obtained which generalize the well known connectivity relations for the case of metabolites binding by conservation laws. Additional relationships are obtained which complement the set of connectivity relations up to the complete system of equations for determining all the control coefficients. The control coefficients are expressed through the enzyme elasticity coefficients, steady state metabolic fluxes and concentrations. Formulas are derived which express response coefficients of flux and concentrations through the enzyme control and elasticity coefficients and metabolite concentrations.     

Glycogen metabolism in rat heart muscle cultures after hypoxia

Elevated glycogen levels in heart have been shown to have cardioprotective effects against ischemic injury. We have therefore established a model for elevating glycogen content in primary rat cardiac cells grown in culture and examined potential mechanisms for the elevation (glycogen supercompensation). Glycogen was depleted by exposing the cells to hypoxia for 2 h in the absence of glucose in the medium. This was followed by incubating the cells with 28 mM glucose in normoxia for up to 120 h. Hypoxia decreased glycogen content to about 15% of control, oxygenated cells. This was followed by a continuous increase in glycogen in the hypoxia treated cells during the 120 h recovery period in normoxia. By 48 h after termination of hypoxia, the glycogen content had returned to baseline levels and by 120 h glycogen was about 150% of control. The increase in glycogen at 120 h was associated with comparable relative increases in glucose uptake (~ 180% of control) and the protein level of the glut-1 transporter (~ 170% of control), whereas the protein level of the glut-4 transporter was decreased to < 10% of control. By 120 h, the hypoxia-treated cells also exhibited marked increases in the total (~ 170% of control) and fractional activity of glycogen synthase (control, ~ 15%; hypoxia-treated, ~ 30%). Concomitantly, the hypoxia-treated cells also exhibited marked decreases in the total (~ 50% of control) and fractional activity of glycogen phosphorylase (control, ~ 50%; hypoxia-treated, - 25%). Thus, we have established a model of glycogen supercompensation in cultures of cardiac cells that is explained by concerted increases in glucose uptake and glycogen synthase activity and decreases in phosphorylase activity. This model should prove useful in studying the cardioprotective effects of glycogen.