Hormone-induced phosphorylation of the plasma membrane calcium pump in cultured aortic endothelial cells.

The regulation of the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump by hormones via phosphorylation in intact cells has not been clearly established. We now present evidence that the Ca2+ pump is phosphorylated on both serine and threonine residues in unstimulated and stimulated cultured rat aortic endothelial cells. Among the stimuli tested, the protein kinase C activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) was most potent and increased the level of phosphorylation threefold, while the cAMP-dependent protein kinase activator 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cAMP (CPT-cAMP) stimulated the phosphorylation 1.6-fold. Two-dimensional tryptic phosphopeptide maps of the Ca2+ pump from unstimulated and CPT-cAMP-stimulated cells have identical patterns (five phosphopeptides) while PMA-stimulated cells have three additional phosphopeptides. Isoproterenol-, ATP-, angiotensin II-, and bradykinin-stimulated cells also have increased levels of Ca2+ pump phosphorylation. Stimuli-induced phosphorylation of the Ca2+ pump was rapid (5-10 min) and was concomitant with stimulated calcium efflux from the same cells. This is the first direct evidence that the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump in intact cells is regulated by various hormones or agonists via cAMP-dependent protein kinase or protein kinase C phosphorylation.     

Structure-activity relationship of a neurite outgrowth-promoting substance purified from the brown alga,Sargassum macrocarpum, and its analogues on PC12D cells

The structure-activity relationship of a neurite outgrowth-promotingsubstance (designated as MC14) from the brown alga, Sargassummacrocarpum, was analysed. Eight synthetic carotenoids and1,4-benzoquinone were used to determine the moiety of the MC14molecule structurally responsible for the nerve growth factor(NGF)-mediated neurite outgrowth-promoting activity on PC12D cells.The bioassays showed that none of these carotenoids exhibitedNGF-potentiating activity. In contrast, 1,4-benzoquinone enhancedsignificantly NGF-mediated neurite outgrowth from PC12D cells, therebeing a 260% increase over the activity of negative control (10 ngmL^-1 NGF). The effect of quinone structure on NGF-potentiatingactivity, when examined using 12 naturally occurring quinones,demonstrated that lawsone, alizarin and lapachol significantly enhancedNGF-mediated neurite outgrowth by 329%, 325% and 265%,respectively, of that in the negative control. These results show thatquinone is the structural moiety of MC14 molecule responsible for theneurite outgrowth-promoting activity. In addition, the hydroxyl groupbonded to quinone had a significant effect on neuritogenic activity. Thebearing of a hydroxyl group at the 1'-position of benzoquinone, and thebearing of two hydroxyl groups at the 1' and 2'-positions of anthraquinone,played a crucial role in enhancing the neurite outgrowth-promoting actionof NGF.     

A study of 3′:5′-cyclic mononucleotide-dependent protein kinase from canine prostate glands

1. An adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP)-dependent protein kinase, located predominantly in the cytosol, was studied in canine prostate. 2. The enzyme exhibited cyclic AMP-binding activity, and could be isolated by chromatography on diethylaminoethyl cellulose. 3. The enzyme was maximally stimulated (fourfold) by 1mum-cyclic AMP, and half-maximal activation of the enzyme was observed in presence of 50nm-cyclic AMP. 4. Equilibrium studies at pH5.0 indicated the presence of one major class of binding site for cyclic AMP, with an association constant of approx. 10(8)m(-1). 5. Stimulation of the enzyme was also observed with the 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate derivatives of cytidine, inosine, guanosine and uridine as well as with dibutyryl cyclic AMP, but higher concentrations of these cyclic nucleotides were required to provide the same degree of activation as that seen with cyclic AMP. 6. Comparing alpha-casein, protamine and different histone subfractions as substrates, highest cyclic AMP stimulation was demonstrated with histones. 7. Although maximum velocity of the enzyme was enhanced approximately fivefold in presence of cyclic AMP, kinetic studies indicated that the apparent K(m) for histone (0.5mg/ml) remained the same whether determined in the presence or absence of the cyclic nucleotide. 8. In addition, cyclic AMP did not significantly change the apparent K(m) for ATP (1.2x10(-5)m). 9. The purified enzyme showed an absolute requirement for bivalent metal ion. Substitution of Mn(2+) for Mg(2+) decreased basal protein kinase activity as well as the stimulation noted with cyclic AMP. Similarly, the basal activity was lowered when Mg(2+) was replaced by Ca(2+) and cyclic AMP produced only little stimulation of the prostatic enzyme.     

Release of Vi antigens from Salmonella typhi: implications for virulence and diagnosis

The release of Vi antigens from three clinical isolates of Salmonella typhi was measured by a Vi-specific monoclonal antibody. Large quantities of Vi antigens were detected in the culture supernates from all three strains using either passive latex agglutination or rocket immunoelectrophoresis. Vi antigens were also detected in broth cultures of S. typhi containing about 10(5) cells/ml using the sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The significance of this finding in relationship to the virulence and the diagnosis of S. typhi was discussed.     

Comparative effects of leukotrienes on porcine pulmonary circulation in vitro and in vivo

The present study examined the effect of leukotrienes on porcine pulmonary vasculature both in vivo and in vitro. In vitro studies using isolated vascular strips demonstrated that pulmonary arterial smooth muscle contracted to leukotriene C4 (LTC4), whereas pulmonary vein smooth muscle did not. Pulmonary arterial contraction was due to both the direct action of LTC4 and secondarily generated thromboxane A2 (TxA2). In vivo, LTC4 injection caused a pronounced but transient increase in pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (Ppw), with a smaller effect on left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. Effects of LTD4 were smaller with comparable pressure changes at all three sites, suggesting a primary cardiac effect. Like LTC4, histamine caused a disproportionate increase in Ppw vs. left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. These observations suggest that LTC4 causes pulmonary venoconstriction in vivo despite its lack of effect on pulmonary vein smooth muscle in vitro. This discrepancy may be due to venoconstrictor effects of TxA2 generated from upstream pulmonary arterial vessels.     

Divergent effects of 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol and tumor-promoting phorbol ester on rat granulosa cell steroidogenesis in vitro

The present study was undertaken to compare the effects of diacylglycerol (synthetic 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol; DG) and TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate) on FSH- and dibutyryl cyclic AMP ((Bu)2cAMP)-stimulated granulosa cell pregnenolone (P5), progesterone (P), and 20 alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one (20 alpha-OH-P) secretion. Granulosa cells from immature rats pretreated with pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) were incubated for up to 24 h with DG (0-80 micrograms/ml) or TPA (0-80 ng/ml) in the presence or absence of FSH (150 ng/ml) or (Bu)2cAMP (1.5 mM). DG, when continually present in the culture medium (MEM), significantly stimulated basal P5 (in the presence of 25 microM cyanoketone to block further metabolism), P, and 20 alpha-OH-P secretion during 6 h and 24 h of incubation. Pretreatment with TPA for 1 h caused a substantial increase in the subsequent progestin (P + 20 alpha-OH-P) secretion. However, the phorbol ester had little or no effect on steroid secretion during 6 h of incubation, significantly inhibited the secretion of P5 and P, but stimulated 20 alpha-OH-P production in 24 h. DG and TPA exerted divergent effects on FSH- and (Bu)2cAMP-stimulated progestin secretion. Accumulation of P5 throughout the culture periods (1-24 h) was markedly increased by DG (20 micrograms/ml) but significantly inhibited in the presence of TPA (40 ng/ml).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Semihydrogenation of 1-chloroacetylenes and the synthesis of octadec-cis-10-en-5-ynoic acid

1-Chloroalkynes were successfully semihydrogenated to the corresponding cis-chloroalkenes in the presence of quinoline-poisoned palladised carbon. Chain extension of 1-chlorododec-cis-4-ene gave stereospecifically pure octadec-cis-10-en-5-ynoic acid.