Identification of two Drosophila TGF-β family members in the grasshopper Schistocerca americana

Intercellular signaling molecules of the transforming growth factor- (TGF-) superfamily are required for pattern formation in many multicellular organisms. The decapentaplegic (dpp) gene of Drosophila melanogaster has several developmental roles. To improve our understanding of the evolutionary diversification of this large family we identified dpp in the grasshopper Schistocerca americana. S. americana diverged from D. melanogaster approximately 350 million years ago, utilizes a distinct developmental program, and has a 60-fold-larger genome than D. melanogaster. Our analyses indicate a single dpp locus in D. melanogaster and S. americana, suggesting that dpp copy number does not correlate with increasing genome size. Another TGF- superfamily member, the D. melanogaster gene 60A, is also present in only one copy in each species. Comparison of homologous sequences from D. melanogaster, S. americana, and H. sapiens, representing roughly 900 million years of evolutionary distance, reveals significant constraint on sequence divergence for both dpp and 60A. In the signaling portion of the dpp protein, the amino acid identity between these species exceeds 74%. Our results for the TGF- superfamily are consistent with current hypotheses describing gene duplication and diversification as a frequent response to high levels of selective pressure on individual family members.     

Control of trophoblast cell differentiation: Lessons from the genetics of early pregnancy loss and trophoblast neoplasia

Trophoblast cell differentiation is crucial to the morphogenesis of the placenta and thus the establishment of pregnancy and the growth and development of the embryo/fetus. In the present review, we discuss current evidence for the existence of regulatory genes crucial to trophoblast cell differentiation and placental morphogenesis. The elucidation of regulatory pathways controlling normal differentiation of trophoblast cells will facilitate the identification of sensitive junctures in the regulatory pathways leading to various developmental disorders, including those associated with the initiation of pregnancy, fetal growth retardation and gestational trophoblast disease.     

Caloric Restriction: Conservation of in Vivo Cellular Replicative Capacity Accompanies Life-Span Extension in Mice

In male mice of a long-lived hybrid strain (B6D2F1), long-term 40% caloric restriction (CR) extended both mean and maximum life spans by 36 and 20%, respectively, over that of ad libitum fed (AL) controls. Measurements of entry into S-phase were made in vivo of six different cell types in five different organs using 2-week exposures to BrdU. The labeling index (L.I.) in all organs studied was lower in young CR mice than in young AL fed mice. In most cases, the L.I. in AL mice fell to the levels of that in the CR mice by 13 months of age, and the two groups then remained so through old age. However, when the L.I. was measured in old CR mice which had been placed on the AL diet for a period of 4 weeks (this was termed refeeding (RF)), it was found to be above that of similar age AL or CR mice and almost at the level of young AL mice. This was still true, but to a lesser degree, in a repeat study using an 8-week period of RF. In a separate but parallel in vitro study (companion paper, this volume), the superiority of CR over AL for retention of cellular replication capacity was confirmed by clone size distribution measurements made in several cell types in mice of several age groups. These results indicate that: (1) the rate of cell replication in AL diet mice diminishes greatly by early middle age in all organ sites studied and then plateaus or declines much more slowly; (2) CR broadly preserves in vivo cellular replicative capacity but often requires the energy levels provided by a switch to AL feeding to demonstrate this late in life; (3) accordingly, the replicative deficit in AL fed mice appears to be cumulative and is significant only in old age. The mechanism(s) involved is yet to be discovered but may be related to, or even the same as, that which extends life spans in CR animals. Correspondingly, and with corroborative data from our in vitro companion study, (W. R. Pendergrass et al., 1995. Exp. Cell. Res. 217, 309-316), we suggest that cell populations sustain an accrual of biochemical damage or physiological alterations which increasingly limit their replicative capacity as the animal ages, and that CR reduces the accrual of this damage.     

Effects of pH conditions on Ca2+ transport catalyzed by ionophores A23187, 4-BrA23187, and ionomycin suggest problems with common applications of these compounds in biological systems.

Phospholipid vesicles loaded with Quin-2 and 2'',7''-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) have been used to investigate the effects of pH conditions on Ca2+ transport catalyzed by ionophores A23187, 4-BrA23187, and ionomycin. At an external pH of 7.0, a delta pH (inside basic) of 0.4-0.6 U decreases the rate of Ca2+ transport into the vesicles by severalfold under some conditions. The apparent extent of transport is also decreased. In contrast, raising the pH by 0.4-0.6 U in the absence of a delta pH increases both of these parameters, although by smaller factors. The relatively large effects of a delta pH on the transport properties of Ca2+ ionophores seem to reflect a partial equilibration of the transmembrane ionophore distribution with the H+ concentration gradient across the vesicle membrane. This unequal distribution of ionophore can cause a very slow or incomplete ionophore-dependent equilibration of delta pCa with delta pH. A second factor of less certain origin retards full equilibration of delta pCa when delta pH = 0. These findings call into question several ionophore-based methods that are used to investigate the regulatory activities of Ca2+ and other divalent cations in biological systems. Notable among these are the null-point titration method for determining the concentration of free cations within cells and the use of ionophores plus external cation buffers to calibrate intracellular cation indicators. The present findings also indicate that the transport mode of Ca2+ ionophores is more strictly electroneutral than was thought, based upon previous studies.     

Effects of wall shear stress and fluid recirculation on the localization of circulating monocytes in a three-dimensional flow model

There is a correlation between the location of early atherosclerotic lesions and the hemodynamic characteristics at those sites. Circulating monocytes are key cells in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic plaques and localize at sites of atherogenesis. The hypothesis that the distribution of monocyte adhesion to the vascular wall is determined in part by hemodynamic factors was addressed by studying monocyte adhesion in an in vitro flow model in the absence of any biological activity in the model wall.

Suspensions of U937 cells were perfused (Re = 200) through an axisymmetric silicone flow model with a stenosis followed by a reverse step. The model provided spatially varying wall shear stress, flow separation and reattachment, and a three-dimensional flow pattern. The cell rolling velocity and adhesion rates were determined by analysis of videomicrographs. Wall shear stress was obtained by numerical solution of the equations of fluid motion. Cell adhesion patterns were also studied in the presence of chemotactic peptide gradients.

The cell rolling velocity varied linearly with wall shear stress. The adhesion rate tended to decrease with increasing local wall shear stress, but was also affected by the radial component of velocity and the dynamics of the recirculation region and flow reattachment. Adhesion was increased in the vicinity of chemotactic peptide sources downstream of the expansion site. Results with human monocytes were qualitatively similar to the U937 experiments.

Differences in the adhesion rates of U937 cells occurring solely as a function of the fluid dynamic properties of the flow field were clearly demonstrated in the absence of any biological activity in the model wall.     

l-DOPA Cytotoxicity to PC12 Cells in Culture Is via Its Autoxidation

Abstract: The mechanism of cytotoxicity of l -DOPA was studied in the rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cell line. The cytotoxicity of l -DOPA to PC12 cells was time and concentration dependent. Carbidopa, which inhibited the conversion of l -DOPA to dopamine, did not protect against l -DOPA cytotoxicity in PC12 cells. Furthermore, clorgyline, a selective inhibitor of monoamine oxidase type A, and pargyline, an inhibitor of both monoamine oxidase types A and B, both did not have an effect on l -DOPA toxicity. These findings suggest that cytotoxicity was not due to dopamine formed from l -DOPA. Catalase or superoxide dismutase each partially protected against l -DOPA toxicity in PC12 cells. In combination, the effects were synergistic and provided almost total protection against cytotoxicity. 6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, an antagonist of non-NMDA receptors, did not protect against l -DOPA toxicity. These data suggest that toxicity of l -DOPA is most likely due to the action of free radicals formed as a result of its autoxidation. Furthermore, these findings suggest that patients on long-term l -DOPA therapy are potentially at risk from the toxic intermediates formed as a result of its autoxidation.     

Immortalized hypothalamic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) neurons: A new tool for dissecting the molecular and cellular basis of LHRH physiology

Summary 1. Two LHRH neuronal cell lines were developed by targeted tumorigenesis of LHRH neuronsin vivo. These cell lines (GN and GT-1 cells) represent a homogeneous population of neurons. GT-1 cells have been further subcloned to produce the GT1-1, GT1-3, and GT1-7 cell lines. While considerable information is accumulating about GT-1 cells, very little is currently known about the characteristics and responses of GN cells.2. By both morphological and biochemical criteria, GT-1 cells are clearly neurons. All GT-1 cells immunostain for LHRH and the levels of prohormone, peptide intermediates, and LHRH in the cells and medium are relatively high.3. GT-1 cells biosynthesize, process, and secrete LHRH. Processing of pro-LHRH appears to be very similar to that reported for LHRH neuronsin vivo. At least four enzymes may be involved in processing the prohormone to LHRH.4. LHRH neurons are unique among the neurons of the central nervous system because they arise from the olfactory placode and grow back into the preoptic-anterior hypothalamic region of the brain. Once these neurons reach this location, they send their axons to the median eminence. With respect to the immortalized neurons, GN cells were arrested during their transit to the brain. In contrast, GT-1 cells were able to migrate to the preoptic-anterior hypothalamic region but were unable correctly to target their axons to the median eminence. These problems in migration and targeting appear to be due to expression of the simian virus T-antigen.5. While GT-1 cells are a homogeneous population of neurons, they are amenable to coculture with other types of cells. Coculture experiments currently under way should help not only to reveal some of the molecular and cellular cues that are important for neuronal migration and axonal targeting, but they should also highlight the nature of the cellular interactions which normally occurin situ.6. GT-1 cells spontaneously secrete LHRH in a pusatile manner. The interpulse interval for LHRH from these cells is almost identical to that reported for release of LH and LHRHin vivo. GT-1 cells are interconnected by both gap junctions and synapses. The coordination and synchronization of secretion from these cells could occur through these interconnections, by feedback from LHRH itself, and/or by several different compounds that are secreted by these cells. One such compound is nitric oxide.7. GT-1 cells have Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Cl^– channels. Polymerase chain reaction experiments coupled with Southern blotting and electrophysiological recordings reveal that GT-1 cells contain at least five types of Ca²⁺ channels. R-type Ca²⁺ channels appear to be the most common type of channel and this channel is activated by phorbol esters in the GT-1 cells.8. LHRH is secreted from GT-1 cells in response to norepinephrine, dopamine, histamine, GABA (GABA-A agonists), glutamate, nitric oxide, neuropeptide Y, endothelin, prostaglandin E₂, and activin A. Phorbol esters are very potent stimulators of LHRH secretion. Inhibition of LHRH release occurs in response to LHRH, GABA (GABA-B agonists), prolactin, and glucocorticoids.9. Compared to secretion studies, far fewer agents have been tested for their effects on gene expression. All of the agents which have been tested so far have been found either to repress LHRH gene expression or to have no effect. The agents which have been reported to repress LHRH steady-state mRNA levels include LHRH, prolactin, glucocorticoids, nitric oxide, and phorbol esters. While forskolin stimulates LHRH secretion, it does not appear to have any effect on LHRH mRNA levels.     

A role for cAMP in angiotensin II mediated inhibition of cell growth in AT1A receptor-transfected CHO-K1 cells

G-protein coupled Angiotensin II receptors (AT_1A), mediate cellular responses through multiple signal transduction pathways. In AT_1A receptor-transfected CHO-K1 cells (T3CHO/AT_1A), angiotensin II (AII) stimulated a dose-dependent (EC₅₀=3.3 nM) increase in cAMP accumulation, which was inhibited by the selective AT₁, nonpeptide receptor antagonist EXP3174. Activation of protein kinase C, or increasing intracellular Ca²⁺ with ATP, the calcium ionophore A23187 or ionomycin failed to stimulate cAMP accumulation. Thus, AII-induced cAMP accumulation was not secondary to activation of a protein kinase C- or Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent pathway. Since cAMP has an established role in cellular growth responses, we investigated the effect of the AII-mediated increase in cAMP on cell number and [³H]thymidine incorporation in T3CHOA/AT_1A cells. AII (1 M) significantly inhibited cell number (51% at 96 h) and [³H]thymidine incorporation (68% at 24 h) compared to vehicle controls. These effects were blocked by EXP3174, confirming that these responses were mediated through the AT₁ receptor. Forskolin (10 M) and the cAMP analog dibutyryl-cAMP (1 mM) also inhibited [³H]thymidine incorporation by 55 and 25% respectively. We extended our investigation on the effect of AII-stimulated increases in cAMP, to determine the role for established growth related signaling events, i.e., mitogen-activated protein kinase activity and tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins. AII-stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase activity and phosphorylation of the 42 and 44 kD forms. These events were unaffected by forskolin stimulated increases in cAMP, thus the AII-stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase activity was independent of cAMP in these cells. AII also stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of a number of cellular proteins in T3CHO/AT_1A cells, in particular a 127 kD protein. The phosphorylation of the 127 kD protein was transient, reaching a maximum at 1 min, and returning to basal levels within 10 min. The dephosphorylation of this protein was blocked by a selective inhibitor of cAMP dependent protein kinase A, H89-dihydrochloride and preexposure to forskolin prevented the AII-induced transient tyrosine phosphorylation of the 127 kD protein. These data suggest that cAMP, and therefore protein kinase A can contribute to AII-mediated growth inhibition by stimulating the dephosphorylation of substrates that are tyrosine phosphorylated in response to AII.     

The relationship between insulin and vanadium metabolism in insulin target tissues

Vanadium (V) is an orally effective treatment for diabetes, but relatively little is known about the mechanisms controlling its normal metabolism nor the long term pharmacokinetics of oral administration. We have examined the accumulation of V in various organs from rats fed liquid diet for up to 18 days, containing no additional V, 1.6, 80, or 160 mole/kg/day as either sodium orthovanadate (SOV) or vanadyl sulfate (VS). V content was assayed using a sensitive neutron activation analysis method. The organs of the nonsupplemented animals contained widely varying concentrations (ng of V/g dry tissue weight) with brain < fat < blood < heart < muscle < lung < liver < testes < spleen < kidney. All organs accumulated V in a dose dependent manner. Not all organs showed steady state amount of V at 18 days, so additional rats were fed SOV or VS, switched to control diet, and assayed at 0, 4 and 8 days. From this data we calculated organ half lives of V. Insulin sensitive tissue tissues, such as liver and fat, had shorter half-lives than tissues that are relatively less insulin sensitive, such as spleen, brain and testes. SOV and VS fed rats showed similar patterns, but VS had somewhat shorter t1/2's. Additional studies of old and young rats fed control diet for 45 days show accumulation of V in spleen and testes. These results indicate that vanadium metabolism varies widely among different organs, and that insulin, either directly or indirectly has effects on the retention of vanadium. This may have impact on the therapeutic use of vanadium in Type I diabetics with no insulin, or Type II patients who may be relatively hyperinsulinemic.