Mechanisms of adenosine triphosphate-, thrombin-, and trypsin-induced relaxation of rat thoracic aorta

The mechanisms by which adenosine triphosphate, thrombin, and trypsin cause relaxation of vascular smooth muscle were investigated. Relaxation of the rat thoracic aorta with adenosine triphosphate, thrombin, and/or trypsin was associated with increased levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate in both time- and concentration-dependent manners. Thrombin and trypsin did not alter cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels, whereas adenosine triphosphate increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels after significant relaxation occurred. Removal of the endothelium abolished adenosine triphosphate-, thrombin-, and trypsin-induced relaxation and the associated increased levels of cyclic nucleotides. Relaxation due to these agents was also inhibited by exposure to nordihydroguaiaretic acid, a lipoxygenase inhibitor, and eicosatetraynoic acid, a lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase inhibitor. Indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, potentiated relaxation to these agents, whereas the increased levels of cyclic nucleotides due to adenosine triphosphate were unaltered. Bromophenacyl bromide, a phospholipase A2 inhibitor, decreased relaxation due to adenosine triphosphate, thrombin, and trypsin and the associated increased levels of cyclic nucleotides. Removal of extracellular calcium, which also presumably inhibits phospholipase A2, prevented the elevated levels of cyclic nucleotides and the inhibitory effects of adenosine triphosphate and trypsin on contraction. In contrast, sodium nitroprusside-induced relaxation and/or increased levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate were unaltered by nordihydroguaiaretic acid, eicosatetraynoic acid, bromophenacyl bromide, and removal of extracellular calcium. After incubation of intact tissue with 32P-orthophosphate, the patterns of protein phosphorylation caused by adenosine triphosphate, thrombin, and trypsin were indistinguishable from those of acetylcholine, sodium nitroprusside and 8-bromo cyclic guanosine monophosphate. All these agents dephosphorylated myosin light chain. Thus, the present study supports the hypothesis that relaxation induced by adenosine triphosphate, thrombin, and trypsin is mediated through the formation of an endothelial factor which elevates cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels and causes cyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of myosin light chain.     

Effects of ras-encoded proteins and platelet-derived growth factor on inositol phospholipid turnover in NRK cells.

The role of ras-encoded proteins and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in inositol phospholipid metabolism has been studied. PDGF stimulates inositol phospholipid turnover in confluent normal rat kidney (NRK) cells and enhances hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol monophosphate and phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate in NRK cell membranes in the presence of guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate. The stimulatory effect of PDGF on phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate hydrolysis is not inhibited by pretreatment of NRK cells with pertussis toxin, implying that PDGF-stimulated phospholipase C activity of NRK cells is regulated by a pertussis toxin-insensitive guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein) that is different from Gi (inhibitory G protein) or Go (G protein of unknown function). When bacterially made human normal or oncogenic T24 ras protein is added to 32P-labeled NRK cell membranes in the presence of guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate, normal ras protein increases by 3-fold the formation of inositol trisphosphate, whereas T24 ras protein has no significant effect. In addition, normal ras protein and PDGF have additive effects on inositol trisphosphate production. Taken together, these data suggest that normal ras protein stimulates inositol phospholipid turnover in NRK cells by means of a pathway different from the PDGF-regulated one and that oncogenic ras protein is without significant stimulatory effect in this action.     

Evidence for separate calcium-signaling P2T and P2U purinoceptors in human megakaryocytic Dami cells

Recently (J Pharmacol Exp Ther 261:580, 1992), we have shown that K562 leukemia cells express a calcium-signaling purinoceptor with characteristics of the P2T receptor subtype for adenosine diphosphate (ADP) previously found only in platelets. Because these results suggested that the P2T receptor may be an early marker for megakaryocytic differentiation, we studied whether this calcium- signaling receptor is also expressed in Dami cells, a human megakaryocytic leukemia cell line. Here we report evidence that Dami cells express a P2T receptor for ADP. The calcium response EC50 values for ADP, 2-methylthioadenosine diphosphate (2-MeS-ADP), and adenosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (ADP beta S) in Dami cells are 0.4 mumol/L, 0.04 mumol/L, and 2 mumol/L, respectively, which approximate the potencies of these agonists in K562 cells and in platelets. The platelet P2T receptor antagonists 2-methylthioadenosine triphosphate (2- MeS-ATP), and 2-chloroadenosine triphosphate (2-Cl-ATP) were surprisingly potent agonists at the P2T receptor in both Dami and K562 cells. Dami cells, unlike K562 cells and platelets, also respond to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and uridine triphosphate (UTP) with an increase in intracellular calcium. Adenosine monophosphate (AMP) is an effective antagonist of the response to ADP, 2-MeS-ADP, ADP beta S, 2- MeS-ATP, and 2-Cl-ATP, but not to ATP and UTP. The responses to maximal concentrations of UTP in combination with either ADP, 2-MeS-ADP, ADP beta S, or 2-MeS-ATP are additive. In contrast, ADP in combination with either 2-MeS-ADP, ADP beta S, 2-MeS-ATP, or 2-Cl-ATP are not additive. UTP desensitized Dami cells to ATP but not to ADP, 2-MeS-ADP, ADP beta S, or 2-MeS-ATP. Addition of ATP after UTP desensitization antagonized subsequent responsiveness to ADP. The data suggest that the receptor for ADP may be a unique P2T subtype, and the receptor for ATP and UTP is distinct from that of ADP and is most characteristic of the P2U (nucleotide) receptor subtype. Activation of either the P2T or P2U receptor causes a rapid generation of inositol trisphosphate in Dami cells.     

Adenine and guanine nucleotide metabolism during platelet storage at 22 degrees C

Adenine and guanine nucleotide metabolism of platelet concentrates (PCs) was studied during storage for transfusion at 22 +/- 2 degrees C over a 7-day period using high-pressure liquid chromatography. There was a steady decrease in platelet adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP), which was balanced quantitatively by an increase in plasma hypoxanthine. As expected, ammonia accumulated along with hypoxanthine but at a far greater rate. A fall in platelet guanosine triphosphate (GTP) and guanosine diphosphate (GDP) paralleled the fall in ATP + ADP. When adenine was present in the primary anticoagulant, it was carried over into the PC and metabolized. ATP, GTP, total adenine nucleotides, and total guanine nucleotides declined more slowly in the presence of adenine than in its absence. With adenine, the increase in hypoxanthine concentration was more rapid and quantitatively balanced the decrease in adenine and platelet ATP + ADP. Plasma xanthine rose during storage but at a rate that exceeded the decline in GTP + GDP. When platelet ATP + ADP was labeled with 14C-adenine at the initiation of storage, half of the radioactivity was transferred to hypoxanthine (45%) and GTP + GDP + xanthine (5%) by the time storage was completed. The isotopic data were consistent with the presence of a radioactive (metabolic) and a nonradioactive (storage) pool of ATP + ADP at the initiation of storage with each pool contributing approximately equally to the decline in ATP + ADP during storage. The results suggested a continuing synthesis of GTP + GDP from ATP + ADP, explaining the slower rate of fall of GTP + GDP relative to the rate of rise of plasma xanthine. Throughout storage, platelets were able to incorporate 14C-hypoxanthine into both adenine and guanine nucleotides but at a rate that was only one fourth the rate of hypoxanthine accumulation. All of these data should be helpful in improving the function and viability of PC as currently stored for 5 days, in devising methods for storage beyond 5 days, and in the development of synthetic media for PC storage.     

A cellular-biochemical evaluation of gastric body mucosa and muscular layer in patients with different basal acid outputs.

The membrane (Na+-K+ -dependent) ATP-ase (EC 3.6.1.3.), adenine-adenosine, adenosine monophosphate (AMP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), phospholipid phosphates (lipid-P), ribonucleic acid (RNA), and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) were extracted and measured in the patients' gastric body mucosa and muscular layer with different basal acid outputs. It was observed that the Na+-K+ -dependent ATP-ase activity, tissue adenine adenosine, AMP, ADP, ATP, lipid-P, and RNA - in correspondence to 1.0 mg DNA - significantly increased in the gastric corpus mucosa, with an increase of basal acid output. No significant changes of these parameters were found to be present in the gastric body muscular layer of patients with different basal acid output. It has been concluded: 1) the energy requirement for H+ secretion, from the point of view of basal acid output, is given by the transformation of ATP into ADP; 2) the biochemical building up of the human gastric mucosa is different in patients with decreased, normal and increased BAO values; 3) no significant difference is found between the biochemical structures of gastric muscular layer in patients with different basal acid output values.     

Activation of mast cell K+ channels through multiple G protein-linked receptors.

The rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) mast cell line possesses cell surface receptors for adenosine whose ligation markedly potentiates antigen-driven Ca2+ influx and secretion. Here we show that engagement of these receptors and of separate P2 purinergic receptors rapidly activates an outwardly rectifying K+ conductance [GK(OR)] in RBL cells. Activation of GK(OR) by the ligands 5'-(N-ethylcarboxamido)adenosine (NECA), ADP, and ATP was prevented by cytoplasmic guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate as well as by pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin, implicating mediation by a G protein. Multiple cycles of induction and decay of GK(OR) were produced upon application and removal of ligand. Induction of GK(OR) by either ligand was much faster than the induction caused by guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (t1/2 < 10 sec vs. 210 sec.). In control cells the maximal whole-cell conductance elicited by ADP (2.25 +/- 0.30 nS) or ATP (2.50 +/- 0.33 nS) was about twice as large as that induced by NECA (1.03 +/- 0.11 nS), and similar to that previously reported for the guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate-elicited GK(OR) in RBL cells (2.58 +/- 1.59 nS). Treatment of RBL cells with dexamethasone upregulated Ca2+ responses to NECA, and it also nearly doubled the maximal conductance elicited by NECA without appreciable effect on responses to ADP or ATP. The failure of water-soluble second messengers to activate GK(OR) and the inability of 11 mM EGTA (< 10 nM Ca2+) to prevent activation by ADP suggest that the relevant pathway is membrane-delimited. Two ion-channel blockers inhibited antigen-stimulated secretion with IC50 values similar to those at which they blocked GK(OR), suggesting that activity of the outwardly rectifying K+ channel may be important for stimulus-response coupling in these cells. Potentiation of the secretory response by NECA may reflect, in part, the activation of GK(OR), which serves to repolarize the membrane more effectively than does the constitutive mechanism, thereby enhancing antigen-driven Ca2+ influx. This channel and its functionally associated receptors may allow neighboring cells of the host to modulate the response of mast cells to exogenous antigen.     

Angiotensin peptides stimulate phosphoinositide breakdown and prolactin release in anterior pituitary cells in culture

We investigated the effects of angiotensin peptides on the breakdown of specific membrane phospholipids, the inositol lipids, in anterior pituitary cells in culture, measuring the water-soluble products (inositol phosphates) produced during the cleavage of phosphoinositides by phospholipase C. Both angiotensin II and angiotensin I in the presence of 10 mM LiCl potently increased, in a concentration-dependent manner, total [3H]inositol phosphate and PRL release in cultured rat anterior pituitary cells. The release of LH, TSH, or GH was not significantly enhanced by the peptides. The effect on inositol phosphate accumulation was significant at 0.01 nM, and maximal stimulation (approximately 5-fold increase) occurred at 10 nM, with an ED50 of about 0.3 nM. The stimulatory effects of both angiotensin II and angiotensin I were antagonized by the receptor antagonists saralasin and Sar1,Ile8-angiotensin II. Moreover, 1 microM captopril, an inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme, antagonized the effects of 0.1 and 1 nM angiotensin I, suggesting that the effect of angiotensin I on phosphoinositide breakdown and PRL release is dependent on prior conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. The effect of angiotensin II was very rapid. Fractionation of the water-soluble inositol phosphates showed that angiotensin II significantly increased inositol bisphosphate and inositol triphosphate at 10 sec, whereas inositol monophosphate was increased only after 40 sec. These data indicate that in the pituitary, and presumably in the lactotroph, the binding of angiotensin II to specific membrane receptors provokes increased polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis, leading to increased production of intracellular messengers, i.e. inositol triphosphate and 1,2-diacylglycerol, responsible for the stimulation of PRL release.     

Differential catalytic properties and vascular topography of murine nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 1 (NTPDase1) and NTPDase2 have implications for thromboregulation

Nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolases (NTPDases) are a recently described family of ectonucleotidases that differentially hydrolyze the gamma and beta phosphate residues of extracellular nucleotides. Expression of this enzymatic activity has the potential to influence nucleotide P2 receptor signaling within the vasculature. We and others have documented that NTPDase1 (CD39, 78 kd) hydrolyzes both triphosphonucleosides and diphosphonucleosides and thereby terminates platelet aggregation responses to adenosine diphosphate (ADP). In contrast, we now show that NTPDase2 (CD39L1, 75 kd), a preferential nucleoside triphosphatase, activates platelet aggregation by converting adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to ADP, the specific agonist of P2Y(1) and P2Y(12) receptors. We developed specific antibodies to murine NTPDase1 and NTPDase2 and observed that both enzymes are present in the cardiac vasculature; NTPDase1 is expressed by endothelium, endocardium, and to a lesser extent by vascular smooth muscle, while NTPDase2 is associated with the adventitia of muscularized vessels, microvascular pericytes, and other cell populations in the subendocardial space. Moreover, NTPDase2 represents a novel marker for microvascular pericytes. Differential expression of NTPDases in the vasculature suggests spatial regulation of nucleotide-mediated signaling. In this context, NTPDase1 should abrogate platelet aggregation and recruitment in intact vessels by the conversion of ADP to adenosine monophosphate, while NTPDase2 expression would promote platelet microthrombus formation at sites of extravasation following vessel injury. Our data suggest that specific NTPDases, in tandem with ecto-5'-nucleotidase, not only terminate P2 receptor activation and trigger adenosine receptors but may also allow preferential activation of specific subsets of P2 receptors sensitive to ADP (e.g., P2Y(1), P2Y(3), P2Y(12)) and uridine diphosphate (P2Y(6)).     

Hydrolysis of diadenosine 5',5'-P',P'-triphosphate (Ap3A) by porcine aortic endothelial cells

Diadenosine triphosphate is present in platelet-dense granules and released quantitatively on platelet aggregation. We have found that intact porcine aortic endothelial cells can efficiently hydrolyze extracellular diadenosine triphosphate. The products of diadenosine triphosphate hydrolysis are adenosine monophosphate and adenosine diphosphate. Adenosine diphosphate is a potent stimulus of platelet aggregation. Since platelet-dense granules contain high concentrations of adenosine triphosphate and adenosine diphosphate, we examined endothelial cell hydrolysis of a mixture of diadenosine triphosphate and adenosine triphosphate. We find that the presence of adenosine triphosphate severely inhibits the hydrolysis of diadenosine triphosphate. Thus, although endothelial cells can rapidly clear extracellular diadenosine triphosphate, during platelet aggregation the hydrolysis of diadenosine triphosphate may be slow due to the presence of high concentrations of other adenine nucleotides. This phenomenon may be important physiologically if, as current evidence implies, diadenosine triphosphate is involved in the maintenance of hemostasis.     

Role of a pertussis toxin-sensitive protein in the modulation of canine Purkinje fiber automaticity

We previously have shown that alpha-adrenergic stimulation of canine Purkinje fibers and rat ventricle decreases automaticity. Experiments on rat ventricular myocytes in tissue culture have suggested that the decrease in automaticity induced by alpha-adrenergic stimulation depends on the development of sympathetic innervation and the presence of a pertussis toxin-sensitive, 41-kDa guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-regulatory protein. In the present study, microelectrode and biochemical techniques were used to test the role of the pertussis toxin-sensitive protein and sympathetic innervation in modulating automaticity of adult canine Purkinje fibers. Fibers were incubated in Tyrode's solution alone or in Tyrode's solution plus pertussis toxin (0.1-0.5 microgram/ml) for 24 hours and were then superfused with phenylephrine. Phenylephrine in the 5 x 10(-9)-5 x 10(-8) M range induced a decrease in automaticity in 63% of the 16 fibers not treated with pertussis toxin and an increase in automaticity in 37%. The former group had a higher level of pertussis toxin-sensitive substrate by the [32P]nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribosylation assay than the latter. In contrast, all fibers treated with pertussis toxin (0.5 microgram/ml) showed increased automaticity in response to phenylephrine and had no detectable pertussis toxin-sensitive substrate. Over the range of pertussis toxin concentrations studied, there was a smooth concentration-response relation between the substrate levels measured and the automatic response to phenylephrine. As ADP-ribosylatable substrate levels decreased, the percent of fibers showing an increase in automaticity increased.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Phospholipase A2 and phospholipase C are activated by distinct GTP-binding proteins in response to alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation in FRTL5 thyroid cells.

In FRTL5 rat thyroid cells, norepinephrine, by interacting with alpha 1-adrenergic receptors, stimulates inositol phosphate formation, through activation of phospholipase C, and arachidonic acid release. Recent studies have shown that GTP-binding proteins couple several types of receptors to phospholipase C activation. The present study was undertaken to determine whether GTP-binding proteins couple alpha 1-adrenergic receptors to stimulation of phospholipase C activity and arachidonic acid release. When introduced into permeabilized FRTL5 cells, guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[gamma-S]), which activates many GTP-binding proteins, stimulated inositol phosphate formation and arachidonic acid release. Neomycin inhibited GTP[gamma-S]-stimulated inositol phosphate formation but was without effect on GTP[gamma-S]-stimulated arachidonic acid release, suggesting that separate GTP-binding proteins mediate each process. In addition, pertussis toxin inhibited norepinephrine-stimulated arachidonic acid release but not norepinephrine-stimulated inositol phosphate formation. Norepinephrine-stimulated arachidonic acid release but not inositol phosphate formation was also inhibited by decreased extracellular calcium and by TMB-8, suggesting a role for a phospholipase A2. To confirm that arachidonic acid was released by a phospholipase A2, FRTL5 membranes were incubated with 1-acyl-2-[3H]arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. GTP[gamma-S] slightly stimulated arachidonic acid release, whereas norepinephrine acted synergistically with GTP[gamma-S] to stimulate arachidonic acid release. The results show that phospholipase C and phospholipase A2 are activated by alpha 1-adrenergic agonists. Both phospholipases are coupled to the receptor by GTP-binding proteins. That coupled to phospholipase A2 is pertussis toxin-sensitive, whereas that coupled to phospholipase C is pertussis toxin-insensitive.     

Substance P stimulation of polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis in rat anterior pituitary membranes involves a GTP-dependent mechanism.

Substance P (SP) stimulates polyphosphoinositide breakdown in the rat anterior pituitary through an NK-1 receptor. In the present study we present evidence that the coupling between the SP-NK1 receptor complex and polyphosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) in rat anterior pituitary membranes may involve a mechanism consistent with a GTP-binding protein. The formation of inositol phosphates from [3H]myo-inositol-labelled anterior pituitary membranes induced by SP was potentiated by GTP and non-hydrolysable guanine nucleotides. The stimulatory effects of SP alone and SP plus GTP could be blocked by addition of GDP-beta-S (guanosine 5-O-(thiodiphosphate] in excess. Basal and SP plus guanine nucleotide-induced inositol phosphate formation were stimulated by fluoride, whereas the effect of SP alone was inhibited. Pretreatment of anterior pituitary membranes with sodium deoxycholate attenuated the inositol phosphate response elicited by GTP and GTP-gamma-S, whereas basal and SP-stimulated inositol phosphate production showed a peak at 1 mg sodium deoxycholate/ml. SP, fluoride and guanine nucleotide stimulatory effects on hydrolysis of polyphosphoinositide (PPI) were unaffected by pretreatment of anterior pituitary cells with cholera or pertussis toxin for 12h. Treatment of anterior pituitary membranes with cholera and pertussis toxin yielded [32P]ADP-ribosylation of two proteins with molecular masses of 45 and 41 kDa respectively. We conclude that SP coupling to PI-PLC through the NK1 receptor in the rat anterior pituitary involves a GTP-binding mechanism distinct from the G-proteins associated with adenylate cyclase, Gs and Gi.     

Stimulation of adenosine A1 receptors and bradykinin receptors, which act via different G proteins, synergistically raises inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and intracellular free calcium in DDT1 MF-2 smooth muscle cells.

We have examined the cross talk between adenosine and bradykinin receptors in DDT1 MF-2 smooth muscle cells. Both adenosine and bradykinin mobilized intracellular free calcium via the formation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Adenosine exerted its actions via adenosine A1 receptors as demonstrated by the observations that N6-cyclopentyladenosine, a selective A1 receptor agonist, had an EC50 in the low nanomolar range and that a selective adenosine A1 receptor antagonist, 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine, counteracted adenosine-mediated responses at concentrations typical for signaling via adenosine A1 receptors. Adenosine A1 receptors were coupled to phospholipase C via pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein(s) [G protein(s)], whereas bradykinin responses were unaffected by pertussis toxin. When adenosine or N6-cyclopentyladenosine was combined with bradykinin, the resulting formation of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate was more than additive, and the EC50 value for adenosine and N6-cyclopentyladenosine was shifted to the left by bradykinin, the affinity of which was unaltered. Combining N6-cyclopentyladenosine and bradykinin also synergistically raised intracellular free calcium both at subthreshold levels and at maximal concentrations of the two agonists. The interaction was not dependent upon cAMP. In conclusion, stimulation of adenosine A1 receptors coupled to pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein(s) and bradykinin receptors coupled to pertussis toxin-insensitive G protein(s) synergistically mobilizes intracellular free calcium and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate formation.     

Adenosine triphosphate activates the phospholipase-C cascade system in human amnion cells without increasing prostaglandin production

Human amnion is hypothesized to be a target tissue for hormone messages from the fetus regarding labor. We have previously demonstrated prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release in amnion after treatment with phorbol and oxytocin, but other potential agonists of the inositol phospholipid/protein kinase-C system have not been investigated. The effects of extracellular ATP on cytosolic calcium concentration [( Ca2+])i) inositol phosphate (IP) accumulation, and PGE2 production were studied in cultured human amnion cells. Intracellular free calcium [Ca2+]i was measured using the fluorescent dye fura-2. Addition of 0.01-30 microM ATP resulted in a [Ca2+]i transient which peaked within 15 sec and returned to baseline over 10 min. UTP (1 microM) was more effective than ATP (1 microM); [Ca2+]i levels rose from 233 to 2880 nM (UTP) and 2320 nM (ATP). A reduced effect was observed with other nucleotides in a rank order of agonist potency of ITP greater than CTP greater than ADP greater than GTP greater than TTP. No effect was seen with AMP, cAMP, or adenosine. This is consistent with P2 purinoceptors, as described in other tissues. ATP (100 microM) also dramatically increased IP accumulation. Inositol triphosphate, inositol bisphosphate, and inositol monophosphate were increased 7-, 9-, and 16-fold respectively. The agonist potency order of other nucleotides for IP accumulation was the same as that of [Ca2+]i. Pharmacological concentrations of ATP (1 mM) were required to increase PGE2 production. Many other nucleotides were equally effective at this concentration. ATP activates the phospholipase-C system in human amnion, as demonstrated by the increase in [Ca2+]i and inositol phosphates. The physiological significance of purinergic stimulation of this tissue remains unclear.     

Cyclic nucleotides regulate collagen production by human intestinal smooth muscle cells

The effect of cyclic nucleotides on collagen production by human intestinal smooth muscle cells was examined in vitro. Cholera toxin and isobutylmethylxanthine, agents that elevate cyclic adenosine monophosphate, caused selective inhibition of collagen production when cells were exposed to these agents for 24-72 h. Exposure for 6 h inhibited noncollagen protein synthesis without effects on collagen production. Forskolin similarly inhibited collagen production, decreasing relative collagen synthesis 40% at 10 microM and 60% at 100 microM. After 48 h of exposure to cholera toxin and isobutylmethylxanthine, levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate had increased in a concentration-dependent manner. The effect of cyclic nucleotide analogues was also examined. Dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate inhibited collagen production, whereas dibutyryl cyclic guanosine monophosphate increased collagen production by 65%. This effect was maximal at a concentration of 10 microM. These observations suggest that cyclic adenosine monophosphate has a significant effect on collagen production by human intestinal smooth muscle cells in vitro and may play a role in the modulation of collagen production by these cells in vivo.     

The nucleotide transporter MRP4 (ABCC4) is highly expressed in human platelets and present in dense granules, indicating a role in mediator storage

Platelet aggregation is initiated by the release of mediators as adenosine diphosphate (ADP) stored in platelet granules. Possible candidates for transport proteins mediating accumulation of these mediators in granules include multidrug resistance protein 4 (MRP4, ABCC4), a transport pump for cyclic nucleotides and nucleotide analogs. We investigated the expression of MRP4 in human platelets by immunoblotting, detecting a strong signal at 170 kDa. Immunofluorescence microscopy using 2 MRP4-specific antibodies revealed staining mainly in intracellular structures, which largely colocalized with the accumulation of mepacrine as marker for delta-granules and to a lower extent at the plasma membrane. Furthermore, an altered distribution of MRP4 was observed in platelets from a patient with Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome with defective delta-granules. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) transport codistributed with MRP4 detection in subcellular fractions, with highest activities in the dense granule and plasma membrane fractions. This transport was inhibited by dipyramidole, indomethacin, and MK571 with median inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) values of 12, 22, and 43 microM, and by ibuprofen. Transport studies with [(3)H]ADP indicated the presence of an orthovanadate-sensitive ADP transporting system, inhibited by dipyramidole, MK571, and cyclic nucleotides. The results indicate a function of MRP4 in platelet mediator storage and inhibition of MRP4 may represent a novel mechanism for inhibition of platelet function by some anti-inflammatory drugs.     

西洋参茎叶总皂苷对急性心肌梗死大鼠心肌能量代谢的影响

目的探讨西洋参茎叶总皂苷是否能改善缺血心肌细胞的能量代谢。方法选用急性心肌梗死模型大鼠,随机分为心悦胶囊大、中、小剂量组,倍他乐克组,模型组,同时设假手术及正常组(每组各8只)。药物治疗组于术后第2天开始灌胃给药,每日1次,术后第15天取心肌组织制成匀桨,采用高效液相色谱(HPLC)法测定心肌组织中ATP、ADP、AMP的含量,并计算总腺苷酸(TAN)含量及能荷(EC)值。结果心悦胶囊治疗组ATP的含量及EC水平均高于模型组,其中心悦胶囊大剂量组ATP的含量及心悦胶囊大、中、小剂量组的EC水平升高显著(P<0.05)。结论西洋参茎叶总皂苷能提高缺血心肌组织中ATP含量及EC的贮备水平。     

Energy-regulated molecules maintain young status in the trophocytes and fat cells of old queen honeybees

Queen honeybees (Apis mellifera) have much longer lifespans than worker bees. Energy-regulated molecules in the trophocytes and fat cells of workers during aging have been determined, but are unknown in queen bees. In the present study, energy-regulated molecules were evaluated in the trophocytes and fat cells of young and old queen bees. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase α2 (AMPK-α2), phosphorylated AMPK-α2 (pAMPK-α2), and cAMP-specific phosphodiesterases activity increased with aging. The pAMPK-α2/AMPK-α2 ratio and AMPK activity; adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) concentrations; the ADP/ATP ratio and the AMP/ATP ratio; the cyclic adenosine monophosphate concentration; forkhead box protein O expression; Silent information regulator T1 (SirT1) expression and activity; and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) expression were not significantly different between young and old queen bees. These results show that energy-regulated molecules maintain a youthful status in the trophocytes and fat cells of queen bees during aging. These cells seem to have longevity-promoting mechanisms and may clarify the secret of longevity in queen bees.     

Adenine nucleotide changes in the remnant liver: An early signal for regeneration after partial hepatectomy

Liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PHx) is orchestrated by multiple signals from cytokines and growth factors. We investigated whether increased energy demand on the remnant liver after PHx contributes to regenerative signals. Changes in the tissue's energy state were determined from adenine nucleotide levels. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels in remnant livers decreased markedly and rapidly (to 48% of control by 30 seconds post-PHx) and remained significantly lower than those in sham-operated controls for 24 to 48 hours. The ATP decrease was not reflected in corresponding increases in adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP), resulting in a marked decline in total adenine nucleotides (TAN). We found no evidence of mitochondrial damage or uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation. Multiple lines of evidence indicated that the decline in TAN was not caused by increased energy demand, but by ATP release from the liver. The extent of ATP loss was identical after 30% or 70% PHx, whereas fasting or hyperglycemia, conditions that greatly alter energy demand for gluconeogenesis, affected the ATP/ADP decline but not the loss of TAN. Presurgical treatment with the alpha-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine completely prevented loss of TAN, although changes in ATP/ADP were still apparent. Importantly, phentolamine treatment inhibited early signaling events associated with the priming stages of liver regeneration and suppressed the expression of c-fos. Pretreatment with the purinergic receptor antagonist suramin also partly suppressed early regenerative signals and c-fos expression, but without preventing TAN loss. CONCLUSION: The rapid loss of adenine nucleotides after PHx generates early stress signals that contribute to the onset of liver regeneration.