Rab4 facilitates cyclic adenosine monophosphate-stimulated bile acid uptake and Na+-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide translocation

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) stimulates hepatic bile acid uptake by translocating sodium-taurocholate (TC) cotransporting polypeptide (Ntcp) from an endosomal compartment to the plasma membrane. Rab4 is associated with early endosomes and involved in vesicular trafficking. This study was designed to determine the role of Rab4 in cAMP-induced TC uptake and Ntcp translocation. HuH-Ntcp cells transiently transfected with empty vector, guanosine triphosphate (GTP) locked dominant active Rab4 (Rab4(GTP)), or guanosine diphosphate (GDP) locked dominant inactive Rab4 (Rab4(GDP)) were used to study the role of Rab4. Neither Rab4(GTP) nor Rab4(GDP) affected either basal TC uptake or plasma membrane Ntcp level. However, cAMP-induced increases in TC uptake and Ntcp translocation were enhanced by Rab4(GTP) and inhibited by Rab4(GDP). In addition, cAMP increased GTP binding to endogenous Rab4 in a time-dependent, but phosphoinositide-3-kinase-independent manner. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results suggest that cAMP-mediated phosphoinositide-3-kinase-independent activation of Rab4 facilitates Ntcp translocation in HuH-Ntcp cells.     

Sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide mediates dual actions of deoxycholic acid in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells: enhanced apoptosis versus growth stimulation

Purpose

The hydrophobic bile acid, deoxycholic acid (DC), can induce apoptosis in hepatocytes. The roles of DC and its transporter are not yet established in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. We investigated DC-induced alterations in HCC cell growth, with a particular focus on the effect of the expression of bile acid (BA)-transporting Na⁺-dependent taurocholic cotransporting polypeptides (NTCPs).

Methods

We determined NTCP expression in four human HCC cell lines: Huh-BAT, Huh-7, SNU-761, and SNU-475. NTCP expression and apoptotic signaling cascades were examined by immunoblot analyses. Cell viability was assessed using the 3,4-(5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium salt assay. Wound healing and invasion assays were performed to evaluate cell migration and invasion abilities. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to measure IL-8 expression levels. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activity was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

The HCC cell lines revealed varying NTCP expression levels, and DC treatment had dual effects, depending on NTCP expression. DC induced apoptosis in NTCP-positive HCC cells, especially under hypoxic conditions. In NTCP-negative HCC cells, simultaneous treatment with DC and cyclooxygenase inhibitor markedly decreased aggressive cellular behaviors via the inhibition of NF-κB/COX-2/IL-8 pathways.

Conclusion

Hydrophobic bile acid offers therapeutic potential for patients with advanced HCC via different mechanisms depending on NTCP expression levels within the tumor.     

Transport of sodium, chloride, and taurocholate by cultured rat hepatocytes

Transport of sodium, chloride, and taurocholate was studied in primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes incubated in a balanced electrolyte solution containing 150 mM NaCl, various concentrations of taurocholate, and ²²Na, ³⁶Cl, [³H]taurocholate, and 3-O-[³H]methyl-D-glucose. Lithium chloride, choline chloride, or Na₂SO₄ and mannitol were substituted isotonically for NaCl in selected studies. The steady-state intracellular concentrations of exchangeable sodium and chloride averaged 6.5 mM and 30.1 mM, respectively. Ouabain reversibly increased intracellular sodium concentration. Chloride entry rate was about double that of sodium. Unlike sodium entry, chloride entry rate increased nonlinearly with increasing extracellular concentration. Taurocholate entry exhibited both saturable and nonsaturable components; the former accounting for virtually all taurocholate uptake at concentrations comparable to those found in vivo. Taurocholate was actively concentrated by the cultured cells, with the steady-state intracellular-to-extracellular concentration ratio decreasing from over 50 to about 1 as extracellular taurocholate concentration was increased from 10 μM to 4 mM. Both the saturable uptake component and concentrative taurocholate transport were virtually abolished by substitution of choline or lithium for sodium or by addition of ouabain. Taurocholate entry rate first increased in a sigmoid fashion and then decreased as extracellular sodium concentration was increased from 0 to 150 mM. Sodium entry rate increased in the presence of added taurocholate with an average of one sodium ion accompanying each taurocholate molecule into the cell. These findings indicate that sodium and chloride differ strikingly in their mechanism and rate of entry into cultured rat hepatocytes and in their intracellular concentration. Moreover, hepatocytes concentrate taurocholate by a sodium-coupled mechanism with an apparently equimolar transport stoichiometry.     

Ischemia-induced translocation of protein kinase C-epsilon mediates cardioprotection in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat.

The present study investigated the role of translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) during ischemia/reperfusion in cardioprotection in the streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat. Twelve weeks after injection of STZ or vehicle, male Wister-King rat hearts were isolated and perfused in the presence or absence of 50 nmol/L staurosporine or 2 mumol/L chelerythrine using a Langendorff apparatus. Thirty minutes of global ischemia was followed by the same period of reperfusion. The time to onset of contracture was determined during ischemia. The recovery of left ventricular function, incidence of ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation (VT/VF), and amount of released creatine kinase (CK) were determined during the reperfusion period. Translocation of the PKC-alpha, -beta, -delta and -epsilon isoforms was determined by immunoblotting. Development of contracture was delayed, the recovery of left ventricular function was greater, and the incidence of VT/VF and amount of released CK were lower in diabetic than in control hearts. Ischemia caused an increase in the particulate/cytosolic fraction ratio of the PKC- epsilon isoform in the diabetic and control hearts. However, this translocation of PKC-epsilon during ischemia was transient in the control heart, but was persistent in the diabetic heart. The ischemia-induced translocation of PKC-epsilon was abolished by chelerythrine perfusion. These results suggest that persistent translocation of PKC-epsilon during ischemia plays a major role in cardioprotection against ischemia/reperfusion injury in STZ-induced diabetic rats.     

Protein kinase C mediates platelet secretion and thrombus formation through protein kinase D2

Platelets are highly specialized blood cells critically involved in hemostasis and thrombosis. Members of the protein kinase C (PKC) family have established roles in regulating platelet function and thrombosis, but the molecular mechanisms are not clearly understood. In particular, the conventional PKC isoform, PKCα, is a major regulator of platelet granule secretion, but the molecular pathway from PKCα to secretion is not defined. Protein kinase D (PKD) is a family of 3 kinases activated by PKC, which may represent a step in the PKC signaling pathway to secretion. In the present study, we show that PKD2 is the sole PKD member regulated downstream of PKC in platelets, and that the conventional, but not novel, PKC isoforms provide the upstream signal. Platelets from a gene knock-in mouse in which 2 key phosphorylation sites in PKD2 have been mutated (Ser707Ala/Ser711Ala) show a significant reduction in agonist-induced dense granule secretion, but not in α-granule secretion. This deficiency in dense granule release was responsible for a reduced platelet aggregation and a marked reduction in thrombus formation. Our results show that in the molecular pathway to secretion, PKD2 is a key component of the PKC-mediated pathway to platelet activation and thrombus formation through its selective regulation of dense granule secretion.     

Inhibitory actions of cyclic adenosine monophosphate and pertussis toxin define two distinct epidermal growth factor-regulated pathways leading to activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase in rat hepatocytes

Increased intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels have been shown in some reports to inhibit and in other studies to stimulate growth factor-mediated activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) pathway, depending on the cell type examined. The relationship between cAMP and MAP kinase in hepatocytes has not been examined. In the current study, stimulation of primary cultures of rat hepatocytes with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) or epidermal growth factor (EGF) increased Ras, Raf, and MAP kinase activity. Incubation of hepatocytes with cAMP-increasing agents blocked activation of Raf by both HGF and EGF, whereas activation of Ras was unaffected. MAP kinase activation by HGF was completely inhibited, whereas EGF-stimulated MAP kinase activity was only slightly reduced. Incubation of hepatocytes with pertussis toxin slightly blunted MAP kinase activation by EGF but not HGF. Increasing cAMP in hepatocytes preincubated with pertussis toxin completely inhibited the activation of MAP kinase by EGF. In conclusion, HGF activates MAP kinase in hepatocytes exclusively through an Raf-dependent pathway and this activation may be completely blocked by increasing cAMP. In contrast, EGF activates MAP kinase in hepatocytes through both Raf-dependent and Raf-independent pathways: the latter pathway probably involves a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein. (Hepatology 1996 May;23(5):1167-73)     

Angiotensin II-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 activation is mediated by protein kinase Cdelta and intracellular calcium in adult rat cardiac fibroblasts

Angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts is a major contributing factor to the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis. Ang II activates extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 to induce cardiac fibroblast proliferation, but the signaling pathways leading to ERK 1/2 activation have not been elucidated in these cells. The goal of the current study was to identify the intracellular mediators of Ang II-induced ERK 1/2 activation in adult rat cardiac fibroblasts. We determined that 100 nmol/L of Ang II-induced ERK 1/2 phosphorylation is inhibited by simultaneous chelation of cytosolic calcium and downregulation of protein kinase C (PKC) by phorbol ester or by the specific PKCdelta inhibitor rottlerin, as well as PKCdelta small interfering RNA, but not by inhibition of 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetate, phorbol ester, rottlerin, or PKCdelta small interfering RNA alone. We also found that Ang II does not transactivate the epidermal growth factor receptor in adult cardiac fibroblasts, because pretreatment with 1 mumol/L of AG 1478 did not significantly inhibit [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation or ERK 1/2 activation. In addition, immunoprecipitation of the epidermal growth factor receptor demonstrated no significant Ang II-induced phosphorylation of tyrosine residues. Inhibition of phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase, PKCzeta, and src tyrosine kinase had no effect on Ang II-induced ERK 1/2 activation. Collectively, these data demonstrate that Ang II does not transactivate the epidermal growth factor receptor in adult rat cardiac fibroblasts to activate ERK 1/2, a common pathway described in vascular smooth muscle and other cell types, but rather occurs via activation of distinct parallel signaling pathways mechanistically controlled by intracellular Ca(2+) and PKCdelta.     

Mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in hepatocyte growth factor-stimulated rat hepatocytes: Involvement of protein tyrosine kinase and protein kinase C

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) stimulated mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and MAP kinase kinase in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Inhibitors for protein kinase C (PKC), Ro31-8425, H-7, and calphostin C, reduced HGF-induced MAP kinase activity. A PKC activator, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), induced MAP kinase activation in a concentration-dependent manner. Protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitors, genistein, and ST638 also inhibited HGF-induced MAP kinase activation. Furthermore, HGF increased formation of Ras guanosine triphosphate (GTP) complex, indicating Ras activation. Genistein inhibited HGF-induced Ras activation, but Ro31-8425 was without effect. On the other hand, Ro31-8425 decreased HGF-induced [³H]arachidonic acid (AA) release and [³H]thymidine incorporation. Genistein also prevented [³H]AA release and [³H]-thymidine incorporation. Moreover, a commonly used phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor, quinacrine, decreased HGF- induced [³H]AA release and [³H]thymidine incorporation. The inhibitory profile of [³H]AA release was well correlated with that of [³H]thymidine incorporation in Ro31-8425-, genistein-, and quinacrine- treated cells. A cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, which suppressed HGF-induced DNA synthesis, had minimal effect on MAP kinase activation. In contrast, prostaglandin (PG) E1, E2, or F2 alpha, which stimulate [³H]thymidine incorporation to the same level as that caused by HGF in hepatocytes, caused very weak activation of MAP kinases. These results suggest that PTK, Ras, and PKC play roles in MAP kinase activation induced by HGF and that MAP kinase activation resulting in AA release is involved in DNA synthesis in rat hepatocytes. (Hepatology 1996 May;23(5):1244-53)     

Inhibition of taurocholate and ouabain transport in isolated rat hepatocytes by cyclosporin A

The use of cyclosporin A in transplantation procedures has been reported to cause hepatotoxicity as evidenced by elevated serum bilirubin and bile salt levels. However, these biochemical abnormalities could also result from interference with hepatic transport processes. This possibility was investigated in the present study in which the effect of cyclosporin A on transport processes was examined in isolated rat liver cells. Taurocholate, ouabain, and alpha-aminoisobutyric acid were selected as compounds known to enter liver cells by distinct active transport systems and cadmium was selected as a substance taken up by a combination of simple and facilitated diffusion. Cyclosporin A was found to cause a dose-related inhibition of both taurocholate and ouabain uptake. On the other hand, the uptake of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid and of cadmium were unaffected by cyclosporin A. These findings indicate a substrate-specific effect of cyclosporin A rather than a general effect on cellular transport. Efflux of taurocholate from preloaded hepatocytes was also inhibited by cyclosporin A. Cyclosporin A caused a decrease in maximum velocity for ouabain uptake with no change in Km. Kinetic analysis for both uptake and efflux of taurocholate showed an unchanged maximum velocity and an increased Km. The data indicate that the ability of liver cells to take up and release bile acids is impaired in the presence of cyclosporin A. These findings provide a possible explanation for the finding of increased serum bile acids during cyclosporin A therapy and suggest that hepatic clearance of other compounds could also be impaired.     

Glucose-induced translocation of protein kinase C in rat pancreatic islets.

The role of protein kinase C (PKC) as a mediator of glucose-induced insulin secretion has been a subject of controversy. Glucose-induced translocation of PKC has not been reported, and the relevant PKC isoenzymes in islets have not been identified. To address these issues, we developed specific antibodies to the alpha, beta, and gamma isoenzymes of PKC. Western blots of homogenates of freshly isolated rat islets probed with these antibodies revealed that the major isoenzyme present is alpha-PKC. Islets were perifused for 15 min with either 2.75 mM glucose, 20 mM glucose, 20 mM glucose plus 30 mM mannoheptulose, 15 mM alpha-ketoisocaproate, or alpha-ketoisocaproate plus mannoheptulose. Quantitative immunoblotting of membrane and cytosol fractions showed that alpha-PKC translocated from the cytosol to the membrane in freshly isolated rat islets stimulated with either 20 mM glucose or 15 mM alpha-ketoisocaproate. Both the secretory response and the translocation of alpha-PKC were blocked by the addition of mannoheptulose, an inhibitor of glucose metabolism, in islets stimulated with glucose but not in islets stimulated with alpha-ketoisocaproate. These results support a role for alpha-PKC in mediating glucose-induced insulin secretion in pancreatic islets.     

Protein kinase Cdelta mediates retinoic acid and phorbol myristate acetate-induced phospholipid scramblase 1 gene expression: its role in leukemic cell differentiation

Although phospholipid scramblase 1 (PLSCR1) was originally identified based on its capacity to promote transbilayer movement of membrane phospholipids, subsequent studies also provided evidence for its role in cell proliferation, maturation, and apoptosis. In this report, we investigate the potential role of PLSCR1 in leukemic cell differentiation. We show that all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), an effective differentiation-inducing agent of acute promyelocytic leukemic (APL) cells, can elevate PLSCR1 expression in ATRA-sensitive APL cells NB4 and HL60, but not in maturation-resistant NB4-LR1 cells. ATRA- and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced monocytic differentiation is accompanied by increased PLSCR1 expression, whereas only a slight or no elevation of PLSCR1 expression is observed in U937 cells differentiated with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), sodium butyrate, or vitamin D3. Cell differentiation with ATRA and PMA, but not with vitamin D3 or DMSO, results in phosphorylation of protein kinase Cdelta (PKCdelta), and the PKCdelta-specific inhibitor rottlerin nearly eliminates the ATRA- and PMA-induced expression of PLSCR1, while ectopic expression of a constitutively active form of PKCdelta directly increases PLSCR1 expression. Finally, decreasing PLSCR1 expression with small interfering RNA inhibits ATRA/PMA-induced differentiation. Taken together, these results suggest that as a protein induced upon PKCdelta activation, PLSCR1 is required for ATRA- and PMA-triggered leukemic cell differentiation.     

Ovarian cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase activity: ontogeny and effect of gonadotropins.

The ontogeny of ovarian cyclic AMP-binding and protein kinase activities during the postnatal development of the rat, as well as the effect of LH and FSH administration on ovarian cyclic AMP-binding and protein kinase activities in 5-day-old and in hypophysectomized rats was examined. Ovaries of 4 to 8-day-old rats possessed little or no measureable cyclic AMP-binding and protein kinase activities. Subsequent postnatal development occurred in three distinct phases. During the first phase, ovarian cyclic AMP-binding and protein kinase activities increased progressively from age 8 days to age 23 days, when adult levels were observed. Protein kinase activity declined markedly during the second postnatal developmental phase from days 24 to 26, lost its cyclic AMP-dependency, and became refractory to stimulation by cyclic AMP. Studies employing a heat-stable protein kinase inhibitor protein isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle suggest that ovarian protein kinase activity during the refractory period was largely of the cyclic AMP-independent variety. During the third postnatal phase, comprising days 30 to 40, ovarian cyclic AMP-binding and protein kinase activities increased to levels seen in sexually mature rats. Protein kinase cyclic AMP-dependency which was lost during the refractory second postnatal period was fully restored during the third phase. Administration of FSH or LH led to a marked increase of ovarian cyclic AMP-binding and protein kinase activities in 5-day-old rats. Hypophysectomy of 20-day-old rats caused a significant reduction of the cyclic AMP-binding and protein kinase activities in a 27,000 X g supernatant fraction, as well as in the mitochondrial, microsomal, and 105,000 X g supernatant fraction. The decreased cyclic AMP-binding and protein kinase activities of these fractions could be partially restored by FSH or LH treatment of the hypophysectomized rats. The results indicate that ovarian cyclic AMP-binding and protein kinase activities, as well as the ability of ovarian protein kinase to respond to cyclic AMP are gradually acquired after the first postnatal week. The postnatal development of ovarian protein kinase and cyclic AMP-binding activities presumably involves the participation of FSH and LH, although the precise mechanism of LH and FSH action remains to be established.     

Ectopic growth hormone-releasing factor and dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate-stimulated growth hormone release in vitro: effects of corticosterone and estradiol

Glucocorticoids and estrogens each affect GH secretion in vivo. The effects of corticosterone and estradiol (E2) were studied singly and in combination on GH secretion and cell content of primary cultures of rat adenohypophyseal cells grown in media containing intact or hormone-deficient serum. Secretion was measured under basal conditions and in response to maximally stimulatory doses of ectopic GH-releasing factor (E-GHRF) derived from a carcinoid tumor and dibutyryl cAMP [(DBcAMP) 10(-3) M]. Basal GH release measured over a 4-h period was suppressed by 40% (P less than 0.001) when hormone-deficient serum was substituted for normal serum in the growth media, and the stimulatory responses to DBcAMP and E-GHRF were markedly attenuated (P less than 0.001). The GH content of unstimulated cells was also decreased [29 +/- (SE) 7%, P less than 0.001]. The addition of corticosterone, 3 X 10(-8) M to 3 X 10(-6) M, to the 4-day growth media resulted in dose-related increases in basal and DBcAMP-stimulated GH release during the 4-h test period which was proportional to the increases in total cellular GH content. In contrast, corticosterone exposure caused a dose-related enhancement of E-GHRF-stimulated release above that accounted for by the increase in total GH content alone. Concomitant exposure to the releasing stimuli and corticosterone during a 4-h incubation, however, reduced the effects of the releasing stimuli. The addition of E2, 10(-10) M to 10(-8) M, during the 4-day growth period and/or the 4-h stimulation period did not affect the secretion of GH either basally or in response to the stimuli. E2 did increase the cell content of GH, but the effects were not additive to those of corticosterone. These studies indicate that long term (4-day) exposure to corticosterone increases net GH synthesis and E-GHRF-stimulated release, but that acute (4 h) exposure inhibits stimulated release. Although E2 also increases cellular content of GH, it exhibits no demonstrable direct effects on GH secretion or content in the presence of corticosterone.     

Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase mediates a cyclic AMP-stimulated decrease in ornithine and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase activities.

Incubation of S49 lymphoma cells with N6,O2'-dibutyryl cyclic AMP (Bt2cAMP) decreases the activities of ornithine decarboxylase (L-ornithine carboxy-lyase; EC 4.1.1.17) and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (S-adenosyl-L-methionine carboxy-lyase; EC 4.1.1.50), the two principal enzymes in the pathway of polyamine synthesis. This decrease is dose-dependent, commences after a 3-hr delay, virtually abolishes the assayable activities of the two enzymes, and is not associated with a soluble inhibitor of the enzyme activities. Studies in mutant S49 clones that have altered protein kinase indicate that cAMP-dependent protein kinase mediates the decreases in enzyme activities. The dose-response pattern for the cAMP-stimulated decrease in enzyme activities parallels the pattern for the cAMP-stimulated, cell cycle-specific (G1) growth arrest of S49 cells. The activity of ornithine decarboxylase decreases faster than Bt2cAMP arrests wild-type S49 cells and, similarly, release of cells from the cAMP-stimulated arrest in G1 increases the activity of ornithine decarboxylase faster than cells exit from G1. These findings contrast with reports that cAMP induces ornithine decarboxylase in other cell types and further suggest that passage of cells through cell cycle is required for maintaining the activities of ornithine and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylases.