Time-dependent stimulation of insulin exocytosis by 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate in the rat islet beta-cell

Isolated rat islets were exposed to cAMP-elevating agents and/or nutrients. Insulin exocytosis subsequently triggered by a depolarizing concentration of K(+) or a stimulatory concentration of glucose was employed as an index of time-dependent potentiation (TDP). Stimulatory concentrations (>or=5.5 mM) of glucose caused TDP, and 6 micro M forskolin (an activator of adenylyl cyclase) significantly enhanced it (3.1-fold at most). Forskolin produced an 8.0-fold increase in islet cell cAMP; however, it returned to the baseline after washout by the time of stimulation of exocytosis. Two millimoles of dibutyryl cAMP (a cAMP analog), 0.1 mM isobutylmethylxanthine (a phosphodiesterase inhibitor), and 100 nM glucagon-like peptide-1 (an incretin hormone) also enhanced glucoseinduced TDP. The time-dependent effect of cAMP was not attenuated by protein kinase A inhibitors (200 micro M adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphothioate, Rp isomer, and 10 micro M H89). Although glucose-induced TDP was attenuated by NaN(3) (a mitochondrial poison) and cerulenin (an inhibitor of protein acylation), cAMP enhancement of it was unaffected by these agents. In conclusion, cAMP time-dependently stimulates insulin exocytosis, provided the extracellular glucose concentration is equivalent to or higher than ambient plasma levels. Protein kinase A, mitochondrial metabolism, and protein acylation are not involved in this cAMP action. Incretin stimulation of insulin exocytosis may occur in part via this mechanism.     

Mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent stimulation of proliferation of rat lactotrophs in culture by 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate.

Intracellular cAMP regulates cell proliferation as a second messenger of extracellular signals in a number of cell types. We investigated, by pharmacological means, whether an increase in intracellular cAMP levels changes proliferation rates of lactotrophs in primary culture, whether there are interactions between signal transduction pathways of cAMP and the growth factor insulin, and where the dopamine receptor agonist bromocriptine acts in the cAMP pathway to inhibit lactotroph proliferation. Rat anterior pituitary cells, cultured in serum-free medium, were treated with cAMP-increasing agents, followed by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) to label proliferating pituitary cells. BrdU-labeling indices indicative of the proliferation rate of lactotrophs were determined by double immunofluorescence staining for PRL and BrdU. Treatment with forskolin (an adenylate cyclase activator) or (Bu)2cAMP (a membrane-permeable cAMP analog) increased BrdU-labeling indices of lactotrophs in a dose- and incubation time-dependent manner. The cAMP-increasing agents were also effective in increasing BrdU-labeling indices in populations enriched for lactotrophs by differential sedimentation. The stimulatory action of forskolin was observed, regardless of concentrations of insulin that were added in combination with forskolin. Inhibition of the action of endogenous cAMP by H89 or KT5720, a protein kinase A inhibitor, attenuated an increase in BrdU-labeling indices by insulin treatment. On the other hand, the specific mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor PD98059, which was effective in blocking the mitogenic action of insulin, markedly suppressed the forskolin-induced increase in BrdU-labeling indices. (Bu)2cAMP antagonized not only inhibition of BrdU labeling indices but also changes in cell shape induced by bromocriptine treatment, although forskolin did not have such an antagonizing effect. These results suggest that: 1) intracellular cAMP plays a stimulatory role in the regulation of lactotroph proliferation; 2) cAMP and insulin/mitogen-activated protein kinase signalings require each other for their mitogenic actions; and 3) the antimitogenic action of bromocriptine is, at least in part, caused by inhibition of cAMP production.     

Glucocorticoid enhancement of adrenocorticotropin-induced 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate production by cultured ovine adrenocortical cells

The present study examines the effect of chronic treatment of glucocorticoids on ACTH1-24- or forskolin-induced cAMP output of cultured sheep adrenocortical cells. Cells cultured for 2 days in the presence of 1 microM dexamethasone released more cAMP in response to ACTH1-24 than did untreated cells, both in the absence and presence of 0.5 mM 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine. Such an enhancing effect required greater than or equal to 21 h of treatment and was both concentration-dependent and steroid specific. The ED50 of dexamethasone was about 10 nM, while that of cortisol and corticosterone was about 1 microM; testosterone at concentrations less than or equal to 10(-5) M had no enhancing effect. Glucocorticoids enhanced the cAMP response to ACTH1-24 without altering its ED50. Treatment of cultures with aminoglutethimide or the antiglucocorticoid RU 38486 for 48 h resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in ACTH1-24-induced cAMP output. Moreover, RU 38486 antagonized the enhancing effect of dexamethasone. Glucocorticoids did not increase the cAMP response to forskolin. These results suggest that chronic exposure to glucocorticoids is necessary for the full expression of the cAMP response to ACTH1-24 of adrenocortical cells from adult sheep.     

Enhanced effectiveness of pulsatile 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate in stimulating prolactin and alpha-subunit gene expression.

cAMP is involved in the regulation of secretory activity in lactotrope, thyrotrope, and gonadotrope cells. The present study examined whether pulsatile or intermittent changes in cAMP are more effective than a continuous stimulation in increasing pituitary hormone gene expression. Pituitaries from adult female rats were dissociated, plated for 48 h (7-8 x 10(6) cells per well) to allow attachment to Matrigel-coated plastic coverslips, then inserted into perifusion chambers (five to eight chambers per group). After 24 h of treatment, the cells were recovered, RNA extracted, and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) determined by dot blot hybridization. Perfused cells were exposed to either hourly pulses of monobutyryl cAMP (Bt cAMP, 0.01, 0.1, or 1 mM; 1 mM butyrate pulses to controls), or continuously to forskolin (10 microM). Bt cAMP pulses increased both PRL and alpha-subunit mRNAs, maximal after the 0.1 mM dose for PRL (51% increase vs. butyrate controls) and after the 1 mM dose for alpha (60% increase). However, forskolin was ineffective in increasing PRL or alpha mRNA concentrations. TSH, LH, and FSH beta-subunit mRNAs were not altered by Bt cAMP pulses or forskolin. To confirm the different effects of pulsatile vs. continuous cAMP on PRL and alpha-subunit mRNAs, the response to pulsatile 8-bromo cAMP (1 mM) or Bt cAMP (0.5 mM) was compared to continuous Bt cAMP (0.5 mM). PRL and alpha-subunit mRNAs were increased by both cAMP analogs given in a pulsatile manner but not by continuous Bt cAMP. PRL and LH secretory responses (determined in perifusate samples after 2 h and 22 h of treatment) revealed that both PRL and LH release was increased by cAMP stimulation, given either in a pulsatile or continuous manner. These results show that PRL and alpha-subunit gene expression were sensitive to changes in cAMP stimulation, whereas that of TSH, LH, and FSH beta were unaltered. Only intermittent cAMP stimuli were effective in increasing PRL and alpha mRNAs. These data suggest that pulsatile fluctuations in intracellular cAMP may be essential for maximal expression of the PRL and alpha genes. Thus, intermittent changes in intracellular second messengers may be a necessary part of the pathway involved in the transduction of signals from the plasma membrane to the nucleus.     

Divalent cations modulate PTH-dependent 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate production in renal proximal tubular cells.

The kidney and parathyroid gland play key roles in calcium (Ca++) homeostasis. Recent data suggest that the kidney, in addition to being a primary target for PTH, also recognizes changes in the concentration of extracellular Ca++, thereby modulating hormone-dependent cAMP production, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D synthesis, and renin secretion. In this study, we examined: 1) the effects of varying concentration of divalent cations on PTH-dependent cAMP production in renal proximal tubular cells; and 2) the mechanisms by which extracellular Ca++ exerts its inhibitory effects on cAMP production. Single cell suspensions composed of 80-90% proximal tubular cells were prepared from cortical homogenates by collagenase digestion and sieving. In the presence of 1 mM isobutylmethylxanthine, cAMP content was measured by RIA in 5-15 min incubations and showed a 5- to 6-fold increase in response to PTH (10(-11) -10(-6) M). Increasing extracellular Ca++ and magnesium (Mg++) from 0 and 0.5 mM, respectively, to 5.0 mM inhibited PTH-dependent (3 x 10(-9) M) cAMP production by 54 +/- 4% and 47 +/- 6%, respectively. The half maximal inhibitory concentration for both Ca++ and Mg++ was 0.9 mM. In addition, increasing extracellular barium (Ba++) or strontium (Sr++) from 0-10 mM inhibited PTH-dependent (3 x 10(-9) M) production by 54 +/- 7% and 62 +/- 6% with half of the maximal observed inhibition at 2.2 and 2.7 mM, respectively. The inhibition of PTH-dependent cAMP production by 2.5 mM Ca++ was not reversed by the calcium channel blockers diltiazem or verapamil (10(-4) M). However, changes in intracellular calcium may play some role in the inhibitory effects of Ca++ on cAMP production, since ionomycin (10(-6)-10(-5) M) lowered PTH-dependent cAMP production by 25-36%. Our data suggest that the proximal tubular cell can sense physiologically relevant changes in Ca++, providing a potential mechanism for the modulation of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D production or other tubular functions relevant to fluid and mineral homeostasis.     

Stimulatory effect of vanadate on 3',5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate-inhibited low Michaelis-Menten constant 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase activity in isolated rat fat pads.

When isolated rat fat pads were incubated with vanadate, the low Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity in the microsomal fraction was increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner with vanadate. 3',5'-Cyclic GMP inhibited the vanadate-stimulated PDE activity with similar profile to the insulin-stimulated one. The stimulatory effect of vanadate was inhibited by inhibitors of tyrosine kinases such as amiloride, biochanin A, and genistein to various extents. Vanadate and insulin both showed the full effect in the absence of either K+, N+, or Ca2+ in the medium, while preincubation of the fat pads with a chelator of intracellular Ca2+ inhibited the vanadate action in a dose-dependent manner. The insulin action was not inhibited by it at tested concentrations. These results suggest that the vanadate action, in contrast to the insulin one, is dependent on the intracellular level of Ca2+. Preincubation of the fat pads with inhibitors of protein kinase C such as 1-(5-isoquinoline sulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7) and staurosporine inhibited, in part, the vanadate action but did not inhibit the insulin one. Furthermore, vanadate increased the protein kinase C activity in fat pads but insulin did not increase. H-7 and amiloride showed a significant inhibition of stimulation of protein kinase C activity by vanadate. These results suggest that vanadate stimulates, in part, the 3',5'-cyclic GMP-inhibited low Km cAMP PDE activity in the microsomal fraction of fat pads through the activation of tyrosine kinase and protein kinase C-mediated processes.     

Regulation of tetrahydrobiopterin biosynthesis in cultured adrenal cortical tumor cells by adrenocorticotropin and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate

Y-1 adrenal cortical tumor cells in culture, which contain substantial amounts of tetrahydrobiopterin [6R-(L-erythro-1',2'-dihydroxypropyl)5,6,7,8-tetrahydropterin] (BH4) and GTP cyclohydrolase (GTP-CH), were used to study the regulation of BH4 biosynthesis by ACTH and cAMP. ACTH produced a dose-dependent increase in steroidogenesis, BH4 levels and GTP-CH activity. Maximal stimulation of BH4 biosynthesis occurred at the same concentration of ACTH that caused maximal stimulation of steroidogenesis. ACTH-(1-24) was more potent than ACTH-(1-39). The stimulation of BH4 biosynthesis by ACTH was dependent on cell density, being greater at lower cell densities, but was independent of time in culture. The lack of stimulation by ACTH at higher cell densities was due to an increase in the specific activity of GTP-CH in the control cells as density increased. This increase may be due in part to the increased release of steroids, since exogenous steroids added to low density cultures also resulted in an increase in the specific activity of the enzyme. Addition of steroids had no effect on ACTH-dependent stimulation of BH4 biosynthesis at low cell densities. (Bu)2cAMP, 8-bromo-cAMP, and forskolin all produced time- and dose-dependent increases in BH4 levels, GTP-CH activity, and steroidogenesis. Maximum increases in GTP-CH and BH4 occurred at concentrations similar to those required for maximal stimulation of steroidogenesis. In the Kin-8 mutant of Y-1 cells, which has a type 1 cAMP-dependent protein kinase with an altered regulatory subunit, ACTH was unable to increase BH4 levels or GTP-CH activity at a concentration that produced maximal stimulation of BH4 and steroid biosynthesis in the parent Y-1 line. These studies indicate that Y-1 cells in culture are useful for studying the regulation of BH4 biosynthesis in the adrenal cortex.     

Urinary excretion of calcium, hydroxyproline and 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate in primary hyperparathyroidism.

Urinary excretion of calcium (Ca), hydroxyproline (Hyp) and 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) was measured during fasting, and in the afternoon, over a 3 day period. Twelve hyperparathyroid patients, of whom 6 were re-studied after successful parathyroid surgery, and 10 control subjects participated, and were maintained on a collagen free diet for the duration of the study. Expressed as creatinine ratio values, Hyp was significantly higher in the morning than during the afternoon, whereas the Ca excretion pattern showed low morning and high afternoon values for all groups. cAMP excretion did not change during the two sampling periods. Large day to day variations for each parameter were observed in the individual patient. The value of cAMP measurements in the diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism was confirmed. The results may imply that a diurnal variation in Hyp excretion exists in primary hyperparathyroidism and that food intake produces a suppression of Hyp excretion, possibly secondary to suppression of parathyroid function or, in our view, to increased calcitonin excretion.     

Hormonal regulation of 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterases in cultured rat granulosa cells

The effect of gonadotropins on phosphodiesterase activity of rat granulosa cells was studied in an in vitro model. Granulosa cells were prepared from hypophysectomized or intact, estrogen-primed immature female rats and treated with FSH, hCG, or (Bu)2cAMP in vitro. Phosphodiesterase activity was determined in cell homogenates. FSH treatment for 2 days produced a marked increase in phosphodiesterase activity, while hCG was ineffective. FSH stimulation was potentiated by the addition of 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine, while treatment with the cAMP analog, (Bu)2cAMP by itself also markedly stimulated enzyme activity. FSH stimulated cAMP, but not cGMP, hydrolysis, suggesting that a phosphodiesterase specific for cAMP was stimulated by the gonadotropin. Time-course studies showed that an increase in phosphodiesterase activity was apparent after 1 h of incubation and was maximal at 48 h. FSH stimulation of phosphodiesterase was dose-dependent, with an ED50 of 30 ng/ml FSH and a maximal increase at 100-300 ng/ml. Treatment with cycloheximide (1 or 10 micrograms/ml) completely blocked the gonadotropin stimulation, suggesting that on-going protein synthesis is required for the FSH action. DEAE-cellulose chromatography of soluble extracts of control and FSH-treated cells indicated that two forms of phosphodiesterase were present in unstimulated granulosa cells. The first form, eluting at 0.17 M Na-acetate, hydrolyzed both cAMP and cGMP and was stimulated by Ca++ and calmodulin; the second form, eluting at 0.48 M Na-acetate, was insensitive to Ca++ or calmodulin and hydrolyzed mainly cAMP. FSH treatment markedly stimulated cAMP hydrolysis by the calmodulin-dependent first form as well as that by the second form. Double reciprocal analysis indicated that the FSH-stimulated enzymes are of high affinity for cAMP. In agreement with the data on total homogenate, the cGMP hydrolysis was not affected by the hormone treatment. These data demonstrate that FSH stimulates cAMP, but not cGMP, phosphodiesterase activity in rat granulosa cells in vitro. This stimulation might represent a mechanism for termination of the FSH primary stimulus and regulation of granulosa cell responsiveness to the gonadotropin.     

Dog thyroid cells in monolayer tissue culture: adenosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate response to thyrotropic hormone.

A simple, rapid, and efficient method is described for establishing dog thyroid cells in tissue culture. Thyroid cell yield from a small amount of tissue (1 g) is high and viability is excellent. The adenosine 3',5-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) response to thyrotropin (TSH) was investigated in these thyroid cells. Peak cAMP values were achieved after 10-15 min of TSH stimulation (in the presence of 0.5 mM 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine, MIX), with a subsequent decline to about half the maximal value after approximately 4 hours. This decline in cAMP concentration was associated with the development of refractoriness to TSH stimulation. Half-maximal stimulation of thyroid cell cAMP content was observed at a TSH concentration of between 1 and 2 mU/ml. Maximal cAMP values achieved were approximately 30-fold greater than basal values in the presence of MIX. The threshold of sensitivity of the cAMP response to TSH was very low, with significant stimulation being observed at a TSH concentration of 5-10 muU/ml. As determined by double reciprocal plots, the net cAMP response to TSH appeared to represent a single function over the entire TSH concentration range tested.     

Effects of activin and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-suppressing protein/follistatin on FSH receptors and differentiation of cultured rat granulosa cells.

The aim of this study was to investigate the actions of both activin and FSH-suppressing protein (FSP)/follistatin either alone or in combination on FSH receptor number and on the responsiveness of granulosa cells to FSH and LH. Granulosa cells were harvested from diethylstilbestrol-treated immature Sprague-Dawley rats and cultured 48 h in serum-free medium with or without treatment. Activin treatment alone (3-100 ng/ml) resulted in a 4-fold increase in FSH receptor number with no change in binding affinity. This effect of activin was inhibited 31% by FSP (100 ng/ml) treatment which alone had no effect on FSH receptor number. Treatment with activin (100 ng/ml) prevented FSH-induced down-regulation of FSH receptor number, whereas at lower concentrations (3-30 ng/ml) activin enhanced down-regulation of FSH receptor number by 20% (P less than 0.05). In contrast, FSP alone prevented FSH-induced down-regulation by increasing FSH receptor number up to 40-50%. Pretreatment of granulosa cells with activin, but not FSP, for 24 h increased the responsiveness of cells to FSH (20 ng/ml) and LH (40 ng/ml) shown by increases in aromatase activity, progesterone, and immunoreactive inhibin production over and above control in a manner which depended upon activin doses. We conclude that 1) activin enhancement of FSH action on rat granulosa cells may be mediated in part via regulation of FSH receptor number, and 2) the effects of FSP on granulosa cells are likely to be due to its activin binding properties.     

Bovine pituitary folliculo-stellate cells have beta-adrenergic receptors positively coupled to adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate production

The specific beta-adrenergic radioligand [125I]iodocyanopindolol (ICYP) was used to identify and characterize beta-adrenergic receptors in bovine pituitary folliculo-stellate cells (bFSC) grown in culture. Saturation analysis demonstrated the binding of ICYP to bFSC particulate fractions to be of high affinity (apparent Kd = 80 pM) and low capacity (Bmax = 37 fmol/mg protein). The specific beta-adrenergic radioligand [3H] dihydroalprenolol also bound to bFSC particulate preparations with parameters compatible with binding to the beta-adrenergic receptor (Kd = 3.0 nM; Bmax = 52 fmol/mg protein). No specific binding was observed with either the dopamine receptor radioligand [3H]spiperone or the alpha-adrenergic radioligand [3H]dihydro-alpha-ergocryptine. The bFSC beta-adrenergic receptors were further characterized by computer modeling of competition studies with a variety of agonists and antagonists selective for beta-adrenergic subtypes. The pharmacological profiles of ICYP binding obtained from these studies indicated that approximately equal proportions of both beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic subtypes are expressed in cultured bFSC. Bovine FSC beta-adrenergic receptors are functionally coupled to activation of cAMP. The beta-adrenergic agonists isoproterenol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine provoked a rapid and marked stimulation of intracellular cAMP accumulation. The approximately equipotent effect of epinephrine and norepinephrine indicated that the beta-adrenergic effect on cAMP production is principally mediated via the beta 1-adrenergic receptor. The identification of beta-adrenergic receptors on bFSC positively coupled to adenylate cyclase provides a possible regulatory control pathway for the proposed role of pituitary FSC in the modulation of anterior pituitary hormone secretion.     

Cloning of malignantly transformed rat thyroid (FRTL) cells with thyrotropin receptors and their growth inhibition by 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate

Differentiated rat thyroid cells, designated FRTL, are totally dependent on TSH for their growth. We continuously cultured FRTL cells in the absence of TSH and found that another type of cell appeared in the culture. The new cells were large, flattened and epithelial-like, and none of them exhibited thyroglobulin immunoreactivity. Since they grew independently of TSH, we further cloned these mutated cells by the limited dilution method in the absence of TSH. cAMP production in the cloned cells (FRTL-Tc) was stimulated dose-dependently by TSH. The TSH concentration that produced a maximal level of cAMP in FRTL-Tc cells was 1 order of magnitude higher than in FRTL cells. A [125I]TSH binding study confirmed that the FRTL-Tc cells had TSH receptors with the same binding capacity but a higher Kd than those of FRTL cells. A [125I]cyanopindolol binding study revealed that the FRTL-Tc cells had acquired beta 2-adrenergic receptors and that isoproterenol or epinephrine could stimulate cAMP production in the cells. TSH or beta-adrenergic agonists inhibited the growth of these cells, as did (Bu)2cAMP. When FRTL-Tc cells were transplanted into the sc tissue in Fisher rats, they grew as a tumor in all of the animals (n = 10). Metastasis of the tumors to the lung and liver occurred. These results indicate that FRTL-Tc cells are malignantly transformed cells with TSH receptors derived from thyroid epithelial cells and also suggest that the role of cAMP in the proliferation of the transformed cells might be different from that in normal cells.     

betaA- and betaC-activin, follistatin, activin receptor mRNA and betaC-activin peptide expression during rat liver regeneration

The mRNA expression of two activin growth factor subunits (betaA- and betaC-activin), activin receptor subunits (ActRIIA, ActRIIB) and the activin-binding protein follistatin, and peptide expression of betaA-activin and betaC-activin subunits, were examined in regenerating rat liver after partial hepatectomy (PHx). Liver samples were collected from adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats, 12-240 h (n=3-5 rats per time point) after PHx or from sham-operated controls at the same time points. Hepatocyte mitosis and apoptosis were assessed histologically and by in situ cell death detection. RT and PCR were used to assess relative gene expression. betaA- and betaC-activin peptide immunoreactivity was assessed in liver and serum samples by western blotting, whereas cellular expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry, using specific monoclonal antibodies. betaA- and betaC-activin mRNA dropped to < 50% of sham control values 12 h after PHx and remained at this level until 168 h post-PHx, when betaA-activin expression increased to three times sham control values and betaC-activin mRNA returned to pre-PHx levels. A peak in follistatin expression was observed 24-48 h post-PHx, coincident with an increase in hepatocyte mitosis. No changes were observed in ActRIIA mRNA, whereas ActRIIB expression paralleled that of betaA-activin mRNA. betaC-activin immunoreactive homo- and heterodimers were observed in regenerating liver and serum. Mitotic hepatocytes frequently contained betaC-activin immunoreactivity, whereas apoptotic hepatocytes were often immunoreactive for betaA-activin. We conclude that betaA- and betaC-activin subunit proteins are autocrine growth regulators in regenerating liver and when expressed independently lead to hepatocyte apoptosis or mitosis in a subset of hepatocytes.     

Steroidogenesis of porcine granulosa cells from small and medium-sized follicles: effects of follicle-stimulating hormone, forskolin, and adenosine 3,'5'-cyclic monophosphate versus phorbol ester

We studied the effects of porcine FSH, forskolin, and (Bu)2cAMP [agents that stimulate steroidogenesis via the adenylate cyclase-cAMP pathway (cAMP system)] either alone or with concomitant addition of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA; a phorbol ester that activates protein kinase-C) on steroidogenesis in porcine granulosa cells cultured from small (less than 3 mm) and medium-sized (3-6 mm) ovarian follicles. We attempted to determine if granulosa cells from different maturational states had different responses to these agonists and antagonists. Cells were cultured in serum-free medium 199 supplemented with insulin (10 micrograms/ml), transferrin ( 5 micrograms/ml), and androstenedione (2.5 X 10(-7) M) for 48 h. Levels of progesterone (P) and estradiol (E2) were determined in spent medium by RIA. We found that FSH, forskolin, and cAMP all stimulated secretion of E2 and P in a dose-dependent manner in both developmental groups. When TPA was added alone to cultures, P levels were stimulated at low doses of TPA but inhibited at higher doses in granulosa from both sized follicles, whereas cells from both small- and medium-sized follicles demonstrated reductions in E2. TPA was also found to inhibit FSH-, forskolin-, and cAMP-induced steroidogenesis in a dose-dependent manner in cells from the two groups of follicles. The stimulatory effects of any of the secretagogues on E2 secretion were inhibited by TPA to a significantly greater extent in granulosa cells from small follicles. Although inhibition of FSH- and forskolin-induced P secretion by TPA was also greater in granulosa cells from small follicles, cAMP-treated cells did not show this differential inhibition. Thus, it appears that modulators of the protein kinase-C system regulate steroidogenesis differently in granulosa cells from small and medium follicles. These differences may involve alterations in the interplay between the protein kinase-C and cAMP pathways.     

Signaling through 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate and phosphoinositide-3 kinase induces sodium/iodide symporter expression in breast cancer

The sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) is a membrane transport glycoprotein normally expressed in the thyroid gland and lactating mammary gland. NIS is a target for radioiodide imaging and therapeutic ablation of thyroid carcinomas and has the potential for similar use in breast cancer treatment. To facilitate NIS-mediated radionuclide therapy, it is necessary to identify signaling pathways that lead to increased NIS expression and function in breast cancer. We examined NIS expression in mammary tumors of 14 genetically engineered mouse models to identify genetic manipulations associated with NIS induction. The cAMP and phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) signaling pathways are associated with NIS up-regulation. We showed that activation of PI3K alone is sufficient to increase NIS expression and radioiodide uptake in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, whereas cAMP stimulation increases NIS promoter activity and NIS mRNA levels but is not sufficient to increase radioiodide uptake. This study is the first to demonstrate that NIS expression is induced by cAMP and/or PI3K in breast cancer both in vivo and in vitro.