K562细胞nm23-H1基因沉默对其向巨核细胞分化的影响

目的 探讨nm23-H1沉默对K562细胞向巨核细胞分化的影响.方法 采用Lipofectamine2000将靶向nm23-H1基因的RNA干扰质粒pSileneerTM 4.1-CMV-sinm23及空质粒转染K562细胞,经G418筛选建立该基因稳定下调的K562细胞(K562-sinm23细胞)及空质粒转染K562细胞(K562-siNC细胞),实时定量PCR、免疫组织化学、蛋白印迹反应等方法证实了nm23基因沉默细胞构建成功.NBT还原比色试验检测细胞分化能力.流式细胞术检测在诱导剂佛波酯作用下K562-sinm23细胞表面巨核细胞分化抗原GP Ⅱ b-Ⅲa(CD41)的表达.蛋白印迹法检测细胞在佛波酯诱导后ERK1/2磷酸化活性.结果 与K562细胞和K562-siNC细胞比较,pSilencerTM 4.1-CMV-sinm23能够沉默内源性nm23-H1 mRNA的表达,基因水平和蛋白水平的沉默效率分别达到75%和70%.经佛波酯诱导,与K562-siNC细胞比较K562-sinm细胞的分化能力明显增强(NBT还原能力A值分别为0.23±0.05和0.31±0.07).nm23-H1基冈调控K562细胞向巨核细胞分化与ERK1/2磷酸化活性增强有关.结论 成功构建了nm23-H1基因稳定下调表达的K562细胞株,并且证明nm23-H1参与了K562细胞向巨核细胞系的分化.     

Regulation of the neurotensin receptor and intracellular calcium mobilization in HT29 cells

Regulation of the neurotensin receptor-inositol phosphate-intracellular Ca2+ ((Ca2+]i) pathway was studied in HT29 cells. Preincubation with neurotensin or phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate decreased the number of cell surface neurotensin receptors and neurotensin-induced increases of inositol trisphosphates and [Ca2+]i. The phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate-(43 +/- 1% at 1 microM) but not the neurotensin (65 +/- 9% at 10 nM)-induced decrease in receptors was blocked by staurosporine. The decrease in cell surface receptors was accompanied by a 55 +/- 7% shift of specifically bound 125I-neurotensin from the plasma membrane fraction to the light vesicle fraction of sucrose density gradients if a 37 degrees C incubation step was included. The time course for desensitization of [Ca2+]i mobilization was more rapid (maximal at approximately 1 min) than for loss of receptors (maximal at 45 min). After a 5-min exposure to neurotensin, the cell surface receptor number rapidly returned to control levels in the absence of agonist, but [Ca2+]i sensitivity to neurotensin recovered only partially. Incubation with carbachol, ATP or phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate desensitized the subsequent [Ca2+]i response to neurotensin. These results demonstrate a polyphosphoinositide-[Ca2+]i pathway in HT29 cells stimulable by neurotensin and other agents. The results from pre-incubation studies indicate that the neurotensin receptor-signaling pathway is homologously and heterologously regulated. Finally, differences in time courses for loss and recovery of cell surface receptors and desensitization of the [Ca2+]i response, as well as the lack of effect on 125I-neurotensin binding of other agonists that desensitize the neurotensin [Ca2+]i response, suggest that receptor internalization alone does not account for desensitization of the system.     

Acute- and long-term glutamate-mediated regulation of [Ca++]i in rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons in vitro

We used a fura 2-based digital imaging technique to analyze the effects of glutamate (GLU) and GLU agonists on intracellular free calcium ([Ca++]i) in cultures of rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons. Depolarization of cells with 50 mM K+ raised [Ca++]i in all parts of the cell (e.g., soma and dendrites). [Ca++]i was also increased in these cells by GLU, kainate, quisqualate, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and caffeine (CAF). Multiple challenges of a neuron with GLU gave rise to high "plateau" levels of [Ca++]i that were maintained over the entire length of an experiment (up to 1 hr). In the presence of the NMDA receptor antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate multiple applications of GLU only produced multiple transient increases in [Ca++]i. Multiple challenges of a cell with NMDA (0 Mg++, 1 microM glycine) also produced maintained plateau responses in [Ca++]i. Multiple challenges with kainate or quisqualate only produced multiple transient responses in [Ca++]i. Plateau responses induced by GLU or NMDA could be reversibly reduced by removal of extracellular Ca++. Co++ and Ni++ (500 microM) also reduced the magnitude of the plateau, but nitrendipine and tetrodotoxin were generally ineffective. The kinase inhibitor staurosporine also reversibly reduced the magnitude of the plateau. The initiation of a [Ca++]i plateau could be blocked by 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate although this compound was ineffective at reducing a plateau once it had formed. Thus, activation of NMDA receptors in these neurons leads to a maintained influx of Ca++ that could be responsible for certain long-term effects of GLU.     

Differential effect of cyclosporin A on activation signaling in human T cell lines.

Different T cell lines, which can be induced to secrete interleukin 2 (IL-2) in vitro, were used to dissect the effect of cyclosporin A (CsA). The T leukemia cell Jurkat requires an increase in cytoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca++]i) and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) for the induction of IL-2 production, which is completely blocked by CsA. Another T cell line, HUT 78, also produces IL-2 in response to a rise in [Ca++]i and PMA; however, in HUT 78, PMA alone induces low levels of IL-2 production that is not blocked by CsA. After treatment with 5-azacytidine, HUT 78 cells produced maximal levels of IL-2 in response to PMA alone without requiring [Ca++]i increasing stimuli. In these cells no inhibitory effect of CsA on PMA-induced activation could be demonstrated. In addition, CsA does not inhibit PMA-induced translocation of protein kinase C. These data suggest that CsA does not globally inhibit IL-2 gene expression, but rather interferes with signaling events of T cell activation.     

Differing kinase activity of the c-yes and c-src gene proteins in TPA-induced megakaryocytic differentiation of T-33 and K562 cell lines

We examined the protein kinase (PK) activity of the c-yes and c-src gene proteins (c-YES, c-SRC) at an early phase of 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced megakaryocytic differentiation of T-33 and K562 cells with use of immunoprecipitation and in vitro kinase assay. We found that c-SRCPK activity of TPA-treated T-33 and K562 cell lines had been enhanced compared with the untreated ones, but in contrast, no enhancement of c-YES PK activity by the TPA treatment was observed in these cell lines. We also examined PK activity in TPA-induced monocytic differentiation of U937 monoblastic cells that exhibited no megakaryocytic markers and found that both the c-YES and c-SRC PK activity was enhanced by the TPA treatment. Our data suggest that c-YES and c-SRC play different and unique roles in TPA-induced megakaryocytic differentiation in T-33 and K562 cells.     

Histamine-induced intracellular free Ca++, inositol phosphates and electrical changes in murine N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells

Apparent intracellular free Ca++ concentration [(Ca++]i) was measured in differentiated N1E-115 neuroblastoma by microinjecting cells with aequorin (estimated intracellular concentration, 4 microM) and measuring light emission. Histamine produced a transient, dose-dependent increase in [Ca++]i. Pyrilamine blocked completely the response to histamine whereas cimetidine had no effect. Omitting Ca++ from the external medium reversibly blocked the response. As well as a rise in [Ca++]i, histamine caused a concomitant cell hyperpolarization that was not blocked by ouabain, low Cl-, tetraethylammonium chloride/tetradotoxin or metiamide but was blocked by apamin and pyrilamine. A secondary small depolarization caused by histamine was also blocked by apamin but not by ouabain, low Cl- or tetraethylammonium chloride/tetrodotoxin. Direct iontophoretic injection of Ca++ into cells caused only hyperpolarization. Injection of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [IP3(1,4,5)] caused an increase in [Ca++]i and rapid hyperpolarization. Inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate [IP3(1,3,4)] caused an increase in [Ca++]i, rapid hyperpolarization and a slower depolarization. Repeated injections of IP3(1,3,4) led to a diminished [Ca++]i response and decreased hyperpolarization but had no effect on depolarization. Inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate was without effect on [Ca++]i or on cellular membrane potential. The results suggest that histamine causes an H1 receptor-dependent increase in [Ca++]i, probably by the increased entry of extracellular Ca++, although there may be a contribution from intracellular Ca++ released by IP3(1,4,5). The increase in [Ca++]i activates K+ channels leading to cell hyperpolarization. IP3(1,3,4) formed from inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate, which is itself a product of IP3(1,4,5), causes a slower depolarization by a mechanism that does not involve Na+ channels or an increase in [Ca++]i.     

Pardaxin induces exocytosis in bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin cells independent of calcium.

Pardaxin, an excitatory neurotoxin, is a new tool for studying the machinery of neurotransmitter secretion. At noncytotoxic concentrations (< 1 x 10(-5) M), pardaxin stimulated exocytosis, as assessed by the concomitant release of catecholamines, ATP and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase from bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin cells in the presence or absence of extracellular calcium. At higher concentrations (> 2 x 10(-5) M), pardaxin was increasingly cytotoxic, as inferred from trypan blue uptake, release of lactate dehydrogenase and 51Cr (ED50 = 100 microM). The role of intracellular calcium ([Ca++]i) homeostasis in pardaxin action was investigated by using the fluorescent calcium indicator Fura-2. In the presence of extracellular calcium, addition of noncytotoxic concentrations of pardaxin yielded a steady, concentration-dependent rise in [Ca++]i (ED50 = 1 microM). Depolarization of chromaffin cells by high K+ reduced pardaxin binding and abolished the pardaxin-evoked rise in [Ca++]i. In the absence of extracellular calcium, pardaxin failed to elicit an elevation of [Ca++]i. These data suggest that, in the presence of extracellular calcium, pardaxin might cause elevations in [Ca++]i and neurotransmitter release, concomitant with inducing transmembranal Ca++ influx. However, the complex concentration dependence of [Ca++]i and the fact that pardaxin stimulated secretion without a rise of [Ca++]i suggest that the toxin, in addition to being a pore-forming molecule, might directly affect exocytosis in a Ca(++)-independent way. In proposing a pharmacological working model, we hypothesize that pardaxin might present a molecular structure which mimics an essential step in the endogenous docking mechanism between secretory granules and the plasma membrane.     

Effect of thrombin on calcium homeostasis in chick embryonic heart cells. Receptor-operated calcium entry with inositol trisphosphate and a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein as second messengers.

Thrombin increases intracellular calcium ([Ca++]i) in several cell types and causes a positive inotropic effect in the heart. We examined the mechanism of the thrombin-induced [Ca++]i increase in chick embryonic heart cells loaded with the fluorescent calcium indicator, indo-1. Thrombin (1 U/ml) increased both systolic and diastolic [Ca++]i from 617 +/- 62 and 324 +/- 46 to 1041 +/- 93 and 587 +/- 38 nM, respectively. An initial rapid [Ca++]i increase was followed by a more sustained increase. There were associated increases in contraction strength, beat frequency, and action potential duration. The [Ca++]i increase was not blocked by tetrodotoxin or verapamil, but was blocked by pretreatment with pertussis toxin (100 ng/ml). The thrombin-induced [Ca++]i increase was partly due to intracellular calcium release, since it persisted after removal of external calcium. The [Ca++]i increase in zero calcium was more transitory than in normal calcium and was potentiated by 10 mM Li+. Thrombin also induced influx of calcium across the surface membrane, which could be monitored using Mn++ ions, which quench indo-1 fluorescence when they enter the cell. Thrombin-induced Mn++ entry was insensitive to verapamil, but was blocked by 2 mM Ni++. Thrombin increased inositol trisphosphates by 180% at 90 s and this effect was also blocked by pretreatment with pertussis toxin. Conclusion: thrombin promotes calcium entry and release in embryonic heart cells even when action potentials are inhibited. Both modes of [Ca++]i increase may be coupled to the receptor by pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins.     

Phorbol myristate acetate stimulates ATP-dependent calcium transport by the plasma membrane of neutrophils.

We studied the effect of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) on the plasma membrane ATP-dependent calcium pump in neutrophils. Plasma membrane-enriched fractions ("podosomes") from PMA-stimulated guinea pig neutrophils exhibited a twofold stimulation of ATP-dependent calcium transport when compared with control podosomes. The stimulatory effect was rapid (beginning less than 2 min after exposure to PMA) and reached maximal values within 5 min. PMA increased the maximum velocity but not the affinity of the calcium pump for Ca++. Pump activation was not preceded by a rise in cytosolic free calcium concentration [Ca++]i, as assessed by the intracellularly trapped fluorescent calcium indicator Quin 2, but instead slightly lowered [Ca++]i and prevented the rise in [Ca++]i normally induced by the chemotactic peptide formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. These results suggest that the calcium pump in the plasma membrane of neutrophils may be stimulated by calcium-independent pathways, and that this activation could be one of the earliest events mediating some of the effects of phorbol esters.     

The role of calcium desensitization in vascular hyporeactivity and its regulation after hemorrhagic shock in the rat

The objectives of the present study were to investigate the role of calcium desensitization in vascular hyporeactivity, and the regulatory effects of Rho-kinase, protein kinase C (PKC), and protein kinase G (PKG) on calcium sensitivity. The vascular reactivity and calcium sensitivity with superior mesenteric artery (SMA) from hemorrhagic shock rat were observed by measuring the contraction initiated by norepinephrine (NE) and Ca2+ under depolarizing conditions (120 mmol/L K) in an isolated organ perfusion system. Angiotensin II (Ang-II) and Fasudil, the Rho-kinase agonist and inhibitor, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and staurosporine, the PKC agonist and inhibitor, 8Br-cGMP and KT-5823, the PKG agonist and inhibitor, and Calyculin A, myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP) inhibitor were used as tool agents. The results indicated that vascular reactivity and calcium sensitivity were decreased after hemorrhagic shock. The cumulative dose-response curve of SMA to NE and Ca2+ after shock was shifted to the right. Ang-II (10 mol/L) could improve the decreased vascular reactivity by increasing the calcium sensitivity of SMA, and insulin (100 nmol/L) could further decrease the vascular reactivity by decreasing the calcium sensitivity of SMA. These results suggested that the vasculature after shock was desensitized to calcium, which played an important role in the onset of vascular hyporeactivity after shock. PMA and KT-5823 could increase the sensitivity of SMA to Ca2+ and made the cumulative dose-response curve shift to the left. In contrast, Fasudil, staurosporine, and 8Br-cGMP decreased the sensitivity of SMA to Ca2+ and made the cumulative dose-response curve of Ca2+ shift to the right. Calyculin A (10 mol/L) pretreatment further enhanced Ang-II, and PMA induced increase of calcium sensitivity, yet weakened the 8Br-cGMP-induced decrease of calcium sensitivity. Taken together, the data suggest that Rho-kinase, PKC, and PKG are involved in the regulation of calcium sensitivity of vascular smooth muscle after hemorrhagic shock, and their regulatory effects on calcium sensitivity of vasculature are possibly related to MLCP.     

Differential modulation of protein kinase C by bryostatin 1 and phorbol ester

Bryostatin 1, a macrocyclic lactone, activated protein kinase C purified from mouse brain in a dose-dependent fashion to the same degree as phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). There was no significant difference in calcium and phosphatidylserine requirements for activation of protein kinase C between bryostatin 1 and PMA. We also found no significant difference in the inhibitory effect between staurosporine and H-7 known to be potent inhibitors of protein kinase C. These data suggest that bryostatin 1 and PMA activate protein kinase C in a similar way. We found, however, that negative modulation of protein kinase C with bryostatin 1 was weaker than that with PMA. The reason of this difference was unclear. It may possibly suggest that there is some difference in configuration of protein kinase C after binding between these activators.     

Dihydropyridine- and omega-conotoxin-resistant, neomycin-sensitive calcium channels mediate the depolarization-induced increase in internal calcium levels in cortical slices from immature rat brain.

In order to characterize pharmacologically voltage-operated calcium channels in the rat brain, we have developed a technique to measure intracellular calcium levels ([Ca++]i) in immature rat cortical slices loaded with the fluorescent calcium probe Fura-2. KCl depolarization caused a rapid and reversible increase in cortical [Ca++]i. A significant increase was already observed at 20 mM KCl and the maximal effect was obtained at 77 mM. This response was not modified when extracellular Na+ was substituted by the nonpermeant cation bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-dimethylammonium chloride and was insensitive to the Na+ channel blocker tetrodotoxin (1 microM). In the absence of extracellular Ca++, KCl (50 mM) failed to increase [Ca++]i. The KCl (50 mM)-induced increase in [Ca++]i was not affected by the L-type calcium channel blockers nifedipine and isradipine and was only partially inhibited (by less than 30% at 50 microM) by verapamil and diltiazem. In contrast, nimodipine prevented this response by 41% at 50 microM. Flunarizine (a nonselective T channel blocker) inhibited the KCl response by 47% at 30 microM, whereas nicergoline (another nonselective T channel blocker) reduced this entry by 74% at 300 microM (IC50 = 120 microM). Cyclandelate, an atypical calcium antagonist, inhibited KCl-induced increase in [Ca++]i with a maximal effect of 41% at 30 microM, whereas perhexiline was inactive. The KCl-induced rise in [Ca++]i was only marginally inhibited by omega-conotoxin with a maximal effect of 20% from 1 nM to 1 microM.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Mechanism of maitotoxin-stimulated phosphoinositide breakdown in HL-60 cells

The marine toxin maitotoxin (MTX) and the chemotactic peptide fMet-Leu-Phe (fMLP) induce the formation of inositol phosphates in HL-60 cells differentiated with dibutyryl cyclic AMP. The increase in [3H]inositol(1,4,5)-trisphosphate is rapid but transient after fMLP stimulation, whereas MTX-induced increase in [3H]inositol(1,4,5)-trisphosphate occurs at a slower rate and is sustained over time. In both cases increases in [Ca++]i, measured with fura-2, parallel the formation of inositol trisphosphate. MTX-mediated stimulation of inositol phosphate formation is inhibited in the absence of calcium, whereas the response to fMLP is not. The calcium ionophore ionomycin stimulates the formation of inositol phosphates in differentiated HL-60 cells. The magnitude of the response is smaller than that obtained with MTX. Ionomycin also induces a rapid but sustained increase of [Ca++]i. In undifferentiated HL-60 cells, neither fMLP nor ionomycin induce significant inositol phosphate formation, and the increase in [Ca++]i elicited by ionomycin is transient. In contrast, the effects of MTX on phosphoinositide breakdown and on [Ca++]i in undifferentiated cells are nearly identical to those elicited by MTX in differentiated cells. In the presence of the intracellular calcium chelator BAPTA, fMLP, ionomycin and MTX still stimulate the generation of inositol phosphates. Guanyl nucleotides and calcium stimulate phospholipase C activity in membrane preparations from differentiated HL-60 cells. fMLP stimulates the enzyme only in the presence of GTP. MTX has no effect on membrane phospholipase C activity.     

Contraction mediated by Ca++ release in circular and Ca++ influx in longitudinal intestinal muscle cells

The source of Ca++ responsible for contraction was examined in muscle cells isolated separately from the circular and longitudinal muscle layers of guinea pig and human intestine. Contraction was measured by scanning micrometry and cytosolic-free Ca++ ([Ca++]i) with the fluorescent indicator, quin2. In both species, contraction induced in circular muscle cells by cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8) and acetylcholine was not affected by withdrawal of Ca++ from the medium or addition of the Ca++ channel blocker, methoxyverapamil, whereas contraction induced by both agonists in longitudinal muscle cells and by depolarizing concentrations of K+ in both cell types was abolished. Depletion of intracellular Ca++ stores with caffeine in Ca++-free medium abolished the response in circular muscle cells. Readdition of Ca++ to the medium for 30 sec restored the response in longitudinal but not circular muscle cells. [Ca++]i, measured in guinea pig muscle cells, increased 3- to 4-fold above resting levels (circular, 70.8 +/- 8.1 nM; longitudinal, 77.4 +/- 9.7 nM) in response to all three contractile agents. The increase in [Ca++]i induced by CCK-8 and acetylcholine in circular muscle cells was not affected by withdrawal of Ca++ from the medium or addition of methoxyverapamil, whereas the response to both agonists in longitudinal muscle cells and to 20 mM K+ in both cell types was abolished. It was concluded that cells from adjacent muscle layers of the intestine mobilize Ca++ differently during agonist-induced contraction, i.e., by Ca++ release in circular and Ca++ influx in longitudinal muscle cells.     

Platelet-activating factor-induced phosphoinositide metabolism in differentiated U-937 cells in culture

Human monocytic leukemic U-937 cells, when differentiated with dimethylsulfoxide to macrophage-like state, express receptors for platelet-activating factor (PAF). In the differentiated U-937 cells, PAF induced hydrolysis of phosphoinositides and synthesis of inositol phosphates. PAF-induced production of inositol phosphates was rapid, concentration-dependent and was inhibited by a receptor antagonist CV3988, indicating that it was mediated via a specific receptor. In fura-2-loaded, differentiated U-937 cells, PAF induced immediate and concentration-dependent calcium mobilization [( Ca++]i) that was inhibited by CV3988, but not by calcium channel blockers. Addition of an increasing concentration of calcium chelator, ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid, to the medium inhibited a large fraction (approximately 75%) of PAF receptor-induced [Ca++]i mobilization thus suggesting the majority of [Ca++]i mobilization was originated from extracellular milieu and a small portion (approximately 25%) was originated from intracellular sources. The inositol phosphate production induced by PAF, however, was independent from the extracellular calcium and was not inhibited by the addition of ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid. Neither [Ca++]i mobilization or phosphoinositide metabolism in U-937 cells was sensitive to treatment of pertussis toxin, but both types of effects were sensitive to treatment by an inhibitor of phospholipase C, manoalide. These results suggest that in differentiated U-937 cells PAF receptor is coupled through a pertussis toxin-insensitive guanine nucleotide binding protein to a phosphoinositide specific phospholipase C. Inositol-trisphosphate, and possibly diacylglycerol, could be the intracellular messengers for PAF receptor in U-937 cells.     

Differential effect of DPI 201-106 on the sensitivity of the myofilaments to Ca2+ in intact and skinned trabeculae from control and myopathic human hearts.

Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and elevation of intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca++]i) result from phosphatidylinositol biphosphate (PIP2) breakdown. We previously demonstrated that PKC activation inhibits arginine vasopressin (AVP)-induced osmotic water flow in rabbit cortical collecting tubule (CCT) perfused in vitro at 37 degrees C. To estimate the potential significance of PIP2 turnover as a modulator of water transport in this nephron segment, we examined the effect of Ca on AVP action and explored the mechanisms of action of PKC and increased [Ca++]i. In rabbit CCTs perfused at 37 degrees C, pretreatment with bath A23187 (2 x 10(-8) M, 2 x 10(-6) M), a Ca ionophore, almost totally suppressed AVP (10 microU/ml)-induced peak hydraulic conductivity (Lp). The suppression by 2 x 10(-8) M A23187 was as potent as that by 2 x 10(-6) M A23187, and significant even when it was administered 10 min after AVP. When phorbol myristate acetate (PMA, 10(-9) M), a PKC activator, and A23187 (2 x 10(-8) M) were placed in the bath simultaneously, the combined suppressive effect on peak Lp was greater than that of either inhibitor alone. However, the mechanisms of inhibition by PMA and A23187 were different. While both 10(-7) and 10(-9) M PMA suppression are primarily post-cAMP, A23187 predominantly suppressed a pre-cAMP step: 10(-4) M chlorophenylthio-cAMP-induced peak Lp was not affected by 2 x 10(-8) M A23187, and only partially inhibited by 2 x 10(-6) M A23187. The PMA (10(-7) M) suppression of AVP-induced peak Lp was totally reversed by bath staurosporine (10(-7) M), a PKC inhibitor, but not attenuated by either bath indomethacin (5 x 10(-6) M) or low Ca (1-2 x 10(-6) M) bath medium. In contrast, the A23187 (2 x 10(-8) M) suppression of the peak Lp was not affected by staurosporine, but was significantly reversed by indomethacin or low Ca bath medium. We conclude: (a) Elevation of [Ca++]i, as well as activation of PKC, suppresses the hydroosmotic effect of AVP on CCT at 37 degrees C. (b) When stimulated simultaneously these two intracellular mediators are additive in their antagonism of AVP action. These results suggest that stimulated PIP2 breakdown may be an important modulator of water transport in CCT. (c) Different mechanisms underlie PKC and Ca-mediated suppression of the AVP-induced water transport. The inhibition of AVP action by increased [Ca++]i is primarily pre-cAMP, and involves a cyclooxygenase metabolite(s) of arachidonic acid, while the inhibition by PKC is post-cAMP, and independent of cyclooxygenase products of arachidonic acid.     

Cytosolic Ca2+ and protein kinase Calpha couple cellular metabolism to membrane K+ permeability in a human biliary cell line.

Cholangiocytes represent an important target of injury during the ischemia and metabolic stress that accompanies liver preservation. Since K+ efflux serves to minimize injury during ATP depletion in certain other cell types, the purpose of these studies was to evaluate the effects of ATP depletion on plasma membrane K+ permeability of Mz-ChA-1 cells, a model human biliary cell line. Cells were exposed to dinitrophenol (50 microM) and 2-deoxyglucose (10 mM) as the standard model of metabolic injury. Whole-cell and single K+ channel currents were measured using patch clamp techniques; and intracellular [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) was estimated by calcium green-1 fluorescence. Metabolic stress increased [Ca2+]i, and stimulated translocation of the alpha isoform of protein kinase C (PKCalpha) from cytosolic to particulate cell fractions. The same maneuver increased membrane K+ permeability 40-70-fold as detected by (a) activation of K+selective whole cell currents of 2,176+/-218 pA (n = 34), and (b) opening of apamin-sensitive K+ channels with a unitary conductance of 17.0+/-0.2 pS. PKCalpha translocation and channel opening appear to be related since stress-induced K+ efflux is inhibited by chelation of cytosolic Ca2+, exposure to the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine (25 microM) and downregulation of PKC by phorbol esters. Moreover, K+ currents were activated by intracellular perfusion with recombinant PKCalpha in the absence of metabolic inhibitors. These findings indicate that in biliary cells apamin-sensitive K+ channels are functionally coupled to cell metabolism and suggest that cytosolic Ca2+ and PKCalpha are selectively involved in the response.     

A transfected m5 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor stimulates phospholipase A2 by inducing both calcium influx and activation of protein kinase C

Receptor-mediated arachidonic acid release and its relationship to phospholipase A2 and phospholipase C activation were investigated in Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with and expressing the m5 muscarinic receptor. Carbachol, a muscarinic receptor agonist, stimulated the release of arachidonic acid and inositol phosphates with similar potencies. In addition, carbachol and the phorbol ester, phorbol-12-myristate, 13-acetate (PMA), stimulated protein kinase C (PKC) activity. PMA potentiated the carbachol-stimulated release of arachidonic acid, but had no effect on release of inositol phosphates. Long-term preincubation with PMA or carbachol inhibited PKC activity and prevented carbachol-stimulated release of arachidonic acid, but not inositol phosphates, suggesting that release of arachidonic acid, but not release of inositol phosphates, required activation of PKC. Carbachol stimulated the release of [3H]lysophosphatidylcholine from [3H]choline prelabeled cells, suggesting that phospholipase A2 was involved in the release of arachidonic acid. The role of calcium in carbachol-stimulated release of arachidonic acid was also investigated. Carbachol stimulated a transient followed by a sustained increase in intracellular calcium. In the absence of extracellular calcium, the transient rise in intracellular calcium was maintained but the sustained increase in intracellular calcium and the release of arachidonic acid were abolished. Carbachol stimulated a sustained influx of 45Ca++. We conclude that the combined effect of PKC activation and sustained elevation of intracellular calcium, from an extracellular source, is essential for m5 muscarinic receptor activation of phospholipase A2.     

Concentration-dependence of acetylcholine-induced changes in calcium and tension in swine trachealis

Acetylcholine (ACh)-induced increases in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca++]i) and tension were measured simultaneously in swine tracheal smooth muscle strips loaded with the calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye Fura-2. ACh at concentrations greater than or equal to 3 x 10(-8) M induced concentration-dependent increases in tension which reached a maximum at 10(-4) M. Increases in [Ca++]i occurred at all [ACh] tested (10(-8) to 10(-4) M). After addition of ACh at concentrations greater than 3 x 10(-7) M, [Ca++]i increased rapidly to a concentration dependent-peak then declined to a concentration-independent steady state approximately 250 nM above the resting [Ca++]i of 257 +/- 12 nM. There was a steep relationship (slope factor greater than 3) between the peak tension and the peak [Ca++]i reached at each [ACh]. The rate of decline of [Ca++]i to the steady state at [ACh] greater than 73 x 10(-7) M was well correlated with the peak [Ca++]i reached. We conclude that the peak increase in calcium induced by ACh sets the level of tension to be attained and the rate of decline of the transient increase in [Ca++]i. The steady-state [Ca++]i is sufficient for maintenance of tension.     

Effects of recombinant human cytokines on cytarabine activity in K562 human myeloid leukaemia cells.

The K562 cell line provides a unique population of primitive human myeloid leukaemia cells which can be induced to differentiate along the erythroid, granulocytic, macrophage and megakaryocytic lineages in response to several agents. Cytarabine is not only the most widely used drug in the treatment of myeloid leukaemia but also the most effective agent in K562 cells. The effects of five recombinant human cytokines - interleukin-3 (IL-3), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interferon-alpha, interferon-beta and interferon-gamma on cytarabine-induced growth inhibition and differentiation of K562 cells was studied in liquid suspension cultures. GM-CSF and to a lesser extent IL-3 enhanced the antiproliferative effect of cytarabine in K562 cells, whereas the three interferons reduced it. The efficacy of cytarabine in inhibiting the growth of K562 cells was doubled by its combination with GM-CSF or IL-3 but was halved by its combination with interferons. The five cytokines did not significantly affect cytarabine-induced erythroid differentiation of K562 cells. The present results appear to favour the use of GM-CSF and IL-3 but not of interferons in future treatment strategies based on a combined cytokine and chemotherapy approach for myeloid leukaemia.