Immunohistochemical localization of 3′:5′-cyclic AMP and 3′:5′-cyclic GMP in rat renal cortex: Effect of parathyroid hormone

Adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) were localized in cells of rat kidney cortex by an immunocytochemical technique before and after perfusion with parathyroid hormone (PTH). In control tissues the cAMP antiserum detected approximately the same intensity of fluorescence in cytoplasmic epithelial cell elements of cortical tubules and glomeruli (cells of Bowman's capsule and podocytes). PTH increased fluorescence in these glomerular cells and increased cAMP fluorescence in cytoplasmic granules in proximal tubular cells. These granules, whose structure has not been identified, were located predominantly on the luminal side of the tubular cells. In control rats, the renal cortical fluorescence detected with the cGMP antiserum was more pronounced in glomeruli (predominantly in the mesangial areas) and lesser amounts of fluorescence were observed in tubules. After PTH treatment, cGMP fluorescence increased in glomeruli and in renal tubular cells. A bright linear pattern of fluorescence was found in the area of the tubular luminal membrane. Perfusion with PTH caused relatively small increases in total tissue cAMP and no consistent increases in total tissue cGMP. Our observations suggest that both cAMP and cGMP are involved in the glomerular and tubular responses to PTH and point out the added dimension that this immunocytochemical technique brings to studies of cyclic nucleotide dynamics in heterogeneous tissues.     

Influence of calcium, parathyroid hormone and ionophore a-23187 on cyclic nucleotide concentrations of isolated renal tubules

Effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and the divalent cation ionophore A-23187 on concentrations of cyclic AMP (cAMP) and cyclic GMP (cGMP) were investigated in isolated renal tubules from male hamsters. Both PTH and A-23187 increased cGMP concentrations, effects which required the presence of extracellular calcium. Increases in cGMP in response to both agents were proportionate to concentrations of calcium between 0.01 and 1.0 mM.Pretreatment of tubules with ionophore prevented any further increase in cGMP in response to PTH. Increases in cAMP in response to PTH were not altered by extracellular calcium, while smaller increases due to A-23187 were completely calcium-dependent. A-23187 increased efflux of ⁴⁵Ca from renal tubules and resulted in decreased accumulation and net uptake of ⁴⁵Ca at low extracellular calcium concentrations (2–3 μM). Increasing extracellular calcium (0.1–3 mM) proportionately reversed the inhibition in ⁴⁵Ca accumulation and resulted in increases in cGMP levels which were directly related to increases in ⁴⁵Ca accumulation. The results indicate that changes in cGMP concentrations of isolated renal tubules following either PTH or A-23187 are related to changes in intracellular calcium.     

Effects of antibody to renal plasma membrane on urinary excretion of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and phosphate induced by parathyroid hormone infusion in rats

Studies were made on the effects of pretreatment of rats with antibody to renal cortical plasma membrane (anti-RPM) on the urinary excretion of cAMP and phosphate induced by infusion of parathyroid hormone (PTH). With PTH infusion, the increase in the urinary excretion of cAMP and phosphate were not parallel. Infusion of 1-40 mg anti-RPM inhibited PTH-induced increase in urinary phosphate excretion but not the increase in urinary cAMP. Infusion of 100 mg of anti-RPM inhibited PTH-induced increases in the excretion of both substances. Infusion of nonimmunized rabbit immunoglobulin (IgG; normal IgG) did not affect PTH-induced increases in the excretion of either cAMP or phosphate. In vitro in isolated renal tubules, with 10 mg/ml anti-RPM, the increases in cAMP content induced by PTH were significantly less than those seen with lower concentrations of this antibody or with normal IgG.     

Enhanced inhibitory effect of alpha 2-adrenoceptor stimulation on the formation of cAMP in glomeruli of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Renal alpha 2-adrenoceptors are known to be increased in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) compared with Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). To investigate whether this difference affects the second messenger system, we examined the effect of alpha 2-adrenoceptor stimulation on the formation of cAMP in microdissected glomeruli and proximal convoluted tubules obtained from the kidneys of SHR and WKY. The formation of glomerular cAMP, which was stimulated by parathyroid hormone (PTH), was inhibited by alpha 2-adrenoceptor stimulation. In contrast, the inhibitory effect of alpha 2-adrenoceptor stimulation on PTH-induced cAMP formation in proximal convoluted tubules was not significantly different between SHR and WKY. These results confirm the inhibitory action of alpha 2-adrenoceptors on the formation of cAMP in glomeruli and proximal tubules and suggest that the greater inhibitory effect on glomerular cAMP formation in SHR may reflect an increase in alpha 2-adrenoceptor density in SHR kidneys.     

Renal proximal tubular alpha-adrenergic receptors oppose urinary 3,5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate response to parathyroid hormone in vivo

In both man and rat, urinary cAMP (U cAMP) level increases in response to PTH. The increased cAMP arises largely by secretion from the proximal tubule where cAMP synthesis is stimulated by PTH through adenylate cyclase-coupled receptors. We have previously demonstrated alpha 2-adrenergic receptors which inhibit PTH-stimulated adenylate cyclase in rat renal cortex membranes in vitro. In the present study, the effects of alpha-adrenergic agonists and antagonists on the U cAMP response to PTH were investigated in anesthetized rats in vivo. Injection of PTH (15 U/kg iv) produced an increase in U cAMP from 1.7 +/- 0.3 to 7.4 +/- 0.7 nmol cAMP/mumol creatinine (n = 6), (P less than 0.001). This rise was largely due to an increase in nephrogenous cAMP which increased 10-fold. Infusion of the alpha 2-adrenergic agonist clonidine at 1 microgram/kg X min caused a decrease in the cAMP response to PTH to 3.6 +/- 0.5 nmol cAMP/mumol creatinine (n = 12) (P less than 0.001). Infusion of the alpha 2-selective catecholamine alpha-methylnorepinephrine (1 microgram/kg X min) caused a similar reduction in U cAMP response to that observed with clonidine. The alpha-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine (100 micrograms/kg X min) reversed the effects of clonidine and, when administered in the absence of alpha-agonists, caused an increased cAMP response to PTH. These results demonstrate the presence of alpha-receptors in the rat proximal convoluted tubule which oppose the actions of PTH in vivo.     

Altered proximal tubule glucose metabolism in X-linked hypophosphatemic mice.

In the present study we examined renal proximal tubule glucose metabolism in the X-linked hypophosphatemic (Hyp/Y) mouse. Compared to those in its normal (+/Y) littermate, Hyp/Y mouse proximal tubules showed a higher rate of glucose production when using glutamine or alpha-ketoglutarate as a substrate. The glucose production rate was not, however, different when using malate or fructose as the substrate. PTH stimulated glucose production in +/Y, but not Hyp/Y, mouse proximal tubules. The PTH resistance in Hyp/Y mouse involves steps at and post-cAMP formation, because in Hyp/Y mouse proximal tubules PTH effects a lesser stimulation of cAMP generation, and addition of 8-bromo-cAMP failed to increase the glucose production rate. The rate of glucose utilization as a whole was not different in the two groups, but the rate of glucose metabolized through the pentose cycle (PC) pathway was markedly lower in Hyp/Y mouse proximal tubules. The lower PC activity in Hyp/Y mouse proximal tubules did not result from a defect of PC enzymes, because both glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase enzyme activities were intact, and phenazine methosulfate was able to stimulate PC activity. The higher rate of glucose production and the lower rate of PC activities persisted in the in vitro cultured Hyp/Y mouse proximal tubular cells. These results suggest that the altered glucose metabolism in the Hyp/Y mouse proximal tubule is not maintained by external influences and may be an abnormality intrinsic to these cells.     

Establishment of a parathyroid hormone-responsive phosphate transport system in vitro using cultured renal cells

A new system was established using primary cultured mouse kidney epithelial cells to study the effect of PTH on renal tubular phosphate transport. The cells used in our study had alkaline phosphatase activity. They showed increased cAMP content in response to PTH, calcitonin, and vasopressin. Thus, these cells were thought to be a mixture of cells originating from the proximal and distal renal tubules. To explore the mechanism of phosphate handling in these cells, the accumulation of radioactive phosphate from the medium into the cells and the spaces between the cell layer and culture plate (submonolayer spaces) was measured. The accumulation of phosphate by the cells was a sodium-dependent, energy-dependent process, which was demonstrated by inhibition both in the absence of sodium and in the presence of ouabain or 2,4-dinitrophenol. Furthermore, phosphate accumulation was decreased significantly by PTH presumably acting through cAMP. PTH inhibited phosphate accumulation not by affecting the efflux process, but by affecting the uptake process through the apical membrane of the cultured cells without altering the compartmental mental distribution of the accumulated phosphate. These characteristics of phosphate accumulation resemble those of renal tubular phosphate transport.     

Bone response to intermittent parathyroid hormone is altered in mice null for {beta}-Arrestin2

Intermittent PTH administration increases bone turnover, resulting in net anabolic effects on bone. These effects are primarily mediated by intracellular cAMP signaling. However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate PTH activity in bone remain incompletely understood. beta-Arrestin2, a G protein-coupled receptor regulatory protein, inhibits PTH-stimulated cAMP accumulation in vitro. Using beta-arrestin2(-/-) (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice, we investigated the response to PTH in primary osteoblasts (POB) and the effects of intermittent PTH administration on bone mass and microarchitecture in vivo. Compared with that in WT mice, PTH-stimulated intracellular cAMP was increased and sustained in KO POB. Intermittent exposure of POB to PTH significantly decreased the ratio of osteoprotegerin (OPG) receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) mRNA expression in KO POB, whereas it increased this ratio in WT POB. Total body bone mass and cortical and trabecular bone parameters were 5-10% lower in male KO mice compared with WT, and these differences were magnified upon in vivo administration of intermittent PTH (80 mug/kg.d) for 1 month. Thus, PTH significantly increased total body bone mineral content as well as vertebral trabecular bone volume and thickness in WT, but not KO mice. The anabolic response to PTH in cortical bone was also slightly more pronounced in WT than KO mice. Histomorphometry indicated that PTH prominently stimulated indexes of bone formation in both WT and KO mice, whereas it significantly increased indexes of bone resorption (i.e. osteoclast number and surface) in KO mice only. In conclusion, these results suggest that beta-arrestins may specify the activity of intermittent PTH on the skeleton by limiting PTH-induced osteoclastogenesis.     

Endogenous substrates for cAMP-dependent phosphorylation in dispersed bovine parathyroid cells

Agonists that increase intracellular cAMP in bovine parathyroid cells ((l)-isoproterenol (ISO), dopamine, prostaglandin E2) as well as cAMP analogs (dibutyryl cAMP and 8-bromo-cAMP) stimulated the phosphorylation of 2 endogenous proteins with apparent molecular weights of 19K and 15K. The time course and concentration-dependence of ISO-stimulated phosphorylation in these cells correlated well with known effects of ISO on intracellular cAMP and PTH release. ISO-stimulated phosphorylation of these two proteins was rapidly reversed by (l)-propranolol. Although 2 mM extracellular calcium inhibited ISO-stimulated PTH secretion, it did not significantly affect the phosphorylation of the 19K and 15K bands. These results are consistent with a physiologic role for the phosphorylation of these proteins in agonist-stimulated PTH secretion in bovine parathyroid cells.     

Effects of synthetic analogs and fragments of bovine parathyroid hormone on adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate level, ornithine decarboxylase activity, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis in rabbit costal chondrocytes in culture: structure-activity relations

Previously, we demonstrated that PTH increases the level of cAMP, the activity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC; EC 4.1.1.17; which is a rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis), and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis (which is characteristic of the chondrocyte phenotype) in rabbit costal chondrocytes in culture. These studies suggested that the accumulation of cAMP and the induction of ODC by PTH are good markers of the differentiated phenotype of cultured chondrocytes. In the present study, the biological effects of a series of bovine PTH (bPTH) fragments and analogs on these three parameters of PTH action were examined. bPTH-(1-34), [Nle8,Nle18,Tyr34]bPTH-(1-34) amide and bPTH-(1-27) amide increased cAMP levels, ODC activity, and GAG synthesis in a dose-dependent manner over the concentration range of 10(-9)-10(-5) M. The order of decreasing potency was: bPTH-(1-34), [Nle8,Nle18,Tyr34]bPTH-(1-34) amide, and bPTH-(1-27) amide. On the other hand, [Nle8,Nle18,Tyr34]bPTH-(3-34) amide, bPTH-(5-27) amide, and [Tyr34]bPTH-(20-34) amide failed to increase cAMP levels, ODC activity, or GAG synthesis when present in concentrations up to 10(-5) M. However, [Nle8,Nle18,Tyr34]bPTH-(3-34) amide, bPTH-(5-27) amide, and [Tyr34]bPTH-(20-34) amide inhibited bPTH-(1-34)-stimulated increases in cAMP and ODC activity. These results partially define the principal structural determinants within the PTH molecule required for biological activity and expression of the differentiated phenotype of chondrocytes.     

Effects of calcitonin on 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate and calcium second messenger generation and osteoblast function in UMR 106-06 osteoblast-like cells.

The UMR 106-06 rat osteosarcoma osteoblast-like cell line possesses calcitonin (CT) receptors in addition to expressing PTH receptors and a highly osteoblast-like phenotype, and may represent an intermediate developmental stage between early osteoblast precursors and mature osteoblasts. Therefore, we examined the effects of CT and PTH on second messenger generation and osteoblastic function in these cells. In UMR-106-06 cells, 10-1000 nM CT produced a dose-dependent stimulation of intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), which reached a plateau between 2-3 min. This stimulatory effect was abolished in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]o) and was mimicked by forskolin and (Bu)2cAMP. One hundred nanomolar CT also produced a slight but significant increase in inositol triphosphate production (13%, P less than 0.05) but did not produce a rapid, transient increase in [Ca2+]i. In contrast, PTH produced a rapid, transient increase in [Ca2+]i, which reached a maximum within 30 sec. This stimulatory effect of PTH on [Ca2+]i signal was dose-dependent and accompanied by a parallel stimulation of inositol triphosphate production. PTH, forskolin, and (Bu)2cAMP all produced a marked dose-related suppression of both DNA and collagen synthesis, which paralleled their stimulatory effects on intracellular cAMP levels. In marked contrast, CT only minimally reduced DNA and collagen synthesis despite producing comparable increases in intracellular cAMP. One hundred nanomolar CT also stimulated alkaline phosphatase specific activity by 33% (P less than 0.05). Thus, CT stimulates cAMP, [Ca2+]i, and inositol phosphate second messengers in UMR 106-06 cells. However, in contrast to other agents which elevate intracellular cAMP levels, CT does not suppress DNA synthesis. These results suggest that the linkage of CT receptor second messengers to effects on cell function differ from those of PTH and/or that CT may produce additional second messenger(s) which antagonize the antiproliferative effect of increased cAMP levels in UMR-106-06 cells.     

A comparison of the effects of divalent and trivalent cations on parathyroid hormone release, 3',5'-cyclic-adenosine monophosphate accumulation, and the levels of inositol phosphates in bovine parathyroid cells

We compared the effects of a series of di- and trivalent cations on various aspects of parathyroid function to investigate whether these polyvalent cations act on the parathyroid cell through a similar mechanism. Like high extracellular concentrations of Ca2+, high levels of barium (Ba2+), strontium (Sr2+), gadolinium (Gd3+), europium (Eu3+), terbium (Tb3+), and ytterbium (Yb3+) [corrected] each inhibited low calcium-stimulated PTH release and showed IC50 values (the concentration producing half of the maximal inhibitory effect) of 1.12 mM, 1.18 mM, 2.2 microM, 2.5 microM, 0.89 microM, and 15 microM, respectively. The inhibitory effects of both divalent (Ca2+ and Ba2+) and trivalent (Gd3+) cations were reversible by 76-100% after removal of the cation, suggesting that the polyvalent cation-mediated reduction in PTH release was not due to nonspecific toxicity. The same di- and trivalent cations produced an 80-90% decrease in agonist-stimulated cAMP accumulation with a similar order of potency as for their effects on PTH release. Preincubation overnight with pertussis toxin totally prevented the inhibitory effects of the trivalent cations on cAMP accumulation. The same di- and trivalent cations also increased the accumulation of inositol monophosphate, inositol bisphosphate, and inositol trisphosphate. Their effects on this parameter differed from those on PTH release and cAMP accumulation in several respects. First, Ba2+ and Sr2+, rather than being equipotent with Ca2+, were about 2-fold less potent in increasing the levels of inositol phosphates. Second, the trivalent cations were 5-50-fold less potent in raising inositol phosphates than in modulating PTH release and cAMP accumulation, and all were nearly equipotent. These results show that trivalent cations of the lanthanide series mimic the actions of divalent cations on several aspects of parathyroid function, and likely do so by interacting with the cell surface "Ca2(+)-receptor-like mechanism" through which extracellular Ca2+ has been postulated to act. The pharmacology of the effects of these polyvalent cations on cAMP and PTH release are similar and differ from that for their actions on inositol phosphate metabolism, raising the possibility that there might be more than one form of the putative Ca2+ receptor.     

3',5'-Cyclic adenosine monophosphate activation in osteoblastic cells: effects on parathyroid hormone-1 receptors and osteoblastic differentiation in vitro.

PTH has anabolic and catabolic effects in bone through activation of the PTH-1 (PTH/PTHrP) receptor and the cAMP/protein kinase A pathway. The effects of agents that regulate cAMP in nontransformed osteoblasts in relation to cell differentiation have not been described. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of PTH fragments with differing cAMP-stimulating activity, and nonPTH cAMP regulators on PTH-1 receptor expression and activity, and osteoblast differentiation in vitro using MC3T3-E1 and primary rat calvarial cells. PTH (1-34), but not PTH (53-84), (7-34), or PTHrP (107-139) treatment (24 h) resulted in down-regulation of steady-state messenger RNA for the PTH-1 receptor. Forskolin (a stimulator of cAMP accumulation) also down regulated the PTH-1 receptor, whereas 9-(tetrahydro-2-furyl) adenine (THFA) (an inhibitor of adenylyl cyclase) had no effect. Similarly, PTH (1-34) treatment for 48 h abolished PTHrP binding to cell surface receptors; however, neither the PTH analogs nor the cAMP regulating agents altered PTH binding or numbers of binding sites on osteoblastic cells. Basal levels of cAMP were reduced in cultured cells treated for 6 days with PTH (7-34) or THFA compared with controls. In contrast, PTH-stimulated cAMP levels were significantly increased in cultures treated with PTH (7-34) and THFA for 6 days during osteoblast differentiation and were decreased in cultures treated with PTH (1-34) and forskolin compared with controls. To evaluate effects of the cAMP pathway on osteoblast differentiation, cultures were treated continuously with PTH analogs and cAMP regulators during an 18-day differentiation regime, total RNA was isolated at multiple time points, and Northern blot analysis for osteocalcin (OCN) was performed. THFA and PTH (7-34)-treated cultures had increased OCN expression; whereas, PTH (1-34) and forskolin reduced OCN expression. Interestingly, PTH (7-34) and THFA-treated cultures had increased mineralized nodule formation, in contrast to PTH (1-34) and forskolin treatment, which reduced nodule formation. Similarly, calcium accumulation in cultures was significantly increased in the PTH (7-34) and THFA-treated cultures and reduced in the PTH (1-34) and forskolin-treated cultures. These data demonstrate that agents that increase cAMP down regulate PTH-1 receptor messenger RNA and inhibit osteoblast differentiation in vitro. Agents that reduce or block adenylyl cyclase or cAMP activity do not alter PTH-1 receptor expression or binding, but have striking effects on promoting osteoblast differentiation. We conclude that many effects of PTH on osteoblasts may be mimicked or antagonized by agents that alter cAMP activity and bypass the PTH-1 receptor.     

Increased renal responses to exogenous parathyroid hormone in postsurgical hypoparathyroidism

Prior exposure to excess PTH desensitizes the kidney to subsequent doses of the hormone. We tested the hypothesis that prior deficiency of PTH would increase renal responsiveness to the agent. Ten normal subjects and nine patients with treated chronic postsurgical hypoparathyroidism received infusions of synthetic human PTH fragment 1-34 [hPTH-(1-34), Armour], 200 U over 10 min. All subjects responded to hPTH-(1-34) infusion with marked increases in plasma and urinary cAMP and phosphaturia. Mean (and median) urinary cAMP responses in the hypoparathyroid subjects were 62% (and 91%) above the responses in normal subjects, while mean (and median) nephrogenous cAMP responses were 65% (and 88%) higher than those in normal subjects. Mean (and median) phosphaturic responses to hPTH-(1-34) in hypoparathyroidism were 49% (and 52%) above normal subjects' responses. All of these differences were statistically significant. These data and others from the literature suggest that chronic hypoparathyroidism enhances renal responses to PTH, consistent with the concept of hormonal regulation of tissue sensitivity to the hormone.     

The role of protein kinase-A activity in the evaluation of agonist/antagonist properties of analogs of parathyroid hormone-related protein in opossum kidney cells.

Structural modifications of the amino-terminal region of PTH resulted in the generation of PTH analogs with potent antagonist activities and markedly reduced agonist activities. Further development of these structure-function relationships to modifications of the sequence of the PTH-related protein (PTHrP) resulted in PTH/PTHrP antagonist analogs with increased antagonist activity and little if any agonist effects. Since studies from our laboratory have shown that measurement of protein kinase-A activity appears to be a more sensitive index of the actions of PTH than measurements of total cAMP, the present studies were designed to examine the effects of a series of PTHrP-based peptides for agonist/antagonist effects in opossum kidney (OK) cells. The results show that PTHrP-(7-34)NH2, which does not increase cAMP, displays agonist activity in terms of increasing protein kinase-A activity. Furthermore, [Leu11,D-Trp12]PTHrP-(7-34)NH2 and [D-Trp12]PTHrP-(7-34)NH2, which appear to be effective antagonists of rat PTH-(1-34)-stimulated cAMP generation, were less effective in antagonizing the effects on protein kinase-A and only [Leu11,D-Trp12] PTHrP-(7-34)NH2 appeared to exhibit any antagonist activity. The Ki for [Leu11,D-Trp1/]PTHrP-(7-34)NH2 to antagonize the stimulatory effect of 1 nM rat PTH-(1-34) was easily demonstrable by measurements of cAMP, but could not be demonstrated using the assay of protein kinase-A activity. These data underscore the observation that measurement of protein kinase-A is a more sensitive index of the effects of PTH than measurements of cAMP and that significant agonist activity on the cAMP/protein kinase pathway cannot be excluded without measurements of protein kinase-A activity.     

Protein kinase-A and the effects of parathyroid hormone on phosphate uptake in opossum kidney cells

Current evidence indicates that signal transduction after receptor binding of PTH involves the stimulation of adenylate cyclase as well as stimulation of phosphoinositide metabolism. Recent studies, showing that PTH alters phosphate transport in opossum kidney cells at concentrations which do not increase cAMP production and that activators of protein kinase-C also alter phosphate transport, have led to the suggestion that there is a dual mechanism for the regulation of phosphate transport by PTH, namely, protein kinase-C at physiological levels of PTH and cAMP at higher levels of PTH. The present studies were designed to evaluate the relationship between cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PK-A), a more sensitive indicator of alterations in cAMP metabolism than measurements of total cellular cAMP, and phosphate transport in opossum kidney cells, in response to bovine (b)PTH 1-34 and [Nle8,Nle18,Tyr34]bPTH 3-34 amide. While bPTH 1-34 markedly stimulated cAMP accumulation (half-maximal stimulation between 1 and 10 nM), PTH 3-34 analog did not. Phosphate transport was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by bPTH 1-34, with half-maximal effect occurring between 0.1 and 1 nM. [Nle8,Nle18,Tyr34]bPTH 3-34 amide also altered phosphate transport, although this peptide was 3 orders of magnitude less potent than bPTH 1-34. PK-A activity increased in response to bPTH 1-34 and correlated closely with the effects of PTH on phosphate transport. [Nle8,Nle18,Tyr34]bPTH 3-34 amide, which did not appear to increase cAMP, also resulted in a significant increase in the activity of PK-A. Studies of inhibition of cAMP accumulation using 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine demonstrated that while this agent markedly inhibited the accumulation of cAMP in response to PTH, the effects of PTH on phosphate transport were not altered. However, in spite of the reduction in cAMP the activation of PK-A was similar to control. These data indicate that the effects of PTH peptides on phosphate transport are more closely related to changes in the activity of PK-A than to levels of total cAMP. Activation of PK-A in response to PTH is demonstrable at the lowest doses of PTH that alter phosphate transport.     

Effects of limited exposure of rabbit chondrocyte cultures to parathyroid hormone and dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate on cartilage-characteristic proteoglycan synthesis

Treatment of rabbit chondrocyte cultures with PTH or (Bu)2cAMP for 30 h increased by 2- to 3-fold the incorporation of [35S]sulfate and 3H radioactivity with glucosamine as the precursor into large chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans characteristically found in cartilage matrix. However, PTH and (Bu)2cAMP did not increase either [35S]sulfate incorporation into small proteoglycans or the incorporation of 3H radioactivity into hyaluronic acid and other glycosaminoglycans. PTH and (Bu)2cAMP also increased the incorporation of [3H] serine into both proteoglycans and total protein. In all cultures described above, the stimulation of [3H]serine incorporation into proteoglycans exceeded that of [3H]serine incorporation into total protein. These data indicate that PTH and (Bu)2cAMP selectively stimulate cartilage proteoglycan synthesis while they increase total protein synthesis. Since cAMP seems to play a mediatory role in the action of PTH, we elected to examine the effects of a limited exposure of chondrocytes to PTH or (Bu)2cAMP on the synthesis of proteoglycans. Treatment with PTH or (Bu)2cAMP for only the initial 2-7 h did not increase the rates of incorporation of [35S]sulfate, the 3H radioactivity with glucosamine, and [3H]serine into proteoglycans, as measured at 30 h, despite the fact that this treatment brought about a rapid and transient rise in the cAMP level. Furthermore, the application of prostaglandin I2 at concentrations that increased cAMP levels in a similar fashion as did PTH did not affect [35S] sulfate incorporation into proteoglycans. These observations suggest that in addition to the transient rise of cAMP, other biochemical changes are required for elaboration of the effect of PTH on proteoglycan synthesis. Although cAMP analogs mimic some of the effects of PTH in chondrocytes, the nucleotides and PTH appear to stimulate proteoglycan synthesis by different mechanisms.     

Endothelium-independent linkage of parathyroid hormone receptors of rat vascular tissue with increased adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and relaxation of vascular smooth muscle

We examined the mechanisms involved in the relaxation of rat vascular smooth muscle by PTH. PTH increased intracellular cAMP 10-fold in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells from rat aorta. Forskolin, methylisobutylxanthine, and papaverine all potentiated PTH action. The cAMP responses to PTH were not altered by concurrent addition of propranolol, phentolamine, atropine, or [Sar1,Ile8]angiotensin II. Only the synthetic PTH antagonist analog [Nle8,Nle18,Tyr34] bovine PTH-(3-34) inhibited the cAMP and vascular relaxation responses to PTH. Isoproterenol produced increases in intracellular cAMP and adenylate cyclase activity which were additive to those produced by PTH. In contracted rat aortic strips, PTH caused a dose-dependent relaxation which was not altered by removal of the vessel intima or treatment with nordihydroguaiaretic acid. Also, membrane preparations from intact aortas or aortas with the endothelium or adventitia removed displayed identical PTH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities. These findings indicate that the relaxant action of PTH in rat aorta does not require an intact endothelium and results from a direct effect on the vessel medial layer. Relaxation appears to be mediated by a receptor unique for PTH which is linked to the adenylate cyclase of vascular smooth muscle cells.     

Binding of parathyroid hormone and parathyroid hormone-related protein to vascular smooth muscle of rabbit renal microvessels

The humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy factor (also called PTH-related protein or PTHrp) has been shown to produce effects similar to PTH in the kidney, bone, and cardiovascular system. Binding of PTHrp and PTH has been characterized in renal and osseous tissues, but not in vascular tissue. We have attempted to characterize the interaction of both human PTHrp and rat PTH to renal microvessels as a model of vascular smooth muscle and in a renal tubule preparation from the same rabbit kidneys. Previous studies have shown the microvessel and tubule preparations to be distinct based upon morphological examination, differential enzyme markers, calcitonin and vasopressin-sensitive adenylate cyclase distribution, and different characteristics of guanine nucleotide and of oxidized PTH activation of the adenylate cyclases associated with the preparations. Human PTHrp and rat PTH were iodinated by standard techniques and purified by HPLC. Both ligands bound to microvessels and tubules in a saturable, specific manner, Maximal specific binding of either ligand was 65-75% in microvessels and 80-90% in renal tubules. The time courses of binding of both ligands were identical with steady state achieved within 20 min in the smooth muscle of microvessels and 15 min in the tubules at 22 C. In equilibrium competition binding experiments, bound 125I-PTHrp was displaced by both PTHrp and PTH in microvessels and tubules. Rat PTH displayed slightly higher affinity in microvessels and tubules than PTHrp. Identical results were obtained with 125I-PTH as ligand. Specificity of binding of PTHrp and PTH to both microvessels and tubules was excellent, with competition observed between the radioactive ligand and bovine and rat PTH, PTHrp, and the antagonists, [Nle8,18, Tyr34]bovine PTH and [Nle8,18, Tyr34]bovine PTH but not with several other peptides of unrelated structure. The only major difference in binding between microvessels and tubules was a smaller number of binding sites in microvessels compared to tubules. These results indicate that vascular tissue contains receptor sites for PTH and PTHrp as identified by radioligand binding techniques. These receptors are similar in characteristics to the receptors of renal tubular tissue. Both PTH and PTHrp appear to interact with the receptors of rabbit kidney microvessels and tubules.     

Cyclic AMP production in rat calvaria in vitro: interaction prostaglandins with parathyroid hormone.

We studied the cAMP response of cultured rat calvaria to parathyroid hormone (PTH) and prostaglandins (PG) in order to test the hypothesis that PTH action is mediated by PG. PTH and PGE1 each caused an 8-fold increase in tissue cAMP during 15 min incubation. There was an additive response to the combination of the two agonists at maximally effective individual concentrations. Similar results were obtained when adenylate cyclase activity in bone homogenates were measured. Calvaria incubated for 60 min with PGE1 were desensitized to further stimulation by PGE1, but responded normally to PTH. Indomethacin, aspirin and phenylbutazone, 10(-5)M, had no effect on the cAMP response to PTH. At millimolar concentration these agents did block the hormone response; however, the response to exogenous PGE1 and the fluoride-sensitive adenylate cyclase were also inhibited. Thus, it appears that the effects of high concentrations of the anti-inflammatory drugs on cAMP formation are non-specific. Our results suggest that receptors in bone for PTH and prostaglandins are separate and independent, and that the cAMP response to PTH is not mediated by prostaglandins.