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C Betsholtz

Publications and source records attributed to C Betsholtz.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Islet amyloid polypeptide: mechanisms of amyloidogenesis in the pancreatic islets and potential roles in diabetes mellitus.

Amyloid deposits characteristically associated with pancreatic islets of those species (e.g., humans, cats, and monkeys) that develop age-associated forms of diabetes have been shown to represent a concentrated and polymerized form of a previously unknown islet-derived protein identified either as IAPP or amylin. IAPP, a highly conserved and carboxy-terminally amidated 37 amino acid polypeptide with approximately 45% amino acid sequence identity to CGRP, is produced by islet beta cells and is cosecreted with insulin in response to glucose and other secretagogues. Prepro-IAPP is synthesized in beta cells as an 89 to 93 amino acid molecule, and mature IAPP appears to be formed by enzymatic processing similar to that involved in the formation of insulin. Glucose-stimulated IAPP secretion generally parallels that of insulin and, on a molar basis, IAPP represents about 1% of the amount of insulin secreted. A significant dissociation of IAPP and insulin secretion (associated with relatively greater upregulation of IAPP secretion) is observed in response to marked hyperglycemia, suggesting that IAPP and insulin expression are differentially regulated. The amyloidogenicity of IAPP in only a very limited number of species is importantly related to the amino acid residues inherently found in the 20-29 region of IAPP from those species. The 25-28 region of human and cat IAPP is identical in structure and appears to be the most important amyloidogenic sequence common to the human and cat. In vitro fibrillogenesis studies have shown that amino acid substitutions in this region especially affect the amyloidogenicity of IAPP. Studies in dogs and cats suggest that aberrations in beta cell synthesis (or processing) of IAPP may lead to an increased concentration of IAPP in the local milieu, thus providing a second prerequisite for the self aggregation of IAPP to form islet amyloid. IAPP has been implicated to have physiological roles in glucose regulation, hemodynamics, calcium homeostasis, and as an anorectic agent. The major current interest in IAPP concerns its potential relationships to glucose metabolism and the development of type 2 diabetes. Evidence has been provided which indicates that IAPP can inhibit glucose-stimulated insulin secretion by beta cells, and that IAPP can also potentially contribute to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes by increasing hepatic glucose output and by inducing peripheral insulin resistance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

The transthyretin cDNA sequence is normal in transthyretin-derived senile systemic amyloidosis.

A variety of mutations leading to amino acid substitutions have been described in the transthyretin gene in association with different familial amyloidoses and have been implicated to be involved in the pathogenesis of amyloid deposits. However, there has been disagreement whether or not a transthyretin mutation is present in the most common form of transthyretin-derived amyloid, namely senile systemic amyloidosis. Therefore, the cDNA sequence of liver transthyretin was determined in a 91-year-old patient with typical senile systemic amyloidosis. This sequence was completely normal and lacked any variation. We conclude that in senile systemic amyloidosis factors other than the presence of a sequentially variant transthyretin must determine the amyloid fibril formation.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Human glial fibrillary acidic protein: complementary DNA cloning, chromosome localization, and messenger RNA expression in human glioma cell lines of various phenotypes.

Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a constituent of intermediate filaments of glial cells of the astrocyte lineage. We cloned a human GFAP complementary DNA, deduced the amino acid sequence, and established the chromosomal location (17q21) of the GFAP gene by Southern blot hybridization of somatic cell hybrids and by in situ hybridization. The authenticity of the complementary DNA was proven by expressing it in glioma cells lacking endogenous GFAP; after microinjection of the complementary DNA, such cells became positive for staining with GFAP antibodies. The levels of fibronectin (FN) and GFAP mRNA of ten human glioblastoma cell lines, determined by Northern blot hybridization of RNA, were related to other phenotypic characteristics [cell morphology and expression of the genes encoding platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptors]. A high expression of GFAP mRNA was found only in cells lacking fibronectin mRNA and protein. Glioma cells with a fibroblastic phenotype (bipolar, FN+/GFAP-) were found to express both types of PDGF receptors (alpha and beta). Relatively high levels of PDGF alpha-receptor mRNA, in the absence of beta-receptor expression, were found in cell lines that express GFAP and lack detectable levels of fibronectin mRNA. The findings are compatible with the idea that the genes encoding PDGF receptors in glioma cells are regulated in concert with other genes, the expression of which may reflect the developmental program of normal glia cell lineages.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed1991

Identification of a cell retention signal in the B-chain of platelet-derived growth factor and in the long splice version of the A-chain.

The B-chain homodimer of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is only very inefficiently secreted and remains largely associated with the producer cell; in contrast, the dimer of the short, and most common, splice variant of the A-chain is secreted. To identify the structural background to the differences in the secretory pattern between the different isoforms of PDGF, a set of chimeric PDGF A/B cDNAs was generated and expressed in COS cells. Analyses of the biosynthesis and processing of the corresponding products led to the identification of a determinant for cell association in the carboxy-terminal third of the PDGF B-chain precursor. Introduction of stop codons at various positions in the carboxy-terminal prosequence of the PDGF B-chain localized this determinant to an 11-amino-acid-long region (amino acids 219-229). This region contains an 8-amino-acid-long basic sequence that is homologous to a sequence present in an alternatively spliced longer version of the PDGF A-chain. In contrast to the short splice variant, the long splice A-chain version, like the B-chain, was found to remain predominantly cell associated. Thus, we have identified a conserved sequence that inhibits the secretion of some of the PDGF isoforms. Our data also suggest that switching of splicing patterns can be a mechanism to regulate the formation of secreted or cell-associated forms of PDGF-AA and possibly other growth factors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Islet amyloid polypeptide and insulin expression are controlled differently in primary and transformed islet cells.

The pancreatic beta-cell is a major site of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) biosynthesis, and the peptide is coreleased with insulin. We have analyzed the expression of IAPP (mRNA and protein) in various cell types in normal and transformed murine islet cell cultures by Northern blot analyses and immunocytochemistry. IAPP is primarily coexpressed with insulin in the beta-cell of GH-promoted primary rat islet cell cultures. Additionally, a small population of non-beta-cells exhibited a prominent IAPP expression, and double staining experiments showed colocalization with glucagon or somatostatin in some of these cells. IAPP mRNA was confined to the beta-cell phenotype when analyzing the phenotypically stable in vivo tumor lines, MSL-G2-IN (insulinoma) and MSL-G-AN (glucagonoma), and the transgenic mouse islet cell lines, beta-Tc and alpha-Tc. However, IAPP and insulin expression were completely uncoupled in unstable heterogeneous clones such as NHI-6F. This clone is composed of primarily glucagon-producing cells in vitro, but insulin gene expression becomes dominant after passage in vivo. Interestingly, IAPP was hyperexpressed with glucagon under in vitro conditions in this clone. We conclude that the tissue specificity of expressions of IAPP and insulin are controlled differently, and that coexpression of IAPP with hormones different from insulin may be a marker for pluripotent transformed rat islet cell clones, which are able to activate insulin gene transcription during passage in vivo.

Amyloid↗
PubMed1990

Expression of messenger RNAs for platelet-derived growth factor and its receptors in human sarcoma cell lines.

Growth factors of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) family have been thought to possess autocrine functions in certain neoplasms of mesenchymal and glial origin. This notion has been based on observations that these tumors express PDGF genes and produce PDGF-like growth factors. Corresponding data on PDGF receptor expression in sarcoma cell lines is essentially lacking. The cloning of cDNA for 2 distinct PDGF receptors with different abilities to recognize the members of the PDGF family and availability of recombinant PDGF for binding studies have recently made it possible to study the expression of both receptor types in tumor cell lines. We present here a study on 8 human sarcoma cell lines, and show a large variability and independency in the expression of the 2 PDGF receptor types as well as of the genes encoding the corresponding ligands.

Humans↗
PubMed1990

The human islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) gene. Organization, chromosomal localization and functional identification of a promoter region.

We report the isolation and characterization of the human gene encoding islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP). Previously characterized cDNA sequences correspond to three exons of which the first is noncoding. A functional promoter region was identified in the 5' flanking DNA; however, this was farther upstream than expected. Northern blot analysis of human insulinoma RNA revealed three IAPP mRNAs of sizes 1.2, 1.8 and 2.1 kb, in agreement with three polyadenylation signals present in the 3' end of the gene. In situ hybridization to metaphase chromosomes resulted in two distinct peaks on chromosome 12, at 12p12-p13 and 12q13-q14. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA suggested a single IAPP locus but also indicated the presence of additional homologous sequences in human genomic DNA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Canine IAPP cDNA sequence provides important clues regarding diabetogenesis and amyloidogenesis in type 2 diabetes.

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) is a recently discovered pancreatic islet hormone which is stored with insulin in beta cell granules. IAPP may have a significant role in the development of Type 2 diabetes mellitus due to its propensity to form islet cell-disrupting amyloid deposits, and by opposing the action of insulin in peripheral tissues. Most evidence to-date suggests that an intrinsic structural motif of IAPP is linked to the amyloidogenicity of IAPP, and that this motif occurs only in those species (e.g., humans and cats) that also develop age-associated or Type 2 diabetes We utilized polymerase chain reaction methodology in this study to obtain the IAPP nucleotide and protein sequences of the dog, a species not known to develop islet amyloid. We show that dog IAPP contains the same putative amyloidogenic sequence (GAILS) at residues 24-28 as human and cat IAPP, and that although dogs do not develop islet amyloid they do develop IAPP-derived amyloid in association with neoplastic beta cells (i.e., insulinomas). These results provide strong evidence that the amyloidogenicity of IAPP is linked to at least two prerequisites: a species-specific amyloidogenic structural motif, and aberrations in the synthesis (or processing) of IAPP which leads to increased concentration of IAPP in the local milieau.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Expression of voltage-gated K+ channels in insulin-producing cells. Analysis by polymerase chain reaction.

We have used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers against the S5 and S6 regions of voltage-gated K+ channels to identify 8 different specific amplification products using poly(A)+ RNA isolated from islets of Langerhans from obese hyperglycemic (ob/ob) mice and from the two insulin-producing cell lines HIT T15 and RINm5F. Sequence analysis suggests that they derive from mRNAs coding for a family of voltage-gated K+ channels; 5 of these have been recently identified in mammalian brain and 3 are novel. These hybridize in classes to different mRNAs which distribute differently to a number of tissues and cell lines including insulin-producing cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

The putative hormone islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) induces impaired glucose tolerance in cats.

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) has been implicated by in vitro studies as an inhibitor of insulin-stimulated glucose utilization by skeletal muscle cells and also as an inhibitor of insulin-stimulated insulin secretion by beta cells. Increased expression and production of IAPP by beta cells, as has been suggested to occur in cats with impaired glucose tolerance, could thus contribute substantially to the development of the insulin resistance and impaired insulin release which are the hallmarks of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The effects of IAPP with respect to glucose metabolism in living animals, however, have not been previously reported. In the present in vivo study we show that synthetic amidated IAPP induced impaired glucose tolerance in each of the 3 cats studied, with dramatic impairment (increases in glucose to T1/2 values of 124% and 234%) in 2 of the 3 cats. Impaired insulin responses were also evident in the 2 cats with the most dramatic states of glucose intolerance. These results provide the most direct evidence to-date that IAPP may have an important role in the development of Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Amyloid↗
PubMed1990

Islet amyloid polypeptide: pinpointing amino acid residues linked to amyloid fibril formation.

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), a putative polypeptide hormone, is a product of pancreatic beta-cells and the major constituent of the amyloid deposits seen mainly in islets of type 2 diabetic humans and diabetic cats. The connection between IAPP amyloid formation and diabetes is unknown, but a limited segment of the IAPP molecule, positions 20-29, seems responsible for the aggregation to fibrils. Differences in the amino acid sequence of this region probably determine whether or not islet amyloid can develop in a particular species. Amyloid fibril formation can be mimicked in vitro with the aid of synthetic peptides. With this technique we show that peptides corresponding to IAPP positions 20-29 of human and cat, species that develop IAPP-derived islet amyloid, form amyloid-like fibrils in vitro. The corresponding IAPP segment from three rodent species that do not develop IAPP-derived amyloid did not give rise to fibrils. Substitution of the human IAPP-(20-29) decapeptide with one or two amino acid residues from species without islet amyloid generally reduced the capacity to form fibrils. We conclude that the sequence Ala-Ile-Leu-Ser-Ser, corresponding to positions 25-29 of human IAPP, is strongly amyloidogenic and that a proline-for-serine substitution in position 28, as in several rodents, almost completely inhibits formation of amyloid fibrils.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Coexpression of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) B chain and the PDGF beta receptor in isolated pancreatic islet cells stimulates DNA synthesis.

Suspensions rich in pancreatic beta cells were transfected by means of electroporation or by using the liposome technique with DNA constructs coding for the B chain of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and the PDGF alpha and beta receptors to induce a mitotic response in this slowly replicating cell type. Transfection with the B-chain construct induced synthesis of the PDGF B-chain homodimer (PDGF-BB) as assessed by the presence of 125I-labeled PDGF-BB competing activity in the conditioned medium of the transfected islet cells. Moreover, islet cells transfected with the PDGF beta-receptor construct exhibited increased immunofluorescence staining with a PDGF beta-receptor antibody. These cells also displayed increased 125I-labeled PDGF-BB binding compared with control transfected cells. Cotransfection with the B-chain construct or the addition of 10% fetal bovine serum or purified PDGF all induced DNA synthesis in islet cells transfected with the PDGF beta-receptor construct. Islet cells transfected with the PDGF alpha-receptor construct did not respond with stimulation of [3H]thymidine incorporation to any of the PDGF isoforms (PDGF-AA, -AB, or -BB). Cotransfection of the PDGF alpha- and beta-receptor constructs resulted in a loss of the DNA synthesis response to PDGF. The beta cells exhibited elevated levels of [3H]inositol trisphosphate after transfection with the B-chain and beta-receptor constructs, indicating activation of phospholipase C. Islet cells transfected with the different receptor constructs exhibited different patterns of tyrosine phosphorylation upon ligand activation. The results demonstrate that pancreatic islet cells can be stimulated to increase DNA synthesis by transfection with the PDGF beta-receptor gene, whereas cotransfection with the alpha-receptor gene may attenuate the growth response.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Structure of cat islet amyloid polypeptide and identification of amino acid residues of potential significance for islet amyloid formation.

Cats and humans, unlike most rodent species, develop amyloid in the islets of Langerhans in conjunction with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The amyloid consists of a 37-amino acid polypeptide referred to as islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP). The primary structures of IAPP from human and three rodent species have previously been determined. Sequence divergence was seen in the region corresponding to amino acid residues 20-29, which in human IAPP has been suggested to confer the amyloidogenic properties to the molecule. Using polymerase chain-reaction methodology, we determined the primary sequence of cat IAPP. Amino acid region 20-29 shows specific similarities and differences compared with human and rodent IAPP, respectively. A synthetic cat IAPP20-29 decapeptide formed amyloid fibrils spontaneously in vitro. Comparison between the structure and amyloid fibril-forming activity of various synthetic peptides suggests that the amino acid residues at positions 25-26 in mature IAPP are important for the amyloidogenic properties of the molecule.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) and pro-IAPP immunoreactivity in human islets of Langerhans.

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) is a 37-amino-acid putative hormone which is expressed by islet B-cells and most probably is co-released with insulin. IAPP is synthesized as an 89-amino-acid prepropeptide in which IAPP is flanked by two short peptides. The two short peptides are ultimately cleaved off at basic residues. In the present study, we used antisera to three different synthetic peptides corresponding to positions 18-30, 40-50 and 53-62 of prepro-IAPP. The two latter peptides fall within the mature IAPP molecule while the first peptide corresponds to the N-terminal flanking peptide. We demonstrate that normal B-cells and islet amyloid both react immunohistochemically with all of these antisera. Using the immunogold labelling technique, we also demonstrate electron microscopically that both the IAPP immunoreactivity and the pro1-IAPP immunoreactivity in amyloid deposits are confined to the amyloid fibrils per se. These data indicate that not only mature IAPP but also the N-terminal flanking peptide is present in islet amyloid deposits. It remains to be shown if the propeptide segments are involved in the pathogenesis of these amyloid depositions.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Islet amyloid, islet-amyloid polypeptide, and diabetes mellitus.

Islet-amyloid deposits, which are a common feature of Type II diabetes mellitus, are derived from the polymerization of a putative hormone identified as IAPP. IAPP is synthesized by normal islet beta cells and probably is cosecreted with insulin. Although the physiologic function of IAPP and its role in the pathogenesis of Type II diabetes mellitus are just beginning to be unraveled, IAPP may play an important part in the development of this most common form of diabetes mellitus by opposing the action of insulin in peripheral tissues. The polymerization of IAPP to form extracellular islet-amyloid deposits may further contribute to the development of Type II diabetes mellitus by destroying islet cells and by disrupting the passage of glucose and hormones to and from them. Substantial evidence indicates that the propensity of IAPP to polymerize and form extracellular amyloid deposits in only certain species (e.g., humans, cats, and raccoons) is directly associated with an intrinsically amyloidogenic part of the molecule--i.e., positions 20 through 29 of IAPP. The inherent amyloidogenicity of IAPP in these species may be further facilitated by increased beta-cell production of IAPP, leading to a high local concentration that predisposes to polymerization. The latter possibility is supported by studies demonstrating that IAPP production by islet beta cells is increased in normoglycemic cats with impaired glucose tolerance. Although increased production of IAPP may initially cause insulin resistance, prolonged overproduction of IAPP may ultimately impair insulin secretion by leading to the progressive deposition of insoluble islet amyloid, a finding apparent in most subjects with overt diabetes. If, as these studies suggest, increased IAPP production is linked to the development of Type II diabetes mellitus, further studies must address the genetic and nongenetic factors that influence this important biologic change in humans and some animal species.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1989

Sequence divergence in a specific region of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) explains differences in islet amyloid formation between species.

Amyloid deposits in the islets of Langerhans occur in association with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in humans and cats and consist of a 37-amino-acid polypeptide known as islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP). In order to find an explanation for the situation that islet amyloid (IA) does not develop in common rodent species, we have deduced the amino acid sequence of the IAPP molecule in mouse, rat and hamster. We find that a specific region of the molecule diverges to a high degree. Synthetic peptides corresponding to this region of human and hamster IAPP were compared for their ability to form amyloid fibrils in vitro. Whereas the human peptide readily formed fibrils with amyloid character, the hamster peptide completely lacked this property. We suggest this to be a likely explanation for the differences in IA formation between humans and rodents and discuss our findings in relation to the type 2 DM syndrome.

Amino Acid Sequence↗