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H B Pollard

Publications and source records attributed to H B Pollard.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Mouse synexin (annexin VII) polymorphisms and a phylogenetic comparison with other synexins.

Two sets of cDNAs encoding mouse synexin were isolated from a liver cDNA library and sequenced. The coding regions of synexin clones show 99% identity. By contrast, the two mouse synexin cDNAs differ in a number of ways in both 5' and 3' non-coding regions. The two sets of cDNA encode a polypeptide of 463 amino acid residues which has a deduced molecular mass of 50 kDa. The amino acid sequence of mouse synexin shows a high degree of similarity to both the unique N-terminal domain and the highly conserved C-terminal domain of previously cloned human synexin. Northern-blot analysis using mouse liver polyadenylated RNA revealed two transcripts of 1.8 kb and 2.6 kb, corresponding to group I and group II respectively. Further hybridization analysis using specific sequences from each set of clones showed that the two sizes of mRNAs differ in the length of the 3' non-coding region which corresponded to the cDNAs. Both mouse liver synexin and recombinant mouse synexin expressed in Escherichia coli reacted after Western-blot analysis with a goat antibody against bovine synexin. Only in the larger group-II cDNAs do we find point mutations leading to amino acid replacements of Ser to Ala at residue 145 in the unique N-terminal domain, and of Ala to Gly at residue 304 in the transition zone between repeats II and III. We conclude from a comparison of mouse, human and Dictyostelium synexins that changes occur predominantly in the hydrophobic N-terminal domain, or, in the C-terminal region at the ends of some predicted alpha-helices, on the hydrophobic face of the amphipathic C-helices, and within a lengthy non-helical domain connecting major repeats II and III.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Alzheimer disease amyloid beta protein forms calcium channels in bilayer membranes: blockade by tromethamine and aluminum.

Amyloid beta protein (A beta P) is the 40- to 42-residue polypeptide implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease. We have incorporated this peptide into phosphatidylserine liposomes and then fused the liposomes with a planar bilayer. When incorporated into bilayers the A beta P forms channels, which generate linear current-voltage relationships in symmetrical solutions. A permeability ratio, PK/PCl, of 11 for the open A beta P channel was estimated from the reversal potential of the channel current in asymmetrical KCl solutions. The permeability sequence for different cations, estimated from the reversal potential of the A beta P-channel current for each system of asymmetrical solutions, is Pcs > PLi > PCa > or = PK > PNa. A beta P-channel current (either CS+ or Ca2+ as charge carriers) is blocked reversibly by tromethamine (millimolar range) and irreversibly by Al3+ (micromolar range). The inhibition of the A beta P-channel current by these two substances depends on transmembrane potential, suggesting that the mechanism of blockade involves direct interaction between tromethamine (or Al3+) and sites within the A beta P channel. Hitherto, A beta P has been presumed to be neurotoxic. On the basis of the present data we suggest that the channel activity of the polypeptide may be responsible for some or all of its neurotoxic effects. We further propose that a useful strategy for drug discovery for treatment of Alzheimer disease may include screening compounds for their ability to block or otherwise modify A beta P channels.

Aluminum↗

Sigma receptors modulate nicotinic receptor function in adrenal chromaffin cells.

Neither the physiological function of sigma (sigma) receptors nor the cellular mechanism responsible for the pharmacological effects of sigma receptor ligands is known. We now report that sigma receptor ligands noncompetitively inhibit nicotine-stimulated catecholamine release from bovine adrenal chromaffin cells in a concentration-dependent and reversible manner. The rank order of potency of ligands to inhibit nicotine-stimulated catecholamine release is significantly correlated (P < 0.005) with that observed in radioligand binding assays selective for the sigma 1 receptor subtype. This naltrexone-insensitive effect is paralleled by an inhibition of nicotine-stimulated increases in [Ca2+]i. Sigma ligands were without effect on catecholamine release or [Ca2+]i in the absence of nicotine. In addition, nicotine accelerated the association of the sigma receptor selective radioligand, [3H](+)pentazocine, to adrenal medullary homogenates while having no effect on the rate of ligand dissociation, consistent with a sigma ligand binding site closely associated with and allosterically modulated by the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Thus, the actions of agonists at the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in bovine chromaffin cells are modulated by sigma 1 receptor selective ligands.

Adrenal Medulla↗

Comparison of stimulated tissue factor expression by brain microvascular endothelial cells from normotensive (WKY) and hypertensive (SHR) rats.

The amounts of tissue factor (TF) expressed by brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) from normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were compared after stimulating the cells with different doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), thrombin, phorbol myristic acid (PMA), Ca(2+)-ionophore (A23187), or tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-1 (IL-1). Treatment of cultured BMECs from WKY and SHR with all of these factors dose-dependently increased their total amount of TF; no substantive differences in the levels of enhanced TF expression were observed between WKY and SHR BMECs. We conclude that stimulated endothelium from rats with hypertension, a major stroke risk factor, is not hyperresponsive with respect to TF expression when compared to normotensive controls.

Animals↗

A1 adenosine-receptor antagonists activate chloride efflux from cystic fibrosis cells.

A1 adenosine-receptor-antagonist drugs such as 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (CPX) and xanthine amine congener (XAC) are found to activate the efflux of 36Cl- from CFPAC cells. These cells are a pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line derived from a cystic fibrosis (CF) patient homozygous for the common mutation, deletion of Phe-508. The active concentrations for these compounds are in the low nanomolar range, consistent with action on A1 adenosine receptors. In addition, drug action can be blocked by exogenous agonists such as 2-chloroadenosine and also can be antagonized by removal of endogenous agonists by treatment with adenosine deaminase. Cells lacking the CF genotype and phenotype, such as HT-29 and T84 colon carcinoma cell lines, appear to be resistant to activation of chloride efflux by either drug. CFPAC cells transfected with the CF transmembrane regulator gene, CFTR, are also resistant to activation by CPX. We conclude that, since these antagonists are of relatively low toxicity and appear to act somewhat selectively, they might be considered as promising therapeutic candidates for CF.

2-Chloroadenosine↗

Cyclic AMP-independent secretion of mucin by SW1116 human colon carcinoma cells. Differential control by Ca2+ ionophore A23187 and arachidonic acid.

The regulation of mucin secretion by SW1116 human colon carcinoma cells has been studied using monoclonal antibody 19-9, which has previously been used to detect mucin in the serum of cancer and cystic fibrosis patients. We found that SW1116 cells constitutively secrete considerable amounts of mucin as the predominant glycoprotein. The secretion of mucin by these cells is independent of cyclic AMP levels, but can be further stimulated by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. However, arachidonic acid and its metabolites inhibit mucin secretion. Electron microscope studies reveal that the mucin is located near the plasma membrane as well as in vesicular and lysosome-like structures. However, the secretion pathway of mucin is different than that of the lysosomal contents, since arachidonic acid, while inhibiting mucin secretion, actually activates the secretion of the lysosomal enzyme beta-glucuronidase. We suggest that the mechanism of mucin secretion by SW1116 cells occurs by a pathway different from common exocytosis, and possibly by more than one pathway. The response of mucin secretion by SW1116 cells to common secretagogues resembles that of epithelial cells obtained from cystic fibrosis patients. Thus SW1116 cells are an especially interesting system for studying processes related to pathological states associated with excessive constitutive secretion of mucin.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Flat embedding and immunolabelling of SW 1116 colon carcinoma cells in LR white: an improved technique in light and electron microscopy.

Human SW 1116 colon carcinoma cells were grown on matrix-covered coverslips and flat embedded in specially prepared gelatin capsules in the hydrophylic resin LR White. Dehydration and polymerization were carried out so as to maximize preservation of antigenicity. Sections were cut perpendicular to the substratum. To visualize mucin, semithin sections of SW 1116 cells were stained with periodic acid Schiff (PAS) reagent for light microscopy, and ultrathin sections were labelled with a monoclonal mucin antibody (Mab 19-9) and immunogold for electron microscopy. Immunofluorescence was carried out on whole cultured cells using Mab 19-9. The morphological preservation of SW 1116 cells embedded in LR White was comparable to that of Epon-embedded cells. Mucin was localized on the microvillar surface of the apical plasma membrane and occasionally in intercellular spaces between adjacent cells. Mucin was also present in vesicles in the apical and lateral part, and to a lesser extent in the basal part of the cells. We conclude that this new technology significantly improves the morphological preservation of cells and tissues in LR White, while also serving to sustain the antigenicity of cellular antigens.

Acrylic Resins↗

Intrinsic anion channel activity of the recombinant first nucleotide binding fold domain of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator protein.

The first nucleotide binding fold (NBF-1) from the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) has been expressed in bacteria and found to bind ATP and to express anion channel activity when reconstituted onto a planar lipid bilayer. This evidence suggests that the NBF forms the anion-selective portion of the CFTR channel. We also found that the recombinant NBF-1 anion channel is blocked by ATP (1 mM), under which condition it appears to have a minimal conductance of approximately 9 pS and an ohmic current-voltage relationship. We further found that the recombinant NBF-1 bearing the delta F508 mutation has nearly identical anion channel activity to that of the wild-type protein but can be distinguished from wild type under bianionic conditions with chloride and gluconate. We conclude from these data that the anion channel activity of the recombinant NBF-1 could represent all or part of the anion conductance mechanism of CFTR and that the role of the ATP binding by the NBF could be to modulate this anion channel activity.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Calcium-independent K(+)-selective channel from chromaffin granule membranes.

Intact adrenal chromaffin granules and purified granule membrane ghosts were allowed to fuse with acidic phospholipid planar bilayer membranes in the presence of Ca2+ (1 mM). From both preparations, we were able to detect a large conductance potassium channel (ca. 160 pS in symmetrical 400 mM K+), which was highly selective for K+ over Na+ (PK/PNa = 11) as estimated from the reversal potential of the channel current. Channel activity was unaffected by charybdotoxin, a blocker of the [Ca2+]-activated K+ channel of large conductance. Furthermore, this channel proved quite different from the previously described channels from other types of secretory vesicle preparations, not only in its selectivity and conductance, but also in its insensitivity to both calcium and potential across the bilayer. We conclude that the chromaffin granule membrane contains a K(+)-selective channel with large conductance. We suggest that the role of this channel may include ion movement during granule assembly or recycling, and do not rule out events leading to exocytosis.

Adrenal Medulla↗

Quantitative analysis of depolarization-induced ATP release from mouse brain synaptosomes: external calcium dependent and independent processes.

We and others have shown previously that ATP is secreted from mouse brain synaptosomes following depolarization of the membrane by high [K+]o and the time course can be monitored accurately by measuring the light emitted from luciferin-luciferase included in the reaction medium. In the present work we have evaluated the relative importance of [Ca2+]o and membrane potential on the ATP secretion process by modelling the time course of ATP release under different conditions. After correction of the records for destruction of released ATP by synaptosomal ecto-ATPase activity, we found that ATP secretion occurs by an apparent first order process. We also established that, in addition to the classical [Ca2+]o-dependent mode, ATP secretion also occurred in the absence of extracellular calcium ([Ca2+]o less than 1 microM). Upon lowering the extracellular Ca2+ concentration, both the rate and the extent of ATP secretion decreased. To assess the contribution of membrane potential to the release rate we measured ATP secretion at membrane potentials determined by extracellular [K+]o (or [Rb+]o) as defined by the distribution of the carbocyanine dye, diSC3(5). Rate constants computed from measured secretion curves revealed that this parameter was essentially independent of membrane potential in the absence of [Ca2+]o. Noise analysis of the light signal showed that the variance increased upon stimulation by high [K+]o, suggesting that both modes of secretion are quantal. Thus, we conclude that the rate of ATP secretion from nerve terminals depends upon Ca2+ entry but not on membrane potential, per se.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Immunolocalization of synexin (annexin VII) in adrenal chromaffin granules and chromaffin cells: evidence for a dynamic role in the secretory process.

Synexin (annexin VII) is a Ca(2+)- and phospholipid-binding protein which has been proposed to play a role in Ca(2+)-dependent membrane fusion processes. Using a monoclonal antibody against synexin, Mab 10E7, and immunogold, we carried out a semiquantitative localization study of synexin in bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin granules, and in resting and nicotine-stimulated adrenal chromaffin cells. Isolated chromaffin granules contained very little synexin, whereas chromaffin granules aggregated with synexin (24 micrograms/mg) and Ca2+ (1 mM) clearly showed synexin-associated immunogold particles in the vicinity of the granule membrane (1.88 gold particles per granule profile). In isolated, cultured adrenal chromaffin cells, synexin was present in the nucleus (5.5 particles/microns 2) and in the cytosol (5.3 particles/microns 2), but mainly around the granule membrane in the granular cell area (11.7 particles/microns 2). During the active phase of cholinergically stimulated catecholamine secretion, the amount of synexin label was reduced by 33% in the nucleus, by 23% in the cytosol, and by 51% in the granule area. The plasma membrane contained a small amount of synexin, which did not significantly change upon stimulation of the cells. We conclude that synexin is involved in the secretory process in chromaffin cells.

Adrenal Medulla↗

A parkinsonian syndrome induced in the goldfish by the neurotoxin MPTP.

Parkinson's disease has been modeled in humans, lower primates, and to a lesser extent in some other vertebrates by administration of the potent neurotoxin MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine). The MPTP model has thus drawn considerable attention as a system to search for anti-Parkinson's disease drugs, although the cost and scarcity of primates has limited extensive applications. We now report that a parkinsonian syndrome can be elicited in the common goldfish (Carassius auratus) by a single dose of MPTP. The syndrome is characterized by profound bradykinesia (slow movement), the full extent of which is reached 3 days after MPTP administration. The reduction in movement is paralleled by loss of dopamine and norepinephrine from the forebrain and midbrain and in other brain regions as well. The toxic oxidative product of MPTP, MPP+, is also accumulated predominantly in forebrain and midbrain, and pretreatment with the monoamine oxidase blocker tranylcypromine substantially reduces accumulation of the toxic metabolite. A barely perceptible coarseness in balance adjustment also occurs in treated animals. The MPTP-treated goldfish recover normal movement and normal brain monoamine levels within 10-13 days after administration of the drug. We interpret these and other data to indicate that MPTP can induce a Parkinson's disease-like syndrome in the goldfish that is similar in many aspects to the syndrome induced by MPTP in humans and other primates. This remarkable parallel may permit the goldfish to supplement expensive and scarce primates for the purpose of searching and screening neuroprotective drugs with specific relevance to Parkinson's disease.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗

Mixed nicotinic and muscarinic features of cholinergic receptor coupled to secretion in bovine chromaffin cells.

Acetylcholine evokes release from cultured bovine chromaffin cells by a mechanism that is believed to be classically nicotinic. However, we found that the full muscarinic agonist oxotremorine-M (Oxo-M) induced a robust catecholamine (CA) secretion. By contrast, muscarine, pilocarpine, bethanechol, and McN-A-343 did not elicit any secretory response. Desensitization of the response to nicotine by Oxo-M and desensitization of the response to Oxo-M by nicotine suggest that both nicotine and Oxo-M were acting at the same receptor. Additional experiments supporting this conclusion show that nicotine-induced secretion and Oxo-M-induced secretion were similarly blocked by various muscarinic and nicotinic antagonists. Moreover, secretion induced by nicotine and Oxo-M were Ca2+ dependent, and both agonists induced 45Ca2+ uptake. Equilibrium binding studies showed that [3H]Oxo-M bound to chromaffin cell membranes with a Kd value of 3.08 x 10(-8) M and a Hill coefficient of 1.00, suggesting one binding site for this ligand. Nicotine inhibited Oxo-M binding in a noncompetitive manner, suggesting that both ligands bind at two different sites on the same receptor. We propose that the receptor on bovine chromaffin cells that is coupled to secretion represents an unusual cholinergic receptor that has both nicotinic and muscarinic features.

Acetylcholine↗

Osmotic strength differentiates between two types of calcium transport pathways regulating catecholamine secretion from cultured bovine chromaffin cells.

Calcium transport and catecholamine secretion was measured in cultured bovine chromaffin cells. Calcium ions which entered the cells following stimulation with either nicotine or 50 mM KCl (high potassium) triggered catecholamine release, but then inactivated the secretory process. The nicotine and the high potassium-induced calcium transport mechanisms were mechanistically distinct, but functionally dependent on each other. The specific evidence is that whereas the high potassium-induced Ca2+ influx was found to be inhibited by hyperosmotic medium, the nicotine-stimulated calcium influx was unaffected under these conditions. High potassium and nicotine-stimulated catecholamine release were also differently affected by hyperosmotic medium. While potassium-stimulated catecholamine release was profoundly inhibited by hyperosmolarity, nicotine-stimulated release was only moderately inhibited. Sequential treatments of cells with nicotine and high potassium, under isotonic physiological conditions, indicate that there is a functional, biochemical communication between the otherwise mechanistically distinct calcium channels. Calcium ions which were found to inactivate these channels may be the basis for such communication.

Adrenal Medulla↗