"Internists are losers".
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Career Choice↗
Biomedical subjects
M E Monaco
Publications and source records attributed to M E Monaco.
Mitogenic activation of human prostate-derived fibromuscular stromal cells by bradykinin.
Biologically active kinin peptides are released from precursor kininogens by kallikreins. Kinins act on kinin receptors to mediate diverse biological functions including smooth muscle contraction, inflammation, pain and mitogenicity. All components of the kallikrein-kinin system exist in human male genital secretions suggesting that these molecules participate in physiological and pathophysiological genitourinary function. The objective of this study was to assess the consequences of kinin action on prostate cells. Primary cultures of prostate secretory epithelial (PE) and prostate fibromuscular stromal (PS) cells were established from human prostate tissue. Transcripts encoding both the human B1 and B2 bradykinin receptor subtypes were detected in human prostate transition-zone tissue and in cultured cells by RT-PCR. In receptor binding assays, the B1 subtype predominated on PE cell membranes and the B2 subtype predominated on PS cell membranes. In PS cells, but not in PE cells, BK induced significant inositol phosphate accumulation and [3H]-thymidine uptake. These responses were mediated through the B2 receptor subtype. The use of signal transduction inhibitors indicated that mitogenic activation by BK occurred through both protein kinase C (PKC) and protein tyrosine kinase dependent mechanisms. PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) produced maximal [3H]-thymidine uptake by PS cells, resulted in cell elongation and caused the alpha-actin fibres present in PS smooth muscle cells to became organized into parallel arrays along the length of the elongated cells. In summary, the prostate contains a functional kallikrein-kinin system, which could be significant in physiological and pathophysiological prostate function.
Bradykinin↗
Evidence that mammalian phosphatidylinositol transfer protein regulates phosphatidylcholine metabolism.
Phosphatidylinositol transfer proteins (PITPs) and their yeast counterpart (SEC14p) possess the ability to bind phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) and transfer it between membranes in vitro. However, the biochemical function of these proteins in vivo is unclear. In the present study, the physiological role of PITP was investigated by determining the biochemical consequences of lowering the cellular content of this protein. WRK-1 rat mammary tumour cells were transfected with a plasmid containing a full-length rat PITPalpha cDNA inserted in the antisense orientation and the resultant cell clones were analysed. Three clones expressing antisense mRNA for PITPalpha were compared with three clones transfected with the expression vector lacking the insert. The three antisense clones had an average of 25% less PITPalpha protein than control clones. Two of the three antisense clones also exhibited a decreased rate of growth. All three antisense clones exhibited a significant decrease in the incorporation of labelled precursors into PtdCho during a 90-min incubation period. Under the same conditions, however, there was no change in precursor incorporation into PtdIns. Further experimentation indicated that the decrease in precursor incorporation seen in antisense clones was not due to an increased rate of turnover. When choline metabolism was analysed more extensively in one control (2-5) and one antisense (4-B) clone using equilibrium-labelling conditions (48 h of incubation), the following were observed: (1) the decrease in radioactive labelling of PtdCho seen in short-term experiments was also observed in long-term experiments, suggesting that the total amount of PtdCho was lower in antisense-transfected clones (this was confirmed by mass measurements); (2) a similar decrease was seen in cellular sphingomyelin, lysoPtdCho and glycerophosphorylcholine; (3) an average two-fold increase in cellular phosphorylcholine was observed in the antisense-transfected clone; (4) cellular choline was, on average, decreased; and (5) cellular CDPcholine was not significantly altered.
Animals↗
Endothelin-1 production and agonist activities in cultured prostate-derived cells: implications for regulation of endothelin bioactivity and bioavailability in prostatic hyperplasia.
BACKGROUND: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) interacts with specific G-protein-coupled receptors to initiate short-term (contraction) and long-term (mitogenesis) events in target cells. ET-1 is an abundant prostate secretory protein that, in its biologically active form, elicits prostatic smooth muscle contraction. The present study was designed to determine the effects of ET-1 on prostate cell growth and to examine the regulation of endogenous ET-1 activity and bioavailability. METHODS: Primary cultures of prostate secretory epithelial (PE) and prostate fibromuscular stromal (PS) cells were established from benign human prostate tissue. RESULTS: In culture, PE cells secrete immunoreactive ET-1 (38.5 +/- 1.6 pg/ml/10(6) cells/24 hr) into the conditioned medium. Levels of immunoreactive ET-1 produced by PS cells were more than 10-fold lower. Endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1) mRNA was detected in PE cells and not in PS cells; however, big ET-1 was the predominant immunoreactive ET-1 secretory product of PE cells. The ET(B) endothelin receptor was the predominant subtype in both PE and PS cells. In PS cells, but not PE cells, ET-1 induced significant inositol phosphate accumulation and [3H]-thymidine uptake. Agonist activity was inhibited by the ET(B) receptor selective antagonist, BQ 788. Intact PE cell monolayers secrete ET-1 through the apical surface, consistent with secretion of ET-1 into the glandular lumen in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of these findings, regulation of ET-1 activity and bioavailability appears to be tightly regulated. Such findings have important implications in the pathophysiology of prostate disease.
Apoptosis↗
Extraction and stabilization of mammalian CDP-diacylglycerol synthase activity.
CDP-diacylglycerol synthase, also known as CTP: phosphatidic acid cytidylyltransferase (EC 2.7.7.41), is thought to be the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of the inositol phospholipids, phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin. Its role in inositol phospholipid synthesis suggests its potential as a regulator of signal transduction as well. Although the mammalian cDNA for the synthase has recently been cloned, attempts to purify this enzyme from a mammalian source have been unsuccessful due to its lability in detergents. We report here the extraction and stabilization of CDP-diacylglycerol synthase from rat liver. Using a buffer containing 2M KCL, we were able to extract virtually all of the activity from microsomal membranes. This extract was stable indefinitely at -72 degrees C and for at least 24 hrs at 4 degrees C. Incubation at room temperature for 24 hours resulted in the loss of mor than half the activity. All detergents tested destroyed the activity. The activity was dependent on both substrates (phosphatidic acid and CTP) as well as on MgCl2, and inhibited by the product, CDP-diacylglycerol. Addition of GTP enhanced the activity approximately 2 fold, and bovine serum albumin increased activity by 6 fold.
Animals↗
Organization of the receptor-mediated phosphoinositide cycle: relationship between receptor occupancy and accession of phosphatidylinositol.
We have previously reported the existence of separate hormone-responsive and -unresponsive pools of inositol phospholipids in WRK-1 cells. In order to further explore this concept, we have performed experiments to examine the relationship between the plasma membrane receptor and the pool of phosphatidylinositol (Ptdlns) that is metabolized in response to hormonal stimulation. The results support the following conclusions. 1) The amount of Ptdlns metabolized in WRK-1 cells in response to vasopressin is proportional to the number of receptors occupied; neither prolonged activation with nor readdition of submaximal concentration of vasopressin induced the same degree of Ptdlns metabolism as maximal concentration of vasopressin. 2) Dissociation of cytoskeletal structures by incubation with cytochalasin D did not alter the amount of Ptdlns accessed during hormonal stimulation. 3) Accession of Ptdlns from internal membranes does not depend on internalization and recycling of the receptor; cells incubated in potassium-free medium failed to internalize receptor-ligand complexes, yet they accessed the same amount of Ptdlns in response to vasopressin as did control cells. 4) Golgi-mediated phosphatidylinositol transport is not involved in hormone-stimulated phosphoinositide turnover, since brefeldin A, which interferes with Golgi-mediated transport processes, had no effect on the amount of Ptdlns accessed during vasopressin stimulation. 5) Phosphoinositide breakdown and compensatory resynthesis is not a closed process; newly synthesized Ptdlns is not preferentially localized to a hormone-responsive pool but is generally redistributed between responsive and unresponsive pools.
Animals↗
Evidence for a single pool of myo-inositol in hormone-responsive WRK-1 cells.
Previous reports have suggested the existence of at least two pools of cellular myo-inositol (Ins); it has been further hypothesized that only one of these pools is utilized during hormone-activated, cyclic phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) resynthesis. In an effort to investigate this possibility, we have undertaken kinetic studies of Ins metabolism in WRK-1 cells. Our results indicate that a single pool of Ins is involved in both basal and activated PtdIns synthesis. Ins generated by the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdInsP2) mixes with the existing pool of free Ins and is not used exclusively for resynthesis of PtdIns.
Animals↗
Identification of rat liver phosphatidylinositol synthase as a 21 kDa protein.
Substantial purification of rat liver phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) synthase has been achieved by a combination of Hecameg extraction, heat treatment, affinity chromatography and chromatography on PBE-94. The activity chromatographs as a single peak which has an apparent molecular mass between 150 and 200 kDa on Sepharose 4B. When analysed by SDS/PAGE, two major bands are seen. The enzyme activity is correlated with a protein band of 21 kDa. A second band, at 51 kDa, is eluted from a PBE-94 column slightly ahead of the activity. Manganese is an absolute requirement for stabilization of activity in the presence of detergent. The effect of manganese is optimal at 0.5 mM; magnesium at a concentration of 10 mM is only minimally effective. Substrate Kms are 1.3 mM and 9.5 microM for inositol and CDP-diacylglycerol respectively. The activity eluting from the PBE-94 column is purified 5000-fold over the post-mitochondrial supernatant.
Animals↗
Organization of the phosphoinositide cycle. Assessment of inositol transferase activity in purified plasma membranes.
Experiments were carried out to determine whether or not CDP-diacylglycerol:myo-inositol 3-phosphatidyltransferase (IT) activity (EC 2.7.8.11) could be detected in purified plasma-membrane fractions from WRK-1 rat mammary tumour cells. These cells have previously been shown to have a very active phosphoinositide cycle. Sucrose-density-gradient-purified plasma membranes contained no IT activity that could not be accounted for by endoplasmic-reticulum contamination. However, we also determined that the relative amount of IT activity in endoplasmic reticulum and plasma-membrane fractions could be altered by changing the concentration of detergent in the assay system.
Animals↗
Subcellular organization of receptor-mediated phosphoinositide turnover.
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Animals↗
Evidence for coupling of resynthesis to hydrolysis in the phosphoinositide cycle.
Previous data suggest that agonist-induced hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate is accompanied by resynthesis through phosphatidylinositol such that these metabolic events function in a cyclic manner. However, it is not known whether resynthesis depends on the presence of agonist or is a direct result of agonist-induced breakdown. In the present study we demonstrate that: (1) increasing the intracellular free inositol concentration will not stimulate phosphatidylinositol synthesis, as measured by assessing the amount of [32P]Pi incorporation; (2) regeneration of free inositol is required for resynthesis; however, addition of exogenous inositol can sustain resynthesis under conditions which inhibit the regeneration of endogenous inositol; (3) resynthesis can take place in the absence of agonist provided that cells have been previously incubated under conditions which prevent resynthesis; and (4) the presence of agonist does not increase the rate of resynthesis. Thus the resynthetic phase of the phosphoinositide cycle is a compensatory event triggered either by the decrease in the level of phosphatidylinositol or by an increase in precursor substrates. The agonist itself appears to have no direct effect on the resynthesis process.
Animals↗
Effect of dual agonists on phosphoinositide pools in WRK-1 cells.
Both vasopressin and bradykinin activate the phosphoinositide cycle in WRK-1 rat mammary tumour cells. When the two agonists are added simultaneously, partial additivity is observed with respect to disappearance of prelabelled phosphoinositides and accumulation of inositol phosphates; no additivity is observed with respect to resynthesis of phosphatidylinositol as assessed by monitoring [32P]Pi incorporation. Lack of complete additivity can be explained, at least in part, by heterologous desensitization. In order to determine whether the two agonists were accessing a common or individual hormone-sensitive phosphoinositide pools, cells were incubated with [32P]Pi in the presence of either vasopressin or bradykinin and subsequently restimulated with the alternative agonist. The lipid pool labelled in the presence of either agonist was sensitive to subsequent treatment by the other ligand, suggesting a common phosphoinositide pool. However, when cells were incubated with [32P]Pi in the absence of agonists, the time course of labelling of the hormone-sensitive pool was different for bradykinin and vasopressin, with that for bradykinin becoming labelled within a much shorter time. Thus although there is a significant overlap between the phosphoinositide pools responding to vasopressin and bradykinin, there is a small fraction of the hormone-sensitive lipid which responds only to bradykinin.
Animals↗
Synergism between vasopressin and phorbol esters in stimulation of insulin secretion and phosphatidylcholine metabolism in RIN insulinoma cells.
The tumor promoter, tetradecanoylphorbolacetate (TPA), causes a significant increase in both insulin secretion and the incorporation of 32Pi into phosphatidylcholine (PC) in RIN insulinoma cells. The peptide hormone, arginine vasopressin (AVP), also stimulates these functions, although to a lesser degree. When added together, the effects on secretion and PC metabolism are synergistic. At the same time, TPA inhibits the AVP-stimulated rise in phosphoinositide (PI) metabolism. Neither phloretin nor tamoxifen, reported to be inhibitors of protein kinase C activity, are able to block the effects of TPA on secretion, although both influence PC metabolism.
Adenoma, Islet Cell↗
Characterization of the vasopressin receptor on WRK-1 cells.
Specific vasopressin binding to WRK-1 rat mammary tumor cells was assessed and compared with vasopressin-induced alterations in phosphatidylinositol metabolism. Scatchard analysis revealed the presence of two binding sites: a saturable, high affinity site with a dissociation constant of 1 X 10(-9) M and an n of 2700 sites per cell, and a nonsaturable, apparent lower affinity site. The higher affinity site appeared to have V1a specificity and to correlate with vasopressin's ability to stimulate phosphatidylinositol turnover in the cells.
Animals↗
Inositol metabolism in WRK-1 cells. Relationship of hormone-sensitive to -insensitive pools of phosphoinositides.
Previous studies have indicated the existence of two separate pools of phosphoinositides in WRK-1 cells; one is labile and hormone-sensitive with respect to turnover, while the other is stable. Hormonal stimulation results in a rapid increase in 32Pi incorporation into the sensitive pool, while in the absence of hormone, incorporation of 32Pi into this pool is slow. Results are quite different when [3H]inositol is the precursor utilized. Incorporation of [3H]inositol into hormone-sensitive phosphoinositides is not stimulated in the presence of hormone, suggesting entry of this exogenous precursor into the cycle by a route other than the resynthetic phase of the cycle. Furthermore, failure of hormone to induce loss of [3H]phosphoinositide in pulse-chase experiments in the absence of lithium suggests reutilization of the [3H]inositol moiety generated by phosphodiesteratic cleavage of hormone-sensitive phosphoinositide. Time course studies indicate that the relative rates of incorporation of [3H]inositol into sensitive and insensitive phosphoinositide remain constant from 2 to 24 h. Several factors are capable of increasing [3H]inositol incorporation into hormone-insensitive phosphoinositide including vasopressin, calcium ionophores, and manganese. On the other hand, vasopressin treatment appears to decrease incorporation of [3H]inositol into the hormone-sensitive pool, probably by shifting the equilibrium between phosphoinositides and inositol phosphates, since the decrease in radioactivity observed in the phosphoinositides is equaled by the increase observed in that in the inositol phosphates.
Animals↗
Calcium and the phosphoinositide cycle in WRK-1 cells. Effects of A23187 on metabolism of specific phosphatidylinositol pools.
WRK-1 cells possess a labile, hormone-sensitive pool of phosphatidylinositol which appears to be separate from the stable, hormone-insensitive phosphatidylinositol. It is the sensitive pool which turns over in response to treatment with vasopressin. Addition of the calcium ionophore A23187, on the other hand, selectively stimulates precursor incorporation into the hormone-insensitive pool of phosphatidylinositol, while causing nonspecific breakdown of both pools. The polyphosphoinositides are similarly affected. Ionophore-stimulated breakdown appears to be predominantly phospholipase C-mediated, since there is a concomitant increase in inositol phosphates. These inositol phosphates are localized predominantly in the extracellular medium. Permeabilization of the cells may explain the extracellular location of the breakdown products. When added together with the hormone, A23187, at concentrations greater than 5 X 10(-6) M, inhibits both hormone-induced synthesis and breakdown of phosphatidylinositol. Omission of calcium from the medium abolishes the effects of the ionophore.
Animals↗
Measurement of phosphoinositide pools in WRK-1 cells.
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Animals↗
Phorbol ester inhibition of the hormone-stimulated phosphoinositide cycle in WRK-1 cells.
WRK-1 rat mammary tumour cells respond to vasopressin with increased accumulation of inositol phosphates as well as increased precursor incorporation into phosphatidylinositol. The phorbol ester, phorbol 13-myristate 12-acetate (PMA) inhibits by 80% both inositol phosphate accumulation and increased precursor incorporation. This inhibition is much less evident at early times (2 min) than at later times (25 min). The vasopressin-induced rise in cytosolic free Ca2+ is inhibited in a similar manner. Oleoylacetylglycerol is inactive with respect to inhibition of vasopressin-induced increases in incorporation of 32P into phosphoinositides. PMA has no effect on vasopressin binding at saturating concentrations of the hormone and does not affect the binding affinity.
Adenosine Triphosphate↗