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M L Roberts

Publications and source records attributed to M L Roberts.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1990

Metalloendopeptidase inhibitors and stimulus-secretion coupling in the mouse exocrine pancreas.

Inhibitors of metalloendopeptidases interfere with events involving Ca2(+)-dependent membrane fusion in a number of cell types. The divalent ion chelating agent 1,10-phenanthroline inhibited pancreatic amylase secretion stimulated by carbachol, cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-8), or bombesin, but detailed studies indicated that this is unlikely to be a result of inhibition of metalloendopeptidase activity. The binding of [3H]N-methylscopolamine to pancreatic acini was reduced by 1,10-phenanthroline and this would explain the marked inhibition of carbachol-induced amylase secretion by the chelating agent. CCK-8-stimulated hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate was reduced by 1,10-phenanthroline while the binding of CCK-8 to acini was not affected. This inhibition of hydrolysis would explain the inhibition of CCK-8- and bombesin-induced amylase secretion. The metalloendopeptidase substrate carbobenzoxyglycylphenylalanylamide did not affect bombesin-stimulated amylase secretion. Amylase secretion evoked by treating pancreatic acini with the ionophore A23187 or dibutyryl-cyclic AMP was not reduced by 1,10-phenanthroline, indicating a lack of involvement of metalloendopeptidases in the process of exocytosis in this cell type.

Amylases↗
PubMed1990

Substance P and bombesin elevate cytosolic Ca2+ by different molecular mechanisms in a rat pancreatic acinar cell line.

1. Dual-excitation microfluorometry (Fura-2 as indicator) was employed to monitor directly changes in the cytosolic calcium concentration [( Ca2+]i) in single cells. We investigated and compared the effects of stimulation of AR42J rat pancreatic acinar cells by two peptide agonists, substance P and bombesin. 2. Substance P (10(-7) M) and bombesin (10(-8) M) each gave rise to a marked, but transient, elevation in [Ca2+]i. The calcium signals evoked by the two peptides were qualitatively and quantitatively very similar. However, in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ the response to substance P, but not bombesin, was abolished. These results suggest that substance P induces calcium influx across the cell surface membrane but does not release calcium from internal stores. Bombesin in marked contrast releases calcium from intracellular stores in the absence of any detectable calcium influx. 3. Depolarization by high-K+ extracellular solutions evoked a marked, but transient, rise in [Ca2+]i. This elevation in [Ca2+]i was strictly dependent upon the presence of Ca2+ in extracellular media. 4. Nifedipine (5 x 10(-6) M), an antagonist of L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, blocked the elevations in [Ca2+]i induced by either substance P or high-K+ solutions, but not that evoked by application of bombesin. 5. Patch-clamp, single-channel current recordings from cell-attached patches of membrane confirmed the presence of voltage-dependent calcium channels in the surface membranes of AR42J cells. Whole-cell current recordings demonstrated voltage-dependent inward Ca2+ (Ba2+) currents which were increased in amplitude by substance P and blocked by nifedipine. 6. The protein kinase C (PKC) activators, the phorbol diester, phorbol 1,2-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 10(-7) M), and cell-permeable diacylglycerol analogues, 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG, 2.5 x 10(-6) M) and sn-2-dioctanoyl glycerol (DiC8, 2.5 x 10(-6) M), mimicked the effect of substance P, but not bombesin, in elevating [Ca2+]i in a manner that was blocked by removal of extracellular Ca2+ or application of nifedipine. 7. The PKC inhibitor, polymyxin B (2.5 x 10(-6) M), applied 2 min prior to stimulation blocked the effects of substance P and PKC activators, but not bombesin, in elevating [Ca2+]i. 8. The calcium signals evoked by substance P and bombesin are achieved by activation of different molecular mechanisms. Substance P, the evidence suggests, activates PKC which in turn stimulates calcium influx by opening voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in the cell surface membranes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Phenobarbital-induced alterations in the metabolism of [3H]vitamin D3 by the perfused rachitic rat liver in vitro.

Anticonvulsant therapy of seizure disorders in man is associated with the development of complications involving bone and mineral metabolism including hypocalcemia, elevated serum immunoreactive parathyroid hormone levels, and increased amounts of unmineralized bone or osteoid. The latter has been attributed to a reduction in serum-25-hydroxycholecalciferol levels resulting from increased hepatic metabolism of vitamin D. Using an in vitro recycling hepatic perfusion system, we have demonstrated that 5 d of phenobarbital treatment increases the hepatic production of [(3)H]25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) (4.3+/-0.3 vs. 3.3+/-0.2%/h, P <0.025) without affecting the biliary excretion of radioactivity. Furthermore, rachitic livers perfused with blood obtained from animals treated with phenobarbital for 5 d also manifested an increase in [(3)H]25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) production (4.6+/-0.5 vs. 3.3+/-0.2%/h, P < 0.02). Addition of phenobarbital or its major metabolite, p-hydroxyphenobarbital, directly to the perfusion apparatus had no effect on [(3)H]25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) production. Phenobarbital treatment was also attended by a decrease in the intrahepatic content of [(3)H]vitamin D(3) (11.7+/-0.4 vs. 17.5+/-0.7 dpm/mg liver protein, P < 0.001) without alterations in the content of [(3)H]25-hydroxyvitamin D(3). The data collectively suggest that the increased hepatic conversion of [(3)H]vitamin D(3) to [(3)H]25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) attending phenobarbital treatment is secondary to stimulation of the hepatic 25-hydroxylation system(s) by a metabolite of phenobarbital other than p-hydroxyphenobarbital and/or by metabolic alterations resulting from phenobarbital therapy.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Parotid acinar cells: ionic dependence of acetylcholine-evoked membrane potential changes.

Segments of mouse parotid were placed in a superfusion chamber. Surface acini were impaled by one or two micro-electrodes for measurement of membrane potential and resistance. The acinus under investigation was stimulated by micro-iontophoretic application of acetylcholine (ACh) or adrenaline. Neighbouring acinar cells were electrically coupled. Electrical coupling between acinar cells only occurred within restricted domains probably corresponding to an acinus or a group of acini. Passing direct current through one intracellular electrode, the resting potential of an acinus could be set at desired levels and the dependency of the ACh-evoked potential change on the resting potential investigated. The ACh null potential (initial effect) was about--60 mV. A delayed hyperpolarizing effect of ACh could not be reversed. The initial ACh-evoked potential change was sensitive to alterations in extracellular Na, K and Cl concentration. The delayed ACh-evoked hyperpolarization was blocked by ouabain, exposure to Na-free or K-free solutions. It is concluded that ACh increases mainly K and Na membrane conductance causing K efflux and Na influx with a subsequent Na activation of an electrogenic Na pump.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1978

Secretion of epidermal growth factor. The role of calcium in stimulcule during secretion.

Secretion of epidermal growth factor by mouse submandibular salivary glands was studied in vitro to determine the second messenger involved in stimulus-secretion coupling and also to determine whether epidermal growth factor is secreted in the molecular form in which it occurs within the glandular cells. The presence of Ca2+ in the extracellular fluid was found to be necessary for the normal secretion of epidermal growth factor that follows activation of alpha-adrenoceptors. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP (1 mM) did not evoke any secretion of the growth factor. Secreted epidermal growth factor retained its ability to bind to anti-epidermal growth factor antibodies and to epidermal growth factor-binding sites on liver cell membranes. However, during secretion the 74 000-dalton, 4-subunit complex, in which epidermal growth facto; occurs within the cells, dissociated. The adrenalin-stimulated submandibular salivary gland did not appear to release any material into the incubation medium which could modify the complex and produce the dissociation. It is suggested that the dissociation of the high molecule containing epidermal growth factor results from the loss of the arginyl residue from the C-terminus of epidermal growth factor at some time during the secretion process.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Membrane potential and resistance changes induced in salivary gland acinar cells by microiontophoretic application of acetylcholine and adrenergic agonists.

The effects of microiontophoretic applications of catecholamines and acetylcholine on parotid acinar cell membrane potential and resistance were investigated using intracellular microelectrode recording in superfused segments of mouse parotid or rat submandibular glands. Short pulses of acetylcholine and alpha-adrenergic agonists had similar effects, consisting of a marked decrease in membrane resistance accompanied by an initial depolization or hyperpolarization depending on the level of the resting membrane potential. This initial response was followed by a slow hyperpolarization occurring at a time when the resistance was increasing towards the prestimulation level. The equilibrium potential for the initial potential change caused by excitation of the cholinergic receptors was investigated directly by setting the membrane potential at different levels by injecting direct current and stimulating the same cell repeatedly with equal doses of acetylcholine. The equilibrium potential was found to be about -55 mV. The delayed hyperpolarization could not be reversed by passing hyperpolarizing current, but actually increased in size with higher membrane potentials. The minimum latency of the effect of acetylcholine or alpha-adrenergic agonists was 200-500 msec. Excitation of beta-adrenoceptors caused, after a long latency of several seconds, a small depolarization. Epinephrine induced a combined alpha- and beta-adrenergic response, with the alpha-component predominating. Blocking the alpha-adrenoceptors with phentolamine revealed the beta-adrenergic depolarization, while blocking the beta-adrenoceptors with propranolol caused the components of the alpha-adrenergic response to become more pronounced. All three receptors (alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors and cholinergic receptors) were present in individual acini.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1977

The in vitro secretion of epidermal growth factor by mouse submandibular salivary gland.

A technique for the study of epidermal growth factor (EGF) secretion from salivary gland pieces in vitro is described and the responses to a variety of drugs are compared to the results of previously reported in vivo studies. Adrenaline stimulates secretion of the growth factor as does the alpha-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine, while isoprenaline is less active in stimulating EGF secretion. Phentolamine, but not propranolol, blocks the secretory activity of adrenaline and isoprenaline in this system. Pretreatment of the salivary gland pieces with colchicine reduces the secretory response to adrenaline, suggesting an involvement of microtubular proteins in the process. It is anticipated that the in vitro technique described will provide a means by which detailed investigation of the secretion of epidermal growth factor can be made.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
PubMed1976

Immunoglobulin E in renal disease.

Samples of renal tissue from 373 patients were examined for the presence of immunoglobulin E (IgE) by immunofluorescent techniques. Only trace to ++ amounts ( on a scale of ++++) were found in 20 patients: 4/9 with post-streptococcal acute glomerulonephritis (GN), 5/30 with GN associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, 3/20 with membranous GN, 1/4 with Goodpasture's syndrome, 2/18 with recurrent microhematuria and focal GN, 1/5 with hemolytic anemia and uremia, 3/73 with renal homografts, and 1/5 with dermatomyositis. No IgE was found in 18 patients with lipoid nephrosis, 8 of whom were being treated with prednisone, nor in 5 patients with focal glomerular sclerosis and the nephrotic syndrome. Serum IgE was measured in 9 of the 20 patients with glomerular deposits of this globulin. With one exception, levels of IgE were within the range generally considered to be normal. However, they were greater than the mean of this range in all but two and near the highest limits of normal in most. Neither the amounts of serum IgE nor the degree of proteinuria could be related to the intensity of stain for IgE in the glomeruli of these patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Suppression of immune responsiveness by a submandibular salivary gland factor.

Both tissue extracts prepared from submandibular salivary glands of male mice and epidermal growth factor isolated from these glands depressed the delayed type hypersensitivity response to 2,4-dinitro-1-fluorobenzene in mice. Extirpation of the submandibular salivary glands from male mice did not alter the delayed type hypersensitivity response. The role of salivary gland factors, particularly epidermal growth factor, in influencing the immune response has been discussed.

Animals↗