[Clarifying the crystal structure of hepatitis C virus NS3/NS4A protease complex--basics for the development of specific HCV protease inhibitors?].
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Hepacivirus↗
Biomedical subjects
W E Schmidt
Publications and source records attributed to W E Schmidt.
Role of PACAP in the regulation of gastrointestinal motility.
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Animals↗
Identification of novel growth-related genes linked to the mitogenic effect of PACAP on the rat pancreatic acinar cell line, AR4-2J.
The mRNA differential display technique was employed in order to identify novel growth-related genes linked to the mitogenic effect of PACAP on AR4-2J cells. Hereby, three differentially expressed and PACAP-inducible genes were found, one of these being homologous to a recently discovered putative growth-related early response gene in mice. In AR4-2J cells, mRNA levels of this novel rat gene are increased by PACAP in a rapid and transient fashion. This effect was enhanced by cycloheximide, whereas actinomycin D prevented the stimulatory effect of PACAP.
Animals↗
Pituitary adenylate-cyclase-activating polypeptide stimulates proto-oncogene expression and activates the AP-1 (c-Fos/c-Jun) transcription factor in AR4-2J pancreatic carcinoma cells.
Pituitary adenylate-cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) has been shown to possess mitogenic activity in various tumor cells. The present study was designed to investigate signal transduction mechanisms and expression of the proto-oncogenes c-fos and c-jun linked to the mitogenic effect of PACAP in the pancreatic carcinoma cell line AR4-2J. PACAP-(1-27)-peptide and PACAP-(1-38)-peptide, but not the structurally related vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), potently stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation and cell number at doses of 0.1-10 nM. Both molecular forms of PACAP strongly increased formation of cAMP and inositol trisphosphate, elevated cytosolic Ca2+ levels and induced mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activity. Quantitative reverse-transcription PCR revealed that PACAP-(1-27)-peptide and PACAP-(1-38)-peptide elevated c-fos mRNA levels 50-100-fold, whereas c-jun mRNA levels increased only moderately (2-3-fold). The effect of PACAP on c-fos and c-jun expression in AR4-2J cells was rapid (20 min), transient (1-2 h), dose-dependent IC50, 0.5 nM) and was abolished by the specific PACAP receptor antagonist PACAP-(6-38)-peptide or inhibitors of protein kinase C or tyrosine kinases. Compared with PACAP, epidermal growth factor and gastrin equipotently stimulated c-fos transcription whereas VIP, secretin, forskolin or phorbolester showed only marginal effects. Both PACAP (1-27)-peptide and PACAP-(1-38)-peptide strongly increased the DNA binding activity of the c-fos/ c-jun heterodimer transcription factor AP-1 at 10 nM and also stimulated AP-1 transcriptional activity up to 20-fold in AR4-2J cells. These findings indicate that the mitogenic effect of PACAP mediated via activation of the GTP-binding protein coupled PACAP/VIP-1 (PV1) receptor is linked to the MAP kinase cascade, increased expression of the proto-oncogenes c-fos and c-jun and activation of the heterodimeric transcription factor AP-1.
Animals↗
PRG1: a novel early-response gene transcriptionally induced by pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide in a pancreatic carcinoma cell line.
The rat pancreatic carcinoma cell line AR4-2J was screened for growth-associated genes linked to the mitogenic effect of the novel gut brain hormone, pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP). Using the mRNA differential display technique, we identified and sequenced an unknown rat gene, PACAP-responsive gene 1 (PRG1), which is highly homologous to gly96, a novel murine gene of unknown function. The PRG1 cDNA sequence of 1.1 kb encodes a 160-amino acid protein. Using targeted PCR, the gene structure of PRG1, constituting 0.6 kb of the promotor region, and the DNA coding region, including a single 107-bp intron, were established from rat genomic DNA. In AR4-2J cells, PACAP(1-38) increased PRG1 mRNA levels up to 10-fold in a rapid (30 min), transient (3-6 h), and dose-dependent (ED50, <1 nM) fashion. The growth-stimulating gastrointestinal hormones cholecystokinin and gastrin showed a similar degree of PRG1 induction, and the PACAP-related peptides vasoactive intestinal peptide and secretin were without effect. The transcriptional inhibitor actinomycin D, various protein kinase C inhibitors, and the calmodulin inhibitor W-7 strongly reduced PRG1 induction by PACAP, whereas the translational inhibitor cycloheximide potently increased PRG1 mRNA levels in unstimulated and PACAP-stimulated cells. Feedback-mediated hyperplasia of the rat exocrine pancreas induced by oral treatment of rats with the protease inhibitor camostate (FOY-305) was preceded by a 15-fold transient elevation of PRG1 mRNA levels. These data suggest that PRG1 is an early-response gene linked to PACAP-induced growth of AR4-2J cells as well as to hyperplasia of the rat exocrine pancreas in vivo.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
GLP-1/GIP chimeric peptides define the structural requirements for specific ligand-receptor interaction of GLP-1.
The gastrointestinal hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) strongly stimulate insulin release. Despite their high N-terminal sequence similarity, GLP-1 does not bind to the GIP receptor and vice versa. To characterize the domains required for interaction of the peptide ligands with their specific receptors, we performed displacement studies with various synthetic GLP-1/GIP hybrid peptides on RINm5F insulinoma cells. Displacement of 125I-GIP and 125I-GLP-1 was measured using GLP-1/GIP chimeras which comprised GIP and GLP-1 sequences at different positions. The binding affinity to the GLP-1 receptor was found to be sensitive to GIP-like exchanges in the N-terminal 22 amino acids as well as in positions 13 and 15 (loss of affinity 280-fold to more than 1000-fold). C-terminal substitution of the GLP-1 sequence by GIP diminished the affinity towards the GLP-1 receptor only 20-fold. All hybrid peptides investigated showed minimal binding affinity for the GIP receptor, indicating that the entire GIP-sequence (1-31) is important for receptor recognition. These findings provide insight into the structural requirements for the specific interaction of two important insulinotropic peptides with their specific receptors.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
PACAP stimulates transcription of c-Fos and c-Jun and activates the AP-1 transcription factor in rat pancreatic carcinoma cells.
Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Peptide (PACAP) strongly induces proliferation of the rat pancreatic carcinoma cell line AR4-2J via interaction with the G-protein coupled type 1 PACAP/VIP (PVI) receptor. RT-PCR analysis revealed that this mitogenic effect of PACAP is preceded by a rapid and transient increase of transcription of the protooncogene c-fos and to a lesser extent of c-jun. Transcriptional activation is abolished by a specific PACAP antagonist and by inhibitors of PKC and PKA. In parallel to c-fos/c-jun induction, PACAP rapidly activates the heterodimeric transcription factor AP-1, as shown by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. These findings demonstrate that signal transduction of a growth-stimulating G-protein-coupled receptor involves the c-fos/c-jun/AP-1 cascade, a pathway mainly linked to classical growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases.
Animals↗
PACAP induces bradycardia in guinea-pig heart by stimulation of atrial cholinergic neurones.
Based on previous studies which indicated that pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP) acts as a positive inotropic and chronotropic substance in different species via the cAMP signal transduction pathway, the objective of the present work was to investigate cAMP-regulated myocardial key proteins in response to PACAP in isolated ventricular cells of the guinea pig. Surprisingly, the two molecular forms of PACAP, PACAP(1-27) and PACAP(1-38), showed no effect on intracellular cAMP-levels, L-type Ca2+ channel current or phosphorylation of troponin inhibitor (TnI) and phospholamban (PLB). Additionally, inotropy of isolated guinea-pig ventricular strips was not affected by the neuropeptide. However, in isolated spontaneously beating guinea-pig atria, PACAP(1-27) and PACAP(1-38), but not VIP induced severe bradycardia in a dose-dependent manner. This effect could be prevented by preincubation with the PACAP receptor antagonist PACAP(6-38), by atropine and by omega-conotoxin, a blocker of neuronal N-type Ca2+ channels. PACAP stimulates release of [3H]-labelled acetylcholine. Only preparations showing an increase in [3H]acetylcholine release developed bradycardia, indicating a causal relationship between both phenomena. It was concluded that PACAP exerts no influence on guinea-pig ventricular tissue, but induces negative chronotropic effects in isolated guinea-pig atria by stimulation of acetylcholine release from parasympathetic neurons via PACAP type 1 receptors.
Acetylcholine↗
Chylous cardiac tamponade in acute pancreatitis.
A 47-year-old woman with acute necrotizing pancreatitis developed sudden cardiorespiratory arrest and needed resuscitation. A pericardial effusion was found, and 350 ml of a white nontransparent milky fluid was aspirated that contained 1020 mg triglycerides/100 ml. The diagnosis of chylous cardiac tamponade was made. Absence of amylase in the chylous effusion militates against the popular hypothesis that lymphatic transport of exocrine digestive enzymes from the inflamed pancreas produces the frequent intrathoracic serosal effusions in acute pancreatitis. The data of our patient rather suggest that these effusions result from the leakage of pancreatic inflammatory exudates through the diaphragm which, apparently, may even result in the loss of pericardial and adjacent thoracic lymph vessel integrity. Although pericardial tamponade is a rare complication, it should be considered if otherwise unexplained circulatory deterioration occurs in a patient with acute pancreatitis.
Acute Disease↗
Okadaic acid disrupts Golgi structure and impairs enzyme synthesis and secretion in the rat pancreas.
Okadaic acid, a serine/threonine phosphatase inhibitor, has been shown to inhibit rat pancreatic enzyme secretion by interference with late processes in stimulus-secretion coupling. To further characterize its action, we studied the effect of okadaic acid on secretion of newly synthesized proteins, protein synthesis, and cellular ultrastructure in pancreatic lobules derived from rats stimulated in vivo by feeding the synthetic proteinase inhibitor FOY-305. Okadaic acid completely blocked protein secretion at concentrations that inhibit the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase 2b, calcineurin. Protein synthesis was abolished at 10(-6) mol/l and reduced by 60% at 5 x 10(-7) mol/l okadaic acid. Pancreatic lobules exposed to 5 x 10(-7) mol/l okadaic acid for 20 min fully restored their secretory capacity on removal of the drug; whereas, after a preincubation with okadaic acid for > 40 min, protein secretion remained impaired during the recovery period. Electron microscopic examination of pancreatic acinar cells treated with 5 x 10(-7) mol/l okadaic acid revealed a dilated Golgi complex after 15 and 30 min and a subsequent fragmentation of Golgi cisternae into clouds of small uniform vesicles after 60 min. Reassembly of Golgi stacks occurred after a 60-min recovery without okadaic acid. These data indicate that serine/threonine phosphatases play an important role not only in the regulation of pancreatic enzyme synthesis and exocytosis but also are crucial for the maintenance of normal Golgi architecture and function in the exocrine rat pancreas. These effects are probably not exclusively mediated via type 2b calcineurin-like protein phosphatases.
Animals↗
Human galanin modulates human colonic motility in vitro. Characterization of structural requirements.
BACKGROUND: Human galanin (hGal) is a 30-residue non-amidated gut-brain peptide that shows considerable sequence divergence compared with galanin (Gal) forms of other species. Conflicting results have been reported with regard to the structural requirements for its modulatory action on gut motility. METHODS: We investigated the effect of human and rat Gal and substituted analogues of Gal on the contractility of longitudinal muscle strips of the human colon in vitro. RESULTS: Both hGal and rGal contracted the preparations in a concentration-dependent and tetrodotoxin-resistant manner without difference in sensitivity. The NH2-terminally truncated peptides hGal (3-30) and rGal (3-29) were inactive, whereas the NH2-terminal fragments, hGal (1-21) and rGal (1-18), remained fully responsive. Single amino acid substitutions at NH2-terminal positions showed divergent results: substitution of Trp2 reduced significantly potency and efficacy, whereas substitutions at positions 1, 3, 4, or 5 did not markedly modify the bioactivity of Gal. Galantide, a high-affinity Gal antagonist in the central nervous system, is a full agonist in human colonic smooth muscle. CONCLUSION: The COOH-terminal part of Gal contributes mainly the receptor-binding affinity of the peptide, whereas the NH2-terminal region is essential for biologic activity.
Aged↗
-Development of a mouse model for Helicobacter pylori infection in the human--progress toward vaccination against ulcer disease?-.
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Animals↗
Inhibitory transmission in guinea pig stomach mediated by distinct receptors for pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide.
Previous studies have shown that inhibitory transmission in guinea pig stomach involves an interplay between vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and nitric oxide (NO). The present study examined the contribution of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP), a homologous peptide present in gastric and intestinal myenteric neurons. VIP, PACAP-27 and PACAP-38 induced concentration-dependent relaxation that was partly inhibited by the antagonists VIP10-28 and PACAP6-38 and the NO synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA). Only relaxation induced by PACAP-27 and PACAP-38 was partly inhibited by apamin. Electrical field stimulation (0.25-16 Hz) induced frequency-dependent relaxation and PACAP release (maximum of 35.7 fmol/100 mg-min or 7-fold above basal levels). Electrical field stimulation-induced relaxation was partly inhibited by a combination of selective monoclonal antibodies to PACAP-27 and PACAP-38 (42 +/- 7% at 16 Hz) and by the antagonists VIP10-28 (29 +/- 9%) and PACAP6-38 (29 +/- 3%). The relaxation was also partly inhibited by L-NNA (51 +/- 12% at 16 Hz) and apamin (36 +/- 4%). The effects of a combination of apamin and L-NNA were additive, amounting to 75 +/- 3% inhibition. The effect of L-NNA reflected inhibition of NO release from nerve terminals, as well as NO generation in muscle cells by the action of VIP and PACAP; the effect of apamin reflected blockade of the action of PACAP. Thus, inhibitory transmission in guinea pig gastric fundus represents the combined actions of VIP, PACAP and NO released from nerve terminals and NO generated in muscle cells. The postjunctional actions of PACAP are mediated by a VIP/PACAP-II receptor and by a PACAP-specific, apamin-sensitive receptor.
Animals↗
[Glucagon-like peptide 1--a new physiologic mediator of satiety?].
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Animals↗
Specific monoclonal antibodies neutralize the action of PACAP 1-27 or PACAP 1-38 on intestinal muscle strips in vitro.
The gut-brain neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a novel highly conserved member of the secretin-glucagon-VIP peptide family comprising 38 or 27 amino acid residues. In this study, we investigate the actions of PACAP 1-27 or PACAP 1-38 on jejunal and caecal muscle strips from pig or guinea pig and demonstrate the neutralizing effect of two PACAP-specific monoclonal antibodies of the IgG1 subtype, RSP27II and RSP38. These antibodies were used to set up assay systems specific for PACAP 1-27 or PACAP 1-38. Monoclonal antibody RSP27II recognizes exclusively PACAP 1-27, whereas RSP38 binds only PACAP 1-38. PACAP 1-27 and PACAP 1-38 relax taenia caeci dose-dependently in the presence of guanethidine and scopolamine. Both peptides inhibit the spontaneous contractions of porcine jejunal muscle strips equipotently. Monoclonal antibodies RSP27II and RSP38 specifically neutralize the actions of either exogenously applied or endogenously released PACAP. Thus, they represent processing-specific tools to examine the physiological role of both molecular forms of PACAP in the gastrointestinal tract.
Animals↗
Differential inhibitory effects of serine/threonine phosphatase inhibitors and a calmodulin antagonist on phosphoinositol/calcium- and cyclic adenosine monophosphate-mediated pancreatic amylase secretion.
BACKGROUND: Protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation events are considered to be key steps in the control of agonist-induced pancreatic enzyme release. This study was designed to characterize the role of serine/threonine phosphatases in phosphoinositol/calcium- and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-mediated stimulus-secretion coupling in rat pancreatic acini. METHODS: Isolated rat pancreatic acini were incubated with either the serine/threonine phosphatase inhibitors okadaic acid, calyculin A, and cyclosporin A or the calmodulin antagonist W-7. Amylase secretion was stimulated with cholecystokinin (CCK)-8, secretin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) or pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), and the intracellular second messengers calcium and cAMP were determined. RESULTS: Okadaic acid or calyculin A reduced secretagogue-stimulated amylase release to near-basal levels. Inhibition of cAMP-mediated secretion (by VIP, secretin, or PACAP) occurred at lower concentrations than with inositol triphosphate (IP3)/Ca(2+)-dependent enzyme release (via CCK). Cyclosporin A diminished CCK-8-stimulated secretion by 35%, whereas secretion in response to cAMP-mediated secretagogues was not affected. W-7 completely inhibited acinar secretion in response to cAMP-or IP3/Ca(2+)-mediated secretagogues. Binding of 125I-CCK-8- or 125I-PACAP-(1-27) to acini was not influenced by the phosphatase inhibitors or W-7. Okadaic acid and calyculin A affected neither CCK-8-stimulated intracellular Ca2+ release nor PACAP-(1-27)-stimulated cAMP synthesis, whereas W-7 inhibited by 50% and 40%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The inhibitory profiles of okadaic acid, calyculin A, cyclosporin A, and W-7 indicate that phosphatases 1 and 2A play a relevant role in cAMP-mediated enzyme release, whereas phosphatases 1 and 2B are predominantly involved in IP3/Ca(2+)-dependent stimulus-secretion coupling. The calmodulin antagonist W-7 interferes at multiple steps of intracellular signal-transduction pathways.
Amylases↗
[Selective increase of antiviral substances in the liver in hepatitis B by recombinant chylomicrons--a useful new therapeutic approach?].
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Animals↗
Regulation of the descending relaxation phase of intestinal peristalsis by PACAP.
The presence of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP), a homologue of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), in enteric neurons suggests that it may involved in the regulation of the descending relaxation phase of the peristaltic reflex. The role of PACAP was evaluated by measurement of PACAP release and by immuno-neutralization with specific monoclonal antibodies to PACAP-27 and PACAP-38, and an antibody to VIP. Electrical field stimulation at 4 Hz caused a 12-fold increase in PACAP release that was inhibited by 53 +/- 6% (P < 0.01) by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA). Orad stretch of colonic segments elicited descending relaxation and PACAP release in proportion to the degree of stretch. PACAP release induced by 10-g stretch was inhibited by 67 +/- 10% (P < 0.01) by L-NNA. Previous studies (Am. J. Physiol., 264 (1993) G334-G340) showed that orad stretch elicits also VIP release and nitric oxide (NO) production and that VIP release is inhibited (59%) by L-NNA. Preincubation of the segments with PACAP-27 plus PACAP-38 antibodies (50 micrograms/ml each), or with VIP antibody (1:60) inhibited descending relaxation at all degrees of stretch (inhibition with PACAP antibodies: 90 +/- 8% with 2-g and 22 +/- 5% with 10-g stretch). Preincubation with both PACAP and VIP antibodies virtually abolished descending relaxation. A similar pattern was observed with the antagonists, PACAP6-38 and VIP10-28, alone and in combination.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Animals↗