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Biomedical subjects

Y Sharoni

Publications and source records attributed to Y Sharoni.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Selective effects of mastoparan analogs: separation of G-protein-directed and membrane-perturbing activities.

Mastoparan (MP), a wasp venom peptide, is known both to interact with G-proteins and to alter membrane structure and function. To determine the structural requirements for these two aspects of MP action, we constructed several analogs of the peptide and characterized them using Swiss 3T3 cell membranes. The effects of these peptides were measured on: i) G-protein-mediated stimulation of phospholipase-C activity by GTP gamma S and bombesin and ii) the membrane enzyme activities, calcium-activated phospholipase-C and Na,K-ATPase. MP strongly inhibited all the above activities and caused membrane permeabilization. Substitution of one Lys residue by Gly at either the N- or C-terminal of the MP molecule resulted in peptides which selectively inhibited G-protein stimulated phospholipase-C with no or very slight membrane-perturbing effects. Introduction of additional Lys residues to MP led to the opposite effect. Thus, G-protein modulating and membrane disrupting actions of MP appear to be not necessarily linked, and may be separated.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1993

Regulation of endometrial cancer cell growth by insulin-like growth factors and the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone antagonist SB-75.

The involvement of IGFs in growth regulation of the Ishikawa endometrial tumor cell line and the possible interference of LH-RH analogues with a potential autocrine or paracrine loop involving IGFs was evaluated. The mitogenic effects of IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin were compared. IGF-I was found to be 3-fold more potent than IGF-II and 30-fold more potent than insulin, suggesting that the effects of these growth factors are mediated by the IGF-I receptor. Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells secrete IGF-II, but not IGF-I, and insulin (1 microM) stimulates IGF-II release. The LH-RH antagonist [Ac-D-Nal(2)1, D-Phe(4Cl)2, D-Pal(3)3, D-Cit6, D-Ala10]-GnRH (SB-75, CETRORELIX) inhibited basal and IGF-induced growth. Moreover, this antagonist almost completely inhibited IGF-II release from Ishikawa cells, while having no significant effect on the number or affinity of IGF-I binding sites. Inhibition of IGF-II release occurred at a lower SB-75 concentration than that needed for a reduction in cell number. The ED50 of SB-75 for IGF-II release was 0.3 microM as compared to 1.5 microns concentration which is required for reduction in cell number, suggesting that inhibition of growth factor release precedes cell growth inhibition. We conclude that the LH-RH antagonist SB-75 can inhibit the growth of endometrial cancer cells by interfering with the autocrine action of IGF-II and also by directly inhibiting the growth-stimulatory effects of IGFs, probably through effects on a post-receptor mechanism.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1993

Neuromedin-B receptor transfected BALB/3T3 cells: signal transduction and effects of ectopic receptor expression on cell growth.

Bombesin-like peptides including neuromedin B have been proposed as autocrine or paracrine growth factors for carcinomas. To examine signal transduction and regulation of cell growth by NMB, transfectants were created with the rat NMB receptor (NMB-R) gene in BALB/3T3 cells which do not express an endogenous bombesin peptide receptor. The resultant cell line, NMB-8, expresses 800,000 NMB binding sites/cell. Addition of NMB has a biphasic effect on [3H]thymidine ([3H]dT) incorporation in confluent and quiescent cells: up to 10 nM of NMB causes a 1.5-3-fold stimulation of [3H]dT incorporation, but at greater than 10 nM there is inhibition of [3H]dT incorporation, and at 100 nM of NMB there is inhibition of cell growth. NMB causes protracted increases in intracellular Ca2+, and pertussis toxin (PT)-insensitive phosphatidylinositol (PI) turnover. NMB-mediated increase in membrane phospholipase-C activity is stimulated by guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate). Arachidonate release is also activated by NMB in a PT-insensitive manner. Brief exposure to 12-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate inhibits NMB-mediated PI turnover but not arachidonate release. Thus, in NMB-8 cells, distinct mechanisms govern NMB-mediated phospholipase-C activation and arachidonate release. Also, neuromedin-B is potentially a bifunctional regulator of cell growth.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1993

Estrogen and progesterone receptors in the uterine artery of rats during and after pregnancy.

Changes in the level of estrogen and progesterone receptors in the uterine artery of the rat were studied during pregnancy in order to evaluate the estrogen dependency of this artery. The weight of the uterine artery and its content of estrogen and progesterone receptors were measured. The steroid receptor content was also measured in the uterus and aorta as the tissues of these organs are estrogen-responsive and non-responsive, respectively. The uterine artery weight increased more than fourfold up to the middle of pregnancy and towards the end of pregnancy increased even further. The increase in weight was parallel to the increase in the level of plasma 17 beta-estradiol. During pregnancy a dramatic increase was detected in the number of uterine artery estrogen receptors. The estrogen receptor level was highest at term pregnancy, and following birth decreased to a low value. The level of progesterone receptors in the uterine artery increased modestly, though significantly, during pregnancy, and rose steeply at puerperium. No meaningful changes were seen in the aorta. The changes in estrogen and progesterone receptor levels in the rat uterine artery wall during and after pregnancy may suggest estrogen dependency of this tissue.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone antagonists interfere with autocrine and paracrine growth stimulation of MCF-7 mammary cancer cells by insulin-like growth factors.

Several studies have supported the idea that LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) antagonists have a direct effect on mammary tumor cells. In this study, we have evaluated the potential role of the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) on the growth of MCF-7 mammary tumor cells and the effect of LHRH analogs on IGF action. The mitogenic effects of IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin were compared. IGF-I was found to be 3 times more potent than IGF-II and 30 times more potent than insulin, suggesting that the effects of these growth factors are mediated by the IGF-I receptor. IGFs released by MCF-7 cells were measured by specific RIA after acid extraction and chromatography, so as to avoid the interference of IGF-binding proteins. MCF-7 cells secreted IGF-II, but not IGF-I. Estradiol (10(-9) mol/L) stimulated IGF-II release; this release preceded the effect of estradiol on cell growth. The LHRH antagonist [Ac-D-Nal(2)1,D-Phe(4Cl)2,D-Pal(3)3,D-Cit6,D-Ala10] LHR H (SB-75, CETRORELIX) inhibited basal, estrogen-induced, and IGF-induced growth. Moreover, this antagonist almost completely inhibited IGF-II release from MCF-7 cells. This effect preceded the inhibition of tumor cell growth. We conclude that a LHRH antagonist can inhibit the growth of breast tumors by interfering with the autocrine action of IGF-II and by directly inhibiting the growth stimulatory effect of IGFs.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1992

Direct effects of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists and antagonists on MCF-7 mammary cancer cells.

The binding of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) analogues to the human mammary tumor cell line MCF-7 and their effect on the cell proliferation was studied to elucidate their direct action on estrogen-dependent mammary tumors. The growth rate of these cells was doubled by the addition of 1 nM estradiol to cells maintained in an estrogen-deficient medium. Although the basal growth rate was only slightly inhibited by the LH-RH antagonist [Ac-D-Nal(2)1,D-Phe(pCl)2,D-Pal(3)3,D-Cit6,D-Ala10]LH-RH (SB-75), the estrogen-stimulated growth was completely abolished by the antagonist. In contrast, the LH-RH agonist buserelin stimulated cell growth in estrogen-deficient medium, whereas it had no effect in the presence of estrogen. 125I-labeled buserelin was used for the measurement of LH-RH receptors on MCF-7 cells. A Scatchard plot analysis of buserelin-specific binding revealed a nonlinear plot, which suggested the presence of one high-affinity binding site with a Kd of 1.4 +/- 1.0 nM and the remaining sites with low affinity (Kd = 1.3 +/- 1.0 microM). The binding of 125I-labeled buserelin was displaced equally well by unlabeled buserelin and by the LH-RH antagonist SB-75, suggesting that both analogues are bound to the same receptor. When parallel experiments were performed with 125I-labeled SB-75, the binding was displaced by unlabeled SB-75 and other antagonists, but only partially displaced by unlabeled buserelin. The results suggest that in these mammary tumor cells there is a LH-RH antagonist binding site that is not recognizable by LH-RH agonists. This hypothesis was tested by measuring cell growth in the presence of both agonists and antagonists. It was found that SB-75 inhibited the stimulation of growth by buserelin, but buserelin did not prevent the inhibition by the antagonist of the estrogen-dependent growth. These results suggest that antagonists directly inhibit mammary tumor growth, not only by competing with LH-RH high-affinity receptors, but also by other mechanisms mediated by low-affinity antagonist binding sites.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1992

Guanine nucleotide modulation of high affinity gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors in rat mammary tumors.

We previously suggested that gonadotropin-releasing-hormone (GnRH) analogues activate the phosphoinositide pathway in rat mammary tumor membranes. In the present study we analyzed the binding of GnRH analogues to these membranes and assessed its modulation by guanine nucleotides. [125I]Buserelin (a GnRH superagonist) binding is specific because it is displaced only by GnRH analogues. Scatchard plot analysis reveals high affinity binding sites (Kd = 2.5 +/- 0.8 nM, Bmax = 250 +/- 120 fmol/mg membrane protein) and low affinity binding sites (Kd 1.1 +/- 0.3 microM, Bmax = 200 +/- 105 pmol/mg membrane protein). Guanine nucleotides increased the ED50 of [125I]buserelin displacement, and almost completely eliminated the high affinity binding. Similar results were obtained with [125I]D-Trp6-GnRH--another GnRH superagonist. The inhibition of buserelin binding by guanine nucleotides was specific for nucleotides that interact with G-binding proteins and was dose-dependent with a maximal effect at 10 microM GTP gamma S. Kinetic analysis of buserelin binding revealed that the dissociation rate increased at least 4-fold in the presence of 10 microM GTP gamma S. These results support the hypothesis that GnRH analogues interact directly with mammary tumors and activate a G-protein-dependent transducing mechanism.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone specific binding sites in normal and malignant renal tissue.

Renal cell carcinoma has been reported to contain estrogen and progesterone receptors. Thus, it has been suggested that these tumors are hormone dependent in a similar manner described for the breast and prostate cancers. It has been recently shown that mammary and prostate tumor cells contain gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptors and are growth inhibited directly by GnRH antagonists. In this study we examined for the presence of GnRH, estrogen and progesterone receptors in normal and malignant renal tissues. Estrogen receptors were found both in the normal and malignant kidney while progesterone receptors were present only in the normal tissue. Specific binding of [125I]buserelin, a GnRH agonist, was evident in renal carcinoma and in normal kidney and was displaced with equal efficiency by unlabeled buserelin and by D-Trp6-GnRH, but not by unrelated peptides such as thyrotropin releasing hormone and oxytocin. The non-linear scatchard curve obtained for buserelin binding, suggests the presence of at least two binding sites, one with high affinity in the nanomolar range and another in the micromolar range.

Buserelin↗
PubMed1990

Effect of guanine and adenine nucleotides on bombesin-stimulated phospholipase C activity in membranes from Swiss 3T3 and small cell lung carcinoma cells.

In [3H]inositol-labeled membranes prepared from Swiss mouse 3T3 and human small cell lung carcinoma cells, [Tyr4]-bombesin stimulated production of water-soluble inositol phosphates. The reaction was stimulated by guanosine 5'-O-[3-thiotriphosphate] and was specifically inhibited by both [Leu13-psi-CH2NHLeu14]-bombesin and the antibombesin antibody 2A11. [Tyr4]-bombesin-induced activation of phospholipase C is most apparent in Ca2(+)-depleted conditions (less than 1 microM[Ca2+]free). The kinetics of activation by ligand also demonstrate that [Tyr4]-bombesin-dependent phospholipase C activation is most apparent at [Mg2+]free of approximately 0.2 microM. At millimolar concentrations of [Mg2+]free, there is considerably less dependence on [Tyr4]-bombesin for activation of phospholipase C. ATP is not necessary for initial activation of phospholipase C, and beta, gamma-imidoadenosine-5'-triphosphate does not inhibit the reaction. These results demonstrate that in these cell types [Tyr4]-bombesin activates phospholipase C in conjunction with guanine nucleotides. Phospholipase C-coupled guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins would be appropriately considered as novel targets for the development of therapeutic strategies in small cell lung carcinoma.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1990

Cholera toxin inhibits signal transduction by several mitogens and the in vitro growth of human small-cell lung cancer.

Cholera toxin (CT) inhibited the in vitro growth of three of four human small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) cell lines with a 50% inhibitory concentration of 27-242 ng/ml. Loss of surface membrane ruffling and the capacity of [Tyr4]-bombesin, vasopressin, and fetal calf serum to stimulate increases in intracellular free calcium clearly preceded effects on cellular metabolic activity and cell growth. 125I-[Tyr4]-bombesin binding was unaffected by CT treatment but [Tyr4]-bombesin stimulated phospholipase C activity was decreased in membranes from CT-treated SCLC cells. CT stimulated a rapid but transient increase in intracellular cyclic AMP ([cAMP]i) in SCLC. The effects of CT on susceptible SCLC were not reproduced by elevations of [cAMP]i induced by forskolin or cyclic AMP analogues. GM1 ganglioside, the cellular binding site for CT, was highly expressed in the CT-sensitive but not the CT-resistant SCLC cell lines. In contrast, expression of guanine nucleotide binding protein substrates for ADP-ribosylation by CT was similar. These data demonstrate the existence of a CT-sensitive growth inhibitory pathway in SCLC-bearing GM1 ganglioside. Addition of CT results in decreased responsiveness to several mitogenic stimuli. These results suggest novel therapeutic approaches to human SCLC.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗
PubMed1989

Inhibition of growth of human mammary tumor cells by potent antagonists of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone.

Various studies support the view that analogs of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) exert some direct effects on mammary tumor cells. Recently, new LH-RH antagonists [Ac-D-Nal(2)1,D-Phe(pCl)2,D-Trp3,D-Hci6,D-Ala10]-LH-RH (SB-29) and [Ac-D-Nal(2)1,D-Phe(pCl)2,D-Trp3,D-Cit6,D-Ala10]LH-RH (SB-30), which are devoid of edematogenic effects, were synthesized. In this study, we examined whether these LH-RH antagonists inhibit the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 human mammary tumor cells in culture. [3H]Thymidine incorporation into DNA and cell number were measured. The antagonists induced up to 40% inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation in MDA-MB-231 cells. This inhibition was dose-dependent in the 0.3-30 microM range and could be demonstrated after 2 days of incubation in the presence of the peptides. An older antagonist, [Ac-D-Phe(pCl)1,2,D-Trp3,D-Arg6,D-Ala10]-LH-RH (ORG 30276), had a lesser effect, and the agonist des-Gly10-[D-Ser(tBu)6]LH-RH ethylamide (buserelin) had no effect. The antagonists SB-29 and SB-30 also inhibited the rate of cell growth, as measured by cell number, while the LH-RH agonist buserelin had no significant effect. These results support the concept that these new LH-RH antagonists can directly inhibit the growth of human mammary tumors and thus might be suitable for the treatment of breast cancer.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1988

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone specific binding sites in uterine leiomyomata.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs can cause regression of uterine leiomyomata. This effect is thought to be mediated by the inhibition of gonadotropin release and steroid synthesis. In the present study we examined the possibility that these analogs may also act directly on uterine leiomyomata. Specific binding sites for GnRH are present in myoma membranes, as 125I-Buserelin binding was displaced with equal efficiency by the superagonists, Buserelin and D-Trp6-GnRH, and by the antagonist Organon 30276, but not by unrelated peptides such as thyrotropin releasing hormone and oxytocin. A nonlinear Scatchard curve obtained for Buserelin specific binding suggests the presence of at least two binding sites, one of which exhibits a relatively high affinity for GnRH analogs (Kd of approximately 10(-8) M). Western blotting with a specific GnRH receptor antibody revealed the presence of a 60 kDa protein in myoma membranes. This protein has a similar molecular weight to the purified pituitary GnRH receptor. These results indicate, for the first time, the presence of specific binding sites for GnRH in uterine leiomyomata, suggesting a direct effect of GnRH analogs on this tissue.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Differential distribution of protein kinases along the crypt-to-lumen regions of rat colonic epithelium.

The activity of cAMP-dependent and cAMP-independent protein kinases, a class of enzymes involved in the regulation of cell proliferation was measured in rat colonic epithelium. Sequential cell populations harvested by a stepwise scraping technique from colonic crypt regions were identified by histology and incorporation of [3H]-thymidine into DNA. cAMP-independent phosphorylation of casein, in the presence of [gamma-32P]ATP, was markedly suppressed by quercetin, a bioflavonoid known to inhibit G-type casein kinase, protein kinase-C and tyrosine protein kinase. Conversely, the cyclic nucleotide regulatable form requiring histone as substrate was responsive to the action of the heat stable protein kinase inhibitor. The protein kinase species were characterised and partially purified by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in colonic cytosols (pmol 32P/min/mg protein, means (SE)) increased from 129.4 (15.9) in superficial cell populations to 238.5 (31.4) in lower crypt cell fractions (p less than 0.01). Colonic cAMP-independent protein kinase activity increased from 87.3 (15.6) in surface cell preparations to 178.1 (30.0) in lower crypt cell populations (p less than 0.02). A comparable activity gradient was observed in membrane fractions. The activity gradient persisted when the results were expressed as a function of cellular DNA. These findings indicate that protein kinases display a defined topological segregation along the colonic crypt regions and that during migration to the lumen colonic cells attenuate enzyme signals supposedly related to tissue growth.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Estrogen and progesterone receptor levels are lower in specimens taken from previously biopsied breast tumor tissue.

Estrogen and progesterone receptor (ER and PgR) levels and peroxidase activity were measured in the first biopsy and in tissue removed 4-10 days later during mastectomy of previously biopsied tumor. The proportion of ER- and PgR-positive tumors declined from 71% and 63%, respectively, in the biopsy group, to 46% and 36% in the mastectomy group. Peroxidase activity was low or absent in all biopsy specimens, but was present in 16 out of 25 tumors which had been biopsied previously. Receptor levels in paired specimens obtained from the same patient were lower in the mastectomy in 14 out of 18 receptor-positive cases. This decrease in the receptor level was accompanied by a significant increase in peroxidase activity. We suggest that an attempt be made to perform receptor analysis from "virgin" tumor tissues at initial biopsy. If this is not possible, measurement of peroxidase activity could be helpful in evaluating the degree of receptor deterioration.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1987

GnRH analogs stimulate phospholipase C activity in mammary tumor membranes: modulation by GTP.

An in vitro assay for phospholipase C activity was developed, employing exogenously added 32P-labelled phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate as substrate. This enzymatic assay used to analyse the direct effect of GnRH on mammary tumors. GnRH agonists stimulate membranal phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C activity. The increase in inositoltrisphosphate production is dose dependent, and is inhibited by the GnRH antagonist Org-30276. We took advantage of this non-cellular assay system for evaluating the role of G-binding proteins in the phosphoinositide transducing system in mammary tumors. GTP gamma S stimulates the basal and GnRH-dependent phospholipase C activity. This effect was abolished by GDP beta S. The cytosolic phospholipase C activity was also stimulated by GTP gamma S but was not affected by the hormone. These results suggest that GnRH may affect the growth of mammary tumors directly and not only through the reduction of blood gonadotropin level.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Phosphoinositide phosphorylation precedes growth in rat mammary tumors.

DMBA-induced rat mammary tumors were used to study the possible association of phosphoinositide phosphorylation to tumor growth. These membranous enzymatic activities were measured during various stages of tumor growth induced by pharmacological manipulation of plasma prolactin level. An increase in phosphorylation of both phosphatidyl inositol and phosphatidyl inositol 4-phosphate preceded the growth induced by prolactin concomitantly with an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation. Good correlation (r = 0.87) existed between the tyrosine kinase activity and phosphatidyl inositol kinase activity of 21 individual tumors taken from animals at different stages of hormonal manipulation. Phosphoinositide phosphorylation was inhibited by quercetin and was not affected by cAMP, similar to tyrosine kinase. Phosphorylation of angiotensin II by tyrosine kinase was inhibited by 0.2 mg/ml phosphatidyl inositol 4 phosphate or phosphatidyl inositol 4,5-bisphosphate.

1-Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase↗
PubMed1986

Functional assay of plasminogen activator by hydrolysis of 14C-globin.

A functional method for estimation of plasminogen activator (PA) activity is described. The end-point method follows the PA-dependent conversion of the inactive plasminogen to the potent protease plasmin. The formation of plasmin is monitored by its activity on 14C-globin to form acid-soluble radioactive products. The globinolytic assay of PA shows sensitivity similar to that of the 125I-fibrinolytic assay, and is superior in sensitivity to both the chromogenic (Pyro-Glu-Gly-Arg-pNA, S-2444) and the fluorimetric (Glu-Gly-Arg-methylcoumarin amide) methods. The assay is applicable for estimation of tissue type and urokinaselike PA activity in biologic samples, including viable cells in suspension and conditioned medium.

Cell Line↗