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5-Hydroxytryptamine induces phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of phosphoinositides through 5-hydroxytryptamine-2 receptors in cultured fetal mouse ventricular myocytes.

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) stimulates the rate and force of cardiac contraction. However, the molecular mechanisms of 5-HT actions on the heart are unknown. We examined effects of 5-HT on phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of phosphoinositides and its regulation in cultured fetal mouse ventricular myocytes labeled with [3H]inositol. Accumulation of inositol monophosphate, inositol bisphosphate, and inositol trisphosphate was assessed after stimulation with 5-HT, catecholamines, and AlF4-. Inositol bisphosphate and trisphosphate reached a peak at 15 minutes by 5-HT stimulation and at 30 minutes by AlF4- stimulation. Inositol monophosphate accumulated linearly for at least 30 minutes in the presence of LiCl. The 5-HT effect was dose dependent, and the threshold concentration was 0.1 microM with the half-maximum effective concentration of 1 microM. Ketanserin in nanomolar concentrations inhibited the phospholipase C reaction by 100 microM 5-HT with the half-maximum inhibitory concentration of 0.5 nM. Pertussis toxin (100-1,000 ng/ml) did not influence the phospholipase C reaction by 5-HT, but it partially inhibited the reaction by AlF4-. Protein kinase C-activating phorbol esters like 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, but not 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, which is inactive for protein kinase C, completely inhibited the reaction by 5-HT; TPA showed 30% inhibition on the reaction by AlF4-. The magnitude of accumulated inositol phosphates by AlF4- was at least several times greater than that by 5-HT. Norepinephrine- and epinephrine-stimulated phospholipase C reactions were completely abolished by prazosin. These results suggest that 5-HT directly stimulates phospholipase C-mediated hydrolysis of phosphoinositides through 5-hydroxytryptamine-2 (5-HT2) receptors in the ventricular myocytes and that this reaction is negatively regulated by protein kinase C. 5-HT2 receptors may be coupled to phospholipase C via a pertussis toxin-insensitive GTP-binding protein in the myocytes.

Aluminum↗

Sodium fluoride induces phosphoinositide hydrolysis, Ca2+ mobilization, and prostacyclin synthesis in cultured human endothelium: further evidence for regulation by a pertussis toxin-insensitive guanine nucleotide-binding protein.

The role of guanine nucleotide-binding proteins in the induction of prostacyclin synthesis by stimulated endothelial cells is incompletely understood. We report that sodium fluoride (NaF), a potent activator of cellular guanine nucleotide-binding proteins, affected time- and concentration-dependent generation of prostacyclin (PGI2) by cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells without evidence of cellular toxicity detected by 51Cr or lactate dehydrogenase release. PGI2 synthesis by NaF-stimulated endothelial cells was associated with increases in arachidonate release, phosphoinositide hydrolysis, generation of inositol phosphates, and accumulation of diacylglycerol. These responses to NaF, as well as alpha-thrombin-mediated responses, were not dependent upon the availability of extracellular free Ca2+ but were associated with the mobilization of stored intracellular Ca2+ detected by the luminescence of the photoprotein aequorin. Neither PGI2 synthesis nor Ca2+ responses following alpha-thrombin or NaF stimulation were inhibited by pretreatment of cells with the islet activating protein from Bordetella pertussis but were significantly attenuated by the G protein inhibitor GDP beta S in permeabilized cells. Our results are compatible with a model wherein NaF directly activates a phosphoinositidase-linked guanine nucleotide regulatory protein, Gp, in human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayers. This activation results in phosphoinositide hydrolysis, Ca2+ mobilization, arachidonate release, and subsequent functional activation, assessed by PGI2 release. Biologically relevant agonists such as alpha-thrombin may exert their influence on arachidonate metabolism, in part, by promoting receptor-dependent activation of this G protein.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗

Tyrosine phosphorylation of B-cell adaptor for phosphoinositide 3-kinase is required for Akt activation in response to CD19 engagement.

CD19 is a coreceptor that amplifies signaling initiated by antigen cross-linking of the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR). CD19 can also signal independently of BCR coligation. This study shows that B-cell adaptor for phosphoinositide 3-kinase (BCAP), previously characterized as a substrate of the tyrosine kinases upon BCR engagement, is phosphorylated by cross-linking of CD19. Tyrosine phosphorylation of BCAP, mediated by Lyn, provides binding site(s) for phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), thereby participating in Akt activation. Thus, these results provide evidence that BCAP serves as an adaptor molecule for CD19 to activate the PI3K pathway in B cells.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Regulation of the RAP1/RAF-1/extracellularly regulated kinase-1/2 cascade and prolactin release by the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT pathway in pituitary cells.

In pituitary cells, prolactin (PRL) synthesis and release are controlled by multiple transduction pathways. In the GH4C1 somatolactotroph cell line, we previously reported that MAPK ERK-1/2 are a point of convergence between the pathways involved in the PRL gene regulation. In the present study, we focused on the involvement of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway in the MAPK ERK-1/2 regulation and PRL secretion in pituitary cells. Either specific pharmacological PI3K and Akt inhibitors (LY294002, Akt I, and phosphoinositide analog-6) or Akt dominant-negative mutant (K179M) enhanced ERK-1/2 phosphorylation in unstimulated GH4C1 cells. Under the same conditions, PI3K and Akt inhibition also both increased Raf-1 kinase activity and the levels of GTP-bound (active form) monomeric G protein Rap1, which suggests that a down-regulation of the ERK-1/2 cascade is induced by the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in unstimulated cells. On the contrary, ERK-1/2 phosphorylation, Raf-1 activity, and Rap1 activation were almost completely blocked in IGF-I-stimulated cells previously subjected to PI3K or Akt inhibition. Although the PRL promoter was not affected by either PI3K/Akt inhibition or activation, PRL release increased in response to the pharmacological PI3K/Akt inhibitors in unstimulated GH4C1 and rat pituitary primary cells. The IGF-I-stimulated PRL secretion was diminished, on the contrary, by the pharmacological PI3K/Akt inhibitors. Taken together, these findings indicate that the PI3K/Akt pathway exerts dual regulatory effects on both the Rap1/Raf-1/ERK-1/2 cascade and PRL release in pituitary cells, i.e. negative effects in unstimulated cells and positive ones in IGF-I-stimulated cells.

Animals↗

Angiotensin peptides stimulate phosphoinositide breakdown and prolactin release in anterior pituitary cells in culture.

We investigated the effects of angiotensin peptides on the breakdown of specific membrane phospholipids, the inositol lipids, in anterior pituitary cells in culture, measuring the water-soluble products (inositol phosphates) produced during the cleavage of phosphoinositides by phospholipase C. Both angiotensin II and angiotensin I in the presence of 10 mM LiCl potently increased, in a concentration-dependent manner, total [3H]inositol phosphate and PRL release in cultured rat anterior pituitary cells. The release of LH, TSH, or GH was not significantly enhanced by the peptides. The effect on inositol phosphate accumulation was significant at 0.01 nM, and maximal stimulation (approximately 5-fold increase) occurred at 10 nM, with an ED50 of about 0.3 nM. The stimulatory effects of both angiotensin II and angiotensin I were antagonized by the receptor antagonists saralasin and Sar1,Ile8-angiotensin II. Moreover, 1 microM captopril, an inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme, antagonized the effects of 0.1 and 1 nM angiotensin I, suggesting that the effect of angiotensin I on phosphoinositide breakdown and PRL release is dependent on prior conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. The effect of angiotensin II was very rapid. Fractionation of the water-soluble inositol phosphates showed that angiotensin II significantly increased inositol bisphosphate and inositol triphosphate at 10 sec, whereas inositol monophosphate was increased only after 40 sec. These data indicate that in the pituitary, and presumably in the lactotroph, the binding of angiotensin II to specific membrane receptors provokes increased polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis, leading to increased production of intracellular messengers, i.e. inositol triphosphate and 1,2-diacylglycerol, responsible for the stimulation of PRL release.

1-Sarcosine-8-Isoleucine Angiotensin II↗

Regulation of the phosphoinositide pathway in cultured Sertoli cells from immature rats: effects of follicle-stimulating hormone and fluoride.

Many hormones elicit effects on target cells by stimulating the enzyme phospholipase-C, which catalyzes the hydrolysis of phosphoinositides to the intracellular second messengers diacylglycerol and inositol phosphates. The present study examined the roles of FSH and guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins) in regulating the hydrolysis of phosphoinositides in Sertoli cells. Sertoli cell cultures prepared from 16- to 18-day-old rats were incubated for 24 h with myo-[2-3H] inositol to label endogenous phospholipids. Treatment of cells from 0.5-20 min with preparations of ovine FSH ranging in potency from 1-60 times that of NIH FSH S1 did not affect accumulation of inositol phosphates. Levels of total [3H]inositol phosphates [[3H]inositol mono-, di-, and triphosphates (IP, IP2, and IP3)] in FSH-treated cultures was 75-120% the levels in control cultures over the various time intervals studied. Addition of testosterone and the combination of testosterone plus retinoic acid, agents that have been shown to potentiate effects of FSH in other systems, did not affect accumulation of inositol phosphates in response to FSH. In contrast to the lack of effect on accumulation of inositol phosphates, FSH stimulated 4- to 11-fold increases in estradiol secretion over 24 h of culture, indicating that Sertoli cells were viable and responsive to FSH. AIF4- has been shown to activate G-proteins involved in regulation of adenylate cyclase activity. In the present study, AIF4- induced 4- to 5-fold increases in IP, IP2, and IP3 in experiments wherein FSH had no effect. Pretreatment of Sertoli cells with pertussis toxin (100 and 1000 ng/ml) for 24 h inhibited fluoride-induced generation of IP, IP2, and IP3 by 24-51%. Similar treatment with cholera toxin had no effect on basal or fluoride-induced generation of IP2 or IP3, but increased fluoride-induced generation of IP by 20-34%. These results suggest that phospholipase-C activity in Sertoli cells is modulated by a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein(s), but does not appear to be affected by FSH.

Aluminum↗

Regulation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis in transformed human endometrial cells.

Addition of the cholinergic agents acetylcholine or carbamylcholine (CCh) to suspensions of human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells (Ishikawa line) preincubated with [3H] myoinositol promoted a rapid concentration-dependent hydrolysis of labeled phosphoinositides to inositol tris-, bis-, and monophosphates with EC50 values (mean +/- SE) of 3.5 +/- 1.6 and 26.5 +/- 4.8 microM, respectively. Atropine inhibition of the CCh effects (Ki = 1.6 +/- 1.3 nM) and the ineffectiveness of nicotinic antagonists indicate involvement of a muscarinic receptor. Both basal and CCh-stimulated production of inositol phosphates were higher in the presence of LiCl. The effect of LiCl on inositol monophosphate accumulation was concentration dependent (1-100 mM). Vasopressin, oxytocin, phenylephrine, histamine, and prostaglandin F2 alpha, had no apparent affect on inositol phosphate levels. Phorbol esters inhibited up to 35% of the effect of CCh on inositol phosphate accumulation. Triphenylethylene antiestrogens at micromolar concentrations increased inositol phosphate accumulation, but inhibited the effects of CCh. However, the rapid uptake of trypan blue observed after exposure to 10 microM tamoxifen suggests an alteration of the plasma membrane which may affect signal-transducing systems. The effects of CCh on the production of inositol phosphates and the expected concomitant liberation of diacylglycerol by transformed epithelial cells of human endometrium are of potential significance in normal endometrial physiology, since cholinergic innervation of endometrial glands has been reported, and the role of hormonally stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis in secretory mechanisms has been demonstrated in many systems.

Acetylcholine↗

Chronic in vivo hyperglycemia impairs phosphoinositide hydrolysis and insulin release in isolated perifused rat islets.

We examined the effect of chronic hyperglycemia on phosphoinositide hydrolysis and insulin secretion in isolated perifused rat islets. Rats were infused for 44 h with 40% dextrose in order to raise and maintain the plasma glucose concentration at 350 mg/dl. Control animals were infused with equiosmolar amounts of mannitol. In vivo insulin secretion and rats of glucose disposal were monitored throughout the study. At the end of the infusion, islets were collagenase isolated, and phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis (assessed by measuring the increment in [3H]inositol efflux as well as labeled inositol phosphates) and insulin output in response to a 20-mM glucose challenge were quantitated. Plasma insulin concentration and in vivo glucose disposal rates decreased significantly, by 47% and 35% respectively, after 6-8 h of hyperglycemia. In islets perifused immediately after isolation, prior in vivo hyperglycemia markedly altered the pattern of insulin output in response to 20-mM glucose challenge. Compared to mannitol infusion, 20 mM glucose stimulation resulted in an exaggerated first phase insulin secretory response (1121 +/- 88 vs. 467 +/- 75 pg/islets.min) and a blunted second phase insulin secretory response (392 +/- 90 vs. 1249 +/- 205 pg/islet.min). In islets prelabeled with myo-[2-3H]inositol for 2 h, PI hydrolysis, particularly [3H]inositol efflux in response to glucose stimulation was also reduced (0.28 +/- 0.03%/min) compared to that in mannitol-infused animals (0.53 +/- 0.08%/min). Two hours of preincubation in a low glucose medium (2.75 mM) were able to completely reverse the islet defect in both PI hydrolysis and insulin secretion. Our results demonstrate that chronic in vivo hyperglycemia impairs PI hydrolysis in perifused rat islets and suggest that this defect accounts in part for the abnormal pattern of glucose-induced insulin secretion.

Animals↗

Down-regulation of the tumor suppressor gene retinoic acid receptor beta2 through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway.

The retinoic acid receptor beta2 (RARbeta2) is a potent, retinoid-inducible tumor suppressor gene, which is a critical molecular relay for retinoid actions in cells. Its down-regulation, or loss of expression, leads to resistance of cancer cells to retinoid treatment. Up to now, no primary mechanism underlying the repression of the RARbeta2 gene expression, hence affecting cellular retinoid sensitivity, has been identified. Here, we demonstrate that the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway affects cellular retinoid sensitivity, by regulating corepressor recruitment to the RARbeta2 promoter. Through direct phosphorylation of the corepressor silencing mediator for retinoic and thyroid hormone receptors (SMRT), Akt stabilized RAR/SMRT interaction, leading to an increased tethering of SMRT to the RARbeta2 promoter, decreased histone acetylation, down-regulation of the RARbeta2 expression, and impaired cellular differentiation in response to retinoid. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway, an important modulator of cellular survival, has thus a direct impact on cellular retinoid sensitivity, and its deregulation may be the triggering event in retinoid resistance of cancer cells.

Acetylation↗

Regulation of phosphoinositide metabolism, Akt phosphorylation, and glucose transport by PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

To investigate the roles of PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10) in the regulation of 3-position phosphorylated phosphoinositide metabolism as well as insulin-induced Akt phosphorylation and glucose metabolism, wild-type PTEN and its phosphatase-dead mutant (C124S) with or without an N-terminal myristoylation tag were overexpressed in Sf-9 cells and 3T3-L1 adipocytes using baculovirus and adenovirus systems, respectively. When expressed in Sf-9 cells together with the p110alpha catalytic subunit of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, myristoylated PTEN markedly reduced the accumulations of both phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate induced by p110alpha. In contrast, overexpression of the C124S mutants apparently increased these accumulations. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, insulin-induced accumulations of phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate were markedly suppressed by overexpression of wild-type PTEN with the N-terminal myristoylation tag, but not by that without the tag. On the contrary, the C124S mutants of PTEN enhanced insulin-induced accumulations of phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate. Interestingly, the phosphorylation level of Akt at Thr308 (Akt2 at Thr309), but not at Ser473 (Akt2 at Ser474), was revealed to correlate well with the accumulation of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate modified by overexpression of these PTEN proteins. Finally, insulin-induced increases in glucose transport activity were significantly inhibited by the overexpression of myristoylated wild-type PTEN, but were not enhanced by expression of the C124S mutant of PTEN. Therefore, in conclusion, 1) PTEN dephosphorylates both phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate and phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate in vivo, and the C124S mutants interrupt endogenous PTEN activity in a dominant-negative manner. 2) The membrane targeting process of PTEN may be important for exerting its function. 3) Phosphorylations of Thr309 and Ser474 of Akt2 are regulated differently, and the former is regulated very sensitively by the function of PTEN. 4) The phosphorylation level of Ser474, but not that of Thr309, in Akt2 correlates well with insulin-stimulated glucose transport activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. 5) The activity of endogenous PTEN may not play a major role in the regulation of glucose transport activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

3T3 Cells↗

Analysis of phosphoinositide binding domain properties within the myotubularin-related protein MTMR3.

The myotubularins are a large family of phosphoinositide-specific phosphatases with substrate specificity for PtdIns3P and PtdIns(3,5)P(2). In addition to an N-terminal PH-GRAM (PH-G) domain and a signature catalytic domain shared with other family members, MTMR3 contains a C-terminal FYVE domain. We show that the FYVE domain of MTMR3 is atypical in that it neither confers endosomal localisation nor binds to the lipid PtdIns3P. Furthermore the FYVE domain is not required for in vitro enzyme activity of MTMR3. In contrast, the PH-GRAM domain is able to bind to phosphoinositide lipids, of which the allosteric regulator PtdIns5P is the preferred partner. Consequently, generation of PtdIns5P at the plasma membrane by ectopic expression of the bacterial phosphatase IpgD leads to a translocation of MTMR3 that requires the PH-G domain. Deletion of the PH-G domain leads to loss of activity of MTMR3 in vitro, and surprisingly, when combined with an active site mutation, accumulates the protein on the Golgi complex.

Allosteric Site↗

Invasion of endothelial cells by Neisseria meningitidis requires cortactin recruitment by a phosphoinositide-3-kinase/Rac1 signalling pathway triggered by the lipo-oligosaccharide.

Type-IV-pilus-mediated adhesion of Neisseria meningitidis (also known as meningococcus) to human endothelial cells induces the formation of membrane protrusions leading to bacterial uptake. We have previously shown that these protrusions result from a Rho- and Cdc42-dependent cortical actin polymerization, and from the activation of the ErbB2 tyrosine-kinase receptor and the Src kinase, leading to tyrosine phosphorylation of cortactin. We report here that N. meningitidis mutants expressing a deglycosylated lipo-oligosaccharide are poorly invasive. These mutants show structurally altered actin polymerization. Moreover, although they efficiently recruit and activate ErbB2 and Src, these mutants are defective in the recruitment and phosphorylation of cortactin. We demonstrate that phosphorylated cortactin controls the cortical actin polymerization, which leads to membrane protrusion formation. In addition, we show that cortactin recruitment is dependent on the activation of a phosphoinositide-3-kinase/Rac1-GTPase signalling pathway, which is required for actin polymerization and internalization of N. meningitidis, and is not activated by the mutant strains. Altogether, these results define a new role for the lipo-oligosaccharide in triggering a phosphoinositide-3-kinase/Rac1 signalling required to elicit an efficient uptake of N. meningitidis in non-phagocytic cells.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗

Phosphoinositides in membrane traffic at the synapse.

Inositol phospholipids represent a minor fraction of membrane phospholipids; yet they play important regulatory functions in signaling pathways and membrane traffic. The phosphorylated inositol ring can act either as a precursor for soluble intracellular messengers or as a binding site for cytosolic or membrane proteins. Hence, phosphorylation-dephosphorylation of phosphoinositides represents a mechanism for regulation of recruitment to the membrane of coat proteins, cytoskeletal scaffolds or signaling complexes and for the regulation of membrane proteins. Recent work suggests that phosphoinositide metabolism has an important role in membrane traffic at the synapse. PtdIns(4,5)P2 generation is implicated in the secretion of at least a subset of neurotransmitters. Furthermore, PtdIns(4,5)P2 plays a role in the nucleation of clathrin coats and of an actin-based cytoskeletal scaffold at endocytic zones of synapses, and PtdIns(4,5)P2 dephosphorylation accompanies the release of newly formed vesicles from these interactions. Thus, the reversible phosphorylation of inositol phospholipids may be one of the mechanisms governing the timing and vectorial progression of synaptic vesicle membranes during their exocytic-endocytic cycle.

Actins↗

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase signalling pathways.

Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) phosphorylate the 3'-OH position of the inositol ring of inositol phospholipids, producing three lipid products: PtdIns(3)P, PtdIns(3,4)P(2) and PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3). These lipids bind to the pleckstrin homology (PH) domains of proteins and control the activity and subcellular localisation of a diverse array of signal transduction molecules. Three major classes of signalling molecule are regulated by binding of D-3 phosphoinositides to PH domains: guanine-nucleotide-exchange proteins for Rho family GTPases, the TEC family tyrosine kinases such as BTK and ITK in B and T lymphocytes, respectively, and the AGC superfamily of serine/threonine protein kinases. These molecules are activated by a variety of extracellular stimuli and have been implicated in a wide range of cellular processes, including cell cycle progression, cell growth, cell motility, cell adhesion and cell survival.

Animals↗

Determination of the catalytic activities of mTOR and other members of the phosphoinositide-3-kinase-related kinase family.

Members of the phosphoinositide-3-kinase-related kinase (PIKK) family, which includes mTOR, ATM, ATR, and hSMG-1, play important roles in regulating the cellular response to environmental stimuli. Despite the similarity of their catalytic domain to that of phosphoinositide-3-kinase, these extremely large (>250 kDa) polypeptides function as serine/threonine protein kinases. The catalytic activities of these PIKK family members can now be measured in immune-complex kinase assays. This assay involves isolation of the kinase by immunoprecipitation and the in vitro phosphorylation of a specific substrate in the presence of radio-labeled ATP. Here we describe, in detail, the determination of PIKK catalytic activity with a standardized immune-complex kinase assay protocol.

1-Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase↗

Effects of a luteolytic dose of oestradiol benzoate on uterine oxytocin receptor concentrations, phosphoinositide turnover and prostaglandin F-2 alpha secretion in sheep.

Administration of oestradiol-17 beta benzoate on Days 9 and 10 of the oestrous cycle resulted in episodic secretion of PGF-2 alpha (as indicated by elevated circulating concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-ketoprostaglandin F-2 alpha) and a decline in circulating progesterone. Release of PGF-2 alpha began 35 +/- 3 h after first injection of oestrogen and progesterone concentrations declined from 42 +/- 3 h. Secretion of oxytocin, which was first observed 26 +/- 3 h after oestrogen treatment, preceded secretion of PGF-2 alpha; 69% of pulses of oxytocin coincided with episodes of PGF-2 alpha secretion. Uterine oxytocin receptor concentrations were raised in ewes treated with oestrogen, increases occurring in caruncular endometrium and myometrium by 12 h after treatment and in intercaruncular endometrium by 24 h. Raised receptor concentrations were followed at 24 h by increases in the incorporation of [3H]inositol into phosphatidylinositol and in the hydrolysis of labelled tissue phosphoinositides in response to oxytocin in slices of caruncular endometrium incubated in vitro. The following sequence of events is therefore suggested to occur at oestrogen-induced luteolysis: induction of the oxytocin receptor; increased turnover of phosphoinositides; onset of episodic secretion of PGF-2 alpha; and functional luteolysis.

Animals↗

Effects of lithium chloride on rabbit blastocyst expansion, and accumulation of phosphoinositides and inositol phosphates.

The effects of lithium, an inhibitor of the recycling of inositol in the phosphatidylinositol cycle, on rabbit blastocyst growth and metabolism of phosphoinositides were investigated. Day 2 rabbit morulae were first cultured for 2 days in basic culture medium and then transferred to medium containing myo-[2-3H]inositol for culture for a further 3 days. At the end of culture, the resulting blastocysts were incubated with LiCl (0, 1, 5, 10, 20 mmol l-1) for 1 h. The blastocysts were then lysed and both the aqueous and lipid portions were analysed for incorporated radioactivity. Thin layer chromatographic separation of the lipid portion indicated that lithium had no significant effect on formation of radiolabelled phosphoinositides. However, high performance anion exchange chromatography indicated that lithium significantly stimulated accumulation of radiolabelled inositol monophosphate and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. This result indicates that the phosphatidylinositol cycle is turning over in rabbit blastocysts. Continuous culture of rabbit embryos for 5 days in media containing LiCl (5, 10, 15 and 20 mmol l-1) significantly decreased blastocyst growth as measured by blastocyst expansion and incorporation of [3H]thymidine. However, supplementing the medium with excess inositol (up to 9375 mumol l-1), in an attempt to increase the intracellular uptake of inositol and thus compensate for the inhibitory effect of lithium on inositol recycling, did not reverse the inhibitory effect of lithium on blastocyst growth.

Animals↗

Bradykinin stimulates phosphoinositide metabolism and prolactin secretion in rat anterior pituitary cells.

Bradykinin stimulated prolactin secretion from monolayer cultures of rat anterior pituitary cells, the stimulation being greater from the cells of male rats. This stimulated secretion was accompanied by a rise in total inositol phosphate accumulation, suggesting that the action of bradykinin is mediated by phosphoinositide hydrolysis. The increase in inositol phosphate accumulation was biphasic; a further sharp rise occurred when the concentration of bradykinin exceeded 1 mumol/l. This may indicate that bradykinin acts on other cell types in the pituitary gland. Bradykinin had no effect on growth hormone secretion from cells of normal pituitary glands, or on prolactin secretion and phosphoinositide metabolism in GH3 rat pituitary tumour cells. Bradykinin receptor antagonists (both B1 and B2) had no effect on either bradykinin-stimulated inositol phosphate accumulation or prolactin secretion. Kallikreins, the enzymes responsible for the generation of kinins, are known to be present in the adenohypophysis. Therefore, the results presented here would suggest that kinins may have a role as paracrine agents in the pituitary gland.

Animals↗