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Biomedical subjects

A E Boyd

Publications and source records attributed to A E Boyd.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Catecholamine modulation of calcium currents in clonal pancreatic beta-cells.

The mechanisms by which norepinephrine and epinephrine activate alpha 2-adrenergic receptors and inhibit insulin release from the pancreatic beta-cell (19, 21, 23) are not yet clear but may involve modulation at several sites. Because intracellular calcium has been implicated in the secretory process, it has been suggested that catecholamines may inhibit secretion by blocking calcium influx, thus reducing the free cytosolic calcium concentration (23). The present study examines the effects of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and clonidine on calcium current in an SV40-transformed hamster beta-cell line (HIT cells). Under voltage-clamp conditions, calcium currents were reversibly inhibited by norepinephrine, epinephrine, and clonidine in the low nanomolar range. The effects were blocked by 1) the alpha 2-antagonist yohimbine, 2) preincubation of the cells with pertussis toxin (PTX), and 3) guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDP beta S), the nonhydrolyzable GDP analogue that competitively inhibits the interaction of GTP with G proteins. In contrast, guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) caused irreversible blockade by catecholamines. These effects could not be overcome by adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), suggesting that the adenylate cyclase pathway is not involved in the G protein coupling with the channels. These studies show that catecholamines inhibit calcium currents in beta-cells through an alpha 2-adrenoreceptor PTX-sensitive G protein pathway and could inhibit insulin secretion by this mechanism.

Adenylate Cyclase Toxin↗

Characterization of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in beta-cell line.

Although there is compelling pharmacological evidence based on Ca2+-channel antagonist studies suggesting that the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels regulate insulin release, no direct comparison with Ca2+ currents exists. This is particularly important because of the recent demonstration in other cell types of one and possibly two Ca2+ channels that are insensitive to Ca2+-channel antagonists, the dihydropyridines and the phenylalkylamines. Using an SV40-transformed pancreatic beta-cell line (HIT cells), we determined how voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels are involved in stimulus-secretion coupling. Ca2+ currents were measured with the tight-seal technique for whole-cell recording. The cytosolic free-Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was followed with the fluorescent probe Fura 2, and the measurements were compared with insulin secretion stimulated by depolarizing the cells with K+. The Ca2+ current contained two components: a rapidly decaying current activated at -50 to -40 mV that decayed with a time constant of 25 ms and a very slowly decaying component activated at -40 mV. Both components were sensitive to the Ca2+-channel antagonist nimodipine. There is excellent agreement in the concentration of nimodipine that inhibited Ca2+ and the increase in [Ca2+]i in response to K+ depolarization (IC50 of 15 and 6 nM, respectively). Nimodipine inhibited insulin release over a similar dose-response range with an IC50 of 1.5 x 10(-9) M. These studies indicate that the increase in [Ca2+]i in response to beta-cell depolarization can be accounted for by the influx of this ion through a single class of dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca2+ channels in the cell membrane.

Animals↗

Effect of rise in cAMP levels on Ca2+ influx through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels in HIT cells. Second-messenger synarchy in beta-cells.

With a glucose-responsive beta-cell line (HIT cells), we tested the hypothesis that the cytosolic free-Ca2+ level ([Ca2+]i) is an intracellular signal through which a rise in cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels is transmitted to potentiate glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. In these cells, glucose stimulates the acute release of insulin without increasing [Ca2+]i or altering cAMP content. Either forskolin or 3-isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) potentiated glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and increased cAMP levels. At either a submaximal glucose concentration or maximally stimulatory glucose concentration, both IBMX and forskolin triggered a rapid rise in [Ca2+]i (1.9- and 1.5-fold increase over basal levels, respectively). Similarly, glucagon stimulated a 1.3-fold increase in [Ca2+]i over basal levels. The effect on [Ca2+]i required glucose and was secondary to Ca2+ influx through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels because it was blocked by either chelation of extracellular Ca2+ with EGTA or by the Ca2+-channel blockers verapamil and nimodipine. Verapamil also inhibited IBMX potentiation of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and the IBMX-induced rise in [Ca2+]i in a dose-dependent manner with IC50s of 2 x 10(-5) and 4 x 10(-6) M, respectively. We conclude that in the beta-cell, a rise in cAMP levels increases Ca2+ influx through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels and that this represents a mechanism by which cAMP potentiates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in beta-cells.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Characterization of the sulfonylurea receptor on beta cell membranes.

Specific, high affinity sulfonylurea receptors were characterized on membranes of an insulin-secreting hamster beta cell line (HIT cells). Saturable binding of the sulfonylurea, [3H]glyburide, was linear up to 0.8 mg/ml membrane protein. Scatchard analysis of equilibrium binding data at room temperature indicated the presence of a single class of saturable, high affinity binding sites with a Kd of 0.76 +/- 0.04 nM and a Bmax of 1.09 +/- 0.13 pmol/mg protein, n = 9. The insulin secretory potency of glyburide, glipizide, tolbutamide, tolazamide, and carboxytolbutamide was compared to the ability of these ligands to displace [3H]glyburide from the sulfonylurea receptor. Tolbutamide, tolazamide, and glipizide demonstrated reasonable agreement with ED50 values of 15 microM, 3 microM, and 30 nM and Ki values of 25.3 microM, 7.2 microM, and 45 nM, respectively. The inactive tolbutamide metabolite, carboxytolbutamide, at the highest concentration tested, only partially displaced [3H]glyburide from the receptor and was a very poor secretagogue. At 37 degrees C the affinity of [3H]glyburide binding, Kd = 2.0 nM, was similar to the ED50 of 5.5 nM when the free glyburide concentrations were corrected for binding of the drug to albumin. These studies suggest that sulfonylureas initiate their biologic effect through a high affinity, specific interaction with sulfonylurea receptors on the beta cell membrane.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Sulfonylurea receptors, ion channels, and fruit flies.

Recent studies have identified a high-affinity receptor on the plasma membrane of the beta-cell that is specific for all of the sulfonylureas. The most potent second-generation drugs, glyburide and glipizide, bind to the receptor and trigger insulin release at nanomolar concentrations. The affinity to the receptor-ligand interaction of all sulfonylureas correlates with their potency as insulin secretagogues, further implicating receptor occupancy with signal transduction. These drugs also inhibit the electrical activity of ATP-sensitive K+ channels and K+ efflux through these channels. The channels are also closed by the metabolism of the major insulin secretagogues, glucose and the amino acids, which signal insulin release by increasing the ATP level or the [ATP]-to-[ADP] ratio on the cytoplasmic side of the channel. Based on the channel number and the amount of K+ current they pass, it is possible to calculate that these channels control the resting membrane potential of the beta-cell. Inactivation of the ATP-inhibitable K+ channel results in a fall in the resting membrane potential, cell depolarization, and influx of extracellular Ca2+ through the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel. The rise in intracellular free Ca2+ level triggers exocytosis. Thus, it is now possible to link either a stimulus from the metabolism of insulin secretagogues or the sulfonylureas to ionic and electrical events that elicit insulin release. These data also suggest that the sulfonylurea receptor or a closely associated protein is an ATP-sensitive K+ channel.

ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗

Increased cytosolic calcium. A signal for sulfonylurea-stimulated insulin release from beta cells.

The mechanisms by which glyburide and tolbutamide signal insulin secretion were examined using a beta cell line (Hamster insulin-secreting tumor (HIT) cells). Insulin secretion was measured in static incubations, free cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was monitored in quin 2-loaded cells, and cAMP quantitated by radioimmunoassay. Insulin secretory dose-response curves utilizing static incubations fit a single binding site model and established that glyburide (ED50 = 112 +/- 18 nM) is a more potent secretagogue than tolbutamide (ED50 = 15 +/- 3 microM). Basal HIT cell [Ca2+]i was 76 +/- 7 nM (mean +/- S.E., n = 141) and increased in a dose-dependent manner with both glyburide and tolbutamide with ED50 values of 525 +/- 75 nM and 67 +/- 9 microM, respectively. The less active tolbutamide metabolite, carboxytolbutamide, had no effect on [Ca2+]i or insulin secretion. Chelation of extracellular Ca2+ with 4 mM EGTA completely inhibited the sulfonylurea-induced changes in [Ca2+]i and insulin release and established that the rise in [Ca2+]i came from an extracellular Ca2+ pool. The Ca2+ channel blocker, verapamil, inhibited glyburide- or tolbutamide-stimulated insulin release and the rise in [Ca2+]i at similar concentrations with IC50 values of 3 and 2.5 microM, respectively. At all concentrations tested, the sulfonylureas did not alter HIT cell cAMP content. These findings provide direct experimental evidence that glyburide and tolbutamide allow extracellular Ca2+ to enter the beta cell through verapamil-sensitive, voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, causing a rise in [Ca2+]i which is the second messenger that stimulates insulin release.

Animals↗

Distribution of calmodulin and calmodulin-binding proteins in bovine pituitary: association of myosin light chain kinase with pituitary secretory granule membranes.

Calcium is necessary for secretion of pituitary hormones. Many of the biological effects of Ca2+ are mediated by the Ca2+-binding protein calmodulin (CaM), which interacts specifically with proteins regulated by the Ca2+-CaM complex. One of these proteins is myosin light chain kinase (MLCK), a Ca2+-calmodulin dependent enzyme that phosphorylates the regulatory light chains of myosin, and has been implicated in motile processes in both muscle and non-muscle tissues. We determined the content and distribution of CaM and CaM-binding proteins in bovine pituitary homogenates, and subcellular fractions including secretory granules and secretory granule membranes. CaM measured by radioimmunoassay was found in each fraction; although approximately one-half was in the cytosolic fraction, CaM was also associated with the plasma membrane and secretory granule fractions. CaM-binding proteins were identified by an 125I-CaM gel overlay technique and quantitated by densitometric analysis of the autoradiograms. Pituitary homogenates contained nine major CaM-binding proteins of 146, 131, 90, 64, 58, 56, 52, 31 and 22 kilodaltons (kDa). Binding to all the bands was specific, Ca2+-sensitive, and displaceable with excess unlabeled CaM. Severe heat treatment (100 degrees C, 15 min), which results in a 75% reduction in phosphodiesterase activation by CaM, markedly decreased 125I-CaM binding to all protein bands. Secretory granule membranes showed enhancement for CaM-binding proteins with molecular weights of 184, 146, 131, 90, and 52,000. A specific, affinity purified antibody to chicken gizzard MLCK bound to the 146 kDa band in homogenates, centrifugal subcellular fractions, and secretory granule membrane. No such binding was associated with the granule contents. The enrichment of MLCK and other CaM-binding proteins in pituitary secretory granule membranes suggest a possible role for CaM and/or CaM-binding proteins in granule membrane function and possibly exocytosis.

Animals↗

Increase in cAMP levels in beta-cell line potentiates insulin secretion without altering cytosolic free-calcium concentration.

With an SV40-transformed hamster beta-cell line (HIT cells) as a model system, we tested the hypothesis that a rise in cAMP levels potentiates insulin release by an effect on the cytosolic free-Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). Intracellular cAMP levels were measured by radioimmunoassay, and [Ca2+]i was monitored with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator quin 2. Insulin secretion was followed in static incubations or perifusion of the cells. In perifusion, both high glucose and depolarization of the beta-cell with 40 mM K+ trigger a monophasic pattern of insulin release without altering the HIT cell cAMP content. Addition of either the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) or the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin dramatically increased the cellular cAMP content, potentiated the burst phase of insulin release, and coupled the immediate phase of insulin secretion to a sustained secretory response. However, increases in cellular cAMP content were not associated with a change in [Ca2+]i. Thus, the potentiation of insulin secretion by a rise in cAMP in the HIT cell is not mediated by a release of stored Ca2+. Either a glucose-generated signal or a rise in [Ca2+]i triggered by high K+ can synergize with a rise in cAMP to couple the burst or immediate release of insulin evoked by either secretagogue to the sustained release of insulin.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

High K+ rapidly stimulates Ca2+-dependent phosphorylation of three proteins concomitant with insulin secretion from HIT cells.

We have previously shown in a glucose-responsive insulin-secreting beta-cell line (HIT cells) that a cell membrane-depolarizing concentration of K+ causes an influx of extracellular Ca2+ that elevates the free cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and activates insulin secretion. To identify the cellular mechanisms that couple Ca2+ influx to exocytosis, studies of protein phosphorylation were conducted. HIT cells were loaded with 32P and stimulated with either 40 mM K+ or 19.4 mM glucose, both of which trigger the immediate release of insulin. Phosphoproteins were examined with two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. With addition of 40 mM K+, after the rise in [Ca2+]i, proteins of Mr 17,500, 20,000, and 24,000 were rapidly and specifically phosphorylated. The 17,000-Mr protein showed maximum phosphorylation by 1 min, whereas phosphorylation of the 24,000- and 20,000-Mr proteins continued to increase at 5 min. Despite stimulating the immediate release of insulin, high glucose did not result in a change in [Ca2+]i or the phosphorylation of the three Ca2+-dependent phosphoproteins. Insulin secretion, the increase in [Ca2+]i, and phosphorylation of the proteins by 40 mM K+ was inhibited by 100 microM verapamil, an organic Ca2+-channel-blocking drug. The rapid phosphorylation of three proteins, after a rise in [Ca2+]i and the coordinate inhibition of insulin secretion and phosphorylation, are consistent with the hypothesis that Ca2+ enters the beta-cell through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, regulating insulin release by effects on protein phosphorylation. However, glucose activates the immediate release of insulin by another, as yet undefined, mechanism.

Animals↗

Calcium dependency and free calcium concentrations during insulin secretion in a hamster beta cell line.

Using a glucose-responsive beta cell line, we tested the hypothesis that the free cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) is the primary signal that couples a stimulus to insulin secretion, and examined the involvement of the extracellular Ca2+ pool in this process. Glucose or depolarization of the beta cell with 40 mM K+ stimulated a monophasic release of insulin directly proportional to the extracellular Ca2+ concentration. 40 mM K+ increased 45Ca2+ uptake and increased [Ca2+]i, which was measured with quin 2, 4.7-fold, from 56 +/- 3 to 238 +/- 17 nM. With high glucose, 45Ca2+ uptake did not increase, and [Ca2+]i was unchanged or fell slightly. There was a striking correlation between inhibitory effects of verapamil, the Ca2+ channel blocker, on insulin secretion and the rise in [Ca2+]i evoked by K+. Higher concentrations of verapamil were required to inhibit glucose- than K+-stimulated insulin secretion (dose giving half-maximal effect of 1.4 X 10(-4) M vs. 6.0 X 10(-7) M). Incubation in Ca2+-free, 1 mM EGTA buffer for 30 min lowered [Ca2+]i to 14 +/- 2 nM, and inhibited acute insulin release to both secretagogues. If high glucose was present in the Ca2+-free period, reintroduction of 2.5 mM Ca2+ in high glucose restored insulin secretion only to the basal rate. However, if low glucose was present during the Ca2+-free period, high glucose and 2.5 mM Ca2+ triggered a full first-phase insulin response. These data suggest that high glucose generates a non-Ca2+ signal that turns over rapidly and provide direct evidence that K+ triggers insulin release by drawing extracellular Ca2+ into the beta cell through verapamil-sensitive Ca2+ channels. However, an increase [Ca2+]i is not the primary signal that evokes glucose-stimulated insulin release in this beta cell line.

Aminoquinolines↗

Effects of acetylcholine, TSH and other stimulators on intracellular calcium concentration in dog thyroid cells.

The intracellular free calcium concentration, [Ca2+]i, has been measured in dog thyroid cells using the fluorescent Ca2+-indicator, quin2. Acetylcholine or its non-hydrolyzable analog, carbamylcholine rapidly increased [Ca2+]i by 40 +/- 4% (mean +/- SE) over the basal level of 81 +/- 2 nM. This increase was totally abolished by atropine, a muscarinic cholinergic receptor blocker, but was not influenced by verapamil, a voltage dependent-calcium channel blocker. Depletion of extracellular Ca2+ by the addition of EGTA, diminished but did not abolish the response to carbamylcholine. These data suggest that cholinergic effectors increase [Ca2+]i by mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular stores rather than from an influx of Ca2+. Addition of TSH, isoproterenol, phorbol ester, dibutyryl cyclic GMP or cyclic AMP did not elicit any change in [Ca2+]i suggesting that their action may not involve any mobilization of intracellular Ca2+. These data provide direct evidence that in the thyroid cell, cholinergic agents act via their receptors to cause a rapid increase in [Ca2+]i, which may mediate their metabolic effects.

Acetylcholine↗

Gelsolin, a Ca2+-dependent actin-binding protein in a hamster insulin-secreting cell line.

Using a gel overlay technique we have previously described a 90,000-mol wt actin-binding protein in a number of hormone-secreting tissues and tentatively identified this protein as gelsolin. Gelsolin is a protein that cuts or solates cross-linked actin filaments and can also serve as a nucleating site for actin polymerization. The objective of this study was to isolate this protein from a hamster insulin-secreting (HIT) cell line and compare the immunologic properties and peptide maps of purified rabbit macrophage gelsolin, human platelet gelsolin, and the HIT cell 90,000-mol wt protein. DNase I-Sepharose retained the HIT cell actin-binding proteins in 1 mM CaCl2; some of the 90,000-mol wt protein could then be eluted with 1 mM EGTA. The remaining actin-binding proteins were eluted using a buffer containing SDS. The EGTA peak fractions contained two major protein bands of Mr = 90,000 and 42,000, which suggested that a 90,000-mol wt-actin complex was eluted from the DNase I-Sepharose column. Specific antibodies to the human platelet and rabbit macrophage gelsolins bound to the 90,000-mol wt bands in the eluates, but did not crossreact with other actin-binding proteins. Indirect immunofluorescence using an anti-human platelet gelsolin antibody localized the 90,000-mol wt protein to stress fibers that were also stained with phalloidin, which suggested that gelsolin is associated with actin in vivo. Tryptic peptide maps of all three radioiodinated gelsolins were virtually indistinguishable. Thus, gelsolin is a highly conserved gene product found in at least three diverse cell types, an insulin-secreting beta cell line, macrophages, and platelets, and may link a transient increase in Ca2+ cellular levels with changes in actin polymerization and/or the gel-sol state of these cells.

Animals↗

Perifusion of a clonal cell line of Simian virus 40-transformed beta cells. Insulin secretory dynamics in response to glucose, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, and potassium.

A perifusion system for the study of insulin secretory dynamics of a clonal, Simian virus 40-transformed hamster pancreatic beta cell line (HIT cells) is described. After a change from glucose-free to higher glucose levels in the perifusate, insulin secretion increased rapidly in a dose-dependent manner. The pattern of glucose-stimulated insulin release was monophasic and was not sustained during a continued glucose stimulus. Perifusing the cells with low glucose (0.3 mg/ml) before a glucose stimulus of 3.5 mg/ml resulted in more rapid insulin release with lower peak secretory rates than those seen after a glucose-free period. The combined stimulus of high glucose and 100 microM 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, significantly enhanced the acute insulin secretory response and also resulted in a biphasic secretory pattern that was sustained throughout the 60-min stimulation period. Insulin secretion stimulated by IBMX required a nonstimulatory level of glucose in the perifusing media, and, if this requirement was met, the immediate release of insulin was similar to that evoked by high glucose alone. High potassium (40 mM) also triggered a monophasic release of insulin. These studies demonstrate that glucose or high K+, which depolarizes the plasma membrane, and IBMX, an agent presumed to increase intracellular cyclic AMP levels, can signal the acute release of insulin from these beta cells. This cell line is a unique model system for studying the mechanism of insulin secretion.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Changes in calmodulin and its mRNA accompany reentry of quiescent (G0) cells into the cell cycle.

Release of CHO-K1 cells from plateau or stationary phase and reentry into the cell cycle is specifically and reversibly blocked at two distinct sites by the anticalmodulin drug W13. The first block occurs early during release while the cells are still at G0/G1, whereas the second occurs later in reentry during early S phase. As determined by radioimmunoassay, calmodulin levels undergo changes at three distinct steps in plateau-phase entry and release. First, the entry of exponentially growing cells into plateau phase is accompanied by an increase in the calmodulin level. The second change is a reduction in the calmodulin content of cells within the first hour following release from plateau phase. The third change is the subsequent increase in calmodulin levels, which precedes entry of the cells into S phase. Analysis of calmodulin mRNA levels by dot-blot hybridization demonstrates that the changes in calmodulin protein are preceded by changes in calmodulin mRNA. Furthermore, whereas a decrease in CaM mRNA is observed within the first hour following plateau release, no such decrease is observed for beta-actin mRNA, suggesting that this decrease may be selective for calmodulin. This selectivity is further substantiated by the fact that identical changes in calmodulin and calmodulin mRNA are observed in cells released from plateau by two different techniques. Taken together, these data suggest that calmodulin may play an important role in the reentry of cells into the cell cycle.

Animals↗

Binding of monoclonal antibody A2B5 to gangliosides.

Monoclonal antibody A2B5 (Eisenbarth et al, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. (1979, 76:4913-4917), which reacts with neurons, thymic epithelium and peptide-hormone secreting cells of several species, was reported to react specifically with brain tetrasialogangliosides. We have found that A2B5 binds to gangliosides GQ1b, GD3, GD2, disialolactoneotetraosylceramide, and probably to GT1a, when assayed by an immunostaining procedure that detects binding of antibody to gangliosides on a thin-layer plate. Additional data obtained by complement fixation revealed that this antibody reacted most strongly with ganglioside GQ1b almost as well with disialogangliosides GD3, GD2 and disialolactoneotetraosylceramide, weakly with GD1b and GT1b, and very weakly with GM3 and GD1a. These data indicate that A2B5 cannot be regarded as a specific reagent for the recognition of tetrasialogangliosides.

Animals↗