Biomedical subjects

G Milligan

Publications and source records attributed to G Milligan.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources

PubMed1990

The role and specificity of guanine nucleotide binding proteins in receptor-effector coupling.

Nine distinct alpha subunits of guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G-proteins) have now been identified by cDNA cloning. Each of these functions to allow transduction of information between hormone-activated receptors in the plasma membrane and effector systems which are either ion channels or enzymes which regulate the intracellular concentration of second messengers. As the individual G-proteins are highly similar in primary sequence, it is pertinent to ask what degree of specificity of interaction each of these display with the various receptors and effector systems. Specificity of tissue location defines that the rod and cone transducins (TD1 and TD2, respectively) act as the coupling proteins between rhodopsin and cone opsins and their cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase effectors and that G(olf) is the G-protein which tranduces signals from odorant receptors to adenylate cyclase in olfactory sensory neurones. However, many of the other identified G-proteins are co-expressed in a single tissue or cell. Whilst sensitivity to ADP-ribosylation catalysed by bacterial toxins from Bordetella pertussis and Vibrio cholerae has allowed a further subdivision of the G-protein family, this approach is limited as these toxins have multiple G-protein substrates. As the extreme C-terminus of the alpha subunit of each G-protein appears to be a key domain for the interactions of receptors and G-proteins we have generated a series of G-protein-selective antipeptide antisera against this region and then have used these antisera to attempt to interfere with receptor-G-protein coupling. With this approach we have been able to demonstrate that a delta opioid receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase in neuroblastoma x glioma, NG108-15, cell membranes is transduced specifically by Gi2 and in the same cell that alpha 2 adrenergic inhibition of Ca2+ currents is transduced by Go. Similar strategies are likely to be of universal significance, for example in the identification of the G-protein (Gp) which regulates the receptor-mediated activation of phosphoinositidase C. Methods to allow pharmacological manipulation of the levels of expression of various G-proteins in the membranes of cells are also discussed. Such approaches are also likely to assist in the identification of G-proteins of defined functions.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

PubMed1990

Pertussis toxin-sensitive and -insensitive mechanisms for diacylglycerol-protein kinase C signalling during insulin action in BC3H-1 myocytes.

The findings reported herein indicate that insulin rapidly perturbs phospholipid metabolism and consequent intracellular signalling, in its target tissues by two fully separable mechanisms. One of these mechanisms involves a pertussis toxin-sensitive Gi alpha, which probably serves to couple the insulin receptor to a PI-glycan phospholipase C, which, in turn, leads to the release of HGM and consequent activation of de novo PA synthesis. The second mechanism is PC hydrolysis, which is pertussis toxin-insensitive. Both mechanisms serve as important sources of DAG during insulin action, and PKC appears to be activated by DAG derived from both pathways. Although DAG may be derived from each of these signalling pathways, it is clear that PI-glycan HGM will only be derived from pertussis toxin-sensitive PI-glycan hydrolysis. These findings may help to explain why some, but not all, insulin effects are inhibited by pertussis toxin and are therefore apparently dependent upon Gi alpha. Whether or not other G-proteins are important in other phospholipid signalling pathways during insulin action, e.g., PC hydrolysis, remains to be determined.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Specificity of interactions of receptors and effectors with GTP-binding proteins in native membranes.

Individual G-proteins are highly similar in primary sequence. It is thus pertinent to ask what degree of specificity of interaction each of these display with the various receptors and effector systems. Many of the identified G-proteins are co-expressed in a single tissue or cell. As the extreme C-terminus of the alpha-subunit of each G-protein appears to be a key domain for the interactions of receptors and G-proteins, we have generated a series of G-protein-selective anti-peptide antisera against this region and then have used these antisera to attempt to interfere with receptor-G-protein coupling. With this approach, we have demonstrated that delta-opioid receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase in neuroblastoma x glioma (NG108-15) cell membranes is transduced specifically by Gi2 and in the same cell that alpha 2-adrenergic inhibition of Ca2+ currents is transduced by G0.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Adipocyte plasma-membrane Gi and Gs in insulinopenic diabetic patients.

Changes in the amounts and functions of G-proteins have been reported in diabetic rats. We determined the Gi/Gs ratio of adipocyte plasma membranes in six insulinopenic diabetic patients and matched controls by immunoblotting with antisera against synthetic peptides corresponding to regions of G-proteins. No consistent changes in the Gi/Gs ratio were observed. It is still possible that the functional status of the G-proteins may be altered in diabetes.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1989

Guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins expressed in rat white adipose tissue. Identification of both mRNAs and proteins corresponding to Gi1, Gi2 and Gi3.

Considerable debate has focused on the molecular identity of the guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins) in adipose tissue which can be detected following pertussis-toxin-catalysed ADP-ribosylation [Rapiejko, Northup, Evans, Brown & Malbon (1986) Biochem. J. 240, 35-40; Hinsch, Rosenthal, Spicher, Binder, Gausepohl, Frank, Schultz & Joost (1988) FEBS Lett. 238, 191-196]. We have used a panel of selective anti-peptide antisera which are able to discriminate between the different pertussis-toxin-sensitive G-proteins to assess which of these are expressed in rat adipose tissue. We demonstrate that plasma membranes of rat white adipocytes contain alpha subunits corresponding to each of Gi1, Gi2 and Gi3. Furthermore, using synthetic oligonucleotides complimentary to unique regions of each of the three polypeptides, we demonstrate that the mRNAs for the three G-protein alpha subunits can also be detected in adipose tissue.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1989

Cholera toxin treatment produces down-regulation of the alpha-subunit of the stimulatory guanine-nucleotide-binding protein (Gs).

The effect of activation of the alpha-subunit(s) of the stimulatory guanine-nucleotide-binding protein, Gs, on levels of this polypeptide(s) associated with the plasma membrane of L6 skeletal myoblasts was ascertained. Incubation of these cells with cholera toxin led to a time- and concentration-dependent 'down-regulation' of both 44 and 42 kDa forms of Gs alpha as assessed by immunoblotting with an anti-peptide antiserum (CS1) able to identify the extreme C-terminus of Gs. The effect of cholera toxin was specific for Gs; levels of Gi alpha in membranes of cholera toxin-treated cells were not different from untreated cells. Down-regulation of Gs was absolutely dependent upon prior ADP-ribosylation, and hence activation of Gs and was not mimicked by other agents which elevate intracellular levels of cyclic AMP. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin, which catalyses ADP-ribosylation of Gi but not of Gs, did not down-regulate either Gi or Gs, demonstrating that covalent modification by ADP-ribosylation is alone not a signal for removal of G-proteins from the plasma membrane.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Distribution of G-proteins in rat liver plasma-membrane domains and endocytic pathways.

1. The distribution of the alpha- and beta-subunits of nucleotide-binding G-proteins among rat liver sinusoidal, lateral and canalicular plasma membranes, endosomes, Golgi membranes and lysosomes was investigated. 2. Pertussis-toxin-catalysed ADP-ribosylation identified a 41 kDa inhibitory alpha-subunit in all liver plasma-membrane functional domains as well as in endosomes. An antibody to a synthetic peptide corresponding to a C-terminal sequence of the inhibitory alpha-subunit also identified the 41 kDa polypeptide in all plasma-membrane domains, in 'early' and 'late' endosomes and in Golgi membranes; this polypeptide was not detected in lysosomes. The antibody-binding studies showed that bile-canalicular plasma membranes had the highest content of the inhibitory alpha-subunit. 3. Immunofluorescent microscopy confirmed the presence of the inhibitory alpha-subunit in all regions of the hepatocyte's cell surface. 4. An antibody recognizing the beta-subunit showed that a 36 kDa polypeptide was present in all plasma membranes and in 'early' and 'late' endosomes; it was not detected in lysosomes. The relative distribution among the fractions of this polypeptide was similar to the distribution of the inhibitory alpha-subunit. 5. The presence of high levels of the G-protein inhibitory alpha-subunit in bile-canalicular plasma membranes was confirmed by demonstration of its co-fractionation with marker enzymes in Nycodenz gradients and by free-flow electrophoresis. The significance of this location is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Persistent activation of the alpha subunit of Gs promotes its removal from the plasma membrane.

As assessed both by cholera-toxin-catalysed ADP-ribosylation and by immunoblotting with an anti-peptide antiserum raised against the C-terminal decapeptide of forms of Gs alpha (the alpha subunit of the stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding protein), rat glioma C6 BU1 cells express two forms of Gs alpha: a major 44 kDa form and a much less prevalent 42 kDa form. We examined the effects of guanine nucleotides on the interaction of the 44 kDa form with the plasma membrane. Incubation of membranes of C6 BU1 cells with poorly hydrolysed analogues of GTP, but not with analogues of either ATP or GDP, caused the release of this Gs alpha from the membrane fraction. Release of Gs alpha was observed within 5 min, and continued throughout the incubation period. After treatment with guanosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate for 60 min, some 75% of this polypeptide had been released from its site of membrane attachment. These experiments demonstrate that Gs alpha need not remain associated invariantly with the plasma membrane.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins Gi and Gs in fat-cells from normal, hypothyroid and obese human subjects.

In human adipocyte plasma membranes, pertussis toxin catalysed the ADP-ribosylation of an apparently single 40 kDa protein. The same protein was also observed in Western blots by using an antibody which identifies the C-terminal decapeptide of Gi alpha (alpha subunit of Gi). In analogous experiments, cholera toxin and an antibody raised against the C-terminal decapeptide of Gs alpha (alpha subunit of Gs) were used to identify two proteins of 42 and 45 kDa, the former of which was more prominent. A method was developed to estimate the relative amounts of Gi and Gs in crude adipocyte plasma membranes in a single immunoblot by using the two antisera. In animal models, changes in the amounts of G-proteins have been suggested to explain alterations in hormone-responsiveness in hypothyroidism and obesity. However, the amounts of Gi and Gs were unaltered in thyroidectomized papillary-carcinoma patients who had been without hormone substitution for 4 weeks. In adipocyte plasma membranes prepared from markedly obese subjects, the amounts of both Gi alpha and Gs alpha as calculated per mg of protein were decreased, but the Gi/Gs ratio remained unaltered in comparison with control subjects.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1989

The effect of cholera toxin on the inhibition of vasopressin-stimulated inositol phospholipid hydrolysis is a cyclic AMP-mediated event at the level of receptor binding.

Incubation of L6 skeletal myoblasts for 16 h with cholera toxin but not with pertussis toxin, led to the inhibition of inositol phosphate generation induced by subsequent exposure to vasopressin. The effects of the toxin on inositol lipid metabolism were accompanied by the total ADP-ribosylation of the available cholera-toxin substrates within the cells. Immunological analysis demonstrated that the two polypeptides modified in vivo by cholera toxin were different forms of Gs alpha (alpha subunit of Gs). No novel cholera-toxin substrate(s) were detected. The cholera-toxin-mediated inhibition of vasopressin-stimulated inositol phosphate generation could be mimicked by both forskolin and dibutyryl cyclic AMP, but not by the separated subunits of the toxin. Receptor-binding studies demonstrated that the inhibition of agonist-stimulated inositol phosphate generation was accompanied by a decrease in cell-surface vasopressin-binding sites, with no effect on the affinity of these for the hormone. We suggest that the effect of cholera toxin and agents which increase intracellular cyclic AMP on vasopressin-stimulated inositol lipid hydrolysis is an effect on receptor number, and that there is no requirement to postulate a role for a novel G-protein, which is a substrate for cholera toxin, in the regulation of inositol phospholipid metabolism.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

PubMed1989

Glucagon desensitization of adenylate cyclase and stimulation of inositol phospholipid metabolism does not involve the inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory protein Gi, which is inactivated upon challenge of hepatocytes with glucagon.

Brief exposure of hepatocytes to glucagon, angiotensin or the protein kinase C activator TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate) caused the inactivation of the inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory protein Gi. Glucagon-mediated desensitization of glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was seen in hepatocytes from both normal rats and those made diabetic with streptozotocin, where Gi is not functionally expressed. Normal glucagon desensitization was seen in hepatocytes from young animals, 6 weeks of age, which had amounts of Gi in their hepatocyte membranes which were some 45% of that seen in mature animals (3.4 pmol/mg of plasma-membrane protein). Streptozotocin-induced diabetes in young animals abolished the appearance of functional Gi in hepatocyte plasma membranes. Pertussis-toxin treatment of hepatocytes from both normal mature animals and those made diabetic, with streptozotocin, blocked the ability of glucagon or angiotensin or TPA to elicit desensitization of adenylate cyclase. The isolated B (binding)-subunit of pertussis toxin was ineffective in blocking desensitization. Neither induction of diabetes nor treatment of hepatocytes with pertussis toxin inhibited the ability of glucagon and angiotensin to stimulate the production of inositol phosphates in intact hepatocytes. Thus (i) Gi does not appear to play a role in the molecular mechanism of glucagon desensitization in hepatocytes, (ii) the G-protein concerned with receptor-stimulated inositol phospholipid metabolism in hepatocytes appears not to be a substrate for the action of pertussis toxin, (iii) in intact hepatocytes, treatment with glucagon and/or angiotensin can elicit the inactivation of the inhibitory G-protein Gi, and (iv) pertussis toxin blocks desensitization by a process which does not involve Gi.

Adenylate Cyclase Toxin↗

PubMed1989

Identification of both Gi2 and a novel, immunologically distinct, form of Go in rat myometrial membranes.

Immunoblotting of rat myometrial membranes with an antiserum (SG1) which recognizes the alpha-subunits of both Gi1 and Gi2 indicated the presence of detectable levels of an apparently single form of some 40 kDa. A second antiserum (LE2) specific for Gi2 also recognized this protein, confirming its identity. Immunoblotting of the myometrial membranes with a series of antipeptide (OC1, IM1, ON1) and polyclonal (RV3) antisera, all of which recognize rat brain Go, produced a more complex pattern. Antisera OC1 and ON1 recognized a single polypeptide which essentially comigrated with rat brain Go. In contrast, antisera RV3 and IM1 did not recognize the myometrial protein. These data provide evidence for the presence of Gi2 and of a novel G-protein, related immunologically to Go, in rat myometrial membranes.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Binding to GDP-agarose identifies a novel 60kDa substrate for the insulin receptor tyrosyl kinase in mouse NIH-3T3 cells expressing high concentrations of the human insulin receptor.

Insulin increased dramatically the tyrosyl phosphorylation of the insulin receptor beta-subunit in mouse NIH-3T3 fibroblasts transfected with the human insulin receptor. Insulin also increased the phosphorylation, on tyrosine residues, of an endogenous 60kDa protein. This protein was identified after being eluted from a GDP-agarose support by GDP. It is suggested that the 60kDa species may be a novel guanine nucleotide binding protein which is specifically phosphorylated by the insulin receptor.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Elevated levels of the guanine nucleotide binding protein, Go, are associated with differentiation of neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells.

Each of a range of pharmacological agents which function to increase intracellular levels of cAMP caused a morphological 'differentiation' of neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid, NG108-15, cells grown in tissue culture. Associated with this differentiation, increased incorporation of [32P]ADP-ribose catalysed by pertussis toxin was noted into a band of some 39-40 kDa in membranes derived from these cells. Immunoblotting using two antipeptide antisera which identify different regions of Go alpha demonstrated marked increases in the levels of this polypeptide in membranes of the differentiated cells. However, levels of the beta-subunit did not increase appreciably with differentiation.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗

PubMed1989

Treatment of intact hepatocytes with either the phorbol ester TPA or glucagon elicits the phosphorylation and functional inactivation of the inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory protein Gi.

The antiserum AS7 can specifically immunoprecipitate alpha-Gi from membrane extracts as well as from a mixture of purified alpha-Gi and alpha-Go as ascertained using [32P]ADP-ribosylated G-proteins. Using this antiserum to immunoprecipitate alpha-Gi from hepatocytes labelled with 32P it was evident that alpha-Gi was phosphorylated under basal (resting) conditions. Challenge of hepatocytes with the tumour promoting phorbol ester TPA, however, elicited a marked enhancement of the phosphorylation state of alpha-Gi. This was accompanied by the loss of inhibitory effect of Gi on adenylate cyclase, as judged by the inability of low concentrations of p[NH]ppG to inhibit forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. Such actions were mimicked by treatment of hepatocytes with either glucagon or TH-glucagon, an analogue of glucagon which is incapable of activating adenylate cyclase and elevating intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations. Pre-treatment of hepatocytes with either glucagon, TPA or insulin did not affect the ability of pertussis toxin to cause the NAD+-dependent, [32P]ADP-ribosylation of alpha-Gi in membrane fractions isolated from such pre-treated hepatocytes. We suggest that protein kinase C can elicit the phosphorylation and functional inactivation of alpha-Gi in intact hepatocytes. As pertussis toxin only causes the ADP-ribosylation of the holomeric form of Gi, it may be that phosphorylation leaves alpha-Gi in its holomeric state.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

PubMed1989

Antibodies to the GTP binding protein, Go, antagonize noradrenaline-induced calcium current inhibition in NG108-15 hybrid cells.

The voltage-dependent calcium current in chemically differentiated NG108-15 cells is depressed by noradrenaline acting on alpha-adrenoreceptors. The response is absent in cells pretreated with pertussis toxin, implicating the involvement of a G-protein. To identify this G-protein, we have studied the response to noradrenaline in cells preinjected with antibodies specific for two G-proteins, Gi and Go. Cells injected with the Gi antibody responded normally to noradrenaline. In contrast, the response to noradrenaline in cells injected with the Go antibody was markedly attenuated. We conclude that Go is employed in coupling alpha-adrenoreceptors to the calcium channels in NG108-15 cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Multiple defects occur in the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein system in liver plasma membranes of obese (fa/fa) but not lean (Fa/Fa) Zucker rats: loss of functional Gi and abnormal Gs function.

Hepatocyte membranes from both lean and obese Zucker rats exhibited adenylate cyclase activity that could be stimulated by glucagon, forskolin, NaF and elevated concentrations of p[NH]ppG. In membranes from lean animals, functional Gi was detected by the ability of low concentrations of p[NH]ppG to inhibit forskolin-activated adenylate cyclase. This activity was abolished by treatment of hepatocytes with either pertussis toxin or the phorbol ester TPA, prior to making membranes for assay of adenylate cyclase activity. In hepatocyte membranes from obese animals no functional Gi activity was detected. Quantitative immunoblotting, using an antibody able to detect the alpha subunit of Gi, showed that hepatocyte plasma membranes from both lean and obese Zucker rats had similar amounts of Gi-alpha subunit. This was 6.2 pmol/mg plasma membrane for lean and 6.5 pmol/mg plasma membrane for obese animals. Using thiol pre-activated pertussis toxin and [32P]-NAD+, similar degrees of labelling of the 40 kDa alpha subunit of Gi were found using plasma membranes of both lean and obese Zucker rats. We suggest that liver plasma membranes from obese Zucker rats express an inactive Gi alpha subunit. Thus lesions in liver Gi functioning are seen in insulin-resistant obese rats and in alloxan- and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats which also show resistance as regards the acute actions of insulin. Liver plasma membranes of obese animals also showed an impairment in the coupling of glucagon receptors to Gs-controlled adenylate cyclase, with the Kd values for activation by glucagon being 17.3 and 126 nM for lean and obese animals respectively. Membranes from obese animals also showed a reduced ability for high concentration of p[NH]ppG to activate adenylate cyclase. The use of [32P]-NAD+ and thiol-preactivated cholera toxin to label the 43 kDa and 52 kDa forms of the alpha-subunit of Gs showed that a reduced labelling occurred using liver plasma membranes from obese animals. It is suggested that abnormalities in the levels of expression of primarily the 52 kDa form of alpha-Gs may give rise to the abnormal coupling between glucagon receptors and adenylate cyclase in liver membranes from obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗

PubMed1989

Foetal calf serum enhances cholera toxin-catalysed ADP-ribosylation of the pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide binding protein, Gi2, in rat glioma C6BU1 cells.

The major G-protein of rat glioma C6BU1 cells corresponds immunologically to Gi2. In the absence of guanine nucleotides, this protein is shown to be a substrate for ADP-ribosylation catalysed by both cholera and pertussis toxins. Under these conditions, a receptor for a growth factor, which has previously been shown to be activated by foetal calf serum, modulated the effects of both cholera and pertussis toxins on the G-protein. These ligand-mediated alterations of cholera and pertussis toxin-catalysed ADP ribosylation demonstrate that, in this system, the growth factor receptor interacts functionally with Gi2.

ADP-Ribosylation Factors↗