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J S Chan

Publications and source records attributed to J S Chan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Identification of a novel mouse hepatic 52 kDa protein that interacts with the cAMP response element of the rat angiotensinogen gene.

To identify the nuclear protein(s) that interact with the putative cAMP response element (CRE) of the rat angiotensinogen (ANG) gene (i.e. nt 806-779 upstream of the transcriptional start site), mouse liver nuclear proteins were prepared for the present studies. The DNase 1 footprinting protection analysis revealed that nt -799/-788 in the 5'-flanking region of the rat ANG gene are protected by the mouse liver nuclear protein. Gel mobility-shift assays revealed that the addition of the unlabelled DNA fragment, ANG nt -806/-779 competed effectively with the binding of the labelled ANG nt -806/-779 to the mouse liver nuclear proteins but the addition of unlabelled mutants of ANG nt -806/-779 were only weakly effective in competing with the labelled ANG nt -806/-779. The addition of unlabelled CRE of the somatostatin (SOM) gene and the CRE of the tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) gene was also ineffective in competing with the labelled ANG nt -806/-779. Southwestern blot analysis revealed that the labelled ANG nt -806/-779 interacted with two mouse liver nuclear proteins with apparent molecular masses of 52 and 43 kDa, whereas the labelled SOM-CRE, TAT-CRE and the CRE of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene interacted with one molecular species of 43 kDa. The binding of the labelled ANG nt -806/-779 to the 52 kDa protein was effectively competed for by the addition of unlabelled ANG nt -806/-779 but not by unlabelled SOM-CRE, TAT-CRE and PEPCK-CRE. Finally, Western blot analysis revealed that polyclonal antibodies against the CRE-binding protein (CREB) interacted with the mouse liver nuclear 43 kDa protein but not with the 52 kDa protein. These studies demonstrate that the CRE of the rat ANG gene (ANG nt -806/-779) interacts with the 43 kDa CREB and a novel 52 kDa protein from mouse liver. The novel 52 kDa protein is immunologically distinct from the 43 kDa CREB. These studies suggest that the 52 kDa protein might have a role in the expression of the hepatic ANG gene.

Angiotensinogen↗

Pertussis toxin-insensitive signaling of the ORL1 receptor: coupling to Gz and G16 proteins.

Nociceptin/OFQ is the endogenous ligand for the G protein-coupled opioid receptor-like (ORL1) receptor. To elucidate the cellular functions of the ORL1 receptor, we examined its ability to interact with Gz and G16, two pertussis toxin (PTX)-insensitive G proteins that are known molecular partners for the opioid receptors. In HEK 293 cells transiently expressing the ORL1 and dopamine D1 receptors, nociceptin/OFQ dose-dependently inhibited dopamine-stimulated cyclic AMP (cAMP) accumulation in a PTX-sensitive manner. However, PTX failed to block the nociceptin/OFQ-induced inhibition of dopamine-stimulated cAMP accumulation in HEK 293 cells co-expressing the alpha-subunit of Gz. This result indicates functional interaction between the ORL1 receptor and Gz. A similar result was obtained with retinoic acid-differentiated SH-SY5Y cells, which endogenously express both the ORL1 receptor and Gz. When the ORL1 receptor was transiently co-expressed in COS-7 cells with the alpha-subunit of G16, nociceptin/OFQ dose-dependently stimulated the formation of inositol phosphates. Nociceptin-induced stimulation of phospholipase C was absolutely dependent on the co-expression of alpha16 and exhibited the appropriate ligand selectivity. In terms of its ability to interact with PTX-insensitive G proteins, the ORL1 receptor behaves very much like the opioid receptors.

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors↗

Molecular mechanism(s) of action of norepinephrine on the expression of the angiotensinogen gene in opossum kidney cells.

BACKGROUND: Norepinephrine (NE) is the major endogenous neurotransmitter of the renal sympathetic nerves interacting with both the alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors in the renal proximal tubules. We have previously reported that isoproterenol and iodoclonidine stimulate the expression of the angiotensinogen (ANG) gene in opossum kidney (OK) proximal tubular cells via the beta1-adrenoceptor and alpha2-adrenoceptor, respectively. We hypothesized that NE may interact with the beta- and/or alpha2-adrenoceptors to stimulate the expression of the ANG gene in OK cells. METHODS: The fusion genes containing the various lengths of the 5'-flanking regulatory sequence of the rat ANG gene fused with a human growth hormone (hGH) gene as a reporter were stably transfected into the OK cells. The stimulatory effect of NE on the expression of the fusion genes was evaluated by the amount of immunoreactive hGH (IR-hGH) secreted into the culture medium. RESULTS: The addition of NE stimulated the expression of the fusion gene, pOGH (ANG N-1498/+18) in a dose-dependent manner. The stimulatory effect of NE was inhibited in the presence of propranolol, atenolol, Rp-cAMP, yohimbine, staurosporine, H-7 and U73122 but not in the presence of ICI 118,551 and prazosin. The addition of a combination of isoproterenol and iodoclonidine synergistically stimulated the expression of pOGH (ANG N-1498/+18) as compared to the addition of isoproterenol and iodoclonidine alone. Furthermore, the addition of NE, forskolin, 8-Br-cAMP or phorbol 12-myristate (PMA) stimulated the expression of pOGH (ANG N-806/-779/-53/+18), a fusion gene containing the putative cAMP responsive element (CRE, ANG N-806/-779) upstream of the ANG promoter (ANG N-53/+ 18) in OK 95 cells, but had no effect on the expression of fusion genes containing the mutant of the CRE. CONCLUSION: These studies demonstrate that the stimulatory effect of NE on the expression of the ANG gene in OK cells may be mediated via both the beta1- and alpha2-adrenoceptors and via the CRE (ANG N-806/-779) in the 5'flanking region of rat ANG gene.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Synergistic effect of dexamethasone and isoproterenol on the expression of angiotensinogen in immortalized rat proximal tubular cells.

To investigate whether the expression of angiotensinogen (ANG) in rat kidney proximal tubules is stimulated by dexamethasone and isoproterenol, immortalized rat proximal tubular cells (IRPTC) were cultured in a monolayer. Immunoreactive rat ANG (IR-rANG) in the culture medium was measured by a specific radioimmunoassay (RIA) for rANG. This RIA was developed by employing rabbit antiserum against the purified recombinant rat ANG (rANG). The purified rANG from plasma and the iodinated rANG were used as the hormone standard and tracer, respectively. The RIA is specific for rat ANG and it has no cross-reactivity with other pituitary hormone preparations or other rat plasma proteins. The sensitivity of detection of the RIA is approximately 2 ng of rANG. The levels of IR-rANG in the culture media of IRPTC ranged from 2 to 5 ng/ml/24 hr/10(6) cells. The addition of dexamethasone (10(-13) to 10(-5) M) stimulated the expression and secretion of rANG from IRPTC in a dose-dependent manner, whereas the addition of isoproterenol alone had no effect. However, a combination of both dexamethasone and isoproterenol synergistically stimulated the expression and secretion of rANG by IRPTC. The synergistic effect of dexamethasone and isoproterenol was blocked by the presence of RU 486 (a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist) or propranolol (beta-adrenoceptor blocker). These studies suggest that the addition of dexamethasone and isoproterenol acts synergistically to stimulate the expression and secretion of ANG protein in rat proximal tubules in vivo.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Effect of glucose on the expression of the angiotensinogen gene in opossum kidney cells.

To investigate whether D(+)-glucose has a stimulatory effect on the expression of the angiotensinogen (Ang) gene in opossum kidney (OK) cells, we used OK cells with a fusion gene containing various lengths of the 5'-flanking regulatory sequence of the rat Ang gene fused with the human growth hormone (hGH) gene as a reporter, stably integrated into their genomes. The level of expression of the fusion gene was quantified by the amount of immunoreactive-human growth hormone (IR-hGH) secreted into the medium. The addition of D(+)-glucose stimulated the expression of pOGH (Ang N-1498/+18) in OK 27 cells in a dose-dependent manner (5 to 25 mM), whereas the addition of D-mannitol, L-glucose and 2-deoxy-D-glucose (25 mM) had no effect. The stimulatory effect of D(+)-glucose (25 mM) was blocked by the presence of staurosporine or H7 (an inhibitor of protein kinase C) or U73122 (an inhibitor of phospholipase C and A2) but not blocked by the presence of Rp-cAMP (an inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A). The addition of D(+)-glucose (25 mM) also stimulated the expression of pOGH (Ang N-960/+18) and pOGH (Ang N-688/+18) in OK 960 and OK 688 cells, respectively. It had no stimulatory effect, however, on the expression of pOGH (Ang N-280/+18) and pOGH (Ang N-35/+18) in OK 280 and OK 35 cells, respectively. The addition of D(+)-glucose also had no effect on the expression of pTKGH in OK 13 cells, an OK cell line, into which had been stably integrated a fusion gene, pTKGH containing the promoter/enhancer DNA sequence of the viral thymidine-kinase (TK) gene fused with a human growth hormone gene as a reporter. These studies demonstrate that the stimulatory effect of high D(+)-glucose concentration (25 mM) on the expression of the angiotensinogen-growth hormone fusion genes in OK cells is mediated via the 5'-flanking region of the angiotensinogen gene and the protein kinase C signal transduction pathway. Our data indicate that a high glucose concentration may activate the renin-angiotensin system in the renal proximal tubular cells.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

Contact lens base curve prediction from videokeratography.

PURPOSE: To assess whether the contact lens to cornea-bearing relationship, as determined from the fluorescein pattern, can be predicted from videokeratography. METHODS: Nineteen non-rigid gas permeable (RGP) lens wearers were each tested for fluorescein patterns with a series of seven RGP contact lenses of different base curves, and compared to a theoretical estimate of the fitting relationship from videokeratography. The experimentally determined alignment lens was then compared to the theoretical alignment (TA) value as determined from the central curvature and eccentricity. RESULTS: The mean difference in lens choice between the TA and experimental alignment (EA) values was -0.01 +/- 0.04 mm and between the simulated keratometric (KA) readings and the EA choice was 0.11 +/- 0.05 mm. CONCLUSION: A knowledge of the eccentricity value from videokeratography allowed a better prediction of the base curve to cornea relationship than was provided by only a central corneal measurement.

Adult↗

High-tech pediatric home care: a collaborative approach.

High-risk pediatric patients require specialized care. Through collaboration with medical specialty providers, home care agencies have the opportunity to go beyond providing traditional pediatric types of home care to providing successful, cutting-edge, high-tech pediatric home care.

Ambulatory Surgical Procedures↗

Differential coupling of mu-, delta-, and kappa-opioid receptors to G alpha16-mediated stimulation of phospholipase C.

The mu-opioid receptor has recently been shown to stimulate phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C via the pertussis toxin-sensitive G16 protein. Given the promiscuous nature of G16 and the high degree of resemblance of signaling properties of the three opioid receptors, both delta- and kappa-opioid receptors are likely to activate G16. Interactions of delta- and kappa-opioid receptors with G16 were examined by coexpressing the opioid receptors and G alpha16 in COS-7 cells. The delta-selective agonist [D-Pen2,D-Pen5] enkephalin potently stimulated the formation of inositol phosphates in cells coexpressing the delta-opioid receptor and G alpha16. The delta-opioid receptor-mediated stimulation of phospholipase C was absolutely dependent on the coexpression of G alpha16 and exhibited appropriate ligand selectivity and dose dependency. Similar transfection studies revealed only weak stimulation by the mu-opioid receptor, whereas the kappa-opioid receptor produced moderate phospholipase C activity. G alpha16 thus appeared to interact differentially with the three opioid receptors. Radioligand binding assays indicate that the mu-opioid receptor was expressed at a lower level than those of the delta- and kappa-opioid receptors. To examine if differential coupling to G alpha16 is prevalent, a panel of Gs- or Gi-coupled receptors was coexpressed with G alpha16 in COS-7 cells and assayed for agonist-induced stimulation of phospholipase C. Activation of alpha2- and beta2-adrenergic, dopamine D1 and D2, adenosine A1, somatostatin-1 and -2, C5a, formyl peptide, and luteinizing hormone receptors all resulted in stimulation of phospholipase C, with maximal stimulations ranging from 1.5- to almost 17-fold. These findings suggest that the promiscuous G alpha16 can in fact discriminate among different receptors and that such preferential interaction might in part be due to the abundance of receptors.

Analgesics, Opioid↗

Receptor-induced beta gamma release from fatty acylation-deficient mutants of G alpha z.

The neuronal-specific G protein Gz is known to interact with a large variety of receptors for neurotransmitters and hormones. Fatty acylations on the N-terminus of the alpha subunit of Gz (alpha z) provide anchorage to the plasma membrane. Fatty acylation-deficient mutants of alpha z have previously been shown to exhibit altered signaling properties. Since the N-terminus of alpha z is likely to play a critical role in beta gamma binding, we examined the ability of these mutants to interact with beta gamma subunits by means of receptor-mediated stimulation of beta gamma-sensitive type II adenylyl cyclase. Our results indicate that lack of myristoylation, but not lack of palmitoylation, impaired the ability of alpha z to mediate receptor-induced release of beta gamma subunits.

Acylation↗

Nitric oxide co-operates with hydrogen peroxide in inducing DNA fragmentation and cell lysis in murine lymphoma cells.

We examined whether NO and H2O2 could interact in inducing DNA fragmentation and cell death. H2O2 and the NO-releasing compounds sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D,L-penicillamine (SNAP) by themselves elicited lysis of YAC-1 murine lymphoma cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Exposure of the cells to a combination of sublytic concentrations of SNP (0.78 mM) plus H2O2 (7.8 microM) or SNAP (0.18 mM) plus H2O2 (7.8 microM) resulted in cell death which is mediated, in part, through apoptosis. Evidence for this direction is provided by fluorescence microscopic evaluation of the cells, which revealed the presence of changes in nuclear morphology characteristic of apoptosis in 30-40% of lymphoma cells and by the specific pattern of internucleosomal DNA fragmentation detected by gel electrophoresis. The cytotoxic effect of SNP plus H2O2 could be effectively inhibited by either oxyhaemoglobin, which binds NO, or catalase, which eliminates H2O2. Partial protection from SNP-plus-H2O2-induced cell lysis was observed with the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors, nicotinamide and 3-aminobenzamide, parallelling their ability to reverse depletion of cellular NAD+ pools. These results indicate an interaction between NO and H2O2 which leads to a markedly enhanced cytotoxic activity, in part, via induction of apoptosis and suggest that poly(ADP-ribosylation) and subsequent NAD+ depletion mediate, at least in part, this cytotoxic activity.

Animals↗

Decreased potassium stimulates bone resorption.

Metabolic acidosis induces net calcium efflux (JCa+) from cultured bone, in part, through an increase in osteoclastic resorption and a decrease in osteoblastic formation. In humans provision of base as potassium (K+) citrate, but not sodium (Na+) citrate, reduces urine Ca (UCa), and oral KHCO3 decreases bone resorption and UCa in postmenopausal women. Potassium deprivation alone leads to an increase in UCa. To determine whether decreased extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]) at a constant pH, PCO2, and [HCO-3] alters JCa+ and bone cell activity, we measured JCa+, osteoblastic collagen synthesis, and osteoclastic beta-glucuronidase release from neonatal mouse calvariae cultured for 48 h in medium of varying [K+]. Calvariae were cultured in control medium (approximately 4 mM [K+]) or medium with mildly low K+ (MLK, approximately 3 mM [K+]), very low K+ (VLK, approximately 2 mM [K+]), or extremely low K+ (ELK, approximately 1 mM [K+]) (n > or = 9 in each group). Compared with control, ELK, but not MLK or VLK, resulted in a marked increase in JCa+ and an increase in beta-glucuronidase release and a decrease in collagen synthesis. JCa+ was correlated directly with medium beta-glucuronidase activity and inversely with collagen synthesis. To determine whether the reduction in medium [K+] was associated with a decrease in intracellular pH (pHi), we measured pHi in MC3T3-E1 cells, a mouse osteoblastic cell line. Incubation in 1 mM [K+] led to a significant decrease in pHi compared with 3 mM [K+]. Thus incubation in a reduced [K+] medium stimulates JCa+ and osteoclastic enzyme release and inhibits osteoblastic collagen synthesis, which may be mediated by a reduction in bone cell pH.

Animals↗

Angiotensinogen gene expression is stimulated by the cAMP-responsive element binding protein in opossum kidney cells.

It has been reported previously that the addition of isoproterenol or forskolin stimulates the expression of the angiotensinogen (ANG) gene in opossum kidney (OK) 27 cells, an OK cell line with a fusion gene containing the 5'-flanking regulatory sequence of the rat ANG gene fused with a human growth hormone (hGH) gene as a reporter, pOGH (ANG N-1498/+18), permanently integrated into their genomes. To investigate whether the effect of isoproterenol or forskolin on the expression of the ANG gene is mediated via the nuclear 43-kD cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB), OK 27 cells were transiently transfected with an expression plasmid containing the cDNA for the 43-kD CREB (pRSV/CREB). The level of expression of the pOGH (ANG N-1498/+18) in OK 27 cells was estimated by the amount of immunoreactive hGH secreted into the culture medium. Transfection of pRSV/CREB alone stimulated the expression of pOGH (ANG N-1498/+18). The addition of isoproterenol or forskolin further enhanced the stimulatory effect of pRSV/ CREB on the expression of pOGH (ANG N-1498/+18). The enhancing effect of isoproterenol was inhibited by the presence of propranolol (an inhibitor of beta-adrenoceptors) and (R)-p-adenosine 3'5'-cyclic monophospho-orthioate (Rp)-cAMP (an inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A I and II). Transfection of pRSV/CREB had no effect on the expression of thymidine kinase growth hormone in OK 13 cells, an OK cell line with a fusion gene containing the promoter/enhancer DNA sequence of the viral thymidine-kinase gene fused with an hGH gene as a reporter, thymidine kinase growth hormone, permanently integrated into their genomes. These studies demonstrate that isoproterenol stimulates the expression of ANG gene via the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A and probably via the interaction of the 43-kD CREB with the 5'-flanking region of the ANG gene. Our data indicate that the nuclear 43-kD CREB may have a modulatory role on the expression of the ANG gene in OK cells.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Alignment effects in videokeratography of keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of corneal apex decentration on videokeratography in subjects with keratoconus. We controlled corneal apex decentration by first locating the cone apex position and then shifting the fixation position by known amounts relative to the videokeratograph axis. METHODS: We evaluated the effect of keratoconus apex position on videokeratography by measuring 28 eyes (17 subjects) at 4 corneal positions: the vertex normal, apex, and 1 mm or 2 mm above the apex. RESULTS: When compared to the apex alignment values, the radius of 1 mm (mean difference: 0.27 mm; SD +/- 0.20 mm) and 2 mm (mean difference: 0.82 mm; SD +/- 0.50 mm). The corneal toricity was greater at apex alignment than at the 1 mm (mean: -0.35 D; SD +/- 1.76 D) and 2 mm (mean: 0.62 D; SD +/- 3.23 D) decentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Decentration of the corneal apex in keratoconus produces significant errors in videokeratography when using the standard alignment rather than alignment with the apex. When there is a decentered cone apex, videokeratograph power errors are greater with the standard (sagittal) power map than with the instantaneous (tangential) power map. The standard power map produces values for the apex position that are about 50% too high and values for the apex power that are from 10 to 40% too low. Most cone shapes have significant toricity that is often not detected with standard videokeratograph alignment.

Adolescent↗

Involvement of nitric oxide in target-cell lysis and DNA fragmentation induced by murine natural killer cells.

Although it has been recognized for sometime that target cells destroyed by natural killer (NK) cells die largely by apoptosis, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The aim of the present study was to examine the role of nitric oxide (NO) in mediating murine NK-cell-induced killing of YAC-1 lymphoma cells. NK calls induced extensive release of 125I-DNA and 51Cr from YAC-1 cells. The target killing ability of NK cells was associated with an increased production of NO as measured by concentrations of nitrite in the culture medium. That YAC-1 killing resulted, in part, from the production of NO was confirmed by the significant protection of cell lysis in L-arginine-depleted medium and by approximately 30 % attenuation of cell lysis and DNA fragmentation by an inhibitor of NO synthase, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) in a culture medium containing 1 mmol/L L-arginine. Fluorescence microscopic examination of YAC-1 cells showed the presence of changes in nuclear morphology characteristic for apoptosis. The percentage of apoptotic cells was markedly decreased by L-NAME. Further evidence for apoptosis is provided by the specific pattern of internucleosomal DNA fragmentation both in the absence and presence of L-NAME. During target-cell killing, an increased oxidation of intracellularly trapped dichlorofluorescein was observed in cells labeled with an antimouse NK-cell monoclonal antibody, as measured by flow cytometry. These increases were effectively prevented by L-NAME, but not W-13, an inhibitor of calmodulin. The ability of NO to induce cell lysis and DNA fragmentation in YAC-1 cells was further demonstrated by exposing tumor cells to chemically generated NO. Taken together, these observations suggest a role for NO as one of the mediators of NK-cell-mediated DNA fragmentation and cell lysis.

Animals↗

beta-Adrenoceptors and dexamethasone synergistically stimulate the expression of the angiotensinogen gene in opossum kidney cells.

We transiently co-transfected opossom kidney (OK) cells with the plasmid containing the cDNA for beta 1-adrenoceptor (pBC-beta 1 AR) or beta 2-adrenoceptor (pBC-beta 2 AR) and a fusion gene with the 5'-flanking region of the angiotensinogen (ANG) gene linked to a bacterial chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) coding sequence as a reporter, pOCAT (ANG N-1498/ +18). Co-transfection of plasmid pBC-beta 1 AR or pBC-beta 2 AR alone enhanced the expression of pOCAT (ANG N-1498/+18). The addition of isoproterenol further stimulated the expression of pOCAT (ANG N-1498/ +18) when co-transfected with pBC-beta 1AR, but not with pBC-beta 2AR. Moreover, the addition of a combination of dexamethasone and isoproterenol synergistically stimulated the expression of pOCAT (ANG N-1498/+18) when co-transfected with pBC-beta 1AR, but not when cotransfected with pBC-beta 2AR. The synergistic effect of dexamethasone and isoproterenol was inhibited by the presence of RU 486 (an antagonist of glucocorticoid) or Rp-cAMP (an inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A I and II). To localize the putative cAMP-responsive element (CRE) and glucocorticoid responsive element (GRE) in the ANG gene, we constructed the fusion gene by inserting the DNA fragment, ANG N-806 to N-465 upstream of the thymidine kinase (TK) promoter fused to a CAT gene and introduced them with pBC-beta 1AR into OK cells. The addition of dexamethasone or isoproterenol alone stimulated the expression of pTKCAT (ANG N-806/-465). The addition of isoproterenol and dexamethasone synergistically stimulated the transcriptional activity of pTKCAT (N-806/-465). These studies demonstrate that the beta 1-adrenoceptor and dexamethasone act synergistically to stimulate the expression of the ANG gene in OK cells via the putative CRE and GREs in the 5'-flanking region of the rat ANG gene. These data should aid in the understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) of the stimulatory effect of catecholamines/glucocorticoid induced expression of the ANG gene in the kidney.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Dopaminergic receptors and angiotensinogen gene expression in opossum kidney cells.

To investigate whether expression of the renal angiotensinogen gene is regulated by dopaminergic receptors, we used opossum kidney (OK 27) cells with a fusion gene containing the 5'- flanking regulatory sequence of the rat angiotensinogen gene fused with a human growth hormone (hGH) gene as a reporter [pOGH, angiotensinogen nucleotide (N) -1498/+18], permanently integrated into their genomes. The level of expression of pOGH (angiotensinogen N-1498/+18) in OK 27 was evaluated by the amount of immunoreactive hGH (ir-hGH) secreted into the culture medium. In the absence of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), addition of dopamine (10(-13) to 10(-5)M) had minimal effect on the expression of the pOGH (angiotensinogen N-1498/+18) in OK 27 cells. In the presence of IBMX, addition of low concentrations (10(-13) and 10(-7) M) of dopamine stimulated the expression of pOGH angiotensinogen N-1498/+18) in OK 27 cells in a dose-dependent manner, whereas high concentrations (i.e., > 10(-7) M) had minimal effect. The stimulatory effect of dopamine on the expression of pOGH (angiotensinogen N-1498/+18) was inhibited by the presence of SCH-23390 (D1-dopaminergic receptor antagonist) and spiperone (D2-dopaminergic receptor antagonist), but not by ketanserin (5 HT2/5HT1c-serotonergic receptor antagonist). Moreover, the stimulatory effect of dopamine was inhibited by the presence of U-73122 (an inhibitor of phospholipase C and phospholipase A2) or staurosporine (an inhibitor of protein kinase C) or (R)-p-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate (Rp-cAMP[S]; an inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase AI and II). Addition of low concentrations (10(-13) to 10(-9)M) of SKF-82958 (D1-dopaminergic receptor agonist) or PPHT (D2-dopaminergic receptor agonist) also stimulated the expression of pOGH (angiotensinogen N-1498/+18). The stimulatory effect of SKF-82958 was inhibited by the presence of SCH-23390 or Rp-cAMP[S], whereas the effect of PPHT was inhibited by the presence of spiperone or staurosporine. These studies demonstrate that the expression of pOGH (angiotensinogen N-1498/+18) in OK 27 cells is modulated by dopaminergic receptor agonists.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Mutant alpha subunit of Gz transforms Swiss 3T3 cells.

Many hormones and neurotransmitters induce cell proliferation by regulating signaling pathways controlled by heterotrimeric G proteins. Mutations that activate the alpha subunits of Gs and Gi2 produce the gsp and gip2 oncogenes that are found in certain human endocrine tumors. Similar mutations have conferred on other G alpha subunits the ability to promote neoplastic transformation in cultured mammalian cells. Gz, a G protein whose normal signaling function is poorly understood, shares with Gi2 the ability to inhibit adenylyl cyclase. We asked whether mutationally activated alpha z can stimulate cell proliferation in a cell line in which stimulation adenylyl cyclase is mitogenic, Swiss 3T3 cells. Stable expression of alpha z-Q205L in Swiss 3T3 cells induced focus formation, a faster growth rate with a higher saturation density, anchorage-independent growth in soft agar, and increased [3H]thymidine incorporation in the absence of growth factors. alpha z-Q205L produced a similar but less extensively transformed phenotype in NIH3T3 cells--increased saturation density in culture, a smaller number of foci and few colonies in soft agar. Stimulation of thymidine incorporation by alpha z-Q205L in Swiss 3T3 cells was increased by co-treatment with cholera toxin, a stimulator of adenylyl cyclase. Taken together, our results indicate that alpha z stimulates one or more mitogenic pathways in Swiss 3T3 cells, and that effectiveness of these mitogenic pathways does not require reducing the concentration of cellular cAMP.

3T3 Cells↗

Alpha-adrenoceptors and angiotensinogen gene expression in opossum kidney cells.

To investigate whether alpha (alpha)-adrenoceptor agonists have a stimulatory effect on the expression of the angiotensinogen (Ang) gene in opossum kidney (OK) cells, we used OK 27 cells with a fusion gene containing the 5'-flanking regulatory sequence of the rat angiotensinogen gene fused with a human growth hormone (hGH) gene as a reporter, pOGH (Ang N-1498/+18), permanently integrated into their genomes. The level of expression of the pOGH (Ang N-1498/+18) was quantitated by the amount of immunoreactive-human growth hormone (IR-hGH) secreted into the medium. The addition of iodoclonidine (alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, 10(-13) to 10(-9) M) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 10(-13) to 10(-5) M) stimulated the expression of pOGH (Ang N-1498/+18) in a dose-dependent manner, whereas the addition of phenylephrine (alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist, 10(-13) to 10(-5) M) had no effect. The stimulatory effect of iodoclonidine was blocked by the presence of yohimbine (alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist) and staurosporine (an inhibitor of protein kinase C) but not blocked by the presence of prazosin (alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist) or Rp-cAMP (an inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A). The addition of iodoclonidine, phenylephrine or PMA had no effect on the expression of pTKGH in OK 13 cells, an OK cell line, into which had been stably integrated a fusion gene, pTKGH containing the promoter/enhancer DNA sequence of the viral thymidine-kinase (TK) gene fused with a human growth hormone gene as a reporter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗