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P R Murphy

Publications and source records attributed to P R Murphy.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

The role of G-proteins in the mitogenesis of rat lactogen-dependent and lactogen-independent Nb2 lymphoma cells.

The expression of guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins) was compared in two clonal lines of rat Nb2 node lymphoma cells, the lactogen-dependent Nb2-11C line and the lactogen-independent Nb2-Sp (spontaneous) line. Both cell lines expressed mRNA transcripts for the G-protein species Gs alpha [1.85 kilobases (kb)], Gi2 alpha (2.35 kb), Go alpha (4.1-4.5 kb), and Gi3 alpha (3.5 kb). Gi1 alpha was not detected. ADP ribosylation in the presence of activated cholera or pertussis toxins and [32P]NAD demonstrated the presence of G-proteins in the membrane fractions of both lines. The cholera toxin substrates consisted of two proteins (mol wt, 46.5 and 43.5 kD), while a single protein (mol wt, 41.5 kD) was ADP ribosylated by pertussis toxin. Surprisingly, the cholera toxin-sensitive proteins (Gs) were at least 20-fold less abundant in the Nb2-Sp cells than in the Nb2-11C cells. Since Gs and Gi2 are associated with the adenylate cyclase system and the regulation of intracellular cAMP, the effects of the cAMP analog, (Bu)2cAMP (dbcAMP), on Nb2-11C and Nb2-Sp cell growth were examined. dbcAMP (100 microM) completely inhibited the growth of lactogen-dependent Nb2-11C cells. The inhibitory effect of dbcAMP was exerted at an early point in the cell cycle, as it also inhibited PRL-stimulated c-myc expression measured 3 h after addition of the mitogen. In contrast, dbcAMP had only minor inhibitory effects on lactogen-independent Nb2-Sp cells, increasing their doubling time from 20 to 30 h and slightly reducing their density at confluence. The inhibitory effect of dbcAMP on both cell lines was reversible. Nb2-11C cells resumed growth after a lag period of approximately 3 days. The recovered cells did not arise from selection of a cAMP-resistant subpopulation, since both they and normal untreated Nb2-11C cells remained equally sensitive to dbcAMP. Similarly, Nb2-Sp cells resumed their normal doubling time upon removal of dbcAMP. The observation that the lactogen-independent Nb2-Sp cell line contained 20-fold less cholera toxin-sensitive Gs protein provides circumstantial evidence that dysfunction of the adenylate cyclase system may be implicated in the autonomous growth of these cells. This possibility is strengthened by the observation that Nb2-Sp cells are markedly less sensitive than the Nb2-11C clone to the growth inhibitory effects of an exogenous cAMP analog.

Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗
PubMed1990

Circulating fibroblast growth factor-like substance in familial multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a potent endothelial cell mitogen found in a variety of normal and tumor tissues. Basic FGF lacks a classical signal sequence, and it is not clear how it is released from cells. bFGF or bFGF-like activity has not been previously demonstrated in plasma. In an earlier study we showed increased mitogenic activity for parathyroid-derived epithelial and mesenchymal cells in plasma of subjects with familial multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (FMEN1). In the present study we examined the growth-promoting activity of normal and FMEN1 plasmas [applied to heparin-Sepharose (HS) columns] in parathyroid-derived cloned endothelial cells. FMEN1 plasma HS-adsorbed activity exceeded normal plasma HS-adsorbed activity in 6 of 8 FMEN1 plasma samples. Peak (FMEN1 plasma) HS-adsorbed activity eluted with 0.1-0.3 M NaCl, was completely neutralized by specific antibodies against bFGF, and had an apparent mol wt of 110 kD. Active fractions from FMEN1 plasma prepared by gel filtration in 7 M urea displayed apparent mol wt of about 14-16 kD and showed increased apparent affinity for HS; recovered activity appeared principally in the 3.0-M NaCl eluate. Using a sensitive two-site immunoradiometric assay for bFGF we found 0.4 ng/mL bFGF-like immunoreactivity in the highly purified 3.0-M NaCl eluate from a HS column to which the active components from gel filtration of FMEN1 plasma in 7 M urea were applied. These results imply that bFGF or closely related factors circulate in FMEN1.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Messenger RNA stabilization accounts for elevated basic fibroblast growth factor transcript levels in a human astrocytoma cell line.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a potent autocrine and paracrine mitogen for cells of mesodermal origin. Although the protein is present in substantial amounts in a variety of tissues, the level of mRNA is undetectable in most normal tissues. This has led to speculation that bFGF mRNA is very unstable, but the half-life of this mRNA has not been described. A number of mRNAs encoding growth factors and growth-related proteins are known to be short-lived and posttranscriptionally regulated. In the present study we have examined the half-life of bFGF mRNA in two human tumor cell lines, which contain high (U87-MG) and low (T98-G) steady state bFGF mRNA levels. The half-life of bFGF mRNA, determined after transcriptional arrest with actinomycin-D, was approximately 10 min in T98-G cells, but was extended to 120 min in the presence of cycloheximide. In contrast, bFGF transcripts in U87-MG cells were very stable with a half-life considerably greater than 5 h. This was not attributable to a general stabilization of mRNA in the U87-MG line, since the half-life of c-myc mRNA in the two cell lines was similar (10 and 15 min in T98-G and U87-MG, respectively). Cycloheximide had no effect on the steady state level of bFGF in U87-MG cells. These findings suggest that posttranscriptional processes play an important role in the regulation of bFGF transcript levels and demonstrate that loss of posttranscriptional regulation could contribute to elevated bFGF expression in some tumors.

Astrocytoma↗
PubMed1989

Verification of NB2 lymphoma cell bioassay for the measurement of plasma and pituitary prolactin in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus).

Serum and pituitary glands were taken from male Mongolian gerbils which had received bromocriptine implants, ether stress or no treatment (controls). Pituitary prolactin (Prl) and growth hormone (GH) mRNA were analyzed by Northern hybridization using rat cDNA probes. Pituitary and plasma Prl content were analyzed with the Nb2 lymphoma cell growth bioassay. These assays were sensitive to the decreases in Prl caused by bromocriptine and the elevation of Prl caused by ether stress. The inhibition of pituitary and plasma Prl levels by bromocriptine correlated with a marked inhibition of pituitary Prl mRNA content. In contrast, levels of GH mRNA did not change with treatment, indicating that gerbil GH does not contribute to the lactogenic activity measured in the Nb2 lymphoma cell bioassay. The results indicate that this bioassay is suitable for the measurement of gerbil pituitary and plasma Prl.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

G-proteins modulate prolactin- and interleukin-2-stimulated mitogenesis in rat Nb2 lymphoma cells.

ADP ribosylation in the presence of cholera or pertussis toxin indicated the presence of G-proteins in Nb2 cell membranes. Two protein bands, with mol wt of 43.5K and 46.5K, were radiolabeled by cholera toxin, while a single protein (41.5K mol wt) was ADP ribosylated by pertussis toxin. Northern hybridization of total RNA from Nb2 cells with specific cDNA probes indicated the presence of mRNA transcripts encoding Gs, Gi2, Go, and, to a lesser extent, Gi3. A characteristic of receptors coupled to G-proteins is that their binding properties are regulated by guanine nucleotides. The binding of [125I]human GH to the lactogen receptor as well as the binding of [125I]IL-2 to the IL-2 receptor were decreased in a dose-dependent manner by GTP, GDP, and the analog guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate). GMP, however, had no effect. The addition of pyruvate kinase and phosphoenolpyruvate to regenerate GTP from GDP greatly increased the apparent potency of GTP. Cholera toxin inhibited PRL- and interleukin-2-stimulated DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in the Nb2 cells. In contrast, pertussis toxin had a differential effect on PRL- and IL-2-stimulated cells. Pertussis toxin, at an optimal concentration of 0.01 ng/ml, significantly enhanced the stimulatory effects of PRL on DNA synthesis (P less than or equal to 0.01; n = 9) and cell proliferation (P less than or equal to 0.05; n = 9) compared with the effect of PRL alone. However, at higher concentrations the toxin inhibited PRL-stimulated DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. Complete inhibition was achieved with 1000 ng/ml toxin. In contrast to the biphasic effect on PRL-stimulated cells, pertussis toxin was only weakly inhibitory to cells treated with IL-2. At the highest concentration tested, pertussis toxin (1000 ng/ml) inhibited IL-2-stimulated DNA synthesis and cell growth by only 30-35%. (Bu)2cAMP (IC50 = 0.019 mM) or methylxanthine (MIX; IC50 = 0.25 mM) also inhibited PRL-stimulated DNA synthesis. In the absence of mitogen, neither agent, from 0.0001-1 mM, had any effect on DNA synthesis. Similarly, IL-2-stimulated DNA synthesis in Nb2 cells was inhibited by (Bu)2cAMP (IC50 = 0.019 mM) or MIX (IC50 = 0.072 mM). However, MIX was approximately 3 times as potent in inhibiting the cell response to IL-2 as that to PRL. The susceptibility of Nb2 cells to both bacterial toxins suggests a role for G-proteins in regulating PRL- or IL-2-stimulated mitogenesis in these cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗
PubMed1989

Elevated expression of basic fibroblast growth factor messenger ribonucleic acid in acoustic neuromas.

Human tumors were analyzed for the presence of mRNA coding for basic fibroblast growth factor (basic FGF). Basic FGF transcript levels were consistently elevated in schwannoma samples (five acoustic neuromas and two spinal schwannomas) ranging from 9- to 22-fold higher than the average level of expression in four benign meningioma samples. Acidic extracts of acoustic neuromas contained a potent mitogen which bound to heparin-Sepharose, eluted at 2 M NaCl, and cross-reacted with an N-terminal specific anti-basic FGF antiserum. The present findings indicate that basic FGF appears to be the major heparin-binding endothelial cell mitogen in acoustic neuromas. Southern restriction analysis revealed no evidence of amplification or rearrangement of the gene for basic FGF in schwannomas or in the astrocytoma cell line U87-MG. These findings demonstrate a tumor-specific elevation in basic FGF transcript levels in tumors of Schwann cell origin and suggest that increased transcription or stabilization of basic FGF mRNA may play an autocrine role in the development and progression of these tumors.

Blotting, Southern↗
PubMed1989

Fibroblast growth factor release by bovine endothelial cells and human astrocytoma cells in culture is density dependent.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a potent endothelial cell mitogen whose actions are mediated by binding to specific cell surface receptors on a variety of cell types. However, the amino acid sequence of bFGF does not contain a classical signal peptide sequence and the extent to which cellular stores of this mitogen are released is still a matter of some controversy. In the present study we examined the release of immunoreactive bFGF into serum-free conditioned medium of bovine corneal endothelial cells (BCE) and a human astrocytoma cell line, U87-MG. Western blotting analysis of BCE conditioned medium using N-terminal specific anti-bFGF serum revealed a single immunoreactive band of 32 kilodaltons, which was reduced to 18 kilodaltons in the presence of 8 M urea. Using a sensitive two-site immunoradiometric assay we were able to quantify the release of immunoreactive bFGF into the culture medium by BCE cells and by the human astrocytoma cell line U87-MG. In each case the release of bFGF was cell density dependent, but under all conditions the level of bFGF released was significantly greater in the transformed astrocytoma line, ranging from 15- to 50-fold higher than in the BCE cultures under various conditions. At 30% confluence the concentration of immunoreactive bFGF in the medium was maintained at a constant level for up to 24 h. However, the level of immunoreactive bFGF declined rapidly in confluent cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Role of calcium in prolactin-stimulated c-myc gene expression and mitogenesis in Nb2 lymphoma cells.

Receptor-activated transmembrane calcium flux has been implicated as a mediator of the actions of many growth factors and hormones. We examined the effects of PRL, calcium ionophores, and calcium antagonists on 45Ca2+ flux, c-myc gene expression, and DNA synthesis in the PRL-dependent rat Nb2 lymphoma cell line. PRL had no detectable effects on 45Ca2+ uptake or efflux, and the mitogenic effects of PRL could not be reproduced by the calcium ionophore A23187 alone or in combination with the tumor-promoting phorbol ester 12-O-tetra-decanoyl-phorbol-13 acetate (TPA). PRL, but not A23187 or TPA, stimulated c-myc gene expression in quiescent Nb2 cells. Exposure to PRL for brief periods (15 min to 4 h), followed by extensive washing, resulted in a time- and dose-dependent activation of DNA synthesis measured 16 h later. This activation was not blocked by addition of excess anti-PRL antiserum after the wash steps, indicating that the observed stimulation was not due to residual PRL. Despite the marked increase in DNA synthesis, removal of PRL after 4 h prevented mitosis, suggesting that PRL may be required throughout the cell cycle for Nb2 cell proliferation. Although continuous incubation with calcium antagonists resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of PRL-stimulated DNA synthesis, activation of DNA synthesis by brief exposure to PRL was not inhibited by the presence of EGTA, calcium channel blockers (nifedipine, cobalt chloride), or calmodulin inhibitors (trifluoperazine, N-6-aminohexyl-5-chloronaphthalene sulfonamide). PRL-stimulated c-myc expression was attenuated, but not blocked, by the calcium channel antagonists. However, the putative intracellular calcium antagonist TMB-8 inhibited both c-myc expression and DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 = 16 microM). Nb2 cells were sensitive to TMB-8 throughout G1 of the cell cycle, but inhibition of DNA synthesis was greatest when TMB-8 was present during the first 3 h of mitogen presentation, indicating a block in the transition from G0 to G1 of the cell cycle. The effect of TMB-8 suggests that release of a small intracellular calcium pool may mediate the early actions of PRL in Nb2 cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Regulation of multiple basic fibroblast growth factor messenger ribonucleic acid transcripts by protein kinase C activators.

The human astrocytoma cell line U87-MG expressed two major basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) mRNA transcripts of 7.0 and 3.7 kilobase (kb), as well as several low abundance transcripts of lower mol wt (1.0-1.8 kb). The phorbol ester phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate caused a time- and dose-dependent increase in the abundance of basic FGF mRNA transcripts. At a concentration of 1 microM, phorbol ester increased the level of both the 7.0 and 3.7 kb transcripts within 4 h, reached a plateau at 1.5- to 2.5-fold above control levels by 6 h and remained elevated for at least 12 h. When measured at 6 h after drug addition, the abundance of both 7.0 and 3.7 kb transcripts was maximally stimulated by 100 nM phorbol ester (EC50 = 10-20 nM). FGF mRNA levels were also stimulated to a similar extent by platelet-derived growth factor (0.15-5 U/ml) or the synthetic diacylglycerol analog 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-rac glycerol (1-300 nM) at doses which stimulated DNA synthesis in these cells. Neither (Bu)2cAMP (0.03-2 mM) nor A23187 (0.3-1000 nM) had any effect on FGF expression. When U87-MG cells were exposed to phorbol ester for 24 h several differences were observed: the dose response curve was shifted to the left (EC50 = 3-5 nM; maximum response at 10 nM phorbol ester) and the response of the 7.0 and 3.7 kb transcripts was attenuated at higher doses (100-1000 nM), perhaps reflecting down-regulation of protein kinase C by the phorbol ester.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Astrocytoma↗
PubMed1988

Fibroblast growth factor messenger ribonucleic acid expression in a human astrocytoma cell line: regulation by serum and cell density.

A human astrocytoma cell line, U87-MG, synthesizes a growth factor which is structurally related to basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) by several criteria: 1) it binds to heparin-Sepharose and elutes at 2 M NaCl; 2) it cross-reacts with N-terminal specific anti-bFGF antibodies; 3) it is a potent mitogen for rabbit fetal chondrocytes. Northern blotting analysis of total RNA reveals that the cells express high levels of two bFGF mRNA transcripts of 7 and 3.7 kilobase in size. The levels of both transcripts rise rapidly (within 3 h) after addition of serum to serum-deprived cultures, reach a maximum within 6-12 h and remain elevated for at least 24 h. Basic FGF mRNA expression was low in confluent cultures but was increased after replating at sparse density. Transcript levels began to increase 4 h after plating, reaching a maximum (7-fold above confluent cells) within 24 h. The rise in bFGF mRNA levels was preceded by a rapid rise in c-myc expression which peaked 8 h after plating and then declined. The level of bFGF mRNA expression began to decline by 48 h, before any detectable increase in cell number, and returned to control levels when the cells reached confluence after 10 days. The level of transforming growth factor beta mRNA, which is also expressed in these cells, was not affected by cell density. The effects of density on bFGF mRNA levels were not duplicated by culturing low density cells in conditioned medium from confluent cultures or in medium containing 10 ng/ml bFGF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Astrocytoma↗
PubMed1988

Constitutive glucose transport in rat Leydig cells and pyruvate support of steroidogenesis.

To facilitate the interpretation of in vitro experiments that use pharmacological agents, such as cytochalasin B, which inhibits glucose transport, an alternative to glucose as an energy source for rat Leydig cells was sought. Pyruvate was superior to glucose as an energy source for the support of steroidogenesis. The concentration of pyruvate required to support half-maximum androgen production was lower than that for glucose (60 +/- 8 versus 478 +/- 87 microM, respectively), and pyruvate supported a higher rate of maximum LH-stimulated androgen production. The latter result suggested that glucose availability can be rate limiting for steroidogenesis in in vitro experiments. The acute regulation of glucose transport was therefore investigated using 2-Deoxy-D-[2,6(3)H]glucose. Uptake of 2-Deoxy-D-[2,6(3)H]glucose by Leydig cells was not affected by insulin, LH, or glucose deprivation, suggesting that it is a constitutive process in these cells.

Androgens↗
PubMed1987

Further purification of human pituitary-derived chondrocyte growth factor: heparin-binding and cross-reactivity with antiserum to basic FGF.

The previously described human pituitary-derived chondrocyte growth factor (CGF), mitogenic for rabbit fetal chondrocytes, was found to bind to heparin-Sepharose and was eluted with 1.5M NaCl. Further characterization of CGF demonstrated a molecular weight of 18-20 kD and cross-reactivity with antiserum to synthetic bovine basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF1-24). When human pituitaries were homogenized in 0.15 ammonium sulfate (pH 5.5) and the extract chromatographed on heparin-Sepharose, 98% of the mitogenic activity was adsorbed to heparin and eluted with 3M NaCl. These findings indicate that CGF is closely related or identical to basic FGF and that the bulk of mitogenic activity in the human pituitary extracts binds to heparin.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Motor units and histochemistry in rat lateral gastrocnemius and soleus muscles: evidence for dissociation of physiological and histochemical properties after reinnervation.

A reexamination of the question of specificity of reinnervation of fast and slow muscle was undertaken using the original "self" nerve supply to the fast lateral gastrocnemius (LG) and slow soleus muscles in the rat hindlimb. This paradigm takes advantage of the unusual situation of a common nerve branch, which supplies both a fast and slow muscle, and of the opportunity to keep the reinnervating nerve in its normal position. In addition it provides a test of the effects of cross-reinnervation among muscles of the same functional group. The properties of soleus and LG muscles and of individual muscle units were characterized in normal rats and in rats 4-14 mo after cutting the lateral gastrocnemius-soleus (LGS) nerve and suture of the proximal stump to the dorsal surface of the LG muscle. Individual muscle units were functionally isolated by stimulation of single motor axons to LG or soleus muscle contained in teased filaments in the L4 and L5 ventral roots. Motor units were classified as fast contracting fatiguable (FF), fast contracting fatigue resistant (FR), and slow (S) on the basis of criteria described in the cat by Burke et al. and applied to rat muscle units by Gillespie et al. Muscle fibers were classified as fast glycolytic (FG), fast oxidative glycolytic (FOG), and slow oxidative (SO) on the basis of histochemical staining for myosin ATPase, nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide diaphorase (NADH-D), and alpha-glycerophosphate (alpha-GPD). Reinnervated muscles developed less force and weighed less in accordance with having fewer than normal motor units and having lost denervated muscle fibers. Normal LG contained a small proportion of S-type motor units (9%), whereas the majority (80%) of control soleus units were S type. After reinnervation, each muscle contained similar proportions of fast and slow motor units with S-type units constituting 30% of units in both muscles. When compared with the normal motor-unit sample, there was no significant change in average twitch and tetanic force in reinnervated muscles for each type of motor unit. However, the range within each type was greater, and there was considerable overlap between types. Twitch contraction time was inversely correlated with force in normal and reinnervated muscles as shown previously in self- and cross-reinnervated LGS in the cat. Changes in proportions of motor units in reinnervated LG were accompanied by corresponding changes in histochemical muscle types. This contrasted with reinnervated soleus in which the proportion of muscle fiber types was not significantly changed from normal despite significant change in motor-unit proportions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1987

Identification of amiloride-sensitive Na+/H+ exchange in rat NB2 node lymphoma cells. Stimulation by 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate.

Stimulation of mitogenesis in rat Nb2 node lymphoma cells by human (h) PRL was inhibited by inhibitors of Na+/H+ exchange (viz. amiloride and its analogs) and inhibitors of protein kinases (isoquinolinesulfonamide derivatives). The most potent were ethylisopropylamiloride (EP-Am) (IC50, 13 microM) and H-7, selective for protein kinase C (IC50, 23 microM), suggesting the possible involvement of Na+/H+ exchange and protein kinase C in mediating Nb2 cell mitogenesis. In the presence of hPRL, the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), known to activate the Na+/H+ antiporter as well as protein kinase C in other cell systems, enhanced the hPRL-stimulated Nb2 cell mitogenesis. TPA alone caused a dose- and time-dependent stimulation of H+ efflux in stationary cultures of Nb2 cells but had no effect on cell growth. From 25-100 nM TPA, the increase in the rate of H+ efflux was detectable by 3 min, reached a maximum by 15 min, and was sustained 30 min after the addition of TPA. The TPA-stimulated H+ efflux was dependent on extracellular Na+ and was almost completely inhibited after a 10 min preincubation with 25 microM EP-Am. TPA also increased the intracellular pH (pHi) of stationary cultures of Nb2 cells from 7.29 +/- 0.02 (n = 8) to a maximum of 7.45 +/- 0.03 (n = 10). The most rapid and greatest response was observed with 40 nM TPA which gave a detectable increase in pHi within 1 min and reached a maximum alkalinization by 6 min. Higher concentrations of TPA had no additional effect. The nontumor promoter phorbol 12,13,20-triacetate (PTA), either alone or in the presence of hPRL, had no effect on Nb2 cell proliferation or on H+ efflux or pHi in Hb2 cells. The TPA-induced increase in pHi was Na+-dependent and was inhibited by EP-Am and H-7. A preincubation with EP-Am (25 microM) for 5-10 min abolished the TPA-induced increase in pHi whereas prolonged incubation with H-7 (50 microM) for up to 3 h was required to decrease the stimulatory effect of TPA by approximately 50%. Although activation of the Na+/H+ exchange system is clearly an early consequence of the action of TPA on Nb2 cells, the failure of TPA to stimulate Nb2 cell proliferation suggests that stimulation of Na+/H+ exchange and protein kinase C activity are not sufficient to generate a mitogenic response in these cells.

Amiloride↗
PubMed1986

Reinnervation of the lateral gastrocnemius and soleus muscles in the rat by their common nerve.

To determine whether there is any specificity of regenerating nerves for their original muscles, the common lateral gastrocnemius soleus nerve (l.g.s.) innervating the fast-twitch lateral gastrocnemius (l.g.) and slow-twitch soleus muscles was sectioned in the hind limb of twenty adult rats. The proximal nerve stump was sutured to the dorsal surface of the l.g. muscle and 4-14 months later, the contractile properties of the reinnervated l.g. and soleus muscles and their single motor units were studied by dissection and stimulation of the ventral root filaments. Contractile properties of normal contralateral muscles were examined for comparison and motor units were isolated in l.g. and soleus muscles for study in a group of untreated animals. Measurement of time and rate parameters of maximal twitch and tetanic contractions showed that the rate of development of force increased significantly in reinnervated soleus muscles and approached the speed of l.g. muscles but rate of relaxation did not change appreciably. In reinnervated l.g. muscles, contraction speed was similar to normal l.g. muscles but relaxation rate declined toward the rates of relaxation in control soleus muscles. After reinnervation by the common l.g.s. nerve, the proportion of slow motor units in l.g. increased from 10 to 31% and decreased in soleus from 80 to 31%. The relative proportions of fast and slow motor units in each muscle were the same as the proportions of fast and slow units in the normal l.g. and soleus muscles combined. It was concluded that fast and slow muscles do not show any preference for their former nerves and that the change in the force profile of the reinnervated muscles is indicative of the relative proportions of fast and slow motor units: fast units dominate the contraction phase and slow units the relaxation phase of twitch and tetanic contractions of the muscle.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Binding of oxygenated cholesterol metabolites to antiestrogen binding sites from chicken liver.

High affinity (KD 2-4 nM) binding sites (AEBS) for the triphenylethylene antiestrogen, tamoxifen, are found in chicken liver cytosol preparations. These sites exhibit affinity for triphenylethylene derivatives typical of those reported for AEBS in other systems. Although steroids and cholesterol do not compete for the sites, certain oxygenated cholesterol metabolites, particularly 7-ketocholesterol, do so. Hot ethanol extracts of chicken and human serum contain AEBS inhibitory activity. This activity is chromatographically heterogeneous, but a sterol-containing fraction has been isolated in which the 7-ketocholesterol concentration can account for the AEBS inhibitory activity of the fraction.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Characterization of beta-adrenergic binding sites on rodent Leydig cells.

A radioligand binding technique was used to study beta-adrenergic binding sites on rodent Leydig cells. Beta-Adrenergic binding sites were found on Leydig cells in both the rat and mouse. Binding of [3H]CGP-12177 [4-(3-t-butylamino-2-hydroxypropoxy)-[5,7-3H]benzimidazole-2-one] to purified rat Leydig cells was found to be saturable, temperature and time dependent, stereospecific, and readily reversible by the beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol. Scatchard analysis revealed the presence of high-affinity sites with an apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.79 +/- 0.22 nM and maximal binding capacity (Bmax) of 1716 +/- 245 sites per rat Leydig cell. Competition of various beta-adrenergic agonists and antagonists with [3H]CGP indicates an order of potency of L-isoproterenol greater than epinephrine = salbutamol greater than norepinephrine greater than D-isoproterenol and dl-propranolol = ICI 118,551 much greater than atenolol, respectively. These observations suggest that the binding sites are predominantly of the beta 2-receptor subtype. Incubation of freshly isolated rat Leydig cells with luteinizing hormone (100 ng/ml) caused consistent stimulation of androgen production, but only occasional stimulation by the beta-agonist isoproterenol (10 microM) was observed. However, these cells consistently responded to the beta-agonist after 3 h in primary cultures. These findings indicate that rodent Leydig cells possess beta-adrenergic binding sites and point out a possible dissociation between receptor recognition and physiologic response.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗