Biomedical subjects

S P Wilson

Publications and source records attributed to S P Wilson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Vasoactive intestinal peptide is a secretagogue in bovine chromaffin cells pretreated with pertussis toxin.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) evokes little or no secretion of catecholamines from cultured bovine chromaffin cells. However, pretreatment of chromaffin cells with pertussis toxin (PTX, 100 ng/ml for > or = 4 h) revealed that VIP is a secretagogue. In PTX-treated cells catecholamine secretion evoked by VIP occurs with minimal elevation of cyclic AMP and is only slightly enhanced by cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Forskolin, a direct activator of adenylate cyclase, causes delayed secretion of catecholamines from chromaffin cells treated with PTX, but only with pronounced elevation of cyclic AMP levels. Stimulation of catecholamine secretion by histamine, known to activate phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C in chromaffin cells, is also enhanced by preincubation of the cells with PTX. These results suggest that in the bovine chromaffin cell a PTX-sensitive G-protein mediates tonic inhibition of secretion, possibly by preventing activation of phospholipase C.

Adenylate Cyclase Toxin↗

PubMed1992

The effects of nimodipine on cocaine toxicity.

The response to nimodipine as an inhibitor of cocaine toxicity was investigated in pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs and in isolated dog heart preparations at constant heart rates. Nimodipine (10 micrograms/kg) markedly decreased peripheral and coronary vascular resistance and increased cardiac output, cardiac work, and coronary blood flow. When corrected for the change in afterload, nimodipine had a positive inotropic response, as measured by +/- maximal dP/dt, in the cocaine-depressed animal. Thus, cocaine toxicity was partially reversed by nimodipine. In the isolated heart preparation, nimodipine resulted in further cardiac depression similar to that seen with other calcium channel antagonists.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1991

Insulin-like growth factor I enhances proenkephalin synthesis and dopamine beta-hydroxylase activity in adrenal chromaffin cells.

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) increased both the contents of proenkephalin-derived enkephalin-containing peptides and the activity of dopamine beta-hydroxylase in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. These increases in dopamine beta-hydroxylase and enkephalin-containing peptides continued for at least 8 days. The half-maximal IGF-I concentration for these effects was approximately 1 nM, with maximal effects observed at 10-30 nM. In contrast, insulin was 1000-fold less potent. Pretreatment of chromaffin cells with IGF-I increased the rate of [35S]proenkephalin synthesis 4-fold compared to untreated cells. Total protein synthesis increased only 1.5-fold under these conditions. These results suggest that IGF-I may be a normal regulator of chromaffin cell function.

Adrenal Medulla↗

PubMed1991

Regulation of proenkephalin synthesis in adrenal medullary chromaffin cells.

The synthesis of proenkephalin was assessed in primary cultures of bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin cells by incubation of the cells with [35S]methionine, digestion of proenkephalin-derived peptides with trypsin and carboxy-peptidase B, and quantitation of radioactivity incorporated into Met-enkephalin following reversed-phase HPLC. Nicotine, histamine, and vasoactive intestinal peptide each enhanced the rate of proenkephalin synthesis approximately 10-fold when examined between 16 and 32 h after the drug or hormone addition. Inclusion of nifedipine (1 microM) partially blocked the stimulatory effect of nicotine, but not that of vasoactive intestinal peptide or histamine, or proenkephalin synthesis. Theophylline, tetrabenazine, and angiotensin II also increased the rate of proenkephalin synthesis (three- to eight-fold). These increases in the apparent rate of proenkephalin synthesis were not attributable to altered [35S]methionine specific radioactivity or rates of turnover and did not reflect similar increases in total protein synthesis. The half-life for turnover of Met-enkephalin sequences was 3-4 days in the cultured chromaffin cell. These studies directly show that proenkephalin synthesis is the primary regulatory step in control of chromaffin cell opioid peptide content.

Adrenal Medulla↗

PubMed1991

Comparative incorporation of proenkephalin-derived peptides, chromogranin A, and dopamine beta-hydroxylase into chromaffin vesicles.

The incorporation of enkephalin-containing peptides (ECPs) derived from proenkephalin into chromaffin vesicles was examined in primary cultures of adrenal medullary chromaffin cells. Cells were pulse-labeled with [35S]methionine and chased for periods up to 24 h. Chromaffin vesicles in cell homogenates were then fractionated by density gradient centrifugation and the presence of [35S]Met-enkephalin sequences in gradient fractions determined. 35S-ECPs were incorporated into particles suggestive of immature vesicles within 1-2 h after radiolabeling. Vesicle maturation, measured by co-equilibration of 35S-ECPs and total ECPs in the gradients, was complete within 9-12 h and was unaffected by treatments that increase proenkephalin synthesis. Incorporation of [35S]chromogranin A into chromaffin vesicles followed a similar time course, but 35S-labeled dopamine beta-hydroxylase was much more slowly incorporated, possibly reflecting differences in incorporation of membrane and soluble components. In summary, the data demonstrate that ECPs are rapidly sequestered in immature chromaffin vesicles, a process unaltered by changing rates of proenkephalin synthesis.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Processing of proenkephalin in adrenal chromaffin cells.

The processing of proenkephalin was studied using [35S]methionine pulse-chase techniques in primary cultures of bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin cells. Following radiolabeling, proenkephalin-derived peptides were extracted from the cells and separated by reverse-phase HPLC. Fractions containing proenkephalin fragments were digested with trypsin and carboxypeptidase B to liberate Met-enkephalin sequences and subjected to a second HPLC step to demonstrate association of radiolabel with Met-enkephalin. Processing of proenkephalin is complete within 2 h of synthesis, suggesting completion at or soon after incorporation into storage vesicles. Pretreatment of the cells with nicotine, histamine, or vasoactive intestinal peptide to enhance the rate of proenkephalin synthesis failed to alter the time course of processing and had minimal effects on the distribution of products formed. Addition of tetrabenazine, an inhibitor of catecholamine uptake into chromaffin vesicles, during radiolabeling and a 6-h chase period caused enhanced proenkephalin processing. These results suggest that the full range of proenkephalin fragments normally found in the adrenal medulla (up to 23.3 kDa) represents final processing products of the tissue and that termination of processing may depend on the co-storage of catecholamines.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Metal ion co-ordination in the DNA binding domain of the yeast transcriptional activator GAL4.

The structure of the DNA binding domain of the yeast transcriptional activator GAL4 was investigated by extended X-ray fine structure (e.x.a.f.s.). Two samples of GAL4 were studied, one containing cadmium as a structural probe (Cd(II)GAL4) and the other containing the 'native' zinc (Zn(II)-GAL4). The results suggest that the structure of the DNA binding domain of GAL4 contains a two metal ion cluster distinguishing it from the 'zinc finger' proteins typified by the Xenopus laevis transcription factor TFIIIA.

Cadmium↗

PubMed1990

Regulation of chromaffin cell secretion and protein kinase C activity by chronic phorbol ester treatment.

Bovine adrenal chromaffin cells were exposed to phorbol esters to determine the effects of reduced levels of protein kinase C on secretion of hormones. Treatment with active phorbol esters such as 4 beta-phorbol 12, 13-didecanoate (PDD) reduced levels of protein kinase C activity with a maximal 80-90% reduction in activity after 16-24 h treatment (greater than or equal to 500 nM PDD). Treatment with PDD also inhibited catecholamine secretion from chromaffin cells evoked by nicotine, barium, and scorpion venom (50-70%, t1/2 approximately 6 h) and by veratridine (80%, t1/2 less than 15 min). Secretion induced by these agents in phorbol ester-treated cells returned to that of untreated cells by 3-4 days despite no recovery of protein kinase C activity. Potassium-evoked secretion was not inhibited by phorbol ester treatment. Catecholamine secretion from digitonin-permeabilized cells was more sensitive to calcium between 1 and 24 h, but not greater than or equal to 48 h, after addition of phorbol ester. The results suggest that phorbol esters inhibit secretion by activation of protein kinase C resulting in inhibition of ion channels or receptors but not of the secretory machinery itself; hence, protein kinase C may usually machinery itself; hence, protein kinase C may usually attenuate secretory responses in the adrenal chromaffin cell.

Animals↗

PubMed1989

Effects of mastoparan on catecholamine release from chromaffin cells.

Release of catecholamines from bovine adrenal chromaffin cells exposed to mastoparan, a wasp venom peptide which activates GTP-binding proteins and phospholipase A2, was evaluated. Release of catecholamines was dependent on mastoparan concentration and time of exposure. This release was, however, independent of extracellular calcium and accompanied by release of the cytoplasmic marker lactate dehydrogenase. Mastoparan also inhibited catecholamine secretion evoked by nicotine, but the peptide had little or no effect on release induced by other secretagogues. These findings suggest that in chromaffin cells mastoparan is not a secretagogue but rather causes cell lysis and blocks nicotinic receptor function.

Adrenal Medulla↗

PubMed1989

Cocaine depresses the canine myocardium.

The effects of cocaine hydrochloride infusion on left ventricular function in the anesthetized dog were observed under controlled heart rate and blood pressure conditions. In every case an immediate decrease in performance, as evidenced by maximal + rate of change of ventricular pressure (dP/dt), occurred and was a linear function of cumulative dose. Maximal (-) dP/dt also declined, indicating a decreased rate of ventricular relaxation. Right atrial and left ventricular end diastolic pressure increased, with no change in cardiac output or cardiac work, whereas coronary flow decreased slightly. This small decrease in coronary flow was probably related to the decrease in contractile vigor rather than a direct effect of cocaine on vascular tone. Although plasma norepinephrine concentration initially increased, ventricular function did not increase and continued to decline with cumulative cocaine dose. Tissue norepinephrine levels measured in isolated heart-lung preparations were not depleted. These findings indicate a direct toxic action of cocaine on the myocardium, decreasing both contractile performance and relaxation state. Plasma cocaine levels were constant during continuous infusion of the drug, indicating that the progressive toxicity observed did not result from increased circulating cocaine.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Vasoactive intestinal peptide elevates cyclic AMP levels and potentiates secretion in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) elevates the levels of cyclic AMP in primary cultures of highly purified chromaffin cells isolated from the bovine adrenal medulla, an effect that is potentiated by inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases. This elevation occurs within minutes and elevated levels of cyclic AMP are observed for as long as 24 hr in culture. The half-maximally effective concentration of VIP was approximately 1 microM. The VIP-induced elevation in chromaffin cell cyclic AMP levels was potentiated by simultaneous addition of secretagogues which alone also elevated cellular cyclic AMP levels. VIP alone failed to evoke catecholamine secretion from chromaffin cells, but potentiated potassium-, veratridine-, and nicotine-evoked secretion. Because VIP is found in nerve terminals innervating the adrenal medulla, this neuropeptide appears to be a modulator of chromaffin cell function, possibly via regulation of cyclic AMP levels.

Adrenal Medulla↗

PubMed1988

Rapid purification of iodinated ligands for cyclic nucleotide radioimmunoassays.

The tyrosine methyl esters of succinyl cyclic AMP and succinyl cyclic GMP were iodinated by the chloramine T method and individually applied to C18 cartridges. A solution of 1-propanol/0.1 M sodium acetate pH 4.75 (17.5:82.5) was then pumped onto each cartridge and the eluate collected. A large peak of radioactivity, containing primarily the monoiodo and diiodo derivatives, was eluted. Radioactivity in peak fractions was greater than or equal to 95% the monoiodo derivative and represented 20 to 25% of the starting radioactivity. Contamination by the native cyclic nucleotide analogs was less than 5%. These peak fractions containing primarily monoiodinated products worked well in cyclic nucleotide radioimmunoassays. This fractionation required less than 30 min.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed1987

Vasoactive intestinal peptide and substance P increase levels of enkephalin-containing peptides in adrenal chromaffin cells.

The neuropeptides substance P and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), reported to exist in the splanchnic nerve terminals innervating the adrenal medulla, elevate the levels of enkephalin-containing peptides (ECPs) in cultured bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin cells. Cellular ECP stores were increased over 48 hr by 72 and 46 percent, respectively, following incubation with 5 microM VIP or 10 microM substance P, maximally effective concentrations. The results suggest that VIP and substance P may be trans-synaptic modulators of chromaffin cell ECP stores.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

PubMed1987

Purification of adrenal chromaffin cells on Renografin gradients.

Bovine adrenal medullary cells purified on discontinuous gradients of the radiopaque contrast agent Renografin contained about 20% more catecholamine than those prepared by centrifugation on Percoll gradients, a standard method for chromaffin cell purification. Catecholamine recoveries by the two methods were similar, suggesting increased purity in the Renografin preparation. Neutral red staining indicated that the cells prepared on Renografin gradients were approximately 90% chromaffin cells, compared to an average of 75% chromaffin cell purity obtained following centrifugation on self-generated gradients of Percoll. Cells purified on Renografin gradients were equivalent to Percoll-prepared cells by the criteria of maintenance in culture and secretory activity. Thus, density gradient centrifugation in Renografin is a rapid technique for producing adrenal medullary chromaffin cells of high purity and is superior to Percoll gradient centrifugation for this purpose.

Adrenal Glands↗

PubMed1987

Biochemical evidence that human placental lactogen and human chorionic gonadotropin are not stored in cytoplasmic secretion granules.

The intracellular storage sites for the human placental hormones placental lactogen (hPL) and chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are unknown. To determine whether hPL and hCG are stored in cytoplasmic secretion granules, we have compared the localization of hPL and hCG in placental homogenates following differential and density-gradient centrifugations to those of prolactin (PRL) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in human and rat pituitary homogenates. In the differential centrifugation studies, 93.1 +/- 4.1% (mean +/- SE) of the hPL and 79.4 +/- 6.0% of the hCG were detected in the postmicrosomal supernatant of placental homogenates. In contrast, 95-98% of the hPRL and hLH in the pituitary homogenates were detected in particulate fractions. Following centrifugation on sucrose-density gradients, particulate hPL and hCG were distributed diffusely throughout the gradients, while greater than 90% of the pituitary hormones sedimented as single peaks with densities of 1.22 g/cm3. When human placental and rat pituitary tissues were homogenized together prior to differential and density-gradient centrifugations, similar marked differences were observed between the distribution of the placental and pituitary hormones. These results strongly suggest that the placental hormones hPL and hCG, unlike pituitary PRL and LH, are not stored in large secretory granules. Differences in the intracellular storage sites of the hormones may explain, in part, differences in the regulation of peptide hormone secretion by placental and pituitary tissues.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Reserpine increases chromaffin cell enkephalin stores without a concomitant decrease in other proenkephalin-derived peptides.

Reserpine increases the levels of enkephalins in adrenal medullary chromaffin cells; however, the origin of the newly apparent pentapeptides has been the subject of debate, because no increase in the levels of proenkephalin mRNA has been observed. The present study was performed for determining if the reserpine-induced increase in context of enkephalins was derived from processing of preexisting fragments of proenkephalin. Bovine chromaffin cell enkephalins and larger enkephalin-containing peptides were separated by reversed-phase HPLC and identified by approximate molecular weight, elution with peptide standards, and enkephalin sequences contained. Treatment of the cells with reserpine increased the levels of enkephalins and of enkephalin-containing peptides of up to approximately 3 kilo-daltons without reducing the levels of larger enkephalin-containing peptides. Similar results were obtained with another catecholamine-depleting drug, tetrabenazine. In contrast, treatment of chromaffin cells with theophylline or forskolin increased the levels of both enkephalins and enkephalin-containing peptides of all sizes. The results suggest that new synthesis of proenkephalin is required for the effects of reserpine, although proenkephalin processing is also altered by this drug.

Adrenal Glands↗

PubMed1986

Regulation of guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase and tetrahydrobiopterin levels and the role of the cofactor in tyrosine hydroxylation in primary cultures of adrenomedullary chromaffin cells.

Selective modification of the tetrahydrobiopterin levels in cultured chromaffin cells were followed by changes in the rate of tyrosine hydroxylation. Addition of sepiapterin, an intermediate on the salvage pathway for tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis, rapidly increased intracellular levels of tetrahydrobiopterin and elevated the rate of tyrosine hydroxylation in the intact cell. Tyrosine hydroxylation was also enhanced when tetrahydrobiopterin was directly added to the incubation medium of intact cells. When the cultured chromaffin cells were treated for 72 h with N-acetylserotonin, an inhibitor of sepiapterin reductase, tetrahydrobiopterin content and the rate of tyrosine hydroxylation were decreased. Addition of sepiapterin or N-acetylserotonin had no consistent effect on total extractable tyrosine hydroxylase activity or on catecholamine content in the cultured chromaffin cells. Three-day treatment of chromaffin cell cultures with compounds that increase levels of cyclic AMP (forskolin, cholera toxin, theophylline, dibutyryl- and 8-bromo cyclic AMP) increased total extractable tyrosine hydroxylase activity and GTP-cyclohydrolase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin. Tetrahydrobiopterin levels and intact cell tyrosine hydroxylation were markedly increased after 8-bromo cyclic AMP. The increase in GTP-cyclohydrolase and tetrahydrobiopterin induced by 8-bromo cyclic AMP was blocked by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. Agents that deplete cellular catecholamines (reserpine, tetrabenazine, and brocresine) increased both total tyrosine hydroxylase and GTP-cyclohydrolase activities, although treating the cultures with reserpine or tetrabenazine resulted in no change in cellular levels of cyclic AMP. Brocresine and tetrabenazine increased tetrahydrobiopterin levels, but the addition of reserpine to the cultures decreased catecholamine and tetrahydrobiopterin content and resulted in a decreased rate of intact cell tyrosine hydroxylation in spite of the increased activity of the total extractable enzyme. These data indicate that in cultured chromaffin cells GTP-cyclohydrolase activity like tyrosine hydroxylase activity is regulated by both cyclic AMP-dependent and cyclic AMP-independent mechanisms and that the intracellular level of tetrahydrobiopterin is one of the many factors that control the rate of tyrosine hydroxylation.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

PubMed1986

Turnover and storage of newly synthesized adenine nucleotides in bovine adrenal medullary cell cultures.

The adenine nucleotide stores of cultured adrenal medullary cells were radiolabeled by incubating the cells with 32Pi and [3H]adenosine and the turnover, subcellular distribution, and secretion of the nucleotides were examined. ATP represented 84-88% of the labeled adenine nucleotides, ADP 11-13%, and AMP 1-3%. The turnover of 32P-adenine nucleotides and 3H-nucleotides was biphasic and virtually identical; there was an initial fast phase with a t1/2 of 3.5-4.5 h and a slow phase with a half-life varying from 7 to 17 days, depending upon the particular cell preparation. The t1/2 of the slow phase for labeled adenine nucleotides was the same as that for the turnover of labeled catecholamines. The subcellular distribution of labeled adenine nucleotides provides evidence that there are at least two pools of adenine nucleotides which make up the component with the long half-life. One pool, which contains the bulk of endogenous nucleotides (75% of the total), is present within the chromaffin vesicles; the subcellular localization of the second pool has not been identified. The studies also show that [3H]ATP and [32P]ATP are distributed differently within the cell; 3 days after labeling 75% of the [32P]ATP was present in chromaffin vesicles while only 35% of the [3H]ATP was present in chromaffin vesicles. Evidence for two pools of ATP with long half-lives and for the differential distribution of [32P]ATP and [3H]ATP was also obtained from secretion studies. Stimulation of cell cultures with nicotine or scorpion venom 24 h after labeling with [3H]adenosine and 32Pi released relatively twice as much catecholamine as 32P-labeled compounds and relatively three times as much catecholamine as 3H-labeled compounds.

Adenine Nucleotides↗