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Biomedical subjects

W E Schmidt

Publications and source records attributed to W E Schmidt.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Binding specificity and signal transduction of receptors for glucagon-like peptide-1(7-36)amide and gastric inhibitory polypeptide on RINm5F insulinoma cells.

Glucagon-like peptide-1(7-36)amide (GLP-1(7-36) amide) and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), peptides of the glucagon family, stimulate insulin secretion in vitro and in vivo. They possess high N-terminal sequence homology. Binding studies with 125I-labelled GIP and 125I-labelled GLP-1(7-36)amide were performed in RINm5F insulinoma cells to investigate receptor specificity and to compare both receptors directly. Both binding sites were highly ligand-specific: GIP did not bind to the GLP-1(7-36)amide receptor and vice versa. Both peptides increased intracellular cyclic AMP levels; GLP-1(7-36)amide was 100-fold more potent in stimulating cyclic AMP production when compared with GIP. At ranges of 1-10 nmol GLP-1(7-36)amide/l and 0.1-10 nmol GIP/l, corresponding to submaximal binding concentrations, the hormones showed an additive effect on cyclic AMP production. The N-terminal portion of GIP was important for binding, as GIP(1-30) showed almost full binding and biological activity. GIP(17-42) bound in a concentration-dependent manner with approximately 500-fold lower potency than GIP. At concentrations of up to 10 mumol GIP(17-42)/l no stimulation of cyclic AMP was observed.

Animals↗

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide is a potent modulator of human colonic motility.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) represents a novel brain-gut peptide with high sequence homology to vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). Since PACAP has been identified in the human gut, the effect of the two molecular forms PACAP-(1-38) and PACAP-(1-27), the hybrid PACAP-(1-23)VIP-(24-28), and VIP on the contractility of the longitudinal muscle of human sigmoid colon was tested in vitro. All peptides inhibited the spontaneous phasic contractions and relaxed concentration-dependently carbachol-precontracted preparations. The effects of the peptides remained unaffected by tetrodotoxin, by inhibition of phosphodiesterase activity, and by inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis. Apamin reduced only the effects of the PACAP peptides, whereas tetraethylammonium blocked only the effect of VIP. In conclusion, PACAP peptides and VIP mediate their relaxant effects via activation of specific PACAP and VIP receptors coupled to different potassium channels.

4-Aminopyridine↗

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide induces neurogenic contraction of guinea-pig ileum. Involvement of acetylcholine and substance P.

The effect and mode of action of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), a peptidergic neuromodulator in the gastrointestinal nervous system, were investigated in isolated muscle strips of the guinea-pig ileum. VIP induced concentration-dependent (20 nM-1 microM) contractions of longitudinal ileal strips. TTX (1 microM), a mixture of atropine (3 microM) and spantide (30 microM), a mixture of atropine (3 microM) and omega-conotoxin GVIA (100 nM), somatostatin (60 nM) and dynorphin (100 nM) abolished the effect of VIP. In most cases a small relaxation became evident. Desensitization to substance P in the presence of atropine prevented VIP-induced contraction. A partial inhibition was observed in the presence of atropine (3 microM), spantide (30 microM), omega-conotoxin GVIA (100 nM), beta-endorphin (265 nM), met-enkephalin (1100 nM) and a mixture of spantide (30 microM) and omega-conotoxin GVIA (100 nM). The action of VIP was not significantly modified by guanethidine (3 microM) or hexamethonium (150 microM). In circular ileal strips VIP (10-300 nM) caused concentration-dependent relaxations through a direct myogenic effect. These results indicate that the VIP produced contractions of the guinea-pig ileum are exclusively neurally mediated and involve a cholinergic as well as a noncholinergic-nonadrenergic (NANC) pathway. It is concluded that besides acetylcholine (Ach) VIP releases the peptidergic transmitter substance P from postganglionic nerve fibers of myenteric plexus. Opioid peptides and somatostatin modulate the activity of cholinergic and peptidegic nerves in the guinea-pig ileum. The release of substance P appears to depend completely on N-type voltage sensitive calcium channels.

Acetylcholine↗

Determination of plasma cholecystokinin (CCK) concentrations by bioassay and radioimmunoassay in man. A critical evaluation.

The present investigation was designed to perform a direct comparison of a rat pancreatic acini bioassay system and a specific CCK radioimmunoassay (antiserum G-160) for the measurement of fasting and meal-stimulated plasma CCK in the presence and absence of the CCK receptor antagonist loxiglumide. The G-160 CCK antiserum is directed against the C-terminal O-sulfated tyrosine residue of the CCK molecule which is essential for full bioactivity of CCK peptides. For plasma extraction prior to bioassay measurement, hydrophobic reverse-phase chromatography on octadecylsilane cartridges was employed and resulted in simultaneous adsorption and elution of both CCK peptides and loxiglumide with recoveries of 87.5 +/- 9% and 75.0 +/- 5.9%, respectively. In the absence of loxiglumide, fasting and meal-stimulated values for CCK-like bioactivity and CCK-immunoreactivity (IR-CCK) were nearly identical (basal values: 1-2 pmol/l; meal-stimulated plateau levels: 4-6 pmol/l). After intravenous infusion of loxiglumide (30 mg/kg/h for 10 min, 10 mg/kg/h thereafter), resulting in plasma steady state levels of 200-300 mumol/l, meal-stimulated CCK-like bioactivity was undetectable, whereas IR-CCK levels were augmented 6.5-fold. In the bioassay system, standard samples containing 50 mumol/l loxiglumide produced complete inhibition of acinar lipase release in response to 50 pmol/l synthetic CCK-8. We conclude, that postprandial circulating non-CCK-like factors do not contribute significantly to the direct receptor-mediated stimulation of exocrine pancreatic secretion. The good agreement of CCK-like bioactivity and IR-CCK levels in the absence of loxiglumide confirms the sensitive and specific recognition of bioactive CCK peptides by the G-160 antiserum and suggests that this antibody exerts binding characteristics probably similar to a pancreatic acinar receptor.

Adult↗

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide, a novel VIP-like gut-brain peptide, relaxes the guinea-pig taenia caeci via apamin-sensitive potassium channels.

Effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP-(1-27)) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) on the guinea-pig taenia caeci were studied in the presence of guanethidine and scopolamine. Both peptides (1 nmol/1-1 mumol/l) concentration-dependently relaxed the smooth muscle of the taenia. PACAP-(1-27) and VIP were nearly equipotent. Apamin (30 nmol/l), a selective blocker of calcium-activated potassium channels, abolished the relaxation induced by PACAP-(1-27) whereas the effect of VIP remained unaffected. PACAP-(1-27) may be a candidate for the noncholinergic, non-adrenergic inhibitory neurotransmitter which induces apamin-sensitive relaxation in the intestinal tract.

Animals↗

Contrasting effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) on in vivo and in vitro prolactin and growth hormone release in male rats.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is produced by hypothalamic neurons which terminate within the median eminence suggesting that it may be a hypophysiotropic hormone. However, little endocrine activity has been ascribed to the peptide. Therefore we studied the effects of PACAP on prolactin (Prl) release from dispersed cultivated rat pituitary cells in vitro using conventional cultures as well as the reverse hemolytic plaque assay (RHPA). Furthermore the effects of the peptide on in vitro GH release were assessed. In addition, the activity of the peptide on in vivo release of Prl and GH was studied in hypothalamus-lesioned animals. PACAP dose dependently inhibited Prl release form dispersed pituitary cells in both, monolayer cell cultures and the RHPA, whereas GH secretion was not affected. In hypothalamus-lesioned rats which have high Prl levels due to the absence of hypothalamic dopamine, PACAP further stimulated Prl release. Serum GH increased more than 20 fold in response to the intravenous PACAP infusion. Thus in vitro (inhibition of Prl release, no effect on GH release) and in vivo (stimulation of both hormones) experiments yielded contradicting effects of PACAP on pituitary hormone release. We suggest that PACAP may stimulate the release of a paracrine, yet unknown factor which in the intact pituitary overrides the direct inhibitory action of PACAP on the lactotropes. The same or another paracrine factor may also enhance in vivo GH release. In cell culture the paracrine factor is diluted by the medium. Therefore the peptide never reaches effective concentrations which are present within the intact pituitary tissue.

Animals↗

Comparison of the effect of GIP and GLP-1 (7-36amide) on insulin release from rat pancreatic islets.

After ingestion of glucose both GIP (gastric inhibitory polypeptide, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1(7-36amide) (glucagon-like polypeptide-1, 7-36amide) may play a physiological role in augmenting insulin release. Their insulinotropic effect was compared in isolated rat islets after 24-h maintenance in tissue culture (11 mmol l-1 glucose). Ten islets per vial were then incubated in Krebs-Ringer-Hepes buffer for 30 min; insulin was measured radioimmunologically. Both hormones were always compared in the same experiment. At 16.7 mmol l-1 glucose both GIP and GLP-1(7-36amide) 2 x 10(-10) mol l-1 significantly increased insulin release; 10(-10) mol l-1 of either hormone had no significant effect. The response at 10(-9) and 10(-8) mol l-1 was similar for both; at 4 x 10(-10) mol l-1 GLP-1(7-36amide), however, was clearly more effective than GIP. At low glucose (2.8 or 5.0 mol l-1) no significant differences were found. A concentration of 10(-8) mol l-1 of both hormones was slightly stimulatory. At 8.3 mmol l-1 glucose, 10(-9) mol l-1 GLP-1(7-36amide) was 60% more effective than GIP (4.8 +/- 0.4 vs. 3.0 +/- 0.4, n = 13, P less than 0.005), the response to 10(-8) mol l-1 was similar. These data show comparable effects of high concentrations of GIP and GLP-1(7-36amide) on glucose-induced insulin release; at presumably physiological concentrations, however, GLP-1(7-36amide) was clearly more effective. The combination of the two peptides was not more than additive, suggesting that they act via the same final mechanism.

Animals↗

Role of endogenously released cholecystokinin in determining postprandial insulin levels in man: effects of loxiglumide, a specific cholecystokinin receptor antagonist.

To estimate the contribution of postprandial cholecystokinin (CCK) responses to circulating insulin concentrations and insulin secretion, a specific CCK receptor antagonist (loxiglumide; 10 mg/kg body weight/h) or saline were infused intravenously in normal volunteers, beginning 90 min before insulin secretion was stimulated on separate occasions by the intraduodenal administrations of glucose, glucose and protein, and glucose plus protein with the admixture of pancreatin. The release of CCK (radioimmunoassay) was stimulated by the protein component of the nutrients from basal 2.4 +/- 0.4 to 8.0 +/- 1.2 pmol/l. CCK plasma levels were significantly higher with loxiglumide (p < 0.05). Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) was also released by all nutrient mixtures. Loxiglumide significantly inhibited the amount of bilirubin and pancreatic enzymes recovered from duodenal aspirates. In contrast, in none of the experiments, C-peptide increments and hence insulin secretion rates were altered by loxiglumide. With glucose and protein as intraduodenal stimulus (no pancreatin added), the plasma amino acids rose significantly less (by approximately 50% of the control experiment) and the increment in insulin (but not C-peptide) concentrations was significantly reduced by loxiglumide. This is most likely explained by a change in insulin metabolic clearance. This effect cannot be a primary action of CCK because there was no similar effect of loxiglumide with the same intraduodenal stimulus plus added pancreatin. Pancreatic enzymes reduced maldigestion secondary to loxiglumide effects on pancreatic exocrine secretion: The increment in circulating amino acid concentrations was similar with and without loxiglumide. In conclusion, CCK does not alter insulin secretion and, therefore, is not an incretin hormone in man. Blocking CCK actions on the exocrine pancreas by loxiglumide, however, can secondarily cause reductions in postprandial insulin profiles by altering insulin clearance. These changes are possibly related to reductions in circulating amino acid concentrations.

Adult↗

Characterization of a guanosine-nucleotide-binding-protein-coupled receptor for pituitary adenylate-cyclase-activating polypeptide on plasma membranes from rat brain.

Pituitary adenylate-cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), a novel brain-gut hormone, was isolated from ovine hypothalami and represents the latest mammalian member of the secretin-glucagon peptide family. PACAP exists in two C-terminally amidated molecular forms, PACAP(1-27) and PACAP(1-38), comprising 27 or 38 amino acid residues, respectively. In order to identify a specific receptor for PACAP, we studied binding of 125I-labelled PACAP(1-27) to plasma membranes from rat brain. We identified a single high-affinity binding site (Kd, 340 pM and Bmax, 3.34 pmol/mg), specific for synthetic PACAP(1-38) and PACAP(1-27). Hormone binding was reversible and time, protein and temperature dependent. In contrast, neither the analogues PACAP(1-23), PACAP(18-38) and PACAP(3-25), nor vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), secretin and growth-hormone-releasing factor (GRF) revealed significant binding at concentrations up to 1 microM. A specific receptor protein, with an apparent molecular mass of 60 kDa, was identified by means of affinity cross-linking with disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS) and ethylene glycol disuccinimidyl suberate (EGS). PACAP receptors are associated with a GTP-binding protein as determined by the influence of different nucleotides on PACAP binding. PACAP-binding activity was solubilized with the detergents 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]2-hydroxy-1-propane sulfonate (Chapso) or Triton X-100 and was characterized as a high-molecular-mass receptor complex (400 kDa) by non-reducing size-exclusion chromatography on Sepharose CL-6B. These data imply the following: high-affinity PACAP receptors are expressed abundantly on rat-brain plasma membranes; PACAP receptors are specific for PACAP and show no affinity for VIP, secretin and GRF; the PACAP receptor molecule has an apparent molecular mass of 60 kDa; the PACAP receptor complex is associated with a GTP-binding protein.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

Isolation and primary structure of pituitary human galanin, a 30-residue nonamidated neuropeptide.

Galanin (Gal), a 29-amino acid C-terminally amidated neuropeptide, is widely distributed throughout the central and peripheral nervous system. The primary structures of rat and bovine Gals were derived from the cDNA sequences of their precursors. To elucidate the structure of human Gal (hGal), we extracted 280 postmortem pituitaries in trifluoroacetic acid and purified hGal binding activity, by three successive HPLC steps, to homogeneity based on a radioreceptor assay. The primary structure of hGal was determined by automatic Edman degradation to be Gly-Trp-Thr-Leu-Asn-Ser-Ala-Gly-Tyr-Leu-Leu- Gly-Pro-His-Ala-Val-Gly-Asn-His-Arg-Ser-Phe-Ser-Asp-Lys-Asn-Gly-Leu-Thr- Ser-COOH. The structure was confirmed by plasma desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry, revealing a mass of 3156.1. Compared to the 29-residue porcine, rat, and bovine Gals, hGal uniquely comprises 30 amino acids possessing an additional nonamidated serine residue as C terminus. The nonamidated carboxylic group at the C terminus was proven by synthesis of amidated and nonamidated hGal and by mass spectrometry after selective methylation of all free carboxylic groups. Synthetic hGal possesses full biological activity on isolated rat fundus muscle strips.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) modulates cholinergic neurotransmission in the small intestine of man, pig and guinea-pig via presynaptic CGRP receptors.

The effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on the cholinergically mediated twitch contraction in longitudinal muscle strips of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum) of guinea-pig, pig and man was investigated. Independently of the anatomical region, CGRP inhibited the twitch response in the different specimens of all three species by about 40% with similar IC50 values (1.5-2.4 nmol/l). Only in the guinea-pig small intestine CGRP induced a contraction of the smooth muscle which was sensitive to scopolamine and tetrodotoxin. The electrically evoked [3H]acetylcholine release from jejunal longitudinal muscle strips with myenteric plexus attached of the guinea-pig, which were incubated with [3H]choline, was concentration-dependently inhibited by CGRP. A direct relaxant effect of CGRP on smooth muscle tone of carbachol precontracted preparations was only observed in specimens of the guinea-pig. In conclusion, presynaptic inhibitory CGRP receptors on cholinergic neurones modulate the release of acetylcholine in different parts of the small intestine.

Acetylcholine↗

Cholecystokinin receptor antagonist loxiglumide modulates plasma levels of gastro-entero-pancreatic hormones in man. Feedback control of cholecystokinin and gastrin secretion.

The effect of the potent specific cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor antagonist loxiglumide on meal-stimulated plasma concentrations of CCK, gastrin, pancreatic polypeptide (PP), neurotensin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), insulin and C peptide was investigated in a placebo-controlled study in 10 healthy male volunteers. Intravenous infusion of loxiglumide (10 mg kg-1 h-1) significantly augmented integrated incremental IR-CCK levels 7.3-fold after stimulation by a standard breakfast (504 +/- 54 vs 3.665 +/- 365 pmol-1 135 min-1, P less than 0.001), as measured by a specific CCK radioimmunoassay. Basal IR-CCK concentrations were not affected by administration of loxiglumide. Oral treatment with bile acids (2 g ursodeoxycholic acid plus 2 g chenodeoxycholic acid) together with the meal abolished this augmentation, whereas high-dose substitution with pancreatic enzymes (4.2 g pancreatin) reduced elevated IR-CCK levels by only 38%. CCK-like bioactivity, determined by a bioassay using rat pancreatic acini, was not detectable in all samples that contained loxiglumide at plasma concentrations of 100-250 micrograms ml-1. Plasma gastrin concentrations in response to the breakfast were elevated 3.2-fold during loxiglumide infusion and not influenced by substitution with bile acids or pancreatic enzymes. Meal-stimulated integrated incremental plasma PP concentrations were significantly suppressed (55-65% inhibition, P less than 0.01) by loxiglumide. Infusion of the CCK receptor antagonist only slightly increased postprandial peak plasma glucose, insulin and C-peptide levels, whereas GIP and neurotensin levels were not significantly influenced. These findings suggest: (i) CCK secretion is under feedback control by intraduodenal bile acids and to a lesser extent by pancreatic enzymes; (ii) simultaneous extraction of CCK and loxiglumide results in circulating plasma CCK-like bioactivity of zero; (iii) gastrin secretion is feedback controlled via an indirect mechanism probably involving CCK-induced somatostatin secretion; (iv) release of PP is under inhibitory control of CCK; (v) CCK does not play a major role as insulinotropic hormone in the entero-insular axis in humans.

Adult↗

Role of CCK in regulation of pancreaticobiliary functions and GI motility in humans: effects of loxiglumide.

To evaluate the physiological role of cholecystokinin (CCK) in humans, we studied the influence of the specific CCK receptor antagonist loxiglumide (CR 1505) on gallbladder contraction, pancreatic enzyme output, plasma CCK concentrations, mouth-to-cecum transit time (MCTT), stool weight, and fecal fat excretion. Infusion of CCK-8, producing CCK plasma levels of 10-12 pmol/l, decreased gallbladder volume to 21% of the initial volume (P less than 0.01) and increased bilirubin output 8- to 10-fold and pancreatic enzyme secretion 2- to 4-fold. Infusion of loxiglumide (10 mg.kg-1.h-1 iv) abolished CCK-8-stimulated enzyme and bilirubin output. Basal gallbladder volume increased 68% during loxiglumide infusion (P less than 0.001) and 137% (P less than 0.001) after 7 days of oral loxiglumide treatment (3 x 1.6 g/day). Gallbladder contraction and bilirubin output in response to the intraduodenal instillation of a liquid meal (382 kcal) was completely inhibited by loxiglumide; gallbladder volume even increased 45% postprandially during loxiglumide infusion (P less than 0.02) and 145% after long-term loxiglumide treatment (P less than 0.001). Meal-stimulated pancreatic enzyme output was diminished 46-53% after acute and 25-29% after chronic administration of loxiglumide. Meal-stimulated integrated plasma CCK-immunoreactive (CCK-ir) concentrations, determined by RIA, were 3.2-fold higher during loxiglumide infusion (P less than 0.02); plateau CCK levels were markedly elevated (10.1 +/- 1.4 vs. 3.7 +/- 0.5 pM). Plasma CCK-like bioactivity, measured by a sensitive bioassay, was identical to CCK-ir levels in the absence of loxiglumide; in the presence of loxiglumide, no circulating CCK-like bioactivity was detectable, indicating complete inhibition of plasma CCK. MCTT was augmented 24% (P less than 0.05). Oral treatment with loxiglumide increased stool weight 72% (P less than 0.01) and fecal fat excretion 186% (P less than 0.001). In conclusion, 1) meal-induced gallbladder contraction and fasting tone are primarily controlled by CCK; 2) the contribution of CCK to the intestinal phase of postprandial pancreatic enzyme secretion is 40-50%; 3) GI motility and absorption are partially controlled by CCK; and 4) postprandial CCK secretion is substantially augmented by loxiglumide via an unknown mechanism.

Adult↗

Pancreastatin--a novel regulatory peptide?

Pancreastatin is a 49 amino acid peptide originally isolated from porcine pancreas on the basis of its C-terminal glycinamide as isolation criterion. It is derived by proteolytic processing from chromogranin A, an acidic protein component of secretory granules in endocrine and neuronal cells. The primary structures of human, porcine, bovine and rat pancreastatin have been determined on the protein or cDNA level and show 70% sequence homology. By immunocytochemistry, pancreastatin has been detected in the pituitary, adrenal gland, pancreas, CNS and throughout the gastrointestinal tract. In pancreatic islets, pancreastatin is co-localized with insulin, glucagon and somatostatin. The principle biological activities of this peptide are: inhibition of insulin release and of exocrine pancreatic secretion. These effects which can be assigned to the amidated C-terminal part of the molecule have been demonstrated in several species. Whether or not pancreastatin can be classified as a novel peptide hormone that under physiological conditions plays a role in the regulation of the endocrine and exocrine pancreas, is still a matter of controversy.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Galanin: structural requirements for binding and signal transduction in RINm5F insulinoma cells.

Receptors for galanin, a neuropeptide inhibiting insulin release, have been described on RINm5F insulinoma cells. To characterize structural requirements for binding and biological activity of galanin, we studied binding and inhibition of hormone stimulated intracellular cAMP-production of N-terminal galanin fragments and -analogues in RINm5F cells. Half-maximal binding and potency were the same for all peptides used. Active peptides had the following rank of potency: galanin = galanin(1-22(23)Cys) greater than galanin(1-29(4)NLe) greater than galanin(1-18) greater than galanin(1-29(7)DAla) greater than galanin(1-29(2)DTrp4NLe7DAla) greater than galanin(1-29(2)DTrp). Galanin(3-29) was inactive. Therefore the first two amino acids of the galanin molecule with the indole side chain of the tryptophane residue in the right steric position are crucial for receptor binding.

Animals↗

Development of the hormone-sensitive glucose transport activity in differentiating 3T3-L1 murine fibroblasts. Role of the two transporter species and their subcellular localization.

The development of a hormone-responsive glucose transport activity during differentiation of 3T3-L1 murine fibroblasts to an insulin-sensitive adipocyte-like phenotype was studied. Glucose transport activity was insensitive to insulin or insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) before differentiation, and was increased by 8-10-fold after differentiation by both insulin and IGF-I via their own respective receptors. In contrast, in undifferentiated cells insulin and IGF-I stimulated a large increase of [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA via IGF-I receptors, indicating that undifferentiated 3T3-L1 cells are equipped with fully functioning hormone (IGF-I) receptors. Thus the previously described increase in expression of insulin receptors during differentiation cannot solely account for the development of hormone-sensitive glucose transport in the 3T3-L1 cell. The total glucose transport activity reconstituted from membrane fractions was increased by about 3-fold during differentiation. In differentiated cells, more than 80% of the total reconstitutable glucose transport activity was detected in an intracellular compartment (200,000 g microsomes) as compared with about 20% in undifferentiated cells. Immunoblots with specific antiserum confirmed previous reports indicating that the adipose tissue/muscle glucose transporter (GT3) was exclusively present in the differentiated cells, whereas the erythrocyte/brain glucose transporter (GT1) was detected in both differentiated and undifferentiated cells. Upon differentiation, GT1 was redistributed from plasma membranes to the intracellular compartment. In addition, the newly formed GT3 was predominantly found (greater than 80% of total) in the microsomal fraction of differentiated cells. Both GT1 and GT3 appeared to be hormone-sensitive, since in differentiated cells insulin as well as IGF-I gave rise to their translocation from the intracellular compartment to the plasma membrane. These data suggest that, in addition to the specific expression of the GT3 transporter, the formation of a large pool of intracellular glucose transporters comprising both GT1 and GT3 contributes to the development of insulin sensitivity in the 3T3-L1 cell.

Adipose Tissue↗

Light and electron microscopical immunocytochemical localization of pancreastatin-like immunoreactivity in porcine tissues.

Pancreastatin is a 49 amino acid comprising peptide isolated from porcine pancreas that is derived by proteolytic processing from chromogranin A. Using an antibody against the synthetic C-terminal fragment pancreastatin (33-49), we examined the light and electron microscopical immunocytochemical localization of this peptide in porcine tissues. Pancreastatin-like immunoreactivity (PLI) was found in pancreatic somatostatin-, insulin- and glucagon cells in varying intensities; pancreatic polypeptide cells were always negative. At the electron microscopical (EM) level the immunoreactivity was confined to the electron dense core of the secretory granules in the case of somatostatin and insulin cells or to the less electron dense "halo" of the glucagon granules. In the antrum PLI positive cells represented gastrin (G), somatostatin (D) and enterochromaffin (EC) cells, in the duodenum in addition to EC- and G-cells a small number of PLI positive cells showed a positive immunoreaction for glucagon-like peptide (GLP) I and secretin in serial sections. Both norepinephrine and epinephrine containing cells of the adrenal medulla exhibited a strong reaction for PLI. In the pituitary several cell populations stained with varying intensities, including gonadotrophs and thyrotrophys. PLI is present in a distinct and characteristic subpopulation of neuroendocrine cells in various organs. The subcellular localization may indicate a function in the granular concentration, packaging and storage of peptides and amines in the brain-gut endocrine system.

Adrenal Medulla↗