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W W Lin

Publications and source records attributed to W W Lin.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

SK & F 96365 inhibits carbachol-induced phosphoinositide turnover in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y and rat cerebellar granule cells.

SK & F 96365, a receptor-mediated Ca2+ entry inhibitor, has been reported to inhibit Ca2+ responses to various agonists without affecting internal Ca2+ release and phosphoinositide turnover. Since muscarinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated phosphoinositide turnover shows a marked dependence on factors affecting cytosolic Ca2+ concentration, the effects of SK & F 96365 on the coupling of muscarinic receptors to the phosphoinositide hydrolysis were examined in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y and rat cerebellar granule cells. SK & F 96365 concentration-dependently (3-30 microM) inhibited the inositol phosphate formation elicited by carbachol in both cellular systems. Moreover, SK & F 96365 inhibited the carbachol-induced inositol phosphate formation in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, and similar extent of inhibition was achieved in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+. In ligand binding studies, we found that the binding affinities for [3H] N-methyl-scopolamine in both cells were attenuated by SK & F 96365 (3-30 microM), while Bmax values for the ligand were not changed. The competition curves of SK & F 96365 showed a Ki value of 28.4 uM in SH-SY5Y cells. The results indicated that the decrease of carbachol-stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis by SK & F 96365 is due to the competitive inhibition of agonist binding to the M3 muscarinic receptors.

Animals↗

Characterization of signaling pathways of P2Y and P2U purinoceptors in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells.

The actions of ATP on the endothelium are mediated by P2 purinoceptors. We have shown that P2Y and P2U purinoceptors coexist in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (CPAE), where they induce phosphoinositide (PI) turnover and Ca2+ mobilization. The relative order of potency (based on the threshold concentration) of nucleotide analogues (1-100 microM) in stimulating the accumulation of inositol phosphate (IP) was 2-methylthio-ATP (2MeSATP) = 2-methylthio-ADP (2MeSADP) > or = 2ClATP > UTP = ATP = ADP. alpha, beta-methylene ATP, beta, gamma-methylene ATP, UDP, adenosine-5'-tetraphospho-5'-adenosine, and adenosine-5'-pentaphospho-5'-adenosine had no effect at concentrations as high as 100 microM. At maximal concentrations, the IP responses to 2MeSATP and UTP were additive, whereas those to ATP and either 2MeSATP or UTP were not. Moreover, the maximal response to 2MeSADP was additive to that to UTP but not to that of 2MeSATP. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin slightly inhibited 2MeSATP- and UTP-stimulated IP generation by 15%. Under Ca(2+)-free conditions, UTP-induced IP formation was inhibited more markedly than that induced by 2MeSATP. Short-term treatment of the cells with phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of 2MeSATP-induced IP formation greater and more sensitive than that induced by UTP; similar results were obtained for the sensitivity of inhibition by suramin and reactive blue. Stimulation of the cells with either 2MeSATP or UTP induced a rapid increase in intracellular Ca2+ level, followed by a slow decrease to basal levels, followed by Ca2+ level oscillation. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, [Ca2+]i responses were quantitatively less and did not show the slow phase and oscillation. Together these results suggest that both P2Y and P2U purinoceptors are expressed in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells and are coupled to phospholipase C (PLC) activation and Ca2+ mobilization through pertussis toxininsensitive G proteins.

Animals↗

Pyrimidinoceptor-mediated activation of phospholipase C and phospholipase A2 in RAW 264.7 macrophages.

1. As well as the presence of P2Z purinoceptors previously found in macrophages, we identified pyrimidinoceptors in RAW 264.7 cells, which activate phospholipase C (PLC) and phospholipase A2 (PLA2). 2. The relative potency of agonists to stimulate inositol phosphate (IP) formation and arachidonic acid (AA) release was UTP = UDP > > ATP, ATP gamma S, 2MeSATP. For both signalling pathways, the EC50 values for UTP and UDP (3 microM) were significantly lower than that for ATP and all other analogues tested (> 100 microM). 3. UTP and UDP displayed no additivity in terms of IP formation and AA release at maximally effective concentrations. 4. UTP-, but not ATP-, evoked AA release was 60% inhibited by pertussis toxin (PTX), while stimulation of IP formation by both agonists was unaffected. Short-term treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) led to a dose-dependent inhibition of IP responses to UTP and UDP, but failed to affect the AA responses. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ inhibited the PI response to UTP, but abolished its AA response. 5. ATP-induction of these two transmembrane signal pathways was decreased in high Mg(2+)-containing medium but potentiated by the removal of extracellular Mg2+. 6. Suramin and reactive blue displayed equal potency to inhibit the IP responses of UTP and ATP. 7. Both UTP and UDP (0.1-100 microM) induced a sustained increase in [Ca2+]i which lasted for more than 10 min. 8. Taken together, these results indicate that in mouse RAW 264.7 macrophages, pyrimidinoceptors with specificity for UTP and UDP mediate the activation of PLC and cytosolic (c) PLA2. The activation of PLC is via a PTX-insensitive G protein, whereas that of cPLA2 is via a PTX-sensitive G protein-dependent pathway. The sustained Ca2+ influx caused by UTP contributes to the activation of cPLA2. RAW 264.7 cells also possess P2z purinoceptors which mediate ATP(4-)-induced PLC and PLA2 activation.

Animals↗

Inhibition of ecto-ATPase by PPADS, suramin and reactive blue in endothelial cells, C6 glioma cells and RAW 264.7 macrophages.

1. Previous studies have shown that bovine pulmonary artery endothelium (CPAE) has P2Y and P2U purinoceptors, rat C6 glioma cells have P2U purinoceptors and mouse RAW 264.7 cells have pyrimidinoceptors, all of which are coupled to phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC). The dual actions of PPADS, suramin and reactive blue as antagonists of receptor subtypes and ecto-ATPase inhibitors were studied in these three cell types. 2. In CPAE, suramin, at 3-100 microM, competitively inhibited the PI responses induced by 2MeSATP and UTP, with pA2 values of 5.5 +/- 0.3 and 4.4 +/- 0.4, respectively. Reactive blue, at 1-3 microM, produced shifts to the right of the 2MeSATP and UTP curves, but no further right shift at 10 microM. PPADS, at 10 microM, caused a 3 fold right shift of the 2MeSATP curve, but no further shift at concentrations up to 100 microM. In contrast, a dose-dependent shift to the left of the UTP curve and a weak inhibition of the ATP response were seen with PPADS. 3. In RAW 264.7 cells, suramin and reactive blue, but not PPADS, competitively inhibited the UTP response, with pA2 values of 4.8 +/- 0.5 and 5.8 +/- 0.7, respectively. 4. In C6 glioma cells, although suramin and reactive blue inhibited the ATP response, a potentiation effect on ATP and UTP responses was seen with PPADS. 5. The ecto-ATPase inhibitory activity of these three receptor antagonists were determined. All three inhibited ecto-ATPase present in CPAE, C6 and RAW 264.7 cells, with IC50 values of 4, 4.8 and 4.7 for PPADS, 4, 4.4 and > > 4 for suramin, and 4.5, 4.7 and 4.7 for reactive blue. 6. This study indicates that PPADS, suramin and reactive blue ar ecto-ATPase inhibitors. This property, combined with their antagonistic selectivity for receptor subtypes, can result in inhibition of, potentiation of, or lack of effect on agonist-mediated PI responses. Reactive blue is a more potent antagonist than suramin on P2Y, P2U and pyrimidinoceptors, and PPADS is a weak antagonist for P2Y receptors.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Effects of protein kinase A activation on endothelin- and ATP-induced signal transduction.

C6 glioma cells possess endothelin ETA receptor and P2 purinoceptor coupled to two signaling pathways, i.e. phosphoinositide turnover and inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. In this study, the effects of raising cyclic AMP levels on the inositol phospholipid hydrolysis and adenylyl cyclase inhibition caused by endothelin-1 and ATP in C6 glioma cells were examined. Pretreatment with cAMP generating agents (forskolin, isoproterenol and cholera toxin) or dibutyryl cAMP for 10 min-3 h did not affect the inositol phosphate accumulation caused by endothelin and ATP. Long-term (8-24 h) pretreatment with isoproterenol, forskolin, cholera toxin or dibutyryl cAMP resulted in a 40-50% inhibition of endothelin- and ATP-stimulated inositol phosphate accumulation, whereas the EC50 values of endothelin and ATP were not affected. Consistent with the effects on endothelin and ATP, NaF-induced inositol phosphate formation was also inhibited by cAMP generating agents to a similar extent. Permeabilized cells from 24 h isoproterenol-or forskolin-pretreated C6 cells also showed a diminished Ca(2+)-sensitivity of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C and also attenuated the potentiation response caused by GTP gamma S. The inhibitory effects on adenylyl cyclase by endothelin, ATP and 2-methylthio-ATP were unaffected by 24 h pretreatment with isoproterenol or forskolin. Long-term treatment with dibutyryl cGMP did not affect the two signaling pathways caused by ATP and endothelin. It is concluded that the phosphoinositide turnover, but not the adenylyl cyclase inhibition caused by endothelin and ATP in C6 cells, was inhibited by protein kinase A-dependent pathway.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Potentiation of stimulus-induced phosphoinositide breakdown by calmodulin antagonists in C6 glioma cells.

To investigate the role of calmodulin (CaM)-dependent pathways in agonist-induced phosphoinositide (PI) turnover, the influence of several CaM antagonists on PI-phospholipase C (PLC) activation in intact and permeabilized C6 glioma cells was examined. The extent of PI turnover was assessed by measuring the accumulation of inositol phosphates (IPs) in the presence of LiCl in C6 glioma cells prelabelled with myo-[3H]inositol. Trifluoperazine, N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1- naphthalenesulphonamide (W-7), fendiline and calmidazolium themselves had no effect on basal IP formation, but concentration-dependently (1-30 microM) potentiated ATP-, NaF- and A23187-stimulated IP formation. The maximal response to ATP (1 mM) was increased by up to 50%, while the concentration for half-maximal effect (EC50, 60 microM) was unaffected by trifluoperazine. In digitonin-permeabilized C6 glioma cells, the concentration-dependent increase of PI-PLC activation elicited by free Ca2+ was potentiated by the GTP analogue, guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP gamma S), with an EC50 of 6 microM. Trifluoperazine (1-30 microM) enhanced the Ca(2+)-stimulated IP formation concentration dependently and this potentiation was counteracted by the addition of CaM. In the combined presence of each CaM antagonist studied and GTP gamma S, an additive increase in IP formation was observed. The results indicate that CaM antagonists enhance stimulus-induced IP formation in C6 glioma cells primarily by increasing the Ca(2+)-dependent activation of PI-PLC.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

A study on the cause of death due to waglerin-I, a toxin from Trimeresurus wagleri.

Waglerin-I, a lethal toxin isolated from the venom of Trimeresurus wagleri, consists of 22 amino acid residues with a proline-rich sequence. In the present study, we investigated the cause of death and the possible site of action of this toxin. In anesthetized mice, i.v. administration of waglerin-I at 0.5 microgram/g produced respiratory failure within 5 min. The blood pressure could be maintained by the application of artificial respiration immediately after respiratory arrest. Waglerin-I at 4 microM reversibly blocked the indirect twitch of the mouse phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparation, but had no effect on the direct twitch. It is concluded that respiratory failure, resulting from neuromuscular block, is the primary cause of death due to waglerin-I in mice. In contrast to the results obtained in mice, in anesthetized rats no toxic effects on respiration and blood pressure were observed except for a transient hypotension up to 10 micrograms/g (i.v.). In accordance with the in vivo experiments, waglerin-I at concentrations up to 40 microM did not block the indirect twitch of the rat diaphragm. It thus appears that rats are resistant to the toxic effects of waglerin-I.

Animals↗

Differential expression of protein kinase C isoforms in glial and neuronal cells. Translocation and down-regulation of PKC isoforms in C6 glioma and NG 108-15 hybrid cells: effects of extracellular Ca(2+)-depletion.

Protein kinase C (PKC), the major receptor for tumor-promoting phorbol esters, consists of a family of at least 12 distinct lipid-regulated enzymes. We examined the expression and regulation of PKC isoforms in C6-glioma and NG 108-15 hybrid cells. Western blot analysis indicated that both cell lines express four PKC isoforms, PKC alpha, PKC delta, PKC epsilon and PKC zeta. The expression of PKC alpha and PKC delta in C6-glioma cells was more abundant than NG 108-15 cells, however, PKC epsilon in NG 108-15 was more abundant than C6-glioma cells in which PKC epsilon was almost undetectable. Treatment of both cells with TPA for 10 min resulted in the translocation of PKC alpha, PKC delta and PKC epsilon to the membrane fraction. When the intact cells were treated with Ca(2+)-free, EGTA containing physiological saline solution, the membrane bound conventional PKC alpha (cPKC alpha) was greatly reduced and cytosolic cPKC alpha was only slightly increased. However, neither membrane bound nor cytosolic new PKC delta (nPKC delta), nPKC epsilon and atypical PKC zeta (aPKC zeta) was affected by extracellular Ca2+ depletion. In this condition, the translocation of cPKC alpha, nPKC delta and nPKC epsilon induced by TPA still occurred, however, that of cPKC alpha was reduced more than in the normal condition. After long-term treatment (17 h) with TPA, cPKC alpha, nPKC delta and nPKC epsilon were down-regulated both in the cytosol and membrane. The phenomena of cPKC alpha were confirmed by measuring the PKC activity with histone as the substrate. From in vitro endogenous phosphorylation studies, a 31 kDa substrate protein phosphorylation in C6 glioma cell membrane and 31 and 26 kDa proteins in NG 108-15 cell membrane were increased in the translocation but disappeared in the down-regulation of PKC.

Animals↗

Heterogeneity of nucleotide receptors in NG108-15 neuroblastoma and C6 glioma cells for mediating phosphoinositide turnover.

We have compared the characteristics of receptors for nucleotide analogues and the involvement of phospholipase C (PLC) in the effector mechanism in NG108-15 neuroblastoma and C6 glioma cells. The relative potency of these analogues to stimulate inositol phosphate (IP) formation is UTP > UDP >> 2-methylthio-ATP (2-MeSATP), GTP > ATP, CTP > ADP > UMP in NG108-15 cells and ATP > UTP > ADP > GTP > UDP >> 2Me-SATP, CTP, UMP, in C6 glioma cells. alpha, beta-Methylene-ATP, beta, gamma-methylene-ATP, AMP, and adenosine had little or no effect in both types of cells. The EC50 values were 3 and 106 microM for UTP in NG108-15 and C6 glioma cells, respectively. The EC50 value for ATP in C6 glioma cells was 43 microM. 2-MeSATP was threefold more potent than ATP in NG108-15 cells but had little effect in C6 glioma cells at 1 mM. In NCB-20 cells, a similar rank order of potency to that found in NG108-15 cells, i.e., UTP >> GTP > ATP > CTP, was observed. In both NG108-15 and C6 glioma cells, preincubation with ATP or UTP caused a pronounced cross-desensitization of subsequent nucleotide-stimulated IP production. ATP and UTP displayed no additivity in terms of IP formation at maximally effective concentrations. In contrast, endothelin-1, bradykinin, and NaF interacted in an additive manner with either nucleotide in stimulating PI hydrolysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Enzyme Activation↗

Studies of the oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde by oxyhemoglobin using fluorigenic high-performance liquid chromatography.

We noted a rise in acetaldehyde levels in clinical samples of venous whole blood containing ethanol that did not occur in samples from teetotalers. Experiments were performed to define the mechanism involved in acetaldehyde production. The addition of 0.10% ethanol to whole blood produced an immediate increase in acetaldehyde due to acetaldehyde in the stock solution followed by a subsequent increase that became statistically significant by 48 hr. Separation of blood into components documented that the increase in acetaldehyde was associated with the red cell but not plasma fraction. Incubation of isolated hemoglobin with ethanol produced a rise in acetaldehyde levels. Incubation of oxygenated whole blood with ethanol produced a linear increase in acetaldehyde, whereas nitrogen-exposed blood produced no increase. The rise of acetaldehyde in the presence of ethanol was dependent on the concentration of oxygenated hemoglobin A0. Addition of inhibitors of catalase, alcohol dehydrogenase, and glycolytic enzymes (aminotriazole, azide, pyrazole, sodium fluoride, sodium citrate, and iodoacetate) did not inhibit the rise of acetaldehyde, but addition of the hemoglobin ligand cyanide abolished the rise in acetaldehyde. Kinetic analysis with oxygenated whole blood plus inhibitors revealed a Km of 2.5 mM and Vmax of 1.42 microM/min. We conclude that oxyhemoglobin contributes to the metabolism of ethanol to acetaldehyde. These findings may explain in part the high levels of acetaldehyde found in red cells compared with plasma. The results also have implications for the optimum storage of blood samples for acetaldehyde analysis.

Acetaldehyde↗

Different signal transduction pathways are coupled to the nucleotide receptor and the P2Y receptor in C6 glioma cells.

In C6 glioma cells, extracellular ATP and other nucleotide analogs stimulated phosphoinositide (PI) breakdown and inhibited isoproterenol-induced cyclic AMP (cAMP) accumulation. The rank orders of potencies of 15 nucleotide analogs for both responses were clearly different. ATP and adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) are the most potent agonists for stimulating PI hydrolysis; 2-methylthio-ATP (2-MeSATP) is the most potent agonist for inhibiting cAMP accumulation. P1-mediated responses of PI turnover and cAMP formation are not present in C6 glioma cells. Pertussis toxin (PTX) blocked the nucleotide-induced inhibition of cAMP accumulation but exerted no effect on inositol phosphate formation. Short-term treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate inhibited both signal transduction pathways. The effects of three P2 purinergic antagonists, suramin, reactive blue and 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene sulfonic acid (DIDS), on ATP- and 2-MeSATP-induced stimulation of PI turnover and inhibition of cAMP formation, respectively, were compared. For stimulating PI turnover, suramin is a competitive antagonist (pA2, 4.4); reactive blue and DIDS are noncompetitive antagonists at 30 microM and 100 microM, respectively. For the inhibition of cAMP formation, reactive blue and DIDS competitively antagonized the response of 2-MeSATP (pA2 values, 6.3 for reactive blue and 5.7 for DIDS); suramin was only slightly effective at 100 microM. It was concluded that the nucleotide receptor is linked to phospholipase C by a PTX-insensitive Gp protein and the P2Y receptor is linked to adenylyl cyclase by a PTX-sensitive Gi protein. Suramin is a competitive antagonist for the nucleotide receptor; reactive blue and DIDS are more selective antagonists for the P2Y receptor.

Adenylate Cyclase Toxin↗

Extracellular ATP stimulates inositol phospholipid turnover and calcium influx in C6 glioma cells.

Extracellular ATP caused a dose-dependent accumulation of inositol phosphates and a rise in cytosolic free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in C6 glioma cells with an EC50 of 60 +/- 4 and 10 +/- 5 microM, respectively. The threshold concentration of ATP (3 microM) for increasing [Ca2+]i was approximately 10-fold less than that for stimulating phosphoinositide (PI) turnover. The PI response showed a preference for ATP; ADP was about 3-fold less potent than ATP but had a comparable maximal stimulation (11-fold of the control). AMP and adenosine were without effect at concentrations up to 1 mM. ATP-stimulated PI metabolism was found to be partially dependent on extracellular Ca2+ and Na+ but was resistant to tetrodotoxin, saxitoxin, amiloride, ouabain, and inorganic blockers of Ca2+ channels (Co2+, Mn2+, La3+, or Cd2+). In Ca(2+)-free medium, ATP caused only a transient increase in [Ca2+]i as opposed to a sustained [Ca2+]i increase in normal medium. The ATP-induced elevation of [Ca2+]i was resistant to Na+ depletion and treatment with saxitoxin, verapamil and nisoldipine, but was attenuated by La3+. The differences in the characteristics of ATP-caused P1 hydrolysis and [Ca2+]i rise suggest that ATP receptors are independently coupled to phospholipase C and receptor-gated Ca2+ channels. Because of the robust effect of ATP in stimulating PI turnover and the apparent absence of P1-purinergic receptors, the C6 glioma cell line provides a useful model for investigating the transmembrane signalling pathway induced by extracellular ATP. The mechanisms underlying the unexpected finding of [Na+]o dependency for ATP-induced PI turnover require further investigation.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Agonist-induced desensitization of ATP receptor-mediated phosphoinositide turnover in C6 glioma cells: comparison with the negative-feedback regulation by protein kinase C.

In C6 glioma cells, ATP increased 3H-inositol phosphate (IP) accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. Preincubation of cells with ATP (100 microM or 1 mM) resulted in a time-dependent loss of the ability of ATP to stimulate phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis. The agonist-induced desensitization of ATP-stimulated PI hydrolysis developed rapidly, and appeared to be independent on the activation of protein kinase C (PKC). Thus, PKC inhibitors (staurosporine, H-7 and polymyxin B), depletion of PKC and diacylglycerol (DG) kinase inhibitors (R59002, R59949) had no effect on the homologous desensitization. ATP-induced PI breakdown was inhibited by a 10 min pretreatment with the PKC activator, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or octylindolactam V, with a comparable IC50 of 5 nM, but was unaffected by the biologically inactive 4-alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (4 alpha-PDD). The inhibition caused by PMA and octylindolactam V was completely prevented by staurosporine (1 microM) and partially prevented by H-7 (300 microM), H-8 (300 microM) and polymyxin B (300 micrograms/ml). In addition, PKC activator-induced inhibition was unchanged after ATP pretreatment, but disappeared after PKC depletion. The IP formation elicited by NaF was inhibited by PMA and octylindolactam V with a comparable IC50 value of 7.5 nM while was unchanged after ATP pretreatment. These results indicate that ATP receptors are present in the C6 glioma cells, and that these receptors are coupled to PI turnover and undergo homologous desensitization. The agonist-induced desensitization, unlike the negative-feedback regulation caused by PMA and octylindolactam V, does not seem to involve PKC activation.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Endothelin- and ATP-induced inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity in C6 glioma cells: role of Gi and calcium.

Endothelin-1 (ET) and ATP mobilize Ca2+ in rat C6 glioma cells by stimulating phosphoinositide turnover. Both agents also inhibit adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity in C6 glioma cells. The goal of this study was to characterize the molecular mechanisms responsible for the inhibition of AC activity. The administration of either ET, ATP, A23187, or thapsigargin to cells simultaneously with isoproterenol for 5 min inhibited isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP synthesis by a maximum of 60%, 91%, 65%, and 68%, respectively. Pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin (PTX) did not alter the inhibitory effects of A23187 or thapsigargin, whereas the inhibitory effects of ET or ATP were completely eliminated. Removal of extracellular Ca2+ and 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'- tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester treatment failed to affect the inhibition caused by ET or ATP, whereas the inhibition caused by A23187 or thapsigargin was completely eliminated in Ca(2+)-free medium and was attenuated by 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester treatment. The inhibition by both receptor agonists in the earlier phase (30 sec) of the AC reaction was, however, reduced by using either Ca(2+)-free medium or PTX pretreatment. The administration of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine or Ro 20-1724 suggested that the inhibitory effects of A23187 and thapsigargin were partially due to Ca(2+)-dependent stimulation of PDE activity. Short term treatment with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) had no effect on isoproterenol-stimulated AC activity. However, the inhibition of cAMP induced by ET or ATP, but not by A23187 or thapsigargin, was diminished by PMA, suggesting that the receptor signal via Gi was blocked by PMA treatment. The antagonistic effect of PMA was blocked by staurosporine. All four agents still inhibited AC activity in cells that had been treated with PMA for 24 hr to deplete protein kinase C. ET produced an additional decrease in AC activity in cells that had been treated with a maximally effective concentration of A23187 or thapsigargin. The ET- or ATP-induced decrease in cAMP levels showed homologous desensitization. These results demonstrate that ETZ receptors and ATP receptors in C6 glioma cells inhibit AC activity primarily by interaction with a PTX-sensitive G(i) and partially by elevation of [Ca(2+)]. Protein kinase C activation is not responsible for agonist-induced inhibition of AC but appears to uncouple the G(i)/AC system activated by ET or ATP.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Intestinal relaxation by endothelin isopeptides: involvement of Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels.

Our previous studies have shown that endothelin-1 (ET-1) induces an initial relaxation followed by a contraction in the guinea-pig ileum. To test whether other ET isopeptides (ET-2, ET-3, vasoactive intestinal contractor (VIC) and sarafotoxin S6b) and big ET-1, the ET-1 precursor, also induce similar biphasic responses, we compared their effects in isolated guinea-pig ileum. In addition, the mechanism of initial relaxation was studied. At 1-100 nM, ET-1, ET-2 and VIC were equipotent in producing the biphasic responses. S6b also produced similar biphasic responses, except that only a relaxation was elicited at 1 nM. ET-3 was approximately 30- to 100-fold less active than ET-1 in producing the contraction, whereas it was as potent as ET-1 in producing relaxation. Big ET-1 induced a relaxation of slower onset and longer duration, followed by a weak contraction at concentrations higher than 30 nM. The initial relaxation produced by ET-1 was not affected by pretreatment with L-NAME (NW-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester), hemoglobin, 9-AC (anthracene-9-carboxylic acid), SITS (4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2-2'-disulfonic acid), glibenclamide, ouabain, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, sodium nitroprusside, human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP) or forskolin, whereas it was abolished by pretreatment with apamin. Although phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate pretreatment had no significant effect on the biphasic response of ET-1, it rapidly reversed the sustained contraction produced by ET-1. These results indicate that the initial relaxation is caused by the activation of Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels.

Animals↗

Axillary-popliteal artery bypass provides successful limb salvage after removal of infected aortofemoral grafts.

Axillary-popliteal artery bypasses were placed to revascularize 28 extremities for 17 patients who were undergoing removal of infected aortofemoral grafts. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE [polytef]) material was anastomosed to the above-knee popliteal artery in 22 cases and to the below-knee popliteal artery in six limbs. All but one patient had axillary-popliteal grafts in place before excision of the aortic graft. In 12 groins, vein-patch angioplasty was performed after removal of the infected aortic graft to provide retrograde pelvic perfusion and maintain femoral patency for future reconstruction. Three patients (18%) died of septic-related, multisystem organ failure. With a mean follow-up of 25 months, primary patency was 75% at 1 year and 43% at 2 years. Secondary patency, maintained by thrombectomy (n = 7), revision (n = 3), and conversion to warfarin sodium (Coumadin) therapy (n = 6) was 100% at 2 years, and limb salvage was achieved for all surviving patients.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Transesophageal echocardiography in adults with a continuous precordial murmur.

In order to assess the ability of echocardiography in the detection of intracardiac and extracardiac shunts, we studied 11 patients (aged 22-64 yr) with a continuous precordial murmur using transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, and correlated the results with the subsequent angiographic and surgical findings. We found that only in 5 of 6 patients with a patent arterial duct could the continuous flow pattern be detected in pulmonary artery using transthoracic echocardiography, whereas it could be readily and accurately identified by transesophageal echocardiography in all patients. The diameters of the patent arterial duct were also measured and found to be in good correlation with subsequent surgical findings (r = 0.98, p less than 0.05). In 2 patients with a ruptured aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva which originated from the right coronary sinus and perforated into the right ventricle, transesophageal echocardiography gave a better image than transthoracic echocardiography. In 2 patients with coronary artery fistula, the origin and site of drainage of the coronary artery could be imaged using transesophageal echocardiography, but the course of coronary artery fistula was more easily detected by transthoracic echocardiography. In one patient with aortopulmonary window, the defect between ascending aorta and main pulmonary artery could readily be imaged by transesophageal echocardiography. We therefore recommend transesophageal echocardiography when evaluating patients with precordial continuous murmur in whom intracardiac and extracardiac shunts or defects are suspected.

Adult↗

Regulation of bradykinin-induced phosphoinositide turnover in cultured cerebellar astrocytes: possible role of protein kinase C.

Phosphoinositide hydrolysis was studied in primary cultures of rat cerebellar astrocytes prelabeled with [3H]myo-inositol. Among the agonists examined, the rank order of efficacies in causing phosphoinositide hydrolysis was bradykinin > endothelin-1 > ATP > norepinephrine. The bradykinin response was robust (24-fold increase) with EC50 value of 30 nM and saturating concentration of 1 microM. Preincubation of cells with pertussis toxin did not affect the activation of phosphoinositide turnover by bradykinin. Although short-term (within 90 min) treatment of cells with phorbol dibutyrate attenuated bradykinin-induced phosphoinositide breakdown, the inhibitory effect was lost after 3-6 h of phorbol dibutyrate treatment. Extended (24 h) preincubation resulted in a potentiation of bradykinin response. Homologous desensitization of bradykinin response was observed in cells prestimulated with bradykinin for up to 6 h. However, similar to the effect of phorbol dibutyrate, 24-h pretreatment with bradykinin selectively sensitized the response to bradykinin. Up-regulation of the bradykinin response was also observed in cells prestimulated with endothelin-1 or norepinephrine for 24 h, although these treatments resulted in only homologous desensitization to their own response. Our results suggest that cultured cerebellar astrocytes express bradykinin receptors coupled to phospholipase C and in these cells protein kinase C plays a more prominent role in the negative-feedback regulation of bradykinin-evoked phosphoinositide response.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗