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Biomedical subjects

Y Takata

Publications and source records attributed to Y Takata.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Identification of a tyrosine residue in rat guanidinoacetate methyltransferase that is photolabeled with S-adenosyl-L-methionine.

Exposure of rat guanidinoacetate methyltransferase to ultraviolet light in the presence of S-adenosyl-L-[methyl-3H]methionine ([methyl-3H]AdoMet) results in covalent linking of radioactivity to the enzyme protein. The incorporation of radioactivity shows no lag and is linear with respect to time up to 1 h. The photolabeling is saturable with [methyl-3H]AdoMet, and the binding constant of the enzyme for AdoMet determined in this experiment is similar to that obtained by equilibrium dialysis. Low concentrations of competitive inhibitors S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine and sinefungin effectively prevent the photoinduced labeling by AdoMet. Although guanidinoacetate methyltransferase is irreversibly inactivated upon ultraviolet irradiation in the absence of AdoMet, the enzyme inactivated by 1-h exposure to ultraviolet irradiation has been shown to bind AdoMet with an affinity identical to that of the native enzyme. These results indicate that photolabeling occurs at the active site. Following proteolysis of the [methyl-3H]-AdoMet-labeled enzyme with chymotrypsin, a radioactive peptide is isolated having a sequence Asp-Thr-X-Pro-Leu-Ser-Glu-Glu-Thr-Trp. The peptide corresponds to residues 134-143, with X being modified Tyr-136. The same peptide is photolabeled when [carboxy-14C]AdoMet is used. High-performance liquid chromatography of this peptide after acid hydrolysis and phenyl isothiocyanate derivatization suggests that the entire molecule of AdoMet is attached to Tyr-136.

Amino Acid Sequence

Intracellular signaling by a mutant human insulin receptor lacking the carboxyl-terminal tyrosine autophosphorylation sites.

We have recently characterized a mutant insulin receptor (Y/F2) in which the two tyrosines in the carboxyl terminus (Tyr1316, Tyr1322) were mutated to phenylalanine. Compared with wild type receptors, the Y/F2 receptor exhibited markedly enhanced sensitivity to insulin-stimulated DNA synthesis with normal insulin-stimulated glucose uptake (Takata, Y., Webster, N. J. G., and Olefsky, J. M. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 9135-9139). In this paper, we present further evidence for the divergence of the metabolic and mitogenic signaling pathways utilized by the insulin receptor. The mutant receptor showed normal sensitivity and responsiveness for insulin-stimulated glucose incorporation into glycogen. The insulin sensitivity for phosphorylation of two substrates (pp180 and pp220) was the same in both Y/F2 cells and HIRc cells. Phosphotyrosine content, however, was greater in Y/F2 cells than in HIRc cells, especially in the basal state. Insulin stimulated S6 kinase activity 2-6-fold, with an ED50 of -10 nM in Rat 1 cells and 0.5 nM in HIRc cells. The sensitivity to insulin was enhanced in Y/F2 cells with an ED50 of 0.1 nM. These effects were insulin-specific, since insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I-stimulated mitogenesis was normal. In summary: 1) Y/F2 receptors exhibit normal metabolic and enhanced mitogenic signaling; 2) the enhanced mitogenic signaling is specific for the insulin receptor in the Y/F2 cells, since IGF-I-stimulated mitogenesis is normal; 3) Y/F2 cells display increased endogenous substrate phosphorylation and augmented insulin-stimulated S6 kinase activity placing these responses among insulin's mitogenic effects; and 4) these results are consistent with the concept that the COOH-terminal tyrosine residues of the insulin receptor are normally inhibitory to mitogenic signaling.

Animals

Isolation and sequencing of a cDNA clone encoding the 85 kDa human lysosomal sialoglycoprotein (hLGP85) in human metastatic pancreas islet tumor cells.

A full length cDNA for a human lysosomal membrane sialoglycoprotein (hLGP85) was isolated as a probe of the cDNA of rat LGP85 (rLGP85) from the cDNA library prepared from total mRNA of QGP-1NL cells, a human pancreatic islet tumor cell with a high metastatic activity. The deduced amino acid sequence shows that hLGP85 consists of 478 amino acid residues (MW. 54,289). The protein has 10 putative N-glycosylation sites and 2 hydrophobic regions at the NH2- and near the COOH-termini, respectively. Thus, both domains probably constitute putative transmembrane domains. It exhibits 86% and 79% sequence similarities in amino acids and nucleic acids to rat lysosomal membrane sialoglycoprotein (rLGP85), respectively. The protein contained the short cytoplasmic tail at the COOH-terminus which does not form the glycine-tyrosine sequence (GY motif), the so-called lysosomal targetting signal.

Adenoma, Islet Cell

Possible involvement of both N- and L-type voltage-dependent Ca channels in adrenergic neurotransmission of canine saphenous veins in low Ca2+ plus tetraethylammonium medium.

The involvement of N- and L-type voltage-dependent Ca channels (VDCCs) in adrenergic neurotransmission under the superfusion with 0.25 mM Ca2+ + 20 mM tetraethylammonium (low Ca2+ + TEA) medium has been studied by examining the effects of omega-conotoxin GVIA (omega-CTX) and dihydropyridine antagonists and agonist on transmural nerve stimulation (TNS)-evoked 3H overflow from canine saphenous veins preloaded with [3H]-noradrenaline. Nisoldipine (10 and 30 microM) and nifedipine (30 microM) reduced significantly the TNS-evoked 3H overflow in low Ca2+ + TEA medium, while the two dihydropyridine antagonists failed to suppress it in normal Krebs medium. Bay K 8644 (30 and 100 nM) produced a significant and concentration-dependent enhancement of the TNS-evoked 3H overflow in low Ca2+ + TEA medium. The enhancing effects of Bay K 8644 were antagonized by both 3 microM nisoldipine and 10 microM nifedipine. omega-CTX inhibited markedly the TNS-evoked 3H overflow in both normal Krebs and low Ca2+ + TEA media, the inhibition by omega-CTX being ten times more potent in low Ca2+ + TEA medium. Nisoldipine (30 microM), when combined with 1 nM omega-CTX, produced a further significant inhibition of the TNS-evoked 3H overflow in low Ca2+ + TEA medium. However, no additional inhibition by 30 microM nisoldipine was observed when omega-CTX concentration was raised to 2 nM. In the veins superfused with normal Krebs medium, nisoldipine (30 microM) did not affect the inhibitory effect of 10 nM omega-CTX on the evoked 3H overflow.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenergic Fibers

Elevated plasma nilvadipine concentration after single and chronic oral administration to patients with chronic liver disease.

Fourteen normotensive patients with liver disease (6 with cirrhosis and 8 with chronic hepatitis) and 7 healthy volunteers were given a single oral dose of nilvadipine 2 mg. In addition, nilvadipine 4 mg was administered orally twice daily for several months to 6 hypertensive patients with mild liver dysfunction and 18 hypertensives with normal liver function. A significant increase in plasma nilvadipine was found in the patients with cirrhosis as compared both to the normal and chronic hepatitis subjects; the time to peak concentration was similar among the three groups. The peak plasma nilvadipine concentration was closely correlated both with the serum albumin level and the retention of indocyanine green. Changes in blood pressure, pulse rate and various vasoactive hormones following a single oral dose of nilvadipine did not differ between the groups. Thus, an increase in plasma nilvadipine relative to the level in normal subjects was demonstrated in patients with cirrhosis following a single oral dose, as well as in patients with slight liver dysfunction following long-term oral administration.

Administration, Oral

Comparison of withdrawing antihypertensive therapy between diuretics and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in essential hypertensives.

One hundred thirteen patients with essential hypertension receiving single or multiple antihypertensive agents were enrolled in the study. All had had mild to severe hypertension before treatment, but their diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at study entry was lower than 90 mm Hg for all measurements. In half of the subjects, non-thiazide diuretics (n = 35) or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI, n = 37) were discontinued, and their remaining drugs were maintained throughout the study. The other patients (n = 41) continued all their medications. Forty-one percent of subjects remained normotensive for 12 months after withdrawal of diuretics, and 37% of patients with ACEI discontinuation remained normotensive, although the recurrence of hypertension after withdrawal of ACEI tended to be earlier than its recurrence after withdrawal of diuretics. Serum uric acid and creatinine concentration decreased after diuretic withdrawal, but not after ACEI withdrawal. Diuretic withdrawal resulted in an increase in serum potassium, but ACEI withdrawal induced a decrease in serum potassium. Withdrawal of diuretics or ACEI both significantly reduced plasma renin activity. The present study may be indicative of the ability to withdraw some medications in many patients being treated with multiple antihypertensive agents.

Adult

Age-related changes in P2-purinergic receptors on vascular smooth muscle and endothelium.

The present study examined age-related changes in the vascular relaxation response to adenine nucleotides in hypertensive and normotensive rats. Aortic ring segments from normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), age 4-6, 9-10, and 13-14 weeks, were examined for relaxation to adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP). The extent of ATP-induced relaxation in aortic ring segments with intact endothelium was unchanged with advancing age. Rubbed (endothelium-denuded) ring preparations at the age of 4-6 weeks showed a dose-dependent relaxation similar to that of the unrubbed rings. With advancing age, the ATP-induced relaxation in the rubbed rings decreased and was abolished. The relaxation response did not differ between the SHR and WKY animals at any age, whether the preparations were rubbed or unrubbed. The stable ATP analogue beta,r-methylene ATP induced a relaxation response similar to ATP in rubbed rings at 4-6 weeks of age. In addition, treatment with 8-phenyltheophylline did not diminish the relaxation induced by ATP. ATP-induced relaxation may be manifested via the direct action on the vascular smooth muscle in young rats and may be altered through the response mediated by endothelium with advancing age. This suggests that the vascular smooth muscle of young rats has a P2-purinergic receptor leading to relaxation and that this receptor activity declines with advancing age. In contrast, a P2-purinergic receptor leading to the generation of endothelium-derived relaxing factor may be activated in endothelial cells with advancing age. The alterations with age of P2-purinergic receptor in the vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cell are not affected by genetic hypertension.

Adenosine Triphosphate

Decreased endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization to acetylcholine in smooth muscle of the mesenteric artery of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation to acetylcholine (ACh) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) may be impaired because of an imbalance of endothelium-derived relaxing factor and contracting factor. However, the role of the endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization remains undetermined. We examined the ACh-induced hyperpolarization and its contribution to relaxation in arteries of SHR. Membrane potentials were recorded from the mesenteric artery trunk of 6-8-month-old male SHR and also Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization to ACh was unaffected by NG-nitro-L-arginine, indomethacin, or glibenclamide; was reduced by tetraethylammonium or high K+ solution; and was enhanced by low K+ solution or methylene blue, thereby indicating that hyperpolarization is not mediated by nitric oxide (endothelium-derived relaxing factor) but is presumably mediated by a hyperpolarizing factor and is due to an opening of K+ channels that probably differ from the ATP-sensitive ones. Hyperpolarizations to ACh were markedly reduced in SHR compared with findings in WKY rats (maximum, 8 +/- 1 versus 17 +/- 1 mV). In addition, under conditions of depolarization with norepinephrine (10(-5) M), the ACh-induced hyperpolarization was even less and transient in SHR, while it was large and sustained in WKY rats (6 +/- 1 versus 29 +/- 2 mV). Endothelium-dependent relaxations to ACh in arterial rings precontracted with 10(-5) M norepinephrine were far less in SHR than in WKY rats, even in the presence of indomethacin. Furthermore, high K+ solution showed smaller inhibitory effects on the relaxations in SHR than in WKY rats. Endothelium-independent hyperpolarizations and relaxations to cromakalim, a K+ channel opener, were similar between SHR and WKY rats. It would thus appear that the endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization to ACh is reduced in SHR and this would, in part, account for the impaired relaxation to ACh in SHR mesenteric arteries.

Acetylcholine

Chronic cardiovascular effects of central vasopressin in conscious rats.

To clarify the cardiovascular effects of central vasopressin (AVP), a chronic intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of AVP was performed in conscious Wistar normotensive rats. Animals were divided into 3 groups: 1) AVP 1 ng/hr (Low), 2) AVP 100 ng/hr (High), and 3) saline (control) ICV infusion. After a 6 day control period, AVP or saline was continuously infused into the lateral cerebroventricle at a rate of 1 microliter/hr using osmotic minipump for 7 days. As a result, a dose-related elevation of AVP concentration in CSF was achieved. Systolic blood pressure in both Low and High AVP infusion was slightly (7-12 mmHg) but significantly higher than that in control. ICV infusion of AVP did not alter urine volume, electrolytes excretion or osmolality, and AVP vascular antagonist injected intravenously failed to affect mean arterial pressure. Furthermore, plasma catecholamines and renin activity did not differ significantly among the groups. Thus, chronic ICV infusion of AVP induced the elevation of blood pressure, which is due to centrally mediated effect of AVP.

Animals

Cerebrospinal fluid sodium and enhanced hypertension in salt-loaded spontaneously hypertensive rats.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: The present study was designed to determine whether increases in sodium concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) play a role in the augmented hypertension induced by long-term salt loading in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), and whether the enhanced arginine vasopressin (AVP) activity and/or the sympathetic nervous system contribute to the increased hypertension. METHODS: Measurement of CSF sodium concentration and systolic blood pressure of SHR during salt loading, with or without uninephrectomy, for 7 weeks. Assessment of the hypotensive response to AVP antagonist and hexamethonium, and the plasma levels of AVP and catecholamines. RESULTS: Salt-loading for 7 weeks led to gradual increase in hypertension in SHR. CSF sodium in the SHR was increased by a combination of uninephrectomy and saline-drinking after 7 weeks, but not 3 weeks. The difference in mean arterial pressure (MAP) among the three groups of SHR disappeared after the combined blockade of AVP and sympathetic nervous function. CSF sodium correlated with both resting MAP and the fall in MAP induced by the combined administration of AVP antagonist and hexamethonium. Plasma levels of AVP were significantly elevated in the salt-loaded uninephrectomized SHR. Plasma catecholamines did not change significantly as a result of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: We tentatively conclude that chronic salt loading may lead to an increase in CSF sodium, in association with an enhancement of sympathetic nerve activity and, to some extent, of AVP release. These events may explain the augmented development of hypertension in SHR.

Animals

Differential effects of diazoxide, cromakalim and pinacidil on adrenergic neurotransmission and 86Rb+ efflux in rat brain cortical slices.

The effects of diazoxide, cromakalim and pinacidil on depolarization-evoked tritium overflow from the rat brain cortical slices preloaded with [3H]noradrenaline were studied. Diazoxide inhibited both transmural nerve stimulation (TNS)- and 25 mM K(+)-evoked tritium overflows more potently than cromakalim. Diazoxide effects were only partially antagonized and cromakalim ones were totally reversed by 1 microM glibenclamide. Diazoxide, but not cromakalim, reduced the 45 mM K(+)-evoked tritium overflow, which was not antagonized by glibenclamide. Both diazoxide and cromakalim stimulated 86Rb+ efflux to a similar extent, the effects being completely abolished by glibenclamide. Glibenclamide (> or = 3 microM) by itself enhanced the TNS-evoked tritium overflow. Pinacidil increased both TNS- and K+ (25 and 45 mM)-evoked tritium overflows with little effect on 86Rb+ efflux. Pinacidil-induced increase in the TNS-evoked tritium overflow was still observed in the presence of cocaine or hydrocortisone. Pinacidil failed to affect the inhibitory action of xylazine on the TNS-evoked tritium overflow, whereas phentolamine attenuated it. These results indicate that ATP-sensitive K+ channels are present in the adrenergic nerve endings of rat brain. These channels seem to be pharmacologically different from those reported for vascular smooth muscles and pancreatic beta-cells.

Animals

Rat liver guanidinoacetate methyltransferase. Proximity of cysteine residues at positions 15, 90 and 219 as revealed by site-directed mutagenesis and chemical modification.

Cys-90 of rat liver guanidinoacetate methyltransferase is a very reactive residue, and chemical modification of this residue results in a large decrease in activity [Fujioka, Konishi & Takata (1988) Biochemistry 27, 7658-7664]. To understand better the role of Cys-90 in catalysis, this residue was replaced with alanine by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis. The mutant is active and has kinetic constants similar to those of wild-type, indicating that Cys-90 is not involved in catalysis and substrate binding. The u.v.-absorption, fluorescence and c.d. spectra are also unchanged. Reaction of the mutant with an equimolar amount of 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) or 2-nitro-5-thiocyanobenzoic acid results in an almost quantitative disulphide cross-linking between Cys-15 and Cys-21). The same treatment effects disulphide bond formation between Cys-15 and Cys-90 in wild type [Fujioka, Konishi & Takata (1988) Biochemistry 27, 7658-7664]. Since the mutant and wild-type enzymes appear to have similar secondary and tertiary structures, these results suggest that Cys-15, Cys-90 and Cys-219 of the methyltransferase occur spatially close together. The mutant cross-linked between Cys-15 and Cys-219 and the wild-type cross-linked between Cys-15 and Cys-90 show very similar spectroscopic properties. Although treatment of the mutant and wild-type enzymes with equimolar concentrations of 5,5'dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) causes a large loss of enzyme activity in each case, kinetic analyses with the modified enzymes suggest that cross-linking of Cys-15 with Cys-90 or Cys-219 does not abolish activity and does not result in a large change in the Michaelis constants. Incubation of the mutant enzyme with excess 2-nitro-5-thiocyanobenzoic acid leads to modification of Cys-207 in addition to Cys-15 and Cys-219. Retention of considerable enzyme activity in the modified enzyme indicates that Cys-207 is also not an essential residue.

Amino Acid Sequence

Mutation of the two carboxyl-terminal tyrosines results in an insulin receptor with normal metabolic signaling but enhanced mitogenic signaling properties.

Our previous studies have shown that the deletion of the insulin receptor carboxyl terminus impairs metabolic, but augments mitogenic, signaling (McClain, D. A., Maegawa, H., Levy, J., Huecksteadt, T., Dull, T. J., Lee, J., Ullrich, A., and Olefsky, J. M. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 8904-8911; Thies, R.S., Ulrich, A., and McClain, D. A. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 12820-12825). To explore further the regulatory role of the insulin receptor carboxyl terminus, a mutant insulin receptor was constructed in which the two tyrosines (Y1316 and Y1322) on the carboxyl terminus were replaced with phenylalanines. Rat 1 fibroblasts expressing high levels of this mutant receptor (Y/F2 cells) exhibited normal insulin binding and normal insulin internalization. The absence of the two tyrosines in the carboxyl terminus did not affect the phosphotransferase activity of the beta-subunit and insulin-stimulated glucose transport. However, the Y/F2 cells showed markedly enhanced sensitivity for insulin-stimulated DNA synthesis. Dose-response curves for both insulin-stimulated thymidine uptake and 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine incorporation in the Y/F2 cell lines were shifted to the left (4-10-fold) compared with those observed in the cells expressing similar numbers of wild type receptors. Thus, the two tyrosines of the insulin receptor carboxyl terminus do not modulate the kinase function of the insulin receptor, although they are autophosphorylated in native receptors. Moreover, these tyrosines are not necessary for stimulation of glucose transport. On the other hand, these results suggest that the two carboxyl-terminal tyrosine residues exert an inhibitory effect on mitogenic signaling in native insulin receptors.

Animals

Insulin resistance and diabetes due to different mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain of both insulin receptor gene alleles.

Mutations in the insulin receptor gene can lead to in vivo and in vitro insulin resistance and can be the cause of diabetes mellitus in selected patients. We have studied a 22-year-old diabetic woman with Type A insulin resistance and acanthosis nigricans. Insulin binding to the patient's erythrocytes, monocytes, adipocytes, fibroblasts, and transformed lymphocytes was decreased. Receptor autophosphorylation and tyrosine kinase activity toward an exogenous substrate were reduced in partially purified insulin receptors from the proband's transformed lymphocytes. Determination of the nucleotide sequence of the patient's insulin receptor cDNA revealed that the subject was a compound heterozygote who inherited two different mutant insulin receptor gene alleles. The paternal allele contains a missense mutation encoding the substitution of glutamine for arginine at position 981 in the tyrosine kinase domain of the receptor. The maternal allele contains a nonsense mutation causing premature termination after amino acid 988 in the beta-subunit, thereby deleting most of the kinase domain. The mRNA encoded by the allele with the premature stop codon is likely to be unstable, since mRNA transcripts from this allele were decreased markedly compared with the other allele. The mother, who is heterozygous for the nonsense mutation, exhibited only mild insulin resistance, whereas the proband was severely insulin-resistant; this indicates that the missense mutation is biologically significant. In summary, (1) we have identified a patient and her family with a genetic form of insulin resistance and diabetes due to a defect at the level of the insulin receptor; (2) the proband is a compound heterozygote displaying a missense mutation (position 981) in one allele and a nonsense mutation (position 988) in the other insulin receptor gene allele; (3) the missense mutation is in the kinase domain and encodes a receptor with impaired in vitro kinase activity; and (4) based on the in vitro and in vivo phenotype, the kinase domain mutation at position 981 is biologically significant leading to insulin resistance.

Adult

Recombinant rat guanidinoacetate methyltransferase: structure and function of the NH2-terminal region as deduced by limited proteolysis.

Recombinant rat liver guanidinoacetate methyltransferase, a monomeric protein with Mr 26,000, is inactivated upon incubation with low concentrations of trypsin. Examination of the reaction products by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and high-performance liquid chromatography followed by amino acid analysis and sequencing of isolated peptides reveals that the inactivation is due to the cleavage of the NH2-terminal segment after Arg20. The cleaved peptide is not tightly associated with the rest of the protein. The rate of inactivation is not affected by the presence of either S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) or guanidinoacetate, but a substantial retardation of inactivation is observed when both substrates are present. The cleavage at Arg20 is also slowed by cross-linking Cys15 and Cys90 by a disulfide bond. An equilibrium binding study shows that guanidinoacetate methyltransferase in the free form binds AdoMet but not guanidinoacetate. The trypsin-modified enzyme, despite having no catalytic activity, can weakly bind AdoMet and guanidinoacetate in the presence of AdoMet. Chymotrypsin rapidly hydrolyzes the peptide bond after Trp19, and elastase cleaves the bond after Ala24, leading in both cases to loss of activity. The results obtained in this study suggest that the portion of the methyltransferase around residues 19-24 is highly exposed to the solvent and flexible. The results also indicate that the NH2-terminal region is not directly involved in substrate binding but plays a role in catalysis.

Amino Acid Sequence

Lack of sympathetic augmentation in response to intravenous load of glucose in rabbits.

1. We investigated a link between sympathetic nervous function and carbohydrate metabolism by measuring renal sympathetic nerve activity in response to intravenous load of glucose in alpha-chloralose-urethane anaesthetized rabbits. 2. Intravenous infusion of a 25% glucose solution (0.5 g/kg) over 3 min caused a transient increase in arterial blood pressure and a decrease in renal sympathetic nerve activity. Thereafter, these parameters were restored and remained around preload levels while plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were still elevated. 3. Equimolar mannitol solution produced similar patterns of change in blood pressure and nerve activity without an elevation of plasma glucose and insulin levels. 4. The transient changes in blood pressure and renal nerve activity could be attributed to acute hypervolaemia indicated by similar changes in plasma osmolality and haematocrits in the two groups of treatment. 5. The present study did not support a close relationship between carbohydrate metabolism and the sympathetic nervous system regulating cardiovascular function.

Animals

A selective effect of protein kinase C activators on noradrenaline release compared with subsequent contraction in canine isolated saphenous veins.

1. Effects of protein kinase C (PKC) activators and inhibitors on both tritium overflow and subsequent contraction evoked by transmural nerve stimulation (TNS) were investigated in canine saphenous veins prelabelled with [3H]-noradrenaline. 2. Activation of PKC by stepwise increasing concentrations (0.01 nM-1 microM) of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) or mezerein caused a significant and concentration-dependent enhancement of the tritium overflow evoked by TNS, while the activators failed to affect the corresponding contraction except with the highest concentration of PDBu when the contraction was significantly reduced. Phorbol, which is inactive on PKC, had no effects on the tritium overflow and contraction induced by TNS. 3. PKC inhibitors, polymyxin B (1 and 10 microM) and the isoquinolinesulphonamide, H-7 (1 microM), inhibited significantly the phorbol ester-potentiated tritium overflow evoked by TNS with no effects on the contraction. H-7 and the related inhibitor H-8 at 10 microM reduced significantly both responses to TNS in the presence of TPA, while they suppressed only the TNS-induced contraction in the absence of TPA. 4. None of the PKC activators or inhibitors affected the spontaneous tritium overflow. 5. PDBu (0.01 and 0.1 microM) elevated resting tension of the veins more effectively than TPA and mezerein. 6. These results suggest that PKC may modulate electrically stimulated noradrenaline release from adrenergic nerve endings of the canine saphenous veins and the PKC activators may act more selectively on presynaptic than postsynaptic sites, but have no apparent effect on postjunctional noradrenergic mechanisms.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine