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Effects of cold preservation and rewarming on rat liver cell volume regulation and concentrative amino acid uptake.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Liver graft dysfunction is related to hypothermic preservation and may implicate altered cell volume homeostasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate how cold preservation and rewarming affect hepatocellular volume regulation and concentrative amino acid uptake. METHODS: Rat hepatocytes suspended for variable times in cold preservation solution were subsequently cultured at 37 degrees C. Cell viability was assessed by trypan blue exclusion. Cell volume was measured by videoplanimetric analysis of microscopic images. Amino acid uptake was assessed by measuring Na+-dependent cell swelling. RESULTS: Cell viability decreased as a function of cold storage time even as early as 4 hours. Upon hypotonic stress, cells swelled similarly irrespective of preservation time. However, the rate of subsequent regulatory volume decrease diminished significantly with increasing preservation time. Upon return to isotonic perfusate, cells shrunk to a similar extent, but the rate of regulatory volume increase was halved by cold storage beyond 24 hours. The rate of proline-induced cell swelling was diminished greatly after cold storage, unlike that induced by aminoisobutyric acid and glutamine. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatocellular volume regulatory mechanisms and concentrative proline uptake are significantly impaired after cold preservation and rewarming, unlike alpha-aminoisobutyric acid and glutamine uptake. This may favor chronic cell swelling after transplantation and participate in liver graft dysfunction.

Amino Acids↗

Stimulatory effects of ethanol on amino acid transport by rat fetal hepatocytes.

Previous studies have indicated that acute, and especially chronic, maternal ethanol consumption can depress placental uptake of various amino acids. Since the fetal cell itself represents a second barrier to nutrients, one which may be altered by ethanol exposure, the effects of ethanol on amino acid net uptake by rat fetal hepatocytes was addressed. The present study determined that ethanol stimulated amino acid net uptake by fetal hepatocytes grown in monolayer culture. Fetal liver cells were grown in custom Williams' E medium (without L-arginine and with L-ornithine) and exposed to epidermal growth factor (0, 1, 2 or 5 ng per ml) and ethanol (1.7 +/- 0.1 or 3.9 +/- 0.2 mg per ml). Addition of ethanol (3.9 mg per ml) to the culture medium completely blocked measurable cell replication during a 48-hr exposure period. Fetal hepatocytes exposed to ethanol accrued both protein and water in a parallel fashion, both in excess of that by control cells. Ethanol (1.7 and 3.9 mg per ml) for 48 hr stimulated alpha-aminoisobutyric acid net uptake by fetal hepatocytes (p less than 0.05). Efflux was not affected (p greater than 0.05). The onset of this significant stimulation of net uptake was progressive and required in excess of 6 hr of contact with ethanol. This ethanol stimulation of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid net uptake persisted for at least 24 hr following ethanol withdrawal. The component(s) of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid net uptake stimulated by ethanol was independent of extracellular Na+.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acids↗

The acute effects of growth hormone on amino acid transport and protein synthesis are due to its insulin-like action.

GH has acute stimulatory effects on amino acid transport and protein synthesis in a variety of tissues, but it has not been established whether these effects are expressions of the growth-promoting property of GH or of its separate insulin-like action. The 20,000-dalton structural variant of human GH (20K hGH) has been shown to have a high ratio of growth-promoting to insulin-like activity compared to native hGH (22K hGH), suggesting that it could be used as a tool to address the above question. Therefore, experiments were conducted to compare the relative abilities of native 22K hGH and 20K hGH, when added in vitro, to stimulate amino acid transport and protein synthesis in the isolated diaphragm of the female hypophysectomized rat. Paired intact hemidiaphragms were preincubated for 1 h in the absence or presence of various concentrations of 22K or 20K hGH. Then, 3-O-[14C]methylglucose was added to the medium to measure sugar transport as a test of insulin-like activity, and either alpha-[3H]aminoisobutyric acid acid or [3H] phenylalanine was also added to measure amino acid transport or protein synthesis, respectively, during a final hour of incubation. When the responses to the various concentrations of 22K and 20K were compared, 20K hGH was only about 20% as effective as 22K in stimulating 3-O-methylglucose transport, reflecting its markedly attenuated insulin-like activity on the diaphragm. Similarly, 20K hGH was only 20% as effective as 22K hGH in stimulating alpha-aminoisobutyric acid transport and phenylalanine incorporation into protein in the same muscles. Therefore, these findings support the idea that the rapid stimulatory effects of GH on amino acid transport and protein synthesis are expressions of the insulin-like action of GH and are not components of the response of target cells to its growth-promoting action.

3-O-Methylglucose↗

Effects of hormones and amino acid depletion on the kinetic parameters of amino acid uptake in monolayer cultures of rat hepatocytes.

Uptake of 2-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) at concentrations of 0.1 mM to 30 mM was examined in sodium-containing and sodium-free media in hepatocytes pretreated without hormones (control), with hormones, or with amino acid depletion. Results show that 1-minute but not 4-minute rates can be taken as initial rates for the total or sodium-dependent transport of AIB. The data for the 1-minute sodium-dependent transport of AIB were analyzed by a computer program and also by Eadie-Hofstee and Lineweaver-Burk plots, and a single saturable system was found. In the control cultures, the saturable system had a Km of 1-2 mM AIB and a Vmax of 1.2 nmoles AIB/mg protein/minute. There was an increase in the Vmax of two to three-fold after pretreating the cultures with insulin or amino acid depletion, three to four-fold with glucagon, and six to seven fold with glucagon + dexamethasone.

Amino Acids↗

Different signal transduction by epidermal growth factor may be responsible for the difference in modulation of amino acid transport between fetal and adult hepatocytes.

[1-14C]-2-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) uptake and signal transduction pattern after epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation were examined in freshly isolated hepatocytes from 20-day-old fetuses and 3-month-old rats. EGF induced a transient increase of AIB transport after 10 min only in adult animals; the observed unresponsiveness of fetal liver is not dependent on a lack of EGF receptors which are present though to a lesser extent on the plasma membrane in this period. As far as the production of the second messengers, inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and calcium, is concerned, substantial differences were found: EGF increased IP3 production in adult hepatocytes, whereas it had no effect in fetal ones. Moreover, the addition of EGF induced a calcium transient in hepatocytes from adult animals, while there was no increase in fetal cells. The lack of EGF effect on amino acid transport in fetal cells could be due to its inability to produce both IP3 and calcium transients, suggesting that this transduction pathway is not activated during fetal life.

Amino Acids↗

The effect of ethanol consumption during gestation on maternal-fetal amino acid metabolism in the rat.

The distribution of 14C-alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB), administered intravenously, in maternal, fetal and placental tissues was examined in the rat on gestation-day 21. Ethanol consumption during gestation (day 6 through 21) significantly reduced the uptake of AIB by the placenta and fetus while exerting no influence on maternal tissue AIB uptake. The concentration of fetal plasma free histidine was decreased 50% as a result of maternal ethanol ingestion, but the free histidine level of maternal plasma was not altered. Since no effect on protein content of fetal tissue could be detected, it is speculated that reduced histidine to the fetus might significantly alter the amounts of histamine and carnosine formed via their precursor. The significance of these findings in relation to the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is discussed.

Amino Acids↗

The influence of an uncoupler on amino acid accumulation in Ehrlich mouse ascites tumor cells.

In Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP) acts at two different sites depending upon the concentration employed. (1) In non-glycolysing respiring cells, FCCP is seen to uncouple the mitochondria and thereby it inhibits the ATP-dependent (Na+, K+) pump. (2) In glycolysing cells, FCCP does not affect the electrogenic (Na+, K+) pump, but depolarizes the plasma membrane potential difference as visualized by the distribution of the lipid-soluble cation, tetraphenylphosphonium, and by an inhibition of the rheogenic, Na+-dependent uptake of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. A depolarization by FCCP also occurs under conditions where a K+-diffusion potential is present and the pump is blocked by metabolic inhibition or by ouabain. Depolarization and FCCP-induced increase in H+ fluxes across the plasma membrane exhibit a similar FCCP-concentration dependency. The imposition of proton-concentration differences in the presence of FCCP inhibits (pHi > pHo) or stimulates (pHi < pHo) alpha-aminoisobutyric acid uptake and tetraphenylphosphonium accumulation. The experiments indicate that FCCP shifts the plasma membrane potential of Ehrlich cells, which are normally relatively impermeable for protons, towards an H+-diffusion potential.

Amino Acids↗

Inhibition of methionine transport by methotrexate in mitogen-stimulated human lymphocytes.

Mitogen stimulation of human lymphocytes was used to study the expression of several amino acid transport systems in response to cell growth. Resting lymphocytes possess detectable neutral amino acid transport systems which can be activated by the mitogen, phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Sodium-independent transport of 2-aminobicyclo (2,2,1) heptane 2-carboxylic acid was similar in resting and stimulated lymphocytes. However, sodium-dependent uptake of methyl aminoisobutyric acid and alpha-aminoisobutyric acid increased threefold to eightfold with stimulation by PHA. Methionine uptake was primarily sodium-independent in resting lymphocytes, whereas methionine uptake increased fourfold to eightfold in stimulated cells; most of this increase was attributable to sodium-dependent transport. Uptake of methotrexate (MTX) was minimal in resting lymphocytes but was maximal 72 hrs after stimulation with PHA; this increase in MTX uptake was accompanied by inhibition of sodium-dependent methionine transport. These results suggest that PHA activates sodium-dependent transport of methionine and that this activation is blocked by the folate antagonist, MTX.

Biological Transport↗

Capsaicin and blood-brain barrier permeability.

The influence of perivascular sensory afferent nerve fibres upon the permeability of the blood-brain barrier was examined in halothane-anaesthetised rats. Blood-brain barrier permeability was assessed by the rate of transfer of the small neutral amino acid, [14C]alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, from blood to brain and by gross extravasation of Evans blue albumin. In every brain area examined, the acute administration of capsaicin (0.15-5 mumol/kg, i.v.) failed to alter significantly the passage into the brain of the small neutral amino acid tracer or to effect dye extravasation. Capsaicin, at concentrations which cause the release of vasoactive neuropeptides from nerve endings and increase vascular permeability in peripheral tissues, does not increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier.

Aminoisobutyric Acids↗

Effects of heavy metals on nitrogen uptake by Paxillus involutus and mycorrhizal birch seedlings.

The effects of the heavy metals Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb and Zn on [(14)C]methylamine and [(14)C]aminoisobutyric acid uptake were studied in the free-living fungus Paxillus involutus and in mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal birch roots. The uptake of both N sources by P. involutus was inhibited by the five metals tested. However, Cu(2+) and Pb(2+) had a greater inhibitory effect. Non-competitive inhibitions were determined between heavy metals and [(14)C]methylamine uptake. [(14)C]Methylamine uptake was reduced by one third by 2 µM Cd(2+) and Cu(2+) in non-mycorrhizal roots, whereas that of mycorrhizal roots was not affected. However, it was reduced by 30 to 80% by 200 µM Cd(2+) and Cu(2+) irrespective of the mycorrhizal status. [(14)C]Aminoisobutyric acid uptake in mycorrhizal roots was not significantly affected by Cd(2+) and Cu(2+), whereas that of non-mycorrhizal roots was decreased by 77% at 200 µM Cu(2+). [(14)C]Aminoisobutyric acid uptake was 4.5 to 6 fold higher in mycorrhizal roots, compared with non-mycorrhizal roots, even under metal exposure. The high efficiency of N acquisition by mycorrhizal birch seedlings under metal exposure might be regarded as a mechanism of stress avoidance.

Journal Article↗

Thymidine degradation products in plant tissues labeled with tritiated thymidine.

A study of the metabolic pathways of H(3)-thymidine utilization in buds of Lilium longiflorum and root tips of Vicia faba was undertaken in order to obtain information that might explain the binding of H(3) from H(3)-thymidine in the cytoplasm of these plants. H(3)-thymidine was administered for various periods of time, the tissues were fixed and processed in the manner routinely used in preparation for sectioning and autoradiography, and the radioactivity removed in this way from the tissues was determined. It was found that the ethanol/acetic acid fixative contained the major portion of the radioactivity. Analysis of this extract by paper chromatography showed that the radioactivity was distributed among various degradation products of thymidine, principally beta-ureidoisobutyric acid and beta-aminoisobutyric acid. Time course experiments with Vicia showed that these degradation products rapidly appeared in the tissue during incubation with H(3)-thymidine, while H(3)-thymine appeared in the incubation medium. Preliminary studies indicated that Vicia root tips incubated with H(3)-dihydrothymine for 24 hours would bind a small amount of H(3) non-specifically in the cells. It seems unlikely that utilization of degradation products of H(3)-thymidine is sufficient to explain labeling which is concentrated in the cytoplasm.

Aminoisobutyric Acids↗

Growth-dependent AIB and meAIB uptake in LLC-PK1 cells: effects of differentiation inducers and of TPA.

Cultured pig kidney cells designated LLC-PK1, previously shown to acquire Na+-dependent concentrative transport of hexoses as the cells become growth arrested, also show Na+-dependent concentrative uptake of the amino acid analogs alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) and (methyl) meAIB. This A system-like transport is most active in sparse, growing cultures and becomes stepped down at confluence. The cell/medium equilibrium distribution ratio of the lipophilic cation tetraphenylphosphonium ion (TPP+) decreases in parallel fashion, suggesting that a decrease in membrane potential may be a major factor in the stepdown. Differentiation inducers (hexamethylene bisacetamide) and phosphodiesterase inhibitors (theophylline, methylisobutyl xanthine) accelerate the stepdown, but even in the presence of these compounds addition of the tumor promoter 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) results in the maintenance of a high level of AIB and meAIB uptake. In all these respects the changes in A system-like amino acid transport are the reciprocal of those seen for concentrative hexose transport, although the driving force appears to be the same for both systems. The TPA analogs phorbol and 4-0-methyl TPA which are inactive in tumor promotion are inactive in this system as well. In confluent, already stepped-down cultures, addition of TPA leads to a rapid (2-6 hour) stimulation of AIB and meAIB uptake. The enhancement is sensitive to cycloheximide and actinomycin D. The ouabain-sensitive fraction of meAIB uptake is not markedly changed in the TPA-enhanced uptake, nor is the TPP+ distribution ratio elevated in TPA-treated cells, making it unlikely that the TPA effect is through an alteration in the membrane potential.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

The effects of nitrogen mustard (HN2) on activities of the plasma membrane of PC6A mouse plasmacytoma cells.

Nitrogen mustard, HN2 (10(-5) M), inhibited the transport of the potassium congener 86rubidium into PC6A mouse plasmacytoma cells by 45% after a 4 hr incubation at 37 degree in vitro. HN2 (10(-3) M) had a rapid effect on the profile of 86rubidium transport into PC6A cells when added simultaneously with the 86rubidium whereas a monofunctional analogue of HN2((2-chloroethyl)dimethylamine) had no effect at 10(-3) M. The transport of the amino acid analogues alpha-aminoisobutyric acid and cycloleucine into PC6A cells was inhibited by 19% and 5% respectively after a 4 hr incubation with 10(-5) M HN2. The results suggest that the activity of plasma membrane Na+K+-ATPase may be affected by HN2. This enzyme may play a pivotal role in controlling cell growth and division. Crude cell membrane preparations from PC6A cells had variable Na+K+-ATPase activity which was possibly due to contamination with mitochondrial Mg2+-ATPase. Incubation of a crude cell membrane preparation in the presence of 40 nM dicyclohexylcarbodiimide gave constant Na+K+-ATPase activity which was inhibited by 44% on incubation with HN2 (10(-3) M) for 0.5 hr. The monofunctional analogue of HN2 inhibited this preparation by only 7% under the same conditions. It is suggested that inhibition of Na+K+-ATPase by HN2 may be an important facet of its cytotoxic activity.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

Sensitization of human fibroblasts to insulin-like growth factor I by serum deprivation and dexamethasone pretreatment.

Pretreatment of confluent human fibroblast cultures for two days in dexamethasone, serum free medium increased 10-20 fold the sensitivity of the cells to insulin-like growth factor I (IGF I) stimulation of amino acid uptake using the amino acid analog alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB). This increased sensitivity resulted both from the use of serum free medium and the addition of dexamethasone to the serum free media. Pretreatment of the cells for 1, 2, or 3 days before assay showed that the maximum increase in sensitivity was obtained after a two day pretreatment. Pretreatment of the cells also increased their sensitivity to insulin and bovine insulin-like growth factor II stimulation of AIB uptake similar to that seen for IGF I. No consistent effect of the pretreatment was observed on either the basal level of AIB uptake or the maximal hormonal stimulation of AIB uptake. Nor was any change noted in the shape of the dose response curves. Addition of IGF I to the pretreatment medium greatly reduced the sensitivity of pretreated cells. [125I]IGF I binding studies done on suspended fibroblasts indicated that there was up to a two fold increase in the number of receptors with no increase in their affinity for IGF I. Thus, pretreatment of fibroblasts with dexamethasone and serum free medium greatly enhances their sensitivity to IGF I stimulation of AIB uptake and makes this an excellent in vitro bioassay system for IGF I.

Aminoisobutyric Acids↗

The presence of lactogen but not growth hormone binding sites in the isolated rat hepatocyte.

The binding of 125I-labelled human growth hormone (hGH) and bovine growth hormone (bGH) has been studied in hepatocytes isolated from female rats by perfusion with collagenase in situ. The cells appeared to retain normal membrane function, in that amino acid ([14C]alpha-aminoisobutyric acid) transport was both saturable and temperature-dependent. Amino acid ([14C]leucine) incorporation into protein was also linear over 3 h and was inhibited by cycloheximide. Binding of 125I-labelled hGH was dependent on time, temperature, hepatocyte concentration and hGH concentration. At 22 degrees C, binding reached a steady-state after 2-5 h and had a half-life of dissociation of 2-3 h. Hormone specificity studies indicated that binding was specific for hormones with prolactin-like activity (hGH, prolactins) and not for growth hormones themselves (bGH). Scatchard analysis revealed a single class of binding site with a binding capacity of 26-74+/-3-73 fmol/10(6) cells and a binding affinity of 1-24 X 10(9)+/-0-17 X 10(9) (S.E.M.) 1/mol (n=10). There was a significant sex difference in binding (female greater than male) and binding was subject to marked regulation by oestrogens (stimulation of binding) and by androgens (inhibition). The lactogen-binding sites, therefore, were comparable in many respects to those previously reported in rat liver membranes. No distinct GH binding sites were demonstrable as shown by the lack of specific binding by 125I-labelled bGH, purified either by Sephadex chromatography or by binding to and elution from GH receptors in rabbit liver membranes. The value of receptor purification of tracer for use in hormone binding studies was indicated by a substantial lowering of non-specific binding.

Aminoisobutyric Acids↗

Improved detection of human antibodies to a Plasmodium antigen using a peptide modified with Aib residues.

A 17-mer sequence was selected as a model to study the influence of modifications of terminal ends both on the conformational of a peptide and on its antigenicity towards naturally developing antibodies. This sequence corresponded to a tandemly repeated motif, found in a long repetitive region, with high helical propensity, of a Plasmodium falciparum liver-stage antigen (LSA-1), immunogenic in man. Our model peptide was synthesized with ionizable or non-ionizable ends, or modified in both extremities by introduction of the helix-promoting residue alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib). Helical contribution, absent in the 17 amino-acid sequence possessing ionizable ends, was detectable when non-ionizable ends were introduced, and dramatically increased in the Aib-modified analogue. The presence of ionizable ends totally abolished reactivity towards human sera, otherwise detectable with the peptide possessing non-ionizable ends. While modification by Aib residues was neither detrimental nor beneficial to antigenicity in solution, it clearly resulted in an improved sensitivity of the specific antibody detection when used as solid-phase antigen in ELISA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Packing interactions of Aib-containing helices: molecular modeling of parallel dimers of simple hydrophobic helices and of alamethicin.

alpha-Aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) is a helicogenic alpha, alpha-dimethyl amino acid found in channel-forming peptaibols such as alamethicin. Possible effects of Aib on helix-helix packing are analyzed. Simulated annealing via restrained molecular dynamics is used to generate ensembles of approximately parallel helix dimers. Analysis of variations in geometrical and energetic parameters within ensembles defines how tightly a pair of helices interact. Simple hydrophobic helix dimers are compared: Ala20, Leu20, Aib20, and P20, the latter a simple channel-forming peptide [G. Menestrina, K.P. Voges, G. Jung, and G. Boheim (1986) Journal of Membrane Biology, Vol. 93, pp. 111-132]. Ala20 and Leu20 dimers exhibit well-defined ridges-in-grooves packing with helix crossing angles (omega) of the order of +20 degrees. Aib20 alpha-helix dimers are much more loosely packed, as evidenced by a wide range of omega values and small helix-helix interaction energies. However, when in a 3(10) conformation Aib20 helices pack in three well-defined parallel modes, with omega ca. -15 degrees, +5 degrees, and 10 degrees. Comparison of helix-helix interaction energies suggests that dimerization may favor the 3(10) conformation. P20, with 8 Aib residues, also shows looser packing of alpha-helices. The results of these studies of hydrophobic helix dimers are analyzed in the context of the ridges-in-grooves packing model. Simulations are extended to dimers of alamethicin, and of an alamethicin derivative in which all Aib residues are replaced by Leu. This substitution has little effect on helix-helix packing. Rather, such interactions appear to be sensitive to interactions between polar side chains. Overall, the results suggest that Aib may modulate the packing of simple hydrophobic helices, in favor of looser interactions. For more complex amphipathic helices, interactions between polar side chains may be more critical.

Alamethicin↗

Conformation of the RNA polymerase II C-terminal domain: circular dichroism of long and short fragments.

The C-terminal domain (CTD) of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II consists of tandemly repeated copies of a heptapeptide with the Y(1)S(2)P(3)T(4)S(5)P(6)S(7) consensus sequence. This repeat contains two overlapping SPXX motifs that can adopt a beta-turn conformation. In addition, each CTD repeat contains the PXXP sequence characteristic of the left-handed helix of polyproline II (P(II)) found in SH3 domain ligands and the PXY sequence that is the target for WW domains. We have studied CTD fragments using circular dichroism (CD) to characterize the conformation of the CTD in water and in the hydrogen bond-promoting solvent trifluoroethanol (TFE). In water, an eight-repeat fragment is predominantly unordered, but at 32 degrees C has P(II) and beta-turn contents estimated to be about 15 % and less than 10 %, respectively. In 90 % TFE, the beta-turn fraction is estimated to be about 75 %, the remainder being unordered and P(II) conformations. The Tyr side-chains are ordered to a significant extent in 90 % TFE. Replacement of the fully conserved Pro residues by alpha-aminoisobutyric acid leads to a large increase in beta-turn. Replacement of Ser2 by Ala does not substantially alter the CTD conformation in water or TFE. Ser5 replacement by Ala increases the P(II) content in water and affects the conformation in TFE-rich solutions. Phosphorylation of Ser2 and Ser5 has little effect in water, but Ser2 affects the conformation in TFE-rich solution in much the same way as Ser5-->Ala substitution. The CD of the full-length murine CTD in water is similar to that of the eight-repeat fragment, indicating little difference in conformation with increasing chain length beyond eight repeats. The roles of P(II) and beta-turn in the interaction of CTD with its target proteins (mediator and RNA-processing components) are discussed. The most likely interactions are between P(II) and WW or SH3 domains, or with some unknown P(II)-binding motif.

Amino Acid Motifs↗