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Effects of age on diabetes- and insulin-induced changes in pancreatic levels of alpha-amylase and its mRNA.

During aging, protein synthesis undergoes decremental changes in many organs and tissues. In the pancreas, as well as in other exocrine glands, the rate of protein synthesis declines with age. However, it is unknown whether this decline is related to intrinsic aging changes which affect the secretory cell function. In this study, we compared the ability of pancreatic acinar cells to synthesize amylase and its messenger RNA (mRNA) in response to insulin treatment of young and old rats rendered diabetic with streptozotocin (STZ). In STZ-induced diabetic rats, amylase protein and its mRNA levels were reduced drastically in the pancreas of young and old groups. Injections of these diabetic rats with insulin increased pancreatic amylase mRNA contents significantly in both young and old rats. Insulin also increased proportions of amylase protein synthesis in the pancreas of both age groups. These results indicate that the pancreatic cells remain effective during aging in their transcriptional activity for functional amylase mRNA in response to an exogenous stimulus of insulin.

Aging↗

Hydrophobic cluster analysis of the primary sequences of alpha-amylases.

The amino acid sequences of 18 alpha-amylases have been compared by hydrophobic cluster analysis. The method was first calibrated with two alpha-amylases (Aspergillus oryzae and pig pancreas) whose three-dimensional structures are known. It was then applied to the other alpha-amylases resulting in straightforward sequence alignments which could be used for structure prediction. It was found that all alpha-amylases which were investigated display the same basic super-secondary structure with a (beta alpha)8 barrel. Most of the secondary structure elements of the protein cores could be assigned to segments of the amino acid sequences. In addition, six sub-families could be identified, based upon specific similarities occurring in the variable regions of alpha-amylases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Ca2+ and cyclic nucleotide dependence of amylase release from isolated rat pancreatic acinar cells rendered permeable by intense electric fields.

Enzyme digestion of rat pancreatic tissue yielded a preparation of isolated acinar cells, over 90% of which excluded trypan blue. These isolated cells responded to a variety of secretagogues, the responses being sensitive to the removal of extracellular calcium, increasing extracellular magnesium, and by trifluoperazine, an antagonist of Ca-dependent processes. When exposed to intense electric fields, isolated acinar cells became permeable to CaEGTA and MgATP, these markers gaining access to over 60% of the intracellular milieu within minutes. The accessibility to these markers seemed independent of the ionised Ca2+ level. Less than 0.5% of the cellular amylase was released when cells were rendered leaky in a medium containing about 10(-9) M Ca2+, but typically 4% was released when the Ca2+ level was subsequently raised to 10(-5)M levels, the EC50 for Ca2+ being 2 microM. This amount of amylase released was comparable to the amounts secreted from intact cells in response to a variety of agonists. The cytosolic marker lactate dehydrogenase was also released from leaky cells, but the extent was independent of Ca2+ concentration. No amylase was released at 10(-7)M Ca2+ when permeable cells were exposed to cyclic 3',5'-AMP or cyclic 3',5'-GMP. The calcium activation curve for amylase release seemed to be independent of cyclic nucleotides, but was markedly increased in both the extent of release and apparent affinity for Ca2+ in the presence of the phorbol ester 12-0-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13 acetate. These results suggest that when "functionally normal" isolated acinar cells are rendered permeable, Ca2+-but not cyclic nucleotides-acts as a second messenger for amylase secretion, and furthermore that protein kinase C may be involved in the secretory process.

Amylases↗

The crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) releases amylase from the crayfish midgut gland.

The present study aimed to investigate the role of eyestalk factors in the neuroendocrine control of the crustacean midgut gland concerning the release of amylase. The crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) is considered to be a candidate for this role. An optimum concentration (1.05 nM) CHH increased the in vitro release of amylase about 13-fold. CHH from Carcinus only slightly increased amylase release from Orconectes midgut glands, suggesting a species- or group-specificity. Studies on the possible mechanism of action concentrated on the role of Ca2+, cAMP and cGMP. Extracellular Ca2+ seems to be necessary to produce the amylase-releasing effect of CHH. Addition of dibutyryl derivatives of the cyclic nucleotides evoked the same effect as CHH. Additionally, the presence of forskolin in the incubation medium had an amylase-releasing effect, which points to a role of cAMP in the mode of action.

Amylases↗

Cloning and characterization of an alpha-amylase gene from Streptomyces lividans.

The alpha-amylase gene (amy) of Streptomyces lividans TK24 was cloned in an amylase deficient mutant strain S. lividans M2. The cloned gene contained an open reading frame (ORF) of 2757 nucleotides (919 amino acids) coding for a protein of 100 kDa. Sequencing of the amino terminus of the extracellular alpha-amylase protein revealed the presence of a signal peptide of 33 amino acid residues. The transcriptional initiation site was mapped by the primer extension method with T4 DNA polymerase and was found to be transcribed from an unique promoter. The alpha-amylase protein produced by S. lividans was larger than those derived from other origins. It also contained the four common conserved regions characteristic of other alpha-amylase proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effect of limited proteolysis in the 8th loop of the barrel and of antibodies on porcine pancreas amylase activity.

The porcine pancreatic alpha-amylase is a (beta/alpha)8-barrel protein, containing domains A and B (peptide sequence 1-403) and a distinct C-domain (peptide sequence 404-496). Separation of the terminal C-domain from the A and B domains has been attempted by limited proteolysis in the hinge region. Subtilisin was found to hydrolyse amylase between residues 369 and 370 situated in the loop between the eighth beta-strand and alpha-helix. The cleaved amylase was isolated by chromatofocusing and found to retain about 60% of the activity of the native enzyme, while the isolated fragments were inactive. Antigen binding fragments prepared from polyclonal antibodies to native amylase and the CNBr-fragment P1 (peptide sequence 395-496) respectively, were tested for influence on the enzyme activity. Antibodies directed against P1 had no effect whereas antibodies against the peptide sequence 1-394 and amylase respectively inhibited hydrolysis of substrates having four or more glucose residues but not of shorter oligomaltosides. Crystallographic analysis revealed that changes in the region of residue 369 might affect the conformation of the active site as well as of a second binding site. This site, located on the enzyme surface, is proposed to be required for the hydrolysis of larger substrates.

Amylases↗

Calcium concentration and amylase secretion in guinea pig pancreatic acini: interactions between carbachol, cholecystokinin octapeptide and the phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate.

The effects of the phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) on amylase secretion and cytoplasmic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) were investigated in dispersed guinea pig pancreatic acini. Carbachol evoked dose-dependent increases in amylase secretion and [Ca2+]i with half-maximal responses at 2.5 and 5 microM, respectively. Carbachol-induced calcium transients could be blocked by atropine. In the presence of a maximal effective dose of carbachol, cholecystokinin octapeptide caused no further increase in [Ca2+]i, suggesting that both agonists act on the same pool of trigger calcium. TPA (10(-9)-10(-6) M) stimulated amylase secretion with no change in [Ca2+]i. Maximum amylase secretion occurred at 0.5 microM TPA. Preincubation of acini in the presence of TPA resulted in a time- and dose-dependent inhibition (IC50 = 30 nM) of the carbachol-induced rise in [Ca2+]i, the maximal effect being observed within 3 min. The inactive phorbol ester, 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate was ineffective in inhibiting the carbachol-stimulated rise in [Ca2+]i. These findings suggest that, in addition to stimulating amylase secretion, probably through protein kinase C, TPA may also exert a negative feedback control over secretagogue-induced calcium transients.

Amylases↗

Effects of sodium ions and monensin on amylase secretion from rat parotid cells.

The role of sodium ions in amylase secretion from rat parotid cells was studied using various Na+-free media and monensin. In a sucrose medium, amylase secretion was not stimulated by isoproterenol but was significantly stimulated by dibutyryl cAMP. In choline chloride and LiCl media, both isoproterenol and dibutyryl cAMP clearly evoked amylase release. Monensin itself elicited amylase secretion slightly, but significantly inhibited the secretion stimulated by isoproterenol or dibutyryl cAMP. The inhibitory effect of monensin was detectable even in choline chloride, LiCl and KCl media. These results indicate that sodium ions are not essential for amylase secretion from rat parotid cells and that the inhibitory effect of monensin is independent of influx of sodium ions or efflux of potassium ions.

Amylases↗

Comparison of prolonged in vivo inhibitory activity of several potent bombesin (BN) antagonists on BN-stimulated amylase secretion in the rat.

New BN analogues designed to be competitive receptor antagonists at the BN/gastrin releasing peptide receptor(s) can exhibit diverse properties ranging from full antagonist, partial agonist or weak agonist activity, depending on the assay system and animal species employed. Here we evaluate the following 3 antagonists which have the most potent receptor affinities in several in vitro assay systems and are representative of 3 main classes of BN antagonists for their in vivo effects on pancreatic amylase secretion in the rat: [D-Cpa6,Phe14,psi 13-14]BN(6-14), [D-Phe6]BN(6-13) propylamide, and [D-Phe6]BN(6-13) methyl ester. After injection in the rat, the methyl ester was clearly the most potent antagonist and completely inhibited BN-stimulated amylase release at the 20 nmol/kg (IV bolus) for about 2 h. In contrast, the propylamide analogue at the 200 nmol/kg (IV bolus) dose produced incomplete inhibition of amylase release. Inhibition was transient and lasted for only about 1 h, possibly reflecting the significant agonist activity of this latter peptide in the rat pancreatic amylase secretion test in vitro. The psi-analogue, while being the longest acting analogue, was also incapable of lowering amylase to basal level at 50 times the BN dose, suggesting that it is a mixed agonist-antagonist in vivo as was also previously shown in vitro in the rat.

Amylases↗

Galanin inhibits rat pancreatic amylase release via cholinergic suppression.

The effects of galanin on pancreatic exocrine function were examined using rat pancreatic tissues. In anesthetized rats, galanin (40 micrograms/kg/h) decreased amylase secretion stimulated by 2-deoxy glucose (5.8 +/- 0.1 vs. 3.1 +/- 0.1 times basal) and cholecystokinin octapeptide (21.5 +/- 0.6 vs. 16.8 +/- 0.5), while not inhibiting bethanechol-stimulated secretion. In dispersed acini, there was no effect of galanin alone (10(-8) to 10(-13) M) on amylase release, nor did galanin (10(-6) or 10(-8) M) coincubation affect amylase release stimulated by bethanechol (10(-3) to 10(-7) M) or CCK-8 (10(-8) to 10(-13) M). Using pancreatic lobules, coincubation with galanin (10(-6) M) suppressed 75 mM KCl-stimulated amylase secretion and ACh release (10.1 +/- 0.6% vs. 7.3 +/- 0.4%). Veratridine-stimulated (10(-4) M) amylase secretion and ACh release (12.4 +/- 1.7% vs. 8.5 +/- 0.7%) were similarly diminished.

Acetylcholine↗

The utility of salivary amylase as an evaluation of M3 muscarinic agonist activity in Alzheimer's disease.

1. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled phase I study of the safety/tolerance of two doses of xanomeline tartrate (100 mg and 115 mg tid) given to 12 AD patients, the authors measured serum amylase, fractionated into pancreatic and salivary isoenzymes, as a potential marker for M3 activity associated with maximally tolerated dose (MTD). 2. MTD of xanomeline was determined to be 100 mg tid based on intolerable adverse events at 115 mg tid. One patient at the 115 mg tid level presented with moderate hypersalivation and salivary amylase levels 400% of baseline. 3. Overall amylase results were not significant, however a trend in the results for salivary amylase in the 115 mg panel suggests that salivary amylase may be a useful marker for M3 activity.

Aged↗

Cholinergic regulation of cyclic nucleotide levels, amylase release, and K+ efflux from rat parotid glands.

Carbachol increased amylase release and K+ efflux from rat parotid tissue slices. The amount of amylase released was small compared to that released by isoproterenol. The effect of carbachol on amylase release and K+ efflux was a direct effect. This conclusion was based on the finding that the stimulatory effects of carbachol were blocked only by atropine and not by propanolol or phentolamine. In addition to the above effects, carbachol also caused a rapid increase in the parotid guanosine-3', 5' cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) levels without a discernable effect on adenosine-3',5' cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) levels. The increase in cGMP level caused by carbachol was blocked by atropine and not by phentolamine. The stimulatory effect of carbachol on amylase release was not additive with that of isoproterenol or dibutyryl cAMP. Although carbachol had no effect on basal cAMP levels it did inhibit increases in cAMP caused by isoproterenol. Similarly isoproterenol inhibited increased in parotid cGMP levels caused by carbachol. Unlike the apparent nonadditivity between the effects of isoproterenol and carbachol on amylase release and cAMP and cGMP accumulation, the effects on K+ efflux were additive. The possibility of a role for cGMP in mediating the effects of cholinergic agonists on K+ efflux was lessened by our observations that 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine enhanced the effect of limiting concentrations of carbachol on cGMP accumulation while not enhancing the effects of carbachol on K+ efflux.

Amylases↗

Amylase release from rat parotid glands. I. General characteristics.

The involvement of calcium, ATP, and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity in the release of amylase from rat parotid glands was examined. Pretreatment of the glandular tissue in 11.25 mM Ca2+ medium potentiated the secretory responses to: dibutyryl cyclic AMP, elevation of the extracellular K+ concentration, reduction of the H+ concentration, La3+, and caffeine. Uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation blocked release induced by dibutyryl cyclic AMP, K+, and reduction of H+, but had no effect on La3+, caffeine or tolbutamide-stimulated release. Inhibition of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity blocked only dibutyryl cyclic AMP-induced release and did not inhibit the responses to K+, reduction of H+ or caffeine. The loss of lactate dehydrogenase was used to access the integrity of the tissue during amylase release. No significant increase in the release of lactate dehydrogenase was observed during the secretory responses to: dibutyryl cyclic AMP, La3+, caffeine, or tolbutamide. Triton X-100 and ethanol increased the efflux of both amylase and lactate dehydrogenase. The differential involvement of Ca2+, ATP, and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity in amylase release induced by the various secretagogues suggests that three types of reactions are involved in the release of amylase.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Evidence against cyclic GMP as a mediator of the actions of secretagogues on amylase release from guinea-pig pancreas.

In dispersed acini from guinea-pig pancrease several pancreatic secretagogues increased calcium outflux, cyclic GMP and amylase secretion, whereas nitroprusside and hydroxylamide increased cyclic GMP but did not increase calcium outflux or amylase secretion and did not alter the action of secretagogues on calcium outflux or amylase secretion. Secretin and vasoactive intestinal peptide increased cyclic AMP and increased secretion but did not alter cyclic GMP. Nitroprusside and hydroxylamine did not alter cyclic AMP or the action of secretin or vasoactive intestinal peptide on cyclic AMP and enzyme secretion. Agents that increased cyclic GMP also caused release of the nucleotide into the extracellular medium; however, this release did not correlate with secretion of amylase into the extracellular medium. 8-Bromo cyclic AMP as well as 8-bromo cyclic GMP increased enzyme secretion and potentiated the increase in enzyme secretion caused by cholecystokinin or carbachol. The increase in amylase secretion caused by vasoactive intestinal peptide or secretin plus either of the cyclic nucleotide derivatives was the same as that caused by the peptide alone. These results indicate that cyclic GMP does not mediate the action of secretagogues on pancreatic enzyme secretion, that the release of cyclic GMP into the extracellular medium does not occur by exocytosis and that the increase in enzyme secretion caused by 8-bromo cyclic GMP results from its ability to mimic the action of endogenous cyclic AMP.

Amylases↗

Features of the beta-amylase isoform system in dry and germinating seeds of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.).

Five isoforms of beta-amylase were purified to homogeneity from alfalfa seeds (Medicago sativa L.) by chromatofocusing and cation-exchange chromatography. These isoforms were identified as beta-amylase based on their catalytic mode to the substrates. These isoforms of beta-amylase were also found in germinating seeds of alfalfa. All the isoforms existed in free form, because they could be extracted without reducing agent. The five isoforms had different isoelectric points (5.05, 4.97, 4.85, 4.82 and 4.77), but their Mr was the same (61 kDa) on SDS-polyacrylamide gels. The amino acid compositions were similar, but not identical, to each other. An antiserum raised against one of the five isoforms cross-reacted with all of other isoforms, but did not recognize the component 2 of soybean beta-amylase. The amounts of five isoforms increased during seed germination, which was responsible for significant increase of the beta-amylase activity in germinating seeds.

Amino Acids↗

Biochemical properties of amylase isozymes from Gammarus palustris. A comparative study.

Two major alpha-amylase isozymes from Gammarus palustris were purified and characterized. These isozymes, Amy IW and Amy Ic, exhibit a seasonal pattern of expression. In this article we investigate whether the seasonal variation has an adaptive significance. In addition, the species-specific properties of amylases were studied. Purification of the isozymes was achieved by sequential glycogen-ethanol precipitation, Sephadex G-200 and ion exchange chromatography. Characterization in terms of Km, activity patterns at different temperatures, pH values and salt concentrations was done for both isozymes. In addition, the distribution of enzymatic products was analyzed in a high-performance liquid chromatography system. In all conditions tested, the two isozymes gave similar results. This observation suggests that the seasonal change in amylase expression pattern does not result in enzymes differentially suited for seasonal variation in conditions. A comparative analysis showed that G. palustris amylases are apparently distinct from other amylases. These distinctions were seen as an unusually low Km value, an activity peak at low NaCl concentration, a relatively high pH optimum and the predominant formation of maltotriose.

Amylases↗

Amylase-binding as a discriminator among oral streptococci.

The ability of 51 strains, belonging to Streptococcus sanguis, 'S. mitior', S. oralis and related groups, to bind salivary amylase was studied. Most strains were grouped according to their DNA-relatedness and then compared using 14 phenotypic tests. S. mitis, 'S. mitior' and three relatively new groups of strains ('CR', 'MGH' and 'Tufted mitior') bound salivary amylase, while strains of S. sanguis and S. oralis did not. The ability of strains to bind amylase or not was remarkably consistent within groups and the test proved to be reproducible, rapid and easy to perform. Combination of the amylase-binding test with 6 other conventional physiological tests allowed the construction of a dichotomous identification key which correctly identified 95% of strains for which genetic data was available. These findings suggest that the ability of organisms to bind salivary amylase could become a key test in identification schemes for certain oral streptococci.

DNA, Bacterial↗

Expression of the human salivary alpha-amylase gene in yeast and characterization of the secreted protein.

Recombinant plasmids were constructed in which the human salivary alpha-amylase gene, with or without the N-terminal signal sequence for secretion, was placed under control of the APase (PHO5) promoter of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In yeast cells transformed with the alpha-amylase gene having the human signal sequence for secretion, the gene was expressed and the enzyme was secreted into the medium in three different glycosylated forms. The amylase gene without the signal sequence was also expressed in yeast, but the products were neither secreted nor glycosylated. Determination of the N-terminal amino acid (aa) sequence revealed that the 15-aa signal sequence had been cleaved from the secreted enzyme, and that the N-terminal residue, glutamine, had been modified into pyroglutamate, as is commonly observed with the mammalian salivary alpha-amylase. Thus, the human salivary alpha-amylase signal sequence for secretion was correctly recognized and processed by the yeast secretory pathway. The C-terminal residue was identified as leucine, which is predicted from the nucleotide sequence data to be located at position 511 in front of the termination codon. Therefore, there is no post-translational processing in formation of the C terminus.

Acid Phosphatase↗