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Recent developments in the biochemistry and ecology of enhanced biological phosphorus removal.

Most of the genes encoding the enzymes involved in polyP synthesis and degradation and in phosphate transport have been studied in various Gram-negative bacteria. Progress has also been made in studying the biochemical mechanisms underlying the process of enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR), in particular in lab-scale systems fed with acetate or acetate plus glucose as the sole carbon and energy sources. By applying 13C-NMR, previous models concerning anaerobic carbon metabolism have been advanced and the role of glycogen in providing reducing equivalents in EBPR is definitely demonstrated. The role of the citric acid cycle in supplying reducing equivalents for the conversion of acetyl-CoA into poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate and poly-beta-hydroxyvalerate has been discussed. An incomplete citric acid cycle has been proposed to provide a small part of the reducing equivalents. Polyphosphate:AMP phosphotransferase and polyphosphatase were readily detectable in EBPR sludge fed with acetate plus glucose, but polyphosphate kinase remained undetected. In a lab-scale EBPR system, fed for several months with only acetate as carbon source, a Rhodocyclus-like bacterium (R6) was highly enriched and is therefore probably responsible for EBPR in systems fed with acetate only. This R6-type bacterium was however also present in other EBPR sludges (but to a lesser extent), and may therefore play an important role in EBPR in general. This organism accumulates polyhydroxyalkanoates anaerobically and polyP under aerobic conditions. Unlike members of the genus Rhodocyclus, bacterium R6 cannot grow phototrophically. Therefore a provisional new genus Candidatus and species Accumulibacter phosphatis was proposed.

Acinetobacter↗

Analysis of microbial community that performs enhanced biological phosphorus removal in activated sludge fed with acetate.

Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) activated sludge was operated in a laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) fed with acetate as the sole carbon source. The microbial community of the sludge was analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) method for about 2 months of start-up period. As a result, the number of major bands decreased during the enrichment, indicating that the microbial community structure was getting simpler. Since the phosphate removal activity was maintained at a high level, the bacteria which still remained at the end can be considered as the important bacteria playing key roles in the present EBPR sludge, maybe polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs). The dominant band in the last sample on the DGGE gel was excised and the DNA recovered from it was sequenced. The sequence was closely related to one of the putative PAOs group which Crocetti et al. (2000) and Hesselmann et al. (1999) have proposed. This PAOs group is closely related to the Rhodocyclus group (b-Proteobacteria). The fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) method with the probe specific for this PAOs group and the DAPI staining at a phosphate-probing concentration indirectly showed that these Rhodocyclus related bacteria really accumulated polyphosphate.

Acetates↗

Inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate and inositol hexakisphosphate inhibit inositol-1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate 3-phosphatase in rat parotid glands.

In assays containing a physiological concentration of inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (1 microM), this isomer was attacked by both 3- and 5-phosphatases present in rat parotid homogenates and 100,000 X g supernatant and particulate fractions. As the concentration of cytosolic protein in the assay was decreased, the specific activity of the soluble 3-phosphatase increased significantly. In contrast, the specific activity of particulate 3-phosphatase was independent of protein concentration. At the lowest protein concentrations tested, the sum of soluble and particulate 3-phosphatase specific activities was 2.5-fold greater than that of the parent homogenate. These observations indicate that parotid cytosol contains a hitherto undescribed endogenous mechanism for inhibiting 3-phosphatase. The effects upon 3- and 5-phosphatase of a number of inositol polyphosphates were studied. Both activities were inhibited by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate (IC50 approximately 50 microM). Inositol 3,4,5,6-tetrakisphosphate was a more potent inhibitor of 3-phosphatase (IC50 about 10 microM) and did not affect 5-phosphatase. Inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate and inositol hexakisphosphate were very potent inhibitors of 3-phosphatase (IC50 values of 1 and 0.5 microM, respectively); these polyphosphates did not affect 5-phosphatase activity at concentrations of up to 10 microM. Inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate was a competitive inhibitor of the 3-phosphatase, whereas inositol hexakisphosphate was a mixed inhibitor. These data lead to the proposal that the inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate 3-phosphatase is unlikely to be an important enzyme activity in vivo.

Animals↗

Phosphorylation of adenosine 5'-monophosphate by a dialyzed cell-free extract from Escherichia coli.

A cell-free extract of Escherichia coli, even after exhaustive dialysis, was found capable of phosphorylating adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) to adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP). Centrifugation at 100 000 g for 3h sedimented most of the capacity to phosphorylate AMP to ATP, while the supernatant retained a significant capacity to phosphorylate AMP to ADP. The pellet contained a greater amount of phosphate polymers (which were neither DNA, RNA, nor proteins) than did the supernatant. The addition of authentic inorganic polyphosphates to the supernatant restored the phosphorylating capacity of the original extracts. It is concluded that the observed phosphorylation is partly due to inorganic polyphosphate.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

[Purinergic receptors and insulin secretion].

The stimulating effect of ATP on insulin secretion has been demonstrated by several authors both in vitro and in vivo. The kinetic study carried out on the isolated perfused pancreas of the rat, in the presence of a glucose concentration of 1.5 g/l, showed that the response was biphasic and dose-dependent for ATP concentrations ranging from 10(-6) to 10(-4) M. It can be seen from the results obtained with the natural nucleotides (ATP, ADP, AMP, adenosine, GTP, ITP, UTP, CTP), that there is a structure activity relationship. Some structural features are essential to elicit an insulin secretory effect: a purine base and 2 or 3 phosphate groups. The study with the structural analogues of ATP and ADP modified on the polyphosphate chain, shows the importance of the steric and electronic characteristics of the polyphosphate chain for induction of insulin secretion. The insulin-stimulating action of ATP seems to be selectively antagonized by 2, 2' pyridylisatogen. It is blocked neither by a cholinergic blocker (atropine), nor by a beta-adrenergic blocker (propranolol), nor by an adenosine antagonist (theophylline). In the present state of the experimental work, the results favour a purinergic receptor site to ATP or ADP on the beta-insulin-secretory cells. At least three factors are in favour of a type P2 receptor, according to the classification of purinergic receptors (Burnstock, 1978) : the order of relative potencies of the agonists: ATP greater than or equal to ADP much greater than AMP greater than or equal to adenosine, the lack of antagonist effect of theophylline and the selective antagonism of PIT.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

Transmembrane gradient of K+ ions as an energy source in the yeast Saccharomyces carlsbergensis.

In the presence of 100 mM glucose antimycin A inhibits the respiration of the yeast S. carlsbergensis by 94%, but does not affect the K+ efflux, Mn2+ influx or the synthesis of high molecular weight polyphosphate (HPP). Therefore phosphorylation at the respiratory chain level is not involved in HPP synthesis or Mn2+ accumulation. Zn2+ similar to Mn2+ induces K+ efflux and HPP synthesis, while Co2+ and Ni2+ fail to produce these effects. The extracellular K+ (1-5 mM KCl) completely inhibits the HPP synthesis and reduces Mn2+ uptake by 40%. NaCl (60 mM) inhibits the HPP synthesis by 28%. Nigericin, candicidin and FCCP plus valinomycin completely prevent the HPP synthesis. The prolonged accumulation of Zn2+ and Mn2+ is accompanied by HPP conversion into low molecular weight polyphosphate (LPP). The HPP synthesis in response to the K+ efflux may be regarded as a specific regulatory mechanism, which increases the energy efficiency of yeast metabolism.

Antimycin A↗

Adhesion co-receptor expression and intracellular signalling in HIV disease: implications for immunotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate, in lymphocytes from HIV-1-infected individuals, the phenotypic expression of various adhesion co- or counter-receptors [lymphocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-3, LFA-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1] involved in providing the co-stimulatory signal through the phospholipase C-gamma pathway in relation to inositol polyphosphate metabolism. DESIGN AND METHODS: Cell adhesion molecule profiles of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from 39 HIV-1-infected individuals at various stages of infection and 20 healthy laboratory controls were studied using flow cytometry. These were studied in 14 patients with late-stage disease in conjunction with their inositol polyphosphate metabolic profiles measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Levels of HIV-1 present in cell lysates were concurrently measured by a p24 antigen capture assay. In addition, the effects of a specific anti-ICAM-1 antisense oligonucleotide on the intracellular phosphatase activities of lymphocytes from a separate group of eight HIV-1-infected individuals were examined. RESULTS: The expression of LFA-1, a beta 2 integrin, was upregulated among patient PBL in parallel with disease progression, whereas that of LFA-3 (CD58) was found to be significantly reduced among the CD4+ lymphocyte subset in all stages of infection. The 5-phosphatase activity, which we previously observed to be defective in HIV disease, was found to correlate linearly with the expression of both LFA-1 and its ligand, ICAM-1. Treatment of patient lymphocytes with an antisense oligonucleotide, which reduced the cell surface expression of ICAM-1 by blocking the translation of its mRNA, resulted in further reduction of intracellular phosphatase activities. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a pivotal role for adhesion co- and counter-receptors in influencing lymphocyte signalling and hence cellular response to recall antigens in HIV-1-infected individuals.

Antigens, CD↗

Detection and some properties of membrane-bound and soluble polyphosphatases in mitochondria of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae mitochondria possess polyphosphatases that are tightly bound to the membranes and differ from soluble polyphosphatase of these organelles in a number of properties. Molecular weights of the membrane-bound polyphosphatases are 120 and 76 kD, and the molecular weight of the soluble polyphosphatase is about 36 kD. All three enzymes are evidently monomers, since antibodies against purified cell-envelope polyphosphatase of S. cerevisiae reacted with 115, 78, and 37 kD polypeptides in immunoblotting. The activities of membrane-bound and soluble polyphosphatase are maximal at neutral pH. The soluble polyphosphatase activity is stimulated by divalent cations, unlike the membrane-bound enzymes which are inhibited by the same cations including Mg2+. Monovalent cations do not affect the activity of the soluble enzyme but stimulate polyphosphatases in the membrane preparation. The specific activities for hydrolysis of polyphosphates with average chain lengths of 9 to 188 phosphate residues are enhanced by increasing the degree of substrate polymerization in the case of the membrane preparation and are unchanged in case of the soluble enzyme. Affinity of the soluble enzyme to polyphosphates is 5-10 times higher than that of the membrane-bound polyphosphatases. In the soluble fraction of mitochondria, high tripolyphosphatase activity is detected which is approximately 80% of that in isolated mitochondria.

Cations, Divalent↗

Anaerobic phosphate release from activated sludge with enhanced biological phosphorus removal. A possible mechanism of intracellular pH control

The biochemical mechanisms of the wastewater treatment process known as enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) are presently described in a metabolic model. We investigated details of the EBPR model to determine the nature of the anaerobic phosphate release and how this may be metabolically associated with polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) formation. Iodoacetate, an inhibitor of glycolysis, was found to inhibit the anaerobic formation of PHA and phosphate release, supporting the pathways proposed in the EBPR metabolic model. In the metabolic model, it is proposed that polyphosphate degradation provides energy for the microorganisms in anaerobic regions of these treatment systems. Other investigations have shown that anaerobic phosphate release depends on the extracellular pH. We observed that when the intracellular pH of EBPR sludge was raised, substantial anaerobic phosphate release was caused without volatile fatty acid (VFA) uptake. Acidification of the sludge inhibited anaerobic phosphate release even in the presence of VFA. From these observations, we postulate that an additional possible role of anaerobic polyphosphate degradation in EBPR is for intracellular pH control. Intracellular pH control may be a metabolic feature of EBPR, not previously considered, that could have some use in the control and optimisation of EBPR. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Journal Article↗

Combined biosynthetic pathway for de novo production of UDP-galactose: catalysis with multiple enzymes immobilized on agarose beads.

Regeneration of sugar nucleotides is a critical step in the biosynthetic pathway for the formation of oligosaccharides. To alleviate the difficulties in the production of sugar nucleotides, we have developed a method to produce uridine diphosphate galactose (UDP-galactose). The combined biosynthetic pathway, which involves seven enzymes, is composed of three parts: i) the main pathway to form UDP-galactose from galactose, with the enzymes galactokinase, galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase, UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, and inorganic pyrophosphatase, ii) the uridine triphosphate supply pathway catalyzed by uridine monophosphate (UMP) kinase and nucleotide diphosphate kinase, and iii) the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) regeneration pathway catalyzed by polyphosphate kinase with polyphosphate added as an energy resource. All of the enzymes were expressed individually and immobilized through their hexahistidine tags onto nickel agarose beads ("super beads"). The reaction requires a stoichiometric amount of UMP and galactose, and catalytic amounts of ATP and glucose 1-phosphate, all inexpensive starting materials. After continuous circulation of the reaction mixture through the super-bead column for 48 h, 50 % of the UMP was converted into UDP-galactose. The results show that de novo production of UDP-galactose on the super-bead column is more efficient than in solution because of the stability of the immobilized enzymes.

Catalysis↗

Capillary electrochromatographic study of sapphyrin-organophosphoric acid derivatives interaction.

Interaction of phosphate moiety possessing compounds with sapphyrin was studied using open-tubular electrochromatography in sapphyrin-coated capillaries. It was revealed that phenylthiohydantoin (PTH)-phosphoserine and PTH-phosphothreonine exert such a strong interaction that they can not be eluted from the sapphyrin-coated capillary even at prolonged run times (70 min). Nucleoside polyphosphates show generally strong interaction (but weaker than the above mentioned serine and threonine derivatives) no matter whether they possess one or two bases. Also the number of phosphate residues present in nucleoside polyphosphates tested plays a secondary role only. p-Aminobenzylphosphoric (p-ABPA) acid exhibited an unexpected behavior. It was retained more in the phosphate containing buffer than in borate-acetate. This appears to indicate that other than complexing of the phosphate moiety may be involved in the interaction. As no such effects were observed with the PTH-derivatives of serine and threonine it was concluded that additional interaction (if involved) depends on the nature of the organic part of the molecule.

Electrophoresis, Capillary↗

Sequencing batch membrane biofilm reactor for simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal: novel application of membrane-aerated biofilm.

A sequencing batch membrane biofilm reactor (SBMBfR) was developed for simultaneous carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus removal from wastewater. This reactor was composed of two functional parts: (1) a gas-permeable membrane on which a nitrifying biofilm formed and (2) a bulk solution in which bacteria, mainly denitrifying polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (DNPAOs), were suspended. The reactor was operated sequentially under anaerobic condition and then under membrane aeration condition in one cycle. During the anaerobic period, organic carbon was consumed by DNPAOs; this was accompanied by phosphate release. During the subsequent membrane aeration period, nitrifying bacteria utilized oxygen supplied directly to them from the inside of the membrane. Consequently, the nitrite and nitrate products diffused into the bulk solution, where they were used by DNPAOs as electron acceptors for phosphate uptake. In a long-term sequencing batch operation, the mean removal efficiencies of total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (T-N), and total phosphorus (T-P) under steady-state condition were 99%, 96%, and 90%, respectively. In addition, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) clearly demonstrated the difference in bacterial community structure between the membrane biofilm and the suspended sludge: ammonia-oxidizing bacteria belonging to the Nitrosomonas group were dominant in the region adjacent to the membrane throughout the operation, and the occupation ratio of the well-known polyphosphate-accumulating organism (PAO) Candidatus "Accumulibacter phosphates" in the suspended sludge gradually increased to a maximum of 37%.

Bacteria↗

scyllo-inositol pentakisphosphate as an analogue of myo-inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate: chemical synthesis, physicochemistry and biological applications.

myo-Inositol 1,3,4,5,6-pentakisphosphate (Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P(5)), an inositol polyphosphate of emerging significance in cellular signalling, and its C-2 epimer scyllo-inositol pentakisphosphate (scyllo-InsP(5)) were synthesised from the same myo-inositol-based precursor. Potentiometric and NMR titrations show that both pentakisphosphates undergo a conformational ring-flip at higher pH, beginning at pH 8 for scyllo-InsP(5) and pH 9 for Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P(5). Over the physiological pH range, however, the conformation of the inositol rings and the microprotonation patterns of the phosphate groups in Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P(5) and scyllo-InsP(5) are similar. Thus, scyllo-InsP(5) should be a useful tool for identifying biologically relevant actions of Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P(5), mediated by specific binding sites, and distinguishing them from nonspecific electrostatic effects. We also demonstrate that, although scyllo-InsP(5) and Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P(5) are both hydrolysed by multiple inositol polyphosphate phosphatase (MINPP), scyllo-InsP(5) is not dephosphorylated by PTEN or phosphorylated by Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P(5) 2-kinases. This finding both reinforces the value of scyllo-InsP(5) as a biological control and shows that the axial 2-OH group of Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P(5) plays a part in substrate recognition by PTEN and the Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P(5) 2-kinases.

Inositol Phosphates↗

Intracellular cyclic AMP produces effects opposite to those of cyclic GMP and calcium on shape and motility of neuroblastoma cells.

We have directly evaluated the effects of various intracellular second messengers including cyclic nucleotides, calcium ion, and inositol polyphosphates on shape and motility of differentiating mouse neuroblastoma cells. The messengers were microinjected into cells and the responses of the soma, neurite, and growth cone were monitored using time-lapse video microscopy. Each messenger altered cell shape and motility in a characteristic manner. Cyclic AMP promoted lamellipodial expansion, neurite outgrowth, and motility. The other injected messengers opposed motility. Cyclic GMP caused motile structures to freeze and to retract permanently, while the inhibitory effects of calcium injection were concentration-dependent. Small calcium injections affected specifically actin-containing motile structures which froze and retracted temporarily. Intermediate calcium injections caused a strong contraction at the site of injection in all cells. With large injections, cells retracted long neurites, rounded up, and frequently began vigorous blebbing that continued to cell death. Injections of the inositol polyphosphates IP3(1,4,5) and IP4(1,4,5,6) mimicked the effects of small calcium injections, as did electrical stimulation that elicited action potentials. The results suggest that in mouse neuroblastoma cells, intracellular cAMP elevation increases cytoskeletal organization and promotes neurite extension perhaps through an enhancement of cell-substratum adhesion. On the other hand, a rise of intracellular cGMP or intracellular calcium interferes directly with the function and organization of the actin-microfilament system. The integrated action of these second messenger systems may, therefore, operate in vivo to allow substances released from neighboring cells to regulate neuronal architecture.

Bucladesine↗

Calcium regulates inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate production in lysed thymocytes and in intact cells stimulated with concanavalin A.

Lysed mouse thymocytes release [3H]inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate from [3H]inositol-labelled phosphatidyl inositol 4,5-bisphosphate in response to GTP gamma S, and rapidly phosphorylate [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate to [3H]inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate. The rate of phosphorylation is increased approximately 7-fold when the free [Ca2+] in the lysate is increased from 0.1 to 1 microM, the range in which the cytosolic free [Ca2+] increases in intact thymocytes in response to the mitogen concanavalin A. Stimulation of the intact cells with concanavalin A also results in a rapid and sustained increase in the amount of inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate, and a much smaller transient increase in 1,4,5-trisphosphate. Lowering [Ca2+] in the medium from 0.4 mM to 0.1 microM before addition of concanavalin A reduces accumulation of inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate by at least 3-fold whereas the increase in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate is sustained rather than transient. The data imply that in normal medium the activity of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate kinase increases substantially in response to the rise in cytosolic free [Ca2+] generated by concanavalin A, accounting for both the transient accumulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and the sustained high levels of inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate. Inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate is a strong candidate for the second messenger for Ca2+ entry across the plasma membrane. This would imply that the inositol polyphosphates regulate both Ca2+ entry and intracellular Ca2+ release, with feedback control of the inositol polyphosphate levels by Ca2+.

Animals↗

Evidence of an auxin-mediated phosphoinositide turnover and an inositol (1,4,5)trisphosphate effect on isolated membranes of Daucus carota L.

Microsomal membranes from carrot suspension cells were phosphorylated in vitro with [gamma-32P]ATP. In the presence of submicromolar concentrations of the natural auxin indoleacetic acid (IAA), a rapid, but transient decrease of the [32P] label could be detected in the phospholipid extracts of the membranes. The phytohormone effect was not the result of an inhibition of the lipid phosphorylation reactions, but was caused by a simultaneous release of water-soluble compounds, which, according to their chromatographic properties, were assumed to contain inositol polyphosphates. Although the [32P]-labeled lipids, as well as the inositol polyphosphates, were not identified unequivocally by chemical analysis, these findings point to an auxin-mediated control of a phosphoinositidase C-like reaction similar to the hormone-stimulated phosphoinositide response in animals. Exogenously applied inositol (1,4,5)trisphosphate [(1,4,5)IP3] was found to release 45Ca2+ from preloaded membrane vesicles of carrot cells. Both the detection of the auxin-stimulated phosphoinositide response and the (1,4,5)IP3-mediated Ca2+ release on isolated cell membranes offer new experimental approaches for the identification of the putative auxin receptor and its signal transduction pathway.

Calcium↗

Requirement for prostaglandin F2 alpha in 17 beta-estradiol stimulation of DNA synthesis in rabbit endometrial cultures.

We have hypothesized that two of the endogenously synthesized endometrial prostaglandins (PGs), prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), play a regulatory role in growth control of the rabbit endometrium. PGF2 alpha increases DNA synthesis and PGE1 inhibits that effect. Primary cultures of rabbit endometrial cells were used to examine the possible role of these PGs in the mechanism of action of 17 beta-estradiol on DNA synthesis. Towards this end, binding, second messenger and DNA synthesis experiments were performed. 17 beta-estradiol stimulation resulted in a time dependent (optimal: approximately 6 h) and 17 beta-estradiol concentration dependent (optimal: approximately 10(-7) M 17 beta-estradiol in phenol red-containing medium) increase in [3H]PGF2 alpha binding. Scatchard type analysis of the binding data revealed an increase in receptor number while the receptor affinity for [3H]PGF2 alpha remained the same as in the control treated cultures. This 17 beta-estradiol stimulated increase in PGF2 alpha receptor allowed a suboptimal concentration of PGF2 alpha (10(-9) M) to increase intracellular levels of inositol polyphosphates, while by itself this concentration of PGF2 alpha caused no significant change in intracellular inositol polyphosphate levels. 17 beta-estradiol, alone among the several studied steroid hormones, could increase [3H]PGF2 alpha binding. Proliferation studies revealed that, in these primary cultures of rabbit endometrium, 17 beta-estradiol could increase DNA synthesis but not in the presence of indomethacin, unless PGF2 alpha was added to the medium at a concentration (10(-10) M) near or above what is normally accumulated in the medium by these cultures. In the absence of 17 beta-estradiol stimulation, addition of these same low concentrations of PGF2 alpha had no effect on DNA synthesis. Apparently, through its effect on the PGF2 alpha receptor, 17 beta-estradiol enhances the PGF2 alpha stimulated DNA synthesis response approximately 100 fold. The DNA synthesis induced by 17 beta-estradiol can be inhibited by PGE1, as can PGF2 alpha-induced DNA synthesis. We propose that 17 beta-estradiol may be mediating its mitogenic effect through an alteration of the prostaglandin agonist:antagonist control of proliferation in rabbit endometrial cultures. In addition we suggest that, if 17 beta-estradiol acts to increase PGF2 alpha, receptors as part of its mode of action, this may be of importance in other tissues possessing both prostaglandin and 17 beta-estradiol receptors.

Animals↗

Signal transduction during liver regeneration: role of insulin and vasopressin.

The relationship between cell proliferation and inositol lipid turnover has been studied by comparing the steady state of inositol derivative metabolism in quiescent and regenerating rat hepatocytes isolated at 4 h (G1 phase of first cell cycle) and 24 h (onset of M phase) after partial hepatectomy. The effect of two hormones able to regulate hepatic regeneration, insulin and vasopressin, has been considered, and the results can be summarized as follows: (i) at 4 h after partial hepatectomy, the precursor incorporation into inositol polyphosphates and the particulate phospholipase C activity increase with respect to quiescent hepatocytes, whereas the content of 11, 4, 5P3 does not change, suggesting an increased turnover of this molecule in this step of cell cycle priming; (ii) 24 h after partial hepatectomy, the radioactivity linked to IP3 and IP4, as well as soluble and particulate phospholipase C activity, and IP3 content increase, suggesting the presence, at the onset of M phase, of second messenger accumulation; (iii) only 24 h after partial hepatectomy, the inositol derivative metabolism is affected by vasopressin; and (iv) insulin exerts a modulatory role on inositol polyphosphate production without involving membrane-bound PLC activity or phosphoinositide hydrolysis. These data suggest that inositol-derived signal molecules are associated with hepatic regeneration; moreover, the metabolic pathway of such compounds seems to be regulated so that only specific inositol phosphates are present in each step of the cell cycle.

Animals↗