Biosynthesis and secretion of pituitary hormones: dynamics and regulation.

Production and secretion of hormones by the pituitary involve highly orchestrated intracellular transport and sorting steps. Hormone precursors are routed through a series of compartments before being packaged in secretory granules. These highly dynamic carriers play crucial roles in both prohormone processing and peptide exocytosis. We have employed the ACTH-secreting AtT-20 cell line to study the membrane sorting events that confer functionality (prohormone activation and regulated exocytosis) to these secretory carriers. The unique ability of granules to promote prohormone processing is attributed to their acidic interior. Using a novel avidin-targeted fluorescence ratio imaging technique, we have found that the trans-Golgi of live AtT-20 cells maintains a mildly acidic (approximately pH 6.2) interior. Budding of secretory granules causes the lumen to acidify to

Proton leak and CFTR in regulation of Golgi pH in respiratory epithelial cells.

Work addressing whether cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) plays a role in regulating organelle pH has remained inconclusive. We engineered a pH-sensitive excitation ratiometric green fluorescent protein (pHERP) and targeted it to the Golgi with sialyltransferase (ST). As determined by ratiometric imaging of cells expressing ST-pHERP, Golgi pH (pH(G)) of HeLa cells was 6.4, while pH(G) of mutant (DeltaF508) and wild-type CFTR-expressing (WT-CFTR) respiratory epithelia were 6.7-7.0. Comparison of genetically matched DeltaF508 and WT-CFTR cells showed that the absence of CFTR statistically increased Golgi acidity by 0.2 pH units, though this small difference was unlikely to be physiologically important. Golgi pH was maintained by a H(+) vacuolar (V)-ATPase countered by a H(+) leak, which was unaffected by CFTR. To estimate Golgi proton permeability (P(H(+))), we modeled transient changes in pH(G) induced by inhibiting the V-ATPase and by acidifying the cytosol. This analysis required knowing Golgi buffer capacity, which was pH dependent. Our in vivo estimate is that Golgi P(H(+)) = 7.5 x 10(-4) cm/s when pH(G) = 6.5, and surprisingly, P(H(+)) decreased as pH(G) decreased.

ENaC- and CFTR-dependent ion and fluid transport in mammary epithelia.

Mammary epithelial 31EG4 cells (MEC) were grown as monolayers on filters to analyze the apical membrane mechanisms that help mediate ion and fluid transport across the epithelium. RT-PCR showed the presence of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) message, and immunomicroscopy showed apical membrane staining for both proteins. CFTR was also localized to the apical membrane of native human mammary duct epithelium. In control conditions, mean values of transepithelial potential (apical-side negative) and resistance (R(T)) are -5.9 mV and 829 Omega x cm(2), respectively. The apical membrane potential (V(A)) is -40.7 mV, and the mean ratio of apical to basolateral membrane resistance (R(A)/R(B)) is 2.8. Apical amiloride hyperpolarized V(A) by 19.7 mV and tripled R(A)/R(B). A cAMP-elevating cocktail depolarized V(A) by 17.6 mV, decreased R(A)/R(B) by 60%, increased short-circuit current by 6 microA/cm(2), decreased R(T) by 155 Omega x cm(2), and largely eliminated responses to amiloride. Whole cell patch-clamp measurements demonstrated amiloride-inhibited Na(+) currents [linear current-voltage (I-V) relation] and forskolin-stimulated Cl(-) currents (linear I-V relation). A capacitance probe method showed that in the control state, MEC monolayers either absorbed or secreted fluid (2--4 microl x cm(-2) x h(-1)). Fluid secretion was stimulated either by activating CFTR (cAMP) or blocking ENaC (amiloride). These data plus equivalent circuit analysis showed that 1) fluid absorption across MEC is mediated by Na(+) transport via apical membrane ENaC, and fluid secretion is mediated, in part, by Cl(-) transport via apical CFTR; 2) in both cases, appropriate counterions move through tight junctions to maintain electroneutrality; and 3) interactions among CFTR, ENaC, and tight junctions allow MEC to either absorb or secrete fluid and, in situ, may help control luminal [Na(+)] and [Cl(-)].

Mechanisms of pH regulation in the regulated secretory pathway.

A precise pH gradient between organelles of the regulated secretory pathway is required for sorting and processing of prohormones. We studied pH regulation in live endocrine cells by targeting biotin-based pH indicators to cellular organelles expressing avidin-chimera proteins. In AtT-20 cells, we found that steady-state pH decreased from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) (pH(ER) = 7.4 +/- 0.2, mean +/- S.D.) to Golgi (pH(G) = 6.2 +/- 0.4) to mature secretory granules (MSGs) (pH(MSG) = 5.5 +/- 0.4). Golgi and MSGs required active H(+) v-ATPases for acidification. ER, Golgi, and MSG steady-state pH values were also dependent upon the different H(+) leak rates across each membrane. However, neither steady-state pH(MSG) nor rates of passive H(+) leak were affected by Cl(-)-free solutions or valinomycin, indicating that MSG membrane potential was small and not a determinant of pH(MSG). Therefore, our data do not support earlier suggestions that organelle acidification is primarily regulated by Cl(-) conductances. Measurements of H(+) leak rates, buffer capacities, and estimates of surface areas and volumes of these organelles were applied to a mathematical model to determine the H(+) permeability (P(H+)) of each organelle membrane. We found that P(H+) decreased progressively from ER to Golgi to MSGs, and proper acidification of Golgi and MSGs required gradual decreases in P(H+) and successive increases in the active H(+) pump density.

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator and H+ permeability in regulation of Golgi pH.

This paper reviews experiments from this lab that have tested the hypothesis that pH of the Golgi (pH(G)) of cystic fibrosis (CF) airway epithelial cells is alkaline compared to normal, that this altered pH affects sialyltransferase and other Golgi enzymes controlling biochemical composition of the plasma membrane and that altered surface biochemistry increases bacterial binding. We generated a plasmid encoding a modified green fluorescence protein-sialyltransferase (GFP-ST) chimera protein that was pH-sensitive and localized to the Golgi when transfected into HeLa cells and also CF and normal or cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator- (CFTR)-corrected airway epithelial cells. Digital imaging microscopy of these Golgi-localized probes showed that there was no correlation between pH(G) (6.4-7.0) and the presence of CFTR, whether cells were in HCO(3)(-)/CO(2)-containing or in HCO(3)(-)/CO(2)-free solutions. Activation of CFTR by raising cell [cAMP] had no effect on pH(G). Thus, CFTR seemed not to be involved in controlling pH(G). Experiments on HeLa cells using an avidin-sialyltransferase chimera in combination with a pH-sensitive fluorescent biotin indicated that even in cells that do not express CFTR, Cl(-) and K(+) conductances of the Golgi and other organelle membranes were large and that pH(G) was controlled solely by the H(+) v-ATPase countered by a H(+) leak. A mathematical model was applied to these and other published data to calculate passive H(+) permeability (P(H+)) of the Golgi, endoplasmic reticulum, trans-Golgi network, recycling endosomes and secrety granules from a variety of cells. An organelle's acidity was inversely correlated to its calculated P(H+). We conclude that the CFTR plays a minor role in organelle pH regulation because other (Cl(-) and K(+)) channels are present in sufficient numbers to shunt voltages generated during H(+) pumping. Acidity of the Golgi (and perhaps other organelles) appears to be determined by the activity of H(+) pumps countered by H(+) leaks.

Organelle pH studies using targeted avidin and fluorescein-biotin.

BACKGROUND: Mammalian organelles of the secretory pathway are of differing pH. The pH values form a decreasing gradient: the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is nearly neutral, the Golgi is mildly acidic and the secretory granules are more acidic still ( approximately pH 5). The mechanisms that regulate pH in these organelles are still unknown. RESULTS: Using a novel method, we tested whether differences in H(+) 'leak' and/or counterion conductances contributed to the pH difference between two secretory pathway organelles. A pH-sensitive, membrane-permeable fluorescein-biotin was targeted to endoplasmic-reticulum- and Golgi-localized avidin-chimera proteins in HeLa cells. In live, intact cells, ER pH (pH(ER)) was 7.2 +/- 0.2 and Golgi pH (pH(G)) was 6.4 +/- 0.3 and was dissipated by bafilomycin. Buffer capacities of the cytosol, ER and Golgi were all similar (6-10 mM/pH). ER membranes had an apparent H(+) permeability three times greater than that of Golgi membranes. Removal of either K(+) or Cl(-) did not affect ER and Golgi H(+) leak rates, or steady-state pH(G) and pH(ER). CONCLUSIONS: The Golgi is more acidic than the ER because it has an active H(+) pump and fewer or smaller H(+) leaks. Neither buffer capacity nor counterion permeabilities were key determinants of pH(G), pH(ER) or ER/Golgi H(+) leak rates.

Anion selectivity of apical membrane conductance of Calu 3 human airway epithelium.

Anion selectivity of the cystic fibrosis conductance transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and other channels and parallel pathways expressed endogenously in apical membranes of polarized Calu-3 epithelial monolayers was studied under control conditions and during cAMP stimulation. Basolateral membranes were eliminated using alpha-toxin. The cAMP-stimulated, gradient-driven currents had the sequence Br>/=Cl>/=NO3>SCN> I>/=F>formate>HCO3>acetate>propionate=butyrate=ATP= PPi=PO4=SO4=0. Selectivity of parallel cAMP-independent pathway(s) was Br>Cl=SCN=NO3>I>formate=F >HCO3>acetate>propionate. SCN, I, F or formate blocked cAMP-stimulated, but not control, Cl currents. Anions >0.53 nm in diameter were impermeant, suggesting that the apical CFTR channel has a limiting diameter of 0.53 nm. The selectivity, blocking patterns and pore size of the cAMP-stimulated conductance pathway were very similar to those in previous reports in which CFTR was heterologously expressed in non-epithelial cells. Thus, CFTR appears to be the major apical anion conductance pathway in Calu-3 cells, and its conduction properties are independent of the expression system. CFTR in Calu-3 cells also conducts physiologically relevant anions, but not ATP, PO4 or SO4. A pathway parallel (probably a tight junction) showed a different selectivity than CFTR.

Genetic disorders of membrane transport. II. Regulation of CFTR by small molecules including HCO3-.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) affects a number of epithelial tissues, including those in the gastrointestinal tract. The goal of this review is to summarize data related to regulation of the protein product of the CF gene, CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), by a variety of small molecules. There has been a surge of interest in discovering small molecules that could be exogenously added to cells and tissues to regulate CFTR and could potentially be used alone or in combination with genetic approaches for therapy in CF. We will discuss the apparent mechanisms of action of genistein, milrinone, 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine, IBMX, and NS-004; several of which appear to interact directly with one or both nucleotide binding domains of CFTR. We also discuss how HCO-3 interacts with CFTR as both a permeating anion and a potential regulator of Cl- permeation through the CFTR ion channel. It is likely that there are complicated interactions between Cl- and HCO-3 in the secretion of both ions through the CFTR and the anion exchanger in intestinal cells, and these may yield a role of CFTR in regulation of intestinal HCO-3 secretion as well as of intra- and extracellular pH.

Regulation of CFTR by protein phosphatase 2B and protein kinase C.

The activity of the CFTR Cl- channel is dependent on its phosphorylation status set by kinases and phosphatases. We report here that protein phosphatase 2B (PP2B) and protein kinase C (PKC) are potential regulators of the cystic fibrosis conductance regulator (CFTR). Treating CFTR-expressing 3T3 cells with either of the two specific PP2B blockers cyclosporin A (CsA, 1 microM) or deltamethrin (DM, 30 nM) caused rapid activation of CFTR in cell-attached patches. As determined by noise analysis of multi channel patches, DM- or CsA-activated CFTR displayed gating kinetics comparable to those of forskolin-activated CFTR. After activation of CFTR by blocking PP2B, CFTR still inactivated. CFTR-mediated currents were, on average, 6.1 times larger when cells were stimulated by forskolin during PP2B block compared to stimulation by forskolin alone. This suggests that, in CFTR-expressing 3T3 cells, a phosphorylation site of CFTR is regulated by cellular PKA, PP2B and another phosphatase. However, in the epithelial cell lines Calu-3 and HT-29/B6, CsA and DM had no effect on CFTR activity in both cell-attached patch-clamp and transepithelial experiments. In contrast, when exogenous PP2B was added to patches excised from 3T3 or Calu-3 cells, PKA-activated CFTR currents were quickly inactivated. This indicates that free exogenous PP2B can inactivate CFTR in patches from both cell types. We propose that in order to regulate CFTR in an intact cell, PP2B may require a selective subcellular localization to become active. When excised patches were PKC-phosphorylated, the gating kinetics of CFTR were significantly different from those of PKA-phosphorylated CFTR. Addition of PP2B also inactivated PKC-activated CFTR showing the indiscriminate dephosphorylation of different phosphorylation sites by PP2B.

cAMP and genistein stimulate HCO3- conductance through CFTR in human airway epithelia.

We studied the role of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl- channel as an HCO3- conductor during adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent regulation in human airway epithelial cell lines. HCO3- or Cl- currents across the apical membrane were measured in the presence of an HCO3- or Cl- gradient under short-circuit conditions in intact and alpha-toxin-permeabilized monolayers, which allowed manipulation of the intracellular regulators cAMP and ATP. CFTR as the current carrier for HCO3- was identified by 1) stimulation by cAMP, 2) ATP dependence, 3) blocker sensitivity, 4) stimulation by genistein, and 5) lack of stimulation in CF epithelia bearing mutated delta F508 CFTR. In pulmonary alpha-toxin-permeabilized Calu-3 monolayers, cytosolic addition of 100 microM cAMP stimulated apical HCO3- currents from -9.4 +/- 1.6 to -31.1 +/- 3.9 microA/cm2 (n = 18), and apical Cl- currents increased from -54.1 +/- 7.1 to -203.2 +/- 15.4 microA/cm2 (n = 27). Average relative permselectivity for HCO3- vs. Cl- was approximately 15%. Absence of cytosolic ATP resulted in loss of cAMP stimulation of HCO3- and Cl- currents. Genistein (50 microM), which has been proposed to inhibit phosphatases controlling apical CFTR, as well as the alkaline phosphatase inhibitor (-)-p-bromotetramisole (1 mM) further activated cAMP-stimulated HCO3- and Cl- currents. Activated currents remained stimulated on removal of cAMP, suggesting inhibition of a protein phosphatase by genistein and bromotetramisole. The Cl- channel blockers glibenclamide (300 microM) and N-phenylanthranilic acid (5 mM), but not 4,4'-dinitro-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid (100 microM), inhibited cAMP- and genistein-stimulated HCO3- and Cl- currents. Blocker effects were absent in human CF tracheal cells homozygous for the delta F508 mutation of CFTR (CFT1); Cl- and HCO3- currents were rescued in CFT1 cells recombinantly expressing wild-type CFTR. Thus CFTR functions as a HCO3- and Cl- conductor, and genistein and bromotetramisole maximize CFTR activity in airway epithelial cells.

Does nitric oxide regulate capacitative Ca influx in HEK 293 cells?

It has been proposed that capacitative Ca influx into both pancreatic acinar cells and HT-29 colonic cells is regulated by stimulation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). NO, in turn, controls cGMP levels through effects on guanylate cyclase. We tested this possibility by measuring Ca (and Ba) entry into human embryonic kidney 293 cells and into 293 cells that had been transfected with the neuronal NOS gene (293/NOS). 293 cells had undetectable levels of NOS, while 293/NOS cells exhibited very high levels [Bredt D.S., Ferris C.D., Snyder S.H. Nitric oxide synthase regulatory sites. J Biol Chem 1992; 267: 10976-10981]. Ca (or Ba) entry into single cells was measured as the rate of increase of the Fura-2 fluorescence ratio (digital imaging microscopy) during rapid changes from Ca-free (or Ba-free) to Ca- (or Ba-) containing solutions (using high K to depolarize the membrane potential). cGMP levels (EIA method) were measured to correlate to rates of Ca entry. 100 microM ATP caused release of Ca from internal stores, but no sustained plateau due to Ca entry in either 293 or 293/NOS cells. Cyclopiazonic acid (CPA, which inhibits the Ca pump of the internal store, allowing Ca to leak from the store) caused apparent Ca entry to increase 5-10-fold from similar, low levels in both 293 and 293/NOS cells. CPA-stimulated Ca entry was unaffected by the NOS inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine (L-NA) in either 293 or 293/NOS cells. In 293 cells [cGMP] was low; ATP and CPA both increased [cGMP] by 2-fold, and the guanylate cyclase inhibitor LY83583 and L-NA decreased [cGMP] by 50-75%. [cGMP] was 20-fold higher in 293/NOS cells than in 293 cells; these [cGMP] were not affected by ATP and CPA, but were effectively decreased by 80-90% by L-NA and by LY83583. Thus, [cGMP] and Ca or Ba entry showed no relationship to each other: Ca entry was small into cells in which [cGMP] was either low (resting 293, CPA + L-NA or CPA + LY83583), intermediate (ATP-treated 293) or high (resting 293/NOS). Similarly, Ca entry was high into cells in which [cGMP] was low (CPA + L-NA- or CPA + LY83583-treated 293), intermediate (CPA-treated 293 and CPA + L-NA-treated 293/NOS) or high (CPA- or ATP-treated 293/NOS). We conclude that, as in most other non-excitable cells, Ca entry into 293 cells is stimulated by loss of Ca from the store but, unlike pancreatic and colonic cells, this capacitative Ca entry does not appear to be regulated by NO and cGMP. Therefore, although capacitative entry across the plasma membrane may be regulated by NO and cGMP in Gl epithelial cells, this regulation does not occur in all cells.

How do injured cells communicate with the surviving cell monolayer?

Mechanically scratching cell monolayers relieves contact inhibition and induces surviving cells near the wound edge to move and proliferate. The present work was designed to test whether surviving cells passively respond to newly available space, or whether cells are actively stimulated by signals from injured cells nearby. We monitored intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) while scratching confluent monolayers of bovine pulmonary endothelial cells and mouse mammary epithelial cells. Within seconds after wounding, a transient elevation of [Ca2+]i was observed in surviving cells. In endothelial cells, the [Ca2+]i elevation propagated into the monolayer for a distance of 10 to 12 cell rows at a speed of 20 to 28 microm/second. The amplitude of the wave of [Ca2+]i was reduced as it propagated into the monolayer, but the velocity of the wave was nearly constant. Cells that experienced the [Ca2+]i elevation had intact plasma membranes, and survived for over 24 hours post wounding. Removing extracellular Ca2+ decreased the amplitude by two-thirds and reduced the propagation rate by half, suggesting that Ca2+ influx contributed to the increased [Ca2+]i. To determine how [Ca2+]i waves were stimulated, we blocked extracellular communication by fluid perfusion or intercellular communication by breaks in the monolayer. In bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cultures, the [Ca2+]i wave passed over breaks in the monolayer, and was prevented from traveling upstream in a perfusion chamber. Conditioned media from injured cells also elevated [Ca2+]i in unwounded reporter cultures. In mouse mammary epithelial monolayers with established cell-cell contacts, the [Ca2+]i wave passed over breaks in the monolayer, but was only partially prevented from traveling upstream during perfusion. These experiments showed that mechanical wounds lead to long distance, [Ca2+]i-dependent communication between the injured cells and the surviving cell monolayer through at least two mechanisms: first, extracellular release of a chemical stimulus from wounded cells that diffused to neighboring cells (present in both monolayers); second, transmission of an intercellular signal through cell-cell junctions (present in the mammary epithelial monolayers). Thus, mechanical injury provided a direct, chemical stimulus to nearby cells which have not themselves been damaged.

The tyrosine kinase p60c-src regulates the fast gate of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator chloride channel.

The role of the tyrosine kinase p60c-src on the gating of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channel was investigated with the cell-attached and excised patch clamp technique in conjunction with current noise analysis of recordings containing multiple channels per patch. Spectra of CFTR-generated current noise contained a low-frequency and a high-frequency Lorentzian noise component. In the cell-attached mode, the high-frequency Lorentzian was significantly dependent on the membrane potential, while the low-frequency Lorentzian was unaffected. Excision of forskolin-stimulated patches into ATP-containing solution significantly reduced the amplitude of the voltage-dependent high-frequency Lorentzian. Addition of the tyrosine kinase p60c-src to excised, active, CFTR-containing membrane patches increased mean currents by 54%, increased the corner frequency of the low-frequency Lorentzian, and recovered the high-frequency Lorentzian and its characteristics. Treatment with lambda-phosphatase inactivated src-induced currents and changes in gating. When active patches were excised under conditions in which patch-associated tyrosine phosphatases were blocked with sodium vanadate, the high-frequency gating remained relatively unchanged. The results suggest that CFTR's open probability and its voltage-dependent fast gate are dependent on tyrosine phosphorylation, and that membrane-associated tyrosine phosphatases are responsible for inactivation of the fast gate after patch excision.

HCO3-dependent pHi regulation in tracheal epithelial cells.

Regulation of intracellular pH (pHi) was studied in cultured bovine tracheal epithelial cells using microspectrofluorimetry of the fluorescent indicator 2',7'-biscarboxyethyl- 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). The cells, which were grown on coverslips and superfused in a chamber on the stage of a microscope, were acidified by NH4Cl-prepulses, and pHi recovery was measured (in DeltapH/min) at approximately pHi 6.7. In HCO3-free solutions the recovery rate was 0.14 pH/min, and addition of amiloride or Na-free solution reduced this rate to 0.02-0.03 pH/min. In HCO3/CO2-buffered Ringer's, the rate of recovery was 0.32 pH/min, and amiloride or Na-free reduced the rate to 0.08-0.10 pH/min. This residual Na-independent and HCO3-dependent pHi recovery was studied by using inhibitors of HCO3 and H transporters. Bafilomycin (inhibits H-ATPases) at 100 nM did not significantly affect pHi recovery, while 100 microM SCH28080 (inhibits H,K-ATPase) had a variable inhibitory effect (25-75%), indicating that a gastric-like H, K-ATPase, but not electrogenic H pump, may contribute in a minor way to the recovery from acidification. Cl-free solution and 500 microM H2DIDS (dihydro-4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, blocks anion exchange and the outwardly rectifying Cl channel, ORCC), both blocked apparent anion exchange activity, but had no effect on the recovery; 100 microM DNDS (4-4''-dinitro-2-2'-stilbenedisulfonate blocks the ORCC but not the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, CFTR) had no effect on pHi recovery; DPC (diphenylamine carboxylate, blocks the CFTR and the ORCC) caused a complete and reversible inhibition of the recovery. When [K] was increased ten fold to depolarize the cell's membrane potential, the magnitude of the pHi recovery (though not the rate) was enhanced. Thus, the HCO3-dependent, Na- and Cl-independent, DPC-blockable pHi recovery may be largely due to an influx of HCO3 via CFTR Cl channels. Under physiological conditions, when the electrochemical gradient for HCO3 is likely to be outwardly rather than inwardly directed, the CFTR (or another HCO3-permeable channel) may mediate HCO3 secretion and contribute to regulation of pH of the periciliary fluid.

Effects of extracellular pH on intracellular pH-regulation and growth in a human colon carcinoma cell-line.

Mechanisms of intracellular pH (pHi) regulation seem to be involved in cellular growth and cell division. Little is known about how extracellular acidosis, known to occur in central regions of solid tumors, or alkaline conditions affect pHi regulation in colonic tumors. pHi changes in the colonic adenocarcinoma cell-line SW-620 were recorded by spectrofluorimetric monitoring of the pH-sensitive, fluorescent dye BCECF, and proliferative activity was assessed by [3H]thymidine uptake. Resting pHi in Hepes-buffered solution was 7.53 +/- 0.01 (n = 36). Both 1 mM amiloride and Na(+)-free solution inhibited pHi recovery from acidification and decreased pHi in resting cells. In HCO3-/CO2-buffered media resting pH1 was 7.42 +/- 0.01 (n = 36). Recovery from acidification was Na(+)-dependent, CI(-)-independent, and only partially blocked by 1 mM amiloride. In the presence of amiloride and 200 microM H2DIDS pHi recovery was completely inhibited. In Na(+)-free solution pHi decreased from 7.44 +/- 0.04 to 7.29 +/- 0.03 (n = 6) and no alkalinization was observed in CI(-)-free medium. Addition of 5 microM tributyltin bromide (an anion/OH-exchange ionophore) caused pHi to decrease from 7.43 +/- 0.05 to 7.17 +/- 0.08 (n = 5). The effects of pH0 on steady-state pHi, pHi recovery from acidification and proliferative activity after 48 h were investigated by changing buffer [CO2] and [HCO3-]. In general, increases in pH0 between 6.7 and 7.4 increased pHi recovery, steady-state pHi and growth rates. In summary, SW-620 cells have a resting pHi > 7.4 at 25 degrees C, which is higher than other intestinal cells. Acid extrusion in physiological bicarbonate media is accomplished by a pHi-sensitive Na+/H+ exchanger and a pHi-insensitive Na(+)-HCO3-cotransporter, both of which are operational in control cells at the resting pHi. No evidence for activity of a CI-/HCO3- exchanger was found in these cells, which could account for the high pHi observed and may explain why the cells continue to grow in acidic tumor environments.

ATP regulates calcium leak from agonist-sensitive internal calcium stores.

Under resting conditions, steady-state [Ca] in agonist-sensitive Ca stores reflects a balance between active uptake (usually mediated by a thapsigargin-sensitive Ca-ATPase of the SERCA family) and passive efflux of Ca. Even though this pump-leak cycle appears to be a common property of Ca-storing organelles, little is known about the nature of the leak pathway. Ca homeostasis in thapsigargin-sensitive internal Ca stores of single permeabilized BHK-21 fibroblasts was examined using digital image processing of compartmentalized mag-fura-2 (a low-affinity Ca indicator). It is shown here that the leak of Ca from internal stores is regulated specifically by the cytosolic ATP concentration. The rate of leak was 3.6 times slower in 0.375 mM[ATP] than in 4 mM [ATP] (Na or Mg salt). These effects were observed in the presence of 0 Ca/EGTA, thapsigargin, heparin, and ruthenium red, and therefore appear to be independent of the Ca-ATPase, the InsP(3) receptor and the ryanodine receptor. The ATP-stimulated leak was seen in a variety of cell types, including rat basophilic leukemia cells and mouse pancreatic acinar cells. Other nucleotides (ADP, GTP, CTP, and UTP) and nonhydrolyzable ATP analogs (AMP-PNP and ATPgammaS) did not reproduce the action of ATP. Changes in cellular metabolism and ensuing alterations in [ATP] will be expected to influence the filling state of internal Ca stores through effects on the passive leak pathway, potentially leading to modulation of Ca signaling and organellar function.

Alternate stimulation of apical CFTR by genistein in epithelia.

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) is a Cl- channel regulated by adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase A. A cAMP-independent activation has been recently shown for the protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein in CFTR-transfected NIH/3T3 fibroblasts. We further studied the role of genistein on Cl- secretion in HT-29/B6 and T84 colonic epithelial cells, which express native CFTR in their apical membranes. Transepithelial Cl- secretion was more effectively stimulated in T84 cells when compared with HT-29/B6 cells by mucosal perfusion with 50 microM genistein. Genistein, like the cAMP agonist forskolin, stimulated CFTR activity in cell-attached patches of single cells with similar slope conductances of 8.5 +/- 0.5 and 9.2 +/- 0.3 pS, respectively. Monolayers in Ussing chambers were basolaterally permeabilized with the pore former alpha-toxin, and gradient-driven Cl- current across the apical membrane (ICl) was measured. ICl was stimulated by serosal (i.e., cytosolic) cAMP (half-maximal stimulatory concentration = 9.8 +/- 1.9 microM). In the presence of cAMP (> 5 microM), subsequent mucosal, but not serosal, addition of genistein further increased Icl by approximately 16%; in the absence of cytosolic cAMP, genistein had no effect on ICl. The inactive analogue daidzein had no effect. When cAMP agonists were removed in the continued presence of genistein, ICl remained elevated in both permeabilized and intact monolayers as well as in cell-attached patches of single cells. In addition, genistein blocked K- currents across the basolateral membrane in apically amphotericin B-permeabilized monolayers (half maximal inhibitory concentration = 44.2 +/- 8.1 microM). Therefore, in intact epithelia, the overall secretory response to genistein is composed of stimulatory effects on the apical CFTR and inhibitory effects on the basolateral K+ conductance. We propose that genistein blocks a phosphatase, which regulates CFTR during cAMP-dependent stimulation.

The actin filament disrupter cytochalasin D activates the recombinant cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator Cl- channel in mouse 3T3 fibroblasts.

1. Cytochalasin D (CD; 5 microM) readily stimulated cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl- channel activity in cell-attached and whole-cell patch recordings from 3T3 fibroblasts expressing recombinant CFTR but not in mock-transfected cells. CD-stimulated currents were indistinguishable from those evoked by forskolin stimulation. Kinetic analysis of CFTR gating showed identical channel behaviour independent of the agonist used. 2. To elucidate the mechanism of action of CD we tested its effects on cAMP, protein kinase A, and the CFTR itself during CD stimulation. In contrast to forskolin treatment, CD did not increase cellular cAMP content. 3. A direct interaction of CD with the CFTR was ruled out because CD showed no effect on CFTR in excised inside-out patches. 4. CD effects were fully blocked when the cellular protein kinase A was inhibited by treatment of cells with RpcAMPS in cell-attached patches or when protein kinase inhibitor peptide was dialysed into cells in whole-cell experiments. 5. Addition of G-actin to excised patches had no effects on CFTR. 6. We conclude that the stimulatory effect of CD is cAMP independent, but needs a functional protein kinase A in order to activate the CFTR. We propose that cytochalasin D activates CFTR by releasing a cellular inhibitor, e.g. a phosphatase, that is held in place by F-actin.

La3+ and pH sensitivity of Ca2+ entry and intracellular store filling in gastric parietal cells.

The fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fura 2 was used to measure cytosolic free [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) in order to obtain information about relative rates of Ca2+ influx into parietal cells during treatment with carbachol (a cholinergic agonist) or thapsigargin (TG, a Ca(2+)-mobilizing agent) or during reloading of the internal Ca2+ stores. In Ca(2+)-containing solutions, carbachol-, TG-, and reloading-stimulated Ca2+ entry exhibited nearly identical sensitivity to La3+ [inhibition constant (Ki) approximately 10 microM] or low pH (pKi approximately 7.0). In experiments in which carbachol and TG were used, there was no additional increase in [Ca2+]i when TG was added to carbachol-treated cells or when carbachol was added to cells previously treated with TG. Thus it is likely that a single Ca2+ entry pathway serves a signaling function as well as a role in refilling the Ca2+ store during reloading. Because the Ca2+ pathway is exquisitely sensitive to pH and serosal pH increases during stimulant-induced H+ secretion (which is activated by increases in [Ca2+]i), this mechanism will exert positive feedback on parietal cells in the intact stomach. When parietal cells were pretreated with carbachol in Ca(2+)-free solutions, reloading was independent of pH and La3+, suggesting that Ca(2+)-containing solutions should be used to determine the properties of the influx pathway.