Cytoskeletal control of vesicle transport and exocytosis in chromaffin cells.

Chromaffin cell exocytosis is a fascinating interplay between secretory vesicles and cellular components. One of these components is the cytoskeleton and its associated regulatory proteins. Transport of chromaffin secretory granules from their site of biosynthesis towards the active site of exocytosis requires both F-actin fine remodelling as well as microtubule trails. At least two molecular motors, myosins II and V, seem to play a crucial role in the control of F-actin dynamics and vectorial vesicle displacement respectively. Vesicle movement experiences spatial restrictions as they approach the cell cortical region, where the F-actin meshwork constitutes a barrier-limiting vesicle access to the plasmalemma. During secretion, cortical F-actin is locally disrupted providing access of vesicles to release sites on the plasmalemma. Removal of the stimulus restores cortical F-actin. Two pathways (Ca2+-scinderin and PKC-MARCKS) control F-actin changes during the secretory cycle . Furthermore, GTPases such as RhoA, that controls F-actin network integrity, and Cdc42 signalling which induces the formation of local actin filaments at active sites, provide additional evidence on the importance of F-actin as a key element in vesicle transport and in the exocytotic machinery of chromaffin cells.

In vivo erythroid recovery following paclitaxel injury: correlation between GATA-1, c-MYB, NF-E2, Epo receptor expressions, and apoptosis.

Paclitaxel (Px) is a cancer chemotherapeutic agent that causes bone marrow (BM) cytotoxicity by microtubule stabilization and by modifications in the expression of several genes. Hematopoietic progenitors show severe alterations following Px injury. Erythropoietic recovery should be accompanied by changes in the expression of transcription factors such as c-MYB, GATA-1, NF-E2, Bcl-x(L), and erythropoietin receptor (Epo-R). The aim of this work was to study the in vivo recovery of erythropoiesis and to correlate transcription factors, Bcl-x(L), and Epo-R expressions to apoptosis and changes in proliferation of murine erythroid progenitors following a single dose of Px (29 mg/kg, i.p.). BM total and differential cellularities, apoptosis (TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling [TUNEL] assay), clonogenic assays, and immunoblots for transcription factors, Epo-R, and Bcl-x(L) were performed each day for 5 days post-injury. Apoptosis (24 +/- 0.81%, P < 0.01), inhibition of colony growth (burst-forming units-erythroid [BFU-E] and granulocyte-erythroid-macrophage [GEM]), and decrease in BM cellularities (28 +/- 4.2% of control) were maximal at 24 h following Px. The highest apoptosis was concomitant with the lowest BM cellularities. Apoptosis returned to normal values (3.08 +/- 0.61%) by day 3 post-Px. Up-regulation of c-MYB, GATA-1, Epo-R, and Bcl-x(L) expressions were observed between 24 and 48 h following Px. Correlations among c-MYB, GATA-1, Bcl-x(L), and Epo-R were extremely significant. Maximal expression of NF-E2 was observed on day 3 concomitant with the rise (threefold) of early erythroid precursors (BFU-E). Thus, cells that survive injury seem to be stimulated to produce early (24-48 h) erythroid-related and antiapoptotic proteins. Therefore, the results suggest an in vivo interplay between specific transcription factors and Bcl-x(L) during progenitor cell survival and proliferation; mechanisms triggered to restore size and composition of the erythroid compartment.

Expression of scinderin in megakaryoblastic leukemia cells induces differentiation, maturation, and apoptosis with release of plateletlike particles and inhibits proliferation and tumorigenesis.

Rapid proliferation of atypical megakaryoblasts is a characteristic of megakaryoblastic leukemia. Cells from patients with this disorder and cell lines established from this type of leukemia showed the presence of gelsolin but the absence of scinderin expression, 2 filamentous actin-severing proteins present in normal megakaryocytes and platelets. Vector-mediated expression of scinderin in the megakaryoblastic cell line MEG-01 induced a decrease in both F-actin and gelsolin. This was accompanied by increased Rac2 expression and by activation of the PAK/MEKK.SEK/JNK/c-jun, c-fos transduction pathway. The Raf/MEK/ERK pathway was also activated in these cells. Transduction pathway activation was followed by cell differentiation, polyploidization, maturation, and apoptosis with release of platelet-like particles. Particles expressed surface CD41a antigen (glycoprotein IIb/IIIa or fibrinogen receptor), had dense bodies, high-affinity serotonin transport, and circular array of microtubules. Treatment of particles with thrombin induced serotonin release and aggregation that was blocked by CD41a antibodies. PAC-1 antibodies also blocked aggregation. Exposure of cells to PD98059, a blocker of MEK, inhibited antigen CD41a expression, increases in cell volume, and number of protoplasmic extensions. Cell proliferation and cell ability to form tumors in nude mice were also inhibited by the expression of scinderin. MEG-01 cells expressing scinderin had the same fate in vivo as in culture. Thus, when injected into nude mice, they entered apoptosis and released platelet-like particles. The lack of scinderin expression in megakaryoblastic leukemia cells seems to be responsible for their inability to enter into differentiation and maturation pathways characteristic of their normal counterparts.

Chromaffin cell F-actin disassembly and potentiation of catecholamine release in response to protein kinase C activation by phorbol esters is mediated through myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate phosphorylation.

The large majority of chromaffin vesicles are excluded from the plasma membrane by a cortical F-actin network. Treatment of chromaffin cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate produces disassembly of cortical F-actin, increasing the number of vesicles at release sites (Vitale, M. L., Seward, E. P., and Trifaró, J. M. (1995) Neuron 14, 353-363). Here, we provide evidence for involvement of myristoylated alanine-rich protein kinase C substrate (MARCKS), a protein kinase C substrate, in chromaffin cell secretion. MARCKS binds and cross-links F-actin, the latter is inhibited by protein kinase C-induced MARCKS phosphorylation. MARCKS was found in chromaffin cells by immunoblotting. MARCKS was also detected by immunoprecipitation. In intact or permeabilized cells MARCKS phosphorylation increased upon stimulation with 10(-7) m phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. This was accompanied by cortical F-actin disassembly and potentiation of secretion. MARCKS phosphorylation, cortical F-actin disassembly, and potentiation of Ca(2+)-evoked secretion were inhibited by a peptide (MARCKS phosphorylation site domain sequence (MPSD)) with amino acid sequence corresponding to MARCKS phosphorylation site. MPSD was phosphorylated in the process. A similar peptide (alanine-substituted phosphorylated site domain) with four serine residues of MPSD substituted by alanines was ineffective. These results provide the first evidence for MARCKS involvement in chromaffin cell secretion and suggest that regulation of cortical F-actin cross-linking might be involved in this process.

Myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate phosphorylation is involved in thrombin-induced serotonin release from platelets.

Stimulation of platelets by thrombin induces protein kinase C (PKC) activation, phosphorylation of pleckstrin, aggregation and serotonin release. Here, we demonstrate that, in human platelets, thrombin stimulation also induced phosphorylation of the myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) and serotonin release in intact and digitonin-permeabilized platelets. MARCKS is known to bind actin and cross-link actin filaments, and this is inhibited by PKC-evoked MARCKS phosphorylation. MARCKS phosphorylation and serotonin release in response to increasing concentrations of thrombin have a similar EC50 and time course and, in permeabilized platelets, peptide MPSD, with an amino acid sequence corresponding to the phosphorylation site domain of MARCKS, blocked both responses. However, pleckstrin and myosin light chain phosphorylations were not modified. Ala-MPSD, in which the four serine residues of MPSD were substituted by alanines was ineffective. The results suggest a role for MARCKS in platelet secretion. The fact that pleckstrin phosphorylation has a different time course and was not modified in the presence of MPSD when MARCKS phosphorylation and serotonin release were inhibited would suggest either that pleckstrin phosphorylation is unrelated to secretion or that it might only be involved upstream in the events leading to secretion.

Light and electron microscopic study of changes in the organization of the cortical actin cytoskeleton during chromaffin cell secretion.

Chromaffin cells cultured for 2 days were incubated in the absence or presence of 10 microM nicotine for 40 sec. Resting and stimulated cells were fixed and either prepared for fluorescence microscopy or treated with Triton X-100 to obtain cytoskeletons for ultrastructural studies. Electron microscopy of cytoskeletons revealed the presence of polygonal areas devoid of actin filaments only in nicotinic receptor-stimulated cells. Staining of these cytoskeleton preparations with rhodamine-phalloidin, a probe for filamentous actin, produced fluorescent patterns and three-dimensional images similar to those obtained from resting or stimulated intact cells prepared directly for fluorescence microscopy. Moreover, the percentage of stimulated cells showing disrupted cytoskeleton at the electron microscopic level was similar to the percentage of stimulated cells showing patched rhodamine fluorescence at the fluorescence microscopic level. In addition, cells stimulated with nicotine for 40 sec showed a fivefold increase in amine output and a significant decrease in F-actin levels. These results provide the first ultrastructural evidence for nicotinic receptor-evoked chromaffin cell F-actin disassembly and show that the rhodamine-phalloidin-unstained areas observed in fluorescence microscopy represent the areas devoid of filamentous actin observed at the electron microscopic level.

Differential effects of forskolin and 1,9-dideoxy-forskolin on nicotinic receptor- and K+-induced responses in chromaffin cells.

The diterpene forskolin inhibits nicotine-evoked chromaffin cell Ca2+ influx, scinderin redistribution, F-actin disassembly and catecholamine secretion in a concentration-dependent (10-50 microM) fashion. On the other hand, forskolin showed weak inhibitory effects when the same responses were elicited by K+-induced depolarization. Similar concentrations of 1,9-dideoxy-forskolin, a forskolin analog which does not activate adenylate cyclase, blocked very effectively the responses evoked by either of the two stimuli. Patch-clamp (whole-cell configuration) studies demonstrated that both diterpenes blocked fast and reversibly peak and total chromaffin cell nicotinic acetylcholine receptor currents, effects not mediated through adenylate cyclase activation. Moreover, both forskolin and 1,9-dideoxy-forskolin exhibited Ca2+ channel blocking properties. However, 1,9-dideoxy-forskolin was more potent than forskolin as a Ca2+ channel blocker. Furthermore, 1,9-dideoxy-forskolin was also more potent than forskolin as a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and Ca2+ channel blocker and it was more potent as a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor blocker than Ca2+ channel blocker. The results showed powerful cAMP-independent effects of the diterpenes and suggest caution in interpretation of cAMP effects on chromaffin cells when its cellular levels are modified by forskolin.

Recombinant scinderin enhances exocytosis, an effect blocked by two scinderin-derived actin-binding peptides and PIP2.

The cortical F-actin cytoskeleton represents a negative control for secretion, and it must be locally disassembled to allow chromaffin vesicle exocytosis. Recombinant scinderin (a Ca(2+)-dependent F-actin-severing protein) potentiated Ca(2+)-evoked F-actin disassembly and exocytosis in permeabilized chromaffin cells, an effect blocked by peptides Sc-ABP1 and Sc-ABP2 (with sequences corresponding to two actin-binding sites of scinderin), exogenous gamma-actin, or phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). PIP2 effect was blocked by peptide Sc-PIP2BP (with sequence corresponding to a PIP2-binding site of scinderin). Truncated scinderin254-715 (lacking actin-severing domains) did not potentiate exocytosis. Sc-ABP1, Sc-ABP2, and gamma-actin also inhibited exocytosis in the absence of recombinant scinderin, suggesting an inhibition of endogenous scinderin. Results suggest that scinderin-evoked cortical F-actin disassembly is required for secretion and that scinderin is an important component of the exocytotic machinery.

Histamine-evoked chromaffin cell scinderin redistribution, F-actin disassembly, and secretion: in the absence of cortical F-actin disassembly, an increase in intracellular Ca2+ fails to trigger exocytosis.

Histamine is a known chromaffin cell secretagogue that induces Ca(2+) -dependent release of catecholamines. However, conflicting evidence exists as to the source of Ca2+ utilized in histamine-evoked secretion. Here we report that histamine-H1 receptor activation induces redistribution of scinderin, a Ca(2+)-dependent F-actin severing protein, cortical F-actin disassembly, and catecholamine release. Histamine evoked similar patterns of distribution of scinderin and filamentous actin. The rapid responses to histamine occurred in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ and were triggered by release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. The trigger for the release of Ca2+ was inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate because U-73122, a phospholipase C inhibitor, but not its inactive isomer (U-73343), inhibited the increases in IP3 and intracellular Ca2+ levels, scinderin redistribution, cortical F-actin disassembly, and catecholamine release in response to histamine. Thapsigargin, an agent known to mobilize intracellular Ca2+, blocked the rise in intracellular Ca2+ concentration, scinderin redistribution, F-actin disassembly, and catecholamine secretion in response to histamine. Calphostin C and chelerythrine, two inhibitors of protein kinase C, blocked all responses to histamine with the exception of the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. This suggests that protein kinase C is involved in histamine-induced responses. The results also show that in the absence of F-actin disassembly, rises in intracellular Ca2+ concentration are not by themselves capable of triggering catecholamine release.

Chromaffin cell cortical actin network dynamics control the size of the release-ready vesicle pool and the initial rate of exocytosis.

Morphological, biochemical, and membrane capacitance measurements were used to study the role of cortical filamentous actin (F-actin) in exocytosis. Fluorescence and electron microscopy of resting chromaffin cells revealed a cortical actin network that excluded secretory vesicles from the subplasmalemmal area. Phorbol ester (PMA) treatment disrupted cortical F-actin and increased both the number of vesicles within the 0-50 nm subplasmalemmal zone and the initial rate of stimulated catecholamine release. In PMA-pretreated cells, membrane capacitance studies showed an increased number of vesicles fusing with the plasmalemma during the first two depolarizations of a train. PMA did not affect voltage-dependent Ca2+ influx. The total number of vesicles fused with the plasma membrane correlated well with the number of vesicles occupying the 0-50 nm cortical zone. Therefore, cortical F-actin disassembly allows translocation of vesicles to the plasmalemma in preparation for exocytosis.

Molecular cloning and functional expression of chromaffin cell scinderin indicates that it belongs to the family of Ca(2+)-dependent F-actin severing proteins.

Scinderin is a Ca(2+)-dependent actin filament severing protein present in chromaffin cells, platelets and a variety of secretory cells. It has been suggested that scinderin is involved in chromaffin cell F-actin dynamics and that this actin network controls the delivery of secretory vesicles to plasma membrane exocytotic sites. Moreover, scinderin redistribution and activity may be regulated by pH and Ca2+ in resting and stimulated cells. Here we describe the molecular cloning, the nucleotide sequence and the expression of bovine chromaffin cell scinderin cDNA. The fusion protein obtained cross-reacts with native scinderin antibodies and binds phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) and actin in a Ca(+)-dependent manner. Antibodies raised against the fusion protein produced the same cellular staining patterns for scinderin as anti-native scinderin. Nucleotide and amino acid sequence analysis indicate that scinderin has six domains each containing three internal sequence motifs, two actin and two PIP2 binding sites and has 63 and 53% homology with gelsolin and villin. These data indicate that scinderin is a novel member of the family of Ca(2+)-dependent F-actin severing proteins which includes gelsolin and villin.

Nicotine-induced intracellular calcium changes are not antagonized by alpha-bungarotoxin in adrenal medullary cells.

The snake toxin alpha-bungarotoxin distinguishes between neuronal nicotinic receptor subtypes. In chick ciliary ganglion neurons, activation of alpha-bungarotoxin-sensitive nicotinic receptors has been proposed to produce elevations in intracellular calcium levels. In the present study we show that prolonged treatment with alpha-bungarotoxin did not affect the nicotine-evoked calcium response in suspended chromaffin cells. On the other hand, the classical nicotinic receptor blocker d-tubocurarine potently blocked nicotinic receptor mediated effects. The degree of inhibition of the nicotinic response observed with d-tubocurarine was not modified by prior treatment with alpha-bungarotoxin. These results suggest that nicotinic alpha-bungarotoxin receptors are not primarily involved in nicotine-mediated increases in intracellular calcium in bovine adrenal medullary cells.

Modulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor function in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells by thymopentin.

Thymopentin is a five amino acid peptide which corresponds to amino acids 32-36 of the thymic polypeptide thymopoietin. Previous work had shown that TP-5 could modulate responsiveness at the muscle-type nicotinic receptor. The present studies show that neuronal nicotinic receptor function, measured as radiolabelled noradrenaline release from bovine adrenal medullary cells, was attenuated by thymopentin. The pentapeptide exhibited specificity for nicotinic receptor evoked release, since thymopentin did not affect potassium-stimulated secretion of [3H]noradrenaline. It appears, therefore, that thymopentin antagonizes catecholamine release by specifically modulating nicotinic receptor responsiveness.

Protein kinase C activation by phorbol esters induces chromaffin cell cortical filamentous actin disassembly and increases the initial rate of exocytosis in response to nicotinic receptor stimulation.

Nicotinic stimulation and high K+ depolarization of bovine chromaffin cells cause disassembly of cortical filamentous actin networks. Previous work from our laboratory has demonstrated that disassembly of actin filaments is Ca(2+)-dependent, precedes exocytosis and occurs in cortical areas of low cytoplasmic viscosity which are the sites of exocytosis. It has also been suggested that protein kinase C is involved in catecholamine secretion from chromaffin cells. Therefore, the possibility that protein kinase C activation might be implicated in cortical filamentous actin disassembly was investigated. Here we report that phorbol myristate acetate, a protein kinase C activator, causes cortical filamentous actin disassembly. Short-term phorbol ester treatment does not alter the morphology of chromaffin cells; however, 1 h after phorbol ester exposure an increase in cell flattening and membrane ruffling is observed. Phorbol ester-induced cortical filamentous actin disassembly is inhibited by protein kinase C activity inhibitors, is independent of extracellular Ca2+ and has a slower time course than that induced by either nicotinic receptor stimulation or K(+)-depolarization. Phorbol ester effects are likely to be mediated by activation of protein kinase C and not by any changes in intracellular Ca2+ levels, as indicated by measurements of Ca2+ transients. Pretreatment of chromaffin cells with phorbol myristate acetate increases the initial rate of nicotine-evoked catecholamine release. Nicotine-induced cortical actin filament disassembly and catecholamine secretion are partially (29-40%) inhibited by pretreatment of cells with either calphostin C, staurosporine or sphingosine. The results suggest that protein kinase C may be involved in the reorganization of the cortical actin filament network priming the cells for release by removing a barrier to secretory granule mobility. However, its role in exocytosis is modulatory but not essential.

Ca2+ and pH determine the interaction of chromaffin cell scinderin with phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol 4,5,-biphosphate and its cellular distribution during nicotinic-receptor stimulation and protein kinase C activation.

Nicotinic stimulation and high K(+)-depolarization of chromaffin cells cause disassembly of cortical filamentous actin networks and redistribution of scinderin, a Ca(2+)-dependent actin filament-severing protein. These events which are Ca(2+)-dependent precede exocytosis. Activation of scinderin by Ca2+ may cause disassembly of actin filaments leaving cortical areas of low cytoplasmic viscosity which are the sites of exocytosis (Vitale, M. L., A. Rodríguez Del Castillo, L. Tchakarov, and J.-M. Trifaró. 1991. J. Cell. Biol. 113:1057-1067). It has been suggested that protein kinase C (PKC) regulates secretion. Therefore, the possibility that PKC activation might modulate scinderin redistribution was investigated. Here we report that PMA, a PKC activator, caused scinderin redistribution, although with a slower onset than that induced by nicotine. PMA effects were independent of either extra or intracellular Ca2+ as indicated by measurements of Ca2+ transients, and they were likely to be mediated through direct activation of PKC because inhibitors of the enzyme completely blocked the response to PMA. Scinderin was not phosphorylated by the kinase and further experiments using the Na+/H+ antiport inhibitors and intracellular pH determinations, demonstrated that PKC-mediated scinderin redistribution was a consequence of an increase in intracellular pH. Moreover, it was shown that scinderin binds to phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate liposomes in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner, an effect which was modulated by the pH. The results suggest that under resting conditions, cortical scinderin is bound to plasma membrane phospholipids. The results also show that during nicotinic receptor stimulation both a rise in intracellular Ca2+ and pH are observed. The rise in intracellular pH might be the result of the translocation and activation of PKC produced by Ca2+ entry. This also would explain why scinderin redistribution induced by nicotine is partially (26-40%) inhibited by inhibitors of either PKC or the Na+/H+ antiport. In view of these findings, a model which can explain how scinderin redistribution and activity may be regulated by pH and Ca2+ in resting and stimulated conditions is proposed.

Mastoparan blockade of currents through Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels in bovine chromaffin cells.

The action of mastoparan (a wasp venom peptide) on "maxi" Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels was studied in excised inside-out patch recordings from cultured bovine chromaffin cells, under normal conditions (160 mM K+ inside, 154 mM Na+ outside). Mastoparan, when applied on the intracellular side of the membrane reduced the open channel probability in a concentration dependent manner. Changes in the channel kinetics were complex. The histograms of the open dwell times were all described by either one or two exponentials. Mastoparan shortened the mean duration of the major (long) component and to a lesser extent the minor (short) component. Closed dwell times, were described by three exponentials. While the short (major) component was prolonged by mastoparan, and the intermediate component was unaffected, the long component was shortened. Overall mean closed times were prolonged. The changes in channel kinetics could only partly be explained by a channel-blocking mechanism, even when assuming that mastoparan acts as both an intermediate and a slow channel blocker suggesting that it affects gating mechanism. The fact that mastoparan is a calmodulin inhibitor and a G-protein activator raises the possibility that in bovine chromaffin cells, either the membrane-bound calmodulin or a G-protein, plays a role in the modulation of Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels.

Cortical filamentous actin disassembly and scinderin redistribution during chromaffin cell stimulation precede exocytosis, a phenomenon not exhibited by gelsolin.

Immunofluorescence and cytochemical studies have demonstrated that filamentous actin is mainly localized in the cortical surface of the chromaffin cell. It has been suggested that these actin filament networks act as a barrier to the secretory granules, impeding their contact with the plasma membrane. Stimulation of chromaffin cells produces a disassembly of actin filament networks, implying the removal of the barrier. The presence of gelsolin and scinderin, two Ca(2+)-dependent actin filament severing proteins, in the cortical surface of the chromaffin cells, suggests the possibility that cell stimulation brings about activation of one or more actin filament severing proteins with the consequent disruption of actin networks. Therefore, biochemical studies and fluorescence microscopy experiments with scinderin and gelsolin antibodies and rhodamine-phalloidin, a probe for filamentous actin, were performed in cultured chromaffin cells to study the distribution of scinderin, gelsolin, and filamentous actin during cell stimulation and to correlate the possible changes with catecholamine secretion. Here we report that during nicotinic stimulation or K(+)-evoked depolarization, subcortical scinderin but not gelsolin is redistributed and that this redistribution precedes catecholamine secretion. The rearrangement of scinderin in patches is mediated by nicotinic receptors. Cell stimulation produces similar patterns of distribution of scinderin and filamentous actin. However, after the removal of the stimulus, the recovery of scinderin cortical pattern of distribution is faster than F-actin reassembly, suggesting that scinderin is bound in the cortical region of the cell to a component other than F-actin. We also demonstrate that peripheral actin filament disassembly and subplasmalemmal scinderin redistribution are calcium-dependent events. Moreover, experiments with an antibody against dopamine-beta-hydroxylase suggest that exocytosis sites are preferentially localized to areas of F-actin disassembly.

Monolayer co-culture of rat heart cells and bovine adrenal chromaffin paraneurons.

This paper describes a method for the preparation of co-cultures of rat heart cells and bovine adrenal chromaffin paraneurons. The most suitable condition for heart cell isolation was when a combination of trypsin-DNAse I in Locke's solution was used for digestion. The best co-culture conditions were obtained when 10(6) heart cells were plated on 7- to 8-d-old adrenal chromaffin paraneuron cultures containing 0.5 x 10(6) cells per 35-mm diameter culture dishes. Measurements of DNA (heart cells and chromaffin paraneurons), monitoring of beating frequency (heart cells), and catecholamine (chromaffin paraneurons) levels and release indicated that both cell types remain viable and functional for several weeks. Heart cells started their characteristic contractile activity 24 h earlier when plated either on viable or lysed chromaffin paraneurons, an effect apparently due to faster surface adhesion of heart cells. The beating frequency of heart cells increased after treatment of co-cultures with either noradrenaline or nicotine, with the latter agent acting indirectly through the release of chromaffin paraneuron catecholamines. Propranolol produced a dose-related inhibition of the responses to either noradrenaline or nicotine, thus suggesting that the increase in myocyte's beating activity was mediated through beta-receptors. Anti-myosin and anti-dopamine-beta-hydroxylase immunostaining was used for cell type identification and for the demonstration of body-to-body and process-to-process contacts between adrenal chromaffin paraneurons and heart cells. This co-culture system will serve as a starting point of further studies directed to understand a) the influence of a cell type on the development and on the phenotypic characteristics of a second cell type and b) the interaction of cells derived from different organs and species.

Neuronal nicotinic alpha-bungarotoxin receptors.

Recent evidence has indicated that the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and the nicotinic alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-BGT) site may be distinct in neuronal tissues. With regard to function, the former receptor appears to be involved in mediating synaptic events; however, the role of the nicotinic alpha-BGT site in nervous tissue is currently not known. Since the binding of alpha-BGT exhibits such high affinity and selectivity for a specific receptor, this may implicate an involvement of the toxin binding site in some aspect of neuronal activity with the receptor possibly mediating functions other than nicotinic cholinergic transmission. A further hypothesis to explain the nature of the toxin binding site may be that the natural ligand for the alpha-BGT site is one other than acetylcholine, with acetylcholine acting as a modulator of the site. Current studies in our laboratory are exploring these possibilities by determining whether specific peptides and/or polypeptides can interact at the nicotinic alpha-BGT site in nervous tissue. Studies using both in vivo and in vitro approaches suggest that thymopoietin may serve a role as a modulator of the nicotinic alpha-BGT site in neuronal tissues.

Phorbol esters and d-tubocurarine up-regulate alpha-bungarotoxin sites in chromaffin cells in culture via distinct mechanisms.

Previous work had shown that nicotinic antagonists resulted in a marked up-regulation of alpha-bungarotoxin sites in chromaffin cells in culture. The present experiments were done to determine the intracellular mechanism(s) whereby nicotinic antagonists might mediate their effects on these receptors. Chromaffin cells were cultured for three days with various concentrations of 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, an agent which affects protein kinase C by mimicking the actions of diacylglycerol. The phorbol ester resulted in a dose-dependent increase in alpha-bungarotoxin binding which was maximal with 100 nM 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. This increase in binding appeared to be due to an increase in the maximal number of alpha-bungarotoxin sites. Time dependence studies showed that the effect of the phorbol was undetectable with incubations of 24 h or less and appeared to plateau by 72-96 h. A similar increase in toxin binding was also observed with 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate. On the other hand, an inactive analog of 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate had no significant effect on binding. D-Sphingosine, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, was able to partially block the phorbol ester-induced increase in toxin binding while polymyxin B, another protein kinase C inhibitor, completely prevented the up-regulation of the alpha-bungarotoxin sites. Carbachol and nicotine prevented this enhancement of toxin binding in the presence of 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Although the phorbol ester resulted in an increase in toxin binding, acetylcholine-evoked catecholamine secretion from chromaffin cells in culture was decreased, indicating a dissociation between the functional nicotinic acetylcholine receptor population and the alpha-bungarotoxin sites. To determine whether agents which affect protein kinase C can alter the up-regulation of alpha-bungarotoxin sites by d-tubocurarine, 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate was added to the cells in combination with the nicotinic antagonist. The up-regulation of toxin binding sites induced by d-tubocurarine was additive with that induced by the phorbol and was not affected by polymyxin B. Thus, the results would suggest that there are at least two mechanisms by which alpha-bungarotoxin binding sites can be regulated. One is mediated via an interaction at nicotinic receptors, while the other occurs in response to phorbol esters and thus may be mediated by protein kinase C. Interestingly, although the molecular mechanisms resulting in alpha-bungarotoxin receptor up-regulation differ, both the d-tubocurarine- and the phorbol ester-induced increases were prevented by nicotinic receptor ligands.