Alpha-adrenergically mediated changes in membrane lipid fluidity and Ca2/ binding in isolated rat liver plasma membranes.

Noradrenaline (0.1-5 microM, in the presence of 5 microM propranolol to block beta-receptors), ATP (100 microM) and angiotensin II (0.1 microM), which are thought to increase cytosolic Ca2+ concentration by mobilizing Ca2+ from internal stores, increased the lipid fluidity as measured by diphenylhexatriene fluorescence polarization in plasma membranes isolated from rat liver. The effect of noradrenaline was dose-dependent and blocked by the alpha-antagonists phenoxybenzamine (50 microM) and phentolamine (1 microM). The response to a maximal dose of noradrenaline (5 microM) and that to ATP (100 microM) were not cumulative, suggesting that both agents use a common mechanism to alter the membrane lipid fluidity. In contrast, the addition of noradrenaline (5 microM) along with the foreign amphiphile Na+-oleate (1-30 microM) resulted in an increase in membrane lipid fluidity which was equivalent to the sum of individual responses to the two agents. In the absence of Mg2+, reducing free Ca2+ concentration by adding EGTA increased membrane lipid fluidity and abolished the effect of noradrenaline, suggesting that Ca2+ is involved in the mechanism by which the hormone exerts its effect on plasma membranes. Noradrenaline (5 microM) and angiotensin II (0.1 microM) also promoted a small release of 45Ca2+ (16 pmol/mg membrane proteins) from prelabelled plasma membranes. The effect of noradrenaline was suppressed by the alpha-antagonist phentolamine (5 microM). It is proposed that noradrenaline, via alpha-adrenergic receptors and other Ca2+ -mobilizing hormones, increases membrane lipid fluidity by displacing a small pool of Ca2+ bound to phospholipids, removing thus the mechanical constraints brought about by this ion.

Does the inositol tris/tetrakisphosphate pathway exist in rat heart?

Appearance of two isomers of inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) was observed when [3H]inositol prelabelled rat heart ventricles were stimulated for 10 and 30 s with noradrenaline. In contrast, inositol tetrakisphosphate (InsP4) could not be detected. However the existence of the inositol tris/tetrakisphosphate pathway was demonstrated by studying [3H]inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins-1,4,5-P3) metabolism in a soluble fraction of rat heart. There, [3H]Ins-1,4,5-P3 was phosphorylated to form [3H]Ins-1,3,4,5-P4. Raising [Ca2+] from 1 nM to 1 microM increased InsP3 kinase activity by 2-fold (EC50 for Ca2+ approx. 56 nM). This effect appeared to be due to an increase of the apparent Vmax of the enzyme while the apparent Km was unchanged.

Inositol phosphate production following alpha 1-adrenergic, muscarinic or electrical stimulation in isolated rat heart.

A possible participation of polyphosphoinositide metabolism in the excitation-contraction coupling in heart was investigated. Isolated rat ventricles prelabelled with myo-[2-3H]inositol were stimulated by conditions that increase mechanical activity. Both noradrenaline and carbachol increased the basal level of IP3, IP2 and IP by the activation of alpha 1-adrenergic and muscarinic receptors, respectively. Electrical stimulation accelerated inositol lipid degradation by phospholipase C thus enhancing the IP3 level as compared to quiescent ventricles. It is proposed that IP3 may be involved in excitation-contraction coupling in cardiac tissue.

Norepinephrine-induced loss of phosphatidylinositol from isolated rat liver plasma membrane. Effects of divalent cations.

Norepinephrine at 5 microM induces a rapid (60 s) and specific loss of phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) when added to isolated rat liver plasma membranes. The hormone action is inhibited by the alpha-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine (20 microM). Depletion of Mg2+ and Ca2+ singly or in combination from the incubation buffer mimicks the hormone effect on PtdIns breakdown. No further effect on PtdIns degradation could be measured when norepinephrine was added to the cation-depleted buffers. Addition of the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 to the isolated membranes has no effect. It is concluded that PtdIns degradation can be provoked in isolated rat liver plasma membrane through alpha-adrenergic receptor activation and that this effect is dependent on divalent cations in the sense that loss of cations from the membrane allows degradation to commence.

Mechanisms of H+/HCO3- transport in the medullary thick ascending limb of rat kidney.

The rat MTAL secretes protons into the tubular fluid and thus absorbs bicarbonate at substantial rates. Yet the cellular mechanisms of H+/HCO3- transport in the rat MTAL remain largely unsettled. We have performed intracellular pH recovery studies with use of the fluorescent probe BCECF in suspensions of rat MTAL fragments. Luminal H+ secretion occurs by two mechanisms (each responsible for 50% of the normal pHi recovery rate): (1) an electroneutral Na+/H+ antiporter that has an Na-Km of about 11 mM and is inhibited by amiloride (Ki = 2.8 x 10(-5) M); (2) a primary H+ pump that is inhibited by 10(-4) M NEM and 10(-4) M omeprazole, but not by 10(-4) M vanadate or removal of external K. These results suggest the presence of a vacuolar H(+)-ATPase rather than a H(+)-K(+)-ATPase. Basolateral HCO3 exit occurs predominantly by a Cl(-)- and Na(+)-independent electroneutral K+/HCO3- symporter, that has an HCO3-Km of about 17 mM, and is partially inhibited by 10(-4) M DIDS. Basolateral HCO3- efflux was not accompanied by variations of membrane potential monitored with the Em-sensitive fluorescent probe DIS-C3-5, and was not affected by maneuvers that depolarize the cells. It was strongly inhibited by cellular K depletion and dependent on transmembrane K gradient. We conclude that the rat MTAL should secrete protons through both Na+/H+ antiporter and H(+)-ATPase, and that basolateral HCO3- exit should occur through an electroneutral K+/HCO3- symporter.

Mediation by GTP gamma S and Ca2+ of inositol trisphosphate generation in rat heart membranes.

The possibility, that a GTP-binding protein is involved in the transducing mechanism leading to the formation of inositol trisphosphate (InsP3) in heart was explored in rat heart ventricles. Accordingly, a crude membrane fraction was isolated from 3[H] inositol prelabelled rat heart ventricles. When incubated with the non-hydrolysable GTP analogues GTP gamma S and GMP-PNP, it produced InsP3 in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. GDP beta S and the aminoglycoside antibiotic neomycin were effective inhibitors of this activation. In the absence of GTP gamma S or GMP-PNP, no such formation occurred with Ca2+ concentration from 10 nM to 1 microM but formation tripled in relation to the control level when Ca2+ concentration was raised from 1 microM to 100 microM. GTP gamma S increased the Ca2+ sensitivity of InsP3 production towards more physiologically relevant concentrations occurring during diastole (100 nM). These findings strongly suggest the presence in heart of a particulate Ca2(+)-dependent phospholipase C, whose activity is regulated by guanine nucleotides. This Ca2(+)-dependent phospholipase C observed in a cell free system was evidenced also in a multicellular system when altering the free Ca2+ concentrations around the physiological range. The results support the possibility that the enzyme might be activated during each cardiac cycle and thus produce two potential activators of cardiac contraction, namely InsP3 and diglycerides.

[Effect of angiotensin ii on Na+/H+ exchangers of the renal tubule]. / Effet de l'angiotensine II sur les échangeurs Na+/H+ du tubule rénal.

Angiotensin II is a key element in regulating the volume of extracellular liquid. It acts indirectly through aldosterone secretion by adrenals and directly on the renal tubule too: It regulates luminal Na+/H+ antiporters (NHE3 and possibly NHE2) after binding to membrane AT1 receptors located both on the basolateral and on the apical side of the cells. The main site of Ang II action is proximal tubule, mainly the S1 segment which has a high level of AT1 receptors. Circulating Ang II concentrations (10(-12) to 10(-10) M), increased NaCl, water and NaHCO3 reabsorption via NHE3 in the proximal tubule. There is also a synthesis of Ang II within the cells of proximal tubule, which is secreted within the lumen where the physiological concentration is stable 10(-8) M, i.e. 100 to 1000 times higher than the circulating concentration. Luminal ANG II originating from kidney has a physiological autocrine function on NaCl, water and probably NaHCO3 reabsorption, since inhibiting Ang II synthesis, by conversion enzyme inhibition, or effect, by AT1 receptor antagonists, induces a reduction of proximal tubule reabsorption. The stimulatory effects of circulating and intrarenal Ang II seem to be explained by protein kinase C stimulation and possibly by a reduction of cAMP production or by a stimulation of a non-receptor tyrosine kinase. When pharmacological doses of Ang II (> 10(-8) M) are applied in the peritubular or the luminal medium of isolated microperfused proximal tubule in vitro, a paradoxical inhibition of NHE3 was observed. These effects appear to involve arachidonic acid metabolites through the cytochrome P450 pathway and possibly a rise in cytosolic free Ca++. The physiological significance of these supraphysiological effects are unknown.

Net calcium fluxes in rat parotid acinar cells: evidence for a hormone-sensitive calcium pool in or near the plasma membrane.

The effects of receptor stimulation on net fluxes of 45Ca in parotid acinar cells were investigated. When cellular 45Ca content was near steady-state, muscarinic receptor activation by carbachol caused a net efflux of 45Ca (not always reproducible) followed by a net influx. In the presence of excess ethylene glycol bis (beta-aminoethyl ether) N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid, net efflux invariably occurred, but the influx phase was prevented. When the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine was added to the medium during the influx phase, an abrupt transient influx occurred followed by a return of net influx to the prestimulation level. When cellular responses believed to reflect intracellular ionized Ca (k + permeability, protein secretion) were examined under similar conditions, atropine invariably had an inhibitory effect. The Ca taken up in response to atropine apparently replenishes the hormone-sensitive pool of cellular Ca since it can be released subsequently by adrenoceptor activation. Taken together, these observations suggest that when atropine is administered to cholinergically activated cells, the hormone-sensitive Ca pool rapidly refills from the extracellular fluid without a concomitant increase in ionized intracellular Ca. Thus, it is suggested that this Ca pool is most likely associated with the plasma membrane.

Effect of cyclic AMP-dependent hormones and Ca2+-mobilizing hormones on the Ca2+ influx and polyphosphoinositide metabolism in isolated rat hepatocytes.

The effect of the interaction between the Ca2+-mobilizing hormone adrenaline, used as alpha-adrenergic agonist, and cyclic AMP-dependent hormones, including beta-adrenergic agonists and glucagon, on the initial 45Ca2+ uptake rate and polyphosphoinositide metabolism were investigated in isolated rat hepatocytes. Each hormone alone increased the initial 45Ca2+ uptake rate. When adrenaline was added without inhibitor, it induced a rise in the initial 45Ca2+ uptake rate larger than the sum of the rises elicited by its alpha and beta components singly. Similarly, when adrenaline was used as an alpha-agonist and added together with glucagon, it enhanced the initial 45Ca2+ uptake rate synergistically. Kinetic analysis of the initial 45Ca2+ uptake rate measured at different Ca2+ concentrations suggested that the increased influx elicited by the combination of adrenaline as alpha-adrenergic agonist and glucagon reflects an activation of the rate of Ca2+ transport via a homogeneous population of Ca2+ channels or carriers. Dose-response curves for the alpha-adrenergic action of adrenaline or glucagon applied in the presence of increasing doses of glucagon or adrenaline showed that each hormone increases the maximal response to the other without affecting its ED50. Measurement of polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis and of the inositol phosphates formed in the presence of adrenaline or vasopressin and/or glucagon showed that Ca2+-mobilizing hormones and glucagon had no synergistic effects on inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production. It is therefore proposed that the synergistic action of glucagon and Ca2+-mobilizing hormones on Ca2+ influx occurs at a step that takes place close to the Ca2+ channels or carriers themselves. The Ca2+ gating involved might be mainly controlled by two products, one of them arising from the polyphosphoinositide metabolism, and the other from the increase in internal cyclic AMP.

Noradrenaline, vasopressin and angiotensin increase Ca2+ influx by opening a common pool of Ca2+ channels in isolated rat liver cells.

The effects of the Ca2+-mobilizing hormones noradrenaline, vasopressin and angiotensin on the unidirectional influx of Ca2+ were investigated in isolated rat liver cells by measuring the initial rate of 45Ca2+ uptake. The three hormones increased Ca2+ influx, with EC50 values (concentrations giving half-maximal effect) of 0.15 microM, 0.44 nM and 0.8 nM for noradrenaline, vasopressin and angiotensin respectively. The actions of noradrenaline and angiotensin were evident within seconds after their addition to the cells, whereas the increase in Ca2+ influx initiated by vasopressin was slightly delayed (by 5-15s). The activation of Ca2+ influx was maintained as long as the receptor was occupied by the hormone. The measurement of the resting and hormone-stimulated Ca2+ influxes at different external Ca2+ concentrations revealed Michaelis-Menten-type kinetics compatible with a saturable channel model. Noradrenaline, vasopressin and angiotensin increased both Km and Vmax. of Ca2+ influx. It is proposed that the hormones increase the rate of translocation of Ca2+ through a common pool of Ca2+ channels without changing the number of available channels or their affinity for Ca2+.

Synergistic stimulation of the Ca2+ influx in rat hepatocytes by glucagon and the Ca2+-linked hormones vasopressin and angiotensin II.

Glucagon was added to isolated rat hepatocytes, either alone or together with vasopressin or angiotensin II, and the effects on the initial 45Ca2+ uptake rate were investigated. Addition of glucagon alone which increased cyclic AMP content of the cells slightly increased the initial 45Ca2+ uptake rate. When glucagon was added together with vasopressin or angiotensin II--both of which when added separately increase the initial 45Ca2+ uptake rate but did not affect the cellular content of cyclic AMP--the measured initial 45Ca2+ uptake rate was larger than the sum of that seen with each hormone alone. This indicates that glucagon and Ca2+-linked hormones synergistically enhanced the Ca2+ influx in rat hepatocytes. These effects of glucagon can be mimicked by dibutyryl cyclic AMP or forskolin, suggesting that cyclic AMP augments both the resting Ca2+ and the vasopressin- or angiotensin II-stimulated influx. Measurement of the initial 45Ca2+ uptake rate as a function of the extracellular Ca2+ concentration indicated that the increase in the Ca2+ influx resulting from single or combined glucagon and vasopressin administration occurred through a homogeneous population of Ca2+ gates. These hormones were found to raise both the apparent Km for external Ca2+ and the apparent Vmax of the Ca2+ influx. The maximal increase in these two parameters was observed when the two hormones were added together. This suggests that glucagon and vasopressin synergistically stimulate the same Ca2+ gating mechanism. The dose-response curves for the action of glucagon or vasopressin applied in the presence of increasing concentrations of vasopressin or glucagon, respectively, showed that each hormone increases the maximal response to the other without affecting its ED50. It is proposed that glucagon and the Ca2+-linked hormones control the cellular concentration of two intermediates which are both necessary to allow Ca2+ entry into the cells.

A regulatory calcium-binding site for calcium channel in isolated rat hepatocytes.

Loading isolated rat hepatocytes with high concentrations of the fluorescent Ca2+-chelator quin-2 in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ decreases by about 3-fold the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). In these low [Ca2+]i cells, the initial 45Ca2+ uptake rate, assumed to represent the Ca2+ influx, is stimulated to a level close to that promoted by maximal doses of vasopressin and angiotensin II in control cells. The subsequent addition of Ca2+ to the quin-2-loaded hepatocytes results in a rapid increase in [Ca2+]i and a return of Ca2+ influx towards the basal level usually observed in nonloaded cells. This indicates that the Ca2+ influx is dependent on [Ca2+]i but not on the quin-2 load itself. In the low [Ca2+]i cells, both the apparent Km and the apparent Vmax of the Ca2+ influx are increased as compared to the controls, indicating that the properties of the channels activated by lowering [Ca2+]i are apparently identical to those initiated by the hormones (Mauger, J.-P., Poggioli, J., Guesdon, F., and Claret, M. (1984) Biochem. J. 221, 121-127). It is proposed that in the isolated rat hepatocytes there is an inverse relationship between the Ca2+ influx and [Ca2+]i. Under resting conditions, [Ca2+]i might be high enough to partially inhibit the Ca2+ influx via a Ca2+ binding to an inhibitory site presumably located at the inner membrane surface. The role of the site in the hormonal action is discussed.

[Regulation of the luminal Na+/H+ exchanger NHE3 by intracellular protein trafficking]. / Régulation de l'activité de l'échangeur Na+/H+ apical NHE3 par trafic intracellulaire de la protéine.

The article summarizes some of the recent developments in the understanding of the mechanisms of regulation of the proximal tubule apical membrane Na+/H+ antiporter NHE3. NHE3 antiporter has a major role in HCO3- and NaCl reabsorption in the proximal tubule. NHE3 protein is associated with the regulatory factor NHERF which interacts with ezrin, an actin-binding protein. This multi-protein complex constitutes a link between a membrane protein, NHE3, and actin cytoskeleton. Cytoskeleton organization has a key role to control NHE3 activity under normal conditions. Pharmacological perturbations of actin polymerization interfere with NHE3 activity. Parathyroid hormone-induced NHE3 activity inhibition results first, from a protein kinase A-mediated phosphorylation without protein trafficking, and then from endocytosis involving dynamin. The stimulatory effect of systemic angiotensin II concentrations on NHE3 activity is protein kinase C-dependent and results, at least in part, from exocytic insertion of the protein in luminal membranes. It requires cytoskeleton integrity.

ATP and other adenine compounds increase mechanical activity and inositol trisphosphate production in rat heart.

1. The effects of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and other adenine compounds were examined on rat papillary and right ventricular muscles in the presence of 10 microM-propranolol, 10 microM-atropine and 0.1 microM-prazosin or 10 microM-phentolamine. 2. Adenosine, adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP), adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP), ATP and alpha,beta-methylene ATP (APCPP) produced small positive inotropic effects, sometimes preceded by transient negative effects. 3. 8-Phenyltheophylline (8-PT), a P1-purinoceptor antagonist antagonized the negative effects and increased the positive inotropy induced by ATP and adenosine. 4. In the presence of APCPP, a P2-purinergic agonist, ATP had only negative inotropic effects. 5. Adenosine and ATP increased inositol 1, 4, 5- and inositol 1, 3, 4-trisphosphate as well as inositol mono- and bisphosphate formation. Maximal effects were obtained at concentrations of 0.5 mM. 6. APCPP increased inositol phosphate formation while 8-PT did not prevent the effects of adenosine and ATP. 7. It is suggested that P2-purinoceptor activation induces both a positive inotropy and an increase in inositol-lipid metabolism in rat ventricular muscles.

Protein kinase C isoforms in rat kidney proximal tubule: acute effect of angiotensin II.

The present study examined the effect of phorbol esters, Ca2+, and angiotensin II (ANG II) on protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms in the rat proximal tubule. The immunoblot analysis of PKC isoforms of particulate and cytosolic fractions of proximal tubules revealed immunoreactive proteins when antibodies against PKC-alpha, -delta, -epsilon, and -zeta, but not -beta and -gamma were used. Phorbol dibutyrate (PDBU) induced the translocation of PKC-alpha, -delta, and -epsilon, whereas an inactive phorbol ester had no effect. PDBU and ionomycin increased particulate PKC specific activity from 0.67 +/- 0.09 to 1.56 +/- 0.18 and 0.96 +/- 0.04 pmol.microgram protein-1.2 min-1, respectively. ANG II (10(-7) M) induced a time-dependent increase in particulate PKC-alpha immunoreactivity observed after 2 min and maintained for 12 min. Particulate PKC-epsilon immunoreactivity increased after 4 min. Meanwhile, PKC-delta and -zeta were not modified by ANG II. Accordingly, ANG II elicited a rise in the specific activity of the particulate PKC, which increased to 0.89 +/- 0.09 pmol.micrograms protein-1.2 min-1 after 2 min. This was inhibited by a preincubation in the presence of 10(-5) M losartan, specific inhibitor of angiotensin subtype 1 receptors. These data indicate that PKC-alpha and -epsilon are potential candidates to regulate the activity of Na+/H+ and Na(+)-HCO3- transporters because they are translocated with a time course fitting with that of the reported effect of ANG II on those transporters.