Doping strategies to control A-centres in silicon: insights from hybrid density functional theory.

Hybrid density functional theory is used to gain insights into the interaction of intrinsic vacancies (V) and oxygen-vacancy pairs (VO, known as A-centres) with the dopants (D) germanium (Ge), tin (Sn), and lead (Pb) in silicon (Si). We determine the structures as well as binding and formation energies of the DVO and DV complexes. The results are discussed in terms of the density of states and in view of the potential of isovalent doping to control A-centres in Si. We argue that doping with Sn is the most efficient isovalent doping strategy to suppress A-centres by the formation of SnVO complexes, as these are charge neutral and strongly bound.

Increased lipolysis in adipose tissues is associated with elevation of systemic free fatty acids and insulin resistance in perilipin null mice.

Elevated plasma levels of free fatty acids (FFAs) are thought to restrict glucose utilization and induce insulin resistance. Plasma FFA concentrations are primarily governed by lipolysis in adipocytes. Perilipin surrounds the lipid droplet in adipocytes and has a dual role in lipolysis regulation. Perilipin null mice studied by two independent laboratories exhibited similar phenotypes of reduced adipose mass and resistance to diet-induced obesity, but have inconsistent metabolic parameters such as plasma levels of FFA, glucose, and insulin. This discrepancy may be due to differences in genetic background, generation, and nutritional status of the animals examined. In this study, we examined the major metabolic parameters in 129/SvEv perilipin null mice fasted for 4 h and observed increased plasma concentrations of FFA, glycerol, glucose, and insulin. An increase in the score for the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index confirmed the insulin resistance in perilipin null mice, which may be attributed to the plasma FFA elevation. Basal lipolysis was increased in adipose tissues or primary adipocytes isolated from perilipin null mice with increased mass and activity of hormone-sensitive lipase and adipose triglyceride lipase. The increased lipolytic action may accelerate FFA efflux from the adipose tissues to the bloodstream, thereby accounting for systemic FFA elevation and, hence, insulin resistance in perilipin null mice.

The lipolytic stimulation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes promotes the translocation of hormone-sensitive lipase to the surfaces of lipid storage droplets.

Hormone-sensitive lipase catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the release of fatty acids from triacylglycerol-rich lipid storage droplets of adipocytes, which contain the body's major energy reserves. Hormonal stimulation of cAMP formation and the activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase leads to the phosphorylation of hormone-sensitive lipase and a large increase in lipolysis in adipocytes. By contrast, phosphorylation of hormone-sensitive lipase by the kinase in vitro results in a comparatively minor increase in catalytic activity. In this study, we investigate the basis for this discrepancy by using immunofluorescence microscopy to locate hormone-sensitive lipase in lipolytically stimulated and unstimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In unstimulated cells, hormone-sensitive lipase is diffusely distributed throughout the cytosol. Upon stimulation of cells with the beta-adrenergic receptor agonist, isoproterenol, hormone-sensitive lipase translocates from the cytosol to the surfaces of intracellular lipid droplets concomitant with the onset of lipolysis, as measured by the release of glycerol to the culture medium. Both hormone-sensitive lipase translocation and lipolysis are reversed by the incubation of cells with the beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist, propranolol. The treatment of cells with cycloheximide fails to inhibit lipase translocation or lipolysis, indicating that the synthesis of nascent proteins is not required. Cytochalasin D and nocodazole used singly and in combination also failed to have a major effect, thus suggesting that the polymerization of microfilaments and microtubules and the formation of intermediate filament networks is unnecessary. Hormone-sensitive lipase translocation and lipolysis were inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide and a combination of deoxyglucose and sodium azide. We propose that the major consequence of the phosphorylation of hormone-sensitive lipase following the lipolytic stimulation of adipocytes is the translocation of the lipase from the cytosol to the surfaces of lipid storage droplets.

The inhibitory effect of staurosporine on insulin action is prevented by okadaic acid. Evidence for an important role of serine/threonine phosphorylation in eliciting insulin-like effects.

The serine/threonine phosphatase inhibitor, okadaic acid (OA), exerted several insulin-like effects in rat adipose cells and was, in part, synergistic with insulin. OA stimulated glucose transport activity, altered the electrophoretic mobility of IRS-1, increased the phosphorylation of the MAP-kinases ERK 1 and 2 on tyrosine sites, markedly increased MAP kinase activity and also acted synergistically with insulin in activating these enzymes. However, OA did not increase PI 3-kinase activity or the tyrosine phosphorylation of key upstream proteins in insulin's signaling cascade. Staurosporine virtually completely inhibited the insulin-stimulated glucose transport and MAP kinase activation in spite of a maintained high PI 3-kinase activity. In contrast, the effects of OA alone or in the presence of insulin were less, or not at all, affected. These data suggest that OA exerts an insulin-like effect through a serine/threonine-related pathway which is distinct from, but converges with, that of insulin downstream PI 3-kinase and upon which staurosporine exerts an inhibitory effect.

Role of PAT proteins in lipid metabolism.

One of the central reactions in bodily energy metabolism is lipolysis in adipocytes, the reaction that governs the release of stored fatty acids from the adipocyte triacylglycerol pool, which constitutes the major energy reserve in animals. These fatty acids are then transported by serum albumin to various tissues to supply their energy requirements. This reaction was previously thought to result from phosphorylation and activation of hormone-sensitive lipase by protein kinase A (PKA) but is now known to be governed by a translocation of the lipase from the cytosol to the surface of the intracellular lipid droplet that houses the reservoir of TAG. This droplet is coated with perilipin A, which is also phosphorylated by PKA in response to lipolytic stimuli, and phosphorylation of perilipin A is essential for HSL translocation and stimulated lipolysis.

Cholera and pertussis toxins modify regulation of glucose transport activity in rat adipose cells: evidence for mediation of a cAMP-independent process by G-proteins.

Adenylyl cyclase in rat adipose cells is stimulated by ligands for Rs receptors (e.g. isoproterenol) and inhibited by ligands for Ri receptors (e.g. adenosine). In contrast, Rs receptors mediate inhibition and Ri receptors mediate augmentation of insulin-stimulated glucose transport activity by a process independent of changes in cellular cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity [Kuroda M., Honnor R. C., Cushman S. W., Londos C. and Simpson I. A. (1987) J. biol. Chem. 262, 245-253]. The present study examines the possible role of G-proteins in the regulation of insulin-stimulated glucose transport activity by Rs and Ri receptors. First, conditions were established that permit intoxication of isolated rat adipocytes by cholera and pertussis toxins without compromising cell integrity. Effectiveness of toxin treatment was monitored by examining adenylyl cyclase activity in isolated plasma membranes. Secondly, neither toxin interfered with the ability of a maximal concentration insulin to initiate the glucose transport response. Thirdly, pertussis toxin eliminated the augmenting effects of adenosine on insulin-stimulated glucose transport activity, but enhanced the inhibitory effects of isoproterenol. Findings with ligands for other Ri receptors (nicotinic acid and prostaglandin E2) mirrored those with adenosine. Finally, cholera toxin elicited a modest depression of transport activity, and only in the absence of an Ri ligand (e.g. adenosine). Furthermore, in contrast to the enhanced stimulation of adenylyl cyclase by isoproterenol and GTP, cholera toxin eliminated the inhibitory effect of isoproterenol on transport activity. The augmentative effects of adenosine on transport activity were unchanged. Measurements of (-/+cAMP) cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity ratios reinforce the notion that modulation of glucose transport activity is independent of changes in cAMP. We conclude that regulation of glucose transport activity by Rs and Ri receptors is mediated by the G-proteins, Gs and Gi (or other toxin substrates), respectively. Inasmuch as such regulation occurs at the plasma membrane and appears to be cAMP-independent, it is suggested that glucose transporters may be direct targets for receptor: G-protein interactions.

Dephosphorylation of perilipin by protein phosphatases present in rat adipocytes.

By incubating 32P-labelled adipocytes, and extracts from these cells, in the presence or absence of specific inhibitors, we evaluated the contribution of protein phosphatases PP1, PP2A and PP2C, to the dephosphorylation of perilipin, an acutely hormone-regulated adipocyte phosphoprotein. Under conditions to completely inhibit PP2A activity, perilipin phosphatase activity in extracts remain unaffected, but PP1 inhibition results in abolition of perilipin phosphatase activity. Inhibition of PP1 (and 2A) in intact adipocytes stimulated lipolysis and increased phosphorylation of perilipin. No involvement of PP2C was found. Hence, PP1 constitutes the predominant if not sole perilipin phosphatase in adipocytes.

On the control of lipolysis in adipocytes.

The lipolytic reaction in adipocytes is one of the most important reactions in the management of bodily energy reserves, and dysregulation of this reaction may contribute to the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Yet, progress on resolving the molecular details of this reaction has been relatively slow. However, recent developments at the molecular level begin to paint a clearer picture of lipolysis and point to a number of unanswered questions. While HSL has long been known to be the rate-limiting enzyme of lipolysis, the mechanism by which HSL attacks the droplet lipids is not yet firmly established. Certainly, the immunocytochemical evidence showing the movement of HSL to the lipid droplet upon stimulation leaves little doubt that this translocation is a key aspect of the lipolytic reaction, but whether or not HSL phosphorylation contributes to the translocation, and at which site(s), is as yet unresolved. It will be important to establish whether there is an activation step in addition to the translocation reaction. The participation of perilipin A is indicated by the findings that this protein can protect neutral lipids within droplets from hydrolysis, but active participation in the lipolytic reaction is yet to be proved. Again, it will be important to determine whether mutations of serine residues of PKA phosphorylation sites of perilipins prevent lipolysis, and whether such modifications abolish the physical changes in the droplet surfaces that accompany lipolysis.

A Au82Si18 liquid metal field-ion emitter for the production of Si ions: fundamental properties and mechanisms.

Focused silicon beams are useful for direct write applications, e.g., lithography on silicon without the undesirable effect of substrate contamination. However, since pure silicon is not amenable to liquid metal ion source (LMIS) manufacture, a suitable alloy containing silicon has to be produced. This paper covers almost all fundamental aspects of a Au82Si18 eutectic, including the most detailed beam mass spectra reported to date of a AuSi source. A finding worthy of note in this investigation, manifested in the behaviour of the ion extraction voltage with temperature, is the abnormal behaviour of the surface tension coefficient of the alloy with temperature. An important deduction from this work, however, concerns the mechanisms responsible for the creation of doubly charged ions: reasons of self-consistency indicate that while Si2+ is directly field evaporated, Au2+ must form by the post-ionization of Au+. Finally, two different mechanisms seem to co-exist, as far as the production of cluster ions is concerned. While for cluster ions containing only a few atoms some sort of surface field-ionization mechanism might be responsible for their creation, for larger clusters, a droplet break-up mechanism, possibly by ion capture, seems very likely.

Carbon related defects in irradiated silicon revisited.

Electronic structure calculations employing hybrid functionals are used to gain insight into the interaction of carbon (C) atoms, oxygen (O) interstitials, and self-interstitials in silicon (Si). We calculate the formation energies of the C related defects Ci(SiI), CiOi, CiCs, and CiOi(SiI) with respect to the Fermi energy for all possible charge states. The Ci(SiI)(2+) state dominates in almost the whole Fermi energy range. The unpaired electron in the CiOi(+) state is mainly localized on the C interstitial so that spin polarization is able to lower the total energy. The three known atomic configurations of the CiCs pair are reproduced and it is demonstrated that hybrid functionals yield an improved energetic order for both the A and B-types as compared to previous theoretical studies. Different structures of the CiOi(SiI) cluster result for positive charge states in dramatically distinct electronic states around the Fermi energy and formation energies.

Multiple inhibitory and activating effects of nucleotides and magnesium on adrenal adenylate cyclase.

Adenylate cyclase in particulate fractions from rat adrenal glands is subject to regulation by purine nucleotides, particularly guanine nucleotides. While GTP activates the enzyme, this effect is not evident in all particulate fractions. Following dialysis of the refractory fractions activation by GTP is observed, an indication that endogenous nucleotides may obscure the effects of added GTP. The analog, guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p gives considerable more activity than does GTP. GDP, on the other hand, is inhibitory, an effect revealed only in the absence of a nucleotide-regenerating solution. GDP blocks the action of both GTP and Gpp(NH)p. These results show that the gamma-phosphate of the nucleotide is required for but need not be metabolized in the activation process. At low substrate concentration (0.1 mM ATP or adenyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate) stimulation of the enzyme by ACTH occurs only in the presence of added guanine nucleotide (GTP or Gpp(NH)p); the hormone and nucleotide act synergistically. While both GTP and Gpp(NH)p inhibit fluoride-stimulated activity, the level of fluoride required to demonstrate such inhibition appears not to be related to the level of fluoride required for activation of the enzyme. In the presence of GTP, or GTP plus ACTH, the enzyme exhibits normal Michaelis-Menten kinetics with respect to substrate utilization (K-m equal to 0.16 mM). In the activated state, produced with ACTH plus GTP, the enzyme is less susceptible to inhibition by a species of ATP uncomplexed with Mg2+, but is more susceptible to inhibition by Mg2+. These results demonstrate that fundamental differences exist between different states of the adenylate cyclase. The difficulties in describing kinetically the regulation of adenylate cyclase systems in view of the multiple actions of nucleotides and magnesium are discussed.

Two distinct adenosine-sensitive sites on adenylate cyclase.

The effects of adenosine and adenosine analogs on adenylate cyclases from several tissues have been examined. Two adenosine-reactive sites have been identified: (i) the "R" site, occupancy of which usually leads to activation of cyclase and which requires integrity of the ribose ring for activity, and (ii) the "P" site, which mediates inhibition and requires integrity of the purine ring for activity. Biphasic effects of adenosine are explained by the presence of both sites on a single adenylate cyclase. Comparison of these data with those in the literature indicates that adenosine-reactive "P" and "R" sites are present generally.

Regulation by glucagon and divalent cations of inhibition of hepatic adenylate cyclase by adenosine.

Adenosine inhibits the rat liver adenylate cyclase system at a regulatory site that is distinct from the glucagon receptor, the guanine nucleotide regulatory site, and the active site involved in catalysis of ATP to cyclic AMP. The effects of the nucleoside are also independent of the concentration of uncomplexed ATP (ATP4-) in the assay medium. Glucagon, but not guanine nucleotides, sensitizes the system to inhibition by adenosine. Depending on assay conditions, the hormone can shift the concentration of adenosine required for 50% inhibition by as much as 10-fold. Under optimal conditions, the apparent Ki for adenosine is 25 micron. Both Mg2+ and Mn2+ increase adenylate cyclase activity and, in order of relative potency, increase the sensitivity of the enzyme to adenosine inhibition; Mn2+ is 50- to 100-fold more potent than Mg2+. The adenosine inhibitory site exhibits stringent structural requirements for nucleoside action. Most alterations of the purine ring result in loss of activity, whereas alterations in the ribose ring are tolerated, and some deoxyadenosine analogs are even more effective than adenosine. Naturally occurring nucleosides and nucleotides, such as inosine, guanosine, and 5'-AMP, are inactive. Analog studies reveal also that inhibition of the hepatic system occurs at a site which is clearly different from the sites through which adenosine activates other adenylate cyclase systems, and that the liver enzyme appears to have no site for activation by the nucleoside.

Evaluation of the effects of adenosine on hepatic and adipocyte adenylate cyclase under conditions where adenosine is not generated endogenously.

Direct effects of adenosine on adipocyte and hepatic adenylate cyclase have been demonstrated in an assay system where adenosine is not generated. The substrate used, 2'-deoxy ATP may, on metabolism, only give rise to 2'-deoxyadenosine, which does not act at adenosine receptors. With a slight modification of existing assay techniques this assay system has been used to detect a hitherto undiscovered adenosine receptor on liver plasma membranes, which is antagonised by methylxanthines and which stimulates adenylate cyclase activity in a GTP-dependent manner. The potent inhibitory effects of purine-modified adenosine analogs on fat cell adenylate cyclase are reproduced by adenosine in this assay system. An application of this approach to the study of adenylate cyclase not only simplifies detection of the role of adenosine, but also yields insights into the interaction between guanine nucleotides and hormones.

cAMP-dependent protein kinase and lipolysis in rat adipocytes. II. Definition of steady-state relationship with lipolytic and antilipolytic modulators.

The steady-state relationship between the activation state of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (A-kinase) and lipolysis has been defined quantitatively. A-kinase activation was assessed by measuring the ( +/- cAMP) activity ratio in adipocyte extracts, and lipolysis was determined by measuring glycerol release from cells. Both processes were stimulated either by incubating cells in a ligand-free environment achieved with adenosine deaminase or by addition of lipolytic hormones. A response spectrum was obtained with a variety of adenylate cyclase stimulators and inhibitors, both receptor- and nonreceptor-mediated. Regardless of the ligands used to manipulate adipocyte activity, lipolysis varied from nil to maximal as the A-kinase activity ratio varied from approximately 0.05 to 0.3-0.35. These data provide a quantitative description of the steady-state relationship between A-kinase activity and lipolysis and indicate that the various lipolytic and antilipolytic agents tested act on the lipolytic process exclusively by altering adenylate cyclase activity and, thus, cellular cAMP concentrations. The data reveal also that transient "peaking" of cAMP, as measured by A-kinase activity ratios, is not an inherent feature of adipocyte metabolism. Moreover, the concentration requirements for lipolytic hormone action are critically dependent on the ambient concentration of antilipolytic agents, and t concentration requirements for antilipolytic agents are dependent on the extent to which cells are stimulated. The data in this paper provide the basis for assessing the relationship between A-kinase activity ratio and lipolysis in the presence of insulin (Londos, C., Honnor, R. C., and Dhillon, G. S. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 15139-15145).

cAMP-dependent protein kinase and lipolysis in rat adipocytes. III. Multiple modes of insulin regulation of lipolysis and regulation of insulin responses by adenylate cyclase regulators.

The relationship between cAMP-dependent protein kinase (A-kinase) activity ratios and lipolysis in the presence of insulin was compared to the standard relationship between these two parameters established with a variety of adenylate cyclase modulators (Honnor, R. C., Dhillon, G., and Londos, C. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 15130-15138). Three phases of insulin action were observed. First, when tested in control cells exhibiting A-kinase activity ratios up to approximately 0.25, insulin inhibition of lipolysis could be accounted for by the decrease in A-kinase activity. Second, in cells exhibiting A-kinase activity ratios greater than 0.3, the decrease in kinase activity by insulin did not account for the decrease in lipolysis. Finally, as the A-kinase activity ratio approached 0.6 the insulin effect on lipolysis was lost. The data suggest that protein phosphatase activation accounts for the cAMP-independent insulin action. Moreover, the insulin effect not accounted for by a decrease in A-kinase activity appears to be elicited only upon elevation of A-kinase activity. The method by which cells were stimulated determined the IC50 for insulin inhibition of: 1) A-kinase activity ratios, 2) lipolysis explained by the decrease in A-kinase activity ratios, and 3) lipolysis not explained by a decrease in A-kinase activity ratios. For all three parameters, cells stimulated by lipolytic hormones were approximately 5 times more sensitive to insulin than cells stimulated by incubation in a ligand-free environment achieved with adenosine deaminase; insulin IC50 values were approximately 120 and 600 pM, respectively. Such data establish a link between insulin actions in modifying cAMP concentrations and in modifying events apparently independent of changes in cAMP. It is proposed that the receptors and regulatory components associated with adipocyte adenylate cyclase are associated also with components of the insulin response system separate from cyclase.

cAMP-dependent protein kinase and lipolysis in rat adipocytes. I. Cell preparation, manipulation, and predictability in behavior.

With the use of -cAMP/+cAMP activity ratios of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (A-kinase) in fat cell extracts as an index of cellular cAMP concentrations, it is apparent from both the current literature and from data presented in this paper that classical cell isolation procedures yield cells whose behavior is unpredictable from day to day. Herein, procedures are described for isolating adipocytes, preparing cytosolic extracts, and assaying A-kinase that result in kinase activity ratios in isolated cells equal to those in the fat pad from which cells are derived, approximately 0.05. An important modification in the procedure is the inclusion of 200 nM exogenous Ado in all cell manipulation media, and the data indicate that variable removal of contaminating endogenous Ado accounts for unpredictable results with standard cell isolation techniques. A further benefit of Ado inclusion is greatly reduced cell lysis. Acute removal of Ado with adenosine deaminase results in rapid elevation of A-kinase activity ratios and lipolysis which, in fasted animals, equals that achieved with lipolytic hormones. Cells from fed animals exhibit poor predictability in behavior. Moreover, A-kinase activity ratios exhibit seasonal tendencies in response to Ado removal, with cells isolated in spring being more activated than cells isolated later in the year. The information and procedures in this paper form the basis for succeeding papers on the regulation of adipocyte metabolism by hormones.

A tandem chromatographic column method for assaying cAMP-dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C with synthetic peptide substrates.

A method was devised for assaying protein kinases that phosphorylate either Kemptide, such as cAMP-dependent protein kinase, or a glycogen synthase peptide, which is an excellent substrate for protein kinase C. Upon sequential processing of reaction mixtures through tandem columns of cation and anion exchange resins, radioactivity in background samples is nearly nil and the yield of phosphorylated peptides is high. This method reduces labor, radioactivity, enzyme requirements, and costs of assaying protein kinases.

Adenosine analogs inhibit adipocyte adenylate cyclase by a GTP-dependent process: basis for actions of adenosine and methylxanthines on cyclic AMP production and lipolysis.

Adenylate cyclase in purified membranes from rat adipocytes is inhibited by low concentrations of purine-modified adenosine analogs, particularly those modified in the N6 position. Such inhibition is antagonized competitively by methylxanthines, but not by other cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors, and it is dependent on "inhibitory" concentrations of GTP in the assay medium. Ribose-modified adenosine analogs inhibit adenylate cyclase through a process that is neither dependent upon the GTP concentration nor antagonized by methylxanthines. These results explain the potent effects of adenosine and methylxanthines on fat cell metabolism and demonstrate the importance of GTP in mediating inhibition by agents that act at cell surface receptors.