A23187-induced translocation of 5-lipoxygenase in osteosarcoma cells.

In a previous study, osteosarcoma cells expressing both 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and 5 lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP) synthesized leukotrienes upon A23187 stimulation (Dixon, R. A. F., R. E. Diehl, E. Opas, E. Rands, P. J. Vickers, J. F. Evans, J. W. Gillard, and D. K. Miller. 1990. Nature (Lond.). 343:282-284). Osteosarcoma cells expressing 5-LO but not expressing FLAP were unable to synthesize leukotrienes. Thus, it was determined that FLAP was required for the cellular synthesis of leukotrienes. To examine the role of FLAP in A23187-induced translocation of 5-LO to a membrane fraction, we have studied the A23187-stimulated translocation of 5-LO in osteosarcoma cells expressing both 5-LO and FLAP, and in osteosarcoma cells expressing 5-LO only. We demonstrate that in cells expressing both 5-LO and FLAP, 5-LO translocates to membranes in response to A23187 stimulation. This 5-LO translocation is inhibited when cells are stimulated in the presence of MK-886. In osteosarcoma cells expressing 5-LO but not expressing FLAP, 5-LO is able to associate with membranes following A23187 stimulation. In contrast to the cells containing both 5-LO and FLAP, MK-886 is unable to prevent 5-LO membrane association in cells transfected with 5-LO alone. Therefore, we have demonstrated that in this cell system, 5-LO membrane association and activation can be separated into at least two distinct steps: (1) calcium-dependent movement of 5-LO to membranes without product formation, which can occur in the absence of FLAP (membrane association), and (2) activation of 5-LO with product formation, which is FLAP dependent and inhibited by MK-886 (enzyme activation).

Receptor for motilin identified in the human gastrointestinal system.

Motilin is a 22-amino acid peptide hormone expressed throughout the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of humans and other species. It affects gastric motility by stimulating interdigestive antrum and duodenal contractions. A heterotrimeric guanosine triphosphate-binding protein (G protein)-coupled receptor for motilin was isolated from human stomach, and its amino acid sequence was found to be 52 percent identical to the human receptor for growth hormone secretagogues. The macrolide antibiotic erythromycin also interacted with the cloned motilin receptor, providing a molecular basis for its effects on the human GI tract. The motilin receptor is expressed in enteric neurons of the human duodenum and colon. Development of motilin receptor agonists and antagonists may be useful in the treatment of multiple disorders of GI motility.

Suppression of intestinal polyps in Msh2-deficient and non-Msh2-deficient multiple intestinal neoplasia mice by a specific cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor and by a dual cyclooxygenase-1/2 inhibitor.

Epidemiological studies suggest that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents decrease the risk of colorectal cancer. This is believed to be mediated, at least in part, by inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) activity. There are two COX isoenzymes, namely the constitutively expressed COX-1 and the inducible COX-2. COX-2 is overexpressed in adenomas and colorectal cancers, and COX-2-specific inhibitors have been shown to inhibit intestinal polyps in Apc(Delta716) mice more effectively than dual COX-1/COX-2 inhibitors such as sulindac. Various Apc knockout mice, including the multiple intestinal neoplasia (Min) mouse and the Apc(Delta716) mouse, are limited by their lack of large numbers of colonic adenomas and aberrant crypt foci, the putative precursors of large-bowel polyps and cancers. Our DNA mismatch-repair-deficient Min mouse model (Apc+/-Msh2-/-) has genetic features of both familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, and most importantly, rapidly develops numerous small- and large-bowel adenomas, as well as colonic aberrant crypt foci. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of COX inhibitors on intestinal adenomas and colonic aberrant crypt foci in this accelerated polyposis, mismatch-repair-deficient Min mouse model, in addition to a standard Min mouse model. Weanling Apc+/-Msh2-/- and Min mice were fed diets containing no drug, sulindac, or a specific COX-2 inhibitor (MF-tricyclic). Apc+/-Msh2-/- and Min mice were sacrificed after 4 weeks and 5 months on diet, respectively. Apc+/-Msh2-/- mice treated with MF-tricyclic had significantly fewer small-bowel polyps (mean +/- SD, 178 +/- 29) compared with mice on sulindac (278 +/- 80), or control diet (341 +/- 43; P < 0.001). There was no difference in numbers of large-bowel polyps or aberrant crypt foci in mice in the three groups. MF-tricyclic was also effective in reducing both small- and large-bowel polyps in Min mice. Western analysis demonstrated COX-2 expression in both large- and small-bowel polyps from mice of both genotypes. This study demonstrates that a specific COX-2 inhibitor is effective in preventing small-bowel polyps in mismatch-repair-deficient Min mice and both small- and large-bowel polyps in standard Min mice. Therefore, specific COX-2 inhibitors may be useful as chemopreventive and therapeutic agents in humans at risk for colorectal neoplasia.

Chemoprevention of intestinal polyposis in the Apcdelta716 mouse by rofecoxib, a specific cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor.

Mutations in the human adenomatous polyposis (APC) gene are causative for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), a rare condition in which numerous colonic polyps arise during puberty and, if left untreated, lead to colon cancer. The APC gene is a tumor suppressor that has been termed the "gatekeeper gene" for colon cancer. In addition to the 100% mutation rate in FAP patients, the APC gene is mutated in >80% of sporadic colon and intestinal cancers. The Apc gene in mice has been mutated either by chemical carcinogenesis, resulting in the Min mouse Apcdelta850, or by heterologous recombination, resulting in the Apcdelta716 or Apedelta1368 mice (M. Oshima et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 92: 4482-4486, 1995). Although homozygote Apc-/- mice are embryonically lethal, the heterozygotes are viable but develop numerous intestinal polyps with loss of Apc heterozygosity within the polyps (M. Oshima et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 92: 4482-4486, 1995). The proinflammatory, prooncogenic protein cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 has been shown to be markedly induced in the Apcdelta716 polyps at an early stage of polyp development (M. Oshima et al., Cell, 87: 803-809, 1996). We demonstrate here that treatment with the specific COX-2 inhibitor rofecoxib results in a dose-dependent reduction in the number and size of intestinal and colonic polyps in the Apcdelta716 mouse. The plasma concentration of rofecoxib that resulted in a 55% inhibition of polyp number and an 80% inhibition of polyps > 1 mm in size is comparable with the human clinical steady-state concentration of 25 mg rofecoxib (Vioxx) taken once daily (A. Porras et al., Clin. Pharm. Ther., 67: 137, 2000). Polyps from both untreated and rofecoxib- or sulindac-treated Apcdelta716 mice expressed COX-1 and -2, whereas normal epithelium from all mice expressed COX-1 but minimal amounts of COX-2. Polyps from either rofecoxib- or sulindac-treated mice had lower rates of DNA replication, expressed less proangiogenic vascular endothelial-derived growth factor and more membrane-bound beta-catenin, but showed unchanged nuclear localization of this transcription factor. This study showing the inhibition of polyposis in the Apcdelta716 mouse suggests that the specific COX-2 inhibitor rofecoxib (Vioxx) has potential as a chemopreventive agent in human intestinal and colon cancer.

Expression of prostaglandin G/H synthase-1 and -2 protein in human colon cancer.

Prostaglandin G/H synthase (PGHS), a key enzyme leading to the formation of prostaglandins, is the target of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Two forms of the enzyme have been identified, PGHS-1 and PGHS-2. Epidemiological evidence has suggested that aspirin and other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. We examined by immunoblot analyses the expression of human PGHS-1 and PGHS-2 protein in 25 matched colon cancer and nontumor tissues, 4 premalignant polyps, 5 control colon tissues from noncancer patients, and 3 matched normal and cancerous breast tissue samples. PGHS-1 was detected in all normal and tumor tissue. In contrast, PGHS-2 was not detected in 23 of 25 normal colon tissues but was detected in 19 of 25 colon tumors. PGHS-2 protein was not observed in four human premalignant polyp samples, control colon from noncancer patients, or matched normal or cancerous breast tissues. These results suggest that the beneficial effects of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in colon cancer may be mediated by inhibition of PGHS-2.

Bestatin inhibits covalent coupling of [3H]LTA4 to human leukocyte LTA4 hydrolase.

The covalent coupling of [3H]LTA4 to human leukocyte LTA4 hydrolase is inhibited in a concentration-dependent fashion by pre-incubation with bestatin. This inhibition correlated with the concentration-dependent inhibition by bestatin of LTB4 and LTB5 synthesis by LTA4 hydrolase. Epibestatin, a diastereomer of bestatin, neither inhibited LTB4 or LTB5 production by LTA4 hydrolase nor prevented the covalent coupling of [3H]LTA4 to the enzyme. In contrast, captopril inhibited both LTB4 synthesis by LTA4 hydrolase and covalent coupling of [3H]LTA4 to the enzyme.

Cancer and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition.

Prior to the discovery of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), a beneficial association was shown between chronic usage of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), that non-selectively inhibit both cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and COX-2, and prevention of colorectal cancer. The cloning of COX-2 allowed the development of enzyme inhibitors that selectively inhibit COX-2 and also facilitated the expression profiling of COX-2 in many cancer tissues. COX-2 selective inhibitors have shown efficacy in vitro and in vivo in several animal cancer models and in limited human clinical trials. The potency of COX-2 inhibitors in vivo can be attributed to the inhibition of the enzyme in the tumor as well as in stromal cells, resulting in reduction of carcinogen production, anti-proliferative and pro-apoptopic actions within the tumor and anti-angiogenic and pro-immune surveillance activities in endothelial and myeloid cells. The combination of COX-2 inhibitor with standard cancer chemotherapeutic and/or radiation may provide additional therapeutic paradigms in the treatment of various human cancers.

Cytosolic phospholipase A2, cyclo-oxygenases and arachidonate in human stomach tumours.

Human stomach tumours usually form more prostaglandins (PGs) than their associated normal mucosa/submucosa, but the mechanisms are not fully understood. The key enzymes are cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2, Mr 85,000) and the cyclo-oxygenases (COXs) which exist in constitutive (COX-1) and inducible forms (COX-2). In human stomach tumours and associated macroscopically normal tissues, we determined the fatty acid composition by gas chromatography, amounts of cPLA2, COX-1 and COX-2 by immunoblotting with specific antibodies and cPLA2 enzyme activity using a tritiated substrate. Although compared to normal mucosa there was less arachidonate in tumours (P < 0.05), the arachidonate/total fatty acid ratio was higher. Mean amounts of cPLA2 and COX-1 and cPLA2 activity were similar in tumours and normal mucosa. However, substantial amounts of COX-2 were found in the tumours but not in the mucosa, which may explain why many gastric tumours form increased amounts of PGs.

Thiopyranol[2,3,4-c,d]indoles as inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase, 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein, and leukotriene C4 synthase.

The attachment of an arylacetic or benzoic acid moiety to the thiopyrano[2,3,4-c,d]indole nucleus results in compounds which are highly potent and selective 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitors. These compounds are structurally simpler than previous compounds of similar potency in that they contain a single chiral center. From the data presented, 2-[[1-(3-chlorobenzyl)-4-methyl-6-[(5-phenylpyridin-2-yl)methoxy]- 4, 5-dihydro-1H-thiopyrano[2,3,4-c,d]indol-2-yl]methoxy]-phenylacetic acid, 14b, was shown to inhibit 5-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HPETE) production by human 5-LO (IC50 of 18 nM). The acid 14b is highly selective as an inhibitor of 5-LO activity when compared to the inhibition of ram seminal vesicle cyclooxygenase (IC50 > 5 microM) or human leukocyte leukotriene A4 (LTA4) hydrolase (IC50 > 20 microM). In addition, 14b was inactive in a 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP) binding assay at 10 microM. In vivo studies showed that 14b is bioavailable in rat and functionally active in the hyperreactive rat model of antigen-induced dyspnea (74% inhibition at 0.5 mk/kg po; 2 h pretreatment). In the conscious squirrel monkey model of asthma, 14b showed excellent functional activity at 0.1 mg/kg against antigen-induced bronchoconstriction (94% inhibition of the increase in RL and 100% inhibition in the decrease in Cdyn; n = 4). Resolution of this compound gave (-)-14b, the most potent enantiomer (IC50 = 10 nM in the human 5-LO assay), which was shown to possess the S configuration at the chiral center by X-ray crystallographic analysis of an intermediate. Subsequent studies on the aryl thiopyrano[2,3,4-c,d]indole series of inhibitors led to the discovery of potent dual inhibitors of both FLAP and 5-LO, the most potent of which is 2-[[1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-4-methyl-6-(quinolin-2-ylmethoxy)-4, 5-dihydro-1H-thiopyrano[2,3,4-c,d]indol-2-yl]methoxy]phenylacetic acid, 19. Acid 19 has an IC50 of 100 nM for the inhibition of 5-HPETE production by human 5-LO and is active in a FLAP binding assay with an IC50 of 32 nM. Furthermore, thiopyrano[2,3,4-c,d]indoles such as 1 and 14b are capable of inhibiting the LTC4 synthase reaction in a dose dependent manner (IC50s of 11 and 16 microM, respectively, compared to that of LTC2 at 1.2 microM) in contrast to other, structurally distinct 5-LO inhibitors. It has also been observed that the thiopyrano[2,3,4-c,d]indole class of compounds strongly promotes the translocation of 5-LO from the cytosol to a membrane fraction in the presence or absence of the ionophore A23187.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors. Synthesis and pharmacological activities of 5-methanesulfonamido-1-indanone derivatives.

The recent discovery of an alternative form cyclooxygenase (cyclooxygenase-2, COX-2), which has been proposed to play a significant role in inflammatory conditions, may provide an opportunity to develop anti-inflammatory drugs with fewer side effects than existing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). We have now identified 6-[(2,4-difluorophenyl)-thio]-5-methanesulfonamido-1-indanone++ + (20) (L-745,337) as a potent, selective, and orally active COX-2 inhibitor. The structure-activity relationships in this series have been extensively studied. Ortho- and para-substituted 6-phenyl substitutents are optimal for in vitro potency. Replacement of this phenyl ring by a variety of heterocycles gave compounds that were less active. The methanesulfonamido group seems to be the optimal group at the 5-position of the indanone system. Compound 20 has an efficacy profile that is superior or comparable to that of the nonselective COX inhibitor indomethacin in animal models of inflammation, pain, and fever and appears to be nonulcerogenic within the dosage ranges required for functional efficacy. Although 20 and its oxygen linkage analog 2 (flosulide) are equipotent in the in vitro assays, compound 20 is more potent in the rat paw edema assay, has a longer t1/2 in squirrel monkeys, and seems less ulcergenic than 2 in rats.

Biochemical and pharmacological profile of a tetrasubstituted furanone as a highly selective COX-2 inhibitor.

1. DFU (5,5-dimethyl-3-(3-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-methylsulphonyl)phenyl-2(5H)-furan one) was identified as a novel orally active and highly selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor. 2. In CHO cells stably transfected with human COX isozymes, DFU inhibited the arachidonic acid-dependent production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) with at least a 1,000 fold selectivity for COX-2 (IC50 = 41 +/- 14 nM) over COX-1 (IC50 > 50 microM). Indomethacin was a potent inhibitor of both COX-1 (IC50 = 18 +/- 3 nM) and COX-2 (IC50 = 26 +/- 6 nM) under the same assay conditions. The large increase in selectivity of DFU over indomethacin was also observed in COX-1 mediated production of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) by Ca2+ ionophore-challenged human platelets (IC50 > 50 microM and 4.1 +/- 1.7 nM, respectively). 3. DFU caused a time-dependent inhibition of purified recombinant human COX-2 with a Ki, value of 140 +/- 68 microM for the initial reversible binding to enzyme and a kappa 2 value of 0.11 +/- 0.06 s-1 for the first order rate constant for formation of a tightly bound enzyme-inhibitor complex. Comparable values of 62 +/- 26 microM and 0.06 +/- 0.01 s-1, respectively, were obtained for indomethacin. The enzyme-inhibitor complex was found to have a 1:1 stoichiometry and to dissociate only very slowly (t1/2 = 1-3 h) with recovery of intact inhibitor and active enzyme. The time-dependent inhibition by DFU was decreased by co-incubation with arachidonic acid under non-turnover conditions, consistent with reversible competitive inhibition at the COX active site. 4. Inhibition of purified recombinant human COX-1 by DFU was very weak and observed only at low concentrations of substrate (IC50 = 63 +/- 5 microM at 0.1 microM arachidonic acid). In contrast to COX-2, inhibition was time-independent and rapidly reversible. These data are consistent with a reversible competitive inhibition of COX-1. 5. DFU inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced PGE2 production (COX-2) in a human whole blood assay with a potency (IC50 = 0.28 +/- 0.04 microM) similar to indomethacin (IC50 = 0.68 +/- 0.17 microM). In contrast, DFU was at least 500 times less potent (IC50 > 97 microM) than indomethacin at inhibiting coagulation-induced TXB2 production (COX-1) (IC50 = 0.19 +/- 0.02 microM). 6. In a sensitive assay with U937 cell microsomes at a low arachidonic acid concentration (0.1 microM), DFU inhibited COX-1 with an IC50 value of 13 +/- 2 microM as compared to 20 +/- 1 nM for indomethacin. CGP 28238, etodolac and SC-58125 were about 10 times more potent inhibitors of COX-1 than DFU. The order of potency of various inhibitors was diclofenac > indomethacin approximately naproxen > nimesulide approximately meloxicam approximately piroxicam > NS-398 approximately SC-57666 > SC-58125 > CGP 28238 approximately etodolac > L-745,337 > DFU. 7. DFU inhibited dose-dependently both the carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema (ED50 of 1.1 mg kg-1 vs 2.0 mg kg-1 for indomethacin) and hyperalgesia (ED50 of 0.95 mg kg-1 vs 1.5 mg kg-1 for indomethacin). The compound was also effective at reversing LPS-induced pyrexia in rats (ED50 = 0.76 mg kg-1 vs 1.1 mg kg-1 for indomethacin). 8. In a sensitive model in which 51Cr faecal excretion was used to assess the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract in rats, no significant effect was detected after oral administration of DFU (100 mg kg-1, b.i.d.) for 5 days, whereas chromium leakage was observed with lower doses of diclofenac (3 mg kg-1), meloxicam (3 mg kg-1) or etodolac (10-30 mg kg-1). A 5 day administration of DFU in squirrel monkeys (100 mg kg-1) did not affect chromium leakage in contrast to diclofenac (1 mg kg-1) or naproxen (5 mg kg-1). 9. The results indicate that COX-1 inhibitory effects can be detected for all selective COX-2 inhibitors tested by use of a sensitive assay at low substrate concentration. The novel inhibitor DFU shows the lowest inhibitory potency against COX-1, a consistent high selectivity of inhibition of COX-2 over COX-1 (>300 fold) with enzyme, whole cell and whole blood assays, with no detectable loss of integrity of the gastrointestinal tract at doses >200 fold higher than efficacious doses in models of inflammation, pyresis and hyperalgesia. These results provide further evidence that prostanoids derived from COX-1 activity are not important in acute inflammatory responses and that a high therapeutic index of anti-inflammatory effect to gastropathy can be achieved with a selective COX-2 inhibitor.

Mechanism of selective inhibition of human prostaglandin G/H synthase-1 and -2 in intact cells.

Selective inhibitors of prostaglandin synthase-2 (PGHS-2) possess potent anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic properties but demonstrate reduced side-effects (e.g. gastrotoxicity) when compared with nonselective inhibitors of PGHS-1 and -2. We investigated the mechanism of the differential inhibition of human PGHS-1 (hPGHS-1) and -2 (hPGHS-2) in intact cells by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and examined factors that contribute to the increased potency of PGHS inhibitors observed in intact cells versus cell-free systems. In intact Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines stably expressing the hPGHS isozymes, both PGHS isoforms exhibited the same affinity for arachidonic acid. Exogenous and endogenous arachidonic acid were used as substrates by both CHO [hPGHS-1] and CHO [hPGHS-2] cell lines. However, differences were observed in the ability of the hPGHS isoforms to utilize endogenous arachidonic acid released intracellularly following calcium ionophore stimulation or released by human cytosolic phospholipase A2 transiently expressed in the cells. Cell-based screening of PGHS inhibitors demonstrated that the selectivities and potencies of PGHS inhibitors determined using intact cells are affected by substrate concentration and differ from that determined in cell-free microsomal or purified enzyme preparations of PGHS isozymes. The mechanism of inhibition of PGHS isozymes by NSAIDs in intact cells involved difference in their time-dependent inhibition. Indomethacin displayed time-dependent inhibition of cellular hPGHS-1 and -2. In contrast, the selective PGHS-2 inhibitor NS-398 exhibited time-independent inhibition of hPGHS-1 but time-dependent inhibition of hPGHS-2 in intact cells. Reversible inhibition of cellular CHO [hPGHS-1] and CHO [hPGHS-2] was observed with the nonselective NSAIDs ibuprofen and indomethacin, whereas inhibition by the selective PGHS-2 inhibitor DuP-697 was reversible against hPGHS-1 but irreversible against hPGHS-2.

Characterization and localization of serotonin receptors in human brain postmortem.

Saturation binding experiments, quantitative autoradiography and computerized densitometric techniques were used to study serotonin S1 and S2 receptor distribution in the human brain, using [3H]serotonin and [3H]ketanserin, respectively. The two ligands exhibited saturable binding to sites very similar in affinity and pharmacology to the S1 and S2 receptors in rat brain. The highest densities of S1 receptors appeared over the hippocampus and layer I of the cortex. S2 receptors were highest in layer IV of the cortex. Analysis of ligand binding to coronal sections through a whole hemisphere allows quantification of receptors in very discrete regions--such as the individual layers of the cortex--and has the advantage of simultaneous visualization of receptors in many different regions which are represented on a single section. Gross similarities but also important differences are found between serotonin receptor distribution in rat and human, stressing the importance of performing these kind of experiments on human brains if they are to be used for the study of diseases and drug action in human subjects.

Characterization of the cloned guinea pig leukotriene B4 receptor: comparison to its human orthologue.

A cDNA clone coding for the guinea pig leukotriene B4 (BLT) receptor has been isolated from a lung cDNA library. The guinea pig BLT receptor has an open reading frame corresponding to 348 amino acids and shares 73% and 70% identity with human and mouse BLT receptors, respectively. Scatchard analysis of membranes prepared from guinea pig and human BLT receptor-transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 EBNA (Epstein-Bar Virus Nuclear Antigen) cells showed that both receptors displayed high affinity for leukotriene B4 (Kd value of approximately 0.4 nM) and were expressed at high levels (Bmax values ranging from 9 to 12 pmol/mg protein). The rank order of potency for leukotrienes and related analogs in competition for [3H]leukotriene B4 specific binding at the recombinant guinea pig BLT receptor is leukotriene B4 > 20-OH-leukotriene B4 > 12(R)-HETE ((5Z,8Z,10E,12(R)14Z)-12-hydroxyeicosatetraen -1-oic acid) > 12(S)-HETE ((5Z,8Z,10E,12(S)14Z)-12-Hydroxyeicosatetraen -1-oic acid) > 20-COOH-leukotriene B4 > U75302 (6-(6-(3-hydroxy-1E,5Z-undecadienyl)-2-pyridinyl)-1,5-hexane diol) >> leukotriene C4 = leukotriene D4 = leukotriene E4. For the human receptor the rank order of 12(S)-HETE, 20-COOH-leukotriene B4 and U75302 was reversed. Xenopus melanophore and HEK aequorin-based reporter gene assays were used to demonstrate that the guinea pig and human BLT receptors can couple to both the cAMP inhibitory and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization signaling pathways. However, in the case of the aequorin-expressing HEK cells (designated AEQ17-293) transfected with either the guinea pig or human BLT receptor, expression of Galpha16 was required to achieve a robust Ca2+ driven response. Leukotriene B4 was a potent agonist in functional assays of both the guinea pig and human BLT receptors. U-75302 a leukotriene B4 analogue which possesses both agonistic and antagonistic properties behaved as a full agonist of the guinea pig and human BLT receptors in AEQ17-293 cells and not as an antagonist. The recombinant guinea pig BLT receptor will permit the comparison of the intrinsic potencies of leukotriene B4 receptor antagonists used in guinea pig in vivo models of allergic and inflammatory disorders.

Translocation of 5-lipoxygenase to the membrane in human leukocytes challenged with ionophore A23187.

Challenge of human peripheral blood leukocytes with ionophore A23187 resulted in leukotriene (LT) synthesis, a decrease in total cellular 5-lipoxygenase activity, and a change in the subcellular localization of the enzyme. In homogenates from control cells, greater than 90% of the 5-lipoxygenase activity and protein was localized in the cytosol (100,000 X g supernatant). Ionophore challenge (2 microM) resulted in a loss of approximately 55% of the enzymatic activity and 35% of the enzyme protein from the cytosol. Concomitantly, there was an accumulation of inactive 5-lipoxygenase in the membrane (100,000 X g pellets) which accounted for at least 45% of the lost cytosolic protein. There was a good correlation between the quantities of LT synthesized and 5-lipoxygenase recovered in the membrane over an ionophore concentration range of 0.1-6 microM. The time course of the membrane association was similar to that of LT synthesis. Furthermore, although the pellet-associated enzyme recovered from ionophore-treated leukocytes was inactive, an irreversible, Ca2+-dependent membrane association of active 5-lipoxygenase could be demonstrated in cell-free systems. To determine whether ionophore treatment induced proteolytic degradation of 5-lipoxygenase, the total activity and protein content of 10,000 X g supernatants from control and ionophore-treated cells were examined. These supernatants, which included both cytosolic and membrane-associated enzyme, showed a 35% loss of 5-lipoxygenase activity but only an 8% loss of enzyme protein as a result of ionophore challenge (2 microM). Therefore, the majority of the loss of 5-lipoxygenase activity was most likely due to suicide inactivation during the LT synthesis, rather than to proteolytic degradation. Together these results are consistent with the hypothesis that ionophore treatment results in a Ca2+-dependent translocation of 5-lipoxygenase from the cytosol to a membrane-bound site, that the membrane-associated enzyme is preferentially utilized for LT synthesis, and that it is consequently inactivated. Thus, membrane translocation of 5-lipoxygenase may be an important initial step in the chain of events leading to full activation of this enzyme in the intact leukocyte.

Studies on the regulation, biosynthesis, and activation of 5-lipoxygenase in differentiated HL60 cells.

Exposure of human HL60 cells to dimethyl sulfoxide results in their differentiation to mature granulocyte-like cells that concomitantly acquire the capacity to synthesize leukotrienes. The appearance of 5-lipoxygenase mRNA during differentiation indicated that these cells provide a useful model system for the biosynthesis and regulation of 5-lipoxygenase. Immunoblot analysis of protein from differentiated HL60 cells detected a 78,000-Da species comigrating with 5-lipoxygenase purified from human peripheral blood leukocytes. Metabolic labeling studies indicated that both undifferentiated and differentiated HL60 cells synthesized 5-lipoxygenase; however, the differentiated cells incorporated approximately 4.4-fold more [35S]methionine into 5-lipoxygenase protein than did controls. In addition, the differentiated HL60 cells contained approximately 3.3-fold more 5-lipoxygenase enzyme activity than undifferentiated cells. Metabolic labeling studies failed to demonstrate any post-translational modifications of 5-lipoxygenase, including proteolysis, mannose glycosylation, myristic acid acylation, or phosphorylation. When differentiated HL60 cells were incubated with [35S]methionine for 4 versus 16 h, no difference was observed in the pattern of total radiolabeled supernatant protein; however, there was a significant increase in the incorporation of radioactivity into immunoprecipitable 5-lipoxygenase protein from cells labeled for 16 as compared with 4 h. Pulse-chase studies demonstrated that the t1/2 of 5-lipoxygenase in these cells is approximately 26 h. Activation of differentiated HL60 cells with Ca2+ ionophore A23187 resulted in the loss of 5-lipoxygenase protein and activity from the cytosol and the accumulation of inactive protein in a membrane fraction. Following ionophore stimulation, no augmentation in the rate of 5-lipoxygenase synthesis occurred in order to compensate for the loss of the translocated/inactive enzyme. Finally, additional 5-lipoxygenase was able to translocate to the membrane in response to subsequent ionophore challenges.

Translocation of HL-60 cell 5-lipoxygenase. Inhibition of A23187- or N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-induced translocation by indole and quinoline leukotriene synthesis inhibitors.

We have demonstrated translocation of HL-60 cell 5-lipoxygenase to a membrane compartment in response to both the calcium ionophore A23187 and the receptor-mediated stimulus, N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP). In addition, we have shown inhibition of A23187- and fMLP-induced 5-lipoxygenase translocation by an indole and a quinoline leukotriene synthesis inhibitor, MK-886 and L-674,573, respectively. Selectivity of inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase translocation in both fMLP- or A23187-challenged cells is shown using the indole L-583,916 and quinoline L-671,480, which neither inhibit leukotriene synthesis nor inhibit 5-lipoxygenase translocation. The present study in HL-60 cells is the first demonstration of the selective inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase translocation by quinoline leukotriene synthesis inhibitors, exemplified by L-674,573. Also described here is the first demonstration of 5-lipoxygenase translocation and inhibition in response to a stimulus other than A23187, namely the receptor-mediated stimulus, fMLP.

Protein kinase C-dependent regulation of sulfidopeptide leukotriene biosynthesis and leukotriene C4 synthase in neutrophilic HL-60 cells.

In response to calcium ionophore (A23187) stimulation, human granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor-primed, dimethylsulfoxide-differentiated HL-60 cells (which resemble mature granulocytes) synthesized leukotrienes (LTs) LTA4, LTB4, LTC4, and LTD4. The synthesis of the sulfidopeptide LTs, LTC4 and LTD4, was specifically inhibited in cells incubated in the presence of both A23187 and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC). In contrast, neither the synthesis of LTB4, a product of the nonpeptide branch of the LT pathway, nor the formation of LTA4, the precursor for both branches of the LT biosynthetic pathway, was significantly affected by the presence of PMA during A23187 stimulation. The inhibition by PMA of LTC4 production in A23187-stimulated HL-60 cells was dose dependent, with an IC50 value of approximately 3.5 nM. The PKC inhibitor staurosporine completely reversed the inhibition by PMA of LTC4 production in A23187-stimulated cells, in a dose-dependent fashion, with an IC50 value of approximately 30 nM. Bisindolylmaleimide, another PKC inhibitor, was also able to prevent PMA-mediated inhibition of LTC4 formation, whereas inhibitors of protein kinase A, tyrosine kinases, or the respiratory-burst oxidase were not. Measurement of LTC4 synthase enzymatic activity in cells challenged with A23187 and PMA in the presence or absence of staurosporine demonstrated that the activity of the LTC4 synthase enzyme was inhibited in cells costimulated with A23187 and PMA and that inhibition could also be completely prevented by the presence of staurosporine. Because PMA is known to activate PKC, and staurosporine and bisindolylmaleimide are inhibitors of PKC, these results suggest that LTC4 synthase in HL-60 cells may be phosphoregulated.

Characterization of cloned human leukocyte 5-lipoxygenase expressed in mammalian cells.

5-Lipoxygenase has been expressed in a mammalian osteosarcoma cell line transfected with the cloned cDNA for human leukocyte 5-lipoxygenase. Two clonal cell lines derived from the transfected cells expressed the enzymatic activity. When incubated with arachidonic acid (100 microM), the major 5-lipoxygenase products of 10,000 X g supernatants from these cells were 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), and the nonenzymatic hydrolysis products of leukotriene (LT)A4. The ratio of 5-HETE to LT (between 6:1 and 9:1) was similar to that observed in leukocyte supernatants. Furthermore, incubation of 10,000 X g supernatants from the transfected cells with 5-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HPETE) (75 microM) resulted in the synthesis of LTA4 hydrolysis products. Control osteosarcoma cell supernatants produced no 5-HETE or LT from arachidonic acid or 5-HPETE. Maximal activity of the expressed enzyme required Ca2+, ATP, and two cellular stimulatory factors prepared from human leukocytes. Immunoblot analysis of supernatants from the osteosarcoma cell clones revealed an immunoreactive 80,000-dalton band that was indistinguishable from the band observed in leukocyte supernatants. Therefore, the expressed enzyme was functional and exhibited characteristics that were identical to those of human leukocyte 5-lipoxygenase. When intact transfected osteosarcoma cells were challenged with ionophore A 23187, no 5-lipoxygenase products were formed. If arachidonic acid was added along with the ionophore, the cells synthesized 5-HETE and the nonenzymatic hydrolysis products of LTA4. These results verify that the cDNA used to transfect the osteosarcoma cells encodes for 5-lipoxygenase. Furthermore, these studies offer independent evidence that this single protein possesses both 5-lipoxygenase and LTA4 synthase activity, as has been reported previously from enzyme purification data.