Cathepsin B and complement C3 are major comigrants in the estrogen-induced peroxidase fraction of rat uterine fluid.

The luminal fluid of estrogen or DES-stimulated uterus of immature rats contains 10-12 isoforms of peroxidase between pI 4.5-6.0. N-terminal amino acid sequencing of diaminobenzidine-peroxidase bands eluted from IEF and SDS-PAGE gels showed the presence of cathepsin B and the complement family of proteins as the major comigrants. Sequential treatment of uterine fluid by cation, anion, and size exclusion chromatography resulted in a five-fold purification of peroxidase having a specific activity of 273 units/mg. Mass spectrometric studies of bands isolated from SDS-PAGE gels from the size-exclusion purified peroxidase fraction showed the presence of complement C3 along with novel previously uncharacterized proteins. Two dimensional electrophoresis followed by N-terminal amino acid sequencing confirmed the presence of cathepsin B isoforms and isoforms of a novel protein at approximately 87 kDa. Identification by mass spectrometry from the database for this novel protein was inconclusive but could most likely be a candidate for estrogen-induced peroxidase. Results conclusively prove that cathepsin B and complement C3 are major proteins in the estrogen-induced peroxidase fraction of uterine fluid.

Ultrastructural differentiation of cardiomyocytes of the zebrafish during the 8-26-somite stages.

We report cellular hypertrophy, mitochondrial proliferation and differentiation, myofibrillogenesis, and junctional maturation in cardiac progenitor cells between the 8 and 26-somite stages of the zebrafish, Danio rerio. However, coordinated contraction in embryonic cardiomyocytes did not occur until 26-somite stage when 'developed' intercalated discs, rooted sarcomeres, and a well-established sarcoplasmic reticulum had differentiated.

Mechanisms of calcium release and sequestration in eggs of Chaetopterus pergamentaceus.

Increases in the intracellular free calcium concentration are of great importance to the initiation of development in deuterostomes. Their involvement has not yet been clearly defined in protostomes. We used endogenous ligands (IP3, cADPR, ryanodine and NAADP) and pharmacological agents (thapsigargin [Tg], thimerosal, caffeine and heparin) to study smooth endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump and release mechanisms in eggs of an annelid, Chaetopterus. Oocyte homogenates effectively sequestered Ca2+ and released it in response to IP3 in a concentration-dependent manner. Repeated additions of IP3 were unable to cause further release. Heparin inhibited Ca2+ release in response to IP3. The homogenates also released Ca2+ in response to thimerosal, and this release was sensitive to heparin. Two antibodies to IP3 receptors recognized an appropriate band in Chaetopterus egg lysates. These results indicate that the oocytes possess type-1 IP3-gated Ca2+ channels. Neither calcium itself, nor strontium, cADPR, ryanodine, caffeine nor NAADP released appreciable Ca2+. At low concentrations, Tg caused a slow release of Ca2+; at higher concentrations, it elicited a rapid release. Release of Ca2+ by Tg activated development. Since one theory of fertilization invokes the introduction of a Ca2+ releasing soluble protein into the egg upon sperm-egg fusion, we also tested whether soluble extracts of Chaetopterus sperm could stimulate Ca2+ release in Chaetopterus egg homogenates. There was no Ca2+ release when the sperm extract was added to the homogenate; however, homogenates exposed to sperm extract became refractory to IP3. Thus, Ca2+ release at fertilization in these oocytes occurs through IP3-gated channels.

MAP and cdc2 kinase activities at germinal vesicle breakdown in Chaetopterus.

In frog oocytes, activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK, ERK) leads to activation of cdc2 and germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). By contrast, in starfish, MAPK is activated after GVBD. Here we have examined the relative involvements of MAPK and cdc2 in GVBD of Chaetopterus oocytes. MAPK was rapidly tyrosine-phosphorylated and activated (within 1-2 min) in response to exposure of the oocytes either to natural seawater (the normal trigger of GVBD in this organism) or to the tumor-promoting phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), which can also elicit GVBD. This response preceded the tyrosine dephosphorylation and activation of cdc2 by several minutes. MAPK phosphorylation and activation were transient, lasting only until GVBD occurred and the spindle migrated to the cortex. The enzyme was not phosphorylated again as a result of egg activation. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the activation of MAPK has a role in GVBD. However, PD 98059, a potent and selective inhibitor of MEK, the protein kinase that phosphorylates and activates MAPK, blocked the phosphorylation of MAPK but did not block GVBD, the dephosphorylation and activation of cdc2, or spindle formation and migration. Oocytes that underwent GVBD in PD 98059 could be fertilized and cleaved normally. Ionophore A23187, although it caused germinal vesicles to disappear and caused transient phosphorylation of MAPK, did not cause dephosphorylation of cdc2, and therefore this disappearance is artifactual. These results suggest that MAPK activation is neither obligatory nor sufficient for either GVBD or meiotic metaphase arrest in Chaetopterus and that activation of MAPK and cdc2 occur on independent, parallel pathways.

Intracellular pH increase driven by an Na+/H+ exchanger upon activation of surf clam oocytes.

Intracellular pH (pHi) measurements were performed in surf clam (Spisula solidissima) oocytes before and after artificial activation or fertilization [evidenced by germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD)] by the dimethyloxazolidinedione (DMO) and 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) methods. Results using both methods showed increases of pHi of 0.3 pH unit after activation by excess K+. Using BCECF, we found an increase of similar magnitude after fertilization or after the addition of serotonin. By contrast, GVBD did not occur when the pHi was increased to similar or even higher levels by exposing the oocytes to ammonia. In sodium-free seawater, excess K+ induced GVBD but the pHi of K+-activated oocytes decreased significantly below the resting level of unactivated oocytes. The pHi increases in K+-activated oocytes were otherwise proportional to the external Na+ concentration. The amiloride derivatives dimethylamiloride and hexamethylene amiloride (at 10-50 microM) efficiently inhibited the K+-induced increase of pHi but did not block GVBD. These two derivatives were able, however, to retard K+-induced GVBD, hexamethylene amiloride being the more efficient. This retardation of K+-induced GVBD could be abolished by the simultaneous addition of ammonia. Taken altogether, these results show that a pHi increase, driven by a typical Na+/H+ exchanger, follows activation of surf clam oocytes but that this pHi increase is neither sufficient nor required for GVBD, though it does allow its progression at an optimal rate.

Estrogen receptor, growth factor receptor and protooncogene protein activities and possible signal transduction crosstalk in estrogen dependent and independent breast cancer cell lines.

Binding of estrogen to its receptor (ER) activates early genes that drive responsive cells through the proliferative phase. Earlier studies to evaluate the expression of protooncogenes, growth factors, growth factor receptor and steroid hormone receptor gene activities in the rat uterine system indicated complex pathways that involve significant 'crosstalk' between ER-systems and signal transduction pathways (Bhattacharyya et al., 1994). To analyze the interactions between these factors, we examined two well characterized estrogen dependent (MCF-7) and estrogen independent (MDA-MB-231) human breast cancer cell lines. Antibodies to estrogen receptor, epidermal growth factor receptor, c-Fos, c-Jun, and Ras proteins, protein kinases involved in receptor tyrosine kinase signal transduction pathway, MEK1 and phosphotyrosine were utilized in immunocytochemical localization experiments to evaluate temporal expression of these factors in response to estrogen treatment. ER, which was diminished in MCF-7 cells grown in estrogen-stripped medium, increased 9-fold in estrogen-reconstituted medium by 120 min. Fos and Jun appeared at nuclear and perinuclear cytoplasmic sites within 60 min after estrogen treatment in MCF-7 cells. Fos/Jun proteins were prominent in MDA-MB-231 cells, especially in association with actin filaments. Immunolabeling studies revealed no EGF-r in MCF-7 cells, while MDA-MB-231 cells contained intense EGF-r labeling in the plasma membrane. Ras protein was prominent in the cytoplasm and at the cell surface within 60 min after treatment of MCF-7 cells with estrogen. Ras was intense in MDA cells. Similarly, MCF-7 and MDA cells contained high concentrations of MEK1 and phosphotyrosine (pTyr) containing proteins in their cytoplasm and immunolabeling remained high as long as MCF-7 cells were grown in medium containing estrogen. It is speculated that MEK1 (cytoplasmic) functioning through Fos/Jun or Myc/Max (nuclear) may regulate the activity of AP-1 transcription factor. In all cases however, MEK1 and pTyr protein labeling was more intense in the highly metastatic and hormone independent MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Results revealed signal transduction pathway proteins in ER+ estrogen dependent cells suggesting possible crosstalk between both receptor pathways during the proliferative phase of MCF-7 cells.

Propagated and nonpropagated calcium transients during egg activation in the annelid, Chaetopterus.

Transient waves of Ca2+ release cross-fertilizing deuterostome eggs from the point of sperm entry to its antipode and provide much of the activating stimulus for the egg. Based on several indirect lines of experimental evidence, it was proposed that protostome eggs are activated by a prolonged uptake of Ca2+ from the medium due to sperm-induced membrane depolarization and that this uptake then starts an activation wave similar to those in deuterostomes, except that it moves inward from the whole surface rather than through the egg from pole to pole. To test these hypotheses, we microinjected oocytes of the polychaete annelid, Chaetopterus pergamentaceus, with semisynthetic recombinant aequorins and measured light emission in response to both fertilization and artificial activation by excess K+. Both fertilization and K(+)-activation induced multiple, brief Ca2+ transients in the eggs. The first transient did not propagate, but it was followed by a series of globally propagated Ca2+ waves interspersed with additional nonpropagated pulses. The waves traversed the egg at about 30 micrometer/sec. Sequential propagated waves and nonpropagated pulses generally originated at different regions of the egg surface, except the last few, which originated in the same "pacemaker" region. These new data are consistent with the hypothesis that the activation of protostome eggs is initiated by Ca2+ waves. However, the fact that these waves propagated from pole to pole like those in deuterostome eggs refutes the notion that Ca2+ waves in activating protostome eggs move inward from the whole surface.

Biochemical characterization of a human band 4.1-related protein-tyrosine phosphatase, PTPH1.

PTPH1 is a human protein-tyrosine phosphatase with homology to the band 4.1 superfamily of cytoskeleton-associated proteins. Here, we report the purification and biochemical characterization of this enzyme from baculovirus-infected insect cells. The purified protein exhibited an apparent M(r) of 120,000 on SDS gels. The native enzyme dephosphorylated both myelin basic protein (MBP) and reduced, carboxamidomethylated, and maleylated lysozyme (RCML) but was over 5-fold more active on MBP. The Km values for the two substrates were similar (1.45 microM for MBP and 1.6 microM for RCML). Phosphorylation of PTPH1 by protein kinase C in vitro resulted in a decrease in Km but had no effect on Vmax. Removal of the NH2-terminal band 4.1 homology domain of PTPH1 by limited trypsin cleavage stimulated dephosphorylation of RCML but inhibited its activity toward MBP. The dephosphorylation of RCML by full-length PTPH1 was enhanced up to 6-fold by unphosphorylated MBP and increasing ionic strength up to 0.2 M NaCl, whereas trypsinized preparations of PTPH1 containing the isolated catalytic domain were unaffected. These results suggest that in addition to a potential role in controlling subcellular localization, the NH2-terminal band 4.1 homology domain of PTPH1 may exert a direct effect on catalytic function.

Diacylglycerol content of Chaetopterus oocytes during maturation and fertilization.

The resumption of meiotic maturation in Chaetopterus oocytes is believed to be initiated by activation of protein kinase C (pkC). Since the physiological activator of pkC is diacylglycerol (DG), we examined the DG content of the oocytes before and during germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). Unstimulated oocytes contained 366 +/- 34 fmol DG per cell. This value increased to approximately 430-500 fmol 3-5 min after normal induction of GVBD and declined thereafter to 147 +/- 7 fmol per cell. Fertilization increased the DG levels slightly, 3-5 min after insemination. These results strongly support the hypothesis that pkC is a physiological activator of GVBD in this species.

Regulation of M-phase progression in Chaetopterus oocytes by protein kinase C.

We have examined the presence of protein kinase C in oocytes of Chaetopterus pergamentaceus and its role in the initiation of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). First, we demonstrated that the oocytes contain a phospholipid- and calcium-dependent protein kinase, protein kinase C (PKC). Since PKC is the primary intracellular receptor for phorbol esters, we tested the ability of phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) to induce GVBD and compared several critical events and processes involved in GVBD induced by PDBu to those induced normally (by seawater). Seawater and 100-200 nM PDBu induced chromosome condensation, spindle formation, and spindle migration over a similar time course. Both treatments induced similar alterations in the SDS-PAGE pattern of newly synthesized proteins. The synthesis of polypeptides of approximately 46 and 54 kDa increased specifically. Both treatments increased oocyte protein phosphorylation, especially of proteins of 22, 32, 46, 55, 64, and 84 kDa. Both treatments resulted in the activation of an M-phase-specific histone H1 kinase activity, which demonstrates the appearance of maturation-promoting factor. Staurosporine, a potent protein kinase C inhibitor, blocked GVBD and the activation of M-phase-specific H1 kinase, whereas HA1004, which preferentially antagonizes protein kinase A, had no effect. The results of this study demonstrate that protein kinase C can activate a wide spectrum of essential biochemical and morphological processes involved in GVBD. Further, these studies suggest that protein kinase C elicits GVBD by activating maturation-promoting factor and support the hypothesis that protein kinase C plays an essential role in oocyte maturation in this species.

Inositol trisphosphate, inositol phospholipid metabolism, and germinal vesicle breakdown in surf clam oocytes.

Others have reported that microinjection of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) releases stored intracellular Ca2+ and causes fertilization envelope elevation, part of the activation process normally initiated by fertilization in deuterostome eggs. In the protostome, Spisula solidissima, germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) is the first visible response of the egg to fertilization. To test the effects of InsP3 on egg activation in this organism, we microinjected the compound into oocytes. Microinjection of 0.4-7.0 x 10(-21) moles of InsP3 (equivalent to 5-80 pM if distributed throughout the cell) elicited GVBD in a dose-dependent manner, demonstrating that increased oocyte InsP3 can mimic part of the activation process in this protostome. Synthesis of InsP3 occurs in vivo when phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdInsP2) is hydrolyzed by phospholipase C. To determine whether stimulus-induced synthesis of InsP3 occurs after fertilization of Spisula oocytes, we labeled oocyte lipids with [32P]orthophosphate and measured the radioactivity in phospholipids after insemination. Fertilization resulted in a rapid, transient loss of radioactivity from PtdInsP2. Because the radioactivity in phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and other phospholipids did not change, the loss of radioactivity from PtdInsP2 is most likely due to its hydrolysis, yielding InsP3 and diacylglycerol. The latter compound activates protein kinase C which has also been shown to be involved in regulating Spisula oocyte GVBD. Since both of these compounds appear to be early products of fertilization, they could coordinately activate Ca2+- and protein kinase C-dependent processes involved in Spisula oocyte GVBD. These data indicate that egg activation in this protostome includes pathways similar to those found in deuterostome eggs and in other eukaryotic cells.

Characterization and hormonal regulation of casein kinase II activity in heterotransplanted human breast tumors in nude mice.

Cytosolic casein kinase type II activity has been identified in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells heterotransplanted into athymic nude mice. Sephacryl S-300 chromatography of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 tumor cytosols revealed a major peak of casein kinase activity with an estimated molecular weight of 150,000. This peak was further characterized and optimal conditions for breast tumor casein kinase activity were established. Polylysine (10 micrograms) acted as a potent stimulator with casein as the phosphate acceptor protein. This enzyme used both ATP and GTP as phosphate donors and the Km for GTP was 10 microM. The rate of phosphorylation with increasing concentrations of [gamma-32p]GTP revealed typical Michaelis-Menten kinetics and Vmax was approached at a concentration of 30 microM GTP. MgCl2 stimulated enzyme activity at concentrations between 10-20 mM. Quercetin, a bioflavonoid, inhibited casein kinase type II activity in a dose dependent manner. MCF-7 (hormone-dependent) human breast cancer cells (2-3 X 10(6)) were inoculated into the mammary fat pads of nude mice, supplemented with a 0.5 mg estradiol pellet. To determine the influence of various regulatory agents on casein kinase activity in vivo, tumor-bearing mice were treated for five days with estradiol, progesterone, dexamethasone or tamoxifen. Casein kinase type II was partially purified by gel filtration on a Sephacryl S-300 column and assayed in the presence of polylysine and casein. Dexamethasone treatment significantly decreased casein kinase II activity in MCF-7 tumors, which are receptor-positive for estrogen, androgen and glucocorticoid receptors.

Protein kinase C activity, protein phosphorylation and germinal vesicle breakdown in Spisula oocytes.

To test the possible role of protein kinase C (C-kinase) in regulating germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) in Spisula oocytes, we studied the effects of phorbol esters and antagonists of C-kinase on GVBD and protein phosphorylation. Responses to these agents were compared to those elicited by fertilization or increased extracellular K+. The tumor-promoting phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a potent agonist of C-kinase, elicited GVBD with half-maximal stimulation at 20 nM. By contrast, 4 alpha-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate, a phorbol ester which does not stimulate C-kinase, did not trigger GVBD. TPA accelerated GVBD when induced by excess K+, but it did not affect the time course of the process when initiated by fertilization. Three structurally different antagonists of C-kinase (W-7, H-7, and retinol) all blocked GVBD when induced by fertilization or TPA. When oocytes were preincubated with [32P]orthophosphate and then stimulated to undergo GVBD by fertilization, TPA, or 45 mM K+, protein phosphorylation was greatly increased, especially for a polypeptide(s) of about 45 kDa. Phosphorylation increased prior to GVBD. Retinol inhibited phosphorylation in activated eggs. C-kinase activity was demonstrated in oocyte extracts. These results strongly suggest that protein phosphorylation by C-kinase is involved in the pathway that regulates GVBD in Spisula oocytes.

The Chaetopterus vitelline envelope is not necessary for the gamete interactions that lead to fertilization.

It has been recently shown that, in several genera of annelids, including Chaetopterus, fertilizing sperm attach to and fuse with egg microvilli which penetrate the vitelline envelope. This suggests that the annelid vitelline envelope may have no direct or obligatory role in normal fertilization. The present study was undertaken to investigate the involvement of the vitelline envelope in fertilization in Chaetopterus experimentally, by examining the fertilization of vitelline envelope-free eggs quantitatively and qualitatively. Brief exposure of the eggs to isotonic sucrose-EDTA removed the vitelline envelope as determined by both phase-contrast and electron microscopy, rendered the eggs more sensitive to polyspermy and substantially reduced the binding of supernumerary sperm to eggs but did not decrease fertilizability as determined by sperm dilution assay and did not make the eggs more sensitive to cross-fertilization. The events of fertilization were examined by electron microscopy and found to be very similar in vitelline envelope-free eggs to those in intact eggs. We conclude that the vitelline envelope in Chaetopterus has binding sites for sperm but that it has no obligatory role in fertilization and is primarily involved in the prevention of polyspermy.

Action of calcium-binding proteins in egg maturation and fertilisation.

There is considerable evidence that calcium acts as a primary trigger for egg maturation and fertilisation in diverse phyla. Calcium regulation has been demonstrated or suggested for numerous specific events in fertilisation, including: sperm motility, the acrosome reaction, sperm-egg binding and fusion, metabolic activation of the egg, etc. However, very little is known concerning the mechanisms whereby calcium exerts its effects. Some calcium-regulated events are mediated through calmodulin and others are likely to be as well. Additionally, protein kinase C has recently been implicated in some processes related to egg maturation and activation, although the evidence presented thus far has been indirect. Other pathways dependent upon calcium but not involving either CaM or PKC have also been identified. Much more research will be required before the multiple involvement of calcium-binding proteins in egg maturation and fertilisation are clarified.