The first full-congener analysis of 209 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the blubber of short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) stranded along the coast of Savu Island, Indonesia.

Short-finned pilot whales (SFPW) are a group of cetaceans found globally in tropical and temperate seas and are commonly stranded in the group, but the reason behind their stranding is still unknown. No detailed information on the contamination status and bioaccumulation of halogenated organic compounds, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in the SFPW from Indonesian waters has been reported. Therefore, we analyzed all 209 PCB congeners in the blubber of 20 SFPW specimens stranded along the coast of Savu Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, in October 2012 to explain the status of contamination, congener profiles, potential risk of PCBs to cetaceans, and the determination of unintentionally produced PCBs (u-PCBs) in the blubber of SFPW. Concentrations of Σ209PCBs, Σ7in-PCBs, Σ12dl-PCBs, and Σ21u-PCBs were between 48 and 490 (mean:240 ± 140), 22-230 (110 ± 60), 2.6-38 (17 ± 10), and 1.0-13 (6.3 ± 3.7) ng g-1 lipid weight (lw), respectively. Congener-specific profiles of PCBs among sex and estimated age groups were observed; relatively high proportions of tri-to penta-CBs in juveniles and highly chlorinated recalcitrant congeners in structure-activity groups (SAGs) in sub-adult females were noted. The estimated toxic equivalency (TEQs) value for dl-PCBs ranged from 2.2 to 60 TEQWHO pg/g lw, with juveniles containing high TEQ values than sub-adults and adults. Although the TEQs and concentrations of PCBs in SFPW stranded along Indonesian coasts were lower than those reported for similar whale species from other North Pacific regions, further research is needed to assess the long-term impact of halogenated organic pollutants on their survival and health.

Epidermal growth factor receptor-mediated cell motility: phospholipase C activity is required, but mitogen-activated protein kinase activity is not sufficient for induced cell movement.

We recently have demonstrated that EGF receptor (EGFR)-induced cell motility requires receptor kinase activity and autophosphorylation (P. Chen, K. Gupta, and A. Wells. 1994. J. Cell Biol. 124:547-555). This suggests that the immediate downstream effector molecule contains a src homology-2 domain. Phospholipase C gamma (PLC gamma) is among the candidate transducers of this signal because of its potential roles in modulating cytoskeletal dynamics. We utilized signaling-restricted EGFR mutants expressed in receptor devoid NR6 cells to determine if PLC activation is necessary for EGFR-mediated cell movement. Exposure to EGF (25 nM) augmented PLC activity in all five EGFR mutant cell lines which also responded by increased cell movement. Basal phosphoinositide turnover was not affected by EGF in the lines which do not present the enhanced motility response. The correlation between EGFR-mediated cell motility and PLC activity suggested, but did not prove, a causal link. A specific inhibitor of PLC, U73122 (1 microM) diminished both the EGF-induced motility and PLC responses, while its inactive analogue U73343 had no effect on these responses. Both the PLC and motility responses were decreased by expression of a dominant-negative PLC gamma-1 fragment in EGF-responsive infectant lines. Lastly, anti-sense oligonucleotides (20 microM) to PLC gamma-1 reduced both responses in NR6 cells expressing wild-type EGFR. These findings strongly support PLC gamma as the immediate post receptor effector in this motogenic pathway. We have demonstrated previously that EGFR-mediated cell motility and mitogenic signaling pathways are separable. The point of divergence is undefined. All kinase-active EGFR mutants induced the mitogenic response while only those which are autophosphorylated induced PLC activity. U73122 did not affect EGF-induced thymidine incorporation in these motility-responsive infectant cell lines. In addition, the dominant-negative PLC gamma-1 fragment did not diminish EGF-induced thymidine incorporation. All kinase active EGFR stimulated mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activity, regardless of whether the receptors induced cell movement; this EGF-induced MAP kinase activity was not affected by U73122 at concentrations that depressed the motility response. Thus, the signaling pathways which lead to motility and cell proliferation diverge at the immediate post-receptor stage, and we suggest that this is accomplished by differential activation of effector molecules.

Taurodeoxycholate activates potassium and chloride conductances via an IP3-mediated release of calcium from intracellular stores in a colonic cell line (T84)

Whole-cell patch-clamp techniques and fluorescence measurements of intracellular Ca2+ concentration, (Ca2+)i, were used to investigate the mechanism of taurodeoxycholate (TDC) stimulation of Cl- secretion in the T84 colonic cell line. During perforated whole-cell recordings, the cell membrane voltage was alternately clamped to EK and ECl. Initially, TDC (0.75 mM) stimulated inward nonselective cation currents that were composed of discrete large conductance single-channel events. This initial response was followed by activation of K+ and Cl- currents with peak values of 385 +/- 41 pA and 98 +/- 28 pA, respectively (n = 12). The K+ and Cl- currents oscillated while TDC was present and returned to baseline levels upon its removal. The threshold for activation of the oscillatory currents was 0.1 mM TDC. Taurocholate, a bile acid that does not stimulate colonic Cl- secretion, induced no current response. The TDC-induced currents could be activated in Ca(2+)-free bathing solutions. Preincubation of cells with the Ca2+ chelator, bis-(o-aminophenoxy)-ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, tetra(acetoxymethy)-ester (20 microM), (BAPTA-AM), eliminated the K+ and Cl- current responses, although the nonselective cation channel events were still present. Replacement of bath Na+ with NMDG+ inhibited the TDC-induced nonselective cation current but did not affect the K+ or Cl- currents. TDC induced a transient (Ca2+)i rise of 575 +/- 70 nM from a baseline of 71 +/- 5 nM (n = 15); thereafter, (Ca2+)i either plateaued or oscillated. TDC-induced (Ca2+)i oscillations were observed in the absence of bath Ca2+; however, removal of bath Ca2+ during the TDC response caused (Ca2+)i to return to near baseline values. Simultaneous K+ current and (Ca2+)i measurements confirmed that the initial nonselective cation current was independent of (Ca2+)i, while K+ current oscillations were in phase with the (Ca2+)i oscillations. TDC induced inositol monophosphate (IP) accumulation, reflecting production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) during TDC stimulation. The response to TDC during standard whole-cell patch-clamp was similar to that observed with perforated whole-cell recordings, except the nonselective cation current was prolonged. When heparin (1 mg/ml) was added to the pipette under these conditions, the Ca(2+)-activated currents were inhibited, but the nonselective cation currents were unaffected. These data suggest that TDC induces a Ca(2+)-independent nonselective cation conductance, perhaps by directly permeabilizing the plasma membrane. TDC stimulates Cl- secretion by activating K+ and Cl- conductances via an IP3-mediated release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores.

Pleiotropic alterations in lipid metabolism in yeast sac1 mutants: relationship to "bypass Sec14p" and inositol auxotrophy.

SacIp dysfunction results in bypass of the requirement for phosphatidylinositol transfer protein (Sec14p) function in yeast Golgi processes. This effect is accompanied by alterations in inositol phospholipid metabolism and inositol auxotrophy. Elucidation of how sac1 mutants effect "bypass Sec14p" will provide insights into Sec14p function in vivo. We now report that, in addition to a dramatic accumulation of phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate, sac1 mutants also exhibit a specific acceleration of phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis via the CDP-choline pathway. This phosphatidylcholine metabolic phenotype is sensitive to the two physiological challenges that abolish bypass Sec14p in sac1 strains; i.e. phospholipase D inactivation and expression of bacterial diacylglycerol (DAG) kinase. Moreover, we demonstrate that accumulation of phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate in sac1 mutants is insufficient to effect bypass Sec14p. These data support a model in which phospholipase D activity contributes to generation of DAG that, in turn, effects bypass Sec14p. A significant fate for this DAG is consumption by the CDP-choline pathway. Finally, we determine that CDP-choline pathway activity contributes to the inositol auxotrophy of sac1 strains in a novel manner that does not involve obvious defects in transcriptional expression of the INO1 gene.

Differential behaviour of eel and erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase on N-methylacridine affinity columns. Importance of ligand affinity and concentration.

The retention and elution of acetylcholinesterase from bovine erythrocytes and electric eel on N-methylacridinium affinity columns have been compared at various ligand concentrations. A soluble 7.7 S dimeric form of bovine erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase required a ligand concentration of 2.0-2.8 mumol/ml in 0.1 M NaCl for retention, compared to 0.44 mumol/ml for various forms of the electric eel acetylcholinesterase. The difference in the retention of acetylcholinesterase from these two sources could not be explained by differences in their oligomeric structure. The affinity of bovine erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase for N-methylacridinium was 13-fold or more lower than the electric eel acetylcholinesterase at similar ionic strengths. N-Methylacridinium appeared to react selectively with the catalytic anionic site of both enzymes. It was concluded that the affinity of the side arm ligand was the major determinant of the differences in the retention properties of the eel and erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase. The difference in affinity for N-methylacridinium probably reflects differences in the organic cation binding region of the two enzymes.

Differential effects of phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) on carbachol and potassium stimulated phosphoinositide turnover and contraction in longitudinal smooth muscle of guinea pig ileum.

Phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) (2 mM), a putative inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C, almost completely inhibited carbachol-stimulated inositol incorporation into phosphatidylinositol (PI) of longitudinal smooth muscle of guinea pig ileum, while it had no effect on potassium-stimulated inositol incorporation. This suggests that the two stimuli may affect phosphoinositide turnover by different mechanisms, distinguishable by PMSF. In contrast to its specific inhibition of carbachol-stimulated phosphoinositide turnover, PMSF produced a transient inhibition of contraction by both carbachol and potassium. The non-selective effect of PMSF on contraction suggests that it is not the result of its inhibitory effect on phosphoinositide breakdown. PMSF (2 mM) inhibited carbachol-stimulated inositol phosphate accumulation in the presence of Li+ by only 15%-19%, indicating that PMSF inhibition of phosphoinositide turnover was not due to its inhibition of phosphoinositide phosphodiesterase, but to one or more steps following phosphoinositide breakdown.

Adenoviral vector infection of the human exocrine pancreas.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if a viable cadaveric pancreas might be used to study viral transfection efficacy in a manner precisely mimicking in vivo human studies. DESIGN: Ex vivo gene transfer to an intact human pancreatic duct. SETTING: Molecular biology laboratory and organ procurement center. INTERVENTION: The recombinant adenoviral vector that contains the Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase (LacZ) gene driven by the human cytomegalovirus promoter, ie, AdCMVLacZ, was used to transfect the epithelial cells of the pancreatic ductal system. A human pancreas (150 g wt/wt) procured for transplantation, but subsequently found unsuitable, was used for the study. The splenic, superior mesenteric arteries and portal vein were cannulated and perfused in a heat-controlled organ procurement perfusion system. A segment of vascularized, perfused distal pancreatic duct was isolated with a balloon occlusion catheter. The recombinant adenoviral vector AdCMVLacZ was introduced into the lumen of the distal segment of the pancreatic duct and incubated for 6 hours at 25 degrees C. The proximal segment of the pancreatic duct was not exposed to the vector and served as control tissue. Tissue was harvested and processed for evaluation of beta-galactosidase activity. RESULTS: Adenoviral vector-infected pancreatic ducts exhibited intense blue staining, indicative of reporter gene expression in the epithelial cells of the pancreatic duct. The phenotype of these cells was confirmed by immunohistochemical studies using anti-annexin III polyclonal antibody. Control tissue not exposed to the adenoviral vector was subjected to an identical analysis and did not reveal evidence of expression of the reporter gene. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the first successful transfection of epithelial cells of the pancreatic duct from normal human pancreas with a recombinant adenovirus. This system will provide not only information on the efficacy of transfection but also a novel gene therapeutic approach to target pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Activation of T84 cell chloride channels by carbachol involves a phosphoinositide-coupled muscarinic M3 receptor.

Muscarinic agonists stimulate Cl- secretion across monolayers of the colon tumor epithelial cell line, T84. The muscarinic receptor has been characterized in T84 cell homogenates by radioligand binding using [3H]N-methylscopolamine ([3H]NMS). [3H]NMS bound to a single population of sites at 25 degrees C in 100 mM NaCl, 20 mM HEPES, 10 mM MgCl2, pH 7.4 buffer, with calculated Kd = 278 (+/- 44) pM and Bmax = 40 (+/- 6) fmol/mg protein (n = 4). Binding was reversible (diss. t1/2 = 18 +/- 3 min) and stereoselective (dexetimide Ki = 0.3 nM) much greater than levetimide (Ki = 8300 nM). Antagonists exhibited the following rank order of potencies and Ki values (nM): atropine (0.54) greater than 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methobromide (4-DAMP) (0.84) greater than dicyclomine (14) = hexahydrosiladifenidol (18) greater than pirenzepine (136) greater than AF-DX 116 (3610). The same sequence was observed for inhibition of carbachol-induced 125I efflux from T84 monolayers. This is indicative of an M3 'glandular' muscarinic receptor. Coupling to second messenger systems was examined by labelling monolayers with [14C]arachidonic acid (AA) or [3H]inositol. Carbachol (0.3 mM) did not release [14C]AA from labelled lipids, but ionomycin produced a dose-dependent increase in media [14C]AA. Carbachol (0.3 mM) elevated inositol monophosphate 14-fold. The results suggest that muscarinic agonists stimulate Cl- secretion by interacting with an M3 receptor coupled to inositide lipid hydrolysis.

Biochemical aspects of the phosphoinositide signalling system with special reference to the formation of inositol cyclic phosphates and arachidonic acid and metabolites on agonist stimulation.

Several aspects of the phosphoinositide signalling system recently studied in our Laboratory are considered here. 1. The formation of inositol 1:2-cyclic-4,5-trisphosphate (IcP3) and inositol 1:2-cyclic-4-bisphosphate (IcP2) have been shown here to occur in pancreatic minilobules stimulated with carbamylcholine. Identification is based on mobility on ionophoresis on paper and on HPLC, acid lability, and conversion of the inositol cyclic phosphates to their respective non-cyclic inositol phosphates on treatment with acid. The levels of inositol 1:2-cyclic phosphate (IcP), IcP2, and IcP3 were 0.7%, 6.8%, and 29.8% of their respective non-cyclic inositol phosphates. The level of IcP3 is sufficient to evoke release of calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum. 2. In a previous study, we demonstrated that on agonist stimulation of pancreatic minilobules prelabelled with [14C]arachidonate, [14C]stearate, or [3H]glycerol, there was a substantial release of all three of these compounds, amounting to approximately 50% of the total PI loss, which was up to 70% of the total cellular PI (7). It was shown that this loss in PI was due to the sequential actions of phospholipase C and diacylglycerol (DG) lipase. Evidence against the phospholipase A2 pathway was no formation of lysophosphatidylinositol. Further evidence against the phospholipase A2 pathway shown here is the lack of stimulation by agonist of glycerophosphorylinositol formation. We also show here that the stimulation of PI loss in guinea pig brain cortex slices is likely also to be via the sequential actions of phospholipase C and DG-lipase, i.e., there was an increase in the steady-state level of monoacylglycerol and a rise in free arachidonate on stimulation with acetylcholine. The formation of prostaglandin E and prostaglandin F was also increased in brain cortex, corpus striatum, and hippocampus. The effects of acetylcholine were abolished by atropine. 3. Previous studies showed that the DG-lipase inhibitor, RHC 80267, inhibited agonist-stimulated formation of glycerol and fatty acids and raised the steady-state level of DG (7). We have now used RHC 80267 as a tool to elevate the level of DG and to lower the level of arachidonate to see if either of these products might modulate the carbamylcholine-stimulated cGMP levels in pancreatic minilobules. RHC 80267 inhibited formation of cGMP. Addition of arachidonate did not affect this inhibition, nor did addition of free arachidonate to control minilobules have any effect, thus suggesting that liberation of free arachidonate by carbamylcholine was not responsible for the carbamylcholine-induced rise in cGMP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Phosphoinositide metabolism and cGMP levels are not coupled to the muscarinic-cholinergic receptor in human erythrocyte.

Recently, Tang et al. [BBA 772, 235 (1984)] reported that cholinergic agonists stimulate calcium uptake and cGMP formation in the human erythrocyte. We undertook this investigation since polyphosphoinositide breakdown precedes calcium mobilization and cGMP formation in several tissues. In [32P]-prelabeled erythrocyte ghosts, calcium (0.5 mM) but not carbachol (0.1 mM) caused a 2- and 20-fold increase in the accumulation of IP2 and IP3, respectively. This was accompanied by a 50% decrease in PIP2 and PIP. In intact erythrocytes prelabeled with [32P], 1 microM A23187 but not carbachol (0.1 mM) produced a 300% increase in radioactivity in PA after a 30-min incubation. cGMP levels after a 2-min incubation with saline, A23187 (1 microM), or carbachol (0.1 mM) were 0.27 +/- .03, 0.27 +/- .04, and 0.34 +/- .04 fmol/10(6) cells. Our studies indicate that the muscarinic receptor in the erythrocytes is "non-functional" insofar as its stimulation is not accompanied by phosphoinositide breakdown or cGMP formation.

Comparison of muscarinic and alpha-adrenergic receptors in rat atria based on phosphoinositide turnover.

The effects of muscarinic and alpha-adrenergic receptor stimulation on phosphoinositide turnover in rat atria have been compared. Despite the similar densities of muscarinic receptors in rat left and right atria, 0.1 mM carbachol increased [32P]phosphate incorporation into phosphatidylinositol (PI) by 35% (p less than 0.05) in left atria but had no effect in right atria. By contrast to the small muscarinic receptor effect, stimulation of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors by 0.1 mM methoxamine produced a more than two fold increase in [32P]phosphate incorporation into PI in both left and right atria, despite the reported smaller density of alpha-adrenergic receptors in rat atria compared to muscarinic receptors. Enhanced phosphate labelling by methoxamine did not occur in phospholipids other than PI, and was blocked by the alpha-adrenergic antagonist, phentolamine (20 microM). The results indicate that the majority of the muscarinic receptors in rat atria are not coupled to phosphoinositide turnover. If indeed the observed enhancement in [32P]-phosphate labelling by carbachol reflects phosphoinositide turnover, and assuming equal coupling efficiencies of muscarinic and adrenergic receptors, it is calculated that not more than 2% of the muscarinic receptors in rat left atria are coupled to this response.

Modulation of Epidermal Growth Factor Stimulated ERK Phosphorylation and Cell Motility by Inositol Trisphosphate Kinase.

Epidermal growth factor [EGF] mediated stimulation of its receptor in endothelial cell [EC] is accompanied by phosphorylation of the EGF-receptor [EGFR] and activation of phospholipase C-γ, resulting in the breakdown of phosphatidylinositol(4,5)-bisphosphate and generating inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate [IP3] and diacylglycerol. IP3 thus formed can be further converted to inositol (1,3,4,5)-tetrakisphosphate [IP4] by an enzyme called IP3-kinase [IP3K]. In this study we have investigated the effect of modulation of intracellular IP3K activity by the use of an inhibitor, 2-trifluoromethyl [6-(4-nitrobenzyl)-purine] [IP3KI] and siRNA against IP3KB on EGF-induced ERK-phosphorylation and cell motility. EGF stimulated ERK-phosphorylation that has been implicated in EGF-stimulated cell migration was inhibited by both IP3KI and siRNA against IP3KB. Inhibition of ERK-phosphorylation was accompanied by decreased cell migration in the presence of IP3KI.

Inhibitors of diacylglycerol lipase and diacylglycerol kinase inhibit carbamylcholine-stimulated responses in guinea pig pancreatic minilobules.

We earlier showed that the diacylglycerol (DG) lipase inhibitor, RHC 80267, increased the steady-state level of DG and inhibited the release of arachidonic acid (AA) in carbamylcholine (CCh)-stimulated pancreatic minilobules (J. F. Dixon and L. E. Hokin, (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 14418-14425). There was no effect on phospholipid metabolism. We have now investigated the effect of RHC 80267 on CCh-stimulated formation of inositol monophosphate formation, cGMP formation, and amylase release. CCh (10 microM) increased cGMP formation by approximately 20-fold, and this response was inhibited 55-75% by RHC 80267 (75-100 microM). RHC 80267 had no effect on either nitroprusside- or calcium ionophore-stimulated cGMP formation, arguing against a direct inhibition of guanylate cyclase by RHC 80267. Arachidonic acid, the release of which is inhibited by RHC 80267, neither stimulated cGMP formation nor reversed the effect of RHC 80267 on CCh-stimulated cGMP formation. This suggests, but does not prove, that the rise in cGMP in response to CCh is not due to an increase in AA as has been suggested. Both phorbol myristate acetate (25 nM) and the DG kinase inhibitor R 59022 (10 microM) inhibited CCh-stimulated cGMP formation by 40%. RHC 80267 also inhibited CCh-stimulated inositol phosphate accumulation and amylase release by 60 and 40%, respectively. The data suggest that the inhibition of CCh-stimulated cGMP formation and other muscarinic responses by RHC 80267 is probably the result of feedback inhibition of the cholinergic receptor via activation of protein kinase C by the elevated DG.

Fetal and placental cyclic inositol phosphohydrolase in normoxia and hypoxia.

Cyclic inositol phosphohydrolase (cIPH) converts cyclic inositol monophosphate (cIP), a putative modulator of cell growth, into inositol monophosphate. We hypothesized that hypoxic-ischemic injury alters cIPH activity in the placenta. On the 29th day of gestation pregnant rabbits were randomized to either 50 min of uterine ischemia (hypoxia) or no ischemia (controls). The activity of cIPH was measured by incubating with [3H]cIP and determining the release of [3H]inositol. Although no cIPH has been demonstrated in blood previously, cIPH activity was found in both fetal and maternal blood. cIPH activity was higher on the fetal side of the placenta than on the maternal side and was also higher in fetal blood compared to maternal blood. Hypoxia-ischemia failed to alter the cIPH activity in fetal blood and fetal and maternal placenta. Since cIPH activity is higher in the fetus and is retained even after major ischemia, modulation of cIP may be important in early development.

Muscarinic-receptor stimulation enhances polyphosphoinositide breakdown in guinea-pig ileum smooth muscle.

Muscarinic-receptor stimulation by 0.1 mM-carbachol in longitudinal muscle of the guinea-pig ileum increases the incorporation of [3H]inositol into inositol-containing phospholipid. This effect was blocked by 16 microM-atropine. After 60 min incubation, carbachol increased the accumulation of total inositol phosphates 20-fold in the presence of 10 mM-Li+. Less than 20% of the total inositol phosphate corresponded to inositol 1-phosphate by ion-exchange chromatography, whereas of the remainder about two-thirds corresponded to inositol bisphosphate and one third to inositol trisphosphate. It is concluded that stimulation of muscarinic receptors in guinea-pig ileum enhances breakdown of polyphosphoinositides, suggesting that this may be a primary event associated with Ca2+ mobilization in the guinea-pig ileum.

Bombesin and muscarinic receptor activation in rat pancreas generate cyclic inositol monophosphate: possible involvement of different phospholipase C isoenzymes.

Phospholipase C isoenzymes can generate different proportions of cyclic and non-cyclic inositol phosphates. Stimulation of [3H]-inositol labeled pancreatic minilobules by buffer, bombesin, neuromedin B or carbachol in presence of 10 mM lithium, followed by separation of inositol phosphates, yielded the following results for cyclic inositol monophosphate (cIP) [DPM/mg protein; Mean +/- SEM (n)]: control [21 +/- 6, (9)]; bombesin [145 +/- 24, (12)]; neuromedin B (99 +/- 22 (9)] and carbachol [512 +/- 60, (12)]. The generation of cIP and IP were significantly correlated [r2 = 0.72 (p < 0.05)] following carbachol activation, while no significant correlation was obtained following bombesin receptor activation by either bombesin or neuromedin B. Presence of zinc (100 microM) in the final incubation medium failed to amplify the bombesin-stimulated cIP accumulation. Based on our studies we postulate that different phospholipase C isoenzymes may be activated following muscarinic and bombesin receptor stimulation in pancrea.

The formation of inositol 1,2-cyclic 4,5-trisphosphate and inositol 1,2-cyclic 4-bisphosphate on stimulation of mouse pancreatic minilobules with carbamylcholine.

When [3H]myoinositol-prelabeled pancreatic minilobules were incubated with carbamylcholine (CCh) for 30 min, followed by ionophoresis on paper of the aqueous extracts, there were distinct peaks of radioactivity immediately preceding inositol 1,4-bisphosphate (IP2) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), which, based on earlier studies with inositol 1,2-cyclic phosphate (IcP), are the expected positions for inositol 1,2-cyclic 4-bisphosphate (IcP2) and inositol 1,2-cylic 4,5-trisphosphate (IcP3). These peaks were essentially absent on ionopherograms of extracts from minilobules not incubated with CCh. Similar results were obtained with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), except that the putative inositol cyclic phosphate peaks eluted immediately before the non-cyclic inositol polyphosphates, as to be expected. Taking advantage of the unique acid lability of the inositol cyclic phosphates, we demonstrate that the putative inositol cyclic polyphosphate peaks were specifically eliminated by prior hydrolysis of the aqueous extracts, as shown by either ionophoresis or HPLC. After preparative isolation of putative IcP2 and IcP3 by ionophoresis, acid hydrolysis shifted the positions of putative IcP2 and IcP3 peaks to the positions of standard IP2 and IP3, respectively, as shown by either ionophoresis or HPLC. The amounts of IcP, IcP2, and IcP3 formed on CCh stimulation, as measured by ionophoresis, were 0.7, 6.8, and 29.8% of that of, IP, IP2, and IP3, respectively (average of two experiments which agreed within 10%).

Objective evidence of aspirin use in both ulcer and nonulcer upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

To obtain the best evidence for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use in gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, a detailed patient history was supplemented with objective tests of aspirin use, i.e., high-performance liquid chromatography of plasma and platelet cyclo-oxygenase inhibition, which detect aspirin intake within 24 and 120 hours, respectively. Seventy-one patients consecutively admitted for upper or lower GI bleeding and 138 age- and sex-matched controls were studied. Five bleeders were excluded for confounding factors, e.g., warfarin. Of the other 66 bleeders, 45 had upper GI bleeding (28 from peptic ulcer, 14 from duodenal ulcer, and 14 from gastric ulcer) and 21 lower GI bleeding. Evidence of current NSAID use (of which 89% was aspirin) was found in 80% of bleeders vs. 24.3% of controls (P less than 0.0001), for an odds ratio of 13.7 (95% confidence interval, 6.39-27.27). The cyclo-oxygenase test uncovered 21.5% more aspirin users than history alone. Severity of bleeding was not different in acetylsalicylic acid users. The surprisingly high association of current intake of NSAIDs, especially aspirin, with nonulcer GI bleeding including colonic bleeding, changes the conventional view of the following hierarchy of the risk: NSAID----peptic ulcer----bleeding to: NSAIDs----GI bleeding. This view has important implications for current ulcer cotherapy prophylactic strategies, which could fail to prevent greater than 50% of GI bleeding episodes.

Bombesin, neuromedin B and neuromedin C interact with a common rat pancreatic phosphoinositide-coupled receptor, but are differentially regulated by guanine nucleotides.

Bombesin (BB), neuromedin C (NMC) and neuromedin B (NMB) stimulated amylase secretion to similar maximum levels, with EC50 values (concentrations causing 50% of maximum effect) of 0.2, 0.3 and 2 nM respectively. Treatment of pancreatic acini with BB or NMB (10 nM) for 30 min resulted in cross-desensitization of secretory responses to subsequent BB and NMB, but not to acetylcholine, which suggests that NMB and BB activate the same receptor. BB, NMC and NMB stimulated production of similar maximum amounts of inositol mono-, bis- and tris-phosphates, with EC50 values of 3, 5 and 141 nM respectively. The bombesin receptor antagonist [Leu13-psi(CH2NH)Leu14]BB inhibited stimulation of amylase secretion and inositol phosphate formation by BB, NMC and NMB. Binding of 125I-labelled gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP; 200 pM) to rat pancreatic membranes at 22 degrees C was inhibited with relative potencies and IC50 (concn. causing 50% of maximal inhibition; nM) as follows: NMC (0.4) = BB (0.5) greater than NMB (1.8 = GRP (2.6). IC50 values for BB, NMC and NMB inhibition of 125I-GRP binding to intact acini were 5-, 19- and 68-fold higher than their respective values in membranes. The guanine nucleotide analogue guanosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate (Gpp[NH]p) produced rightward shifts of NMC and NMB competition curves by 3.5- and 16-fold respectively, but had little effect on the BB and GRP curves. Elevation of the temperature to 37 degrees C or inclusion of NaCl (40 mM) produced quantitatively similar effects to those of Gpp[NH]p. In the presence of both NaCl and Gpp[NH]p the affinities of peptides for membrane receptors were similar to those for intact cells. Modulation of NMB competition curves by Gpp[NH]p was not attenuated by prior treatment of acini with activated pertussis toxin. These results suggest that BB, NMB and NMC stimulate pancreatic secretion by interaction with a common phosphoinositide-linked receptor. Differences in guanine nucleotide regulation suggest that secretagogue-induced receptor-protein interactions may not be identical for NMB and BB.