Role of cyclic nucleotides in growth control

Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate modulates the mitogenic responses of murine B lymphocytes

Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) acts to inhibit a number of lymphocyte activities. The extent of this inhibition was tested by evaluating the effects of two cAMP-raising agents on B cell S phase entry induced by several different mitogenic regimens. It was found that both dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) and isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) enhanced S phase entry induced by some regimens but inhibited S phase entry induced by others. The observed enhancing activity stands in contrast to the general notion of cAMP as being a "negative regulator," and it confirms that the observed inhibiting activity does not simply reflect cytotoxicity. Mitogenic regimens that appear to mimic each other, such as F(ab')2 fragments of goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin and the combination of a calcium ionophore and a phorbol ester, were distinguished by their responses to the addition of the two cAMP-raising agents. B cell responses were enhanced or inhibited even when dbcAMP was added 18-24 hr after the establishment of cultures. Cyclic AMP may regulate in a complex fashion S phase entry in cells of the immune system.

Induction of megakaryocytic differentiation and modulation of protein kinase gene expression by site-selective cAMP analogs in K-562 human leukemic cells

Two classes (site 1- and site 2-selective) of cAMP analogs, which either alone or in combination demonstrate a preference for binding to type II rather than type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase isozyme, potently inhibit growth in a spectrum of human cancer cell lines in culture. Treatment of K-562 human leukemic cells for 3 days with 30 and 10 microM 8-chloroadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-Cl-cAMP) (site 1-selective) resulted in 60% and 20% growth inhibition, respectively (with over 90% viability). N6-Benzyl-cAMP (site 2-selective) (30 microM) treatment resulted in 20% growth inhibition by day 3. When 8-Cl-cAMP (10 microM) and N6-benzyl-cAMP (30 microM) were both added, growth was almost completely arrested. The growth inhibition was accompanied by megakaryocytic differentiation in K-562 cells. The untreated control cells expressed little or no detectable levels of glycoprotein IIb-IIIa surface antigen complex. 8-Cl-cAMP (30 microM) treatment for 3 days substantially increased the antigen expression, while N6-benzyl-cAMP caused little or no change in the antigen expression. When cells were treated with 8-Cl-cAMP in combination with N6-benzyl-cAMP, antigen expression was synergistically enhanced, and cells demonstrated megakaryocyte morphology. By Northern blotting, we examined the mRNA levels of the type I and type II protein kinase regulatory subunits (RI alpha and RII beta), the catalytic subunit, and c-myc during 8-Cl-cAMP treatment. The steady-state level of RII beta cAMP receptor mRNA sharply increased within 1 hr of treatment and remained elevated for 3 days, while that of the RI alpha receptor markedly decreased to below control level within 6 hr and remained low during treatment. However, 8-Cl-cAMP did not affect the mRNA level of the catalytic subunit. 8-Cl-cAMP treatment also brought about a rapid decrease in c-myc mRNA. Thus, differential regulation of cAMP receptor genes is an early event in cAMP-induced differentiation and growth control of K-562 leukemia cells.

Stimulation of cAMP formation by prostaglandin D2 in primary cultures of bovine adrenal medullary cells: identification of the responsive population as fibroblasts

In primary cultures of bovine adrenal medulla, chromaffin cells responded to prostaglandin (PG) E2 by stimulating phosphoinositide metabolism (Yokohama et al. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 1119-1122). In contrast, nonchromaffin cells were found to respond to PGD2 by elevating their intracellular cAMP level. The formation of cAMP was detected at as low as 0.1 nM PGD2 and increased more than 100-fold over the basal level at 0.1 microM, and the response was specific for PGD2 (greater than PGE1 greater than PGE2 greater than PGF2 alpha = PGI2). The magnitude of cAMP formation and its specificity to PGD2 were retained throughout a 40-day culture period. Based on the inhibitory effect of cis-4-hydroxy-L-proline, an inhibitor of collagen synthesis, on cAMP formation, morphology, and immunoreactivity of cells to anti-collagen type I antiserum, the responsive cells were identified as fibroblasts. These results taken together demonstrate that the adrenal medulla is composed of chromaffin and nonchromaffin cells, which respond to PGE2 and PGD2, respectively, by two different signal transduction pathways. The cAMP formation by PGD2 was also observed in fibroblasts from bovine embryonic trachea among cell lines tested, suggesting that some populations of fibroblasts responsive to PGD2 exist in various tissues and may discriminate the signal from that of PGE1 or PGE2.

Cyclic AMP inhibits mitogen-induced DNA synthesis in hamster fibroblasts, regardless of the signalling pathway involved

Mitogen-induced initiation of DNA synthesis in quiescent Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (CCL39) is strongly inhibited by 8-Br cAMP and cAMP-evaluating agents (prostaglandin E1, cholera toxin, isobutylmethylxanthine). This inhibition is reversible and occurs very early in G0/G1. As exponential growth is much less affected by increased cAMP, we propose that cAMP inhibits an early signal essential for the exit from G0. CCL39 cells can be stimulated by alpha-thrombin, which activates phosphoinositide (PI) breakdown, as well as by mitogens (FGF or FGF + serotonin) which do not involve the PI pathway. Here we show that the action of both classes of mitogens is likewise inhibited by cAMP. Therefore, although PI breakdown is inhibited by cAMP in CCL39 cells, this effect cannot entirely account for th antimitogenic activity of cAMP. Other early steps of the mitogenic response must be also affected.

Arachidonic acid release and prostaglandin biosynthesis in synchronized rat embryo fibroblasts

Arachidonic acid (AA) release and prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis were studied in rat embryo fibroblasts (R 129) synchronized by double thymidine-excess block. Whatever the culture medium was (medium 199 supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) or 1% FCS plus 0.1% bovine serum albumin (BSA], AA release rapidly increased until the 4th hour of the cell cycle (S phase), remained on a plateau in G2M and G1 phases and did not increase again in the S phase of the following cell cycle. Time course and amplitude of AA release in synchronized cells did not differ from what it was observed after the simple renewal of the culture medium in asynchronous cells. So AA release seemed to be independent of the cell cycle. By contrast, PGE2 and PGF2 alpha biosynthesis clearly increased in the S phase of two consecutive cell cycles, indicating that cyclooxygenase activity and not phospholipase A2 activity vary according to the cell cycle.

The cyclic AMP-mediated stimulation of cell proliferation

The role of cyclic AMP (cAMP) in the regulation of mammalian cell proliferation has been the subject of controversy. Negative control was demonstrated in the 1970s, but evidence of positive control in other cell types has been neglected. Recent evidence which demonstrates such a control in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has now made this concept acceptable.

Effects of cyclic AMP elevation on the levels of insulin receptors in glial C6 cells

The regulation of the insulin receptor by cAMP has been examined in glial C6 cells. Incubation for 48 h with dibutyryl cyclic AMP produced a dose-dependent inhibition of 125I-insulin binding to the cells. Other agents that elevate intracellular cAMP levels such as forskolin and cholera toxin mimicked the effect of this cyclic AMP analog. With all compounds the maximal decrease of binding was found between 24 and 48 h and normally varied between 40 and 60%. Forskolin, cholera toxin and dibutyryl cyclic AMP also affected C6 cell proliferation, and the dose-response for decreasing the receptor was very similar to that observed for the inhibition of cell growth, suggesting a relationship between both phenomena. Scatchard analysis showed that cAMP did not produce major changes in the affinity of the receptor for insulin, but rather decreased receptor number. An accumulation of receptors at the cell surface was observed in the absence of de novo protein synthesis, since cycloheximide caused a significant increase in insulin binding to the cells. This inhibitor almost totally blocked the cAMP effect both when added simultaneously to the cells with the agents which increase cAMP and when added to cells pre-treated for 48 h with the same compounds.

Free radicals and the regulation of mammalian cell proliferation

The question of whether free radicals or free radical-related species play a role in the modulation of mammalian cell proliferation is examined. Although a positive role for free radicals as specific components of mitogenic pathways is not apparent it is clear that certain free radical-derived species can have a significant modulatory influence on components of major growth signal transduction mechanisms. Free radical-derived species are also involved in the production of prostaglandins which themselves can modulate cell growth. Free radicals themselves appear to have a down regulatory effect on cell proliferation inasmuch as protection from oxidative stress enhances cell proliferation. On the other hand, in certain cases low levels of active oxygen species can enhance cell proliferation.

Site-selective cyclic AMP analogs as new biological tools in growth control, differentiation, and proto-oncogene regulation

The physiologic role of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the growth control of a spectrum of human cancer lines, including leukemic lines, and v-rasH oncogene-transformed NIH/3T3 cells is demonstrated by the use of site-selective cAMP analogs. These cAMP analogs, which can select either of the two known cAMP binding sites of the cAMP receptor protein, induce potent growth inhibition, phenotypic change, and differentiation (leukemic cells) of cancer cells at micromolar concentrations with no sign of cytotoxicity. The growth inhibition parallels selective modulation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase isozymes, type I versus type II, and suppression of cellular proto-oncogene expression. Site-selective cAMP analogs thus provide new biological tools for investigating cell proliferation and differentiation and also for the improved management of human cancers.

Induction of cyclic AMP synthesis by forskolin is followed by a reduction in the expression of c-myc messenger RNA and inhibition of 3H-thymidine incorporation in human fibroblasts

We have studied the effect of increased intracellular levels of cyclic AMP on the growth response to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) of human foreskin fibroblasts in culture. It was found that forskolin, a potent stimulator of adenylate cyclase activity, inhibits the stimulatory effect of PDGF on 3H-thymidine incorporation with a dose dependence similar to that observed with regard to cyclic AMP formation. A time-course study indicated that forskolin has no effect on ongoing DNA synthesis but affects events in the prereplicative phase. The cell-cycle block induced by forskolin was found to be reversible; after removal of the drug, DNA synthesis was initiated after a lag period, similar to that of the prereplicative phase of control cells. Forskolin had no effect on PDGF binding, receptor autophosphorylation, or c-fos mRNA expression. However, a reduction in PDGF-induced c-myc mRNA expression was observed in cultures given forskolin. Forskolin was also found to have a marked stimulatory effect on the expression of interferon-beta 2 mRNA expression. However, we were unable to demonstrate that the growth-inhibitory effect of forskolin is mediated by interferon-beta. In conclusion, an increase in cAMP levels leads to a reversible inhibition of PDGF-induced DNA synthesis in human fibroblasts, which may be related to an inhibition of c-myc mRNA expression.

Ethanol induced teratogenesis: characterization, mechanisms and diagnostic approaches

Extensive research has been aimed at characterising FAS and FAE. Whereas the symptomology for FAS has been established, that of FAE remains to be fully characterized. Various mechanisms of ethanol induced teratogenesis have been proposed however it remains to be defined how these mechanisms combine to produce the entire constellation of teratogenic characteristics observed. At present, impaired placental transport, abnormal muscle organogenesis and fetal hypoxia have limitations in explaining the entire spectrum of defects in FAS. The role of prostaglandins and hormones requires further research. Also, other as yet unidentified mechanisms may exist. Even if the composite mechanism can be established, ethanol effects in utero will likely not be preventable by any approach other than consumption modification. In light of this notion, future research into identifying high-risk pregnant drinkers for clinical intervention is emphasized. Intervention leading to abstinence or, if this is not possible, removing the infant as early as possible from an intrauterine environment that is causing growth retardation and fetal distress, are the only solutions available at present.

Serotonin stimulates DNA synthesis in fibroblasts acting through 5-HT1B receptors coupled to a Gi-protein

Growth factors can be divided into two classes which act through distinct signal transduction pathways. One class including epidermal growth factor, platelet derived growth factor and fibroblast growth factor activates receptor tyrosine kinases, and the second class, including thrombin, bombesin, bradykinin and vasopressin activates a phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C through GTP-binding proteins which can be inactivated by pertussis toxin. In Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts, thrombin-induced mitogenicity seems to correlate well with phospholipase C activation and both events are sensitive to pertussis toxin. Thrombin, like the other mitogens in this class, simultaneously inhibits adenylate cyclase. This involves an inhibitory G protein (Gi), a well established pertussis toxin substrate. The relative contributions of the two signalling pathways to mitogenicity has not been evaluated so far. We report here that the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine), a contracting agent and mitogen for smooth muscle cells, activates phospholipase C, inhibits adenylate cyclase and stimulates DNA synthesis in fibroblasts. These events are sensitive to pertussis toxin. We show that the mitogenicity of 5-hydroxytryptamine can be uncoupled from phospholipase C activation that is mediated by 5-HT2 receptors, but correlates perfectly with inhibition of adenylate cyclase through 5-HT1B receptor. We propose that inhibition of adenylate cyclase or activation of an undefined effector system by Gi is important in 5-hydroxytryptamine induced DNA synthesis and contributes to the strong mitogenicity of the other members of this family of growth factors.

cAMP antagonizes interleukin 2-promoted T-cell cycle progression at a discrete point in early G1

T lymphocytes are stimulated to proliferate in an autocrine/paracrine manner by the lymphokine interleukin 2 (IL-2). In seeking further insight into the mechanisms by which IL-2 induces progression of T cells through the G1 phase of the cell cycle, studies were performed with agents that increase cellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), a well-known inhibitor of lymphocyte growth. The addition of dibutyryl-cAMP, cholera toxin, forskolin, or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine to an IL-2-dependent murine T-cell line evoked a dose-related suppression of S-phase transition without affecting cellular viability. Moreover, elevation of cAMP levels led to an accumulation of uniformly small cells, suggesting an arrest in early G1. Consistent with these findings, dibutyryl-cAMP inhibited the incorporation of both [3H]-uridine and [3H]thymidine by IL-2-stimulated, synchronized normal human T cells. Furthermore, maximal inhibition occurred during early G1, as indicated by experiments where the addition of dibutyryl-cAMP was delayed with respect to IL-2 stimulation. Quantitative flow cytometric analysis of RNA and DNA content of IL-2-stimulated cells affirmed that increased cAMP inhibits RNA accumulation and S-phase transition. In addition, exposure of IL-2-dependent, asynchronously proliferating normal human T cells to dibutyryl-cAMP resulted in uniform growth arrest in early G1, the point at which cycling T cells accumulate when they are deprived of IL-2. These results indicate that increased cAMP inhibits G1 progression stimulated by IL-2 and provide a rationale for the use of cAMP analogues as pharmacologic probes for the dissection of molecular events occurring during IL-2 signaling and T-cell G1 transit. They also suggest the possibility of therapeutic immunosuppression by a combination of agents that act at different stages of the T-cell cycle.

Growth-inhibitory properties of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide

It has recently been demonstrated that several neuropeptides can affect cell growth. The mammalian tachykinins substance P and neurokinin A, which are present in peripheral sensory neurons, stimulate growth of cultured connective tissue cells. Substance P-like immunoreactivity has been demonstrated in neuroblastoma cell lines. Neuroblastoma cells also produce other neuropeptides, among them vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). We report here that VIP is a potent inhibitor of serum-induced DNA synthesis in cultured smooth muscle cells (SMC), whereas no growth-inhibition was seen in SMC exposed to neurokinin A, calcitonin-gene related peptide, neuropeptide Y, somatostatin, or cholecystokinin. The growth-inhibitory effect of VIP was closely related to its ability to induce formation of cyclic AMP. Our results raise the possibility that peptides released by neurons, endocrine cells, as well as by transformed cells, may not only function as mitogens but also as inhibitory modulators of cell growth.

Site-selective cyclic AMP analogues are antagonistic to estrogen stimulation of growth and proto-oncogene expression in human breast-cancer cells

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) analogues that selectively bind to either one of the two binding sites of cAMP-dependent protein kinase demonstrate a potent inhibition of the growth stimulated by estrogen in MCF-7 human breast-cancer cells in culture. The site-selective analogues, which are more potent activators of protein kinase than the analogues studied earlier, exhibit growth inhibition at micromolar concentrations. Among the analogues tested, 8-Cl-cAMP (Site I-selective) and N6-benzyl-cAMP (Site 2-selective) are the 2 most potent inhibitors, causing 40-70% inhibition of the estrogen-stimulated growth at 10-20 microM concentrations with no sign of toxicity. 8-Cl-cAMP (1 microM) in combination with N6-benzyl-cAMP (0.5 microM) almost completely blocks estrogen-stimulated growth, demonstrating synergism between the Site 1- and Site 2-selective analogues. The growth inhibition parallels an increase in the R11 cAMP receptor protein with a decrease in the R1 receptor as well as reduction of c-myc and c-ras oncoproteins, whereas growth inhibition by tamoxifen does not affect the levels of the cAMP receptor proteins or the c-myc and c-ras protein levels. Site-selective cAMP analogues are antagonistic to estrogen stimulation of breast-cancer cell growth through a mechanism different from that of tamoxifen.

Effect of adenosine 3',5' monophosphate on the mutation frequency induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine

The effect of increased cellular concentrations of adenosine 3',5' monophosphate (cAMP) upon mutation frequency induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) was studied in V79 Chinese hamster lung cells. Incubation with either forskolin, which increased the accumulation of cAMP, or 8BrcAMP, an analogue of cAMP, resulted in an increase in the mutation frequency which was concentration-dependent, regardless of whether these agents were added before or after mutagen treatment. Increased cAMP concentrations were shown in these cells to inhibit growth; however, this does not seem to be the mechanism responsible for the increase in mutation frequency as low serum concentrations which also retard growth reduced the mutation frequency observed with MNNG.

Activation of an S6 kinase from rat astroglial cells by cAMP

Forskolin and isoproterenol, agonists of adenylate cyclase activity, and dibutyryl cyclic AMP, stimulated an S6 kinase activity in astroglial cells. This activity was insensitive to the thermostable inhibitor of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and had the same behaviour on a DEAE-Sephacel column as the mitogen stimulated S6 kinase. These observations support the idea that the cyclic AMP cascade, as well as various growth factors, can activate S6 kinase.

Dibutyryl cyclic AMP modulation of gap junctions in SW-13 human adrenal cortical tumor cells

Cultured human adrenal cortical adenocarcinoma cells (SW-13) form a confluent monolayer of epithelial-like cells when seeded into culture flasks. Following a 24-48 hr non-mitotic period, cells begin to divide and become confluent within a week after seeding at 5 X 10(4) cells/cm2. The SW-13 cells were exposed to dibutyryl cyclic AMP (DbcAMP), cyclic AMP (cAMP), sodium butyrate, and adrenocorticotropin (ACTH). The rate of SW-13 cell proliferation was measured with a DNA microfluorometric assay, as well as by procedures measuring the incorporation of 3H-thymidine. In addition, following administration of ACTH and DbcAMP, the fractional area of membrane covered by gap junctions was quantitated with freeze-fracture electron microscopic techniques. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP at a concentration of 1 X 10(-3) M decreased the growth rate of the cell population. There was a corresponding increase in the fractional area of gap junctions found on the cell membrane in 96-hr DbcAMP-treated cultures. ACTH (40 mU/ml) exposure failed to produce an increase in the fractional area of gap junctions or to alter the rate of cell proliferation. From these data it can be suggested that elevations in cAMP levels within the cell can be related to both the proliferation of gap junctions and the decrease in cell proliferation in the SW-13 tumor cell.

Ethanol-induced growth inhibition: the role of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase

Growth retardation is the single most common deficit observed in infants exposed to ethanol in utero, and the molecular mechanisms responsible for this growth inhibition are a focus of ongoing research. Several lines of research have suggested that ethanol-induced changes in the adenylate cyclase-protein kinase cascade may be involved in this process. Using an embryonic chick model, it was demonstrated that ethanol exposure during early development caused increases in cellular prostaglandin E2 and cyclic AMP levels that were inversely correlated with brain weight. Paradoxically, basal adenylate cyclase and protein kinase catalytic activities, assayed in vitro, were not altered by ethanol dosing. Ethanol exposure did suppress the responsiveness of brain adenylate cyclase to exogenous PGE2. Furthermore, ethanol treatment significantly lowered the brain cytoplasmic levels of cyclic AMP binding protein.

Evidence that 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) is a T-lymphocyte immunomodulatory agent

This study was designed to characterize the effects of the anti-psoriatic compound 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) on human lymphocyte function in vitro. Normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with an optimal (1%) or a suboptimal (0.05%) concentration of phytohemagglutinin (PHA). At the optimal concentration of PHA, 8-MOP (140 microM) caused a delay in lymphocyte proliferation, interleukin-2 (IL-2) production/accumulation and IL-2 receptor expression. Addition of exogenous IL-2 to cultures stimulated with an optimal concentration of PHA did not overcome the delay of lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 receptor expression. At the suboptimal concentration of PHA, 8-MOP (140 microM) caused a sustained inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation, IL-2 production/accumulation and IL-2 receptor expression. Addition of exogenous IL-2 under these conditions restored the magnitude of lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 receptor expression. However, the responses displayed the delayed lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 receptor expression typical of cells incubated with 8-MOP and an optimal concentration of PHA.

Mitogenic and antimitogenic effects of cholera toxin-mediated cyclic AMP levels in 3T3 cells

The effect of time-controlled exposures to cholera toxin (CT) on intracellular levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP) and on the proliferative response of serum-stimulated 3T3 cells was investigated. Continuous exposure to CT caused up to 8-fold raises in cAMP content and inhibited DNA replication by delaying G1-S transition and by reducing the fraction of cells committed to DNA replication. In contrast, short exposures to CT during G0-G1 transition increased the fraction of cells responding to serum stimulation and potentiated the serum-induced morphological changes in the cell monolayer. A short exposure during late G1 phase, however, inhibited the onset of DNA synthesis but had little effect on ongoing DNA replication. The results indicate that cAMP has diverse and opposite effects on two defined restriction points in cell cycle control. Cyclic AMP was positively involved in the acquisition of the state of competence by quiescent cells (G0-G1 transition) but antagonistic on the onset of DNA replication (G1-S transition) in committed cells. The observations reconcile a number of controversial conclusions regarding the role of cAMP in cell cycle control.

Differentiation in vitro of primary cultures and transfected cell lines of epithelial cells derived from the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop

The use of primary cell cultures derived from defined locations of the kidney has enabled the study of certain kidney cell type-specific characteristics under defined environmental conditions. The use of primary cell cultures, however, has a number of inherent disadvantages, many of which may be overcome by the use of differentiated cell lines of defined origin. In this paper I describe in detail an approach to: (a) the isolation and culture of primary cultures derived from the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (TALH), and (b) the production of differentiated cell lines by the transfection of these primary cell cultures with early region SV40 virus genes. The characteristics of these cultures and other TALH-derived cell lines are described.

Site-selective cyclic AMP analogs provide a new approach in the control of cancer cell growth

Site-selective cyclic AMP analogs bind to site 1 or site 2 of the known cAMP-binding sites depending on the position of substituents on the purine ring, either at C-2 and C-8 (site 1) or at C-6 (site 2). The growth inhibitory effect of such site-selective cAMP analogs used in this investigation with 15 human cancer cell lines surpassed that of analogs previously tested. The most potent analogs were 8-chloro, N6-benzyl and N6-phenyl-8-p-chlorophenylthio-cAMP. The combination of a C-8 with an N6 analog had synergistic effects. The 24 site-selective analogs tested produced growth inhibition ranging from 30 to 80% at micromolar concentrations with no sign of toxic effects. Growth inhibition was not due to a block in a specific phase of the cell cycle but paralleled a change in cell morphology, an increase of the RII cAMP receptor protein and a decrease of p21 ras protein. Since the adenosine counterpart of the 8-chloro analog produced G1 synchronization without affecting the RII and p21 ras protein levels, it is unlikely that an adenosine metabolite is involved in the analog effect. Site-selective cAMP analogs thus provide a new biological tool for control of cancer growth.

Retinoid treatment of human psoriatic fibroblasts induces an increase in cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity

We recently showed a deficiency of cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent protein kinases in psoriatic cells. In this work the effects of retinoids on cAMP-dependent protein kinases of fibroblasts from 7 normal subjects and 7 psoriatic patients were studied. The levels of RI and RII (two forms of the cAMP-dependent protein kinases) present in control and retinoic acid-treated cells were quantitated by photoaffinity labeling with [8-azido-32P]cAMP. In psoriatic fibroblasts the levels of RII are decreased or undetectable compared with those of normal fibroblasts both in the cytosolic and membrane fractions. The amount of RI was normal in the cytosol of fibroblasts of 5 out of 7 patients and decreased in 2 patients. Membrane-associated levels of RI were decreased in 5 patients and normal in 2 patients. Retinoic acid treatment induces an increase in the amount of RI and RII regulatory subunits when they are deficient in the cytosolic and membrane fractions of psoriatic fibroblasts. Retinoic acid had no effect on RI and RII in normal fibroblasts. In addition, with in vitro retinoic acid treatment the cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity, measured in the fibroblasts of 4 psoriatic patients, was increased in the cytosol in 2 patients and in the membranes in all 4 patients. In these studies, comparable results were obtained with fibroblasts cultured from involved and uninvolved skin. This in vitro effect of retinoids on cAMP-dependent protein kinases in psoriatic fibroblasts may help to explain some of the in vivo therapeutic effects of retinoids.

Biphasic effects of dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate on synergistic stimulation of DNA synthesis by diacylglycerol, and the ionophore A23187 in guinea pig lymphocytes

When guinea pig lymphocytes were cultured with 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol (OAG) and the ionophore A23187 for 8 h, [3H]-thymidine incorporation into the acid-insoluble fraction of the cells was stimulated synergistically. Further addition of dibutyryl cAMP caused a biphasic effect on the synergistic stimulation. Dibutyryl cAMP augmented the synergistic stimulation when A23187 was at the concentration of 0.075 micrograms/ml, but inhibited it when the ionophore was at 0.25 micrograms/ml. At the higher concentration of A23187, dibutyryl cAMP stimulated the [3H]thymidine incorporation when culture was for 4 h, but inhibited it when culture was for 8 h. The results were the same when 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) was used instead of OAG. Butyrate could replace dibutyryl cAMP for stimulation of [3H]thymidine incorporation in combination with TPA and A23187, but not with OAG and A23187 at the lower ionophore concentration. Dibutyryl cAMP but not butyrate stimulated ornithine decarboxylase induction caused by TPA and A23187. These results suggest that the effect of dibutyryl cAMP on DNA synthesis induced by OAG and A23187 was biphasic and depended on the concentration of A23187 and on the time of culture, and that the stimulation mechanism of butyrate is different from that of dibutyryl cAMP.

Cyclic AMP-mediated suppression of normal and neoplastic B cell proliferation is associated with regulation of myc and Ha-ras protooncogenes

Cyclic AMP functions as a negative regulator of cell proliferation in a variety of cell systems. We show here that the proliferation of normal and neoplastic B cells can be inhibited by high intracellular levels of cAMP. Thus forskolin treatment of the neoplastic B precursor cell line Reh induced a rapid increase in the cAMP level, which was followed by an accumulation of cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle over a period of 2-3 days. Similar inhibition of Reh cell proliferation after 3 days was observed whether forskolin was present continuously or only during the first 5 hr. Both c-myc and c-Ha-ras protein levels were transiently down-regulated at 4 hr of forskolin treatment, suggesting that these protooncogenes play a role in the process leading to cAMP-mediated growth cessation. Northern-blot analysis showed that the steady-state levels of c-myc RNA rapidly declined in all phases of the cell cycle, to return to control levels within a time period of 24 hr. In contrast, the c-Ha-ras mRNA level was steadily maintained. Thus the expression of c-myc and c-Ha-ras protein was regulated at different metabolic levels. The reduced proliferative capacity of the B precursor cell line in the presence of forskolin was not linked to induced differentiation. This was judged from the lack of appearance of three different B cell differentiation markers; cytoplasmic immunoglobulin heavy chain and two antigens recognized by the monoclonal antibodies B1 (CD20) and HH1 (CD37). We also showed that forskolin partially inhibited the proliferation of normal B lymphocytes stimulated by anti-immunoglobulins (anti-mu) and B cell growth factor (BCGF). The burst of c-myc mRNA during activation of normal B cells was also reduced by forskolin.

Cyclic AMP specifically blocks proliferation of rat 3T3 cells transformed by polyomavirus

Elevated exogenous and intracellular levels of cyclic AMP could totally block proliferation of polyomavirus (PyV) transformants derived from rat 3T3 cells without affecting proliferation of normal cells or simian virus 40 (SV40)-induced transformants. Concanavalin A (ConA) had the opposite effect; it could totally block proliferation of both normal cells and SV40 transformants but reduced proliferation of PyV transformants only twofold. Adenylate cyclase was threefold less active in membranes of PyV transformants, and the number of ConA receptors was similar to that of normal cells. Proliferating PyV transformants contained threefold less cyclic AMP than did proliferating SV40 transformants. The sensitivity to cyclic AMP did not correlate with the degree of transformation: cells transformed by Rous sarcoma virus and tumor cells derived from SV40 transformants were not sensitive to cyclic AMP. The differential effect of cyclic AMP and ConA on proliferation was probably due to the activity of an intact middle t protein. The presence of both large T and small t together with middle t was also required for cyclic AMP sensitivity.

Cellular signal transduction and the reversal of malignancy

Animal cells contain only a few defined molecular systems that transduce hormonal and growth signals from the external environment to the intracellular milieu to regulate cellular growth and differentiation. Among the most ubiquitous of these "second messenger" pathways are those utilizing cyclic AMP and phosphatidylinositide turnover. The former activates protein kinase A, while the latter leads to the activation of protein kinase C and mobilization of intracellular calcium. Lesions induced by oncogenes in signal transduction systems may be responsible for the cancerous transformation of cells. In many tumor cell lines, including some transformed by the ras and sis oncogenes, activation of protein kinase A by elevation of cyclic AMP or activation of protein kinase C by addition of phorbol esters can restore many normal aspects of growth and morphology. Such "reverse transformation" is accompanied by the phosphorylation of unique cellular proteins and alterations in the phosphoinositide cycle. Molecular mechanisms by which activation of signal transduction systems can attenuate the malignant phenotype are considered in the context of cellular growth and differentiation.

Alcohol, pregnancy, and prostaglandins

Basic scientists and clinicians alike are in agreement that children of alcoholic mothers are at risk for a variety of birth defects. These defects have been labeled fetal alcohol syndrome or, in a milder form, fetal alcohol effects. Prevention or therapeutic intervention of this disorder requires an understanding of the mechanism of action of alcohol on the developing fetus. This paper addresses the possible role of prostaglandins as biochemical mediators of the teratogenic actions of alcohol.

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase isozymes in neuroblastoma cells

Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) content of neurons is determined not only by the rate of synthesis but also by the rate of hydrolysis by cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases. Multiple forms of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase exist in brain and other tissues, and these may be regulated by various hormones and neuromodulators. The present study examines this regulation in a cloned line of neuroblastoma cells (N18TG2). A biphasic Lineweaver-Burk plot of cAMP hydrolysis revealed two Kms approximating 5 and 25 microM. Lineweaver-Burk plots of cGMP hydrolysis were linear over a range of 1 microM to 1 mM and exhibited a Km of 37 microM. Neither cAMP nor cGMP competed for hydrolysis of the alternative cyclic nucleotide. No evidence for an allosteric activation of cAMP phosphodiesterase by cGMP was found. Calcium regulation of phosphodiesterase was not found in spite of preparation of the cell extract with several protease inhibitors, and addition of exogenous calmodulin. No effect of calmodulin antagonists (calmidazolium, W7, or trifluoperazine) was observed in vitro or in situ. Growth of the cells in the presence of 200 nM 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) resulted in an increased hydrolysis of cAMP but of cGMP. This increase was attributed to an increase in Vmax with no change in either high or low Km. This response was blocked by cycloheximide, suggesting that the thyroid hormone effect requires protein synthesis. The thyroid hormone response in neuroblastoma cells is compared with the results of other studies of thyroid hormone effects on phosphodiesterase in other tissues in vivo.

Expression of the adenylate cyclase gene during cell elongation in Escherichia coli K-12

Expression of the adenylate cyclase gene (cya) in synchronized Escherichia coli cells was investigated by using the cya-lacZ protein and operon fusion plasmids. The regulation of cya expression during the cell cycle is characterized as follows: cya is expressed during cell elongation; expression is repressed during cell division; regulation is exerted at the transcriptional level. To test cya expression during cell elongation, we constructed a plasmid (pLCR1) in which the lacUV5 promoter operator was fused to the structural gene of cya and investigated the effect of cya expression by isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) on the cell division of cells containing pLCR1. By the addition of IPTG, cell division was inhibited and filaments were formed. Such an inhibitory effect was antagonized by adding cyclic GMP to the culture medium and was not observed in the crp mutant.

Isolation of a mutant LLC-PK1 cell line defective in hormonal responsiveness. A pleiotropic lesion in receptor function

A mutant LLC-PK1 cell line, M18, was isolated after a single treatment of the parent culture with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitroso-guanidine. In contrast to LLC-PK1 cells, the mutant did not exhibit production of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) in response to the hormones calcitonin and vasopressin, but produced the expected levels of uPA upon stimulation by the receptor-independent adenylate cyclase activators forskolin and cholera toxin, as well as by the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine and the 8-bromo analogue of adenosine cyclic monophosphate, Br8cAMP. The patterns of activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase were identical to those of uPA induction: calcitonin and vasopressin were without effect, but the response to all other agents was normal. In similar fashion, mutant cell homogenates displayed normal activation of adenylate cyclase upon treatment with sodium fluoride, forskolin, or the non-hydrolyzable GTP analogue guanosine 5'-[beta, gamma-imino]triphosphate, but were unresponsive to calcitonin or vasopressin. The ability of M18 cells to bind radioactively labelled calcitonin and vasopressin was measured. The mutant possessed less than 4% of the normal levels of the receptor binding activity for both hormones. Somatic cell hybrids formed between M18 and LLC-PK1 cells were found to retain normal hormone binding activity and responsiveness to hormones, indicating that the defect in M18 cells was recessive. M18 was concluded most probably to contain a single mutation impairing the function of two distinct polypeptide hormone receptors.

Studies on responsiveness of hepatoma cells to catecholamines. IV. Lack of adrenergic activation of phosphorylase in rat ascites hepatoma cells

Glycogen phosphorylase a activity in 7 rat ascites hepatoma cell lines treated with adrenergic agents, phenylephrine, epinephrine and isoproterenol, was investigated as compared with that in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes. Basal phosphorylase activities in hepatoma cells except AH7974 cells were lower than that in hepatocytes. Phosphorylase in hepatoma cells was not activated by any of the agents, while the enzyme activity in hepatocytes was clearly increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Phosphorylase in hepatocytes was sensitive to glucagon, but it was found to be insensitive to glucagon in all hepatoma cells. The present results suggest that rat ascites hepatoma cells may escape the glycogenolytic regulation by catecholamines and glucagon.

Metabolic dehydration of prostaglandin E2 and cellular uptake of the dehydration product: correlation with prostaglandin E2-induced growth inhibition

When L-1210 murine leukemia cells were incubated with 60 microM PGE2 in culture medium containing fetal calf serum for various time, cell proliferation was inhibited dependent on incubation time. However, when the medium containing PGE2 was changed every 6 h during 24 h exposure to cells, growth inhibition became much weaker. Moreover, when the medium containing PGE2 was aged by preincubating without cells at 37 degrees C, growth inhibitory effect of the medium was enhanced with preincubation time, suggesting that active growth inhibitory compound(s) accumulated during preincubation. In culture medium containing fetal calf serum, PGE2 degraded time-dependently and the major product was identified as PGA2 by HPLC. Furthermore, when cells were incubated with the medium containing 60 microM[3H]PGE2 or the same medium aged by preincubation, we observed that the radioactivity was taken up by the cells time-dependently, and identified the incorporated radioactivity as PGA2. This uptake was closely correlated with decrease in viable cell number during incubation. These results suggested that growth inhibitory effect of PGE2 was due to the metabolic dehydration of PGE2 to PGA2, and PGA2, after taken up by cells, exerted cell growth inhibition.

LLC-PK1 cell mutants in cAMP metabolism respond normally to phorbol esters

Mutants of the pig kidney cell line, LLC-PK1, affected in cAMP metabolism, were examined for cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAMP-PK) activity and for cAMP-mediated induction of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA). The FIB4 and FIB6 mutant cell lines possessed about 10% parental levels of cAMP-PK activity and concomitantly reduced uPA production (10-20% parental) in response to calcitonin, forskolin and 8-bromo cAMP. The FIB1, FIB2 and FIB5 mutant cell lines had about 70% parental levels of cAMP-PK and the synthesis of uPA was 40-60% parental. Thus, cAMP-mediated induction of uPA showed a dependence on the absolute levels of cAMP-PK. However, uPA synthesis in response to phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate by all of the mutants was similar to parental, which indicates that enzyme induction mediated by phorbol esters does not involve cAMP or cAMP-PK.

Growth hormone-releasing factor stimulates proliferation of somatotrophs in vitro

The mitogenic effect of the hypothalamic peptides growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) and somatostatin on cultured growth hormone (GH)-producing cells (somatotrophs) was studied. Using autoradiographic detection of [3H]thymidine uptake and immunocytochemical identification of GH-producing cells, we show that 5 nM GRF causes a 20-fold increase in the percentage of somatotrophs labeled with [3H]thymidine. The total number of somatotrophs in GRF-treated cultures was increased by 60%. Somatostatin had no measurable effect on the labeling index by itself, but it partly inhibited the GRF-induced increase in both the labeling index and the total number of cells. Forskolin caused an increase in both the percentage of somatotrophs with a [3H]thymidine-labeled nucleus and the somatotroph number similar to that caused by GRF. GH secretion as well as cellular GH content in the GRF- or forskolin-treated cells increased with culture time over the entire period, whereas secretion and content of GH gradually decreased in control or somatostatin-treated cultures during the entire culture period. These data suggest that GRF and somatostatin regulate the mitotic activity of GH-producing cells and that the effect of GRF is possibly mediated by cyclic AMP.

Influence of metabolic control of insulin-dependent diabetes on plasma nucleotide levels (cAMP, cGMP) during bicycle exercise

Plasma concentrations of cyclic nucleotides (cAMP, cGMP) were measured before and during bicycle exercise in 8 well-controlled (mean pre-exercise blood glucose 5.3 mmol/l; HbA1 8.6%) and 8 moderately controlled (mean pre-exercise blood glucose 12.2 mmol/l; HbA1 10.8%) patients aged 18-32 years with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and in a group of non-diabetic control subjects matched for age and sex. Pre-exercise plasma cAMP concentrations and the rise with exercise were similar in all study groups. Significantly lower resting cGMP levels were found in well-controlled IDDM patients (3.5 +/- 0.3 pmol/ml, mean +/- SEM) compared to controls (5.6 +/- 1.1 pmol/ml; p less than 0.05) and moderately controlled IDDM patients (5.6 +/- 1.0 pmol/ml; p less than 0.05). By contrast, plasma cGMP levels increased during exercise in the diabetics but not in the controls. These findings indicate a significant difference in responses of plasma cGMP to exercise between IDDM patients and controls.

Distinct effect of forskolin and interferon-gamma on cell proliferation and regulation of histocompatibility antigen expression in hematopoietic cells

The adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin, was found to induce expression of class I and class II major histocompatibility complex antigens in a B precursor cell line, Reh, as well as in a B lymphoid cell line, Raji. No such effect was, however, observed when the promyelocytic cells line HL-60 was treated with either forskolin or the cAMP analogue 8-bromoadenosine cyclic monophosphate. As expected, all three cell lines showed reduced proliferation upon forskolin treatment. Forskolin induced expression of class I and class II major histocompatibility complex antigens in cell lines not affected by interferon-gamma and vice versa, indicating that cAMP is not involved in the regulation of histocompatibility antigens by interferon-gamma. We also compared the effect of interferon-gamma and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate on major histocompatibility complex class I and class II expression, and despite differences in the response on the tested cell lines, we can not at this point exclude the possibility that protein kinase C is involved in the action of interferon-gamma.

Deficiency of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases in human psoriasis

To determine possible differences in the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases of normal and psoriatic human fibroblasts, the levels of the regulatory subunits (RI and RII, respectively) of protein kinase I and protein kinase II were quantitated by photoaffinity labeling with 8-azido[32P]cAMP. The level of RII was significantly decreased, or was undetectable, in cytosol prepared from fibroblasts from five psoriatic subjects when compared to RII levels found with normal human fibroblasts. The level of cytosolic RI was decreased in fibroblasts from four psoriatic patients and was within the normal range for one diseased patient when compared to RI levels in normal human fibroblasts. The elution profile from a DEAE-cellulose column of protein kinase activity in the soluble fraction from two psoriatic patients also showed a decrease in type I kinase activity and the complete absence of type II kinase activity. Other results indicate that the level of RI in erythrocyte membranes from psoriatic subjects is significantly decreased when compared to that of erythrocyte membranes from eight normal subjects. A significant correlation (P less than 0.001) was observed between the severity of the cutaneous manifestation of the disease and the level of RI in psoriatic erythrocyte membranes. The changes noted in the levels of RI and RII in cell types other than those thought to be specifically involved in the proliferative epidermis disorder of the disease suggest a general protein kinase deficiency.

The stimulation of human synovial fibroblast plasminogen activator activity. Involvement of cyclic AMP and cyclooxygenase products

The plasminogen activator activity of human synovial fibroblasts is raised by a monocyte-derived polypeptide, synovial activator and also by all-trans retinoic acid. The elevation of the synovial cell plasminogen activator activity by the two stimuli is potentiated both by agents which can raise cellular cyclic AMP levels, namely prostaglandin E2, cholera toxin and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, and also by exogenous 8-bromocyclic AMP. These findings suggest that there might be a substrate, which is phosphorylated by a cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and which is important in the modulation of the synovial cell plasminogen activator activity by the two stimuli. Prostanoids can be important in the stimulation of the synovial fibroblast plasminogen activator activity by mononuclear cell supernatants, since indomethacin can inhibit the increase in proteinase activity.