Role of cyclic nucleotides in growth control

Changes in guinea pig plasma cyclic nucleotide levels during the development of a transplantable leukemia

Plasma levels of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP were determined in 35 guinea pigs for up to 9 days following subcutaneous passage of L2C leukemia cells. Twenty guinea pigs into which normal syngeneic guinea pig thymocytes were passaged served as controls. Cyclic AMP levels in plasma showed little change and were only elevated significantly in test animals on day 9 after passage. In contrast cyclic GMP levels reached a maximum on day 5 after passage of leukemia cells with two to threefold rises over day 1 levels. Increases in leukocyte counts were not observed until day 7 in test animals. Of the other tumour growth indices which were examined, the axillary (draining) node index gave the earliest indication of cell proliferation, with significant elevations on day 3 after passage. The authors conclude that plasma cyclic GMP increases precede increases in white cell counts by at least 2 days, and may reflect an early increase in axillary node growth.

Cyclic AMP-dependent regulation of activities of synthetase and phosphodiesterase of 2',5'-oligoadenylate in NIH 3T3 cells

Treatment of NIH 3T3 cells with adenylate cyclase activator adrenaline (10(-6) M) or cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor theophylline (10(-3) M) was shown to lead to intracellular cAMP elevation followed by a 2.0-to 2.5-fold increase in the 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase activity. This process was blocked by actinomycin D. The rise in the intracellular cAMP level was also followed by a 3-4-fold decrease in the activity of 2'-phosphodiesterase. Propranolol prevented this inhibition but actinomycin D produced only a negligible effect on the process. Incubation of the cell homogenate with purified catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and ATP also resulted in a decrease of 2'-phosphodiesterase activity. These results indicate that cAMP is involved in the regulation of enzymes of the 2',5'-oligoadenylate system. The possibility that certain biological functions of cAMP are implemented via 2',5'-oligoadenylate-dependent processes is discussed.

Protamine inhibits adenylate cyclase activity: a possible reason for the toxicity of protamine

Protamine is an effective inhibitor of the various activated forms of adenylate cyclase of liver plasma membranes. Inhibition of adenylate cyclase may account for its toxic but not its antitumor effects.

Augmentation of keratinocyte differentiation by the epidermal mitogen, 8-bromo-cAMP

The effect of the epidermal mitogen, 8-bromo-cAMP, on keratinocyte differentiation was studied. A 3 X 10(-4) M dose of 8-bromo-cAMP was added to primary neonatal mouse epidermal keratinocyte cultures that slowly proliferate, stratify and differentiate over 2-3 weeks time. [3H]Thymidine autoradiography coupled with an NH4Cl plus reducing agent technic which separates basal and differentiating keratinocytes was used to determine the target cell for the 8-bromo-cAMP mitogenic effect. A histologic stain and a four buffer protein extraction protocol, in conjunction with PAGE and fluorographic technics, were used to assess the differentiation of the cultures. The data indicated that 8-bromo-cAMP primarily stimulated the proliferation of the basal cell monolayer. Simultaneous with the mitogenic effect was an increase in the production of keratohyalin granule, keratin and cell envelope proteins, which are specific markers of epidermal differentiation. The results indicate that keratinocytes stimulated by the epidermal mitogen 8-bromo-cAMP simultaneously express differentiation-related processes.

Cyclic AMP, calcium and control of cell growth

The role of cyclic AMP and calcium in the control of normal and tumour cell growth is considered in relation to the question whether cyclic AMP is a true mitogen or co-mitogen. It is proposed that cyclic AMP normally controls the cell cycle at a point in G1 phase only by virtue of its ability to exclude calcium required by cells to progress past this point into S phase. Therefore increased influx of calcium by other routes induced by various factors can bypass the inhibitory effect of cyclic AMP and stimulate growth. In these circumstances cyclic AMP or calcium may or may not facilitate further progress into S phase according to the metabolic requirements of individual cells. The relevance to cancer cells is considered.

Mitogenic effect of prostaglandin E1 in Swiss 3T3 cells: role of cyclic AMP

Addition of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) to quiescent cultures of Swiss 3T3 cells rapidly elevates the intracellular levels of cAMP and increases the activity of adenylate cyclase in particulate fractions of these cells. In the presence of insulin, PGE1 stimulates the reinitiation of DNA synthesis. Both effects (increase in cellular cAMP and stimulation of DNA synthesis) are markedly potentiated by 1-methyl-3-isobutyl xanthine (IBMX) or by 4-(3-butoxy-4 methoxy benzyl)-2-imidazolidine (Ro 20-1724), both of which are potent inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity. In the presence of 50 microM IBMX, PGE1 caused a dose-dependent increase in cAMP levels and in [3H]thymidine incorporation into acid-insoluble material at concentrations (5-50 ng/ml) that are orders of magnitude lower than those used in previous studies (50 micrograms/ml) to demonstrate growth-inhibitory effects. Thus, the inhibitory effects produced by adding high concentrations of PGE1 on the initiation of DNA synthesis in Swiss 3T3 cells are not mediated by cAMP and should be regarded as nonspecific. In contrast, the mitogenic activity of PGE1 parallels its ability to increase the intracellular levels of cAMP. The findings support the proposition that a sustained increase in the level of this cyclic nucleotide acts as a mitogenic signal for confluent and quiescent Swiss 3T3 cells.

Regulation of cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate phosphodiesterases: altered pattern in transformed myoblasts

Rat skeletal myoblasts, L6 and L8, have two major forms of phosphodiesterases, PDE II and PDE III. Only the former is activated by treatment with proteases. When the myoblasts are exposed to cAMP for 10-16 h, the activity of PDE III increases considerably. This increase is accompanied by a loss of activatability of PDE II by proteases. Leupeptin prevents the increase in the levels of PDE III suggesting that a protease in vivo may be responsible for the formation of PDE III from PDE II. Spontaneously or Rous sarcoma virus-transformed myoblasts, however, show altered regulation of the two forms of PDE. In the presence of cAMP in the medium, unlike the nontransformed cells, the levels of PDE III do not increase but the activity of PDE II rises. Simultaneously, PDE II becomes refractory to activation by proteases. The altered mode of PDE regulation in transformed cells is dominant in hybrids between normal and transformed myoblasts, which suggests that altered regulation is due to an "acquisition" of some new property by transformed cells.

Bidirectional concentration-dependent effects of glucagon and dibutyryl cyclic AMP on DNA synthesis in cultured adult rat hepatocytes

Glucagon and dibutyryl cyclic AMP exerted both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on hepatocyte DNA synthesis when added to primary monolayer cultures in the presence of serum, dexamethasone, insulin and epidermal growth factor. The stimulation occurred at low concentrations of glucagon (1 pM-1 nM) or dibutyryl cyclic AMP (1 nM-1 microM), while the agents inhibited DNA synthesis at higher concentrations (usually glucagon at over 10 nM or dibutyryl cyclic AMP at over 10 microM). The stimulatory effect was stronger at low cell densities (less than 20 X 10(3) hepatocytes/cm2). When the hepatocytes were cultured at higher densities, stimulatory effects were reduced or absent and the inhibition of (hormone-induced) DNA synthesis by a high concentration of glucagon was much more pronounced than at low cell densities. These results indicate dual, bidirectional, effects of cyclic AMP on hepatocyte DNA synthesis.

Two independent mechanisms of induction of 2':3'-cyclic-nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase in glioma cells by cyclic AMP and high cell density

Specific activity of the myelin enzyme, 2':3'-cyclic-nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase (EC 3.1.4.37), increases 2- to 10-fold when sparsely inoculated cultures of C6 rat glioma cells are allowed to grow to high cell density. Cyclic-nucleotide phosphohydrolase specific activity is also induced in C6 cells and in oligodendrocytes by dibutyryl cyclic AMP or by agents that elevate intracellular cyclic AMP. In this report, we have compared the density-dependent induction of cyclic-nucleotide phosphohydrolase activity with the cyclic AMP-dependent induction. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP induced cyclic-nucleotide phosphohydrolase specific activity in both sparse and dense cultures which had very different density-dependent cyclic-nucleotide phosphohydrolase activities. Induction of both cyclic-nucleotide phosphohydrolase specific activity and intracellular cyclic AMP content by norepinephrine also occurred to a similar degree in sparse and dense cultures. Similar results were obtained for several clones of C6 cells, and for a clone of oligodendrocyte x C6 cell hybrids. Induction of cyclic-nucleotide phosphohydrolase by norepinephrine or dibutyryl cyclic AMP was not due to a change in cell density or rate of cell proliferation, nor did cell density have any appreciable effect on cyclic AMP content of the cells. These results show that regulation of cyclic-nucleotide phosphohydrolase activity in C6 cells involves two distinct mechanisms.

Stimulation by thyrotropin and cyclic AMP of the proliferation of quiescent canine thyroid cells cultured in a defined medium containing insulin

We have developed serum-free primary cultures of differentiated follicular dog thyroid cells which allow the study of the hormonal control of cell proliferation. The cooperation of insulin and increasing cellular cyclic AMP by thyrotropin triggers the DNA synthesis and the proliferation. Dog thyroid cells are an example of a system in which cyclic AMP is a sufficient signal to stimulate the proliferation in quiescent cells.

A stimulating effect of guanyl nucleotides on the rat-liver soluble cyclic GMP high-affinity phosphodiesterase activity

The high affinity (low Km) cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) is activated by GTP, while the cyclic AMP PDE is not. GTP and its hydrolysis-resistant analogue, guanylylimidodiphosphate (GppNHp), display a half-maximal stimulating effect at almost the same concentration (5 X 10(-6) M). The GTP stimulating effect is not observed when the socalled cyclic GMP low affinity (high Km) PDE is operative. GTP cooperates with the increase of the substrate concentration on removing the IBMX inhibitory effect. The isolation through a classical chromatographic procedure on a DEAE-cellulose column, of a PDE fraction specific for cyclic GMP, results in the loss of the GTP stimulating effect.

Control of cell division in Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants defective in adenylate cyclase and cAMP-dependent protein kinase

Examination of the proportion of unbudded cells, terminal nuclear phenotype and DNA content of nuclei indicated that cyr1 mutants of yeast defective in adenylate cyclase activity were arrested at the G1 phase of the cell cycle. The step of G1 arrest due to the cyr1 mutation preceded the step sensitive to the mating pheromone. The temperature-sensitive cyr1 cells did not continue growth, nor retain the capacity to conjugate at a restrictive temperature. The phenotypes of the cyr1 mutant mimicked those of nutritionally limited cells. The G1 arrest caused by the cyr1 mutation was overcome by the presence of a suppressor mutation, bcy1, that resulted in deficiency of a regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and production of high level of cAMP-independent protein kinase. The bcy1 mutation suppressed G1 arrest caused by nutritional limitation, and continued bud emergence for multiple cycles without further nuclear division. The data suggest that cAMP works as a positive effector at the start of a yeast cell cycle via activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

Effect of cyclic AMP on low density lipoprotein binding and internalization by cultured human fibroblasts

Pretreatment of cultured human fibroblasts by cyclic AMP resulted in a marked decrease in the binding and internalization of the low density lipoproteins (about 55% of controls for cyclic AMP 2.10(-3) M). This effect was dose dependent and increased by theophyllin. DL propranolol, an inhibitor of adenylcyclase, had an opposite effect. Isoproterenol, which stimulates adenylcyclase, reproduced the effect of cyclic AMP. The cholesterol synthesis from [2-14C] acetate was decreased by cyclic AMP, theophyllin and isoproterenol, and increased by propranolol. The incorporation of [1-14C] oleate into cholesteryl esters was reduced by cyclic AMP, theophyllin, isoproterenol and propranolol.

Changes in cGMP levels on meiosis reinitiation of starfish oocytes

An intracellular level of cGMP (but not cAMP) transiently decreased the reinitiation of oocyte maturation in the starfish, Asterias amurensis. Exogenously applied cGMP inhibited hormone-induced maturation. Methylxanthines inhibited oocyte maturation by suppressing the decrease in cGMP levels. These results suggest that a decrease in cGMP levels is a prerequisite for meiosis reinitiation of starfish oocytes.

Alterations of peripheral blood lymphocyte cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP in untreated patients with hodgkin's disease

Cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP are important regulatory agents of lymphocyte functions. Depressed T-lymphocyte functions are frequently associated with Hodgkin's disease and suppressor monocytes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of this defect. In the present study cAMP and cGMP resting levels were measured in lymphocytes from 18 untreated patients with Hodgkin's disease using a sensitive radioimmunoassay. A significant decrease of cAMP (P less than 0.001) and, to a lesser degree, of cGMP (P less than 0.01) was found in monocyte-depleted lymphocyte suspensions from the patients compared to controls. Studies of patient and control lymphocyte subpopulations showed in patients a clear deficit of cAMP in T-depleted lymphocytes, rather than in T cells, with a low cAMP/cGMP molar ratio in both subpopulations. From this data it is clear that factors other than prostaglandin-mediated suppression of monocyte origin are involved in the pathogenesis of the T-lymphocyte depression associated with Hodgkin's disease.

Differential response to hormones of defined distal nephron epithelia in culture

Defined cultures of rabbit kidney cortical collecting tubule (CCT) and cortical thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (CAL) were grown in monolayers from individual microdissected tubules and maintained for up to five passages, a maximum of 53 days. CCT cells contained cytochemically demonstrable vasopressin-stimulated adenylate cyclase, whereas CAL cells were characterized by the localization of Na+-K+-ATPase. [3H]thymidine labeling index decreased with time in primary cultures in the presence or absence of 3% serum. When added to unsupplemented serum-free media alone or in combinations, the growth factors dexamethasone, thyroxine, insulin, epidermal growth factor, and prolactin stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation to different extents. CCT cells were maximally stimulated by addition of dexamethasone alone, whereas a combination of dexamethasone, thyroxine, insulin, and prolactin was most stimulatory for CAL cells. Addition of hormones concerned with renal ion and water transport to fully supplemented serum-free media inhibited [3H]thymidine labeling index: 1) vasopressin, isoproterenol, and dibutyryl cAMP were equally inhibitory in CCT and CAL cultures; 2) parathyroid hormone and prostaglandin E1 were more inhibitory in CAL cultures; and 3) aldosterone was particularly inhibitory in CCT cultures.

Growth inhibition of human breast cancer cells induced by calcitonin

The human breast cancer cell line (T47D) has specific, high affinity calcitonin receptors and calcitonin-responsive adenylate cyclase. Human, salmon and [Asu1,7]eel calcitonin inhibited cell growth in a dose-related manner with almost equipotency. Analogues of human calcitonin demonstrated slight cell growth inhibition. We found extreme growth inhibition with daily treatment with dibutyryl cyclic AMP (10(-4) M). In contrast to calcitonin 1,25-(OH)2D3 had a biphasic effect on cell growth. Physiological doses (5 X 10(-10) M) of 1,25-(OH)2D3 stimulated growth of T47D, whereas treatment by supraphysiological amounts (2.5 X 10(-7) M) caused significant inhibition of growth. Calcitonin and 1,25-(OH)2D3 appeared to have additive effects.

Interaction of manganese with NB41A neuroblastoma adenylate cyclase

In vitro assay of the adenylate cyclase of NB41A neuroblastoma cells in the presence of increasing concentrations of MnCl2 suggested that the enzyme is modulated by both high- and low-affinity sites for manganese. MnCl2 in a concentration of 1 microM significantly stimulated adenylate cyclase activity, but increasing the concentration of manganese to 3 microM or 10 microM had no further effect. Raising MnCl2 to 0.1 or 1 mM, however, further stimulated enzyme activity. In addition to differences in affinity for manganese, the two classes of binding sites may be distinguished by differences in their interaction with other agents that affect adenylate cyclase activity. Millimolar manganese and magnesium appeared to compete for a common site on the enzyme and the effect of manganese in this range and the effect of guanyl nucleotide were synergistic. In contrast, the stimulation of activity by micromolar manganese appeared to be additive to the effects of either increasing magnesium or the addition of guanyl nucleotide to the assay media. Comparison of the substrate dependency of the reaction measured in the presence and absence of manganese suggests that the stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity involves increases in both the apparent Vmax of the reaction and the affinity for ATP. The results raise the possibility that the interaction of Mn2+ may play a role in the modulation of adenylate cyclase in vivo.

A study on the relationship between the interferon enzyme system and the system of cyclic nucleotide metabolism

In order to study interrelationships between the components of the interferon enzyme system and the cyclic AMP system, NIH 3T3 cells were incubated in the presence of theophylline or adrenaline that cause a rise of intracellular cAMP, respectively, through inhibition of phosphodiesterase of cAMP and activation of adenylate cyclase. In doses that caused a transient, 2-to 3-fold elevation of the cAMP level, theophylline and adrenaline elicited about 2.5-fold elevation of 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (2-5A synthetase) activity. This increase could be prevented by actinomycin D. This suggests that the elevation of the enzyme activity in the cells was due to a transcription-dependent induction process. Theophylline and adrenaline treatment of the cell cultures also led to a 2-to 3-fold fall of the activity of the phosphodiesterase of 2',5'-oligoadenylate (2'-phosphodiesterase). This effect of adrenaline was prevented by propanolol but not by actinomycin D. In the case of adrenaline, the fall of 2'-phosphodiesterase activity was accompanied by at least 5-fold increase in the enzyme activity which did not occur if actinomycin D was present in the culture. Similarities and differences between these effects and those induced by interferon are discussed. It is concluded that cAMP is an important regulator of the enzyme system of the 2',5'-oligoadenylate metabolism. 2',5'-Oligoadenylate, in turn, was found to act on the activity of phosphodiesterase of cyclic AMP. The cAMP phosphodiesterase activity in the NIH 3T3 cell lysates was activated 2- to 2.5-fold at physiological concentrations (10(-9) to 10(-7) M) of both the phosphorylated form of oligoisoadenylate, ppp(5'A2'p)n5'A2'OH, and the dephosphorylated form, HO(5'A2'p)25'A2'OH. The phosphorylated form of oligoisoadenylate also activated partially purified preparations of cAMP phosphodiesterase. The data obtained in this study allow us to consider cAMP and 2',5'-oligoadenylate as the key metabolites that may be used in the cells to form a complex, interconnected, multifunctional circuit that involves the interferon enzyme system and the system of cyclic AMP metabolism and governs essential cell functions, as regulation of RNA metabolism and protein synthesis, cell growth and differentiation.

Some aspects of cellular aging

Studies were carried out on cultured human fibroblasts in order to elucidate the biology of aging and the origins of age-dependent diseases. The replicative life span of cultures was inversely proportional to the chronological age of the tissue donor, and cultures derived from subjects with two inherited disorders of premature aging, progeria and Werner syndrome, had more severely impaired growth capacity. Studies on circular outgrowths whereby cell division is restricted to a circumferential rim of cells indicated that the replicative life span is controlled by a mitotic counter to a critical limit. The response of progeria cells to a hormone preparation with insulin-like activity was decreased, while in normal cells this decrease occurred as a function of passage level with a "shift to the right" of the dose-response curve. Cyclic AMP content of fibroblasts at late passage fell in response to PGE1 stimulation but rose in response to epinephrine, likely due to altered expression of genes for the receptors for each of these two hormones. This system of cultured human fibroblasts is useful in explaining various concomitants of biological aging including decreased tissue cellularity and impaired hormone and drug responsiveness.

Differential effect of vanadate on DNA synthesis induced by mitogens in T and B lymphocytes

The effect of sodium orthovanadate on enhancement of DNA synthesis by T and B cell mitogenic agents was studied using murine thymocytes and splenocytes. Addition of vanadate to thymocyte cultures inhibited the mitogenic response induced by concanavalin A in a dose dependent manner (50% inhibition at 10 microM). On the other hand, DNA synthesis induced in thymocytes by pokeweed lectin and periodate treatment essentially was not inhibited at the lower vanadate concentrations that were markedly effective for concanavalin A induced synthesis. In addition, no significant inhibition of mitogenesis of splenic B cells in response to lipopolysaccharide and dextran was detectable at lower vanadate concentrations. In the absence of added mitogens, vanadate was found to be mitogenic for a subpopulation of thymus cells but not for splenocytes or T cell enriched splenocyte populations. These results suggest that vanadate affects the mitogenic responses in lymphocytes and that the interaction of vanadate with T and B cells is different.

Inhibitory effects of different retinoids (vitamin A analogues) on the stimulated rat liver guanylate cyclase activity

Vitamin A and its analogues show the ability to prevent malignant cell transformation on induction with different carcinogens, such as nitrosamines. Cyclic GMP has been proposed as a positive modulator of malignant cell growth and the cGMP-forming enzyme guanylate cyclase is strongly stimulated by e.g. nitrosamines. In this study, we found that retinylacetate and retinal were very potent inhibitors of the stimulated guanylate cyclase. When a series of structurally different retinoids were tested in the same system, a wide range of inhibitory activity on guanylate cyclase was found for the different retinoids with some being completely ineffective. The most potent inhibitor was retinylacetate. Furthermore, the inhibitory profile of the retinoids on the guanylate cyclase did not seem to correlate to their in vivo activity as antineoplastic agents, as described in the literature. We therefore conclude that there does not exist a general connection between the anticancer activity and the guanylate cyclase inhibition of the retinoids. However, it can not be excluded that the guanylate cyclase inhibition might be of importance for the antineoplastic activity for some of the retinoids.

Effects of cyclic AMP on DNA replication and protein biosynthesis in fetal rat islets of Langerhans maintained in tissue culture

The regulatory role of cyclic AMP (cAMP) in the growth and insulin production of the islet organ in vitro has been investigated. The effects of dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP), theophylline, and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) on DNA replication and on the biosynthesis of RNA and insulin in fetal rat islets of Langerhans maintained in tissue culture have been studied. Raising the glucose concentration from 2.7 mM to 16.7 mM caused a two-fold increase in DNA replication. Both dbcAMP and theophylline markedly inhibited the DNA replication at all glucose concentrations studied. Low concentrations of IBMX stimulated DNA synthesis. However, at higher concentrations of this drug, known to considerably increase the islet cAMP levels, a marked inhibition of islet DNA replication was observed. Both (pro)insulin and total protein biosynthesis were stimulated by glucose, whereas dbcAMP stimulated only the (pro)insulin biosynthesis. Since glucose is known to raise islet intracellular levels of cAMP, which is known to be an inhibitor of cellular proliferation, the observed glucose stimulation of both islet-cell DNA replication and insulin production appeared conflicting. It is suggested that this dual effect of glucose may depend on a stimulation of proliferation in a limited pool of islet cells which may not exhibit an increase in cAMP.

The effects of 3',5' adenosine monophosphate on the proliferation of Reuber H35 rat hepatoma cells in vitro

3',5' Adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) inhibits the proliferation of Reuber H35 rat hepatoma cells at concentrations higher than 10(-5) M. This inhibitory effect can be demonstrated both in exponentially growing monolayer cultures and in single cell clonal growth. The inhibition of the cell proliferation is due to both a short term (division delay) and a long term effect (cytotoxicity). The short term effect seems to be due to cAMP itself as it is potentiated by the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 1-methyl,3-isobutyl xanthine (MIX). The long term effect probably is due to degradation products of the cyclic nucleotide. It is shown by a combination of time lapse cinematography, autoradiography, and flow cytofluorometry that the division delay is due to a prolongation of the S phase with no apparent changes in the duration of the G1 phase. The possible causes of this prolongation of the S phase by cAMP are discussed.

Hyperoxic-induced alterations in lung cell structure and function. Effects on cellular cyclic AMP content and comparison to alterations produced by exogenous cyclic AMP

Hyperoxic exposure in vitro of two lung-derived cell types (the epithelial-derived L2 cells and WI-38 fibroblasts) inhibits cellular replication, produces striking morphologic changes and may result in cell death; these effects have been observed consistently in other cell types. Hyperoxic exposure of L2 cells is associated with an increase in cellular cyclic AMP content (cellular cyclic AMP content 454 +/- 115 fmol/micrograms DNA in cells exposed to pO2 677 Torr for 96 h compared to 136 +/- 17 fmol/microgram DNA in air-grown cells). Hyperoxic exposure of WI-38 fibroblasts is not associated with increased cyclic AMP content. Although cultivation of L2 cells in the presence of exogenous dibutyryl cyclic AMP does inhibit replication and produce morphologic alterations, similar effects are produced by sodium butyrate alone. Hyperoxic exposure alters cyclic AMP metabolism in some cell types, but the structural and functional alterations observed in L2 cells and WI-38 fibroblasts following hyperoxic exposure are not produced by changes in cellular cyclic AMP content.

Evidence for production of an inactive collagenase by fibroblasts from phenytoin-enlarged human gingivae

When measured by radioimmunoassay, fibroblasts derived from the overgrown gingivae of phenytoin-treated epileptic individuals synthesize and release elevated amounts of collagenase in vitro, as compared to similar-appearing fibroblasts from normal, non-phenytoin-treated persons. However, it appears that much of the immunoreactive enzyme is unable to degrade reconstituted collagen in culture. This preliminary finding in 9 different strains of cells indicates that reduced collagenase activity by a subpopulation of cells may contribute to the development of phenytoin-induced gingival overgrowth.

Synergistic stimulation of DNA synthesis by cyclic AMP derivatives and growth factors in mouse 3T3 cells

Addition of the cAMP derivatives butcAMP or 8BrcAMP to quiescent cultures of Swiss 3T3 causes synergistic stimulation of DNAk synthesis with insulin, phorbol esters, vasopressin, epidermal growth factor, or fetal bovine serum (2-5%). In the presence of insulin, 8BrcAMP, and butcAMP stimulate [3H]-thymidine incorporation into acid-precipitable material in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of these agents is specific since 8Br5'AMP, 5'AMP, butyrate, or 8BrcGMP fail to stimulate DNA synthesis under identical experimental conditions. Furthermore, the mitogenic effects of the cAMP derivatives were markedly potentiated by 1-methyl-3-isobutyl xanthine and 4-(3-butoxy-4-methoxy benzyl)-2-imidazolidine, both of which are potent inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity. The growth-promoting effects of the cAMP derivatives were demonstrated by [3H]-thymidine incorporation (either by scintillation counting or by autoradiography), by flow cytofluorometric analysis, and by increase in cell number. When quiescent Swiss 3T3 cells were exposed to butcAMP and insulin, DNA synthesis began after a lag of 17h. The result of sequential additions of cAMP derivatives and insulin to quiescent 3T3 cells suggest that these agents must act simultaneously in G0/G1 to stimulate entry into DNA synthesis in these cells. The findings support the proposition that an increase in cellular levels of cAMP (but not cGMP) act sas a mitogenic stimulus for confluent and quiescent Swiss 3T3 cells.

Cyclic AMP stimulation of Na-K pump activity in quiescent swiss 3T3 cells

Recently, we have found that an increase in the intracellular level of cAMP acts as a mitogenic signal for Swiss 3T3 cells (Rozengurt et al., Proc. Natl. Acad, Sci. USA, 78:4392, 1981). The results presented in this paper demonstrate that addition of cAMP-elevating agents to confluent and quiescent cultures of Swiss 3T# causes a marked increase in the rate of 86Rb+ uptake but has no effect on the rate of cation efflux. The stimulation of ion uptake is mediated by the Na-K pump as shown by the ouabain sensitivity of the 86Rb+ fluxes. The increase in Na-K pump activity occurs whether cAMP is generated endogenously by stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity by cholera toxin, adenosine agonists, or PGE1 or added exogenously as 8BrcAMP. The stimulatory effect of these compounds on 86Rb+ uptake is potentiated by inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity. Cholera toxin stimulates the Na-K pump in a dose-dependent manner; half-maximal effect is achieved at 0.7 ng/ml. The stimulation of ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake by cAMP-elevating agents reaches a maximum after 2-3 h of incubation. This contrasts with the rapid (within minutes) stimulation of the Na-K pump caused by serum and other mitogenic agents. Further, cAMP-elevating agents fail to increase Na+ influx into 3T3 cells whereas serum causes a marked increase in Na+ influx, under identical experimental conditions. These findings suggest that the stimulation of Na-K pump activity caused by increased cAMP levels contrasts mechanistically with the rapid control of pump activity by serum which is primarily mediated by increased Na+ entry into the cells.

A relationship between adenosine 3'-5'-cyclic monophosphate levels and deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in Euglena

Using the binding protein method we found that cAMP levels in normal, exponentially growing Euglena stay constant on per cell and protein basis. The level rises slightly when cells enter the stationary stage. Cells growing in low vitamin B12 medium show the same pattern during predeficiency growth. Upon becoming vitamin B12 deficient, the cAMP level decreases. Replenishment of these cells with the vitamin causes an immediate drop, followed by a sharp rise in cAMP. This is followed by resumption of DNA synthesis. The cAMP level drops and rises again when DNA duplication is completed and during the G2 period. The level of the cAMP drops again followed by resumption of cell division. the data suggest a relation exists between cAMP level, resumption and completion of DNA synthesis, and cell division.

Adenovirus type 12 transformation involves loss of beta-adrenergic receptors and isoproterenol responsiveness

The responsiveness of a growth-regulated rat 3Y1 cell line and five clones of 3Y1 cells transformed by the highly oncogenic human adenovirus type 12 to the catecholamine hormone (-)-isoproterenol was studied. The untransformed cells contained beta-adrenergic receptors characterized by specific binding of the beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist (-)-[3H]dihydroalprenolol, a 9- to 12-fold increase in cyclic AMP production in intact cells after incubation with 10 microM (-)-isoproterenol, and significantly increased adenylate cyclase (ATP pyrophosphatelyase [cyclizing], EC 4.6.1.1) activity in the presence of the hormone. In contrast, (-)-isoproterenol (10 to 100 microM) had no apparent effect on cyclic AMP production or the basal adenylate cyclase activity in the transformed cell lines. Binding studies revealed that untransformed cells contained approximately 19,400 beta-adrenergic receptor sites per cell. Three transformed cell clones tested showed a three- to fourfold loss of beta-adrenergic receptors.

Induction of ornithine decarboxylase in guinea pig lymphocytes by the divalent cation ionophore A 23187. Effect of dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-monophosphate

The divalent cation ionophore, A23187, at a concentration of 0.25 microgram/ml, enhanced influx of Ca2+, activity of ornithine decarboxylase and incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA of guinea pig lymphocytes. Combined treatment of cells with A23187 and dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (Bt2cAMP) augmented these three events. A23187 at a concentration of 0.06 microgram/ml was insufficient for induction of ornithine decarboxylase stimulated neither Ca2+ influx nor [3H]thymidine incorporation, but stimulated Ca2+ efflux. A23187 (0.06 microgram/ml) in combination with Bt2cAMP caused a marked induction of ornithine decarboxylase and stimulation of [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA. When the time of Bt2cAMP addition was delayed after A23187, the stimulation of ornithine decarboxylase activity decreased. Washout of Bt2cAMP from cell culture earlier than 4 h of incubation caused a reduction in the stimulatory effect of Bt2cAMP. These results suggest that raising concentrations of cytoplasmic Ca2+ and cellular cAMP are important to some initial events leading to induction of ornithine decarboxylase and these biochemical changes are obligatory sequential steps for stimulation of DNA synthesis.

The increase in hormone-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity following Rous sarcoma virus transformation

Rous sarcoma virus (RSV)-infected chicken embryo cells were used to study the effect of viral transformation on the hormone-stimulated synthesis of cyclic AMP. Transformation by RSV greatly increased the cells' ability to synthesize and accumulate cyclic AMP in response to the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol as compared to untransformed cells. This enhancement was observed in both intact cells and in membranes prepared from these cells. The inclusion of guanosine 5'-0-(3-thiotriphosphate), a nonhydrolyzable analogue of GTP, in assays of adenylate cyclase activity did not abolish the quantitative differences between the transformed and normal cell membranes. Infection of cells by Rous-associated virus, which lacks the oncogene src, did not induce this hyperresponsiveness thus indicating the probable involvement of the src gene product in this phenomenon. The duration of the isoproterenol-induced cyclic AMP elevation was longer in the transformed than in the untransformed cells; transformed cells, unlike untransformed cells, required at least 120 min before full desensitization became established. Membranes prepared from transformed cells specifically bound more than 5 times the quantity of the beta-adrenergic radiolabeled antagonist (-)3H-dihydroalprenolol and 125I-iodocyanopindolol compared to the untransformed cell membranes. Thus, it appears that major differences between the transformed and normal phenotypes reside in the concentration of membrane beta-adrenergic receptors and the inability of RSV-transformed cells to self-limit their response to specific external stimuli.

Cell-type differences in the serum and cyclic AMP-dependent regulation of ornithine decarboxylase activity in two cultured fibroblast types

Serum re-feeding stimulated ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity 8 to 10-fold in FS fibroblasts and 5 to 8-fold in 3T3 fibroblasts. Addition of dibutyryl cyclic AMP or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine at the time of serum re-feeding further stimulated ODC activity in 3T3 fibroblasts but inhibited the serum stimulation of ODC activity in FS fibroblasts. It is suggested that serum and cyclic AMP independently regulate ODC activity in cultured fibroblasts.

Stimulation by thyrotropin, cholera toxin and dibutyryl cyclic AMP of the multiplication of differentiated thyroid cells in vitro

Primary cultures of dog thyroid cells have been established. The cells originated from follicles and displayed differentiation characteristics of such cells: iodide trapping and organification, responsiveness of iodide organification and cyclic AMP accumulation to thyrotropin (TSH), induction of a two-dimensional follicular structure by TSH. TSH also stimulated the multiplication of these cells. The effect of TSH was detected with concentrations as low as 100 muU/ml and was reproduced with purified TSH. It was reproduced by cholera toxin (10 ng/ml) and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (10(-5) M). The data show that TSH, which stimulates the function of thyroid tissue, in vivo and in vitro, activates the multiplication of differentiated dog-thyroid follicular cells in primary culture, which suggests that this trophic effect is, partly at least, mediated by cyclic AMP.

Rous sarcoma virus transformed cells are resistant to cyclic AMP

A nontransformed line of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells (Pollard and Stanners, 1979) has been transformed by the Schmidt-Ruppin subgroup D strain of Rous sarcoma virus (SR-RSV). SR-RSV transformed CHO cells are shown to differ from spontaneously transformed cells in that the virally transformed cells are more resistant to growth inhibition or changes in cell shape by 8-Br-cyclic AMP or cholera toxin. SR-RSV transformed rat (NRK) cells also have a reduced sensitivity to growth inhibition by 8-Br-cyclic AMP. Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase was examined in SR-RSV transformed CHO cells, but no differences in enzyme level, activation by cyclic AMP, chromatographic behavior, or its ability to phosphorylate endogenous proteins in whole cells could be detected. It is concluded that transformation of CHO and NRK cells by SR-RSV alters the cells in a manner different from spontaneous transformation, and that this alteration does not affect cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity.