Synthesis of angiotensinogen by isolated rat liver cells and its regulation in comparison to serum albumin

Synthesis of angiotensinogen by renin-containing neuroblastomas

Angiotensinogen in plasma is of hepatic origin, but many organs possess the ability to synthesize this protein because messenger RNA for angiotensinogen is widely distributed in the body. The cell types responsible for the extrahepatic synthesis of angiotensinogen remain to be identified. To examine whether renin-containing cells synthesize angiotensinogen, we have utilized a polyclonal antibody to angiotensinogen and immunoprecipitated metabolically labeled cells of two neuroblastomas known to contain renin. The results indicate that the cell line Neuro 2a synthesizes and releases a protein with a molecular mass of 57 kDa that is specifically recognized by the angiotensinogen antibody, indicating that Neuro 2a synthesizes angiotensinogen. Similarly, the cell line NB41A3 was also found to synthesize a protein specifically recognized by the antibody to angiotensinogen.

Influence of branched-chain amino acid composition of culture media on the synthesis of plasma proteins by serum-free cultured rat hepatocytes

Supplementation of Ham's F12 culture medium with essential amino acids (EAA) up to the rat plasma levels increased the rates of synthesis of albumin and transferrin by cultured rat hepatocytes by 1.3 and 1.7, respectively. Fifty percent of this increase could be attributed to three of the EAA: the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA: Leu Ile and Val). Non-branched-chain essential amino acids (non-BC-EAA) stimulated only 25% of the increase produced by the whole EAA mixture. When each EAA was tested individually, none of them caused an appreciable increase in albumin and transferrin in culture medium. When the concentrations of all EAA were raised to rat postprandial portal levels, albumin and transferrin synthesis rates reached a maximum, increasing by 3.2 and 3.5, respectively. Supplementation with BCAA at postprandial portal concentrations increased albumin and transferrin synthesis rates by 2.2 and 2.0, respectively, and had no noteworthy effect on the synthesis of cellular proteins. Non-BC-EAA at their postprandial portal concentrations increased albumin and transferrin synthesis rates by 1.7 and 1.9, respectively. Supplementation with alanine to reach a nitrogen content equal to that of the modified EAA-enriched medium had no stimulatory effect. Our results show that EAA have a specific effect on the synthesis of plasma proteins by cultured hepatocytes, and that BCAA at physiologic concentrations account for the major part of this stimulatory effect. Consequently, EAA and particularly BCAA concentration should be elevated in serum-free nutrient media to sustain maximum plasma protein synthesis.

Effect of vasopressin on the regulation of protein synthesis initiation in liver cells

Vasopressin was found to be an effective inhibitor of protein labelling in isolated liver cells. Its effect shows the following distinct characteristics: (1) in contrast with alpha-adrenergic agonists, its effect is observable under a wide range of cellular Ca2+-loading conditions; (2) it is not influenced by the nutritional state of the animal. The lack of vasopressin effect on valine production, and its ability to decrease protein labelling from near-saturation concentrations of [3H]valine, indicate that the observed variations in protein labelling reflect actual changes in the rate of protein synthesis. The action of vasopressin is primarily exerted on the initiation step of protein synthesis and this effect is accompanied by a decreased activity of eukaryotic initiation factor 2. Activators of protein kinase C showed similar but not additive effects on protein synthesis, as did vasopressin. It seems plausible to conclude that protein kinase C activation may play an important regulatory role in hepatic protein synthesis as a transducer of hormonal and perhaps other type of signals.

Regulation of angiotensinogen mRNA accumulation in rat hepatocytes

Experiments were undertaken using isolated rat liver cells to determine whether the stimulation of angiotensinogen synthesis by glucocorticoids, estrogens, and angiotensin II is due to a direct action on the liver and whether these effects involve an increase in angiotensinogen mRNA levels. Dexamethasone and other corticosteroids stimulated angiotensinogen mRNA accumulation in hepatocytes up to 3.5-fold after 2.5-3 h of incubation. The effect of dexamethasone was inhibited competitively by the glucocorticoid antagonist RU486. These results indicate that the stimulation of hepatic angiotensinogen production by glucocorticoids is a direct, receptor-mediated effect and occurs via an increase in angiotensinogen mRNA accumulation. The stimulatory diastereomer of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic phosphorothioate, an active adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate analogue, caused a 1.8-fold increase in angiotensinogen mRNA accumulation, and this effect was additive with that of dexamethasone, suggesting a distinct mechanism of action. Angiotensin II increased angiotensinogen mRNA levels by only 1.2-fold after 2.5 h, whereas ethinyl estradiol had no effect.

Control of angiotensinogen production by H4 rat hepatoma cells in serum-free culture

A serum-free, hormone and attachment factor supplemented culture for rat H4 hepatoma cells was established. In the defined medium (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's + Ham's F12 + insulin, transferrin, fibronectin liver cell growth factor, and sodium selenite), H4 cells grew equally well as in 10% fetal bovine serum supplemented medium. H4 cells in either defined or serum-containing culture conditions produce transferrin but not albumin or alpha-fetoprotein. In this paper we have studied the effect of various hormones and pressor peptides on the production of angiotensinogen by H4 cells cultured in defined conditions. Only glucocorticoid hormone had a significant effect on the production of angiotensinogen, whereas other hormones previously reported to exert their effect on angiotensinogen production had little or no effect.

Immunocytochemical localization of angiotensinogen in the rat brain

The distribution of angiotensinogen-like immunoreactivity in the rat brain was investigated using specific antisera against pure rat plasma angiotensinogen in conjunction with the sensitive streptavidin-biotin peroxidase method. Angiotensinogen antisera were shown by radioimmunoassay and Western blotting to recognize angiotensinogen from both rat plasma and cerebrospinal fluid, and to cross-react with des-AI-angiotensinogen (100%) but not with angiotensin I and II, tetradecapeptide, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, rat albumin and angiotensinogen from eight other species. Angiotensinogen-like immunoreactivity was detected throughout the rat brain in both neuroglia and neurons. The highest concentration of neuroglial angiotensinogen-like immunoreactivity was in the hypothalamus and preoptic areas, with moderate to heavy concentrations in the mesencephalon and myelencephalon. The cerebellum demonstrated neuroglial staining in the granular layer and fibre tracts. Very little neuroglial staining was noted in the cerebral cortex or olfactory bulbs. Neuronal immunostaining was observed throughout the globus pallidus and the caudate putamen, in various parts of the thalamus and the supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus. In the midbrain moderate immunostaining was observed in periaquaductal central gray, the deep mesencephalic nucleus, the inferior colliculus and in scattered cells in the anterior mesencephalon. In the medulla, neuronal staining was localized to the vestibular nuclei and to other cell bodies mainly in the dorsolateral regions. In the cerebellum, staining was noted mainly in the deeper cerebellar nuclei and in the Purkinje cells. Immunostaining in the cerebral cortex was localized to the cingulate cortex and the primary olfactory cortex. Light staining was present in the endopiriform cortex and in scattered neurons adjacent to the external capsule. In the olfactory bulbs light neuronal staining was mainly associated with the mitral cell layer. The widespread distribution of angiotensinogen-like immunoreactivity supports the view that it is synthesized in the central nervous system and forms part of a brain renin-angiotensin system. In addition, its presence at sites other than those normally associated with the control of blood pressure and fluid and electrolyte homeostasis suggests that its involvement may not be limited to these regulatory functions.

Induction of angiotensinogen mRNA in hepatocytes by angiotensin II and glucocorticoids

In isolated rat hepatocytes, exposed to angiotensin II and glucocorticoids, angiotensinogen mRNA increased within 30-60 min, and angiotensinogen secretion with a time lag of about 2 hours. After 4 hours, angiotensinogen mRNA, estimated by liquid hybridization with radiolabeled cRNA, was 5.9 +/- 0.4 in control, and 10.8 +/- 0.8, 11.7 +/- 0.4, 16.1 +/- 0.8 and 21.7 +/- 0.2 pg/micrograms of total RNA in cells exposed to angiotensin II (9 nM and 90 nM), hydrocortisone (100 microM) and dexamethasone (10 microM) respectively. The corresponding secretion rates of angiotensinogen were 72 +/- 7, 124 +/- 4, 132 +/- 12, 220 +/- 19 and 217 +/- 18 fmol angiotensinogen/mg wet weight/hour. Thus, angiotensin II stimulates angiotensinogen synthesis and secretion by acting at a pretranslational site.

Differences in pattern of plasma angiotensinogen in native and nephrectomized rats

Rat plasma contains two distinct forms of angiotensinogen (Ao-1 and Ao-2) that can be found in single animals in a distinct ratio. The ratio of Ao-1 to Ao-2 was determined by separation of Ao-1 and Ao-2 from 1 ml of plasma from individual rats on an SP-Sephadex C-50 column. Plasma from rats of three different strains, Wistar, Wistar-Kyoto (WKY), and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), was investigated. In Wistar rats native plasma contained Ao-1 and Ao-2 in a ratio of 2.6:1. Twenty-four hours after nephrectomy, which increased the total Ao content 4.1-fold, this ratio was changed to 1.1:1. In native WKY and SHR the ratio of the two forms was similar to that in Wistar rats: 2.4:1 and 2.8:1, respectively. After nephrectomy the ratio of Ao-1 to Ao-2 was changed to 1.1:1 and 0.78:1 in WKY and SHR, respectively, while the total Ao content increased 4.9-fold and 8.2-fold in the two strains. Endogenous plasma renin inactivated the two forms of Ao, with a Km of 4.0 +/- 0.46 and 3.7 +/- 0.43 microM and a Vmax of 176 +/- 15.5 and 155 +/- 12.7 nM/hr, respectively. These results suggest that 1) Ao-1 and Ao-2 are synthesized in equimolar amounts, 2) the clearance of Ao-2 is faster than that of Ao-1 in control rats, and 3) under conditions of stimulated synthesis (i.e., after nephrectomy), the plasma content of Ao-2 increases faster than that of the more highly glycosylated form, Ao-1.

Induction of angiotensinogen synthesis and secretion by angiotensin II

The effect of angiotensin II (ANG II) on the secretion of angiotensinogen was studied in isolated rat hepatocytes, obtained by the collagenase perfusion technique and Percoll-density gradient centrifugation, and in the isolated perfused rat liver. In isolated hepatocytes, steady state concentrations of about 1, 10 or 100 nM of ANG II during 90 min of preincubation resulted in a 5, 27 and 33% increase of angiotensinogen secreted during a subsequent 3 hour incubation period. Secretion rates during the last hour of incubation were increased by about 70% by the two higher ANG II concentrations, as compared to controls. Hydrocortisone also induced an increased secretion of angiotensinogen in hepatocytes. The effect of ANG II was prevented by saralasin, a competitive ANG II-antagonist and by actinomycin D. ANG II had no effect of the rate of albumin secretion and of total protein secretion. In the isolated perfused liver, ANG II induced a similar increase of angiotensinogen secretion, without affecting albumin and total protein secretion rates. These observations are consistent with the view that ANG II is participating in a feed back stimulation system of angiotensinogen synthesis and secretion in vivo.

Dexamethasone and estrogen regulate Xenopus laevis albumin mRNA levels

The regulation of albumin mRNA levels by steroid hormones was examined in a primary Xenopus liver culture system. In the absence of exogenous steroid hormone, albumin mRNA levels declined rapidly in culture. Dexamethasone is required for preservation of albumin mRNA levels in culture and effects a greater than 10 fold induction of albumin mRNA in cultures maintained in steroid hormone-free medium. Estrogen can override the effect of dexamethasone and elicits a decline of greater than 80% in albumin mRNA levels. Our cDNA clones of the mRNAs encoding the two 74,000 dalton and one 72,000 dalton cellular albumins allowed us to show that all three albumin mRNAs were down regulated by estrogen.

Hormonal and pharmacological alteration of angiotensinogen secretion from rat hepatocytes

Isolated hepatocytes were prepared from rat liver by collagenase perfusion and density gradient centrifugation. The hepatocyte preparation released angiotensinogen at a basal rate of 50-120 pmol/g wet weight per h. Release was linear with time for at least 4 h. Angiotensinogen secretion was reduced in the presence of actinomycin D, and inhibited by cycloheximide, puromycin, colchicine and vinblastine. In the presence of tunicamycin, an inhibitor of N-glycosylation, the secretion of angiotensinogen as well as total protein and albumin secretion were diminished. Hepatocytes from nephrectomized rats exhibit an increased secretion rate of angiotensinogen, whereas total protein secretion was unaltered. Preincubation of hepatocytes with hydrocortisone (0.1 mM) or angiotensin II (10 nM) induced an increase of angiotensinogen release. There was no concomitant increase of total protein or albumin secretion, indicating that these effects are not the expression of a general stimulation of protein synthesis and secretion.

Plasma-protein production by rat hepatoma cells in culture, their variants and revertants

A series of subclones of the H4II line of the Reuber H35 rat hepatoma produce substantial amounts of three plasma proteins, transferrin, alpha 1-antitrypsin and fibrinogen. Immunocytochemical staining demonstrated that each of these proteins is synthesized by essentially every cell of these cell populations. Cells of dedifferentiated variant clones either cease to produce the proteins, or exhibit a substantial reduction that is accompanied by variability in the synthetic activity of individual cells of the population. As previously observed with regard to angiotensinogen production, the variant clones clearly divide into two categories: those that show only a reduction in synthesis are able to give rise to revertants, whereas the negative clones fail to do so. Revertant cells exhibit a dramatic restoration of the synthesis of plasma proteins, which in some cases, exceeds by severalfold the rates seen in the differentiated clones of origin. In addition, the revertant cells synthesize alpha-fetoprotein, a function that is not expressed by H4II cells or its daughter subclones. Immunocytochemical staining revealed that, with regard to several plasma proteins including albumin, fibrinogen and alpha-fetoprotein, the cell populations of revertant clones are very heterogeneous, for only a fraction of the cells synthesizes each protein. Hybrid cells resulting from several types of crosses, exhibited extinction of the plasma proteins, the exception being transferrin, whose production was maintained, but at a reduced level and in only a fraction of the cells. Taken together, our results show that the expression of albumin and transferrin can be dissociated from one to another, and from that of fibrinogen, alpha 1-antitrypsin and angiotensinogen.

Is albumin synthesis regulated by the colloid osmotic pressure? Effect of albumin and dextran on albumin and total protein synthesis in isolated rat hepatocytes

In order to study the influence of the colloid osmotic pressure on albumin and total liver protein synthesis, rat hepatocytes were isolated by collagenase perfusion and incubated in Krebs-Ringer-buffer for 4 h. The colloid osmotic pressure produced by different bovine serum albumin (BSA) or dextran 60 concentrations varied from 3 to 80 mm Hg. A physiological colloid osmotic pressure of 20 mm Hg was obtained with 5.7 g BSA or 3.7 g dextran 60 per 100 ml of buffer. Albumin synthesis was measured by Laurell rocket immunoelectrophoresis. Total liver protein and total secretory protein synthesis were determined by the measurement of 1-14C-leucine incorporation. Albumin synthesis was not primarily regulated by the colloid osmotic pressure as was demonstrated by a lack of inhibition after addition of BSA. There was no significant influence of the oncotic pressure on the incorporation of 14C-leucine into total liver proteins. The incorporation into total secretory proteins was inhibited by an increasing colloid osmotic pressure, mediated either by BSA or dextran, suggesting an inhibition of the secretion of plasma proteins other than albumin.

Immunochemical studies on biosynthesis of rat plasma angiotensinogen and its regulation by cortisol

Glucocorticosteroid hormones increase the level of rat plasma angiotensinogen by increasing its rate of synthesis. Two forms of plasma angiotensinogen have been purified differing with respect to molecular weight and affinity to concanavalin A. Immunochemical studies using antibodies raised against the separated forms of angiotensinogen revealed cross-reactivity with both antigens. Both antibodies were able to quantitatively precipitate the angiotensinogen activity present in rat serum samples. Cortisol increased the total amount of plasma renin substrate without changing the relative amounts of both angiotensinogen forms. mRNA coding for plasma angiotensinogen was determined by in vitro translation of poly(A)-containing RNA and immunochemical analysis of translation products. Angiotensinogen mRNA could be detected in total poly(A)-containing RNA isolated from rat liver, but not in mRNA isolated from brain, although angiotensinogen has been reported to be present in the latter organ. The level of hepatic mRNA coding for plasma angiotensinogen was high in rats treated with cortisol, but not detectable in animals depleted from endogenous glucocorticosteroids by bilateral adrenalectomy.

Effects of glucocorticoids and antiglucocorticoid on angiotensinogen production by hepatoma cells in culture

Angiotensinogen is synthesized in large amounts by Fao cells derived from the Reuber H35 rat hepatoma in a medium enriched with 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Treatment of FBS with dextran-coated charcoal removed endogenous steroids without modifying angiotensinogen production. This treatment allowed the study of the effects of steroids on angiotensinogen production. Hydrocortisone increased the angiotensinogen synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. The antiglucocorticoid RU 38486 did not change the basal rate of angiotensinogen production but inhibited the stimulation by hydrocortisone. Similar results were obtained with dexamethasone. Angiotensinogen biosynthesis seems to be regulated by two distinct mechanisms: (a) glucocorticoid independent, controlling the basal rate of angiotensinogen production and (b) glucocorticoid dependent, mediating the increased rate of angiotensinogen production upon glucocorticoid treatment.

Long term production of acute-phase proteins by adult rat hepatocytes co-cultured with another liver cell type in serum-free medium

Three acute-phase proteins, haptoglobin, alpha 2-macroglobulin and hemopexin, as well as albumin, have been measured daily in the hydrocortisone-supplemented serum-free medium of pure and mixed cultures of adult rat hepatocytes for 5 and 20 days respectively. Whereas plasma protein production rapidly declined in pure culture, it remained relatively stable when hepatocytes were co-cultured with rat liver epithelial cells. In the latter cultures, an early stimulation of albumin and alpha 2-macroglobulin secretion was observed. In addition, four other plasma proteins, fibrinogen, alpha 1-acute-phase protein, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein and alpha 1-antitrypsin were shown by immunodiffusion to still be produced by day 20 of co-culture. These results suggest that hepatocyte co-cultures represent a suitable model for studying the mechanism which controls synthesis of plasma proteins, including acute-phase proteins by liver cells.

Angiotensinogen production by rat hepatoma cells in culture and analysis of its regulation by techniques of somatic cell genetics

Angiotensinogen was synthesized by cells derived from the Reuber H35 rat hepatoma. Independent clones produced similar amounts of angiotensinogen, which corresponded to about four times more than expected for normal hepatocytes. The protein was secreted rapidly but could be visualized within cells using immunofluorescence. For one clone, it is shown that maximal angiotensinogen synthesis occurred during mid-exponential growth. Somatic cell genetics techniques have been used to investigate the regulation of angiotensinogen expression. Eleven clones of dedifferentiated variant hepatoma cells that failed to produce most or all of the liver specific proteins analyzed including albumin fell into two groups: Seven clones produced only 1-3% as much angiotensinogen as the differentiated clones, and four showed a reduction to 10-30%. Clones of the latter class were the only ones among the eleven analyzed that retained the potential to give rise to revertants, showing restoration of the differentiated state. All revertants fully restored angiotensinogen production, but only some of them re-expressed albumin. Somatic hybrids between differentiated hepatoma cells and one of the variants showed a substantial reduction in angiotensinogen production, whereas for some clones, albumin synthesis was fully maintained. These results show that regulation of the expression of angiotensinogen and of a second serum protein, albumin, was independent and that angiotensinogen synthesis was a faithful indicator of the general differentiation profile of all classes of clones.

Immunocytochemical localization of angiotensinogen in rat liver and kidney

The renin substrate, angiotensinogen, was localized by immunocytochemistry in liver and kidney of normal rats by the use of an antiserum directed against pure rat angiotensinogen. This substrate was also examined in rats after bilateral nephrectomy, which is known to increase plasma angiotensinogen, and in rats treated with colchicine, which inhibits serum protein secretion. In normal rat liver, light microscopy showed the presence of immunoreactive material in a very few cells. The number of stained hepatocytes rose in rats treated with colchicine or after bilateral nephrectomy. Immuno-staining increased further when rats were both nephrectomized and colchicine treated. In the kidney, angiotensinogen was specifically located as granular formations in nephrocytes of the proximal tubule but never in the granular cells of the juxtaglomerular apparatus. The localization of these granular formations under the brush border suggests that angiotensinogen is reabsorbed from the glomerular ultrafiltrate rather than synthesized in the kidney.

Cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA for rat angiotensinogen

A mixture of tetradecamer oligodeoxyribonucleotides complementary to the codons specifying the carboxyl-terminal sequence, Ile-His-Pro-Phe-His, of angiotensin was chemically synthesized as two pools and used for the isolation of a cDNA clone specific for angiotensinogen from a cDNA bank of rat liver mRNA sequences. The two pools (oligo 1 and oligo 2), each containing 24 oligodeoxyribonucleotides, were first used as primers to initiate reverse transcription of rat liver mRNA. One of the pools (oligo 1) was found to prime a specific 32P-labeled cDNA of approximately 160 nucleotides that contained the anticoding sequence corresponding exactly to the amino acid sequence of rat angiotensin. This cDNA, in turn, was used to rescreen cDNA clones that were isolated by initially selecting the rat liver cDNA bank by hybridization with the oligo 1 mixture. One clone thus obtained, designated pRag16, was subjected to nucleotide sequence analysis and verified to contain a nearly full-length cDNA sequence coding for rat angiotensinogen precursor. The deduced amino acid sequence indicates that the precursor molecular consists of angiotensinogen of 453 amino acid residues and a putative signal peptide of 24 amino acid residues. The predicted molecular weight and amino acid composition of angiotensinogen agree well with those determined by using the purified protein. An angiotensin moiety is located at the amino-terminal part of angiotensinogen, preceded directly by the signal peptide and followed by a large carboxyl-terminal sequence that contains two internally homologous sequences and three potential glycosylation sites.

Plasma protein induction by isolated hepatocytes

Hepatocytes can be maintained in culture for periods of a few hours to many days. This review summarizes the metabolic characteristics of these cultures and describes their use in studying the regulation of plasma protein synthesis. Hormones selectively stimulate the synthesis of certain proteins. Cortisol stimulates the synthesis of fibrinogen and other acute-phase proteins; whereas, insulin stimulates albumin synthesis. In the latter case insulin increases the rate of a nuclear process. Mediators elaborated by leukocytes stimulate acute-phase protein synthesis in hepatocytes. Plasmin-generated fibrin peptides stimulate fibrinogen synthesis via a leukocytic mediator. Lipoprotein synthesis is stimulated by fatty acids and is inhibited by albumin and other macromolecules. These and other processes are susceptible to detailed analysis using sub-cellular fractions (mRNA, nuclei, transcription factors, etc.) isolated from hepatocytes. Studies on fetal or embryonic hepatocytes and hepatomas are yielding information on the regulation of secretory protein synthesis during development and following neoplastic transformation.

Hormonal control of angiotensinogen production

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system appears to be under neural and hormonal control. Plasma angiotensinogen concentration is elevated in Cushing's disease, during pregnancy and in women taking oral contraceptives. An in vitro liver slice system was used to study the hormonal control of angiotensinogen synthesis and release in the rat. Dexamethasone administration in vivo resulted in increase in the in vitro rate of release of angiotensinogen by liver slices into the incubation media. This increase was inhibited by actinomycin D, an inhibitor of protein synthesis and vincristine which blocks secretion. Similarly, ethinyl estradiol treatment resulted in a 50% increase in angiotensinogen production. Hyperthyroid state was achieved by injecting rats with L-thyroxine daily for seven days. Hepatic production rate of angiotensinogen rose 21/2-fold above control and was accompanied by increases in plasma angiotensinogen concentration and plasma renin activity. In contrast, plasma angiotensinogen concentration and plasma renin activity were reduced in thyroidectomized rats. The rate of angiotensinogen production by liver slices of these rats decreased by five-fold below that of intact animals. These changes were largely corrected when thyroidectomized rats were treated with replacement doses of L-thyroxine. We conclude that hepatic angiotensinogen biosynthesis is under hormonal control. Glucocorticoid, estrogen and thyroid hormones all stimulate angiotensinogen production. These results may in part explain the pathogenesis of hypertension associated with certain disease states.

Purification and characterization of two forms of rat plasma proangiotensin

Two forms of rat plasma proangiotensin were purified by (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, chromatography on DEAE-cellulose at pH 6.5, DEAE-Sepharose at pH 8.9, Sephadex G-150, hydroxyapatite and hexyl-agarose. Both forms were finally separated by affinity chromatography on concanavalin-A--Sepharose. Presence or absence of carbohydrate side chains seems to be the only difference between these forms of proangiotensin. Both proteins consist of single polypeptide chains having apparent molecular weights of 52000 and 55000 and isoelectric points around 4.7 and 4.4, respectively. No significant difference between the proteins could be observed with respect to the amino-terminal amino acid sequence which was found to be the same (H2N-Asp-Arg-Val) as for angiotensin I and II. Furthermore, extensive digestion with renin, releasing the decapeptide angiotensin I, did not significantly reduce the molecular weights of both polypeptides. It can therefore be concluded that the angiotensin I peptide is located at the amino terminus of the prohormone. Kinetic constants measured for the release of angiotensin I by renin were found to be Km = 5.0 microM proangiotensin and V = 270 nmol of angiotensin I h-1 unit renin-1 for the concanavalin-A-binding form and Km = 5.6 microM proangiotensin and V = 250 nmol angiotensin I h-1 unit renin-1 for the prohormone which did not bind to concanavalin-A--Sepharose. The form of proangiotensin not bound to concanavalin-A--Sepharose was found to be more thermally labile (tm of 59.0 degrees C) than the form binding to concanavalin A (tm of 61.5 degrees C, where tm = temperature at which 50% reactivity is lost).

Isolation and characterization of xenopus laevis albumin mRNA

The messenger RNA for albumin was isolated from the liver of male frogs. Purification was achieved using oligo(dT)-cellulose chromatography and sucrose gradient centrifugation under denaturing conditions. As judged by translational activity in a cell-free protein-synthesizing system derived from rabbit reticulocytes, albumin mRNA was enriched 259-fold as compared to the total ribonucleic acid of the liver cells. Purified albumin mRNA migrated after sucrose gradient centrifugation as a single symmetrical peak of approximately 17 S and also moved as a single band following denaturing agarose gel electrophoresis. Albumin mRNA possess properties compatible with the presence of a poly(adenylic acid) sequence. Translation in vitro yielded a product which is immunoprecipitable with anti-(frog albumin) and which showed a single radioactive peak having a molecular weight of about 74000 in sodium dodecylsulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Complementary DNA was synthesized using reverse transcriptase, and, as a template, purified albumin mRNA. Following hybridization under conditions of excess RNA, the rot1/2 of albumin mRNA was found to be 1.8 X 10-3 mol . s . 1-1. This result also confirmed that albumin nRNA had been isolated in a highly purified form.

Regulation of hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP). Role of dietary proteins and amino acids in vivo and in the isolated perfused rat liver

The effect of protein feeding and the addition of amino acids on the activity of hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP : oxalacetate carboxylyase (transphosphorylating), EC 4.1.1.32) was investigated in vivo and in the isolated perfused rat liver. Protein feeding resulted in a considerable increase in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity within 6 h. This rise was independent of the presence of glucocorticoids. In the isolated perfused liver system amino acids per se had a small effect on phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activity and led to an increase by 20% when glucocorticoids were present, but resulted in a rise by 100% when glucocorticoids plus dibutyryl cyclic AMP were added to the perfusion medium. The effect of amino acids in the presence of dibutyryl cyclic AMP could also be observed in the liver of glucocorticoid-deprived rats. Cycloheximide, a translational inhibitor, totally blocked all effects of amino acids on enzyme activity. These results indicate that the concentration of amino acids in the portal vein modify the regulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase by cyclic AMP.

Induction of plasma proangiotensin by steroid hormones in nephrectomized rats

The response of plasma proangiotensin to various steroids was studied in bilaterally nephrectomized rats. In male animals, estradiol and testosterone increased the proangiotensin level up to 250% and 180% respectively. In female animals, both hormones lead to an increase of proangiotensin up to 220% of the controls, when given at optimal dose. The dose dependence on estradiol and testosterone was about the same in male rats, whereas in female animals the formation of proangiotensin was stimulated by much lower doses of estradiol as compared to testosterone. Adrenalectomy plus nephrectomy reduced the proangiotensin level to 20-30% of the value measured in animals nephrectomized only. Cortisol caused a rapid increase of plasma proangiotensin up to 1000% in adrenalectomized animals. Independent from the adrenal state, the amounts of cortisol necessary to induce proangiotensin were very low as compared to the dose response of other proteins, biosynthesis of which is regulated by cortisol. 21-Dehydrocortisol and aldosterone induced proangiotensin with the same efficiency as cortisol, whereas several other chemically related steroids were less active or inactive. Comparing the biological activity of the various steroids tested, it has to be concluded that the delta 4-ene-3-one structure of ring A, the 11 beta-OH group of ring C and the carbonyl group at C-20 of the ketol side-chain of cortisol are very important with respect to proangiotensin induction. The response of proangiotensin to cortisol, 21-dehydrocortisol and aldosterone could be inhibited by actinomocin D and cycloheximide, whereas the effects of estradiol and testosterone could be reversed by cycloheximide only.

Effect of angiotensin II and sodium depletion on angiotensinogen production

An in vitro preparation of liver slices was used to study the effect of angiotensin II and sodium depletion on the synthesis of angiotensinogen in rats. Two other treatments known to increase plasma angiotensinogen concentration in vivo, viz., intraperitoneal administration of dexamethasone or ethinyl estradiol, resulted in an increase in the rate of release of angiotensinogen by liver slices; this increase was inhibited by adding actinomycin D or vincristine to the incubation medium. Intravenous infusion of angiotensin II (33 ng/min for 3 days) also produced a marked increase in the release of angiotensinogen concentration and a decrease in plasma renin activity. In contrast, no change in the rate of release of angiotensinogen was observed in rats depleted of sodium for 7--14 days, even though these animals exhibited a marked increase in plasma angiotensin II concentration. Plasma angiotensinogen concentration decreased by 30%, presumably as a consequence of the accompanying increase in renin secretion. These results provide further evidence that the synthesis of angiotensinogen may be increased by angiotensin II, but indicate that the circulating level of angiotensin II in sodium-deficient animals is not sufficiently high to produce this response.

Effects of aminooxyacetate, alanine and other amino acids on protein synthesis in isolated rat hepatocytes

Protein synthesis in isolated rat hepatocytes has been measured by the incorporation of [14C]valine at high concentration and constant specific activity (5 mmol/l and 315 muCi/l). Protein synthesis was stimulated by the addition of an amino acid mixture, and by a number of individual amino acids alone, most notably alanine. Energy substrates (lactate, pyruvate) stimulated protein synthesis to the same extent as alanine, suggesting that a major part of the amino acid effect could be due to the provision of energy. Aminooxyacetate, an inhibitor of glutamate transaminases, inhibited protein synthesis strongly (70%), and abolished the stimulatory effects of alanine and energy substrates. This could indicate that hepatocytic protein synthesis is subject to positive control by a transamination-dependent agent.

Effects of amino acids, ammonia and leupeptin on protein synthesis and degradation in isolated rat hepatocytes

Protein synthesis in isolated rat hepatocytes, as measured by the incorporation of [14C]-valine at constant specific radioactivity, proceeded at a rate of 0.3-0.5%/h in an unsupplemented medium, i.e. only about one-tenth the rate of protein degradation (4%/h). Leupeptin, which inhibits lysosomal protein degradation (previously found to be 75% of the total degradation in hepatocytes), had no effect on protein synthesis, showing that endogenous protein degradation supplied amino acids in excess of the substrate requirements for protein synthesis. The inhibition of protein synthesis by NH4Cl (another inhibitor of lysosomal protein degradation) as well as the stimulation by a physiological amino acid mixture must therefore represent indirect effects, either on general energy metabolism, or on unknown regulatory processes.

[The regulation of serum albumin in physiological and pathological conditions (author's transl)]

12 g of albumin are synthesized daily by the bound polyribosomes of all human liver cells together, corresponding to 10% of the intravascular albumin mass. The cell is producing a precursor albumin. During secretion albumin is liberated by splitting of a small peptide. Only 40% of the total body albumin is located intravascularly. 12g of albumin are degraded or excreted daily, 30% of it by the liver, the kidneys and the gastrointestinal tract. The main site of albumin catabolism is unknown. Albumin with a half-life of about 20 days is degraded at a constant fractional catabolic rate. The absolute rate of degradation varies depending on the plasma content. This mechanism allows an effective regulation of the serum albumin level. The fractional catabolic rate, however, is not completely fixed. It is slowly reduced if the serum albumin content is markedly reduced as in protein deficiency, the blind loop syndrome, cirrhosis, nephrosis, and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Infusion of albumin increases the fractional catabolic rate slowly. This must be taken in consideration substitution albumin in chronic diseases. The shift from the extravascular to the intravascular compartment is a short-term regulatory mechanism. The regulation of synthesis and degradation are independent from each other. The molecular mechanism of regulation of synthesis and degradation are unknown, partially due to inadequate methods.