Endogenous angiotensin II receptors in Xenopus oocytes and eggs

Angiotensin II reverses the inhibitory action produced by theca cells on bovine oocyte nuclear maturation

The presence of prorenin, renin, angiotensinogen, angiotensin-converting enzyme, angiotensin II (Ang II) and Ang II receptors in the ovary is suggestive of a functional ovarian renin-angiotensin system (RAS). In cattle, the expression of Ang II is greatest in large follicles, suggesting that it is important during follicular growth and maturation. The present study was designed to investigate the role of Ang II in bovine oocyte nuclear maturation. Bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured with or without follicular cells and Ang II or saralasin (Ang II antagonist). In the absence of follicular cells, Ang II at 0, 10(-11), 10(-9) and 10(-7) M did not affect the percentage of oocytes reaching the germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), metaphase I (MI) and metaphase II (MII) stage after 7-h (41.3 +/- 4.3, 35.3 +/- 4.0, 31.3 +/- 9.7, 38.7 +/- 8.6), 12-h (31.6 +/- 7.0, 34.7 +/- 6.1, 31.7 +/- 5.3, 28.9 +/- 9.1; mean +/- S.E.M.) and 18-h (44.9 +/- 7.3, 58.4 +/- 8.4, 53.1 +/- 7.4, 44.9 +/- 7.3) of culture, respectively. Similarly, saralasin at 0, 10(-11), 10(-9) and 10(-7) M did not affect the percentage of oocytes reaching MII stage after 18-h of culture (37.6 +/- 7.4, 34.4 +/- 7.7, 30.0 +/- 10.8 and 31.2 +/- 5.1, respectively). The theca cells (MII = 22.9%) or medium conditioned with follicular cells (GV = 65.5%, MI = 23.6%) inhibited oocyte maturation; however, theca cells (MII = 35.5 +/- 4.9; P < 0.05) or medium conditioned with follicular cells (GV = 34.6%, MI = 52.7%; P < 0.01) were not able to inhibit nuclear maturation when Ang II (10(-11) M) was present in the culture system. Theca cells remained viable during the culture period when Ang II was present. Therefore, results supported the idea of a role of Ang II in blocking the inhibitory effect of theca cells on nuclear maturation of bovine oocytes.

The physiologic concentration of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in the oocytes of Xenopus laevis

To measure the concentration of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate ([IP3]) in small regions of single Xenopus oocytes, a biological detector cell was combined with capillary electrophoresis. This method is 10, 000 times more sensitive than all existing assays enabling subcellular measurement of [IP3] in Xenopus oocytes. Upon addition of lysophosphatidic acid to an oocyte, [IP3] increased from 40 to 650 nM within 2 min. IP3 concentrations as high as 1.8 microM were measured after activation with lysophosphatidic acid, suggesting that the physiologic concentration of IP3 ranges from the tens of nanomolar to a few micromolar in Xenopus oocytes. Since the IP3 receptor in Xenopus oocytes is nearly identical to the type I receptor of mammalian cells, the range of [IP3] in most mammalian cells is likely to be similar to that in the oocyte. By selecting or engineering the appropriate detector cell, this strategy should be applicable to cyclic adenosine diphosphate ribose and nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate, and to the discovery of new Ca2+-releasing second messengers.

The ovarian renin-angiotensin system in reproductive physiology

The identification of the presence of prorenin, renin, angiotensinogen, angiotensin-converting enzyme, angiotensin II (Ang II), and Ang II receptors in the ovary suggests that there is a functional ovarian renin-angiotensin system (RAS). It could play a significant role in such areas of ovarian physiology as follicular development, steroidogenesis, oocyte maturation, ovulation, and follicle atresia. Expression of the ovarian RAS is regulated by gonadotropins. Ang II, a bioactive octapeptide of RAS, has important effects as a paracrine/autocrine regulator at different stages of the reproductive cycle. Ang II modulates ovarian steroidogenesis and formation of the corpus luteum and also stimulates oocyte maturation and ovulation via Ang II receptors on granulosa cells. In addition, increasing evidence demonstrates that Ang II is a major factor in regulating the function of atretic follicles. In any physiologic system, aberrations result in the development of pathologic states. Disturbances in the ovarian RAS can be the cause or the result of such reproductive disorders as polycystic ovary syndrome, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, ovarian tumors, and ectopic pregnancy. Data support the concept of an active and regulated RAS in ovarian follicles. Species differences observed in the expression of ovarian RAS suggest varying functional roles among species with respect to ovarian physiology.

Desensitization of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate/Ca2+-induced Cl- currents by prolonged activation of G proteins in Xenopus oocytes

Expression of G protein alpha subunits of the Gq family with various G protein-coupled receptors induces activation of an inositol 1,4, 5-trisphosphate (IP3)/Ca2+-mediated Cl- conductance in Xenopus oocytes. Our present data show that two members of this family, the human Galpha16 subunit and the murine homologue Galpha15, can induce both activation and inhibition of these agonist-induced currents. Although extremely low amounts (10-50 pg) of injected Galpha16 subunit cRNA cause modest ( approximately 2-fold) enhancement of ligand-induced Cl- currents in oocytes co-injected with thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) receptor cRNA 48 h postinjection, larger Galpha16 and Galpha15 cRNA injections cause >10-fold inhibition of TRH or 5HT2c receptor responses. The inhibition is analyzed in this study. The inhibited currents are recovered if various Gbetagamma subunit combinations are also expressed with the Galpha subunits. The constitutively active mutant, Galpha16Q212L, also causes a strong attenuation of the ligand-induced Cl- currents, but this inhibition is not recovered by co-expression of Gbetagamma subunits. These results indicate that the free Galpha subunit is responsible for the inhibitory signal. Although expression of TRH receptor alone produces maximum responses approximately 48 h after injection, co-expression of TRH receptor with Galpha16 results in enhanced responses 6-12 h postinjection, followed by complete attenuation at 36 h. Furthermore, injection of Galpha16 cRNA alone at comparable levels gives rise to spontaneous Cl- currents within 6-12 h postinjection, suggesting that the early spontaneous activation underlies the later suppression. Expression of other G protein alpha subunits of the Gq family, at cRNA levels considerably higher than effective for Galpha16, produces both analogous spontaneous Cl- currents and, later, inhibition of ligand-induced Cl- currents. Experiments with direct injection of IP3 and of Ca2+ suggest that this inhibition is consistent with the down-regulation of IP3 receptors. These data indicate that both enhancement and inhibition of signaling through G protein-coupled receptors can be mediated by the expression level and/or activity of an individual G protein.

G protein regulation of the Na+/H+ antiporter in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Involvement of protein kinases A and C

We have characterized the regulation of the endogenous Na+/H+ exchanger in Xenopus laevis oocytes by G proteins and protein kinases by measuring the ethylisopropylamiloride-sensitive Li+ uptake. Injection of oocytes with the stable GTP analog GTP gamma S stimulated Li+ uptake up to almost 4-fold, an effect blocked by coinjection with the GDP analog, guanyl-5'-yl thiophosphate. Injection into oocytes of beta gamma subunits of the heterotrimeric G protein transducin enhanced Li+ uptake by about 3-fold. This stimulation was blocked by transducin alpha subunits, which by themselves did not influence Li+ uptake. Using various activators and inhibitors of protein kinases, it is demonstrated that the X. laevis oocyte Na+/H+ antiporter can be stimulated by activation of both protein kinase A and C. Stimulation of Na+/H+ exchanger activity by GTP gamma S but not that induced by transducin beta gamma subunits was blocked by the protein kinase A inhibitor H-89. On the other hand, transducin beta gamma subunit-stimulated activity was prevented by the protein kinase C inhibitor, calphostin C. The non-selective protein kinase inhibitor H-7 blocked both GTP gamma S- and transducin beta gamma subunit-stimulated Na+/H+ exchanger activity. The results suggest that the Na+/H+ exchanger of X. laevis oocytes can be activated by G proteins and that this activation is not direct but mediated by protein kinase A- and/or protein kinase C-dependent pathways.

Vanadate-induced oscillatory inward Cl- currents in Xenopus laevis oocytes

Extracellularly applied sodium orthovanadate (30-3000 microM) evoked oscillatory inward Cl- currents in defolliculated Xenopus laevis oocytes. The current responses were attenuated by microinjection of EGTA into the oocytes and by treatment of the oocytes with pertussis toxin (2 micrograms/ml). The vanadate responses were not affected by preceding vanadate (1 mM) responses or an angiotensin II (200 nM) response, or by pre-application of atropine (5 microM). Intracellular injection of vanadate was ineffective. These results suggest that vanadate stimulates Ca2+ mobilization in Xenopus oocytes possibly by activating surface membrane receptors, which is coupled to pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein.

Molecular cloning and characterization of the angiotensin receptor subtype in porcine aortic smooth muscle

A cDNA encoding porcine aortic smooth muscle angiotensin II (AII) receptor has been isolated using the homology screening approach and sequenced. Specific binding of [125I]AII was found in COS-7 cells transfected with the cDNA (Kd = 0.37 nM, Bmax = 1 approximately 3 x 10(4)/cell) and was displaced with unlabeled AII-related peptides and DUP753 in the order of [Sar1,Ile8]AII = AII > des-Asp1-[Ile8]AII = DUP753 > angiotensin I = angiotensin III. EXP655 had no effect on [125I]AII binding. COS-7 cells transfected with the cDNA responded to AII by only a small increase in the concentration of intracellular free Ca2+. However, electrophysiological study of the receptor expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes provided strong evidence that it could functionally couple to a second messenger system leading to the mobilization of intracellular stores of Ca2+. Northern blot analysis in cultured porcine aortic smooth muscle cells demonstrated that the expression of this gene varies with the culture media. These results indicate that the cDNA encodes the functional and regulated AT1 subtype of AII receptors.

Activation by KRN2391 and nicorandil of glibenclamide-sensitive K+ channels in Xenopus oocytes

KRN2391 (N-cyano-N'-(2-nitroxyethyl)-3-pyridine-carboximidamide methanesulfonate) and nicorandil, a new class of K+ channel openers, each with an NO2 moiety, induced outward K+ currents in follicle-enclosed Xenopus oocytes. These K+ currents were suppressed concentration-dependently and reversibly by glibenclamide, phentolamine and trifluoperazine, all known to inhibit ATP-sensitive K+ channels. The nicorandil-induced K+ current was virtually abolished by defolliculation of oocytes, while the KRN2391 response was little affected by defolliculation. These results suggest that Xenopus oocyte has at least two types of glibenclamide-sensitive K+ channels, one is selectively sensitive to KRN2391 and is probably localized in the oocyte, and the other is sensitive to nicorandil and distributed in the follicle cells surrounding an oocyte.

Phosphatidic acid and lysophosphatidic acid stimulate receptor-regulated membrane currents in the Xenopus laevis oocyte

External application of dioleoyl-phosphatidic acid and oleoyl-lysophosphatidic acid stimulated Ca(2+)-dependent chloride currents in voltage-clamped Xenopus laevis oocytes. The responses were observed in oocytes from which follicular cells had been removed, indicating they were intrinsic to the oocyte itself. The lipid-induced Ca(2+)-dependent chloride currents were observed in the absence of extracellular calcium, were blocked by intracellular injection of the calcium chelator, bis(O-aminophenoxy)-ethane N,N,N'N'-tetraacetic acid, and could not be elicited by direct intracellular injection of the active lipids. The thresholds for dose-dependent current responses to dioleoyl-phosphatidic acid (100 nM) and for oleoyl-lysophosphatidic acid (10 nM) indicated that the lipid activities on oocytes were potent. With repeated or prolonged administration of either active lipid, responses exhibited desensitization. These results demonstrate that the Xenopus oocyte expresses endogenous functional responses for the mitogenic lipids phosphatidic acid and lysophosphatidic acid and thus provides a powerful model for characterization of the pharmacology and transduction pathways of these responses.

Inactivation of glibenclamide-sensitive K+ channels in Xenopus oocytes by various calmodulin antagonists

In follicle-enclosed Xenopus oocytes, extracellular application of cromakalim (a K+ channel opener) or intracellular injection of cAMP induces the smooth outward K+ current which is inactivated by glibenclamide. We found that cromakalim- or cAMP-induced K+ currents in the oocytes were rapidly, reversibly and dose-dependently blocked by various drugs having a calmodulin antagonizing activity in common, namely, by a selective calmodulin antagonist (W-7), antipsychotics (trifluoperazine, chlorpromazine, haloperidol), an antidepressant (amitriptyline), a beta-adrenoceptor blocker (propranolol), a local anesthetic (lidocaine) and a calcium antagonist (prenylamine). W-7, trifluoperazine, chlorpromazine and prenylamine were relatively potent blockers. For example, IC50 values to block cromakalim (100 microM)-induced K+ currents were 12 microM for trifluoperazine and 16 microM for W-7, which were close to their IC50 values to inhibit Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterase (an index of the potency of calmodulin antagonists). IC50 values to inhibit cAMP (20 pmol/oocyte)-induced K+ currents were 126 microM for prenylamine and 129 microM for chlorpromazine. The IC50 values of all drugs tested to block cromakalim or cAMP responses were significantly correlated with their calmodulin-antagonizing potencies. Isoproterenol-induced K+ currents in the oocytes were also dose-dependently inhibited by glibenclamide, W-7 and trifluoperazine. These results suggest the possibility that the activity of glibenclamide-sensitive K+ channels in follicle-enclosed oocytes are regulated by calmodulin or a calmodulin-dependent process.

Desensitization of endogenous angiotensin II receptors in Xenopus oocytes: a role of protein kinase C

The inward chloride current induced by angiotensin II (AII) in Xenopus oocytes shows strong and homologous desensitization, and was suggested to be mediated by phosphatidylinositol (PI) hydrolysis (Sakuta et al., 1991, Eur. J. Pharmacol. Mol. Pharmacol. 208, 31). As a model of agonist-induced desensitization of receptors coupled with PI hydrolysis, the mechanism of the desensitization of endogenous AII receptors in oocytes was investigated. Incubation of collagenase-treated oocytes with staurosporine significantly augmented the peak amplitude of AII responses, prolonged their duration, and increased the ratio of oocytes responsive to AII. Moreover, staurosporine-pretreatment made oocytes be consistently responsive to every application of AII. These effects of staurosporine were inhibited by incubation of staurosporine-treated oocytes with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) but not with dibutyryl cAMP. TPA also attenuated AII responses in staurosporine-untreated control oocytes. These results suggest that staurosporine suppresses the desensitization of endogenous AII receptors in oocytes by blocking protein kinase C (PKC), and the desensitization is likely to be due to phosphorylation by PKC of the receptors or the molecules comprising an AII receptor complex.