NIH-3T3 cells transformed by the EJ-ras oncogene exhibit reduced platelet-derived growth factor-mediated Ca2+ mobilization

Artificial control of subtype-specific platelet-derived growth factor-receptor signaling

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling controls various physiological functions via two receptor subtypes: PDGF receptor (PDGFR) alpha and PDGFRbeta. Nevertheless, our understanding of their roles is limited because of a lack of pharmacological tools to discriminate subtype-specific signaling. We developed a chimeric receptor by combining ligand-binding-domain truncated PDGFRbeta with anti-fluorescein single chain antibody, expecting the control of PDGFRbeta-specific signaling by oligomerized fluorescein as an artificial agonist. Results show that calcium mobilization, Cdc42 activation, and cell migration were elicited specifically by the artificial ligand in cells expressing the chimeric receptor. Our method is expected to be useful to understand the subtype-specific roles of PDGFRs in various cellular functions.

Desensitization of the PDGFbeta receptor by modulation of the cytoskeleton: the role of p21(Ras) and Rho family GTPases

Ligand-induced PDGF-type beta receptor (PDGFbeta-R) autophosphorylation is profoundly suppressed in cells transformed by activated p21(Ras). We report here that the integrity of the actin cytoskeleton is a critical regulator of PDGFbeta-R function in the presence of p21(Ras). Morphological reversion of Balb cells expressing a constitutively activated p21(Ras), with re-formation of actin stress fibers and cytoskeletal architecture, rendering them phenotypically similar to untransformed fibroblasts, allowed recovery of ligand-dependent PDGFbeta-R autophosphorylation. Conversely, disruption of the actin cytoskeleton in Balb/c-3T3 cells obliterated the normal ligand-induced phosphorylation of the PDGFbeta-R. The Rho family GTPases Rac and Rho are activated by p21(Ras) and are critical mediators of cell motility and morphology via their influence on the actin cytoskeleton. Transient expression of wild-type or constitutively active mutant forms of RhoA suppressed ligand-dependent PDGFbeta-R autophosphorylation and downstream signal transduction. These studies demonstrate the necessary role of Rho in the inhibition of PDGFbeta-R autophosphorylation in cells containing activated p21(Ras) and also demonstrate the importance of cell context and the integrity of the actin cytoskeleton in the regulation of PDGFbeta-R ligand-induced autophosphorylation.

Divergent responses of ras-transfected and non-ras-transfected human keratinocytes to extracellular calcium

Raising extracellular calcium (Cao) induces terminal differentiation in cultured epidermal keratinocytes. The introduction of the ras oncogene into keratinocytes results in resistance to Cao-mediated differentiation. To understand the signaling mechanism involved, we examined the Cao-induced formation of inositol triphosphate (IP3) and changes in intracellular Ca2+ (Cai) concentration in non-ras-transfected and ras-transfected HaCaT lines of human keratinocytes. When switched from 0.05- to 1.5-mM Cao medium, the non-ras HaCaT line showed a rapid twofold increase in IP3 formation, whereas the IP3 level in the ras-transfected I-7 line was slightly affected. G-protein-coupled activation of phospholipase was intact in both lines, as evidenced by the generation of similar amounts of IP3 in response to addition of bradykinin or guanosine 5'-[γ-thio]-triphosphate. Addition of 1.0 mM Cao evoked similar Cai responses in both non-ras- and ras-transfected cells: a transient elevation, followed by a sustained lower plateau. However, the two lines differed in their later responses: after being maintained in 1.0 mM Ca2+ for 24 h, the Cai level was significantly lower in ras-transfected cells than in non-ras-transfected HaCaT cells. The Cao-induced increase in Cai in both lines was inhibited by the Ca2+ entry blocker SK&F 96365 or depolarization in high K+ bathing solution, demonstrating its dependence of calcium influx. The results suggest fundamental differences in the early signal that are generated in response to an increase in Cao in ras-transfected keratinocytes, with the absence of a Cao-induced rise in IP3-a signaling pathway defect that may play a role in the differentiation block the cells exhibit. In addition, the inability of ras-transfected cells to sustain a prolonged Cai plateau may also contribute to their inability to differentiate in response to the Cao signal.Key words: cell differentiation, intracellular Ca2+, IP3, keratinocytes, ras transfection, signal transduction.

Calcium channel antagonist effect on in vitro meningioma signal transduction pathways after growth factor stimulation

OBJECTIVE

We have previously demonstrated that calcium channel antagonists inhibit the growth of human meningiomas in culture after stimulation with growth factors. This study examined the effects of these drugs on signaling transduction pathways in an attempt to elucidate potential mechanisms by which this growth inhibition is mediated.

METHODS

Primary cell cultures from patients with intracranial meningiomas were established. Cell growth studies were performed with inhibitors and stimulators of tyrosine kinase signal transduction. Intracellular calcium changes and inositol phosphate production were measured after growth factor exposure, with or without pretreatment by calcium channel antagonists.

RESULTS

The growth of meningiomas in culture can be inhibited by tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitors. Inhibitors and stimulators of phospholipase C can stimulate or inhibit the growth of in vitro meningiomas, respectively. Calcium channel antagonists inhibit intracellular calcium changes induced by serum and epidermal growth factor. Inositol phosphate production is increased after growth factor stimulation, and calcium channel antagonists potentiate this effect.

CONCLUSION

Calcium channel antagonists interfere with intracellular signaling pathways of cultured meningioma cells. This inhibition is unrelated to voltage-sensitive calcium channels. The findings of this project may aid in the understanding of the signal transduction mechanisms involved in growth factor-mediated meningioma proliferation and may lead to clinically relevant strategies for growth inhibition.

Platelet-derived growth factor receptor-induced feed-forward inhibition of excitatory transmission between hippocampal pyramidal neurons

Growth factor receptors provide a major mechanism for the activation of the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase c-Src, and this kinase in turn up-regulates the activity of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in CA1 hippocampal neurons (1). Unexpectedly, applications of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB to cultured and isolated CA1 hippocampal neurons depressed NMDA-evoked currents. The PDGF-induced depression was blocked by a PDGF-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor, by a selective inhibitor of phospholipase C-gamma, and by blocking the intracellular release of Ca(2+). Inhibitors of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) also eliminated the PDGF-induced depression, whereas a phosphodiesterase inhibitor enhanced it. The NMDA receptor-mediated component of excitatory synaptic currents was also inhibited by PDGF, and this inhibition was prevented by co-application of a PKA inhibitor. Src inhibitors also prevented this depression. In recordings from inside-out patches, the catalytic fragment of PKA did not itself alter NMDA single channel activity, but it blocked the up-regulation of these channels by a Src activator peptide. Thus, PDGF receptors depress NMDA channels through a Ca(2+)- and PKA-dependent inhibition of their modulation by c-Src.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced Ca2+ signaling in the CG4 oligodendroglial cell line and in transformed oligodendrocytes expressing the beta-PDGF receptor

Ca2+ signaling induced by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) was investigated in the oligodendroglial cell lines CG4 and CEINGE clone 3, using fura-2 microfluorimetry and video imaging. CEINGE cl3 cells, immortalized with polyoma middle T antigen, were found to uniformly express the polyoma middle T antigen protein as well as 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase, a specific marker for oligodendroglia. PDGF-BB induced both oscillatory and non-oscillatory Ca2+ responses in CEINGE cl3 cells as well as in CG4 cells, grown either as O-2A progenitors or differentiated oligodendrocytes. However, in CG4 cells the percentage of oscillatory Ca2+ responses was higher than that observed in CEINGE cl3 cells. In contrast, oscillatory Ca2+ responses were not observed in PC-12 cells transfected with beta-PDGF receptor (PDGFR) or in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. CG4 cells expressed only the alpha-PDGFR, whereas CEINGE cl3 cells expressed both alpha and beta isoforms. When CEINGE cl3 cells were exposed to PDGF-AA, which binds only to the alpha-PDGFR, the percentage of oscillatory Ca2+ responses was higher than that observed after PDGF-BB stimulation. We previously reported that block of the enzyme sphingosine kinase, and a consequent increase in intracellular sphingosine levels in CEINGE cl3 cells caused an increase in the percentage of oscillatory Ca2+ responses induced by PDGF-BB. However, in CG4 cells block of sphingosine kinase did not increase the oscillatory Ca2+ response elicited by PDGF-BB, although the addition of exogenous sphingosine induced an oscillatory Ca2+ response in 77% of cells studied. We hypothesize that the alpha-PDGFR is less effective than the beta-PDGFR in stimulating the activity of sphingosine kinase. The results also suggest that alpha- and beta-PDGFRs may differently regulate sphingolipid metabolism.

Repression of platelet-derived growth factor beta-receptor expression by mitogenic growth factors and transforming oncogenes in murine 3T3 fibroblasts

Platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) is an important extracellular factor for regulating the G0-S phase transition of murine BALB/c-3T3 fibroblasts. We have investigated the expression of the PDGF beta receptor (PDGF beta R) in these cells. We show that the state of growth arrest in G0, resulting from serum deprivation, is associated with increased expression of the PDGF beta R. When the growth-arrested fibroblasts are stimulated to reenter the cell cycle by the mitogenic action of serum or certain specific combinations of growth factors, PDGF beta R mRNA levels and cell surface PDGF-BB-binding sites are markedly downregualted. Oncogene-transformed 3T3 cell lines, which fail to undergo growth arrest following prolonged serum deprivation, express constitutively low levels of the PDGF beta R mRNA and possess greatly reduced numbers of cell surface PDGF receptors, as determined by PDGF-BB binding and Western blotting (immunoblotting). Nuclear runoff assays indicate the mechanism of repression of PDGF beta R expression to be, at least in large part, transcriptional. These data indicate that expression of the PDGF beta R is regulated in a growth state-dependent manner in fibroblasts and suggest that this may provide a means by which cells can modulate their responsiveness to the actions of PDGF.

Platelet-derived growth factor signal transduction through the interferon-inducible kinase PKR. Immediate early gene induction

The interferon-inducible, double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-dependent eukaryotic initiation factor-2 alpha kinase PKR has primarily been characterized as a component of the interferon-mediated cellular antiviral response. Several lines of evidence now exist that suggest that PKR plays a role in the regulation of growth in uninfected cells. The most direct examples are the finding of an oncogenic variant of PKR and the effects of activators and inhibitors of PKR phosphorylation on the expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-inducible genes. Previous reports have shown that 1) dsRNA, a direct activator of PKR, induces the genes c-myc, c-fos, and JE; 2) 2-aminopurine, a chemical inhibitor of PKR, blocks the induction of these genes by serum; and 3) activated p21ras induces a cellular inhibitor of PKR. We report here that activation of PKR was correlated with the induction of the immediate early genes c-fos, c-myc, and JE by PDGF in the following situations: 1) PDGF induction of these genes, also inducible by dsRNA, was blocked by two inhibitors of PKR activation: 2-aminopurine and v-ras; 2) PDGF induction of another immediate early gene, egr-1, which could not be induced by dsRNA, was not blocked by 2-aminopurine or v-ras; 3) agents that reverse v-ras inhibition of PKR activation also reversed the v-ras block of PDGF induction of c-myc, c-fos, and JE; 4) down-regulation of PKR protein levels by antisense inhibition of translation blocked the induction of c-myc, c-fos, and JE by PDGF, but had no effect on egr-1 induction; and finally, 5) PKR was autophosphorylated in vivo in response to PDGF. These results provide direct evidence that PKR activation functions as a second messenger in a growth factor signal transduction pathway. Thus, PKR may serve as a common mediator of growth-promoting and growth inhibitory signals.

In vitro growth inhibition of growth factor-stimulated meningioma cells by calcium channel antagonists

Studies have shown that a majority of meningiomas contain receptors for platelet-derived growth factor and epidermal growth factor and that these growth factors promote the proliferation of meningioma cells in culture. Although the mechanism of action has not been elucidated, intracellular calcium appears to be part of the signal transduction mechanism. Because alterations in intracellular calcium could interrupt this pathway and decrease cellular proliferation, we investigated the effects of calcium channel-blocking agents on the growth of meningioma cells in vitro. Primary meningioma cell cultures were established, and the cells were characterized by light and electron microscopy and by immunohistochemical studies. Then, the cultures were given growth factors and/or various calcium channel antagonists, and growth rates were measured. A dose-response decrease in cell growth was seen when verapamil, nifedipine, or diltiazem (voltage-dependent calcium channel-blocking agents) was added to serum-containing media. Also, these drugs blocked the growth stimulation of epidermal growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor in a similar fashion. Dantrolene, which inhibits the release of sequestered intracellular calcium, was also an effective blocker of the mitogenic stimulation of these growth factors.

Involvement of a phosphotyrosine protein phosphatase in the suppression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor autophosphorylation in ras-transformed cells

The nature of the suppression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor autophosphorylation in ras-transformed NIH 3T3 fibroblasts was investigated. The PDGF receptor from ras-transformed cells that had been purified by wheatgerm-lectin affinity chromatography displayed normal PDGF-induced autophosphorylation, indicating that the receptor is not irreversibly modified. Various phosphotyrosine-protein-phosphatase inhibitors did not reverse the inhibition of PDGF-receptor kinase in crude membrane preparations from ras-transformed cells. However, treatment of intact ras-transformed cells both with 2 mM sodium orthovanadate and with 20 microM phenylarsine oxide restored PDGF-receptor tyrosine-kinase activity to a level similar to that observed in normal cells. Direct measurement of the phosphatase activities in crude cellular fractions revealed a 2.5-fold higher membrane-associated phosphotyrosine-protein-phosphatase activity in ras-transformed cells, whereas phosphoserine-protein-phosphatase activity remained unchanged between the cell lines. These data suggest that the suppression of the PDGF-receptor tyrosine-kinase activity in ras-transformed cells is mediated via an inhibitory component, distinct from the receptor, that may be positively regulated by the dephosphorylation of tyrosine residue(s).

Effect of low extracellular Ca2+ on growth, spreading area, cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration, and intracellular pH in normal and transformed human fibroblasts

The transformation of certain cells reduces the requirement of extracellular Ca2+ for growth. The SV-40 transformed human lung fibroblasts, WI-38 VA13, require less Ca2+ than normal WI-38 cells. Spreading area of the normal cells decreases when cultured in 10 microM Ca2+ medium. Intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) of the normal and transformed cells cultured in 10 microM and 2 mM Ca2+ media was measured by the fluorescence microscope technique using fura-2 as a probe. The [Ca2+]i is measured in the resting state and during mobilization by serum or bradykinin stimulation. The lowering of extracellular calcium concentration results in a decrease in the resting state [Ca2+]i of both normal and transformed cells. Although the total decrease in [Ca2+]i is the same for both cells, the rate of decrease is much faster in normal cells than in transformed cells. Low extracellular Ca2+ reduces the number of cells responsive to the serum or bradykinin stimulation and decreases the peak [Ca2+]i value in both cells. In addition, we investigated, using BCECF as a fluorescent probe, the intracellular pH (pHi) of normal and transformed cells maintained at low and normal Ca2+. The low Ca2+ condition makes pHi acidic in normal cells but not in transformed cells. The acidification of the normal cell is accompanied by a decrease in the spreading area of the cells. The decrease of the cell attachment, followed by the reduced spreading area, induces the acidic pHi. These results suggest that the reduced Ca2+ requirement of transformed cells for growth is related to the mechanism of pHi regulation rather than Ca2+ homeostasis and, possibly, to the anchorage-independent growth, which is a unique feature of transformed cells.

Reversal of transformed phenotypes by antisense fos

The therapeutic use of antisense DNA has started a revolution in pharmacology. As a model system for demonstrating the therapeutic power of the antisense concept, we sought to interrupt signal transduction in H-ras transformed cells to attempt to down-regulate their oncogenic phenotype. We hypothesized that down-regulation of c-fos translation by antisense-fos expression would decrease oncogenic signal transduction through the fos pathway and thus reverse the tumorigenic phenotype of these cells. To test this hypothesis, we transfected H-ras cells with a plasmid containing an 84-base sequence antisense to the 5' end of the mouse c-fos gene. The antisense-fos was under the transcriptional control of the MMTV promoter and inducible by dexamethasone. Two of the antisense-fos clones grew in a density-dependent manner, exhibiting both a flat morphology and a quiescence in low serum medium unlike the sense-fos controls. Antisense-fos also inhibited soft agar growth to 1% of control values and dramatically reduced tumor growth in nude mice. Antisense-fos had no effect on ras expression but greatly reduced c-fos protein levels as assayed by immunofluorescence. These findings suggest that down-regulation of signal transduction pathways by antisense therapeutic compounds might have major therapeutic benefits against malignant cells transformed by ras or other oncogenes.

Platelet-derived growth factor stimulation of GTPase-activating protein tyrosine phosphorylation in control and c-H-ras-expressing NIH 3T3 cells correlates with p21ras activation

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulation of NIH 3T3 cells leads to the rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of the GTPase-activating protein (GAP) and an associated 64- to 62-kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated protein (p64/62). To assess the functions of these proteins, we evaluated their phosphorylation state in normal NIH 3T3 cells as well as in cells transformed by oncogenically activated v-H-ras or overexpression of c-H-ras genes. No significant GAP tyrosine phosphorylation was observed in unstimulated cultures, while PDGF-BB induced rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of GAP in all cell lines analyzed. In NIH 3T3 cells, we found that PDGF stimulation led to the recovery of between 37 and 52% of GAP molecules by immunoprecipitation with monoclonal antiphosphotyrosine antibodies. Furthermore, PDGF exposure led to a rapid and sustained increase in the levels of p21ras bound to GTP, with kinetics similar to those observed for GAP tyrosine phosphorylation. The PDGF-induced increases in GTP-bound p21ras in NIH 3T3 cells were comparable to the steady-state level observed in serum-starved c-H-ras-overexpressing transformants, conditions in which these cells maintained high rates of DNA synthesis. These results imply that the level of p21ras activation following PDGF stimulation of NIH 3T3 cells is sufficient to support mitogenic stimulation. Addition of PDGF to c-H-ras-overexpressing cells also resulted in a rapid and sustained increase in GTP-bound p21ras. In these cells GAP, but not p64/62, showed increased tyrosine phosphorylation, with kinetics similar to those observed for increased GTP-bound p21ras. All of these findings support a role for GAP tyrosine phosphorylation in p21ras activation and mitogenic signaling.

Platelet-derived growth factor stimulation of GTPase-activating protein tyrosine phosphorylation in control and c-H-ras-expressing NIH 3T3 cells correlates with p21ras activation

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulation of NIH 3T3 cells leads to the rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of the GTPase-activating protein (GAP) and an associated 64- to 62-kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated protein (p64/62). To assess the functions of these proteins, we evaluated their phosphorylation state in normal NIH 3T3 cells as well as in cells transformed by oncogenically activated v-H-ras or overexpression of c-H-ras genes. No significant GAP tyrosine phosphorylation was observed in unstimulated cultures, while PDGF-BB induced rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of GAP in all cell lines analyzed. In NIH 3T3 cells, we found that PDGF stimulation led to the recovery of between 37 and 52% of GAP molecules by immunoprecipitation with monoclonal antiphosphotyrosine antibodies. Furthermore, PDGF exposure led to a rapid and sustained increase in the levels of p21ras bound to GTP, with kinetics similar to those observed for GAP tyrosine phosphorylation. The PDGF-induced increases in GTP-bound p21ras in NIH 3T3 cells were comparable to the steady-state level observed in serum-starved c-H-ras-overexpressing transformants, conditions in which these cells maintained high rates of DNA synthesis. These results imply that the level of p21ras activation following PDGF stimulation of NIH 3T3 cells is sufficient to support mitogenic stimulation. Addition of PDGF to c-H-ras-overexpressing cells also resulted in a rapid and sustained increase in GTP-bound p21ras. In these cells GAP, but not p64/62, showed increased tyrosine phosphorylation, with kinetics similar to those observed for increased GTP-bound p21ras. All of these findings support a role for GAP tyrosine phosphorylation in p21ras activation and mitogenic signaling.

Transport across the nuclear envelope: enigmas and explanations

The transport of molecules across the nuclear envelope plays a central role in the metabolism of the cell. Significant advances in three major areas highlight the limits of our current knowledge and point to the prospect of exciting future developments. Firstly, findings that ions and small proteins do not diffuse freely into the nucleus call into question the current views of nuclear envelope permeability. Secondly, indications that nuclear protein import can be regulated in conjunction with the cell cycle and development have been confirmed by the clear demonstration of regulated nuclear entry of specific transcription factors and morphogens. Thirdly, identification and characterisation of candidate receptor proteins indicates that the recognition of the nuclear targeting sequence occurs in the cytoplasm, suggesting that a different recognition event occurs at the nuclear pore.

Calcium distribution and mobilization in single rat parotid acinar cells investigated by digital imaging microscopy

The intracellular distribution and mobilization of cytosolic free calcium in single rat parotid acinar cells was analyzed by a digital imaging microscope equipped with a microspectrofluorometer, using calcium-sensitive dye fura-2. In the resting state, intracellular distribution of cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was heterogeneous: [Ca2+]i in the nuclear and perinuclear region was usually higher than that in the cytoplasm. By Ca(2+)-ionophore ionomycin and muscarinic agonist carbachol stimulation in the presence of 1 mM extracellular Ca2+, [Ca2+]i increased markedly and the gradient of [Ca2+]i between the nuclear region and the cytoplasm decreased. In ionomycin stimulation, [Ca2+]i increased homogeneously and this homogeneous increase was irreversible. In carbachol stimulation the gradient of [Ca2+]i between the nuclear region and the cytoplasm obviously reappeared within 2 min. By carbachol stimulation in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ (added 1 mM EGTA), [Ca2+]i returned to the prestimulation level after the initial transient increase. The distribution of [Ca2+]i also returned approximately to the prestimulation state. The gradient of [Ca2+]i between the nuclear region and the cytoplasm did not disappear even when [Ca2+]i elevated at the peak value.

Attachment of A172 human glioblastoma cells affects calcium signalling: a comparison of image cytometry, flow cytometry, and spectrofluorometry

The intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) of indo-1 loaded A172 human glioblastoma cells stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) was studied in cell suspensions by flow cytometry and spectrofluorometry and in confluent monolayers by laser image cytometry and spectrofluorometry. With all three techniques, the percentage of responsive cells, peak [Ca2+]i, and the duration of response were directly related, and the delay time was inversely related to PDGF dose. The maximum response occurred at a PDGF concentration of about 20 ng/ml. Basal and peak [Ca2+]i did not differ significantly from method to method even though different calibration procedures were used. Cells in suspension monitored by both spectrofluorometry and flow cytometry displayed significantly shorter calcium responses than attached cells. This did not appear to be a direct effect of trypsinization. Spectral analysis of indo-1 in cytoplasm, 40% glycerol, and aqueous solutions showed significant differences in the isosbestic point and quantum efficiency. Calibration of [Ca2+]i with spectrofluorometry is more accurate using the ratio of fluorescence intensities than the fluorescence intensities measured at either 405 or 485 nm.

Increased conversion of phosphatidylinositol to phosphatidylinositol phosphate in Dictyostelium cells expressing a mutated ras gene

Dictyostelium discoideum cells that overexpress a ras gene with a Gly12----Thr12 mutation (Dd-ras-Thr12) have an altered phenotype. These cells were labeled with [3H]inositol and the incorporation of radioactivity into inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] was analyzed and found to be higher than in control cells. In contrast, the total mass of Ins(1,4,5)P3, as assessed with an assay using a specific Ins(1,4,5)P3-binding protein, was not significantly different between control and Dd-ras-Thr12 cells. Cells were labeled with [3H]inositol and the incorporation of radioactivity in all inositol metabolites was analyzed. Increased levels of radioactivity were observed for phosphatidylinositol phosphate (PtdInsP), phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PtdInsP2), Ins(1,4,5)P3, inositol 1,4-bisphosphate, inositol 4,5-bisphosphate, and inositol 4-monophosphate in Dd-ras-Thr12 cells relative to control cells. Decreased levels were found for phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) and inositol 1-monophosphate. Calculations on the substrate/product relationships [i.e., Ins(1,4,5)P3/PtdInsP2] demonstrate that the observed differences are due only to the increased conversion of PtdIns to PtdInsP; other enzyme reactions, including phospholipase C, are not significantly different between the cell lines. The activity of PtdIns kinase in vitro is not different between Dd-ras-Thr12 and control cells, suggesting that either the regulation of this enzyme is altered or that the translocation of substrate from the endoplasmic reticulum to the kinase in the plasma membrane is modified. The results suggest multiple metabolic compartments of Ins(1,4,5)P3 in Dictyostelium cells. In Dd-ras-Thr12 transformants the increased conversion of PtdIns to PtdInsP leads to increased levels of Ins(1,4,5)P3 in the compartment with a high metabolic turnover. This Ins(1,4,5)P3 compartment is suggested to be involved in the regulation of cytosolic Ca2+ levels.

NIH-3T3 cells transformed with a ras oncogene exhibit a protein kinase C-mediated inhibition of agonist-stimulated Ca2+ inflow

1. The ability of bombesin or platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) to stimulate Ca2+ inflow (assessed by measuring changes in the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration in cells loaded with fura-2) in NIH-3T3 cells transformed with the EJ/T24-Ha-ras-1 oncogene is inhibited when compared with the action of the agonists on wild-type cells. 2. The effects of transformation with the ras oncogene are associated with complete inhibition of the ability of bombesin to release Ca2+ from intracellular stores, a substantial decrease in the number of bombesin receptors, no change in the ability of foetal calf serum or ionomycin to release Ca2+ from intracellular stores and the activation of protein kinase C. 3. The effects of transformation with the H-ras oncogene on the ability of bombesin or PDGF to stimulate Ca2+ inflow were mimicked by a 30 min exposure of wild-type cells to phorbol dibutyrate. This action of phorbol dibutyrate was completely blocked by prior treatment of wild-type cells for 24 h with the phorbol ester. 4. It is concluded that one of the actions of the H-ras oncogene in fibroblasts is to inhibit agonist-stimulated Ca2+ inflow by a mechanism which involves the activation of protein kinase C.

Accumulation of p21ras.GTP in response to stimulation with epidermal growth factor and oncogene products with tyrosine kinase activity

The ras gene product (p21) is a GTP-binding protein and has been thought to transduce signals regulating proliferation or differentiation of cells. Like other GTP-binding proteins, p21.GTP is an active conformation, which can transduce the signals downstream, whereas p21.GDP is an inactive one. Recently, we have shown that p21.GTP levels increased in cells treated with fetal bovine serum or platelet-derived growth factor to initiate DNA synthesis. In this paper, we report that epidermal growth factor can also increase the amounts of p21.GTP in the cells. Effects of epidermal growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor are not additive. In contrast, mutant [Val12]p21, which has transforming activity, responded neither to platelet-derived growth factor nor to epidermal growth factor. We also found that the ratio of p21.GTP to p21.GDP increased 3- to 4-fold in transformants carrying activated erbB-2/neu or v-src oncogenes. These results strongly suggest an important role of p21 in transduction of signals for both normal proliferation and malignant transformation through growth factor receptors with tyrosine kinase activity or related oncogene products.

Spatial dynamics of intracellular calcium in agonist-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cells

Vasoconstrictor agonists stimulate smooth muscle contraction by inducing a rise in intracellular free Ca2+. Digital-imaging microscopy of fura-2 fluorescence from single vascular smooth muscle cells cultured from the human internal mammary artery has allowed us to record the subcellular alterations in Ca2+ that occur immediately after stimulation by receptor agonists. The thrombin-induced rise in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ begins in a discrete region typically located close to the end of the cell. Subsequently, this region of elevated Ca2+ expands until Ca2+ is elevated throughout the cell cytoplasm. The rate of spreading in the region of elevated Ca2+ in a linear direction averaged 10.1 microns/s, enabling it to traverse the length of most cells within approximately 5 s, and involved rises in Ca2+ of between 200 and 500 nM. In some cells, the Ca2+ rise began at both ends and collided midway. Similar dynamic changes in the spatial distribution of Ca2+ were recorded in cells stimulated by acetylcholine. The novel observation that vasoconstrictor agonists induce an elevation of Ca2+ in a localized region which subsequently expands throughout the cytoplasm of single smooth muscle cells may provide new insight into the nature of Ca2+ signaling in vascular tissue.

Platelet-derived growth factor stimulates formation of active p21ras.GTP complex in Swiss mouse 3T3 cells

The ras gene product (p21) is a GTP-binding protein and is thought to play an important role in signal transduction of growth and differentiation in many types of mammalian cells. The p21.GTP complex is an active conformation, as described previously for polypeptide chain elongation factors (EF-Tu and EF-G) and heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (G proteins). In the study reported here, we measured the amounts of p21-bound guanine nucleotides under various conditions in the G54 cell line, a derivative of Swiss 3T3 cells that overexpresses normal c-Ha-ras. More p21.GTP complexes were present in growing cells than in quiescent cells. When quiescent cells were stimulated with fetal bovine serum to promote DNA synthesis, p21.GTP increased approximately 2-fold. Among a number of purified growth factors, platelet-derived growth factor enhanced the formation of p21.GTP, whereas the combination of bombesin and insulin, which also induces DNA synthesis, did not. These results strongly suggest that p21 is a transducer of the growth signal from the platelet-derived growth factor receptor in Swiss 3T3 cells and that the signal is transmitted through a p21.GTP complex.

Alterations of G-protein coupling function in phosphoinositide signaling pathways of cells transformed by ras and other membrane-associated and cytoplasmic oncogenes

We showed previously that transformation by cytoplasmic and membrane-associated oncogenes including ras results in uncoupling between surface stimulation by platelet-derived growth factor, bombesin, and serum and activation of intracellular phospholipase C (PLC); this uncoupling does not involve alterations at the receptor or effector enzyme levels (T. Alonso, R. O. Morgan, J. C. Marvizon, H. Zarbl, and E. Santos, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:4271-4275, 1988). In this study, we stimulated normal and oncogene-transformed NIH 3T3 cells with fluoroaluminate (AIF4-), thus directly activating PLC-associated G protein(s) and bypassing the receptor step. A1F4(-)-elicited PLC responses were significantly impaired in transformed cells when compared with those in their normal counterparts, suggesting that the uncoupling of PLC is the result, at least in part, of functional impairment at the G-protein level. Transformation by ras oncogenes has also been reported to result in enhanced PLC response to bradykinin resulting from increased receptor numbers (G. Parries, R. Hoebel, and E. Racker, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:2648-2652, 1987; J. Downward, J. de Gunzburg, R. Riehl, and R. Weinberg, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:5774-5778, 1988). We demonstrate here that transformation by other membrane-associated and cytoplasmic oncogenes also results in increased responsiveness to bradykinin ("supercoupling") and enhanced receptor numbers. However, there is no direct correlation between the number of receptors and the enhancement in responsiveness, suggesting that other factors besides receptor number are also involved in the enhanced responses. We propose that a common effect of transformation by cytoplasmic and membrane-associated oncogenes is functional alteration of coupling G proteins and that a similar modification of different kinds of G proteins may account for the pleiotropic alterations of signal transduction (uncoupling and supercoupling) observed.

Alterations of G-protein coupling function in phosphoinositide signaling pathways of cells transformed by ras and other membrane-associated and cytoplasmic oncogenes

We showed previously that transformation by cytoplasmic and membrane-associated oncogenes including ras results in uncoupling between surface stimulation by platelet-derived growth factor, bombesin, and serum and activation of intracellular phospholipase C (PLC); this uncoupling does not involve alterations at the receptor or effector enzyme levels (T. Alonso, R. O. Morgan, J. C. Marvizon, H. Zarbl, and E. Santos, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:4271-4275, 1988). In this study, we stimulated normal and oncogene-transformed NIH 3T3 cells with fluoroaluminate (AIF4-), thus directly activating PLC-associated G protein(s) and bypassing the receptor step. A1F4(-)-elicited PLC responses were significantly impaired in transformed cells when compared with those in their normal counterparts, suggesting that the uncoupling of PLC is the result, at least in part, of functional impairment at the G-protein level. Transformation by ras oncogenes has also been reported to result in enhanced PLC response to bradykinin resulting from increased receptor numbers (G. Parries, R. Hoebel, and E. Racker, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:2648-2652, 1987; J. Downward, J. de Gunzburg, R. Riehl, and R. Weinberg, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:5774-5778, 1988). We demonstrate here that transformation by other membrane-associated and cytoplasmic oncogenes also results in increased responsiveness to bradykinin ("supercoupling") and enhanced receptor numbers. However, there is no direct correlation between the number of receptors and the enhancement in responsiveness, suggesting that other factors besides receptor number are also involved in the enhanced responses. We propose that a common effect of transformation by cytoplasmic and membrane-associated oncogenes is functional alteration of coupling G proteins and that a similar modification of different kinds of G proteins may account for the pleiotropic alterations of signal transduction (uncoupling and supercoupling) observed.

Antisense-fos RNA causes partial reversion of the transformed phenotypes induced by the c-Ha-ras oncogene

Several lines of evidence have suggested that c-fos may act downstream from c-Ha-ras in a growth-regulatory signal transduction pathway. We used antisense RNA to inhibit c-fos gene expression and investigated the effects of diminished c-fos expression on the phenotypes induced by the EJ c-Ha-ras oncogene in NIH 3T3 cells. Immunofluorescent staining demonstrated that the antisense RNA caused a marked reduction in the amount of c-fos protein expressed following serum stimulation. EJ cells containing antisense-fos RNA continued to overexpress ras and remained capable of proliferating in vitro. However, the antisense-fos RNA caused a partial reversion of the major transformed phenotypes of EJ cells, including a restoration of both density-dependent growth arrest and the ability to be rendered quiescent by serum deprivation, a reversion to a flat morphology, inhibition of anchorage-independent growth, and inhibition of tumorigenicity in nude mice. Our results indicate that inhibition of c-fos expression, to a level still supporting in vitro proliferation, prevents the transforming effects of the ras oncogene; they thus provide additional evidence for the participation of c-fos in ras-regulated signal transduction pathways.

Antisense-fos RNA causes partial reversion of the transformed phenotypes induced by the c-Ha-ras oncogene

Several lines of evidence have suggested that c-fos may act downstream from c-Ha-ras in a growth-regulatory signal transduction pathway. We used antisense RNA to inhibit c-fos gene expression and investigated the effects of diminished c-fos expression on the phenotypes induced by the EJ c-Ha-ras oncogene in NIH 3T3 cells. Immunofluorescent staining demonstrated that the antisense RNA caused a marked reduction in the amount of c-fos protein expressed following serum stimulation. EJ cells containing antisense-fos RNA continued to overexpress ras and remained capable of proliferating in vitro. However, the antisense-fos RNA caused a partial reversion of the major transformed phenotypes of EJ cells, including a restoration of both density-dependent growth arrest and the ability to be rendered quiescent by serum deprivation, a reversion to a flat morphology, inhibition of anchorage-independent growth, and inhibition of tumorigenicity in nude mice. Our results indicate that inhibition of c-fos expression, to a level still supporting in vitro proliferation, prevents the transforming effects of the ras oncogene; they thus provide additional evidence for the participation of c-fos in ras-regulated signal transduction pathways.

Single-cell analysis of the mitogen-induced calcium responses of normal and protein kinase C-depleted Swiss 3T3 cells

Single-cell fluorescence image analysis has been used to characterize the mitogen-induced increases in intracellular free [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i) in control and protein kinase C-depleted Swiss 3T3 cells. More than 80% of the control cells exhibited fast, transient responses to bombesin, vasopressin, or prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha). In contrast, the [Ca2+]i responses induced by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) were markedly more heterogeneous, slower, and often biphasic, with fewer cells (60-70%) responding. The peak [Ca2+]i values obtained in response to each mitogen showed substantial variation between cells. Brief pretreatment of the cells with 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) reduced the [Ca2+]i responses to bombesin, but did not affect the responses to PDGF. Long-term pretreatment of the cells with TPA to down-modulate protein kinase C resulted in substantially prolonged [Ca2+]i responses to bombesin, vasopressin, and PGF2 alpha, but had no such effect on the responses to PDGF. We conclude that differences between the [Ca2+]i responses to bombesin and PDGF, previously reported using cell populations, reflect differences occurring in individual cells, and that the [Ca2+]i responses to bombesin, vasopressin, and PGF2 alpha (but not PDGF) are subject to feedback inhibition via protein kinase C.

ras mutations in human leukemia and related disorders

The clinical association of an increased incidence of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) with previous chemoradiotherapy, the detection of specific karyotypic changes in these secondary (therapy-induced) cases of AML and the discovery of increasing levels of oncogene-specific RNA in leukemia cells suggest that one potential site of action of environmental agents might be the proto-oncogenes in human hematopoietic stem cells. The location of human proto-oncogenes at the sites of chromosome breaks and/or translocations in cells from some patients with leukemia or lymphoma is a striking observation. These data stimulated research into the mechanism of activation of specific oncogenes that change the biology of human hematopoietic cells. Recent investigations have focused upon several areas that might alter cell biology including: 1) translocation and/or inversion of chromosome fragments containing a proto-oncogene to a location where other gene sequences can stimulate oncogene activation, 2) replication of copy number of proto-oncogenes or increased transcriptional activity and 3) point mutation in proto-oncogenes leading to a structurally altered protein. The third area of research has recently received significant attention with respect to the potential role of three ras genes (c-Harvey-ras, c-Kirsten-ras and N-ras) in human leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes. Recent studies have proposed a model for leukemogenic transformation of human hematopoietic cells by the product of a mutated ras oncogene. Mutations at codons 12, 13 or 61 of the first exon of its 4.7 Kb of DNA (for c-Ha-ras) have been described. Other data revealing an absence of such mutations in the ras genes of many human leukemias and the absence of detectable transcription of ras genes in many alkylating agent-associated cases of AML, suggest that while ras mutations may be involved in some settings, there are probably multiple genetic pathways to leukemogenic transformation of human hematopoietic cells.

Inositol phosphates and cell signalling

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate is a second messenger which regulates intracellular calcium both by mobilizing calcium from internal stores and, perhaps indirectly, by stimulating calcium entry. In these actions it may function with its phosphorylated metabolite, inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate. The subtlety of calcium regulation by inositol phosphates is emphasized by recent studies that have revealed oscillations in calcium concentration which are perhaps part of a frequency-encoded second-messenger system.

Scrape-loaded p21ras down-regulates agonist-stimulated inositol phosphate production by a mechanism involving protein kinase C

The effect of scrape-loaded [Val-12]p21ras on agonist-stimulated phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) turnover in Swiss-3T3 cells was studied. Previously [Morris, Price, Lloyd, Marshall & Hall (1989) Oncogene 4, 27-31] we demonstrated that [Val-12]p21ras activates protein kinase C within 10 min of scrape loading. Here, we show that [Val-12]p21ras inhibits bombesin and platelet-derived growth factor-stimulated PIP2 breakdown 1.5-4 h after scrape loading. This effect persisted for at least 18 h and could be mimicked in control cells by activation of protein kinase C with 12-O-tetradecanoyl 13-acetate (TPA) 15 min prior to ligand stimulation. When protein kinase C was down-regulated by chronic TPA treatment, [Val-12]p21ras was no longer able to inhibit agonist-stimulated inositol phosphate production. These results indicate that changes in inositol phosphate levels caused by ras protein are probably due to activation of protein kinase C and not to an interaction of ras with phospholipase C.

Cyclic AMP can partially restore platelet-derived growth factor-stimulated prostaglandin E2 biosynthesis, and calcium mobilization in EJ-ras-transformed NIH-3T3 cells

NIH-3T3 cells transformed by the EJ-ras oncogene display reduced platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-stimulated phospholipase C activity as measured by inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) synthesis and Ca2+ mobilization. The lack of PDGF-stimulated Ca2+ mobilization in EJ-ras transformed cells is not due to a loss of IP3 sensitivity, because microinjected IP3 elevates intracellular Ca2+. Treatment of EJ-ras transformed cells with cholera toxin or 8-bromo-cyclic AMP, but not pertussis toxin or the beta-subunit of cholera toxin, results in a slight recovery of PDGF-stimulated IP3 synthesis, a marked increase in intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, and an almost complete recovery of prostaglandin E2 biosynthesis. These data suggest that EJ p21-mediated inhibition of PDGF-stimulated intracellular events can be partially and transiently reversed by cyclic AMP.

Regulation of Na+-H+ exchange in normal NIH-3T3 cells and in NIH-3T3 cells expressing the ras oncogene

Our laboratory and others have demonstrated that Na+-H+ exchange can be regulated by two different pathways; one that is mediated by an inositol trisphosphate-stimulated increase in intracellular calcium activity, and one that is mediated by an increase in protein kinase C activity. To determine whether one of these pathways is more important than the other, or whether one pathway is physiologically relevant, we employed normal NIH-3T3 cells (3T3 cells) and NIH-3T3 cells expressing the EJ human bladder ras oncogene (EJ cells). The EJ cells were chosen because they provide a genetic model that does not exhibit serum- or platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-stimulated inositol trisphosphate release or Ca2+ mobilization. It was found that serum- or PDGF-stimulated Na+-H+ exchange was more pronounced in EJ cells than in control 3T3 cells. As expected, serum- or PDGF-stimulated Na+-H+ exchange in 3T3 cells was inhibited by chelating intracellular Ca2+ with the intracellular Ca2+ chelator quin2, by the intracellular Ca2+ antagonist 8-(N,N-diethylamino)octyl 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8), and by the calmodulin antagonist trifluoperazine. In contrast, these agents did not inhibit serum- or PDGF-stimulated Na+-H+ exchange in EJ cells. Activators of protein kinase C (e.g., 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol or biologically active phorbol esters) were found to stimulate Na+-H+ exchange in EJ cells to the same extent as serum. However, these agents were considerably less effective than serum in control 3T3 cells. Despite these findings, PDGF did not stimulate diacylglycerol levels in EJ cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)