Role of cyclic nucleotides and calcium in the nutrient-induced release of cholecystokinin-like immunoreactivity in rats

Co-requirement of cyclic AMP- and calcium-dependent protein kinases for transcriptional activation of cholecystokinin gene by protein hydrolysates

Little is known about the mechanisms by which protein-derived nutrients regulate hormone gene expression in the intestine. We have previously reported that protein hydrolysates (i.e. peptones), which are representative of the protein fraction in the lumen, increased cholecystokinin (CCK) gene transcription in the STC-1 enteroendocrine cell line. In the present work, we examined the intracellular events evoked by peptones to stimulate CCK gene transcription. In STC-1 cells, peptones stimulated cyclic AMP production and protein kinase A (PKA) activity. This was associated with a nuclear translocation of the PKA catalytic subunit and with a PKA-dependent phosphorylation of the CRE-binding protein (CREB) at Ser(133). Using transient transfection experiments and reporter luciferase assays, we show that peptone-stimulated transcriptional activity of the CCK gene promoter was significantly decreased when the PKA pathway was inhibited. Furthermore, the intracellular calcium chelator 1,2-bis-(O-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid-tetra(acetoxymethyl)ester completely inhibited peptone-induced stimulation of the CCK gene promoter activity, phosphorylation of CREB, and PKA activity. Peptones increased, in a calcium-dependent manner, the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and the MEK inhibitor PD98059 decreased the peptone-induced stimulation of CCK gene promoter activity. This stimulation was also reduced by 30% in the presence of the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) inhibitor KN-93. Total inhibition was obtained when the PKA, ERK, and CaMK pathways were simultaneously blocked with appropriate inhibitors to these pathways. These results demonstrate the simultaneous involvement of cAMP- and calcium-dependent protein kinases in the stimulation of intestinal CCK gene transcription by protein-derived nutrients.

Rab3a controls exocytosis in cholecystokinin-secreting cells

The expression of rab3A and rab3D isoforms in the enteroendocrine, cholecystokinin-secreting, cell lines STC-1 and GLUTag is here demonstrated. In contrast, rab3B is undetectable in these two cell lines, and rab3C is only slightly expressed in GLUTag cells. Using a transient co-transfection system with human growth hormone as reporter protein, we show that overexpression of the GTPase-deficient mutant rab3AQ81L, but not rab3DQ81L, significantly decreases human growth hormone secretory responses to various agonists in STC-1 cells. These results indicate that endocrine cell lines of intestinal origin express rab3A and rab3D proteins, but the GTP-bound form of rab3A only acts as a negative modulator in the control of cholecystokinin secretion from STC-1 cells.

Electrophysiology of intestinal cholecystokinin secretion

The control of gastrointestinal CCK secretion may occur at several points. A decrease in potassium conductance may depolarize the plasma membrane, activating calcium channels with a resultant stimulation in CCK release. The opposite may occur with increases in potassium conductance. The model presented in Fig. 8 suggests that the key control point in the understanding of CCK secretion is the regulation of L-type calcium channels. Whether a single second messenger pathway may regulate calcium channels stimulated by agents such as glucose, phenylalanine, bombesin and cAMP is an important area to pursue.

Role of calcium in the bombesin-induced intestinal CCK release in rats

In the isolated vascularly perfused rat duodenojejunum, vascular infusion of bombesin (100 nM) provoked an early, transient (6 min) release of CCK (500% of basal), followed by a sustained response (400% of basal). The calcium chelator EGTA (2 mM) reduced the early peak and abolished the second phase of CCK release. A similar variation was evoked by verapamil (10 microM), whereas diltiazem (100 microM), nifedipine (50 microM), and omega-conotoxin (100 nM) had no significant effect. It is concluded that bombesin-induced CCK release from rat intestine is dependent on the availability of extracellular calcium and on the activation of calcium channels sensitive to blockers of the phenylalkylamine family.

Functional coupling between the active transport of glucose and the secretion of intestinal neurotensin in rats

1. In this study, the mechanisms involved in the release of neurotensin-like immunoreactivity (NTLI) by glucose were investigated with the isolated, vascularly perfused rat jejunoileum preparation. 2. Luminal infusion of glucose (1-250 mM) produced a sharp and sustained release of NTLI in the intestinal venous effluent. The first significant response was observed with 5 mM glucose and the release reached a maximum under 250 mM glucose with a plateau secretion at 500% of basal. 3. There was no significant difference in the ability of galactose and 3-O-methylglucose to release NTLI when compared to glucose, but alpha-methylglucose, mannose, 2-deoxyglucose and fructose did not stimulate NTLI release. 4. Luminal infusion of 5 mM phloridzin reduced the glucose-induced release of NTLI by 90%. Intra-arterial infusion of glucose (25 mM) or of phloretin (20 microM) had no significant effect on the glucose-evoked NTLI secretion. 5. Intra-arterial infusion of ouabain (1 mM) produced a dramatic increase (at about 1500% of basal) in portal NTLI although it drastically reduced intestinal absorption of glucose. 6. Intra-arterial infusion of tetrodotoxin (1 microM), atropine (10 microM), verapamil (50 microM) or nifedipine (50 microM) did not modify the glucose-induced NTLI secretion. 7. Intra-arterial infusion of forskolin (2-20 microM) evoked a prompt and well-sustained secretion of NTLI which was increased to a mean value of 800% of basal with the highest dose tested. 3-Isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX, 10-100 microM) also stimulated the secretion of NTLI (maximal increase at 725% of basal at 100 microM). In contrast, intra-arterial infusion of 4-beta-phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate (PMA, 0.05-0.5 microM) had no effect on NTLI release. 8. IBMX (10-100 microM) synergistically enhanced NTLI responses induced by 250 mM glucose; the integrated response of NTLI release was 3- to 5-fold higher than the sum of individual responses produced by the same stimulants given separately. 9. It is concluded that the carbohydrate-induced NTLI release is related to the active, sodium-dependent hexose transport, but not to the carbohydrate catabolic pathway. Furthermore, the intramural nerves and L-type calcium channels are not involved in the glucose-induced NTLI secretion. Finally, the secretory activity of the intestinal N cell seems to be mainly stimulated through a cAMP-dependent pathway.