Altered sodium current response to intracellular fatty acids in halothane-hypersensitive skeletal muscle

Caerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in mice that constitutively overexpress Reg/PAP genes

Background

The cystic fibrosis (CF) mouse pancreas has constitutively elevated expression of the Reg/PAP cell stress genes (60-fold greater Reg3α, and 10-fold greater PAP/Reg3β and Reg3γ). These genes are suggested to be involved in protection or recovery from pancreatic injury.

Methods

To test this idea the supramaximal caerulein model was used to induce acute pancreatitis in wild type and CF mice. Serum amylase, pancreatic water content (as a measure of edema), pancreatic myeloperoxidase activity, and Reg/PAP expression were quantified.

Results

In both wild type and CF mice caerulein induced similar elevations in serum amylase (maximal at 12 h), pancreatic edema (maximal at 7 h), and pancreatic myeloperoxidase activity (MPO, a marker of neutrophil infiltration; maximal at 7 h). By immunohistochemistry, Reg3α was strongly expressed in the untreated CF pancreas but not in wild type. During pancreatitis, Reg3α was intensely expressed in foci of inflamed tissue in both wild type and CF.

Conclusion

These data demonstrate that the severity of caerulein-induced pancreatitis is not ameliorated in the CF mouse even though the Reg/PAP stress genes are already highly upregulated. While Reg/PAP may be protective they may also have a negative effect during pancreatitis due to their anti-apoptotic activity, which has been shown to increase the severity of pancreatitis.

Effects of constitutively active and dominant negative MAPK kinase (MKK) 3 and MKK6 on the pH-responsive increase in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase mRNA

Metabolic acidosis is partially compensated by a pronounced increase in renal catabolism of glutamine. This adaptive response is sustained, in part, through increased expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK). Previous inhibitor studies suggested that the pH-responsive increase in PEPCK mRNA in LLC-PK1-FBPase+ cells is mediated by a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). These cells express high levels of the upstream kinase MAPK kinase (MKK) 3 but relatively low levels of the alternative upstream kinase MKK6. To firmly establish the role of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway, clonal lines of LLC-PK1-FBPase+ cells that express constitutively active (ca) and dominant negative (dn) forms of MKK3 and MKK6 from a tetracycline-responsive promoter were developed. Western blot analyses confirmed that 0.5 microg/ml doxycycline was sufficient to block transcription and that removal of doxycycline led to pronounced and sustained expression of the caMKKs and dnMKKs. Expression of caMKK6 (but not caMKK3) caused an increase in phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and an increase in the level of PEPCK mRNA that closely mimicked the effect of treatment with acidic medium (pH 6.9, 10 mm HCO3-). Only caMKK6 activated transcription of a PEPCK-luciferase reporter construct. Co-expression of both dnMKKs blocked the increases in phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and PEPCK mRNA. The latter effect closely mimicked that of the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580. The expression of either dnMKK3 or dnMKK6 was less effective than co-expression of both dnMKKs. Thus, the pH-responsive increase in PEPCK mRNA in the kidney is mediated by the p38 MAPK signaling pathway and involves activation of MKK3 and/or MKK6.

Trefoil factor 2 (TFF2) deficiency in murine digestive tract influences the immune system

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The gastrointestinal trefoil factor family (TFF1, TFF2, TFF3) peptides are considered to play an important role in maintaining the integrity of the mucosa. The physiological role of TFF2 in the protection of the GI tract was investigated in TFF2 deficiency.

METHODS

TFF2-/- mice were generated and differential expression of various genes was assessed by using a mouse expression microarray, quantitative real time PCR, Northern blots or immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

On an mRNA level we found 128 differentially expressed genes. We observed modulation of a number of crucial genes involved in innate and adaptive immunity in the TFF2-/- mice. Expression of proteasomal subunits genes (LMP2, LMP7 and PSMB5) involved in the MHC class I presentation pathway were modulated indicating the formation of immunoproteasomes improving antigen presentation. Expression of one subunit of a transporter (TAP1) responsible for importing degraded antigens into ER was increased, similarly to the BAG2 gene that modulates chaperone activity in ER helping proper loading on MHC class I molecules. Several mouse defensin (cryptdin) genes coding important intestinal microbicidal proteins were up-regulated as a consequence of TFF2 deficiency. Normally moderate expression of TFF3 was highly increased in stomach.

Targeted intestinal overexpression of the immediate early gene tis7 in transgenic mice increases triglyceride absorption and adiposity

Following loss of functional small bowel surface area due to surgical resection, the remnant gut undergoes an adaptive response characterized by increased crypt cell proliferation and enhanced villus height and crypt depth, resulting in augmented intestinal nutrient absorptive capacity. Previous studies showed that expression of the immediate early gene tis7 is markedly up-regulated in intestinal enterocytes during the adaptive response. To study its role in the enterocyte, transgenic mice were generated that specifically overexpress TIS7 in the gut. Nucleotides -596 to +21 of the rat liver fatty acid-binding protein promoter were used to direct abundant overexpression of TIS7 into small intestinal upper crypt and villus enterocytes. TIS7 transgenic mice had increased total body adiposity and decreased lean muscle mass compared with normal littermates. Oxygen consumption levels, body weight, surface area, and small bowel weight were decreased. On a high fat diet, transgenic mice exhibited a more rapid and proportionately greater gain in body weight with persistently elevated total body adiposity and increased hepatic fat accumulation. Bolus fat feeding resulted in a greater increase in serum triglyceride levels and an accelerated appearance of enterocytic, lamina propria, and hepatic fat. Changes in fat homeostasis were linked to increased expression of genes involved in enterocytic triglyceride metabolism and changes in growth with decreased insulin-like growth factor-1 expression. Thus, TIS7 overexpression in the intestine altered growth, metabolic rate, adiposity, and intestinal triglyceride absorption. These results suggest that TIS7 is a unique mediator of nutrient absorptive and metabolic adaptation following gut resection.

3'-Untranslated region of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase mRNA contains multiple instability elements that bind AUF1

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) is regulated solely by alterations in gene expression that involve changes in rates of PEPCK mRNA transcription and degradation. A tetracycline-responsive promoter system was used to quantify the half-life of various chimeric beta-globin-PEPCK (betaG-PCK) mRNAs in LLC-PK -F(+) cells. The control betaG mRNA was extremely stable (t(1/2) = 5 days). However, betaG-PCK-1 mRNA, which contains the entire 3'-UTR of the PEPCK mRNA, was degraded with a half-life of 1.2 h. RNase H treatment indicated that rapid deadenylation occurred concomitant with degradation of the betaG-PCK-1 mRNA. Previous studies indicate that PCK-7, a 50-nucleotide segment at the 3'-end of the 3'-UTR, binds an unidentified protein that may contribute to the rapid decay of the PEPCK mRNA. However, the chimeric betaG-PCK-7 mRNA has a half-life of 17 h. Inclusion of the adjacent PCK-6 segment, a 23-bp AU-rich region, produced the betaG-PCK-6/7 mRNA, which has a half-life of 3.6 h. The betaG-PCK-3 mRNA that contains the 3'-half of 3'-UTR was degraded with the same half-life. Surprisingly, the betaG-PCK-2 mRNA, containing the 5'-end of the 3'-UTR, was also degraded rapidly (t((1/2)) = 5.4 h). RNA gel shift analyses established that AUF1 (hnRNP D) binds to the PCK-7, PCK-6, and PCK-2 segments with high affinity and specificity. Mutational analysis indicated that AUF1 binds to a UUAUUUUAU sequence within PCK-6 and the stem-loop structure and adjacent CU-region of PCK-7. Thus, AUF1 binds to multiple destabilizing elements within the 3'-UTR that participate in the rapid turnover of the PEPCK mRNA.

In vivo evidence for interferon-gamma-mediated homeostatic mechanisms in small intestine of the NHE3 Na+/H+ exchanger knockout model of congenital diarrhea

Mice lacking NHE3, the major absorptive Na(+)/H(+) exchanger in the intestine, are the only animal model of congenital diarrhea. To identify molecular changes underlying compensatory mechanisms activated in chronic diarrheas, cDNA microarrays and Northern blot analyses were used to compare global mRNA expression patterns in small intestine of NHE3-deficient and wild-type mice. Among the genes identified were members of the RegIII family of growth factors, which may contribute to the increased absorptive area, and a large number of interferon-gamma-responsive genes. The latter finding is of particular interest, since interferon-gamma has been shown to regulate ion transporter activities in intestinal epithelial cells. Serum interferon-gamma was elevated 5-fold in NHE3-deficient mice; however, there was no evidence of inflammation, and unlike conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, levels of other cytokines were unchanged. In addition, quantitative PCR analysis showed that up-regulation of interferon-gamma mRNA was localized to the small intestine and did not occur in the colon, spleen, or kidney. These in vivo data suggest that elevated interferon-gamma, produced by gut-associated lymphoid tissue in the small intestine, is part of a homeostatic mechanism that is activated in response to the intestinal absorptive defect in order to regulate the fluidity of the intestinal tract.

Identification of the Arg1086His mutation in the alpha subunit of the voltage-dependent calcium channel (CACNA1S) in a North American family with malignant hyperthermia

Individuals from a large North American population were screened for the presence of the mutation in the alpha1 subunit of the voltage-dependent calcium channel (CACNA1S) that has recently been associated with malignant hyperthermia (MH). This Arg1086His mutation was screened for in 154 MH normal (MHN) individuals and 112 MH susceptible (MHS) individuals, who were diagnosed by the North American protocol of the in vitro contracture test. PCR and restriction enzyme analysis was used to test for the mutation. The Arg1086His mutation in the CACNA1S was not found in any of the MHN individuals. In contrast, two related individuals (grandfather and grandson, father and son of the MH proband) among the MHS group exhibited this mutation. However, a third MHS individual in the same family (granddaughter, cousin of the grandson) did not exhibit this mutation. These results indicate that this mutation may be associated with MH in this family. Genetic alterations in the CACNA1S associated with MH are present in approximately 1% of this North American MHS population.

Analysis of intestinal adaptation gene expression by cDNA expression arrays

BACKGROUND

As a tool for determining gene expression on a genomic scale, cDNA microarrays are a promising new technology that can be applied to the study of complex physiologic processes. The objective of this study was to characterize the expression of individual genes and patterns of gene expression that might provide insight into the mechanism of intestinal adaptation after massive small bowel resection.

METHODS

Male ICR mice underwent a 50% proximal small bowel resection (SBR) or sham operation. After 3 days, the remnant ileum was harvested, weighed, and RNA extracted. Changes in gene expression were detected utilizing Clontech Atlas mouse cDNA expression arrays. Some of these changes were confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR) and Northern blots.

RESULTS

Analysis of these cDNA arrays revealed changes in the expression of multiple genes, including those involved in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, DNA synthesis, and transcriptional regulation. The patterns of expression were consistent with the increased cell proliferation and apoptosis observed during intestinal adaptation. A large number of genes not previously associated with intestinal adaptation were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

This technology may facilitate the elucidation of the intricate cellular mechanisms underlying intestinal adaptation.

Differential role of hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 in the regulation of glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit gene transcription by cAMP in liver- and kidney-derived cell lines

In liver and kidney, the terminal step in gluconeogenesis is catalyzed by glucose-6-phosphatase. To examine the effect of the cAMP signal transduction pathway on transcription of the gene encoding the catalytic subunit of glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), G6Pase-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) fusion genes were transiently transfected into either the liver-derived HepG2 or kidney-derived LLC-PK cell line. Co-transfection of an expression vector encoding the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) markedly stimulated G6Pase-CAT fusion gene expression, and mutational analysis of the G6Pase promoter revealed that multiple regions are required for this PKA response in both the HepG2 and LLC-PK cell lines. A sequence in the G6Pase promoter that resembles a cAMP response element is required for the full PKA response in both HepG2 and LLC-PK cells. However, in LLC-PK cells, but not in HepG2 cells, a hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 (HNF-1) binding site was critical for the full induction of G6Pase-CAT expression by PKA. Changing this HNF-1 motif to that for the yeast transcription factor GAL4 reduces the PKA response in LLC-PK cells to the same degree as deleting the HNF-1 site. However, co-transfection of this mutated construct with chimeric proteins comprising the GAL4-DNA binding domain ligated to the coding sequence for HNF-1alpha, HNF-1beta, HNF-3, or HNF-4 completely restored the PKA response. Thus, we hypothesize that, in LLC-PK cells, HNF-1 is acting as an accessory factor to enhance PKA signaling through the cAMP response element by altering G6Pase promoter conformation or accessibility rather than specifically affecting some component of the PKA signal transduction pathway.

Vitamin A status modulates intestinal adaptation after partial small bowel resection

BACKGROUND

Intestinal adaptation after loss of functional small bowel surface area is characterized by cellular hyperplasia and increased absorptive function. Interventions to enhance the adaptive response are needed to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with short bowel syndrome. Retinoic acid was shown to stimulate crypt cell proliferation in the adapting remnant rat ileum by 6 hours after resection. Thus, vitamin A, which is required for normal epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation and which can modulate programmed cell death, may play an important role in the adapting intestine. On the basis of these observations, the effects of vitamin A deficiency on intestinal morphology, epithelial cell proliferation, and apoptosis in the adapting intestine after resection were investigated.

METHODS

Weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats fed either a vitamin A-deficient or -sufficient diet for 58 days underwent 70% proximal small bowel resection. The deficient rats were divided into cohorts that were either maintained on the experimental diet after surgery or replenished with vitamin A 20 hours before surgery and switched to the control diet after surgery.

RESULTS

Ten days after resection, vitamin A-deficient rats exhibited a markedly blunted adaptive response. The adaptive increase in villus height and crypt depth was absent in the deficient rats. However, adaptive increases in crypt cell proliferation were not attenuated by vitamin A deficiency, and there were no differences in apoptotic indices.

CONCLUSIONS

Vitamin A deficiency inhibits the adaptive response to partial small bowel resection, supporting a role for vitamin A in the adaptive process. Changes in cellular proliferation or programmed cell death are not sufficient to account for this inhibition. This model system will be useful for examining the role of other mechanisms, such as changes in cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions, and rates of epithelial cell migration and cell extrusion.

Comparison of sensitivity of sodium currents to tetrodotoxin in equine muscle specimens with that in murine and human muscle specimens

OBJECTIVE

To determine sensitivity of equine skeletal muscle to tetrodotoxin and compare that with sensitivity of murine and human skeletal muscles.

SAMPLE POPULATION

Semimembranosus, vastus lateralis, triceps brachii, and masseter muscle specimens from 22 euthanatized horses, vastus lateralis muscle biopsy specimens from 25 clinically normal humans, and diaphragmatic muscle specimens from 6 mice.

PROCEDURE

Electrically elicited twitch responses were measured in muscle specimens incubated in medium alone and with tetrodotoxin (100 nM, 400 nM, 1.6 microM for equine specimens and 100 nM, 200 nM, 400 nM, 800 nM, 1.6 microM for murine and human specimens). Percentages of tetrodotoxin-sensitive and -resistant sodium channels were determined and compared among muscles and species.

RESULTS

2 sodium channels with different sensitivities to tetrodotoxin were identified in equine muscle. One was blocked with 100 nM tetrodotoxin and the other was unaffected by tetrodotoxin at concentrations up to 1.6 microM. The only difference detected among the 4 equine muscles was that masseter muscle specimens had a higher percentage of tetrodotoxin-sensitive channels than triceps brachii muscle specimens. Tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium channels constituted 31 to 66% of the equine muscle twitch response, which was greater than that determined for normal human and murine muscle (< 5%).

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Equine skeletal muscle contains a high percentage of tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium channels. The 4 equine muscles evaluated were more similar to each other than to murine and human muscles. Shifts in expression of sodium channel subtypes may play a role in the manifestation of certain myopathies.

The C/EBP family of transcription factors in the liver and other organs

Members of the CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) family of transcription factors are pivotal regulators of liver functions such as nutrient metabolism and its control by hormones, acute-phase response and liver regeneration. Recent progress in clarification of regulatory mechanisms for the C/EBP family members gives insight into understanding the liver functions at the molecular level.

Phenytoin alters transcript levels of hormone-sensitive lipase in muscle from horses with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis

In equine hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HyperPP), there is evidence suggesting that the primary defect in the sodium channel is associated with a secondary alteration in triacylglycerol-associated fatty acid metabolism (TAFAM) in skeletal muscle. Furthermore, TAFAM may be involved in the therapeutic action of phenytoin. The effects of phenytoin treatment on the transcript levels of three key proteins in TAFAM, hormone sensitive lipase (HSL), carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT), and fatty acid binding protein (FABP), were examined. These transcripts were quantitated by competitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in undifferentiated and differentiated primary cultures of equine skeletal muscle from control, heterozygous HyperPP, and homozygous-affected HyperPP horses. There was a 10-fold lower level of HSL transcript in both undifferentiated and differentiated cultures from homozygous-affected horses than from horses of the other genotypes. Phenytoin selectively increased the HSL transcript in homozygous-affected differentiated cultures to levels similar to those of the other genotypes. The levels of CPT and FABP transcripts were unaffected by genotype, differentiation, and phenytoin treatment. These results suggest that the primary defect in HyperPP may secondarily decrease HSL transcript levels and that the therapeutic action of phenytoin may include regulation of mRNA transcripts in skeletal muscle.

Gene-specific transcriptional activity of the insulin cAMP-responsive element is conferred by NF-Y in combination with cAMP response element-binding protein

Cyclic AMP stimulates insulin gene transcription through a cAMP response element (CRE). In the present study the insulin CRE-binding proteins and their functions were investigated. A mutational analysis of nuclear protein binding in electrophoretic mobility shift assays in combination with specific antisera showed that in the CRE of the rat insulin I gene the imperfect CRE octamer-like sequence TGACGTCC interacts weakly with CREB and overlaps with two sequence motifs (TTGTTGAC and CCAAT) that bind winged helix-like proteins and the transcription factor NF-Y, respectively. Transient transfection of wild-type and mutant insulin CRE-reporter fusion genes and the inactivation of cellular CREB or NF-Y by overexpression of the dominant negative mutants KCREB or NF-YA29, respectively, indicate that cAMP inducibility of the insulin CRE is mediated by CREB or closely related proteins; however, NF-Y binding to the insulin CRE confers constitutive, basal activity and decreases the ability of CREB to mediate cAMP-stimulated transcription and calcium responsiveness. Results from these studies demonstrate that NF-Y binds to the insulin CRE and modulates the function of CREB. Together with the nonpalindromic sequence of the CRE octamer motif, the interaction of NF-Y with CREB may be responsible for the gene-specific transcriptional activity of the insulin CRE and explain why it has considerable basal activity but is less responsive to cAMP stimulation than others.

Advances in nutrition and gastroenterology: summary of the 1997 A.S.P.E.N. Research Workshop

BACKGROUND

The 1997 A.S.P.E.N. Research Workshop was held at the annual meeting in San Francisco, on January 26, 1997. The workshop focused on advances in clinical and basic research involving the interface between nutrient and luminal gastroenterology.

METHODS

Presentations on the genetic regulation of gastrointestinal development, the molecular biology of small intestinal adaptation, the effect of nutrition support on intestinal mucosal mass, the relationship between nutrition and gastrointestinal motility, nutrient absorption, and gastrointestinal tract substrate metabolism were made by the preeminent leaders in the field.

RESULTS

The investigators presented an insightful analysis of each topic by reviewing data from their own laboratories and the published literature.

CONCLUSIONS

This workshop underscored the important interactions between nutrition and luminal gastroenterology at the basic science, metabolic/physiologic, and clinical levels. The integration of presentations from the different disciplines provided a unique interaction of information and ideas to advance our understanding of nutrition and gastrointestinal tract.

Similarities and differences in mechanisms of cardiotoxins, melittin and other myotoxins

Myonecrosis induced in vivo by cardiotoxin, melittin, and Asp49 and Lys49 phospholipase A2 (PLA2) myotoxins involves rapid lysis of the sarcolemma, myofibril clumping, and hypercontraction of sarcomeres. In contrast, skeletal muscle necrosis induced by crotamine and myotoxin a is much slower, consisting of mitochondrial and sarcoplasmic reticulum swelling, myofibril degeneration, and lack of sarcolemma or transverse tubule damage. The mechanisms contributing to the myonecrosis induced by these peptides were evaluated. Two cardiotoxins and two Lys49 PLA2 myotoxins lysed primary cultures of human skeletal muscle within 24 hr at a concentration of 0.25 microM, while melittin, crotamine, and myotoxin a, and an Asp49 PLA2 myotoxin were non-cytolytic at concentrations up to 5.0 microM, suggesting that cytolysis is not a good measure of myotoxicity. Crotamine and the Lys49 PLA2 myotoxin altered Ca2+ ion flux in human heavy sarcoplasmic reticulum by opening the ryanocine receptor. Whole-cell patch-clamp studies demonstrated that administrating crotamine intracellularly increased Na+ currents. Free fatty acids, liberated by activation of tissue phospholipase C or by the PLA2 activity of the myotoxins, were monitored for crotamine, myotoxin a and a Lys49 PLA2 myotoxin in cell cultures in which the lipids had been radiolabeled. Only the Lys49 myotoxin produced significant amounts of fatty acid in cell cultures, supporting a potential role for fatty acid production only in the mechanism of sarcolemma-destroying myotoxins. These findings, coupled with those in the literature, support a hypothesis in which the myotoxins and/or products of lipase activity (e.g. fatty acids) are acting at a site existing on both the Na+ channel and a protein involved in Ca2+ release and probably serving a modulatory function for ion regulation. Based on the similarities in mechanisms between the toxins and fatty acids, the most likely site would be a fatty acid binding site on the protein (either similar to that on fatty acid binding proteins, or an acylated cysteine residue) or in the membrane.