Cyclic GMP modulates the expression of Gi protein and adenylyl cyclase signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells

Melanogenesis Is Directly Affected by Metabolites of Melatonin in Human Melanoma Cells

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, MEL), its kynurenic (N1-acetyl-N2-formyl-5-methoxykynurenine, AFMK) and indolic derivatives (6-hydroxymelatonin, 6(OH)MEL and 5-methoxytryptamine, 5-MT) are endogenously produced in human epidermis. Melatonin, produced by the pineal gland, brain and peripheral organs, displays a diversity of physiological functions including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-tumor capacities. Herein, we assessed their regulatory effect on melanogenesis using amelanotic (A375, Sk-Mel-28) and highly pigmented (MNT-1, melanotic) human melanoma cell lines. We discovered that subjected compounds decrease the downstream pathway of melanin synthesis by causing a significant drop of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) level, the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and resultant collapse of tyrosinase (TYR) activity, and melanin content comparatively to N-phenylthiourea (PTU, a positive control). We observed a reduction in pigment in melanosomes visualized by the transmission electron microscopy. Finally, we assessed the role of G-protein-coupled seven-transmembrane-domain receptors. Obtained results revealed that nonselective MT1 and MT2 receptor antagonist (luzindole) or selective MT2 receptor antagonist (4-P-PDOT) did not affect dysregulation of the melanin pathway indicating a receptor-independent mechanism. Our findings, together with the current state of the art, provide a convenient experimental model to study the complex relationship between metabolites of melatonin and the control of pigmentation serving as a future and rationale strategy for targeted therapies of melanoma-affected patients.

Melatonin: Both a Messenger of Darkness and a Participant in the Cellular Actions of Non-Visible Solar Radiation of Near Infrared Light

Throughout the history of melatonin research, almost exclusive focus has been on nocturnally-generated pineal melatonin production, which accounts for its circadian rhythm in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid; these light/dark melatonin cycles drive the daily and seasonal photoperiodic alterations in organismal physiology. Because pineal melatonin is produced and secreted primarily at night, it is referred to as the chemical expression of darkness. The importance of the other sources of melatonin has almost been ignored. Based on current evidence, there are at least four sources of melatonin in vertebrates that contribute to the whole-body melatonin pool. These include melatonin produced by (1) the pineal gland; (2) extrapineal cells, tissues, and organs; (3) the microbiota of the skin, mouth, nose, digestive tract, and vagina as well as (4) melatonin present in the diet. These multiple sources of melatonin exhibit differentially regulated mechanisms for its synthesis. Visible light striking the retina or an intense physical stimulus can suppress nocturnal pineal melatonin levels; in contrast, there are examples where extrapineal melatonin levels are increased during heavy exercise in daylight, which contains the whole range of NIR radiation. The cumulative impact of all cells producing augmented extrapineal melatonin is sufficient to elevate sweat concentrations, and potentially, if the exposure is sustained, to also increasing the circulating values. The transient increases in sweat and plasma melatonin support the premise that extrapineal melatonin has a production capacity that exceeds by far what can be produced by the pineal gland, and is used to maintain intercellular homeostasis and responds to rapid changes in ROS density. The potential regulatory mechanisms of near infrared light (NIR) on melatonin synthesis are discussed in detail herein. Combined with the discovery of high levels of melanopsin in most fat cells and their response to light further calls into question pineal centric theories. While the regulatory processes related to microbiota-derived melatonin are currently unknown, there does seem to be crosstalk between melatonin derived from the host and that originating from microbiota.

Nitric oxide attenuates overexpression of Giα proteins in vascular smooth muscle cells from SHR: Role of ROS and ROS-mediated signaling

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) exhibit decreased levels of nitric oxide (NO) that may be responsible for the overexpression of Giα proteins that has been shown as a contributing factor for the pathogenesis of hypertension in SHR. The present study was undertaken to investigate if increasing the intracellular levels of NO by NO donor S-Nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP) could attenuate the enhanced expression of Giα proteins in VSMC from SHR and explore the underlying mechanisms responsible for this response. The expression of Giα proteins and phosphorylation of ERK1/2, growth factor receptors and c-Src was determined by Western blotting using specific antibodies. Treatment of VSMC from SHR with SNAP for 24 hrs decreased the enhanced expression of Giα-2 and Giα-3 proteins and hyperproliferation that was not reversed by 1H (1, 2, 4) oxadiazole (4, 3-a) quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), an inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase, however, PD98059, a MEK inhibitor restored the SNAP-induced decreased expression of Giα proteins towards control levels. In addition, the increased production of superoxide anion, NAD(P)H oxidase activity, overexpression of AT1 receptor, Nox4, p22phox and p47phox proteins, enhanced levels of TBARS and protein carbonyl, increased phosphorylation of PDGF-R, EGF-R, c-Src and ERK1/2 in VSMC from SHR were all decreased to control levels by SNAP treatment. These results suggest that NO decreased the enhanced expression of Giα-2/3 proteins and hyperproliferation of VSMC from SHR by cGMP-independent mechanism and involves ROS and ROS-mediated transactivation of EGF-R/PDGF-R and MAP kinase signaling pathways.

Enhanced endothelium-dependent relaxation of rat pulmonary artery following β-adrenergic overstimulation: involvement of the NO/cGMP/VASP pathway

AIMS

The aim of this study was to investigate whether β-adrenoceptor (β-AR) overstimulation induced by in vivo treatment with isoproterenol (ISO) alters vascular reactivity and nitric oxide (NO) production and signaling in pulmonary arteries.

MAIN METHODS

Vehicle or ISO (0.3mgkg(-1)day(-1)) was administered daily to male Wistar rats. After 7days, the jugular vein was cannulated to assess right ventricular (RV) systolic pressure (SP) and end diastolic pressure (EDP). The extralobar pulmonary arteries were isolated to evaluate the relaxation responses, protein expression (Western blot), NO production (diaminofluorescein-2 fluorescence), and cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) levels (enzyme immunoassay kit).

KEY FINDINGS

ISO treatment induced RV hypertrophy; however, no differences in RV-SP and EDP were observed. The pulmonary arteries from the ISO-treated group showed enhanced relaxation to acetylcholine that was abolished by the NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor N(ω)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME); whereas relaxation elicited by sodium nitroprusside, ISO, metaproterenol, mirabegron, or KCl was not affected by ISO treatment. ISO-treated rats displayed enhanced endothelial NOS (eNOS) and vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) expression in the pulmonary arteries, while phosphodiesterase-5 protein expression decreased. ISO treatment increased NO and cGMP levels and did not induce eNOS uncoupling.

SIGNIFICANCE

The present data indicate that β-AR overactivation enhances the endothelium-dependent relaxation of pulmonary arteries. This effect was linked to an increase in eNOS-derived NO production, cGMP formation and VASP content and to a decrease in phosphodiesterase-5 expression. Therefore, elevated NO bioactivity through cGMP/VASP signaling could represent a protective mechanism of β-AR overactivation on pulmonary circulation.

cAMP attenuates the enhanced expression of Gi proteins and hyperproliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells from SHR: role of ROS and ROS-mediated signaling

We previously showed that angiotensin II (ANG II)-induced overexpression of inhibitory G proteins (Gi) was attenuated by dibutyryl-cAMP (db-cAMP) in A10 vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Since enhanced levels of endogenous ANG II contributed to the overexpression of Gi protein and hyperproliferation of VSMC from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), the present study was therefore undertaken to examine if cAMP could also attenuate the overexpression of Gi proteins and hyperproliferation of VSMC from SHR and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for this response. The enhanced expression of Giα proteins in VSMC from SHR and Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hypertensive rats was decreased by db-cAMP. In addition, enhanced inhibition of adenylyl cyclase by inhibitory hormones and forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity by low concentration of GTPγS in VSMC from SHR was also restored to Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) levels by db-cAMP. Furthermore, db-cAMP also attenuated the hyperproliferation and the increased production of superoxide anion, NAD(P)H oxidase activity, overexpression of Nox1/Nox2/Nox4 and p47phox proteins, increased phosphorylation of PDGF-receptor (R), EGF-R, c-Src, and ERK1/2 to control levels. In addition, the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor reversed the effects of db-cAMP on the expression of Nox4 and Giα proteins and hyperproliferation of VSMC from SHR to WKY levels, while stimulation of the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP did not have any effect on these parameters. These results suggest that cAMP via PKA pathway attenuates the overexpression of Gi proteins and hyperproliferation of VSMC from SHR through the inhibition of ROS and ROS-mediated transactivation of EGF-R/PDGF-R and MAPK signaling pathways.

Role of epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation in endothelin-1-induced enhanced expression of Gi protein and proliferation in A10 vascular smooth muscle cells

We have recently shown that vasoactive peptides such as angiotensin II (Ang II) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) increase the expression of Gi proteins and the proliferation of A10 vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) through mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase – phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinase pathways. This study was intended to examine the implication of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation in ET-1-induced enhanced expression of Gi proteins and proliferation of A10 VSMC, and to further investigate the underlying mechanisms responsible for these increases. Cell proliferation was determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation and the expression of Gi proteins; extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and EGFR phosphorylation was determined by Western blotting. Treatment of A10 VSMC with ET-1 enhanced the expression of Gi proteins, which was attenuated by BQ123 and BQ788, antagonists of ETA and ETB receptor respectively. In addition, ET-1 enhanced the phosphorylation of EGFR in A10 VSMC, which was restored to the control levels by EGFR inhibitor and ETA and ETB receptor antagonists. Furthermore, ET-1 also augmented the proliferation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation of A10 VSMC, which were restored to the control levels by inhibition of EGFR. These data suggest that ET-1 transactivates EGFR, which, through MAP kinase signaling, may contribute to the enhanced expression of Gi proteins and thus increased proliferation of A10 VSMC.

Knockdown of natriuretic peptide receptor-A enhances receptor C expression and signalling in vascular smooth muscle cells

AIMS

Natriuretic peptide receptor-A (NPR-A) knockout mice exhibited an increased blood pressure that may also be attributed to the up-regulation of NPR-C and associated signalling; however, the interaction between the two receptors has not been investigated. In the present study, we investigated the effect of knockdown of NPR-A using NPR-A antisense (AS) on the expression of NPR-C and adenylyl cyclase (AC) signalling in A10 vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC).

METHODS AND RESULTS

The receptor and G protein expression was determined by western blotting, and AC activity was determined by measuring [(32)P]cAMP formation from [α-(32)P]ATP. Treatment of A10 VSMC with NPR-A AS decreased NPR-A and enhanced NPR-C expression without altering the levels of angiotensin II AT1 and muscarinic M2 receptors. In addition, siRNA-NPR-A also resulted in the up-regulation of NPR-C. The re-expression of NPR-A in AS-treated cells reversed the enhanced expression of NPR-C to control levels. In addition, NPR-C-, AT1, and M2 receptor-mediated inhibition of AC and Giα protein expression was enhanced in AS-treated cells, whereas NPR-A-mediated cyclic GMP (cGMP) formation and Gsα-mediated stimulation of AC were significantly reduced. Pertussis toxin treatment attenuated the AS-induced enhanced inhibition of AC to control levels. Furthermore, the enhanced levels of NPR-C and Giα proteins were reversed to control levels by 8-bromo-cGMP (8Br-cGMP) and PD98059, an MEK inhibitor. In addition, 8Br-cGMP also attenuated AS-induced enhanced ERK1/2 phosphorylation to control levels.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate that knockdown of NPR-A up-regulates the expression of NPR-C, Giα proteins, and NPR-C-linked AC signalling and suggests a cross-talk between NPR-A and NPR-C.

Contribution of epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation in angiotensin II-induced enhanced expression of Gi protein and proliferation in A10 vascular smooth muscle cellsThis article is one of a selection of papers published in a special issue on Advances in Cardiovascular Research

We have recently shown that vasoactive peptides such as angiotensin II (Ang II) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) increased the expression of Gi proteins and proliferation of A10 vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) through MAP kinase / PI3 kinase pathways. The present study was undertaken to examine the implication of growth factor receptor activation in Ang II-induced enhanced expression of Gi proteins and proliferation of A10 VSMC and to further investigate the underlying mechanisms responsible for these increases. Cell proliferation was determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation, and the expression of Gi proteins and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was determined by Western blotting. Treatment of A10 VSMC with Ang II enhanced the expression of Gi proteins, which was attenuated by Ang II AT1 receptor antagonist but not by AT2 receptor antagonist. The inhibitor of EGFR also attenuated the enhanced expression of Gi proteins induced by Ang II to control levels. In addition, Ang II enhanced the phosphorylation of EGFR in A10 VSMC, and this was restored to control levels by the EGFR inhibitor and antioxidants. Furthermore, Ang II also augmented the proliferation and ERK1/2 phosphorylation of A10 VSMC, which were restored to control levels by the EGFR inhibitor. These data suggest that the Ang II-induced increase in oxidative stress transactivates EGFR, which through MAP kinase signaling may contribute to the enhanced expression of Gi proteins and thereby to the increased proliferation of A10 VSMC.

Short-term regulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes is mediated through the inducible nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide-dependent pathway

TNF-alpha has several effects on adipocytes that may be related to the development of type 2 diabetes in obese subjects. Many studies demonstrated that long-term treatment with TNF-alpha increases lipolysis in adipocytes. However, the short-term (<4 h) effects of TNF-alpha on lipolysis have not been well investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the short-term regulatory mechanism of TNF-alpha-induced lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Well-differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were used. Lipolysis was determined by measuring glycerol release. Expression of inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) and nitric oxide (NO) production were measured, respectively, by Western blots and the Griess reagent. A selective iNOS inhibitor (s-ethylisothiourea . HBr), an adenylyl cyclase inhibitor (SQ22536), and a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor (LY83583) were used to investigate the involvement of iNOS, cAMP, and cGMP in TNF-alpha-induced lipolysis. Transient transfection with iNOS short hairpin RNA was performed to confirm the involvement of iNOS in TNF-alpha-induced lipolysis. Phosphorylation of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) was measured by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting. Results showed that short-term TNF-alpha treatment significantly increased lipolysis, iNOS expression, and NO production in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, treatment with the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine also stimulated lipolysis and HSL phosphorylation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Moreover, pretreatment with inhibitors of iNOS and guanylate cyclase, but not an adenylate cyclase inhibitor, abolished TNF-alpha-induced lipolysis and HSL phosphorylation. Suppression of TNF-alpha-induced iNOS expression using short hairpin RNA significantly reduced TNF-alpha-induced lipolysis. In conclusion, short-term TNF-alpha treatment induces lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by increasing iNOS expression and NO production, which activates the guanylyl cyclase/cGMP-dependent pathway and induces phosphorylation of HSL.

Role of oxidative stress in high glucose-induced decreased expression of Gialpha proteins and adenylyl cyclase signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells

We have recently shown that aorta from streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and A10 vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) exposed to high glucose exhibited decreased levels of inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (Gi)alpha proteins. In the present studies, we investigated the implication of oxidative stress in the hyperglycemia/diabetes-induced decreased expression of the Gialpha protein and adenylyl cyclase signaling in VSMCs by using antioxidants. The levels of Gialpha proteins were significantly decreased in A10 VSMCs exposed to high glucose and in aortic VSMCs from STZ-diabetic rats compared with control cells and were restored to control levels by antioxidants. In addition, (111)Mn-tetralis(benzoic acid porphyrin) and uric acid, scavengers of peroxynitrite, and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase but not catalase, also restored the high glucose-induced decreased expression of Gialpha proteins to the control levels in A10 VSMCs. Furthermore, the enhanced production of superoxide anion (O2-) and increased activity of NADPH oxidase in these cells were also restored to control levels by diphenyleneiodonium, an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase. In addition, the diminished inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity by inhibitory hormones and forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity by low concentrations of GTPgammaS as well as the enhanced stimulation of adenylyl cyclase by stimulatory agonists in hyperglycemic cells were restored to control levels by antioxidant treatments. These results suggest that high glucose-induced decreased levels of Gialpha proteins and associated signaling in A10 VSMCs may be attributed to the enhanced oxidative stress due to augmented levels of peroxynitrite and not to H2O2.

Peroxynitrite inhibits the expression of G(i)alpha protein and adenylyl cyclase signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells

We previously showed that S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, a nitric oxide donor, decreased the levels and functions of G(i)alpha proteins by formation of peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). The present studies were undertaken to investigate whether ONOO(-) can modulate the expression of G(i)alpha protein and associated adenylyl cyclase signaling in VSMC. Treatment of A-10 and aortic VSMC with ONOO(-) for 24 h decreased the expression of G(i)alpha-2 and G(i)alpha-3, but not G(s)alpha, protein in a concentration-dependent manner; expression was restored toward control levels by (111)Mn-tetralis(benzoic acid porphyrin) and uric acid, but not by 1H[1,2,4]oxadiazole[4,3-a]quinoxaline-1-one (ODQ) and KT-5823. cGMP levels were increased by approximately 50% and 150% by 0.1 and 0.5 mM ONOO(-), respectively, and attenuated toward control levels by ODQ. In addition, 0.5 mM ONOO(-) attenuated the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase by ANG II and C-type atrial natriuretic peptide (C-ANP(4-23)), as well as the inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity by GTPgammaS, whereas, the G(s)-mediated stimulations were augmented. In addition, 0.5 mM ONOO(-) decreased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAP kinase and enhanced JNK phosphorylation but did not affect AKT1/3 phosphorylation. These results suggest that ONOO(-) decreased the expression of G(i) proteins and associated functions in VSMC through a cGMP-independent mechanism and may involve the MAP kinase signaling pathway.