Insulin-like growth factor II increases cytoplasmic free calcium in competent Balb/c 3T3 cells treated with epidermal growth factor

Insulin-like growth factor-II/cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor mediates paracrine interactions during spermatogonial development

The insulin-like growth factor-II/cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate (IGF-II/M6P) receptor transduces signals after binding IGF-II or M6P-bearing growth factors. We hypothesized that this receptor relays paracrine signals between Sertoli cells and spermatogonia in the basal compartment of the seminiferous epithelium. For these studies spermatogonia were isolated from 8-day-old mice with purity >95% and viability >85% after overnight culture. The IGF-II/M6P receptors were present on the surface of spermatogonia, as detected by indirect immunofluorescence. We determined that both IGF-II and M6P-glycoproteins in Sertoli cell conditioned medium (SCM) modulate gene expression in isolated spermatogonia. The IGF-II produced dose-dependent increases in both rRNA and c-fos mRNA. These effects were mediated specifically by IGF-II/M6P receptors, as shown by studies using IGF-II analogues that are specific agonists for either IGF-I or IGF-II receptors. The SCM treatment also induced dose-dependent increases in rRNA levels, and M6P competition showed that this response required interaction with IGF-II/M6P receptors. The M6P-glycoproteins isolated from SCM by IGF-II/M6P receptor affinity chromatography increased spermatogonial rRNA levels at much lower concentrations than required by SCM treatment, providing further evidence for the paracrine activity of Sertoli M6P-glycoproteins. These results demonstrate that Sertoli cells secrete paracrine factors that modulate spermatogonial gene expression after interacting with cell-surface IGF-II/M6P receptors.

Identification of functional insulin-like growth factor-II/mannose-6-phosphate receptors in isolated bone cells

The role of the IGF-II/cation independent mannose-6-phosphate (IGF-II/M6P) receptor in the transduction of cellular effects evoked by IGF-II has been extensively debated in the literature. Many reports suggest that IGF-II transduces its effects through the IGF-I receptor, while others show that IGF-II utilizes the type II receptor to affect cellular activity. This study 1) verifies the presence of the IGF-II/M6P receptor in rat calvarial osteoblasts, and 2) evaluates the ability of the receptor to initiate intracellular signals. Using conventional receptor binding assays, it was found that osteoblasts bind IGF-II with high affinity. Scatchard analyses indicated that there are 5.08 x 10(4) IGF-II/M6P receptors per osteoblast with a Kd near 2.0 nM). The receptor protein was further identified by cross-linking with 125I-IGF-II. Northern analysis was used to identify an mRNA transcript for the IGF-II/M6P receptor protein. To examine if the IGF-II/M6P receptor can initiate second messenger signals, the ability of IGF-II to evoke Ca2+ transients was evaluated. Osteoblasts pretreated with IGF-I did not lose their ability to respond to IGF-II. Further, a polyclonal antibody against the rat IGF-II/M6P receptor (R-II-PAB1) 1) was able to evoke its own Ca2+ response, and 2) was able to block the generation of Ca2+ transients caused by IGF-II. The data in this report show that the osteoblastic Ca2+ response to IGF-II appears to be caused by an intracellular release of Ca2+ which is mediated by the IGF-II/M6P receptor making it possible to envision how the receptor may be an important modulator of osteoblast mediated osteogenesis.

Insulin-like growth factor II promotes in vitro cholinergic development of mouse septal neurons: comparison with the effects of insulin-like growth factor I

We investigated the effect of insulin-like growth factors II and I (IGFII and IGFI) on septal primary cultures from mouse embryonic day 15 brains. The addition of IGFII to septal cultures enhanced total choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal stimulation of ChAT activity was observed at 10 ng/ml IGFII. The effect of IGFII on ChAT activity was completely blocked by anti-IGFII/M-6-P receptor antibodies, whereas the antisera alone had no effect on the enzyme activity. Double-labeled immunohistochemical studies revealed that most ChAT-positive neurons expressed IGFII/M-6-P receptor immunoreactivity. These results indicate that the trophic effect of IGFII results from the direct action of this molecule through the IGFII/M-6-P receptor in septal cholinergic neurons. IGFI also stimulated ChAT activity, but with less potency than IGFII. Antibodies against the IGFII/M-6-P receptor inhibited approximately 50% of the IGFI response, suggesting that the effect of IGFI is mediated in part by the IGFII/M-6-P receptor. Thus, it appears that IGFII and IGFI are potent trophic factors for central cholinergic neurons and could potentially play a significant role in the differentiation, maintenance and regeneration of these neurons.

An insulin-sensitive cation channel controls [Na+]i via [Ca2+]o-regulated Na+ and Ca2+ entry

The insulin-stimulated cation channel previously identified in patch-clamped muscle preparations is here shown to be responsible for bulk Na+ entry into the cell. The mainly Na+ current of the channel was shown to be accompanied by an inhibitory Ca2+ component responsible for oscillations. Here, using quantitative fluorescence imaging of Fura-2- and SBFI-loaded soleus muscle, we measure changes in [Na+]i and [Ca2+]i related to channel function. Insulin increased [Na+]i and [Ca+]i in a transient spike of < 1-min duration. There was a momentary dip in [Na+]i related to inhibition of the channel by the Ca2+ spike, and changes in external Ca2+ were shown to alter [Na+]i via the cation channel, all effects being blocked by the specific channel inhibitor mu-conotoxin, but not by tetrodotoxin. The [Ca2+]i spike could also be induced by 8-bromo cyclic-guanosine 5'-monophosphate, an analogue of the channel-activator cyclic-guanosine 5'-monophosphate (cGMP). In addition it was noted that insulin reduced the [Ca2+]i rise upon subsequent muscle depolarization by a factor of 3.5. Insulin could be substituted with phorbol ester for the same effect and HA1004, a protein kinase inhibitor, blocked the reduction.

Insulinlike growth factors and binding proteins in colon cancer

Insulinlike growth factors (IGFs) express anabolic and mitogenic activity on wide variety of cells. Besides endocrine effects, IGFs have major autocrine and paracrine effects on many cellular functions. Two factors that significantly affect the extent of cellular response to IGFs include the membrane receptors for IGFs and the soluble binding proteins (BPs), which modulate the action of IGFs at the receptor level. IGFs, IGF receptors, and IGFs and their BPs (IGF-BPs) thus constitute three components of the IGF system. A role of IGFs in the transformation and proliferation of cancer cells has become increasingly evident in the past few years. Studies from several laboratories show that all three components of the IGF system may play an important role in the proliferation of colon cancers. It was recently shown that the relative expression of IGFs and IGF/BPs may critically control the metastatic potential of colon cancers. The purpose of this article is to summarize our current knowledge of the IGF system and to present support for a significant role of IGFs in the initiation and growth of colon cancers. The expression and structural aspects of IGFs, their receptors, and BPs are outlined first, followed by a discussion of the role of IGFs in gastrointestinal functions and in colon cancers.

Inhibition of human brain tumor cell growth by a receptor-operated Ca2+ channel blocker

SK&F 96365, a reported receptor-operated Ca2+ channel blocker, inhibited the growth of U-373 MG human astrocytoma and SK-N-MC human neuroblastoma cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Carbachol and serum which act as growth factors for these cells induced a rapid, transient increase of intracellular Ca2+ concentration without a sustained increase. SK&F 96365 also exerted a significant inhibition of carbachol or serum-induced intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. These results suggest that SK&F 96365 is a potent inhibitor of brain tumor cell growth and that its effect may be mediated by the inhibition of agonist-induced intracellular Ca2+ mobilization.

The IGF-II receptor system: a G protein-linked mechanism

Based on the finding that stimulation of the IGF-II receptor (IGF-IIR) is capable of activating Gi2 and calcium channels in BALB/c 3T3 fibroblasts, it was found that purified IGF-IIR can couple directly to purified Gi2 in phospholipid vesicles. IGF-IIR-Gi2 coupling can be characterized as follows. IGF-IIR directly couples to Gi2 in response to IGF-II in a stoichiometrical manner, suggesting that IGF-IIR works as a transmembrane signaling molecule and that the seven-transmembrane structure is not essential for receptor-G protein coupling. The mode of IGF-IIR-G12 interaction is similar to that of conventional receptor-G protein coupling, suggesting that a common G protein recognition mechanism is shared by IGF-IIR and conventional G-coupled receptors. The action of IGF-IIR is specific on Gi2 among various G proteins. Finally, the activity of IGF-IIR on Gi2 is similarly potent across the species of the proteins. These characteristics led to the discovery of a 14-amino-acid region in IGF-IIR that can directly interact with and activate Gi2, and is located at residues 2410-2423 of the human receptor. Subsequent work has indicated that this region is responsible for Gi-coupling function of intact IGF-IIR. The most important extensions of this discovery are the following: (1) The structure-function relationship for the Gi-activating function of this 14-amino-acid sequence, (2) the prediction of G protein-coupled functions of receptors based on the results obtained from 1), and (3) clarification of the detailed mechanism whereby ligand-receptor complex recognizes G proteins. This paper reviews what we have learned from IGF-IIR in terms of receptor-G protein interfaces and discusses future prospects.

Genetic predisposition to hypertension facilitates blood pressure elevation in hemodialysis patients treated with erythropoietin

PURPOSE

This study investigated the hypothesis that a genetic predisposition to hypertension is involved in the etiology of the elevation in blood pressure induced by human recombinant erythropoietin (rHuEPO).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Blood pressure changes after 10 weeks of treatment with rHuEPO were compared between 26 patients with a positive family history of hypertension and 27 with a negative family history.

RESULTS

Mean blood pressure was significantly increased in patients with a positive family history of hypertension (+8.8 mm Hg, p < 0.001). In contrast, the change was not significant in those whose family history was negative (+1.8 mm Hg, not significant). The mean blood pressure of 14 of 26 patients with a positive family history of hypertension increased by more than 10%, whereas such an increase occurred in only 2 of 27 patients with a negative family history (p < 0.001). The two groups were similar in terms of the total dose of rHuEPO given, the degree to which their anemia improved, and their basal blood pressures.

CONCLUSION

It appears that hemodialysis patients with a positive family history of hypertension are susceptible to developing hypertension during treatment with rHuEPO.

Direct vasopressor effects of erythropoietin in genetically hypertensive rats

The purpose of this study is to compare the direct vasopressor effects of erythropoietin between spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). The aortic rings from SHR or WKY were suspended in tissue baths coupled with tension-recording devices. High concentrations of recombinant human erythropoietin (more than 20 U/ml) induced vasoconstriction in the aortic ring of genetically hypertensive SHR. Furthermore, only in SHR, 10 U/ml erythropoietin enhanced contraction induced by 10(-7) M norepinephrine (+145% vs +121%, p < 0.04) and reduced relaxation by 10(-7) M acetylcholine (-69% vs -96%, p < 0.05). On the other hand, erythropoietin did not influence the contractility of aortic ring in normotensive WKY. These results suggest that erythropoietin exhibits its direct vasopressor effect preferentially in the blood vessels of genetically hypertensive animals.

Metabolic actions of insulin-like growth factor II in cultured adult rat hepatocytes are not mediated through the insulin-like growth factor II receptor

Short- and long-term regulation of hepatic carbohydrate metabolism by insulin-like growth factor II was studied in primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes and compared to the metabolic potency of insulin. Insulin-like growth factor II stimulated glycogen synthesis from [14C]glucose, uptake of [3H]aminoisobutyric acid and [14C]lactate formation from [14C]glucose up to three-fold. Basal glycogenolysis was inhibited to about 10%, and glucagon-activated glycogenolysis was blocked completely. The enzymatic activity of glucokinase and pyruvate kinase was induced two-fold, the glucagon-dependent induction of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase was antagonized. Compared to insulin, half-maximal responses required up to 50 times higher insulin-like growth factor II concentrations ranging from 10-20 nmol/l. A similar difference was observed for binding affinity of insulin-like growth factor II to the insulin receptor. The interaction with the insulin-like growth factor II/mannose 6-phosphate (IGF-II/Man-6-P) receptor was examined by studying 125I-insulin-like growth factor II binding and uptake of lysosomal enzymes. The affinity of insulin-like growth factor II to the IGF-II/Man-6-P receptor was considerably higher than for the insulin receptor. Antibodies against the IGF-II/Man-6-P receptor did not affect metabolic responses to insulin-like growth factor II, while binding to its receptor and the receptor-mediated endocytosis of arylsulphatase A were strongly inhibited. Thus, in adult rat liver insulin-like growth factor II appeared to exert metabolic actions not via interaction with its own receptor but through low affinity binding to hepatic insulin receptors.

Calcium signals in growth factor signal transduction

There is a substantial amount of information which has been obtained concerning the effects of growth factors on [Ca2+]i in proliferating cells. A number of different mitogens are known to induce elevations in [Ca2+]i and some characterization of the Ca2+ response to different classes of mitogens has been obtained. In addition, much is known about whether the Ca2+ response to a particular growth factor occurs as the result of an influx of external Ca2+ or a mobilization of internal Ca2+ stores. In addition, a considerable amount of information is available on the mechanism by which the Ins(1,4,5)P3-sensitive internal Ca2+ store takes up and releases Ca2+. However, there is still a large deficiency in our information concerning other Ca2+ stores in proliferating cells as well as in our knowledge of the mechanisms for regulating Ca2+ entry pathways. Much more data addressing these issues exists for other types of agonist-stimulated cells, and we have discussed much of it in this review article. While the wealth of data in nonproliferating cells provides some indications of what mechanisms might be involved in the growth factor-induced changes in [Ca2+]i, it is clear that much work must be done in proliferating cells to fully understand how external factors such as growth factors control [Ca2+]i. In addition, much work remains to be done in identifying the mechanisms for the internal control of [Ca2+]i as cells move through the cell cycle and in identifying the role that these changes in [Ca2+]i may play throughout the cell cycle.

Distinct mode of G protein activation due to single residue substitution of active IGF-II receptor peptide Arg2410-Lys2423: evidence for stimulation acceptor region other than C-terminus of Gi alpha

Arg2410-Lys2423 (RVGLVRGEKARKGK, peptide 14) of the human insulin-like growth factor II receptor directly activates Gi and deletion of C-terminal 4 residues from peptide 14 nullifies this activity. A study was thus made of the effects of peptides modified in the C-terminal structure. RVGLVRGEKAAKGK and RVGLVRGEKARKGA scarcely activated Gi, whereas RVGLVRGEKARAGK (peptide A5) activated Gi as much as peptide 14 did. However, peptide A5 action did not depend on Mg2+ concentration and was little affected by pertussis toxin modification of Gi alpha. Peptide A5 may thus recognize the region on Gi alpha that is distinct from the extreme C-terminus. It is consequently considered that (i) the first and the last basic residues in the C-terminal motif of peptide 14 determine the capacity for recognition of Gi and (ii) there is a region different from the C-terminus of Gi alpha, through which the C-terminal second basic residue-altered peptide 14 activates Gi in a Mg(2+)-independent manner.

Erythropoietin increases cytosolic free calcium concentration and thrombin induced changes in cytosolic free calcium in platelets from spontaneously hypertensive rats

Using fura-2 cytosolic free calcium concentrations were measured in intact washed platelets from 9 spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and from 9 age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). In resting platelets cytosolic free calcium concentration was significantly higher in SHR than in WKY (171.8 +/- 64.4 nM vs 93.1 +/- 59.0 nM, p less than 0.05). After preincubation with erythropoietin cytosolic free calcium concentration was significantly higher in SHR than in WKY (197.5 +/- 83.2 vs 93.0 +/- 60.1, p less than 0.01). Using platelets from SHR erythropoietin increased mean resting cytosolic free calcium concentration by 14.9% (p less than 0.05) and mean thrombin induced changes of cytosolic free calcium by 58.3% (p less than 0.01). In contrast, erythropoietin caused no significant increase in the resting calcium concentration or in thrombin induced changes of cytosolic free calcium in platelets from WKY. It is concluded that erythropoietin is involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension by elevating cytosolic free calcium concentration.

Binding of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) by human cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor/IGF-II receptor expressed in receptor-deficient mouse L cells

Mouse L cells deficient in expression of the murine cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor/insulin-like growth factor II receptor (CI-MPR/IGF-IIR) were stably transfected with a plasmid containing the cDNA for the human receptor. Transfected cells expressed high levels of the human receptor which functioned in the transport of lysosomal enzymes and was capable of binding 125I-IGF-II, both at the cell surface and intracellularly. Cell surface binding of 125I-IGF-II by the receptor could be inhibited by pretreatment of cells with antibodies to the receptor or by coincubation with the lysosomal enzyme, beta-glucuronidase. Expression of the receptor conferred on transfected cells the ability to internalize and degrade 125I-IGF-II. Cells transfected with the parental vector and those expressing the human CI-MRP/IGF-IIR were found to express an atypical binding site for IGF-II that was distinct from the CI-MPR/IGF-IIR and the type I IGF-receptor. The availability of two cell lines, one of which overexpresses the human CI-MPR/IGF-IIR and one deficient in expression of the murine receptor, may help in the analysis of the role of the receptor in mediating the biological effects of IGF-II. They should also be useful in examining the significance of binding of ligands, such as transforming growth factor-beta 1 precursor and proliferin to this receptor.

Pathophysiologic role of calcium in the development of vascular smooth muscle tone

Recent information indicates that the intracellular ionized calcium concentration [Ca2+]i plays a regulatory role not only in determining the magnitude of vascular tone but also in regulating growth of vascular tissue. Studies on living vascular smooth muscle cells using the calcium indicator aequorin have revealed that the relation between [Ca2+]i and contraction of the vascular smooth muscle cell is complex. More than 1 intracellular kinase may be involved, leading to the coexistence of multiple excitation-contraction coupling pathways. However, it appears that all of these pathways may be calcium-dependent. It is not yet known whether the cause of human essential hypertension involves an elevated [Ca2+]i in the vascular smooth muscle cell. However, evidence is presented supporting the concept that a decreased [Ca2+]i in the hypertensive smooth muscle cell will lead to a decrease in vascular tone and total peripheral resistance, and possibly also antagonize the growth response of the vascular smooth muscle cell associated with the secondary effects of hypertension.

Activation of a calcium-permeable cation channel by insulin-like growth factor II in BALB/c 3T3 cells

Insulin-like growth factor II (IGF II) is a member of somatomedin family and is a potent mitogen in various types of mammalian cells. We have recently reported that IGF II stimulates calcium influx in competent BALB/c 3T3 cells primed with epidermal growth factor (J. Biol. Chem. 262: 12120-12126, 1987). Using patch-clamp technique, we show here an IGF II-sensitive cation channel in BALB/c 3T3 cell plasma membrane. Calcium is permeable to this cation channel and its opening behavior is independent of membrane potential. IGF II increases the opening probability of the identical channel in cells pretreated sequentially with platelet-derived growth factor and epidermal growth factor, whereas IGF II does not affect the opening of the channel in G0-arrested cells. This cation channel activity is observed only when IGF II is included in the patch pipette, indicating direct regulation of the channel by IGF II. We suggest that IGF II stimulates calcium influx by opening this cation channel and that IGF II activates the channel in a unique cell cycle-dependent manner.

Evidence that type II insulin-like growth factor receptor is coupled to calcium gating system

In competent Balb/c 3T3 cells primed with epidermal growth factor (primed competent cells), insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) stimulated calcium influx in a concentration dependent manner with the ED50 of 450 pM. When receptor-bound [125I]IGF-II was cross-linked by use of disuccinimidyl suberate, a 240 K-Da protein was radiolabeled. Excess amount of unlabeled IGF-II inhibited the affinity-labeling of the 240 K-Da protein. To further examine whether IGF-II stimulates calcium influx by acting on the type II IGF receptor, we employed polyclonal antibody raised against rat type II IGF receptor, R-II-PABl. This antibody immunoprecipitated the type II IGF receptor and inhibited IGF-II binding in Balb/c 3T3 cell membrane without affecting IGF-I binding. In primed competent cells, R-II-PABl elicited an agonistic action in stimulating [3H]thymidine incorporation. Under the same condition, R-II-PABl elicited a marked stimulation of calcium influx. These results suggest that, in Balb/c 3T3 cells, 1) relatively low concentrations of IGF-II act mainly on the type II IGF receptor; 2) the type II IGF receptor is coupled to a calcium gating system; and 3) binding of a ligand to the type II IGF receptor leads to the stimulation of DNA synthesis.

Structure of the receptor for insulin-like growth factor II: the puzzle amplified

The insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) is a polypeptide hormone with structural homologies to insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). In contrast to these other hormones, the in vivo function of IGF-II is not known. Although IGF-II can stimulate a broad range of biological responses in isolated cells, these responses have usually been found to be mediated by the insulin and IGF-I receptors. Recently, the receptor for IGF-II was found to also be the receptor for mannose-6-phosphate. Since this latter receptor has been implicated in targeting of lysosomal enzymes, the question is now raised of whether the same protein can also mediate metabolic responses to IGF-II.

A spatial-temporal model of cell activation

A spatial-temporal model of calcium messenger function is proposed to account for sustained cellular responses to sustained stimuli, as well as for the persistent enhancement of cell responsiveness after removal of a stimulus, that is, cellular memory. According to this model, spatial separation of calcium function contributes to temporal separation of distinct phases of the cellular response. At different cellular sites, within successive temporal domains, the calcium messenger is generated by different mechanisms and has distinct molecular targets. In particular, prolonged cell activation is brought about by the interaction of calcium with another spatially confined messenger, diacylglycerol, to cause the association of protein kinase C with the plasma membrane. Activity of the membrane-associated protein kinase C is controlled by the rate of calcium cycling across the plasma membrane. In some instances, a single stimulus induces both protein kinase C activation and calcium cycling and thus causes prolonged activation; but in others, a close temporal association of distinct stimuli brings about cell activation via interaction of these intracellular messengers. Persistent enhancement of cell responsiveness after removal of stimuli is suggested to be due to the continued association, or anchoring, of protein kinase C to the membrane.