Active lucifer yellow secretion in renal proximal tubule: evidence for organic anion transport system crossover.
(17/2998)
Recent studies show that organic anion secretion in renal proximal tubule is mediated by distinct sodium-dependent and sodium-independent transport systems. Here we investigated the possibility that organic anions entering the cells on one system can exit into the lumen on a transporter associated with the other system. In isolated rat kidneys perfused with 10 microM lucifer yellow (LY, a fluorescent organic anion) plus 100 micrograms/ml inulin, the LY-to-inulin clearance ratio averaged 1.6 +/- 0.2, indicating net tubular secretion. Probenecid significantly reduced both LY clearance and LY accumulation in kidney tissue. In intact killifish proximal tubules, confocal microscopy was used to measure steady-state LY uptake into cells and secretion into the tubular lumen. Probenecid, p-aminohippurate, and ouabain nearly abolished both uptake and secretion. To this point, the data indicated that LY was handled by the sodium-dependent and ouabain-sensitive organic anion transport system. However, leukotriene C4, an inhibitor of the luminal step for the sodium-independent and ouabain-insensitive organic anion system, reduced luminal secretion of LY by 50%. Leukotriene C4 did not affect cellular accumulation of LY or the transport of fluorescein on the sodium-dependent system. A similar inhibition pattern was found for another fluorescent organic anion, a mercapturic acid derivative of monochlorobimane. Thus, both organic anions entered the cells on the basolateral transporter for the classical, sodium-dependent system, but about half of the transport into the lumen was handled by the luminal carrier for the sodium-independent system, which is most likely the multidrug resistance-associated protein. This is the first demonstration that xenobiotics can enter renal proximal tubule cells on the carrier associated with one organic anion transport system and exit into the tubular lumen on multiple carriers, one of which is associated with a second system. (+info)
Cardiovascular effects of rilmenidine, moxonidine and clonidine in conscious wild-type and D79N alpha2A-adrenoceptor transgenic mice.
(18/2998)
1. We investigated the cardiovascular effects of rilmenidine, moxonidine and clonidine in conscious wild-type and D79N alpha2A-adrenoceptor mice. The in vitro pharmacology of these agonists was determined at recombinant (human) alpha2-adrenoceptors and at endogenous (dog) alpha2A-adrenoceptors. 2. In wild-type mice, rilmenidine, moxonidine (100, 300 and 1000 microg kg(-1), i.v.) and clonidine (30, 100 and 300 microg kg(-1), i.v.) dose-dependently decreased blood pressure and heart rate. 3. In D79N alpha2A-adrenoceptor mice, responses to rilmenidine and moxonidine did not differ from vehicle control. Clonidine-induced hypotension was absent, but dose-dependent hypertension and bradycardia were observed. 4. In wild-type mice, responses to moxonidine (1 mg kg(-1), i.v.) were antagonized by the non-selective, non-imidazoline alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist, RS-79948-197 (1 mg kg(-1), i.v.). 5. Affinity estimates (pKi) at human alpha2A-, alpha2B- and alpha2C-adrenoceptors, respectively, were: rilmenidine (5.80, 5.76 and 5.33), moxonidine (5.37, <5 and <5) and clonidine (7.21, 7.16 and 6.87). In a [35S]-GTPgammaS incorporation assay, moxonidine and clonidine were alpha2A-adrenoceptor agonists (pEC50/intrinsic activity relative to noradrenaline): moxonidine (5.74/0.85) and clonidine (7.57/0.32). 6. In dog saphenous vein, concentration-dependent contractions were observed (pEC50/intrinsic activity relative to noradrenaline): rilmenidine (5.83/0.70), moxonidine (6.48/0.98) and clonidine (7.22/0.83). Agonist-independent affinities were obtained with RS-79948-197. 7. Thus, expression of alpha2A-adrenoceptors is a prerequisite for the cardiovascular effects of moxonidine and rilmenidine in conscious mice. There was no evidence of I1-imidazoline receptor-mediated effects. The ability of these compounds to act as alpha2A-adrenoceptor agonists in vitro supports this conclusion. (+info)
Protein-kinase-specific inhibitors block Langerhans' cell migration by inhibiting interleukin-1alpha release.
(19/2998)
Previous studies have shown that depletion of Langerhans' cells (LC) from murine epidermis by the superantigen, staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) involves interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) and is inhibitable by agents that block G-protein-associated kinases. The purpose of this study was to determine whether specific kinase inhibitors block LC depletion by inhibiting IL-1alpha release and to ascertain whether LC depletion by SEA involves cell migration. These goals were addressed by measuring the IL-1alpha release within whole or LC-depleted epidermal cell suspensions in the presence of SEA and/or H-7 (an inhibitor of protein kinase C) or H-8 (an inhibitor of G-protein-associated kinases) and by examining the migration of cells with LC markers in SEA-treated skin sections. The results suggest that LC depletion by SEA involves migration and that this migration is blocked by protein kinase inhibitors, at least in part, through inhibition of SEA-induced IL-1alpha release by epidermal cells. (+info)
beta2-adrenergic cAMP signaling is uncoupled from phosphorylation of cytoplasmic proteins in canine heart.
(20/2998)
BACKGROUND: Recent studies of beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) subtype signaling in in vitro preparations have raised doubts as to whether the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling is activated in the same manner in response to beta2-AR versus beta1-AR stimulation. METHODS AND RESULTS: The present study compared, in the intact dog, the magnitude and characteristics of chronotropic, inotropic, and lusitropic effects of cAMP accumulation, PKA activation, and PKA-dependent phosphorylation of key effector proteins in response to beta-AR subtype stimulation. In addition, many of these parameters and L-type Ca2+ current (ICa) were also measured in single canine ventricular myocytes. The results indicate that although the cAMP/PKA-dependent phosphorylation cascade activated by beta1-AR stimulation could explain the resultant modulation of cardiac function, substantial beta2-AR-mediated chronotropic, inotropic, and lusitropic responses occurred in the absence of PKA activation and phosphorylation of nonsarcolemmal proteins, including phospholamban, troponin I, C protein, and glycogen phosphorylase kinase. However, in single canine myocytes, we found that beta2-AR-stimulated increases in both ICa and contraction were abolished by PKA inhibition. Thus, the beta2-AR-directed cAMP/PKA signaling modulates sarcolemmal L-type Ca2+ channels but does not regulate PKA-dependent phosphorylation of cytoplasmic proteins. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the dissociation of beta2-AR signaling from cAMP regulatory systems is only apparent and that beta2-AR-stimulated cAMP/PKA signaling is uncoupled from phosphorylation of nonsarcolemmal regulatory proteins involved in excitation-contraction coupling. (+info)
Common components of patch-clamp internal recording solutions can significantly affect protein kinase A activity.
(21/2998)
Common components of whole-cell internal recording solutions were tested both in vitro and in patch-clamp experiments for their effects on the activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Potassium fluoride (KF), 440 mM trimethylamine chloride and exclusion of bovine serum albumin (BSA) decreased the activity of the enzyme, while ethylene glycol-bis (beta-aminoethyl ether) N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) and the potassium salts of aspartate, gluconate, methylsulfate and monobasic phosphate increased its activity. Addition of KF to the internal solution produced a hyperpolarizing shift in the V1/2 of Ih channel activation, consistent with the KF-induced reduction of protein kinase A activity. Therefore, consideration of the composition of internal solutions is warranted when studying channel physiology by patch-clamp techniques. (+info)
Modified LDLs are internalized by macrophages in part via macropinocytosis.
(22/2998)
Macrophage foam cell formation in vitro requires uptake of modified low density lipoproteins (LDL) such as acetylated LDL (AcLDL) and moderately oxidized LDL (OxLDL). Macrophages incubated with AcLDL and OxLDL, but not LDL, showed increased membrane ruffling as seen with time-lapse phase contrast video light microscopy. Modified LDLs stimulated circular membrane ruffles between 2 and 10 min after incubation. These membrane ruffles were readsorbed into the plasma membrane between 5 and 15 min later. Phase-bright macropinosomes formed at the base of the stimulated membrane ruffles. The fluid-phase marker lucifer yellow labeled the modified LDL stimulated macropinosomes. Modified LDLs stimulate fluid-phase uptake by 1.5-fold to threefold as measured with 14C-sucrose uptake. Transmission electron microscopy showed that gold conjugated AcLDL and OxLDL bound preferentially to membrane ruffles and were present in macropinosomes (diameter >0.2 pm) underneath these membrane ruffles. AcLDL and OxLDL were also present in clathrin-coated pits and endosomes. These studies suggest that modified lipoproteins stimulate macropinocytosis. AcLDL and OxLDL are partially internalized by macropinocytosis and partially internalized via clathrin-coated pit endocytosis. (+info)
Dauricine inhibited L-type calcium current in single cardiomyocyte of guinea pig.
(23/2998)
AIM: To study the effect of dauricine (Dau) on L-type calcium current in guinea pig ventricular myocytes. METHODS: Using whole-cell recording method to record L-type calcium current (ICa) in single ventricular cell of guinea pig. RESULTS: Dau 1, 10, and 100 mumol.L-1 markedly reduced ICa by 15.2% +/- 2.2%, 41% +/- 5%, and 82% +/- 8%, respectively. After washing out, ICa partially recovered. Dau inhibited ICa at 3 Hz and 1 Hz to a similar extent, its effect on ICa appeared to be not frequency-dependent. CONCLUSION: Dau had a calcium channel blocking effect. (+info)
Modulation of multidrug resistance by three bisbenzyl-isoquinolines in comparison with verapamil.
(24/2998)
AIM: To compare cycleanine (Cyc), insularine (Insr), insulanoline (Insn) and verapamil (Ver) in modulation of multidrug resistance (MDR) in vitro. METHODS: The cytotoxic effect was determined by 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl], 5-diphenyl tetarzolium bromide (MTT) assay. The intracellular doxorubincin (Dox) accumulation was assayed by spectrofluorometer. RESULTS: Cyc, Insr, Insn, and Ver showed significant activities in modulating Dox and vincristine resistances in acquired resistant MCF-7/Adr and KBv200 cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Cyc, Insr, Insn, and Ver increased intracellular Dox accumulation in MCF-7/Adr cells. Cyc and Insr had greater activities than Ver in modulating MDR, while Insn had similar activity to that of Ver. CONCLUSION: MDR was modulated by Cyc, Insr, and Insn, due to the increase of intracellular Dox accumulation. (+info)