8-bromocyclic-gmp and 3-nitrotyrosine

The goal of this investigation was to explore the mechanism by which NOS and NO serve to regulate events linked to chondrocyte terminal differentiation. NOS isoform expression and NO adducts in chick growth cartilage were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. All NOS isoforms were expressed in chick growth plate chondrocytes with the highest levels present in the hypertrophic region. The enzymes were active since nitrosocysteine and nitrotyrosine residues were detected in regions of the epiphysis with the highest levels of NOS expression. Maturing chick sternal chondrocytes evidenced an increase in NO release and a rise in NOS protein levels. When treated with NOS inhibitors, there was a decrease in the alkaline phosphatase activity of the hypertrophic cells. On the other hand, NO donors caused a small but significant elevation in alkaline phosphatase activity. Transient transfections of chondrocytes with an endothelial NOS isoform caused an increase in collagen type X promoter activity. Induction of both collagen type X expression and alkaline phosphatase activity was blocked by inhibitors of the cGMP pathway. These findings indicate that NO is generated by three NOS isoforms in terminally differentiated chondrocytes. The expression of NOS and the generation of NO enhanced maturation by upregulating alkaline phosphatase and collagen type X expression. Since expression of these two determinants was blocked by inhibitors of the cGMP pathway, it is concluded that NO metabolism is required for development of the mature chondrocyte phenotype.

Topics: Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Blotting, Western; Cell Differentiation; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Chick Embryo; Chondrocytes; Collagen Type X; Cyclic GMP; Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; Cysteine; Gene Expression; Growth Plate; Guanylate Cyclase; Immunohistochemistry; Isoenzymes; Luciferases; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; Nitrates; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Synthase; Nitrites; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Recombinant Fusion Proteins; S-Nitrosoglutathione; S-Nitrosothiols; Sternum; Transfection; Tretinoin; Tyrosine

We investigated putative mechanisms by which nitric oxide modulates cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) expression and function in epithelial cells. Immunoprecipitation followed by Western blotting, as well as immunocytochemical and cell surface biotinylation measurements, showed that incubation of both stably transduced (HeLa) and endogenous CFTR expressing (16HBE14o-, Calu-3, and mouse tracheal epithelial) cells with 100 microm diethylenetriamine NONOate (DETA NONOate) for 24-96 h decreased both intracellular and apical CFTR levels. Calu-3 and mouse tracheal epithelial cells, incubated with DETA NONOate but not with 100 microm 8-bromo-cGMP for 96 h, exhibited reduced cAMP-activated short circuit currents when mounted in Ussing chambers. Exposure of Calu-3 cells to nitric oxide donors resulted in the nitration of a number of proteins including CFTR. Nitration was augmented by proteasome inhibition, suggesting a role for the proteasome in the degradation of nitrated proteins. Our studies demonstrate that levels of nitric oxide that are likely to be encountered in the vicinity of airway cells during inflammation may nitrate CFTR resulting in enhanced degradation and decreased function. Decreased levels and function of normal CFTR may account for some of the cystic fibrosis-like symptoms that occur in chronic inflammatory lung diseases associated with increased NO production.

Topics: Animals; Cell Line; Cell Membrane; Chlorides; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Cysteine Endopeptidases; Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator; Electrophysiology; HeLa Cells; Humans; Mice; Multienzyme Complexes; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Donors; Nitroso Compounds; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; Reactive Nitrogen Species; Reactive Oxygen Species; Respiratory Mucosa; Trachea; Tyrosine