calcimycin and mezerein

Lipoxins and 15-epi-lipoxins are counter-regulatory lipid mediators that modulate leukocyte trafficking and promote the resolution of inflammation. To assess the potential of lipoxins as novel anti-inflammatory agents, a stable 15-epi-lipoxin A(4) analog, 15-epi-16-p-fluorophenoxy-lipoxin A(4) methyl ester (ATLa), was synthesized by total organic synthesis and examined for efficacy relative to a potent leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) receptor antagonist (LTB(4)R-Ant) and the clinically used topical glucocorticoid methylprednisolone aceponate. In vitro, ATLa was 100-fold more potent than LTB(4)R-Ant for inhibiting neutrophil chemotaxis and trans-epithelial cell migration induced by fMLP, but was approximately 10-fold less potent than the LTB(4)R-Ant in blocking responses to LTB(4). A broad panel of cutaneous inflammation models that display pathological aspects of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and allergic contact dermatitis was used to directly compare the topical efficacy of ATLa with that of LTB(4)R-Ant and methylprednisolone aceponate. ATLa was efficacious in all models tested: LTB(4)/Iloprost-, calcium ionophore-, croton oil-, and mezerein-induced inflammation and trimellitic anhydride-induced allergic delayed-type hypersensitivity. ATLa was efficacious in mouse and guinea pig skin inflammation models, exhibiting dose-dependent effects on edema, neutrophil or eosinophil infiltration, and epidermal hyperproliferation. We conclude that the LXA(4) and aspirin-triggered LXA(4) pathways play key anti-inflammatory roles in vivo. Moreover, these results suggest that ATLa and related LXA(4) analogs may have broad therapeutic potential in inflammatory disorders and could provide an alternative to corticosteroids in certain clinical settings.

Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Aspirin; Calcimycin; Cell Movement; Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; Croton Oil; Disease Models, Animal; Diterpenes; Female; Guinea Pigs; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypersensitivity, Delayed; Iloprost; Inflammation; Leukotriene B4; Lipoxins; Mice; Phthalic Anhydrides; Skin; Terpenes

We have measured the levels of thioredoxin, thioredoxin reductase and glutaredoxin enzyme activity in mouse skin following topical application of the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a protein kinase C (PKC) activator and tumor promoter. The specific activity of thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase in extracts from normal epidermis increased by 40 and 50%, respectively, after single or multiple application of TPA. Multiple applications (twice per week for 2 weeks) of TPA increased glutaredoxin activity by >300%. Induction of the proteins lasted several days. Other PKC activators, like 12-O-retinoylphorbol 13-acetate, mezerein, 1-oleoyl-2-acetylglycerol and the calcium ionophore A23187, also induced all the enzyme activities. Phorbol and 4-O-methyl-12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, weak activators of PKC, selectively induced the thioredoxin system only and did not influence glutaredoxin activity. Multiple applications of TPA to tumor initiated (7,12-dimethyl[a]benzanthracene-treated) skin resulted in elevated levels of both the thioredoxin and glutaredoxin systems when examined 6 days after the last phorbol ester treatment. Induction of thioredoxin, thioredoxin reductase and glutaredoxin activities by TPA and calcium ionophores may play a general role in the epigenetic mechanism of tumor promotion via thiol redox control mechanisms.

Topics: 9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene; Animals; Calcimycin; Calcium; Carcinogens; Cocarcinogenesis; Diglycerides; Diterpenes; Enzyme Activation; Enzyme Induction; Epidermis; Female; Fluocinolone Acetonide; Gene Expression Regulation; Glutaredoxins; Glutathione; Ionophores; Mice; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidoreductases; Phorbol Esters; Protein Kinase C; Proteins; Skin Neoplasms; Terpenes; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Thioredoxin-Disulfide Reductase; Thioredoxins; Tosylphenylalanyl Chloromethyl Ketone; Tretinoin

Neutrophils contain a 21-kDa phosphoprotein that undergoes rapid dephosphorylation upon stimulation of these cells with the chemoattractant N-fMet-Leu-Phe (fMLP), activators of protein kinase C [e.g., 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)] or the calcium ionophore A23187. This phosphoprotein was identified as the non-muscle form of cofilin by peptide sequencing and immunoblotting with specific antibodies. Evidence is presented that in neutrophils cofilin is regulated by a continual cycle of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, and that the phosphatase undergoes activation during cell stimulation. Experiments with a wide variety of antagonists further suggested that the protein kinase that participates in these reactions may be a novel enzyme. The kinetics of cofilin dephosphorylation in neutrophils stimulated with fMLP or PMA were very similar to those observed for superoxide (O2-) release. Immunofluorescent studies revealed that cofilin was present throughout the cytosol of resting neutrophils and underwent rapid translocation to the F-actin-rich, ruffled membranes of stimulated cells. Cytochemical analysis further revealed that the ruffled membranes also contained large amounts of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a product of the O2-/H2O2-generating activity of stimulated neutrophils (NADPH oxidase). Cofilin is therefore well placed to participate in the continual polymerization and depolymerization of F-actin that is thought to give rise to the oscillatory pattern of H2O2 production observed under certain conditions.

Topics: Actin Depolymerizing Factors; Actins; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Calcimycin; Cell Membrane; Diglycerides; Diterpenes; Guinea Pigs; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; Immunoblotting; Marine Toxins; Microfilament Proteins; Molecular Sequence Data; N-Formylmethionine Leucyl-Phenylalanine; NADPH Oxidases; Neutrophil Activation; Neutrophils; Okadaic Acid; Oxazoles; Oxides; Phosphorylation; Staurosporine; Terpenes; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

Regulation of arachidonic acid metabolism was investigated in an SV40 immortalized, non-tumorigenic human urothelial cell line (SV-HUC). This cell line is being used to evaluate the multistage carcinogenic process. Media from confluent cultures were analyzed for radioimmunoassayable prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). A variety of agonists, including 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and A23187 were tested and did not increase PGE2 synthesis within 2 h of addition. This was not due to the lack of prostaglandin H synthase activity because addition of exogenous arachidonic acid increased PGE2 synthesis. Cultures prelabeled overnight with [3H]arachidonic acid failed to increase the release of radioactivity following agonist addition. Thus, the lack of an early response in SV-HUC appears to be due to decreased release of endogenous arachidonic acid by phospholipase(s). After a 24 h incubation with 0.1 microM TPA or 1.0 microM A23187, the addition of arachidonic acid elicited significantly more PGE2 synthesis in agonist-treated cells than it did in control cells. Microsomes from 24 h TPA-treated cells produced approximately 15-fold more PGE2 than did those from control cells. In addition, the PGE2 content of overnight media was significantly greater in TPA-treated cells than in control cells. The 24 h agonist response was blocked by cycloheximide and staurosporine--inhibitors of protein synthesis and protein kinase C respectively. Pretreatment of cells with aspirin, an irreversible inhibitor of prostaglandin H synthase, prior to addition of TPA did not prevent the late 24 h TPA-mediated increase in PGE2 synthesis. Results suggest that this late effect of TPA is due to de novo synthesis of prostaglandin H synthase. Thus, SV-HUC has lost the early but retains the late response to agonists.

Topics: Arachidonic Acid; Aspirin; Bradykinin; Calcimycin; Cell Line, Transformed; Dinoprostone; Diterpenes; Microsomes; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; Simian virus 40; Terpenes; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Urinary Bladder

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-suppressing protein (FSP) or follistatin, a novel gonadal glycoprotein hormone, has been shown to have chronic inhibitory effects on the secretion of both FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH) in response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in vitro. The present study was designed to investigate the acute effects of bovine FSP on GnRH-stimulated gonadotropin secretion and to examine the potential subcellular sites of this action of FSP using cultured pituitary cells. Anterior pituitaries from adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were enzymatically dispersed and cultured for 48 h, after which the cells were treated with bovine FSP for 6 h, followed by a 4 h stimulation with secretagogues in the continued presence of FSP. Results showed that the 35 kDa form of bovine FSP (0.1-3 nM) dose-dependently suppressed GnRH-stimulated FSH and LH secretion, with inhibition of 38 and 25%, respectively, at 3 nM. In addition, FSP suppressed gonadotropin secretion in response to activators of protein kinase C (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and mezerein) and a calcium ionophore (A23187). However, FSP had no effect on gonadotropin secretion evoked by melittin, an activator of phospholipase A2. Furthermore, 35 kDa bovine FSP did not compete with GnRH for GnRH binding sites in a direct competition study and treatment of cultured pituitary cells with FSP (0.1-3 nM) for 10 h did not alter the number of GnRH binding sites on the cell membranes. Finally, similar inhibitory effects on gonadotropin secretion in response to GnRH, PMA and mezerein were obtained with the 31 and 39 kDa forms of bovine FSP, each at a concentration of 1 nM. We conclude from the present study that FSP acutely inhibits GnRH-stimulated gonadotropin secretion in cultured pituitary cells, and that FSP exerts its action beyond the GnRH receptor, possibly by affecting the protein kinase C and/or the calcium-calmodulin systems.

Topics: Animals; Calcimycin; Cells, Cultured; Diterpenes; Enzyme Activation; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Follistatin; Glycoproteins; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Luteinizing Hormone; Male; Melitten; Phospholipases A; Phospholipases A2; Pituitary Gland, Anterior; Protein Kinase C; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Terpenes; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

To further characterize the subcellular mechanisms by which inhibin suppresses GnRH-stimulated gonadotropin release, anterior pituitary cells from adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated on day 2 of culture with or without purified 31-kDa bovine inhibin (1-300 pM) for a further 3 days. On day 5, the pretreated cells were washed and incubated in the absence or presence of various secretagogues for 4 h. At the end of the stimulation, the media were saved, and cells were lysed for measurement of both extracellular and intracellular FSH and LH by specific RIAs. Released hormone was expressed as the proportion of total (released plus intracellular) hormone that was available for release in each case. This manipulation of the data corrects for the differential effect of the inhibin pretreatments to suppress intracellular FSH before the stimulation period. Pretreatment for 3 days with inhibin suppressed the proportions of FSH and LH released during 4 h in response to 1) phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (100 nM), an activator of protein kinase-C, by maxima of 48% and 53% with inhibin median inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 17 and 18 pM, respectively; 2) mezerein (100 nM), another type of activator of protein kinase-C, by maxima of 49% and 50% with inhibin IC50 of 19 and 20 pM, respectively; 3) high extracellular K+ (60 mM) by 42% (P less than 0.01) and 38% (P less than 0.01), respectively, with 130 pM inhibin; 4) the calcium ionophore, A23187 (100 microM) by maxima of 54% and 56% with IC50 of 18 and 17 pM, respectively; and 5) GnRH (10 nM) by maxima of 52% and 53% with IC50 of 18 and 19 pM, respectively. However, inhibin had no effect on the proportional release of gonadotropin induced by melittin, an activator of phospholipase-A2. Finally, inhibin had no effect on ACTH release either under basal conditions or in response to CRF (10 nM), phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (100 nM), or A23187 (100 microM). We conclude that inhibin suppresses the stimulated release of hormones from gonadotrophs in part by a mechanism common to both gonadotropins that is independent of the previously described inhibitory effect of inhibin on the GnRH receptor. The results are consistent with an action at a site(s) beyond the GnRH receptor, such as protein kinase-C and calmodulin.

Topics: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Animals; Arachidonic Acid; Arachidonic Acids; Calcimycin; Calcium; Cells, Cultured; Diterpenes; Enzyme Activation; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; Inhibins; Luteinizing Hormone; Male; Melitten; Pituitary Gland, Anterior; Potassium; Protein Kinase C; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Receptors, LHRH; Terpenes; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

The effect of the tumor promoters 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), mezerein, teleocidin, anthralin, the Ca2+-ionophore A23187, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and phenobarbital (PB) on lucifer yellow transfer in cultures of SV-40-transformed Djungarian hamster fibroblasts was studied. TPA, mezerein, teleocidin, A23187, DDT and BHT exerted a strong inhibitory effect on cell-to-cell dye transfer. Anthralin uncoupled cells in 3 experiments out of 6. PB appeared to enhance lucifer yellow transfer. Sodium nitrite, a substance with unknown promoting activity, effectively uncoupled cells. All the promoters investigated had a reversible effect on the dye transfer. The value of the dye transfer method for promoter screening is discussed.

Topics: Animals; Anthralin; Butylated Hydroxytoluene; Calcimycin; Carcinogens; Cells, Cultured; Cricetinae; DDT; Diterpenes; Fluorescent Dyes; Intercellular Junctions; Isoquinolines; Lyngbya Toxins; Phenobarbital; Terpenes; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

The production of superoxide anion radicals by murine peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) following intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of mouse skin tumor promoters was assessed in vitro by the reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT). Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) or mezerein when administered i.p. to CD-1 female mice at a dose of 0.1 microgram caused an inflammatory response in the peritoneal cavity. PMA (0.1 microgram) also caused an increase in the number of PEC reducing NBT, i.e. formazan-positive PECs (20% positive cells) as compared to vehicle control from 15 min through 2 h following i.p. administration to unmanipulated mice. In the same system, dose-response studies demonstrated that 4-O-methyl-phorbol myristate acetate (4-O-Me-PMA) and mezerein were approximately 50 times less active than PMA, while phorbol dibutyrate (PDB), phorbol diacetate (PDA), phorbol and the calcium ionophore A23187 did not cause an increase in the number of formazan-positive PECs at the doses used. When the same compounds (0.1 microgram) were administered to mice which had been pretreated i.p. with thioglycollate 6 days prior to the experiment, PMA, PDB, 4-O-Me-PMA, mezerein and A23187 all caused an increase in the number of formazan-positive PECs 2 h after treatment. The PEC which reduced NBT in response to tumor promoters were predominantly adherent and esterase positive cells, suggesting they were macrophages. These results indicate that in vivo administration of tumor promoters results in the production of superoxide anion radicals by murine peritoneal macrophages and that the physiological state of the macrophages is important in the response to tumor promoters.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Animals; Calcimycin; Diterpenes; Female; Mice; Peritoneal Cavity; Phorbol Esters; Reference Values; Superoxides; Terpenes

Neutrophils treated with optimal amounts of tumor promoters that activate protein kinase C (e.g. mezerein) release large quantities of superoxide (O2-) and exhibit an intense phosphorylation of two proteins with molecular masses of approximately 47 and 49 kDa. These cells can also be stimulated synergistically to release a comparable amount of O2-. This involves treatment with a suboptimal amount of a tumor promoter and an agent capable of elevating cellular Ca2+. Neutrophils treated in the former fashion exhibit a redistribution of the activity of protein kinase C from a soluble to a particulate fraction that is stable in the presence of Ca2+ chelators, whereas cells stimulated synergistically do not do so to an appreciable extent (Badwey, J. A., Robinson, J. M., Horn, W., Soberman, R. J., Karnovsky, M. J., and Karnovsky, M. L. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 2779-2786). In this paper, we report that neutrophils stimulated synergistically do exhibit a significant incorporation of 32P into the 47-kDa protein, but with little labeling of the 49-kDa species. This labeling of the 47-kDa protein was greater than the sum of those observed with each agent added separately but was less than that observed in cells stimulated with optimal amounts of tumor promoters alone. An inhibitor of protein kinase C (1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine) blocked O2- release and the phosphorylation of the 47-kDa protein under all conditions of stimulation mentioned, whereas an inhibitor of cyclic nucleotide-dependent kinases had no effect on these phenomena. Thus, labeling of the 47-kDa protein can occur in the absence of a "tight" translocation of protein kinase C to membrane and was always observed during synergy. The data support a role for protein kinase C and the 47-kDa phosphoprotein in the synergistic stimulation of neutrophils.

Topics: 1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine; Animals; Calcimycin; Diterpenes; Drug Synergism; Guinea Pigs; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Isoquinolines; Molecular Weight; Neutrophils; Phosphoproteins; Phosphorus Radioisotopes; Phosphorylation; Piperazines; Sulfonamides; Superoxides; Terpenes

The effects of promoter treatments prior to initiation on subsequent promotion by mezerein were examined in SENCAR mice. Groups of mice received two applications of various complete as well as first and second stage promoters given at various time intervals prior to initiation ranging from 3 days to 10 weeks. The mice were then initiated with 2 micrograms of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) followed 2 weeks later by twice-weekly treatments with 2 micrograms of mezerein. The papilloma response in mice, receiving pretreatments with 2 micrograms of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) either 3 days, 1, 2, 3 or 5 weeks before initiation, was similar to that seen when TPA was given after initiation during stage I of promotion followed by stage II of promotion with mezerein (4-5 papillomas per mouse in all groups). Surprisingly, pretreatment with the stage II promoter, mezerein (2 micrograms), either 2 or 5 weeks prior to initiation, also gave papilloma responses similar to that induced with the standard two-stage promotion protocol (4.7 and 6.4 papillomas per mouse, respectively). The papilloma response was less than that in the standard two-stage promotion protocol when pretreatments with the stage I promoter A23187 (80 micrograms/mouse) were given either 2 or 5 weeks before initiation (2.6 and 2.3 papillomas per mouse, respectively). However, a repeat experiment (currently in progress) with a higher dose of A23187 (160 micrograms/mouse) given 2 weeks prior to initiation indicates that it is more effective than the 80 micrograms dose. When the time interval between pretreatment and initiation was increased to 10 weeks, the papilloma response with TPA and A23187 pretreatment was reduced to below two papillomas per mouse and with mezerein pretreatment to below three papillomas per mouse, indicating the effect was reversible. Histological changes in epidermis of mice which received two applications of these compounds correlated with the tumor response. In this regard, treatment with two applications of TPA and mezerein resulted in an epidermal hyperplasia of similar magnitude (epidermal thickness of 53.5 +/- 1.5 and 50.0 +/- 1.1 microns, respectively). The hyperplasia produced by treatment with two applications of 80 micrograms A23187 (39.4 +/- 1.8 microns) was significantly less. The ability of pretreatments with benzoyl peroxide (20 mg) and chrysarobin (50 micrograms) to affect the subsequent promoting activity of mezerein was also examined.(ABSTRAC

Topics: Animals; Calcimycin; Diterpenes; Drug Synergism; Female; Hyperplasia; Mice; Papilloma; Skin; Skin Neoplasms; Terpenes; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

Human peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes were found to produce large amounts of interferon-gamma in response to the calcium ionophore A23187 combined with the phorbol ester mezerein. This effect was synergistic since A23187 and mezerein separately did not induce significant interferon-gamma levels. A23187 plus mezerein induced high levels of interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma mRNAs. The presence of cyclohexamide, which inhibits protein synthesis by greater than 99%, had no effect on the induction by A23187 plus mezerein of mRNA from either gene, indicating that synthesis of proteins such as interleukin-2 is not required for activation of either gene. In addition, using different protocols of stimulation of lymphocytes it was shown that both interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma mRNA steady state levels varied in concert. We conclude that interferon-gamma and interleukin-2 genes are coordinately expressed and activation of transcription of these genes is a primary event of T cell activation independent of production of other proteins.

Topics: Calcimycin; Carcinogens; Cell Line; Cycloheximide; Diterpenes; Enterotoxins; Humans; Interferon-gamma; Interleukin-2; Protein Biosynthesis; RNA, Messenger; Staphylococcus aureus; Terpenes; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

In previously published studies (Kreutter, D., Caldwell, A. B., and Morin, M. J. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 5979-5984), we demonstrated that the activation of the calcium- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C by phorbol esters was dissociable from the induction of monocytic differentiation by these agents in HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells. We have now compared the effects of two related diterpenes (mezerein and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate) and two cell-permeable diacylglycerols (1-oleoyl-2-acetoylglycerol and 1,2-dioctanoylglycerol) on the induction of differentiation in HL-60 cells. Each of these agents activated protein kinase C in vitro and stimulated the phosphorylation of a number of identical proteins in intact HL-60 cells. Exposure to either of the diterpenes at nanomolar concentrations resulted in an inhibition of cell growth and the induction of qualitatively distinct types of monocytic maturation in HL-60 cells. Conversely, neither of the two diacylglycerols was found to be a potent or efficacious inducer of differentiation, as measured by increases in cell adhesion, nonspecific esterase activity, or phagocytosis, even at growth-inhibitory concentrations. However, concurrent exposure of HL-60 cells to both 1,2-dioctanoylglycerol and the calcium ionophore A23187, at concentrations which were without maturational activity when used separately, resulted in measurable increases in both protein phosphorylation and in the fraction of cells expressing a differentiated phenotype. Taken together, these results suggest that specific biochemical effects associated with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, in addition to the activation of protein kinase C, may be important determinants for the induction of leukemia cell differentiation.

Topics: Calcimycin; Cell Differentiation; Cell Line; Diglycerides; Diterpenes; Enzyme Activation; Humans; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Protein Kinase C; Terpenes; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

The effects of tumor promoter--12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), mezerein, anthralin, Ca2+-ionophore A23187, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), DDT and phenobarbital--on cell-to-cell exchange of Lucifer Yellow were studied in cultures of SV40-transformed Djungarian hamster fibroblasts. TPA, mezerein, A23187, DDT and BHT strongly inhibited cell-to-cell exchange of Lucifer Yellow. Anthralin uncoupled cells in 3 out of 6 experiments. Phenobarbital, in contrast to other promoters, enhanced dye transfer. The effects of all the promoters tested were fully reversible. The potential use of Lucifer Yellow exchange inhibition as a test for the screening of tumor promoters is discussed.

Topics: Animals; Anthralin; Butylated Hydroxytoluene; Calcimycin; Carcinogens; Cell Line; Cricetinae; DDT; Diterpenes; Fluorescent Dyes; In Vitro Techniques; Isoquinolines; Phenobarbital; Terpenes; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

Topics: Calcimycin; Chromatography; Chromatography, Affinity; Chromatography, Gel; Chromatography, Ion Exchange; Diterpenes; Glass; Humans; Interferon Inducers; Interferon-gamma; Terpenes

Topics: Calcimycin; Culture Techniques; Diterpenes; Humans; Interferon Inducers; Interferon-gamma; Leukocytes; Terpenes

The effects of divalent ionophores (A23187 and ionomycin), Ca2+ channel agonist (BAY K 8644), and protein kinase C (C-kinase) activators [phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), mezerein] on bovine tracheal smooth muscle contraction were investigated. A23187 (5 microM) and ionomycin (0.5 microM) produced a prompt but transient contraction. C-kinase activators either produced no effect--e.g., PMA at 200 nM--or produced a rise in tension that was slow in onset but then gradually increased--e.g., mezerein at 400 nM. In contrast, ionophores and C-kinase activators, in combination, acted synergistically to produce a prompt and sustained contractile response that is reminiscent of that observed in response to carbachol, a cholinergic agonist. In addition, BAY K 8644 (20 nM), which has a minimal effect on tension by itself, could significantly enhance contraction induced by C-kinase activators. The contraction induced by all of these agents was quickly reversed either by removal of extracellular Ca2+ or upon addition of forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase. A similar reversal of carbachol-induced contraction by forskolin was observed with carbachol-induced contraction. These findings strongly suggest that C-kinase plays an important role in mediating tracheal smooth muscle contraction.

Topics: 3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester; Animals; Calcimycin; Calcium; Cattle; Colforsin; Diterpenes; Drug Synergism; Enzyme Activation; Ethers; In Vitro Techniques; Ionomycin; Muscle Contraction; Muscle, Smooth; Nifedipine; Protein Kinase C; Terpenes; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Trachea

The protein C kinase activators 1-O-oleoyl, 2-O-acetylglycerol, 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate, and mezerein, stimulated deoxyglucose uptake in human neutrophils. The responses were stimulus specific since no effect was noted with the diether analogues 1-O-hexadecyl-2-O-ethylglycerol, 1-O-palmitoyl-2-O-acetyl or 1-O-palmitoyl-3-O-acetyl diesters of propanediol, or with 1,2-diolein. Stimulation of deoxyglucose uptake had the characteristics of carrier facilitated hexose transport. Stimulated uptake of deoxy-glucose was inhibited by trifluoperazine (10-30 microM). Activation of protein kinase C therefore appears to trigger events involved in hexose transport.

Topics: Biological Transport, Active; Calcimycin; Cytochalasin B; Deoxyglucose; Diglycerides; Diterpenes; Hexoses; Humans; Isomerism; Neutrophils; Protein Kinase C; Protein Kinases; Terpenes; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Trifluoperazine

The effects of skin-tumor-promoting and -nonpromoting agents on the kinetics of terminal differentiation of subpopulations of keratinocytes differing in buoyant density isolated from mice (SENCAR) that are very sensitive to 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) promotion were investigated. Topical pretreatment of dorsal skin with complete (TPA), first-stage (calcium ionophore A23187) and second-stage (mezerein) tumor promoters, but not the hyperplastic agent ethylphenylpropiolate, accelerated the rate of terminal differentiation of keratinocytes with densities less than 1.074 g/cm3, but had little effect on cells with a greater density. Within 8.5 hr of TPA treatment, a period preceding mitosis, a large percentage of the most dense basal-cell keratinocytes (greater than or equal to 1.074 g/cm3) were converted to cells with a lower density, with a reduced plating efficiency and with an increased rate of differentiation, suggesting that TPA induces a subpopulation of basal cells to commit to terminal differentiation, and accelerates the rate of differentiation of committed cells.

Topics: Calcimycin; Carcinogens; Cell Differentiation; Cells, Cultured; Centrifugation, Density Gradient; Diterpenes; Keratins; Kinetics; Phorbol Esters; Skin; Terpenes; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

A method for the production of human gamma interferon (HuIFN-gamma), which is both simple and efficient, has been developed. The 2 co-inducers, A-23187 and mezerein, stimulate human peripheral blood lymphocytes to produce high levels of HuIFN-gamma in both stationary cultures and spinner cultures. The compound 2,2-dimethyl-6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluoro-3,5-octanedione (FOD) has also proven to be a useful co-inducer. The production of HuIFN-gamma appears to occur in at least 2 phases.

Topics: Ammonium Chloride; Calcimycin; Cells, Cultured; Diterpenes; Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; Humans; Hydrocarbons, Fluorinated; Immunologic Techniques; Interferon Inducers; Interferon-gamma; Kinetics; Lymphocyte Activation; Phorbol Esters; Terpenes

Topics: Alkynes; Anthralin; Calcimycin; Carcinogens; Diterpenes; Epidermal Cells; Epidermis; Hyperplasia; Keratins; Phorbol Esters; Terpenes; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate