guanylyl-imidodiphosphate and Astrocytoma

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) binding to human astrocytoma U138MG cells was time-dependent, and bound [125I]ET-1 was difficult to dissociate. The B(max) and Kd values of [125I]ET-1 binding were 70 fmol/mg and 0.07 nM, respectively. Interestingly, different from other astrocytoma cells and astrocytes, the U138MG cells expressed predominantly ETA receptor as shown by RT-PCR results and binding studies. ET-1, FR139317, BQ123, PD142893 and Ro46-2005 inhibited specific [125I]ET-1 binding with Ki values of 0.10, 0.53, 4.3, 22, and 320 nM, respectively. ETB selective ligands ET-3 and IRL1620 were much less potent. The inhibitory effects of antagonists BQ123 and PD142893 on [125I]ET-1 binding diminished following the incubation time. ET-1 binding caused a modest stimulation in phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis with an EC50 value of 24 nM. In comparison to the human U373MG cells, ET-1-induced receptor internalization in U138MG cells was less efficient with 42% of bound ET-1 internalized after 30 min of incubation. These results imply that human astrocytoma cells/astrocytes are able to express either ETA or ETB receptor under different pathophysiological conditions.

Topics: Astrocytoma; Base Sequence; Binding, Competitive; Cell Membrane; Colforsin; Cyclic AMP; DNA Primers; Endocytosis; Endothelin Receptor Antagonists; Endothelins; Guanylyl Imidodiphosphate; Histamine; Humans; Isoproterenol; Ligands; Molecular Sequence Data; Phosphatidylinositols; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Protein Binding; Pyrimidines; Receptor, Endothelin A; Receptors, Endothelin; RNA, Messenger; Sulfonamides; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The effects of steroid hormones on the cyclic AMP responses to stimulation of human astrocytoma cells (D384) by dopamine, prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), and isoprenaline were investigated. Incubation of D384 cells with dexamethasone resulted in a potentiation of the PGE1 and isoprenaline responses and a marked attenuation of the dopamine response. The time courses of the effects of dexamethasone on dopamine and PGE1 responses were similar, requiring long-term (at least 18 h) incubation of cells with the steroid. Concentration-response curves of dexamethasone effects on dopamine and PGE1 responses yielded similar Ka apparent values, suggesting a common mechanism. Cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, prevented the effects of dexamethasone. Only steroids with glucocorticoid activity reproduced the dexamethasone effects. Direct stimulation of Gs with 5-guanylylimidodiphosphate and adenylate cyclase with forskolin revealed no significant differences in their activities in dexamethasone-treated and untreated cells. Furthermore, a comparison of the dopamine and PGE1 concentration-response curves obtained from dexamethasone-treated and untreated cells suggested that the affinity of the receptors for their agonists remained unchanged. These results suggest that glucocorticoids may alter protein synthesis and thereby the number of receptors expressed by D384 cells.

Topics: Adenylyl Cyclases; Alprostadil; Astrocytoma; Colforsin; Cyclic AMP; Cycloheximide; Dexamethasone; Dopamine; Glucocorticoids; GTP-Binding Proteins; Guanylyl Imidodiphosphate; Humans; Isoproterenol; Kinetics; Protein Biosynthesis; Tumor Cells, Cultured

[125I]Bolton Hunter conjugate of substance P ([125I]BHSP) can bind to human astrocytoma membranes in a monophasic and saturable manner with a Kd of 0.57 +/- 0.17 nM and a Bmax of 67.8 +/- 5.5 fmol/mg protein. The rank order of potency of tachykinins and related analogues as inhibitors of [125I]BHSP binding to astrocytoma membranes and intact cells correlated with their relative abilities to stimulate uridine incorporation into nucleic acid. The observed specificity pattern conformed to that reported for the NK1 tachykinin receptor with SP much greater than eledoisin greater than neurokinin A greater than neurokinin B and [Glp6, L-Pro9]SP(6-11) much greater than [Glp6, D-Pro9]SP(6-11).

Topics: Astrocytoma; Binding, Competitive; Cell Line; Guanylyl Imidodiphosphate; Humans; Nucleic Acids; Receptors, Neurokinin-1; Receptors, Neurotransmitter; Tachykinins; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Using neuroblastoma cells as a model of developing neurons, we have tested the hypothesis that thyroid hormones alter cAMP metabolism. Neuroblastoma cells were grown in serum-free defined medium for 48 h with or without thyroid hormones. Treatment with 20-200 nM 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) increased the accumulation of cAMP by intact cells without altering growth, gross morphology, or DNA or protein content. The increase in cAMP accumulation could be detected 5 h after the addition of T3 and was abolished by the addition of cycloheximide. The maximum stimulation produced by prostaglandin E1 was increased in T3 cells without a significant alteration of the half-maximal concentration. T4 and D-T3 in concentrations up to 20 microM did not increase cAMP accumulation. Adenylate cyclase activity in response to forskolin, guanine nucleotides, and stimulatory hormones was increased in purified membranes from cells grown in T3, suggesting that increased adenylate cyclase is probably the major mechanism of the observed response to thyroid hormone.

Topics: Adenylyl Cyclases; Alprostadil; Animals; Astrocytoma; Cell Line; Colforsin; Cyclic AMP; Glioma; Guanylyl Imidodiphosphate; Kinetics; Neuroblastoma; Thyroid Hormones; Thyroxine; Triiodothyronine