James J. Corcoran

Calcium uptake and catecholamine secretion by cultured bovine adrenal medulla cells.

Abstract: The uptake of 45Ca2+ and secretion of catecholamines by primary cultures of adrenal medulla cells were studied. Nicotine, veratridine, potassium, and Ionomycin stimulate both the accumulation of 45Ca2+ and the secretion of catecholamines. Nicotinic antagonists block 45Ca2+ uptake induced by nicotine, tetrodotoxin blocks 45Ca2+ uptake induced by veratridine, and D600 blocks uptake induced by K+, nicotine, and veratridine, but not 45Ca2+ uptake or secretion induced by Ionomycin. The EC50 for nicotine is 3 μm for catecholamine secretion and 10 μm for 45Ca2+ uptake, while the EC50S for veratridinestimulated uptake and secretion are approximately the same (75 μm). Kinetic studies show that the uptake of Ca2+ is rapid and appears to precede the secretion of catecholamines, and that the rate of uptake declines rapidly. The uptake of 45Ca2+ and secretion of catecholamines stimulated by veratridine and 50 mm‐K+ show saturation kinetics with respect to external calcium concentrations at about 2 mm. On the other hand, the uptake of 45 Ca2+ stimulated by nicotine does not become saturated at external calcium concentrations of 10 mm although the secretion of catecholamines reaches a maximum at external calcium concentrations of 2 mm. The data suggest that depolarizing agents such as veratridine and 50 mm‐K+ stimulate 45Ca2+ entry through voltage‐sensitive calcium channels, while nicotinic agonists stimulate calcium entry through the acetylcholine receptor ion channels as well as through voltage‐sensitive calcium channels.

TOBACCO BUDWORM P-GLYCOPROTEIN : BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND ITS INVOLVEMENT IN PESTICIDE RESISTANCE

Since pesticides have been shown to interact with P-glycoprotein (P-gp), the purpose of this study was to examine the possible role of P-gp in pesticide resistance in the tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens). Using three P-gp antibodies, P-gp expression in various resistant populations of tobacco budworms was found to be 2-6-times that of the susceptible larvae. Tobacco budworm P-gp was glycosylated and localized primarily in the cuticle and fat body with little expression in the mid gut. To determine the role of P-gp in pesticide resistance, resistant tobacco budworm larvae were treated with a P-gp inhibitor, quinidine, and challenged with various doses of thiodicarb. Inhibition of P-gp decreased the LD50 for thiodicarb by a factor of 12.5. Quinidine treatment did not result in a significant inhibition of the P-450 system nor did it alter the feeding of the larvae, suggesting the potential involvement of P-gp in pesticide resistance. An age-dependent increase in P-gp expression was detected in resistant larvae as compared to control, susceptible larvae. This correlates with the reported age-dependent increase in resistance and is further evidence supporting the role of P-gp in the development of pesticide resistance.

Chlorpyrifos oxon interacts with the mammalian multidrug resistance protein, P-glycoprotein.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) to chemically unrelated therapeutic anticancer agents in mammalian cells is mediated by the overexpression of an ATP-dependent 150- to 180-kD membrane glycoprotein P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Although the complete physiological role of P-gp is unknown, it is proposed to function in cellular detoxification of xenobiotics. In this study, we investigated whether the organophosphorus insecticide chlorpyrifos (O,O-diethyl O-3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinyl phosphorothioate) or its metabolites interact with P-gp. Immunohistochemical analysis of tissues from male Fischer 344 rats administered chlorpyrifos (7.6 mg/kg gavage) showed increased P-gp expression in the kidney, adrenal, liver, jejunum, and stomach (tissues associated with elimination of xenobiotics), compared to control tissues. The most prominent increase was detected in the large bile ducts of the liver and the proximal tubule region of the kidney. P-gp expression was increased throughout the adrenal medulla and cortex, while a moderate increase was detected in the epithelial layers of the stomach and jejunum. To examine further the interaction between chlorpyrifos and P-gp, we evaluated whether chlorpyrifos or its active metabolite, chlorpyrifos oxon, could inhibit [3H]azidopine labeling of P-gp in MDR1 baculovirus-infected insect Sf9 cells. A concentration-dependent inhibition of [3H]azidopine labeling of P-gp was detected with chlorpyrifos oxon, while significant inhibition was not detected with chlorpyrifos. To correlate the binding of chlorpyrifos oxon to P-gp with a biochemical effect, we examined its ability to stimulate P-gp-mediated ATPase activity in these Sf9 cells. Chlorpyrifos oxon stimulated P-gp ATPase activity 1.75 times that of the positive control (10 microM verapamil). Taken together, these results suggest that chlorpyrifos oxon interacts with P-gp, and support the hypothesis that P-gp may play a role in the cellular detoxification of insecticides in mammalian tissues. To our knowledge this is the first report of an organophosphorus insecticide interacting with and increasing the expression of P-gp.

Neurotoxicity of glycidamide, an acrylamide metabolite, following intraperitoneal injections in rats

Acrylamide (2-propenamide) monomer produces central-peripheral distal axonopathy in humans and some animal species. Its neurotoxicity is characterized by abnormal sensation, decreased motor strength, and ataxia. Acrylamide forms adducts with glutathione, proteins, and DNA. Recent studies demonstrated that acrylamide is metabolized to its epoxide, glycidamide (2,3-epoxy-1-propanamide). We studied the neurotoxicity potential of glycidamide in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals (groups of 6) were injected ip daily with either aqueous acrylamide or glycidamide at an acrylamide-equivalent dose of 50 mg/kg (0.70 mmol/kg). Both treatments resulted initially in the rats circling, which was followed by the onset of ataxia at 7-9 d and hindlimb paralysis at 12-14 d. Treated animals showed muscle wasting. At termination, acrylamide- and glycidamide-treated rats weighed 105% and 86% of initial weight, respectively, compared to 145% for controls. Animals were anesthetized and perfused with 10% neutral phosphate-buffered formalin 12 or 14 d after beginning of treatment. Both treatment groups exhibited similar neuropathologic changes in the central and peripheral nervous systems. More severe lesions were produced by glycidamide. A marked increase in the number of affected Purkinje cells in the cerebellum, which exhibited changes ranging from pyknosis to cell death, were present. The brainstem exhibited axonal degeneration with chromatolytic necrosis in midbrain medial and lateral reticular nuclei. The spinal cord was characterized by spongy form changes with vacuoles of different sizes in various levels. These results suggest that glycidamide is an active neurotoxic metabolite of acrylamide.

Inhibition of Calcium Uptake, Sodium Uptake, and Catecholamine Secretion by Methoxyverapamil (D600) in Primary Cultures of Adrenal Medulla Cells

The calcium‐entry antagonist D600 (methoxyverapamil) inhibited nicotine‐ and veratridine‐induced ‐45Ca‐4 uptake, 22Na+ uptake, and catecholamine secretion in primary cultures of bovine adrenal medulla cells. Inhibition of nicotine‐induced effects occurred at D600 concentrations approximately 3‐10‐fold lower than those needed to produce similar inhibition of veratridine‐induced effects. Inhibition of the veratridine‐induced effects was competitive, but inhibition of the nicotine‐induced effects was not competitive. These re‐sults suggest that D600, in addition to blocking “slow” Ca‐ channels and tetrodotoxin‐sensitive Na+ channels also blocks nicotine transmission, possibly either by noncompetitively inhibiting the interaction of nicotine with the receptor binding site or by blockade of the receptor‐associated ion conductance channel.

Turnover and Storage of Newly Synthesized Adenine Nucleotides in Bovine Adrenal Medullary Cell Cultures

Abstract: The adenine nucleotide stores of cultured adrenal medullary cells were radiolabeled by incubating the cells with 32Pi and [3H]adenosine and the turnover, subcellular distribution, and secretion of the nucleotides were examined. ATP represented 84–88% of the labeled adenine nucleotides, ADP 11–13%, and AMP 1–3%. The turnover of 32P‐adenine nucleotides and 3H‐nucleotides was biphasic and virtually identical; there was an initial fast phase with a t½ of 3.5–4.5 h and a slow phase with a half‐life varying from 7 to 17 days, depending upon the particular cell preparation. The t½ of the slow phase for labeled adenine nucleotides was the same as that for the turnover of labeled catecholamines. The subcellular distribution of labeled adenine nucleotides provides evidence that there are at least two pools of adenine nucleotides which make up the component with the long half‐life. One pool, which contains the bulk of endogenous nucleotides (75% of the total), is present within the chromaffin vesicles; the subcellular localization of the second pool has not been identified. The studies also show that [3H]ATP and [32P]ATP are distributed differently within the cell; 3 days after labeling 75% of the [32P]ATP was present in chromaffin vesicles while only 35% of the [3H]ATP was present in chromaffin vesicles. Evidence for two pools of ATP with long half‐lives and for the differential distribution of [32P]ATP and [3H]ATP was also obtained from secretion studies. Stimulation of cell cultures with nicotine or scorpion venom 24 h after labeling with [3H]adenosine and 32Pi released relatively twice as much catecholamine as 32P‐labeled compounds and relatively three times as much catecholamine as 3H‐labeled compounds.

Metabolic Pools of ATP in Cultured Bovine Adrenal Medullary Chromaffin Cells

Abstract: Cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells contain a pool of ATP sequestered within the chromaffin vesicles and an extravesicular pool of ATP. In a previous study it was shown that the turnover of ATP in the extravesicular pool was biphasic. One phase occurred with a t1/2 of 3.5–4.5 h whereas the second phase occurred with a t1/2 of several days. The studies described here were undertaken to characterize further the vesicular and extravesicular pools of ATP by examining the effects of metabolic inhibitors, adenosine, and digitonin on ATP utilization and subcellular localization immediately after and 48 h after labeling with [3H]adenosine and 32Pi. Immediately after labeling a combination of cyanide, 2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose, the β‐glucono‐l,5‐lactone resulted in a 90–95% depletion of the labeled ATP but only a 25% depletion of the endogenous ATP within 30 min. Forty‐eight hours after labeling, addition of the inhibitors resulted in a 70% depletion of the [3H]ATP but only a 25% depletion of the [32P]ATP and endogenous ATP. Addition of 10 μM adenosine to the media resulted in a similar loss of [3HJATP in cells examined immediately after or 48 h after labeling. Adenosine increased the amounts of [32P]ATP when added immediately after labeling but had no effect on the [32P]ATP content when added 48 h after labeling. Permeabilization of the plasma membrane by treatment with digitonin resulted in a loss of 90–95% of the labeled ATP but only 20% of the endogenous ATP in cells examined immediately after labeling and in a 79% loss of [3H]ATP, a 32% loss of [32P]ATP, and a 23% loss of endogenous ATP in cells examined 48 h after labeling. These studies show that ATP contained within chromaffin vesicles is metabolically inert and does not exchange readily with cytosolic ATP, but they do not differentiate extravesicular pools of labeled ATP. Calculation of ATP disappearance after abrupt cessation of ATP production indicates that cultured adrenal chromaffin cells utilize ATP at a rate of 0.24 nmol/min/106 cells, corresponding to a turnover time of 12.5 min for the extravesicular pool.

Effects of manganese and other divalent cations on calcium uptake and catecholamine secretion by primary cultures of bovine adrenal medulla cells

Primary cultures of bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin cells were used to examine the effect of replacing divalent cations in the extracellular media on secretion. When calcium was replaced by manganese, nicotine-stimulated secretion was delayed in onset for 3 to 5 minutes, but continued for approximately 60 minutes. In contrast, calcium-supported secretion began immediately on stimulation and plateaued by 10 minutes. 54Mn2+ uptake occurred on stimulation but at a lower rate than 45Ca2+ uptake. There was no delay of 54Mn2+ uptake upon stimulation and 54Mn2+ uptake was considerably prolonged compared to 45Ca2+ uptake. Replacement of calcium with strontium gave results similar to those with calcium, and, in addition, strontium was able to bring about secretion by itself in a manner similar to barium. Inhibition experiments showed that the potency for inhibiting calcium uptake was Cd2+ greater than Mn2+ greater than Ca2+ greater than Sr2+.