Jean Christophe

Presence of highly selective receptors for PACAP (pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide) in membranes from the rat pancreatic acinar cell line AR 4-2J

We characterized highly selective receptors for PACAP, the pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide, in the tumoral acinar cell line AR 4‐2J derived from the rat pancreas. PACAP, a novel hypothalamic peptide related to vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), was tested as the full natural 38‐residue peptide (PACAP‐38) and as an N‐terminal amidated 27‐residue derivative (PACAP‐27). The binding sites showed considerable affinity for [125I]PACAP‐27 (K d =0.4 nM) and PACAP‐38, while their affiity for VIP and the parent peptide helodemin was 1000‐fold lower. These receptors were coupled to adenylate cyclase, the potency of PACAP‐38 and PACAP‐27 (K act = 0.2 nM) being much higher than that of VIP (K act= 100 nM) and helodemin (K act = 30 nM). Chemical cross‐linking of [125I]PACAP‐27 followed by SDS‐PAGE and autoradiography revealed a specifically cross‐linked peptide with an M r, of 68000 (including 3000 for one PACAP‐27 molecule).

The novel VIP-like hypothalamic polypeptide PACAP interacts with high affinity receptors in the human neuroblastoma cell line NB-OK

We investigated the ability of two forms of Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Polypeptide [PACAP-38, the 38 amino acid peptide isolated from ovine hypothalamus, and PACAP-27, a shorter N-terminal (1-27) amidated version] to interact with specific receptors in membranes from the human neuroblastoma cell line NB-OK. [125I]PACAP-27 bound rapidly and specifically to one class of high affinity sites (Kd 0.5 nM). VIP inhibited [125I]PACAP-27 binding 300- to 1000-fold less potently than PACAP-27 and PACAP-38. One microM PHI prevented tracer binding only partially and secretin, glucagon and GRF(1-29)NH2 were ineffective in this respect. PACAP-27 and PACAP-38 stimulated adenylate cyclase activity dose dependently and with similar efficacy (Kact 0.2-0.3 nM), this activation being compatible with the occupancy of specific high affinity PACAP receptor. VIP was markedly less potent and less efficient on this enzyme than PACAP. Chemical cross-linking of [125I]PACAP-27 followed by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography revealed specific cross-linking with a 68 kDa protein.

The stimulus-secretion coupling of glucose-induced insulin release XLVI. Physiological role of l-glutamine as a fuel for pancreatic islets

Exogenous L-glutamine is actively metabolized in rat pancreatic islets. The rate of L-glutamine deamidation largely exceeds the rate of glutamate conversion to gamma-aminobutyrate and alpha-ketoglutarate. The latter conversion occurs in part by oxidative deamination, and in part by transamination reactions coupled with the conversion of 2-keto acids (pyruvate, oxaloacetate), themselves derived from the metabolism of glutamine, to their corresponding amino acids (alanine, aspartate). An important fraction of malate formed from alpha-ketoglutarate leaves the Krebs cycle and is converted to pyruvate, the process being apparently associated with the induction of a more reduced state in cytosolic redox couples. L-Glutamine abolishes the oxidation of endogenous nutrients is documented by the fact that the glutamine-induced increase in O2 consumption is much lower than expected from the rate of 14CO2 output from islets exposed to L-[U-14C]glutamine, L-Glutamine, although decreasing K+ conductance, fails to stimulate insulin release both in the absence and presence of D-glucose. It is proposed that L-glutamine represents a major fuel for pancreatic islets under physiological conditions.

Properties and distribution of receptors for pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP) in rat brain and spinal cord

A high density (in the pmol/mg protein range) of specific functional receptors for PACAP (pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide) was observed in membranes from rat brain cortex, olfactory bulb, hypothalamus, hippocampus, striatum, cerebellum, pons and cervico-dorsal spinal cord, using [125I]PACAP-27 (PACAP 1-27). The tracer bound rapidly, specifically and reversibly. Competition binding curves were compatible with the coexistence, in the eight central nervous areas explored, of high and low affinity binding sites for PACAP-27 (Kd of 0.2 nM and 3.0 nM, respectively), and of only one class of binding sites for PACAP-38 (PACAP (1-38), Kd 0.2-0.9 nM). VIP inhibited only partially the binding of [125I]PACAP-27, and PHI, GRF(1-29)NH2 and secretin were ineffective at 1 microM. Chemical [125I]PACAP-27 cross-linking revealed a single specific 64 kDa protein species. In rat brain cortical membranes, saturation and competition experiments, using [125I]PACAP-38 as radioligand, indicated the presence of both high (Kd 0.13 nM) and low (Kd 8-10 nM) affinity binding sites for PACAP-38 and of low affinity (Kd 30 nM) binding sites for PACAP-27. These data taken collectively suggest the coexistence of PACAP-A receptors with a slight preference for PACAP-27 over PACAP-38 and of PACAP-B receptors that recognize PACAP-38 with a high affinity and PACAP-27 with low affinity. Both PACAP-27 and PACAP-38 stimulated adenylate cyclase with similar potency and efficacy. VIP was markedly less potent in this respect and also less efficient, except on cerebellar membranes.

Affinity profiles of hexahydro-sila-difenidol analogues at muscarinic receptor subtypes

In an attempt to assess the structural requirements of hexahydro-sila-difenidol for potency and selectivity, a series of analogues modified in the amino group and the phenyl ring were investigated for their affinity to muscarinic M1-(rabbit vas deferens), M2- (guinea-pig atria) and M3- (guinea-pig ileum) receptors. All compounds were competitive antagonists in the three tissues. Their affinities to the three muscarinic receptor subtypes differed by more than two orders of magnitude and the observed receptor selectivities were not associated with high affinity. The pyrrolidino and hexamethyleneimino analogues, compounds substituted in the phenyl ring with a methoxy group or a chlorine atom as well as p-fluoro-hexahydro-difenidol displayed the same affinity profile as the parent compound, hexahydro-sila-difenidol: M1 approximately M3 greater than M2. A different selectivity pattern was observed for p-fluoro-hexahydro-sila-difenidol: M3 greater than M1 greater than M2. This compound exhibited its highest affinity for M3-receptors in guinea-pig ileum (pA2 = 7.84), intermediate affinity for M1-receptors in rabbit vas deferens (pA2 = 6.68) and lowest affinity for the M2-receptors in guinea-pig atria (pA2 = 6.01). This receptor selectivity profile of p-fluoro-hexahydro-sila-difenidol was confirmed in ganglia (M1), atria (M2) and ileum (M3) of the rat. Furthermore, dose ratios obtained with either pirenzepine (M1) or hexahydrosila-difenidol (M2 and M3) and the p-fluoro analogue used in combination suggested that the antagonism was additive, implying mutual competition with a single population of muscarinic receptor subtypes. These results indicate that p-fluoro-hexahydro-sila-difenidol represents a valuable tool for characterization of muscarinic receptor subtypes.

Degradation of cholecystokinin-like peptides by a crude rat brain synaptosomal fraction: A study by high pressure liquid chromatography

Degradation of CCK-8, CCK-4, and related peptides by a crude synaptosomal fraction of rat brain was investigated by monitoring the tryptophan fluorescence of reaction products after HPLC fractionation. At 20 degrees C, the half disappearance time was 52 min for CCK-8, 35 min for unsulphated CCK-8, 20 min for unsulphated CCK-7, 6 min for Tyr(SO3H)-Trp-Met-Asp-Phe-NH2, and 3 min only for CCK-4. Caerulein was much more resistant than CCK-8, and Boc-CCK-4 and Aoc-CCK-4 remained stable for at least 3 h. The apparent Km for CCK-8 and CCK-4 was 40 microM and maximal activity on CCK-8 was observed at pH 7.0. Zn2+ was strongly inhibitory. The protease inhibitors puromycin and bacitracin, the metal chelator 1,10-phenanthroline, and the sulphydryl blocking agents N-ethylmaleimide and p-chloromercuribenzoate greatly reduced the release of tryptophan from CCK-8. Puromycin inhibition of CCK-8 degradation provoked the accumulation of a CCK-7-like peptide, and that of CCK-4 degradation was of a competitive type (Ki = 2 microM). The CCK-8 degrading activity of brain synaptosomes was present in the cytosol as well as in synaptic membranes.

Purification of a novel pancreatic secretory factor (PSF) and a novel peptide with VIP- and secretin-like properties (helodermin) from Gila monster venom

A combination of three HPLC procedures applied to the venom of Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) has led to the purification to homogeneity of two bioactive components: (i) a 17.5 kDa protein, isolated on the basis of its potent secretory effect on dispersed rat pancreatic acini, was accordingly designated PSF (pancreatic secretory factor); (ii) a 5.9‐kDa peptide, designated helodermin, was purified on the basis of its ability to stimulate adenylate cyclase in rat pancreatic membranes. PSF was unable to activate adenylate cyclase and, conversely, helodermin was devoid of secretory action.

α-Amylase et lipase du pancreas de rat. Purification chromatographique, recherche du poids moleculaire et composition en acides amines

Abstract 1. 1.|A rapid and efficient method of preparation of the cationic enzymes of the rat exocrine pancreas is described. The hydrolases are solubilized quantitatively and afterwards chromatographed on 2 coupled columns of Sephadex G-25 and DEAE-cellulose in 13 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.2). Filtration on Sephadex G-100 separates 7 or 8 constituents and among them are amylase and lipase. The latter enzymes are purified on Bio-Gel P-60 and on CM-cellulose respectively, after which they show homogeneity by disc electrophoresis. 2. 2.|Amylase and lipase constitute approx. 10.9% and 0.4% of the pancreatic proteins in rats fed a balanced diet. Starting from 30 animals (15 g of tissue) a yield of about 100 mg of amylase and 4 mg of lipase is usually obtained within 2 days after a 10-fold purification of the first enzyme and a 140-fold purification of the second. 3. 3.|Amylase has an excess of 3.5 basic residues % over acidic residues, contains 3.1% of tryptophan and has a E1 cm1 % value of 20 at 280 mμ. The specific activity is 600 units/mg at 25°. Amylase is increasingly adsorbed on Sephadex and Bio-Gels, when the porosity of these resins increases and when the ionic strength of the buffer decreases. Lipase has an excess of 3.2 basic residues % over acidic residues, a E1 cm1 % value of 12 at 280 mμ and a specific activity of 2500 units/mg at 25°. The molecular weight, determined by filtration on Sephadex G-100 and Bio-Gel P-150, is approx. 43 000. This value includes 14% of lipids made of free fatty acids (37%), phospholipids (35%), cholesterol esters (20%) and glycerides (8%). Lauric, myristic and palmitic acids are prominent in these lipids. 4. 4.|The rapid and efficient recovery of rat pancreatic amylase indicates the usefulness of a method that would be valid for other amylases: after filtration of a crude extract on a Sephadex-retaining amylase, this enzyme is filtered on a Bio-Gel from which it is more rapidly excluded than in the preceding filtration. Pig pancreatic amylase has been easily purified in this manner with an efficiency of 80%.

In Vitro Interactions Of Gastrointestinal Hormones On Cyclic Adenosine 3':5'-Monophosphate Levels and Amylase Output in the Rat Pancreas

Four-fold increases in cyclic AMP levels were observed 5 to 10 min after rat pancreatic fragments were incubated with 10-7 M secretin or 10-6 M vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), in addition to 10 mM theophylline. From dose-response curves it appears that, on a molar basis, the potency of secretin was 20 times higher than that of VIP. It is concluded that cyclic AMP is probably the intracellular messenger of both secretin and VIP in centroacinar cells. Pancreozymin, caerulein, and the C-terminal octapeptide of pancreozymin inhibited the production of cyclic AMP observed with secretin of VIP, suggesting that the first three peptides were acting at a binding site different from the agonists, but coupled with the same adenylate cyclase. In acinar cells, secretin was able to exert slight ecbolic effects, and was also able to potentiate the effect of maximal concentrations of pancreozymin, caerulein, or the C-terminal octapeptide of pancreozymin. There was no simple correlation between amylase output and cyclic AMP levels, and copious amylase secretion was elicited even at control levels of cyclic AMP. Glucagon was neither an agonist nor an antagonist of any of the other polypeptides tested.

Effects of PHI on vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors and adenylate cyclase activity in lung membranes. A comparison in man, rat, mouse and guinea pig

The presence of receptors, recognized by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) as well as by PHI (a peptide with N-terminal histidine and C-terminal isoleucine amide), was documented in lung membranes from rat, mouse, guinea pig and man by the ability of these receptors, once occupied, to stimulate adenylate cyclase. In lung membranes from rat, mouse and guinea pig, the capacity of VIP, PHI and secretin to stimulate the enzyme and the potency of the same peptides to compete with 125I-VIP for binding to VIP receptors were similar, the affinity decreasing in the order: VIP greater than PHI greater than secretin. In addition, dose-effect curves were compatible with the coexistence of high-affinity and low-affinity VIP receptors, in the four animal species considered. If PHI was able to recognize all VIP receptors it could not, however, discriminate the subclasses of VIP receptors.