Masakatsu Tachibana

Effects of phorbol esters, A23187 and vasopressin on oleate metabolism in isolated rat hepatocytes

Studies were conducted to compare the metabolic effects of vasopressin, 4β-phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) and A23187 on ketogenesis and oleate metabolism in isolated hepatocytes from fed rats. Vasopressin inhibited the formation of acid-soluble products from [1-14C]oleate (0.25 mM, 0.5 mM and 1 mM), the inhibition being most marked at low (0.25 mM) concentration of oleate. Conversion of [1-14C]oleate into14CO2 and esterified products was stimulated by vasopressin. The stimulatory effect of this hormone on14CO2 production was most marked at high (1 mM) concentration of oleate, whereas that on [1-14C]-oleate esterification was most marked at low (0.25 mM) concentration of oleate. These vasopressin actions were abolished when hepatocytes were incubated in the absence of calcium in the medium. Our results strongly suggest that both increase in esterification and increase in oxidation to CO2 contribute to the anti-ketogenic action of vasopressin when oleate is added as substrate, although the relative extent of their contribution varies according to the oleate concentration. The anti-ketogenic action of vasopressin was mimicked by PMA but not by A23187. PMA also caused a stimulation of [1-14C]oleate esterification although the effect was diminished at 1 mM [1-14C]oleate. A23187 failed to affect [1-14C]oleate esterification. The metabolic effects of PMA were elicited in the absence of extracellular calcium, too. Conversion of [1-14C]oleate into14CO2 was only slightly increased by both PMA and A23187 when 1 mM [1-14C]oleate was added as substrate. The marked stimulatory effect of vasopressin on14CO2 production from [1-14C]oleate was not reproduced even by the combination of PMA and A23187. The possible involvement of protein kinase C and calcium mobilization in the regulation of oleate metabolism is discussed.

Effects of exogenous phospholipase enzymes, arachidonic acid and 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol on ketogenesis in isolated rat hepatocytes

Studies were conducted to see whether exogenous phospholipase C from Clostridium perfringens, phospholipase A2 from Crotalus adamanteus venom, arachidonic acid and 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG) mimic the anti-ketogenic action of vasopressin in isolated rat hepatocytes. Exogenous phospholipase C inhibited ketogenesis in the presence of 0.5 mM oleate. Experiments employing [1-14C]oleate, however, indicated that the mechanism involved in the anti-ketogenic action of exogenous phospholipase C is distinct from that of vasopressin. The decreased rate of the production of acid-soluble products from [1-14C]oleate in response to vasopressin could be explained by the sum of the increased rates of 14CO2 formation and [1-14C]oleate esterification. By contrast, exogenous phospholipase C suppressed not only the formation of acid-soluble products but also 14CO2 production and [1-14C]oleate esterification. Indeed, phospholipase C greatly inhibited [1-14C]oleate uptake into hepatocytes. It is suggested that the alteration of the architecture of plasma membrane by exogenous phospholipase C may lead to the disturbance of oleate uptake and consequent general suppression of oleate metabolism. Exogenous phospholipase A2, arachidonic acid and OAG increased ketogenesis regardless of the presence of oleate. The ketogenic effects may be attributed to the supply of fatty acids by these agents to hepatocytes.

Stimulation of fatty acid synthesis by 4β-phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate in isolated rat hepatocytes

The tumor-promoting agent 4β-phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (TPA) is shown to be a potent stimulator of fatty acid synthesis in isolated rat hepatocytes. The maximal effect of TPA is seen at 10−6 M, and the concentration for half-maximal effect is ca. 10−8 M. Stimulation of fatty acid synthesis by TPA is shown not to require the presence of extracellular Ca++. TPA produces a significant increase in lactate and pyruvate accumulation. The possible involvement of protein kinase C in short-term regulation of fatty acid synthesis in the liver is discussed.

Cyclic-AMP-dependent protein phosphorylation in the soluble fraction of parotid glands from rats with drug-induced hypothyroidism

Cyclic-AMP-dependent protein kinase from the soluble fraction of parotid glands of hypothyroid rats was partially purified. Its isozyme distribution and kinetic properties were similar to those of euthyroid rats. Electrophoresis of 100 microliters portions at 20 mA per slab revealed that an endogenous protein (mol. wt 68,000) was specifically phosphorylated in hypothyroidism; this protein was not found in euthyroid rats. In the presence of cyclic AMP, there was stimulated phosphorylation of euthyroid-soluble proteins with molecular weights of 115,000, 98,000, 57,000, 50,000, 44,000, 33,000 and 19,000, and of proteins from hypothyroid rats with weights of 115,000, 98,000, 60,000, 50,000, 33,000 and 19,000. Tolbutamide reduced incorporation of 32Pi into soluble proteins from both groups. However, cyclic AMP still induced phosphorylation in euthyroid preparations in the presence of tolbutamide, but its effect was markedly reduced in the hypothyroid state. These differences in endogenous protein phosphorylation may have different effects on amylase release induced by beta-adrenergic stimulation.