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ABSTRACT: Adrenocortical cells of several species have been reported to express significant levels of Agouti-related protein (Agrp) as well as melanocortin 4-receptor (MC4-R). In this study, we used the mouse tumoral adrenal cell line ATC7- L that secretes corticosterone in basal conditions with a 2- fold increase in response to ACTH treatment. We reported that these cells expressed functional MC4-R. They also expressed Agrp mRNA and secreted immunoreactive Agrp in the culture medium. Long-term treatment of ATC7-L with (Nle4,D-Phe7)-alpha MSH (NDP-alpha MSH) or forskolin as well as Agrp strongly reduced MC4-R level by more than 30%. On the contrary, leptin treatment did not modify this level although it significantly reduced MC2-R level. These results could be correlated to some data obtained in vivo on adrenal glands removed from diet-induced obese mice exhibiting a hyperleptinemia, where the level of both MC2-R and MC4-R appeared to be reduced as Agrp mRNA expression level was increased compared to Control mice. All these data would suggest the existence of a link between the metabolic status and the activation of the adrenal melanocortinergic system.
Journal of endocrinological investigation 02/2009; 32(1):46-51. · 1.57 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Obesity results from disturbances of tightly regulated interactions between the nervous, endocrine, and metabolic systems that can be caused by external factors, such as viral infections. A mouse model of obesity induced by brain infection with a morbillivirus, canine distemper virus, allowed us to identify obesity-related genes. Using a subtractive library for the hypothalamus, the main brain structure regulating energy homeostasis, we identified a new gene on mouse chromosome 19 which we named upregulated obese product (Urop) 11 and, which has no homology with any known mRNA. A step-by-step molecular approach allowed us to isolate the full-length mRNA, predict the protein sequence, and identify consensus sites. Urop11 was mainly detected in the hypothalamus and adipocytes, and was dramatically upregulated in these central and peripheral structures in obese mice. Urop11 was also expressed in human neural and lymphoid samples and its expression seemed to be regulated by the state of lymphocyte activation. Interestingly, Urop11 expression was strongly upregulated both in vivo in mouse hypothalamus and in vitro in mouse neural cell lines, after leptin treatment. Taken together, our data show that Urop11 is a target of leptin, the satiety factor produced by adipocytes, in physiological and pathological conditions, including obesity. This new gene can be considered a key molecule in the hypothalamic integration pathway and demonstrates the importance of Urop11 as a target of leptin action.
Journal of Molecular Endocrinology 03/2007; 38(1-2):3-17. · 3.48 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The last decade has seen remarkable progress in our understanding of the genetic causes of these potentially lethal conditions. Clearly, other genes that cause FGD remain to be discovered, and further work is required on the functions of MRAP and ALADIN in the expectation that they will provide insights into essential biological processes and perhaps identify key therapeutic strategies and targets for these diseases.
Annales d Endocrinologie 07/2005; 66(3):247-9. · 0.74 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In the present study, we characterized two new SF-1 binding sites, SF-209 and SF-98, in the promoter of the human ACTH receptor (hACTH-R) gene. Both sites, together with the previously described SF-35 site, are required for full constitutive activity of this gene. This was demonstrated by the use of constructs containing part of the promoter upstream of the luciferase gene and carrying mutation in one of these sites, to transiently transfect H295R cells. Mutations of either SF-35, SF-98, or SF-209 induced a decrease of luciferase activity. This effect was amplified when two or three elements were mutated together in the same construct. Only SF-35 and SF-98 seem to play a major role in the cAMP-induced regulation of the hACTH-R gene, since mutation of either one of these sites reduced the forskolin induction of luciferase activity by 50%. When both elements were mutated, no stimulation was obtained over the control. This indicates that SF-1 protein must bind to both sites for the cAMP response.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 03/1999; 255(1):28-33. · 2.48 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We have previously shown that the promoter of the human ACTH receptor (ACTH-R) contains, at -35 bp, a binding site for the steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1), an orphan nuclear receptor which could be responsible for the transcriptional activity of this promoter. In the present study, electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that the sequence -43/-19 bound the SF-1 protein present in the nuclear extracts of adrenocortical cells. Mutation of the SF-1 binding site markedly reduced (40%) the basal transcription of the reporter gene in Y-1 cells transfected with the mutated p(-56/+22)GH construct compared to the wild-type construct. These results demonstrate that the SF-1 binding element present in this fragment is required for the basal promoter activity of the human ACTH-R gene. In addition, other binding elements located upstream from this characterized SF-1 binding site are involved in the full basal promoter activity of the human ACTH-R since transfection studies with a longer p(-1017/+22)GH construct resulted in a higher GH release than with the p(-56/+22)GH construct.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 07/1998; 247(1):28-32. · 2.48 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We have previously shown that ACTH is one of the few polypeptide hormones having a positive trophic effect, not only on the number, but also on the expression of its own receptors. In the present study, we investigated whether the constitutive and ACTH-induced expression of ACTH-receptor (ACTH-R) mRNA in bovine adrenocortical cells (BAC) requires new protein synthesis. The results show that cycloheximide alone, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, induced a time- and dose-dependent increase in the constitutive level of the ACTH-R major transcript of 3.6 kb in BAC. The maximal stimulation (5.17 +/- 1.15 fold, n = 4) was obtained after 24 h treatment with 5 micrograms/ml cycloheximide. The effect of cycloheximide was specific and not directly related to translational arrest since other protein synthesis inhibitors acting through different mechanisms, emetine and puromycin, were unable to reproduce such an effect at concentrations inhibiting protein synthesis. The effect of cycloheximide involved an increase in the half-life and the transcription rate of the major transcript of ACTH-R (2- and 8.4-fold respectively). In addition, the results also demonstrated that neither the constitutive nor the ACTH-induced expression of ACTH-R require new protein synthesis.
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 08/1996; 121(1):57-63. · 4.19 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The hereditary syndrome of unresponsiveness to ACTH is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by low levels of serum cortisol and high levels of plasma ACTH. There is no cortisol response to exogenous ACTH. Recent cloning of the human ACTH receptor gene has enabled us to study this gene in patients with glucocorticoid deficiency. By using the PCR to amplify the coding sequence of the ACTH receptor gene, we identified three mutations in two unrelated patients. One mutation present in homozygous form converted the negatively charged Asp107, located in the third transmembrane domain, to an uncharged Asn residue. The second patient was a compound heterozygote: the paternal allele contained a one-nucleotide insertion leading to a stop codon within the third extracellular loop, and the maternal allele contained a point mutation converting Cys251 to Phe, also in the third extracellular loop. Normal and mutant ACTH receptor genes were expressed in the M3 cell line, and intracellular cAMP production in response to ACTH was measured. For the mutant receptors, no response to physiological ACTH concentrations was detected, suggesting an impaired binding of ACTH to the receptors and/or an altered coupling to the adenylate cyclase effector.
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 05/1996; 81(4):1442-8. · 6.50 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Familial isolated glucocorticoid deficiency syndrome is characterized by low cortisol plasma levels despite high ACTH levels without any stimulation of steroid production after ACTH administration. However, the mineralocorticoid function is well-preserved in this syndrome which indicates a specific resistance to ACTH. Recent cloning of the ACTH receptor allowed to study this receptor in this particular syndrome. After studying sixteen affected families, we have found three mutations in two patients from non-related families. One of these patients was a double heterozygote compound (C251F, G217fs) while the other one was homozygote for another mutation D107N. The mutant receptors were expressed in vitro in transfected M3 cells (S91 Cloudman cells) which represents a working expression system to express the ACTH receptor. Production of intracellular cyclic AMP was calculated in the presence of increasing concentrations of ACTH. The EC50 values were estimated (C251F: 3.5 +/- 0.9 x 10(-9) M, D107N: 3.0 +/- 0.9 x 10(-9) M, G217fs: 4.8 +/- 0.9 x 10(-9) M) and comparison with the value obtained for the wild type ACTH receptor (5.1 +/- 0.9 x 10(-10) M) indicates a clear 6 to 9 shift to the right due to an impaired function of these mutant receptors. Such results were expected for the G217fs mutation, and could be explained by a decrease in ligand affinity or an impaired coupling to adenylate cyclase in the case of amino acid substitutions. A total of twelve mutations has been described in the literature although eight of them have not been tested in vitro until now.
Annales d Endocrinologie 02/1996; 57(2):101-6. · 0.74 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In the present study we have examined the effects of ACTH and angiotensin-II (A-II) on cultured human adult fasciculata-reticularis-specific functions. When cells were cultured in a chemically defined medium, the mRNA levels of cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (P45017 alpha), and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta HSD) progressively declined, so that by day 6 of culture, less than 20% of those observed in freshly isolated cells were present. ACTH and A-II, in a dose- and time-dependent manner, enhanced the mRNA levels of the three enzymes and the protein levels of P45017 alpha and 3 beta HSD, but not protein levels of P450scc. At maximal concentrations, the effects of ACTH on P450scc mRNA levels and P45017 alpha mRNA and protein levels were significantly greater than those induced by A-II, but the effects of both hormones on 3 beta HSD mRNA and protein were similar. At maximal concentrations, the effects of ACTH and A-II were additive only on 3 beta HSD mRNA and protein. The cortisol production of cells pretreated with ACTH or A-II was significantly higher than that of control cells, but the effects of ACTH were greater than those of A-II. Moreover, the acute steroidogenic responses to ACTH or A-II of cells pretreated with either hormone, were significantly higher than those of control cells. In conclusion, the present results demonstrate that human adult adrenal fasciculata-reticularis cells are targets for A-II, because 1) A-II acutely stimulates cortisol secretion and causes a long term increase in P450scc, P45017 alpha, and 3 beta HSD mRNA levels; 2) the steroidogenic responsiveness of A-II-pretreated cells to both ACTH and A-II was increased; and 3) the positive effects of A-II alone or in association with ACTH on steroidogenic enzyme gene expression are opposite those previously reported on bovine and ovine adrenal cells.
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 06/1994; 78(5):1212-9. · 6.50 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The regulation of ACTH receptor binding sites and mRNA by ACTH and angiotensin II (A-II) was studied using cultured human adrenal fasciculata reticularis cells (HAC). These cells expressed two major ACTH receptor transcripts of 1.8 and 3.4 kb and three minor ones of 4, 7, and 11 kb. ACTH increased the levels of all these transcripts in a time- and dose-dependent manner. At a maximal concentration of 10(-8) M, ACTH enhanced 21- and 4-fold the level of ACTH receptor mRNA and the number of receptors per cell, respectively. Pretreatment of HAC with A-II produced a dose-dependent enhancement of ACTH receptor mRNA that was associated with an increase of both ACTH receptor number and responsiveness to this hormone. The effects of A-II were completely blocked by an AT1 receptor subtype antagonist but not by an AT2 antagonist. The effects of ACTH together with A-II on ACTH receptor mRNA were greater than those induced by each hormone alone. These results show that ACTH receptor number and mRNA are positively regulated by the two main hormones (ACTH and A-II) which, in vivo, regulate adrenocortical functions. In addition, they also show that HAC are a target for A-II. Thus, regulation of ACTH receptors may be one mechanism by which ACTH and A-II regulate adrenocortical functions under both normal and pathological conditions.
Journal of Clinical Investigation 05/1994; 93(4):1828-33. · 15.39 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The long-term effects of angiotensin-II (A-II) and corticotropin (ACTH) on bovine adrenal fasciculata cells (BAC) were studied. Cells were pretreated for 3 days with either A-II or ACTH followed by an examination of the acute steroidogenic response to both hormones as well as the ability to convert several steroid precursors to cortisol and corticosterone. ACTH pretreatment caused a marked increase in cortisol output associated with a decrease in corticosterone secretion in response to both hormones leading to a 50-fold decrease in the corticosterone/cortisol ratio compared to control cells. After incubation with saturating concentrations (5 X 10(-5) M) of 22 R-hydroxycholesterol, pregnenolone or progesterone, ACTH-pretreated cells produced more cortisol than corticosterone whereas the contrary was observed in control cells. However, the conversion of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone and 11-deoxycortisol to cortisol by ACTH-pretreated cells was lower than by control cells. Thus, the main effects of ACTH were a marked increase of 17 alpha-hydroxylase and a small but significant decrease of 21-hydroxylase and 11 beta-hydroxylase activities. A-II pretreatment produced, in a concentration-dependent manner, a down-regulation of its own receptors and homologous and heterologous steroidogenic desensitization. At maximal concentrations (10(-6) M) A-II reduced by 70% its own receptors while the steroidogenic response to A-II and ACTH was reduced by 95% and 75%, respectively. However, the coupling of A-II receptors to phosphoinositide pathway and to Ca2+ influx, as well as its potentiation effect on ACTH-induced cAMP production were similar in control and A-II pretreated cells. Moreover, the conversion of several steroid precursors to corticosterone was similar in control cells and A-II-pretreated cells, whereas the conversion to cortisol was reduced by approximately 30% due mainly to a decrease of 17 alpha-hydroxylase activity. Thus, the marked steroidogenic desensitization induced by A-II is most likely related to some alteration located beyond the activation of the two branches of the phosphoinositide pathway and before the first steps of steroidogenesis.
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 11/1991; 81(1-3):43-52. · 4.19 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Cultured bovine adrenal fasciculata cells were used to characterize angiotensin II (A-II) and corticotropin (ACTH) receptors and to study their homologous and heterologous regulation. These cells contain one type of high affinity binding sites for A-II (KD congruent to 2.4 +/- 0.3 10(-9) M) and about 100000 sites/cell. Photoaffinity labeling followed by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions revealed a single macromolecule of apparent MR 65,000. Treatment of cells with increasing concentrations of A-II produced down-regulation of its own receptors and marked homologous and heterologous (ACTH) steroidogenic desensitization. However, the desensitization was not correlated with receptor loss and was mainly due to alterations of the steroidogenic pathway. Pretreatment of cells with ACTH also reduced A-II receptors, but this was not associated with steroidogenic desensitization. Bovine fasciculata cells contain two binding sites for ACTH: one of high affinity (KD congruent to 2.6 +/- 0.4 10(-10) M) and low capacity (2030 +/- 390 sites/cell) and the other of low affinity and high capacity. Affinity cross-linking of ACTH to plasma membranes prepared from adrenal cells revealed a labeled macromolecule of apparent MR 43000. However, cross-linking experiments to intact cells revealed, both under reducing and non-reducing conditions, two labeled macromolecules of apparent MR of 123000 and 43000. Pretreatment of cells with ACTH enhanced its receptor and the cAMP and cortisol responses to further ACTH stimulation. These effects were time- and dose-dependent. The maximal effects were observed at 10(-10) to 10(-9) M. A-II alone had no effect but it blocked partially the stimulatory action of ACTH.
Endocrine Research 02/1991; 17(1-2):1-18. · 0.97 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Ovine adrenal fasciculata cells (OAC) responded to ACTH but were resistant to the steroidogenic action of angiotensin-II (A-II), while bovine adrenal fasciculata cells (BAC) responded to this hormone as well as to ACTH. However both cell types contained specific A-II binding sites (120,000 +/- 14,000 and 85,000 +/- 10,000 sites per cell for OAC and BAC, respectively) of similar high affinity [dissociation constant (KD) congruent to 2 x 10(-9) M]. Moreover, in both cell types, A-II receptors were coupled to intracellular effectors since A-II: 1) stimulated the accumulation of inositol phosphates, although the effects in BAC were higher than in OAC; 2) enhanced the influx and the efflux of 45Ca2+; 3) increased cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i); 4) potentiated ACTH-induced cAMP production; and 5) induced A-II receptor loss. Both cell types appear to have an active protein kinase C since the phorbol ester 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate potentiates ACTH-induced cAMP production and caused A-II receptor loss. In addition, 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate and Ca2+ ionophore enhanced the steroid production by BAC but had no effect on OAC. These results indicated that the steroidogenic refractoriness of OAC to A-II might involve some step(s) beyond the initial activation of the two branches of the phosphoinositide pathway, activation of protein kinase C and increase of [Ca2+]i, and before conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone.
Endocrinology 12/1990; 127(5):2071-8. · 4.46 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Recent data have shown that pretreatment of bovine adrenal fasciculata cells with insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) or insulin enhances the steroidogenic response to angiotensin II (A-II). In the present work we have studied the effects of both peptides on the first steps of the mechanism of action of A-II and on the amounts of pertussis toxin (PT)-sensitive guanine nucleotide binding proteins (Gi proteins). Both peptides increased A-II-induced phosphoinositide breakdown without modification of either A-II-induced Ca2+ uptake or the A-II-potentiating effect on ACTH-induced cAMP production. The effects of IGF-I at a nanomolar concentration were higher than those induced by insulin at a micromolar concentration, which in turn was higher than those induced by a nanomolar concentration of this peptide. Treatment of cells with pertussis toxin (0.5 microgram/ml) for 24 h reduced by 25% of the A-II-induced phosphoinositide breakdown in control cells and 32% and 28% in cells pretreated with insulin at nanomolar and micromolar concentrations, respectively, but had no significant effect in cells pretreated with IGF-I. No effect of pertussis toxin was observed on A-II-induced Ca2+ uptake or on its potentiating action on ACTH-induced cAMP production. Moreover, both IGF-I and insulin enhanced the amounts of Gi protein(s) evaluated by pertussis toxin ADP-ribosylation or immunoblotting. Again, the effects of insulin at nanomolar concentrations were lower than those induced by the same concentrations of IGF-I or insulin at micromolar concentrations. These results suggest that, in bovine adrenal fasciculata cells, A-II receptors are coupled to the phosphoinositide pathway through pertussis toxin sensitive and insensitive Gp protein(s). Moreover, the findings also indicate that the enhanced A-II responsiveness of IGF-I or insulin treated cells is in part mediated through an increase in the amount of G protein(s).
Endocrinology 05/1990; 126(4):1867-72. · 4.46 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The present study compared the action of angiotensin II (A-II) in bovine adrenal fasciculata cells (BA) and Y-1 adrenal tumor cells which are sensitive and resistant respectively to its steroidogenic effect. In both models, A-II induced a time and dose-dependent inositol phosphate (Ins-Ps) accumulation and calcium influx. However, in Y-1 cells the Ins-Ps production was low and only Ins-P1 and Ins-P2 were accumulated. The calcium influx in BA cells was observed after 15 seconds and remained linear as long as the hormone was present, whereas in Y-1 cells calcium influx started prior to 15 seconds and reverted to basal values after 45 seconds. The effects of A-II on both cell types were specific since they were blocked by A-II antagonists. Taken together these results demonstrate the presence of functional A-II receptors in both cell types which are coupled to the two main intracellular messenger systems. Thus, the A-II steroidogenic refractoriness of Y-1 cells is probably related to some alteration(s) located beyond the calcium and/or protein kinase C A-II-messenger system.
Endocrine Research 02/1990; 16(1):31-49. · 0.97 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The present study shows that pretreatment of BAC cells with insulin or insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) enhances the cAMP response to maximal concentrations of ACTH and cholera toxin. However, the effects of IGF-I at a nanomolar concentration (50 ng/ml) were higher than for insulin at the same concentration but similar for insulin at a micromolar concentration (10 micrograms/ml). We have investigated whether the effects of the two peptides can be related to some modifications of the guanine nucleotide regulatory binding protein Gs. Insulin enhanced Gs as observed by ADP ribosylation and immunoblotting but the effects were approximately the same at nanomolar and micromolar concentrations; again, the effects of IGF-I (50 ng/ml) were higher. These results indicate that both IGF-I and insulin increase the Gs complex of adenylate cyclase, but IGF-I is more potent than insulin at physiological concentrations.
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 10/1989; 66(1):53-7. · 4.19 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Corticotropin (ACTH) has two main actions in mammalian adrenal cortex: acute stimulation of glucocorticoids secretion and trophic effect which allow the expression of genes encoding for the steroidogenic enzymes. The ACTH membrane bound receptor was one of the first to be demonstrated by direct binding of labeled hormone to subcellular preparations of the adrenal cortex. However, detection and characterization of physiological relevance to ACTH receptors has been difficult, because of the low biological activity of the labeled ACTH. Introduction of a bulky iodine atom into Tyr2 and the oxidation of Met4 appear to contribute most to the loss of activity. These difficulties were overcome recently by using an [125I]-ACTH labeled only in Tyr23, which retains full biological activity. Using this labeled hormone, physiologically relevant ACTH receptors, with high affinity (KD congruent to 10-10M) and low capacity (congruent to 2000 sites/cell) have been characterized in several mammals. A second site of low affinity (KD congruent to 10(-7M) and high capacity, has been found in some studies but the significance of this second site is unknown since it cannot be related to any physiological response of adrenal cells to ACTH. In contrast with the loss of receptors and desensitization of target cells caused by most polypeptide hormones, ACTH seems to regulate positively its own receptors and the cAMP response. The molecular weight of the ACTH receptor appears to be between 83 and 100 KD.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Annales d Endocrinologie 02/1989; 50(5):409-17. · 0.74 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Y-1 adrenal cells contain specific vasopressin (VP) binding sites (27,000 +/- 2,000 sites/cell) of high affinity (KD = 2.2 +/- 0.5 X 10(-9) M). VP which alone has no effect on cAMP production inhibited in a dose-dependent manner (ID50 = 3.5 +/- 0.7 X 10(-11) M) the ACTH-induced cAMP production by Y-1 cells. The inhibitory effect was completely blunted by a 24 h pretreatment of cells with 1 microgram/ml of pertussis toxin. Moreover, VP also stimulated in a dose-dependent manner (ED50 = 2.4 +/- 0.8 X 10(-9) M) the accumulation of inositol phosphates indicating that the VP receptors in Y-1 cells were of the V1 subtype. However, neither VP nor a phorbol ester (4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, PMA) was able to stimulate Y-1 cell steroidogenesis. Since in a previous work we have shown that Y-1 cells contain high levels of protein kinase C, the present results indicate that the steroidogenic refractoriness of these cells to VP and PMA might involve some step beyond protein kinase C.
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology 09/1988; 58(2-3):199-205. · 4.19 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The corticotropin (ACTH) or cholera-toxin-induced cAMP production by cultured bovine adrenal cells increased progressively between days 0 and 7 of culture. Angiotensin II (A-II), which inhibited both basal and ACTH-stimulated adenylate cyclase of crude adrenal membranes, had no effect on ACTH-induced or cholera-toxin-induced cAMP production by fresh isolated cells (day 0) but progressively potentiated the stimulatory action of both effectors from day 0----1 to day 7 of culture. In contrast, phorbol ester had a potentiating effect on fresh isolated cells. Pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin enhanced the potentiating effect of A-II on cells between 0 and 3 days of culture, but not after 7 days. ADP-ribosylation by cholera toxin (ribosylating alpha s proteins) or pertussis toxin (alpha i proteins), of adrenal membranes prepared from fresh isolated or cultured cells revealed an increase in alpha s and a dramatic decrease in alpha i, the ratios alpha i/alpha s on days 0, 3 and 7 of culture were 4, 0.6 and 0.1 respectively. These results indicate that (a) A-II had a double effect on ACTH-induced or cholera-toxin-induced cAMP production: one inhibitory mediated by Gi, the other stimulatory mediated by protein kinase C activation; this could explain the lack of apparent effect of A-II on fresh cells; (b) the progressive decrease of alpha i might be responsible for the appearance of the potentiating effect of A-II whereas the progressive increase of alpha s could explain the enhanced responsiveness to ACTH or cholera toxin of cultured cells.
European Journal of Biochemistry 07/1988; 174(2):317-21. · 3.58 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Phorbol ester (PMA) potentiates ACTH-induced cAMP production by both fresh isolated and 7-day-old cultured adrenal cells, but the effect on cultured cells was greater than in fresh cells. In cultured cells the potentiating effects of PMA were dose-dependent and were observed at each effective dose of ACTH without modification of the ED50 for this hormone. These effects of PMA do not seem to be exerted through a modification of the alpha subunit of Gi since pretreatment of the cells with Bordetella pertussis toxin did not modify the action of PMA and since the amount of alpha i in 7-day-old cultured cells was ten times lower than in fresh cells, while the potentiating effect was lower in the latter. Moreover, since PMA still exerted its potentiating action in cells stimulated by maximal concentration of cholera toxin or forskolin either alone or in combination with ACTH, it is likely that its action is not mediated exclusively by the alpha subunit of Gs. Taken together, the present results and those of the literature suggest that this potentiating effect of phorbol ester on effector-induced cAMP production might be mediated by inhibition of the beta-subunit of G proteins.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 08/1987; 146(2):517-23. · 2.48 Impact Factor
