A selective effect of protein kinase C activators on noradrenaline release compared with subsequent contraction in canine isolated saphenous veins.

1. Effects of protein kinase C (PKC) activators and inhibitors on both tritium overflow and subsequent contraction evoked by transmural nerve stimulation (TNS) were investigated in canine saphenous veins prelabelled with [3H]-noradrenaline. 2. Activation of PKC by stepwise increasing concentrations (0.01 nM-1 microM) of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) or mezerein caused a significant and concentration-dependent enhancement of the tritium overflow evoked by TNS, while the activators failed to affect the corresponding contraction except with the highest concentration of PDBu when the contraction was significantly reduced. Phorbol, which is inactive on PKC, had no effects on the tritium overflow and contraction induced by TNS. 3. PKC inhibitors, polymyxin B (1 and 10 microM) and the isoquinolinesulphonamide, H-7 (1 microM), inhibited significantly the phorbol ester-potentiated tritium overflow evoked by TNS with no effects on the contraction. H-7 and the related inhibitor H-8 at 10 microM reduced significantly both responses to TNS in the presence of TPA, while they suppressed only the TNS-induced contraction in the absence of TPA. 4. None of the PKC activators or inhibitors affected the spontaneous tritium overflow. 5. PDBu (0.01 and 0.1 microM) elevated resting tension of the veins more effectively than TPA and mezerein. 6. These results suggest that PKC may modulate electrically stimulated noradrenaline release from adrenergic nerve endings of the canine saphenous veins and the PKC activators may act more selectively on presynaptic than postsynaptic sites, but have no apparent effect on postjunctional noradrenergic mechanisms.     

Protein kinase C activation and alpha 2-autoreceptor-modulated release of noradrenaline.

1 Effects of phorbol esters on the evoked noradrenaline release were studied in slices of the rabbit hippocampus, labelled with [3H]-noradrenaline, superfused continuously with a medium containing the reuptake inhibitor cocaine and stimulated electrically for 2 min (stimulation parameters: 2 ms, 24 mA, 5 V cm-1, 3 or 0.3 Hz). 2 The electrically-evoked overflow of [3H]-noradrenaline in the slices was increased in a concentration-dependent manner by the protein kinase C (PKC) activators 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) and 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (4 beta-PDB). Phorbol esters, which do not activate PKC, 4-O-methyl-TPA and 4 alpha-PDB, showed no effect on neurotransmitter release. The effect of 4 beta-PDB was abolished in the presence of tetrodotoxin and in the absence of calcium. The PKC inhibitor polymyxin B inhibited the evoked noradrenaline release. 3 In the presence of 4 beta-PDB the inhibitory effects of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine or the facilitatory effects of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine seemed to be modified only by changes in the concentration of noradrenaline in the synaptic region. At a stimulation frequency of 3 Hz the inhibitory action of clonidine was reduced whereas the facilitatory effect of the yohimbine was even slightly enhanced by the phorbol ester. At 0.3 Hz and in the presence of 4 beta-PDB the effect of clonidine remained and that of yohimbine was strongly enhanced. 4 Pretreatment of the slices with islet-activating protein or N-ethylmaleimide significantly reduced the enhancement of noradrenaline release caused by 4 beta-PDB. It is possible that a regulatory N-protein is involved in steps following PKC activation. 5 These results suggest that PKC participates in the mechanism of action-potential-induced noradrenaline release from noradrenergic nerve terminals of the rabbit hippocampus and that effects on the autoinhibitory feedback system were not responsible for the 4 beta-PDB-induced increase of neurotransmitter release.     

Protein kinase C and presynaptic modulation of acetylcholine release in rabbit hippocampus.

1. The involvement of protein kinase C in the presynaptic modulation of stimulated acetylcholine release was investigated in rabbit hippocampus. 2. Slices of the rabbit hippocampus, labelled with [3H]-acetylcholine, were superfused with medium and stimulated electrically during superfusion. 3. The protein kinase C activating phorbol ester 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (4 beta-PDB) enhanced the electrically evoked tritium overflow in a concentration-dependent manner. Its biologically inactive 4 alpha-isomer was without any effect on transmitter release. 4. The protein kinase C inhibitor polymyxin B decreased the stimulation-evoked tritium overflow and counteracted the enhancement of release caused by 4 beta-PDB. 5. The stimulation-evoked tritium overflow was facilitated when the muscarine receptor antagonist atropine was present. The effects of both atropine and 4 beta-PDB, given in combination, were additive. 6. The net inhibition of the evoked tritium overflow caused by the muscarine receptor agonists carbachol and oxotremorine was similar, irrespective of whether 4 beta-PDB was present or not. 7. Similar results to those for muscarine autoreceptor-mediated inhibition, were obtained for inhibition of the stimulated tritium overflow caused by the adenosine receptor agonist (-)-N6-(R-phenylisopropyl)-adenosine ((-)-PIA) and the opioid receptor agonist ethylketocyclazocine (EKC). The net inhibition of both agonists was independent of the presence of the phorbol ester. 8. The above results provide further evidence for participation of a presynaptically located protein kinase C in the modulation of acetylcholine release. However, the modulatory mechanisms which are coupled to presynaptic receptors and mediate inhibition of release seem not to be directly affected by protein kinase C.     

Protein kinase C involvement in maintenance and modulation of noradrenaline release in the mouse brain cortex.

1. The role of protein kinase C in the modulation of noradrenaline release was investigated in mouse cortical slices which were pre-incubated with [3H]-noradrenaline. The aim was to investigate the hypothesis that protein kinase C is activated during high levels of transmitter release to maintain transmitter output. 2. The protein kinase C activators, phorbol myristate acetate (0.01-0.3 microM) and to a greater extent 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (0.01-0.3 microM) significantly enhanced stimulation-induced noradrenaline release whereas 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (0.1 microM) which does not activate protein kinase C was without effect. The effect of the protein kinase C activator, phorbol myristate acetate, on noradrenaline release was attenuated by the protein kinase C inhibitor, polymyxin B (21 microM) which by itself inhibited stimulation-induced noradrenaline release. 3. Protein kinase C was down-regulated by 10 h exposure of the cortical slices to 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (1 microM). In this case the facilitatory effect of 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (0.1 microM) on noradrenaline release was abolished as was the inhibitory effect produced by polymyxin B. This indicates that polymyxin B was acting selectively at protein kinase C. 4. The inhibitory effect of polymyxin B on noradrenaline release, when expressed as a percentage of the appropriate frequency control, was constant at 1, 5 and 10 Hz. Furthermore, the ratio of release at 5 Hz to that at 10 Hz was not altered by protein kinase C down-regulation, indicating that there is no additional effect of protein kinase C at higher stimulation frequencies. 5. When transmitter release was elevated by blocking alpha 2-adrenoceptor auto-inhibition with idazoxan (0.1 microM) or K+ channels with tetraethylammonium (300 microM), the elevation in transmitter release was significantly attenuated by protein kinase C down-regulation, suggesting an involvement of protein kinase C. 6. We conclude that protein kinase C is involved in the modulation of noradrenaline release over a wide range of stimulation frequencies, in addition to a role when noradrenaline release is elevated by presynaptic mechanisms.     

Evidence for a relationship between B-50 (GAP-43) and [3H]noradrenaline release in rat brain synaptosomes

Phosphorylation of the neuron-specific substrate of protein kinase C (PKC), B-50 (GAP-43), was studied parallel with noradrenaline release in rat brain synaptosomes. Both could be evoked by treating the synaptosomes with high K+ or veratridine. Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate enhanced depolarization-induced B-50 phosphorylation and noradrenaline release. To investigate the involvement of PKC-mediated B-50 phosphorylation in noradrenaline release, we applied a variety of kinase inhibitors. Prior to measuring the effects of these inhibitors in intact synaptosomes, we determined their effectivity and specificity in a membrane phosphorylation assay. H-7 most specifically inhibited PKC-dependent phosphorylation, whereas calmidazolium inhibited calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation. Polymyxin B affected both protein kinase systems. Only polymyxin B effectively inhibited noradrenaline release in the intact synaptosomes. We conclude that PKC as well as calmodulin-dependent processes are important for the release event. Data are discussed in view of the presumed function of B-50 as a calmodulin-binding protein.     

Phorbol ester,an activator of protein kinase C,enhances calcium-dependent release of sympathetic neurotransmitter

Summary The effect of phorbol ester, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, was investigated on the overflow of tritium from ³H-noradrenaline-loaded sympathetic neurons of the isolated perfused salivary gland of the rat. Stimulation (1 Hz for 60 s)-evoked overflow of tritium was enhanced by phorbol ester. A significant enhancement was seen at 1 nmol/l, which increased to a maximum level (over 4-fold) at 30 nmol/l. The spontaneous overflow of radioactivity, however, was not affected by any concentration of phorbol ester. The facilitatory effect of phorbol ester on stimulation-evoked overflow was observed in the presence of inhibitors of neuronal and extraneuronal uptake as well as after removal of negative feedback inhibition of release by presynaptic alpha-adrenoceptors. Tyramine (7 mol/l for 10 min) caused a marked increase in the overflow of tritium in either the presence or absence of calcium. However, tyramine-induced overflow was not enhanced by phorbol ester. It is concluded that protein kinase C of sympathetic neurons is involved in an exocytotic release of the transmitter.     

The structural requirements for phorbol esters to enhance noradrenaline and dopamine release from rat brain cortex.

1. The effects of various protein kinase C (PKC) activators on the stimulation-induced (S-I) release of noradrenaline and dopamine was studied in rat cortical slices pre-incubated with [3H]-noradrenaline or [3H]-dopamine. The aim was to investigate a possible structure-activity relationship for these agents on transmitter release. 2. 4 beta-Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (4 beta PDB, 0.1-3.0 microM), enhanced S-I noradrenaline and dopamine release in a concentration-dependent manner whereas the structurally related inactive isomer 4 alpha-phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate (4 alpha PDB, 0.1-3.0 microM) and phorbol 13-acetate (PA, 0.1-3.0microM) were without effect on noradrednaline release. Another group of phorbol 12, 13-diesters containing a common 13-ester substituent (phorbol 12, 13-diacetate, PDA, 0.1-3.0 microM; phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, PMA, 0.1-3.0 microM; phorbol 12-methylaminobenzoate 13-acetate, PMBA, 0.03-3.0 microM) also enhanced S-I noradrenaline and dopamine release in a concentration-dependent manner with PMA being the least potent. 3. The 12-deoxyphorbol 13-substituted monoesters, 12-deoxyphorbol 13-acetate (dPA, 0.1-3.0 microM), 12-deoxyphorbol 13-angelate (dPAng, 0.1-3.0 microM), 12-deoxyphorbol 13-isobutyrate (dPiB, 0.03-3.0 microM) and 12-deoxyphorbol 13-phenylacetate (dPPhen, 0.1-3.0 microM) enhanced S-I noradrenaline and dopamine release in a concentration-dependent manner. In contrast, 12-deoxyphorbol 13-tetradecanoate (dPT, 0.1-3.0 microM) was without effect. 4. The involvement of PKC in mediating the effects of the various phorbol esters was further investigated. PKC was down-regulated by 20 h exposure of the cortical slices to 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (1 microM). In this case the facilitatory effect of 4 beta PDB and dPA was abolished whilst that of dPAng was significantly attenuated. This indicates that these agents were acting selectively at PKC. In support of this the PKC inhibitors, polymyxin B (21 microM) and bisindolylmaleimide I (3 microM), attenuated the facilitatory effect of 4 beta PDB and dPAng although that of dPA was not significantly altered. 5. The effects of these agents on transmitter release were not correlated with their in vitro affinity and isozyme selectivity for PKC. Short chain substituted mono- and diesters of phorbol were more potent enhancers of action-potential evoked noradrenaline and dopamine release than the long chain esters. Interestingly, these former agents are the least potent or non effective (e.g. dPA, PDA) tumour promoters. We suggest that the reason for the poor effects of lipophilic long chain phorbol esters (PMA, dPT) on transmitter release is that they are sequestered in the plasmalemma and do not access the cell cytoplasm where the PKC may be located.     

Phorbol ester-mediated enhancement of hippocampal noradrenaline release: which ion channels are involved?

Enhancement of neurotransmitter release following phorbol ester-induced activation of protein kinase C (PKC) may be mediated by changes in ion conductance through the presynaptic membrane. This question was studied with rabbit hippocampal slices preincubated with [3H]noradrenaline ([3H]NA). NA release was evoked by pulses of either high K+ or Ca2+ (in the presence of high K+), or by electrical field stimulation. 4 beta-Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB) increased and polymyxin B (PMB) reduced the K+-evoked NA release independent of the K+ concentration used for depolarization. The effects of PDB and PMB were not reduced by tetrodotoxin. PDB still enhanced the NA release triggered by short Ca2+ pulses in depolarized, axon terminal membranes (30 mM K+ and no Ca2+). The electrically evoked NA release was markedly enhanced by PDB even in the absence of Cl- in the medium or in the presence of the K+ channel blockers, tetraethylammonium, 4-amino- and 3,4-diaminopyridine. The inhibitory effect of the Ca2+ channel blocker, Cd2+, remained almost unchanged in the presence of PDB. It is concluded that PKC activation facilitates NA release in the hippocampus but not via presynaptic changes in Na+, K+ or Cl- currents. Whether phorbol ester mediates an increased intracellular Ca2+ availability, or whether a triggering 'normal' Ca2+ influx simply initiates, and synergistically supports, the PKC-mediated reactions leading to enhanced exocytosis, cannot be decided from the results of the present experiments.     

Protein kinase C and alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated inhibition of noradrenaline release from the rat tail artery.

In isolated rat tail arteries preincubated with [3H]noradrenaline, electrical field stimulation evoked the overflow of tritium. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a protein kinase C (PKC) activating phorbol ester, time-dependently increased the overflow at 1 mumol/L but not at 0.1 mumol/L. In contrast, the overflow was not altered by phorbol 13-acetate (PA, 1 mumol/L), which does not influence the activity of PKC. Polymyxin B (70 mumol/L), an inhibitor of PKC, depressed the overflow when given alone and, in addition, attenuated the effect of PMA, 1 mumol/L. The selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist B-HT 933 depressed the overflow; PMA, 1 mumol/L, did not interfere with the effect of B-HT 933, 10 mumol/L. The results provide evidence for the participation of prejunctionally located PKC in the release of noradrenaline. However, PKC does not seem to be involved in the alpha 2-adrenoceptor-agonist-mediated inhibition of noradrenaline release.     

Enhancement of noradrenaline release by 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate, an activator of protein kinase C

12-O-Tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC), enhanced the electrically evoked overflow of [3H]noradrenaline in a concentration-dependent manner in rabbit hippocampal slices. 4-O-Methyl-TPA, which lacks the ability to activate PKC had no effect on the evoked tritium overflow. The enhancement of noradrenaline release by TPA was affected by neither the alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine nor the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine. It is concluded from these results that PKC is involved in the mechanism of stimulus-secretion coupling in noradrenergic nerve terminals of the rabbit hippocampus.     

A role for protein kinase C in the electrically evoked release of [3H]γ-aminobutyric acid in rabbit caudate nucleus

Summary A possible participation of protein kinase C (PKC) in depolarization-induced release of -aminobutyric acid (GABA) in rabbit caudate nucleus was examined by means of phorbol esters and staurosporine. Slices of caudate nucleus were loaded with [³H]GABA, then superfused and stimulated electrically (3 ms, 5 Hz, 24 mA, 5 V/cm) for 2 min. Aminooxyacetic acid and the uptake inhibitor nipecotic acid were present throughout. The PKC activator 4-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (4-PDB) markedly enhanced the evoked [³H]GABA release. In contrast, its biologically inactive isomer, 4-PDB, did not facilitate transmitter release. Staurosporine, an inhibitor of PKC, diminished [³H]GABA release and counteracted the effects caused by 4-PDB. The above results suggest a participation of PKC in depolarization-induced GABA release in rabbit caudate nucleus. The mechanism underlying the modulation of GABA release by PKC seems to be independent of presynaptic GABA, dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors.Abbreviations PDB Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate - PKC protein kinase C Send offprint requests to C. Allgaier at the above address     

Omega-conotoxin GVIA and pharmacological modulation of hippocampal noradrenaline release

The tritium overflow evoked by electrical stimulation of rabbit hippocampal slices labeled with [3H]noradrenaline was inhibited by omega-conotoxin GVIA, a peptide modulator of the N-type voltage-sensitive calcium channel (N-VSCC). The magnitude of this inhibition was unchanged in the presence of substances which interact with N- and/or L-VSCCs (cadmium, neomycin, (-)- and (+)-202-791), alpha 2-adrenoceptors (idazoxan, UK-14304), protein kinase C (4 beta-phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate) or potassium channels (4-aminopyridine). This finding suggests that the attenuation of calcium-dependent neurotransmitter release by omega-conotoxin GVIA is relatively insensitive to alterations of such release effected by other substances.     

Noradrenaline release and the effect of endogenous activation of the phospholipase C/protein kinase C signalling pathway in rat atria

1. It has been proposed that protein kinase C (PKC) in sympathetic nerves is activated during action-potential evoked release of noradrenaline and helps maintain transmitter output. We studied this phenomenon further in rat atria radiolabelled with [³H]-noradrenaline.
2. Noradrenaline release was elevated by continuous electrical stimulation of the atria for 10 min at either 5 or 10 Hz. Two inhibitors of PKC, polymyxin B (21 μM) and Ro 318220 (3 μM), markedly inhibited the release of noradrenaline but only at the higher stimulation frequency.
3. Further experiments were conducted with 10 Hz stimulation but for shorter train durations. In this case polymyxin B inhibited noradrenaline release during a 10 or 15 s train of impulses but not during a 5 s train. This suggests that PKC effects are induced during the stimulation train by some process.
4. The diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"R59949","term_id":"830644","term_text":"R59949"}}R59949 (10 μM), which prevents the breakdown of diacylglycerol, enhanced noradrenaline release elicited by stimulation at 10 Hz for 10 or 15 s. This effect was not seen if polymyxin B was present and suggests that diacylglycerol is the endogenous activator of PKC.
5. The source of the diacylglycerol may be through phospholipase C pathways, since the phospholipase C inhibitor {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"U73122","term_id":"4098075","term_text":"U73122"}}U73122 (3 μM) inhibited noradrenaline release at 10 Hz for 10 s and the effect was not seen if polymyxin B was also present.
6. It is unlikely that phospholipase D is the source of diacylglycerol. Although the phospholipase D inhibitor wortmannin (1 μM) inhibited noradrenaline release, this effect was still observed in the presence of polymyxin B. Furthermore ethanol, which inhibits diacylglycerol formation by phospholipase D, had no effect on noradrenaline release.
7. We therefore suggest that during a train of high frequency pulses phospholipase C is activated and this results in the production of diacylglycerol which in turn activates PKC. This enables the neurones to maintain transmitter release at a high level.

     

Frequency-dependent effects of activation and inhibition of protein kinase C on neurohypophysial release of oxytocin and vasopressin

Summary Isolated rat neurohypophyses were superfused in vitro and the release of vasopressin and oxytocin into the medium was determined by specific radioimmunoassays. Hormone secretion was increased by electrical stimulation of the pituitary stalk at different frequencies. The effects of several phorbol esters, known to activate (phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, PDB) or not to affect (4a-phorbol 12,13-dideconate and phorbol 12-monoacetate) protein kinase C, and of the direct protein kinase C inhibitor 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H7) were tested.Electrical stimulation with 450 pulses caused the release of about 45 U vasopressin and 55 U oxytocin, when a frequency of 3 Hz was applied, and of about 500 U vasopressin and oxytocin, when a frequency of 15 Hz was used.PDB (1 gmol/l) increased the release of vasopressin evoked by 15 Hz stimulation maximally by about 40–50% and that evoked by 3 Hz stimulation by about 150%. The release of oxytocin evoked by 15 Hz stimulation was increased by about 150% and that evoked by 3 Hz stimulation by about 400–500% in the presence of PDB. Both inactive phorbol esters had no effects on the evoked release of vasopressin or oxytocin. The effect of PDB on the release of vasopressin and oxytocin was blocked by H7 (10–30mol/1). H7 (30 ol/1) alone reduced the release of vasopressin evoked by stimulation at 15 Hz by 50%. The release of oxytocin was not significantly affected by H7. In the presence of naloxone (1 ol/1) the release of oxytocin evoked by 3 and 15 Hz stimulation was increased by about 175 and 105%, respectively. In the presence of naloxone, H7 (30 mol/1) had no effect on the release of oxytocin evoked by stimulation at 15 Hz, but PDB caused an increase of the release of oxytocin similar to that in the absence of naloxone. Inactivation of protein kinase C by prolonged exposure of isolated neurohypophyses to PDB (1 mol/1) for 4 h reduced the release of vasopressin evoked by stimulation at 15 Hz by about 45%.In conclusion, activation of protein kinase C can facilitate impulse-induced hormone secretion from neurosecretory nerve endings. Under the present in vitro conditions, an endogenous activation of protein kinase C appears to be involved, in part, in the frequency-dependent facilitation of vasopressin, but not of oxytocin secretion. In addition, the inhibition of oxytocin release by endogenous opioids appears not to be associated with effects on protein kinase C.Abbreviations DMSO dimethylsulphoxide - H7 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methyl-piperazine - PDB phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate Send offprint requests to K. Rack at the above address     

3,4-Diaminopyridine-evoked noradrenaline release in rat hippocampus: role of Na+ entry on Ca2+ pools and of protein kinase C.

Slices of rat hippocampus, preincubated with [3H]noradrenaline [(3H]NA), were superfused continuously and stimulated by addition of 3,4-diaminopyridine (3,4-DAP; 100 microM) for 10 min to the superfusion medium. An overflow of 3H evoked by 3,4-DAP (representing [3H]NA release) was measurable not only in the presence but also in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Both the protein kinase C (PKC) activator 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (4 beta-PDB) and the PKC inhibitor polymyxin B, affected mainly the evoked release in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ in a facilitatory or inhibitory manner, respectively. Moreover, in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, both the 3,4-DAP-evoked [3H]NA release and the facilitatory effect of 4 beta-PDB were abolished in the presence of tetrodotoxin or in the absence of Na+ in the superfusion medium. Ruthenium red, a blocker of mitochondrial Ca2+ reuptake, potently increased 3,4-DAP-evoked [3H]NA release in Ca(2+)-free EGTA-containing medium. The facilitatory effects of ruthenium red and 4 beta-PDB were additive. From these and earlier observations we conclude (1) that the mechanism of 3,4-DAP-evoked [3H]NA release involves both Ca2+ influx into the nerve terminals and mobilization of intraneuronal Ca2+ pools. Most probably Ca2+ release from cytoplasmic Ca2+ stores (e.g. endoplasmic reticular pools or mitochondria) is induced by Na+ ions entering the nerve endings during 3,4-DAP-evoked repetitive action potentials. (2) The facilitatory effect of phorbol ester on 3,4-DAP-evoked NA release appears to be mediated not by changes in Ca2+ influx, but by enhancement of intraneuronal events distal to Na+ ion entry and increased intracellular Ca2+ availability.     

P1-purinoceptor-mediated modulation of neural noradrenaline and ATP release in guinea-pig vas deferens

The effect of P₁-purinoceptor activation on contractions, release of noradrenaline and release of ATP elicited by electrical field stimulation (210 pulses, 7 Hz) was studied in the superfused vas deferens of the guinea pig. Release of noradrenaline was assessed as overflow of total tritium after preincubation with [³H]-noradrenaline. ATP was measured by means of the luciferinluciferase technique.Electrical stimulation elicited reproducible contraction, tritium overflow and ATP overflow. In the absence of other drugs, adenosine (10–100 M) did not change evoked contractions but reduced the evoked overflow of tritium and ATP. In subsequent experiments ₁-adrenoceptors were blocked by prazosin, P₂-purinoceptors by suramin and ₂-adrenoceptors by rauwolscine. No or almost no contraction remained under these conditions. The evoked overflow of tritium was 505% and the evoked overflow of ATP 34% of that observed in the absence of prazosin, suramin and rauwolscine. Adenosine (1–100 M) again reduced the evoked overflow of tritium and ATP, and so did the A₁-selective agonist 2-chloro-N⁶-cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA; 0.032–0.32 M). Adenosine and CCPA decreased the evoked overflow of ATP to a greater extent than the evoked overflow of tritrium.It is concluded that neural release of both postganglionic sympathetic cotransmitters, noradrenaline and ATP, is decreased upon activation of prejunctional P₁- (A₁-) purinoceptors in guinea-pig vas deferens. The A₁-receptor-mediated inhibition of the release of ATP is more marked than the inhibition of the release of noradrenaline, a pattern opposite to the inhibition produced by activation of prejunctional ₂-autoreceptors. Correspondence to: B. Driessen at the above address     

Protein kinase C may regulate the tonic component of intestinal smooth muscle contraction in response to substance P

Summary (1) This study investigated a possible involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) in the substance P-induced contraction of the longitudinal muscle of the guinea-pig isolated ileum. (2) The predominant effect of the PKC activator, phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDB), was to change the time course of the response to substance P. While the initial peak contraction was hardly influenced by PDB, the fading of the contraction was accelerated to an extent that any tonic contraction which normally followed the initial peak response was prevented. This inhibitory effect of PDB on the tonic contraction was immediate in onset and related to its concentration (20–200 nM); responses to half-maximally (2–7 nM) or maximally effective (0.74 M) concentrations of substance P were affected in the same manner. Tetrodotoxin (0.6 M) did not alter the effect of PDB. Phorbol-13-monoacetate (2 M), a phorbol ester which does not stimulate PKC, failed to change the time course of the substance P-induced contraction. (3) The tonic component of half-maximal contractile responses to histamine (0.20.4 M) was also depressed by PDB (0.2 M) whereas the tonic component of maximal responses to histamine (9 M) was enhanced. (4) PDB (0.2 M) reduced desensitization to substance P as judged by the reduction of the peak response to substance P (2–7 nM) following a 10-min exposure to a high concentration of the pepide (0.74M). (5) The PKC inhibitor, polymyxin B (0.1–0.3 mM), reduced the peak contractile response to substance P, slowed the fading of the contraction, and antagonized the inhibitory effect of PDB on the tonic contraction. (6) These findings suggest that, in intestinal smooth muscle, the phasic and tonic components of receptor-mediated contractions involve separate signalling mechanisms. The tonic component of contraction appears to be under the control of protein kinase C which determines whether the contraction fades away or is sustained. Fading of the substance P- induced contraction does not seem to reflect desensitization of the muscle to this agonist.Abbreviations EC₅₀ half-maximally effective concentration - PDB phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate - PKC protein kinase C Send offprint requests to P. Holzer at the above address     

The influence of activation or inhibition of protein kinase C on the release of radioactivity from rat isolated atria labelled with [3H]-noradrenaline.

1. The release of radioactivity from rat isolated atria preloaded with [3H]-noradrenaline ([3H]-NA) evoked by electrical field stimulation (2 Hz, 1 ms, 60 s) of intraneuronal sympathetic nerves, high potassium (64.7 mM) or tyramine (0.3 micron) was used as an index of noradrenaline release. 2. Activation of protein kinase C by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) produced a concentration-dependent enhancement of field stimulation-induced outflow of radioactivity, whereas polymyxin B, an inhibitor of protein kinase C, reduced [3H]-NA release evoked by field stimulation. The enhancement observed in the presence of PMA was attenuated by polymyxin B (10 and 70 microns). 3. Release of noradrenaline evoked by membrane depolarization in a high potassium medium was similarly affected by PMA and polymyxin B. 4. In contrast, the release of noradrenaline evoked by the indirectly acting sympathomimetic amine, tyramine, was not altered by PMA. Polymyxin B in a concentration of 70 microns, but not 10 microns caused a slight reduction in tyramine-induced outflow of radioactivity. 5. The spontaneous outflow of radioactive compounds was not affected by either PMA or polymyxin B in the bathing medium. 6. The findings suggest that protein kinase C may play a role in the exocytotic release of noradrenaline but not in the displacement of noradrenaline by indirectly acting sympathomimetic amines.     

Involvement of adenylate cyclase and protein kinase C in the α2-adrenoceptor-mediated inhibition of noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine release in rat hypothalamic slices

Summary In superfused rat hypothalamic slices prelabelled with [³H]-noradrenaline, the ₂-adrenoceptor agonist UK 14304 inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner the electrically-evoked release of tritium. This inhibition was antagonized by the ₂-adrenoceptor blocking agent idazoxan, which by itself increased the electrically-evoked tritium overflow. Exposure to forskolin, an adenylate cyclase activator, increased the electrically-evoked release of [³H]-noradrenaline. In the presence of forskolin (1 mol/l), both the inhibitory effect of UK 14304 and the increasing effect of idazoxan on the electrically-evoked release of [³H]-noradrenaline were less pronounced than in the absence of the adenylate cyclase activator. Exposure to forskolin and to the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine shifted to the right the concentration-effect curve for UK 14304 in a similar manner as that observed in the presence of forskolin alone. Exposure to phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (0.01–10 mol/l), a drug which activates protein kinase C, increased the electrically-evoked release of [³H]-noradrenaline. In the presence of phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (0.1 and 1 mol/l), the concentration effect curve for UK 14304 on tritium overflow was significantly shifted to the right. The increasing effect of idazoxan on tritium overflow was significantly less pronounced in the presence of 1 mol/l phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate.In superfused rat hypothalamic slices prelabelled with [³H]-5-hydroxytryptamine, the ₂-adrenoceptor agonist UK 14304 significantly inhibited the electrically-evoked release of tritium. Exposure to forskolin increased in a concentration-dependent manner [³H]-5-hydroxytryptamine overflow, but did not modify the UK 14304-mediated inhibition. Exposure to 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine enhanced the electrically-evoked release of [³H]-5-hydroxytryptamine. In the presence of both forskolin (1 mol/l) and 3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine (1 mmol/l), the concentration-response curve for UK 14304 was significantly shifted to the right. Exposure to phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (0.01–10 mol/l) enhanced in a concentration-dependent manner the electrically-evoked overflow of [³H]-5-hydroxytryptamine. In the presence of phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (0.1 and 1 mol/l), UK 14304 was significantly less potent to inhibit tritium release than in the absence of the protein kinase C activator.It is concluded that both cyclic AMP and phosphoinositide turnover are involved in the modulation of noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine release by presynaptic ₂-adrenoceptors in rat hypothalamic slices. However, these interactions do not represent definitive proof for a cause-effect relationship for the second messengers mediating the ₂-adrenoceptor induced inhibition of transmitter release either as autoreceptor or as heteroreceptor.Send offprint requests to S. Z. Langer at the above address     

Nicotine-induced release of noradrenaline and neuropeptide Y in guinea-pig heart: role of calcium channels and protein kinase C

Summary The role of calcium, calcium influx through calcium channels, and activation of protein kinase C for the nicotine-induced release of noradrenaline and of the sympathetic co-transmitter neuropeptide Y (NPY) was investigated in the guinea-pig isolated perfused heart. In the coronary venous overflow noradrenaline and NPY were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay, respectively. In the presence of extracellular calcium (1.85 mmol/l) nicotine (1–100 mol/l) evoked a concentration-dependent overflow of both transmitters with a molar ratio of approximately 1500 (noradrenaline):1 (NPY). The nicotine-induced (100 mol/l) overflow of noradrenaline and NPY was in a linear manner related (r = 0.79 and 0.90, respectively; p < 0.05) to the extracellular calcium concentration (0–1.85 mmol/l), and it was prevented by calcium-free perfusion. The L-type calcium channel blocker felodipine (100 nmol/l) did not affect the nicotine-induced (100 mol/l) transmitter overflow. On the other hand, the neuronal (N-type) calcium channel blockers -conotoxin (100 nmol/l) and cadmium chloride (50 mol/l) reduced the nicotine-induced (100 pmol/l) transmitter overflow to 20% of the control value, suggesting a role of N-type calcium channels in mediating the calcium influx for the nicotine-induced transmitter release. The nicotine-induced (30 mol/l) overflow of both transmitters was two- to three-fold increased by activation of protein kinase C (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate; 100 nmol/l). The transmitter overflow was unaffected by 4-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (100 nmol/l), a phorbol ester which does not stimulate protein kinase C. Further supporting a modulatory role of protein kinase C, inhibition of the enzyme by either polymyxin B (100 gmol/I) or by cremophor RH-30 (1mol/l) almost completely suppressed the overflow of noradrenaline and NPY. The results of the present study indicate that nicotine evokes a concentration-dependent exocytotic co-release of noradrenaline and NPY in the guinea-pig isolated perfused heart which is characterized by its dependence on extracellular calcium, calcium influx through N-type calcium channels and activation of protein kinase C.This work was supported by a grant from the Forschungsrat Rauchen und Gesundheit Send of fprint requests to M. Haass at the above address