Stimulation of renin secretion by nitric oxide is mediated by phosphodiesterase 3

This study aimed to characterize the cellular pathways along which nitric oxide (NO) stimulates renin secretion from the kidney. Using the isolated perfused rat kidney model we found that renin secretion stimulated 4- to 8-fold by low perfusion pressure (40 mmHg), by macula densa inhibition (100 micromol/liter of bumetanide), and by adenylate cyclase activation (3 nmol/liter of isoproterenol) was markedly attenuated by the NO synthase inhibitor nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-Name) (1 mM) and that the inhibition by L-Name was compensated by the NO-donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (10 micromol/liter). Similarly, inhibition of cAMP degradation by blockade of phosphodiesterase 1 (PDE-1) (20 micromol/liter of 8-methoxymethyl-1-methyl-3-(2-methylpropyl)xanthine) or of PDE-4 (20 micromol/liter of rolipram) caused a 3- to 4-fold stimulation of renin secretion that was attenuated by L-Name and that was even overcompensated by sodium nitroprusside. Inhibition of PDE-3 by 20 micromol/liter of milrinone or by 200 nmol/liter of trequinsin caused a 5- to 6-fold stimulation of renin secretion that was slightly enhanced by NO synthase inhibition and moderately attenuated by NO donation. Because PDE-3 is a cGMP-inhibited cAMP-PDE the role of endogenous cGMP for the effects of NO was examined by the use of the specific guanylate cyclase inhibitor 1-H-(1,2,4)oxodiazolo(4,3a)quinoxalin-1-one (20 micromol). In the presence of 1H-[1,2,4]oxodiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one the effect of NO on renin secretion was abolished, whereas PDE-3 inhibitors exerted their normal effects. These findings suggest that PDE-3 plays a major role for the cAMP control of renin secretion. Our findings are compatible with the idea that the stimulatory effects of endogenous and exogenous NO on renin secretion are mediated by a cGMP-induced inhibition of cAMP degradation.     

Endothelin-1 is an autocrine/paracrine factor in the mechanism of angiotensin II-induced hypertrophy in cultured rat cardiomyocytes

To elucidate the cellular mechanism by which angiotensin II (ANG II) induces cardiac hypertrophy, we investigated the possible autocrine/paracrine role of endogenous endothelin-1 (ET-1) in ANG II-induced hypertrophy of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes by use of synthetic ET-1 receptor antagonist and antisense oligonucleotides to preproET-1 (ppET-1) mRNA. Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization revealed that ppET-1 mRNA was expressed in cardiomyocytes, but, to a lesser extent, in nonmyocytes as well. ANG II upregulated ppET-1 mRNA level by threefold over control level as early as 30 min, and it stimulated release of immunoreactive ET-1 from cardiomyocytes in a dose- and time-dependent manner. ET-1 stimulated ppET-1 mRNA levels after 30 min in a similar fashion as ANG II. Tetradecanoylphorbol-acetate (10(-7) M) mimicked the effects of ANG II and ET-1 on induction of ppET-1 mRNA. ANG II-induced ppET-1 gene expression was completely blocked by protein kinase C inhibitor H-7 or by down-regulation of endogenous protein kinase C by pretreatment with phorbol ester. ET-1 and ANG II stimulated twofold increase [3H]leucine incorporation into cardiomyocytes, whose effects were similarly and dose dependently inhibited by endothelin A receptor antagonist (BQ123). Introduction of antisense sequence against coding region of ppET-1 mRNA into cardiomyocytes resulted in complete blockade with ppET-1 mRNA levels and [3H]leucine incorporation stimulated by ANG II. These results suggest that endogenous ET-1 locally generated and secreted by cardiomyocytes may contribute to ANG II-induced cardiac hypertrophy via an autocrine/paracrine fashion.     

Protein kinase A, protein kinase C, and Ca(2+)-regulated expression of 21-hydroxylase cytochrome P450 in H295R human adrenocortical cells

The physiological importance of adrenal 21-hydroxylase cytochrome P450 (CYP21) expression is clearly demonstrated by 21-hydroxylase deficiency, which results in adrenal hyperplasia and over-production of C19 steroids, leading to virilization. The mechanisms regulating normal expression of this key enzyme in human adrenocortical cells are ill defined. Herein we examine the role of the calcium, protein kinase C, and protein kinase A signaling pathways in the expression of CYP21 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) using the H295R human adrenocortical cell model. Forskolin (10 mumol/L) treatment caused a progressive increase in CYP21 mRNA levels (maximum, 4-fold; P < 0.05) over 36 h of treatment, whereas angiotensin II (AII; 10 nmol/L) produced a smaller, biphasic rise (maximum, 1.8-fold at 12 h; P < 0.05). K+ (14 mmol/L) also induced a time-dependent (maximal, 1.5-fold at 12 h; P < 0.05) and dose-dependent (P < 0.05 12 mmol/L or above at 20 h) rise in CYP21 mRNA levels. The action of forskolin was reproduced by dibutyryl cAMP, confirming the involvement of cAMP in this response. The action of AII was greater than that of K+ or the calcium channel agonist BAYK8644, suggesting that AII action was not solely through the Ca2+ signaling pathway. The action of AII was reproduced and indeed exceeded by the protein kinase C activator 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA; 10 nmol/L; 5.5-fold increase; P < 0.05). The actions of forskolin alone were not significantly increased by combined treatment with AII, suggesting neither synergy nor attenuation of the effects of protein kinase A activation. This was further demonstrated at the level of mRNA and 21-hydroxylase activity by the observation that the effect of forskolin and TPA in combination did not exceed that of TPA alone. Inhibition of protein synthesis with cycloheximide blocked induction of CYP21 as well as type II 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta HSDII) mRNA expression in response to AII, forskolin, and dibutyryl cAMP, but had no effect on 17 alpha-hydroxylase cytochrome P450 (CYP17) or cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P450 (CYP11A) mRNA. Together, these findings were remarkably similar to those of our previous studies regarding mechanisms regulating 3 beta HSDII expression and underline the existence of a subset of steroidogenic enzymes regulated positively (CYP21 and 3 beta HSDII) as opposed to negatively (CYP17 and CYP11A) by the protein kinase C signaling pathway. The additional finding of a small induction of CYP21 expression in response to increased Ca2+, as previously reported for CYP17, but not 3 beta HSDII, expression, also demonstrates that the mechanisms of control of CYP21 and 3 beta HSDII are not identical. This latter finding may also relate to how CYP21 as well as CYP17 expression continues in the zona reticularis after adrenarche, whereas 3 beta HSD expression declines.     

Activation of protein kinase A prevents the ethanol-induced up-regulation of delta-opioid receptor mRNA in NG108-15 cells

We have used a sensitive solution hybridization assay with a riboprobe transcribed from the coding sequence of the delta-opioid receptor gene (DOR) to study the up-regulation of the DOR mRNA by ethanol in NG108-15 cells. Exposure of the cells to compounds that increase cAMP levels (forskolin, forskolin + IBMX, or dibutyryl cAMP) resulted in the attenuation of ethanol-induced up-regulation of DOR mRNA. The inactive analogue of forskolin, 1,9-dideoxy forskolin had no effect. Northern blot analysis of RNA extracts from ethanol-, forskolin- or ethanol + forskolin-treated cells showed proportional changes in each of the multiple DOR mRNA bands, so that no difference was observed in the fraction of the total hybridization signal produced by each band of the DOR mRNA. In the absence of ethanol, forskolin or dibutyryl cAMP reduced the basal levels of DOR mRNA. The cAMP analogue (Rp)-cAMPS, a protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, increased DOR mRNA levels. However, the combination of (Rp)-cAMPS and ethanol did not further increase DOR mRNA levels compared to ethanol or (Rp)-cAMPS alone. Signaling through cAMP and PKA down-regulates DOR mRNA levels. The ethanol-induced increase in DOR mRNA levels in NG108-15 cells appears to be mediated via a reduction of PKA.     

Actions of adrenomedullin on the rat adrenal cortex

The actions of adrenomedullin on cAMP and aldosterone secretion have been investigated using an intact rat adrenal capsular preparation incubated in vitro. Adrenomedullin was found to cause a dose-dependent increase in aldosterone secretion, with a parallel increase in cAMP release. The minimum concentration of adrenomedullin required for significant stimulation of aldosterone secretion was 10nmol/l. Adrenomedullin did not affect ACTH-stimulated aldosterone secretion, but significantly inhibited endothelin-1 stimulated aldosterone secretion. We conclude that adrenomedullin is an aldosterone stimulant in the rat adrenal gland, acting through cAMP generation.     

Evidence for a role for the cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate/protein kinase-A pathway in regulation of the gonadotropin subunit messenger ribonucleic acids

cAMP regulation of gonadotropin secretion and subunit mRNA levels was studied in pituitary cells perifused with pulses of GnRH. Pituitary cells from 7-week-old male rats castrated at 5 weeks of age were stimulated hourly for 9-24 h with 1-min pulses of GnRH, the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin, the cell-permeable cAMP analog 8-bromo-cAMP (8Br-cAMP), or control medium. Cells were also treated with the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug flufenamic acid, which reduces pituitary cAMP levels. During perifusion, the effluent was collected in 10-min fractions for FSH and LH assay. At the completion of perifusion, total RNA was extracted, and gonadotropin subunit mRNA levels were quantitated by Northern analysis. Continuous administration of flufenamic acid gradually reduced the amplitude of GnRH-stimulated FSH and LH pulses to nadir values of 40 +/- 4.7% and 62 +/- 12% of the control value, respectively. Flufenamic acid decreased (P < 0.05) FSH beta and alpha-subunit mRNA levels and blocked the effect of GnRH to lengthen LH beta mRNA. Pulses of forskolin or 8Br-cAMP released LH and FSH, and continuous forskolin or 8Br-cAMP potentiated the gonadotropin stimulatory effect of GnRH. Forskolin or 8Br-cAMP increased (P < 0.05) FSH beta mRNA and alpha-subunit mRNA levels when administered in pulses, but not when administered continuously, and lengthened LH beta mRNA. The Nal-Glu GnRH antagonist blocked the effects of GnRH pulses, but not the effects of 8Br-cAMP or forskolin. In conclusion, lowering intracellular cAMP levels with flufenamic acid attenuated GnRH-stimulated gonadotropin secretion, decreased alpha-subunit and FSH beta mRNA levels, and blocked the effect of GnRH to lengthen LH beta mRNA, whereas 8Br-cAMP or forskolin produced the opposite effect. These data extend previous results which suggested that cAMP modulates gonadotropin secretion and indicate that the cAMP/A-kinase pathway regulates each of the gonadotropin subunit mRNAs.     

Protein kinase A-dependent stimulation of exocytosis in mouse pancreatic beta-cells by glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide

The mechanisms by which glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) stimulates insulin secretion were investigated by measurements of whole-cell Ca2+ currents, the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration, and cell capacitance as an indicator of exocytosis in individual mouse pancreatic beta-cells maintained in short-term culture. GIP produced a 4.2-fold potentiation of depolarization-induced exocytosis. This stimulation of exocytosis was not associated with a change in the whole-cell Ca2+-current, and there was only a small increase (30%) in the cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration [intercellular free Ca2+([Ca2+]i)]. The stimulatory effect of GIP on exocytosis was blocked by pretreatment with the specific protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor Rp-8-Br-cAMPS. Glucagon-like peptide-I(7-36) amide (GLP-I) stimulated exocytosis (90%) in the presence of a maximal GIP concentration (100 nmol/l). Replacement of GLP-I with forskolin produced a similar stimulatory action on exocytosis. These effects of GLP-I and forskolin in the presence of GIP did not involve a change in the whole-cell Ca2+-current or [Ca2+]i. GIP was ineffective in the presence of both forskolin and the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX). Under the same experimental conditions, the protein kinase C (PKC)-activating phorbol ester 4-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) stimulated exocytosis (60%). Collectively, our data indicate that the insulinotropic hormone GIP stimulates insulin secretion from pancreatic beta-cells, through the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway, by interacting with the secretory machinery at a level distal to an elevation in [Ca2+]i.     

Vasoactive intestinal peptide enhances its own expression in sympathetic neurons after injury

Neurons in the adult rat superior cervical sympathetic ganglion (SCG) dramatically increase their content of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and its mRNA after axotomy in vivo and after explantation. Because the VIP gene contains a functional cAMP response element, the effects of cAMP-elevating agents on VIP expression were examined. VIP, forskolin, or isoproterenol increased cAMP accumulation in explanted ganglia. Secretin, a peptide chemically related to VIP, or forskolin increased VIP levels above those seen in ganglia cultured in control medium, whereas treatment with VIP or secretin increased the level of peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI), a peptide coded for by the same mRNA that encodes VIP. VIP or forskolin also increased VIP-PHI mRNA. In contrast, isoproterenol did not alter levels of VIP, PHI, or VIP-PHI mRNA. Although VIP or forskolin increased cAMP levels in both dissociated neurons and in non-neuronal cells, isoproterenol significantly stimulated cAMP accumulation only in the latter. VIP6-28 was an effective antagonist of the actions of exogenous VIP on cAMP and VIP-PHI mRNA in neuron-enriched cultures. When adult SCG explants were cultured in defined medium, endogenous VIP immunoreactivity was released. When VIP6-28 was added to such cultures, it significantly inhibited the increase in VIP-PHI mRNA that normally occurs. These data indicate that VIP, or a closely related molecule, produced by adult neurons after injury can enhance the expression of VIP. Such a mechanism may prolong the period during which VIP is elevated after axonal damage. The possibility is also discussed that, because VIP is present in preganglionic neurons in normal animals, its release during periods of increased sympathetic nerve activity could alter VIP expression in the SCG.     

Regulation of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II in rat adrenocortical cells

The regulation of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II (11beta-HSD2) gene expression was studied in primary cultures of rat adrenocortical cells. The protein kinase A (PKA) pathway agonists forskolin, dibutyryl cAMP and ACTH caused a 5-10 fold increase in 11beta-HSD2 mRNA as determined by semiquantitative PCR. The effect of forskolin could be partially inhibited by the addition of the phorbol ester TPA, an activator of the protein kinase C (PKC) pathway. The increase in mRNA encoding 11beta-HSD2 was accompanied by increased synthesis of 11beta-HSD2 as measured by immunoprecipitation of labeled protein. It is concluded that both the PKA and PKC pathways are involved in the regulation of rat adrenal 11beta-HSD2 gene expression.     

Multihormonal control of ob gene expression and leptin secretion from cultured human visceral adipose tissue: increased responsiveness to glucocorticoids in obesity

The direct role of hormones on leptin synthesis has not yet been studied in cultured adipose cells or tissue from lean and obese subjects. Moreover, this hormonal regulation has never been addressed in human visceral fat, although this site plays a determinant role in obesity-linked disorders. In this study, we investigated the hormonal control of ob expression and leptin production in cultured visceral adipose tissue from lean and obese subjects. We more particularly focused on the interactions between glucocorticoids and insulin. We also briefly tackled the role of cAMP, which is still unknown in man. Visceral (and subcutaneous) adipose tissues from eight obese (body mass index, 41 +/- 2 kg/m2) and nine nonobese (24 +/- 1 kg/m2) subjects were sampled during elective abdominal surgery, and explants were cultured for up to 48 h in MEM. The addition of dexamethasone to the medium increased ob gene expression and leptin secretion in a time-dependent manner. Forty-eight hours after dexamethasone (50 nmol/L) addition, the cumulative integrated ob messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and leptin responses were, respectively, approximately 5- and 4-fold higher in obese than in lean subjects. These responses closely correlated with the body mass index. The stimulatory effect of the glucocorticoid was also concentration dependent (EC50 = approximately 10 nmol/L). Although the maximal response was higher in obese than in lean subjects, the EC50 values were roughly similar in both groups. Unlike dexamethasone, insulin had no direct stimulatory effect on ob gene expression and leptin secretion. Singularly, insulin even inhibited the dexamethasone-induced rise in ob mRNA and leptin release. This inhibition was observed in both lean and obese subjects, whereas the expected stimulation of insulin on glucose metabolism and the accumulation of mRNA species for the insulin-sensitive transporter GLUT4 and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase occurred in lean patients only. This inhibitory effect was already detectable at 10 nmol/L insulin and was also observed in subcutaneous fat. Although a lowering of intracellular cAMP concentrations is involved in some of the effects of insulin on adipose tissue, this cannot account for the present finding, because the addition of cAMP to the medium also decreased ob mRNA and leptin secretion (regardless of whether dexamethasone was present). In conclusion, glucocorticoids, at physiological concentrations, stimulated leptin secretion by enhancing the pretranslational machinery in human visceral fat. This effect was more pronounced in obese subjects due to a greater responsiveness of the ob gene and could contribute to the metabolic abnormalities associated with central obesity by para/endocrine actions of hyperleptinemia on adipocytes and liver. Unlike dexamethasone, insulin had no direct stimulatory effect on ob gene expression and leptin secretion, and even prevented the positive response to dexamethasone by a cAMP-independent mechanism that remained functional despite insulin resistance.