The role of context in the inhibitory conditioning of honeybees.

Conditioned inhibition or CI training (A+/AB-) was compared with S- training (A+/B-) in three experiments on proboscis-extension conditioning in harnessed honeybees. The purpose was to test the Rescorla-Wagner assumption, widely credited in the vertebrate literature, that a nonreinforced stimulus acquires inhibitory properties in proportion to the excitatory value of the context in which it is presented. In prior work with free-flying honeybees pretrained with sucrose to come of their own accord to the experimental situation, no differences were found in the consequences of CI and S- training, perhaps because A added little to the excitatory value of the context (already very high) in which B occurred. In the new experiments, with harnessed subjects brought involuntarily into the training situation, negative results again were obtained. The possibility is considered that inhibitory conditioning in honeybees is independent of the excitatory value of the context.

Specific recognition of protein carboxy-terminal sequences by natural IgM antibodies in normal serum.

Our previous study indicated that normal serum contains complement-fixing natural IgM antibodies reacting with a large variety of randomly generated protein carboxy-termini. Here we show that the "carboxy-terminal" IgM (C-IgM) antibodies specifically react with short peptide sequences located immediately at the protein carboxy-terminus. The specificity of C-IgM-peptide interactions is tentatively defined by three to four amino acid residues. All carboxy-terminal peptides in a large peptide library apparently react with C-IgM antibodies. Immobilized synthetic peptides also react with C-IgM antibodies. No interaction of C-IgM antibodies with internal peptide sequences has been observed. C-IgM antibodies are present in germ-free and in athymic adult rats and are absent in newborn rats. The natural ubiquity of protein carboxy-termini in biological structures suggests that C-IgM could play an important role in antigen clearance and presentation to the immune system. From a practical viewpoint, the recognition of carboxy-terminal peptides by complement-fixing C-IgM antibodies has profound implications for the use of peptide- and protein-derivatized delivery vehicles and artificial materials.

Synthetic phosphorothioate-containing analogues of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate mobilize intracellular Ca2+ stores and interact differentially with inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 5-phosphatase and 3-kinase.

Intracellular Ca2+ stores in permeabilized SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were mobilized by D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [D-Ins(1,4,5)P3] and two of its synthetic analogues, DL-myo-inositol 1,4-bisphosphate 5-phosphorothioate (DL-InsP3-5S) and DL-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphorothioate (DL-InsP3S3). The concentrations of D-Ins(1,4,5)P3, DL-InsP3-5S, and DL-InsP3S3 required for half-maximal release were 0.11, 0.8, and 2.5 microM, respectively. All agents were full agonists, releasing 55-60% of sequestered 45Ca2+. D-Ins(1,4,5)P3-induced mobilization of Ca2+ was transient, and Ca2+ reuptake followed D-Ins(1,4,5)P3 metabolism closely. DL-InsP3S3-induced mobilization was persistent, consistent with the resistance of this analogue to metabolic enzymes. In contrast, DL-InsP3-5S-induced Ca2+ mobilization was followed by reuptake of Ca2+, albeit at a slower rate than that seen with D-Ins(1,4,5)P3. DL-InsP3-5S and DL-InsP3S3 were resistant to D-Ins(1,4,5)P3 5-phosphatase and potently inhibited the enzyme, with Ki values of 6.8 and 1.7 microM, respectively. DL-InsP3S3 was resistant to D-Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase and was a very weak inhibitor of the enzyme (Ki = 230 microM). The ability of DL-InsP3-5S to inhibit D-Ins(1,4,5)P3 phosphorylation (apparent Ki = 5 microM) and its loss of Ca(2+)-releasing ability on incubation with D-Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase suggest that this analogue may undergo phosphorylation to inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate 5-phosphorothioate. These differential and complementary properties of DL-InsP3-5S and DL-InsP3S3 may be useful in dissecting the roles of D-Ins(1,4,5)P3 and D-myo-inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate in Ca2+ homeostasis.

Inhibition of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate metabolism in permeabilised SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells by a phosphorothioate-containing analogue of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate.

Electrically permeabilised [3H]inositol-labelled SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells were employed to examine the effects of two synthetic, phosphatase-resistant analogues of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] on the metabolism of cell membrane-derived [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 or exogenous [5-32P]Ins(1,4,4)P3. Incubation of permeabilised SH-SY5Y cells for 5 min at 37 degrees C with carbachol and guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate caused a decrease in [3H]phosphoinositol phospholipid levels and an increase in [3H]inositol phosphate accumulation with inositol 4-phosphate, inositol 1,4-bisphosphate, Ins(1,4,5)P3 and inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate comprising approximately 79%, 16%, 3% and 2%, respectively, of the increase. Inositol 1-phosphate levels did not increase upon stimulation, nor was inositol 4-phosphate converted rapidly to inositol. In parallel incubations, the analogues, DL-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphorothioate (DL-InsP3S3) and DL-inositol 1,4-bisphosphate 5-phosphorothioate (DL-InsP3S), and synthetic racemic Ins(1,4,5)P3 (DL-InsP3), altered the profile of the [3H]inositol phosphates recovered and led, at millimolar concentrations, to a 10-15-fold increase in [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3. The extent of inhibition of [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 metabolism was, however, greatest in the presence of synthetic D-Ins(1,4,5)P3 (greater than or equal to 5 mM), when [3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 comprised approximately 50% of the increase in total [3H]inositol phosphates. Thus, under these conditions, at least 50% of [3H]inositol phosphates were derived from [3H]phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. [32P]Pi release from exogenous [5-32P]Ins(1,4,5)P3 was also inhibited by DL-InsP3S3, DL-InsP3S and DL-InsP3, with half-maximal inhibition at approximately 50 microM, 160 microM and 240 microM respectively. These actions were approximately ten times more potent than the effects of these compounds on [3H]inositol phosphate accumulation, indicating that homogenous mixing of exogenous and cell-membrane-derived Ins(1,4,5)P3 does not occur. These findings indicate that DL-InsP3S3 and DL-InsP3S inhibit Ins(1,4,5)P3 5-phosphatase. In contrast, the effects of synthetic DL-InsP3 and D-Ins(1,4,5)P3 are due to isotopic dilution. Whilst DL-InsP3S3 was the most potent inhibitor of dephosphorylation of exogenous or cell-membrane-derived Ins(1,4,5)P3, it was the weakest inhibitor of 3-kinase-catalysed Ins(1,4,5)P3 phosphorylation. Similarly, although approximately 50 times less potent than DL-InsP3S3, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate inhibited Ins(1,4,5)P3 5-phosphatase activity and was apparently without effect of Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphorothioate, a stable analogue of inositol trisphosphate which mobilizes intracellular calcium.

D-Ins(1,4,5)P3 is now recognized as an intracellular messenger that mediates the actions of many cell-surface receptors on intracellular Ca2+ pools, but its complex and rapid metabolism in intact cells has confused interpretation of its possible roles in oscillatory changes in intracellular [Ca2+] and in controlling Ca2+ entry at the plasma membrane. We now report the actions and metabolic stability of a synthetic analogue of Ins(1,4,5)P3, DL-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphorothioate [DL-Ins(1,4,5)P3[S]3]. In permeabilized hepatocytes, DL-Ins(1,4,5)P3[S]3 and synthetic DL-Ins(1,4,5)P3 stimulated Ca2+ release from the same intracellular stores, though the concentration required for half-maximal release was 3-fold higher for DL-Ins(1,4,5)P3[S]3. Since L-Ins(1,4,5)P3 neither antagonized the effects of D-Ins(1,4,5)P3 nor itself stimulated appreciable Ca2+ release, the activity of the racemic mixture of Ins(1,4,5)P3, and presumably also of Ins(1,4,5)P3[S]3, is attributable to the D-isomer. Under conditions where there was negligible metabolism of D-[3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3, both DL-Ins(1,4,5)P3 and DL-Ins(1,4,5)P3[S]3 elicited rapid Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, and the stores remained empty during prolonged stimulation. When cells were incubated at high density, both compounds stimulated rapid Ca2+ release, but while the stores soon refilled as Ins(1,4,5)P3 was degraded to Ins(1,4)P2, there was no refilling of the pools after stimulation with DL-Ins(1,4,5)P3[S]3. When DL-Ins(1,4,5)P3 or DL-Ins(1,4,5)P3[S]3 was treated with a crude preparation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 3-kinase and ATP, and the Ca2+-releasing activity of the products subsequently assayed, DL-Ins(1,4,5)P3 was completely inactivated by phosphorylation, but there was no loss of activity of the phosphorothioate analogue. In additional experiments, DL-Ins(1,4,5)P3[S]3 (10 microM) did not affect the rate of phosphorylation of D-[3H]Ins(1,4,5)P3 (1 microM). We conclude that Ins(1,4,5)P3[S]3 is a full agonist and only 3-fold less potent than Ins(1,4,5)P3 in mobilizing intracellular Ca2+ stores, but unlike the natural messenger it is resistant to both phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. We propose that this stable analogue will allow the direct actions of Ins(1,4,5)P3 to be resolved from those that require its metabolism.

myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphorothioate is a potent competitive inhibitor of human erythrocyte 5-phosphatase.

The effect of the myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) analogue, myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphorothioate (IPS3) on the dephosphorylation of D-5-[32P]IP3 by the 5-phosphatase from human erythrocyte membranes has been investigated. DL-IPS3 was found to act as a competitive inhibitor with a Ki of 6 microM, making it the most potent inhibitor currently available for this enzyme. L-IP3 inhibited the enzyme with a Ki of 124 microM and was more potent than D-2,3-diphosphoglycerate (Ki 978 microM).

Myo-inositol(1,4,5)trisphosphorothioate binds to specific [3H]inositol(1,4,5)trisphosphate sites in rat cerebellum and is resistant to 5-phosphatase.

D-Myo-inositol(1,4,5)trisphosphorothioate, a synthetic analogue of inositol(1,4,5)trisphosphate was shown to bind with a relatively high affinity to specific sites on rat cerebellar membranes labelled with [3H]inositol(1,4,5)trisphosphate. Use of this binding assay has also established that unlike the trisphosphate, the trisphosphorothioate is completely resistant to a specific 5-phosphatase prepared from human erythrocytes. The ability of this novel analogue to release intracellular Ca2+ has already been reported and it offers considerable potential in the investigation of phosphoinositide-linked receptors.

Stereospecific mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ by inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate. Comparison with inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphorothioate and inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate.

The stereo specificity of myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] to mobilize Ca2+ from an intracellular store has been examined in permeabilized rat pituitary-tumour GH3 and Swiss 3T3 cells. A comparison of D-Ins(1,4,5)P3 with the synthetic enantiomer L-Ins(1,4,5)P3 and the racemate DL-Ins(1,4,5)P3 clearly demonstrates the marked stereospecificity of the response. Whereas D-Ins(1,4,5)P3 released 30-50% of non-mitochondrially-bound Ca2+ with a EC50 (concentration producing 50% of maximal response) of 200 nM, the L isomer was both substantially less potent and efficacious. A high concentration of the L isomer (10 microM) did not significantly shift the dose-response curve for the D isomer in Swiss 3T3 cells, suggesting that the less active isomer is probably a very weak agonist. Other studies revealed, in contrast with previous work, that the other naturally occurring isomer, D-Ins(1,3,4)P3, was essentially inactive in releasing Ca+, whereas a novel 5-phosphatase-resistant analogue, DL-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphorothioate, was a relatively potent full agonist in GH3 cells. These data reveal, for the first time, the stereoselectivity of the intracellular receptor associated with Ca2+ release. They also provide evidence for the activity of the novel phosphorothioate analogue of Ins(1,4,5)P3, but suggest that D-Ins(1,3,4)P3 is not involved in cellular Ca2+ mobilization.

Calmodulin antagonists of improved potency and specificity for use in the study of calmodulin biochemistry.

Syntheses are described for a range of N-(omega-aminoalkyl)-5-iodo- and -5-cyanonaphthalene-1-sulphonamides. The selective activity of these compounds as inhibitors for calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.4.17) is compared with their activity for the calmodulin-independent but calcium-dependent enzymes protein kinase C and transglutaminase (EC 2.3.2.13). The results show a drastic improvement in the selectivity of effect for the 5-iodo-compounds compared with the widely-used drug, W7, N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloronaphthalene-1-sulphonamide.

DL-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphorothioate mobilizes intracellular calcium in Swiss 3T3 cells and Xenopus oocytes.

The initial water-soluble product of receptor-stimulate polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis, D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate is now accepted as the second messenger that stimulates release of Ca2+ from intracellular pools. We report here the first examples of Ca2+ release by a novel phosphatase-resistant inositol trisphosphate analogue, DL-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphorothioate, in Swiss 3T3 cells and Xenopus oocytes. L-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate was inactive in the latter system.

Stereospecific recognition sites for [3H]inositol(1,4,5)-triphosphate in particulate preparations of rat cerebellum.

A very high density of stereospecific binding sites for inositol-(1,4,5)P3 have been identified in rat cerebellar membranes using [3H]inositol-(1,4,5)P3 and a rapid centrifugation step to separate free and bound ligand. Binding was shown to be rapid and reversible and of relatively high affinity (KD 23 nM). Incubations were carried out at 4 degrees and under these conditions HPLC analysis demonstrated that there was no significant metabolism of [3H]-(1,4,5)P3 in the presence or absence of ATP over 15 min. The specificity of the site has been carefully evaluated using both natural and novel synthetic inositol phosphates. The stereospecificity is very marked with the D-, DL- and L-isomers of Ins(1,4,5)P3 showing a 1:4:2000 ratio of affinity for the binding site. D-Ins(2,4,5)P3 was the only other phosphate to show relatively high affinity (KD 1500 nM). HPLC-pure Ins(1,3,4)P3 and Ins(1,3,4,5)P4 were substantially weaker and Ins(1,4)P2, Ins-2-P1, Ins-1-P1, Ins(1,2)-cyclic P1 and inositol were totally inactive at concentrations less than 50 microM. These data are discussed in relation to a putative receptor on the endoplasmic reticulum by which Ins(1,4,5)P3 can initiate the release of bound Ca2+.