Effect of reduced levels of the LDL receptor of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells on cholesterol uptake and cell proliferation: a coculture study with baby hamster kidney cells.

We have introduced a heterologous coculture model between Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) and baby hamster kidney cells (PtK2), and we have studied the influence of PtK2 cells and their newly synthesized cholesterol on uptake and tumor cell proliferation. PtK2 cells produce about five times more cholesterol as compared to EAT cells, and they support tumor cell growth in coculture experiments. This growth stimulation is reduced by 80% when EAT cells are cultured in PtK2 cell-derived medium in the presence of a monoclonal anti-low-density lipoprotein receptor (anti-LDL(r)) antibody. Freshly synthesized cholesterol by PtK2 cells is taken up by EAT cells in a time-dependent manner amounting to a threefold increase after 24 h. Alternatively, cholesterol transfer to EAT cells is decreased between 28% and 35%, when PtK2 cell cholesterol synthesis is inhibited in the presence of mevinolin, the specific inhibitor of the hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. Furthermore, lower levels of EAT cell LDL receptor induced by antisense technology reduces cholesterol uptake and cell proliferation. These data demonstrate a metabolic interaction between normal and tumor cells mediated via the exchange of cholesterol, an important membrane constituent.

Cholesterol-induced growth stimulation, macromolecule synthesis, and increased phosphoinositide metabolism of ascites tumour cells in culture.

Ascites tumour cells have previously been shown by us to require exogenous cholesterol for growth. To investigate further this phenomenon, we have used, in addition to free cholesterol, cholesterol complexed to digitonine, to elaborate the specificity of this growth-controlling process using a chemically defined medium. Our data show that only free cholesterol stimulates cell growth and macromolecule synthesis in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that the proper embedding of the sterol into the membrane is a prerequisite for its function. Furthermore, studies have been performed on the influence of cholesterol on the phosphoinositide metabolism of our cells, as phosphoinositides furnish important second messenger molecules in the cascade of signal transduction. We could show that cholesterol stimulates a transient release of inositol trisphosphate and other inositol phosphates by inducing the activation of phospholipase C (PLC). PLC activation by a factor of about 3 with phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidyl inositol 4,5-bisphosphate as substrates could be measured directly by using a partially purified membrane preparation. This enzyme activity was found to be strongly dependent on free Ca2+ ions with optimal concentrations of 100 nM for cholesterol- and 50 nM for cholesterol-digitonide-treated cells. Ca2+ concentration for half-maximum activation, however, was identical under both conditions. Phospholipase C activity could be synergistically increased about 2-fold with 25 microg GTP gammaS in cholesterol-digitonide-treated cells as well, suggesting that the coupling between phospholipase C and the G-protein was not disturbed by the complex. These data demonstrate a functional role of cholesterol on cell growth, macromolecule synthesis, and phosphoinositide metabolism mediating the release of important second messenger molecules.

Free cholesterol induces activation but not translocation of protein kinase C in cultured ascites tumour cells.

Ascites tumour cells, cultivated in a serum replacement medium with low mitogenic activity supplemented with free cholesterol or cholesterol complexed to digitonine, were used to study protein kinase C (PKC) activation and its translocation from the cytosol to the membrane compartment. Activity of partially purified PKC was assessed by the Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent phosphorylation of histone as substrate. Staurosporine-sensitive PKC activity was increased by a factor of about three in the membrane compartment as the result of cholesterol supplementation with about 90% of total activity in the membrane, and the remaining 10% in the cytosolic fraction. A translocation of enzyme mass from the cytosol to the membrane compartment was not induced under these conditions, as documented by the enzyme-linked immuno adsorbent assay using a monoclonal anti-PKC antibody. In cells cultivated in the presence of the cholesterol-digitonide complex PKC activation was not observed, suggesting an inadequate utilization of cholesterol as membrane constituent.

Diacylglycerol: formation and function in phospholipid-mediated signal transduction.

1. Properties, distribution and multiplicity of phosphoinositidases (phospholipase C, PLC) are investigated. 2. Generation of diacylglycerol (DAG) by a variety of enzymes such as phosphoinositide and phosphatidylcholine specific PLC, by a combination of phospholipase D and phosphatidic hydrolase, and by triglyceride lipase is examined. 3. Ca2+ and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C act as the target of DAG messenger action. 4. There are differences in the formation of DAG in normal and transformal cell.

Transient temporal relationship between 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG)-activated synthesis and hydrolysis of polyphosphoinositides: desensitization of phospholipase C and the inositol lipid kinases upon long-term treatment of ascites cells by exogenous OAG.

In ascites tumor cells, phosphoinositide metabolism can be activated by short-term treatment with exogenously added 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG), which is the membrane-permeable analog of diacylglycerides (DAG). Quiescent cells prelabeled with D-myo-2-[3H]inositol and then stimulated with OAG (20 micrograms/ml of medium) reveal transient increases in the liberation of inositol 1,4-bis- and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate with peaks at 30 min, and a sustained accumulation of inositol phosphate 30 min after stimulation. The labeling patterns of the corresponding inositol lipids show transient activity profiles for phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PtdIns(4)P) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2), and a sustained high activity level for PtdIns 30 min after OAG treatment. These data demonstrate a temporal relationship between synthesis and phospholipase C (PLC)-induced hydrolysis of these lipids. Simultaneous labeling of the cellular inositol phospholipids with [1-14C]arachidonic acid reveals modest accumulations after OAG stimulation. The relative 3H radioactivity distribution between the lipids and their inositol metabolites show that about 10% of the polyphosphoinositide pools are metabolically active. Long-term culturing of the cells (> 24 h) under OAG supplementation produces significant reductions in the catalytic activities of PLC and the PtdIns and PtdIns(4)P-specific kinases which is paralleled by a reduced radioactive labeling of PtdIns(4)P and PtdIns(4,5)P2 under these conditions. These data suggest that diglycerides affect the phosphoinositide metabolism by controlling PLC and phosphoinositide kinase activities probably via modification of membrane properties, and by functioning as modulator of other events.

Metabolism of [14C]arachidonic acid-labeled lipids in quiescent and OAG-stimulated ascites tumor cells.

1. A rapid uptake and esterification of [14C]arachidonic acid during the first 4 hr of cultivation of ascites cells in serum-deprived medium was observed followed by a fast turnover of the fatty acid. 2. Labeling and turnover of esterified arachidonate in individual phospholipid classes was in the order: phosphatidylcholine (PC) greater than phosphatidylinositol (PI) much greater than phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PIP) and -4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) greater than phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) greater than PE-plasmalogens. 3. In cells stimulated with 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol a transient course of arachidonic acid incorporation into PC, PI, PIP and PIP2 was determined peaking 30 min after stimulation, indicating both esterification and release under these conditions. 4. The release of arachidonate was blocked by quinacrine which is a specific inhibitor of phospholipase A2.

Ca2+ and partly GTP gamma S-dependent particulate phospholipase C hydrolyzing phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate is inhibited by diacyl(acyl-acetyl) glycerols.

The activity of a phosphodiesterase of the phospholipase C (PLC) type and factors influencing its activity were studied in ascites tumor cells. The enzyme confined to the 12,000 x g particulate fraction hydrolyses inositol phospholipids, with preference for phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PtdIns(4)P) over phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2), exhibiting maximum values of 61 and 15 nmol/min per mg protein, respectively, at a pH optimum of 5.5. The phosphodiesterase, which is strongly Ca2+ dependent with optimal free Ca2+ concentrations between 20 and 100 nM for both substrates, is almost completely inhibited (93-95%) in the presence of 2 mM EGTA. Only the PLC acting on PtdIns(4,5)P2 is significantly activated in the presence of 6-60 microM GTP gamma S. The low extent of enzymatic activity in the presence of 5 mM MgCl2 or chelating agents is suggestive of inositolphosphatase activity which is supported by the determination of small amounts of myo-inositol during HPLC analyses. Both dioleoylglycerol (DAG) and the membrane-permeable 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG) inhibit PLC activity, exhibiting IC50 values of 5 microM with PtdIns(4)P and approx. 10 microM with PtdIns(4,5)P2 as substrate and maximum inhibition up to 60% (DAG) and 80% (OAG). These data are indicative of a mechanism of direct negative feedback regulation of the enzyme by diglycerides which may explain the observed long-term effects of OAG on PLC activity in cell culture experiments.

Induction of an endothermic transition in the Arrhenius plot of fatty acid uptake by lipid-depleted ascites tumor cells.

Cultured ascites tumor cells and their lipid-depleted variants containing 35-40% less membrane phospholipid and cholesterol were used to study uptake and metabolism of fatty acids complexed to albumin. Uptake of stearate and oleate at 37 degrees C was considerably higher in the lipid-depleted cells, but no significant difference in the affinity constants for stearate uptake of 3.70 microM for the lipid-depleted and 2.50 microM for the control cells was observed. Similar rates of uptake of both cultures were observed at lower temperatures up to 30 degrees C. The drastic increase in stearate uptake above 30 degrees C resulted in an endothermic transition in the Arrhenius plot with an activation energy of 20.8 kJ/mol versus 6.5 kJ/mol for the control cells. Uptake of stearate and oleate of the control cells was only slightly reduced by metabolic inhibitors, which was similar to stearic acid transport in the lipid-depleted variants. However, oleate uptake was substantially decreased in these variants. Incorporated stearate was esterified to about 50% in both cultures, and oleate between 85 and 90%. Mainly triacylglycerols and phospholipids with phosphatidylcholine (41%) and phosphatidylethanolamine (35%) as major polar lipid components, and also lower acylglycerols and cholesterol were found to be labeled. Under lipid-depleted conditions, a pronounced increase in the relative proportion of oleate incorporation into triacylglycerols was determined. It is suggested that fatty acid uptake is controlled by the number of active sites of the putative transport protein, which increases upon lipid depletion as shown from the V values. This increase may result from the segregation of membrane-bound proteins into domains (Haeffner et al. (1986) Cell Mol. Biol. 32, 359-368), which are known to be formed as a consequence of lipid phase separation in the lipid-depleted cells.

Effect of 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol on inositol lipid metabolism of ascites tumor cells in culture.

1-Oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG), the membrane-permeable analogue of 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG), which stimulates ascites tumor cell proliferation, was used to study its effect on phosphoinositide metabolism. Culturing of ascites cells labeled with [3H]inositol at low serum concentration in the presence of OAG suppressed the radioactivity level of the inositol phosphates, particularly IP3. Membrane-bound, Ca(2+)- and GTP gamma S-sensitive PI- and PIP2-specific phosphodiesterase (phospholipase C) showed much lower activities in OAG-stimulated cells, which could be enhanced by GTP gamma S in these but not in the unstimulated cells. A high susceptibility to Ca2+ of the PI- and PIP2-specific phospholipase C of non-stimulated cells was observed. The PIP-kinase activity was similarly reduced by about 85% in OAG-stimulated cells. These data indicate a negative feedback regulation of the phosphoinositide metabolism mediated by OAG. Reduction in synthesis and degradation of PIP2, which furnishes the two second messengers, DAG and IP3, provides a means of controlling the intracellular level of these molecules, which is important for a balanced proliferation rate.

Fusion of lipid vesicles with ascites tumor cells and their lipid-depleted variants. Studies with radioactive- and fluorescent-labeled vesicles.

Cultured ascites tumor cells and their lipid-depleted variants, which contained 35-40% less membrane phospholipid and cholesterol, were used for fusion experiments with unilamellar lipid vesicles which were between 300 and 600 nm in diameter. Vesicle-cell interaction was followed by tracer studies using vesicles double-labeled in the lipid moiety, by vesicle-encapsulated [3H] dextran, and by measurements of energy transfer between N-(10-[1-pyrene]decanoyl)sphingomyelin-labeled vesicles and alpha-parinaric acid-labeled cells in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as fusogen. The reaction rates measured with the radiolabeled vesicles were found to follow patterns similar to those obtained with the resonance energy transfer assay. This latter method revealed a vesicle-cell membrane fusion reaction, which was substantiated by radiolabeling the internal cellular compartment after treatment of the cells with [3H]dextran-encapsulated vesicles as shown by electron microscopic autoradiography on semi-thin sections. Endocytosis as a reaction mechanism can be excluded, since no energy transfer was observed at 25 degrees C in the absence of PEG. Investigations of vesicle bilayer order and fluidity on vesicle-cell interaction revealed optimal reactivity, with intermediate fluidity corresponding to cholesterol/phospholipid ratios between 0.7 and 1.0 and fluorescence depolarization (P) values of 0.18 and 0.21. Lipid depletion decreased the reaction velocity between cells and vesicles by about 20%, exhibiting V values of 33.2 mumol/min, as compared to the control of 41.4 mumol/min determined for 10(7) cells. The affinity constants for vesicle lipid were affected only slightly with Km values of 0.195 mM (0.210 mM). The activation energies for the reaction were calculated to give values of EA = 22.44 kJ/mol for the control and of EA = 20.4 kJ/mol for the modified cells. These data indicate that the decrease in membrane lipid content apparently has no major influence on the extent of the interaction.

Differential effect on inositol-phospholipid hydrolysis, cytosolic-free Ca2+ concentration, protein kinase C activity and protein phosphorylation of 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol growth-stimulated ascites tumor cells.

This study shows that the membrane-permeable stereospecific 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG), which is the analog of the natural 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG), can stimulate the growth of ascites tumor cells. OAG can fully replace high serum concentrations in the culture medium and stimulates DNA synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. Investigation of the protein kinase C (PKC) isolated from a Triton extract of a 100,000g membrane pellet revealed that OAG can directly activate this enzyme. Concomitantly the phosphorylation of several cytosolic proteins with the molecular weights of 26, 33, 49, 55, 64, and 90 kDa is observed which is also found in serum-stimulated cells. Since DAG as a second messenger molecule originates from the hydrolysis of phosphoinositides we have investigated the metabolism of these lipids after labeling the cells with [3H]inositol. In detail, we have measured the amount of radioactive inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and the phosphodiesterase hydrolyzing phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). The decreased radioactivity level of IP3 in OAG-stimulated cells as compared to non-growing cells (1-2% serum) indicates a feedback regulation of PIP2 hydrolysis which is substantiated by a profound reduction of PIP2-specific phospholipase C activity. The reduced IP3 formation has apparently no inhibitory effect on the cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration of OAG-stimulated cells, suggesting that the Ca2+ release is not directly correlated to the amount of IP3, which is also demonstrated for the non-growing cells. These data indicate that OAG apparently has a duel effect on the inositol phospholipid-mediated signal transfer system.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Guanine nucleotides activate cytosolic phospholipase C of ascites tumour cells stimulated by 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol.

The hydrolysis of [3H]phosphatidylinositol (PI) and [3H]phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) by cytosolic inositide phosphodiesterase (phospholipase C) from Ehrlich ascites tumour cells was determined. Cytosolic fractions were prepared from tumour cells that had been cultivated for two days at low serum level (2%) in the presence of 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG). Cytosols from unstimulated cells (2% serum without OAG) were used for comparison. Phospholipase C acting on PI and PIP2 was significantly inhibited in the cytosol of OAG-stimulated cells. The suppressed enzyme was activated by Ca2+ and also by the guanine nucleotide GTP in a concentration-dependent manner independently of calcium ions. In the presence of Ca2+, GTP exerted a synergistic stimulatory effect. In contrast, GTP and GTP gamma S showed no effect on the phospholipase C activity of unstimulated cells. It is suggested that the suppressed PI- and PIP2-specific enzyme activity can be modulated by its susceptibility to Ca2+ ions and GTP probably via the GTP-binding protein.

Altered 5'-nucleotidase specific activity and distribution between two plasma membrane domains of ascites tumor cells with modified lipid composition.

1. The cholesterol and phospholipid content of the surface membranes of ascites tumor cells cultivated in lipid-depleted medium was reduced to about 60(70)% of the control, but the relative composition of the individual phospholipids was not altered. 2. Differences in lipid composition were also observed between the two plasma membrane domains isolated from the cells cultured in normal and lipid-depleted medium respectively. 3. The fatty acid spectrum of the lipid-depleted membranes showed a greater fraction of saturated vs unsaturated acids. 4. The membrane lipid fluidity measured by fluorescence polarization was decreased in the modified surface membranes. 5. The 5'-nucleotidase specific activity was drastically reduced (46-66%) in the lipid-deleted membranes, and in addition its distribution between the two vesicle fractions was altered.

Difference in cell surface 5'-nucleotidase activity, protein iodination and membrane properties between mouse lymphoma and rat adenocarcinoma cell variants with low and high-metastatic potential.

1. Distinct differences were found for the specific, concanavalin A-inhibitable 5'-nucleotidase activity, exhibiting 2-7 times higher values in the low-metastasizing cell variants. 2. Iodination of the cell surface proteins revealed a more heterogeneous labelling pattern of the high-malignant cell lines in the molecular weight range between 14 and about 35 kDa. 3. The low-malignant cell lines exhibited a significantly higher surface charge as deduced from their higher sialic acid content compared to the high-malignant variants. 4. They also showed a greater membrane lipid fluidity as determined both by the cholesterol to phospholipid ratio and by fluorescence depolarization measurements.

Preparation of two plasma membrane fractions from ascites tumour cells by gel chromatography on Sephacryl S-1000.

Two plasma membrane fractions from ascites tumour cells with differences in vesicle size were isolated by gel-exclusion chromatography on Sephacryl S-1000. Fraction 1 appeared in the void volume and had a vesicle diameter in the range 300-400 nm. Fraction 3, with an equilibrium constant (Kd) of 0.58, consisted of vesicles between 100 and 200 nm in diameter as measured by routine size analysis with the electron microscope and by calibration of the column with latex beads. The appearance of two plasma membrane fractions could also be confirmed by iodination of the surface membrane prior to fractionation. This gel chromatographic procedure represents a rapid and convenient method for the isolation of membrane material, which was enriched between five- and fourteen-fold based on the specific activity of the membrane-bound marker enzymes. Fraction 1 contained small amounts of lysosomal and Golgi membranes, and fraction 3 some material of the Golgi apparatus and the endoplasmic reticulum. The major portion of the contaminating membraneous material remained on the column and could be eluted with high salt buffer. The two plasma membrane fractions revealed some differences in 5'-nucleotidase specific activity and in the protein pattern, especially in the higher molecular weight range, as shown by sodium dodecyl sulphate gel electrophoresis.

Influence of triethyl lead on the activity of enzymes of the ascites tumor cell plasma membrane and its microviscosity.

The influence of triethyl lead (TriEL) on the activity of plasma membrane-bound enzymes of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells and on membrane fluidity has been investigated. TriEL completely inhibits the (Na+-K+)-ATPase in its membrane-bound and even more pronounced in its solubilized form between 5 and about 20 microM. It also alters the microviscosity of the isolated plasma membrane up to a temperature of about 30 degrees C, but it does not have any influence on the fluidity of the membrane-derived liposomes. From these data it is concluded that the inhibitor may interact directly with the catalytic subunit of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase, and may not exert its influence by interfering with the membrane lipids.

Cholesterol-induced growth stimulation, cell aggregation, and membrane properties of ascites tumor cells in culture.

Ascites tumor cells can be cultivated at a reduced serum concentration if cholesterol (2.50 mg per 100 ml of medium) is added to the culture medium. At serum concentrations of 3%, optimal growth properties are obtained; below 3%, cell cultures usually perish after a few days. Cells grown in the presence of added cholesterol have an elevated content of this molecule per cell as well as in the plasma membrane, and they also show a cholesterol concentration-dependent rate of proliferation. Precursors of the cholesterol-biosynthetic pathway like mevalonic acid, added in mM amounts, or squalene and lanosterol cannot be substituted for cholesterol itself. This is due to the observation that the biosynthetic pathway is blocked at the stage of lanosterol conversion to cholesterol. Cholesterol de novo synthesis from acetate is regulated by the cholesterol content of the cells, which also affects the production of ubiquinone and dolichol. Growth factors such as insulin, prostaglandin F2 alpha, and transferrin added to the medium do not mimic the cholesterol-induced effect. Distribution of DNA during cell cycle and the cell density-dependent reduction in macromolecule synthesis is very similar to the control cells. In contrast, cells without added cholesterol show reduced growth properties accompanied by the accumulation of cells in the mitotic and G2 phase. The cholesterol/phospholipid ratio of the plasma membranes of cholesterol-rich cells is about 15% lower than of the control cells and 40% higher compared to the cholesterol-poor cells, which, however, does not significantly alter the membrane fluidity between the cholesterol-rich and -poor cells as revealed by fluorescence polarization measurements. The most dramatic behavior of the cholesterol-rich cells is their tendency to form aggregates, which is demonstrated either by concanavalin A-induced agglutination or by cell density-dependent aggregation shown by interference microscopy in vivo.

Comparison of 5'-nucleotidase activities of isolated plasma membranes of two ascites cell variants.

The glycogen-containing ascites cell line was found to have a 3-5 times higher 5'-nucleotidase specific activity than the glycogen-free variant, resulting in different substrate affinity constants of Km = 0.14 mM and Km = 0.69 mM respectively. These activity differences were due to true 5'-nucleotidase as shown by its inactivation through specific inhibitors such as concanavalin A and alpha, beta-methylene adenosine diphosphate. Substrate specificity of the enzyme was similar in both cell lines, but differences were observed with respect to the pH optimum and stability.

Structural and functional alterations of lipid-depleted ascites tumor cells in culture.

Ascites tumor cells growth-arrested in lipid-depleted medium were modified with respect to their lipid composition, i.e. mainly cholesterol and the phospholipid fraction. These so-called lipid-depleted cells were generally smaller, had a surface area reduced by 55% compared to the control cells and had an altered cell surface architecture with large parts being smooth, interrupted by isolated bundles of microvilli and blebs as revealed by scanning electron microscopy. This deorganization process of the cells. Lectin-induced agglutination and receptor binding capacity was reduced, and also the receptor distribution was changed resulting in a cap-like formation on the surface as shown with FITC-labelled concanavalin A. The reduction in lipid content yielding a lower C/P ratio profoundly decreased the plasma membrane fluidity which was determined by fluorescence polarization measurements. Studies on fatty acid and cholesterol de novo synthesis revealed only small increases under lipid-free conditions not sufficient to meet the requirements of the lipid-depleted cells for these substances. It is therefore concluded that ascites tumor cells need exogenous preformed lipids for adequate functioning of the cell.