Effect of activating and inactivating mutations of Gs- and Gi2-alpha protein subunits on growth and differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.

Previous investigations have demonstrated that both Gs- and the Gi-family of GTP-binding proteins are implicated in differentiation of the 3T3-L1 preadipocyte. In order to further analyze the role of Gs alpha vs. Gi2 alpha, which are both involved in adenylate cyclase modulation, we transfected undifferentiated 3T3-L1 cells with two sets of G-protein cDNA: the pZEM vector with either wild type, the activating (i.e., GTP-ase inhibiting) R201C-Gs alpha or the inactivating G226A(H21a)-Gs alpha point mutations, or the pZIPNeoSV(X) retroviral vector constructs containing the Gi2 alpha wild type or the missense mutations R179E-Gi2 alpha, Q205L-Gi2 alpha, and G204A(H21a)-Gi2 alpha. The activating [R201C]Gs alpha-mutant did not significantly affect the differentiation process, i.e., increase in the steady-state levels of G-protein subunits, gross appearance, or insulin-elicited deoxy-glucose uptake into 3T3-L1 adipocytes, despite a marked initial increase in hormone-elicited adenylate cyclase activity. The [H21a]Gs alpha-mutant, on the other hand, enhanced the degree of differentiation slightly, as evidenced by an augmented production of lipid vesicles and insulin-stimulated deoxy-glucose uptake. However, an expected increase in mRNA for hormone-sensitive lipase was not seen. Secondly, it appeared that both activating [R179E]Gi2 alpha or [Q205L]Gi2 alpha mutants reduced cell doubling time in non-confluent 3T3-L1 cell cultures, while [H21a]Gi2 alpha slowed proliferation rate. Furthermore, it seemed that cell proliferation, as evidenced by thymidine incorporation, ceased at a much earlier stage prior to cell confluency when cultures were transfected with the [R179E]Gi2 alpha or [Q205L]Gi2 alpha mutants. Upon differentiation with insulin, dexamethasone, and iBuMeXan, the following cell characteristics emerged: the [R179E]Gi2 alpha and [Q205L]Gi2 alpha mutants consistently enhanced adenylate cyclase activation and cAMP accumulation stimulated by isoproterenol and corticotropin over controls. Deoxy-glucose uptake was also super-activated by the [R179E]Gi2 alpha and [Q205L]Gi2 alpha mutants. Finally, steady-state levels of hormone sensitive lipase mRNA were dramatically increased by [R179E]Gi2 alpha and [Q205L]Gi2 alpha over differentiated controls. The inactivating [H21a]Gi2 alpha-mutant obliterated all signs of preadipocyte differentiation. It is concluded that Gi2 plays a positive and much more important role than Gs in 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation. Cyclic AMP appears to play no role in this process.

Functional characterization of five V2 vasopressin receptor gene mutations.

COS7 cells were transiently transfected with plasmids encoding mutant forms of the V2 vasopressin receptors corresponding to mutations [Y280C, L292P, R337stop, V277A, and G12E (the latter found in the same kindred with L292P)] recently identified in subjects with X-linked nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI). cAMP response to dDAVP and AVP, saturation binding experiments with [3H]-AVP, immunofluorescence, and indirect ELISA studies were performed to characterize the functional consequences of these mutations. The Y280C, L292P, and R337stop mutant V2 receptors show substantially decreased cell surface expression and are functionally inactive. The V277A mutant receptor, though well expressed at the cell surface as seen by immunofluorescence and ELISA and having a dissociation constant with AVP similar to the wild type receptor, was functionally less active as seen by a substantially decreased receptor number (Bmax) and reduced cAMP stimulation by dDAVP. The G12E mutant was functionally the same as the wild type V2 receptor in both cAMP stimulation and binding. These results provide insight into residues critical for V2 receptor expression and function and also provide direct evidence that Y280C, L292P, R337stop and V277A mutations are the cause of X-linked NDI in affected subjects.

Characterization of heterogeneous mutations causing constitutive activation of the luteinizing hormone receptor in familial male precocious puberty.

Familial male precocious puberty (FMPP) is a gonadotropin-independent disorder that is inherited in an autosomal dominant, male-limited pattern. A heterozygous mutation encoding substitution of Asp578 with Gly in transmembrane helix 6 of the G protein-coupled receptor for luteinizing hormone (LHR) has been found in affected males from nine American FMPP families. Cells expressing the mutant LHR exhibit markedly increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production in the absence of agonist, suggesting that autonomous Leydig cell activity in FMPP is caused by a constitutively activated LHR. We have now analyzed genomic DNA from affected males from six additional FMPP families. PCR was used to amplify a fragment of the LHR gene encoding amino acid residues 441-594. None of the six new samples contained the Asp578-->Gly mutation, as indicated by absence of digestion with MspI. PCR products were then screened for heterozygous mutations using temperature-gradient gel electrophoresis. DNA fragments from two of the patients migrated abnormally. Direct sequencing of PCR product from one affected German male revealed a heterozygous mutation (ATG-->ATA) encoding Met571-->Ile at the cytoplasmic end of helix 6, the same mutation that has been reported in another European FMPP kindred. Affected males in the second family had a novel Thr577-->Ile mutation (ACC-->ATC). Mutations in different portions of the LHR or in a different gene may be responsible for disease in the other FMPP kindreds. Agonist binding and functional coupling of the mutant receptors to the cAMP and inositol phosphate pathways were studied by transiently expressing them in COS-7 cells. Agonist affinity was unaffected by the mutations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A constitutively activating mutation of the luteinizing hormone receptor in familial male precocious puberty.

Familial male precocious puberty (FMPP) is a gonadotropin-independent disorder that is inherited in an autosomal dominant, male-limited pattern. Affected males generally exhibit signs of puberty by age 4. Testosterone production and Leydig cell hyperplasia occur in the context of prepubertal levels of luteinizing hormone (LH). The LH receptor is a member of the family of G-protein-coupled receptors, and we hypothesized that FMPP might be due to a mutant receptor that is activated in the presence of little or no agonist. A single A-->G base change that results in substitution of glycine for aspartate at position 578 in the sixth transmembrane helix of the LH receptor was found in affected individuals from eight different families. Linkage of the mutation to FMPP was supported by restriction-digest analysis. COS-7 cells expressing the mutant LH receptor exhibited markedly increased cyclic AMP production in the absence of agonist, suggesting that autonomous Leydig cell activity in FMPP is caused by a constitutively activated LH receptor.

Activating and inactivating mutations of the alpha subunit of Gi2 protein have opposite effects on proliferation of NIH 3T3 cells.

Previous studies have demonstrated that mutations of highly conserved residues in the alpha subunit of Gs (alpha s) can inhibit either the intrinsic GTPase activity (glutamine-227 to leucine, Q227L) or the ability of the protein to be activated by GTP (glycine-226 to alanine, G226A). We stably transfected NIH 3T3 cells with cDNAs encoding Gi2 alpha subunit (alpha i2) containing either wild-type sequence or the homologous mutations Q205L and G204A. High expression of wild-type alpha i2, Q205L alpha i2, and G204A alpha i2 was confirmed in transfected cells by immunoblot analysis. The overexpression of all three alpha i2 proteins was accompanied by an increase in beta-subunit expression. Q205L alpha i2 was a poor substrate for ADP-ribosylation by pertussis toxin as compared with wild-type alpha i2. Expression of Q205L alpha i2 markedly decreased forskolin- or cholera toxin-stimulated intracellular cAMP levels in intact cells, confirming the constitutively activated state of the protein. In contrast, G204A alpha i2 increased intracellular cAMP and was resistant to guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate-induced inhibition of ADP-ribosylation by pertussis toxin, as expected for an inactive alpha i2. Transfection of wild-type, Q205L, or G204A alpha i2 cDNA did not induce focus formation of NIH 3T3 cells. However, overexpression of Q205L alpha i2 induced a decreased serum requirement, a reduced doubling time, and an 8- to 10-fold increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation. Q205L alpha i2 cells formed small colonies in soft agar, demonstrating some degree of anchorage-independent proliferation. Expression of G204A alpha i2 slowed the growth of NIH 3T3 cells. We conclude that alpha i2 plays an important role in regulation of fibroblast growth.

Locally recurrent parathyroid neoplasms as a cause for recurrent and persistent primary hyperparathyroidism.

Between 1982 and 1989, 145 patients underwent operations for persistent or recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT). At re-exploration, 15 patients (10.3%) were found to have locally recurrent parathyroid tumors (11 patients with adenoma and 4 with carcinoma). These 15 patients had 28 previous operations at outside institutions for HPT. Patients with locally recurrent HPT secondary to adenoma had a longer disease-free interval than patients with locally recurrent carcinoma. At the time of evaluation at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for recurrent or persistent HPT, each patient was symptomatic and patients with carcinoma had significantly more symptoms and higher serum levels of calcium and parathyroid hormone than patients with adenoma. Locally recurrent parathyroid neoplasm was correctly localized by preoperative testing in 14 of 15 patients. These 15 patients underwent 18 reoperations at NIH for excision of locally recurrent parathyroid tumors. Following the final reoperation (two patients had more than one procedure), each patient had normal serum levels of calcium. In addition each patient remains biochemically cured (based on normal serum calcium level), with a median follow-up interval of 21 months. Local recurrence of parathyroid adenoma comprises a small but significant proportion of cases of recurrent or persistent HPT and can be indistinguishable from parathyroid carcinoma. Findings suggestive of carcinoma include shorter disease-free interval, higher serum levels of calcium and parathyroid hormone, and histologic appearance. Whether the locally recurrent parathyroid neoplasm is benign or malignant, aggressive surgery can control serum levels of calcium in these patients with acceptable rates of morbidity.

Myristoylation of an inhibitory GTP-binding protein alpha subunit is essential for its membrane attachment.

We transfected COS cells with cDNAs for the alpha subunits of stimulatory and inhibitory GTP-binding proteins, alpha s and alpha i1, respectively, and immunoprecipitated the metabolically labeled products with specific peptide antibodies. Cells were separated into particulate and soluble fractions before immunoprecipitation; [35S]methionine-labeled alpha s and alpha i were both found primarily in the particulate fraction. [3H]Myristate was incorporated into endogenous and transfected alpha i but could not be detected in alpha s even when it was overexpressed. We converted the second residue, glycine, of alpha i1 into alanine by site-directed mutagenesis. Upon transfection of the mutant alpha i1 into COS cells, the [35S]methionine-labeled product was localized primarily to the soluble fraction, and, also unlike normal alpha i1, the mutant failed to incorporate [3H]myristate. The unmyristoylated mutant alpha i1 could still interact with the beta-gamma complex, since purified beta gamma subunits promoted pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of both the normal and mutant alpha i1 subunits. These results indicate that myristoylation is critical for membrane attachment of alpha i but not alpha s subunits.

Molecular hybridization studies with scrapie brain nucleic acids. II. Differential expression in scrapie hamster brain.

RNA and DNA fractions prepared from nucleic acids obtained from normal and scrapie-infected hamster brains following exhaustive treatment with nuclease were used as probes in a search for a specific scrapie nucleic acid. Employing RNA blot hybridization a 2.3 Kb RNA was detected in higher concentration in scrapie-infected hamster brains than in normal controls. Our data suggests that scrapie disease may be associated with the differential expression of a series of host genes.

A parathyroid hormone-like protein from cultured human keratinocytes.

Parathyroid hormone-like factors have been found in extracts of tumors associated with humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy, many of which are of squamous epithelial origin. Cultured, nonmalignant human keratinocytes were examined for the production of similar factors. Keratinocyte-conditioned medium from ten cultures stimulated the production of cyclic adenosine monophosphate in clonally derived rat osteosarcoma cells sensitive to parathyroid hormone. Bovine [Nle8,18, Tyr34]PTH-(3-34)NH2, a competitive inhibitor of parathyroid hormone, stopped the adenylate cyclase production stimulated by keratinocyte-conditioned medium, but antisera to parathyroid hormone had no effect on such adenylate cyclase activity. The active component of keratinocyte-conditioned medium has a molecular weight exceeding that of native parathyroid hormone. These characteristics are shared by the parathyroid hormone receptor agonists associated with humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy, which suggests that normal human keratinocytes may produce a factor related to that produced by malignant tumors associated with humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy.

Use of biocompatible orthopaedic polymer for fracture treatment and reconstructive orthopaedic procedures.

For many years attempts have been made to develop materials for use in the surgical treatment of fractures. So far only metal implants have been used. Soviet research has now succeeded in developing a copolymer of polyvinyl-pyrrolidone and methyl methacrylate reinforced by polyamide fibres and calcium gluconate which is reported to have comparable strength of metal implants but superior flexibility. It can be trimmed and shaped at the time of surgery, has no irritative reactions or release of toxic components, and above all is biocompatible. Clinical studies have been going on for 10 years in various Soviet medical centres and the total number of cases treated with the biocompatible polymer implants is well over 1000. In no case was a repeat operation necessary to remove the implant. Control X-rays (as well as animal data) showed that biodestruction of the implants is complete within 1.5 to 3 years depending on their sizes. The first operations outside the Soviet Union have been recently performed in Belgium. In the Soviet Union this material has also been used to treat pathologic fractures and in reconstructive surgical procedures such as leg lengthening.