Arachidonic acid and other unsaturated fatty acids alter membrane potential in PC12 and bovine adrenal chromaffin cells.

The action of arachidonic acid and other fatty acids on membrane potential in PC12 and bovine chromaffin cells was investigated using a membrane potential-sensitive fluorescent dye. Arachidonic acid (1-40 microM) provoked dose-dependent membrane hyperpolarization, thereby reducing hyperpolarization induced by the K(+)-selective ionophore valinomycin. Other cis-unsaturated fatty acids, but not lipoxygenase products or the saturated fatty acid palmitic acid, also affected membrane potential. Tetraethylammonium blocked the arachidonic acid-induced hyperpolarization. These data suggest that cis-unsaturated fatty acids alter membrane potential in PC12 and bovine chromaffin cells by modulating K+ conductances. Valinomycin-generated hyperpolarization had no effect on agonist-induced Ca2+ influx into bovine chromaffin cells, whereas preincubation with arachidonic acid and other cis-unsaturated fatty acids blocked Ca2+ influx and secretion. We propose a model where internally generated fatty acids act as a feedback to desensitize the stimulated cell via inhibition of receptor-dependent Ca2+ influx and induction of membrane hyperpolarization.

Characterization of a triacylglycerol lipase that liberates arachidonic acid from bovine chromaffin cells during secretion.

Primary cultures of chromaffin cells from bovine adrenal medullae were used as a model to study lipolytic events during stimulus-secretion coupling. It has been shown that chromaffin cells liberate arachidonic acid in addition to their main secretion product, the catecholamines. To understand more about the mechanism of arachidonic acid liberation, chromaffin cells were labeled with radioactive arachidonic acid, stimulated, and then analyzed for changes in lipid composition. After stimulation with 10(-4) M acetylcholine, the radioactivity of triacylglycerols decreased to the same extent that the free arachidonic acid level rose. This finding suggests that in bovine chromaffin cells a stimulation-dependent triacylglycerol lipase (triacylglycerol hydrolase; EC 3.1.1.3) is involved in arachidonic acid liberation. Further work was performed on detection, characterization, and isolation of this enzyme. Triacylglycerol lipase activity was found in whole cell homogenates and in plasma membrane fractions isolated from adrenal medullary tissue. The plasma membrane lipase showed a pH optimum of 4.3. The apparent Michaelis constant was determined as 3.3 x 10(-4) mol/L. Ca2+ did not influence the enzymatic activity. To differentiate the plasma membrane triacylglycerol lipase from the previously described plasma membrane diacylglycerol lipase of chromaffin cells, the influence of RG 80267, a specific diacylglycerol lipase inhibitor, was examined. RG 80267 (50 microM) inhibited the triacylglycerol lipase by only 24%, although diacylglycerol lipase was totally inhibited with only 20 microM RG 80267. The pH optimum of homogenate lipase was broad, lying between 4 and 7. Starting from the soluble fraction of whole cell homogenates, the triacylglycerol lipase was partially purified by ultracentrifugation and size-exclusion chromatography.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Arachidonic acid liberated by diacylglycerol lipase is essential for the release mechanism in chromaffin cells from bovine adrenal medulla.

Chromaffin cells from bovine adrenal medulla secrete catecholamines on stimulation with acetylcholine. In addition to the activation of the phosphatidylinositol cycle, arachidonic acid is generated, which was thought to be the result of phospholipase A2 activation. We have demonstrated in isolated plasma membranes of these cells that arachidonic acid is generated by a two-step reaction of diacylglycerol and monoacylglycerol lipase splitting diacylglycerol, which originates from the action of phospholipase C on phosphatidylinositols. No phospholipase A2 activity could be detected in plasma membranes so far. External addition of arachidonic acid increases the release in the absence and in the presence of agonist. Inhibition of the diacylglycerol lipase by RHC 80267 suppresses the catecholamine release, which is restored on addition of arachidonic acid. This effect, however, is reversed by lipoxygenase inhibitors, indicating that it is not arachidonic acid itself, but one of its lipoxygenase products, that is essential for inducing exocytosis.

Diacylglycerol breakdown in plasma membranes of bovine chromaffin cells is a two-step mechanism mediated by a diacylglycerol lipase and a monoacylglycerol lipase.

The recently identified diacylglycerol lipase activity in membranes of chromaffin cells from bovine adrenal medulla [24] is now shown to consist of two enzymes working in series. First the predominantly saturated fatty acid in the sn-1-position is split by a diacylglycerol lipase (glycerol ester hydrolase, EC 3.1.1.34). Subsequently the resulting sn-2-monoacylglycerol is split by a monoacylglycerol lipase (glycerol-monoester acylhydrolase, EC 3.1.1.23) which prefers sn-2-arachidonoyl-monoacylglycerol to sn-2-palmitoyl-monoacylglycerol. At pH 4.0 only the diacylglycerol lipase is active, whereas the monoacylglycerol lipase is irreversibly inactivated. At pH 6.0 both enzymes are active. Pretreatment of the membranes at pH 10 leads to the selective inactivation of the diacylglycerol lipase. Both enzymes are Ca2+- and calmodulin-independent and both are partially inhibited by p-bromophenacyl bromide, however, only at relatively high concentrations of the inhibitor. Chlorpromazine inhibits the diacylglycerol lipase to about the same extent as p-bromophenacyl bromide but the monoacylglycerol lipase is less sensitive. The specific diacylglycerol lipase inhibitor RHC 80267 (1,6-di(O-(carbamoyl)cyclohexanone oxime)hexane) only interacts with the first step, i.e. the diacylglycerol lipase.

Phospholipase C and diacylglycerol lipase activities associated with plasma membranes of chromaffin cells isolated from bovine adrenal medulla.

The plasma membranes of bovine adrenal chromaffin cells were isolated and the activities of enzymes involved in arachidonic acid liberation were investigated. Only a minute activity of phospholipase A2 (phosphatide 2-acylhydrolase, EC 3.1.1.4) could be detected using externally added phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) as substrate. When membranes were treated with exogenous phospholipase C (orthophosphoric acid diester phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.4.1) there was a liberation of free fatty acids from the sn-2 position of PC. The enzyme responsible for this effect could be demonstrated to be a diacylglycerol lipase (glycerol ester hydrolase, EC 3.1.1.3) localized in the plasma membrane. Using phosphatidylinositol (PI) as a substrate, it was found that an endogenous phospholipase C exists which co-purifies with the membrane preparation. The produced diacylglycerol is subsequently hydrolyzed by diacylglycerol lipase liberating arachidonic acid. The two enzymes, phospholipase C and diacylglycerol lipase were characterized. Phospholipase C was found to be calcium dependent and PI specific, showing an activity of 60 pmol/micrograms protein per h (1.2 mM Ca2+), whereas the diacylglycerol lipase was calcium independent hydrolyzing diacylglycerol at a rate of 7.2 pmol/micrograms protein per h. The lipase but not the phospholipase C was inhibited 50% by 1.7 mM para-bromophenacylbromide.

Hereditary leaky red cell syndrome in a Swiss family.

A Swiss family was found to have a hereditary hemolytic disorder associated with excessively leaky red cell membranes. Hemolysis was mild and fully compensated. Membrane lipid analysis revealed an increased phosphatidylcholine:phosphatidylethanolamine ratio. Membrane leaks included an increased permeability to sodium, potassium, calcium and, possibly, creatine. It is suggested that in hemolytic states, the combined finding of reticulocytosis and normal red cell creatine might be an easily obtainable clue to the presence of a leaky red cell syndrome.

Group-directed modification of bacteriorhodopsin by arylisothiocyanates. Labeling, identification of the binding site and topology.

Group-directed hydrophobic modification of membrane-integrated protein segments by arylisothiocyanates is applied to bacteriorhodopsin. Labeling of purple membrane with phenylisothiocyanate and 4-N,N'-dimethylamino-azobenzene-4'-isothiocyanate results in covalent modification of a unique lysine epsilon-amino group of bacteriorhodopsin. Lysine residue 41, located in the amino-terminal chymotryptic fragment, has been identified as the arylisothiocyanate binding site by established sequencing techniques. The phenylisothiocyanate binding site is not accessible for the aqueously soluble analog p-sulfophenylisothiocyanate. Furthermore, the acid-induced bathochromic shift of the bound chromophore reagent is not observed following acidification of 4-N,N'-dimethylamino-azobenzene-4'-isothiocyanate-labeled purple membrane. The modification thus occurs in the hydrophobic membrane domain, providing further evidence for intramembraneous disposition of the modified protein segment. Light-induced proton translocation is preserved in reconstituted vesicles containing either phenylisothiocyanate-modified or 4-N,N'-dimethylamino-azobenzene-4'-isothiocyanate-modified bacteriorhodopsin.

Functional evidence for distinct interaction of hydrophobic arylisothiocyanates with the erythrocyte anion transport protein.

Human erythrocytes were treated with various hydrophobic arylisothiocyanates under conditions which favor modification of distinct proteinaceous nucleophiles. The morphological appearance of phenylisothiocyanate-treated cells was discoid and membrane-bound hydrolases (human acetylcholinesterase, sheep phospholipase A2) were fully active following membrane modification. Noncharged hydrophobic arylisothiocyanates, including phenylisothiocyanate, beta-naphthylisothiocyanate and heterobifunctional azidoarylisothiocyanates inhibited [35S]-sulfate efflux irreversibly. Protection against modification-induced inhibition of sulfate transport was attained by the simultaneous presence of the specific reversible anion transport inhibitor 4,4'-dinitrostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate. Selective protection of a functionally relevant domain of band 3 is concluded to occur based on the above-derived information.

Interaction of phosphatidylcholine liposomes and plasma lipoproteins with sheep erythrocyte membranes. Preferential transfer of phosphatidylcholine containing unsaturated fatty acids.

The interaction of sheep erythrocyte membranes with phosphatidylcholine vesicles (liposomes) or human plasma lipoproteins is described. Isolated sheep red cell membranes were incubated with liposomes containing [14C]phosphatidylcholine or [3H]phosphatidylcholine in the presence of EDTA. A time-dependent uptake of phosphatidylcholine into the membranes could be observed. The content of this phospholipid was increased from 2 to 5%. The rate of transfer was dependent on temperature, the amount of phosphatidylcholine present in the incubation mixture and on the fatty acid composition of the liposomal phosphatidylcholine. A possible adsorption of lipid vesicles to the membranes could be monitored by adding cholesteryl [14C]oleate to the liposomal preparation. As cholesterylesters are not transferred between membranes [1], it was possible to differentiate between transfer of phosphatidylcholine molecules from the liposomes into the membranes and adsorption of liposomes to the membranes. The phosphatidylcholine incorporated in the membranes was isolated, and its fatty acids were analysed by gas chromatography. It could be shown that there was a preferential transfer of phosphatidylcholine molecules containing two unsaturated fatty acids.

Site-directed fluorogenic modification of bacteriorhodopsin by 7-chloro-4-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole.

Site-directed covalent modification of bacteriorhodopsin is achieved by reacting the hydrophobic probe 7-chloro-4-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD-Cl) at neutral pH with purple membranes. The bacteriorhodopsin fluorescence thus produced is specific for a nucleophilic group. The spectral properties of NBD-modified bacteriorhodopsin indicate covalent interaction of the probe with the nucleophilic epsilon-amino group of a lysine residue. Modification of tyrosine can be excluded. As demonstrated by polypeptide fragmentation and subsequent sequence analysis, NBD binding is confined to lysine 41 within the primary structure of bacteriorhodopsin. Collisional fluorescence quenching with iodide demonstrates that, in NBD-treated purple membranes, the covalently bound label is not accessible in the aqueous phase. A hydrophobic location for the introduced fluorophor is thereby implied.

5-Isothiocyanato-1-naphthalene azide and rho-azidophenylisothiocyanate. Synthesis and application in hydrophobic heterobifunctional photoactive cross-linking of membrane proteins.

Two hydrophobic, heterobifunctional azidoarylisothiocyanates have been synthesized. The reagents are applicable for group-directed modification of membrane-integrated protein segments and subsequent photo-induced cross-linking with neighbouring membrane constituents. Both 5-isothiocyanato-1-naphthalene azide and p-azidophenylisothiocyanate are chemically characterized with respect to structure and photosensitivity. The reagents compete for the documented phenylisothiocyanate binding site(s) in bacteriorhodopsin and to the anion-exchange protein (band 3) of human erythrocytes. Photoactivation of azidoarylisothiocyanate-labeled membrane proteins leads to homopolymers when cross-linked in purple membranes or in vesicles enriched in the anion-exchange protein.

Structure, composition, enzymatic activities of human erythrocyte and sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane films.

Air/water interface films were obtained from human erythrocytes and rabbit sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes at 'zero surface pressure. according to Verger, R and Pattus, F. (Chem. Phys. Lipids (1976) 16, 285-291). The lipid and protein distribution of these membrane films suggest that the film composition is determined by the composition of the membrane and the mode of integration of its components. When kept at low surface pressure, slow film expansion occurred due to unfolding of proteins at the interface. This process can be stopped by compressing the films at a higher surface pressure than 15 dyn/cm. Acetylcholinesterase activity from human erythrocyte films is highly dependent on the condensation state of the film. Ca2+-ATPase from sarcoplasmic reticulum films was still activable by Ca2+. Freeze-fracture studies on erythrocyte membrane films suggest the such films are monolayers in which proteins are randomly distributed.

Arylisothiocyanate modification of sarcoplasmic Ca2+-stimulated ATPase.

The related probes phenylisothiocyanate and p-sulfophenylisothiocyanate possess comparable reactivity with nucleophiles but are dissimilar in their solubility characteristics. The reagents are utilized to topologically characterize the sites of covalent interaction with the Ca2+-stimulated ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes. The hydrophobic probe phenylisothiocyanate binds covalently to the membrane-integrated protein. The extent of covalent interaction of this probe is reduced to a limited level of label incorporation by either preincubation with p-sulfophenylisothiocyanate or by exposing the labeled protein to alkaline reductive conditions. With respect to the chemical nature a dual interaction of phenylisothiocyanate is postulated. Phenylisothiocyanate modifies the Ca2+-ATPase hydrophobically. In addition, aqueous-exposed nucleophiles (cysteine thiols) interact with both arylisothiocyanates. Inhibition of the Ca2+-stimulated ATPase activity is effected by either probe.

Interaction of phenylisothiocyanate with human erythrocyte band 3 protein. II. Topology of phenylisothiocyanate binding sites and influence of p-sulfophenylisothiocyanate on phenylisothiocyanate modification.

The two structurally related probes, the apolar phenylisothiocyanate and the polar, water-soluble p-sulfophenylisothiocyanate, were analysed for their topological interaction with human erythrocyte band 3 protein. Upon thermolytic and peptic digestion of labeled erythrocyte ghosts, the membrane-integrated segments of band 3 protein, the 17,000 and 10,000 dalton peptides, were isolated. At 2 mM initial label concentration, 90% of the hydrophobic probe phenylisothiocyanate was recovered in the 10,000 dalton peptide, the remaining amount of label being associated with the 17,000 dalton fragment. Pretreatment of the membranes with 5 mM p-sulfophenylisothiocyanate followed by labeling with 2 mM phenylisothiocyanate results in a consistent reduction in binding of phenylisothiocyanate by 1 mol/mol isolated band 3 protein. p-Sulfophenylisothiocyanate reportedly binds to the 17,000 dalton fragment (Drickamer, K. (1977), J. Biol. Chem. 252, 6909-6917). The interaction of the polar probe with the membrane protein affects binding of phenylisothiocyanate to the 10,000 dalton peptide by the equivalent of 1 mol/mol isolated peptide. The topological interrelation of the membrane-integrated segments is concluded.

Interaction of phenylisothiocyanate with human erythrocyte band 3 protein. I. Covalent modification and inhibition of phosphate transport.

The hydrophobic probe phenylisothiocyanate is utilized for chemical modification of human erythrocyte band 3 protein. The binding of phenylisothiocyanate to this protein is characterized in whole erythrocytes, erythrocyte ghost membranes and in isolated band 3 protein. The label, reactive with nucleophiles in their deprotonated form is found in all three preparations to be covalently bound to band 3 protein. Under saturation conditions, 4--5 mol phenylisothiocyanate are covalently bound per mol protein (molecular weight 95 000). The described modification effects inhibition of phosphate entry into erythrocytes. 50% inhibition of phosphate transport is obtained following a preincubation of erythrocytes with 0.45 mM phenylisothiocyanate. Both phenylisothiocyanate binding and transport inhibition are saturating processes. The relationship of the two parameters is non-linear.

Microcytosis of unknown origin.

We report a case of constant microcytosis which could not be related to any of the usual, known causes. The biochemical and functional investigations showed - apart from the small volume - no difference compared with normal erythrocytes. There was no evidence for a hereditary defect. It is concluded that the condition may represent a variant of the normal.

Purified phospholipase A2 from sheep erythrocyte membrane. Preferential hydrolysis according to polar groups and 2-acyl chains.

Hydrolysis of natural phospholipids by pure erythrocyte membrane phospholipase A2 was compared to the reaction catalyzed by the soluble pancreatic enzyme. Fatty acids liberated during both types of reaction were quantitatively analyzed by gas liquid chromatography. We confirm for the pancreatic enzyme lack of specificity with respect to the sn-2 acyl chain of the phospholipids and preference for negatively charged polar head groups. Conversely, the membranous enzyme preferentially attacks uncharged phospholipids and within one class of phospholipid preferentially splits long chain unsaturated fatty acids in the sn-2 position. The significance of such differences between pancreatic and sheep erythrocyte enzyme is discussed in relation to the possible physiological role of the latter enzyme.