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Use of herbal medicines and supplements by consumers to prevent or treat disease, particularly chronic conditions continues to grow, leading to increased awareness of the minimal regulation standards in many countries. Fraudulent, adulterated and contaminated herbal and traditional medicines and dietary supplements are a risk to consumer health, with adverse effects and events including overdose, drug-herb interactions and hospitalisation. The scope of the risk has been difficult to determine, prompting calls for new approaches, such as the combination of DNA metabarcoding and mass spectrometry used in this study. Here we show that nearly 50% of products tested had contamination issues, in terms of DNA, chemical composition or both. Two samples were clear cases of pharmaceutical adulteration, including a combination of paracetamol and chlorpheniramine in one product and trace amounts of buclizine, a drug no longer in use in Australia, in another. Other issues include the undeclared presence of stimulants such as caffeine, synephrine or ephedrine. DNA data highlighted potential allergy concerns (nuts, wheat), presence of potential toxins (Neem oil) and animal ingredients (reindeer, frog, shrew), and possible substitution of bird cartilage in place of shark. Only 21% of the tested products were able to have at least one ingredient corroborated by DNA sequencing. This study demonstrates that, despite current monitoring approaches, contaminated and adulterated products are still reaching the consumer. We suggest that a better solution is stronger pre-market evaluation, using techniques such as that outlined in this study., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Methamphetamine is an illicit psychostimulant drug that is linked to a number of diseases of the nervous system. The downstream biochemical effects of its primary mechanisms are not well understood, and the objective of this study was to investigate whether untargeted metabolomic analysis of an in vitro model could generate data relevant to what is already known about this drug. Rat B50 neuroblastoma cells were treated with 1 mM methamphetamine for 48 h, and both intracellular and extracellular metabolites were profiled using gas chromatography⁻mass spectrometry. Principal component analysis of the data identified 35 metabolites that contributed most to the difference in metabolite profiles. Of these metabolites, the most notable changes were in amino acids, with significant increases observed in glutamate, aspartate and methionine, and decreases in phenylalanine and serine. The data demonstrated that glutamate release and, subsequently, excitotoxicity and oxidative stress were important in the response of the neuronal cell to methamphetamine. Following this, the cells appeared to engage amino acid-based mechanisms to reduce glutamate levels. The potential of untargeted metabolomic analysis has been highlighted, as it has generated biochemically relevant data and identified pathways significantly affected by methamphetamine. This combination of technologies has clear uses as a model for the study of neuronal toxicology.

Low intensity repetitive magnetic stimulation of neural tissue modulates neuronal excitability and has promising therapeutic potential in the treatment of neurological disorders. However, the underpinning cellular and biochemical mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigates the behavioural effects of low intensity repetitive magnetic stimulation (LI-rMS) at a cellular and biochemical level. We delivered LI-rMS (10 mT) at 1 Hz and 10 Hz to B50 rat neuroblastoma cells in vitro for 10 minutes and measured levels of selected metabolites immediately after stimulation. LI-rMS at both frequencies depleted selected tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle metabolites without affecting the main energy supplies. Furthermore, LI-rMS effects were frequency-specific with 1 Hz stimulation having stronger effects than 10 Hz. The observed depletion of metabolites suggested that higher spontaneous activity may have led to an increase in GABA release. Although the absence of organised neural circuits and other cellular contributors (e.g., excitatory neurons and glia) in the B50 cell line limits the degree to which our results can be extrapolated to the human brain, the changes we describe provide novel insights into how LI-rMS modulates neural tissue., Competing Interests: Jennifer Rodger is an Academic Editor for PeerJ.

Metabolomics is an analytical technique that investigates the small biochemical molecules present within a biological sample isolated from a plant, animal, or cultured cells. It can be an extremely powerful tool in elucidating the specific metabolic changes within a biological system in response to an environmental challenge such as disease, infection, drugs, or toxins. A historically difficult step in the metabolomics pipeline is in data interpretation to a meaningful biological context, for such high-variability biological samples and in untargeted metabolomics studies that are hypothesis-generating by design. One way to achieve stronger biological context of metabolomic data is via the use of cultured cell models, particularly for mammalian biological systems. The benefits of in vitro metabolomics include a much greater control of external variables and no ethical concerns. The current concerns are with inconsistencies in experimental procedures and level of reporting standards between different studies. This review discusses some of these discrepancies between recent studies, such as metabolite extraction and data normalisation. The aim of this review is to highlight the importance of a standardised experimental approach to any cultured cell metabolomics study and suggests an example procedure fully inclusive of information that should be disclosed in regard to the cell type/s used and their culture conditions. Metabolomics of cultured cells has the potential to uncover previously unknown information about cell biology, functions and response mechanisms, and so the accurate biological interpretation of the data produced and its ability to be compared to other studies should be considered vitally important.

Toxicity testing is essential for the protection of human health from exposure to toxic environmental chemicals. As traditional toxicity testing is carried out using animal models, mammalian cell culture models are becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to animal testing. Combining the use of mammalian cell culture models with screening-style molecular profiling technologies, such as metabolomics, can uncover previously unknown biochemical bases of toxicity. We have used a mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomics approach to characterize for the first time the changes in the metabolome of the B50 cell line, an immortalised rat neuronal cell line, following acute exposure to two known neurotoxic chemicals that are common environmental contaminants; the pyrethroid insecticide permethrin and the organophosphate insecticide malathion. B50 cells were exposed to either the dosing vehicle (methanol) or an acute dose of either permethrin or malathion for 6 and 24 hours. Intracellular metabolites were profiled by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Using principal components analysis, we selected the key metabolites whose abundance was altered by chemical exposure. By considering the major fold changes in abundance (>2.0 or <0.5 from control) across these metabolites, we were able to elucidate important cellular events associated with toxic exposure including disrupted energy metabolism and attempted protective mechanisms from excitotoxicity. Our findings illustrate the ability of mammalian cell culture metabolomics to detect finer metabolic effects of acute exposure to known toxic chemicals, and validate the need for further development of this process in the application of trace-level dose and chronic toxicity studies, and toxicity testing of unknown chemicals., (Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Herbal medicines are growing in popularity, use and commercial value; however, there remain problems with the quality and consequently safety of these products. Adulterated, contaminated and fraudulent products are often found on the market, a risk compounded by the fact that these products are available to consumers with little or no medical advice. Current regulations and quality control methods are lacking in their ability to combat these serious problems. Metabolomics is a biochemical profiling tool that may help address these issues if applied to quality control of both raw ingredients and final products. Using the example of the popular herbal medicine, ginseng, this essay offers an overview of the potential use of metabolomics for quality control in herbal medicines and also highlights where more research is needed., (© 2016 The Author(s). published by Portland Press Limited on behalf of the Biochemical Society.)

Several studies of neuropathic pain have linked abnormal adrenergic signalling to the development and maintenance of pain, although the mechanisms underlying this are not yet fully understood. Metabolomic analysis is a technique that can be used to give a snapshot of biochemical status, and can aid in the identification of the mechanisms behind pathological changes identified in cells, tissues and biological fluids. This study aimed to use gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomic profiling in combination with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry to identify functional α1-adrenergic receptors on cultured N1E-115 mouse neuroblastoma cells. The study was able to confirm the presence of mRNA for the α1D subtype, as well as protein expression of the α1-adrenergic receptor. Furthermore, metabolomic data revealed changes to the metabolite profile of cells when exposed to adrenergic pharmacological intervention. Agonist treatment with phenylephrine hydrochloride (10 µM) resulted in altered levels of several metabolites including myo-inositol, glucose, fructose, alanine, leucine, phenylalanine, valine, and n-acetylglutamic acid. Many of the changes observed in N1E-115 cells by agonist treatment were modulated by additional antagonist treatment (prazosin hydrochloride, 100 µM). A number of these changes reflected what is known about the biochemistry of α1-adrenergic receptor activation. This preliminary study therefore demonstrates the potential of metabolomic profiling to confirm the presence of functional receptors on cultured cells.

Globally, there has been an increase in the use of herbal remedies including traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). There is a perception that products are natural, safe and effectively regulated, however, regulatory agencies are hampered by a lack of a toolkit to audit ingredient lists, adulterants and constituent active compounds. Here, for the first time, a multidisciplinary approach to assessing the molecular content of 26 TCMs is described. Next generation DNA sequencing is combined with toxicological and heavy metal screening by separation techniques and mass spectrometry (MS) to provide a comprehensive audit. Genetic analysis revealed that 50% of samples contained DNA of undeclared plant or animal taxa, including an endangered species of Panthera (snow leopard). In 50% of the TCMs, an undeclared pharmaceutical agent was detected including warfarin, dexamethasone, diclofenac, cyproheptadine and paracetamol. Mass spectrometry revealed heavy metals including arsenic, lead and cadmium, one with a level of arsenic >10 times the acceptable limit. The study showed 92% of the TCMs examined were found to have some form of contamination and/or substitution. This study demonstrates that a combination of molecular methodologies can provide an effective means by which to audit complementary and alternative medicines.

Domoic acid acts at both kainic acid (KA) and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA)-sensitive glutamate receptors and induces tolerance against subsequent domoic acid insult in young but not aged rat hippocampus. To determine the receptor specificity of this effect, tolerance induction was examined in hippocampal slices from young and aged rats. Slices were preconditioned by exposure to low-dose KA to activate kainate receptors, or the AMPA-receptor selective agonist (S)-5-fluorowillardiine (FW), and following washout, tolerance induction was assessed by administration of high concentrations of KA or FW (respectively). FW preconditioning failed to induce tolerance to subsequent FW challenges, while KA-preconditioned slices were significantly resistant to the effects of high-dose KA. KA preconditioning failed to induce tolerance in aged CA1. Given the lasting nature of the tolerance effect, we examined G-protein-coupled receptor function. A number of ionotropic KA receptor agonists and antagonists significantly reduced constitutive GTPase activity in hippocampal membranes from young but not aged rats. Furthermore, in young CA1, low concentrations of the AMPA/KA blocker GYKI-52466 also induced tolerance to high-dose KA. Our findings suggest that tolerance is triggered by a selective reduction in constitutive KA-sensitive G-protein activity, and that this potential neuroprotective mechanism is lost with age.

Background/aims: Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are known to play a role in hepatic regeneration. We investigated hepatocyte/HSC interaction and HSC activation at various times after 70% partial hepatectomy (PHx) in the rat., Methods: The hepatic microcirculation was studied using intravital fluorescence microscopy (IVFM). Desmin and alpha-SMA within liver tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry. In isolated parenchymal liver cells (PLCs) and HSCs, double immunostaining was used to identify activated HSC., Results: Using IVFM, hepatocyte-clusters were often seen in vivo at 3 days after PHx (PHx3). Distance between HSC fell from 61.7+/-2.1 microm in controls to 36.1+/-1.4 microm (P<0.001) while the HSC/hepatocyte ratio rose (0.71+/-0.01 to 1.08+/-0.03; P<0.001). In >80% of in vivo microscopic fields in the PHx3 group, clusters of HSCs were observed especially near hepatocyte-clusters. At PHx1 and PHx3, >20% of cells in the PLC-fraction were HSCs which adhered to hepatocytes. At PHx3, in addition to desmin staining, isolated HSCs were also positive for BrdU and alpha-SMA, and formed clusters. HSCs in the HSC-fraction were only positive for desmin which indicated that adherence to hepatocytes is required for HSC activation., Conclusions: Our data suggest that HSCs are activated by adhering to hepatocytes in the early phase of liver regeneration.

We investigated activation mechanisms of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) that are known to play pivotal roles in the regeneration process after 70% partial hepatectomy (PHx). Parenchymal liver cells (PLCs) and non-parenchymal cells (NPLCs) were isolated and purified from the regenerating livers at 1, 3, 7, 14 days after PHx. Each liver cell fraction was stained by immunocytochemistry using an anti-desmin antibody as a marker for HSCs, anti-alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) as a marker for activated HSCs, and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) for detection of proliferating cells. Tissue sections from regenerating livers were also analyzed by immunohistochemistry and compared with the results obtained for isolated cell fractions. One and 3 days after PHx, PLC-enriched fraction contained HSCs adhered to PLCs. The HSCs adhered to PLCs were double positive for BrdU and alpha-SMA, and formed clusters suggesting that these HSCs were activated. However, HSC-enriched fraction contained HSCs not adhered PLCs showed positive staining for anti-desmin antibody but negative for anti-alpha-SMA antibody. These results suggest that HSCs are activated by adhering to PLCs during the early phase of hepatic regeneration.

The demonstration that many intracellular signaling processes are mediated by a family of closely related guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G-proteins) has led to the development of specific techniques that can be used to identify which of these polypeptide(s) is involved on receptor activation by ligand. In addition, these methods can be used to probe the specificity of the interaction and to yield information about the stoichiometries involved.

1. Endothelial function in mesenteric resistance arteries (MRA) from male 12-week-old New Zealand genetically hypertensive (GH) rats and their normotensive control strain (N) was compared in vessels mounted on a wire myograph and by the production of intracellular cGMP. In parallel experiments, MRA from the spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rat strain, in which there is an endothelial defect, and from GH rats, in which an endothelial defect was induced by chronic nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition with Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), were studied. 2. Contractile responses to potassium (124 mmol/L) depolarization and to NA (10(-8) to 10(-4) mol/L) were similar in GH and N rats; however, in SHR, enhanced contractile responses were found (P < 0.05). The endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by acetylcholine (ACh; 10(-9) to 10(-4) mol/L) and endothelium- independent relaxation induced by sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 10(-9) to 10(-4) mol/L) were identical in preparations from GH and N. A significantly attenuated (P < 0.01) vasodilator response to ACh was observed in preparations from SHR. 3. Levels of intracellular cGMP were similar in untreated small mesenteric arterial trees from GH, N and SHR rats. Acetylcholine (10-5 mol/L) significantly (P < 0.001) increased the cGMP content in both GH and N rats. A non-significant increase occurred in cGMP content in preparations from SHR. 4. In GH rats given L-NAME (10 mg/kg per day for up to 5 weeks), an attenuated (P < 0.01) endothelium-dependent relaxation to ACh and an enhanced (P < 0.01) endothelium- independent relaxation to SNP were observed. Lower basal cGMP levels were found in preparations from L-NAME-treated GH rats and ACh (10-5 mol/L) failed to significantly elevate the cGMP content in these preparations. 5. These experiments failed to show evidence of reduced endothelial function in GH rats, although an endothelial defect in SHR rats and after NOS inhibition in GH rats could be demonstrated.

The effect of hypoxic shock on the ability of endothelin (ET) receptors to interact with the cAMP second messenger system was assessed in rat pulmonary arteries. Whole pieces of tissue were dissected from the pulmonary arterial system of control and hypoxic (10% O2, 14 days) rats, incubated, where appropriate, with ET-1 (0.1 microM), and the levels of intracellular cAMP measured. Maintenance of rats under hypoxic conditions significantly reduced the basal cAMP levels in all of the arterial branches with the exception of the pulmonary resistance vessels, in which no change was observed. Incubation of the main and first branch extralobar pulmonary arteries from control rats with ET-1 resulted in a consistent decrease in the levels of intracellular cAMP. The ETA receptor antagonist FR139317 partially blocked this ET-1-mediated inhibition of cAMP accumulation in the main extralobar artery. In contrast, ET-1 caused a threefold increase in the levels of this cyclic nucleotide in the pulmonary resistance vessels from the normoxic rat. No ET-1-mediated reduction in intracellular cAMP levels was observed in any of the vessels isolated from hypoxic animals. All vessels showed ligand-activated increases in cAMP production. These results suggest differential modulation of cAMP in the different pulmonary arteries, either by direct activation through Gi and Gs or indirectly via a uncharacterized cross-talk mechanism.

A cDNA encoding the rat mu-opioid receptor was expressed stably in a Rat-1 fibroblast cell line. Expression of this receptor was demonstrated with specific binding of the mu-opioid selective ligand [3H][D-Ala2,N-MePhe4,Gly5-ol]-enkephalin ([3H]DAMGO). In membranes of clone mu11 cells DAMGO produced a robust, concentration-dependent stimulation of basal high affinity GTPase activity. Cholera toxin-catalyzed [32P]ADP-ribosylation in membranes of this clone labelled a 40 kDa Gi family polypeptide(s) that was markedly enhanced by the addition of DAMGO. Antisera against Gi2alpha and Gi3alpha were both able to immunoprecipitate a [32P]-radiolabelled 40 kDa polypeptide(s) from DAMGO and cholera-toxin treated membranes of clone mu11, indicating that the mu-opioid receptor was able to interact effectively with both Gi2 and Gi3 in Rat-1 fibroblasts. A series of peptides derived from the delta-opioid receptor sequence were assessed for their ability to modify agonist-stimulated G protein activation and [3H] agonist binding to the receptor. In membranes from the clone mu11, specific binding of [3H]DAMGO was reduced by peptides corresponding to the NH2-terminal region of the third intracellular loop (i3.1) and the carboxyl-terminal tail (i4) of this receptor. Agonist stimulated GTPase activity and DAMGO dependent cholera toxin-catalyzed [32P]ADP-ribosylation were inhibited by peptides derived from the proximal (i3.1) and the distal portion (i3.3) of the third intracellular loop. Peptide i3.1 also inhibited DAMGO-stimulated [35S]guanosine-5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate ([35S]GTP-gammaS) binding in the same membranes. In contrast, peptides derived from the second intracellular loop were without any effect.

Adenylyl cyclase activity was measured following labelling of the cellular ATP pool with [3H]adenine in intact Rat-1 fibroblasts that had been stably transfected to express the murine delta-opioid receptor (clone D2). Basal [3H]cyclic AMP accumulation was low and was increased substantially by the addition of the diterpene forskolin. The synthetic enkephalin D-Ala2,D-Leu5 enkephalin (DADLE) produced strong inhibition of forskolin-amplified [3H]cyclic AMP production, whereas the delta-opioid ligand ICI174864 augmented forskolin-amplified adenylyl cyclase activity. Naloxone was unable to mimic the effects of ICI174864, and coincubation of the cells with these two ligands attenuated the effect of ICI174864. The EC50 (9.4 +/- 0.6 x 10(-8) M) for ICI174864 augmentation of forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase was equal to its estimated Ki. Pertussis toxin pretreatment of clone D2 cells prevented both this effect of ICI174864 and the inhibition produced by DADLE. Use of a Cytosensor microphysiometer demonstrated that treatment of clone D2 cells with DADLE increased and that with ICI174864 decreased the basal rate of cellular proton extrusion. By using these two distinct experimental strategies, ICI174864 was shown to function in a manner anticipated for an inverse agonist, demonstrating that such effects can be observed in intact cells and are not restricted to assays performed on membrane preparations.

Maximally effective concentrations of the opioid agonist D-ala2-D-leu5-enkephalin resulted in some 2-3-fold enhancement of tyrosine phosphorylation of the p52 Shc adapter protein in a clone of Rat-1 fibroblasts transfected to express stably the murine delta opioid receptor. More limited modifications of the tyrosine phosphorylation status of the p46 and p66 forms of Shc were observed in parallel. Epidermal growth factor caused some 10-12-fold enhancement of tyrosine phosphorylation of p52 Shc and marked increases in the p46 and p66 forms. The effect of D-ala2-D-leu5-enkephalin was prevented by pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin and was not observed in non-transfected parental fibroblasts whereas the effect of epidermal growth factor was still manifest in both these situations. Half-maximal effects of D-ala2-D-leu5-enkephalin on p52 Shc tyrosine phosphorylation were produced with sub-nanomolar concentrations, in agreement with previous results on the tyrosine phosphorylation of p44MAPK (Burt et al., 1996). p52 Shc became tyrosine phosphorylated more rapidly than p44MAPK in response to D-ala2-D-leu5-enkephalin and its enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation was maintained for at least 10 min.

Ligands which display inverse agonism at G protein-coupled receptors do so by decreasing the intrinsic ability of a receptor to active the cellular G protein population in the absence of an agonist ligand. Expression of the murine delta opioid receptor in Rat-1 fibroblasts resulted in the inverse agonist ICI174864 being able to cause inhibition of basal high affinity GTPase activity and of the binding of [35S]GTP gamma S in membranes of a clone (D2) of these cells which expresses high levels of the receptor. These effects were blocked by co-addition of the neutral antagonist TIPP[psi], demonstrating a requirement for the delta opioid receptor, and by pertussis toxin pretreatment of the cells, showing them to be produced via a Gi-like G protein. The inverse agonist properties of ICI174864 could also be demonstrated in whole cells. Stimulation of forskolin-amplified adenylyl cyclase activity was produced by ICI174864 following [3H]adenine prelabelling of the cells. Constitutively activated mutants of receptors should provide a convenient means to detect inverse agonists. Incubation of cells either transiently or stably transfected with a constitutively activated mutant of the human beta 2-adrenoceptor with the beta 2-inverse agonists betaxolol or sotalol, which are both able to inhibit CAM beta 2-adrenoceptor-mediated basal adenylyl cyclase activity, resulted in a strong upregulation of levels of the receptor. In the stable cells lines this effect was prevented by co-incubation with neutral antagonists but could not be reproduced by an adenylyl cyclase P-site ligand which also inhibited basal adenylyl cyclase levels.

NeuroblastomaXglioma hybrid, NG108-15 cells were stably transfected with an epitope tagged variant of G(s)alpha (HA-G(s)alpha). The introduced HA-G(s)alpha was able to interact with the IP prostanoid receptor and was able to stimulate adenylyl cyclase activity as measured by an enhanced capacity of membrane extracts to reconstitute NaF-dependent adenylyl cyclase activity to membranes of S49 lymphoma cyc- cells. Despite this, neither the maximal stimulation nor the potency of agonist ligands at the IP prostanoid, A2 adenosine or secretin receptors was altered substantially compared to the parental cells although the basal adenylyl cyclase activity was increased. These data indicate that cellular levels of G(s)alpha do not limit signal transduction capacity in NG108-15 cells, whereas enhanced expression of adenylyl cyclase allows greater maximal cAMP generation following receptor activation (MacEwan, D.J., Kim, G.D. and Milligan, G. (1996) Biochem. J. 318, 1033-1039).

Rat-1 fibroblasts were transfected with a cDNA encoding the mouse delta opioid receptor. Two separate clones, D2 (which expressed some 6 pmol of the receptor/mg of membrane protein) and DOE (which expressed some 0.2 pmol/mg of membrane protein), were examined in detail. With membranes from both clones, the opioid agonist [D-Ala2]leucine enkephalin (DADLE) caused stimulation of high-affinity GTPase activity and of the binding of guanosine 5'-[gamma-[35S]thio]triphosphate, and inhibition of forskolin-amplified adenylate cyclase activity. DADLE also induced phosphorylation and activation of both the p42MAPK (42 kDa isoform) and p44MAPK (44 kDa isoform) members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) family. All of these effects of DADLE were prevented in both clones by pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin. The maximal response that could be produced by DADLE in direct assays of G-protein activation were substantially greater in clone D2 than in clone DOE, but in both clones essentially full phosphorylation of both p42MAPK and p44MAPK could be achieved. EC50 values for DADLE stimulation of GTPase activity and for activation of p44MAPK were substantially lower in clone D2 than in clone DOE. Moreover, in both clones the EC50 value for DADLE stimulation of p44MAPK was substantially lower than that for stimulation of GTPase activity, and the Hill coefficients for agonist activation of p44MAPK (h > 1) displayed marked co-operativity whereas those for G-protein activation did not (h 0.8-1.0). DADLE activation of p44MAPK showed more sustained kinetics in clone D2 than in clone DOE. By contrast, lysophosphatidic acid, acting at an endogenously expressed G-protein-coupled receptor, also activated p44MAPK in both clones in a pertussis toxinsensitive manner, but both the kinetics and the concentration-response curve for activation of p44MAPK by this ligand were similar. As with other systems, maintained cellular levels of a cAMP analogue prevented the effects of both G-protein-coupled receptors on activation of p44MAPK. These results demonstrate for the first time that an opioid receptor, at least when expressed in Rat-1 fibroblasts, is able to initiate activation of the MAP kinase cascade in a G1-dependent manner, and show that only a very small proportion of the cellular G1 population is required to be activated to result in full phosphorylation of the p42MAPK and p44MAPK MAP kinases.

A cDNA encoding the mouse delta opioid receptor was expressed stably in a Rat 1 fibroblast cell line. Expression of this receptor was demonstrated both in ligand binding studies and by reverse transcriptase-PCR. In membranes of clone D2 cells the opioid peptide [D-Ala(2)]-leucine enkephalin (DADLE) produced a robust, concentration-dependent, stimulation of basal high-affinity GTPase activity; the prototypic opioid antagonist naloxone and the highly selective and potent delta opioid ligands H-Tyr-Tic-Phe-Phe-OH (TIPP) and H-Tyr-Tic[Ch2-NH]Phe-Phe-OH (TIPP[psi]) had little effect but N,N-diallyl-Tyr-Aib-Aib-Phe-Leu (ICI174864) caused a marked dose-dependent inhibition of this activity (Tic, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-2-yl-carbonyl]; Aib, alpha-aminobutyric acid). This effect of ICI174864 was reversed by TIPP[psi] and attenuated after treatment of the cells with pertussis toxin. No stimulation by DADLE or inhibition by ICI174864 was observed in Rat 1 fibroblasts that did not express the delta opioid receptor. Basal binding of [(35)S]guanosine 5'-O-(3-thio-triphosphate) to membranes of clone D2 cells was also stimulated by DADLE and inhibited by ICI174864; both of these effects were reversed by co-incubation with TIPP[psi]. When cholera toxin-catalysed [(32)P]ADP-ribosylation was performed on membranes of clone D2 cells in the absence of guanine nucleotides, a 40 kDa G1-family polypeptide was labelled in addition to both the long and short isoforms of Gsalpha. Labelling of the 40 kDa polypeptide was enhanced by addition of DADLE and fully attenuated by addition of ICI174864. In contrast, labelling of the isoforms of Gsalpha was unaffected by either opioid ligand. Again, both the positive effect of DADLE and the inhibitory effect of ICI174864 were prevented by co-incubation with TIPP[psi] which, in isolation, had little effect on cholera toxin-catalysed [(32)P]ADP-ribosylation of either Gs or Gi. These data demonstrate that the delta opioid receptor displays a spontaneous activity when expressed in this genetic background. Attenuation of this activity is produced by ICI174864, which by acting as an 'inverse agonist' in this system, functionally uncouples the expressed receptor from the cellular G-protein population. The complete attenuation of agonist-independent cholera toxin-catalysed [(32)P]ADP-ribosylation of Gi demonstrated that ICI174864 acts as an inverse agonist with high intrinsic activity at this receptor.

Mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma hybrid NG 108-15 and mouse neuroblastoma x embryonic hamster brain NCB20 cells were transfected with a construct containing a human beta 2 adrenoceptor cDNA under the control of the beta actin promoter. Clones were selected on the basis of resistance to geneticin sulphate and those expressing a range of levels of the receptor expanded for further study. Membranes from a clone of NG108-15 cells expressing high levels of the receptor (beta N22) but not one expressing only low levels of the receptor (beta N17) exhibited a markedly elevated adenylyl cyclase activity when measured in the presence of Mg2+ compared to wild type cells. This was not due to elevated levels of the adenylyl cyclase catalytic moiety however as there was no difference in these membranes when the adenylyl cyclase activity was measured in the presence of Mn2+. The elevated basal activity was partially reversed by addition of the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol. Agonist activation of beta N22 but not beta N17 cells led to a large selective down-regulation of cellular Gs alpha levels which was independent of the generation of cyclic AMP. Isoprenaline stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity and of the specific high affinity binding of [3H] forskolin was achieved with substantially greater potency (some 30 fold) in beta N22 cell membranes than in beta N17. By contrast agonist activation of the endogenously expressed IP prostanoid receptor caused stimulation of adenylyl cyclase and stimulation of high affinity [3H] forskolin binding which was equipotent in each of beta N22, beta N17 and wild type NG108-15 cells. Agonist activation of the IP prostanoid receptor caused an equivalent degree of Gs alpha down-regulation in each cell type. Expression of an epitope tagged variant of Gs alpha in NG108-15 cells resulted in prostanoid agonist-induced down-regulation of this polypeptide in a manner indistinguishable from that of wild type Gs alpha. Isolation of clones of NCB20 cells expressing high levels of the beta 2 adrenoceptor also resulted in a specific agonist-induced down-regulation of Gs alpha.

Murine neuroblastoma x embryonic Chinese hamster brain NCB20 cells were transfected with a construct containing the human beta 2-adrenoceptor under the control of a beta-actin promoter. Two clones were selected for detailed analysis: D1, which expressed some 12.7 pmol/mg of membrane protein, and L9, which expressed 1.2 pmol/mg of membrane protein of the receptor. Incubation with the beta-adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline resulted in stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity in both of the clones, whereas no such activation was observed in wild-type NCB20 cells. The EC50 for isoprenaline stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity in membranes of clone D1 (0.8 nM) was significantly lower, however, than in membranes of clone L9 (10.4 nM). Although the maximal adenylyl cyclase stimulation by isoprenaline was similar in both clones, D1 had a higher basal activity. Immunoblotting studies with specific antipeptide antisera directed against various G protein alpha subunits showed that treatment of the cells with isoprenaline resulted in a 35% reduction in the membrane-associated levels of Gs alpha in membranes of clone L9 cells and a 50% reduction in Gs alpha levels in membranes prepared from clone D1. Isoprenaline treatment had no effect on the levels of Gs alpha in wild-type NCB20 cells, and such treatment had no effect on the levels of other G protein alpha subunits such as Gq/G11 and Gi2 in any of the cell lines investigated. Time course analysis revealed that half-maximal loss of Gs alpha in clone D1 was achieved within 1-2 h of addition of agonist.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

It is now appreciated both that G-protein-linked receptors and signal transducing heterotrimeric G-proteins consist of large multi-member superfamilies and that regulation of a signal transduction cascade can be produced by a variety of means following activation of a G-protein by a receptor. To begin to unravel the complexities of this regulation it is clearly important to be able to define the molecular identity of the G-protein or G-proteins activated by a receptor and to assess the quantitative importance of such interactions for the integration of signals produced by a receptor agonist. Substantial progress has been made towards these goals in recent years and the purpose of this short review will be to discuss the use and potential limitations of some of the currently most widely used approaches.

NG108-15 cells were transfected to stably express a haemagglutinin epitope-tagged variant of the long isoform of Gs alpha. Clone BST15 expressed this polypeptide at similar levels to the endogenous long isoform of Gs alpha. Treatment of clone BST15 with the IP prostanoid receptor agonist iloprost resulted in down-regulation of both forms of Gs alpha with both dose-effect curves to iloprost and time courses of loss of the two forms of Gs alpha being indistinguishable. These results demonstrate that the IP prostanoid receptor interacts with and regulates the epitope-tagged variant of Gs alpha in an equivalent manner to the unmodified protein and indicates that the epitope-tagged polypeptide can be used to analyse mechanisms of receptor regulation of cellular G-protein levels.

Membranes of a variety of clonal cell lines, including neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG108-15, glioma C6, Rat 1 and CHO fibroblasts and the pituitary-derived cell lines alpha T3 and GH3 were immunoblotted with an antiserum (CQ) raised against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the C-terminal decapeptide of the alpha subunits of the phosphoinositidase-C-linked G-proteins Gq and G11. In SDS-PAGE conditions able to resolve these two polypeptides, direct evidence was obtained for co-expression of these two G-proteins in all of the above cell lines. The ratio of these two G-proteins varied substantially (alpha 11/alpha q = 0.25-2.5) between the cell lines. In human platelets and in a range of haemopoietically derived human cell lines including U937 (monoblasts), Raji (Burkitts lymphoma) and Jurkat (mature T cell) expression of G11 alpha was not detected. This was not due to the inability of the antiserum to identify human G11 alpha as other human cell lines co-expressed both G-proteins. A third, unidentified CQ reactive polypeptide of similar mobility was resolved and present in all cell lines examined.

CHO cells express both of the phosphoinositidase C-linked G-proteins Gq and G11. G11 alpha is some 2.5-fold more highly expressed than Gq alpha in membranes of these cells. Following transfection and stable expression of CHO cells with DNA encoding the human muscarinic M1 acetylcholine (HM1) receptor, chronic treatment of the cells with the cholinergic agonist carbachol resulted in down-regulation of membrane levels of both Gq alpha and G11 alpha. Dose-response curves to carbachol produced identical EC50 values for agonist-induced down-regulation of the two G-proteins and both were down-regulated with the same time course. These data indicate that the HM1 receptor interacts with the activates both Gq alpha and G11 alpha equivalently and non-selectively in a whole cell system in which the receptor has access to both G-proteins.

CHO cells stably transfected with cDNA encoding the human M1 muscarinic acetylcholine (HM1) receptor were treated with the cholinergic agonist carbachol at various concentrations for differing times. Levels of the HM1 receptor and of a range of G-proteins were subsequently measured. Carbachol treatment of the transfected cells caused a substantial down-regulation of cellular levels of the alpha subunit of Gq (Gq alpha), but did not significantly alter cellular levels of the alpha subunits of Gs or Gi2. A small decrease in levels of G-protein beta-subunit was also produced. Parallel assessment of agonist-induced down-regulation of the HM1 receptor demonstrated that it was lost in concert with the G-protein. Similar concentrations of carbachol (5 microM) were required to produce half-maximal stimulation of inositol phosphate generation and loss of each of the HM1 receptor and Gq alpha, and half-maximal losses of both receptor and Gq alpha were produced by 3 h of treatment with 1 mM-carbachol. By contrast, treatment of the non-transfected parental CHO cells, which do not express detectable levels of the receptor, with carbachol had no effect on cellular Gq alpha levels. Concurrent treatment of the HM1-expressing CHO cells with carbachol and cycloheximide indicated that suppression of protein synthesis de novo did not mimic the effect of carbachol, and hence even complete inhibition of transcription of the Gq alpha gene and/or translation of pre-existing Gq alpha mRNA could not account for the agonist-induced effect. We have previously noted that cellular levels of both Gs alpha [McKenzie and Milligan (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 17084-17093] and the alpha subunits of the pertussis-toxin-sensitive G-proteins Gi1, Gi2 and Gi3 [Green, Johnson and Milligan (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 5206-5210] can be regulated in certain cell systems by agonist activation of receptors expected to interact with these G-proteins. These results demonstrate that the same is true of Gq alpha and suggest that agonist-induced co-ordinate loss of receptors and associated G-proteins may be a more common feature than has been appreciated to date.

Neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells express a high-affinity IP prostanoid receptor. Saturation binding analysis of this receptor, using [3H]prostaglandin E1 ([3H]PGE1) as ligand, indicated that it was present at some 1.5 pmol/mg of membrane protein and displayed a dissociation constant for this ligand of 30-40 nM. Prolonged exposure of these cells either to PGE1 or to iloprost, which is a stable analogue of prostacyclin, caused a 40-70% decrease in levels of the receptor. The remaining receptors were capable of interacting with the stimulatory G-protein (Gs) of the adenylate cyclase cascade, as saturation analysis of the binding of [3H]PGE1 indicated that they had a similar affinity for the 3H-labelled ligand, and because the specific binding of [3H]PGE1 to these receptors was still sensitive to the presence of poorly hydrolysed analogues of GTP. We have recently demonstrated that prolonged exposure of NG108-15 ells to PGE1 causes a cyclic AMP-independent loss of Gs alpha-subunit (Gs alpha) from these cells [McKenzie & Milligan (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 17084-17093]. Steady-state concentration of the larger 45 kDa form of Gs alpha (which is the predominant form expressed in these cells) was assessed to be 9.6 pmol/mg of membrane protein, and treatment with iloprost decreased levels of this polypeptide to some 3.0 pmol/mg of protein. Time courses of iloprost-mediated down-regulation of the IP prostanoid receptor, loss of Gs alpha protein as assessed by immunoblotting and loss of Gs alpha activity as assessed by the reconstitution of NaF stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity to membranes of S49 cyc- cells by sodium cholate extracts of NG108-15 cells were identical, suggesting that the loss of the IP prostanoid receptor and G-protein occurred in parallel. Each of these effects was half-maximal between 2 and 3 h of exposure to the agonist. Stoichiometry of loss of Gs alpha and IP prostanoid receptor was unchanged by the percentage receptor occupancy, and quantification indicated the loss of some 7-10 mol of Gs alpha/mol of receptor. This is the first report to demonstrate the temporal concurrence of loss of Gs alpha and of a receptor which interacts with this G-protein. Chronic activation of the IP prostanoid receptor on these cells results in the development of a heterologous form of desensitization to agents which function to activate adenylate cyclase [Kelly, Keen, Nobbs & MacDermot (1990) Br. J. Pharmacol. 99, 306-316]. Agonist regulation of Gs alpha levels in these cells may contribute to this process.

An antiserum (13CB) was generated against a synthetic peptide, HDNLKQLMLQ, which is predicted to represent the C-terminal decapeptide of the alpha subunit of the novel G-protein, G13. Competitive ELISA indicated that the antiserum reacted with this peptide but that it showed minimal ability to recognize peptides which represent the equivalent regions of the pertussis toxin-insensitive G-proteins, Gq + G11, G12, G15 + G16, GL1 (also called G14) as Gz, and well as other G-proteins. Immunoblots of human platelet membranes with antiserum 13CB identified a single 43-kDa polypeptide, and while this immunoreactivity was abolished by the presence of the cognate peptide it was not modified by the presence of peptides corresponding to the equivalent region of other G-proteins. Immunoreactivity corresponding to G13 alpha was detected in a range of cell types with human platelets having the highest levels of this polypeptide.

Antisera were raised to a synthetic peptide which represents the predicted C-terminal decapeptide of the alpha subunit of the G-proteins Gq and G11. Competitive ELISA indicated that antiserum CQ2 displayed strong reactivity against this peptide. Antiserum CQ2 identified an apparently single polypeptide of 42 kDa which was expressed widely. The mobility of this polypeptide in SDS-PAGE was not modified by pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin, indicating that it was not a substrate for this toxin. Furthermore, the levels and mobility of this polypeptide were unaltered by treatment of cells with cholera toxin, defining that it was not related to Gs alpha.

Three distinct antipeptide antisera generated against synthetic peptides that represent parts of the primary sequence of the alpha-subunit of the (pertussis toxin-sensitive) guanine nucleotide binding protein G0 were used in two-dimensional immunoblots of membranes of neuroblastoma X glioma (NG108-15) cells. Each antiserum identified two distinct polypeptides of some 39 kDa. These had apparent isoelectric points of 5.5 and 5.8. Differentiation of NG108-15 cells in response separately to dibutyryl cyclic AMP (cAMP), 8-bromo cAMP, forskolin, and prostaglandin E1 produced elevated levels of G0 alpha, as has previously been noted in one-dimensional immunoblots. Two-dimensional analysis demonstrated that the cAMP-induced increases in levels of G0 alpha were only of the more acidic isoform. The two isoforms were both substrates for pertussis toxin-catalysed ADP-ribosylation and did not appear to represent differentially phosphorylated forms of the same polypeptide. Separation of the two forms of G0 alpha could be achieved in one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis when 4 M deionized urea was included in the resolving gel. The more slowly migrating band was the acidic form and corresponded exactly in mobility with the major form of G0 from both rat and mouse brain. There was no equivalent in brain of the more rapidly migrating form of G0 from the cells. In agreement with the data from two-dimensional gels, only the more slowly migrating form was expressed in considerably higher amounts following cAMP-induced differentiation of NG108-15 cells. Of these two forms of "G0," the acidic species is equivalent to G0 from brain, but the basic form is not identical with G0*, which has been purified from bovine brain.

Nine distinct alpha subunits of guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G-proteins) have now been identified by cDNA cloning. Each of these functions to allow transduction of information between hormone-activated receptors in the plasma membrane and effector systems which are either ion channels or enzymes which regulate the intracellular concentration of second messengers. As the individual G-proteins are highly similar in primary sequence, it is pertinent to ask what degree of specificity of interaction each of these display with the various receptors and effector systems. Specificity of tissue location defines that the rod and cone transducins (TD1 and TD2, respectively) act as the coupling proteins between rhodopsin and cone opsins and their cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase effectors and that G(olf) is the G-protein which tranduces signals from odorant receptors to adenylate cyclase in olfactory sensory neurones. However, many of the other identified G-proteins are co-expressed in a single tissue or cell. Whilst sensitivity to ADP-ribosylation catalysed by bacterial toxins from Bordetella pertussis and Vibrio cholerae has allowed a further subdivision of the G-protein family, this approach is limited as these toxins have multiple G-protein substrates. As the extreme C-terminus of the alpha subunit of each G-protein appears to be a key domain for the interactions of receptors and G-proteins we have generated a series of G-protein-selective antipeptide antisera against this region and then have used these antisera to attempt to interfere with receptor-G-protein coupling. With this approach we have been able to demonstrate that a delta opioid receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase in neuroblastoma x glioma, NG108-15, cell membranes is transduced specifically by Gi2 and in the same cell that alpha 2 adrenergic inhibition of Ca2+ currents is transduced by Go. Similar strategies are likely to be of universal significance, for example in the identification of the G-protein (Gp) which regulates the receptor-mediated activation of phosphoinositidase C. Methods to allow pharmacological manipulation of the levels of expression of various G-proteins in the membranes of cells are also discussed. Such approaches are also likely to assist in the identification of G-proteins of defined functions.

Individual G-proteins are highly similar in primary sequence. It is thus pertinent to ask what degree of specificity of interaction each of these display with the various receptors and effector systems. Many of the identified G-proteins are co-expressed in a single tissue or cell. As the extreme C-terminus of the alpha-subunit of each G-protein appears to be a key domain for the interactions of receptors and G-proteins, we have generated a series of G-protein-selective anti-peptide antisera against this region and then have used these antisera to attempt to interfere with receptor-G-protein coupling. With this approach, we have demonstrated that delta-opioid receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase in neuroblastoma x glioma (NG108-15) cell membranes is transduced specifically by Gi2 and in the same cell that alpha 2-adrenergic inhibition of Ca2+ currents is transduced by G0.

The major pertussis-toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide-binding protein of rat glioma C6 BU1 cells corresponded immunologically to Gi2. Antibodies which recognize the alpha subunit of this protein indicated that it has an apparent molecular mass of 40 kDa and a pI of 5.7. Incubation of membranes of these cells with guanosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate, or other analogues of GTP, caused release of this polypeptide from the membrane in a time-dependent manner. Analogues of GDP or of ATP did not mimic this effect. The GTP analogues similarly caused release of the alpha subunit of Gi2 from membranes of C6 cells in which this G-protein had been inactivated by pretreatment with pertussis toxin. The beta subunit was not released from the membrane under any of these conditions, indicating that the release process was a specific response to the dissociation of the G-protein after binding of the GTP analogue. Similar nucleotide profiles for release of the alpha subunits of forms of Gi were noted for membranes of both the neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cell line NG108-15 and of human platelets. These data provide evidence that: (1) pertussis-toxin-sensitive G-proteins, in native membranes, do indeed dissociate into alpha and beta gamma subunits upon activation; (2) the alpha subunit of 'Gi-like' proteins need not always remain in intimate association with the plasma membrane; and (3) the alpha subunit of Gi2 can still dissociate from the beta/gamma subunits after pertussis-toxin-catalysed ADP-ribosylation.

Application of bradykinin to neonatal rat dorsal root ganglion neurons caused a depolarization associated with an inward current and an increase in membrane conductance that was probably due to the opening of sodium channels. No hyperpolarization or outward current was detected. In addition, bradykinin increased the rate of 45Ca uptake into the neurons by a mechanism that was blocked by the dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist nifedipine. Direct activation of protein kinase C (PKC) with phorbol esters mimicked the ability of bradykinin to depolarize the neurons and to increase the rate of 45Ca uptake. Down-regulation of PKC by prolonged treatment with phorbol esters and treatment of the cells with staurosporine, which inhibits PKC, blocked both bradykinin- and phorbol ester-induced 45Ca influx, and substantially reduced the proportion of cells that gave electrophysiological responses to either agent. Bradykinin also activated polyphosphoinositidase C in the dorsal root ganglion neurons, elevating levels of inositol(1,4,5)-trisphosphate and 1,2-diacylglycerol, an endogenous activator of PKC. It is suggested, therefore, that PKC may mediate some of the effects of bradykinin in sensory neurons.