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p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are highly conserved serine/threonine protein kinases, which are divided into two groups: group-I (PAKs1-3) and group-II (PAKs4-6). In various tissues, Group-II PAKs play important roles in cytoskeletal dynamics and cell growth as well as neoplastic development/progression. However, little is known about Group-II PAK's role in a number of physiological events, including their ability to be activated by gastrointestinal (GI) hormones/neurotransmitters/growth factors (GFs). We used rat pancreatic acini to explore the ability of GI hormones/neurotransmitters/GFs to activate Group-II-PAKs and the signaling cascades involved. Only PAK4 was detected in pancreatic acini. PAK4 was activated by endothelin, secretagogues-stimulating phospholipase C (bombesin, CCK-8, and carbachol), by pancreatic GFs (insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1, hepatocyte growth factor, epidermal growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and platelet-derived growth factor), and by postreceptor stimulants (12-O-tetradecanoylphobol-13-acetate and A23187 ). CCK-8 activation of PAK4 required both high- and low-affinity CCK 1 -receptor state activation. It was reduced by PKC-, Src-, p44/42-, or p38-inhibition but not with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-inhibitors and only minimally by thapsigargin. A protein kinase D (PKD)-inhibitor completely inhibited CCK-8-stimulated PKD-activation; however, stimulated PAK4 phosphorylation was only inhibited by 60%, demonstrating that it is both PKD-dependent and PKD-independent. PF-3758309 and LCH-7749944, inhibitors of PAK4, decreased CCK-8-stimulated PAK4 activation but not PAK2 activation. Each inhibited ERK1/2 activation and amylase release induced by CCK-8 or bombesin. These results show that PAK4 has an important role in modulating signal cascades activated by a number of GI hormones/neurotransmitters/GFs that have been shown to mediate both physiological/pathological responses in acinar cells. Therefore, in addition to the extensive studies on PAK4 in pancreatic cancer, PAK4 should also be considered an important signaling molecule for pancreatic acinar physiological responses and, in the future, should be investigated for a possible role in pancreatic acinar pathophysiological responses, such as in pancreatitis. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study demonstrates that the only Group-II p21-activated kinase (PAK) in rat pancreatic acinar cells is PAK4, and thus differs from islets/pancreatic cancer. Both gastrointestinal hormones/neurotransmitters stimulating PLC and pancreatic growth factors activate PAK4. With cholecystokinin (CCK), activation is PKC-dependent/-independent, requires both CCK 1 -R affinity states, Src, p42/44, and p38 activation. PAK4 activation is required for CCK-mediated p42/44 activation/amylase release. These results show PAK4 plays an important role in mediating CCK physiological signal cascades and suggest it may be a target in pancreatic acinar diseases besides cancer.

In a recent study we explored Group-1-p21-activated kinases (GP.1-PAKs) in rat pancreatic acini. Only PAK2 was present; it was activated by gastrointestinal-hormones/neurotransmitters and growth factors in a PKC-, Src- and small-GTPase-mediated manner. PAK2 was required for enzyme-secretion and ERK/1-2-activation. In the present study we examined PAK2's role in CCK and TPA-activation of important distal signaling cascades mediating their physiological/pathophysiological effects and analyzed its role in pathophysiological processes important in early pancreatitis. In rat pancreatic acini, PAK2-inhibition by the specific, GP.1.PAK-inhibitor, IPA-3-suppressed cholecystokinin (CCK)/TPA-stimulated activation of focal-adhesion kinases and mitogen-activated protein-kinases. PAK2-inhibition reversed the dual stimulatory/inhibitory effect of CCK/TPA on the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathway. However, its inhibition did not affect PKC activation. PAK2-inhibition protected acini from CCK-induced ROS-generation; caspase/trypsin-activation, important in early pancreatitis; as well as from cell-necrosis. Furthermore, PAK2-inhibition reduced proteolytic-activation of PAK-2p34, which is involved in programmed-cell-death. To ensure that the study did not only rely in the specificity of IPA-3 as a PAK inhibitor, we used two other approaches for PAK inhibition, FRAX597 a ATP-competitive-GP.1-PAKs-inhibitor and infection with a PAK2-dominant negative(DN)-Advirus. Those two approaches confirmed the results obtained with IPA-3. This study demonstrates that PAK2 is important in mediating CCK's effect on the activation of signaling-pathways known to mediate its physiological/pathophysiological responses including several cellular processes linked to the onset of pancreatitis. Our results suggest that PAK2 could be a new, important therapeutic target to consider for the treatment of diseases involving deregulation of pancreatic acinar cells., (Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Recent studies report the Src-family kinases (SFK's) are important in a number of physiological and pathophysiological responses of pancreatic acinar cells (pancreatitis, growth, apoptosis); however, the role of SFKs in various signaling cascades important in mediating these cell functions is either not investigated or unclear. To address this we investigated the action of SFKs in these signaling cascades in rat pancreatic acini by modulating SFK activity using three methods: adenovirus-induced expression of an inactive dominant-negative CSK (Dn-CSK-Advirus) or wild-type CSK (Wt-CSK-Advirus), which activate or inhibit SFK, respectively, or using the chemical inhibitor, PP2, with its inactive control, PP3. CCK (0.3, 100 nM) and TPA (1 μM) activated SFK and altered the activation of FAK proteins (PYK2, p125(FAK)), adaptor proteins (p130(CAS), paxillin), MAPK (p42/44, JNK, p38), Shc, PKC (PKD, MARCKS), Akt but not GSK3-β. Changes in SFK activity by using the three methods of altering SFK activity affected CCK/TPAs activation of SFK, PYK2, p125(FAK), p130(CAS), Shc, paxillin, Akt but not p42/44, JNK, p38, PKC (PKD, MARCKS) or GSK3-β. With chemical inhibition the active SFK inhibitor, PP2, but not the inactive control analogue, PP3, showed these effects. For all stimulated changes pre-incubation with both adenoviruses showed similar effects to chemical inhibition of SFK activity. In conclusion, using three different approaches to altering Src activity allowed us to define fully for the first time the roles of SFKs in acinar cell signaling. Our results show that in pancreatic acinar cells, SFKs play a much wider role than previously reported in activating a number of important cellular signaling cascades shown to be important in mediating both acinar cell physiological and pathophysiological responses., (Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.)

For growth factors, cytokines, G-protein-coupled receptors and numerous other stimuli, the Src Family of kinases (SFK) play a central signaling role. SFKs also play an important role in pancreatic acinar cell function including metabolism, secretion, endocytosis, growth and cytoskeletal integrity, although the specific SFKs involved are not fully known. In the present study we used specific antibodies for the SFK, Yes, to determine its presence, activation by pancreatic secretagogues or growth factors, and interaction with cellular signaling cascades mediated by CCK in which Yes participates in to cause acinar cell responses. Yes was identified in acini and secretagogues known to activate phospholipase C (PLC) [CCK, carbachol, bombesin] as well as post-receptor stimulants activating PKC [TPA] or mobilizing cellular calcium [thapsigargin/calcium ionophore (A23187)] each activated Yes. Secretin, which activates adenylate cyclase did not stimulate Yes, nor did pancreatic growth factors. CCK activation of Yes required both high- and low-affinity CCK(1)-receptor states. TPA-/CCK-stimulated Yes activation was completely inhibited by thapsigargin and the PKC inhibitor, GF109203X. CCK/TPA stimulated the association of Yes with focal adhesion kinases (Pyk2, FAK) and its autophosphorylated forms (pY397FAK, pY402Pyk2). Moreover, CCK/TPA stimulated Yes interacted with a number of other signaling proteins, including Shc, PKD, p130(Cas), PI3K and PTEN. This study demonstrates that in rat pancreatic acini, the SFK member Yes is expressed and activated by CCK and other gastrointestinal hormones/neurotransmitters. Because its activation results in the direct activation of many cellular signaling cascades that have been shown to mediate CCK's effect in acinar cell function our results suggest that it is one of the important pancreatic SFKs mediating these effects., (Published by Elsevier B.V.)

The receptor of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), c-met induces different physiological responses in several cell types. Little is known about the role of HGF in exocrine pancreas. However, abnormal HGF signaling has been strongly implicated in pancreatic tumorigenesis and association of HGF with pancreatitis has been demonstrated. We have studied the presence of c-met and activation of their intracellular pathways associated in rat pancreatic acini in comparison with cholecystokinin (CCK) and epidermal growth factor (EGF). C-met expression in rat exocrine pancreas was identified by immunohistochemistry and immunoprecipitation followed by Western analysis. Tyrosine phosphorylation of c-met is strongly stimulated as well as kinase pathways leading to ERK1/2 cascade. HGF, but not CCK or EGF, selectively caused a consistent increase in the amount of p85 regulatory subunit of PI3-K present in anti-phosphotyrosine immunoprecipitates. Downstream of PI3-K, HGF increased Ser473 phosphorylation of Akt selectively, as CCK or EGF did not affect it. HGF selectively stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of phosphatase PTP1D. HGF failed to promote the well-known CCK effects in pancreatic acini such as amylase secretion and intracellular calcium mobilization. Although HGF shares activation of ERK1/2 with CCK, we demonstrate that it promotes the selective activation of intracellular pathways not regulated by CCK or EGF. Our results suggest that HGF is an in vivo stimulus of pancreatic acini and provide novel insight into the transduction pathways and effects of c-met/HGF in normal pancreatic acinar cells.

Pancreatic acini from most species possess vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors. Recently, two subtypes of VIP receptors, VIP(1)-R and VIP(2)-R, were cloned. Which subtype exists on pancreatic acini or mediates secretion is unclear. To address this, we examined pancreatic acini from both rat and guinea pig. VIP(1)-R and VIP(2)-R mRNA were identified in dispersed acini from both species by Northern blot analysis and in rat by Southern blot analysis. With the use of the VIP(2)-R-selective ligand Ro-25-1553 in both species, inhibition of binding of (125)I-labeled VIP to acini showed a biphasic pattern with a high-affinity component (10%) and a second representing 90%. The VIP(1)-R-selective ligand, [Lys(15),Arg(16),Leu(27)]VIP-(1-7)-GRF-(8-27), gave a monophasic pattern. Binding of Ro-25-1553 was better fit by a two-site model. In both rat and guinea pig acini, the dose-response curve of Ro-25-1553 for stimulation of enzyme secretion was biphasic, with a high-affinity component of 10-15% of the maximal secretion and a low-affinity component accounting for 85-90%. At low concentrations (10 nM) of Ro-25-1553 and [Lys(15),Arg(16), Leu(27)]VIP-(1-7)-GRF(8-27), which only occupy VIP receptors, a 4-fold and a 56-fold increase in cAMP occurred, respectively. These results show that both VIP(1)-R and VIP(2)-R subtypes exist on pancreatic acini of rat and guinea pig, their activation stimulates enzyme secretion by a cAMP-mediated mechanism, and the effects of VIP are mediated 90% by activation of VIP(1)-R and 10% by VIP(2)-R. Because VIP has a high affinity for both VIP-R subtypes, its effect on pancreatic acini is mediated by two receptor subtypes, which will need to be considered in future studies of the action of VIP in the pancreas.

PYK2/CAKbeta is a recently described cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase related to p125 focal adhesion kinase (p125(FAK)) that can be activated by a number of stimuli including growth factors, lipids, and some G protein-coupled receptors. Studies suggest PYK2/CAKbeta may be important for coupling various G protein-coupled receptors to the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. The hormone neurotransmitter cholecystokinin (CCK) is known to activate both phospholipase C-dependent cascades and MAPK signaling pathways; however, the relationship between these remain unclear. In rat pancreatic acini, CCK-8 (10 nM) rapidly stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of PYK2/CAKbeta by both activation of high affinity and low affinity CCK(A) receptor states. Blockage of CCK-stimulated increases in protein kinase C activity or CCK-stimulated increases in [Ca(2+)](i), inhibited by 40-50% PYK2/CAKbeta but not p125(FAK) tyrosine phosphorylation. Simultaneous blockage of both phospholipase C cascades inhibited PYK2/CAKbeta tyrosine phosphorylation completely and p125(FAK) tyrosine phosphorylation by 50%. CCK-8 stimulated a rapid increase in PYK2/CAKbeta kinase activity assessed by both an in vitro kinase assay and autophosphorylation. Total PYK2/CAKbeta under basal conditions was largely localized (77 +/- 7%) in the membrane fraction, whereas total p125(FAK) was largely localized (86 +/- 3%) in the cytosolic fraction. With CCK stimulation, both p125(FAK) and PYK2/CAKbeta translocated to the plasma membrane. Moreover CCK stimulation causes a rapid formation of both PYK2/CAKbeta-Grb2 and PYK2/CAKbeta-Crk complexes. These results demonstrate that PYK2/CAKbeta and p125(FAK) are regulated differently by CCK(A) receptor stimulation and that PYK2/CAKbeta is probably an important mediator of downstream signals by CCK-8, especially in its ability to activate the MAPK signaling pathway, which possibly mediates CCK growth effects in normal and neoplastic tissues.

p130(Cas) (Crk-associated substrate), because of its structure as an adapter protein, can interact when tyrosine-phosphorylated with a large number of cellular proteins and therefore be an important modulator of downstream signals. A number of growth factors, lipids, and a few G protein-coupled receptors can stimulate p130(Cas) tyrosine phosphorylation. Recent studies show that tyrosine phosohorylation of intracellular proteins by the hormone/neurotransmitter cholecystokinin (CCK) in rat pancreatic acinar cells may be an important signaling cascade. In this study, we show in rat dispersed pancreatic acini CCK-8 rapidly stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of p130(Cas), reaching a maximum (6.6 +/- 1. 4)-fold increase with a half-maximal effect at 0.3 nM. Activation of protein kinase C by TPA or increases in [Ca2+]i by the calcium ionophore A23187 stimulated p130(Cas) phosphorylation. Blockade of CCK increases in [Ca2+]i or PKC activity did not alter CCK-8-stimulated p130(Cas) phosphorylation; however, simultaneous blockage of both cascades caused a 50% inhibition. Partial inactivation by C. botulinum toxin of the small GTP-binding protein Rho caused a 41 +/- 12% decrease in the CCK-stimulated p130(Cas) phosphorylation. Disruption of the actin cytoskeleton with cytochalasin D, but not the microtubule network with colchicine, completely inhibited CCK-8-stimulated p130(Cas) phosphorylation. Total p130(Cas) under basal conditions was largely localized (70 +/- 2%) in the membrane fraction, and stimulation with CCK-8 induced total p130(Cas) translocation from the cytosolic fraction. CCK stimulation also caused a (5 +/- 1)-fold increase in p130(Cas) tyrosine phosphorylated in the plasma membrane. Treatment with tyrphostin B44 inhibited CCK-8-stimulated p130(Cas) phosphorylation, but it had no effect on p130(Cas) translocation. CCK-8 caused rapid formation of a p130(Cas)-Crk complex. In conclusion, our results demonstrate CCKA receptor activation causes rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of p130(Cas) through PLC-dependent and -independent mechanisms that require the participation of the small GTP-binding protein Rho and the integrity of the actin cytoskeleton, but not the microtubule network. Moreover, CCKA receptor activation causes translocation of p130(Cas) to the membrane and an increase in membrane tyrosine-phosphorylated p130(Cas). The translocation to the membrane does not require antecedent tyrosine phosphorylation. CCKA activation promotes the rapid formation of a p130(Cas)-Crk complex. These results suggest that p130(Cas) is likely an important modulator of downstream signals activated by CCK-8, possibly involved in regulating numerous cellular effects, such as effects on cell growth or cell shape.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a potent mitogen in many cell types including pancreatic cells. Recent studies show that the effects of some growth factors on growth and cell migration are mediated by tyrosine phosphorylation of the cytosolic tyrosine kinase p125 focal adhesion kinase (p125FAK) and the cytoskeletal protein, paxillin. The aim of the present study was to determine whether EGF activates this pathway in rat pancreatic acini and causes tyrosine phosphorylation of each of these proteins, and to examine the intracellular pathways involved. Treatment of pancreatic acini with EGF induced a rapid, concentration-dependent increase in p125FAK and paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation. Depletion of the intracellular calcium pool or inhibition of PKC activation had no effect on the response to EGF. However, inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) or inactivation of p21rho inhibited EGF-stimulated phosphorylation of p125FAK and paxillin by more than 70%. Finally, cytochalasin D, a selective disrupter of the actin filament network, completely inhibited EGF-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of both proteins. All these treatments did not modify EGF receptor autophosphorylation in response to EGF. These results identify p125FAK and paxillin as components of the intracellular pathways stimulated after EGF receptor occupation in rat pancreatic acini. Activation of this cascade requires activation of PI3-kinase and participation of p21rho, but not PKC activation and calcium mobilization.

Studies of a possible role of tyrosine phosphorylation in the secretory process in rat pancreatic acinar cells provide conflicting conclusions. Recent studies show that tyrosine phosphorylation of the focal adhesion kinase, p125FAK and the cytoskeletal protein, paxillin, may mediate a number of cellular changes and this phosphorylation is dependent on the activation of the small GTP binding protein, p21Rho (Rho). In this work we have investigated the role of tyrosine phosphorylation of each of these proteins and of the activation of Rho in pancreatic enzyme secretion. Pretreatment with genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, decreased CCK-8-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of p125FAK and paxillin and CCK-8-stimulated amylase secretion by more than 60%, raising the possibility that tyrosine phosphorylation of these two proteins could be important in the ability of CCK-8 to stimulate amylase release. However, genistein did not alter the amylase release stimulated by TPA but inhibited TPA-stimulated p125FAK and paxillin tyrosine phosphorylation by 70%. Pretreatment with C3 transferase, which specifically inactivates Rho, causes a decrease in CCK-8-induced maximal amylase release by 33%. Moreover, C3 transferase pretreatment causes a 48% and a 38% decrease in the tyrosine phosphorylation of p125FAK and paxillin by CCK-8, respectively. Pretreatment with different concentrations of cytochalasin D, an actin cytoskeleton assembly inhibitor, completely inhibited CCK-8-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of p125FAK and paxillin without having any effect on either the potency or efficacy of CCK-8 at stimulating amylase release. Furthermore, cytochalasin D completely inhibited TPA-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of both proteins without affecting TPA-stimulated amylase release. These results show that tyrosine phosphorylation of p125FAK and paxillin is not required for CCK-8 stimulation of enzyme secretion. However, our results suggest Rho is involved in the CCK-8 stimulation of amylase release by a parallel pathway to its involvement in the CCK-8-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of p125FAK and paxillin.

Recent studies show that the effects of some oncogenes, integrins, growth factors and neuropeptides are mediated by tyrosine phosphorylation of the cytosolic kinase p125 focal adhesion kinase (p125(FAK)) and the cytoskeletal protein paxillin. Recently we demonstrated that cholecystokinin (CCK) C-terminal octapeptide (CCK-8) causes tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(FAK) and paxillin in rat pancreatic acini. The present study was aimed at examining whether protein kinase C (PKC) activation, calcium mobilization, cytoskeletal organization and small G-protein p21(rho) activation play a role in mediating the stimulation of tyrosine phosphorylation by CCK-8 in acini. CCK-8-stimulated phosphorylation of p125(FAK) and paxillin reached a maximum within 2.5 min. The CCK-8 dose response for causing changes in the cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was similar to that for p125(FAK) and paxillin phosphorylation, and both were to the left of that for receptor occupation and inositol phosphate production. PMA increased tyrosine phosphorylation of both proteins. The calcium ionophore A23187 caused only 25% of the maximal stimulation caused by CCK-8. GF109203X, a PKC inhibitor, completely inhibited phosphorylation with PMA but had no effect on the response to CCK-8. Depletion of [Ca2+]i by thapsigargin had no effect on CCK-8-stimulated phosphorylation. Pretreatment with both GF109203X and thapsigargin decreased CCK-8-stimulated phosphorylation of both proteins by 50%. Cytochalasin D, but not colchicine, completely inhibited CCK-8- and PMA-induced p125(FAK) and paxillin phosphorylation. Treatment with Clostridium botulinum C3 transferase, which inactivates p21(rho), caused significant inhibition of CCK-8-stimulated p125(FAK) and paxillin phosphorylation. These results demonstrate that, in pancreatic acini, CCK-8 causes rapid p125(FAK) and paxillin phosphorylation that is mediated by both phospholipase C-dependent and -independent mechanisms. For this tyrosine phosphorylation to occur, the integrity of the actin, but not the microtubule, cytoskeleton is essential as well as the activation of p21(rho).

Recent studies show CCK stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation (TYR PHOSP) of a number of proteins and evidence from the pancreas and other cellular systems suggest this could be important in mediating some of CCK's growth and secretory effects. In other tissues various neuropeptides such as bombesin can cause tyrosine phosphorylation of p125 focal adhesion kinase (p125FAK) and paxillin which are important in mediating their growth effects. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of CCK in rat pancreatic acini on the TYR PHOSP of these latter proteins. In dispersed rat pancreatic acini, cell lysates were incubated with an anti-phosphotyrosine mAb (PY20) which was immunoprecipitated and then analyzed by Western blotting with anti-phosphotyrosine mAb (4G10), anti-p125FAK mAb or anti-paxillin mAb. CCK-8 at 5 min increased TYR PHOSP of five proteins of molecular weight > 60,000 including a broad M(r) 110-130,000 and M(r) 70-80,000. An increase in TYR PHOSP of both p125FAK and paxillin was detected within 1 min of adding CCK and reached a maximum at 2.5 min with a 9.1 +/- 1.9-fold increase for p125FAK and 3.6 +/- 0.6-fold for paxillin. CCK-8 caused a half-maximal increase in TYR PHOSP of p125FAK at 0.1 nM and paxillin at 0.03 nM. CCK-JMV also stimulated an increase in TYR PHOSP of both proteins, but was only 50% as efficacious as CCK-8. CCK-JMV caused a half-maximal increase at 10 nM and maximal at 1 microM for both proteins. To investigate whether the low affinity CCK receptor state also caused TYR PHOSP of both proteins, increasing concentrations of CCK-JMV were added to a maximally effective CCK-8 concentration (1 nM). Detectable inhibition of CCK-8-stimulated TYR PHOSP occurred with 1 microM CCK-JMV and with 3 microM CCK-JMV the CCK-8-stimulated response was inhibited 50% and was the same as that seen with CCK-JMV alone. These studies demonstrate that in rat pancreatic acini, CCK causes rapid TYR PHOSP of both p125FAK and paxillin. This stimulation is mediated by both the high affinity and low affinity CCK receptor states. This phosphorylation of these proteins could be important in mediating CCK's effect on the cytoskeleton or growth effects as shown for a number of other agents (oncogenes, neuropeptides, integrins).

Background/aims: Cholecystokinin (CCK) and gastrin stimulate growth of rodent pancreas in vivo. However, it remains unclear whether these growth effects are mediated specifically by CCK-A receptors, CCK-B receptors, or both. To clarify this issue, the present study examined the effect of highly selective and biologically active CCK agonists on pancreatic growth., Methods: Rats were subcutaneously injected with either (1) CCK-8, a nonselective CCK agonist (2.50 micrograms/kg body wt); (2) A-71623, a selective CCK-A agonist, tert-butyl-oxycarbonyl-Trp-Lys (epsilon-N-2-methylphenylaminocarbonyl)-Asp-(N-methyl)-Phe-NH2 (1.84 micrograms/kg body wt); (3) SNF-8815; a selective CCK-B agonist, [(2R,3S)-beta-MePhe28, N-MeNle31]CCK26-33 (2.40 micrograms/kg body wt); or (4) saline (control) for 21 days. Rats were killed, and pancreatic weight, protein content, RNA content, DNA content, protein-DNA ratio, RNA-DNA ratio, pancreatic area per nucleus, and number of mitoses per 10,000 acinar cells were determined., Results: Nonselective CCK agonist significantly increased pancreatic weight, protein, RNA, and DNA contents, and number of mitoses per 10,000 acinar cells. Likewise, selective CCK-A agonist significantly increased pancreatic weight, protein, RNA, and DNA contents, protein-DNA ratio, RNA-DNA ratio, pancreatic area per nucleus, and number of mitoses per 10,000 acinar cells. In contrast, selective and biologically active CCK-B agonist had no effect., Conclusion: These findings indicate that pancreatic growth is mediated specifically by CCK-A receptors in the rat in vivo.

We used thapsigargin (TG), 2,5-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzohydroquinone (BHQ) and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), each of which inhibits microsomal Ca(2+)-ATPase, to evaluate the effects of this inhibition on cytoplasmic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) and secretagogue-stimulated enzyme secretion in rat pancreatic acini. Using single-cell microspectrofluorimetry of fura-2-loaded acini we found that all three agents caused a sustained increase in [Ca2+]i by mobilizing calcium from inositol-(1,4,5)-trisphosphate-sensitive intracellular calcium stores and by promoting influx of extracellular calcium. Concentrations of all three agents that increased [Ca2+]i potentiated the stimulation of enzyme secretion caused by secretagogues that activate adenylate cyclase but inhibited the stimulation of enzyme secretion caused by secretagogues that activate phospholipase C. With BHQ, potentiation of adenylate cyclase-mediated enzyme secretion occurred immediately whereas inhibition of phospholipase C-mediated enzyme secretion occurred only after several min of incubation. In addition, the effects of BHQ and CPA on both [Ca2+]i and secretagogue-stimulated enzyme secretion were reversed completely by washing whereas the actions of TG could not be reversed by washing. Concentrations of BHQ in excess of those that caused maximal changes in [Ca2+]i inhibited all modes of stimulated enzyme secretion by a mechanism that was apparently unrelated to changes in [Ca2+]i. Finally, in contrast to the findings with TG and BHQ, CPA inhibited bombesin-stimulated enzyme secretion over a range of concentrations that was at least 10-fold lower than the range of concentrations over which CPA potentiated VIP-stimulated enzyme secretion.

An examination of the binding characteristics of a large number of somatostatin analogues with respect to the five known somatostatin receptor subtypes has recently resulted in the discovery of several peptides with some selectivity for types 2, 3, and 4 and little affinity for type 1 or 5 receptor. A panel of these peptides has thus far implicated type 2 receptors in the inhibition of release of pituitary growth hormone and type 4 receptors in inhibiting pancreatic insulin release. In the present article, we have examined the inhibitory effects of the same group of peptides on in vivo rat gastric acid and pancreatic amylase release and binding to rat pancreatic acinar cells. The type 2-selective ligand NC-8-12 was a potent inhibitor of gastric acid release (EC50s in the 1.5 nM region) whereas the type 4-selective ligand, DC-23-99, elicited little response. However, some involvement of type 3 receptors could not be ruled out because the type 3-selective analogue, DC-25-20, exhibited inhibitory effects at higher dose levels (EC50 > 10 nM). Conversely, the type 4 analogue was a potent inhibitor of amylase release (EC50 1.1 nM) whereas the type 3 analogue had no significant effects at doses tested. DC-23-99 also bound with high affinity to rat acinar cells (EC50 3.8 nM), whereas DC-25-20 exhibited more than 10-fold less affinity. Thus, these two major biological functions of somatostatin appear to be controlled by different receptors and, furthermore, effects on both endocrine and exocrine pancreas appear to be type 4 receptor mediated.

In the course of examining the actions of the cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) on pancreatic acini we found that CCK-8 can stimulate release of the large-molecular-weight cytoplasmic protein, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) by as much as 6-fold. CCK-8-stimulated LDH release is mediated by a CCK-preferring receptor, detectable at 100 pM CCK-8, maximal at 100 nM CCK-8, constant for up to 30 min, reversible, not desensitized, and dependent on oxidative metabolism and incubation temperature but not on calcium in the extracellular medium. This action of CCK-8 is blocked by inhibitors of protein kinases, staurosporine, H-7, H-8 and H-9, but not by calmodulin antagonists, chlorpromazine, trifluoperazine or W-7. This action of CCK-8 on LDH release is not reproduced by TPA, 8Br-cAMP or A23187. Thus, it appears to be mediated by a previously uncharacterized protein kinase or an isoform of protein kinase C that is not maximally stimulated by TPA.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) immunoreactivity is widely distributed in the central nervous system and gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and specific receptors have been described on many GI tissues. In the present study, we compared CGRP receptors on gastric smooth muscle cells with those on pancreatic acini from guinea pig with the use of chemical cross-linking techniques combined with various enzymatic digestions. 125I-labeled rat CGRP-I demonstrated temperature-dependent saturable binding to both acinar and gastric smooth muscle cell membranes. After binding, membranes were incubated with 1 mM disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS), solubilized with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and subjected to SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Cross-linked radioactivity was analyzed by autoradiography. A single broad radioactive band [molecular weight (M(r)) 57,000] was seen on cell membranes from both tissues and after cross-linking to intact cells. These bands were not altered by addition of dithiothreitol. This radioactive band was not detected without DSS present or with addition of 10 microM rCGRP-I. rCGRP-I inhibited cross-linking with half-maximal inhibition of 32 nM with membranes from both tissues, and there was a close correlation between its ability to inhibit binding and to inhibit cross-linking. Cross-linking was not inhibited by non-CGRP related peptides. With membranes from both tissues, N-glycanase digestion increased the mobility of the original band. Neuraminidase digestion only slightly increased the mobility of the original band; however, the subsequent addition of O-glycanase showed no additional effect on both membranes. Endoglycosidase H digestion had no effect in either tissue. The present results demonstrate that on both tissues the cell membrane receptor for CGRP is an N-linked sialoglycoprotein. The apparent M(r) of this sialoglycoprotein is 57,000, and this polypeptide does not contain disulfide-linked subunits or O-linked carbohydrates.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) and ET-3 mRNA have been found in the pancreas. We investigated the ability of ET-1, ET-2, and ET-3 to interact with and alter dispersed rat pancreatic acinar cell function. Radiolabeled ETs bound in a time- and temperature-dependent fashion, which was specific and saturable. Analysis demonstrated two classes of receptors, one class (ETA receptor) had a high affinity for ET-1 but a low affinity for ET-3, and the other class (ETB receptor) had equally high affinities for ET-1 and ET-3. No specific receptor for ET-2 was identified. Pancreatic secretagogues that activate phospholipase C (PLC) inhibited binding of 125I-labeled ET-1 (125I-ET-1) or 125I-ET-3, whereas agents that act through adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) did not. A23187 had no effect on 125I-ET-1 or 125I-ET-3 binding, whereas the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate reduced binding. The effect of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) was mediated through its own receptor. Stripping of surface bound ligand studies demonstrated that both 125I-labeled ET-1 and 125I-labeled ET-3 were rapidly internalized. CCK-8 decreased the internalization but did not change the amount of surface bound ligand. Endothelins neither stimulate nor alter changes in enzyme secretion, intracellular calcium, cAMP, or [3H]inositol trisphosphate (IP3). This study demonstrates the presence of ETA and ETB receptors on rat pancreatic acini; occupation of both receptors resulted in rapid internalization, which is regulated by PLC-activating secretagogues. Occupation of either ET receptor did not alter intracellular calcium, cAMP, IP3, or stimulate amylase release.

Based on the effects of monensin on binding of 125I-CCK-8 and its lack of effect on CCK-8-stimulated amylase secretion we previously proposed that pancreatic acinar cells possess three classes of CCK receptors: high-affinity receptors, low-affinity receptors and very low-affinity receptors [1]. In the present study we treated pancreatic acini with carbachol to induce a complete loss of high-affinity CCK receptors and then examined the action of CCK-8 on inositol trisphosphate IP3(1,4,5), cytosolic calcium and amylase secretion in an effort to confirm and extend our previous hypothesis. We found that first incubating pancreatic acini with 10 mM carbachol decreased binding of 125I-CCK-8 measured during a second incubation by causing a complete loss of high-affinity CCK receptors with no change in the low-affinity CCK receptors. Carbachol treatment of acini, however, did not alter the action of CCK-8 on IP3(1,4,5), cytosolic calcium or amylase secretion or the action of CCK-JMV-180 on amylase secretion or on the supramaximal inhibition of amylase secretion caused by CCK-8. The present findings support our previous hypothesis that pancreatic acinar cells possess three classes of CCK receptors and suggest that high-affinity CCK receptors do not mediate the action of CCK-8 on enzyme secretion, that low-affinity CCK receptors may mediate the action of CCK on cytosolic calcium that does not involve IP3(1,4,5) and produce the upstroke of the dose-response curve for CCK-8-stimulated amylase secretion and that very low-affinity CCK receptors mediate the actions of CCK on IP3(1,4,5) and cytosolic calcium and produce the downstroke of the dose-response curve for CCK-8-stimulated amylase secretion. Moreover, CCK-JMV-180 is a full agonist for stimulating amylase secretion by acting at low-affinity CCK receptors and is an antagonist at very low-affinity CCK receptors.

In dispersed acini from rat pancreas, verapamil (a phenylalkylamine calcium channel blocker) potentiated amylase secretion stimulated by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), secretin, peptide histidine isoleucine, helodermin, forskolin, and 8-bromocyclic AMP. The action of verapamil on VIP-stimulated amylase secretion was detectable at 10 microM verapamil and maximal at 100 microM verapamil. Verapamil did not alter binding of 125I-VIP, basal cAMP, the increase in cAMP caused by VIP, or the increase in cAMP-dependent protein kinase caused by VIP. The effects of verapamil on stimulated amylase secretion were fully reversible and could be reproduced by nicardipine (a 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker) and diltiazem (a benzothiazepine calcium channel blocker), but not by cinnarizine (a piperazine calcium channel blocker). Although 300 microM verapamil increased outflux of 45Ca, 100 microM verapamil, the concentration that produced maximal potentiation of VIP-stimulated amylase secretion, did not alter 45Ca outflux. Our results indicate that the action of verapamil to potentiate amylase secretion stimulated by secretagogues that activate the cAMP pathway occurs at a step that is distal to the activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

In the present study we used thapsigargin (TG), an inhibitor of microsomal calcium ATPase, to evaluate the roles of free cytoplasmic calcium and intracellular stored calcium in secretagogue-stimulated enzyme secretion from rat pancreatic acini. Using microspectrofluorimetry of fura-2-loaded pancreatic acini, we found that TG caused a sustained increase in free cytoplasmic calcium by mobilizing calcium from inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive intracellular stores and by increasing influx of extracellular calcium. TG also caused a small increase in basal amylase secretion, inhibited the stimulation of amylase secretion caused by secretagogues that increase inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, and potentiated the stimulation of amylase secretion caused by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate or secretagogues that increase cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate. Bombesin, which like TG increased free cytoplasmic calcium, also potentiated the stimulation of amylase secretion caused by secretagogues that increase cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate, but did not inhibit the stimulation of amylase secretion caused by secretagogues that increase inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. Finally, TG inhibited the sustained phase of cholecystokinin-stimulated amylase secretion and potentiated the time course of vasoactive intestinal peptide-stimulated amylase secretion. The present findings indicate that stimulation of amylase secretion by secretagogues that increase inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate does not depend on increased free cytoplasmic calcium per se. In contrast, TG-induced potentiation of the stimulation of secretagogues that increase cellular cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate appears to result from increased free cytoplasmic calcium per se.

In a previous study, we found that first incubating guinea pig pancreatic acini with carbachol caused desensitization of the enzyme secretory response to cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-8), bombesin, and carbachol but not that to substance P. This carbachol-induced desensitization could be accounted for by carbachol-induced down-regulation of receptors for CCK-8, bombesin, and carbachol. Although carbachol did not desensitize the enzyme secretory response to substance P, an effect of carbachol on substance P receptors was not examined. In the present study, in dispersed acini from guinea pig pancreas, substance P caused a twofold increase in amylase secretion. Stimulation was half-maximal at 0.7 nM and was maximal at 10 nM. Analysis of the ability of substance P to inhibit binding of 125I-substance P to substance P receptors indicated that acini possess a single class of receptors for substance P (Kd = 0.8 +/- 0.1 nM; Bmax = 1,037 +/- 145 fmol/mg of DNA). There was a close correlation between the relative potency with which substance P stimulated amylase secretion (0.7 nM) and the potency for inhibiting binding of 125I-substance P (Kd = 0.8 nM). First incubating pancreatic acini with carbachol did not alter either substance P-stimulated enzyme secretion or binding of 125I-substance P to substance P receptors, whereas in the same experiments, carbachol reduced binding of 125I-CCK-8 to cholecystokinin receptors by 50% and decreased in CCK-8-stimulated enzyme secretion by 50%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

First incubating dispersed acini from rat pancreas with monensin, a cation ionophore that can inhibit recycling of receptors, inhibited binding of 125I-cholecystokinin 8 (125I-CCK-8) measured during a second incubation by as much as 50%. A maximal effect of monensin required 90 min of first incubation. Detectable inhibition of binding of 125I-CCK-8 occurred with 300 nM monensin, and inhibition increased progressively with concentrations of monensin up to 25 microM. Pancreatic acini possess two classes of receptors that bind 125I-CCK-8. One class has a high affinity (Kd = 461 pM) and a low capacity for CCK (512 fmol/mg DNA); the other class has a low affinity (Kd = 47 nM) and a high capacity for CCK (18 pmol/mg DNA). First incubating acini with monensin caused an 84% decrease in the number of high affinity CCK receptors with no change in the number of low affinity CCK receptors or the values of Kd for either class of receptors indicating that there is recycling of high affinity CCK receptors but not low affinity CCK receptors. First incubating acini with monensin did not alter CCK-stimulated amylase secretion indicating that in contrast to previous conclusions, occupation of low affinity CCK receptors mediates CCK-stimulated enzyme secretion. Moreover, the biphasic dose-response curve for CCK-stimulated enzyme secretion from monensin-treated acini suggests that pancreatic acini also possess a third, previously unrecognized class of very low affinity CCK receptors.

The ability to assess the importance of secretin in various physiological processes is limited by the lack of specific potent antagonists. Recently, reduced peptide bond (psi) analogues of bombesin or substance P in which the -CONH- bond is replaced by -CH2NH- are reported to be receptor antagonists. To attempt to develop a new class of secretin receptor antagonists, we have adopted a similar strategy with secretin and sequentially altered the eight NH2-terminal peptide bonds, the biological active portion of secretin. In guinea pig pancreatic acini, secretin caused a 75-fold increase in cyclic AMP (cAMP). Secretin inhibited 125I-secretin binding with a half-maximal effect at 7 nM. Each of the psi analogues inhibited 125I-secretin binding. [psi 4,5]Secretin was the most potent, causing the half-maximal inhibition at 4 microM, and was 2-fold more potent than the [psi 1,2]secretin; 7-fold more than [psi 3,4]secretin, [psi 5,6]secretin, and [psi 8,9]secretin; 9-fold more than [psi 7,8]secretin; 13-fold more potent [psi 6,7]secretin, and 17-fold more than [psi 2,3]secretin. Secretin caused a half-maximal increase in cAMP at 1 nM. At concentrations up to 10 microM, [psi 2,3]secretin, [psi 4,5]secretin, and [psi 8,9]secretin did not alter cAMP whereas [psi 1,2]secretin and [psi 6,7]secretin caused a detectable increase in cAMP at 10 nM, [psi 7,8]secretin at 300 nM, [psi 5,6]secretin at 1 microM, and [psi 3,4]secretin at 10 microM. The [psi 4,5], [psi 2,3], and [psi 8,9] analogues of secretin each inhibited 1 nM secretin-stimulated cAMP as well as [psi 3,4]secretin, which functioned as a partial agonist. [psi 4,5]Secretin was the most potent, causing half-maximal inhibition at 3 microM whereas [psi 8,9]secretin was 6-fold less potent, and [psi 2,3]secretin and [psi 3,4]secretin were 17-fold less potent. [psi 4,5]Secretin inhibited secretin-stimulated cAMP and binding of 125I-secretin in a competitive manner. [psi 4,5]Secretin did not interact with cholecystokinin, bombesin, calcitonin gene-related peptide, or cholinergic receptors but did interact with receptors for vasoactive intestinal peptide, causing half-maximal inhibition at 72 microM and thus had a 18-fold higher affinity for secretin than vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors. These results indicate that reduced peptide bond analogues of the NH2 terminus of secretin represent a new class of secretin receptor antagonists. It is likely that in the future even more potent members of this class can be developed which may be useful to investigate the role of secretin in various physiological processes.

Bombesin (BN), gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and GRP(18-27) (neuromedin C) were equipotent and 30-fold more potent than neuromedin B (NMB) in inhibiting binding of 125I-GRP to and in stimulating amylase release from mouse pancreatic acini. In the present study we used 125I-GRP and chemical cross-linking techniques to characterize the mouse pancreatic BN receptor. After binding of 125I-GRP to membranes, and incubation with various chemical cross-linking agents, cross-linked radioactivity was analyzed by SDS-PAG electrophoresis and autoradiography. With each of 4 different chemical cross-linking agents, there was a single broad polypeptide band of Mr 80,000. Cross-linking did not occur in the absence of the cross-linking agent. Cross-linking was inhibited only by peptides that interact with the BN receptor such as GRP, NMB, GRP(18-27) or BN. Dose-inhibition curves for the ability of BN or NMB to inhibit binding of 125I-GRP to membranes or cross-linking to the 80,000 polypeptide demonstrated for both that BN was 15-fold more potent than NMB. The apparent molecular weight of the cross-linked polypeptide was unchanged by adding dithiothreitol. N-Glycanase treatment reduced the molecular weight of the cross-linked peptide to 40,000. The present results indicate that the BN receptor on mouse pancreatic acinar cell membranes resembles that recently described on various tumor cells in being a single glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 76,000. Because dithiothreitol had no effect, this glycoprotein is not a subunit of a larger disulfide-linked structure.

For cholecystokinin (CCK) and the partial agonist CCK-JMV-180 [Boc-Nle28,31,CCK-(27-32)-2-phenylethyl ester], we examined their abilities to stimulate the accumulation of inositol phosphates (IP), mobilize intracellular calcium, and stimulate enzyme secretion in rat pancreatic acini. CCK-8 caused an increase in [3H]IP2 and [3H]IP3 at 10 s and a slower increase in [3H]IP1. High-pressure liquid chromatography separation demonstrated that at 10 s 100% of the increase of [3H]IP3 was IP3(1,4,5). CCK-JMV-180 caused no increase in [3H]IP3 at 10 s and only 28% of the maximal increase seen with CCK-8 at 15 min. CCK-8 caused an 11-fold increase in calcium outflux, whereas CCK-JMV-180 was only 45% as effective and 3,000 times less potent. CCK-JMV-180 antagonized the CCK-8-stimulated increase in [3H]IP3 and mobilization of intracellular calcium. CCK-8 caused an 81-fold increase at 2.5 s in IP3(1,4,5) measured by a mass radioreceptor assay and half-maximal stimulation occurred at 2 nM, whereas CCK-JMV-180 only caused a 3-fold increase. Analysis of the ability of CCK-8 or CCK-JMV-180 to stimulate enzyme secretion demonstrated that at low concentrations, each peptide stimulates enzyme secretion without causing detectable calcium mobilization, whereas at increasing peptide concentrations calcium mobilization occurs without detectable accumulation of IP3(1,4,5), but at still higher concentrations IP3(1,4,5) accumulation is finally detected. These results demonstrate that peptides that stimulate enzyme secretion by interacting with CCK receptors can cause maximal stimulation with minimal changes in calcium mobilization and maximal changes in calcium mobilization occur with minimal changes in IP3(1,4,5), suggesting marked amplification.

For inhibition of binding of 125I-Bolton-Hunter-labeled cholecystokinin octapeptide (125I-BH-CCK-8) to guinea pig pancreatic acini, the potencies for agonists were CCK-8 greater than desulfated [des(SO3)] CCK-8 greater than gastrin-17-I greater than pentagastrin greater than CCK-4 and for the antagonists L 364718 greater than proglumide analogue 10 greater than CBZ-CCK-(27-32)-NH2. For all non-sulfated agonists, the curves were biphasic with 20% of the tracer bound to sites with high affinity for these agonists with the following relative potencies: gastrin-17-I greater than pentagastrin greater than des(SO3)CCK-8 much greater than CCK-4; whereas 80% was bound to low-affinity sites with the following potencies: des(SO3)CCK-8 greater than gastrin-17-I = pentagastrin much greater than CCK-4. For L 364718 and proglumide analogue 10, 80% of 125I-BH-CCK-8 was bound to sites with high affinity for these antagonists and 20% to sites with low affinity. Analysis of the dose-inhibition curve for CCK-8 demonstrated two binding sites; however, comparison with the analysis in the presence of 0.1 microM gastrin-17-I suggested three binding sites. The gastrin-17-I dose-inhibition curve was significantly better fit by a three-site model than by a two-site model. The affinities of the various agonists and antagonists for the three sites were compared with their abilities to inhibit binding of 125I-gastrin-I and either stimulate or inhibit CCK-8-stimulated amylase release. These results demonstrate that 125I-BH-CCK-8 binds to three classes of receptors, not two as reported previously. Two classes are CCK-preferring, bind 83% of 125I-BH-CCK-8 at tracer concentrations, and comprise high- and low-affinity CCK-preferring sites that can be distinguished by all agonists but have equally high affinity for L 364718 and proglumide 10. A third class binds 17% of the tracer, cannot be differentiated from high-affinity CCK-preferring receptors by CCK-8, and has low affinities for L 364718 and proglumide 10. Future studies relating binding of 125I-BH-CCK-8 to biological activity or characterization of the CCK receptor by using radiolabeled agonists should consider CCK interaction with three receptors, not two as was done in the past.

Pancreatic acini possess a high affinity class of cholinergic receptors and a low affinity class of cholinergic receptors. Carbachol occupation of high affinity cholinergic receptors produces a reduction in binding of [3H]N-methylscopolamine. First incubating acini with carbachol caused a complete loss of high affinity cholinergic receptors with no change in the number or affinity of low affinity cholinergic receptors. Carbachol occupation of low affinity cholinergic receptors appears to produce a reduction in binding of 125I-CCK-8 and 125I-[Tyr4]bombesin. Acini possess two classes of CCK receptors. One class has a high affinity for CCK-8; the other class has a low affinity for CCK-8. First incubating acini with carbachol caused a 60% decrease in the number of high affinity CCK receptors with no change in the number of low affinity receptors or the affinities of either class of receptors for CCK-8. Acini possess a single class of bombesin receptors and first incubating acini with carbachol caused a 40% decrease in the number of bombesin receptors with no change in their affinity for bombesin.

First incubating guinea pig pancreatic acini with carbachol reduced the subsequent stimulation of amylase release caused by carbachol, cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8), and bombesin but not that caused by vasoactive intestinal peptide, substance P, 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, A23187, or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. Carbachol also reduced the subsequent binding of N-[3H]methylscopolamine, 125I-CCK-8, and 125I-[Tyr4]bombesin. Pancreatic acini possess a high-affinity class of cholinergic receptors and a low-affinity cholinergic receptors appears to produce the reduction in carbachol-stimulated amylase release and binding of N-[3H]methylscopolamine. First incubating acini with carbachol caused a complete loss of high-affinity cholinergic receptors with no change in the number or affinity of low-affinity cholinergic receptors. Carbachol occupation of low-affinity cholinergic receptors appears to produce the reduction in CCK-8- and bombesin-stimulated amylase release and in binding of 125I-CCK-8 and 125I-[Tyr4]bombesin. Acini possess two classes of CCK receptors. One class has a high affinity for CCK-8; the other class has a low affinity for CCK-8. First incubating acini with carbachol caused a 60% decrease in the number of high-affinity CCK receptors with no change in the number of low-affinity receptors or the affinities of either class of receptors for CCK-8. Acini possess a single class of bombesin receptors, and first incubating acini with carbachol caused a 40% decrease in the number of bombesin receptors with no change in their affinity for bombesin. 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate reproduced the action of carbachol on binding of N-[3H]methylscopolamine and 125I-CCK-8 but not on binding of 125I-[Tyr4]bombesin, suggesting that carbachol activation of protein kinase C may in some way mediate the effect of carbachol on receptors for carbachol and those for CCK but not that on receptors for bombesin.

Acinar cells from guinea pig pancreas possess six different classes of receptors that mediate the actions of various secretagogues on enzyme secretion. Four classes of receptors stimulate enzyme secretion by causing mobilization of adenylate cyclase and increased cellular cyclic AMP. This paper summarizes the results of studies that have employed radiolabeled secretagogues of high specific activity and have measured directly the interaction of secretagogues with their receptors on pancreatic acinar cells.

In dispersed acini from guinea pig pancreas, cholecystokinin-(27-32)-amide [CCK-(27-32)-NH2] did not stimulate amylase secretion and inhibited the stimulation caused by CCK-(26-33). In dispersed acini from mouse or rat pancreas, CCK-(27-32)-NH2 stimulated amylase secretion. The stimulation of amylase secretion caused by a maximally effective concentration of CCK-(27-32)-NH2 was less than that caused by a maximally effective concentration of cholecystokinin-(26-33), and in contrast to the action of cholecystokinin-(26-33) supramaximal concentrations of CCK-(27-32)-NH2 did not cause submaximal stimulation of amylase secretion. Dibutyryl cGMP and proglumide each inhibited the stimulation of amylase secretion caused by CCK-(27-32)-NH2. CCK-(27-32)-NH2 inhibited binding of 125I-labeled CCK to mouse and rat pancreatic acini. These results indicate that, in mouse and rat pancreatic acini, CCK-(27-32)-NH2 is a partial agonist and that this partial agonist activity is produced by occupation of the CCK receptor by CCK-(27-32)-NH2.

In dispersed acini from guinea pig pancreas two inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, Ro 20-1724 and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), augmented the increase in amylase secretion caused by supramaximal concentrations of cholecystokinin but did not alter the stimulation of enzyme secretion caused by bombesin. The augmentations of the action of cholecystokinin caused by Ro 20-1724 or IBMX could be reproduced by 8-bromo-cAMP. When tested alone or with theophylline, cholecystokinin did not alter cAMP in pancreatic acini; however, with Ro 20-1724 or IBMX, concentrations of cholecystokinin that were supramaximal for stimulating amylase secretion caused a significant increase in cellular cAMP. These findings indicate that Ro 20-1724 and IBMX augment the action of cholecystokinin on enzyme secretion by inhibiting cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase and allowing a significant cholecystokinin-induced increase in cellular cAMP. IBMX but not Ro 20-1724 caused a parallel rightward shift in the dose-response curve for the stimulation of amylase secretion caused by carbachol. IBMX also caused a parallel rightward shift in the dose-response curve for the stimulation of outflux of 45Ca caused by carbachol. These results indicate that IBMX, but not Ro 20-1724, can function as a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist.

When dispersed acini from mouse pancreas are first incubated with bombesin, washed, and then reincubated with fresh incubation solution containing no bombesin, there is significant residual stimulation of amylase release. Induction of residual stimulation is relatively rapid in that significant stimulation occurs as early as after 15 s of first incubation with bombesin. Induction of residual stimulation of amylase release per se is temperature independent, but induction does occur more rapidly when acini are first incubated at 37 degrees C than when they are first incubated at 4 degrees C. Residual stimulation of amylase release persists for at least 75 min in acini that have been first incubated with bombesin at 37 degrees C. The maximal residual stimulation of amylase release obtained with pancreatic acini that have been first incubated with bombesin and then washed is 45% greater than the maximal stimulation obtained when bombesin is added directly to the incubation medium. In terms of their abilities to cause residual stimulation of amylase release, litorin and ranatensin are equal to bombesin in potency and efficacy. Gastrin-releasing peptide is approximately 70% as efficacious as bombesin in causing residual stimulation of amylase release.

We have prepared (125)I-labeled cholecystokinin and have examined the kinetics, stoichiometry, and chemical specificity with which the labeled peptide binds to dispersed acini from guinea pig pancreas. Binding of (125)I-labeled cholecystokinin was reversible, temperature-dependent, saturable, specific, and localized to the plasma membrane. Each acinar cell possessed approximately 9000 binding sites, and binding of the labeled peptide to these sites could be inhibited by cholecystokinin and structurally related peptides (e.g., gastrin and caerulein) as well as by nonpeptide competitive antagonists of the action of cholecystokinin. Binding was not inhibited by other pancreatic secretagogues such as secretin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, glucagon, physalaemin, eledoisin, kassinin, substance P, carbamoylcholine, litorin, or ranatensin or by bovine pancreatic polypeptide, atropine, neurotensin, leucineenkephalin, methionine-enkephalin, or cyclic somatostatin. With agonists as well as antagonists there was a good correlation between occupation of cholecystokinin binding sites and changes in acinar cell function. With each of six different peptide agonists maximal stimulation of enzyme secretion occurred with 40% receptor occupation and occupation of the remaining 60% caused a progressive decrease in stimulated amylase release. Agonists, but not antagonists, accelerated the dissociation of bound (125)I-labeled cholecystokinin, and these findings suggest that, in pancreatic acini, radiolabeled cholecystokinin binds to at least one class of interacting binding sites whose affinities are influenced by the extent to which these sites are occupied by agonists but not the extent to which they are occupied by antagonists.

Previous attempts to develop analogues of bombesin that function as specific receptor antagonists have been unsuccessful. Alteration of the histidine in luteinizing hormone releasing factor has resulted in analogues that function as competitive antagonists. In the present study we have used a similar strategy and altered the histidine in bombesin. [D-Phe12]bombesin, [D-Phe12,Leu14]bombesin, and [Tyr4,D-Phe12]bombesin did not stimulate amylase release from guinea pig pancreatic acini when present alone, but each analogue inhibited bombesin-stimulated secretion. For each analogue, detectable inhibition occurred at 1 microM and half-maximal inhibition at 4 microM. Each analogue inhibited amylase release by bombesin and other agonists that stimulate secretion by interacting with bombesin receptors. The analogues of bombesin did not alter stimulation by substance P or other agonists that interact with other receptors. The inhibition of the action of bombesin was competitive with Schild plots having slopes of 1.0. Each analogue also inhibited binding of 125I-labeled [Tyr4]bombesin but not 125I-labeled substance P. These results demonstrate that [D-Phe12] analogues of bombesin function as bombesin receptor antagonists and are the only bombesin receptor antagonists that interact only with the bombesin receptor. Because of their specificity, these analogues may prove useful for defining the role of bombesin in various physiological or pathological processes.

Acinar cells from guinea pig pancreas possess two distinct protein kinase activities. Cyclic GMP-dependent kinase elutes as a single peak on diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)- cellulose chromatography, is not inhibited by protein kinase inhibitor, and has a greater affinity for cyclic GMP (half-maximal activation at 20 nM) than for cyclic AMP (half-maximal activation at 100 nM). Cyclic AMP-dependent kinase elutes as two peaks on DEAE-cellulose chromatography, is inhibited by protein kinase inhibitor, and has a greater affinity for cyclic AMP (half-maximal activation at 20 nM) than for cyclic GMP (half-maximal activation at 7 micrometer). Binding of cyclic 3H-nucleotides to the enzyme preparation was rapid, specific, temperature-dependent, and reversible, and there was a close correlation between the ability of a particular cyclic nucleotide to inhibit binding of cyclic 3H-nucleotide and its ability of a particular cyclic nucleotide to inhibit binding of cyclic H-nucleotide and its ability to activate protein kinase. Binding of cyclic 3H--nucleotide could not be described as a simple bimolecular reaction and native cyclic nucleotides accelerated the dissociation of bound, labeled cyclic nucleotide. Vasoactive intestinal peptide or secretin, each of which increases cellular cyclic AMP, caused endogenous activation of protein kinase and inhibition of cyclic [3H]AMP binding but did not alter bindings of cyclic [3H]GMP or cyclic [3H]AMP.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors on guinea pig pancreatic acini differ from those on all other tissues in containing a high-affinity VIP receptor and a low-affinity VIP receptor that has a high affinity for secretin. To characterize the molecular components of these receptors, 125I-VIP was covalently cross-linked to these receptors by four different cross-linking agents: disuccinimidyl suberate, ethylene glycol bis (succinimidyl succinate), dithiobis (succinimidylpropionate), and m-maleimidobenzoyl N-hydroxysuccinimide ester. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated a single major polypeptide band of Mr 45,000 and a minor polypeptide band of Mr 30,000 were cross-linked to 125I-VIP. Covalent cross-linking only occurred when a cross-linking agent was added, was inhibited by GTP, was inhibited by VIP receptor agonists or antagonists that interact with VIP receptors, and not by other pancreatic secretagogues that interact with different receptors. For inhibiting both cross-linking and binding of 125I-VIP to the major polypeptide Mr 45,000 and the minor polypeptide Mr 30,000 components, the relative potencies were VIP greater than helodermin greater than rat growth hormone releasing factor greater than peptide histidine isoleucine greater than secretin. The apparent molecular weight of the cross-linked polypeptides were unchanged by dithiothreitol. Thus the high-affinity VIP receptor on pancreatic acinar cell membranes consists of a single major polypeptide of Mr 45,000, and this polypeptide is not a subunit of a larger disulfide-linked structure. Furthermore, either the low-affinity VIP/secretin-preferring receptor was not covalently cross-linked under the experimental conditions or it consists of a major polypeptide with the same molecular weight as the high-affinity VIP receptor.

None of six different tryptophan-modified analogues of the C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin differed from the unaltered peptide in terms of their efficacies for stimulating amylase secretion from dispersed acini prepared from guinea-pig pancreas. Replacement of hydrogen with fluorine in position 5 or 6 on the indole ring of the tryptophan residue did not alter the potency with which the peptide stimulated amylase secretion; however, replacement of hydrogen by fluorine in positions 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the indole ring, or modifying or replacing the indole nitrogen caused a 30- to 300-fold decrease in potency. Changes in the ability of the peptide to inhibit binding of 125I-labeled cholecystokinin. Our findings indicate that reducing the ability of the tryptophan residue to donate electrons produced a greater decrease in the affinity of the peptide for cholecystokinin receptors than did abolishing the ability of tryptophan to form hydrogen bonds, and modification that altered both abilities caused a greater decrease in affinity than did modification of only one ability. Finally, in the tryptophan residues of cholecystokinin octapeptide, tetrafluorination of the indole ring or replacing the indole nitrogen by oxygen reduced the ability of the peptide to cause residual stimulation of enzyme secretion, probably by accelerating the rate at which bound peptide dissociated from its receptors when the acini were washed and resuspended in fresh incubation solution.

In the present study we synthesized cholecystokinin-(26-32)-amide [CCK-(26-32)-NH2], N-acetyl-cholecystokinin-(26-32) [Ac-CCK-(26-32)], and N-acetyl-cholecystokinin-(26-32)-amide [Ac-CCK-(26-32)-NH2]. None of these peptides altered amylase secretion from dispersed acini prepared from guinea pig pancreas, but each peptide inhibited the stimulation of amylase secretion caused by the C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin [CCK-(26-33)]. Half-maximal inhibition of CCK-(26-33)-stimulated amylase secretion occurred with 10 microM CCK-(26-32)-NH2, with 25 microM Ac-CCK-(26-32)-NH2, and with 100 microM Ac-CCK-(26-32). Ac-CCK-(26-32) caused a parallel rightward shift in the dose-response curve for CCK-(26-33)-stimulated amylase secretion. Ac-CCK-(26-32)-NH2 inhibited the stimulation of amylase secretion caused by CCK-(26-33), caerulein, or gastrin-(2-17) but did not alter the stimulation caused by carbachol, bombesin, physalaemin, A23187, vasoactive intestinal peptide, secretin, or 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate. There was a close correlation between the abilities of derivatives of CCK-(26-32) to inhibit binding of 125I-cholecystokinin (125I-CCK) to pancreatic acini and their abilities to inhibit the stimulation of amylase secretion caused by CCK-(26-33). Half-maximal inhibition of binding of 125I-CCK occurred with 5 microM CCK-(26-32)-NH2, with 7 microM Ac-CCK-(26-32)-NH2, and with 70 microM Ac-CCK-(26-32). These findings indicate that each of the three derivatives of CCK-(26-32) is a specific competitive antagonist of the interaction of cholecystokinin with its cell surface receptors on pancreatic acini.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

When guinea pig pancreatic acini are first incubated with the COOH-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK-8), washed, and then reincubated with 125I-[Tyr4]bombesin (125I-[Tyr4]BN) there is a significant decrease in binding of 125I-[Tyr4]BN compared with that observed with pancreatic acini that have been first incubated with no additions. The CCK-8-induced decrease in binding is maximal after 90 min of first incubation is abolished by reducing the temperature of the first incubation from 37 to 4 degrees C or by adding L364,718 to the first incubation and cannot be reproduced by first incubating acini with A23187, 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8Br-cAMP), 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8Br-cGMP), or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate. 125I-[Tyr4]BN interacts with a single class of receptors on pancreatic acini, and first incubating acini with CCK-8 decreases the affinity of BN receptors for BN with no change in the maximal binding capacity. CCK-8 does not alter the rate at which bound 125I-[Tyr4]BN dissociates from pancreatic acini; therefore, CCK-8 must alter the rate at which the radiolabeled BN analogue associates with its receptor. Pancreatic acini possess two classes of CCK receptors: one has a high affinity for CCK-8; the other has a low affinity for CCK-8. The dose-response curve for CCK-8-induced inhibition of binding of 125I-[Tyr4]BN appears to to reflect occupation of low-affinity CCK receptors by CCK-8.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Previously, we have found that, in pancreatic acini, butyryl derivatives of cGMP antagonize the action of cholecystokinin by inhibiting binding of the peptide to its membrane receptors. In the present study, we found that derivatives of cAMP and cIMP can also inhibit binding of cholecystokinin as well as its actions on acinar cell function. Moreover, the inhibition caused by cyclic nucleotide derivatives did not require the presence of a butyryl moiety, because certain 8-bromo-cyclic nucleotides also inhibited the interaction of cholecystokinin with its receptors. Cyclic nucleotide derivatives can also increase pancreatic enzyme secretion; however, for the various cyclic nucleotides tested, there was no apparent correlation between their abilities to stimulate enzyme secretion and their abilities to antagonize the actions of cholecystokinin. Finally, cyclic nucleotide derivatives also inhibited binding of 125I-cholecystokinin to antibodies that were specific for the biologically active, C-terminal region of cholecystokinin. Thus, certain cyclic nucleotide derivatives possess a conformational structural which resembles that of the biologically active portion of cholecystokinin, and this structural similarity accounts for the abilities of these nucleotide derivatives to interact with cholecystokinin receptors and, by so doing, to inhibit the action of cholecystokinin on its target tissues.

Pancreatic acinar cells possess two functionally distinct mechanisms by which secretagogues can increase enzyme secretion. One mechanism is mediated by mobilization of cellular calcium and can be activated by any one of four different classes of receptors. The other mechanism is mediated by cyclic AMP and can be activated by either of two different classes of receptors. In addition to stimulating enzyme secretion, a secretagogue can cause potentiation of secretion, desensitization to the subsequent stimulation caused by the same or other secretagogues as well as residual stimulation of enzyme secretion. Although each class of secretagogue receptors can cause the same final effect, stimulation of enzyme secretion, the existence of multiple classes of receptors and the different mechanisms of action endow the acinar cell with a wide range of patterns of response depending on which of the several classes of receptors are activated.

In dispersed acini from guinea pig pancreas, PHI, a peptide recently isolated from porcine intestine and found to contain 27 amino acids, inhibited binding of 125I-vasoactive intestinal peptide (125I-VIP), increased cellular cAMP, and stimulated amylase secretion. The increase in amylase secretion caused by a maximally effective concentration of PHI in combination with 8-bromo-cAMP, VIP, or secretin was the same as that caused by PHI alone. In contrast, the increase in amylase secretion caused by PHI plus bombesin, carbachol, or the C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin was significantly greater than the sum of the increase caused by each secretagogue acting alone. From the abilities of PHI to inhibit binding of 125I-VIP, to increase cellular cAMP, and to increase amylase secretion, the apparent affinity of PHI for the VIP-preferring receptors on pancreatic acinar cells is approximately 25 times less than that of VIP but 10 times greater than that of secretin. From the ability of PHI to increase cellular cAMP, the apparent affinity of PHI for the secretin-preferring receptors on pancreatic acinar cells is approximately 300 times less than that of secretin but equal to that of VIP.