The long term objective of this project is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms and physiological significance of hormone activated signaling systems in hepatocytes. A common mechanism by which many hormones and growth factors exert their effects on cell function is by phospholipase C (PLC)-mediated activation of inositol lipid breakdown, changes of Ca2+ flux and covalent modification of proteins. Complex feedback mechanisms regulate receptor-mediated cell signaling processes and an imbalance between these factors results in abnormal metabolism or cell growth. An elucidation of these fundamental biochemical events is important for understanding the etiology of disease states such as diabetes and cancer. This proposal will address the following specific aims: 1) the mechanism of signal transduction of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in rat hepatocytes, 2) the mechanisms of Ca2+ influx into hepatocytes mediated by Ca2+ mobilizing hormones (co-mitogens) and growth factors, 3) the mechanisms of synergistic or inhibitory interactions between growth factors and co-mitogenic hormones and 4) receptor coupling to phospholipase C isoenzymes alpha and delta. It is hypothesized that the signal transduction pathway involves tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-gamma and possibly a G-protein for enhanced production of inositol 1,4,5-P3 and diacylglycerol with associated intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and Ca2+ influx. This hypothesis will be tested using anti-phosphotyrosine and anti-PLC-gamma antibodies for immunoprecipitation and Western blotting, together with analytical procedures and Ca2+ measurements using hepatocytes loaded with fura-2. Ca2+ influx mechanisms mediated by phenylephrine and peptide hormones, which overproduce Ins 1,4,5-P3 will be compared with those mediated by HGF and other growth factors to determine whether separate processes are involved that may account for synergistic effects on cell growth by augmenting cytosolic free Ca2+ during the cell cycle. The techniques to be used for measurement of hormone-mediated Ca2+ influx include whole cell patch clamp, Mn2+ quench of the fura-2 fluorescence and Ca2+ readdition to Ca2+-depleted cells. Inhibitory interactions between transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) and mitogenic growth factors will be investigated by measuring effects on Ca2+ flux and the effects of okadaic acid to inhibit protein phosphatases. The hypothesis that receptors for co-mitogenic hormones are coupled to PLC isoenzymes other than PLC-gamma will be investigated by use of immunoprecipitating antibodies to PLC-alpha and PLC-delta with solubilized rat liver membranes to identify complexes between alpha1-adrenergic, vasopressin and angiotensin II receptors, G-proteins and particular PLC isoenzymes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DK015120-24
Application #
2136894
Study Section
Physical Biochemistry Study Section (PB)
Project Start
1976-04-01
Project End
1996-06-30
Budget Start
1994-07-01
Budget End
1995-06-30
Support Year
24
Fiscal Year
1994
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pennsylvania
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
042250712
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104
Yang, L J; Guo, Y L; Trygankova, O et al. (1999) Epidermal growth factor and angiotensin II regulation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase in rat liver epithelial WB cells. Biochem Pharmacol 57:425-32
Guo, Y L; Kang, B; Williamson, J R (1999) Resistance to TNF-alpha cytotoxicity can be achieved through different signaling pathways in rat mesangial cells. Am J Physiol 276:C435-41
Guo, Y L; Kang, B; Yang, L J et al. (1999) Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and ceramide induce cell death through different mechanisms in rat mesangial cells. Am J Physiol 276:F390-7
Maloney, J A; Tsygankova, O M; Yang, L et al. (1999) Activation of ERK by Ca2+ store depletion in rat liver epithelial cells. Am J Physiol 276:C221-30
Pei, Z D; Williamson, J R (1998) Mutations at residues Tyr771 and Tyr783 of phospholipase C-gamma1 have different effects on cell actin-cytoskeleton organization and cell proliferation in CCL-39 cells. FEBS Lett 423:53-6
Tsygankova, O M; Peng, M; Maloney, J A et al. (1998) Angiotensin II induces diverse signal transduction pathways via both Gq and Gi proteins in liver epithelial cells. J Cell Biochem 69:63-71
Guo, Y L; Baysal, K; Kang, B et al. (1998) Correlation between sustained c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase activation and apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha in rat mesangial cells. J Biol Chem 273:4027-34
Guo, Y L; Kang, B; Williamson, J R (1998) Inhibition of the expression of mitogen-activated protein phosphatase-1 potentiates apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha in rat mesangial cells. J Biol Chem 273:10362-6
Maloney, J A; Tsygankova, O; Szot, A et al. (1998) Differential translocation of protein kinase C isozymes by phorbol esters, EGF, and ANG II in rat liver WB cells. Am J Physiol 274:C974-82
Guo, Y L; Peng, M; Kang, B et al. (1997) Inhibition of thrombin-stimulated cell proliferation by ceramide is not through inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 240:405-8

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