title: Vanadate, epidermal growth factor and prostaglandin E2 production in human amnion cells.
abstract: We have investigated the effects of vanadate (VAN) and mouse epidermal growth factor (mEGF) on prostaglandin (PG) E2 production in human amnion cells in monolayer culture that served as a model system. The secretion of PGE2 into the culture medium was quantified by radioimmunoassay. The rate of conversion of [14C] arachidonic acid to [14C] PGE2 (PGE2 synthase) was determined in cell sonicates under optimal in vitro conditions. After a treatment period of 4 h we observed an increase in PGE2 production in the presence of mEGF (4.7-fold), VAN (1.8-fold) or both agents (6.8-fold) over control samples. Similarly, the specific activity of PGE2 synthase was stimulated maximally after 4 h with mEGF (2.1-fold), VAN (1.7-fold) or with both (4.8-fold) compared with untreated tissue samples. In the presence of cycloheximide those effects were abolished. We suggest, that VAN and mEGF act by a mechanism(s) that involves de novo protein synthesis or that alters the phosphorylation state of enzymes that are requisite for the conversion of arachidonic acid to PGE2.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tuebingen, FRG.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Korte
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Casey
mesh_terms: D000650:Amnion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003470:Culture Media; D003513:Cycloheximide / Q000494:pharmacology; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D014638:Vanadates / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D014638:Vanadates; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D003513:Cycloheximide; D015232:Dinoprostone