Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of rasn17 inhibits specific cck actions on pancreatic acinar cells. Nicke, Barbara, Min-Jen Tseng, Marycarol Fenrich, and Craig D. Logsdon. Department of Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0622
APStracts 5:0311G, 1998.
Cholecystokinin (CCK) stimulates pleiotrophic responses in pancreatic acinar cells, however, the intracellular signaling pathways involved are not well understood. In order to evaluate the role of the ras gene product in CCK actions, a strategy involving in vitro adenoviral-mediated gene delivery of a dominant negative mutant ras (rasN17) was utilized. Isolated acini were infected with various titers of either a control adenovirus or an adenoviral construct expressing rasN17 for 24 hours before being treated with CCK. Titer dependent expression of rasN17 in the acini was confirmed by Western blotting. Infection with control adenovirus (106 to 109 pfu/mg acinar protein ([sim]1-1000 moi)) had no effect on CCK stimulation of acinar cell amylase release, ERK or JNK kinases, or DNA synthesis. In contrast, infection with adenovirus bearing rasN17 increased basal amylase release, inhibited CCK mediated JNK activation, had no effect on CCK activation of ERK, and inhibited DNA synthesis. These data demonstrate important roles for ras in specific actions of CCK on pancreatic acinar function.

Received 16 March 1998; accepted in final form 25 October 1998.
APS Manuscript Number G093-8.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Gastrointest. Liver
Physiology).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1998 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 10 November 1998