Loss of the PGE1 requirement for MDCK cell growth associated with a defect in cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase

Prostaglandin E1(PGE1), one of the components in the hormone‐supplemented, serum‐free medium for Madin Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells (Medium K‐1), is required for both long‐term growth and for dome formation. Variant cells have been isolated from MDCK populations, which lack the PGE1, requirement for long‐term growth in Medium K‐1. These variants will be useful in identifying the molecular events initiated by PGE1 which are necessary for the growth response to be observed. The growth and functional properties of five independently isolated PGE1 independent clones have been examined. Normal MDCK cells grew at an equivalent rate in Medium K‐1 and in serum‐supplemented medium; the growth rate was lower in Medium K‐1 lacking PGE1. In contrast, PGE1 independent clone 1 grew at an equivalent rate in Medium K‐1 minus PGE1, and in serum‐supplemented medium. When PGE1 was added to K‐1 minus PGE1, less growth of PGE1 independent clone 1 was observed. A similar observation was made with one other PGE1 independent clone which was studied. A hormone deletion study indicated that PGE1 independent clone 1 still retained growth responses to the other four supplements in Medium K‐1 (insulin, transferrin, T3, and hydrocortisone). The molecular alterations associated with loss of the PGE1 requirement for long‐term growth were examined. At confluency, all of the PGE1 independent clones studied had higher intracellular cyclic AMP levels following PGE1 treatment, as compared with normal MDCK cells. The increased cyclic AMP levels in the variant cells could result from a number of different types of defects, including reduced cyclic adenylic acid (cyclic AMP) efflux, an increased affinity of PGE2 for the PGE1 receptor, or a defect in cyclic AMP metabolism. However, in all of the variant clones studied a decreased rate of cyclic AMP degradation by cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase was observed. Thus, the increased cyclic AMP levels in the PGE1 independent variants may result from alterations which affect cyclic AMP metabolism. The effect of PGE1 on dome formation by the variant cells was also examined. The frequency of dome formation by PGE1 independent clone 1 was enhanced in a dosage‐dependent manner, like normal MDCK cells. This observation suggests that PGE1 affects MDCK cell growth and dome formation by different mechanisms.