Showing papers in "Journal of cyclic nucleotide research in 1978"

Alpah-adrenergic receptor modulation of beta-adrenergic, adenosine and prostaglandin E1 increased adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate levels in primary cultures of glia.

Abstract: Beta-adrenergic agonists, adenosine and prostaglandin E1 increased the level of adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cAMP) in glial cultures prepared from rat cerebral cortical tissue. In addition to these physiological effectors, cholera toxin also increased cAMP levels in these cultures. The accumulation of cAMP in response to each of these agen-s, including cholera toxin, was partially blocked (50--80%) by simultaneous alpha-adrenergic receptor stimulation. Basal levels of cAMP were not affected by alpha-adrenergic agonists. These results indicate that in glia, alpha-adrenergic receptors may serve to modulate the level of cAMP which normally accumulates in response to a number of neurohumoral substances. The modulatory effect of alpha-adrenergic agents does not appear to reduce cAMP accumulation by activating phosphodiesterase since the effect was not blocked by a potent inhibitor of this enzymemthe results suggest that the modulatory effect of alpha-adrenergic receptor activation results from an interaction which takes place at some point in between adenylate cyclase-associated-membrane receptors and the enzymatic degradation of cAMP.

Membrane-bound forms of Ca2+-dependent protein modulator: Ca2+-dependent and independent binding of modulator protein to the particulate fraction from brain.

Abstract: Ca2+-dependent binding of modulator protein to the particulate fraction was studied. The particulate fraction from one gram of rat brain bound in a Ca2+-dependent fashion 144 microgram of modulator protein, representing more than one third of the total soluble modulator protein in this tissue. The binding site was present in both the mitochondrial and microsomal fractions, the specific activity of the microsomes being the higher. The binding was reversible with a physiological concentration of Ca2+, and was temperature-dependent, and the site can be saturated with modulator protein (4.5 microgram modulator protein per mg of microsomal protein). Tryptic digestion of the membranes caused complete disappearance of the binding activity, but heat-treatment for 5 min at 70 degrees C caused only 40% loss of activity. The binding site may be a known or unknown enzyme(s), the activity of which is regulated by Ca2+ and modulator. Alternatively, this binding site may be a nonenzymic protein that regulates the concentration of free modulator protein in the cell.

Ca2+-stimulated phosphorylation of muscle glycogen synthase by phosphorylase b kinase.

Abstract: Phosphorylase b kinase from rabbit muscle phosphorylates glycogen synthase purified from the same tissue. The reaction is markedly stimulated by Ca2+ and results in a decrease in the synthase %I activity. Phosphorylase b kinase action leads to the incorporation of phosphate (0.6 to 0.8 mol/mol of subunit) preferentially into a single cyanogen bromide fragment of synthase (fragment III). Cyclic AMP-independent synthase kinase also shows a specificity for the site(s) contained in fragment III whereas the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase exerts a preference for the site(s) located in a distinct cyanogen bromide fragment (fragment II). A Ca2+-stimulated endogenous kinase also results in the phosphorylation of fragment III and can be attributed to the presence of phosphorylase b kinase. The finding of a Ca2+-stimulated phosphorylation of glycogen synthase has important implications for the regulation of glycogen metabolism and particularly those processes thought to be controlled by cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration.

Protein kinases in developing rat brain.

Abstract: The levels of cAMP-dependent protein kinases were measured in developing rat brain by a variety of methods. The regulatory subunit (R) was measured both by [3H]cAMP binding and by 8-N3-[32P]cAMP incorporation. The catalytic subunit (C) was measured by an assay of histone kinase activity. Data were calculated per mg protein. Neither R nor C levels changed significantly in either membranes or cytosol during development. The ratio of R to C was essentially unity in the cerebra of both newborn (2-day-old) and adult (40-day-old) rats. Polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis resolved two regulatory subunits (R-I) and (R-II) which were derived from the Type I and Type II cAMP-dependent protein kinases, respectively. 8-N3-[32P]cAMP incorporation into Proteins R-I and R-II indicated that the amounts of Proteins R-I and R-II did not change significantly in either membranes or cytosol during development.

On the role of the cAMP and cGMP-dependent protein kinases in cell function.

Abstract: Cyclic AMP and cGMP-dependent protein kinases have many similarities in physical and kinetic properties. Thus, the two enzymes appear to be homologous proteins, even though the subunit compositions of the two enzymes differ. Of several possible evolutionary schemes, two likely ones are proposed: (i) the ancestral protein kinase was composed of a single type of subunit which evolved into separate regulatory and catalytic subunits by gene splitting; or (ii) the ancestral protein kinase was composed of separate regulatory and catalytic subunits which evolved into a single type of subunit by gene fusion. The evolutionary parallelism poses interesting questions on the functional relatwonships between the two enzymes. Although, there is overlapping substrate specificity between the two kinases, the cAMP kinase is generally a more efficient and versatile catalyst than the cGMP kinase. This difference in catalytic versatility could have offered an evolutionary advantage to the cAMP kinase, and could explain the more widespread distribution of this enzyme in mammalian tissues. The cGMP kinase is proposed to be a more specific enzyme than the cAMP kinase. This implies a less diverse role for cGMP in the regulation of cell function.

Activation of epinephrine and glucagon-sensitive adenylate cyclases of rat liver by cytosol protein factors. Role in loss of enzyme activities during preparation of particulate fractions, quantitation and partial characterization.

Abstract: The role of cytosol components in the loss of rat liver adenylate cyclase activity which occurs during the preparation of particulate fractions from crude homogenates was studied. Epinephrine (5 micron)-, glucagon (10 micron)-, and fluoride (5 mM)- stimulated activities of twice-washed particulates were 31%, 58% and 67% of the homogenate activities, respectively. Addition of cytosol (100,000 X g supernatant devoid of adenylate cyclase activity) restored these activities to 82%, 88% and 80%. Cytosol also increased particulate basal activity from 60% of homogenate activity to 98%. The cytosol components capable of increasing adenylate cyclase activity were heat labile, nondialyzable, stable to freezing at -20 degrees, resistant to change of pH between 2 and 12, and unaffected by EGTA and NAD. Pretreatment with pepsin destroyed the effects of cytosol on both epinephrine- and glucagon-sensitive activities, whereas trypsin destroyed the effect of cytosol only on epinephrine-sensitive activity. The cytosol effect on adenylate cyclase was specific, since several purified proteins and ubiquitin, did not stimulate enzyme activity. Only part of the cytosol effect could be attributed to its GTP content. GTP at the concentration present in cytosol stimulated epinephrine-sensitive activity but significantly less than did cytosol, while GTP had no effect on glucagon-sensitive activity. Dialyzed cytosol retained its effectiveness even after removal of most (97%) of its GTP to a concentration where GTP had only a minimal effect on epinephrine-sensitive activity. Cytosol, unlike GTP, stimulated rather than inhibited activation by fluoride. Cytosol thus appears to contain at least two different protein components, which increase the activity of the two hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclases and presumably account in part for losses of adenylate cyclase activities seen during the preparation of particulates from homogenates.

Changes in cGMP and cAMP content in the estrogen-stimulated rat uterus: temporal relationship with other parameters of hormonal stimulation.

Abstract: The effect of estradiol-17beta, estriol, diethylstilbestrol and nafoxidine on rat uterine cGMP content was studied in relation with their respective estrogenic potency. Confirming previous results from Kuehl et al. (5), we observed a rise in uterine cGMP and a simultaneous decrease in cAMP content in treated animals. The reverse effect was obtained in the vagina after stimulation with estradiol or estriol. In the uterus, all compounds tested induced two main waves of cGMP increase corresponding to the two main phases of the estrogenic response i.e. the early fluid imbibition and the later period of true growth. No direct relationship could be established between the late rise in cGMP and true growth responses. A causal link between the first accumulation of uterine cGMP and the wet weight response in the early phase of estrogenic action is suggested by the comparison of time-course effects of the different compounds used on those two parameters.

Inhibition of GH1 rat pituitary tumor cell adenylyl cyclase activity by somatostatin.

Abstract: Somatostatin inhibits basal and chlorpromazine stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in homogenates of GH1 rat pituitary tumor cells. The Dtryp8-Dcys14 analogue is more potent than tyrosyl somatostatin as an inhibitor of both basal and chlorpromazine-stimulated adenylyl cyclase. Somatostatin had no effect on sodium fluoride or quanylyl-imidodiphosphate-stimulated cyclase in GH1 cell homogenates or on basal, epinephrine or prostaglandin E1 stimulated cyclase activity in sonicated BHK fibroblasts. These results indicate a specific effect of somatostatin to inhibit pituitary adenylyl cyclase activity.

Essential role of GTP in the expression of adenylate cyclase activity after cholera toxin treatment.

Abstract: Expression of activation of rat liver adenylate cyclase by the A1 peptide of cholera toxin and NAD is dependent on GTP. The nucleotide is effective either when added to the assay medium or during toxin (and NAD) treatment. Toxin treatment increases the Vmax for activation by GTP and the effect of GTP persists in toxin-treated membranes, a property seen in control membranes only with non-hydrolyzable analogs of GTP such as Gpp(NH)p. These observations could be explained by a recent report that cholera toxin acts to inhibit a GTPase associated with denylate cyclase. However, we have observed that one of the major effects of the toxin is to decrease the affinity of guanine nucleotides for the processes involved in the activation of adenylate cyclase and in the regulation of the binding of glucagon to its receptor. Moreover, the absence of lag time in the activation of adenylate cyclase by GTP, in contrast to by Gpp(NH)p, and the markedly reduced fluoride action after toxin treatment suggest that GTPase inhibition may not be the only action of cholera toxin on the adenylate cyclase system. We believe that the multiple effects of toxin action is a reflection of the recently revealed complexity of the regulation of adenylate cyclase by guanine nucleotides.

A possible role for cyclic GMP in mediating the effect of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone on gonadotropin release in dispersed pituitary cells of the female rat.

Abstract: In continuing studies on cyclic nucleotide involvement in the regulation of gonadotropin release, we have measured the cyclic nucleotide content and rate of LH and FSH release during stimulation by LHRH of dispersed overnight cultured cells from the pituitaries of adult female rats. The minimal effective concentration of LHRH was 0.1 nM and half maximal stimulation of gonadotropin release was observed in the presence of 1.0 nM LHRH. Significant release of both LH and FSH was detectable after only 10 min in the presence of 5 nM LHRH. The presence of fetal calf serum (FCS) in the overnight culture medium increased basal cGMP levels significantly, whereas horse serum (HS) had no effect, therefore all experiments were conducted on cells cultured in the presence of HS. Treatment of the cultured cells with the phosphodiesterase inhibitors theophylline (TH) or isobutyl-methyl-xanthine (MIX) revealed a preferential stimulatory effect of TH on basal cAMP levels and of MIX on cGMP levels. Throughout these experiments, LHRH had no effect on cAMP levels. In the presence of MIX, concentrations of the releasing hormone as low as 1 nM induced a significant rise in the level of cGMP whereas in its absence, cGMP levels appeared to be unchanged by LHRH. The increase was detectable after 10 min of incubation. MIX alone slightly increased LH and FSH release and significantly potentiated the response of the cells to increasing doses of LHRH up to, but not beyond, 10 nM. The data support the possibility that cGMP may be involved in the mechanism of action of LHRH.

The escape of cyclic AMP from human diploid fibroblasts: general properties.

Abstract: A variety of human diploid fibroblasts released large amounts of cAMP to the medium in a time-dependent fashion concomitant with stimulation of the cells by agonists of the adenylate cyclase. In WI-38 cells increased medium cAMP levels were detectable as quickly as increased cellular levels. Escape was not secondary to serum deprivation nor cell injury. It occurred in defined media, and was pH and temperature dependent. Elevated rates of escape were maintained for up to 24 hours after stimulation. A variety of PDE inhibitors reduced the rate of escape. A rough proportionality existed between the potencies of the compounds as potentiators of PGE1 increased cellular cAMP levels on the one hand and as inhibitors of escape on the other. In the case of IBMX, the inhibition of escape was transient, the most pronounced effect being during the first 5 minutes of incubation. In addition, a variety of compounds without significant acute effects on cellular cAMP levels inhibited escape.

Quantitative labeling of the regulatory subunit of type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase from bovine heart by a photoaffinity analog.

Abstract: Several methods were compared for estimating the amount of regulatory subunit of an 800-fold purified Type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase from bovine heart. These methods included a reversable binding assay using either cAMP, or 8-N3-[32P]cAMP, photoaffinity labeling with 8-N3-[32P]cAMP, and autophosphorylation of the regulatory subunit of the enzyme. Although the regulatory subunit had a slightly lower affinity for 8-N3-cAMP than for cAMP, the total amount of regulatory subunit could be determined by each of the procedures examined. The results indicate that the photoaffinity analog 8-N3-[32P]cAMP is able to label quantitatively all cAMP-binding sites of the regulatory subunit of this cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

Role of cyclic AMP and protein kinase on the steroidogenic action of ACTH, prostaglandin E1 and dibutyryl cyclic AMP in normal adrenal cells and adrenal tumor cells from humans.

Abstract: The role of the cyclic AMP-protein kinase system in mediating the steroidogenic effect of ACTH, prostaglandin E1 and dibutyryl cyclic AMP, induced similar stimulations of protein kinase activity, cyclic AMP was studied using human adrenal cells isolated from normal and adrenocortical secreting tumors. At high concentrations of ACTH, complete activation of protein kinase of normal adrenal cells was observed within 3 min, at the time when cyclic AMP production was slightly increased and there was still no stimulation of steroidogenesis. At supramaximal concentrations, ACTH, PGE1 and dibutyryl cyclic AMP and cortisol productions in adrenal cells isolated from normal and from one adrenocortical tumor. In one tumor in which the adenylate cyclase activity was insensitive to ACTH, the hormone was unable to stimulate protein kinase or steroidogenesis, but the cells responded to both PGE1 and dibutyryl cyclic AMP. In another tumor in which the adenylate cyclase was insensitive to PGE1, this compound also did not increase protein kinase activity or steroidogenesis, but both parameters were stimulated by ACTH and dibutyryl cyclic AMP. After incubation of normal adrenal cells with increasing concentrations of ACTH (0.01-100 nM) marked differences were found between cyclic AMP formation and cortisol production. However at the lowest concentrations of ACTH exerting an effect on steroid production a close linked correlation was found between protein kinase activation and cortisol production, but half-maximal and maximal cortisol production occurs at lower concentration of ACTH than was necessary to induce the same stimulation of protein kinase. Similar findings were found after incubating the adrenal cells with dibutyryl cyclic AMP (0.01-10 mM). The results implicate an important role of the cyclic AMP-protein kinase system during activation of adrenal cell steroidogenesis by low concentrations of steroidogenic compounds.

The stimulation by catecholamines of guanylate cyclase activity in a cell-free system.

Abstract: Cytosolic guanylate cylase activity in cell-free preparations of the rabbit renal cortex was increased 3- to 5-fold by catecholamines. The plasma membrane-bound enzyme was not activated, although hormone receptors were present. Stimulation was augmented by NaN3, which by itself had little effect on the soluble enzyme activity. With a partially purified enzyme, activity was enhanced by 0.1 muM 1-epinephrine and activated half-maximally by about 1 muM. In decreasing potency, epinephrine greater than isoproterenol greater than norepinephrine greater than dopamine greater than catechol. Phenylephrine and metanephrine did not stimulate. 1-Epinephrine-stimulation of the enzyme was reversed by dialysis and the deactivated enzyme was reactivatable by a second exposure to the catecholamine. Activation by catecholamines was not stereospecific. Epinephrine-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity in the crude cytosolic fraction was partially inhibited by alpha-adrenergic antagonists, but neither alpha- nor beta-blockers inhibited when the partially purified enzyme was used; thus, leaving open the question of a role for typical alpha- or beta-adrenergic mechanisms in this regulation of the soluble enzyme. Adrenochrome was the most potent activator of the partially purified guanylate cyclase, being approximately 10-times more effective than epinephrine. Epinephrine and adrenochrome activated in the presence of reducing agents, i.e., ascorbate, DTT and N2, although the enzyme in a more SH-reduced form and in an oxygen-deficient medium had a decreased sensitivity to both effectors. Epinephrine activated soluble guanylate cyclase in several tissues, including cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem, lung, heart, liver, ductus deferens and colon. Although the precise mechanism by which low concentrations of catecholamines stimulated guanylate cyclase activity is unknown and the physiological significance of the activation remains to be established, these findings direct attention to an interesting interaction of catecholamines with the cytosolic enzyme system and stress the need for further studies.

Cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase in human lymphocytes and lymphoblasts.

Abstract: Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activities were examined in lymphocytes from 12 transformed human B cell lines, two T cell lines, six patients with lymphocytic leukemia, and 10 normal donors. A consistent difference bwtween cells from the normal and leukemic state was observed. The cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity from normal lymphocytes is inhibited greater than 80% by muM cyclic GMP while this concentration of nucleotide has little or no effect on the enzyme from transformed lymphocytic cell lines or from lymphocytic cells of leukemia patients. The reported lack of cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase in human lymphocytes from several sources is confirmed. The apparent absence of a cyclic GMP degradation mechanism and of cyclic GMP control of cyclic AMP hydrolysis may be related to defective lymphocyte growth control.

Endogenous GTP and the regulation of epinephrine stimulation of adenylate cyclase.

Abstract: Epinephrine increased adenylate cyclase activity 10 to 15 fold in lysates of the cultured human astrocytoma cell line 132-1N1. GTP had little effect on adenylate cyclase activity of lysed cell preparations either with or without added epinephrine. However, the epinephrine stimulation of adenylate cyclase was essentially lost (less than 90%) when a washed nuclei-free membrane preparation of the cyclase was assayed. A 10 to 15 fold epinephrine stimulation of the membrane adenylate cyclase could be demonstrated if cytosol of GTP were added to the assay with the hormone. The criteria of anion exchange, cation exchange, gel exclusion and paper chromatography indicated that the cytosolic agents which acted synergistically with hormones were GTP and GDP. The apparent Kact's for the synergistic action of GDP and GTP were essentially identical (1.0 muM) and of all the other nucleotides examined only GDP had a potency similar to GTP. However, the effect of GDP was apparently due to its rapid conversion to GTP even in the absence of a regenerating system. With epinephrine pretreatment of the intact 132-1N1 cells there was a specific loss of epinephrine stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity. The hormone pretreatment did not alter the capacity of the cytosol from these desensitized cells to potentiate epinephrine stimulation of the cyclase. Rather, the alteration was in the particulate fraction of the lysate. The desensitization of the membranous cyclase was stable and not reversed by GTP.

Inhibition of plasminogen activator secretion by cyclic AMP in a macrophage-like cell line

Abstract: The continuous cell line, J774.2, exhibits many macrophage-like functions such as latex and Fc-mediated phagocytosis, antibody mediated phagocytosis, antibody mediated cytotoxicity, chemotaxis, and lysozyme secretion. Cyclic AMP stimulates Fc-mediated phagocytosis and inhibits the growth of J774.2. To further evaluate the relationship between cyclic AMP and the specialized functions exhibited by these cells. Variants deficient in phagocytosis, adenylate cyclase and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase were derived. We have now shown that J774.2 also secretes plasminogen activator and that this secretion is rapidly and specifically inhibited by 8-bromoadenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphoric acid (8 Br--cAMP) or cholera toxin under conditions where lysozyme secretion is unaltered. Utilizing protein kinase-deficient variants, the ability of cyclic AMP to inhibit plasminogen activator secretion was shown to be mediated by a cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. We conclude that cyclic AMP has diametrically opposing effects on two macrophage-like functions: Fc-mediated phagocytosis and plasminogen activator secretion.

Effects of phosphodiesterase inhibitors, imidazole and phosphate on cyclic CMP phosphodiesterase are different from those on cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterases.

Abstract: The effects of various agents on the newly identified cyclic CMP phosphodiesterase (C-PDE) in crude extracts of a number of rat tissues and on the enzyme partially purified from the rat liver were examined. Papaverine and 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine were without effects on C-PDE at concentrations that inhibited up to 90% of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (A-PDE) and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase (G-PDE) activities. When assayed using 1 micron substrates, theophylline inhibited C-PDE to a lesser extent than A-PDE and G-PDE. 2'-Deoxy cyclic AMP (specific A-PDE inhibitor) and 2'-deoxy cyclic GMP (specific G-PDE inhibitor) were relatively poor and non-specific inhibitors for C-PDE. Imidazole, while augmenting the high Km A-PDE and G-PDE from the liver but not from the heart, was without effect on the liver C-PDE but stimulated the heart C-PDE. Potassium phosphate was more specific in inhibiting C-PDE than A-PDE and G-PDE. The present findings suggest that C-PDE represents a potential site of specific pharmacological regulations, and that C-PDE may be a separate enzyme distinguishable from the purine cyclic nucleotide class of phosphodiesterases.

Decreased cAMP levels in human diploid cells exposed to cholinergic stimuli.

Abstract: Carbachol at a concentration of 1 micron caused very significant decreases in PGE1 stimulated cAMP levels in three human diploid lung fibroblasts, WI-38, MRC-5, and IMR-90. Detailed studies with WI-38 cells showed that carbachol acted at low concentrations and very rapidly, cAMP levels being reduced by 50% in about 1 minute. The effect was moderately reduced but still very significant in Ca++ free medium containing 10(-5)M EGTA. Acetylcholine (in the presence of physostigmine), pilocarpine, and muscarine lowered cAMP levels at concentrations of 1 or 10 micron. The effects of carbachol were exquisitely sensitive to atropine but were unaffected by hexomethonium or d-tubocurarine. These data suggested that the cholinergic response of WI-38 cells was of the muscarinic type.

A semi quantitative method for cyclic nucleotide localization by immunocytochemistry and its application in determining the distribution of cyclic AMP in lungs of normal and pertussis-vaccinated mice following histamine or epinephrine challenge.

Abstract: A method is described which allows quantitative comparison of cAMP content determined by immunocytochemical procedures. This technique was then employed to localize cAMP in lungs of normal and pertussis-vaccinated mice following saline, histamine, or epinephrine challenge. All primary pulmonary compartments were shown to contain some immunoreactive (cAMP) material. However, epinephrine and histamine challenge selectively increased the cAMP content of the vasculature. No effect of epinephrine or histamine was detected in bronchial smooth muscle or interstitial tissue. This increased cAMP accumulation was observed in both normal and pertussis-vaccinated mice following epinephrine challenge but only in pertussis-vaccinated mice after histamine administration. These results demonstrate that histamine and epinephrine stimulate cAMP accumulation in the same pulmonary compartments supporting earlier speculation that histamine acts indirectly through epinephrine release. Further, primary involvement of the vasculature supports a more prominent role for this tissue in pertussis mediated histamine hypersensitivity.

Beta-adrenergic receptors and myogenesis.

Abstract: The rat myogenic cell line, L8, contains a beta-adrenergic catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase. Prior to cell fusion, and continuing thereafter, beta-adrenergic sites, as determined by the stereospecific binding of (125I)-hydroxybenqylpindolol, I1(125I)IHYP] increases from 470 to 2000 sites/cell. There is also an increase in adenylate cyclase (2-5 fold) and endogenous cAMP (5-30 fold) following stimulation by catecholamine. The dissociation constant (KD) of (125I)IHYP for unfused and fused cell-homogenates, as determined by estimation with Scatchard analysis, by direct determination at receptor concentrations well below the KD, or by association (4.6 X 10(8) M-1 min-1); and dissociation (0.028 min-1) kinetics; ranged from about 40 to 70 pM. The acquisition of beta-receptors prior to fusion in L8 cells may implicate this system in the regulation of myogenesis.

Activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase(s) by growth hormone in the liver and adrenal gland of the rat.

Abstract: A single dose of growth hormone (10 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected into male weanling rats (50--60 g), and the temporal changes in cyclic AMP concentration, protein kinase activation, and ornithine decarboxylase activation were measured in the liver and adrenal gland. The level of cyclic AMP did not change significantly from control values in either liver or adrenal following growth hormone administration. Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase(s); however, was markedly activated in liver and adrenal within 30 min. Protein kinase remained activated for more than 4 hr in the liver, while activation of protein kinase in the adrenal returned to control value within 2 hr. Ornithine decarboxylase activity was elevated 20-fold in liver within 4 hr of injection and was increased 7- to 8-fold in be adrenal within l hr. These observations are discussed with regard to the generality of the role of cyclic AMP as the second messenger for target-specifici trophic hormone action and the significance of protein kinase activiation as an index of the cyclic nucleotide involvement in the growth response.

Adenylylimidodiphosphate: effect of contaminants on adenylate cyclase activity.

Abstract: Commercially available adenylylimidodiphosphate, APP(NH)P, appears to be contaminated with a variety of compounds The effects of unpurified APP(NH)P on adenylate cyclase activity closely resembled the effects of guanylylimidodiphosphate (GPP(NH)P); that is, APP(NH)P alone caused a time-dependent, quasi-irreversible activation, and the stimulation of adenylate cyclase by APP(NH)P in combination with epinephrine was synergistic, eliminating the need for GTP The GPP(NH)P-like activity of APP(NH)P could be separated from APP(NH)P by purification of the analogue on DEAE cellulose columns or by paper chromatography The purified APP(NH)P does not appear to interest at the GTP site

Growth arrest of Chinese hamster ovary cells in serum-free medium: changes in cell morphology and the intracellular and prostaglandin-induced levels of cyclic AMP.

Abstract: When Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are shifted from medium which contains serum into serum-free medium, they complete one cell doubling and arrest in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. During the first 72 hr of arrest, there is little change in intracellular adenosine 3':5'-phosphate (cAMP) level, and the cells retain their usual epithelial-like morphology. After 96 hr, the cAMP level doubles, the magnitude of the prostaglandin E1-induced changes in cAMP increases threefold, and the cells convert from a rounded, epithelial-like shape to an elongated, fibroblast-like form. The fact that these biochemical and cellular transitions are subsequent to the growth arrest shows that the cAMP increase is not the cause of the growth arrest but is consistent with a role for cAMP in the control of cell morphology. In addition, these changes point to the importance of the G1 phase for initiating cAMP-related events.

Relationship between phosphorylation of tyrosine aminotransferase and regulation of its synthesis by cyclic AMP and hormones

Abstract: Tyrosine adminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.5) has been found to be phosphorylated in intact rat hepatoma cells in culture. Incorporation of [32p]i into the enzyme is rapid and is exclusively found as phosphoserine. Cycloheximide treatment reduced phosphorylation of the aminotransferase only slightly and in the presence of three different inducers of this enzyme, dexamethasone, insulin, and dibutyryl cyclic AMP, [32P]I incorporation was increased. It is concluded that [32p]i incorporation into this enzyme probably reflects turnover of phosphate groups associated with pre-existing enzyme molecules catalyzed by a cyclic AMP-independent protein kinase.

The concentration of cyclic AMP and the activity of cyclic AMP dependent protein kinase and an inhibitor in the adipose tissue of rats fed lard or glucose diets.

Abstract: Measurements of tissue cyclic AMP (cAMP) concentration, the activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and the level of the enzyme's thermostable, macromolecular inhibitor were made on preparations of rat epididymal fat pad from animals fed high fat or high carbohydrate diets. The cAMP concentration from rats adapted to a high lard diet for 14-15 days was 153 +/- 17.8 pmoles/mg protein as opposed to 76 +/- 6.0 found with high glucose diet. No significant difference in total cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity was observed among rats fed high glucose, high lard or laboratory chow, although the enzyme's activity ratio (-cAMP)(+cAMP) was significantly elevated with lard feeding (0.49 +/- 0.02) as opposed to glucose feeding (0.43 +/- 0.01). Crude preparations from lard and glucose fed animals were equivalent in inhibitory activity when tested with enzyme from chow fed animals. Agarose column chromatography separated holoenzyme and C subunit forms of the protein kinase when 500 mM NaCl was present in the elution buffer. Absence of the salt allowed subunit reassociation to occur. Direct addition of NaCl greater than or equal to 75 mM significantly inhibited protein kinase activity. The results indicate that the adipose tissue of rats fed a high lard diet has a higher concentration of cAMP and an increased protein kinase activity ratio than tissue from rats fed a fat free, high glucose diet. Total cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity and the level of a thermostable macromolecular inhibitor remained unchanged.

The correlation of cyclic AMP and protein kinase activity in adipocytes with lipolysis stimulated by ACTH: the effect of adenosine deaminase and actinomycin D.

Abstract: ACTH at levels as low as 0.05 mU/ml stimulated lipolysis, protein kinase and cyclic AMP accumulation in isolated fat cells from fed and fasted rats. Changes in cyclic AMP levels and in the protein kinase activity ratio were well correlated temporally. The protein kinase activity ratio was potentiated by adenosine deaminase. A sudden increase or decrease in either ACTH or dibutyryl cyclic AMP concentration was associated with a rapid and corresponding change in the rate of glycerol production. With ACTH, the changes in glycerol production were accompanied by appropriate changes in cyclic AMP levels. Actinomycin-D (10 UM) did not affect lipolysis or cyclic AMP accumulation activated by ACTH in fat cells.

Positive inotropic but no relaxant effects of phenylephrine in cat papillary muscle.

Abstract: The effect of phenylephrine (30 micron) in the presence of propranolol (1 micron) on electrically induced isometric twitches and on KCl-contractures was studied in papillary muscles from reserpine-pretreated cats at 25 degrees C. Under these conditions phenylephrine has previously been shown to act solely via alpha-adrenoceptors and not to increase c-AMP. Phenylephrine increased force of contraction, time to peak tension and relaxation time. Contracture tension remained unaffected. These data indicate that the stimulation of cardiac alpha-adrenoceptors, in contrast to beta-adrenergic stimulation, does not lead to so-called relaxant effects. This qualitative difference between the two responses is probably due to the different capacity of both stimuli to increase c-AMP.