Showing papers on "Cyclase published in 1986"

Cloning of the gene and cDNA for mammalian β -adrenergic receptor and homology with rhodopsin

Abstract: The adenylate cyclase system, which consists of a catalytic moiety and regulatory guanine nucleotide-binding proteins, provides the effector mechanism for the intracellular actions of many hormones and drugs. The tissue specificity of the system is determined by the particular receptors that a cell expresses. Of the many receptors known to modulate adenylate cyclase activity, the best characterized and one of the most pharmacologically important is the beta-adrenergic receptor (beta AR). The pharmacologically distinguishable subtypes of the beta-adrenergic receptor, beta 1 and beta 2 receptors, stimulate adenylate cyclase on binding specific catecholamines. Recently, the avian erythrocyte beta 1, the amphibian erythrocyte beta 2 and the mammalian lung beta 2 receptors have been purified to homogeneity and demonstrated to retain binding activity in detergent-solubilized form. Moreover, the beta-adrenergic receptor has been reconstituted with the other components of the adenylate cyclase system in vitro, thus making this hormone receptor particularly attractive for studies of the mechanism of receptor action. This situation is in contrast to that for the receptors for growth factors and insulin, where the primary biochemical effectors of receptor action are unknown. Here, we report the cloning of the gene and cDNA for the mammalian beta 2AR. Analysis of the amino-acid sequence predicted for the beta AR indicates significant amino-acid homology with bovine rhodopsin and suggests that, like rhodopsin, beta AR possesses multiple membrane-spanning regions.

A cyclic AMP- and phorbol ester-inducible DNA element.

Abstract: Many cellular processes are regulated by hormones and neurotransmitters which interact with cell-surface receptors to produce intracellular second messengers that activate protein kinases. Cyclic (c) AMP is a second messenger whose intracellular level is determined by receptor-mediated activation or inhibition of adenylate cyclase. Phorbol esters directly activate protein kinase C, a Ca2+ and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase and a component of a different second messenger system, the phosphatidylinositol pathway. Proenkephalin messenger RNA levels are regulated in response to cAMP analogues, activators of adenylate cyclase, nicotinic agonists and depolarization, suggesting that expression of the gene encoding proenkephalin is regulated by trans-synaptic events involving cell-surface-receptor activation. Here we report that cAMP analogues and activators of adenylate cyclase regulate a proenkephalin-chloramphenicol acetyl transferase fusion gene when transiently expressed in tissue culture cells. Phorbol ester regulates the fusion gene in a similar fashion, but requires the presence of phosphodiesterase inhibitors for large effects. The DNA sequences required for regulation by both cAMP and phorbol ester map to the same 37-base pair (bp) region located 107-71 bp 5' to the mRNA cap site of the proenkephalin gene. This highly conserved region is composed of three closely related 12-bp sequences and has properties similar to those of previously characterized transcriptional enhancers.

Involvement of Gi in the inhibition of adenylate cyclase by cannabimimetic drugs.

Abstract: The cellular mechanism of action of the cannabimimetic drugs is examined using cultured cells. In membranes from N18TG2 neuroblastoma cells and the neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid cells, NG108-15, the psychoactive cannabinoid drugs and their nantradol analogs could inhibit adenylate cyclase activity. This response was not observed in either the soluble adenylate cyclase from rat sperm or membrane-bound adenylate cyclases from C6 glioma or S49 lymphoma cells. This cellular selectivity provides further evidence for the existence of specific receptors for the cannabimimetic compounds. Receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase requires the presence of a guanine nucleotide-binding protein complex, Gi. Gi can be functionally inactivated as a result of an ADP-ribosylation modification catalyzed by pertussis toxin. The present study demonstrates that pertussis toxin treatment of cells abolished the cannabimimetic response in intact cells and in membranes derived therefrom. The action of pertussis toxin required NAD+ as substrate for in vitro modification of neuroblastoma membranes. Furthermore, pertussis toxin was able to catalyze the labeling of a neuroblastoma membrane protein in vitro using [32P] NAD+ under conditions similar to those by which attenuation of the cannabimimetic inhibition of adenylate cyclase could be demonstrated. This evidence demonstrates the requirement for a functional Gi in the action of cannabimimetic drugs.

Cyclic adenosine 3',5'‐monophosphate mediates beta‐receptor actions of noradrenaline in rat hippocampal pyramidal cells.

Abstract: Intracellular recordings were made from rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurones in the in vitro slice preparation to study the actions of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP). Application of the membrane permeant analogue of cyclic AMP, 8-Br cyclic AMP caused a small depolarization of the resting membrane potential accompanied by an increase in membrane input resistance and also reduced the amplitude of depolarization-evoked calcium-activated potassium after-hyperpolarizations (a.h.p.s.). 8-Br cyclic AMP reduced calcium-activated a.h.p.s but did not reduce calcium action potentials in these cells. 8-Br cyclic AMP also reduced action potential frequency accommodation. The effects of 8-Br cyclic AMP were not mimicked by cyclic AMP applied extracellularly but were imitated by intracellular injections of cyclic AMP. Activation of the endogenous adenylate cyclase of pyramidal cells either by intracellular injection of the stable guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) analogue guanylyl-imidodiphosphate, or by extracellular application of forskolin, reduced the a.h.p. and accommodation. Reducing phosphodiesterase activity with application of either 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine or Ro20-1724 reduced the amplitude of the a.h.p. and potentiated the a.h.p.-blocking action of noradrenaline. Reducing adenylate cyclase activity by application of SQ22,536 slightly increased the amplitude of the (a.h.p.) and reduced the a.h.p.-blocking action of noradrenaline. We conclude that the beta-receptor actions of NA on hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells are mediated by intracellularly produced cyclic AMP.

Phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of the beta-adrenergic receptor regulates its functional coupling to adenylate cyclase and subcellular distribution

Abstract: Prolonged exposure of cells or tissues to drugs or hormones such as catecholamines leads to a state of refractoriness to further stimulation by that agent, known as homologous desensitization. In the case of the beta-adrenergic receptor coupled to adenylate cyclase, this process has been shown to be intimately associated with the sequestration of the receptors from the cell surface through a cAMP-independent process. Recently, we have shown that homologous desensitization in the frog erythrocyte model system is also associated with increased phosphorylation of the beta-adrenergic receptor. We now provide evidence that the phosphorylation state of the beta-adrenergic receptor regulates its functional coupling to adenylate cyclase, subcellular translocation, and recycling to the cell surface during the process of agonist-induced homologous desensitization. Moreover, we show that the receptor phosphorylation is reversed by a phosphatase specifically associated with the sequestered subcellular compartment. At 23 degrees C, the time courses of beta-adrenergic receptor phosphorylation, sequestration, and adenylate cyclase desensitization are identical, occurring without a lag, exhibiting a t1/2 of 30 min, and reaching a maximum at approximately 3 hr. Upon cell lysis, the sequestered beta-adrenergic receptors can be partially recovered in a light membrane vesicle fraction that is separable from the plasma membranes by differential centrifugation. The increased beta-adrenergic receptor phosphorylation is apparently reversed in the sequestered vesicle fraction as the sequestered receptors exhibit a phosphate/receptor stoichiometry that is similar to that observed under basal conditions. High levels of a beta-adrenergic receptor phosphatase activity appear to be associated with the sequestered vesicle membranes. The functional activity of the phosphorylated beta-adrenergic receptor was examined by reconstituting purified receptor with its biochemical effector the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (Ns) in phospholipid vesicles and assessing the receptor-stimulated GTPase activity of Ns. Compared to controls, phosphorylated beta-adrenergic receptors, purified from desensitized cells, were less efficacious in activating the Ns GTPase activity. These results suggest that phosphorylation of the beta-adrenergic receptor leads to its functional uncoupling and physical translocation away from the cell surface into a sequestered membrane domain. In the sequestered compartment, the phosphorylation is reversed thus enabling the receptor to recycle back to the cell surface and recouple with adenylate cyclase.

5-HT1A-receptors mediate stimulation of adenylate cyclase in rat hippocampus.

Abstract: 1. Serotonin (5-HT) stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in homogenates of rat hippocampus. This effect was pharmacologically characterised with a series of agonists and antagonists of various structural classes. 2. These compounds where also tested in radioligand binding studies using selective ligands for the various subtypes of 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors. 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B and 5-HT1C recognition sites were labelled with [3H]8-OH-DPAT ([3H]8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)-tetralin) in pig cortex membranes, [125I]CYP([125I]iodocyanopindolol) in rat cortex and [3H]mesulergine in pig choroid plexus membranes, respectively. 3. The rank order of potency of 13 agonists stimulating adenylate cyclase activity in homogenates of rat hippocampus was in good agreement with the rank order of affinity of these agonists for the 5-HT1A binding site: N,N-dipropyl-5-carboxamidotryptamine (DP-5-CT)>5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT)>8-OH-DPAT>5-HT> 5-methoxytryptamine (5-OCH3T)>d-LSD>5-methoxy-3-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-4-pyridinyl)-1H-indole (RU 24969)>α-methylserotonin (α-CH3-5-HT)>dopamine>2-methylserotonin (2-CH3-5-HT). The correlation between the respective potencies and affinities of these agonists was r=0.934, P<0.001. 4. There was no correlation between stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity by these agonists and their affinity for 5-HT1B, 5-HT1C or 5-HT2 binding sites. r=0.381–0.108, P<0.20–0.73. 5. Potent antagonists at D-1 receptors (SCH 23390), 5-HTM receptors (ICS 205-930), 5-HT2-receptors (ketanserin) and 5-HT1C-receptors (mesulergine) antagonised the 5-HT stimulated adenylate cyclase activity only at very high concentrations. In contrast, spiperone and metitepin were potent antagonists of the effect of 5-CT and 5-HT on adenylate cyclase. The use of these selective antagonists allowed to exclude the possibility that 5-HT stimulates adenylate cyclase activity in rat hippocampus through D-1, 5-HTM, 5-HT2 or 5-HT1C receptors. 6. These data support the concept that 5-HT stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in rat hippocampus is mediated by a 5-HT1A receptor.

Mapping second messenger systems in the brain: differential localizations of adenylate cyclase and protein kinase C.

Abstract: [3H]Forskolin and [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate have been used to map the adenylate cyclase and phosphatidylinositol systems respectively in brain slices by light-microscopic autoradiography. [3H]Forskolin binding to brain sections is displaced potently by forskolin (KD approximately equal to 15 nM) and is enhanced by fluoride and GTP analogs, agents which activate the stimulatory GTP-binding regulatory protein of adenylate cyclase, Gs. Highest [3H]forskolin binding occurs in the corpus striatum, substantia nigra, hippocampus, and molecular layer of the cerebellum. Lesion studies demonstrate that binding sites in the substantia nigra are associated with striatal afferents, while hippocampal sites are localized to granule cell dendrites and mossy fiber terminals, and the intense binding in the cerebellar molecular layer is largely associated with granule cell axons and terminals. Protein kinase C mediates the activity of hormones and neurotransmitters, which act through the phosphatidylinositol cycle, and is labeled with high affinity by [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate. At many synapses, maps of adenylate cyclase and protein kinase C reveal reciprocal distributions, which may have implications for second messenger regulation of synaptic transmission.

Deduced primary structure of the α subunit of the GTP-binding stimulatory protein of adenylate cyclase

Abstract: A bovine adrenal cDNA clone encoding the entire alpha subunit of the GTP-binding regulatory protein that stimulates adenylate cyclase (Gs) was isolated and sequenced. This cDNA directed the synthesis of the larger, 52-kDa form of the polypeptide in COS cells, even though the clone appeared to encode a 46-kDa protein. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of Gs alpha with the alpha subunit of another G protein, transducin, revealed striking homologies.

Receptor-associated resistance to growth hormone-releasing factor in dwarf "little" mice

Abstract: Anterior pituitaries from the dwarf mouse strain "little" did not release growth hormone or accumulate adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) in response to human and rat growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF). Dibutyryl cyclic AMP, as well as the adenylate cyclase stimulators forskolin and cholera toxin, markedly stimulated growth hormone (GH) release. The basis of the GH deficiency in the little mouse may therefore be a defect in an early stage of GRF-stimulated GH release related either to receptor binding or to the function of the hormone-receptor complex.

Chronic caffeine ingestion sensitizes the A1 adenosine receptor-adenylate cyclase system in rat cerebral cortex.

Abstract: Caffeine consumption causes significant physiologic effects due to its antagonism of adenosine receptors. The A1 adenosine receptor is coupled in an inhibitory manner to adenylate cyclase. To study the effects of chronic caffeine ingestion, rats were provided with 0.1% caffeine drinking solution for 28 d. The A1 adenosine receptor agonist radioligand [3H]phenylisopropyladenosine identifies two affinity states in control rat cerebral cortex membranes with a high affinity dissociation constant (KH) of 0.40 +/- 0.08 nM and low affinity dissociation constant (KL) of 13.7 +/- 3.9 nM, with 33% of the receptors in the high affinity state. In membranes from caffeine-treated animals, all of the A1 receptors are shifted to the high affinity state with a dissociation constant (KD) of 0.59 +/- 0.06 nM. Guanylyl-imidodiphosphate (10(-4) M) decreases binding by 43% in control membrane, with no change in KH or KL, while membrane binding in caffeine-treated animals decreases by 45% with a threefold shift in KD to 1.5 +/- 0.3 nM. Concomitant with the enhanced high affinity A1 receptor state and increased sensitivity to guanine nucleotides, membranes from treated animals show a 35% enhancement in (-)-N6-(R-phenylisopropyl)adenosine-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase compared with controls (P less than 0.03). Photoaffinity crosslinking the receptors with [125I]N6-2-(3-iodo-4-aminophenyl)ethyladenosine reveals that A1 receptors from both groups migrate as Mr 38,000 proteins. beta-adrenergic receptor binding with [125I]iodocyanopindolol shows a decrease in the number of beta-receptors from 233 +/- 7 fmol/mg protein in control membranes to 190 +/- 10 fmol/mg protein in treated membranes (P = 0.01). These data indicate that the adenosine receptor antagonist, caffeine, induces a compensatory sensitization of the A1 receptor-adenylate cyclase system and downregulation of beta-adrenergic receptors, and provides a molecular mechanism for the caffeine withdrawal syndrome.

Evidence for different states of the dopamine D1 receptor: clozapine and fluperlapine may preferentially label an adenylate cyclase-coupled state of the D1 receptor.

Abstract: It has been shown previously that typical neuroleptics have higher affinities for 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-ethylamine (dopamine) Dl receptors as labeled by(R)- (+)- 8-chloro-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-3-methyl-5-phenyl-1 -N-3-benzazepine-7-ol ([3H]SCH 23390) than for inhibiting dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase We now report that the atypical neuroleptics, clozapine and fluperlapine, exhibit characteristics opposite to typical neuroleptics, ie, they have higher affinity for inhibiting dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase than [3H]SCH 23390 binding A variety of compounds, ie, clozapine, fluperlapine, and dopamine, were tested for their capacity to affect the rate constants of [3H]SCH 23390 binding; these experiments revealed no effect of any tested compound on on-rate or off-rate of [3H]SCH 23390 binding Treatment of striatal membranes with phospholipase A2 (PLA2) caused a rapid decrease in the Bmax value of the [3H]SCH 23390 binding with no effect on the Kd value The adenylate cyclase, both the unstimulated, the dopamine-, fluoride-, and forskolin-stimulated activity, was far less sensitive than [3H]SCH 23390 binding to PLA2 Treatment of striatal membranes with filipine and (NH4SO4 produced, as did PLA2 treatment, a rapid decline in [3H]SCH 23390 binding However, opposite to PLA2 treatment, these agents stimulated the adenylate cyclase In conclusion, a comparison of the pharmacological characteristics of [3H]SCH 23390 binding and dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase suggests the existence of two different Dl binding sites The rate experiments exclude the possibility of allosterically coupled sites Instead our results favor that the Dl receptor exists in different states/conformations, ie, both adenylate cyclase-coupled and uncoupled, and further, that the atypical neuroleptics clozapine and fluperlapine may have adenylate cyclase-coupled dopamine Dl receptors as target

Neurotensin-mediated inhibition of cyclic AMP formation in neuroblastoma N1E115 cells: involvement of the inhibitory GTP-binding component of adenylate cyclase.

Abstract: The tridecapeptide, neurotensin, inhibited prostaglandin E1-stimulated cyclic AMP production in intact plated neuroblastoma N1E115 cells. The peptide effect was concentration dependent (EC50 = 2 nM) and maximal inhibition reached 55% with 100 nM neurotensin. Acetyl neurotensin (8-13) was as active as neurotensin whereas neurotensins (1-8), (1-12), and (10-13) were barely active in inhibiting cyclic AMP production, thus showing the requirement of the carboxy terminal hexapeptide sequence of neurotensin for biological activity. The inhibitory effect of neurotensin on cyclic AMP production was largely prevented by pretreatment of N1E115 cells with islet-activating protein (pertussis toxin). In contrast, pertussis toxin did not inhibit neurotensin-stimulated cyclic GMP production in neuroblastoma cells. In cell membranes, the toxin promoted the selective ADP-ribosylation of a single protein having the same molecular weight (41,000) as the alpha-subunit of Ni, the inhibitory regulatory protein of adenylate cyclase. In membranes prepared from N1E115 cells, monoiodo[125I-Tyr3]neurotensin bound to a single population of receptors characterized, at 25 degrees and in the absence of monovalent cations and guanyl nucleotides, by a dissociation constant (Kd) of 56 pM and a maximal binding capacity (Bm) of 30 fmol/mg of protein. Na+ (10-100 mM) and GTP (0.1-100 microM) inhibited neurotensin binding in a concentration-dependent manner. At 100 mM Na+ and 100 microM GTP, receptor affinity was decreased by 5- and 2-fold, respectively. Li+ and K+ were less effective than Na+, and the effect of GTP was shared by GDP and guanyl-5'-yl-imidodiphosphate, but not by GMP, ATP, ADP, or adenyl-5'-yl-imidodiphosphate. It is concluded that in N1E115 cells, neurotensin attenuates cyclic AMP production by exerting an inhibitory effect on adenylate cyclase through an interaction of the peptide receptors with the regulatory GTP-binding protein Ni.

Olfactory GTP-binding protein: signal-transducing polypeptide of vertebrate chemosensory neurons.

Abstract: The sense of smell involves the stimulation of sensory neurons by odorants to produce depolarization and action potentials. We show that olfactory responses may be mediated by a GTP-binding protein (G protein), a homolog of the visual, hormonal, and brain signal transducing polypeptides. The olfactory G protein is identified in isolated dendritic membranes (olfactory cilia preparations) of chemosensory neurons from three vertebrate species and is shown to mediate the stimulation by odorants of the highly active adenylate cyclase in these membranes. The G protein of olfactory neurons is most similar to Gs, the hormonal stimulatory GTP-binding protein. Its alpha subunit has a molecular weight of about 42,000, and it undergoes ADP-ribosylation catalyzed by cholera toxin that leads to adenylate cyclase activation. The slight difference in molecular weights of the frog olfactory and the liver Gs alpha subunits and the higher sensitivity of olfactory adenylate cyclase to nonhydrolyzable GTP analogs are consistent with the possible existence of different Gs variants. Signal amplification due to the olfactory G protein may be responsible for the unusual acuity of the sense of smell.

Dexamethasone effects on beta-adrenergic receptors and adenylate cyclase regulatory proteins Gs and Gi in ROS 17/2.8 cells

Abstract: Treatment of ROS 17/2.8 cells with dexamethasone (dex) increases (-)isoproterenol (ISO)-, PTH-, cholera toxin-, guanine nucleotide-, NaF-, and forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. Enhanced hormone stimulation was first apparent 12 h after dex addition. (-)-[3H]Dihydroalprenolol binding, displaceable by ISO, increased up to 2-fold in dex-treated cells. This effect depended on protein synthesis and closely paralleled the extent and time course of the increase in adenylate cyclase stimulation. In dex-treated cells there was also an increase in the maximum velocity of guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate-stimulated adenylate cyclase, a decrease in the lag time for guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate enzyme activation in the presence of ISO from 3 to 1 min, increased stimulation of adenylate cyclase by cholera toxin, and increased labeling of 47,000 and 42,000 mol wt proteins by [32P]NAD in the presence of cholera toxin. [32P]NAD ribosylation in the presence of pertussis toxin resulted in the labeling of 40,000 mol wt protein, which was also increased by 20-50% in dex-treated cells. However, pertussis toxin treatment did not augment or reduce the effect on hormone stimulation, although it increased the cAMP response to PTH and (-)ISO. These findings suggest that dex increases (-)ISO stimulation of adenylate cyclase in ROS 17/2.8 cells by jointly increasing the number of hormone receptors and the abundance of Gs, the guanine nucleotide binding regulatory protein.

Gamma aminobutyric acid B receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase in cultured cerebellar granule cells: blockade by islet-activating protein.

Abstract: In primary cultures of cerebellar granule cells, the gamma aminobutyric acid B (GABAB) receptor couples to an inhibitory mechanism of adenylate cyclase. The inhibition of adenylate cyclase can be observed either by the measurement of cellular cyclic AMP content or by in vitro measurement of adenylate cyclase from plasma membrane of these cerebellar granule cells. The GABAB receptors can be stimulated by GABA and the GABA analog, baclofen. This receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase was blocked by the pertussis toxin, islet-activating protein. Furthermore, the authors show that islet-activating protein catalyzed the ADP ribosylation of the guanine nucleotide inhibitory unit (MW 41,000) in the cerebellar granule cells. In summary, the authors provide evidence supporting the presence of a GABAB receptor in the cerebellar granule cells and suggest that this receptor couples with the guanine nucleotide inhibitory unit to inhibit the formation of cyclic AMP.

Reconstitution of beta 1-adrenoceptor-dependent adenylate cyclase from purified components.

Abstract: In continuation of our efforts to reconstitute from purified components into lipid vesicles the signal transmission chain from beta 1-adrenoceptors to adenylate cyclase, we now report on the total reconstitution of the hormone-dependent adenylate cyclase. In these reconstitution experiments we have employed the purified adenylate cyclase (C) from bovine brain and rabbit heart, the stimulatory GTP-binding protein (GS) purified from turkey erythrocytes and rabbit liver and the beta 1-adrenoceptor (R) from turkey erythrocytes. Several detergents were compared with respect to their suitability to allow reconstitution of subunits into phospholipid vesicles. While octyl-polyoxyethylene (octyl-POE) was almost as potent as lauroyl-sucrose for preparation of vesicles containing GS.C, the latter detergent was clearly superior for vesicles enabling productive R.GS and R.GS.C coupling. The catalytic subunit from either bovine brain or rabbit heart was equally efficient in reconstitution. However, GS from turkey erythrocytes and rabbit liver revealed significant differences in RGS and RGS.C containing vesicles. While isoproterenol-induced activation of GS by GTP gamma S was first order in both instances, kon with turkey GS was 0.12 min-1, whereas kon with rabbit liver GS was 0.6 min-1. Moreover, GTP gamma S activation of erythrocyte GS was significantly more dependent on the presence of hormone than that of liver GS, confirming observations made on the native membrane-bound system. Compared with stimulation by isoproterenol (GTP gamma S) (4-fold), stimulation by isoproterenol/GTP was modest (1.3- to 1.6-fold).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Complete response to vasopressin requires epithelial organization in A6 cells in culture.

Abstract: Arginine vasopressin (AVP) stimulates adenylate cyclase activity in A6 epithelia grown on filters but not in A6 epithelia grown on plastic culture dishes. When A6 cells are subcultured from culture dishes and seeded at high density on filters, stimulation of adenylate cyclase by AVP is not evident for approximately 3 days. Peak stimulation by AVP occurs between 5 and 10 days. The time course for development of responsiveness to AVP corresponds to the development of an ordered epithelium with polarized cells, tight junctions, and a high transepithelial resistance. A similar correlation is seen when mature filter-grown epithelia that respond to AVP are dissociated by chelation of calcium and subcultured as single cells onto another filter. Stimulation of adenylate cyclase is not evident until an epithelium with significant electrical resistance is reformed. Filters seeded at 1.6 X 10(6) cells/cm2 require 1-2 days to show AVP sensitivity and electrical resistance; filters seeded at 0.4 X 10(6) cells/cm2 require 4 days. Experiments to test the function of the subunits of adenylate cyclase with forskolin (catalytic subunit) and with cholera toxin (Ns, guanine nucleotide-binding subunit) indicate that they are functional during the entire time and that it is the receptor for AVP that is not functional until an ordered epithelium has been formed.