Adenosine-sensitive adenylate cyclase in rat anterior pituitary

An adenosine-sensitive adenylate cyclase has been demonstrated in anterior pituitary cultured cells in the present studies. N-ethylcarboxamideadenosine (NECA), L-N6-phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA), and 5'-N-methylcarboxamideadenosine (MECA), all stimulated adenylate cyclase in a concentration-dependent manner in the order of potency NECA greater than PIA greater than MECA. Adenosine showed a biphasic effect on adenylate cyclase: stimulation at lower and inhibition at higher concentrations, whereas 2'-deoxyadenosine only inhibited adenylate cyclase in a concentration-dependent manner. The stimulatory effect of NECA on adenylate cyclase was dependent on metal ion concentrations and was blocked by 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine and 8-phenyltheophylline. Various agonists such as isoproterenol, prostaglandins (PGE1), vasoactive intestinal peptide, corticotropin-releasing factor, NaF, and forskolin, all stimulated adenylate cyclase to various degrees. The stimulatory effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide and corticotropin-releasing factor on adenylate cyclase was found to be almost additive with the stimulation exerted by NECA. These data indicate the presence of adenosine stimulatory receptors ('Ra') in anterior pituitary which are coupled to adenylate cyclase. It is possible that adenosine may act as one of the important regulators to regulate and/or modulate the effects of agents/factors in the release of pituitary hormones.     

Adenosine and its analogue (-)-N6-R-phenyl-isopropyladenosine modulate anterior pituitary adenylate cyclase activity and prolactin secretion in the rat

The effect of adenosine and its analogue (-)-N6-R-phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA) on both anterior pituitary adenylate cyclase activity and prolactin secretion was examined in the rat. Adenosine inhibited basal adenylate cyclase activity in a dose-dependent manner and also reduced the stimulation of the enzyme by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). Likewise, in primary cultures of anterior pituitary cells, adenosine decreased prolactin secretion in both basal and VIP-stimulated conditions. In perifusion experiments, adenosine also inhibited prolactin release in both basal and TRH-stimulated conditions. PIA produced a biphasic pattern of response of basal adenylate cyclase activity, being inhibitory at low and stimulatory at high concentrations. In VIP-stimulated conditions, low concentrations of PIA inhibited both adenylate cyclase activity and prolactin release from primary cultures of pituitary cells, while no additive stimulatory effect was seen at high concentrations. Similarly, low concentrations of PIA reduced both basal and TRH-stimulated prolactin release from perifused pituitaries, while increasing PIA concentrations restored prolactin release. These data show that adenosine affects basal and stimulated prolactin secretion from anterior pituitary cells. Adenosine receptors seem to be coupled to the adenylate cyclase system in the anterior pituitary gland, suggesting a possible relationship between the effect of adenosine on adenylate cyclase activity and prolactin secretion.     

Desensitization of the stimulatory A2 adenosine receptor-adenylate cyclase system in vascular smooth muscle cells from rat aorta

We have previously shown that adenylate cyclase present in rat aorta vascular smooth muscle cells can be stimulated by adenosine, its analogs and other agonists. In the present studies, we have examined the effect of preexposure of aorta vascular smooth muscle cells to N-ethylcarboxamide adenosine (NECA) on adenylate cyclase activity stimulated by NECA and other agonists. The vascular smooth muscle cells, when exposed to NECA, resulted in a concentration- and time-dependent loss of NECA-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. NECA stimulated adenylate cyclase activity by about 120% in control cells, which was decreased to 20% in cells pretreated with 50 microM NECA for 30 min at 37 degrees C. However, GTP-, isoproterenol-, and forskolin-sensitive adenylate cyclase activities were not affected by such treatment, suggesting that NECA treatment of the cells resulted in homologous desensitization. Similarly, the exposure of the cells to isoproterenol resulted in the desensitization of isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity without affecting the NECA-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. Furthermore, when NECA-treated cells were washed free of agonist, the desensitized state was reversed and the cells regained about 75% responsiveness to NECA stimulation of adenylate cyclase.     

Forskolin stimulates prostaglandin synthesis in rabbit heart by a mechanism that requires calcium and is independent of cyclic AMP

Infusion of forskolin, an adenylate cyclase activator, in concentrations (2 microM) that do not alter basal prostaglandin (PG) synthesis inhibit synthesis of PG elicited by isoproterenol in rabbit heart. This inhibitory action of forskolin appears to be dependent on cyclic AMP (cAMP). Bolus injection of forskolin (75 nmol), however, was found to stimulate PG synthesis in rabbit heart. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of the stimulatory action of forskolin on PG synthesis (prostaglandin I2 measured as 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha [6-keto-PGF1 alpha]) in isolated perfused rabbit heart. Forskolin enhanced PG production in a dose-dependent manner. 1,9-Dideoxyforskolin, a forskolin analogue devoid of adenylate cyclase-stimulating activity, also enhanced PG synthesis. The cAMP analogue chlorophenylthio-cAMP failed to stimulate output of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, although this agent produced dose-related changes in mechanical function in rabbit heart. Furthermore, the adenylate cyclase inhibitor (-)-N6-(R-phenylisopropyl)adenosine potentiated, whereas the phosphodiesterase inhibitor cilostamide attenuated, forskolin-stimulated PG production. (-)-N6-(R-Phenylisopropyl)adenosine and cilostamide had no effect on the mechanical actions of chlorophenylthio-cAMP, suggesting selectivity of these agents for adenylate cyclase and phosphodiesterase, respectively. 6-Keto-PGF1 alpha output elicited by forskolin was abolished by reduction of calcium in the perfusion fluid as well as by the calcium channel blocker diltiazem. The intracellular calcium antagonists TMB-8 and ryanodine also abolished forskolin-stimulated PG synthesis in rabbit heart. PG synthesis stimulated by 1,9-dideoxyforskolin was also prevented by reduced extracellular calcium, diltiazem, and ryanodine. The calmodulin antagonists trifluoperazine, W-7, and calmidazolium failed to significantly alter PG production in response to forskolin. These results indicate that forskolin-stimulated PG synthesis in rabbit heart is independent of cAMP and requires calcium from both extracellular and intracellular sources.     

Catecholamine stimulated myocardial adenylate cyclase: Effects of nucleotides

The effects of several nucleotides on canine myocardial adenylate cyclase have been investigated. Basal, fluoride and isoproterenol stimulated enzyme activities were studied. With adenosine 5′ triphosphate at ? 1.5 mm guanosine 5′-triphosphate increased basal and isoproterenol stimulated cyclase activity severalfold. Flouride stimulated activity was inhibited. Significant stimulation occurred at 10 nm guanosine 5′-triphosphate and effects were maximal by 1 μm. In order of decreasing potency the nucleoside 5′-triphosphates were guanosine > deoxyguanosine > uridine > thymidine > cytidine. Insosine 5′-triphosphate and xanthosine 5′-triphosphate were inactive. Although guanosine 5′-triphosphate was most potent, all other guanyl nucleotides tested, including guanosine 5′-diphosphate, guanosine 5′-monophosphate and cyclic guanosine, 3′,5′-monophosphate shared this effect. Guanosine was inert. The stimulatory action of guanosine 5′-triphosphate was exhibited after a lag period of several minutes. When substrate (adenosine 5′-triphosphate) concentrations were lowered to 0.05 mm, stimulation by isoproterenol was virtually dependent on the presence of guanosine 5′-triphosphate. Nucleotides did not affect the apparent K_m for enzyme stimulation by isoproterenol which was 1–2 × 10^?6m with or without guanosine 5′-triphosphate. Propranolol effectively blocked the augmented stimulation by isoproterenol observed in the presence of guanosine 5′-triphosphate. The data indicate that guanyl nucleotides are capable of markedly altering the sensitivity of myocardial adenylate cyclase to catecholamine stimulation.     

Adenosine-mediated stimulation of bone cell adenylate cyclase activity.

Adenosine rapidly stimulated adenylate cyclase activity but did not modify cyclic AMP degradation when added to a particulate fraction prepared from isolated bone cells. The effect of adenosine was one-half maximal at 5-10 micronM, and was not mimicked by 5' AMP, inosine, guanosine, uridine, adenine, or ribose. Basal and adenosine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activites were directly proportional to the concentration of particulate protein in the assay system. Theophylline decreased the degree to which adenosine stimulated adenylate cyclase activity, whereas another phosphodiesterase inhibitor, RO-20-1724, failed to iiinfluence the effect of adenosine. Adenosine itself, and not a metabolite of adenosine is the stimulator of adenylate cyclase, since it was neither phosphorylated nor deaminated appreciably by the particulate fraction. The particulate fraction did not convert substrate ATP to adenosine in amounts sufficient to enhance adenylate cyclase. The stimulatory effect of adenosine was maximal at 1.2 mM Mg2+, declined with increases in the Mg2+ concentration, and was replaced by inhibition at 20 mM Mg2+. At 2.4 mM Mg2+, basal adenylate cyclase activity peaked at 1.1 mM ATP, and was inhibited by higher ATP concentrations. The magnitude of adenosine stimulation was greater at inhibitory concentrations of ATP than at concentrations which yielded maximum activity. The results suggest that the previously demonstrated ability of adenosine to increase cyclic 3'5' AMP levels in intact bone cells stems from its effect on adenylate cyclase. Adenosine may act by modifying the regulatory nfluence of free Mg2+, uncomplexed ATP, (or both), on adenylate cyclase. Theophylline appears to interfere with the action of adenosine by a mechanism which is distinct from its capacity to inhibit cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity. (Endocrinology 99:901,1976)     

Adenosine receptor-mediated effects by nonmetabolizable adenosine analogs in preovulatory rat granulosa cells: a putative local regulatory role of adenosine in the ovary

The influence of nonmetabolizable adenosine analogs on cAMP production was investigated in preovulatory rat granulosa cells. 5'-(N-ethyl)Carboxamido-adenosine (NECA), a stimulatory A2-adenosine receptor agonist, stimulated cAMP accumulation, and NECA and 2-chloro-adenosine also potentiated the response to FSH. The adenosine receptor antagonist 8-phenyltheophylline antagonized the effect of NECA, shown by a shift in the dose-response curve to the right. The stimulatory effect of NECA was also seen in an ovarian membrane preparation, where NECA stimulated adenylate cyclase in both the presence and absence of FSH. The stimulatory effect of NECA was also decreased by 8-phenyltheophylline in this preparation. The A1-receptor agonists N6-(R-phenyl-isopropyl)-adenosine (R-PIA) and N6-(S-phenyl-isopropyl)-adenosine (S-PIA) both inhibited FSH-stimulated cAMP accumulation. The inhibitory effects of R-PIA and S-PIA, but not the stimulatory effects of NECA, could be counteracted by dipyridamole, a nucleoside transport inhibitor. Furthermore, R-PIA and S-PIA inhibited adenosine uptake into granulosa cells. Thus, the inhibitory effects of R-PIA and S-PIA are not likely to be mediated via membrane-bound inhibitory A1-adenosine receptors. Neither the stimulatory effects of NECA nor the inhibitory effects of R- and S-PIA could be attributed to changes in ATP levels, since the ATP levels were unaffected by these analogs. The results of this study indicate the existence of stimulatory A2-adenosine receptors in preovulatory rat granulosa cells and suggest a membrane-associated modulatory role of adenosine in preovulatory granulosa cells.     

Forskolin potentiates the coronary vasoactivity of adenosine in the open-chest dog

Forskolin, a plant diterpene, directly stimulates adenylate cyclase and also potentiates receptor-mediated stimulation of this enzyme by many stimulatory--but not inhibitory--agonists. We exploited the potentiating effect of forskolin to test the hypothesis that adenosine initiates coronary relaxation through activation of adenylate cyclase. In six open-chest dogs, intracoronary forskolin infusions which produced plasma concentrations between 0.15 and 0.48 microM barely changed coronary flow and had no effect on cardiac performance or oxygen metabolism, and did not cause hypotension. Under these conditions, the EC50 of adenosine, 0.66 microM (range 1.3-2.4), P less than 0.05. In five of the six dogs, higher doses of forskolin, 0.6-6.3 microM, produced the previously described positive inotropic, chronotropic, and systemic hypotensive effects of this drug. These larger doses of the drug increased coronary flow and MVO2 but decreased oxygen extraction, reflecting a combination of direct and metabolic vasodilation. The potentiation of the vasoactivity of adenosine by forskolin supports the hypothesis that the coronary receptor is an adenylate cyclase stimulatory (Ra or A2) receptor.     

Evidence for A2 adenosine receptor-mediated effects on adenylate cyclase activity in rat ovarian membranes

Effects of adenosine analogues on adenylate cyclase activity in preovulatory rat ovarian membranes were studied. Adenosine analogues stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in the following rank order of potency: NECA (5'-(N-ethyl)carboxamidoadenosine) greater than 2-chloroadenosine greater than N6-(R-phenylisopropyl)-adenosine greater than N6-(S-phenylisopropyl)adenosine. The apparent EC50 for NECA was 0.28 microM. The adenosine receptor antagonist 8-phenyltheophylline (10 microM) displaced the dose-response curve for NECA to the right, increasing the EC50 for NECA about one order of magnitude. NECA also additively increased maximally FSH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. These results suggest that adenosine stimulates adenylate cyclase in rat ovarian membranes via adenosine receptors of the A2 type.     

Forskolin potentiates myocardial reactive hyperaemia in the open chest dog: the contribution of adenylate cyclase

Forskolin, a diterpene, directly stimulates adenylate cyclase and also potentiates receptor mediated stimulation of this enzyme by many stimulatory agonists. We exploited the potentiating effect of forskolin to test the hypothesis that activation of adenylate cyclase contributes to myocardial reactive hyperaemia, especially by release of adenosine at the time of brief coronary occlusions. In 10 open chest dogs, intracoronary forskolin infusions which produced plasma concentrations between 0.22 and 0.34 mumol.litre-1 slightly increased coronary blood flow and had no effect on haemodynamics or myocardial metabolism. Under these conditions, though peak reactive hyperaemic flow rates were not affected, forskolin infusions reversibly potentiated repayments of flow debt by 28, 25 and 27% following coronary occlusions of 15 s, 20 s and 30 s, respectively (p less than 0.05). In another seven dogs, after observations of the effects of forskolin (0.16-0.26 mumol), 10 mumol of 8-phenyltheophylline, a potent adenosine antagonist, was infused simultaneously with forskolin into the coronary arteries. Forskolin increased debt repayments by about 23-27% following 15 s, 20 s and 30 s occlusions, but with simultaneous 8-phenyltheophylline, forskolin induced increments in the debt repayments were reduced significantly (p less than 0.05). These results indicate that adenylate cyclase contributes to myocardial reactive hyperaemia, and adenosine has a significant role as metabolic regulator of reactive hyperaemia through activation of adenylate cyclase.     

Long term treatment with adenosine analogs modifies the responsiveness of immature rat Sertoli cell in culture

A1 inhibitory adenosine receptors are present in cultured Sertoli cells. Activation of these receptors by short term exposure to adenosine agonists attenuates the adenylate cyclase activity and reduces FSH stimulation of androgen aromatization to estrogen. In the present study it was investigated how long term activation of the adenosine inhibitory system affects the responsiveness of the Sertoli cell. Sertoli cells from 15- to 17-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were incubated with medium containing adenosine deaminase (1 IU/ml) in the presence or absence of 100 nM N6-2-phenyl-isopropyl-adenosine (PIA) for 24-48 h. At the end of this pretreatment medium was changed, and cell responsiveness was measured in terms of cAMP and estrogen production. In control cells, FSH-stimulated cAMP and estradiol production were inhibited by PIA, with an EC50 of 0.70 +/- 0.13 nM. This inhibitory effect was reduced in cells that had been pretreated for 24-48 h with 100 nM PIA. The PIA concentration-response curve of pretreated cells was shifted to the right, with a 4-fold increase in the EC50. Similar effects were also evident when adenosine itself or nonmetabolizable adenosine analogs other than PIA were used in the pretreatment. In addition to these changes in the inhibitory responses, PIA pretreatment increased the response of the Sertoli cell to FSH and forskolin in terms of both cAMP accumulation and estradiol production. Potentiation of the hormonal response was due to an increase in basal and maximal stimulation without significant changes in the total stimulation. This effect was dependent on the concentration of PIA used during the pretreatment. The increase in estradiol production was also evident when cells were stimulated with (Bu)2cAMP, suggesting that adenosine analog pretreatment affects steps distal to cAMP accumulation. Moreover, the responses to both the PIA inhibitory signal and FSH stimulation were restored to control levels when pretreated cells were incubated in fresh medium in the absence of PIA for 24 h. The long term PIA effects were also blocked by pretreatment in the presence of the A1 receptor antagonist 8-[4-([([ (2-amino-ethyl)amino]carbonyl)methyl]oxy)phenyl]1,3- dipropylxanthine. These results indicate that the A1 adenosine system present in the Sertoli cell becomes refractory after prolonged exposure to adenosine analogs. Furthermore, PIA pretreatment produced a potentiation of the Sertoli cell response to stimulatory signals by affecting several steps of the cAMP-dependent pathway.     

Inhibition by adenosine of ACTH-stimulated adenylate cyclase and steroidogenesis in the adrenal cortex

Effects of adenosine analogs on ACTH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity and steroidogenesis in rat adrenocortical glands have been studied. Adenosine analogs inhibited ACTH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity by a GTP-dependent process. Methylxanthines reversed the inhibitory effect of N6-phenyl-isopropyl-adenosine (PIA), but not of 2',5'-dideoxy-adenosine. These results suggest that adenosine negatively regulates the stimulation of adenylate cyclase by ACTH at the external and the internal site of the membrane. The inhibitory effect of PIA on ACTH-stimulated steroidogenesis by isolated cells was antagonized by methylxanthines. PIA also inhibited steroidogenesis induced by dibutyryl cAMP, suggesting an inhibitory action of the nucleoside distal to the cAMP system. These results suggest the presence of a common site located in the external membrane for adenosine which subsequently mediates two independent processes, one is negatively coupled to the adenylate cyclase and the other to steroidogenesis for negative feedback controls of the adrenal cortex.     

Evidence that organic iodine attenuates the adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate response to thyrotropin stimulation in thyroid tissue by an action at or near the adenylate cyclase catalytic unit

Studies were conducted to define more clearly the site in the thyroid adenylate cyclase complex at which iodine exerts its inhibitory effect on activation of this enzyme by TSH. Iodine- and TSH-induced desensitization were additive. Dissociation was observed between the rates of recovery from TSH- and iodine-induced desensitization. Cycloheximide (10(-4) M) prevented recovery from the inhibitory effect of iodine on thyroid adenylate cyclase activation. Preincubation of freshly isolated dog thyroid follicles in 10(-4) M iodide decreased the subsequent cAMP response to cholera toxin (0.5 micrograms/ml) stimulation. This effect of iodide was prevented by 3 mM methimazole. Thyroid adenylate cyclase regulatory protein (Ns) activity was assessed by the ability of detergent extracts of thyroid plasma membranes to reconstitute adenylate cyclase responsiveness to isoproterenol in N-deficient S49 cyc- plasma membranes. Thyroid Ns activities were similar in control and iodide-pretreated thyroid cells. The inhibitory effect of iodine on TSH activation of thyroid cAMP generation was additive to that of inhibition via the alpha 2- adrenergic pathway and also additive to inhibition by 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine (an adenosine P-site agonist). Preincubation of freshly dispersed dog thyroid cells in 10(-4) M NaI reduced the cAMP response to stimulation by 100 microM forskolin. These data provide evidence that in iodine-induced TSH desensitization in the thyroid; 1) TSH receptor function is normal, 2) the regulatory protein (Ns) in the adenylate cyclase stimulatory pathway is functionally unaltered, 3) iodine does not exert its effect via the regulatory protein (Ni) in the pathway that inhibits adenylate cyclase activation, 4) iodine does not act via the adenosine P-site inhibitory pathway, 5) the action of iodine is at or near the adenylate cyclase catalytic unit, and 6) new protein synthesis is necessary for recovery from iodine desensitization.     

Adenosine receptor-dependent modulation of inhibin secretion in cultured immature rat Sertoli cells

Inhibitory (A1) adenosine receptors that attenuate adenylate cyclase activity are present in cultured Sertoli cells. To investigate the possible effect of activating these receptors on the secretion of inhibin by the Sertoli cell, immature rat Sertoli cells were incubated for 24 h with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the absence or presence of the non-metabolizable, adenosine agonist phenyl-isopropyl-adenosine (PIA), and the accumulation of alpha-inhibin immunoreactivity was measured in the medium. Although devoid of effects when added alone, PIA inhibited the FSH-dependent secretion of alpha-inhibin in a concentration-dependent manner (ED50 = 1-1.5 nM). PIA treatment of the Sertoli cells also rendered the cells less sensitive to FSH in terms of alpha-inhibin secretion. The concentration-response curve to FSH was shifted to the right when cells were incubated in the presence of 100-1000 nM PIA. In contrast, dibutyryl cAMP stimulation of alpha-inhibin accumulation was unaffected by treatment with PIA, indicating that the site of PIA action is at the level of cAMP synthesis. These data provide experimental evidence of adenosine modulation of inhibin secretion by the Sertoli cell and suggest that adenosine may act as a local modulator within the pituitary-testicular axis.     

Selective amplification of luteinizing hormone by adenosine in rat luteal cells

Adenosine amplification of LH-stimulated cAMP accumulation in rat luteal cells is rapid and dependent on mitochondrial ATP production. The objective of the present studies was to determine if this effect of adenosine is specific for LH and to gain information on the mechanism of the ATP-dependent amplification of LH action in rat luteal cells. Adenosine significantly amplified maximum cAMP accumulation in response to LH, isoproterenol, forskolin, and cholera toxin. However, amplification of this response by adenosine was significantly greater for LH than for the other agonists. The relative order of amplification by adenosine was LH greater than isoproterenol greater than forskolin greater than cholera toxin; the relative magnitudes of amplification by adenosine were 1, 0.6, 0.2, and 0.2, respectively. Neither LH, isoproterenol, forskolin, nor cholera toxin had any effect on cellular levels of ATP, and adenosine produced a similar rate of increase and maximal levels of ATP in the presence of all agonists. Ionomycin, a calcium ionophore, inhibited LH- and cholera toxin-stimulated cAMP accumulation and produced a dose-dependent depletion of ATP. Adenosine reversed the inhibitory effect of ionomycin on LH-stimulated cAMP accumulation and cellular levels of ATP. However, adenosine did not reverse the inhibitory effect of ionomycin on cholera toxin-stimulated cAMP accumulation, although its effects on cellular ATP levels were identical to those on LH. Thus, the selective amplification of LH by adenosine is not merely a substrate effect on adenylate cyclase activity. The nature of adenylate cyclase activation by cholera toxin and forskolin and the weak amplification by adenosine of these agonists compared to that of LH indicate that the site of the ATP-dependent action of adenosine appears to be before or on the G-protein of adenylate cyclase. We suggest that adenosine, by an ATP-dependent process, either increases the availability of functional LH receptors or increases coupling between the LH receptor and adenylate cyclase.     

Effect of ethanol on acid secretion by isolated gastric glands from rabbit

Isolated gastric glands from rabbit, as well as basolateral and microsomal membranes derived therefrom, were used to examine the effect of ethanol on several parameters related to acid secretion. Low concentrations of ethanol, 0.2%-5% (vol/vol), had no effect on basal aminopyrine accumulation by isolated gastric glands but significantly potentiated aminopyrine accumulation stimulated by histamine. In contrast, this dose range of ethanol inhibited aminopyrine accumulation stimulated by forskolin or dibutyryl-cyclic adenosine monophosphate. This dose range of ethanol produced a similar effect on adenylate cyclase activity of basolateral membranes from isolated gastric glands, with potentiation of histamine stimulation and inhibition of forskolin stimulation. Low-dose ethanol was found to produce increased proton permeability of the apical membrane of the parietal cell but had no effect on hydrogen-potassium-stimulated adenosine triphosphatase activity. Ethanol (10%) significantly inhibited all parameters of acid secretion studied. Ethanol has a biphasic effect on acid secretion with potentiation of histamine-stimulated aminopyrine accumulation and adenylate cyclase activity at low doses and inhibition of all parameters of acid secretion at high doses.     

Adenylate cyclase in the corpus luteum of the rhesus monkey. II. Sensitivity to nucleotides, gonadotropins, catecholamines, and nonhormonal activators

The sensitivity of the adenylate cyclase of the primate corpus luteum to various nucleotides, gonadotropins, catecholamines, and nonhormonal activators was assessed in homogenates of luteal tissue obtained from rhesus monkeys at the midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The conversion of [alpha-32P]ATP to [32P]cAMP was used to monitor adenylate cyclase activity. GTP, the GTP analog 5'-guanylyl-imidodiphosphate, and ITP stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in the presence or absence of exogenous hormone; however CTP, UTP, GMP, and guanosine did not. The gonadotropins, human (h) LH and hCG, stimulated cAMP production in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal stimulation of adenylate cyclase was achieved at 100 nM hLH and hCG, and the activation constant was 20 nM for both hormones. The addition of GTP increased maximal activation of adenylate cyclase by hLH or hCG, but did not alter sensitivity to the hormones. Neither hFSH nor the isolated subunits of hCG stimulated cAMP production. Deglycosylated hCG (native hCG with 70% of the carbohydrate moieties removed) did not stimulate adenylate cyclase activity. However, hLH and intact hCG failed to enhance cAMP production in the presence of an equimolar amount of deglycosylated hCG. The adenylate cyclase of macaque luteal tissue did not respond to the addition of isoproterenol, epinephrine, or phenylephrine. Furthermore, these catecholamines did not affect hCG stimulation of adenylate cyclase. The nonhormonal activators of adenylate cyclase, forskolin and fluoride, stimulated cAMP production in a dose-dependent manner, with maximal stimulation at 100 microM and 10 mM, respectively. Thus, the macaque corpus luteum at the midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle contains a guanine nucleotide-regulated adenylate cyclase which is equally sensitive to the pituitary and placental gonadotropins, hLH and hCG. However, removal of carbohydrate moieties from hCG endows the molecule with gonadotropin-antagonistic properties in the primate. The adenylate cyclase system of the macaque corpus luteum was not responsive to catecholamines; thus, the primate may lack a potential mechanism for control of luteal function that is available to many nonprimate species.     

Forskolin: unique diterpene activator of adenylate cyclase in membranes and in intact cells.

The diterpene, forskolin [half-maximal effective concentration (EC50), 5-10 microM] activates adenylate cyclase [ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1] in rat cerebral cortical membranes in a rapid and reversible manner. Activation is not dependent on exogenous guanyl nucleotides and is not inhibited by guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) when assayed with adenosine 5'-[beta, gamma-imido]triphosphate as substrate. GTP and GDP potentiate responses to forskolin. The activations of adenylate cyclase by forskolin and guanosine 5'-[beta, gamma-imido]triphosphate p[NH]ppG are not additive, whereas activations by forskolin and fluoride are additive or partially additive. The responses of adenylate cyclase to forskolin or fluoride are not inhibited by manganese ions, whereas the response to p[NH]ppG is completely blocked. Activation of adenylate cyclase by forskolin is considerably greater than the activation by fluoride in membranes from rat cerebellum, striatum, heart, and liver, while being about equal or less than the activation by fluoride in other tissues. Forskolin (EC50, 25 microM) causes a rapid and readily reversible 35-fold elevation of cyclic AMP in rat cerebral cortical slices that is not blocked by a variety of neurotransmitter antagonists. Low concentrations of forskolin (1 microM) augment the response of cyclic AMP-generating systems in brain slices to norepinephrine, isoproterenol, histamine, adenosine, prostaglandin E2, and vasoactive intestinal peptide. Forskolin would appear to activate adenylate cyclase through a unique mechanism involving both direct activation of the enzyme and facilitation or potentiation of the modulation of enzyme activity by receptors or the guanyl nucleotide-binding subunit, or both.     

Hormonal Interactions in the Uterus: Inhibition of Isoproterenol-Induced Accumulation of Adenosine 3′:5′-Cyclic Monophosphate by Oxytocin and Prostaglandins

Interactions of hormones stimulating and inhibiting uterine contraction were studied in vitro in uteri from oophorectomized rats. The β-adrenergic effector, isoproterenol, a potent inhibitor of contraction, produced a dose-related increase of adenylate cyclase and accumulation of adenosine 3′:5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) that was inhibitable by propranolol. Oxytocin, which stimulates contraction, effectively inhibited accumulation of uterine cAMP induced by isoproterenol in the presence or absence of theophylline. Prostaglandins E₂ and F_2α, each at a maximum effective concentration of 0.5 μM, also inhibited accumulation of cAMP induced by isoproterenol, consistent with their effect in stimulation of uterine contraction. Prostaglandin E₂, but not prostaglandin F_2α, stimulated cAMP accumulation in a dose-related manner at concentrations in excess of 0.5 μM. Neither propranolol nor oxytocin inhibited that response. Bovine endometrial adenylate cyclase failed to respond to isoproterenol but was stimulated by prostaglandins E₁ and E₂. When myometrial preparations were studied, isoproterenol stimulation and prostaglandin effects were observed as for whole castrate uterus. The competitive physiological actions of β-adrenergic effectors on the one hand, and oxytocin and prostaglandins on the other hand, are based on their influences on a myometrial adenylate cyclase. Stimulation of uterine cAMP accumulation by prostaglandin E₂ is due to action at a different and unrelated site.