Inhibitory GTP-binding regulatory protein Gi3 can couple angiotensin II receptors to inhibition of adenylyl cyclase in hepatocytes

Angiotensin II can inhibit hormone-stimulated adenylyl cyclase in intact hepatocytes or in hepatic membrane preparations. Because the response can be blocked by pertussis toxin, the object of the present study was to determine which of the known variants of Gi can couple angiotensin II receptors to inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. The potential candidates were identified by probing RNA isolated from rat hepatocytes with cDNAs specific for the alpha subunits of known toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (G proteins). Hepatocytes contained no detectable RNA for the Go or Gi1 alpha subunits and similar levels of RNA coding for the Gi2 and Gi3 alpha subunits. To determine whether Gi3 could couple angiotensin receptors to inhibition of cyclase, membranes were prepared from hepatocytes whose G proteins were fully ADP-ribosylated with pertussis toxin, and the Gi3 holoprotein purified from rabbit liver was reconstituted into the membranes. The nature of the Gi3 reconstituted into the membrane was assessed by immunoblotting with antibodies specific for the Gi alpha subunits. Reconstitution of 6-10 pmol of Gi3/mg of membrane protein into the toxin-treated membranes restored the ability of 10 nM angiotensin II to inhibit adenylyl cyclase. Because pertussis toxin has nonspecific effects, an assay was developed to measure the interaction of the angiotensin receptor with reconstituted G proteins in normal membranes. In the presence of Mg2+, guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) caused a reduction of the affinity of the angiotensin II receptor for 125I-angiotensin II that was stable to washing and the detergents used to reconstitute G proteins into the membranes. Using this protocol to activate G proteins and "uncouple" receptors, the ability of the GDP-liganded form of Gi to restore high affinity binding was examined. Reconstitution of about 10-15 pmol of oligomeric Gi3/mg of membrane protein restored both the high affinity state of the angiotensin II receptor and the ability of GTP gamma S to shift the affinity to a lower state. The same shift in receptor affinity could be accomplished by reconstituting the Gi3 alpha subunit, resolved free of beta gamma subunits, into the membranes. Reconstitution of up to 50 pmol of Gs/mg of membrane protein had no effect on angiotensin II receptor affinity. The results suggest that a major form of Gi in hepatocytes is Gi3 and that it can couple angiotensin receptors to inhibition of adenylyl cyclase.     

Immunological localization of the GTP-binding protein Go in different tissues of vertebrates and invertebrates

Bovine brain contains two GTP-binding proteins, Gi and Go, which are substrates for ADP ribosylation by pertussis toxin. The Gi protein mediates hormone and GTP inhibition of adenylate cyclase, but the function and the precise tissue distribution of Go are unknown. To immunologically probe the localization of Go, we have purified the Go alpha and G beta, gamma subunits of Go and have raised antibodies against them. The polyclonal anti-Go alpha antibodies obtained were very selective for Go alpha compared to Gi alpha or Gs alpha. The positive Go alpha and G beta, gamma immunoreactivities were investigated in different tissues of vertebrates and invertebrates on immunoblots after gel electrophoresis of the crude membranes. The anti-G beta, gamma antibodies recognized a 35-36-kDa protein in brain of vertebrates such as mammals (rat), avians (pigeon), amphibians (frog), fish (trout), and reptiles (turtle) but not in the invertebrates such as molluscs (snail) and insects (locust). With the anti-Go alpha antibodies a high level of immunoreactivity was detected at molecular weights of 39,000-40,000 in the brain of invertebrates as well as in the central nervous system of vertebrates. Moreover, ADP ribosylation with pertussis toxin occurred in the nervous system of invertebrates. These results suggest that the GTP-binding proteins of invertebrates either are devoid of G beta, gamma subunit or, more probably, possess immunologically different G beta, gamma subunits when compared to those of vertebrates. In the vertebrates, Go alpha immunoreactivity was also present in the peripheral nervous system in areas such as the superior cervical ganglia and sciatic nerve. When examined with the anti-Go alpha antibodies, the neuro-and adenohypophysis exhibited a similar immunoreactivity which was about 6 times lower than in brain. Our antibodies also recognized a 40-kDa protein in human adipocytes but at a concentration 17 times lower than that recognized in brain. Taken together, these data show that the Go alpha subunit is well conserved through evolution and, furthermore, confirm that Go alpha is not strictly limited to the nervous system. This suggests that the protein Go ensures a function required for neuronal activity but also present in some other non-nervous tissues.     

Identification of three separate guanine nucleotide-binding proteins that interact with the delta-opioid receptor in NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells.

Five separate guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) were immunologically identified in membranes from neuroblastoma x glioma NG108-15 hybrid cells. These alpha subunit proteins were Gi2 alpha, two isoforms of Gi3 alpha, and two isoforms of Go alpha. The G proteins that interacted with delta-opioid receptors in these membranes were identified using cholera toxin (CTX)-induced ADP-ribosylation and antisera selective for various G protein alpha subunits. In the presence of delta-opioid agonists, CTX induced the incorporation of [32P]ADP-ribose into three pertussis toxin substrates. Using antisera generated against peptide sequences from G alpha subunits, these three pertussis toxin substrates were identified as Gi2 alpha, Go2 alpha, and one isoform of Gi3 alpha, which has yet to be identified. This CTX-induced labeling was demonstrated to be mediated via the delta-opioid receptor in these hybrid cells by the observation that delta agonists D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin (DA-DLE) and D-Pen2-D-Pen5-enkephalin, as well as the nonselective agonists etorphine and bremazocine, were active, but the mu agonist PL017 and the kappa agonist U-50-488H did not show this activity. This incorporation into all three substrates induced by DADLE was dose dependent, with EC50 (95% confidence interval) values ranging from 12 (3-52) to 183 (65-520) nM, which compared with the Kd value of 10 +/- 1.5 nM for this agonist, a dose that produces maximal inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity. Furthermore, pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin or treatment of the membranes with the antagonist naloxone blocked the incorporation induced by DADLE. Incorporation of [32P]ADP-ribose into all three substrates decreased 35-83% in membranes in which the receptors had been down-regulated by chronic treatment of the cells with DADLE. Thus, a single opioid receptor type can interact with three separate G proteins.     

Molecular basis for cellular effects of naturally occurring polyamines.

The naturally occurring polyamines, putrescine, spermidine and spermine, and the analogue cadaverine, induce a dose-dependent histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells. Spermine was the most active among these polycationic metabolites, followed by spermidine and putrescine. The histamine release was inhibited by a 2 h pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin (100 ng/ml), demonstrating the involvement of a pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding regulatory protein during the exocytotic process. Experiments performed with purified Go/Gi proteins reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles showed a direct stimulation of GTPase activity by the polyamines. This direct stimulation of G proteins and the consequent activation of the coupled effectors may represent a new mechanism of action for natural polyamines controlling receptor-dependent processes.     

The interaction between D-2 dopamine receptors and GTP-binding proteins

D-2 dopamine receptors were solubilized from porcine striatal membranes with 0.3% sodium cholate/1 M NaCl and separated from the bulk of the guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (G-proteins) by Ultrogel AcA34 gel filtration chromatography. The partially purified D-2 receptors were reconstituted in phospholipid vesicles with Gi or Go purified from porcine brain. The dissociation constant (Kd) of the D-2 receptors in the reconstituted vesicles for [3H]spiperone binding was 82-89 pm, which was not affected by the presence or absence of G-proteins. The displacement curve for [3H]spiperone/dopamine was analyzed, assuming that there are two populations of binding sites. The Kd values for the binding sites with high affinity for agonists (HAS) and that for the binding sites with low affinity for agonists (LAS) were approximately 1 microM and 100 microM, respectively. The proportion of HAS was 8% when the receptor preparation was reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles without G-proteins, but it increased to 58-64% with increasing G-protein concentrations. The potency of Go was a little higher than that of Gi. The proportion of HAS in the presence of G-proteins decreased to about 11% on addition of GTP. When G-proteins were treated with islet-activating protein, GTP-sensitive HAS were not observed. These results indicate that at least 50% of the partially purified D-2 receptors interact with both Gi and Go.     

Uncoupling of gamma-aminobutyric acid B receptors from GTP-binding proteins by N-ethylmaleimide: effect of N-ethylmaleimide on purified GTP-binding proteins

Treatment of membranes from bovine cerebral cortex with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) resulted in inhibition of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) binding to GABAB receptors. The binding curve for increasing concentrations of agonist was shifted to the right by NEM treatment. Guanine nucleotide had little effect on the binding of GABA to NEM-treated membranes. The addition of purified GTP-binding proteins, which were the substrates of islet-activating protein (IAP), pertussis toxin, to the NEM-treated membranes caused a shift of the binding curve to the left, suggesting modification of GTP-binding proteins rather than receptors by NEM. Therefore, the effect of NEM on two purified GTP-binding proteins, Gi (composed of three subunits with molecular weight of alpha, 41,000; beta, 35,000; gamma, 10,000) and Go (alpha, 39,000; beta, 35,000; gamma, 10,000) was studied. NEM did not significantly change guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S) binding and GTPase activity of these two proteins. In contrast, NEM-treated Gi and Go were not ADP-ribosylated by IAP and did not increase GABA binding to NEM-treated membranes. When alpha and beta gamma subunits were treated with NEM and then mixed with nontreated alpha and beta gamma to form Gi or Go, respectively, both oligomers with NEM-treated alpha-subunits lost their abilities to be IAP substrates and to couple to receptors. These results indicate that NEM uncoupled GTP-binding proteins from receptors by modifying alpha-subunits of GTP-binding proteins, and the site seemed to be on or near the site of ADP-ribosylation by IAP. When alpha and beta gamma subunits were treated with NEM and then mixed to form Gi or Go, GTP gamma S binding in the absence of Mg2+ and GTPase activity were changed, although they were not affected when oligomers were treated with NEM. The results suggest the existence of another sulfhydryl group which is protected from NEM by the association of subunits. The modification of this sulfhydryl group by NEM appeared to interfere with the interaction between alpha and beta gamma.     

Tissue-dependent association of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors with guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins.

The muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in heart and cerebellum form a stable association with guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (G proteins) in the presence of receptor agonists. This has been confirmed by purification of the muscarinic receptor-G protein complexes using an immunoprecipitation protocol. The isolated complexes were subjected to Western blotting to identify the G protein subunits present in the complexes. At saturating concentrations of carbachol, the muscarinic receptors in atrial membranes co-purified exclusively with Go, whereas in cerebellar and ventricular membranes an association with both Gi and Go was demonstrated. Further characterization of the G protein subunits allowed identification of the species of Gi alpha subunits present in the complexes of muscarinic receptor and G protein; in ventricle Gi alpha 2 was the only subtype present, whereas in cerebellum both Gi alpha 1 and Gi alpha 2 were present. These results demonstrate that a single muscarinic receptor subtype, depending on the tissue studied, is capable of interacting with more than one G protein subtype. The concentrations of agonist required to promote receptor-G protein association in atrial and ventricular membranes correlated with the high affinity component of receptor occupancy by agonist, as measured in equilibrium binding assays. Furthermore, incubation of cardiac membranes with saturating concentrations of pilocarpine or McN A343 resulted in reduced amounts of receptor-G protein complexes, compared with carbachol. Overall, our results suggest that the specificity of cellular effects of muscarinic agonists may relate, in part, to the selective interaction of receptor with G proteins.     

Molecular interaction of the human alpha 2-C10-adrenergic receptor, when expressed in Rat-1 fibroblasts, with multiple pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide-binding proteins: studies with site-directed antisera.

DNA encoding the human alpha 2-C-10-adrenergic receptor was transfected into Rat-1 fibroblasts by CaPO4 precipitation, and clones expressing the receptor were isolated and expanded. One clone (1C) expressing high levels of the receptor was studied in order to determine the contacts between this receptor and guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) mediating second messenger signaling. The alpha 2-adrenergic agonist UK 14304 stimulated high affinity GTPase activity in membranes from these cells. Incubation of these membranes with Protein A-purified fractions from an antiserum able to identify the carboxyl-terminal decapeptide common to Gi1 alpha and Gi2 alpha was partially able to prevent agonist stimulation of high affinity GTPase activity. Similar results were produced with an antiserum that identifies the carboxyl-terminal decapeptide of Gi3 alpha. In contrast, equivalent fractions of antisera that identify the carboxyl-terminal decapeptides of Go alpha and Gs alpha did not inhibit receptor stimulation of high affinity GTPase activity. Coincubation of the membranes from the cells with Protein A-purified fractions from the anti-Gi1 alpha + Gi2 alpha antiserum and the anti-Gi3 alpha antiserum produced greater inhibition of UK14304-stimulated GTPase activity than did either of the two antisera in isolation. These data show direct interaction of the human alpha 2-C10-adrenergic receptor, when expressed in this clone of Rat-1 fibroblasts, with multiple pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins and demonstrate that a single receptor has the physical capacity to interact functionally with more than a single pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein in a native membrane. Furthermore, because the two antisera were able to inhibit receptor stimulation of high affinity GTPase activity to similar degrees, the G protein pools identified by these antisera must contribute similar amounts of the total receptor activation of pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins in these cells.     

Gi proteins and the response to 5-hydroxytryptamine in porcine cultured endothelial cells with impaired release of EDRF.

1. The receptor-mediated release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor(s) (EDRF) requires the presence of different functional G proteins in endothelial cells. Release of EDRF in response to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), which involves activation of pertussis toxin-sensitive Gi proteins, is impaired in both regenerated endothelium of the coronary artery following balloon catheterization and in porcine cultured endothelial cells. This study used porcine cultured endothelial cells as a model of regenerated endothelium to determine if the abnormal release of EDRF in response to 5-HT may be associated with the loss of functional pertussis toxin-sensitive Gi proteins. 2. Binding studies on porcine cultured endothelial cells demonstrated specific binding sites for [3H]-5-HT. Scatchard analyses revealed a single binding site for [3H]-5-HT with Kd of 7.2 +/- 3.5 nM and maximal binding (Bmax) of 121.4 +/- 51.3 fmol mg-1 protein. Binding of [3H]-5-HT was displaced by methiothepin (5-HT1 and 5-HT2 antagonist; Ki = 6.2 +/- 1.2 nM), but not by ketanserin (preferential 5-HT2 antagonist). 3. Gi alpha 1 protein was expressed in cultured but not in native endothelial cells. Gi alpha 2 and Gi alpha 3 proteins were expressed to significant levels in porcine native and cultured endothelial cells, as detected by Northern and Western blot analysis. 4. In membranes from cultured endothelial cells, two bands of 40 and 41 kDa, which corresponded to the Gi alpha 2 and the combination of Gi alpha 3-Gi alpha 1 proteins, respectively, were ADP-ribosylated by pertussis toxin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Guanine nucleotide-sensitive, high affinity binding of carbachol to muscarinic cholinergic receptors of 1321N1 astrocytoma cells is insensitive to pertussis toxin

Activation of muscarinic cholinergic receptors of 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells attenuates cyclic AMP accumulation. This effect results from an activation of phosphodiesterase with no direct inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity. In spite of this lack of coupling of muscarinic receptors to adenylate cyclase, guanine nucleotides reduce the apparent binding affinity of the agonist carbachol in a washed membrane preparation of 1321N1 cells. The order of potency for this effect is guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) greater than 5'-guanylyl-imidodiphosphate = GTP = GDP; ATP has no effect. The occurrence of a Mr = 41,000 protein labeled in the presence of [32P]NAD and pertussis toxin as well as the occurrence of guanine nucleotide-mediated inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity indicate that the functional inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory component of adenylate cyclase (Ni) is present in 1321N1 cells. Pertussis toxin pretreatment of NG108-15 neuroblastoma X glioma cells, which express muscarinic receptors that link through Ni to inhibit adenylate cyclase, blocked the GTP-sensitive, high affinity binding of carbachol. In contrast, pretreatment of 1321N1 cells with a concentration of pertussis toxin that blocked [32P]ADP ribosylation of the Mr = 41,000 substrate and GTP-mediated inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity had no effect on GTP-sensitive high affinity binding of carbachol. These results suggest that muscarinic cholinergic receptors of 1321N1 cells couple to a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein that is distinct from Ni.     

Interaction of purified bovine brain A1-adenosine receptors with guanine nucleotide-binding proteins of human platelet membranes following reconstitution

A1-adenosine receptors and associated guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) have been co-purified from bovine cerebral cortex by agonist affinity chromatography [J. Biol. Chem. 264:14853-14859 (1989)]. In this study we have reconstituted purified bovine brain A1 receptors into human platelet membranes that contain A2- but no detectable A1-adenosine receptors. The recovery of reconstituted receptors was assessed from the binding of the antagonist radioligand [125I]3-(4-amino-3-iodo)phenethyl-1-propyl-8-cyclopentyl-xanthine and ranged from 32 to 84%. Coupling of reconstituted A1 receptors to platelet G proteins was evaluated by measurement of the high affinity binding of an agonist radioligand, 125I-aminobenzyladenosine, to receptor-G protein complexes and by stereospecific photoaffinity labeling of a 35,000-Da receptor polypeptide with the agonist photoaffinity label 125I-azidobenzyladenosine. Fifty percent of receptors reconstituted into platelet membranes bound agonists with high affinity, indicative of coupling to platelet G proteins. Reconstituted A1 receptors bound various ligands with affinities characteristic of A1 receptors of bovine brain. Although platelets contain both pertussis toxin-sensitive and -insensitive G proteins, reconstituted high affinity agonist binding was almost completely abolished by treatment of platelet membranes with guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate, pertussis toxin, N-ethylmaleimide, or heparin. Following reconstitution, A1 receptors could be resolubilized in complexes with platelet G proteins. The data suggest that marked species differences in the binding affinity of ligands to adenosine receptors result from differences in the receptors rather than membrane structure or G proteins and, further, that A1 receptors couple selectively and tightly to pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins.     

Agonist binding to rat brain somatostatin receptors alters the interaction of the receptors with guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins.

To investigate the interaction of guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (G proteins) with the agonist-bound brain somatostatin (SRIF) receptor, rat brain SRIF receptor/G protein complexes were solubilized and immunoprecipitated with peptide-directed antisera selective for the different subtypes of G protein alpha subunits (G alpha). In the absence of agonist, solubilized SRIF receptor/G proteins complexes could be immunoprecipitated by antiserum 8730, which is directed against the carboxyl-terminal region of Gi alpha and recognizes all Gi alpha subtypes, and by antiserum 3646, which selectively interacts with internal regions of Gi alpha 1. In contrast, antiserum 1521, which is directed against an internal region of Gi alpha 2, and antiserum 9072, which is directed against the carboxyl-terminal region of Go alpha, did not immunoprecipitate the SRIF receptor. After the binding of agonist to solubilized SRIF receptors, antisera 9072 and 1521, as well as antisera 8730 and 3646, were able to immunoprecipitate the agonist-bound SRIF receptor/G protein complexes, indicating that agonist interaction with SRIF receptors maintained receptor association with Gi alpha 1 and promoted receptor association with Go alpha and, to a lesser extent, Gi alpha 2. Antiserum 1518, which is directed against Gi alpha 3, uncoupled SRIF receptors from Gi alpha and did not immunoprecipitate the agonist-bound or agonist-free brain SRIF receptor. These findings indicate that differences exist in the interaction of the agonist-free and agonist-bound SRIF receptors with G proteins. The binding of agonists to SRIF receptors promotes the association of the receptor with Go alpha and, to a lesser extent, Gi alpha 2, indicating that these G proteins, along with Gi alpha 1 and Gi alpha 3, may be involved in coupling SRIF receptors to cellular effector systems.     

Alpha 1-adrenergic receptor-linked guanine nucleotide-binding protein in muscle and kidney epithelial cells

We have studied the interaction of guanine nucleotides with alpha 1-adrenergic receptors of two cloned cell lines, the Madin Darby canine kidney (MDCK-D1) cells and BC3H-1 muscle cells. Although guanylylimidodiphosphate, Gpp(NH)p, had no effect on the affinity or the total number of [3H]prazosin-binding sites in membranes prepared from these cells, the nucleotide decreased the apparent affinity of the agonists (-)-epinephrine and (-)-norepinephrine in competing for [3H]prazosin-binding sites in both cell types. A maximal effect of Gpp(NH)p occurred at 10 microM. Guanine nucleotides were significantly more effective in shifting agonist affinity for the alpha 1 receptor than adenine nucleotides, and Mg2+ was required to observe a maximal effect. Binding of agonist to alpha 1-adrenergic receptors activated phosphatidylinositol (PI) hydrolysis in both cell types but had no effect on membrane adenylate cyclase activity. Incubation of MDCK cells for 19 hr with 100 ng/ml pertussis toxin, which eliminated the ability of pertussis toxin added to membranes to ADP-ribosylate 39-41-KDa substrate(s), failed to alter binding of agonists to alpha 1-adrenergic receptors, the ability of Gpp(NH)p to regulate agonist binding to these receptors, or epinephrine-stimulated PI hydrolysis and prostaglandin E2 production. Incubation of BC3H1 cells with pertussis toxin had no effect on the ability of epinephrine to stimulate PI turnover. These results show that binding of agonists to alpha 1-adrenergic receptors in mammalian kidney and muscle cells is regulated by guanine nucleotides, presumably by interaction with a guanine nucleotide-binding (G) protein. The failure of the G-protein to regulate adenylate cyclase activity and the lack of effect of pertussis toxin to alter receptor-mediated binding or functional activity suggests that a G-protein other than Gs, Gi, or Go interacts with alpha 1-adrenergic receptors in kidney and smooth muscle.     

Gi alpha 1 selectively couples somatostatin receptors to adenylyl cyclase in pituitary-derived AtT-20 cells.

Somatostatin (SRIF) receptors are coupled to the catalytic subunit of adenylyl cyclase via pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (G proteins). To identify which G proteins link SRIF receptors to adenylyl cyclase, G(o) alpha, Gi alpha, and its different subtypes were individually blocked in AtT-20 cell membranes with G alpha subtype-selective antisera. Antiserum directed against the carboxyl-terminal region of Gi alpha blocked SRIF inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity, and this effect was prevented by the peptide to which the antiserum was generated. However, antiserum directed against the carboxyl-terminal region of G(o) alpha did not affect SRIF inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity, indicating that Gi alpha couples SRIF receptors to adenylyl cyclase but G(o) alpha does not. Peptide-directed antisera against Gi alpha 1 completely blocked SRIF inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity. In contrast, antisera directed against either Gi alpha 2 or Gi alpha 3 did not affect the actions of SRIF. The results of these studies indicate that Gi alpha 1 selectively couples SRIF receptors to the catalytic subunit of adenylyl cyclase in AtT-20 cell membranes. Because previous studies have shown that SRIF receptors are able to couple to Gi alpha 1, Gi alpha 3, and G(o) alpha, the results suggest that different G proteins may specify the coupling of SRIF receptors to distinct cellular effector systems.     

Inhibition of GTPase activity of Gi proteins and decreased agonist affinity at M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors by spermine and methoctramine.

1. The effects of spermine and methoctramine, a selective M2 muscarinic receptor antagonist, were studied on the high-affinity GTPase activity of G proteins, and on ligand binding to M2 muscarinic receptors in pig heart sarcolemma. 2. The spontaneous GTP hydrolysis by pig heart sarcolemma and its stimulation by mastoparan or carbachol were prevented by pertussis toxin and inhibited by methoctramine (IC50s: 21, 13 and 0.005 microM, respectively), and spermine (IC50s: 967, 278 and 11 microM). Spermine and methoctramine also inhibited spontaneous GTP hydrolysis by rat peritoneal mast cell membranes which do not respond to carbachol. 3. The neutral muscarinic antagonists, AF-DX 116 and atropine, did not modify the inhibitory effect of high concentrations of methoctramine, indicating that this effect was not related to the antagonist binding site of muscarinic receptors. We suggest that methoctramine behaves as a receptor antagonist at nanomolar concentrations and interacts with G proteins at micromolar concentrations. 4. Spermine did not modify the binding of the tritiated muscarinic antagonist [3H]-NMS, but decreased the binding of the agonist [3H]-Oxo-M. Spermine elicited a rightward shift of the carbachol/[3H]-NMS binding isotherm with a decrease in the proportion of sites with high-affinity for carbachol, suggesting that polyamines uncouple Gi proteins from receptors. 5. The inhibition of GTPase activity by polyamines, preventing the re-association of alpha and betagamma subunits of Gi proteins, might sustain the regulatory effect of Gi subunits on downstream effectors. The level of intracellular polyamines might be important for the control of the transduction of extracellular signals through Gi protein-coupled receptors.     

Effects of S-nitroso-cysteine on proteins that regulate exocytosis in PC12 cells: inhibitory effects on translocation of synaptophysin and ADP-ribosylation of GTP-binding proteins

S-Nitroso-cysteine (SNC) inhibits Ca2+-induced noradrenaline (NA) release from PC12 cells. Since SNC stimulated Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular Ca2+ pools and SNC-induced inhibition of NA release was not washed-out, SNC may modify exocytosis-related proteins that overcome Ca2+ mobilization. In the present study, we investigated the effects of SNC on exocytosis-related proteins in PC12 cells. Ionomycin stimulated NA release and increased the immunoreactivity of synaptophysin in the cytosol fraction. A 25-kDa synaptosome-associated protein (SNAP-25), which localizes to plasma membranes and vesicles, increased in the cytosol fraction after stimulation. The increases in these proteins by ionomycin were inhibited in PC12 cells treated with 0.6 mM SNC. Synaptobrevin and synapsin-1 in the cytosol fraction, and syntaxin and 43 kDa growth-associated protein in the membrane fraction were not affected by ionomycin or SNC. Incubation of each protein with SNC did not affect antibody immunoreactivity. [32P]ADP-ribosylation of GTP-binding proteins (Gi/Go) by pertussis toxin, but not Gs by cholera toxin, was inhibited in SNC-treated PC12 cells and by co-addition of SNC to the assay mixture. These findings suggest that 1) SNC inhibits translocation of vesicles containing synaptophysin and SNAP-25, and 2) SNC reacts with cysteine residues in Gi/Go, causing inhibition of ADP-ribosylation by pertussis toxin.     

The mechanism of changes in adrenoceptor-mediated responses

Quantitative and qualitative changes in adrenoceptors under various conditions were studied by binding experiments. Chronic treatment with reserpine increased the level of alpha 2-adrenoceptors in rat vas deferens and hypoxia increased the level of alpha 1-adrenoceptors in rat cardiomyocytes. Adenosine receptor agonists increased the affinity of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor in rat vas deferens for the agonist with an increase in receptor-mediated responses. Thus two types of changes in receptor binding sites were observed. Next, changes in the GTP-binding (G) protein were studied. Activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) decreased the ADP-ribosylation of Gi (41 K) protein by islet-activating protein (pertussis toxin, IAP). Purified Gi protein was phosphorylated by the enzyme. IAP-sensitive G protein-mediated coupling responses such as phosphatidylinositol turnover in differentiated HL-60 cells were also modified under this condition. These results indicated that phosphorylation of Gi by PKA caused a qualitative change of Gi. Lithium ions also decreased the ADP-ribosylation of Gi by IAP. Then it determined if the decrease was accompanied with a dissociation of the subunits of Gi. Phosphorylation of Gi by PKA impaired the dissociation of the subunits of Gi caused by Mg2+ and GTP gamma S, whereas lithium ions did not have any effect on their dissociation. Thus some conditions caused a functional change in the so-called "qualitative change" of Gi.     

Multiple Gi protein subtypes regulate a single effector mechanism.

alpha 2-Adrenergic receptor (alpha 2-AR) responses are mediated by the pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein) Gi. Because all three known Gi subtypes are inactivated by pertussis toxin, it has been difficult to determine which of the subtypes are involved in alpha 2-AR responses. In order to investigate alpha 2-AR/Gi coupling, we performed binding and adenylyl cyclase experiments in membranes from CHO-K1 cells transfected with the human alpha 2A-AR. Antisera directed against the carboxyl-terminal region of the Gi1/Gi2 or the Gi3 proteins were used to determine which subtypes were important for high affinity agonist binding and inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. The CHO-K1 cell membranes exhibited immunoreactivity at an apparent molecular mass of 40-41 kDa for both Gi1/Gi2 and Gi3 antisera. Western blot analysis, using purified bovine brain G proteins for comparison, demonstrated that the transfected CHO-K1 cells possess Gi2 and Gi3. High affinity guanosine 5'-(beta,gamma-imido) triphosphate-sensitive binding of the alpha 2-AR agonists [3H]bromoxidine and p-[125I]iodoclonidine ([125I]PIC) was reduced by 30-50% by either the Gi1/Gi2 or Gi3 antiserum. Bromoxidine (1 microM) and PIC (1 microM) inhibited membrane adenylyl cyclase by 34 and 27%, respectively. Gi3 antiserum reduced the inhibition by 26% and 67% for bromoxidine and PIC, respectively. The Gi1/Gi2 antiserum reduced the inhibition by 56% and 63% for bromoxidine and PIC, respectively. Furthermore, when both antisera were used together, there was a complete reversal of alpha 2-AR-mediated inhibition. These observations provide evidence of alpha 2A-AR coupling to at least two subtypes of Gi proteins and the first evidence of functional involvement of Gi3 in the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase.     

Differential sensitivity of alpha o and alpha i to ADP-ribosylation by pertussis toxin in the intact cultured embryonic chick ventricular myocyte. Relationship to the role of G proteins in the coupling of muscarinic cholinergic receptors to inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity

The guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins, alpha i and alpha o, coexist in a variety of tissues, including heart, brain, and adipose tissues and are ADP-ribosylated by pertussis toxin (Gilman AG, G-proteins and dual control of adenylate cyclase. Cell 26: 577-579, 1984). Previous studies in which purified G proteins were reconstituted with cell membranes and/or phospholipid vesicles have suggested that an alpha i-like protein mediates GTP-dependent inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity. However, direct studies comparing the role of alpha i and alpha o in mediating the inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity in the intact cell have not appeared. In the present study, we demonstrated that, in the intact cell, alpha o was more sensitive to ADP-ribosylation in the presence of pertussis toxin than was alpha i. The T1/2 for pertussis toxin-mediated ADP-ribosylation of alpha i was 199 +/- 10 min (mean +/- SE, N = 10) compared to 157 +/- 7 min for alpha o. The IC50 for pertussis toxin-induced ADP-ribosylation of alpha i was 158 +/- 40 pg/ml (mean +/- SE, N = 11) compared to 35 +/- 8 pg/ml for alpha o. The differences in both T1/2 and IC50 for alpha i and alpha o were statistically significant (P less than 0.001). Studies were carried out to determine whether alpha o was involved in coupling the muscarinic cholinergic receptor to inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity in intact cells. The time course and dose dependence of the pertussis toxin-induced uncoupling of the muscarinic receptor from inhibition of adenylate cyclase closely paralleled the time course and dose dependence for the ADP-ribosylation of alpha i but differed significantly (P less than 0.001) from the time course and dose dependence for the ADP-ribosylation of alpha i but differed significantly (P less than 0.001) from the time course and dose dependence of the pertussis toxin mediated ADP-ribosylation of alpha o. The T1/2 and IC50 values for the pertussis toxin-induced decrease in the inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity were 210 +/- 6 min (mean +/- SE, N = 11) and 169 +/- 25 pg/ml (mean +/- SE, N = 12), respectively, which were not significantly different from the T1/2 and IC50 for pertussis toxin mediated ADP-ribosylation of alpha i. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that, in the intact cell, a pertussis toxin-sensitive alpha i-like protein, but not alpha o, couples muscarinic receptors to inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity.     

Interaction of agonists and selective antagonists with gastric smooth muscle muscarinic receptors

Summary The interaction of cholinergic agonists and antagonists with smooth muscle muscarinic receptors has been investigated by measurement of displacement of the muscarinic antagonist [³H]QNB (quinuclidinyl benzilate) in membranes prepared from toad stomach. The binding of [³H]QNB was saturable, reversible and of high affinity (K _D = 423 pM). The muscarinic receptor subtypes present in gastric smooth muscle were classified by determining the relative affinities for the selective antagonists pirenzepine (M₁), AF-DX 116 (M₂) and 4-DAMP (M₃). The results from these studies indicate the presence of a heterogeneous population of muscarinic receptor subtypes, with a majority (88%) exhibiting characteristics of M₃ receptors and a much smaller population (12%) exhibiting characteristics of M₂ receptors. The binding curve for the displacement of [³H]QNB binding by the agonist oxotremorine was complex and was consistent with presence of two affinity states: 24% of the receptors had a high affinity (K _D = 4.7 nM) for oxotremorine and 76% displayed nearly a 1,000-fold lower affinity (K _D = 4.4 M). When oxotremorine displacement of [³H]QNB binding was determined in the presence GTPS, high affinity binding was abolished, indicating that high affinity agonist binding may represent receptors coupled to G proteins. Moreover, pertussis toxin pretreatment of membranes also abolished high affinity agonist binding, indicating that the muscarinic receptors are coupled to pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins. Reaction of smooth muscle membranes with pertussis toxin in the presence [³²P]NAD caused the [³²P]-labelling of a 40 kD protein that may represent the subunit(s) of G proteins that are known to be NAD-ribosylated by the toxin. We conclude that both M₃ and M₂ receptors may be coupled to G proteins in a pertussis-sensitive manner. Send offprint requests to T. W. Honeyman at the above address