cAMP-dependent protein kinase isozymes in porcine follicles and corpora lutea

Our purpose was to identify regulatory (R) subunits and their associations with catalytic (C) subunits to form cAMP-dependent protein kinase (A-kinase) holoenzymes in select porcine ovarian tissues during follicular differentiation. Soluble extracts of small and preovulatory follicles and corpora lutea (CL) were separated on DEAE-cellulose chromatography. R subunits were labeled with 8-N₃[³²P]cAMP or with [-³²P]ATP under RII autophosphorylation conditions and were identified by molecular weight (M_r) determination on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) as well as cross-reactivity of unlabeled subunits with anti-R antibodies. A-kinase holoenzymes and C subunit-free R (free R) subunits were distinguished on the basis of DEAE elution position and sedimentation position on sucrose density gradient centrifugation of phosphotransferase and [³H]cAMP binding activities. In small and preovulatory follicles and CL we identified a minor peak of type I A-kinase containing RI (M_r = 47,000) and a major peak of type II A-kinase holoenzyme containing two RII isoforms (M_r = 52,000 and 56,000). Notable amounts of free RI eluted between the type I and II holoenzymes in all three tissues. Neither of the holoenzymes nor free RI was regulated as a function of follicular differentiation or CL formation. In contrast, free RII subunits were moderately increased in preovulatory follicles relative to levels in small follicles and CL. We conclude that only the RII subunits are hormonally regulated in developing follicles, and in tissues which express both RI and RII subunits, the RII subunits preferentially associate with C subunits to form the dominant holoenzyme despite the presence of significant amounts of RI.     

Deficiency of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases in human psoriasis.

To determine possible differences in the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases of normal and psoriatic human fibroblasts, the levels of the regulatory subunits (RI and RII, respectively) of protein kinase I and protein kinase II were quantitated by photoaffinity labeling with 8-azido[32P]cAMP. The level of RII was significantly decreased, or was undetectable, in cytosol prepared from fibroblasts from five psoriatic subjects when compared to RII levels found with normal human fibroblasts. The level of cytosolic RI was decreased in fibroblasts from four psoriatic patients and was within the normal range for one diseased patient when compared to RI levels in normal human fibroblasts. The elution profile from a DEAE-cellulose column of protein kinase activity in the soluble fraction from two psoriatic patients also showed a decrease in type I kinase activity and the complete absence of type II kinase activity. Other results indicate that the level of RI in erythrocyte membranes from psoriatic subjects is significantly decreased when compared to that of erythrocyte membranes from eight normal subjects. A significant correlation (P less than 0.001) was observed between the severity of the cutaneous manifestation of the disease and the level of RI in psoriatic erythrocyte membranes. The changes noted in the levels of RI and RII in cell types other than those thought to be specifically involved in the proliferative epidermis disorder of the disease suggest a general protein kinase deficiency.     

Alterations in the cAMP signal transduction pathway in mouse lung tumorigenesis.

Alterations in the cAMP signal transduction pathway are associated with mouse lung neoplasia, cAMP effects are mediated by activating cAMP-dependent protein kinase isozymes, PKA I and PKA II. E9, a tumorigenic cell line, exhibited decreased PKA I levels compared to C10 cells, a nontumorigenic cell line of similar epithelial origin. Western immunoblots of PKA subunit proteins demonstrated low concentrations of both the catalytic (C) and regulatory (RI) PKA I subunits. Although RII (regulatory subunit of PKA II) concentrations were similar in both cell lines, RII from E9 cells was more highly phosphorylated than in C10 cells. RII phosphorylation status regulates cAMP activation of PKA II. Northern-blot analysis of mRNA content indicated diminished expression of both C and RI mRNA in E9 relative to C10 cells. Several endogenous PKA substrate proteins present in C10 cells were minimally phosphorylated by PKA in E9 cells. Forskolin, which raises cellular cAMP content, increased phosphorylation of a protein doublet in intact C10 cells, but not in E9 cells. Decreased PKA I expression and alterations in RII phosphorylation in lung neoplasia may contribute to anomalous regulation by cAMP, thereby diminishing cAMP-mediated growth inhibitory effects.     

Differentiation of HL-60 leukemia by type I regulatory subunit antisense oligodeoxynucleotide of cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

A marked decrease in the type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulatory subunit (RI alpha) and an increase in the type II protein kinase regulatory subunit (RII beta) correlate with growth inhibition and differentiation induced in a variety of types of human cancer cells, in vitro and in vivo, by site-selective cAMP analogs. To directly determine whether RI alpha is a growth-inducing protein essential for neoplastic cell growth, human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells were exposed to 21-mer RI alpha antisense oligodeoxynucleotide, and the effects on cell replication and differentiation were examined. The RI alpha antisense oligomer brought about growth inhibition and monocytic differentiation, bypassing the effects of an exogenous cAMP analog. These effects of RI alpha antisense oligodeoxynucleotide correlated with a decrease in RI alpha receptor and an increase in RII beta receptor level. The growth inhibition and differentiation were abolished, however, when these cells were exposed simultaneously to both RI alpha and RII beta antisense oligodeoxynucleotides. The RII beta antisense oligodeoxynucleotide alone has been previously shown to specifically block the differentiation inducible by cAMP analogs. These results provide direct evidence that RI alpha cAMP receptor plays a critical role in neoplastic cell growth and that cAMP receptor isoforms display specific roles in cAMP regulation of cell growth and differentiation.     

Identification and quantitation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase R subunit isoforms in subcellular fractions of failing human myocardium.

Isoforms of regulatory (R) subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinase were identified immunochemically and quantified in soluble and washed particulate fractions of failing human left ventricular myocardium. The predominant isoforms in both fractions were RI alpha and RII alpha. Both isoforms were present in comparable amounts in these fractions, although RII alpha subunits were somewhat more prevalent than RI alpha subunits in washed particulate fractions. The ratio of R subunits to catalytic (C) subunits was three-fold higher in soluble than in particulate fractions. Identical observations were made in preparations from non-failing human left ventricular myocardium. Since RI and RII have different affinities for cAMP and may direct catalytic activity to different substrates, the presence of both subunits in both soluble and particulate fractions provides a mechanism whereby the compartment-selective changes in cAMP content that have been described in failing human myocardium may affect not only the level but also the profile of protein phosphorylation in these compartments. The high R:C subunit ratio in soluble fractions suggests that cytosolic kinase activity in human myocardium may be less sensitive to changes in cAMP content than membrane-bound kinase activity, and this may contribute to the different effects of increases in soluble and particulate cAMP content on intracellular Ca2+transients and contraction and relaxation.     

Differential regulation of messenger ribonucleic acids for specific subunits of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase by cAMP in rat Sertoli cells

In the present study we have examined the effects of FSH, forskolin, and (Bu)2cAMP on messenger RNA (mRNA) levels for all known subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in rat Sertoli cells, using newly developed complementary DNA (cDNA) probes. mRNAs for the three regulatory subunits [RI alpha, RII51, (RII beta), and RII54 (RII alpha)] and the catalytic subunit C alpha were shown to be present in cultured rat Sertoli cells, whereas mRNAs for the subunits designated RI beta and C beta were below the level of detection. A high-levelled, concentration-dependent increase in a 3.2 kilobase mRNA for RII51 was observed when cultured immature Sertoli cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of (Bu)2cAMP (10(-6) to 5 X 10(-3) M) for 16 h. Densitometric scanning indicated a maximal stimulation by (Bu)2cAMP of 30- to 40-fold. Incubation with forskolin (100 microM) and FSH (200 ng/ml) gave rise to a smaller but significant increase in mRNA for RII51. When cultured Sertoli cells were incubated in the presence of 10(-4) M (Bu)2cAMP for varying time periods, there was a biphasic regulation of mRNA for RII51. (Bu)2cAMP caused an initial increase in mRNA for RII51 with maximal levels obtained after 10-16 h, after which a time-dependent decrease was observed. For the other three subunits present in Sertoli cells (RI alpha, RII54, and C alpha) a smaller but significant stimulation by (Bu)2cAMP and forskolin (2-4 fold) was seen. The functional implications of these changes in mRNA levels for the different subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinase have not yet been revealed. However, our data clearly demonstrate differential regulation of the various subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in Sertoli cells. Furthermore, these results document the presence of distinct adaptational changes taking place at the level of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in response to long term elevation of cAMP.     

Induction of megakaryocytic differentiation and modulation of protein kinase gene expression by site-selective cAMP analogs in K-562 human leukemic cells

Two classes (site 1- and site 2-selective) of cAMP analogs, which either alone or in combination demonstrate a preference for binding to type II rather than type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase isozyme, potently inhibit growth in a spectrum of human cancer cell lines in culture. Treatment of K-562 human leukemic cells for 3 days with 30 and 10 microM 8-chloroadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-Cl-cAMP) (site 1-selective) resulted in 60% and 20% growth inhibition, respectively (with over 90% viability). N6-Benzyl-cAMP (site 2-selective) (30 microM) treatment resulted in 20% growth inhibition by day 3. When 8-Cl-cAMP (10 microM) and N6-benzyl-cAMP (30 microM) were both added, growth was almost completely arrested. The growth inhibition was accompanied by megakaryocytic differentiation in K-562 cells. The untreated control cells expressed little or no detectable levels of glycoprotein IIb-IIIa surface antigen complex. 8-Cl-cAMP (30 microM) treatment for 3 days substantially increased the antigen expression, while N6-benzyl-cAMP caused little or no change in the antigen expression. When cells were treated with 8-Cl-cAMP in combination with N6-benzyl-cAMP, antigen expression was synergistically enhanced, and cells demonstrated megakaryocyte morphology. By Northern blotting, we examined the mRNA levels of the type I and type II protein kinase regulatory subunits (RI alpha and RII beta), the catalytic subunit, and c-myc during 8-Cl-cAMP treatment. The steady-state level of RII beta cAMP receptor mRNA sharply increased within 1 hr of treatment and remained elevated for 3 days, while that of the RI alpha receptor markedly decreased to below control level within 6 hr and remained low during treatment. However, 8-Cl-cAMP did not affect the mRNA level of the catalytic subunit. 8-Cl-cAMP treatment also brought about a rapid decrease in c-myc mRNA. Thus, differential regulation of cAMP receptor genes is an early event in cAMP-induced differentiation and growth control of K-562 leukemia cells.     

An antisense oligodeoxynucleotide targeted against the type II beta regulatory subunit mRNA of protein kinase inhibits cAMP-induced differentiation in HL-60 leukemia cells without affecting phorbol ester effects.

The type II beta regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (RII beta) has been hypothesized to play an important role in the growth inhibition and differentiation induced by site-selective cAMP analogs in human cancer cells, but direct proof of this function has been lacking. To address this issue, HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells were exposed to RII beta antisense synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide, and the effects on cAMP-induced growth regulation were examined. Exposure of these cells to RII beta antisense oligodeoxynucleotide resulted in a decrease in cAMP analog-induced growth inhibition and differentiation without apparent effect on differentiation induced by phorbol esters. This loss in cAMP growth regulatory function correlated with a decrease in basal and induced levels of RII beta protein. Exposure to RII beta sense, RI alpha and RII alpha antisense, or irrelevant oligodeoxynucleotides had no such effect. These results show that the RII beta regulatory subunit of protein kinase plays a critical role in the cAMP-induced growth regulation of HL-60 leukemia cells.     

Identification, characterization, and hormonal regulation of 3', 5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinases in rat Sertoli cells.

Recent studies have disclosed multiple isoforms of regulatory (R) and catalytic (C) subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) at the protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels. The purpose of the present study was to identify, characterize, and quantify individual R subunits in rat Sertoli cells both at the mRNA and protein levels. Unstimulated Sertoli cells contain high levels of R (approximately 9.2 +/- 0.8 pmol/mg protein) and C (approximately 7.3 +/- 0.7 pmol/mg protein). Stimulation with (Bt)2cAMP (0.1 mM) for 24 and 48 h revealed a time-dependent increase in [3H]cAMP-binding activity. During the same time period the catalytic activity remained relatively constant, resulting in an increase in the R/C ratio from approximately 1.3 to 3.0. Using diethylaminoethyl cellulose chromatography, 8-N3-[32P]cAMP photoaffinity labeling, autophosphorylation by gamma-[32P]ATP, and specific antibodies, we show that unstimulated Sertoli cells contain approximately 75% RI alpha, 25% RII alpha, and very low levels of RII beta. Stimulation of Sertoli cells with (Bt)2cAMP (0.1 mM, 48 h) was associated with a 2.1-fold increase in RI alpha (6.6-14 pmol/mg) and a 10- to 20-fold increase in RII beta (less than 0.1-1.1 pmol/mg), with little or no change in RII alpha (1.9-2.3 pmol/mg). Treatment with cAMP was associated with a slight increase in RI/RII ratio (3.3-4.1). mRNA levels for RII beta increased 30- to 50-fold after (Bt)2cAMP stimulation, whereas only minor changes in mRNA levels for RI alpha, RII alpha, and C alpha were observed (1.5- to 2.0-fold). mRNA levels for RI beta, C beta, and C gamma were not detected in either unstimulated or in cAMP-stimulated Sertoli cells. It is concluded that chronic treatment with cAMP changes the relative proportion of R subunits of PKA in a manner reflecting the changing levels in respective mRNAs. Furthermore, such treatment is associated with the appearance of a new PKA R subunit (RII beta), which is absent in untreated Sertoli cells.     

Immunocytochemical localization of cyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase in endocrine tissues

Antisera have been produced against purified soluble cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) dependent-protein kinase (ATP: protein phosphotransferase EC 2.7.1.37) isolated from bovine lung. No cross-reactivity was observed between the antisera and structurally related components of cAMP-dependent protein kinases (cAMP kinase), as judged by the immunodiffusion and immunoprecipitation techniques. Immunocytochemical specificity was determined by absorption of antisera with pure antigen. The distribution of cGMP kinase has been examined in several rat tissues, using an indirect immunofluorescence technique, and compared with the immunocytochemical distribution of cGMP. In skeletal muscle, cGMP kinase was localized primarily to A bands on the muscle fiber and along the Z line in I band regions. Densitometric determinations of immunoperoxidase staining indicated that absorbance over A band areas was greater than absorbance over the I band regions. In small intestine, cGMP kinase is distributed primarily along the villus brush border membrane. In testis, cGMP kinase is observed in several cell types adjacent to the seminiferous tubular wall, including Sertoli cells and spermatogonia, as well as in association with meiotic chromosomes of pachytene spermatocytes. In the cortex of the adrenal glands from dexamethasone-suppressed rats, chronic ACTH treatment induced an increase in cGMP kinase fluorescence in nuclei. In each of the tissues examined, a striking correlation was observed between the distribution of cGMP kinase and cGMP, supporting the hypothesis that cGMP-mediated actions occur via cGMP kinases.     

Presence of free cyclic AMP receptor protein and regulation of its level by cyclic AMP in neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid cells.

Neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid cells of line 108CC-5 were found to contain high levels of soluble adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase activity and high levels of two specific cAMP receptor proteins, RI and RII. Treatment of the hybrid cells with dibutyryl cAMP increased the level of RI but did not significantly affect the level either of RII or of cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity. The effect of dibutyryl cAMP could be mimicked by prostaglandin E1 and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, both of which are known to raise cAMP levels in neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid cells. Both in control as well as in dibutyryl cAMP-treated cells, RII but not RI was associated with cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Several lines of evidence suggest that RI represents the free regulatory subunit of type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The presence of this regulatory subunit as free cAMP receptor protein in neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid cells may be of significance with respect to the regulation of growth and differentiation in tumor cells.     

Protein kinase A-anchoring (AKAP) domains in brefeldin A-inhibited guanine nucleotide-exchange protein 2 (BIG2)

Like other guanine nucleotide-exchange proteins (GEPs) that activate ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) GTPases, brefeldin A-inhibited GEP2, BIG2, contains an approximately 200-aa Sec7 domain that is responsible for this catalytic activity and its inhibition by brefeldin A. The Sec7 domain is located near the center of the molecule and serves to accelerate replacement of GDP bound to ARF with GTP. To explore possible functions of the N-terminal region of BIG2 (1-832), we used three coding-region constructs as bait to screen a human heart cDNA library in a yeast two-hybrid system, retrieving two unique clones that encode a type I protein kinase A (PKA) regulatory subunit, RI alpha. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments confirmed interaction of in vitro translated BIG2 and RI alpha, as well as of the endogenous proteins in cytosol of cultured HepG2 cells. Using 28 deletion mutants, we found three regions of BIG2 that interacted with R subunits of PKA. Residues 27-48 (domain A) interacted with RI alpha and RI beta, 284-301 (domain B) interacted with RII alpha and RII beta, and 517-538 (domain C) interacted with RI alpha, RII alpha, and RII beta. Sequence analysis and helical wheel projection of amino acids in the three domains revealed potential amphipathic wheel structures characteristic for binding of PKA R subunits. Western blot analysis of subcellular fractions demonstrated translocation of BIG2 (and BIG1) from cytosol to the Golgi and other membrane structures after incubation of cells with 8-Br-cAMP or forskolin. All findings are consistent with a role for BIG2 as an A kinase-anchoring protein (or AKAP) that could coordinate cAMP and ARF regulatory pathways.     

Protein kinase C activation by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate modulates messenger ribonucleic acid levels for two of the regulatory subunits of 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinases (RII beta and RI alpha) via multiple and distinct mechanisms.

Messenger RNAs (mRNA) for two of the regulatory subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinases (PKA), RII beta and RI alpha, are transiently (maximal levels at 6 h) stimulated by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) in cultured rat Sertoli cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Whereas TPA (10(-7) M) stimulated RII beta mRNA 11 +/- 2.8 fold (mean +/- SEM), mRNA levels for RI alpha increased only 2.5 +/- 0.6-fold (mean +/- SEM). No effects of TPA on the other subunits of PKA (RII alpha, C alpha) were observed. TPA-dependent accumulation of mRNAs for RII beta and RI alpha was observed to the same extent in nucleus and cytoplasm. We have previously shown that mRNA levels for all the PKA subunits are increased by cAMP, particularly that of RII beta (greater than 50-fold). TPA modulated the stimulatory effects of cAMP on RII beta and RI alpha mRNAs in opposite directions. Whereas treatment with both 8-CPTcAMP and TPA gave an additive effect on RI alpha mRNA, TPA reduced the cAMP-dependent increase in RII beta mRNA. Although the mRNA for RII beta had returned to basal levels after 24 h of incubation with TPA, the presence of TPA still inhibited cAMP-dependent induction of mRNA for RII beta. In contrast, similar TPA treatment did not influence the subsequent cAMP-dependent stimulation of RI alpha mRNA. Preincubation with 8-CPTcAMP did not influence TPA-dependent stimulation of mRNAs for either RII beta or RI alpha. TPA induction of RII beta mRNA was completely blocked by cycloheximide (an inhibitor of protein synthesis), whereas that of RI alpha was not. The inhibitory effect of TPA on cAMP stimulation of RII beta mRNA was independent of ongoing protein synthesis. These results indicate that TPA induction of mRNAs for RI alpha and RII beta involves multiple and distinct mechanisms. The stimulatory effect of TPA on RI alpha mRNA levels and the inhibitory effect of TPA on cAMP-stimulated RII beta mRNA expression are probably mediated through stable factors, whereas proteins with rapid turnover or factors induced by TPA are involved in the stimulatory effect of TPA on RII beta mRNA.     

A constitutively active holoenzyme form of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

The major function of the regulatory (R) subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase is to bind tightly to the catalytic (C) subunit to form an inactive holoenzyme in the absence of cAMP. The hinge region of the R subunit resembles the substrate recognition site for the C subunit and is known to be involved in the R.C subunit interaction. Two arginine residues in this region, Arg-92 and Arg-93, are suggested to be essential for holoenzyme formation. In this study, a mutant in which Arg-92 and Arg-93 of type II regulatory subunit (RII) were replaced with alanine was constructed. Formation of the holoenzyme from mutant RII and C subunits was analyzed by gel-filtration and cation-exchange chromatography. Mutant RII in its cAMP-free form formed a stable holoenzyme with the C subunit, which dissociated in the presence of cAMP. Interestingly, the holoenzyme formed from mutant RII and C subunits retained full enzymatic activity even in the absence of cAMP. Although mutant RII could no longer be phosphorylated by the C subunit, the rate of [3H]cAMP release from mutant RII.cAMP was increased by addition of the C subunit, indicating that C-induced cAMP release is not the result of the interaction of the C subunit with the hinge region. These results demonstrate that Arg-92 and Arg-93 are not essential for holoenzyme formation but are critical for inhibiting kinase activity in the holoenzyme probably by occupying the substrate binding site. The results suggest that, in addition to the hinge region, a second site on the RII subunit may interact with the C subunit in a cAMP-dependent manner.     

Biochemical evidence for the autophosphorylation and transphosphorylation of transforming growth factor beta receptor kinases.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) signals through a receptor complex containing the type I (TGF-beta RI) and type II (TGF-beta RII) receptors. We describe here biochemical studies on early events in the TGF-beta signaling pathways. TGF-beta RII is highly phosphorylated when expressed alone in COS-1 cells; its autophosphorylation occurs via an intramolecular (cis) mechanism that is independent of ligand binding. TGF-beta RI is also highly phosphorylated when expressed alone in COS-1 cells. Both wild-type TGF-beta RI and a kinase-deficient mutant thereof are transphosphorylated by the coexpressed TGF-beta RII kinase in a ligand-independent fashion in these cells. We propose that the association of TGF-beta RI and TGF-beta RII, induced by ligand binding or over-expression, leads to transphosphorylation of the TGF-beta RI by the TGF-beta RII kinase. This represents a mechanism of activation of receptors distinct from that of tyrosine kinase receptors and may apply to other serine/threonine kinase receptors.