The dopamine-1 agonist, SKF 82526, stimulates phospholipase-C activity independent of adenylate cyclase

Dopamine-1 (DA-1) receptors have been found in renal tubular membranes which stimulate both adenylate cyclase and phospholipase-C activity. In renal cortical plasma membrane preparations the DA-1 agonist SKF 82526, forskolin and NaF stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine inhibited basal and DA-1 agonist stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. Forskolin, NaF, dibutyryl-cyclic AMP and 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine had no effect on basal or DA-1 agonist stimulated phospholipase-C activity in these membranes. These studies indicate that DA-1 agonist stimulates adenylate cyclase and phospholipase-C activities independently. Phospholipase-C activity was also increased by the nonhydrolyzable GTP analog, guanosine-5'-O-(3-thiophosphate). When DA-1 agonist and guanosine-5'-O-(3-thiophosphate) were added together there was a slight but significant increase in phospholipase-C activity. This increase was inhibited in the presence of guanosine-5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate). DA-1 stimulated phospholipase-C activity was found to be insensitive to both cholera and pertussis toxins. The present studies indicate a cyclic AMP independent transduction pathway for DA-1 receptor mediated through a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein associated phospholipase-C.     

Guanine nucleotide binding regulatory proteins and adenylate cyclase in livers of streptozotocin- and BB/Wor-diabetic rats. Immunodetection of Gs and Gi with antisera prepared against synthetic peptides.

Adenylate cyclase in liver plasma membranes from streptozotocin-diabetic (STZ) or BB/Wor spontaneously diabetic rats showed increased responsiveness to GTP, glucagon, fluoroaluminate, and cholera toxin. Basal or forskolin-stimulated activity was unchanged in STZ rats, but increased in BB/Wor rats. No change in the alpha-subunit of Gi (alpha i) was observed in STZ or BB/Wor rats using pertussis toxin-stimulated [32P]ADP-ribosylation. Immunodetection using antibodies against the COOH-terminal decapeptides of alpha T and alpha i-3 showed no change in alpha i in STZ rats and a slight decrease in BB/Wor rats. Angiotensin II inhibition of hepatic adenylate cyclase was not altered in either diabetic rat. In both models of diabetes, Gs alpha-subunits were increased as measured by cholera toxin-stimulated [32P]-ADP-ribosylation of 43-47.5-kD peptides, reconstitution with membranes from S49 cyc- cells or immunoreactivity using antibodies against the COOH-terminal decapeptide of alpha s. These data indicate that STZ-diabetes increases hepatic Gs but does not change Gi or adenylate cyclase catalytic activity. In contrast, BB/Wor rats show increased hepatic Gs and adenylate cyclase. These changes could explain the increase in hepatic cAMP and related dysfunctions observed in diabetes.     

Neural modulation of the stimulatory regulatory protein of adenylate cyclase in rat brown adipose tissue

We reported previously that cold exposure increases by 2- to 3-times the maximal responsiveness of interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) adenylate cyclase to stimulation by norepinephrine or fluoride and that the sensitizing effect of cold is the result of an increase in neural transmission to the tissue because it is abolished by prior surgical denervation of IBAT. The present report examined further the molecular basis of the sensitization of IBAT adenylate cyclase. Cold exposure increased the maximal responsiveness of adenylate cyclase to stimulation by guanylyl-5'-imidodiphosphate without altering the apparent affinity of the enzyme for the nucleotide. In addition, cold exposure increased the maximal extent of cholera toxin-mediated ADP-ribosylation of the alpha subunit of the stimulatory regulatory protein of adenylate cyclase (Gs alpha) in proportion to the increase in adenylate cyclase activity, but did not alter pertussis toxin-mediated labeling of the inhibitory regulatory protein. Direct measurement of Gs alpha by immunoblotting, however, revealed that sensitized membranes did not contain more Gs alpha protein. These results indicate that neural stimulation of IBAT produced by cold exposure alters the proportion of existing Gs molecules that are functional. The additional observation that sensitized adenylate cyclase activity did not reconstitute into cyc- S-49 lymphoma membranes suggests that the ability of neural stimulation to increase Gs function in IBAT might depend upon the interaction of Gs with factors that are unique to membranes of cold-exposed rats.     

Deficient adenylate cyclase regulatory protein in renal membranes from a patient with pseudohypoparathyroidism

Recent studies have established that some patients with pseudohypoparathyroidism have a deficiency of the adenylate cyclase regulatory protein (the G unit) in plasma membranes from erythrocytes, platelets, and fibroblasts. We have directly measured the activity of the G unit in renal membranes from a patient with pseudohypoparathyroidism who, in addition to parathyroid hormone resistance, has resistance to thyrotropin and gonadotropins. Erythrocyte membrane G unit activity was 57% that of control erythrocyte membranes. Lubrol PX extracts of renal membranes had only 30% of the G unit activity of control renal membrane extracts, whether assayed with sodium fluoride or guanosine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP-gamma-S). In cholate extracts, the G unit activity was 37 and 48% of control with fluoride or GTP-gamma-S, respectively. Cholera toxin-dependent incorporation of [32P]ADP-ribose into the 42,000-Mr subunit of the G unit was decreased in renal membranes from the patient compared with control renal membranes. The data demonstrate that the membrane G unit deficiency in pseudohypoparathyroidism extends to the cells of a clinically relevant parathyroid hormone target tissue.     

Down regulation of beta adrenergic receptors in S49 lymphoma cells induced by atypical agonists

The ability of the atypical agonists celiprolol and pindolol to induce sequestration and down regulation of beta adrenergic receptors was investigated in S49 lymphoma cells. Sequestration was measured as the loss of binding sites for [3H]CGP-12177, a hydrophilic radioligand that binds only to surface beta adrenergic receptors at 6 degrees C. Down regulation was measured as the loss of binding sites for [125I]iodopindolol, a lipophilic radioligand which at 37 degrees C binds to both surface and sequestered receptors. Pindolol and celiprolol do not stimulate adenylate cyclase in membranes from wild-type (WT) S49 cells or do they induce the sequestration of beta adrenergic receptors on intact cells. Incubation of WT S49 lymphoma cells with isoproterenol for 24 hr resulted in the loss of 75% of total cellular beta adrenergic receptors (down regulation). Exposure of WT S49 cells to pindolol or celiprolol for 24 hr resulted in the loss of approximately half of the total cellular beta adrenergic receptors. In mutant S49 cells [cyc- (variant of S49 lymphoma cells which lacks Ns activity) and UNC (variant of S49 lymphoma cells in which Ns is present but cannot interact with beta adrenergic receptors)] in which interaction of beta adrenergic receptors with the stimulatory guanine nucleotide binding regulatory protein (Ns) does not occur, a 24 hr incubation with isoproterenol caused the loss of approximately half of the beta adrenergic receptors, whereas pindolol and celiprolol caused no change in the number of receptors. These results suggest that there are two mechanisms of down regulation of beta adrenergic receptors in S49 cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Chronic norepinephrine elicits desensitization by uncoupling the beta-receptor.

The goal of this study was to determine the mechanism of beta-adrenergic receptor desensitization after chronic elevation of circulating NE levels. Osmotic minipumps containing either NE or saline were implanted subcutaneously in dogs for 3-4 wk. Physiologic desensitization to isoproterenol was confirmed in conscious dogs, i.e., left ventricular dP/dt increased in response to isoproterenol (0.4 micrograms/kg per min) by 5,625 +/- 731 mmHg/s in control dogs with saline pumps, and significantly less, P less than 0.01, by 2,093 +/- 263 mmHg/s in dogs with NE pumps. Myocardial beta-adrenergic receptor density as determined with 125I-cyanopindolol binding was 49% higher (p less than 0.05) in the NE pump group. However, beta-adrenergic receptor agonist binding with isoproterenol demonstrated a significant shift into the low affinity state for the animals with NE pumps. Basal, GTP plus isoproterenol, 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate, sodium fluoride, and forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in the NE pump group were significantly depressed (P less than 0.05) by amounts ranging from 20 to 40%. The functional activity of the guanine nucleotide binding protein Gs was also reduced (P less than 0.05) in animals with NE pumps. Thus, the process of desensitization in response to chronic elevation of NE levels in intact, normal dogs does not involve a decrease in beta-adrenergic receptor density. Rather, it is characterized by reduced adenylate cyclase activation and uncoupling of the beta-adrenergic receptor in association with decreased activity of the GTP-coupling protein Gs.     

Decreased bioactivity of the guanine nucleotide-binding protein that stimulates adenylate cyclase in hearts from cardiomyopathic Syrian hamsters.

We investigated regulation of cardiac adenylate cyclase in 29-d-old BIO 14.6 Syrian hamsters, which inherit cardiomyopathy as an autosomal recessive trait. Pharmacologic stimulation of adenylate cyclase in cardiac membranes with isoproterenol, fluoride ion, guanine nucleotide, forskolin, and manganous ion indicated that there was defective coupling of the guanine nucleotide-binding protein that stimulates adenylate cyclase (Gs) to adenylate cyclase. Cyc complementation assays revealed congruent to 50% less Gs activity in cardiac and skeletal muscle from cardiomyopathic hamsters. Despite this decrease in functional Gs, there were no changes in immunologic levels of the alpha-subunit of Gs (alpha Gs) or in levels of mRNA encoding alpha Gs. The defect in Gs bioactivity was limited to cardiac and skeletal muscle, occurred only in animals homozygous for the dystrophic trait, and was demonstrable before any cardiac abnormalities were evident on light microscopy. By contrast, cardiac levels of beta-adrenergic receptors were not different in cardiac membranes from BIO 14.6 hamsters. We conclude that a functional defect in alpha Gs may contribute to a contractile abnormalities in the cardiomyopathic BIO 14.6 hamster. However, the etiology of the alpha Gs defect remains obscure.     

Selective regulation of beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors by atypical agonists

The interactions of the atypical agonists pindolol and celiprolol with beta adrenergic receptors were compared with those of the full agonist, isoproterenol. Studies were carried out using intact cells as well as membranes prepared from C6 glioma cells. Computer-assisted analysis of dose-response curves resulting from the inhibition of the binding of [125I]iodopindolol by the beta-1 and beta-2 selective compounds ICI 89,406 and ICI 118,551 revealed that approximately one-third of the beta adrenergic receptors on these cells were beta-1 receptors. Addition of GTP to the binding assay simplified the dose-response curve for inhibition of the binding of [125I]iodopindolol by isoproterenol and diminished the potency of the agonist. GTP had no effect on the binding of pindolol or celiprolol, suggesting that these drugs do not induce the formation of a ternary complex with the receptor and the guanine nucleotide-binding protein for stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity. When added to the growth medium of intact C6 cells, isoproterenol induced a 40-fold increase in cyclic AMP accumulation. Pindolol and celiprolol, however, caused no elevation of enzyme activity. Addition of isoproterenol to the growth medium of intact cells resulted in an 80% decrease in the density of both beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors within 8 hr. Growing cells in the presence of pindolol or celiprolol induced a 50% decrease in the density of beta-2 receptors, which was inhibited by beta adrenergic antagonists.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Beta adrenergic receptor subtypes in the atria: evidence for close coupling of beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors to adenylate cyclase

The relationship between occupancy of beta adrenergic receptors and stimulation of adenylate cyclase in dog atrial tissue was examined by studying the binding of [125I]iodopindolol and the activation of adenylate cyclase. Computer-assisted nonlinear regression analysis was used to analyze the inhibition of isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity by beta-1- or beta-2-selective antagonists. The Ki values for each subtype of receptor for the selective antagonists resulting from studies of the inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity were similar to those determined in studies of the inhibition of the binding of [125I]iodopindolol. To compare further the occupancy of beta-1 or beta-2 adrenergic receptors with the activation of adenylate cyclase mediated by each class of receptor, computer modeling of the stimulation of adenylate cyclase by the beta-1-selective agonist norepinephrine was carried out. The EC50 values of norepinephrine for each receptor subtype, as measured in studies of norepinephrine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity, were similar to the Ki values for the inhibition by norepinephrine of the binding of [125I]iodopindolol to each receptor subtype. The data led to the conclusion that beta-1 adrenergic receptors make up about 70% of the total number of beta adrenergic receptors and mediate 70% of the increase in adenylate cyclase activity produced by isoproterenol. These results suggest that the relationship between occupancy of each class of receptor and activation of adenylate cyclase is linear and that, when agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity is used as a functional response, neither spare beta-1 nor spare beta-2 adrenergic receptors exist in the atrium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Chronic ethanol exposure of PC 12 cells alters adenylate cyclase activity and intracellular cyclic AMP content

Effects of chronic ethanol exposure on adenylate cyclase activity and intracellular cyclic AMP content were investigated in PC 12 cells. Stimulation of cyclic AMP content by 2-chloroadenosine (2-CADO) and forskolin were reduced after a 4-day exposure of the cells to 150 mM ethanol. Although chronic ethanol treatment did not alter 2-CADO- and NaF-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities in a cell-free preparation, 2-CADO-, forskolin, and NaF-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities were reduced when assays were carried out in saponin-treated cells. Chronic ethanol exposure also increased the ability of in vitro ethanol to stimulate adenylate cyclase activity and cyclic AMP content. The in vitro addition of tert-butanol caused a dose-dependent increase in adenylate cyclase activity, and a 4-day treatment of PC 12 cells with 50 mM tert-butanol reduced 2-CADO- and forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP contents. Chronic treatment with tert-butanol, however, did not alter the stimulatory effects of in vitro ethanol. Similarly, a 4-day exposure to 125 mM ethanol using serum-free defined media decreased 2-CADO- and forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP content without changing the stimulatory effects of in vitro ethanol. The increased sensitivity of adenylate cyclase to in vitro ethanol also was not observed when chronic ethanol treatment was carried out with media containing delipidated serum. The increased sensitivity to ethanol, however, was restored when the chronic ethanol treatment was carried out with serum-free defined media supplemented with serum lipoproteins.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

ATP receptor regulation of adenylate cyclase and protein kinase C activity in cultured renal LLC-PK1 cells.

In cultured intact LLC-PK1 renal epithelial cells, a nonhydrolyzable ATP analogue, ATP gamma S, inhibits AVP-stimulated cAMP formation. In LLC-PK1 membranes, several ATP analogues inhibit basal, GTP-, forskolin-, and AVP-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in a dose-dependent manner. The rank order potency of inhibition by ATP analogues suggests that a P2y type of ATP receptor is involved in this inhibition. The compound ATP gamma S inhibits agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in solubilized and in isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) and quinacrine pretreated membranes, suggesting that ATP gamma S inhibition occurs independent of AVP and A1 adenosine receptors and of phospholipase A2 activity. The ATP gamma S inhibition of AVP-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity is not affected by pertussis toxin but is attenuated by GDP beta S, suggesting a possible role for a pertussis toxin insensitive G protein in the inhibition. Exposure of intact LLC-PK cells to ATP gamma S results in a significant increase in protein kinase C activity. However, neither of two protein kinase C inhibitors (staurosporine and H-7) prevents ATP gamma S inhibition of AVP-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity, suggesting that this inhibition occurs by a protein kinase C independent mechanism. These findings suggest the presence of functional P2y purinoceptors coupled to two signal transduction pathways in cultured renal epithelial cells. The effect of P2y purinoceptors to inhibit AVP-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity may be mediated, at least in part, by a pertussis toxin insensitive G protein.     

Different guanosine triphosphate-binding proteins couple vasopressin receptor to phospholipase C and phospholipase A2 in glomerular mesangial cells.

To evaluate the identity of the guanosine triphosphate--binding proteins coupling arginine vasopressin receptor occupancy with activation of phospholipase C, leading to Ca2+ mobilization, and activation of phospholipase A2, leading to arachidonate release and prostanoid formation, we used intact cells, saponin-permeabilized cells, and membranes of the rat mesangial cell. Arginine vasopressin 10(-7) mol/L produced a dose-dependent increase in cytosolic Ca2+ to maximal levels of 500 nmol/L with peak responses occurring within 10 seconds of addition of arginine vasopressin to cells in suspension. Arginine vasopressin 10(-7) mol/L elicited a maximal response. These increases were associated temporarily with a fourfold increase in tritiated D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate formation in prelabeled cells. Pertussis toxin (200 ng/ml) did not inhibit the Ca2+ increase nor did it inhibit the increase in tritiated D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate formation, suggesting a pertussis toxin--insensitive signaling pathway for phospholipase C hydrolysis in response to vasopressin. Membranes prepared from mesangial cells increased D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate formation in vitro in response to arginine vasopressin and guanosine-5'-0(3- thiotrisphosphate), and this stimulation was inhibited by guanosine-5'-0(2-thiodiphosphate), confirming the involvement of a guanosine triphosphate--binding protein. In contrast arginine vasopressin stimulated arachidonate release from intact mesangial cells, and this effect was blocked by pretreating cells with pertussis toxin. To demonstrate that this was through a pertussis toxin--sensitive guanosine triphosphate--binding protein, we permeabilized cells with saponin and determined that arginine vasopressin and guanosine-5'-0(3-thiotriphosphate) stimulated the release of arachidonic acid and the stimulation of guanosine-5'-0(3-thiotriphosphate) was inhibited by guanosine-5'-0(2-thiodiphosphate). Finally, pertussis toxin was able to stimulate adenosine diphosphate ribosylation in vivo of a substrate protein in mesangial cell membranes of 41 kd, and this ribosylation was inhibited by pretreating cells with pertussis toxin. These data suggest that the release of arachidonic acid by vasopressin in glomerular mesangial cells is linked to a pertussis toxin--sensitive guanosine triphosphate--binding protein and that this activation of phospholipase C in vasopressin is linked to a pertussis toxin--insensitive guanosine triphosphate--binding protein.     

Decreased stimulatory guanosine triphosphate binding protein in dogs with pressure-overload left ventricular failure.

Alterations in the level and function of the stimulatory guanyl nucleotide binding protein (Gs) from the cardiac sarcolemma were examined in a canine model of heart failure. The present study is based on our previous investigations that demonstrated both a loss of beta-adrenergic agonist high-affinity binding sites and a decreased adenylate cyclase activity in sarcolemma from failing hearts. Using cholera toxin and [32P]NAD, we labeled the alpha subunit of Gs (Gs alpha) and found a 59% reduction in the level of this protein. Further, a 50% reduction in Gs activity was noted in a reconstitution assay utilizing membranes from the mouse S49 lymphoma cell line cyc-, which is deficient in Gs. These data suggest that, in this model of pressure-overload left ventricular failure, the acquired defect in the beta-adrenergic receptor/adenylate cyclase system involves a deficiency in the coupling protein Gs. Such an abnormality may explain the decreased adrenergic responsiveness of the failing left ventricle.     

Deficient guanine nucleotide regulatory unit activity in cultured fibroblast membranes from patients with pseudohypoparathyroidism type I. A cause of impaired synthesis of 3'',5''-cyclic AMP by intact and broken cells

Deficient activity of the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (G unit), an integral component of the membrane-bound adenylate cyclase complex, has been implicated as the biochemical lesion in many patients with pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) type I. In addition to renal resistance to parathyroid hormone in this disorder, there is decreased responsiveness of diverse tissues to hormones that act via 3',5'-cyclic AMP (cAMP). To assess whether a deficiency of G units could account for impaired adenylate cyclase activity, we studied cAMP production in intact cultured fibroblasts and fibroblast plasma membranes from five patients with PHP in response to several activators of adenylate cyclase.

The number of G units in PHP fibroblast membranes, measured by cholera toxin-dependent [³²P]ADP ribosylation of G-unit peptides, as well as the G-unit activity, determined by the ability of detergent extracts to reconstitute adenylate cyclase activity in G-unit-deficient S49 CYC^- membranes, were found to be markedly reduced compared with control membranes (43 and 40%, respectively), The activation of fibroblast membrane adenylate cyclase by effectors that act directly through the G unit (guanosine triphosphate, guanosine 5'-0-[3-thiotriphosphate] [GTP-γ-S], NaF) was significantly greater in control membranes than in membranes from patients with PHP. Moreover, we found that hormone (prostaglandin E₁) stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was also greater in control membranes than in PHP membranes. Neither the apparent affinity of membrane adenylate cyclase for GTP-γ-S (apparent K_m =5 X 10^-8 M) nor the rate of enzyme activation by GTP-γ-S was significantly different in fibroblast membranes from control subjects and patients with PHP. In contrast to the notable differences in hormone and G-unit-activated adenylate cyclase shown in fibroblast membranes from PHP patients and control subjects, the intrinsic catalytic activity of membranes, as determined by forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase, was not significantly different in the two groups.

Intact fibroblasts derived from patients with PHP accumulated significantly (P 0.001) less cAMP (46±21 pmol cAMP/mcg DNA, n = 5) than cells from normal individuals (170±51 pmol cAMP/mcg DNA, n = 11) when stimulated with PGE₁. PGE₁-stimulated accumulation of cAMP by intact fibroblast monolayers correlated closely with PGE₁ plus GTP-activated membrane adenylate cyclase activity in both patients and controls (r = 0.97, P < 0.001).

Our data show that, in patients with PHP, (a) fibroblast membranes show a decreased complement of G units, (b) membrane catalytic activity is normal, but adenylate cyclase activity is reduced when stimulated by hormone or by effectors which activate the G unit, (c) the ability of cells to accumulate cAMP in response to hormone stimulation is reduced, and (d) reduced membrane adenylate cyclase activity correlates well with impaired cellular cAMP synthesis. These results, taken together, indicate that a deficiency of G-unit activity can impair synthesis of cAMP by both intact and broken cells, and may explain the resistance of multiple tissues to hormones that act via cAMP observed in PHP.

     

Phorbol ester modulation of cyclic AMP accumulation in a primary culture of rat aortic smooth muscle cells

Over the past few years, the importance of calcium and cyclic AMP in the regulation of vascular smooth muscle tone has been well documented. We used a primary culture of rat aortic myocytes to study the effect of protein kinase C on isoproterenol- and forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP production. Addition of the protein kinase C activator 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) to these cells, but not an inactive analog, increased the stimulation of cyclic AMP production induced with isoproterenol or forskolin without changes in the apparent affinity of these compounds but did not affect the basal cAMP level. TPA also enhanced the cholera toxin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation. Isoproterenol and cholera toxin increased the forskolin apparent potency suggesting that interaction of activatory GTP-dependent protein with the catalytic subunit of adenylate cyclase facilitates forskolin interaction to the catalytic subunit. Treatment of myocytes with pertussis toxin had no effect on the basal level of cyclic AMP production and did not significantly modify isoproterenol- and forskolin-induced stimulation. Pertussis toxin treatment of cells did not affect the TPA-enhanced isoproterenol or forskolin stimulations suggesting that pertussis toxin and TPA actions would not share a common target of myocyte adenylate cyclase system. Our data would be in agreement with a possible direct interaction of protein kinase C with the catalytic subunit of adenylate cyclase system.     

Methylxanthine treatment of smooth muscle cells differentially modulates adenylate cyclase responsiveness.

The DDT1 MF-2 smooth muscle cell line was used to study regulation of the A1 and A2 adenosine receptor (AR)-adenylate cyclase system by two different methylxanthines. 3-isobutyl 1-methylxanthine (IBMX) is both an AR antagonist and a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, while xanthine amine congener is an AR antagonist without phosphodiesterase activity. Incubation of cells for 18 hr with 100 microM IBMX produced a significant (P less than .05) decrease in the basal, isoproterenol- and sodium fluoride-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. This generalized decrease in adenylate cyclase activity was associated with a significant decrease in the quantity of alpha s (Gs) as determined by Western blotting. In contrast, no alteration in alpha i (Gi) was observed in these same membranes. A significant increase in both the quantity of A1AR and the receptors' affinity for agonist occurred; however, no alteration in the ability of an A1AR selective agonist to inhibit adenylate cyclase activity was observed. Treatment for 18 hr with 50 nM xanthine amine congener, conversely, resulted in an increase in basal and isoproterenol stimulated adenylate cyclase activity with no change in membrane alpha s (Gs). With IBMX, there was an increase in agonist affinity for the A1AR without an associated change in the effect of adenosine agonists on adenylate cyclase activity. These data indicate that methylxanthine analogs which lack the ability to inhibit phosphodiesterases regulate receptor-mediated transmembrane signaling systems quite differently from those possessing such characteristics. The more prototypic methylxanthines regulate both receptors and G proteins in these smooth muscle cells.     

Action of adenosine in estrogen-primed nonpregnant guinea pig myometrium: characterization of the smooth muscle receptor and coupling to phosphoinositide metabolism.

The smooth muscle of guinea pig uterus is contracted by adenosine in a manner consistent with the presence of a purine nucleoside receptor of the P1-A1 subtype that is uncoupled from adenylate cyclase. Here we investigate the signal transduction mechanism responsible for adenosine's ability to contract uterine smooth muscle. The A1 adenosine receptor antagonist [3H]-8-cyclopentyl-1.3- dipropyl xanthine ([3H]CPX) bound reversibly to a large number (172 +/- 25 fmol/mg of protein) of receptors in myometrial smooth muscle membranes from estrogen-primed virgin guinea pigs with an affinity (KD = 1.77 +/- 0.21 nM) similar to that expected of [3H]CPX binding to both central and peripheral A1 receptors. In the absence of the stable GTP analog, guanosine-5'-O-[3-thiotriphosphate], agonist competition of [3H]CPX binding resulted in a biphasic curve that was best fit assuming the presence of equal populations of two affinity states of the receptor. Addition of guanosine-5'-O-[3-thiotriphosphate] (10 microM) resulted in a monophasic competition curve of low affinity suggesting coupling of this A1 receptor to effector via a GTP binding protein. In [3H]myo-inositol labeled strips of myometrial smooth muscle, the adenosine agonist R-phenylisopropyl adenosine (R-PIA) stimulated the rapid formation of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) that was antagonized by addition of the nucleoside receptor antagonist 8-sulfophenyl theophylline. Prostaglandin stimulation of myometrial strips also increased InsP3 formation. Furthermore, R-PIA stimulated the disappearance of inositol phosphate (InsP) in a fashion consistent with agonist stimulation of an inositol phosphatase activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Dopamine D2 receptor inhibition of adenylyl cyclase is abolished by acute ethanol but restored after chronic ethanol exposure (tolerance).

Dopamine D2 (D2) receptors seem to mediate reinforcing responses to addicting drugs. A stably transfected NG108-15 cell line expressing the long form of the rat brain D2 receptor (D2L) was used to determine how ethanol modifies D2 receptor coupling to adenylyl cyclase. Activation of D2L receptors by the D2 receptor-specific agonist R-(-)-2,10,11-trihydroxy-N-propylnorapomorphine hydrobromide (NPA) inhibits both basal and receptor-stimulated cAMP production in these cells. Ethanol added acutely prevents D2L receptor inhibition of cAMP production. After chronic exposure to ethanol, however, D2L receptor coupling to adenylyl cyclase becomes tolerant to rechallenge with ethanol, i.e., ethanol no longer inhibits D2L receptor coupling and NPA inhibition of cAMP production is restored. Acute ethanol does not change NPA binding to D2 receptor in cell membranes but abolishes guanosine-5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate induction of a lower-affinity state; chronic ethanol is without effect. The protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor adenosine 3',5' cyclic monophosphorothioate, Rp-isomer, prevents acute ethanol inhibition of D2L receptor coupling. In contrast, the PKA activator adenosine 3',5' cyclic monophosphorothioate, Sp-isomer, reverses chronic ethanol-induced tolerance of D2L receptor coupling, restoring coupling to an ethanol-sensitive state. These results suggest that D2L receptor coupling to adenylyl cyclase via G(i) develops tolerance to ethanol inhibition, which appears to be influenced by PKA activity.     

Ethanol enhancement of isoproterenol-stimulated melatonin and cyclic AMP release from cultured pineal glands

Norepinephrine stimulates the synthesis of melatonin in the pineal gland. The action of norepinephrine is believed to be mediated primarily by beta adrenergic receptors, and involves activation of adenylate cyclase. Ethanol, 25 to 50 mM, added to cultured pineal glands in vitro, enhanced isoproterenol-induced stimulation of cyclic AMP and melatonin production. The action of ethanol was observed only at doses of isoproterenol that produced a submaximal effect, and ethanol alone had no effect on cyclic AMP or melatonin release. Butanol, at a concentration of 2 mM, was as effective as 50 mM ethanol in increasing isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic AMP and melatonin release, indicating that the response to alcohols was not due simply to changes in osmolarity, and may reflect a hydrophobic interaction of the alcohols with the cell membrane. The effects of ethanol on pineal cyclic AMP and melatonin release were reversible after a 15-min preincubation, but not after a 2-hr preincubation, suggesting that, over a long incubation period, ethanol may sensitize the pineal beta adrenergic receptor-coupled adenylate cyclase system to isoproterenol. The findings in this study are consistent with earlier work showing that ethanol increases cerebral cortical beta adrenergic receptor-coupled adenylate cyclase activity, and demonstrate that the effect of ethanol on the receptor-effector system can result in an endocrinological response.     

Desensitization to parathyroid hormone in renal cells from aged rats is associated with alterations in G-protein activity.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)-stimulated Na+/Ca2+ exchange activity, but not forskolin-sensitive Na+-dependent Ca2+ efflux, was blunted in renal cortical cells from aged rats. PTH-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity in renal membranes from senescent rats also declined, but forskolin-stimulated activity did not change. In addition, cholera toxin- and pertussis toxin-stimulated Na+-dependent Ca2+ efflux and cAMP formation were blunted in cells from aged animals. Further, cells from aged rats had decreased Gs-alpha and Gi-alpha proteins, as detected by ADP-ribosylation. These findings would be consistent with the proposal of an age-associated heterologous desensitization that involved the G-proteins. Serum concentrations of iPTH were increased in the old rat, suggesting that the desensitization to PTH in the aging rat represented an adaptive response to prolonged stimulation by the hormone. This hypothesis was supported by the findings that the attenuated PTH-sensitive Na+/Ca2+ exchange activity, cAMP formation, and adenylate cyclase activity in cells from old rats could be reversed by parathyroidectomy. The decreased label in cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylated Gs-alpha and pertussis toxin catalyzed ADP-ribosylated Gi-alpha found in cells from aged rats was also largely negated by the surgery. In conclusion, the results suggest that the age-related blunting in the responses of renal cells to PTH was associated with a deficit in G-protein function and that this alteration could be reversed by removal of the parathyroid gland.