Proteolytic enzyme activation of rat ovarian adenylate cyclase

Various serine proteases (e.g., trypsin, alpha-chymotrypsin, Pronase, and subtilisin) stimulate adenylate cyclase [ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1] activity in a membrane-enriched fraction of the rat ovary. Maximum stimulation is observed at protease concentrations ranging from 3 to 10 mug/ml. Higher protease concentrations inhibit ovarian adenylate cyclase in a dose-dependent manner. Protease stimulation causes a 6- to 8-fold increase in adenylate cyclase activity, which is comparable to the stimulation observed with human chorionic gonadotropin. Combinations of trypsin plus hormone or trypsin plus NaF stimulate ovarian adenylate cyclase activity to a greater extent than does any one of these alone.The mechanism of protease stimulation of adenylate cyclase involves limited proteolysis because zymogen precursors fail to activate the cyclase as does trypsin pretreated with trypsin inhibitors. Unlike cholera toxin, the serine protease stimulation is immediate (within the first 5 min) and requires no additional factors (e.g., NAD(+)). It is unlikely that protease stimulation of adenylate cyclase results from a proteolytic modification of the hormone receptor on the cell surface, because of the additive effects noted above and because protease stimulation is also observed in ovaries desensitized to hormone that lack this hormone receptor. Results with Lubrol-treated membranes also suggest that proteolytic enzymes do not directly activate the catalytic subunit of the cyclase or unmask new catalytic sites because the protease effect (like hormonal stimulation) is abolished by the detergent, whereas fluoride stimulation is enhanced. Other data suggest that serine protease and chorionic gonadotropin stimulation of adenylate cyclase result from activation of a membrane protease that then regulates adenylate cyclase in the ovary.     

Calmodulin mediates the stimulatory effect of 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine on adenylate cyclase activity in rat thymocyte plasma membranes

We have previously demonstrated that T3 increases adenylate cyclase activity in rat thymocyte plasma membranes by a mechanism that is calcium dependent. In the present studies we have examined whether calmodulin participates in this response to T3. Initial experiments provided evidence that calmodulin is involved in regulating the activity of the guanyl nucleotide-dependent adenylate cyclase in this tissue. Thus, compared with findings in freshly prepared membranes, dialysis of thymocyte plasma membrane preparations for 20 h at 4 C decreased their calmodulin concentrations from an initial value of approximately 600 ng/100 micrograms protein by about 50% and decreased adenylate cyclase activity by approximately 80%. Although storage of the same preparations under comparable conditions resulted in no change in calmodulin content, it caused an approximate 30% decrease in adenylate cyclase activity. Addition of calmodulin had no effect on adenylate cyclase activity in fresh or stored membrane preparations, but produced a dose-dependent increase in enzyme activity in preparations that had been dialyzed. Further, when added to freshly isolated membranes, three calmodulin antagonists, trifluoperazine, calmidazolium, and calmodulin antibodies, all produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity, and this was completely reversed in all cases by the addition of high concentrations of exogenous calmodulin. The stimulation of guanyl nucleotide-dependent adenylate cyclase activity that T3 induced in fresh membrane preparations was present in membranes that had been stored, but was absent in those that had been dialyzed. In addition, the response to T3 in fresh membranes was inhibited or abolished by all three calmodulin antagonists. Both in dialyzed membranes and in the presence of antagonists, the response to T3 was restored by the addition of exogenous calmodulin. We conclude that calmodulin influences the activity of the guanyl nucleotide-dependent adenylate cyclase in rat thymocytes and ultimately mediates the stimulation of enzyme activity that T3 produces. Such mediation very likely explains the calcium-dependent nature of the stimulatory effect of T3 on thymocyte adenylate cyclase activity.     

Comparison of the luteinizing hormone-sensitive adenylyl cyclase of the pig ovarian follicle and corpus luteum and its susceptibility to in vitro hormone-dependent desensitization

The hormone responsiveness of the adenylyl cyclase of pig ovarian follicles or corpora lutea was examined. Adenylyl cyclase activity was assayed in 10,000 x g membrane fractions that had been prepared with or without (control) a urea extraction. In control luteal membranes there was little stimulation (less than 2-fold) or adenylyl cyclase by saturating ovine (o) LH, hCG, or (-)isoproterenol in the absence or presence of 10 microM GTP. However, in urea-treated luteal membranes, a 2- to 3-fold stimulation of adenylyl cyclase was caused by saturating oLH or hCG, and a 4- to 5-fold stimulation by (-)isoproterenol; the marked stimulation by the gonadotropins was only observed if 10 microM GTP was added. In follicular membranes, a 3- to 4-fold stimulation of adenylyl cyclase by gonadotropins was observed regardless of whether GTP was added or the membranes had been urea extracted. Stimulation of adenylyl cyclase by (-)isoproterenol was always less than 2-fold in follicular membranes. The binding affinity for [125I]hCG was similar in control follicular and luteal membranes, but there were approximately 10-fold more [125I]hCG-binding sites in follicular compared with luteal membranes. The binding affinities and number of receptor sites were not significantly changed by urea treatment. The ED50 values for hCG or (-)isoproterenol were the same in follicular and luteal membranes and were uneffected by the addition of 10 microM GTP, but the ED50 for oLH was 3-fold lower in follicular than in luteal membranes. GTP caused a dose-dependent increase in adenylyl cyclase activity in luteal and follicular membranes, and both tissues had the same ED50. A saturating hormone concentration resulted in an approximately 2-fold decrease in the ED50 for GTP. In vitro hCG-induced desensitization of the hCG-responsive adenylyl cyclase was 31% in follicular membranes, but only 11-15% in luteal membranes. Hormone-induced desensitization was not increased in incubations of luteal homogenate or membranes plus cytosol. These results establish the existence of a LH/hCG-sensitive adenylyl cyclase in the pig corpus luteum and indicate that the G-protein and catalytic moieties of the follicular and luteal adenylyl cyclase complex are functionally the same, but some difference exists in the way the LH/hCG-receptor in the two tissues interacts with the G-protein/catalytic complex.     

Mechanism of action of cholera toxin and the mobile receptor theory of hormone receptor-adenylate cyclase interactions.

Rat liver membrane adenylate cyclase (EC 4.6.1.1) that has been stimulated more than 10-fold by cholera toxin (choleragen) has a 3-fold greater sensitivity to stimulation by glucagon. Choleragen similarly increases the sensitivity of cyclase to other peptide (ACTH, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide) and nonpeptide (catecholamines) hormones in this and other tissues. The rate of 125I-labeled glucagon-membrane dissociation is decreased about 2-fold in toxin-treated liver membranes. Toxin-activated cyclase activity of fat cell membranes is retained upon solubilization with Lubrol PX. Provided 125I-labeled choleragen is first incubated with cells under conditions resulting in enzyme activation, the solubilized cyclase activity migrates with a component of 125I-labeled choleragen on gel filtration chromatography. Agarose derivatives containing the "active" subunit (molecular weight 36,000) of the toxin can specifically adsorb solubilized adenylate cyclase. Toxin-stimulated cyclase can be immunoprecipitated with antitoxin or anti-"active" subunit antibodies. There is a large excess of membrane receptors (ganglioside GM1) which, with the use of choleragenoid, can be shown to be functionally equivalent with respect to cyclase activation. Choleragenoid, an inactive competitive antagonist of toxin binding, can occupy and block a large proportion of toxin receptors without affecting toxin activity. A scheme of toxin action is proposed that involves lateral membrane diffusion of the initially inactive toxin-receptor complex with subsequent direct interaction with and modulation of adenylate cyclase. The basic features of this scheme may be pertinent to the mechanisms by which hormone receptors normally modulate adenylate cyclase.     

Influence of forskolin on the parathyroid hormone dependent adenylate cyclase system of canine kidney: evidence for noncatalytic effects of forskolin

The present studies examined the effects of forskolin on the PTH responsive adenylate cyclase system of canine basolateral renal cortical membranes. This agent is a potent activator of adenylate cyclase in a wide variety of intact cells and broken cell preparations. Initially forskolin was believed to activate adenylate cyclase by direct stimulation of the catalytic unit of the enzyme. Several observations, however, have suggested that there may be additional noncatalytic sites of action. In the present studies, forskolin was found to increase PTH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity by 4-fold associated with a 2-fold decrease in the Kact for PTH (dose of PTH required for half-maximal enzyme stimulation). Studies of the interaction of forskolin with magnesium revealed that forskolin resulted in a dose dependent increase in the affinity of adenylate cyclase for magnesium. A short lag was observed in the onset of enzyme activation by forskolin. The lag was decreased as Mg++ concentration was increased. The forskolin-induced increase in the affinity for Mg++ was similar to that produced by other activators of adenylate cyclase such as NaF and GTP, which interact with the nucleotide regulatory protein. Magnesium also markedly affected the affinity of the enzyme system for forskolin. Kact for forskolin was reduced from 10 microM to 0.1 microM as Mg++ concentration was raised from 0.5 mM to 40 mM. Since previous studies have shown that the allosteric effects of Mg++ are at, or closely related to, the nucleotide regulatory protein, these findings suggest that forskolin may also affect this site. In summary, in basolateral renal cortical membrane of canine kidney the effects of forskolin to increase the affinity of adenylate cyclase for PTH and to alter the allosteric effects of Mg++ on enzyme activity are indicative of noncatalytic effects of forskolin. The interpretation of action of forskolin on adenylate cyclase activity should not be restricted to direct stimulation of the catalytic unit.     

Lack of glucagon receptors in Morris hepatoma 7800

When compared to normal liver membranes, purified plasma membranes of regenerating liver and Morris hepatomas contain low but variable capacities to bind glucagon. This property is inversely related to the capacity of the isolated hepatocytes to bind to heterologous biomatrix glycoproteins. Since these parameters are characteristic of the proliferative state of the cells, it was important to further study the glucagon receptor protein and stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity. Our results show that 125I-iodinated plasma membranes obtained from normal liver contain three molecular species (117000, 98000, 86000 molecular weight) that can be eluted specifically with glucagon from a sepharose-glucagon affinity column. These proteins contain the putative glucagon receptor since binding of 125I- iodoglucagon is increased 150-fold as compared to unfractionated membranes. Plasma membranes obtained from Morris hepatoma (7800) and liver of chemically hepatectomized rats do not bind glucagon and lack these proteins. After inactivation with N-ethylmaleimide of the adenylate cyclase activity of the normal plasma membranes, they were fused with membrane of the hepatoma. The hybrid membranes showed 60% recovery of glucagon-stimulated cyclase activity. These results suggest that the plasma membranes of the proliferating liver cells do not contain receptor protein but have intact regulatory and catalytic subunits of the adenylate cyclase system.     

beta-Adrenergic receptor agonists increase phospholipid methylation, membrane fluidity, and beta-adrenergic receptor-adenylate cyclase coupling.

The beta-adrenergic agonist L-isoproterenol stimulated the enzymic synthesis of phosphatidyl-N-monomethylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine in rat reticulocyte ghosts containing the methyl donor S-adenosyl-L-methionine. The stimulation was stereospecific, dose-dependent, and inhibited by the beta-adrenergic agonist propranolol. The addition of GTP inside the resealed ghosts shifted the dose-response of phospholipid methylation by L-isoproterenol to the left by 2 orders of magnitude. Direct stimulation of adenylate cyclase [ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1] with sodium fluoride or cholera toxin did not increase the methylation of phospholipids. At a concentration of S-adenosyl-L-methionine that stimulates synthesis of phosphatidyl-N-monomethylethanolamine, the activity of isoproterenol-sensitive adenylate cyclase was increased 2-fold without changes in the basal activity of adenylate cyclase and the number of beta-adrenergic receptors. The increase of phospholipid methylation by L-isoproterenol decreased membrane viscosity and increased translocation of methylated lipids. These findings indicate that enhancement of phospholipid methylation by L-isoproterenol decreases membrane microviscosity and thus increases lateral movement of the beta-adrenergic receptors and coupling with adenylate cyclase.     

Regulation of thyroid adenylate cyclase: guanyl nucleotide modulation of thyrotropin receptor-adenylate cyclase function

The role of guanyl nucleotides in regulating the hormonal responsiveness of adenylate cyclase was studied in thyroid plasma membranes. Guanyl-5'-yl-imidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p] alone stimulated the enzyme. At a low ATP concentration (0.2 mM), TSH alone had little or no effect, but when added with Gpp(NH)p, it resulted in a dose-dependent increase of enzyme activity. Kinetic studies revealed that Gpp(NH)p alone stimulated adenylate cyclase activity only after a 10-min lag. TSH abolished the lag, resulting in an apparent increase in activity and a lowering of the activation constant for Gpp(NH)p. GTP caused an initial increase in activity at 2 min, followed by a gradual decline below basal levels. This inhibition was not prevented by TSH. Further examination revealed that GDP caused inhibition of Gpp(NH)p-stimulated activity in a competitive manner, suggesting that conversion of GTP to GDP may be responsible for the time-dependent decay seen with GTP. To study the effects of guanyl nucleotides on coupling of the TSH receptor to adenylate cyclase, plasma membranes were preactivated with saturating amounts of Gpp(NH)p and washed extensively to remove unbound Gpp(NH)p. Incubation of preactivated membranes with either Gpp(NH)p or TSH gave no further stimulation of adenylate cyclase. However, Gpp(NH)p plus TSH produced 30% more stimulation. In contrast, the addition of TSH plus GDP to preactivated membranes led to a dose-dependent decrease in activity. Furthermore, promotion of further stimulation by TSH plus Gpp(NH)p was competitively inhibited by GDP, in the same manner as untreated membranes. This suggested that the dual action of TSH, i.e, stimulation and inhibition, is governed and mediated by specific guanyl nucleotides. Analysis of guanyl nucleotides effects on the binding of [125I[iodo-TSH to membranes revealed that although some inhibition of binding exists, this effect is 1) unrelated to the concentration effect of nucleotides on adenylate cyclase, and 2) not specific for guanosine phosphates. Scatchard analysis of TSH binding in the presence of guanyl nucleotides demonstrated that even at high concentrations, GTP had no effect on the high affinity, low capacity receptor for TSH. These results suggest that GDP or Gpp(NH)p plays no role in modulating TSH-receptor interaction. Thus, guanyl nucleotide regulation of TSH action appears to be limited to adenylate cyclase.     

LH-RH binding to purified pituitary plasma membranes: absence of adenylate cyclase activation.

Purified bovine pituitary plasma membranes possess two specific LH-RH binding sites. The high affinity site (2.5 X 10(9) l/mol) has low capacity (9 X 10(-15) mol/mg membrane protein) while the low affinity site 6.1 X 10(5) l/mol) has a much higher capacity (1.1 X 10(-10) mol/mg). Specific LH-RH binding to plasma membranes is increased 8.5-fold during purification from homogenate whilst adenylate cyclase activity is enriched 7--8-fold. Distribution of specific LH-RH binding to sucrose density gradient interface fractions parallels that of adenylate cyclase activity. Mg2+ and Ca2+ inhibit specific [125I]LH-RH binding at micromolar concentrations. Synthetic LH-RH, up to 250 microgram/ml, failed to stimulate adenylase cyclase activity of the purified bovine membranes. Using a crude 10,800 g rat pituitary membrane preparation, LH-RH similarly failed to activate adenylate cyclase even in the presence of guanyl nucleotides. These data confirm the presence of LH-RH receptor sites on pituitary plasma membranes and suggest that LH-RH-induced gonadotrophin release may be mediated by mechanisms other than activation of adenylate cyclase.     

A calmodulin-sensitive adenylate cyclase in the prothoracic glands of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta

The Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM) dependence of adenylate cyclase activity in Manduca sexta prothoracic glands was investigated. Membrane fractions from two developmental stages were used, day 3 of the last larval instar and day 0 of the pupal stage, both of which respond to the neuropeptide prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) with increased cAMP production dependent on extracellular Ca2+. The data revealed that both larval and pupal prothoracic gland membrane fractions have a Ca2+/CaM-dependent adenylate cyclase which is inhibited by CaM antagonists and EGTA. The larval adenylate cyclase shows a multiphasic response to Ca2+/CaM, with a 2-fold stimulation between 0.02 and 0.01 microM, a further increase in adenylate cyclase activity at concentrations greater than 2 microM and a potentiation of NaF-stimulated activity at doses greater than 0.1 microM Ca2+/CaM. Pupal prothoracic gland membrane fractions exhibit only the second phase of stimulation. Stimulation by the GTP analogs GTP-gamma-S and Gpp(NH)p is dependent on CaM in larval, but not in pupal membrane fractions, suggesting a role for CaM in Gs protein-mediated regulation of adenylate cyclase. However, adenylate cyclase activity in glands from both stages is dependent on CaM, supporting our initial premise that Ca2+ is required for cAMP synthesis in the prothoracic glands.     

Differential roles of high and low affinity guanosine 5'-triphosphate binding sites in the regulation of follicle-stimulating hormone binding to receptor and signal transduction in bovine calf testis membranes

We have previously shown that FSH receptors are physically and functionally associated with a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (Gs) in membranes of calf testis. Using N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), forskolin, and cholera toxin as probes, we have investigated the role of low and high affinity GTP-binding sites of stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding protein of adenylate cyclase (Gs) in the activation of adenylate cyclase. When calf testis membranes were exposed to NEM (1 mM), FSH binding to receptors was slightly (30%) decreased, but the receptors showed continued sensitivity to GTP, resulting in a further decrease in [125I]human FSH binding to receptors. Pretreatment of membranes with NEM (up to 20 microM) produced no effect on GTP-binding. A dose-dependent decrease in high affinity GTP-binding sites, however, was observed at higher (greater than 50 microM) NEM. Adenylate cyclase activity was reduced in response to GTP gamma S or NaF concomitant to a decrease in high affinity GTP-binding sites in membranes treated with 50-100 microM NEM, or completely abolished in membranes exposed to 300 microM NEM. Stimulation by forskolin indicated that the significant inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity occurring in membranes exposed to low NEM (50-100 microM) was not due to inactivation of catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase by NEM. Pretreatment of membranes with 100 micrograms/ml cholera toxin and NAD slightly (18%) reduced specific FSH binding but did not affect Gpp(NH)p-binding. However, adenylate cyclase stimulation by GTP plus FSH in these membranes was significantly enhanced. When membranes were treated with higher concentration of cholera toxin (250 micrograms/ml), the adenylate cyclase stimulation by GTP plus FSH was abolished due to uncoupling of FSH receptors from Gs and a significant decrease in high affinity GTP-binding sites. Our results suggest that high affinity GTP-binding sites of Gs coupled to FSH receptors are essential for FSH and guanine nucleotide activation of adenylate cyclase. The low affinity binding sites bind GTP and thereby regulate FSH binding but are not involved in the activation of adenylate cyclase.     

Mechanism of action of glycopeptide hormones and cholera toxin: what is the role of ADP-ribosylation?

The cultured murine Leydig tumor cell line MLTC-1 and the normal rat thyroid strain FRTL have adenylate cyclase activities that are stimulated by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and thyrotropin, respectively. Both cell types also respond to choleragen. Activation of adenylate cyclase in membranes by choleragen required NAD whereas stimulation of the enzyme by hormones did not. With [alpha-32P]NAD as a donor, ADP-ribosylation of membrane proteins was determined under the same conditions used to assay adenylate cyclase activity. Under these conditions, choleragen, but not the hormones, caused the ADP-ribosylation of subunits of the regulatory component (G/F) of adenylate cyclase in both FRTL and MLTC-1 membranes. In the absence of any effectors, several membrane proteins became labeled but the hormones did not cause the specific labeling of these or any other membrane proteins. Pretreatment of intact MLTC-1 cells with hCG did not block the ability of choleragen to ADP-ribosylate G/F in isolated membranes; labeling was actually enhanced in a manner related to the length of exposure to hCG. In contrast, pretreatment of the cells with choleragen inhibited ADP-ribosylation of G/F by the toxin in isolated membranes. Extracts of membranes from untreated, hCG-treated, and choleragen-treated MLTC-1 cells were used to reconstitute adenylate cyclase activity in membranes from the cyc- variant of S49 lymphoma cells which lacks a functional G/F. Toxin but not hormone treatment caused an increase in the basal activity of adenylate cyclase in the reconstituted system. Our results indicate that ADP-ribosylation of the regulatory component of adenylate cyclase is required for choleragen action but not for hormone action.     

Effects of human erythrocyte guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein on parathyroid hormone-responsive adenylate cyclase from canine renal cortex

We studied the effects of the guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein (Gs) from human erythrocytes on PTH-responsive adenylate cyclase from partially purified membranes of canine renal cortex (CRC). Extracts of erythrocyte membranes, containing soluble Gs, was obtained by treatment with a detergent (Lubrol PX). Gs did not stimulate adenylate cyclase activity by itself, but amplified the response of adenylate cyclase in CRC membranes to both synthetic bovine PTH-(1-34) [bPTH-(1-34)] and to the hydrolysis-resistant GTP analog 5'-guanylimido-diphosphate [Gpp(NH)p]. Gs increased PTH stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity in both the presence and absence of Gpp(NH)p. In the absence of Gpp(NH)p, the potentiating effect of Gs occurred only when the concentration of bPTH-(1-34) was greater than 10 ng/ml. bPTH-(1-34), Gpp(NH)p, and Gs each enhanced the catalytic activity of adenylate cyclase when added separately or in combination by increasing the apparent maximum velocity (Vmax) of the enzyme without altering the apparent Km for MgATP. The effect of Gs on CRC membrane adenylate cyclase activity in the presence of NaF (10 mM) and forskolin (100 microM) was also examined. NaF- and forskolin-stimulated enzyme activities were significantly increased by Gs in both the presence and absence of Gpp(NH)p (100 microM). Analysis of double reciprocal plots of substrate concentration and enzyme activity revealed that NaF and forskolin increased the Vmax of the catalytic activity and did not alter the apparent Km of the enzyme for MgATP. These data support the role of Gs as a regulator of the response of adenylate cyclase to hormones, guanyl nucleotides, NaF, and forskolin. Our studies address the relative functional stoichiometry between Gs and catalytic unit present in CRC membranes and suggest that the CRC adenylate cyclase system must contain insufficient Gs to couple with all available catalytic units. These results are consistent with the possibility that deficiency of Gs impairs hormonal stimulation by diminishing the apparent Vmax of the catalytic unit and does not alter the apparent affinity of the enzyme for MgATP.     

Mechanism of cholera toxin action: Covalent modification of the guanyl nucleotide-binding protein of the adenylate cyclase system

Treatment of pigeon erythrocyte membranes with cholera toxin and NAD(+) enhanced the GTP stimulation and suppressed the F(-) activation of the adenylate cylase [ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1]. In the presence of NAD(+) labeled with (32)P in the AMP moiety the toxin catalyzed the covalent incorporation of radioactivity into membrane proteins with molecular weights (M(r)s) of 200,000, 86,000, and 42,000. Extraction of toxin-treated membranes with Lubrol PX followed by affinity chromatography on a GTP-Sepharose column resulted in a 200-fold purification of the 42,000-M(r) labeled protein and in its complete separation from the other labeled proteins. The fraction containing the purified GTP-binding component from toxin-treated membranes conferred an enhanced GTP-stimulated activity on adenylate cyclase solubilized from nontreated membranes. Likewise, the addition of GTP-binding fraction from nontreated membranes to an enzyme solubilized from toxin-treated membranes restored F(-) stimulation of the adenylate cyclase. The toxin-induced modification of adenylate cyclase and the incorporation of radioactivity into the 42,000-M(r) protein were partially reversed upon incubation with toxin and nicotinamide at pH 6.1. The results indicate that cholera toxin affects the adenylate cyclase system by catalyzing an ADP-ribosylation of the 42,000-M(r) component bearing the guanyl nucleotide regulatory site.     

Metformin treatment of lean and obese Zucker rats modulates the ability of glucagon and insulin to regulate hepatocyte adenylate cyclase activity

Glucagon stimulated adenylate cyclase activity some 21-fold in liver membranes from lean (Fa/Fa) and some 20-fold in membranes from obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats, with constants yielding half-maximal activation (Ka values) of 12.6 and 120.1 nmol/l respectively. Treatment of animals with the biguanide drug metformin (N',N'-dimethylbiguanide) decreased the ability of glucagon to stimulate this enzyme to some 16-fold for both the lean and obese animals and reduced the Ka values for activation of this enzyme by glucagon to 6.3 and 60.9 nmol/l respectively. Insulin inhibited glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity by some 24% in liver membranes from lean animals and some 17% in liver membranes from obese animals, with constants yielding half-maximal inhibition (Ki values) of 110 and 160 nmol/l respectively. The ability of insulin to inhibit the adenylate cyclase activity, from obese but not lean animals, was attenuated when insulin concentrations over 5 nmol/l were employed. Treatment of animals with metformin profoundly altered the sensitivity of adenylate cyclase to inhibition by insulin, with inhibition being increased to some 32% using liver membranes from either lean or obese animals. Values of Ki for this inhibitory action of insulin were 520 and 500 nmol/l using membranes from the lean and obese animals respectively, and no reduction in the ability of insulin, at concentrations over 5 nmol/l, to inhibit adenylate cyclase activity was observed using membranes from obese animals. Metformin also changed the kinetics of inhibition of adenylate cyclase by insulin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Forskolin stimulation of adenylate cyclase in human thyroid membranes

Forskolin stimulates adenylate cyclase in human thyroid membranes approximately 7-fold with half-maximal stimulation occurring at 5-10 microM. Guanine nucleotides are not required for stimulation of the enzyme by forskolin. Forskolin-stimulation is additive or greater than additive with that of TSH or Gpp(NH)p- (above 1 microM). Different from TSH- or Gpp(NH)p-stimulation of adenylate cyclase, uncoupling of the guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory component by increasing concentrations of MnCl2 did not result in uncoupling of forskolin stimulation. The finding indicates that forskolin may mainly act on the catalytic component of adenylate cyclase. From the present study, it is suggested that the diterpene forskolin stimulates adenylate cyclase in human thyroid membranes by a novel mechanism that differs from TSH- or Gpp(NH)p-stimulation, and that the diterpene may be a useful tool to investigate the metabolism of thyroid and its regulation in normal and pathological situations.     

The somatostatin receptor is directly coupled to adenylate cyclase in GH4C1 pituitary cell membranes

Somatostatin (SRIF) inhibits vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-stimulated cAMP accumulation in the GH4C1 strain of rat pituitary tumor cells, and this effect is responsible for SRIF inhibition of VIP-stimulated hormone release. In this study we examined the interaction between the SRIF receptor and adenylate cyclase in GH4C1 cell membranes. Maximal concentrations of VIP (50 nM) increased membrane adenylate cyclase activity 4.2-fold; half-maximal stimulation was observed with 0.75 nM VIP. SRIF noncompetitively inhibited the stimulatory effect of VIP, but it did not alter basal adenylate cyclase activity. The relative potencies of SRIF and two SRIF analogs as inhibitors of VIP-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in membranes and of VIP-stimulated cAMP accumulation in intact cells were similar. Furthermore, the concentration of SRIF that caused half-maximal inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity (ED50 = 2.3 nM) was close to the equilibrium dissociation constant for SRIF (Kd = 0.40 nM) measured in membrane preparations in the presence of GTP. Therefore, SRIF inhibition of adenylate cyclase appears to be receptor mediated. As with receptors known to regulate adenylate cyclase by interaction with a guanine nucleotide regulatory subunit, SRIF receptor binding was decreased in the presence of guanine nucleotides. Addition of GTP (150 microM) or the nonhydrolyzable GTP analog guanyl-5'-yl-imidodiphosphate (100 microM) decreased the specific binding of [125I-Tyr1]SRIF to 31% and 13% of the control value, respectively. This decrease in specific binding was due entirely to decreased receptor affinity for SRIF. GTP (150 microM) increased the equilibrium dissociation constant for SRIF from 0.11 to 0.40 nM, whereas the number of binding sites was unaffected by the nucleotide (Bmax = 0.2 pmol/mg protein). Analysis of dissociation kinetics demonstrated that in the absence of guanyl nucleotides, the rate of [125I-Tyr1]SRIF dissociation was first order (t 1/2 = 180 min). However, in the presence of a half-maximal concentration of guanyl-5'-yl-imidodiphosphate (0.3 microM), [125I-Tyr1]SRIF dissociation occurred with biphasic kinetics. Fifty percent of the specifically bound peptide dissociated at the same rate as that observed in the absence of nucleotide, whereas the remainder dissociated 15 times more rapidly (t 1/2 = 9.6 min).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Modulation of follicle-stimulating hormone-sensitive rat testicular adenylate cyclase activity by guanyl nucleotides.

We have studied modulation of FSH-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity in testes of immature rats by guanyl nucleotides. Highly purified hFSH alone stimulated adenylate cyclase activity 2.2-fold over basal levels. Addition of the GTP analog, 5'-guanylyl imidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p], caused an additional 2.8-fold augmentation of adenylate cyclase activity to 6 times over basal levels and 3.7 times greater than that seen in the presence of Gpp(NH)p alone. GTP did not significantly stimulate basal levels of adenylate cyclase and augmented FSH stimulated activity by 1.4-fold; other nucleotides were without effect. Half-maximum activation of adenylate cyclase in each instance was produced by approximately similar concentrations of either guanyl nucleotide (about 10 microM). The Km for hormone activation of adenylate cyclase was nearly the same in the presence and absence of Gpp(NH)p. Maximum adenylate cyclase stimulation in the presence of nucleotide and/or hRSH was always less than obtained by fluoride alone. Of all nucleotides tested, only GTP and its analog, Gpp(NH)p, significantly augmented FSH stimulation of testicular adenylate cyclase activity. Gpp(NH)p also markedly inhibited binding of radiolabeled hFSH to testicular receptor, but at a concentration 15-fold greater than that required for significant stimulation of testicular adenylate cyclase activity. The results suggest a specific role for guanyl nucleoside triphosphate in regulation of FSH effects on testicular adenylate cyclase activity.     

Effect of thyrotropin-induced desensitization of bovine thyroid adenylate cyclase on the nucleotide regulatory protein

The stimulation of adenylate cyclase by TSH was decreased 50-60% in crude membranes prepared from homogenates of bovine thyroid slices that had previously been incubated for 2 h with the hormone. The diminished response was not associated with any significant change in the binding capacity or affinity for 125I-labeled TSH. The apparent affinities of the desensitized adenylate cyclase for TSH or GTP were not different from those of the enzyme prepared from thyroid slices that had been incubated without TSH. Decreased adenylate cyclase responses to NaF, cholera toxin, or guanyl-5'-yl-imidodiphosphate were also observed in the desensitized membrane, whereas the enzyme responses to prostaglandin E1, GTP, or forskolin were not decreased. However, desensitization caused no decrease in the cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP ribosylation of the 40,000 mol wt polypeptide guanine nucleotide-binding component of the adenylate cyclase. The desensitized membranes showed basal adenylate cyclase activity similar to that of the control membranes using adenyl-5'-yl-imidodiphosphate as substrate in the absence of a nucleotide-regenerating system. These results suggest that the in vitro TSH-induced desensitization of thyroid adenylate cyclase reflects an alteration in the activation processes of the nucleotide regulatory protein.     

Polylysine-containing peptides, including the carboxyl-terminal segment of the human c-Ki-ras 2 protein, affect the activity of some key membrane enzymes.

Polylysine-containing peptides are found to affect membrane protein kinases, phosphatidylinositol kinases, and adenylate cyclase. Poly(L-lysine), poly(D-lysine), random copolymers of lysine and serine or lysine and alanine, and poly(L-ornithine) produced large increases in the in vitro phosphorylation of some membrane proteins present in Xenopus laevis oocyte membranes. Poly(L-arginine) did not cause a similar stimulation. In these membranes the phosphorylation of polydisperse protein of approximately 25 kDa was also greatly increased by 1 mM spermine and spermidine, by 10 microM histone H1, or by 200 microM peptide containing the 14-residue sequence at the carboxyl terminus of the human c-Ki-ras 2 gene product, which has eight lysines. Similar specific stimulation of protein phosphorylation was observed with membranes of NG-108-15 nerve cells in culture. Polylysine peptides, including the c-Ki-ras 2 segment, also stimulate the in vitro phosphorylation of membrane inositolphospholipids, to produce mainly phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate and less phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. Polylysine also alters the activity of oocyte adenylate cyclase, assayed in the presence of either F- or 5'-guanylyl imidodiphosphate.