Modulation by cyclic AMP in vitro of liver plasma membrane (Na+--K+)-ATPase and protein kinases.

Abstract

Abstract The effect of cyclic AMP on (Na+—K+)-ATPase and protein kinase activities of isolated liver plasma membrane has been investigated. Theophylline and caffeine, several cyclic nucleotides (including cyclic AMP, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP and cyclic UMP), and sodium butyrate reduced the activity of (Na+—K+)-ATPase. The most powerful inhibitor was dibutyryl cyclic AMP; however, its action is probably due to the combined effects of cyclic AMP and butyrate. The blocking agent propranolol prevented the action of both epinephrine and cyclic AMP. Liver plasma membranes contain protein kinase(s), which catalyze the transfer of terminal phosphate of ATP into protein of plasma membrane itself (endogenous phosphorylation) as well as into added proteins (exogenous phosphorylation). Endogenous phosphorylation was inhibited by cyclic AMP, dibutyryl cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP. On the other hand, exogenous phosphorylation was stimulated by cyclic AMP. The specific activity of the membrane enzyme catalyzing the latter reaction was found to be higher than that of the enzyme present in the 100 000 × g supernatant of rat liver. The parallel effect of cyclic AMP on (Na+—K+)-ATPase and on the phosphorylation of membrane protein, and the finding that the latter reaction involves the formation of acylphosphate bonds, may be indicative of a possible role of endogenous phosphorylation in the regulation of (Na+—K+)-ATPase activity.