Adenylate Cyclase In Plasma Membranes Research Articles

Vasoactive intestinal peptide stimulation of renal adenylate cyclase and antagonism by (4Cl-D-Phe6Leu17)VIP.

The effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and related peptides [glucagon, secretin, PHI 1-27 (peptide with N-terminal histidine and C-terminal isoleucine)] on renal adenylate cyclase (AC) has been determined in several species. The largest stimulation (4.1 +/- 0.5-fold basal) of AC by 1 mumol.l-1 VIP was observed in feline cortical plasma membranes. In rabbit and guinea-pig, VIP increased AC activity 1.5 +/- 0.3- and 1.8 +/- 0.3-fold respectively but glucagon had no such action. Conversely in the rat glucagon stimulated AC some 3-fold over basal activity whereas VIP had little effect. In dog, cat and mouse both peptides were effective in increasing AC activity. For cat, half-maximal stimulation of cortical plasma membrane AC by VIP was seen at 27.0 +/- 9.0 nmol.l-1 (SE N = 9 animals). VIP also increased AC activity in both outer (red) and inner (white) medulla. In feline cortical membranes VIP and PTH (parathyroid hormone) when added in combination were fully additive. However for VIP and glucagon in combination there was no cumulative increase in AC activity, indeed the resultant activity was less than that attained by VIP alone. The VIP analogue (4Cl-D-Phe6Leu17)VIP at 10 mumol.l-1 produced a right shift in the VIP-dose response curve and increased the EC50 from 17.2 +/- 5.8 nmol.l-1 to 132.0 +/- 22.2 nmol..-1 VIP (SE N = 4). There was no reduction in the maximum response elicited by VIP consistent with a competitive type of antagonism by this analogue. PHI-stimulated AC was also reduced by (4Cl-D-Phe6Leu17)VIP resulting in a similar right shift in the dose response curve.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Calcitonin gene-related peptide stimulates adenylate cyclase activation via a guanine nucleotide-dependent process in rat liver plasma membranes.

To evaluate the functional relationship between the liver calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor and guanine nucleotide-binding proteins, we investigated the effects of nucleotides not only on adenylate cyclase activation by CGRP, but also on 125I-[Tyr0]rat CGRP binding to rat liver plasma membranes. In the presence of GTP, rat CGRP stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in a dose-dependent manner in rat liver plasma membranes, and this effect was reduced in the absence of GTP. Salmon calcitonin also enhanced adenylate cyclase activation in the presence of GTP, but only in higher concentrations. On the other hand, guanine nucleotides not only decreased 125I-[Tyr0]rat CGRP binding to rat liver plasma membranes, but also accelerated the dissociation of label binding, and the removal of Mg2+ from incubation medium attenuated this inhibitory action of GTP on 125I-[Tyr0]rat CGRP binding to membranes. Scatchard analysis of the data revealed that the reduction of 125I-[Tyr0]rat CGRP binding by GTP was due to the decrease in binding affinity without a significant change in binding capacity. These findings lead us to conclude that binding of CGRP to its receptors activates adenylate cyclase in rat liver plasma membranes via a guanine nucleotide-dependent process, suggesting the involvement of guanine nucleotide-binding stimulatory protein in the action of CGRP.

Evaluation of methods for the isolation of plasma membranes displaying guanosine 5′-triphosphate-dependence for the regulation of adenylate cyclase activity: Potential application to the study of other guanosine 5′-triphosphate-dependent transduction systems

The GTP-dependence for stimulatory and inhibitory regulation of plasma membrane adenylate cyclase activity was measured in plasma membrane fractions isolated from a variety of cell types (platelets, lymphocytes, PC12 cells, GH 3 cells, NBP 2 cells, and hepatocytes). This report shows that the isolation of plasma membranes for the study of GTP-dependent adenylate cyclase activity was, for some cells, enhanced by the exposure of the cells to glycerol prior to cell lysis. The isolation of plasma membranes from other cells, which did not appear to be sensitive to glycerol pretreatment, was enhanced by the removal of heavy particulate matter prior to fractionation of the cell lysate. The regulation of enzyme activity by various agents was found to be dependent upon the presence of (exogenous) GTP to varying degrees, indicating variable contamination of membrane preparations with GTP. It is concluded that (i) exposure of platelets and lymphocytes to glycerol prior to cell lysis decreases subsequent contamination of the plasma membrane preparation with GTP, and (ii) although glycerol pretreatment of other cells does not ensure the subsequent isolation of plasma membrane adenylate cyclase activity displaying high requirements for (exogenous) GTP, it is a reasonable first approach to be used during the development of procedures for the isolation of plasma membranes.

Direct influence of antidepressants on GTP binding protein of adenylate cyclase in cell membranes of the cerebral cortex of rats.

Recently, it has been suggested that antidepressant drugs exert their pharmacological action through functional changes in the adrenergic-receptor coupled adenylate cyclase system. In the present research, we examined the direct effects of antidepressants on adenylate cyclase (A-cyclase) activity by in vitro incubation of cell membranes from the cerebral cortex of rats with these drugs. All antidepressants examined, such as imipramine, clomipramine, amitriptyline, desipramine, mianserin and zimelidine inhibited A-cyclase in a dose dependent manner. Antidepressants did not exert any influence on Mn2+-induced elevation of A-cyclase, but significantly suppressed F(-)-stimulated A-cyclase activity. GTP-induced elevation of A-cyclase was completely inhibited by prior incubation with antidepressants. Our conclusion, therefore, is that antidepressants may reduce A-cyclase activity not by inhibiting the function of the catalytic unit of A-cyclase, but by suppressing the N-protein function.

Adenylate cyclase-modulating mediators of insulin.

Plasma membranes prepared from pig liver incubated with insulin (50-300 microU/ml) resulted in the release of at least two insulin chemical mediators. They appeared to modulate the activity of adenylate cyclase in liver plasma membranes of pig. One of them was fraction 1 of insulin mediator (M. W. about 3700-4000 dalton) which markedly stimulated the activity of the enzyme, the other was fraction 2 of insulin mediator (M. W. about 1000 dalton) which inhibited the enzyme activity. The results showed that the inhibitor of fraction 2 generated was significantly higher than that of fraction 1 when the membranes were incubated with insulin of low concentration (50-100 microU/ml). On the other hand, the generation of stimulator of fraction 1 from plasma membranes incubated with insulin of high concentration (200 microU/ml) was higher than that of fraction 2. So the ratio of yield between two mediators produced from the membranes was dependent on the concentration of insulin added. The results also showed that the effect of fraction 1 of insulin mediator on adenylate cyclase activity in liver cell plasma membranes was biphasic while fraction 2 of insulin mediator showed an inhibitory effect only even though it was at very high concentration. The results that both mediators combined with Gpp(NH)p and forskolin to affect the enzyme activity show that the action of insulin mediators likely resides in the GTP regulatory component of adenylate cyclase.

Involvement of Ni protein in the functional coupling of the atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) receptor to adenylate cyclase in rat lung plasma membranes.

In the presence of 1 microM atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and low (0.1 mM) Mg2+ concentrations, the initial rate of binding of [3H]guanosine 5'-[beta, gamma-imido)triphosphate [( 3H]p[NH]ppG) to rat lung plasma membranes was increased twofold to threefold. ANF-dependent stimulation of the initial rate of [3H]p[NH]ppG binding was reduced at high (5 mM) Mg2+ concentrations. Preincubation of membranes with p[NH]ppG (5 min at 37 degrees C) eliminated the ANF-dependent effect on [3H]p[NH]ppG binding whereas ANF-dependent [3H]p[NH]ppG binding was unaffected by similar pretreatment with guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate (GDP[beta S]). An increase in ANF concentration from 10 pM to 1 microM caused a 40% decrease in forskolin-stimulated or isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities (IC50 5 nM) in rat lung plasma membranes. GTP (100 microM) was obligatory for the ANF-dependent inhibition of adenylate cyclase, which could be completely overcome by the presence of 100 microM GDP[beta S] or the addition of 10 mM Mn2+. Reduction of Na2+ concentration from 120 mM to 20 mM had the same effect. Pertussis toxin eliminated ANF-dependent inhibition of adenylate cyclase by catalyzing ADP-ribosylation of membrane-bound Ni protein (41-kDa alpha subunit of the inhibitory guanyl-nucleotide-binding protein of adenylate cyclase). The data support the notion that one of the ANF receptors in rat lung plasma membranes is negatively coupled to a hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase complex via the GTP-binding Ni protein.

2-Chloro-N6-cyclopentyladenosine: a highly selective agonist at A1 adenosine receptors.

2-Chloro-N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA) was synthesized as a potential high affinity ligand for A1 adenosine receptors. Binding of [3H]PIA to A1 receptors of rat brain membranes was inhibited by CCPA with a Ki-value of 0.4 nM, compared to a Ki-value of 0.8 nM for the parent compound N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA). Binding of [3H]NECA to A2 receptors of rat striatal membranes was inhibited with a Ki-value of 3900 nM, demonstrating an almost 10,000-fold A1-selectivity of CCPA. CCPA inhibited the activity of rat fat cell membrane adenylate cyclase, a model for the A1 receptor, with an IC50-value of 33 nM, and it stimulated the adenylate cyclase activity of human platelet membranes with an EC50-value of 3500 nM. The more than 100-fold A1-selectivity compares favourably with a 38-fold selectivity of CPA. Thus, CCPA is an agonist at A1 adenosine receptors with a 4-fold higher selectivity and 2-fold higher affinity than CPA, and a considerably higher selectivity than the standard A1 receptor agonist R-N6-phenylisopropyladenosine (R-PIA). CCPA represents the agonist with the highest selectivity for A1 receptors reported so far.

Characterization and agonist-induced down-regulation of parathyroid hormone receptors in clonal rat osteosarcoma cells.

PTH receptors on two stable clonal rat osteosarcoma cell lines, ROS 17/2 and ROS 17/2.8, were characterized using an HPLC-purified, synthetic, sulfur-free, radioiodinated analog of bovine PTH, [Nle8,Nle18,Tyr,34]bovine PTH-(1-34)amide. PTH binding is specific for PTH agonists and antagonists and is dependent on the time and temperature of incubation. There is an excellent correlation between binding affinities of PTH agonists and antagonists in these intact cell systems with those in canine renal membranes. Peptides unrelated to PTH do not bind. Both ROS 17/2 and 17/2.8 have a single class of saturable, high affinity PTH binding sites that, by kinetic analysis and Scatchard analysis of saturation and competition studies, has a dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.8-1.4 nM. Bmax is approximately 36,000 and 72,000 sites per cell in ROS 17/2 and 17/2.8, respectively. A close correlation was found between the binding of PTH agonists to their receptors in ROS 17/2 cells with their relative biological potencies as measured by stimulation of adenylate cyclase in plasma membranes prepared from these cells. Prolonged treatment of ROS 17/2 and 17/2.8 cells with PTH agonists results in a dose- and time-dependent decrease of available cell-surface binding sites, without alterations in Kd. PTH antagonists do not regulate PTH receptors. Regulation of PTH receptors by PTH agonists is dependent on the dose and time of exposure to ligand over a dose range of 10(-8) to 10(-11) M. Cells exposed to agonists (greater than or equal to 10(-8) M) for 48 h show maximally decreased receptor number; continued exposure to agonists (greater than or equal to 10(-8) M) does not further decrease PTH receptor number, which remains constant at about 15% of control values. Agonist-induced down-regulation occurs with less than 10(-11) M agonists, a concentration less than 10% of the minimal dose detected by direct ligand competition. Treatment of ROS 17/2 cells with PTH agonists results in a dose- and time-dependent decrease of PTH-stimulated adenylate cyclase. This agonist-induced desensitization correlates closely with the decreased availability of PTH receptors: it is maximal in cells exposed to agonists (greater than 10(-8) M) for 48 h and also does not decrease further with continued exposure of the cells to agonist. Future studies with these stable ROS cell lines should permit detailed analysis of the biochemical mechanisms underlying homologous and heterologous regulation of PTH receptors and desensitization and sensitization of the adenylate cyclase response.

Independent activation of adenylate cyclase by erythropoietin and isoprenaline

The possibility that catecholamines modulate the erythropoietin-induced increase in production of cyclic AMP was investigated by examining the effect of erythropoietin and/or l-isoprenaline on the activity of the plasma membrane adenylate cyclase of anaemic rabbit bone marrow erythroblasts. Membranes isolated from cells cultured in the presence of both hormones exhibited both the transient stimulation of basal activity characteristic of erythropoietin action and the loss of the in vitro response to l-isoprenaline, concomitant with the loss of β-adrenergic receptors, characteristic of l-isoprenaline stimulation. The presence of erythropoietin during cell culture with L-isoprenaline had no effect on the desensitization or number of β-adrenergic receptors. The stimulation of adenylate cyclase by erythropoietin was observed also in the presence of the β-antagonist propranolol, when both were added either to whole cells or to isolated membranes. We conclude that these two hormones activate adenylate cyclase independently of each other, via different receptors, with little evidence of cross-modulation.

Treatment of streptozotocin-diabetic rats with metformin restores the ability of insulin to inhibit adenylate cyclase activity and demonstrates that insulin does not exert this action through the inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory protein Gi.

Insulin caused the inhibition of glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in liver plasma membranes, but failed to inhibit this activity in liver membranes from rats made diabetic by treatment with either alloxan or streptozotocin. Treatment of streptozotocin-diabetic rats with insulin, to normalize their blood glucose concentrations, restored this action of insulin. Rats treated with the biguanide drug metformin exhibited a decreased content of the inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory protein Gi in liver plasma membranes assessed both structurally, by using a specific polyclonal antibody (AS7), and functionally. Treatment of normal rats with metformin did not alter insulin's ability to inhibit adenylate cyclase in liver plasma membranes; however, metformin treatment of streptozotocin-diabetic rats completely restored this inhibitory action of insulin. Liver plasma membranes from streptozotocin-diabetic animals which either had or had not been treated with metformin had contents of Gi which were less than 10% of those seen in control animals. We conclude that: (i) insulin does not inhibit adenylate cyclase activity through the inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory protein Gi; (ii) streptozotocin- and alloxan-induced diabetes elicit a selective insulin-resistant state; and (iii) metformin can exert a post-receptor effect, at the level of the liver plasma membrane, which restores the ability of insulin to inhibit adenylate cyclase.

Concurrent LH and forskolin action on adenylate cyclase activation and progesterone synthesis in corpora lutea from pregnant ewes.

The present communication documents LH- and forskolin-induced activation of adenylate cyclase (AC) system and progesterone synthesis in corpora lutea from pregnant ewes. The activation of AC in plasma membranes by LH or forskolin was amplified by Gpp(NH)p. These results suggest that regulatory nucleotide component (Ns) of the AC complex is required for forskolin. Simultaneous addition of maximal concentrations of forskolin (10(-4) M), Gpp(NH)p (10(-4) M) and LH (10(-7) M) led to greater than additive (i.e. synergistic) responses: the experimental value was 4.71 +/- 0.19 nmoles cAMP/mg of membrane protein, whereas the theoretical additive effect was 3.17 +/- 0.10 nmoles/mg of membrane protein (p less than 0.001). These data reveal that more Ns or C component is being activated in these cells when combined treatments with these agents are applied. In intact cells maximum stimulatory concentrations of forskolin or LH caused similar increase in progesterone production with similar time courses. In striking contrast, the exposure of the luteal cells to LH and forskolin simultaneously led to a decrease in progesterone synthesis as early as 1h30 (40%, p less than 0.001). Thus, the synergism observed between LH and forskolin on the stimulation of plasma membranes AC activity did not occur in steroidogenesis. The AC responses in crude plasma membranes form these cells to different stimulants were enhanced (i.e. 15%, p less than 0.2 for Gpp(NH)p, 33%, p less than 0.01 for LH plus Gpp(NH)p and 52%, p less than 0.01 for forskolin). These findings suggest that an early desensitization of the AC system cannot explain the impaired steroidogenic response observed.

Activation of rat brain adenylate cyclase by proteases: involvement of distinct protein components in the activation by α-chymotrypsin and trypsin

Adenylate cyclase in synaptic plasma membranes from rat brain is activated by ?-chymotrypsin or trypsin. These proteases also activate adenylate cyclase reconstituted from the catalytic subunit of adenylate cyclase and the partially purified fraction of the GTP-binding proteins containing both the stimulatory and inhibitory GTP-binding proteins. Properties of the activation of reconstituted adenylate cyclase by the proteases are as follows. (1) The proteases do not directly activate the catalytic subunit. However, the pre-treatment of the partially purified GTP-binding proteins with ?-chymotrypsin (100 ?g/ml) increases the subsequently reconstituted cyclase activity at least 3-fold. Trypsin (10-30 ?g/ml) much more weakly enhances the cyclase activity. (2) ?-Chymotrypsin and trypsin synergistically activate the cyclase. (3) Trypsin but not ?-chymotrypsin no longer activates the cyclase when the purified stimulatory GTP-binding protein (Gs) replaces the partially purified GTP-binding proteins. (4) The stimulatory effects of ?-chymotrypsin and trypsin on the cyclase activity are little or slight unless 5?-guanylylimidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) is present in the reconstitution. (5) The purified ??-subunits of the GTP-binding proteins markedly inhibit adenylate cyclase. This inhibition is nearly completely attenuated by treating the ??-subunits with ?-chymotrypsin (> 10 ?g/ml). (6) Trypsin (1-10 ?g/ml) inactivates the GTPase of the ?-subunit of the inhibitory GTP-binding protein (Gi). This inactivation of the GTPase seems to correlate with the activation of the reconstituted adenylate cyclase by trypsin. We conclude that two distinct protein components are involved in the activation of adenylate cyclase by ?-chymotrypsin and trypsin. One component sensitive to ?-chymotrypsin is probably the ??-subunits of the GTP-binding proteins. The other component sensitive to trypsin may be the ?-subunit of Gi.

Inhibition by melittin and fluphenazine of melanotropin receptor function and adenylate cyclase in M2R melanoma cell membranes.

Melanotropin (MSH) receptor activity in the M2R mouse melanoma cell line is tightly controlled by calcium by an unknown mechanism. The possibility that calcium regulation is mediated by calmodulin or a calmodulin-related calcium binding protein has been addressed in this report by studying the effects of two known calmodulin antagonists, fluphenazine and melittin, on MSH receptor function. Stimulation of adenylate cyclase (AC) in M2R plasma membranes by beta MSH was strongly inhibited by both antagonists. The concentrations of fluphenazine and melittin yielding half-maximal inhibition (IC50) of AC were 16 microM and 2.4 microM, respectively. Both fluphenazine and melittin also inhibit prostaglandin E1-, GTP gamma S, and forskolin-stimulated AC activity, as well as that of unstimulated enzyme, although inhibition is shown to occur at significantly higher concentrations of antagonist. We have shown that the calcium-dependent rate-limiting step in MSH stimulation of adenylate cyclase, that of hormone binding, is strongly inhibited by these antagonists at concentrations identical to, if not lower than, those required for the inhibition of AC activity (fluphenazine-IC50, 14 microM; melittin-IC50, 0.7 microM). The actions of these antagonists, furthermore, appear to be calcium insensitive, as melittin affects the stability of both the high affinity (calcium containing) and low affinity (calcium depleted) receptor-MSH complexes. The sensitivity of the MSH receptor to inhibition by calmodulin antagonists resembles that described for purified calmodulin-sensitive enzyme systems, which suggests a possible role for calmodulin in MSH receptor function. Among peptide hormone receptors, this effect by calmodulin antagonists appears to be unique for the MSH receptor.

Use of anti-idiotypic antibodies as probes for the interaction of TSH subunits with its receptor.

TSH is a heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone, whose dissociated subunits are without biological activity. This has precluded the assessment of the relative contribution of each subunit to hormone action. We have raised anti-idiotypes to monoclonal antibodies specific, respectively, for the alpha and beta hTSH subunits. The anti-beta anti-idiotype inhibited 125I-hTSH binding to the beta subunit-specific monoclonal quantitatively, whereas 125I-hTSH binding to the alpha subunit-specific monoclonal was not inhibited by anti-alpha anti-idiotypes, suggesting that only the former is an "internal image" anti-idiotype. Neither of the two anti-idiotypes nor equimolar mixtures thereof inhibited 125I-bTSH binding to thyroid membranes, even though radiolabelled anti-idiotypes showed saturable binding to thyroid plasma membrane which was inhibited 41-65% by bTSH. Each anti-idiotype alone caused 9% inhibition (compared to 50% by NRIgG) of thyroid plasma membrane adenylate cyclase. Equimolar mixtures (125 micrograms/ml IgG of each anti-idiotype) induced enzyme activity equivalent to 85% of that of 250 mU/ml of TSH. The TSH-like action of the two anti-idiotypes was also reflected in their capacity to increase (450% by 250 micrograms/ml IgG compared to normal rabbit IgG) the uptake of 131I into isolated thyrocytes and to promote the organization of such cells into follicular structures. At 250 micrograms/ml, anti-beta anti-idiotype promoted the organization of small follicles and only at a concentration of 500 micrograms/ml did it enhance 131I uptake.

Adenylate cyclase of bovine adrenal cortex plasma membranes: Divergence between corticotropin and fluoride combined effects with forskolin

The diterpene forskolin maximally stimulated bovine adrenal cortex adenylate cyclase activity 9-fold with a concentration producing half-maximum effect (ED 50) of about 4 μM. The effects of forskolin and the fully active corticotropin fragment ACTH (1–24) were additive over nearly the whole range of concentration of both effectors, indicating separate and independent mechanisms of action. By contrast, 10 mM NaF blocked forskolin action in the nanomolar range of the diterpene concentration, while it allowed a partial stimulation by forskolin in the micromolar range. NaF thus reveals a heterogeneity of forskolin action in the adrenal cortex plasma membranes. Moreover, our data suggest that ACTH and NaF activation effects, both mediated by the stimulatory regulatory protein G s, proceed through different mechanisms.

Quinidine and melittin both decrease the fluidity of liver plasma membranes and both inhibit hormone-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity

Increasing concentrations of either quinidine or melittin gave a dose-dependent inhibition of both the glucagon- and fluoride-stimulated activities of adenylate cyclase in the liver plasma membranes. At similar concentrations these agents increased the order of liver plasma membranes as detected by a fatty acid ESR probe, doxyl stearic acid. This increase in bilayer order (decrease in ‘fluidity’) is suggested to explain the inhibitory action of quinidine on adenylate cyclase activity but only in part contributes to the inhibitory action of melittin on adenylate cyclase. Arrhenius plots of fluoride-stimulated activity became non-linear in the presence of either quinidine or melittin, with a single well-defined break occurring at around 12° C in each instance. Arrhenius plots of the glucagon-stimulated activity also exhibited such a novel break at around 12° C when either quinidine or melittin were present as well as exhibiting a break at around 28° C, as was seen in the absence of these ligands. The fatty acid spin probe inserted into liver plasma membranes detected a novel lipid phase separation occurring at around 12° C when either quinidine or melittin was present and showed that the lipid phase separation occurring at around 28° C in native membranes was apparently unaffected by these ligands.

Aprotinin Antagonizes the Binding of Human Chorionic Gonadotropih to Its Receptor

Aprotinin caused a dose-dependent inhibition of [125I]hCG binding to its receptor in plasma membranes prepared from luteinized rat ovaries. Displacement of [125I]hCG from its receptor by aprotinin was temperature dependent, with an ID50 of 300 microM at 4 C and an ID50 of 3700 microM at 22 C. Equilibrium binding data showed a decrease in the Ka for hCG in the presence of increasing concentrations of aprotinin; aprotinin had no effect on the number of binding sites. The rate of association of hCG with its receptor was markedly reduced in the presence of aprotinin, but aprotinin had little effect on the rate of dissociation. Control experiments established that aprotinin did not inhibit the binding of [125I]hCG to its receptor due to its lectin properties, an ionic effect or some irreversible impairment of the receptor or hormone. Aprotinin did not inhibit hCG binding when the receptor was solubilized out of ovarian membranes with Triton X-100. Aprotinin inhibited the hCG-mediated activation of adenylate cyclase in rat ovarian plasma membranes in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, aprotinin antagonized the hCG-stimulated biosynthesis of progesterone by dispersed rat luteal cells. The maximal agonistic activity of hCG was attenuated in these two bioassays. The data are compatible with a hypothesis that aprotinin sterically hinders the entry of hCG into its receptor site by binding to a protease in the plasma membrane that is closely associated with the hCG receptor. This proposal is consistent with the emerging concept that integral membrane proteases are modulators of receptor function.

WR-2721 inhibits parathyroid adenylate cyclase.

WR-2721 [S-2-(3-aminopropylamino)ethylphosphorothioic acid] is a chemoprotective and radioprotective agent that has been shown to lower serum calcium in dogs and in humans. This is secondary both to impaired release of Ca2+ from bone and diminished secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) from parathyroid glands. Because cAMP plays a role in the regulation of PTH secretion and WR-2721 has been shown to lower cAMP levels in radiated mouse spleen, we investigated the effects of WR-2721 on cAMP production in dispersed bovine parathyroid cells. Additionally, we studied the adenylate cyclase in plasma membranes from normal bovine parathyroid glands after exposure to WR-2721. With parathyroid cells incubated at 0.5 mM Ca2+, addition of WR-2721 in concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 2.0 mM resulted in a progressive decrease in intracellular cAMP (42-50%, respectively). In plasma membranes of bovine parathyroid cells a dose-dependent decrease in adenylate cyclase activity was noted. Inhibition of the cyclase was seen over a wide range of Mg2+ concentrations (2.5-40 mM). WR-2721 inhibited both basal and NaF, Gpp(NH)p, forskolin, and pertussin toxin-stimulated adenylate cyclase. These data suggest that WR-2721 inhibits the activity of parathyroid adenylate cyclase.

Parathyroid hormone stimulation of renal adenylate cyclase in various vertebrate species: evidence for an effect in the frog

1. 1. The effect of [Nle 8,18, Tyr 34]bPTH-(1-34)amide on renal plasma membrane adenylate cyclase, in the presence of 0.1 mM guanylylimidodiphosphate was measured in rat, chicken, frog and trout. 2. 2. All species showed an enrichment of at least 8-fold (relative to homogenate) in the marker enzyme Na +, K +-ATPase. 3. 3. A significant dose-dependent adenylate cyclase stimulation was found in frog, with affinity values similar to those of rat and chicken (ED 50 = 8, 10 and 3 nM, respectively), but not in trout. 4. 4. The frog response was specific since [Nle 8,18, Tyr 34]bPTH-(3-34)amide strongly inhibited the agonist-stimulated enzyme. 5. 5. These results suggest the existence of a PTH-like substance in anurans acting via cyclic AMP formation in the kidneys.

Induction of functional β-adrenergic receptors in rat aortic smooth muscle cells by sodium butyrate

Rat aortic smooth muscle cells in culture (A-10; ATCC CRL 1476) exhibited low levels of β-adrenergic receptors as determined by specific binding of [125I]cyanopindolol ([125I]CYP) and marginal stimulation of adenylate cyclase in plasma membranes by (−)isoproterenol. When these cells were exposed to 5 mM sodium butyrate, the number of β-adrenergic receptors and the β-agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity increased markedly. However, basal, GTP, Gpp(NH)p, and fluoride-stimulated activities did not change. The induction of β-adrenergic receptors and β-agonist stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was time- and dose-dependent, and was relatively specific for sodium butyrate. Propionate and valerate were less effective than butyrate, while isobutyrate, succinate, and malonate were ineffective. The induction involved RNA and protein synthesis because induction was prevented by treatment with cycloheximide, puromycin, and actinomycin D. Butyrate did not cause a general increase in cell surface receptors, because the number of vasopressin receptors did not change. The sustained presence of butyrate appeared to be necessary for the maintenance of the induced β-receptors. When butyrate was removed, receptor number and β-agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity were decreased by 90% over 24 hr. We conclude that the poor response of rat aortic smooth muscle cell plasma membranes to β-adrenergic agonists is due to the presence of a low number of β-adrenergic receptors. Butyrate markedly increased the number of β-receptors which resulted in a proportional increase in β-agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. The increase in receptor number was dependent on RNA and protein synthesis. Butyrate treatment did not affect the activity of the cyclase unit and the efficiency of coupling between the receptors and the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein, Ns.