Adenosine Triphosphate Analog Research Articles

Characterization of calcium-independent cytosolic phospholipase A2 activity in the submucosal regions of rat stomach and small intestine.

This study was undertaken to compare the calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activities in the cytosols of twelve rat tissues and to determine whether their activities were distinct. 1-O-Alk-1'-enyl-2-[14C]-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PlsC) and 1-O-Alk-1'-enyl-2-[14C]oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (PlsE) were synthesized and used as substrates, instead of phosphatidyl compounds, to exclude hydrolysis by cytosolic PLA1 activity that could be present in some of the cytosolic preparations. For each tissue, we examined substrate specificity, pH optimum, and effect of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and ATP analogues. PLA2 activity was detected in eleven out of the twelve issues examined. Based on substrate specificity and pH optimum, cytosolic calcium-independent PLA2 were classified in three groups. The first group, which included PLA2 from small intestine, stomach and spleen, had the highest specific activity with PlsC as substrate (1253, 309 and 75 nmol/mg protein/hour, respectively) and an optimal pH at 6.5. Activity with PlsE as substrate was much lower (20-37%) than with PlsC. The second group of PLA2 activities included the cytosolic activities from thymus, lung, liver and pancreas that showed lower specific activities for both substrates (14-23 nmol/mg protein/hour with PlsC) and had a broader optimal pH range of 6.1 to 7.5. The cytosols from brain, kidney, heart and muscle comprised the third PLA2 group that was found to have a higher specific activity with PlsE (5-20 nmol/mg protein/hour) than PlsC and an optimal pH range from 7.4 to 7.9.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Involvement of ETA receptors in the facilitation by endothelin-1 of non-adrenergic non-cholinergic transmission in the rat urinary bladder.

1. Endothelin-1 (ET-1; 3-10 nM) raised the tone of rat bladders bathed in buffer containing atropine (1 microM) plus guanethidine (3.4 microM). In addition, ET-1 potentiated, in a concentration-dependent fashion (1-10 nM), the contractions evoked by both transmural nerve stimulation and applications of exogenous adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP). 2. The threshold concentration of ET-1 required to facilitate non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) transmission and potentiate ATP-induced contractions, was about 10 fold lower than that required to increase the bladder tone (3 nM). 3. The ET-1-induced increase in basal tension reached its maximal effect within 60-90 s. In contrast, the 7.8 microM ATP-induced contractions increased by 50% within the first minute following incubation with 10 nM ET-1 but required about 5 min to develop the maximal effect. 4. The ET-1-induced potentiation of NANC or ATP responses was long-lasting and persisted in spite of extensive washing. The recovery of the bladder excitability depended on the concentration of ET-1. Following the application of 3 nM ET-1, recovery required 30 min; applications of 10 nM ET-1 required at least 60 min for full recovery. 5. The ET-1-induced potentiation of responses was selective for ATP and related structural analogues. ET-1 did not modify the contractions induced by acetylcholine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, prostaglandin F2 alpha or bradykinin. 6. The potency of ET-2 was similar to that of ET-1. ET-3 and ET-C-terminal hexapeptide were inactive up to 100 M. Sarafotoxin S6b was 2 to 3 fold less potent than ET-1 whereas sarafotoxin S6c (100 nM) was inactive. AGETB-9 and AGETB-89, two ETB receptor agonists, were also inactive (up to 100 nM). 7. Removal of one or both disulphide bonds in ET-1 and tryptophan-21 formylation of ET-1, resulted in inactive peptides (up to 100 nM). 8. The ET-1 receptor antagonists, BE-18257B and FR 139317, blocked both the ET-1-induced rise in tone and the potentiation of ATP responses in a concentration-dependent fashion. FR 139317 was at least 30 fold more potent than BE-18257B. Both antagonists blocked at lower concentrations the ET-1 increase in bladder tone as compared to the ATP potentiation. The antagonism was slowly reversible. 9. Results are consistent with the presence of ETA receptors in the rat bladder, which mediate both actions of ET-1. The interaction of ET-1 with purinergic mechanisms is discussed.

Adenosine 5′-triphosphate modulation of nitrobenzylthioinosine binding sites in plasma membranes of bovine chromaffin cells

Nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBTI) is a high affinity probe for facilitated diffusion nucleoside transporters. Kinetic analysis of the binding of [ 3H]NBTI to plasma membranes of chromaffin cells was conducted in the presence or absence of adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP). Similar curvilinear plots with a Hill number of 1.32 were obtained in both conditions. ATP significantly increased the number of NBTI binding sites in these preparations showing B max values of 1.62 ± 0.20 pmol/mg protein for controls and 3.22 ± 0.31 pmol/mg protein in the presence of ATP. However, the affinity constant ( K D) was not significantly modified. The non-metabolizable ATP analogue, 5′-adenylyl imidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP) and diadenosine tetraphosphate (Ap 4A) can mimic the stimulatory ATP effect, but adenosine monophosphate (AMP) has no effect on the NBTI binding to plasma membranes. These results indicate a modulatory role for ATP, non-hydrolysis dependent, on nucleoside transport in chromaffin cells. Therefore, a nucleotide binding site on the nucleoside transporter similar to that described for glucose transporter could be suggested.

Characterization of purinoceptors mediating depolarization of rat isolated vagus nerve

1. As part of a broader study to characterize neuronal purinoceptors, the effects of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and a range of ATP analogues were investigated on the extracellularly recorded membrane potential of the rat isolated vagus nerve, using a 'grease-gap' technique. 2. ATP evoked depolarization of the rat vagus nerve. The concentration-effect curve to ATP was not monophasic: at the lower concentrations (1 x 10(-5)-1 x 10(-3) M) the curve was shallow (< 50% of the near maximal response to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)) whilst at higher concentrations the relationship between concentration and amplitude of depolarization was steeper (> 135% of the response to 5-HT at the highest concentration tested, 1 x 10(-2) M). On washout of the high drug concentrations large after-hyperpolarizations were often observed. 3. alpha,beta-methylene ATP (1 x 10(-6)-3 x 10(-4) M), beta,gamma-methylene ATP (1 x 10(-6)-1 x 10(-3) M), and 5'-adenylylimidodiphosphate (beta,gamma-imido ATP; 1 x 10(-6)-1 x 10(-3) M) were all more potent than ATP and produced large depolarizations of the rat vagus nerve at the highest concentrations tested (> 150% of the response to 5-HT). The overall rank order of potency was alpha,beta-methylene ATP > beta,gamma-methylene ATP = beta,gamma-imido ATP > ATP. 4. In contrast, 2-methylthio ATP (1 x 10(-6)-1 x 10(-3) M) produced relatively small depolarizations (< 100% of the response to 5-HT). As was the case with low concentrations of ATP, the concentration-effect curve to 2-methylthio ATP was very shallow. 5. Adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP), adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP), adenosine and adenosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (ADP-beta-s; all 1 x 10-6 1 x 10-3M) evoked only small depolarizations of the vagus nerve, amounting to 47 +/- 2.5%, 40.8 +/- 7.8%, 33.7 +/- 3.3% and 62.4 +/- 12.7% of the response to 5-HT, respectively. Uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP; 1 X 10-6 1 X 10-3M) was inactive.6. The P2 purinoceptor antagonist, suramin (1 x 10-5-M-1 X 10-4 M), antagonized responses to alpha-beta-methylene ATP. The nature of this antagonism was not, however, consistent with simple competitive kinetics between agonist and antagonist. Depolarizations produced by beta,gamma-methylene ATP and beta,gamma-imido ATP were also attenuated by suramin (1 x 10-4 M), but in contrast, suramin had no effect on responses to ADP, 2-methylthio ATP, ADP-beta-S or 5-HT.7. In addition to its antagonist effects, suramin (10-4 M) markedly increased the maximum amplitude of the depolarization produced by ATP.8. It is concluded that a heterogeneous receptor population mediates depolarization of the rat vagus nerve by purine nucleotides. Importantly, the large amplitude depolarizations to alpha,beta-methylene ATP,beta,gamma-methylene ATP and beta,gamma-imido ATP are mediated via receptors that share many characteristics of the classical P2, receptor. In contrast, the relatively small depolarizing effects of ADP, ADP-beta-S and 2-methylthio ATP were suramin-resistant. Although it appears that other purinoceptors are present,these data suggest that the rat vagus nerve may serve as a useful preparation for studying the pharmacology of neuronal P2x receptors.

Modulation of L-type Ca2+ current by extracellular ATP in ferret isolated right ventricular myocytes.

1. The effects of extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) on the basal L-type Ca2+ current (ICa) were investigated in ferret isolated right ventricular myocytes using the gigaohm seal voltage clamp in the whole-cell and cell-attached configurations. 2. Micromolar levels of extracellular ATP reversibly inhibited ICa in a concentration-dependent manner, without any significant changes in the voltage dependence of either the peak ICa I-V relationship or steady-state activation curve. 3. In contrast, micromolar levels of extracellular ATP did significantly alter the inactivation characteristics of ICa. Ten micromolar ATP: (i) increased the degree of steady-state inactivation of ICa; (ii) altered the time constants of ICa inactivation at 0 mV; and (iii) decreased the time constant of ICa recovery from inactivation at -70 mV. 4. The inhibitory effect of ATP on ICa was not blocked by atropine, a muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonist, or CPDPX (8-cyclopentyl-3,4-dipropylxanthine), an A1 adenosine receptor antagonist. In contrast, the inhibitory effect of 10 microM ATP could be nearly completely antagonized by 100 microM suramin, a purinergic P2 receptor antagonist. 5. The potency order of ATP analogues in inhibiting ICa was 2-methyl-thio-ATP > ATP > alpha,beta-methylene-ATP, indicating involvement of a P2Y-type ATP receptor. 6. Pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin (PTX) did not prevent the ATP-induced decrease in ICa. However, (i) ATP produced an irreversible decrease of ICa in the presence of intracellular GTP gamma S, and (ii) the inhibitory effect was significantly attenuated in the presence of intracellular GDP beta S, indicating the involvement of a PTX-insensitive G protein in the P2Y receptor-coupling process. 7. Neither (i) replacing extracellular Ca2+ with 1 mM Ba2+, nor (ii) intracellular perfusion of 10 mM BAPTA for at least 30 min attenuated the inhibitory effect of ATP on the current through Ca2+ channels, suggesting that the inhibitory effect was not obligatorily dependent upon influx of Ca2+ or changes in [Ca2+]i. 8. Ensemble-average current behaviour constructed from cell-attached patch recordings of single L-type Ca2+ channels (110 mM BaCl2) demonstrated that when 10 microM ATP was added to the superfusate on the outside of the patch electrode the inhibition of ICa was still observed, providing evidence for the involvement of intracellular diffusible second messenger(s).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Desensitization of the P2-purinoceptors on the rat colon muscularis mucosae.

1. Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine have been shown to contract the rat colon muscularis mucosae, and the receptors at which they act have been classified as P2Y and A1 respectively. Uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP) also contracts this tissue, and desensitization was used to investigate the receptors by which it acts, in the light of recent suggestions that specific pyrimidinoceptors may exist for UTP, or that nucleotide receptors may exist which are responsive to both ATP and UTP but not to some ATP analogues such as 2-methylthioadenosine 5'-triphosphate (2-MeSATP). 2. ATP, UTP and adenosine each contracted the rat colon muscularis mucosae in a concentration-dependent manner over the concentration range 0.3-300 microM, although maximal responses to ATP and UTP were not obtained. ATP was approximately 4 times as potent as UTP and approximately equipotent with adenosine although the maximal response to adenosine appeared to be less than that to ATP or UTP. 3. Desensitization of the tissue with ATP (200 microM) given immediately before each concentration of the agonists reduced subsequent contractions induced by ATP itself and also by UTP, but did not reduce contractions induced by adenosine. Desensitization of the tissues with UTP (200 microM) also reduced contractions induced by ATP and UTP but not by adenosine, whereas desensitization with adenosine (200 microM) reduced contractions induced by adenosine itself but not by ATP or UTP. 4. Desensitization of the tissue with 2-MeSATP (200 microM), which is a more potent agonist than ATP at P2Y-purinoceptors, greatly reduced the responses to ATP and to UTP, but had no effect on responses induced by adenosine. Attempts to desensitize the tissue with adenosine 5'-(alpha,beta-methylene)triphosphonate(AMPCPP), which is a more potent agonist than ATP at P2X-purinoceptors but is less potent atP2y-purinoceptors, were unsuccessful.5. These results show that cross desensitization to ATP and UTP occurred and was specific for these agonists rather than being due to a general decrease in the ability of the muscle to contract. This implies that ATP and UTP act at the same receptor, which does not support the existence of specificpyrimidinoceptors but which could be taken as evidence for the existence of a nucleotide receptor on this tissue. However, the ability of 2-MeSATP, which is inactive at the proposed nucleotide receptors,also selectively to desensitize this receptor indicates instead that ATP and UTP are both acting at a purinoceptor of the P2Y type in this tissue.

Fast‐atom bombardment mass spectrometric analysis of cyclic nucleotide and nucleotide triphosphate analogues used in studies of cyclic nucleotide‐related enzymes

AbstractTwo isomers of adenosine 3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphate, which show agonist and antagonist activity with cyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinase, were found to yield essentially identical positive‐ion fast‐atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectra, but S1 and S2 fragments of differing relative intensities in their collision‐induced dissociations, studied using mass‐analysed ion kinetic energy (CID/MIKE) spectra. Halogen‐substituted cyclic nucleotides, used in differentiating between protein kinase cyclic nucleotide binding sites, produced FAB mass spectra and CID/MIKE spectra with fragmentations generally analogous to those of the parent cyclic nucleotides; the bromo‐derivatives showed a greater propensity for dehalogenation than the chloro‐derivatives. The adenosine triphosphate analogues, adenylyl‐(β,γ‐methylene)‐diphosphate and adenylyl‐imidodiphosphate, alternative substrates for adenylyl cyclase, showed similar fragmentations with the methylene and imido groups blocking cleavage between the β and γ phosphate groups. The fragmentations observed are discussed in the context of the use of these compounds in the assay of protein kinase and adenylyl cyclase activity by quantitative mass spectrometry.

5'-Adenylylimidodiphosphate does not activate CFTR chloride channels in cell-free patches of membrane.

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl- channel requires both phosphorylation of its R domain and the presence of nucleoside triphosphates for activation. Our previous work suggested that hydrolysis of nucleoside triphosphates may be required to support channel activity. However, recent studies have suggested that the nonhydrolyzable adenosine triphosphate analogue, 5'-adenylylimidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP), may support some Cl- channel activity in sweat gland duct epithelia in the presence of low ATP concentration and in Cl- channels associated with expression of the P-glycoprotein multidrug resistance transporter. To examine the effect of AMP-PNP, we applied it to the cytosolic surface of phosphorylated CFTR Cl- channels contained in excised, cell-free patches of membrane. We found that preparations of 10 mM AMP-PNP opened phosphorylated CFTR Cl- channels. However, this effect was due to contaminating ATP: high-pressure liquid chromatography analysis of AMP-PNP demonstrated that 10 mM AMP-PNP could contain up to 50 microM ATP, which could account for the observed stimulation of CFTR Cl- channel activity. When contaminating ATP was hydrolyzed with hexokinase, AMP-PNP was unable to support CFTR channel activity. AMP-PNP (10 mM) also failed to attenuate or potentiate the current induced by 0.3 mM ATP. These results suggest that AMP-PNP has no direct effect on CFTR Cl- channels.

Modulation of acetylcholine-elicited currents in clonal rat phaeochromocytoma (PC12) cells by internal polyphosphates.

1. Whole-cell voltage clamp techniques were used to examine acetylcholine (ACh)-elicited currents in differentiated cells of the rat phaeochromocytoma cell line, PC12. 2. In the absence of intracellular Mg2+, the whole-cell current-voltage relationship for the ACh-elicited current displayed inward rectification which was reduced in part by the presence of 5 mM internal adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP). 3. The reduction in the rectification attributed to ATP developed over the first 15-20 min of whole-cell recording. Similar results were obtained with a non-hydrolysable ATP analogue, adenosine-5'-O-3-thiotriphosphate (ATP gamma S), or cytosine 5'-triphosphate (CTP) in the internal solution, but not with adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) or pyrophosphate. 4. The magnitude of the ACh-elicited current was also dependent on recording time and the composition of the internal pipette solution. The magnitude of the peak ACh-elicited current increased over time when the cell was internally perfused with the control solution or a pipette solution containing pyrophosphate, ATP gamma S, or ADP. The largest sustained increases in ACh-elicited current were observed in the presence of internal pyrophosphate or ATP gamma S. In contrast, with internal ATP or CTP, the whole-cell current initially increased, then steadily decreased with recording time. 5. The desensitization rate of the ACh-elicited current increased with recording time irrespective of the composition of the intracellular solution. 6. The actions of the compounds tested make it likely that the changes in the whole-cell current-voltage relationship, peak current, and desensitization are produced by separate mechanisms. The mechanisms underlying these changes are unknown, but the ability of the compounds to chelate divalent cations is unlikely to be the explanation. Other unlikely explanations include phosphorylation of the ACh receptor or regulation by GTP-binding proteins.

ATP induced‐relaxation in the mouse bladder smooth muscle

1. The effect of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) on the free cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) as measured with the fluorescent Ca(2+)-indicator fura-2, and on force was investigated in the intact smooth muscle strips of the mouse urinary bladder. 2. ATP elicited, when exogenously applied, a large increase of [Ca2+]i with limited force development resulting in a marked Ca(2+)-force dissociation. 3. Release of endogenous neurotransmitters by transmural electrical stimulation (TES) for 30 s induced a steady increase of [Ca2+]i and a peak contraction, followed within 15 s by a relaxation. 4. In carbachol-prestimulated preparations, ATP elicited an initial rise of [Ca2+]i followed by a return to the initial precontraction Ca(2+)-level. Force in contrast presented a biphasic pattern, i.e. an initial contraction was followed by a sustained relaxation. 5. In the K(+)-depolarized precontracted preparation, ATP elicited a slight initial rise of [Ca2+]i. The partial relaxation of the force during depolarization was not preceded by a transient contraction. 6. The ATP-induced relaxation of the K(+)-prestimulated preparations was not inhibited by 8-phenyltheophylline, a potent P1-purinoceptor antagonist. 7. The order of potency for relaxation of the ATP analogues was 2-MeSATP > ATP > beta gamma Me-ATP, which is characteristic for P2y-purinoceptors. 8. These results indicate that, besides its activating effect, ATP also relaxes the mouse urinary bladder. It is suggested that the relaxant effect, mediated through P2y-purinoceptors, is mainly responsible for the low contractile potency of ATP in the bladder.

Characterization of lignoceroyl-CoA ligase activity in chicken liver microsomes.

Lignoceroyl-coenzyme A (CoA) ligase activity was detected in microsomal fractions from chicken liver in the presence of alpha-cyclodextrin as a solubilizing agent of lignoceric acid. Heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin (dimethyl-beta-cyclodextrin) and hexakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-alpha-cyclodextrin (dimethyl-alpha-cyclodextrin), among the cyclodextrins tested, were more effective than alpha-cyclodextrin as solubilizing agents. We have characterized lignoceroyl-CoA ligase activity in comparison with palmitoyl-CoA ligase activity. Lignoceroyl-CoA and palmitoyl-CoA ligase activities showed a similar dependency on CoA concentration. However, lignoceroyl-CoA ligase activity exhibited responses to the Mg2+ ion, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), ATP analogues (adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP)), and heat treatment, which were distinctly different from the responses of palmitoyl-CoA ligase activity. These results are consistent with the idea that lignoceroyl-CoA and palmitoyl-CoA are synthesized by two different enzymes.

Metabolism of halogenated bisphosphonates by the cellular slime mould dictyostelium discoideum

Methylenebisphosphonate and its monofluoro-, difluoro- and dichloro- derivatives inhibited growth of amoebae of Dictyostelium discoideum. Dichloromethylenebisphosphonate was the most potent inhibitor of amoebal growth whereas difluoromethylenebisphosphonate was the least potent inhibitor. Each of the bisphosphonate was taken up by the amoebae and incorporated into the corresponding β,γ-methylene analogue of adenosine triphosphate. Two of the bisphosphonates were also incorporated into the corresponding analogues of diadenosyl tetraphosphate. No correlation was found between the ability of the bisphosphonates to inhibit amoebal growth and the extent to which they were metabolised.

Ionic dependence of a P2-purinoceptor mediated depolarization of cultured astrocytes.

The membrane potential of cultured mouse astrocytes was recorded to assess the effects of extracellular adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and related H purines on astrocyte electrophysiology. The purines were applied with or without the presence of barium, which blocks the high resting K+ conductance in astrocytes. The response to ATP alone was a moderate depolarization; however, the response to ATP in the presence of barium was a large, dose dependent depolarization. The ED50 was approximately 10 microM. The effect of adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) or adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP), in the presence of barium, on membrane potential was less than that of ATP. Adenosine, with or without barium, had no effect on membrane potential; furthermore, adenosine agonists in barium produced no response. The results of applying various ATP analogues indicate that the response is mediated via a P2-purinoceptor. Ion replacement studies reveal a complicated response to ATP that has several components and involves Na+ and K+. These results show that astrocytes respond with ionic changes to very small, physiological concentrations of extracellular ATP. We suggest that ATP plays a role in interactions between neurons/endothelial cells and glial cells.

The nucleotide receptors on mouse C2C12 myotubes

1. The response of C2C12 mouse myotubes to stimulation with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and other nucleotides was studied by measuring changes in membrane potential. 2. A transient hyperpolarization followed by a slowly declining depolarization of the cells was observed in the presence of ATP (10 microM-1 mM). 3. The hyperpolarization was not observed in the absence of external calcium, and was abolished in the presence of tetraethylammonium (20 mM) or the bee toxin, apamin (0.1 microM). The depolarization was reduced under low sodium conditions. 4. A biphasic change in membrane potential was also recorded in the presence of adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATP gamma S) and the pyrimidine uridine triphosphate (UTP), while the ATP derivatives and analogues, adenosine diphosphate, adenosine, alpha,beta-methylene ATP and 2-methylthio ATP and the nucleotides, guanosine triphosphate and cytidine triphosphate, did not affect the membrane potential of the myotubes. 5. The hyperpolarization elicited by ATP gamma S or UTP was also blocked by apamin and abolished under Ca(2+)-free conditions. 6. In contrast to ATP and ATP gamma S, the depolarization evoked by UTP was unaffected under low Na+ and less sensitive to the antagonistic action of suramin. 7. The ATP and UTP responses at maximal concentration were not additive after simultaneous application. ATP elicited a depolarization if applied after UTP, while UTP did not change membrane potential following the application of ATP. 8. The concentration-response curves of the effective nucleotides were shifted to the right in the presence of suramin, suggesting competitive antagonism.9. These results can be explained by the presence of 'nucleotide receptors' mediating the ATP/UTPinduced hyperpolarization and depolarization in C2C12 myotubes. Furthermore, an increase in Na+-conductivity can be exclusively activated by ATP.

Allosteric effects of nucleotide cofactors on Escherichia coli Rep helicase-DNA binding.

The Escherichia coli Rep helicase unwinds duplex DNA during replication. The functional helicase appears to be a dimer that forms only on binding DNA. Both protomers of the dimer can bind either single-stranded or duplex DNA. Because binding and hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) are essential for helicase function, the energetics of DNA binding and DNA-induced Rep dimerization were studied quantitatively in the presence of the nucleotide cofactors adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and the nonhydrolyzable ATP analog AMPP(NH)P. Large allosteric effects of nucleotide cofactors on DNA binding to Rep were observed. Binding of ADP favored Rep dimers in which both protomers bound single-stranded DNA, whereas binding of AMPP(NH)P favored simultaneous binding of both single-stranded and duplex DNA to the Rep dimer. A rolling model for the active unwinding of duplex DNA by the dimeric Rep helicase is proposed that explains vectorial unwinding and predicts that helicase translocation along DNA is coupled to ATP binding, whereas ATP hydrolysis drives unwinding of multiple DNA base pairs for each catalytic event.

The function of Gp170, the multidrug-resistance gene product, in the brush border of rat intestinal mucosa

Gp170 is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is overexpressed in multidrug-resistant tumor cells and is present in the apical plasma membrane domain of small intestinal mucosal cells. The function of Gp170 was studied in the small intestine of the rat. Jejunal and ileal brush border membrane vesicles, but not basolateral membrane vesicles, manifested adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent transport of daunomycin, a substrate for Gp170, and contained a ~170-kilodalton protein that reacts with anti-Gp170 monoclonal antibody. Whereas ATP supported daunomycin transport, nonhydrolyzable ATP analogues were ineffective. ATP-dependent daunomycin transport by brush border vesicles was unidirectional (inside to outside) and temperature dependent and was blocked by Gp170 inhibitors but not by taurocholate or bromsulphalein glutathione. Studies using everted small intestine revealed transport of rhodamine 123, a Gp170 substrate, from the serosal surface through the mucosa and inhibition by Gp170 inhibitors. These results suggest that Gp170 in rat small intestinal brush border membrane vesicles is an ATP-dependent efflux pump responsible for the transport of Gp170 substrates into the small intestinal lumen. Gp170 may protect against exogenously derived potentially damaging hydrophobic cations and contribute to the rarity of small intestinal cancer in humans and many animals.

Age-related changes in P2-purinergic receptors on vascular smooth muscle and endothelium.

The present study examined age-related changes in the vascular relaxation response to adenine nucleotides in hypertensive and normotensive rats. Aortic ring segments from normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), age 4-6, 9-10, and 13-14 weeks, were examined for relaxation to adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP). The extent of ATP-induced relaxation in aortic ring segments with intact endothelium was unchanged with advancing age. Rubbed (endothelium-denuded) ring preparations at the age of 4-6 weeks showed a dose-dependent relaxation similar to that of the unrubbed rings. With advancing age, the ATP-induced relaxation in the rubbed rings decreased and was abolished. The relaxation response did not differ between the SHR and WKY animals at any age, whether the preparations were rubbed or unrubbed. The stable ATP analogue beta,r-methylene ATP induced a relaxation response similar to ATP in rubbed rings at 4-6 weeks of age. In addition, treatment with 8-phenyltheophylline did not diminish the relaxation induced by ATP. ATP-induced relaxation may be manifested via the direct action on the vascular smooth muscle in young rats and may be altered through the response mediated by endothelium with advancing age. This suggests that the vascular smooth muscle of young rats has a P2-purinergic receptor leading to relaxation and that this receptor activity declines with advancing age. In contrast, a P2-purinergic receptor leading to the generation of endothelium-derived relaxing factor may be activated in endothelial cells with advancing age. The alterations with age of P2-purinergic receptor in the vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cell are not affected by genetic hypertension.

Characterization of the P1-purinoceptors mediating contraction of the rat colon muscularis mucosae.

1. Previous studies had shown that adenosine and adenine nucleotides including adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) caused contraction of the rat colon muscularis mucosae via P1 and P2Y-purinoceptors respectively, and that the stable ATP analogue adenylyl 5'-(beta,gama- methylene)diphosphonate (AMPPCP) had an unexpected direct action on the P1-purinoceptors. The P1-purinoceptors have now therefore been further characterized by use of the adenosine analogues 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) and N6-cyclopropyladenosine (CPA) and the antagonist 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX), which is selective for the A1 subtype. The P2-purinoceptor antagonist suramin was also used, to investigate the selectivity of the P2 agonists. 2. The order of potency of P1 agonists for contraction was CPA greater than NECA greater than AMPPCP greater than or equal to adenosine, and DPCPX (1 nM) caused greater than two fold shifts to the right of the log concentration-response curves for each of these agonists, although the shifts were not always parallel and Schild analysis of the inhibition of the effect of adenosine resulted in a plot with a slope greater than unity. These results indicate that the P1-purinoceptor mediating contraction is of the A1 subtype, as has been found in other tissues in which adenosine causes contraction. 3. The P2-purinoceptor antagonist suramin (300 microM) had no effect on the responses to adenosine or to AMPPCP, but abolished contractions induced by the related stable ATP analogue adenosine 5'-(alpha,beta-methylene)triphosphonate (AMPCPP). Contractions induced by ATP, which were not affected by DPCPX (10nM) alone, were only partially inhibited by suramin (300microM), revealing an A1 component to its action which could be blocked by DPCPX (10 nM).4. In conclusion, these results show that the rat colon muscularis mucosae possesses contractile A, receptors in addition to the previously characterized P2y receptors, and confirms our finding that the stable ATP analogue, AMPPCP, has an unexpected direct action on these Al receptors.

Dictyostelium discoideum mutants resistant to the toxic action of methylene diphosphonate are defective in endocytosis

ABSTRACT Methylene diphosphonate is taken up in Dictyostelium discoideum amoebae by fluid-phase pinocytosis, and it inhibits growth through the production of methylene analogs of adenosine triphosphate and diadenosine tetraphosphate. Methylene diphosphonate resistance was thus used as the basis of a screening strategy for the isolation of endocytosis mutants. Fifteen Dictyostelium mutants, whose growth was resistant to 7.5 mM methylene diphosphonate, were obtained and three of them were characterized in more detail. They were partially defective in fluid-phase pinocytosis (both the rate and extent of FITC-dextran entry were reduced to 40-50% of the parent type activity) and they had smaller amounts of several lysosomal enzymes, such as acid phosphatase, N-acetylhexosaminidase, a-mannosidase (20-60% of the parent type activities). In contrast to the lysosomal hydrolases, the mutants had unchanged activities for enzyme markers selective for other compartments. They appeared phenotypically similar to the Dictyostelium mutant HMW570, which is defective in fluid-phase pinocytosis and oversecretes lysosomal enzymes. The methylene diphosphonate-resistant mutants were found to be unable to acidify fully their endosomal compartments and they have an increased endosomal pH, as shown by the use of the pH-sensitive fluorescence of FITC-dextran. Furthermore, the hypothesis proposing a defective acidification of the endosomal pathway was supported by the measurement of A TP-dependent vesicular acidification with acridine orange, and by in vivo 31P NMR spectroscopy with aminomethylphosphonate as a pH probe.

Mechanisms of flow-mediated signal transduction in endothelial cells: kinetics of ATP surface concentrations.

Intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) was measured in single cells of a confluent endothelial monolayer subjected to defined flow. Flow medium containing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was used to study the influence of flow forces upon agonist-response coupling as mediated via the P2y-purinoceptor. [Ca2+]i responses were highly sensitive to the fluid motion at the cell surface; consecutive small increases of flow stimulated large [Ca2+]i transients with the levels returning to baseline at the new flow rate within 250 s. The characteristics of [Ca2+]i transients were also influenced by decreasing flow. Since potent ectonucleotidases at the endothelial cell surface rapidly degrade ATP, we postulated that a combination of flow and degradative enzymes regulates the mass transport of ATP in the boundary layer. The hypothesis predicts that step increases of flow exceed the capacity of the ectonucleotidases and allow ATP to reach the receptor. Experiments were conducted to compare ATP and ADP beta S, a nonhydrolyzable ATP analog that resists degradation by surface ectonucleotidases, and calculations of ATP mass transport to the cell surface were compared to estimates of surface clearance rates. Calculations of mass transport coefficients for ATP in the boundary layer demonstrated that changes of flow which elicited a prominent [Ca2+]i response represented 26-73% changes in the mass transport of ATP from the bulk fluid. When steadystate mass transport coefficients for ATP under various flow conditions were compared with the estimated rate constant for surface degradation of ATP, ratios close to unity were obtained. These results suggest that both boundary layer mass transport and ATP clearance rates can be rate-limiting for flow-mediated activation of the P2y-receptor. The experiments provide evidence for differential signal transduction responses in the endothelium driven by diffusion gradients (derived from both the blood and the vessel wall), which are likely to vary widely in the complex flow fields encountered in vivo.