Cytosolic Protein Kinase Activity Research Articles

A calmodulin dependent protein kinase in parietal cells

An enriched population of isolated rabbit gastric parietal cells, from the fundic mucosa of New Zealand White rabbit, contained an active cytosolic calmodulin-dependent protein kinase activity with a prominent 100 kDa substrate (pp100). The latter focused as a doublet with isoelectric point of 6.8-7.0. The pp100 protein was phosphorylated only on threonine residues on a single tryptic peptide. Trifluoperazine inhibited the pp100 kinase activity with a KI of 10-15 microM. Addition of exogenous calmodulin was able to restore activity to uninhibited levels. A protein band with a molecular weight and phosphopeptide map identical to pp100, phosphorylated by calcium-dependent kinase, was also observed in rabbit pancreatic cytosol. The data suggest that a type III calmodulin-dependent kinase is present in parietal cell cytosol.

Decrease in the response to ADH of the rat kidney as a result of early postnatal treatment with cortisol

Wistar rats were injected just once, intraperitoneally with cortisol (1 microgram/g) or saline at the age of 5 days. The cortisol-treated rats did not differ significantly in the (U/P)osm ratio from the saline-treated controls before 15 days of life. Their response to ADH was distinct but weaker than in the saline controls aged 30 days. This reduced response persisted to 60 days of life. In the collecting tubule fragments, (3H)AVP specific binding was lower in the cortisol-treated rats than in the controls at the age of 20 and 60 days. There was no (3H)AVP specific binding in the proximal convoluted tubules in the cortisol- and saline-injected rats of both ages. The ontogenetic patterns of cAMP specific binding in the papillary cytosolic fraction were different: the early increase in cAMP binding was protracted in the cortisol-treated rats, and no peak appeared at the age of 25 days. Cytosolic protein kinase activity was lower, no peak appeared at 30 days, no activation of protein kinase occurred to the end of weaning in the cortisol-treated rats. The difference between the cortisol and saline groups was abolished by day 30. The interference of cortisol with the ontogenetic changes in AVP binding capacity and cAMP-dependent protein kinase appears to be a plausible cause of the altered development of the response to ADH.

Effects of stimulation of muscarinic and of beta-catecholamine receptors on the intracellular distribution of protein kinase C in guinea pig exocrine glands.

Stimulation of exocrine cells via muscarinic receptors is associated with an activation of protein kinase C [Padel & Söling (1985) Eur. J. Biochem. 151, 1-10]. We show here that stimulation of isolated parotid gland lobules with 8 X 10(-6) M-carbamoylcholine leads to a translocation of protein kinase C from the cytosolic to the particulate compartment within 30 s (25% and 45% of total activity recovered in the particulate fraction of controls and stimulated samples respectively). The specific enzyme activity in the particulate fraction increased to 169% of the corresponding control value. After 10 min the changes started to reverse and, after 30 min, cytosolic protein kinase C was higher in stimulated than in unstimulated lobules. Isoproterenol (2 X 10(-5) M) stimulated the release of amylase more than did carbamoylcholine, but did not significantly affect intracellular distribution of protein kinase C during the observation time of 30 min. In isolated pancreatic lobules a significant carbamoylcholine-mediated translocation of protein kinase C into the particulate fraction could be observed after 5 and 20 min, but not after 1 min. After 5 min the specific enzyme activity in the particulate fraction had increased to 153% of the corresponding controls. The corresponding decrease (-38%) in the specific enzymic activity of cytosolic protein kinase C stayed constant up to 30 min. In isolated parotid gland lobules alpha-amylase secretion proceeded at a linear rate already during the first 1 min of stimulation, whereas in pancreatic lobules a measurable rate of alpha-amylase secretion did not occur before 5 min. These differences in time course paralleled the differences in the onset of translocation of protein kinase C. The results support a direct involvement of protein kinase C in carbamoylcholine-mediated but not in isoproterenol-mediated stimulation of exocytosis in exocrine cells.

Altered protein kinase C in a mast cell variant defective in exocytosis.

The murine mast cell line PB-3c is dependent on interleukin 3 (IL-3) with respect to survival and proliferation. These cells also require IL-3 to display antigen-mediated serotonin release, which is coupled to a transient increase of cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i). The antigen-mediated exocytosis is inhibited by phorbol 12-tetradecanoate 13-acetate (PTA), an activator of phospholipid/Ca2+-sensitive protein kinase. In contrast, the malignant mast cell variant PB-1 is IL-3 independent with respect to proliferation but is unable to undergo antigen-mediated exocytosis. Yet this cell line exhibits basal levels of [Ca2+]i, serotonin content, and numbers of IgE receptors comparable to those of PB-3c cells. Subcellular distribution studies revealed that the specific activity of cytosolic protein kinase C of PB-1 cells was only 40% of that found in PB-3c cells. Furthermore, the PB-1 cells showed a significantly higher specific activity of membrane-bound protein kinase C than PB-3c cells. Scatchard plot analysis of [3H]-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate binding to intact PB-1 cells demonstrated the presence of 20% high-affinity (Kd = 6 nM) and 80% low-affinity (Kd = 60 nM) phorbol ester receptors, whereas PB-3c cells displayed only the low-affinity phorbol ester binding. Immunological characterization of protein kinase C from both cell lines revealed the presence of a normal 77-kDa protein kinase C holoenzyme in both cell lines. In addition, a 72-kDa protein kinase C-related protein band was found mainly in the membrane fraction of the PB-1 variant. It is suggested that this altered and membrane-bound form of protein kinase C may be involved in the blockage of the antigen-mediated exocytosis of PB-1 cells.

A novel protein kinase activity in rabbit gastric gland cytosol

A novel protein kinase activity was characterized from the cytosolic fraction of isolated rabbit gastric glands. The kinase phosphorylated a major 33,000 Da endogenous protein (pp33) and was stimulated by Zn 2+ and Mn 2+ with K act of 1.0 and 7.5 mM, respectively. Mg 2+ and Ca 2+ failed to stimulate any pp33 kinase activity. The kinase utilized both ATP and GTP as phosphate donors with a K m of 10 uM for both. The pp33 protein displayed an isoelectric point of 7.5 to 7.8 and was phosphorylated predominantly on threonine residues. The kinase activity is clearly differentiable from all reported kinase activities and appeared to be enriched in rabbit gastric fundic mucosa. The results indicate that gastric fundic mucosa contains a novel protein kinase activity.

Calcium-activated, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase activity in bovine thyroid cytosol

Bovine thyroid 100,000 × g supernatant contained calcium-activated, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (PK-CaM) activity. The PK-CaM was partially purified using ion-exchange chromatography and characterized. PK-CaM, using casein as exogenous substrate, was not stimulated by Ca 2+(0–500 μM) or calmodulin (1–10 μg) by themselves, but was stimulated by the combination of the two by 100%. The activation of the enzyme by Ca 2+ and calmodulin was dose-dependent with maximal stimulation evident at 1 μM free-Ca 2+ and 3 μg calmodulin. Both chlorpromazine and trifluoperazine inhibited the thyroid enzyme in a dose-related manner. The molecular weight (MW) of the PK-CaM, based on gel filtration, was approximately 500,000. PK-CaM could also be demonstrated using endogenous thyroid cytosol proteins as substrate. Separation of these 32P-labelled proteins by SDS-PAGE and subsequent autoradiography revealed that one major protein of approximately 56,000 MW was phosphorylated by PK-CaM. In some experiments, a second, lessintense protein band of approximately 64,000 MW was also phosphorylated. Evidence is presented, suggesting that these two protein bands may result from the autophosphorylation of the PK-CaM holoenzyme. These results offer a molecular mechanism, in addition to protein kinase C, by which Ca 2+ effects may be mediated in thyroid.

A cyclic nucleotide and calcium-independent protein kinase of chick brain: Activation by a heat-stable protein

A heat-stable trichloracetic acid-stable protein fraction stimulates protein kinase activity in chick brain cytosol. This protein kinase (tentatively referred to as protein kinase S) can be partially purified by chromotography on DEAE-cellulose and Sepharose G-100. The partially purified protein kinase has an absolute requirement for magnesium and the heat-stable protein for the phosphotransferase activity and is not influenced by cyclic nucleotides, calcium or ethylenediaminetraacetic acid. The substrate specificity of protein kinase S indicates that it is not a casein kinase and prefers histones over the subsrtates tested. The specific activity of this protein kinase changes with chick brain development and the activity increased by two-fold by the second post-hatch week, suggesting a role of this protein kinase in chick brain development.

Differential Effects of Carcinogens on Hepatic Cytosolic Cyclic AMP-dependent Protein Kinase Activity

Differential effects of epigenetic tumor promoters and a genotoxic carcinogen on hepatic cytosolic cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (CAMP-PK) were studied in vitro, since this enzyme is one of the major mediators of cell membrane permeability. Mirex (dodecachlorooctahydro-1,3,4-metheno-2H-cyclobuto[cd]pentalene), like phorbol ester TPA (12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetste), caused significant inhibition of cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity ratio, whereas DDT [p, p′-trichlorobis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane] produced concentration-dependent changes. Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and phenobarbitol (PB), however, showed a significant enhancement of the activity ratio. Interestingly, combinations of mirex, DDT with PB or DEN resulted in the potentiation of CAMP-dependent protein kinase activity in contrast to their effects when used separately. The results suggest that the influences of mirex and TPA in vitro on CAMP-PK are different from those observed in other cell and intact animal systems.

Phytohemagglutinin treatment of T lymphocytes stimulates rapid increases in activity of both particulate and cytosolic protein kinase C

We have measured the activity of protein kinase C in particulate and cytosolic fractions prepared from lymphocytes following stimulation with phytohemagglutinin. Activity in the particulate fraction increased approximately three-fold within 5 min, and declined to nearly zero between 20 and 60 min. Cytosolic activity increased in a biphasic manner, with an initial increase at 5 min, a decline at 10 min, and a further increase by 20 min, which was sustained for at least 60 min. By contrast, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate caused a rapid translocation of protein kinase C from cytosol to the particulate fraction which was sustained for at least 1 h. The results suggest that agents, such as phytohemagglutinin which both generate diacylglycerol and mobilize intracellular Ca 2+ stores, result in changes in subcellular distribution and activity of protein kinase C which are different from those elicited by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate.

Effect of age on parathyroid hormone and forskolin stimulated adenylate cyclase and protein kinase activity in the renal cortex

The capacity of parathyroid hormone (PTH) to stimulate the renal production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D declines with age. Since the action of PTH in the kidney is mediated by cAMP, we have examined the effect of PTH and forskolin on renal cortical adenylate cyclase in young (3 months), adult (13–15 months), and old (25–27 months) F344 rats. PTH-dependent adenylate cyclase, measured as cAMP accumulation in cortical slices, was reduced in adult and old rats compared to young rats over a PTH concentration range of 0.015–15 units/ml. There was no differences in PTH-dependent adenylate cyclase activity between adult and old rats. Renal plasma membrane preparations demonstrated similar changes in PTH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. There was no difference in calcitonin, forskolin, or guanyl-5-ylimidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) stimulation of adenylate cyclase in plasma membranes from each age group, suggesting that the defect lies in the membrane receptor for PTH. The decreased adult sensitivity to PTH could be reversed by thyroparathyroidectomy. PTH stimulation of cytosolic protein kinase activity did not change with age. These results suggest that the decrease in PTH-dependent adenylate cyclase is due to the alterations at the level of PTH receptor. These alterations may be in response to the increase in serum PTH seen in these animals with increasing age.

Activation of the human neutrophil nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-oxidase by protein kinase C.

A variety of phagocytosable and soluble agonists stimulate the human neutrophil respiratory burst enzyme, NADPH-oxidase, an activity required for normal microbicidal function. Of these agonists, the phorbol esters, which stimulate diverse systems by their ability to substitute for diacylglycerol to activate protein kinase C (the major phorbol ester receptor), have now been shown to directly stimulate NADPH-oxidase through this same receptor. Almost 90% of the specific receptors for phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) were found in the cytosol upon subcellular fractionation. The dissociation constant for [3H]PDBu was 1.2 nM. No significant difference was found in the distribution of the receptor between subcellular fractions from resting as compared with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated neutrophils. On the basis of these binding studies, we were able to establish a reconstituted system in which PMA activated dormant NADPH-oxidase in a light membrane fraction when cytosol, NADPH, phosphatidylserine, or phosphatidylinositol and ATP were added. The calcium chelator, EGTA, inhibited the activation, which suggested a requirement for calcium at low concentrations. The half-maximally effective PMA dose was 1.1 nM, as predicted from the receptor content in these preparations. Reconstitution of oxidase activity was rapid, peaking within 1 min of incubation. Purified protein kinase C was able to substitute for the cytosol fraction, and accounted for 80% of the cytosol activity. These studies demonstrate that phorbol esters stimulate the neutrophil respiratory burst through activation of cytosolic protein kinase C, which in turn activates either a regulatory constituent or the NADPH-oxidase directly in the plasma membrane to generate an active O-2-generating system.

Cytosolic protein kinase activity associated with the maturation of the malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei

Seven cytosolic phosphoproteins with relative molecular masses of 110, 58, 52, 46, 38, 36 and 34 kDa and isoelectric points between 4.2 and 5.0 are identified from the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei. Similar patterns of phosphorylated proteins are obtained from parasite cytosol after incubation of intact infected erythrocytes with [ 32P]orthophosphate, or from parasite cytosol incubated with [γ- 32P]ATP. The characteristics of the phosphorylation reaction are similar to the previously described Plasmodium protein kinase [Wiser, M.F., Eaton, J.W. and Sheppard, J.R. (1983) J. Cell. Biochem. 21, 305–314], suggesting that the same protein kinase is involved. More protein phosphorylation activity is associated with the mature parasites than the immature forms, suggesting that these phosphoproteins may play some role in the parasite's erythrocytic stage cycle.

Hormone-induced redistribution of calcium-activated phospholipid-dependent protein kinase in pituitary gonadotrophs.

The distribution of calcium-activated, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) between cytosol and membrane fractions was analyzed in cultured pituitary gonadotrophs during treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). In pituitary cells purified by centrifugal elutriation, the extent of protein kinase C redistribution during GnRH stimulation was correlated with the enrichment of gonadotrophs. GnRH-stimulated release of luteinizing hormone (LH) from gonadotroph-enriched cells was accompanied by a rapid and dose-dependent decrease in cytosolic protein kinase C and by a corresponding increase in protein kinase C activity in the particulate fraction. Retinal directly inhibited the activity of cytosolic protein kinase C and also attenuated the release of LH from GnRH-stimulated gonadotrophs. These findings, and the ability of GnRH to cause rapid translocation of cytosolic protein kinase C to a membrane-associated form, suggest that hormonal activation of protein kinase C is an intermediate step in the stimulation of pituitary LH secretion by GnRH.

Calcium and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase activity in mouse epidermis cytosol. Stimulation by complete and incomplete tumor promoters and inhibition by various compounds

Calcium- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (Ca, PL-PK) activity is detectable in mouse epidermis cytosol. It can be stimulated in vitro by complete and incomplete tumor promoters (12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and 12-0-retinoylphorbol-13-acetate (RPA)), respectively. Effective inhibition of the enzyme activity is achieved with quercetin and phloretin, whereas the lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase inhibitors nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and esculetin show just weak or no inhibition. Quercetin inhibits the lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase equally well as the Ca,PL-PK, whereas the strong Ca,PL-PK inhibitor phloretin is absolutely ineffective in inhibiting the lipoxygenase/cyclooxygenase. The application of these inhibitors in differentiating tumor promoter induced effects in vivo is proposed.

Soluble phorbol ester binding sites and phospholipid- and calcium-dependent protein kinase activity in cytosol of chick oviduct

A large amount of specific high affinity binding sites for tumor promoting phorbol esters as well as of a Ca 2+- and phospholipid-dependent protein kinase is present in cytosol of chick oviduct. 12- O-Tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) is able to replace either Ca 2+ or the phospholipid phosphatidylserine as activators of the kinase to some extent. The maximum activity of the enzyme in the presence of Ca 2+ and phosphatidylserine, however, cannot be increased further by TPA. Various second stage tumor promoters also exhibit the capacity to stimulate the protein kinase, whereas the non-promoting phorbol ester 4- O-methyl-TPA, as well as the non-promoting, but with respect to other responses TPA-like, calcium ionophore A23187, do not affect the kinase.

Characterization of cytosolic calcium-activated phospholipid-dependent protein kinase activity in embryonal carcinoma cells. Effect of retinoc acid-induced differentiation of F9 cells to parietal endoderm.

We have addressed the question of the possible presence of calcium-activated phospholipid-dependent protein kinase (Ca2+-PL protein kinase) activity in undifferentiated embryonal carcinoma cells, and if this activity might be altered during differentiation to a parietal endoderm cell type. Undifferentiated nullipotent F9 embryonal carcinoma cells, as well as differentiated parietal endoderm cells (PYS-2), were utilized. Using an in vitro assay with histone H1 as phosphate acceptor, Ca2+-PL protein kinase activity could not be found in the 100,000 X g supernatant prepared from either cell type. However, passage of 100,000 X g supernatant from PYS cells over a DEAE-cellulose column revealed Ca2+-PL protein kinase activity which eluted with 0.045 M NaCl. The partially purified PYS enzyme has an approximate Mr = 70,000 as determined by Sephadex G-150 gel filtration, and exhibits an apparent Ka for Ca2+ of 32 microM. The PYS Ca2+-PL protein kinase also exhibits a requirement for Mg2+, with maximal activity noted at 10 mM Mg2+. This enzyme is stimulated by acidic phospholipids, while neutral phospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine have little effect. Diacylglycerol markedly increased histone H1 phosphorylation in the presence of Ca2+ and phospholipid. Unlike that of PYS cells, when the 100,000 X g supernatant prepared from F9 cells was passed over a DEAE-cellulose column no Ca2+-PL protein kinase activity could be found in the eluted fractions. Previously it has been reported that exposure of F9 cells to all-trans-retinoic acid induces differentiation to a parietal endoderm cell type. Treatment of F9 cells with 0.1 microM retinoic acid provoked a time-dependent increase in cytosolic Ca2+-PL protein kinase activity as measured after DEAE-cellulose chromatography of the 100,000 X g supernatant. This increase in Ca2+-PL protein kinase activity correlates with differentiation to the parietal endoderm cell type. These findings indicate that cytosolic Ca2+-PL protein kinase activity is very low, or nonexistent, in undifferentiated embryonal carcinoma stem cells. With differentiation to a parietal endoderm cell type there is a marked increase in soluble Ca2+-PL protein kinase activity which exhibits properties similar to those described for this enzyme in other differentiated tissues.

Characterization and activation of cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase in C1300 murine neuroblastoma clones growing in vivo.

Cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinases from three clones of C1300 neuroblastoma, established as growing tumors in A/jax mice, were identified and characterized. Mean (+/- SD) intratumor concentrations of cAMP ranged from 5.0 +/- 2.4 to 6.8 +/- 1.9 pmol/mg protein; cytosolic protein kinase activity ratios, calculated from the -cAMP/+cAMP value, ranged from 0.12 +/- 0.02 to 0.18 +/- 0.02. The total amount of cytosolic cAMP-binding activity was highest in the NBA2 clone and nearly equal in N-18 and NBP2. By DEAE chromatography, two peaks of cAMP-binding activity eluting at ionic strengths of 0.09 and 0.15 M of NaCl were resolved from each clone. The latter peak was associated with catalytic activity (type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase), whereas the former was not (free type I cAMP-binding protein). Photoaffinity labeling with 8-azido (N3)-[32P]cAMP, followed by sodium-dodecyl-sulfate:polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, resolved four major cAMP-binding proteins with molecular weights ranging from 39,000 to 56,000 in each clone. The mol. wt 47,000 protein was judged to be a free regulatory subunit of type I kinase, and the mol. wt 39,000 protein a cleavage product. The mol. wt 54,000 and 56,000 proteins were both endogenously phosphorylated and both had a lower affinity for 8-N3-[32P]cAMP, characteristic of type II kinase. Selected properties of the cAMP-binding proteins (kinetic and autophosphorylating features, response to tryptic hydrolysis, specificity for cAMP and temperature sensitivity) did not differ appreciably among clones. Despite initially low intratumor concentrations of cAMP, it was possible to activate the protein kinase system by simultaneous injection of N6, O2'-dibutyryl-cAMP and papaverine. This indicates that mouse C1300 neuroblastoma can be used profitably to study cAMP-induced neuroblast differentiation.

A protein kinase bound to the projection portion of MAP 2 (microtubule-associated protein 2).

In previous work we have demonstrated that the microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP 2) molecule consists of two structural parts. One part of the molecule, referred to as the assembly-promoting domain, binds to the microtubule surface and is responsible for promoting microtubule assembly; the other represents a filamentous projection observed on the microtubule surface that may be involved in the interaction of microtubules with other cellular structures. MAP 2 is known to be specifically phosphorylated as the result of a protein kinase activity that is present in microtubule preparations. We have now found that the activity copurifies with the projection portion of MAP 2 itself. Kinase activity coeluted with MAP 2 when microtubule protein was subjected to either gel- filtration chromatography on bio-gel A-15m or ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE- Sephadex. The activity was released from microtubules by mild digestion with chymotrypsin in parallel with the removal by the protease of the MAP 2 projections from the microtubule surface. The association of the activity with the projection was demonstrated directly by gel filtration chromatography of the projections on bio-gel A-15m. Three protein species (M(r) = 39,000, 55,000, and 70,000) cofractionated with MAP 2, and two of these (M(r) = 39,000 and 55,000) may represent the subunits of an associated cyclic AMP- dependent protein kinase. The projection-associated activity was stimulated 10-fold by cyclic AMP and was inhibited more than 95 percent by the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor from rabbit skeletal muscle. It appeared to represent the only significant activity associated with microtubules, almost no activity being found with tubulin, other MAPs, or the assembly-promoting domain of MAP 2, and was estimated to account for 7-22 percent of the total brain cytosolic protein kinase activity. The location of the kinase on the projection is consistent with a role in regulating the function of the projection, though other roles for the enzyme are also possible.

Effect of denervation on cyclic nucleotide metabolism in different types of skeletal muscle of the rat.

Slow-twitch soleus and fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus muscles of the rat were denervated unilaterally by sciatic nerve section at mid-thigh level. Activities of adenylate cyclase, guanylate cyclase, low Km and high Km cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase, and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase were compared on the same, freshly prepared homogenates of denervated and shamoperated contralateral muscles one, two, three, or five days after surgery. As an early consequence of denervation, cyclic AMP metabolism was differentially affected in these different types of skeletal muscle. The adenylate cyclase activity of soleus muscle increased significantly by the second day following denervation and continued to rise through the fifth day, while this enzyme did not increase in denervated extensor digitorum longus even by the fifth day. The high Km cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase was already increased by day one in the denervated soleus, but not until the fifth day in the denervated extensor digitorum longus. Parallel increases beginning the first day were observed for the low Km cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase in both muscles. Since the activity of cytosolic cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase of soleus muscle was also increased two days following denervation, the changes in cyclic AMP synthetic and degradative enzymes apparently result in a rise in intracellular cyclic AMP concentration. Alterations of the cyclic GMP enzymes following denervation were similar in the soleus and extensor digitorum longus, but were delayed relative to the increases in activity in the cyclic AMP enzymes.

Activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. A common step in vasopressin- and hypertonicity-induced water flow.

Abstract Water flow across the amphibian urinary bladder can be induced by either vasopressin or serosal hypertonicity. In an effort to determine the common intracellular steps mediating both responses, we determined the in situ activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase in bladders stimulated by vasopressin or hypertonicity. Treatment of bladders with vasopressin (1 mU/ml) caused in situ activation of cytosolic cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase of epithelial cells, with a rise in the kinase ratio and cyclic AMP content. Similarly, hyperonicity increased the kinase ratio, but this occured without a measurable increase in cyclic AMP content per mg protein. Because of the hypertonicity-induced cell shrinkage, epithelial cell water decreased by 20%, which may result in a proportionate increase in cyclic AMP concentration (per ml cell water). Furthermore, cell shrinkage also increases intracellular electrolyte concentration, which, in turn, should delay reassociation and consequent inactivation of the predominant Type II cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase of the epithelial cells. Thus activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase during hypetonicity may be the result of cell shrinkage, with an associated increase in cyclic AMP and electrolyte concentrations. Studies with prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors and colchicine, a microtubule disrupting agent, also indicated common pathways for vasopressin and hypertonicity. Both naproxen and meclofenamate significantly enhanced the hypertonicity response. Colchicine pretreatment, on the other hand, caused a small (18%) but significant inhibition of the hypertnicity response, similar to its effect on the vasopressine response (25% inhibition). Thus, the increased water permeability of the toad bladder in response to both vasopressin and hypertonicity follows a similar pathway. Activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase represents the first common step yet identified.