Effects Of Guanine Nucleotides Research Articles

A Low Molecular Weight Agonist of the Luteinizing Hormone Receptor Stimulates Adenylyl Cyclase in the Testicular Membranes and Steroidogenesis in the Testes of Rats with Type 1 Diabetes

A characteristic feature of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) in humans and experimental animals is an androgen deficiency, which is usually compensated by using the gonadotropin preparations with the activity of the agonists of the luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor, including human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). However, the use of gonadotropins is associated with a number of undesirable effects, and their steroidogenic effect is weakened at the conditions of DM1. An alternative to gonadotropins can be low molecular weight thienopyrimidine-based agonists of the LH/hCG receptor, which bind to an allosteric site located within the transmembrane channel of this receptor. In this study the stimulating effect of hCG and the thienopyrimidine derivative TP03 we have developed earlier on the adenylyl cyclase (AC) in the testicular membranes of male rats with moderate/severe streptozotocin DM1 have been investigated along with the effects of hCG and TP03 on the plasma testosterone levels and the gene expression of steroidogenic proteins in the testes of diabetic rats under a single or 5-day administration of these drugs. In DM1, the AC-stimulating effects of hCG, TP03, and guanine nucleotides were decreased in the testicular membranes, and the EC50 of the effects of hCG and TP03 were increased; this indicated a reduced sensitivity of the LH/hCG receptors to hCG and TP03 in DM1 and could be associated with a decrease in functional activity of heterotrimeric G proteins. In diabetic rats with reduced basal testosterone levels, the steroidogenic effects of the single-dose hCG and TP03 were significantly reduced; and the effect of hCG was significantly higher than that of TP03. In the case of a 5-day treatment of diabetic rats with hCG and TP03, only the steroidogenic effect of gonadotropin was reduced, while the corresponding effect of TP03 did not change and was comparable to the effect of hCG. The regulatory effects of TP03 on the expression of steroidogenic proteins in the testes of control and diabetic rats were similar under the 5-day administration. The TP03 compound, in contrast to hCG, in the control and diabetic groups, did not reduce the expression of the Lhr gene, which encodes LH/hCG receptor, thereby preventing a decrease in the sensitivity of the testes to gonadotropins in DM1. Thus, a low molecular weight agonist TP03 is an effective stimulator of testosterone synthesis in severe DM1 with androgen deficiency.

Changes in Nociceptive Thresholds and Adenylyl Cyclase System Activity in Skeletal Muscles in Rats with Acute and Mild Type 1 Diabetes

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the commonest complications of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1). The aims of the present work were to study the dynamics of the development of pain-type DPN and the functional status of the hormone-sensitive adenylyl cyclase signal system (ACSS) in the skeletal muscle of rats with models of acute and mild DM1 and to investigate the influences on these of insulin therapy using different routes of hormone administration – intranasal and peripheral. The nociceptive threshold in rats decreased in both models of DM1; the stimulatory effects of guanine nucleotides (GIDP) and adrenergic agonists (isoproterenol, BRL-37344) on adenylyl cyclase (AC) also decreased. The AC-stimulating effect of relaxin decreased in animals with acute DM1, while the change in mild DM1 was minor. Peripheral administration of insulin to rats with acute DM1 increased the nociceptive threshold and partially restored the AC effect of the β3 agonist BRL-37344. Intranasal administration of insulin to rats with mild DM1 also led to an increase in the nociceptive threshold and partially restored basal and BRL-37344-stimulated AC activity in the skeletal muscle of diabetic animals. Thus, skeletal muscle in rats with acute and mild DM1 showed impaired nociceptive sensitivity and ACSS function, which was partially restored by treatment of animals with insulin given peripherally (acute DM1) or intranasally (mild DM1).

Different effects of guanine nucleotides (GDP and GTP) on protein-mediated mitochondrial proton leak.

In this study, we compared the influence of GDP and GTP on isolated mitochondria respiring under conditions favoring oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and under conditions excluding this process, i.e., in the presence of carboxyatractyloside, an adenine nucleotide translocase inhibitor, and/or oligomycin, an FOF1-ATP synthase inhibitor. Using mitochondria isolated from rat kidney and human endothelial cells, we found that the action of GDP and GTP can differ diametrically depending on the conditions. Namely, under conditions favoring OXPHOS, both in the absence and presence of linoleic acid, an activator of uncoupling proteins (UCPs), the addition of 1 mM GDP resulted in the state 4 (non-phosphorylating respiration)-state 3 (phosphorylating respiration) transition, which is characteristic of ADP oxidative phosphorylation. In contrast, the addition of 1 mM GTP resulted in a decrease in the respiratory rate and an increase in the membrane potential, which is characteristic of UCP inhibition. The stimulatory effect of GDP, but not GTP, was also observed in inside-out submitochondrial particles prepared from rat kidney mitochondria. However, the effects of GDP and GTP were more similar in the presence of OXPHOS inhibitors. The importance of these observations in connection with the action of UCPs, adenine nucleotide translocase (or other carboxyatractyloside-sensitive carriers), carboxyatractyloside- and purine nucleotide-insensitive carriers, as well as nucleoside-diphosphate kinase (NDPK) are considered. Because the measurements favoring oxidative phosphorylation better reflect in vivo conditions, our study strongly supports the idea that GDP cannot be considered a significant physiological inhibitor of UCP. Moreover, it appears that, under native conditions, GTP functions as a more efficient UCP inhibitor than GDP and ATP.

Regulation of Acanthamoeba castellanii alternative oxidase activity by mutual exclusion of purine nucleotides; ATP's inhibitory effect

The effects of different adenine and guanine nucleotides on the cyanide-resistant respiration (i.e. alternative oxidase (AcAOX) activity) of mitochondria from the amoeba A. castellanii mitochondria were studied. We found that guanine nucleotides activate AcAOX to a greater degree than adenine nucleotides, and that nucleoside monophosphates were more efficient activators than nucleoside di- or triphosphates. The extent of the nucleotides' influence on AcAOX was dependent on the medium's pH and was more pronounced at pH 6.8, which is optimal for AcAOX activity. In contrast to other purine nucleosides, we demonstrate, for the first time, that ATP has an inhibitory effect on AcAOX activity. Since we also observed the inhibition by ATP in the mitochondria of another protozoon, such as Dictyostelium discoideum, and the yeast, Candida maltosa, it may be a regulatory feature common to all purine nucleotide-modulated non-plant AOXs. The physiological importance of this discovery is discussed. Kinetic data show that the binding of GMP (a positive allosteric effector) and the binding of ATP (a negative allosteric effector) to AcAOX are mutually exclusive. ATP's inhibition of the enzyme can be overcome by sufficiently high concentrations of GMP, and conversely, GMP's stimulation can be overcome by sufficiently high concentrations of ATP. However, an approximately three times lower concentration of GMP compared to ATP gives a half maximal effect on AcAOX activity. This is indicative of a higher binding affinity for the positive effector at the same or, at least overlapping, nucleotide-binding sites on AcAOX. These results suggest that AcAOX activity in A. castellanii mitochondria might be controlled by the relative intracellular concentrations of purine nucleotides.

Adenosine Receptors and Angiogenesis

See related article, pages 1130–1138 As originally hypothesized by Berne,1 adenosine is formed in the heart during hypoxia or ischemia and serves as a negative feedback signal to maintain oxygen delivery within a normal physiological range. Adenosine is formed by the metabolism of ATP and transported into the extracellular space by various nucleoside transport proteins.2 In a more localized manner that provides the opportunity for coordinated signaling with the diverse P2 purinoreceptor family that recognizes ATP and ADP, adenosine is also formed from the extracellular metabolism of adenine nucleotides released from stored granules (sympathetic nerves, platelets, mast cells) or through hemichannels (neutrophils, endothelial cells, epithelial cells) by ecto-apyrases and ecto-nucleotidases.3–5 Adenosine signals through activation of widely distributed cell surface G protein–coupled receptors, of which 4 different subtypes have been identified designated A1, A2A, A2B, and A3.6 By activating A2A receptors that are abundantly expressed in coronary vascular smooth muscle, adenosine generated under hypoxic conditions produces potent vasodilation thereby increasing nutrient and oxygen delivery. Although less appreciated, adenosine also serves to maintain tissue oxygenation in response to chronic ischemic/hypoxic stress by increasing the formation of new blood vessels; that is, by stimulating angiogenesis.7,8 Using adenosine receptor agonists or modulators of adenosine metabolism, an important role for adenosine has been established in in vivo models of angiogenesis.7,8 In cell culture systems, adenosine stimulates endothelial cell migration, proliferation, and tube formation,7–11 actions required for the formation of new capillary networks. This action occurs at concentrations of adenosine that are …

GTP uptake into rat brain synaptic vesicles

Uptake of neurotransmitters into synaptic vesicles is driven by an electrochemical gradient generated by a vacuolar-type proton pump ATPase. This uptake implies a key role for synaptic vesicles in the regulation of neurotransmitter systems. Guanine nucleoside and nucleotides are involved in the inhibition of glutamate-induced cellular responses via an extracellular action and diverse trophic, proliferative, and modulatory effects of guanine nucleotides on neural cells have been shown. Here, we characterized the uptake of GTP into synaptic vesicles isolated from whole rat brain, by using a tritiated poorly-hydrolyzable GTP analog, 5′-guanylylimidodiphosphate ([ 3H]GppNHp). Uptake of GTP into synaptic vesicles is saturable, time- and temperature-dependent, and relies on a proton-eletrochemical gradient. However, [ 3H]GMP and [ 3H]GDP radioactive labeling in synaptic vesicles is not dependent on temperature and vesicular ATPase activity, which indicates that these nucleotides only bind to and are not taken up into synaptic vesicles. GTP is taken up by the same eletrochemical gradient-dependent transport system, as are neurotransmitters storage, which indicates that this guanine nucleotide may also function as a neurotransmitter.

Conformational changes in dynamin on GTP binding and oligomerization reported by intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence

The effects of guanine nucleotides on the intrinsic and extrinsic fluorescence properties of dynamin were assessed. The intrinsic Trp (tryptophan) fluorescence spectra of purified recombinant dynamin-1 and -2 were very similar, with a maximum at 332 nm. Collisional quenching by KI was weak (approximately 30%), suggesting that the majority of Trp residues are buried. Binding of guanine nucleotides decreased intrinsic fluorescence by 15-20%. Titration of the effects showed that GTP and GDP bound to a single class of non-interacting sites in dynamin tetramers with apparent dissociation constants (K(d)) values of 5.4 and 7.4 microM (dynamin-1) and 13.2 and 7.1 microM (dynamin-2) respectively. Similar dissociation constant values for both nucleotides were obtained by titrating the quenching of IAEDANS [N-iodoacetyl-N'-(5-sulpho-1-naphthyl)ethylenediamine]-labelled dynamin-2. Despite the similar binding affinities, GTP and GDP result in different conformations of the protein, as revealed by sensitivity to proteinase K fragmentation. Dynamins contain five Trp residues, of which four are in the PH domain (pleckstrin homology domain) and one is in the C-terminal PRD (proline/arginine-rich domain). Guanine nucleotides quenched fluorescence emission from a truncated (DeltaPRD) mutant dynamin-1 to the same extent as in the full-length protein, suggesting conformational coupling between the G (groove)-domain and the PH domain. Efficient resonance energy transfer from PH domain Trp residues to bound mant-GTP [where mant stands for 2'-(3')-O-(N-methylanthraniloyl)] suggests that the G-domain and PH domain are in close proximity (5-6 nm). Promotion of dynamin-2 oligomerization, by reduction in ionic strength or increasing protein concentration, had little effect on intrinsic dynamin fluorescence. However, fluorescence emission from IAEDANS.dynamin-2 showed a significant spectral shift on oligomerization. In addition, energy transfer was observed when oligomerization was promoted in mixtures of IAEDANS.dynamin-2 and 4-(4-dimethylaminophenylazo)benzoic acid-coupled dynamin-2, an effect that was counteracted by GTP but not GDP.

Effects of Guanine Nucleotides and Protein Kinase C on Prolactin-Stimulated Release of Ca2+ from Intracellular Stores of Pig Oocytes

The effects of guanine nucleotides and protein kinase C on prolactin-stimulated Ca2+ release from intracellular stores of pig oocytes were studied using the fluorescent dye chlorotetracycline. The effect of prolactin was related to the protein kinase C activation. Inhibition of protein kinase C stimulated Ca2+ release from intracellular stores of the pig oocytes treated with 5 ng/ml prolactin in the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and inhibited Ca2+ release from intracellular stores of the pig oocytes treated with 50 ng/ml prolactin. In a Ca2+-free medium, prolactin did not stimulate Ca2+ release from intracellular stores of the oocytes treated with GDP in the presence of GDP. GTP inhibition of protein kinase C activated Ca2+ release from intracellular stores of the pig oocytes treated with 5 ng/ml prolactin and inhibited Ca2+ release from intracellular stores of the pig oocytes treated with 50 ng/ml prolactin. These data suggest the influence of guanine nucleotides and protein kinase C on calcium metabolism, stimulated by prolactin.

Nitric Oxide-dependent Allosteric Inhibitory Role of a Second Nucleotide Binding Site in Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase

The mechanism of desensitization of the nitric oxide (NO) receptor (alpha1.beta1 isoform of soluble guanylyl cyclase, sGC) is not known. Models of the structure of alpha1.beta1, based on the x-ray crystal structure of adenylyl cyclase (AC) suggest the existence of a nucleotide-like binding site, in addition to the putative catalytic site. We have previously reported that mutating residues that coordinate Mg(2+)GTP (substrate) binding in alpha1.beta1 into those present in AC fully reverts GC activity to AC activity. The wild-type form of alpha1.beta1 (GC-wt) and the mutant form (AC-mut, alpha1R592Q.beta1E473K,C541D) were purified, and their sensitivities to various nucleotides were assessed. In using the AC-mut as well as other mutants that coordinate purine binding, we were able to distinguish allosteric inhibitory effects of guanine nucleotides from competitively inhibitory effects on catalytic activity. Here we report that several nucleotide analogs drastically alter sGC and AC-mut activity by acting at a second nucleotide site, likely pseudosymmetric to the catalytic site. In particular, Mg(2+)GTP gamma S and Mg(2+)ATP gamma S inhibited cyclase activity through a mixed, non-competitive mechanism that was only observable under NO stimulation and not under basal conditions. The non-competitive pattern of inhibition was not present in mutants carrying the substitution beta1D477A, the pseudosymmetric equivalent to alpha1D529 (located in the substrate-binding site and involved in substrate binding and catalysis), or with the double mutations alpha1E525K,C594D, the pseudosymmetric equivalent to beta1E473K,C541D. Taken together these data suggest that occupation of the second site by nucleotides may underlie part of the mechanism of desensitization of sGC.

Intracerebroventricular Guanine-Based Purines Protect Against Seizures Induced by Quinolinic Acid in Mice

Acute and chronic administration of the nucleoside guanosine have been shown to prevent quinolinic acid (QA) and alpha-dendrotoxin-induced seizures, as well as to impair memory and anxiety in rats and mice. In this study, we investigated the effect of i.c.v. administration of guanine-based purines (GTP, GDP, GMP, and guanosine) against seizures induced by the NMDA agonist and glutamate releaser quinolinic acid in mice. We also aimed to study the effects of the poorly hydrolysable analogs of GTP (GppNHp and GTPgammaS) and GDP (GDPbetaS) in this seizure model. QA produced seizures in 100% of mice, an effect partially prevented by guanine-based purines. In contrast to GTP (480 nmol), GDP (320-640 nmol), GMP (320-480 nmol) and guanosine (300-400 nmol), the poorly hydrolysable analogs of GTP and GDP did not affect QA-induced seizures. Thus, the protective effects of guanine nucleotides seem to be due to their conversion to guanosine. Altogether, these findings suggest a potential role of guanine-based purines for treating diseases involving glutamatergic excitotoxicity.

Allosteric enhancers of A1 adenosine receptors increase receptor-G protein coupling and counteract Guanine nucleotide effects on agonist binding.

Endogenous ligands of G protein-coupled receptors bind to orthosteric sites that are topologically distinct from allosteric sites. Certain aminothiophenes such as (2-amino-4,5-dimethyl-3-thienyl)-[3-(trifluromethyl)-phenyl]-methanone (PD81,723) and 2-amino-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-benzo[b]thiophen-3-yl)-biphenyl-4-yl-methanone (ATL525) are positive allosteric regulators, or enhancers, of the human A1 adenosine receptor (A1AR). In equilibrium binding assays, 125I-N6-aminobenzyladenosine (125I-ABA) binds to two affinity states of A1AR with KD-high (0.33 microM) and KD-low ( approximately 10 nM). Enhancers have little effect on KD-high but convert all A1AR binding sites to the high-affinity state. Enhancers decrease the potency of guanosine 5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate (GTPgammaS) as an inhibitor of agonist binding by 100-fold and increase agonist-stimulated guanine nucleotide exchange. The association of 125I-ABA to high-affinity receptors on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-hA1 membranes does not follow theoretical single-site association kinetics but is approximated by a bi-exponential equation with t1/2 values of 1.85 and 12.8 min. Allosteric enhancers selectively increase the number of slow binding sites, possibly by stabilizing newly formed receptor-G protein complexes. A new rapid assay method scores enhancer activity on a scale from 0 to 100 based on their ability to prevent the rapid dissociation of 125I-ABA from A1AR in response to GTPgammaS. Compared with PD81,723, ATL525 (100 microM) scores higher (27 versus 79) and has less antagonist activity. ATL525 functionally enhances A1 signaling to inhibit cAMP accumulation in CHO-hA1 cells. These data suggest that simultaneously binding orthosteric and allosteric enhancer ligands convert the A1AR from partly to fully coupled to G proteins and prevents rapid uncoupling upon binding of GTPgammaS.

Kainate-triggered currents in Xenopus oocytes injected with chick retinal membrane fragments: effect of guanine nucleotides.

To electrophysiologically characterize alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate (AMPA)/kainate receptors in chick retinal membrane fragments, incorporated into Xenopus oocytes by direct microinjection. A 6-day retinal membrane suspension was injected into Xenopus oocytes by use of an electronic nanoliter injector. Fifteen to 40 hours after injection, the oocytes were assayed for kainate-elicited inward currents, under voltage-clamp conditions (membrane potential held at -70 mV). The structural incorporation of the retinal membrane fragments into the oocyte membrane was verified by specific immunofluorescent staining. Chick retinal membrane fragments were efficiently grafted onto Xenopus oocytes after microinjection, with 22.9% +/- 7.6% of the oocyte membrane being stained with anti-chick retina antibody. Part of the retinal material was seen as patches of relatively uniform size (292.1 +/- 72.3 microm(2)). Bath-applied kainate induced dose-dependent (EC(50): 64 +/- 7 microM), nondesensitizing inward currents (15-90 nA) in the chimeric Xenopus oocytes. Sham-injected oocytes did not respond to kainate. Kainate-driven currents were blocked by 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX) and 1-(4-aminopropyl)-4-methyl-7,8-methylenedioxy-5H-2,3-benzodiazepine hydrochloride (GYKI 52466), but not by gamma-D-glutamylaminomethyl sulfonic acid (GAMS) or aminophosphonoheptanoate (AP7), suggesting the involvement of AMPA receptors in the observed responses. Guanine nucleotides (GNs) also blocked kainate currents in a concentration-dependent manner. An alternative oocyte microinjection technique to analyze the electrophysiological properties of glutamate receptors in chick retinal membranes is described. The results show the functional activity of putative AMPA-preferring receptors from chick retina and confirm, in the chick retinal model, the antagonistic behavior of guanine nucleotides toward glutamate receptors and their potential role as neuroprotective agents under excitotoxic conditions.

AF2 interaction with Ascaris suum body wall muscle membranes involves G-protein activation

KHEYLRF-NH 2 (AF2) is the most abundant FMRFamide-related peptide (FaRP) in Ascaris suum and also in many other parasitic and free-living nematodes. The AF2 abundance in the highly diverse nematodes and its potent and profound effects on the neuromuscular systems make AF2 and its receptor(s) very attractive targets for the discovery of novel broad-spectrum anthelmintics. Although FaRP receptors are believed to belong to the large family of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), to date no AF2 receptor(s) have been cloned so there is no final proof to show that they are indeed G-protein coupled. In this study, using A. suum body wall muscle membranes, we showed that: (1) AF2 effectively (EC 50 57 nM) induced a dose-dependent stimulation of [ 35 S ]GTPγS binding to the membranes, which is a hallmark of G-protein activation; (2) the high affinity binding of [ 125 I -Tyr 4]AF2 was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by GTP with a K i of 10.5 nM (so-called guanine nucleotide effect, characteristic for GPCRs). Collectively, our results provide direct evidence for G-protein involvement in AF2-triggered receptor activation and thus confirm that the receptor for AF2 in A. suum is a GPCR.

Cytoskeletal effects of rho-like small guanine nucleotide-binding proteins in the vascular system.

Rho-like small GTPases, with their main representatives (Rho, Rac, and Cdc42), have been recognized in the past decade as key regulators of the F-actin cytoskeleton. Rho-like small GTPases are now known to play a major role in vascular processes caused by changes in the actin cytoskeleton, such as smooth muscle cell contraction, endothelial permeability, platelet activation, and leukocyte migration. Data are now accumulating regarding the involvement of Rho GTPases in vascular disorders associated with vascular remodeling, altered cell contractility, and cell migration. The unraveling of signal transduction pathways used by the Rho-like GTPases revealed many upstream regulators and downstream effector molecules, and their number is still growing. An important action of Rho, Rac, and Cdc42 is their ability to regulate the phosphorylation status of the myosin light chain, a major regulator of actin-myosin interaction. Present knowledge of the Rho-like small GTPases has resulted in the development of promising new strategies for the treatment of many vascular disorders, including hypertension, vasospasms, and vascular leakage.

Inhibition of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) C receptor expression by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides in A10 vascular smooth-muscle cells is associated with attenuation of ANP-C-receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) mediates a variety of physiological effects through its interaction with ANP-A, ANP-B or ANP-C receptors. However, controversies exist regarding the involvement of ANP-C receptor and adenylyl cyclase/cAMP signal-transduction systems to which these receptors are coupled in mediating these responses. In the present studies, we have employed an antisense approach to eliminate the ANP-C receptor and to examine the effect of this elimination on adenylyl cyclase inhibition. An 18-mer antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide (OH-2) targeted at the initiation codon of the ANP-C receptor was used to examine its effects on the expression of the ANP-C receptor and ANP-C-receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase in vascular smooth-muscle cells (A10). Treatment of the cells with antisense oligonucleotide resulted in complete attenuation of C-ANP(4-23) [des(Gln(18), Ser(19), Gln(20), Leu(21), Gly(22))ANP(4-23)-NH(2)]-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase, whereas sense and missense oligomers did not affect the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase by C-ANP(4-23). In addition, the stimulatory effects of guanine nucleotides, isoproterenol, sodium fluoride and forskolin as well as the inhibitory effects of angiotensin II on adenylyl cyclase were not affected by antisense-oligonucleotide treatment. The attenuation of C-ANP(4-23)-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase by antisense oligonucleotide was dose- and time-dependent. A complete attenuation of ANP-C-receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase was observed at 2.5 microM. In addition, treatment of the cells with antisense oligonucleotide and not with sense or missense oligomers resulted in the inhibition of the levels of ANP-C-receptor protein and mRNA as determined by immunoblotting and Northern blotting using antisera against the ANP-C receptor and a cDNA probe of the ANP-C receptor respectively. On the other hand, ANP-A/B-receptor-mediated increases in cGMP levels were not inhibited by antisense-oligonucleotide treatment. Our results demonstrate conclusively that the elimination of ANP-C receptor by antisense oligonucleotide attenuates ANP-induced inhibition of adenylyl cyclase and provide evidence that antisense oligonucleotide of the ANP-C receptor may serve as a useful pharmacological tool to elucidate the physiological functions of the ANP-C receptor.

Tight association of the human Mel(1a)-melatonin receptor and G(i): precoupling and constitutive activity.

If stably expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK)293 cells, the human Mel(1a)-melatonin receptor activates G(i)-dependent, pertussis toxin-sensitive signaling pathways, i.e., inhibition of adenylyl cyclase and stimulation of phospholipase Cbeta; the latter on condition that G(q) is coactivated. The antagonist luzindole blocks the effects of melatonin and acts as an inverse agonist at the Mel(1a) receptor in both intact cells and isolated membranes. This suggests that the Mel(1a) receptor is endowed with constitutive activity, a finding confirmed on reconstitution of the Mel(1a) receptor with G(i). Because the receptor density is in the physiological range, constitutive activity is not an artifact arising from overexpression of the receptor. In addition, the following findings indicate that the Mel(1a) receptor forms a very tight complex with G(i) which can be observed both in the presence and absence of an agonist. 1) In intact cells and in membranes, high-affinity agonist binding is resistant to the destabilizing effect of guanine nucleotides. 2) The ability to bind an agonist with high affinity is preserved even after exposure of the cells to pertussis toxin, because a fraction of G(i) is inaccessible to the toxin in cells expressing Mel(1a) receptors (but not the A(1)-adenosine receptor, another G(i)-coupled receptor). 3) An antiserum directed against the Mel(1a) receptor coprecipitates G(i) even in the absence of an agonist. We therefore conclude that the Mel(1a) receptor is tightly precoupled and that its constitutive activity may play a role in pacing the biological clock, an action known to involve the melatonin receptors in the suprachiasmatic nucleus.

Effects of guanine, inosine, and xanthine nucleotides on beta(2)-adrenergic receptor/G(s) interactions: evidence for multiple receptor conformations.

The aim of our study was to examine the effects of different purine nucleotides [GTP, ITP, and xanthosine 5'-triphosphate (XTP)] on receptor/G protein coupling. As a model system, we used a fusion protein of the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor and the alpha subunit of the G protein G(s). GTP was more potent and efficient than ITP and XTP at inhibiting ternary complex formation and supporting adenylyl cyclase (AC) activation. We also studied the effects of several beta(2)-adrenergic receptor ligands on nucleotide hydrolysis and on AC activity in the presence of GTP, ITP, and XTP. The efficacy of agonists at promoting GTP hydrolysis correlated well with the efficacy of agonists for stimulating AC in the presence of GTP. This was, however, not the case for ITP hydrolysis and AC activity in the presence of ITP. The efficacy of ligands at stimulating AC in the presence of XTP differed considerably from the efficacies of ligands in the presence of GTP and ITP, and there was no evidence for receptor-regulated XTP hydrolysis. Our findings support the concept of multiple ligand-specific receptor conformations and demonstrate the usefulness of purine nucleotides as tools to study conformational states of receptors.

Membrane microviscosity modulates mu-opioid receptor conformational transitions and agonist efficacy.

The influence of membrane microviscosity on mu-opioid agonist and antagonist binding, as well as agonist efficacy, was examined in membranes prepared from SH-SY5Y cells and from a C6 glioma cell line stably expressing the rat mu-opioid receptor (C6mu). Addition of cholesteryl hemisuccinate (CHS) to cell membranes increased membrane microviscosity and reduced the inhibitory effect of sodium and guanine nucleotides on the affinity of the full agonists sufentanil and [D-Ala2,N-MePhe4,Gly-ol5]enkephalin (DAMGO) for the mu-opioid receptor. Binding of the antagonists [3H]naltrexone and [3H]diprenorphine and the partial agonist nalbuphine was unaffected by CHS. The effect of CHS on agonist binding was reversed by subsequent addition of cis-vaccenic acid, suggesting that the effect of CHS is the result of increased membrane microviscosity and not a specific sterol-receptor interaction. CHS addition increased the potency of DAMGO to stimulate guanosine-5'-O-(3-[35S]thio)triphosphate binding by fourfold, whereas the potency of nalbuphine was unaffected. However, nalbuphine efficacy relative to that of the full agonist DAMGO was strongly increased in CHS-treated membranes compared with that in control membranes. Membrane rigidification also resulted in an increased efficacy for the partial agonists meperidine, profadol, and butorphanol relative to that of DAMGO as measured by agonist-stimulated GTPase activity in control and CHS-modified membranes. These findings support a regulatory role for membrane microviscosity in receptor-mediated G protein activation.

Effects of guanine nucleotides on adenosine and glutamate modulation of cAMP levels in optic tectum slices from chicks

Glutamate and adenosine both modulate adenylyl cyclase activity through interaction of their specific receptors with stimulatory or inhibitory G-proteins. Guanine nucleotides (GN), which modulate G-protein activity intracellularly, are also involved in the inhibition of glutamate responses, acting from the outside of the cells. We had previously reported that glutamate inhibits adenosine-induced cyclic AMP (cAMP) accumulation in slices obtained from the optic tectum of chicks. In the present study we investigated the interaction of GN with these two neurotransmitters and found that GN inhibit the inhibitory effect of glutamate on adenosine-induced cAMP accumulation and potentiate adenosine-induced cAMP accumulation. These effects were observed with 5′-guanylylimidodiphosphate (GppNHp) or GMP, but not with guanosine (the nucleoside). Besides, these interactions of GN occur via a metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) sensitive to (1 S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (1 S,3R-ACPD) but not to L-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyrate ( L-AP4). These effects were partially modulated by a mGluR antagonist, (RS)-α-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine ((RS)M-CPG), and by an adenosine receptor antagonist, 8-phenyltheophylline. GN only potentiated the adenosine response when adenosine was acting through its receptor positively linked to adenylyl cyclase. Therefore, the data show that guanine nucleotides not only inhibit glutamate-induced responses, but also stimulate adenosine-induced responses, a fact that may contribute to the understanding of the physiological functions of guanine nucleotides.

RGS Proteins Determine Signaling Specificity of Gq-coupled Receptors

Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins accelerate GTP hydrolysis by Galpha subunits, thereby attenuating signaling. RGS4 is a GTPase-activating protein for Gi and Gq class alpha subunits. In the present study, we used knockouts of Gq class genes in mice to evaluate the potency and selectivity of RGS4 in modulating Ca2+ signaling transduced by different Gq-coupled receptors. RGS4 inhibited phospholipase C activity and Ca2+ signaling in a receptor-selective manner in both permeabilized cells and cells dialyzed with RGS4 through a patch pipette. Receptor-dependent inhibition of Ca2+ signaling by RGS4 was observed in acini prepared from the rat and mouse pancreas. The response of mouse pancreatic acini to carbachol was about 4- and 33-fold more sensitive to RGS4 than that of bombesin and cholecystokinin (CCK), respectively. RGS1 and RGS16 were also potent inhibitors of Gq-dependent Ca2+ signaling and acted in a receptor-selective manner. RGS1 showed approximately 1000-fold higher potency in inhibiting carbachol than CCK-dependent signaling. RGS16 was as effective as RGS1 in inhibiting carbachol-dependent signaling but only partially inhibited the response to CCK. By contrast, RGS2 inhibited the response to carbachol and CCK with equal potency. The same pattern of receptor-selective inhibition by RGS4 was observed in acinar cells from wild type and several single and double Gq class knockout mice. Thus, these receptors appear to couple Gq class alpha subunit isotypes equally. Difference in receptor selectivity of RGS proteins action indicates that regulatory specificity is conferred by interaction of RGS proteins with receptor complexes.