High-affinity GTPase Research Articles

Activation of a pertussis‐toxin‐sensitive guanine‐nucleotide‐binding regulatory protein during desensitization of Dictyostelium discoideum cells to chemotactic signals

The chemoattractant cAMP induces the activation of adenylate cyclase in Dictyostelium discoideum. Upon prolonged incubation with cAMP, cells become desensitized via two distinct processes: a decrease in the number of available cAMP-binding sites (down regulation) and modification of the receptor (presumably via phosphorylation) correlated with adaptation. These processes occur simultaneously, but differ in the cAMP dose dependency and reversibility. In this study we investigated the mechanism of adaptation; cells were incubated with a cAMP analog to induce desensitization mediated by adaptation. The cells were then washed, lysed and the interaction between cAMP, receptor, guanine-nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (G proteins) and GTP was investigated. (1) cAMP receptors that are phosphorylated in vivo remain phosphorylated for at least 45 min after lysis. (2) Desensitization did not alter basal cAMP binding to the receptor nor the inhibitory effect of guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]) on this binding. (3) The stimulatory effect of cAMP on GTP[S] binding was also unchanged, while basal GTP[S] binding and the kinetics of binding were only slightly different. (4) Basal high-affinity GTPase activity was not altered but cAMP stimulation was reduced from 43 +/- 7% in control lysates to 14 +/- 4% in lysates from desensitized cells. (5) cAMP stimulation of GTPase was decreased by pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin from 43 +/- 7% to 17 +/- 8% but this was not further altered in lysates from desensitized pertussis-toxin-treated cells. These observations indicate that during desensitization the phosphorylated receptor can still interact with G proteins. Furthermore, desensitization did not affect cAMP stimulation of GTP[S] binding but strongly reduced cAMP stimulation of GTPase, suggesting that a G protein becomes activated. This G protein is pertussis toxin sensitive and may be the inhibitor G protein (Gi). This would imply that adenylate cyclase desensitizes because Gi becomes activated.

Stimulation of the T-cell receptors CD3 and CD2 with OKT3 and OKT11 antibodies activates a common pertussis toxin-insensitive G-protein

The association of G-proteins with the T-cell-specific receptor structures CD3 and CD2 was investigated. High-affinity GTPase activity in membrane preparations of the human leukemic T-cell line Jurkat could be induced by the monoclonal antibodies OKT3 (anti-CD3) and OKT11 (anti-CD2). When combining maximally active concentrations of OKT3 and OKT11, no additive effect was seen on GTPase activity. In mutant Jurkat cells lackint the CD3 complex but with an intact CD2 receptor, neither OKT3 nor OKT11 could stimulate GTPase activity. Activation of CD3 and CD2 by monoclonal antibodies also stimulated phospholipase C activity as measured by breakdown of membrane phosphoinositides in wild-type but not in mutant Jurkat cells. Neither GTPase nor phospholipase C activation was sensitive to pretreatment with doses of pertussis toxin (PTX) that caused ADP ribosylation of a sensitive G-protein. Our data show that the CD3 complex and the CD2 receptor may activate a common PTX-insensitive G-protein. The CD2 receptor appears to stimulate the G-protein by interacting with the CD3 complex. The data are compatible with, but do not prove, that this G-protein is involved in the activation of phospholipase C by the two receptors.

Alteration of the GTP-dependent inhibitory pathway of rat striatal adenylate cyclase by phorbol esters

In membranes of rat striatum, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a potent activator of Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase, enhanced adenylate cyclase activity by counteracting the inhibition elicited by GTP. Exposure to pertussis toxin caused a similar alteration of the GTP-regulation of the enzyme activity and largely prevented the PMA effects. PMA treatment increased by threefold the GTP requirement of acetylcholine-induced inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity but did not affect the GTP-dependence of the enzyme stimulation by dopamine. The hydrolysis of GTP by membrane-bound high affinity GTPase was significantly inhibited by PMA (IC 50 10 nM) in a Ca2(+)-dependent manner. Like PMA, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate inhibited the GTPase activity, whereas the biologically inactive 4-beta phorbol 13-acetate and 4-beta phorbol were without effect. These results suggest that activation of Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase by PMA stimulates adenylate cyclase activity by impairing the activity of the GTP-dependent inhibitory protein, possibly through a reduction of the GTP-GDP exchange.

Chemotaxis to cyclic AMP and folic acid is mediated by different G proteins in Dictyostelium discoideum

ABSTRACT Mutant Frigid A (fgdA) of Dictyostelium discoideum is defective in a functional Ga2 subunit of a G protein and is characterized by a complete blockade of the cyclic AMP-mediated sensory transduction steps, including cyclic AMP relay, chemotaxis and the cyclic GMP response. Folic acid-mediated transmembrane signal transduction was investigated in this mutant; the results show that: (1) cell surface folic acid receptors are present in fgdA mutants. (2) Folic acid induces intracellular responses, including activation of guanylate cyclase and chemotaxis. (3) The inhibitory effect of GTP on folic acid binding to membranes is present. (4) GTPγS binding and high-affinity GTPase are stimulated by folic acid. These data strongly suggest that folic acid receptors are coupled to guanylate cyclase and chemotaxis via a Ga protein that is different from Ga2. The results imply that surface receptors for cyclic AMP and folic acid are coupled to different G proteins.

Folate interactions with cerebral G proteins

Intracerebral folate injections produce convulsions and brain lesions, folic acid itself and tetrahydrofolate being more potent toxins than 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, the primary folate of mammalian extracellular fluids. Folates are known to excite neurons, by unknown mechanisms Folates stimulate GTP binding and GTPase activity in slime molds. We observed folate stimulation of GTP gamma S binding and inhibition of high affinity GTPase activity in rat brain membranes. Three fold stimulation of GTP gamma S binding was observed in cerebellar membranes treated with 50 microM FA. Folic acid (FA), dihydrofolate (DHF) and tetrahydrofolate (THF) were much more potent than 5-methyltetrahydrofolate in this regard. The effect varies between brain regions and was greatest in cerebellar and hippocampal membranes. Folates inhibit GTPase activity, with DHF and FA being the most potent and maximum inhibition being to 33% of control values. We find high affinity guanine nucleotide sensitive binding of [3H]FA in cerebellar membranes, another response typical of G protein coupled membrane receptors. Folates were also shown to stimulate the release of [3H]GDP from brain membranes. These effects are seen in washed brain membranes and can not be explained by any known folate metabolic or coenzyme functions. They resemble the effects of cholera toxin, except for their reversibility. They may be relevant to known folate neuroexcitant effects of folates.

δ-opioid-receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase is transduced specifically by the guanine-nucleotide-binding protein Gi2

Mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma hybrid cells (NG108-15) express an opioid receptor of the delta subclass which both stimulates high-affinity GTPase activity and inhibits adenylate cyclase by interacting with a pertussis-toxin-sensitive guanine-nucleotide-binding protein(s) (G-protein). Four such G-proteins have now been identified without photoreceptor-containing tissues. We have generated anti-peptide antisera against synthetic peptides which correspond to the C-terminal decapeptides of the alpha-subunit of each of these G-proteins and also to the stimulatory G-protein of the adenylate cyclase cascade (Gs). Using these antisera, we demonstrate the expression of three pertussis-toxin-sensitive G-proteins in these cells, which correspond to the products of the Gi2, Gi3 and Go genes, as well as Gs. Gi1, however, is not expressed in detectable amounts. IgG fractions from each of these antisera and from normal rabbit serum were used to attempt to interfere with the interaction of the opioid receptor with the G-protein system by assessing ligand stimulation of high-affinity GTPase activity, inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity and conversion of the receptor to a state which displays reduced affinity for agonists. The IgG fraction from the antiserum (AS7) which specifically identifies Gi2 in these cells attenuated the effects of the opioid receptor. This effect was complete and was not mimicked by any of the other antisera. We conclude that the delta-opioid receptor of these cells interacts directly and specifically with Gi2 to cause inhibition of adenylate cyclase, and that Gi2 represents the true Gi of the adenylate cyclase cascade. The ability to measure alterations in agonist affinity for receptors following the use of specific antisera against a range of G-proteins implies that such techniques should be applicable to investigations of the molecular identity of the G-protein(s) which interacts with any receptor.

Cholera toxin differentially decreases membrane levels of α and β subunits of G proteins in NG108‐15 cells

Treatment of NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma cells (24 h) with cholera toxin (0.1-10 micrograms/ml) resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction of the membrane levels of subunits of GTP-binding regulatory proteins (G proteins), as determined by quantitative immunoblot procedures. The extent of reduction differed for different types of subunits: the levels of Go alpha and G beta 1 were reduced by 40-50%, whereas those of G alpha common immunoreactivity and Gi2 alpha were only reduced by 10-20% following treatment with 10 micrograms/ml cholera toxin. This effect of the toxin could not be mimicked by incubation with the resolved B oligomer of cholera toxin, nor by exposure of cells to agents able to raise the intracellular levels of cAMP. Basal adenylate cyclase was stimulated in a biphasic manner by cholera toxin, being stimulated at low concentrations (0.01-10 ng/ml) and then decreased at high (0.1-10 micrograms/ml) concentrations. Thus, the down regulation of G-protein subunits produced by cholera toxin requires its (ADP-ribosyl)transferase activity but does not result from a cAMP-mediated mechanism. The toxin-mediated decrease of Go alpha in the membrane was correlated with a diminution of opioid-receptor-mediated stimulation of high-affinity GTPase activity, suggesting that opioid receptors interact with Go in native membranes of NG108-15 cells. Northern-blot analysis of cytoplasmic RNA prepared from cells treated with cholera toxin showed that the levels of mRNA coding for G beta 1 did not change. Thus, the cholera-toxin-induced decrease of G-protein subunits may not result from an alteration in mRNA levels, but may involve a direct effect of the toxin on the process of insertion and/or clearance of G proteins into and/or from the membrane. These data indicate that cholera toxin, besides catalyzing the ADP-ribosylation of Gs and Gi/Go types of G proteins, can also reduce the steady state levels of Go alpha and G beta 1 subunits in the membrane and thus alter by an additional mechanism the function of inhibitory receptor systems.

Na + regulation of formyl peptide receptor-mediated signal transduction in HL 60 cells. Evidence that the cation prevents activation of the G-protein by unoccupied receptors

In neutrophils and several other phagocytes, a pertussis and cholera toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G-protein) couples the receptors for formyl methionine-containing chemotactic peptides to stimulation of phospholipase C. We used membranes of myeloid-differentiated HL 60 cells to study the role of Na + in regulating both the interaction of the formyl peptide receptor with the chemotactic agonist, N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenyl-alanine (FMLP), and the receptor-mediated activation of the G-protein. Monovalent cations (Na + > Li + > K + > choline +) markedly inhibited the binding of the radiolabeled oligopeptide [ 3H]FMLP by specifically reducing the number of receptors in the high-affinity state. Half-maximal and maximal inhibition of peptide binding were seen at cation concentrations of approximately 20 and 200 mM, respectively. Inhibition of peptide binding by Na + was observed in the presence and absence of divalent cations and was strictly additive to inhibition by the poorly hydrolyzable GTP analogue, guanosine-5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate), or to ADP ribosylation of G-proteins by pertussis toxin. The inhibitory effect of Na + on peptide binding coincided with a marked reduction of the potency of FMLP to stimulate a high-affinity GTPase. In contrast, the degree of FMLP-stimulated GTPase activity was markedly enhanced in the presence of Na +. This was largely due to the fact that Na + reduced the agonist-independent basal GTPase activity in the same way but less so than pertussis toxin treatment. The results show that monovalent cations, Na + in particular, regulate the interaction of the formyl peptide receptor with both the chemotactic agonist and the G-protein by acting on a single site, possibly located on the receptor itself. The observation that basal GTPase activity is markedly reduced by both Na + and pertussis toxin treatment also suggests (a) that G-proteins interact with and are activated by receptors even in the absence of agonists and (b) that Na + uncouples unoccupied receptors from G-protein interaction and activation.

Neomycin induces high‐affinity agonist binding of G‐protein‐coupled receptors

Neomycin, an inositol-phospholipid-binding aminoglycoside antibiotic, is known to interfere with signal transduction mechanisms involving phospholipase C as effector enzyme. In this study, we report that neomycin can also markedly influence agonist binding of G-protein-coupled receptors. In membranes of differentiated human leukemia cells (HL 60 cells), neomycin (0.1-10 mM) was found to induce high-affinity binding of the chemotactic tripeptide, N-formyl-methionylleucylphenylalanine (fMet-Leu-Phe), to its receptor sites in a manner similar to magnesium. Gentamycin and streptomycin, two other aminoglycoside antibiotics, were as potent and as effective as neomycin or magnesium in inducing high-affinity agonist receptor binding. Pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin reduced the effects of magnesium and neomycin on agonist receptor binding likewise. In contrast, magnesium but not neomycin largely enhanced the potency of guanine nucleotides, particularly of GTP and its analog, guanosine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate), to reduce fMet-Leu-Phe receptor binding, while maximal inhibition of agonist receptor binding by guanine nucleotides was identical with magnesium and neomycin. Furthermore, neomycin could not replace magnesium in providing stimulation of HL 60 membrane high-affinity GTPase by fMet-Leu-Phe. In close agreement to these findings on the pertussis-toxin-sensitive Gi-protein-coupled formyl peptide receptors, neomycin in a manner similar to magnesium induced high-affinity agonist binding of Gs-protein-coupled beta-adrenoceptors. Similar to formyl peptide receptor binding, high-affinity binding of isoproterenol to beta-adrenoceptors in guinea pig lung membranes induced by magnesium and neomycin was inhibited by the GTP analog, guanosine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate), to a similar maximal extent but with an about 100-fold higher potency in the presence of magnesium than in the presence of neomycin. The data presented thus indicate that neomycin and other aminoglycoside antibiotics can mimic the action of magnesium (or other divalent cations) in inducing high-affinity agonist binding of Gi- and Gs-protein-coupled receptors, but not in inducing subsequent G-protein activation by guanosine triphosphates. The data, furthermore, suggest that neomycin by this selective action will be a powerful tool to dissect the multiple sites of magnesium's action in the agonist receptor-G-protein interaction.

Dual Mg2+ control of formyl‐peptide‐receptor–G‐protein interaction in HL 60 cells

In neutrophils and several other phagocytic cell types, a pertussis- and cholera-toxin-sensitive form of the guanine-nucleotide-binding protein (G-protein) Gp couples receptors for N-formylmethionine-containing chemotactic peptides to stimulation of phospholipase C. Using membranes of myeloid differentiated HL 60 cells, we have examined the role of Mg2+ and guanine nucleotides in regulating (a) the interaction of the formyl-peptide receptor with the chemotactic agonist N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMet-Leu-Phe) and (b) the receptor-mediated activation of Gp. Mg2+ markedly enhanced the number of receptors with high affinity for the radiolabeled oligopeptide fMet-Leu-[3H]Phe. At the same time, Mg2+ largely increased the potency of guanosine-5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate, but not of GDP or guanosine-5'-(2-O-thio)diphosphate, to inhibit binding of the peptide. Comparison of the potency of Mg2+ in eliciting these two effects and analysis of the specificities of the relevant divalent cation sites revealed that Mg2+ interacts with at least two independent sites on the receptor-Gp complex. One site is specific for Mg2+ and exhibits affinity in the micromolar range, the other site interacts with millimolar concentrations of several divalent cations in a non-selective fashion. It is suggested that the former site is located on Gp and that interaction of Mg2+ with this site is necessary for the receptor-mediated G-protein activation, whereas interaction of divalent cations with the latter site is necessary for high affinity agonist binding. The regulation of the formyl-peptide receptor binding properties by guanine nucleotides is independent of Gp activation, since inhibition of peptide binding is achieved by addition of both guanine nucleoside diphosphates and triphosphates and is readily seen both in the presence and in the absence of Mg2+. The latter finding, together with the observation that, at micromolar concentrations of Mg2+, high-affinity GTPase activity is stimulated by fMet-Leu-Phe primarily via low affinity receptors, suggests that, contrary to widely held opinions, (a) divalent cations are not required for a functional receptor--G-protein interaction and (b) high-affinity agonist binding is not a prerequisite for the receptor-mediated activation of the G-protein.

Activation of cardiac G-proteins by muscarinic acetylcholine receptors: regulation by Mg 2+ and Na + ions

The mechanism of G-protein activation mediated by cardiac muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAcChR) was studied in porcine atrial membranes by measuring the agonist-stimulated hydrolysis of GTP by G-protein GTPase activity. The cholinergic agonist, carbachol, stimulated a high-affinity GTPase activity in mAcChR-enriched membranes by maximally about 70%. Carbachol increased the V max of GTP hydrolysis without affecting the K m for GTP (∼ 0.2 μM). The activity of low-affinity GTPase(s) was not altered by carbachol. Carbachol and the mAcChR agonist oxotremorine induced the same maximal response, with half-maximal activation occurring at about 5 and 0.5 μM, respectively. The stimulatory effect of carbachol was blocked by the mAcChR antagonist, atropine. The stimulation of GTP hydrolysis by cholinergic agonist, was strictly dependent on Mg 2+, with half-maximal stimulation observed at 4–5 μM free Mg 2+. The monovalent cations, in the potency order, Na + > Li + > K +, enhanced the GTP hydrolysis stimulated by carbachol at a maximally effective concentration. The increase in the maximal agonist response seen with NaCl was the result of NaCl decreasing the basal more than the carbachol-stimulated GTP hydrolysis. The data indicate that occupation of mAcChR in porcine atrial membranes by agonists leads to an increase in G-protein GTPase activity, apparently by increasing the amount of nucleotide-free G-protein to which GTP can bind without altering the apparent binding affinity for GTP. This receptor-induced G-protein activation is under the strict control of Mg 2+ acting at low, μM concentrations, and is additionally modulated by monovalent cations.

The influence of nerve growth factor on the activities of adenylate cyclase and high-affinity GTPase in pheochromocytoma PC12 cells

The influence of nerve growth factor (NGF) on the activities of adenylate cyclase and high-affinity GTPase in pheochromocytoma PC12 cells was studied. Incubation of cells with nerve growth factor led to a rapid activation of adenylate cyclase accompanied by an inhibition of high-affinity GTPase. By the 10th min of incubation the activity of adenylate cyclase had been reduced 2-fold when compared to the control. The activity of GTPase, however, increased. No significant changes in the cAMP level were detected. The data obtained indicate that NGF interaction with PC12 cells induces changes in the adenylate cyclase system and this process involves G-proteins that regulate the adenylate cyclase activity.

Secretion‐stimulating and secretion‐inhibiting hormones stimulate high‐affinity pertussis‐toxin‐sensitive GTPases in membranes of a pituitary cell line

Different peptide hormones influence hormone secretion in pituitary cells by diverse second messenger systems. Recent data indicate that luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) stimulates and somatostatin inhibits voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels of GH3 cells via pertussis-toxin-sensitive mechanisms [Rosenthal et al. (1988) EMBO J. 7, 1627-1633]. In other pituitary cell lines, somatostatin has been shown to cause a pertussis-toxin-sensitive decrease in adenylate cyclase activity, and LHRH and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulate phosphoinositol lipid hydrolysis in a pertussis-toxin-independent manner. Whether stimulation of Ca2+ influx by TRH is affected by pertussis toxin is not known. In order to elucidate which of the hormone receptors interact with pertussis-toxin-sensitive and -insensitive G-proteins, we measured the effects of LHRH, somatostatin and TRH on high-affinity GTPases in membranes of GH3 cells. In control membranes, both LHRH and TRH stimulated the high-affinity GTPase by 20%, somatostatin by 25%. Maximal hormone effects were observed at a concentration of about 1 microM. Pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin abolished pertussis-toxin-catalyzed [32P]ADP-ribosylation of 39-40-kDa proteins in subsequently prepared membranes and reduced basal GTPase activity. The toxin also reduced by more than half the increases in GTPase activity induced by LHRH and TRH; stimulation of GTPase by somatostatin was completely suppressed. Stimulation of adenylate cyclase by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) was not impaired by pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin. Somatostatin but not LHRH and TRH decreased forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. The results suggest that the activated receptors for LHRH and TRH act via pertussis-toxin-sensitive and -insensitive G-proteins, whereas effects of somatostatin are exclusively mediated by pertussis-toxin-sensitive G-proteins.

Selective inactivation by endogenous protein kinase C of human platelet high-affinity GTPase coupled with PAF receptors

Incubation of human platelets with protein kinase C activator 4β-phorbol-12β-myristate-13α-acetate (PMA) abolished stimulation of membrane high-affinity GTPase by platelet-activating factor (PAF). GTPase stimulation by epinephrine decreased by 30%, while the prostaglandin E 1 (PGE 1) effect was unchanged. Basal GTPase activity (22.4±1.1 pmol P i/min per mg protein) was not affected by PMA. Therefore, a study was performed of the effect of endogenous protein kinase C activation on adenylate cyclase regulation by agonists. PMA pretreatment completely suppressed PAF inhibition of basal adenylate cyclase activity but hardly influenced the inhibition by PAF of forskolin-stimulated activity. Adenylate cyclase inhibition by epinephrine in the presence of propranolol was not suppressed completely after platelet incubation with PMA. Epinephrine effects on basal and forskolin-stimulated activities decreased equally. Platelet pretreatment with PMA increased PGE 1-stimulated activity by abolishing the inhibitory effect of high GTP concentrations. These studies indicate that protein kinase C selectively inhibits PAF effects, presumably by inactivating a GTP-binding protein coupled with PAF receptors.

Differential regulation of amounts of the guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins Gi and Go in neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells in response to dibutyryl cyclic AMP.

Incubation of the neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cell line NG108-15 in tissue culture with dibutyryl cyclic AMP (1 mM) for up to 8 days produced a morphological differentiation of the cells, during which they extended neurite-like processes. Pertussis-toxin-catalysed ADP-ribosylation indicated that amounts of guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins), which are substrates for this toxin, were approximately doubled in membranes from the 'differentiated' cells in comparison with the control cells. Immunoblotting of membranes derived from either untreated or dibutyryl cyclic AMP-treated cells with anti-peptide antisera specific for the alpha subunits of the pertussis-toxin-sensitive G-proteins Gi and Go demonstrated that amounts of these G-proteins were reciprocally modulated during the differentiation process. In comparison with the untreated cells, the amount of Gi in the 'differentiated' cells was decreased, whereas the amount of Go was substantially increased. Stimulation of high-affinity GTPase activity in response to opioid peptides, which in this cell line interact with an opioid receptor of the delta subclass, was much decreased, and inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity was almost entirely attenuated in the 'differentiated'-cell membranes in comparison with membranes of untreated cells. Opioid receptor number was also decreased in membranes of the dibutyryl cyclic AMP-treated cells in comparison with the control cells. These data demonstrate that relatively small changes in the observed pattern of pertussis-toxin-catalysed ADP-ribosylation of membranes can mask more dramatic alterations in amounts of the individual pertussis-toxin-sensitive G-proteins, and further demonstrate the importance of methodologies able to discriminate between the different gene products.

Dictyostelium discoideum mutant Synag 7 with altered g-protein–adenylate cyclase interaction

Previous results have shown that Dictyostelium discoideum mutant synag 7 is defective in the regulation of adenylate cyclase by receptor agonists in vivo and by GTP gamma S in vitro; the guanine nucleotide activation of adenylate cyclase is restored by the high-speed supernatant from wild-type cells. Here we report that in synag 7 membranes: (1) cyclic AMP receptors had normal levels and were regulated by guanine nucleotides as in wild-type; (2) GTP binding and high-affinity GTPase were reduced but still stimulated by cyclic AMP; (3) the supernatant from wild-type cells restored GTP binding to membranes of this mutant, and partly restored high-affinity GTPase activity; (4) the supernatant of synag 7 was ineffective in these reconstitutions and did not influence GTP binding and GTPase activities in mutant or wild-type membranes. These results suggest that the defect in mutant synag 7 is located between G-protein and adenylate cyclase, and not between receptor and G-protein. A factor in the supernatant is absent in synag 7 and appears to be essential for normal GTP binding, GTPase and activation of adenylate cyclase. This soluble heat-labile factor may represent a new molecule required for receptor- and G-protein-mediated activation of adenylate cyclase.

Agonist-stimulated high-affinity GTPase in Dictyostelium membranes

GTP hydrolysis in Dictyostelium discoideum membranes is caused by a low ( K m> 1 mM) and a high affinity ( K m 6.5 μM) GTPase. cAMP enhances GTP hydrolysis apparently by increasing the affinity of the high affinity GTPase (stimulated K m 4.5 μM); the low affinity GTPase was not affected by cAMP. Stimulation of GTP hydrolysis by cAMP was maximal at early time points and declined thereafter. A half-maximal stimulation of GTPase occurred at 3 μM cAMP and the specificity of cAMP derivatives for stimulation of GTPase activity showed a close correlation with the specificity for binding to the cell surface cAMP receptor. Treatment of D. discoideum cells with pertussis toxin decreased the cAMP-induced stimulation of GTPase from 42 ± 6% in control cells to 17 ± 9% in pertussis toxin-treated cells. These results suggest that the interaction of cAMP with its surface receptor leads to stimulation of high affinity GTPase in D. discoideum membranes. At least one of those enzymes may represent a guanine nucleotide-binding protein sensitive to pertussis toxin.

Muscarinic cholinergic-receptor stimulation of specific GTP hydrolysis related to adenylate cyclase activity in canine cardiac sarcolemma.

One component of muscarinic receptor inhibition of the function of cardiac ventricles is mediated by the inhibition of activated adenylate cyclase activity in sarcolemma. We have shown previously that muscarinic agonists inhibit GTP- but not Gpp(NH)p-activated adenylate cyclase activity, and various studies in other tissues indicate that nonhydrolyzable GTP analogues prevent inactivation of the enzyme. These data have suggested a role for GTP hydrolysis in the mechanism of inhibition of adenylate cyclase. The present study demonstrates that purified canine cardiac sarcolemma displays high-affinity GTPase activity that is reciprocally related to adenylate cyclase activity. The high-affinity GTPase activity was stimulated by muscarinic agonists and blocked by atropine. Furthermore, the one-half maximal effects of oxotremorine for binding to muscarinic receptors, stimulation of high-affinity GTPase activity, and inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity were similar. Muscarinic stimulation of GTPase activity and inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity required functional activity of the pertussis toxin (IAP) substrate(s). Treatment of sarcolemmal membranes with IAP attenuated the ability of oxotremorine to both stimulate high-affinity GTPase activity and inhibit adenylate cyclase activity. These studies indicate that muscarinic receptor stimulation of high-affinity GTPase activity dependent on functional IAP substrate(s) is closely linked to the mechanism of muscarinic inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity.

Signal transduction in Dictyostelium fgd A mutants with a defective interaction between surface cAMP receptors and a GTP-binding regulatory protein [published erratum appears in J Cell Biol 1988 Dec;107(6 Pt 1):following 2463

Transmembrane signal transduction was investigated in four Dictyostelium discoideum mutants that belong to the fgd A complementation group. The results show the following. (a) Cell surface cAMP receptors are present in fgd A mutants, but cAMP does not induce any of the intracellular responses, including the activation of adenylate or guanylate cyclase and chemotaxis. (b) cAMP induces down-regulation and the covalent modification (presumably phosphorylation) of the cAMP receptor. (c) The inhibitory effects of GTP gamma S and GDP beta S on cAMP binding are reduced; the stimulatory effect of cAMP on GTP gamma S binding is lost in fgd A mutants. (d) Basal high-affinity GTPase activity is reduced 40% and the stimulatory effect of cAMP is decreased from 40% in wild type to 30% in fgd A. (e) GTP-mediated stimulation and inhibition of adenylate cyclase is normal in mutant membranes. The results suggest a defective interaction between cell surface cAMP receptors and a specific G-protein in fgd A mutants. This interaction appears to be essential for nearly all signal transduction pathways in Dictyostelium discoideum.

Properties of vasopressin-activated human platelet high affinity GTPase

Effect of 8-arginine vasopressin (AVP) was examined on human platelet membrane GTPase activity as an index of a G-protein involvement. AVP stimulated a high-affinity GTPase activity in a dose-dependent manner (K act=1.1±0.2nM). This stimulation was blocked by a V 1a antagonist, thus confirming the V 1a nature of the platelet AVP receptor. There were important variations among individuals in the AVP-induced stimulation of GTPase activity, that were in relation with the AVP-maximal binding capacity. These data suggest a causal relationship between the binding of AVP to its receptor and transduction elicited by a G-protein, without amplification. In addition, in view of the variable AVP responsiveness observed among individuals, platelet AVP-receptor appears to be subject to regulation.