Increase In Cyclic AMP Formation Research Articles

Inhibitory Effect of α-Lipoic Acid on Platelet Aggregation Is Mediated by PPARs

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) isoforms (α, β/δ, and γ are present in human platelets, and activation of PPARs inhibits platelet aggregation. α-Lipoic acid (ALA), occurring naturally in human food, has been reported to exhibit an antiplatelet activity. However, the mechanisms underlying ALA-mediated inhibition of platelet aggregation remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the antiplatelet activity of ALA is mediated by PPARs. ALA itself significantly induced PPARα/γ activation in platelets and increased intracellular amounts of PPARα/γ by blocking PPARα/γ secretion from arachidonic acid (AA)-activated platelets. Moreover, ALA significantly inhibited AA-induced platelet aggregation, Ca(2+) mobilization, and cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) activity, but increased cyclic AMP production in rabbit washed platelets. Importantly, ALA also enhanced interaction of PPARα/γ with protein kinase Cα (PKCα) and COX-1 accompanied by an inhibition of PKCα activity in resting and AA-activated platelets. However, the above effects of ALA on platelets were markedly reversed by simultaneous addition of selective PPARα antagonist (GW6471) or PPARγ antagonist (GW9662). Taken together, the present study provides a novel mechanism by which ALA inhibition of platelet aggregation is mediated by PPARα/γ-dependent processes, which involve interaction with PKCα and COX-1, increase of cyclic AMP formation, and inhibition of intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization.

Pharmacological characterisation of 5-HT receptors positively coupled to adenylyl cyclase in the rat hippocampus.

The pharmacological properties of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors positively coupled to adenylyl cyclase in the rat hippocampus were investigated using selective agonists and antagonists. 5-HT (0.008-125 microM) stimulated cyclic AMP formation in homogenates of rat hippocampus in a concentration-dependent manner. The maximal increase in cyclic AMP formation occurred at 1 microM (141+/-6%) and the half-maximal effect (EC50) at 50+/-22 nM. Cyclic AMP accumulation induced by 1 microM 5-HT was partly inhibited by the selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY 100,635 (1 microM), the selective 5-HT4 receptor antagonist SB 203,186 (1 microM), and the 5-HT2A/c/ 5-HT7 receptor antagonist mesulergine (25 microM). WAY 100,635, SB 203,186 and mesulergine inhibited the effect of 5-HT (1 microM) by 47%, 33% and 49%, respectively. The combination of WAY 100,635 (1 microM) with SB 203,186 (1 microM) or mesulergine (25 microM) resulted in stronger inhibition than with each antagonist alone, and the combination of all three antagonists produced almost total blockade (95%) of 5-HT-induced cyclic AMP accumulation. 5-Carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT; 0.008-125 microM), a 5-HT1/5-HT7 receptor agonist, and SDZ 216-454 (0.008-125 microM), a selective 5-HT4 receptor agonist, concentration-dependently stimulated cyclic AMP formation, but the maximal effect of each agonist was smaller than that of 5-HT alone. SDZ 216-454 (5 microM) and 5-CT (5 microM) in combination stimulated cyclic AMP formation in an additive manner. 8-OH-PIPAT and 8-OH-DPAT, two selective 5-HT1A agonists, produced a small but significant increase in cyclic AMP formation at concentrations above 0.04 microM and 10 microM, respectively. These findings suggest that at least three 5-HT receptor subtypes, i.e. 5-HT1A, 5-HT7 and 5-HT4 receptors, are involved in mediating 5-HT-induced cyclic AMP formation in rat hippocampus.

Activation of adenylate cyclase by human recombinant sst5 receptors expressed in CHO-K1 cells and involvement of Galphas proteins.

1. The coupling of the human somatostatin sst5 receptor recombinantly expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells to adenylate cyclase was investigated using receptor selective ligands. 2. Forskolin (10 microM)-stimulated adenosine 3': 5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) accumulation was inhibited by somatostatin-14 and a number of receptor-selective agonists with a rank order of agonist potency typical of the sst5 receptor. L-362,855 and BIM-23056 behaved as full agonists. At higher somatostatin-14 concentrations there was sub-maximal inhibition resulting in a bell-shaped concentration-effect relationship. Pertussis toxin (PTx; 100 ng ml(-1), 18 h) pre-treatment abolished agonist-mediated inhibition of cyclic AMP accumulation and markedly enhanced stimulation of cyclic AMP at higher agonist concentrations. 3. The concentration of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the incubation media was raised 14 fold by 1 microM somatostatin-14 but was insufficient to stimulate adenylate cyclase activity via endogenous prostanoid receptors. 4. Pre-treatment with cholera toxin (ChTx; 20 microg ml(-1), 18 h) markedly inhibited sst5 receptor-mediated increases in cyclic AMP formation in intact cells. Somatostatin-14-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation was also observed in sst5 receptor containing CHO-K1 membranes and was inhibited by the synthetic peptide Galphasacetyl-354-372-amide (100 microM) by 65.9+/-3.5%, implicating a Galphas protein involvement in this response. 5. Activation of Galphas proteins by somatostatin-14 could be demonstrated with [35S]-guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate ([35S]-GTPgammaS) binding and subsequent immunoprecipitation of 35S labelled Galphas proteins with anti-Galphas serum. 6. These data show that the sst5 receptor is very efficiently coupled in a negative manner to adenylate cyclase. However, at higher agonist concentrations the receptor can also mediate activation of adenylate cyclase by a mechanism apparently involving Galphas protein activation.

Activation of adenosine A 2A and dopamine D 1 receptors stimulates cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation of DARPP-32 in distinct populations of striatal projection neurons

In the striatum, adenosine A 2A and dopamine D 1 receptors are segregated in striatopallidal and striatonigral projection neurons, respectively. In this study, we have examined the effects of activating adenosine A 2A and dopamine D 1 receptors on the state of phosphorylation of DARPP-32 (dopamine- and cyclic AMP-regulated phosphoprotein of mol. wt 32,000), a potent endogenous regulator of protein phosphatase-1 that is highly expressed in striatal medium-sized spiny neurons. In rat striatal slices, the D 1 receptor agonist SKF 81297 and the A 2A receptor agonist CGS 21680 transiently increased the levels of phosphorylated DARPP-32 in a concentration-dependent manner. In the same preparation, the two agonists were also able to induce a significant increase in cyclic AMP formation. When striatal slices were incubated with a combination of CGS 21680 and SKF 81297, the effects of the two agonists on both DARPP-32 phosphorylation and cyclic AMP formation were additive. The maximal effects of SKF 81297 and CGS 21680 on DARPP-32 phosphorylation were of similar magnitude, and were completely abolished by the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor, Rp-cAMPS. The present results show that DARPP-32 phosphorylation in the striatum is stimulated by adenosine, acting on A 2A receptors, and dopamine, acting on D 1 receptors, and that cyclic AMP is the mediator in both cases. Our data also suggest that dopamine and adenosine regulate the state of phosphorylation of DARPP-32 in distinct sub-populations of medium-sized spiny neurons expressing dopamine D 1 and adenosine A 2A receptors, respectively.

SCH 58261: A selective A2A adenosine receptor antagonists

The recent discovery of selective antagonists for the A2A adenosine receptors has been of great help to further research in this field. One compound, SCH 58261, 5- amino-7-(β-phenylethyl)-2-(8-furyl)pyrazolo[4,3-e]-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidine, is playing a key part in a variety of studies. This review describes its pharmacological characteristics as they are emerging in various laboratories. The compound has an affinity in the low nM range (Ki value of 1–2 nM) for A2A receptors located on membranes from a variety of tissues and cell types, including rat and bovine brain striatum, human platelets, lymphocytes and neutrophils, porcine coronary arteries, and CHO cells transfected with the cloned human A2A receptors. SCH 58261 has little or no affinity up to the μM range for adenosine A2B, A3, or other G protein-coupled receptors. Selectivity for A2A vs. A1 receptors varies from 53- to 750-fold, depending on membranes or type of assay. SCH 58261 blocks A2A-receptor mediated increase of cyclic AMP formation with high potency (e.g., IC50 values between 15 and 20 nM in human white blood cells). The tritiated form of SCH 58261 specifically labels A2A receptors in discrete regions of the rat brain such as caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens, and tuberculum olfactorium. In classic in vitro bioassays, such as A2A-receptor-mediated vasodilation in coronary arteries, SCH 58261 displays competitive antagonistic properties (e.g., pA2 value of 9.5 in porcine coronary arteries). In assays involving responses mediated by A1 or A2B receptors, SCH 58261 shows little or no activity up to concentrations about 100-fold higher than those affecting A2A receptors (higher concentrations not being testable due to its poor water solubility). In the rat, SCH 58261 enhances locomotor activity (at 3.7 mg/kg ip), increases wakefulness (10 mg/kg ip) and slightly increases both blood pressure and heart rate (10 mg/kg ip). These activities appear to be specifically mediated by A2A receptors since the drug counteracts the effect of A2A receptor agonists in some experimental paradigms. In models mimicking CNS disorders, SCH 58261 potentiates the activity of L-DOPA or dopamine receptor agonists in the 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat model. Moreover, the compound reduces brain infarct size in a rat model of cerebral ischemia. Altogether, SCH 58261 and its radiolabeled form have emerged as interesting tools for better understanding the function of A2A receptors in physiological or altered conditions. Moreover, the neuroprotective properties of SCH 58261 indicate that drugs of this class have a potential for treatment of brain damage produced by Parkinson's disease or stroke. Drug Dev. Res. 42:63–70, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

SCH 58261: A selective A2A adenosine receptor antagonists

The recent discovery of selective antagonists for the A2A adenosine receptors has been of great help to further research in this field. One compound, SCH 58261, 5- amino-7-(β-phenylethyl)-2-(8-furyl)pyrazolo[4,3-e]-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidine, is playing a key part in a variety of studies. This review describes its pharmacological characteristics as they are emerging in various laboratories. The compound has an affinity in the low nM range (Ki value of 1–2 nM) for A2A receptors located on membranes from a variety of tissues and cell types, including rat and bovine brain striatum, human platelets, lymphocytes and neutrophils, porcine coronary arteries, and CHO cells transfected with the cloned human A2A receptors. SCH 58261 has little or no affinity up to the μM range for adenosine A2B, A3, or other G protein-coupled receptors. Selectivity for A2A vs. A1 receptors varies from 53- to 750-fold, depending on membranes or type of assay. SCH 58261 blocks A2A-receptor mediated increase of cyclic AMP formation with high potency (e.g., IC50 values between 15 and 20 nM in human white blood cells). The tritiated form of SCH 58261 specifically labels A2A receptors in discrete regions of the rat brain such as caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens, and tuberculum olfactorium. In classic in vitro bioassays, such as A2A-receptor-mediated vasodilation in coronary arteries, SCH 58261 displays competitive antagonistic properties (e.g., pA2 value of 9.5 in porcine coronary arteries). In assays involving responses mediated by A1 or A2B receptors, SCH 58261 shows little or no activity up to concentrations about 100-fold higher than those affecting A2A receptors (higher concentrations not being testable due to its poor water solubility). In the rat, SCH 58261 enhances locomotor activity (at 3.7 mg/kg ip), increases wakefulness (10 mg/kg ip) and slightly increases both blood pressure and heart rate (10 mg/kg ip). These activities appear to be specifically mediated by A2A receptors since the drug counteracts the effect of A2A receptor agonists in some experimental paradigms. In models mimicking CNS disorders, SCH 58261 potentiates the activity of L-DOPA or dopamine receptor agonists in the 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rat model. Moreover, the compound reduces brain infarct size in a rat model of cerebral ischemia. Altogether, SCH 58261 and its radiolabeled form have emerged as interesting tools for better understanding the function of A2A receptors in physiological or altered conditions. Moreover, the neuroprotective properties of SCH 58261 indicate that drugs of this class have a potential for treatment of brain damage produced by Parkinson's disease or stroke. Drug Dev. Res. 42:63–70, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Interaction Between A1 Adenosine and Class II Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors in the Regulation of Purine and Glutamate Release from Rat Hippocampal Slices

Electrical stimulation of rat hippocampal slices evoked the release of excitatory amino acids and purines, as reflected by a time-dependent increase in the extracellular levels of glutamate and adenosine, as well as by the increased efflux of radioactivity in slices preloaded with both [14C]glutamate and [3H]adenosine. The evoked release of excitatory amino acids and purines was amplified when slices were exposed to 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (a selective A1 adenosine receptor antagonist), (+)-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine [a mixed antagonist of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs)], or (2S,3S,4S)-2-methyl-2-(carboxycyclopropyl)glycine (a selective antagonist of class II mGluRs). In contrast, 2-chloro-N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA; a selective A1 receptor agonist) or (2S,1R,2R,3R)-(2,3-dicarboxycyclopropyl)glycine (DCG-IV; a selective agonist of class II mGluRs) reduced the evoked release of excitatory amino acids and purines. CCPA and DCG-IV also reduced the increase in cyclic AMP formation induced by either forskolin or electrical stimulation in hippocampal slices. The inhibitory effect of CCPA and DCG-IV on release or cyclic AMP formation was less than additive. We conclude that the evoked release of excitatory amino acids and purines is under an inhibitory control by A1 receptors and class II mGluRs, i.e., mGluR2 or 3, which appear to operate through a common transduction pathway. In addition, although these receptors are activated by endogenous adenosine and glutamate, they can still respond to pharmacological agonists. This provides a rationale for the use of A1 or class II mGluR agonists as neuroprotective agents in experimental models of excitotoxic neuronal degeneration.

(1 S,3 R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid-induced increases in cyclic AMP formation in the neonatal rat hippocampus are mediated by a synergistic interaction between phosphoinositide- and inhibitory cyclic AMP-coupled mGluRs.

A pharmacological approach was used to investigate the cellular mechanism and metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) subtypes that mediate stimulation of basal cyclic AMP (cAMP) formation in slices of the neonatal rat hippocampus. (1S,3 R)-1-Aminocyclopentane-1, 3-dicarboxylic acid (1S,3R-ACPD), which is an agonist for phosphoinositide-coupled and inhibitory-coupled cAMP-linked mGluRs in cloned and in situ preparations, produced prominent stimulations of basal cAMP levels (five- to 10-fold). However, the agonists 3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) and (2R,4R)-4-aminopyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylate (2R,4R-APDC), which selectively act on phosphoinositide-coupled and inhibitory cAMP-coupled mGluRs, respectively, only weakly increased cAMP levels. When these two mGluR subtype-selective agonists were added in combination, robust increases in cAMP levels, similar to those observed for 1S,3R-ACPD, were found. Stimulations of cAMP content evoked by 1S,3R-ACPD and combined additions of DHPG plus 2R,4R-APDC occurred at concentrations of these agents that directly couple to other mGluR second messenger responses. However, these stimulatory cAMP responses were prevented by the presence of adenosine deaminase and 8-p-sulfophenyltheophylline (an adenosine receptor antagonist), as well as (+)-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (an mGluR receptor antagonist). Thus, 1S,3R-ACPD-induced increases in cAMP formation in the neonatal rat hippocampus are mediated by a synergistic interaction between mGluRs coupled to phosphoinositide (group 1) and inhibitory cAMP (group 2), which are indirectly expressed by potentiation of cAMP responses to other agonists (in this case, endogenous adenosine).

Interleukin-1 β induces cyclic AMP formation in isolated human osteoblasts: a signalling mechanism that is not related to enhanced prostaglandin formation

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a potent stimulator of bone resorption. Induction of osteoclastic bone resorption by various endocrine or paracrine factors is mediated via the osteoblasts. We have therefore investigated the effects of 1L-1 β on cell signalling in isolated human osteoblasts. Special interest was focused on prostaglandin synthesis, since indomethacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, partly inhibits IL-1-induced bone resorption. IL-1 β, at and above 0.3 pM, dose dependently stimulated PGE 2 formation in isolated human osteoblasts, with half maximal stimulation, EC 50, at 3 pM. Treatment with the calcium ionophore A23187 (1 μM), or with forskolin (30 μM), also stimulated PGE 2 formation in human osteoblasts. The time-course for IL-1 β-induced PGE 2 formation was similar to that of forskolin, with a significant increase in the formation of PGE 2 seen after 1 h. In contrast, A23187-induced PGE 2 formation was seen within minutes. IL-1 β stimulated the accumulation of cyclic AMP in isolated human osteoblasts incubated for 15 min. This increase in cyclic AMP formation was not secondary to PGE 2 formation since it was not blocked by the addition of indomethacin (1 μM). Pretreatment with the phosphodiesterase inhibitor IBMX did not augment IL-l β-induced PGE 2 formation, nor did the protein kinase A inhibitor Rp-cAMPs inhibit IL-1 β-induced PGE 2 formation, suggesting that cyclic AMP does not mediate the stimulatory effect of IL-1 on PGE 2 formation. We conclude that IL-1 β enhances the formation of cyclic AMP as well as PGE 2 in primary cultures of isolated human osteoblasts.The IL-1 β-induced cyclic AMP formation is, however, not related to the enhanced prostaglandin formation. The findings implicate that both cyclic AMP- and PGE 2-formation in osteoblasts might be involved as independent mediators of IL-1 β-induced bone resorption.

Characterization of the dopamine receptor expressed by rat glomerular mesangial cells in culture

Incubation of cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells with dopamine caused an increasein cyclic AMP formation in a concentration-dependent manner (K a apparent 2.2 μM). The selective dopamine D 1 receptor agonists, fenoldopam, SKF 38393 and (±)-2-amino-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (6,7-ADTN) also produced concentration-dependent increases in cyclic AMP with mean K a apparent values of 0.04 μM, 0.02 μM and 1.02 μM, respectively. Although fenoldopam and SKF 38393 were more potent than dopamine, they were partial agonists with efficacies, relative to dopamine, of approximately 60 and 35%, respectively. The dopamine analogue, 6,7-ADTN, in contrast, behaved as a full agonist. Dopamine-stimulated cAMP formation was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by the D 1-selective antagonist, SCH 23390, with a K i of 0.06 nM. In contrast, the D 2-selective antagonist, domperidone was four orders of magnitude less potent than SCH 23390, having a K i of 2072 nM. In addition, SCH 23388, the stereoisomer of SCH 23390, was observed to be two orders of magnitude less potent than SCH 23390, indicating the stereoselective nature of the receptor. The potency series for the selective agonists and antagonists is the same as that described, using identical experimental conditions, for the D 1 receptor expressed by a cell line of central origin confirming that the peripheral DA 1 and the central D 1 dopamine receptor are pharmacologically similar.

Stimulation of cell proliferation in skeletal tissues of the rat by defined parathyroid hormone fragments

We have found, in previous studies in vitro using skeletal derived cell cultures, that mid-region fragments of human parathyroid hormone (hPTH) stimulate [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA and increase the specific activity of the brain-type isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK). These changes occurred without an increase in cyclic AMP formation which is linked to bone resorption. In this study, we found that the mid-region fragment hPTH-(28-48) stimulated CK activity in diaphysis, epiphysis and kidney in a time- and dose-dependent manner, parallel to the effects of the whole molecule bovine (b)PTH-(1-84) and the fully active fragment hPTH-(1-34). The increase caused by hPTH-(28-48) at a dose of 1.25 micrograms/rat was not less than the 2-fold increase caused by a roughly equimolar concentration bPTH-(1-84). A significant increase was reached at 1 h after intraperitoneal injection in all cases. All three sequences of PTH caused an increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA in diaphysis and epiphysis, but not in kidney, 24 h after injection. A fragment further towards the C-terminal, hPTH-(34-47), was inactive compared with an equimolar concentration of the fragment hPTH-(25-39), which stimulated both CK activity and DNA synthesis. These results in vivo are in line with previous findings in vitro; they provide further support for the suggestion that mid-region fragments of the PTH molecule could be used to induce bone formation without incurring the deleterious effect of bone resorption.

Amylin increases cyclic AMP formation in L6 myocytes through calcitonin gene-related peptide receptors

The cellular function of amylin is investigated in L6 myocytes, a rat skeletal muscle cell line. Both rat amylin and human amylin-amide acutely cause a dose-dependent increase in cyclic AMP formation in L6 myocytes. 100 nM rat amylin stimulates intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations 12-fold, whereas human amylin-amide at this concentration causes only a 2-fold increase. Up to 10 mM human amylin has no effect on cyclic AMP levels. Rat calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is more potent than amylin, causing a 60-fold increase over basal at 1 nM, with an EC50 value of 0.2 nM. The CGRP receptor antagonist, human CGRP8–37 (hCGRP8–37), completely blocks the stimulatory effect of both rat amylin and human amylin-amide on cyclic AMP production. [125I]CGRP binds specifically to a membrane fraction prepared from L6 myocytes with a Kd = 2.1 nM and Bmax = 144 fmol/mg protein. The antagonist peptide displaces [125I]CGRP with a Ki of 0.9 nM, while rat amylin also displaces [125I]CGRP with a Ki of 91 nM. Specific binding of [125I]CGRP to plasma membranes of rat liver and brain is also displaced by rat amylin with Ki values of 35 nM and 37 nM, respectively. In contrast, specific binding of [125I]amylin to numerous cells and tissues, under similar conditions, can not be demonstrated. These results suggest that the cellular effects and physiological actions of amylin may be mediated through receptors for CGRP.

Stimulation of synaptosomal dopamine synthesis by corticotropin-releasing factor in rat striatum: role of Ca 2+-dependent mechanisms

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) stimulated synaptosomal dopamine (DA) synthesis in rat striatal homogenates. The stimulatory effect of CRF was antagonized by α-helical CRF 9–41 and was dependent on the extracellular Ca 2+ concentration, being absent after removal of Ca 2+ from the incubation medium and maximal at about 1.2 mM extracellular Ca 2+. The stimulation of DA synthesis by forskolin (FSK) was less sensitive to a change of extracellular Ca 2+ concentration. 3-Isobutyl-1-methylxanthine potentiated the FSK effect but did not affect the response to CRF. CRF stimulation was additive to that produced by 40 mM KCl and was little affected by the calmodulin inhibitor, W-7, which markedly suppressed the veratridine-induced stimulation of DA synthesis. Polymyxin B antagonized the CRF stimulation while it had a weaker effect on FSK-stimulated DA synthesis. Tolbutamide reduced the FSK stimulation more effectively than the CRF response. CRF elicited a non-significant increase of cyclic AMP formation by striatal membranes. These results indicate that CRF stimulates striatal DA synthesis by a Ca 2+ -dependent mechanism possibly involving the activation of the protein kinase C pathway.

Effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide on cyclic AMP formation in chicken, rat, and mouse bone cells

Mixed bone cell cultures obtained by sequential collagenase-trypsin digestion of newborn chick, rat, and mouse calvaria responded to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) with a dose-dependent increase in cyclic AMP formation. The amplitude of response to CGRP in each species was less than that to parathyroid hormone (PTH). The CGRP effect was not the result of an action as a weak calcitonin agonist, since in most instances a calcitonin effect was not observed. Only in early digests of mouse calvarial cells were consistent stimulatory effects of calcitonin on cyclic AMP noted, and these were always considerably less in amplitude than those to CGRP. It is concluded that chick, rat, and mouse bones contain cells in osteoblast-rich populations that respond specifically to CGRP with a rise in cyclic AMP.

Cultured mesenteric vascular smooth muscle cells express dopamine DA 1-receptors

Incubation of cultured mesenteric vascular smooth muscle cells with dopamine, in the presence of propranolol, caused an increase in cyclic AMP formation in a concentration-dependent manner (K a apparent 6.8 ± 0.5 μM). This effect of dopamine was inhibited by the DA 1-receptor antagonist SCH 23390 (K i = 1 nM). These results suggest that cultured mesenteric vascular smooth muscle cells express DA 1-receptors linked to adenylate cyclase.

Long-term depletion of histamine in guinea-pigs by administration of alpha-fluoromethylhistidine, a specific inhibitor of histidine decarboxylase; effect on the sensitivity of histamine receptors.

The effect of intraperitoneal administration of alpha-fluoromethylhistidine (alpha-FMH), a specific inhibitor of histidine decarboxylase, at a dose of 100 mg/kg twice a day for 6 weeks on the sensitivity of histamine receptors in the guinea-pigs was examined. The histamine contents in the ileum, heart and brain after the treatment decreased to about 54%, 83% and 9-62% (depending on the region), respectively, of those of controls. However, there were no significant difference in the histamine-induced contraction of the ileum and atrium, the maximal binding (Bmax) and the dissociation constant (Kd) of [3H]-mepyramine binding to membrane fractions of the ileum and brain (except the cortex) and the increase of cyclic AMP formation induced by histamine in membranes of the heart and brain (except the cortex) between alpha-FMH-treated- and untreated animals. These results suggest that long-term histamine depletion dose not significantly affect the sensitivity of histamine receptors of guinea-pig except in the brain cortex.

Different roles for type A and type B monoamine oxidase in regulating synaptic dopamine at D-1 and D-2 receptors associated with adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) formation.

The roles of multiple forms of monoamine oxidase (MAO) in regulating the synaptic concentration of dopamine, in the vicinity of dopamine receptors associated with cyclic AMP formation, was examined in striatal slices of the rat. d-Amphetamine (0.1 mumol/l to 20 mumol/l) caused a concentration-related increase in cyclic AMP formation, which correlated (in superfusion experiments) with the release of endogenously-formed dopamine. In the presence of (-)sulpiride (50 mumol/l), cyclic AMP formation was significantly increased at every concentration of d-amphetamine tested. At the same time, this concentration of (-)sulpiride had no effect on DA release. Inhibition of type A MAO with clorgyline (0.1 mumol/l) significantly enhanced the increase in cyclic AMP formation seen after d-amphetamine. By contrast, inhibition of type B MAO with deprenyl (0.1 mumol/l) was without effect on this action of d-amphetamine. At high concentrations of d-amphetamine (20 mumol/l), however, deprenyl + clorgyline treatment enhanced cyclic AMP formation to a greater extent than with clorgyline alone. Similar results could be obtained at lower concentrations of d-amphetamine (5 mumol/l), but only after inhibition of the dopamine neuronal reuptake system with nomifensine (30 mumol/l). Furthermore, in the presence of nomifensine, deprenyl alone was also able to significantly increase the cyclic AMP formation seen after d-amphetamine (5 mumol/l). In the presence of (-)sulpiride, relatively similar results were obtained following all MAO inhibitor treatments. These findings support the notion that type A MAO plays the primary role in regulating dopamine concentrations at D-1 and D-2 receptors within synapses of rat striatal tissue.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Calmodulin modulates prolactin secretion in vitro: Studies with calmodulin containing liposomes

The control of prolactin secretion by Ca +++calmodulin and cyclic AMP was studied. Ca ++ ionophore A23187 stimulated both cyclic AMP accumulation and prolactin release by primary culture of anterior pituitary cells in vitro. The increase of cyclic AMP formation by A23187 preceded that of prolactin release. To test the calmodulin involvment in these processes we used either selective calmodulin antagonist, the naphtalene sulphonamide derivative W7, or calmodulin containing liposomes. W7 dose dependently inhibited both basal or A23187 stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation and prolactin secretion. Insertion of Ca +++ calmodulin within the cells stimulated prolactin secretion without modifying cyclic AMP accumulation. W7 inhibited the Ca +++calmodulin containing liposomes stimulation of prolactin release. These results suggest that calmodulin partecipates to the process of prolactin release.

Opposing actions of D-1 and D-2 dopamine receptor-mediated alterations of adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) formation during the amphetamine-induced release of endogenous dopamine in vitro.

Changes in the formation of cyclic AMP following d-amphetamine (0.1 to 20 mumol/l) were examined in vitro in striatal slices of the rat. d-Amphetamine caused a dose-related increase in cyclic AMP content. This action of d-amphetamine was abolished by tissue pretreatment with reserpine (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) and 3-iodotyrosine (1 mmol/l). By contrast, both clorgyline (0.1 mumol/l) and nomifensine (30 mumol/l) enhanced the d-amphetamine-induced increase in cyclic AMP formation. In superfusion experiments, a strong correlation between endogenous dopamine and cyclic AMP release was observed before, during and after d-amphetamine exposure. Finally, Sch 23390 (10 mumol/l) abolished while (-)sulpiride (10 mumol/l) enhanced the amphetamine-induced increase in cyclic AMP content. These results suggest that d-amphetamine enhances the formation of cyclic AMP through the release of endogenous dopamine into the synapse where it can interact with both D-1 and D-2 dopamine receptors. These results provide direct evidence that the antagonistic properties of D-1 and D-2 receptors on cyclic AMP formation are apparent at striatal synapses during release of endogenous neuronal dopamine.

Regulation of aromatase activity of rat granulosa cells: induction of synthesis of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase by FSH and dibutyryl cyclic AMP

Aromatase is an enzyme complex that is composed of a specific form of cytochrome P-450 and a flavoprotein, NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. Aromatase activity of granulosa cells is increased markedly by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and by analogs of cyclic AMP. It was the objective of the present study to investigate the effects of FSH and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (Bt 2cAMP) on the synthesis of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase in rat granulosa cells maintained in vitro. Granulosa cells were obtained from the ovaries of diethylstilbestrol (DES)-treated immature rats and were incubated in the presence of DES (10 −7 M), DES + FSH (250 ng/ml), or DES + Bt 2cAMP (1 mM) for up to 72 h. After 72 h of incubation, aromatase activity of cells incubated with DES alone was 5 pmoles estrogen formed 2 h −1 mg −1 protein and was increased > 60-fold in cells incubated with FSH or Bt 2cAMP. NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase was immunoisolated from [ 35S]methionine-labeled lysates of granulosa cells incubated for 72 h in the absence or presence of stimulatory factors. The rate of synthesis of reductase was found to be increased about 3-fold in cells incubated with DES + FSH or DES + Bt 2cAMP as compared to cells incubated with DES alone. By immunoblot analysis we found that the cellular content of reductase was increased about 2-fold by FSH and Bt 2cAMP treatment. Reductase specific activity was 10 nmoles min −1 mg −1 protein in membrane fractions of DES-treated cells and was increased 1.6-fold by FSH treatment. These findings are indicative that FSH increases the rate of synthesis, cellular content and specific activity of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase in rat granulosa cells in vitro. The finding that Bt 2cAMP causes a similar induction of reductase synthesis is suggestive that the stimulatory effect of FSH on this component of the aromatase enzyme complex is mediated by an increase in cyclic AMP formation.