Nucleotide-dependent Inhibition Research Articles

Reduction of cAMP and cGMP inhibitory effects in human platelets by MRP4-mediated transport

Cyclic nucleotide-dependent inhibition of platelets represents the most important physiological way to limit thrombus formation. cAMP and cGMP increase in platelets as a consequence of prostacyclin and nitric oxide production by endothelial cells and act through PKA and PKG, respectively. The cytosolic concentration of cyclic nucleotides in platelets is regulated by AC- and GC-dependent synthesis and PDE-dependent degradation. In some cells cyclic nucleotides are eliminated also through MRP4/5/8-dependent efflux. As only MRP4 is expressed in platelets, at high levels in dense granules, we determined its role in the elimination of cyclic nucleotides from platelet cytosol. We studied the effects of MRP4 inhibition on cAMP/cGMP effects in platelets. Cyclic nucleotide inhibitory effects triggered by cAMP and cGMP-elevating agents on platelet aggregation are strongly enhanced by MRP4 inhibition and so is cyclic nucleotide-dependent phosphorylation of the common substrate VASP. MRP4 inhibition decreases cAMP concentration in platelet granules and both cAMP and cGMP compete with an established substrate of MRP4 (fluo-cAMP) for entrance in granules. Here we provide the first evidence of the transport of cyclic nucleotides mediated by MRP4 as part of their physiological mechanism of elimination in human platelets, which might represent a novel target to increase cyclic nucleotide-dependent inhibition.

Mechanisms for the inhibition of amiloride-sensitive Na+ absorption by extracellular nucleotides in mouse trachea.

Purinergic stimulation of airway epithelial cells induces Cl- secretion and modulates Na+ absorption by an unknown mechanism. To gain insight into this mechanism, we used a perfused micro-Ussing chamber to assess transepithelial voltage (V(te)) and amiloride-sensitive short-circuit current (I(sc-Amil)) in mouse trachea. Exposure to apical ATP or UTP (each 100 micromol/l) caused a large initial increase in lumen negative V(te) and I(sc), corresponding to a transient Cl- secretion, while basolateral application of ATP/UTP induced only a small secretory response. Luminal, but not basolateral, application of nucleotides was followed by a sustained and reversible inhibition of I(sc-Amil) that was independent of extracellular Ca2+ or activation of protein kinase C and was not induced by carbachol (100 micromol/l) or the Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin (1 micromol/l). Removal of extracellular Cl- or exposure to 200 microM DIDS reduced UTP-mediated inhibition of I(sc-Amil) substantially. The phospholipase inhibitor U73122 (10 micromol/l) and pertussis toxin (PTX; 200 ng/ml) both attenuated UTP-induced Cl- secretion and inhibition of I(sc-Amil). Taken together, these data imply a contribution of Cl- conductance and PTX-sensitive G proteins to nucleotide-dependent inhibition of the amiloride-sensitive Na+ current in the mouse trachea.

PI3-kinase/Akt modulates vascular smooth muscle tone via cAMP signaling pathways.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) activates protein kinase B (also known as Akt), which phosphorylates and activates a cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 3B. Increases in cyclic nucleotide concentrations inhibit agonist-induced contraction of vascular smooth muscle. Thus we hypothesized that the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway may regulate vascular smooth muscle tone. In unstimulated, intact bovine carotid artery smooth muscle, the basal phosphorylation of Akt was higher than that in cultured smooth muscle cells. The phosphorylation of Akt decreases in a time-dependent manner when incubated with the PI3-kinase inhibitor, LY-294002. Agonist (serotonin)-, phorbol ester (phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate; PDBu)-, and depolarization (KCl)-induced contractions of vascular smooth muscles were all inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion by LY-294002. However, LY-294002 did not inhibit serotonin- or PDBu-induced increases in myosin light chain phosphorylation or total O(2) consumption, suggesting that inhibition of contraction was not mediated by reversal or inhibition of the pathways that lead to smooth muscle activation and contraction. Treatment of vascular smooth muscle with LY-294002 increased the activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and increased the phosphorylation of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase substrate heat shock protein 20 (HSP20). These data suggest that activation of the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway in unstimulated smooth muscle may modulate vascular smooth muscle tone (allow agonist-induced contraction) through inhibition of the cyclic nucleotide/HSP20 pathway and suggest that cyclic nucleotide-dependent inhibition of contraction is dissociated from the myosin light chain contractile regulatory pathways.

Inhibition of amiloride-sensitive epithelial Na(+) absorption by extracellular nucleotides in human normal and cystic fibrosis airways.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) airway epithelia are characterized by enhanced Na(+) absorption probably due to a lack of downregulation of epithelial Na(+) channels by mutant CF transmembrane conductance regulator. Extracellular nucleotides adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP) have been shown to activate alternative Ca(2+)-dependent Cl(-) channels in normal and CF respiratory epithelia. Recent studies suggest additional modulation of Na(+) absorption by extracellular nucleotides. In this study we examined the role of mucosal ATP and UTP in regulating Na(+) transport in native human upper airway tissues from patients with 16 patients with CF and 32 non-CF control subjects. To that end, transepithelial voltage and equivalent short-circuit current (I(SC)) were assessed by means of a perfused micro-Ussing chamber. Mucosal ATP and UTP caused an initial increase in lumen-negative I(SC) that was followed by a sustained decrease of I(sc) in both non-CF and CF tissues. The amiloride-sensitive portion of I(SC) was inhibited significantly in normal and CF tissues in the presence of either ATP or UTP. Both basal Na(+) transport and nucleotide-dependent inhibition of amiloride-sensitive I(SC) were significantly enhanced in CF airways compared with non-CF. Nucleotide-mediated inhibition of Na(+) absorption was attenuated by pretreatment with the Ca(2+)-adenosine triphosphatase inhibitor cyclopiazonic acid but not by inhibition of protein kinase C with bisindolylmaleimide. These data demonstrate sustained inhibition of Na(+) transport in non-CF and CF airways by mucosal ATP and UTP and suggest that this effect is mediated by an increase of intracellular Ca(2+). Because ATP and UTP inhibit Na(+) absorption and stimulate Cl(-) secretion simultaneously, extracellular nucleotides could have a dual therapeutic effect, counteracting the ion transport defect in CF lung disease.

A molecularly identified P2Y receptor simultaneously activates phospholipase C and inhibits adenylyl cyclase and is nonselectively activated by all nucleoside triphosphates.

We recently cloned and expressed a novel P2Y receptor (tp2y receptor) from a turkey cDNA library. Expression of this receptor in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells confers nucleotide-dependent stimulation of phospholipase C activity; however, as we demonstrate here, it also confers nucleotide-dependent inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. Both the phospholipase C and adenylyl cyclase responses were promoted by receptor agonists over a similar range of concentrations. Moreover, not only did UTP and ATP activate the avian receptor but ITP, GTP, xanthosine 5'-triphosphate, and CTP were also agonists, with EC(50) values ranging between 0.1 and 1 microM. Similar potencies, rank-order, and selectivity of nucleotide agonists were also demonstrated for intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization measured during a 30-s stimulation under constant superfusion conditions. This observation indicates that receptor activation by nucleoside 5'-triphosphates is not produced by interconversion of these nucleotides into ATP or UTP. Pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin completely abolished the inhibitory effect of nucleotide agonists on adenylyl cyclase, whereas the activation of phospholipase C was only partially inhibited. These results demonstrate that the avian P2Y receptor is a nucleoside triphosphate receptor of broad agonist selectivity that interacts with both pertussis toxin-insensitive and -sensitive G proteins to activate phospholipase C and to inhibit adenylyl cyclase. This is the first cloned P2Y receptor that is clearly Gi/adenylyl cyclase-linked.

Phosphorylation events associated with cyclic nucleotide-dependent inhibition of smooth muscle contraction.

Activation of cyclic nucleotide-dependent signaling pathways leads to relaxation of bovine carotid artery smooth muscle contractions and is associated with increased phosphorylation of the small heat shock-related protein (HSP20). Previous reports have shown that human umbilical artery smooth muscle is uniquely resistant to cyclic nucleotide-dependent relaxation, and HSP20 is not phosphorylated. In this investigation, we determined the phosphorylation events associated with cyclic nucleotide-dependent inhibition of smooth muscle contraction. In carotid artery, activation of cyclic nucleotide-dependent signaling pathways inhibited contractile responses to serotonin but did not inhibit myosin light chain phosphorylation or oxygen consumption. The inhibition of contraction was associated with increases in HSP20 phosphorylation. In umbilical artery, activation of cyclic nucleotide-dependent signaling pathways did not inhibit serotonin-induced contraction or myosin light chain phosphorylation. The lack of contractile inhibition in umbilical artery was not associated with significant increases in HSP20 phosphorylation. In conclusion, cyclic nucleotide-dependent contractile inhibition is independent of the inhibition of myosin light chain phosphorylation or oxygen consumption but does correlate with increased HSP20 phosphorylation.

Adenine nucleotide-dependent inhibition of guanylyl cyclase C: Potential target for therapy of toxigenic diarrhea.

Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1996) 59, 175–175; doi: 10.1038/sj.clpt.1996.199

Regulation of phospholipase C-beta 4 by ribonucleotides and the alpha subunit of Gq.

The fourth member of mammalian beta-type phospholipase C isozymes, PLC-beta 4, was recently purified from bovine retina, and the corresponding cDNA was cloned from rat brain and sequenced. PLC-beta 4 has now been shown to differ from the other three mammalian beta-type isozymes (PLC-beta 1, -beta 2, and -beta 3) in that it is selectively inhibited by ribonucleotides. The inhibition requires the 5'-phosphate and 2'-hydroxyl groups of ribose as well as the base moiety. Thus, deoxyribonucleotides and ribose 5-phosphate were not inhibitory. The monophosphate, diphosphate, and triphosphate nucleoside derivatives were all inhibitory, whereas cyclic nucleotides were ineffective. Purine nucleotides were more potent inhibitors than pyrimidine nucleotides; the 50% inhibitory concentrations were 20-30 microM for AMP and GMP, and 100-200 microM for UMP and CMP. Unlike the other beta-type isozymes, PLC-beta 4 contains the GX4GKS consensus sequence for the recognition of the phosphoryl group of nucleotides. In the absence of ribonucleotides, the specific activity of PLC-beta 4 toward phosphatidyl-inositol 4,5-bisphosphate was four to five times the average specific activity of PLC-beta 1 and PLC-beta 3. Thus, nucleotide-dependent inhibition may serve to reduce the activity of PLC-beta 4 in the absence of a hormonal signal. The regulation of PLC-beta 4 by G-proteins was also studied. Similar to the other three PLC-beta isozymes, PLC-beta 4 was activated by the alpha subunit of Gq but not by the transducin alpha subunit. However, unlike other PLC-beta isozymes, PLC-beta 4 was not responsive to activation by G beta gamma subunits.

Opposing adenine nucleotide-dependent pathways regulate guanylyl cyclase C in rat intestine.

Opposing adenine nucleotide-dependent pathways regulating guanylyl cyclase C (GC-C) in rat intestinal membranes have been identified and characterized. ATP analogues substituted in the 2-position were potent inhibitors of basal and Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin (ST)-stimulated GC-C, independent of the metal cation cofactor present. Inhibition of GC-C was associated with large changes in Vmax but only small changes in the S0.5, suggesting a noncompetitive mechanism. Also, inhibition of GC-C was associated with a concentration-dependent shift from positive to negative cooperativity when manganese served as the cation cofactor. These data support the existence of a noncompetitive allo steric regulatory mechanism mediating adenine nucleotide-dependent inhibition of GC-C. Adenine nucleotides not substituted in the 2-position potentiated the activation of GC-C by ST in intestinal membranes. The potentiating and inhibitory pathways regulating GC-C enzyme activity were separate and distinct. A specific inhibitor (2-chloroadenosine 5'-triphosphate (2ClATP)), was without effect on the potency of a selective activator (adenosine 5'-O-thiomonophosphate (AMPS)) of GC-C. Similarly, AMPS was without effect on the potency of 2ClATP to inhibit GC-C. These data suggest that adenine nucleotide-dependent activation and inhibition are mediated by independent sites which may modulate the second messenger response of GC-C to ST.

Activation of inositol phospholipid turnover and calcium signaling in rat Sertoli cells by P2-purinergic receptors: modulation of follicle-stimulating hormone responses.

To study the role of extracellular nucleotides in the regulation of Sertoli cells, the effects of ATP and its analogs on the Ca(2+)-phospholipid- and cAMP-dependent pathways were tested. Cultured Sertoli cells from immature animals were incubated with ATP or structurally related compounds, and phosphoinositide (PI) turnover or cAMP accumulation was measured. Among the several nucleotide phosphate analogs tested, adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) was the agonist most potent in stimulating inositol phosphate accumulation. The effects of purine nucleotides on PI turnover were time and concentration dependent. Because nonhydrolizable ATP analogs also stimulated PI turnover, ATP metabolites or metabolic products are not responsible for the observed stimulation. The order of potency of the different ATP analogs [adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) > ATP approximately equal to UTP > beta, gamma-methyleneadenosine 5'-triphosphate, 2-methylthio-ATP > adenosine] was consistent with the presence of P2U receptors (nucleotide receptors) on the surface of the Sertoli cell. Augmented PI turnover was accompanied by a transient increase in Ca2+ concentration, measured in single Sertoli cells loaded with the intracellular Ca2+ indicator fura-2. When used alone, ATP and its analogs did not have a direct effect on cAMP levels in the Sertoli cell. However, ATP or its analogs inhibited FSH-dependent cAMP accumulation by more than 70%. Purine nucleotides also efficiently blocked the effects of FSH distal to cAMP accumulation, because extracellular ATP completely reversed the changes in Sertoli cell shape induced by FSH. The nucleotide-dependent inhibition of cAMP accumulation was blocked by pertussis toxin to a different degree depending on the purine or pirimidine nucleotide used. This indicated that more than one mechanism contributes to the purine nucleotide-dependent inhibition of cAMP accumulation. These data provide evidence that purine nucleotide receptors coupled to multiple pathways are present on the Sertoli cell in culture, and that extracellular ATP has profound biological effects on the FSH responsiveness of the Sertoli cell.

Guanine nucleotide-dependent inhibition of phospholipase C in human endothelial cells.

Treatment of intact human umbilical vein endothelial cells with NaF results in a dose-dependent biphasic response in both prostacyclin and inositol phosphate production: the stimulation observed with 10-20 mM NaF decreases with higher concentrations. High concentrations of NaF furthermore reduce thrombin- or A23187-stimulated prostacyclin production. Direct assay of phospholipase C activity in cell homogenates shows a similar biphasic response to NaF, also after chelation of Ca2+; addition of AlCl3 shifts the inhibition toward lower NaF concentrations. Guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) also causes a dose-dependent biphasic response in inositol phosphate formation in permeabilized cells and homogenates; a higher inhibitory concentration of GTP gamma S abolishes the stimulation of inositol phosphate production by low NaF concentrations. A high concentration of NaF furthermore inhibits the non-G-protein-dependent activation of phospholipase C by deoxycholate. NaF also induces a dose-dependent biphasic response in cyclic AMP formation in intact cells, indicating that the inhibition of phospholipase C at higher NaF concentrations does not result from a rise in cyclic AMP. The data are compatible with the existence of a guanine nucleotide-dependent, cyclic AMP-independent, phospholipase C-inhibitory pathway in endothelial cells.

Oocyte adenylyl cyclase contains N i, yet the guanine nucleotide-dependent inhibition by progesterone is not sensitive to pertussis toxin

Membranes were obtained from Xenopus laevis oocytes after removal of follicular cells by collagenase treatment. [ 32P]ADP-ribosylation with pertussis toxin showed them to contain a single M r = 40 000 substrate for this toxin that co-migrates on sodium dodecylsufate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with pure human erythrocyte N i, the inhibitory regulatory component of adenylyl cyclase. [ 32P]ADP-ribosylation of oocyte membranes with cholera toxin also showed presence of a single substrate but of M r = 42 000. These results indicate, that the adenylyl cyclase system of oocytes, like that of somatic cells and unlike that of spermatozoids, contains the catalytic unit C and both of the known regulatory N components. The possible susceptibility to pertussis toxin of the guanine nucleotide-dependent inhibition of oocyte adenylyl cyclase by progesterone was investigated. This action of progesterone is mediated by a membrane bound receptor as opposed to a receptor of cytosolic or nuclear localization. However, the inhibitory effect of progesterone was unaffected by pertussis toxin, even though the oocyte membrane N i was fully ADP-ribosylated with pertussis toxin, as revealed by lack of further [ 32P]ADP-ribosylation on subsequent re-incubation with pertussis toxin. These results indicate that the action of progesterone, in spite of being nucleotide-dependent, is either not mediated by N i, suggesting the existence of an additional nucleotide regulatory component, or if mediated by N i, involves a mode of regulation of this coupling protein that is different from that by which all other inhibitory hormones act on adenylyl cyclase.