We characterized cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases isolated from rat mesangial cells and asserted their roles in regulating cellular cyclic nucleotide levels. Three peaks of phosphodiesterase activity were eluted by a linear sodium acetate gradient from a Q Sepharose column loaded with the mesangial cell extract. The first peak activity was stimulated by Ca 2+-calmodulin and inhibited by calmodulin-stimulated phosphodiesterase inhibitors but not by a selective cGMP specific phosphodiesterase V inhibitor. The second, minor activity peak was stimulated by cyclic GMP and inhibited by EHNA [erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)-adenine], a selective inhibitor of cyclic GMP-stimulated phosphodiesterase II. The last peak activity was not inhibited by cyclic GMP but selectively inhibited by rolipram [4-(3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-pyrrolidene] or Ro 20-1724 [4-(3-butoxy-4-methoxybenzyl)-2-imidazolidinone], inhibitors of cyclic AMP specific, cyclic GMP insensitive phosphodiesterase IV. Based on their order of chromatographic elution, kinetic properties and sensitivity to allosteric agents and inhibitors, the peak 1, 2 and 3 correspond to phosphodiesterase I, II and IV. The basal cyclic GMP level was raised more effectively by selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase I than phosphodiesterase II. In contrast, the atrial natriuretic factor-induced cyclic GMP elevation was potentiated more effectively by selective inhibitors of phosphodiesterase II than phosphodiesterase I. The forskolin-induced cyclic AMP increase was greatly potentiated by selective phosphodiesterase IV inhibitors but not by other phosphodiesterase inhibitors. These data suggest that phosphodiesterase I and II are responsible for cyclic GMP hydrolysis whereas phosphodiesterase IV is mainly responsible for cyclic AMP hydrolysis. The relative importance of phosphodiesterase I and II varied with the intracellular cyclic GMP concentration.
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