Presence Of cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase Research Articles

Pregabalin activates ROMK1 channels via cAMP-dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C

Pregabalin (PGB) displays analgesic and anticonvulsant activities. Regulation of the resting membrane potential (RMP) by renal outer medullary potassium (ROMK1) channels may provide a mechanism for these activities. We examined the effects of PGB on ROMK1 channel activity. To investigate the regulatory effect of PGB on the activity of ROMK1 channel, we used inside-out excised membrane patches to measure the K+ current in Xenopus oocytes expressed either the wild-type (WT) or mutant ROMK1 channels. PGB concentration-dependently enhanced the activity of ROMK1 channels. PGB increases the WT channels, pHi gating residue mutant channels (K80M) and the mutant channels at phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PIP2)-binding sites (R188Q, R217A, and K218A). Our study suggests that PGB in the regulating of ROMK1 channel function are neither by pHi- nor PIP2-dependent mechanism. We found PGB failed to prompt the activity of consensus phosphorylation sites for protein kinase C (PKC) mutated channels (S183A, T191A, T193A, S201A and T234A). Furthermore, PGB did not stimulate the activity of channels in the presence of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) inhibitors, the mutants of the C-terminal PKA-phosphorylation sites (S219A and S313A), and the mutants constructed (S219D and S313D) which mimic the addition of negative charged associated with phosphorylation bound to a serine. These results demonstrated that PKA- and PKC-mediated phosphorylation represents a novel mechanism for PGB-activated ROMK1 channels. The enhancement of ROMK1 currents proves to an important molecular mechanism underlying the analgesic/anticonvulsant property of PGB for the restoration of RMP.

Modulation of L-type Calcium Current by Intracellular Magnesium in Differentiating Cardiomyocytes Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Intracellular Mg(2+), which is implicated in arrhythmogenesis and transient cardiac ischemia, inhibits L-type Ca(2+) calcium channel current (ICaL) of adult cardiomyocytes (CMs). We take the advantage of an in vitro model of CMs based on induced pluripotent stem cells to investigate the effects of intracellular Mg(2+) on the phosphorylation or dephosphorylation processes of L-type Ca(2+) channels (LTCCs) at early and late stages of cardiac cell differentiation. Using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique, we demonstrate that increasing intracellular Mg(2+) concentration [Mg(2+)]i from 0.2 to 5 mM markedly reduced the peak of ICaL density, showing less effect on both the activation and inactivation properties in the late differentiation stage (LDS) of CMs more so than in the early differentiation stage (EDS). Increasing the [Mg(2+)]i from 0.2 to 2 mM in the presence of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A significantly decreased ICaL in LDS (70%) and in EDS (36%) CMs. In addition, the effect of forskolin was greatly attenuated in the presence of 2 mM [Mg(2+)]i in LDS but not in EDS CMs. The effect of forskolin was enhanced in the presence of ATP-γ-S in LDS CMs compared with EDS CMs. The exposure of both EDS and LDS CMs to 2 mM [Mg(2+)]i considerably reduced the effects of isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) and okadaic acid on ICaL. Our results provide evidence for differential regulation of LTCCs activities by cytosolic Mg(2+) concentration in developing cardiac cells and confirm that Mg(2+) acts under conditions that favor opening of the LTCCs caused by channel phosphorylation.

Dexamethasone Induces Cell Death in Insulin-Secreting Cells, an Effect Reversed by Exendin-4

Glucocorticoid excess induces hyperglycemia, which may result in diabetes. The present experiments explored whether glucocorticoids trigger apoptosis in insulin-secreting cells. Treatment of mouse beta-cells or INS-1 cells with the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (0.1 micromol/l) over 4 days in cell culture increased the number of fractionated nuclei from 2 to 7 and 14%, respectively, an effect that was reversed by the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU486 (1 micromol/l). In INS-1 cells, dexamethasone increased the number of transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling-staining positive cells, caspase-3 activity, and poly-(ADP-) ribose polymerase protein cleavage; decreased Bcl-2 transcript and protein abundance; dephosphorylated the proapoptotic protein of the Bcl-2 family (BAD) at serine155; and depolarized mitochondria. Dexamethasone increased PP-2B (calcineurin) activity, an effect abrogated by FK506. FK506 (0.1 micromol/l) and another calcineurin inhibitor, deltamethrin (1 micromol/l), attenuated dexamethasone-induced cell death. The stable glucagon-like peptide 1 analog, exendin-4 (10 nmol/l), inhibited dexamethasone-induced apoptosis in mouse beta-cells and INS-1 cells. The protective effect of exendin-4 was mimicked by forskolin (10 micromol/l) but not mimicked by guanine nucleotide exchange factor with the specific agonist 8CPT-Me-cAMP (50 micromol/l). Exendin-4 did not protect against cell death in the presence of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) inhibition by H89 (10 micromol/l) or KT5720 (5 micromol/l). In conclusion, glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis in insulin-secreting cells is accompanied by a downregulation of Bcl-2, activation of calcineurin with subsequent dephosphorylation of BAD, and mitochondrial depolarization. Exendin-4 protects against glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis, an effect mimicked by forskolin and reversed by PKA inhibitors.

Progesterone prevents the pregnancy-related decline in protein kinase A association with rat myometrial plasma membrane and A-kinase anchoring protein.

The presence of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) in the plasma membrane compartment and its association with an A-kinase anchoring protein (AKAP150) is implicated in mediating cAMP regulatory events in the rat myometrium. The association of PKA with purified myometrial plasma membrane declined gradually between Day 16 and Day 21 of gestation, with a decrease of 53% +/- 11% of the catalytic subunit and of 61% +/- 7% of the regulatory subunit at Day 21 compared with Day 19. To determine the role of progesterone in this association, pregnancy was prolonged by administration of progesterone or shortened by administration of the antiprogestin RU486. Progesterone treatment maintained PKA association with plasma membrane at Day 21 at 123% +/- 23% (catalytic subunit) and 92% +/- 4% (regulatory subunit) of Day 19 levels. In contrast, protein phosphatase 1, protein phosphatase 2B, phospholipase Cbeta(3), and AKAP150 concentrations in the plasma membrane did not change over this interval or with progesterone treatment. Changes in PKA coimmunoprecipitated with membrane-associated AKAP150 paralleled those in total plasma membrane on Days 19 and 21 and on Day 21 following progesterone treatment. In contrast, plasma membrane PKA catalytic and regulatory subunits decreased by 20 h after RU486 injection on Day 15 of pregnancy to levels resembling those on Day 21. These data indicate that progesterone prevents the decline in PKA associated with myometrial plasma membrane and with AKAP150 in the pregnant rat. The decrease in membrane-bound PKA between Days 19 and 21 and after RU486 treatment precedes the onset of parturition in both experimental paradigms. The loss of plasma membrane PKA may be critical for the decrease in the inhibitory effect of cAMP on oxytocin-induced phosphatidylinositide turnover that occurs near the end of pregnancy and may contribute to enhanced myometrial contractile responsiveness near term.

Human Tyrosine Hydroxylase Isoforms: INHIBITION BY EXCESS TETRAHYDROPTERIN AND UNUSUAL BEHAVIOR OF ISOFORM 3 AFTER cAMP-DEPENDENT PROTEIN KINASE PHOSPHORYLATION

Human tyrosine hydroxylase exists as four isoforms (hTH1-4), generated by alternative splicing of pre-mRNA, with tissue-specific distribution. Unphosphorylated hTH3 and hTH1 were produced in large amounts in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. The phosphorylation sites were determined after labeling with [32P]phosphate in the presence of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM-PKII). Ser40 was phosphorylated by PKA, and both Ser19 and Ser40 were phosphorylated by CaM-PKII. The enzyme kinetics of hTH3 were determined in the presence of various concentrations of the natural co-substrate (6R)-tetrahydrobiopterin and compared with those of recombinant hTH1 (similar to rat TH). We show that, under initial velocity conditions, excess (6R)-tetrahydrobiopterin inhibits hTH3 and hTH1. The TH catalytic constants (kcat) were determined for each of the two isoenzymes: hTH3 is about five times more active than hTH1. Phosphorylation by CaM-PKII did not affect the kinetic parameters of hTH3. The classical activation of TH by PKA phosphorylation, demonstrated for hTH1, was not observed with hTH3. Furthermore, hTH3 escapes activity regulation by phosphorylation and is always more active than phosphorylated hTH1. The properties of the hTH3 enzyme may be relevant to diseases affecting dopaminergic cells.

Unique structural features and differential phosphorylation of the 280-kDa component (isozyme) of rat liver acetyl-CoA carboxylase.

Rat liver acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC, EC 6.4.1.2) exhibits major and minor subunits (M(r) of 265,000 and 280,000 respectively), the structure and function of which are compared in this study. The two subunits copurified and each contained biotin as demonstrated by avidin reactivity and direct determination of biocytin. In agreement with previous studies, the ACC subunits could be distinguished with specific monoclonal antibodies and differential tissue expression. We now report extensive differences in primary structure revealed by peptide mapping, mass spectrometric analysis of peptides following reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography, and microsequencing of selected peptides. Four peptides derived from the 265-kDa subunit were sequenced and matched sequences within the predicted structure of rat 265-kDa ACC. Although one identical peptide sequence was detected within both subunits (residues 2009-2024 of the 265-kDa subunit), 12 peptides derived from the 280-kDa subunit exhibited entirely novel sequences or matched partially (average 70% identity) with sequences within the 265-kDa subunit. The 280-kDa subunit may also exhibit distinct functional properties, since the initial rate of phosphorylation was at least 10-fold greater than that of the 265-kDa subunit in the presence of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Two-dimensional mapping demonstrated that the tryptic phosphopeptides released from the two ACC subunits are distinct. These structural studies suggest that the 265- and 280-kDa components (isozymes) of ACC are so distinct they may be encoded by separate genes, while the differential phosphorylation observed in vitro suggests a key role for the 280-kDa subunit in regulating enzyme activity within intact cells.

γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor regulation by a chloride-dependent kinase and a sodium-dependent phosphatase

γ-Aminobutyric acid A (GABA A) receptors are linked to ion channels which mediate many aspects of neural inhibition. Although the effects of phosphorylation on GABA A receptor function have been widely studied, the actual role of phosphorylation in the regulation of these receptors still remains controversial. In recent reports, we have described the effects of phosphorylating/dephosphorylating enzymes on the regulation of GABA A receptors in a rat cortical slice preparation (Shaw et al., Mol. Neuropharmacol., 2 (1992) 297–302; Shaw and Lanius, Dev. Brain Res., 70 (1992) 153–161; Pasqualotto et al., Neuroreport, 4 (1993) 447–450) and predicted that ionic co-factors are involved in mediating the regulation of GABA A receptors by kinases and phosphatases. In the present report, the effects of chloride, sodium, potassium, and calcium were examined alone and in the presence of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase A) or alkaline phosphatase. The results showed a decrease in [ 3H]SR 95531 (GABA A receptor antagonist) binding after incubation with chloride alone; this decrease was further enhanced in the presence of protein kinase A. Both effects could be blocked by a protein kinase A inhibitor. Conversely, an increase in [ 3H]SR 95531 binding was observed after incubation with sodium alone; this increase was further enhanced in the presence of alkaline phosphatase. In both cases these increases in binding could be blocked by sodium orthovanadate, a phosphatase inhibitor. Potassium was ineffective under all conditions; calcium showed enzyme-independent effects at low concentrations only. These results suggest the existence of a novel chloride-dependent protein kinase which may have significant sequence homology to protein kinase A, and a novel sodium-dependent phosphatase. We speculate that together these enzymes are responsible for the majority of the rapid regulation of cortical GABA A receptors in response to various stimuli. These data provide a link between ionic currents generated by ionotropic receptor activation and the resulting regulation of these receptors via activation of regulatory enzymes.

32P Labeled Opioid Peptides with High Affinity for the δ-Opioid Receptor

We describe a mild and convenient labeling method for obtaining opioid radioligands which exhibit high specific activity together with a high affinity for the δ-opioid receptor. We chemically synthesized and tested the affinity of enkephalin- and deltorphin-like peptides that contain a phosphorylation site at their C-terminus. The peptide YdAGFLTPRRASLGC (peptide B), labeled to 700 Ci/mmol in the presence of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and [γ-32P]ATP, hound to the receptor with high affinity (Kd = 3.62 ± 0.29 nM). This peptide was also chemically coupled to bovine serum albumin and provided a multivalent opioid protein (B-BSA) with interesting properties: compared with peptide B, B-BSA was a better substrate for the kinase (100% 32P incorporation, sp act ≥7000 Ci/mmol when labeled) and a better ligand for the receptor (Kd = 0.20 ± 0.02 nM). The concept of peptide extension by a short phosphorylatable sequence should be more generally applicable to other small peptidic hormones or neurotransmitters and provide useful probes for biochemical studies and expression cloning of membrane receptors.

Phosphorylation of human recombinant tyrosine hydroxylase isoforms 1 and 2: an additional phosphorylated residue in isoform 2, generated through alternative splicing.

The single human tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene generates four different mRNA species through alternative splicing events. TH-1 and TH-2 mRNAs are expressed mostly in the brain. We have produced large amounts of the corresponding proteins in Escherichia coli to analyze their respective molecular characteristics. The polypeptides have molecular weights similar to those of TH expressed in Xenopus oocytes and react with antibodies to TH. The two isoforms were purified with a purity of 90% using a three-step procedure. The phosphorylation sites have been determined in the two isoforms after labeling with [gamma-32P]ATP in the presence of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) or calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM-PK II). In both isoforms, Ser-40 was found to be phosphorylated by PKA, and Ser-19 and Ser-40 were found to be phosphorylated by CaM-PK II. The putative phosphorylation site generated by alternative splicing (Ser-31) was phosphorylated specifically by CaM-PK II in TH-2 only. The kinetic properties of the two isoforms in the presence of various concentrations of the substrate (tyrosine) and of the natural cofactor [6R)-tetrahydrobiopterin) were also analyzed. TH produced in E. coli is unphosphorylated but nevertheless active. At 50 microM tyrosine and 300 microM (6R)-tetrahydrobiopterin, the specific activities of TH-1 and TH-2 are 1300 and 620 nmol of dihydroxyphenylalanine/min/mg, respectively. Phosphorylation of TH-1 and TH-2 by PKA activates both isoenzymes as shown by the increase in the affinity for the cofactor. No changes in kinetic parameters of the isoenzymes were observed after phosphorylation by CaM-PK II. Dopamine was found to inhibit both TH isoenzymes to the same extent as shown by their similar Ki values for dopamine. These values were increased after phosphorylation of each enzyme by PKA. Unlike TH-1, phosphorylation of TH-2 by CaM-PK II resulted in an increase of the Ki value for dopamine. This property may be related to the presence of the additional phosphorylated residue in TH-2 isoform.

Dual effect of adenosine triphosphate on the apical small conductance K+ channel of the rat cortical collecting duct.

We used the patch-clamp technique to study the effects of ATP on the small-conductance potassium channel in the apical membrane of rat cortical collecting duct (CCD). This channel has a high open probability (0.96) in the cell-attached mode but activity frequently disappeared progressively within 1-10 min after channel excision (channel "run-down"). Two effects of ATP were observed. Using inside-out patches, low concentrations of ATP (0.05-0.1 mM) restored channel activity in the presence of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA). In contrast, high concentrations (1 mM) of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) reduced the open probability (Po) of the channel in inside-out patches from 0.96 to 0. 1.2 mM adenosine diphosphate (ADP) also blocked channel activity completely, but 2 mM adenosine 5'-[beta,gamma-imido]triphosphate (AMP-PNP), a nonhydrolyzable ATP analogue, reduced Po only from 0.96 to 0.87. The half-maximal inhibition (Ki) of ATP and ADP was 0.5 and 0.6 mM, respectively, and the Hill coefficient of both ATP and ADP was close to 3. Addition of 0.2 or 0.4 mM ADP shifted the Ki of ATP to 1.0 and 2.0 mM, respectively. ADP did not alter the Hill coefficient. Reduction of the bath pH from 7.4 to 7.2 reduced the Ki of ATP to 0.3 mM. In contrast, a decrease of the free Mg2+ concentration from 1.6 mM to 20 microM increased the Ki of ATP to 1.6 mM without changing the Hill coefficient; ADP was still able to relieve the ATP-induced inhibition of channel activity over this low range of free Mg2+ concentrations. The blocking effect of ATP on channel activity in inside-out patches could be attenuated by adding exogenous PKA catalytic subunit to the bath. The dual effects of ATP on the potassium channel can be explained by assuming that (a) ATP is a substrate for PKA that phosphorylates the potassium channel to maintain normal function. (b) High concentrations of ATP inhibit the channel activity; we propose that the ATP-induced blockade results from inhibition of PKA-induced channel phosphorylation.

Type I and II cAMP-dependent ecto-protein kinases in goat epididymal spermatozoa and their enriched activities in forward-motile spermatozoa

Several lines of evidence have demonstrated conclusively the presence of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (ecto-RC) activity on the external surface of goat cauda-epididymal intact spermatozoa. The intact-cell ecto-kinase that caused transfer of the terminal phosphate of exogenous ATP to the serine and threonine residues of exogenous histone was specifically activated by cAMP. As well, the ecto-kinase caused phosphorylation of the synthetic peptide Kemptide. The isolated spermatozoa, before or after incubation with reaction mixture for ecto-kinase assays, were approximately 99.5% viable, as shown by the analyses of ethidium bromide fluorescence and the cytosolic marker enzymes lactic dehydrogenase and 3-phosphoglycerate kinase. The ecto-kinase activity was not due to contamination of epididymal plasma and damaged cells or to protein kinase that may have leaked from the cells. There was little uptake of ATP and histone by the cells. The intact-cell kinase activity was strongly (80-90%) inhibited by treatment with membrane nonpenetrating surface probes: p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonic acid (2 microM), diazonium salt of sulfanilic acid (DSS, 0.5 mM), and proteases such as trypsin, chymotrypsin, and pronase (each 125 micrograms/mL). Disruption of sperm plasma membrane by sonication or Triton X-100 (0.2%) caused about a fivefold increase of the intact sperm kinase activity. Highly purified sperm plasma membrane (PM) possessed ecto-kinase activity that was resolved into type I and II kinases by DEAE-cellulose chromatography, the type I isoenzyme being the major (approximately 70%) enzymic species. Treatment of the intact spermatozoa with DSS prior to isolation of PM caused a marked loss of the activities of both the isoenzymes, indicating thereby the "ecto" nature of the PM-bound type I and II kinases. Preparations of vigorously forward-motile spermatozoa with 100% intactness had approximately fourfold higher specific activity of the ecto-kinase than the "composite" cells from which the former cells were isolated. However, the profiles of the type I and II ecto-kinases of the composite, as well as forward-motile spermatozoa, were nearly identical. The data are consistent with the view that ecto-kinases may have role in the regulation of flagellar motility.

CTP: Phosphocholine Cytidylyltransferase Is a Substrate for cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase in Vitro

The role of phosphorylation/dephosphorylation in the regulation of CTP:phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase activity was investigated. Incubation of post mitochondrial supernatant with cAMP-dependent protein kinase (50 units) led to an increased (28%) recovery of the cytidylyltransferase in the cytosolic fraction, while incubation with an intestinal alkaline phosphatase (20 units) led to an increased (61%) recovery in the microsomal fraction. When pure cytidylyltransferase was incubated with washed microsomes in the presence of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (133 units), the enzyme associated with the supernatant fraction increased (3.12 +/- 0.02 to 3.77 +/- 0.03 nmol/min/ml) while that of the microsomal fraction decreased (1.36 +/- 0.01 to 0.56 +/- 0.05 nmol/min/ml) by 2.5-fold. The increase in the cytidylyltransferase activity in the supernatant corresponded to an increase in 32P incorporation into the cytidylyltransferase. Treatment with alkaline phosphatase (40 units) decreased the cytidylyltransferase activity in the supernatant (3.61 +/- 0.08 to 2.88 +/- 0.07 nmol/min/ml) while the activity in the microsomal fraction increased (0.56 +/- 0.08 to 1.16 +/- 0.06 nmol/min/ml) by 2-fold. The decrease in the cytidylyltransferase activity in the supernatant corresponded to a decrease in 32P incorporation into the cytidylyltransferase. Incubation of cytidylyltransferase with phosphatidylcholine vesicles in the presence of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (110 units) decreased the cytidylyltransferase activity by 30%. The decrease in cytidylyltransferase activity corresponded to an increase in 32P incorporation into the cytidylyltransferase. Treatment with alkaline phosphatase (20 units) resulted in a 41% increase in the cytidylyltransferase activity. The increase in cytidylyltransferase activity corresponded to a decrease in 32P incorporation into the cytidylyltransferase. Incubation of the cytidylyltransferase with [gamma-32P] ATP and cAMP-dependent protein kinase led to incorporation of 32P into the serine residues of cytidylyltransferase. If the cytidylyltransferase were preincubated with alkaline phosphatase prior to incubation with cAMP-dependent protein kinase, 2-fold more 32P (0.2 mol P/mol cytidylyltransferase) was incorporated into the cytidylyltransferase. Collectively, this data is in agreement with a role for reversible phosphorylation in the regulation of cytidylyltransferase.

Limb development in chick embryos: cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity, cyclic AMP, and prostaglandin concentrations during cytodifferentiation and morphogenesis.

The effects of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on cyclic AMP (cAMP) concentrations of chick limb bud cells obtained from limbs at various stages of development were investigated. In addition, endogenous concentrations of PGE2 were examined in whole limbs from comparable stages. Prior to either chondrogenesis or myogenesis (stages 20-23), cells were more responsive to PGE2, in terms of cAMP levels, than those of differentiated phenotypes, obtained at stages 25-28. This greater responsiveness to PGE2 of undifferentiated cells was correlated with endogenous concentrations of PGE2 which were significantly higher in undifferentiated limbs than in limbs containing differentiated cartilage and muscle. Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) activity was detectable in cell homogenates at each stage examined and did not appear to change in cAMP dependency at any stage. The majority (80-85%) of total enzyme activity was localized in soluble fractions of cell homogenates while the residual activity was localized to membrane-enriched, particulate fractions. The results demonstrate that both responsiveness of limb mesenchyme to PGE2 and endogenous concentrations of PGE2 are maximal prior to cytodifferentiation of limb tissues. The presence of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in these undifferentiated cells supports a regulatory role for both PGE2 and a cAMP-protein phosphorylation system in the differentiation of limb tissues.

Two forms of striatal tyrosine hydroxylase from DEAE-cellulose chromatography

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in freshly prepared 45,000 g supernatant from rat striatum was fractionated by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The elution was made with 2 vols. of buffer (50 mM Tris, pH 7.4; 2 mM dithiothreitol) followed by 4 vols. of a linear NaCl gradient (0–0.3 M) in the same buffer. TH activity was eluted in two distinct peaks: one at about 0.1 M salt (I), and the other at 0.2 M salt (II). The relationship between the two enzymes peaks was examined as follows. (I) Incubation of the supernatant in the presence of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. 1 mM ATP, 10 mM Mg 2+, and 0.1 mM cAMP resulted in the elimination of peak I, with a concomitant increase of peak II. This shift of TH peaks was prevented when the protein kinase was blocked by the addition of its inhibitory modulator. (2) Incubation of the supernatant with alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme known to dephosphorylate a variety of phosphoproteins, resulted in the elimination of peak II, with a concomitant increase of peak I. (3) Only freshly prepared supernatants showed two distinct TH peaks from DEAE-cellulose. From supernatants held at 0°C for 24 h, peak II was markedly reduced and peak I concomitantly increased. Since peak II appears to be readily convertible to peak I, no further fractionation was attempted. From the data obtained here, we believe that peaks I and II are respectively the nonphosphorylated and phosphorylated forms of TH. Furthermore, the endogenous distribution of the two TH forms in striatum was altered by the administration of haloperidol (2 mg/kg, i.p.), a neuroleptic drug known to activate the enzyme via a cAMP-dependent mechanism. At 90 min after the treatment, there was a marked increase of peak II, with a concomitant decrease of peak I. Thus, this procedure provides a simple means for estimating the degree of phosphorylation of TH in vivo in catecholaminergic neurons under various physiological and pharmacological conditions.