Selective PKA Inhibitor Research Articles

Toward a PKB inhibitor: modification of a selective PKA inhibitor by rational design.

Protein kinase B/Akt (PKB) is an anti-apoptotic protein kinase that has strongly elevated activity in human malignancies. We therefore initiated a program to develop PKB inhibitors, "Aktstatins". We screened about 500 compounds for PKB inhibitors, using a radioactive assay and an ELISA assay that we established for this purpose. These compounds were produced as combinatorial libraries, designed using the structure of the selective PKA inhibitor H-89 as a starting point. We have identified a successful lead compound, which inhibits PKB activity in vitro and in cells overexpressing active PKB. The new compound shows reversed selectivity to H-89: In contrast to H-89, which inhibits PKA 70 times better than PKB, the new compound, NL-71-101, inhibits PKB 2.4-fold better than PKA. The new compound, but not H-89, induces apoptosis in tumor cells in which PKB is amplified. We have identified structural features in NL-71-101 that are significant for the specificity and that can be used for future development and optimization of PKB inhibitors.

PACAP protects neuronal PC12 cells from the cytotoxicity of human prion protein fragment 106–126

Misfolding of the prion protein yields amyloidogenic isoforms, and it shows exacerbating neuronal damage in neurodegenerative disorders including prion diseases. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) potently stimulate neuritogenesis and survival of neuronal cells in the central nervous system. Here, we tested these neuropeptides on neurotoxicity in PC12 cells induced by the prion protein fragment 106–126 [PrP (106–126)]. Concomitant application of neuropeptide with PrP(106–126) (5×10 −5 M) inhibited the delayed death of neuron-like PC12 cells. In particular, PACAP27 inhibited the neurotoxicity of PrP(106–126) at low concentrations (>10 −15 M), characterized by the deactivation of PrP(106–126)-stimulated caspase-3. The neuroprotective effect of PACAP27 was antagonized by the selective PKA inhibitor, H89, or the MAP kinase inhibitor, U0126. These results suggest that PACAP27 attenuates PrP(106–126)-induced delayed neurotoxicity in PC12 cells by activating both PKA and MAP kinases mediated by PAC1 receptor.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide inhibit LPS-stimulated MIP-1alpha production and mRNA expression.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) are neuropeptides with immunomodulatory properties, including the regulation of several proinflammatory mediators. Such mediators, for example chemokines, influence trafficking of inflammatory cells and contribute to shaping the immune response. In the present work, we studied the effect of VIP and PACAP on the CC chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1alpha) production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. VIP and PACAP inhibited the production of MIP-1alpha in a dose-dependent manner and over a broad spectrum of LPS concentrations. The use of selective agonists and antagonists of VIP/PACAP receptors showed that type 1 VIP receptor (VPAC1) is the major receptor involved, but the type 2 VIP receptor (VPAC2) may be also implicated. By using selective PKA and PKC inhibitors and cAMP mimicked agents, we demonstrated a cAMP-dependent signalling pathway for the inhibitory effect of VIP/PACAP on MIP-1alpha production, although a minor non-mediated cAMP pathway was also involved. mRNA expression studies showed a down-regulation of MIP-1alpha gene expression by VIP and PACAP. Taken together, the present work strongly supports an anti-inflammatory role of VIP and PACAP by a new mechanism associated with impairment of a key component of the chemokine network.

Appetitive Instrumental Learning Requires Coincident Activation of NMDA and Dopamine D1 Receptors within the Medial Prefrontal Cortex

Through its complex role in cognition, memory, and emotion, the mammalian prefrontal cortex is thought to contribute to the organization of adaptive behavioral actions. In the present studies we examined the role of dopaminergic D1 and glutamatergic NMDA receptors within the prefrontal cortex of the rat during the development of adaptive instrumental learning. Hungry rats with bilateral indwelling cannulas aimed at the medial prefrontal cortex were trained to lever-press for food. Infusion of the selective D1 antagonist SCH-23390 (0.15, 0.3, 3.0 nmol) dose-dependently impaired acquisition of this behavior. Higher doses also impaired expression of this task. Co-infusion of the lowest dose of SCH 23390 with a low dose of the NMDA antagonist AP-5 (0.5 nmol), each of which had no effect on learning when infused alone, potently reduced the ability to acquire the response. Inhibition of intracellular protein kinase A with the selective PKA inhibitor Rp-cAMPS also disrupted acquisition, suggesting that PKA is an intracellular substrate for a D1-NMDA receptor interaction. In control experiments, drug infusions that impaired learning did not affect food intake or locomotion, suggesting a specific effect on learning. We hypothesize that coincident detection of D1-NMDA receptor activation and its transcriptional consequences, within multiple sites of a distributed corticostriatal network, may represent a conserved molecular mechanism for instrumental learning.

Activation of phosphodiesterase 5 and inhibition of guanylate cyclase by cGMP-dependent protein kinase in smooth muscle.

The regulation of cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE) 5 and soluble guanylate cyclase (GC) by cGMP- and cAMP-dependent protein kinases (PKG and PKA respectively) was examined in gastric smooth muscle. The NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), stimulated PDE5 phosphorylation and activity, which was blocked by the selective PKG inhibitor, KT5823, resulting in an elevation of cGMP levels. Activation of PKA either directly by Sp-5,6-dichloro-1-beta-d-ribofuranosyl benzimidazole 3',5'-cyclic monophosphothioate, or via isoproterenol- and forskolin-dependent increase in cAMP, also caused an increase in PDE5 phosphorylation and activity, but only in the presence of cGMP; consistent with the dependence of PDE5 phosphorylation and activity on cGMP binding to allosteric sites in the regulatory domain of PDE5. The selective PKA inhibitors, myristoylated protein kinase inhibitor and H-89, blocked the increase in PDE5 phosphorylation and activity induced by PKA. SNP also stimulated soluble GC phosphorylation and activity. KT5823 abolished phosphorylation and augmented soluble GC activity, implying feedback inhibition of soluble GC by PKG-dependent phosphorylation. Phosphorylation by PKG was direct and could be induced in vitro. Activation of PKA had no effect on soluble GC. Thus cGMP levels are regulated by PKG- and PKA-dependent activation of PDE5 and PKG-specific inhibition of soluble GC.

Activation of phosphodiesterase 5 and inhibition of guanylate cyclase by cGMP-dependent protein kinase in smooth muscle

The regulation of cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE) 5 and soluble guanylate cyclase (GC) by cGMP- and cAMP-dependent protein kinases (PKG and PKA respectively) was examined in gastric smooth muscle. The NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), stimulated PDE5 phosphorylation and activity, which was blocked by the selective PKG inhibitor, KT5823, resulting in an elevation of cGMP levels. Activation of PKA either directly by Sp-5,6-dichloro-1-β-d-ribofuranosyl benzimidazole 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphothioate, or via isoproterenol- and forskolin-dependent increase in cAMP, also caused an increase in PDE5 phosphorylation and activity, but only in the presence of cGMP; consistent with the dependence of PDE5 phosphorylation and activity on cGMP binding to allosteric sites in the regulatory domain of PDE5. The selective PKA inhibitors, myristoylated protein kinase inhibitor and H-89, blocked the increase in PDE5 phosphorylation and activity induced by PKA. SNP also stimulated soluble GC phosphorylation and activity. KT5823 abolished phosphorylation and augmented soluble GC activity, implying feedback inhibition of soluble GC by PKG-dependent phosphorylation. Phosphorylation by PKG was direct and could be induced in vitro. Activation of PKA had no effect on soluble GC. Thus cGMP levels are regulated by PKG- and PKA-dependent activation of PDE5 and PKG-specific inhibition of soluble GC.

Antimitogenic actions of organic nitrates are potentiated by sildenafil and mediated via activation of protein kinase A.

Migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) in response to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and other mitogens play an important role in restenosis after coronary angioplasty. Elevation of both cAMP and cGMP has been shown to inhibit SMC mitogenesis. The aim of this study was to examine the antimitogenic actions of organic nitrates and sildenafil and to clarify the role of cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinases (PKA, PKG) in this action. Organic nitrates [glycerol trinitrate (GTN), isosorbide 5'-mononitrate (ISMN), pentaerythrityl-tetranitrate (PETN)] and the PDE5 inhibitor sildenafil reduced PDGF-induced DNA synthesis, measured by ((3)H]thymidine incorporation. GTN, ISMN, and PETN acted synergistically with sildenafil (1 microM) on inhibition of PDGF-induced DNA synthesis, increase of intracellular cyclic nucleotides, and vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation. The highly selective PKA inhibitor PKI abolished these actions of sildenafil and organic nitrates, whereas the PKG inhibitors KT5823 and (Rp)-8-pCPT-cGMPS had no effect. In addition, selective activation of PKG without inhibition of PDE3 by the cGMP analog 8-pCPT-cGMP (100 microM) had no antimitogenic effect. The data suggest that 1) organic nitrates and sildenafil exert antimitogenic actions by activation of PKA via inhibition of PDE3, but not by activation of PKG and 2) that antimitogenic effects of organic nitrates are potentiated by sildenafil at therapeutic plasma levels.

Mechanisms of interleukin 1beta-induced human airway smooth muscle hyporesponsiveness to histamine. Involvement of p38 MAPK NF-kappaB.

We have investigated the effect of IL-1beta on histamine H(1)-receptor (H(1)R)-mediated inositol phosphate (IP) accumulation in human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMC) and on histamine-induced contraction of human bronchial rings. Stimulation of HASMC for 24 h with IL-1beta resulted in significant loss of histamine-induced IP formation, which was associated with a reduction of histamine- induced contraction of IL-1beta-treated human bronchial rings. An inhibitor of NF-kappaB activation, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, and a p38 MAPK inhibitor, blocked the IL-1beta-induced H(1)R desensitization, whereas anisomycin, an SAPK/JNK and p38 MAPK activator, mimicked the effect of IL-1beta. IL-1beta has been demonstrated to induce cox-2 expression and PGE(2) synthesis. In our study, indomethacin a cox antagonist, completely inhibited the effect of IL-1beta on H(1)R, whereas exogenously added PGE(2) was able to desensitize H(1)R. Furthermore, H-89, a selective PKA inhibitor, antagonized the effect of IL-1beta. Here, we have demonstrated that IL-1beta desensitizes H(1)R, which involves the activation of p38 MAPK and NF-kappaB, leading to the expression of cox-2 and the synthesis of PGE(2). PGE(2) increases intracellular cAMP resulting in PKA activation, which phosphorylates and functionally uncouples H(1)R. Our results suggest that IL-1beta protects airway smooth muscle against histamine-induced contractile responses and that bronchial hyperreactivity to histamine is not associated with proinflammatory cytokine-induced enhancement in H(1)R signaling.

Activation of Group II Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors Induces Long-Term Depression of Synaptic Transmission in the Rat Amygdala

An animal model most sensitive for measuring anticipatory anxiety is fear conditioning, which is expressed by an enduring increase in synaptic strength in the amygdala. A converse view predicts that agents that induce long-term depression (LTD) of synaptic efficacy in the amygdala may be useful in the amelioration of stress disorders. In the present study, we show that activation of group II metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR II) by (2S,3S, 4S)-2-(carboxycyclopropyl) glycine (l-ccg) induces an LTD in the basolateral amygdala neurons. The effect was concentration-dependent with a maximal inhibition of approximately 30%. The induction of l-CCG LTD required concurrent synaptic activity, required presynaptic but not postsynaptic Ca(2+) increases, and was independent of NMDA receptors. l-CCG LTD was associated with an increase in the ratio of paired-pulse facilitation and was not occluded by low-frequency stimulation-induced LTD, suggesting that these two forms of LTD did not share a common underlying mechanism. After eliciting LTD with l-CCG, application of isoproterenol increased the synaptic responses back to its original baseline, demonstrating that chemically depressed synapses could be potentiated by another chemical. A selective PKA inhibitor, KT 5720, by its own caused a depression of synaptic transmission and blocked l-CCG LTD, presumably by mimicking and thereby occluding any further depression. Together, these results suggest that l-CCG LTD is induced by presynaptically mGluR II-mediated inhibition of Ca(2+)-sensitive adenylyl cyclase, resulting in a decrease in cAMP formation and PKA activation, which leads to a long-lasting decrease in transmitter release.

Functional expression and regulation of the hyperpolarization activated non-selective cation current in embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.

1. The biophysical and pharmacological characteristics of the hyperpolarization activated non- selective cation current (If) were recorded using whole-cell voltage clamp in embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived cardiomyocytes at different stages of development. 2. The cation current was detected in a large percentage (65 %) of early stage (EDS, differentiated for 7 + 3-4 days) cells at a current density of 11.4 +/- 0.6 pA pF-1 (n = 47). In late stage (LDS, differentiated for 7 + 9-12 days) cells the percentage of cells expressing If decreased (45 %), but If densities (15.5 +/- 0.9 pA pF-1, n = 20) were increased. 3. The muscarinic agonist carbachol (CCh, 1 microM) depressed basal If in EDS cells by 45.7 +/- 6.5 %, n = 5) and was without effect in LDS cardiomyocytes (n = 4). The beta-adrenoceptor agonist isoprenaline (ISO, 1 microM) stimulated If in LDS cells by 33 +/- 5.2 % (n = 6) but not in EDS cells (n = 5). 4. Cell infusion with the catalytic subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA, 7 microM) stimulated If in EDS cells by 37.0 +/- 2.9 %, (n = 4), but subsequent superfusion of 8-bromo-cAMP (200 microM) was without effect. Intracellular perfusion of LDS cardiomyocytes with the highly selective peptide inhibitor of PKA (PKI, 20 microM) completely inhibited the stimulation of the L-type Ca2+ current (ICa,L) as well as of If by ISO (1 microM). 5. Extracellular superfusion with phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors - IBMX, a non-selective antagonist, Erythro-9-(2-hydoxy-3-nonyl)adenine (EHNA), a PDE2 antagonist and rolipram, a PDE4 antagonist - resulted in stimulation of ICa,L and If in EDS cells. By contrast, milrinone and cilostamide, two PDE3 antagonists, stimulated ICa,L, but not If. 6. The present work demonstrates that If is functionally expressed during early cardiomyogenesis. Similar to ICa,L, If is regulated during embryonic development by phosphorylation via PKA. In contrast to ICa,L, If is not regulated by PDE3 suggesting different localization of these ion channels with respect to PDE3.

Role of protein kinases A and C in the induction of mGluR-dependent long-term depression in the medial perforant path of the rat dentate gyrus in vitro

The involvement of protein kinases A and C in the induction of low frequency stimulation-induced long-term depression (LTD) in the medial perforant path of the dentate gyrus in vitro has been studied using the selective PKA inhibitors H-89 and KT 5720 and PKC inhibitors Bisindolylmaleimide and Ro-31-8220. The PKC inhibitors Bisindolylmaleimide I and Ro-31-8220 and the PKA inhibitors H-89 and KT5720 all partially inhibited LTD induction. However, the presence of both a PKC and a PKA inhibitor was necessary to completely block LTD induction. The induction of long-term potentiation was not blocked by the inhibitors. It is suggested that the induction of LTD by LFS involves activation of PKC and PKA following activation of group I and group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR).

The role of protein kinase C in GH secretion induced by GH-releasing factor and GH-releasing peptides in cultured ovine somatotrophs.

The involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) in the action of GH-releasing factor (GRF) and synthetic GH-releasing peptides (GHRP-2 and GHRP-6) was investigated in ovine somatotrophs in primary culture. In partially purified sheep somatotrophs, GRF and GHRP-2 caused translocation of PKC activity from the cytosol to the cell membranes and caused GH release in a dose- and time-dependent manner. GHRP-6 did not cause PKC translocation. The PKC inhibitors, calphostin C, staurosporine and chelerythrine, partially reduced GH release in response to GRF and GHRP-2 at doses which selectively inhibit PKC activity. These inhibitors totally abolished GH release caused by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Down-regulation of PKC by the treatment of cells with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate for 16 h caused a significant (P < 0.001) reduction in total PKC activity and totally abolished PKC translocation in response to a challenge with GRF, GHRP-2 or PMA. In addition, down-regulation abolished GH release in response to GRF, GHRP-2 or GHRP-6. Treatment of cells with H89, a selective PKA inhibitor, totally blocked GH release caused by either GRF or GHRP-2 and partially reduced PMA-induced GH release. H89 had no effect on PKC translocation caused by GRF, GHRP-2 or PMA and did not affect GH release caused by GHRP-6. These data suggest that GHRP-2 and GRF activate PKC in addition to stimulating adenylyl cyclase activity. Although the cAMP-protein kinase A (PKA) pathway is the major signalling pathway employed by GRF and GHRP-2, the activation of PKC may potentiate signalling via the cAMP-PKA pathway in ovine GH secretion. Importantly, the effect of PMA in increasing the secretion of GH from ovine somatotrophs is effected, in part, by up-regulation of the cAMP-PKA pathway. We conclude that there is cross-talk between the PKC pathway and the cAMP-PKA pathway in ovine somatotrophs during the action of GRF or GHRP.

Characterization of activators and inhibitors of protein kinase C mu.

In order to investigate regulatory mechanisms and to identify potential substrates of a novel member of the protein kinase C (PKC) family, PKC mu, specific antibodies have been raised against unique amino- and carboxy-terminal regions. PKC mu kinase activity was studied upon immunoprecipitation from stably transfected cell lines as well as from the A549 carcinoma cell line expressing the endogenous PKC mu gene. Cell fractionation revealed that PKC mu is predominantly found in the particulate fraction, suggesting an association with the membrane or membrane-bound structures. In vitro kinase assays with immunoprecipitated PKC mu demonstrated a Ca2+ independent enhancement of constitutive autophosphorylation activity by phosphatidylserine. Despite a limited in vitro phorbol ester response, an apparent phorbol ester activation of PKC mu was observed when cell cultures, instead of immunoprecipitated enzyme, were treated with either phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or 1,2 dioleoyl-sn-glycerol. Both in vitro autophosphorylation and substrate phosphorylation of myelin basic protein and histone III were enhanced under these conditions. However, long-term treatment with the phorbol ester did not result in downregulation of PKC mu protein levels and kinase activity. Studies with several protein kinase inhibitors revealed a novel sensitivity profile of PKC mu, with no inhibition by calphostin C, reduced sensitivity to staurosporine but, compared to other PKCs, an approximately 60-fold higher sensitivity to the selective PKA inhibitor H89. Together, the data presented here show that localization of PKC mu and regulation of its kinase activity differ from that of other PKCs suggesting a novel function of PKC mu in intracellular signal pathways.