Stimulated Guanylate Cyclase Activity Research Articles

INCREASE IN REACTIVITY OF HUMAN PLATELET GUANYLATE CYCLASE DURING AGGREGATION POTENTIATES THE DISAGGREGATING CAPACITY OF SODIUM NITROPRUSSIDE

1. Basal and stimulated guanylate cyclase activity during ADP-induced human platelet aggregation in comparison with the actions of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on platelets was investigated. 2. Sodium nitroprusside exhibited both ex vivo and in vitro antiplatelet effects, as assessed by inhibition of subsequent ADP-induced aggregation in platelet-rich plasma. A strong correlation between decrease in aggregation and increase in platelet guanylate cyclase activity in the presence of SNP was obtained. 3. When SNP was administered after the induction of aggregation, it caused acceleration of disaggregation (in reversible aggregation) and produced disaggregation (under conditions of otherwise irreversible aggregation) which was time-dependent. 4. Platelet aggregation was accompanied by a transient increase in platelet cyclic GMP content and guanylate cyclase activation by the nitric oxide (NO) donor SNP. Changes in guanylate cyclase activity were haem-associated and probably reflected saturation of enzyme by haem. 5. Maximal SNP disaggregating effect coincided with peak guanylate cyclase responsiveness to SNP. 6. The present investigation provides evidence that increased responsiveness of platelet guanylate cyclase to NO during aggregation facilitates disaggregation in the presence of SNP. Thus, availability of NO (endogenous or exogenous) at sites of incipient platelet aggregation in vivo may play a pivotal role regarding limitation of this process.

Calcium reveals different mechanisms of guanylate cyclase activation by atrial natriuretic factor and ATP in rat lung membranes

CaCl 2 inhibited ATP-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity, but had little effect on basal and atrial natriuretic factor-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity in rat lung membranes. LaCl 3 had similar effects as CaCl 2 on basal and stimulated guanylate cyclase activity. LiCl and other monovalent salts inhibited ATP-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity more than basal enzyme activity. However, atrial natriuretic factor somehow stabilized the enzyme against the inhibitory effect of LiCl. These results suggest that ATP and atrial natriuretic factor activate the enzyme through different mechanisms. Since the effect of calcium on guanylate cyclase activity is different from that of monovalent salts and can be mimicked by lanthanum, it may be mediated by a specific calcium binding site or binding protein.

Structural requirements of ATP for activation of basal and atrial natriuretic factor-stimulated guanylate cyclase in rat lung membranes

ATP has been reported to increase basal and atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity. The structural features of ATP involved in the activation of guanylate cyclase were examined by employing a variety of ATP analogs with modification either at the phosphate chain or at the ribose moiety. Among the natural adenme nucleotides, ATP and ADP were able to increase both basal and ANF-stimulated guanylate cyclase activities in rat lung membranes. AMP had no effect, ATP was more effective than AMPPCP (the non-hydrolyzable analog of ATP), and ADP was more effective than ADPβS and AMPCP (the hydrolysis-resistant analogs of ADP) to increase basal and ANF-stimulated guanylate cyclase activities. Removal of the oxygen atom from the ribose moiety of ATP or ADP significantly reduced their potency. Thus, the length of the phosphate chain and the hydroxyl groups at the ribose moiety are both determinants for nucleotide mediated guanylate cyclase activation.

Molecular cloning and expression of murine guanylate cyclase/atrial natriuretic factor receptor cDNA.

The potent diuretic and natriuretic peptide hormone atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), with vasodilatory activity also stimulates steroidogenic responsiveness in Leydig cells. The actions of ANF are mediated by its interaction with specific cell surface receptors and the membrane-bound form of guanylate cyclase represents an atrial natriuretic factor receptor (ANF-R). To understand the mechanism of ANF action in testicular steroidogenesis and to identify guanylate cyclase/ANF-R that is expressed in the Leydig cells, the primary structure of murine guanylate cyclase/ANF-R has been deduced from its cDNA sequence. A cDNA library constructed from poly(A+) RNA of murine Leydig tumor (MA-10) cell line was screened for the membrane-bound form of ANF-R/guanylate cyclase sequences by hybridization with a rat brain guanylate cyclase/ANF-R cDNA probe. The amino acid sequence deduced from the cDNA shows that murine guanylate cyclase/ANF-R cDNA consists of 1057 amino acids with 21 amino acids comprising the transmembrane domain which separates an extracellular ligand-binding domain (469 amino acid residues) and an intracellular guanylate cyclase domain (567 amino acid residues). Upon transfection of the murine guanylate cyclase/ANF-R cDNA in COS-7 cells, the expressed protein showed specific binding to 125I-ANF, stimulation of guanylate cyclase activity and production of intracellular cGMP in response to ANF. The expression of guanylate cyclase/ANF-R cDNA transfected in rat Leydig tumor cells stimulated the production of testosterone and intracellular cGMP after treatment with ANF. The results presented herein directly show that ANF can regulate the testicular steroidogenic responsiveness in addition to its known regulatory role in the control of cardiovascular homeostasis.

Novel natriuretic peptide, CNP, potently stimulates cyclic GMP production in rat cultured vascular smooth muscle cells

The newly identified peptide C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) caused only a slight elevation of cGMP in rat renal glomeruli. In contrast, CNP potently increased cGMP levels in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and stimulated guanylate cyclase activity in the particulate fraction of the cells. The extent of maximum activation of the enzyme induced by CNP was 4-fold higher than that by human atrial natriuretic peptide (α-hANP) while CNP was 4- and 16-fold weaker than α-hANP in binding affinity for the putative receptors on VSMC and vasorelaxant activity for rat aorta, respectively. These results indicate that CNP is a potent stimulator of cGMP formation in VSMC but not in glomeruli and pharmacological feature of CNP is distinct from that of ANP.

Characterisation of atrial natriuretic peptide receptors in bovine ventricular sarcolemma

Analysis of [125I]-ANP binding data in an isolated bovine ventricular sarcolemmal membrane fraction revealed a single high affinity binding site (Kd approximately 5 × 10−11 M). The ring deleted ANP analogue des [QSGLG]-ANP (4–23)-NH2 bound with a 1000-fold lower affinity indicating the absence of C-type receptors in this preparation. ANP stimulated guanylate cyclase activity by up to 2-fold with half-maximal activation at approximately 10−9 M. Crosslinking [125I]-ANP to its receptor with disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS) revealed two radiolabelled bands of 120 kDa and 65 kDa on non-denaturing SDS-PAGE. Radioactive signals from both bands were lost by reducing the sample with β-mercaptoethanol prior to electrophoresis, in which case a radioactive fragment of < 5 kDa migrated with the dye front. These results suggest that the binding of ANP to both high and low molecular weight “receptor” proteins may be associated with the hydrolysis of the peptide.

Effect of several vasoactive agents on guanylate cyclase activity in isolated rat brain microvessels

We tested the ability of the following putative vasoactive agents to stimulate guanylate cyclase activity in isolated rat cerebral microvessels: angiotensin II, arginine vasopressin, atrial natriuretic peptide, bradykinin, carbachol and thrombin; at concentrations ranging between 10 −3 and 10 −9 M. The ability of cerebral microvessels to increase their cyclic GMP generation was ascertained in the presence of sodium nitroprusside. Of all the agents tested, only atrial natriuretic peptide stimulated cyclic GMP generation in isolated rat cerebral microvessels. Such stimulation was dose-dependent, reaching its maximum at 1 μM concentration. These results are consistent with the finding of atrial natriuretic peptide receptors in brain microvessels, and suggest that this peptide has an important role in modulating the function of brain capillaries, which constitute the blood-brain barrier. If receptors for the other vasoactive agents exist in brain microvessels, their action does not seem to be mediated by cyclic GMP as a second messenger.

Effect of ACh on electrical and mechanical activity in guinea pig coronary arteries.

The contractile and intracellular responses to acetylcholine (ACh) were measured in isolated segments of the guinea pig circumflex coronary artery. ACh (10(-5) M) led to hyperpolarization of the membrane in the presence or absence of the H1-receptor agonist 2-(2-aminoethyl)pyridine (AEP). This hyperpolarization was associated with relaxation of vessels precontracted with AEP. Hyperpolarization and relaxation were abolished after complete removal of the endothelium. Less endothelial coverage was required to obtain a relaxation with ACh (10(-5) M) than with bradykinin (BK, 10(-7) M). BK did not initiate hyperpolarization. A23187 (10(-8) to (10(-5) M) did not relax vessels precontracted with AEP. Three muscarinic antagonists were compared and the following order of potency was obtained: atropine greater than pirenzapine greater than AFDX116. Although atropine (10(-7) M) reduced the ACh (10(-5) M)-induced hyperpolarization by 83%, this same concentration of pirenzapine had no effect on hyperpolarization. Oxyhemoglobin (10(-5) M) significantly reduced relaxation to nitroglycerine but not ACh. Methylene blue (10(-5) or 5 x 10(-5) M) inhibited relaxation to submaximal but not maximal concentrations of ACh. In vessels precontracted with elevated potassium, ACh (10(-5) M) caused contraction rather than relaxation. The onset and time to peak hyperpolarization with carbachol was more rapid with luminal as opposed to adventitial application of drug. It is concluded that relaxation and hyperpolarization with ACh in the coronary artery are mediated via the endothelium. The results are compatible with the hypothesis that relaxation is initiated by both endothelial-derived relating factor stimulation of guanylate cyclase activity and hyperpolarization of the smooth muscle.

Atrial natriuretic factor effects on cyclic nucleotides in a human renal cell line.

The natriuretic effects of atrial peptide hormones have been attributed, at least in part, to their stimulation of guanylate cyclase activity in renal cell membranes. The effects of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) on stimulation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation were investigated in cloned human kidney tumor (hKT) cells and parent cells from a human renal tumor epithelial cell line (SK-NEP-1). Human ANF-(99-126) (10(-6)M) stimulated (p less than 0.001) cellular cGMP accumulation in a dose-dependent manner from a basal level of 0.26 +/- 0.04 to 3.73 +/- 0.81 pmol/mg protein/5 mi (mean +/- SEM, n = 13). ANF stimulation of cGMP accumulation was specific, in that high concentrations (10(-6)M) of atriopeptin I [rat ANF-(103-123)], angiotensin II, arginine vasopressin, and amiloride (10(-4)M) did not increase basal cGMP. Amiloride (10(-4)M) enhanced (p less than 0.01, n = 6) the ANF stimulation of cGMP accumulation (1.24 +/- 0.39 pmol/mg protein/5 min), particularly at low doses of ANF (10(-10)M) where stimulation by ANF without amiloride (0.34 +/- 0.08 pmol/mg protein/5 min) was barely distinguishable from a basal level (0.19 +/- 0.02 pmol/mg protein/5 min) of cGMP accumulation. The stimulatory effect of ANF (1.59 +/- 0.07 pmol/mg protein/5 min) was attenuated (0.75 +/- 0.06 pmol/mg protein/5 min, p less than 0.01, n = 6) by preincubation of the cells with pertussis toxin but not by cholera toxin. ANF (4.56 +/- 0.93 pmol/mg protein/5 min, n = 8) did not affect cAMP accumulation (4.32 +/- 0.98 pmol/mg protein/5 min) in hKT cells. This is the first report of an ANF responsive human renal cell line, and its use should facilitate investigation of ANF-receptor interactions.

Characteristics of ANP-sensitive guanylate cyclase in inner medullary collecting duct cells

Our previous characterization of equilibrium binding kinetics of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) to the surface of inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) cells suggested the existence of a single class of high-affinity receptors, functionally coupled to increases in cellular guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP). We have now sought to understand the mode of regulation of this signal transduction system by studying the particulate guanylate cyclase (PGC) enzyme from these cells. PGC activity with and without ANP in membranes, made by homogenization and high-speed centrifugation of suspensions of IMCD cells, was linear up to 5 min and was stimulated by ANP [143 +/- 21 (ANP) vs. 38 +/- 7 (control) pmol/mg protein, n = 3, P less than 0.02]. Vmax increased more than threefold with ANP [130 +/- 19 (ANP) vs. 35 +/- 4 (control) pmol.mg protein-1.min-1, n = 4, P less than 0.005] without significant change in the Km [0.68 +/- 0.17 (ANP) vs. 0.55 +/- 0.08 (control) mM] of the enzyme. Half-maximal stimulation of guanylate cyclase activity occurred at 5 x 10(-10) M ANP, a concentration consistent with our binding data, and with physiological effect. PGC required divalent cations for basal activity and for ANP-stimulated activity; Mg2+ and Mn2+ were most potent in this respect, and Ca2+ was without effect. Both basal and stimulated PGC activities were inhibited in response to changes in the NaCl, but not urea concentration of the assay system. We conclude that binding to the single 120-130 kDa ANP receptor in IMCD cells results in stimulation of PGC by increasing its Vmax and thereby elevating intracellular cGMP, the likely mediator of ANP action in these cells.

Effect of Water Deprivation and Salt Loading on Atrial Natriuretic Peptide-Stimulated Guanylate Cyclase Activity in the Rat Subfornical Organ

The effect of water deprivation and salt loading on rat atrial natriuretic peptide (99-126) (rANP)-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity was investigated in the rat subfornical organ. rANP stimulated the formation of cGMP in rat subfornical organ crude homogenates in a dose- and time-dependent manner. An elevated responsiveness to rANP-induced cGMP production was observed in the subfornical organ after 4 days of water deprivation; on the contrary, after salt loading the response to the cGMP-generating effects of ANP were less pronounced than those in the corresponding control tissue. Our results suggest that cGMP mediates at least some of the central actions of rANP through the activation of specific receptors in localized target sites, and they provide evidence suggesting that the guanylate cyclase-coupled ANP-binding sites are susceptible to the regulatory mechanism described in the rat subfornical organ.

Stimulation of guanylate cyclase activity by irreversible binding of atrial natriuretic peptide to its receptor

We examined receptor binding profiles of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in rat tissue using 125I-labeled α-rat ANP ([ 125I]α-rANP). Specific [ 125I]α-rANP binding to its receptor was reversible following addition of unlabeled free α-rANP, but it became increasingly irreversible with time during incubation. Irreversible binding of α-rANP was observed both at 0° and 25° in homogenates of adrenal capsules and lungs, crude membranes of renal glomeruli, partially purified membranes of lung, solubilized membrane preparations from renal glomeruli, and intact renal glomeruli. Irreversible binding increased in a time- and temperature-dependent manner. HPLC analysis demonstrated that the irreversibly bound radioactivity, which was extracted by 1 N CH 3COOH from both intact renal glomeruli and from partially purified membranes, was associated with intact [ 125I]α-rANP. Irreversibly bound α-rANP increased cGMP concentrations by activating guanylate cyclase activity. These findings suggest that the appearance of irreversible binding of α-rANP to its receptor is independent of its internalization, and may be involved in message transduction and subsequent biological responses.

Stimulation of guanylate cyclase activity and reduction of adenylate cyclase activity by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in human blood neutrophils.

Human neutrophils were incubated with granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-CSF and examined for changes in second messenger systems. Twofold increases in cGMP but not cAMP were measured after 5 to 20 min with 100 U/ml GM-CSF. Guanylate cyclase activities in membrane and cytosol fractions were increased to the same extent whether measured in the presence of Mg2+ or Mn2+, or in the cytosol with Mg2+ + N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitroso-guanidine. Kinetic studies of the cytosol enzyme showed no changes in the Km values for Mg2+ and Mn2+dependent guanylate cyclase activities (0.91 and 0.022 mM, respectively), whereas Vm values were increased after treating intact cells with GM-CSF. Two peaks of guanylate cyclase activity were observed, one at 10 and another at 60 min after adding 100 U/ml GM-CSF, whereas only one peak at 5 min occurred with 1 U/ml. Adenylate cyclase activity was reduced by nearly 50% after adding 100 U/ml GM-CSF for 10 to 30 min. These effects were also seen in the presence of several hormonal and nonhormonal adenylate cyclase stimulators. In contrast, small increases in adenylate cyclase activity occurred after adding 1 U/ml GM-CSF. In experiments to examine the pathway of guanylate cyclase activation by GM-CSF, we observed no changes in inositol phosphates, intracellular calcium ion, or cytosolic protein kinase C. The augmentation of chemotactic peptide-induced superoxide production by GM-CSF concentrations, may be related to the effects of the higher levels of GM-CSF to stimulate late increases in guanylate cyclase or decreases in adenylate cyclase.

Mechanisms of action of lipoxygenase and cytochrome P-450-mono-oxygenase inhibitors in blocking endothelium-dependent vasodilatation.

1. Acetylcholine, ionophore A23187 and melittin induced endothelium-dependent relaxations of preconstricted strips of rabbit aorta. These relaxations are likely to be mediated by endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF). 2. Relaxations in response to acetylcholine (1 microM) were inhibited by the following lipoxygenase inhibitors, with the approximate IC50 values indicated in parentheses: gossypol (1.5 microM), nordihydroguairetic acid (NDGA, 5 microM), AA 861 (20 microM), phenidone (30 microM), quercetin (40 microM), BW 755C (300 microM), and piriprost (500 microM); with cirsiliol 50% inhibition was not achieved. Acetylcholine-induced relaxations were also blocked by the cytochrome P-450-mono-oxygenase inhibitors proadifen (SKF 525A, 4 microM), metyrapone (300 microM), and cimetidine (300 microM); 7,8 benzoflavone had no effect up to 100 microM. 3. The more potent inhibitors were also tested against relaxations induced by A23187 (0.1 microM) and melittin (1 microM) and produced partial inhibition of these relaxations. 4. The mechanism of action of the more potent inhibitors was investigated in a bioassay system. EDRF was produced in columns filled with cultured human endothelial cells. The factor was bioassayed with endothelium denuded segments of rabbit femoral artery. When added to effluent of the column, NDGA, AA861, proadifen and metyrapone inhibited the EDRF-induced vasodilatation, whereas gossypol had no effect. Gossypol, however, blocked EDRF production when infused through the column. 5. The more potent inhibitors were also tested to determine their effect on purified soluble guanylate cyclase. While gossypol, NDGA and proadifen had no appreciable effects, basal and nitroprusside (50 microM)-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity was inhibited by AA861 and metyrapone. 6. These data suggest that many of the above compounds inhibit EDRF by mechanisms other than lipoxygenase- or cytochrome P-450-mono-oxygenase inhibition.

Rat atrial natriuretic peptide (99–126) stimulates guanylate cyclase activity in rat subfornical organ and choroid plexus

The effect of rat atrial natriuretic peptide (99–126) (rANP) on cyclic guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate production was investigated in two brain areas, the subfornical organ and the choroid plexus. rANP activated guanylate cyclase in crude homogenates of rat subfornical organ and choroid plexus in concentration and time dependent fashions. A 2-fold stimulation of the enzyme was obtained with 100 nM rANP and a half-maximal stimulation with a 10 nM dose. Our results further support the hypothesis that cGMP mediates the central action of ANP through the activation of specific receptors in localized target sites such as the subfornical organ and choroid plexus.

Interaction of atrial natriuretic peptide-stimulated guanylate cyclase and vasopressin-stimulated calcium signaling pathways in the glomerular mesangial cell

Receptors for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) have been demonstrated in renal mesangial cells as well as other cell types in the glomerulus. The biochemical basis for the effects of ANP on glomerular hemodynamics remains undefined. Using cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells, we demonstrated a concentration-dependent stimulation of cGMP production in intact cells, and of guanylate cyclase in membranes. Despite the presence of a guanylate cyclase response, ANP had no inhibitory effect on basal inositol trisphosphate production nor on basal cytosolic calcium. Arginine vasopressin stimulated IP 3 production, caused a rise in cytosolic calcium as measured using the calcium-sensitive fluorescent probe Indo-1, and caused mesangial cell contraction. ANP caused a slight but significant enhancement of vasopressin-stimulated IP 3 production, but had no effect on the cytosolic calcium response nor on the contractile response. 8-Bromoc GMP likewise had no effect on the generation of the calcium signal. These results indicate that the effects of ANP on glomerular hemodynamics are not mediated by an alteration in the generation of the calcium signal in mesangial cells. In contrast, addition of calcium inhibited ANP stimulated guanylate cyclase activity.

Receptor-mediated phosphorylation of spermatozoan proteins.

These studies are the first to report egg peptide-mediated stimulation of protein phosphorylation in spermatozoa. Speract (Gly-Phe-Asp-Leu-Asn-Gly-Gly-Gly-Val-Gly) or resact (Cys-Val-Thr-Gly-Ala-Pro-Gly-Cys-Val-Gly-Gly-Gly-Arg-Leu-NH2) stimulated the incorporation of 32P into various proteins of isolated spermatozoan membranes in the presence, but not absence, of GTP. The Mr of three of the phosphorylated proteins were 52,000, 75,000, and 100,000. GTP gamma S (guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate] but not GDP beta S (guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate] or GMP-PNP (guanylyl imidodiphosphate) also supported the peptide-mediated stimulation of protein phosphorylation. The peptides markedly stimulated guanylate cyclase activity, and GTP gamma S or GTP but not GMP-PNP served as effective substrates for the enzyme. The accumulation of cyclic AMP was not stimulated by the peptides. Subsequently, it was shown that added cyclic GMP or cyclic AMP increased 32P incorporation into the same membrane proteins as those observed in the presence of peptide and GTP. The amount of cyclic GMP (up to 3 microM) formed by membranes in the presence of peptide and 100 microM GTP equated with the amount of added cyclic GMP required to increase the 32P content of a Mr 75,000 protein selected for further study. 32P-Peptide maps of the Mr 75,000 protein indicated that the same domains were phosphorylated in response to cyclic nucleotides or to egg peptide and GTP. Intact cells were subsequently incubated with 32P to determine if the radiolabeled proteins observed in isolated membranes also would be obtained in intact cells. The 32P contents of proteins of Mr 52,000, 75,000, and 100,000 were significantly increased by the addition of resact. Peptide maps confirmed that the increased 32P incorporation obtained in a Mr 75,000 protein of isolated membranes occurred on the same protein domains as the 32P found on the Mr 75,000 protein of intact cells. These results suggest that a GTP or GTP gamma S requirement for peptide-mediated protein phosphorylation in spermatozoan membranes is mainly due to the enhanced formation of cyclic GMP, and it therefore is likely that peptide-induced elevations of cyclic nucleotide concentrations in spermatozoa are responsible for the specific increases in 32P associated with at least three sperm proteins, all apparently localized on the plasma membrane.

Small and large intestinal guanylate cyclase activity in children: effect of age and stimulation by Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin.

Heat-stable enterotoxin (ST) producing Escherichia coli are a common cause of diarrhea in infants. ST acts through the stimulation of the guanylate cyclase-cGMP system. The effect of ST on the human intestine has not been investigated nor is any information available on the activity, distribution, or development of guanylate cyclase activity in the human intestine. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to characterize, these aspects of guanylate cyclase activity and to study the effect of ST on the activity and responsiveness of guanylate cyclase in the intestine of infants and children of various ages. We measured guanylate cyclase activity in 35 intestinal specimens, obtained operatively, from children aged 1 day to 16 yr. Guanylate cyclase activity was linear with protein concentration and time. Basal activity was similar in small intestine and in colon. In the small intestine, however, basal guanylate cyclase activity varied with age. It was maximal in children 1 day of age, and although somewhat variable, decreased with age thereafter. In colon, an age-related pattern was not found. E. coli ST stimulated guanylate cyclase activity in all specimens in a dose-related manner. In the small intestine ST-stimulation of guanylate cyclase was twice that found in colon. Furthermore, age affected the response of small intestinal guanylate cyclase to ST. Maximal response to ST was observed in children 1 day of age and ST stimulation was significantly greater in children less than 1 yr of age than in older children. In the colon, the response of guanylate cyclase to ST did not change with age.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenosine stimulates guanylate cyclase activity in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Good evidence exists to indicate that the vasodilating effect of adenosine is mediated by cell surface receptors on vascular smooth muscle cells. The mechanism of transmembrane signal transduction for adenosine, however, is not fully understood. Since cGMP is a second messenger known to mediate vasodilation, I have examined the effect of adenosine on the intracellular concentration of cGMP in vascular smooth muscle cells from rat aorta. I found that adenosine at 10(-9) to 10(-5) M led to an increase in intracellular cGMP levels in a dose-dependent fashion. The effect of adenosine on cyclic guanosine inorganic monophosphate (cGMP) could be mimicked by the A-type receptor agonists N6-cyclohexyladenosine and 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine and was attenuated by the A-receptor antagonist theophylline. The order of potency of the adenosine analogues was N6-cyclohexyladenosine greater than 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine greater than adenosine. These findings suggest that the effect of adenosine on cGMPi is mediated by A1-type cell surface receptors. Concerning the mechanism by which adenosine could elevate cGMPi, I found that the effect of adenosine on cGMPi was potentiated by the cGMP phosphodiesterase-specific inhibitor M & B 22948. Moreover, I found that N6-cyclohexyladenosine, 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine, and adenosine stimulated a guanylate cyclase in homogenates of the cultured smooth muscle cells in a dose-dependent fashion with the same order of potency as their effects on cGMPi. Further evidence was obtained to indicate that adenosine and its analogues stimulated a particulate guanylate cyclase activity, whereas they did not alter soluble guanylate cyclase activity. Since cGMP is known as a second messenger mediating relaxation of vascular smooth muscle cells, the results obtained in this study could suggest that adenosine exerts its vasorelaxing effect by activating an Ai-receptor-linked guanylate cyclase.

Physical and functional association of the atrial natriuretic peptide receptor with particulate guanylate cyclase as demonstrated using detergent extracts of bovine lung membranes

Coupling of the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) receptor to particulate guanylate cyclase has been demonstrated kinetically and chromatographically using bovine lung plasma membranes and their detergent extracts. Addition of ANP to the membrane suspension stimulated guanylate cyclase activity 2–5-fold indicating the presence of ANP-sensitive particulate guanylate cyclase. The enzyme retained the ability to respond to ANP even after solubilization with digitonin. Characterization of the solubilized enzyme by gel filtration and affinity chromatography revealed that the ANP receptor and particulate guanylate cyclase exist as a functionally but not covalently linked stable complex.