Biochemical characterization of phosphorylated beta-adrenergic receptors from catecholamine-desensitized turkey erythrocytes

Isoproterenol-induced desensitization of turkey erythrocyte adenylate cyclase is accompanied (1) by a decrease in the mobility of beta-adrenergic receptor proteins, specifically photoaffinity labeled with 125I-(p-azidobenzyl)carazolol (125I-PABC), on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gels and (2) by a 2-3-fold increase in phosphate incorporation into the beta receptor [Stadel, J.M., Nambi, P., Shorr, R. G. L., Sawyer, D. F., Caron, M. G., & Lefkowitz, R. J. (1983) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 80, 3173]. Analysis of 32P-labeled beta receptors partially purified by affinity chromatography and subsequently hydrolyzed in 6 N HCl revealed that the beta receptor from control erythrocytes contained only phosphoserine and that agonist-promoted phosphorylation of the receptor in desensitized cells occurred on serine residues. Comparison of limited-digest peptide maps of 125I-PABC-labeled beta receptors from control and desensitized erythrocytes reveals distinctly different sensitivities of the two beta receptors to cleavage by chymotrypsin and Staphylococcus aureus protease. The altered mobility of the 125I-PABC-labeled beta receptor from desensitized erythrocytes was eliminated when 5 M urea was included in the SDS-polyacrylamide gels. Limited-digest peptide mapping of 32P-labeled beta receptors from control and desensitized cells with the protease papain identified a unique phosphorylated peptide in desensitized preparations. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that the altered mobility of beta-receptor proteins on SDS gels following desensitization is due to changes in conformation promoted by prolonged exposure to agonists.     

Functional and structural characterization of the two beta 1-adrenoceptor forms in turkey erythrocytes with molecular masses of 50 and 40 kilodaltons

We have previously described a specific protease in turkey erythrocytes that converts the larger 50-kDa (P50) form of the beta 1-adrenoceptor to a smaller 40-kDa (P40) form [Jürss, R., Hekman, M., & Helmreich, E. J. M. (1985) Biochemistry 24, 3349-3354]. Further functional and structural characterization studies of the two forms are reported here. When purified P50 and P40 receptors were compared with respect to their relative capabilities to couple in lipid vesicles with pure stimulatory G-proteins (Gs-proteins) prepared from turkey erythrocytes or rabbit liver, a faster and larger activation of Gs-proteins was observed in response to l-isoproterenol and guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) with P40 than with P50 receptor. The kon values for P40 were 0.47 min-1 in the case of liver Gs and 0.22 min-1 in the case of erythrocyte Gs, whereas the corresponding values for P50 were 0.34 min-1 and 0.12 min-1, respectively. The binding properties of P50 and P40 forms of the receptor were not different, and desensitization of turkey erythrocytes on exposure to l-isoproterenol did not activate the protease. We furthermore ascertained that only the larger form with a molecular mass of 50 kDa carries the N-linked carbohydrates, which are removed on proteolytic conversion to the 40-kDa form and have either a triantennary or a tetraantennary nonfucosylated complex-type structure containing terminal sialyl residues.     

Interaction of the beta-adrenergic receptor with Gs following delipidation. Specific lipid requirements for Gs activation and GTPase function

Preparations of beta-adrenergic receptor and Gs from turkey erythrocytes were delipidated by previously developed procedures. Three synthetic phospholipids, dioleoylglycerophosphoethanolamine, dioleoylglycerophosphocholine and dioleoylglycerophosphoserine plus an unphosphorylated lipid, were all required to restore receptor-mediated activation of Gs by GTP[gamma S]. The same lipids were necessary for the reconstitution of the isoproterenol-enhanced GTPase. The requirement for the unphosphorylated lipid could be fulfilled by 1-mono-oleoyl glycerol, alpha-tocopherol or oleic acid. Cholesterol hemisuccinate further enhanced the receptor-mediated activity of the relipidated system when present in addition to the lipids specified above. Cholesterol hemisuccinate had no effect on the basal rate of Gs activation and depressed the basal GTPase. It is therefore suggested that cholesterol hemisuccinate affects the receptor or the coupling of the receptor to Gs. In the system relipidated with the three dioleoyl phospholipids, plus alpha-tocopherol and cholesterol hemisuccinate, the initial rate of Gs activation per mole receptor appeared to be considerably higher than in the native turkey erythrocyte membrane.     

Identification and characterization of glucose transport proteins in plasma membrane- and Golgi vesicle-enriched fractions prepared from lactating rat mammary gland.

Previous studies have indicated that turkey erythrocyte and rat liver membranes contain endogenous alpha beta heterodimeric insulin receptors in addition to the disulphide-linked alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric complexes characteristic of most cell types. We utilized 125I-insulin affinity cross-linking to examine the structural properties of insulin receptors from rat liver and turkey erythrocyte membranes prepared in the absence and presence of sulphydryl alkylating agents. Rat liver membranes prepared in the absence of sulphydryl alkylating agents displayed specific labelling of Mr 400,000 and 200,000 bands, corresponding to the alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric and alpha beta heterodimeric insulin receptor complexes respectively. In contrast, affinity cross-linking of membranes prepared with iodoacetamide (IAN) or N-ethylmaleimide identified predominantly the alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric insulin receptor complex. Similarly, affinity cross-linking and solubilization of intact turkey erythrocytes in the presence of IAN resulted in exclusive labelling of the alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric insulin receptor complex, whereas in the absence of IAN both alpha 2 beta 2 and alpha beta species were observed. Turkey erythrocyte alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric insulin receptors from IAN-protected membranes displayed a 3-4-fold stimulation of beta subunit autophosphorylation and substrate phosphorylation by insulin, equivalent to that observed in intact human placenta insulin receptors. Turkey erythrocyte alpha beta heterodimeric insulin receptors, prepared by defined pH/dithiothreitol treatment of IAN-protected membranes, were also fully competent in insulin-stimulated protein kinase activity compared with alpha beta heterodimeric human placenta receptors. In contrast, endogenous turkey erythrocyte alpha beta heterodimeric insulin receptors displayed basal protein kinase activity which was insulin-insensitive. These data indicate that native turkey erythrocyte and rat liver insulin receptors are structurally and functionally similar to alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric human placenta insulin receptors. The alpha beta heterodimeric insulin receptors previously identified in these tissues most likely resulted from disulphide bond reduction and denaturation of the alpha 2 beta 2 holoreceptor complexes during membrane preparation.     

Functional modification of the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein after desensitization of turkey erythrocytes by catecholamines

Densensitization of turkey erythrocytes by exposure to the beta-adrenergic agonist (-)isoproterenol leads to decreased activation of adenylate cyclase by agonist, NaF, and guanyl-5'-yl imido diphosphate, with no reduction in the number of beta-adrenergic receptors. Interactions between the receptor and the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (N protein) also seem to be impaired. These observations suggest that a component distal to the beta-adrenergic receptor may be a locus of modification. Accordingly we examined the N protein to determine whether it was altered by desensitization. The rate at which (-)isoproterenol stimulated the release of [3H]GDP from the N protein was substantially lower in membranes prepared from desensitized cells, providing further evidence for uncoupling of the receptor and the N protein. The amount of N protein in membranes from control and desensitized cells was compared by labeling the 42,000 Mr component of the N protein with [32P]NAD+ and cholera toxin; no significant difference was found. However, significantly more N protein (p less than .001) was solubilized by cholate extraction of desensitized membranes, suggesting an altered association of the N protein with the membrane after desensitization. The functional activity of the N protein was measured by reconstitution of cholate extracts of turkey erythrocyte membranes into S49 lymphoma cyc- membranes. Reconstitution of (-)isoproterenol stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity was reduced significantly (p less than .05) after desensitization. These observations suggest that desensitization of the turkey erythrocyte by (-)isoproterenol results in functional modifications of the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein, leading to impaired interactions with the beta-adrenergic receptor and reduced activation of adenylate cyclase.     

"Antibodies raised against beta-adrenergic receptors stimulate adenylate cyclase"

Antibodies raised in mice against β-adrenergic receptors purified from turkey erythrocyte membranes, specifically bind to cells which possess a β-adrenergic receptor and immunoprecipitate radiolabelled purified receptor. These antibodies stimulate the adenylate cyclase activity of the turkey erythrocytes, although they do not compete with the catecholamine hormones for binding to the β-adrenergic receptor. Thus the receptor-antibody interaction, although occuring at another site than the receptor-hormone interaction, may still trigger the enzymatic activity.     

The alpha subunit of the stimulatory guanine-nucleotide-binding regulatory protein forms high-molecular-mass aggregates, concomitant with iloprost-induced desensitization of human platelet adenylyl cyclase.

Prolonged treatment of human platelets with the prostacyclin analog iloprost led to desensitization of the response to various prostaglandin derivatives. However, basal adenylyl cyclase activity and stimulation by agents acting directly via Gs, the stimulatory guanine-nucleotide-binding regulatory protein of adenylyl cyclase, were likewise decreased. Reconstitution of desensitized membranes with purified Gs from turkey erythrocytes indicated no alteration in the catalyst itself. However, the function of Gs (in cholate extracts) appeared to be severely impaired when reconstituted with adenylyl cyclase catalyst. Modification of Gs was also indicated by its altered sedimentation in sucrose density gradients. From Western blots, the alpha subunit of Gs, alpha s, from control platelets sedimented as a 5.6S species, while that from desensitized cells appeared at higher S values (in a polydisperse distribution). Activation by guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate of Gs from control platelets shifted alpha s to 3.5-3.7S, while activation of Gs from desensitized platelets induced such shift only for a minor portion of alpha s. This small fraction alone appeared to be susceptible to ADP-ribosylation by cholera toxin/[32P]NAD. Furthermore, an antibody directed against the C-terminal hexadecapeptide of alpha s precipitated much less alpha s from cholate extracts derived from desensitized platelets. Modification of alpha s during desensitization was also suggested from cross-linking experiments using the homobifunctional agent bismaleimidohexane: alpha s from desensitized platelets formed a single product of 80 kDa, while that from untreated platelets yielded a doublet (100 kDa and 110 kDa).     

Desensitization of the turkey erythrocyte beta-adrenergic receptor in a cell-free system. Evidence that multiple protein kinases can phosphorylate and desensitize the receptor

We have used a recently developed cell-free system (cell lysate) derived from turkey erythrocytes to explore the potential role of cAMP-activated and other protein kinase systems in desensitizing the adenylate cyclase-coupled beta-adrenergic receptor. Desensitization by the agonist isoproterenol required more than simple occupancy of the receptor by the agonist since under conditions where adenylate cyclase was not activated, no desensitization occurred. As in whole cells, addition of cyclic nucleotides to the cell lysate produced only approximately 50% of the maximal isoproterenol-induced desensitization obtainable. Addition of the purified cAMP-dependent protein kinase holoenzyme plus isoproterenol to isolated turkey erythrocyte plasma membranes mimicked the submaximal desensitization induced in lysates by cAMP. This effect was entirely blocked by the specific inhibitor of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. By contrast, maximal desensitization induced in lysates by isoproterenol was only approximately 50% attenuated by the protein kinase inhibitor. In the lysate preparations, isoproterenol was also shown to induce, in a stereospecific fashion, phosphorylation of the beta-adrenergic receptor. Phosphorylation promoted by isoproterenol was attenuated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor to the same extent as desensitization (i.e. approximately 50%). Phorbol diesters also promoted receptor desensitization and phosphorylation in cell lysates. The desensitization was mimicked by incubation of isolated turkey erythrocyte membranes with partially purified preparations of protein kinase C plus phorbol diesters. In the cell lysate, calmodulin also promoted receptor phosphorylation and desensitization which was blocked by EGTA. Desensitization of adenylate cyclase by isoproterenol, phorbol diesters, and calmodulin was not observed to be additive. These findings suggest that: (a) multiple protein kinase systems, including cAMP-dependent, protein kinase C-dependent, and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinases, are capable of regulating beta-adrenergic receptor function via phosphorylation reactions and that (b) cAMP may not be the sole mediator of isoproterenol-induced phosphorylation and desensitization in these cells.     

Catecholamine-induced desensitization of turkey erythrocyte adenylate cyclase. Structural alterations in the beta-adrenergic receptor revealed by photoaffinity labeling

Preincubation of turkey erythrocytes with isoproterenol results in an impaired ability of beta-adrenergic agonists to stimulate adenylate cyclase in membranes prepared from these cells. The biochemical basis for this agonist-induced desensitization was investigated using the new beta-adrenergic antagonist photoaffinity label [125I]p-azidobenzylcarazolol ([125I]PABC). Exposure of [125I]PABC-labeled turkey erythrocyte membranes to high intensity light leads to specific covalent incorporation of the labeled compound into two polypeptides, Mr approximately equal to 38,000 and 50,000, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis. Incorporation of [125I]PABC into these two polypeptides is completely blocked by a beta-adrenergic agonist and antagonist consistent with covalent labeling of the beta-adrenergic receptor. After desensitization of the turkey erythrocyte by preincubation with 10(-5) M isoproterenol, the beta-adrenergic receptor polypeptides specifically labeled by [125I]PABC in membranes prepared from desensitized erythrocytes were of larger apparent molecular weight (Mr approximately equal to 42,000 versus 38,000, and 53,000 versus 50,000) compared to controls. When included during the preincubation of the erythrocytes with isoproterenol, the antagonist propranolol (10(-5) M) inhibited both agonist-promoted desensitization of the adenylate cyclase and the altered mobility of the [125I]PABC-labeled receptor polypeptides. These data indicate that structural alterations in the beta-adrenergic receptor accompany the desensitization process in turkey erythrocytes.     

Desensitization of turkey erythrocyte adenylate cyclase. Beta-adrenergic receptor phosphorylation is correlated with attenuation of adenylate cyclase activity

Preincubation of turkey erythrocytes with beta-adrenergic agonists leads to an attenuation of the responsiveness of adenylate cyclase to subsequent hormonal stimulation. Recently, our laboratory has shown (Stadel, J. M., Nambi, P., Shorr, R. G. L., Sawyer, D. D., Caron, M. G., and Lefkowitz, R. J. (1983) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 80, 3173-3177) using 32Pi incorporation that phosphorylation of the beta-adrenergic receptor accompanies this desensitization process. We now report that, as determined from intracellular [gamma-32P] ATP specific activity measurements, this phosphorylation reaction occurs in a stoichiometric fashion. Under basal conditions there exists 0.75 +/- 0.1 mol of phosphate per mol of receptor whereas under maximally desensitized conditions this ratio increases to 2.34 +/- 0.13 mol/mol. This phosphorylation of the receptor is dose-dependent with respect to isoproterenol and exhibits a dose-response curve coincidental with that for isoproterenol-induced desensitization of adenylate cyclase. The time courses for receptor phosphorylation and adenylate cyclase desensitization are identical. In addition, the rate of resensitization of adenylate cyclase activity is comparable to the rate of return of the phosphate/receptor stoichiometries to control levels. Both the phosphorylation and desensitization reactions are pharmacologically specific as indicated by the high degree of stereoselectivity, rank order of catecholamines, and blockade by the specific beta-adrenergic antagonist, propranolol. Incubation of turkey erythrocytes with cAMP and cAMP analogs maximally activates cAMP-dependent protein kinase but only partially mimics isoproterenol in promoting phosphorylation of the receptor in concordance with their partial effects in inducing desensitization. Conversely, activators or inhibitors of Ca2+/calmodulin kinase or protein kinase C do not affect the isoproterenol-induced desensitization. These results indicate that desensitization of turkey erythrocyte adenylate cyclase is highly correlated with phosphorylation of the beta-adrenergic receptor and that these events are mediated, at least partially, by cAMP.     

Reconstitution of beta-adrenergic receptor with components of adenylate cyclase.

Beta 1-Adrenergic receptor proteins were extracted from turkey erythrocyte membranes with lauroyl sucrose and digitonin and purified by affinity chromatography on a column of alprenolol agarose Affi-gel 10 or 15. The 5000-fold purified receptor is able to couple functionally with the stimulatory GTP-binding protein (GS) from either turkey or duck erythrocytes. Functional coupling was achieved by three different approaches. (i) Purified beta-receptor polypeptides were coupled in phospholipid (asolectin) vesicles with GS from a crude cholate or lauroyl sucrose extract of turkey erythrocyte membranes. The detergent was removed and vesicles were formed with SM-2 beads. (ii) Purified beta-receptor was reconstituted with pure, homogeneous GS in asolectin vesicles. (iii) Purified beta-receptors were either coupled in asolectin vesicles with a mixture of pure, homogeneous Gpp(NH)p-activated GS and a lauroyl sucrose extract of turkey erythrocyte membranes, or with pure, homogeneous Gpp(NH)p-activated GS alone. The decay of activity was measured on addition of GTP and hormone. In (ii) and (iii), the detergent was removed and vesicles were formed by gel filtration on Sephadex G-50 columns. In each of the three different experimental conditions, the beta-receptor was activated with l-isoproterenol and activation was blocked with d,l-propranolol. Activated GS were measured separately by means of their capacity to activate a crude Lubrol PX-solubilized adenylate cyclase preparation from rabbit myocardial membrane. The kinetics of GS activation by purified beta-receptors occupied by l-isoproterenol was first order and activation was linearly dependent on receptor concentration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The insulin receptor of the turkey erythrocyte. Characterization of the membrane-bound receptor.

The insulin receptor of the turkey erythrocyte has previously been shown to be very similar to that of the mammalian insulin receptors. As a first step in the isolation of this receptor a highly purified plasma membrane fraction has been prepared. The binding characteristics of the purified membrane-bound receptor were identical to those found with intact erythrocytes, but the membrane preparation had very little insulin-degrading activity. Isolation of the membrane by the methods described gave a 100-fold purification of the insulin receptor with 67% yield.     

Alkaline phosphatase relieves desensitization of adenylate cyclase-coupled beta-adrenergic receptors in avian erythrocyte membranes.

Desensitization of adenylate cyclase-coupled beta-adrenergic receptors in avian erythrocytes results in a 40-65% decrease in agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity and correlates with increased phosphorylation of beta-adrenergic receptors. To assess the role of phosphorylation in desensitization, membranes from isoprenaline- and dibutyryl cyclic AMP-desensitized turkey erythrocytes were incubated with alkaline phosphatase for 30 min at 37 degrees C, pH 8.0. In both preparations alkaline phosphatase treatment significantly decreased desensitization of agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity by 40-75% (P less than 0.05). Similar results were obtained after alkaline phosphatase treatment of membranes from isoprenaline- and dibutyryl cyclic AMP-desensitized duck erythrocytes. Moreover, alkaline phosphatase treatment of membranes from duck erythrocytes desensitized with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate returned agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity to near control values. In all experiments, inclusion of 20 mM-sodium phosphate to inhibit alkaline phosphatase during treatment of membranes attenuated the enzyme's effect on agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. In addition, alkaline phosphatase treatment of membranes from control and isoprenaline-desensitized turkey erythrocytes increased the mobility of beta-adrenergic-receptor proteins, specifically photoaffinity-labelled with [125I]iodocyanopindolol-diazirine, on SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The increased mobility of the beta-adrenergic-receptor proteins after alkaline phosphatase treatment of membranes was again inhibited by 20 mM-phosphate. These results provide additional evidence for a direct role for phosphorylation in desensitization of adenylate cyclase-coupled beta-adrenergic receptors in avian erythrocytes.     

Use of cell fusion techniques to probe the mechanism of catecholamine-induced desensitization of adenylate cyclase in frog erythrocytes

The catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase system appears to be comprised of at least three components; the beta-adrenergic receptor (R component), the catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase (C component) and a nucleotide regulatory protein (N component), responsible for mediating the effects of guanine nucleotides on the system. Cell fusion techniques were used to investigate the role of these three components in the process of homologous desensitization in the frog erythrocyte. Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) was used to inhibit beta-receptor function in one population of frog erythrocytes, whilst phenyl glyoxal was employed to inactivate the N and C components in a second population of frog erythrocytes. Using Sendai virus to fuse the two types of modified cell, heterologous beta-adrenergic receptor-adenylate cyclase systems were constructed which contained components from each cell type. When beta receptors from cells previously desensitized to catecholamines were coupled to N-C components derived from fresh erythrocytes, the resulting hybrid exhibited a densitized response to isoproterenol. By contrast, when beta-adrenergic receptors from fresh cells were coupled to N-C components derived from desensitized erythrocytes, no decreased responsiveness to isoproterenol was apparent in the hybrid. That this resensitization was the result of the addition of fresh beta-adrenergic receptors was demonstrated in a control experiment. Frog erythrocytes were desensitized simultaneously to catecholamines and prostaglandin E1 and modified with DCCD which inactivates the beta-adrenergic receptor but not the prostaglandin receptor. When fresh beta-adrenergic receptors were supplied by cell fusion to these doubly desensitized erythrocytes, only the beta-adrenergic response was restored to control levels. The response to prostaglandin remained desensitized in the hybrids, indicating that the observed resensitization of catecholamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was specific and was due to the addition of fresh beta-adrenergic receptors. These data suggest that in the frog erythrocyte, homologous desensitization is primarily the result of receptor-related alterations.     

Identification of a Gs-protein coupling domain to the beta-adrenoceptor using site-specific synthetic peptides. Carboxyl terminus of Gs alpha is involved in coupling to beta-adrenoceptors

Competition between Gs-protein and the synthetic peptide, GSA 379-394, derived from the carboxyl-terminal region of the alpha s-subunit, led to complete inhibition of receptor-mediated adenylate cyclase activation in turkey erythrocyte membranes. Related peptides corresponding to the homologous carboxyl-terminal region of alpha t-, alpha il- or alpha o-subunits did not interfere with beta-receptor-Gs coupling. The direct coupling between Gs and adenylate cyclase was not influenced by any of these peptides. These results emphasize the important role of the carboxyl-terminus of G-protein alpha-subunits for the specific recognition of their corresponding receptors and for signal transduction.     

Phosphorylation of the mammalian beta-adrenergic receptor by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. Regulation of the rate of receptor phosphorylation and dephosphorylation by agonist occupancy and effects on coupling of the receptor to the stimulatory guanine nucleotide regulatory protein

In some systems, such as the turkey erythrocyte, agonist-promoted phosphorylation of the beta-adrenergic receptor appears to be associated with desensitization of the adenylate cyclase system. This process can be partially mimicked by cyclic AMP analogs. Accordingly, we have investigated the phosphorylation of the pure mammalian beta-adrenergic receptor by the pure catalytic subunit of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. The beta-adrenergic receptor, purified from hamster lung to apparent homogeneity, contains a single polypeptide of Mr approximately 64,000. The receptor can be phosphorylated in vitro by the catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (approximately 2 mol of phosphate (on serine residues) per mol). Isoproterenol, a beta-agonist, promoted a 2-3-fold increase in the rate of receptor phosphorylation which was blocked by the beta-antagonists propranolol and alprenolol. High performance liquid chromatographic tryptic peptide mapping reveals two major phosphorylation sites. Phosphorylated receptor can be completely dephosphorylated by a high molecular weight phosphoprotein phosphatase. The rate of receptor dephosphorylation is enhanced 2-3-fold by isoproterenol and this effect is blocked by alprenolol. The functional significance of receptor phosphorylation was examined using ligand binding and reconstitution techniques. While the binding of isoproterenol and alprenolol to the receptor was unaffected by phosphorylation, the ability of the receptor to interact with the stimulatory guanine nucleotide regulatory protein, as assessed by isoproterenol-promoted GTPase activity, was decreased 24 +/- 1% (mean +/- S.E., p less than 0.001, n = 17). The quantitative extent of receptor phosphorylation and functional impairment are virtually identical to those previously observed when intact turkey erythrocytes were incubated with cyclic AMP. These data provide a direct demonstration of regulation of the function of the isolated beta-adrenergic receptor by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase.     

Agonist regulation of beta-adrenergic receptor mRNA. Analysis in S49 mouse lymphoma mutants

Agonist-promoted down-regulation of beta-adrenergic receptor mRNA was investigated in S49 mouse lymphoma variants with mutations in elements of hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase. In wild-type cells steady-state levels of beta-adrenergic receptor mRNA were established by DNA-excess solution hybridization to be 1.72 +/- 0.08 (n = 8) amol/microgram total cellular RNA. Receptor mRNA levels declined 35-45% in response to stimulation by the beta-adrenergic agonist (-)isoproterenol or forskolin as described previously in DDT1 MF-2 cells (Hadcock, J. R., and Malbon, C. C. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 85, 5021-5025). Agonist-promoted cAMP accumulation and down-regulation of receptor mRNA were analyzed in three variants with mutations in Gs alpha (H21a, unc, cyc-) and a single variant lacking cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity (kin-). H21a (Gs alpha coupled to receptor, but not to adenylate cyclase), unc (Gs alpha uncoupled from receptor), and cyc- (lacking Gs alpha) variants accumulated cAMP and down-regulated beta AR mRNA in response to forskolin. In unc and cyc- cells isoproterenol failed to stimulate cAMP; accumulation and down-regulation of receptor mRNA was not observed. H21a cells, in contrast, displayed agonist-promoted regulation of beta-adrenergic receptor mRNA but only basal levels of cAMP accumulation in response to isoproterenol. The kin- cells displayed cAMP accumulation in response to forskolin as well as to isoproterenol but no down-regulation of receptor mRNA or receptor expression. Taken together these data demonstrate several features of agonist-promoted down-regulation of mRNA: (i) cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity is required for down-regulation of mRNA (kin-), although elevated cAMP accumulation is not (H21a); (ii) functional receptor-Gs coupling is required (H21a), and clones lacking Gs alpha (cyc-) or receptor Gs coupling (unc) lack the capacity to down-regulate mRNA in response to agonist; and (iii) in the presence of basal levels of cAMP and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity, functional receptor-Gs coupling (H21a) to some other effector other than adenylate cyclase may be propagating the signal.     

Differential effects of GTP on the coupling of β-adrenergic receptors to adenylate cyclase from frog and turkey erythrocytes application of new methods for the analysis of receptor-effector coupling

A detailed comparison of the interaction of β-adrenergic receptors with adenylate cyclase stimulation and modification of this interaction by guanine nucleotides has been made in two model systems, the frog and turkey erythrocyte. Objective analysis of the data was facilitated by the development of new graphical methods which involve the use of logit-logit transformations of percent receptor occupancy versus percent enzyme stimulation plots (coupling curves). Receptor-cyclase coupling in turkey erythrocyte membranes demonstrates a proportional relationship between receptor occupancy and adenylate cyclase activation and is unaffected by exogenous guanine nucleotides. By comparison, the proportional relationship of receptor occupancy and adenylate cyclase activation observed in frog erythrocyte membranes in the absence of guanine nucleotides is modified by the addition of exogenous guanine nucleotides such that a greater fractional enzyme stimulation is elicited by low receptor occupancy. Methodological criteria crucial for valid comparison of receptor occupancy and adenylate cyclase activity are delineated. In addition, the possible molecular mechanisms of receptor-cyclase coupling which might give rise to the coupling curves observed are discussed.     

Functional integrity of desensitized beta-adrenergic receptors

The adenylate cyclase-coupled beta 2-adrenergic receptor of the frog erythrocyte has served as a useful model system for elucidating the mechanisms of catecholamine-induced densensitization. In this system, it has been previously demonstrated that agonist-induced refractoriness is associated with sequestration of the beta-adrenergic receptors in vesicles away from the cell surface and from their effector unit, the adenylate cyclase system (Stadel, J.M., Strulovici, B., Nambi, P., Lavin, T.N., Briggs, M.M., Caron, M.G., and Lefkowitz, R.J. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 3032-3038). These internalized beta-adrenergic receptors appear to be structurally intact as assessed by photoaffinity labeling, but their functional status has previously been unknown. In the present studies, we sought to assess the functionality of the sequestered vesicular receptors by fusing them to Xenopus laevis erythrocytes. This cell is suitable for such studies, since it has almost no detectable beta-adrenergic receptor or catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase, but contains prostaglandin E1-stimulable adenylate cyclase. Fusion of beta-adrenergic receptor-containing vesicles from desensitized frog erythrocytes with X. laevis erythrocytes results in a 30-fold stimulation of the hybrid adenylate cyclase by the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol. This effect was entirely blocked by the beta-antagonist propranolol. The catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity established in the vesicle-Xenopus hybrids showed the characteristic agonist potency series of the donor frog erythrocyte beta 2-adrenergic receptor. Fusion of vesicles from desensitized frog erythrocytes in which the beta-adrenergic receptors had been inactivated with the group specific reagent dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, or of vesicles derived from control frog erythrocytes, which contain low amounts of beta-adrenergic receptor, did not establish catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity in the hybrids. These data demonstrate that beta-adrenergic receptors internalized during desensitization retain their functionality when recoupled to an adenylate cyclase system from a different source. The functional uncoupling of these receptors during desensitization is thus more likely due to their sequestration away from the other components of the adenylate cyclase than to any alterations in the receptors themselves.     

Rapid vesicle reconstitution of alprenolol-Sepharose-purified beta 1-adrenergic receptors. Interaction of the purified receptor with N

beta-Adrenergic receptors from turkey erythrocyte membranes have been purified 1000-4000-fold using alprenolol-Sepharose affinity chromatography. Addition of deoxycholate solubilized egg phosphatidylcholine to the beta-adrenergic receptor, that is 5-10% pure and in 0.1% digitonin, followed by Sephadex G-50 gel filtration in buffers containing 30 mM MgCl2 results in 65-70% of the receptor being incorporated into phospholipid vesicles. The beta-adrenergic receptor as detected by photoaffinity labeling using [125I]azidobenzylpindolol in membranes and after alprenolol-Sepharose chromatography is a Mr = 40,000 peptide. Addition of deoxycholate extracts of human erythrocyte membranes, which contain the guanine nucleotide stimulatory regulatory protein of adenylate cyclase (Ns) but not beta-adrenergic receptor, were used to reconstitute a guanine nucleotide-mediated change in agonist affinity for the receptor. These results demonstrate that the alprenolol-Sepharose affinity purified beta-adrenergic receptor is functional in both ligand binding and coupling to Ns. The procedure is rapid, efficient and should be generally applicable to beta-adrenergic receptor and Ns from several different membrane systems.