Purification and characterization of Go alpha and three types of Gi alpha after expression in Escherichia coli

Complementary DNAs for the G protein alpha subunits Gi alpha 1, Gi alpha 2, Gi alpha 3, and Go alpha were expressed in Escherichia coli, and the four proteins were purified to homogeneity. The recombinant proteins exchange and hydrolyze guanine nucleotide, are ADP-ribosylated by pertussis toxin, and interact with beta gamma subunits. The rates of dissociation of GDP from Gi alpha 1 and Gi alpha 3 (0.03 min-1) are an order of magnitude slower than that from rGo alpha; release of GDP from Gi alpha 2 is also relatively slow (0.07 min-1). However, the values of kcat for the hydrolysis of GTP by rGo alpha and the three rGi alpha proteins are approximately the same, about 2 min-1 at 20 degrees C. The recombinant proteins restore inhibition of Ca2+ currents in pertussis toxin-treated dorsal root ganglion neurons in response to neuropeptide Y and bradykinin, indicating that the proteins can interact functionally with all necessary components of at least one signal transduction system. The two different receptors function with different arrays of G proteins to mediate their responses, since all four G proteins restored responses to bradykinin, while Gi alpha 2 was inactive with neuropeptide Y. Despite these results, high concentrations of activated Gi alpha proteins are without effect on adenylyl cyclase activity, either in the presence or absence of forskolin or Gs alpha, the G protein that activates adenylyl cyclase. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that G protein beta gamma subunits are primarily responsible for inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity.     

Expression of cDNAs for G proteins in Escherichia coli. Two forms of Gs alpha stimulate adenylate cyclase

Complementary DNAs that encode two forms of the alpha subunit (Gs alpha) of the guanine nucleotide-binding protein responsible for stimulation of adenylate cyclase (Gs) have been inserted into plasmid vectors for expression in Escherichia coli. Following transformation of either of these plasmids into E. coli K38, Gs alpha accumulates to 0.4-0.8 mg/liter (approximately 0.1% of total protein), as judged by immunoblot analysis with specific antisera. Based on deduced amino acid sequence, the two cDNAs should encode proteins with molecular weights of 44,500 and 46,000, respectively (Robishaw, J.D., Smigel, M. D., and Gilman, A. G. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 9587-9590). Expression of these cDNAs in E. coli yields proteins that co-migrate on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels with the Gs alpha subunits from S49 lymphoma cell membranes, with apparent molecular weights of 45,000 and 52,000, respectively. Low levels of activity are detected in the 100,000 X g supernatant after lysis and fractionation of E. coli expressing either form of Gs alpha. Partial purification of Gs alpha from E. coli lysates yields preparations in which significant and stable activity can be assayed. Both forms of Gs alpha migrate through sucrose gradients as soluble, monodisperse species in the absence of detergent. As expressed in E. coli, both forms of Gs alpha can reconstitute isoproterenol-, guanine nucleotide-, and fluoride-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in S49 cyc-cell membranes to approximately the same degree and can be ADP-ribosylated with [32P]NAD+ and cholera toxin. However, based on the specific activity of purified rabbit liver Gs, only 1-2% of the Gs alpha expressed in E. coli appears to be active. Incubation of partially purified fractions of recombinant Gs alpha with guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate and resolved beta gamma subunits isolated from purified bovine brain G proteins results in a 7-10-fold increase in Gs activity. Incubation of bovine brain beta gamma with recombinant Gs alpha also leads to a dramatic increase in observed levels of cholera toxin-catalyzed [32P]ADP-ribosylation.     

Synthesis in Escherichia coli of GTPase-deficient mutants of Gs alpha

We have reduced the GTPase activity of the alpha subunit of Gs, the guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein that stimulates adenylyl cyclase, by introduction of point mutations analogous to those described in p21ras. Mutants G49V and Q227L differ from the wild type protein in the substitution of Val for Gly49 and Leu for Gln227, respectively (analogous to positions 12 and 61 in p21ras). Wild type and mutant proteins were synthesized in Escherichia coli, purified, and characterized. The rate constants for dissociation of GDP from G49V recombinant Gs alpha (rGs alpha) (0.47/min) and Q227L rGs alpha (0.23/min) differ by no more than 2-fold from that observed for the wild type protein (0.5/min). In marked contrast, the rate constants for hydrolysis of GTP by G49V rGs alpha (0.78/min) and Q227L rGs alpha (0.03-0.06/min) are 4-fold and roughly 100-fold slower than that for wild type rGs alpha (3.5/min). These reductions in the rate of hydrolysis of GTP result in significant fractional occupancy of these proteins by GTP in the presence of the nucleotide, 0.37 for G49V rGs alpha and 0.78 for Q227L rGs alpha, compared to 0.05 for wild type rGs alpha. When reconstituted with cyc- (Gs alpha-deficient) S49 cell membranes or purified adenylyl cyclase, both mutant proteins stimulate adenylyl cyclase activity in the presence of GTP to a much greater extent than does wild type Gs alpha; their maximal ability to activate the enzyme is largely unaltered. The fractional ability of a given Gs alpha polypeptide to active adenylyl cyclase in the presence of GTP correlates well with the fractinal occupancy of the protein by the nucleotide. The mutant subunits appear to interact normally with G protein beta gamma subunits, and their ability to activate adenylyl cyclase is enhanced by interaction with beta-adrenergic receptors. These results indicate that the structural analogy that has been inferred between the guanine nucleotide-binding domains of G proteins and the p21ras family is at least generally correct. They also provide confirmation of the kinetic model of G protein function and document mutations that permit the expression in vivo of constitutively activated G protein alpha subunits.     

Recombinant alpha i-3 subunit of G protein activates Gk-gated K+ channels

G proteins, particularly those sensitive to pertussis toxin, are difficult to separate biochemically, creating uncertainty in functional assignments. For this reason the cDNAs encoding G alpha i-3 and two of the G alpha s splice variants were expressed as fusion proteins in Escherichia coli using a T7 promoter-based expression system. These proteins were denoted r alpha i-3 and r alpha s (short and long) and accumulated in bacteria to as much as 5-10% of total cellular protein, of which 5-10% was soluble in lysates. Soluble r alpha subunits were tested for stimulation of K+ channel activity in inside-out atrial membrane patches and for reconstitution of cyc- adenylyl cyclase activity. r alpha i-3, activated either by guanosine 5'-(3-thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S) or AlF-4, stimulated in a concentration-dependent manner single channel K+ currents in isolated atrial membrane patches of three species: guinea pigs, neonatal rats, and embryonic chick. In contrast, GTP gamma S-activated r alpha s did not. In agreement with a similar study by Graziano et al. (Graziano, M. P., Casey, P. J. and Gilman, A. G. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 11375-11381), both r alpha s forms reconstituted GTP gamma S-stimulated cyc- adenylyl cyclase activity, albeit at concentrations 50-100 times higher than those needed with native Gs. The concentrations of r alpha i-3 needed to stimulate the K+ channels were also higher than needed with native human erythrocyte Gk, in this case 30-50 times. Single K+ channel currents stimulated by r alpha i-3 were indistinguishable from those stimulated by the natural effector acetylcholine. Thus, bacterial expression of G alpha subunits provided the means to demonstrate unequivocally that Gi-3 has intrinsic Gk activity.     

G protein beta gamma subunits from bovine brain and retina: equivalent catalytic support of ADP-ribosylation of alpha subunits by pertussis toxin but differential interactions with Gs alpha

We have examined the ability of the beta gamma subunits of guanine nucleotide binding regulatory proteins (G proteins) to support the pertussis toxin (PT) catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of G protein alpha subunits. Substoichiometric amounts of the beta gamma complex purified from either bovine brain G proteins or the bovine retinal G protein, Gt, are sufficient to support the ADP-ribosylation of the alpha subunits of Gi (the G protein that mediates inhibition of adenylyl cyclase) and Go (a G protein of unknown function) by PT. This observation indicates that ADP-ribosylated G protein oligomers can dissociate into their respective alpha and beta gamma subunits in the absence of activating regulatory ligands, i.e., nonhydrolyzable GTP analogues or fluoride. Additionally, the catalytic support of ADP-ribosylation by bovine brain beta gamma does not require Mg2+. Although the beta gamma subunit complexes purified from bovine brain G proteins and the beta gamma complex of Gt support equally the ADP-ribosylation of alpha subunits by PT, there is a marked difference in their abilities to interact with Gs alpha. The enhancement of deactivation of fluoride-activated Gs alpha requires 25-fold more beta gamma from Gt than from brain G proteins to produce a similar response. This difference in potency of beta gamma complexes from the two sources was also observed in the ability of beta gamma to produce an increase in the activity of recombinant Gs alpha produced in Escherichia coli.     

Purification and characterization of c-Ki-ras p21 from bovine brain crude membranes

In the present studies, we attempted to purify the native molecular forms of the c-ras proteins (c-ras p21s) from bovine brain crude membranes and separated at least three GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) cross-reactive with the antibody recognizing all of Ha-, Ki-, and N-ras p21s. Among them, one G protein with a Mr of about 21,000 was highly purified and characterized. The Mr 21,000 G protein bound maximally about 0.6 mol of [35S]guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S)/mol of protein with a Kd value of about 30 nM. [35S]GTP gamma S-binding to Mr 21,000 G protein was inhibited by GTP and GDP, but not by other nucleotides such as ATP, UTP, and CTP. [35S]GTP gamma S-binding to Mr 21,000 G protein was inhibited by pretreatment with N-ethylmaleimide. Mr 21,000 G protein hydrolyzed GTP to liberate Pi with a turnover number of about 0.01 min-1. Mr 21,000 G protein was not copurified with the beta gamma subunits of the G proteins regulatory for adenylate cyclase. Mr 21,000 G protein was not recognized by the antibody against the ADP-ribosylation factor for Gs. The peptide map of Mr 21,000 G protein was different from those of the G proteins with Mr values of 25,000 and 20,000, designated as smg p25A and rho p20, respectively, which we have recently purified from bovine brain crude membranes. The partial amino acid sequence of Mr 21,000 G protein was identical with that of human c-Ki-ras 2B p21. These results indicate that Mr 21,000 G protein is bovine brain c-Ki-ras 2B p21 and that c-Ki-ras 2B p21 is present in bovine brain membranes.     

Small molecular weight GTP-binding proteins in human erythrocyte ghosts

GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) were extracted from human erythrocyte ghosts by sodium cholate and purified by gel filtration on an Ultrogel AcA-44 column followed by hydroxyapatite column chromatography. At least two peaks of G proteins were separated by hydroxyapatite column chromatography. The second peak contained G proteins recognized by the antibodies against the respective alpha subunits of Gs and Gi, and the ras protein, while the G protein of the first peak was not recognized by any of these antibodies. The G protein of the first peak was purified further by Mono Q HR5/5 column chromatography. The purified G protein showed a molecular weight of about 22 kDa on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This G protein (22K G) specifically bound guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio) triphosphate (GTP gamma S), GTP and GDP with a Kd value for GTP gamma S of about 50 nM. GTP gamma S-binding to 22K G was inhibited by pretreatment with N-ethylmaleimide. The G proteins recognized by the antibodies against the alpha subunit of Go and the ADP-ribosylation factor for Gs, designated as ARF, were not detected in human erythrocyte ghosts. These results indicate that there are at least two species of small molecular weight G proteins in human erythrocyte ghosts: one is the ras protein and the other is a novel G protein of 22K G.     

Conversion of GDP into GTP by nucleoside diphosphate kinase on the GTP-binding proteins

A direct interaction of alpha beta gamma trimeric GTP binding proteins (G proteins; G0 and Gs) with nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDP kinase) was investigated with homogeneously purified proteins. There was a progressive release of 32Pi from [gamma-32P]ATP when GDP-bound G0 was incubated together with NDP kinase. The Pi release induced by the interaction of G0 with NDP kinase was not accompanied by the dissociation of GDP bound to the alpha-subunit of G0. This was a sharp contrast to G protein-catalyzed GTP hydrolysis observed with GTP as the substrate; the dissociation of bound GDP was essentially required for the following binding of the substrate, GTP, to be hydrolyzed. A kinetic analysis displayed different properties for the substrate of NDP kinase between free GDP and G protein-bound GDP. NDP kinase-dependent phosphorylation of GDP on G0 was indeed demonstrated with adenosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate as the phosphate donor; there was a formation of guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate-bound G0 from the ATP analogue. Moreover, purified Gs was readily ADP-ribosylated by cholera toxin in the presence of NDP kinase, ATP, and an ADP-ribosylation factor, also suggesting that the nucleotide form on Gs was certainly GTP. These results indicate that NDP kinase can transfer the gamma-phosphate of ATP directly to GDP bound to G proteins and that this phosphorylation results in the activation of the signal-coupling proteins. A possible role of the new activation mechanism of G proteins is discussed in comparison with the previously characterized GDP-GTP exchange pathway by the agonist-receptor complex.     

Expression and purification of functional G protein alpha subunits using a baculovirus expression system.

The alpha subunits of the heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins Gi1, Gi2, Gi3, G0, and Gs have been overexpressed in Sf9 cells using a baculovirus expression system. The Gi1 alpha, Gi2 alpha, Gi3 alpha, and G0 alpha have been purified to homogeneity from infected Spodoptera frugiperda (SF9) cells and characterized. Yields of up to 1.8 mg of purified recombinant G alpha have been obtained from 300-ml cultures of infected cells. The recombinant alpha subunits are myristoylated and are ADP-ribosylated by pertussis toxin only in the presence of beta gamma subunits. They bind guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S) with low nM dissociation constants and stoichiometries of 0.8 mol/mol or greater. The rGi1 alpha, rGi2 alpha, and rGi3 alpha are capable of interacting with angiotensin II receptors based on their ability to restore high affinity angiotensin II binding in rat liver membranes shifted to a low affinity state with GTP gamma S.     

Small molecular weight GTP-binding proteins in human platelet membranes. Purification and characterization of a novel GTP-binding protein with a molecular weight of 22,000

When guanosine 5'-(3-O-[35S]thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S)-binding activity was assayed in the particulate and cytosol fractions of human platelets, most activity was found in the particulate fraction. GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) were extracted from the particulate fraction by sodium cholate and purified by several column chromatographies. At least three G proteins with Mr values of about 21,000, 22,000, and 24,000 (21K G, 22K G, and 24K G, respectively) were separated in addition to the stimulatory (Gs) and inhibitory (Gi) regulatory GTP-binding proteins of adenylate cyclase. Among them, the amount of 22K G was more than 10-fold of those of other G proteins. 22K G was purified to near homogeneity and characterized. 22K G specifically bound GTP gamma S, GTP, and GDP, with a Kd value for GTP gamma S of about 50 nM. [35S]GTP gamma S binding to 22K G was inhibited by pretreatment with N-ethylmaleimide. 22K G hydrolyzed GTP to liberate Pi, with a turnover number of 0.01 min-1. 22K G was not copurified with the beta gamma subunits of Gs and Gi and was not recognized by the antibodies against the ADP-ribosylation factor for Gs and the ras protein. The peptide map of 22K G was different from those of the smg-25A and rho proteins, which we have purified from bovine brain membranes. 21K G was identified to be the c-ras protein, but 24K G was unidentified. These results indicate that there are multiple G proteins in platelet membranes and that a novel G protein (22K G) is a major G protein in platelets.     

The GppNHp-activated adenylyl cyclase complex from turkey erythrocyte membranes can be isolated with its beta gamma subunits.

The adenylyl cyclase complex, derived from turkey erythrocyte membranes, was activated using guanosine 5'-[beta, gamma-imido]triphosphate (Gpp[NH]p) and separated under low-detergent and low-salt conditions using conventional molecular-sieve chromatography followed by high-pressure ion-exchange and molecular-sieve chromatography. Although the complex remains activated with Gpp[NH]p throughout the isolation, the beta gamma subunits copurify with the cyclase. The stoichiometry of the cyclase to the alpha subunit of the stimulatory guanosine-nucleotide-binding regulatory protein (alpha s) to the beta subunit is close to unity, demonstrating that the beta gamma subunits do not dissociate from the Gs.cyclase complex (Gs, guanosine-nucleotide-binding regulatory protein) upon activation of the enzyme. If the final purification step was performed at high-salt concentrations, the beta gamma subunits could be separated from the alpha s.cyclase complex. Previously reported results on bovine brain cyclase also showed that the Gs.cyclase complex remains intact subsequent to activation by hormone and Gpp[NH]p [Marbach, I., Bar-Sinai, A., Minich, M. and Levitzki, A. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 9999-10,004]. These results, using adenylyl cyclase from two different sources, support our previous kinetic experiments which first suggested that beta gamma subunits are not released from Gs upon cyclase activation. We, therefore, argue that the mode of adenylyl cyclase inhibition by the inhibitory guanosine-nucleotide-binding regulatory protein cannot be via shifting the alpha s to beta gamma equilibrium as is commonly believed, and an alternate hypothesis is proposed.     

The NH2-terminal alpha subunit attenuator domain confers regulation of G protein activation by beta gamma complexes.

Gs and Gi, respectively, activate and inhibit the enzyme adenylyl cyclase. Regulation of adenylyl cyclase by the heterotrimeric Gs and Gi proteins requires the dissociation of GDP and binding of GTP to the alpha s or alpha i subunit. The beta gamma subunit complex of Gs and Gi functions, in part, to inhibit GDP dissociation and alpha subunit activation by GTP. Multiple beta and gamma polypeptides are expressed in different cell types, but the functional significance for this heterogeneity is unclear. The beta gamma complex from retinal rod outer segments (beta gamma t) has been shown to discriminate between alpha i and alpha s subunits (Helman et al: Eur J Biochem 169:431-439, 1987). beta gamma t efficiently interacts with alpha i-like G protein subunits, but poorly recognizes the alpha s subunit. beta gamma t was, therefore, used to define regions of the alpha i subunit polypeptide that conferred selective regulation compared to the alpha s polypeptide. A series of alpha subunit chimeras having NH2-terminal alpha i and COOH-terminal alpha s sequences were characterized for their regulation by beta gamma t, measured by the kinetics of GTP gamma S activation of adenylyl cyclase. A 122 amino acid NH2-terminal region of the alpha i polypeptide encoded within an alpha i/alpha s chimera was sufficient for beta gamma t to discriminate the chimera from alpha s. A shorter 54 amino acid alpha i sequence substituted for the corresponding NH2-terminal region of alpha s was insufficient to support the alpha i-like interaction with beta gamma t. The findings are consistent with our previous observation (Osawa et al: Cell 63:697-706, 1990) that a region in the NH2-terminal moiety functions as an attenuator domain controlling GDP dissociation and GTP activation of the alpha subunit polypeptide and that the attenuator domain is involved in functional recognition and regulation by beta gamma complexes.     

Characterization of high affinity GTPase activity correlated to beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation of adenylyl cyclase in rat parotid membranes.

beta-Adrenergic receptor stimulation of adenylyl cyclase involves the activation of a GTP-binding regulatory protein (G-protein, termed here Gs). Inactivation of this G-protein is associated with the hydrolysis of bound GTP by an intrinsic high affinity GTPase activity. In the present study, we have characterized the GTPase activity in a Gs-enriched rat parotid gland membrane fraction. Two GTPase activities were resolved; a high affinity GTPase activity displaying Michaelis-Menten kinetics with increasing concentrations of GTP, and a low affinity GTPase activity which increased linearly with GTP concentrations up to 10 mM. The beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (10 microM) increased the Vmax of the high affinity GTPase component approx. 50% from 90 to 140 pmol/mg protein per min, but did not change its Km value (approximately 450 nM). Isoproterenol also stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in parotid membranes both in the absence or presence of GTP. In the presence of a non-hydrolyzable GTP analogue, guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S), isoproterenol increased cAMP formation to the same extent as that observed with AlF-4. Cholera toxin treatment of parotid membranes led to the ADP-ribosylation of two proteins (approximately 45 and 51 kDa). Cholera toxin also specifically decreased the high affinity GTPase activity in membranes and increased cAMP formation induced by GTP in the absence or the presence of isoproterenol. These data demonstrate that the high affinity GTPase characterized here is the 'turn-off' step for the adenylyl cyclase activation seen following beta-adrenergic stimulation of rat parotid glands.     

Selectivity of the beta-adrenergic receptor among Gs, Gi's, and Go: assay using recombinant alpha subunits in reconstituted phospholipid vesicles.

The selective regulation of Gs (long and short forms), Gi's (1, 2, and 3), and Go by the beta-adrenergic receptor was assessed quantitatively after coreconstitution of purified receptor, purified G-protein beta gamma subunits, and individual recombinant G-protein alpha subunits that were expressed in and purified from Escherichia coli. Receptor and beta gamma subunits were incorporated into phospholipid vesicles, and the alpha subunits bound to the vesicles stoichiometrically with respect to beta gamma. Efficient regulation of alpha subunit by receptor required the presence of beta gamma. Regulation of G proteins was measured according to the stimulation of the initial rate of GTP gamma S binding, steady-state GTPase activity, and equilibrium GDP/GDP exchange. The assays yielded qualitatively similar results. GDP/GDP exchange was a first-order reaction for each subunit. The rate constant increased linearly with the concentration of agonist-liganded receptor, and the dependence of the rate constant on receptor concentration was a reproducible measurement of the efficiency with which receptor regulated each G protein. Reconstituted alpha s (long or short form) was stimulated by receptor to approximately the extent described previously for natural Gs. Both alpha i,1 and alpha i,3 were regulated with 25-33% of that efficiency. Stimulation of alpha o and alpha i,2 was weak, and stimulation of alpha o was barely detectable over its high basal exchange rate. Reduction of the receptor with dithiothreitol increased the exchange rates for all G proteins but did not alter the relative selectivity of the receptor.     

Mutated alpha subunit of the Gq protein induces malignant transformation in NIH 3T3 cells.

The discovery of mutated, GTPase-deficient alpha subunits of Gs or Gi2 in certain human endocrine tumors has suggested that heterotrimeric G proteins play a role in the oncogenic process. Expression of these altered forms of G alpha s or G alpha i2 proteins in rodent fibroblasts activates or inhibits endogenous adenylyl cyclase, respectively, and causes certain alterations in cell growth. However, it is not clear whether growth abnormalities result from altered cyclic AMP synthesis. In the present study, we asked whether a recently discovered family of G proteins, Gq, which does not affect adenylyl cyclase activity, but instead mediates the activation of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C harbors transforming potential. We mutated the cDNA for the alpha subunit of murine Gq in codons corresponding to a region involved in binding and hydrolysis of GTP. Similar mutations unmask the transforming potential of p21ras or activate the alpha subunits of Gs or Gi2. Our results show that when expressed in NIH 3T3 cells, activating mutations convert G alpha q into a dominant acting oncogene.     

2'(3')-O-(N-methylanthraniloyl)-substituted GTP analogs: a novel class of potent competitive adenylyl cyclase inhibitors

2'(3')-O-(N-Methylanthraniloyl)-(MANT)-substituted nucleotides are fluorescent and widely used for the kinetic analysis of enzymes and signaling proteins. We studied the effects of MANT-guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (MANT-GTP gamma S) and MANT-guanosine 5'-[beta,gamma-imido]triphosphate (MANT-GppNHp) on G alpha(s)- and G alpha(i)-protein-mediated signaling. MANT-GTP gamma S/MANT-GppNHp had lower affinities for G alpha(s) and G alpha(i) than GTP gamma S/GppNHp as assessed by inhibition of GTP hydrolysis of receptor-G alpha fusion proteins. MANT-GTP gamma S was much less effective than GTP gamma S at disrupting the ternary complex between the formyl peptide receptor and G alpha(i2). MANT-GTP gamma S/MANT-GppNHp non-competitively inhibited GTP gamma S/GppNHp-, AlF(4)(-)-, beta(2)-adrenoceptor plus GTP-, cholera toxin plus GTP-, and forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase (AC) in G alpha(s)-expressing Sf9 insect cell membranes and S49 wild-type lymphoma cell membranes. AC inhibition by MANT-GTP gamma S/MANT-GppNHp was not due to G alpha(s) inhibition because it was also observed in G alpha(s)-deficient S49 cyc(-) lymphoma cell membranes. Mn(2+) blocked AC inhibition by GTP gamma S/GppNHp in S49 cyc(-) membranes but enhanced the potency of MANT-GTP gamma S/MANT-GppNHp at inhibiting AC by approximately 4-8-fold. MANT-GTP gamma S and MANT-GppNHp competitively inhibited forskolin/Mn(2+)-stimulated AC in S49 cyc(-) membranes with K(i) values of 53 and 160 nm, respectively. The K(i) value for MANT-GppNHp at insect cell AC was 155 nm. Collectively, MANT-GTP gamma S/MANT-GppNHp bind to G alpha(s)- and G alpha(i)-proteins with low affinity and are ineffective at activating G alpha. Instead, MANT-GTP gamma S/MANT-GppNHp constitute a novel class of potent competitive AC inhibitors.     

The inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory component of adenylate cyclase. Subunit dissociation and the inhibition of adenylate cyclase in S49 lymphoma cyc- and wild type membranes

The inhibitory and stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory components (Gi and Gs) of adenylate cyclase both have an alpha X beta subunit structure, and the beta subunits are functionally indistinguishable. GTP-dependent hormonal inhibition of adenylate cyclase and that caused by guanine nucleotide analogs seem to result from dissociation of the subunits of Gi. Such inhibition can be explained by reduction of the concentration of the free alpha subunit of Gs as a result of its interaction with the beta subunit of Gi in normal Gs-containing membranes. However, inhibition in S49 lymphoma cyc- cell membranes presumably cannot be explained by the Gi-Gs interaction, since the activity of the alpha subunit of Gs is not detectable in this variant. Several characteristics of Gi-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase have been studied in both S49 cyc- and wild type membranes. There are several similarities between inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase by guanine nucleotides and somatostatin in cyc- and wild type membranes. 1) Somatostatin-induced inhibition of the enzyme is dependent on GTP; nonhydrolyzable GTP analogs are also effective inhibitors. 2) The effect of guanosine-5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S) is essentially irreversible, and somatostatin accelerates GTP gamma S-induced inhibition. 3) Inhibition of adenylate cyclase by somatostatin or Gpp(NH)p is attenuated by treatment of cells with islet-activating protein (IAP). 4) Both cyc- and wild type membranes contain the substrate for IAP-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation (the alpha subunit of Gi). 5) beta Subunit activity in detergent extracts of membranes is liberated by exposure of the membranes to GTP gamma S. The alpha subunit of Gi in such extracts has a reduced ability to be ADP-ribosylated by IAP, which implies that this subunit is in the GTP gamma S-bound form. The resolved subunits of Gi have been tested as regulators of cyc- and wild type adenylate cyclase under a variety of conditions. The alpha subunit of Gi inhibits forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in cyc-, while the beta subunit stimulates; these actions are opposite to those seen with wild type membranes. The inhibitory effects of GTP plus somatostatin (or GTP gamma S) and the alpha subunit of Gi are not additive in cyc- membranes. In wild type, the inhibitory effects of the hormone and GTP gamma S are not additive with those of the beta subunit.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Glucagon receptor-mediated activation of Gs is accompanied by subunit dissociation

The effect of the glucagon receptor on the activation of the stimulatory GTP-binding protein of adenylyl cyclase (Gs) in the native rat liver membrane environment was studied. The activated state of Gs was assessed by its ability to reconstitute the cyc- S49 cell membrane adenylyl cyclase. The Gs protein was activated by saturating concentrations of guanosine 5'-thiotriphosphate (GTP gamma S) or guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate in a hormone-dependent manner at 0.4 mM Mg2+ in native membranes or in membranes that had been treated with 1 mM N-ethylmaleimide to eliminate the catalytic activity of adenylyl cyclase. At 50 mM Mg2+, Gs was fully activated by GTP gamma S in the absence of hormone. The unactivated Gs protein migrates around 4 S, whereas activated Gs migrates around 2 S on sucrose density gradients. When pure Gs is analyzed on sucrose density gradients, it is found that the unactivated protein migrates at 4.1 S. Gs was activated by saturating concentrations of GTP gamma S and Mg2+, and the alpha subunit of Gs was chromatographically purified. The resolved alpha subunit of Gs that is capable of stimulating the cyc- adenylyl cyclase migrates at 2.1 S. From these data, we conclude that activation of Gs results in the dissociation of this protein in the membrane environment and that the hormone-occupied receptor promotes this dissociation process under conditions where Mg2+ ions are limiting.     

Olfactory adenylyl cyclase. Identification and purification of a novel enzyme form

Rat olfactory adenylyl cyclase has been identified by means of a monoclonal antibody BBC-2, which reacts with both Ca2+/calmodulin-sensitive and -insensitive forms of adenylyl cyclase (Mollner, S., and Pfeuffer, T. (1988) Eur. J. Biochem. 171, 265-271). The antibody recognized a 180-kDa polypeptide in olfactory cilia but not in decilitated olfactory epithelial membranes. A protein of the same mobility was observed when olfactory adenylyl cyclase was purified by forskolin-agarose affinity chromatography followed by radioiodination. Its identity was further established by cross-linking to [32P]ADP-ribosylated Gs alpha (GTP-binding protein), to yield a single radiolabeled product of Mr approximately 220. Olfactory adenylyl cyclase has a approximately 3-fold higher turnover number, as assessed from stoichiometric binding of [35S]guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate. Therefore, the considerably higher specific adenylyl cyclase activity in olfactory cilia must be due to a approximately 100-fold higher molar concentration of enzyme in this tissue.     

Genetic and structural analysis of G protein alpha subunit regulatory domains.

Genetic and structural analysis of the alpha chain polypeptides of heterotrimeric G proteins defines functional domains for GTP/GDP binding, GTPase activity, effector activation, receptor contact and beta gamma subunit complex regulation. The conservation in sequence comprising the GDP/GTP binding and GTPase domains among G protein alpha subunits readily allows common mutations to be made for the design of mutant polypeptides that function as constitutive active or dominant negative alpha chains when expressed in different cell types. Organization of the effector activation, receptor and beta gamma contact domains is similar in the primary sequence of the different alpha subunit polypeptides relative to the GTP/GDP binding domain sequences. Mutation within common motifs of the different G protein alpha chain polypeptides have similar functional consequences. Thus, what has been learned with the Gs and Gi proteins and the regulation of adenylyl cyclase can be directly applied to the analysis of newly identified G proteins and their coupling to receptors and regulation of putative effector enzymes.