Ultrastructure of melatonin-responsive cells in the ovine pars tuberalis

Summary Functional receptors for melatonin have been localized and characterized on the pars tuberalis (PT) of a number of mammalian species, but the cell-type responsive to melatonin is unknown. The ultrastructure of the ovine pars tuberalis has been examined and these findings correlated with the functional response of the gland to melatonin. This study revealed that two secretory cell types predominate in the ovine PT, which differ in the abundance of dense-core granules. The most abundant of the cells are either agranular or very sparsely granulated and represent 90% of the total population, with the remaining 10% being composed of cells with abundant dense-core vesicles. Few follicular cells were observed. This ratio of secretory cell-types persisted in primary culture, with the two types non-separable by Percoll gradient centrifugation. Using forskolin, as a non-specific stimulant of adenylate cyclase, melatonin was shown to inhibit the formation of cyclic AMP by 80–90% in cells both before and after Percoll centrifugation. The results demonstrate that the agranular secretory cells of the ovine pars tuberalis are the melatonin responsive cell-type of this gland.     

Pertussis toxin inhibits stimulated motility independently of the adenylate cyclase pathway in human melanoma cells

The human melanoma cell line, A2058, has previously been shown to respond to an autocrine motility factor (AMF). We have studied biochemical pathways that may be involved in the generation of such a motile response. Pertussis toxin (PT) caused a profound, rapid decrease in stimulated motility that was both dose and time-dependent. Preincubation of cells for 2 hr with as little as 1 ng/ml of PT significantly inhibited motility. A concentration of PT (0.5 microgram/ml) that completely eliminated migration after a 30 min. preincubation had a markedly reduced effect when added 1 hr after the start of the assay. In contrast, agents which selectively modulate or have a role in the adenylate cyclase pathway, e.g., cholera toxin, forskolin, the cAMP analogue 8-bromoadenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate and the cyclase inhibitor 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine, all had negligible effect upon motility. These data are consistent with the presence of a receptor coupled to a PT sensitive G protein initiating motility independently of the adenylate cyclase system.     

Adrenal adenylate cyclase and steroidogenic activities of 63 day old ovine fetuses: in vitro effects of ACTH1-24 and forskolin

This study examines the activity of the adenylate cyclase system and that of some enzymes of the steroidogenic pathway of adrenal cells from 62-63 day old ovine fetuses. Synthetic corticotropin (ACTH1-24), cholera toxin and forskolin stimulated both cAMP and corticoid productions by freshly isolated adrenal cells. The cAMP response to ACTH1-24 was lower than that to forskolin. However, forskolin-induced steroidogenesis was significantly lower than the ACTH1-24-induced steroid output. Freshly isolated cells metabolized quickly [14C]-labeled pregnenolone mainly through the 17-deoxy pathway. The amounts of cortisol and of corticosterone formed, in the presence of exogenous pregnenolone, were roughly 15-fold higher than under maximal stimulation by ACTH1-24. When the cells were cultured for 6 days in the absence or presence of ACTH1-24 (10(-8) M) or forskolin (10(-5) M), a small development of the cAMP response to these factors was observed in the course of the experiment. However, the mechanism of this development appeared different, according to the conditions of culture. The amounts of corticosterone secreted on day 6 by ACTH1-24- or forskolin-treated cells were 2- to 4-fold higher than on day 1, whereas cortisol outputs were much lower on day 6 than on day 1. The response to ACTH1-24 of cells maintained in ACTH-free media decreased dramatically during the culture in terms of both cortisol and of corticosterone. On day 6 of the experiment, the metabolism of [14C]pregnenolone was lower than on day 1 under all 3 conditions of culture. Only the 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/isomerase activity could be maintained by continuous treatment with forskolin. However, both ACTH1-24 and forskolin enhanced the production of pregnenolone from an endogenous substrate. In conclusion, these results present evidence that: 1) the adenylate cyclase system is not a bottleneck in the steroidogenic response to ACTH1-24 of freshly isolated adrenal cells from 62-63 day old ovine fetuses; 2) the main rate-limiting step for steroidogenesis by these cells is the availability of pregnenolone; 3) neither ACTH1-24 nor forskolin is able to maintain the activity of most enzymes involved in the metabolization of pregnenolone by cultured cells while increasing pregnenolone availability; 4) some inhibiting factors are involved in the loss of adrenal cells responsiveness to ACTH between days 50 and 100 of gestation, and they probably act mainly on the adenylate cyclase system.     

Interferon-gamma down-regulates adenosine 2b receptor-mediated signaling and short circuit current in the intestinal epithelia by inhibiting the expression of adenylate cyclase

Adenosine is an endogenous signaling molecule that is highly up-regulated in inflammatory states. Adenosine acts through the A2b receptor, a G protein-coupled receptor that couples positively to Galpha(s) and activates adenylate cyclase. This leads to cAMP-mediated electrogenic chloride secretion in intestinal epithelia. To better understand the regulation of the A2b receptor in intestinal epithelia, we studied the effects of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), a potent immunomodulatory cytokine, in the T84 cell line. Pretreatment of cells with 500 units/ml IFN-gamma for 12 h inhibited an adenosine-induced short circuit current (Isc) without affecting the transepithelial resistance. Under these conditions, IFN-gamma did not inhibit the protein expression or membrane recruitment of the A2b receptor, shown to be essential for its function. Interestingly, IFN-gamma inhibited cAMP levels as well as its downstream signaling pathway as shown by the inhibition of adenosine-induced phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein and protein kinase A activity. Similar studies with forskolin, a direct activator of adenylate cyclase, also demonstrated inhibition of cAMP and its downstream response by IFN-gamma. However, IFN-gamma did not affect secretory responses to the calcium-dependent secretagogue carbachol or cAMP analog 8-bromo-cAMP, indicating that normal secretory responses to adequate second messengers in IFN-gamma-treated cells are achievable. Moreover, IFN-gamma inhibited the expression of adenylate cyclase isoforms 5 and 7. In conclusion, we demonstrate that IFN-gamma down-regulates adenosine-mediated signaling possibly through the direct inhibition of adenylate cyclase expression. We propose that IFN-gamma may acutely affect global cAMP-mediated responses in the intestinal epithelia, thereby decreasing secretory responses, which may consequently aggravate inflammatory processes.     

Melatonin receptors and signal transduction mechanisms

The ovine pars tuberalis (PT) still offers the best model for the study of signal transduction pathways regulated by the melatonin receptor. From the evidence accumulated so far, it seems likely that the cAMP signal transduction pathway will be a major effector of a stimulatory signal to the PT which can be regulated by melatonin. Thus a principal action of melatonin in the PT may be the repression of biochemical processes driven by cAMP. However, through the phenomenon of sensitization, melatonin may also act to amplify a stimulatory input to the cAMP signal transduction pathway in the PT. These events are mediated via the melatonin receptor, which is itself a target for regulation by the melatonin signal. Studies using the PT have identified several signalling pathways that may serve to positively or negatively regulate the expression of the melatonin receptor. These and other studies in the PT have alluded to cAMP-independent pathways regulated by the melatonin receptor.     

Co-expression of the beta2-adrenoceptor and dopamine D1-receptor with Gsalpha proteins in Sf9 insect cells: limitations in comparison with fusion proteins

The G-protein G(salpha) exists in three isoforms, the G(salpha) splice variants G(salphashort) (G(salphaS)) and G(salphalong) (G(salphaL)), and the G-protein G(alphaolf) that is not only involved in olfactory signaling but also in extrapyramidal motor regulation. Studies with beta(2)-adrenoceptor (beta(2)AR)-G(salpha) fusion proteins showed that G(salpha) proteins activate adenylyl cyclase (AC) in the order of efficacy G(salphaS)>G(salphaL) approximately G(alphaolf) and that G(salpha) proteins confer the hallmarks of constitutive activity to the beta(2)AR in the order of efficacy G(salphaL)>G(alphaolf)>G(salphaS). However, it is unclear whether such differences between G(salpha) proteins also exist in the nonfused state. In the present study, we co-expressed the beta(2)AR and dopamine D(1)-receptor (D(1)R) with G(salpha) proteins at different ratios in Sf9 insect cells. In agreement with the fusion protein studies, nonfused G(alphaolf) was less efficient than nonfused G(salphaS) and G(salphaL) at activating AC, but otherwise, we did not observe differences between the three G(salpha) isoforms. Thus, it is much easier to dissect differences between G(salpha) isoforms using beta(2)AR-G(salpha) fusion proteins than nonfused G(salpha) isoforms.     

Adenylate cyclase activity and cyclic AMP production in the outer and inner zones of the adrenal cortex

It has been reported that cells isolated from the inner zone of the guinea pig adrenal cortex fail to have a steroidogenic response to ACTH. To further explore this, adenylate cyclase activity of membrane particles and cAMP production by cells prepared from the inner and outer adrenocortical zones were determined. The cAMP response to ACTH and forskolin was similar for cells from both zones. Basal adenylate cyclase activity was significantly higher in the inner zone; and while absolute responses to ACTH, GppNHp, GTP, NaF, and forskolin were greater for the inner zone, relative responses were similar for the two zones. These observations suggest that the inner zone of the guinea pig adrenal cortex may have a defect in ACTH action at a step(s) beyond cAMP formation.     

Gastric mucin secretion in response to beta-adrenergic G protein-coupled receptor activation is mediated by SRC kinase-dependent epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation.

In many systems, the integration of converging regulatory signals that relay on G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) activation into functional cellular pathways requires the involvement of receptor tyrosine kinase. In this report, we provide evidence that activation of GPCR by beta-adrenergic agonist leading to stimulation in gastric mucin secretion requires epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) participation. Using [(3)H]glucosamine-labeled gastric mucosal cells, we show that stimulatory effect of beta-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol, on mucin secretion was inhibited by EGFR kinase inhibitor, PD153035, as well as wortmannin, a specific inhibitor of PI3K. Both inhibitors, moreover, blunted the mucin secretory responses to beta-adrenergic agonist-generated second messenger, cAMP as well as adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin. The gastric mucin secretory responses to isoproterenol, furthermore, were inhibited by PP2, a selective inhibitor of tyrosine kinase Src responsible for ligand-independent EGFR autophosphorylation, but not by ERK inhibitor, PD98059. The inhibition of ERK, moreover, did not cause attenuation in mucin secretion in response to cAMP and forskolin. The findings underline the role of EGFR as a convergence point in gastric mucin secretion triggered by beta-adrenergic GPCR activation, and demonstrate the requirement for Src kinase in EGFR transactivation.     

Protein kinase C sensitizes olfactory adenylate cyclase

Effects of neurotransmitters on cAMP-mediated signal transduction in frog olfactory receptor cells (ORCs) were studied using in situ spike recordings and radioimmunoassays. Carbachol, applied to the mucosal side of olfactory epithelium, amplified the electrical response of ORCs to cAMP-generating odorants, but did not affect unstimulated cells. A similar augmentation of odorant response was observed in the presence of phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC). The electrical response to forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase (AC), was also enhanced by PDBu, and it was attenuated by the PKC inhibitor Goe 6983. Forskolin-induced accumulation of cAMP in olfactory tissue was potentiated by carbachol, serotonin, and PDBu to a similar extent. Potentiation was completely suppressed by the PKC inhibitors Goe 6983, staurosporine, and polymyxin B, suggesting that the sensitivity of olfactory AC to stimulation by odorants and forskolin was increased by PKC. Experiments with deciliated olfactory tissue indicated that sensitization of AC was restricted to sensory cilia of ORCs. To study the effects of cell Ca2+ on these mechanisms, the intracellular Ca2+ concentration of olfactory tissue was either increased by ionomycin or decreased by BAPTA/AM. Increasing cell Ca2+ had two effects on cAMP production: (a) the basal cAMP production was enhanced by a mechanism sensitive to inhibitors of calmodulin; and (b) similar to phorbol ester, cell Ca2+ caused sensitization of AC to stimulation by forskolin, an effect sensitive to Goe 6983. Decreasing cell Ca2+ below basal levels rendered AC unresponsive to stimulation by forskolin. These data suggest that a crosstalk mechanism is functional in frog ORCs, linking the sensitivity of AC to the activity of PKC. At increased activity of PKC, olfactory AC becomes more responsive to stimulation by odorants, forskolin, and cell Ca2+. Neurotransmitters appear to use this crosstalk mechanism to regulate olfactory sensitivity.     

Polymorphism and signalling of melatonin receptors.

Melatonin receptors belong to the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors. Cloning of Mel1c receptors expressed in Xenopus skin revealed the existence of a polymorphism for these receptors. Heterologous expression of the two allelic isoforms, called Mel1c(alpha) and Mel1c(beta), indicated functional differences in their signalling properties. Both isoforms are coupled to the cAMP and cGMP pathways. However, the alpha isoform is preferentially coupled to the cAMP pathway, whereas the beta isoform couples preferentially to the cGMP pathway. Coupling differences may be explained by the fact that five of the six amino acid substitutions between the two isoforms are localized within intracellular receptor regions potentially involved in G protein coupling. Allelic isoforms were also observed for Mel1a receptors expressed in ovine pars tuberalis, suggesting that polymorphism is a general feature of the melatonin receptor family. We also evaluated the potential of the two human melatonin receptor subtypes, Mel1a and Mel1b, to modulate the cGMP pathway. Melatonin inhibited intracellular cGMP levels in a dose-dependent manner in HEK293 cells transfected with the human Mel1b receptor. This was not the case for HEK293 cells transfected with the human Mel1a receptor. In conclusion, our results indicate that the expression of receptor subtypes and isoforms may permit differential signalling between melatonin receptors.     

Regulation of melanosome movement by MAP kinase

Our objectives were to further characterize the signaling pathways in melatonin-induced aggregation in Xenopus melanophores, specifically to investigate a possible role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). By Western blotting we found that melatonin activates MAPK, which precedes melanosome aggregation measured in a microplate reader. Activation of MAPK, tyrosine phosphorylation of a previously described 280-kDa protein, and melanosome aggregation are sensitive to PD98059, a selective inhibitor of MAPK kinase. The MAPK activation is also decreased by the adenylate cyclase stimulant forskolin. In summary, we found that MAPK is activated during melatonin-induced melanosome aggregation. Activation was decreased by an inhibitor of MAPK kinase, and by forskolin. In addition to inhibition of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP), reduction in protein kinase A activity (PKA), and activation of protein phosphatase 2A, we suggest that melatonin receptors activate the MAPK cascade and tyrosine phosphorylation of the 280-kDa protein. Although the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway is the most prominent, our data suggest that simultaneous activation of the MAPK cascade is of importance to obtain a completely aggregated state. This new regulatory mechanism of organelle transport by the MAPK cascade might be important in other eukaryotic cells.     

Effects of protease inhibitors on adenylate cyclase activation and aldosterone production in rat adrenal zona glomerulosa cells

It has been shown that serine proteases are involved in aldosterone and 18-hydroxycorticosterone production by the rat adrenal zona glomerulosa in response to a variety of stimulants. From evidence presented for various tissues, including the rat adrenal cortex, the observation that adenylate cyclase can be activated by proteolytic enzymes and inhibited by protease inhibitors has led to the suggestion that serine proteases may also be involved in the hormonal stimulation of adenylate cyclase. In studies designed to test this hypothesis using protease inhibitors, only high concentrations (greater than 10(-4) M) of TAME (p-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester) inhibited ACTH stimulated steroid and cAMP production in rat adrenal glomerulosa cells. TPCK (tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethylketone) and TLCK (tosyl-L-lysine chloromethylketone) were found to have a similar effect at very high concentrations (10(-2) M) but had no effect at the serine protease inhibitory concentration of 5 X 10(-6) M. Other protease inhibitors tested had no effect on ACTH-stimulated cAMP but the inhibitory effect of high concentrations of protease inhibitors on ACTH-stimulated adenylate cyclase was duplicated by the polyanion dextran sulphate. The results suggest that the inhibitors act through non-specific membrane effects and that proteases are not involved in the activation of zona glomerulosa adenylate cyclase by ACTH. In view of these findings it is concluded that a more rigorous approach should be applied to the use of protease inhibitors in whole cell systems, and that the concept of hormonal activation of adenylate cyclase via proteolytic events, which is based on studies with such inhibitors, should be reconsidered.     

Cyclic AMP affects the haemocyte responses of larval Galleria mellonella to selected antigens

Signal transduction of the innate immediate responses of insect haemocytes to foreign matter is rarely considered. Herein using a combination of adenylate cyclase inhibitors and activators and phosphodiesterase inhibitors we determined that cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) at high levels normally impairs non-self response. Haemocyte contact with glass and bacteria lowered cAMP in vitro. Inactive phosphodiesterases, including type 4, impaired haemocyte reactions in vitro. Using the drugs in vivo to modulate adenylate cyclase and phosphodiesterases altered the total and types of haemocytes. Adenylate cyclase inhibitors and etazolate (a type 4 phosphodiesterase inhibitor) alone produced changes in the haemograms similar to those caused by Bacillus subtilis. Sequential injections of an enzyme modulator followed by B. subtilis impaired bacterial removal due (1) in the case of enzyme inhibitors, to the removal of haemocytes prior to bacterial challenge and (2) in the case of forskolin and IBMX to the shut-down of the haemocytes. Activating adenylate cyclase or inhibiting phosphodiesterase impaired bacterial removal when co-injecting the compounds and bacteria.     

Studies on the mechanism of inhibition of hepatic cAMP accumulation by vasopressin

Vasopressin elicited a dose-dependent inhibition of glucagon-induced cAMP accumulation in isolated hepatocytes. This response was not diminished by incubation of cells with the calmodulin antagonists trifluoperazine or chlorpromazine and was only slightly reduced in Ca2+-depleted hepatocytes. Half-maximal inhibition of cAMP accumulation occurred at 8 X 10(-11) M vasopressin, a dose which does not increase cytosolic Ca2+ in hepatocytes. Direct activation of adenylate cyclase by forskolin was significantly inhibited by vasopressin in Ca2+-depleted cells. It is concluded that inhibition of hormone-induced cAMP accumulation by vasopressin in liver is not dependent on cellular Ca2+ mobilisation but may involve direct inhibition of adenylate cyclase.     

Adenylyl cyclases in oocyte maturation: a characterization of AC isoforms in bovine cumulus cells

Mammalian oocytes are arrested at the G(2)/M transition in the meiotic cell cycle. It is well known that a decrease in intraoocyte cAMP concentrations accompanies resumption of meiosis, but the precise trigger of this decrease remains a mystery. Follicular somatic cells are intimately coupled to the oocyte and are thought to transmit maturation signals to the oocyte in response to hormonal stimulation. Here, we investigate the nature of the follicular somatic cell response to hormonal stimulation by identifying and characterizing the adenylate cyclase isoforms present in bovine cumulus cells. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis revealed the presence of multiple adenylyl cyclase isoforms in bovine granulosa and cumulus cells. Pharmacological manipulation of the AC isoforms showed that multiple isoforms were indeed active. Our data indicate that the PKC inhibited adenylate cyclases IV and VI and the calcium-stimulated isoform I predominate in bovine cumulus cells.     

Inhibition of human B cell activation by diterpine forskolin: interference with B cell growth factor-induced G1 to S transition of the B cell cycle

We have previously demonstrated that a series of sequential steps are involved in the induction of a resting human B cell to proliferate. In this system, initial activation signals were delivered by either in vivo or in vitro stimulation, and proliferative signals were delivered by a B cell growth factor (BCGF) that was derived from a human T-T cell hybridoma. The involvement of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) in regulating the growth and differentiation of lymphocytes has been of considerable interest. Diterpine forskolin has been reported to be a unique adenylate cyclase activator in membranes from mammalian tissues that results in elevations of intracytoplasmic cAMP. We have examined the effect of this drug on the progression of human B cells through their activation cycle. It was found that forskolin causes a rapid and sustained increase of cytoplasmic cAMP in purified small and large B cells. In the in vitro costimulation of small resting B cells with anti-mu plus BCGF, forskolin inhibited the proliferative response of B cells in a dose-dependent manner. This forskolin-mediated suppression of B cell proliferation was found when the drug was added to the cultures as late as 36 hr after initial stimulation. Of note is the fact that the anti-mu-induced RNA synthesis as well as cell enlargement in resting B cells was not inhibited by the addition of forskolin, whereas BCGF-induced proliferative response of activated B cells was markedly inhibited by the drug. Thus, these data demonstrate that forskolin, an agent that elevates cytoplasmic cAMP levels, has relatively little effect on early events in the human B cell cycle (G0 to G1) transition, but selectively inhibits the progression of BCGF-induced G1 to S phase transition of B cells.     

mt(1) Receptor-mediated antiproliferative effects of melatonin on the rat uterine antimesometrial stromal cells.

It has been shown that melatonin regulates uterine function. Our previous studies have demonstrated the presence of melatonin receptors in the rat uterine endometrium, indicating that melatonin may act directly on the uterus. In the present study, the histological localization of the rat uterine melatonin binding was revealed by autoradiography and the molecular subtyping was studied by in situ hybridization in the stromal cells. The signal transduction process and effects of melatonin on stromal cell proliferation was also investigated. Our autoradiograms showed that 2[(125)I]iodomelatonin binding sites were localized in the antimesometrial endometrial stroma. In situ hybridization with specific mt(1) receptor cDNA probe in the primary culture of antimesometrial stromal cells demonstrated the expression of mt(1) receptor mRNAs. Melatonin dose-dependently inhibited forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation, which was reversed by pertussis toxin. This indicates that the rat uterine melatonin receptors are negatively coupled to adenylate cyclase via pertussis toxin sensitive G(i) protein. Melatonin also inhibited the incorporation of [(3)H]thymidine in the rat uterine antimesometrial stromal cells, showing that melatonin has an anti-proliferative effect on the uterus. Our results suggest that melatonin may act directly on the mt(1) melatonin receptors in the rat uterine antimesometrial stromal cells to inhibit their proliferation. Its action may be mediated through a pertussis toxin-sensitive adenylate cyclase coupled G(i)-protein.     

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.