Properties of cholera toxin- and NaF-stimulated adenylate cyclase from mouse thymocytes.

Kinetic parameters of mouse thymocyte adenylate cyclase activity were determined. NaF and cholera toxin stimulated adenylate cyclase. Stimulation by either agent did not change the pH or Mg2+ optima relative to control (unstimulated cyclase). The Km value for ATP of adenylate cyclase stimulated by NaF was significantly reduced from control. By contrast, cholera toxin treatment did not change the Km relative to control. Adenylate cyclase, when stimulated by NaF, had an optimum for Mn2+ alone, or Mn2+ in combination with Mg2+, at least twice that of control. In contrast, cyclase activity prepared from cells treated with cholera toxin remained unchanged with regard to these divalent cations when compared to control. Addition of NaF to adenylate cyclase prepared from cells treated with cholera toxin resulted in a significant reduction (30%) in activity suggesting that both NaF and cholera toxin were acting on the same cyclase. NaF inhibition of cholera toxin-stimulated activity was shown to be a direct interaction of fluoride on the stimulated cyclase enzyme. This inhibition appeared to be immediate and independent on pH, Mg2+ or ATP concentrations. Although NaF inhibition was lost when Mn2+ was present in the reaction mixture, the activity expressed by addition of NaF to cyclase prepared from cholera toxin-treated cells was much less than by addition of NaF to control. As observed with cholera toxin stimulation alone, activity expressed by the inhibited enzyme (cholera toxin treated + NaF) exhibited a Km for ATP and an optimum for Mn2+ alone or in combination with Mg2+ similar to control.     

Nature of the Cytoplasmic Factor(s) Modulating Adenylate Cyclase in the Developing Rat Brain

Abstract: Adenylate cyclase activity in the particulate fraction from rat brain was markedly enhanced by the cytoplasmic fraction, which itself contained negligible enzyme activity, indicating the presence of some stimulatory factor(s) in the supernatant. Activation of adenylate cyclase was dependent on the supernatant concentration up to 1 mgiml, but higher concentration of the supernatant did not produce further activation of the enzyme. The supernatant retained its stimulatory activity after boiling for 5 min, extensive dialysis, and phospholipase A and DNAase treatments, but was completely inactivated by digestion with trypsin. Ability of the supernatant to activate adenylate cyclase was low during fetal life, increased severalfold neonatally, and declined somewhat thereafter to an adult level. Adenylate cyclase in the particulate fraction from 2-day-old rat brain was also activated by GTP, calcium-dependent regulator (CDR) of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase in the presence of 100 pM-Ca¹, and by NaF. The supernatant produced additive activation of the enzyme with NaF but not with GTP or CDR, suggesting a common site of action of the supernatant factor(s) and the latter two agents. DEAE-cellulose chromatography of the boiled supernatant resolved the heat-stable proteins into several peaks. Adenylate cyclase activator eluted in two distinct peaks, one of which also contained CDR activity. It is concluded that rat brain supernatant contains some factor in addition to CDR which activates particulate adenylate cyclase.     

Solubilization of adenylate cyclase of brain membranes by lipid peroxidation

Adenylate cyclase in the membrane fractions of bovine and rat brains, but not in rat liver plasma membranes, was solubilized by treatment with Fe²⁺ (10 μM) plus dithiothreitol (5 mM). Solubilization of the enzyme by these agents was completely prevented by simultaneous addition of N,N′-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD), an inhibitor of lipid peroxidation. Ascorbic acid also solubilized the enzyme from the brain membranes. Lipid peroxidation of the brain membranes was characterized by a selective loss of phosphatidylethanolamine. Solubilization of membrane-bound enzymes by Fe²⁺ plus dithiothreitol was not specific for adenylate cyclase, because phosphodiesterase, thiaminediphosphatase and many other proteins were also solubilized. Solubilized adenylate cyclase had a high specific activity and was not activated by either NaF, 5′-guanylyl imidodiphosphate (Gpp[NH]p) or calmodulin. These results suggested that lipid peroxidation of the brain membranes significantly solubilized adenylate cyclase of high specific activity.     

Cyclic AMP metabolism in mouse parotid glands. Properties of adenylate cyclase, protein kinase and phosphodiesterase.

Catecholamines induce unique growth and secretory responses in salivary glands. An analysis of three enzyme activities involved in cyclic AMP metabolism was carried out to identify the specificity of these responses for salivary glands. Although parotid adenylate cyclase has an unusually high specific activity, its kinetic properties and responses to NaF, guanine nucleotides, and isoproterenol are similar to other tissues not stimulated to grow after isoproterenol stimulation. Solubilized adenylate cyclase was separated from other membrane proteins by isoelectric focusing on polyacrylamide gels. There was a single broad peak of activity witha pI of 5.9. Parotid protein kinase has a subcellular distribution and substrate preference similar to hepatic protein kinase. Activation by cyclic AMP is also similar to that reported for other tissues, with a Ka of 1.2 - 10(-7) M. Parotid cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterases are a heterogeneous group of enzymes with relatively low specific activity as compared with mouse pancreas, liver and brain. Isoelectric focusing of supernatant phosphodiesterases revealed at least sixpeaks of enzyme activity in the pI range of 4-6. Previous reports of a large increase in parotid cyclic AMP levels after in vivo administration of catecholamines and specific growth and secretion could be the result of a relatively high specific activity adenylate cyclase associated with low specific activity cyclic AMP phosphodiesterases.     

Cyclic AMP metabolism in mouse parotid glands properties of adenylate cyclase,protein kinase and phosphodiesterase

Catecholamines induce unique growth and secretory responses in salivary glands. An analysis of three enzyme activities involved in cyclic AMP metabolism was carried out to identify the specificity of these responses for salivary glands.Although parotid adenylate cyclase has an unusually high specific activity, its kinetic properties and responses to NaF, guanine nucleotides, and isoproterenol are similar to other tissues not stimulated to grow after isoproterenol stimulation. Solubilized adenylate cyclase was separated from other membrane proteins by isoelectric focusing on polyacrylamide gels. There was a single broad peak of activity with a pI of 5.9. Parotid protein kinase has a subcellular distribution and substrate preference similar to hepatic protein kinase. Activation by cyclic AMP is also similar to that reported for other tissues, with a K_a of 1.2·10^?7 M. Parotid cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP phosphoriesterases are a heterogeneous group of enzymes with relatively low specific activity as compared with mouse pancreas, liver and brain. Isoelectric focusing of supernatant phosphodiesterases revealed at least six peaks of enzyme activity in the pI range of 4–6.Previous reports of a large increase in parotid cyclic AMP levels after in vivo administration of catecholamines and specific growth and secretion could be the result of a relatively high specific activity adenylate cyclase associated with low specific activity cyclic AMP phosphodiesterases.     

Cholesterol modulation of beta-adrenergic receptor characteristics

Cholesterol, a major structural component of plasma membranes, has a profound influence on cell surface receptor characteristics and on adenylate cyclase activity. beta-Adrenergic receptor number, adenylate cyclase activity, and receptor-cyclase coupling were assessed in rat lung membranes following preincubation with cholesteryl hemisuccinate. beta-Adrenergic receptor number increased by 50% without a change in antagonist affinity. However, beta-adrenergic receptor affinity for isoproterenol increased 2-fold as a result of an increase in the affinity of the isoproterenol high-affinity binding site. The increase in agonist affinity did not potentiate hormone-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity, which decreased 3-fold following cholesterol incorporation. However, the ratio of isoproterenol to GTP-stimulated activity was unchanged with cholesterol. Stimulation distal to the receptor by GTP, NaF, GppNHp, Mn2+ and forskolin also demonstrated 50-80% reduced enzyme activity following cholesterol incorporation. These data suggest that membrane cholesterol incorporation decreases catalytic unit activity without affecting transduction of the hormone signal.     

Cholera toxin and adenylate cyclase: properties of the activated enzyme in liver plasma membranes.

Adenylate cyclase (EC 4.6.1.1) activity in mouse liver plasma membranes is increased fivefold when animals are pretreated with cholera toxin. The increase in activity is detectable within 20 min of an intravenous injection of the toxin. The response of the control and cholera-toxin-activated adenylate cyclase to hormones, GTP, and NaF is complex. GTP causes the same fold stimulation of control and toxin-activated cyclase, but glucagon and NaF remain the most potent activators of liver adenylate cyclase irrespective of whether the enzyme is activated by cholera toxin. Determination of kinetic parameters of adenylate cyclase indicates that cholera toxin, hormones, and NaF do not change the affinity of the enzyme for ATP-Mg nor do they alter the Ka for free Mg2+. High concentrations of Mg2+ inhibit adenylate cyclase that is stimulated by either cholera toxin, glucagon, or NaF. These same Mg2+ concentrations have no effect on the basal activity of the enzyme or its activity in the presence of GTP.     

Cholesterol modulation of β-adrenergic receptor characteristics

Cholesterol, a major structural component of plasma membranes, has a profound influence on cell surface receptor characteristics and on adenylate cyclase activity. β-Adrenergic receptor number, adenylate cyclase activity, and receptor-cyclase coupling were assessed in rat lung membranes following preincubation with cholesteryl hemisuccinate. β-Adrenergic receptor number increased by 50% without a change in antagonist affinity. However, β-adrenergic receptor affinity for isoproterenol increased 2-fold as a result of an increase in the affinity of the isoproterenol high-affinity binding site. This increase in agonist affinity did not potentiate hormone-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity, which decreased 3-fold following cholesterol incorporation. However, the ratio of isoproterenol to GTP-stimulated activity was unchanged with cholesterol. Stimulation distal to the receptor by GTP, NaF, GppNHp, Mn²⁺ and forskolin also demonstrated 50–80% reduced enzyme activity following cholesterol incorporation. These data suggest that membrane cholesterol incorporation decreases catalytic unit activity without affecting transduction of the hormone signal.     

Localization of adenylate cyclase activity in the tissues of an intact planarian Dugesia lugubris (O. Schmidt)

Summary Adenylate cyclase was localized in tissues of an intact planarian Dugesia lugubris (O. Schmidt) by ultracytochemical methods. The enzyme was found in epithelium, muscles, secretory cells (mucous), and rhabdites forming cells and neoblasts. Adenylate cyclase occurred on the external side of cell membranes in cisterns of the endoplasmic reticulum, nuclear envelope and mitochondria. The problems of ultracytochemical localization of AC are discussed.     

Histochemical localization of hormone sensitive adenylate cyclase in defined nephron epithelia in culture

Distal nephron epithelia of defined anatomical origin were microdissected from rabbit kidneys and individually explanted into an in vitro culture system. The 7 day monolayers grown from four different nephron epithelia were studied for the presence and amount of adenylate cyclase reaction product. In each case basal adenylate cyclase was compared with the enzyme reaction product after stimulation by arginine vasopressin, calcitonin, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and isoproterenol. In cortical collecting tubule cultures, the reaction was stimulated by vasopressin greater than isoproterenol greater than calcitonin. PTH had no effect. In cortical thick ascending loop of Henle cells, the stimulation was by calcitonin greater than vasopressin = PTH. Isoproterenol had no effect. In medullary ascending loop epithelia, stimulation was by vasopressin = calcitonin. Neither isoproterenol nor PTH had an effect. These observations indicate that adenylate cyclase is histochemically demonstrable in cultivated cells from rabbit distal nephron segments and that the enzyme activation by hormones is differential according to the epithelium of origin.     

Characterization of adenylate and guanylate cyclases in rat peritoneal mast cells

Adenylate and guanylate cyclase activities were confirmed in crude homogenates from rat peritoneal mast cells. Both enzyme activities were associated with the 105, 000 X g particulate fractions, but not detected in the supernatant fractions. The optimal pH for both cyclase activities was 8.2. Mn⁺⁺ was essentially required for guanylate cylcase activity, while adenylate cyclase activity was observed in the presence of either Mg⁺⁺ or Mn⁺⁺. The apparent Km values of adenylate cyclase for Mn⁺⁺-ATP and Mg⁺⁺-ATP were 160 μM and 340 μM, respectively, whereas the value of guanylate cyclase for Mn⁺⁺-GTP was 100 μM. Adenylate cyclase was activated by 10 mM NaF. However, both adenylate and guanylate cyclase activities were neither stimulated nor inhibited by the addition of various kinds of agents which stimulate or inhibit the release of histamine from mast cells.     

Stabilization and solubilization of bovine corpus-luteum adenylate cyclase. The effects of guanosine triphosphate, guanosine 5′-[β,γ-imido]triphosphate, sodium fluoride and Tris/hydrochloric acid concentration on enzyme activity

1. Adenylate cyclase of the washed 600g sediment of bovine corpus-luteum homogenate is stimulated by p[NH]ppG (guanosine 5'-[beta,gamma-imido]triphosphate), the imido analogue of GTP, and to a lesser extent by GTP itself. Activation by p[NH]ppG is not reversed by extensive washing before assay, but can, however, be reversed by NaF. 2. Both p[NH]ppG and NaF stabilize the enzyme during incubation at 37 degrees C. NaF also causes an irreversible activation, but only of part of the potentially NaF-activatable adenylate cyclase; there are possibly two components of the adenylate cyclase system, which can be distinguished by their response to NaF. 3. Solubilization of the adenylate cyclase activity in the 600g sediment, by using the non-ionic detergent Lubrol-PX, gave variable yields. A relationship between the magnitude of NaF stimulation of the 600g-sediment enzyme and the yield of soluble activity derived from the sediment was recognized. The results suggest that the pre-existing state of the enzyme complex in vivo is reflected by the response in vitro to NaF and may determine the success with which activity can be solubilized. 4. The absolute yields of soluble activity could be increased by p[NH]ppG preactivation of the 600g sediment. During the development of the maximally active state by preincubation with p[NH]ppG the enzyme passes through a stage in which Lubrol solubilization is increased, but the maximally active state is itself less amenable to solubilization. p[NH]ppG activation causes the appearance of NaF-inhibited states, which appear to be preferentially solubilized by Lubrol-PX.     

Characterization of an octopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase from insect brain (Mamestra configurata Wlk.).

An adenylate cyclase present in the brain of the moth Mamestra configurata Wlk. that is stimulated selectively by low (micromolar) concentrations of octopamine has been characterized with respect to several properties. The optimum pH, optimum ATP:Mg2+ ratio, the concentration of ATP required for half-maximal and maximal reaction velocity, metal ion specificity, effect of NaF, and effects of GTP and 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate were in general similar to those of catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclases from various regions of mammalian brain. However, ethylene glycol bis-(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), a calcium chelator, stimulated both basal and octopamine-sensitive enzyme activity in the insect brain, whereas in mammalian brain EGTA is usually observed to inhibit basal activity but not catecholamine-stimulated activity. Adenylate cyclase activity of the 47,000 g particulate fraction of the insect brain was almost undetectable in the absence of added GTP. Addition of saturating concentrations (100 micrometer) of GTP to the particles restored about 30% of the basal and octopamine-sensitive enzyme activity present in the homogenate. Addition of 100,000 g supernatant to the particles doubled both basal and octopamine-sensitive enzyme activity in the presence of saturating concentrations of GTP, indicating that in addition to GTP, a cytosolic factor(s) is necessary for enhanced adenylate cyclase activity.     

Adenylate Cyclase Activity in the Superior Cervical Ganglion of the Rat

Abstract: Adenylate cyclase activity in cell-free homogenates of the rat superior cervical ganglion (SCG) was assayed under a variety of experimental conditions. Adenylate cyclase activity was decreased by approximately one-half when 1 m M EGTA was included in the homogenization buffer and assay mixture, indicating the presence of a Ca²⁺-sensitive adenylate cyclase in the ganglion. In the presence of EGTA, basal adenylate cyclase activity in homogenates of the SCG was 12.9 ± 0.6 pmol cyclic AMP/ganglion/10 min. Enzyme activity was stimulated three- to fourfold by 10 m M NaF or 10 m M MnCl₂, Both GTP and its nonhydrolyzable analog guanylylimidodiphosphate (GppNHp) stimulated adenylate cyclase in a concentration-dependent manner over the range of 0.1–10.0 μ M . Stimulation by GppNHp was five to six times greater than that produced by GTP at all concentrations tested. Decentralization of the ganglion had no effect on basal or stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. Receptor-linked stimulation of adenylate cyclase was not obtained with any of the following: isoproterenol, epi-nephrine, histamine, dopamine, prostaglandin E₂, or va-soactive intestinal peptide. Thus the receptor-linked regulation of adenylate cyclase activity appears to be lost in homogenates of the ganglion.     

Effect of adenylate cyclase activators and Mg2+ on the binding and the electron spin resonance spectra of N-methylmaleimide nitroxide in membrane particles from the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica

Optimal conditions for activation of adenylate cyclase in membrane particles were studied. Enzyme activation with serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine). NaF, and guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)-triphosphate (GTP gamma S) was time-and temperature-dependent. Mg2+ was required for enzyme activation. Adenylate cyclase that was activated by NaF or GTP gamma S was gradually inhibited by N-methylmaleimide while enzyme activated with serotonin and GTP responded faster to inhibition by the same sulfhydryl reagent. Th enzyme responded in a similar fashion to a spin-labeled N-methylmaleimide analog 3-(maleimidomethyl)-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-1-pyrolidinyloxyl (i.e., N-methylmaleimide nitroxide). Binding of the spin label was enhanced following enzyme activation by serotonin, NaF, or GTP gamma S in the presence of Mg2+. Activation of the enzyme was accompanied by an increase in the strong immobilization peaks in the EPR spectra. Both effects, the increase in binding and in the strong immobilization peaks, can be induced by Mg2+ alone. The results indicate that a general conformational induced by Mg2+ may be essential for adenylate cyclase activation.     

Lymphocyte adenylate cyclase and human aging

Adenylate cyclase activity was determined by enzymatic conversion of [32P]ATP to [32P]cAMP using peripheral lymphocytes freshly isolated from human subjects. The lymphocyte enzyme was stimulated by the potent beta-adrenergic catecholamine agonist isoproterenol and by the nonhydrolyzable GTP-analog Gpp[NH]p. The two activators had a synergistic effect, and agonist-dependent enzyme activity followed simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics with respect to isoproterenol in the presence but not in the absence of Gpp[NH]p. Cyclic AMP production by intact lymphocytes, determined by protein binding assay, also followed simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics with respect to isoproterenol. Kact of isoproterenol was the same in intact cells and the broken cell assay in the presence of Gpp[NH]p, suggesting the indispensable role the GTP-binding coupling factors play in the intact lymphocyte. In 31 human subjects between the age of 21 and 103, adenylate cyclase activity in the presence of isoproterenol, Gpp[NH]p, or isoproterenol in the presence of Gpp[NH]p decreased with the increasing age of the subject. The sensitivity of the enzyme to stimulation by isoproterenol, defined as the Kact and determined in the presence of Gpp[NH]p, was the same in lymphocytes from young (less than 45 years) or elderly (greater than 75 years) subjects. These results suggest a deficiency in the lymphocyte adenylate cyclase system distal to the beta-adrenergic catecholamine receptor could account for deterioration of cAMP-mediated components of the immune response which occur with age.     

Histochemical localization of hormone sensitive adenylate cyclase in defined nephron epithelia in culture

Summary Distal nephron epithelia of defined anatomical origin were microdissected from rabbit kidneys and individually explanted into an in vitro culture system. The 7 day monolayers grown from four different nephron epithelia were studied for the presence and amount of adenylate cyclase reaction product. In each case basal adenylate cyclase was compared with the enzyme reaction product after stimulation by arginine vasopressin, calcitonin, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and isoproterenol. In cortical collecting tubule cultures, the reaction was stimulated by vasopressin >isoproterenol>calcitonin. PTH had no effect. In cortical thick ascending loop of Henle cells, the stimulation was by calcitonin>vasopressin=PTH. Isoproterenol had no effect. In medullary ascending loop epithelia, stimulation was by vasopressin=calcitonin. Neither isoproterenol nor PTH had an effect.These observations indicate that adenylate cyclase is histochemically demonstrable in cultivated cells from rabbit distal nephron segments and that the enzyme activation by hormones is differential according to the epithelium of origin.     

Blockade of heterologous desensitization of prostate adenylate cyclase without blockade of homologous down regulation of receptors or loss of GTP regulation of agonist binding

Exposure of rat prostatic tissues to isoproterenol resulted in rapid desensitization of their catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase which was associated with reduction of available beta-adrenoceptors and a loss of guanine nucleotide-mediated regulation of agonist binding to these receptors. The effect of isoproterenol treatment on responsiveness of the adenylate cyclase was prevented by acetylcholine, high potassium ion, or the calcium ionophore A23187. Preservation of responsiveness was not accompanied by maintenance of available beta-adrenoceptors or maintenance of guanine nucleotide regulation of agonist bindings. These results suggest that the lesion of the guanine nucleotide regulating components coupled to the catalytic moiety of the enzyme complex is a crucial factor in the desensitization of catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase and the preservation of enzyme reaction could be accomplished by agents increasing intracellular calcium, which in turn, maintain the nucleotide regulatory components coupling to the cyclase in a protective environment from desensitization.     

The purification and characterization of plasma membranes and the subcellular distribution of adenylate cyclase in mouse parotid gland.

1. Plasma membranes have been purified 17-fold from mouse parotid gland homogenates prepared in hypertonic sucrose media using differential centrifugation. The method is fast and simple. The membranes were characterised by electron microscopy, enzyme composition and chemical composition. Further purification was achieved by isopycnic centrifugation in discontinuous sucrose gradients. 2. The purified membranes contain an adenylate cyclase activity which is stimulated by isoproterenol and fluoride. Only 50% of the total adenylate cyclase activity sedimented in the plasma membrane fraction. The rest of the activity resided in the crude nuclear and mitochondrial pellets. However, this adenylate cyclase activity was not associated with these organelles but with membrane fragments in the pellets. Purified nuclei did not contain adenylate cyclase activity. 3. Adenylate cyclase activity was also localised by electron microscopic cytochemistry. Besides being found at the plasma membrane, large amounts of adenylate cyclase were found in a small proportion of the vesicles within the acinar cells, which appeared to be secondary lysosomes. 4. Adenylate cyclase activities, under standard assay conditions, are proportional to the time of incubation and the concentration of enzyme. The enzyme requires both Mg-2+ and CA-2+ for activity. Isoproterenol increased activity 2-fold and this increase is abolished by beta-adrenergic blocking agents.     

Detection of guanylate cyclases A and B stimulated by natriuretic peptides in gastrointestinal tract of rat

Summary The ultracytochemical localization of membrane-bound guanylate cyclases A and B has been studied after stimulation with atrial natriuretic peptide, C-type natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide in the gastrointestinal tract of rat. The two isoforms are stimulated differently by the three peptides. The results showed that the atrial and C-type natriuretic peptides stimulated guanylate cyclase activity, whereas the brain peptide seemed not to activate enough of the enzyme to detect. The guanylate cyclase activity had a wider distribution in stomach and small intestine than in large intestine; nevertheless, the reaction product of guanylate cyclase A activity had a wider localization in the stomach, whereas the reaction product of guanylate cyclase B activity had a wider distribution in the small intestine. In the small and large intestine, we detected mostly similar localizations of guanylate cyclase activity irrespective of the peptide used; in the stomach the reaction products of guanylate cyclase A and B were detected in different cell types or in different sites of the same cell. In all the gastrointestinal tract, guanylate cyclase activity was detected mainly in three types of cells: exocrine and endocrine cells; undifferentiated and mature epithelial cells; and smooth muscle cells. These localizations of guanylate cyclase activity suggest its role in regulating glandular secretion, cellular proliferation and muscular activity. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.