CSF concentrations of cAMP and cGMP are lower in patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease but not Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Background

The cyclic nucleotides cyclic adenosine-3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine-3′,5′-monophosphate (cGMP) are important second messengers and are potential biomarkers for Parkinson''s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).

Methodology/Principal Findings

Here, we investigated by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of cAMP and cGMP of 82 patients and evaluated their diagnostic potency as biomarkers. For comparison with a well-accepted biomarker, we measured tau concentrations in CSF of CJD and control patients. CJD patients (n = 15) had lower cAMP (−70%) and cGMP (−55%) concentrations in CSF compared with controls (n = 11). There was no difference in PD, PD dementia (PDD) and ALS cases. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses confirmed cAMP and cGMP as valuable diagnostic markers for CJD indicated by the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.86 (cAMP) and 0.85 (cGMP). We calculated a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 64% for cAMP and a sensitivity of 67% and specificity of 100% for cGMP. The combination of both nucleotides increased the sensitivity to 80% and specificity to 91% for the term cAMPxcGMP (AUC 0.92) and to 93% and 100% for the ratio tau/cAMP (AUC 0.99).

Conclusions/Significance

We conclude that the CSF determination of cAMP and cGMP may easily be included in the diagnosis of CJD and could be helpful in monitoring disease progression as well as in therapy control.     

Regulation of DNA synthesis by guanosine-5′-diphosphate, cyclic guanosine-3′,5′-monophosphate, and cyclic adenosine-3′,5′-monophosphate in mouse lymphoid cells

The effect of various adenine and guanine nucleotides and nucleosides on DNA synthesis was studied in various types of mouse lymphoid cells. Two out of the ten compounds tested, namely guanosine-5′-diphosphate (GDP) and cyclic guanosine-3′,5′-monophosphate (cGMP) increased the thymidine incorporation into the DNA of the spleen cells and counteracted completely or partially the inhibitory action of cyclic adenosine-3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP) on spleen cells stimulated by various B or T cell mitogens. GDP seems to act preferentially on thymus cells while cGMP acts better on bone marrow cells. The possible significance of the results for the mechanism of the mitogenic signal is discussed.     

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases in somatic and germ cells of mouse seminiferous tubules

The distribution of phosphodiesterase forms in somatic and germ cells, and their variations during testicular development and germ cell differentiation have been investigated. Seminiferous tubules from immature mice and Sertoli cells in culture possessed two enzyme activities which were comparable to forms described for different tissues and species: (a) a calcium-calmodulin-dependent enzyme with high affinity for guanosine 3',5'-(cyclic)-monophosphate (cGMP), and (b) a calcium-calmodulin-independent enzyme with high affinity for adenosine 3',5'-(cyclic)-monophosphate (cAMP) the activity of which increased in cultured Sertoli cells after treatment with FSH or dibutyryl cAMP. Seminiferous tubules from adult animals and germ cells at the meiotic and post-meiotic stage of differentiation possessed two enzyme forms that could be distinguished from those present in somatic cells of the seminiferous tubules: (a) a calcium-calmodulin-dependent form with high affinity for both cAMP and cGMP, similar to forms described in other tissues from different species, and (b) a calcium-calmodulin-independent phosphodiesterase with high affinity for cAMP and present only in post-meiotic cells, previously identified also in germ cells of the rat.     

Diurnal rhythms in cyclic nucleotide metabolism in Helix nervous system

Concentrations of cAMP (cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate) and cGMP (cyclic guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate), in ganglia from the garden snail Helix pomatia, vary considerably over the course of the day. There is a maximum in the concentration of both cyclic nucleotides between 08:00 and 12:00 (lights on 06:00 to 18:00), with the cAMP maximum occurring slightly later than that in cGMP. In addition there can be several smaller maxima in cAMP and cGMP levels; the timing of these can be markedly different from experiment to experiment, with cAMP and cGMP sometimes in and sometimes out of phase with each other. This pattern is observed in Helix which had been activated from the dormant state 4–6 days earlier, but is not present in dormant or in long-active animals. The cyclic nucleotide rhythm can be seen in ganglia maintained in organ culture, and persists for at least 24 hours after removal of the tissue from the animal. There appears to be little change in the level of basal or Na Fstimulated adenylate cyclase activity in Helix ganglia over the course of the day. On the other hand, both cAMP and cGMP phosphodiesterase activities exhibit rhythms which are consistent with the rhythms in cAMP and cGMP concentrations.     

离子交换法提取大枣中环磷酸腺苷(cAMP)的工艺研究

环磷酸腺苷(cAMP)作为第二信使参与多种生理生化过程的调节,是人体内重要的生理活性物质。本文采用水浸提和6 000 Da超滤膜过滤方法对大枣进行预处理,从5种树脂中选型最合适的树脂,并对提取工艺进行确定。结果表明,大枣在小颗粒状(0.3 cm)捣碎状态下,60℃水浸提12 h,cAMP提取效果最好。通过考察SD5、SD8、D01、D05和D13五种型号离子交换树脂,发现D13型树脂提取大枣中cAMP效果最佳。选用的洗脱剂为0.05 mol/L HCl,流速为1.5 mL/min。得到产品产率为65.0%,其中cAMP含量37.5%。     

Tissue Distribution,Developmental Changes and Some Catalytic Properties of Guanosine 3′,5′-Monophosphate-dependent Protein Kinase of Bombyx mori

The levels of guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase in the larval and pupal tissues of Bombyx mori were estimated. This activity was highest in the fat body of the female pupa. The enzyme showed a significant variation in activity during development of adult in female. Male silkworm gave less significant results. The cGMP-dependent kinase partially purified from the pupa could be activated by a high concentration of adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP) as reported for cGMP-dependent protein kinases from other sources. The nature of the enzyme thus activated and that of the enzyme activated by a low concentration of cGMP were found to be similar in several aspects. This indicates that the intrinsic activity of protein kinase from the silkworm pupa is independent of the kind of cyclic nucleotide as an activator.     

Separation of regulatory and catalytic subunits of the cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase(s) of rabbit skeletal muscle

The cyclic 3′, 5′-adenosine monophosphate-dependent (cAMP-dependent) protein kinase(s) from rabbit skeletal muscle has been separated into catalytic and regulatory subunits by affinity chromatography utilizing a casein-Sepharose column in the presence of cAMP. The isolated catalytic subunit manifests full activity in the absence of cAMP but its requirement for this nucleotide is regained when the enzyme is reconstituted by addition of the regulatory subunit. Evidence is presented for the existence of more than a single type of regulatory or cAMP-binding subunit in muscle.     

A high-pressure liquid chromatographic method for measuring 3', 5'-cyclic AMP in brain.

A method is described for the estimation of adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (3′,5′-cyclic AMP) in rat brain by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The nucleotide is purified initially by being passed through two columns, alumina and AG-1X2. The peak in HPLC was identified by a number of methods. Optimum parameters for HPLC were obtained by using 1 mm KH₂PO₄ buffer, pH 4.8, at a flow rate of 57 ml/hr at room temperature. Using this technique the concentration of 3′,5′-cyclic AMP in rat brain was found to be 2.53 ± 0.40 nmol/g (mean ± SD, n = 5).     

The effect of locomotor activity on cerebellar levels of cGMP.

The effect of locomotor activity on brain regional levels of cyclic guanosine 3′, 5′-monophosphate (cGMP) and cyclic adenosine 3′, 5′-monophosphate (cAMP) was examined in rats trained to run in an activity wheel. Following 5 minutes of running, there was a two-fold elevation over control levels of cerebellar cGMP. Significant elevations were seen in eight other regions. No changes were observed in cAMP. Plasma levels of hormones indicative of stress were not significantly different between groups. We suggest that locomotor activity may contribute to elevations in cGMP in cerebellum and other brain regions in rats exposed to a variety of conditions.     

The effect of gonadotrophins on the 3',5'-AMP levels of seminiferous tubules

The addition of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to isolated tubules from hypophysectomized rats was shown to increase the level of adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (3′,5′-AMP). In contrast, luteinizing hormone (LH) exerted no effect in this system. The results presented are consistent with the concept that FSH exerts a direct effect upon cells within the seminiferous tubule, possibly on Sertoli cells, whereas the effects of LH on spermatogenesis are primarily due to the stimulation of androgen production by the interstitial cells of the testis.     

Interaction of calcium and cyclic nucleotides in thyroliberin-stimulated prolactin release

The object of the present study was to determine the relative importance of Ca++ and cyclic nucleotides as “second messengers” in thyroliberin (TRH)-mediated prolactin (PRL) release in the GH₃ and GH₄ rat pituitary tumor cell lines. PRL, cyclic adenosine 3': 5'-monophosphate (cAMP), and cyclic guanosine 3': 5'-monophosphate (cGMP) were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) following TRH stimulation. TRH increased PRL release and cAMP levels in GH₃ and GH₄ cells, but cGMP increases were variable. Treatment with 1 mM theophylline increased PRL release and raised cAMP and cGMP. Addition of TRH to theophylline-pretreated cells produced further significant increases in PRL release without any additional increases in cAMP and cGMP. Co++, a Ca++ antagonist, abolished TRH-induced PRL release in a dose-dependent manner. The Co++ inhibition was partially reversed by Ca++ in GH₃ or GH₄ cells. Furthermore, the Ca++ ionophore A23187 stimulated PRL release. We conclude that Ca++ is the primary “second messenger” for TRH-mediated PRL release from GH₃ or GH₄ cells.     

Simultaneous extraction and assay of cyclic nucleotides, prostaglandins, and DNA from cat alveolar bone

A method for the simultaneous extraction of cAMP, cGMP, PGE₂, PGF_2α, and DNA from a small sample of mineralized bone and the subsequent assay of these substances is described. Various solvents were tested for efficiency of extraction for the fatty acids, and water or 40% ethanol was found to extract more than 90% of labeled prostaglandin. In order to avoid enzymatic degradation, the substances were extracted at ?5°C requiring a solvent which would not freeze during extraction. Frozen alveolar cat bone samples were homogenized in 40% ethanol in the presence of 5 mm EDTA to inhibit phosphodiesterase. Small aliquots of the homogenate were withdrawn for the spectrofluorophotometric assay of DNA. After centrifugation, the supernatant was extracted first with petroleum ether, in order to take out neutral lipids, followed by ethyl acetate partition. The ethyl acetate layer was dired with N₂ gas, reconstituted with assay buffer, and assayed for PGE₂ and PGF_2α. A portion of the aqueous fraction was used for cAMP binding assay, while the rest was column chromatographed to elute the cGMP for radioassay. On the basis of per microgram of DNA, values for each of the following in cat alveolar bone were: 0.346 ± 0.049 pmol for cAMP, 0.026 ± 0.001 pmol for cGMP, 5.52 ± 1.46 pg for PGE₂, and 1.00 ± 0.29 pg for PGF_2α. Values calculated after the dilution of the sample aliquots or addition of standards to cAMP, cGMP, or PGE₂ showed no significant difference (P < 0.05) to their respective values. Within the limits of the sensitivity for each of the assay systems, it is feasible to measure cAMP, cGMP, PGE₂, and PGF_2α in alveolar bone from the same sample.     

Cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate levels in normal and transformed cells of higher plants

Cyclic adenosine 3′:5′-monophosphate (cAMP) concentrations were determined for various normal and transformed (crown-gall) plant tissues grown in sterile culture. No significant differences in cAMP concentrations were found between normal and transformed cells of $\text{Vinca rosea, Helianthus annuus}$, and $\text{Nicotiana tabacum}$, unlike the suppressed synthesis observed in transformed cells of mammalian systems. cAMP concentrations of these tissues in culture averaged 135 nanomolar. No correlation was found between cAMP concentrations and tissue culture generation times.     

The in vivo stimulation of rat liver ornithine decarboxylase activity by dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate, theophylline and dexamethasone

The hepatic ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity of normal rats was stimulated more than 7-fold 3 hours after a single intraperitoneal injection of dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (dibu-cAMP). The 3-hour ODC activity was also stimulated by single injections of either theophylline or dexamethasone (10- and 21-fold, respectively). The simultaneous administration of actinomycin D with either dibu-cAMP, theophylline or dexamethasone reduced the 3-hour ODC activity by 91, 62 and 58 percent, respectively. When actinomycin D was given one hour after dibu-cAMP, no inhibition of ODC activity was observed.     

Cyclic Guanosine 3′,5′-Monophosphate in the Dimorphic Fungus Mucor racemosus

The dimorphic fungus Mucor racemosus was found to contain the cyclic nucleotide guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cGMP). Approximately equivalent amounts of the compound were found in ungerminated spores, yeastlike cells, and mycelia. Germinating spores contained severalfold higher amounts of cGMP than the other cell forms. cGMP levels did not change significantly during the morphogenetic conversion of yeast to mycelia. Added exogenous cGMP or the dibutyryl derivative did not influence cell morphology in any way and did not alter the effect that cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate has upon cell morphology.     

CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDE PHOSPHODIESTERASE OF HUMAN CEREBROSPINAL FLUID

Abstract— Cyclic 3',5'-AMP (cAMP) and cyclic 3',5'–GMP (cGMP) phosphodiesterase activities were found in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using low substrate concentration (0.4μM). More rapid hydrolysis of cGMP than that of cAMP was observed in human CSF. However, cGMP hydrolytic activity of CSF was very much lower (0.3 pmol/min/ml CSF) than that of human cerebral cortex (33.7 nmol/min/g wet cortex). The pH optimum was found to be 8.0 (cGMP phosphodiesterase) and 7.5 (cAMP phosphodiesterase). The maximum stimulation of both cAMP and cGMP phosphodiesterase was achieved at 4 mM-MgCl₂. Cyclic AMP had relatively little effect on the hydrolysis of cGMP in CSF and the cortex, while cGMP inhibited hydrolysis of cAMP in both tissues. Snake venom was found to stimulate cAMP and cGMP phosphodiesterase activity of CSF, by 60% and 110% respectively. This stimulation by snake venom was also observed in the cortex phosphodiesterase, but was not observed in human plasma or thyroid phosphodiesterase. When CSF was applied to Sepharose 6B column, cGMP phosphodiesterase was separated into three different molecular forms. A plot of activity against substrate concentration using peak I (largest molecular size) revealed a high affinity ( K _m= 2.6μM) and a low affinity ( K _m= 100μM) for cAMP suggesting the existence of at least two molecular forms of the enzyme. On the other hand, using a cGMP as substrate the only one K _m value (1.90 μm) was obtained. These K _m values of CSF enzymes described above were close to those obtained from human cerebral cortex preparations. The enzyme under peak I corresponded to the cortex enzyme when judged from its molecular size and stimulation by snake venom. It seems likely from our results that at least a part of CSF phosphodiesterase originates from the central nervous system.     

Towards a new understanding on the regulation of mammalian oocyte meiosis resumption

Mammalian oocytes reach prophase of first meiosis around the time of birth, and remain at this stage for months or years, depending on the species. Only after puberty will the fully-grown oocytes begin to resume meiosis which is stimulated by gonadotropin surge. It has long been known that a high level of intra-oocyte cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) prevents oocyte meiosis resumption as indicated by germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). Recently, guanosine triphosphate-binding (G) protein-coupled receptors/G proteins/adenyl cyclase pathway endogenous to the oocyte as well as cAMP diffusion from the somatic compartment through gap junctions have been implicated in maintaining cAMP at levels that prevent oocytes from resuming meiosis. Another second messager molecule, guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP), has also recently been found to play important roles in maintaining oocyte meiosis arrest. cGMP in the follicular somatic cells diffuses into the oocyte and causes an increase in oocyte cAMP, presumably by acting on phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3). The cGMP level in the somatic compartment of the follicle decreases in response to luteinizing hormone (LH), and this change may be mediated through the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like factors and specific cGMP-phosphodiesterase subtype activity. It is well known that gonadotropic stimulation of meiotic resumption depends on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in the somatic compartment of the follicle; recent studies show that LH, through cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC) pathways, induces the synthesis of paracine factors such as EGF-like facors and meiosis activating sterol (MAS) to regulate oocyte GVBD via the MAPK pathway in follicle cells. A recent granulosa cell-specific knockout study has for the first time provided in vivo evidence for the important role of extracellular regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), two main forms of MAPK, and their downstream molecules in granulosa cells in oocyte meiosis resumption. Unresolved questions and future directions on research regarding signaling changes in follicle cells and oocytes as well their communication in response to the gonadotropin surge are addressed in this review.     

Specificity of cGMP binding to a purified cGMP-stimulated phosphodiesterase from bovine adrenal tissue

The binding of [3H]cGMP (guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate) to purified bovine adrenal cGMP-stimulated phosphodiesterase was measured by Millipore filtration on cellulose ester filter. [3H]cGMP-binding activity was enhanced when the assay was terminated in buffer containing 70% of saturated ammonium sulfate to dilute the enzyme and wash the filters. The cGMP-binding activity was co-purified with the phosphodiesterase activity. The binding of [3H]cGMP to purified enzyme was measured in the presence or absence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine. 1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine showed linear competitive inhibition with respect to cGMP as substrate in the phosphodiesterase reaction but stimulated the [3H]cGMP-binding activity in the binding assay. The stimulatory effect appeared not to be the result of preservation from [3H]cGMP hydrolysis; no cGMP phosphodiesterase activity has been measured under the cGMP-binding assay conditions, in the absence or presence of the inhibitor. Half-maximal stimulation by 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine occurred in the 5-7 microM concentration range. The specificity of binding of [3H]cGMP was investigated by adding increasing concentration of unlabeled analogs of cAMP (adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate) and cGMP. The binding of [3H]cGMP (50 nM) was displaced by unlabeled cGMP and cAMP with the following potency: 50% displacement was reached at the 0.1 microM cGMP range and only at a fiftyfold higher cAMP concentration. Our data with comparative series of analogs (e.g. 5'-amino-5'-deoxyguanosine 3',5'-monophosphate and 3'-amino-3'-deoxyguanosine 3',5'-monophosphate) showed that the potencies of stimulation of cAMP phosphodiesterase activity parallels displacement curves or [3H]cGMP binding to purified enzyme with no correlation with phosphodiesterase inhibition sequences. Those experiments suggest that the cGMP-binding activity is directly related to the non-catalytic (allosteric) cGMP-binding site.     

Involvement of cyclic adenosine-3′, 5′-monophosphate in chloronema differentiation in protonema cultures of Funaria hygrometrica

The role of purine and pyrimidine ribosides, nucleotides and substituted xanthines in the differentiation of chloronema filaments in suspension cultures of protonema of the moss Funaria hygrometrica Hedw. has been examined. Cyclic adenosine-3,5-monophosphate (cAMP) and mono-and dibutyryl cAMP evoked the maximum response in wild-type protonema. ADP and ATP also enhanced chloronema differentiation but were less active than cAMP; pyrimidine derivatives were completely inactive. Inhibitors of cyclic-nucleotide phosphodiesterase aminophylline, theophylline and ICI 58, 301 (3-acetamido-6-methyl-8-n-propyl-s-triazolo-(4,3a)-pyrazine)-mimicked the effect of cAMP. A leaky, chloronema-repressed mutant was isolated and in this mutant cAMP was much more active than cyclic guanosine monophosphate and ADP in enhancing chloronema differentiation. These results strongly indicate that cAMP is involved in chloronema differentiation in Funaria, and a hypothesis on growth regulation in protonema cell cultures is proposed.Abbreviations cAMP, cyclic AMP cyclic adenosine-3, 5-monophosphate - cCMP, cGMP, cIMP cyclic cytosine-, guanosine-and inosine-3, 5-monophosphates, respectively - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - ICI 58,301 3-acetamido-6-methyl-8-n-propyl-s-triazolo-(4,3a)-pyrazine     

Cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate in moss protonema: a comparison of its levels by protein kinase and gilman assays

From the protonema of the moss Funaria hygrometrica (L.) Sibth, a factor indistinguishable from cyclic adenosine 3′:5′-monophosphate (cAMP) has been isolated. The factor stimulated the activity of protein kinase from rabbit skeletal muscle and co-chromatographed with authentic cAMP in two solvent systems. Its ability to stimulate protein kinase activity was completely abolished by 3′:5′-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, the rate of inactivation being similar to that of authentic cAMP. Based on these properties, this factor is identified as 3′,5′-cAMP. Cyclic AMP could be readily removed from the cells and washing the cells with water reduced the endogenous level of cAMP by 2- to 3-fold. A comparison of cAMP levels by protein kinase and Gilman assays was made. The intracellular levels determined by protein kinase assay were about 7-fold lower than the values obtained by Gilman assay. This discrepancy was due to the presence of unidentified compounds which were completely degraded by 3′:5′-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase. Although these displaced labeled cAMP in the Gilman assay, they did not stimulate the protein kinase activity. The protonema may contain cyclic nucleotides other than cAMP; these will not be detected in the protein kinase assay due to the specificity of this reaction. The crude extracts were found to be unsuitable for assaying cAMP by either method.