Conformational studies of parathyroid hormone (PTH)/PTH-related protein (PTHrp) chimeric peptides

The N-terminal 1-34 segments of both parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) bind and activate the same membrane-embedded G protein-coupled receptor (PTH1 Rc) present on the surface of cells in target tissues such as bone and kidney. This binding occurs in spite of major differences between the two hormones in their amino acid sequence. Recently, it was shown that in (1-34) PTH/PTHrP hybrid peptides, the N-terminal 1-14 segment of PTHrP is incompatible with the C-terminal 15-34 region of PTH in terms of bioactivity. The sites of incompatibility were identified at positions 5 in PTHrP and 19 in PTH. In the present paper we describe the synthesis, biological evaluation, and conformational characterization of two segmental hybrids: PTHrP(1-27)-[Tyr(34)]bPTH(28-34)-NH(2) (hybrid I) and PTHrP(1-18)-[Nal(23), Tyr(34)]bPTH(19-34)-NH(2) (hybrid II). Hybrid I is as active as PTH(1-34)NH(2) and more than two orders of magnitude more active than hybrid II. The conformational properties of the hybrids were studied in water/trifluoroethanol (TFE) mixtures and in aqueous solutions containing dodecylphosphocholine (DPC) micelles by CD, two-dimensional nmr and computer simulations. Upon addition of TFE to the aqueous solution, both hybrids undergo a coil-helix transition. The helix content in 1:1 water/TFE obtained by CD data is about 75% for both hybrids. In the presence of DPC, helix formation is observed at detergent concentrations above critical micellar concentration and the maximum helix content is of approximately 35 and approximately 30% for hybrid I and II, respectively. Combined nmr analysis, distance geometry, and molecular dynamics calculations suggest that, in both solvent systems, the biologically active hybrid I exhibits two flexible sites, centered at residues 12 and 19, connecting helical segments. The flexibility point at position 19 is not present in the poorly active hybrid II. Our findings support the hypothesis, proposed in our previous work, that in bioactive PTH analogues the presence and location of flexibility points between helical segments are essential for enabling them to fold into the bioactive conformation upon interaction with the PTH1 receptor.     

Demonstration that cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate mediates the lipolytic action of parathyroid hormone.

Studies were carried out with rat epididymal fat pads first to compare the effects of the synthetic N-terminal 1-34 peptide of bovine parathyroid hormone and of the native hormone to determine whether this portion of the molecule is responsible for the lipolytic action of the hormone and second to determine whether this biologic action of parathyroid hormone is mediated by cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate. The N-terminal polypeptide was as effective as the native hormone in stimulating lipolysis in the concentration range between 10(-8) M and 10(-6) M. Parathyroid hormone stimulated lipolysis by isolated fat cells. The concentration of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate in the fat pads was significantly increased by the hormone (10(-6)M). Lipolytic stimulation by parathyroid hormone (10(-6)M) was diminished by insulin (100 muU/ml) and prostaglandin E1 (1 mug/ml), both of which are known inhibitors of lipolysis. The findings indicate that the amino-terminal 1-34 peptide portion of parathyroid hormone is responsible for the lipolytic action and that this effect is mediated through cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate.     

Compartmentation of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate signaling in caveolae.

The cAMP-signaling pathway is composed of multiple components ranging from receptors, G proteins, and adenylyl cyclase to protein kinase A. A common view of the molecular interaction between them is that these molecules are disseminated on the plasma lipid membrane and random collide with each other to transmit signals. A limitation to this idea, however, is that a signaling cascade involving multiple components may not occur rapidly. Caveolae and their principal component, caveolin, have been implicated in transmembrane signaling, particularly in G protein-coupled signaling. We examined whether caveolin interacts with adenylyl cyclase, the membrane-bound enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of ATP to cAMP. When overexpressed in insect cells, types III, IV, and V adenylyl cyclase were localized in caveolin-enriched membrane fractions. Caveolin was coimmunoprecipitated with adenylyl cyclase in tissue homogenates and copurified with a polyhistidine-tagged form of adenylyl cyclase by Ninitrilotriacetic acid resin chromatography in insect cells, suggesting the colocalization of adenylyl cyclase and caveolin in the same microdomain. Further, the regulatory subunit of protein kinase A (RIIalpha, but not RIalpha) was also enriched in the same fraction as caveolin. Gsalpha was found in both caveolin-enriched and non-caveolin-enriched membrane fractions. Our data suggest that the cAMP-signaling cascade occurs within a restricted microdomain of the plasma membrane in a highly organized manner.     

An equilibrium study of the cooperative binding of adenosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate and guanosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate to the adenosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate receptor protein from Escherichia coli

The binding of adenosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) and guanosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) to the adenosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate receptor protein (CRP) from Escherichia coli was investigated by equilibrium dialysis at pH 8.0 and 20 degrees C at different ionic strengths (0.05--0.60 M). Both cAMP and cGMP bind to CRP with a negative cooperativity that is progressively changed to positive as the ionic strength is increased. The binding data were analyzed with an interactive model for two identical sites and site/site interactions with the interaction free energy--RT ln alpha, and the intrinsic binding constant K and cooperativity parameter alpha were computed. Double-label experiments showed that cGMP is strictly competitive with cAMP, and its binding parameters K and alpha are not very different from that for cAMP. Since two binding sites exist for each of the cyclic nucleotides in dimeric CRP and no change in the quaternary structure of the protein is observed on binding the ligands, it is proposed that the cooperativity originates in ligand/ligand interactions. When bound to double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA), CRP binds cAMP more efficiently, and the cooperativity is positive even in conditions of low ionic strength where it is negative for the free protein. By contrast, cGMP binding properties remained unperturbed in dsDNA-bound CRP. Neither the intrinsic binding constant K nor the cooperativity parameter alpha was found to be very sensitive to changes of pH between 6.0 and 8.0 at 0.2 M ionic strength and 20 degrees C. For these conditions, the intrinsic free energy and entropy of binding of cAMP are delta H degree = -1.7 kcal . mol-1 and delta S degree = 15.6 eu, respectively.     

Regulation of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate signaling and pulsatile neurosecretion by Gi-coupled plasma membrane estrogen receptors in immortalized gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons

Immortalized GnRH neurons (GT1-7) express receptors for estrogen [estrogen receptor-alpha and -beta(ERalpha and ERbeta)] and progesterone (progesterone receptor A) and exhibit positive immunostaining for both intracellular and plasma membrane ERs. Exposure of GT1-7 cells to picomolar estradiol concentrations for 5-60 min caused rapid, sustained, and dose-dependent inhibition of cAMP production. In contrast, treatment with nanomolar estradiol concentrations for 60 min increased cAMP production. The inhibitory and stimulatory actions of estradiol on cAMP formation were abolished by the ER antagonist, ICI 182,780. The estradiol-induced inhibition of cAMP production was prevented by treatment with pertussis toxin, consistent with coupling of the plasma membrane ER to an inhibitory G protein. Coimmunoprecipitation studies demonstrated an estradiol-regulated stimulatory interaction between ERalpha and Galphai3 that was prevented by the ER antagonist, ICI 182,780. Exposure of perifused GT1-7 cells and hypothalamic neurons to picomolar estradiol levels increased the GnRH peak interval, shortened peak duration, and increased peak amplitude. These findings indicate that occupancy of the plasma membrane-associated ERs expressed in GT1-7 neurons by physiological estradiol levels causes activation of a Gi protein and modulates cAMP signaling and neuropeptide secretion.     

Apoptosis mediated by activation of the G protein-coupled receptor for parathyroid hormone (PTH)/PTH-related protein (PTHrP)

The present studies were carried out to evaluate the mechanisms by which PTH/PTHrP receptor (PTHR) activation influences cell viability. In 293 cells expressing recombinant PTHRs, PTH treatment markedly reduced the number of viable cells. This effect was associated with a marked apoptotic response including DNA fragmentation and the appearance of apoptotic nuclei. Similar effects were evidenced in response to serum withdrawal or to the addition of tumor necrosis factor (TNFalpha). Addition of caspase inhibitors or overexpression of bcl-2 partially abrogated apoptosis induced by serum withdrawal. Caspase inhibitors also protected cells from PTH-induced apoptosis, but overexpression of bcl-2 did not. The effects of PTH on cell number and apoptosis were neither mimicked by activators of the cAMP pathway (forskolin, isoproterenol) nor blocked by an inhibitor (H-89). However, elevation of Ca(i)2+ by addition of thapsigargin induced rapid apoptosis, and suppression of Ca(i)2+ by overexpression of the calcium- binding protein, calbindin D28k, inhibited PTH-induced apoptosis. The protein kinase C inhibitor GF 109203X partially inhibited PTH-induced apoptosis. Regulator of G protein signaling 4 (RGS4) (an inhibitor of the activity of the alpha-subunit of Gq) suppressed apoptotic signaling by the PTHR, whereas the C-terminal fragment of GRK2 (an inhibitor of the activity of the beta(gamma)-subunits of G proteins) was without effect. Chemical mutagenesis allowed selection of a series of 293 cell lines resistant to the apoptotic actions of PTH; a subset of these were also resistant to TNFalpha. These results suggest that 1) apoptosis produced by PTHR and TNF receptor signaling involve converging pathways; and 2) Gq-mediated phospholipase C/Ca2+ signaling, rather than Gs-mediated cAMP signaling, is required for the apoptotic effects of PTHR activation.     

Inhibition of Escherichia coli growth by cyclic adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate

Cyclic AMP inhibits growth rate of E. coli Hfr 3000. Doubling times in glucose minimal medium increased from 60 to about 90 minutes with the addition of 5 mM cAMP. This effect is specific since it was not observed when the cyclic nucleotide was replaced by 5′ AMP, ADP, ATP or adenosine. Half maximal inhibition was obtained with 1 to 3 mM cyclic AMP. This inhibition occurs only with those carbon sources which are known to decrease intracellular cyclic AMP levels, i.e. glucose and pyruvate. No inhibition was observed with succinate, malate or glycerol.     

Photoaffinity labeling of the adenosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate receptor protein of Escherichia coli with 8-azidoadenosine 3',5'-monophosphate

Photoaffinity labeling of the cAMP receptor protein (CRP) of Escherichia coli with 8-azidoadenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (8-N3cAMP) has been demonstrated. 8-N3cAMP is able to support the binding of (3H)d(I-C)n by CRP, indicating that it is a functional cAMP analogue. Following irradiation at 254 nm, (32P)-8-N3cAMP is photocross-linked to CRP. Photolabeling of CRP by (32P)-8-N3cAMP is inhibited by cAMP but not by 5'AMP. The data indicate that (32P)-8-N3cAMP is covalently incorporated following binding at the cAMP binding site of CRP. The (32P)-8-N3cAMP-CRP digested with chymotrypsin was analyzed by NaDodSO4-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Of the incorporated label, one-third remains associated with the amino-proximal alpha core region of CRP [Eilen, E., Pampeno, C., & Krakow, J.S. (1978) Biochemistry 17, 2469] which contains the cAMP binding domain; the remaining two-thirds of the label associated with the beta region are digested. Limited proteolysis of the (32P)-8-N3cAMP-CRP by chymotrypsin in the presence of NaDodSO4 shows the radioactivity to be distributed between the molecular weight 9500 (amino-proximal) and 13,000 (carboxyl-proximal) fragments produced. These results suggest that a part of the carboxyl-proximal region is folded over and close enough to the cAMP binding site to be cross-linked by the photoactivated (32P)-8-N3cAMP bound at the cAMP binding site.     

Guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate receptor protein: separation from adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate receptor protein.

A specific cGMP receptor protein has been identified and separated from the cAMP receptor protein by chromatography on 8-(6-aminohexyl)-amino-cAMP-Sepharose. Scatchard analysis of cGMP binding indicates a single affinity class of receptor sites with KD = 1.4 × 10^?8 M. The specificity of the cGMP receptor site has been defined by using a number of nucleotides as competitors for cGMP binding. The cGMP receptor protein sediments at 7S in glycerol density gradients.     

Self-phosphorylation of cyclic guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase from bovine lung. Effect of cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate, cyclic guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate and histone.

Incubation of purified cyclic guanosine 3':5'-monophospate-dependent protein kinase with [gamma-32P]ATP and Mg2+ led to formation of one 32P-labeled protein, Mr = 75,000, which corresponded to the single protein band detected after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate. When electrophoresis was performed without detergent, the labeled protein coincided with the position of cGMP-dependent protein kinase activity. Phosphorylation was enhanced severalfold by either histone or cAMP and was inhibited by the addition of cGMP. Low concentrations of cGMP blocked the stimulatory effects of cAMP or histone (or both). Since neither cAMP-dependent protein kinase nor cGMP-dependent phosphoprotein phosphatase activities were detected in the purified enzyme, we concluded that the cGMP-dependent protein kinase is a substrate for its own phosphotransferase activity and that other protein substrates (histone) and cyclic nucleotides modulate the process of self-phosphorylation.     

Comparison of cyclic nucleotide binding to adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate and guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinases.

Binding sites for [3H]cAMP on purified regulatory dimers of type II A-kinase (II-R2) are independent as assessed by equilibrium binding (KD = 6 +/- 1.3 nM at pH 7.2, 25 degrees; nH = 1.0) and by the lack of effect of unlabeled cAMP on dissociation rate (kd = 1.0 X 10(-3) sec -1 at pH 7.2, 25 degrees). In contrast, binding sites for [3H]cGMP on purified G-kinase displayed positively cooperative interactions in both equilibrium and dissociation assays with convex upward Scatchard plots, an nH of 1.6 and a dissociation rate (kd = 6.2 X 10(-3) sec-1 at pH 6.8, 0 degree) which was slowed by excess unlabeled cGMP (kd = 1.13 X 10(-3) sec-1 at pH 6.8, degree). Calculated transition state free energies of dissociation revealed that dissociation of nucleotide from G-kinase in the presence of cGMP was restrained by an energy barrier (20.8 kcal.mol-1) similar to that of II-R2 (20.9 kcal.mol-1), whereas dissociation from G-kinase without excess nucleotide occurred more easily (18.9 kcal.mol-1).