Desensitization of the human V2 vasopressin receptor. Homologous effects in the absence of heterologous desensitization.

Three main pathways have been implicated in desensitization of receptors that stimulate adenylylcyclase (AC): cAMP-mediated phosphorylation; cAMP-independent phosphorylation, and receptor internalization. Cell lines derived from the murine Ltk- cell were found useful in exploring the contribution of cAMP-dependent phosphorylation in V2 vasopressin receptor desensitization. The HTB-2 cell expresses the human V2 vasopressin receptor, introduced by transfection of human genomic DNA, and the prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) receptor, endogenous to the Ltk- cell. The A7 cell expresses the hamster beta 2-adrenoceptor, which undergoes the above-mentioned desensitization processes. Treatment of HTB-2 cells with arginine-vasopressin (AVP) had no effect on AC responsiveness to PGE1, but promoted desensitization of the AVP response. This was seen as a 5-6-fold right shift in the dose-response curves for AVP action (cAMP accumulation in intact cells and AC stimulation in homogenates and isolated membranes) and in a decrease in the maximum effect of AVP on these parameters. AVP treatment caused a decrease in cell surface receptors to approximately 75% of control without changes in KD, as determined by Scatchard analysis. When cAMP was increased by treatment with 10 microM PGE1 and isobutylmethylxanthine, desensitization of the PGE1 receptor was observed but not of the AVP receptor. In A7 cells the same treatment caused, as expected, a 3-fold right shift in the dose-response curve for AC stimulation by isoproterenol, indicating that L cells can mediate heterologous desensitization. These data demonstrate that the V2 vasopressin and the PGE1 receptors undergo homologous desensitization in the absence of cAMP-mediated phosphorylation and that this component is not required for vasopressin receptor internalization.     

Homologous and heterologous desensitization mediated by vasopressin in smooth muscle cells

Prolonged exposure of A-10 cells to Arginine Vasopressin (AVP) resulted in the following responses: (a) loss of vasopressin receptors from the cell surface (30-40%), (b) increased basal levels of inositol and inositol monophosphate, (c) decreased inositol di- and trisphosphate production and decreased intracellular calcium release in response to a second challenge with AVP, (d) attenuation of AVP-mediated inhibition of isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP and ANF-stimulated cGMP accumulation and (e) attenuation of thrombin and ATP-mediated increase in inositol di- and trisphosphate accumulation and intracellular calcium release. All the above responses depended on the time of exposure of the cells to AVP with the responses being attenuated as early as 5-10 min of exposure to AVP. The desensitization also depended on the concentration of AVP used with 50% of maximal desensitization for each response being observed at 5 nM of AVP. This concentration of AVP corresponded well with the Kd of vasopressin for binding to these sites. Desensitization of protein kinase C (PKC) by prolonged exposure of the cells to PDBu or addition of the PKC inhibitor staurosporine during pretreatment with AVP did not prevent AVP-mediated desensitization, suggesting that PKC may not be involved in AVP-mediated desensitization in smooth muscle cells. It is concluded that AVP induced both homologous and heterologous desensitization of phosphatidylinositol turnover and calcium release in smooth muscle cells. The desensitization processes did not appear to be mediated by protein kinase C. The possibility that the locus of the heterologous desensitization may be at the level of substrates such as PI, PIP and PIP2 is discussed.     

Induction of c-fos protein by activation of vasopressin receptors in smooth muscle cells

Stimulation of vasopressin (V1) receptors of rat aortic smooth muscle cells (A-10, ATCC CRL 1476) results in the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG) with the mobilization of intracellular calcium. When A-10 cells are exposed to arginine vasopressin (AVP), there is an increase in the level of c-fos oncoprotein. The extent of induction of c-fos oncoprotein depends on both the time of exposure of the cells to AVP, reaching a maximum at 60 min after which there is a slow decline, and the concentration of AVP used, with an approximate EC50 of 1 nM which corresponds well with the Kd of vasopressin binding to these receptors. This vasopressin-mediated increase in c-fos protein level is inhibited by a V1/V2 antagonist (SKF 101498) suggesting that this is a receptor-mediated event. In addition dDAVP, a V2 selective agonist, is much less effective than AVP in inducing c-fos protein suggesting that AVP mediates its effect via V1 receptors. Desensitization of vasopressin receptors by prolonged exposure to AVP resulted in no additional induction of c-fos protein level in response to second challenge of AVP. In addition to AVP, phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC), also stimulates the accumulation of c-fos protein although to a lesser extent than AVP. The above data suggest that c-fos protein levels in smooth muscle cells are regulated by AVP and the hormonal effect may be mediated through PI turnover and DAG, IP3 and Ca2+ signals.     

Interrelationships among prostaglandins, vasopressin and cAMP in renal papillary collecting tubule cells in culture

To determine the influence of prostaglandins on cAMP metabolism in renal papillary collecting tubule (RPCT) cells, intracellular cAMP levels were measured after incubating cells with prostaglandins (PGs) alone or in combination with arginine vasopressin (AVP). PGE1, PGE2 and PGI2, but not PGD2 or PGF2 alpha, increased intracellular cAMP concentrations. At maximal concentrations (10(-5) M) the effects of PGE2 plus PGI2 (or PGE1), but not of PGI2 plus PGE1, were additive suggesting that at least two different PG receptors may be present in RPCT cell populations. Bradykinin treatment of RPCT cells caused an accumulation of intracellular cAMP which was blocked by aspirin and was quantitatively similar to that observed with 10(-5) M PGE2. PGs, when tested at concentrations (e.g. 10(-9) M) which had no independent effect on intracellular cAMP levels, did not inhibit the AVP-induced accumulation of intracellular cAMP in RPCT cells. These results indicate that PGs do not block AVP-induced accumulation of intracellular cAMP in RPCT cells at concentrations of PGs which have been shown to inhibit the hydroosmotic effect of AVP on perfused collecting tubule segments. However, at higher concentrations of PGs (e.g. 10(-5) M), the effects of AVP plus PGE1, PGE2, PGI2 or bradykinin on intracellular cAMP levels were not additive. Thus, under certain conditions, there is an interaction between PGs and AVP at the level of cAMP metabolism in RPCT cells.     

Possible involvement of protein kinase C and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase in the sodium fluoride-mediated inhibition of cyclic nucleotide accumulation in smooth muscle cells

Treatment of rat thoracic aortic smooth muscle cells (A-10) with sodium fluoride (NaF) resulted in inhibition of β-adrenergic agonist—and forskolin-induced cAMP and ANF-induced cGMP accumulation and stimulation of diacylglycerol (DAG) accumulation. The concentration of NaF and treatment times required to mediate these inhibitory effects were similar to those observed for stimulation of DAG accumulation. Treatment of the cells with NaF also resulted in a loss of [³H]phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu) binding in the cytosolic portion of the cells. In addition, pre-treatment of the cells with NaF resulted in an increase in the adenylate cyclase activity. Pertussis toxin (PT) pre-treatment of the cells did not significantly affect NaF-mediated effects. Pre-treatment of the cells with protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor staurosporin partially reversed NaF-mediated inhibition of cyclic nucleotides accumulation. These data suggest that inhibition of the formation of agonist-induced cyclic nucleotides by NaF may be due to the formation of DAG and cAMP which lead to the activation of PKC and cAMP-PK, resulting in phosphorylation of key regulatory protein(s) in the cyclic nucleotides pathway.     

Appropriate polarization following pharmacological rescue of V2 vasopressin receptors encoded by X-linked nephrogenic diabetes insipidus alleles involves a conformation of the receptor that also attains mature glycosylation

To understand the mechanisms of G protein-coupled receptor delivery and steady state localization, we examined the trafficking itineraries of wild type (WT) and mutant V2 vasopressin receptors (V2Rs) in polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney II (MDCK II) cells and in COS M6 cells; the mutant V2Rs represent selected alleles responsible for X-linked nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. The WT V2R is localized on the plasma membrane and mediates arginine vasopressin (AVP)-stimulated cAMP accumulation, whereas the clinically relevant V2R mutants, L292P V2R, Delta V278 V2R, and R337X V2R, are retained intracellularly, are insensitive to extracellularly added AVP, and are not processed beyond initial immature glycosylation, manifest by their endoglycosidase H sensitivity. Reduced temperature and pharmacological, but not chemical, strategies rescue mutant V2Rs to the cell surface of COS M6 cells; surface rescue of L292P V2R and R337X V2R, but not of Delta V278 V2R, parallels acquisition of AVP-stimulated cAMP production. Pharmacological rescue of the L292P or R337X V2R by incubation with the membrane-permeant V2R antagonist, SR121463B, leads to a mature glycosylated form of the receptor that achieves localization on the basolateral surface of polarized MDCK II cells indistinguishable from that of the WT V2R. Surprisingly, however, the immature form of the mutant L292P V2R escapes to the apical, but not basolateral, surface of polarized MDCK II cells, even in the absence of SR121463B. These findings are consistent with the interpretation that the receptor conformation that allows appropriate processing through the N-linked glycosylation pathway is also essential for V2R targeting to the appropriate surface of polarized epithelial cells.     

Pertussis toxin prevents homologous desensitization of adenylate cyclase in cultured renal epithelial cells

The biochemical mechanisms of adenylate cyclase desensitization in arginine vasopressin-responsive epithelial cells remain unclear. Preincubation of cultured rabbit renal cortical collecting tubular cells with arginine vasopressin leads to a 30-100% decline in arginine vasopressin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. This loss of adenylate cyclase activity is time- and arginine vasopressin concentration-dependent. Preincubation with arginine vasopressin does not result in significant changes in basal, NaF-, forskolin-, isoproterenol- or cholera toxin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. Preincubation of cells with chlorophenylthio-cAMP, forskolin, and cholera toxin does not result in loss of arginine vasopressin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. Since products of cyclo-oxygenase inhibit arginine vasopressin action, cells were preincubated with indomethacin. Arginine vasopressin-induced adenylate cyclase desensitization is not reversed by indomethacin. By contrast, incubation with pertussis toxin prevents arginine vasopressin-induced adenylate cycle desensitization. These data demonstrate that arginine vasopressin induces homologous desensitization in membranes from cultured rabbit cortical collecting tubular cells and suggest that this desensitization is mediated, at least in part, by pertussis toxin substrate. These observations provide a unifying mechanism for desensitization of adenylate cyclase-coupled hormone receptors.     

Functional role of the NPxxY motif in internalization of the type 2 vasopressin receptor in LLC-PK1 cells

Interaction of the type 2 vasopressin receptor (V2R) with hormone causes desensitization and internalization. To study the role of the V2R NPxxY motif (which is involved in the clathrin-mediated endocytosis of several other receptors) in this process, we expressed FLAG-tagged wild-type V2R and a Y325F mutant V2R in LLC-PK1a epithelial cells that have low levels of endogenous V2R. Both proteins had a similar apical (35%) and basolateral (65%) membrane distribution. Substitution of Tyr³²⁵ with Phe³²⁵ prevented ligand-induced internalization of V2R determined by [³H]AVP binding and immunofluorescence but did not prevent ligand binding or signal transduction via adenylyl cyclase. Desensitization and resensitization of the V2R-Y325F mutation occurred independently of internalization. The involvement of clathrin in V2R downregulation was also shown by immunogold electron microscopy. We conclude that the NPxxY motif of the V2R is critically involved in receptor downregulation via clathrin-mediated internalization. However, this motif is not essential for the apical/basolateral sorting and polarized distribution of the V2R in LLC-PK1a cells or for adenylyl cyclase-mediated signal transduction. polarized cell culture; tyrosine motif; µ1b adaptor motif; protein traffic     

PGE2 enhances cytokine-elicited nitric oxide production in mouse cortical collecting duct cells.

It has been documented that arginine vasopressin (AVP) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) regulate water reabsorption in renal tubular cells. The present study was attempted to delineate the downstream signaling of AVP and PGE(2) in a cortical collecting duct cell line (M-1 cell). Using RT-PCR, we detected mRNA for V2 and VACM-1 but not for V1a and AII/AVP receptors of AVP. Furthermore, neither AVP nor V2 receptor agonist and antagonist alter cellular cAMP. These together with unchanged cellular Ca(2+) by AVP suggested that AVP pathway was not operating in M-1 cells. All four classical PGE(2) receptors with EP3 and EP4 as the most prominent were detected in M-1 cells. PGE(2), 11-deoxy-PGE(1) (EP2 and EP4 agonist), and 17-phenyl-trinor-PGE(2) (EP1 agonist) increased cellular concentration of cAMP. There was no effect of PGE(2) or EP1 agonist on cellular Ca(2+). These findings provide evidence of the involvement of PGE(2) cascade in M-1 cells. M-1 cells were capable of synthesizing nitric oxide (NO). Although individual cytokines did not affect NO production, a mixture of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, and interferon-gamma elevated NO concentration to 4.5-fold of the control. Addition of PGE(2) and db-cAMP to the cytokine mixture further increased NO production to 7.0- and 9.8-fold, respectively, of that seen in non-treated cells. PGE(2) or db-cAMP alone, however, had no effect on NO production. The results of the study led us to speculate that enhanced production of cAMP via PGE(2) signaling pathway in M-1 cells could either stimulate or attenuate water reabsorption in renal tubule. While an increase in cAMP alone may enhance water reabsorption, a concomitant increase in cAMP and cytokines may inhibit water reabsorption in renal tubule.     

Relationship of (8-lysine) vasopressin receptor transition to receptor functional properties in a pig kidney cell line (LLC-PK1)

In intact LLC-PK1 cells, occupancy of vasopressin receptors (Roy, C., and Ausiello, D. A. (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 3415-3522) correlated with cell cAMP production. This relationship was observed as a function of hormone dose, incubation time, and changes in receptor affinity. However, the rate of cAMP production diminished with time in intact cells exposed to high hormone concentrations, even in the presence of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. A rapid desensitization of adenylate cyclase activity was observed in minutes upon treatment of intact cells with high hormonal concentrations. Desensitization was dose- and time-dependent. Hypertonic sodium chloride, which increased hormonal binding and cell cAMP production, prevented desensitization. The acute decrease in hormone-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity correlated with increased occupancy of low affinity binding sites. EDTA-suspended cells, which have a homogeneous population of binding sites, did not demonstrate desensitization. A proposal is made as to the consequences of this phenomenon at physiological concentrations of vasopressin.     

Modulation of responsiveness to cAMP stimulating agonists by phorbol ester in fetal rat osteoblasts.

We studied the effect of activation of protein kinase C (PKC) by a phorbol ester on cAMP accumulation in fetal rat osteoblasts. Activation of PKC by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) caused a potentiation of cAMP accumulation induced by parathyroid hormone (PTH), forskolin, and cholera toxin. The results suggest that the potentiating effect of PMA on PTH-induced cAMP accumulation was not due to an effect on the PTH-receptor nor to an effect on cAMP degradation, as the effect of PMA persisted in the presence of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. Pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin did not prevent the action of PMA, indicating that PMA does not act via the inhibitory G-protein. PMA had a biphasic effect on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-induced cAMP accumulation; i.e., at concentrations greater than or equal to 10(-6) M, PMA potentiated the PGE2-induced cAMP response but PMA attenuated cAMP accumulation induced by concentrations of PGE2 less than or equal to 5.10(77) M. From our data we conclude that PKC can interact with a stimulated cAMP pathway in a stimulatory and inhibitory manner. Potentiation of cAMP accumulation is probably due to modification of the adenylate cyclase complex, whereas attenuation of stimulated cAMP accumulation appears to be due to an effect on a different site of the cAMP generating pathway, which may be specific to PGE2-induced cAMP accumulation.     

Prolonged incubation with phorbol esters enhanced vasopressin-induced calcium mobilization and polyphosphatidylinositol hydrolysis of vascular smooth muscle cells

Arginine vasopressin (AVP)-induced formation of inositol phosphates and increased calcium efflux in smooth muscle cells (A-10) were inhibited by short term treatment with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), an activator of protein kinase C (Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase) (Aiyar, N., Nambi, P., Whitman, M., Stassen, F. L., and Crooke, S. T. (1987) Mol. Pharmacol. 31, 180-184). Here we report that prolonged treatment of A-10 cells (48 h) with PDBu markedly enhanced AVP-induced calcium mobilization but inhibited ATP- and thrombin-induced calcium mobilization. PDBu (400 nM) doubled [Ca2+]i induced with 3 nM AVP, while the basal calcium concentrations before and after AVP were not different from those of untreated cells. The EC50 for a 24-h exposure was 2.3 nM PDBu. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate was also effective, while 4-alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate (48 h at 400 nM) was without effect. 4-alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate also did not affect inositol phosphate formation. PDBu markedly enhanced inositol phosphate formation induced by AVP but not by NaF. PDBu did not affect basal inositol phosphate and polyphosphoinositide levels, and cytosolic and membrane-associated phospholipase C activity. PDBu treatment (48 h, 400 nM) decreased membrane-associated and cytosolic protein kinase C activity by 80 and 90%, respectively. However, the dose response and time course of changes in protein kinase C activity did not correlate with the same curves for PDBu enhancement of AVP-induced calcium mobilization. We conclude that prolonged PDBu treatment selectively enhanced AVP-induced calcium mobilization and polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis. These effects were not caused by an increase in vasopressin receptor number and apparent affinity, an increase in phospholipase C activity, G-protein-phospholipase C coupling, formation of polyphosphoinositide, or inhibition of inositol phosphate metabolizing enzymes. Enhancement of the AVP responses did not correlate with desensitization or activation of protein kinase C. We suggest that prolonged PDBu treatment might sensitize a putative V1 receptor-G-protein-phospholipase C complex.     

Prostaglandin E receptors in bovine adrenal medulla are coupled to adenylate cyclase via Gi and to phosphoinositide metabolism in a pertussis toxin-insensitive manner

Prostaglandin E (PGE) receptor is coupled to a pertussis toxin-insensitive GTP-binding protein in bovine adrenal medulla, but PGE receptor partially purified from bovine adrenal medulla was functionally reconstituted with Gi into phospholipid vesicles (Negishi, M., Ito, S., Yokohama, H., Hayashi, H., Katada, T., Ui, M., and Hayaishi, O. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 6893-6900). We demonstrate here that PGE2 inhibited forskolin-induced accumulation of cAMP in cultured bovine chromaffin cells. In plasma membranes prepared from bovine adrenal medulla, PGE2 inhibited forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in a GTP-dependent manner. This inhibitory action of PGE2 was abolished by treatment of the membrane with pertussis toxin. Reconstitution of the membranes ADP-ribosylated by pertussis toxin with Gi purified from bovine brain restored the potency of PGE2 to inhibit the adenylate cyclase activity. Inhibition of forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation by PGE2 was also abolished by exposure to the toxin in the cells, indicating that PGE receptors are coupled to Gi. In contrast, PGE2 stimulated the formation of inositol phosphates in chromaffin cells, but this effect was not affected by treatment of the cells with pertussis toxin, suggesting that the PGE receptors are coupled to phosphoinositide metabolism via a pertussis toxin-insensitive G-protein. Both the inhibitory action of cAMP accumulation and stimulation of phosphoinositide metabolism were specific for PGE1 and PGE2, and the Scatchard plot analysis of PGE2 binding to the membrane showed a single high-affinity binding site (Kd = 2 nM). In bovine adrenal chromaffin cells PGE2 enhanced catecholamine release in the presence of ouabain by stimulation of phosphoinositide metabolism (Yokohama, H., Tanaka, T., Ito, S., Negishi, M., Hayashi, H., and Hayaishi, O. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 1119-1122). We further examined the modulation of catecholamine release by PGE2 through its inhibitory coupling to the adenylate cyclase system. Prior exposure of chromaffin cells to forskolin or dibutyryl-cAMP reduced nicotine-stimulated catecholamine release, and PGE2 attenuated forskolin-induced inhibition of catecholamine release stimulated by nicotine, but not dibutyryl-cAMP-induced inhibition. In the absence of evidence that PGE receptor subtypes exist, these results suggest that the PGE receptor is coupled to two signal transduction systems leading to inhibition of cAMP accumulation via Gi and to production of inositol phosphates via a pertussis toxin-insensitive G-protein, both of which may modulate catecholamine release from bovine chromaffin cells.     

Vascular vasopressin receptors mediate phosphatidylinositol turnover and calcium efflux in an established smooth muscle cell line

Vasopressin-induced phosphatidylinositol turnover and mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ was studied using an established smooth muscle cell line (A-10). The cells were subcloned to ensure a monoclonal cell population. The accumulation of inositol mono-, di-, and tris-phosphates (IP1, IP2, and IP3, respectively), and the mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ were dependent on the time of incubation and the concentration of arginine vasopressin (AVP). IP1, IP2, and IP3 were significantly elevated after 15 sec and remained elevated for up to 2 hr. The concentrations of AVP required for half-maximal stimulation of IP1, IP2, and IP3 formation were 2, 12, and 4 nM, respectively. LiCl was required to observe the accumulation of inositol phosphates in response to AVP. Significant 45Ca2+ efflux was observed within 15 sec after exposure to AVP. By employing the vasopressin receptor subtype selective antagonists [d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP, V1; d(CH2)5D-Tyr(Et)VAVP,V1/V2; d(CH2) 5D-IleVAVP,V2] and agonists [AVP, V1/V2; dDAVP, V2; dVDAVP, V2], we found that the vasopressin-induced stimulation of phosphatidylinositol turnover and 45Ca2+ efflux were mediated by receptors of the vascular V1 subtype. Pertussis toxin pretreatment partially inhibited vasopressin-induced phosphatidylinositol turnover. These data demonstrate that activation of V1 receptors of vascular smooth muscle cells resulted in enhanced phosphatidylinositol turnover and mobilization of intracellular Ca2+.     

Polarized expression of the GFP-tagged rat V(1a) vasopressin receptor.

We investigated the targeting of the V(1a) receptor fused with the green fluorescence protein (V(1a)R-GFP) in polarized MDCK cells. Cells expressing V(1a)R-GFP displayed binding to vasopressin (AVP) and AVP-induced calcium responses, similar to cells expressing the wild-type V1a receptor. Interestingly, as with the wild-type V(1a)R, V(1a)R-GFP is preferentially distributed in the basolateral side of MDCK cells as monitored by confocal microscopy. Furthermore, AVP induced internalization of GFP-tagged receptors. Therefore, the GFP-tagged V(1a) receptor retains all the sorting signals of the wild-type receptor and offers an excellent system to elucidate the mechanisms of cell trafficking of V(1a) receptors.     

Insulin induces a selective heterologous desensitization of the mitogenic response of Swiss 3T3 cells to vasopressin

Prior incubation of confluent, quiescent cultures of Swiss 3T3 cells with insulin leads to a selective loss of mitogenic stimulation on re-addition of the combination of vasopressin and insulin in serum-free medium. The desensitization is specific for the action of vasopressin as insulin is fully active in the refractory cells when added in combination with other mitogens, whereas vasopressin is not. A prolonged treatment with insulin is required for induction of the refractoriness, half-maximal loss of response occurs after about 7 h and desensitization is complete after 12 h treatment. The refractory cells recover their response to vasopressin after more than 24 h incubation in the absence of insulin. A rapid response of the cells to vasopressin, inhibition of 125I-epidermal growth factor (125I-EGF) binding, is also desensitized by insulin. Desensitization is induced by insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and partially by desoctapeptide insulin, but not by insulin B chain. Although the characteristics of insulin-induced desensitization are very similar to those of the homologous desensitization induced by vasopressin treatment, insulin does not bind to vasopressin antiserum or the [3H]vasopressin receptors of Swiss 3T3 cells. Insulin treatment also does not lead to any down-regulation of [3H]vasopressin receptors, and the refractoriness of the cells must therefore lie at a post-receptor step. Both insulin- and vasopressin-induced refractoriness to the mitogenic action of vasopressin can be blocked by a low level of cycloheximide. Both these agents therefore seem to induce the synthesis of specific protein(s) which selectively inhibit the mitogenic response of the cell to vasopressin.     

Structural requirements for V2 vasopressin receptor proteolytic cleavage.

The ligand-induced proteolytic cleavage of the V2 vasopressin receptor transiently expressed in COS cells was investigated. After incubation of the cell membranes with a photoreactive ligand possessing full agonistic properties for V2 receptors, approximately 90% of the porcine and bovine V2 vasopressin receptors were cleaved in the upper part of transmembrane helix 2 at a heptapeptide sequence conserved in both vasopressin and oxytocin receptors. The oxytocin receptor was completely resistant to proteolysis after binding the same photoreactive ligand, which is only a partial agonist for this receptor. Chimeric V2/oxytocin receptors obtained by transfer of extracellular domains of the oxytocin receptor into the V2 receptor showed an increase in binding affinity for oxytocin versus vasopressin and a diminished cleavage. The proteolysis-resistant chimeric V2/oxytocin receptor, which contains the first three extracellular domains of the oxytocin receptor, stimulated cAMP accumulation to a larger extent in response to vasopressin than the wild-type receptor and showed impaired desensitization of the adenylate cyclase system. Our data indicate that the proteolytic cleavage of the V2 receptor requires a defined conformation, especially of the first two extracellular domains that is induced by agonist binding. Furthermore, the results suggest that the proteolytic V2 receptor cleavage might play a role in signal termination at elevated hormone concentrations.     

Heterologous desensitization of adenylate cyclase with prostaglandin E1 alters sensitivity to inhibitory as well as stimulatory agonists

Adenylate cyclase in cultured human fibroblasts is activated by prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) or beta-adrenergic agonists, e.g., isoproterenol, and inhibited by muscarinic agonists. Incubation with PGE1 reduced adenylate cyclase responsiveness to both PGE1 and isoproterenol; this so-called heterologous desensitization is believed to result from impaired function of the stimulatory guanyl nucleotide-binding protein of the cyclase complex. The effect of heterologous desensitization by PGE1 on inhibition of adenylate cyclase by the muscarinic agonist oxotremorine was examined. Muscarinic inhibition of basal and isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP accumulation was attenuated following exposure to PGE1; the concentration of oxotremorine required for half-maximal inhibition of cAMP accumulation was increased. In both intact cells and membrane preparations the number of binding sites for [3H]scopolamine, a muscarinic antagonist, was unaltered by desensitization. Following exposure to PGE1, receptor affinity for oxotremorine, assessed by competition with [3H] scopolamine, and the guanyl nucleotide sensitivity of agonist binding were reduced. The amount of inhibitory guanyl nucleotide-binding regulatory protein available for [32P]ADP-ribosylation by pertussis toxin was unaltered by desensitization. Thus, heterologous desensitization of adenylate cyclase with the stimulatory agonist PGE1 alters sensitivity to inhibitory as well as stimulatory ligands.     

Agonist but not phorbol ester induced desensitization of human lymphocyte prostaglandin receptor is dependent on tubulin polymerization

The regulation of prostaglandin stimulated cAMP accumulation in cells of the human T-cell leukemia line Jurkat was examined. Pretreatment with PGE2 (0.1-10 nM) for 2 hour caused a concentration dependent desensitization of the prostaglandin receptor. Tumor promoting phorbol esters (1-1000 nM) could also inhibit PGE2 stimulated cAMP production dose dependently. Inhibition of tubulin polymerization with colchicine or nocodazole (1 microM) eliminated prostaglandin but not phorbol ester induced desensitization of the receptor. It is concluded that agonist and phorbol ester induced desensitization are mediated by two distinct mechanisms and that tubulin polymerization appear to be required only for agonist induced desensitization of the prostaglandin receptor.     

Difference in arginine vasopressin responsive cAMP production between apical and basolateral membrane of cultured renal epithelial cells (MDCK)

It has been reported that vasopressin (AVP)-sensitive renal epithelial cell line (MDCK) forms morphologically polarized monolayers when cultured on plates. We studied whether the AVP-responsive cAMP production system would be located solely on the basolateral surface of these cells as has already been shown on the renal tubules. We used two methods to overcome the inaccessibility to the basolateral surface of the cultured cell layer and to study the apical and basolateral surfaces separately. One was culture on collagen sheet and the other was on Millipore filters. Our experiments showed that MDCK cell increased adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) content prominently only when vasopressin was accessible to the basolateral surface. Accordingly, MDCK cells were shown to have the AVP-responsive cAMP production system predominantly on the basolateral surface of the cell membrane.