Possible Role of Cyclic AMP in the Receptor-Mediated Regulation of Glycosyltransferase Activities in Neurotumor Cell Lines

Exposure of mouse neuroblastoma cell line N4TGl to opiates or [D-Ala2,D-Leu5] enkephalin produced a naloxone-reversible inhibition of cyclic AMP synthesis and prevented, in a concentration-dependent manner, the formation of both ganglioside GM2 (GalNAc-[NeuNAc]-Gal-Glc-ceramide) from GM3 (NeuNAc-Gal-Glc-ceramide) and ganglioside GM1 (Gal-GalNAc-[NeuNAc]-Gal-Glc-ceramide) from GM2 in cell-free extracts. In contrast, the receptor-mediated elevation of intracellular cyclic AMP levels by agents such as prostaglandin E1 (in the presence of isobutylmethylxanthine) or the addition of the cyclic AMP derivatives (dibutyryl cyclic AMP) markedly stimulated the activities of UDP-GalNAc:GM3,N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase and UDP-Gal:GM2,galactosyltransferase. An overall increase in the synthesis of gangliosides more complex than GM3 was also observed in the mouse neuroblastoma x hamster brain explant hybrid cell line NCB-20 following elevation of cyclic AMP levels by treatment with serotonin and pargyline. The data presented support the hypothesis that cyclic AMP may have a role in the regulation of sialoglycosphingolipid biosynthesis.     

Dimeric pentapeptide enkephalin: a novel probe of delta opiate receptors

A dimeric pentapeptide enkephalin (DPE2) consisting of two molecules of [D-Ala 2, Leu 5] enkephalin linked at C-terminal leucine with ethylenediamine, (H-Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Leu-NH-Ch2)2 is a bivalent ligand for the delta enkephalin receptors of rat brain and neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid (NG108-15) cells. This new enkephalin analog shows dramatically increased affinity in radioligand assays using whole brain membranes when delta but not mu specific radioligands are employed. When membranes from NG108-15 cells are used, the dimer shows greatly increased activity irrespective of the mu or delta specificity of the tracer. The dimer DPE2 shows a four-fold, "sodium shift" in its IC50 for competition with [3H]naloxone, suggestive of agonist behavior. Agonist activity was confirmed by demonstrating that DPE2 inhibits cyclic AMP production in prostaglandin E1 stimulated NG108-15 cells, and by demonstrating very high potency in the mouse vas deferens bioassay. DPE2 binds to the same delta sites as the delta-selective monomer [D-Ala2, D-Leu5] enkephalin, since the two ligands show complete crossdisplacement. Radiolabeled 3H-DPE2 shows a five-fold higher affinity constant, a 2.5-fold higher association rate constant, and a two-fold lower dissociation rate than the monomer. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the dimeric pentapeptide enkephalin can bridge two delta receptors. This enkephalin dimer provides a valuable new probe of opiate receptors and their organization in cell membranes.     

The effects of long-term treatment of NG108-15 cells with penta- and tetrapeptide enkephalin dimers on opioid receptor binding and cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels

1. The effects of chronic treatment with a dimeric or monomeric penta- or tetrapeptide enkephalin analogue on binding and cyclic AMP (cAMP) accumulation in NG108-15 cells have been studied. 2. When the cells were cultured in the presence of 1 mumol of a pentapeptide analogue (dimer or monomer) for up to 96 hr, binding was reduced by greater than or equal to 90%. 3. In contrast, in the presence of 1 mumol of a tetrapeptide analogue (dimer or monomer), binding was reduced by only less than or equal to 30%. 4. The analogues had varying effects on regulation of cAMP formation. Desensitization, indicated by impaired opioid-mediated inhibition of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)-stimulated cAMP accumulation, was clearly apparent only for cells pretreated with [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin (DADLE), while cells pretreated with [D-Ala2,Leu5-NH-CH2-]2 (DPE2) showed minor impairment. 5. Thus, ligand dimerization appeared to have a modulating effect on regulation of adenylate cyclase activity but not to affect opioid-induced down-regulation.     

Molecular size of opiate (enkephalin) receptors in neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid cells as determined by radiation inactivation analysis

Opiate receptor binding decayed exponentially in mouse neuroblastoma-rat glioma (NG108-15) hybrid cell preparations following exposure to increasing doses of ionizing radiation (0.2 to 7.0 Mrads; 2.0 Mrads/min). Target size analysis revealed that [3H][D-Ala2, D-Leu5]enkephalin (agonist) and [3H]naloxone (antagonist) bound specifically to a component with an apparent molecular size of 200,000 +/- 20,000. Lyophilization of cells for the irradiation procedure did not significantly alter receptor affinity or binding capacity for these ligands. Furthermore, the loss of opiate receptor binding in irradiated cell samples could not be attributed to reduced receptor affinity since increasing concentrations of radiolabeled ligand failed to reverse the inhibition; nonspecific binding decreased only slightly under identical experimental conditions. The value of determining molecular size by radiation inactivation analysis was confirmed by showing that apparent target sizes for two representative lysosomal enzymes (beta-galactosidase and alpha-mannosidase) were consistent with results obtained previously using conventional methods. Thus, the data suggest that the ligand binding component of delta-opiate (enkephalin) receptors in NG108-15 cells has a minimum functional size of approximately 200,000.     

delta-Opioid receptors stimulate ERK1/2 activity in NG108-15 hybrid cells by integrin-mediated transactivation of TrkA receptors

This study demonstrates that activation of delta-opioid receptors (DORs) in neuroblastomaxglioma (NG108-15) hybrid cells by [D-Ala2, D-Leu5]enkephalin (DADLE) and etorphine significantly enhances cell adhesion to fibronectin-coated wells. This effect is blocked by both naloxone and integrin binding RGDT peptides. In addition, cell adhesion turned out to be a prerequisite for DOR-stimulated transactivation of Tropomyosin-related kinase A (TrkA) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2). Because inhibition of TrkA activation by AG879 completely blocked DOR- and integrin-mediated ERK1/2 signaling, the present results indicate that in NG108-15 cells DOR-stimulated ERK1/2 activation is mediated by integrin-induced transactivation of TrkA.     

Characterization of beta-125I-endorphin cross-linked proteins in NG108-15 cell membranes. A 25-kilodalton protein with properties of delta-opioid-binding site.

Cross-linking of beta-125I-endorphin to NG108-15 cell membranes labeled bands with molecular masses of 55, 35, and 25 kDa on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. We applied several criteria to evaluate the relevance of these cross-linked bands to delta-opioid receptors, including selectivity, stereospecificity, affinity, G-protein coupling, down-regulation, and correlation with opioid receptor level in different well-characterized cell lines. Only the 25 kDa protein adequately fulfilled all these criteria. Thus, cross-linking to the 25-kDa band was selectively inhibited by ligands with delta-opioid affinity, but not by mu-opioid, kappa-opioid, or optically inactive opioid ligands or by non-opioid ligands. Based on inhibition of cross-linking, we calculated an affinity of [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin binding to the 25-kDa and (Kd = 6 nM) that is similar to that reported for [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin binding to NG108-15 membranes; this affinity decreased approximately 10-fold in the presence of Na+/guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate. Chronic agonist treatment of NG108-15 cells reduced cross-linking to the 25-kDa band, but not to others, in a manner parallel to down-regulation of opioid receptors. Finally, the amount of the 25-kDa band was roughly proportional to the level of opioid receptors present in N18TG2, NS20Y, ST7-3, and ST8-4 cells. The 25-kDa band was absent in PC12h, NIH3T3, and C6BU1 cells as well as in liver, all of which had no detectable opioid binding.     

Differential Regulation by Butyrate and Dibutyryl Cyclic AMP of δ-Opioid, α2-Adrenergic, and Muscarinic Cholinergic Receptors in NCB-20 Cells

Long-term treatment of NCB-20 cells with sodium butyrate resulted in a marked increase in the specific binding of [3H]D-Ala2,D-Leu5 enkephalin. This increase was concentration and time dependent, with an EC50 of about 480 microM and a maximal effect detected after 3-day treatment. At saturating concentration of butyrate (1 mM) the increase was three- to fourfold of the untreated control. Scatchard analysis revealed that the butyrate effect was due to an increase in the density of the opioid receptor binding sites. Butyrate also induced a smaller (about twofold) increase in the density of muscarinic cholinergic receptor binding assessed by using [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate, whereas alpha 2-adrenergic receptor binding assessed by using [3H]clonidine was not significantly affected. The butyrate-induced opioid receptor binding could be totally abolished by the presence of cycloheximide, suggesting that the butyrate effect involves synthesis of the receptor protein. Butyrate treatment did not affect basal and prostaglandin E1-stimulated cyclic AMP levels but caused a three- to fourfold decrease in the IC50 of D-Ala2,D-Leu5 enkephalin for attenuating these cyclic AMP levels and approximately 25% increase in the maximal extent of attenuation. In contrast to the butyrate effect, long-term treatment of NCB-20 cells with 1 mM dibutyryl cyclic AMP induced an 80% decrease in the opioid and alpha 2-adrenergic receptor bindings and a 57% loss of muscarinic cholinergic receptor binding. This down-regulation of muscarinic cholinergic receptor binding sites was associated with a 35% decrease of carbachol-induced phosphoinositide breakdown, whereas the receptor up-regulation induced by butyrate was found to increase the carbachol response by about threefold. The differential regulation by butyrate and dibutyryl cyclic AMP suggests that the butyrate effect is mediated by a mechanism independent of intracellular cyclic AMP. The induction by butyrate of opioid-receptors and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in NCB-20 cells may provide a useful system for studying the regulation of gene expression of these receptor proteins.     

Attenuation of Enkephalin Activity in Neuroblastoma × Glioma NG108—15 Hybrid Cells by Phospholipases

The role of membrane phospholipids in enkephalin receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase (EC 4.6.1.1) activity in neuroblastoma X glioma NG108-15 hybrids was studied by selective hydrolysis of lipids with phospholipases. When NG108-15 cells were treated with phospholipase C from Clostridium welchii at 37 degrees C, an enzyme concentration--dependent decrease in adenylate cyclase activity was observed. The basal and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities were more sensitive to phospholipase C (EC 3.1.4.3) treatment than were the NaF-5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p)-sensitive adenylate cyclase activities. Further, Leu5-enkephalin inhibition of basal or PGE1-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was attenuated by phospholipase C treatment, characterized by a decrease of enkephalin potency and of maximal inhibitory level. [3H]D-Ala2-Met5-enkephalinamide binding revealed a decrease in receptor affinity with no measurable reduction in number of binding sites after phospholipase C treatment. Although opiate receptor was still under the regulation of guanine nucleotide after phospholipase C treatment, adenylate cyclase activity was more sensitive to the stimulation of Gpp(NH)p. Thus, the reduction of opiate agonist affinity was not due to the uncoupling of opiate receptor from N-component. Further, treatment of NG108-15 hybrid cell membrane with phospholipase C at 24 degrees C produced analogous attenuation of enkephalin potency and efficacy without alteration in receptor binding. The reduction in enkephalin potency could be reversed by treating NG108-15 membrane with phosphatidylcholine, but not with phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, or cerebroside sulfate. The enkephalin activity in NG108-15 cells was not altered by treating the cells with phospholipase A2 o phospholipase C from Bacillus cereus. Hence, apparently, there was a specific lipid dependency in enkephalin inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity.     

Comparative Studies of the Binding of Dimeric and Monomeric Enkephalins to Neuroblastoma-Glioma NG108–15 Cells

Binding activity of the enkephalin dimer [D-Ala2, Leu5-NH-CH2-]2 (DPE2) to NG108-15 hybrid cells was compared to that of the monomer [D-Ala2, Leu5]enkephalin amide (DALEA). At 25 degrees C, the values of the apparent affinity constant for DPE2, measured to intact and lysed cells and membranes, was 5.0 (+/- 0.09) X 10(9) M-1 for n = 28 experiments, as compared to 0.9 (+/- 0.08) X 10(9) M-1 (n = 16) for DALEA. At 4 degrees C, the binding affinity of DPE2 decreased by 43% and that of DALEA by 33%. An important difference between the binding of DPE2 and DALEA was that, after necessary corrections for difference in maximal "bindability" of the respective tritiated enkephalins, the molar binding capacity for DALEA was twofold higher than for DPE2, although mutual cross-displacement studies indicated that binding occurred to one class of noninteracting homogeneous receptors. The binding capacity for intact and lysed cells and membranes was 20 (+/- 2) X 10(-11) M for DPE2 and 43 (+/- 2) X 10(-11) M for DALEA. The enkephalin monomers [D-Ala2, D-Leu5]enkephalin (DADLE) and [D-Ala2, Met5]enkephalin amide (DAMEA) showed binding characteristics similar to those of DALEA.     

An Assessment of the Role of Opioid Receptors in the Response to Cannabimimetic Drugs

Cannabimimetic drugs have been shown to inhibit adenylate cyclase activity in N18TG2 neuroblastoma cells. This investigation examines the possible role of opioid receptors in the cannabimimetic response. Opioid receptors of the delta subtype were found on N18TG2 membranes using [3H]D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin. No mu or kappa receptors were detected using selective ligands for these sites. The delta binding affinity and capacity were unaltered by cannabimimetic drugs. To test if cannabimimetic drugs may modulate opioid effector mechanisms, cyclic AMP metabolism was determined in intact cells and in membranes. N18TG2 adenylate cyclase was inhibited by the cannabimimetic drugs delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol and desacetyllevonantradol, and by the opioid agents morphine, etorphine, and D-Ala2-Met5-enkephalinamide. The opioid inhibition was reversed by naloxone and naltrexone; however, the cannabimimetic response was unaffected. Both cannabimimetic and opioid drugs decreased cyclic AMP accumulation in intact cells, but opioid antagonists blocked the response only to the latter. Thus, cannabimimetic effects are observed even though opioid receptors are blocked by antagonist drugs. The interaction between desacetyllevonantradol and etorphine was neither synergistic nor additive at maximal concentrations, suggesting that these two drugs operate via the same effector mechanism. Other neuronal cell lines having an opioid response were also examined. The cannabimimetic inhibition of cyclic AMP accumulation in NG108-15 neuroblastoma X glioma cells was not as great as the response in N18TG2. N4TG1 neuroblastoma cells did not respond to cannabimimetic drugs under any conditions tested. Thus, the cannabimimetic inhibition of adenylate cyclase is not universally observed, and the efficacy of the cannabimimetic response does not correlate with the efficacy of the opioid response.     

Cell Cycle-Dependent Expression of Specific Opiate Binding with Variable Coupling to Adenylate Cyclase in a Neurotumor Hybrid Cell Line NG108–15

Abstract: Monolayer cultures of neuroblastome × glioma hybrid (clonal) cell line NG108-15, synchronized by the isoleucine/glutamine deprivation method, showed maximal expression of opiate binding sities at the same point in the cell cycle at which prostaglandin E₁(PGE₁) had a maximum stimulatory effect of cyclinc AMP synthesis. However, the capacity of enkephalin (D-Ala²D-Leu⁵] to block the stimulation of cyclic AMP synthesis by PGE₁ was not related to the number of opiate receptors expressed. The K₁ for the inhibition of cyclic AMP synthesis by opioid peptides increased substanitilly during the period of the cell cycle at which maximal expression of opiate binding sites occurred, making the effectivel level of inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity by 0.1μM enkephalin [D-Al²D-Leu³] the same throght the cell cycle. Data are presented to suggest the enkephalin receptor coupling to adenylate cyclase, via a GTP-binding protein, is maximal during G₁ phase (which may approximate the state of the differentiated neuron) and minimal during S + G₂ phase, just prior to cell division, when many receptors are uncoupled.     

Desensitization of opioid-stimulated GTPase in neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells

NG108-15 cells were pretreated with the opioid peptide [D-Ala2, D-Leu5]enkephalin and the opioid-dependent low Km GTPase was assayed in membranes. Pretreatment resulted in a small decrease in basal GTPase activity and led to a concentration-dependent reduction in opioid-mediated stimulation of the enzyme. These effects were observed whether the agonist was present or absent throughout all the experimental procedures, but, in the second condition, the desensitization was smaller. The addition of naloxone had no effect on basal GTPase activity, in either control or pretreated cell membranes. Both Na+ and Mg++ were required for the opioid-induced stimulation of the GTPase. Mg++ enhanced basal enzymatic activity in controls, whereas in membranes from pretreated cells, it produced an inhibition. Thus, desensitization of the opioid-dependent low Km GTPase occurs upon chronic opioid treatment and a Mg++ regulatory site might be altered in the course of this process.     

Coordinate Regulation of Ganglioside Glycosyltransferases in Differentiating NG108-15 Neuroblastoma X Glioma Cells

The enzymatic basis for ganglioside regulation during differentiation of NG108-15 mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma hybrid cells was studied. This cell line contains four gangliosides that lie along the same biosynthetic pathway: GM3, GM2, GM1, and GD1a. Chemically induced neuronal differentiation of NG108-15 cells led to an 80% drop in the steady-state level of their major ganglioside, GM3, a sixfold increase in the level of a minor ganglioside, GM2 (which became the predominant ganglioside of differentiated cells); and relatively little change in the levels of GM1 and GD1a, which lie further along the same biosynthetic pathway. The enzymatic basis for this selective change in ganglioside expression was investigated by measuring the activity of two glycosyltransferases involved in ganglioside biosynthesis. UDP-N-acetylgalactosamine: GM3 N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (GM2-synthetase) activity increased fivefold during butyrate-induced differentiation, whereas UDP-galactose: GM2 galactosyltransferase (GM1-synthetase) activity decreased to 10% of its control level. Coordinate regulation of these two glycosyltransferases appears to be primarily responsible for the selective increase of GM2 expression during NG108-15 differentiation.     

Differential Sensitivity of Basal and Opioid-Stimulated Low Km GTPase to Guanine Nucleotide Analogs

In membranes derived from NG108-15 cells, the opioid peptide [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin (DADLE) stimulates a low Km GTPase. The nucleotide analogs guanosine 5'-O-(2-thio)diphosphate (GDP beta S), guanosine 5'-(beta,gamma-imido)triphosphate [Gpp(NH)p] and guanosine 5'-O-(3-thio)-triphosphate (GTP gamma S) inhibit the basal enzymatic activity with the order of potency GTP gamma S greater than Gpp (NH)p greater than GDP beta S. In the presence of DADLE, the inhibition isotherms of GDP beta S and Gpp(NH)p are shifted to the right five- and fourfold, respectively, compared to the inhibition observed in the absence of DADLE. In contrast, the IC50 of GTP gamma S for inhibiting the enzyme is reduced by 55% in the presence of the opioid. Both Gpp(NH)p and GTP gamma S produce a concentration-dependent increase in the Km(app) of GTPase, without affecting its Vmax, indicating a competitive inhibition. However, the replots of Km(app) versus inhibitor concentration are hyperbolic, suggesting a partial type of inhibition. Both Gpp(NH)p and GTP gamma S, but not GTP, induce an increase in the EC50 of DADLE for stimulating GTPase. These findings indicate that the basal and the opioid-stimulated low Km GTPase differ in their respective sensitivities to inhibition by guanine nucleotide analogs.     

The stimulation of glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in isolated hepatocytes by opioid peptides.

The opioid agonists [leucine]enkephalin, [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin and dynorphin-(1-13)-peptide, but not morphine, stimulated the conversion of [2-14C]pyruvate into glucose and glycogenolysis when added directly to isolated hepatocytes. Naloxone produced a small but significant inhibition of both the basal and stimulated rate of incorporation of label into glucose but had no effect on the total glucose output by the cells. The effects of the opioid peptides were mediated by a cyclic AMP-independent mechanism.     

Coupling of the Cloned μ-Opioid Receptor with the ω-Conotoxin-Sensitive Ca2+ Current in NG108-15 Cells

Abstract: Voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ currents were measured in NG108-15 neuroblastoma × glioma hybrid cells transformed to express the rat μ-opioid receptor by the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique with Ba²⁺ as charge carrier. A μ-opioid receptor-selective agonist, [ d -Ala², N -Me-Phe⁴,Gly⁵-ol]enkephalin caused significant inhibition of voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ currents in μ-receptor-transformed NG108-15 cells but not in nontransfected or vector-transformed control cells. On the other hand, a δ-opioid receptor-selective agonist, [ d -penicillamine², d -penicillamine⁵]enkephalin, induced inhibition of voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ currents in both control and μ-receptor-transformed cells, which is mediated by the δ-opioid receptor expressed endogenously in NG108-15 cells. The inhibition of voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ currents induced by [ d -Ala², N -Me-Phe⁴,Gly⁵-ol]enkephalin and [ d -penicillamine², d -penicillamine⁵]enkephalin was reduced by pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin or ω-conotoxin GVIA. These results indicate that the μ-opioid receptor expressed from cDNA functionally couples with ω-conotoxin-sensitive N-type Ca²⁺ channels through the action of pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins in NG108-15 cells.     

Evidence for [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]Enkephalin-Induced Supersensitivity to 5-Hydroxytryptamine in a Neurotumor × Brain Hybrid Cell Line (NCB-20)

A neuroblastoma X Chinese hamster embryonic brain explant hybrid cell line (NCB-20) expressed 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT1) receptors, linked to adenylate cyclase, which closely resembled 5-HT1 receptors previously characterized in central nervous tissue. However, the affinity of the receptors for 5-HT was only 150 nM compared to 5 nM in membranes prepared from cerebral cortex. The elevation of cyclic AMP levels in NCB-20 cells produced by 5-HT was found additive to that produced by cholera toxin but synergistic with that produced by either prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) or forskolin, suggesting that these latter two agents elevate cyclic AMP levels by a different mechanism than 5-HT. The elevation of cyclic AMP levels by either 5-HT or PGE1 was reversed by [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin (DADLE), morphine, clonidine, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine (dopamine) on a short (30 min) time scale. However, continued exposure to DADLE resulted in loss of the initial inhibitory effects of DADLE after 6 h and return of cyclic AMP levels to that seen with either 5-HT or PGE1 alone. When the DADLE exposure time was increased to 48 h, 5-HT produced a further twofold increase in cyclic AMP levels, but there was no increase in the responsiveness of the cells to PGE1 unless naloxone was added 1 h prior to treatment with PGE1. Scatchard analysis showed that the increased potency of 5-HT resulted from an increase in receptor affinity for 5-HT (from a KD of 150 +/- 20 nM to one of 20 +/- 7 nM), with a reduction in the number of apparent binding sites. The 5-HT supersensitivity observed in NCB-20 cells may be a good model for neurotransmitter interactions that produce desensitization or facilitation in the intact nervous system.     

Parellel inhibition of LH-RH-induced cyclic AMP accumulation and LH and FSH release by LH-RH antagonists in vitro.

The relative potencies of seven antagonists of LH-RH to inhibit LH-RH-induced cyclic AMP accumulation and LH and FSH release were measured using rat hemipituitaries in vitro. At appropriate concentrations, [Des-His2, D-Ala6] LH-RH, [Des-His2, D-Ala6, des-Gly-NH210] LH-RH ethylamide, [Des-His2, D-Leu6] LH-RH, [D-Phe2] LH-RH, [Des-His2, Des-Gly-NH210] LH-RH propylamide, [D-Phe2, D-Leu6] LH-RH and [D-Phe2, D-Phe6] LH-RH led to parallel inhibition of cyclic AMP accumulation and LH and FSH release. [D-Phe2, D-Leu6] LH-RH and [D-Phe2, D-Phe6] LH-RH can inhibit 50% of LH-RH action at molar ratios of 100 and 30, respectively. These findings of parallel changes of cyclic AMP levels and LH and FSH release add strong support to the already obtained evidence for a mediator role of the adenylate cyclase system in the action of LH-RH in the anterior pituitary gland.     

Opiate-Dependent Changes in the Sensitivity of Adenylate Cyclase to Stimulatory Agonists and 5''-Guanylylimidodiphosphate Are Independent of G Protein Abundance and Eukaryotic ADP-Ribosyltransferase Activity in NG108-15 Cells

NG108-15 cells were exposed in culture to 1 microM [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkaphalin (DADLE) for 17 h. This treatment increased the maximum iloprost- and 5'-(N-ethylcarboxamido)adenosine-dependent activation of adenylate cyclase, as well as basal enzyme activity. In addition, there was an increase in the capacity of 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p] to inhibit adenylate cyclase activity by direct interaction with the alpha-subunit of the Gi regulatory protein. A similar effect was observed if the cells were exposed to 10 microM carbachol. These treatments of NG108-15 cells did not alter the capacity of NaF to activate adenylate cyclase by direct interaction with Gs alpha. Exposure of NG108-15 cells to DADLE alone or DADLE plus carbachol had no effect on the capacity of pertussis toxin to ADP-ribosylate membrane proteins in these cells; neither was there any change in the activity of eukaryotic ADP-ribosyltransferase expressed in these cells. Under these conditions, the endogenous enzyme did not label any protein with a molecular mass similar to Gi alpha, 41 kDa. Treatment of the cells with DADLE or carbachol had no effect on the abundance of Gs alpha, Gi alpha, or G beta. The underlying mechanism for the changes in agonist-dependent stimulatory responses or Gpp(NH)p-dependent inhibition of adenylate cyclase remains obscure, but appears not to be mediated by eukaryotic ADP-ribosyltransferase activity or a change in the abundance of G proteins known to regulate adenylate cyclase.     

Identification and characterization of the beta-adrenergic receptor on neuroblastoma × glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells

1. Using [3H]DHA and unlabeled L-alprenolol, a substantial amount of over 64% specific binding of beta-adrenergic receptor has been identified on the neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG108-15 cell, which has been proven to display numerous functional characteristics of intact neurons. 2. Beta-adrenergic receptor binding on intact NG108-15 cells does not change significantly upon morphological differentiation, induced by 1 mM dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dBcAMP). 3. The [3H]DHA binding on intact NG108-15 cells is rapid, saturable, and reversible, having a t1/2 of 1.0 min for association and 3.5 min for dissociation. 4. The affinity constant (Kd) and maximum binding capacity (Bmax) for binding of [3H]DHA to beta-adrenergic receptors on NG108-15 cells have been estimated by Scatchard plot analysis to be 2.5 and 0.23 nM, respectively. Further analysis indicates a single class of receptors for [3HDHA binding on NG108-15 cells. 5. Studies on kinetic properties have revealed on-rate (K + 1) and off-rate (K - 1) constants of 0.7 X 10(-9) M min-1 and 0.19 min-1, respectively. Further, the IC50 value and inhibition constant (Ki) for unlabeled L-alprenolol to inhibit [3HDHA binding on NG108-15 cells have been estimated to be 10(-5) and 8.9 X 10(-6) M, respectively. 6. The rank-order potency of catecholamine agonists, (-)ISO greater than (+)ISO greater than EPI greater than NE, reveals the presence of type 2 receptor for the beta-adrenergic binding on both differentiated and undifferentiated NG108-15 cells. 7. The present study indicates that the clonal neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG108-15 cell line possesses substantial amounts of beta-adrenergic receptors with characteristics similar to those on neuronal cells.