Assessment of selective inhibition of rat cerebral cortical calcium-independent and calcium-dependent phosphodiesterases in crude extracts using deoxycyclic AMP and potassium ions

The effects of various inhibitors on the activity of calcium-independent and calcium-dependent phosphodiesterases from rat cerebral cortex were examined. While the agents varied greatly in their relative potency, each was found to be approximately equipotent in inhibiting the calcium-dependent hydrolysis of either cyclic AMP or cyclic GMP. In contrast, the inhibitors displayed a marked substrate specificity for the calcium-independent enzyme with ratios of IC₅₀ values for inhibition of cyclic GMP hydrolysis when compared to cyclic AMP hydrolysis in decreasing order being: ZK 62711 (? 100) > Ro 20–1724 (?>25) papaverine (13) > 7-benzyl IBMX (4) > quercetin and kaempferol (2). The differential selectivity of the inhibitors for the two enzymes was most pronounced for ZK 62711 and Ro 20–1724 which were at least 25–100-times more potent in inhibiting the calcium-independent hydrolysis of cyclic AMP when compared to the calcium-dependent hydrolysis of cyclic AMP. In contrast, 7-benzyl IBMX, kaempferol and quercetin were 8–100-times more effective as inhibitors of cycluc GMP hydrolysis by the calcium-dependent phosphodiesterase while 7-benzyl IBMX and trimazosin displayed a similar enzyme selectivity using cyclic AMP as substrate. With the exception of papaverine, all agents were competitive inhibitors of the calcium-dependent phosphodiesterase. The type of inhibition observed with the calcium-independent enzyme was dependent on the substrate employed. The specificity of potassium ions in inhibiting the activity of the calcium-dependent phosphodiesterase and deoxycyclic AMP in inhibiting the calcium-independent enzyme was found to provide a convenient means to assess the effects of agents on these activities in crude extracts of cerebral cortex.     

Characteristics of the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases of normal and leukemic lymphocytes

The specific activity of cylic AMP phosphodiesterase and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase of leukemic lymphocytes was 5–10-fold greater than that of purified normal lymphocytes or homogenates of spleen, thymus or lymph nodes of normal mice. This rise was demonstrable over a wide range of substrate concentrations. Both normal and leukemic lymphocytes contained a heat-stable, calcium-dependent activator of phosphodiesterase. However, the increased activity of phosphodiesterase in leukemic lymphocytes was not due to this protein activator since (a) phophodiesterase activity from these cells was not stimulated by this activator and (b) phosphodiesterase activity of leukemic lymphocytes was not inhibited by the calcium chelator, ethyleneglycol-bis-(β-aminoethylether)-N′,N′-tetraacetic acid, suggesting that the enzyme was not already maximally activated. A comparison of several other properties of phosphodiesterase from normal and leukemic lymphocytes showed that the enzymes have similar pH optima, similar stabilitis to freezing and thawing and similar sensitivities to inhibition by the phosphodiesterase inhibitors, chlorpromazine, papaverine and isobutylmethylxanthine. However, the subcellular distribution of the phosphodiesterases was different, and the phosphodiesterase of leukemic lymphocytes was significantly more resistant to heat than that of normal lymphocytes.Although no differences were found between the phosphodiesterases of normal and leukemic lymphocytes in their sensitivities to drugs, there were marked differences in drug sensitivity between the phosphodiesterase of lymphocytes and that of other tissue. For example, concentrations of chlorpromazine which inhibited phosphodiesterase of cerebrum by 70% had no effect on phosphodiesterase activity of lymphocytes. On the other hand, the papaverine-induced inhibition of phosphodiesterase was similar in lymphocytes and cerebrum.Since an optimal concentration of cyclic nucleotides is essential to maintain normal cell growth, these results suggest that the abnormal growth characteristics of leukemic lymphocytes may be explained by their high activity of phosphodiesterase. Furthermore, the qualitative and quantitative differences between the phosphodiesterases of leukemic lymphocytes and other tissues raise the possibility of selectively inhibiting the phosphodiesterase of the leukemic lymphocytes, thereby reducing their rate of growth, without affecting other tissues.     

Effect of ions on antibacterial activity of human beta defensin 2

Human beta defensin 2 (HBD-2), the most recently discovered human defensin, has been considered to work as a host defense substance against microbial infection. Using Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, we investigated how some cations and anions influenced the antimicrobial activity of HBD-2. This activity, measured in 10 mM phosphate buffer at a concentration of 20 microg/ml, reduced significantly in the presence of 100 and 150 mM sodium or potassium chloride. The reduction was not significantly different when the total amounts of sodium and potassium ions were equal. The kind and the valence of anions (chlorine and sulfate ions) did not affect the bactericidal activity as long as the concentrations of sodium ions were equal. Divalent ions (calcium and magnesium ions) added to 10 mM of Tris buffer significantly inactivated HBD-2 at much lower concentrations (more than or equal to 0.01 mM and 0.05 mM, respectively) than the monovalent ions did. These findings suggest that HBD-2 kills the bacteria through at least two phases, which are affected independently by either monovalent or divalent ions and unaffected by anions.     

Calcium-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase. Inhibition of basal activity by heat-stable factors from rat cerebrum.

The boiled supernatant fraction from rat cerebrum contained factors which inhibited the basal activity of a Ca2+-dependent phosphodiesterase from rat cerebrum. Two inhibitory fractions were isolated by DEAE-cellulose or Sephadex chromatography and were deemed proteins, based on their sensitivity to trypsin digestion. The inhibitory fractions eluted from DEAE-cellulose columns prior to the Ca2+-dependent activator protein. The inhibitory factors, unlike the activator protein, were stable to heat treatment under alkaline conditions. The inhibitory factors caused both an increase in Km for cyclic GMP and a decrease in V. In the presence of calcium ions and purified activator protein, the Ca2+-dependent phosphodiesterase was not inhibited by the factors, but instead was slightly stimulated. The inhibitory factors caused a slight apparent stimulation of a Ca2+-independent phosphodiesterase from rat cerebrum but this proved instead to be a nonspecific stabilizing effect which was minimicked by bovine serum albumin. After prolonged alkaline treatment, the purified activator protein caused a modest Ca2+-independent activation of Ca2+-dependent phosphodiesterase. The inhibitory factors antagonized the activation of Ca2+-dependent phosphodiesterase by alkaline treated activator protein or by lysophosphatidylcholine. The inhibitory factors had no effect on activity of trypsinized Ca2+-dependent phosphodiesterase. Of various other proteins, only casein mimicked the effects of the inhibitory factors on phoshodiesterase activity.     

Effects of zinc chloride on the hydrolysis of cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP by the activator-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase from bovine heart.

In the presence of 10 micrometer Ca2+ and 5 mM Mg2+ (or 0.25 mM Mg2+), the addition of 100 micrometer Zn2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Fe2+, Cu2+ or 1 mM Mn2+ resulted in varying degrees of stimulation or inhibition of 10(-6) M cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP hydrolysis by the activator-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase from bovine heart in the absence or presence of phosphodiesterase activator. The substrate specificity of the enzyme was altered under several conditions. The addition of Zn2+ in the presence of 5 mM Mg2+ and the absence of activator resulted in the stimulation of cyclic GMP hydrolysis over a narrow substrate range while reducing the V 65% due to a shift in the kinetics from non-linear with Mg2+ alone to linear in the presence of Zn2+ and Mg2+. Zn2+ inhibited the hydrolysis of cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP in the presence of activator with Ki values of 70 and 100 micrometer, respectively. Zn2+ inhibition was non-competitive with substrate, activator and Ca2+ but was competitive with Mg2+. In the presence of 10 micrometer Ca2+ and activator, a Ki of 15 micrometer for Zn2+ vs. Mg2+ was noted in the hydrolysis of 10(-6) M cyclic GMP. Several effects of Zn2+ are discussed which have been noted in other studies and might be due in part to changes in cyclic nucleotide levels following phosphodiesterase inhibition.     

Isolation of an activator of multiple forms of cyclic nucleotides phosphodiesterase of rat cerebrum by isoelectric focusing.

An isoelectric focusing technique was used to isolate multiple forms of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase from a 105 000 times g soluble supernatant fraction of sonicated rat cerebrum. These separated peaks of activity had iso-electric points of 5.1, 5.6, 6.0, 6.6, 8.0, and 9.0. The activities were not stimulated by an endogenous activator of the enzyme but were inhibited by EGTA treatment. However, activator-sensitive forms of the enzyme could be separated from brain if the preparation of rat cerebrum was dialyzed against an EGTA containing buffer prior to electrofocusing. The procedure was also used to isolate a column fraction that stimulated maximum velocities of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP hydrolysis. This fraction was itself devoid of phosphodiesterase activity and had an isoelectric point of 4.7.     

Effects of CuCl2 on the hydrolysis of cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP by the activator-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase from bovine heart.

CuCl2 non-competitively inhibited the hydrolysis of cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP by the activator-dependent phosphodiesterase from bovine heart in the presence of 5 mM Mg2+, 10 muM Ca2+ and phosphodiesterase activator with Ki values of approximately 2 muM for both substrates. CuCl2 inhibition was also non-competitive with Mg2+, Ca2+ and phosphodiesterase activator. Dialysis demonstrated that CuCl2 inhibition is reversible. Treatment of the enzyme with p-hydroxymercuribenzoate resulted in the loss of enzyme activity, suggesting the presence of sulfhydryl groups essential for enzyme activity. The inhibitory activity of CuCl2 was not additive with that of p-hydroxymercuribenzoate, therefore CuCl2 may inhibit enzyme activity by binding to one or more essential sulfhydryl groups. CuCl2 also inhibited the hydrolysis of cyclic AMP by the cyclic AMP-specific phosphodiesterase from bovine heart with an I50 value of 18 muM. Several effects of Cu2+ are discussed which have been noted in other studies and might be due, in part, to changes in cyclic nucleotide levels following alterations in phosphodiesterase activity.     

Cyclic 3',5'-AMP phosphodiesterase of rabbit aorta.

Cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase activities (3' : 5'-cyclic AMP 5'-nucleotidohydrolase, EC 3.1.4.17) were demonstrated in the isolated intima, media, and adventitia of rabbit aorta. The activity for cyclic AMP hydrolysis in the intima was 2.7-fold higher than that for cyclic GMP hydrolysis. The activity for cyclic AMP hydrolysis in the media was approximately equal to that for cyclic GMP hydrolysis, but in the adventitia, cyclic GMP hydrolytic activity was 2.1-fold higher than cyclic AMP hydrolytic activity. Distribution of the activator of the phosphodiesterase was studied in the three layers. Each layer contained the activator. The activator was predominantly localized in the smooth muscle layer (the media). The effect of the activator and Ca2+ on the media cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase was also briefly studied. The activity of the cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase was stimulated by micromolar concentration of Ca2+ in the presence of the activator. However, the activity of the cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase was not significantly stimulated by Ca2+ up to 100 muM in the presence of the activator. Above 90% of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity in the whole aorta was found to be derived from the media. A major portion (60-70%) of the media enzyme was found in 105 000 times g supernatant. Cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase in the supernatant was partially purified through Sepharose 6B column chromatography and partially separated from cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase. Using a partially purified preparation from the 105 000 times g supernatant the main kinetic parameters were specified as follows: 1) The pH optimum was found to be about 9.0 using Tris-maleate buffer. The maximum stimulation of the enzyme by Mg2+ was achieved at 4mM of MgC12. 2) High concentration of cyclic GMP (0.1 mM) inhibited noncompetitively the enzyme activity, and the activity was not stimulated at any tested concentration of cyclic GMP. 3) Activity-substrate concentration relationship revealed a high affinity (Km equals 1.0 muM) and low affinity (Km equals 45 muM) for cyclic AMP. The homogenate and 105 000 times g supernatant of the media also showed non-linear kinetics similar to the Sepharose 6B preparation and their apparent Km values for cyclic AMP hydrolysis were 1.2 muM and 36-40 muM and an enzyme extracted by sonication from 105 000 times g precipitate also exhibited non-linear kinetics (Km equals 5.1 muM and 70 muM). 4) Papaverine exhibited much stronger inhibition on the aorta cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (50% inhibition of the intima enzyme, I5 o at 0.62 muM, I5 o of the media at 0.62 muM and I5 o of the adventitia at 1.0 muM) than on the brain (I5 o at 8.5 muM) and serum (I5 o at 20 muM) cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase, while theophylline inhibited these enzymes similarly. However, cyclic GMP phosphodiesterases in all tissues examined were inhibited similarly, not only by theophylline but also by papaverine.     

Regulation of the high Km cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase of adrenal medulla by the endogenous calcium-dependent-protein activator.

A cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase sensitive to the calcium-dependent endogenous protein activator has been identified in rat and beef adrenal medulla. In this tissue the ratio between the activity of this enzyme and that of the low Km enzyme is smaller than the corresponding ratio in rat brain. The activator-sensitive phosphodiesterase, isolated from beef adrenal medulla has a high Km for cyclic 3,5-AMP. Saturating concentrations of the calcium dependent protein activator decreased significantly the apparent Km of this enzyme using cAMP as a substrate.     

Differential Regulation of Phosphoinositide Phosphodiesterase Activity in Brain Membranes by Guanine Nucleotides and Calcium

We have shown previously that calcium and guanine nucleotides stimulate the activity of a phosphoinositide (PI) phosphodiesterase in membranes from rat cerebral cortex and that their effects are additive. To understand further guanine nucleotide- and calcium-stimulated PI phosphodiesterase activity, we have investigated the pH sensitivity and effects of inhibitors on the two modes of stimulation. NaF stimulates PI hydrolysis in brain membranes with an EC50 of 2 mM and a maximal effect at 10 mM, suggesting that a guanine nucleotide binding protein can regulate PI phosphodiesterase. Neomycin inhibited guanylylimidodiphosphate (GppNHp)-stimulated PI phosphodiesterase activity in a concentration-dependent manner, with 90% inhibition at 0.3 mM. Neomycin was not as effective at inhibiting calcium-dependent PI hydrolysis (32% inhibition at 0.3 mM). Chloroquine also had a greater inhibitory effect against GppNHp-stimulated PI phosphodiesterase activity compared to calcium-dependent activity. Guanine nucleotide- and NaF-dependent activations of PI phosphodiesterase were strongly pH-dependent, with greatest stimulation observed at pH 5-6 and inhibition at more alkaline pH. Calcium-stimulated PI hydrolysis was not as sensitive to changes in pH and had a peak of activity at pH 9. Our findings of different pH optima and differential sensitivity to inhibitors suggest that calcium and guanine nucleotides may regulate PI phosphodiesterase in rat cortical membranes through independent mechanisms.     

Catalytic and regulatory properties of two forms of bovine heart cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase.

The soluble supernatant fraction of bovine heart homogenates may be fractionated on a DEAE cellulose column into two cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (EC 3.1.4.-):PI and PII phosphodiesterases, in the order of emergence from the column. In the presence of free Ca2+, the PI enzyme may be activated several fold by the protein activator which was discovered by Cheung((1971) J. Biol. Chem. 246, 2859-2869). The PII enzyme is refractory to this activator, and is not inhibited by the Ca2+ chelating agent, ethylene glycol bis (beta-aminoethyl ether)-N, N'-tetraacetate (EGTA). The activated activity of PI phosphodiesterase may be further stimulated by imidazole or NH+4, and inhibited by high concentrations of Mg2+. These reagents have no significant effect on either the PII enzyme or the basal activity of PI phosphodiesterase. Although both forms of phosphodiesterase can hydrolyze either cyclic AMP or cyclic GMP, they exhibit different relative affinities towards these two cyclic nucleotides. The PI enzyme appears to have much higher affinities toward cyclic GMP than cyclic AMP. Km values for cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP are respectively 1.7 and 0.33 mM for the non-activated PI phosphodiesterase; and 0.2 and 0.007 mM for the activated enzyme. Each cyclic nucleotide acts as a competitive inhibitor for the other with Ki values similar to the respective Km values. In contrast with PI phosphodiesterase, PII phosphodiesterase exhibits similar affinity toward cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP. The apparent Km values of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP for the PII enzyme are approx. 0.05 and 0.03 mM, respectively. The kinetic plot with respect to cyclic GMP shows positive cooperativity. Each cyclic nucleotide acts as a non-competitive inhibitor for the other nucleotide. These kinetic properties of PI and PII phosphodiesterase of bovine heart are very similar to those of rat liver cyclic GMP and high Km cyclic AMP phosphodiesterases, respectively (Russel, Terasaki and Appleman, (1973) J. Biol. Chem. 248, 1334).     

Release of norepinephrine from brain vesicular preparations: Effects of an adenylate cyclase activator,forskolin, and a phosphodiesterase inhibitor

1. The calcium-dependent K+-evoked release of [3H]norepinephrine from guinea pig cerebral cortical vesicular preparations is inhibited by norepinephrine, clonidine, and epinephrine. Isoproterenol has no effect and phentolamine prevents the inhibition by norepinephrine. The results indicate that an alpha-adrenergic receptor mediates an inhibitory input to the calcium-dependent release process. The inhibition by norepinephrine is prevented by high concentrations (3.0 mM) of calcium ions. 2. A cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, ZK 62771, slightly elevates [3H]cyclic AMP levels in the guinea pig cerebral cortical preparation and potentiates the marked elevation of [3H]cyclic AMP elicited by the adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin. 3. Neither ZK 62771 nor forskolin alone has significant effects on K+-evoked release of [3H]norepinephrine from the cerebral cortical vesicular preparation; however, a combination of ZK 62771 and forskolin inhibits K+-evoked release by as much as 60%. The inhibition is reversed by high concentrations (2.0 mM) of calcium ions. The results suggest that a marked accumulation of cyclic AMP elicited via both activation of adenylate cyclase and inhibition of phosphodiesterase can be inhibitory to neurotransmitter release from central synaptic terminals.     

Monovalent cations and inorganic phosphate alter branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase-kinase activity and inhibitor sensitivity

Potassium ion protects the branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex against inactivation by thermal denaturation and protease digestion. Rubidium was effective but sodium and lithium were not, suggesting that the ionic size of the cation is important for stabilization of the enzyme. Thiamine pyrophosphate stabilization of the complex [Danner, D. J., Lemmon, S. K., and Elsas, S. J. (1980) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 202, 23-28] was found dependent on the presence of potassium ion. Studies with resolved components indicate that the thiamine pyrophosphate-dependent enzyme of the complex, i.e., the 2-oxoisovalerate dehydrogenase (lipoamide) (EC 1.2.4.4), is the component stabilized by potassium ion. Branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase-kinase activity measured by inactivation of the branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex was maximized at a potassium ion concentration of 100 mM. Stimulation of kinase activity was also found with rubidium ion but not with lithium and sodium ions. All salts tested increased the efficiency of inactivation by phosphorylation, i.e., decreased the degree of enzyme phosphorylation required to cause inactivation of the complex. The effectiveness and efficacy of alpha-chloroisocaproate as an inhibitor of branched-chain alpha-ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase were enhanced by the presence of monovalent cations, and further increased by inorganic phosphate. These findings suggest that monovalent cations and anions, particularly potassium and phosphate, cause structural changes in the dehydrogenase-kinase complex that alter its susceptibility to phosphorylation and responsiveness to kinase inhibitors.     

Purification of calcium-dependent phosphodiesterases from rat cerebrum by affinity chromatography on activator protein-sepharose.

Calcium-dependent activator protein purified from rat cerebrum was reacted with either N-hydroxysuccinimide-activated succinylated aminopropyl agarose or cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose 4B. The activator protein-agarose column did not serve as an affinity adsorbant for purification of calcium-dependent phosphodiesterases from rat brain. The activator protein-Sepharose was an effective adsorbant for calcium-dependent phosphodiesterases. In the presence of calcium ions, this column selectively retained the calcium-dependent phosphodiesterases from soluble and solubilized particulate fractions from rat cerebrum. The phosphodiesterases were eluted from the column in the presence of [ethylenebis(oxyethylenenitrilo)]tetraacetic acid.     

Calcium-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibition of basal activity by heat-stable factors from rat cerebrum

The boiled supernatant fraction from rat cerebrum contained factors which inhibited the basal activity of a Ca²⁺-dependent phosphodiesterase from rat cerebrum. Two inhibitory fractions were isolated by DEAE-cellulose or Sephadex chromatography and were deemed proteins, based on their sensitivity to trypsin digestion. The inhibitory fractions eluted from DEAE-cellulose columns prior to the Ca²⁺-dependent activator protein. The inhibitory factors, unlike the activator protein, were stable to heat treatment under alkaline conditions. The inhibitory factors caused both an increase in K_m for cyclic GMP and a decrease in $\text{V}$. In the presence of calcium ions and purified activator protein, the Ca²⁺-dependent phosphodiesterase was not inhibited by the factors, but instead was slightly stimulated. The inhibitory factors caused a slight apparent stimulation of a Ca²⁺-independent phosphodiesterase from rat cerebrum but this proved instead to be a nonspecific stabilizing effect which was mimicked by bovine serum albumin. After prolonged alkaline treatment, the purified activator protein caused a modest Ca²⁺-independent activation of Ca²⁺-dependent phosphodiesterase. The inhibitory factors antagonized the activation of Ca²⁺-dependent phosphodiesterase by alkaline treated activator protein or by lysophosphatidylcholine. The inhibitory factors had no effect on activity of trypsinized Ca²⁺-dependent phosphodiesterase. Of various other proteins, only casein mimicked the effects of the inhibitory factors on phosphodiesterase activity.     

Inhibition of adenylate cyclase from luteinized rat ovary by monovalent cations: roles of the stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory component and stimulatory hormone receptor

Sodium and other monovalent cations (added as chloride salts) inhibited adenylate cyclase of luteinized rat ovary. Sodium chloride (150 mM) inhibited basal enzyme activity by 20%. Sodium chloride inhibition was enhanced to 34-54% under conditions of enzyme stimulation by guanine nucleotides (GTP and its nonhydrolyzable analog 5'-guanylyl imidodiphosphate), fluoride anion, and agonists (ovine luteinizing hormone (oLH) and the beta-adrenergic catecholamine isoproterenol) acting at stimulatory receptors linked to adenylate cyclase. Sodium chloride inhibition was dependent on salt concentration over a wide range (25-800 mM) as well as the concentrations of GTP and oLH. Inhibition by NaCl was of rapid onset and appeared to be reversible. The order of inhibitory potency of monovalent cations was Li+ greater than Na+ greater than K+. The role of individual components of adenylate cyclase in the inhibitory action of monovalent cations was examined. Exotoxins of Vibrio cholerae and Bordetella pertussis were used to determine respectively the involvement of the stimulatory and inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory components (Ns and Ni) in NaCl inhibition. Sodium chloride inhibited cholera toxin-activated adenylate cyclase activity by 29%. Ni did not appear to mediate cation inhibition of adenylate cyclase because pertussis toxin did not attenuate inhibition by NaCl. Enzyme stimulation by agents (forskolin and Mn2+) thought to activate the catalytic component directly was not inhibited by NaCl but was instead significantly enhanced. Sodium chloride (150 mM) increased both the Kd for high-affinity binding of oLH to 125I-human chorionic gonadotropin binding sites and the Kact for oLH stimulation of adenylate cyclase by sevenfold. In contrast, NaCl had no appreciable effect on either isoproterenol binding to (-)-[125I]iodopindolol binding sites or the Kact for isoproterenol stimulation of adenylate cyclase. The results suggest that in luteinized rat ovary monovalent cations uncouple, or dissociate, Ns from the catalytic component and, in a distinct action, reduce gonadotropin receptor affinity for hormone. Dissociation of the inhibitory influence of Ni from direct catalytic activation could account for NaCl enhancement of forskolin- and Mn2+-associated activities. On the basis of these results, the spectrum of divergent stimulatory and inhibitory effects of monovalent cations on adenylate cyclase activities in a variety of tissues may be interpreted in terms of differential enzyme susceptibilities to cation-induced uncoupling of N and catalytic component functions.     

Predicting stability of DNA duplexes in solutions containing magnesium and monovalent cations

Accurate predictions of DNA stability in physiological and enzyme buffers are important for the design of many biological and biochemical assays. We therefore investigated the effects of magnesium, potassium, sodium, Tris ions, and deoxynucleoside triphosphates on melting profiles of duplex DNA oligomers and collected large melting data sets. An empirical correction function was developed that predicts melting temperatures, transition enthalpies, entropies, and free energies in buffers containing magnesium and monovalent cations. The new correction function significantly improves the accuracy of predictions and accounts for ion concentration, G-C base pair content, and length of the oligonucleotides. The competitive effects of potassium and magnesium ions were characterized. If the concentration ratio of [Mg (2+)] (0.5)/[Mon (+)] is less than 0.22 M (-1/2), monovalent ions (K (+), Na (+)) are dominant. Effects of magnesium ions dominate and determine duplex stability at higher ratios. Typical reaction conditions for PCR and DNA sequencing (1.5-5 mM magnesium and 20-100 mM monovalent cations) fall within this range. Conditions were identified where monovalent and divalent cations compete and their stability effects are more complex. When duplexes denature, some of the Mg (2+) ions associated with the DNA are released. The number of released magnesium ions per phosphate charge is sequence dependent and decreases surprisingly with increasing oligonucleotide length.     

Caclium uptake and associated adenosine triphosphatase activity in fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum. Requirement for potassium ions.

The effects of monovalent cations on calcium uptake by fragmented sarcoplasmic reticulum have been clarified. Homogenization of muscle tissue in salt-containing solutions leads to contamination of this subcellular fraction with actomyosin and mitochondrial membranes. When, in addition, inorganic cations are contributed by the microsomal suspension and in association with nucleotide triphosphate substrates there is an apparent inhibition of the calcium transport system by potassium and other cations. However, when purified preparations were obtained after homogenization in sucrose medium followed by centrifugation on a sucrose density gradient in a zonal rotor, calcium uptake and the associated adenosine triphosphatase activity were considerably activated by potassium and other univalent cations. When plotted against the log of the free calcium concentration there was only a slight increase in calcium uptake and ATPase activity in the absence of potassium ions but sigmoid-shaped curves were obtained in 100 mM K+ with half-maximal stimulation occurring at 2 muM Ca2+ for both calcium uptake and ATPase activity. The augmentation in calcium uptake was not due to an ionic strength effect as Tris cation at pH 6.6 was shown to be inactive in this respect. Other monovalent cations were effective in the order K+ greater than Na+ greater than NH4+=Rb+=Cs+ greater than Li+ with half-maximal stimulation in 11 mM K+, 16 mM Na+, 25 mM NH4+, Rb+, and Cs+ and in 50 mM Li+. There was nos synergistic action between K+ AND Na+ ions and both calcium uptak and associated ATPase were insensitive to ouabain. Thallous ions stimulate many K+-requiring enzymes and at one-tenth the concentration were nearly as effective as K+ ions in promoting calcium uptake. The ratio of Ca2+ ions transported to P1 released remained unchanged at 2 after addition of K+ ions indicating an effect on the rate of calcium uptake rather than an increased efficiency of uptake. In support of this it was found that during the stimulation of calcium uptake by Na+ ions there was a reduction in the steady state concentration of phosphorylated intermediate formed from [gamma-32P]ATP. It is considered that there is a physiological requirement for potassium ions in the relaxation process.     

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase from a particulate fraction of rat brain. Evidence for an activator deficient form.

A cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase from a particulate fraction of rat brain was partially purified after solubilization with a non-ionic detergent. Influence of divalent ions, of phosphodiesterase inhibitors and of the activator protein from different sources were tested. Determination of K_m-values shows two enzymes with different values, one at 7.3 μM and the other at 15 mM. Two distinct activity peaks were determined after resolution by isoelectric focusing. It was concluded that this particulate enzyme is regulated in a way opposite to that of the soluble enzyme and is independent from calcium and the activator protein.     

Effects of phosphodiesterase inhibitors, imidazole and phosphate on cyclic CMP phosphodiesterase are different from those on cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterases.

The effects of various agents on the newly identified cyclic CMP phosphodiesterase (C-PDE) in crude extracts of a number of rat tissues and on the enzyme partially purified from the rat liver were examined. Papaverine and 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine were without effects on C-PDE at concentrations that inhibited up to 90% of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (A-PDE) and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase (G-PDE) activities. When assayed using 1 micron substrates, theophylline inhibited C-PDE to a lesser extent than A-PDE and G-PDE. 2'-Deoxy cyclic AMP (specific A-PDE inhibitor) and 2'-deoxy cyclic GMP (specific G-PDE inhibitor) were relatively poor and non-specific inhibitors for C-PDE. Imidazole, while augmenting the high Km A-PDE and G-PDE from the liver but not from the heart, was without effect on the liver C-PDE but stimulated the heart C-PDE. Potassium phosphate was more specific in inhibiting C-PDE than A-PDE and G-PDE. The present findings suggest that C-PDE represents a potential site of specific pharmacological regulations, and that C-PDE may be a separate enzyme distinguishable from the purine cyclic nucleotide class of phosphodiesterases.