Desensitization of β-Adrenergic Receptor-Coupled Adenylate Cyclase in Cerebral Cortex After In Vivo Treatment of Rats with Desipramine

Continuous treatment (1-10 days) of rats with desipramine (10 mg/kg, twice per day) caused desensitization of the beta-adrenergic receptor-coupled adenylate cyclase system of cerebral cortical membranes. The decrease in the isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was more rapid and greater than the decrease in the number of beta-adrenergic receptors in membranes during treatment of the membrane donor rats with desipramine, indicating that the desensitization occurring at an early stage of the treatment was not accounted for solely by the decrease in the receptor number. Neither the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (N) nor the adenylate cyclase catalyst was impaired by the drug treatment, since there was no decrease in the cyclase activity measured in the presence or absence of GTP, guanyl-5'-yl-beta-gamma-imidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p], NaF, or forskolin. Gpp(NH)p-induced activation of membrane adenylate cyclase developed with a lag time of a few minutes in membranes from control or drug-treated rats. The lag was shortened by the addition of isoproterenol, indicating that beta-receptors were coupled to N in such a manner as to facilitate the exchange of added Gpp(NH)p with endogenous GDP on N. This effect of isoproterenol rapidly decreased during the drug treatment of rats. Thus, functional uncoupling of the N protein from receptors was responsible for early development of desensitization of beta-adrenergic receptor-mediated adenylate cyclase in the cerebral cortex during desipramine therapy.     

A persistent active state of the adenylate cyclase system produced by the combined actions of isoproterenol and guanylyl imidodiphosphate in frog erythrocyte membranes.

Isoproterenol plus guanylyl imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) activate frog erythrocyte adenylate cyclase to a level much higher than the sum of the activities produced by the catecholamine and the synthetic nucleotide tested separately. Propranolol, the beta-receptor blocking agent, failed to inhibit activity when added after the enzyme system had been preincubated with both isoproterenol and Gpp(NH)p. However, if propranolol was added after only one of the two components had been added, it inhibited the effect of isoproterenol. Production of the propranolol-resistant state by treatment with isoproterenol and Gpp(NH)p did not require the presence of the productive substrate (MgATP). The activated propranolol-resistant state persisted following various treatments of the enzyme preparation including extensive washings of the membranes; considerable activity was retained even after sonication or treatment with the detergent Lubrol-PX, treatments which caused inactivation of the native enzyme. Extensive dilution of the membranes following pretreatment with isoproterenol and Gpp(NH)p did not significantly reduce to the activity of the enzyme. Readdition of isoproterenol after dilution caused some inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity, indicating apparently that the beta-receptor has not become inaccessible. In contrast, preincubation with isoproterenol alone failed to render the enzyme system refractive to propranolol, and dilution readily reduced the activity to negligibly low values. Preincubation with Gpp(NH)p alone also produced a persistent active state but the activity was much lower than that obtained throught the combined action of isoproterenol and Gpp(NH)p. The findings suggest that the hormone may be required only to facilitate the initial interaction of the enzyme with Gpp(NH)p. The differences, in this respect, between Gpp(NH)p and the more labile natural nucleotide, GTP, are discussed.     

The regulation of adenylate cyclase activity in turkey erythrocyte membranes by forskolin

The mechanisms by which forskolin stimulates adenylate cyclase activity in turkey erythrocyte membranes and is influenced by manganese and Gpp(NH)p were studied. Forskolin-dependent adenylate cyclase activity in particulate turkey erythrocyte membranes is enhanced following preincubation of membranes with isoproterenol and GMP (cleared membranes). In contrast, solubilization of turkey erythrocyte membranes, previously cleared, renders them relatively refractory to forskolin but not to Gpp(NH)p. Whereas adenylate cyclase activity due to the simultaneous presence of forskolin and Mn2+ in particulate turkey erythrocyte membranes is additive, their copresence becomes synergistic after solubilization. The apparent Kact for forskolin activation of adenylate cyclase is not influenced by clearance or by the presence of Mn2+ in particulate turkey erythrocyte membranes. Following solubilization, the Vmax for forskolin-dependent adenylate cyclase activation determined in the presence of Mn2+ is also independent of clearance. Forskolin activation of turkey erythrocyte adenylate cyclase appears to be influenced at sites in addition to the catalytic unit.     

Desensitization of beta-adrenergic stimulated adenylate cyclase in turkey erythrocytes.

Desensitization of catecholamine stimulated adenylate cyclase (AC) activity is demonstrated in membranes derived from turkey erythrocytes pre-treated with isoproterenol. Membranes from desensitized cells had a loss in maximal catecholamine stimulated adenylate cyclase activity of 104 +/- 13 (pmols/mg protein/10', p less than .001) compared with controls. When adenylate cyclase was maximally stimulated with NaF or Gpp(NH)p, the decrements were 84 +/- 19 (p less than .005) and 92 +/- 32 (p less than .05) pmol/mg protein/10' respectively. There was no change in beta-adrenergic receptor number in membranes derived from treated cells. While the molecular mechanism accounting for the desensitization is uncertain, the data is consistent with the hypothesis that there is a lesion distal to the beta-adrenergic receptor, possibly involving the nucleotide site or the catalytic subunit of adenylate cyclase, causing the desensitization in the isoproterenol treated cells.     

Effects of Chronic Ethanol Treatment on the β-Adrenergic Receptor-Coupled Adenylate Cyclase System of Mouse Cerebral Cortex

Chronic ingestion of ethanol, which produced tolerance and physical dependence, resulted in altered function of the cerebral cortical beta-adrenergic receptor-coupled adenylate cyclase system in mice. Although there was no change in basal adenylate cyclase activity, or in the activity of the digitonin-solubilized catalytic unit, stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity by the nonhydrolyzable guanine nucleotide analog guanylylimidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p] was reduced in brains of ethanol-fed animals. Ethanol added in vitro increased adenylate cyclase activity, and this enhancement, in the presence of Gpp(NH)p, was also reduced in cortical membranes of ethanol-fed mice. Furthermore, the maximal response to isoproterenol was decreased, and the EC50 for isoproterenol stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity was increased in ethanol-fed animals. The results are consistent with a qualitative or quantitative defect in the function of the stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding protein (Ns), as well as in the beta-adrenergic receptor, after chronic ethanol exposure. In part, these changes appear to be similar to those that occur during heterologous desensitization of various receptor systems, and may be associated with dependence on or tolerance to ethanol.     

Adenylate cyclase of platelets from spontaneously hypertensive rats: reduction of the inhibition by GTP

We have compared the effects of Gpp[NH]p on adenylate cyclase activity of platelet membranes in SHR and WKY rats. In the presence of 50 microM forskolin, low concentrations of Gpp[NH]p (0.01 to 0.3 microM) inhibited the enzyme activity in both strains, but the maximal level of inhibition was significantly lower in SHR (- 20%). In the absence of forskolin, 0.1 microM Gpp[NH]p was inhibitory only in WKY and the adenylate cyclase activity was greater in hypertensive rats at this nucleotide concentration. Increasing Gpp[NH]p from 0.1 to 3 microM induced the same increase of enzyme activity in both strains. In SHR, GTP itself induced a lower inhibition of the enzyme stimulated by 50 microM forskolin or 0.1 microM prostaglandin E1. These results suggest that the modulatory effect of the guanine nucleotide inhibitory protein on adenylate cyclase may be reduced in platelets from SHR.     

A simple test for enhanced guanyl nucleotide exchange in brain adenylate cyclase systems activated by neurotransmitters

The mechanism of receptor-induced activation of adenylate cyclase has been proposed to involve an enhanced exchange of GDP for GTP. The kinetics of this process have not been investigated so far in the brain due to a spontaneous activation of the enzyme by guanyl nucleotides, which precludes the ability to follow receptor-dependent events. We show that it is possible to investigate the mechanism of receptor action in such systems by using a combination of guanosine 5'-(beta-gamma-imino)triphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) and guanosine 5'-(2-O-thio)diphosphate (GDP beta S). In pineal membranes, beta-adrenergic agonists increase the rate of adenylate cyclase activation by 10 or 100 microM Gpp(NH)p about 40-fold (0.023-0.9 min-1 kact) and decrease the inhibitory potency of GDP beta S nearly 1000-fold. As a result, 100 microM GDP beta S which blocks 90% of the activation by 10 microM Gpp(NH)p has no inhibitory effect in the presence of 10 microM Gpp(NH)p and 10 microM noradrenaline or isoproterenol. In caudate nucleus, dopamine does not appear to increase the rate of activation of adenylate cyclase by 10 microM Gpp(NH)p. Nevertheless, 100 microM GDP beta S blocks 90% of the activation by 10 microM Gpp(NH)p but has no inhibitory effects in the presence of dopamine. Thus, one can demonstrate that even weakly activating receptors have the capacity to facilitate a functional exchange of GDP beta S for Gpp(NH)p and measure the efficacy of the interaction between the receptor and the functionally linked guanyl nucleotide subunit.     

Properties of beta-adrenergic receptors in untreated and butyrate-treated Hela cells.

HeLa cells contain receptors on their surface which are beta-adrenergic in nature. The binding of (-)-[3H]dihydroalprenolol is rapid, reversible, stereospecific and of relatively high affinity. The HeLa cells also contain an adenylate cyclase which is activated by (-)-isoproterenol greater than (-)-epinephrine greater than (-)-norepinephrine. The adenylate cyclase of HeLa is also activated by guanyl-5'-ylimidodophosphate (Gpp(NH)p), a nonhydrolyzable analogue of GTP. Inclusion of both (-)-isoproterenol and Gpp(NH)p leads to approximately additive rather than synergistic activation of adenylate cyclase. After treatment of HeLa cells with 5mM sodium butyrate there is an increase in the number of beta-adrenergic receptors, but not in their affinity, which is reflected in an increased ability of (-)-isoproterenol to activate adenylate cyclase. Other properties of the beta-adrenergic receptor including association and dissociation rates, temperature optimum of adenylate cyclase and response to Gpp(NH)p are relatively unaffected by butyrate pretreatment of the cells.     

Supersensitivity of beta-adrenoceptor coupled adenylate cyclase in pulmonary tissue of the spontaneously hypertensive rat

Basal adenylate cyclase activity was similar in plasma membranes prepared from the lungs of 12 week old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). However, sensitivity to Gpp[NH]p, isoproterenol plus GTP or Gpp[NH]p was significantly greater in the SHR. Beta-receptor density measured by [3H]DHA binding was unaltered. The dissociation constant, Kd, revealed a significantly greater binding affinity of the radioligand in the SHR (6.23 +/- 0.45 nM) compared with the WKY (8.53 +/- 0.82 nM). Activity of Gs was assessed by complementing S49 cyc- acceptor membranes with lung cholate extract. Basal activity of the reconstituted system was decreased 43% in the SHR. However, sensitivity to NaF, Gpp[NH]p, and isoproterenol plus Gpp[NH]p was significantly elevated. These data suggest that desensitization of the adenylate cyclase complex is not a generalized response to chronic hypertension. A tissue specific increase in sympathetic drive appears to be responsible for the lowered concentration of cardiac beta-adrenoceptors in the SHR. In contrast, both indirect and direct evidence indicate an enhanced functional sensitivity of pulmonary Gs in the hypertensive rats.     

The influence of EDTA on adenylate cyclase activity in membranes from rat and mouse myocardium

Inclusion of EDTA in the homogenization buffer of both mouse and rat myocardium profoundly alters the properties of the adenylate cyclase complex. EDTA leads to an increase in the Vmax for adenylate cyclase activity due to all of the following agents: isoproterenol, Gpp[NH]p, forskolin and Mg2+. For forskolin and Mg2+, the EDTA-associated increase in Vmax is not accompanied by a change in sensitivity to activation. However, EDTA is associated with enhanced sensitivity to activation by isoproterenol and increased sensitivity to the effect of Mg2+ on isoproterenol-dependent adenylate cyclase activity. A result of greater isoproterenol-dependent adenylate cyclase activity, due to the presence of EDTA, is an attenuated synergistic contribution of Gpp[NH]p. Changes in stimulatable adenylate cyclase activity as a result of EDTA occurs in concert with effects of cholera toxin upon ADPribosylation of the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein, Ns. Substantial auto-ADP-ribosylation occurs in a cholera toxin-sensitive 42 kDa band in membranes prepared in the presence of EDTA. In addition, cofactor and substrate requirements in the cholera toxin-dependent ADP-ribosylation reaction depend on the method of membrane preparation. The results suggest that the integrity of the adenylate cyclase complex depends in part on the attention given to proteolysis that may be activated during the course of homogenization.     

Effects of drugs on pigeon erythrocyte membrane and asymmetric control or adenylate cyclase by the lipid bilayer.

In pigeon erythrocyte membrane, the beta-adrenergic receptor and the enzyme adenylate cyclase can be uncoupled in two different ways depending on the type of drug used. Cationic drugs: chlorpromazine, methochlorpromazine, tetracaine, n-octylamine and a neutral alcohol, octanol, abolished alprenolol receptor binding ability and in the same range of concentration of the drug, sensitized adenylate cyclase to fluoride or Gpp(NH)p stimulation. Anionic drugs: di- and trinitro-phenols, indomethacin and octanoic acid did not affect the total number of beta-adrenergic receptor sites and, with the exception of trinitrophenol, did not change the association constant for alprenolol but they abolished the stimulation of adenylate cyclase by isoproterenol, fluoride or Gpp(NH)p. These modifications of the adenylate cyclase system occurred in a range of drug concentration where cell shape and protection against hemolysis were also affected. As chemical composition varies widely from one drug to another, it is suggested that these effects are largely nonspecific and mediated by the lipid bilayer. They are probably related to a preferential sidedness of action of the drugs in the lipid bilayer, displaying the role of an asymmetric control of the adenylate cyclase system in the membrane by the two halves of this bilayer.     

Exchange of Guanine Nucleotides Between Tubulin and GTP-Binding Proteins That Regulate Adenylate Cyclase: Cytoskeletal Modification of Neuronal Signal Transduction

Tubulin, the primary constituent of microtubules, is a GTP-binding proteins with structural similarities to other GTP-binding proteins. Whereas microtubules have been implicated as modulators of the adenylate cyclase system, the mechanism of this regulation has been elusive. Tubulin, polymerized with the hydrolysis-resistant GTP analog, 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p], can promote inhibition of synaptic membrane adenylate cyclase which persists subsequent to washing. Tubulin with Gpp(NH)p bound was slightly less potent than free Gpp(NH)p in the inhibition of adenylate cyclase, but tubulin without nucleotide bound had no effect on the enzyme. A GTP-binding protein from the rod outer segment (transducin), with Gpp(NH)p bound, was also without effect on adenylate cyclase. Tubulin (regardless of the nucleotide bound to it) did not alter the activity of the adenylate cyclase catalytic unit directly. When tubulin was polymerized with the hydrolysis-resistant photoaffinity GTP analog, [32P]P3(4-azidoanilido)-P1-5'-GTP ([32P]AAGTP), and this protein was added to synaptic membranes, AAGTP was transferred from tubulin to the inhibitory GTP-binding protein, Gi. This transfer was blocked by prior incubation of the membranes with Gpp(NH)p or covalent binding of AAGTP to tubulin prior to exposure of that tubulin to membranes. Incubation of membranes with Gpp(NH)p subsequent to incubation with tubulin-AAGTP results in a decrease in AAGTP bound to Gi and a compensatory increase in AAGTP bound to the stimulatory GTP-binding protein, Gs. Likewise, persistent inhibition of adenylate cyclase by tubulin-Gpp(NH)p could be overridden by the inclusion of 100 microM Gpp(NH)p in the assay inhibition. Whereas Gpp(NH)p promotes persistent inhibition of synaptic membrane adenylate cyclase without incubation at elevated temperatures, tubulin [with AAGTP or Gpp(NH)p bound] requires 30 s incubation at 23 degrees C to effect adenylate cyclase inhibition. Photoaffinity experiments yield parallel results. These data are consistent with synaptic membrane tubulin regulating neuronal adenylate cyclase by transferring GTP to Gi and, subsequently, to Gs.     

Evidence that forskolin activates turkey erythrocyte adenylate cyclase through a noncatalytic site

The diterpene forskolin has been reported to activate adenylate cyclase in a manner consistent with an interaction at the catalytic unit. However, some of its actions are more consistent with an interaction at the coupling unit that links the hormone receptor to the adenylate cyclase activity. This report adds support to the latter possibility. Under conditions that lead to stimulation of adenylate cyclase in turkey erythrocyte membranes by GTP, forskolin also becomes more active. Additional evidence to support an influence of forskolin upon adenylate cyclase via the GTP-coupling protein N includes the following: (i) forskolin, at submaximal concentrations, leads to enhanced sensitivity and responsiveness of isoproterenol-dependent adenylate cyclase activity in turkey erythrocyte membranes; (ii) under specified conditions, the nucleotide GDP, an inhibitor of the stimulating nucleotide GTP and its analog, guanyl imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p), also markedly inhibits the action of forskolin; (iii) both Gpp(NH)p and forskolin are associated with a decrease in agonist affinity for the beta-adrenergic receptor. However, actions of forskolin in the turkey erythrocyte are not identical to those of GTP: (i) forskolin is never as potent as Gpp(NH)p in activating adenylate cyclase; (ii) the magnitude of synergism between isoproterenol and forskolin is not equal to that observed with isoproterenol and Gpp(NH)p; (iii) at high concentrations, forskolin inhibits antagonist binding to the beta-receptor. Forskolin appears to have several sites of action in the turkey erythrocyte membrane, including an influence upon the adenylate cyclase regulatory protein N.     

Binding of [3H]forskolin to human platelet membranes. Regulation by guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate, NaF, and prostaglandins E1 and D2

[3H]Forskolin binds to human platelet membranes in the presence of 5 mM MgCl2 with a Bmax of 125 fmol/mg of protein and a Kd of 20 nM. The Bmax for [3H]forskolin binding is increased to 455 and 425 fmol/mg of protein in the presence of 100 microM guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) and 10 mM NaF, respectively. The increase in the Bmax for [3H]forskolin in the presence of Gpp(NH)p or NaF is not observed in the absence of MgCl2. The EC50 values for the increase in the number of binding sites for [3H]forskolin by Gpp(NH)p and NaF are 600 nM and 4 mM, respectively. The EC50 value for Gpp(NH)p to increase the number of [3H]forskolin binding sites is reduced to 35 mM and 150 nM in the presence of 50 microM PGE1 or PGD2, respectively. The increase in the number of [3H]forskolin binding sites observed in the presence of NaF is unaffected by prostaglandins. The binding of [3H]forskolin to membranes that are preincubated with Gpp(NH)p for 120 min or assayed in the presence of PGE1 reaches equilibrium within 15 min. In contrast, a slow linear increase in [3H]forskolin binding is observed over a period of 60 min when Gpp(NH)p and [3H]forskolin are added simultaneously to membranes. A slow linear increase in adenylate cyclase activity is also observed as a result of preincubating membranes with Gpp(NH)p. In human platelet membranes, agents that activate adenylate cyclase via the guanine nucleotide stimulatory protein (Ns) increase the number of binding sites for [3H]forskolin in a magnesium-dependent manner. This is consistent with the high affinity binding sites for [3H]forskolin being associated with the formation of an activated complex of the Ns protein and adenylate cyclase. This state of the adenylate cyclase may be representative of that formed by a synergistic combination of hormones and forskolin.     

Characteristics of 5'-guanylyl imidodiphosphate-activated adenylate cyclase.

Characteristics of adenylate cyclase stimulation by the GTP analog 5'-guanyl imidodiphosphate Gpp(NH)p have been examined in intact frog erythrocytes, frog erythrocyte membranes, and solubilized canine myocardial preparations. Gpp(NH)p caused marked enzyme activation in the erythrocyte membranes and in solubilized myocardial preparations, but had much lesser effects in intact cells. Enzyme activation by Gpp(NH)p exhibited a definite lag period, requiring 10 to 15 min for complete activation at 37 degrees. Activation was essentially irreversible after a 5-hour dialysis sufficient to reduce the Gpp(NH)p levels below threshold for stimulation. Gpp(NH)p-"activated" enzyme differed from native enzyme in several respects, such as its greater temperature stability, and its insensitivity to further stimulation by other activators, such as catecholamine or fluoride. These differences suggest that the enzyme, once fully activated by Gpp(NH)p, may have undergone some modification that is not subject ot facile reversal.     

A reconstitution assay for the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein of the adenylate cyclase system using turkey erythrocyte membranes as the acceptor preparation

The turkey erythrocyte beta-adrenergic receptor-adenylate cyclase system has the unusual property that neither GTP nor Gpp(NH)p are effective in activating adenylate cyclase unless a beta-agonist is present simultaneously. This property results in essentially no basal activity and the inability of GTP or Gpp(NH)p alone to activate the catalytic moiety. In this study, we have exploited these characteristics to utilize turkey erythrocyte membranes as the acceptor preparation in a reconstitution assay. Rat reticulocyte or turkey erythrocyte membranes that have been activated with isoproterenol and Gpp(NH)p followed by solubilization with sodium cholate serve as the donor source of the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (N). By reconstituting this Gpp(NH)p-activated N protein, it has been found that: (1) exogenous Gpp(NH)p-associated N could activate the catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase in turkey erythrocyte membranes; (2) this system can be used to assay N protein activity; (3) the endogenous pathway for activation of turkey erythrocyte membrane adenylate cyclase by hormones and fluoride remains qualitatively functional; and (4) the effects of combined activation via the endogenous and exogenous pathways are additive and saturable.     

Infection of L6E9 myoblasts with Trypanosoma cruzi alters adenylate cyclase activity and guanine nucleotide binding proteins

We studied the consequences of infection of L6E9 myoblasts with T. cruzi on the adenylate cyclase complex to test the hypothesis that infection alters the functional properties of the guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins, Ns and Ni. Stimulating activities of adenylate cyclase due to isoproterenol, isoproterenol plus Gpp(NH)p, or forskolin (activities mediated by Ns) are not altered by infection. However, inhibitory activities mediated by Ni [Gpp(NH)p, acetylcholine, and adenosine inhibition of forskolin-dependent adenylate cyclase activity] are compromised by infection. The reduction in adenosine's inhibition of forskolin-dependent adenylate cyclase activity is seen throughout the effective concentration range of adenosine. Pertussis toxin does not change basal or stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in infected cells compared with normal uninfected cells, nor does it alter the inhibiting action of adenosine. To evaluate the coupling proteins (Ns and Ni) involved in the stimulation and inhibition of adenylate cyclase more directly, cholera- and pertussis-toxin-dependent ADP ribosylation studies were performed. The incorporation of [32P]ADP ribose in the presence (specific) or absence (nonspecific) of the toxins was markedly decreased in membranes prepared from infected cells. However, in membranes prepared from infected or uninfected cells previously treated with pertussis toxin, there was a significant reduction in specific pertussis-toxin dependent ADP ribosylation. The infection-associated diminution in toxin-dependent ADP ribosylation complements the impaired inhibition of adenylate cyclase data. Collectively, the data further substantiate an infection-associated alteration in the adenylate cyclase complex, probably at the level of the guanine nucleotide binding proteins.     

Solubilization and separation of the glucagon receptor and adenylate cyclase in guanine nucleotide-sensitive states.

Adenylate cyclase in liver membranes was solubilized with Lubrol PX and partially purified by gel filtration. The partially purified enzyme was susceptible to activation by guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p). Studies on the binding of [3H]Gpp(NH)p to various fractions eluted from the gels revealed that an upper limit of 1% of the Gpp(NH)p binding sites is associated with adenylate cyclase activity stimulated by the nucleotide. The glucagon receptor, pretagged with 125I-glucagon in the membranes, solubilized with Lubrol PX, and fractionated on the same gel columns, eluted in a peak fraction that overlaps with, but is separate from, adenylate cyclase in its Gpp(NH)p-stimulated form. Addition of GTP to the solubilized glucagon-receptor complex caused complete dissociation of the complex, as has been shown with the membrane-bound form of the complex. Since the GTP-sensitive form of the glucagon receptor complex separates from the Gpp(NH)p-sensitive form of adenylate cyclase, it is concluded that the receptor and the enzyme are separate molecules, each associated with a distinct nucleotide regulatory site or component. These findings are discussed in terms of the possible structure of the hormone-sensitive state of adenylate cyclase.     

Forskolin-activated adenylate cyclase. Inhibition by guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate

Forskolin activated adenylate cyclase of purified rat adipocyte membranes in the absence of exogenous guanine nucleotides. Guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) inhibited the forskolin-activated cyclase immediately upon addition of the nucleotide at concentrations too low to activate adenylate cyclase (10(-9) to 10(-7) M). Inhibition seen with a very high concentration of Gpp(NH)p (10(-4) M) lasted for 3-4 min and was followed by an increase in the synthetic rate which remained constant for at least 15 min. The length of the transient inhibition did not vary with forskolin concentrations above 0.05 microM but low Gpp(NH)p (10(-8) M) exhibited a lengthened (6-7 min) inhibitory phase. The transient inhibitory effects of Gpp(NH)p were eliminated by 10(-7) M isoproterenol, high (40 mM) Mg2+, or preincubation with Gpp(NH)p in the absence of forskolin. While forskolin stimulated fat cell cyclase in the presence of Mn2+, this ion blocked the inhibitory effects of Gpp(NH)p. The well documented inhibitory effects of GTP on the fat cell adenylate cyclase system were also observed in the presence of forskolin. However, the inhibition by GTP is not transitory. These findings indicate that Gpp(NH)p regulation of forskolin-stimulated cyclase has at least two components: 1) an inhibitory component which acts through an undetermined mechanism and which acts immediately to decrease cyclase activity; and 2) an activating component which modulates the inhibited cyclase activity through the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein.     

Mechanism of adenylate cyclase activation by the rat lung cytoplasmic factors

Epinephrine, histamine and prostaglandin E₁ stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in lung membranes and their stimulation of the enzyme activity was completely blocked by propranolol, metiamide and indomethacin, respectively. A partially-purified activator from the adult rat lung also enhanced adenylate cyclase activity in membranes. However, stimulation of adenylate cyclase by the rat lung activator was not abolished by the above receptor antagonists. Further, epinephrine, NaF and Gpp(NH)p stimulated adenylate cyclase activity rather readily, whereas stimulation of the enzyme activity by the lung activator was evident after an initial lag phase of 10 min. Also, the lung activator produced additive activation of adenylate cyclase with epinephrine, NaF and Gpp(NH)p. These results indicate that the lung activator potentiates adenylate cyclase activity in membranes by a mechanism independent from those known for epinephrine, NaF and Gpp(NH)p. Incubation of lung membranes for 30 min at 40°C resulted in a loss of adenylate cyclase activation by NaF and Gpp(NH)p. Addition of the released proteins to the heat-treated membranes did not restore the enzyme response to these agonists. However, heat treatment of lung membranes in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol or dithiothreitol prevented the loss of adenylate cyclase response to NaF and Gpp (NH)p. N-ethylmaleimide abolished adenylate cyclase activation by epinephrine, NaF, Gpp(NH)p and the lung activator. These results indicate that the sulfhydryl groups are important for adenylate cyclase function in rat lung membranes.Abbreviations Gpp(NH)p 5-Guanylimidodiphosphate