Evidence for a messenger function of cyclic GMP during phosphodiesterase induction in Dictyostelium discoideum

Chemotactic stimulation of vegetative or aggregative Dictyostelium discoideum cells induced a transient elevation of cyclic GMP levels. The addition of chemoattractants to postvegetative cells by pulsing induced phosphodiesterase activity. The following lines of evidence suggest a messenger function for cyclic GMP in the induction of phosphodiesterase: (i) Folic acid and cyclic AMP increased cyclic GMP levels and induced phosphodiesterase activity. (ii) Cyclic AMP induced both cyclic GMP accumulation and phosphodiesterase activity by binding to a rate receptor. (iii) The effects of chemical modification of cyclic AMP or folic acid on cyclic GMP accumulation and phosphodiesterase induction were closely correlated. (iv) A close correlation existed between the increase of cyclic GMP levels and the amount of phosphodiesterase induced, independent of the type of chemoattractant by which this cyclic GMP accumulation was produced. (v) Computer simulation of cyclic GMP binding to intracellular cyclic GMP-binding proteins indicates that half-maximal occupation by cyclic GMP required the same chemoattractant concentration as did half-maximal phosphodiesterase induction.     

A possible role for guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate in the stimulus-secretion coupling in exocrine pancreas

Carbamylcholine, caerulein and cholecystokinin octapeptide rapidly increased the cyclic GMP concentration and amylase secretion in isolated guinea pig pancreatic slices. The cyclic GMP concentration was increased eight-fold over the basal concentration in 30 s, with concomitant increase in the rate of amylase secretion. The tissue concentration of cyclic GMP then rapidly declined to a plateau value of approx. 16% of the peak level within 10 min and was maintained at that concentration for the duration of the experiment. We have shown earlier (Kapoor, C.L. and Krishna, G. (1977) Science 196, 1003–1005) that the decrease of tissue cyclic GMP was due mainly to the secretion of cyclic GMP into the medium. The cyclic AMP concentration in the tissue was not changed, nor was it secreted into the medium.There was a correlation between the concentration response to various agents for the increase in cyclic GMP concentration and amylase secretion in pancreatic slices. Carbamylcholine increased both the cyclic GMP concentration and amylase secretion; the half-maximal effect was achieved at 1.5 μM concentration. Caerulein and cholecystokinin octapeptide were 5000 times more potent than carbamylcholine in increasing cyclic GMP concentration and amylase secretion; the half-maximal effect was achieved at 0.3 nM concentration. Atropine, which completely inhibited the increase in cyclic GMP and amylase secretion induced by carbamylcholine, did not block the effects of caerulein or cholecystokinin octapeptide. These results suggest that various secretagogues induced amylase secretion by increasing the cyclic GMP concentration, but the mechanism by which cyclic GMP caused amylase secretion remains to be elucidated.     

A possible role for guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate in the stimulus-secretion coupling in exocrine pancreas.

Carbamylcholine, caerulein and cholecystokinin octapeptide rapidly increased the cyclic GMP concentration and amylase secretion in isolated guinea pig pancreatic slices. The cyclic GMP concentration was increased eight-fold over the basal concentration in 30 s, with concomitant increase in the rate of amylase secretion. The tissue concentration of cyclic GMP then rapidly declined to a plateau value of approx. 16% of the peak level within 10 min and was maintained at that concentration for the duration of the experiment. We have shown earlier (Kapoor, CL. and Krishna, G. (1977) Science 196, 1003--1005) that the decrease of tissue cyclic GMP was due mainly to the secretion of cyclic GMP into the medium. The cyclic AMP concentration in the tissue was not changed, nor was it secreted into the medium. There was a correlation between the concentration response to various agents for the increase in cyclic GMP concentration and amylase secretion in pancreatic slices. Carbamylcholine increased both the cyclic GMP concentration and amylase secretion; the half-maximal effect was achieved at 1.5 micrometer concentration. Caerulein and cholecystokinin octapeptide were 5000 times more potent than carbamylcholine in increasing cyclic GMP concentration and amylase secretion; the half-maximal effect was achieved at 0.3 nM concentration. Atropine, which completely inhibited the increase in cyclic GMP and amylase secretion induced by carbamylcholine, did not block the effects of caerulein or cholecystokinin octapeptide. These results suggest that various secretagogues induced amylase secretion by increasing the cyclic GMP concentration, but the mechanism by which cyclic GMP caused amylase secretion remains to be elucidated.     

The participation of elevated levels of cyclic GMP in the recovery from radiation-induced mitotic delay

The levels of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP have been measured in Physarum plasmodia before and after treatment with gamma-radiation, 2 mM caffeine, or combinations of the two agents and compared to the length of the radiation-induced mitotic delay. Caffeine alone produces a rapid transient elevation of cyclic AMP and a slower delayed elevation of cyclic GMP. Irradiation elicits an immediate transient increase in cyclic AMP and a later cyclic GMP increase which accompanies or precedes the delayed mitosis. A composite pattern is produced by combinations of radiation and caffeine, a distinctive feature of which is an elevated level of cyclic GMP near the time of the radiation-delayed and caffeine-promoted mitosis. With pretreatment by caffeine, the least radiation-induced mitotic delay occurs when plasmodia are irradiated during the caffeine-elicited increase in cyclic GMP. The plasmodium becomes refractory to the reduction of mitotic delay by caffeine at approximately the time it becomes refractory to the further elevation of cyclic GMP by caffeine. The data support a role for cyclic AMP in the onset of and for cyclic GMP in the recovery from mitotic delay induced by ionizing radiation.     

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases in the cricket, Acheta domesticus.

Exceptionally high levels of guanosine 3'-5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) in the accessory reproductive gland of the male house cricket, Acheta domesticus, led to an investigation of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.4.--) as a possible regulatory enzyme. Cricket cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity with cyclic GMP or cyclic AMP as substrate had a pH optimum around 9.0, required Mg2+ or Mn2+ for maximal activity, and was inhibited by EDTA and methylxanthines. Cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase occurred mainly in the soluble fraction of homogenates of accessory glands or whole crickets, but cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase in the accessory gland was primarily particulate. Kinetic analysis indicated three forms of cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase, with Km values at 2.9 muM, 71 muM and 1.5 mM. Chromatography of whole cricket or accessory gland extracts on DEAE cellulose gave an initial peak having comparable activity with either cyclic GMP or cyclic AMP, and a second peak specific for cyclic AMP. There were no appreciable changes in the specific activity or kinetic properties of accessory gland cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase during a developmental period over which cyclic GMP levels rise more than 500-fold. Thus, the accumulation of cyclic GMP in the accessory gland is probably not associated with concomitant developmental modulation of phosphodiesterase activity.     

A possible involvement of cya gene in the synthesis of cyclic guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate in E. coli.

Based on the following genetical experiments, the cya gene in E. coli was shown to be involved in the synthesis of both cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP. First, all five independent cya-deficient mutants accumulated exceedingly low amounts of cyclic GMP. Second, the ability to form both cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP was simultaneously restored by transduction of an intact cya locus to one of the above cya-deficient mutants. Third, a spontaneous revertant from one of the above mutants regained the synthetic activity for cyclic GMP as well as for cyclic AMP. Fourth, the characteristic of a strain overproducing cyclic GMP was co-transduced with the cya locus. These results suggest that the synthesis of both cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP is mediated by the same enzyme, adenylate cyclase, Interestingly, a reciprocal effect of glucose starvation was observed on the accumulation of both cyclic nucleotides. The formation of cyclic AMP was greatly enhanced on glucose starvation, whereas that of cyclic GMP proceeded at a slower rate than in the presence of glucose. This effect was observed only in cells carrying normal cya and crp genes, but not in a cya-altered or a crp-deficient strain.     

Stimulation of Cyclic GMP Production via a Nitrosyl Factor in Sensory Neuronal Cultures by Algesic or Inflammatory Agents

Abstract: Capsaicin stimulates cyclic GMP production via nitric oxide (NO) (or another nitrosyl factor) in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons maintained in culture. The purpose of the present study was to characterize further capsaicin stimulation of cyclic GMP production in DRG cells maintained in culture, investigate other algesic and/or inflammatory agents for effects on cyclic GMP production, and examine cells responsible for NO production and cyclic GMP production. Capsaicin stimulation of cyclic GMP production in DRG cells was dose dependent, receptor mediated, and attenuated by hemoglobin. Prostaglandin E₂, substance P, and calcitonin gene-related peptide did not affect basal, capsaicin-stimulated, or bradykinin-stimulated cyclic GMP production. Other inflammatory or algesic agents, including serotonin, histamine, ATP, glutamate, aspartate, and NMDA, did not affect cyclic GMP production. Pretreatment of DRG cells with lipopolysaccharide increased basal cyclic GMP production in neuronal but not in nonneuronal cultures and facilitated stimulation of cyclic GMP production by l -arginine. Capsaicin pretreatment of neuronal DRG cultures, which destroys capsaicin-sensitive (small diameter) afferent neurons, attenuated capsaicin- and bradykinin-stimulated cyclic GMP production but did not affect basal or sodium nitroprusside-stimulated cyclic GMP production. These results indicate that capsaicin elicits production of a nitrosyl factor via capsaicin-sensitive (small diameter) neurons. Capsaicin evoked cyclic GMP production in nonneuronal DRG cultures in the presence but not in the absence of apposed neuronal DRG cultures. Overall, these findings suggest that specific exogenous (or endogenous) substances may stimulate production of a nitrosyl factor(s) by a subset of DRG neurons, and nitrosyl factors produced by these neurons may affect cyclic GMP production in neighboring neuronal or non-neuronal cells.     

Independence of the insulin effect from the guanosine-3',5'-monophosphate level in muscle tissue

The role of cyclic GMP in the insulin effect was investigated using isolated frog sartorii. A study was made of the effect of exogenous cyclic GMP, dibutyryl cyclic GMP, 8-bromo-cyclic GMP on xylose transport, glycogen synthesis and muscle respiration. Only dibutyryl cyclic GMP (1.10(-6) - 10(-4) M) alone was observed to have a stimulating effect on glycogen synthesis and respiration. The xylose transport was but slightly accelerated only following a 20 hours incubation of muscles in the cyclic GMP solution. Cyclic GMP was shown to penetrate the muscle fibres. The cyclic GMP content in muscles was equal to 22.7 +/- 2.0 pM per gram of wet weight. Insulin exerted no effect on cyclic GMP concentration in muscles. The data obtained do not allow to conclude that cyclic GMP may serve as a mediator in realization of the insulin effect on membrane and intracellular processes.     

Cyclic nucleotide hydrolysis in the thyroid gland. General properties and key role in the interrelations between concentrations of adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate and guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate.

Phosphodiesterase activities of horse (and dog) thyroid soluble fraction were compared with either cyclic AMP (adenosine 3':3'-monophosphate) or cyclic GMP (guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate) as substrate. Optimal activity for cyclic AMP hydrolysis was observed at pH 8, and at pH 7.6 for cyclic GMP. Increasing concentrations of ethyleneglycol bis(2-aminoethyl)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid inhibited both phosphodiesterase activities; in the presence of exogenous Ca2+, this effect was shifted to higher concentrations of the chelator. In a dialysed supernatant preparation, Ca2+ had no significant stimulatory effect, but both Mg2+ and Mn2+ increased cyclic nucleotides breakdown. Mn2+ promoted the hydrolysis of cyclic AMP more effectively than that of cyclic GMP. For both substrates, substrate velocity curves exhibited a two-slope pattern in a Hofstee plot. Cyclic GMP stimulated cyclic AMP hydrolysis, both nucleotides being at micromolar concentrations. Conversely, at no concentration had cyclic AMP any stimulatory effect on cyclic GMP hydrolysis. 1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine and theophylline blocked the activation by cyclic GMP of cyclic GMP of cyclic AMP hydrolysis, whereas Ro 20-1724 (4-(3-butoxy-4-methoxybenzyl)-2-imidazolidinone), a non-methylxanthine inhibitor of phosphodiesterases, did not alter this effect. In dog thyroid slices, carbamoylcholine, which promotes an accumulation of cyclic GMP, inhibits the thyrotropin-induced increase in cyclic AMP. This inhibitory effect of carbamoylcholine was blocked by theophylline and 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine, but not by Ro 20-1724. It is suggested that the cholinergic inhibitory effect on cyclic AMP accumulation is mediated by cyclic GMP, through a direct activation of phosphodiesterase activity.     

Cyclic GMP directly regulates a cation conductance in membranes of bovine rods by a cooperative mechanism

Cyclic GMP causes the release of endogenous Ca2+ from rod outer segments, whose plasma membrane has been made permeable, or from isolated discs. Approximately 11,000 Ca2+ ions are released per disc at saturating concentrations of cyclic GMP. The velocity and the amplitude of the release of Ca2+ are dependent on the concentration of cyclic GMP. The maximal rate of the Ca2+ efflux is approximately 7 X 10(4) Ca2+ ions s-1 rod-1. The Ca2+ release by cyclic GMP is independent of light. The activation of the efflux occurred within a narrow range of the cyclic GMP concentration (30-80 microM) and does not obey a simple Michaelis-Menten scheme. Instead, the kinetic analysis of the Ca2+ efflux suggests that a minimum number of 2 molecules of cyclic GMP activates the ion conductance in a cooperative fashion. The release of Ca2+ by cyclic GMP requires a gradient of Ca2+ ions across the disc membrane. If the endogenous Ca2+ gradient is dissipated by means of the ionophore A23187, the release of Ca2+ by cyclic GMP is abolished. Ca2+ is released by analogues of cyclic GMP which are either modified at the 8-carbon position of the imidazole ring or by the deaza-analogue of cyclic GMP. Congeners of cyclic GMP which are modified at the ribose, phosphodiester, or pyrimidine portion of the molecule are ineffective. The hydrolysis of cyclic GMP by the light-regulated phosphodiesterase of rod outer segments is not a necessary condition for the Ca2+ release because 8-bromo-cyclic GMP, a congener resistant to hydrolysis, is a more powerful activator of the release than cyclic GMP itself. Ca2+ release by cyclic GMP is inhibited by organic and inorganic blockers of Ca2+ channels. The l-stereoisomer of cis-diltiazem blocks the release of Ca2+ at micromolar concentrations, whereas the d-form is much less effective. These results suggest that disc membranes contain a cationic conductance which is permeable to Ca2+ ions and which is regulated through the cooperative binding of at least 2 molecules of cyclic GMP to regulatory sites of the transport protein. By this mechanism, subtle changes in the concentration of cyclic GMP could promote large changes in the flux of Ca2+ ions across the disc membrane.     

Cyclic GMP mediates the agonist-stimulated increase in plasma membrane calcium entry in the pancreatic acinar cell

The present studies were performed to determine the role of cyclic GMP in regulating agonist mediated calcium entry in the pancreatic acinar cell. In guinea pig-dispersed pancreatic acini the findings demonstrated that carbachol stimulated a transient 20-40-fold rise in cellular cyclic GMP followed by a sustained 3-4-fold rise in cellular cyclic GMP. The guanylate cyclase inhibitor, 6-anilino-5,8-quinolinedione (LY83583), caused a dose-dependent inhibition of carbachol-stimulated increases in cellular cyclic GMP both during the initial transient large increase in cyclic GMP and the sustained increase in cyclic GMP. LY83583 also inhibited cellular Ca2+ influx during carbachol stimulation and reloading of the agonist-sensitive pool of Ca2+ at the termination of carbachol stimulation with atropine. The effect of the inhibition on reloading of the agonist-sensitive pool was secondary to its effects on the plasma membrane C2+ entry. The addition of dibutyryl cyclic GMP to LY83583-treated acini restored Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane. Nitroprusside increased both cellular cyclic GMP and the rate of Ca2+ influx. During periods when plasma membrane Ca2+ entry was activated, cellular cyclic GMP levels were increased. These results suggest that agonist-induced increases in cellular cyclic GMP are necessary and sufficient to mediate the effects of the agonist on the plasma membrane Ca2+ entry mechanism.     

Evaluation of the pentose phosphate pathway from 14CO2 data. Fallibility of a classic equation when applied to non-homogeneous tissues.

Two cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) activities were identified in pig aortic endothelial cells, a cyclic GMP-stimulated PDE and a cyclic AMP PDE. Cyclic GMP-stimulated PDE had Km values of 367 microM for cyclic AMP and 24 microM for cyclic GMP, and low concentrations (1 microM) of cyclic GMP increased the affinity of the enzyme for cyclic AMP (Km = 13 microM) without changing the Vmax. This isoenzyme was inhibited by trequinsin [IC50 (concn. giving 50% inhibition of substrate hydrolysis) = 0.6 microM for cyclic AMP hydrolysis in the presence of cyclic GMP; IC50 = 0.6 microM for cyclic GMP hydrolysis] and dipyridamole (IC50 = 5 microM for cyclic AMP hydrolysis in the presence of cyclic GMP; IC50 = 3 microM for cyclic GMP hydrolysis). Cyclic AMP PDE exhibited a Km of 2 microM for cyclic AMP and did not hydrolyse cyclic GMP. This activity was inhibited by trequinsin (IC50 = 0.2 microM), dipyridamole (IC50 = 6 microM) and, selectively, by rolipram (IC50 = 3 microM). Inhibitors of cyclic GMP PDE (M&B 22948) and of low Km (Type III) cyclic AMP PDE (SK&F 94120) only weakly inhibited the two endothelial PDEs. Incubation of intact cells with trequinsin and dipyridamole induced large increases in cyclic GMP, which were completely blocked by LY-83583. Rolipram, SK&F 94120 and M&B 22948 did not significantly influence cyclic GMP accumulation. Dipyridamole enhanced the increase in cyclic GMP induced by sodium nitroprusside. Cyclic AMP accumulation was stimulated by dipyridamole and trequinsin with and without forskolin. Rolipram, although without effect alone, increased cyclic AMP in the presence of forskolin, whereas M&B 22948 and SK&F 94120 had no effects on resting or forskolin-stimulated levels. These results suggest that cyclic GMP-stimulated PDE regulates cyclic GMP levels and that both endothelial PDE isoenzymes contribute to the control of cyclic AMP.     

Deranged metabolism of cyclic nucleotides in liver diseases

To clarify the factor(s) responsible for changes in the plasma cyclic GMP concentration in liver diseases, we measured the plasma levels of cyclic GMP, along with cyclic AMP, in various clinical stages of chronic liver diseases and acute hepatitis. The level of cyclic GMP was found to increase significantly in the early stage of acute hepatitis, in the decompensated stage of liver cirrhosis, and in malignant diseases. In the former two states, it is postulated that decreased hepatic mass is responsible for the changes in the plasma cyclic GMP concentration. The retention rate of indocyanin green (ICGR15) was highly correlated with the plasma cyclic GMP level. The result suggests that the determination of plasma cyclic GMP is useful as an index of the reserve function of the liver in disease states.     

Extracellular localization of cyclic GMP in the house cricket male accessory reproductive gland and its fate in mating

The male accessory reproductive gland (ARG) of the house cricket, Acheta domesticus (L.), contains an exceedingly high concentration of cyclic GMP, about 1,000 pmol/mg protein. Immunofluorescent localization and radioimmunoassay measurements show that cyclic GMP is concentrated in a small number of tubules. It accumulates in the tubule lumina where it is protected from degradation by phosphodiesterases. Cyclic GMP is secreted by the ARG and is incorporated into spermatophores. Over 80% of spermatophore cyclic GMP is found in the handle-capillary tube, a thin conduit through which sperm pass during transfer to the female. The concentration of cyclic GMP in the insemination fluid is about 20 microM but does not appear to be specifically associated with the sperm. Cyclic GMP enters the female spermatheca during insemination but disappears rapidly. Physiological effects of cyclic GMP on sperm were not observed nor was an effect of cyclic GMP observed on egg laying by mated females. Cyclic AMP was localized on sperm flagella in the spermatophore and in the spermatheca. These studies indicate that cyclic nucleotides have important roles in insect reproduction and that the house cricket is a good model for elucidating these functions.     

Changes in rat adrenal cyclic nucleotides during normal and neoplastic growth

In an attempt to correlate changes in cyclic nucleotide levels with in vivo growth of the rat adrenal gland we have measured adrenal cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP in normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic rat adrenals. The first group of animals were subject to either unilateral adrenalectomy (ADX) or acute hypophysectomy 1 h prior to unilateral adrenalectomy (HADX). Cyclic nucleotides were measured in the contralateral adrenal post-operatively. In HADX rats cyclic GMP rose steadily throughout the 7 day study period, while ADX rats exhibited significant decreases in adrenal cyclic GMP. Cyclic AMP remained approximately 1.5 pm/mg tissue in HADX rats, while in ADX rats there was significant elevation of adrenal cyclic AMP at all time points. Cyclic GMP/cyclic AMP ratios remained constant in HADX animals; however, the growing adrenals of ADX animals exhibited depressed cyclic GMP/cyclic AMP ratios at all time periods.Adrenal hyperplasia was induced in a seond group of animals by a transplantable, corticotropin-secreting, pituitary tumor. Adrenals from age-matched animals served as controls. Adrenal cyclic AMP was significantly elevated in tumor-bearers at a time correspinding to the peak accumulation of adrenal weight, protein and DNA in these animals. In contrast, adrenal cyclic GMP in both tumor-beares and control animals fell steadily throughout the study period. Cyclic GMP/cyclic AMP ratios of control animals decreased from 2 to 3 weeks post-transplant remaining at the 3 week value during the period corresponding to rapid adrenal growth in tumor-bearers. The cyclic GMP/cyclic AMP ratio in the hyperplastic adrenals of tumor-bearers decreased steadily throughout their rapid growth period, suggesting a positive correlation between adrenal growth and depression of the cyclic GMP/cyclic AMP ratio.Cyclic nucleotide levels in neoplastic adrenals of rats bearing the transplantable adrenocortical carcinoma 494 were compared with cyclic nucleotides in normal rat adrenal glands. Cyclic AMP was not different in the two groups. However, the cyclic GMP content of neoplastic adrenals was significantly lower than that of normal adrenal tissue, causing a suppression of the cyclic GMP/cyclic AMP ratio in the neoplastic tissue. Thus, measurement of adrenal cyclic nucleotides in both hyperplastic and neoplastic rat adrenal glands suggests that adrenal growth in vivo may be characterized by a depression of the cyclic GMP/cyclic AMP ratio.     

Kinetics of the Hydrolysis of 8-Bromo-Cyclic GMP by the Light-Activated Phosphodiesterase of Toad Rods

The hypothesis that cyclic GMP is the internal transmitter of retinal rod phototransduction, when combined with the observations that 8-bromo-cyclic GMP opens the cyclic GMP-dependent outer segment conductance and that rods into which 8-bromo-cyclic GMP has been injected still respond to light, predicts that the light-activated phosphodiesterase (EC 3.1.4.17) must catalyze the hydrolysis of 8-bromo-cyclic GMP. This hypothesis was tested by measuring light-activated toad rod disk membrane phosphodiesterase with a pH assay technique. Phosphodiesterase-catalyzed hydrolysis of 8-bromo-cyclic GMP was confirmed: at pH 8.0, total proton production after flash activation was identical to total amount of 8-bromo-cyclic GMP added as substrate. Photoactivated phosphodiesterase was remarkably less efficient in catalyzing the hydrolysis of 8-bromo-cyclic GMP than of cyclic GMP: Vmax for 8-bromo-cyclic GMP was 0.063 M/M rhodopsin/s, whereas that for cyclic GMP was 11 M/M rhodopsin/s--170 times greater. The Km for 8-bromo-cyclic GMP was 160 microM, and for cyclic GMP, 590 microM. 8-bromo-cyclic GMP competitively inhibited phosphodiesterase-catalyzed hydrolysis of cyclic GMP with a Ki of 1.2 mM. Complete reaction progress curves were analyzed for obedience to Michaelis-Menten kinetics: cyclic GMP hydrolysis, 8-bromo-cyclic GMP hydrolysis, and cyclic GMP hydrolysis in the presence of 8-bromo-cyclic GMP as competitive inhibitor were found to follow the integrated form of the Michaelis-Menten equation over the time course of the reactions, assuming phosphodiesterase was activated as a step. The kinetic parameters extracted from reaction progress curves were consistent with those derived from analysis of the initial velocity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Distribution and regulation of cyclic nucleotide levels in cerebellum, in vivo.

Abstract— In mouse cerebellum, in vivo. cyclic GMP levels are 7 pmol/mg protein in the vermis and 40% lower in the hemispheres, whereas cyclic AMP levels are 7 9 pmol/mg protein in both regions. In the vermis. most of the cyclic GMP is contained in the molecular layer; cyclic AMP levels are highest in the granular layer. Amphetamine, harmaline. pentylenetetrazol and physical shaking elevate, and diazepam and reserpine depress levels of cyclic GMP in both vermis and hemispheres. Oxotremorine and atropine, respectively, increase and decrease cyclic GMP levels only in vermis. Regardless of the agent used, most of the change (67 89%) in cyclic GMP levels occurs in the molecular layer of the vermis; the remainder occurs in the granular layer. Of the drugs tested, only pentylenetetrazol affects cyclic AMP levels, and this drug increases cyclic AMP levels in both vermis and hemispheres and causes equal elevations in the molecular and granular layers of the vermis. In incubated slices of mouse cerebellum, none of the drugs produces changes in cyclic nucleotide levels which are similar to those in vivo. These data indicate that many drugs and conditions that alter cyclic GMP levels in cerebellum act via a common, but indirect, process. We suggest that cyclic GMP levels in cerebellum are regulated by the activity of both the climbing fiber and mossy fiber cerebellar afferent systems. Increased activity in these afferent pathways causes elevation of cyclic GMP levels in Purkinje cells and perhaps in other cells; decreased activity leads to depressed cyclic GMP levels.     

Ontogenetic changes in levels of phosphodiesterase for adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate and glucosine 3':5'-monophosphate in the lung, brain and heart from guinea pigs.

Changes in tissue levels of the low Km phosphodiesterase for adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) and guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cyclc GMP) in the lung, liver, heart and brain from developing guinea pigs were studied. It was found that the contents of the soluble (cytosol) phosphodiesterase for both cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP were higher in the lung from the fetus than from the neonate and adult. The ontogenetic changes seen in the liver were qualitatively similar to thos in the lung with respect to cyclic GMP hydrolysis, while a reversed pattern of change was noted in the brain. The level of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase was highest in the fetal heart. Throughout the fetal stage, the levels of the enzyme for cyclic GMP hydrolysis were higher than those for cyclic AMP in the lung. At or around birth, a reversal in the relative levels of the two enzymes took place; two days after birth, the level of the enzyme for cyclic AMP was 2-3times higher than thos for cyclic GMP. Kinetic analysis showed that phohphodiesterases from extracts of the lung from all developmental stages of guinea pigs had the same Km (2.6 muM) for cyclic AMP and the same Km (6.6 muM) for cyclic GMP. The relative values of V, based on assays using the same amount of enzyme protein, in decreasing order, were fetus greater than neonate greater than adult. The present findings suggest that metabolism of the two cyclic nucleotides may be closely related to developmental processes of the tissues. Moreover, the actions involving cyclic GMP may be more predominent in the fetal lung and adult brain.     

Purification and succinylation of cyclic GMP from large volume samples and radioimmunoassay of succinyl cyclic GMP.

Improved procedures for isolation of cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP and radioimmunoassay of cyclic GMP with succinylation are described. Procedures involved include modified chromatography on alumina and succinylation of cyclic GMP followed by purification of succinyl cyclic GMP on a Dowex AG 1×8 column. These procedures are convenient and applicable to any volume up to 50 ml of tissue extracts and especially for isotonic incubation mixtures. This assay system is sensitive to 6 femtomoles of cyclic GMP/tube. On radioimmunoassay, free and antibody bound [¹²⁵I]-labeled cyclic GMP are separated by Millipore filtration. Cyclic GMP levels in several tissue samples were determined in order to show the applicability of the procedures.     

Effects of decapitation, ether and pentobarbital on guanosine 3′,5′-phosphate and adenosine 3′,5′-phosphate levels in rat tissues

Cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP levels in eight different rat tissues were examined after animlas were immersed in liquid nitrogen. In order of decreasing concentration, cerebellu, kidney, lung and cerebral cortex contained the greatest quantities fo cyclic GMP. These tissues also contained relatively high concentrations of cyclic AMP. Compared to values in animals which were sacrificed in liquid nitrogen, levels of both nucleotides in many of the tissues examined were altered by decapitation or anesthesia with ether and pentobarbital. Decapitation increased the levels of both cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP in cerebellum, lung, heart, liver and skeletabl muscle. However, decapitation increased only cyclic AMP in cerebral cortex and kidney. Our previously reported high level of cyclic GMP in lung was attributed to ether anesthesia and surgical removal which increased the cyclic GMP content in lung, heart, testis and skeletal muscle. The effect of ether on cyclic GMP levels in lung and heart was blocked by pretreatment of animals with atropine which indicated that cholinergic agents increase cyclic GMP content in these tissues. Acetylcholine and carbachol in the presence of theophylline increased the accumulation of cyclic GMP in incubations of rat lung minces. Increases in cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP levels in cerebellum with ether anesthesia were prevented if rats were immersed in liquid nitrogen after anesthesis with ether. Anesthesia with pentobarbital decreased the levels of cyclic GMP in cerebellum and kidney and increased the nucleotide in heart, liver, testis and skeletal muscle compared to levels in tissues from animals immersed in liquid nitrogen. However, pentobarbital increased cyclic AMP levels in cerebellum and cerebral cortex and decreased the nucleotide in liver, kidney, testis and skeletal muscle. These studies provide a possible explanation for the variability in in vivo levels of cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP which have been previously reported. In addition, these studies support the hypothesis that the synthesis and degradation of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP are regulated independently and not necessarily in a parallel or reciprocal manner. These studies also suggest that the increase accumulation of one cyclic nucleotide has no major effect on the synthesis and/or metabolism of the other; however, such interactions cannot be entirely excluded from the results of this study.