Role of cAMP in modulating intrafollicular progesterone levels and oocyte maturation in amphibians (Rana pipiens)

The role of cAMP in regulating follicular progesterone levels and oocyte maturation was investigated following in vitro culture of amphibian (Rana pipiens) ovarian follicles. Intrafollicular levels of cAMP were manipulated with the use of a stimulator of cAMP synthesis (forskolin) or by exogenous addition of cAMP alone or either of these in combination with an inhibitor of cAMP catabolism (3-isobutyl-1-methyl xanthine, IBMX). Follicular progesterone content was determined by RIA and oocyte maturation was assessed cytologically. In the presence of increasing doses of forskolin (0-3 microM), cAMP (0-3 mM), or dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP, 0-2.5 mM) increasing but low levels of progesterone were detected. Increasing doses of IBMX (0-0.09 mM) alone had no significant effect on follicular steroid content. Exogenous cAMP, dbcAMP, or IBMX (0.09 mM) suppressed hormone-induced oocyte maturation. Simultaneous exposure of follicles to increasing doses of both forskolin (0-3 microM) and IBMX (0-0.09 mM) markedly increased intrafollicular progesterone levels to those produced by frog pituitary homogenate (FPH). A marked increase in progesterone levels also occurred when follicles were exposed to exogenous cAMP (3 mM) and IBMX (0.09 mM). These results indicate that exogenous cAMP is incorporated by follicle cells and that forskolin effects are mediated through cAMP. Changes in follicular progesterone levels (increase and decrease) over time following FPH or cAMP manipulation (cAMP + IBMX or forskolin + IBMX) were essentially identical. In contrast to cAMP, cGMP was inactive in inhibiting hormone induced GVBD or stimulating follicular progesterone accumulation. Elevation of follicular and medium levels of progesterone resulting from FPH or cAMP stimulation required the presence of the somatic follicular cells. The decrease in follicular progesterone levels with prolonged culture was not associated with a corresponding increase in progesterone levels in the medium. The decrease in follicular progesterone levels appears to reflect steroid catabolism rather than loss of steroid to the culture medium. The results suggest that the level of intracellular cAMP in the follicle cells is modulated by the relative activity of the adenylate cyclase system and phosphodiesterase and that FPH can affect both components. Thus, intracellular levels of cAMP play a key role in regulating follicular progesterone levels and FPH action on the follicle cells. The steroidogenic capacity of follicle cells can be manipulated independently of FPH stimulation.     

Signal transduction in the ductuli efferentes testis of the rat: inhibition of fluid reabsorption by cyclic adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate

It is important to identify the signal transduction pathway involved in the regulation of fluid reabsorption by the ductuli efferentes of the testis because they reabsorb most of the fluid leaving the testis and are essential for male fertility. Microperfusion studies of the ducts in vivo showed that 0.1 or 1.0 mM dibutyryl (db)-cGMP in the perfusate had no effect on fluid reabsorption, but 0.1 mM db-cAMP significantly reduced fluid reabsorption, 0.25 mM abolished reabsorption, and 0.5-1.0 mM caused secretion. The inhibitory effect of db-cAMP was reversible. Although the presence of db-cAMP in the perfusate did not affect the concentration of Na+ in the collectate, the concentrations of K(+) and Cl(-) increased, indicating that their transport is at least partly regulated by cAMP. Including the phosphodiesterase inhibitor pentoxifylline in the perfusate decreased fluid reabsorption by the ducts in a dose-dependent manner, and it also increased the concentration of cAMP (5.5-fold) in collectate. Pentoxifylline also increased the production of cAMP (4-fold) by ducts incubated in vitro. It is concluded that cAMP, but probably not cGMP, is an intracellular messenger regulating fluid reabsorption in the efferent ducts.     

Cyclic AMP functions as a primary sexual signal in gametes of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

When Chlamydomonas reinhardtii gametes of opposite mating type are mixed together, they adhere by a flagella-mediated agglutination that triggers three rapid mating responses: flagellar tip activation, cell wall loss, and mating structure activation accompanied by actin polymerization. Here we show that a transient 10-fold elevation of intracellular cAMP levels is also triggered by sexual agglutination. We further show that gametes of a single mating type can be induced to undergo all three mating responses when presented with exogenous dibutyryl-cAMP (db-cAMP). These events are also induced by cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors, which elevate endogenous cAMP levels and act synergistically with db-cAMP. Non-agglutinating mutants of opposite mating type will fuse efficiently in the presence of db-cAMP. No activation of mating events is induced by calcium plus ionophores, 8-bromo-cGMP, dibutyryl-cGMP, nigericin at alkaline pH, phorbol esters, or forskolin. H-8, an inhibitor of cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinase, inhibits mating events in agglutinating cells and antagonizes the effects of cAMP on non-agglutinating cells. Adenylate cyclase activity was detected in both the gamete cell body and flagella, with the highest specific activity displayed in flagellar membrane fractions. The flagellar membrane adenylate cyclase is preferentially stimulated by Mn++, unresponsive to NaF, GTP, GTP gamma S, AlF4-, and forskolin, and is inhibited by trifluoperazine. Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity is also present in flagella. Our observations indicate that cAMP is a sufficient initial signal for all of the known mating reaction events in C. reinhardtii, and suggest that the flagellar cyclase and/or phosphodiesterase may be important loci of control for the agglutination-stimulated production of this signal.     

Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate in Primary Cultures of Glial Cells

Cyclic GMP was found in primary cultures of glial cells obtained by dissociation of newborn mouse brain hemispheres. Its basal level (0.52 pmoles/mg cell protein) was as high as that found in adult mouse brain cortex but 10 times lower than in cerebellum. When glia were grown in the presence of dBcAMP, astrocytes changed their morphology; cGMP level increased and reached about 8 to 10 times the basal value. This increase was dose dependant with cAMP and was enhanced by the presence of 5mM Theophylline. Two hypothesis are discussed, either a direct action oc cAMP on glial cGMP metabolism or an indirect one on the protein activator of cGMP phosphodiesterase.     

Lymphocyte activation: the dualistic effect of cAMP

The effects of exogenously added cyclic nucleotides on DNA synthesis have been investigated in human peripheral blood lymphocytes stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA). At low doses of PHA the addition of exogenous cAMP resulted in an inhibition of DNA synthesis. At optimal or supraoptimal doses of PHA the addition of cAMP, db-cAMP, or 8-Br-cGMP resulted in enhancement of DNA synthesis. Measurement of cell associated cAMP and cGMP levels in lymphocytes exposed to PHA with or without exogenously added cAMP revealed a gradual increase in cAMP levels and a fluctuating decline in cGMP levels.     

Effect of dibutyryl cyclic AMP and isoproterenol on 7 beta-hydroxycholesterol cytotoxicity and esterification in spontaneous transformed cell lines derived from astrocyte primary cultures.

Incubation of spontaneous transformed cells derived from astrocyte primary cultures with 30 microM 7 beta-hydroxycholesterol (7 beta-OH-CH) which is lethal to the cells or with 150 microM isoproterenol reduces the intracellular level of cAMP (4- and 2-fold respectively). Treatment of the cultures with 0.5 mM dibutyryl (db)-cAMP and 7 beta-OH-CH increases 3-fold the intracellular level of cAMP and both, db-cAMP and isoproterenol, raise the lethal effect of 7 beta-OH-CH and its esterification on C-3-OH by naturally occurring fatty acids (metabolite). Kinetic studies of net steryl-3-esters hydrolysis revealed that db-cAMP and isoproterenol lower that of cholesteryl-3-esters (2-fold) whereas the opposite is found for the metabolite. These data demonstrate that (i) high cAMP intracellular levels modulate differently the net hydrolysis of cholesteryl-3-esters and metabolite, (ii) isoproterenol acts otherwise than cAMP on 7 beta-OH-CH esterification, (iii) the cytotoxicity of 7 beta-OH-CH is linked to its own esterification. The accumulation of metabolite subsequent to db-cAMP or isoproterenol treatment as a result of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyl transferase activation is discussed.     

The involvement of cyclic GMP in tyrosine aminotransferase degradation in rat hepatoma tissue culture cells

Theophylline, a cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitor, increases the rate of tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) degradation in rat hepatoma tissue culture (HTC) cells. Theophylline (0.1-10 mM) causes a two- to five-fold increase in intracellular cAMP concentration but a 30-60% decrease in cGMP concentration. The decrease in cGMP occurs at doses of theophylline which increase the rate of TAT degradation. When cGMP levels are increased by incubating the cells with either Mn2+, an activator of guanylate cyclase, or 8-bromo-cGMP, an analog of cGMP, the effect of theophylline is reversed and the rate of TAT degradation is slowed. Thus, the rate of TAT degradation is inversely related to the concentration of cGMP in HTC cells. This raises the possibility that a cGMP-dependent event is involved in the control of specific protein degradation.     

Modulation of serum-stimulated DNA synthesis in cultured human fibroblasts by cAMP

Density-dependent inhibition of growth of cultured human fibroblasts was associated with a 3- to 4-fold rise in the intracellular concentration of cyclic AMP (cAMP). Serum lowered cAMP levels in 2–5 min, with the low levels persisting for several hours. When quiescent fibroblast cultures were treated with 10% serum, the incorporation of [³H]TdR into DNA increased after a 10–16 h lag, reaching a peak by 20–24 h. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP (db-cAMP), when present throughout serum treatment, produced a dose-dependent inhibition of [³H]TdR incorporation. Half-maximal inhibition was seen with 0.1 mM db-cAMP. When db-cAMP or another cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitor, l-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine (SC-2964), was added together with serum to maintain elevated cAMP levels and after 4 h was replaced with fresh serum-containing medium, the wave of DNA synthesis induced by serum was not delayed. This implied that stimulation by serum could occur without an initial decrease in cAMP concentration. In contrast, db-cAMP added 8 h later than serum and not removed, inhibited [³H]TdR incorporation at the peak to the same extent as db-cAMP added together with serum. The inhibition decreased progressively when db-cAMP was added more than 8 h after serum. These results suggested that a cAMP-sensitive step occurred approx. 8 h after the addition of serum in mid-G1 of the cell cycle. Results obtained using fibroblasts synchronized at the G1/S boundary with hydroxyurea or exposed to db-cAMP for 24 h suggested that db-cAMP also inhibited TdR incorporation at the G1/S interphase or during S phase. Thus, whereas reduced cAMP concentrations did not appear to serve as an initial trigger for serum-stimulated DNA synthesis in human fibroblasts, db-cAMP and SC-2964, presumably by elevating cAMP levels, appeared to act in mid-G1 and possibly at the G1/S boundary or within S phase to inhibit thymidine incorporation.     

Effects of intracellular cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP levels on DNA synthesis of young-adult rat hepatocytes in primary culture.

Possible roles of dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and dibutyryl-guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) in regulation of hepatocyte DNA synthesis were examined using primary cultures of young-adult rat hepatocytes maintained in arginine-free medium. Throughout the experimental period, nonparenchymal cells were hardly observed in the selective medium. When epidermal growth factor (EGF) was added to the cultures, a transient increase in the intracellular cAMP level preceded the elevation of hepatocyte DNA synthesis. EGF-stimulated hepatocyte DNA synthesis was remarkably enhanced by the elevation of the intracellular cAMP level induced by treatment with cAMP alone or a combination of cAMP and theophylline, an inhibitor of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase. Furthermore, the early elevation of intracellular cAMP alone, which was induced by treatment with the combination of cAMP and theophylline, caused a remarkable increase in hepatocyte DNA synthesis. On the other hand, addition of EGF to the cultures caused a rapid decrease in the intracellular cGMP level followed by an increase in hepatocyte DNA synthesis. EGF-stimulated hepatocyte DNA synthesis was severely suppressed or completely inhibited by the elevation of the intracellular cGMP level induced by treatment with cGMP alone or a combination of cGMP and dipyridamole, a specific inhibitor of cGMP phosphodiesterase. These findings indicate that cAMP and cGMP act oppositely on the regulation of DNA synthesis of young-adult rat hepatocytes in primary culture: cAMP plays a positive role, whereas cGMP plays a negative role. Also it is strongly suggested that an early elevation of the intracellular cAMP level is essential for the onset of DNA synthesis in hepatocyte primary cultures.     

Multiple degradation pathways of chemoattractant mediated cyclic GMP accumulation in Dictyostelium

Chemoattractants induce a transient accumulation of cGMP levels in Dictyostelium. Intracellular cGMP levels reach a peak at 10 s and prestimulated cGMP levels are recovered at about 30 s. Intracellular and extracellular cGMP levels were detected simultaneously after stimulation of D. lacteum cells with monapterin and of D. discoideum cells with cAMP. In both species about 20% of the intracellularly accumulated cGMP was secreted. All slime mold species investigated so far contain an intracellular phosphodiesterase specific for cGMP. A mutant of D. discoideum which does not contain this cGMP-specific enzyme shows a strongly retarded decline of intracellular cGMP levels. Secretion of cGMP is in this mutant not sufficient to explain the decline of cGMP levels which indicates the involvement of nonspecific phosphodiesterase in intracellular cGMP regulation. These results show multiple degradation pathways of intracellularly accumulated cGMP. In wild-type cells about 20% is secreted, 10–20% is hydrolyzed intracellularly by non-specific phos-phodiesterase, while the majority (60–70%) is hydrolyzed intracellularly by a cGMP-specific phos-phodiesterase. The relationships of intracellular regulation of cGMP and cAMP levels are discussed.     

Cellular responsiveness to cyclic AMP in a phosphodiesterase-defective mutant of Dictyostelium discoideum

Responsiveness of Dictyostelium discoideum amoebae to cAMP, a chemotactic mediator, was investigated in a strain defective in cAMP-phosphodiesterase production. Cells were subjected to a high cAMP signal (10(-6) M) in the presence or absence of exogenous phosphodiesterase, and the changes of intracellular cAMP and cGMP concentrations and of adenylate cyclase activity were measured. In the presence of cAMP hydrolysis, both adenylate and guanylate cyclases are transiently activated. In the absence of hydrolysis, the high and constant extracellular cAMP concentration is sufficient to elicit a re-activation of adenylate cyclase a few minutes after the first transient response. In contrast, levels of cGMP remain basal for at least 20 min after termination of the initial response to the cAMP addition.     

Effect of cyclic nucleotides on the mitotic activity of dental anlage and alveolar bone cells in tissue culture

A study was made of the effects of cAMP, db-cGMP and db-cAMP on the mitotic activity of the cells of the tooth anlage and alveolar bone in tissue culture of mouse embryo aged 15 days. The data indicate that db-cGMP and db-cAMP at concentrations 10(-6) M and 10(-8) M do not have any essential effect on the mitotic activity of the cells of the tooth anlage whereas cAMP inhibits the mitotic activity in these cells as compared with control. A definite relationship was established between the character of differentiation of the osseous and dental tissues in tissue culture and the concentration of cyclic nucleotides. db-cAMP, db-cGMP and cAMP raise the mitotic activity of the osteogenic cells, inhibit resorption of the alveolar bone, and stimulate formation of a new osseous tissue.     

MODULATION OF IN VITRO ERYTHROPOIESIS: ENHANCEMENT OF ERYTHROID COLONY GROWTH BY CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDES

Mammalian erythropoiesis, as assayed by erythroid colony formation in vitro, is enhanced by cyclic adenosine nucleotides and agents which are capable of raising intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels. With canine marrow cells as target, this enhancement was shown to be specific for cAMP and its mono- and dibutyryl derivatives. Adenosine and its derivatives, such as AMP, ADP and ATP, and other cyclic nucleotides, such as cGMP, dibutyryl-cGMP, cCMP and cIMP and sodium butyrate were inactive. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor, RO-20-1724, and the adenyl cyclase stimulator, cholera enterotoxin, both markedly increased colony numbers. Studies with tritiated thymidine showed that about 50% of the cells responding to either erythropoietin (ESF) or dibutyryl cAMP (db-cAMP) were in DNA synthesis. However, by unit gravity sedimentation velocity analysis, the peak of ESF-responsive colony forming cells sedimented more rapidly (8.7 ± 0.2 mm/hr) than the peak of db-cAMP-responsive cells (7.5 ± 0 mm/hr). These results demonstrate that adenyl cyclase-linked mechanisms influence in vitro erythropoietic proliferation and suggest that other hormones and simple molecules might interact with surface receptors and thus modulate the action of ESF at the cellular level.     

Cyclic AMP and Cyclic GMP suppress TNFα-induced hepatocyte apoptosis by inhibiting FADD up-regulation via a protein kinase A-dependent pathway

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) and cyclic GMP (cGMP) suppress apoptosis in many cell types, including hepatocytes. We have previously shown that membrane-permeable cAMP and cGMP analogs attenuate tumor necrosis factor α plus actinomycin D (TNFα/ActD)-induced apoptosis in hepatocytes at a step upstream of caspase activation and cytochrome c release. Recently we have also shown that FADD levels increase 10 folds in response to TNFα/ActD. Therefore we hypothesized that cAMP and cGMP would inhibit FADD upregulation. We show here that cyclic nucleotide analogs dibutyryl cAMP (db-cAMP) and 8-bromo-cGMP (Br-cGMP) inhibit cell death and the cleavages of multiple caspases including caspase-10, -9, -8, -3, and -2, as well as suppress FADD protein up-regulation in TNFα/ActD-induced apoptosis. The inhibitory effects of cAMP were seen at lower concentrations than cGMP. Both cAMP and cGMP prevented FADD overexpression and cell death in hepatocytes transfected with the FADD gene. A protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, KT 5720, reversed the inhibition of FADD protein levels induced by cAMP or cGMP. In conclusion, our findings indicate that cAMP and cGMP prevent TNFα/ActD-induced apoptosis in hepatocytes and that this occurs in association with a near complete inhibition of the upregulation of FADD via a PKA-dependent mechanism. Supported by the National Institutes of Health Grant GM-44100 (to T.R.B).     

Characterization of the MRP4- and MRP5-mediated transport of cyclic nucleotides from intact cells

Cyclic nucleotides are known to be effluxed from cultured cells or isolated tissues. Two recently described members of the multidrug resistance protein family, MRP4 and MRP5, might be involved in this process, because they transport the 3',5'-cyclic nucleotides, cAMP and cGMP, into inside-out membrane vesicles. We have investigated cGMP and cAMP efflux from intact HEK293 cells overexpressing MRP4 or MRP5. The intracellular production of cGMP and cAMP was stimulated with the nitric oxide releasing compound sodium nitroprusside and the adenylate cyclase stimulator forskolin, respectively. MRP4- and MRP5-overexpressing cells effluxed more cGMP and cAMP than parental cells in an ATP-dependent manner. In contrast to a previous report we found no glutathione requirement for cyclic nucleotide transport. Transport increased proportionally with intracellular cyclic nucleotide concentrations over a calculated range of 20-600 microm, indicating low affinity transport. In addition to several classic inhibitors of organic anion transport, prostaglandins A(1) and E(1), the steroid progesterone and the anti-cancer drug estramustine all inhibited cyclic nucleotide efflux. The efflux mediated by MRP4 and MRP5 did not lead to a proportional decrease in the intracellular cGMP or cAMP levels but reduced cGMP by maximally 2-fold over the first hour. This was also the case when phosphodiesterase-mediated cyclic nucleotide hydrolysis was inhibited by 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, conditions in which efflux was maximal. These data indicate that MRP4 and MRP5 are low affinity cyclic nucleotide transporters that may at best function as overflow pumps, decreasing steep increases in cGMP levels under conditions where cGMP synthesis is strongly induced and phosphodiesterase activity is limiting.     

Nitric oxide regulates the levels of cGMP accumulation in the cricket brain

Cricket brains were incubated in a saline containing nitric oxide (NO)-donor and phosphodiesterase inhibitor IBMX, which could activate soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) to increase cGMP levels in the targets of NO. The increase of cGMP was detected by immunohistochemistry and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. NO-induced cGMP immunohistochemistry revealed that many cell bodies of cricket brain showed cGMP immunoreactivity when preparations were treated with a saline containing 10 mM NO-donor SNP and phosphodiesterase inhibitor IBMX, but only a few cell bodies showed immunoreactivity when preparations were incubated without NO-donor. The concentration of cGMP in cricket brains were then measured by using cGMP-specific enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Cricket brains were treated with a saline containing 1 microM of NO-donor NOR3 and 1 mM IBMX. The cGMP levels in the brain were increased about 75% compared to control preparations that was treated with a cricket saline containing IBMX. The level of cGMP decreased about 40% when preparations were incubated NOR3 saline containing sGC inhibitor ODQ. These results indicate that NO activates sGC and increases the levels of cGMP in particular neurons of the cricket brain and that the level of cGMP would be kept a particular level, which might regulate synaptic efficacy in the neurotransmission.     

Inhibition of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity by an endogenous factor.

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity of several tissues of rat is inhibited by an endogenous factor isolated from rat adipocytes following exposure of these cells to agents that raise intracellular cyclic AMP levels. The inhibitory action was demonstrated with varying cAMP concentrations from 0.1-400 muM. Enzyme from 10,000 X g supernatant of epididymal adipose tissue was inhibited approximately 2-3 fold more than the plasma membrane of adipocytes by a given concentration of the feedback regulator. Kinetic analysis of cAMP phosphodiesterase of plasma membrane showed that feedback regulator (8.8 U/ml) inhibited the Vmax 48%. The maximum inhibition of phosphodiesterase by feedback regulator (20 U/ml) was about 80%. The apparent Km for cAMP was increased. The ability of phosphodiesterase from several tissues of rat (10,000 X g supernatant) to hydrolyze cAMP and cGMP was tested. Feedback regulator inhibited cGMP hydrolysis in cardiac muscle and 5 other tissues 23-92% more than it inhibited the hydrolysis of cAMP. The physiological significance of this inhibitory effect can begin to be clarified when the feedback regulator is purified to homogeneity and characterized.     

The effect of cyclic AMP on the growth of Toxoplasma gondii in vitro

To assess the role of cAMP on the growth and proliferation of Toxoplasma in HL-60 cells we tested the effect of exogenous cAMP and cAMP analogues to the co-culture system of Toxoplasma and HL-60 cells. cAMP, dbcAMP, and br-cAMP stimulated the growth of Toxoplasma at a specific concentration, i.e., 10(0) mM, 10(0) mM, and 10(-1) mM, respectively. There were differences in growth induction kinetics and in the rate of promotion. These results were further verified by treating the co-culture with adenylate cyclase activator, pNHppG, cAMP phosphodiesterase activators, imidazole and A23187, and cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitors, IBMX, compound 48/80, and theophylline, separately. When the cytosolic cAMP levels increased by the reagents mentioned above, Toxoplasma in the cytoplasm of HL-60 cells stimulated to proliferate more rapidly with concentration-dependent modes compared to the control, and vice versa. It is suggested that some mechanisms are activated by the high levels of cAMP in the cytoplasm, which result in the stimulation of Toxoplasma proliferation.     

Mode of Action of Chronotropic Agents in Cardiac Purkinje Fibers : Does Epinephrine Act by Directly Modifying the External Surface Charge?

Hauswirth et al. (1968) proposed that epinephrine acts on i_KK2 by adding its own positive charge to the external membrane surface near the i_KK2 channel. This hypothesis was tested by using noncationic compounds, theophylline and R07-2956, which mimicked epinephrine's effects on pacemaker activity and on i_KK2. In maximally effective doses, theophylline or R07-2956 occluded the effect of epinephrine, indicating a shared final common mechanism. Since theophylline and R07-2956 are noncationic at pH 7.4, the common mechanism cannot be a direct change in external surface charge. On the contrary, epinephrine does not interfere with the voltage shift produced by La⁺⁺⁺, which is thought to modify the external surface charge. The results argue against the original hypothesis but leave open the possibility that an alteration in internal surface charge generates the observed voltage shift. The potency of theophylline and R07-2956 as phosphodiesterase inhibitors suggests that the final common mechanism begins with the elevation of intracellular cyclic AMP, leading to a saturable process which limits the voltage shift's magnitude. This hypothesis is used to generate dose-response curves describing the combined effects of epinephrine and theophylline, and these are compared with experimental data.     

Concentration and metabolism of cyclic AMP during the early stages of hepatoma 22a growth]

Intracellular levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP), adenylate cyclase, and cAMP-phosphodiesterase activities at lag-period, exponential and stationary growth phases of hepatoma 22a were determined. It was shown that the transition of tumour cells from the lag-period to the exponential phase of growth was accompanied by the two-fold decrease of intracellular cAMP level on account of drastic activation of cAMP phosphodiesterase. Subsequently the cAMP level lowered more slowly until the cells entered the stationary phase of growth. In view of the fact that the adenylate cyclase activity failed to change at different growth phases of hepatoma 22a, it seems very proballe that the rise of cAMP phosphodiesterase activity could be a signal for the exit of tumour cells from the lag-period and their entrance into the mitotic cycle.