Structural-functional characteristics of the adenylyl cyclase signaling system regulated by biogenic amines and peptide hormones in muscles of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris

It has been shown for the first time that biogenic amines (catecholamines and tryptophane derivatives) stimulate dose-dependently activity of adenylyl cyclase (AC) and GTP-binding of G-proteins in muscle of the skin-muscle sac of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris. By efficiency of their stimulating action on the AC activity, biogenic amines can be arranged in the following sequence: octopamine > tyramine > tryptamine ≈ serotonin > dopamine > isoproterenol ≈ adrenalin. The sequence of efficiency of their action on GTP-binding is somewhat different: serotonin > tryptamine > octopamine > dopamine ≈ tyramine > adrenaline > isoproterenol. Sensitivity of AC and G-proteins in the worm muscle to biogenic amines is similar with that in smooth muscle of the mollusc Anodonta cygnea (invertebrates), but differs markedly by this parameter from the rat myocardium (vertebrates). It has also been revealed that AC in the worm muscle is regulated by peptide hormones, relaxin and somatostatin, whose action is comparable with that in the mollusc muscle, but much weaker that the action of these hormones on the rat myocardium AC activity. Use of Cterminal peptides of α-subunits of G-proteins of the stimulatory (385–394 Gαs) and inhibitory (346–355 Gαi2) types that disrupt selectively the hormonal signal transduction realized via Gsand Giproteins, respectively, allowed establishing that the AC-stimulating effects of relaxin, octopamine, tyramine, and dopamine in the worm muscle are realized via the receptors coupled functionally with Gs-protein; the AC-inhibiting effect of somatostatin is realized via the receptor coupled with Gi-protein, whereas serotonin and tryptamine activate both types of G-proteins.     

Structural and functional characteristics of the adenylyl cyclase signaling system regulated by biogenic amines and peptide hormones in the muscle of a worm Lumbricus terrestris

It has been shown for the first time that biogenic amines (catecholamines and tryptophane derivatives) stimulate dose-dependently activity of adenylyl cyclase (AC) and GTP-binding of G-proteins in muscle of the cutaneous-muscle bag of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris. By efficiency of their stimulating action on the AC activity, biogenic amines can be arranged in the following sequence: octopamine > tyramine > tryptamine = serotonin > dopamine > isoproterenol = adrenalin. The sequence of efficiency of their action on GTP-binding is somewhat different: serotonin > tryptamine > octopamine > dopamine = tyramine > adrenaline > isoproterenol. Sensitivity of AC and G-proteins in the worm muscle to biogenic amines is similar with that in smooth muscle of the molluse Anodonta cygnea (invertebrates), but differs markedly by this parameter from the rat myocardium (vertebrates). It has also been revealed that AC in the worm muscle is regulated by peptide hormones relaxin and somatostatin whose action is comparable with that in the mollusk muscle, but much weaker that the action of these hormones on the rat myocardium AC activity. Use of C-terminal peptides of alpha-subunits of G-proteins of the stimulatory (385-394 Galpha(s)) and inhibitory (346-355 Galpha(i2)) types that disrupt selectively the hormonal signal transduction realized via G(s)- and G(i)-proteins, respectively, allowed establishing that the AC-stimulating effects of relaxin, octopamine, tyramine, and dopamine in the worm muscle are realized via the receptors coupled functionally with G(s)-protein; the AC-inhibiting effect of somatostatin is realized via the receptor coupled with G(i)-protein, whereas serotonin and tryptamine activate both types of G-proteins.     

Effect of SH-Specific Reagent 5,5′-Dithobis(2-Nitrobenzoic Acid) on Functional Activity of Components of Adenylyl Cyclase Signal System

Sensitivity of adenylyl cyclase signal system to 5,5′-dithobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) oxidizing SH-groups of cystein residues to disulfide bonds was studied. It was shown that treatment of plasma membranes fractions of smooth muscles of the mollusc Anodonta cygnea and of rat skeletal muscles as well as of homogenate of mouse fibroblasts culture of L strain with micromole concentrations of DTNB led to a decrease of activity of adenylyl cyclase (AC) stimulated by GIDP, sodium fluoride, and, to a lesser degree, forskolin. Dithiothreitol (DTT) partly restored the stimulating effects of GIDP, NaF, and forskolin, the effect of this dithiol being dose-dependent. AC stimulated by biogenic amines—serotonin in mollusc muscles, isoproterenol in rat muscles, and both hormones in mouse fibroblasts—is more sensitive to DTNB than the enzyme stimulated by non-hormonal agents. Thus, the stimulatory effects of hormones decreased dose-dependently in the presence of 10–100 μM DTNB and were almost completely blocked by 250 μM reagent. These effects were partly restored in the presence of 5 mM DTT. The obtained data indicate a high sensitivity of the hormone-stimulated AC to action of the reagents interacting specifically with SH-groups of the proteins components of the AC system. In the rat muscle membranes treated with 25 μM DTNB, no significant rightward shift was observed of the curve of competitive replacement of the β-adrenergic receptor antagonist [³H]-dihydroalprenolol by the β-agonist isoproterenol in the presence of GTP and the affinity of the agonist to the receptor somewhat decreased, which indicates a disturbance of functional coupling of the β-adrenergic receptor with G-protein after treatment with DTNB.     

The role of protein kinase C in insulin signal transduction via adenylyl cyclase signaling mechanism

Activation of proteinkinase C with diacylglycerol or phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate in the rat muscle membrane or Anodonta cygnea mollusc blocks the insulin stimulating signal to adenylyl cyclase via tyrosinekinase type receptor. The same occurs with stimulating effect of biogenic amines to adenylyl cyclase via serpentine type receptor. Transduction of the inhibitory signal induced with isoproterenol to adenylyl cyclase remained unchanged in case of the proteinkinase C activation. The findings suggest that phorbol-sensitive proteinkinase C realizes a negative regulation of insulin-sensitive adenylyl cyclase signalling system. This negative regulation might prove a universal mechanism of the adenylyl cyclase system desensitisation.     

Effects of Biogenic Amines and Polypeptide Hormones on Protein Kinase A and Adenylyl Cyclase Activities in Muscles of the Mollusc Anodonta cygnea

The effects of biogenic amines, glucagon, and insulin on the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) activity have been studied in the muscle tissue of the freshwater bivalve mollusc Anodonta cygnea. It was shown that serotonin, glucagon, and insulin both in vivo and in vitro stimulated PKA activity, whereas isoproterenol inhibited it. The stimulating effect of serotonin and inhibiting effect of isoproterenol was blocked by serotoninergic (cyproheptadine) and adrenergic (propranolol) inhibitors, which confirms specificity of the effect of biogenic amines on the PKA activity. Taking into account participation of adenylyl cyclase system in action of the above hormones, the revealed hormonal effects on the PKA activity produce metabolic effects via the following chain reaction. In the case of serotonin and glucagon: receptor G_s-protein AC cAMP PKA phosphorylation of glycogen synthase (GS) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and inhibition of their activity; in the case of isoproterenol: -adrenoreceptor G_i-protein AC inhibition decreasing PKA inhibition of phosphorylase and stimulation of GSI and G6PDH. A participation is suggested of the insulin-stimulated AC signaling system in the mechanism of the mitogenic insulin effect mediated, as shown in this work, via the PKA activation, but not of the metabolic effect of insulin.     

Functional state of adenylyl cyclase signaling system in rat testis and ovary under conditions of fasting

Sensitivity of the adenylyl cyclase signaling system (ACSS) to polypeptide hormones and biogenic amines is studied in testes and ovaries of rats after the 2- and 4-day fasting as compared with control animals. In tissues of the fasted rats there is shown a decrease in the basal activity of adenylyl cyclase (AC) and of the basal level of the GTP binding of heterotrimeric G proteins. An increase in duration of fasting from 2 to 4 days led to intensification of these changes. In the fasted rats, the AC-stimulating effects of chorionic gonadotropin, PACAP-38, and isoproterenol, realized via G protein of stimulatory type are enhanced, whereas the inhibitory effects of somatostatin on the AC activity realized via G protein of the inhibitory type are reduced. In testes of the fasted rats the stimulating effect of serotonin on AC via both types of G proteins increased, whereas the inhibitory effects of the hormone decreased. Thus, under conditions of fasting, in rat testes and ovaries the ACSS sensitivity to regulatory effects of hormones is changing: their stimulatory effects are increased, while its inhibitory effects, on the contrary, are decreased. We suggest that these changes are one of the key mechanisms of adaptation of organism to deficiency of nutritional resources to be aimed at intensifying the tissues catabolic processes, preferably lypolysis.     

Role of cysteine sulfhydryl groups in activation of adenylyl cyclase signaling system by biogenic amines in molluscan and rat tissues

It has been shown that in smooth muscles of the freshwater bivalve molluscAnodonta cygnea as well as in skeletal muscles and brain striatum of rats a blocker of SH-groups,para-chlormercury benzoate (ChMB), and an alkylating agent,N-ethylmaleimide, inhibit both the basal adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity and the activity of the enzyme stimulated by non-hormonal agents (NaF, Gpp[NH]p) and by hormonal agents such as serotonin (mollusc muscles, rat brain) or isoproterenol (rat muscles and rat brain). The inhibitory effects of ChMB andN-ethylmaleimide on AC are partly eliminated by an SH-group containing reagent, β-mercaptoethanol (ME, 5 mM). Restoration of the basal and of the stimulated enzyme activity inhibited by ME is better in the case of the ChMB than of theN-ethylmaleimide action. It has also been found that ME stimulates both the basal and the stimulated by non-hormonal agents AC activity. In the presence of ME the hormonal stimulating effects on the enzyme are also preserved, except for the effect of isoproterenol on AC in rat skeletal muscles; this effect is inhibited by ME. Potentiation of the stimulating effect of the hormones on AC by Gpp[NH]p is only preserved in the molluscan smooth muscles (the effect of serotonin—90%). The data obtained indicate that cysteine sulfhydryl groups play a key role in hormonal regulation of the functional activity of the components of the hormone-sensitive adenylyl cyclase signaling system.     

Effect of intranasal insulin and serotonin on functional activity of the adenylyl cyclase system in myocardium, ovary, and uterus of rats with prolonged neonatal model of diabetes mellitus

The disturbances in hormonal signaling systems, adenylyl cyclase system (ACS) in particular, occur at the early stages of diabetes mellitus (DM) being one of the key causes of its complications. Since the correlation between the severity of DM and severity of disturbances in ACS is established, studying ACS activity can be used for monitoring DM and its complications and evaluating the effectiveness of their treatment. Recently, intranasal insulin (I-I) and the drugs increasing brain serotonin level, thus effectively restoring CNS functions, have begun to be used for the treatment of type 2 DM. However, the mechanisms of their action on peripheral tissues and organs at DM are not understood. The aim of this work was to study an influence of I-I and intranasal serotonin (I-S) on the functional activity of ACS in myocardium, ovary and uterus of rats with a neonatal model of type 2 DM. In the tissues of diabetic rats the changes in the regulation of adenylate cyclase (AC) by guanine nucleotides and hormones acting on enzyme in stimulatory and inhibitory manner were found, and these changes were characterized by receptor and tissue specificity. In diabetic rats I-I restored AC-stimulating effects of isoproterenol in the myocardium, that of guanine nucleotides and gonadotropin in the ovaries and relaxin in the uterus, as well as AC-inhibiting effects of somatostatin in all tissues and norepinephrine in the myocardium. Treatment with I-S led to a partial recovery of AC-inhibiting effect of norepinephrine in the diabetic myocardium, but did not affect the regulation of AC by other hormones. These data indicate that I-I normalizes the functional activity of ACS in the myocardium and in the tissues of reproductive system of female rats with neonatal DM, whereas the effect of I-S on ACS in the studied tissues is less pronounced. These results should be considered for the design and optimization of the strategy of I-I and I-S application for the treatment of DM and its complications.     

Effects of thiols and blockers of sulfhydryl groups on negative regulation of the adenylyl cyclase signaling system by biogenic amines

Effect of a thiol-containing compound, β-mercaptoethanol, and of blockers of cysteine sulfhydryl groups (para-chlormercury benzoate andN-ethylmaleimide) on hormonal negative regulation of functional activity of the adenylyl cyclase system was studied in smooth muscles of the freshwater bivalve molluscAnodonta cygnea (agonist of ß-adrenoreceptors—isoproterenol) and in the rat skeletal muscles (serotonin). It was found that in the presence of ß-mercaptoethanol the inhibitory effects of isoproterenol (mollusc) and serotonin (rat) were preserved. At the same time, the blockers of SH-groups disturb essentially both the hormonal effects and their potentiation in the presence of Gpp[NH]p, this process being practically irreversible in the presence ofN-ethylmaleimide. Thus, it has been shown that the negative hormonal regulation in the muscle membranes of the mollusc and rat is dependent on the SH-group state in the protein components of the hormonesensitive adenylyl cyclase system.     

The effect of long-term diabetes mellitus induced by treatment with streptozotocin in 6-week-old rats on functional activity of the adenylyl cyclase system

In type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM), changes occurring in the adenylyl cyclase signaling system (ACSS) are one of the key causes of complications of the disease. Since type 1 DM has been most often diagnosed in childhood and adolescence, the study of changes in ACSS in the early development of the disease is a genuine problem. For this, we developed a prolonged model of type 1 DM, which was induced by treatment of 6-week-old rats with moderate doses of streptozotocin (1.5M-DM), and studied the functional state of ACSS in the brain, myocardium, and testes of rats with this model of the disease 7 months after its start. The 1.5M-DM model was compared with the model that was induced by streptozotocin treatment of adult, 5-month-old animals (5M-DM). It was shown that, in 1.5M-DM, in the tissues of diabetic rats, the functional activity of ACSS sensitive to biogenic amines and polypeptide hormones was significantly changed. In rats with 1.5M-DM, the adenylate cyclase (AC) inhibitory effects of somatostatin (in all studied tissues), noradrenaline (in the myocardium and the brain), and agonists of type 1 serotonin receptor (in the brain) were weakened to the greatest degree. In the brain, the AC-stimulating effects of relaxin, isoproterenol, and agonists of G_s-protein-coupled serotonin receptors also decreased; in the myocardium, the corresponding effects of GppNHp, relaxin, and β-adrenergic agonists declined; and, in the testes, the AC effects of GppNHp and chorionic gonadotropin declined. When comparing the 1.5M-DM and 5M-DM models, the most pronounced differences between them were found in the effect of DM on hormonal regulation of ACSS in the brain, this being true both for AC-stimulating effects of dopamine and PACAP-38 and for AC-inhibiting effects of bromocriptine and somatostatin. These results indicate significant changes in hormonal regulation of the nervous, cardiovascular, and reproductive systems in rats with early induction of type 1 DM, in some cases more severe changes as compared with late model of 5M-DM. These changes may be the basis for development of diabetic cardiomyopathy, cognitive deficiency, and hypogonadotropic states, which are often detected in children and adolescents with type 1 DM.     

Regulatory calcium effect on adenylyl cyclase functional activity in the infusorian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dileptis anser</Emphasis>

Earlier we have shown that some non-hormonal activators of adenylyl cyclase (AC) and hormones of higher vertebrate animals are able to affect functional activity of the AC system in the infusorian Dileptus anser. In the present work, sensitivity of this infusorian AC to Ca²⁺ was studied and it was found that calcium cations at concentrations of 0.5–10 μM stimulated significantly the enzyme activity in D. anser partially purified membranes. An increase of Ca²⁺ concentrations to 100 μM and higher led to the complete block of their stimulatory effect. In the EDTA-treated membranes the enzyme activity was reduced markedly, but it was restored significantly by addition of Ca²⁺. Calmodulin antagonists—chlorpromazine, W-7, and W-5—caused a dose-dependent decrease of the enzyme activity stimulated by 5 μM Ca²⁺ with IC₅₀ values of 35, 137, and 174 M, respectively. The AC-stimulating effects of biogenic amines (serotonin and octopamine) were completely retained in the presence of 2.5 and 100 μM Ca²⁺, whereas effects of peptide hormones (relaxine and EGF) were hardly changed in the presence of 2.5 μM calcium ions, but were markedly inhibited by 100 μM Ca²⁺. In the EDTA-treated membranes, the AC effects of biogenic amines were reduced, while the effects of peptide hormones were not revealed. On addition of Ca²⁺, the AC effects of biogenic amines were completely restored, whereas the effects of peptide hormones were not detected or restored to a non-significant degree. Calmodulin antagonists slightly affected the AC effects of peptide hormones at concentrations efficient in the case of vertebrate AC, but decreased them markedly at higher concentrations. The AC effects of biogenic amines were little sensitive even to high antagonist concentrations. The obtained data show that targets of action of peptide hormones in the infusorian D. anser cell culture are the AC forms whose activity depends on calcium cations and possibly is regulated by Ca²⁺/calmodulin, whereas targets of action of biogenic amines are calcium-independent enzyme forms.     

Regulation of the Adenylyl Cyclase System of the Infusorian Tetrahymena pyriformis by Hormonal and Non-Hormonal Agents and Its Dependence on the Basal Activity Level of Adenylyl Cyclase

Effects of glucagon and biogenic amines as well as of non-hormonal agents (manganese cations, forskolin, guanine nucleotides) on activity of adenylyl cyclase (AC) was studied in the infusorian Tetrahymena pyriformis, a representative of unicellular eukaryotes. The infusorian cultures at different growth stages were chosen for the study. It has been revealed that the AC basal activity measured in the cultures at the stationary stage is much lower than in those at the exponential stage. The stimulating effects of hormones (glucagon, serotonin, isoproterenol) and of non-hormonal agents were shown to depend markedly on the tetrahymena AC basal activity. These effects are pronounced at the stationary stage of growth (the low basal activity), whereas in cultures at the active division stage (the high basal activity) they either are reduced or change their sign to opposite (inhibition of AC activity. The obtained results not only are another evidence in favor of the existence of the functionally active ACS in lower eukaryotes, but also indicate an important role of this system in regulation of sensitivity of infusoria at different growth stages to external actions.     

Regulatory calcium effect on adenylyl cyclase functional activity in the infusorian Dileptus anser

Earlier we have shown that some non-hormonal activators of adenylyl cyclase (AC) and hormones of higher vertebrate animals are able to affect functional activity of the AC system in the infusorian Dileptus anser. In the present work, sensitivity of this infusorian AC to Ca2+ was studied and it was found that calcium cations at concentrations of 0.5-10 microM stimulated significantly the enzyme activity in D. anser partially purified membranes. An increase of Ca2+ concentrations to 100 microM and higher led to the complete block of their stimulatory effect. In the EDTA-treated membranes the enzyme activity was reduced markedly, but it was restored significantly by addition of Ca2+. Calmodulin antagonists--chlorpromazine, W-7, and W-5--caused a dose-dependent decrease of the enzyme activity stimulated by 5 microM Ca2+ with IC50 values of 35, 137, and 174 microM, respectively. The AC-stimulating effects of biogenic amines (serotonin and octopamine) were completely retained in the presence of 2.5 and 100 microM Ca2+, whereas effects of peptide hormones (relaxine and EGF) were hardly changed in the presence of 2.5 microM calcium ions, but were markedly inhibited by 100 microM Ca2+. In the EDTA-treated membranes, the AC effects of biogenic amines were reduced, while the effects of peptide hormones were not revealed. On addition of Ca2+, the AC effects of biogenic amines were completely restored, whereas the effects of peptide hormones were not detected or were restored to a non-significant degree. Calmodulin antagonists slightly affected the AC effects of peptide hormones at concentrations efficient in the case of vertebrate AC, but decreased them markedly at higher concentrations. The AC effects of biogenic amines were little sensitive even to high antagonist concentrations. The obtained data show that targets of action of peptide hormones in the infusorian D. anser cell culture are the AC forms whose activity does not D. depends on calcium cations and possibly is regulated by Ca2+/calmodulin, whereas targets of action of biogenic amines are calcium-independent enzyme forms.     

Effect of C-terminal peptide of G-protein alfa(s)-subunit on regulation of adenylate cyclase and protein kinase A activities by biogenic amines and glucagon in mollusc and rat muscles

The peptide synthesised by us: 387-394-amide (10(-7)-10(-4) M), in a dose dependent manner decreases activities of adenyl cyclase and proteinkinase A evoked by serotonine and glucagon in smooth muscles of the freshwater bivalve mollusc Anodonta cygnea and that evoked by beta-agonist isoproterenol--in the rat skeletal muscles. Even in concentration 10(-7) M, the peptide completely eliminates potentiation of the hormones' stimulating effect on adenylyl cyclase activity with the non-hydrolizable analogue of guanine nucleotides (Gpp[NH]p). At the same time, the peptide does not affect stimulation of the adenylyl cyclase activity with non-hormonal agents (NaF, Gpp[NH]p and forkolin). In the presence of the peptide, inhibiting effects of the hormones on activities of adenylyl cyclase and protein kinase A will be preserved. The findings reveal the importance of the G-protein alpha s-subunit's C-terminal regional of a stimulating type for its functional coupling with receptors of a serpentine type, and elucidate the molecular mechanisms of interaction between the G-protein and the receptor.     

Involvement of the adenylyl cyclase signaling system in the action of insulin and mollusk insulin-like peptide

Involvement of the adenylyl cyclase signaling system in the mechanism of action of the mammalian insulin and epidermal growth factor as well as of insulin-like peptide isolated from the bivalve mollusk Anodonta cygnea has been studied. It was shown for the first time that insulin and insulin-like peptide exert in vitro the GTP-dependent stimulating action on the adenylyl cyclase activity. Epidermal growth factor has an analogous effect. Effectiveness of the peptides decreased in the order insulin-like peptide > epidermal growth factor > insulin in the foot smooth muscles of A. cygnea and insulin > epidermal growth factor > insulin-like peptide in the skeletal muscles of rat.     

Involvement of SH-groups in the regulation of adenylate cyclase signal system by isoproterenol and serotonin in cultured murine fibroblasts L (subline LSM)

The adenylyl cyclase system (ACS) plays a key role in transduction of a hormonal signal into eukaryotic cells. The functional activity of the system depends on SH-groups of proteins involved in the ACS: receptor, G-protein, and enzyme adenylyl cyclase (AC). We studied the influence of thiols and SH-blockers on the regulation of AC activity by nonhormonal (NaF and Gpp[NH]p) and hormonal (biogenic amines isoproterenol and serotonin) agents in homogenates of cultured murine fibroblasts of line L (subline LSM). In the presence of thiols 2-mercaptoethanol (5 mM) and dithiothreitol (1 mM) the basal AC activity somewhat increased, whereas the stimulating effects of NaF, Gpp[NH]p, and hormones decreased. No potentiating action of Gpp[NH]p on hormonal effect in this case was found. The SH-blockers 25 mkM p-chloromercuribenzoic acid (CMBA) and 0.2 mM N-ethylmaleimide significantly inhibited both the basal AC activity and that stimulated by different agents. Thiols partially restored CMBA inhibited AC activity (in the case of N-ethylmaleimide restoring effects of thiols were insignificant). This, the ACS of murine fibroblasts of subline LSM is SH-sensitive. The forms of SH-groups in proteins involved in the ACS determine their functional activities and a possibility of transduction of the hormonal signal on the effector systems.     

Regulatory Action of Synthetic Cationic Peptides Containing Residues of Glutamic Acid on Functional Activity of Components of the Adenylyl Cyclase Signal System

One of the most important stages of hormonal signal transduction in cells through the hormone-sensitive adenylyl cyclase signal system (ACS) is functional coupling of receptor of the serpentine type to heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein (G-protein). The main role in realization of such coupling is played by spiralized regions of the receptor cytoplasmic loops proximal in relation to membrane, most of them carrying positive charge. To study molecular mechanisms of interaction of the receptor with G-protein, we compared effects of synthetic cationic peptides containing residues of glutamic acid on the process of regulation of ACS by hormones (biogenic amines) and non-hormonal agents in smooth muscles of the freshwater bivalve mollusc Anodonta cygnea and skeletal muscles of rat. All peptides had the clearly expressed ability to form -helices. Peptides H-(Leu-His-Glu-Lys)₄-Leu-NH₂ (I), H-(Leu-His-Glu-Lys)₃-Lys-His-Glu-Lys-Leu-NH₂ (II), H-(Leu-Lys-Glu-Lys)₄-Leu-NH₂ (III), and H-(Ile-His-Glu-Lys)₄-Ala-NH₂ (IV) at concentrations of 10^–6–10^–3 M reduced dose-dependently the value of stimulating effects of serotonin (in mollusc muscles) and isoproterenol (in rat muscles) on the adenylyl cyclase (AC) and protein kinase A (PKA) activities. Values of concentration of these peptide causing a 50% decrease of the hormone-stimulating effect (IC₅₀) vary from 150 to 750 µM. According to the degree of this inhibitory action on stimulating effects of hormones, they may be arranged in the following series: III II > IV I. The peptides I–IV were more effective than the peptide H-(Glu-Lys)₈-Ala-NH₂ (V) with the charge close to zero, but much less effective than the studied earlier cationic peptides containing only positively charged amino acid residues. The inhibitory effect of the peptides I-IV on stimulation of AC by non-hormonal agents, NaF, Gpp[NH]p, and forskolin, was essentially less pronounced and was marked only at 10^–4–10^–3 M concentrations. Thus, the inclusion of negatively charged amino acid residues in the primary structure of polycationic peptides leads to a decrease in their ability to inhibit hormonal stimulation of AC and PKA, which indicates importance both of the total positive charge of peptides and of distribution of the charged amino acids in the formed helices for realization of the uncoupling action on the ACS components—the receptor and G-protein.     

Intranasal insulin affects adenyl cyclase system in rat tissues in neonatal diabetes

The changes in hormone-regulated adenylyl cyclase (AC) signaling system implicated in control of the nervous, cardiovascular and reproductive systems may contribute to complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). We investigated the functional state of AC system in the brain, myocardium, ovary and uterus of rats with neonatal DM and examined the influence of intranasally administered insulin on the sensitivity of this system to biogenic amines and polypeptide hormones. The regulatory effects of somatostatin and 5-HT_1BR-agonist 5-nonyloxytryptamine acting via G_i protein-coupled receptors were significantly decreased in DM and partially restored in insulin-treated rats. The effects of hormones, activators of AC, are changed in tissue- and receptorspecific manner, and intranasal insulin restored the effects rather close to the level in control. In insulin-treated non-diabetic rats, AC stimulating effects of isoproterenol and relaxin in the myocardium and of human chorionic gonadotropin in the ovaries were decreased, while the effects of hormones, inhibitors of AC, were increased. These data indicate that with intranasal insulin, Gi protein-mediated signaling pathways continue to gain strength. The obtained data on the influence of hormones on AC system in the brain, myocardium, ovary and uterus allow looking anew into the mechanisms of therapeutic effects of intranasal insulin.     

Molecular mechanisms of action of dendrons, containing 48-60 sequence of HIV-1 TAT-protein, on the functional activity of the adenylyl cyclase signaling systems

For the aims of studying molecular mechanisms of functioning of adenylyl cyclase signaling systems (ACS), we investigated the influence of synthetic polycationic peptides of the star-like structure (dendrons), containing 48-60 sequence of HIV-1 TAT-protein, on the functional activity of ACS components in smooth muscles of the mollusc Anodonta cygnea and in rat skeletal muscles. It has been shown that the following peptides (Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-Pro-Pro-Gln)2-Lys-epsilonAhx(= epsilon-aminohexanoic acid)-Cys(Acm), referred to as peptide I, (Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-Pro-Pro-Gln)2-Lys-epsilonAhx-Cys(Acm) (peptide II), [(Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-Pro-Pro-Gln)2-Lys-epsilonAhx-Cys]2 (peptide III), and [(Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-Pro-Pro-Gln)2-Lys-epsilonAhx-Cys]2 (peptide IV) inhibit in a dose-dependent manner the adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity stimulated by both nonhormanal agents (GppNHp and forskolin) and hormones, such as serotonin (mollusc) and isoproterenol (rat). Peptides III and IV (tetrameric dendrons) were most effective in comparison with peptides I and II (dimeric dendrons). The AC activity stimulated by hormones and forskolin was most sensitive to the action of dendrons. All dendrons stimulated GTP-binding activity of G-proteins: dimeric dendrons were most effective at 10(-5) M concentration, whereas tetrameric dendrons at 10(-6) M. In the presence of dendrons, the affinity of beta-antagonist [3H]-dihydroalprenolol to P-adrenergic receptor in rat muscle mem- branes was unchanged. At the same time, the affinity of beta-agonist isoproterenol to the receptor decreased, and no shift to the right was observed on the curve of isoproterenol-induced [3H]-dihydroalprenolol displacement in the presence of GTP. The obtained data show the disturbance of the coupling between the receptor and G-protein, which is the main reason of dendron inhibitory action on AC stimulation by hormones. Besides, these data demonstrated that hormones could disturb the functional activity of AC, i.e. a catalytic component of ACS.     

Inhibitory action of polycationic peptides on hormonal regulation of adenylyl cyclase of the ciliate Dileptus anser

To analyse molecular mechanisms of regulatory action of different hormones on the activity of the adenylyl cyclase signaling system (ACS) of the ciliate Dileptus anser, we studied the influence on this process of six synthetic polycationic peptides and peptides, corresponding to C-terminal regions of mammalian G-protein 385-394 alphas- and 346-355 alphai2-subunits. As we reported earlier, these peptides block hormonal signal transduction in tissues of the higher eukaryotes. Now it has been found that both polycationic peptides, containing hydrophobic C to-radicals, and branched peptides decrease regulatory effects of peptide hormones (insulin, relaxin) and biogenic amines (serotonin, adrenaline) on adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity and GTP-binding. In regard to the following peptides Cys-epsilonAhx-Trp-Lys-Lys(C10)-Lys2-Lys(C10)-Lys3-Lys(C10)-Tyr-Lys-Lys(C10)-Lys-Lys-amide and [(Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Gly-Arg-Lys-Lys-Arg-Arg-Gln-Arg-Arg-Arg-Pro- Pro-Gly)2-Lys-EAhx-Cys]2 (epsilonAhx - E-aminocaproyl, C10 - caprinoyl group) their dose-dependent inhibitory action is shown. In cell culture of D. anser with a lower basal AC activity, both hydrophobic and branched peptides stimulated AC and GTP-binding without hormones. The data give evidence that these peptides can activate ACS of ciliates in a receptor-independent manner. No influence of peptides 385-394 alphas and 346-355 alphai2 on hormonal signal transduction in D. anser was observed, due, presumably, to some structural differences of G-proteins of the lower and higher eukaryotes. A conclusion was made about an important role of polycationic regions for functional coupling of hormone-activated receptor and G-proteins in the ciliate D. anser.