Exposure of thymocytes to a low temperature (4 degrees C) inhibits the onset of their hormone-induced cellular refractoriness

The hormonal response of viable mouse thymocytes is radically dependent of their ambient temperature. While at 37 degrees C the cells respond to isoproterenol by an abrupt rise (within 30 s) followed by a exponential decline in the level of intracellular cAMP, at 4 degrees C the level of cAMP remains high, i.e. there is an inhibition of the hormone-induced refractory state. These distinctly different patterns of response are reflected also in both the state of activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and the activity of adenylate cyclase. The inhibition of cellular refractoriness in the cold is shown to be fully reversible, lasting only as long as the hormone is present in the extracellular medium. Washing out the hormone or displacing it by a specific antagonist (propranolol) results in a decline of cAMP, of the activity ratio of the kinase, and of the activity of the adenylate cyclase back to basal values. Evidence is presented to show that at 4 degrees C there is no significant hormone-dependent decreases in cAMP degradation or efflux. On the other hand, the activity of adenylate cyclase remains persistently high, through neither the hormone-binding site of the receptor nor the active site of the catalytic subunit of the cyclase seem to be impaired. The different response pattern observed at 4 degrees C appears, therefore, to be associated with the transfer and the signal between these two sites and probably with the G/F protein (s). The possibility to dissect in a selective and reversible manner the process of hormonal stimulation (coupling) from the process of desensitization, which, under normal physiological conditions constitute consecutive and inseparable chain of events, leads us to a propose that the signal transfer which enables activation of adenylate cyclase is, somewhere along its way, distinct from the signal transfer which brings about the onset of the refractory state, and to conclude that these two processes are partially autonomous and regulated by either two different proteins or two different sites on the same protein. The postulated proteins (or sites) should, therefore, differ in their sensitivity to temperature changes, a difference which may be most useful in the identification and isolation of the molecular species involved and in the study of their properties and their mechanism of action.     

Adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphorothioate (Rp-isomer) induces down-regulation of surface cyclic AMP receptors without receptor activation in Dictyostelium discoideum

cAMP induces the activation and subsequent desensitization of adenylate cyclase in Dictyostelium discoideum. cAMP also induces down-regulation of surface cAMP receptors. Desensitization of adenylate cyclase is composed of a rapidly reversible component (adaptation) and a slowly reversible component related to down-regulation of surface cAMP receptors (Van Haastert, P.J.M. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 7700-7704). The agonistic and antagonistic activities of the cAMP derivative adenosine 3',5'-monophosphorothioate ((Rp)-cAMPS) for these responses were investigated. (Rp)-cAMPS competes with cAMP for binding to different receptor forms with an apparent Ki = 5 microM. (Rp)-cAMPS does not activate adenylate cyclase and antagonizes the cAMP-induced activation with an apparent Ki = 5 microM. (Rp)-cAMPS induces down-regulation of surface cAMP receptors with EC50 = 5 microM. (Rp)-cAMPS induces desensitization of adenylate cyclase, which is not rapidly reversible. These results indicate that desensitization of adenylate cyclase by (Rp)-cAMPS is due to down-regulation of surface cAMP receptors and not to adaptation. We conclude that down-regulation of surface cAMP receptors does not require their activation or modification involved in adaptation.     

Down-regulation of cell surface cyclic AMP receptors and desensitization of cyclic AMP-stimulated adenylate cyclase by cyclic AMP in Dictyostelium discoideum. Kinetics and concentration dependence

cAMP binds to Dictyostelium discoideum surface receptors and induces a transient activation of adenylatecyclase, which is followed by desensitization. cAMP also induces a loss of detectable surface receptors (down-regulation). Cells were incubated with constant cAMP concentrations, washed free of cAMP, and cAMP binding to surface receptors and cAMP-induced activation of adenylate cyclase were measured. cAMP could induce maximally 65% loss of binding activity and complete desensitization of cAMP-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. Half-maximal effects for down-regulation were observed at 50 nM cAMP and for desensitization at 5 nM cAMP. Down-regulation was rapid with half-times of 4, 2.5, and 1 min at 0.1, 1, and 10 microM cAMP, respectively. Similar kinetic data have been reported for desensitization (Dinauer, M.C., Steck, T.L., and Devreotes, P.N. (1980) J. Cell Biol. 86, 554-561). Down-regulation and desensitization were not reversible at 0 degrees C. Down-regulation reversed slowly at 20 degrees C with a half-time of about 1 h. Resensitization of adenylate cyclase was biphasic showing half-times of 4 min and about 1 h, respectively; the contribution of the rapidly resensitizing component was diminished when down-regulation of receptors was enhanced. These results suggest that cAMP-induced down-regulation of receptors and desensitization of adenylate cyclase stimulation proceed by at least two steps. One step is rapidly reversible, occurs at low cAMP concentrations, and induces desensitization without down-regulation, while the second step is slowly reversible, requires higher cAMP concentrations, and also induces down-regulation.     

Post-receptor modulation of the effects of cyclic AMP in isolated cardiac myocytes

Summary The actions of cyclic AMP are subject to several levels of post-receptor modulation in cardiac tissue. Isoproterenol and prostaglandin E₁ both stimulate cAMP accumulation, but only isoproterenol causes activation of particulate cAMP-dependent protein kinase, leading to activation of phosphorylase kinase and glycogen phosphorylase, and inhibition of glycogen synthase. Through the use of isolated, adult ventricular myocytes, we have determined that the hormone-specific activation of glycogen phosphorylase is due to subcellular compartmentation of cAMP. There is some evidence that cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases, whose activity is stimulated by alpha₁-adrenergic agonists in isolated myocytes, may have a role in compartmentation. Phosphoinositide hydrolysis is stimulated by alpha, and muscarinic agonists, presumably leading to activation of protein kinase C, which in turn has multiple effects on hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase.Abbreviations cAMP Adenosine-3,5-Cyclic Monophosphate - cGMP Guanosine-3,5-Cyclic Monophosphate - G_i, G_S Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins linked to inhibition and stimulation, respectively, of adenylate cyclase - GTP Guanosine-5-triphosphate - PDE Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterase - PGE₁ Prostaglandin E₁     

Forskolin as a novel lipolytic agent

Forskolin is a novel lipolytic agent which elevates cAMP and FFA release in rat adipocytes in a manner different from existing lipolytic factors. This effect of Forskolin is potentiated by all lipolytic hormones tested, i.e. epinephrine, ACTH, and glucagon and is also reversible. The same batch of adipocytes can be repeatedly stimulated after washing. The effective concentration of Forskolin is in the micromolar range. Its action is due to an activation of cAMP synthesis by adenylate cyclase. There is no effect on cAMP hydrolysis. In contrast to stimulation by lipolytic hormones, Forskolin-activated membrane adenylate cyclase was not further stimulated by GPP(NH)P. These results suggest that Forskolin may be a useful analytical agent in the study of adenylate cyclase mediated function in intact adipocytes.     

Desensitization of Sertoli cell-enriched cultures by FSH, L-isoproterenol and glucagon. Influence on subsequent stimulation of 17 beta-estradiol production

Sertoli cell-enriched cultures derived from 19-day old rats were exposed to FSH, L-isoproterenol, glucagon and dbcAMP for 24 up to 96 h. The influence of primary stimulation with these agonists on the response of the cells to subsequent stimulation with the homologous or heterologous agonists was investigated. Particular attention was paid to the response of the aromatase system defined as the ability of the cells to convert testosterone into 17 beta-estradiol. The responsiveness of this system was compared with the responsiveness of two other systems: adenylate cyclase and phosphodiesterase. It could be demonstrated that preincubation with the mentioned agonists results in a decreased responsiveness (maximal response) and a decreased sensitivity (ED50) upon re-stimulation with the homologous agonists. Preincubation with FSH also provokes partial desensitization for glucagon and L-isoproterenol. This heterologous desensitization can be mimicked by dbcAMP. The mentioned desensitization reactions are accompanied by a marked decrease in the accumulation of cAMP in the medium. Whereas desensitization of the adenylate cyclase occurs rapidly, desensitization of the aromatase response requires protracted stimulation for 3-4 days. In contrast with the adenylate cyclase and the aromatase system, the responsiveness of phosphodiesterase to FSH, L-isoproterenol, glucagon and dbcAMP is not affected by repeated stimulation for 96 h. It is concluded that hormonal desensitization affects both early (cAMP) and late (aromatase) responses of the Sertoli cell. However, some responses, such as phosphodiesterase activity seem to escape the desensitization process.     

Factors essential for desensitization of pigeon erythrocyte adenylate cyclase responsiveness in a cell-free system

Cell-free desensitization of the pigeon erythrocyte adenylate cyclase-coupled beta-adrenoreceptor system requires soluble cellular factors. Desensitization is observed when a mixture of cell membranes and the cytosol fraction are incubated with isoproterenol or cAMP and IBMX for 20 min at 37 degrees C. Mg2+ and ATP are also required for cell-free desensitization. When adenylate cyclase is maximally stimulated by isoproterenol or GTP-gamma-S, the decrement of activity is 45-50% and 20-25%, respectively. Adenylate cyclase desensitization may be also produced by preincubation of plasma membranes with the catalytic component of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Cell-free desensitization is associated with functional uncoupling of the beta-receptor. This is evidenced by an impaired ability of receptors to form a high affinity, guanine nucleotide-sensitive complex with the agonist and by the increase of the lag-phase of adenylate cyclase activation by isoproterenol and GTP-gamma-S. These findings suggest that one possible mechanism for the development of desensitization in adenylate cyclase systems may be the phosphorylation of a component(s) of the beta-receptor-adenylate cyclase complex which results in impaired receptor-cyclase coupling.     

Studies on structure-function relationships of human choriogonadotropins with C-terminally shortened α-subunits. II. Stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity and depletion of cytochromeP-450 in the rat testis

Human choriogonadotropin (hCG) analogues, containing the native β-subunit and α-subunits enzymatically shortened by 2–3 amino acid residues, were used for studying influence of hCG on the content of microsomal progesterone-binding cytochromeP-450 in rat tests. When 2–3 residues have been renuwed from the α-subunit, the ability of the hormone analogue to stimulate adenylate cyclase of isolated rat Leydig cells was diminished by 55%. When the hCG analogue containing a des-(88–92)-α chain was applied, the residual activity of the adenylate cyclase was negligible. 18 h after administration to rats in vivo, the hormone species containing des-(Lys-91-Ser-92)-α or des-(90–92)-α, respectively, were found to have induced a decrease in microsomal cytochromeP-450 content with an effectiveness corresponding to their ability of stimulating the adenylate cyclase in vitro. However, when assayed 48 h after application, the desensitization of the microsomal cytochromeP-450 system had persisted in case of the hCG species containing a des-(90–92)-α chain but not in case of hCG consisting of des-(Lys-91-Ser-92)-α and a native β-subunit. From these results, it is concluded that short-term effects of hCG on the microsomal content of progesterone-binding cytochromeP-450 are mediated by the stimulation of adenylate cyclase. In contrast, the long-lasting action of hCG on this system seems not to be exclusively mediated by the increase in intracellular cAMP.     

Differentiation-induced alterations in cyclic AMP signaling in the Cath.a differentiated (CAD) neuronal cell line

Regulation of intracellular cyclic AMP is critical to the modulation of many cellular activities, including cellular differentiation. Moreover, morphological differentiation has been linked to subsequent alterations in the cAMP signaling pathway in various cellular models. The current study was designed to explore the mechanism for the previously reported enhancement of adenylate cyclase activity in Cath.a differentiated cells following differentiation. Differentiation of Cath.a differentiated cells stably expressing the D2L dopamine receptor markedly potentiated both forskolin- and A2-adenosine receptor-stimulated cAMP accumulation. This enhancement was accompanied by a twofold increase in adenylate cyclase 6 (AC6) expression and a dramatic loss in the expression of AC9. The ability of Ca2+ to inhibit drug-stimulated cAMP accumulation was enhanced following differentiation, as was D2L dopamine receptor-mediated inhibition of Galphas-stimulated cAMP accumulation. Differentiation altered basal and drug-stimulated phosphorylation of the cAMP-response element-binding protein, which was independent of changes in protein kinase A expression. The current data suggest that differentiation of the neuronal cell model, Cath.a differentiated cells induces significant alterations in the expression and function of both the proximal and distal portions of the cAMP signaling pathway and may impact cellular operations dependent upon this pathway.     

Transforming growth factor-β inhibits cellular adenylate cyclase activity in cultured human arterial endothelial cells

Summary Stimulation of human arterial endothelial cells with heparin-binding growth factor-1 (HBGF-1) resulted in a 40% to 60% increase in the cellular adenylate cyclase activity and intracellular cAMP content. The stimulatory effect of HBGF-1 was effectively suppressed by pretreating the cells with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), an endothelial cell growth inhibitor. The inhibition of the adenylate cyclase activity precedes growth inhibition by at least 24 h. The half maximal inhibitory dose was calculated to be 0.2 ng/ml for the inhibition of both cyclase activity and cell growth. The possible role of the adenylate cyclase suppression in growth inhibition by TGF-β is discussed. This work was supported in part by grants from NCI (CA 37589), RJR Nabisco, Inc. and Kyowa Hakko Kogyo, Co., Ltd. Editor's Statement The observation that heparin-binding growth factor activates adenylate cyclase in endothelial cells and TGF beta lowers cAMP levels in endothelial cells treated with heparin-binding growth factor raises the possibility that growth control may be mediated, at least partially, through cyclic nucleotides in this system, as well as raising questions about relationships between activities of these peptide growth factors and G protein activation.     

Reducing reagent-induced activation of adenylate cyclase in the cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum.

Binding of an intrinsic agonist (cAMP) to specific receptors on the cell surface induces transmembrane signals for activation and desensitization (adaptation and down regulation) of adenylate cyclase in the cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum. It is generally believed that dithiothreitol (DTT) induces the activation through interaction between the receptor and gradually accumulated cAMP, since DTT is known to inhibit cAMP-phosphodiesterase which degrades cAMP. In the present paper, we investigated the mechanism of activation of adenylate cyclase by the thiol-reducing agents, DTT and 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanol (BAL). We found that BAL activated adenylate cyclase transiently even under conditions where the intrinsic agonist supersaturated the cAMP-receptors and competitively inhibited phosphodiesterase. This result is inconsistent with the generally accepted notion. We conclude that BAL has an independent effect from those of the intrinsic agonist (cAMP) and phosphodiesterase in activation of adenylate cyclase. Since BAL could induce activation just after the activation induced by a supersaturating concentration of the intrinsic agonist had ceased, the independent effect of BAL is not a simple enhancement of the cAMP-induced activation. Our result also suggests that the cAMP-induced adaptation (but not down regulation) suppresses the BAL-induced activation while BAL itself does not induce adaptation to cAMP or BAL. We propose that the thiol-reducing reagent induces or modifies the transmembrane activation signal for adenylate cyclase.     

Relationship of (8-lysine) vasopressin receptor transition to receptor functional properties in a pig kidney cell line (LLC-PK1)

In intact LLC-PK1 cells, occupancy of vasopressin receptors (Roy, C., and Ausiello, D. A. (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 3415-3522) correlated with cell cAMP production. This relationship was observed as a function of hormone dose, incubation time, and changes in receptor affinity. However, the rate of cAMP production diminished with time in intact cells exposed to high hormone concentrations, even in the presence of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. A rapid desensitization of adenylate cyclase activity was observed in minutes upon treatment of intact cells with high hormonal concentrations. Desensitization was dose- and time-dependent. Hypertonic sodium chloride, which increased hormonal binding and cell cAMP production, prevented desensitization. The acute decrease in hormone-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity correlated with increased occupancy of low affinity binding sites. EDTA-suspended cells, which have a homogeneous population of binding sites, did not demonstrate desensitization. A proposal is made as to the consequences of this phenomenon at physiological concentrations of vasopressin.     

Surface receptor-mediated activation of adenylate cyclase in Dictyostelium. Regulation by guanine nucleotides in wild-type cells and aggregation deficient mutants

GTP and GTP analogs produced significant (up to 17-fold) and persistent activation of adenylate cyclase in lysates of Dictyostelium discoideum amoeba. The activation was enhanced 2- to 4-fold by cAMP (the agonist for receptor-mediated adenylate cyclase activation), was specific for guanine nucleoside triphosphates, and was inhibited by guanosine 5'-(O-2-thio)diphosphate. The order of potency of guanine nucleotides was guanosine 5'-(O-3-thio)triphosphate greater than guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate greater than GTP; half-maximal activation was observed with 1-10 microM guanine nucleotide. Maximal activation occurred when the guanine nucleotide was added within seconds after cell lysis and the lysate was preincubated for 5 min prior to assay. Under these optimal in vitro conditions, the capacity of guanine nucleotides to activate decreased, closely correlating with adaptation or desensitization induced by exposure of intact cells to cAMP during a period of 10 min. These data strongly support that regulation of adenylate cyclase in Dictyostelium occurs via a receptor-linked GTP/GDP exchange protein. Two mutants, designated synag 7 and 49 were isolated in which cAMP and/or guanine nucleotides were not sufficient to activate adenylate cyclase. The wild-type pattern of guanine nucleotide regulation was restored to synag 7 lysates by the addition of a high-speed supernatant from wild-type cells. Characterization of these mutants demonstrates that activation of adenylate cyclase is not required for growth or cell-type specific differentiation but is essential for cellular aggregation and influences morphogenesis and pattern formation. This suggests that Dictyostelium may provide a model suitable for detailed genetic analysis of surface receptor-guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein linked adenylate cyclase systems and for determining the role of these systems in development.     

Vasopressin-sensitive adenylate cyclase reversibility of hormonal activation

The reversibility of adenylate cyclase activation induced by vasopressin was studied by reducing the concentration of active peptide in contact with kidney medullo-papillary membranes. Reversibility of hormonal activation was only partial. The use of antagonists failed to demonstrate the reversibility of an adenylate cyclase activation induced by high affinity agonists. When antagonist was added after the agonist to membranes, a non-competitive inhibitio was apparent. Active peptide was also eliminated from the incubation medium by treatment with agents capable of reducing the disulfide bridge of the hormonal molecule. Direct effects of reducers on adenylate cyclase activity were measured on enzyme activation induced by peptides lacking a disulfide bridge. There was no apparent correlation between the abilities of different reducers to inactivate free peptide in solution and their abilities to promote the reversibility of hormone-induced enzyme activation. Upon the addition of dithiothreitol, enzyme activity could be lowered to baseal value and adenylate cyclase was again fully stimulatable. However, when dithiothreitol addition to stimulated enzyme was combined with a 60-fold dilutionof the incubation medium, no reversibility of hormonal activation occurred. These results illustrate that the processes involved in adenylate cyclase activation are only partially reversible.     

Participation of the adenyl cyclase system in estradiol-activated growth of tumors in rat mammary glands

Early effects of estradiol on the adenylate cyclase system in target tissues were investigated. The proliferative processes in the estradiol-dependent mammary tumours and uterus of the rat were arrested by ovariectomy. Subsequent hormonal treatment resulted in adenylate cyclase activation and the increase of the cAMP level in these tissues, probably to be connected with the initiation of the cell growth. These events were followed by a decrease of the cAMP content necessary for active proliferation of tumour cells. cAMP phosphodiesterase is not responsible for the increase in the cyclic nucleotide content, but provides for its further hydrolysis. The stimulation of the adenylate cyclase system at early steps of estradiol action is typical both for normal and transformed estradiol-dependent tissues.     

Upregulation of cAMP-specific PDE-4 activity following ligation of the TCR complex on thymocytes is blocked by selective inhibitors of protein kinase C and tyrosyl kinases

We have previously shown that the major cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoforms present in murine thymocytes are the cGMP-stimulated PDE activity (PDE-2) and the cAMP-specific PDE activity (PDE-4), and that these isoforms are differentially regulated following ligation of the TCR (Michie, A. M., Lobban, M. D., Mueller, T., Harnett, M. M., and Houslay, M. D. [1996]Cell. Signalling 8, 97–110). We show here that the anti-CD3-stimulated elevation in PDE-4 activity in murine thymocytes is dependent on protein tyrosine kinase and protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated signals as the TCR-coupled increase in PDE-4 activity can be abrogated by both the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein, and the PKC selective inhibitors chelerythrine and staurosporine. Moreover, the PKC-activating phorobol ester, phorbol-12-myristate, 13-acetate (PMA) caused an increase in PDE-4 activity, similar to that observed in cells challenged with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies and which was not additive with cochallenge using anti-CD3 antibodies. Both the PMA-and the anti-CD3 antibody-mediated increases in PDE-4 activity were blocked by treatment with either cycloheximide or actinomycin D. Despite the upregulation of PDE-4 activity consequent to TCR ligation, intracellular cAMP levels increased on challenge of thymocytes with anti-CD3 antibody, indicating that adenylate cyclase activity was also increased by TCR ligation. It is suggested that the anti-CD3-mediated increase in PDE-4 activity was owing to a rapid PKC-dependent induction of PDE-4 activity following crosslinking of the TCR complex. This identifies “crosstalk” occurring between the PKA and PKC signaling pathways initiated by ligation of the antigen receptor in murine thymocytes. That both adenylate cyclase and PDE-4 activities were increased may indicate the presence of compartmentalized cAMP responses present in these cells.     

Histidine regulation of cyclic AMP metabolism in cultured renal epithelial LLC-PK1 cells.

L-Histidine and imidazole (the histidine side chain) significantly increase cAMP accumulation in intact LLC-PK1 cells. This effect is completely inhibited by isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX). Histidine and imidazole stimulate cAMP phosphodiesterase activity in soluble and membrane fractions of LLC-PK1 cells suggesting that the IBMX-sensitive effect of these agents to stimulate cAMP formation is not due to inhibition of cAMP phosphodiesterase. Histidine and imidazole but not alanine (the histidine core structure) increase basal, GTP-, forskolin-, and AVP-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in LLC-PK1 membranes. Two other amino acids with charged side chains (aspartic and glutamic acids) increase AVP-stimulated but neither basal- nor forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. This suggests that multiple amino acids with charged side chains can regulate selected aspects of adenylate cyclase activity. To better define the mechanism of histidine regulation of adenylate cyclase, membranes were detergent-solubilized which prevents histidine and imidazole potentiation of forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity and suggests that an intact plasma membrane environment is required for potentiation. Neither pertussis toxin nor indomethacin pretreatment alter imidazole potentiation of adenylate cyclase. IBMX pretreatment of LLC-PK1 membranes also prevents imidazole to potentiate adenylate cyclase activity. Since IBMX inhibits adenylate cyclase coupled adenosine receptors, LLC-PK1 cells were incubated in vitro with 5'-N-ethylcarboxyamideadenosine (NECA) which produced a homologous pattern of desensitization of NECA to stimulate adenylate cyclase activity. Despite homologous desensitization, histidine and imidazole potentiation of adenylate cyclase was unaltered. These data suggest that histidine, acting via an imidazole ring, potentiates adenylate cyclase activity and thereby increases cAMP formation in cultured LLC-PK1 epithelial cells. This potentiation requires an intact plasma membrane environment, occurs independent of a pertussis toxin-sensitive substrate and of products of cyclooxygenase, and is inhibited by IBMX. This IBMX-sensitive pathway does not involve either inhibition of cAMP phosphodiesterase activity or a stimulatory adenosine receptor coupled to adenylate cyclase.     

A novel catecholamine-activated adenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate independent pathway for beta-adrenergic receptor phosphorylation in wild-type and mutant S49 lymphoma cells: mechanism of homologous desensitization of adenylate cyclase

Virtually all known biological actions stimulated by beta-adrenergic and other adenylate cyclase coupled receptors are mediated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Nonetheless, "homologous" or beta-adrenergic agonist-specific desensitization does not require cAMP. Since beta-adrenergic receptor phosphorylation may be involved in desensitization, we studied agonist-promoted receptor phosphorylation during homologous desensitization in wild-type S49 lymphoma cells (WT) and two mutants defective in the cAMP-dependent pathway of beta-agonist-stimulated protein phosphorylation (cyc- cannot generate cAMP in response to beta-adrenergic agonists; kin- lacks cAMP-dependent kinase). All three cell types demonstrate rapid, beta-adrenergic agonist-promoted, stoichiometric phosphorylation of the receptor which is clearly not cAMP mediated. The amino acid residue phosphorylated is solely serine. These data demonstrate, for the first time, that catecholamines can promote phosphorylation of a cellular protein (the beta-adrenergic receptor) via a cAMP-independent pathway. Moreover, the ability of cells with mutations in the adenylate cyclase-cAMP-dependent protein kinase pathway to both homologously desensitize and phosphorylate the beta-adrenergic receptors provides very strong support for the notion that receptor phosphorylation may indeed be central to the molecular mechanism of desensitization.     

Metabolic oscillations in biochemical systems controlled by covalent enzyme modification

We analyze the conditions under which sustained oscillations develop in a biochemical system regulated autocatalytically by reversible, covalent enzyme modification. The analysis applies, for example, to the situation where adenylate cyclase (or guanylate cyclase) is activated through phosphorylation by a cAMP (or cGMP)-dependent protein kinase. The model then provides a non-allosteric mechanism for the periodic generation of cAMP or cGMP pulses. For certain parameter values close to those that produce oscillations, the system is excitable since it can amplify in a pulsatory manner suprathreshold perturbations. The results on excitable and oscillatory behavior are discussed in relation with the mechanism of cAMP relay and oscillation in the slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum.