Two different adenylyl cyclases in brain distinguished by monoclonal antibodies

Four monoclonal antibodies, raised against the 115-kDa adenylyl cyclase from bovine brain [Pfeuffer, E. et al. (1985) EMBO J. 4, 3675-3679] have been selected and designated BBC-1 to BBC-4. BBC-1 and BBC-3 are highly specific for the 115-kDa enzyme from bovine brain. The two other antibodies, BBC-2 and BBC-4, recognize an additional 150-kDa adenylyl cyclase in bovine brain, but also in brain tissue from other species. In membranes from lung and myocardium (bovine and rabbit) only the 150-kDa species is detected by the crossreacting antibodies BBC-2 and BBC-4. The two adenylyl cyclases from brain can be separated by calmodulin-Sepharose: only the enzyme of 115 kDa but not that of 150 kDa was retained by the affinity resin and could be stimulated by Ca2+/calmodulin. The data obtained with these antibodies of defined specificity provide for the first time direct evidence for the presence of two distinct adenylyl cyclase species in brain tissue.     

Olfactory adenylyl cyclase. Identification and purification of a novel enzyme form

Rat olfactory adenylyl cyclase has been identified by means of a monoclonal antibody BBC-2, which reacts with both Ca2+/calmodulin-sensitive and -insensitive forms of adenylyl cyclase (Mollner, S., and Pfeuffer, T. (1988) Eur. J. Biochem. 171, 265-271). The antibody recognized a 180-kDa polypeptide in olfactory cilia but not in decilitated olfactory epithelial membranes. A protein of the same mobility was observed when olfactory adenylyl cyclase was purified by forskolin-agarose affinity chromatography followed by radioiodination. Its identity was further established by cross-linking to [32P]ADP-ribosylated Gs alpha (GTP-binding protein), to yield a single radiolabeled product of Mr approximately 220. Olfactory adenylyl cyclase has a approximately 3-fold higher turnover number, as assessed from stoichiometric binding of [35S]guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate. Therefore, the considerably higher specific adenylyl cyclase activity in olfactory cilia must be due to a approximately 100-fold higher molar concentration of enzyme in this tissue.     

Regulation of type I adenylyl cyclase by calmodulin kinase IV in vivo.

Type I adenylyl cyclase is a neurospecific enzyme that is stimulated by Ca2+ and calmodulin (CaM). This enzyme couples the Ca2+ and cyclic AMP (cAMP) regulatory systems in neurons, and it may play an important role for some forms of synaptic plasticity. Mutant mice lacking type I adenylyl cyclase show deficiencies in spatial memory and altered long-term potentiation (Z. Wu, S. A. Thomas, Z. Xia, E. C. Villacres, R. D. Palmiter, and D. R. Storm, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92:220-224, 1995). Although type I adenylyl cyclase is synergistically stimulated by Ca2+ and G-protein-coupled receptors in vivo, very little is known about mechanisms for inhibition of the enzyme. Here, we report that type I adenylyl cyclase is inhibited by CaM kinase IV in vivo. Expression of constitutively active or wild-type CaM kinase IV inhibited Ca2+ stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity without affecting basal or forskolin-stimulated activity. Type I adenylyl cyclase has two CaM kinase IV consensus phosphorylation sequences near its CaM binding domain at Ser-545 and Ser-552. Conversion of either serine to alanine by mutagenesis abolished CaM kinase IV inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. This suggests that the activity of this enzyme may be directly inhibited by CaM kinase IV phosphorylation. Type VIII adenylyl cyclase, another enzyme stimulated by CaM, was not inhibited by CaM kinase II or IV. We propose that CaM kinase IV may function as a negative feedback regulator of type I adenylyl cyclase and that CaM kinases may regulate cAMP levels in some cells.     

Detection of multiple antigenically related proteins from various rat tissues by monoclonal antibodies against 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

Mouse hybridomas were prepared by fusing myelomas and spleen cells from mice immunized with purified rat 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies against 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase were selected by indirect enzyme-linked immunoassay and then subcloned by limiting dilution. From two mice we have obtained four positive hybridomas, three secreting high affinity immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 and one secreting IgM. Only two of these monoclonal antibodies (MAbs 3G6 and 7D3, both IgG1) recognized denatured enzyme and, therefore, were used for further immunoblotting experiments. MAb 7D3 recognized a structurally related mouse enzyme, but not the human enzyme, whereas monoclonal antibody 3G6 recognized a human enzyme, but not the mouse enzyme. When these two monoclonal antibodies were used in immunoblotting to survey the expression of 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in rat liver and a number of other tissues, striking differences were found in the protein band patterns in kidney, lung, and testis. Both MAbs 7D3 and 3G6 recognized 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, a 34-kDa 7D3 recognized a protein of the same size as the liver protein, whereas MAb 3G6 recognized a 34-kDa protein plus another protein of 36 kDa. In kidney only MAb 3G6, but not MAb 7D3, recognized a 34-kDa protein. Conversely, the 34-kDa protein in testis was recognized by MAb 7D3, but not by MAb 3G6. These findings suggest the existence of multiple antigenically related proteins in different tissues.     

A monoclonal antibody directed against the catalytic site of Bacillus anthracis adenylyl cyclase identifies a novel mammalian brain catalytic subunit.

A brain adenylyl cyclase was shown to contain an epitope closely related to that specified by a conserved sequence containing a nucleotide-binding consensus sequence GXXXXGKS and located in the catalytic sites of bacterial, calmodulin-dependent adenylyl cyclases [Goyard, S., Orlando, C., Sabatier, J.-M., Labruyere, E., d'Alayer, J., Fontan, G., van Rietschoten, J., Mock, M., Danchin, A., Ullmann, A., & Monneron, A. (1989) Biochemistry 28, 1964-1967]. A monoclonal antibody, mab 164, produced against a peptide corresponding to this conserved sequence specifically inhibited the Bordetella pertussis adenylyl cyclase. It also specifically inhibited rat and rabbit brain synaptosomal adenylyl cyclases. The extent of inhibition depended upon the type of enzyme purification, reaching 90% for the calmodulin-sensitive species of enzyme and 20-35% for the forskolin-agarose-retained species. The extent of inhibition in a given fraction also depended upon the effector present. mab 164 reacted on Western blots of forskolin-agarose-retained fractions with a 175-kDa component and did not recognize the Gs alpha stimulatory subunit. Consequently, the 175-kDa protein was considered as a good candidate for an adenylyl cyclase catalyst. The adenylyl cyclase activity contained in forskolin-agarose-retained fractions was further purified on calmodulin-Sepharose. On Western blots of such fractions, mab 164 reacted with a 140-kDa protein, a component that appeared to derive from the 175-kDa protein enriched in the previous step. The kcat of this 140-kDa presumptive adenylyl cyclase was estimated to be of the order of 600 s-1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Antiamylase-pullulanase enzyme monoclonals which specifically inhibit amylase or pullulanase activity

Monoclonal antibodies against amylase-pullulanase enzyme from Bacillus circulans F-2 have been produced to locate and characterize the catalytic sites of the enzyme. The antibodies have been examined for inhibition of both enzyme activities of amylase and pullulanase and then classified into four types: Type I which inhibited amylase activity, Type II which inhibited pullulanase activity, Type III which inhibited both enzyme activities, and Type IV which had no effect on either enzyme activity. Only two monoclonal antibodies (MAP-12 and MAP-17) as Type I and two antibodies (MAP-3 and MAP-5) as Type II were isolated. The inhibitory activities of the antibodies were characterized and compared. In Type II antibodies, the maximal demonstrated inhibition on the pullulanase activity was 88% for MAP-3 with 1 microg of antibody and 90% for MAP-5 with 2 microg of antibody, but did not inhibit the amylase activity. In Type I antibodies, in contrast, the maximal demonstrated inhibition on the amylase activity was 94% for MAP-12 and 97% for MAP-17 with 1 microg of antibody, respectively, but no inhibition of the pullulanase was noted. MAP-12 recognized sequential epitope, while MAP-17 recognized conformation-dependent epitope of amylase activity-related regions. However, both MAP-3 and MAP-5 recognized the conformation-dependent epitope of the pullulanase activity-related region. Furthermore, the antibodies of MAP-3, MAP-5, MAP-12, and MAP-17 did not compete with one another for binding to the enzyme, indicating that they have different target epitopes on the enzyme. Antibody binding of MAP-12 and MAP-17 to the enzyme was not specifically affected by any of the antiamylase compounds tested: (a) nojirimycin; and (b) 1-deoxynojirimycin. Kinetic analysis of their effects provides evidence that both antibodies of MAP-12 and MAP-17 decrease the catalytic rate of enzyme activity and have little or no effect on substrate binding.     

Antibodies to inactive conformations of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase inactivate the apo-and holoforms of the enzyme

Polyclonal antibodies produced after the immunization of a rabbit with glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) from Bacillus stearothermophilus were used to isolate two types of antibodies interacting with different non-native forms of the antigen. Type I antibodies were purified using Sepharose-bound apo-GAPDH that was treated with glutaraldehyde to stabilize the enzyme in the tetrameric form. Type II antibodies were isolated using immobilized denatured monomers of the enzyme. It was shown that the type I antibodies bound to the native holo- and apoforms of the enzyme with the ratio of one antibody molecule per GAPDH tetramer. While interacting with the native holoenzyme, the type I antibodies induce a time-dependent decrease in its activity by 80-90%. In the case of the apoenzyme, the decrease in the activity constitutes only 25%, this indicating that only one subunit of the tetramer is inactivated. Differential scanning calorimetry experiments showed that the formation of the complex between both forms of the enzyme and the type I antibodies resulted in a shift of the maximum of the thermal capacity curves (T(m) value) to lower temperatures. The extremely stable holoenzyme was affected to the greatest extent, the shift of the T(m) value constituting approximately 20 degrees C. We assume that the formation of the complex between the holo- or apo-GAPDH and the type I antibody results in time-dependent conformational changes in the enzyme molecule. Thus, the antibodies induce the structural rearrangements yielding the conformation that is identical to the structure of the antigen used for the selection of the antibodies (i.e., inactive). The interaction of the antibodies with the apo-GAPDH results in the inactivation of the subunit directly bound to the antibody. Virtually complete inactivation of the holoenzyme by the antibodies is likely due to the transmission of the conformational changes through the intersubunit contacts. The type II antibodies, which were selected using the immunosorbent with unfolded enzyme form, do not affect the activity of native holo- and apo-GAPDH, but prevent the reactivation of the denatured GAPDH, binding the denatured forms of the enzyme.     

A-type ATP binding consensus sequences are critical for the catalytic activity of the calmodulin-sensitive adenylyl cyclase from Bacillus anthracis

Analysis of the predicted amino acid sequence of Bacillus anthracis adenylyl cyclase revealed sequences with homology to consensus sequences for A- and B-type ATP binding domains found in many ATP binding proteins. Based on the analysis of nucleotide binding proteins, a conserved basic amino acid residue in the A-type consensus sequence and a conserved acidic amino acid residue in the B-type consensus sequence have been implicated in the binding of ATP. The putative ATP binding sequences in the B. anthracis adenylyl cyclase possess analogous lysine residues at positions 346 and 353 within two A-type consensus sequences and a glutamate residue at position 436 within a B-type consensus sequence. The two A-type consensus sequences overlap each other and have the opposite orientation. To determine whether Lys-346, Lys-353, or Glu-436 of the B. anthracis adenylyl cyclase are crucial for enzyme activity, Lys-346 and Lys-353 were replaced with methionine and Glu-436 with glutamine by oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis. Furthermore, Lys-346 was also replaced with arginine. The genes encoding the wild type and mutant adenylyl cyclases were placed under the control of the lac promoter for expression in Escherichia coli, and extracts were assayed for adenylyl cyclase activity. In all cases, a 90-kDa polypeptide corresponding to the catalytic subunit of the enzyme was detected in E. coli extracts by rabbit polyclonal antibodies raised against the purified B. anthracis adenylyl cyclase. The proteins with the Lys-346 to methionine or arginine mutations exhibited no adenylyl cyclase activity, indicating that Lys-346 in the A-type ATP binding consensus sequence plays a critical role for enzyme catalysis. Furthermore, the enzyme with the Lys-353 to methionine mutation was also inactive, suggesting that Lys-353 may also directly contribute to enzyme catalysis. In contrast, the protein with the Glu-436 to glutamine mutation retained 75% of enzyme activity, suggesting that Glu-436 in the B-type ATP binding consensus sequence may not be directly involved in enzyme catalysis. It is concluded that Lys-346 and Lys-353 in B. anthracis adenylyl cyclase may interact directly with ATP and contribute to the binding of the nucleotide to the enzyme.     

Bordetella pertussis adenylate cyclase. Identification of multiple forms of the enzyme by antibodies

Two forms of Bordetella pertussis adenylate cyclase of 200 and 47 kDa have been purified from dialyzed urea extract of the bacteria to specific activities of 466 and 1685 mumol.min-1.mg-1, respectively. Both forms are activated 50-200-fold by calmodulin. The half-maximum concentration required for the activation of the 200-kDa catalyst is 5.4.10(-9) M, whereas the one required for activation of the 47-kDa catalyst is 1.8.10(-10) M. Polyclonal antibodies raised against the 47-kDa catalyst specifically recognize both forms of the enzyme in purified state as well as in bacterial extracts on immunoblots. The antibody inhibits at similar titer adenylate cyclase activity of the purified forms as well as the activity present in dialyzed urea extract of the bacteria. It also prevents the penetration of the invasive B. pertussis adenylate cyclase into human lymphocytes. The inhibition induced by the antisera is specific to B. pertussis enzyme, since both calmodulin-dependent brain and sperm adenylate cyclase are not affected by the antibody.     

Cross-Homologies and Structural Differences Between Human Cholinesterases Revealed by Antibodies Against cDNA-Produced Human Butyrylcholinesterase Peptides

To study the polymorphism of human cholinesterases (ChEs) at the levels of primary sequence and three-dimensional structure, a fragment of human butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) cDNA was subcloned into the pEX bacterial expression vector and its polypeptide product analyzed. Immunoblot analysis revealed that the clone-produced BuChE peptides interact specifically with antibodies against human and Torpedo acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Rabbit polyclonal antibodies prepared against the purified clone-produced BuChE polypeptides interacted in immunoblots with denatured serum BuChE as well as with purified and denatured erythrocyte AChE. In contrast, native BuChE tetramers from human serum, but not AChE dimers from erythrocytes, interacted with these antibodies in solution to produce antibody-enzyme complexes that could be precipitated by second antibodies and that sedimented faster than the native enzyme in sucrose gradient centrifugation. Furthermore, both AChE and BuChE dimers from muscle extracts, but not BuChE tetramers from muscle, interacted with these antibodies. To reveal further whether the anti-cloned BuChE antibodies would interact in situ with ChEs in the neuromuscular junction, bundles of muscle fibers were microscopically dissected from the region in fetal human diaphragm that is innervated by the phrenic nerve. Muscle fibers incubated with the antibodies and with 125I-Protein A were subjected to emulsion autoradiography, followed by cytochemical ChE staining. The anti-cloned BuChE antibodies, as well as anti-Torpedo AChE antibodies, created patches of silver grains in the muscle endplate region stained for ChE, under conditions where control sera did not. These findings demonstrate that the various forms of human AChE and BuChE in blood and in neuromuscular junctions share sequence homologies, but also display structural differences between distinct molecular forms within particular tissues, as well as between similarly sedimenting molecular forms from different tissues.     

Monoclonal antibodies that distinguish between active and inactive forms of human postheparin plasma hepatic triglyceride lipase

Hepatic triglyceride lipase (H-TGL) was purified from human postheparin plasma. Specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were produced that discriminate between active (native) and inactive (denatured) forms of the enzyme. Mice immunized with native H-TGL resulted in MAbs that recognized only the native protein. The antibodies did not react with H-TGL treated with 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate or heated at 60 degrees C. The loss of immunoreactivity with heating correlated directly with the loss of enzyme activity and there was a corresponding increase in immunoreactivity with the MAbs prepared against the denatured enzyme. Western blot analysis of postheparin plasma with the MAbs against denatured H-TGL gave a single protein band of 65 kD; preheparin plasma showed no detectable immunoreactivity with either MAb. These immunochemical studies suggest that there are no circulating active or inactive forms of H-TGL in man. Furthermore, the MAbs provide the necessary reagents for development of immunoassays for H-TGL.     

Immunological relatedness between Bordetella pertussis and rat brain adenylyl cyclases

A prokaryotic adenylyl cyclase, secreted by Bordetella pertussis, shares a common functional property with eukaryotic adenylyl cyclases, i.e., regulation by the eukaryotic protein calmodulin. Making use of polyclonal antibodies raised against the bacterial adenylyl cyclase and the rat brain adenylyl cyclase catalytic component, respectively, we showed an immunological cross-reactivity between the two enzymes. Furthermore, B. pertussis adenylyl cyclase was inhibited and immunoprecipitated by the homologous and one of the heterologous immune sera. These results suggest an evolutionary relationship between the B. pertussis enzyme and its eukaryotic counterpart.     

Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase in Paramecium tetraurelia. Its purification and the production of monoclonal antibodies against both subunits

Two soluble cAMP-dependent protein kinases were purified from the cytoplasm of Paramecium tetraurelia. Both kinases consisted of a 40-kDa catalytic subunit and a 44-kDa regulatory subunit. The two forms of the enzyme were separated by anion-exchange chromatography. Affinity chromatography on cAMP-Sepharose separated the regulatory subunit (retained by the column) from the cAMP-independent catalytic subunit (not retained). Four classes of monoclonal antibodies were generated. One class was specific for the catalytic subunit of both cAMP-dependent protein kinases, and three classes recognized the regulatory subunit of both forms of the enzyme. Subunits of 40 and 44 kDa were detected on immunoblots of purified cilia and of crude cell extracts. In addition, one class of antibodies specific for the regulatory subunit detected a ciliary protein with a molecular mass of 48 kDa. The monoclonal antibodies did not recognize type I or type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase from rabbit muscle nor did they cross-react with proteins from several unicellular eucaryotes, with one exception: antibodies specific for the catalytic subunit recognized a 40-kDa protein of Tetrahymena pyriformis.     

Antibodies directed against transducin beta subunits interfere with the regulation of adenylate cyclase activity in brain membranes

In an attempt to study the mechanisms of action of membrane-bound adenylate cyclase, we have applied to rat brain synaptosomal membranes antibodies raised against purified bovine transducin (T) beta gamma subunits. The antibodies recognized one 36-kDa protein in Western blots of the membranes. Adenylate cyclase activation by GTP non-hydrolyzable analogues was greatly decreased in immune, as compared to preimmune, antibody-treated membranes, whereas the enzyme basal activity was unaffected by both types of antibodies. The inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase by guanine 5'-(beta, gamma-imino)triphosphate (Gpp-(NH)p) was decreased in membranes preincubated with immune, but not preimmune, antibodies. Anti-T beta antibodies moderately decreased the extent of subsequent adenylate cyclase activation by forskolin, while not affecting activation by Al3+/F-. The enzyme activation by Gpp(NH)p in untreated membranes remained the same upon further incubation in the presence of either type of antibodies. Such results were consistent with the decreased exchange of guanine nucleotides which occurred in membrane treated with immune, but not preimmune antibodies, upon addition of GTP. The blockade of the regulation of adenylate cyclase by Gpp(NH)p observed in membranes pretreated by anti-T beta antibodies thus appears to be caused by the impairment of the guanine nucleotide exchange occurring on Gs alpha subunits. The G beta subunits in the adenylate cyclase complex seem to be instrumental in the guanine nucleotide exchange on G alpha subunits, just as T beta subunits are in the transducin complex.     

Structure of the murine erythropoietin receptor complex. Characterization of the erythropoietin cross-linked proteins.

The structure of the murine erythropoietin receptor was studied using antibodies against the intracellular part of the cloned erythropoietin receptor chain. These antibodies precipitated erythropoietin-receptor complexes from Triton X-100-solubilized cells. When the complexes were cross-linked by disuccinimidyl suberate, the 85- and 100-kDa erythropoietin-cross-linked proteins previously described were immunoprecipitated. However, these proteins were not precipitated when the complexes were denatured and reduced before immunoprecipitation. Using 1-ethyl 3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide, we observed erythropoietin cross-linking with a protein of 66 kDa in addition to the 100- and 85-kDa proteins. Only the 66-kDa erythropoietin-cross-linked protein was immunoprecipitated by anti-receptor antibodies after denaturation and reduction of the complex. Thus, our results suggest that the 85- and 100-kDa proteins previously evidenced by cross-linking are associated with the cloned chain of the receptor to form a multimeric complex but these proteins seem immunologically unrelated to the cloned chain. We observed that reducing the length of molecules able to cross-link amino groups decreased the efficiency of cross-linking with the 100-kDa protein and only the 85-kDa protein was cross-linked with erythropoietin using 1,5-difluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene. These results suggest that the 85- and 100-kDa proteins occupate slightly different positions relative to the erythropoietin molecule bound to the receptor.     

Biochemical and immunological characterization of the STA2-encoded extracellular glucoamylase from saccharomyces diastaticus

In Saccharomyces diastaticus each one of three unlinked genes (STA1, STA2, STA3) encodes a glucoamylase (alpha-1,4 glucanglucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.3) that allows yeast to grow on starch. The enzyme encoded by the STA2 gene (glucoamylase II) has been purified from culture medium to near homogeneity by ethanol precipitation, Trisacryl M DEAE chromatography, and HPLC gel filtration. Glucoamylase II consists of two identical subunits whose average size is 300 kDa. Under denaturing conditions, the native dimeric enzyme readily dissociates to a monomer. Enzymatic deglycosylation of denatured enzyme gives rise to intermediate, partially glycosylated forms and to a 56-kDa completely deglycosylated protein. Glucoamylase releases glucose units by cleaving alpha-1,4 bonds from the nonreducing end of different oligosaccharides, but has only a barely detectable alpha-1,6 hydrolyzing activity. The pH optimum for the purified enzyme was found to be 5.1. The enzyme has a greater affinity for maltohexaose (Km = 0.98 mM, V/Km = 2.39) than for maltotriose (Km = 2.38, V/Km = 0.68) or maltose (Km = 3.20, V/Km = 0.39). Both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies have been raised against glucoamylase II. The polyclonal antibodies specifically inhibit yeast glucoamylase II activity in a dose-dependent manner, but are found to immunoblot other yeast glycoproteins as well. This oligosaccharide-specific reaction can be competed out by adding excess mannan without affecting glucoamylase reactivity. The cross-reactivity of the polyclonal antibodies with other amylolytic enzymes correlates well with evolutionary distance. Evidence is presented that monoclonal antibodies specific for either carbohydrate or protein epitopes have been obtained.     

Stimulation of the type III olfactory adenylyl cyclase by calcium and calmodulin.

Characterization of adenylyl cyclases has been facilitated by the isolation of cDNA clones for distinct adenylyl cyclases including the type I and type III enzymes. Expression of type I adenylyl cyclase activity in animal cells has established that this enzyme is stimulated by calmodulin and Ca2+. Type III adenylyl cyclase is enriched in olfactory neurons and is regulated by stimulatory G proteins. The sensitivity of the type III adenylyl cyclase to Ca2+ and calmodulin has not been reported. In this study, type III adenylyl cyclase was expressed in human kidney 293 cells to determine if the enzyme is stimulated by Ca2+ and calmodulin. The type III enzyme was not stimulated by Ca2+ and calmodulin in the absence of other effectors. It was, however, stimulated by Ca2+ through calmodulin when the enzyme was concomitantly activated by either GppNHp or forskolin. The concentrations of free Ca2+ for half-maximal stimulation of type I and type III adenylyl cyclases were 0.05 and 5.0 microM Ca2+, respectively. These data suggest that the type III adenylyl cyclase is stimulated by Ca2+ when the enzyme is activated by G-protein-coupled receptors and that increases in free Ca2+ accompanying receptor activation may amplify the primary cyclic AMP signal.     

Paramecium Has Two Regulatory Subunits of Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinase, One Unique to Cilia

ABSTRACT. The subunit composition and intracellular location of the two forms of cAMP-dependent protein kinase of Paramecium cilia were determined using antibodies against the 40-kDa catalytic (C) and 44-kDa regulatory (R₄₄) subunits of the 70-kDa cAMP-dependent protein kinase purified from deciliated cell bodies. Both C and R₄₄ were present in soluble and particulate fractions of cilia and deciliated cells. Crude cilia and a soluble ciliary extract contained a 48-kDa protein (R₄₈) weakly recognized by one of several monoclonal antibodies against R₄₄, but not recognized by an anti-R₄₄ polyclonal serum. Gel-filtration chromatography of a soluble ciliary extract resolved a 220-kDa form containing C and R₄₈ and a 70-kDa form containing C and R₄₄. In the large enzyme, R₄₈ was the only protein to be autophosphorylated under conditions that allow autophosphorylation of R₄₄ The subunits of the large enzyme subsequently were purified to homogeneity by cAMP-agarose chromatography. Both C and R₄₈ were retained by the column and eluted with 1 M NaCl; no other proteins were purified in this step. These results confirm that the ciliary cAMP-dependent protein kinases have indistinguishable C subunits, but different R subunits. The small ciliary enzyme, like the cell-body enzyme, contains R₄₄, whereas R₄₈ is the R subunit of the large enzyme.     

The 70-kilodalton adenylyl cyclase-associated protein is not essential for interaction of Saccharomyces cerevisiae adenylyl cyclase with RAS proteins.

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, adenylyl cyclase is regulated by RAS proteins. We show here that the yeast adenylyl cyclase forms at least two high-molecular-weight complexes, one with the RAS protein-dependent adenylyl cyclase activity and the other with the Mn(2+)-dependent activity, which are separable by their size difference. The 70-kDa adenylyl cyclase-associated protein (CAP) existed in the former complex but not in the latter. Missense mutations in conserved motifs of the leucine-rich repeats of the catalytic subunit of adenylyl cyclase abolished the RAS-dependent activity, which was accompanied by formation of a very high molecular weight complex having the Mn(2+)-dependent activity. Contrary to previous results, disruption of the gene encoding CAP did not alter the extent of RAS protein-dependent activation of adenylyl cyclase, while a concomitant decrease in the size of the RAS-responsive complex was observed. These results indicate that CAP is not essential for interaction of the yeast adenylyl cyclase with RAS proteins even though it is an inherent component of the RAS-responsive adenylyl cyclase complex.