Effect of intracellular cyclic AMP injection on calcium current in identifiedHelix pomatia neurons

The effect of intracellular injection of cyclic AMP (cAMP) and extracellular application of theophylline on the inward calcium current was investigated in neurons RPa3 and LPa3 ofHelix pomatia. Iontophoretic injection of cyclic AMP (current 10–35 nA, duration about 1 min) led to a decrease in amplitude of the calcium current to a new stationary level, which depended on the injection current. After the end of injection the calcium current was restored to its initial level. Current-voltage characteristic curves of the calcium current were not shifted along the voltage axis by cAMP injection, indicating that the reduction in this current was connected with a change in maximal calcium conductance. An increase in the frequency of depolarizing shifts from 0.1 to 0.5 Hz caused a decrease in the calcium current but did not affect the time course of the decrease in calcium current in response to injection of cAMP or the time course of its recovery after the end of injection. Theophylline an inhibitor of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, in a concentration of 1 mM in the external solution, lowered the amplitude of the calcium current by 50–75% of its initial value. In 40% of neurons, abolition of the action of theophylline by rinsing was incomplete, but in the rest the effect of theophylline was irreversible. It is postulated on the basis of the results that cytoplasmic compounds take part in regulation of the calcium current of molluscan neurons. The possible physiological role of this process is discussed.A. A. Bogomolets Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Neirofiziologiya, Vol. 14, No. 3, pp. 290–297, May–June, 1982.     

In Vivo Evidence that Nonneuronal β-Adrenoceptors as Well as Dopamine Receptors Contribute to Cyclic AMP Efflux in Rat Striatum

Abstract: We applied in vivo microdialysis to assess the effects of dopaminergic and β-adrenergic receptor stimulation on cyclic AMP efflux in rat striatum under chloral hydrate anesthesia. Dopamine (up to 1 mM) infused for 20 min through the probe did not increase cyclic AMP, whereas both the selective dopamine D₁ agonist SKF 38393 and D₂ antagonist sulpiride produced modest increases. It is interesting that the β-adrenoceptor agonist isoproterenol produced a marked increase (204.7% of basal level at 1 mM) which was antagonized by the β-adreno-ceptor antagonist propranolol. Pretreatment with a glial selective metabolic inhibitor, fluorocitrate (1 mM), by a 5-h infusion through the probe attenuated basal cyclic AMP efflux by 30.3% and significantly blocked the response to isoproterenol. By contrast, striatal injection of a neuro-toxin, kainic acid (2.5 μg), 2 days before the dialysis experiment did not affect basal cyclic AMP or the response to isoproterenol, but blocked the response to SKF 38393. These data demonstrate that β-adrenoceptors as well as dopamine receptors contribute to cyclic AMP efflux in rat striatum in vivo. They also suggest that basal and β-adre-noceptor-stimulated cyclic AMP efflux are substantially dependent on intact glial cells.     

Physiological role of phosphorylation of the cyclic AMP response element binding protein in rat cardiac nuclei

We determine whether the cyclic AMP signal transduction pathway affects phosphorylation of cyclic AMP response element binding protein and increases muscle gene expression in the heart. Elevation of cyclic AMP results in phosphorylation of the binding protein which is detected using an antibody specific for the phosphorylated, but not the unphosphorylated, form. The protein is present, but not phosphorylated, within the nuclei of myocytes in intact neonatal rat hearts and in high-density cultures. It is not expressed in low-density cultures. Increasing the amount of phosphorylated cyclic AMP with either isoproterenol or forskolin also increases the frequency and force of the beating. The phosphorylated form of the response element binding protein is visible in the nuclei by 10 min and persists for 2 h of drug treatment. A 1.5-fold increase in skeletal α-actin and α-myosin gene expression is detected after 48 h of isoproterenol treatment. However, blockage of beating with a calcium channel blocker (verapamil) in the presence of cyclic AMP results in a similar increased gene expression. This suggests that muscle gene expression can be regulated directly by the cyclic AMP pathway, probably via phosphorylation of the cyclic AMP response element binding protein but independent of contractile activity. Received: 1 December 1995 / Accepted: 2 May 1996     

Dopamine modulates in a differential fashion T- and L-type calcium currents in bass retinal horizontal cells

White bass (Roccus chrysops) retinal horizontal cells possess two types of voltage-activated calcium currents which have recently been characterized with regard to their voltage dependence and pharmacology (Sullivan, J., and E. M. Lasater. 1992. Journal of General Physiology. 99:85-107). A low voltage-activated transient current was identified which resembles the T-type calcium current described in a number of other preparations, along with a sustained high threshold, long-lasting calcium current that resembles the L-type calcium current. Here we report on the modulation of horizontal cell calcium channels by dopamine. Under whole-cell voltage clamp conditions favoring the expression of both calcium currents, dopamine had opposing actions on the two types of voltage-sensitive calcium currents in the same cone- type horizontal cell. The L-type calcium current was significantly potentiated by dopamine while the T-type current was simultaneously reduced. Dopamine had no effect on calcium currents in rod-type horizontal cells. Both of dopamine's actions were mimicked with the D1 receptor agonist, SKF 38393, and blocked by application of the D1 specific antagonist, SCH 23390. Dopamine's actions on the two types of calcium currents in white bass horizontal cells are mimicked by the cell membrane-permeant cyclic AMP derivative, 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)- cyclic AMP, suggesting that dopamine's action is linked to a cAMP- mediated second messenger system. Furthermore, the inhibitor of cAMP- dependent protein kinase blocked both of dopamine's actions on the voltage-dependent calcium channels when introduced through the patch pipette. This indicates that protein phosphorylation is involved in modulating horizontal cell calcium channels by dopamine. Taken together, these results show that dopamine has differential effects on the voltage-dependent calcium currents in retinal horizontal cells. The modulation of these currents may play a role in shaping the response properties of horizontal cells.     

Periodic stimuli are more successful than randomly spaced ones for inducing development inDictyostelium discoideum

Aggregation in the cellular slime moldDictyostelium discoideum is due to chemotaxis. The chemoattractant, cyclic AMP, is synthesised and released periodically by the cells. Externally applied periodic pulses of cyclic AMP can also induce differentiation in this organism. The present work examines the role of periodicityper se in cyclic AMP-mediated stimulation of cell differentiation. For this purpose we use Agip53, aDictyostelium mutant which does not develop beyond the vegetative state but can be made to aggregate and differentiate by reiterated applications of cyclic AMP. Importantly, Agip53 cells do not make or release any cyclic AMP themselves even in response to an increase in extracellular cyclic AMP. A comparison of the relative efficiencies of periodic and aperiodic stimulation shows that whereas the two patterns of stimulation are equally effective in inducing the formation of EDTA-stable cell contacts, periodic stimuli are significantly superior for inducing terminal differentiation. This suggests that there must be molecular pathways which can only function when stimulation occurs at regular intervals.     

The role of cyclic AMP in the modulation of synaptic efficacy.

1. Heterosynaptic facilitation (modification of synaptic transmission by a neuron influencing the terminals of the presynaptic neuron) was studied in the pleural ganglion of Aplysia. Among several identified synapses, heterosynaptic facilitation was observed only in one type (EIPSP synapses) when repetitive stimulation was applied to the tentacular nerve or to a particular identified neuron. 2. Serotonin was shown to increase the amplitude of the EIPSP at this synapse; this facilitatory effect was prolonged in the presence of theophylline and mimicked by cyclic AMP. 3. When transmission was abolished by calcium-free solution, calcium injected in the region of the synapse caused partial recovery of the EIPSP; when calcium injection was preceded by serotonin injection near the same terminal, the EIPSP was much larger than with calcium injection alone. 4. It was concluded that the activation of one neuron (the heterosynaptic neuron) caused it to release serotonin, which activated an adenylate cyclase in the pre-synaptic terminals of another neuron. Consequent accumulation of cyclic AMP in these terminals is supposed to have increased their voltage-dependent calcium conductance and hence the amount of transmitter released during an action potential.     

The roles of calcium and cyclic AMP in the stimulatory action of parathyroid hormone on thymic lymphocyte proliferation

Both the parathyroid hormone (PTH) and the calcium ion increase the cellular content of cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cyclic AMP), promote the initiation of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis and stimulate the proliferation of rat thymocytes maintained in vitro. The ability of cyclic AMP to serve as the mediator of the mitogenic actions of both PTH and calcium is established by the fact that cyclic AMP itself stimulates cell proliferation in the absence of PTH and extracellular calcium. Neither PTH nor calcium appear to raise the cellular cyclic AMP level by increasing the nucleotide's synthesis by adenylate cyclase (formerly adenyl cyclase); PTH concentrations as high as 50 μg per ml of medium do not increase the enzyme's activity (in the presence or absence of calcium) and mitogenic calcium concentrations inhibit it. PTH also does not directly affect isolated thymocyte phosphodiesterase, but mitogenic calcium levels inhibit the enzyme's activity. Additional experiments show that it is calcium which raises the cyclic AMP level in cells treated with PTH, and some possible calcium-mediated mechanisms by which the hormone could elevate the cellular cyclic AMP levels are discussed. Thus, the mitogenic action of PTH is primarily mediated by calcium while cyclic AMP is the ultimate implementor of the hormonal action. However, calcium has a dual role and evidence is presented which indicates that besides raising the cellular cyclic AMP level, it also controls the operation of cyclic AMP's mitogenic end-reaction.     

Cyclic AMP stimulation of calcium efflux from kidney,liver, and heart mitochondria

Summary The effect of cyclic AMP on subcellular calcium turnover was studied in isolated kidney, liver and heart mitochondria. The calcium concentration of the incubating medium was determined by fluorometric methods after its separation by millipore filtration. Liver and kidney mitochondria take up calcium in exchange for H⁺ and lower the medium calcium to 1 to 40×10^–6 m in less than 2 min. Cyclic AMP produces an instantaneous release of calcium from mitochondria and a rise in the steady-state calcium concentration of the medium. A new medium calcium level of 0.7 to 3×10^–4 m is achieved in less than 3 sec and is proportional to cyclic AMP concentrations between 10^–7 and 3×10^–6 m. Cyclic AMP is inactive above 5×10^–6 m and below 10^–7 m. Cyclic IMP, 5 AMP, dibutyryl cAMP are inactive at any concentration. Cyclic GMP is active at 10^–5 m and competitively inhibits cyclic AMP action. The same staedy-state calcium level is reached from higher or, lower calcium concentrations, i.e. whether cyclic AMP is added before or after the addition of calcium to the mitochondrial suspension. At low calcium or phosphate concentrations, the calcium released by cyclic AMP is immediately reaccumulated by the mitochondria is less than 2 min with a further release of H⁺. This pulse can be repeated by sequential additions of cyclic AMP. The transient or sustained response to cyclic AMP depends on the medium calcium x phosphate product and presumably on the presence or absence of calcium phosphate precipitate inside the mitochondria. These results support the hypothesis that cyclic AMP regulates cytoplasmic calcium by controlling the mitochondrial calcium efflux rate. This mechanism may be involved in the regulation of calcium transport and in some hormonal effects mediated by cyclic AMP.     

Influence of cyclic AMP on the growth response and anaerobic metabolism of carbon monoxide in Rhodocyclus gelatinosus

Rhodocyclus gelatinosus strain 1 (str. 1), a photoheterotrophic bacterium, used CO as an energy substrate under anaerobic CO/light conditions, and exhibited a diauxic growth response when CO was removed from the culture. Changes in the level of cyclic AMP which occurred in cells during diauxie suggested that the cyclic nucleotide operated as an intracellular control molecule. During CO/light-phase growth, intracellular cyclic AMP was 30 pmol/mg protein, and, as str. 1 adapted for photosynthetic growth after removal of CO, intracellular cyclic AMP levels decreased to 9 pmol/mg protein. Reexposure of a light culture to CO induced synthesis of CO oxidation activity (measured as CO:MV oxidoreductase). If 10 mM cyclic AMP was added with CO, the rate of synthesis of CO:MV oxidoreductase activity increased 25-fold, and str. 1 produced 1,230 units of activity (nmol CO oxidized min^-1 mg^-1 protein) after only 1 h. With cyclic AMP and no CO, no incerease in CO oxidation activity was seen. Appearance of CO oxidation activity in str. 1 represented de novo protein synthesis and was blocked with chloramphenicol. In addition to stimulating formation of CO oxidative activity, a high level of cyclic AMP in str. 1 during growth with CO appeared to influence photometabolism negatively by repressing bacteriochlorophyll formation.Abbreviations Bchl a bacteriochlorophyll a - MV methyl viologen - CO MV oxidoreductase, carbon monoxide: methyl viologen oxidoreductase     

The influence of calcium on the cyclic AMP-mediated stimulation of DNA synthesis and cell proliferation by prostaglandin E 1

Prostaglandin type E₁ (PGE₁) rapidly stimulates cyclic AMP formation and the initiation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis in rat thymic lymphocytes suspended in vitro by reactions which are not affected by wide variations in the extracellular calcium concentration. On the other hand, the operation of the associated reaction(s) responsible for the subsequent progression of the stimulated cells into mitosis is profoundly affected by the extracellular calcium level. If the maximum intracellular cyclic AMP concentration is in the lower range of stimulatory values (e.g., 150 × 10^?8 picomoles per cell as produced by an exposure to 0.5 μg of PGE₁ per milliliter of medium), an extracellular calcium concentration of 0.5 to 1.0 mM is needed to obtain maximum cell proliferation, but not the maximum stimulation of DNA synthesis. Contrariwise, if the cellular cyclic AMP content is raised to a much higher level (260 × 10^?8 picomoles per cell) by exposure to a greater PGE₁ concentration (5.0 μg per millilter), cell proliferation is maximally stimulated in calcium-free medium and increasing the extracellular calcium concntration above 0.2 mM actually prevents the stimulation of cell proliferation (but does not affect the stimulation of DNA synthesis). Thus, the ultimate translation of PGE₁'s early cyclic AMP-mediated reactions into increased cell proliferation is determined by both the intracellular cyclic AMP level and the extracellular calcium concentration.     

The ability of calcium to change cyclic AMP from a stimulator to an inhibitor to thymic lymphoblast proliferation

Calcium is a major regulator of thymic lymphoblast proliferation in vivo and in vitro. The proliferative activity of the lymphoblasts in thymic lymphocyte (thymocyte) populations in vitro is both constant and low in the presence of calcium concentrations between 0 and 1.0 mM, but higher concentrations increase proliferation by an endogenous cyclic AMP-mediated promotion of the initiation of DNA synthesis. Lower concentrations (10^?7 to 10^?5 M) of exogenous cyclic AMP (but not 5′-AMP) stimulate lymphoblast proliferation in a low-calcium (0.5 mM) medium, but higher concentrations do not. However, all exogenous cyclic AMP concentrations between 10^?7 and 10^?3 M (but again not 5′-AMP) block the stimulation of lymphoblast proliferation in a high-calcium (1.5 mM) medium. Exogenous cyclic AMP does not prevent calcium from “activating” lymphoblasts, but it reversibly blocks the reaction responsible for the initiation of DNA synthesis in these stimulated cells. Finally, cyclic AMP's inhibitory action, in contrast to its stimulatory action in low-calcium medium, is not specific for the cyclic nucleotide since a low, non-mitogenic concentration of cyclic GMP also prevents calcium from stimulating DNA synthesis and cell proliferation.     

Metabolism of cyclic AMP in non-pathogenic Mycobacterium smegmatis

The intracellular concentration of cyclic AMP reached a maximum in 3.5-day old cultures of Mycobacterium smegmatis grown in the presence of glycerol as the main source of carbon. Glucose-grown cells exhibited decreased cyclic AMP levels at all stages of growth. When M. smegmatis cells were incubated with various metabolites, pyruvate increased whereas glucose, citric acid, succinic acid and lactic acid decreased intracellular cyclic AMP levels. No cyclic AMP was detected in the incubation medium. The presence of a cyclic AMP-binding protein was demonstrated in cellfree extracts of M. smegmatis.     

Calcium-mediated effects of calcitonin on cyclic AMP formation and lymphoblast proliferation in thymocyte populations exposed to prostaglandin E 1

The calcitonin (SCT) from salmon ultimobranchial bodies which (like mammalian calcitonins) lowers the plasma calcium concentration in mammals can also affect cyclic AMP (cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate) metabolism and proliferation of lymphoblasts in normal and prostaglandin E₁ (PGE₁)-treated rat thymocyte populations in three different ways. In the first case, low concentrations (0.5–5.0 ng per milliliter) of SCT lower (by a calcium-mediated process) the ability of PGE₁ to transiently increase cyclic AMP synthesis, but the reduced surge of cyclic AMP production is still ample to stimulate lymphoblasts in the cell population to initiate deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis. Secondly, these low SCT concentrations affect the eventual progression of the PGE₁-stimulated, DNA-synthesizing lymphoblasts into mitosis by a calcium-mediated process. Depending on the extracellular calcium concentration and the magnitude of the initial increment in the intracellular cyclic AMP content, SCT can either promote or inhibit the progression of the stimulated cells into mitosis. SCT's third action is a rapid (within 5 minutes), calcium-independent elevation of the cellular cyclic AMP content in otherwise untreated thymic lymphocyte populations exposed to a very high concentration (100 ng per milliliter) of the hormone. This early, transient rise in the cyclic AMP level is followed by a calcium-dependent increase in lymphoblast proliferation. An attempt is made to interrelate and explain the different actions of SCT on cyclic AMP metabolism and mitogenesis.     

The presence of cyclic AMP, and its effects on oral regeneration and in situ ciliary regeneration in Stentor coeruleus.

We have found cyclic AMP in the large, heterotrichous ciliate Stentor coeruleus in amounts per milligram protein similar to those found in another ciliate, Tetrahymena pyriformis. The possible function of cyclic AMP in Stentor was first examined by determining its effects on oral regeneration, the process by which Stentor can replace a missing oral apparatus in eight to ten hours. Once begun (by brief exposure to a 15% sucrose solution, causing shedding of the oral apparatus) regeneration follows eight specific morphological stages visible with the dissecting microscope. Continuous exposure of regenerating cells to either N⁶, 2′-0-dibutyryl adenosine cyclic 3′:5′-monophosphate (DBC) or theophylline begun at the onset of oral regeneration (stage 0) caused delays in the completion of regeneration. The delays induced by DBC occurred in the early stages prior to stage 5. Regenerating cells exposed to DBC or theophylline at various stages of development were delayed, even at stages 5 and 6. Both DBC and theophylline reversibly bleached the cortical pigment of the cells. Guanosine 3′:5′-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP), AMP, GMP, and sodium butyrate neither delayed oral regeneration nor bleached the cortical pigment. Excess extracellular calcium ions alone had no effect on oral regeneration, but 10 mM calcium and DBC caused more delay than DBC alone. Thus, the delay of oral regeneration in Stentor caused by cyclic AMP may involve calcium ions. To determine if cyclic AMP can retard in situ ciliary regeneration by Stentor, as it does in Tetrahymena, a new technique, more accurate than past methods, was developed to monitor ciliary regrowth. Using this procedure we found that both DBC and theophylline significantly delayed the in situ ciliary regeneration by Stentor.     

Characterization of a mutant of the yeast Candida maltosa defective in catabolite inactivation of gluconeogenetic enzymes

A spontaneous mutant of the yeast Candida maltosa SBUG 700 was isolated showing pseudohyphal marphology under all growth conditions tested. The C. maltosa PHM mutant takes up glucose with the kinetics of C. maltosa SBUG 700 and starved cells contain the same cyclic AMP concentration. Addition of glucose to the PHM mutant does not result in an increase of the intracellular cyclic AMP level and in catabolite inactivation of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, malate dehydrogenase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. However, addition of 2,4-dinitrophenol is followed by a rapid, transient increase of the cyclic AMP level in the mutant cells, but not by catabolite inactivation. These results show that a common mechanism might be responsible for catabolite inactivation and glucose-induced cAMP signaling or that glucose-induced cAMP signaling is required for catabolite inactivation in C. maltosa.     

Adrenocorticotropic hormone and dibutyryl adenosine cyclic monophosphate-mediated Ca uptake by rat adrenal glands

The effect of adrenocorticotropic hormone and dibutyryl cyclic AMP on the uptake of⁴⁵Ca²⁺ by the rat adrenal gland has been investigated. After injection of ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ and adrenocorticotropic hormone into rats, the adrenal ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ concentration was significantly enhanced 90 to 180 min following hormone administration. The rise in adrenal ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ content was accompanied by a marked increase of the serum corticosterone levels. During incubation of rat adrenal glands in the presence of ⁴⁵Ca²⁺, adrenocorticotropic hormone and dibutyryl cyclic AMP caused significant accumulation of adrenal ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ and increased corticosterone synthesis. The degree of stimulation of both adrenal ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake and corticosterone synthesis by adrenocorticotropic hormone or dibutyryl cyclic AMP was dependent upon the concentration of calcium in the incubation medium and upon the amount of adrenocorticotropic hormone or dibutyryl cyclic AMP added. Theophylline mimicked the stimulatory effect of adrenocorticotropic hormone and dibutyryl cyclic AMP and increased the uptake of ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ by rat adrenal glands in vitro. Determination of calcium by atomic absorption spectroscopy showed that the adrenocorticotropic hormone-mediated adrenal ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake was due to a net accumulation of calcium in the tissue and not only to an increased rate of exchange of extracellular ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ with the intracellular calcium pool. Adrenocorticotropic hormone-stimulated adrenal ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake was not observed when steroidogenesis was inhibited with elipten. Both adrenocorticotropic hormone-mediated corticosterone synthesis and adrenal ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake were abolished after treatment of rats with cycloheximide but not after treatment with actinomycin D, indicating that adrenal ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake and steroidogenesis have similar requirements for de novo protein synthesis, but not RNA synthesis.     

Control of nucleotide and erythroascorbic acid pools by cyclic AMP in Neurospora crassa

UDPglucuronic acid and erythroascorbic acid were identified in extracts of the fungus Neurospora crassa. The concentrations of these two compounds are estimated, in growing wild type N. crassa, to be about 0.10 and 0.28 μmol/ml of cell water, respectively. The pools of these two compounds are regulated by cyclic AMP in Neurospora, both being elevated in the cr-1, adenylate cyclase deficient mutant and both being lowered by exogenous cyclic AMP. The pools of these two compounds are also elevated on nitrogen deprivation. The pools of a large number of other nucleotides are not influenced by cyclic AMP. Possible relationships between the metabolism of UDPglucuronic acid and erythroascorbic acid are discussed. It was found that exogenous cyclic AMP was much more effective in influencing cultures grown at 30–37°C than those grown at 25°C. We suggest that higher temperatures may render Neurospora more permeable to a variety of different compounds.     

Voltage-dependent calcium current in dissociated smooth muscle cells of the buccal mass of Aplysia

Summary Isolated smooth muscle cells of the buccal mass of Aplysia contracted in response to depolarization elicited by a patch electrode in whole-cell configuration. With cesium-containing pipet solution and tetraethylammonium and 4-aminopyridine in the external solution depolarization elicited inward current. The voltage-dependent inward current was blocked completely by lanthanum (10 mmol·1^-1), inhibited 80–90% by nifedipine (1 mol·l^-1), and was dependent upon extracellular calcium. These results showed that the voltage-dependent inward current was due to activation of voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCaCH). Minimal depolarization to begin activating VDCaCH was-60 to-30 mV. Inward current peaked within 8 ms and then decreased rapidly to a lower level of relatively non-inactivating current. The initial peak current could be mostly inactivated by a depolarization to-20 mV for 500 ms. Nifedipine reduced both the peak current and the relatively non-inactivating current. Nifedipine inhibited high potassium-elicited contractions of both intact and dissociated muscle. These results suggested that VDCaCH mediates calcium influx which triggers contraction in molluscan smooth muscle fibers.Abbreviations ACh acetylcholine - ATP adenosine triphosphate - EGTA ethyleneglycol-bis(-aminoethyl ether) N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid - GTP guanosine triphosphate - HEPES N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N-2-ethane sulfonic acid - MCG metacerebral giant cell - RNI relatively non-inactivating - SCP small cardioactive peptide - TEA-4AP-IO external solution containing Instant Ocean, tetraethylammonium chloride, and 4-aminopyridine (described in Methods) - TEA tetraethylammonium chloride - VDCaCH voltagedependent calcium channel - 4-AP 4-aminopyridine - 5-HT 5-hydroxytryptamine or serotonin     

The accumulation of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP in guinea pig brain slices: Effect of calcium ions,norepinephrine and adenosine

The effect of Ca²⁺ and putative neurotransmitters on formation of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP has been studied in incubated slices of brain tissue. Cyclic AMP levels in cerebellar slices after about 90 min of incubation ranged from 10 pmol/mg protein in rabbit, to 25 in guinea pig, to 50 in mouse and 200 in rat. Cyclic GMP levels in the same four species showed no correlation with cyclic AMP levels and were, respectively, 1.3, 20, 5 and 30 pmol/mg protein. The absence of calcium during the prolonged incubation of cerebellar slices had little effect on final levels of cyclic AMP, while markedly decreasing final levels of cyclic GMP. Reintroduction of Ca²⁺ resulted in a rapid increase in cerebellar levels of cyclic GMP which was most pronounced for guinea pig where levels increased nearly 7-fold within 5 min. Prolonged incubation of guinea pig cerebral cortical slices in calcium-free medium greatly elevated cyclic AMP levels apparently through enhanced formation of adenosine, while having little effect on final levels of cyclic GMP. Norepinephrine and adenosine elicited accumulations of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP in both guinea pig cerebral cortical and cerebellar slices. Glutamate, γ-aminobutyrate, glycine, carbachol, and phenylephrine at concentrations of 1 mM or less had little or noe effect on cyclic nucleotide levels in guinea pig cerebellar slices. Prostaglandin E₁ and histamine slightly increased cerebellar levels of cyclic AMP. Isoproterenol increased both cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP. The accumulation of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP elicited by norepinephrine in cerebellar slices appeared, baed on dose vs. response curves, agonist-antaganonist relationships and calcium dependency, to involve in both cases activation of a similar set of ß-adrenergic receptors. In cerebellar slices accumulations of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP elicted by norepinephrine and by a depolarizing agent, veratridine, were strongly dependent on the presence of calcium. The stimulatory effects of adenosine on cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP formation were antagonized by theophylline. The lack of correlations between levels of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP under the various conditions suggested independent activation of cyclic AMP- and cyclic GMP-generating systems in guinea pig cerebellar slices by interactions with Ca²⁺, norephinephrine and adenosine.     

The cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum-glycogenolytic complex A possible effector site for cyclic

Cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum-glycogenolytic complex, isolated as a single peak on sucrose density gradient, may function as a “compartmented” effector site for cyclic AMP resulting in modulation of both glycogenolysis and calcium transport. The conversion of phosphorylase b to a is stimulated by ATP and inhibited by protein kinase inhibitor. Cyclic AMP alone stimulated neither phosphorylase b to a conversion nor calcium uptake. An inhibitor of adenylate cyclase depressed both calcium uptake and phosphorylase activation and both functions were subsequently stimulated by micromolar concentrations of cyclic AMP. Endogenous phosphorylation of sarcoplasmic reticulum was also inhibited by adenylate cyclase inhibitor and the inhibition was reversed by cyclic AMP. These results suggest that the sarcoplasmic reticulum of cardiac muscle is an internal effector site for cyclic AMP which may regulate both calcium and metabolism. It appears that cyclic AMP formation in vitro is not the rate-controlling step in the activation sequence.