Hormonal effects on fat cell adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate dependent protein kinase

Fat cell extracts were electrophoresed on polyacrylamide gels to separate the regulatory subunit and holoenzyme species of protein kinase. Gels were incubated with cyclic [³H]AMP ([³H]cAMP) and washed, and the bound [³H]cAMP was estimated. The band of [³H]cAMP found closest to the origin (Peak I) was associated with cAMP-dependent protamine kinase activity. A seond [³H]cAMP peak (Peak II) also contained protamine kinase activity. Although the kinase activity of Peak II was much less than Peak I, more [³H]-cAMP was bound in Peak II than in Peak I. The [³H]cAMP peak furthest from the origin (Peak III) was devoid of kinase activity.Incubation of extracts with cAMP prior to electrophoresis diminished or abolished kinase activity in Peaks I and II. This incubation also decreased [³H]cAMP binding in Peaks I and II, and increased binding in Peak III. When extracts were incubated with [³H]cAMP before electrophoresis, essentially all of the radioactivity was found in Peak III. It was concluded that Peak I represents a holoenzyme form and that Peak III is composed of the regulatory subunits of this enzyme. Peak II may represent a relatively inactive holoenzyme form not previously described.Incubation of adipocytes with epinephrine resulted in a dose- and time-dependent decrease in Peak I and increase in Peak III, and insulin opposed these effects of epinephrine. After 1-min incubations with epinephrine, the decreases in Peak I or increases in Peak III correlated with increases in phosphorylase a activity, decreases in glycogen synthase I activity and changes in cAMP, both in the presence and absence of insulin. However, after incubation with epinephrine for more than 2 min in the presence of insulin, phosphorylase a activity did not correlate with cAMP, suggesting that factors other than the cyclic nucleotide mediate the effects of epinephrine and insulin.     

Activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinases and cAMP-binding proteins from rat renal cytosol upon dehydration

The activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinases, cAMP binding and the spectrum of cAMP-binding proteins in renal papillary cytosol of intact rats and of rats kept on a water-deprived diet for 24 hours were investigated. It was found that the stimulation of protein kinases by 10(-6) M cAMP in the experimental group was significantly higher than in the control one. On DEAE-cellulose chromatography, the position of peaks of the specific cAMP binding corresponded to those of the regulatory cAMP-dependent protein kinases type I and II. Under these conditions, more than 80% of the binding activity in intact animals was localized in peak II, whereas in rats kept on a water-deprived diet over 60% of the binding activity was localized in peak I. The total binding activity of cytosol in experimental animals remained unchanged is compared to intact rats. It is suggested that in renal papilla dehydration is accompanied by the induction of synthesis of regulatory subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinase type I.     

cAMP-dependent protein kinases from the insect Ceratitis capitata

Among the components of the two cyclic nucleotide system of Ceratitis capitata pharate adults, two cAMP-dependent protein kinase activities have been identified and purified through a sequence of chromatographic procedures. The properties of both protein kinases, A-1 and A-2, were studied and characterized in comparison with those of other sources. Protein kinase A-2 from Ceratitis capitata corresponds to type I from mammals mainly concerning about the dissociating effect of histones. Protein kinase A-2 exhibited a molecular weight of 39,000 in the presence of cAMP, whereas in the absence of the cyclic nucleotide two components of 80,000 and 159,000 were present and attributed to the forms RC and R₂C₂, respectively. Protein kinase activities A-1 and A-2 were markedly inhibited by increasing ionic strength whereas the activity ($\text{?cAMP}\text{+cAMP}$) ratio for protein kinase A-2 increased versus NaCl concentration. Histones HI and H2B were the best substrates for both A-1 and A-2 activities; the high mobility group of insect proteins (HMG) were also notably phosphorylated by A-2 preparation. Among the cyclic nucleotides assayed for the protein kinase activity A-2, cAMP induced a high activation at the lowest concentrations although high cAMP concentrations decreased the protein kinase activity, possibly through binding to the catalytic site. The protein kinase A-2 preparations exhibited a complex kinetics due to the presence of two forms with different affinity for ATP; these forms may be related to the aggregation properties of the enzyme.     

Cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate-dependent kinase and phosphoproteins in human amnion

3',5'-Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) modulates prostaglandin production in human amnion membranes. The major effects of cAMP are presumably mediated through the phosphorylation of specific regulatory phosphoproteins following cAMP activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and phosphoproteins have not previously been characterized in human amnion. Total homogenates, cytosol, and membrane fractions from human amnion were examined for [3H]cAMP binding activity and cAMP-dependent kinase activity. cAMP-dependent kinase activity was barely detectable in crude amnion fractions. Cytosol was therefore partially purified by DEAE column chromatography for further examination. Two peaks of coincident [3H]cAMP binding and cAMP-dependent kinase activity were demonstrated at 70 and 140 mM NaCl, characteristic of the Type I and Type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase isozymes. [3H]cAMP binding to the material from both peak fractions was saturable and reversible. Scatchard analysis of [3H]cAMP binding to the peak fractions was linear for peak I and curvilinear for peak II. Assuming a one-site model, [3H]cAMP binding to the Type I isozyme showed a KD = 4.17 x 10(-8) M and Bmax = 73 pmole/mg protein; using a two-site model, [3H]cAMP binding to the high-affinity site for the Type II isozyme had a KD = 3.94 x 10(-8) M and Bmax = 6.3 pmole/mg protein. Other cyclic nucleotides competed for these [3H]cAMP binding sites with a potency order of cAMP much greater than cGMP greater than (BU)2cAMP.cAMP caused a dose-dependent increase in cAMP-dependent kinase activity in the peak fractions; half-maximal activation was observed with 5.0 x 10(-8) M cAMP. The ability of cAMP to increase phosphorylation of endogenous proteins in both crude amnion cytosol and cytosol from cultures of amnion epithelial cells was assessed using [32P]ATP, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. cAMP stimulated 32P incorporation into three proteins having Mr = 80,000, 54,000, and 43,000 (P less than .01). Half-maximal 32P incorporation into these proteins occurred at 1.0 x 10(-7) M cAMP. cAMP-dependent kinase is present in human amnion; specific cAMP-enhanced phosphoproteins are also present. Hormones elevating cAMP levels in amnion may exert their effects by activating cAMP-dependent kinase and phosphorylating these phosphoproteins.     

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent and -independent protein kinase activity of renal brush border membranes.

Kinase(s) in brush border membranes, isolated from rabbit renal proximal tubules, phosphorylated proteins intrinsic to the membrane and exogenous proteins. cAMP stimulated phosphorylation of histone; phosphorylation of protamine was cAMP independent. cAMP-dependent increases in phosphorylation of endogenous membrane protein were small, but highly reproducible. Most of the ³²P incorporated into membranes represented phosphorylation of serine residues, with phosphorylthreonine comprising a minor component. cAMP did not alter the electrophoretic pattern of ³²P-labeled membrane polypeptides. The small cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of brush border membrane proteins was not due to membrane phosphodiesterase or adenylate cyclase activities. Considerable cAMP was found “endogenously” bound to the membranes as prepared. However, this did not result in preactivation of the kinase since activity was not inhibited by a heat-stable protein inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinases. With intrinsic membrane protein as phosphate acceptor, the relationship between rate of phosphorylation and ATP concentration appeared to follow Michaelis-Menton kinetics. With histone the relationship was complex. cAMP did not affect the apparent K_m for histone. One-half maximal stimulation of the rate of histone phosphorylation was obtained with 7 × 10^?8m cAMP. The K_a values for dibutyryl cAMP, cIMP, and cGMP were one to two orders of magnitude greater. Treatment of brush border membranes with detergent greatly increased the dependency of histone phosphorylation on cAMP. Phosphorylations of intrinsic membrane protein and histone were nonlinear with time, due in part to the lability of the protein kinase, the hydrolysis of ATP, and minimally to the presence of phosphoprotein phosphatase in the border membrane. The membrane phosphoprotein phosphatase was unaffected by cyclic nucleotides. Protein kinase activity was also found in cytosolic and crude particulate fractions of the renal cortex. Activity was enriched in the brush border membrane relative to that in the crude membrane preparation. The kinase activities in the different loci were distinct both in relative activities toward different substrates and in responsiveness to cAMP.     

Increase of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase type II as an early event in hormone-dependent mammary tumor regression.

Primary, 7,12-dimethylbenz(α)anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinoma in the rat contains cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent and -independent forms of protein kinase. When growth of DMBA-induced tumors was arrested by either ovariectomy or N⁶,O²′-dibutyryl cAMP treatment of the host, the activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinase type II markedly increased in the tumor cytosol, as shown by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and autophosphorylation. The increase in activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinase was also demonstrable in the tumor cytosol and nuclei following $\text{in}$$\text{vitro}$ incubation of tumor slices with cAMP. These results suggest that protein kinase type II is involved in the regression of hormone-dependent mammary tumors.     

The effect of theophylline on adenosine 3′, 5′-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase and ACTH1–24 stimulated steroidogenesis in bovine adrenal cortical cells

Theophylline (theo), a known phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, was tested for its effects on ACTH_1–24 regulated steroidogenesis in isolated bovine adrenal cortical cells. Theo produced a dose related inhibition of ACTH_1–24 stimulated cortisol synthesis with half maximal inhibition occuring at 7 mM. Theo enhanced ACTH_1–24 stimulated cellular adenosine 3′, 5′-monophosphate (cAMP) levels above that produced by ACTH_1–24 alone confirming its inhibition of cAMP PDE. When tested on cAMP binding protein and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activities in cytosol prepared from bovine adrenal cortex, theo displaced ³H-cAMP binding to cAMP binding protein and inhibited cAMP-stimulated protein kinase activity. The half maximal inhibition of cAMP binding and protein kinase activity was observed at 10 and 5 mM, respectively. Inhibition of cAMP-dependent protein kinase by theo provides a possible explanation of its inhibitory effects on adrenal steroidogenesis and further implicates cAMP-dependent protein kinase in mediating ACTH stimulated steroidogenesis. Furthermore these studies suggest a novel mechanism of action for theo in addition to its known action on cAMP PDE.     

Parietal cell protein kinases. Selective activation of type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase by histamine

cAMP-dependent protein kinases have been characterized in parietal cells isolated from rabbit gastric mucosa. Both Type I and Type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase isozymes are present in these cells. Type II isozymes were detected in 900, 14,000, and 100,000 X g particulate fractions as well as 100,000 X g cytosolic fractions; Type I isozymes were found predominately in the cytosolic fraction. When parietal cells were stimulated with histamine, an agent that elevates intracellular cAMP content and initiates parietal cell HCl secretion, cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity was increased in homogenates of these cells as measured by an increase in the cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity ratio. Histamine activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase was correlated with parietal cell acid secretory responses which were measured indirectly as increased cellular uptake of the weak base, [14C]aminopyrine. These results suggest that cAMP-dependent protein kinase(s) is involved in the control of parietal cell HCl secretion. The parietal cell response to histamine may be compartmentalized because histamine appears to activate only a cytosolic Type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase isozyme, as determined by three different techniques including 1) ion exchange chromatography; 2) Sephadex G-25 to remove cAMP and allow rapid reassociation of the Type II but not the Type I isozyme; and 3) 8-azido-[32P]cAMP photoaffinity labeling. Forskolin, an agent that directly stimulates adenylate cyclases, was found to activate both the Type I and Type II isozymes. Several cAMP-dependent protein kinases were also detected in parietal cell homogenates, including a Ca2+-phospholipid-sensitive or C kinase and two casein kinases which were tentatively identified as casein kinase I and II. At least two additional protein kinases with a preference for serine or lysine-rich histones, respectively, were also detected. The function of these enzymes in parietal cells remains to be shown.     

Epinephrinee effects on cyclic amp-dependent protein kinases from rat diaphragms

Diaphragm extracts were subjected to electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels to separate the different molecular species of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. Using cyclic [³H]AMP, three peaks of binding activity were observed. The peak closest to the origin (peak I) was associated with cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity and was abolished by incubation of the extracts with cyclic AMP prior to electrophoresis. The peak farthest from the origin (peak III) was devoid of kinase activity and was increased by incubation of extracts with cyclic AMP before electrophoresis; furthermore, when extracts were incubated with cyclic [³H]AMP before electrophoresis, essentially all the radioactivity appeared in peak III. Peak II, in an intermediate position, was also abolished by preincubation of the extracts with cyclic AMP and both its binding capacity and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity were lower than in Peak I. A peak of cyclic AMP-independent protein kinase (peak O) that migrated more slowly than peak II was also detected. From these and other data it is concluded that peaks I and II are cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and that peak III is the dissociated regulatory subunit, respectively. Peak O is cyclic AMP-independent protein kinase together with free catalytic subunits from cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. Incubation of rat diaphragms with epinephrine resulted in a dose- and time-dependent decrease in peak I and increase in peak III. These changes correlated with the decrease of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase associated with peak I. No changes in Peak II were observed with epinephrine, but an increased peak O was noted. Changes in peak I and III correlated with the modification of glycogen synthase and glycogen phosphorylase activities.No regulatory subunits (peak III) were detected as phosphorylated forms in diaphragms previously equilibrated with ³²P. Treatment with epinephrine produce no noticeable phosphorylation of these regulatory subunits.     

Testicular protein kinases. Characterization of multiple forms and ontogeny.

Protein phosphokinase activity from the cytosol (105,000 X g soluble fraction) of testes from sexually mature rats has been resolved be DEAE-cellulose chromatography in three forms of protein kinase, cAMP-dependent protein kinases I and II and cAMP-independent protein kinase III. Adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate-binding activity (cAMP-binding activity) was associated with protein kinases I and II but not with protein kinase III. Protein kinases I, II, and III exhibited different pH optima, cyclic nucleotide dependency, and relative substrate specificity. Protein kinases I and II were inhibited by a heat-stable protein inhibitor from rat skeletal muscle, whereas protein kinase III was not inhibited. According to previously established criteria (Traugh, J. A., Ashby, C.D., and Walsh D. A. (1974) Methods Enzymol. 38, 290-299) protein kinases I and II can be classified as cAMP-dependent holoenzymes consisting of regulatory and catalytic subunits. Protein kinase III is a cAMP-independent protein kinase.     

PrKX is a novel catalytic subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulated by the regulatory subunit type I

The human X chromosome-encoded protein kinase X (PrKX) belongs to the family of cAMP-dependent protein kinases. The catalytically active recombinant enzyme expressed in COS cells phosphorylates the heptapeptide Kemptide (LRRASLG) with a specific activity of 1.5 micromol/(min.mg). Using surface plasmon resonance, high affinity interactions were demonstrated with the regulatory subunit type I (RIalpha) of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (KD = 10 nM) and the heat-stable protein kinase inhibitor (KD = 15 nM), but not with the type II regulatory subunit (RIIalpha, KD = 2.3 microM) under physiological conditions. Kemptide and autophosphorylation activities of PrKX are strongly inhibited by the RIalpha subunit and by protein kinase inhibitor in vitro, but only weakly by the RIIalpha subunit. The inhibition by the RIalpha subunit is reversed by addition of nanomolar concentrations of cAMP (Ka = 40 nM), thus demonstrating that PrKX is a novel, type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase that is activated at lower cAMP concentrations than the holoenzyme with the Calpha subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Microinjection data clearly indicate that the type I R subunit but not type II binds to PrKX in vivo, preventing the translocation of PrKX to the nucleus in the absence of cAMP. The RIIalpha subunit is an excellent substrate for PrKX and is phosphorylated in vitro in a cAMP-independent manner. We discuss how PrKX can modulate the cAMP-mediated signal transduction pathway by preferential binding to the RIalpha subunit and by phosphorylating the RIIalpha subunit in the absence of cAMP.     

Cyclic AMP-dependent and -independent protein kinases of the water mold, Blastocladiella emersonii.

Protein kinase (ATP:protein phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.37) and cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate binding activities have been identified in zoospore extracts of the water mold Blastocladiella emersonii. More than 75% of these activities is found in the soluble fraction. Soluble protein kinase activity is resolved in three peaks(I, II and III) by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Peak I is casein dependent and insensitive to cyclic AMP. Peak II is histone dependent and cyclic AMP independent; this enzyme is inhibited by the heat-stable inhibitor from bovine muscle. Peak III utilizes histone as substrate and is activated by cyclic AMP.     

Selective expression of type I and type II cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases in subcellular fractions of concanavalin A-stimulated rat thymocytes

Total protein kinase activity and the expression of the type I and type II cyclic adenosine 3′:5′-monophosphate-dependent protein kinases were studied in subcellular fractions of rat thymocytes and the effect of concanavalin A treatment on protein kinase activity was assessed. At a concentration of 100 μ/ml of concanavalin A a marked decline of total nuclear protein kinase activity occurred which lasted approximately 20 to 90 min. Concomitantly, a twofold increase of total protein kinase activity in the 900g supernatant fraction was observed which lasted from 5 to 30 min. Studies using the heat-stable protein kinase inhibitor revealed that the concanavalin A-mediated activity changes were primarily due to changes of cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity, whereas cAMP-independent protein kinase activity remained unchanged. Analysis of the type I and type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase isozyme pattern before and after concanavalin A treatment revealed a selective change of the relative expression of isozyme activities. Whereas type I protein kinase was the major nuclear isozyme before concanavalin A treatment, nuclear type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase increased markedly with a concomitant loss of type I isozyme expression. In the 900g supernatant fraction, containing primarily the type II isozyme in unstimulated cells, concanavalin A treatment caused an increase of the expression of the type I isozyme. The concanavalin A-mediated relative changes of cAMP-dependent protein kinase isozyme expression were confirmed by photoaffinity labeling of the regulatory subunits R^I and R^II before and after concanavalin A stimulation. The intracellular concanavalin A-mediated isozyme changes were time dependent, exhibiting maximal effects about 20 min after concanavalin A addition. These results indicate that selective regulation of intracellular cAMP-dependent protein kinase isozyme expression may be a mechanism related to isozyme-specific phosphorylation of specific intracellular substrates in concanavalin A-activated thymocytes.     

Streptozotocin-induced diabetes decreases the cyclic AMP binding activity of the regulatory subunit of type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase from rat liver

Liver post-mitochondrial supernatant from diabetic rats showed a decrease in the [3H] cAMP binding activity which was associated with a decrease in the number of cAMP binding sites. On the other hand, the cAMP binding activity of nuclear fractions from diabetic rat liver was not significantly different than that of control. The cAMP binding activity of post-mitochondrial supernatant was further analyzed by using 8-azido-[32P] cAMP, a photoaffinity probe for cAMP binding sites. The diabetic supernatants showed a selective reduction in the photolabeling of a protein band representing the regulatory subunit of type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase without any appreciable change in the photolabeling of regulatory subunit of type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase.     

Coelution of the type II holoenzyme form of cAMP-dependent protein kinase with regulatory subunits of the type I form of cAMP-dependent protein kinase

The types and subunit composition of cAMP-dependent protein kinases in soluble rat ovarian extracts were investigated. Results demonstrated that three peaks of cAMP-dependent kinase activity could be resolved using DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Based on the sedimentation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and regulatory subunits using sucrose density gradient centrifugation, identification of 8-N3[32P]cAMP labeled RI and RII in DEAE-cellulose column and sucrose gradient fractions by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and Scatchard analysis of the cAMP-stimulated activation of the eluted peaks of kinase activity, the following conclusions were drawn regarding the composition of the three peaks of cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity: peak 1, eluting with less than or equal to 0.05 M potassium phosphate, consisted of the type I form of cAMP-dependent protein kinase; peak 2, eluting with 0.065-0.11 M potassium phosphate, consisted of free RI and a type II tetrameric holoenzyme; peak 3, eluting with 0.125 M potassium phosphate, consisted of an apparent RIIC trimer, followed by the elution with 0.15 M potassium phosphate of free RII. The regulatory subunits were confirmed as authentic RI and RII based upon their molecular weights and autophosphorylation characteristics. The more basic elution of the type II holoenzyme with free RI was not attributable to the ionic properties of the regulatory subunits, based upon the isoelectric points of photolabeled RI and RII and upon the elution location from DEAE-cellulose of RI and RII on dissociation from their respective holoenzymes by cAMP. This is the first report of a type II holoenzyme eluting in low salt fractions with free RI, and of the presence of an apparent RIIC trimer in a soluble tissue extract.     

Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases from Balb 3T3 cells and other 3T3 derived lines

Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and 3H-cAMP-binding activities were determined in normal Balb 3T3 cells and compared with the same preparations from SV40, chemical, and spontaneous transformants of 3T3 cells. The cytosolic protein kinase activities and protein kinase activity ratios were similar in all cell lines, although when the normal 3T3 cytosol was prepared by homogenization it contained less 3H-cAMP binding activity than the transformed 3T3 cytosols. The Triton X-100 treated particulate fractions from the normal and transformed 3T3 cells contained similar protein kinase and binding activities. The isozymic profile of cAMP-dependent protein kinases was examined by DEAE-chromatography. The 3T3 cells contained only type II isozyme in either cytosolic or membrane fractions. All transformants of the 3T3 cells contained both type I and type II isozymes. Other cell cultures, including chicken embryo fibroblasts, rat kidney cells, and human or calf endothelial cells contained type I and type II isozymes. Binding of the photoaffinity analogue of cAMP, 8-N3 cAMP, to the regulatory subunits of protein kinases in sonicates obtained from Balb 3T3 and SV 3T3 cells followed by separation on SDS polyacrylamide electrophoresis showed that the amount of RII subunit was approximately equal in the two cell lines. RI in Balb 3T3 cells was detectable but in a much lower quantity than in SV 3T3 cells. The cyclic AMP dependent-protein kinases from Balb 3T3 cells appears to be different from SV 3T3 cells by three criteria: 3H-cAMP binding in homogenates, DEAE chromatographic separation of isozymes, and 8-N3 cAMP binding.     

Hormonal activation of the cAMP-dependent protein kinases in AtT20 cells. Preferential activation of protein kinase I by corticotropin releasing factor, isoproterenol, and forskolin

The hormonal regulation of adenylate cyclase, cAMP-dependent protein kinase activation, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion was studied in AtT20 mouse pituitary tumor cells. Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) stimulated cAMP accumulation and ACTH release in these cells. Maximal ACTH release was seen with 30 nM CRF and was accompanied by a 2-fold rise in intracellular cAMP. When cells were incubated with both 30 nM CRF and 0.5 mM 3-methylisobutylxanthine (MIX) cAMP levels were increased 20-fold, however, ACTH release was not substantially increased beyond release seen with CRF alone. The activation profiles of cAMP-dependent protein kinases I and II were studied by measuring residual cAMP-dependent phosphotransferase activity associated with immunoprecipitated regulatory subunits of the kinases. Cells incubated with CRF in the absence of MIX showed concentration-dependent activation of protein kinase I which paralleled stimulation of ACTH release. Protein kinase II was minimally activated. When cells were exposed to CRF in the presence of 0.5 mM MIX there was still a preferential activation of protein kinase I, although 50% of the cytosolic protein kinase II was activated. Complete activation of both protein kinases I and II was seen when cells were incubated with 0.5 mM MIX and 10 microM forskolin. Under these conditions cAMP levels were elevated 80-fold. CRF, isoproterenol, and forskolin stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in isolated membranes prepared from AtT20 cells. CRF and isoproterenol stimulated cyclase activity up to 5-fold while forskolin stimulated cyclase activity up to 15-fold. Our data demonstrate that ACTH secretion from AtT20 cells is mediated by small changes in intracellular levels of cAMP and activation of only a small fraction of the total cytosolic cAMP-dependent protein kinase in these cells is required for maximal ACTH secretion.     

Epinephrine effects on cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases from rat diaphragms

Diaphragm extracts were subjected to electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels to separate the different molecular species of th cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. Using cyclic [3H]AMP, three peaks of binding activity were observed. The peak closest to the origin (peak I) was associated with cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity and was abolished by incubation of the extracts with cyclic AMP prior to electrophoresis. The peak farthest from the origin (peak III) was devoid of kinase activity and was increased by incubation of extracts with cyclic AMP before electrophoresis; furthermore, when extracts were incubated with cyclic [3H]AMP before electrophoresis, essentially all the radioactivity appeared in peak III. Peak II, in an intermediate position, was also abolished by preincubation of the extracts with cyclic AMP and both its binding capacity and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity were lower than in Peak I. A peak of cyclic AMP-independent protein kinase (peak 0) that migrated more slowly than peak II was also detected. From these and other data it is concluded that peaks I and II are cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and that peak III is the dissociated regulatory subunit, respectively. Peak 0 is cyclic AMP-independent protein kinase together with free catalytic subunits from cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. Incubation of rat diaphragms with epinephrine resulted in dose- and time-dependent decrease in peak I and increase in peak III. These changes correlated with the decrease of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase associated with peak I. No changes in Peak II were observed with epinephrine, but an increased peak 0 was noted. Changes in peak I and peak III correlated with the modification of glycogen synthase and glycogen phosphorylase activities. No regulatory subunits (peak III) were detected as phosphorylated forms in diaphragms previously equilibrated with 32P. Treatment with epinephrine produce no noticeable phosphorylation of these regulatory subunits.     

Activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase isoenzymes: studies using specific antisera

A novel method for rapidly determining the amount and degree of association-dissociation of the Type I and Type II cAMP-dependent protein kinases has been developed and validated. Antibodies directed against the regulatory subunits of Type I and Type II cAMP-dependent protein kinases were used. The antibodies formed complexes with holoenzymes and regulatory subunits which were precipitated by goat anti-rabbit IgG (immunoglobulin G). These complexes bound [3H]cAMP with an apparent Kb of 20 nM for protein kinase I and 80 nM for protein kinase II. Immunoprecipitated protein kinases I and II were catalytically active when incubated with cAMP, [gamma-32P]ATP, and histone H2B. When mixtures of the two kinase isoenzymes or cytosol were incubated with various amounts of [3H]cAMP and the isoenzymes were separated by precipitation with antisera specific for each isoenzyme, the amount of [3H]cAMP associated with immunoprecipitates was proportional to the concentration of [3H]cAMP. In contrast, the catalytic activity that was immunoprecipitated varied inversely with the concentration of [3H]cAMP, showing that the activation of protein kinase could be assessed by the disappearance of catalytic activity from the immunoprecipitates. In the absence of MgATP protein kinase I was activated by a 10-fold lower concentration of cAMP than protein kinase II. However, when MgATP was added to the incubation, there was no significant difference in the binding of [3H]cAMP or dissociation of catalytic subunits of the two isoenzymes. The anti-R antibodies were also used to rapidly quantitate the concentration of regulatory subunits and the relative ratio of protein kinases I and II in tissue cytosols.