Mapping intersubunit interactions of the regulatory subunit (RIalpha) in the type I holoenzyme of protein kinase A by amide hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (DXMS)

Protein kinase A (PKA), a central locus for cAMP signaling in the cell, is composed of regulatory (R) and catalytic (C) subunits. The C-subunits are maintained in an inactive state by binding to the R-subunit dimer in a tetrameric holoenzyme complex (R(2)C(2)). PKA is activated by cAMP binding to the R-subunits which induces a conformational change leading to release of the active C-subunit. Enzymatic activity of the C-subunit is thus regulated by cAMP via the R-subunit, which toggles between cAMP and C-subunit bound states. The R-subunit is composed of a dimerization/docking (D/D) domain connected to two cAMP-binding domains (cAMP:A and cAMP:B). While crystal structures of the free C-subunit and cAMP-bound states of a deletion mutant of the R-subunit are known, there is no structure of the holoenzyme complex or of the cAMP-free state of the R-subunit. An important step in understanding the cAMP-dependent activation of PKA is to map the R-C interface and characterize the mutually exclusive interactions of the R-subunit with cAMP and C-subunit. Amide hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry is a suitable method that has provided insights into the different states of the R-subunit in solution, thereby allowing mapping of the effects of cAMP and C-subunit on different regions of the R-subunit. Our study has localized interactions with the C-subunit to a small contiguous surface on the cAMP:A domain and the linker region. In addition, C-subunit binding causes increased amide hydrogen exchange within both cAMP-domains, suggesting that these regions become more flexible in the holoenzyme and are primed to bind cAMP. Furthermore, the difference in the protection patterns between RIalpha and the previously studied RIIbeta upon cAMP-binding suggests isoform-specific differences in cAMP-dependent regulation of PKA activity.     

Dynamics of cAPK type IIbeta activation revealed by enhanced amide H/2H exchange mass spectrometry (DXMS)

cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAPK) is a key component in numerous cell signaling pathways. The cAPK regulatory (R) subunit maintains the kinase in an inactive state until cAMP saturation of the R-subunit leads to activation of the enzyme. To delineate the conformational changes associated with cAPK activation, the amide hydrogen/deuterium exchange in the cAPK type IIbeta R-subunit was probed by electrospray mass spectrometry. Three states of the R-subunit, cAMP-bound, catalytic (C)-subunit bound, and apo, were incubated in deuterated water for various lengths of time and then, prior to mass spectrometry analysis, subjected to digestion by pepsin to localize the deuterium incorporation. High sequence coverage (>99%) by the pepsin-digested fragments enables us to monitor the dynamics of the whole protein. The effects of cAMP binding on RIIbeta amide hydrogen exchange are restricted to the cAMP-binding pockets, while the effects of C-subunit binding are evident across both cAMP-binding domains and the linker region. The decreased amide hydrogen exchange for residues 253-268 within cAMP binding domain A and for residues 102-115, which include the pseudosubstrate inhibitory site, support the prediction that these two regions represent the conserved primary and peripheral C-subunit binding sites. An increase in amide hydrogen exchange for a broad area within cAMP-binding domain B and a narrow area within cAMP-binding domain A (residues 222-232) suggest that C-subunit binding transmits long-distance conformational changes throughout the protein.     

Expression of the type I regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in Escherichia coli

An expression vector has been constructed for the type I regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. A cDNA clone for the bovine RI-subunit has been inserted into pUC7. When Escherichia coli JM105 was transformed with this plasmid, R-subunit was expressed in amounts that approached 4 mg/liter. The expressed protein was visualized in total cell extracts by photolabeling with 8-azidoadenosine 3':5'-mono[32P]phosphate following transfer from sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels to nitrocellulose. Expression of R-subunit was independent of isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside. R-subunit accumulated in large amounts only in the stationary phase of growth, and the addition of isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside during the log phase of growth actually blocked the accumulation of R-subunit. Maximum expression (20 mg/liter) was achieved when E. coli 222 was transformed with the RI-containing plasmid. E. coli 222 is a strain that contains two mutations; it is cya- and also has a mutation in the catabolite gene activator protein (crp) that enables the protein to bind to DNA in the absence of cAMP. The expressed RI-subunit was a soluble, dimeric protein, and no significant proteolysis was apparent in the cell extract. The purified RI-subunit bound 2 mol of cAMP/mol of R monomer, reassociated with C-subunit to form holoenzyme, and migrated as a dimer on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels in the absence of reducing agents. The expressed protein was also susceptible to limited proteolysis, yielding a monomeric cAMP-binding fragment having a molecular weight of 35,000. In all of these properties, the expressed protein was indistinguishable from RI purified from bovine tissue even though the R-subunit expressed in E. coli represents a fusion protein that contains 10 additional amino acids at the amino terminus that are provided by the lac Z' gene of the vector. This NH2-terminal sequence was confirmed by amino acid sequencing.     

Immunochemical properties of the regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase II]

Immunochemical analysis of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulatory subunit type II was performed with the use of two rabbit antisera elicited to a free R-subunit from pig brain and to a RcAMP complex. Quantitative precipitation of the homogeneous antigen revealed six determinants on the R-molecule. Of these at least one is localized in the R-fragment (37 kD), the others--in the N-terminal part of the R-molecule. The antigenic determinants seem to be remoted from the cAMP-binding centers, since the attachment of the affinity purified antibody Fab-fragments to the R-subunit did not influence the cAMP-binding activity of the latter. The antibodies to RcAMP caused dissociation of the holoenzyme. The antibody Fab-fragment binding to the R-subunit prevented its association with the catalytic subunit. The results of immunochemical analysis suggest that the R-subunit adopts different conformations when bound to cAMP or to the catalytic subunit.     

Monoclonal antibodies as probes for functional domains in cAMP-dependent protein kinase II

The antigenic regions of the type II regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent kinase from bovine heart have been correlated with the previously established domain structure of the molecule. Immunoblotting with both serum and monoclonal antibodies of fragments generated by limited proteolysis or chemical cleavage of the R-subunit established that the major antigenic sites were confined to the amino-terminal portion of the polypeptide chain (residues 1-145). Radioimmunoassays using two different antisera suggested that one or more of the high affinity serum antibody recognition sites were further restricted to residues 91-145. This amino-terminal portion of the R-subunit includes the hinge region which is particularly sensitive to proteolysis, allowing the R-subunit to be cleaved readily into a COOH-terminal domain which retains the cAMP-binding sites and an NH2-terminal fragment which appears to be the major site for interaction of the R-subunits in the native dimer. Monoclonal antibodies that recognized determinants on both sides of this hinge region were characterized and their specific recognition sites localized. Accessibility of antigenic sites in the holoenzyme in contrast to free R2 was compared. Although cAMP did tend to slightly increase the affinity of the holoenzyme for one of the monoclonal antibodies, all of the antigenic sites clearly were exposed and accessible in the holoenzyme. Furthermore, despite the presumed close proximity of antigenic sites to interaction sites between the R- and C-subunits, in no case did binding of antibody to the holoenzyme promote dissociation of the complex. The fact that the monoclonal antibodies would precipitate holoenzyme as well as free R2 was used to ascertain the importance of specific amino acid residues in the interaction of the R- and C-subunits. cAMP-binding domains were isolated following limited proteolysis with chymotrypsin and thermolysin. These fragments differed by only three amino acid residues at the NH2-terminal end. U of these fragments in conjunction with immunoadsorption established that the chymotryptic fragment, which contained the Asp-Arg-Arg preceding the site of autophosphorylation, was capable of forming a stable complex with the C-subunit. In contrast, the thermolytic fragment which differed by only those three residues no longer complexed with the C-subunit, indicating that the arginine residues not only contribute to the specificity of the phosphorylation site but also are an essential component for energetically stabilizing the holoenzyme complex.     

Inhibition of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity by an endogenous factor.

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity of several tissues of rat is inhibited by an endogenous factor isolated from rat adipocytes following exposure of these cells to agents that raise intracellular cyclic AMP levels. The inhibitory action was demonstrated with varying cAMP concentrations from 0.1-400 muM. Enzyme from 10,000 X g supernatant of epididymal adipose tissue was inhibited approximately 2-3 fold more than the plasma membrane of adipocytes by a given concentration of the feedback regulator. Kinetic analysis of cAMP phosphodiesterase of plasma membrane showed that feedback regulator (8.8 U/ml) inhibited the Vmax 48%. The maximum inhibition of phosphodiesterase by feedback regulator (20 U/ml) was about 80%. The apparent Km for cAMP was increased. The ability of phosphodiesterase from several tissues of rat (10,000 X g supernatant) to hydrolyze cAMP and cGMP was tested. Feedback regulator inhibited cGMP hydrolysis in cardiac muscle and 5 other tissues 23-92% more than it inhibited the hydrolysis of cAMP. The physiological significance of this inhibitory effect can begin to be clarified when the feedback regulator is purified to homogeneity and characterized.     

Induced interchain disulfide bonding in cAMP-dependent protein kinase II

Cupric phenanthroline was used to catalyze the formation of disulfide bonds in cAMP-dependent protein kinase II. Incubation of holoenzyme alone with cupric phenanthroline resulted in no disulfide bond formation. In contrast, when holoenzyme was preincubated with cAMP prior to treatment with cupric phenanthroline, specific interchain disulfide bonding was found between the regulatory (R) and catalytic (C) subunits. Formation of the R-C dimer was independent of the phosphorylation state of R. Experiments with R that had been freed of bound cyclic nucleotide suggest that a ternary complex of R, C, and cAMP is necessary for the formation of this cross-linked species. When the dimeric R-subunit alone was incubated with cupric phenanthroline, the two protomers of the R-dimer were frequently cross-linked. Phosphorylation of R did not affect the formation of R-R dimers. In contrast to the R-subunit of the type I protein kinase, R-R dimers of the type II protein kinase were not normally observed in the absence of an added catalyst. Factors which favor disulfide bond formation in the R-dimer have not been determined.     

Mutations in the autoinhibitor site of the regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase I. Replacement of Ala-97 and Ser-99 interferes with reassociation with the catalytic subunit.

Each regulatory (R) subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase contains an autoinhibitor site that lies approximately 90-100 residues from the amino terminus. In order to study the importance of this autoinhibitor site in the type I R-subunit for interacting with the catalytic (C) subunit, recombinant techniques were used to replace Ala-97 with Gln, His, Lys, and Arg and to replace Ser-99 with Gly and Lys. All of the mutant proteins having a replacement at Ala-97 showed reduced affinity for the C-subunit ranging from 14- to 55-fold. In general, the decrease in affinity of the Ala-97 mutants for the C-subunit correlated with the increase in size of the side chain. In contrast to wild type R-subunit, where MgATP facilitates holoenzyme formation, MgATP inhibits the reassociation in all of the Ala-97 mutants suggesting that the larger side chains sterically interfere with bound MgATP in the active site of the C-subunit. Whereas MgATP slowed holoenzyme formation, AMP actually accelerated the reassociation of the A97K, A97H (pH 6.0), and A97Q mutants with the C-subunit. Therefore, the side chains of Lys-97, His-97, and Gln-97 can interact either electrostatically or by hydrogen bonding with the phosphate of AMP. This interpretation is reinforced by the fact that the stimulatory effect of AMP on the A97H mutant was pH-dependent. The affinities of the S99G and S99K mutants for the C-subunit were reduced 7- and 24-fold, respectively, suggesting that Ser-99 also may contribute to interactions between the R- and C-subunits.     

Tautomycetin is a novel and specific inhibitor of serine/threonine protein phosphatase type 1, PP1

Here we isolated tautomycetin, TC, and examined its phosphatase inhibitory activity. Recently we have reported that the left-hand moiety of tautomycin, TM, and the right one containing the spiroketal are essentially required for inhibition of protein phosphatase, PP, and induction of apoptosis, respectively. TC is structurally almost identical to TM except that TC is lacking the spiroketal, which has the potential apoptosis-inducing activity. TC specifically inhibited PP1 activity, IC50 values for purified PP1 and PP2A enzymes being 1.6 and 62 nM, respectively, whereas the IC50 values of TM were 0.21 and 0.94 nM, respectively. These results demonstrate that TC is the most specific PP1 inhibitor out of over 40 species of natural phosphatase inhibitors reported, strongly suggesting that TC is a novel powerful tool to elucidate the physiological roles of PP1 in various biological events.     

Inhibitory effect of the regulatory subunit of type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase on phosphoprotein phosphatase

The regulatory subunit of type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase (RI) from rabbit skeletal muscle inhibited the activity of a low molecular weight phosphoprotein phosphatase. The inhibition was concentration and time dependent. A maximum inhibition, about 70%, was observed at 2 microM of RI with an apparent Ki of 0.8 microM. Inhibition was associated with a decrease in Vmax with no change in Km for substrate, phosphorylase a. On the other hand, cAMP-dependent protein kinase holoenzyme or its catalytic subunit was without any effect. The inhibition of phosphoprotein phosphatase by RI may be of physiological significance since the dissociation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase by cAMP would result in a simultaneous increase in the phosphorylation and decrease in the dephosphorylation rates of target proteins.     

Subunit interaction sites between the regulatory and catalytic subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Identification of a specific interchain disulfide bond

The catalytic (C) subunit and the type II regulatory (RII) subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase can be cross-linked by interchain disulfide bonding. This disulfide bond can be catalyzed by cupric phenanthroline and also can be generated by a disulfide interchange using either RII-subunit or C-subunit that has been modified with either 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) or N-4(azidophenylthio)phthalimide (APTP). When the 2 cysteine residues of the C-subunit are reacted with DTNB prior to incubation with the RII-subunit, interchain disulfide bonding occurs. Similar observations are seen with C-subunit that had been modified with APTP. Interchain disulfide bonds also form when the RII-subunit is modified with DTNB prior to incubation with the C-subunit. The presence of cAMP facilitates this cross-linking while autophosphorylation of the RII-subunit retards the rate at which the interchain disulfide bond forms. Interchain disulfide bonds also form spontaneously when the RII-subunit and the C-subunit are dialyzed at pH 8.0 in the absence of reducing agents. The specific amino acid residues that participate in intersubunit disulfide bonding have been identified as Cys-97 in the RII-subunit and Cys-199 in the C-subunit. Based on the sequence homologies of the RII-subunit with other kinase substrates and on the proximity of Cys-97 to the catalytic site, a model is proposed in which the autophosphorylation site of the RII-subunit occupies the substrate-binding site in the holoenzyme. The model also proposes that this same site may be occupied by the region flanking Cys-199 in the C-subunit when the C-subunit is dissociated.     

Subunit interaction sites between the regulatory and catalytic subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Heterobifunctional cross-linking reagents lead to photodependent and photoindependent cross-linking

Heterobifunctional cross-linking reagents have been introduced into the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase as potential probes for identifying specific points of contact between the catalytic (C)-subunit and the type II regulatory (RII) subunit in the holoenzyme complex. Since at least one of the 2 cysteine residues in the C-subunit is known to be in close proximity to the interaction site between the C-subunit and the RII-subunit, these cysteines were chosen initially as targets for covalent modification by two heterobifunctional cross-linking reagents, p-azidophenacyl bromide and N-4-(azidophenylthio)phthalimide. Treatment of the C-subunit with each reagent led to the stoichiometric modification of Cys-199 and Cys-343. In each case, the modified C-subunit was still capable of forming a stable complex with the RII-subunit. Both modified C-subunits also could be covalently cross-linked to the RII-subunit; however, the mechanisms for cross-linking differed. Catalytic subunit modified by p-azidophenacyl bromide was cross-linked to the RII-subunit in a photodependent manner by a mechanism that was maximal when holoenzyme was formed and cAMP was absent. In contrast, the C-subunit modified by N-4-(azidophenylthio)phthalimide was cross-linked to the RII-subunit by a mechanism that was independent of photolysis. In this case, cross-linking was enhanced by the presence of cAMP. This cross-linking was the result of a disulfide interchange between a modified cysteine in the C-subunit and an unmodified cysteine in the RII-subunit.     

Sensing Domain Dynamics in Protein Kinase A-I�� Complexes by Solution X-ray Scattering

The catalytic (C) and regulatory (R) subunits of protein kinase A are exceptionally dynamic proteins. Interactions between the R- and C-subunits are regulated by cAMP binding to the two cyclic nucleotide-binding domains in the R-subunit. Mammalian cells express four different isoforms of the R-subunit (RIα, RIβ, RIIα, and RIIβ) that all interact with the C-subunit in different ways. Here, we investigate the dynamic behavior of protein complexes between RIα and C-subunits using small angle x-ray scattering. We show that a single point mutation in RIα, R333K (which alters the cAMP-binding properties of Domain B) results in a compact shape compared with the extended shape of the wild-type R·C complex. A double mutant complex that disrupts the interaction site between the C-subunit and Domain B in RIα, RIα_ABR333K·C(K285P), results in a broader P(r) curve that more closely resembles the P(r) profiles of wild-type complexes. These results together suggest that interactions between RIα Domain B and the C-subunit in the RIα·C complex involve large scale dynamics that can be disrupted by single point mutations in both proteins. In contrast to RIα·C complexes. Domain B in the RIIβ·C heterodimer is not dynamic and is critical for both inhibition and complex formation. Our study highlights the functional differences of domain dynamics between protein kinase A isoforms, providing a framework for elucidating the global organization of each holoenzyme and the cross-talk between the R- and C-subunits.     

The inhibitory effect of phosphorylase a on the activation of glycogen synthase depends on the type of synthase phosphatase.

The activity of glycogen synthase phosphatase in rat liver stems from the co-operation of two proteins, a cytosolic S-component and a glycogen-bound G-component. It is shown that both components possess synthase phosphatase activity. The G-component was partially purified from the enzyme-glycogen complex. Dissociative treatments, which increase the activity of phosphorylase phosphatase manyfold, substantially decrease the synthase phosphatase activity of the purified G-component. The specific inhibition of glycogen synthase phosphatase by phosphorylase a, originally observed in crude liver extracts, was investigated with purified liver synthase b and purified phosphorylase a. Synthase phosphatase is strongly inhibited, whether present in a dilute liver extract, in an isolated enzyme-glycogen complex, or as G-component purified therefrom. In contrast, the cytosolic S-component is insensitive to phosphorylase a. The activation of glycogen synthase in crude extracts of skeletal muscle is not affected by phosphorylase a from muscle or liver. Consequently we have studied the dephosphorylation of purified muscle glycogen synthase, previously phosphorylated with any of three protein kinases. Phosphorylase a strongly inhibits the dephosphorylation by the hepatic G-component, but not by the hepatic S-component or by a muscle extract. These observations show that the inhibitory effect of phosphorylase a on the activation of glycogen synthase depends on the type of synthase phosphatase.     

Phosphatase activity in corn and soybean roots: Conditions for assay and effects of metals

Studies with sterile root materials showed that the optimum pH values of phosphatase activity in three varieties of each of corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max. L.) were 4 and 5, respectively. The activity on either side of the optimum pH fell sharply, and there was no activity at pH 9. Thus, these roots contain acid but no alkaline phosphatase activity. Acid phosphatase activity was not uniformly distributed in roots and root hairs. Studies with 20 metals showed that their effectiveness in inhibiting acid phosphatase activity of roots varied with the type of plant used. When the metals were compared at 250 μM (1.25 μmole. 5 mg⁻¹ of homogenized roots), the inhibition of acid phosphatase of corn and soybean roots showed that Ag(I), Fe(III), Se(IV), V(IV), As(V) and Mo(VI) were the most effective inhibitors of this enzyme in corn roots, with percentage inhibition ≥30%. In addition to these metals, Sn(II), Hg(II), and W(VI) inhibited acid phosphatase in soybean roots by >30%. Other metals and one non-metallic element that inhibited acid phosphatase activity in corn and soybean roots were: Cu(I), Cu(II), Cd(II), Ni(II), Fe(II), Pb(II), Ba(II), Co(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), B(III), As(III), Cr(III), and Al(III); their degrees of effectiveness varied with type of roots used. Generally, the inhibitory effect of the metals was much less when their concentration was decreased by 10-fold. In addition to the effect of these elements, phosphate ion inhibited acid phosphatase activity of corn and soybean roots. Related anions such as NO ₂ ⁻ , NO ₃ ⁻ , Cl⁻, and SO ₄ ²⁻ were not inhibitory.     

The importance of nucleoside triphosphate inhibition of liver glycogen synthase phosphatase activity

The liver glycogen particle contains constitutive glycogen-synthase phosphatase activity which is inhibited by ATP-Mg in a concentration-dependent manner within the physiological range (I0.5 = 0.1 mM). Therefore, we determined whether other nucleoside triphosphate-magnesium complexes also inhibit synthase phosphatase activity. UTP-Mg, CTP-Mg and GTP-Mg were all found to be inhibitory. The maximum inhibition was 85-90% which was greater than that for ATP-Mg. The I0.5 for UTP-Mg was comparable to that of ATP-Mg but it was greater for CTP-Mg and for GTP-Mg. At in vivo physiological concentrations, both UTP and ATP are possible inhibitors of synthase phosphatase activity. In the presence of a saturating concentration of ATP-Mg, added UTP-Mg increased the inhibition suggesting the presence of at least two distinct nucleotide binding sites. Substitution of calcium for magnesium in an ATP complex had no effect on the I0.5, but increased the maximum inhibition. The present studies also suggest that in the multistep conversion of synthase D to synthase I, ATP-Mg inhibition occurs early in the sequence. Addition of glycogen, a known inhibitor of synthase phosphatase activity, to a reaction mixture containing 3 mM ATP-Mg did not further inhibit synthase phosphatase activity when added at concentrations up to 22 mg/ml. The latter data suggest that the presence of a nucleoside triphosphate may desensitize the phosphatase to glycogen inhibition. ATP-Mg and, to a lesser extent, UTP-Mg and CTP-Mg all stimulated phosphorylase phosphatase activity but GTP-Mg did not.     

Using Markov State Models to Develop a Mechanistic Understanding of Protein Kinase A Regulatory Subunit RIα Activation in Response to cAMP Binding

Protein kinase A (PKA) holoenzyme consists of two catalytic (C) subunits and a regulatory (R) subunit dimer (R₂C₂). The kinase is activated by the binding of cAMPs to the two cyclic nucleotide binding domains (CBDs), A and B, on each R-subunit. Despite extensive study, details of the allosteric mechanisms underlying the cooperativity of holoenzyme activation remain unclear. Several Markov state models of PKA-RIα were developed to test competing theories of activation for the R₂C₂ complex. We found that CBD-B plays an essential role in R-C interaction and promotes the release of the first C-subunit prior to the binding to CBD-A. This favors a conformational selection mechanism for release of the first C-subunit of PKA. However, the release of the second C-subunit requires all four cAMP sites to be occupied. These analyses elucidate R-C heterodimer interactions in the cooperative activation of PKA and cAMP binding and represent a new mechanistic model of R₂C₂ PKA-RIα activation.     

Effect of metabolites and phosphorylase on the D to I conversion of glycogen synthase from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

The D to I conversion of glycogen synthase from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes was examined both in a gel-filtered homogenate and in a preparation of glycogen particles with adhering enzymes, purified by chromatography on concanavalin A bound to Sepharose. It was found that glucose 6-phosphate as well as mannose 6-phosphate, glucosamine 6-phosphate, and 2-deoxy-glucose 6-phosphate activated the reaction, whereas the corresponding sugars were without effect. Mn2+ and Ca2+ increased the conversion rate by 51% and 27%, respectively, whereas Mg2+ and inorganic phosphate were without effect. Sodium fluoride inhibited the reaction completely. Glycogen inhibited the reaction in physiological concentrations and 0.5 mM glucose 6-phosphate was able to overcome this inhibition. MgATP greatly augmented the inhibition caused by glycogen in the glycogen particle preparation. This combined effect could be overcome by glucose 6-phosphate in concentrations from 0.1 to 1 mM. Phosphorylase alpha purified from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes inhibited the D to I conversion in a glycogen particle preparation. The inhibition was counteracted by glucose 6-phosphate and to a lesser degree by AMP. Phosphorylase beta was also inhibitory, but only at higher concentrations than phosphorylase alpha. No phosphorylase phosphatase activity was found in the glycogen particle preparation, which may indicate that chromatography on concanavalin A-Sepharose separates this enzyme from the synthase phosphatase or partially destroys the activity of a hypothetical common protein phosphatase.     

A simple electrostatic switch important in the activation of type I protein kinase A by cyclic AMP

Cyclic AMP activates protein kinase A by binding to an inhibitory regulatory (R) subunit and releasing inhibition of the catalytic (C) subunit. Even though crystal structures of regulatory and catalytic subunits have been solved, the precise molecular mechanism by which cyclic AMP activates the kinase remains unknown. The dynamic properties of the cAMP binding domain in the absence of cAMP or C-subunit are also unknown. Here we report molecular-dynamics simulations and mutational studies of the RIalpha R-subunit that identify the C-helix as a highly dynamic switch which relays cAMP binding to the helical C-subunit binding regions. Furthermore, we identify an important salt bridge which links cAMP binding directly to the C-helix that is necessary for normal activation. Additional mutations show that a hydrophobic "hinge" region is not as critical for the cross-talk in PKA as it is in the homologous EPAC protein, illustrating how cAMP can control diverse functions using the evolutionarily conserved cAMP-binding domains.     

On the mechanism of regulation of type I phosphoprotein phosphatase from bovine heart. Regulation by a novel intracyclic activation-deactivation mechanism via transient phosphorylation of the regulatory subunit by phosphatase-1 kinase (FA)

Adenosine 5'-(gamma-thio)triphosphate (ATP gamma S) can substitute for ATP in the activation of the ATP X Mg2+-dependent form of bovine heart type I protein phosphatase (Mr = 75,000) catalyzed by phosphatase-1 kinase (FA). ATP gamma S activates the enzyme to a lower level than ATP, but it phosphorylates the regulatory (R)-subunit to a much higher extent. An [35S]phosphatase-1 [( 35S]E-P) has been isolated, identified, and shown to be a key intermediate in the activation reaction. Treatment of [35S]E-P with dimethyl suberimidate results in cross-linking of the Mr = 34,000 [35S]R-subunit with the Mr = 40,000 catalytic (C)-subunit to form a Mr = 75,000 species, indicating that phosphorylation is not accompanied by dissociation of the holoenzyme. The catalytically active form (Ea) is not the phosphorylated enzyme intermediate. Instead, Ea is directly produced from the intermediate by a Mg2+-dependent, intramolecular autodephosphorylation reaction. The isolated Ea derived from [35S]E-P or from ATP-activated phosphatase-1 has the same half-life (23 min at 30 degrees C). It spontaneously deactivates, via an intramolecular process, to a resting state (Er) which can be fully reactivated by FA X ATP X Mg2+. The deactivation of Ea can be accelerated by chelators, PPi greater than ATP X Mg2+ blocks the PPi effect. Limited trypsinization selectively digests the R-subunit and the resulting C-subunit is Mg2+-dependent. Based on the present data, a novel intracyclic activation-deactivation mechanism via transient phosphorylation of the R-subunit is proposed for regulation of phosphatase-1. (formula; see text).