The epinephrine-sensitive adenylate cyclase of rat liver plasma membranes. Role of guanyl nucleotides.

The epinephrine sensitivity in vitro of the adenylate cyclase system in liver plasma membranes from adrenalectomized rats was increased by the addition of 1 to 100 muM GTP or GDP in the incubation medium. Basal and glucagon-stimulated cyclase activities were also enhanced by GTP and GDP. These effects occurred even in the absence of an ATP-regenerating system. They were mimicked by 5'-guanyl diphosphonate and a series of guanyl derivatives, indicating that the structural requirement for the GTP action is not very stringent. Guanyl nucleotides did not increase the affinity of the adenylate cyclase system for the activating hormones, nor did they protect the enzyme activity against denaturation. Their synergic effect was due to an enhancement of the affinity of the enzyme for the substrate MgATP and also to an increase of the maximal velocity of the reaction. It is proposed that the guanyl nucleotides act directly and primarily upon the catalytic component of the cyclase system, independently of their effects on the binding of the activating hormones to liver plasma membrane. Since the activating effects of epinephrine and glucagon are similar in the presence of GTP, but not in its absence, it is suggested that the lower efficiency of epinephrine under normal conditions is not due to intrinsic membrane characteristics, but rather, to superimposed extraneous modulations.     

Acidic phospholipid species inhibit adenylate cyclase activity in rat liver plasma membranes.

Incubation of rat liver plasma membranes with liposomes of dioleoyl phosphatidic acid (dioleoyl-PA) led to an inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity which was more pronounced when fluoride-stimulated activity was followed than when glucagon-stimulated activity was followed. If Mn2+ (5 mM) replaced low (5 mM) [Mg2+] in adenylate cyclase assays, or if high (20 mM) [Mg2+] were employed, then the perceived inhibitory effect of phosphatidic acid was markedly reduced when the fluoride-stimulated activity was followed but was enhanced for the glucagon-stimulated activity. The inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity observed correlated with the association of dioleoyl-PA with the plasma membranes. Adenylate cyclase activity in dioleoyl-PA-treated membranes, however, responded differently to changes in [Mg2+] than did the enzyme in native liver plasma membranes. Benzyl alcohol, which increases membrane fluidity, had similar stimulatory effects on the fluoride- and glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities in both native and dioleoyl-PA-treated membranes. Incubation of the plasma membranes with phosphatidylserine also led to similar inhibitory effects on adenylate cyclase and responses to Mg2+. Arrhenius plots of both glucagon- and fluoride-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity were different in dioleoyl-PA-treated plasma membranes, compared with native membranes, with a new 'break' occurring at around 16 degrees C, indicating that dioleoyl-PA had become incorporated into the bilayer. E.s.r. analysis of dioleoyl-PA-treated plasma membranes with a nitroxide-labelled fatty acid spin probe identified a new lipid phase separation occurring at around 16 degrees C with also a lipid phase separation occurring at around 28 degrees C as in native liver plasma membranes. It is suggested that acidic phospholipids inhibit adenylate cyclase by virtue of a direct headgroup specific interaction and that this perturbation may be centred at the level of regulation of this enzyme by the stimulatory guanine nucleotide regulatory protein NS.     

The effect of temperature on the activity of the adenylate cyclase system of liver plasma membranes

The rat liver adenylate cyclase system shows a discontinuity in the Arrhenius plots at 20°C in the nonstimulated activity (basal) with activation energies of 16 and 28 Kcal/mole. The discontinuity disappears when the enzyme is stimulated either by glucagon, sodium fluoride, 5′ guanylyl-imidodiphosphate or glucagon plus 5′ guanylyl-imidodiphosphate and the energy of activation was the same with all the compounds tested. If the activator was initially in contact with the membranes at 0°C the energy of activation was similar to that observed below the break (26 Kcal/mole) but it changed to that above the break if the compound contacted the membranes at temperatures above the break (22–24°C). We discuss the possibility of two different conformations of the enzyme; both conformations can be “frozen” by any of the compounds tested, “isolating” the enzyme from any subsequent physical change of the membrane due to temperature.     

Lysophosphatidylcholines can modulate the activity of the glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase from rat liver plasma membranes.

1. Synthetic lysophosphatidylcholines inhibit the glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity of rat liver plasma membranes at concentrations two to five times lower than those needed to inhibit the fluoride-stimulated activity. 2. Specific 125I-labelled glucagon binding to hormone receptors is inhibited at concentrations similar to those inhibiting the fluoride-stimulated activity. 3. At concentrations of lysophosphatidylcholines immediately below those causing inhibition, an activation of adenylate cyclase activity or hormone binding was observed. 4 These effects are essentially reversible. 5. We conclude that the increased sensitivity of glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase to inhibition may be due to the lysophosphatidylcholines interfering with the physical coupling between the hormone receptor and catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase. 6. We suggest that, in vivo, it is possible that lysophosphatidylcholines may modulate the activity of adenylate cyclase only when it is in the hormone-stimulated state.     

Solubilization of glucagon and epinephrine sensitive adenylate cyclase from rat liver plasma membranes

Hormonally sensitive adenylate cyclase has been solubilized from rat liver plasma membranes using Triton X-305 in Tris buffers containing mercaptoethanol and MgCl₂. The solubilized enzyme was stimulated 5 fold by NaF, 7 fold by glucagon and 20 fold by epinephrine. Criteria for solubilization included lack of sedimentation at 100,000 × g for one hour, the absence of particulate material in the 100,000 × g supernatant when examined by electron microscopy, and inclusion of hormonally sensitive adenylate cyclase activity in Sephadex G 200 gels. The molecular weight of the solubilized, hormonally sensitive enzyme was approximately 200,000 in the presence of Triton X-305.     

Effects of 4-hydroxynonenal on adenylate cyclase and 5'-nucleotidase activities in rat liver plasma membranes

Adenylate cyclase and 5'-nucleotidase activities in rat liver plasma membranes were assayed in vitro in the presence of 4-hydroxy-2,3-trans-nonenal (HNE), a major end-product of microsomal lipid peroxidation. Both basal and glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner, even at micromolar HNE concentrations, whereas fluoride-stimulated activity increased. A biphasic, dose- and time-dependent effect was noted when the basal activity was monitored at increasing doses. 5'-Nucleotidase activity was also decreased by HNE, but only at millimolar concentrations. These findings are related to the view that aldehydes, especially HNE, may act as diffusible cytotoxic compounds when lipid peroxidative derangement of membrane lipids is provoked by toxic conditions.     

Dimethylnitrosamine inhibits the glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity of rat liver plasma membranes and decreases plasma membrane fluidity

The effect of the hepatocarcinogen dimethylnitrosamine on rat liver plasma membrane adenylate cyclase activity and lipid fluidity was assessed. Glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity exhibited a complex response to increasing concentrations of dimethylnitrosamine, whereas fluoride-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was progressively inhibited. Maximal inhibitory effects were observed at a concentration of 15 mM in both cases. The activity of detergent-solubilized adenylate cyclase was unaffected by dimethylnitrosamine. ESR analysis using a fatty acid spin probe showed that dimethylnitrosamine produced a marked, dose-dependent reduction in the fluidity of the plasma membrane with a maximal effect occurring at 20 mM. Dimethylnitrosamine also elevated the temperature at which the lipid phase separation occurred in rat liver plasma membranes, from 28 degrees C to 31 degrees C. The non-carcinogenic but structurally similar compound, dimethylamine hydrochloride neither inhibited adenylate cyclase nor decreased plasma membrane fluidity. It is suggested that the decrease in membrane fluidity, induced by dimethylnitrosamine, via its effects on membrane fluidity, could influence plasma membrane function and cellular regulation.     

The interactions between the activatory guanine nucleotide binding protein and the catalytic subunit of adenylate cyclase in rat liver plasma membranes.

Three GTP-binding proteins of 50 kDa, 45 kDa and 28 kDa were identified by photoaffinity labelling with [gamma-32P]GTP-gamma-azidoanilide (A-GTP) in the rat liver plasma membrane. Pertussis toxin catalysed ADP-ribosylation of a single protein of 40 kDa. A-GTP had no effect on the basal labeling by pertussis toxin. After u.v. irradiation of the membrane in the presence of A-GTP, the GTP-dependent ADP-ribosylation by cholera toxin was increased, while the basal labelling was not affected. These results suggest that A-GTP interacts specifically with the activatory GTP-binding protein (Gs) and does not interact with the inhibitory GTP-binding protein (Gi). The effects of partial photoinactivation of Gs of the rat liver plasma membrane adenylate cyclase system by A-GTP were studied. U.v. irradiation in the presence of increasing concentrations of the analogue caused progressive decrease in the maximal extent of activation by guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate, but the Ka was not affected. The rate of activation of liver adenylate cyclase by guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate is temperature-dependent. The lag time increased from 0.5 min at 30 degrees C to 2.0-2.5 min at 15 degrees C in the presence of 10 microM-guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate. However, Ka remains unaffected by lowering the temperature. Photoinactivation by A-GTP or competitive inhibition by guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate decreases the maximal extent of activation by guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio] triphosphate, but the lag time remains unaffected. The present results support the idea that Gs is tightly associated with the catalytic subunit under basal conditions. The present results also indicate that the transition of an inactive Gs to its active form is the rate-limiting step of the activation of adenylate cyclase by guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate in the intact rat liver plasma membranes.     

Calcitonin-sensitive adenylate cyclase in rat renal tubular membranes.

1. Renal tubular membranes from rat kidneys were prepared, and adenylate cyclase activity was measured under basal conditions, after stimulation by NaF or salmon calcitonin. Apparent Km value of the enzyme for hormone-linked receptor was close to 1 x 10(-8) M. 2. The system was sensitive to temperature and pH. pH was found to act both on affinity for salmon calcitonin-linked receptor and maximum stimulation, suggesting an effect of pH on hormone-receptor binding and on a subsequent step. 3. KCl was without effect areas whereas CoCl and CaCl2 above 100 muM and MnCl2 above 1 muM inhibited F- -and salmon calcitonin-sensitive adenylate cyclase activities. The Ca2+ inhibition of the response reflected a fall in maximum stimulation and not a loss of affinity of salmon calcitonin-linked receptor for the enzyme. 4. The measurement of salmon calcitonin-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity as a function of ATP concentration showed that the hormone increases the maximum velocity of the adenylate cyclase. GTP, ITP and XTP at 200 muM did not modify basal, salmon calcitonin- and parathyroid hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase activities. 5. Basal, salmon calcitonin- and F- -sensitive adenylate cyclase activities decreased at Mg2+ concentrations below 10 mM. High concentrations of Mg2+ (100 mM) led to an inhibition of the F- -stimulated enzyme. 6. Salmon calcitonin-linked receptor had a greater affinity for adenylate cyclase than human or porcine calcitonin-linked receptors. There was no additive effect of these three calcitonin peptides whereas parathyroid hormone added to salmon calcitonin increased adenylate cyclase activity, thus showing that both hormones bound to different membrane receptors. Human calcitonin fragments had no effect on adenylate cyclase activity. 7. Salmon calcitonin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity decreased with the preincubation time. This was due to progressive degradation of the hormone and not to the rate of binding to membrane receptors.     

The activity of glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase from rat liver plasma membranes is modulated by the fluidity of its lipid environment.

1. The local anaesthetic benzyl alcohol progressively activated glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity up to a maximum at 50 mM-benzyl alcohol. Further increases in benzyl alcohol concentration inhibited the activity. The fluoride-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was similarly affected except for an inhibition of activity occurring at low benzyl alcohol concentrations (approx. 10 mM. 2. The fluoride-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity of a solubilized enzyme preparation was unaffected by any of the benzyl alcohol concentrations tested. 3. Increases in 3-phenylpropan-1-ol and 5-phenylpentan-1-ol concentrations progressively activated both the fluoride- and glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities up to a maximum, above which further increases in alcohol concentration inhibited the activities. 4. The 'break' points in Arrhenius plots of glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in native plasma membranes, and in plasma membranes fused with synthetic dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine so as to constitute 60% of the total lipid pool, were decreased by approx. 6 degrees C by addition of 40 mM-benzyl alcohol. This was accompanied by a fall in the associated activation energies. 6. Arrhenius plots of fluoride-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in the presence and absence of 40 mM-benzyl alcohol were linear, although addition of benzyl alcohol caused a dramatic decrease in the associated activation energy of the reaction. 7. 5'-Nucleotidase activity was stimulated by benzyl alcohol, and the 'break' point in the Arrhenius plot of its activity was decreased by about 6 degrees C by addition of 40 mM-benzyl alcohol to the assay. 8. It is suggested that benzyl alcohol effects a fluidization of the bilayer, which is clearly demonstrated by its ability to lower the temperature of a lipid phase separation occurring at 28 degrees C in the outer half of the bilayer to around 22 degrees C. The increase in bilayer fluidity relieves a physical constraint on the membrane-bound adenylate cyclase, activating the enzyme. 9. The various inhibition phenomena are discussed in detail, together with the suggestion that the interaction between the uncoupled catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase and the lipids of the bilayer is altered on its physical coupling to the glucagon receptor.     

Cholera toxin and adenylate cyclase: properties of the activated enzyme in liver plasma membranes.

Adenylate cyclase (EC 4.6.1.1) activity in mouse liver plasma membranes is increased fivefold when animals are pretreated with cholera toxin. The increase in activity is detectable within 20 min of an intravenous injection of the toxin. The response of the control and cholera-toxin-activated adenylate cyclase to hormones, GTP, and NaF is complex. GTP causes the same fold stimulation of control and toxin-activated cyclase, but glucagon and NaF remain the most potent activators of liver adenylate cyclase irrespective of whether the enzyme is activated by cholera toxin. Determination of kinetic parameters of adenylate cyclase indicates that cholera toxin, hormones, and NaF do not change the affinity of the enzyme for ATP-Mg nor do they alter the Ka for free Mg2+. High concentrations of Mg2+ inhibit adenylate cyclase that is stimulated by either cholera toxin, glucagon, or NaF. These same Mg2+ concentrations have no effect on the basal activity of the enzyme or its activity in the presence of GTP.     

Galanin inhibits adenylate cyclase of rat brain membranes.

The ubiquitous neuropeptide, galanin, strongly inhibits adenylate cyclase in rat brain membranes. While basal enzyme activity was not altered, galanin from 10(-11) M to 5 x 10(-7) M decreased forskolin- and VIP-stimulated adenylate cyclase with a half-maximal effect being elicited by 0.7 nM neuropeptide and a maximal 80% inhibition of the enzyme activity. The galanin fragments (2-29) and (1-15) dose-dependently inhibited the forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase, while the fragments (3-29) and (10-29) were found inactive. These results indicate that the regulatory action of galanin in the central nervous system involves the coupling of galanin receptors to the inhibition of the adenylate cyclase system.     

Phospholipase C digestion of rat liver plasma membrane stimulates adenylate cyclase

Brief treatment of rat liver plasma membranes with phospholipase C of Clostridium welchii increased both the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids and the ratio of cholesterol to phospholipids. Using 5-doxylstearic acid spin probes two breaks at 29 and 19.6 °C could be observed in the order parameter, S_A, vs temperature curve for untreated membranes. Upon phospholipase C digestion the lower phase transition temperature was shifted to 23 °C, while the higher phase transition temperature could not be detected up to 40 °C. The order parameter, S_A, was consistently higher at all temperatures in the phospholipase C-treated membranes. As phospholipase C is known to attack the outer lamella, these results can be interpreted as indicating an increase in ordering (i.e., decrease in fluidity) of the outer membrane lamella. On the other hand, an increase in basal activity of adenylate cyclase of the treated membranes was observed with an apparent reduction of the activation energies both below and above the break (at 20 °C) in the Arrhenius plot of enzyme activity. Phospholipase C treatment did not affect the temperature of the break in Arrhenius kinetics of the enzyme. The results are discussed in terms of the role of the ordering state of membrane lipids in adenylate cyclase activity.