Interaction of the Inhibitory GTP Regulatory Component with Soluble Cerebral Cortical Adenylate Cyclase

Functional interaction of the inhibitory GTP regulatory component (Ni) with the adenylate cyclase catalytic subunit has not previously been demonstrated after detergent solubilization. The present report describes a sodium cholate-solubilized preparation of rat cerebral cortical membrane adenylate cyclase that retains guanine nucleotide-mediated inhibition of activity. Methods of membrane preparation, cholate extraction, and assay conditions were manipulated such that guanosine-5'-(beta-gamma-imido)triphosphate [Gpp(NH)p] inhibited basal activity 40-60%. The rank order of potency among various GTP analogs was similar in cholate extracts and in membranes: guanosine-5'-0-(3-thiotriphosphate) greater than Gpp(NH)p greater than GTP. Inclusion of 0.1 mM EGTA reduced basal activity 70-90% and abolished Gpp(NH)p inhibition of basal activity in both membranes and cholate extracts. Forskolin-stimulated activity was also inhibited by Gpp(NH)p. Treatment of either membranes or cholate extracts with N-ethylmaleimide abolished Gpp(NH)p inhibition. Gel filtration of the cholate extract over a Sepharose 6B column in 0.1% Lubrol PX partially resolved the adenylate cyclase components. However, Gpp(NH)p inhibition of basal activity (60% of the control) was maintained in select column fractions. Sucrose gradient centrifugation totally resolved the catalytic subunit from both functional Ni and stimulatory GTP regulatory component (Ns) activities. The sedimentation of functional Ni activity was detected by assaying the ability of sucrose gradient fractions to confer Gpp(NH)p inhibition of the resolved catalytic activity. Labeling of gradient or column fractions with pertussis toxin and [32P]NAD revealed that both the 39,000- and 41,000-dalton substrates comigrated with the functional Ni activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Properties of detergent-dispersed adenylate cyclase from cerebral cortex. Presence of an inhibitor protein

Adenylate cyclase was solubilized from washed particulate fraction of rabbit cerebral cortex with the nonionic detergent Lubrol 12A9 and subjected to either gel filtration on Ultrogel AcA 34 or chromatography on DEAE Bio-Gel A. By both procedures the enzyme was resolved into two components, one insensitive to guanyl 5'-yl imidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p] and NaF but stimulated by Ca2+ and calmodulin, and another that was sensitive to Gpp(NH)p and NaF but relatively insensitive to Ca2+ and calmodulin. The data support the possibility that two independent forms of adenylate cyclase exist in cerebral cortex, one regulated by guanine nucleotide regulatory protein and another by Ca2+-calmodulin. Fractions containing the guanylnucleotide-sensitive activity were found to contain a factor that inhibited basal and Ca2+-stimulated adenylate cyclase in the Ca2+-sensitive fraction. The inhibitor was inactivated by heating at 60 degrees C and by incubation with trypsin. Inhibition was not time-dependent, and it was not due to destruction of cAMP by phosphodiesterase or of ATP by ATPase. Inhibitory action was not reversed by calmodulin and therefore it does not appear to be a calmodulin binding protein. Sucrose density gradient sedimentation indicated a sedimentation coefficient of 4S for the inhibitor; by this technique it co-sedimented with the adenylate cyclase sensitive to Gpp(NH)p and NaF.     

Properties of Detergent-Dispersed Adenylate Cyclase from Cerebral Cortex. Presence of an Inhibitor Protein

Abstract: Adenylate cyclase was solubilized from washed paniculate fraction of rabbit cerebral cortex with the nonionic detergent Lubrol 12A9 and subjected to either gel filtration on Ultrogel AcA 34 or chromatography on DEAE Bio-Gel A. By both procedures the enzyme was resolved into two components, one insensitive to guanyl 5'-yl imidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p] and NaF but stimulated by Ca²⁺ and calmodulin, and another that was sensitive to Gpp(NH)p and NaF but relatively insensitive to Ca²⁺ and calmodulin. The data support the possibility that two independent forms of adenylate cyclase exist in cerebral cortex, one regulated by guanine nucleotide regulatory protein and another by Ca²⁺-calmodulin. Fractions containing the guanylnucleotide-sensitive activity were found to contain a factor that inhibited basal and Ca²⁺-stimulated adenylate cyclase in the Ca²⁺-sensitive fraction. The inhibitor was inactivated by heating at 60°C and by incubation with trypsin. Inhibition was not time-dependent, and it was not due to destruction of cAMP by phosphodiesterase or of ATP by ATPase. Inhibitory action was not reversed by calmodulin and therefore it does not appear to be a calmodulin binding protein. Sucrose density gradient sedimentation indicated a sedimentation coefficient of 4S for the inhibitor; by this technique it co-sedimented with the adenylate cyclase sensitive to Gpp(NH)p and NaF.     

Guanine nucleotide regulation of adenylate cyclase in permeabilized cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Adenylate cyclase in permeabilized cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was examined. Among various permeabilization procedures, including organic solvents, detergents and other reagents, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and digitonin treatments resulted in the highest recovery of adenylate cyclase activity. Incubation of cells at 30 degrees C with digitonin at 0.01% to 0.1%, or DMSO at 20% to 40% for 15 to 30 min gave optimal adenylate cyclase activity. The enzyme activity in digitonin-permeabilized cells could be supported only by Mn2+, whereas Mg2+ with or without guanine nucleotides did not support cyclase activity. DMSO-permeabilized cells exhibit efficient Mn2+- and Mg2+/Gpp[NH]p-dependent stimulation. Furthermore, digitonin added to yeast membranes at a 1:50 detergent to protein ratio (w/w) abolishes guanyl nucleotide regulation without significantly affecting the Mn2+-supported cyclase activity. The superiority of DMSO is further supported by the fact that recovery of adenylate cyclase activity is better in the DMSO-treated cells than in the digitonin-treated cells. DMSO most probably causes less disturbance of the fabric of the native cell. We conclude that digitonin, but not DMSO, uncouples the catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase from the regulatory GTP binding (ras) proteins.     

Characteristics of the guanine nucleotide regulatory component of adenylate cyclase in human erythrocyte membranes

This study probes the structure and mutual interactions of the components of adenylate cyclase. We use a complementation assay which involves the addition of an adenylate cyclase-related guanine nucleotide-binding protein component to a membrane lacking this component to measure guanine nucleotide-stimulated-adenylate cyclase. Instead of using detergent extracts we were able to achieve full complementation by mixing intact membrane preparations in the presence of the nucleotide component. Of particular interest was the human erythrocyte membrane which contains very low amounts of catalytic activity and no measurable beta-adrenergic receptor but has normal amounts of the nucleotide component. This component appears to be the same, by several criteria, as components found in pigeon and turkey erythrocytes and in rat liver plasma membrane. The component confers Gpp(NH)p, fluoride, and GTP stimulation of adenylate cyclase along a single reconstitution curve. It is labeled with NAD by cholera toxin, and has an apparent molecular weight of 39 000 upon sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis. The presence of the nucleotide unit in the virtual absence of the active catalytic unit allowed us to determine those properties intrinsic to each unit and those conferred by the association of the units. The nucleotide component binds guanine nucleotides weakly in the human erythrocyte membrane, yet produces persistent activation of adenylate cyclase and tight binding (of Gpp(NH)p) upon combination with the catalytic unit. Treatment of the human erythrocyte membrane with N-ethylmaleimide causes a simultaneous diminution in both Gpp(NH)p and fluoride stimulation in reconstituted activities, suggesting that both activities are conferred by the same component.     

Forskolin-activated adenylate cyclase. Inhibition by guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate

Forskolin activated adenylate cyclase of purified rat adipocyte membranes in the absence of exogenous guanine nucleotides. Guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) inhibited the forskolin-activated cyclase immediately upon addition of the nucleotide at concentrations too low to activate adenylate cyclase (10(-9) to 10(-7) M). Inhibition seen with a very high concentration of Gpp(NH)p (10(-4) M) lasted for 3-4 min and was followed by an increase in the synthetic rate which remained constant for at least 15 min. The length of the transient inhibition did not vary with forskolin concentrations above 0.05 microM but low Gpp(NH)p (10(-8) M) exhibited a lengthened (6-7 min) inhibitory phase. The transient inhibitory effects of Gpp(NH)p were eliminated by 10(-7) M isoproterenol, high (40 mM) Mg2+, or preincubation with Gpp(NH)p in the absence of forskolin. While forskolin stimulated fat cell cyclase in the presence of Mn2+, this ion blocked the inhibitory effects of Gpp(NH)p. The well documented inhibitory effects of GTP on the fat cell adenylate cyclase system were also observed in the presence of forskolin. However, the inhibition by GTP is not transitory. These findings indicate that Gpp(NH)p regulation of forskolin-stimulated cyclase has at least two components: 1) an inhibitory component which acts through an undetermined mechanism and which acts immediately to decrease cyclase activity; and 2) an activating component which modulates the inhibited cyclase activity through the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein.     

A reconstitution assay for the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein of the adenylate cyclase system using turkey erythrocyte membranes as the acceptor preparation

The turkey erythrocyte beta-adrenergic receptor-adenylate cyclase system has the unusual property that neither GTP nor Gpp(NH)p are effective in activating adenylate cyclase unless a beta-agonist is present simultaneously. This property results in essentially no basal activity and the inability of GTP or Gpp(NH)p alone to activate the catalytic moiety. In this study, we have exploited these characteristics to utilize turkey erythrocyte membranes as the acceptor preparation in a reconstitution assay. Rat reticulocyte or turkey erythrocyte membranes that have been activated with isoproterenol and Gpp(NH)p followed by solubilization with sodium cholate serve as the donor source of the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (N). By reconstituting this Gpp(NH)p-activated N protein, it has been found that: (1) exogenous Gpp(NH)p-associated N could activate the catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase in turkey erythrocyte membranes; (2) this system can be used to assay N protein activity; (3) the endogenous pathway for activation of turkey erythrocyte membrane adenylate cyclase by hormones and fluoride remains qualitatively functional; and (4) the effects of combined activation via the endogenous and exogenous pathways are additive and saturable.     

Characterization of an ATP-Mg2+-dependent guanine nucleotide-stimulated adenylate cyclase from Neurospora crassa

A novel adenylate cyclase activity was found in crude homogenates of Neurospora crassa. The adenylate cyclase had substantial activity with ATP-Mg2+ as substrate differing significantly from the strictly ATP-Mn2+-dependent enzyme characterized previously. Additionally, the ATP-Mg2+-dependent activity was stimulated two- to fourfold by GTP or guanyl-5'-yl-imido-diphosphate (Gpp(NH)p). We propose that the ATP-Mg2+-dependent, guanine nucleotide-stimulated activity is due to a labile regulatory component (G component) of the adenylate cyclase which was present in carefully prepared extracts. The adenylate cyclase had a pH optimum of 5.8 and both the catalytic and G component were particulate. The Km for ATP-Mg2+ was 2.2 mM in the presence of 4.5 mM excess Mg2+. Low Mn2+ concentrations had no effect on adenylate cyclase activity whereas high concentrations of Mn2+ or Mg2+ stimulated the enzyme. Maximal Gpp(NH)p stimulation required preincubation of the enzyme in the presence of the guanine nucleotide and the K1/2 for Gpp(NH)p stimulation was 110 nM. Neither fluoride nor any of a variety of glycolytic intermediates or hormones, including glucagon, epinephrine, and dopamine, had an effect on ATP-Mg2+-dependent adenylate cyclase activity. However, the enzymatic activity was stimulated not only by GTP but also by 5'-AMP and was inhibited by NADH.     

The subunits of the stimulatory regulatory component of adenylate cyclase. Resolution, activity, and properties of the 35,000-dalton (beta) subunit

The stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory component (G/F) of adenylate cyclase is activated by exposure to guanine nucleotide analogs or to Al3+ + F-. Activated G/F can reconstitute adenylate cyclase activity when mixed with the catalytic moiety of the enzyme system in the absence of an effective free concentration of stimulatory ligand. Activation is explained by dissociation of the alpha (45,000-Da) and beta (35,000-Da) subunits of G/F. The beta subunit of G/F facilitates reversal of the activated state of the regulatory protein. This phenomenon, which has been exploited as an assay for the resolved beta subunit, has the following properties. 1) Addition of the resolved beta subunit to fluoride-activated G/F increases the initial rate of deactivation from a t 1/2 of 10 min to less than 0.5 min. 2) The enhancement of the rate of deactivation is a saturable process with a K 1/2 value of 60 ng/ml (approximately 2 nM). 3) G/F does not display beta subunit activity unless the alpha subunit has been inactivated or the subunits have been resolved. beta Subunit activity is measurable in detergent extracts of rabbit liver membranes or plasma membranes from S49 cell clones. The activity in such extracts is similar to that found with purified G/F, in that incubation at 30 degrees C in the presence of Mg2+ is required for its expression. However, cyc-, UNC, and H21a (S49 cell mutants with deficient or altered G/F activity) have amounts of beta subunit activity similar to that found in wild type S49 cells. Furthermore, the amount of beta subunit activity exceeds by 5- to 10-fold the amount expected based on the quantity of G/F in wild type extracts. All of the beta subunit activity in detergent extracts of liver membranes can be purified as a 35,000-Da polypeptide that is indistinguishable from the beta subunit of G/F. The beta subunit activity in extracts of cyc- membranes is expressed after incubation with guanine nucleotide analogs, implying association of the beta subunit with a GTP-binding protein. By analysis of the chromatographic behavior of G/F and the recently identified 41,000/35,000-Da heterodimeric substrate for the islet-activating protein from Bordetella pertussis, we have identified the 41,000-Da subunit of the substrate for islet-activating protein as the GTP-binding protein with which the majority of the beta subunit activity associates. These data have direct bearing on the mechanisms of hormonal activation and inhibition of adenylate cyclase.     

Metabolism of arachidonic acid by isolated rat hepatocytes, renal cells and by some rabbit tissues. Detection of vicinal diols by mass fragmentography

Effects of guanine nucleotides on the adenylate cyclase activity of thyroid plasma membranes were investigated by monitoring metabolism of the radiolabeled nucleotides by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). When ATP was used as substrate with a nucleotide-regenerating system, TSH stimulated the adenylate cyclase activity in the absence of exogenous guanine nucleotide. Addition of GTP or GDP equally enhanced the TSH stimulation. Effects of GTP and GDP were indistinguishable in regard to their inhibitory effects on NaF-stimulated activities. The results from TLC suggested that GDP could be converted to GTP by a nucleotide-regenerating system. Even in the absence of a nucleotide-regeneration system, addition of GDP to the adenylate cyclase assay mixture resulted in the parallel decrease in ATP levels and formation of GTP indicating that thyroid plasma membrane preparations possessed a transphosphorylating activity. When an ATP analog, App[NH]p, was used as substrate without a nucleotide-regenerating system, no conversion of GDP to GTP was observed. Under such conditions, TSH did not stimulate the adenylate cyclase activity unless exogenous GTP or Gpp[NH]p was added. GDP no longer supported TSH stimulation and caused a slight decrease in the activity. GDP was less inhibitory than Gpp(NH)p to the NaF-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. These results suggest: (1) TSH stimulation of thyroid adenylate cyclase is absolutely dependent on the regulatory nucleotides. (2) In contrast to GTP, GDP cannot support the coupling of the receptor-TSH complex to the catalytic component of adenylate cyclase. (3) The nucleotide regulatory site is more inhibitory to the stimulation of the enzyme by NaF when occupied by Gpp[NH]p than GDP.     

Induction of catecholamine-responsive adenylate cyclase in HeLa cells by sodium butyrate. Evidence for a more efficient stimulatory regulatory component

HeLa cells, when exposed to 5 mM sodium butyrate, increased their responsiveness to isoproterenol and their number of beta-receptors. As untreated HeLa cells have a substantial number of receptors but respond poorly to isoproterenol, the effect of butyrate could be due to quantitative or qualitative changes in beta-receptors or other components of the adenylate cyclase system. Receptors were analyzed by membrane/membrane and membrane/cell fusion techniques. HeLa donor membranes, treated to inactivate regulatory and catalytic components of adenylate cyclase, were fused with Fc cells, which lack beta-receptors. Isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in the fusates was proportional to the number of receptors present. There appeared to be only quantitative but not qualitative differences in beta-receptors from control and butyrate-treated HeLa. Prostaglandin E1 receptors from neuroblastoma cell membranes were similarly coupled to HeLa adenylate cyclase. The hybrid prostaglandin E1-stimulated activity was lower when acceptor membranes were from control HeLa than when they were from butyrate-treated HeLa cells. These results suggested that butyrate was altering the ability of the regulatory component to interact with receptors. HeLa membranes were extracted with sodium cholate and the extracts used to reconstitute effector-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in S49 cyc- membranes, which lack a functional regulatory component. Whereas extracts from control and butyrate-treated HeLa were equally effective in restoring NaF-stimulated activity in cyc- membranes, extracts from control HeLa were less efficient in reconstituting isoproterenol- and prostaglandin E1-stimulated activities. We conclude that the poor response of control HeLa to beta-agonists is due to a limited activity of the regulatory component but not the receptor. Butyrate induces quantitative changes in the receptor and qualitative changes in the regulatory component that facilitate its ability to couple to receptors but do not alter its ability to interact with the catalytic component of adenylate cyclase.     

The subunits of the stimulatory regulatory component of adenylate cyclase. Resolution of the activated 45,000-dalton (alpha) subunit

Activation of the stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory component (G/F) of adenylate cyclase by guanine nucleotides or by Al3+, Mg2+, and F-stabilizes the protein to thermal denaturation or to inactivation by LiBr, guanidine HCl, or urea. Such activation allows the resolution of the active 45,000-Da alpha subunit from the 35,000-Da beta subunit by a high performance gel filtration procedure. Separation of the active alpha subunit has allowed definitive evaluation of the subunit dissociation model for the activation of G/F. The resolved alpha subunit is sufficient to reconstitute the adenylate cyclase activity of the cyc-S49 cell mutant. The alpha subunit alone is also sufficient to activate a preparation of the catalyst of adenylate cyclase that had been resolved from all other identified components of the enzyme system. The resolved alpha subunit displays hydrodynamic properties characteristic of activated G/F. The alpha subunit contains a high affinity guanine nucleotide-binding site. Activation of G/F by guanine nucleotides or by Al3+ + Mg2+ + F- allows resolution of the activated alpha subunit. Reversal of the activated state of the resolved alpha subunit occurs only slowly. Addition of beta subunit enhances the rate of deactivation. Deactivation of the activated alpha subunit by the beta subunit changes the S20,w for G/F activity from 2.0 to 4.0 (in Lubrol), consistent with a formation of the alpha X beta heterodimer. These data, taken in aggregate, constitute proof for the proposed mechanism of activation of G/F by non-hydrolyzable analogs of GTP and by Al3+, Mg2+, and F-. They are analogous to data obtained for transducin, the GTP-binding regulatory protein from vertebrate rod outer segment discs, and for the putative inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory component of adenylate cyclase (the substrate for islet-activating protein). The model provides several powerful tests for study of mechanisms of hormonal regulation of adenylate cyclase in membranes.     

Solubilization and conversion of hepatic adenylate cyclase to a form requiring MnATP as substrate

A general feature of membrane-bound adenylate cyclase systems is the “lability” of the basal enzyme to dispersion by detergents. A stable form of the detergentsolubilized enzyme is obtained only if the membrane-bound enzyme is first pretreated with fluoride or Gpp(NH)p. However, we have found with the basal hepatic enzyme that the lability is evident primarily when MgATP is used as substrate; substitution of MnATP for MgATP reveals that substantial basal activity survives detergent treatment. This effect is independent of the detergent; it is seen with either Lubrol PX or with deoxycholate. In addition to the altered substrate requirement, the membrane-bound and solubilized forms of the basal enzyme exhibit other differences. In contrast to the membrane-bound form, the solubilized enzyme shows (1) weak stimulation by Gpp(NH)p; (2) little inhibition by adenosine, (3) strong inhibition by P_i or PP_i, and (4) and apparent loss of the Me²⁺-reactive regulatory site. Such dissimilarities between membranebound and solubilized cyclase are not seen if the membranes are pretreated with Gpp(NH)p prior to exposure to detergents. The characteristics of the solubilized basal hepatic enzyme are similar to those of the naturally occurring soluble adenylate cyclase found in mature rat testes. It would appear that separation of adenylate cyclase from components that confer regulation by divalent cation and guanine nucleotides produces a form of the enzyme that will turnover only MnATP; this may represent the free catalytic moiety. Such preparations could be useful in reconstructing some of the regulatory functions of adenylate cyclase seen in its membrane-bound form.     

Exfoliation of the beta-adrenergic receptor and the regulatory components of adenylate cyclase by cultured rat glioma C6 cells

Cultured rat glioma C6 cells exfoliate membrane vesicles which have been termed 'exosomes' into the culture medium. The exosomes contained both stimulatory and inhibitory GTP-binding components of adenylate cyclase (the stimulatory, Gs, and the inhibitory, Gi, regulatory components) and beta-adrenergic receptors but were devoid of adenylate cyclase activity. It was therefore apparent that the catalytic component of adenylate cyclase was either not exfoliated or was inactivated during the exfoliation process. The presence of Gs or Gi in the exosomes was detected by ADP ribosylation using [alpha-32P]NAD in the presence of cholera or pertussis toxins, respectively. The exosomal concentration of each of the two components was estimated to be about one fifth of that of the cell membrane when expressed on a per mg protein basis. Exosomal Gs was almost as active as the membrane-derived Gs in its ability to reconstitute NaF- and guanine nucleotide-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in membranes of S49 cyc- cells, which lack a functional Gs. The ability of exosomal Gs to reconstitute isoproterenol-stimulated activity, however, was much lower than that of membrane Gs. The density of beta-adrenergic receptors in the exosomes was much less than that found in the membranes. Although the exosomal receptors bound the antagonist iodocyanopindolol with the same affinity as receptors from the cell membrane, the affinity for the agonist isoproterenol was 13- to 18-fold lower in the exosomes. In addition, this affinity was not modulated by GTP in the exosomes. Thus, exfoliated beta-adrenergic receptors seem to be impaired in their ability to couple to and activate Gs. This was directly tested by coupling the receptors to a foreign adenylate cyclase using membrane fusion. The fusates were then assayed for agonist-stimulated activity. While significant stimulation of the acceptor adenylate cyclase was obtained using C6 membrane receptors, the exosomal receptors were completely inactive. Thus during exfoliation, there appear to be changes in the components of the beta-adrenergic-sensitive adenylate cyclase that results in a nonfunctional system in the exosomes.     

An altered adenylate cyclase in cdc35-1 cell division cycle mutant of yeast

Adenylate cyclase activity was studied in Saccharomyces cerevisiae's cell division cycle (cdc) mutant 35-1. The temperature sensitive mutant cdc35-1 was previously mapped as an allele of cyr, the adenylate cyclase gene. However, the adenylate cyclase activities of membranes prepared from cdc35-1 were not thermosensitive. The adenylate cyclase activity of cdc35-1 was found to have an altered Mn2+ dependency and did not respond to Gpp(NH)p stimulation. These results suggest that cdc35-1 mutation may not be at the catalytic site but at a site where adenylate cyclase interacts with regulatory proteins.     

Functional changes in the properties of beta-adrenoreceptors of pigeon erythrocytes after treatment with a catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase

beta-Adrenoreceptors were solubilized by deoxycholate from pigeon erythrocyte plasma membranes treated with N-ethylmaleimide. Removal of the detergent resulted in the incorporation of receptors into phospholipid vesicles as well as in the reconstitution of their biological activity. After fusion of vesicles containing reconstituted receptors to vesicles containing the Ns protein and a catalytic component, the hormonal activation of the enzyme was restored. When prior to fusion the beta-adrenoreceptor-containing vesicles were preincubated with the catalytic subunit of cAMP dependent protein kinase, the hormone-induced activation of the enzyme diminished by 45-50%. The decrease of activation is due to the increase in the lag phase of the enzyme activation in the presence of isoproterenol and Gpp(NH)p as well as to the loss of activity in the steady-state phase of activation. Phosphorylation of beta-adrenoreceptors decreased the concentration of the ternary isoproterenol-receptor-Ns protein complex involved in the activation of adenylate cyclase. Thus, the phosphorylation of receptors is responsible for the disturbances in the mechanism of hormonal signal transmission that are similar to those observed in adenylate cyclase desensitization.     

Evidence that forskolin activates turkey erythrocyte adenylate cyclase through a noncatalytic site

The diterpene forskolin has been reported to activate adenylate cyclase in a manner consistent with an interaction at the catalytic unit. However, some of its actions are more consistent with an interaction at the coupling unit that links the hormone receptor to the adenylate cyclase activity. This report adds support to the latter possibility. Under conditions that lead to stimulation of adenylate cyclase in turkey erythrocyte membranes by GTP, forskolin also becomes more active. Additional evidence to support an influence of forskolin upon adenylate cyclase via the GTP-coupling protein N includes the following: (i) forskolin, at submaximal concentrations, leads to enhanced sensitivity and responsiveness of isoproterenol-dependent adenylate cyclase activity in turkey erythrocyte membranes; (ii) under specified conditions, the nucleotide GDP, an inhibitor of the stimulating nucleotide GTP and its analog, guanyl imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p), also markedly inhibits the action of forskolin; (iii) both Gpp(NH)p and forskolin are associated with a decrease in agonist affinity for the beta-adrenergic receptor. However, actions of forskolin in the turkey erythrocyte are not identical to those of GTP: (i) forskolin is never as potent as Gpp(NH)p in activating adenylate cyclase; (ii) the magnitude of synergism between isoproterenol and forskolin is not equal to that observed with isoproterenol and Gpp(NH)p; (iii) at high concentrations, forskolin inhibits antagonist binding to the beta-receptor. Forskolin appears to have several sites of action in the turkey erythrocyte membrane, including an influence upon the adenylate cyclase regulatory protein N.     

Roles of GTP and GDP in the regulation of the thyroid adenylate cyclase system

Effects of guanine nucleotides on the adenylate cyclase activity of thyroid plasma membranes were investigated by monitoring metabolism of the radiolabeled nucleotides by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). When ATP was used as substrate with a nucleotide-regeneratign system, TSH stimulated the adenylate cyclase activity in the absence of exogenous guanine nucleotide. Addition of GTP and GDP equally enhanced the TSH stimulation. Effects of GTP and GDP were indistinguishable in regard to their inhibitory effects on NaF-stimulated activities. The results from TLC suggested that GDP could be converted to GTP by a nucleotide-regenerating system. Even in the absence of nucleotide-regenerating system, addition of GDP to the adenylate cyclase assay mixture int he parallel decrease in ATP levels and formation of GTP indicating that thyroid plasma membrane preparatiosn possessed a transphosphorylating activity. When an ATP analog, App[NH]p, was used as substrate without a nucleotide-regenerating system, no conversion of GDP to GTP was observed. Under such conditions, TSH did not stimulate the adenylate cyclase activity unless exogenous GTP or Gpp[NH]p was added. GDP no longer supported TSH stimulation and caused a slight decrease in the activity. GDP was less inhibitory than Gpp(NH)p to the NaF-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. These results suggest: (1) TSH stimulation of thyroid adenylate cyclase is absolutely dependent on the regulatory nucleotides. (2) In contrst to GTP, GDP cannot support the coupling of the receptor-TSH complex to the catalytic componenet of adenylate cyclase. (3) The nucleotide regulatory site is more inhibitory to the stimulation of the enzyme by NaF when occupied by Gpp[NH]p than GDP.     

Forskolin-induced change of the size of adenylate cyclase

Forskolin, a potent activator of cyclic AMP generating systems, has been proposed to act directly on the catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase. Nevertheless, some arguments indicate a possible role of the guanosine triphosphate-binding regulatory protein in forskolin action on adenylate cyclase. In this study, we have observed an increase in the apparent sedimentation coefficient of solubilized adenylate cyclase, elicited by forskolin, both in rat liver (from 6.4 +/- 0.1 to 7.2 +/- 0.1 S) and rat striatum (from 6.7 +/- 0.1 to 7.6 +/- 0.1 S). On both systems, a similar increase in the sedimentation coefficient was observed after preactivation of the enzyme with guanosine 5'-(beta, gamma-imido)triphosphate (Gpp(NH)p). In contrast to the Gpp(NH)p effect, the forskolin action was found to be reversible. Simultaneous pretreatments of adenylate cyclase with forskolin and Gpp(NH)p did not induce additive increases of the apparent sedimentation coefficient of adenylate cyclase. The modification of the size of solubilized adenylate cyclase was corroborated by gel filtration studies. In rat liver membranes, the Stokes radius of the solubilized enzyme increased from 59 +/- 1 A for basal state to 65 +/- 1 A for forskolin preactivated state. A possible explanation of our findings is that forskolin may stabilize the complex between the GTP-binding regulatory protein and the catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase in a reversible manner.     

Specific uncoupling by islet-activating protein, pertussis toxin, of negative signal transduction via alpha-adrenergic, cholinergic, and opiate receptors in neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells

Exposure of NG108-15 hybrid cells to islet-activating protein (IAP), pertussis toxin, caused strong ADP-ribosylation of one of the membrane proteins with a molecular weight of 41,000. This ADP-ribosylation was paralleled by decreases in the inhibition of cAMP accumulation in intact cells or associated with reversal of the inhibition of GTP-dependent membrane adenylate cyclase, via alpha-adrenergic, cholinergic muscarinic, or opiate receptors. The affinity of these receptors for agonists was lowered by guanyl-5'-yl beta-gamma-imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) reflecting their coupling to the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein in this cell line. This effect of Gpp(NH)p was lost in membranes of IAP-treated cells; in the absence of Gpp(NH)p, the affinity for agonist was lower in treated than in nontreated cells. In contrast, the function of these receptors to bind antagonists remained unaltered in IAP-treated cells. Thus, IAP treatment of NG108-15 cells caused specific uncoupling of negative signal transduction from inhibitory receptors to the adenylate cyclase catalytic unit via the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein, as a result of ADP-ribosylation of one of the subunits of the regulatory protein.