Comparative study of collecting tubules and vasopressin binding capacity in the renal medulla of developing hypothyroid rat

The effects of congenital hypothyroidism on both the structure and function of the renal medulla were studied by comparing, in 1-month old rats, the structural features of collecting tubules with the capacity of vasopressin to bind membrane preparations and the related adenylate cyclase activation. With the exception of a reduced caliber, hypothyroidism had no effect on the density, total number, distribution of tubules according to epithelial thickness, or on the number of epithelial cells, or their area. The binding capacity of vasopressin and the related adenylate cyclase activation were equally reduced by about 50%, without changes in (i) the basal or guanylyl-imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p)-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities, (ii) the apparent dissociation constant (KD) of labelled vasopressin from its specific receptor or (iii) the apparent activation constant (Kact) of vasopressin for adenylate cyclase. Taken together, these results clearly demonstrate that congenital hypothyroidism exerts a direct influence on the developing responsiveness of the renal medulla, mainly by reducing the density of active hormone receptors per cell, instead of reducing cell number or cell membrane area.     

A comparative study of plasma vasopressin levels and V1 and V2 vasopressin receptor properties in congenital hypothyroid rat under thyroxine or vasopressin therapy

The effects of propylthiouracil (PTU) treatment on the plasma vasopressin level, on the number of hepatic (V1) or renal (V2) vasopressin receptors and on the hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity in the kidney of developing rats were studied in parallel. In addition, we investigated the corrective effects of thyroxine therapy on the plasma vasopressin level and parameters related to the liver, and the effects of vasopressin therapy on the parameters related to the kidney. As already reported in the case of the number of V2 receptors and adenylate cyclase activity in the kidney, the deficient plasma vasopressin level in hypothyroid rats was completely corrected by two daily physiological doses of thyroxine given from birth to the age of sacrifice (1 month). Unlike the V1 receptors, the V2 receptors are known to be highly dependent on their specific circulating ligand. Since, first of all, the deficit was similar in the numbers of V1 and V2 receptors in hypothyroid rats, and, secondly, the treatment of hypothyroid rats by two daily physiological doses of long lasting vasopressin was found ineffective to recover the deficit in the number of V2 receptors, it can be concluded that thyroid deficiency directly alters vasopressin receptor biosynthesis in both liver and kidney, instead of acting via the depressed plasma vasopressin level.     

Glycogenolytic responsiveness to glucagon, epinephrine, vasopressin and angiotensin II in the liver of developing hypothyroid rats. A comparative study of in vitro hormonal binding and in vivo biological response

Both dose-response curves and time-courses of plasma glucose levels after single maximal doses showed that in vivo glycogenolytic responsiveness to glucagon and epinephrine was significantly higher in developing hypothyroid rats, whereas it remained unchanged after vasopressin and angiotensin II injections. In contrast with the decreased basal activity of phosphorylase(a), the glucagon-stimulated activity increased in hypothyroid rats, whereas it was only slightly modified under vasopressin stimulation. Daily thyroxine treatment abolished these abnormalities. Thus, there is a close correlation between glucose output and enzyme activation. The maximal binding capacity of [3H]vasopressin and [125I]glucagon was significantly decreased in hypothyroid rats, without changes in the apparent dissociation constant of hormone from its specific receptor. Daily thyroxine treatment also abolished this deficit, which moreover appeared to be independent of possible changes in plasma hormone levels. With respect to glucagon action, neither basal nor Gpp(NH)p-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities were affected in hypothyroid rats. Glucagon-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity and the apparent activation constant appeared to be unaffected. The apparent discrepancy between the results obtained from in vivo and in vitro experiments is discussed on the basis of different membrane transducing phenomena and related intracellular mechanisms underlying the biological response to hormonal stimulation.     

Activation of adenylate cyclase in renal medulla by bovine growth hormone. An artifact attributable to vasopressin.

The effect of bovine growth hormone on adenylate cyclase activity was studied in bovine and rat renal medulla. Highly purified growth hormone (lot B1003A) increased adenylate cyclase activity in plasma membranes from bovine renal medulla from 132+/-6 pmol cyclic AMP formed/mg protein per 10 min to 364+/-10 pmol cyclic AMP formed/mg protein per 10 min. Similar results were seen with homogenates of rat renal medulla. The minimum effective concentration of bovine growth hormone required to activate adenylate cyclase was 0.5 mug/ml and maximum activation was detected at 500 mug/ml. The amount of vasopressin determined by radioimmunoassay to contaminate the growth hormone caused an increase in adenylate cyclase activity comparable to that of the corresponding concentration of growth hormone that was tested. Dialysis of growth hormone and vasopressin resulted in parallel reductions in the effect of each hormone on adenylate cyclase activity. Similarly, both growth hormone and vasopressin produced increases in short circuit current in isolated toad bladders but these effects were not detectable after dialysis of the hormones. In contrast, the effect of growth hormone on the uptake of 35SO2-4 by cartilage from hypophysectomized rats was not decreased after dialysis. These results indicate that available preparations of growth hormone are contaminated by small but physiologically significant amounts of vasopressin and that the activation of adenylate cyclase activity in renal medulla in response to growth hormone can be explained by this contamination rather than by an effect of growth hormone per se.     

Activation of adenylate cyclase in renal medulla by bovine growth hormone: An artifact attributable to vasopressin

The effect of bovine growth hormone on adenylate cyclase activity was studied in bovine and rat renal medulla. Highly purified growth hormone (lot B1003A) increased adenylate cyclase activity in plasma membranes from bovine renal medulla from 132 ± 6 pmol cyclic AMP formed/mg protein per 10 min to 364 ± 10 pmol cyclic AMP formed/mg protein per 10 min. Similar results were seen with homogenates of rat renal medulla. The minimum effective concentration of bovine growth hormone required to activate adenylate cyclase was 0.5 μg/ml and maximum activation was detected at 500 μg/ml. The amount of vasopressin determined by radioimmunoassay to contaminate the growth hormone caused an increase in adenylate cyclase activity comparable to that of the corresponding concentration of growth hormone that was tested. Dialysis of growth hormone and vasopressin resulted in parallel reductions in the effect of each hormone on adenylate cyclase activity. Similarly, both growth hormone and vasopressin produced increases in short circuit current in isolated toad bladders but these effects were not detectable after dialysis of the hormones. In contrast, the effect of growth hormone on the uptake of ³⁵SO₄²⁻ by cartilage from hypophysectomized rats was not decreased after dialysis. These results indicate that available preparations of growth hormone are contaminated by small but physiologically significant amounts of vasopressin and that the activation of adenylate cyclase activity in renal medulla in response to growth hormone can be explained by this contamination rather than by an effect of growth hormone per se.     

Interaction of ethacrynic acid and cysteine with renal medullary adenylate cyclase

Results of the present study indicate that (1) ethacrynic acid, dihydroethacrynic acid, and the cysteine adduct of ethacrynic acid inhibit plasma membrane-bound adenylate cyclase from canine renal medulla; (2) reaction with a sulfhydryl group is not essential for inhibition by ethacrynic acid and its derivatives, but may contribute quantitatively to the inhibition; and (3) cysteine enhances the activity of renal medullary adenylate cyclase in the presence of a vasopressin analog or sodium fluoride.Observations support the view that ethacrynic acid and its cysteine adduct interfere with the action of vasopressin on the distal nephron at the site of renal medullary adenylate cyclase.     

Secretin receptors in the rat kidney: adenylate cyclase activation and renal effects

In previous studies it has been demonstrated that pharmacological administration of secretin can alter urine output. Whether the effect is due to a direct action on kidney was investigated by examining the effect of secretin on renal output, and determining whether there were secretin receptors and a secretin sensitive adenylate cyclase in the kidney. Secretin had an antidiuretic action on kidney when administered intravenously to anesthetized hydrated rats. In addition, binding sites for (125I)-secretin, and a secretin sensitive adenylate cyclase were identified in rat kidney. Binding was saturable and reversable and was half maximally inhibited by 1 X 10(-7) M synthetic porcine secretin. Autoradiographic studies revealed a high density of secretin binding sites in the outer medulla of the kidney, a region that is composed mainly of the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle, and is also the major site of action for the antidiuretic hormone, vasopressin. The data indicate that a functional secretin receptor system exists in kidney which may have a physiological role in regulating urine output.     

Modulation of parathyroid hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase and arginine vasopressin-sensitive adenylate cyclase by calcium and GTP

Arginine vasopressin (AVP)- and parathyroid hormone (PTH)-sensitive adenylate cyclase were studied in the renal tissue of thyroparathyroidectomized dogs. The results indicate that AVP-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity was highest in the inner medulla followed by the middle medulla, outer medulla, and cortex, in declining order. In contrast, PTH-sensitive adenylate cyclase was absent in the inner medulla, and the highest stimulation was found in the cortex with lesser activity in outer and middle medulla. When 1 mm EGTA was included in the incubation mixture, the addition of both AVP- and PTH to the middle medullary homogenate resulted in additive responses suggesting two separate receptors for each hormone. This EGTA-induced additive effect was eliminated by the addition of calcium into the system, indicating that calcium concentration may be critical in modulating the interaction of AVP and PTH-sensitive adenylate cyclase. In contrast to some previous reports, a particulate fraction prepared from the middle medullary tissue was completely insensitive to either AVP or PTH. Hormonal sensitivity was restored by the addition of GTP or the supernatant.     

Activation of renal adenylate cyclase by forskolin: assessment of enzymatic activity in animal models of the secondary hyperparathyroid state

The effects of forskolin on kidney slice cyclic AMP content and membrane adenylate cyclase activity were studied in order to determine whether or not activation of the enzyme by forskolin was affected in experimental animal models of the secondary hyperparathyroid state. Forskolin was found to be a potent activator of renal adenylate cyclase in rats and chicks, and the diterpene produced a marked potentiation of the cyclic AMP response to parathyroid hormone (PTH). The diterpene had no effect on the binding of PTH to renal receptors. Activity of adenylate cyclase in the presence of forskolin was similar in renal membranes from either vitamin D-deficient rats or chicks compared to control. Forskolin did not restore full responsiveness to PTH in renal slices from chicks raised on diets that were deficient in either vitamin D or calcium although the diterpene was capable of potentiating the cyclic AMP response to PTH in these tissues. Forskolin also augmented the activation of membrane adenylate cyclase by PTH although this effect of the diterpene was much less prominent in membrane preparations than that observed in renal slices. This study provided additional evidence that the downregulation of renal PTH-dependent adenylate cyclase in experimental models of secondary hyperparathyroidism is due to a specific reduction in receptor-mediated regulation of cyclic AMP formation. Adenylate cyclase activity as assessed by forskolin-stimulated enzyme activity was fully maintained in kidney membranes from these animal models. Thus, forskolin appears to be a useful drug for measuring total enzymatic activity in situations where altered responsiveness of adenylate cyclase to hormones has been demonstrated to be mediated by changes in hormone receptors.     

Vasopressin-sensitive kidney adenylate cyclase. Structural requirements for attachment to the receptor and enzyme activation: studies with vasopressin analogues.

Several vasopressin analogues were tested on pig kidney membranes for their ability to activate adenylate cyclase and to inhibit the binding of [8-lysine]vasopressin. Both the adenylate cyclase activation and hormonal binding were measured on the same enzyme preparation and under identical were measured on the same enzyme preparation and under identical experimental conditions. A preincubation period in the presence of hormone allowed the binding process to reach equilibrium. Peptide concentrations causing half-maximal adenylate cyclase activation (apparent Km) were, in the order of decreasing affinity:2.5 to 7.0 to 7.0 times 10-10 M [8-lysine] vasopressin, 3.1 to 4.0 times 10-9 M [8-arginine] vasopressin, 2.0 to 3.0 times 10-9 M [I,6-alpha-deaminocystathionine, 8-ornithine]vasopressin, 3.1 times 10-7 M des-9-glycineamide[8-lysine]vasopressin, 0.5 to 1.0 times 10-6 M[1,6-alpha-deaminocystathionine, 2-0-tert...     

Effects of prostaglandins on rat renal adenylate cyclase-cyclic AMP systems.

The effects of prostaglandin (PG) E1, E2, A1, F1alpha, F2alpha or D2 on the rat renal cortical, outer medullary and inner medullary adenylate cyclase-cyclic AMP systems were examined. While high concentrations (8X10-4M) of each prostaglandin stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in each area of the kidney, PGE1 was the only prostaglandin to stimulate at 10-7M. PGA's were the only prostaglandins tested besides PGE's which stimulated adenylate cyclase at less than 10-4M. This effect of PGA's was limited to the outer medulla. PGD2 was the least stimulatory. Observations with renal slices yielded qualitatively similar results. The PGE's were the most potent in each area with PGA's only stimulatory in the outer medulla. O2 deprivation (5% O2) lowered the slice cyclic AMP content in each area of the kidney. In the cortex and outer medulla, prostaglandin mediated increases in cyclic AMP content were either lower or absent at 5% O2 compared to 95% O2. However, in the inner medulla PGE stimulation was observed only at 5% O2 and not 95% O2. No other prostaglandins were found to increase inner medullary cyclic AMP content at 95% or 5% O2. These results illustrate that the adenylate cyclase-cyclic AMP system responds uniquely to prostaglandins in each area of the kidney. Consideration of these results along with correlative observations suggests that inner medullary produced PGE's may act as local modulators of inner medullary adenylate cyclase.     

Regulation by adenosine of the vasopressin-sensitive adenylate cyclase in pig-kidney cells (LLC-PK1L) grown in defined media

LLC-PK1L cells, a kidney-derived cell line, had sustained growth in a defined medium. When compared to the parent cell line growing with 10% fetal bovine serum, LLC-PK1L cells had about 100-times fewer vasopressin receptors. Upon modifications of the cell culture medium, the vasopressin response of the adenylate cyclase could be increased by more than 10-fold with a parallel increase in vasopressin receptor number. Using cells with high or low receptor densities, the stimulatory and inhibitory effects of N6-L-2-phenylisopropyl-adenosine on the modulation of the adenylate cyclase responsiveness to vasopressin were investigated. When high concentrations of GTP were added, low concentrations of phenylisopropyladenosine inhibited the enzyme, while higher concentrations were found to be stimulatory. The adenylate cyclase activity stimulated by vasopressin could only be inhibited by phenylisopropyladenosine under these conditions in membranes with high receptor density; only the increase in enzyme activity due to high GTP concentration was inhibitable. The analysis of the dependency of the adenylate cyclase activity as a function of the vasopressin concentration showed that, besides reducing the maximum velocity of the system for vasopressin, the addition of phenylisopropyladenosine generated an heterogeneity in the adenylate cyclase response to vasopressin (as judged by a curvilinear Eadie plot). A high-affinity component in the adenylate cyclase response appeared when phenylisopropyladenosine was added. The growth of the cells in a medium containing adenosine deaminase gave results identical to those obtained for control cells. However, growing the cells with both phenylisopropyladenosine and adenosine deaminase abolished the inhibitory effects of the former on the adenylate cyclase and greatly reduced its stimulatory action. Under these conditions, the vasopressin response of the adenylate cyclase was not further regulated by phenylisopropyladenosine. These results indicate a role of adenosine on vasopressin response, especially at low physiological concentrations of the hormone where a high-affinity component of the hormonal response could be demonstrated.     

Distribution of prostaglandin E2-sensitive adenylate cyclase along the rat nephron

To define sites of prostaglandin action of renal tubules, the distribution of adenylate cyclase sensitive to prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) was examined in single nephron segments dissected from rat kidney. Further, the interaction between PGE₂ and vasopressin on adenylate cyclase activity in nephron segments sensitive to vasopressin was evaluated. Procedures involved in isolating nephron segments were without effects on adenylate cyclase stimulation by PGE₂. PGE₂ stimulated adenylate cyclase activity of the thin descending limb of Henle (tDL), cortical collecting tubules (CCT), and medullary collecting tubules (MCT) at concentrations of 1.4 × 10^?5 to 2.8 × 10^?5 M. PGE₂ was without effects in other nephron segments tested including proximal convoluated tubules, proximal pars recta, the thin and thick ascending limb of Henle's loop, and distal and connecting tubules. PGE₂, at both high (2.8 × 10^?5 M) and low (2.8 × 10^?8 M) concentrations, did not inhibit adenylate cyclase activity stimulated by submaximal doses of vasopressin in medullary thick ascending limb of Henle (MTAL), CCT, and MCT. These data define the distribution of PGE₂-sensitive adenylate cyclase in the rat nephron, i.e., tDL, CCT, and MCT, and show the lack of direct inhibitory actions of PGE₂ on vasopressin sensitive adenylate cyclase in MTAL, CCT, and MCT.     

Comparison of the effects of prostaglandin I2 and prostaglandin E2 stimulation of the rat kidney adenylate cyclase-cyclic AMP systems

Prostacyclin (Prostaglandin I₂) effects on the rat kidney adenylate cyclase-cyclic AMP system were examined. Prostaglandin I₂ and prostaglandin E₂, from 8 · 10^?4 to 8 · ^?7 M stimulated adenylate cyclase to a similar extent in cortex and outer medulla. In inner medulla, prostaglandin I₂ was more effective than prostaglandin E₂ at all concentrations tested. Both prostaglandin I₂ and prostaglandin E₂ were additive with antidiuretic hormone in outer and inner medulla. Prostaglandin I₂ and prostaglandin E₂ were not additive in any area of the kidney, indicating both were working by similar mechanisms. Prostaglandin I₂ stimulation of adenylate cyclase correlated with its ability to increase renal slice cyclic AMP content. Prostaglandin I₂ and prostaglandin E₂ (1.5 · 10^?4 M) elevated cyclic AMP content in cortex and outer medulla slices. In inner medulla, with Santoquin® (0.1 mM) present to suppress endogenous prostaglandin synthesis, prostaglandin I₂ and prostaglandin E₂ increased cyclic AMP content. 6-Ketoprostaglandin F_1α, the stable metabolite of prostaglandin I₂, did not increase adenylate cyclase activity or tissue cyclic AMP content. Thus, prostaglandin I₂ activates renal adenylate cyclase. This suggests that the physiological actions of prostaglandin I₂ may be mediated through the adenylate cyclase-cyclic AMP system.     

7-oxa-13-prostynoic acid and polyphloretin phosphate as non-specific antagonists of the stimulatory effects of different agents on adenylate cyclase from various tissues.

7-oxa-13-prostynoic acid (OPA) and polyphloretin phosphate (PPP) are believed to act as specific antagonists of prostaglandin action. In order to estimate their specificity, the inhibitory effects of these drugs were tested on the activity of adenylate cyclase from several tissues which were stimulated by prostaglandins and several other compounds. In adenylate cyclase preparation from L-fibroblasts both OPA (0.15-1.5 MM) and PPP (0.01-1.0 MG/ML) antagonized not only the stimulatory effects of PGE but also the stimulatory effects of sodium fluoride and increased enzyme activity due to the previous treatment of cell cultures by cholera toxin. Both OPA and PPP produced a dose dependent depression of adenylate cyclase activity to zero values both under basal conditions and after stimulation by sodium fluoride and various hormones in all preparations studied, including rat liver, heart, brain, epididymal adipose tissue, small intestine, renal cortex and renal medulla. The present results indicate that both prostaglandin antagonists may, in higher concentrations, act as nonspecific inhibitors of the catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase rather than specific antagonists of the prostaglandin effects on adenylate cyclase.     

Vasopressin-sensitive adenylate cyclase reversibility of hormonal activation

The reversibility of adenylate cyclase activation induced by vasopressin was studied by reducing the concentration of active peptide in contact with kidney medullo-papillary membranes. Reversibility of hormonal activation was only partial. The use of antagonists failed to demonstrate the reversibility of an adenylate cyclase activation induced by high affinity agonists. When antagonist was added after the agonist to membranes, a non-competitive inhibitio was apparent. Active peptide was also eliminated from the incubation medium by treatment with agents capable of reducing the disulfide bridge of the hormonal molecule. Direct effects of reducers on adenylate cyclase activity were measured on enzyme activation induced by peptides lacking a disulfide bridge. There was no apparent correlation between the abilities of different reducers to inactivate free peptide in solution and their abilities to promote the reversibility of hormone-induced enzyme activation. Upon the addition of dithiothreitol, enzyme activity could be lowered to baseal value and adenylate cyclase was again fully stimulatable. However, when dithiothreitol addition to stimulated enzyme was combined with a 60-fold dilutionof the incubation medium, no reversibility of hormonal activation occurred. These results illustrate that the processes involved in adenylate cyclase activation are only partially reversible.     

Vasopressin-sensitive adenylate cyclase. Reversibility of hormonal activation

The reversibility of adenylate cyclase activation induced by vasopressin was studied by reducing the concentration of active peptide in contact with kidney medullo-papillary membranes. Reversibility of hormonal activation was only partial. The use of antagonists failed to demonstrate the reversibility of an adenylate cyclase activation induced by high affinity agonists. When antagonist was added after the agonist to membranes, a non-competitive inhibition was apparent. Active peptide was also eliminated from the incubation medium by treatment with agents capable of reducing the disulfide bridge of the hormonal molecule. Direct effects of reducers on adenylate cyclase activity were measured on enzyme activation induced by peptides lacking a disulfide bridge. There was no apparent correlation between the abilities of different reducers to inactivate free peptide in solution and their abilities to promote the reversibility of hormone-induced enzyme activation. Upon the addition of dithiothreitol, enzyme activity could be lowered to basal value and adenylate cyclase was again fully stimulatable. However, when dithiothreitol addition to stiumlated enzyme was combined with a 60-fold dilution of the incubation medium, no reversibility of hormonal activation occurred. These results illustrate that the processes involved in adenylate cyclase activation are only partially reversible.     

Iodinated neurohypophyseal hormones as potential ligands for receptor binding and intermediates in synthesis of tritiated hormones.

[3-Iodo-Tyr2]oxytocin (MIOT), [3,5-diiodo-Tyr2]oxytocin (DIOT), [3-iodo-Tyr2,Lys8]vasopressin (MILVP), [3,5-diiodo-Tyr2,Lys8]vasopressin (DILVP), [3-iodo-Tyr2,Arg8]vasopressin (MIAVP), and [3,5-diiodo-Tyr2,Arg8]vasopressin (DIAVP) were synthesized by iodination of the respective hormones, pruified, and characterized. All the monoiodo hormones had to be freshly prepared prior to bioassays, since on storage they gave rise to hormonal-like biological activity. The biological activities of these iodo analogues were measured in an adenylate cyclase assay employing neurohypophyseal hormone (NHH) sensitive bovine renal medullary membranes, and/or the rat oxytocic assay. In the cyclase assay, DIOT, DILVP, and DIAVP were inactive as agonists or antagonists. MIOT shows no agonistic activity in the renal cyclase system and uterus, but is a weak reversible inhibitor of oxytocin (OT) in both systems. When MIOT (10(-4) M) was preincubated with renal membranes for 10 min at 37 degrees C before addition of OT, it behaved as a noncompetitive inhibitor of NHH-stimulated adenylate cyclase. MILVP and MIAVP appear to be partial agonists with Km (half maximal response) 3 X 10(-6) and 3 X 10(-7) M, respectively, as determined in the cyclase assay. Upon preincubation with renal medullary membranes, MILVP (10(-6) M) behaves as a more potent noncompetitive inhibitor of OT than MIOT. Accordingly, iodo derivatives of NHH do not exhibit sufficient affinity to serve an specific ligands to measure OT, LVP, or AVP receptors in the uterus and kidney. Study of the specificity of inhibition produced by MIOT revealed that this analogue does not act selectively upon NHH receptors. Thus, MIOT modified adenylate cyclase systems which do not have NHH receptors, e.g., the PTH-sensitive adenylate cyclase in bovine renal cortex and the glucagon-sensitive adenylate cyclase in rat liver. DIOT, DILVP, and DIAVP were subjected to catalytic tritiation (employing carrier free tritium) and were converted to [3H]OT (25, 31, and 25 Ci/mmol), [3H]LVP (26 and 23 Ci/mmol), and [3H]AVP (17 Ci/mmol), respectively. These tritiated ligands have been successfully used to measure NHH receptor sites both in kidney and uterine membranes as described in other studies.     

Renal vasopressin receptor expression and function in rats following spaceflight.

It has been suggested there is a decreased renal responsiveness to vasopressin following spaceflight and that this may be the mechanism for the increased urine flow that is observed following return to normal gravity. In the present study, we have therefore measured vasopressin receptor expression and activity in kidneys taken from rats 1 and 14 days following spaceflight of 15 days duration. Measurements of renal vasopressin V(2) and V(1a) receptor mRNA expression by quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated little difference at either 1 day or at 14 days following return from space. Evaluation of (3)H-labeled arginine vasopressin binding to membranes prepared from kidneys indicated that the majority of the vasopressin receptors were V(2) receptors. Furthermore, the data suggested that binding to vasopressin V(2) or V(1a) receptors was unaltered at 1 day and 14 days following spaceflight. Similarly, the ability of vasopressin to stimulate adenylate cyclase suggested no change in vasopressin V(2) receptor activity in these animals. These data suggest that, whatever changes in fluid and electrolyte metabolism are observed following spaceflight, they are not mediated by changes in vasopressin receptor number or vasopressin-induced stimulation of adenylate cyclase.     

7-Oxa-13-prostynoic acid and polyphloretin phosphate as non-specific antagonists of the stimulatory effects of different agents on adenylate cyclase from various tissues

7-Oxa-13-prostynoic acid (OPA) and polyphloretin phosphate (PPP) are believed to act as specific antagonists of prostaglandin action. In order to estimate their specificity, the inhibitory effects of these drugs were tested on the activity of adenylate cyclase from several tissues which were stimulated by prostaglandins and several other compounds.

In adenylate cyclaae preparation from L-fibroblasts both OPA (0.15–1.5 mM) and PPP (0.01–1.0 mg/ml) antagonized not only the stimulatory effects of PGE₁ but also the stimulatory effects of sodium fluoride and increased enzyme activity due to the previous treatment of cell cultures by cholera toxin. Both OPA and PPP produced a dose dependent depression of adenylate cyclase activity to zero values both under basal conditions and after stimulation by sodium fluoride and various hormones in all preparations studied, including rat liver, heart, brain, epididymal adipose tissue, small intestine, renal cortex and renal medulla.

The present results indicate that both prostaglandin antagonists may, in higher concentrations, act as nonspecific inhibitors of the catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase rather than specific antagonists of the prostaglandin effects on adenylate cyclase.