5-HT和NA增强大鼠骶髓后连合核神经元甘氨酸门控Cl~-通道电流由蛋白激酶介导

用制霉菌素穿孔膜片钳方法研究５－ＨＴ和ＮＡ对急性分离的大鼠骶髓后连合核神经元甘氨酸门控氯离子通道电流（ＩＧｌｙ）的调控作用及其胞内机制。发现：（１）５－ＨＴ激活与非胰岛激活蛋白（ＩＡＰ）敏感型Ｇ蛋白偶联的５－ＨＴ２受体亚型,激活磷脂酶Ｃ（ＰＬＣ）,增加甘油二酯（ＤＡＧ）的生成。ＤＡＧ增强不依赖Ｃａ２＋的新型ＰＫＣ（ｎＰＫＣ）的活性,从而增强ＩＧｌｙ;（２）ＮＡ激活与ＩＡＰ敏感型Ｇ蛋白偶联的α２受体,抑制腺苷酸环化酶（ＡＣ）,减少ｃＡＭＰ的生成,使ＰＫＡ活性降低,从而增强ＩＧｌｙ。     

C5a受体的作用位点及信号传导

Ｃ５ａＲ（ＣＤ８８）属Ｇ蛋白偶联／ＳＴＲ超家族超成员,它至少具两个配体结合位蹼：一个位于Ｎ末端,另一个可能为第二细胞外环上的Ｇｌｕ＾１９９。Ｃ末端和第三胞浆内环与Ｇ蛋白偶联。与Ｃ５ａＲ偶联的Ｇ蛋白有Ｇｉα２、Ｇｉα３、Ｇ１６和Ｇｚ,已知涉及的信号传导通路为ＰＩ－ＰＬＣ、Ｒａｓ／Ｒａｆ／ＭＡＰＫ、ｃＡＭＰ。Ｃ５ａＲ分子及基因结构已阐明,各功能位点,信号传导还有待深入研究。     

蛋白激酶抑制剂噬菌体的构建和功能研究

人工合成编码ｃＡＭＰ信赖蛋白激酶（ｃＡＰＫ）的热稳定抑制剂第５－２４位氨基酸「ＰＫＩ（５－２４）」的ＤＮＡ片段,并将之克隆到ｐｈａｇｅ ｄｉｓｐｌａｙ载体ｆｄ－ｔｅｔ－ＤＯＧ１使中,使ＰＫＩ（５－２４）以融合于ｇ３ｐ蛋白的形式展示了噬菌体是到了ＰＫＩ噬菌体,蛋白激酶抑制活性测定表达ＰＫＩ噬菌体可有铲地抑制ＣＡＰＫ的活性。结合实验结果显示ＰＫＩ噬菌体能与固相化小鼠ＣＡＰＫ催化亚基α（Ｈｉｓ６－ｍＣα     

蛋白激酶C对大鼠缺血海马突触体谷氨酸摄取的调控作用

采用大鼠海马脑片体外缺血模型,观察海马突触体内蛋白激酶Ｃ（ＰＫＣ）活性的变化,以及这种变化对突触体谷氨酸（ＧＬＵ）摄取的影响。结果显示：海马脑片体外“缺血”１０ｍｉｎ,其突触体内ＰＫＣ活性基本不变,而缺血３０ｍｉｎ,突触体内ＰＫＣ活性显著上升（Ｐ＜０．０１,ｎ＝６）;非Ｎ－甲基－Ｄ－天门冬氨酸（ＮＭＤＡ）受体拮抗剂ＤＮＱＸ有效地抑制ＰＫＣ活性的同时,可降低胞外ＧＬＵ的堆积,而ＮＭＤＡ受体阻断剂ＡＰ＿５无作用。进一步实验证明,ＰＫＣ激动剂ＰＤＢ浓度依赖性地抑制突触体对３Ｈ－ＧＬＵ的摄取（ＩＣ５０＝１３１±１０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）,此抑制作用可由ＰＫＣ抑制剂Ｈ－７（１００μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）抵消。提示脑缺血诱发ＧＬＵ堆积的作用机理可能是：脑缺血引发钙内流导致ＧＬＵ过量释放,ＧＬＵ又通过突触前非ＮＭＤＡ受体激活ＰＫＣ,抑制其自身摄取,正反馈性加重胞外ＧＬＵ的堆积。     

PKC、PKA和TPK在血小板激活中的作用

利用~（３２）Ｐ－ＮａＨ_２ＰＯ_４标记猪血小板,然后以ＰＭＡ、凝血酶、ＰＧＥ_１、腺苷等处理,结果表明,随着ＰＭＡ激活ＰＫＣ,血小板发生聚集。３５μｍｏｌ／ＬＰＧＥ_１或１ｍｍｏｌ／ＬｄｂｃＡＭＰ不能抑制５０ｎｍｏｌ／ＬＰＭＡ诱导的血小板聚集,腺苷却能抑制ＰＭＡ诱导的血小板聚集（ＥＣ_（５０）＝０．１ｍｍｏｌ／Ｌ）,ｄｂ－ｃＡＭＰ、腺苷都不能抑制１００ｎｍｏｌ／ＬＰＭＡ诱导的４０ｋＤ蛋白磷酸化。ＰＫＡ激活不能抑制ＰＭＡ激活的ＰＫＣ。在ＰＭＡ、凝血酶激活的血小板中,ＰＫＣ、ＴＰＫ都发生激活,４０ｋＤ底物既是ＰＫＣ的底物又是ＴＰＫ的底物,ＰＫＣ和ＴＰＫ在血小板聚集中起着重要的调节作用。     

4α－PDD、PMA对去甲肾上腺素促进大鼠腹腔巨噬细胞Ⅰa抗原表达的影响

本文采用Ｃａ~２＋指示剂的分光光谱法测定巨噬细胞（Ｍφ）内Ｃａ~２＋浓度（［Ｃａ~２＋］ｉ）、ＡＰＡＡＰ桥联酶标法检测Ｍφ膜上Ⅰａ抗原的表达,研究肌醇磷脂代谢中第二信使分子甘油二酯（ＤＧ）在去甲肾上腺素（ＮＥ）促进ＭφⅠａ表达效应中的作用,以进一步探讨ＮＥ效应的跨膜信息传递机制。结果表明：蛋白激酶Ｃ（ＰＫＣ）抑制剂４αＰＤＤ（２５μｇ／ｍｌ）虽不影响ＮＥ（１０￣－８ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）升高Ｍφ［Ｃａ￣２＋］ｉ的效应,却显著减弱了ＮＥ促进ＭφⅠａ抗原表达的效应;而ＰＫＣ激动剂ＰＭＡ（１０ｎｍｏｌ／Ｌ）本身促进ＭφⅠａ抗原表达的作用不明显,也不能进一步增强ＮＥ促进ＭφⅠａ抗原表达的效应。结果提示：ＤＧ激活的ＰＫＣ系统也参与了ＮＥ促进ＭφⅠａ抗原表达的信息传递过程,并与另一第二信使分子肌醇－１,４,５－三磷酸（ＩＰ＿３）介导的Ｃａ￣２＋途径协同发挥作用。     

中枢5—羟色胺能系统与下丘脑—垂体应激激素

存在于下丘脑的神经末梢所释放的５－羟色胺（５－ＨＴ）可增加ＣＲＨ和肾素释放因子、垂体前叶ＡＣＴＨ和催乳素（ＰＲＬ）、垂体后叶加压素（ＶＰ）和催产素（ＯＴ）的分泌。５－ＨＴ１和／或５－ＨＴ２受体激活介导了这些激素分泌。     

人T细胞白血病病霉Ⅰ型env基因的克隆与表达

本文通过聚合酶链式反应（ＰＣＲ）,从整合有人Ｔ细胞白血病病毒Ⅰ型（ＨＴＬＶ－Ｉ）的ＭＴ－２细胞株中,扩增出ＨＴＬＶ－Ｉ外膜蛋白（ｅｎｖ）的全基因（１．４５ｋｂ）,并成功地克隆入ｐＵＣ１９载体,构建成ｅｎｖ基因克隆ｅｎｖ／ｐＵＣ１９．利用原核高效表达载体ｐＧＥＸ－２Ｔ,在大肠杆菌中有效地表达了与谷胱甘肽Ｓ－转移酶（ＧＳＴ）融合的ｅｎｖ羧基末端抗原的重组蛋白,融合基因的转录由ｔａｃ启动子调控。ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ结果表明,有一约５２ｋＤ的目的蛋白带,表达量占菌体总蛋白的１０％;ＷｅｓｔｅｒＮｂｌｏｔｔ及ＥＬＩＳＡ结果显示,表达产物能与ＨＴＬＶ－Ｉ多抗血清结合。本研究为研制ＨＴＬＶ－Ｉ的诊断试剂及进一步了解ｅｎｖ的免疫学和生物学性质打下了基础。     

腹侧被盖区DA神经元调节睡眠—觉醒机制的探讨

本实验观察了微量注射γ－氨基丁酸（ＧＡＢＡ）和５－羟色胺（５－ＨＴ）于大鼠中脑腹侧被盖区（ＶＴＡ）对该部位多巴胺神经元活动的调节及其对睡眠觉醒的影响。实验观察到：ＶＴＡ注射ＧＡＢＡ（２５μｇ）和５－ＨＴ（２μｇ）,伏隔核（Ａｃｂ）内多巴胺（ＤＡ）代谢产物－双羟苯乙酸（ＤＯＰＡＣ）分别降低到注射前的６８．２％（Ｐ〈０．０１）和升高到１３６．１％（Ｐ〈０．０１）,并相应减少和增加觉醒。双侧Ａｃｂ注射Ｄ     

PAI—2及其突变体的生物化学性质

为研究和比较纤深酶原激活剂抑制物２型（ｐｌａｓｍｉｎｏｇｅｎ ａｃｔｉｖａｏｒ ｉｎｈｉｂｉｔｏｒ ｔｙｐｅ ２,ＰＡＩ－２）及其突变体的生物化学性质,用ＰＣＲ、体外定点突变技术构建ＰＡＩ－２突变体ＰＡＩ－２ＣＤ和ＰＡＩ－２ＱｃＤＮＡ,将突变体ｃＤＮＡ与原核表达载体重组并转化怕杆菌。经诱导表达,ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ证实表达出相应蛋白质,均占全菌总蛋白的１４％。Ｗｅｔｅｒｎ印迹、溶圈抑制及纤维蛋白翻转板     

Accumulation of Cyclic AMP Elicited by Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide Is Potentiated by Noradrenaline, Histamine, Adenosine, Baclofen, Phorbol Esters, and Ouabain in Mouse Cerebral Cortical Slices: Studies on the Role of Arachidonic Acid Metabolites and Protein Kinase C

In mouse cerebral cortical slices, noradrenaline (NA) potentiates cyclic AMP (cAMP) accumulation elicited by vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) through alpha 1-adrenergic receptors. This synergism is inhibited by indomethacin, and the prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha mimic the effect of NA. In the present study, we observed that the synergism between VIP and NA is not inhibited by the protein kinase C inhibitor 1-(5-isoquinolinylsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H-7) or the diacylglycerol-lipase inhibitor RHC 80267, thus further stressing the role of phospholipase A2 activation. Various neuroactive agents that potentiate the stimulatory effect of VIP on cAMP formation were also examined. As with NA, the potentiation by histamine and adenosine is inhibited by indomethacin. In contrast to NA, histamine, and adenosine, the synergistic interaction between phorbol esters and VIP on cAMP formation is abolished by H-7 but not by indomethacin. The potentiation by baclofen, a gamma-aminobutyric acidB receptor agonist, is partially inhibited by the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor nafazatrom. The synergism between ouabain and VIP is reduced by H-7 but not by indomethacin and nafazatrom. These data indicate that the stimulation of cAMP formation elicited by VIP is under the modulation of various neuroactive agents that trigger diverse intracellular mechanisms to potentiate the effect of the peptide.     

Constitutive G(i2)-dependent activation of adenylyl cyclase type II by the 5-HT1A receptor. Inhibition by anxiolytic partial agonists

The 5-HT1A receptor is implicated in depression and anxiety. This receptor couples to G(i) proteins to inhibit adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity but can stimulate AC in tissues (e.g. hippocampus) that express ACII. The role of ACII in receptor-mediated stimulation of cAMP formation was examined in HEK-293 cells transfected with the 5-HT1A receptor, which mediated inhibition of basal and G(s)-induced cAMP formation in the absence of ACII. In cells cotransfected with 5-HT1A receptor and ACII plasmids, 5-HT1A agonists induced a 1. 5-fold increase in cAMP level. Cotransfection of 5-HT1A receptor, ACII, and Galpha(i2), but not Galpha(i1), Galpha(i3), or Galpha(o), resulted in an agonist-independent 6-fold increase in the basal cAMP level, suggesting that G(i2) preferentially coupled the receptor to ACII. The 5-HT1B receptor also constitutively activated ACII. Constitutive activity of the 5-HT1A receptor was blocked by pertussis toxin and the Gbetagamma antagonist, betaCT, suggesting an important role for Gbetagamma-mediated activation of ACII. The Thr-149 --> Ala mutation in the second intracellular domain of the 5-HT1A receptor disrupted Gbetagamma-selective activation of ACII. Spontaneous 5-HT1A receptor activity was partially attenuated by 5-HT1A receptor partial agonists with anxiolytic activity (e.g. buspirone and flesinoxan) but was not altered by full agonists or antagonists. Thus, anxiolytic activity may involve inhibition of spontaneous 5-HT1A receptor activity.     

Enhanced activation of Akt and extracellular-regulated kinase pathways by simultaneous occupancy of Gq-coupled 5-HT2A receptors and Gs-coupled 5-HT7A receptors in PC12 cells

The most commonly prescribed antidepressants, the serotonin (5-HT) selective reuptake inhibitors, increase 5-HT without targeting specific receptors. Yet, little is known about the interaction of multiple receptor subtypes expressed by individual neurons. Specifically, the effect of increases in cAMP induced by Gs-coupled 5-HT receptor subtypes on the signaling pathways modulated by other receptor subtypes has not been studied. We have, therefore, examined the activation of the extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) and Akt pathways by Gs-coupled 5-HT7A receptors and Gq-coupled 5-HT2A receptors, which are co-expressed in discrete brain regions. Agonists for both receptors were found to activate ERK and Akt in transfected PC12 cells. 5-HT2A receptor-mediated activation of the two pathways was found to be Ca2+-dependent. In contrast, 5-HT7A receptor-mediated activation of Akt required increases in both [cAMP] and intracellular [Ca2+], while activation of ERK was inhibited by Ca2+. The activation of ERK and Akt stimulated by simultaneous treatment of cells with 5-HT2A and 5-HT7A receptor agonists was found to be at least additive. Cell-permeable cAMP analogs mimicked 5-HT7A receptor agonists in enhancing 5-HT2A receptor-mediated activation of ERK and Akt. A role was identified for the cAMP-guanine exchange factor, Epac, in this augmentation of ERK, but not Akt, activation. Our finding of enhanced activation of neuroprotective Akt and ERK pathways by simultaneous occupancy of 5-HT2A and 5-HT7A receptors may also be relevant to the interaction of other neuronally expressed Gq- and Gs-coupled receptors.     

Heterotrimeric G-proteins activate Cl- channels through stimulation of a cyclooxygenase-dependent pathway in a model liver cell line.

Circulating hormones produce rapid changes in the Cl(-) permeability of liver cells through activation of plasma membrane receptors coupled to heterotrimeric G-proteins. The resulting effects on intracellular pH, membrane potential, and Cl(-) content are important contributors to the overall metabolic response. Consequently, the purpose of these studies was to evaluate the mechanisms responsible for G-protein-mediated changes in membrane Cl(-) permeability using HTC hepatoma cells as a model. Using patch clamp techniques, intracellular dialysis with 0.3 mm guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPgammaS) increased membrane conductance from 10 to 260 picosiemens/picofarads due to activation of Ca(2+)-dependent Cl(-) currents that were outwardly rectifying and exhibited slow activation at depolarizing potentials. These effects were mimicked by intracellular AlF(4)(-) (0.03 mm) and inhibited by pertussis toxin (PTX), consistent with current activation through Galpha(i). Studies using defined agonists and inhibitors indicate that Cl(-) channel activation by GTPgammaS occurs through an indomethacin-sensitive pathway involving sequential activation of phospholipase C, mobilization of Ca(2+) from inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive stores, and stimulation of phospholipase A(2) and cyclooxygenase (COX). Accordingly, the conductance responses to GTPgammaS or to intracellular Ca(2+) were inhibited by COX inhibitors. These results indicate that PTX-sensitive G-proteins regulate the Cl(-) permeability of HTC cells through Ca(2+)-dependent stimulation of COX activity. Thus, receptor-mediated activation of Galpha(i) may be essential for hormonal regulation of liver transport and metabolism through COX-dependent opening of a distinct population of plasma membrane Cl(-) channels.     

Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor (mGluR)-Mediated Potentiation of Cyclic AMP Responses Does Not Require Phosphoinositide Hydrolysis: Mediation by a Group II-Like mGluR

Abstract: Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in the CNS are coupled to a variety of second messenger systems, the best characterized of which is activation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis. Recently, we found that activation of mGluRs in rat brain slices by the selective mGluR agonist 1-aminocyclopentane-1 S ,3 R -dicarboxylic acid (1 S ,3 R -ACPD) potentiates cyclic AMP (cAMP) responses elicited by activation of other receptors coupled to G_s. It has been suggested that mGluR-mediated potentiation of cAMP responses is secondary to activation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis. However, preliminary evidence suggests that this is not the case. Therefore, we designed a series of experiments to test more fully the hypothesis that mGluR-mediated potentiation of cAMP responses is secondary to phosphoinositide hydrolysis. Inhibitors of both protein kinase C and intracellular calcium mobilization failed to antagonize 1 S ,3 R -ACPD-stimulated potentiation of cAMP responses. Further, coapplication of phorbol esters and 1 S ,3 R -ACPD induced a cAMP response that was greater than additive. Finally, ( RS )-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine, a selective agonist of mGluRs coupled to phosphoinositide hydrolysis, failed to potentiate cAMP responses, whereas (2 S ,1' R ,2' R ,3' R )-2-(2,3-dicarboxycyclopropyl)glycine, an mGluR agonist that does not activate mGluRs coupled to phosphoinositide hydrolysis, elicited a robust potentiation of cAMP responses. In total, these data strongly suggest that mGluR-mediated potentiation of cAMP responses is not secondary to activation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis and is likely mediated by a group II mGluR.     

Multiple signal transduction pathways mediated by 5-HT receptors

Among human serotonin (5-HT) receptor subtypes, each G protein-coupled receptor subtype is reported to have one G protein-signaling cascade. However, the signaling may not be as simple as previously thought to be. 5-HT5A receptors are probably the least well understood among the 5-HT receptors, but the authors found that 5-HT5A receptors couple to multiple signaling cascades. When the 5-HT5A receptors were expressed in undifferentiated C6 glioma cells, they modulated the level of second messengers. For example, activation of 5-HT5A receptors inhibited the adenylyl cyclase activity and subsequently reduced the cAMP level, as previously reported. In addition to this known signaling via Gi/Go, 5-HT5A receptors are coupled to the inhibition of ADP-ribosyl cyclase and cyclic ADP ribose formation. On the other hand, activation of 5-HT5A receptors transiently opened the K+ channels, presumably due to the increase in intracellular Ca2+ after formation of inositol (1,4,5) trisphosphate. The K+ currents were inhibited by both heparin and pretreatment with pertussis toxin, suggesting the cross-talk between Gi/Go protein and phopholipase C cascade. Thus, the authors results indicate that 5-HT5A receptors couple to multiple second messenger systems and may contribute to the complicated physiological and pathophysiological states. Although this multiple signaling has been reported only for 5-HT5A/5-HT1 receptors so far, it is possible that other 5-HT receptor subtypes bear similar complexity. As a result, in addition to the wide variety of expression patterns of each 5-HT receptor subtype, it is possible that multiple signal transduction systems may add complexity to the serotonergic system in brain function. The investigation of these serotonergic signaling and its impairment at cellular level may help to understand the symptoms of brain diseases.     

Effector coupling mechanisms of the cloned 5-HT1A receptor

The signal transduction pathways of the cloned human 5-HT1A receptor have been examined in two mammalian cell lines transiently (COS-7) or permanently (HeLa) expressing this receptor gene. In both systems, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) mediated a marked inhibition of beta 2-adrenergic agonist-stimulated (80% inhibition in COS-7 cells) or forskolin-stimulated cAMP formation (up to 90% inhibition in HeLa cells). This serotonin effect (EC50 = 20 nM) could be competitively antagonized by metitepine and spiperone (Ki = 81 and 31 nM, respectively) and could also be blocked by pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin. In both cell types, 5-HT failed to stimulate adenylyl cyclase through the expressed receptors. In HeLa cells, 5-HT also stimulated phospholipase C (approximately 40-75% stimulation of formation of inositol phosphates). Again, this effect was inhibited by metitepine. However, the EC50 of 5-HT was considerably higher (approximately 3.2 microM) than that found for inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. Both pathways were demonstrated to be similarly affected by pertussis toxin. These findings indicate that like the M2 and M3 muscarinic cholinergic receptors, the 5-HT1A receptor can couple to multiple transduction pathways with varying efficiencies via pertussis toxin-sensitive G-proteins. The lack of stimulation of cAMP formation by this 5-HT1A receptor may suggest the existence of another pharmacologically closely related receptor.     

Signal transduction in esophageal and LES circular muscle contraction

Contraction of normal esophageal circular muscle (ESO) in response to acetylcholine (ACh) is linked to M2 muscarinic receptors activating at least three intracellular phospholipases, i.e., phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC), phospholipase D (PLD), and the high molecular weight (85 kDa) cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) to induce phosphatidylcholine (PC) metabolism, production of diacylglycerol (DAG) and arachidonic acid (AA), resulting in activation of a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent pathway. In contrast, lower esophageal sphincter (LES) contraction induced by maximally effective doses of ACh is mediated by muscarinic M3 receptors, linked to pertussis toxin-insensitive GTP-binding proteins of the G(q/11) type. They activate phospholipase C, which hydrolyzes phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PIP2), producing inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and DAG. IP3 causes release of intracellular Ca++ and formation of a Ca++-calmodulin complex, resulting in activation of myosin light chain kinase and contraction through a calmodulin-dependent pathway. Signal transduction pathways responsible for maintenance of LES tone are quite distinct from those activated during contraction in response to maximally effective doses of agonists (e.g., ACh). Resting LES tone is associated with activity of a low molecular weight (approximately 14 kDa) pancreatic-like (group 1) secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) and production of arachidonic acid (AA), which is metabolized to prostaglandins and thromboxanes. These AA metabolites act on receptors linked to G-proteins to induce activation of PI- and PC-specific phospholipases, and production of second messengers. Resting LES tone is associated with submaximal PI hydrolysis resulting in submaximal levels of inositol trisphosphate (IP3-induced Ca++ release, and interaction with DAG to activate PKC. In an animal model of acute esophagitis, acid-induced inflammation alters the contractile pathway of ESO and LES. In LES circular muscle, after induction of experimental esophagitis, basal levels of PI hydrolysis are substantially reduced and intracellular Ca++ stores are functionally damaged, resulting in a reduction of resting tone. The reduction in intracellular Ca++ release causes a switch in the signal transduction pathway mediating contraction in response to ACh. In the normal LES, ACh causes release of Ca++ from intracellular stores and activation of a calmodulin-dependent pathway. After esophagitis, ACh-induced contraction depends on influx of extracellular Ca++, which is insufficient to activate calmodulin, and contraction is mediated by a PKC-dependent pathway. These changes are reproduced in normal LES cells by thapsigargin-induced depletion of Ca++ stores, suggesting that the amount of Ca++ available for release from intracellular stores defines the signal transduction pathway activated by a maximally effective dose of ACh.     

Regulation of gene expression by the intracellular second messengers IP3 and diacylglycerol

In Dictyostelium, extracellular cAMP interacts specifically with cell-surface receptors to promote the accumulation of a variety of intracellular second messengers, such as 3'-5' cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and 1,4,5 inositol trisphosphate (IP3). We and others have shown that activation of the cell-surface cAMP receptor can also modulate the expression of the Dictyostelium genome during development. In at least one instance, synthesis of intracellular cAMP is required for appropriate gene regulation. However, the induction of most cAMP-dependent gene expression can occur in the absence of receptor-mediated activation of adenylate cyclase and a consequent accumulation of intracellular cAMP. These results suggest that other intracellular second messengers produced in response to receptor activation may potentially act as signal transducers to modulate gene expression during development. In vertebrate cells, IP3 and diacylglycerol (DAG) are intracellular activators of specific protein kinases; they are produced in equimolar amounts by cleavage of phosphoinositol bisphosphate after a receptor-mediated activation of a membrane-bound phosphodiesterase. IP3 and, thus, by inference, diacyl-glycerol are synthesized in Dictyostelium as a response to cAMP interacting with its cell-surface receptor. Using defined conditions to inhibit the accumulation of extracellular cAMP, we have examined the effects of these compounds on the expression of genes that require cAMP for their maximal expression. Our results suggest that intracellular IP3 and DAG may in part mediate the action of extracellular cAMP on the expression of the Dictyostelium genome.