Mapping adenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate binding sites on type I and type II adenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate dependent protein kinases using ribose ring and cyclic phosphate ring analogues of adenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate

A series of adenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate (cAMP) derivatives containing modifications or substitutions in either the 2',3',4', or 5' position or the phosphate were examined for their abilities to activate type I isozymes of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PK I) from rabbit or porcine skeletal muscle and type II isozymes of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PK II) from bovine brain and heart. The studies revealed that the activation of both PK I and PK II isozymes requires a 2'-hydroxyl group in the ribo configuration, a 3' oxygen in the ribo configuration, and a charged cyclic phosphate. The two isozymes appeared to differ in those portions of their respective cAMP-binding sites that are adjacent to the 4' position of the ribose ring and the 3' position, 5' position, and phosphate portion of the cyclic phosphate ring.     

A model for the chemical interactions of adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate with the R subunit of protein kinase type I. Refinement of the cyclic phosphate binding moiety of protein kinase type I.

The cAMP receptor site in the regulatory subunit of adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase type I was mapped using analogues of cAMP in which the ribose phosphate moiety was systematically modified. Electronical alteration of the cyclophosphate ring at the 3' and 5' positions by sulfur and nitrogen decreased the affinity of these analogues towards the kinase. Substituents at these positions are not tolerated. Testing the separated diastereomers of derivatives in which one of the exocyclic oxygens at the phosphorus has been substituted by sulfur, it was found that one diastereoisomer is preferentially recognized. Based on these results it is proposed that the hydrophylic cyclic phosphate-ribose moiety of cAMP is bound to the kinase via its 3' and 5'-oxygens, the 2'-hydroxy group and the negative charge in a fixed position. Based on our and other published results it is further proposed, that the adenine moiety is bound in a hydrophobic cleft without any hydrogen bond interactions. The chemical interactions between cAMP and the R subunit of protein kinase type I differ from those found for the binding of cAMP to the chemoreceptor of Dictyostelium discoideum [18].     

Synthesis and enzymic activity of 8-acyl and 8-alkyl derivatives of guanosine 3, 5-cyclic phosphate.

Several new 8-alkyl and 8-acyl derivatives of quanosie 3',5'-cyclic phosphate (cGMP) and inosine 3',5'-cyclic phosphate (cGMP) were prepared by direct alkylation or acylation of the parent cyclic nucleotide via free radicals generated in situ. These compounds have been examined for their ability to stimulate a cGMP-dependent protein kinase, and several of the cGMP derivatives were as active in this regard as cGMP. These compounds proved to be quite ineffective when tested for their ability to activate an adenosine 3',5'-cyclic phosphate (cAMP) dependent protein kinase. In addition, these 8-substituted cGMP derivatives are not substrates for a phosphodiesterase preparation from rabbit kidney, but do show inhibition of the hydrolysis of cAMP by crude phosphodiesterase preparations from rabbit lung and beef heart.     

Binding of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate dependent protein kinase regulatory subunit to immobilized cyclic nucleotide derivatives.

Several cyclic nucleotide derivatives with aminoalkyl side chains attached to the purine ring were synthesized and their interactions with adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) dependent protein kinase were studied before and after immobilization to CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B. The soluble N6-substituted derivatives were as effective as cAMP itself in activating protein kinase and were more effective than 8-substituted cAMP derivatives, whereas the 2-substituted cAMP derivatives and the cGMP derivatives were the least effective. All of the synthetic derivatives tested were poor substrates for beef heart phosphodiesterase being hydrolyzed at rates less than 2% for that of cAMP itself. Utilizing methodology developed to evaluate the affinity of protein kinase for immogilized cyclic nucleotides it was found that all of the immobilized cyclic nucleotides interacted with protein kinase in a biospecific manner as judged by the following criteria: (1) the immobilized cyclic nucleotides competed with cAMP for the binding sites on protein kinase; (2) the analogous spacer-arm did not compete; and (3) the effects of enzyme concentration, MgATP, and cleavage of the cyclic phosphate ring on the interactions of protein kinase with the immobilized cyclic nucleotides were the same as previously shown for free cAMP. In addition, the immobilized ligands were bound with the same order of effectiveness as the analogous soluble ligand. The observed Ka for the activation of 0.005 muM protein kinase by N6-H2N(CH2)2-cAMP was increased from 0.23 to 3 muM by the process of immobilization. This increase was unaffected by the coupling density and spacer-arm length. The observed Kb for 0.10 muM protein kinase binding to immobilized N6-H2N(CH2)2-cAMP was increased as the molecular sieving exclusion limit of the matrix used was decreased indicating that at least part of this decrease in apparent affinity upon immobilization is due to exclusion of the enzyme from a portion of the matrix and therefore of the immobilized ligand molecules.     

In Vitro Phosphorylation of Microtubule-Associated Protein 2: Differential Effects of Cyclic AMP Analogues

Microtubules purified from brain tissue contain endogenous cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase activity, and microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) is the major substrate. Beef brain microtubules were prepared and used as a model system to study the differential effects of rationally selected cyclic nucleotide analogues on microtubule receptor protein kinase. Data are presented to indicate that the following molecular interactions are essential for activation of the phosphorylation of MAP2: (a) hydrogen bond formation toward the 2', 3', or 5' position, (b) interaction with phosphorus, and (c) no hydrogen bonds but hydrophobic interactions at the base moiety. Thus, the activation mechanism of the type II protein kinase associated with brain microtubules resembles the mechanism found in protein kinases of other systems. In addition, we have studied the effect of the two diastereomers of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphorothioate (cAMPS). The (Sp)-cAMPS isomer was found to activate MAP2 protein kinase, whereas the (Rp)-cAMPS isomer had no activating effect. In contrast, this compound was able to inhibit cAMP-stimulated MAP2 phosphorylation and thus acts as an antagonist of the Sp diastereomer and cAMP. Hence, this analogue provides a useful means to clarify further the effect of cAMP-dependent phosphorylation on functional properties in microtubules in general.     

The sequential 2',3'-cyclic phosphodiesterase and 3'-phosphate/5'-OH ligation steps of the RtcB RNA splicing pathway are GTP-dependent

The RNA ligase RtcB splices broken RNAs with 5'-OH and either 2',3'-cyclic phosphate or 3'-phosphate ends. The 3'-phosphate ligase activity requires GTP and entails the formation of covalent RtcB-(histidinyl)-GMP and polynucleotide-(3')pp(5')G intermediates. There are currently two models for how RtcB executes the strand sealing step. Scheme 1 holds that the RNA 5'-OH end attacks the 3'-phosphorus of the N(3')pp(5')G end to form a 3',5'-phosphodiester and release GMP. Scheme 2 posits that the N(3')pp(5')G end is converted to a 2',3'-cyclic phosphodiester, which is then attacked directly by the 5'-OH RNA end to form a 3',5'-phosphodiester. Here we show that the sealing of a 2',3'-cyclic phosphate end by RtcB requires GTP, is contingent on formation of the RtcB-GMP adduct, and involves a kinetically valid RNA(3')pp(5')G intermediate. Moreover, we find that RtcB catalyzes the hydrolysis of a 2',3'-cyclic phosphate to a 3'-phosphate at a rate that is at least as fast as the rate of ligation. These results weigh in favor of scheme 1. The cyclic phosphodiesterase activity of RtcB depends on GTP and the formation of the RtcB-GMP adduct, signifying that RtcB guanylylation precedes the cyclic phosphodiesterase and 3'-phosphate ligase steps of the RNA splicing pathway.     

Inhibition of cAMP-dependent protein kinase by adenosine cyclic 3'-, 5'-phosphorodithioate, a second cAMP antagonist

A single sulfur substitution for either the axial or the equatorial exocyclic oxygen of adenosine cyclic 3', 5'-phosphate (cAMP) results in diastereometric phosphorothioate analogs of cAMP with agonist versus antagonist properties towards activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Sulfur substitutions for both of the exocyclic oxygens of cAMP results in a dithioate analog of cAMP, adenosine cyclic 3', 5'-phosphorodithioate (cAMPS2), which has antagonist properties. cAMPS2 displaced [3H]cAMP from the binding sites on bovine heart Type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase as demonstrated by equilibrium dialysis experiments with an apparent Kd of 6.3 microM. The addition of 10, 30, or 100 microM cAMPS2 when measuring cAMP-induced activation of pure porcine heart Type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase resulted in a concentration-dependent increase in the amount of cAMP required to produce half-maximal activation (EC50). A plot of the EC50 values as a function of the cAMPS2 concentration resulted in a straight line from which a KI value of 4 microM was derived. cAMPS2 had no significant effect on the degree of cooperativity (n) of cAMP activation of the holoenzyme. These data suggest that the most important structural requirement for the dissociation of the holoenzyme is an equatorial exocyclic oxygen.     

Substrate specificity of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase from beef heart and from Dictyostelium discoideum

The substrate specificity of beef heart phosphodiesterase activity and of the phosphodiesterase activity at the cell surface of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum has been investigated by measuring the apparent Km and maximal velocity (V) of 24 derivatives of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP). Several analogs have increased Km values, but unaltered V values if compared to cAMP; also the contrary (unaltered Km and reduced V) has been observed, indicating that binding of the substrate to the enzyme and ring opening are two separate steps in the hydrolysis of cAMP. cAMP is bound to the beef heart phosphodiesterase by dipole-induced dipole interactions between the adenine moiety and an aromatic amino acid, and possibly by a hydrogen bond between the enzyme and one of the exocyclic oxygen atoms; a cyclic phosphate ring is not required to obtain binding. cAMP is bound to the slime mold enzyme via a hydrogen bond at the 3'-oxygen atom, and probably via a hydrogen bond with one of the exocyclic oxygen atoms. A cyclic phosphate ring is necessary to obtain binding to the enzyme. A specific interaction (polar or hydrophobic) between the base moiety and the enzyme has not been demonstrated. A negative charge on the phosphate moiety is not required for binding of cAMP to either enzyme. The catalytic reaction in both enzymes is restricted to the phosphorus atom and to the exocyclic oxygen atoms. Substitution of the negatively charged oxygen atom by an uncharged dimethylamino group in axial or equatorial position renders the compound non-hydrolyzable. Substitution of an exocyclic oxygen by a sulphur atom reduces the rate of the catalytic reaction about 100-fold if sulphur is placed in axial position and more than 10000-fold if sulphur is placed in equatorial position. A reaction mechanism for the enzymatic hydrolysis of cAMP is proposed.     

8-Substituted derivatives of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic phosphate require an unsubstituted 2'-hydroxyl group in the ribo configuration for biological activity.

Derivatives of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic phosphate (cAMP) with modifications in both the 2' and the 8 positions were synthesized and their enzymic activities as activators of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and as substrates for and inhibitors of cAMP phosphodiesterases were determined. Three types of derivatives were investigated: 8-substituted derivatives of O2'-Bt-cAMP, 8-substituted derivatives of 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine 3',5'-cyclic phosphate (ara-cAMP), and 8-substituted derivatives of 8,2'-anhydro-9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine 3,'5'-cyclic phosphate (8,2'-anhydro-cAMP). The 8-substituted O2'-Bt-cAMP derivatives were synthesized by acylation of the preformed 8-substituted cAMP (8-HS-cAMP, 8-MeS-cAMP, and 8-PhCH2S-cAMP). 8-Br-O2'-tosyl-cAMP was sued as an intermediate for the preparation of 8,2'-anhydro-cAMP derivatives (8-HO-, 8-SH-, 8-H2N-, and 8-H3 CHN derivatives of 8,2'-anhydro-cAMP). 8-Substituted ara-cAMP derivatives were obtained by ring opening of 8-HO-8,2'-anhydro-cAMP with H+/H2O, NH3/MeOH, or MeONa/MeOH (to yield the 8-HO-, 8-H2N-, and 8-MeO-ara-cAMP derivatives). All of these doubly modified derivatives of cAMP are less than one-hundredth as active as cAMP at activating protein kinase and did not serve as substrates for the phosphodiesterase. These data show that the general inactivity of 2' derivatives of cAMP with kinase was not overcome by addition of an 8-substituent, even though many 8-substituted derivatives of cAMP activate the kinase more efficiently than does cAMP itself. In addition they show that while 2'-modification were tolerated by the phosphodiesterase, addition of an 8-substituent countermanded the allowable 2'-modification. The 8-substituted derivates of 02'-Bt-cAMP were found in general to be slightly better inhibitors of phosphodiesterase than the parent compounds containing no o2'-Bt substitution. As a group, the 8-substituted ara-cAMP derivatives were poorer inhibitors of phosphodiesterase than 8-substituted cAMP derivatives while the 8,2'-anhydro-cAMP derivatives were much poorer inhibitors than the 8-substituted ara-cAMP derivatives.     

A mechanism for the RNA-catalyzed formation of 5'-phosphates. The origin of nucleases

Processes involved in RNA metabolism can be distinguished by the nature of the sugar phosphate substitution (5' or 3') in intermediates or products. Although it is known that 3'-phosphates are produced via a 2',3'-cyclic phosphate intermediate, formed by nucleophilic attack on the phosphodiester bond by the adjacent 2'-OH, little is known about the production of 5'-phosphate products. We attribute 5'-phosphate intermediates and products to a preferred configuration of the pentavalent phosphorus intermediate resulting from the attack of a distant nucleophile. This intermediate is favored, since its formation is possible without major conformational changes in the molecule. Based on the two products of nucleic acid hydrolysis we define: the conjunct and disjunct nucleophile mechanisms, each of which would have independent origins. Indeed, the products of an overwhelming number of nucleases and RNases are consistent with one of these mechanistic models demonstrating that the origin of these enzymes are deeply rooted in the intrinsic chemistry of phosphate esters.     

Self-phosphorylation of cyclic guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase from bovine lung. Effect of cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate, cyclic guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate and histone.

Incubation of purified cyclic guanosine 3':5'-monophospate-dependent protein kinase with [gamma-32P]ATP and Mg2+ led to formation of one 32P-labeled protein, Mr = 75,000, which corresponded to the single protein band detected after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate. When electrophoresis was performed without detergent, the labeled protein coincided with the position of cGMP-dependent protein kinase activity. Phosphorylation was enhanced severalfold by either histone or cAMP and was inhibited by the addition of cGMP. Low concentrations of cGMP blocked the stimulatory effects of cAMP or histone (or both). Since neither cAMP-dependent protein kinase nor cGMP-dependent phosphoprotein phosphatase activities were detected in the purified enzyme, we concluded that the cGMP-dependent protein kinase is a substrate for its own phosphotransferase activity and that other protein substrates (histone) and cyclic nucleotides modulate the process of self-phosphorylation.     

2-substituted derivatives of adenosine and inosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate. Synthesis, enzymic activity, and analysis of the structural requirements of the binding locale of the 2-substituent on bovine brain protein kinase.

A number of 2-substituted cyclic nucleotide derivatives were synthesized and investigated as activators of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and as substrates for and inhibitors of cAMP phosphodiesterase. Ring closure of 5-amino-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylimidazol-4-carboxamide cyclic 3',5'-phosphate (1) with various aldehydes according to a new procedure (Meyer, R. B., Jr., Shuman, D.A., and Robins, R. K. (1974), J. Am. Chem. Soc. 96, 4962) gave new derivatives of adenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate with the following 2-substituents: n-propyl, n-hexl, n-octyl, n-decyl, styryl, o-methoxyphenyl, and 2-thienyl. Alkylation of 2-mercaptoadenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate (20, Meyer et al., 1974) gave new cAMP derivatives with the following 2-substituent: ethylthio, n-propylthio, isopropylthio, allylthio, n-decylthio, and benzylthio. Deamination of 2-methyl-,2-n-butyl-, and 2-ethylthioadenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate. Using multiple regression analysis, a striking relationship was found between the relative potency of the compounds as activators of bovine brain cAMP-dependent protein kinase and parameters describing the hydrophobic, steric, and electronic character of the substituents on these compounds. All compounds were substrates for a cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase preparation from rabbit kidney. Additionally, the compounds were as a group, good inhibitors of the hydrolysis of cAMP by phosphodiesterase preparations from rabbit lung, beef heart, and dog heart.     

DFT investigations of phosphotriesters hydrolysis in aqueous solution: a model for DNA single strand scission induced by N-nitrosoureas

DNA phosphotriester adducts are common alkylation products of DNA phosphodiester moiety induced by N-nitrosoureas. The 2-hydroxyethyl phosphotriester was reported to hydrolyze more rapidly than other alkyl phosphotriesters both in neutral and in alkaline conditions, which can cause DNA single strand scission. In this work, DFT calculations have been employed to map out the four lowest activation free-energy profiles for neutral and alkaline hydrolysis of triethyl phosphate (TEP) and diethyl 2-hydroxyethyl phosphate (DEHEP). All the hydrolysis pathways were illuminated to be stepwise involving an acyclic or cyclic phosphorane intermediate for TEP or DEHEP, respectively. The rate-limiting step for all the hydrolysis reactions was found to be the formation of phosphorane intermediate, with the exception of DEHEP hydrolysis in alkaline conditions that the decomposition process turned out to be the rate-limiting step, owing to the extraordinary low formation barrier of cyclic phosphorane intermediate catalyzed by hydroxide. The rate-limiting barriers obtained for the four reactions are all consistent with the available experimental information concerning the corresponding hydrolysis reactions of phosphotriesters. Our calculations performed on the phosphate triesters hydrolysis predict that the lower formation barriers of cyclic phosphorane intermediates compared to its acyclic counter-part should be the dominant factor governing the hydrolysis rate enhancement of DEHEP relative to TEP both in neutral and in alkaline conditions.

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.     

Substrate and effector specificity of a guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate phosphodiesterase from rat liver.

Guanosine 3':5'-monophosphate phosphodiesterases, which appear to be under allosteric control, have been partially purified from rat liver supernatant and particulate fractions. The preferred substrate for both phosphodiesterases was cGMP (Km values: cGMP less than cIMP less than cAMP). At subsaturating concentrations of substrate, the phosphodiesterases were stimulated by purine cyclic nucleotides. The order of effectiveness for activation of cyclic nucleotide hydrolysis was cGMP greater than cIMP greater than cAMP greater than cXMP. Using cAMP derivatives as activators of cIMP hydrolysis, modifications in the ribose, cyclic phosphate, and purine moieties were shown to alter the ability of the cyclic nucleotide to activate the supernatant enzyme. cGMP, at concentrations that stimulated cyclic nucleotide hydrolysis, enhanced chymotryptic inactivation of the supernatant phosphodiesterase. At similar concentrations, cAMP was not effective. It appears that on interaction with appropriate cyclic nucleotides, this phosphodiesterase undergoes conformational changes that are associated with increased catalytic activity and enhanced susceptibility to proteolytic attack. Divalent cation may not be required for the nucleotide-phosphodiesterase interaction and resultant change in conformation.     

Adenosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate uptake and regulation of membrane protein kinase in intact human erythrocytes

The uptake of adenosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) and stimulation of membrane-associated protein kinase in mature human erythrocytes were investigated. cAMP transport across the membrane was temperature dependent, and cAMP binding to the isolated membrane had less temperature dependence. More than 99% of the [3H]-cAMP taken up by erythrocytes was nonmembrane bound. Maximal stimulation of membrane protein kinase and maximal occupancy of membrane cAMP binding sites by extracellular cAMP cccurred at 30 degrees C within 30 min after initiation of the incubation of erythrocytes with cAMP. The concentration of extracellular cAMP that gave half-maximal stimulation of membrane protein kinase was 5.4 X 10-4 M, a value consistent with the concentrations of cAMP (5.2 X 10-4 M) found to occupy half-maximally the membrane cAMP binding sites in erythrocytes. Extracellular cAMP and to a lesser extent guanosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate and inosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate stimulated membrane protein kinase in erythrocytes. The cAMP uptake by human erythrocytes as well as cAMP binding to membranes in the erythrocyte was blocked by an inhibitor [4,4'-bis(isothiocyano)stilbene-2,2-disulfonate] of the anion channel. These studies indicate that cAMP can be transported across membranes into human erythrocytes and can bind to membranes to activate membrane protein kinase. It appears that there is a shared transport channel for cAMP and anion transport.     

PKA from Saccharomyces cerevisiae can be activated by cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP.

Analysis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome revealed no sequence homologous to cyclic GMP (cGMP) dependent protein kinase from other organisms. Here we demonstrate that cyclic AMP (cAMP) dependent protein kinase purified from S. cerevisiae was almost equally activated by cAMP and cGMP in 3 x 10(-6) M concentrations of either nucleotide in the presence of Mg2+ ions. Interestingly, if Mn2+ ions were used instead of Mg2+, cGMP was only 30% as effective as cAMP in the activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Analogs of cAMP such as 8-chloro-cAMP and 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate of ribofuranosylbenzimidazole were as potent as cAMP in the enzyme activation, while N6,2'-O-dibutyryl-cAMP activated the enzyme to a lower extent. It was also found that yeast cAMP-dependent protein kinase can be activated by limited proteolytic digestion. The results presented were obtained with protamine and ribosomal protein S10 used as phosphorylation substrates.     

The 3'-amido and 5'-amido analogues of adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate; interaction with cAMP-specific proteins.

The sensitivity for recognition of adenosine 3:5'-monophosphate (cAMP) by its coordinate proteins towards chemical changes in the six-membered cyclic phosphate ring has been investigated. A comparison of the interaction parameters of the 3' and 5'-amido analogues (I, II) and of unsubstituted cAMP has been made using two different protein kinases and the phosphodiesterase from bovine heart. Binding affinity and the capacity of the amido analogues to stimulate the phosphotransferase activity of the kinases is greatly reeuced relative to cAMP, the 3'-position being more sensitive towards the modification than the 5'-position. The coordinate noncyclic derivatives, 3'-deoxy-3'-amino-5'-AMP (IV) and 5'-deoxy-5'-amino-3'-amp (iii), were also tested. Surprisingly activity towards protein kinases was found to be considerable for the 5'-deoxy-5'-amino-3'-AMP (III), while the 3'-deoxy-3'-amino-5'-AMP (IV) is practically inactive. A possible reason for this is that the noncylic 5'-analogue (III) may be able to assume a cyclic structure maintained by internal salt formation. The phosphodiesterase splits both cyclic amido analogues but with reduced rates compared to that of natural cAMP. Kinetic data obtained from different methods reveal a stronger affinity for the 5'-analogue (I) than the 3'-analogue (II) for the active site, although the reaction rate at saturated substrate concentration is significantly higher with II than with I. The properties of the amido and the noncyclic amino analogues are discussed with available data from chemotaxis of the cellular slime moulds. Furthermore data of the respective methylene cyclic derivatives are used for a more comprehensive comparison. The above is interpreted in terms of the electronic features of the substitutions and of the changes in bond distances or angles upon replacement of O by NH or CH2 in the cyclic phosphate ring (obtained from X-ray work).     

Comparison of cyclic nucleotide specificity of guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase.

Guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase) and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase) exhibited a high degree of cyclic nucleotide specificity when hormone-sensitive triacylglycerol lipase, phosphorylase kinase, and cardiac troponin were used as substrates. The concentration of cyclic GMP required to activate half-maximally cyclic dependent protein kinase was 1000- to 100-fold less than that of cyclic AMP with these substrates. The opposite was true with cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase where 1000- to 100-fold less cyclic AMP than cyclic GMP was required for half-maximal enzyme activation. This contrasts with the lower degree of cyclic nucleotide specificity of cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase of 25-fold when histone H2b was used as a substrate for phosphorylation. Cyclic IMP resembled cyclic AMP in effectiveness in stimulating cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase but was intermediate between cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP in stimulating cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. The effect of cyclic IMP on cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase was confirmed in studies of autophosphorylation of cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase where both cyclic AMP and cyclic IMP enhanced autophosphorylation. The high degree of cyclic nucleotide specificity observed suggests that cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP activate only their specific kinase and that crossover to the opposite kinase is unlikely to occur at reported cellular concentrations of cyclic nucleotides.     

Studies of cGMP analog specificity and function of the two intrasubunit binding sites of cGMP-dependent protein kinase

The specificity of the two intrasubunit cGMP binding sites of cGMP-dependent protein kinase was determined by measuring the ability of 46 cGMP analogs to compete with [3H]cGMP. Both sites of the enzyme exhibited high specificity for the ribose cyclic phosphate moiety, and lower specificity for the guanine moiety. Effects of modifications in the ribose cyclic phosphate moiety suggested that cGMP is bound at both sites by three hydrogen bonds at 2'-OH, 3'-O, and 5'-O. A negative charge in the cyclic phosphate is apparently required. Modifications of the pyrimidine part of guanine, particularly at C-1, generally caused selectivity for the rapidly exchanging site while modifications of the imidazole part of guanine at C-7 and C-8 caused selectivity for the slowly exchanging site. These increases in selectivity for a site were mainly due to losses in affinity of the other site. There was an apparent requirement of the intact amino group at C-2, particularly for the slowly exchanging site. Comparison of the molecular interactions of cAMP and cGMP with their specific protein kinases showed that both nucleotides are bound by similar forces in the 2', 3' and 5' region, both bases may be bound in syn conformation, but that each base moiety is bound by different molecular interaction, thus leading to the selectivity of the two enzymes. cGMP analogs which possessed strong selectivity for the rapidly exchanging site, but not those selective for the slowly exchanging site, stimulated the binding of [3H]cGMP. Only a few cGMP analogs were more potent than cGMP in stimulating protein kinase activity. The potency of cGMP analogs as stimulators of kinase activity correlated better with the mean binding affinity for both binding sites than with the affinity for either site alone. Two analogs added in combination were synergistic in kinase activation, particularly if one analog was selective for the slowly exchanging site and the other for the rapidly exchanging site. These observations are suggestive that cGMP binding at the rapidly exchanging site stimulates cGMP binding at the slowly exchanging site and that both sites are involved in the activation process.