Hormonal stimulation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in rat pancreas

The phosphorylation of myelin (basic protein) purified from rabbit brain was markedly stimulated by exogenously added calmodulin in the presence of calcium and inhibited by W-7(N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide), a calmodulin interacting agent, in a dose-dependent fashion. However, exogenously added myelin basic protein free from protein kinase activity could not serve as a substrate of this calmodulin dependent protein kinase, suggesting that this kinase catalyzes the phosphorylation of the enzyme-substrate complex. These results suggest that a calmodulin-dependent protein kinase complex with the substrate (basic protein) is located in the myelin membrane of the central nervous system.     

A cAMP-dependent protein kinase is present in differentiating Dictyostelium discoideum cells

We demonstrate the occurrence of a cAMP-dependent protein kinase in Dictyostelium discoideum cells at the terminal stage of differentiation. A cAMP-binding component was purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography. This subunit inhibits the activity of purified catalytic subunit from beef heart protein kinase; the inhibition is reversed upon addition of cAMP. The protein is highly specific for cAMP and has a dissociation constant of 4 nM. The isolated regulatory subunit is a monomer of 39 K, with a sedimentation coefficient of 3.5S and a frictional coefficient of 1.24. The differences between this regulatory subunit and regulatory subunits of protein kinases from other sources are discussed.     

Regulated expression of inhibitor of apoptosis protein 3 in the rat corpus luteum

We sought to investigate the role inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) play in the life cycle of the corpus luteum (CL) of the rat. We isolated two clones with amino acid homology to rat IAP2 (BIRC 3) and three to rat IAP3 (rIAP3; BIRC 4). The expression of rIAP3 mRNA was examined in the rat CL during and after pregnancy, in Day 8 pregnant rats after 24-h treatment of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-agonist (GnRH-Ag), and in a CL organ culture model of spontaneous apoptosis in the absence of tropic support with and without superoxide dismutase. We used real-time RT-PCR to quantitate rIAP3 mRNA expression. Interestingly, a significant reduction in rIAP3 levels was seen at the time of CL regression in the course of natural pregnancy and the GnRH-Ag model. Surprisingly, rIAP3 mRNA levels in the CL organ culture model of spontaneous apoptosis failed to show significant changes, although TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling) reaction showed 30%-40% of the cells undergoing DNA fragmentation after 2 h in culture. In situ hybridization revealed that rIAP3 expression was localized to the cytoplasm of luteal and granulosa cells. These data clearly demonstrate both the presence of IAPs in the rat CL and the regulation of rIAP3 during in vivo apoptotic cell death, indicating a role for IAPs in the maintenance of CL function and demise.     

Glucocorticoids stimulate the accumulation of lipids in the rat corpus luteum.

We investigated the physiological basis for the trophic effect of glucocorticoids in rat corpora lutea in the absence of pituitary gonadotropins. Immature (Day 29) Sprague-Dawley rats were given eCG and hCG to induce the development of corpora lutea and were hypophysectomized on Day 32. Beginning on Day 40, rats received twice-daily s.c. injections of either dexamethasone (dex; 200 microg/rat/day) or vehicle (controls) and then were killed on Day 44. Plasma 20alpha-dihydroprogesterone, a major steroid produced by the corpora lutea, was higher (p 2-fold of plasma 20alpha-dihydroprogesterone concentration compared to controls. Glucocorticoid receptor protein (about 92 kDa) was detected in both luteal and nonluteal ovarian tissues in this animal model. These effects of glucocorticoids and the presence of the glucocorticoid receptor raise the possibility of a physiological role for glucocorticoids in the rat corpus luteum.     

Activation of protein kinase in the bovine corpus luteum by phospholipid and Ca2+.

A new species of protein kinase has been identified in cytosol preparations from bovine corpora lutea. Enzyme activity required the simultaneous presence of Ca2+ and phospholipid, and was also enhanced by glyceryl dioleate. Phosphatidylserine was the most effective phospholipid for stimulating histone phosphorylation. Other phospholipids capable of supporting enzymic activity were, in order of decreasing activity, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidic acid, cardiolipin and phosphatidylglycerol. Several other phospholipids tested were ineffective. A cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase was also present in the luteal cytosol. This enzyme activity was eliminated by protein kinase inhibitor without affecting the Ca2+- and phospholipid-stimulated activity. Lysine-rich histone (IIIS) was a much better substrate than type-IIA histone for Ca2+- and phospholipid-dependent phosphorylation. Ca2+ and phospholipid also enhanced phosphorylation of endogenous luteal cytosol protein. Calmodulin, alone or in the presence of Ca2+, was unable to increase phosphorylation. Trifluoperazine inhibited protein kinase activity stimulated by Ca2+ and phospholipid. These data suggest that a phospholipid-sensitive, Ca2+-dependent protein kinase may provide an important link between hormonally-induced changes in phospholipid metabolism and corpus-luteum function.     

Autophosphorylation of rat liver type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase

A monoclonal antibody was prepared against the regulatory subunit (RII) of rat liver type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Autophosphorylated and nonphosphorylated RII in extracts from rat liver or hepatocytes were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and quantified by immunoblot analysis with this antibody. Under basal conditions, 90% of hepatocyte RII was in the phosphorylated form. Incubating hepatocytes with 8-bromo-cAMP and a phosphodiesterase inhibitor resulted in activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and glycogenolysis but did not affect phospho RII levels. RII phosphorylation was also unaffected by the inclusion of sufficient insulin to cause a decrease in cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity and glycogenolysis. The results indicate that unlike other cell types, dissociation of rat hepatocyte type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase does not result in dephosphorylation of RII. The biochemical basis for the apparent lack of RII dephosphorylation in intact hepatocytes was examined by comparison with smooth muscle where RII is rapidly dephosphorylated. Rat liver extract contained 4-fold less RII and had an 80-fold lower rate of dephosphorylation of endogenous RII compared to bovine smooth muscle extract. The differences in the rates of RII dephosphorylation in tissue extracts were not observed using purified RII from either tissue. These data suggested that the slow rate of RII dephosphorylation in rat hepatocytes is due to a difference in the susceptibility of endogenous rat liver RII to dephosphorylation rather than a difference in phosphatase activity.     

Reduced levels of cardiac cAMP-dependent protein kinase in spontaneously hypertensive rat

Cardiac cAMP-dependent protein kinases were compared between the spontaneously hypertensive rat and the age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rat by DEAE-cellulose chromatography, photoaffinity labeling with 8-N3[32P]cAMP, and Western blots using the antiregulatory and 125I-anticatalytic subunit antibodies. DEAE-cellulose chromatography revealed that the ratio of type I to type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase was 3:1 in the cytoplasmic soluble proteins from the heart of normotensive rat. In contrast, the ratio of type I to type II was 1:1 in the heart of hypertensive rat. Type I protein kinase was reduced by 3-fold in hypertensive rat compared to normotensive rat. The levels of type II protein kinase were similar in both normotensive and hypertensive rats. The ratio of regulatory subunits of type I (RI) to type II (RII) cAMP-dependent protein kinase was 2.5 in the soluble proteins from the heart of normotensive rat compared to a ratio of 0.62 for hypertensive rat. RI was reduced by 4-fold in hypertensive rat compared to normotensive rat. The decrease in RI from hypertensive rat was also demonstrated by photoaffinity labeling with 8-N3[32P] cAMP. Western blot analysis of the catalytic subunit revealed a 2-fold decrease in catalytic subunit (C) in the soluble proteins from the hypertensive rat compared to normotensive rat. These results show that the reduced level of activity of cardiac type I protein kinase in hypertensive rat was the result of a decrease in both the RI and C subunits, thus reducing the number of type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase holoenzyme molecules. Comparison of type I protein kinase from "prehypertensive" and "hypertensive" stages of hypertensive rat indicated that the type I protein kinase was reduced by 3-fold before an increase in the blood pressure was detectable. Cardiac type I protein kinase is predominantly associated with the cytoplasmic proteins in both the normotensive and hypertensive rats. The levels of RI, RII, and C associated with the membrane-solubilized proteins were not affected in the hypertensive rat. The levels of RII were similar in the brain tissue of normotensive and hypertensive rats, suggesting that the decrease in type I protein kinase is specific in hypertensive rat. In conclusion, a decrease in cardiac type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase may affect the degree of phosphorylation of cardiac regulatory proteins, thus impairing normal cardiac physiology in hypertensive rat.     

The neural type II regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase is present and regulated by hormones in the rat ovary

In this study purified isoforms of rat ovarian regulatory subunit of type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase (R-II) were compared with R-II purified from rat brain. A special neural form of R-II has been previously described in bovine brain. Analysis by one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis resolved three isoforms of rat ovarian R-II (R-II54, Mr = 54,000; R-II52, Mr = 52,000; and R-II51, Mr = 51,000) compared to two R-II isoforms in rat brain (R-II54 and R-II52). Polychromatic silver-stained peptide maps of purified R-II subunits indicated that peptides generated from both rat ovarian R-II52 and R-II51 were similar (if not identical) to the peptides of the neural form, R-II52, purified from rat brain. These peptides differed markedly from those generated from R-II54 of either rat ovary, brain, or heart. Ovarian R-II52/51 photoaffinity labeled with 8-N3-[32P]cAMP and analyzed by two-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was shown to consist of three (rather than two) isoelectric variants, which were similar to three variants resolved from rat brain R-II and clearly distinct from that of rat heart R-II54. An antibody which recognized both the R-II54 and R-II52/51 isoforms of rat ovarian extracts also recognized both forms of rat brain R-II (R-II54 and R-II52) and similar forms in extracts of rat adrenal and parotid glands. These results strongly suggest that the R-II52 isoform previously designated as a neural specific form of R-II is present in high concentrations in a nonneural tissue, the rat ovary.     

Hypoxia regulates cell proliferation and steroidogenesis through protein kinase A signaling in bovine corpus luteum

Hypoxia is an important physiological process which ensures corpus luteum (CL) formation and development, thus playing an important role in steroidogenesis. Recent studies have shown that CL develops in an analogous to tumorigenesis by accumulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha subunit (HIF1A) in response to hypoxia. To investigate the relationship among hypoxia, steroidogenesis, and cell proliferation during CL lifespan, histological and steroidogenic analyses of CL were performed at various CL stages in non-pregnant Holstein. Also, the hypoxia-mediated steroidogenesis and cell proliferation were studied in vitro with both primary luteal and luteinized granulosa cells. Our results showed that progesterone (P(4)) concentration increased with the upregulation of steroidogenic protein including steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR) and CYP11A1 (P450scc) in the middle luteal stage. On the other hand, the cell proliferation- or hypoxia-associated proteins were upregulated in the early stage, including the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), HIF1A, and aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT). In primary culture, phospho-protein kinase A (p-PKA) was downregulated, as were P(4) secretion and steroidogenic proteins both under oxygen-conditioned hypoxia in luteal cells and cobalt chloride-induced hypoxia in luteinized granulosa cells. However, under the treatment of hypoxia, PCNA, which was downregulated in luteal cells, was upregulated together with HIF1A and VEGFA in luteinized granulosa cells. Taken together, present study suggested that hypoxia downregulated steroidogenesis through PKA signaling and that the hypoxia-regulated cell proliferation could be activated during CL formation.     

The size of the corpus luteum during pseudopregnancy and pregnancy in the rat.

The corpus luteum in mature Sprague Dawley rats was weighted at the various stages of pseudopregnancy and pregancy. The average size of these corpora lutea was 1.0 +/- 0.10 mg, 1.61 +/- 0.69 mg, 1.90 +/- 0.25 mg, 3.69 +/- 0.36 mg, and 4.37 +/- 0.50 mg on day 2 of diestrus, on days 10-15 of psuedopregnancy, on days 9-10, 14, and 20 of pregnancy, respectively. The fact that the average size of the corpus luteum on days 10-15 of pseudopregnancy was larger than that on day 2 of diestrus is thought to drive from prolonged exposure of the corpus luteum to prolactin. The average size of the corpus luteum on days 9-10 of pregnancy had a tendency to be larger than that on days 10-15 of pseudopregnancy and this seems to demonstrate that the placenta secreted placental lactogen by this stage of pregnancy. The average size of the corpus luteum on day 14 of pregnancy was larger than that on days 9-10 of pregnancy. This phenomenon might be attributed to the presence of large amounts of placental lactogen secreted from the placenta between days 10 and 14 of pregnancy. Furthermore, it was noted that the size of the corpus luteum on day 20 of pregnancy was larger than that of day 14, which suggests that further secretion of placental lactogen continued after day 14 of pregnancy. As there was a remarkable decrease in the number of fetuses on day 20 of pregnancy when overiectomy was performed on day 14 of pregnancy, the ovary was considered indispensable in maintaining pregnancy in the rat.     

Probes of the mitochondrial cAMP-dependent protein kinase

The development of a fluorescent assay to detect activity of the mitochondrial cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is described. A peptide-based sensor was utilized to quantify the relative amount of PKA activity present in each compartment of the mitochondria (the outer membrane, the intermembrane space, and the matrix). In the process of validating this assay, we discovered that PKA activity is regulated by the protease calpain. Upon exposure of bovine heart mitochondria to digitonin, Ca^2 +, and a variety of electron transport chain inhibitors, the regulatory subunits of the PKA holoenzyme (R₂C₂) are digested, releasing active catalytic subunits. This proteolysis is attenuated by calpain inhibitor I (ALLN). This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Inhibitors of Protein Kinases (2012).     

The role of autophagy in corpus luteum regression in the rat

Autophagy is associated with luteal cells death during regression of the corpus luteum (CL) in some species. However, the involvement of autophagy or the association between autophagy and apoptosis in CL regression are largely unknown. Therefore, we investigated the role of autophagy in CL regression and its association with apoptosis. Ovaries were obtained from pseudopregnant rats at Days 2 (early), 7 (mid-), and 14 and 20 (late-luteal stage) of the pseudopregnancy; autophagy-associated protein (microtuble-associated protein light chain 3 [LC3]) was immunolocalized and its expression level was measured. Luteal cell apoptosis was evaluated by measuring cleaved caspase 3 expression. LC3 expression increased slightly from early to mid-luteal stage, with maximal levels detected at the late-luteal stage in steroidogenic luteal cells. The expression level of the membrane form of LC3 (LC3-II) also increased during luteal stage progression, and reached a maximum at the end point of late-luteal stage (Day 20). This pattern coincided with cleaved caspase 3 expression. Furthermore, LC3-II expression increased, as did levels of cleaved caspase 3 in luteal cells cultured with prostaglandin F(2alpha) known to induce CL regression. These findings suggest that luteal cell autophagy is directly involved in CL regression, and is correlated with increased apoptosis. In addition, autophagic processes were inhibited using 3-methyladenine or bafilomycin A1 to evaluate the role of autophagy in apoptosis induction. Inhibition of autophagosome degradation by fusion with lysosomes (bafilomycin A1) increased apoptosis and cell death. Furthermore, inhibition of autophagosome formation (3-methyladenine) decreased apoptosis and cell death, suggesting that the accumulation of autophagosomes induces luteal cell apoptosis. In conclusion, these results indicate that autophagy is involved in rat luteal cell death through apoptosis, and is most prominent during CL regression.     

Induction of high-density-lipoprotein receptors in rat corpus luteum by human choriogonadotropin. Evidence of protein synthesis de novo.

The present studies investigated the specific binding of 125I-labelled high-density lipoprotein (125I-HDL) to plasma membranes. Golgi, rough endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria/lysosomes, prepared from ovaries of rats injected with human choriogonadotropin (hCG) or 0.9% NaCl. Treatment in vivo with hCG resulted in 2-3-fold induction of 125I-HDL binding activity in all the subcellular organelles. The specific binding of HDL to various subcellular organelles was dependent on the amount of protein, lipoprotein concentration and incubation time. Equilibrium-binding studies revealed comparable Kd values (13-22 micrograms of HDL protein/ml) for HDL binding in all the subcellular organelles tested. Treatment with cycloheximide (2.0 mg/kg body wt.) before hCG administration abolished the induction of HDL receptors, suggesting the involvement of a protein-synthesis-dependent process in receptor induction. Analysis of equilibrium dissociation constants (Kd) for 125I-HDL binding in membranes from hCG-, cycloheximide-and saline-treated animals suggests that the increase in binding was due to an increase in the number of binding sites rather than a change in the affinity. Additionally, pretreatment with tunicamycin, an inhibitor of N-linked glycosylation, had no effect on hCG-mediated receptor induction, suggesting that glycosylation of the receptor may not be necessary for the interaction of HDL with its receptors.     

Autophosphorylation of the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

The catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase contains two stable phosphorylation sites, Thr-197 and Ser-338 (Shoji, S., Titani, K., Demaille, J. G., and Fischer, E. H. (1979) J. Biol. Chem. 254, 6211-6214). Thr-197 is very resistant to dephosphorylation and thus cannot typically be autophosphorylated in vitro once the stable subunit is formed. Ser-338 is slowly dephosphorylated and can be rephosphorylated autocatalytically. In addition to these two stable phosphorylation sites, a new site of autophosphorylation, Ser-10, was identified. Phosphorylation at Ser-10 does not have a major effect on activity, and phosphates from Ser-10 or Ser-338 are not transferred to physiological substrates such as the type II regulatory subunit. Autophosphorylation at Ser-10 is associated with one of the two major isoelectric variants of the catalytic subunit. The form having the more acidic pI can be autophosphorylated at Ser-10 while the more basic form of the catalytic subunit cannot. Phosphorylation at Ser-10 does not account for the two isoenzyme forms. Since the reason for two isoelectric variants of the catalytic subunit is still unknown, it is not possible to provide a structural basis for the difference in accessibility of Ser-10 to phosphorylation. Either Ser-10 is not accessible in the more basic form of the catalytic subunit or some other type of post- or cotranslational modification causes Ser-10 to be a poor substrate. Whether the myristoyl group at the amino-terminal Gly is important for Ser-10 autophosphorylation remains to be established. The isoenzyme forms of the catalytic subunit do not correspond to the gene products coded for by the C alpha and C beta genes.     

Angiogenesis in the corpus luteum

The corpus luteum (CL) is a site of intense angiogenesis. Within a short period, this is followed either by controlled regression of the microvascular tree in the non-fertile cycle, or maintenance and stabilisation of the new vasculature a conceptual cycle. The molecular regulation of these diverse aspects is examined. The CL provides a unique model system in which to study the cellular and molecular regulation of angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been found to have a major role in the CL. By targeting its action at specific stages of the luteal phase in vivo by antagonists, profound inhibitory effects on luteal angiogenesis and function are observed.     

Regulation of the corpus luteum by protein kinase C. II. Inhibition of lipoprotein-stimulated steroidogenesis by prostaglandin F2 alpha

This study was designed to examine the antisteroidogenic action of prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha on ovine luteal cells in vitro. Purified populations of large and small steroidogenic luteal cells were treated with lipoproteins, luteinizing hormone (LH), and/or PGF2 alpha. To investigate the involvement of the protein kinase C (PKC) pathway in hormone action, luteal cells were made PKC-deficient by treatment for 12 h with 1 microM phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate. Progesterone production by nonstimulated large and LH-stimulated small luteal cells was significantly increased by treatment with high- and low-density lipoprotein (HDL, 5-fold increase; LDL, 2-fold increase). PGF2 alpha inhibited (p less than 0.0001) progesterone production by HDL-stimulated large luteal cells in a dose-dependent manner, with 60 nM causing maximal inhibition. No effect of PGF2 alpha (20nM-20 microM) was found on production of progesterone by HDL-stimulated, PKC-deficient large cells or by LH- and HDL-stimulated small luteal cells. These results suggest that PGF2 alpha has a direct antisteroidogenic effect on the large luteal cell that is mediated through the PKC second messenger pathway.