Inhibition of T cell activation by cyclic adenosine 5'-monophosphate requires lipid raft targeting of protein kinase A type I by the A-kinase anchoring protein ezrin

cAMP negatively regulates T cell immune responses by activation of type I protein kinase A (PKA), which in turn phosphorylates and activates C-terminal Src kinase (Csk) in T cell lipid rafts. Using yeast two-hybrid screening, far-Western blot, immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescense analyses, and small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown, we identified Ezrin as the A-kinase anchoring protein that targets PKA type I to lipid rafts. Furthermore, Ezrin brings PKA in proximity to its downstream substrate Csk in lipid rafts by forming a multiprotein complex consisting of PKA/Ezrin/Ezrin-binding protein 50, Csk, and Csk-binding protein/phosphoprotein associated with glycosphingolipid-enriched microdomains. The complex is initially present in immunological synapses when T cells contact APCs and subsequently exits to the distal pole. Introduction of an anchoring disruptor peptide (Ht31) into T cells competes with Ezrin binding to PKA and thereby releases the cAMP/PKA type I-mediated inhibition of T cell proliferation. Finally, small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of Ezrin abrogates cAMP regulation of IL-2. We propose that Ezrin is essential in the assembly of the cAMP-mediated regulatory pathway that modulates T cell immune responses.     

Near- and far-ultraviolet circular dichroism of the catalytic subunit of adenosine cyclic 5'-monophosphate dependent protein kinase

The circular dichroism spectrum of the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase was measured in the far-UV (190-240 nm) and near-UV (250-300 nm) region. Data from the far-UV spectra were processed with the CONTIN program for estimation of globular protein secondary structure [ Provencher , S. W. (1982) CONTIN (Version 2) User's Manual, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, West Germany]. The composition of the protein determined by this method was 49 +/- 2% alpha-helix, 20 +/- 4% beta-sheet, and 31 +/- 3% remainder. This composition changes when the protein is allowed to bind Kemptide , a synthetic peptide substrate, with more than half of the disordered portion of the protein taking the form of beta-sheet. A certain portion of the alpha-helical structure also appears to move into a beta-sheet form. The near-UV CD spectrum of catalytic subunit shows changes in aromatic amino acid dichroism associated with substrate binding. These changes can be ascribed with a fair degree of certainty to alterations in the orientation of a tyrosine residue at the surface of the protein. These findings are discussed in terms of previous work on induced dichroism in this enzyme with regard to control mechanisms operating at the active site.     

Chemical mechanism of the adenosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate dependent protein kinase from pH studies

The pH dependence of kinetic parameters and inhibitor dissociation constants for the adenosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate dependent protein kinase reaction has been determined. Data are consistent with a mechanism in which reactants selectively bind to enzyme with the catalytic base unprotonated and an enzyme group required protonated for peptide (Leu-Arg-Arg-Ala-Ser-Leu-Gly) binding. Binding of the peptide apparently locks both of the above enzyme residues in their correct protonation state. MgATP preferentially binds fully ionized and requires an enzyme residue (probably lysine) to be protonated. The maximum velocity and V/KMgATP are pH independent. The V/K for Ser-peptide is bell-shaped with pK values of 6.2 and 8.5 estimated. The pH dependence of 1/Ki for Leu-Arg-Arg-Ala-Ala-Leu-Gly is also bell-shaped, giving pK values identical with those obtained for V/KSer-peptide, while the Ki for MgAMP-PCP increases from a constant value of 650 microM above pH 8 to a constant value of 4 mM below pH 5.5. The Ki for uncomplexed Mg2+ obtained from the Mg2+ dependence of V and V/KMgATP is apparently pH independent.     

DNA binding by cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate dependent protein kinase from calf thymus nuclei.

Cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) dependent protein kinase and proteins specifically binding cAMP have been extracted from calf thymus nuclei and analyzed for their abilities to bind to DNA. Approximately 70% of the cAMP-binding activity in the nucleus can be ascribed to a nuclear acidic protein with physical and biochemical characteristics of the regulatory (R) subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Several peaks of protein kinase activity and of cAMP-binding activity are resolved by affinity chromatography of nuclear acidic proteins on calf thymus DNA covalently linked to aminoethyl Sephrarose 4B. When an extensively purified protein kinase is subjected to chromatography on the DNA column in the presence of 10(-7) M cAMP, the R subunit of the kinase is eluted from the column at 0.05 M NaCl while the catalytic (C) subunit of the enzyme is eluted at 0.1-0.2 M NaCl. When chromatographed in the presence of histones, the R subunit is retained on the column and is eluted at 0.6-0.9 M NaCl. In the presence of cAMP, association of the C subunit with DNA is enhanced, as determined by sucrose density gradient centrifugation of DNA-protein kinase complexes. cAMP increases the capacity of the calf thymus cAMP-dependent protein kinase preparation to bind labeled calf thymus DNA, as determined by a technique employing filter retention of DNA-protein complexes. This protein kinase preparation binds calf thymus DNA in preference to salmon DNA, Escherichia coli DNA, or yeast RNA. Binding of protein kinases to DNA may be part of a mechanism for localizing cyclic nucleotide stimulated protein phosphorylation at specific sites in the chromatin.     

Biphasic regulation of macrophage attachment by activators of cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent kinase and protein kinase C

A method is described that enabled us to study the adhesiveness of J-774 murine macrophages. Cell attachment was stimulated by activators of kinase C (i.e., phorbol esters) as well as kinase A (cyclic adenosine monophosphate; cAMP). This novel effect of cAMP was observed when its levels were increased via receptor triggering (prostaglandin E1, beta-adrenergic agonists), activation of Ns (cholera toxin), or inhibition of phosphodiesterase (Ro 20-1724) or when the kinase was directly activated by Br8-cAMP. The simultaneous treatment with kinase A and kinase C activators at the time of attachment resulted in a partially additive response. On the other hand, preincubation of the cells in suspension with one of the activators rendered them refractory to subsequent stimulation at the onset of the adhesion assay, whatever agent was used. Such a refractoriness was also observed in cells preincubated with oleoyl-acetyl-glycerol (OAG). On the other hand, when added at the time of attachment, this near-physiological activator of kinase C evoked a biphasic response: the early stimulation of cell attachment was followed by an accelerated rate of "detachment." In conclusion, kinase C and kinase A play a role in the sequence of events leading to cell adhesion. The cross desensitization observed is distal and takes place at or beyond the kinase step.     

Regulation of protein kinase C by cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate and a tumor promoter in skeletal myoblasts

The specific activity of protein kinase C in rat skeletal myoblasts decreased when they were exposed for very short periods to isoproterenol, forskolin, dibutyryl cyclic AMP (Bt2cAMP), or the phorbol ester, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). In the presence of Bt2cAMP or forskolin only the cytosolic but not the membrane-bound kinase activity was found to decrease. Treatment with TPA, however, led to a decrease in the activity of the enzyme both in the cytosolic as well as the membrane fractions. The effects observed in vivo could be duplicated in crude extracts of myoblasts incubated with cAMP analogues or TPA. In the presence of ATP, protein kinase C activity decreased considerably in crude cytosolic fractions treated with the cAMP analogues, but a requirement for ATP was not evident for the decrease in activity brought about by TPA. For the cAMP analogues the decrease in protein kinase C was also prevented by incubation of the extracts with an inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The regulation of protein kinase C by Bt2cAMP (but not by TPA) was altered in Rous sarcoma virus-transformed myoblasts. It is considered likely that a component affected by cAMP (probably a substrate for cAMP-dependent protein kinase) participates in the regulation of protein kinase C activity, and it is altered in unknown ways in transformed myoblasts.     

Interaction of cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate with protein kinase. Equilibrium binding models.

A number of potential models for the interaction of cyclic AMP with protein kinase (RC or R2C2) have been examined. These include: Model 1, the simultaneous binding of cyclic AMP and release of C (catalytic subunit) from an independent RC protomer; Model 2, dissociation of an independent RC protomer prior to cyclic AMP binding to R (regulatory subunit); Model 3, cyclic AMP binding to RC prior to the dissociation of C; Model 4, random binding of cyclic AMP and dissociation of C with an interaction factor alpha less than 1; Model 5, release of 2C concomitant with the binding of one cyclic AMP to R2C2 followed by binding of the second cyclic AMP to the vacant R subunit; and Model 6, the simultaneous binding of cyclic AMP and release of C from one RC protomer resulting in a greater "affinity" of the other RC protomer for cyclic AMP, i.e., a cooperative version of Model 1. All the above models yield [cyclic AMP]0.5 values that increase with increasing protein concentration and Hill plots with average slopes equal to or less than 1.0 in the usual experimental range (10 to 90% of saturation). The Hill plots can be nonlinear, but for each model the exact shape of the plot changes in a characteristic (diagnostic) manner with changing protein concentration. Skeletal muscle protein kinase yields relatively linear Hill plots with napp values greater than 1.0. Consequently, Models 1 to 6 are not likely candidates. However, Model 2 is an excellent alternative model for proteins that display "negative cooperativity" with respect to the binding of a ligand. The properties of several "linear", "tetrahedral", and "all-or-nothing" cooperative models have also been examined. These include Models 7, A, B, and C and 8, A, B, and C which are cooperative versions of Models 2 and 3, respectively, and Model 9, a cooperative version of random Model 4. Model 9 is the most general model from which all others can be derived. Models 9 and 7, A, B, and C in which the prior dissociation of C greatly enhances or is an absolute requirement for cyclic AMP binding to R, are likely candidates for skeletal muscle protein kinase. All four of these models are capable of yielding Hill plots with average slopes greater than 1, and napp values that decrease with increasing protein concentration (in agreement with published data). In addition, in all four models the tight binding of MgATP to R2C2 yields decreased napp values and increased [cyclic AMP]0.5 values (also consistent with published data).     

An equilibrium study of the cooperative binding of adenosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate and guanosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate to the adenosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate receptor protein from Escherichia coli

The binding of adenosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) and guanosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) to the adenosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate receptor protein (CRP) from Escherichia coli was investigated by equilibrium dialysis at pH 8.0 and 20 degrees C at different ionic strengths (0.05--0.60 M). Both cAMP and cGMP bind to CRP with a negative cooperativity that is progressively changed to positive as the ionic strength is increased. The binding data were analyzed with an interactive model for two identical sites and site/site interactions with the interaction free energy--RT ln alpha, and the intrinsic binding constant K and cooperativity parameter alpha were computed. Double-label experiments showed that cGMP is strictly competitive with cAMP, and its binding parameters K and alpha are not very different from that for cAMP. Since two binding sites exist for each of the cyclic nucleotides in dimeric CRP and no change in the quaternary structure of the protein is observed on binding the ligands, it is proposed that the cooperativity originates in ligand/ligand interactions. When bound to double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA), CRP binds cAMP more efficiently, and the cooperativity is positive even in conditions of low ionic strength where it is negative for the free protein. By contrast, cGMP binding properties remained unperturbed in dsDNA-bound CRP. Neither the intrinsic binding constant K nor the cooperativity parameter alpha was found to be very sensitive to changes of pH between 6.0 and 8.0 at 0.2 M ionic strength and 20 degrees C. For these conditions, the intrinsic free energy and entropy of binding of cAMP are delta H degree = -1.7 kcal . mol-1 and delta S degree = 15.6 eu, respectively.     

Actions of insulin, epinephrine, and dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 5'-monophosphate on fat cell protein phosphorylations. Cyclic adenosine 5'-monophosphate dependent and independent mechanisms.

Endogenous and hormone-induced protein (polypeptide) phosphorylations were studied in isolated rat fat cells, in fat pads, and in subcellular fractions obtained from fat tissue under different physiological conditions. Insulin (25-100 muU/ml) increased the incorporation of 32P into two proteins: insulin-phosphorylated proteins (IPP 140 and IPP 50; similar to 140,000 and 50,000 daltons, respectively). Epinephrine (10(-7)-10(-6) M) increased the incorporation of 32P into another protein: epinephrine-phosphorylated protein (EPP 60-65; similar to 60,000-65,000 daltons). Endogenous IPP 140 phosphorylation in fat cells obtained from fasted and refed rats was similar to that of insulin in normal cells. Studies of insulin and epinephrine interactions showed that insulin increased IPP 140 phosphorylation even in the presence of epinephrine or lithium (25 mM times 10(-3) M). dibutyryl cyclic AMP (5 times 10(-4) M) markedly stimulated EPP 60-65 phosphorylation, but neither epinephrine (10(-7)-10(-6) M) nor dibutyryl cyclic AMP reproduced insulin's phosphorylation of APP 140. Lithium inhibited both endogenous and epinephrine-stimulate EPP 60-65 phosphorylation, but did not inhibit that induced by dibutyryl cyclic AMP. These findings suggest that insulin stimulated a specific, cyclic AMP independent protein kinase for IPP 140 phosphorylation. Cell-free extracts from insulin-treated fat tissue catalyzed the specific transfer of 32P from ATP to IPP 140 more rapidly than control extracts. No differences in the total receptor protein or total protein kinase activity using [gamma(-32P]ATP were noted between insulin-treated and control preparations. IPP 140 may be either (a) an insulin-sensitive protein kinase (phosphotransferase) or (b) a protein whose function is regulated by an insulin-sensitive protein kinase or phosphatase.     

Further studies on cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate protein kinase from dimorphic fungus Mucor rouxii

In this paper, cyclic adenosine-3′:5′-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase from yeast-like cells of Mucor rouxii is characterized. A scheme of partial purification is described together with K_m for ATP (15 μm), histone (0.2 mg/ml), half-maximal activation constant for cyclic AMP (30 nm), and dissociation constant for the binding of cyclic AMP (40 nm). This enzyme is similar to type II protein kinases in two main aspects: the elution position in DEAE-cellulose chromatography and the readiness of its reassociation. But it has a singular characteristic: it does not dissociate completely with cyclic AMP alone (even at concentrations as high as 0.3 mm) unless histone or NaCl is present. NaCl displays several roles: helps dissociation, prevents inactivation of the catalytic subunit, inhibits enzyme activity, and does not prevent reassociation as occurs with type II protein kinases. Once the holoenzyme is dissociated, cyclic AMP is essential to maintain the enzyme in the dissociated state.     

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.     

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.     

Metabolism of cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate in somatic cell hybrids

A somatic cell hybrid has been isolated between Chinese hamster fibroblasts (CH 23) and a mouse lymphoma (P388 F-36) cell line using nonselective pressure. The hybrid cell line PCM has a marked enhanced response to prostaglandin E₁, in terms of cyclic AMP production, when compared to the parental cells. The activity of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase in both parental cells is higher than in the hybrid cells. Although this may contribute to the enhanced response in the hybrid cells, desensitization experiments suggest modification of the PGE₁ receptor in the hybrid cells.