Phorbol esters and beta-adrenergic agonists mediate desensitization of adenylate cyclase in rat glioma C6 cells by distinct mechanisms

Exposure of rat glioma C6 cells to either isoproterenol or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) resulted in desensitization of isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. After either treatment, the affinity of beta-receptors for isoproterenol was reduced. Thus, desensitization by TPA or isoproterenol appeared to involve an "uncoupling" of the beta-receptor from the stimulatory regulatory component (Ns) of adenylate cyclase. The activity of Ns, assayed by reconstitution of S49 cyc- adenylate cyclase activity, was found to be unchanged after desensitization. The activity of beta-receptors was measured by inactivating Ns and the catalytic component of adenylate cyclase in C6 membranes and fusing them with membranes lacking beta-receptors. Receptors from isoproterenol-treated C6 cells were less active in "coupling" to the foreign adenylate cyclase than receptors from untreated cells, whereas receptors from TPA-treated cells were fully active. This unexpected latter result was explored further. Lysates from C6 cells were centrifuged on linear sucrose density gradients and the gradient fractions assayed for beta-receptor binding activity. Most of the receptors were recovered in a "heavy" plasma membrane peak but some receptors also appeared in a "light" membrane peak. After treatment of the cells with isoproterenol or TPA, the proportion of receptors in the light peak increased. Prior treatment of the cells with concanavalin A prevented the increase in light receptors caused by isoproterenol or TPA. In addition, the concanavalin A treatment prevented the desensitization of adenylate cyclase caused by TPA but not that caused by isoproterenol. Finally, desensitization of adenylate cyclase was reversed by polyethylene glycol-induced fusion of membranes from cells treated with TPA but not isoproterenol. We conclude that beta-agonists and phorbol esters desensitize adenylate cyclase by distinct mechanisms. Agonists cause a reduction in the functional activity of the beta-receptors followed by a segregation of the receptors into a light membrane fraction devoid of Ns. Phorbol esters do not alter the activity of the receptors but do cause their segregation.     

Desensitization of the beta-adrenergic receptor-coupled adenylate cyclase in cultured mammalian cells. Receptor sequestration versus receptor function

Human A431 and rat glioma C6 cells exposed to isoproterenol underwent a time- and dose-dependent loss of isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. Desensitization was accompanied by sequestration of beta-adrenergic receptors, which became less accessible to the hydrophilic antagonist 3H-labeled 4-(3-tert-butylamino-2-hydroxypropoxy)benzimidazole-2-one hydrochloride ([3H]CGP-12177) and redistributed from the heavier density plasma membrane fraction to a lighter density membrane fraction. Prior treatment of the cells with concanavalin A or phenylarsine oxide blocked sequestration of the receptors but not desensitization of the agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase. The membranes from such pretreated cells were exposed to alkali to inactivate adenylate cyclase, and the receptors were transferred to a foreign adenylate cyclase by membrane fusion with polyethylene glycol. beta receptors from desensitized cells exhibited a reduced ability to maximally stimulate the foreign adenylate cyclase, but remained accessible to [3H]CGP-12177 in the fused membranes. When isoproterenol-treated cells were washed free of agonist, there was a time-dependent recovery of agonist responsiveness and [3H]CGP-12177-binding sites. Using the fusion technique, the receptors recovered their functional activity in the resensitized cells. In concanavalin A-treated cells, desensitization and resensitization appeared to occur in the absence of receptor sequestration. Finally, membranes from desensitized cells pretreated with concanavalin A were fused with polyethylene glycol and assayed for agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase. There was no reversal of the desensitized state. Thus, the primary, essential step in the desensitization process is a reduction in functional activity of the beta-adrenergic receptor. In contrast, sequestration of the receptors is not a prerequisite, but a secondary event during desensitization.     

Blockade of heterologous desensitization of prostate adenylate cyclase without blockade of homologous down regulation of receptors or loss of GTP regulation of agonist binding

Exposure of rat prostatic tissues to isoproterenol resulted in rapid desensitization of their catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase which was associated with reduction of available beta-adrenoceptors and a loss of guanine nucleotide-mediated regulation of agonist binding to these receptors. The effect of isoproterenol treatment on responsiveness of the adenylate cyclase was prevented by acetylcholine, high potassium ion, or the calcium ionophore A23187. Preservation of responsiveness was not accompanied by maintenance of available beta-adrenoceptors or maintenance of guanine nucleotide regulation of agonist bindings. These results suggest that the lesion of the guanine nucleotide regulating components coupled to the catalytic moiety of the enzyme complex is a crucial factor in the desensitization of catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase and the preservation of enzyme reaction could be accomplished by agents increasing intracellular calcium, which in turn, maintain the nucleotide regulatory components coupling to the cyclase in a protective environment from desensitization.     

Factors essential for desensitization of pigeon erythrocyte adenylate cyclase responsiveness in a cell-free system

Cell-free desensitization of the pigeon erythrocyte adenylate cyclase-coupled beta-adrenoreceptor system requires soluble cellular factors. Desensitization is observed when a mixture of cell membranes and the cytosol fraction are incubated with isoproterenol or cAMP and IBMX for 20 min at 37 degrees C. Mg2+ and ATP are also required for cell-free desensitization. When adenylate cyclase is maximally stimulated by isoproterenol or GTP-gamma-S, the decrement of activity is 45-50% and 20-25%, respectively. Adenylate cyclase desensitization may be also produced by preincubation of plasma membranes with the catalytic component of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Cell-free desensitization is associated with functional uncoupling of the beta-receptor. This is evidenced by an impaired ability of receptors to form a high affinity, guanine nucleotide-sensitive complex with the agonist and by the increase of the lag-phase of adenylate cyclase activation by isoproterenol and GTP-gamma-S. These findings suggest that one possible mechanism for the development of desensitization in adenylate cyclase systems may be the phosphorylation of a component(s) of the beta-receptor-adenylate cyclase complex which results in impaired receptor-cyclase coupling.     

Thyroid hormone differentially regulates development of beta-adrenergic receptors, adenylate cyclase and ornithine decarboxylase in rat heart and kidney.

In mature animals, thyroid hormone produces parallel up-regulation of beta-adrenergic receptor binding sites and their linkage to adenylate cyclase; during development, these same processes may be critical in establishing the set-point for subsequent adrenergic reactivity. In the current study, we administered triiodothyronine to neonatal rats for the first five days postpartum and evaluated [125I]pindolol binding capabilities and adenylate cyclase activity in membrane preparations from heart and kidney. In the heart, hyperthyroidism elicited an initial increase in receptor density, with subsequent deficits and an eventual return to normal values by young adulthood. In contrast, the ability of isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic agonist, to stimulate adenylate cyclase was enhanced regardless of whether receptor numbers were increased or decreased; the same effects were also present for basal adenylate cyclase activity and non-receptor-mediated stimulation by forskolin. Enhanced cyclase activity involved both increases in the magnitude of response as well as accelerated onset of the postweaning peak of enzyme activity, results which suggest a direct impact of thyroid status on the ontogenetic expression of adenylate cyclase itself. The kidney, which possesses less efficient beta-receptor coupling to adenylate cyclase in the neonate, was less drastically affected by triiodothyronine for either beta-receptor binding sites or enzyme activity. As we had previously shown that neonatal hyperthyroidism uncouples beta-receptors from growth-related enzymes, such as ornithine decarboxylase, we also evaluated whether the promotion of adenylate cyclase responses was mechanistically linked to effect on ornithine decarboxylase; administration of cyclic AMP analogs to 5 days-old rats led to inhibition of the enzyme in the heart, whereas the same treatment in 9 days-old animals was ineffective. These data suggest that thyroid hormone differentially regulates the development of beta-receptors as well as adenylate cyclase and ornithine decarboxylase, with preferential effects on tissues, such as the heart, that already possess efficient linkage of the receptors to cell transduction mechanisms at birth.     

Catecholamine-induced desensitization of adenylate cyclase coupled beta-adrenergic receptors in turkey erythrocytes: evidence for a two-step mechanism

Preincubation of turkey erythrocytes with isoproterenol is associated with (1) 50-60% attenuation of agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity, (2) altered mobility of the beta-adrenergic receptor on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, and (3) increased phosphorylation of the beta-adrenergic receptor. Using a low-cross-linked polyacrylamide gel, the beta-adrenergic receptor protein from isoproterenol-desensitized cells, labeled with 32P or with the photoaffinity label 125I-(p-azidobenzyl)carazolol, can be resolved into a doublet (Mr congruent to 37,000 and Mr congruent to 41,000) as compared to a single Mr congruent to 37,000 beta-adrenergic receptor protein from control erythrocytes. The appearance of the doublet was dependent on the concentration of agonist used to desensitize the cells. Incubation of erythrocytes with dibutyryl-cAMP did not promote formation of the doublet but decreased agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity 40-50%. Limited-digestion peptide maps of 32P-labeled beta-adrenergic receptors using papain revealed a unique phosphopeptide in the larger molecular weight band (Mr congruent to 41,000) of the doublet from the agonist-desensitized preparation that was absent in the peptide maps of the smaller band (Mr congruent to 37,000), as well as control or dibutyryl-cAMP-desensitized receptor. These data provide evidence that maximal agonist-induced desensitization of adenylate cyclase coupled beta-adrenergic receptors in turkey erythrocytes occurs by a two-step mechanism.     

Functional modification of the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein after desensitization of turkey erythrocytes by catecholamines

Densensitization of turkey erythrocytes by exposure to the beta-adrenergic agonist (-)isoproterenol leads to decreased activation of adenylate cyclase by agonist, NaF, and guanyl-5'-yl imido diphosphate, with no reduction in the number of beta-adrenergic receptors. Interactions between the receptor and the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (N protein) also seem to be impaired. These observations suggest that a component distal to the beta-adrenergic receptor may be a locus of modification. Accordingly we examined the N protein to determine whether it was altered by desensitization. The rate at which (-)isoproterenol stimulated the release of [3H]GDP from the N protein was substantially lower in membranes prepared from desensitized cells, providing further evidence for uncoupling of the receptor and the N protein. The amount of N protein in membranes from control and desensitized cells was compared by labeling the 42,000 Mr component of the N protein with [32P]NAD+ and cholera toxin; no significant difference was found. However, significantly more N protein (p less than .001) was solubilized by cholate extraction of desensitized membranes, suggesting an altered association of the N protein with the membrane after desensitization. The functional activity of the N protein was measured by reconstitution of cholate extracts of turkey erythrocyte membranes into S49 lymphoma cyc- membranes. Reconstitution of (-)isoproterenol stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity was reduced significantly (p less than .05) after desensitization. These observations suggest that desensitization of the turkey erythrocyte by (-)isoproterenol results in functional modifications of the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein, leading to impaired interactions with the beta-adrenergic receptor and reduced activation of adenylate cyclase.     

Homologous desensitization of beta-adrenergic receptors in lymphoma cells is not altered by the inactivation of Ni (Gi), the inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory protein.

We had previously demonstrated that the cyc- mutant of S49 wild-type lymphoma cells both desensitizes and undergoes a sequestration-internalization of the beta-receptor in response to short-term treatment with adrenaline. The cyc- mutant of S49 wild-type lymphoma cells lacks the alpha s subunit of the stimulatory coupling protein Ns, but has fully functional Ni, the inhibitory component of the regulatory complex. This suggested that functional Ns was not required for desensitization. To examine the role of Ni in desensitization, both S49 wild-type and cyc- cells were treated with islet-activating protein under conditions that led to over 85% attenuation of Ni function in S49 wild-type cells and approx. 50% attenuation of Ni function in cyc- cells. This treatment had no effect on the adrenaline-induced desensitization of adenylate cyclase or the sequestration event measured by the apparent movement of beta-adrenergic receptors to a light-vesicle fraction. Further, the desensitization event, which occurs before the sequestration event, observable only in intact cells, was also not altered by islet-activating-protein pretreatment of S49 wild-type cells. The data suggest that a functional Ni is not required for desensitization in the S49 lymphoma cells.     

The relationship between beta-adrenoceptor regulation and beta-adrenergic responsiveness in hepatocytes. Studies on acquisition, desensitization and resensitization of isoproterenol-sensitive adenylate cyclase in primary culture

The role of beta-adrenoceptor regulation in the mechanisms controlling beta-adrenergic responsiveness in hepatocytes was explored, using primary monolayer cultures. When plated in vitro, these cells gradually acquire a strong catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity and an enhanced ability to bind the beta-adrenoceptor ligand [125I]iodocyanopindolol (125ICYP). Examination of the time course showed that the increase in the number of 125ICYP binding sites was detectable within 1-2 h of culturing and slightly preceded the elevation of isoproterenol-responsive activity. Then the responsiveness rose steeply and between about 5-24 h it closely followed the increase in beta-receptor binding. Addition of isoproterenol (10 microM) to cells after 20 h of culturing caused a rapid homologous desensitization of the adenylate cyclase (50% after about 5 min). This was paralleled by a down-regulation of beta-adrenoceptors measured both in membrane particles and in total cell lysates. Removal of isoproterenol led to a resensitization of the adenylate cyclase, which was rapid and protein-synthesis-independent after a brief (10-min) desensitization, or slow and cycloheximide-sensitive after prolonged (4-h) exposure to the agonist. In both cases an up-regulation of the 125ICYP binding paralleled the recovery from refractoriness. In contrast, no concurring changes in 125ICYP binding were measured when the beta-adrenoceptor-linked adenylate cyclase activity was enhanced by pretreatment with pertussin toxin (islet-activating protein, IAP) or was desensitized by exposure of the cells to glucagon or 8-bromo-cAMP; however, these modulations of the adenylate cyclase were nonselective, since the pretreatments with IAP, glucagon or 8-bromo-cAMP affected both isoproterenol-sensitive and glucagon-sensitive activities. The results suggest that, in hepatocytes, regulation at the beta-adrenoceptor level is a major determinant for both short-term and long-term selective changes of the beta-adrenergic responsiveness.     

Catecholamine-induced desensitization in turkey erythrocytes: cAMP mediated impairment of high affinity agonist binding without alteration in receptor number

Desensitization of turkey erythrocyte adenylate cyclase by exposure of these cells to the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol leads to a decrease in subsequent adenylate cyclase stimulation by isoproterenol, F-, or Gpp(NH)p without any apparent loss or down regulation of receptors (B.B. Hoffman et al. J. Cyclic Nucl. Res. 5: 363-366, 1979). We now report that the desensitization is associated with a functional "uncoupling" of the beta-adrenergic receptor. This is evidenced by an impaired ability of receptors to form a high affinity, guanine nucleotide sensitive complex with agonist as assessed by computer analysis of radioligand binding data. The changes in adenylate cyclase responsiveness as well as the alterations in receptor affinity for agonists are reproduced by incubation of turkey erythrocytes with the cAMP analog 8-Bromo-adenosine 3':5'- cyclic monophosphate. These findings suggest that one possible mechanism for the development of desensitization in adenylate cyclase systems may be a cAMP mediated alteration of a component(s) of the beta-adrenergic receptor-adenylate cyclase complex which results in impaired receptor-cyclase coupling.     

Possible Involvement of Pertussis Toxin Substrates (Gi, Go) in Desipramine-Induced Refractoriness of Adenylate Cyclase in Cerebral Cortices of Rats

To evaluate the efficiency of coupling between beta-receptor and adenylate cyclase catalyst via a GTP-binding protein, Gs, in the brain membrane two parameters were employed: a beta-agonist-induced increase in the membrane GTP-dependent adenylate cyclase activity and a beta-agonist-induced shortening of the lag time preceding the onset of the steady-state activation by guanyl-5'-yl-beta-gamma-imidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p] of the membrane cyclase. Both parameters showed lower values in membranes from desipramine-treated rats compared with untreated rats. Thus, coupling of beta-adrenergic receptors to adenylate cyclase in the brain membrane was impaired by the desipramine treatment. Rats once injected intraventricularly with islet-activating protein (IAP), pertussis toxin, were subjected to desipramine treatment, for the purpose of studying effects of another kind of the GTP-binding protein (Gi), which loses its function as a signal transducer on being ADP-ribosylated selectively by the toxin. IAP treatment did not impair the beta-receptor coupling by itself, since neither of the above two parameters for the coupling were reduced by IAP treatment. Moreover, the first parameter was normalized, though the second one was not, by superimposition of the IAP treatment upon the desipramine-treated rats. It seems likely, therefore, that Gi interacts with a Gs-adenylate cyclase coupling in an inhibitory fashion in brain membranes. The desensitization might be overcome when the inhibitory interaction of Gi on the subsequent process is attenuated by IAP treatment.     

Use of cell fusion techniques to probe the mechanism of catecholamine-induced desensitization of adenylate cyclase in frog erythrocytes

The catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase system appears to be comprised of at least three components; the beta-adrenergic receptor (R component), the catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase (C component) and a nucleotide regulatory protein (N component), responsible for mediating the effects of guanine nucleotides on the system. Cell fusion techniques were used to investigate the role of these three components in the process of homologous desensitization in the frog erythrocyte. Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) was used to inhibit beta-receptor function in one population of frog erythrocytes, whilst phenyl glyoxal was employed to inactivate the N and C components in a second population of frog erythrocytes. Using Sendai virus to fuse the two types of modified cell, heterologous beta-adrenergic receptor-adenylate cyclase systems were constructed which contained components from each cell type. When beta receptors from cells previously desensitized to catecholamines were coupled to N-C components derived from fresh erythrocytes, the resulting hybrid exhibited a densitized response to isoproterenol. By contrast, when beta-adrenergic receptors from fresh cells were coupled to N-C components derived from desensitized erythrocytes, no decreased responsiveness to isoproterenol was apparent in the hybrid. That this resensitization was the result of the addition of fresh beta-adrenergic receptors was demonstrated in a control experiment. Frog erythrocytes were desensitized simultaneously to catecholamines and prostaglandin E1 and modified with DCCD which inactivates the beta-adrenergic receptor but not the prostaglandin receptor. When fresh beta-adrenergic receptors were supplied by cell fusion to these doubly desensitized erythrocytes, only the beta-adrenergic response was restored to control levels. The response to prostaglandin remained desensitized in the hybrids, indicating that the observed resensitization of catecholamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was specific and was due to the addition of fresh beta-adrenergic receptors. These data suggest that in the frog erythrocyte, homologous desensitization is primarily the result of receptor-related alterations.     

Desensitization of beta-adrenoreceptors and its influence on manifestations of the antiradiation effect of isoproterenol

A study was made of the function of beta-adrenoreceptors and Chinese hamster fibroblast cAMP during their desensitization to isoproterenol. Desensitization of adenylate cyclase was demonstrated to lead to the reduction of both the cAMP response to isoproterenol and isoproterenol capacity to protect the cells from ionizing radiation. This did not entail any changes in the number of beta-adrenoreceptors or in the dissociation constant of the beta-antagonist. It is assumed that desensitization provokes functional dissociation of the beta-receptor and adenylate cyclase. Intact adenylate cyclase is an absolute must for realization of the antiradiation potency of isoproterenol.     

PGE2-induced desensitization of adenylate cyclase of a murine macrophage-like cell line (P388D1)

The mode of PGE2-induced desensitization of the adenylate cyclase of a murine macrophage-like cell line, P388D1 was investigated. The exposure of cells to PGE2 for 60 min induced PGE2-specific desensitization of the adenylate cyclase system which still responded normally to other specific ligand such as isoproterenol, 5'-guanylimidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p), or forskolin. The exposure of the cells to PGE2 for 6 hr induced heterologous desensitization, as the responses of adenylate cyclase to PGE2 as well as to isoproterenol or Gpp(NH)p were significantly reduced. The lowest concentration of PGE2 to induce both early homologous and late heterologous desensitization was found to be about two-fold over the KD of the low affinity PGE2-binding sites of P388D1 cells. The early homologous desensitization appeared to be due in part to the reduction in number of PGE2 receptors from the cell surface. The late heterologous desensitization may involve functional and/or structural alteration of Gs proteins, in addition to the reduction of PGE2 receptors from the cell surface.     

Activation, desensitization, and recycling of frog erythrocyte beta-adrenergic receptors. Differential perturbation by in situ trypsinization

We have utilized limited in situ trypsinization of the adenylate cyclase-coupled beta-adrenergic receptor of frog erythrocytes to probe the processes of receptor activation, desensitization, and recycling. Treatment of intact erythrocytes with trypsin (1 mg/ml) for 1 h at 20 degrees C converts all the receptor peptides (identified by photoaffinity labeling with p-azido-125I-benzylcarazolol) from a Mr approximately 58,000 to a Mr approximately 40,000 species. Nonetheless, the trypsinized beta-adrenergic receptors bind agonists and antagonists with unaltered affinity and with no change in the number of binding sites. Moreover, the ability of the proteolyzed receptors to interact with the nucleotide regulatory protein to form a high affinity guanine nucleotide-sensitive state and to activate adenylate cyclase were also unaltered. However, upon exposure of intact cells to the agonist isoproterenol, trypsinized beta-adrenergic receptors were more rapidly and more completely cleared from the plasma membranes ("down-regulated") than untrypsinized receptors. Whereas down-regulated receptors from nontrypsinized cells appear to recycle to the cell surface after removal of the agonist, internalized trypsinized beta-adrenergic receptors do not recycle to the plasma membrane and appear to be degraded within the cell. Moreover, when internalized receptors, recovered in a light vesicle fraction, were fused with a heterologous adenylate cyclase system, untreated but not trypsinized receptors reconstituted catecholamine stimulation of the enzyme. These data suggest that the beta-adrenergic receptor contains a trypsin-sensitive site which is exposed on the outer surface of the plasma membrane. Proteolysis at this site releases a fragment which though not critically involved in either ligand binding or "effector coupling" might be important for anchoring the receptors in the plasma membrane. These data also suggest that in situ proteolysis of the receptors might serve as a physiological trigger for their internalization and degradation.     

Functional integrity of desensitized beta-adrenergic receptors

The adenylate cyclase-coupled beta 2-adrenergic receptor of the frog erythrocyte has served as a useful model system for elucidating the mechanisms of catecholamine-induced densensitization. In this system, it has been previously demonstrated that agonist-induced refractoriness is associated with sequestration of the beta-adrenergic receptors in vesicles away from the cell surface and from their effector unit, the adenylate cyclase system (Stadel, J.M., Strulovici, B., Nambi, P., Lavin, T.N., Briggs, M.M., Caron, M.G., and Lefkowitz, R.J. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 3032-3038). These internalized beta-adrenergic receptors appear to be structurally intact as assessed by photoaffinity labeling, but their functional status has previously been unknown. In the present studies, we sought to assess the functionality of the sequestered vesicular receptors by fusing them to Xenopus laevis erythrocytes. This cell is suitable for such studies, since it has almost no detectable beta-adrenergic receptor or catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase, but contains prostaglandin E1-stimulable adenylate cyclase. Fusion of beta-adrenergic receptor-containing vesicles from desensitized frog erythrocytes with X. laevis erythrocytes results in a 30-fold stimulation of the hybrid adenylate cyclase by the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol. This effect was entirely blocked by the beta-antagonist propranolol. The catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity established in the vesicle-Xenopus hybrids showed the characteristic agonist potency series of the donor frog erythrocyte beta 2-adrenergic receptor. Fusion of vesicles from desensitized frog erythrocytes in which the beta-adrenergic receptors had been inactivated with the group specific reagent dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, or of vesicles derived from control frog erythrocytes, which contain low amounts of beta-adrenergic receptor, did not establish catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity in the hybrids. These data demonstrate that beta-adrenergic receptors internalized during desensitization retain their functionality when recoupled to an adenylate cyclase system from a different source. The functional uncoupling of these receptors during desensitization is thus more likely due to their sequestration away from the other components of the adenylate cyclase than to any alterations in the receptors themselves.     

Differential effects of chronic agonist administration on mu-opioid receptor- and muscarinic receptor-regulated adenylate cyclase in rat striatal neurons.

In cultured rat striatal neurons exposed to 10 microM morphine or oxotremorine for 24 hours, we observed an increased (about 30%) dopamine D1 receptor-stimulated cyclic AMP production, whereas no desensitization of mu-opioid receptor or muscarinic cholinergic receptor was found. However, whereas upregulation of dopamine D1 receptor-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity upon 7 days morphine exposure was at least as pronounced as observed after 24 hours of exposure to the opioid, this adaptive phenomenon was virtually absent following one week of oxotremorine treatment. This reduced adenylate cyclase sensitization upon 7 days oxotremorine exposure appeared to coincide with desensitization of muscarinic cholinergic receptors. A possible role of the resistance of mu receptors to desensitization and the (resulting) upregulation of the neuronal adenylate cyclase system upon chronic receptor activation in the development of opiate tolerance and dependence is suggested.     

Inhibitors of transglutaminase prevent agonist-mediated internalization of beta-adrenergic receptors

In frog erythrocytes, desensitization of beta-adrenergic receptors is characterized by a decrease in the beta-receptor recognition sites in the plasma membrane and a concomitant increase in the number of this receptor's binding sites in the cytosol. We have documented that this redistribution of the receptor recognition sites reflects the internalization of the surface-bound beta-adrenergic receptors. The present study was addressed to examine whether transglutaminase plays a role in the agonist-mediated internalization of beta-adrenergic receptor recognition sites. Pretreatment of cells with methylamine was found to decrease the internalization and the loss of membrane-bound beta-adrenergic receptors induced by isoproterenol. Methylamine appears to be equally potent in inhibiting transglutaminase activity and in preventing internalization and the receptor loss. The effect of methylamine on soluble and on membrane-bound beta-adrenergic receptors is due to a change in Bmax rather than Kd of these binding sites. Among eight inhibitors of transglutaminase tested, the rank order potency for blocking the enzyme can be correlated with that for preventing the receptor loss and receptor internalization. Moreover, these drug effects on beta-adrenergic receptors are unrelated to the inhibition of isoproterenol-sensitive adenylate cyclase or the binding of [3H]dihydroalprenolol to beta-receptors. These result may lend credence to the view that transglutaminase participates in the internalization and the decrease of membrane-bound receptors during desensitization of beta-adrenergic receptors.     

Hydrodynamic properties of the gonadotropin receptor from a murine Leydig tumor cell line are altered by desensitization

The murine Leydig tumor cell line 1 (MLTC-1) contains gonadotropin receptors (GR) that are coupled to adenylate cyclase through the stimulatory guanine nucleotide binding protein (Gs). The binding of human choriogonadotropin (hCG) causes MLTC-1 cells to accumulate cAMP. With time, the ability of MLTC-1 cells to respond to hCG is attenuated by a process called desensitization. The hydrodynamic properties of GR from control and desensitized MLTC-1 cells were studied. Sucrose density gradient sedimentation in H2O and D2O and gel filtration chromatography were used to estimate the Stokes radius (a), partial specific volume (vc), sedimentation coefficient (S20,w), and molecular weight (Mr) of the detergent-solubilized hormone-receptor complex (hCG-GR). [125I]hCG was bound to MLTC-1 cells under conditions that allow (37 degrees C) or prevent (0 degree C) desensitization, and hCG-GR was solubilized in Triton X-100. In the absence of desensitization, control hCG-GR had a Mr of 213,000 (a = 6.2; vc = 0.76; S20,w = 7.3), whereas desensitized hCG-GR had a Mr of 158,000 (a = 6.1; Vc = 0.71; S20,w = 6.6). Deglycosylated hCG (DG-hCG) is an antagonist that binds to GR with high affinity but fails to stimulate adenylate cyclase or cause desensitization. [125I]DG-hCG was bound to MLTC-1 cells and DG-hCG-GR solubilized in Triton X-100. The hydrodynamic properties of DG-hCG-GR (Mr 213,000; a = 5.8; Vc = 0.77; S20;w = 7.6) were the same as that for control hCG-GR. There was no evidence for the association of adenylate cyclase or Gs with GR in Triton X-100 solubilized preparations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Muscarinic receptors couple to modulation of nicotinic ACh receptor desensitization in myenteric neurons

Signaling mechanisms coupled to activation of different neurotransmitter receptors interact in the enteric nervous system. ACh excites myenteric neurons by activating nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs) and muscarinic receptors expressed by the same neurons. These studies tested the hypothesis that muscarinic receptor activation alters the functional properties of nAChRs in guinea pig small intestinal myenteric neurons maintained in primary culture. Whole cell patch-clamp techniques were used to measure inward currents caused by ACh (1 mM) or nicotine (1 mM). Currents caused by ACh and nicotine were blocked by hexamethonium (100 microM) and showed complete cross desensitization. The rate and extent of nAChR desensitization was greater when recordings were obtained with ATP/GTP-containing compared with ATP/GTP-free pipette solutions. These data suggest that ATP/GTP-dependent mechanisms increase nAChR desensitization. The muscarinic receptor antagonist scopolamine (1 microM) decreased desensitization caused by ACh but not by nicotine, which does not activate muscarinic receptors. Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (10-100 nM), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC), but not 4-alpha-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (a PKC inactive phorbol ester), increased nAChR desensitization caused by ACh and nicotine. Forskolin (1 microM), an activator of adenylate cyclase, increased nAChR desensitization, but this effect was mimicked by dideoxyforskolin, an adenylate cyclase inactive forskolin analog. These data indicate that simultaneous activation of nAChRs and muscarinic receptors increases nAChR desensitization. This effect may involve activation of a PKC-dependent pathway. These data also suggest that nAChRs and muscarinic receptors are coupled functionally through an intracellular signaling pathway in myenteric neurons.