Spermine stimulation of phosphoprotein dephosphorylation in the brain of Manduca sexta

An in vitro analysis of endogenous dephosphorylation of a particulate-associated cAMP-dependent 34 kDa phosphoprotein from the brains of Manduca sexta larvae revealed the presence of phosphatase activity in the same fraction. The rate of dephosphorylation is stimulated by the polyamine spermine, is markedly inhibited by vanadate and Zn²⁺, and proceeds in the absence of divalent cations. The purified protein inhibitor of phosphatase 1, inhibitor-2, inhibits dephosphorylation in a dose dependent manner. The calmodulin antagonists trifluoperazine and calmidazolium also block dephosphorylation, suggesting the presence of phosphatase 2-B. This study suggests the possible co-localization of a particulate associated cAMP-dependent protein kinase and associated phosphatases with their phosphorylated protein substrates in the insect brain.     

Inhibitory effect of the regulatory subunit of type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase on phosphoprotein phosphatase

The regulatory subunit of type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase (RI) from rabbit skeletal muscle inhibited the activity of a low molecular weight phosphoprotein phosphatase. The inhibition was concentration and time dependent. A maximum inhibition, about 70%, was observed at 2 microM of RI with an apparent Ki of 0.8 microM. Inhibition was associated with a decrease in Vmax with no change in Km for substrate, phosphorylase a. On the other hand, cAMP-dependent protein kinase holoenzyme or its catalytic subunit was without any effect. The inhibition of phosphoprotein phosphatase by RI may be of physiological significance since the dissociation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase by cAMP would result in a simultaneous increase in the phosphorylation and decrease in the dephosphorylation rates of target proteins.     

Complex I and the cAMP cascade in human physiopathology

A cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is localized in mammalian mitochondria with the catalytic site at the matrix side of the membrane where it phosphorylates a number of proteins. One of these is the 18 kDa(IP) subunit of the mammalian complex I of the respiratory chain, encoded by the nuclear NDUFS4 gene. Mitochondria have a Ca²⁺-inhibited phosphatase, which dephosphorylates the 18 kDa phosphoprotein of complex I. In fibroblast and myoblast cultures cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of the 18 kDa protein is associated with stimulation of complex I and overall respiratory activity with NAD-linked substrates. Mutations in the human NDUFS4 gene have been found, which in the homozygous state are associated with deficiency of complex I and fatal neurological syndrome.     

Purification of phosphoprotein phosphatase from bovine cardiac muscle that catalyzes dephosphorylation of cyclic AMP-binding protein component of protein kinase.

A phosphoprotein phosphatase that catalyzes the dephosphorylation of cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase from bovine cardiac muscle has been purified to homogeneity by a modification of the procedure of Brandt et al. (Brandt, H., Capulong, Z.L., and Lee, E. Y. C. (1975) J. Biol. Chem. 250, 8038-8044). Treatment of the enzyme preparation with ethanol during the early stages of purification results in activation concomitant with reduction in molecular weight to 30,000. The purified activated enzyme has a Km for phospho-protein kinase in the presence or absence of 1.2 mM Mn2+ of 5 and 22 micronM, respectively. Phosphatase activity on phospho-protein kinase but not on other phosphoprotein substrates was cAMP-dependent. This selective activation by cAMP reflects the preference of the phosphatase for the free, phosphorylated cAMP-binding protein rather than the phosphoholoenzyme.     

The NDUFS4 nuclear gene of complex I of mitochondria and the cAMP cascade

Results of studies on the role of the 18 kDa (IP) polypeptide subunit of complex I, encoded by the nuclear NDUFS4 gene, in isolated bovine heart mitochondria and human and murine cell cultures are presented.The mammalian 18 kDa subunit has in the carboxy-terminal sequence a conserved consensus site (RVS), which in isolated mitochondria is phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). The catalytic and regulatory subunits of PKA have been directly immunodetected in the inner membrane/matrix fraction of mammalian mitochondria. In the mitochondrial inner membrane a PP2Cgamma-type phosphatase has also been immunodetected, which dephosphorylates the 18 kDa subunit, phosphorylated by PKA. This phosphatase is Mg(2+)-dependent and inhibited by Ca(2+). In human and murine fibroblast and myoblast cultures "in vivo", elevation of intracellular cAMP level promotes phosphorylation of the 18 kDa subunit and stimulates the activity of complex I and NAD-linked mitochondrial respiration.Four families have been found with different mutations in the cDNA of the NDUFS4 gene. These mutations, transmitted by autosomal recessive inheritance, were associated in homozygous children with fatal neurological syndrome. All these mutations destroyed the phosphorylation consensus site in the C terminus of the 18 kDa subunit, abolished cAMP activation of complex I and impaired its normal assembly.     

Phosphorylation of endogenous protein in primate kidney. Effects of cyclic AMP.

1. Phosphorylation of endogenous proteins in response to cyclic AMP was assessed in membrane and cytosol from primate kidney. 2. Quantitative studies showed that cAMP significantly increased phosphorylation in baboon kidney membranes; in cytosol there was no effect. 3. Phosphorylation of specific proteins which had been electrophoretically separated showed that five major bands were intensified by cAMP in baboon membranes; in cytosol, three bands were intensified. Similar results were found in normal human kidney. 4. Photoaffinity labelling indicated that a 56 kDa band phosphorylated in cytosol may correspond to the regulatory subunit of type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase.     

Major 56,000-dalton, soluble phosphoprotein present in bovine sperm is the regulatory subunit of a type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase

It has been shown that cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of a soluble sperm protein is important for the initiation of flagellar motion. The suggestion has been made that this motility initiation protein, named axokinin, is the major 56,000-dalton phosphoprotein present in both dog sperm and in other cells containing axokinin-like activity. Since the regulatory subunit of a type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase is a ubiquitous cAMP-dependent phosphoprotein of similar subunit molecular weight as reported for axokinin, we have addressed the question of how many soluble 56,000-dalton cAMP-dependent phosphoproteins are present in mammalian sperm. We report that in bovine sperm cytosol, the ratio of the type I to type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase is approximately 1:1. The type II regulatory subunit is related to the non-neural form of the enzyme and undergoes a phosphorylation-dependent electrophoretic mobility shift. The apparent subunit molecular weights of the phospho and dephospho forms are 56,000 and 54,000 daltons, respectively. When bovine sperm cytosol or detergent extracts are phosphorylated in the presence of catalytic subunits, two major proteins are phosphorylated and have subunit molecular weights of 56,000 and 40,000 daltons. If, however, the type II regulatory subunit (RII) is quantitatively removed from these extracts using either immobilized cAMP or an anti-RII monoclonal affinity column, the ability to phosphorylate the 56,000- but not 40,000-dalton polypeptide is lost. These data suggest that the major 56,000 dalton cAMP-dependent phosphoprotein present in bovine sperm is the regulatory subunit of a type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase and not the motility initiator protein, axokinin.     

Prostaglandin-E2-induced activation of adenosine 3'-5' cyclic monophosphate-dependent protein kinases of a murine macrophage-like cell line (P388D1)

Changes in the activities of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinases in response to prostaglandin (PG)E2-induced elevation of intracellular cAMP level were investigated with a murine macrophage-like cell line, P388D1. Photoaffinity labeling with 8-azido-[32P]cAMP showed that untreated P388D1 cells possess two types of cAMP-binding proteins of m.w. 49,000 and 52,000, respectively, in the cytosol fraction in a ration of 1:8. They must represent regulatory subunits (RI and RII, respectively) of cAMP-dependent protein kinases, because affinity chromatography on a column of omega-aminohexyl-agarose of the cytosol fraction clearly separated two fractions that exhibited the enzymatic activities and cAMP-binding activities. Photoaffinity labeling of these fractions with 8-azido-[32P]cAMP confirmed the separation of two types of isoenzymes, because each cAMP-dependent protein kinase active fraction was associated with only one type of regulatory subunit. The exposure of P388D1 cells to exogenously added PGE2 (1 microM) caused about 7.5-fold increase in the intracellular cAMP level within 30 sec. The cAMP level then sharply dropped to about 100 pmol/10(7) cells, remained at this level for about 20 min, and then gradually increased to 200 pmol/10(7) (about fivefold over the control). The enzyme assay of the cytosol demonstrated that the activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinases closely follows the kinetics of the intracellular cAMP level. The activation of the enzyme was specific for PGE2 and was not triggered by 1 microM PGF2 alpha or PGD2 which have been shown to be unable to activate adenylate cyclase of P388D1 cells. The PGE2-induced increase in the intracellular cAMP level appeared to activate preferentially the type I isoenzyme, inasmuch as the enzymatic activity of this type separated by the affinity chromatography of the cytosol of PGE2-exposed cells was lower in the presence than in the absence of cAMP, whereas the type II enzyme activity remained responsive to exogenously added cAMP.     

Two different intrachain cAMP sites in the cAMP-dependent protein kinase of the dimorphic fungus Mucor rouxii

cAMP sites of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase from the fungus Mucor rouxii have been characterized through the study of the effects of cAMP and of cAMP analogs on the phosphotransferase activity and through binding kinetics. The tetrameric holoenzyme, which contains two regulatory (R) and two catalytic (C) subunits, exhibited positive cooperativity in activation by cAMP, suggesting multiple cAMP-binding sites. Several other results indicated that the Mucor kinase contained two different cooperative cAMP-binding sites on each R subunit, with properties similar to those of the mammalian cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Under optimum binding conditions, the [3H]cAMP dissociation behavior indicated equal amounts of two components which had dissociation rate constants of 0.09 min-1 (site 1) and 0.90 min-1 (site 2) at 30 degrees C. Two cAMP-binding sites could also be distinguished by C-8 cAMP analogs (site-1-selective) and C-6 cAMP analogs (site-2-selective); combinations of site-1- and site-2-selective analogs were synergistic in protein kinase activation. The two different cooperative binding sites were probably located on the same R subunit, since the proteolytically derived dimeric form of the enzyme, which contained one R and one C component, retained the salient properties of the untreated tetrameric enzyme. Unlike any of the mammalian cyclic-nucleotide-dependent isozymes described thus far, the Mucor kinase was much more potently activated by C-6 cAMP analogs than by C-8 cAMP analogs. In the ternary complex formed by the native Mucor tetramer and cAMP, only the two sites 1 contained bound cAMP, a feature which has also not yet been demonstrated for the mammalian cAMP-dependent protein kinase.     

Isolation and study of the properties of the regulator subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase

The regulatory subunit of type II cAMP-dependent proteinkinase was isolated from cytosol of the rabbit small intestinal mucosa by affinity chromatography. The preparation contained 3 proteolytic enzymes and occurred in two forms differing as regards cAMP affinity. The cAMP-binding capacity of the preparation was equal to 17 nmol cAMP/mg protein. To study the topography of the cAMP-binding center, use was made of cAMP analogs. It was demonstrated that introduction of the substituents into the 8th position of the purine ring and substitution with respect to the N6-exoaminogroup affected insignificantly the analog affinity for the cAMP-binding center. At the same time the substituents introduced into the first position of the adenine base, into the area of the 2'-hydroxyl group of ribose and into the cyclophosphate part of the cAMP molecule considerably decreased the analog affinity for the regulatory center of type II cAMP-dependent proteinkinase.     

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent phosphorylation of mammalian mitochondrial proteins: enzyme and substrate characterization and functional role.

A study is presented on cyclic adenosine monophosphate- (cAMP-) dependent phosphorylation of mammalian mitochondrial proteins. Immunodetection with specific antibodies reveals the presence of the catalytic and the regulatory subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) in the inner membrane and matrix of bovine heart mitochondria. The mitochondrial cAMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylates mitochondrial proteins of 29, 18, and 6.5 kDa. With added histone as substrate, PKA exhibits affinities for ATP and cAMP and pH optimum comparable to those of the cytosolic PKA. Among the mitochondrial proteins phosphorylated by PKA, one is the nuclear-encoded (NDUFS4 gene) 18 kDa subunit of complex I, which has phosphorylation consensus sites in the C terminus and in the presequence. cAMP promotes phosphorylation of the 18 kDa subunit of complex I in myoblasts in culture and in their isolated mitoplast fraction. In both cases cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of the 18 kDa subunit of complex I is accompanied by enhancement of the activity of the complex. These results, and the finding of mutations in the NDUFS4 gene in patients with complex I deficiency, provide evidence showing that cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of the 18 kDa subunit of complex I plays a major role in the control of the mitochondrial respiratory activity.     

Possible role for covalent modification in the reversible activation of ecdysone 20-monooxygenase activity

Evidence is presented for the reversible activation-inactivation of the microsomal ecdysone 20-monooxygenase from fat body of the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis, in a manner commensurate with reversible changes in its phosphorylation state. The activity of the monooxygenase was higher following preincubation with fluoride (an inhibitor of phosphoprotein phosphatases) than in its absence. Preincubation with alkaline phosphatase or with cAMP-dependent protein kinase resulted in appreciable diminution or enhancement, respectively, in monooxygenase activity. Activation of ecdysone 20-monooxygenase activity could also be effected by incubation with a cytosolic fraction in the presence of cAMP, ATP, and fluoride; this activation was prevented by a cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor. Similarly, inactivation of the monooxygenase was achieved by preincubation with cytosol, the effect being enhanced by Ca²⁺-calmodulin or by Mg²⁺ ions. The combined results provide indirect evidence that the microsomal ecdysone 20-monooxygenase exists in an active phosphorylated form and an inactive dephosphorylated form, interconvertible by a cAMP-dependent protein kinase and a phosphoprotein phosphatase.     

Comparison of adenylate cyclase and cAMP-dependent protein kinase in gametocytogenic and nongametocytogenic clones of Plasmodium falciparum

Adenylate cyclase and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activities in gametocytogenic (LE5) and nongametocytogenic (T9/96) clones of Plasmodium falciparum were compared to explore the role of cAMP in sexual differentiation of the parasite. Basal adenylate cyclase levels were equivalent in the 2 clones. However, cAMP-dependent histone II-A kinase activity was significantly higher in LE5 than in T9/96 over a range of cAMP concentrations. This difference was due to a decreased Vmax for the enzyme in the nongametocytogenic clone and not to an increased Ka for cAMP. Examination of parasite cAMP-binding proteins, likely to be kinase regulatory subunits, by both photoaffinity labeling with [32P]8-N3-cAMP and affinity chromatography of metabolically [35S]methionine-labeled cytosol of cAMP-agarose revealed a 53-kDa cAMP binding protein in both clones and a 49-kDa cAMP-binding protein in T9/96 that was absent in LE5. Our results suggest that T9/96 has lost the ability to undergo gametocytogenesis due to a substantial decrease in cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity rendering the parasite unable to respond to increased intracellular cAMP levels. Moreover, the reduction in cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity may be due to the presence of an alternative regulatory subunit of the kinase.     

Protein phosphorylation in the prothoracic glands as a cellular model for juvenile hormone-prothoracicotropic hormone interactions

Prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH) is a brain peptide that initiates the molting process by acting directly at the cell membrane of the prothoracic glands to increase the intracellular levels of free Ca²⁺ and cyclic AMP (cAMP). This, in turn, leads to enhanced cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity resulting in the phosphorylation of a specific protein (M_r 34,000), and ultimately to a stimulation of ecdysone synthesis. When prothoracic glands are incubated in the presence of juvenile hormone (JH I) or (7S) hydroprene and then challenged with PTTH, the phosphorylation of the 34 kDa protein is decreased in a dose-dependent manner. The morphogenetically inactive methyl farnesoate is ineffective in preventing this downstream effect of PTTH. The JH effect does not appear to be stage specific, as early last larval, late last larval and pupal Manduca sexta prothoracic glands are similarly affected. The mechanism by which JH may prevent this PTTH-stimulated phosphorylation is discussed in terms of inhibition of phosphorylation via stimulation of an ATPase and stimulation of dephosphorylation by activation of a phosphoprotein phosphatase.     

Identification, characterization, and quantitative measurement of cyclic AMP receptor proteins in cytosol of various tissues using a photoaffinity ligand.

Two protein bands, present in cytosol fractions from each of seven rat tissues examined, specifically incorporated 32P-labeled 8-azidoadenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (8-N3-[32P]cAMP), a photoaffinity label for cAMP-binding sites. These proteins had apparent molecular weights of 47,000 and 54,000 on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis system. These two proteins were characterized in three of the tissues, namely, heart, uterus, and liver, by the total amount of 8-N3-[32P]cAMP incorporation, by the dissociation constant (Kd) for 8-N3-[32P]cAMP, and by the nucleotide specific inhibition of 8-N3-[32P]cAMP incorporation. Several lines of evidence were obtained that the protein with an apparent molecular weight of 47,000 represents the regulatory subunit of a type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase, while the protein with an apparent molecular weight of 54,000 represents the regulatory subunit of a type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Almost all of the cAMP receptor protein found in the cytosol of these tissues, as measured by 8-N3-[32P]cAMP incorporation, was associated with these two protein kinases, in agreement with the idea that most effects of cAMP are mediated through protein kinases. The photoaffinity labeling with 8-N3-[32P]cAMP can be used to estimate quantitatively the amounts of regulatory subunit of type I and type II cAMP-dependent protein kinases in various tissues.     

Localization of the regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The subcellular distribution of the regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells was determined by subcellular fractionation and indirect immunofluorescence microscopy using the bcy1 mutant deficient in the regulatory subunit as control. The regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase showing cAMP-binding activity was identified as a single protein of 50 kDa by photoaffinity labeling and immunoblotting. The regulatory subunit was concentrated in a nuclear fraction in addition to a cytoplasmic fraction. By comparison of the regulatory subunit distribution with the DNA localization, the area detected by the indirect immunofluorescence was identified as the nucleus.     

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent and -independent protein kinase activity of renal brush border membranes.

Kinase(s) in brush border membranes, isolated from rabbit renal proximal tubules, phosphorylated proteins intrinsic to the membrane and exogenous proteins. cAMP stimulated phosphorylation of histone; phosphorylation of protamine was cAMP independent. cAMP-dependent increases in phosphorylation of endogenous membrane protein were small, but highly reproducible. Most of the ³²P incorporated into membranes represented phosphorylation of serine residues, with phosphorylthreonine comprising a minor component. cAMP did not alter the electrophoretic pattern of ³²P-labeled membrane polypeptides. The small cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of brush border membrane proteins was not due to membrane phosphodiesterase or adenylate cyclase activities. Considerable cAMP was found “endogenously” bound to the membranes as prepared. However, this did not result in preactivation of the kinase since activity was not inhibited by a heat-stable protein inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinases. With intrinsic membrane protein as phosphate acceptor, the relationship between rate of phosphorylation and ATP concentration appeared to follow Michaelis-Menton kinetics. With histone the relationship was complex. cAMP did not affect the apparent K_m for histone. One-half maximal stimulation of the rate of histone phosphorylation was obtained with 7 × 10^?8m cAMP. The K_a values for dibutyryl cAMP, cIMP, and cGMP were one to two orders of magnitude greater. Treatment of brush border membranes with detergent greatly increased the dependency of histone phosphorylation on cAMP. Phosphorylations of intrinsic membrane protein and histone were nonlinear with time, due in part to the lability of the protein kinase, the hydrolysis of ATP, and minimally to the presence of phosphoprotein phosphatase in the border membrane. The membrane phosphoprotein phosphatase was unaffected by cyclic nucleotides. Protein kinase activity was also found in cytosolic and crude particulate fractions of the renal cortex. Activity was enriched in the brush border membrane relative to that in the crude membrane preparation. The kinase activities in the different loci were distinct both in relative activities toward different substrates and in responsiveness to cAMP.     

Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of the regulatory subunit of cyclic 3′,5′-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (type II) in vivo and in vitro

A phosphorylated regulatory subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (type II) was purified to homogeneity from inorganic [³²P]phosphate-injected rats.A new method of measuring the phosphorylation reaction was developed. It was found that this regulatory subunit was phosphorylated in cells and comprised 60, 82 and 55% of the total regulatory subunit in brain, heart and liver cytosol fractions from rats, respectively.Dephosphorylation was stimulated by cyclic nucleotides. The K_a values for cyclic AMP and cyclic IMP were 0.30 and 1.0 μM, respectively. Purified phosphoprotein phosphatase could dephosphorylate the regulatory subunit and this reaction was also stimulated by cyclic nucleotides with similar K_a values. The inhibitors of phosphoprotein phosphatase, NaF and ZnCl₂, protected against dephosphorylation unless ADP or cyclic AMP were present.     

Genetic and biochemical evidence that trehalase is a substrate of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in yeast

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, trehalase activity in crude extracts obtained from wild type cells was activated about 3-fold by preincubation with cAMP and ATP. The inactive trehalase fractionated by DEAE-Sephacel chromatography was activated by the addition of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase fraction from wild type cells in the presence of cAMP and ATP. Using the crude extract obtained from bcy1 mutant cells which were deficient in the regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, the stimulation of trehalase activity was observed in the absence of cAMP. The cAMP-dependent protein kinase of CYR3 mutant cells which had a high Ka value for cAMP in the phosphorylation reaction required a high cAMP concentration for activation of trehalase. Increased activation of partially purified inactive trehalase (Mr = 320,000) was observed to correlate with increased phosphorylation of a protein (Mr = 80,000) identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The assay results using various mutants altered in cAMP metabolism indicated that the activation and phosphorylation of inactive trehalase fractions depended on the cAMP concentration accumulated in mutant cells. Inactivation and dephosphorylation of active trehalase fractions were observed by treatment with alkaline phosphatase or crude cell extracts. The results indicated that the conversion of inactive form of trehalase to the active form is regulated by cAMP through cAMP-dependent protein kinase.     

Changes in content and phosphorylation of cytosol proteins in luteinizing ovarian follicles and corpora lutea

Cytosol prepared from rat preovulatory ovarian follicles contained several specific substrates which were phosphorylated by [gamma 32P] ATP in the presence of 2 microM cyclic AMP (cAMP) or 780 nM of highly purified catalytic subunit. These substrates were identified as RII, the regulatory subunit of type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase, an Mr = 43,000 protein presumed to be actin, and four other proteins with Mr = 36,500-15,000. A marked decrease in phosphorylation of these proteins was observed within 6-48 h of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-induced ovulation and luteinization in hormonally primed immature rats. The phosphorylation of these proteins was also low in cytosol of corpora lutea isolated on Days 2, 4, 9, 13 and 23 of pregnancy. The decrease in phosphorylation of RII was associated primarily with a decrease in substrate content as measured by photoaffinity labeling and silver staining techniques, and not to a marked increase in phosphoprotein phosphatase and adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) activities. Whereas the decreased phosphorylation of other proteins is also presumed to be related to a decrease in their cytosol content, the data do not exclude the possibility that luteal tissue contains a specific phosphoprotein phosphatase which is not present in granulosa or theca cells of preovulatory follicles. We conclude that luteinizing hormone (LH) or hCG, and thereby cAMP itself, induces the rapid loss of specific phosphoproteins which may be involved in regulating cAMP action in granulosa cells.