Characterization of protein kinases from adrenal medulla

Since phosphorylation of chromosomal proteins by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases (EC 2.7.1.37) enhances template activity of adrenal medulla chromatin (9), we have studied the properties and regulation of protein kinases isolated from chromaffin cell cytosol and nuclei. DEAE-cellulose chromatography revealed three peaks of kinase activity in the nucleus (nPKI, nPKII, nPKIII) and two in the cytosol (cPKI, cPKII). The three nuclear enzymes, as well as cPKII, did not require cyclic AMP to express their catalytic activity, nPKI and nPKIII preferred acidic substrates as PO ₄ ^3– acceptors, while nPKII and the cytosol enzymes preferred basic PO ₄ ^3– acceptors. Enzyme recombination experiments using protein kinase regulatory subunits from cytosol suggested that cPKII was the catalytic subunit of cPKI. In contrast, the nuclear enzymes were not catalytic subunits of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase in the cytosol (cPKI). Only the cytosol protein kinases could be inhibited by endogenous heat-stable protein kinase inhibitors. The nuclear and cytosol cyclic AMP-independent protein kinases were distinguishable on the basis of their sedimentation constants as well as Mg²⁺ and Mn²⁺ requirements.     

Studies of kidney plasma membrane adenosine-3′,5′-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase

Porcine kidney cortex was utilized for the preparation of plasma-membrane-enriched and soluble cytoplasmic (cytosol) fractions for the purpose of examining the relative properties of cyclic [³H]AMP receptor and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activities of these preparations. The affinity, specificity and reversibility of cyclic [³H]AMP interaction with renal membrane and cytosol binding sites were indicative of physiological receptors.Binding sites of cytosol and deoxycholate-solubilized membranes were half-saturated at approx. 50nM and 100 nM cyclic [³H]AMP. Native plasma membranes exhibited multiple binding sites which were not saturated up to 1 mM cyclic [³H]AMP. Modification of the cyclic phosphate configuration or 2′-hydroxyl of the ribose moiety of cyclic AMP produced a marked reduction in the effectiveness of the cyclic AMP analogue as a competitor with cyclic [³H]AMP for renal receptors. The cyclic [³H]AMP interaction with membrane and cytosol fractions was reversible and the rate and extent of dissociation of bound cyclic [³H]AMP was temperature dependent. With the plasma-membrane preparation, dissociation of cyclic [³H]AMP was enhanced by ATP or AMP.Assay of both kidney subcellular fractions for protein kinase activity revealed that cyclic AMP enhanced the phosphorylation of protamine, lysine-rich and arginine-rich histones but not casein. The potency and efficacy of activation of renal membrane and cytosol protein kinase by cyclic AMP analogues such as N⁶-butyryl-adenosine cyclic 3′,5′-monophosphate or N⁶,O²-dibutyryl-adenosine cyclic 3′,5′-monophosphate supported the observations on the effectiveness of cyclic AMP analogues as competitors with cyclic [³H]AMP in competitive binding assays.This study suggested that the membrane cyclic [³H]AMP receptors may be closely associated with the membrane-bound catalytic moiety of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase system of porcine kidney.     

Characterization of protein kinases from adrenal medulla. A study of cytosol and nuclear enzymes.

Since phosphorylation of chromosomal proteins by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases (EC 2.7.1.37) enhances template activity of adrenal medulla chromatin (9), we have studied the properties and regulation of protein kinases isolated from chromaffin cell cytosol and nuclei. DEAE-cellulose chromatography revealed three peaks of kinase activity in the nucleus (nPKI, nPKII, nPKIII) and two in the cytosol (cPKI, cPKII). The three nuclear enzymes, as well as cPKII, did not require cyclic AMP to express their catalytic activity. nPKI and nPKIII preferred acidic substrates as PO3-4 acceptors, while nPKII and the cytosol enzymes preferred basic PO3-4 acceptors. Enzyme recombination experiments using protein kinase regulatory subunits from cytosol suggested that cPKII was the catalytic subunit of cPKI. In contrast, the nuclear enzymes were not catalytic subunits of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase in the cytosol (cPKI). Only the cytosol protein kinases could be inhibited by endogenous heat-stable protein kinase inhibitors. The nuclear and cytosol cyclic AMP-independent protein kinases were distinguishable on the basis of their sedimentation constants as well as Mc2+ and Mn2+ requirements.     

Photoaffinity labeling of three renal cyclic 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate-binding proteins

Evidence is presented for the presence of multiple cyclic AMP binding components in the plasma membrane and cytosol fractions of porcine renal cortex and medulla. N⁶-(Ethyl-2-diazomalonyl)-3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate, a photoaffinity label for cyclic AMP binding sites, exhibits non-covalent binding characteristics similar to cyclic AMP in membrane and soluble fractions. Binding data for either compound to the plasma membrane fraction yields biphasic Scatchard plots while triphasic plots are obtained with the dialyzed cytosol. When covalently labeled fractions are separated on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the cyclic AMP photoaffinity label is found on 49 000 and 130 000 dalton components in each kidney fraction. DEAE-cellulose and gel filtration chromatography of the labeled cortical cytosol fraction establishes that the three components suggested by the binding data correspond to two 49 000 dalton species and a 130 000 component. The 49 000 species have higher affinities for cyclic AMP than the 130 000 component (K_a(1) = 2.0 · 10⁹, K_a(2) = 1.7 · 10⁸, K_a(3) = 1.0 · 10⁷). The 49 000 components are associated with protein kinase activity while the 130 000 component does not exhibit protein kinase, adenosine deaminase, or cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity. Immunologic results and effects of phosphorylation and cyclic GMP on cyclic AMP binding further suggest that the 49 000 components are regulatory subunits of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases. Cyclic AMP binding to the 130 000 component is markedly inhibited by adenosine and adenine nucleotides, but not cyclic GMP. Thus, this component may reflect an aspect of adenosine control or metabolism which may or may not be a cyclic AMP-related cellular function.     

Protein kinase and phosphatases from human polymorphonuclear leucoytes.

Purified preparations of human polymorphonuclear leucocytes contain a protein kinase in the cytosol which is stimulated by cyclic AMP and cyclic IMP but not by other cyclic nucleotides. The holoenzyme had a molecular weight of 66000 estimated by gel filtration; when it was incubated with histone or cyclic AMP, it dissociated into two smaller subunits of molecular weight 45000 and 30000; the former remained cyclic AMP-sensitive, whereas the latter had become independent of added cyclic AMP. By means of substrate-affinity chromatography on histone-Sepharose 4B, cyclic [3H5AMP-binding activity (regulatory or R subunit) could be resolved into two peaks of enzyme activity, one again independent of added cyclic AMP, with a molecular weight of 30000 (catalytic or C subunit). Also by means of substrate-affinity chromatography it was possible to resolve 'specific' polymorphonuclear leukocyte histone phosphatases from 'non-specific' phosphomonesterases capable of dephosphorylating histone previously phosphorylated by the protein kinase. Specific histone phosphatase displayed greatest affinity for histone-Sepharose 4B, followed by acid p-nitrophenyl phosphatase, and the unretained acid beta-glucerophosphatase. Polymorphonuclear leucocyte histone phosphatase, purified approx. 40-fold, was further resolved from the other phosphatases by gel filtration on Sephadex G-150 from which it was eluted with apparent molecular weights of 45000 and 18700. The apparent Km values for dephosphorylation of histone are 4.3 X 10-6M and 3.6 X 10-6M. Most (69%) of cytoplasmic histone phosphatase was found in the cell sap, whereas 20% remained tightly associated with polymorphonuclear leucocyte lysosomes from which it could not be solubilized by treatments (Triton X-100, freeze-thawing) that released approx. 70% of lysosomal beta-glucuronidase or acid phosphatases. Although both soluble and particulate enzymes required 5-10 mM-Mn2 for maximal activation, and showed a pH maximum of 6.5-7.0, only the particulate enzyme was partly inhibited by ammonium molybdate. Polymorphonuclear leucocyte histone phosphatases were neither inhibited nor stimulated by those cyclic nucleotides that greatly stimulate the protein kinase of the same subcellular fraction     

Adenosine-3':5'-monophosphate-dependent and plasma-membrane-associated protein kinase from bovine corpus luteum. Solubilization and properties of solubilized enzyme.

The solubilization of plasma membrane fractions FI and FII associated protein kinases has been attempted using monovalent salts of high ionic strength and various detergent treatments. Extraction of FI and FII plasma membranes with high ionic strength salt solutions did not release more than 20% of the protein kinase activity. Similarly, monovalent salts released little adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) binding activity, but after extraction binding capacity of cyclic [3H]AMP to plasma membranes was increased about 150-200%. Triton X-100 was a better solubilizing agent that Lubrol WX or deoxycholate. In addition to solubilization, 0.1% Triton X-100 also stimulated the protein kinase activity 150-200%. The properties of Triton X-100 solubilized FI and FII and purified cytosol KII were characterized with respect to protein substrate specificity, effect of cyclic AMP, cyclic nucleotide specificity, effects of divalent metal ion and gonadotropins. Upon sucrose density gradient centrifugation, FI solubilized protein kinase and cyclic AMP binding activities co-sedimented with a sedimentation coefficient of 6.3 S. The FII solubilized protein kinase sedimented as two components with sedimentation coefficients of 7.7 S and 5.5 S. The cyclic AMP binding activity also sedimented as two components with sedimentation coefficient 6.7 S and 5.5 S. Cyclic AMP caused dissociation of solubilized protein kinase from FI into a single catalytic (4.8 S) and two cyclic AMP binding subunits (8.1 S and 6.7 S). FII solubilized enzyme was dissociated into one catalytic (4.8 S) and one cyclic AMP binding subunit (6.3 S). Fractionation of FI and FII solubilized enzymes on DEAE-cellulose column chromatography resolved them each into two peaks Ia, Ib and IIa, IIb, respectively. Peaks Ib and IIb were more sensitive to cyclic AMP STIMULATION THAN Ia and IIa peaks. From these studies it is concluded that the plasma-membrane associated and cytosol protein kinases have similar catalytic properties but differ in some of their physical properties.     

The effects of triethyltin bromide on red cell and brain cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases

Triethyltin bromide activates the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases of human red cell membranes and of bovine brain. Additions of 25-500 microM triethyltin to red cell ghosts resulted in enhanced phosphorylation of ghost proteins. When added to partially purified cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases from red cell ghosts or bovine brain, stimulation of the phosphorylation of calf thymus histone was observed. The enhancement of kinase activity was due to release of catalytic subunits from the intact protein kinase. Brief exposure of the partially purified enzymes to triethyltin, followed by DE52 chromatography, resulted in elution profiles for regulatory and catalytic subunits that were similar to the profile resulting after cyclic AMP activation. Triethyltin interacts with both regulatory and catalytic subunits. When it was added to the partially purified cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases from human red cell ghosts or bovine brain, noncompetitive inhibition of cyclic AMP binding to the regulatory subunit of the enzyme was observed. It interacted with the catalytic subunit to produce slow inhibition of catalytic activity. The inhibition was non-competitive with respect to both histone and ATP. When intact red cells were subjected to brief exposure with triethyltin, enhanced phosphorylation of certain membrane proteins occurred, suggesting that the activation of the cyclic AMP protein kinases by triethyltin may be physiologically significant.     

Concentrations of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase subunits in various tissues.

The concentrations of the regulatory (R) and catalytic (C) subunits of adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP)-dependent protein kinase(s) were measured in extracts of skeletal muscle, heart, liver, kidney, and brain. These concentrations were also estimated for the particulate fraction from brain, the only tissue in which a major part of the total activity was not readily extracted in a soluble form. Values for R were determined by measuring the amount of cyclic [3H]amp bound to protein in these tissue fractions under specified conditions; it was assumed that 1 mol of cyclic AMP binds to 1 mol of R. Values for C were determined from measurements of the specific protein kinase activity of the fractions utilizing the turnover number of pure C in the calculations. Turnover numbers for C were found to be identical for this subunit obtained in the pure form from rabbit skeletal muscle, rabbit liver, and beef heart. The methods used for measuring C were evaluated by kinetic studies and through the use of the specific heatstable protein inhibitor of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase(s). R and C were found to exist in a 1:1 molar ratio in all of the tissue fractions that were studied. the absolute concentrations of R and C ranged from 0.23 mumol/kg wet weight for liver to 0.78 mumol/kg wet weight for brain. For brain this value was based on the amount of each subunit in the particulate as well as the soluble fraction. For other tissues the values were based solely on the subunit content of the latter fraction. It was noted that the molar concentrations of R are close to those of cyclic AMP under basal conditions in the various tissues.     

Altered regulation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase in a mouse lymphoma cell line.

The ability of cyclic AMP to inhibit growth, cause cytolysis and induce synthesis of cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase in S49.1 mouse lymphoma cells is deficient in cells selected on the basis of their resistance to killing by 2 mM dibutyryl cyclic AMP. The properties of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (ATP:protein phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.37) in the cyclic AMP-sensitive (S) and cyclic AMP-resistant (R) lymphoma cells were comparatively studied. The cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity or R cells cytosol exhibits an apparent Ka for activation by cyclic AMP 100-fold greater than that of the enzyme from the parental S cells. The free regulatory and catalytic subunits from both S and R kinase are thermolabile, when associated in the holoenzyme the two subunits are more stable to heat inactivation in R kinase than in S kinase. The increased heat stability of R kinase is observed however only for the enzyme in which the catalytic and cyclic AMP-binding activities are expressed at high cyclic AMP concentrations (10(-5)--10(-4) M), the activities expressed at low cyclic AMP concentrations (10(-9)--10(-6) M) being thermolabile. The regulatory subunit of S kinase can be stabilized against heat inactivation by cyclic AMP binding both at 2-10(-7) and 10(-5) M cyclic AMP concentrations. In contrast, the regulatory subunit-cyclic AMP complex from R kinase is stable to heat inactivation only when formed in the presence of high cyclic AMP concentrations (10(-5)M). The findings indicate that the transition from a cyclic AMP-sensitive to a cyclic AMP-resistant lymphoma cell phenotype is related to a structural alteration in the regulatory subunit of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase which has affected the protein's affinity for cyclic AMP and its interaction with the catalytic subunit.     

Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase in mammary epithelial cells; activity and subcellular distribution are acutely modulated by isoprenaline.

Brief incubation of a mammary epithelial cellular preparation from lactating rats with isoprenaline is shown to result in major re-distribution of the activity of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (measured in the presence of saturating cyclic AMP) within the cell. Activity in the soluble fraction was halved and a corresponding increase in the sedimentable activity occurred. Similar effects were observed when cell-free extracts were treated with cyclic AMP in the presence of inhibitors of phosphodiesterase and subsequently fractionated by a simple one-step centrifugation procedure. The concentration of the catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, assessed by quantitative Western blot analysis, did not reflect these activity changes. Quantitation of the regulatory subunits (R-I plus R-II) of A-kinase enabled independent assessment of the possible total A-kinase holoenzyme in mammary epithelial cells and was in reasonable agreement with the measured total A-kinase activity. Isoprenaline selectively increased the apparent mean specific catalytic activity of the C-subunit in the particulate fraction.     

Characterization of the protein kinase activities of human platelet supernatant and particulate fractions.

After human platelets were lysed by freezing and thawing in the presence of EDTA, about 35% of the total cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity was specifically associated with the particulate fraction. In contrast, Ca2+-activated phospholipid-dependent protein kinase was found exclusively in the soluble fraction. Photoaffinity labelling of the regulatory subunits of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase with 8-azido-cyclic [32P]AMP indicated that platelet lysate contained a 4-fold excess of 49 000-Da RI subunits over 55 000-Da RII subunits. The RI and RII subunits were found almost entirely in the particulate and soluble fractions respectively. Chromatography of the soluble fraction on DEAE-cellulose demonstrated a single peak of cyclic AMP-dependent activity with the elution characteristics and regulatory subunits characteristic of the type-II enzyme. A major enzyme peak containing Ca2+-activated phospholipid-dependent protein kinase was eluted before the type-II enzyme, but no type-I cyclic AMP-dependent activity was normally observed in the soluble fraction. The particulate cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and associated RI subunits were solubilized by buffers containing 0.1 or 0.5% (w/v) Triton X-100, but not by extraction with 0.5 M-NaCl, indicating that this enzyme is firmly membrane-bound, either as an integral membrane protein or via an anchor protein. DEAE-cellulose chromatography of the Triton X-100 extracts demonstrated the presence of both type-I cyclic AMP-dependent holoenzyme and free RI subunits. These results show that platelets contain three main protein kinase activities detectable with histone substrates, namely a membrane-bound type-I cyclic AMP-dependent enzyme, a soluble type-II cyclic AMP-dependent enzyme and Ca2+-activated phospholipid-dependent protein kinase, which was soluble in lysates containing EDTA.     

Protein phosphorylation in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Subcellular distribution and partial characterization of adenosine 3'':5''-cyclic monophosphate-dependent protein kinase.

Cytoplasmic and membrane fractions prepared from human peripheral-blood lymphocytes both contained cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity and endogenous protein kinase substrates. Protein kinase activity in the particulate fractions was not eluted with 0.25 M-NaCl, suggesting that it was not derived from non-specifically absorbed soluble cytoplasmic protein kinase. Nor was the particulate protein kinase activity eluted by treatment with cyclic AMP, suggesting that the catalytic subunit is membrane-bound and arguing against cyclic AMP-induced translocation of particulate activity. Cyclic AMP-dependent protein-phosphorylating activity in the cytoplasmic fraction was highly sensitive to inhibition by Mn2+, and was co-eluted from DEAE-cellulose primarily with type-I rabbit skeletal-muscle kinase. Cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylating activity in the plasma-membrane fractions was stimulated at low [Mn2+] and inhibited only at high [Mn2+]. When solubilized with Nonidet P-40, plasma-membrane protein kinase was co-eluted from DEAE-cellulose with type-II rabbit muscle kinase. These differences, together with the strong association of the particulate kinases with the particulate fraction, suggest the possibility of compartmentalized protein phosphorylation in intact lymphocytes.     

Photoaffinity labeling of three renal cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate-binding proteins.

Evidence is presented for the presence of multiple cyclic AMP binding components in the plasma membrane and cytosol fractions of porcine renal cortex and medulla. N6-(Ethyl-2-diazomalonyl)-3',5'-adenosine monophosphate, a photoaffinity label for cyclic AMP binding sites, exhibits non-covalent binding characteristics similar to cyclic AMP in membrane and soluble fractions. Binding data for either compound to the plasma membrane fraction yields biphasic Scatchard plots while triphasic plots are obtained with the dialyzed cytosol. When covalently labeled fractions are separated on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the cyclic AMP photoaffinity label is found on 49 000 and 130 000 dalton components in each kidney fraction. DEAE-cellulose and gel filtration chromatography of the labeled cortical cytosol fraction establishes that the three components suggested by the binding data correspond to two 49 000 dalton species and a 130 000 component. The 49 000 species have higher affinities for cyclic AMP than the 130 000 component (Ka(1) = 2.0 . 10(9), Ka(2) = 1.7 . 10(8), Ka(3) = 1.0 . 10(7)). The 49 000 components are associated with protein kinase activity while the 130 000 component does not exhibit protein kinase, adenosine deaminase, or cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity. Immunologic results and effects of phosphorylation and cyclic GMP on cyclic AMP binding further suggest that the 49 000 components are regulatory subunits of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases. Cyclic AMP binding to the 130 000 component is markedly inhibited by adenosine and adenine nucleotides, but not cyclic GMP. Thus, this component may reflect an aspect of adenosine control or metabolism which may or may not be a cyclic AMP-related cellular function.     

Polymeric structure of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase from the dimorphic fungus Mucor rouxii and purification of its catalytic subunit

Summary The polymeric structure of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (E.C.2.7.1.37) from the dimorphic fungus Mucor rouxii was analyzed through studies of gel filtration and sucrose gradient centrifugation of the holoenzyme and its subunits and by photoaffinity labeling of the regulatory subunit. It was demonstrated that it is a tetramer composed by two regulatory subunits (R) of mol. wt. 75 000 and two catalytic subunits (C) of mol. wt. 41 000 forming a holoenzyme R₂C₂ of mol. wt. 242 000. Frictional coefficients of 1.55 and 1.62 for the holoenzyme and for the regulatory dimer, respectively, indicate a significant degree of dimensional asymmetry in both molecules. A procedure for the purification of the catalytic subunit of the kinase is presented. The holoenzyme could be bound to a cyclic AMP-agarose column and the catalytic subunit could be eluted by 0.5 M NaCl, well resolved from the bulk of protein. This particular behaviour of the holoenzyme in cyclic AMP-agarose chromatography allowed the inclusion of this step in the purification of the catalytic subunit and corroborated that the holoenzyme was not dissociated by cyclic AMP alone. The isolated catalytic subunit displays Michaelis-Menten behaviour towards kemptide, protamine and histone and is inhibited by sulfhydryl reagents, indicating that the molecule has at least one cysteine residue essential for enzyme activity. The catalytic activity of the isolated C subunit is inactivated by the mammalian protein kinase inhibitor, and is inhibited by the regulatory subunit from homologous and heterologous sources. In general, the properties of the catalytic subunit suggest a structural similarity between Mucor and mammalian C subunits.Abbreviations C catalytic subunit monomer of protein kinase - R regulatory subunit monomer of protein kinase - 8-N₃-cyclic AMP 8-azido-cylic AMP - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate - Pipes piperazine-N,N-bis(2-ethanesulfonic acid) See AcknowledgementsCareer Investigators from the CONICET     

Further studies on the properties of the rabbit reticulocyte adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-dependent protein kinase I

The properties of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase I isolated from rabbit reticulocytes were further investigated. The enzyme catalyzes the phosphorylation of histone in the presence of ATP and Mg²⁺ and this reaction is stimulated by cyclic AMP. The pH optimum of the reaction was between 8.5 and 9.0, when assayed in the presence of cyclic AMP. No distinct pH optimum was observed in the absence of the cyclic nucleotide. The K_m values for ATP appeared to be very similar whether it was determined in the presence (K_m = 1.7 × 10⁻⁴m) or absence (K_m = 2.5 × 10⁻⁴m) of cyclic AMP. The rate of heat inactivation of the catalytic activity and the cyclic AMP binding activity of kinase I were found to be dependent on the presence of Mg²⁺, ATP, and/or cyclic AMP. In the presence of cyclic AMP, the rate of inactivation of the catalytic activity of kinase I at 53 ° was accelerated. On the other hand, the cyclic AMP binding activity appeared to be protected from heat inactivation by the cyclic nucleotide. When both ATP and Mg²⁺ were present in the heating mixture, no loss of catalytic and binding activities of kinase I were observed even up to 8 min of heating at 53 °. The cyclic AMP binding activity of kinase I was almost completely inhibited by mercuric acetate at a concentration of 1 mm, while the loss in catalytic activity was only 50%. These results substantiate our previous observation that kinase I contains two nonidentical subunits, a catalytic subunit and a cyclic AMP binding subunit.     

Chemical cross-linking of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and its dissimilar subunits

Previous kinetic studies have demonstrated that the activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase by cyclic AMP involves the formation of a ternary complex of cyclic AMP, the regulatory subunit (R) and the catalytic subunit (C). It is suggested that only this ternary complex breaks down to liberate the enzymically active catalytic subunit. We have performed cross-linking experiments with the holoenzyme and its dissimilar subunits in the presence of MgATP and various concentrations of cyclic AMP. Results from these cross-linking studies indicate that regulatory subunits exist as dimers in the native form. Moreover, dissociation of the holoenzyme or the reconstituted enzyme is promoted by cyclic AMP, and the effect of MgATP is to stabilize the enzyme in the tetrameric form. The success in cross-linking the regulatory and the catalytic subunits of protein kinase with the lysine-specific bifunctional cross-linking reagent dimethyl suberimidate may be attributed to the presence of a large number of lysine residues in the enzyme.     

Binding proteins for adenosine 3′:5′-cyclic monophosphate in bovine adrenal cortex

Five peaks of cyclic AMP-binding activity could be resolved by DEAE-cellulose chromatography of bovine adrenal-cortex cytosol. Two of the binding peaks co-chromatographed with the catalytic activities of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases (ATP-protein phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.37) of type I or type II respectively. A third binding protein was eluted between the two kinases, and appeared to be the free regulatory moiety of protein kinase I. Two of the binding proteins for cyclic AMP, sedimenting at 9S in sucrose gradients, could also bind adenosine. They bound cyclic AMP with an apparent equilibrium dissociation constant (K(d)) of about 0.1mum, and showed an increased binding capacity for cyclic AMP after preincubation in the presence of K(+), Mg(2+) and ATP. The two binding proteins differed in their apparent affinities for adenosine. The isolated regulatory moiety of protein kinase I had a very high affinity for cyclic AMP (K(d)<0.1nm). At low ionic strength or in the presence of MgATP, the high-affinity binding of cyclic AMP to the regulatory subunit of protein kinase I was decreased by the catalytic subunit. At high ionic strength and in the absence of MgATP the high-affinity binding to the regulatory subunit was not affected by the presence of catalytic subunit. Under all experimental conditions tested, dissociation of protein kinase I was accompanied by an increased affinity for cyclic AMP. To gain some insight into the mechanism by which cyclic AMP activates protein kinase, the interaction between basic proteins, salt and the cyclic nucleotide in activating the kinase was studied.     

Binding of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP to renal cortical homogenates. Relationship with phosphorylation

This study examined the binding of both cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP to receptor proteins in particulate and soluble subfractions of renal cortical homogenates from the golden hamster. The binding of both nucleotides was compared to subsequent effects of both nucleotides on the phosphorylation of histone from identical fractions. Cyclic AMP binding and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity predominated in the cytosol, with some binding and enzyme activity also detected in particulate fractions. Cyclic GMP and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase activity could only be demonstrated in cytosolic fractions and represented only 20-30% of cyclic AMP-dependent activity in this fraction. Binding of both nucleotides was highly specific, however, cyclic AMP showed some interaction with cyclic GMP binding. Evidence suggesting that each nucleotide interacts with a specific protein kinase was as follows: both the binding activity of the cyclic nucleotides and their combined protein kinase activity show additivity; cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP binding activity could be separated on sucrose gradients; cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP protein kinase activity could be separated with Sephadex G-100 chromatography, after preincubation of homogenate supernatants with either cyclic AMP or cyclic GMP. The results demonstrate the presence of both cyclic AMP- and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase in renal cortex.     

The use of affinity chromatography in purification of cyclic nucleotide receptor proteins.

Biospecific affinity chromatography has been used to purify specific cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP receptor proteins. Several variables are important for successful purification of the cyclic AMP receptor protein, the most critical being the length of the aliphatic spacer side arm. 8-(2-Aminoethyl)-amino-cyclic AMP coupled to the aliphatic spacer side arm. 8-(2-Aminoethyl)-amino-cyclic AMP coupled to agarose specifically retains the cyclic AMP receptor protein by interaction with the immobilized nucleotide. Binding of the cyclic AMP receptor subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase to the immobilized nucleotide results in dissociation of the catalytic protein phosphokinase subunit which is not retained. The retained cyclic AMP receptor protein is subsequently eluted by cyclic AMP. Homogeneous cyclic AMP receptor protein prepared from rabbit skeletal muscle by affinity chromatography has been characterized. The molecular weight of the native protein as determined by analytical ultracentrifugation and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at varying acrylamide concentrations is 76 800 and 82 000, respectively. The protein is asymmetric with frictional and axial ratios of 1.64 and 12. SDS and urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicate that the native cyclic AMP receptor is composed of two identical subunits of 42 700 molecular weight. The native protein dimer binds 2 moles of cyclic AMP per mole of protein and is active in suppressing activity of isolated catalytic subunits of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. Cyclic GMP receptor protein from bovine lung has been purified using the same affinity chromatography media. Since cyclic nucleotide binding to cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase does not result in dissociation of regulatory receptor and catalytic phosphotransferase subunits, the cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase holoenzyme is retained on the column and can be subsequently specifically eluted with cyclic GMP.     

Identification and characterization of both the cytosolic and particulate forms of cyclic GMP-stimulated cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase from rat liver.

Two enzymes displaying cyclic GMP-stimulated cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity were purified from rat liver to apparent homogeneity: a 'particulate enzyme' found as an integral membrane protein associated with the plasma membrane, and a 'soluble' enzyme found in the cytosol. The physical properties of these enzymes were very similar, being dimers of Mr 134,000, composed in each instance of two subunits of Mr = 66,000-67,000. Both enzymes showed similar kinetics for cyclic AMP hydrolysis. They are both high-affinity enzymes, with kinetic constants for the particulate enzyme of Km = 34 microM and Vmax. = 4.0 units/mg of protein and for the cytosolic enzyme Km = 40 microM and Vmax. = 4.8 units/mg of protein. In both instances hydrolysis of cyclic AMP appeared to show apparent positive co-operativity, with Hill coefficients (happ.) of 1.5 and 1.6 for the particulate and cytosolic enzymes respectively. However, in the presence of 2 microM-cyclic GMP, the hydrolysis of cyclic AMP obeyed Michaelis kinetics (happ. = 1) for both enzymes. The addition of micromolar concentrations of cyclic GMP had little effect on the Vmax. for cyclic AMP hydrolysis, but lowered the Km for cyclic AMP hydrolysis to around 20 microM in both cases. However, at low cyclic AMP substrate concentrations, cyclic GMP was a more potent activator of the particulate enzyme than was the soluble enzyme. The activity of these enzymes could be selectively inhibited by cis-16-palmitoleic acid and by arachidonic acid. In each instance, however, the hydrolysis of cyclic AMP became markedly more sensitive to such inhibition when low concentrations of cyclic GMP were present. Tryptic peptide maps of iodinated preparations of these two purified enzyme species showed that there was considerable homology between these two enzyme forms.