Effects of cholera toxin on vasoconstriction and cyclic AMP content of the isolated rabbit ear artery

We have studied the effect of cholera toxin on the constrictor responses of the isolated, perfused rabbit ear artery to nerve stimulation and to norepinephrine infusion. We found that when we perfussed arteries with cholera toxin (1–9 μg/ml) for five minutes or longer, the toxin gradually inhibited the responses to intermittent stimulation of the adrenergic nerves and to brief infusion of norepinephrine. The constrictor responses began to decrease between one and two hours after we added cholera toxin, and the responses were still depressed after 24 hours. Cholera toxin inhibited both the rapid, initial phase and the slower, sustained phase of the biphasic response of the ear artery to nerve stimulation. Propranolol and indomethacin did not block the effect of cholera toxin on vasoconstriction. However, when we mixed the toxin with antitoxin or G_M1 ganglioside, we prevented the inhibitory effect on vasoconstriction. Levels of adenosine 3′:5′-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) in arteries treated with cholera toxin were greater than levels of cyclic AMP in untreated arteries. The cyclic AMP content increased and the constrictor responses decreased with a similar time course after the arteries were exposed to the toxin. Thus an increase in cyclic AMP may be involved in the relaxation of vascular smooth muscle induced by cholera toxin.     

Inhibitory effect of ibuprofen on the cholera toxin-induced cyclic AMP response in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Abstract Ibuprofen, an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis in eukaryotic cells, was shown to inhibit the accumulation of 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP) in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells exposed to cholera toxin. The inhibition was dose dependent, with a dose of 100 μg/ml reducing the cholera toxin response by approximately 50%, and maximal inhibition was observed when the drug was applied to the cells simulataneously with or 1 h before the toxin. Although ibuprofen also inhibited adenylate cyclase stimulation by forskolin, suggesting a nonspecific effect, the drug had no effect on cholera toxin-induced cyclic AMP accumulation when added to the culture medium 15 min or more after the toxin.     

Elevated intracellular concentrations of cyclic AMP inhibited serum-stimulated, density-arrested BALB/c-3T3 cells in mid G1

The stimulation of DNA synthesis in quiescent, density-arrested BALB/c-3T3 cells by platelet-derived growth factor in plasma-supplemented medium was inhibited by the presence of isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) and cholera toxin, although neither IBMX or cholera toxin when used alone inhibited the stimulation of DNA synthesis. The cells were reversibly inhibited in mid G1 at a point 6 hr prior to the initiation of DNA synthesis. The inhibition of cell cycle traverse was associated with a 10-15 fold increase in cellular cyclic AMP concentration over basal levels. The reversal of this inhibition by removal of IBMX was correlated with a dramatic decrease in cyclic AMP levels. The traverse of G1 and the initiation of DNA synthesis after release from the cholera toxin and IBMX inhibition was dependent on the presence of plasma in the medium. Either somatomedin C (10-20 ng/ml) or insulin (10(-6)-10(-5) M) completely replaced the plasma requirement for late G1 progression and entry into S phase. Once the inhibited cells were released from the IBMX and cholera toxin block a subsequent increase in cyclic AMP did not prevent entry into S phase. The presence of cholera toxin alone inhibited the stimulation of human dermal fibroblasts. The elevation of intracellular cyclic AMP levels in the human dermal fibroblasts by cholera toxin was two to three fold greater than that found in the BALB/c-3T3 cells in the presence of cholera toxin and the IBMX.     

Alpha-adrenergic interaction with stimulators of cyclic AMP concentrations in canine thyroid slices.

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) increased cyclic AMP levels approximately 10–20 fold in canine thyroid slices after 30 min incubation. Thereafter the cyclic AMP level declined reaching about 50% of the maximal by 90 min even in the presence of 10 mM theophylline. When phentolamine, an α-adrenergic blocker, was added with TSH to the incubation medium, the decline of cyclic AMP levels that followed the peak was markedly diminished. The maximal effect of phentolamine was observed at a concentration of 10^?6M. A similar decline of the cyclic AMP levels after the peak was observed when the tissues was stimulated by prostaglandin E₁ or cholera toxin and the decline was again prevented by phentolamine. Phentolamine alone had no significant effect on the basal cyclic AMP levels. Phenylephrine, an α-adrenergic agonist, diminished the rise of cyclic AMP levels induced by TSH.Norephinephrine, a physiologic adrenergic stimulator, caused a marked inhibition of the elevation of cyclic AMP levels induced by prostaglandin E₁ or cholera toxin as was the case by TSH (Life Sciences 21, 607, 1977). The norepinephrine effect was abolished by phentolamine, but not by propranolol, a β-adrenergic blocker.These results indicate that α-adrenergic actions may be involved in the counter-regulation of cyclic AMP levels in canine thyroid glands.     

On the mechanism of action of cholera toxin on isolated rat adrenocortical cells Comparison with the effects of adrenocorticotropin on steroidogenesis and cyclic AMP output

The effects of cholera toxin on isolated rat adrenocortical cells have been investigated. Both steroid and cyclic AMP output from adrenal cells were increased by the toxin in a dose dependent fashion. The concentration of toxin for half maximal stimulation for both of these responses was about 40 ng/ml. Maximal steroidogenesis and cyclic AMP output was obtained with similar concentrations of the toxin. A correlation was observed between the low amounts of cyclic AMP produced in response to all doses of cholera toxin and to physiologically significant concentrations of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) (< 0.1 munit/ml; i.e. submaximal for steroidogenesis in this system). This was in direct contrast to the much higher levels of cyclic AMP generated by concentrations of ACTH greater than 1 munits/ml. Time course studies demonstrated a time-lag between toxin addition and steroid response of at least 40 min. Binding of cholera toxin to adrenal cells was rapid and was 90% complete within 15 min at both 37 and 0°C. These data indicate that most of the delay in response to cholera toxin is due to processes subsequent to the initial binding interaction. Following the initial delay the subsequent maximal rate of steroidogenesis brought about by cholera toxin was very similar to that obtained with a concentration of ACTH that was maximal for steroidogenesis. Significant increases in cyclic AMP levels were detected about 20 min before increased steroidogenesis was apparent. Possible explanations for this result are considered. The results presented indicate great potential use for cholera toxin in the study of adrenal steroidogenic control mechanisms, particularly at the level of receptor mechanisms and the role of cyclic AMP.     

Effects of cholera toxin on thyroid cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and ornithine decarboxylase activities.

Cholera toxin activated beef thyroid cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase in a dose (0.2 to 8 microgram/ml)-related fashion. Thus, when beef thyroid slices were incubated with toxin (8 microgram/ml) for 90 minutes and then assayed for protein kinase, the activity ratio (i.e. -cyclic AMP/+cyclic AMP) increased from 0.32 +/- 0.02 to 0.77 +/- 0.06. The toxin (5 microgram/ml)-induced increase was abolished by inclusion of ganglioside GM1 in the incubation medium (I50, 0.7 microgram/ml), whereas, gangliosides GD1a and GT1 were without effect. In contrast, TSH-activated protein kinase was unaffected by ganglioside addition. Cholera toxin increased rat thyroid ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity in-vitro in a dose (0.1 to 10 microgram/ml)-related fashion [basal, 100 cf cholera toxin (10 microgram/ml), 1500 pmol 14CO2/g tissue/30 min]. The toxin (1 microgram/ml)- (but not TSH-) induced increase in ODC was abolished by inclusion of ganglioside Ga and GT1 were without effect. Cholera toxin stimulation of ODC was inhibited by indomethacin or iodide as are the stimulatory effects of TSH or dibutyryl cyclic AMP. These results demonstrate that although there are differences in the TSH and cholera toxin responses with respect to receptor (ganglioside) interaction, they nevertheless elicit similar intracellular responses in thyroid.     

Coordinate regulation of adenylate cyclase, protein kinase, and specific enzyme synthesis by cholera toxin in hormonally unresponsive hepatoma cells

Since none of the hormones which activate adenylate cyclase in other tissues have been found to activate adenylate cyclase or to induce tyrosine aminotransferase in cultured Reuber hepatoma cells (H35), despite the stimulatory effects of cyclic AMP derivatives on the latter enzyme, we tested the ability of cholera toxin to influence these processes. At low concentrations cholera toxin was found to mimic the ability of cyclic AMP derivatives to selectively stimulate the synthesis of the aminotransferase. Adenylate cyclase and protein kinase activity were also enhanced, but only after a lag period as in other systems. Specific phosphorylation of endogenous H₁ histone was also shown to be increased by cholera toxin treatment. The increase in tyrosine aminotransferase activity is due to an increase in de novo synthesis as shown by radiolabeling experiments utilizing specific immunoprecipitation. The activity of another soluble enzyme induced by dibutyryl cyclic AMP, PEP carboxykinase, was also stimulated by exposure of H35 cells to cholera toxin. Combinations of cholera toxin and dexamethasone led to greater than additive increases in the activity of both the aminotransferase and carboxykinase. Close coupling of cyclic AMP production with protein kinase activation and enzyme induction was suggested by the observation that the ED₅₀ values for the stimulation of adenylate cyclase, cyclic AMP production, protein kinase, and tyrosine aminotransferase activities were found to be the same (5–7 ng/ml) within experimental error. The results indicate that the adenylate cyclase system in H35 cells is functionally responsive and they support the suggestion that activation of protein kinase is functionally linked to induction of specific enzymes.     

Increases in cyclic AMP potentiate competence formation in BALB/c-3T3 cells

The ability of platelet-derived growth factor and fibroblast growth factor to stimulate the initiation of DNA synthesis in quiescent BALB/c-3T3 cells was enhanced by cholera toxin. However, the addition of cholera toxin to unsupplemented medium was not mitogenic, nor did cholera toxin increase the mitogenic potential of mediuum supplemented with platelet-poor plasma. The enhancement of serum-induced DNA synthesis by cholera toxin was due to a specific effect on competence formation and not plasma-controlled progression. Cholera toxin increased the rate of competence formation during a transient exposure of quiescent cells to platelet-derived growth factor; this rate was further increased by the addition of isobutylmethylxanthine, a cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitor. Intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations in quiescent BALB/c-3T3 cells were increased 2- to 3-fold after the addition of cholera toxin. The addition of cholera toxin plus 30 m?M isobutylmethylxanthine caused an even greater (7- to 8-fold) increase in the cellular levels of cyclic AMP. That these increases in cyclic AMP concentrations mediated at least part of the increased sensitivity of quiescent cells to competence factors was substantiated by the observation that 0.01 to 1 mM monobutrylcyclic AMP or 8-bromocyclic AMP also caused a concentration-dependent potentiation of competence formation in quiescent cells during a transient exposure to platelet-derived growth factor.     

Effects of cholera toxin on cyclic AMP accumulation and bone resorption in cultured mouse calvaria

We have utilized the adenylate cyclase stimulator, cholera toxin, as a tool to test the role of cyclic AMP as a mediator of the effects on bone resorption by the calcium-regulating hormones, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin. The effects on bone resorption were studied in an organ culture system using calvarial bones from newborn mice. Cyclic AMP response was assayed in calvarial bone explants and isolated osteoblasts from neonatal mouse calvaria. Cholera toxin caused a dose-dependent cAMP response in calvarial bones, seen at and above approx. 1-3 ng/ml and calculated half-maximal stimulation (EC50) at 18 ng/ml. The stimulatory effect of cholera toxin could be potentiated by the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX, 0.2 mmol/l). Cyclic AMP accumulation in the bones was maximal after 4-6 h, and thereafter declined. However, activation of the adenylate cyclase was irreversible and the total amount (bone + medium) of cAMP produced, in the presence of IBMX (0.2 mmol/l), increased with time, for at least 48 h. In osteoblast-like cells cholera toxin (1 microgram/ml) stimulated the cellular levels of cAMP with a peak after 60-120 min, which could be potentiated with IBMX. The total cAMP accumulation indicated an irreversible response. In short-term bone organ cultures (at most, 24 h) cholera toxin, at and above 3 ng/ml, inhibited the stimulatory effect of PTH (10 nmol/l) on 45Ca release from prelabelled calvarial bones. The inhibitory effect of cholera toxin (0.1 microgram/ml) on 45Ca release was significant after 6 h and the calculated IC50 value at 24 h was 11.2 ng/ml. Cholera toxin (0.1 microgram/ml) also inhibited PTH-stimulated (10 nmol/l) release of Ca2+, inorganic phosphate (Pi), beta-glucuronidase, beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase and degradation of organic matrix (release of 3H from [3H]proline-labelled bones) in 24 h cultures. 45Ca release from bones stimulated by prostaglandin E2 (1 mumol/l) and 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 (0.1 mumol/l) was also inhibited by cholera toxin (0.3 microgram/ml) in 24-h cultures. The inhibitory effect of cholera toxin on bone resorption was transient, and in long-term cultures (120 h) cholera toxin caused a dose-dependent, delayed stimulation of mineral mobilization (Ca2+, 45Ca, Pi), degradation of matrix and release of the lysosomal enzymes beta-glucuronidase and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Hexose transport stimulation and membrane redistribution of glucose transporter isoforms in response to cholera toxin, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, and insulin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Exposure of 3T3-L1 adipocytes to 100 ng/ml of cholera toxin or 1 mM dibutyryl cyclic AMP caused a marked stimulation of deoxyglucose transport. A maximal increase of 10- to 15-fold was observed after 12-24 h of exposure, while 100 nM insulin elicited an increase of similar magnitude within 30 min. A short term exposure (4 h) of cells to cholera toxin or dibutyryl cyclic AMP resulted in a 3- to 4-fold increase in deoxyglucose transport which was associated with significant redistribution of both the HepG2/erythrocyte (GLUT1) and muscle/adipocyte (GLUT4) glucose transporters from low density microsomes to the plasma membrane fraction. Total cellular amounts of both transporter proteins remained constant. In contrast, cells exposed to cholera toxin or dibutyryl cyclic AMP for 12 h exhibited elevations in total cellular contents of GLUT1 (but not GLUT4) protein to about 1.5- and 2.5-fold above controls, respectively. Although such treatments of cells with cholera toxin (12 h) versus insulin (30 min) caused similar 10-fold enhancements of deoxyglucose transport, a striking discrepancy was observed with respect to the content of glucose transporter proteins in the plasma membrane fraction. While insulin elicited a 2.6-fold increase in the levels of GLUT4 protein in the plasma membrane fraction, cholera toxin increased the amount of this transporter by only 30%. Insulin or cholera toxin increased the levels of GLUT1 protein in the plasma membrane fraction equally (1.6-fold). Thus, a greater number of glucose transporters in the plasma membrane fraction is associated with transport stimulation by insulin compared to cholera toxin. We conclude that: 1) at early times (4 h) after the addition of cholera toxin or dibutyryl cyclic AMP to 3T3-L1 adipocytes, redistribution of glucose transporters to the plasma membrane appears to contribute to elevated deoxyglucose uptake rates, and 2) the stimulation of hexose uptake after prolonged treatment (12-18 h) of cells with cholera toxin may involve an additional increase in the intrinsic activity of one or both glucose transporter isoforms.     

A cholera toxin substrate regulates cyclic GMP content of rat pinealocytes

The adrenergic regulation of cyclic GMP in isolated pinealocytes was investigated. In this cell, norepinephrine stimulates cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP greater than 100-fold by activating both alpha 1- and beta-adrenoceptors. beta-Adrenergic activation is a requisite event and is potentiated by alpha 1-adrenergic activation (Vanecek, J., Sugden, D., Weller, J. L., and Klein, D. C. (1985) Endocrinology 116, 2167-2173). The current study found that cholera toxin could substitute for beta-adrenergic agonists in stimulating pinealocyte cyclic GMP content, as has been found to be the case for cyclic AMP. Treatment with cholera toxin alone (1 microgram/ml for 90 min) had a small effect (2- to 4-fold increase) on cyclic GMP; addition of the alpha 1-adrenergic agonists, phenylephrine, cirazoline, or methoxamine to cholera toxin-treated cells rapidly (peak at 5 min) caused a further 30- to 300-fold increase. The alpha 1-adrenergic agonists had little effect by themselves at concentrations which potentiated the effects of cholera toxin. The potentiating effect of phenylephrine was inhibited nearly completely by an alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist, but not by either an alpha 2- or beta-adrenergic antagonist. The purified cholera toxin subunits A and B did not stimulate cyclic GMP either alone or in the presence of phenylephrine. Furthermore, the potentiating action of phenylephrine was observed following 90 min but not 20 min of cholera toxin pretreatment. these results suggest that the regulation of cyclic GMP levels in the pineal gland involves an Ns-like GTP-binding regulatory protein. This is of interest because it is the first indication that cyclic GMP is regulated by such a GTP-binding protein in nonretinal tissue. It remains to be determined whether the mechanisms involved in the transmembrane regulation of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP in any other tissue are similar.     

Stimulation of bone resorption in organ culture by cholera toxin

Bone resorption in organ cultures of neonatal mouse calvaria was stimulated by choleragen (cholera enterotoxin) in a dose-related manner (0.5 to 5.0 ng/ml). Stimulation was potentiated by the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine (4 μM) and was inhibited by human calcitonin (100 ng/ml), but not by indomethacin (0.7 μM), an inhibitor of the fatty acid cyclooxygenase. The action of choleragen on cyclic AMP accumulation and bone resorption was consistent with the known characteristics of this toxin: 1. choleragen increased cyclic AMP accumulation in bone cultures; 2. there was a lag period (20 – 120 min) prior to an increase in cyclic AMP accumulation following addition of choleragen; 3. incubation with choleragen for only 4 h stimulated bone resorption in the subsequent 44 h as much as did continuous incubation with choleragen for 48 h; and 4. choleragenoid, the biologically inactive toxoid, did not stimulate bone resorption in the concentration range in which choleragen was active. We conclude that activation of adenylyl cyclase and the subsequent increase in cyclic AMP production can stimulate bone resorption, and that cyclic AMP may, therefore, be involved in the enhanced bone resorption mediated by parathyroid hormone and other agents which increase cyclic AMP in bone.     

Potentiation of cholera toxin-stimulated cyclic AMP production in cultured cells by inhibitors of RNA and protein synthesis

Cyclic AMP increased 8- to 10-fold after a 3-h treatment with 6 nM cholera toxin in rat C6-2B astrocytoma cells. In the presence of cycloheximide, cholera toxin increased intracellular cyclic AMP about 50-fold. Qualitatively similar potentiation of cholera toxin action by cycloheximide was observed in isolated swine aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. Cycloheximide, by itself, had no effect upon cyclic AMP levels and did not alter the apparent Ka for cyclic AMP generation by cholera toxin in the cells. Also, cycloheximide did not appear to augment cholera toxin action via inhibition of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase. Puromycin and actinomycin D also augmented cholera toxin action in C6-2B cells. Potentiation of cholera toxin-increased cyclic AMP formation by cycloheximide was correlated with the inhibition of [14C]leucine incorporation into protein. These results indicate that the ability of cholera toxin to stimulate cyclic AMP production in C6-2B astrocytoma and swine vascular smooth muscle cells is enhanced by inhibition of de novo protein synthesis.     

In Vivo Evidence that Lithium Inactivates Gi Modulation of Adenylate Cyclase in Brain

In vivo microdialysis of cyclic AMP from prefrontal cortex complemented by ex vivo measures was used to investigate the possibility that lithium produces functional changes in G proteins that could account for its effects on adenylate cyclase activity. Four weeks of lithium administration (serum lithium concentration of 0.85 +/- 0.05 mM; n = 11) significantly increased the basal cyclic AMP content in dialysate from prefrontal cortex of anesthetized rats. Forskolin infused through the probe increased dialysate cyclic AMP, but the magnitude of this increase was unaffected by chronic lithium administration. Inactivation of the inhibitory guanine nucleotide binding protein Gi with pertussis toxin increased dialysate cyclic AMP in control rats, as did stimulation with cholera toxin (which activates the stimulatory guanine nucleotide binding protein Gs). The effect of pertussis toxin was abolished following chronic lithium, whereas the increase in cyclic AMP after cholera toxin was enhanced. In vitro pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP ribosylation of alpha i (and alpha o) was increased by 20% in prefrontal cortex from lithium-treated rats, but the alpha i and alpha s contents (as determined by immunoblot) as well as the cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP ribosylation of alpha s were unchanged. Taken together, these results suggest that chronic lithium administration may interfere with the dissociation of Gi into its active components and thereby remove a tonic inhibitory influence on adenylate cyclase, with resultant enhanced basal and cholera toxin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity.     

Cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate in the choroid plexus: stimulation by cholera toxin.

Cholera toxin was found to induce high accumulations of cyclic AMP in the isolated choroid plexus of the rabbit and in the incubation medium. The accumulation showed a characteristic lag phase of at least 30 min and continued for at least 3 hours. Inactivated cholera toxin was unable to increase cyclic AMP levels. There was only a moderate effect of cholera toxin on cyclic AMP “low K_m” phosphodiesterase activity in homogenates. The effect of cholera toxin on cyclic AMP levels confirms the existance of a potent cyclic AMP generating system in the choroid plexus which is activated also by β-adrenergic agonists, histamine and prostaglandin E₁.     

Characterization of the homologous and heterologous desensitization of rat Leydig-tumour-cell adenylate cyclase.

The homologous and heterologous desensitization of rat Leydig-tumour-cell adenylate cyclase induced by lutropin (LH) was characterized with the aid of forskolin and cholera toxin. Forskolin stimulated cyclic AMP production in a dose-dependent manner, with linear kinetics up to 2h. Forskolin also potentiated the action of LH on cyclic AMP production, but was only additive with cholera toxin. Preincubation of rat Leydig tumour cells with LH (1.0 micrograms/ml) for 1 h produced a desensitization of the subsequent LH (1.0 micrograms/ml)-stimulated cyclic AMP production, whereas the responses to cholera toxin (5.0 micrograms/ml), forskolin (100 microM), LH plus forskolin or cholera toxin plus forskolin were unaltered. In contrast, preincubation with LH for 20h produced a desensitization to all the stimuli tested. When rat Leydig tumour cells were preincubated for 1h with forskolin or dibutyryl cyclic AMP, the only subsequent response that was significantly altered was that to LH plus forskolin after preincubation with forskolin. However, preincubation for 20h with forskolin or dibutyryl cyclic AMP induced a desensitization to all stimuli subsequently tested. LH produced a rapid (0-1h) homologous desensitization, which was followed by a slower (2-8h)-onset heterologous desensitization. Forskolin and dibutyryl cyclic AMP were only able to induce heterologous desensitization. The rate of desensitization induced by either forskolin or dibutyryl cyclic AMP was similar to the rate of heterologous desensitization induced by LH. These results demonstrate that in purified rat Leydig tumour cells LH produces an initial homologous desensitization of adenylate cyclase that involves a cyclic AMP-independent lesion at or proximal to the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (G-protein). This is followed by heterologous desensitization, which can also be induced by forskolin or dibutyryl cyclic AMP, thus indicating that LH-induced heterologous desensitization of rat Leydig-tumour-cell adenylate cyclase involves a cyclic AMP-dependent lesion that is after the G-protein.     

Regulation of adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate content of rous sarcoma virus-transformed human astrocytoma cells. Effects of cholera toxin on the responsiveness to catecholamines and prostaglandins.

Human astrocytoma cells (EH118MG) respond to catecholamines and prostaglandins with a marked increase in the rate of formation of cyclic AMP. Treatment of EH118MG cells with cholera toxin (10 to 100 ng/ml) for 45 to 60 min caused an increase in cellular cyclic AMP content (5- to 10-fold over basal). Cholera toxin also decreased the K0.5 for isoproterenol 10- to 50-fold and decreased the K0.5 for prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)30- to 100-fold, while increasing the maximal response to PGE1 by 1.5- to 3-fold. Treatment with cholera toxin did not change the K1 values for beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists such as propranolol, alprenolol, and sotalol. Direct binding studies using [125I]iodohydroxybenzylpindolol indicated no significant changes in the number of beta-receptors or in the kinetics of the interaction of the radioligand with receptors after treatment of cells with the toxin. Competition binding studies with propranolol and sotalol revealed no toxin-induced change in Kd values for these antagonists. Treatment with cholera toxin caused only small decreases (2- to 3-fold) in the Kd values for binding of isoproterenol and norepinephrine. It is concluded that cholera toxin has little direct effect on the binding of agonists or antagonists to beta-receptors, but instead increases the efficiency of coupling of receptor and catalytic moieties of adenylate cyclase.     

Human platelets are defective in processing of cholera toxin.

Cholera toxin is unable to elevate cyclic AMP levels in intact human platelets despite being very efficacious in this respect in other mammalian cells; in the presence of 0.5 mM-isobutylmethylxanthine, we found that 3-6nM-cholera toxin over 3h at 37 degrees C elevated platelet cyclic AMP from 33 +/- 13 to 39 +/- 12pmol/mg of protein (means +/- S.D.; n = 12). We have investigated the basis for this lack of response. 125I-labelled cholera toxin bound to platelets both saturably and with high affinity (Kd congruent to 60pM; Bmax. congruent to 50fmol/mg of protein). Incubation of platelets with the putative cholera toxin receptor monosialoganglioside GM1 enhanced 125I-labelled cholera toxin binding at least 40-fold but facilitated only a minimal (less than or equal to 3-fold) elevation of platelet cyclic AMP levels. In contrast, dithiothreitol-activated cholera toxin markedly stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in platelet membranes. Platelet cytosol both enhanced stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity by activated cholera toxin (A1 subunit) and supported stimulation by the A1-A2 subunit of cholera toxin. Neither GTP nor NAD+, both necessary for response to cholera toxin, was lacking in intact platelets. However, we found that platelets were unable to cleave cholera toxin to the active A1 subunit (as assessed by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis). By contrast, murine S49 lymphoma cells were able to generate the A1 subunit with a time course that closely resembled the kinetics of toxin-mediated cyclic AMP accumulation in these cells. Thus we conclude that human platelets are defective in their ability to process surface-bound cholera toxin. These results indicate that binding of cholera toxin to surface receptors is necessary, but not sufficient, for expression of the toxin effect and the generation of the A1 subunit of the toxin may be rate-limiting for expression of cholera toxin response.     

Genetic evidence that a phorbol ester tumor promoter stimulates ornithine decarboxylase activity by a pathway that is independent of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinases in CHO cells

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) inductions by cholera toxin and by the phorbol ester tumor promoter, TPA, were compared in wild-type Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and in mutant cells having altered cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity. The aim of these studies was to determine whether cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase is involved in these inductions. The time course and the magnitude of ODC inductions by either 100 ng/ml cholera toxin or 100 ng/ml TPA were similar in wild-type cells with a maximum at 3-4 hours after treatment and a return to unstimulated levels by 8 hours. Induction of ODC by cholera toxin was suppressed more than 80% in the four protein kinase mutants studied (10215, 10248, 10260, and 10265), strongly implicating a cyclic AMP-dependent kinase step in the mechanism of induction. Similar results were found with the cyclic AMP analog 8-Br-cyclic AMP and the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, methyl-isobutylxanthine. The induction of ODC by TPA, on the other hand, was only partially inhibited (approximately 50%) in three of four mutants. Lower ODC activity in two mutants stimulated by cholera toxin or TPA whose kinetics were studied in more detail could not be ascribed to a reduced affinity (Km) of ornithine for the enzyme, but appeared to be due to reduced catalytic activity (Vmax) in the extracts. These results suggest that the induction of ODC by TPA proceeds by a mechanism which is only partially dependent on an intact cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity.     

Inhibition by cholera toxin of parathyroid hormone-induced calcium release from bone in culture.

Cholera toxin was added to the culture of fetal rat limb bone and its effect on calcium release as well as on adenylate cyclase activity was examined. Cholera toxin increased the content of adenosine 3′:5′-monophosphate (cAMP) in bone. The effect on cAMP was of slower onset and of longer duration as compared with parathyroid hormone (PTH) effect. PTH added to the tissue which had been stimulated by cholera toxin increased cAMP further but the effect was partially additive. In contrary to PTH which caused a clear calcium mobilization, cholera toxin by itself had no effect or rather inhibited the release of ⁴⁵Ca from the prelabeled bone. When the toxin (0.1–1 μg/ml) was combined with PTH (10 U/ml), calcium release stimulated by PTH was completely abolished.