Proof of guanylate cyclase activity in the coronary artery of cattle]

Guanylate cyclase activities were identified in a soluble fraction and a particular fraction obtained from the Arteria coronaria of cattle. The Km-value was 1.0 +/- 0.7 - 10(-4) M for the enzyme substrate complex of the guanylate cyclase of the soluble fraction and 9.2 +/- 1.5 - 10(-4) M for the particular fraction. For the enzyme activity of the soluble fraction Mn++ cannot be replaced by Ca++ or Mg++, whereas for the enzyme activity of the particulate fraction Mn++ can be replaced by Mg++ but not by Ca++. The guanylate cyclase of the particulate fraction can be activated by acetylcholine. This activation can be cancelled by atropine. Acetylcholine exerts no influence on the guanylate cyclase activity of the soluble fraction. ATP inhibits the enzyme activities of both fractions whereas cAMP shows no influence on the guanylate cyclase activity.     

Calmodulin regulation of adenylate cyclase activity

Calmodulin-dependent stimulation of adenylate cyclase was initially thought to be a unique feature of neural tissues. In recent years evidence to the contrary has accumulated, calmodulin-dependent stimulation of adenylate cyclase now being demonstrated in a wide range of structurally unrelated tissues and species. Demonstration of the existence of calmodulin-dependent adenylate cyclase has in nearly all instances required the removal of endogenous calmodulin. It is not yet clear whether calmodulin-dependent and calmodulin-independent forms of the enzyme exist and whether some tissues (such as heart) lack a calmodulin-dependent adenylate cyclase. The presence of calmodulin appears largely responsible for the ability of the adenylate cyclase enzyme to be stimulated by submicromolar concentrations of calcium; it may not be relevant to the inhibition of the enzyme which occurs at higher concentrations of calcium. The physical relationship of calmodulin to the plasma membrane bound enzyme (or to the soluble forms of the enzyme) is not known nor is the mechanism of adenylate cyclase activation by calmodulin clear; current data suggest some involvement with both the N and C units of the enzyme. Finally, it is possible that in vivo calcium contributes to the duration of the hormone stimulated cyclic AMP signal. Thus current in vitro data suggest that optimal hormonal activation of calmodulin-dependent adenylate cyclase occurs at very low intracellular calcium concentrations, comparable to those found in the resting cell; conversely the enzyme is inhibited as intracellular calcium increases, following for example agonist stimulation of the cell. These higher calcium concentrations would then activate calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterase. Such differential effects of calcium on adenylate cyclase and phosphodiesterase would ultimately restrict the duration of the hormone-induced cyclic AMP signal.     

Demonstration of protein kinase activities in the coronary artery of cattle]

Protein kinase activities were identified in a soluble and a particulate fraction from the A. coronaria of cattle. For both protein kinase activities Mg++ is essential. Protamine was used as a substrate of the protein kinase activity of the soluble fraction. The pH optimum of the protein kinase activity of the soluble fraction is around 6.5. The Km-value of the protein kinase for ATP is 1.9 +/- 0.4 - 10(-5) M. cAMP stimulates the protein kinase activity more effectively than cGMP. Ca++ cannot replace Mg++; monovalent cations (Na+ and K+) show no influence. The protein kinase activity of the fraction was determined via endogenous phosphorylation. By means of the cAMP-dependent particulate protein kinase 72 to 80 percent of the serine residues are phosphorylated. The pH optimum of the protein kinase activity of the particulate fraction lies around 7.0. The Km-value of the enzyme for ATP is 6.6 +/- 0.8 - 10(-5) M. cGMP stimulates the protein kinase of the particulate fraction better than cAMP. For the protein kinase activity of this fraction Ca++ replaces Mg++ in the endogenous phosphorylation but not in the exogenous phosphorylation (protamine). In the presence of Mg++ and in the additional presence of Na+ or K+, the protein kinase activity is suppressed in the endogenous phosphorylation whereas it is stimulated in the exogenous phosphorylation.     

Impaired adenylate cyclase activity of phenylhydrazine-induced reticulocytes

A method which involves Percoll gradient centrifugation, is described for separating rabbit reticulocytes from other blood cells, including erythrocytes. This permits a quantitative comparison of the adenylate cyclase activity of reticulocyte membranes which had been induced either by bleeding (30% reticulocytosis) or by repeated injections of phenylhydrazine (90% reticulocytosis). Adenylate cyclase activity was greatly impaired on exposure to the hemolytic agent; total activity was reduced about 20-fold. However, a more selective loss was observed in terms of hormonal stimulation. Prostaglandin E1 was 2-fold more effective than either sodium fluoride or Forskolin in stimulating the enzyme from bled reticulocytes, whereas it was 3-fold less effective than either fluoride or Forskolin in the case of membranes from animals which had been exposed to phenylhydrazine. A stimulatory adenosine receptor was detectable only in reticulocytes which had not been treated with the hemolytic agent. These studies suggest that purified reticulocytes from bled animals represent the most suitable model system in which to study the maturation of red blood cells.     

Ultracytochemical study of adenylate cyclase activity in Hela cell culture exposed to fluorine]

Electron microscopy has been used to study the adenylate cyclase activity in Hela cells after the incubation with 1.5 p. p. m. of fluoride for 5.30 and 60 minutes. It is established that the action of fluoride is accompanied by the increased enzyme activity in cell plasmalemma. Besides, the adenylate cyclase activity is revealed in the membrane of lipid droplets. In the mitotic cells a decrease of the enzyme activity in plasma membrane is observed parallel with its simultaneous increase in the metaphase chromosomes.     

Soluble adenylate cyclase activity in Neurospora crassa.

A soluble form of adenylate cyclase was extracted from mycelia of Neurospora crassa wild-type strains. This enzyme activity was purified by chromatography on hexyl-amino-Sepharose, agarose and Blue Sepharose and preparative polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. On sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, peak fractions from the later purification steps showed a main polypeptide band with an apparent molecular weight of about 66 000. The following hydrodynamic and molecular parameters were established for the Neurospora soluble adenylate cyclase activity: sedimentation coefficient, 6.25 S; Stokes radius, 7.3 nm; partial specific volume, 0.74 ml/g; molecular weight, 202 000; frictional ratio, 1.65. The isoelectric point of this enzyme activity was 4.65. The enzyme was not activated by GTP, [beta gamma-imido]GTP, fluoride or cholera toxin.     

Guanylate cyclase activity in Escherichia coli mutants defective in adenylate cyclase.

Guanylate cyclase, which catalyzes the synthesis of guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate, has been assayed in several strains of Escherichia coli. They include wild-type cells and mutants defective in adenylate cyclase, which is responsible for the synthesis of adenosine 3',5'-phosphate. Our results demonstrate that adenylate cyclase and guanylate cyclase are two different enzymes in E. coli and suggest that the gene that encodes adenylate cyclase also plays a regulatory role in the synthesis of guanylate cyclase.     

Atrial natriuretic factor inhibits adenylate cyclase activity

The synthetic atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) (8- 33AA ) inhibited adenylate cyclase activity in aorta washed particles, mesenteric artery, and renal artery homogenates in a concentration dependent manner with an apparent Ki between 0.1 to 1nM . The extent of inhibition of adenylate cyclase by ANF varied from tissue to tissue. The adenylate cyclase from mesenteric artery and renal artery was inhibited to a greater extent as compared to that from aorta. ANF was also able to inhibit the stimulatory effects of hormones on adenylate cyclase activity and of agents such as F- and forskolin which activate adenylate cyclase by receptor- independent mechanism. In addition, ANF showed an additive effect with the inhibitory response of angiotensin II on adenylate cyclase from rat aorta. These studies for the first time demonstrate that ANF is an inhibitor of adenylate cyclase of several systems.     

cAMP and adenylate cyclase activity in Streptomyces granaticolor

Abstract Intracellular and extracellular cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) levels were determined during the growth of Streptomyces granaticolor . The intracellular level of cAMP represents not more than 10% of the total amount. cAMP synthesis varies in cultures growing on different carbon sources. The activity of adenylate cyclase in intact cells is strictly dependent on the presence of a metabolizable carbon source.     

Effects of chronic gamma irradiation on the activity of adenylate cyclase in rat lung tissue]

Different phase changes were observed in adenylate cyclase (AC) activity of pulmonary tissue plasma membranes under chronic gamma-irradiation of rats at a dose-rate of 12.9 cGy/day. Comparison of AC basal activity with the data reported earlier on changes in ornithine decarboxylase activity under similar radiation conditions showed unidirectional changes which indicated that cAMP-dependent processes were possibly involved in radiation modification of ornithine decarboxylase.     

Ultracytochemical localization of adenylate cyclase activity in rat thymocytes

Summary Ultrastructural localization of adenylate cyclase (AC) activity was investigated in suspensions of unfixed isolated rat thymocytes using a medium containing 0.6 mM 5-adenylylimidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP) as a substrate, 10 mM MgSO₄ as an activator, 5 mM theophylline as an inhibitor of 3,5-AMP-phosphodiesterase and 2 mM lead nitrate as a capturing agent. AC activity was demonstrated in plasma membrane, perinuclear space, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex, centriole microtubules and mitochondria. AC was activated with 10^–4 M adrenalin in the presence of 5-guanylylimido-diphosphate (GMP-PNP) as well as with 10^–2 M NaF. In the cells incubated in a medium devoid of theophylline and containing 5-AMP instead of AMP-PNP, 5-nucleotidase activity was observed in the same cell structures as AC activity. Hydrolysis of 5-AMP in the nucleus was much stronger than that of AMP-PNP. 10 mM NaF markedly inhibited hydrolysis of 5-AMP in all cell structures. No staining was observed with 2 mM -glycerophosphate as a substrate. Incubation of unfixed thymocytes in media containing AMP-PNP, 5-AMP or p-nitrophenyl phosphate, but not -glycerophosphate, induced both in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm in some cells an appearance of a transitory reticular formation consisting of about 30 nm thick strands which could penetrate the nuclear envelope and plasma membrane and form connections with adjacent cells. The transitory reticular formation seems to belong to the cytoskeleton and to be involved in cell aggregation.     

Ultrastructural localization of adenylate cyclase activity in chicken osteoclasts

Using lead citrate as a capture reagent and adenylate-(beta, gamma-methylene) diphosphate (AMP-PCP) as a substrate, we localized adenylate cyclase activity on the non-ruffled border plasma membrane of approximately half of the osteoclasts on trabecular bone surfaces in the tibial metaphyses of chickens fed a low (0.3%)-calcium diet. The enzyme was not detectable in osteoclasts when chickens were fed a normal calcium diet. Activity was observed on the entire plasma membrane of detached osteoclasts that were situated between osteoblasts on the bone surface and blood vessels in the marrow cavity. Detection of activity on detached osteoclasts required the presence of an activator, implying lower levels in these cells than in those with ruffled borders. Staining was greater on the lateral sides of osteoblasts and osteoclasts when they were in contact with each other. Reaction specificity was indicated by the demonstration of stimulation by forskolin, guanylate-(beta, gamma-methylene) diphosphate (GMP-PCP), dimethylsulfoxide, and NaF, inhibition by alloxan and 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine, and absence of activity when sections were incubated in substrate-free medium or when GMP-PCP replaced AMP-PCP as a substrate. The finding of adenylate cyclase in osteoclast plasma membrane provides structural evidence that the adenylate cyclase-cyclic AMP system has a role in regulation of osteoclast cell function. The low-calcium diet appears to have resulted in increased amounts of adenylate cyclase in osteoclasts.     

Cytochemical demonstration of adenylate cyclase activity with cerium

Cerium was applied for the ultrastructural, cytochemical localization of adenylate cyclase (EC 4.6.1.1.). The enzyme activity was stimulated with norepinephrine, prenalterol and cholera toxin in the brown fat cells of newborn rats. The final reaction product was observed in the plasmalemmas of the stimulated adipocytes. The precipitate was finely crystalline, easily visible in the electron microscope and in the X-ray microprobe analysis it yielded cerium and phosphate peaks, respectively. The use of cerium offers a new tool valid for the cytochemical localization of adenylate cyclase enzyme related to the membrane receptors.     

Multiple regulation of the activity of adenylate cyclase in Escherichia coli

Summary We have studied the correlation between the activities of adenylate cyclase (ATP pyrophosphatelyase-(cyclizing); EC 4.6.1.1) and in vivo rates of synthesis and intracellular concentrations of adenosine 3,5 cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) under various growth conditions in wild-type Escherichia coli and in mutants lacking or overproducing the cAMP receptor protein (CAP). We showed that when wild-type bacteria are grown in the presence of a variety of carbon sources the intracellular concentrations of cAMP are inversely related to the adenylate cyclase activities determined in permeabilized cells, suggesting that the carbon source-dependent modulation of cAMP levels is not directly related to the regulation of adenylate cyclase activity. In mutants lacking functional CAP (crp) the in vivo rates of cAMP synthesis are several hundred-fold higher than in the wild-type parent without a parallel increase of adenylate cyclase activities. In a strain carrying multiple copies of the crp gene and overproducing CAP the activity of adenylate cyclase is severely inhibited, although the in vivo rate of cAMP synthesis is similar to the parental strain. We interpret these results as indicating that CAP controls mainly the activity rather than the synthesis of adenylate cyclase.     

Modulation byn-alkanols of rat cardiac adenylate cyclase activity

Summary n-Alkanols (from methanol to decanol) have a biphasic effect on rat cardiac adenylate cyclase either basal or stimulated by GTP, GppNHp, NaF or hormones (isoproterenol, glucagon, secretin) in the presence of GTP. At high concentration, all the enzyme activities are inhibited. At low concentration, adenylate cyclase activity is either unchanged or potentiated depending on both the stimulus and the alkanols involved. Potentiation is due to an increase of maximum velocity with no change in the activation constant of the enzyme. Basal activity is unchanged as well as the isoproterenol-and glucagon-stimulated enzyme. The secretin-stimulated enzyme is potentiated. It is the guanyl nucleotide regulatory protein-mediated stimulation of adenylate cyclase which is mainly affected. An attempt was made to relate these effects on adenylate cyclase with physical parameters of the alkanols (partition coefficient). From the data obtained as a function of the alkanol chain-length and of temperature on the adenylate cyclase stimulated by GTP, GppNHp, NaF and permanently activated, it is concluded that the increase in efficacy observed in the presence of alkanol is due to an interaction with the protein moeity particularly with the guanyl nucleotide regulatory protein.