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Biomedical subjects

F Murad

Publications and source records attributed to F Murad.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Generation of an endothelium-derived relaxing factor-like substance in bovine tracheal smooth muscle.

The mechanism of the accumulation of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) induced by carbachol was investigated in bovine tracheal smooth muscle preparations. The effects of carbachol on cGMP were prevented with methylene blue, hemoglobin, or atropine, indicating that the increase of cGMP induced by carbachol is due to the activation of muscarinic cholinergic receptors and is mediated by the stimulation of soluble guanylyl cyclase. The elevation in cGMP induced by carbachol was also inhibited by the superoxide anion-generating compound pyrogallol (100 microM). This inhibition was reversed by superoxide dismutase (100 U/ml). Furthermore, NG-methyl-L-arginine (100 microM) and NG-nitro-L-arginine (3 microM) inhibited cGMP accumulation induced by carbachol, and this was reversed by the addition of L-arginine (1 mM). These results suggest that an endothelium-derived relaxing factor-like substance is generated in the course of carbachol-induced cGMP accumulation in bovine tracheal smooth muscle and that the precursor of this substance is L-arginine.

Animals↗

Endothelin increases cyclic GMP levels in LLC-PK1 porcine kidney epithelial cells via formation of an endothelium-derived relaxing factor-like substance.

The effect of endothelin (ET) on cyclic GMP levels in cultured porcine kidney epithelial cells, LLC-PK1, was investigated. ET-1 or ET-3, but not big ET-1 or ET C-terminal hexapeptide 16-21, elevated cyclic GMP levels in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC50 value of about 5 x 10(-10) M. This effect of ET-1 was enhanced with superoxide dismutase, diminished with oxyhemoglobin, inhibited with methylene blue, totally dependent on extracellular calcium and unaffected by indomethacin. L-Arginine derivatives, NG-methyl-L-arginine and NG-nitro-L-arginine also inhibited cyclic GMP responses to 10(-8) M ET-1 with IC50 values of 1.2 x 10(-6) M and 7.6 x 10(-8) M, respectively, and the inhibition was prevented with L-arginine. These data strongly suggest that ET-1 stimulates formation of an endothelium-derived relaxing factor-like substance from L-arginine or a related endogenous material(s) in a Ca(++)-dependent fashion, which in turn activates soluble guanylate cyclase to elevate cellular cyclic GMP levels. The concentrations required for these effects were 10 times lower than those required for atrial natriuretic factor. Thus, the effects of ET on cyclic GMP accumulation may be related to the natriuretic effects of ET in vivo.

Animals↗

Formation of endothelium-derived relaxing factor in porcine kidney epithelial LLC-PK1 cells: an intra- and intercellular messenger for activation of soluble guanylate cyclase.

Oxytocin, bradykinin, melittin and A23187 increased cyclic GMP levels through activation of soluble guanylate cyclase in cultured porcine kidney epithelial cells, LLC-PK1. NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, an inhibitor of endothelium-derived relaxing factor/nitric oxide formation, decreased both basal and stimulated levels of cyclic GMP in a concentration-dependent manner. L-Arginine, but not D-arginine, augmented basal as well as stimulated levels of cyclic GMP and prevented the inhibition induced by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine. Similar effects of L-arginine were also observed with L-argininamide, L-arginine ethyl ester, L-arginine methyl ester and the dipeptide L-arginyl-L-aspartic acid. NG-monomethyl-L-arginine did not affect cyclic GMP accumulation induced by sodium nitroprusside, an activator of soluble guanylate cyclase, and atrial natriuretic factor, an activator of particulate guanylate cyclase. Stimulatory effects of oxytocin, glyceryl trinitrate, sodium nitroprusside, bradykinin, melittin and A23187 on cyclic GMP accumulation were enhanced with superoxide dismutase and diminished with oxyhemoglobin. However, atrial natriuretic factor-induced cyclic GMP accumulation was not affected. Furthermore, endothelium derived relaxing factor-like activity was detected in the conditioned medium from LLC-PK1 cells stimulated with oxytocin. Based on these data, we conclude that endothelium-derived relaxing factor is produced in this cell type and participates in the regulatory mechanism of cyclic GMP formation as an intra- and intercellular messenger for activation of soluble guanylate cyclase.

Animals↗

Molecular cloning and expression of cDNAs coding for soluble guanylate cyclase from rat lung.

Complementary DNA clones corresponding to the 70- and 82-kDa subunits of soluble guanylate cyclase of rat lung have been isolated. Blot hybridization of total poly(A)+ RNA from rat tissues detected mRNA of about 3.4 kilobases for the 70-kDa subunit and about 5.5 kilobases for the 82-kDa subunit. Messenger RNA levels of both subunits were abundant in lung and cerebrum, moderate in cerebellum, heart, and kidney, and low in liver and muscle, consistent with previously described enzyme activities in these tissues. Southern blot analysis of high molecular weight genomic DNA from rat liver indicated that the genes for the 70- and 82-kDa subunits are different. The carboxyl-terminal region of the 70- and 82-kDa subunits showed a high degree of homology and also had a partial homology with the putative catalytic domain of particulate guanylate cyclase and adenylate cyclase, indicating that both the 70- and 82-kDa subunits have catalytic domains. The cDNAs were subcloned to an expression vector and transfected to L cells. The cells transfected with cDNA of the 70-kDa subunit or the 82-kDa subunit showed no guanylate cyclase activity, whereas the cells transfected with both the 70- and 82-kDa subunit cDNAs showed significant guanylate cyclase activity that was activated markedly by sodium nitroprusside. These data suggest that both subunits are required for both the basal catalytic and regulatory activity of soluble guanylate cyclase. Presumably both catalytic subunits must be present and interactive to permit synthesis of cyclic GMP and nitrovasodilator activation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Regional distribution of EDRF/NO-synthesizing enzyme(s) in rat brain.

Stimulation of soluble guanylyl cyclase and increase in cyclic GMP in rat fetal lung fibroblasts (RFL-6 cells) was used as a bioassay to detect EDRF/NO formation. The cytosolic fraction of whole rat brain synthesized an EDRF/NO-like material in a process dependent on L-arginine and NADPH. The enzymatic activity was destroyed by boiling and inhibited by N omega-nitro-L-arginine. Hemoglobin and methylene blue blocked the effect of EDRF/NO. When different brain regions were analyzed in the presence of L-arginine and NADPH, the cytosolic fraction from cerebellum showed the highest EDRF/NO-forming activity (2-3 times higher than whole brain). Activity similar to whole brain was found in hypothalamus and midbrain. Enzymatic activities in striatum, hippocampus and cerebral cortex were about two thirds of whole brain. The lowest activity (less than half of whole brain) was found in the medulla oblongata.

Amino Acid Oxidoreductases↗

Characterization of ATP-stimulated guanylate cyclase activation in rat lung membranes.

Many of the effects of ANP are mediated through the elevation of cellular cGMP levels by the activation of particulate guanylate cyclase. While the stimulation of this enzyme is receptor-mediated, the molecular mechanism of activation remains unknown. In this study we present evidence that ATP as well as its analogues adenosine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATP gamma S) and adenylylimidophosphate (AMPPNP) activates guanylate cyclase from rat lung membranes and markedly potentiates the effect of ANP on the enzyme. The order of potency is ATP gamma S greater than ATP greater than AMPPNP. The enzyme activation by adenine nucleotide and ANP together is much more than the sum of the individual activations, suggesting that ATP may be the physiological component essential for the ANP-stimulated guanylate cyclase activation. The ATP gamma S-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity diminishes in the presence of various kinds of detergents, suggesting either that the conformation of an ATP binding site in guanylate cyclase is altered by detergents or that protein-protein interaction may be involved in the activation of guanylate cyclase by ATP. Guanylate cyclase from rat lung membranes is poorly activated by ANP and/or ATP gamma S after removing the cytosolic and weakly membrane-associated proteins or factors by centrifugation. Pre-incubation of the membranes with ATP gamma S retains enzyme activation after membrane washing. These results suggest either that ATP gamma S stabilizes the conformation of nucleotide binding site in guanylate cyclase from denaturation by membrane washing, or that the stimulatory effect of ATP on guanylate cyclase activity may be mediated by accessory proteins or non-protein cofactors which are lost during membrane washing, but remain bound to membranes by ATP gamma S pretreatment.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Radiation inactivation target-size analysis of soluble guanylate cyclase.

The soluble form of guanylate cyclase, which is a heterodimer of two subunits with molecular weights of 82,000 and 70,000, was analyzed by radiation inactivation experiments to determine its functional size. Lyophilized crude extract from rat lung or the purified enzyme were irradiated with different doses from 60Co gamma-rays, and the residual activities were measured in the presence or absence of a potent activator, sodium nitroprusside. The target sizes for the basal activity and for the activity in the presence of sodium nitroprusside were calculated from the decay curve was 77 and 192 kDa, respectively, on the crude enzyme, or as 71 and 163 kDa, respectively, on the purified enzyme. The size for the activatable form of the enzyme was more than twice that of the basal activity and close to the size of the holoenzyme, implying that the enzyme activity must reside on one of the subunits and the activation by sodium nitroprusside requires interaction of both subunits.

Animals↗

N omega-nitro-L-arginine: a potent inhibitor of endothelium-derived relaxing factor formation.

Endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) released from cultured endothelial cells was assayed by examining changes in cyclic GMP levels of rat lung fibroblasts. N omega-nitro-L-arginine and NG-monomethyl-L-arginine inhibited basal and A23187-, ATP- and melittin-induced EDRF release, and the inhibition was prevented with L-arginine. The IC50 values of N omega-nitro-L-arginine and NG-monomethyl-L-arginine for EDRF release evoked with 1 microM A23187 were 230 nM and 16 microM, respectively. N omega-nitro-L-arginine and NG-monomethyl-L-arginine did not affect cyclic GMP accumulation in the fibroblasts with atrial natriuretic factor or sodium nitroprusside. Thus, N omega-nitro-L-arginine is 70 times more potent than NG-monomethyl-L-arginine as a specific inhibitor of EDRF formation/release.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Mechanism of cyclic GMP inhibition of inositol phosphate formation in rat aorta segments and cultured bovine aortic smooth muscle cells.

In order to clarify the mechanism(s) by which cyclic GMP inhibits the generation of inositol phosphates in rat aorta segments and cultured bovine aortic smooth muscle cells, we studied phosphoinositide hydrolysis and GTPase activity in homogenates and membrane preparations of cultured bovine aortic smooth muscle cells. Pretreatment of homogenate preparations with cyclic GMP plus ATP did not inhibit [8-arginine, 3H] vasopressin (AVP) binding, but resulted in a total suppression of the AVP-induced GTPase activation. The pretreatment with cyclic GMP and ATP also inhibited the formation of inositol phosphates induced by AVP in the presence of low concentrations of guanosine 5'-(gamma-thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S), or by high concentrations of GTP gamma S alone. However, the formation of inositol phosphates by high concentrations of Ca2+ alone was not blocked. These results suggest that the ability of cyclic GMP to inhibit phosphoinositide hydrolysis results from an inhibition of a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein activation, and the interaction between guanine nucleotide regulatory protein and phospholipase C. While the precise site of this inhibition is not presently known, the inhibition by cyclic GMP is dependent upon the addition of ATP and probably entails a phosphorylation event since adenylylimidodiphosphate can not substitute for the ATP requirement.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Production of an EDRF-like activity in the cytosol of N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells.

Accumulation of cyclic GMP in cultured rat lung fibroblasts was used to test the hypothesis that N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells produce an endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF)-like activity. By using this assay, the production of an EDRF-like activity in homogenates and cytosolic fractions of N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells was observed. Detection of the activity required the presence of superoxide dismutase and was inhibited by hemoglobin. Production of the EDRF-like factor was dependent on L-arginine and NADPH. The apparent Km for L-arginine was 1.25 microM and the apparent Km for NADPH was 1.67 microM. The production of the EDRF-like activity was inhibited by the L-arginine analogs, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine and NG-nitro-L-arginine, with apparent Ki values of 1.0 and 0.3 microM, respectively.

Animals↗

N omega-nitro-L-arginine: a potent inhibitor of the L-arginine-dependent soluble guanylate cyclase activation pathway in LLC-PK1 cells.

Oxytocin increased cyclic GMP levels in LLC-PK1 porcine kidney epithelial cells through activation of soluble guanylate cyclase. NG-Monomethyl-L-arginine and N omega-nitro-L-arginine inhibited oxytocin (10 microM) induced cyclic GMP accumulation with IC50 values of 2.3 microM and 140 nM, respectively, and the inhibition was prevented with L-arginine. Both inhibitors at 100 microM lowered the basal levels of cyclic GMP, but did not affect those induced by 1 microM sodium nitroprusside and 100 nM atrial natriuretic factor. These data support our hypothesis that an endothelium-derived relaxing factor-like substance is formed as the endogenous activator of soluble guanylate cyclase in an L-arginine-dependent fashion in various cell types. N omega-Nitro-L-arginine is 16 times more potent than NG-monomethyl-L-arginine as a specific inhibitor of this pathway in LLC-PK1 cells.

Animals↗

Hormone-induced biosynthesis of endothelium-derived relaxing factor/nitric oxide-like material in N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells requires calcium and calmodulin.

Stimulation of soluble guanylyl cyclase in rat fetal lung fibroblasts (RFL-6 cells) was used as a sensitive assay for endothelium-derived relaxing factor/nitric oxide (EDRF/NO) formation. Intact N1E-115 cells released an EDRF/NO-like material that enhanced cyclic GMP levels in RFL-6 cells. The synthesis of this substance could be stimulated with the receptor agonist neurotensin (10 microM) or by addition of the EDRF/NO substrate L-arginine (100 microM). In Ca2(+)-free Locke's solution, stimulation of EDRF/NO production by both neurotensin and L-arginine was abolished. The EDRF/NO-synthesizing activity was localized in the cytosol of N1E-115 cells. The activity was lost after boiling and it was highly sensitive to Ca2+ with the major increase in activity occurring between 100 and 500 nM Ca2+. L-Arginine and NADPH were required for maximal synthesis of EDRF/NO by the enzyme(s). The synthesis of EDRF/NO was inhibited by the following antagonists of calmodulin-regulated functions (with the approximate IC50 values given in parentheses): calmidazolium (7 microM), trifluoperazine (10 microM), fendiline (80 microM), W-7 (N-[6-aminohexyl]-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide) (120 microM), and compound 48/80 (3 micrograms/ml). The EDRF/NO-synthesizing activity was partially purified from N1E-115 cytosol by DE 52 anion exchange chromatography. The activity was eluted with 0.1 M KCl. The enzyme(s) showed very little activity in the presence of L-arginine (100 microM) and NADPH (100 microM), but the activity could be fully restored by addition of exogenous calmodulin (EC50, approximately 2 units/ml). At 0.3 M KCl, a fraction eluted from the DE 52 column that was also able to fully restore the EDRF/NO-synthesizing activity. Thus, this fraction is likely to contain the endogenous Ca2(+)-binding protein. It is concluded that the activity of the EDRF/NO-synthesizing enzyme(s) in N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells is regulated by Ca2+ and calmodulin.

Animals↗

Regulation of particulate guanylate cyclase by atriopeptins: relation between peptide structure, receptor binding, and enzyme kinetics.

Structural analogs of atriopeptins (APs) were compared for their ability to activate particulate guanylate cyclase and bind to specific receptors in rat adrenal membranes. All analogs tested increase Vmax without altering the concentration of substrate required for half-maximum activity or the positive coperativity exhibited by the enzyme. Maximum velocities (pmoles of cGMP produced per min per mg protein) achieved in the absence and presence of APs were 128.3 +/- 6.6 and 283.8 +/- 20.6 using Mn2+-GTP, and 53.7 +/- 3.7 and 149.9 +/- 7.6 using Mg2+-GTP as the substrate, respectively. Although all APs were equally efficacious in activating the enzyme, their rank potency was ANF (8-33) = AP III = AP II greater than AP I when either divalent cation was used as the cofactor. The EC50 for activation of guanylate cyclase by AP I was about 10(-7) M, while that for the other peptides was about 10(-8) M, using either divalent cation cofactor. 125I-labeled ANF bound to rat adrenal membranes with a KD of 5.10(-10) M. Although all APs were equally efficacious in competing with labeled ANF for receptor binding, their rank potency was identical to that for enzyme activation. The Ki for AP I was about 10(-8) M, while that for the other peptides was about 10(-10) M. These data suggest that the carboxy terminal Phe-Arg present in the AP analogs except AP I and critical for biological and receptor-binding activity are also important in coupling receptor-ligand interaction with guanylate cyclase activation. The correlation between the rank order potency for receptor binding, enzyme activation, and the reported physiological actions of APs support the suggestion of a functional coupling between these proteins.

Adrenal Glands↗

Comparison of particulate guanylate cyclase in cells with and without atrial natriuretic peptide receptor binding activity.

A line of kidney cells (PK1) which does not possess measurable ANP binding but has an active particulate guanylate cyclase has been identified. The physical characteristics of this enzyme were compared with those of particulate guanylate cyclase and ANP receptors isolated from rat lung. Although receptor and enzyme appear to reside on the same protein in the lung while the cyclase from PK1 cells does not possess ANP binding activity, these proteins exhibit identical physical characteristics. Guanylate cyclase from PK1 cells and rat lung and ANP receptor from lung co-eluted during gel filtration chromatography, with a Stokes radius of 6.1 nm. Also, these activities co-migrated through sucrose density gradients with S20,w values of 10.4 to 10.9. Using these parameters, a molecular weight of about 270 kD was estimated for all three activities. Furthermore, these enzyme activities exhibited similar mobilities in isoelectric focusing gels, with a pI of 6.1. Thus, although particulate guanylate cyclase from lung presumably possesses receptor binding activity, it is physically identical to a form of this enzyme associated with no measurable binding activity. Possible explanations for these observations are discussed.

Animals↗

Stimulatory effects of atrial natriuretic factor on phosphoinositide hydrolysis in cultured bovine aortic smooth muscle cells.

The effects of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) on phosphoinositide hydrolysis were examined in preparations of cultured bovine aortic smooth muscle cells. In homogenates or particulate fractions from cultured bovine aortic smooth muscle cells, ANF and atriopeptin I increased the formation of inositol phosphates and GTPase activity. The effects on inositol phosphates were markedly enhanced with guanosine 5'[gamma-thio]triphosphate. Both atrial peptides also stimulated the formation of diacylglycerol in intact cultured cells. In these experiments, atriopeptin I was about 10-fold more potent than ANF. These studies indicate that atrial peptides have stimulatory effects on phosphoinositide hydrolysis which are mediated through a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein. The greater potency of atriopeptin I on GTPase activity and the accumulation of inositol phosphates suggests that the nonguanylate cyclase-coupled receptor for ANF (ANF-R2) mediates the stimulatory effects of ANF on phosphoinositide hydrolysis through a guanine nucleotide regulatory protein.

Animals↗

Atrial natriuretic peptides: receptors and second messengers.

Atrial natriuretic peptides appear to elicit their actions in some target tissues by binding to a novel cell-surface transmembrane protein which possesses both peptide binding and guanylate cyclase activities. Ligand binding stimulates enzyme activity to produce increased intracellular concentrations of cyclic GMP which, in turn, mediates the cell's physiological response.

Animals↗

The cytosol of N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells synthesizes an EDRF-like substance that relaxes rabbit aorta.

The cytosolic fraction of N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells catalysed the L-arginine- and NADPH-dependent formation of a substance that relaxed endothelium-denuded strips of rabbit aorta. Relaxations in response to this substance were enhanced in the presence of superoxide dismutase. N omega-Nitro-L-arginine and NG-monomethyl-L-arginine, two inhibitors of EDRF synthesis, markedly attenuated the relaxations. Hemoglobin, a scavenger of EDRF, and methylene blue, an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase, completely abolished the relaxation to N1E-115 cytosol. In contrast, the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor indomethacin did not alter the relaxations. These data demonstrate that the cytosol of a neuronally-derived cell line is able to synthesize a substance with pharmacological properties similar to EDRF.

Animals↗