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J L Benovic

Publications and source records attributed to J L Benovic.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Expression of the beta-adrenergic receptor-adenylylcyclase system in basal and columnar airway epithelial cells.

Catecholamines acting through the beta-adrenergic receptor (beta AR) coupled-adenylylcyclase system stimulate a variety of responses by airway epithelial cells which affect airway caliber and the response to inflammatory stimuli. Although the tracheobronchial epithelium (TBE) is composed of several phenotypically differentiated cell types, surprisingly little is known about the expression of the beta AR system by the major subpopulations of TBE cells (i.e., basal and columnar). We, therefore, examined the function of the beta AR system in columnar and basal cell-enriched populations of rabbit tracheocytes. Cells were collected from 35 rabbits in 17 separate experiments and separated into basal and columnar cell-enriched fractions by centrifugal elutriation. The columnar fraction demonstrated a significantly greater (P < 0.005) adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) response to isoproterenol (10(-9)-10(-5) M) than the basal cell-enriched fraction (i.e., 74.7 +/- 5.1 and 49.4 +/- 2.8 pmol/10(6) cells, in columnar and basal cell-enriched fractions, respectively, P < 0.0001) as well as a higher beta AR density (i.e., 8,678 +/- 840 and 4,754 +/- 406 beta AR sites/cell, respectively, P < 0.0001). However, when corrected for differences in cell size assessed from measurements of total cell protein, cAMP production per milligram protein and beta AR density per milligram protein were similar in the two cell fractions (P > 0.50 for both comparisons). beta AR subtype assessed by beta 1AR and beta 2AR subtype selective antagonists demonstrated that the beta 2AR subtype predominated (i.e., > 90%) in both cell populations (P > 0.5).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1994

Functional behavior of the beta-adrenergic receptor-adenylyl cyclase system in rabbit airway epithelium.

Stimulation of adenylyl cyclase mediates the effects of beta-adrenergic agonists and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) on tracheobronchial epithelial cell function by increasing intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). In turn, increases in cAMP affect airway function by modulating ciliary beating, chloride and water transport, mucus secretion, and release of bronchoactive substances. This study examined the function and regulation of the beta-adrenergic receptor-adenylyl cyclase system (beta AR-AC) in tracheal epithelial cells isolated from the rabbit, a frequently used animal model of airway reactivity, inflammation, and electrolyte transport. beta AR number, assessed by ligand binding using the non-subtype-specific beta-antagonist [125I]iodopindolol, averaged approximately 10,700 beta AR/cell (400 fmol/mg membrane protein). Greater than 85% of the receptors were of the beta 2 subtype as determined by competitive antagonist displacement of iodopindolol by selective beta 1- (betaxolol) and beta 2- (ICI 118,551) antagonists. cAMP synthesis was stimulated with isoproterenol, PGE2, and forskolin in a time- and concentration-dependent fashion. Preincubation of epithelial cells for 30 min with either isoproterenol (10 microM) or the peptide inflammatory mediator, bradykinin (100 microM), markedly depressed subsequent isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP synthesis. Isoproterenol-induced beta AR-AC desensitization appeared to be homologous since cAMP responses to PGE2 and forskolin, a direct activator of adenylyl cyclase, were not reduced. The effect of bradykinin on isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP response was mimicked by preincubation with either dioctanoyl glyceride or phorbol myristate acetate, activators of protein kinase C.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1994

Regulation of beta-agonist- and prostaglandin E2-mediated adenylyl cyclase activity in human airway epithelial cells.

Despite the importance of beta 2-adrenergic receptor (beta 2AR) stimulation in mediating airway epithelial cell function, little is known regarding its regulation in airway epithelium. Perturbations of the airway environment associated with disease states, including the management of bronchomotor tone with beta-agonists, expose airways to putative regulators of beta 2AR signal transduction. In this communication, we describe the desensitization of beta 2AR signal transduction in the human airway epithelial cell line BEAS-2B. Examination of both beta-agonist- and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-mediated cAMP generation in BEAS-2B cells reveals both agonist-specific (homologous) and non-agonist-specific (heterologous) desensitization of these G protein-coupled receptor pathways. Short-term homologous desensitization of beta 2AR-mediated cAMP generation was characterized by an approximately 60% loss of maximal responsiveness to isoproterenol (ISO) when cells were pretreated 30 min with 10 microM ISO. A reduced sensitivity to ISO was also evidenced by an approximately 4-fold increase in the EC50 for ISO stimulation of adenylyl cyclase (AC). Short-term heterologous desensitization was characterized by an increase in EC50 (approximately 2- to 3-fold) with no change in maximal responsiveness to ISO in cells pretreated with either forskolin or PGE2. Qualitatively similar findings characterized short-term homologous and heterologous desensitization of PGE2-mediated AC activity. Short-term agonist-specific desensitization of the beta 2AR was associated with, but not dependent upon, rapid beta 2AR sequestration. Long-term pretreatment of cells with 10 nM ISO and 1 microM PGE2 eliminated AC responsiveness to subsequent ISO and PGE2 stimulation, respectively. Exposure of BEAS-2B cells to ISO for 24 h resulted in an approximately 70% loss of beta 2ARs, whereas chronic forskolin or PGE2 pretreatment had no effect on beta 2AR number. Long-term pretreatment of cells designed to elicit heterologous desensitization was associated with reductions in maximal responsiveness to ISO and PGE2 that appear to be related to a loss in inherent AC activity. These findings hold strong implications regarding the effect of beta 2AR desensitization on epithelial cell function and the role of beta-agonists in the management of airway disease.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1993

Functional consequences of A1 adenosine-receptor phosphorylation by the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase.

Treatment of smooth-muscle cells with R-phenylisopropyladenosine (R-PIA) leads to a loss of A1 adenosine receptor (A1AR)-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase, a decrease in receptor number and an increase in receptor phosphorylation. In this study, the role of the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK) in the phosphorylation and inactivation of the A1AR was examined. A1ARs were purified from bovine brain and reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles, with or without a 10-fold excess of Gi/Go (a 50:50 mixture). The reconstituted receptor preparations were phosphorylated with beta ARK in the absence (control) or presence (treated) of R-PIA. R-PIA stimulated A1AR phosphorylation by 2-3-fold over control. Phosphorylation of the A1AR was blocked by XAC, and A1AR antagonist, underscoring its agonist dependence. The stoichiometry of phosphorylation obtained was approx. 1.3 mol of phosphate per mol of A1AR. Phosphorylation of the A1AR by beta ARK was enhanced by an additional 42% when G beta gamma (30 nM) was included in the phosphorylation mixture. In order to test the role of phosphorylation on receptor function, the purified A1AR was reconstituted with a mixture of Gi/Go, phosphorylated with beta ARK and used to determine high-affinity [125I]APNEA (A1AR agonist) binding. Agonist binding was reduced by about 50% in the treated preparations compared to control. In contrast, antagonist ([3H]XAC) binding was increased by about 50%. These data are consistent with an uncoupling of the A1AR from G proteins following receptor phosphorylation. In control preparations, R-PIA stimulated GTPase activity from 0.08 to 0.164 pmol Pi released/pmol Gi/Go per min. Phosphorylation of receptor by beta ARK reduced R-PIA-stimulated GTPase activity by 35%. In addition, phosphorylation of the A1AR by beta ARK decreased R-PIA-stimulated GTP gamma S binding by 62%. These data provide evidence that A1AR phosphorylation by beta ARK results in a diminished receptor-G-protein interaction.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Molecular cloning and expression of GRK6. A new member of the G protein-coupled receptor kinase family.

G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRK), such as the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK) and rhodopsin kinase, specifically phosphorylate the activated form of G protein-coupled receptors. To identify additional members of the GRK family, we screened a human heart cDNA library by low stringency hybridization using the catalytic domains of two beta ARK isoforms. Here we report the isolation of a cDNA that encodes a 576-amino-acid protein kinase, termed GRK6, that has significant homology with GRK5 (70.1% amino acid identity), IT11 (68.5%), rhodopsin kinase (47.1%), and beta ARK (37.4%). RNA blot analysis of GRK6 with selected human tissues reveals two distinct mRNAs of 3 and 2.4 kilobases with a distribution very similar to that of beta ARK (i.e. brain, skeletal muscle > pancreas > heart, lung, kidney, placenta > liver). GRK6, overexpressed in Sf9 insect cells using the baculovirus system, was able to phosphorylate both the beta 2-adrenergic receptor and rhodopsin in a stimulus-dependent fashion, although it was significantly less active then beta ARK on these substrates. These data extend the family of GRKs and suggest that GRK6 may have a substrate specificity quite distinct from beta ARK and rhodopsin kinase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Binding of wild type and chimeric arrestins to the m2 muscarinic cholinergic receptor.

Arrestins play an important role in regulating the activity of the G protein-coupled receptors rhodopsin and the beta 2-adrenergic receptor. Recently, we described the expression and functional characterization of visual arrestin using an in vitro translation system. Here we report the expression of beta-arrestin and development of a direct binding assay to study the interaction of arrestins with a muscarinic cholinergic receptor. In vitro translated beta-arrestin was found to specifically bind to purified reconstituted human m2 muscarinic cholinergic receptor (hm2 mAChR) in an agonist- and phosphorylation-dependent manner. Visual arrestin also bound to the hm2 mAChR, albeit to a lesser extent and with lower affinity. In an attempt to dissect the major domains responsible for determining the receptor binding specificity of arrestin and beta-arrestin, we generated several chimeric arrestins. One contained the first 340 residues of beta-arrestin followed by residues 346-404 of arrestin (BRV4), another consisted of the first 207 residues of beta-arrestin and residues 214-404 of visual arrestin (BV3), and a third had residues 1-43 of beta-arrestin replaced by residues 1-47 of arrestin (VIN1). All of these arrestins were able to specifically bind to the activated and phosphorylated form of both the hm2 mAChR and rhodopsin, with a clear preference for the muscarinic receptor. The Kd values for beta-arrestin, BRV4, BV3, VIN1, and visual arrestin binding to the hm2 mAChR were 0.48 +/- 0.06, 0.51 +/- 0.19, 1.38 +/- 0.26, 1.13 +/- 0.26, and 7.2 +/- 1.2 nM, respectively. These data demonstrate that: 1) beta-arrestin binds to the hm2 mAChR in an activation- and phosphorylation-dependent fashion, 2) visual arrestin has 15-fold lower affinity for the hm2 mAChR as compared to beta-arrestin, and 3) the N-terminal half of beta-arrestin plays a key role in determining receptor binding specificity. The use of in vitro translated arrestins to directly assess receptor binding may serve as a viable approach for elucidating the specificity and molecular mechanisms involved in receptor-arrestin interaction.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Polypeptide variants of beta-arrestin and arrestin3.

Retinal arrestin (S-antigen) inactivates the phototransduction cascade by binding to light-activated phosphorylated rhodopsin and thereby "arresting" coupling to the G protein transducin. beta-Arrestin (beta arr), a ubiquitous arrestin homolog, acts analogously to desensitize the beta 2-adrenergic receptor by disrupting Gs receptor interaction. In an attempt to identify additional "arrestins" which might regulate the multitude of G protein-coupled receptors, we have isolated two bovine brain cDNAs which encode polypeptide variants of an arrestin homolog which we have designated arrestin3 (arr3). The open reading frames of these two cDNAs are identical except that the long form, arr3L, contains an 11-amino-acid insert between residues 361 and 362. Arr3 is more closely related to bovine beta arr (78% identity) than to bovine visual arrestin (56% identity). Polymerase chain reaction amplification of RNA and immunoblotting of lysates with an arr3-specific antibody suggest that the short form, arr3S, is the major form of arr3 in all bovine tissues and that it is most abundant in the spleen. Furthermore, polymerase chain reaction amplification of beta arr mRNA indicates that in several tissues (lung, liver, spleen, and pituitary), the major form of beta arr lacks 8 amino acids which are present in brain beta arr. Immunoblotting with an antibody which recognizes beta arr and arr3 with equal sensitivity demonstrates that beta arr (either the long or the short polypeptide) is the major arrestin in all (non-photoreceptor bearing) tissues examined. These observations suggest that in some tissues, as many as four arrestin homolog variants may play a role in the regulation of G protein-coupled receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Mechanism of beta-adrenergic receptor kinase activation by G proteins.

The beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta-ARK) specifically phosphorylates the activated form of various G protein-coupled receptors such as the beta 2-adrenergic receptor (beta 2-AR). Recently, G protein beta gamma subunits have been demonstrated to activate beta-ARK-mediated receptor phosphorylation. To further elucidate beta-ARK/G protein interactions, we have developed a direct binding assay. The direct binding of [35S]methionine-labeled beta-ARK to either brain Gi/Go or beta gamma subunits was rapid and saturable with similar Kd values of approximately 58 and approximately 32 nM, respectively. Both heterotrimeric G proteins and beta gamma subunits enhanced the initial rate of beta 2-AR and rhodopsin phosphorylation approximately 10-fold. Kinetic studies demonstrate that beta gamma enhances beta-ARK-mediated beta 2-AR phosphorylation both by decreasing the Km for the beta 2-AR approximately 4-fold and increasing the stoichiometry of phosphorylation from approximately 4 to approximately 11 mol/mol. An agonist- and ATP-dependent binding of beta-ARK to the reconstituted beta 2-AR was also demonstrated. In addition, beta-ARK binding was enhanced in the presence of both the activated beta 2-AR and beta gamma subunits suggesting the formation of a transient ternary complex consisting of beta-ARK, beta gamma, and beta 2-AR. Overall, these studies suggest that the specific association of beta-ARK with heterotrimeric G proteins may play an important role in promoting receptor/kinase interaction and subsequent receptor phosphorylation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Phosphorylation and desensitization of human m2 muscarinic cholinergic receptors by two isoforms of the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase.

Studies of the human m2 (hm2) muscarinic cholinergic receptors (mAChR) have been performed to provide further insights into the potential regulation of these receptors by isoforms of the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK). The hm2 mAChR and the isoforms beta ARK1 and beta ARK2 were individually expressed in, and purified from, insect Sf9 cells infected with recombinant baculoviruses. The expressed hm2 receptors were tested as substrates for beta ARK1 and beta ARK2 in vitro using concentrations of receptors and kinases similar to those found in intact cells. The hm2 mAChR were phosphorylated in an agonist-dependent manner to 4-5 mol of phosphate/mol of receptor by beta ARK1 or beta ARK2. The reactions were highly dependent on agonist; the antagonist atropine, and heparin, a beta ARK inhibitor, both prevented the beta ARK-mediated phosphorylation. The rates of phosphorylation catalyzed by both isoforms were similar, with half-maximal phosphorylation occurring in less than 5 min. Under the conditions employed the stoichiometries, but not the rates, of phosphorylation catalyzed by both kinases were increased 2-3-fold by either the heterotrimeric G-protein G(o) or the beta gamma subunits of transducin. Phosphopeptide mapping experiments indicated that similar sites were phosphorylated by the two beta ARK isoforms. In order to test for functional effects of the phosphorylation mediated by the beta ARK isoforms, the receptors were reconstituted with purified G(o) and were tested for their ability to stimulate guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S) binding. The conditions leading to maximal receptor phosphorylation resulted in a 30-50% reduction in the ability of the receptors to stimulate GTP gamma S binding to G(o). The results demonstrate that the hm2 mAChR are excellent substrates in vitro for both beta ARK1 and beta ARK2 and that extensive phosphorylation by these enzymes occurs in the presence of the beta gamma subunits of G proteins. The beta ARK-mediated phosphorylation of the m2 mAChR causes a perturbation of receptor/G-protein coupling.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Cloning and expression of GRK5: a member of the G protein-coupled receptor kinase family.

Guanine nucleotide binding protein (G-protein)-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) specifically phosphorylate the agonist-occupied form of G-protein-coupled receptors such as the beta 2-adrenergic receptor and rhodopsin. The best characterized members of this family include the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK) and rhodopsin kinase. To identify additional members of the GRK family, the polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify human heart cDNA using degenerate oligonucleotide primers from highly conserved regions unique to the GRK family. Here we report the isolation of a cDNA that encodes a 590-amino acid protein kinase, termed GRK5, which has 34.8% and 47.2% amino acid identities with beta ARK and rhodopsin kinase, respectively. Interestingly, GRK5 has an even higher homology with Drosophila GPRK-2 (71.0% identity) and the recently identified human IT11 (69.1% identity). Northern blot analysis of GRK5 with selected human tissues reveals a message of approximately 3 kilobases with highest levels in heart, placenta, lung > skeletal muscle > brain, liver, pancreas > kidney. GRK5, overexpressed in Sf9 insect cells using the baculovirus system, was able to phosphorylate rhodopsin in a light-dependent manner. In addition, GRK5 neither contains a consensus sequence for isoprenylation like rhodopsin kinase nor is activated by G-protein beta gamma subunits like beta ARK1. Thus, GRK5 represents a member of the GRK family that likely has a unique physiological role.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Visual arrestin interaction with rhodopsin. Sequential multisite binding ensures strict selectivity toward light-activated phosphorylated rhodopsin.

Visual arrestin plays an important role in regulating light responsiveness via its ability to specifically bind to the phosphorylated and light-activated form of rhodopsin. Previously, we utilized an in vitro translation system to express and characterize the full-length (404 amino acids) and two truncated forms of visual arrestin. Here we have extended these studies to include a total of 33 different truncation and deletion mutants of arrestin, ranging from 69 to 391 amino acids in length. Mutants were produced by cutting within the open reading frame of the bovine arrestin cDNA with selective restriction enzymes followed by in vitro translation of the transcribed truncated mRNAs. Mutant arrestin binding to dark, light-activated, dark phosphorylated, and light-activated phosphorylated rhodopsin as well as to opsin, phosphoopsin, and truncated rhodopsin was then extensively characterized. In addition, the sensitivity of arrestin/rhodopsin interactions to conditions of increasing ionic strength was measured. These studies suggest the localization of multiple functional domains within the arrestin molecule that include: 1) a "phosphorylation recognition" domain, which interacts with the phosphorylated carboxyl terminus of rhodopsin, was localized predominately between residues 158-185; 2) an "activation recognition" domain, which interacts with those portions of the rhodopsin molecule that change conformation upon light activation, was found to consist of at least three regions within the first 191 residues of the arrestin molecule; 3) a hydrophobic interaction domain, localized between residues 191 and 365, appears to be mobilized upon binding of arrestin to activated phosphorylated rhodopsin; 4) a regulatory domain, localized in the COOH-terminal region of arrestin (residues 365-391), was found to play a role in controlling the conformational change in arrestin necessary for mobilization of the hydrophobic interaction domain; and 5) The NH2 terminus of arrestin (residues 2-16) was found to be important for interacting with the regulatory COOH-terminal region as well as maintaining the conformation of the NH2-terminal half of arrestin. A mechanism which ensures strict arrestin binding selectivity toward phosphorylated light-activated rhodopsin is proposed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

The substance P receptor, which couples to Gq/11, is a substrate of beta-adrenergic receptor kinase 1 and 2.

The agonist-occupied forms of several G-protein-coupled receptors that modulate the activity of adenylycyclase via Gs (e.g. beta 2-adrenergic) or Gi (e.g. alpha 2-adrenergic and cardiac muscarinic) are phosphorylated by beta-adrenergic receptor kinases (beta ARK 1 and beta ARK 2). beta ARK-catalyzed phosphorylation of these receptors appears to correlate with their agonist-induced desensitization. The possibility that beta ARK isozymes may also be involved in the desensitization of other G-protein-coupled receptors such as those mediating phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis was tested by determining the phosphorylation of the substance P receptor (SPR), which is coupled to PI hydrolysis in numerous tissues. Rat SPR was expressed in Sf9 cells, partially purified, and reconstituted in phospholipid vesicles. The reconstituted SPR bound the SPR agonist substance P, 125I-labeled with Bolton-Hunter reagent, with low affinity. However, addition of purified Gq/11 to the reconstituted SPR resulted in the conversion of all the receptors to a high affinity state, suggesting that SPR couples to Gq/11. Phosphorylation of the reconstituted SPR with purified beta ARK 1 or 2 in the absence and presence of substance P (SP) was then studied. In the presence of 100 microM SP, both kinases promoted phosphorylation of the receptor to a stoichiometry of 9 +/- 2 mol of phosphate/mol of receptor. However, no phosphorylation of the receptor could be detected in the absence of agonist. Agonist-induced phosphorylation of the receptor was blocked by coincubation with the SPR antagonist spantide. These results show that beta ARK isozymes may regulate the function of both adenylylcyclase as well as PI-coupled receptors, and suggest a role for beta ARK isozymes in SPR signal transduction.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Beta-adrenergic receptor kinase. Agonist-dependent receptor binding promotes kinase activation.

The beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK) specifically phosphorylates the activated form of multiple receptors such as the beta 2-adrenergic receptor (beta 2 AR) and rhodopsin. beta ARK also phosphorylates synthetic peptides, albeit with an approximately 10(4)-10(7)-fold lower Vmax/Km ratio as compared to receptors, with a clear preference for peptides containing acidic residues on the aminoterminal side of a serine or threonine. To further characterize the mechanism of substrate phosphorylation by beta ARK, we designed a series of analogue peptides containing a single amino acid change (serine, glutamic acid, or phosphoserine) situated 2 or 4 residues amino-terminal to the target serine. While beta ARK weakly phosphorylated peptides lacking an acidic residue, peptides containing either a single phosphoserine or glutamic acid were substantially better substrates with a 3.5- to 8-fold increase in Vmax. Additional studies demonstrated that the interaction of beta ARK with an activated receptor (beta 2AR* or Rho*) also significantly enhanced peptide phosphorylation. Both Rho* and a truncated rhodopsin lacking its carboxyl-terminal phosphorylation sites activated peptide phosphorylation to a similar extent with EC50 values for activation of 0.65 and 1.34 microM, respectively. In contrast, the agonist-occupied beta 2AR activated peptide phosphorylation by beta ARK with a substantially higher affinity (EC50 of 0.012 microM) compared to Rho*. The Vmax/Km ratio for beta ARK phosphorylation of a poor peptide substrate such as RRRASAAASAA was increased up to approximately 200-fold by the activated receptor while the phosphorylation of a good peptide substrate (RRREEEEESAAA) was increased only up to approximately 8-fold. Our results suggest that acidic residues (glutamic acid or phosphoserine) localized on the amino-terminal side of target serines are important but not essential determinants in directing peptide phosphorylation. The substrate specificity of beta ARK appears to rely more strongly on the overall topological structure of the activated receptor which promotes the specific binding and activation of beta ARK.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed1993

Expression and characterization of two beta-adrenergic receptor kinase isoforms using the baculovirus expression system.

The beta-adrenergic receptor kinases, beta ARK1 and beta ARK2, are two recently cloned members of the G protein-coupled receptor kinase family. To further characterize these kinases, bovine beta ARK1 and beta ARK2 have been overexpressed in Sf9 insect cells using the baculovirus expression system. High yields (5-7 mg/L cells) of purified kinase preparations were obtained by sequential chromatography of infected Sf9 cell supernatant fractions on S-Sepharose and Heparin-Sepharose. The expressed kinases were fully active as evidenced by their ability to specifically phosphorylate the agonist-occupied beta 2-adrenergic receptor (beta 2AR) and light-activated rhodopsin. Similar initial rates and maximal stoichiometries of beta 2AR phosphorylation were observed for both beta ARK1 and beta ARK2. Moreover, G protein beta gamma subunits enhanced the initial rates of both beta ARK1 and beta ARK2 mediated beta 2AR phosphorylation by approximately tenfold. In the presence of beta gamma subunits the maximal stoichiometry of beta 2AR phosphorylation was increased from approximately 4 mol phosphate/mol receptor to approximately 10 mol/mol. Detailed kinetic analysis of rhodopsin phosphorylation suggests that both kinases follow a sequential mechanistic pathway and have similar Kms for rhodopsin (approximately 14 microM) and MgATP (60-90 microM). Peptide phosphorylation studies demonstrate that both kinases prefer acidic amino acids amino terminal to a serine. Heparin was found to be the most potent inhibitor for both kinases with IC50s of 1.4 and 1.1 microM for beta ARK1 and beta ARK2, respectively. These studies demonstrate that beta ARK1 and beta ARK2 share very similar kinetic properties and suggest that they may have a similar substrate specificity in vivo.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗
PubMed1992

Cell-free expression of visual arrestin. Truncation mutagenesis identifies multiple domains involved in rhodopsin interaction.

Visual arrestin plays an important role in regulating light responsiveness via its ability to specifically bind to the phosphorylated and light-activated form of rhodopsin. To further characterize rhodopsin/arrestin interactions we have utilized a rabbit reticulocyte lysate translation system to synthesize bovine visual arrestin. The translated arrestin (404 amino acids) was demonstrated to be fully functional in terms of its ability to specifically recognize and bind to phosphorylated light-activated rhodopsin (P-Rh*). Competitive binding studies revealed that the in vitro synthesized arrestin and purified bovine visual arrestin had comparable affinities for P-Rh*. In an effort to assess the functional role of different regions of the arrestin molecule, two truncated arrestin mutants were produced by cutting within the open reading frame of the bovine arrestin cDNA with selective restriction enzymes. In vitro translation of the transcribed truncated mRNAs resulted in the production of arrestins truncated from the carboxyl terminus. The ability of each of the mutant arrestins to bind to dark (Rh), light-activated (Rh*), dark phosphorylated (P-Rh), and light-activated phosphorylated rhodopsin were then compared. Arrestin lacking 39 carboxyl-terminal residues binds specifically not only to P-Rh* but also to Rh* and P-Rh. This suggests that the carboxyl-terminal domain of arrestin plays an important regulatory role in ensuring strict arrestin binding selectivity to P-Rh*. Arrestin that has only the first 191 amino-terminal residues predominately discriminates the phosphorylation state of the rhodopsin; however, it also retains some binding specificity for the activation state. These results suggest that the amino-terminal half of arrestin contains key rhodopsin recognition sites responsible for interaction with both the phosphorylated and light-activated forms of rhodopsin.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Role of beta gamma subunits of G proteins in targeting the beta-adrenergic receptor kinase to membrane-bound receptors.

The rate and extent of the agonist-dependent phosphorylation of beta 2-adrenergic receptors and rhodopsin by beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (beta ARK) are markedly enhanced on addition of G protein beta gamma subunits. With a model peptide substrate it was demonstrated that direct activation of the kinase could not account for this effect. G protein beta gamma subunits were shown to interact directly with the COOH-terminal region of beta ARK, and formation of this beta ARK-beta gamma complex resulted in receptor-facilitated membrane localization of the enzyme. The beta gamma subunits of transducin were less effective at both enhancing the rate of receptor phosphorylation and binding to the COOH-terminus of beta ARK, suggesting that the enzyme preferentially binds specific beta gamma complexes. The beta gamma-mediated membrane localization of beta ARK serves to intimately link receptor activation to beta ARK-mediated desensitization.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

A technique to harvest viable tracheobronchial epithelial cells from living human donors.

The ability to obtain airway epithelial cells from the lower respiratory tract in living human donors will facilitate study of the biologic properties of these cells. We report our experience harvesting tracheobronchial epithelial cells from living human donors by brushing the mucosal surface of the trachea and mainstem bronchi. Cells were obtained on 21 occasions from 18 healthy adult subjects under direct vision with a brush-tipped catheter during fiberoptic bronchoscopy. The average number of cells harvested per subject was 14 +/- 2 x 10(6), and cell viability determined by trypan blue exclusion averaged 36 +/- 4%. Of note, cell viability was significantly enhanced when lidocaine was confined to the nares. Lidocaine was also observed to diminish cell viability in vitro in a dose-dependent fashion. Morphologic and staining properties were used to classify harvested cells into the three major cell types present in the mucosa (i.e., ciliated, secretory, and basal cells). All three subtypes were obtained. The percentage of ciliated, secretory, and basal-like cells was 24 +/- 2%, 11 +/- 1%, 29 +/- 1%, respectively, while the remaining 36% were difficult to type. In one subject in whom brushing was performed on three occasions over a 7-wk period, the percentage of each of the three subtypes was similar across procedures. Harvested cells could be successfully placed in primary culture with a plating efficiency of 50 to 60% and could be subcultured for up to seven passages. Acutely dissociated cells could be used to study the beta-adrenergic receptor adenylyl cyclase system since they produced cAMP in response to isoproterenol.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗