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Cyclic AMP (cAMP) effects on chorionic gonadotropin gene transcription and mRNA stability: labile proteins mediate basal expression whereas stable proteins mediate cAMP stimulation.

Cyclic AMP stimulates a marked accumulation of CG alpha and CG beta mRNAs that reflects, in part, increased rates of gene transcription. We find that a major component of cAMP stimulation of alpha and CG beta mRNAs is independent of new protein synthesis. After treatment of JEG-3 choriocarcinoma cells with cycloheximide, basal levels of alpha and CG beta mRNAs decreased over 12 h to 27% and 13% of control values, respectively. However, cycloheximide treatment did not affect the degree of cAMP-stimulation of alpha and CG beta mRNA levels which increased 20- and 26-fold, respectively. Similarly, cycloheximide did not block cAMP-stimulated transcription of the alpha and CG beta genes. The effect of cAMP treatment on alpha and CG beta mRNA stability was assessed by decay after removal of cAMP, pulse-chase analyses, and decay after inhibition of RNA synthesis by actinomycin D. The half-lives of alpha and CG beta mRNAs determined by decay rates after removal of cAMP were 6.0 h and 7.2 h, respectively. Consistent with these measurements of mRNA stability, alpha and CG beta mRNA half-lives determined by pulse-chase analyses were 8.8 h and 8.6 h, respectively. Cyclic AMP treatment increased the half-lives of alpha and CG beta mRNAs 1.8- and 3.4-fold, respectively. Thus, the effects of cAMP on alpha and CG beta gene expression are predominantly transcriptional, but cAMP also increases mRNA levels via a posttranscriptional mechanism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Functional analysis of the mouse ICER (Inducible cAMP Early Repressor) promoter: evidence for a protein that blocks calcium responsiveness of the CAREs (cAMP autoregulatory elements).

Although Ca2+ and cAMP mediate their effects through distinct pathways, both signals converge upon the phosphorylation of the cAMP response element (CRE) binding protein, CREB, thereby activating transcription of CRE-regulated genes. In WEHI7.2 thymocytes, cAMP increases the expression of the inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER) gene through CRE-like elements, known as cAMP autoregulatory elements (CAREs). Because Ca2+ -and cAMP-mediated transcription converge in WEHI7.2 thymocytes, we examined the effect of Ca2+ fluxes on the expression of the ICER gene in these cells. Despite the presence of multiple CAREs within its promoter, ICER gene transcription was not activated by Ca2+. Moreover, Ca2+ attenuated the stimulatory effect of cAMP on ICER expression. Transient expression of reporter constructs demonstrated that when these CAREs were placed in a different DNA promoter context, the elements became responsive to Ca2+. Detailed studies using chimeric promoter constructs to map the region responsible for blocking the transcriptional response to Ca2+ indicated that a small portion of the ICER promoter was necessary for the effect. Southwestern blot analysis identified a 83-kDa nuclear protein that bound specifically to that region. The relative binding activity of the factor to the ICER promoter and mutant promoter sequences correlated with an inhibition of Ca2+ -activated gene expression in WEHI7.2 cells. These data suggest that the factor functions as a putative Ca2+ -activated repressor of CREB/CRE-mediated transcription. Thus, depending on the surrounding context in which the CRE is located, CREs of individual genes can be regulated separately by Ca2+ and cAMP despite the convergence of these two signaling pathways.

Animals↗

Effect of pH on lipolysis, cAMP and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity in isolated rat fat cells.

The effect of acidosis and alkalosis on lipolysis, cAMP production and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity in isolated rat fat cells incubated in the presence of norepinephrine and norepinephrine plus theophylline has been investigated. The pH of the incubation medium was adjusted to 6.8, 7.4 and 7.8 respectively. Acidosis inhibited both norepinephrine- and norepinephrine plus theophylline-induced release of glycerol whereas alkalosis led to slight stimulation. Norepinephrine produced an increase in cAMP and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity. However, comparison of both parameters in acidosis and alkalosis with those at pH 7.4 indicates that they were higher at pH 7.8 and lower at pH 6.8. Addition of theophylline in combination with norepinephrine increases cAMP production within 5 min, under acidosis to values similar to those obtained at pH 7.4 with norepinephrine. The same effect on protein kinase activity was obtained. In spite of this increment in cAMP and protein kinase activity produced by addition of norepinephrine plus theophylline, lipolysis remains inhibited by acidosis. Addition of theophylline at pH 7.4 and 7.8 induced a much higher cAMP production and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity although at pH 7.8 there was a statistically significant increase in protein kinase activity at 10 min it did not induce a significant increase in lipolysis. This is discussed and possible mechanisms are suggested to explain the effect of acidosis and alkalosis on the lipolysis induced by norepinephrine in rat fat cells.

Adipose Tissue↗

Cutting edge: macrophage inhibition by cyclic AMP (cAMP): differential roles of protein kinase A and exchange protein directly activated by cAMP-1.

cAMP has largely inhibitory effects on components of macrophage activation, yet downstream mechanisms involved in these effects remain incompletely defined. Elevation of cAMP in alveolar macrophages (AMs) suppresses FcgammaR-mediated phagocytosis. We now report that protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitors (H-89, KT-5720, and myristoylated PKA inhibitory peptide 14-22) failed to prevent this suppression in rat AMs. We identified the expression of the alternative cAMP target, exchange protein directly activated by cAMP-1 (Epac-1), in human and rat AMs. Using cAMP analogs that are highly specific for PKA (N6-benzoyladenosine-3',5'-cAMP) or Epac-1 (8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-2'-O-methyladenosine-3',5'-cAMP), we found that activation of Epac-1, but not PKA, dose-dependently suppressed phagocytosis. By contrast, activation of PKA, but not Epac-1, suppressed AM production of leukotriene B(4) and TNF-alpha, whereas stimulation of either PKA or Epac-1 inhibited AM bactericidal activity and H(2)O(2) production. These experiments now identify Epac-1 in primary macrophages, and define differential roles of Epac-1 vs PKA in the inhibitory effects of cAMP.

Animals↗

CREB (cAMP response element binding protein) and C/EBPalpha (CCAAT/enhancer binding protein) are required for the superstimulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene transcription by adenoviral E1a and cAMP.

In the present study, we observed superstimulated levels of cAMP-stimulated transcription from the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene promoter in cells infected with wild-type adenovirus expressing 12 S and 13 S E1a proteins, or in cells expressing 13 S E1a alone. cAMP-stimulated transcription was inhibited in cells expressing only 12 S E1a, but slightly elevated in cells expressing E1a proteins with mutations in conserved regions 1 or 2, leading us to conclude that the superstimulation was mediated by conserved region 3 of 13 S E1a. E1a failed to enhance cAMP-stimulated transcription from promoters containing mutations that abolish binding by cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) or CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBPs). This result was supported by experiments in which expression of dominant-negative CREB and/or C/EBP proteins repressed E1a- and cAMP-stimulated transcription from the PEPCK gene promoter. In reconstitution experiments using a Gal4-responsive promoter, E1a enhanced cAMP-stimulated transcription when chimaeric Gal4-CREB and Gal4-C/EBPalpha were co-expressed. Phosphorylation of CREB on serine-133 was stimulated in cells treated with dibutyryl cAMP, whereas phosphorylation of C/EBPalpha was increased by E1a expression. Our data support a model in which cAMP agonists increase CREB activity and stimulate PEPCK gene transcription, a process that is enhanced by E1a through the phosphorylation of C/EBPalpha.

Adenovirus E1A Proteins↗

Positively cooperative cAMP phosphodiesterase attenuates cellular cAMP responses.

We have shown that growth of S49 WT mouse lymphoma cells for 24 hr in 3 nM epinephrine produced very significant desensitization of subsequent cellular cAMP responses to challenges with higher concentrations of epinephrine. The effects of this long-term treatment (LTT) were obvious in intact cells and also when adenylate cyclase activity was measured in semi-purified membranes. Beta 2-adrenergic receptors (beta 2AR) were decreased by LTT, and the desensitization of adenylate cyclase was due at least in part to this down-regulation. When mouse L cells transfected with WT beta 2AR from hamster lung (L-WT beta 2AR cells) were subjected to LTT, the attenuation of adenylate cyclase in membranes was obvious, but the consequences of LTT on intact L-WT beta 2AR cells were highly equivocal. That is, when the effects of epinephrine on cellular cAMP levels were measured in LTT or control L-WT beta 2AR cells little desensitization was apparent. Further, cellular cAMP excursions in response to even very high concentrations of epinephrine were very small in control L-WT beta 2AR cells as compared to control S49 WT cells. Subsequent experiments have shown that L-WT beta 2AR cells possess a phosphodiesterase (PDE) which demonstrates marked positive cooperativity with cAMP with a Hill coefficient of 2. The EC50 for cAMP hydrolysis was approximately 30 nM in cell free preparations. cGMP was a positive allosteric effector of the L-WT beta 2AR cell PDE. Further, when cellular cAMP levels in intact L-WT beta 2AR cells were raised above a threshold by treatment with 0.5 microM forskolin and 2 mM IBMX with the epinephrine challenge, the effect of LLT became obvious in the intact cell system. These data demonstrate that cAMP responses to hormones are greatly decreased in systems where the predominant PDE demonstrates positive cooperativity for cAMP.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Role of hormone-sensitive low Km cAMP phosphodiesterase in regulation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and lipolysis in rat adipocytes.

The time-courses of isoproterenol activation of rat adipocyte particulate low Km cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity, cAMP-dependent protein kinase (A-kinase), and glycerol production were measured in the presence and absence of insulin. Isoproterenol (100 nM) alone rapidly activated A-kinase 8- to 10-fold and increased particulate cAMP PDE by approximately 100%. A-kinase and PDE activity remained relatively constant for at least 25 to 30 min. Kact values for isoproterenol activation of PDE and lipolysis were similar. In comparison with isoproterenol, insulin (0.1-0.3 nM) alone increased particulate cAMP PDE at a slower rate and to a lesser extent (by approximately 50% within 12 to 16 min) and without any change in A-kinase. With insulin plus isoproterenol there was a rapid, transient, and synergistic activation of particulate cAMP PDE, which temporally correlated with a decrease in A-kinase and reduction in lipolysis. These and other data suggest the following: 1) there is a close concentration-dependent and temporal relationship in isoproterenol activation of adenylate cyclase, of A-kinase, and of particulate cAMP PDE; 2) isoproterenol and insulin activate particulate cAMP PDE by two distinct mechanisms; 3) the temporal changes in PDE and A-kinase in the presence of insulin and isoproterenol suggest that insulin activation of the PDE does not require, but may be enhanced by, elevated cAMP and is important in the antilipolytic action of insulin.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Coelution of the type II holoenzyme form of cAMP-dependent protein kinase with regulatory subunits of the type I form of cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

The types and subunit composition of cAMP-dependent protein kinases in soluble rat ovarian extracts were investigated. Results demonstrated that three peaks of cAMP-dependent kinase activity could be resolved using DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Based on the sedimentation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and regulatory subunits using sucrose density gradient centrifugation, identification of 8-N3[32P]cAMP labeled RI and RII in DEAE-cellulose column and sucrose gradient fractions by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and Scatchard analysis of the cAMP-stimulated activation of the eluted peaks of kinase activity, the following conclusions were drawn regarding the composition of the three peaks of cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity: peak 1, eluting with less than or equal to 0.05 M potassium phosphate, consisted of the type I form of cAMP-dependent protein kinase; peak 2, eluting with 0.065-0.11 M potassium phosphate, consisted of free RI and a type II tetrameric holoenzyme; peak 3, eluting with 0.125 M potassium phosphate, consisted of an apparent RIIC trimer, followed by the elution with 0.15 M potassium phosphate of free RII. The regulatory subunits were confirmed as authentic RI and RII based upon their molecular weights and autophosphorylation characteristics. The more basic elution of the type II holoenzyme with free RI was not attributable to the ionic properties of the regulatory subunits, based upon the isoelectric points of photolabeled RI and RII and upon the elution location from DEAE-cellulose of RI and RII on dissociation from their respective holoenzymes by cAMP. This is the first report of a type II holoenzyme eluting in low salt fractions with free RI, and of the presence of an apparent RIIC trimer in a soluble tissue extract.

Animals↗

Cytochemical identification of the regulatory subunit of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase by use of fluorescently labeled catalytic subunit. Examination of protein kinase dissociation in hepatoma cells responding to 8-Br-cAMP stimulation.

Homogeneous catalytic subunit from the cAMP-dependent protein kinase, when derivatized with a fluorophore, was used as a cytochemical probe to locate intracellular sites of the protein kinase regulatory subunit. After conjugation, the fluoresceinated catalytic subunit (F:C), derivatized to a stoichiometry of approximately 1 mol/mol, retained near full activity as judged by specific activity and by titration against either regulatory subunit or Inhibitor Protein of the protein kinase. With this molecular probe the dissociated regulatory subunit was localized by direct cytochemistry in Reuber H-35 hepatoma cells that had been exposed, while intact, for 0-120 min to 10(-4) M 8-Br-cAMP. After stimulation, cultures were fixed and washed and then incubated for 16 h with F:C. Following 8-Br-cAMP stimulation, extensive binding of the probe to both cytoplasmic and nucleolar sites was observed. This binding was diminished but not eliminated when 50 microM cAMP was present during the incubation of the fixed cells with F:C that was eliminated by a 40-fold molar excess of underivatized catalytic subunit but not by heat-denatured catalytic subunit, and was not reduced by a 20-fold molar excess of cGMP-dependent protein kinase, examined plus or minus cGMP. Collectively, the results allow the conclusion that the F:C probe binds free regulatory subunit. The time course of its change with 8-Br-cAMP (measured as the difference between binding in the presence or absence of cAMP during the postfixation treatment) mirrors that previously reported for changes in the catalytic subunit in these cells, also identified cytochemically (Byus, C. V., and Fletcher, W.H. (1982) J. Cell Biol. 93, 727-734). The binding of the F:C probe, detected when cAMP is present during postfixation treatment, may possibly represent binding to free Inhibitor Protein of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. If so, it was at a level of approximately 20% of the maximal level of detectable regulatory subunit, and it also showed cytosolic and nucleolar localization.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

cAMP and tumor necrosis factor competitively regulate transcriptional activation through and nuclear factor binding to the cAMP-responsive element/activating transcription factor element of the endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (E-selectin) promoter.

The cAMP-responsive element/activating transcription factor (CRE/ATF) element (also known as NF-ELAM1) of the endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) promoter is necessary for full cytokine responsiveness. It differs from a consensus cAMP-responsive element (CRE) by 1 nucleotide (G-->A conversion) and does not mediate transcriptional activation in response to cAMP. We reported previously that cAMP actually decreases ELAM-1 synthesis induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF). We now show that cAMP decreases the ELAM-1 promoter response to TNF in transient transfection assays in bovine aortic endothelial cells and that cAMP-mediated inhibition maps to the CRE/ATF element. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays using the ELAM-1 CRE/ATF DNA sequence reveal three complexes. Antibody supershift assays suggest the slowest migrating form (complex 1) contains ATF2, the middle form (complex 2) contains ATF2 and c-Jun, and the fastest migrating form (complex 3) contains a CRE-binding protein. TNF increases c-Jun-containing complex 2 while diminishing complex 1, whereas cAMP decreases complex 2 and increases complex 1. Complex 3 is unchanged by either treatment, and the CRE-binding protein is not phosphorylated. Our data suggest that a change in the composition of the proteins binding to the CRE/ATF promoter element contributes to the competing effects of TNF and cAMP on ELAM-1 gene expression.

Animals↗

Identification of the phosphorylation site in vitro for cAMP-dependent protein kinase on the rat adipocyte cGMP-inhibited cAMP phosphodiesterase.

Rat adipocyte cGMP-inhibited cAMP phosphodiesterase (cGI-PDE) appears to be dually regulated in intact cells by serine phosphorylations induced by isoprenaline and insulin, respectively (Degerman, E., Smith, C. J., Tornqvist, H., Vasta, V., Belfrage, P., and Manganiello, V. C. (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 87, 533-537; Smith, C. J., Vasta, V., Degerman, E., Belfrage, P., and Manganiello, V. C. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 13385-13390). Since cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAMP-PK) catalyzes the beta-adrenergic effects, the site in the isolated cGI-PDE phosphorylated by this kinase was explored. A peptide, LRRSSGASGLLTSEHHSR (P18), corresponding to the amino acid sequence Leu423-Arg440 in the putative regulatory domain of the rat adipocyte cGI-PDE was synthesized. It contains a consensus substrate sequence -RRXS- for cAMP-PK within two tryptic cleavage sites and was readily phosphorylated by cAMP-PK. Two phosphopeptides, identified as RS-[32P]SGASGLLTSEHHSR and S-[32P]SGASGLLTSEHHSR, were obtained after stoichiometric phosphorylation and trypsinization of the peptide. These two peptides and the two main tryptic phosphopeptides obtained from immunoisolated [32P]cGI-PDE phosphorylated with cAMP-PK in a solubilized crude adipocyte membrane fraction were immuno-precipitated by an affinity-purified polyclonal antibody raised against P18 and exhibited the same chromatographic and electrophoretic profiles in three different separation systems. Similar radiosequencing profiles indicated that the second most N-terminal serine, corresponding to Ser-427 in the intact cGI-PDE, was phosphorylated by cAMP-PK in both P18 and authentic cGI-PDE. It is concluded that serine 427 is the target for cAMP-PK phosphorylation of the rat adipocyte cGI-PDE in vitro.

Adipocytes↗

Isolation and characterization of a previously undetected human cAMP phosphodiesterase by complementation of cAMP phosphodiesterase-deficient Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have established a highly sensitive functional screen for the isolation of cDNAs encoding cAMP phosphodiesterases (PDEs) by complementation of defects in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain lacking both endogenous cAMP PDE genes, PDE1 and PDE2. Three groups of cDNAs corresponding to three distinct human genes encoding cAMP-specific PDEs were isolated from a human glioblastoma cDNA library using this functional screen. Two of these genes are closely related to the Drosophila dunce cAMP-specific PDE. The third gene, which we named HCP1, encoded a novel cAMP-specific PDE. HCP1 has an amino acid sequence related to the sequences of the catalytic domains of all cyclic nucleotide PDEs. HCP1 is a high affinity cAMP-specific PDE (Km = 0.2 microM) that does not share other properties of the cAMP-specific PDE family, i.e. extensive sequence homology to the Drosophila dunce cAMP PDE and sensitivity to rolipram and R020-1724. The PDE activity of HCP1 is not sensitive to cGMP or other inhibitors of the cGMP-inhibitable PDEs, such as milrinone. The biochemical and pharmacological properties of HCP1 suggest that it is a member of a previously undiscovered cyclic nucleotide PDE family. Northern blot analysis indicates that high levels of HCP1 mRNA are present in human skeletal muscle.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Elevation of cAMP is required for down-regulation, but not agonist-induced desensitization, of endogenous dopamine D1 receptors in opossum kidney cells. Studies in cells that stably express a rat cAMP phosphodiesterase (rPDE3) cDNA.

D1 dopamine receptors stimulate cAMP accumulation in opossum kidney (OK) cells, but this response is attenuated by pretreatment with dopamine. Dopamine pretreatment also causes a reduction in D1 dopamine receptor number. We transfected OK cells with a rat cAMP phosphodiesterase cDNA (rPDE3) in order to determine the contribution of elevations of cAMP to those two phenomena. Wild-type (WT) OK cells were compared to three clones (C, H, and N) which demonstrated stable expression of the rPDE3 phenotype and genotype, rPDE3 RNA expression was confirmed in clones C, H, and N (but not in WT-OK cells) by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. A functional rPDE3 phenotype was demonstrated in that dopamine-responsive cAMP accumulation was absent in clones C, H, and N in intact cells, but could be restored by preincubation with cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitors, or by using washed membranes from those clones. All three clones had increased cAMP phosphodiesterase activity when compared to WT-OK cells (approximately 100% increase), and blunted or absent dopamine (1 microM)-induced protein kinase A activation. After pretreatment with dopamine (1 microM) for 1 h, clones C, H, and N desensitized equally well as WT-OK cells (approximately 40-50% reduction in maximal increase in cAMP). In contrast, down-regulation of D1 dopamine receptors was blunted for clone C (20% receptor loss) and absent for clones H and N, when compared to a 45% loss of receptors for WT-OK cells. These findings suggest that in OK cells pretreated with 1 microM dopamine (i) cAMP accumulation is not necessary for dopamine-induced desensitization, but (ii) is necessary for down-regulation of D1 dopamine receptors, and (iii) that the down-regulation and desensitization processes may be differentially regulated.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

The cAMP analog 8-Cl-cAMP inhibits growth and induces differentiation and apoptosis in retinoblastoma cells.

Retinoblastomas appear to be derived from a multipotential stem cell of the retina, due to alterations of the Rb1 gene. These tumors arise only within a discrete time frame during childhood, prior to terminal differentiation of the retinal precursor cells. Treatment of retinoblastoma cells with certain agents can induce a partial differentiation of cell types resembling those of the mature retina, such as rod and cone photoreceptors, glia, conventional neurons and pigment epithelia. We have tested the effects of 8-Cl-cAMP, a synthetic analog of cAMP which preferentially binds to and activates the RII subunit of protein kinase A on the Y-79 retinoblastoma cell line in vitro. Y-79 cells treated with 8-Cl-cAMP produced short, branching processes and showed a substantial increase in staining for neuron-specific enolase, a marker for conventional neuronal differentiation. In contrast, dibutyryl-cAMP gives a strong increase in the glial marker glial acidic fibrillary protein. Y-79 cell proliferation was strongly inhibited by 8-Cl-cAMP at concentrations as low as 5-25 microM. 8-Cl-cAMP significantly increased the rate of apoptosis of Y-79 cells in a dose-dependent manner. It also modulated expression of the RI regulatory subunit of intracellular cAMP-dependent protein kinase A, which is produced in abnormal quantities by Y-79 cells. A decrease in protein production was observed, with no clear effect on the RI subunit mRNA expression, suggesting that RI regulation occurs post-transcriptionally.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Dynamic unfolding of a regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase by capillary electrophoresis: Impact of cAMP dissociation on protein stability.

Characterization of the unfolding dynamics of a recombinant type IA regulatory subunit (RIalpha) of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase (cAPK) was examined by CE with UV detection. Electrophoretic separation of RIalpha by CE in a buffer devoid of cAMP resulted in rapid dissociation of the complex from the original sample due to the high negative mobility of the ligand relative to receptor. This process enabled in-capillary generation of cAMP-stripped RIalpha, which was used to estimate the apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.6 +/- 0.2 microM. A comparison of RIalpha dynamic unfolding processes with urea denaturation was performed by CE with (i.e., RIalpha-cAMP) and without (i.e., cAMP-stripped RIalpha) excess cAMP in the buffer during electromigration. The presence of cAMP in the buffer confirmed greater stabilization of the protein, as reflected by a higher standard free energy change (DeltaG(U) degrees) of 10.1 +/- 0.5 kcal x mol(+1) and greater cooperativity in unfolding (m) of -2.30 +/- 0.11 kcal x mol(-1) M(-1). CE offers a rapid, yet versatile platform for probing the thermodynamics of cAPK and other types of receptor-ligand complexes in free solution.

Cyclic AMP↗

Changes in cAMP phosphodiesterase activity and cAMP concentration during mouse preimplantation development.

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity and cAMP amounts were measured in mouse preimplantation embryos at the 1-cell, 2-cell, 8-cell/morula, and mid-blastocyst stages. PDE activity remained constant between the 1-cell and 2-cell stages. It decreased by the 8-cell stage and continued to decrease by the mid blastocyst stage to about 14% of the 1- and 2-cell values. By contrast, cAMP amounts remained essentially constant at 0.05 fmole/embryo (0.3 microM) from the 1-cell to the blastocyst stage and increased to 0.175 fmole in the fully expanded blastocyst that was close to hatching. Measurements of embryo volume indicated that intracellular volume remained essentially constant up to the blastocyst stage. The morphological changes in cell shape that accompany differentiation of the trophectoderm and that are coupled with blastocoel expansion decreased the intracellular volume. This decrease resulted in an increase in the cAMP concentration to about 0.4 microM by the mid-blastocyst stage. Previous studies indicate that either cAMP or TGF-alpha/EGF can stimulate the rate of blastocoel expansion. Although TGF-alpha/EGF can elevate cAMP levels in other cell types, TGF-alpha, at a concentration that maximally stimulates the rate of blastocoel expansion, did not elevate cAMP in blastocysts. Thus, it was unlikely that elevation of cAMP is the mechanism by which TGF-alpha stimulates the rate of blastocoel expansion.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Activation of a nitric-oxide-sensitive cAMP pathway with phencyclidine: elevated hippocampal cAMP levels are temporally associated with deficits in prepulse inhibition.

RATIONALE: Schizophrenic patients show deficits in pre-attentive information processing as evidenced, for example, by disrupted prepulse inhibition, a measure of sensorimotor gating. A similar disruption can be observed in animals treated with the psychotomimetic agent, phencyclidine (PCP). However, the mechanism by which PCP alters brain function has not been fully elucidated. Recent studies have demonstrated that certain behavioural and neurochemical effects of PCP in rats and mice are blocked by nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibition, suggesting an important role for NO in the effects of PCP. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of PCP on cAMP production in the ventral hippocampus and the role of NO in these effects using in vivo microdialysis in rats. Furthermore, the effects of PCP on acoustic startle reactivity and prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle were compared with changes in cAMP levels in the ventral hippocampus. RESULTS: Significant increases in cAMP levels were observed in the ventral hippocampus following both local infusion (10(-4) mol/l and 10(-3) mol/l) and systemic administration (2 mg/kg) of PCP. The PCP-induced changes in prepulse inhibition and startle reactivity were associated in magnitude and duration with the increase in cAMP levels in the hippocampus. Furthermore, systemic administration of the NO synthase inhibitor, L: -NAME (10 mg/kg), blocked both the changes in cAMP levels and the behavioural responses induced by PCP. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that the effects of PCP on prepulse inhibition and startle reactivity are associated with an increase in cAMP levels in the ventral hippocampus, and that this change in cAMP response may be linked to the production of NO.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

Ala335 is essential for high-affinity cAMP-binding of both sites A and B of cAMP-dependent protein kinase type I.

A single amino acid substitution (Ala335Asp) in cAMP binding site B of the regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase type I was sufficient to abolish high affinity cAMP binding for both cAMP binding sites A and B. Furthermore, the Ala335Asp mutation increased the activation constant for cAMP of the mutant holoenzyme 30-fold and also enhanced the rate of holoenzyme formation. Thus, the substitution was responsible for the dominant negative phenotype of the enzyme. Activation of mutant holoenzyme with site-selective cAMP analogs indicated that the enzyme dissociated through binding to site A only. Our results provide evidence that Ala335 is an essential residue for high affinity cAMP binding of both sites as well as for the functional integrity of the enzyme.

Alanine↗