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Agonist-related differences in the relationship between cAMP content and protein kinase activity in canine trachealis.

We investigated the relationships between relaxation, cyclic AMP (cAMP) accumulation and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAMP-PK) activity in canine tracheal smooth muscle. In time course and concentration-response studies, forskolin and isoproterenol elicited relaxation of isolated trachealis strips that was accompanied by an increase in cAMP content and an activation of cAMP-PK. Although these results were consistent with the proposal that cAMP is a second messenger mediating relaxation of airway smooth muscle, close inspection of the data revealed a discrepancy in the relationship between cAMP accumulation and relaxation. To induce equivalent degrees of tracheal relaxation, forskolin generated greater increments in cAMP accumulation than did isoproterenol. On the other hand, the activation state of cAMP-PK correlated reasonably well with relaxation regardless of which agonist was used. Further analysis of the data revealed that the apparent disparity between cAMP accumulation and relaxation could largely be explained at the level of the relationship between cAMP content and cAMP-PK activity: compared to isoproterenol, forskolin induced greater increases in cAMP accumulation to achieve the same activation state of cAMP-PK. These observations lend support to the proposal that in canine trachealis, various components of the cAMP/cAMP-PK cascade exist in distinct subcellular compartments such that not all of the cAMP generated in response to forskolin has access to its target enzyme, cAMP-PK.

Animals↗

Chronic somatostatin treatment induces enhanced forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation in wild-type S49 mouse lymphoma cells but not in protein kinase-deficient mutants.

Many different types of cells exhibit a supersensitivity of adenylate cyclase after chronic treatment with inhibitory drugs; this phenomenon is manifested by enhanced cAMP accumulation upon removal of the inhibitory drug. Acute treatment of wild-type S49 cells with the somatostatin analog SMS 201-995 (SMS) results in inhibition of cAMP accumulation. We have found that chronic SMS treatment of S49 cells results in enhanced isoproterenol- and forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation after removal of the SMS. The forskolin-stimulated cAMP synthetic rate was about 57% higher in SMS-pretreated cells (14.22 +/- 1.02 pmol of cAMP/10(6) cells/min) than in untreated control cells (9.08 +/- 0.84 pmol of cAMP/10(6) cells/min). The time course of forskolin-stimulated intracellular cAMP accumulation is complex, with desensitization of cAMP synthesis and marked egress of cAMP from the cells. We have modeled the forskolin-stimulated cAMP time course to a simple function incorporating the initial synthetic rate and rate constants for desensitization and elimination (degradation plus egress). The mathematical modeling suggests that the difference in forskolin-stimulated cAMP time courses between control and SMS-pretreated cells can be explained on the basis of a difference in initial synthetic rates. We tested the hypothesis that the SMS-induced change in forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation is triggered by the decrement in the concentration of intracellular cAMP caused by SMS. We studied two independently isolated mutants of S49 cells that are devoid of cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity (kin-). Although SMS acutely inhibits cAMP accumulation in both kin- mutants, neither mutant exhibited an enhanced forskolin-stimulated cAMP synthetic rate after chronic SMS treatment. These results suggest that cAMP-dependent protein kinase is important in the induction of adenylate cyclase supersensitivity in wild-type S49 cells. The mechanistic signal for induction of supersensitivity may be the decreased cAMP accumulation that occurs in response to stimulation of inhibitory receptors, although other hypothetical mechanisms may be invoked.

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors↗

Activation of the cAMP signaling pathway increases apoptosis in human B-precursor cells and is associated with downregulation of Mcl-1 expression.

During B- and T-cell ontogeny, extensive apoptosis occurs at distinct stages of development. Agents that increase intracellular levels of cAMP induce apoptosis in thymocytes and mature B cells, prompting us to investigate the role of cAMP signaling in human CD10+ B-precursor cells. We show for the first time that forskolin (which increases intracellular levels of cAMP) increases apoptosis in the CD10- cells in a dose-dependent manner (19%-94% with 0-1,000 microM forskolin after 48 hours incubation, IC50 = 150 microM). High levels of apoptosis were also obtained by exposing the cells to the cAMP analogue 8-chlorophenylthio-cAMP (8-CPT-cAMP). Specific involvement of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) was demonstrated by the ability of a cAMP antagonist, Rp-isomer of 8-bromo-adenosine- 3', 5'- monophosphorothioate (Rp-8-Br-cAMPS), to reverse the apoptosis increasing effect of the complementary cAMP agonist, Sp-8-Br-cAMPS. Furthermore, we investigated the expression of Bcl-2 family proteins. We found that treatment of the cells with forskolin or 8-CPT-cAMP for 48 hours resulted in a fourfold decline in the expression of Mcl-1 (n = 6, P = 0.002) compared to control cells. The expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, or Bax was largely unaffected. Mature peripheral blood B cells showed a smaller increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells in response to 8-CPT-cAMP (1.3-fold, n = 6, P = 0.045) compared to B-precursor cells, and a smaller decrease in Mcl-1 levels (1.5-fold, n = 4, P = 0.014). Taken together, these findings show that cAMP is important in the regulation of apoptosis in B-progenitor and mature B cells and suggest that cAMP-increased apoptosis could be mediated, at least in part, by a decrease in Mcl-1 levels.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Induction of ornithine decarboxylase activity in isolated chicken osteoblasts by parathyroid hormone: the role of cAMP and calcium.

We investigated the role of cAMP and Ca2+ as mediators in parathyroid hormone (PTH)-induced ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity in primary cultures of chicken osteoblasts. We present evidence that the induction of ODC activity by PTH is most likely a receptor-mediated process and that cAMP is a mediator. However, using three different approaches we have strong indications that cAMP is not the exclusive mediator of PTH-induced ODC activity. First, when the dose-response curve of PTH-induced ODC activity is compared with that of PTH-stimulated cAMP production, the ED50 for cAMP production is about five times as high as that for the induction of ODC activity. Second, 1 mM 9-(tetrahydro-2-furanyl) adenine (SQ 22.536) almost completely inhibited PTH-stimulated cAMP production whereas there was only a small inhibitory effect on PTH-induced ODC activity. Third, some PTH fragments unable to stimulate cAMP production were still able to induce ODC activity. We therefore propose that apart from cAMP, an additional messenger, most likely Ca2+, must be present. Evidence for this concept are the observations that substances affecting extracellular and intracellular Ca2+ levels (EGTA, A23187, CoCl2, verapamil) or antagonizing calmodulin (Trifluoroperazin, Compound 48/80) also strongly affect PTH-induced ODC activity. These effects could not be explained by a positive interaction of Ca2+ with the hormone-stimulated cAMP system as 2 mM EGTA strongly enhanced PTH-stimulated cAMP production but at the same time completely inhibited PTH-induced ODC activity. A similar dissociation between hormone-induced cAMP production and induction of ODC activity was found with the Ca2+ -ionophore A23187 (10(-7) M) which significantly inhibited PTH-stimulated cAMP production but strongly enhanced PTH-induced ODC activity. Our results suggest that intracellular Ca2+, and possibly calmodulin, in addition to cAMP, are involved in PTH-induced ODC activity in chicken osteoblasts. Most probably Ca2+ is the initial messenger and cAMP acts in a coordinate pattern as a synarchic messenger making the induction of ODC activity by PTH more sensitive to Ca2+. Furthermore, the present findings are in agreement with our concept of the existence of two receptors or two receptor-sites for PTH on osteoblasts. One receptor is coupled to the production of cAMP and is presumably activated when the first two aminoacids of the NH2-terminus of the hormone are present and the other, suggested to be responsible for the increase in intracellular Ca2+, is thought to be activated by a region of the hormone sequence between amino acid 3 and 34.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Differential androgenic control of prostatic cytosolic cAMP-dependent and -independent protein kinases.

Whether or not various cytosolic protein kinases (and especially the type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase) of rat ventral prostate are specifically regulated with respect to total activity or specific activity by androgen has been investigated. Following androgen deprivation, the total activity per prostate of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (with histone as substrate) changed little at 24 h, declining by about 20% at 96 h. Under these conditions, its specific activity remained unaltered at 24 h, but was markedly enhanced at 96 h postorchiectomy. Type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase in rat ventral prostate cytosol was the only form of cAMP-dependent protein kinases present as determined by measurement of catalytic activity as well as [32P]-8-N3-cAMP binding to the regulatory subunits. There was no alteration in the distribution of the isoenzymes of cAMP-dependent protein kinases or the response of these kinase activities to cAMP owing to castration of animals. The prostatic cytosol also contains free regulatory subunit (with molecular weight similar to that of regulatory subunit R1) which coelutes with type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase. This finding was confirmed by using [32P]-8-N3-cAMP photoaffinity labeling of cAMP-binding proteins. With respect to cAMP-independent protein kinase (measured with dephosphophosvitin as substrate), a decline of 31% in its specific activity was observed in cytosol of prostates from rats castrated for a period of 24 h without significant further change at later periods following castration. However, there was a marked progressive reduction in total activity of this enzyme per prostate (loss of 72% at 96 h postorchiectomy). The increase in specific activity of cAMP-dependent, but not cAMP-independent, protein kinase in the face of decreasing total activity in the cytosol at later periods of castration (e.g., at 96 h) may reflect a slower loss of the former enzyme protein than the bulk of the cytosolic proteins. Administration of testosterone to castrated animals prevented these changes. These data do not indicate a specific regulation by steroid of the type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase in the prostate. Rather, the cAMP-independent protein kinase (with dephosphophosvitin as substrate) appears to be modulated by the androgenic status of the animal.

Androgens↗

The specificity of the cAMP receptor mediating activation of adenylate cyclase in Dictyostelium discoideum.

In Dictyostelium discoideum amoebae, binding of cyclic AMP (cAMP) to surface receptors elicits numerous responses including chemotaxis, cyclic GMP (cGMP) accumulation, and activation of adenylate cyclase. The specificity of the surface cAMP receptor which mediates activation of adenylate cyclase and cAMP secretion was determined by testing the relative effectiveness of a series of 10 cAMP analogs. Each of the 10 analogs elicited cAMP secretion, chemotaxis, and cGMP accumulation in the same dose range. The order of potency for eliciting these responses (cAMP greater than 2'-H-cAMP greater than N1-O-cAMP greater than cAMPS(Sp) greater than 6-Cl-cAMP greater than cAMPN(CH3)2(Sp) greater than 3'-NH-cAMP greater than 8-Br-cAMP greater than cAMPS(Rp) greater than cAMPN(CH3)2(Rp] matches that for binding to the major cell surface cAMP binding sites and differs from that of the cell surface phosphodiesterase and the major intracellular cAMP binding protein.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Effect of calcium on the binding in vitro of [3H]cAMP to synaptosomal membranes from rat brain.

1. The binding of [3H]cAMP in vitro to synaptosomal membranes from rat brain was resolved in two components; one saturable at 20 nM cAMP with dissociation constant (KD) of 4.7 nM, and another nonsaturable within the 5-133 nM cAMP concentration range with an estimated KD value of 0.26 microM. 2. MgATP at concentration of 0.4 mM effected complete inhibition of the binding of [3H]cAMP to synaptosomal membranes throughout the used concentration range. This and the above finding indicate that the studied binding was focused on to the cAMP kinase on the membrane. 3. Calcium at concentrations of 0.1 and 10 mM stimulated a transient 20-30% increase of [3H]cAMP binding to the membranes which was influenced, as regards its time of appearance, by the concentration of cAMP. 4. The stimulation by calcium of the binding of [3H]cAMP to the membranes was inversely related to the phosphorylation of an Mr = 80,000 membrane protein, indicating stimulation of a negative effector function of cAMP--through cAMP-mediated phosphorylation--in the phosphorylation by calcium of this substrate. Moreover, the temporal displacement by cAMP of the peak of [3H]cAMP binding, produced similar temporal displacement of the inhibitory effect of cAMP on the Mr = 80,000 substrate phosphorylation. 5. These results suggest interaction in vitro of calcium and cAMP in modulation of the activity of cAMP kinase on the synaptosomal membranes.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

[Mode of action of cyclic amp in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, CAP and cAMP-dependent protein kinases].

cAMP is an ubiquitous compound which is involved in the regulation of many biological processes. In bacteria such as E. coli, cAMP mediates the activation of catabolic operons via the CAP protein. The CAP-cAMP complex, whose tridimensional structure has recently been established, binds to the promoter regions of catabolic operons at a specific site, and activates their transcription by inducing RNA polymerase to bind and initiate transcription at the correct site. Various phenomenons including protein-protein interactions or CAP-induced DNA bending or kinking could be involved in the process of forming the open transcription complex. In eukaryotes, cAMP activates cAMP dependent protein kinases which covalently modify proteins by phosphorylation on serine or threonine residues. The catalytically inactive holoenzyme is generally a tetramer containing two regulatory subunits, each capable of binding two molecules of cAMP, and two catalytic subunits. In mammalian cells, two types of cAMP dependent protein kinases (I and II) can be distinguished on the basis of their regulatory subunits; their relative proportion varies from tissue to tissue. Binding of cAMP to the regulatory subunits induces the dissociation of the holoenzyme and releases the free and active catalytic subunits. Phosphorylation of proteins occurs at sequences containing two basic residues in the vicinity of the phosphorylated serine or threonine. A heat-stable protein, present in most eukaryotic cells, specifically interacts with the catalytic subunit and inhibits its activity. The amino-acid sequence of cAMP dependent protein kinases has recently been determined. It is interesting to note that the domains responsible for cAMP binding by the regulatory subunits of mammalian cAMP dependent protein kinases and CAP share important sequence homologies. The same phenomenon is observed concerning the domain responsible for ATP binding to the catalytic subunit of cAMP dependent protein kinases and that of tyrosine-specific protein kinases from oncoviruses. Other eukaryotic proteins such as S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH) hydrolase are also capable of binding cAMP. The latter is involved in the regulation of S-adenosyl-L-methionine dependent methylations, and its activity could be affected by cAMP. Besides its role as an effector of enzymatic activity via phosphorylation, such as in the regulation of glycogen metabolism, cAMP has recently been shown to activate the transcription of a number of eukaryotic genes. This process probably also involves protein phosphorylation, but its precise mechanism remains to be understood.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

8-chloroadenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (8-Cl-cAMP) selectively eliminates protein kinase A type I to induce growth inhibition in c-ras-transformed fibroblasts.

8-Chloroadenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (8-Cl-cAMP), a site-selective cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) analogue, exhibits growth inhibition in a broad spectrum of cancer cell lines. We investigated the effect of 8-Cl-cAMP on c-ras-transformed mouse fibroblasts (MP3/3T3) which were established by transfection of Balb3T3 cells (Balb3T3) with the point-mutated c-ras gene [G12-->V12]. 8-Cl-cAMP (2-5 microM) exerted over 80% growth inhibition by day 4 on MP3/3T3, while inhibiting parental Balb3T3 cell growth less than 40%. In order to distinguish the effect of 8-Cl-cAMP from that of 8-chloroadenosine (8-Cl-adenosine), we examined the effect of 8-Cl-cAMP in serum-free medium. 8-Cl-cAMP demonstrated a potent growth inhibition of MP3/3T3 cells cultured in serum-free medium, suggesting that the growth inhibitory effect of 8-Cl-cAMP was not due to its hydrolysed product, 8-Cl-adenosine. In addition, both Balb3T3 and MP3/3T3 contained cAMP phosphodiesterases mainly composed of isozyme IV which has previously been reported to be insensitive towards the hydrolysis of 8-Cl-cAMP. Non-transformed Balb3T3 cells contained only type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), whereas transformed MP3/3T3 exhibited a marked increase in type I PKA. The growth inhibition of MP3/3T3 by 8-Cl-cAMP accompanied almost complete elimination of type I PKA without affecting type II PKA. Moreover, 8-Cl-cAMP induced an arrest in the G0/G1-phase of the cell cycle in MP3/3T3. 8-Cl-adenosine had little or no effect on the cell cycle kinetics of MP3/3T3 cells. These results show that 8-Cl-cAMP is a novel cAMP analogue which selectively eliminates type I PKA to induce growth inhibition in transformed fibroblasts.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Interplay of Ca2+ and cAMP signaling in the insulin-secreting MIN6 beta-cell line.

Ca2+ and cAMP are important second messengers that regulate multiple cellular processes. Although previous studies have suggested direct interactions between Ca2+ and cAMP signaling pathways, the underlying mechanisms remain unresolved. In particular, direct evidence for Ca2+-regulated cAMP production in living cells is incomplete. Genetically encoded fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based biosensors have made possible real-time imaging of spatial and temporal gradients of intracellular cAMP concentration in single living cells. Here, we used confocal microscopy, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, and insulin-secreting MIN6 cells expressing Epac1-camps, a biosynthetic unimolecular cAMP indicator, to better understand the role of intracellular Ca2+ in cAMP production. We report that depolarization with high external K+, tolbutamide, or glucose caused a rapid increase in cAMP that was dependent on extracellular Ca2+ and inhibited by nitrendipine, a Ca2+ channel blocker, or 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine, a P-site antagonist of transmembrane adenylate cyclases. Stimulation of MIN6 cells with glucose in the presence of tetraethylammonium chloride generated concomitant Ca2+ and cAMP oscillations that were abolished in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ and blocked by 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase. Simultaneous measurements of Ca2+ and cAMP concentrations with Fura-2 and Epac1-camps, respectively, revealed a close temporal and causal interrelationship between the increases in cytoplasmic Ca2+ and cAMP levels following membrane depolarization. These findings indicate highly coordinated interplay between Ca2+ and cAMP signaling in electrically excitable endocrine cells and suggest that Ca2+-dependent cAMP oscillations are derived from an increase in adenylate cyclase activity and periodic activation and inactivation of cAMP-hydrolyzing phosphodiesterase.

Animals↗

Isoforms of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase PDE3 and their contribution to cAMP hydrolytic activity in subcellular fractions of human myocardium.

Three isoforms of PDE3 (cGMP-inhibited) cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase regulate cAMP content in different intracellular compartments of cardiac myocytes in response to different signals. We characterized the catalytic activity and inhibitor sensitivity of these isoforms by using recombinant proteins. We determined their contribution to cAMP hydrolysis in cytosolic and microsomal fractions of human myocardium at 0.1 and 1.0 microm cAMP in the absence and presence of Ca(2+)/calmodulin. We examined the effects of cGMP on cAMP hydrolysis in these fractions. PDE3A-136, PDE3A-118, and PDE3A-94 have similar K(m) and k(cat) values for cAMP and are equal in their sensitivities to inhibition by cGMP and cilostazol. In microsomes, PDE3A-136, PDE3A-118, and PDE3A-94 comprise the majority of cAMP hydrolytic activity under all conditions. In cytosolic fractions, PDE3A-118 and PDE3A-94 comprise >50% of the cAMP hydrolytic activity at 0.1 microm cAMP, in the absence of Ca(2+)/calmodulin. At 1.0 microm cAMP, in the presence of Ca(2+)/calmodulin, activation of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-activated (PDE1) and other non-PDE3 phosphodiesterases reduces their contribution to <20% of cAMP hydrolytic activity. cGMP inhibits cAMP hydrolysis in microsomal fractions by inhibiting PDE3 and in cytosolic fractions by inhibiting both PDE3 and PDE1. These findings indicate that the contribution of PDE3 isoforms to the regulation of cAMP hydrolysis in intracellular compartments of human myocardium and the effects of PDE3 inhibition on cAMP hydrolysis in these compartments are highly dependent on intracellular [Ca(2+)] and [cAMP], which are lower in failing hearts than in normal hearts. cGMP may amplify cAMP-mediated signaling in intracellular compartments of human myocardium by PDE3-dependent and PDE3-independent mechanisms.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

High cAMP in spores of Dictyostelium discoideum: association with spore dormancy and inhibition of germination.

Signalling mechanisms involving cAMP have a well-documented role in the coordination of multicellular development and differentiation leading to spore formation in the social amoeba, Dictyostelium discoideum. The involvement of cAMP in the poorly understood developmental stages of spore dormancy and germination have been investigated in this study. Dormant spores contained up to 11-fold more cAMP than nascent amoebae. The spore cAMP levels were not constant, but typically underwent a surge at 14-18 d when spores acquired the ability to germinate spontaneously. The high cAMP levels decreased only during successful spore germination, i.e. emergence of nascent amoebae. The temporal pattern of cAMP decrease was complex and unique to the method of spore activation, supporting our hypothesis that exogenously (e.g. heat) activated and autoactivated spores germinate by different mechanisms. During heat-induced activation, transcription of acg (a gene encoding adenylyl cyclase associated with germination) correlated well with spore cAMP content. Young wild-type spores, incapable of spontaneous germination, maintained a uniformly high cAMP level, and spore cAMP levels also remained high if germination was inhibited. When activated spores were deactivated by applying increased osmotic pressure, cAMP concentrations rose and ultimately levelled off at the high levels typical of dormant spores. The correlation between high cAMP and failure to germinate was also evident when autoactivation was inhibited by the cAMP analogue, 8-bromo-cAMP. Also, spores from a strain (HTY217) with unrestrained protein kinase A activity were incapable of spontaneous germination. Overall, our experiments provide evidence for continued cAMP signalling in spores up to 18 d after sporulation and for linkages between elevated cAMP, spore deactivation and inhibition of spontaneous germination.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Activation of f-channels by cAMP analogues in macropatches from rabbit sino-atrial node myocytes.

1. The action of the two diastereometric phosphorothioate derivatives of cAMP, Rp-cAMPs and Sp-cAMPs, was investigated on hyperpolarization-activated 'pacemaker' current (i(f)) recorded in inside-out macropatches from rabbit sino-atrial (SA) node myocytes. 2. When superfused on the intracellular side of f-channels at the concentration of 10 microM, both cAMP derivatives accelerated i(f) activation; their action was moderately less pronounced than that due to the same concentration of cAMP. 3. The measurement of the i(f) conductance-voltage relation by voltage ramp protocols indicated that both cAMP analogues shift the activation curve of i(f) to more positive voltages with no change in maximal (fully activated) conductance. 4. Dose-response relationships of the shift of the i(f) activation curve showed that both Rp-cAMPs and Sp-cAMPs act as agonists in the cAMP-dependent direct f-channel activation. Fitting data to the Hill equation resulted in maximal shifts of 9.6 and 9.5 mV, apparent dissociation constants of 0.82 and 5.4 microM, and Hill coefficients of 0.82 and 1.12 for Sp-cAMPs and Rp-cAMPs, respectively. 5. The activating action of Rp-cAMPs, a known antagonist of cAMP in the activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, confirms previously established evidence that f-channel activation does not involve phosphorylation. These results also suggest that the cAMP binding site of f-channels may be structurally similar to the cyclic nucleotide binding site of olfactory receptor channels.

Animals↗

Simultaneous measurements of intracellular cAMP and L-type Ca2+ current in single frog ventricular myocytes.

The cAMP fluorescent probe FlCRhR was used to monitor changes in intracellular cAMP concentration ([cAMP]i) in isolated frog ventricular myocytes. The probe was introduced into the cell through a patch pipette which allowed simultaneous recording of the whole-cell L-type Ca2+ current (ICa). Ratiometric imaging was used to monitor [cAMP]i changes in response to the beta-adrenergic agonist isoprenaline (ISO) or to the direct adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin (FSK). FlCRhR fluorescence was distributed in the cytosol in a striated pattern, with high fluorescence in the I-bands and low fluorescence in the A-bands. This pattern of distribution was mimicked by fluorescein dextran, another high molecular weight fluorescent molecule, and was therefore likely to be due to anisotropic diffusion of the probe in the cytosol due to the hindrance generated by sarcomeric proteins in the A-bands. Introduction of FlCRhR into the cell induced a small approximately 70% stimulatory effect on basal ICa, attenuating about 2-fold a subsequent response of ICa to 1-10 microM ISO (from 400 to 200%). Brief (10 s) application of a saturating concentration of ISO (1-20 microM) to the cell induced a transient increase in both ICa and [cAMP]i. However, the [cAMP]i transient was approximately 2-fold shorter in duration than the ICa transient, i.e. ICa was still strongly enhanced when [cAMP]i had already returned to control level. This indicates that hydrolysis of cAMP by phosphodiesterases is not a rate limiting step in the recovery of ICa from ISO stimulation. When the application of ISO was maintained, ICa and [cAMP]i responses followed a similar time course, with a half-maximal response at approximately 60 s. This suggests that activation of Ca2+ channels by cAMP-dependent protein kinase occurs on a much faster time scale than the rise in [cAMP]i. When the cells were exposed to FSK (13 microM), both responses of ICa and [cAMP]i were approximately 2-fold slower than with ISO. This demonstrates that the slower response of ICa to FSK is due to a slower rise in [cAMP]i rather than to some inhibitory effect of FSK on ICa or to a direct or priming effect of the stimulatory G protein Gs on Ca2+ channels. Simultaneous measurements of [cAMP]i and ICa changes in intact cardiac myocytes opens the way to dissect the temporal sequence of events in the cAMP cascade mediating the response of the heart to a large number of hormones and inotropic agents.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

cAMP increases Ca2+-dependent exocytosis through both PKA and Epac2 in mouse melanotrophs from pituitary tissue slices.

Cyclic AMP regulates Ca(2+)-dependent exocytosis through a classical protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent and an alternative cAMP-guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF)/Epac-dependent pathway in many secretory cells. Although increased cAMP is believed to double secretory output in isolated pituitary cells, the direct target(s) for cAMP action and a detailed and high-time resolved analysis of the effect of intracellular cAMP levels on the secretory activity in melanotrophs are still lacking. We investigated the effect of 200 microM cAMP on the kinetics of secretory vesicle depletion in mouse melanotrophs from fresh pituitary tissue slices. The whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to depolarize melanotrophs and increase the cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)). Exogenous cAMP elicited an about twofold increase in cumulative membrane capacitance change and approximately 34% increase of high-voltage activated Ca(2+) channel amplitude. cAMP-dependent mechanisms did not affect [Ca(2+)](i), since the application of forskolin failed to change [Ca(2+)](i) in melanotrophs, a phenomenon readily observed in anterior lobe. Depolarization-induced secretion resulted in two distinct kinetic components: a linear and a threshold component, both stimulated by cAMP. The linear component (ATP-independent) probably represented the exocytosis of the release-ready vesicles, whereas the threshold component was assigned to the exocytosis of secretory vesicles that required ATP-dependent reaction(s) and > 800 nM [Ca(2+)](i). The linear component was modulated by 8-pCPT-2Me-cAMP (Epac agonist), while either H-89 (PKA inhibitor) or Rp-cAMPS (the competitive antagonist of cAMP binding to PKA) completely prevented the action of cAMP on the threshold component. In line with this, 6-Phe-cAMP, (PKA agonist), increased the threshold component. From our study, we suggest that the stimulation of cAMP production by application of oestrogen, as found in pregnant mice, increases the efficacy of the hormonal output through both PKA and cAMP-GEFII/Epac2-dependent mechanisms.

Animals↗

Enhancement by GTP of cAMP binding to hepatic nuclei and cytosol.

In the present study we have demonstrated specific binding of 3H-labeled adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) to a nuclear extract from rat liver. GTP, GDP, and low concentrations of ATP and ADP increased nuclear binding of [3H]cAMP, and AMP inhibited [3H]cAMP binding. Photoaffinity labeling studies employing [32P]cAMP revealed four nuclear binding proteins [relative molecular weight (Mr) 36,000, 49,000, 54,000 and 57,000]. Unlabeled cAMP decreased [32P]cAMP binding to all four proteins, whereas GTP increased binding to the 57,000 protein. We also observed specific binding of [3H]cAMP in the liver cytosol, which was stimulated by GTP but not by ADP or ATP. Photoaffinity labeling studies of the cytosol in the absence of unlabeled nucleotides revealed three cAMP-binding proteins (Mr 36,000, 49,000, and 54,000). Unlabeled cAMP inhibited binding of [32P]cAMP to all three proteins, whereas in the presence of GTP there was binding of [32P]cAMP to a Mr 57,000 protein. Using DEAE-cellulose, we isolated from the nuclear extract and cytosol a cAMP-binding protein that responded to GTP with an increase in cAMP binding but was unaffected by GDP, ATP, ADP, and AMP. Guanosine imidodiphosphate did not affect cAMP binding, suggesting that the stimulatory effect of GTP may be mediated by phosphorylation. We speculate that alterations in intracellular GTP in vivo may modulate the binding of cAMP to a protein in the nucleus and cytosol.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Localized cAMP-dependent signaling mediates beta 2-adrenergic modulation of cardiac excitation-contraction coupling.

Recent studies have shown that beta 2-adrenergic receptor (beta 2-AR)-stimulated increases in the intracellular Ca2+ (Cai) transient and contraction in cardiac myocytes are dissociated from the increase in adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) level and are not accompanied by an increase in phospholamban phosphorylation, an acceleration in relaxation, or a reduction in myofilament Ca2+ response. Thus we hypothesized that the beta 2-AR modulation of cardiac excitation-contraction (EC) coupling may be mediated by either a cAMP-independent mechanism or a compartmentalized cAMP pathway. To directly distinguish between these two possibilities, the responses of the L-type Ca2+ current (ICa), Cai transient, and contraction to beta 2-AR as well as to beta 1-AR stimulation were examined in rat ventricular myocytes in the presence or absence of specific inhibitory cAMP analogs, Rp diastereomers of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphothioate (Rp-cAMPS) and 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cAMP (Rp-CPT-cAMPS). As expected, the positive inotropic effect induced by an adenylyl cyclase activator, forskolin (2 x 10(-7) M), or a beta 1-AR agonist, norepinephrine (5 x 10(-8) M) plus prazosin (10(-6) M), was completely blocked by Rp-CPT-cAMPS. More importantly, the responses of ICa, Cai transient, and contraction to beta 2-AR stimulation by zinterol (10(-5) M) or isoproterenol plus a selective beta 1-AR antagonist, CGP-20712A, were also entirely abolished by Rp-cAMPS (in the patch-pipette solution) or Rp-CPT-cAMPS (in the bath solution). In pertussis toxin-treated cells, although the response of cAMP was not altered, the beta 2-AR-stimulated increase in contraction amplitude was markedly enhanced and accompanied by a hastened relaxation, resulting in a tight association between cAMP and contraction. These results indicate that beta 2-AR modulation of cardiac excitation-contraction coupling requires cAMP. The dissociation of beta 2-AR-stimulated cAMP production and regulation of myofilament and sarcoplasmic reticulum functions is attributable to a functional compartmentation of the cAMP-dependent signaling due to an activation of beta 2-AR-coupled Gi and/or G(o).

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

cAMP-dependent protein kinase modulates expiratory neurons in vivo.

The adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKA) second-messenger system influences neuronal excitability by modulating voltage-regulated and transmitter-activated channels. In this study we investigated the influence of the cAMP-PKA system on the excitability of expiratory (E) neurons in the caudal medulla of anesthetized, paralyzed, and artificially ventilated adult cats. We intracellularly injected the PKA inhibitors cAMP-dependent PKA inhibitor 5-22 amide (Walsh inhibitory peptide) and Rp-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphothioate triethylamine (Rp-cAMPS), the PKA activator Sp-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphothioate triethylamine (Sp-cAMPS), and the adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin and measured membrane potential, neuronal input resistance, and synaptic membrane currents. Inhibition of cAMP-PKA activity by Walsh inhibitory peptide or Rp-cAMPS injections hyperpolarized neurons, decreased input resistance, and depressed spontaneous bursts of action potentials. Action potential duration was shortened and afterhyperpolarizations were increased. Inhibitory synaptic currents increased significantly. Stimulation of cAMP-PKA activity by Sp-cAMPS or forskolin depolarization neurons and increased input resistance. Spontaneous inhibitory synaptic currents were reduced and excitatory synaptic currents were increased. Rp-cAMPs depressed stimulus-evoked excitatory postsynaptic potentials and currents, whereas Sp-cAMPS increased them. Sp-cAMPS also blocked postsynaptic inhibition of E neurons by 8-hydroxy-dipropylaminotetralin, a serotonin-1A (5-HT-1A) receptor agonist that depresses neuronal cAMP-PKA activity. To determine the predominant effect of G protein-mediated neuromodulation of E neurons, we injected guanosine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) tetralithium salt (GTP-gamma-S), an activator of both stimulatory and inhibitory G proteins. GTP-gamma-S hyperpolarized E neurons, reduced input resistance, and increased action potential afterhyperpolarization. We conclude that the intracellular cAMP-PKA messenger system play an important role in the activity-dependent modulation of excitability in E neurons of the caudal medulla. In addition, the cAMP-PKA pathway itself is downregulated during activation of 5-HT-1A receptors.

Animals↗