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PubMed2004

cAMP modulates cGMP-mediated cerebral arteriolar relaxation in vivo.

No studies have specifically addressed whether cAMP can influence nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP-induced cerebral vasodilation. In this study, we examined whether cAMP can enhance or reduce NO-induced cerebral vasodilation in vivo via interfering with cGMP efflux or through potentiating phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5)-mediated cGMP breakdown, respectively, in cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells (CVSMCs). To that end, we evaluated, in male rats, the effects of knockdown [via antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) applications] of the cGMP efflux protein multidrug resistance protein 5 (MRP5) and PDE5 inhibition on pial arteriolar NO donor [S-nitroso-N-acetyl penicillamine (SNAP)]-induced dilations in the absence and presence of cAMP elevations via forskolin. Pial arteriolar diameter changes were measured using well-established protocols in anesthetized rats. In control (missense ODN treated) rats, forskolin elicited a leftward shift in the SNAP dose-response curves (approximately 50% reduction in SNAP EC50). However, in MRP5 knockdown rats, cAMP increases were associated with a substantial reduction in SNAP-induced vasodilations (reflected as a significant 35-50% lower maximal response). In the presence of the PDE5 inhibitor MY-5445, the repression of the NO donor response accompanying forskolin was prevented. These findings suggest that cAMP has opposing effects on NO-stimulated cGMP increases. On the one hand, cAMP limits CVSMC cGMP loss by restricting cGMP efflux. On the other, cAMP appears to enhance PDE5-mediated cGMP breakdown. However, because increased endogenous cAMP seems to potentiate NO/cGMP-induced arteriolar relaxation when MRP5 expression is normal, the effect of cAMP to reduce cGMP efflux appears to predominate over cAMP stimulation of cGMP hydrolysis.

3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed2001

AKAP proteins anchor cAMP-dependent protein kinase to KvLQT1/IsK channel complex.

In cardiac myocytes, the slow component of the delayed rectifier K(+) current (I(Ks)) is regulated by cAMP. Elevated cAMP increases I(Ks) amplitude, slows its deactivation kinetics, and shifts its activation curve. At the molecular level, I(Ks) channels are composed of KvLQT1/IsK complexes. In a variety of mammalian heterologous expression systems maintained at physiological temperature, we explored cAMP regulation of recombinant KvLQT1/IsK complexes. In these systems, KvLQT1/IsK complexes were totally insensitive to cAMP regulation. cAMP regulation was not restored by coexpression with the dominant negative isoform of KvLQT1 or with the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator. In contrast, coexpression of the neuronal A kinase anchoring protein (AKAP)79, a fragment of a cardiac AKAP (mAKAP), or cardiac AKAP15/18 restored cAMP regulation of KvLQT1/IsK complexes inasmuch as cAMP stimulation increased the I(Ks) amplitude, increased its deactivation time constant, and negatively shifted its activation curve. However, in cells expressing an AKAP, the effects of cAMP stimulation on the I(Ks) amplitude remained modest compared with those previously reported in cardiac myocytes. The effects of cAMP stimulation were fully prevented by including the Ht31 peptide (a global disruptor of protein kinase A anchoring) in the intracellular medium. We concluded that cAMP regulation of I(Ks) requires protein kinase A anchoring by AKAPs, which therefore participate with the channel protein complex underlying I(Ks).

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1999

Control of cAMP in lung endothelial cell phenotypes. Implications for control of barrier function.

Pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs) form a more restrictive barrier to macromolecular flux than pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (PAECs); however, the mechanisms responsible for this intrinsic feature of PMVECs are unknown. Because cAMP improves endothelial barrier function, we hypothesized that differences in enzyme regulation of cAMP synthesis and/or degradation uniquely establish an elevated content in PMVECs. PMVECs possessed 20% higher basal cAMP concentrations than did PAECs; however, increased content was accompanied by 93% lower ATP-to-cAMP conversion rates. In PMVECs, responsiveness to beta-adrenergic agonist (isoproterenol) or direct adenylyl cyclase (forskolin) activation was attenuated and responsiveness to phosphodiesterase inhibition (rolipram) was increased compared with those in PAECs. Although both types of endothelial cells express calcium-inhibited adenylyl cyclase, constitutive PMVEC cAMP accumulation was not inhibited by physiological rises in cytosolic calcium, whereas PAEC cAMP accumulation was inhibited 30% by calcium. Increasing either PMVEC calcium entry by maximal activation of store-operated calcium entry or ATP-to-cAMP conversion with rolipram unmasked calcium inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. These data indicate that suppressed calcium entry and low ATP-to-cAMP conversion intrinsically influence calcium sensitivity. Adenylyl cyclase-to-cAMP phosphodiesterase ratios regulate cAMP at elevated levels compared with PAECs, which likely contribute to enhanced microvascular barrier function.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1981

ADH-sensitive cAMP system in papillary collecting duct: effect of osmolality and PGE2.

The papillary collecting duct (PCD) is considered to be of major importance in the final elaboration of the urine, but the metabolism of cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) has not yet been directly studied in the PCD. Therefore, in the present study we examined the basic properties of the cAMP system in isolated PCD microdissected from rat kidney. Vasopressin (VP) caused a marked (5- to 10-fold) stimulation of adenylate cyclase (AdC) but parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, isoproterenol, and bradykinin were without effect. A gradual increase in osmolality from 200 mosM had a biphasic effect on AdC, first enhancing (at 800 mosM) then inhibiting AdC activity at 2,000 mosM. cAMP-phosphodiesterase activity was inhibited as osmolality was increased from 200 to 800 mosM and the inhibition remained constant to 2,000 mosM. Incubation of intact PCD with VP resulted in a threefold increase in cAMP levels. As the osmolality of the incubation medium ws increased from 300 to 2,000 mosM, both basal and VP-stimulated cAMP levels continued to increase. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) (10(-5) M) alone (in the absence of vP) caused an increase in AdC activity, but the same dose of PGE2 had no effect on AdC activity stimulated by submaximal or maximal doses of VP. PGE2 (10(-5) M) caused a small increase in cAMP levels in intact PCD. On the other hand, PGE2 inhibited VP-stimulated cAMP levels by 50%. Incubation of PCD with PGE2 had no effect on cAMP-phosphodiesterase activity. The results demonstrate that osmolality in the physiologic range has a major influence on cAMP metabolism in the PCD and document an antagonism between PGE2 and VP at the level of cAMP accumulation in the PCD.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1983

Effect of PGE2 on vasopressin-dependent cell cAMP in isolated single nephron segments.

To further evaluate the interaction between vasopressin (AVP) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the kidney, the effects of AVP and PGE2 on cell cAMP content were examined in the isolated thick ascending limb of Henle (TAL) and the cortical collecting tubule (CCT) of rat kidney. Nephron segments were incubated in the presence of phosphodiesterase inhibitor, 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine (MIX), with 10 nM AVP and varying concentrations of PGE2 at 37 degrees C for 1-7 min, and the cAMP content was determined by radioimmunoassay. PGE2 suppressed the AVP-stimulated increase in cell cAMP in both medullary (MTAL) and cortical (CTAL) portions of the TAL in a dose-dependent manner. This inhibitory effect was evident at 0.28 nM PGE2 and maximum at 2.8-28 microM PGE2. By contrast, in the presence of MIX PGE2 did not inhibit AVP-stimulated cAMP increases in the CCT. However, in the absence of MIX, PGE2 suppressed cAMP accumulation in the CCT. These data suggest that PGE2 may suppress cell cAMP by inhibiting AVP-dependent cAMP formation in the TAL; PGE2 may suppress cAMP in the CCT by acting at a site(s) affected by MIX and not by inhibiting cAMP formation. The results show that although PGE2 may inhibit AVP-dependent cell cAMP accumulation in both TAL and CCT, the underlying cellular mechanisms may be different in these two distinct AVP-sensitive nephron segments.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗
PubMed1988

cAMP-binding proteins in medullary tubules from rat kidney: effect of ADH.

Little is known of the regulatory steps in the cellular action of vasopressin (AVP) on the renal epithelium, subsequent to the cAMP generation. We studied cAMP-binding proteins in the medullary collecting tubule (MCT) and the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop (MTAL) microdissected from the rat kidney by use of photoaffinity labeling. Microdissected tubules were homogenized and photoaffinity labeled by incubation with 1 microM 32P-labeled 8-azido-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (N3-8-[32P]-cAMP); the incorporated 32P was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. Both in MCT and MTAL preparations, the analyses showed incorporation of N3-8-[32P]cAMP into two bands (Mr = 49,000 and Mr = 55,000) that comigrated with standards of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulatory subunits RI and RII. In MCT, most of the 32P (80%) was incorporated into RI, whereas in MTAL the 32P incorporated into RI and RII was equivalent. When freshly dissected MCT segments were incubated with 10(-12)-10(-6) M AVP, the subsequent photoaffinity labeling of RI with N3-8-[32P]cAMP was markedly diminished in a dose-dependent manner compared with controls. Our results suggest that cAMP binds in MCT and MTAL to regulatory subunits RI and RII of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. However, in MCT the dominant type of cAMP-dependent protein kinase appears to be type I. The outlined procedure is suitable to indirectly measure the occupancy of RI by endogenous cAMP generated in MCT cells in response to physiological levels (10(-12) M) of AVP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Affinity Labels↗
PubMed1991

Role of cAMP-phosphodiesterase isozymes in pathogenesis of murine nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.

To test the hypothesis that rapid adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) catabolism via cyclic 3',5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) is a cause of the unresponsiveness to vasopressin (VP) in mice with hereditary nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI), we investigated properties of PDEs and other aspects of the VP-dependent cAMP-signaling system in segments of collecting ducts [inner medullary (IMCD), cortical (CCD), and outer medullary (OMCD) ducts] microdissected from control mice and mice with NDI. The activity of cAMP-PDE, but not of cGMP-PDE, was markedly higher in IMCD (+109%), and to a lesser degree in OMCD (+41%) and CCD (+27%), of NDI mice than in normal controls. The cAMP-PDE in IMCD of NDI mice was more sensitive to inhibition by the PDE isozyme-specific inhibitors rolipram and cilostamide, but not by 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, than was the cAMP-PDE in controls. Levels of cAMP in intact IMCD and CCD from NDI mice completely failed to increase in response to 10(-6) M VP. Incubation with rolipram alone, but not with cilostamide alone, restored VP-dependent cAMP accumulation in IMCD of NDI mice to the levels found in control mice; addition of cilostamide further enhanced the effect of rolipram. Analogous (but quantitatively lesser) anomalies of the VP-dependent cAMP system, including the effects of PDE inhibitors, were observed also in CCD of NDI mice. However, the activity of VP-stimulated adenylate cyclase assayed in permeabilized IMCD did not differ in NDI and control mice. These results indicate that anomalously high activities of low-Km cAMP-PDE isozymes account for the failure of collecting ducts of NDI mice to increase cAMP levels in response in VP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed1999

Type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulates electrogenic ion transport in rabbit collecting duct.

cAMP mediates many of the effects of vasopressin, prostaglandin E2, and beta-adrenergic agents upon salt and water transport in the renal collecting duct. The present studies examined the role of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) in mediating these effects. PKA is a heterotetramer comprised of two regulatory (R) subunits and two catalytic (C) subunits. The four PKA isoforms may be distinguished by their R subunits that have been designated RIalpha, RIbeta, RIIalpha, and RIIbeta. Three regulatory subunits, RIalpha, RIIalpha, and RIIbeta, were detected by immunoblot and ribonuclease protection in both primary cultures and fresh isolates of rabbit cortical collecting ducts (CCDs). Monolayers of cultured CCDs grown on semipermeable supports were mounted in an Ussing chamber, and combinations of cAMP analogs that selectively activate PKA type I vs. PKA type II were tested for their effect on electrogenic ion transport. Short-circuit current (Isc) was significantly increased by the PKA type II-selective analog pairs N6-monobutyryl-cAMP plus 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cAMP or N6-monobutyryl-cAMP plus 8-chloro-cAMP. In contrast the PKA type I-selective cAMP analog pair [N6-monobutyryl-cAMP plus 8-(6-aminohexyl)-amino-cAMP] had no effect on Isc. These results suggest PKA type II is the major isozyme regulating electrogenic ion transport in the rabbit collecting duct.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Methacholine sensitivity and cAMP protein kinase in tracheal smooth muscle.

We studied regional variation in canine trachealis smooth muscle sensitivity and responsiveness to methacholine as well as basal and methacholine-stimulated adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity. The trachea between the cricoid cartilage and the carina was divided into three segments of equal length (designated cervical, middle, and thoracic regions), each consisting of approximately 12-14 cartilage rings. Smooth muscle strips from each of the three regions were exposed to cumulative half-log increments of methacholine chloride. The sensitivity (-log EC50) and responsiveness (force per cross-sectional area and force per milligram protein) of the smooth muscle to methacholine in each region was determined from these data. Smooth muscle strips from cervical and thoracic regions were frozen before and after exposure to cumulative half-log increments of methacholine up to each region's previously determined EC50. Frozen samples were assayed for cAMP content or cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity. The relationship between resting tension and methacholine sensitivity and responsiveness were studied. For the size strips we used, 4 g resting tension set the average cervical and thoracic strips at 96 and 101% of their optimal length, respectively. The methacholine EC50 was not affected by a variation in resting tension. Sensitivity to methacholine was 7.1, 6.8, and 6.5 for cervical, middle, and thoracic regions, respectively. The responsiveness of the cervical and thoracic smooth muscle to methacholine was 16.4 and 16.3 g force/mm2, respectively, at an EC50 methacholine. Basal cAMP was lower in cervical smooth muscle than in thoracic. cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity ratios under both basal and EC50 methacholine-stimulated conditions were lower in cervical smooth muscle than in thoracic. We have observed in trachealis smooth muscle an inverse relationship between methacholine sensitivity and either cAMP or cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity. We suggest that cAMP and cAMP-dependent protein kinase play a role in the regulation of airway smooth muscle sensitivity to cholinergic agonists.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Effect of cAMP on ciliary function in rabbit tracheal epithelial cells.

To study the effect of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) on respiratory ciliary activity, we measured ciliary beat frequency (CBF) of rabbit tracheal epithelium by a photoelectric method in response to cAMP analogues and agents that can increase endogenous cAMP production. Addition of 8-bromo-cAMP dose dependently enhanced CBF, with the maximal increase and the concentration necessary to produce a half-maximal response (KD) being 31.0 +/- 3.4% (SE) (P less than 0.001) and 3.2 +/- 1.5 x 10(-7) M, respectively. Other structurally dissimilar cAMP analogues dibutyryl cAMP and chlorophenylthio-cAMP likewise caused increases in CBF. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine and the adenylate cyclase stimulator forskolin also augmented CBF in a dose-dependent fashion and were accompanied by the increases in intracellular concentrations of cAMP. Ciliary discoordination was not observed in any of the experiments. These results suggest that cAMP may accelerate mucociliary clearance through the activation of ciliary motility and that intracellular cAMP levels appear to be an important determinant for the lung mucociliary transport functions.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗
PubMed1987

cAMP elevation modulates physiological activity of pyloric neurons in the lobster stomatogastric ganglion.

1. We analyzed the physiological effects of the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin, and other adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-elevating agents, on neurons of the pyloric circuit from the stomatogastric ganglion of the lobster Panulirus interruptus. Agents were bath applied to pyloric neurons either in the synaptically intact pyloric circuit or following isolation from all known synaptic input. 2. Several cAMP-elevating agents, including forskolin, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, Ro20-1724, and 8-bromo-cAMP, generated similar motor patterns from the pyloric circuit. The motor patterns exhibited an increased cycle frequency and enhanced spike activity from all classes of pyloric neurons. Since these agents differ both in structure and site of action in the cAMP pathway, their physiological effects on the motor pattern probably result from increased cAMP levels in pyloric neurons. 3. When forskolin was applied to synaptically isolated neurons, it caused a strong activation or enhancement of activity of all pyloric cells. However, it induced different types of activity in different cells, including the induction of bursting pacemaker potentials in one cell type, activation of plateau potentials in another, and depolarization with activation or enhancement of tonic spike activity in the remaining cells. Thus there is no single physiological response to cAMP elevation in the pyloric circuit; its effects can be quite diverse, mediating several activity states, in different cells. 4. Radioimmunoassays were performed on whole stomatogastric ganglia to determine whether known neuromodulators can affect cAMP concentrations. Both forskolin and octopamine increased cAMP levels, whereas dopamine, serotonin, proctolin, and FMRFamide did not appreciably affect cAMP levels. The physiological effects of octopamine and forskolin are similar in most, but not all, pyloric cells. Octopamine is thus a candidate neuromodulator whose actions may be mediated, at least in part, by increased cAMP in some pyloric cells; however, forskolin does not completely mimic the physiological effects of octopamine on all pyloric neurons, suggesting that octopamine can also act by other biochemical mechanisms.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗
PubMed2002

Postsynaptic application of a cAMP analogue reverses long-term potentiation in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons.

The molecular mechanisms that underlie the maintenance of long-term potentiation (LTP) remain unclear. We have examined the influence of postsynaptic cAMP-dependent processes on LTP maintenance in CA1 hippocampal cells. After LTP induction, drugs affecting cAMP-dependent processes were perfused into the cell through a patch pipette. A cAMP analogue, Rp-cAMPS (4 mM), dramatically decreased the amplitude of potentiated synaptic responses. The amplitude of responses in the control pathway was also decreased but to a lesser extent, indicating a specific effect on the potentiation process. This specific effect was not due to the larger amplitude of potentiated responses, was not use-dependent and, unlike other factors that affect LTP maintenance, did not depend on the delay (2, 10, or 25 min) of drug application after LTP induction. Lower concentrations of Rp-cAMPS (1.0 and 0.4 mM) also produced an inhibitory effect but reduced the LTP and control pathways comparably. One possible action of Rp-cAMPS is competitive inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA). Surprisingly, a potent and noncompetitive PKA inhibitor, regulatory type II subunit of PKA, produced only a weak depression of potentiated and control responses indicating there must be other targets for Rp-cAMPS. Moreover, Sp-8-OH-cAMPS, which is an activator of PKA, and Rp-8-OH-cAMPS, which is a weak inhibitor of PKA, both produced effects similar to those of Rp-cAMPS. We conclude that there are postsynaptic cyclic nucleotide-dependent processes that can specifically alter the mechanisms that maintain LTP and that are not primarily dependent on PKA.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Changes in glomerular and cortical tubular cAMP metabolism in kidneys from rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction.

Obstructive uropathy is associated with changes in several renal functions. As some of these are mediated by cAMP, we examined whether changes in cAMP metabolism could contribute to the pathophysiology of unilateral ureteral ligation in rats. We found that basal adenylate cyclase in the cortex of the obstructed kidney doubled after 3-7 days, but the response to NaF and parathyroid hormone was decreased. Similarly, in vivo infusion of parathyroid hormone resulted in lower cAMP levels in the cortex of the obstructed kidney. Parathyroidectomy or pretreatment with beta-adrenergic blocker had no effect. Prostaglandin inhibition by indomethacin decreased, but did not abolish, the differences. On the other hand, basal adenylate cyclase in glomeruli from contralateral kidneys was higher. Pretreatment with indomethacin reduced the basal activity in contralateral glomeruli, and led to increased degrees of stimulation with parathyroid hormone and prostaglandins. Furthermore, we demonstrated that isolated glomeruli contain cAMP-dependent protein kinase that is found predominantly in the 30,000 g supernatant fraction and that by DEAE-cellulose chromatography has the characteristics of a type II kinase. In glomeruli from rats with unilateral ureteral ligation, the distribution and degree of activation of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase are affected differently on the ligated and contralateral sides, probably reflecting the change in glomerular cAMP generation. These results indicate that changes in cAMP metabolism may contribute to the altered cortical tubular function in unilateral ureteral ligation and may be partially related to enhanced prostaglandin synthesis in the obstructed kidney. On the other hand, the higher adenylate cyclase activity and the change in cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity in glomeruli from the contralateral kidney may in part reflect increased PGE2 production by these glomeruli. The results support the concept that similar to their in vitro action, locally generated prostaglandins may in vivo affect cortical tubular function by influencing the tubular cAMP system while those generated in the glomerulus alter glomerular cAMP metabolism.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1992

Dual regulation by cAMP of beta-hexosaminidase-induced mitogenesis in bovine tracheal myocytes.

beta-Hexosaminidases, potent mitogens in bovine tracheal myocytes (BTM), stimulate a rapid and transient increase in intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation. The objective of this study was to elucidate the contribution of cAMP in hexosaminidase-induced airway muscle proliferation. Rate of DNA synthesis was measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation in quiescent cells prepared by a low-serum treatment (0.4%) for 48 h after reaching confluency in microtiter wells. cAMP accumulation was measured in acetylated cell extracts in the presence of isobutyl methylxanthine (100 microM) by radioimmunoassay using 125I-cAMP as tracer. Exposure of quiescent cells to purified human placental hexosaminidase B (5 micrograms/ml, 50 nM) caused a significant transient increase in cAMP accumulation (49 to 107 fmol/micrograms protein, or a 20- to 70-fold increase from basal level). Maximum increase occurred at 15 min followed by a rapid decline in cAMP accumulation within 30 min after exposure to hexosaminidase. Similar results were obtained in cells treated with neoglycoprotein mannose bovine serum albumin (100 to 500 nM). The increase in cAMP accumulation was inhibited by mannan (mannose receptor blocker, 0.1 mg/ml), as well as phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA; A1 receptor agonist that inhibits adenylyl cyclase, 0.1 to 1.0 microM). The increase in 3H-thymidine incorporation induced by hexosaminidase B was also inhibited by mannan and PIA. Exposure to 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cAMP (cpt-cAMP; a cell-permeable analog of cAMP, 100 microM) or forskolin (a direct activator of catalytic subunit of adenylyl cyclase, 24 microM) up to 6 h enhanced 3H-thymidine incorporation. In contrast, a prolonged exposure (18 to 30 h) to these agents inhibited 3H-thymidine incorporation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Relevant cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase isoforms in human pituitary: effect of Gs(alpha) mutations.

Both cAMP production by adenylyl cyclase and cAMP degradation by phosphodiesterases account for intracellular cAMP levels. We previously demonstrated an increased phosphodiesterase activity in GH-secreting adenomas bearing the gsp oncogene. Here we characterize both the activity and the expression of cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase genes in the human pituitary and in gsp+ and gsp- GH-secreting adenomas and analyze the impact of this intracellular feedback mechanism on the levels of cAMP-responsive element-binding protein phosphorylation. Normal pituitary and gsp- GH-secreting adenomas showed similar phosphodiesterase activities, and 7-fold higher levels were observed in gsp+ tumors. In these tumors the increased activity was mainly owing to isobutyl-methyl-xanthine-sensitive phosphodiesterase 4 and to isobutyl-methyl-xanthine-insensitive isoforms. By semiquantitative RT-PCR, all phosphodiesterase 4 transcripts were expressed in the normal and tumoral pituitary. However, the levels of phosphodiesterase 4C and 4D messenger RNAs were significantly higher in gsp+ than in gsp- GH-secreting adenomas and normal pituitary. Expression of the thyroid-specific isobutyl-methyl-xanthine-insensitive phosphodiesterase 8B was absent in the normal pituitary but detectable in almost all GH-secreting adenomas and higher in gsp+ (P < 0.02). Therefore, this study provides a characterization of phosphodiesterase expression in human pituitary and demonstrates a dramatic induction of the cAMP-specific phosphodiesterases 4C and phosphodiesterases 4D and phosphodiesterases 8B in gsp+ GH-secreting adenomas. Similar levels of cAMP-responsive element-binding protein phosphorylation were observed in gsp- and gsp+ GH-secreting adenomas; however, phosphodiesterase blockade caused an increase in cAMP-responsive element-binding protein phosphorylation that was significantly higher in gsp+ than in gsp- adenomas. Because cAMP-responsive element-binding protein represents the principal end point of the cAMP pathway, these results suggest that the enhanced phosphodiesterase activity may have a significant impact on the phenotypic expression of gsp mutations.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗
PubMed2005

Treatment of vascular smooth muscle cells with estradiol and beta-adrenergic agonists has an additive effect on cAMP levels, but no additive effect on inhibition of collagen synthesis.

Several studies have suggested that increased cell levels of cAMP result in decreased rates of collagen synthesis. Oestrogen treatment of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) has been shown to cause increased levels of cAMP and decreased rates of collagen synthesis. Beta-adrenergic agonists are also known to increase cellular levels of cAMP in VSMCs, although the effect of beta-adrenergic agonists on collagen synthetic rates in VSMCs is unknown. Since beta-agonists and oestrogens are commonly used clinical agents these studies were conducted to determine the potential of these agents to have an additive effect on cell cAMP levels and inhibition of collagen synthetic rates. When VSMCs were treated with both oestrogen and isoproterenol there was an additive effect on cellular cAMP levels although the observed decrease in collagen synthetic rates was the same as observed in cells treated with just oestrogen. Treatment of VSMCs with propranolol inhibited isoproterenol-induced changes in cAMP but had no effect on either oestrogen-induced increases in cAMP levels or inhibition of collagen synthesis. The cellular location of cAMP following beta-adrenergic agonist treatment was different from the distribution of cAMP in control or oestrogen-treated VSMCs. This difference in cellular distribution of cAMP may partially explain the absence of collagen synthesis inhibition following beta-adrenergic agonist treatment of VSMCs.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed1990

Ammonia promotes accumulation of intracellular cAMP in differentiating amoebae of Dictyostelium discoideum.

We used sporogenous mutants of Dictyostelium discoideum to investigate the mechanism(s) by which exogenous NH4Cl and high ambient pH promote spore formation during in vitro differentiation. The level of NH4Cl required to optimize spore formation is correlated inversely with pH, indicating that NH3 rather than NH4+ is the active species. The spore-promoting activity of high ambient pH (without exogenous NH4Cl) was eliminated by the addition of an NH3-scavenging cocktail, suggesting that high pH promotes spore differentiation by increasing the ratio of NH3:NH4+ secreted into the medium by developing cells. High ammonia levels and high pH stimulated precocious accumulation of intracellular cAMP in both sporogenous and wild-type cells. In both treatments, peak cAMP levels equaled or exceeded control levels and were maintained for longer periods than in control cells. In contrast, ammonia strongly inhibited accumulation of extracellular cAMP without increasing the rate of extracellular cAMP hydrolysis, indicating that ammonia promotes accumulation of intracellular cAMP by inhibiting cAMP secretion. These results are consistent with previous observations that factors that raise intracellular cAMP levels increase spore formation. Lowering intracellular cAMP levels with caffeine or progesterone inhibited spore formation, but simultaneous exposure to these drugs and optimal concentrations of NH4Cl restored both cAMP accumulation and spore formation to normal levels. These data suggest that ammonia, which is a natural Dictyostelium morphogen, favors spore formation by promoting accumulation or maintenance of high intracellular cAMP levels.

Ammonia↗
PubMed2006

cAMP synthesis and degradation by phagosomes regulate actin assembly and fusion events: consequences for mycobacteria.

We showed recently that actin assembly by phagosomal membranes facilitates fusion with late endocytic organelles in macrophages. Moreover, lipids that induced phagosomal actin also stimulated this fusion process. In macrophages infected with pathogenic mycobacteria actin-stimulatory lipids led to an increase in pathogen destruction, whereas inhibitors facilitated their growth. A model was proposed whereby phagosomal membrane actin assembly provides tracks for lysosomes to move towards phagosomes, thereby facilitating fusion. Here, we investigated how cAMP affected phagosomal actin assembly in vitro, and phagosomal actin, acidification and late fusion events in J774 macrophages. Latex bead phagosomes are shown to possess adenylyl cyclase activity, which synthesizes cAMP, and phosphodiesterase activity, which degrades cAMP. The system is regulated by protein kinase A (PKA). Increasing cAMP levels inhibited, whereas decreasing cAMP levels stimulated, actin assembly in vitro and within cells. Increasing cAMP levels also inhibited phagosome-lysosome fusion and acidification in cells, whereas reducing cAMP had the opposite effect. High cAMP levels induced an increase in intraphagosomal growth in macrophages of both the non-pathogenic Mycobacterium smegmatis and the pathogenic Mycobacterium tuberculosis, whereas low cAMP levels or inhibition of PKA correlated with increased bacterial destruction. We argue that the phagosome cAMP-PKA system behaves as a molecular switch that regulates phagosome actin and maturation in macrophages.

Actins↗