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The biphasic induction of p21 and p27 in breast cancer cells by modulators of cAMP is posttranscriptionally regulated and independent of the PKA pathway.

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) elevation affects growth arrest and differentiation in a wide variety of breast cell lines; however, the mechanisms associated with this process are poorly understood. Previous studies linked cAMP-mediated growth arrest in breast tumor cells to increased levels of cyclin kinase inhibitor (CKI), p21. In the present study we examined the role of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) on p21 and p27 induction in the breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-157. The induction of the CKIs by modulators of cAMP such as cholera toxin (CT) + 1-isobutyl-3-methylxanthine (IBMX) and lovastatin fluctuates with biphasic kinetics (although the kinetics of CKI induction with CT + IBMX treatment are different from that of lovastatin) and is depicted by the periodic accumulation of lower molecular weight forms of p21 and p27 which also correlate with fluctuations in CDK2 activity. Using three different approaches we show that the cAMP-mediated induction of CKIs is independent of PKA activity. In the first approach we treated MDA-MB-157 cells with a variety of cAMP modulators such as CT + IBMX, and forskolin in the presence or absence of H-89, a potent PKA inhibitor. This analysis revealed that the cAMP activators were capable of inducing p21 even though PKA activity was completely eliminated. In the second approach PKA dominant negative stable clones of MDA-MB-157 treated with CT + IBMX or forskolin also resulted in p21 induction, in the absence of any PKA activity. Last, treatment of MDA-MB-157 cells with lovastatin, another known cAMP modulator which also causes growth arrest, resulted in the induction of p21 and p27 without any increase in PKA activity. Collectively, the above results suggest that the induction of p21 by cAMP is through a novel pathway, independent of PKA activity.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Protein kinase C activation by serotonin potentiates agonist-induced stimulation of cAMP production in cultured rat retinal pigment epithelial cells.

Serotonin stimulates inositol phosphate production and intracellular calcium mobilization in cultured rat retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells through interaction with 5-HT2A receptors, but decreases cAMP production in cultured human RPE cells via 5-HT1A receptors. Studies were therefore undertaken to investigate the effect of serotonin on the cAMP system in rat RPE cells. Exposure of cultured rat RPE cells to serotonin (100 microM) for 10 minutes had no effect on the basal levels of cAMP. However, a 5 minute preincubation with serotonin potentiated the production of cAMP induced by a 5 minute exposure to forskolin (5 microM), isoproterenol (1 microM) and 5'-[N-ethylcarboxamido]-adenosine (10 microM) by 133.0%, 296.8% and 651.9%, respectively. This effect of serotonin was dose-dependent on forskolin and 5'-[N-ethylcarboxamido]-adenosine with half-maximal effects close to those reported for its action on inositol phosphates production. The antagonists ketanserin, methysergide and spiperone attenuated the action of serotonin, while yohimbine and spiroxatrine were ineffectual, thus indicating that the potentiating effect was through the 5-HT1A receptor. Incubation of cultured rat RPE cells with bradykinin stimulates inositol phosphates production with half-maximal effect observed at 1 nM. Bradykinin also potentiates the action of forskolin, isoproterenol and 5'-[N-ethylcarboxamido]-adenosine on cAMP production in a dose-dependent manner with little effect on basal levels. RPE cells exposed to serotonin (500 microM) or phorbol 12-13 dibutyrate (1 microM) for 30 minutes showed translocation of protein kinase C to the membrane from the cytosol, with 53.3% and 29.4% increases in membrane activity, respectively. Forskolin- and 5'-[N-ethylcarboxamido]-adenosine-induced cAMP production was potentiated by phorbol 12-13 dibutyrate (1 microM) treatment. The effect of both serotonin and phorbol 12-13 dibutyrate on forskolin-induced cAMP production was attenuated by pretreatment of cell cultures with the protein kinase C antagonists staurosporin and calphostin C at 1 microM. Thus, the production of cAMP in cultured rat RPE cells is potentiated by 5-HT2A receptors through activation of protein kinase C. This effect is, however, not specific since bradykinin, which stimulates inositol phosphates turnover, also potentiates stimulated cAMP production.

Adenosine↗

Modulation of angiogenic endothelial permselectivity by the cAMP pathway.

The chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of the chick embryo provides an accessible model of normal angiogenesis in vivo. Previously, we reported a rapid reduction in CAM microvascular permeability to macromolecules between Days 4.5 and 5.0 of the normal 21-day gestation (V. Rizzo et al., 1995, Microvasc. Res. 49, 49-63). Here, we tested the hypothesis that activation of the cAMP signaling pathway at Day 4.5 would acutely increase permselectivity prior to normal differentiation of CAM endothelial barrier properties at Day 5.0. Changes in interstitial optical intensities due to extravasation of a graded series of FITC-dextrans (20, 40, and 70 kDa) were evaluated by computer-assisted image analysis, and endothelial ultrastructure was monitored by transmission electron microscopy. The cAMP analogue 8-bromo-cAMP (10(-4) and 10(-3) M) and forskolin (10(-5) and 10(-4) M), an adenylyl cyclase activator, acutely decreased permeability of the graded FITC-dextran series in a dose-dependent fashion. In addition, the nonspecific phosphodiesterase inhibitor IBMX (10(-4) M) served to increase basal restriction of the 20- and 40-kDa tracers. Further, Rp-cAMPS (10(-4) M), a cAMP antagonist for cAMP-dependent protein kinase, abolished the effects of both 8-bromo-cAMP (10(-3) M) and forskolin (10(-4) M) on FITC-Dextran 40 restriction. In all cases, ultrastructural presentation of both the endothelial cell junctions and the vesicles remained unchanged. The present results are consistent with the concept that exogenous cAMP activation decreased permeability of the angiogenic CAM endothelium at Day 4.5 without concomitant ultrastructural changes in the transendothelial macromolecular exchange pathways. Whether endogenous activity of cAMP contributes to normal differentiation of CAM endothelial barrier properties between Days 4.5 and 5.0 remains to be tested.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated inhibition of cellular cAMP accumulation in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes.

We studied adrenergic regulation of cellular cAMP in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. Since cAMP content depends on synthesis, breakdown and egress, the contribution of each of these mechanisms was assessed. In the presence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine, cAMP accumulation stimulated by the beta-adrenoceptor agonist (-)-isoprenaline was diminished when the mixed alpha + beta adrenoceptor agonist (-)-noradrenaline was coincubated with (-)-isoprenaline. Moreover, adenylyl cyclase activation stimulated by (-)-isoprenaline was decreased by (-)-noradrenaline and by the selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonists (-)-phenylephrine and methoxamine, suggesting that alpha-adrenoceptor agonism regulates cAMP metabolism through its effect on the synthetic pathway. Evidence for alpha 1-adrenoceptor mediation of this response was enhancement of (-)-noradrenaline-induced cAMP generation by the selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist terazosin (10 nmol/l). The selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine (10 nmol/l) had no effect. The alpha 1-adrenoceptor mediated depression of (-)-isoprenaline-stimulated cAMP generation and adenylyl cyclase activation was prevented by terazosin and in separate experiments markedly enhanced by pertussis toxin pretreatment, suggesting involvement of a guanine-nucleotide regulatory protein in this process. Occupation of the alpha 1-adrenoceptor by (-)-noradrenaline did not accelerate the rate of cAMP breakdown in the absence of phosphodiesterase inhibition. Furthermore, there was no enhancement of total phosphodiesterase activity by (-)-noradrenaline in the presence of (-)-propranolol. By contrast, pertussis toxin pretreatment augmented phosphodiesterase activity. Neither pertussis toxin nor (-)-noradrenaline increased cAMP egress. We conclude that in rat neonatal cardiac myocytes agonist occupation of the alpha 1-adrenoceptor inhibits beta-adrenoceptor stimulated cAMP accumulation most likely by coupling to a guanine nucleotide inhibitory protein.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Effect of hypophysectomy on cAMP changes in rat adrenal medulla evoked by catecholamines and carbamylcholine.

It was the aim of this study to investigate the mechanisms responsible for changes in 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the rat adrenal medulla occuring after administration of carbamylcholine, histamine, ACTH and various phenylethylamines. Carbamylcholine, ACTH, histamine, noradrenaline and dopamine produced marked (500-900%) increases in adrenal cAMP which were very similar in both adrenal cortex and medulla both with respect to time-course and relative extent. Interestingly isoprenaline and adrenaline did not influence cAMP levels even at excessively high doses. In all cases studied transsection of the splanchnic fibers supplying the adrenals reduced the increase in medullary cAMP by not more than 25--30%, suggesting that cAMP levels in the adrenal medulla are predominantly regulated by non-neuronal mechanisms. This assumption was strongly supported by the observation that hypophysectomy completely abolished the 500--600% increase in cAMP produced by 50 mumol/kg of dopamine and reduced the 700% increase resulting from 4.4 mumol/kg of carbamylcholine to 70%. In spite of the marked increase in cAMP produced by single and repeated doses of dopamine in the adrenal medulla there was no subsequent induction of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Moreover carbamylcholine (8.2 mumol/kg) evoked TH induction only in innervated adrenals whereas after denervation, in spite of the large (+ 500%) and prolonged (more than 90 min) increase in cAMP, no TH induction could be observed. It is concluded that adrenal medullary cAMP is predominantly regulated by the pituitary gland via the adrenal cortex and only to a much smaller extent--if at all--by direct cholinergic mechanisms, which are responsible for the initiation of TH induction.

Adrenal Cortex↗

Substrates for adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase in the rat pituitary gland.

1. Substrates for cAMP-dependent protein kinase were investigated in anterior, intermediate, and neural lobes of the rat pituitary gland. In a cell-free assay system, cAMP increased phosphorylation of 17 K, 33 K, and 60 K macromolecules of the anterior lobe, 17 K, 33 K, 60 K, and 80 K macromolecules of the intermediate lobe, and 60 K, 80 K, and 85 K macromolecules of the neural lobe. 2. Other nucleotides were tested in the intermediate lobe; 8 Br-cAMP mimicked cAMP, cGMP was much less effective than cAMP or 8 Br-cAMP, and 5'-AMP showed no significant effect. The purified catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase evoked the same phosphorylation pattern as the endogenous kinase. 3. Maximum cAMP-dependent phosphorylation occurred at between 1 and 2 min of incubation; after 20 min, phosphorylation was reduced by 80%. This suggests the presence of phosphatase activity in the intermediate lobe. 4. When tested upon dispersed intermediate lobe cells permeabilized by high-voltage electrical discharges, cAMP increased phosphorylation of the 17 K and 33 K macromolecules.

Animals↗

Influence of cAMP-effector-agonists on the synthesis of metallothionein in rat primary hepatocytes.

The model of rat primary hepatocytes incubated in DMEM/F12 (Ham) medium was used for studying the influence of the cAMP-effectors epinephrine (100 microM), norepinephrine (100 microM), glucagon (1 microM) and isoproterenol (1-1000 microM) as well as the synthetic cAMP-analogon dibutyryl-cAMP on the metabolism of metallothionein. Liver parenchymal cells isolated by a two-step collagenase perfusion were incubated with DMEM/F12 containing 5% (v/v) fetal calf serum (FCS) and 20 microM zinc in Petri dishes. Experiments were initiated after a 24 h equilibration period by adding the agonists for 18 h. MT in hepatocyte homogenates was quantified by the 109Cd-hemoglobin-binding assay. Cell viability was assessed by the activity of the cytosolic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) liberated into the culture medium and by trypan blue exclusion. Isoproterenol and glucagon produced a significant increase of cytosolic MT about 50%. In contrast, incubation with epinephrine and norepinephrine did not lead to any significant effects in the amount of hepatic metallothionein. Simulating the influence of cAMP by dibutyryl-cAMP (500 microM) did not affect the content of hepatic metallothionein. To examine transcriptional and translational regulatory effects supplementation of cycloheximide (0.1-500 microM) and actinomycin D (0.1-100 microM) showed a total inhibition of the agonist induced amounts. Particularly in combination with isoproterenol low LDH activities reflected a high viability of hepatocytes. In conclusion, in primary hepatocyte cultures cAMP-mobilizing-agonists like isoproterenol and glucagon indicate an independent effect on the MT-metabolism. This is possibly due to the de novo synthesis of the protein because suppression by actinomycin D can be observed. However, cAMP-effectors do not seem to be involved in the induction of metallothionein because theophylline and dibutyryl-cAMP did not affect MT-metabolism by suppressing the phosphodiesterase or by stimulating the cAMP-cascade.

Analysis of Variance↗

Compartmentalization of PDE-4 and cAMP-dependent protein kinase in neutrophils and macrophages during phagocytosis.

The compartmentalization of cAMP in human neutrophils during phagocytosis of serum-opsonized zymosan suggests that cAMP is an important second messenger for regulating phagocytosis. Type 4 cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE-4), cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), and adenylate cyclase are the principal effector molecules for cAMP regulation in phagocytes. Immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated that PDE-4 isoforms (HSPDE-4A, HSPDE-4B, HSPDE-4D) were targeted to the forming phagosome in neutrophils, and were colocalized with the catalytic subunit of PKA and degranulated myeloperoxidase. Phagocytosis and accumulation of PDE-4 and PKA near adherent zymosan were inhibited by elevating cAMP levels with forskolin or rolipram. cAMP, PDE-4, and PKA were localized at sites of zymosan adherence in cells treated with cytochalasin D to inhibit phagosome formation, suggesting that zymosan engagement to Fc/CR3 receptors triggers cAMP elevations at sites of phagocytosis. HSPDE-4A, HSPDE-4B, HSPDE-4D, and PKA also were localized at the forming phagosome in monocyte-derived macrophages, and the lysosomal marker CD63 demonstrated the absence of PDE-4 around internalized phagolysosomes. These results suggest that cAMP levels are focally regulated by PDE-4 at the nascent phagosome, and that PKA may phosphorylate proteins associated with pseudopodia formation and phagosome internalization.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Impacts of camping on vegetation: response and recovery following acute and chronic disturbance.

Experiments with controlled levels of recreational camping were conducted on previously undisturbed sites in two different plant communities in the subalpine zone of the Wind River Mountains, Wyoming, USA. The plant communities were coniferous forest with understory dominated by the low shrub Vaccinium scoparium and a riparian meadow of intermixed grasses and forbs, of which Deschampsia cespitosa was most abundant. Sites were camped on at intensities of either one or four nights per year, for either one (acute disturbance) or three consecutive years (chronic disturbance). Recovery was followed for three years on sites camped on for one year and for one year on sites camped on for three years. Reductions in vegetation cover and vegetation height were much more pronounced on sites in the forest than on sites in the meadow. In both plant communities, increases in vegetation impact were not proportional to increases in either years of camping or nights per year of camping. Close to the center of campsites, near-maximum levels of impact occurred after the first year of camping on forested sites and after the second year on meadow sites. Meadow sites recovered completely within a year, at the camping intensities employed in the experiments. Forest sites, even those camped on for just one night, did not recover completely within three years. Differences between acute and chronic disturbance were not pronounced.

Conservation of Natural Resources↗

Possible mechanism of the allosteric activation of cAMP receptor protein.

Secondary structure of cAMP receptor protein of E. coli was predicted and compared to its crystal structure in the complex with cAMP solved by McKay and Steitz. The two conformations coincide in the DNA binding domain but strikingly differ in the other domain which binds cAMP and causes protein dimerization. The comparison indicates that cAMP destabilizes a very long helix instead of which sheets are formed creating a hydrophobic pocket where cAMP binds. Consequently, the helix-sheets isomerization and a resulting change in the relative monomer disposition in the dimer appears to be the origin of cAMP-induced allosteric activation of the protein. Extremely long helices were also predicted in the regions of the regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase from bovine cardiac muscle where cAMP binds. It is thus likely that the proposed mechanism of the effect of cAMP on protein structure has wider implications.

Allosteric Regulation↗

The inhibitory effect of cyclic AMP on phosphatidylinositol kinase is not mediated by the cAMP dependent protein kinase.

Addition of cAMP to cells has been shown to inhibit phosphatidylinositol (PI) metabolism. cAMP has been reported to inhibit an enzyme in this pathway, PI kinase and it has been suggested that this inhibition is due to phosphorylation of PI kinase by the cAMP dependent protein kinase (PKA). In the present study we directly investigated if the inhibitory effect of cAMP was mediated by PKA. In membranes derived from murine hepatocytes we found that cAMP inhibited PI kinase but other adenine derivatives were more potent inhibitors. Moreover, it was found that the effects of the derivatives were unlikely to be due secondarily to the production of cAMP via their interaction with adenosine receptors. Through studies employing an inhibitor of PKA, mutant cells lacking PKA, and addition of purified catalytic subunit of PKA, we found that the inhibitory effect of cAMP was not mediated by PKA. In addition, the inhibitory effect of cAMP and adenosine was retained upon partial purification of PI kinase. Pulse chase experiments affirmed that the inhibitory effect was not due to breakdown of PI but rather to inhibition of its synthesis. We conclude that the inhibitory effect of cAMP and related compounds on PI kinase is not mediated by PKA dependent phosphorylation but rather appears to be a direct effect of these agents.

1-Phosphatidylinositol 4-Kinase↗

The activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase is directly linked to the regulation of osteoblast proliferation (UMR-106) by parathyroid hormone.

In order to characterize the direct involvement of cAMP in the change of osteoblast proliferation by parathyroid hormone (PTH), we employed the diastereoisomers of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic phosphorothioate, Sp-cAMPS and Rp-cAMPS, which have been recently shown to act directly as agonist and antagonist, respectively in the activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). Dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) and cholera toxin as well as human(h) PTH-(1-34) significantly inhibited [3H]thymidine incorporation (TdR) in osteoblastic osteosarcoma cells, UMR-106. Sp-cAMPS (10(-6)-10(-4) M) inhibited TdR in a dose-dependent manner. Although Rp-cAMPS (10(-6)-10(-4) M) itself did not affect TdR, it significantly blocked dbcAMP-, cholera toxin- and Sp-cAMPS-induced suppression of TdR. Moreover, Rp-cAMPS (10(-6)-10(-4) M) dose-dependently antagonized hPTH-induced suppression of TdR. Present studies first indicated that the activation of PKA is directly linked to the change of osteoblast proliferation by PTH.

Animals↗

The activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase is directly linked to the stimulation of bone resorption by parathyroid hormone.

The present study was performed to characterize the direct involvement of cAMP in the stimulation of bone resorption by parathyroid hormone (PTH), using Sp-cAMPS and Rp-cAMPS, which were the direct agonist and antagonist in the activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), respectively. Bone resorbing activity was estimated as the number of pits formed on the dentine slice and total area of pits per slice in bone marrow cells derived from 2 week-old mice. Dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP)(10(-4)M) and Sp-cAMPS (10(-4)M) caused the remarkable stimulation of bone resorption. Although Rp-cAMPS (10(-4)M) did not affect bone resorption by itself, it significantly inhibited dbcAMP- and Sp-cAMPS-induced stimulation of bone resorption. Moreover, Rp-cAMPS (10(-4)M) antagonized 10(-7)M human PTH-(1-34)-induced stimulation of bone resorption, although it did not affect 10(-8)M 1,25(OH)2D3-induced stimulation of bone resorption. Present study indicates the direct involvement of PKA in the stimulation of bone resorption by PTH.

Animals↗

Comparison of vasodilatory prostaglandins with respect to cAMP-mediated phosphorylation of a target substrate in intact human platelets.

The recent purification of a vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) from human platelets and the development of a specific antiserum against VASP made it possible to study the quantitative effects of cAMP-elevating prostaglandins on cAMP-mediated phosphorylation of VASP in intact human platelets. Prostacyclin (PG-I2), prostaglandin-E1 (PG-E1) and the stable prostacyclinanalog Iloprost, all agents used for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease, induced rapid, stoichiometric and reversible phosphorylation of VASP in human platelets mediated by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase. However, there were substantial differences between these three cAMP-elevating prostaglandins with respect to their effects on extent, duration and reversibility of VASP phosphorylation. Maximal VASP phosphorylation was induced both by PG-I2 and Iloprost, but the PG-I2 effect was only of short duration in comparison to that of Iloprost. The extent of PG-E1-induced VASP phosphorylation was less than that observed with PG-I2 and Iloprost. In endothelial cell-platelet coincubations, an endothelial cell-derived, indomethacin-sensitive factor caused a rapid elevation of platelet cAMP level and VASP phosphorylation. These results provided direct evidence that human endothelial cells are capable of producing biologically active quantities of cAMP-elevating prostaglandins sufficient to induce stoichiometric cAMP-mediated protein phosphorylation in human platelets. VASP-phosphorylation induced by PG-I2 and PG-E1 was completely reversible after removal of the prostaglandins whereas this was only partially the case with Iloprost. In addition, evidence is presented that the prostaglandin-regulated adenylate cyclase system but not the cAMP-mediated protein phosphorylation desensitizes in human platelets after prolonged treatment with cAMP-elevating prostaglandins. VASP phosphorylation is proposed as a marker for quantitating aspects of vessel wall-platelet interaction.

Alprostadil↗

Comparison of the effect of isobutylmethylxanthine and phosphodiesterase-selective inhibitors on cAMP levels in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells.

A comparison of the effects of various phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors upon cellular cAMP levels was undertaken in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. When inhibitors such as rolipram and Ro 20 1724 (selective for the low Km cAMP-specific PDE) were used, cAMP levels were seen to rise dramatically under basal (< or = 60 fold) or forskolin-stimulated (< or = 200 fold) conditions. However, the non-selective PDE inhibitor isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) was 7-18% as effective as these other agents even at 1 mM. The poor efficacy of IBMX was not attributable to concomitant increases in cGMP, to alterations in cAMP egress or to a lack of sensitivity of the cellular PDEs to IBMX inhibition. In additivity experiments, IBMX potently and rapidly reduced cAMP that had accumulated after rolipram treatment. The fact that the agonist 2-chloroadenosine can enhance cAMP accumulation in these cells, and that cAMP elevated by rolipram or forskolin can be reduced by adenosine deaminase and theophylline suggest that cell-derived adenosine enhances cAMP in these cells in an autocrine fashion. Since IBMX is an adenosine receptor antagonist, it is suggested that its blockade of endogenous adenosine effects is at least partly responsible for its poor response when compared to other PDE inhibitors which are weaker adenosine receptor antagonists. These results forewarn against assuming that similar levels of cAMP accumulate after application of PDE inhibitors in these cells.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

The effect of intracellular cAMP injections on stationary membrane conductance and voltage- and time-dependent ionic currents in identified snail neurons.

3'5'-cAMP injected iontophoretically into identified neurons of the snail, Helix pomatia, induced depolarization of the membrane. Clamping the membrane potential revealed the appearance of a simultaneous inward transmembrane current ('cAMP-current') followed by a weaker outward current. External application of theophylline increased the amplitude of cAMP-current. Imidazole had an opposite effect on this current. Tolbutamide and lowering of temperature largely reduced its rate of rise and, correspondingly, its amplitude. Simultaneous removal of Na+ ions from external solution and addition of Cd2+ ions resulted in complete disappearance of the inward cAMP-current. Analysis of current-voltage characteristics of the cAMP-current at varying external concentrations of Na+, K+, Cl and Ca2+-ions has shown that the cAMP-current is due to an increase of membrane conductance to Na+, K+ and Ca2+ ions; a late component of the cAMP-current is associated with an increase of potassium conductance of the neuronal membrane induced, probably by Ca2+, influx. Besides the induction of stationary currents, cAMP injection also decreased the voltage- and time-dependent calcium currents reducing the maximum calcium conductance. After the end of injection, calcium currents restored their initial value in 1-2 min. An analogous decrease of the calcium current could be evoked by prolonged external application of theophylline. Possible mechanisms of intracellular effects of cAMP on electrical characteristics of the neuronal membrane are discussed.

Animals↗

Changes in ionic conductances induced by cAMP in Helix neurons.

Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) was injected by a fast and quantitative pressure injection method into voltage-clamped identified Helix neurons. The intracellular elevation of cAMP caused an inward current which was not accompanied by a significant change in membrane conductance in a negative potential range with little activation of voltage-dependent membrane conductances. Near resting potential Na+ ions were the main carrier of the cAMP-induced inward current as measured with ion-selective microelectrodes. TTX did not affect the Na+ influx. K+ and less effective Ca2+ could substitute for Na+ in carrying the inward current. In the presence of Na+, divalent cations such as Ca2+ and Mg2+, and also La3+ exerted an inhibitory influence on the cAMP-induced inward current, and Ca2+ as measured with ion-selective microelectrodes did not contribute significantly to the current. Thus, the inward current was of a non-specific nature. Simultaneously to this cAMP action, the membrane permeability for K+ ions was decreased by cAMP. This effect became particularly obvious when K+ currents were activated by long-lasting, depolarizing voltage steps. In this situation a reduced K+ efflux following cAMP injection was observed by means of K+-selective microelectrodes located near the external membrane surface. Outward K+ currents were less reduced by cAMP if external Ca2+ was replaced by Ni2+. The nearly compensatory increase and decrease of two membrane conductances in the same neuron explained the lack of change in the cell input resistance despite the considerable depolarizing action of intracellularly elevated cAMP.

Animals↗

Liposome-entrapped phenytoin locally suppresses amygdaloid epileptogenic focus created by db-cAMP/EDTA in rats.

Status epilepticus was induced in rats by injecting a combination of dibutyryl-cAMP (db-cAMP) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) into the amygdala (AM), and the effect of phenytoin (PHT), entrapped in liposomes (PHT-L) and given intravenously at 40 mg/kg, on the spiking activity of the AM epileptogenic focus was examined. Electroencephalograms were recorded from the db-cAMP/EDTA-injected AM and the bilateral sensorimotor cortices. One dose of PHT-L, given 30 min after intra-AM db-cAMP, produced immediate and transient seizure suppression, but did not suppress the sequential spiking activity, which lasted for more than 5 h. In contrast, two doses of PHT-L, given 30 and 60 min after intra-AM db-cAMP/EDTA, produced delayed and local suppression of AM discharges, and immediate and transient seizure suppression was also observed. The AM discharges began to be suppressed about 100 min after the second injection of PHT-L injection, with no overt change occurring in cortical spiking activity. This was followed by total seizure suppression about 170 min after the second PHT-L injection. This effect was not observed after one or two injections of PHT alone. When horseradish peroxidase (HRP), to which the blood-brain barrier is impermeable, was entrapped in liposomes (HRP-L) and given intravenously 30 min after intra-AM db-cAMP/EDTA, an accumulation of HRP was found in the db-cAMP/EDTA-injected AM in 2 of the 5 animals tested. With 2 doses of HRP-L given 30 and 60 min after intra-AM db-cAMP/EDTA, the local augmentation of HRP in the AM was found in all 5 of the 5 animals tested. Our findings suggest that: (1) the AM epileptogenic focus created by db-cAMP/EDTA has a high affinity for liposomes, and this factor participates in the local suppression of AM discharges by PHT-L, and (2) two injections of PHT-L are required for the AM to gather an effective amount of PHT-L.

Amygdala↗