Characterization of ATP-stimulated guanylate cyclase activation in rat lung membranes

Developmental changes in ANP-stimulated guanylyl cyclase activity enhanced by ATP in rat lung membrane fractions

1. ANP (atrial natriuretic peptides)- or ANP/ATP-stimulated guanylyl cyclase activities were compared in adult (2 month old) and neonatal (5-7 day old) rat lung membrane fractions. 2. The enzyme activities of both membranes depended on the incubation time and ATP concentration: although the activities of both membranes were similar after a short incubation time (4 min), those in adult membranes were lower than those of neonatal membranes after longer incubation times (10 and 30 min) or at lower concentrations of ATP. 3. ANP/ATP gamma S-stimulated guanylyl cyclase activities, which were much higher than ANP/ATP-stimulated activities, were similar in both membranes. 4. ATPase activity of adult membranes was higher than that of neonatal membranes, suggesting that hydrolysis of ATP leads to a decrease of ANP/ATP-guanylyl cyclase activity in adult membranes. Triton X-100 enhanced and diminished ANP/ATP-stimulated guanylyl cyclase activities of adult and neonatal membranes, respectively, and thereby abolished the adult/neonatal difference in the membrane response to ATP. 5. ANP-stimulated activities of both membranes were much more activated by pre-incubation with ATP gamma S than those induced by simultaneous addition of ATP gamma S. The former activities were decreased to levels of the latter by Triton X-100. The latter activities were not affected by Triton X-100. 6. The present results suggested that conformation of lung plasma membranes is related to activation of the ANP receptor/guanylyl cyclase system.

Cloning of guanylyl cyclase isoforms

The cloning of particulate and soluble guanylyl cyclases is summarized in Table I. With respect to transmembrane signal transduction systems, guanylyl and adenylyl cyclases can be grouped together with some protein tyrosine kinases and protein tyrosine phosphatases to form a diverse protein family with various structural and functional similarities (Garbers, 1989, 1991, 1992; Koesling et al., 1991; Chinkers and Garbers, 1991; Fig. 1). Particulate guanylyl cyclase contains a single transmembrane domain, and the peptide-binding portion (ligand receptor) is on the exterior surface and the catalytic region on the interior, similar to the protein tyrosine kinase/receptor and the protein tyrosine phosphatase/receptor families (Yarden et al., 1986; Charbonneau et al., 1988; Tonks et al., 1988). Protein tyrosine kinases and phosphatases are also activated by ligand binding to the extracellular domain, which in turn results in phosphorylation or dephosphorylation. On the other hand, soluble guanylyl cyclase exists as a heterodimer with two putative catalytic domains, and both subunits are essential for enzyme activity and activation by nitric oxide. It is thus particularly interesting that adenylyl cyclase also contains two catalytic domains, which are both necessary for catalytic activity (Tang et al., 1991). It is possible that particulate guanylyl cyclase may also dimerize on hormonal stimulation and two catalytic domains from two monomers form a functional catalytic center capable of forming cyclic GMP. The catalytic core of GC-A expressed in bacteria was shown to form a homodimer with positively cooperative kinetics (Thorpe et al., 1991). The physiological significance of the existence of multiple forms of soluble guanylyl cyclase subunits remains unclear. Future studies should reveal the differences in tissue distribution and activation by nitrovasodilators in various heterodimers of soluble guanylyl cyclase.

Adenosine 5'-triphosphate, phorbol ester, and pertussis toxin effects on atrial natriuretic peptide stimulation of guanylate cyclase in a human renal cell line

We examined adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), pertussis toxin (PT) and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), a protein kinase C (PKC) activator, modulation of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)-stimulated cell-membrane guanylate cyclase (ANP-s-GC) activity and ANP stimulation of whole-cell cGMP accumulation (ANP-s-cGMP) in an ANP-receptor-transduction cell model, the human renal cell line (SK-NEP-1). Acute and long-term effects of PMA on PKC isotype activity are different: Acute (20-min) PMA activation of PKC inhibits ANP-s-cGMP and ANP-s-GC; whereas, long-term (36-h) PMA treatment inhibits slightly less by only partially down-regulating PKC activity, the type-III PKC isotype being 36-h resistant. Long-term 10(-7)M PMA treatment of cells neither affected membrane basal GC activity nor ANP-s-GC activity but partially inhibited ATP enhancement of ANP-s-GC. This partial inhibition was completely reversed by the PKC inhibitor H7 and a PKC inhibitory antibody but only partially reversed by the antibody to the catalytic domain of PKC type III. The EC50 for ATP and its non-phosphorylating analog ATP gamma S in the presence of acute PMA inhibition of ANP-s-cGMP was similar (approximately 10(-9)). This enhancement of PMA inhibition was two orders of magnitude more sensitive (EC50 10(-7)M) than inhibition of ANP-s-cGMP that we previously reported for acute PMA treatment of whole SK-NEP-1 cells. The three- to four-fold ATP enhancement of cell membrane ANP-s-GC was not blocked by 12-hour preincubation of cells with 150 ng/mL PT but was completely blocked if 2-x-10(-7)M PMA was then added for 20 minutes, indicating that acute activation of PKC by PMA does not require a functional "G-type" protein. Acute PMA inhibition of ANP-s-cGMP was reversed by permeabilizing SK-NEP-1 cells to a specific PKC inhibitory peptide, further confirming that PMA inhibition was mediated through PKC activation. These data demonstrated that ANP-s-GC and ANP-s-cGMP were modified through non-phosphorylating interactions with ATP, by multiple PMA activatable PKC isoforms, and that neither were affected by PT-sensitive guanine-nucleotide-binding (G)-protein(s).

The glycine residue of ATP regulatory module in receptor guanylate cyclases that is essential in natriuretic factor signaling

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP)-activated guanylate cyclases are single-chain transmembrane-spanning proteins, containing both ligand binding and catalytic activities. In both proteins, ligand binding to the extracellular receptor domain activates the cytosolic catalytic domain, generating the second messenger cyclic GMP. Obligatory in this activation process is an ATP-dependent step. ATP directly binds to a defined ATP-regulatory module (ARM) sequence motif in the cyclases and through ARM bridges the events of ligand binding and signal transduction. These ARM sequence motifs are respectively represented by Gly503-Xa-Gly505-Xa-Xa-Xa-Gly509 and Gly499-Xa-Xa-Xa-Gly503 in the case of ANF receptor guanylate cyclase (ANF-RGC) and CNP receptor guanylate cyclase (CNP-RGC). Through genetic remodeling techniques, we now show that ARM-Gly505 in ANF-RGC and the corresponding ARM-Gly499 in CNP-RGC are critical for ANF and CNP signaling, and other ARM-Gly residues have minimal effect in the respective signaling processes.

Structural requirements of mastoparan for activation of membrane-bound guanylate cyclase

Mastoparan activated membrane-bound guanylate cyclase and potentiated the effect of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and ATP on guanylate cyclase activity in rat lung membranes. Mastoparan is a cationic, amphiphilic tetradecapeptide with an amidated carboxyl terminus. It takes the alpha-helical conformation upon interacting with the membrane. Several analogs were synthesized to study the role of the positive charges, the carboxyl amino group and the alpha-helical conformation of mastoparan in the activation of guanylate cyclase. The results showed that substitution of the C-terminal amide group of mastoparan with a carboxyl group significantly reduced its potency on the activation of guanylate cyclase. Replacement of three lysine residues of mastoparan with aspartic acid or serine residues completely abolished the stimulatory effect of mastoparan. When the alanine at position 10 of mastoparan was substituted by a proline, the resulting analog had no effect on guanylate cyclase activity. These results demonstrate that the positive charges and the helical structure of mastoparan are critical determinants for the activation of guanylate cyclase.

Nitric oxide in the sensory function of the carotid body

Recent studies suggest that nitric oxide (NO) may act as a chemical messenger in the nervous system. Since neurotransmitters are considered necessary for the sensory function of the carotid body, and molecular O2 is a co-factor for NO synthesis, we examined whether (a) chemoreceptor tissue also synthesizes NO and if so, (b) does endogenous NO affect chemosensory activity. Experiments were performed on carotid bodies obtained from anesthetized cats (n = 20). Distribution of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of NO was examined using NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry. Many nerve plexuses innervating the chemoreceptor tissue were positive for NADPH-diaphorase, indicating that the nerve fibers are the primary source of NO production in the carotid body. Radiometric analysis of NOS activity of the chemoreceptor tissue averaged 1.94 pmol [3H]citrulline/min/mg protein. NOS activity was significantly less in low pO2 reaction medium than in room air controls. Chemosensory activity in vitro increased in a dose-dependent manner in response to L-omega-nitro arginine (L-NNA), an inhibitor of NOS activity. The effects of NOS inhibitor were enantiomer selective as evidenced by reversal of the responses by L- but not D-arginine. These observations imply that endogenous NO is inhibitory to carotid body sensory activity. cGMP levels of L-NNA-treated carotid bodies were significantly less than untreated controls, suggesting that the actions of NO are coupled to the cGMP second messenger system, as elsewhere in the nervous system.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Solubilization and characterization of functionally coupled Escherichia coli heat-stable toxin receptors and particulate guanylate cyclase associated with the cytoskeleton compartment of intestinal membranes

1. Particulate guanylate cyclase and receptors for E. coli heat-stable enterotoxin were solubilized from the rat intestinal cytoskeletal compartment using Lubrol-PX and KCl. 2. Thirty to forty percent of the ST receptor and guanylate cyclase activities were extracted from the lipid layer with Lubrol-PX alone. 2. Seventy percent of the remaining activities were solubilized from the cytoskeleton with Lubrol-PX and KCl. 3. Guanylate cyclase solubilized from either compartment exhibited similar reaction kinetics. 4. Both high- and low-affinity classes of ST receptors were solubilized from the lipid and cytoskeleton compartments. 5. In the presence of ATP gamma S, ST selectively activated the guanylate cyclase solubilized from the cytoskeleton compared to that solubilized from the lipid bilayer. 6. Crosslinking experiments demonstrated a preferential solubilization of the 130 kDa receptor subunit from the cytoskeleton and the 56 kDa subunit from the lipid bilayer. 7. Development of a procedure to solubilize ST receptors and guanylate cyclase from the intestinal membrane cytoskeleton will permit purification and further detailed studies of the coupling of these activities.

Different ATP effects on natriuretic peptide receptor subtypes in LLC-PK1 and NIH-3T3 cells

We have observed different ATP interactions in two guanylate cyclase (GC)-coupled natriuretic peptide (NP) receptor subtypes, designated NPR-A and NPR-B. The NPR-A is selectively expressed by LLC-PK1 epithelial cells and the NPR-B by NIH-3T3 fibroblast cells. In LLC-PK1 membranes, ATP-Mg2+ potentiated ANP-stimulated GC activity (ANP-s-GC). In contrast, in NIH-3T3 membranes, ATP-Mg2+ inhibited ANP-s-GC but enhanced CNP-stimulated GC activity (CNP-s GC). ATP in the presence of Mn2+ inhibited LLC-PK1 and NIH-3T3 membrane ANP-s-GC and CNP-s-GC. These are the first data suggesting that the ATP-Mg2+ produces different effects between membrane NPR-A and -B subtypes. We have also demonstrated that GC of NPR-B is sensitive to methylene blue.

Formycin triphosphate as a probe for the ATP binding site involved in the activation of guanylate cyclase

Formycin A triphosphate (FTP), a fluorescent analog of ATP, slightly increased basal guanylate cyclase activity, but significantly potentiated guanylate cyclase activity stimulated by atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) in rat lung membranes. FTP potentiated ANF-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity with an EC50 at about 90 microM and inhibited ATP-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity with an IC50 at about 100 microM. These results indicate that FTP binds more tightly than ATP for the same binding site. Therefore, FTP would be an excellent tool for studying the ATP binding site.

Receptor guanylyl cyclases

Three different guanylyl cyclase cell receptors are known, but others will likely be discovered within the next few years. The general function of these receptors appear to relate to the regulation of fluid volume or fluid movement. New receptors, or possibly the currently known receptors, therefore, may be discovered in areas of the body where fluid volume regulation is important. Such fluids whose volume or composition might be regulated by guanylyl cyclase receptors include synovial fluid, uterine/oviductal luminal fluid, follicular fluid, aqueous humor, cerebral spinal fluid, seminiferous tubule luminal fluid, epididymal luminal fluid, seminal plasma, and airway luminal fluid. The function of the heterodimeric forms of guanylyl cyclase appear to relate to a primary regulation of nitric oxide (or similar molecules) concentrations, which are in turn regulated by a Ca2+/calmodulin-sensitive nitric oxide synthase.

Developmental changes in the effect of atrial natriuretic peptide on tissue cyclic GMP content and particulate guanylate cyclase activity of aorta, kidney and lung of rats

To investigate possible developmental changes in the physiological effect of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) after birth, we studied the effect of ANP on the slice cGMP content and the particulate guanylate cyclase activity of aorta, kidney and lung in neonate, 2-week-old and adult rats of both sexes. Incubation with human ANP(99-126) (hANP) increased significantly the slice cGMP content of aorta, kidney and lung in three ages of rats. The hANP-stimulated fraction of cGMP contents of kidney decreased, that of lung increased with development, whereas that of aorta showed no significant change. Consistently, the hANP-responsive particulate guanylate cyclase activity decreased in kidney, increased in lung during development, without significant developmental change in aorta. These results indicate a differential change in the effect of hANP on the slice cGMP content among tissues during development. The developmental change in the effect of hANP on slice cGMP content is probably caused by the ontogenetic change in activation of ANP receptor-linked guanylate cyclase.

A soluble factor and GTP gamma S are required for Dictyostelium discoideum guanylate cyclase activity

Amoeba of Dictyostelium discoideum show a rapid, transient cGMP synthesis in response to chemotactic stimulation. Using Mg(2+)-GTP as a substrate, guanylate cyclase (E.C. 4.6.1.2.) activity is found exclusively in the particulate fraction of Dictyostelium cells. Here we show that the activity is dependent on the presence of the non-hydrolysable GTP-analogue GTP gamma S, which itself is only a poor substrate for the enzyme under the prevailing conditions. Evidence is presented that a transient exposure of the enzyme to GTP gamma S is sufficient to constitutively activate the enzyme. GTP gamma S-dependent activity is found to require a factor that can be separated from the enzyme by washing the particulate fraction with low salt buffer. Addition of the soluble cell fraction to these washed membranes restores enzyme activity.

Conservation of the kinaselike regulatory domain is essential for activation of the natriuretic peptide receptor guanylyl cyclases

The natriuretic peptide receptors, NPR-A and NPR-B, are two members of the newly described class of receptor guanylyl cyclases. The kinaselike domain of these proteins is an important regulator of the guanylyl cyclase activity. To begin to understand the molecular nature of this type of regulation, we made complete and partial deletions of the kinase domain in NPR-A and NPR-B. We also made chimeric proteins in which the kinase domains of NPR-A and NPR-B were exchanged or replaced with kinase domains from structurally similar proteins. Complete deletion of the kinase homology domain in NPR-A and NPR-B resulted in constitutive activation of the guanylyl cyclase. Various partial deletions of this region produced proteins that had no ability to activate the enzyme with or without hormone stimulation. The kinase homology domain can be exchanged between the two subtypes with no effect on regulation. However, structurally similar kinaselike domains, such as from the epidermal growth factor receptor or from the heat-stable enterotoxin receptor, another member of the receptor guanylyl cyclase family, were not able to regulate the guanylyl cyclase activity correctly. These findings suggest that the kinaselike domain of NPR-A and NPR-B requires strict sequence conservation to maintain proper regulation of their guanylyl cyclase activity.

Conservation of the kinaselike regulatory domain is essential for activation of the natriuretic peptide receptor guanylyl cyclases

The natriuretic peptide receptors, NPR-A and NPR-B, are two members of the newly described class of receptor guanylyl cyclases. The kinaselike domain of these proteins is an important regulator of the guanylyl cyclase activity. To begin to understand the molecular nature of this type of regulation, we made complete and partial deletions of the kinase domain in NPR-A and NPR-B. We also made chimeric proteins in which the kinase domains of NPR-A and NPR-B were exchanged or replaced with kinase domains from structurally similar proteins. Complete deletion of the kinase homology domain in NPR-A and NPR-B resulted in constitutive activation of the guanylyl cyclase. Various partial deletions of this region produced proteins that had no ability to activate the enzyme with or without hormone stimulation. The kinase homology domain can be exchanged between the two subtypes with no effect on regulation. However, structurally similar kinaselike domains, such as from the epidermal growth factor receptor or from the heat-stable enterotoxin receptor, another member of the receptor guanylyl cyclase family, were not able to regulate the guanylyl cyclase activity correctly. These findings suggest that the kinaselike domain of NPR-A and NPR-B requires strict sequence conservation to maintain proper regulation of their guanylyl cyclase activity.

Nucleotide regulation of heat-stable enterotoxin receptor binding and of guanylate cyclase activation

Certain nucleotides were found to regulate the binding of the Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin (STa) to its receptor in pig intestinal brush border membranes. ATP and adenine nucleotide analogues inhibited 125I-STa binding, while guanine nucleotide analogues stimulated binding, with maximal effects at 0.5-1.0 mM. The strongest inhibitors were adenosine 5'-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate (App[NH]p) (36%) and adenosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate (ADP[S]) (41%). Inhibition did not require Mg2+, and was blocked by p-chloromercuribenzenesulphonate (PCMBS). Stimulation of binding required Mg2+, was not prevented by PCMBS and was maximal with GDP[S] (41%). While App[NH]p and MgGDP[S] appeared to be acting at different sites, they also interfered with each other. These nucleotides exerted only inhibitory effects on STa-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity, in contrast with the stimulatory effects of adenine nucleotides on atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)-stimulated guanylate cyclase. Inhibition by low concentrations of MgApp[NH]p and MgATP was weaker above 0.1 mM, while MgGDP[S] and magnesium guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (MgGTP[S]) inhibited in a single phase. Inhibition by MgApp[NH]p, at all concentrations, was competitive with the substrate (MgGTP), as was that by MgGDP[S] and MgGTP[S]. Whereas membrane guanylate cyclases usually show positively co-operative kinetics with respect to the substrate, STa-stimulated activity exhibited Michaelis-Menten kinetics with respect to MgGTP. This changed to positive co-operativity when Lubrol PX was the activator, or when the substrate was MnGTP. These results suggest the presence of both a regulatory and a catalytic nucleotide-binding site, which do not interact co-operatively with STa activation.

A structural motif that defines the ATP-regulatory module of guanylate cyclase in atrial natriuretic factor signalling

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)-dependent guanylate cyclase is a single-chain transmembrane-spanning protein, containing an ANF receptor and having catalytic activity. ANF binding to the receptor domain activates the catalytic domain, generating the second messenger cyclic GMP. Obligatory in this activation process is an intervening step regulated by ATP, but its mechanism is not known. Through a programme of site-directed and deletion mutagenesis/expression studies, we report herein the identity of a structural motif (Gly503-Arg-Gly-Ser-Asn-Tyr-Gly509) that binds ATP and amplifies the ANF-dependent cyclase activity; this, therefore, represents an ATP-regulatory module (ARM) of the enzyme, which plays a pivotal role in ANF signalling.

Genetically tailored atrial natriuretic factor-dependent guanylate cyclase. Immunological and functional identity with 180 kDa membrane guanylate cyclase and ATP signaling site

Biochemical and immunological studies have established that one of the signal transducers of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) is a 180 kDa membrane guanylate cyclase (180 kDa mGC), which is also an ANF receptor; obligatory in the transduction process is an intervening ATP-regulated step, but its mechanism is not known. GC alpha is a newly discovered member of the guanylate cyclase family whose activity is independent of the known natriuretic peptides, and the enzyme is not an ANF receptor. The genetically tailored GC alpha, GC alpha-DmutGln338Leu364, however, is not only a guanylate cyclase but also an ANF receptor and is structurally and functionally identical to the cloned wild-type ANF receptor guanylate cyclase, GC-A. We now report that the ANF-dependent guanylate cyclase activity in the particulate fractions of cells transfected with GC alpha-DmutGln338Leu364 was inhibited by the 180 kDa mGC polyclonal antibody, and with this antibody probe it was possible to purify the 130 kDa expressed receptor; the hormone-dependent cyclase activity of this receptor was exclusively dependent upon ATP; and through site-directed mutational studies with GC alpha mutants, the signaling sequence that defines ATP binding site was identified. We thus conclude that 180 kDa mGC and the mutant protein are immunologically similar, both proteins are linked to the ANF signal in the generation of cyclic GMP synthesis; and in both the ligand binding and catalytic activities are bridged through a defined ATP binding module.

Allosteric modulation by ATP of the bovine adrenal natriuretic factor R1 receptor functions

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF-R1) receptor is a 130-kDa protein that contains a cytoplasmic guanylate cyclase domain. We report that ATP interacts in an allosteric manner with the ANF-R1 receptor, resulting in reduced ANF binding and enhanced ANF-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity. The modulatory properties of various nucleotides indicate a preference for the adenine family with a rank order of potency of ATP greater than App(NH)p greater than or equal to ADP greater than or equal to AMP while cyclic and guanine nucleotides except GTP are inactive. The negative modulation by ATP of ANF binding is specific for the ANF-R1 receptor subtype since the amount of ANF bound by the guanylate cyclase uncoupled ANF-R2 subtype is increased in the presence of ATP. Furthermore, the effects of ATP on ANF-R1 receptor binding function are still observed with the affinity-purified ANF-R1 receptor, suggesting an allosteric binding site for ATP on the ANF-R1 receptor. In intact membranes, limited proteolysis of the ANF-R1 receptor with trypsin dose-dependently prevents the ATP-induced decrease in ANF binding concomitantly with the formation of a membrane-associated ANF-binding fragment of 70 kDa. These results confirm the direct modulatory role of ATP on hormone binding activity of ANF-R1 receptor and suggest that the nucleotide regulatory binding site is located in the intracellular domain vicinal to the protease-sensitive region.

cGMP: the wayward child of the cyclic nucleotide family

An informal poll of neurobiologists indicates the following widely-held misconceptions about cGMP: (1) we know very little about it; (2) it must not be very different from cAMP; and (3) no new biological principles are likely to emerge from studying it. In fact, despite these prejudices, our understanding of the cGMP second messenger cascade has increased dramatically in the last few years. We now know that it is very different from the cAMP system in almost every particular, and the differences reveal interesting and novel solutions to the biological problem of receptor-effector coupling.

Calcium reveals different mechanisms of guanylate cyclase activation by atrial natriuretic factor and ATP in rat lung membranes

CaCl2 inhibited ATP-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity, but had little effect on basal and atrial natriuretic factor-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity in rat lung membranes. LaCl3 had similar effects as CaCl2 on basal and stimulated guanylate cyclase activity. LiCl and other monovalent salts inhibited ATP-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity more than basal enzyme activity. However, atrial natriuretic factor somehow stabilized the enzyme against the inhibitory effect of LiCl. These results suggest that ATP and atrial natriuretic factor activate the enzyme through different mechanisms. Since the effect of calcium on guanylate cyclase activity is different from that of monovalent salts and can be mimicked by lanthanum, it may be mediated by a specific calcium binding site or binding protein.

Dual regulation of atrial natriuretic factor-dependent guanylate cyclase activity by ATP

The 'second messenger' of certain atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) signals is cyclic GMP. One type of ANF receptor linked to the synthesis of cyclic GMP is a transmembrane protein which contains both the ANF-binding and guanylate cyclase activities. The consensus is that the maximal activity of this guanylate cyclase is observed in the presence of ATP. We now show that depending upon the cofactors Mg2+ or Mn2+, ATP stimulates or inhibits the ANF-dependent guanylate cyclase activity in the testicular plasma membranes: stimulation in the presence of Mg2+ and inhibition in the presence of Mn2+. With Mg2+ as cofactor neither ATP nor ANF stimulate the cyclase activity--it is only when the two are together that the enzyme is activated. Furthermore, this investigation for the first time demonstrates binding of ATP to the ANF receptor guanylate cyclase, suggesting that ATP-mediated responses could occur by direct ATP binding to the cyclase.

Activation of particulate guanylate cyclase by Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin is regulated by adenine nucleotides

Guanylate cyclase is regulated by adenine nucleotides in membranes of intestinal mucosal cells. Basal guanylate cyclase was activated about twofold by adenine nucleotides. Activation was specific for adenine, as compared with the pyrimidine nucleotides UTP and CTP. In addition, enzyme activation was obtained in the presence of saturating concentrations of GTP, the substrate for guanylate cyclase. The most potent adenine nucleotide was the nonhydrolyzable analog of ATP, adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate). Adenine nucleotide activation was specific for the particulate form of guanylate cyclase, as compared with the soluble form. Also, adenine nucleotides potentiated the activation of guanylate cyclase by the heat-stable enterotoxin produced by Escherichia coli. Indeed, enzyme activation by adenine nucleotides and toxin was greater than the sum of individual activations by these agents. Adenine nucleotides regulate guanylate cyclase by increasing the maximum velocity of the enzyme without altering its affinity for substrate or its cooperativity. In addition to stimulating guanylate cyclase, adenine nucleotides decreased the specific binding of the heat-stable enterotoxin to receptors in intestinal membranes. The coordinated regulation of the toxin-receptor interaction and guanylate cyclase activity by a process utilizing nonhydrolyzable analogs of a purine nucleotide is similar to the mechanisms involved in the hormone regulation of adenylate cyclase by guanine nucleotide-binding proteins. These data suggest that an adenine nucleotide-dependent protein may couple the toxin-receptor interaction to the regulation of particulate guanylate cyclase in intestinal membranes.

Sequence homologies between guanylyl cyclases and structural analogies to other signal-transducing proteins

The cyclic GMP-forming enzyme guanylyl cyclase exists in cytosolic and in membrane-bound forms differing in structure and regulations. Determination of the primary structures of the guanylyl cyclases revealed that the cytosolic enzyme form consists of two similar subunits and that membrane-bound guanylyl cyclases represent enzyme forms in which the catalytic part is located in an intracellular, C-terminal domain and is regulated by an extracellular, N-terminal receptor domain. A domain of 250 amino acids conserved in all guanylyl cyclases appears to be required for the formation of cyclic nucleotide, as this homologous domain is also found in the cytosolic regions of the adenylyl cyclase. The general structures of guanylyl cyclases shows similarities with other signal transducing enzymes such as protein-tyrosine phosphatases and protein-tyrosine kinases, which also exist in cytosolic and receptor-linked forms.

Guanylyl cyclase-linked receptors

The guanylyl cyclase receptor family contains members that exist in both the particulate and soluble fractions of cell homogenates. Based on cloning studies, proteins with guanylyl cyclase activity contain a single transmembrane domain, or exist as heterodimers with no apparent transmembrane domains. The members containing the single transmembrane domain appear to act as cell surface receptors for peptides such as natriuretic peptides and bacterial heat-stable enterotoxins, while the heterodimeric forms are activated by nitric oxide. The concentrations of the intracellular messenger, cyclic GMP, then, are regulated by multiple primary signaling molecules, all of which appear to bind directly to the guanylyl cyclase enzyme.

Structural requirements of ATP for activation of basal and atrial natriuretic factor-stimulated guanylate cyclase in rat lung membranes

ATP has been reported to increase basal and atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity. The structural features of ATP involved in the activation of guanylate cyclase were examined by employing a variety of ATP analogs with modification either at the phosphate chain or at the ribose moiety. Among the natural adenine nucleotides, ATP and ADP were able to increase both basal and ANF-stimulated guanylate cyclase activities in rat lung membranes. AMP had no effect. ATP was more effective than AMPPCP (the non-hydrolyzable analog of ATP), and ADP was more effective than ADP beta S and AMPCP (the hydrolysis-resistant analogs of ADP) to increase basal and ANF-stimulated guanylate cyclase activities. Removal of the oxygen atom from the ribose moiety of ATP or ADP significantly reduced their potency. Thus, the length of the phosphate chain and the hydroxyl groups at the ribose moiety are both determinants for nucleotide mediated guanylate cyclase activation.

Caged ATP potentiates guanylate cyclase activity stimulated by atrial natriuretic factor in rat lung membranes

ATP increases both basal and atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)-stimulated guanylate cyclase activities. The present studies were designed to compare the effect of adenosine-5'-triphosphate, P3-1-(2-nitrophenyl)-ethyl ester (caged ATP), a photolabile derivative of ATP, with ATP. Caged ATP increases both basal and ANF-stimulated enzyme activities in a concentration-dependent manner, but is more potent than ATP. The effect of caged ATP significantly decreases after it is photo-converted to ATP by UV irradiation. These observations suggest that the caged group introduces a hydrophobic interaction thereby facilitating guanylate cyclase activation.