Phorbol ester induces desensitization of adenylate cyclase and phosphorylation of the beta-adrenergic receptor in turkey erythrocytes

Phorbol-ester-induced phosphorylation of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor decreases its coupling to Gs

Phorbol-esters have been shown to modulate the beta-adrenergic-stimulated adenylyl cyclase in a number of cell lines. Here, using site directed mutagenesis, we investigate the role of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor phosphorylation by protein kinase C in this regulatory process. Mutation of the serine-261, -262, -344 and -345 of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor prevented the phorbol-ester-induced phosphorylation of the receptor. This mutation also abolished the phorbol-ester-induced decrease in high-affinity agonist binding and potency of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor. We suggest that protein kinase C mediated phosphorylation of the receptor promotes its functional uncoupling.

Modulation of Gs activity by phorbol myristate acetate in rat hepatocytes

Activation of protein kinase C promotes heterologous desensitization of hepatic adenylate cyclase. The basis for this desensitization was explored by use of a strategy with several independent approaches. Although not influencing the amount of forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity (catalyst), treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) decreased adenylate cyclase activation in response to either sodium fluoride or guanylyl imidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p]. Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation in cholera toxin-treated hepatocytes and both the basal and GTP-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity of membranes from toxin-treated cells displayed a marked reduction in response to PMA. The ability of cholate extracts of hepatocyte membranes to reconstitute beta-adrenergic-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity of membrane of S49 mouse lymphoma cyc- cells was reduced by treatment with PMA. Cholera toxin-catalyzed labeling of Gs alpha-subunits was likewise diminished by phorbol ester treatment. Immunoblots of membranes from control or PMA-treated hepatocytes showed no difference in the amount of Gs alpha. Immunoprecipitation studies failed to detect phosphorylation of this G protein alpha-subunit. The data demonstrate that PMA induces an alteration in the functional status of Gs without altering the amount of this transmembrane signaling element. The alteration in Gs function may play a significant role in heterologous desensitization.

Differential effect of lithium on fos protooncogene expression mediated by receptor and postreceptor activators of protein kinase C and cyclic adenosine monophosphate: model for its antimanic action

Lithium salts are the most effective agents used in treating manic-depressive illness. It has been suggested that lithium's therapeutic efficacy could be due to an inhibitory effect on either inositol phospholipid (IP) and/or cyclic nucleotide metabolism. We have investigated the effect of lithium on these two signal transduction pathways in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells by studying a common effector target, expression of the fos protooncogene. We find that lithium, at therapeutic doses, has an augmenting effect on phosphatidylinositol (PI)-mediated fos expression induced by activating a muscarinic cholinergic pathway, whereas it has no effect, at tenfold the therapeutic dose, on fos expression induced by receptor or postreceptor activators of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). The lithium augmenting effect is also observed when the cells are treated with phorbol esters, which directly activate protein kinase C (PKC), suggesting that the level of lithium's interaction with the IP pathway is at the postreceptor level. We also show that phorbol esters induce extensive down regulation of subsequent cholinergic and phorbol ester responsiveness as well as heterologous down regulation of cAMP responses. Treatment of down-regulated cells with lithium leads to an enhanced responsiveness when cells are rechallenged with agonists that activate PKC but not by agonists that stimulate cAMP. We also show that carbamazepine, another antimanic agent, has an inhibitory effect on cAMP-mediated fos but no effect on the IP pathway. The opposite effects of lithium and carbamazepine on two critical transducing systems suggest a model for the antimanic action of these agents.

Alteration of the GTP-dependent inhibitory pathway of rat striatal adenylate cyclase by phorbol esters

In membranes of rat striatum, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a potent activator of Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase, enhanced adenylate cyclase activity by counteracting the inhibition elicited by GTP. Exposure to pertussis toxin caused a similar alteration of the GTP-regulation of the enzyme activity and largely prevented the PMA effects. PMA treatment increased by threefold the GTP requirement of acetylcholine-induced inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity but did not affect the GTP-dependence of the enzyme stimulation by dopamine. The hydrolysis of GTP by membrane-bound high affinity GTPase was significantly inhibited by PMA (IC 50 10 nM) in a Ca2(+)-dependent manner. Like PMA, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate inhibited the GTPase activity, whereas the biologically inactive 4-beta phorbol 13-acetate and 4-beta phorbol were without effect. These results suggest that activation of Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase by PMA stimulates adenylate cyclase activity by impairing the activity of the GTP-dependent inhibitory protein, possibly through a reduction of the GTP-GDP exchange.

Cross-talk between second messengers

Cells are under the continuous influence of a variety of simultaneous stimulations. A coherent and organized cellular response therefore presupposes the existence of fine integration mechanisms. Cross-talk between different signaling pathways could contribute to such integration. Receptor-mediated activation of the adenylyl cyclase and phosphatidyl-inositides hydrolysis systems represent two ubiquitous signaling pathways that served as a model to study cross-talk between second messengers. Stimulations of the phosphatidyl-inositides turnover pathway as well as direct activation of protein kinase C by phorbol esters have been reported to modulate the beta-adrenergic-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity. To study the molecular basis of this regulatory process, several models were used. In avian erythrocytes, phorbol esters treatment induces a desensitization of the beta-adrenergic-stimulated adenylyl cyclase. This desensitization is accompanied by an increased phosphorylation of the beta-adrenergic receptor. Moreover, the purified beta 2-adrenergic receptor is a substrate in vitro for protein kinase C. This suggests that phosphorylation of the beta-adrenergic receptor by protein kinase C could contribute to the desensitization of the beta-adrenergic-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity mediated by phosphatidyl-inositides turnover coupled receptors. In contrast with what is observed in avian erythrocytes, treatment of frog erythrocytes with phorbol esters leads to an enhancement of the adenylyl cyclase activity stimulated by beta-adrenergic agonists, fluoride or GTP. In these cells, phorbol esters treatment induces a dramatic increase in the level of phosphorylation of the adenylyl cyclase catalytic unit. Moreover purified protein kinase C can directly phosphorylate the catalytic unit of adenylyl cyclase in vitro. Such phosphorylation induces a significant increase of the Gpp(NH)p-stimulated activity of the enzyme. These results provide a plausible explanation for the increased cyclase activity observed in frog erythrocytes following phorbol esters treatment. Therefore, receptor-mediated stimulation of phosphatidyl-inositides turnover appears to modulate the beta-adrenergic-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity via protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation of distinct components of the cAMP production system.

Involvement of dopamine neurons in the regulation of beta-adrenergic receptor sensitivity in rat prefrontal cortex

The contribution of dopamine (DA) afferents to the regulation of beta-adrenergic receptor sensitivity (isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity) in the rat prefrontal cortex was investigated by comparing the effects of lesions affecting either both DA and noradrenaline (NA) or NA fibers alone. Bilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions made in the ventral tegmental area destroyed ascending DA and to a variable extent ascending NA fibers innervating the prefrontal cortex. Two opposite effects were observed depending on the extent of cortical NA denervation: (a) When NA denervation was complete (less than 4% of controls), a marked increase in the isoproterenol-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity (+78%) was found. The amplitude of this denervation supersensitivity was similar to that occurring following complete and selective destruction of NA innervation induced by bilateral 6-OHDA injections made into the pedunculus cerebellaris superior. (b) When 6-OHDA injections into the ventral tegmental area led to a partial destruction of cortical NA afferents (10-40% of control values), a hyposensitivity of the isoproterenol-induced adenylate cyclase activity (-30%) was observed. This effect contrasted with the moderate supersensitivity seen in rats with partial, but selective, destruction of NA innervation (pedunculus cerebellaris superior lesions). The hyposensitivity of beta-adrenergic receptors obtained in rats with partial lesions of cortical NA fibers, but devoid of cortical DA innervation, suggests that DA neurons may regulate, under certain conditions, the denervation supersensitivity of beta-adrenergic receptors.

Multiple non-specific effects of sphingosine on adenylate cyclase and cyclic AMP accumulation in S49 lymphoma cells preclude its use as a specific inhibitor of protein kinase C

Recent studies with phorbol esters have suggested that protein kinase C (PKC) may play a role in the regulation of adenylate cyclase in mammalian cells. Since D-sphingosine has been reported to specifically inhibit PKC in many cell types, we evaluated its effects on stimulation of cyclic AMP accumulation by adrenaline in S49 lymphoma cells. We found sphingosine to have multiple non-specific effects which could not be explained by an inhibition of PKC. These effects included: (i) inhibition by sphingosine (50 microM) of adrenaline-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation and sphingosine permeation of the cells which rendered them leaky to ATP; (iii) sphingosine (20 microMs) augmentation of adrenaline-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation; (iii) inhibition by sphingosine of adrenaline-stimulated adenylate cyclase in isolated membranes by up to 95%; and (iv) sphingosine (20 microM) inhibition of cellular mechanisms for the elimination of cyclic AMP. These results demonstrate the importance of evaluating the non-specific effects of sphingosine before concluding that its actions are the consequences of a specific inhibition of PKC.

Release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor from pig cultured aortic endothelial cells, as assessed by changes in endothelial cell cyclic GMP content, is inhibited by a phorbol ester

1. Cultured aortic endothelial cells of the pig respond to the endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) they release with an increase in cyclic GMP content. This response is inhibited by haemoglobin or by L-NG-monomethyl-arginine (L-NMMA), and has been used to investigate the effects of phorbol esters on EDRF release. 2. Pretreatment with phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDB) but not the inactive 4 alpha-phorbol-12,13,-didecanoate (PDD), inhibited increases in cyclic GMP induced by substance P (10(-8) M) in a time and concentration-dependent manner. PDB did not affect basal cyclic GMP levels. 3. PDB (3 x 10(-7) M), but not PDD (3 x 10(-7) M), also inhibited ATP (10(-5) M)-induced increases in cyclic GMP, but did not affect those induced by bradykinin (10(-7) M). 4. Increases in cyclic GMP induced by low (10(-7) M) but not high (10(-6) M) concentrations of the calcium ionophore A23187 were inhibited by PDB (3 x 10(-7) M). This inhibitory effect was due to enhanced destruction of EDRF by superoxide anions rather than inhibition of EDRF release, as the inhibition was abolished in the presence of superoxide dismutase (SOD, 30 mu ml-1) and catalase (CAT, 100 mu ml-1). 5. SOD and CAT did not affect the inhibitory action of PDB on substance P or ATP-induced increases in cyclic GMP. 6. Increases in endothelial cell cyclic GMP content induced by sodium nitroprusside (10(-5) M) were unaffected by PDB pretreatment. 7. The inhibitory effects of PDB are probably a result of an action of protein kinase C on the steps between receptor occupation and phospholipase C activation.

Chronic norepinephrine elicits desensitization by uncoupling the beta-receptor

The goal of this study was to determine the mechanism of beta-adrenergic receptor desensitization after chronic elevation of circulating NE levels. Osmotic minipumps containing either NE or saline were implanted subcutaneously in dogs for 3-4 wk. Physiologic desensitization to isoproterenol was confirmed in conscious dogs, i.e., left ventricular dP/dt increased in response to isoproterenol (0.4 micrograms/kg per min) by 5,625 +/- 731 mmHg/s in control dogs with saline pumps, and significantly less, P less than 0.01, by 2,093 +/- 263 mmHg/s in dogs with NE pumps. Myocardial beta-adrenergic receptor density as determined with 125I-cyanopindolol binding was 49% higher (p less than 0.05) in the NE pump group. However, beta-adrenergic receptor agonist binding with isoproterenol demonstrated a significant shift into the low affinity state for the animals with NE pumps. Basal, GTP plus isoproterenol, 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate, sodium fluoride, and forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in the NE pump group were significantly depressed (P less than 0.05) by amounts ranging from 20 to 40%. The functional activity of the guanine nucleotide binding protein Gs was also reduced (P less than 0.05) in animals with NE pumps. Thus, the process of desensitization in response to chronic elevation of NE levels in intact, normal dogs does not involve a decrease in beta-adrenergic receptor density. Rather, it is characterized by reduced adenylate cyclase activation and uncoupling of the beta-adrenergic receptor in association with decreased activity of the GTP-coupling protein Gs.

Co-existence between receptors, carriers, and second messengers on astrocytes grown in primary cultures

This overview deals with the current important problem of the expression by astrocytes of a set of functional and neurochemical properties which, until a few years ago, were thought to be specific for neurons. The interaction of different receptor functions and carrier systems in astrocytes and the functional importance of second messenger systems is discussed.

The effect of relaxants working through different transduction mechanisms on the tonic contraction produced in rat aorta by 4 beta-phorbol dibutyrate

1. We have examined the effects of a range of smooth muscle relaxants on the maintained contractions produced in rat aortic rings by the protein kinase C activator, 4 beta-phorbol dibutyrate; these effects were compared with those on the contraction induced by the selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist, methoxamine. The phorbol ester, at 0.3 microM, gave a sustained contraction which was, on average, of approximately the same magnitude as the maximum contraction produced by methoxamine, 10 microM. 2. The beta-adrenoceptor agonist, isoprenaline (0.01-1 microM) caused a dose-related relaxation of the methoxamine-induced contraction but had no effect on the contraction induced by the phorbol ester. 3. An activator of adenylate cyclase, forskolin (0.01-1 microM) produced a dose-related relaxation of the methoxamine-induced contraction and at 0.01-10 microM caused relaxation of the contraction induced by the phorbol ester. Similar results were obtained with the potassium channel activator, cromakalim (0.001-10 microM). 4. An activator of guanylate cyclase, sodium nitroprusside (0.001-100 microM) caused a dose-related relaxation of both the methoxamine-induced and the phorbol ester-induced contraction, being more effective on the former than on the latter. Similar results were obtained with enprofylline (1-1000 microM). 5. Methoxamine (10 nM-100 microM), given cumulatively, caused a dose-related contractile response. Pretreatment with isoprenaline (1 microM), enprofylline (10 microM) and nicorandil (1 microM) resulted in partial decrease of the subsequent response to methoxamine, while nicorandil (10 microM), forskolin (1 microM), sodium nitroprusside (10 microM) and cromakalim (1 microM) totally abolished it. 6. The phorbol ester, given cumulatively, caused increasing contraction in the concentration range 30 nM-10 microM. Pretreatment with forskolin (1 microM), sodium nitroprusside (10 microM), isoprenaline (1 microM), enprofylline (10 microM), nicorandil (1 microM or 10 microM), or cromakalin (1 microM or 10 microM), resulted in partial decrease of the subsequent response to 4 beta-phorbol dibutyrate. 7. These results are discussed in the light of the suggestion that protein kinase C may have a role in the 'latch-bridge' phase of smooth muscle contraction, and that inappropriate activation of protein kinase C may contribute to the pathogenesis of hypertension and other conditions involving vasospasm.

Genetic regulation of beta 2-adrenergic receptors in 3T3-L1 fibroblasts

The beta 2-adrenergic receptor from mouse 3T3-L1 cells is up-regulated through genetic mechanisms by glucocorticoids and butyrate. To study the genetic regulation of these receptors, we sequenced a 5 kb region of genomic DNA from 3T3-L1 cells, containing the beta-adrenergic receptor gene and approx. 1.5 kb of both 5' and 3' flanking sequences. The sequence contained one copy of an 8 bp consensus sequence which can confer phorbol ester-responsiveness to genes. Phorbol esters attenuated the up-regulation of beta 2-adrenergic receptors by glucocorticoids but not by butyrate. This effect was probably due to a phorbol ester-induced decrease in glucocorticoid receptor number. Using methylation-sensitive restriction enzymes, we examined the methylation of a CG-rich region occurring 5' to the gene and did not detect any changes in methylation of this region upon dexamethasone or butyrate treatment. A total of 16 putative glucocorticoid response elements were found which may mediate the glucocorticoid-induced increase in beta 2-adrenergic receptors. A comparison of the regulatory sequences of the two beta-adrenergic receptor subtypes from human and mouse confirms the observed physiological controls of receptor subtype expression and offers an explanation as to why the subtypes differ in genetic regulation.

Modulatory function of protein kinase C in the activation of ornithine decarboxylase and in cAMP production in rat osteoblasts

The effect of activation of protein kinase C on stimulation of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and cAMP production was studied in fetal rat osteoblasts. Both phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate (PMA), an activator of protein kinase C, and 4 alpha-phorbol, ineffective in activating protein kinase C, failed to stimulate ODC activity and cAMP production. We tested the effect of protein kinase C on stimulation of ODC activity by parathyroid hormone (PTH) and forskolin. In contrast to PTH-stimulated ODC activity, which was not affected by PMA, forskolin-stimulated (1 and 10 microM) ODC activity was dose dependently reduced. PMA (400 nM) reduced both 1 and 10 microM forskolin-stimulated ODC activity to the same level, approximately 3 nmol CO2/mg protein, which suggests a controlling role of protein kinase C in forskolin-stimulated ODC activity. The study of the effect of protein kinase C on PTH- and forskolin-stimulated cAMP production also revealed differences between PTH and forskolin. When PMA was added simultaneously with PTH (4 and 20 nM) or forskolin (1 and 10 microM) the PTH-stimulated cAMP production was dose-dependently potentiated by PMA, whereas forskolin-stimulated cAMP production was not affected. However, both PTH- and forskolin-stimulated cAMP production was dose-dependently augmented when PMA was added 3 min prior to PTH or forskolin. With increasing preincubation periods (up to 24 h) with PMA instead of a potentiation an inhibition was observed. This inhibition is not due to PTH receptor desensitization, although, on basis of the present results desensitization can not completely be excluded. In all cases 4 alpha-phorbol was without effect. The present results show that protein kinase C modulates stimulation of ODC activity and cAMP production in fetal rat osteoblasts. The modulation of both ODC activity and cAMP production appears to be dependent on the nature of the stimulator. The present data suggest a role for protein kinase C in limiting the cAMP-mediated stimulation of ODC activity in these cells. Furthermore, it is suggested that protein kinase C can interfere at more than one site in the cAMP-generating system.

Beta-adrenoceptor and adenylate cyclase regulation in cardiac myocyte growth

We studied the effect of growth on beta-adrenergic receptor properties of neonatal rat heart myocytes cultured in serum-free medium with transferrin and insulin. Growth was induced by addition of 1 microM (-)-norepinephrine for two days, 200 nM of the tumor-promoting phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) for two days, or 30 nM T3 for six days. The Kd values for beta-receptor binding (125I-ICYP) were unaffected by growth. The maximum number of beta-receptor binding sites calculated as sites/cell was increased 1.47-fold by T3 (p less than .005), but was decreased to 54% of control values by (-)-norepinephrine (p less than .005): TPA had no effect on either Kd or Bmax values. (-)-Isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was augmented only in membranes from T3-treated cells and was reduced by 69% in membranes from (-)-norepinephrine treated cells. TPA had no effect on (-)-isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. We conclude that the mechanisms controlling beta-adrenergic receptor number may be distinct from those controlling growth, since receptor number does not correlate with cell enlargement. Furthermore, in (-)-norepinephrine-stimulated growth, which we have shown previously is an alpha 1-adrenoceptor mediated response, beta-adrenergic signal transduction is modulated in a directionally opposite fashion.

Mutation of a protein kinase C phosphorylation site in the erbB protein of avian erythroblastosis virus

Tumor promoter-stimulated phosphorylation of threonine 98 of the erbB protein of avian erythroblastosis virus (AEV) correlates with inhibition of erbB-dependent mitogenesis. To more clearly define the role of phosphorylation of this residue in regulation of the activity of the erbB protein, we have constructed erbB mutations which encode alanine (Ala-98), tyrosine (Tyr-98), or serine (Ser-98) at position 98. The biosynthesis and stability of the three mutant proteins were similar to those of the wild-type erbB protein, and all three retained the ability to transform chicken embryo fibroblasts. Treatment of transformed CEF with 12-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) stimulated incorporation of 32Pi into wild-type and mutant erbB proteins and resulted in a slight decrease in the electrophoretic mobilities of all the erbB proteins. Tryptic maps of erbB phosphopeptides showed no endogenous or TPA-stimulated phosphorylation of alanine 98 or tyrosine 98 in cells transformed by the Ala-98 and Tyr-98 mutants. Analysis of tryptic phosphopeptides by high-pressure liquid chromatography revealed that TPA treatment of cells stimulated phosphorylation of other sites of the erbB protein in addition to threonine 98. A high endogenous level of phosphorylation of serine 98 of the Ser-98 mutant protein was found, and TPA treatment of cells did not result in further phosphorylation of this residue. Cells transformed by wild-type and mutant AEV were equally sensitive to TPA-dependent inhibition of growth in soft agar and TPA-dependent inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation. TPA treatment inhibited tyrosine phosphorylation to a similar extent in cells transformed by wild-type or Ala-98 AEV. These data indicate that phosphorylation of threonine 98 of the erbB protein is not responsible for TPA-dependent inhibition of growth of AEV-transformed cells or TPA-induced inhibition of erbB-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation. TPA-stimulated phosphorylation of the erbB protein at other sites may mediate these effects. The data also show that subtle changes in a phosphorylation site (i.e., changing threonine to serine) can drastically alter recognition by protein kinases.

Effect of alpha tocopheryl succinate on adenylate cyclase activity in murine neuroblastoma cells in culture

Alpha tocopheryl succinate treatment (6-8 micrograms/ml), which inhibited the growth of murine neuroblastoma (NBP2) cells (46 +/- 3%), reduced basal and prostaglandin (PG)E1- and PGA2-stimulated adenylate cyclase (AC) activity in vitro. It also inhibited sodium fluoride (NaF)- and forskolin-stimulated AC activity, suggesting that the effect of vitamin E succinate on AC activity is mediated via stimulatory GTP-binding protein (Gs) and catalytic subunit. Vitamin E succinate-induced reduction of AC activity is not strictly related to inhibition of cell growth. This is substantiated by the finding that, although retinoic acid and butylated hydroxyanisole reduced the growth by over 50%, they did not inhibit AC activity. On the other hand, 4-(3-butoxy-4-methoxybenzyl)-2-imidazolidinone (R020-1724, 200 micrograms/ml), which inhibited growth (73 +/- 3%) and induced differentiation in NB cells, increased basal and PGE1-stimulated AC activity. Vitamin E succinate treatment also reduced PGE1- and PGA2-AC activity in murine fibroblasts (L-cells) without inhibiting growth.

Evidence for a GTP-binding protein involved in interferon-gamma transduction signal

These studies were designed to investigate the characteristics of the intracellular messengers induced by interferons (IFN-alpha/beta and IFN-gamma) after receptor binding. Pretreatment of target cells with V. cholerae toxin, which is known to activate a membrane GTP-binding stimulatory protein (Gs), potentiated the action of IFN-gamma, but not of IFN-alpha/beta. By contrast, B. pertussis toxin, which is known to activate the GTP-binding inhibitory protein (Gi), had no effects on the action of both IFN-alpha/beta and IFN-gamma. Further support to the involvement of G proteins in IFN-gamma transduction signal came from the finding that a non-hydrolizable GTP analog, GTP-gamma-S, enhanced in the presence of phorbol esters (PMA) the antiviral and antiproliferative activity of IFN-gamma, but not of IFN-alpha/beta. On the other hand, forskolin or PGE1, known to increase the intracellular cAMP levels by different metabolic pathways, when added together with IFN-gamma, significantly potentiated its antiviral and antiproliferative activity. Pretreatment of the cultures with the above drugs completely prevented IFN-gamma activity. No effects were observed when forskolin or PGE1 were used with IFN-alpha/beta. Finally, the modulation of IFN-gamma activity by the above drugs was not a consequence of changes in the expression of the specific surface receptors, since [125I]IFN-gamma binding by pretreated target cells was comparable to that of untreated cultures. Altogether these results demonstrate that the IFN-gamma, but not the IFN-alpha/beta, transduction signal is mediated after receptor binding by a G protein with functional characteristics similar to those of the known Gs proteins. Activation of the adenylate cyclase system could be one of the subsequent steps involved in IFN-gamma action.

Phorbol ester prevents the thyroid-stimulating-hormone-induced but not the forskolin-induced decrease of cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity in thyroid cell cultures

The potent tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate (TPA) affects several thyroid cell functions and interacts with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) either by inhibiting or potentiating its action on different cellular parameters. Since phorbol ester acts mainly through the activation of protein kinase C, which is its receptor, we studied this activation and its interaction with TSH and forskolin in suspension cultures of porcine thyroid cells. In thyroid cell cultures, TPA has a dual effect on protein kinase C activity: immediately (2-5 min) after exposure of cells to TPA, it began to be translocated from the cytosol to the particulate fraction. The transfer of the cytosolic enzyme was total and could occur with or without a loss of activity. The translocated enzyme still needed Ca2+ and phospholipids for its activation. The basal activity increased transiently (2-4 h) in both the cytosol and particulate fractions during translocation. The peak activity in the particulate fraction was reached 10-30 min after exposure of cells to TPA, and was followed by down-regulation of protein kinase C and almost complete disappearance of its activity. The residual activity was about 13% of control after a 2-day exposure to TPA. It was unequally distributed between cytosol (4%) and particulate fraction (9%). Prolonged exposure of cells to TPA did not affect either the activity or the subcellular distribution of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity. TPA interacted with TSH and prevented the decrease of this activity induced by prolonged exposure of cells to the hormone not only when it was introduced simultaneously with TSH, but also when it was added 24 h after TSH. However, the forskolin-induced decrease in cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity was not prevented by the presence of TPA. TPA also affected the increases in cAMP accumulation mediated by TSH and forskolin. The TSH-induced increase was significantly stimulated by TPA after short contacts (5-15 min), while longer preincubations of cells with TPA provoked a very strong inhibition of the TSH action. However, the forskolin-induced stimulation of the cAMP accumulation was maintained and even further increased in the presence of TPA. Consequently, the actions of TSH and TPA are apparently interdependent, while those of forskolin and TPA seem to be parallel and independent. Neither TSH nor forskolin prevented the TPA-induced down regulation of protein kinase C. The biologically inactive phorbol ester analogue 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate had no effect on protein kinase C activity, and did not interact with either TSH or forskolin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Alkaline phosphatase relieves desensitization of adenylate cyclase-coupled beta-adrenergic receptors in avian erythrocyte membranes

Desensitization of adenylate cyclase-coupled beta-adrenergic receptors in avian erythrocytes results in a 40-65% decrease in agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity and correlates with increased phosphorylation of beta-adrenergic receptors. To assess the role of phosphorylation in desensitization, membranes from isoprenaline- and dibutyryl cyclic AMP-desensitized turkey erythrocytes were incubated with alkaline phosphatase for 30 min at 37 degrees C, pH 8.0. In both preparations alkaline phosphatase treatment significantly decreased desensitization of agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity by 40-75% (P less than 0.05). Similar results were obtained after alkaline phosphatase treatment of membranes from isoprenaline- and dibutyryl cyclic AMP-desensitized duck erythrocytes. Moreover, alkaline phosphatase treatment of membranes from duck erythrocytes desensitized with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate returned agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity to near control values. In all experiments, inclusion of 20 mM-sodium phosphate to inhibit alkaline phosphatase during treatment of membranes attenuated the enzyme's effect on agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. In addition, alkaline phosphatase treatment of membranes from control and isoprenaline-desensitized turkey erythrocytes increased the mobility of beta-adrenergic-receptor proteins, specifically photoaffinity-labelled with [125I]iodocyanopindolol-diazirine, on SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The increased mobility of the beta-adrenergic-receptor proteins after alkaline phosphatase treatment of membranes was again inhibited by 20 mM-phosphate. These results provide additional evidence for a direct role for phosphorylation in desensitization of adenylate cyclase-coupled beta-adrenergic receptors in avian erythrocytes.

Variations in guanine-binding proteins (Gs, Gi) in cultured bovine adrenal cells. Consequences on the effects of phorbol ester and angiotensin II on adrenocorticotropin-induced and cholera-toxin-induced cAMP production

The corticotropin (ACTH) or cholera-toxin-induced cAMP production by cultured bovine adrenal cells increased progressively between days 0 and 7 of culture. Angiotensin II (A-II), which inhibited both basal and ACTH-stimulated adenylate cyclase of crude adrenal membranes, had no effect on ACTH-induced or cholera-toxin-induced cAMP production by fresh isolated cells (day 0) but progressively potentiated the stimulatory action of both effectors from day 0----1 to day 7 of culture. In contrast, phorbol ester had a potentiating effect on fresh isolated cells. Pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin enhanced the potentiating effect of A-II on cells between 0 and 3 days of culture, but not after 7 days. ADP-ribosylation by cholera toxin (ribosylating alpha s proteins) or pertussis toxin (alpha i proteins), of adrenal membranes prepared from fresh isolated or cultured cells revealed an increase in alpha s and a dramatic decrease in alpha i, the ratios alpha i/alpha s on days 0, 3 and 7 of culture were 4, 0.6 and 0.1 respectively. These results indicate that (a) A-II had a double effect on ACTH-induced or cholera-toxin-induced cAMP production: one inhibitory mediated by Gi, the other stimulatory mediated by protein kinase C activation; this could explain the lack of apparent effect of A-II on fresh cells; (b) the progressive decrease of alpha i might be responsible for the appearance of the potentiating effect of A-II whereas the progressive increase of alpha s could explain the enhanced responsiveness to ACTH or cholera toxin of cultured cells.

Structural and functional relationships of guanosine triphosphate binding proteins

Information available at present documents the existence of three well-defined classes of guanine nucleotide binding proteins functioning as signal transducers: Gs and Gi which stimulate and inhibit adenylate cyclase, respectively, and transducin which transmits and amplifies the signal from light-activated rhodopsin to cGMP-dependent phosphodiesterase in ROS membranes. Go is a fourth member of this family. Its function is the least known among GTP binding signal transducing proteins. The family of G proteins has a number of properties in common. All are heterotrimers consisting of three subunits, alpha, beta, and gamma. Each of the subunits may be heterogeneous depending on species and tissue of origin and may be posttranslationally modified covalently. The alpha subunits vary in size from 39 to 52 kDa. The sequences for Gs alpha and transducin alpha have 42% overall homology and those of Gi alpha and Gs alpha 43%, whereas those of Gi alpha and transducin alpha have a higher degree (68%) of homology. All alpha subunits bind guanine nucleotides and are ADP-ribosylated by either pertussis toxin (Gi, transducin, Go) or cholera toxin (Gs, Gi, transducin). Thus, transducin and Gi, which have the highest degree of sequence homology, are also ADP-ribosylated by both toxins. The beta subunits have molecular weights of 36 and 35 kDa, respectively. While Gs, Gi, and Go contain a mixture of both, transducin contains only the larger (36-kDa) beta-polypeptide. The relationship of the 36- and the 35-kDa beta subunits is not defined. Although the complete sequence of the 36-kDa beta subunit of transducin has been deduced from the cDNA sequence, complete sequences of other beta subunits are not yet available so that detailed comparisons cannot be made at present. However, the proteolytic profiles of each class of the beta subunits of different G proteins are indistinguishable. The gamma subunit of bovine transducin has been completely sequenced. It has a Mr of 8400. Again complete sequences of other gamma subunits are not yet available. While the gamma subunits of Gs, Gi, and Go have identical electrophoretic mobility in SDS gels, they differ significantly in this respect from the gamma subunit of transducin. Moreover, crossover experiments point to functional differences between gamma subunits from G protein and transducin complexes. In addition, a role for beta, gamma in anchoring guanine nucleotide binding proteins to membranes has been postulated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Protein kinase C potentiates isoproterenol-mediated cyclic AMP production without modifying the homologous desensitization process in J774 cells

The J774 murine macrophage cells possess a beta 2-adrenergic receptor coupled to adenylate cyclase, which can be regulated by homologous desensitization. Stimulation of protein kinase C by phorbol esters or oleoyl acetyl glycerol potentiates two-to-threefold the isoproterenol-induced cyclic AMP accumulation. These promoters act at a post-receptor level, since the number and affinity of the beta-adrenergic receptors, measured by use of the hydrophilic ligand [3H]CGP-12177, are not modified. In addition, the effect of cholera toxin is similarly increased and pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin prevents the action of phorbol esters. On the other hand, these promoters are ineffective on isoproterenol-induced desensitization and the rates of receptor segregation and recovery remain unchanged. Therefore, protein kinase C modulates the isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase, whereas it is inactive on the homologous desensitization process.

Antibody-induced cAMP accumulation in splenocytes from athymic nude mice

Products from the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (IP3) can increase and/or potentiate cAMP accumulation in a variety of cells. Antibody to surface immunoglobulins activates IP3 hydrolysis in B-lymphocytes. In this study we have examined whether anti-Ig also stimulated and/or potentiated increases in the cAMP levels of splenocytes from athymic nude mice. Furthermore, since TPA potentiates anti-Ig-induced DNA synthesis and cAMP modulates DNA synthesis, the effects of TPA on any anti-Ig-induced changes in cAMP were also studied. Antibody (25 micrograms/ml) stimulated a rapid ris in cAMP which increased from 250 fmol/10(6) cells to 400 fmol/10(6) cells within 1 min and then subsided to 310 fmol/10(6) cells by 10 min. TPA (96 nM) suppressed the anti-Ig-induced cAMP accumulation at 1 min by 60%, but potentiated the forskolin (114 microM)-induced rise by 151%. Two other activators of protein kinase C, dioctanoylglycerol (5 microM), and anti-Ig (25 micrograms/ml), also potentiated the forskolin response by 198% and 52%, respectively. These results suggest that modulation of the adenylate cyclase system by anti-Ig may act in concert with cytokines and/or prostaglandins secreted by other lymphoid cells to define the state of proliferation or differentiation in B-cells.

Control of ion fluxes by mitogenic polypeptides

Several ion fluxes are stimulated when mitogenic polypeptides are added to cells. The precise mechanism by which this activation takes place is not understood, but compelling evidence exists in the case of the activation of sodium-hydrogen exchange that it requires the tyrosine kinase activity associated with the mitogen receptor. The activation of sodium-hydrogen exchange by mitogens is associated with changes in intracellular pH that appear to be permissive but not causal in allowing cells to proceed through the cell cycle. When added to cells, mitogens also activate protein kinase C, which acts as part of a feedback loop to control the activity of the mitogen receptor. Possible mechanisms for this control are discussed.

Catecholamine-induced desensitization of adenylate cyclase coupled beta-adrenergic receptors in turkey erythrocytes: evidence for a two-step mechanism

Preincubation of turkey erythrocytes with isoproterenol is associated with (1) 50-60% attenuation of agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity, (2) altered mobility of the beta-adrenergic receptor on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, and (3) increased phosphorylation of the beta-adrenergic receptor. Using a low-cross-linked polyacrylamide gel, the beta-adrenergic receptor protein from isoproterenol-desensitized cells, labeled with 32P or with the photoaffinity label 125I-(p-azidobenzyl)carazolol, can be resolved into a doublet (Mr congruent to 37,000 and Mr congruent to 41,000) as compared to a single Mr congruent to 37,000 beta-adrenergic receptor protein from control erythrocytes. The appearance of the doublet was dependent on the concentration of agonist used to desensitize the cells. Incubation of erythrocytes with dibutyryl-cAMP did not promote formation of the doublet but decreased agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity 40-50%. Limited-digestion peptide maps of 32P-labeled beta-adrenergic receptors using papain revealed a unique phosphopeptide in the larger molecular weight band (Mr congruent to 41,000) of the doublet from the agonist-desensitized preparation that was absent in the peptide maps of the smaller band (Mr congruent to 37,000), as well as control or dibutyryl-cAMP-desensitized receptor. These data provide evidence that maximal agonist-induced desensitization of adenylate cyclase coupled beta-adrenergic receptors in turkey erythrocytes occurs by a two-step mechanism.

Aggregation of complement receptors on human neutrophils in the absence of ligand

C3bi receptors (CR3) on human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) bind ligand-coated particles and promote their ingestion. The binding activity of CR3 is not constitutive but is transiently enabled by phorbol esters (Wright, S. D., and B. D. Meyer, 1986, J. Immunol. 136:1759-1764). Our observations indicate that the capacity of CR3 to bind ligand is tightly correlated with the degree of ligand-independent aggregation of the receptor in the plane of the membrane. Fixed PMN were labeled with anti-CR3 monoclonal antibodies and streptavidin colloidal gold before viewing in the electron microscope either en face or in thin section. On unstimulated PMN, gold particles marking CR3 were dispersed randomly. Stimulation of PMN for 25 min with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) dramatically enhances binding of C3bi-coated particles, and the CR3 on such stimulated cells was observed in clusters containing more than six gold particles. CR3 was not aggregated over coated pits. After 50 min in PMA, the binding activity of CR3 falls, and the distribution of CR3 was again observed to be disperse. If a hydrophilic phorbol ester was washed away after a 20-min stimulation, binding activity remains elevated for at least 50 min, and CR3 remained aggregated. Thus, clustering of CR3 was temporally correlated with its ability to bind ligand and initiate phagocytosis. Unlike CR3, Fc receptors and HLA did not exhibit changes in their aggregation state in response to PMA. Treating PMN with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine, which enhances expression of CR3 but not its function, did not lead to aggregation of CR3. These observations suggest that a clustered configuration is a precondition necessary for binding ligand and signaling phagocytosis.

Interaction of phorbol esters with Ca2+ channels in smooth muscle

The phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a selective activator of protein kinase C, had no effect on the sensitivity to Ca2+ or verapamil of K+-depolarized taenia preparations from the guinea-pig caecum, despite the use of high concentrations (1 microM for 3 h); this preparation is sensitive to Ca2+ channel activators and antagonists. TPA (0.03-3 microM) caused a slow contraction of rat aorta preparations; the contractions were resistant to the calcium-antagonists nifedipine (0.01 microM), verapamil (10 microM), diltiazem (10 microM) and cinnarizine (10 microM), but were antagonized by N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalensulphonamide (W-7, 50-200 microM). Prolonged exposure to TPA (greater than 2 h) resulted in spontaneous contractions which were sensitive to verapamil (1 microM). Isoprenaline and sodium nitroprusside relaxed phenylephrine-induced contractions in rat aorta preparations. TPA (0.3 microM) blocked the maximal response to isoprenaline but not to sodium nitroprusside indicating that TPA did selectively activate protein kinase C under these experimental conditions. These findings indicate that protein kinase C activation does not result in direct effects on Ca2+ channel function, but may exert effects indirectly (e.g. by modifying intracellular sensitivity to Ca2+, Ca2+ extrusion, or cellular depolarization).

Multiple effects of phorbol esters on hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity in S49 lymphoma cells

In S49 lymphoma cells, 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) enhances adenylate cyclase activity and doubles cAMP accumulation in response to beta-adrenergic stimulation at 37 degrees C, putatively via the action of protein kinase C. At 27 degrees C, TPA has the opposite effect, inhibiting cAMP production in response to isoproterenol by approximately 25%. TPA also inhibits the response to prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), another stimulant of hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase in these cells, by 30% at 37 degrees C and almost 50% at 27 degrees C. In contrast, TPA enhances responses to forskolin and cholera toxin at both 27 and 37 degrees C. In membranes from cells treated with TPA, PGE1-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity is inhibited by 50%, whereas the catalytic activity stimulated by NaF or forskolin is enhanced. TPA reduces the potency of both PGE1 and isoproterenol for cAMP generation by 50%. TPA causes a similar decrease in beta-adrenergic agonist affinity with no reduction in the density of either antagonist or agonist binding sites in wild type cells and in cells lacking the alpha-subunit of the stimulatory transducer protein (Gs) (cyc-) or lacking functional receptor Gs coupling (UNC). Therefore, TPA has at least three functionally distinct effects on hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase in S49 cells: a 50% reduction in agonist affinity, attenuation of receptor-transducer coupling, and enhancement of GTP-dependent catalytic activity. We conclude that multiple and opposing effects of TPA on hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase occur simultaneously within the same cell, affecting the responses to several agonists differently.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of activation of protein kinase C on the agonist-induced stimulation and inhibition of cyclic AMP formation in intact human platelets

Jakobs, Bauer & Watanabe [(1985) Eur. J. Biochem. 151, 425-430] reported that treatment of platelets with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) prevented GTP- and agonist-induced inhibition of adenylate cyclase in membranes from the platelets. This was attributed to the phosphorylation of the inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding protein (Gi) by protein kinase C. In the present study, the effects of PMA on cyclic [3H]AMP formation and protein phosphorylation were studied in intact human platelets labelled with [3H]adenine and [32P]Pi. Incubation mixtures contained indomethacin to block prostaglandin synthesis, phosphocreatine and creatine kinase to remove ADP released from the platelets, and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine to inhibit cyclic AMP phosphodiesterases. Under these conditions, PMA partially inhibited the initial formation of cyclic [3H]AMP induced by prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), but later enhanced cyclic [3H]AMP accumulation by blocking the slow decrease in activation of adenylate cyclase that follows addition of PGE1. PMA had more marked and exclusively inhibitory effects on cyclic [3H]AMP formation induced by prostaglandin D2 and also inhibited the action of forskolin. Adrenaline, high thrombin concentrations and, in the absence of phosphocreatine and creatine kinase, ADP inhibited cyclic [3H]AMP formation induced by PGE1. The actions of adrenaline and thrombin were attenuated by PMA, but that of ADP was little affected, suggesting differences in the mechanisms by which these agonists inhibit adenylate cyclase. sn-1,2-Dioctanoylglycerol (diC8) had effects similar to those of PMA. The actions of increasing concentrations of PMA or diC8 on the modulation of cyclic [3H]AMP formation by PGE1 or adrenaline correlated with intracellular protein kinase C activity, as determined by 32P incorporation into the 47 kDa substrate of the enzyme. Parallel increases in phosphorylation of 20 kDa and 39-41 kDa proteins were also observed. Platelet-activating factor, [Arg8]vasopressin and low thrombin concentrations, all of which inhibit adenylate cyclase in isolated platelet membranes, did not affect cyclic [3H]AMP formation in intact platelets. However, the activation of protein kinase C by these agonists was insufficient to account for their failure to inhibit cyclic [3H]AMP formation. Moreover, high thrombin concentrations simultaneously activated protein kinase C and inhibited cyclic [3H]AMP formation. The results show that, in the intact platelet, the predominant effects of activation of protein kinase C on adenylate cyclase activity are inhibitory, suggesting actions additional to inactivation of Gi.