Characteristics of the guanine nucleotide regulatory component of adenylate cyclase in human erythrocyte membranes

Altered myocardial Gs protein and adenylyl cyclase signaling in rats exposed to chronic hypoxia and normoxic recovery

The present work has analyzed the consequences of chronic intermittent high-altitude hypoxia for functioning of the G protein-mediated adenylyl cyclase (AC) signaling system in the right (RV) and left ventricular (LV) myocardium in rats. Adaptation to hypoxia did not appreciably affect the number of beta-adrenoceptors and the content of predominantly membrane-bound alpha-subunit (G(s)alpha) of the stimulatory G protein, but it raised the amount of cytosolic G(s)alpha in RV. The levels of myocardial inhibitory Galpha protein were not altered. Activity of AC stimulated by GTP, fluoride, forskolin, or isoprotertenol was reduced by approximately 50% in RV from chronically hypoxic rats, and a weaker depression was also found in LV. In addition, hypoxia significantly diminished a functional activity of membrane-bound G(s)alpha in both RV and LV. The RV baseline contractile function was markedly increased in chronically hypoxic animals, and its sensitivity to beta-adrenergic stimulation was decreased. Animals recovering from hypoxia for 5 wk still exhibited markedly elevated levels of cytosolic G(s)alpha and significantly lower activity of AC in RV than did age-matched controls, but contractile responsiveness to beta-agonists was normal.

The GTP-binding regulatory proteins, Gs and G(i), are altered in erythrocyte membranes of patients with ischemic heart disease resulting from coronary atherosclerosis

Acute ischemic heart disease is associated with alterations in the cardiac adenylate cyclase system response, although the specificity and mechanism of these events are unknown. We studied the characteristics of inhibitory (G(i)) and stimulatory (Gs) GTP-binding regulatory proteins (G proteins) of adenylate cyclase in erythrocyte membranes of patients (n = 16) with nonacute ischemic heart disease resulting from coronary atherosclerosis. Gs was measured by reconstitution with the resolved catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase and by cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of a 42-kD protein; G(i) was tested as a 41-kD substrate of pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation. Gs activity was decreased by 27 +/- 2% in the cholate extract and by 25 +/- 3% in the supernatant of guanosine 5'-(gamma-thio)triphosphate-treated membranes. The amount of cholera toxin substrate was decreased by 33 +/- 3%, and the pertussis toxin substrate was increased by 27 +/- 5% compared with healthy subjects (n = 10). All changes in G-protein characteristics appear to be specific relative to other erythrocyte membrane proteins and hemoglobin. Those patients who have a decreased Gs possess approximately normal Gi, and those with increased G(i) showed no change in Gs. Patients with increased G(i) (normal Gs) exhibited more severe deterioration of their coronary arteries than did patients with decreased Gs (normal G(i)) (P < .05), but these two groups did not differ significantly in serum lipids, hormones, drug therapy, historical data, or baseline assessment (P < 0.05).

Regulation of adenylyl cyclase in rabbit iris ciliary body

The enzyme adenylyl cyclase has been shown to be important in the regulation of intraocular pressure. We therefore studied the activity of adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity in the rabbit iris/ciliary body (I/CB) after pre-treatment with the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (ISO) which activates cAMP dependent protein kinase A, and phorbol 12,13 dibutyrate (PDB) which activates protein kinase C. When I/CB was pre-treated with ISO (10 microM) or PDB (1 microM), attenuated AC activity (approximately 35%) resulted when the activity of the enzyme was assessed by rechallenge with isoproterenol. However, when AC activity was assessed by rechallenge with forskolin or prostaglandin, enhanced activity resulted. In an effort to identify the mechanism of this apparent heterologous regulation of AC, studies were performed that showed no significant changes in the density of beta-adrenergic receptors or the affinity of the receptors for the ligand (125I)-Iodopindolol occurred in ISO or PDB treated tissue. Similarly, in membranes prepared from ISO or PDB treated tissue, no significant changes in the functional activity of the guanine nucleotide binding proteins Gi or Gs could be ascertained as assessed by somatostatin inhibition of forskolin-stimulated AC (to assess Gi function), or in an adenylyl cyclase complementation assay (to assess Gs function). However, AC activity stimulated by Mn2+ and purified Gs was enhanced (approximately 2X) following isoproterenol or phorbol ester pre-treatment, suggesting that an alteration at the level of the catalytic subunit of AC resulted from ISO or PDB pretreatment. Therefore, the assessment of net changes in receptor coupled AC activity induced by phorbol esters or isoproterenol appears to be dependent on the drug used to rechallenge the AC system and cAMP production is dependent on the sum of diverse effects on multiple components of the AC pathway.

Relationship between alcohol consumption and the activity of GTP-binding regulatory proteins in human erythrocyte membranes

Activity of stimulatory GTP-binding regulatory protein (Gs) in human erythrocyte membranes was assessed by activation of adenylate cyclase in S49 murine lymphoma variant cells to elucidate a relationship to alcohol consumption. In apparently healthy subjects, alcohol consumption < 50 g ethanol per week did not alter the Gs activity, but it was significantly higher (14.3%, P < 0.05) in moderate drinkers (50-150 g/week) than non-drinkers. Then, the Gs activity declined with a further increase in alcohol consumption (150-550 g/week). Those subjects with drinking levels of > 50 g/week also showed significant increases in other alcohol-related markers, Na+, K(+)-ATPase and gamma-glutamyltransferase. The Gs activity was significantly low in alcoholics (a 34.9% reduction). No such reduction was noted in patients with other diseases. The results indicate that the Gs activity in erythrocyte membranes is an alcohol-related marker in humans. The variation of Gs activity is distinctive from those of other alcohol-related markers.

Stimulation of beta-adrenergic receptors of S49 lymphoma cells redistributes the alpha subunit of the stimulatory G protein between cytosol and membranes

The stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding protein (Gs), which links cell-surface receptors to second-messenger effector systems, is assumed to be confined to plasma membranes. In the current studies we tested whether Gs redistributes within cells by treating S49 lymphoma cells with the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol, then separating cytosol and crude membrane fractions (defined as pellet and supernatant, respectively, after centrifugation for 1 hr at 150,000 x g), and assaying fractions for the alpha subunit of Gs (alpha s) using a competitive ELISA and reconstitution techniques. Under basal conditions, a small (10%) pool of alpha s was identified in supernatant fractions of S49 cells. The size of this pool decreased in the first 15 min after agonist treatment of cells. This decrease was blocked by a beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist and did not occur in an S49 variant, UNC, which lacks functional interaction between receptors and Gs. The size of the alpha s pool in supernatant fractions increased to almost 50% of total cellular alpha s during a 1-hr incubation of cells with isoproterenol. Before isoproterenol treatment only the competitive ELISA was sensitive enough to detect cytosolic alpha s, whereas at later time points (greater than or equal to 30 min) the presence of alpha s in the cytosol was confirmed by both immunoblotting and by reconstitution of adenylyl cyclase [ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1] in Gs-deficient membranes derived from cyc-S49 cells. In contrast to membrane alpha s, cytosolic alpha s did not require activation (e.g., by AlF4-) in the reconstitution assay to stimulate adenylyl cyclase. Use of an antibody that selectively recognizes monomeric dissociated alpha s, but not heterotrimeric alpha s, indicated that cytosolic alpha s is monomeric. These data indicate that alpha s is not exclusively localized to the plasma membrane and that agonist treatment redistributes this protein within target cells.

New form of pseudohypoparathyroidism with abnormal catalytic adenylate cyclase

Patients with pseudohypoparathyroidism type Ia have resistance to multiple hormones because of deficient activity of the stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding protein (Gs) that couples membrane receptors to activation of adenylate cyclase. However, in a subset of patients with pseudohypoparathyroidism who have resistance to multiple hormones yet possess normal erythrocyte membrane Gs activity, the biochemical abnormality responsible for hormone resistance has remained undefined. Cultured skin fibroblasts were derived from a patient with this atypical form of pseudohypoparathyroidism. In the patient's fibroblast membranes, adenylate cyclase stimulation mediated by Gs after fluoride ion treatment produced only 52% of normal activity, yet fibroblast membrane Gs activity measured by cyc- complementation was normal. Activation of the catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase with manganese produced 49% of normal activity; manganese plus forskolin produced 54% of normal adenylate cyclase activity. beta-Adrenergic receptor coupling to Gs and phosphodiesterase activity were normal. A defect in the catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase can account for these results and may be a mechanism for clinical resistance to multiple hormones that act through adenylate cyclase.

Receptor and effector interactions of Gs. Functional studies with antibodies to the alpha s carboxyl-terminal decapeptide

Antibodies generated to a synthetic decapeptide, RMHLRQYELL, representing the carboxyl-terminus of Gs-alpha have been characterized in immunoblots and functional studies. This antibody, designated RM, reacts exclusively with a doublet of proteins of 52 and 45 kDa in immunoblots of bovine brain and wild-type S49 murine lymphoma cell membranes. No such reactivity is seen in membranes from cyc- S49 cells, which lack Gs. RM blocks receptor-mediated activation of Gs and adenylyl cyclase in membranes from wild-type S49 cells. RM could also immunoprecipitate adenylyl cyclase activity in detergent extracts from GTP[gamma]S- or fluoride-preactivated bovine brain membranes; thus binding of alpha s to effector and carboxyl-terminal antibody was mutually compatible. Such experiments provide an approach for the elucidation of functionally relevant interactions of G-proteins with receptors and effectors in the membrane.

Opioid receptors in magnesium-digitonin-solubilized rat brain membranes are tightly coupled to a pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide-binding protein

Opioid receptors solubilized in Mg2+-digitonin (2%, wt/vol) from Mg2+-pretreated rat brain membranes maintain, in addition to high-affinity opioid agonist binding, the modulation by guanine nucleotides. One of the modes of expression of the latter property is an attenuation of agonist binding by guanine nucleotides in the presence of Na+. To investigate the molecular basis of this modulation and to identify the G protein(s) involved, the soluble receptors were [32P]ADP-ribosylated by means of Bordetella pertussis toxin and subjected to molecular size exclusion chromatography. In addition, soluble extracts were chromatographed on lectin and hydrophobic affinity columns. The binding of 35S- and 3H-labelled analogues of GTP was also monitored in the species separated. The oligomeric G protein-coupled opioid receptors and the guanine nucleotide/pertussis toxin-sensitive species showed similar chromatographic properties in all three systems. This indicates that the biochemically functional G protein-opioid receptor complex formed in Mg2+-pretreated membranes in the absence of an agonist is stable in digitonin solution and to chromatographic separation. Further analysis showed that the guanine nucleotide modulation of opioid receptors is via the pertussis toxin substrates with Mr of 41,000 and 39,000, which are identified as Gi and Go alpha subunits, respectively.

Platelet cytosolic 44-kDa protein is a substrate of cholera toxin-induced ADP-ribosylation and is not recognized by antisera against the alpha subunit of the stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein

ADP-ribosylation induced by cholera toxin and pertussis toxin was studied in particulate and cytosolic fractions of human platelets. Platelets were disrupted by a cycle of freezing and thawing in the presence of a hyposmotic buffer containing protease inhibitors. In both fractions, the A subunit of cholera toxin ADP-ribosylates two proteins with molecular masses of 42 and 44 kDa, whereas pertussis toxin ADP-ribosylates a 41-kDa polypeptide. Two antisera against the alpha subunit of the stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein recognize only the 42-kDa polypeptide. Cholera toxin-induced ADP-ribosylation of the 42- and 44-kDa proteins is reduced by pretreatment of platelets with iloprost, a prostacyclin analog. The 44-kDa protein, which is substrate of cholera toxin, could be extracted completely from the membrane and recovered in the cytosolic fraction when the cells were disrupted by Dounce homogenization and the pellet was extensively washed. A 44-kDa protein can also be labeled with 8-azidoguanosine 5'-[alpha-32P]triphosphate in the cytosol and membranes. These findings indicate that cholera and pertussis toxins produced covalent modifications of proteins present in particulate and cytosolic platelet fractions. Moreover, the 44-kDa protein might be an alpha subunit of a guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein that is not recognized by available antisera.

Increase of the 40,000-mol wt pertussis toxin substrate (G protein) in the failing human heart

Human heart failure is associated with a diminished contractile response to beta-adrenergic agonists. We hypothesized that alterations in the activity of a guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein (G protein) might be partially responsible for this abnormality. We therefore measured the activity of G proteins in failing human myocardium utilizing bacterial toxin-catalyzed ADP ribosylation. The activity of a 40,000-mol wt pertussis toxin substrate (alpha G40) was increased by 36% in failing human hearts when compared with nonfailing controls. In contrast, there was no change in the level of the stimulatory regulatory subunit (Gs). The increased activity in alpha G40 was associated with a 30% decrease in basal as well as 5'-guanylyl imidodiphosphate-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. These data suggest that increased alpha G40 activity is a new marker for failing myocardium and may account at least in part for the diminished responsiveness to beta 1-adrenergic agonists in the failing human heart.

Regulatory GTP-binding proteins: emerging concepts on their role in cell function

The last few years have evidenced a tremendous expansion in our appreciation of the role of regulatory GTP-binding proteins in cellular activation. The availability of cholera and pertussis toxins to detect G proteins as well as methodological advances in the study of cellular function has afforded the opportunity to examine G protein participation in many cellular events. Regulation of adenylyl cyclase and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase by G proteins has been demonstrated. Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-biphosphate specific phospholipase C activity appears to be subject to G protein control. G proteins regulate inward K+ and Ca2+ channels through a mechanism which may be independent of effects on the above mentioned enzymes. Certainly, the number of G proteins which have been identified from sequencing of complementary DNA affords the potential for G protein involvement in many cellular events. Only three G proteins have however been isolated and functionally characterized, Gs, Gi and transducin. Whether all the functions of these proteins have been identified remains to be seen.

Olfactory dysfunction in humans with deficient guanine nucleotide-binding protein

The guanine nucleotide-binding stimulatory protein (Gs) couples hormone-receptor interaction to the activation of adenylate cyclase and the generation of cyclic AMP. Studies using frog neuroepithelium indicate that the sense of smell is mediated by a Gs-adenylate cyclase system, and this prompted us to test olfaction in the only known model of Gs deficiency in the animal kingdom, Gs-deficient (type 1a) pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP), which occurs in humans. Such patients are resistant to the cAMP-mediated actions of several hormones. (Although Henkin has reported disturbances in the sense of smell in six patients with PHP, currently available biochemical measurements such as the cAMP response to parathyroid hormone (PTH) and determination of Gs activity were not reported and olfactory testing was limited.) In the present study, we found that all Gs-deficient patients had impaired olfaction when compared with PHP patients who had normal Gs activity (type 1b PHP, in which patients are resistant only to the action of PTH in the kidney). This is the first evidence of human olfactory impairment which can be related to Gs deficiency and suggests that Gs-deficient PHP patients may be resistant to cAMP-mediated actions in other non-endocrine systems.

Alpha-subunits of Ns are released from the plasma membrane following cholera toxin activation

Cholera toxin (CT) and islet-activating protein (IAP, a Bordetella pertussis toxin) were employed to test the hypothesis that GTP-binding regulatory proteins are released from plasma membranes to a greater extent when 'activated' than when 'inactivated'. CT, which activates Ns (the stimulatory GTP-binding regulatory protein of the adenylate cyclase system), catalyzed the incorporation of radioactivity from [32P]NAD into 45 and 47.5 kDa peptides associated with rat liver plasma membranes. Following ADP-ribosylation and centrifugation at 100000 X g for 1 h, approx. 30-35% of these CT-labelled peptides were no longer associated with the plasma membranes, but were recovered from the supernatant fraction. IAP, which inactivates Ni (the inhibitory GTP-binding regulatory protein of the adenylate cyclase system) catalyzed the incorporation of radioactivity from [32P]NAD into a 41 kDa peptide associated with the membranes. However, in contrast to the CT-labelled peptides, typically less than 5% of the IAP-labelled peptide was found in the 100000 X g supernatant fraction, but rather was almost exclusively associated with the membrane pellet. The data indicate that the alpha-subunits of Ns are released from the plasma membrane following activation, and support the hypothesis that the beta gamma-subunits act to anchor the alpha-subunits to the plasma membrane.

Membrane association of soluble protein activators of rat liver adenylate cyclase. Evidence for distinctness from the guanine nucleotide-binding stimulating protein (Ns)

Sonication of a crude rat liver membrane preparation and centrifugation at 100,000 X g yielded a supernatant which activated basal and hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclases [ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1]. The membrane origin of the stimulatory activity was confirmed by the use of lactate dehydrogenase as a marker for contamination by cytosol. The solubility of the activating factors was verified by their passage through 0.05 micron diameter pores of Millipore filters. The membrane-derived activators were nondialyzable and destroyed by heat and trypsin in the same manner as adenylate cyclase activators detectable in cytosol. Stimulation by factors from membranes and cytosol was not additive. The amount of the activators which could be freed from membranes by sonication was 12-15% of that contained in cytosol previously separated from the membranes. Soluble activators from the two sources had limited ability to restore adenylate cyclase activity to membranes from the cyclone of S49 mouse lymphoma cells which are deficient in the enzyme's guanine nucleotide-binding stimulatory protein, Ns. Cytosol did not contain a substrate for ADP-ribosylation by cholera toxin that corresponded electrophoretically to Ns. Furthermore, purified Ns did not affect adenylate cyclase activity in preparations stimulated by the soluble activators. These findings suggest that the activating factors found in cytosol may be released from membranes during tissue homogenization. Because these protein activators can be obtained from membranes without use of detergents and can neither substitute for nor be substituted for by Ns in functional assays, they are distinct from Ns.

Baboon erythrocyte ghosts contain beta-adrenergic receptors

We have used the beta-adrenergic antagonist [3H]dihydroalprenolol [( 3H]DHA) to identify binding sites on the erythrocyte membrane of the primate Papio ursinus. Analysis of the saturation isotherm revealed binding to be saturable with a maximal number of binding sites of 499 fmol/mg protein. [3H]DHA binds specifically to the erythrocyte ghosts with an apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.57 +/- 0.06 nM. A similar value for Kd (0.46 +/- 0.07 nM) was evaluated from the rate constants of association (0.013 +/- 0.003 X nM-1 X min-1) and dissociation (0.006 +/- 0.001 X min-1). beta-adrenergic agonists compete for the binding sites with an order of potency (dl-isoproterenol greater than l-epinephrine greater than l-norepinephrine) typical of a beta 2-adrenergic receptor. Binding was shown to be stereospecific with l-stereoisomers being more potent than their corresponding d-stereoisomers in causing half-maximal inhibition. Isoproterenol stimulated the production of intracellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) in a concentration-dependent manner, maximal levels (1.130 +/- 0.358 pmol cAMP/10(8) cells) being four times the basal levels. The results demonstrate the existence of a large number of beta-adrenergic receptors on baboon erythrocyte ghosts.

Involvement of the regulatory protein (Ns) in the maturation of ACTH-sensitive adenylate cyclase of ovine fetal adrenal during late gestation

The responsiveness to several stimuli of the adenylate cyclase of crude adrenal membranes from fetal and neonate lambs has been measured under different conditions. The response to Gpp(NH)p, ACTH1-24 + Gpp(NH)p and NaF was significantly lower in membranes from fetuses than from neonate lambs, whereas the response to forskolin was similar. Addition of human erythrocyte ghosts to fetal adrenal membranes enhanced the stimulation of cyclase by NaF and Gpp(NH)p, which became similar to that observed in membranes from neonates. However, such a "complementation' did not enhance the response of the enzyme to ACTH1-24. The adenylate cyclase activity displayed a biphasic response to GTP under basal conditions or when stimulated by forskolin. The magnitude of the inhibition achieved with 10(-3) M GTP was similar in fetal and neonatal adrenal membranes. These data, together with previous results (Endocrinology, 1981, 108, 2114-2119), show that the maturation of the ACTH-sensitive adenylate cyclase system of the ovine fetal adrenal gland involves an enhancement of the number of ACTH receptors and a development of the Ns subunit, whereas the catalytic site is hardly (if at all) involved in this process.

Beta adrenoceptors of human red blood cells, determination of their subtypes

The characteristics of beta adrenergic receptors of human erythrocyte membranes were investigated using (-)125iodocyanopindolol as a radioligand. Inhibition of (-)125iodocyanopindolol specific binding was checked using either atenolol and metoprolol as beta 1 selective antagonists or ICI 118551 and IPS 339 as beta 2 selective antagonists. The results showed non linear Hofstee's plots suggesting that both beta 1 and beta 2 adrenergic receptors are present. Analysis of the data yielded a beta 1/beta 2 adrenergic receptor ratio of approximately 33/67. Thus it is concluded that beta 2 subtype is predominant on human erythrocyte membranes.

In vivo, cAMP stimulates growth and morphogenesis of mouse mammary ducts

In culture, cAMP is known to be mitogenic for mammary cells and several other epithelia, but evidence for a similar role in vivo has been only correlative. We have used plastic implants to cause slow release of cholera toxin and other cAMP-active agents to local areas of mammary glands in ovariectomized mice. Elevated levels of intracellular cAMP around the implants promoted vigorous growth and normal ductal morphogenesis, while distant sites were unaffected. Local effects of cAMP included restoration of normal ductal caliber, formation of new end buds, and reinitiation of DNA synthesis in both epithelium and surrounding stroma. Thus, cAMP is both a mitogenic and a morphogenetic factor in this tissue.

Glucagon-stimulable adenylyl cyclase in rat liver. Effects of chronic uremia and intermittent glucagon administration

The effects of chronic uremia and glucagon administration on glucagon-stimulable adenylyl cyclase in rat liver were assessed by determinations of adenylyl cyclase activities, specific iodoglucagon binding, and the activity of the stimulatory regulatory component of adenylyl cyclase. Glucagon-stimulated adenylyl cyclase was reduced in uremia to 75-80% of control levels (P less than 0.05), in the presence or absence of saturating levels of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) and 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate [GMP-P(NH)P]. Although these changes were accompanied by a concomitant 20% reduction in sodium fluoride-stimulated activity, basal, GTP-, GMP-P(NH)P-, and manganese-dependent adenylyl cyclase activities were unchanged. Using [125I-Tyr10]monoiodoglucagon as a receptor probe, the number of high affinity glucagon-binding sites was reduced 28% (P less than 0.01) in uremic as compared with control liver membranes. However, the affinity of these binding sites was unaltered. The S49 cyc- -reconstituting activity with respect to both GMP-P(NH)P- and isoproterenol plus GTP-stimulable adenylyl cyclase was unaltered in membranes from uremic as compared with control rats. Intermittent glucagon (80-100 micrograms) injections administered at 8-h intervals to normal rats reproduced all of the above described effects of chronic experimental uremia on the adenylyl cyclase system. It is concluded that changes in the hormone-stimulable adenylyl cyclase complex in uremia and with glucagon treatment result primarily from a decrease in the number of hormone-specific receptor sites in hepatic plasma membranes. Since the changes in liver adenylyl cyclase are qualitatively and quantitatively the same in glucagon-treated and uremic rats, it is suggested that these may be the result of the hyperglucagonemia of uremia. Further, the data reveal an unexpected dissociation between guanine nucleotide and sodium fluoride stimulation of adenylyl cyclase. Possible causes for this dissociation based on the known subunit composition of cyclase coupling proteins are discussed.

Abnormalities in erythrocyte membrane protein in pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1

The erythrocyte membrane proteins of patients with pseudohypoparathyroidism type 1 and healthy volunteers were analysed by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in combination with a sensitive silver staining method. Electrophoretograms from patients were invariably different from control separations with respect to at least three protein spots. The possible relationship with the regulatory component of adenyl cyclase is discussed.

The effect of membrane preparation and cellular maturation on human erythrocyte adenylate cyclase

We found that adenylate cyclase activity of human erythrocytes is potentially labile during isolation of their plasmalemma. Addition of 1 mM EGTA to solution used to remove hemoglobin from lysed cells protected activity. Human erythrocyte adenylate cyclase is minimally activated by catecholamines, in the absence or presence of exogenous guanyl nucleotide, but substantially by 5'-guanylyl imidodiphosphate or sodium fluoride and concentration-dependently by Mg2+ or Mn2+. Basal catalytic activity is an age-dependent component of the human erythrocyte; 5'-guanylyl imidodiphosphate- or fluoride-activated activities decline with cellular maturation proportionally to the decrease in basal activity.

Deficient guanine nucleotide regulatory unit activity in cultured fibroblast membranes from patients with pseudohypoparathyroidism type I. a cause of impaired synthesis of 3',5'-cyclic AMP by intact and broken cells

Deficient activity of the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (G unit), an integral component of the membrane-bound adenylate cyclase complex, has been implicated as the biochemical lesion in many patients with pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP) type I. In addition to renal resistance to parathyroid hormone in this disorder, there is decreased responsiveness of diverse tissues to hormones that act via 3',5'-cyclic AMP (cAMP). To assess whether a deficiency of G units could account for impaired adenylate cyclase activity, we studied cAMP production in intact cultured fibroblasts and fibroblast plasma membranes from five patients with PHP in response to several activators of adenylate cyclase. The number of G units in PHP fibroblast membranes, measured by cholera toxin-dependent [(32)P]ADP ribosylation of G-unit peptides, as well as the G-unit activity, determined by the ability of detergent extracts to reconstitute adenylate cyclase activity in G-unit-deficient S49 CYC(-) membranes, were found to be markedly reduced compared with control membranes (43 and 40%, respectively), The activation of fibroblast membrane adenylate cyclase by effectors that act directly through the G unit (guanosine triphosphate, guanosine 5'-0-[3-thiotriphosphate] [GTP-gamma-S], NaF) was significantly greater in control membranes than in membranes from patients with PHP. Moreover, we found that hormone (prostaglandin E(1)) stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was also greater in control membranes than in PHP membranes. Neither the apparent affinity of membrane adenylate cyclase for GTP-gamma-S (apparent K(m) =5 X 10(-8) M) nor the rate of enzyme activation by GTP-gamma-S was significantly different in fibroblast membranes from control subjects and patients with PHP. In contrast to the notable differences in hormone and G-unit-activated adenylate cyclase shown in fibroblast membranes from PHP patients and control subjects, the intrinsic catalytic activity of membranes, as determined by forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase, was not significantly different in the two groups. Intact fibroblasts derived from patients with PHP accumulated significantly (P 0.001) less cAMP (46+/-21 pmol cAMP/mcg DNA, n = 5) than cells from normal individuals (170+/-51 pmol cAMP/mcg DNA, n = 11) when stimulated with PGE(1). PGE(1)-stimulated accumulation of cAMP by intact fibroblast monolayers correlated closely with PGE(1) plus GTP-activated membrane adenylate cyclase activity in both patients and controls (r = 0.97, P < 0.001). Our data show that, in patients with PHP, (a) fibroblast membranes show a decreased complement of G units, (b) membrane catalytic activity is normal, but adenylate cyclase activity is reduced when stimulated by hormone or by effectors which activate the G unit, (c) the ability of cells to accumulate cAMP in response to hormone stimulation is reduced, and (d) reduced membrane adenylate cyclase activity correlates well with impaired cellular cAMP synthesis. These results, taken together, indicate that a deficiency of G-unit activity can impair synthesis of cAMP by both intact and broken cells, and may explain the resistance of multiple tissues to hormones that act via cAMP observed in PHP.

Deficient adenylate cyclase regulatory protein in renal membranes from a patient with pseudohypoparathyroidism

Recent studies have established that some patients with pseudohypoparathyroidism have a deficiency of the adenylate cyclase regulatory protein (the G unit) in plasma membranes from erythrocytes, platelets, and fibroblasts. We have directly measured the activity of the G unit in renal membranes from a patient with pseudohypoparathyroidism who, in addition to parathyroid hormone resistance, has resistance to thyrotropin and gonadotropins. Erythrocyte membrane G unit activity was 57% that of control erythrocyte membranes. Lubrol PX extracts of renal membranes had only 30% of the G unit activity of control renal membrane extracts, whether assayed with sodium fluoride or guanosine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP-gamma-S). In cholate extracts, the G unit activity was 37 and 48% of control with fluoride or GTP-gamma-S, respectively. Cholera toxin-dependent incorporation of [32P]ADP-ribose into the 42,000-Mr subunit of the G unit was decreased in renal membranes from the patient compared with control renal membranes. The data demonstrate that the membrane G unit deficiency in pseudohypoparathyroidism extends to the cells of a clinically relevant parathyroid hormone target tissue.

Forskolin requires more than the catalytic unit to activate adenylate cyclase

Forskolin, a natural diterpene, is a novel, potent activator of a variety of adenylate cyclase systems; its mechanism and site of action are still disputed. We report here that, while forskolin activates liver adenylate cyclase up to 15-fold, it does not activate cyclase of ram sperm which comprises a pure catalytic subunit. However, forskolin activation of sperm adenylate cyclase activity could be observed after reconstitution with the regulatory component-enriched membrane from human erythrocytes. The diterpene weakly (3-5-fold) activated the cytosolic, soluble cyclase found in rat and ram tests, but this effect was lost when the cyclase was purified by gel chromatography. Our data are not compatible with the hypothesis that forskolin acts directly on the catalytic subunit, but rather suggest that it acts via another regulatory component, part of, or different from, the GTP-binding regulatory complex.

Resensitization of lutropin-desensitized tumour Leydig-cell adenylate cyclase with human erythrocyte membranes

Purified rat tumour Leydig cells were pretreated with or without lutropin (1 h at 32 degrees C). The plasma membranes were then isolated and the adenylate cyclase activity measured in the presence of freshly prepared or heat-inactivated (1 h at 60 degrees C) human erythrocyte membranes. In plasma membranes from control cells in the presence of heat-inactivated human erythrocyte membranes both guanosine 5'-[beta, gamma-imido]triphosphate (p[NH]ppG) plus lutropin and NaF caused a 45--50-fold increase in cyclic AMP production over 30 min compared with 12--13 fold p[NH[ppG and 2--3-fold with lutropin alone. In plasma membranes isolated from lutropin-pretreated cells the NaF- and the p[NH]ppG-stimulated cyclic AMP production rates were unchanged, but no effect of lutropin could be demonstrated with or without added p[NH]ppG. However, after mixing lutropin-desensitized Leydig tumour-cell plasma membranes with freshly prepared human erythrocyte plasma membranes, the adenylate cyclase activity in the presence of lutropin, p[NH]ppG, lutropin plus p[NH]ppG and NaF were similar to those of control cell plasma membranes treated in the same manner. The possible mechanisms of this reversal of lutropin-induced desensitization by human erythrocytes are discussed.

Vanadate stimulates adenylate cyclase via the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein by a mechanism differing from that of fluoride

Vanadate stimulates adenylate cyclase activity in turkey erythrocyte membranes. The maximal stimulation is 7-fold over basal at 3 mM vanadate; higher concentrations are inhibitory. A suboptimal concentration of fluoride (1 mM) together with vanadate (3 mM) activates adenylate cyclase in a non-additive manner; cyclase activation by optimal fluoride (10 mM) is inhibited by vanadate (3 mM). There is no stimulation by vanadate of adenylate cyclase activity (measured either with Mg2+ or Mn2+) in CYC- S49 lymphoma cell membranes. Vanadate (3 mM) shows no effect on binding of Beta-adrenergic agonists or antagonists to the [3H] (-)-dihydroalprenolol binding site in turkey erythrocyte membranes. These results suggest that the effect of vanadate on Adenylate cyclase is mediated through the nucleotide regulatory protein and may act by a mechanism similar to fluoride. However, in cholera toxic-treated membranes as well as in GDP-beta-S plus isoproterenol-treated membranes, fluoride-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity is significantly reduced, but vanadate stimulation is not. Our results suggest that although the actions of vanadate and fluoride in adenylate cyclase may each involve the nucleotide regulatory unit, the exact mechanisms of activation by the two anions differ.

Activation of adenylate cyclase in bovine corpus-luteum membranes by human choriogonadotropin, guanine nucleotides and NaF

1. Preincubation of luteal membranes with human choriogonadotropin results in the formation of an activated state of adenylate cyclase which is not reversed by washing and which is limited only by the absence of guanine nucleotides, whereas preincubation with GTP yields only a partially activated adenylate cyclase which requires the presence of both GTP and human choriogonadotropin during assay to demonstrate maximal activity. 2. Preincubation of luteal membranes with GTP and human choriogonadotropin does not lead to a synergistic increase in wash-resistant activity. 3. Luteal membranes that had been preincubated with GTP and hormone exhibited a decreasing rate of cyclic AMP synthesis during the adenylate cyclase assay incubation; addition of GTP during the assay incubation reversed the decrease. 4. Membranes that had been preincubated in the absence of guanine nucleotide and hormone showed a ;burst' phase of cyclic AMP synthesis when GTP was present in the assay incubation and a ;lag' phase with p[NH]ppG (guanosine 5'-[beta,gamma-imido]triphosphate) present in the assay. The presence of human choriogonadotropin with either nucleotide in the assay incubation eliminated the curvatures in plots observed with guanine nucleotides alone. 5. Luteal adenylate cyclase was persistently activated by preincubation with p[NH]ppG alone or in combination with human choriogonadotropin; the activation caused by p[NH]ppG alone was still increasing after 70min of preincubation, whereas that caused by p[NH]ppG in the presence of hormone was essentially complete within 10min of preincubation. 6. Luteal adenylate cyclase that had been partially preactivated by preincubation with p[NH]ppG was slightly increased in activity by the inclusion of further p[NH]ppG in the adenylate cyclase assay incubation, but more so with p[NH]ppG and hormone. Human choriogonadotropin alone caused no further increase in the activity of the partially stimulated preparation unless p[NH]ppG was also added to the assay incubation. 7. GTP decreased the activity of adenylate cyclase in membranes that had been partially preactivated in the presence of p[NH]ppG; the decrease in activity was greater when GTP and hormone were present simultaneously in the assay. 8. The results indicate that stable activation states of adenylate cyclase can be induced by preincubation of luteal membranes in vitro with human choriogonadotropin or p[NH]ppG, and that in the presence of p[NH]ppG the hormone may accelerate events subsequent to guanine nucleotide binding. Stable activation of luteal adenylate cyclase by prior exposure to GTP is not achieved. The involvement of GTPase activity and of hormone-promoted guanine nucleotide exchange in the modulation of luteal adenylate cyclase activity is discussed.

Structure of the turkey erythrocyte adenylate cyclase system

Target analysis of the turkey erythrocyte adenylate cyclase [ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1] system showed that the molecular weight of the ground state enzyme increases from 92,000 with MnATP as substrate and no stimulatory ligands to 226,000 when activated by fluoride ion or by 5'-guanyl imidodiphosphate (p[NH]ppG) subsequent to clearance of previously bound GDP. The identical increment in size (130,000) suggests that the same regulatory unit is involved in the activation by both effectors. When assayed with isoproterenol and p[NH]ppG, the enzyme system displayed a further increment in size of 90,000 daltons. Based on binding of the antagonist 125I-labeled hydroxybenzylpindolol, the beta-adrenergic receptor is about 90,000 daltons or the same as that seen for activation of the enzyme by isoproterenol through the beta-adrenergic-receptor. Because single targets were seen for the ground state enzyme system under all conditions, it would appear that the various regulatory and catalytic components are structurally linked prior to activation by hormone, guanine nucleotides, and fluoride ion. Furthermore, based on reported subunit sizes of the nucleotide regulatory and receptor components are composed of multiple subunits, either homologous or heterologous in structure.

Properties of the separated catalytic and regulatory units of brain adenylate cyclase

Adenylate cyclase from bovine brain cortex was solubilized with 14 mM cholate and 1 M (NH4)2SO4. Gel filtration over a column of Sepharose 6B separated the catalytic unit (CU) from a factor (G/F) that confers responsiveness to 5'-guanylyl imidophosphate (p[NH]ppG) or fluoride. The separated CU, which elutes with a Kav, of 0.48 +/- 0.01 (n=5), is not responsive to p[NH]ppG or fluoride and is relatively inactive when Mg . ATP is the substrate but activated 8-15-fold by Mn2+. The separated G/F elutes with a Kav of 0.70 +/- 0.02 (n=4). It restores the responsiveness of the CU to p[NH]ppG and fluoride. Activation of the enzyme by p[NH]ppG before solubilization does not decrease the amount of G/F eluting with a Kav of 0.7. Therefore, the G/F is probably present in brain cortex in excess over the CU. p[NH]ppG stabilizes the G/F but not the CU against thermal inactivation, suggesting that it interacts with G/F and not with CU. Incubation of the G/F with p[NH]ppG before addition of CU markedly increases the rate of activation of the reconstituted enzyme by p[NH]ppG. We propose, therefore, that the rate-limiting step in adenylate cyclase activation is a process in G/F alone and not a slow conformational change in CU or a slow association of G/F with CU. Binding of p[NH]ppG to the isolated G/F appears to be readily reversible; the ability of fully activated G/F to stimulate CU can be blocked if GDP is added before CU. In contrast, after the CU has been activated by interaction with G/F, GDP cannot reverse the activation. This suggests that association with the CU increases the affinity of G/F for p[NH]ppG.

Restoration of guanine nucleotide- and fluoride-stimulated activity to an adenylate cyclase-deficient cell line with affinity-purified guanine nucleotide regulatory protein

A guanine nucleotide-binding protein purified from turkey erythrocytes by affinity chromatography confers both F-- and guanine nucleotide-stimulation of adenylate cyclase to membranes from CYC- cells, a mutant cell line deficient in these responses. Interaction of turkey erythrocyte membranes with beta-adrenergic agonists before affinity chromatography, which is essential for binding of the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein to the affinity matrix, was also required for recovery of F--stimulation restoring activity in the affinity eluate.