Forskolin-activated adenylate cyclase. Inhibition by guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate

Construction of Fused Oxabicyclic Scaffolds from Glycals and Styrenes via One-Pot Domino Transformations

Triflic acid catalyzed cascade stereoselective reaction of glycals with styrenes delivers complex oxabicyclic scaffolds such as cis-oxadecalins or cis-cyclopentanofurans simply by tweaking the solvent. In the presence of participating solvents like benzene/toluene, cascade Ferrier C-glycosylation and double Friedel-Crafts reaction leads to densely chiral benzo-fused oxadecalins, whereas in DCM, an unprecedented ring-opening, ring-closing sequence generated cis-cyclopentanofurans. An attempt has been made to explain the above cascade sequences via intermediate trapping, kinetic experiments, and Baldwin's rules.

Effects of Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide and Forskolin on mRNA Expression of Prolactin and Prolactin Regulatory Element-Binding Protein in the Anterior Pituitary Gland of Chicken Embryo and Laying Hens

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) treatment induced mRNA expression of Prolactin (PRL) in the chicken anterior pituitary gland. VIP responsive element (VRE) of the PRL promoter was identified in the various bird species. However, transcription factor, which binds to VRE, has not yet been identified. Prolactin regulatory element-binding protein (PREB) gene cloned as a candidate transcription factor binds to VRE. Increases of mRNA levels of PRL and PREB during embryogenesis were identified. However, whether VIP affects levels of PRL and PREB mRNA during embryogenesis remains unknown. The effects of VIP and forskolin on mRNA expression of PRL and PREB in the embryonic anterior pituitary gland were assessed. Furthermore, administration of VIP to laying hens was conducted to examine the relationship between VIP and PREB mRNA expression. At day 14 of the embryonic growth stage, VIP treatment did not affect mRNA levels of either PRL or PREB, whereas forskolin treatment induced the increase of these mRNA levels. At day 20, both VIP and forskolin induced an increase of PRL and PREB mRNA levels. The administration of VIP significantly increased mRNA levels of PRL and PREB in the anterior pituitary gland of White Leghorn and Nagoya. These results indicate that the effects of VIP on PRL and PREB mRNA expression levels of VIP receptor may in turn affect PRL and PREB mRNA levels in the chicken anterior pituitary gland.

Insulin Modulates the Na+/Mg2+ Exchanger SLC41A1 and Influences Mg2+ Efflux from Intracellular Stores in Transgenic HEK293 Cells

BACKGROUND

Magnesium deficiency is a common complication of diabetes with an unclear molecular background.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the effect of the insulin (INS)-signaling pathway (ISP) on the regulation of Mg(2+) efflux (Mg(2+)E) conducted by solute carrier family 41, member A1 (SLC41A1; activated by protein kinase A) in transgenic human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells.

METHODS

HEK293 cells overexpressing SLC41A1 were loaded with the Mg(2+) fluorescent indicator mag-fura-2 and Mg(2+). Measurements of Mg(2+)E were conducted in Mg(2+)-free buffer by using fast-filter fluorescence spectrometry. We examined the effects of INS, inhibitors of ISP or p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), an activator of adenylate cyclase (ADC), and their combinations on SLC41A1-attributed Mg(2+)E.

RESULTS

The application of 400 μU/mL INS inhibited SLC41A1-mediated Mg(2+)E by up to 50.6% compared with INS-untreated cells (P < 0.001). Moreover, INS evoked the early onset of Mg(2+) release from intracellular stores. The application of 0.1 μM wortmannin or 10 μM zardaverine (both ISP inhibitors) restored SLC41A1 Mg(2+)E capacity in the presence of INS to the same levels in INS-untreated cells. The simultaneous application of 10 μM forskolin, an ADC activator, and INS resulted in a reduction of Mg(2+)E of up to 59% compared with untreated cells (P < 0.001), which was comparable to that in cells treated with INS alone. Inhibition of p38 MAPK with 10 μM SB 202190 (SB) in the absence of INS resulted in a decrease (P < 0.001) of SLC41A1-dependent Mg(2+)E (by up to 49%) compared with Mg(2+)E measured in untreated cells. Simultaneous exposure of cells to SB and INS had a stronger inhibitory effect on SLC41A1 activity than INS alone (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

INS affects intracellular Mg(2+) concentration in transgenic HEK293 cells by regulating SLC41A1 activity (via ISP) and by influencing the compartmentalization and cellular distribution of Mg(2+). In addition, p38 MAPK activates SLC41A1 independently of INS action.

Diastereoselective synthesis of highly functionalized cis-1-oxadecalines via 6-endo-tet-cyclizations of 2-C-branched sugars

Diastereoselective synthesis of highly functionalized cis-1-oxadecalines via 6-endo-tet-cyclizations of 2-C-branched sugars.

Short peptide tag for covalent protein labeling based on coiled coils

To label proteins covalently, one faces a trade-off between labeling a protein specifically and using a small tag. Often one must compromise one parameter for the other or use additional components, such as an enzyme, to satisfy both requirements. Here, we report a new reaction that covalently labels proteins by using engineered coiled-coil peptides. Harnessing the concept of "proximity-induced reactivity", the 21-amino-acid three-heptad peptides CCE/CCK were modified with a nucleophilic cysteine and an α-chloroacetyl group at selected positions. When pairs of coiled coils associated, an irreversible covalent bond spontaneously formed between the peptides. The specificity of the cross-linking reaction was characterized, the probes were improved by making them bivalent, and the system was used to label a protein in vitro and receptors on the surface of mammalian cells.

The tumor suppressor RASSF10 is upregulated upon contact inhibition and frequently epigenetically silenced in cancer

The Ras association domain family (RASSF) comprises a group of tumor suppressors that are frequently epigenetically inactivated in various tumor entities and linked to apoptosis, cell cycle control and microtubule stability. In this work, we concentrated on the newly identified putative tumor suppressor RASSF10. Methylation analysis reveals RASSF10 promoter hypermethylation in lung cancer, head and neck (HN) cancer, sarcoma and pancreatic cancer. An increase in RASSF10 methylation from normal tissues, primary tumors to cancer cell lines was observed. Methylation was reversed by 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment leading to reexpression of RASSF10. We further show that overexpression of RASSF10 suppresses colony formation in cancer cell lines. In addition, RASSF10 is upregulated by cell-cell contact and regulated on promoter level as well as endogenously by forskolin, protein kinase A (PKA) and activator Protein 1 (AP-1), linking RASSF10 to the cAMP signaling pathway. Knockdown of the AP-1 member JunD interfered with contact inhibition induced RASSF10 expression. In summary, we found RASSF10 to be epigenetically inactivated by hypermethylation of its CpG island promoter in lung, HN, sarcoma and pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, our novel findings suggest that tumor suppressor RASSF10 is upregulated by PKA and JunD signaling upon contact inhibition and that RASSF10 suppresses growth of cancer cells.

Forskolin-stimulated platelet adenylyl cyclase activity is lower in persons with major depression

We investigated platelet adenylyl cyclase activity in 17 subjects with a history of major depression ("depressed subjects") and 20 controls. Forskolin was used to directly activate adenylyl cyclase, while guanine nucleotides (Gpp(NH)p) and fluoride ions were used to measure adenylyl cyclase activity modulated through the G proteins. Forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase was significantly lower in the depressed subjects (p < 0.0005). There was a statistically significant difference in basal adenylyl cyclase activity between male depressed subjects and male controls. The basal adenylyl cyclase activity was also lower in female depressed subjects, but this difference did not reach statistical significance (p < 0.2). The adenylyl cyclase activity measured after stimulation with a guanine nucleotide or cesium fluoride did not differ between control and depressed male or female subjects. Severity of current depression and the current use of antidepressant medication were not related to the lower forskolin-stimulated enzyme activity in the depressed subjects. The difference in forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity appears to reflect a qualitative difference in the adenylyl cyclase enzyme activity in persons with a history of major depression.

Involvement of the beta gamma subunits of inhibitory GTP-binding protein in chemoattractant receptor-mediated potentiation of cyclic AMP formation in guinea pig neutrophils

Cellular cyclic AMP formation in response to prostaglandin (PG) E1 was markedly potentiated by the chemoattractant formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) in guinea pig neutrophils. This potentiation by fMLP was abolished by prior treatment of the cells with pertussis toxin, but not by the prevention of an fMLP-induced intracellular Ca2+ increase in the cells, indicating the direct involvement of the inhibitory GTP-binding protein (Gj), but not Ca2+, in the fMLP-induced potentiation of cyclic AMP formation. Cyclic AMP formation in the neutrophils was also unique in response to forskolin; the diterpene inhibited cyclic AMP formation stimulated by PGE1 plus fMLP at low concentrations, but it slightly stimulated the basal and fMLP-induced cyclic AMP formation at high concentrations. Such a forskolin-induced inhibition was also observed in the adenylyl cyclase of the cell membranes and detergent extract therefrom only when the cyclase was activated by GTP or its nonhydrolyzable analogue (GTP gamma S). The forskolin-inhibitable activity could be affinity-purified from the GTP gamma S-treated cell membranes with a forskolin-agarose column. The cyclase appeared to be purified as a complex with the GTP gamma S-bound alpha subunit of the stimulatory GTP-binding protein (Gs alpha), but not with the beta gamma subunits, as judged from immunoblot analysis with specific antisera. The GTP gamma S-bound Gs alpha-stimulated cyclase activity was further enhanced by beta gamma, and this enhancement was again inhibited by forskolin. These results suggest that the GTP-bound Gs alpha produced by PGE1 receptor stimulation and the beta gamma subunits released from Gj by fMLP receptor stimulation were acting synergistically in the cyclic AMP formation of intact neutrophils.

Modulatory mechanisms in the isolated internally perfused ventricle of the whelk Busycon canaliculatum

1. Isolated cannulated ventricles commenced spontaneous beating on application of perfusion pressure of 10 cm water. Complete hearts showed a fast patterned cyclical rhythm, whereas ventricles devoid of atrial material showed a continuous slow rhythm. 2. Perfused ventricles were inhibited by ACh with a threshold at 10(-8) mol l-1 and arrested at 10(-7) mol l-1, and ventricles under stimulation by 5HT could be arrested by ACh at this concentration. 3. Perfused ventricles were stimulated by 5HT, with threshold at 10(-9) mol l-1 and maximum at 10(-5) mol l-1. Metoclopramide was without affect on 5HT responses, but metitipine and methysergide did inhibit such responses suggesting that the 5HT receptor present possessed mixed properties of the vertebrate 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptor subtypes. 4. Ventricles were very sensitive to the excitatory actions of FMRFamide in the 10(-9) to 10(-5) mol l-1 range. Preparations were insensitive to GAPFLRFamide, but SCP-B was modestly excitatory (threshold 10(-7) mol l-1). 5. Preparations were not significantly affected by adenosine, ATP, and guanosine, but GTP was strongly excitatory at 10(-7) mol l-1. 6. 5HT and FMRFamide responses were additive. Preparations responded strongly to the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin and dibutyryl cAMP enhanced spontaneous contractions and 5HT responses, suggesting that the 5HT receptor may operate via a cAMP secondary mechanism. 7. The IP3 inhibitor lithium (10 mmol l-1), caused slight inhibition of FMRFamide responses, suggesting that the receptor to this peptide may operate via IP3 as a second messenger. 8. Neuromodulation in this preparation would appear to involve ACh as inhibitor, 5HT and FMRFamide as upregulators, with no clear roles for FMRFamide-related peptides and GTP.

The effect of GTP on the aluminum fluoride- and forskolin-activated adenylyl cyclase from human embryonic kidney 293 cells

GTP has been shown to inhibit AlF4(-)-stimulated, and to activate forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in the presence of Mg2+ in cell membranes from human embryonic kidney 293 cells. The maximal inhibitory response of AlF4(-)-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity by GTP was not dependent on the concentration of Mg2+, but was so in the case of forskolin-activated activity at all forskolin concentrations assayed. Mn2+ ions stimulated AlF4(-)- or forskolin-activated adenylyl cyclase activity to a greater extent than Mg2+. The inhibition of AlF4(-)-stimulated cyclase by GTP was still observed with Mn2+, but the activation of forskolin-stimulated cyclase by GTP was not. When assayed together, Mn2+ and Mg2+ showed non-additive behaviours with respect to the amount of cyclic AMP formed after AlF4(-)-stimulation of adenylyl cyclase. The temperature dependence of the activation of adenylyl cyclase by forskolin, AlF4- or under basal conditions was observed to be somehow different in the presence of Mn2+ than in the presence of Mg2+ ions. Cholera toxin treatment produced a markedly increased cyclase activity, specially when assayed with AlF4-. In the case of forskolin-activated adenylyl cyclase, UTP and CTP were unable to reproduce the cyclase activation detected with GTP. However, in the case of AlF4(-)-stimulated adenylyl cyclase, UTP was as good as GTP at inhibiting cyclase activity, and CTP virtually eliminated the activation of the cyclase with AlF4-.

Enhancement of adenylate cyclase activity in S49 lymphoma cell membranes by the toxin thionin from Pyrularia pubera

We investigated the mode of action of Pyrularia thionin on adenylate cyclase in S49 lymphoma cell membranes. Thionin increased the forskolin-induced cAMP production in both wild-type and cyc- variant cell membranes. Thionin increased the apparent efficacy, but not potency, of the stimulation of adenylate cyclase by forskolin. Our results also indicated that the stimulatory G protein (Gs) was not involved in the action of thionin on adenylate cyclase; however, thionin appeared to reduce the effect of Gi on adenylate cyclase. We examined the effect of thionin on the temperature dependence of adenylate cyclase activity. The effect of thionin was not quantitatively the same at all temperatures. The effect was greatest in the range of about 30 degrees C to 50 degrees C. In addition, cardiotoxin, a structurally distinct peptide that alters the properties of biological membranes similarly to thionin, also enhanced the activity of adenylate cyclase. It seems reasonable to suspect that thionin influences the activity of adenylate cyclase indirectly by acting on the membrane.

The nicardipine-isoprenaline interaction in human and guinea-pig isolated airways

The effects of the dihydropyridine calcium antagonist nicardipine on the concentration-response curves of relaxant compounds acting through the adenylate-cyclase/cAMP system (isoprenaline, forskolin, adenosine and theophylline) or by the cGMP pathway (sodium nitroprusside) were studied on human isolated bronchus and guinea-pig isolated trachea. These effects were compared with those of nifedipine (a dihydropyridine derivative) and theophylline (a non-selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor). Nicardipine, in the range of 0.01 to 1 microM, significantly potentiated the relaxant effects of isoprenaline, forskolin, adenosine and theophylline, whereas the effects of sodium nitroprusside were significantly potentiated at 10 microM only. These results suggest that nicardipine behaves as an inhibitor of phosphodiesterases III and IV. One such effect may be involved in the potentiation of the isoprenaline relaxation of human and guinea-pig isolated airways.

Adenylate cyclase from Hirudo medicinalis segmental ganglia: modulation by physiological and non-physiological agents

1. In Hirudo medicinalis segmental ganglia GTP is essential for the full expression of the stimulatory action of serotonin on the adenylate cyclase activity. The amine, in turn, increases the overall affinity of the enzymatic system for GTP. 2. GTP gamma S and Gpp(NH)p, non-hydrolysable analogues of GTP, dose-dependently enhance the basal enzyme activity, but impair the stimulatory effect of serotonin. 3. Fluoride ions biphasically modulate the leech adenylate cyclase both in the absence and in the presence of GTP. The ion effect is also influenced by non-physiological guanine nucleotides.

Adenylate cyclase induces intracellular calcium increase in single human epidermal keratinocytes measured by fluorescence microscopy using Fura 2-AM

Intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) is an important second messenger of extracellular signals to induce various cellular responses. Extracellular and intracellular Ca2+ are considered to be important for cellular differentiation and proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes. Several mechanisms which increase [Ca2+]i have been demonstrated in various tissues, but in epidermal keratinocytes these mechanisms are poorly understood. In epidermal keratinocytes the adenylate cyclase-cyclic AMP response is thought to regulate cell proliferation and differentiation. However, the series of reactions which follow the cyclic AMP response remain unknown. Beta-adrenergic agonists increase [Ca2+]i in cultured epidermal keratinocytes, and we have therefore studied whether stimulation of keratinocyte adenylate cyclase could induce [Ca2+]i increase, by using fluorescence microscopy with Fura 2-AM. Adenosine and histamine, which are known to be keratinocyte adenylate cyclase receptor agonists, induced transient [Ca2+]i increase, as did epinephrine. In addition, forskolin, a direct adenylate cyclase activator, and dibutyryl-cyclic AMP also induced an increase in [Ca2+]i. In a calcium-free medium epinephrine, adenosine, histamine and dibutyryl-cyclic AMP induced an increase in [Ca2+]i. These results suggest that cyclic AMP in human epidermal keratinocytes regulates [Ca2+]i, which is released from intracellular stores.

Prostaglandin E2 can bimodally inhibit and stimulate the epididymal adipocyte adenylyl cyclase activity

Measurements of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-induced adenylyl cyclase activity in membranes isolated from epididymal rat adipocytes revealed inhibition of cAMP production at low concentrations of PGE2 (less than 10 mM) and stimulation at higher concentrations. This biphasic effect of PGE2 was obtained when adenylyl cyclase was stimulated with GTP or NaF. In the presence of forskolin only the inhibitory phase by PGE2 was observed. Sulprostone, a PGE2 analogue, did not affect cAMP synthesis in the presence of either GTP or NaF; however, in the presence of forskolin, it inhibited cAMP production similarly to PGE2. Treatment of the membranes with cholera or pertussis toxin did not alter the biphasic effect of PGE2 on cAMP production. These findings raise the possibility that PGE2 acts through several receptor subtypes which are coupled to GTP binding proteins different from the classical Gi or Gs proteins.

Effects of anti-inflammatory drugs and agents that modify intracellular transduction signals or metabolic activities in inflammatory cells on interleukin-1 induced cartilage proteoglycan resorption in vitro

The actions of (a) anti-inflammatory drugs possessing a wide range of chemical structures and pharmacological actions, and (b) agents which modify intracellular transduction signals or metabolic functions were investigated for their potential to modify in vitro the proteoglycan (PrGn) resorption in bovine nasal cartilage induced by interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1). It was found that: (a) none of the conventional anti-inflammatory agents exhibited any inhibitory effects on IL-1 induced resorption of PrGns with the exception of the weak effects observed with the iron chelator, desferrioxamine, a cryogenine derivative JB-1-0, and myalex; (b) the antitumour agent cisplatin was a potent inhibitor but the analogue, transplatin, which does not inhibit DNA synthesis was without effect; (c) suramin, an inhibitor of cartilage degrading enzymes from leucocytes, also inhibited IL-1 induced resorption, as did natural somatomedin C (insulin-like growth factor = IGF alpha) but not agents previously shown to inhibit the lymphocyte mitogenic responses to IL-1 (e.g. alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone, phenylglyoxal); (d) while no effects were observed with drugs that alter the intracellular production of cyclic AMP, those which affect uptake of calcium ions did inhibit proteoglycan resorption by IL-1. The results suggest that IL-1 induced cartilage PrGn degradation can be regulated at the level of transcriptional production of intracellular PrGn degrading enzymes or their activity, regulating calcium uptake into chondrocytes or by overcoming the PrGn degradation from IL-1 by stimulating the synthesis of these macromolecules.

Determination of G-protein levels, ADP-ribosylation by cholera and pertussis toxins and the regulation of adenylyl cyclase activity in liver plasma membranes from lean and genetically diabetic (db/db) mice

Liver plasma membranes prepared from genetically diabetic (db/db) mice expressed levels of Gi alpha-2, Gi alpha-3 and G-protein beta-subunits that were reduced by some 75, 63 and 73% compared with levels seen in membranes from lean animals. In contrast, there were no significant differences in the expression of the 42 and 45 kDa forms of Gs alpha-subunits. Pertussis toxin-catalysed ADP-ribosylation of membranes from lean animals identified a single 41 kDa band whose labelling was reduced by some 86% in membranes from diabetic animals. Cholera toxin-catalysed ADP-ribosylation identified two forms of Gs alpha-subunits whose labelling was about 4-fold greater in membranes from diabetic animals compared with those from lean animals. Maximal stimulations of adenylyl cyclase activity by forskolin (100 microM), GTP (100 microM), p[NH]ppG (100 microM), NaF (10 mM) and glucagon (10 microM) were similar in membranes from lean and diabetic animals, whereas stimulation by isoprenaline (100 microM) was lower by about 22%. Lower concentrations (EC50-60 nM) of p[NH]ppG were needed to activate adenylyl cyclase in membranes from diabetic animals compared to those from lean animals (EC50-158 nM). As well as causing activation, p[NH]ppG was capable of eliciting a pertussis toxin-sensitive inhibitory effect upon forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in membranes from both lean and diabetic animals. However, maximal inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity in membranes from diabetic animals was reduced to around 60% of that found using membranes from lean animals. Pertussis toxin-treatment in vivo enhanced maximal stimulation of adenylyl cyclase by glucagon, isoprenaline and p[NH]ppG through a process suggested to be mediated by the abolition of functional Gi activity. The lower levels of expression of G-protein beta-subunits, in membranes from diabetic compared with lean animals, is suggested to perturb the equilibria between holomeric and dissociated G-protein subunits. We suggest that this may explain both the enhanced sensitivity of adenylyl cyclase to stimulation by p[NH]ppG in membranes from diabetic animals and the altered ability of pertussis and cholera toxins to catalyse the ADP-ribosylation of G-proteins in membranes from these two animals.

Differential modulation of the adenylate cyclase/cyclic AMP stimulatory pathway by protein kinase C activation in rat adipose tissue and isolated fat cells. Influence of collagenase digestion

Exposure of rat epididymal fat pad to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA), an activator of protein kinase C, results in an 85% increase in isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic AMP (cAMP) accumulation, an effect which was antagonized by H7, a protein kinase C inhibitor. This promoting action of TPA appears to be related to (i) an increase in the catalytic activity of adenylate cyclase, (ii) an increase in the maximal response of adenylate cyclase to fluoride and guanylimidodiphosphate (GppNHp) with no change in the EC50 value for GppNHp, and (iii) a reduction of the isoproterenol-stimulated low-Km cAMP phosphodiesterase activity present in the 30,000 g pellet of fat pad homogenates. In contrast with fat pads, exposure of isolated rat fat cells to TPA failed to influence their adenylate cyclase response to GppNHp and their cAMP accumulation and lipolysis. However, the other alterations caused by TPA in fat pads were still observed in fat cells. These results suggest that (i) the major alteration responsible for the promoted isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP response observed in fat pads after exposure to TPA is an increased interaction between the alpha s subunit of Gs and the catalytic site of adenylate cyclase and (ii) this increased interaction is dependent on protein kinase C activation and is abolished by collagenase digestion.

Adenylate cyclase induces intracellular Ca2+ increase in single human epidermal keratinocytes of the epidermal sheet as measured by digital imaging microscopy using Fura 2-AM

Intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) is thought to act as a second messenger of transmembrane signalling systems. However, no measurement of [Ca2+]i has been made in intact epidermal keratinocytes. We have developed a method for measuring [Ca2+]i in human keratinocytes from pure epidermal sheet by the application of digital imaging fluorescence microscopy with the use of Fura 2-AM. Normal human pure epidermal sheets were obtained by dispase treatment. Epinephrine and salbutamol induced transient [Ca2+]i increases. Propranolol, a beta-antagonist, inhibited this response, while prazosin and yohimbine (alpha 1- and alpha 2-antagonists, respectively) did not affect the response. Histamine and adenosine, also receptor agonists of the epidermal adenylate cyclase system, induced a similar [Ca2+]i increase, as did forskolin, a direct activator of adenylate cyclase. These data coincide with those previously presented for cultured human epidermal keratinocytes, and reveal that adenylate cyclase activation induces an increase of [Ca2+]i in intact epidermal cells. This technique enables the kinetics of [Ca2+]i in various skin disorders to be investigated.

Forskolin inhibits the Gs-stimulated adenylate cyclase in rat ascites hepatoma AH66F cells

Forskolin increased intracellular cyclic AMP and augmented cyclic AMP formation by prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) in normal rat hepatocytes and ascites hepatoma AH66 cells. However, in AH66F cells which were derived from the AH66 cell line, the diterpene only slightly increased the cyclic AMP level, and dose-dependently inhibited the accumulation caused by PGE1. Forskolin dose-dependently activated adenylate cyclase in these membranes, and the magnitude of activation by forskolin was largest in the following order: hepatocytes, AH66 cells, and AH66F cells. This difference may be based on the number of forskolin-binding sites. The binding affinity of forskolin for each cell membrane was similar. The number and affinity of forskolin-binding sites in these cells were not influenced by 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p]. In hepatocytes and AH66 cells, forskolin and other adenylate cyclase activators such as PGE1, GTP, Gpp(NH)p, F-, and Mn2+ synergistically increased the enzyme activity. In AH66F cells, the forskolin-stimulated activity was hardly influenced by the GTP analog, and forskolin diminished the activities induced by the GTP analog in a manner similar to that of diterpene alone. Forskolin (10 microM) also significantly inhibited the activities induced by PGE1, GTP, and F-. The effect of forskolin with Mn2+ was additive in AH66F cells. The data suggest that forskolin promotes the interaction between the stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding protein and the catalytic unit in the membrane of normal hepatocytes and AH66 cells, but it interferes with the coupling in AH66F cells.

Differential forskolin activation of rat heart and lung adenylate cyclase. Dependence on membrane-protein interactions

We have investigated whether the greater ability of forskolin to activate adenylate cyclase (EC 4.6.1.1) from rat heart compared with rat lung is due to interactions between G-proteins and catalytic units, isoforms of catalytic units or membrane-protein interactions. Interactions between Gs and catalytic units were found to be similar in both tissues with 10 microM Gpp(NH)p increasing activity up to 5-fold. While MnCl2 increased the response of the lung enzyme to forskolin, it reduced the response of the cardiac enzyme and uncoupled Gs from the cardiac catalytic units indicating that Gs interactions potentiate the response to forskolin. After enzyme solubilisation with n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, the response to forskolin was identical in heart and lung whether assayed with magnesium or manganese chloride, and not significantly different from the heart membrane enzyme. Overall, the results show that the relatively poor response of lung adenylate cyclase to forskolin is due to specific inhibitory interactions between the enzyme and lung membrane constituents.

Effect of the genetic background and specific mutation on adenylate cyclase activity in obesity syndromes

Adenylate cyclase activity and its modulation by guanine nucleotides and isoproterenol were assessed in adipocyte membranes of mice with mutations causing different genetic obesity syndromes. The object was to determine whether the defect in inhibitory modulation observed in the obese (ob/ob) mouse was also present in the diabetes (db/db) mouse. The data show that adipocyte adenylate cyclase in both the ob/ob and the db/db mouse is resistant to activation by isoproterenol. The response to guanosine triphosphate (GTP) differed between the two mutants, such that an inhibitory phase was visible in the db/db but not in the ob/ob membranes. Moreover, pertussis toxin attenuated the inhibitory effect of GTP and significantly stimulated cyclase activity in the db/db but not in the ob/ob membranes. The data show that the two mutations affect the expression of adenylate cyclase activity via different mechanisms.

The regulation of adenylate cyclase in liver membranes of lean and obese mice

The modulation of adenylate cyclase by guanosine triphosphate (GTP) and hormones was examined in liver membranes of lean and ob/ob mice, to determine whether a defective regulation of cyclase similar to that found in adipocyte membranes was present. In conjunction with GTP, glucagon was a powerful stimulant of cyclase in both types of membranes. In contrast, GTP alone or in conjunction with isoproterenol and norepinephrine stimulated significantly less in the membranes of the lean than in those of the obese mouse. In addition, low concentrations of norepinephrine elicited an inhibitory response in membranes of the lean mouse, but not in those of the obese. This inhibitory effect of norepinephrine was abolished by the alpha 2-antagonist yohimbine and by treatment with pertussis toxin, but not by propranolol or treatment with cholera toxin. These data show that it is possible to demonstrate inhibitory effects of guanine nucleotides on cyclase in the membranes from lean but not those from obese mice and suggest a defect in inhibitory regulation in the tissue of the obese.

Concurrent LH and forskolin action on adenylate cyclase activation and progesterone synthesis in corpora lutea from pregnant ewes

The present communication documents LH- and forskolin-induced activation of adenylate cyclase (AC) system and progesterone synthesis in corpora lutea from pregnant ewes. The activation of AC in plasma membranes by LH or forskolin was amplified by Gpp(NH)p. These results suggest that regulatory nucleotide component (Ns) of the AC complex is required for forskolin. Simultaneous addition of maximal concentrations of forskolin (10(-4) M), Gpp(NH)p (10(-4) M) and LH (10(-7) M) led to greater than additive (i.e. synergistic) responses: the experimental value was 4.71 +/- 0.19 nmoles cAMP/mg of membrane protein, whereas the theoretical additive effect was 3.17 +/- 0.10 nmoles/mg of membrane protein (p less than 0.001). These data reveal that more Ns or C component is being activated in these cells when combined treatments with these agents are applied. In intact cells maximum stimulatory concentrations of forskolin or LH caused similar increase in progesterone production with similar time courses. In striking contrast, the exposure of the luteal cells to LH and forskolin simultaneously led to a decrease in progesterone synthesis as early as 1h30 (40%, p less than 0.001). Thus, the synergism observed between LH and forskolin on the stimulation of plasma membranes AC activity did not occur in steroidogenesis. The AC responses in crude plasma membranes form these cells to different stimulants were enhanced (i.e. 15%, p less than 0.2 for Gpp(NH)p, 33%, p less than 0.01 for LH plus Gpp(NH)p and 52%, p less than 0.01 for forskolin). These findings suggest that an early desensitization of the AC system cannot explain the impaired steroidogenic response observed.

Dual regulation of neutrophil adenylate cyclase by fluoride and its relationship to cellular activation

1 Fluoride stimulated (1-10 mM) and inhibited (10-100 mM) adenylate cyclase of neutrophil membranes in a GTP-independent manner. The latter fluoride concentration range corresponded to that shown previously to induce cellular responses. 2 Dual regulation of cyclase activity was also exhibited by a nonhydrolysable GTP analogue, guanosine 5'[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP gamma S). Inhibition was observed at 0.1-10 nM GTP gamma S while stimulation occurred at greater than 10 nM GTP gamma S. 3 Relatively high levels (greater than microM) of formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine inhibited adenylate cyclase in the presence of GTP (10 microM). 4 Pertussis toxin pretreatment abolished adenylate cyclase inhibition mediated by GTP gamma S and formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine but did not influence fluoride-induced inhibition.

Stimulation of mannose incorporation into rat osteoblastic osteosarcoma cells by parathyroid hormone

Agents considered to alter cAMP accumulation in bone cells were evaluated for their effects on protein production and sugar incorporation by bone cells. Total protein production or mannose incorporation by cells and in media were measured by the amount of radioactivity incorporated into trichloroacetic-acid precipitable fractions. Incorporation of radioactive leucine into the cellular and secreted proteins was linear over 5 h; radioactive mannose incorporation was linear only up to 2 h. Cells were also incubated with selected agents and radioactive mannose or leucine for 2 h. Addition of parathyroid hormone (PTH), isoproterenol or dibutyryl cAMP to osteoblasts resulted in a significant increase in mannose incorporation; dibutyryl cGMP and butyric acid had no effect on mannose incorporation. None of the agents altered total protein production. Thus PTH stimulates mannose incorporation into osteoblasts and this effect is, at least in part, modulated by cAMP.

Forms of adenylate cyclase, activation and/or potentiation by forskolin

Activation of different forms of adenylate cyclases (AC) by forskolin and displacement of [14,15-3H]dihydroforskolin binding from membranes by forskolin in the absence or presence of specific stimulatory hormone and beta, gamma-imidoguanosine 5'-triphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) have been studied. These conditions have been used to generate forskolin dose-response curves of AC activation. A plot of enzyme activation versus apparent forskolin-binding showed a linear and a nonlinear relationship, respectively, in the absence or presence of the other two stimulators. The latter relationship can be fitted by two linear regression lines with a defined intercept, the slopes of which represent two distinct binding-activation (B-A) effects. The B-A effects of forskolin for rat adipocyte and liver membranes in the absence of stimulatory hormone and Gpp(NH)p were 10 and 8 (pmol X min-1) X (pmol)-1, respectively. The B-A effects for the same membranes in the presence of the other two stimulators were 69 (high) and 13 (low) (pmol X min-1) X (pmol)-1 for adipocyte membrane, and 83 (high) and 9 (low) (pmol X min-1) X (pmol)-1 for liver membrane. The ratio of potentiation of forskolin-activated enzyme activity to the unmodified forskolin-stimulated activity (P-A ratio) was determined without the binding data. At 3 microM forskolin, with and without 230 epinephrine and 10 microM Gpp(NH)p, the P-A ratio was 3.7, decreasing to 1.1 with the addition 100 microM forskolin. The line representing a high B-A effect and a resulting high P-A ratio appears to describe the interactions between forskolin and the AC stimulated by epinephrine and Gpp(NH)p. The line of low B-A effect may represent the interaction between forskolin and the basal AC. Two peaks of AC activity were eluted from forskolin-Sepharose column. They have apparent differences in sensitivity to Gpp(NH)p and affinity for forskolin. Based on the results available thus far, with consideration for known limitations of the methodology, a working model has been proposed for forskolin activation of AC.

A dose-response study of forskolin, stimulatory hormone, and guanosine triphosphate analog on adenylate cyclase from several sources

We have described relationships involving forskolin stimulation of adenylate cyclase (AC) from a variety of sources and the potentiation of forskolin effects by stimulatory hormones (glucagon, ACTH, and epinephrine) and beta, gamma-imidoguanosine 5'-triphosphate (Gpp(NH)p). The effects on AC were examined using membrane preparations of rabbit adipocytes, rat adipocytes, rat erythrocytes, and rat liver. Also examined was the AC of liver membranes of rat pretreated with pertussis toxin as well as that solubilized from rat liver membranes. Maximal forskolin stimulation of AC in all preparations studied revealed a consistent 10-fold increase in AC activity. The EC50 for forskolin was 10 microM for rat liver, 15 microM for rabbit and rat adipocytes and 17 microM for rat erythrocyte AC stimulation. In all cases the AC activity attained by forskolin stimulation was further enhanced by stimulatory hormones in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, a combination of all three activators (forskolin, stimulatory hormone, and Gpp(NH)p) resulted in an even greater overall stimulation to levels ranging from 25- to 30-fold over unstimulated activity levels. In the presence of saturating levels of each stimulatory hormone and Gpp(NH)p, the EC50 for forskolin diminished markedly to the range of 0.5 to 4.0 microM. In the absence of any apparent tissue specificity for forskolin stimulation, the general pattern of these results further implicates the catalytic site of the AC complex as the site of forskolin activation. Furthermore, activation of additional components of the complex by Gpp(NH)p and tissue specific hormones may further influence the AC activity and thereby potentiate the stimulation by forskolin.

Biochemical regulation of adenylate cyclase in murine melanoma clones with different metastatic properties

The regulation of adenylate cyclase in murine melanoma tumor cell clones with different metastatic capacities has been studied in intact cells and isolated membrane preparations. Analysis of the responses of intact cells from a number of B16 melanoma clones revealed that treatment with melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) or the diterpene, forskolin, produced significantly greater accumulation of intracellular cyclic adenosine 3',5' monophosphate (cAMP) in strongly metastatic clones than in weakly metastatic tumor cell clones. In contrast, in isolated membranes from the same panel of clones, the extent of activation by forskolin but not by MSH correlated with metastatic capacity. Sodium fluoride and 5'-guanyl-beta-gamma-imidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p] also stimulated adenylate cyclase in isolated membranes but the extent of activation did not correlate with the metastatic behavior of the donor cells. A combination of forskolin and Gpp(NH)p proved to be a sensitive prospective indicator for identifying differences in the metastatic capabilities of individual B16 melanoma clones. Adenylate cyclase in membrane preparations from strongly metastatic B16 clones displayed synergistic activation but stimulation of the enzyme from weakly metastatic clones was less than additive. To test the generality of these findings, similar investigations were performed on B16-BL6 melanoma cells, a highly invasive subline of the B16 melanoma, and the K1735, an ultraviolet-light-induced murine melanoma arising in a different mouse strain (C3H). Consistent with their high metastatic potential, clones derived from the B16-BL6 melanoma displayed elevated levels of hormonally-stimulated adenylate cyclase, thereby confirming, for this tumor system, a close association between hormonal responsiveness and metastatic capacity. In contrast, K1735 melanoma cell clones exhibited significant interclonal variation in adenylate cyclase activity and metastatic performance, but no consistent relationship between the two traits was detected. Differences in the regulation and/or the intrinsic catalytic capacity of adenylate cyclase may account, at least in part, for the variation in hormonal responsiveness observed among B16 clones with distinct metastatic properties and suggest that cAMP-dependent molecular processes may be required for the expression of B16 melanoma experimental metastatic potential.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Phorbol diester treatment promotes enhanced adenylate cyclase activity in frog erythrocytes

Incubation of intact frog erythrocytes with 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a tumor-promoting phorbol diester which activates protein kinase C, results in an approximate two- to threefold increase in subsequently tested beta-adrenergic agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. This increase is due to an elevation in the Vmax of the enzyme rather than to a change in affinity for the agonist. TPA treatment of frog erythrocytes does not alter the affinity (KD) or the binding capacity (Bmax) for the beta-adrenergic antagonist [125I]cyanopindolol. In addition, agonist/[125I]cyanopindolol competition curves are not affected by TPA pretreatment nor is their sensitivity to guanine nucleotides. Incubation of frog erythrocyte membranes alone with TPA does not promote sensitization or activation of adenylate cyclase activity. Pretreatment of intact frog erythrocytes with TPA also produces approximately two- to threefold increases in basal, guanine nucleotide-, prostaglandin E1-, forskolin-, NaF-, and MnCl2-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities in frog erythrocyte membranes. This enhancement of adenylate cyclase activity by TPA is induced rapidly (t1/2 approximately equal to 5 min) and with an EC50 of about 10(-7) to 10(-6) M. Other tumor-promoting phorbol diesters or phorbol diester-like compounds including 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, 4 beta-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, and mezerein are effective in promoting enhanced adenylate cyclase activity. In contrast, phorbols such as 4 beta-phorbol, 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, and 4-O-methylphorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, which are inactive in tumor promotion and which do not activate protein kinase C, do not affect frog erythrocyte adenylate cyclase activity. These data are suggestive of a protein kinase C-mediated phosphorylation of one of the adenylate cyclase components that is distal to the receptor, i.e., the nucleotide regulatory and/or catalytic components.

The regulation of adenylate cyclase activity in turkey erythrocyte membranes by forskolin

The mechanisms by which forskolin stimulates adenylate cyclase activity in turkey erythrocyte membranes and is influenced by manganese and Gpp(NH)p were studied. Forskolin-dependent adenylate cyclase activity in particulate turkey erythrocyte membranes is enhanced following preincubation of membranes with isoproterenol and GMP (cleared membranes). In contrast, solubilization of turkey erythrocyte membranes, previously cleared, renders them relatively refractory to forskolin but not to Gpp(NH)p. Whereas adenylate cyclase activity due to the simultaneous presence of forskolin and Mn2+ in particulate turkey erythrocyte membranes is additive, their copresence becomes synergistic after solubilization. The apparent Kact for forskolin activation of adenylate cyclase is not influenced by clearance or by the presence of Mn2+ in particulate turkey erythrocyte membranes. Following solubilization, the Vmax for forskolin-dependent adenylate cyclase activation determined in the presence of Mn2+ is also independent of clearance. Forskolin activation of turkey erythrocyte adenylate cyclase appears to be influenced at sites in addition to the catalytic unit.

Forskolin activation of serotonin-stimulated adenylate cyclase in the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica

Properties of forskolin activation of adenylate cyclase in the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica are described. Forskolin stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in cell-free fluke particles to levels more than 30-fold above the basal rate. This activation was not dependent on guanine nucleotides and, upon washing of the particles, was rapidly reversed. Forskolin potentiated the activation of adenylate cyclase by serotonin (5-HT) and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), resulting in both an increase in the maximal level of enzyme activity and a decrease in the apparent activation constant (KA). The 5-HT antagonist 2-bromo-LSD did not inhibit enzyme activation by forskolin. Furthermore, forskolin had no effect on specific [3H]LSD binding to fluke particles. Activation of adenylate cyclase by sodium fluoride or guanine nucleotides was modified in a complex manner by forskolin with both stimulatory and inhibitory effects present. The results suggest that forskolin does not interact directly with the 5-HT receptor coupled to adenylate cyclase. Instead, it appears that forskolin effects are, at least in part, due to its ability to alter the interaction between the regulatory and catalytic components of adenylate cyclase. Incubation of intact flukes with forskolin increased their cAMP levels 2- to 3-fold. The concentration dependence of this response was similar to that for forskolin activation of adenylate cyclase in fluke particles, with 300 microM forskolin giving the maximum response. Forskolin and other agents that increased fluke cAMP levels also stimulated fluke motility.

Forskolin increases osmotic water permeability of rabbit cortical collecting tubule

Forskolin is a unique diterpene that may directly activate the catalytic subunit of adenylate cyclase. We therefore examined the effect of 50 microM forskolin on osmotic water permeability in rabbit cortical collecting tubules perfused in vitro. Forskolin increased net volume flux (Jv, from 0.30 to 1.22 nl/mm/min, P less than 0.02) in all tubules. The hydro-osmotic effect of forskolin was similar with respect to magnitude and time course to that produced by a maximal dose (250 microU/ml) of arginine vasopressin. An additive effect on Jv and Lp was not observed when maximal concentrations of forskolin and arginine vasopressin were given simultaneously. The compound d(CH2)5Tyr(Et) VAVP, which noncompetitively inhibits the vasopressin receptor, significantly reduced collecting tubular hydro-osmotic response to arginine vasopressin. In contrast, the hydro-osmotic response to forskolin was maintained in the presence of d(CH2)5 Tyr(Et)VAVP. However, the hydro-osmotic response to forskolin could be inhibited by 1.0 microM guanine 5'-(beta,gamma-imido) triphosphate (GppNHp) and by the calmodulin inhibitor N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7). These results demonstrate that forskolin exerts an hydro-osmotic effect in the mammalian nephron which occurs independent of the vasopressin receptor. Guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins may modulate the osmotic water permeability effect of forskolin. Finally, calmodulin is required for full expression of the effect of forskolin to increase osmotic water flux.

Guanine-nucleotide-dependent inhibition of adenylate cyclase of rabbit heart by glucagon

The present study demonstrates an inhibitory effect of glucagon on the adenylate cyclase system of rabbit heart. Inhibition was maximal (22-40%) at 0.1-0.01 microM glucagon and required the presence of 0.01-0.1 mM GTP or guanosine 5'-[beta, gamma-imido]triphosphate (GuoPP[NH]P). Reduced or no inhibitor effect of glucagon was observed: (a) after limited proteolysis of plasma membrane proteins by trypsin, (b) in the presence of 1 mM Mn2+, (c) in the absence of Na+, and (d) during the first 10 min of incubation if GuoPP[NH]P was the activating ligand. With GTP as the activating ligand, inhibition of cyclase by glucagon occurred without delay. These data are consistent with a mediation of glucagon inhibition by a guanine-nucleotide-binding protein. In the presence of ethanol (0.2 M) or benzyl alcohol (0.05 M), agents which are known to increase the fluidity of biological membranes, glucagon increased the enzyme activity in a guanine-nucleotide-dependent manner. Activation of cyclase in the presence of alcohols was maximal (30-60%) at 0.1-1.0 microM glucagon and 0.01 mM guanine nucleotides. Data suggest that glucagon receptors can interact with both the activatory and inhibitory guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins and the physical state of membranes may play a role in determining which interaction will be preferential.

Inhibitory effect of clonidine upon adenylate cyclase activity, cyclic AMP production, and insulin release in rat pancreatic islets

Conflicting opinions were recently expressed concerning the possible effect of alpha 2-adrenergic agonists upon cyclic AMP production in pancreatic islets. In the present study, clonidine inhibited glucose-induced insulin release from rat pancreatic islets, this inhibitory effect being abolished by idazoxan. Clonidine did not suppress the capacity of forskolin to augment glucose-induced insulin release. In a particulate subcellular fraction derived from the islets, adenylate cyclase was activated by calmodulin (in the presence of Ca2+), NaF, GTP, L-arginine, and forskolin, and slightly inhibited by clonidine. The inhibitory action of clonidine upon basal adenylate cyclase activity was more pronounced in islet crude homogenates. The inhibitory effect of clonidine was antagonized by forskolin whether in the particulate fraction or crude homogenate. At variance with the modest effects of glucagon, D-glucose, L-arginine, or a tumor-promoting phorbol ester upon cyclic AMP production by intact islets, forskolin caused a six-fold increase in cyclic AMP production. Clonidine inhibited cyclic AMP production by intact islets, whether in the absence or presence of forskolin. It is proposed that the inhibitory action of clonidine upon insulin release is attributable, in part at least, to inhibition of adenylate cyclase.

LHRH agonist decreases LH- but not forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP levels in rat Leydig cells in vitro

The effects of an LHRH agonist on LH- and forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP and testosterone production have been investigated in purified rat Leydig cells in vitro. In agreement with previous results it was found that preincubation with LHRH agonist inhibited subsequent LH-stimulated cyclic AMP production. At least 2 h preincubation was required and this effect of the LHRH agonist was negated by the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide and by the phosphodiesterase inhibitor methylisobutylxanthine (MIX). Forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP production was not inhibited by the LHRH agonist. Forskolin increased testosterone production to the same levels attained by LH and preincubation with LHRH agonist increased both forskolin- and LH-stimulated testosterone production. The data obtained suggest that LHRH agonist increases the synthesis of an inactive form of phosphodiesterase (or associated protein) which is activated by LH via a mechanism not involving cyclic AMP.

A kinetic analysis of activation of smooth muscle adenylate cyclase by forskolin

Forskolin action was studied using uterine smooth muscle adenylate cyclase, an enzyme form that is slowly and irreversibly activated by treatment with nonhydrolyzable GTP analogs. Activation of the particulate smooth muscle enzyme by prolonged treatment with Gpp[NH]p (guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate) at 24 degrees C followed simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics with respect to the guanine nucleotide. Under these treatment conditions, forskolin increased both the Vmax and the Km for Gpp[NH]p, suggesting diterpene action affected the guanine nucleotide-binding coupling factor. Sensitivity of a detergent-solubilized form of the enzyme to stimulation by both Gpp[NH]p and forskolin was much more labile at 4 degrees C than was the Mn+2 sensitivity of the catalytic subunit. In the particulate form, the catalytic subunit was more resistant to the denaturing effects of N-ethylmaleimide than was its sensitivity to stimulation by Gpp[NH]p or forskolin. Forskolin stimulation of the particulate form of the enzyme followed simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics with respect to the concentration of the diterpene. Denaturation of the enzyme by treatment with N-ethylmaleimide lowered the Vmax and increased the Km for forskolin, further suggesting that forskolin had an indirect effect on the activity of the catalytic subunit. These results could be accounted for if the diterpene, like Gpp[NH]p, was bound by the coupling factor.

Pertussis toxin reverses Gpp(NH)p inhibition of basal and forskolin activated adipocyte adenylate cyclase

Inhibition of basal adenylate cyclase by GTP or guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate was abolished in membranes isolated from rat adipocytes previously incubated with pertussis toxin. Forskolin (0.1 microM) stimulated adenylate cyclase about 4-fold and inhibition of cyclase by GTP or guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate was also abolished by pertussis toxin treatment of rat adipocytes. Forskolin (1 microM) increased adenylate cyclase activity at least ten-fold and the inhibitory effect of GppNHp was reduced but not abolished by pertussis toxin. In rabbit adipocytes, pertussis toxin reversed the inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity by GppNHp to the same extent as that by GTP in the presence of 1 microM forskolin. The present results indicate that pertussis toxin can reverse the inhibition of adipocyte adenylate cyclase by nonhydrolyzable GTP analogs as well as that by GTP.