Activation of adenylate cyclase in hepatic membranes involves interactions of the catalytic unit with multimeric complexes of regulatory proteins

Correlation of transducin photoaffinity labeling with the specific formation of intermolecular disulfide linkages in its α-subunit

Transducin (T) is a heterotrimer of Tα, Tβ, and Tγ subunits. In the presence of light-activated rhodopsin, 8-azidoguanosine triphosphate (8-N3GTP) was covalently incorporated into T in a UV-light photodependent manner, with a low stoichiometry of 0.02 mol of 8-N3GTP per mol of T. Although Tα was preferentially labeled by 8-N3GTP, Tβ and Tγ were also modified. Photolabeling of T was specifically inhibited by GDP and GTP, but not by β,γ-imido-guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GMP-PNP), indicating that 8-N3GTP was modifying the GDP binding site of the holoenzyme. This was consistent with the observation that the photoaffinity probe was completely hydrolyzed to 8-N3GDP by T activated by illuminated rhodopsin. The formation of intermolecular disulfide associations in T was also determined because photolabeling of T was performed under non-reducing conditions. We established that Cys-347 of Tα was the major residue involved in the formation of disulfide-linked T oligomers. Other cysteines of Tα, such as Cys-321, also participated in the formation of disulfide bonds, revealing a complex pattern of intermolecular disulfide cross-links that led to the polymerization of T. The spontaneous generation of these cystines in Tα inhibited the light-dependent GTPase and GMP-PNP binding activities of T. A model was constructed illustrating that when two heterotrimers dimerize through the formation of disulfide bridges between the Cys-347 of their Tα subunits, the guanine ring of the 8-N3GDP bound to one T molecule might approach to the Tβγ-complex of the other heterotrimer. This model provides an explanation for the additional photolabeling of Tβ and Tγ by 8-N3GTP.

From atomic structures to neuronal functions of g protein-coupled receptors

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are essential mediators of signal transduction, neurotransmission, ion channel regulation, and other cellular events. GPCRs are activated by diverse stimuli, including light, enzymatic processing of their N-termini, and binding of proteins, peptides, or small molecules such as neurotransmitters. GPCR dysfunction caused by receptor mutations and environmental challenges contributes to many neurological diseases. Moreover, modern genetic technology has helped identify a rich array of mono- and multigenic defects in humans and animal models that connect such receptor dysfunction with disease affecting neuronal function. The visual system is especially suited to investigate GPCR structure and function because advanced imaging techniques permit structural studies of photoreceptor neurons at both macro and molecular levels that, together with biochemical and physiological assessment in animal models, provide a more complete understanding of GPCR signaling.

CaV1.2 signaling complexes in the heart

L-type Ca(2+) channels (LTCCs) are essential for generation of the electrical and mechanical properties of cardiac muscle. Furthermore, regulation of LTCC activity plays a central role in mediating the effects of sympathetic stimulation on the heart. The primary mechanism responsible for this regulation involves β-adrenergic receptor (βAR) stimulation of cAMP production and subsequent activation of protein kinase A (PKA). Although it is well established that PKA-dependent phosphorylation regulates LTCC function, there is still much we do not understand. However, it has recently become clear that the interaction of the various signaling proteins involved is not left to completely stochastic events due to random diffusion. The primary LTCC expressed in cardiac muscle, CaV1.2, forms a supramolecular signaling complex that includes the β2AR, G proteins, adenylyl cyclases, phosphodiesterases, PKA, and protein phosphatases. In some cases, the protein interactions with CaV1.2 appear to be direct, in other cases they involve scaffolding proteins such as A kinase anchoring proteins and caveolin-3. Functional evidence also suggests that the targeting of these signaling proteins to specific membrane domains plays a critical role in maintaining the fidelity of receptor mediated LTCC regulation. This information helps explain the phenomenon of compartmentation, whereby different receptors, all linked to the production of a common diffusible second messenger, can vary in their ability to regulate LTCC activity. The purpose of this review is to examine our current understanding of the signaling complexes involved in cardiac LTCC regulation.

Complexes between photoactivated rhodopsin and transducin: progress and questions

Activation of GPCRs (G-protein-coupled receptors) leads to conformational changes that ultimately initiate signal transduction. Activated GPCRs transiently combine with and activate heterotrimeric G-proteins resulting in GTP replacement of GDP on the G-protein alpha subunit. Both the detailed structural changes essential for productive GDP/GTP exchange on the G-protein alpha subunit and the structure of the GPCR-G-protein complex itself have yet to be elucidated. Nevertheless, transient GPCR-G-protein complexes can be trapped by nucleotide depletion, yielding an empty-nucleotide G-protein-GPCR complex that can be isolated. Whereas early biochemical studies indicated formation of a complex between G-protein and activated receptor only, more recent results suggest that G-protein can bind to pre-activated states of receptor or even couple transiently to non-activated receptor to facilitate rapid responses to stimuli. Efficient and reproducible formation of physiologically relevant, conformationally homogenous GPCR-G-protein complexes is a prerequisite for structural studies designed to address these possibilities.

Supramolecular assemblies and localized regulation of voltage-gated ion channels

This review addresses the localized regulation of voltage-gated ion channels by phosphorylation. Comprehensive data on channel regulation by associated protein kinases, phosphatases, and related regulatory proteins are mainly available for voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, which form the main focus of this review. Other voltage-gated ion channels and especially Kv7.1-3 (KCNQ1-3), the large- and small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels BK and SK2, and the inward-rectifying K+ channels Kir3 have also been studied to quite some extent and will be included. Regulation of the L-type Ca2+ channel Cav1.2 by PKA has been studied most thoroughly as it underlies the cardiac fight-or-flight response. A prototypical Cav1.2 signaling complex containing the beta2 adrenergic receptor, the heterotrimeric G protein Gs, adenylyl cyclase, and PKA has been identified that supports highly localized via cAMP. The type 2 ryanodine receptor as well as AMPA- and NMDA-type glutamate receptors are in close proximity to Cav1.2 in cardiomyocytes and neurons, respectively, yet independently anchor PKA, CaMKII, and the serine/threonine phosphatases PP1, PP2A, and PP2B, as is discussed in detail. Descriptions of the structural and functional aspects of the interactions of PKA, PKC, CaMKII, Src, and various phosphatases with Cav1.2 will include comparisons with analogous interactions with other channels such as the ryanodine receptor or ionotropic glutamate receptors. Regulation of Na+ and K+ channel phosphorylation complexes will be discussed in separate papers. This review is thus intended for readers interested in ion channel regulation or in localization of kinases, phosphatases, and their upstream regulators.

Structure-function relationships in adenylate cyclase systems

Hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase systems are composed of hormone-recognition units (R), a nucleotide-regulatory unit (N) for reaction with GTP and divalent cations, and the catalytic unit (C). From the reported sizes of purified R and N subunits and target analysis of functional sizes of these units, the functions of the components for the binding and actions of hormones and GTP require minimally dimers, homologous or heterologous. It is proposed that the catalytic unit exists in the membrane also as a dimer and that its transition to the active state with MgATP as substrate involves corresponding transitions in linked dimers of the hormone-recognition and nucleotide-regulatory units. It is postulated that hormones trigger the activation process by inducing in concert with GTP and divalent cations the appropriate dimer structure of the holoenzyme. In large aggregates of such structures, realignment of only a few occupied holoenzyme units may be sufficient to induce activation of the total aggregate enzyme. This theory serves to explain the synergistic actions of hormones, and how several hormones can activate a common enzyme. It also provides an explanation for 'spare' receptors, and for the efficacy of hormone action.

Heterodimers of adenylyl cyclases 2 and 5 show enhanced functional responses in the presence of Galpha s

Recent studies have demonstrated that adenylyl cyclase isoforms can form both homo- and heterodimers and that this may be the basic functional unit of these enzymes (see Cooper, D.M.F. and Crossthwaite, A.J. (2006) Trends. Pharmacol. Sci. 8:426-431). Here, we show that adenylyl cyclases 2 and 5 can form a functional heterodimeric complex in HEK293 cells using a combination of BRET, confocal imaging, co-immunoprecipitation and assays of adenylyl cyclase activity. The AC2/5 complex is formed constitutively and is stable in the presence of receptor or forskolin stimulation. The complex formed by AC2/5 is also much more sensitive to the presence of Galpha(s) and forskolin than either of the parent AC isoforms themselves. Finally, we also show that this complex can be detected in native tissues as AC2 and AC5 were localized to the same structures in adult mouse ventricular myocytes and neonatal mouse cardiac fibroblasts and could be co-immunoprecipitated from lysates of mouse heart.

New insights into the regulation of cAMP synthesis beyond GPCR/G protein activation: implications in cardiovascular regulation

Regulation of intracellular concentrations of cyclic AMP is one of the most ubiquitous mechanisms for regulating cellular functions. Further, the manner in which cAMP production is regulated via G proteins at the level of adenylyl cyclase activation has been studied extensively. This review focuses instead on the recently identified mechanisms and roles for regulation of adenylyl cyclase functions beyond G protein activation. These mechanisms include: a) the coupling of particular isoforms of adenylyl cyclase to function within a single cell type b) regulation of membrane trafficking of higher order enzyme aggregates and c) raf kinase-dependent phosphorylation and sensitization of adenylyl cyclases--an important pathway for crosstalk between tyrosine kinase signaling cascades with regulation of cAMP-mediated responses.

G protein-coupled receptor rhodopsin

The rhodopsin crystal structure provides a structural basis for understanding the function of this and other G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The major structural motifs observed for rhodopsin are expected to carry over to other GPCRs, and the mechanism of transformation of the receptor from inactive to active forms is thus likely conserved. Moreover, the high expression level of rhodopsin in the retina, its specific localization in the internal disks of the photoreceptor structures [termed rod outer segments (ROS)], and the lack of other highly abundant membrane proteins allow rhodopsin to be examined in the native disk membranes by a number of methods. The results of these investigations provide evidence of the propensity of rhodopsin and, most likely, other GPCRs to dimerize, a property that may be pertinent to their function.

Compartmentalization of adenylate cyclase and cAMP signalling

Concepts of cAMP signalling have changed dramatically from the linear cascades of just a few years ago, with the realization that numerous cellular processes affect this motif. These influences include other signalling pathways--most significantly Ca2+, scaffolding proteins (which are themselves variously regulated) to organize the elements of the pathway, and subcellular targeting of components. An obvious implication of this organization is that global measurements of cAMP may trivialize the complexity of the cAMP signals and obscure the regulation of targets. In this presentation, current developments on the targeting and assembly of ACs (adenylate cyclases) and their delivery to selected raft or non-raft domains of the plasma membrane will be discussed, along with the susceptibility of raft-targeted ACs to very discrete modes of increases in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Single-cell explorations of cAMP dynamics, as measured with cyclic nucleotide-gated channels, are also described in this paper, particularly as applied to cells in which the composition of AKAP (A-kinase anchoring protein)-PKA (protein kinase A)-PDE (phosphodiesterase) assemblies is probed by RNA interference ablation of defined AKAPs.

Oligomerization of G protein-coupled receptors: past, present, and future

G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-mediated signal transduction has been studied for more than a century. Despite the intense focus on this class of proteins, a molecular understanding of what constitutes the functional form of the receptor is still uncertain. GPCRs have traditionally been conceptualized as monomeric proteins, and this view has changed little over the years until relatively recently. Recent biochemical and biophysical studies have challenged this traditional concept, and point instead to a mechanistic view of signal transduction wherein the receptor functions as an oligomer. Cooperative interactions within such an oligomeric array may be critical for the propagation of an external signal across the cell membrane and to the G protein, and may therefore underlie the mechanistic basis of signaling.

Isoform-Specific Regulation of Adenylyl Cyclase Function by Disruption of Membrane Trafficking

Oligomerization plays an important role in endoplasmic reticulum processing and membrane insertion (and ultimately in regulation of function) of a number of transmembrane spanning proteins. Furthermore, it is known that adenylyl cyclases (ACs), critical regulators of cellular functions, associate into higher order (dimeric) forms. However, the importance of these higher order aggregates in regulating adenylyl cyclase activity or trafficking to the cell membrane is unclear. Therefore, we examined the potential role of oligomerization in the membrane trafficking of adenylyl cyclase. For this purpose, the ability of full-length adenylyl cyclase and various truncation mutants to self-assemble and to be targeted to the cell membrane was assessed. A truncation mutant comprised of the initial six transmembrane spanning domains and half of the C1 catalytic domain coimmunoprecipitated with full-length AC VI. Using both biotinylation assays and assessment of enzyme distribution using sucrose density gradients, we demonstrate that expression of this mutant in human embryonic kidney 293 cells impaired the ability of AC VI to traffic to the plasma membrane. Furthermore, mutant expression resulted in a significant reduction in adenylyl cyclase activity. The decrease in AC VI membrane expression was not caused by alterations in enzyme transcription. The effect of the mutant was specific for the AC V and VI isoforms and expression of the transmembrane M1 domain but not the C1a domain was required for the mutant to affect adenylyl cyclase activity. In aggregate, these data suggest that alterations in the ability of adenylyl cyclases to form higher order forms regulate both enzyme trafficking and enzyme activity.

Rhodopsin signaling and organization in heterozygote rhodopsin knockout mice

Rhodopsin (Rho) resides within internal membrane structures called disc membranes that are found in the rod outer segments (ROS) of photoreceptors in the retina. Rho expression is essential for formation of ROS, which are absent in knockout Rho-/- mice. ROS of mice heterozygous for the Rho gene deletion (Rho+/-) may have a lower Rho density than wild type (WT) membranes, or the ROS structure may be reduced in size due to lower Rho expression. Here, we present evidence that the smaller volume of ROS from heterozygous mice is most likely responsible for observed electrophysiological response differences. In Rho+/- mice as compared with age-matched WT mice, the length of ROS was shorter by 30-40%, and the average diameter of ROS was reduced by approximately 20%, as demonstrated by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Together, the reduction of the volume of ROS was approximately 60% in Rho+/- mice. Rho content in the eyes was reduced by approximately 43% and 11-cis-retinal content in the eye was reduced by approximately 38%, as determined by UV-visible spectroscopy and retinoid analysis, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy of negatively stained disc membranes from Rho+/- mice indicated a typical morphology apart from the reduced size of disc diameter. Power spectra calculated from disc membrane regions on such electron micrographs displayed a diffuse ring at approximately 4.5 nm(-1), indicating paracrystallinity of Rho. Atomic force microscopy of WT and Rho+/- disc membranes revealed, in both cases, Rho organized in paracrystalline and raftlike structures. From these data, we conclude that the differences in physiological responses measured in WT and Rho+/- mice are due to structural changes of the whole ROS and not due to a lower density of Rho.

C5a receptor oligomerization. I. Disulfide trapping reveals oligomers and potential contact surfaces in a G protein-coupled receptor

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), stimulated by hormones and sensory stimuli, act as molecular switches to relay activation to heterotrimeric G proteins. Recent studies suggest that GPCRs form dimeric or oligomeric structures, a phenomenon that has long been established for growth factor receptors. The elucidation of the domains of GPCRs that mediate receptor association is of critical importance for understanding the function of GPCR oligomers. Using a disulfide-trapping strategy to probe the intermolecular contact surfaces, we demonstrate cross-linking of C5a receptors in membranes prepared from both human neutrophils and stably transfected mammalian cells that is mediated by a cysteine in the second intracellular loop. To explore other surfaces that might be involved in the oligomerization of C5a receptors, we constructed receptors with individual cysteines in other intracellular regions. C5a receptors with a cysteine in the first intracellular loop or the carboxyl terminus displayed the fastest kinetics of dimer formation, whereas an intracellular loop 3 cysteine displayed minimal cross-linking. Since the rate of disulfide trapping reflects the proximity of sulfhydryl groups, assuming similar accessibility and flexibility, these results imply a symmetric dimer interface that may involve either transmembrane helices 1 and 2 or helix 4. However, neither model can account for the ability of the native cysteine in the second intracellular loop to mediate efficient crosslinking. Based on these observations, we propose that C5a receptors form higher order oligomers (i.e. tetramers) or clusters in the membrane.

G protein-coupled receptors: dominant players in cell-cell communication

The G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the most numerous and the most diverse type of receptors (1-5% of the complete invertebrate and vertebrate genomes). They transduce messages as different as odorants, nucleotides, nucleosides, peptides, lipids, and proteins. There are at least eight families of GPCRs that show no sequence similarities and that use different domains to bind ligands and activate a similar set of G proteins. Homo- and heterodimerization of GPCRs seem to be the rule, and in some cases an absolute requirement, for activation. There are about 100 orphan GPCRs in the human genome which will be used to find new message molecules. Mutations of GPCRs are responsible for a wide range of genetic diseases. The importance of GPCRs in physiological processes is illustrated by the fact that they are the target of the majority of therapeutical drugs and drugs of abuse.

Dimerization of mammalian adenylate cyclases

Mammalian adenylate cyclases are predicted to possess complex topologies, comprising two cassettes of six transmembrane-spanning motifs followed by a cytosolic, catalytic ATP-binding domain. Recent studies have begun to provide insights on the tertiary assembly of these proteins; crystallographic analysis has revealed that the two cytosolic domains dimerize to form a catalytic core, while more recent biochemical and cell biological analysis shows that the two transmembrane cassettes also associate to facilitate the functional assembly and trafficking of the enzyme. The older literature had suggested that adenylate cyclases might form higher order aggregates, although the methods used did not necessarily provide convincing evidence of biologically relevant events. In the present study, we have pursued this question by a variety of approaches, including rescue or suppression of function by variously modified molecules, coimmunoprecipitation and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) analysis between molecules in living cells. The results strongly suggest that adenylate cyclases dimerize (or oligomerize) via their hydrophobic domains. It is speculated that this divalent property may allow adenylate cyclases to participate in multimeric signaling assemblies.

The complex regulation of receptor-coupled G-proteins

Heterotrimeric G-proteins are associated with the cytoplasmic surface of the cell membrane as oligomeric structures. The oligomeric structures were deduced from a variety of studies including target (irradiation) analysis, hydrodynamic evaluation of detergent extracted material, and cross-linking of G-proteins in their membrane environment. From the functional mass determined by target analysis, it was estimated that one receptor (for glucagon) is associated with 8-10 units of Gs, the heterotrimeric G-protein that stimulates adenylyl cyclase. It is proposed that the receptor associates with each monomer of the chain via weak and strong binding forces that are dictated according to whether either GTP or GDP is bound to the alpha-subunits (weak forces) or, due to the hormone-induced release of the nucleotides during the exchange reaction, these subunits become transiently devoid of nucleotides (strong forces). The hormone-induced changes in type and degree of nucleotide binding allow for movement of the receptor along the oligomeric chain and filling of the nucleotide binding sites with the activating nucleotide, GTP. In this manner, the receptor catalytically activates Gs. It is suggested that the dynamic instability of the oligomeric chain produced by the asymmetric distribution of GTP and GDP along the chain results in release of a GTP-monomer from one end and association of a GDP-monomer at the opposite end. Adenylyl cyclase associates with the released GTP-monomer inducing a transient state of the coupled proteins. In a Mg-dependent fashion, hydrolysis of GTP occurs resulting in re-organization of the coupled proteins such that alpha and beta gamma interact with distinct domains of the cyclase molecule. The final state of the coupled process determines the degree of cyclase activity. Release of Pi from its binding site restores association of alpha and beta gamma to the GDP-bound form of the heterotrimer. The latter associates with the oligomeric structure of G-proteins to complete the cycle of events in the overall process of hormonal activation of the system.

Is signal transduction modulated by an interaction between heterotrimeric G-proteins and tubulin?

Although it is generally accepted that tubulin plays an important role in G-protein-mediated signal transduction in a variety of systems, the mechanism of this phenomenon is not completely understood. G-protein-tubulin interaction at the cell membrane and the cytosol, and the influence of such an interaction on cellular signaling are discussed in this review article. Because the diameter of a microtubule is 25 nm and the plasma membrane is 9-11 nm thick, it is not possible for membrane-associated tubulin to assemble into a complete microtubule in the membrane environment. However, tubulin heterodimers may be able to function in the membrane environment as individual heterodimers or as polymers arranged into short protofilaments. At the cell membrane, membrane-associated tubulin may influence hormone-receptor interaction, receptor-G-protein coupling, and G-protein-effector coupling. Structural proteins, such as tubulin, can participate in cellular signaling by communicating through physical forces. By virtue of its interaction with the submembranous network of cytoskeletal proteins, tubulin, when perturbed in one locus, can transmit large changes in conformations to other points. Thus, GTP binding to membrane-associated tubulin might lead to a conformational change in either receptors or G proteins. This may, in turn, influence the binding of an agonist to its receptor. On the other hand, in the cell cytosol, subsequent to agonist-induced translocation of G-proteins from the membrane compartment to the cytosol, G-proteins may affect microtubule formation. In GH3 and AtT-20 cells (stably expressing TRH receptor), transiently transfected with Gq alpha cDNA, soluble tubulin levels decreased in Gq alpha-transfected GH3 and AtT-20 cells, by 33% and 52%, respectively. These results suggest that G-proteins may have a direct effect on the microtubule function in vivo. Because tubulin and G-protein families are ubiquitous and highly conserved, an interaction between these two protein families may occur in vivo, and this, in turn, can have an impact on signal transduction. However, the physiological significance of this interaction remains to be demonstrated.

A selective inverse agonist for central cannabinoid receptor inhibits mitogen-activated protein kinase activation stimulated by insulin or insulin-like growth factor 1. Evidence for a new model of receptor/ligand interactions

In the present study, we showed that Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with human central cannabinoid receptor (CB1) exhibit high constitutive activity at both levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and adenylyl cyclase. These activities could be blocked by the CB1-selective ligand, SR 141716A, that functions as an inverse agonist. Moreover, binding studies showed that guanine nucleotides decreased the binding of the agonist CP-55,940, an effect usually observed with agonists, whereas it enhanced the binding of SR 141716A, a property of inverse agonists. Unexpectedly, we found that CB1-mediated effects of SR 141716A included inhibition of MAPK activation by pertussis toxin-sensitive receptor-tyrosine kinase such as insulin or insulin-like growth factor 1 receptors but not by pertussis toxin-insensitive receptor-tyrosine kinase such as the fibroblast growth factor receptor. We also observed similar results when cells were stimulated with Mas-7, a mastoparan analog, that directly activates the Gi protein. Furthermore, SR 141716A inhibited guanosine 5'-0-(thiotriphosphate) uptake induced by CP-55,940 or Mas-7 in CHO-CB1 cell membranes. This indicates that, in addition to the inhibition of autoactivated CB1, SR 141716A can deliver a biological signal that blocks the Gi protein and consequently abrogates most of the Gi-mediated responses. By contrast, SR 141716A had no effect on MAPK activation by insulin or IGF1 in CHO cells lacking CB1 receptors, ruling out the possibility of a direct interaction of SR 141716A with the Gi protein. This supports the notion that the Gi protein may act as a negative intracellular signaling cross-talk molecule. From these original results, which considerably enlarge the biological properties of the inverse agonist, we propose a novel model for receptor/ligand interactions.

The mathematics of radiation target analyses

Radiation target theory has been extended to complex biochemical systems. Mathematical analyses are presented for multiple forms of biological active proteins, for the presence of large inhibitors or activators, for compounds which regulate rate or affinity and for multiple-step reactions. Several predictions of these models have been verified experimentally.

Nobel Lecture. Signal transduction: evolution of an idea

“In general there is no set of observations conceivable which can give enough information about the past of a system to give complete information as to its future”: Norbert Wiener. “Think simplicity; then discard it”: Alfred North Whitehead

Adenylyl cyclases and the interaction between calcium and cAMP signalling

Adenylyl cyclase is the prototypical second messenger generator. Nearly all of the eight cloned adenylyl cyclases are regulated by one or other arm of the phospholipase C pathway. Functional and ultrastructural investigations have shown that adenylyl cyclases are intimately associated with sites of calcium ion entry into the cell. Oscillations in cellular cyclic AMP levels are predicted to arise because of feedback inhibition of adenylyl cyclase by Ca2+. Such findings inextricably intertwine cellular signalling by cAMP and internal Ca2+ and extend the known regulatory modes available to cAMP.

Chronic opioid treatment may uncouple opioid receptors and G-proteins: evidence from radiation inactivation analysis

Radiation inactivation (target size analysis) was used in this study to determine whether uncoupling of opioid receptor and G-protein is a contributing mechanism to opioid tolerance. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (160-260 g) were rendered tolerant to morphine or [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin (DADLE) by multiple i.p. or i.c.v. injections twice a day for 6 or 5 days. Control rats were injected with saline instead of opioids. The animals were killed, the midbrains excised and pooled together for each group. The washed P2 membranes were suspended in buffer and irradiated with 1-10 Mrad doses of 60Co irradiation, following which mu- or delta-opioid receptor binding activity of each sample was assayed. The molecular weight of the receptor was calculated from a standard irradiation curve constructed using several enzyme markers of known molecular weight. We found that the functional molecular size of mu-opioid receptor significantly decreased from 349 kDa to 228 kDa after 6 days of chronic morphine treatment, while, the molecular size of delta-opioid receptor decreased from 303 kDa to 223 kDa after 5 days of chronic DADLE treatment. These results are consistent with the uncoupling of opioid receptor from G-protein during chronic opioid treatment.

Novel predictions from radiation target analysis

The unusual technique of radiation inactivation has been used to determine the mass of many different macromolecules. Most of the radiation target sizes obtained agree with the known protein structures. However, in several cases the sizes obtained were not easily interpreted since they did not agree with values determined by more conventional methods. Subsequent studies have shown that many of these perplexing radiation target sizes were indeed correct, often revealing unanticipated details about the nature of the systems being studied.

Effects of adenyl nucleotides and carbachol on cooperative interactions among G proteins

Muscarinic agonists and adenyl nucleotides are noncompetitive modulators of sites labeled by [35S]GTP gamma S in washed cardiac membranes from Syrian golden hamsters. Specific binding of the radioligand and its inhibition by either GTP gamma S or GDP reveals three states of affinity for guanyl nucleotides. In the absence of adenyl nucleotide, carbachol promotes an apparent interconversion of sites from higher to lower affinity for GDP; the effect recalls that of guanyl nucleotides on the binding of agonists to muscarinic receptors. In the presence of 0.1 mM ATP gamma S, the binding of [35S]GTP gamma S is increased at concentrations up to about 50 nM and decreased at higher concentrations. At a radioligand concentration of 160 pM, binding exhibits a bell-shaped dependence on the concentration of both ATP gamma S and AMP-PNP; with ADP and ATP, there is a second increase in bound [35S]GTP gamma S at the highest concentrations of adenyl nucleotide. ATP gamma S and AMP-PNP also modulate the effect of GDP, which itself emerges as a cooperative process: that is, binding of the radioligand in the presence of AMP-PNP exhibits a bell-shaped dependence on the concentration of GDP; moreover, the GDP-dependent increase in bound [35S]GTP gamma S is enhanced by carbachol. The interactions among GDP, GTP gamma S, and carbachol can be rationalized quantitatively in terms of a cooperative model involving two sites tentatively identified as G proteins. Both GTP gamma S and GDP exhibit negative homotropic cooperativity; carbachol enhances the homotropic cooperativity of GDP and induces or enhances positive heterotropic cooperativity between GDP and [35S]GTP gamma S. An analogous mechanism may underlie the guanyl nucleotide-dependent binding of agonists to muscarinic receptors. The data suggest that the binding properties of G proteins and their associated receptors reflect cooperative effects within heterooligomeric arrays; agonist-induced changes in cooperativity may facilitate the exchange of GTP for bound GDP and thereby constitute the mechanism of G protein activation in vivo.

GO associates with another 40 kDa brain protein

Guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G proteins) mediate a variety of cellular responses to external stimuli. Pure G protein, receptor, and effector are sufficient to reconstitute hormonal activation of an effector in phospholipid vesicles, but other components may be important for specificity or localization in vivo. If another protein associates with GO, the molecular weight of GO solubilized from membranes would be larger than the molecular weight of GO after purification. We find that GO solubilized from bovine brain membranes by Triton X-100 behaves as a single population of molecules on sucrose density gradients and gel filtration columns. Its molecular mass is about 40 kDa larger than pure GO. Association of GO with the other protein is fragile as the proteins dissociate on further purification. There was no difference in ADP-ribosylation or tryptic cleavage of GO in larger and smaller form. These studies provide a basis for future experiments to stabilize the interaction and identify the protein.

An improved method for the analysis of data from radiation-inactivation studies

This paper addresses statistical issues in the estimation of protein molecular weight using radiation-inactivation assays. In particular it considers experiments in which a number of internal standards are used to supplement or replace accurate measurement of the applied doses of radiation. A mathematical model is proposed which allows the use of the standard technique of maximum-likelihood estimation to estimate the unknown molecular weight without knowledge of the applied doses and, in contrast to previous methods, allows the construction of confidence intervals.

Radiation inactivation target-size analysis of soluble guanylate cyclase

The soluble form of guanylate cyclase, which is a heterodimer of two subunits with molecular weights of 82,000 and 70,000, was analyzed by radiation inactivation experiments to determine its functional size. Lyophilized crude extract from rat lung or the purified enzyme were irradiated with different doses from 60Co gamma-rays, and the residual activities were measured in the presence or absence of a potent activator, sodium nitroprusside. The target sizes for the basal activity and for the activity in the presence of sodium nitroprusside were calculated from the decay curve was 77 and 192 kDa, respectively, on the crude enzyme, or as 71 and 163 kDa, respectively, on the purified enzyme. The size for the activatable form of the enzyme was more than twice that of the basal activity and close to the size of the holoenzyme, implying that the enzyme activity must reside on one of the subunits and the activation by sodium nitroprusside requires interaction of both subunits.

Physical evidence of the coupling of solubilized 5-HT1A binding sites with G regulatory proteins

Previous investigations (El Mestikawy et al., J Neurochem 51: 1031-1040, 1988) have shown that 5-HT1A binding sites (R[5-HT1A]) solubilized by CHAPS from rat hippocampal membranes can be modulated by guanine nucleotides, as expected from their solubilization together with associated G regulatory proteins (G). Studies of the hydrodynamic properties of solubilized R[5-HT1A] have been presently carried out in order to assess in a more direct way the presence of R[5-HT1A]-G complexes in the soluble extract. Under control conditions, the sedimentation of a CHAPS extract from hippocampal membranes through a 5-30% sucrose gradient (200,000 g, 17 hr, 4 degrees) gave two maxima of [3H]8-OH-DPAT binding activity corresponding to sedimentation coefficients of 8.0 S and 10.0 S, respectively. Running the gradient in the presence of 1 microM GTP revealed a significant reduction of the 10.0 S peak, as expected from the loss of material (probably a G protein) normally associated with R[5-HT1A]. Conversely, attempts to prevent the dissociation of R[5-HT1A]-G by treatment of CHAPS soluble hippocampal extracts with the cross-linking reagent disuccinimidyl suberate (0.1 mM) resulted in a significant increase (+70%) in [3H]8-OH-DPAT binding activity associated with the appearance of a new sedimenting material with a higher coefficient (16.5 S). Furthermore, [3H]8-OH-DPAT binding became almost completely insensitive to guanine nucleotides as expected from the irreversible coupling by disuccinimidyl suberate of R[5-HT1A] with G protein(s). WGA-agarose chromatography of CHAPS soluble hippocampal extract supplemented with GTP allowed the physical separation of R[5-HT1A] from the bulk of G proteins, and a concomitant decrease of [3H]8-OH-DPAT high affinity binding capacity. Partial recovery of the latter could be achieved by reconstituting R[5-HT1A]-G complexes upon the addition of a mixture of pure bovine Gi + Go to G-deprived soluble extracts. Finally in vivo treatment with Pertussis toxin (5 micrograms intracerebroventricularly, 48 hr before killing) resulted in a significant reduction of the specific binding of [3H]8-OH-DPAT (-36%) to hippocampal membranes and corresponding CHAPS soluble extracts, and a marked decrease in the inhibitory effect of GppNHp. Accordingly the G protein associated with R[5-HT1A] belongs probably to the Gi or Go families.

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.

Exchange of guanine nucleotides between tubulin and GTP-binding proteins that regulate adenylate cyclase: cytoskeletal modification of neuronal signal transduction

Tubulin, the primary constituent of microtubules, is a GTP-binding proteins with structural similarities to other GTP-binding proteins. Whereas microtubules have been implicated as modulators of the adenylate cyclase system, the mechanism of this regulation has been elusive. Tubulin, polymerized with the hydrolysis-resistant GTP analog, 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p], can promote inhibition of synaptic membrane adenylate cyclase which persists subsequent to washing. Tubulin with Gpp(NH)p bound was slightly less potent than free Gpp(NH)p in the inhibition of adenylate cyclase, but tubulin without nucleotide bound had no effect on the enzyme. A GTP-binding protein from the rod outer segment (transducin), with Gpp(NH)p bound, was also without effect on adenylate cyclase. Tubulin (regardless of the nucleotide bound to it) did not alter the activity of the adenylate cyclase catalytic unit directly. When tubulin was polymerized with the hydrolysis-resistant photoaffinity GTP analog, [32P]P3(4-azidoanilido)-P1-5'-GTP ([32P]AAGTP), and this protein was added to synaptic membranes, AAGTP was transferred from tubulin to the inhibitory GTP-binding protein, Gi. This transfer was blocked by prior incubation of the membranes with Gpp(NH)p or covalent binding of AAGTP to tubulin prior to exposure of that tubulin to membranes. Incubation of membranes with Gpp(NH)p subsequent to incubation with tubulin-AAGTP results in a decrease in AAGTP bound to Gi and a compensatory increase in AAGTP bound to the stimulatory GTP-binding protein, Gs. Likewise, persistent inhibition of adenylate cyclase by tubulin-Gpp(NH)p could be overridden by the inclusion of 100 microM Gpp(NH)p in the assay inhibition. Whereas Gpp(NH)p promotes persistent inhibition of synaptic membrane adenylate cyclase without incubation at elevated temperatures, tubulin [with AAGTP or Gpp(NH)p bound] requires 30 s incubation at 23 degrees C to effect adenylate cyclase inhibition. Photoaffinity experiments yield parallel results. These data are consistent with synaptic membrane tubulin regulating neuronal adenylate cyclase by transferring GTP to Gi and, subsequently, to Gs.

Roles of G protein subunits in transmembrane signalling

A family of proteins called G proteins couples cell surface receptors to a variety of enzymes and ion channels. Since many cells contain several very similar G proteins, an important question is how signals remain specific as they cross the cell membrane.

A monomer-dimer model explains the results of radiation inactivation: binding characteristics of insulin receptor purified from human placenta

The technique of radiation inactivation has been used on highly purified human placental insulin receptor in order to determine the functional molecular size responsible for the insulin binding and to evaluate the "affinity regulator" hypothesis, which has been proposed to explain the increase in specific insulin binding to rat liver membranes observed at low radiation doses [Harmon, J. T., Hedo, J. A., & Kahn, C. R. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 6875-6881]. Three different types of inactivation curves were observed: (1) biphasic with an enhanced binding activity after exposure to low radiation doses, (2) nonlinear with no change in binding activity after exposure to low radiation doses, and (3) linear with a loss in the binding activity with increasing radiation exposures. A monomer-dimer model was the simplest model that best described the three types of radiation inactivation curves observed. The model predicts that an increase in insulin binding activity would result after exposure to low radiation doses when the initial dimer/monomer ratio is equal to or greater than 1 and a monomer is more active than a dimer. The monomer size of the binding activity was estimated to be 227,000 daltons by this model. This value most likely reflects the size of the monomeric alpha beta form. To substantiate this model, the purified receptor was fractionated by Sepharose CL-6B chromatography. The insulin binding profile of this column indicated two peaks.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Radiation inactivation analysis of fusion and hemolysis by vesicular stomatitis virus

Radiation inactivation analysis was used to determine the size of the functional unit responsible for fusion of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) with cardiolipin or phosphatidylcholine-phosphatidylethanolamine (1:1) liposomes, and for VSV-induced hemolysis. When radiation-insensitive background values were subtracted, the calculated functional units for all three activities were similar, ranging from 866 to 957 kDa, equivalent to about 15 G protein molecules. This is in striking contrast to results of similar studies with influenza and Sendai viruses, in which the functional unit corresponded in size to a single fusion protein monomer, and suggests that VSV fusion may occur by a different mechanism.

Irradiation inactivation studies of the dopamine D1 receptor and dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase in rat striatum

In frozen rat striatal tissue, exposed to 10 MeV electrons from a linear accelerator, the sizes of the dopamine (DA) D1 receptor and the DA-sensitive adenylate cyclase complex were determined using target size analysis. The number of D1 receptors (labelled by [3H]SCH 23390) declined monoexponentially with increasing radiation intensity, yielding a molecular weight (mol.wt.) of 80 kDa. Also the activity of the catalytic unit (C) of the adenylate cyclase (as measured by forskolin stimulation), decreased monoexponentially, however with a mol.wt. of 145 kDa. Both basal, DA- and fluoride (F-)-stimulated activity declined in a concave-downward fashion with a limiting mol.wt. of 134, 138 and 228 kDa, respectively. It was estimated that the basal and DA-stimulated activity originated from an enzyme complex with a mol.wt. of 325 kDa, a value close to the combined size of RGs and C. These data suggest that F- stimulation of the adenylate cyclase, which occurs by a Gs activation, does not cause dissociation of Gs into the alpha s and beta gamma subunits. Further, the DA-regulated adenylate cyclase apparently exists as a complex consisting of RGs and C; the mechanism of hormonal activation is a dissociation of C from this complex.

Target inactivation analysis applied to determination of molecular weights of rat liver proteins in the purified state and in microsomal membranes

In principle, target inactivation analysis provides a means of determining the molecular weights (Mr) and states of aggregation of proteins in native environments where they are functionally active. We applied this irradiation technique to the rat liver microsomal membrane proteins: cytochrome b5, epoxide hydrolase, flavin-containing monooxygenase, NADH-ferricyanide reductase, NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, and seven different forms of cytochrome P-450. Catalytic activities, spectral analysis of prosthetic groups, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis/peroxidase-coupled immunoblotting were used to estimate apparent Mr values in rat liver microsomal membranes. Except in one case (cytochrome P-450PCN-E), the estimated Mr corresponded most closely to that of a monomer. Purified cytochrome P-450PB-B, NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and epoxide hydrolase were also subjected to target inactivation analysis, and the results also suggested monomeric structures for all three proteins under these conditions. However, previous hydrodynamic and gel-exclusion results clearly indicate that all three of these proteins are oligomeric under these conditions. The discrepancy between target inactivation Mr estimates and hydrodynamic results is attributed to a lack of energy transfer between monomeric units. Thus, while P-450PCN-E may be oligomeric in microsomal membranes, target inactivation analysis does not appear to give conclusive results regarding the states of aggregation of these microsomal proteins.

Forskolin-insensitive adenylate cyclase in cultured cells of Choristoneura fumiferana (Insecta)

Adenylate cyclase from a spruce budworm cell line, IBRI-Cfl, is activated by octopamine (Ka = 50 microM), guanine nucleotides and sodium fluoride but not by forskolin. In addition, forskolin does not potentiate the octopamine-sensitive response. To our knowledge, this is the first published report of a hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase, with a functional guanine nucleotide regulatory protein, that is insensitive to forskolin both in intact cells and washed membrane preparations.