Multiple transcripts for the human cardiac form of the cGMP-inhibited cAMP phosphodiesterase

Toxic effect and mechanism of β-cypermethrin and its chiral isomers on HTR-8/SVneo cells

Beta-cypermethrin (β-CYP) consists of four chiral isomers, acting as an environmental estrogen and causing reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, and dysfunctions in multiple organ systems. This study investigated the toxic effects of β-CYP, its isomers, metabolite 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), and 17β-estradiol (E2) on HTR-8/SVneo cells. We focused on the toxic mechanisms of β-CYP and its specific isomers. Our results showed that β-CYP and its isomers inhibit HTR-8/SVneo cell proliferation similarly to E2, with 100 μM 1S-trans-αR displaying significant toxicity after 48 h. Notably, 1S-trans-αR, 1R-trans-αS, and β-CYP were more potent in inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest than 1R-cis-αS and 1S-cis-αR at 48 h. AO/EB staining and flow cytometry indicated dose-dependent apoptosis in HTR-8/SVneo cells, particularly at 100 μM 1R-trans-αS. Scratch assays revealed that β-CYP and its isomers variably reduced cell migration. Receptor inhibition assays demonstrated that post-ICI 182780 treatment, which inhibits estrogen receptor α (ERα) or estrogen receptor β (ERβ), β-CYP, its isomers, and E2 reduced HTR-8/SVneo cell viability, whereas milrinone, a phosphodiesterase 3 A (PDE3A) inhibitor, increased viability. Molecular docking studies indicated a higher affinity of β-CYP, its isomers, and E2 for PDE3A than for ERα or ERβ. Consequently, β-CYP, its isomers, and E2 consistently led to decreased cell viability. Transcriptomics and RT-qPCR analyses showed differential expression in treated cells: up-regulation of Il24 and Ptgs2, and down-regulation of Myo7a and Pdgfrb, suggesting the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway as a potential route for toxicity. This study aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the cytotoxicity of chiral pesticides and their mechanisms.

High cGMP and low PDE3A activity are associated with oocyte meiotic incompetence

Resumption of meiosis in mammalian oocytes, defined as oocyte maturation, is stimulated by luteinizing hormone (LH). Fully grown oocytes can also mature spontaneously, upon their release from the ovarian follicle. However, growing oocytes fail to resume meiosis in vitro and the mechanism underlying their meiotic incompetence is unknown. It is commonly accepted that a drop in intraoocyte cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) resulting in the elevated activity of the oocyte-specific PDE3A leads to a decrease in cAMP content, essential for reinitiation of meiosis. We explored the regulation of these cyclic nucleotides and their degrading PDE3A in growing oocytes. Our research addressed the LH-induced rather than spontaneous oocyte maturation. We examined 16-21 as compared to 25-day-old, PMSG-primed rats, treated with the LH analog, hCG. The effect of LH was also examined ex vivo, in isolated ovarian follicles. We found that hCG failed to induce oocyte maturation and ovulation in the younger animals and that ovulation-associated genes were not upregulated in response to this gonadotropin. Furthemore, the drop of intraoocyte cGMP and cAMP observed in fully grown oocytes upon exposure of the ovary to LH, was not detected in growing oocytes. Interestingly, whereas the global expression of PDE3A in growing and fully grown oocytes is similar, a significantly lower activity of this enzyme was determined in growing oocytes. Our findings show that meiotic incompetence is associated with a relatively high oocyte cGMP concentration and a low activity of PDE3A, which in follicle-enclosed oocytes may represent the failure of the somatic follicle cells to respond to LH.

Targeting phosphodiesterases in anti-platelet therapy

There are two primary modes of platelet inhibition: blockade of membrane receptors or neutralization of intracellular pathways. Both means of inhibition have proven benefits in the prevention and resolution of atherothrombotic events. With regard to intracellular inhibition, phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are fundamental for platelet function. Platelets possess several PDEs (PDE2, PDE3 and PDE5) that catalyze the hydrolysis of cyclic adenosine 3'-5'-monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine 3'-5'-monophosphate (cGMP), thereby limiting the levels of intracellular nucleotides. PDE inhibitors, such as cilostazol and dipyridamole, dampen platelet function by increasing cAMP and cGMP levels. This review focuses on the roles of PDE inhibitors in modulating platelet function, with particular attention paid to drugs that have anti-platelet clinical indications.

Review: Spatiotemporal dynamics of hCG/cAMP signaling and regulation of placental function

The pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is essential to sustain early pregnancy and involved in regulation of progesterone production, decidualization, and cytotrophoblast differentiation. It binds to and activates the G-protein coupled luteinizing hormone/hCG-receptor, activating the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway which results in the phosphorylation of specific intracellular target proteins. Specificity in cAMP signaling is ensured by generation of localized pools of cAMP controlled by phosphodiesterases and by discrete spatial and temporal activation of PKA in supramolecular signaling clusters inside the cell organized by A-kinase-anchoring proteins. Here we discuss spatiotemporal regulation of PKA signaling in response to hCG controlling placental function.

Identification of cytosolic phosphodiesterases in the erythrocyte: a possible role for PDE5

Background

Within erythrocytes (RBCs), cAMP levels are regulated by phosphodiesterases (PDEs). Increases in cAMP and ATP release associated with activation of β-adrenergic receptors (βARs) and prostacyclin receptors (IPRs) are regulated by PDEs 2, 4 and PDE 3, respectively. Here we establish the presence of cytosolic PDEs in RBCs and determine a role for PDE5 in regulating levels of cGMP.

Material/Methods

Purified cytosolic proteins were obtained from isolated human RBCs and western analysis was performed using antibodies against PDEs 3A, 4 and 5. Rabbit RBCs were incubated with dbcGMP, a cGMP analog, to determine the effect of cGMP on cAMP levels. To determine if cGMP affects receptor-mediated increases in cAMP, rabbit RBCs were incubated with dbcGMP prior to addition of isoproterenol (ISO), a βAR receptor agonist. To demonstrate that endogenous cGMP produces the same effect, rabbit and human RBCs were incubated with SpNONOate (SpNO), a nitric oxide donor, and YC1, a direct activator of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), in the absence and presence of a selective PDE5 inhibitor, zaprinast (ZAP).

Results

Western analysis identified PDEs 3A, 4D and 5A. dbcGMP produced a concentration dependent increase in cAMP and ISO-induced increases in cAMP were potentiated by dbcGMP. In addition, incubation with YC1 and SpNO in the presence of ZAP potentiated βAR-induced increases in cAMP.

Conclusions

PDEs 2, 3A and 5 are present in the cytosol of human RBCs. PDE5 activity in RBCs regulates cGMP levels. Increases in intracellular cGMP augment cAMP levels. These studies suggest a novel role for PDE5 in erythrocytes.

Overview of PDEs and their regulation

Contraction and relaxation of vascular smooth muscle and cardiac myocytes are key physiological events in the cardiovascular system. These events are regulated by second messengers, cAMP and cGMP, in response to extracellular stimulants. The strength of signal transduction is controlled by intracellular cyclic nucleotide concentrations, which are determined by a balance in production and degradation of cAMP and cGMP. Degradation of cyclic nucleotides is catalyzed by 3',5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs), and therefore regulation of PDEs hydrolytic activity is important for modulation of cellular functions. Mammalian PDEs are composed of 21 genes and are categorized into 11 families based on sequence homology, enzymatic properties, and sensitivity to inhibitors. PDE families contain many splice variants that mostly are unique in tissue-expression patterns, gene regulation, enzymatic regulation by phosphorylation and regulatory proteins, subcellular localization, and interaction with association proteins. Each unique variant is closely related to the regulation of a specific cellular signaling. Thus, multiple PDEs function as a particular modulator of each cardiovascular function and regulate physiological homeostasis.

Isoforms of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase PDE3A in cardiac myocytes

PDE3A cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases regulate cAMP- and cGMP-mediated intracellular signaling in cardiac myocytes. We used antibodies to different regions of PDE3A to demonstrate the presence of three PDE3A isoforms in these cells. These isoforms, whose apparent molecular weights are 136,000, 118,000, and 94,000 ("PDE3A-136," "PDE3A-118," and "PDE3A-94"), are identical save for the deletion of different lengths of N-terminal sequence containing two membrane-association domains and sites for phosphorylation/activation by protein kinase B ("PK-B") and protein kinase A ("PK-A"). PDE3A-136 contains both membrane-association domains and the PK-B and PK-A sites. PDE3A-118 contains only the downstream membrane-association domain and the PK-A sites. PDE3A-94 lacks both membrane localization domains and the PK-B and PK-A sites. The three isoforms are translated from two mRNAs derived from the PDE3A1 gene: PDE3A-136 is translated from PDE3A1 mRNA, whereas PDE3A-118 and PDE3A-94 are translated from PDE3A2 mRNA. Experiments involving in vitro transcription/translation indicate that PDE3A-118 and PDE3A-94 may be translated from different AUGs in PDE3A2 mRNA. These findings suggest that alternative transcriptional and post-transcriptional processing of the PDE3A gene results in the generation of two mRNAs and three protein isoforms in cardiac myocytes that differ with respect to intracellular localization and may be regulated through different signaling pathways.

Role of phosphodiesterase type 3A in rat oocyte maturation

It is generally accepted that cyclic nucleotides are key signaling molecules in the control of oocyte meiotic resumption. Given the role of phosphodiesterases (PDEs) in cyclic nucleotide degradation, this study was undertaken to investigate the properties and regulation of PDEs expressed in rat oocytes. Cilostamide-sensitive PDE3 was the major activity detected in denuded oocytes, whereas no PDE3 activity could be detected in cumulus cells. Moreover, comparable levels of PDE3 activity were measured in cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and in denuded oocytes. The oocyte PDE was recovered in the soluble fraction of the homogenate and immunoprecipitated with a specific PDE3A antibody. A significant and transient increase (P < 0.05) in PDE3 activity was measured in the oocytes after 30 min of culture (70 min after isolation) compared with immediately after collection (10 min after isolation). Conversely, no changes in activity were observed when denuded oocytes or cumulus cells were incubated for up to 130 min. Evaluation of oocyte maturation indicated that only 10% of oocytes had resumed meiosis at the peak of the PDE3 activity. A significant increase (P < 0.05) in PDE3 activity was measured in COCs when follicle-enclosed oocytes were cultured in the presence of hCG. Again, this increase preceded oocyte maturation. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that PDE3A is the major PDE form expressed in mammalian oocytes. PDE3A activity increases prior to resumption of meiosis in both spontaneous and gonadotropin-stimulated maturation. These findings strongly support the hypothesis that an increase in oocyte PDE3A activity is one of the intraoocyte mechanisms controlling resumption of meiosis in rat oocytes, at least in vitro.

Cloning and characterization of the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-inhibited phosphodiesterase PDE3A expressed in mouse oocyte

In the preovulatory follicle, oocyte meiotic resumption occurs soon after the LH surge and is associated with a decrease in cAMP. Inhibition of cAMP degradation blocks germinal vesicle breakdown as well as activation of meiotic promoting factor, both hallmarks of reentry into the cell cycle. In situ and pharmacological analysis of rodent ovaries suggested the presence of a phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3) in the germ cell but not the somatic cell compartment. Here we have investigated the structure and properties of the PDE form expressed in mouse oocytes. Polymerase chain reactions using a mouse oocyte cDNA library as a template, and primers based on the conserved sequence of rat and human PDE3As, yielded partial fragments corresponding to mouse PDE3A. Further screening of the mouse oocyte cDNA library and subsequent ligation of individual cDNA clones yielded PDE3A cDNA containing the entire coding region of mouse PDE3A. To determine the kinetic properties of this PDE, the cDNAs encoding the full-length PDE3A and NH(2)-truncation forms Delta 1 (Delta346aa) and Delta 2 (Delta608aa) were expressed in mouse Leydig tumor cells. Whereas the full-length recombinant protein was always found in the particulate fraction, the Delta 1 and Delta 2 truncated PDE3As were recovered mostly in the soluble fraction. The Michaelis constant values for hydrolysis of cAMP of PDE3A Delta 1 and PDE3A Delta 2 were similar to those of intact full-length PDE3A or oocyte PDE (0.2-0.5 microM). More importantly, there was good correlation between the rank of potency of selective and nonselective compounds in inhibiting recombinant PDE3A or PDE activity derived from cumulus-oocyte complexes and in blocking resumption of meiosis. These data provide evidence that the PDE expressed in the oocyte is a soluble form of PDE3A and that activity of this enzyme is involved in the control of resumption of meiosis.

Membrane localization of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3). Two N-terminal domains are required for the efficient targeting to, and association of, PDE3 with endoplasmic reticulum

Subcellular localization of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) may be important in compartmentalization of cAMP/cGMP signaling responses. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, mouse (M) PDE3B was associated with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as indicated by its immunofluorescent colocalization with the ER protein BiP and subcellular fractionation studies. In transfected NIH 3006 or COS-7 cells, recombinant wild-type PDE3A and PDE3B isoforms were both found almost exclusively in the ER. The N-terminal portion of PDE3 can be arbitrarily divided into region 1 (aa 1-300), which contains a large hydrophobic domain with six predicted transmembrane helices, followed by region 2 (aa 301-500) containing a smaller hydrophobic domain (of approximately 50 aa). To investigate the role of regions 1 and 2 in membrane association, we examined the subcellular localization of a series of catalytically active, Flag-tagged N-terminal-truncated human (H) PDE3A and MPDE3B recombinants, as well as a series of fragments from regions 1 and 2 of MPDE3B synthesized as enhanced green fluorescent (EGFP) fusion proteins in COS-7 cells. In COS-7 cells, the localization of a mutant HPDE3A, lacking the first 189 amino acids (aa) and therefore four of the six predicted transmembrane helices (H3A-Delta189), was virtually identical to that of the wild type. M3B-Delta302 (lacking region 1) and H3A-Delta397 (lacking region 1 as well as part of region 2) retained, to different degrees, the ability to associate with membranes, albeit less efficiently than H3A-Delta189. Proteins that lacked both regions 1 and 2, H3A-Delta510 and M3B-Delta604, did not associate with membranes. Consistent with these findings, region 1 EGFP-MPDE3B fusion proteins colocalized with the ER, whereas region 2 EGFP fusion proteins were diffusely distributed. Thus, some portion of the N-terminal hydrophobic domain in region 1 plus a second domain in region 2 are important for efficient membrane association/targeting of PDE3.

Cyclic nucleotide hydrolysis in bovine aortic endothelial cells in culture: differential regulation in cobblestone and spindle phenotypes

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) were investigated in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells having two phenotypes, cobblestone and spindle, representing, respectively, the resting and angiogenic phenotypes in vivo. Spindle cell homogenates displayed higher hydrolytic activities towards cAMP (52%) and cGMP (10-fold). These increases were due to: (1) increased number of spindle PDE isozymes in the cytosolic fraction (for cAMP: PDE1, PDE2, PDE3 and PDE4 compared to PDE2 and PDE4 in cobblestone; for cGMP: PDE2 and PDE5 compared to PDE2 in cobblestone); (2) increased spindle-specific activities of cytosolic and particulate PDE2, cytosolic PDE3 and particulate PDE4. These changes were associated with an increase in spindle transcripts: 7.5 kb PDE3A (6-fold) and 7.0 kb PDE4D (3-fold). Moreover, cAMP hydrolysis in the two phenotypes was differently regulated by 5 microM cGMP: 60% increase in total cAMP-PDE activity in cobblestone homogenate related to PDE2 stimulation; 30% decrease in spindle homogenate related to PDE3 inhibition. This underlines the roles played by PDE2, PDE3 and PDE5 in the cross-talk involving the two cyclic nucleotides. These changes in PDE isozyme expression along with the cross-talk between cAMP and cGMP may well modulate NO production and consequently might participate in angiogenesis, making PDEs potential targets to modulate angiogenesis.

Therapeutic potential of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors in heart failure

There are several reasons to believe that agents that augment cAMP-mediated signalling in cardiac myocytes should have beneficial effects in patients with heart failure. However, clinical trials of first-generation cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE3) inhibitors, which raise cAMP content by blocking its hydrolysis, have shown that chronic administration of these drugs affect survival adversely. The problem may be the non-selective activation of a broad spectrum of cAMP-regulated cellular responses these agents elicit. More selective (or alternatively selective) cyclic nucleotide PDE inhibitors might improve results by evoking a more restricted set of cellular responses.

Cardiac type cGMP-inhibited phosphodiesterase (PDE3A) gene structure: similarity and difference to adipocyte type PDE3B gene

Phosphodiesterase type 3 isoforms, PDE3A and 3B, are expressed primarily in cardiovascular and adipose tissues, respectively. We previously reported a shorter transcript of 4.4-kb PDE3A which is predominantly transcribed in human placenta, whereas a full-length 7. 6-kb transcript corresponding to the cardiac PDE3A cDNA has not been characterized. Due to unfortunate circumstances created by changes in PDE3 nomenclature, PDE3B gene structure previously reported used PDE3A in its title. Here, we describe PDE3A gene structure, which comprises 16 exons spanning over 130 kb on chromosome 12p12. Two PDE3 isoforms share similar gene organization, but localize to different chromosomes. The most distal transcription initiation site of the PDE3A gene is approximately 1071 bases upstream of the ATG site, suggesting that exon 1 consists of 1071 and 960 bp of untranslated and translated sequences, respectively. The proximal 5'-flanking region, which does not contain TATA-like sequences, exhibited weak but significant promoter activity. Results suggest potential involvement of distal promoter/enhancer and translational regulation for expression of the 7.6-kb transcript.

The molecular biology of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases

Recent progress in the field of cyclic nucleotides has shown that a large array of closely related proteins is involved in each step of the signal transduction cascade. Nine families of adenylyl cyclases catalyze the synthesis of the second messenger cAMP, and protein kinases A, the intracellular effectors of cAMP, are composed of four regulatory and three catalytic subunits. A comparable heterogeneity has been discovered for the enzymes involved in the inactivation of cyclic nucleotide signaling. In mammals, 19 different genes encode the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs), the enzymes that hydrolyze and inactivate cAMP and cGMP. This is only an initial level of complexity, because each PDE gene contains several distinct transcriptional units that give rise to proteins with subtle structural differences, bringing the number of the PDE proteins close to 50. The molecular biology of PDEs in Drosophila and Dictyostelium has shed some light on the role of PDE diversity in signaling and development. However, much needs to be done to understand the exact function of these enzymes, particularly during mammalian development and cell differentiation. With the identification and mapping of regulatory and targeting domains of the PDEs, modularity of the PDE structure is becoming an established tenet in the PDE field. The use of different transcriptional units and exon splicing of a single PDE gene generates proteins with different regulatory domains joined to a common catalytic domain, therefore expanding the array of isoforms with subtle differences in properties and sensitivities to different signals. The physiological context in which these different isoforms function is still largely unknown and undoubtedly will be a major area of expansion in the years to come.

Expression of cyclic GMP-inhibited phosphodiesterases 3A and 3B (PDE3A and PDE3B) in rat tissues: differential subcellular localization and regulated expression by cyclic AMP

A combination of pharmacological, molecular biological and biochemical approaches were used to investigate the differential expression of two cyclic GMP-inhibited cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase genes (PDE3A and PDE3B) in the rat. RT PCR using PDE3A- or PDE3B-specific oligonucleotide primers allowed amplification of products encoding PDE3A (508 bp) or PDE3B (499 bp) sequences from several rat tissues (heart, aorta, liver, kidney and epididymal fat), from primary cultures of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) as well as from an SV40 large T-antigen immortalized aortic VSMC line. Immunoblotting experiments with PDE3-selective antisera allowed the detection of both PDE3A and PDE3B immunoreactive proteins in several rat tissues, including tissues of the cardiovascular system, in primary cultures of aortic VSMC and in an SV40 large T-antigen immortalized aortic VSMC line. In all cases, PDE3A was expressed as a 120 kDa protein which was only detected in the cytosolic fraction. PDE3B was expressed as a 135 kDa protein and its expression was limited to the particulate fraction of all tissues and cells studied. Prolonged incubation of cultured aortic VSMC with agents that increase VSMC cyclic AMP (forskolin or 8-bromo-cyclic AMP) produced marked time-dependent increases in PDE3 activity which correlated with increases in PDE3A and PDE3B RT PCR signals and a marked increase in particulate PDE3 activity and PDE3B protein. The physiological, pharmacological and biochemical implications of these findings are discussed based on previous reports of the effects of PDE3 inhibitors in the cardiovascular system and the relevance of our findings are presented in the context of the development of PDE3A and/or PDE3B-selective pharmacological agents.

Phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitors suppress oocyte maturation and consequent pregnancy without affecting ovulation and cyclicity in rodents

During each reproductive cycle, a preovulatory surge of gonadotropins induces meiotic maturation of the oocyte in the preovulatory follicle followed by ovulation. Although gonadotropins stimulate cAMP production in somatic cells of the follicle, a decrease in intra-oocyte cAMP levels is required for resumption of meiosis in oocytes. Based on the observed compartmentalization of the cAMP-degrading enzyme, phosphodiesterase, in follicular somatic and germ cells, inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 3 were used to block meiosis in ovulating oocytes in rodents. By this strategy, we demonstrated that fertilization and pregnancy could be prevented without disturbing follicle rupture and normal estrous cyclicity. In contrast to conventional contraceptive pills that disrupt ovarian steroidogenesis and reproductive cycles, the present strategy achieves effective contraception by selective blockage of oocyte maturation and development without alterations in ovulation and reproductive cyclicity.

Expression and characterization of deletion recombinants of two cGMP-inhibited cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDE-3)

cDNAs encoding two PDE-3 or cyclic GMP-inhibited (cGI) cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoforms, RPDE-3B (RcGIP1) and HPDE-3A (HcGIP2), were cloned from rat (R) adipose tissue and human (H) heart cDNA libraries. Deletion and N- and C-terminal truncation mutants were expressed in Escherichia coli in order to define their catalytic core. Active mutants of both RPDE-3B and HPDE-3A included the domain conserved among all PDEs plus additional upstream and downstream sequences. An RPDE-3B mutant consisting of the conserved domain alone and one from which the RPDE-3B 44-amino acid insertion was deleted exhibited little or no activity. All active recombinants exhibited a high affinity (< 1 microM) for cyclic AMP (cAMP) and cyclic GMP (cGMP), were inhibited by cAMP, cGMP, and cilostamide, but not by rolipram, and were photolabeled with [32P]-cGMP. The IC50 values for cGMP inhibition of cAMP hydrolysis were lower for HPDE-3A than for RPDE-3B recombinants. The deduced amino acid sequences of HPDE-3A and RPDE-3B catalytic domains are very similar except for the 44-amino acid insertion not found in other PDEs. It is possible that this insertion may not only distinguish PDE-3 catalytic domains from other PDEs and identify catalytic domains of PDE-3 subfamilies or conserved members of the PDE-3 gene family, but may also be involved in the regulation of sensitivity of PDE-3s to cGMP.

Downregulation of right ventricular phosphodiesterase PDE-3A mRNA and protein before the development of canine heart failure

Phosphodiesterase III (PDE-3) inhibitors are inotropes used to treat congestive heart failure (HF). Previous studies showed PDE-3A mRNA levels were reduced in the left ventricle (LV) in dogs subjected to pacing-induced HF. The present study evaluated a time-course for RV-specific changes in PDE-3A mRNAs and proteins after pacing for 3 wk (n = 4) or in HF (4-5 wk; n = 4-6). Total RNA from LV/RV tissues was isolated for Northern analyses; cytosolic and microsomal proteins were prepared for PDE-3A immunoblots. PDE-3A mRNAs (7-8 and 10 kb) were normalized against glyceraldehyde-3-phosphodehydrogenase (GAPDH) or ribosomal 18s with similar results. PDE-3A/GAPDH ratios in 3 wk were unchanged in LV, but significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by 48% in RV vs unpaced controls (n = 8). In contrast, PDE-3A (7-8 kb)/GAPDH ratios were significantly reduced in HF by 50-59% in both ventricles. Consistent with mRNA levels, significant reductions in microsomal 135 kDa (93-96%) and cytosolic 120 kDa PDE-3A (57-69%) were seen in both ventricles in HF or in the RV at 3 wk; an LV-specific reduction (50%) in cytosolic 80 kDa PDE-3A in HF was also detected. In summary, RV-specific downregulation of PDE-3A mRNA/protein(s) at 3 wk suggests that hemodynamic rather than humoral mechanisms are responsible, and provides a molecular basis for the limited efficacy of milrinone in the progression of HF.

Photoregulation of cot-1, a kinase-encoding gene involved in hyphal growth in Neurospora crassa

Blue light plays a key role as an environmental signal in the regulation of growth and development of fungi and plants. Here we demonstrate that in Neurospora crassa hyphae branch more frequently in cultures grown in light. Previous studies had identified cot-1 as a gene that controls apical hyphal cell elongation. In the cot-1 mutant, cessation of elongation is accompanied by hyperbranching. Here we demonstrate that the cot-1 gene encodes two transcript species of about 2100 nt (cot-1 (s)) and about 2400 nt (cot-1 (l)) in length and that the ratio of both transcript species abundance is photoregulated. The origin of the difference between cot-1 (l) and cot-1 (s) was localized to the 5' end of the cot-1 transcripts, suggesting that two COT1 isoforms with different activities may be formed. Both light effects, on branching and on cot-1 expression, were dependent on functional wc-1 and wc-2 gene products. In addition to light, L-sorbose comprises another environmental cue that controls hyphal branching in N. crassa. In the presence of L-sorbose, photoregulation of cot-1 was blocked, suggesting the involvement of alternative and potentially interdependent signaling pathways for the regulation of hyphal elongation/branching.

Phosphorylation and activation of hormone-sensitive adipocyte phosphodiesterase type 3B

Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) include a large group of structurally related enzymes that belong to at least seven related gene families (PDEs 1-7) that differ in their primary structure, affinity for cAMP and cGMP, response to specific effectors, sensitivity to specific inhibitors, and regulatory mechanism. One characteristic of PDE3s involves their phosphorylation and activation in response to insulin as well as to agents that increase cAMP in adipocytes, hepatocytes, and platelets and in response to insulin-like growth factor 1 in pancreatic beta cells. In adipocytes, activation of the membrane-associated PDE3B is the major mechanism whereby insulin antagonizes catecholamine-induced lipolysis. PDE3B activation results in increased degradation of cAMP and, thereby, a lowering of the activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). The reduced activity of PKA leads to a net dephosphorylation and decreased activity of hormone-sensitive lipase and reduced hydrolysis of triglycerides. Activation of the rat adipocyte PDE3B by insulin is associated with phosphorylation of serine-302. The mechanism whereby insulin stimulation leads to phosphorylation/activation of PDE3B is only partly understood. In rat adipocytes, lipolytic hormones and other agents that increase cAMP, including isoproterenol, also induce rapid phosphorylation, presumably catalyzed by PKA, of serine-302 of PDE3B. The phosphorylation is associated with activation of the enzyme, most likely representing "feedback" regulation of cAMP, presumably allowing close coupling of the regulation of steady-state concentrations of both cAMP and PKA and, thereby, control of lipolysis. In the review we describe methods and strategies used in the authors' laboratories to study phosphorylation and activation of PDE3B in adipocytes and in vitro.

Development of decompensated dilated cardiomyopathy is associated with decreased gene expression and activity of the milrinone-sensitive cAMP phosphodiesterase PDE3A

BACKGROUND

Phosphodiesterase III (PDE3) inhibitors are inotropic agents used to treat congestive heart failure (CHF) and are less effective in patients with severe CHF. Little is known about relative changes in PDE3 activity or gene expression during the evolution of cardiomyopathy.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In the present study, we evaluated temporal changes in PDE3A gene expression before and after pacing-induced CHF in nine mongrel dogs. Three weeks of left ventricular (LV) pacing produced LV end-diastolic pressures of 15+/-1.7 mm Hg, whereas overt CHF at 4 to 5 weeks was associated with LV end-diastolic pressures of 24+/-1.7 mm Hg; prepacing values were 6.6+/-0.6 mm Hg. Total RNA isolated from LV tissues was analyzed on Northern blots; 10 unpaced normal hearts served as tissue controls. Signals for PDE3A mRNAs (7, 8, and 10 kb) or PDE4D (7.6 kb) were normalized against glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) or ribosomal 18S RNA. Before the onset of CHF, PDE3A/GAPDH ratios were not different between the control and 3-week paced groups. In contrast, all PDE3A/GAPDH ratios were selectively reduced by 52%, and PDE3A/18S was reduced by 70% (P<.05) in CHF; PDE4D/GAPDH (or 18S) was unchanged. LV tissues from four control and four CHF dogs were also processed to isolate cytosolic and microsomal membrane protein for cAMP PDE3 activity assays. CHF was associated with a significant 54% reduction (P<.05) in microsomal but not cytosolic PDE3 activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Selective downregulation of PDE3A may account in part for the ineffectiveness of milrinone in the treatment of severe CHF.

Expression and mutagenesis of the catalytic domain of cGMP-inhibited phosphodiesterase (PDE3) cloned from human platelets

We have used reverse transcriptase PCR, platelet mRNA and degenerate primers based on platelet peptide sequences, to amplify a fragment of platelet cGMP-inhibited phosphodiesterase (cGI-PDE; PDE3). Sequence analysis of this clone established that both the platelet and the cardiac forms of PDE3 were derived from the same gene (PDE3A). A RT-PCR product representing the C-terminal half of platelet PDE3 cDNA and corresponding to amino acid residues 560-1141 of the cardiac enzyme, was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli cGI-PDEDelta1. Further deletion mutants were constructed by removing either an additional 100 amino acids from the N-terminus (cGI-PDEDelta2) or the 44-amino-acid insert characteristic of the PDE3 family, from the catalytic domain (cGI-PDEDelta1Deltai). In addition, site-directed mutagenesis was performed to explore the function of the 44-amino-acid insert. All mutants were evaluated for their ability to hydrolyse cAMP and cGMP, their ability to be photolabelled by [32P]cGMP and for the effects of PDE3 inhibitors. The Km values for hydrolysis of cAMP and cGMP by immunoprecipitates of cGI-PDEDelta1 (182+/-12 nM and 153+/-12 nM respectively) and cGI-PDEDelta2 (131+/-17 nM and 99+/-1 nM respectively) were significantly lower than those for immunoprecipitates of intact platelet PDE3 (398+/-50 nM and 252+/-16 nM respectively). Moreover, N-terminal truncations of platelet enzyme increased the ratio of Vmax for cGMP/Vmax for cAMP from 0.16+/-0.01 in intact platelet enzyme, to 0.37+/-0.05 in cGI-PDEDelta1 and to 0.49+/-0.04 in cGI-PDEDelta2. Thus deletion of the N-terminus enhanced hydrolysis of cGMP relative to cAMP, suggesting that N-terminal sequences may exert selective effects on enzyme activity. Removal of the 44-amino-acid insert generated a mutant with a catalytic domain closely resembling those of other PDE gene families but despite a limited ability to be photolabelled by [32P]cGMP, no cyclic nucleotide hydrolytic activities of the mutant were detectable. Mutation of amino acid residues in putative beta-turns at the beginning and end of the 44-amino-acid insert to alanine residues markedly reduced the ability of the enzyme to hydrolyse cyclic nucleotides. The PDE3 inhibitor, lixazinone, retained the ability to inhibit cAMP hydrolysis and [32P]cGMP binding by the N-terminal deletion mutants and the site-directed mutants, suggesting that PDE3 inhibitors may interact exclusively with the catalytic domain of the enzyme.

Characterization of two recombinant PDE3 (cGMP-inhibited cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase) isoforms, RcGIP1 and HcGIP2, expressed in NIH 3006 murine fibroblasts and Sf9 insect cells

cDNAs encoding PDE3 [cGMP-inhibited cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (cGI PDE)] isoforms, cGIP1 and cGIP2, have been cloned from rat (R) and human (H) cDNA libraries. The deduced amino acid sequences of RcGIP1 and HcGIP2 are very similar in their conserved catalytic domains but differ in their N-terminal regulatory domains [Meacci, E., et al. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89, 3721-3725; Taira, M., et al. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 18573-18579]. cDNAs encoding both rat adipocyte RcGIP1 and human myocardial HcGIP2 (full-length forms and truncated forms lacking much of the putative N-terminal domain) were expressed in NIH 3006 fibroblasts and in Sf9 insect cells. The recombinant proteins exhibited the expected subunit molecular mass, immunologic reactivities, and characteristics of native membrane-associated forms of the enzymes, e.g., high affinity for cAMP (Km), sensitivity to the selective cGI PDE inhibitors OPC 3689 and OPC 3911 and to cGMP. The full-length recombinants were predominantly particulate, whereas the truncated HcGIP2 forms were cytosolic suggesting that N-terminal domains contain structural determinants important for membrane association. Both fibroblast RcGIP1 and authentic adipocyte cGI PDE were phosphorylated in vitro by cAMP-dependent protein kinase; tryptic [32P]peptides released from rat adipocyte 32P-cGI PDE and 32P-RcGIP1 exhibited identical electrophoretic profiles suggesting that the same peptides are phosphorylated in both.

Insulin receptor substrate 1 binds two novel splice variants of the regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in muscle and brain

We have identified two novel alternatively spliced forms of the p85alpha regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase by expression screening of a human skeletal muscle library with phosphorylated baculovirus- produced human insulin receptor substrate 1. One form is identical to p85alpha throughout the region which encodes both Src homology 2 (SH2) domains and the inter-SH2 domain/p110 binding region but diverges in sequence from p85alpha on the 5' side of nucleotide 953, where the entire break point cluster gene and SH3 regions are replaced by a unique 34-amino-acid N terminus. This form has an estimated molecular mass of approximately 53 kDa and has been termed p85/AS53. The second form is identical to p85 and p85/AS53 except for a 24-nucleotide insert between the SH2 domains that results in a replacement of aspartic acid 605 with nine amino acids, adding two potential serine phosphorylation sites in the vicinity of the known serine autophosphorylation site (Ser-608). Northern (RNA) analyses reveal a wide tissue distribution of p85alpha, whereas p85/AS53 is dominant in skeletal muscle and brain, and the insert isoforms are restricted to cardiac muscle and skeletal muscle. Western blot (immunoblot) analyses using an anti-p85 polyclonal antibody and a specific anti-p85/AS53 antibody confirmed the tissue distribution of p85/AS53 protein and indicate a approximately 7-fold higher expression of p85/AS53 protein than of p85 in skeletal muscle. Both p85 and p85/AS53 bind to p110 in coprecipitation experiments, but p85alpha itself appears to have preferential binding to insulin receptor substrate 1 following insulin stimulation. These data indicate that the gene for the p85alpha regulatory subunit of PI 3-kinase can undergo tissue-specific alternative splicing. Two novel splice variants of the regulatory subunit of PI 3-kinase are present in skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and brain; these variants may have important functional differences in activity and may play a role in tissue-specific signals such as insulin-stimulated glucose transport or control of neurotransmitter secretion or action.