Isolation of similar rolipram-inhibitable cyclic-AMP-specific phosphodiesterases from rat brain and heart

Prediction and validation of a mechanism to control the threshold for inhibitory synaptic plasticity

Synaptic plasticity, neuronal activity-dependent sustained alteration of the efficacy of synaptic transmission, underlies learning and memory. Activation of positive-feedback signaling pathways by an increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) has been implicated in synaptic plasticity. However, the mechanism that determines the [Ca²⁺]_i threshold for inducing synaptic plasticity is elusive. Here, we developed a kinetic simulation model of inhibitory synaptic plasticity in the cerebellum, and systematically analyzed the behavior of intricate molecular networks composed of protein kinases, phosphatases, etc. The simulation showed that Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), which is essential for the induction of synaptic plasticity, was persistently activated or suppressed in response to different combinations of stimuli. The sustained CaMKII activation depended on synergistic actions of two positive-feedback reactions, CaMKII autophosphorylation and CaMKII-mediated inhibition of a CaM-dependent phosphodiesterase, PDE1. The simulation predicted that PDE1-mediated feedforward inhibition of CaMKII predominantly controls the Ca²⁺ threshold, which was confirmed by electrophysiological experiments in primary cerebellar cultures. Thus, combined application of simulation and experiments revealed that the Ca²⁺ threshold for the cerebellar inhibitory synaptic plasticity is primarily determined by PDE1.

Production and characterization of pharmacologically active recombinant human phosphodiesterase 4B in Dictyostelium discoideum

Phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B) is an important therapeutic target for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. To identify PDE4 subtype-specific compounds using high-throughput assays, full-length recombinant PDE4 proteins are needed in bulk quantity. In the present study, full-length human PDE4B2 was expressed in the cellular slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum (Dd). A cell density of 2 x 10(7) cells/mL was obtained and up to 1 mg/L recombinant PDE4B2 was purified through Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. The expressed protein was soluble and its activity was comparable to PDE4B2 protein expressed in mammalian cells (K(m)=1.7 microM). The functional significance of the Dd expression system is supported by the demonstration that, in concert with proteins expressed in mammalian systems, there are no major changes in the affinity for PDE4B2 inhibitors and substrates. These findings thus provide the first evidence that Dd can be utilized for the expression and purification of functionally active full-length human PDE4B2 in large amounts required for high-throughput screening of pharmacologically active compounds against this therapeutic target.

Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors in the treatment of inflammatory lung disease

Phosphodiesterases (PDE) belong to an important family of proteins that regulate the intracellular levels of cyclic nucleotide second messengers. Targeting PDE with selective inhibitors may offer novel therapeutic strategies in the treatment of various conditions, and in the context of respiratory disease these include asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The rationale for such an approach stems, in part, from the clinical efficacy of theophylline, an orally active drug that is purportedly a nonselective PDE inhibitor. In addition, intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels regulate the function of many of the cells thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD, and these cells also selectively express PDE4. This has offered pharmaceutical companies the opportunity to selectively targeting these enzymes for the treatment of these diseases. Finally, the success of targeting PDE5 in the treatment of erectile dysfunction provides clinical proof of concept for the targeting of PDE in disease. Whether a 'Viagra' of the airways can be found for the treatment of asthma and COPD remains to be seen, but positive results from recent clinical studies examining the efficacy of selective PDE4 inhibitors such as cilomilast and roflumilast offer some optimism. However, one of the major issues to be resolved is the tolerability profile associated with this drug class that is a consequence of PDE4 inhibition. While cilomilast and roflumilast have low emetic potential they are not free from emesis and various strategies are being investigated in the hope of developing a PDE4 inhibitor without this adverse effect.

Inhibitory effects of rolipram on partially purified phosphodiesterase 4 from rat brains

Several previous studies have demonstrated that the phosphodiesterase 4 selective inhibitor rolipram affects cellular function at a much lower concentration than the reported Ki value for phosphodiesterase 4 inhibition. In this study, we examined the inhibitory effect of rolipram on rat brain phosphodiesterase 4 to determine the heterogeneity of the enzyme activity. Partial purification of various phosphodiesterases from the rat brain was performed by anion-exchange chromatography. The eluant was pooled into four fractions, two of which manifested cAMP-selective phosphodiesterase activity that was blocked by 10 microM of rolipram, indicating the presence of phosphodiesterase 4 in these fractions. The IC50 of rolipram (racemate) of these two fractions was 492 and 79 nM, respectively. The R-(-)-enantiomer of rolipram inhibited the cAMP-phosphodiesterase activity in the latter fraction 10 times more than did S-(+)-rolipram, and the inhibition of the former fraction was less stereospecific. Dixon plot analysis revealed that the rolipram enantiomers inhibited the cAMP-phosphodiesterase in the latter fraction in a multiphasic manner, with two Ki values, one at the micromolar level and the other at the sub-micromolar level, respectively, for both of the enantiomers. These results suggest that there is a heterogeneity for phosphodiesterase 4 in the rat brain, and some of the phosphodiesterase forms are sensitive to rolipram.

Dual inhibition of human type 4 phosphodiesterase isostates by (R, R)-(+/-)-methyl 3-acetyl-4-[3-(cyclopentyloxy)-4-methoxyphenyl]-3- methyl-1-pyrrolidinecarboxylate

Purified recombinant human type 4 phosphodiesterase B2B (HSPDE4B2B) exists in both a low- and a high-affinity state that bind (R)-rolipram with Kd's of ca. 500 and 1 nM, respectively [Rocque, W. J., Tian, G., Wiseman, J. S., Holmes, W. D., Thompson, I. Z., Willard, D. H., Patel, I. R., Wisely, G. B., Clay, W. C., Kadwell, S. H., Hoffman, C. R., and Luther, M. A. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 14250-14261]. Since the tissue distribution of the two isostates may be significantly different, development of inhibitors that effectively inhibit both forms may be advantageous pharmacologically. In this study, enzyme inhibition and binding of HSPDE4B2B by (R, R)-(+/-)-methyl 3-acetyl-4-[3-(cyclopentyloxy)-4-methoxyphenyl]-3-methyl-1-pyrrolidin ecarboxylate (1), a novel inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE 4), were investigated. Binding experiments demonstrated high-affinity binding of 1 to HSPDE4B2B with a stoichiometry of 1:1. Inhibition of PDE activity showed only a single transition with an observed Ki similar to the apparent Kd determined by the binding experiments. Deletional mutants of HSPDE4B2B, which have been shown to bind (R)-rolipram with low affinity, were shown to interact with 1 with high affinity, indistinguishable from the results obtained with the full-length enzyme. Bound 1 was completely displaced by (R)-rolipram, and the displacement showed a biphasic transition that resembles the biphasic inhibition of HSPDE4B2B by (R)-rolipram. Theoretical analysis of the two transitions exemplified in the interaction of (R)-rolipram with HSPDE4B2B indicated that the two isostates were nonexchangeable. Phosphorylation at serines 487 and 489 on HSPDE4B2B had no effect on the stoichiometry of binding, the affinity for binding, or the inhibition of the enzyme by 1. These data further illustrate the presence of two isostates in PDE 4 as shown previously for (R)-rolipram binding and inhibition. In contrast to (R)-rolipram, where only one of the two isostates of PDE 4 binds with high affinity, 1 is a potent, dual inhibitor of both of the isostates of PDE 4. Kinetic and thermodynamic models describing the interactions between the nonexchangeable isostates of PDE 4 and its ligands are discussed.

Temporal dependent neuroprotection with propentofylline (HWA 285) in a temporary focal ischemia model

Propentofylline (HWA 285, 3-methyl-1-(5-oxo-hexyl)-7-propylxanthine) is an adenosine uptake and phosphodiesterase inhibitor that has been shown to be neuroprotective in both global and permanent focal ischemia animal models. However, to date, the efficacy of propentofylline has never been examined in an animal model of temporary focal ischemia or the 'therapeutic window' systematically examined in a focal ischemia model. The present experiments were designed to investigate these. Temporary (3 h) middle cerebral artery occlusion was accomplished by the monofilament method. Infarct volumes were determined at 24 h from 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolieum chloride (TTC) stained coronal slices. Animals were dosed with vehicle or propentofylline at 3 mg/kg bolus and/or a 6 mg/kg per h infusion (24 h infusion) at 30 min, 1 h or 3 h post ischemia onset. Physiological monitoring on a subset of animals indicated no changes in mean arterial pressure, blood gases, blood pH, and glucose levels with either ischemia or drug treatment. Propentofylline treatment resulted in a statistically significant decrease in infarct volume when an infusion dose of 6 mg/kg per h was initiated at 30 min or when a bolus of 3 mg/kg plus an infusion dose was initiated at 1 h but not 3 h post ischemia. Therefore, propentofylline is neuroprotective in a model of temporary focal ischemia. This suggests that combination therapy with propentofylline might lead to clinical improvement beyond that which would occur with thrombolytics alone. The apparent short window of opportunity for effective dosing is consistent with the proposed mechanism of action for propentofylline.

Purification and physical characterization of cloned human cAMP phosphodiesterases PDE-4D and -4C

Individual isozymes of family four cyclic-nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDE-4s) were characterized and compared in order to advance our understanding of how PDE-4s regulate cAMP levels in cells. Full-length and shorter clones containing various functional domains were constructed and overexpressed using a recombinant baculovirus-infected Sf9 insect cell system. One form each of PDE-4C and 4D was purified 125- and 534-fold, respectively, using anion-exchange and affi-gel blue chromatography. The purified material was unaltered in size on SDS-polyacrylamide gels during purification and nearly homogeneous (> 95%) as estimated by both staining and immunoblotting. Approximately 1 mg of PDE-4D (74.7 kDa) and 3.7 mg of PDE-4C (61.4 kDa) could be isolated from a 6-L culture of cells. The physical characteristics of Stokes' radius and sedimentation coefficient for PDE-4 enzymes cloned from each of the four isogenes were determined using size-exclusion chromatography and sedimentation in glycerol gradients. Calculations indicate that both long and short forms can form dimers, although evidence for monomers and higher-order subunit association was seen. Furthermore, the results clearly show that all long and short forms of PDE-4 are highly asymmetric molecules. This work has shown that large amounts of PDE-4 proteins can be purified and characterized physically and enzymatically to yield information that will enable a greater understanding of how PDE-4 enzymes function in cells.

Human recombinant phosphodiesterase 4B2B binds (R)-rolipram at a single site with two affinities

The interactions between (R)-rolipram and purified human recombinant low-Km, cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase (HSPDE4B2B) constructs were investigated using biochemical, kinetic, and biophysical approaches. The full-length protein (amino acids 1-564) and an N-terminal truncated protein (amino acids 81-564) exhibited high-affinity (R)-rolipram binding, whereas an N-terminal and C-terminal truncated protein (amino acids 152-528) lacked high-affinity (R)-rolipram binding. The 152-528 and 81-564 proteins had similar Km's and kcat/Km's and differed less than 4-fold compared with the 1-564 protein. (R)-Rolipram inhibition plots were biphasic for the 1-564 and 81-564 proteins and fit to two states, a high-affinity (Ki = 5-10 nM) state and a low-affinity (Ki = 200-400 nM) state, whereas the 152-528 protein fit to a single state (Ki = 350-400 nM). The stoichiometry for high-affinity binding using a filter binding assay was found to be <1 mol of (R)-rolipram per mole of 1-564 or 81-564 protein. Titration microcalorimetric studies revealed both a high-affinity state with a stoichiometry of 0.3 mol of (R)-rolipram per mole of protein and a low-affinity state with a stoichiometry of 0.6 mol of (R)-rolipram per mole of protein for the 81-564 protein. A single low-affinity state with a stoichiometry of 0.9 mol of (R)-rolipram per mole of protein was seen using the 152-528 protein. The data indicate that purified HSPDE4B2B 1-564 and 81-564 proteins contain a single binding site for (R)-rolipram and suggest that the proteins exist in two different states distinguishable by their affinity for (R)-rolipram. Furthermore, the high-affinity binding state of the protein requires amino acid residues at the N-terminus (81-151) of the protein and catalytic domain (152-528), whereas the low-affinity binding state only requires residues in the catalytic domain (152-528). Phosphorylation at residues 487 and 489 of the 81-564 protein does not appear to alter the substrate kinetics or the stoichiometry and binding affinity of (R)-rolipram.

Detailed characterization of a purified type 4 phosphodiesterase, HSPDE4B2B: differentiation of high- and low-affinity (R)-rolipram binding

We have overexpressed in a baculovirus expression system, and purified to > 95% homogeneity, milligram quantities of a human recombinant rolipram-sensitive cAMP phosphodiesterase, HSPDE4B2B (amino acid residues 81-564). The protein expression levels were approximately 8 mg of HSPDE4B2B (81-564) per liter of Sf9 cells. The Km of the purified enzyme for cAMP was 4 microM and the Ki for the Type 4 phosphodiesterase-specific inhibitor (R)-rolipram was 0.6 microM. The specific activity of the purified protein was 40 mumol/min/mg protein. A nonequilibrium filter binding assay revealed a high-affinity (R)-rolipram binding site on the purified enzyme with a Kd of 1.5 nM and a stoichiometry of 0.05-0.3 mol of (R)-rolipram per mol of HSPDE4B2B (81-564). Equilibrium dialysis experiments revealed a single binding constant of 140 nM with a stoichiometry of 0.75 mol of (R)-rolipram per mol of HSPDE4B2B (81-564). Size exclusion chromatography and analytical ultracentrifugation experiments suggest that the protein exists in multiple association states larger than a monomer. Proteolysis experiments revealed a 43-kDa fragment that contained catalytic and rolipram-inhibitable activities, but the fragment showed no high-affinity (R)-rolipram binding. Based on the proteolytic cleavage studies a 43-kDa protein was constructed, expressed, and purified. This protein, HSPDE4B2B (152-528), had Km and Vmax similar to those of the HSPDE4B2B (81-564) protein, but did not exhibit high-affinity (R)-rolipram binding. The protein did show low-affinity (R)-rolipram binding using the equilibrium binding assay. These results show that a low-affinity binding site for (R)-rolipram is solely contained within the catalytic domain of HSPDE4B2B, whereas high-affinity (R)-rolipram binding requires residues within the catalytic domain and residues flanking N- and/or C-terminal to the catalytic region.

Rolipram inhibition of phosphodiesterase-4 activation

Rolipram inhibited U937 cell phosphodiesterase-4 in either the presence or absence of saturating (100 micrograms/ml) phosphatidic acid in an apparently phospholipid-independent manner, exhibiting similar kinetics (Ki values = 0.41 and 0.59 microM, respectively). At low concentrations (10 and 100 nM), however, rolipram caused a rightward shift of the phosphatidic acid concentration-response curve for phosphodiesterase-4 activation, suppressing activation by up to 70%. Maximum inhibition of phosphodiesterase-4 activation occurred at phosphatidic acid concentrations of 5-40 micrograms/ml. The results suggest that rolipram is capable of inhibiting phosphodiesterase-4 by both phospholipid-dependent and phospholipid-independent mechanisms.

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase isozymes in rat mesangial cells

We characterized cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases isolated from rat mesangial cells and assessed their roles in regulating cellular cyclic nucleotide levels. Three peaks of phosphodiesterase activity were eluted by a linear sodium acetate gradient from a Q Sepharose column loaded with the mesangial cell extract. The first peak activity was stimulated by Ca(2+)-calmodulin and inhibited by calmodulin-stimulated phosphodiesterase inhibitors but not by a selective cGMP specific phosphodiesterase V inhibitor. The second, minor activity peak was stimulated by cyclic GMP and inhibited by EHNA [erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)-adenine], a selective inhibitor of cyclic GMP-stimulated phosphodiesterase II. The last peak activity was not inhibited by cyclic GMP but selectively inhibited by rolipram [4-(3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-pyrrolidene] or Ro 20-1724 [4-(3-butoxy-4-methoxybenzyl)-2-imidazolidinone], inhibitors of cyclic AMP specific, cyclic GMP insensitive phosphodiesterase IV. Based on their order of chromatographic elution, kinetic properties and sensitivity to allosteric agents and inhibitors, the peak 1, 2 and 3 correspond to phosphodiesterase I, II and IV. The basal cyclic GMP level was raised more effectively by selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase I than phosphodiesterase II. In contrast, the atrial natriuretic factor-induced cyclic GMP elevation was potentiated more effectively by selective inhibitors of phosphodiesterase II than phosphodiesterase I. The forskolin-induced cyclic AMP increase was greatly potentiated by selective phosphodiesterase IV inhibitors but not by other phosphodiesterase inhibitors. These data suggest that phosphodiesterase I and II are responsible for cyclic GMP hydrolysis whereas phosphodiesterase IV is mainly responsible for cyclic AMP hydrolysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Is cyclic AMP involved in excitatory amino acid-evoked adenosine release from rat cortical slices?

Activation of both N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptors releases endogenous adenosine from superfused rat cortical slices. NMDA-evoked adenosine release is Ca(2+)-dependent and results from the extracellular degradation of a released nucleotide, whereas non-NMDA receptor activation releases adenosine per se in a Ca(2+)-independent manner. IBMX selectively inhibits NMDA- but not non-NMDA-evoked adenosine release. Forskolin, but not 1,9-dideoxy-forskolin, produced a slight but significant increase in NMDA-evoked adenosine release, suggesting that the formation of cyclic AMP may somehow be involved. The inhibition of NMDA-evoked adenosine release by IBMX is not accompanied by enhanced cyclic AMP recovery in superfusates, nor is release diminished when cyclic AMP transport is inhibited by probenecid, suggesting that the adenosine is not derived from the extracellular metabolism of released cyclic AMP. It is possible that 5'AMP, derived from the intracellular conversion of cyclic AMP by phosphodiesterase, might be released during NMDA receptor activation. However, more selective inhibitors of the specific phosphodiesterase isozymes known to be located in the cortex failed to diminish NMDA-evoked adenosine release. Therefore, the effects of both forskolin and IBMX on NMDA-evoked adenosine release could be nonspecific, coincidental and unrelated to their actions on cyclic AMP levels in the cortex. However, it is also possible that a novel IBMX-sensitive phosphodiesterase plays a primary role in converting cyclic AMP to 5'AMP intracellularly during NMDA receptor activation; the 5'AMP could then exit the cells and be converted to adenosine extracellularly.

Phosphodiesterase inhibitory profile of some related xanthine derivatives pharmacologically active on the peripheral microcirculation

The cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitory profile of four related xanthine derivatives: pentoxifylline (BL 191), propentofylline (HWA 285), torbafylline (HWA 448) and albifylline (HWA 138), pharmacologically active on the peripheral and/or cerebral microcirculation was established using the four main PDE isoforms present in rat heart cytosol. HPLC on a Mono Q ion-exchange column resolved four separate cyclic nucleotide PDE activities: a calmodulin-activated fraction (PDE I), a cGMP-stimulated fraction (PDE II), a cAMP-specific rolipram-sensitive fraction (PDE IV) and a cGMP-inhibited fraction (PDE III). Among the four compounds studies, only torbafylline and pentoxifylline inhibited more efficiently the calcium plus calmodulin-stimulated than the basal activity of PDE I. The four xanthine derivatives inhibited more potently the cGMP-stimulated than the basal activity of the cGMP-stimulatable PDE II, propentofylline being the most inhibitory (IC50: 20 microM). Except for propentofylline, which exhibited a marked selectivity toward the rolipram-sensitive PDE versus the cGMP-inhibited PDE III, the other xanthines modestly (IC50 in the 10(-4) M range) inhibited both cAMP-specific isoforms with similar potency. Propentofylline proved to be the best inhibitor whatever the considered isoform whereas torbafylline exhibited the weakest inhibitory potency with, however, some selectivity for PDE I.

Isolation of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase isozymes from pig aorta

Five phosphodiesterase isozymes were separated from the supernatant of pig aortic smooth muscle homogenates, using DEAE-Toyopearl 650S chromatography in the presence of 0.1 mM Ca2+ followed by re-chromatography in the absence of Ca2+ and affinity chromatography on immobilized rolipram or cGMP. Type I (calmodulin-dependent family) preferentially hydrolysed cGMP and its activity was stimulated by calmodulin. Type II (cGMP-stimulated family), which had not yet been identified in aortic smooth muscle, hydrolysed both cGMP and cAMP. Its cAMP hydrolysis was stimulated by 10 microM cGMP. Type III (cGMP-inhibited family) and IV (cAMP-specific family) preferentially hydrolysed cAMP. The cAMP hydrolytic activity of Type III was inhibited by cGMP, but that of Type IV was not. Type V (cGMP-specific family) preferentially hydrolysed cGMP and its activity did not depend on calmodulin. The inhibition of all five phosphodiesterase isozymes by various phosphodiesterase inhibitors was investigated, and the potency and selectivity of each phosphodiesterase inhibitor discussed.

Biochemical characteristics and cellular regulation of phosphodiesterase IV

Considerable interest has been generated in the potential utility of phosphodiesterase (PDE) IV inhibitors as a novel class of anti-asthmatic agents. Because a detailed understanding of the molecular and biochemical characteristics of any molecular target of interest provides a key ingredient for rational drug design, we cloned a cDNA encoding a PDE IV (hPDE IV) from a human monocyte library and expressed, purified and characterized the recombinant gene product. Purified hPDE IV has kinetic characteristics consistent with native PDE IV isolated from tissue sources. In addition, it is inhibited by rolipram (Ki = 60 nM) and other archetypical PDE IV-selective inhibitors. Purified hPDE IV also contains a high affinity binding site for rolipram (Kd = 2 nM), although the precise relationship between this site and the cAMP catalytic site is not clear. In other studies in which the regulation of PDE IV expression was examined in U937 cells, a human monocytic cell line, prolonged treatment with salbutamol was shown to induce an increase in the activity of PDE IV. This up-regulation of PDE IV activity appears to be mediated by cAMP and occurs at the transcriptional or pretranscriptional level. As a consequence of PDE IV up-regulation, the sensitivity of U937 cells to the inhibitory effects of adenylyl cyclase activators on cell function is greatly diminished. If such regulation of PDE IV occurs in inflammatory cells in vivo, it could have implications for the therapeutic use of beta-adrenoceptor agonists. Specifically, induction of PDE IV activity in asthmatics being treated with beta-adrenoceptor agonists could result in a heterologous desensitization of inflammatory cells to endogenous anti-inflammatory agents (e.g., epinephrine, prostaglandin E2).

Early increase in lymphocyte cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity upon mitogenic activation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells was significantly increased following a short (30 min) incubation with the mitogenic lectin Concanavalin A. Con A stimulated phosphodiesterase activity to the same extent whatever the subcellular compartment (homogenate, cytosol or pellet). Further separation of the Con A-activated mononuclear cells into lymphocyte-enriched and monocyte-enriched populations showed that the Con A-induced increase of phosphodiesterase activity exclusively affected the lymphocyte-enriched population. In lymphocytes, cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase activity was more importantly enhanced by Con A (+275%) than cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity (+75%). The increase of both activities occurred as early as from 10 min of Con A incubation and proved to be maximal with Con A doses of 2.5 and 5 micrograms per 10(6) cells, lower and higher doses being less effective. Inhibition experiments with reference inhibitors suggested that, among the high affinity phosphodiesterase isoforms, the cyclic GMP-inhibited enzyme might be more selectively enhanced by Con A than the cyclic AMP-specific, Rolipram-sensitive one. The non-mitogenic lectin Helix pomatia hemagglutinin, was not able to enhance cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity of human mononuclear cells whereas anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, although being less effective than Con A, exhibited a significant stimulatory effect. Putting together these results suggest that the early increase in phosphodiesterase activity might be a normal step involved in the mitogenic activation of human lymphocyte.

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases: pharmacology, biochemistry and function

This article is a review of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase(s) (CN PDE) from the point of view of the relationships between the newer aspects of the complex enzymology of CN PDE and recent major advances in CN PDE pharmacology. A consolidation of isozyme nomenclature to the proposed family designations is recommended. Emphasis is placed on the importance of defining the subcellular localization of isozymes expressed in a given tissue and cyclic GMP substrate and regulatory roles in CN PDE isozyme functions. CN PDE inhibitors that may be useful for experimental and clinical purposes are discussed. Examples of these inhibitors include CGS 9343B, TCV-3B, KW-6, MIMAX, Dihydroisoquinolines, Trequinsin, bipyridine and dihydropyridazinone cardiotonics, Rolipram, SQ 65442, Zaprinast and Dipyridamole.

Concanavalin A stimulates the Rolipram-sensitive isoforms of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase in rat thymic lymphocytes

Pretreatment of rat thymic lymphocytes with Concanavalin A induced a very early (30 min) and substantial increase (+90%) of the soluble cAMP phosphodiesterase activity. The crude cytosolic phosphodiesterase activity of rat thymocytes could reproducively be resolved by Mono-Q ion exchange high performance liquid chromatography into four separate phosphodiesterase peaks: a cGMP-stimulated, two cAMP-specific Rolipram-sensitive and a cGMP-inhibited cardiotrope-sensitive peaks. Concanavalin A stimulated very specifically the activity of the two predominant cAMP-specific Rolipram sensitive peaks whereas it only slightly modified the cGMP-stimulated and the cGMP-inhibited forms. The present results strongly suggest that the Rolipram-sensitive cAMP PDE activity may play a key role in the control and regulation of mitogen-induced thymocyte proliferation.