A region of adenylyl cyclase 2 critical for regulation by G protein beta gamma subunits.

Receptor-mediated activation of heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) results in the dissociation of alpha from beta gamma subunits, thereby allowing both to regulate effectors. Little is known about the regions of effectors required for recognition of G beta gamma. A peptide encoding residues 956 to 982 of adenylyl cyclase 2 specifically blocked G beta gamma stimulation of adenylyl cyclase 2, phospholipase C-beta 3, potassium channels, and beta-adrenergic receptor kinase as well as inhibition of calmodulin-stimulated adenylyl cyclases, but had no effect on interactions between G beta gamma and G alpha o. Substitutions in this peptide identified a functionally important motif, Gln-X-X-Glu-Arg, that is also conserved in regions of potassium channels and beta-adrenergic receptor kinases that participate in G beta gamma interactions. Thus, the region defined by residues 956 to 982 of adenylyl cyclase 2 may contain determinants important for receiving signals from G beta gamma.

Coupling of the expressed alpha 1B-adrenergic receptor to the phospholipase C pathway in Xenopus oocytes. The role of Go.

alpha 1B-Adrenergic receptor mRNA was injected into Xenopus oocytes, resulting in a norepinephrine-evoked Cl- current. The response was proportional to norepinephrine concentration, blocked by prazosin, and dependent on intracellular Ca2+ derived from inositol trisphosphate-sensitive stores. Oocytes treated with 2 micrograms/ml pertussis toxin showed a time-dependent decrease of the norepinephrine response, taking up to 72 h to show an 80% decrease. Overnight treatment with 10 micrograms/ml pertussis toxin also resulted in 80% reduction. Responses to two other cloned receptors (M1-muscarinic and serotonin-1c) expressed in oocytes were also reduced 50% or more by 72 h of pertussis toxin treatment. Pertussis toxin labeling of the cloned Xenopus alpha o-subunit translated in vitro showed that it was a significantly poorer substrate for pertussis toxin than the two mammalian alpha o-subunits expressed and assayed under identical conditions. This unexpected biochemical behavior of the Xenopus alpha o-subunit is in agreement with the rather unusual treatment conditions required to observe the effects of pertussis toxin on the receptor-evoked Cl- current in the oocyte. Injection of mammalian heterotrimeric G(o) but not Gi3 significantly enhanced the norepinephrine-evoked Cl- current in oocytes. Injection of mixtures of anti-sense oligonucleotides to the Xenopus alpha o-subunit reduced the norepinephrine-evoked Cl- current by 60% within 24 h, compared with oocytes injected with the oligonucleotides encoding sense sequences. These studies indicate that the expressed alpha 1B-adrenergic receptor, like the native muscarinic receptor, utilizes G(o) to couple to the phospholipase C-mediated Cl- current in Xenopus oocytes.

The Q205LGo-alpha subunit expressed in NIH-3T3 cells induces transformation.

The growth functions of the heterotrimeric G protein G(o) was studied by expression in heterologous systems. The alpha-subunit of G(o) was mutated to convert Gln-205 to Leu (Q205L). Mutation of this conserved glutamine residue in G protein alpha-subunits is thought to persistently activate G proteins by inhibiting their GTPase activity. The wild type and mutant G(o)-alpha subunits were expressed in NIH-3T3 fibroblasts. These cells do not contain any measurable amounts of G(o)-alpha mRNA or protein. Transfection of wild type or Q205LG(o)-alpha subunit cDNA under the control of a dexamethasone-inducible promoter results in dexamethasone-dependent transcription of the mRNA and expression of the protein. The Q205LG(o)-alpha, but not wild type G(o)-alpha, stimulates mitogenesis in NIH-3T3 fibroblasts without significantly stimulating phospholipase C activity. Continuous expression of mutant G(o)-alpha induces focus formation, whereas transfections with vector alone or vector containing the native G(o)-alpha cDNA were without significant transforming effect in NIH-3T3 cells. Q205L G(o)-alpha did not induce focus formation in RAT-1 fibroblasts. Q205LG(o)-alpha-transformed NIH-3T3 cells are capable of anchorage-independent growth, as assessed by colony formation in soft agar. Q205LG(o)-alpha transformed cells induced tumors when injected into Nu/Nu mice. These results indicate that mutant G(o)-alpha subunits whose GTPase activity is presumably inhibited can induce the neoplastic transformation of NIH-3T3 cells in a phospholipase C-independent manner.

Two forms of the bovine brain Go that stimulate the inositol trisphosphate-mediated Cl- currents in Xenopus oocytes. Distinct guanine nucleotide binding properties.

Heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins from bovine brain were resolved by fast protein liquid chromatography chromatography using Mono Q columns. Two distinct forms of the protein Go were identified. Both forms had stochiometric amounts of alpha- and beta gamma-subunits. The a-subunits of both forms were recognized by an alpha o-specific antiserum, but not by any of the alpha i-specific antisera. The two forms showed distinct migration patterns on 9% sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels containing 4-8 M urea gradients. Neither form comigrated with the recombinant alpha o1. Both the recombinant alpha o1 and the most abundant form of Go were recognized by an antiserum, H-660, against a peptide encoding amino acids 3-17 of alpha i2. H-660 has been shown previously to recognize alpha o and alpha i (Mumby, S. M., Pang, I. K., Gilman, A. G., and Sternweis, P. C. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 2020-2026). This more abundant form is called Go A most likely corresponds to the cloned alpha o1. The less abundant form, Go B, was not recognized by H-660. However, both forms of bovine brain Go were recognized by GC/2, an antiserum against the N-terminal region of alpha o1. Hence alpha oA and alpha oB may be different in their N terminus regions. Neither form of bovine brain Go was recognized by an antisera made to a peptide encoding the unique regions of the cloned alpha o2 from HIT cells (Hsu W. H., Rudolph, U., Sanford, J., Bertrand, P., Olate, J., Nelson, C., Moss, L.E., Boyd, A. E., III, Codina, J., and Birnbaumer, L. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 11220-11226). Go A and Go B have similar guanine nucleotide binding and release properties. Both release GDP within 1 min in the absence of added Mg2+. Both bind guanosine (GTP gamma S) rapidly as well. However Go A binds GTP gamma S about 2.5-fold faster than Go B, in the absence of added Mg2+ ion. Both forms of Go as well as the recombinant alpha o (alpha o1) can increase muscarinic stimulation of inositol trisphosphate-mediated Cl- current in Xenopus oocytes. These data indicate that we have identified two structurally distinct forms of Go that have different guanine nucleotide binding properties and are capable of functioning in the receptor-regulated phospholipase C pathway in Xenopus oocytes.

Distinct guanine nucleotide binding and release properties of the three Gi proteins.

The native pertussis toxin sensitive GTP-binding proteins (Gi proteins) were individually resolved, and their guanine nucleotide binding and release properties were studied. Gi2 and Gi3, the two major GTP-binding proteins of human erythrocytes, were purified to apparent homogeneity by fast protein liquid chromatography. Gi1 was purified from bovine brain. The three proteins bound 0.6-0.85 mol of guanosine 5'-O-(thio-triphosphate (GTP gamma S)/mol of protein with similar affinities (KD(app) = 50-100 nM). The rate of [35S]GTP gamma S binding to Gi2 was 5-8-fold faster than to Gi1 or Gi3 at 2 mm Mg2+. There were no observable differences in the binding characteristics between bovine brain Gi1 and human erythrocyte Gi3. At 50 mM Mg2+, all three Gi proteins exhibited fast binding, although Gi1 and Gi3 were marginally slower than Gi2. All three Gi proteins exhibited different rates of [32P]GDP release at 2 mM Mg2+. GDP release from Gi2 was severalfold faster than that from Gi1 or Gi3. GDP release rates from Gi1 and Gi3 were similar, although Gi3 was somewhat (60-80%) faster than Gi1. These data indicate that rates of GDP release and GTP binding may be independently regulated for these three proteins and that the relative proportions of Gi2/Gi1 or Gi2/Gi3 will be a crucial factor in determining the kinetics of signal transduction through Gi-coupled effectors.

A 43 kDa form of the GTP-binding protein Gi3 in human erythrocytes.

Purified preparations of human erythrocyte G-proteins contain a 43 kDa pertussis toxin substrate which appears to be the alpha-subunit of a heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein. The 43 kDa protein is recognized by antisera that are sequence-specific for peptides encoding a sequence common to all 39-53 kDa G-protein alpha-subunits. G alpha o-specific antiserum did not recognize 43 or 40-41 kDa alpha-subunits. AS/6, which recognizes the alpha i proteins, recognized 43 kDa as well as 40-41 kDa proteins. Of the three antisera specific for individual members of the alpha i family, only the Gi3-specific antiserum recognized the 43 kDa erythrocyte G-protein. However, 40-41 kDa forms of all three alpha is are present. These observations indicate that human erythrocytes contain a novel 43 kDa form of Gi3.

Go protein as signal transducer in the pertussis toxin-sensitive phosphatidylinositol pathway.

Receptors stimulating phospholipase C do so through heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins to produce two second messengers, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) and diacylglycerol. In spite of the detailed understanding of phospholipase C structure and phosphatidyl inositol signalling, the identity of the GTP-binding protein involved is so far unknown. To address this issue, we have used the Xenopus oocyte in which muscarinic receptors couple to phospholipase C through a pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding protein. In this cell, InsP3 mobilizes intracellular Ca2+ to evoke a Cl- current. The magnitude of this Cl- current is proportional to the amount of InsP3 in the cell, and therefore can be used as an assay for InsP3 production. We report here that the activated alpha-subunit of the GTP-binding protein GO, when directly injected into oocytes, evokes a Cl- current by mobilizing Ca2+ from intracellular InsP3-sensitive stores. We also show that holo-GO, when injected into oocytes, can specifically enhance the muscarinic receptor-stimulated Cl- current. These data indicate that GO can serve as the signal transducer of the receptor-regulated phospholipase C in Xenopus oocytes.

Effects of separate proteolytic and high-affinity binding activities of human thrombin on rapid platelet activation. A quenched-flow study.

We have used a general quenched-flow approach to study platelet function as early as 0.3 s after stimulation with three types of human thrombin: alpha-thrombin, gamma-thrombin, which is proteolytically active but does not bind to the high-affinity sites, and di-isopropyl fluorophosphate-derivatized (DIP)-alpha-thrombin, an active site-inhibited analogue that does bind to the high-affinity site. Large doses of gamma-thrombin evoked moderate aggregation and serotonin release, but minimal phosphorylation of the 20 and 47 kDa proteins. The initial (1.5-3.0 s) increase in cystolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) indicated by Indo-1 was also diminished, but by 5 s was nearly as high (1.0 microM) as with alpha-thrombin. A large dose of DIP-alpha-thrombin, on the other hand, induced minimal aggregation, serotonin secretion and [Ca2+]i response within 6 s. There was, however, a transient dephosphorylation of the 20 kDa protein. When combined, gamma- and DIP-alpha-thrombin were approximately additive in their ability to induce aggregation and serotonin secretion, but strongly synergistic in phosphorylating the 20 and 47 kDa proteins. The [Ca2+]i increase was not, however, enhanced over that induced by gamma-thrombin alone. These results demonstrate that phosphorylation of either the 20 or 47 kDa proteins is not correlated with [Ca2+]i dynamics and is neither required nor directly involved in platelet aggregation and secretion induced by thrombin. The high-affinity binding activity of thrombin is not necessary for rapid platelet Ca2+ influx, aggregation and serotonin release within the first critical seconds of activation.

Coupling of exogenous receptors to phospholipase C in Xenopus oocytes through pertussis toxin-sensitive and -insensitive pathways. Cross-talk through heterotrimeric G-proteins.

Heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins) can be categorized into molecularly divergent groups by their differential sensitivity to pertussis toxin. Receptors specifically use either pertussis toxin-sensitive or-insensitive G-proteins to couple to specific effectors. Receptor stimulation of phospholipase C, however, is pertussis toxin sensitive in some systems and pertussis toxin insensitive in others. We studied the coupling of receptors to phospholipase C by expressing receptors from both systems into a single cell, the Xenopus oocyte. [Arg8]Vassopressin (AVP) receptors from liver and cholecystokinin-8(sulfated) (CCK) receptors from brain were expressed in oocytes by intracellular injection of RNA. Both receptors stimulated a Ca2+-dependent Cl- current which can also be evoked by intracellular injection of inositol 1,4,5-tris-phosphate. Hence, receptor stimulation of phospholipase C was measured as the evoked Ca2+-dependent Cl- current. The liver AVP receptor, which is known to stimulate phospholipase C in a pertussis toxin-insensitive manner (Lynch, C. J., Prpic, V., Blackmore, P. F., and Exton, J. H. (1986) Mol. Pharmacol. 29, 196-203), was found to stimulate phospholipase C through a pertussis toxin-sensitive pathway in the Xenopus oocyte. The CCK receptor from brain stimulated phospholipase C through a pertussis toxin-insensitive pathway. Both AVP and CCK stimulation of phospholipase C were attenuated by the intracellular injection of excess G-protein beta gamma subunits. Neither pertussis toxin treatment nor intracellular injection of beta gamma subunits affected any steps subsequent to inositol 1,4,5-tris-phosphate production. From these data we conclude that both the pertussis toxin-sensitive and -insensitive pathways for receptor coupling to phospholipase C are transduced by heterotrimeric G-proteins. We also find that there is a lack of coupling fidelity of receptors to G-proteins in stimulation of phospholipase C which can be influenced by the membrane environment.

Beta gamma subunits of GTP-binding proteins inhibit muscarinic receptor stimulation of phospholipase C.

This study examines the mechanism of guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein) coupling of receptors to phospholipase C. The Xenopus oocyte has a muscarinic receptor-activated Cl- current that is mediated by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. Modulation of the muscarinic receptor-evoked Cl- current was examined under voltage clamp in oocytes injected with resolved G-protein subunits. The presence of an alpha subunit of G proteins in oocytes was shown by pertussis toxin-labeling of a 41-kDa band in oocyte membranes. The presence of the beta subunit of G proteins was demonstrated by immunoblotting experiments with an antiserum (U-49) that is specific for the beta subunit. Pertussis toxin treatment of oocytes resulted in the uncoupling of muscarinic receptors from activation of the Cl- current. Cells microinjected with 1.5 ng of human erythrocyte beta gamma-subunit complex or 1.0 ng of bovine brain beta gamma-subunit complex showed approximately a 95% reduction in the evoked Cl- current. Cells injected with equal volumes of protein storage vehicle showed no change in response. Cells injected with boiled beta gamma subunits, bovine serum albumin, or resolved alpha subunits also showed no reduction in response. Cells injected with various concentrations of beta gamma subunits showed a concentration dependence with half-maximal inhibition of the muscarinic activated Cl- current at about 10 nM. Cells injected with 1.0 ng of bovine brain beta gamma subunits could not respond to bath-applied agonist but could generate the Cl- current on intracellular injection of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. These observations suggest that there is a G protein responsible for muscarinic receptor-mediated signal transduction through phospholipase C and that it is an alpha beta gamma heterotrimer. It appears that the mode of action of the G protein in the phospholipase C system may be similar to that of the hormone-activated adenylyl cyclase.

Effect of epinephrine on rapid ADP-induced aggregation, protein phosphorylation, and cytoplasmic calcium dynamics of platelets: a quenched-flow study.

We have used a general quenched-flow approach to study platelet function as early as 0.3 seconds after stimulation with a low concentration of adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) (0.5 mumol/L), epinephrine (15 mumol/L), or a combination of the two. Compared with ADP alone, the combination nearly doubled the rate of aggregation as measured by the loss of single particles. Our aim was to determine whether the aggregation, protein phosphorylation, and cytoplasmic calcium responses to this potentiating combination of ADP and epinephrine were analogous to those caused by a maximal concentration of ADP (10 mumol/L) and also to determine whether cyclooxygenase was involved in this potentiation. Phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC) and the 47 kd protein were analyzed during the first 5 seconds of platelet response and were related to the progress of aggregation. Unlike aggregation, ADP-induced phosphorylations of both MLC and the 47 kd protein were inhibited rather than potentiated by epinephrine. Pretreatment of the platelets with indomethacin did not affect aggregation or MLC phosphorylation, but increased 47 kd phosphorylation at 0.6 seconds and eliminated it at 3 seconds. Cytoplasmic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) of indo-1-loaded platelets were monitored with our continuous-flow fluorescence approach. Although epinephrine itself did not change [Ca2+]i, it potentiated the [Ca2+]i rise induced by a low dose of ADP. A comparison of these results with platelet activation caused by 10 mumol/L ADP indicates that MLC and 47 kd phosphorylations are not correlated with [Ca2+]i dynamics and are not required or directly involved in platelet aggregation.

ADP causes subsecond changes in protein phosphorylation of platelets.

We developed a general quenched-flow approach to study platelet function as early as 0.3 seconds after stimulation. Phosphorylation of 20- and 47-kiloDalton (kD) proteins was analyzed during the first 5 seconds of platelet response to ADP from 0.5 to 10.0 mumol/L and compared with the progress of aggregation. The onset time for aggregation and phosphorylation of both proteins was less than 1 second; 20-K phosphorylation was increased greater than 200% and 47-K phosphorylation was increased 50%. The ADP sensitivity of 20-K phosphorylation was greater than that of 47-K phosphorylation (P less than .025), and of that of aggregation (P less than .01), with Ka values of 0.7, 1.0, and 1.2 mumol/L of ADP, respectively. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin had no effect on aggregation, but inhibited both phosphorylations. Its inhibition of 20-K phosphorylation was greater than that of 47-K phosphorylation. Platelet activation by ADP thus induced biochemical changes well before 1 second. The quenched-flow approach may help to reveal relationships between phospholipase activation, calcium fluxes, and protein phosphorylation during these early periods of platelet activation.

Thrombin causes subsecond changes in protein phosphorylation of platelets.

We have developed a general quenched-flow approach to study platelet function as early as 0.3 seconds after stimulation. Phosphorylation of 20- and 40-kd proteins has been analyzed during the first five seconds of platelet response to thrombin from 0.1 to 5.0 U/mL and compared with the progress of aggregation and serotonin secretion. The onset time for aggregation and phosphorylation of both proteins was less than one second, although with lowest (less than 0.5 U/mL) thrombin levels, a lag of up to 0.6 seconds occurred before 40K phosphorylation increased. The thrombin sensitivity of aggregation and 20K phosphorylation was approximately twice that of 40K phosphorylation, with Ka values of 0.51 and 0.53 v 1.10 U/mL, respectively. External calcium was necessary for maximal 20K phosphorylation, since EDTA inhibited this by 30%. The 40K phosphorylation was not affected by EDTA. Platelet activation by thrombin thus induced biochemical changes well before one second. The quenched-flow approach may help to reveal relationships between phospholipase activation, calcium fluxes, and protein phosphorylation during these early periods of platelet function.

Fractionation of platelets according to size: functional and biochemical characteristics.

The functional and biochemical heterogeneity of platelets has been studied using graded differential centrifugation to fractionate human platelets according to size while maintaining their morphological and functional integrity as indicated by scanning electron microscopy and content of beta-thromboglobulin. Aggregation kinetics were studied by both optical and quenched-flow methods involving single-particle counting. Large platelets were significantly more sensitive to ADP, but aggregated less rapidly than small platelets. Thrombin exerted a similar influence. Large platelets were also enriched in surface sialic acid and sulfhydryl groups and in internal glycogen, ATP, ADP, calcium, cyclic AMP, malonaldehyde, and succinate cytochrome c reductase when compared to small platelets, even when normalized per unit volume. ADP caused a more rapid breakdown of cyclic AMP in small platelets. Potential aging relationships were tested by isotope studies in rats. 75Se-selenomethionine was incorporated in vivo at a similar rate into all fractions. Large platelets labeled with 51Cr disappeared from circulation linearly and had a longer mean lifespan than small platelets, which disappeared exponentially. This behavior supports independent aging of platelet populations of differing size. The data suggest a distinct heterogeneity in platelet function and fate, which could derive from protection of large platelets against excessive activation by Ca2+-regulated events.