The phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor tadalafil reduces myocardial infarct size.

The aim of this study was to determine, in an animal model, the effects of tadalafil on myocardial infarct size (IS), hemodynamics and regional myocardial blood flow after myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. Patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) often have risk factors for coronary artery disease. Tadalafil, a long-acting inhibitor of the enzyme phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5), is used for the treatment of ED; there are no previous data regarding tadalafil in the setting of coronary artery occlusion (CAO). Sprague-Dawley male rats were treated with tadalafil or vehicle (10 mg/kg, by gastric gavage), 2 h before a 30 min CAO. Heart rate was comparable between tadalafil and control groups. Tadalafil reduced mean arterial pressure (P=0.009), systolic (P=0.035) and diastolic (P=0.009) blood pressures during ischemia/reperfusion. Tadalafil significantly reduced IS (42+/-2%) versus controls (54+/-3%) (P=0.006). For the first time, we showed that the PDE5 inhibitor, tadalafil, was well tolerated and cardioprotective in the setting of an experimental myocardial infarction, by substantially reducing ischemic cell death.

3',5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 11A: localization in human tissues.

3',5'-Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 11 (PDE11) is the most recently discovered family of human 3',5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs). This family contains one gene, PDE11A, with four splice variants (PDE11A1-PDE11A4). The physiological role of PDE11A has not been determined. Tadalafil (Cialis), a PDE5A inhibitor used for the treatment of male erectile dysfunction, has been reported to partially inhibit PDE11. It was therefore of interest to consider the pattern of expression of PDE11 in human tissues. Although four PDE11A mRNA transcripts have been reported, we detected protein corresponding to only one of them, PDE11A4, in human prostate, pituitary, heart and liver. Using immunohistochemistry, there was strong PDE11A antibody staining in the glandular epithelium of the prostate and weak staining of neuronal cells within parasympathetic ganglia in the heart. No PDE11A protein was detected in blood vessels or cardiac myocytes. None of the four potential PDE11A proteins were detected in human skeletal muscle, testis, or penis.

Isolation and characterization of PDE10A, a novel human 3', 5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase.

A gene encoding a novel human 3', 5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) was identified and characterized. PDE10A1 encodes a protein that is 779 amino acids in length. An incomplete cDNA for a second 5'-splice variant, PDE10A2, was isolated. The proteins encoded by the two variants share 766 amino acids in common. This common region includes an amino-terminal domain with partial homology to the cGMP-binding domains of PDE2, PDE5 and PDE6 as well as a carboxy-terminal region with homology to the catalytic regions of mammalian PDEs. Northern analysis revealed that PDE10A is widely expressed. The PDE10A gene was mapped to three yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs) that contain human DNA from chromosome 6q26-27. A recombinant protein corresponding to the 766 amino acid region common to PDE10A1 and PDE10A2 was expressed in yeast. It hydrolyzed both cAMP and cGMP. Inhibitors that are selective for other PDE families are poor inhibitors of PDE10A; however, PDE10A is inhibited by the non-specific PDE inhibitor, IBMX.

Isolation, expression and analysis of splice variants of a human Ca2+/calmodulin-stimulated phosphodiesterase (PDE1A).

The PDE1A gene encodes a Ca2+/calmodulin-stimulated 3',5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE). We have performed 5' and 3' RACE and identified two additional 5'-splice variants and one additional 3'-splice variant of the human PDE1A gene. The three known 5'-splice variants and the two known 3'-splice variants combine to generate six different PDE1A mRNAs. However, one of the 5'-splice variants exhibits alternate splicing in the 5' untranslated region. Thus the six mRNAs encode four different PDE1A proteins. Recombinant forms of the different human PDE1A isoforms were expressed in Sf9 cells. The kinetic properties and inhibitor sensitivities of the four PDE1A isoforms are very similar to one another.

Differential expression of the cyclic GMP-stimulated phosphodiesterase PDE2A in human venous and capillary endothelial cells.

We developed selective monoclonal antibodies and used them for Western and immunocytochemical analyses to determine the tissue and cellular distribution of the human cyclic GMP-stimulated phosphodiesterase (PDE2). Western analysis revealed PDE2A expression in a variety of tissue types, including cerebellum, neocortex, heart, kidney, lung, pulmonary artery, and skeletal muscle. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed PDE2A expression in a subset of tissue endothelial cells. PDE2A immunostaining was detected in venous and capillary endothelial cells in cardiac and renal tissue but not in arterial endothelial cells. These results were confirmed by in situ hybridization. PDE2A immunostaining was also absent from luminal endothelial cells of large vessels, such as aorta, pulmonary, and renal arteries, but was present in the endothelial cells of the vasa vasorum. PDE2A immunostaining was detected in the endothelial cells of a variety of microvessels, including those in renal and cardiac interstitial spaces, renal glomerulus, skin, brain, and liver. Although PDE2A was not readily detected in arterial endothelial cells by immunocytochemistry of intact tissue, it was detected at low levels in cultured arterial endothelial cells. These results suggest a possible role for PDE2A in modulating the effects of cyclic nucleotides on fluid and inflammatory cell transit through the endothelial cell barrier.

Isolation and characterization of cDNAs encoding PDE5A, a human cGMP-binding, cGMP-specific 3',5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase.

Human cGMP-binding, cGMP-specific 3',5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE5A) cDNAs were isolated. A 3.1-kb composite DNA sequence assembled from overlapping cDNAs encodes an 875-amino-acid protein with a predicted molecular mass of 100012 Da (PDE5A1). Extracts prepared from yeast expressing human PDE5A1 hydrolyzed cGMP. This activity was inhibited by the selective PDE5 inhibitors zaprinast and DMPPO. PDE5A mRNA is expressed in aortic smooth muscle cells, heart, placenta, skeletal muscle and pancreas and, to a much lesser extent, in brain, liver and lung. A 5'-splice variant, PDE5A2, encodes an 833-amino-acid protein with eight unique amino acids at the amino terminus. PDE5A maps to chromosome 4q 25-27.

Identification and characterisation of a human calmodulin-stimulated phosphodiesterase PDE1B1.

A cDNA encoding a calmodulin-stimulated 3',5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) was isolated from a human brain cDNA library. The cDNA, designated HSPDE1B1, encoded a protein of 536 amino acids that shared 96% sequence identity with the bovine "63 kDa" calmodulin-stimulated PDE. The recombinant protein had cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity that was stimulated approximately 2-fold by Ca2+/calmodulin and preferred cGMP as substrate. In addition, the enzymatic activity of HSPDE1B1 was inhibited by phosphodiesterase inhibitors with potencies similar to that displayed toward the bovine PDE1 enzymes: IBMX approximately equal to 8-methoxymethyl-IBMX > vinpocetine approximately equal to zaprinast > cilostamide > rolipram. HSPDE1B1 mRNA was found predominantly in the brain. Lower mRNA levels were found in heart and skeletal muscle. In situ hybridisation of brain revealed expression of HSPDE1B1 predominately in neuronal cells of the cerebellum, hippocampus and caudate. The HSPDE1B1 gene was mapped to human chromosome 12. A partial genomic sequence of HSPDE1B1 was isolated and shown to contain two splice junctions that are conserved in the rat PDE4 and the Drosophila dunce genes.

Phosphorylation of the 61-kDa calmodulin-stimulated cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase at serine 120 reduces its affinity for calmodulin.

Phosphorylation of the 61-kDa isoform of bovine calmodulin (CaM)-stimulated cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (CaM-PDE) by the catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) results in a decrease in the affinity of the enzyme for calmodulin [Sharma, R. K., & Wang, J. H. (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 82, 2603-2607]. In the present study, purified 61-kDa CaM-PDE was phosphorylated in the presence of [gamma-32P]ATP and cleaved with a Lys-C endoproteinase. The resultant phosphopeptides were resolved by reverse-phase HPLC and analyzed by electrospray mass spectrometry and Edman sequencing. Serine residues 120 and 138 were identified as the principal sites of phosphorylation. A cDNA encoding the 61-kDa CaM-PDE [Sonnenburg, W. K., Seger, D., & Beavo, J. A. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 645-652] was used to generate point mutants in which either or both of these serines were replaced with alanine. The mutants were expressed in COS-7 cells, purified, and phosphorylated. Phosphorylation of the mutant Ser 138-->Ala resulted in a decrease in affinity for CaM that was comparable to that seen with the wild-type enzyme. In contrast, phosphorylation of the mutant Ser 120-->Ala had virtually no effect on CaM affinity. We conclude that phosphorylation of serine 120 by PKA is responsible for the reduction in affinity of the 61-kDa CaM-PDE for CaM.

Specific phosphorylation of a COOH-terminal site on the full-length form of the alpha 1 subunit of the skeletal muscle calcium channel by cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

The primary (alpha 1) subunit of purified skeletal muscle dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels is present in full-length (212 kDa) and truncated (190 kDa) forms which are both phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cA-PK) in vitro. In the present study, phosphorylation of the purified calcium channel by cA-PK followed by immunoprecipitation, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and two-dimensional phosphopeptide mapping revealed differential phosphorylation of the related 190- and 212-kDa forms. The 190-kDa form of the alpha 1 subunit was phosphorylated on three major and three minor tryptic phosphopeptides; the 212-kDa form was phosphorylated on all six of these phosphopeptides plus two that were unique. Time course experiments showed that a single site on the COOH-terminal portion of the full-length form of the alpha 1 subunit is most intensely and rapidly (within 10 s) phosphorylated. Phosphorylation occurs almost exclusively on this COOH-terminal site unless harsh conditions such as treatment with denaturing detergents are employed to expose phosphorylation sites within the 190-kDa segment of the molecule. Elution of phosphopeptides from the second dimension chromatograph followed by immunoprecipitation with an anti-peptide antibody (anti-CP1) directed against the COOH-terminal amino acid sequence enabled us to identify this major phosphorylation site as serine 1854. The nearby consensus sites for cA-PK phosphorylation at serines 1757 and 1772 were phosphorylated only after denaturation or proteolytic cleavage. Phosphorylation of serine 1854 may play a pivotal role in the regulation of calcium channel function by cA-PK.

[Emergency ambulatory treatment of dysfunctional metrorrhagia in adolescents]. / Trattamento ambulatoriale di urgenza delle metrorragie disfunzionali della adolescenza.

The authors compared the therapeutic efficacy of oestrogen-progestogen combinations with pure progestagen in the urgent treatment of adolescent metrorrhagia. Two groups of adolescents were studied whose haemorrhages were attributed exclusively to disfunction. Every medicine was evaluated as to: 1) effectiveness in completely spotting haemorrhage, 2) any persistence of bleeding, 3) side effects. The therapy was given during 2 consecutive menstrual cycles. Results following treatment with oestrogen-progestogen combinations were favourable, even though side effects were more noticeable.

[Treatment with danazol of breast adenosis. A comparative note]. / Trattamento con danazolo della adenosi mammaria. Note comparative.

The term "mammary adenosis" describes chronic congestion of the mammary gland, whose principle symptom is painfulness. The Authors report the results obtained during therapy, which utilised three different pharmacological treatments: danazol, progestogen vitamin compounds. Evaluations made were both subjective (pain) and objective (clinical details), classified in those levels: recovery, improvement, persistence of symptoms. Results were evaluated after 3 and months of treatment, and then at four months after suspension of treatment; these were then compared. The best results were obtained with danazol, although there was a greater number of side effects.

Activation of purified calcium channels by stoichiometric protein phosphorylation.

Purified dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels from rabbit skeletal muscle were reconstituted into phosphatidylcholine vesicles to evaluate the effect of phosphorylation by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PK-A) on their function. Both the rate and extent of 45Ca2+ uptake into vesicles containing reconstituted calcium channels were increased severalfold after incubation with ATP and PK-A. The degree of stimulation of 45Ca2+ uptake was linearly proportional to the extent of phosphorylation of the alpha 1 and beta subunits of the calcium channel up to a stoichiometry of approximately 1 mol of phosphate incorporated into each subunit. The calcium channels activated by phosphorylation were determined to be incorporated into the reconstituted vesicles in the inside-out orientation and were completely inhibited by low concentrations of dihydropyridines, phenylalkylamines, Cd2+, Ni2+, and Mg2+. The results demonstrate a direct relationship between PK-A-catalyzed phosphorylation of the alpha 1 and beta subunits of the purified calcium channel and activation of the ion conductance activity of the dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels.

Mechanisms of muscarinic receptor action on Go in reconstituted phospholipid vesicles.

Purified muscarinic receptors (0.5-10 nmol of L-[3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate-binding sites/mg of protein) from bovine brain and the GTP-dependent regulatory protein, Go, were reconstituted with a lipid mixture of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol. Essentially all of the receptors could interact with Go as evinced by increases in affinity for agonist as large as 800-fold. Both the alpha and beta gamma subunits of Go were required for this effect. Similarly, both subunits were required for the stimulation of guanine nucleotide exchange by agonists. This latter action of the receptor on Go was catalytic and potentiated markedly by prior treatment with dithiothreitol. Initially, agonist stimulation of association of GTP and guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate (GTP gamma S) to Go was small and variable due to high basal rates. Prior addition of excess GDP inhibited the basal rate of exchange but allowed stimulation by agonists. Under these conditions, oxotremorine stimulated the rates of association of GTP gamma S up to 10-fold. This selective effect was not mimicked by GTP which inhibited both the basal and hormone-dependent rates. Direct examination of the association of GTP and GDP to Go demonstrated that agonist caused either stimulation or marked inhibition, respectively. These results indicate that receptors stimulate guanine nucleotide exchange on G proteins by both increasing the rates of dissociation of nucleotides and altering their relative affinities such that binding of GTP becomes highly favored over GDP. This would ensure the activation of G proteins by receptors in the presence of both nucleotides.

Reconstitution of resolved muscarinic cholinergic receptors with purified GTP-binding proteins.

The association of agonists with muscarinic receptors in membranes from bovine brain was affected only slightly by guanine nucleotides. However, solubilization of these membranes with deoxycholate and subsequent removal of detergent resulted in a preparation of receptors with increased affinity for agonists and a large increase in response to guanine nucleotides. Chromatography of deoxycholate extracts of membranes on DEAE-Sephacel resulted in the separation of receptors from 95% of the guanine nucleotide-binding activity. Guanine nucleotides had no effect on the binding of agonists to these resolved receptors. The effect of guanine nucleotides was restored after the addition of either of two purified guanine nucleotide-binding proteins from bovine brain. One of these proteins, presumably brain GI, is composed of subunits with the same molecular weights (alpha, 41,000; beta, 35,000; gamma, 11,000) and functions as the inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding protein isolated from liver. The other protein, termed Go, is a novel guanine nucleotide-binding protein that possesses a similar subunit composition (alpha, 39,000; beta, 35,000; gamma, 11,000) but whose function is not yet known. Addition of either protein to the resolved receptor preparation increased agonist affinity by at least 10-20-fold, and low concentrations of guanine nucleotides specifically reversed this effect. Reconstitution of receptors with the resolved subunits of Go demonstrates that the beta subunit alone had no effect on agonist binding, but that this subunit does appear to enhance the effects observed with the alpha subunit alone.

Regulation of the catalytic component of adenylate cyclase. Potentiative interaction of stimulatory ligands and 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine.

Both adenosine and the P site agent 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine (DDA) reversibly inhibit adenylate cyclase activity in two different preparations of the enzyme that lack the stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding protein, G/F: plasma membranes from the cyc- variant of S49 lymphoma cells and the resolved catalytic component (C) from rabbit liver. P site agents do not compete with any of the activators of C (Mn2+, G/F, forskolin), nor do they diminish the potency of any activator of C. Rather, activation of C increases the effectiveness of P site agents and causes up to a 10,000-fold increase in the potency of DDA. The ability of G/F or forskolin to potentiate P site inhibition is also noted at concentrations much lower than those required for the stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity. These data are inconsistent with a simple two-state allosteric model for the regulation of the activity of C and demand the postulation of either a distinct, inhibited conformation of the enzyme or the existence of a dead-end complex with adenosine bound to the catalytic site.

The role of calcium ion as a mediator of the effects of angiotensin II, catecholamines, and vasopressin on the phosphorylation and activity of enzymes in isolated hepatocytes.

Angiotensin II, catecholamines, and vasopressin are thought to stimulate hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis via a cyclic AMP-independent mechanism that requires calcium ion. The present study explores the possibility that angiotensin II and vasopressin control the activity of regulatory enzymes in carbohydrate metabolism through Ca2+-dependent changes in their state of phosphorylation. Intact hepatocytes labeled with [32P]PO43- were stimulated with angiotensin II, glucagon, or vasopressin and 30 to 33 phosphorylated proteins resolved from the cytoplasmic fraction of the cell by electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide slab gels. Treatment of the cells with angiotensin II or vasopressin increased the phosphorylation of 10 to 12 of these cytosolic proteins without causing measurable changes in cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity. Glucagon stimulated the phosphorylation of the same set of 11 to 12 proteins through a marked increase in cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity. The molecular weights of three of the protein bands whose phosphorylation was increased by these hormones correspond to the subunit molecular weights of phosphorylase (Mr = 93,000), glycogen synthase (Mr = 85,000), and pyruvate kinase (Mr = 61,000). Two of these phosphoprotein bands were positively identified as phosphorylase and pyruvate kinase by affinity chromatography and immunoprecipitation, respectively. Incubation of hepatocytes in a Ca2+-free medium completely abolished the effects of angiotensin II and vasopressin on protein phosphorylation but did not alter those of glucagon. Treatment of hepatocytes with angiotensin II, glucagon, or vasopressin stimulated phosphorylase activity by 250 to 260%, inhibited glycogen synthase activity by 50%, and inhibited pyruvate kinase activity by 30 to 35% (peptides) to 70% (glucagon). The effects of angiotensin II and vasopressin on the activity of all three enzymes were completely abolished if the cells were incubated in a Ca2+-free medium while those of glucagon were not altered. The results imply that angiotensin II, catecholamines, and vasopressin control hepatic carbohydrate metabolism through a Ca2+-requiring, cyclic AMP-independent pathway that leads to the phosphorylation of important regulatory enzymes.