Inhibition of mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase activity during the execution phase of apoptosis prevents apoptotic body formation.

The objective of this study was to understand factors responsible for apoptotic body formation and release during apoptosis. We have found that inhibition of mono-ADP ribosylation after ultraviolet (UV) light induction of apoptosis in HL-60 cells does not block caspase-3 activation, gelsolin cleavage, or endonucleolytic DNA fragmentation. However, the cytoskeletal features of apoptosis leading to apoptotic body formation and release were inhibited by meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) and novobiocin, potent inhibitors of arginine-specific mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases (mono-ADPRTs). Suppression of mono-ADP ribosylation as late as 120 min following UV irradiation blocked the depolymerization of actin and release of apoptotic bodies. This suggested that the cytoskeletal changes of apoptosis may be decoupled from the caspase cascade and that there may be a biochemical event either distal to or independent of caspase-3 that regulates apoptotic body formation. To test the hypothesis that ADP ribosylation of actin may occur with the induction of apoptosis, an in vivo assay of mono-ADPRT activity using an antibody against ADP-ribosylarginine was used. An approximately 64% increase in the ADP ribosylation of actin was observed at 2 h following exposure to UV light. When MIBG or novobiocin was present, the ADP ribosylation of actin was only 14-18% above the levels observed in control nonirradiated cells. The current study is the first to demonstrate a relationship between ADP-ribosylation of actin and the formation of apoptotic bodies.

Evidence of endogenous mono-ADP-ribosylation of cardiac proteins via anti-ADP-ribosylarginine immunoreactivity.

Arginine-specific mono-ADP-ribosylation of proteins and arginine-specific mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase occur in heart. We developed a polyclonal antiserum, R-28, against ADP-ribosylpolyarginine that recognized mono-ADP-ribosylated proteins and identified the major mono-ADP-ribosylation products of quail heart. Treatment of Immobilon-bound ADP-ribosylated Gs protein with hydroxylamine under conditions that remove ADP-ribose from its arginines eliminated R-28 immunoreactivity to Gs. Also, R-28 immunoreactivity to quail heart proteins was removed by NaOH and phosphodiesterase I treatments. Similar treatment with mercuric chloride did not remove the immunoreactivity but did remove exogenously (via in vitro pertussis toxin treatment) added ADP-ribose from cysteine of cardiac Gi/Go proteins. The antiserum did not appear to react with ADP-ribosylasparagine of Rho (formed by C3 toxin), ADP-ribosyldiphthamide of elongation factor 2 (formed by diphtheria toxin) in quail heart preparations, or polyADP-ribosylated proteins of a neonate rat cardiac nuclear preparation. Thus, the R-28 antiserum appears to contain predominantly antibodies directed against ADP-ribosylarginine. To test the usefulness of R-28, immunoblotting of subcellular fractions of quail heart was performed. R-28 showed the greatest immunoreactivity in the sarcolemma with significant immunoreactivity in denser membrane fractions. The cytosol also contained an immunoreactive band distinct from those found in the membranes. Hydroxylamine treatment eliminated immunoreactivity in the sarcolemma and denser membrane fractions but not the cytosol, suggesting the membranous immunoreactive bands contain ADP-ribosylarginine. In conclusion, a polyclonal antiserum that recognizes ADP-ribosylarginine proteins has been raised. The usefulness of the antiserum is demonstrated by the characterization of endogenous arginine mono-ADP-ribosylation products in quail heart. The quail heart has several sarcolemmal and denser membrane fraction proteins that appear to be mono-ADP-ribosylated on arginines.

Regulatory role of arginine-specific mono(ADP-ribosyl)transferase in muscle cells.

Earlier we demonstrated that meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG), a specific inhibitor of arginine mono-ADP-ribosylation blocks proliferation and differentiation of chick skeletal myogenic cells in culture (Exp. Cell Res., 1992, 201:33-42). Membrane fractions from 4-day, myotube cultures of embryonic chick muscle cells were incubated with 32P-NAD+. Several proteins were labeled, but labeling of two hands of about 53 and 36 kDa appeared to be due to arginyl ADP-ribosylation. Immunoprecipitation with D3 monoclonal antibody to the intermediate filament protein desmin, SDS-PAGE and autoradiography demonstrated that the 53 kDa band contained desmin, and that this desmin is ADP-ribosylated by the endogenous arginine-specific mono(ADP-ribosyl)transferase (Exp. Cell Res., 1996, in press). Desmin is the muscle-specific intermediate filament protein, and it appears to be one of the first muscle-specific proteins expressed during terminal myogenic differentiation. We have examined whether desmin can be ADP-ribosylated in muscle cells by use of polyclonal antibodies for ADP-ribosylated arginyl residues. We have found that soluble desmin is present in 5-6 day myogenic cell cultures and that this desmin contains ADP-ribose, demonstrating that desmin is ADP-ribosylated in skeletal muscle cells. We also found that purified avian desmin contains antigenic material that reacts with these antibodies. In both cases, NaCl had no effect on the reactivity, but NH2OH did, which is consistent with an arginine-ADPR linkage. In summary, these results suggest that ADP-ribosylation is an important regulatory mechanism in differentiating muscle cells, and that the intermediate filament protein desmin is an important substrate for modification in muscle cells.

Dynamic changes in G alpha i-2 levels in rat hearts associated with impaired heart function after myocardial infarction.

The objective of this study was to determine if levels and function of Gs alpha and G alpha i-2 in rat hearts change over time following acute myocardial infarction (MI), and if so, whether the changes in G proteins are associated with changes in heart function. As compared with sham-operated controls, the G alpha i-2 level of MI rats did not change at day 1, increased by 64% at day 3 (P < 0.01) and by 55% at day 9 (P < 0.05) accompanied by reduced adenylyl cyclase activity, and returned to control by day 21. By contrast, the Gs alpha level did not change at any time. Cardiac function in MI animals was markedly impaired at days 1, 3, and 9 as evidenced by substantial elevation in LVEDP and reduction in maximum rates of pressure development and relaxation, and was partially restored at day 21. Increased G alpha i-2 level in MI rats correlated significantly to severity of impaired cardiac function. The results show a three-phase dynamic pattern in G alpha i-2 level following acute MI: a lag phase, an increased expression phase associated with marked impairment of heart function, and a late phase in which the expression returns to control level accompanied by partially restored cardiac function.

Developmental and biochemical characteristics of the cardiac membrane-bound arginine-specific mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase.

ADP-ribosylation of protein in heart membrane preparations has been shown to be present in adult tissue but absent from early neonate tissue [Piron and McMahon (1990) Biochem. J. 270, 591-597]. To further this observation, the cardiac membrane-bound form of arginine-specific mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.31) has been characterized. Apparent Km values of 330 and 470 microM were found in heart membrane preparations from rat and quail respectively. The Vmax. value depended greatly on the species of animal studied, and was 1.1 and 48 nmol/min per mg in rat and quail preparations respectively. The specific activity of the enzyme was lowest in pig, intermediate in rat, dog and rabbit, and highest in mouse and quail cardiac membranes. In the rat, the ADP-ribosylation of protein and enzyme activity were very low in heart preparations from 1-15-day-old animals. Thereafter the ADP-ribosylation and enzyme activity increased gradually to adulthood. Bacillus cereus phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C, known to hydrolyse glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchors of proteins, released the mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase from membrane preparations of both rat and quail in a dose-dependent, Zn(2+)-inhibited manner. Thus it appears that a membrane-bound form of arginine-specific mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase is present in heart membranes from a variety of species and is not species-specific. The activity of this ADP-ribosyltransferase appears to be developmentally regulated and to be bound to the cardiac membranes by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor.

Modulation of DNA synthesis in aortic smooth muscle cells by dinitrotoluenes.

Studies were conducted to determine if in vivo exposure to dinitrotoluenes (DNT), which is associated with circulatory disorders of atherosclerotic etiology in humans, is associated with alterations of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) consistent with the atherogenic process. Sprague-Dawley rats (150-180 g) were injected IP for 5 days/week for 8 weeks with 2,4- or 2,6-DNT (0.5, 5, or 10 mg/kg) or medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil. Histopathologic evaluation of aortae from animals exposed to either isomer showed dysplasia and rearrangement of SMC at all doses tested. Reduced 3H-thymidine incorporation was observed in primary cultures of aortic SMC from DNT-exposed animals relative to vehicle controls. This inhibitory response was maintained for up to two passages in culture after which a significant increase in thymidine incorporation was observed. Exposure of SMC from naive animals to DNT in vitro (1-100 microM) did not alter the extent of thymidine incorporation in cycling or growth-arrested cultures. In contrast, exposure to 2,4- or 2,6-diaminotoluene (DAT) (1-100 microM), carcinogens which share toxic metabolic intermediates in common with DNT, inhibited replicative DNA synthesis and stimulated unscheduled DNA synthesis in cycling and growth-arrested cultures of SMC, respectively. Our results suggest that modulation of DNA synthesis in aortic SMC by DNT metabolites generated in vivo contribute to the development of vascular lesions.

Localization and partial characterization of ADP-ribosylation products in hearts from adult and neonatal rats.

The subcellular distributions of endogenous ADP-ribosylation products in hearts from 1-day-old neonatal and adult rats were investigated. In adult rat heart a 52 kDa mono-ADP-ribosylation product was identified in the plasma membrane fraction. In contrast, in neonatal rat heart a 130 kDa poly-ADP-ribosylation product was present in the nuclear fraction. The monomeric and polymeric nature of the two ADP-ribosylation products was determined by their sensitivity to thymidine and by analysis of their snake venom phosphodiesterase products. NADP+ enhanced both the mono- and polymeric reactions. The ADP-ribose-protein linkage of the adult 52 kDa product was stable to 1 h of treatment with hydroxylamine (0.5 M) and mercury ions, but was sensitive to alkali and a 12 h treatment with hydroxylamine (1 M). This is suggestive of an arginine linkage. The 130 kDa poly-ADP-ribosylation product from the neonatal rat heart was alkalilabile but stable to both hydroxylamine and HgCl2. This implies the presence of an unusual linkage in the 130 kDa product. The presence of these different ADP-ribosylation products in adult and neonatal rat hearts suggests the possible importance of these proteins and their ADP-ribosylation during cardiac development.

Developmental changes of the G proteins-muscarinic cholinergic receptor interactions in rat heart.

The pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins (guanine nucleotide binding proteins)-muscarinic receptor interactions in 18-day fetal to adult rat hearts were studied. The collective concentration of these G proteins was measured by pertussis toxin-dependent ADP-ribosylation and decreased from 1.5 pmol of [32P]ADP-ribose/mg of protein in the fetal heart to 0.5 pmol of [32P]ADP-ribose/mg of protein in 21-day postpartum and older animals in a nonlinear pattern. The muscarinic receptor density diminished 2-fold from 400 fmol/mg in 1-day-old neonate to 200 fmol/mg of protein in adult hearts in a linear manner. The receptor affinity for the agonist oxotremorine and the effect of guanine nucleotide on that affinity were monitored in heart preparations of the various ages. The IC50 value for oxotremorine/[3H]quinuclidinylbenzilate competition curves in the absence or presence of guanine nucleotide increased gradually with age. Modeling of the competition curves from 1-day-old neonate and adult preparations suggested the receptor has two oxotremorine affinity states in both age groups but the ability of guanine nucleotide to shift receptors from the higher affinity state increases with age. [3H] Oxotremorine binding to the higher affinity state had KD values of 95 and 170 pM in neonate and adult heart preparations. The concentration of 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate which caused 50% displacement of [3H]oxotremorine binding was 1.3 and 0.22 microM in neonate and adult tissue. These results suggest that although the quantity of the G proteins and muscarinic receptors diminish with development, the sensitivity of the G protein:muscarinic receptor complex to guanine nucleotide increases.

Antagonists and agonists interactions with the muscarinic receptor of the rat large airways.

The muscarinic receptor in the rat large airway was characterized by radioligand binding experiments. Using I-quinuclidinyl (phenyl-4-[3H])benzilate ([3H]QNB) as the radioligand, the receptor appears to be homogenous. The receptor density was 23 fmol/mg of protein and the Kd value for [3H]QNB binding was 16 pM. Competition of the [3H]QNB binding for the receptor with selective antagonists and agonists was used to characterize the muscarinic receptor. The K0.5 values for the (M1)-selective antagonists pirenzepine and telenzepine were 210 and 20 nM, respectively. The M2a-selective antagonist AF-DX 116 and the M2b-selective antagonist hexahydrosila-difenidol had K0.5 values of 130 and 120 nM, respectively. By comparing the apparent affinities of these antagonists in the large airways to their affinities in rat heart, the large airway muscarinic receptor appears to be of the M2a type. Agonists competition curves of [3H]QNB binding to the receptor were shallow. The agonist curves were modeled to one- and two-site binding models. All agonists, including M1-selective agonists, gave preferred fits to two-site models. Guanine nucleotide in the assay caused right shifts of the competition curves and decreased the apparent proportion of the receptor population that was in the higher affinity state for the agonists. Thus, it is concluded that: 1) the rat large airway muscarinic receptor interacts with antagonists in a manner which support the hypothesis that the receptors are of the M2a subtype and 2) both the high and low agonist affinity states of the M2a receptor of the rat large airways are capable of interacting with M1 agonists.

Correlation of agonist-induced phosphorylation of chick heart muscarinic receptors with receptor desensitization.

We have determined whether the process of agonist-mediated phosphorylation of the muscarinic receptor correlates with the process of muscarinic receptor desensitization in chick cardiac tissue. Exposure of ventricular slices to the agonist carbachol under conditions previously shown to lead to large increases in muscarinic receptor phosphorylation (Kwatra, M. M., and Hosey, M. M. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 12429-12432) resulted in decreased affinity of the muscarinic receptor for agonists. The agonist oxotremorine mimicked and the antagonist atropine prevented the effects of carbachol on receptor phosphorylation and agonist affinity. The time courses and concentration dependences for agonists to induce phosphorylation of the muscarinic receptor and decreases in agonist affinity were similar. Treatment of chick atria with acetylcholine under conditions which led to receptor phosphorylation resulted in decreased sensitivity of these preparations to the negative inotropic effect of carbachol. Taken together, the results support the concept that phosphorylation of cardiac muscarinic receptors may be related to the process of receptor desensitization. The mechanism by which agonists induce receptor phosphorylation was also investigated. The phosphorylated amino acids formed in response to agonists were serine and threonine. The protein kinase C activator phorbol myristate acetate had no effect on receptor phosphorylation or agonist affinity, nor did it prevent the effects of carbachol on either of these parameters. Receptor phosphorylation also was unaffected by the calmodulin antagonists W-7 and W-13, by elevation of cyclic nucleotides, and by agonists which activate other cardiac receptor systems. The results suggest that the phosphorylation of cardiac muscarinic receptors requires agonist occupancy of the receptor and/or may involve the participation of a selective protein kinase.

Agonist interactions with cardiac muscarinic receptors. Effects of Mg2+, guanine nucleotides, and monovalent cations.

Analysis of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate/acetylcholine competition curves indicated that the agonist acetylcholine bound with three different affinities to chick heart muscarinic receptors. The estimated KD values for acetylcholine were 2.7, 240, and 4000 nM. Mg2+ increased and guanosine 5'-(beta, gamma-imino)triphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) decreased the proportion of the receptors in the highest affinity state without altering the KD values. Monovalent cations increased the KD values of the three affinity states and obscured the detection of the highest affinity state. The nature of the three affinity states and the sites of action of Mg2+, guanine nucleotides, and monovalent cations were probed with three experimental protocols. Treatments with N-ethylmaleimide or pertussis toxin eliminated both the highest affinity state and the sensitivity to Gpp(NH)p. In contrast, partial effects of Mg2+ were retained after either of these treatments. The effects of monovalent cations on the affinity of the receptor for agonists were unaffected by both treatments. Solubilization of the receptors with digitonin-cholate yielded preparations displaying only the low affinity state for agonist. Agonist binding to the solubilized receptors was insensitive to Mg2+ and guanine nucleotides but retained sensitivity to monovalent cations. The results indicate that chick heart muscarinic receptors can exist in vitro in three agonist affinity states and that the entire population of receptors can be interconverted from one state to another by Mg2+ and guanine nucleotides. Guanine nucleotides presumably act via the inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory (Ni) protein, whereas there appear to be at least two distinct sites of action of Mg2+. One site is associated with Ni. Another is distinguishable from Ni but does not appear to be on the receptor itself. The effect of monovalent cations on the interaction of agonists with cardiac muscarinic receptors is qualitatively different and mediated at distinct sites from the effects of Mg2+ and guanine nucleotides.

High and low affinity states of the dihydropyridine and phenylalkylamine receptors on the cardiac calcium channel and their interconversion by divalent cations.

Drug receptors associated with Ca2+-channels in isolated chick heart membranes were found to exist in high and low affinity states. When assays were conducted in the presence of EDTA most of the receptors detected with the dihydropyridines (+)[3H]PN 200-110 or [3H]nitrendipine appeared to be in the lower affinity state. Inclusion of either Mg2+ or Ca2+ in the binding reactions resulted in the disappearance of the lower affinity state and the conversion of the receptors to a single high affinity state. Similar results were obtained with the phenylalkylamine derivative [3H]desmethoxyverapamil (D888). The results suggest that both the dihydropyridine and phenylalkylamine receptors on the cardiac Ca2+-channel can exist in interconvertible high and low affinity states in vitro, and that the proportion of receptors in each affinity state can be altered by the absence or presence of divalent cations.

Differences in the properties of muscarinic cholinergic receptors in the developing chick myocardium.

The number of muscarinic cholinergic receptors detected with [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) was constant in embryonic chick heart membranes but increased 2.5-fold by 3 days posthatching; the KD for [3H]QNB did not change. The affinities of the muscarinic receptors for agonists, as determined in in vitro [3H]QNB competition experiments, differed during development. The IC50 values were lowest for 10- to 14-day embryonic heart receptors, intermediate for 18- to 20-day embryonic receptors and highest for 3- to 7-day newborn heart receptors. These apparent differences in agonist affinity were not overcome by guanine nucleotides or monovalent cations alone, but were greatly diminished in the presence of a combination of guanylylimidodiphosphate plus NH4+. Modeling of [3H]QNB/oxotremorine competition curves indicated the presence of three agonist affinity states in membranes from embryonic heart and two in newborn hearts. The KD values for oxotremorine increased during development. The proportion of receptors displaying the highest affinity for oxotremorine was constant at all ages tested whereas the proportion displaying the lowest affinity decreased from 16% in membranes from 12-day embryonic hearts to zero in newborn hearts. The physiological significance of the differences in the properties of the receptors was investigated by assessing their ability to attenuate adenylate cyclase. The efficacy of agonists to attenuate basal adenylate cyclase increased 1.5-fold after birth, whereas the potency of agonists to produce this effect was similar at all ages tested.

cAMP metabolism and lipolysis in brown adipocytes of hamsters consuming a cafeteria diet.

Feeding animals cafeteria diets causes increased sympathetic activity to brown adipose tissue and this is believed to be responsible for the concomitant activation of thermogenesis. Because chronic catecholamine stimulation in other systems leads to a desensitization of beta-adrenergic receptors, we examined lipolysis and cAMP production in brown adipocytes of hamsters eating cafeteria diets for evidence of diminished beta-adrenergic responses. Basal cAMP levels were similar in chow- and cafeteria-fed hamsters. However, adipocytes from overfed animals formed less cAMP in response to isoproterenol than those of control animals. Isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was similarly decreased in membrane preparations from cafeteria-fed hamsters. However, when the diterpene forskolin was used, equal amounts of cAMP were formed in cells and membrane preparations from control and overfed animals. In contrast to the reduced responses of the cAMP system to isoproterenol stimulation observed in overfed hamsters, isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis was greater in cells from overfed animals than in cells from control animals. These results are consistent with a desensitization of the adenylate cyclase system in brown adipocytes occurring during chronic hyperphagia. Because eating cafeteria diets has been reported to increase sympathetic activity to brown fat depots, the apparent desensitization of brown adipocytes observed in this study may result from a persistent stimulation of the brown fat with norepinephrine in vivo. Our data also suggest the existence of mechanisms that preserve lipolysis in the face of low cAMP levels.

Attenuation of chick heart adenylate cyclase by muscarinic receptors after pertussis toxin treatment.

Pertussis toxin selectively modifies the function of Ni, the inhibitory guanine nucleotide binding protein of the adenylate cyclase complex. In chick heart membranes, guanine nucleotide activation of Ni resulted in a decrease in the apparent affinity of the muscarinic receptor for the agonist oxotremorine, inhibition of basal adenylate cyclase activity, and the attenuation of adenylate cyclase by oxotremorine. Treatment of chicks with pertussis toxin caused the covalent modification of 80-85% of cardiac Ni. After this treatment Gpp(NH)p had no effect on muscarinic receptor affinity and GTP stimulated basal adenylate cyclase activity. In contrast, the GTP-dependent attenuation of adenylate cyclase caused by muscarinic receptors was unaffected.

Inhibitory adenosine receptors in the heart: characterization by ligand binding studies and effects on beta-adrenergic receptor stimulated adenylate cyclase and membrane protein phosphorylation.

Adenosine causes negative chronotropic and inotropic effects on cardiac tissue. We have investigated the nature of the cardiac adenosine receptor and its effector mechanisms in preparations of newborn chick heart. The adenosine analog [3H]N6 (L-phenylisopropyl) adenosine (L-PIA), an agonist at R-type adenosine receptors, bound with high affinity to receptors in crude and highly-purified membrane preparations. The KD was 3-5 nM. The receptor density was low in crude membranes (10 fmol/mg protein) but significantly enriched in purified sarcolemma (164 fmol/mg protein). Competition studies showed that N-ethylcarboxamide adenosine and N6(D-phenylisopropyl)adenosine were less potent than N6(L-phenylisopropyl)adenosine at the chick heart adenosine receptor, as expected for an Ri-type adenosine receptor. Gpp(NH)p decreased the binding of [3H]N6(L-phenylisopropyl)adenosine to chick heart membranes, suggesting that the guanine nucleotide converted the receptor to a lower affinity state. N6(L-phenylisopropyl)adenosine inhibited beta-adrenergic receptor stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. The IC50 for cyclase attenuation by N6(L-phenylisopropyl)adenosine was 1 microM. N6(L-phenylisopropyl)adenosine reversed the effect of the beta-receptor agonist isoproterenol on phospholamban phosphorylation in 32P-labelled slices of newborn chick hearts. This effect of N6(L-phenylisopropyl)adenosine was evident by 2 min, had an IC50 of 200 nM, and was prevented by the adenosine receptor antagonist 8-phenyltheophylline. Taken together, the results suggest that the antiadrenergic effects of adenosine on cardiac tissue are mediated by a decrease in membrane protein phosphorylation signalled by activation of Ri-adenosine receptors. The coupling mechanism between receptor activation and protein phosphorylation may be an attenuation of adenylate cyclase.

Alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation of hamster brown adipocyte respiration.

Respiration was increased approximately 5-fold with 0.05 microM norepinephrine and to a maximum of 10-fold by 0.30 microM norepinephrine. Prazosin, an alpha-adrenergic blocking agent highly selective for alpha 1-type receptors, partially inhibited the response to norepinephrine (0.05 microM) by 20-25% at a concentration of 0.10-1 microM. In contrast, when the stimulus for respiration was provided by isoproterenol or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, prazosin was without effect up to a concentration of 10 microM. Yohimbine, an alpha-adrenergic blocking drug preferential for alpha 2-receptors, did not influence norepinephrine-stimulated oxygen uptake. Respiration was increased two- to fourfold by phenylephrine or methoxamine, agents preferential for alpha 1-adrenergic receptors but not at all by clonidine, an agent preferential for alpha 2-adrenergic receptors. The stimulatory effect of phenylephrine on oxygen uptake was fully blocked by prazosin but not propranolol. Removal of extracellular calcium with ethyleneglycol-bis(beta-aminoethylether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid prevented phenylephrine stimulation of respiration but was without effect when isoproterenol was the stimulus. These results support the participation of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors in control of respiration and are consistent with the possibility that changes in cell calcium are intimately involved in this response.

Phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylinositol labelling in adipose tissue. The role of endogenously formed adenosine.

Incorporation of [32P]Pi into phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylinositol of hamster epididymal adipocytes was partially inhibited by 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. This effect of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine was antagonized by isopropyl-N6-phenyladenosine but not by 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine, prostaglandin E1 or clonidine. N6-Phenylisopropyladenosine did not affect incorporation of [32P]Pi into phosphatidic acid or phosphatidylinositol when 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine was not present. In contrast with 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine inhibition of [32P]Pi incorporation into phospholipids, which was blocked only by N6-phenylisopropyladenosine, accelerated lipolysis was blocked by prostaglandin E1, clonidine and 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine as well as by N6-phenylisopropyladenosine. Phospholipid labelling was also decreased in the presence of adenosine deaminase, but not in the presence of isoprenaline (isoproterenol). The stimulatory effect of N6-phenylisopropyladenosine on [32P]Pi incorporation into phospholipids in cells exposed to 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine was evident as soon as 3 min after addition of the adenosine analogue and maximum 10 min after its addition. As observed by others, [32P]Pi incorporation into phospholipids was increased by the alpha 1-selective agonist methoxamine. The stimulatory effect of methoxamine occurred with a time course similar to that of N6-phenylisopropyladenosine and was present at nearly equal magnitude in the absence or presence of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. The inhibitory effects of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine and adenosine deaminase on phospholipid labelling are attributed to blockade of the action, or to the enzymic removal, of adenosine formed in and released from the fat-cells during their incubation. Supporting this view is the selective reversal of the actions of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine and of adenosine deaminase by N6-phenylisopropyladenosine. These findings suggest an important role for endogenous adenosine in regulation of phospholipid turnover in adipocytes.

Potentiation of monovalent cation effects on ligand binding to cardiac muscarinic receptors in N-ethylmaleimide treated membranes.

Guanine nucleotides and monovalent cations decrease the affinity of cardiac muscarinic receptors for agonists and are required for muscarinic receptor mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase. N-ethylmaleimide abolished the effects of Gpp(NH)p on the ability of the agonist oxotremorine to inhibit the binding of the antagonist [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate to purified chick heart membranes. However, the effects of NH4+ to decrease the IC50 for oxotremorine were retained in N-ethylmaleimide treated membranes. The N-ethylmaleimide treatment mimicked the effects of Gpp(NH)p and the oxotremorine inhibition curves obtained with treated membranes in the presence of NH4+ were identical to those obtained in control membranes in the presence of NH4+ and Gpp(NH)p. The results suggest that monovalent cation effects on muscarinic receptors are mediated at a site distinct from effects produced by guanine nucleotides and are greater on free receptors than on receptors coupled to guanine nucleotide binding proteins.

Effects of 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-guanine-5'-triphosphate on adenylate cyclase: comparison with GTP and GPP(NH)P.

The present communication describes the actions of 9-beta-D-arabino-furanosylguanine-5'-triphosphate (AraGTP) on hamster white and brown adipocyte and chick cardiac adenylate cyclase. AraGTP supports isoproterenol stimulation of adenylate cyclase in a GTP-like manner. Preincubation of membranes with AraGTP (with or without isoproterenol) does not irreversibly activate the adenylate cyclase as Gpp(NH)p does. In chick cardiac and hamster white adipocyte membranes both AraGTP and GTP alone inhibit adenylate cyclase. AraGTP mimics GTP and Gpp(NH)p in their abilities to lower agonist affinity for the inhibitory muscarinic receptor in cardiac membranes. These observations suggest AraGTP can interact with guanine nucleotide dependent regulatory proteins. In contrast to GTP though, AraGTP does not support hormonal attenuation of adenylate cyclase in any of these tissues.