P2Y2 purinergic and M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors activate different phospholipase C-beta isoforms that are uniquely susceptible to protein kinase C-dependent phosphorylation and inactivation.

Activation of phospholipase C-beta (PLC-beta) by G protein-coupled receptors typically results in rapid but transient second messenger generation. Although PLC-beta deactivation may contribute to the transient nature of this response, the mechanisms governing PLC-beta deactivation are poorly characterized. We investigated the involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) in the termination of PLC-beta activation induced by endogenous P2Y(2) purinergic receptors and transfected M(3) muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR) in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Activation of P2Y(2) receptors causes Galpha(q/11) to associate with PLC-beta3, whereas M(3) mAChR activation causes Galpha(q/11) to associate with both PLC-beta1 and PLC-beta3 in these cells. Phosphorylation of PLC-beta3, but not PLC-beta1, is induced by activating either P2Y(2) receptors or M(3) mAChR. We demonstrate that PKC rather than protein kinase A mediates the G protein-coupled receptor-induced phosphorylation of PLC-beta3. The PKC-mediated phosphorylation of PLC-beta3 diminishes the interaction of Galpha(q/11) with PLC-beta3, thereby contributing to the termination PLC-beta3 activity. These findings indicate that the distinct temporal profiles of PLC activation by P2Y(2) receptors and mAChR may arise from the differential activation of PLC-beta1 and PLC-beta3 by the receptors, coupled with a selective PKC-mediated negative feedback mechanism that targets PLC-beta3 but not PLC-beta1.

Small cell lung carcinoma exhibits greater phospholipase C-beta1 expression and edelfosine resistance compared with non-small cell lung carcinoma.

Aberrant signal transduction pathways involved in the development of metastatic disease are poorly defined in both small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Neuropeptide-driven positive feedback loops stimulating cell proliferation are characteristic of SCLC. The activation of phospholipase C (PLC)-beta1 is an early and common response to stimulation of G protein-coupled receptors by these neuroendocrine growth factors. The importance of PLC-beta in neuropeptide signaling prompted us to compare PLC-beta isoform expression and activity in four independent SCLC cell lines and four independent NSCLC cell lines. We found that PLC-beta1 is more highly expressed in SCLC than in NSCLC, as indicated by Western blotting of cell lysates. All SCLC lines studied express PLC-beta1; only one of the NSCLC lines investigated showed detectable levels of the enzyme. NSCLC lines are significantly more sensitive to the antiproliferative effects of ET-18-OCH3 (edelfosine) compared with the SCLC lines, as indicated by [3H]thymidine uptake. The only SCLC cell line (NCI-H345) that is as sensitive as the NSCLC cell lines to ET-18-OCH3 also expresses uniquely low levels of PLC-beta1. The participation of PLC-beta1 in signaling by SCLC growth factor receptors is indicated by our finding that PLC-beta1 (but not PLC-beta3) coimnunoprecipitates with G(alpha)q/11 upon activation of neurotensin receptors; this association is inhibited by ET-18-OCH3. Ca2+ mobilization mediated by neurotensin receptors is also inhibited by ET-18-OCH3. The binding of GTPgammaS to G(alpha)q/11 upon treatment of SCLC cells with neurotensin is not inhibited by ET-18-OCH3. These findings indicate that ET-18-OCH3 does not interfere with G(alpha)q/11 activation but rather inhibits the association of G(alpha)q/11 with PLC-beta1. Our data suggest that PLC-beta is an important mediator of both SCLC and NSCLC proliferation. Differences in PLC-beta1 expression may be exploitable in the development of effective diagnostic and therapeutic tools.

Unique in vivo associations with SmgGDS and RhoGDI and different guanine nucleotide exchange activities exhibited by RhoA, dominant negative RhoA(Asn-19), and activated RhoA(Val-14).

We compared the in vivo characteristics of hemagglutinin (HA)-tagged RhoA, dominant negative RhoA(Asn-19), and activated RhoA(Val-14) stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Proteins co-precipitating with these HA-tagged GTPases were identified by peptide sequencing or by Western blotting. Dominant negative RhoA(Asn-19) co-precipitates with the guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) SmgGDS but does not detectably interact with other expressed GEFs, such as Ost or Dbl. SmgGDS co-precipitates minimally with wild-type RhoA and does not detectably associate with RhoA(Val-14). The guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor RhoGDI co-precipitates with RhoA, and to a lesser extent with RhoA(Val-14), but does not detectably co-precipitate with RhoA(Asn-19). Wild-type RhoA is predominantly in the [(32)P]GDP-bound form, RhoA(Val-14) is predominantly in the [(32)P]GTP-bound form, and negligible levels of [(32)P]GDP or [(32)P]GTP are bound to RhoA(Asn-19) in (32)P-labeled cells. Immunofluorescence analyses indicate that HA-RhoA(Asn-19) is excluded from the nucleus and cell junctions. Microinjection of SmgGDS cDNA into CHO cells stably expressing HA-RhoA causes HA-RhoA to be excluded from the nucleus and cell junctions, similar to the distribution of RhoA(Asn-19). Our findings indicate that the expression of RhoA(Asn-19) may specifically inhibit signaling pathways that rely upon the SmgGDS-dependent activation of RhoA.

M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors regulate cytoplasmic myosin by a process involving RhoA and requiring conventional protein kinase C isoforms.

Although muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR) regulate the activity of smooth muscle myosin, the effects of mAChR activation on cytoplasmic myosin have not been characterized. We found that activation of transfected human M3 mAChR induces the phosphorylation of myosin light chains (MLC) and the formation of myosin-containing stress fibers in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-m3) cells. Direct activation of protein kinase C (PKC) with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) also induces myosin light chain phosphorylation and myosin reorganization in CHO-m3 cells. Conventional (alpha), novel (delta), and atypical (iota) PKC isoforms are activated by mAChR stimulation or PMA treatment in CHO-m3 cells, as indicated by PKC translocation or degradation. mAChR-mediated myosin reorganization is abolished by inhibiting conventional PKC isoforms with Go6976 (IC50 = 0.4 microM), calphostin C (IC50 = 2.4 microM), or chelerythrine (IC50 = 8.0 microM). Stable expression of dominant negative RhoAAsn-19 diminishes, but does not abolish, mAChR-mediated myosin reorganization in the CHO-m3 cells. Similarly, mAChR-mediated myosin reorganization is diminished, but not abolished, in CHO-m3 cells which are multi-nucleate due to inactivation of Rho with C3 exoenzyme. Expression of dominant negative RhoAAsn-19 or inactivation of RhoA with C3 exoenzyme does not affect PMA-induced myosin reorganization. These findings indicate that the PKC-mediated pathway of myosin reorganization (induced either by M3 mAChR activation or PMA treatment) can continue to operate even when RhoA activity is diminished in CHO-m3 cells. Conventional PKC isoforms and RhoA may participate in separate but parallel pathways induced by M3 mAChR activation to regulate cytoplasmic myosin. Changes in cytoplasmic myosin elicited by M3 mAChR activation may contribute to the unique ability of these receptors to regulate cell morphology, adhesion, and proliferation.

Contribution of phospholipase C-beta3 phosphorylation to the rapid attenuation of opioid-activated phosphoinositide response.

Activation of the delta-opioid receptor in NG108-15 neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid cells results in a transient increase at the intracellular level of inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3]. This time course in the transient increase in the Ins(1,4,5)P3 level is distinctly different from that observed in the homologous opioid receptor desensitization as measured by the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity. One probable mechanism for this rapid loss in Ins(1,4,5)P3 response is the feedback regulation of the phospholipase C activity. Regulation by protein phosphorylation was suggested by the observations that the opioid-mediated response was potentiated by calphostin C, an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), and was abolished by either phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate, a PKC activator, or calyculin A, a protein phosphatase1/2A inhibitor. The direct phosphorylation of phospholipase C was demonstrated by immunoprecipitation of PLC-beta3 from metabolically labeled NG108-15 cells challenged with the delta-selective agonist [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE). A time- and DPDPE concentration-dependent and naloxone-reversible increase in the PLC-beta3 phosphorylation can be demonstrated. This PLC-beta3 phosphorylation was mainly due to PKC activation because pretreatment of NG108-15 cells with calphostin C could block the DPDPE effect. Activation of the PLC-beta3 by DPDPE was one of the prerequisites for agonist-mediated PLC-beta3 phosphorylation because the aminosteroid phospholipase C inhibitor U73122 could block the DPDPE effect. In addition to DPDPE, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) stimulated the PLC-beta3 phosphorylation, but bradykinin did not. Furthermore, the LPA- and DPDPE-mediated PLC-beta3 phosphorylation was additive and was much less than that observed with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate. The effect of DPDPE was specific to PLC-beta3; the betagamma-insensitive phospholipase C-beta1 was not phosphorylated in the presence of either DPDPE or LPA. These results indicate that although PKC phosphorylation of PLC-beta3 is not obligatory for the opioid receptor desensitization, it seems to play a significant facilatory role in the mechanisms allowing desensitization of opioid-activated phospholipase C response before that of adenylyl cyclase inhibition.

Phosphorylation of Gi alpha 2 attenuates inhibitory adenylyl cyclase in neuroblastoma/glioma hybrid (NG-108-15) cells.

Cross-regulation from the stimulatory phospholipase C to the adenylyl cyclase pathways was explored in neuroblastoma-glioma NG-108-15 cells in culture. Activation of protein kinase C by phorbol myristic acid resulted in a markedly attenuated activation of the inhibitory adenylyl cyclase response to delta-opiate agonists and epinephrine but not to the muscarinic agonist carbachol. The ability of okadaic acid to mimic the effects of phorbol myristic acid on the inhibitory response suggested a role for protein phosphorylation. Adenylyl cyclase activity from cells in which protein kinase C had been activated demonstrated a loss in the inhibitory adenylyl cyclase response at the level of the G-protein. Activation of protein kinase C prompted a 2-4-fold increase in phosphorylation of G1 alpha 2 in cells metabolically labeled with [32P]orthophosphate. The phosphate content of Gi alpha 2 was determined to be approximately 0.5 mol/mol subunit in the unstimulated cells and approximately 1.5 mol/mol subunit for cells in which protein kinase C was activated. The effects of okadaic acid, 4-alpha-phorbol, and calphostin C on inhibition of adenylyl cyclase in cells treated with phorbol myristic acid correlate with the effects of these agents on phosphorylation of Gi alpha 2. The time courses for attenuation of inhibitory adenylyl cyclase and that for phosphorylation of Gi alpha 2 were similar in cells challenged with phorbol myristic acid. These data argue for cross-regulation from the stimulatory protein kinase C to inhibitory adenylyl cyclase pathways at the level of Gi alpha 2 via protein phosphorylation.

Regulation of cardiac adenylate cyclase activity in rodent models of obesity.

We have investigated beta-adrenergic regulation of adenylate cyclase activity in heart tissue membranes from the genetically obese Zucker rat, the genetically obese CBA mouse and the genetically obese diabetic (db/db) mouse. Responsiveness to beta-adrenergic stimulation was impaired in membranes from the obese Zucker rat, but not in the other models. The membranes from obese Zucker rats showed both decreased beta-adrenergic-receptor number and altered coupling between beta-adrenergic receptors and the stimulatory guanine-nucleotide-binding protein, Gs. In contrast, no alterations in either the levels of Gs or the functional interaction between this protein and the catalytic moiety of adenylate cyclase were observed. In these three genetic models of obesity we observe dissimilar alterations in the control of adenylate cyclase.

Alterations in G-protein expression and the hormonal regulation of adenylate cyclase in the adipocytes of obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats.

Attenuated maximal activations by forskolin, Mn+. NaF or guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]) were noted for adenylate cyclase activity in adipocytes from obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats compared with their lean (Fa/Fa) littermates. GTP[S] achieved half-maximal activation of adenylate cyclase at some 10-fold lower concentrations in membranes from lean animals compared with those from obese. Levels of the 42 and 45 kDa forms of Gs were some 40-50% lower in membranes from obese animals, and levels of Gi-1 and Gi-3 were some 62-65% lower. No differences in levels of Gi-2 alpha-subunits or G-protein beta-subunits were observed. Gi function, as assessed by inhibiting forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase, achieved by prostaglandin E1, nicotinate and phenylisopropyladenosine, was similar in membranes from both lean and obese animals. Levels of beta-adrenoceptors were some 50% lower in membranes from obese animals. It is suggested that the attenuated activation of adenylate cyclase by stimulatory ligands in membranes from obese animals may be caused by decreases in both Gs and receptors, and that this may contribute to the attenuated lipolytic response seen in adipocytes from such animals.

Genetically acquired diabetes: adipocyte guanine nucleotide regulatory protein expression and adenylate cyclase regulation.

Adipocyte membranes from diabetic (db/db) animals showed marked elevations in the levels of alpha-subunits for Gi-1 which were almost twice those found in membranes from their normal, lean littermates. In contrast, no apparent differences were noted for levels of the alpha-subunits of Gi-2 and Gi-3, the 42 and 45 kDa forms of Gs and for G-protein beta-subunits. Adenylate cyclase specific activity was similar in membranes from both normal and diabetic animals under basal conditions and also when stimulated by optimal concentrations of either NaF or forskolin. In contrast, the ability of isoprenaline, glucagon and secretin to stimulate adenylate cyclase activity was greater in membranes from normal animals compared with membranes from diabetic animals. Receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase, as assessed using PGE1 and nicotinate, was similar using membranes from both sources, but PIA (phenylisopropyladenosine) was a slightly more effective inhibitor in membranes from diabetic animals. A doubling in the expression of Gi-1 thus appears to have little discernible effect upon the inhibitory regulation of adenylate cyclase.

Diabetes abolishes the GTP-dependent, but not the receptor-dependent inhibitory function of the inhibitory guanine-nucleotide-binding regulatory protein (Gi) on adipocyte adenylate cyclase activity.

Adipocyte membranes from control rats exhibited a functional Gi (inhibitory guanine-nucleotide-binding protein) activity which could be assessed either by the inhibitory action of low concentrations of guanosine 5-[beta gamma-imido]triphosphate (p[NH]ppG) upon forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity or by the inhibitory action of high concentrations of GTP upon isoprenaline-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. When membranes from animals made diabetic with streptozotocin were used, then both such inhibitory functions of Gi were abolished. In contrast, receptor-mediated inhibitory responses of Gi, effected by N6-phenylisopropyl (adenosine), prostaglandin E2 or nicotinate, were either unchanged or even apparently more effective in membranes from diabetic animals. Induction of diabetes did not cause any change in the adipocyte plasma membrane levels of the alpha, GTP-binding subunits of either Gi1 or Gi2 or of Gs (stimulatory guanine-nucleotide-binding protein), but elicited an increase in the level of alpha-Gi3. The induction of diabetes reduced the specific activity of adenylate cyclase in adipocyte membranes and enhanced the stimulatory effect of isoprenaline. It is suggested that diabetes causes selective changes in the functioning of Gi in adipocyte membranes which removes the tonic GTP-dependent inhibitory function of this G-protein.