cyclic-imp and cyclic-3--5--uridine-monophosphate

Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate are second messengers that regulate multiple physiological functions. The existence of additional cyclic nucleotides in mammalian cells was postulated many years ago, but technical problems hampered development of the field. Using highly specific and sensitive mass spectrometry methods, soluble guanylyl cyclase has recently been shown to catalyze the formation of several cyclic nucleotides in vitro. This minireview discusses the broad substrate-specificity of soluble guanylyl cyclase and the possible second messenger roles of cyclic nucleotides other than adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate. We hope that this article stimulates productive and critical research in an area that has been neglected for many years.

Topics: Animals; Cyclic CMP; Cyclic IMP; Guanylate Cyclase; Humans; Models, Biological; Nucleotides, Cyclic; Purine Nucleotides; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; Second Messenger Systems; Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase; Thymidine Monophosphate; Uridine Monophosphate

Glucose transport in isolated rat cardiomyocytes is stimulated by insulin, catecholamines, and anoxia approximately 2- to 3-fold over basal rates. The molecular mechanisms controlling these responses are unknown. In our search for possible cellular mediators of glucose transport stimulation, we examined the effects of a number of nucleotides on 3-O-methylglucose transport in heart cells. The nucleotides and/or permeable analogs (monosuccinyl, 8-bromo, and dibutyryl derivatives) included cUMP, cIMP, cCMP, cAMP, and cGMP at concentrations ranging from 10 nM to 1 mM. Of all the nucleotides tested only cGMP analogs induced a significant stimulation of transport at concentrations as low as 100 nM. This effect was observed in both the 8-bromo- and dibutyryl derivatives and with 1 mM cGMP itself. The effect was concentration dependent for both analogs and produced a maximal response equivalent to that of 100 nM insulin. This insulinomimetic effect of cGMP was examined in more detail in order to evaluate its role as a potential mediator of this response. Agents that are known to stimulate guanylate cyclase in the heart produced a clear stimulation of transport when added to cardiomyocytes. These include insulin, aminophylline, histamine, beta-estradiol, and biotin-nitrophenyl ester. Methylene blue, an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase, blocked the insulin response when added to cells before insulin, but was ineffective when added after insulin. In addition, agents that raise intracellular cGMP levels by inhibiting cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases were also examined for effects on glucose transport. Out of several phosphodiesterase inhibitors tested, only Zaprinast (which selectively increases cGMP in heart) stimulated transport in a concentration-dependent manner to within 80% of the maximal insulin effect. These results are consistent with the notion that cGMP may be involved in glucose transport stimulation.

Topics: Aminophylline; Animals; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic CMP; Cyclic GMP; Cyclic IMP; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Estradiol; Female; Glucose; Insulin; Methylene Blue; Myocardium; Nucleotides, Cyclic; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Uridine Monophosphate

The large-scale extraction and partial purification of endogenous 3',5'-cyclic UMP, 3',5'-cyclic IMP and 3',5'-cyclic dTMP are described. Rat liver, kidney, heart, spleen and lung tissues were subjected to a sequential purification procedure involving freeze-clamping, perchlorate extraction, alumina and Sephadex ion-exchange chromatography and preparative electrophoresis. The samples thus obtained co-chromatographed with authentic cyclic UMP, cyclic IMP and cyclic dTMP on t.l.c. and h.p.l.c. and the u.v. spectra of the extracted samples were identical with those of the standards. Fast atom bombardment of the three cyclic nucleotide standards yielded mass spectra containing a molecular protonated ion in each case; mass-analysed ion kinetic-energy spectrometry ('m.i.k.e.s') of these ions produced a spectrum unique to the parent cyclic nucleotide. The extracted putative cyclic UMP, cyclic IMP and cyclic dTMP each produced a m.i.k.e.s. identical with that obtained with the corresponding cyclic nucleotide standard. Rat liver, heart, kidney, brain, intestine, spleen, testis and lung protein preparations were each found capable of the synthesis of cyclic UMP, cyclic IMP and cyclic dTMP from the corresponding nucleoside triphosphate, of the hydrolysis of these cyclic nucleotides and of their binding, with the exception that cyclic dTMP was not synthesized by the kidney preparation.

Topics: Animals; Cyclic IMP; Inosine Nucleotides; Mass Spectrometry; Nucleotides, Cyclic; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Thymidine Monophosphate; Thymine Nucleotides; Tissue Distribution; Uracil Nucleotides; Uridine Monophosphate