cyclic-gmp and Pheochromocytoma

Adenosine induces expression of the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene in PC12 cells. However, it is suggested that atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) inhibits expression of this gene. Using real-time PCR and luciferase reporter assays we found that ANP significantly decreases the adenosine-induced transcription of the TH gene. Results of measurements of cyclic nucleotide concentrations indicated that ANP-induced accumulation of cGMP inhibits the adenosine-induced increase in cAMP level. Using selective phosphodiesterase 2 (PDE2) inhibitors and a synthetic cGMP analog activating PDE2, we found that PDE2 is involved in coupling the ANP-triggered signal to the cAMP metabolism. We have established that ANP-induced elevated levels of cGMP as well as cGMP analog stimulate hydrolytic activity of PDE2, leading to inhibition of adenosine-induced transcription of the TH gene. We conclude that ANP mediates negative regulation of TH gene expression via stimulation of PDE2-dependent cAMP breakdown in PC12 cells.

Topics: Adenosine; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein; Cyclic GMP; Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 2; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Models, Biological; PC12 Cells; Pheochromocytoma; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Rats; RNA, Messenger; Transcription, Genetic; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase

The guanine base is prone to oxidation by free radicals regardless of the cellular moiety it is bound to. However, under conditions of oxidative stress, 8-oxoguanosine triphosphate (oxo(8)GTP) formation has been shown to occur without oxidation of the guanine base in DNA. In vitro studies have suggested that oxo(8)GTP could impact G-protein signaling and RNA synthesis. Whether increased levels of oxo(8)GTP translate into cellular malfunction is unknown. Data presented herein show that oxo(8)GTP is formed in cell-free preparations as well as in PC12 cells after exposure to physiologically relevant oxidative conditions generated with 10 microM copper sulfate and 1 mM L-ascorbic acid (Cu/Asc). We also determined that oxo(8)GTP has biological activity as a potent inhibitor of nitric oxide-stimulated soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC). The increase in oxo(8)GTP formation in purified GTP and PC12 cells exposed to Cu/Asc caused a significant reduction in the product of sGC activity, cGMP. This oxidation of GTP was attenuated by the addition of reduced glutathione under these same Cu/Asc conditions, thus preventing the decrease in sGC activity. This suggests that oxo(8)GTP is produced by free radicals in vivo and could have significant impact on cell functions regulated by sGC activity such as synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Cell Extracts; Cell Line; Central Nervous System; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Copper Sulfate; Cyclic GMP; Enzyme Activation; Free Radicals; Guanosine Triphosphate; Guanylate Cyclase; In Vitro Techniques; Nitric Oxide; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Pheochromocytoma; Rats

Angiotensin II type 2 (AT2R) or bradykinin B2 (B2R) receptor activation enhances NO production. Recently, we demonstrated enhancement of NO production when AT2R and B2R are simultaneously activated in vivo. However, the mechanism involved in this enhancement is unknown. Using confocal fluorescence resonance energy transfer microscopy, we report the distance between the AT2R and B2R in PC12W cell membranes to be 50+/-5 A, providing evidence and quantification of receptor heterodimerization as the mechanism for enhancing NO production. The rate of AT2R-B2R heterodimer formation is largely a function of the degree of AT2R-B2R expression. The physical association between the dimerized receptors initiates changes in intracellular phosphoprotein signaling activities leading to phosphorylation of c-Jun terminal kinase, phosphotyrosine phosphatase, inhibitory protein kappaBalpha, and activating transcription factor 2; dephosphorylation of p38 and p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase and signal transducer inhibitor of transcription 3; and enhancing production of NO and cGMP. Controlling the expression of AT2R-B2R, consequently influencing their biologically active dimerization, presents a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of hypertension and other cardiovascular and renal disorders.

Topics: Activating Transcription Factor 2; Animals; Cell Membrane; Cyclic GMP; Dimerization; Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Immunoblotting; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Microscopy, Confocal; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Nitric Oxide; PC12 Cells; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphoproteins; Phosphorylation; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases; Rats; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2; Receptor, Bradykinin B2; Signal Transduction

In vitro microdialysis was used to investigate the mechanism of nitric oxide (NO) donor-induced changes in dopamine (DA) secretion from PC12 cells. Infusion of the NO-donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP, 1.0 mm) induced a long-lasting increase in DA and 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT) dialysate concentrations. SNAP-induced increases were inhibited either by pre-infusion of the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo[4,3]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 0.1 mm) or by Ca2+ omission. Ca2+ re-introduction restored SNAP effects. SNAP-induced increases in DA + 3-MT were unaffected by co-infusion of the l-type Ca2+ channel inhibitor nifedipine. The NO-donor (+/-)-(E)-4-ethyl-2-[(E)-hydroxyimino]-5-nitro-3-hexenamide (NOR-3, 1.0 mm) induced a short-lasting decrease in dialysate DA + 3-MT. Ascorbic acid (0.2 mm) co-infusion allowed NOR-3 to increase dialysate DA + 3-MT. ODQ pre-infusion inhibited NOR-3 + ascorbic acid-induced DA + 3-MT increases. Infusion of high K+ (75 mm) induced a 2.5-fold increase in dialysate DA + 3-MT. The increase was abolished by NOR-3 co-infusion. Conversely, co-infusion of ascorbic acid (0.2 mm) with NOR-3 + high K+ restored high K+ effects. Co-infusion of nifedipine inhibited high K+-induced DA + 3-MT increases. These results suggest that activation of the NO/sGC/cyclic GMP pathway may be the underlying mechanism of extracellular Ca2+-dependent effects of exogenous NO on DA secretion from PC12 cells. Extracellular Ca2+ entry may occur through nifedipine-insensitive channels. NO effects and DA concentrations in dialysates largely depend on both the timing of NO generation and the extracellular environment in which NO is generated.

Topics: 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Calcium; Calcium Channel Blockers; Cell Survival; Cyclic GMP; Dopamine; Enzyme Inhibitors; Extracellular Space; Homovanillic Acid; Microdialysis; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Donors; Nitro Compounds; PC12 Cells; Pheochromocytoma; Potassium; Rats; S-Nitroso-N-Acetylpenicillamine

The effects of vinpocetine, an inhibitor of cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase, on ionic currents were examined in rat pituitary GH3 lactotrophs with the aid of the patch-clamp technique. In GH3 cells bathed in normal Tyrode's solution, vinpocetine (10 microM) reversibly increased the amplitude of Ca2+-activated K+ current (I(K)Ca) with an EC50 value of 4 microM. When the recording pipettes were filled with 10 mM EGTA, vinpocetine also stimulated I(K)Ca. In the cell-attached configuration, application of vinpocetine to the bath increased the activity of large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK(Ca)) channels. In excised membrane patches, application of vinpocetine (10 microM) to the bath did not change the single-channel conductance of BK(Ca) channels; however, it did increase channel activity. In the inside-out configuration, neither 8-bromo cyclic GMP nor YC-1 applied intracellularly affected BK(Ca) channel activity. The vinpocetine-induced change in the kinetic behavior of BK(Ca) channels was due to an increase in mean open time and a decrease in mean closed time. Vinpocetine (10 microM) caused a leftward shift in the midpoint for the voltage-dependent opening. Under the current-clamp mode, vinpocetine (10 microM) decreased the firing rate of spontaneous action potentials induced by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (10 microM) in GH3 cells. In pheochromocytoma PC12 cells, vinpocetine (10 microM) applied intracellularly also enhanced the activity of BK(Ca) channels without altering single-channel conductance. Thus, the present study suggests that vinpocetine-mediated stimulation of I(K)Ca may result from the direct activation of BK(Ca) channels and indirectly from elevated cytosolic Ca2+.

Topics: Animals; Calcium Channel Blockers; Calcium Channels; Cyclic GMP; Drug Interactions; Electrophysiology; Enzyme Activators; Indazoles; Kinetics; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels; Membrane Potentials; PC12 Cells; Pheochromocytoma; Pituitary Gland; Potassium Channels; Potassium Channels, Calcium-Activated; Rats; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Vinca Alkaloids

Analysis of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity in cellular fractions from cultured rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells has shown that the predominant hydrolytic activity in both cytosolic and particulate compartments is characteristic of a PDE II, the cGMP-activatable family of PDE isozymes. Cytosolic PDE activity was purified to a high degree utilizing DE-52 anion exchange and cGMP-Sepharose affinity chromatographies. The physicochemical properties of PC12 PDE II were similar to those of PDE II isolated from particulate or soluble fractions of other tissues, including subunit molecular weight of approximately 102,000, activation of cAMP hydrolysis by cGMP, and positive cooperative kinetic behavior for cAMP and cGMP hydrolysis. The potential role of PDE II in regulating cAMP metabolism in intact PC12 cells was studied using an [3H]adenine prelabeling technique. Stimulation of PC12 cell adenosine receptors resulted in a 5-8-fold increase in cAMP accumulation. Removal of the adenosine stimulus by the addition of exogenous adenosine deaminase resulted in a rapid decay of cAMP to prestimulated basal levels within 2 min. Treatment of PC12 cells with atrial natriuretic factor or sodium nitroprusside caused 1) increased intracellular cGMP levels, 2) attenuation of adenosine-stimulated cAMP accumulation, and 3) increased rates of cAMP decay after removal of the adenosine stimulus. Treatment of PC12 cells with HL-725 (a potent inhibitor of isolated PDE II activity in vitro) caused 1) increased basal cAMP accumulation, 2) potentiation of adenosine-stimulated cAMP accumulation, and 3) retardation of the rate of cAMP decay after removal of the adenosine stimulus. HL-725 blocked both the attenuation of cAMP accumulation and the accelerated rate of cAMP decay observed with the cGMP-elevating agents. These results suggest that, in PC12 cells, drugs or hormones that inhibit PDE II or increase intracellular cGMP levels to activate PDE II can modulate cAMP metabolism by altering the catalytic status of the enzyme.

Topics: 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; Adenosine; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Isoenzymes; Nitroprusside; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Rats; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Calmodulin; Cushing Syndrome; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Humans; Hyperaldosteronism; Hypertension; Leukocytes; Pheochromocytoma

This study tests the hypothesis that atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and C-ANF(4-23)-NH2 (C-ANF) augment cGMP generation and inhibit both cAMP generation and depolarization-induced catecholamine release in nerve growth factor treated pheochromocytoma cells by a pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive mechanism. Synthetic rat ANF(99-126) and the clearance receptor antagonist C-ANF (10(-12)-10(-9) M) inhibited basal and 5 microM vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-induced cAMP generation in a concentration-dependent manner. These actions of ANF and C-ANF were blocked by 12-18 h pretreatment with PTX (100 ng/ml), suggesting ANF receptor coupling to adenylate cyclase via an inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding protein. Both ANF (10(-11)-10(-9) M) and C-ANF (10(-11)-10(-8) M) also inhibited K(+)-induced catecholamine release in a concentration-dependent manner. ANF (10(-11)-10(-8) M) increased cGMP generation in a concentration-dependent manner but C-ANF did not. The accumulation of cGMP in response to ANF was not altered by treatment with PTX. Therefore, PTX dissociated the increased concentrations of cGMP from the ANF-mediated depression of evoked catecholamine release. C-ANF also dissociated elevations in cGMP concentrations from an ANF-mediated attenuation of evoked catecholamine release. The results of this study indicate that ANF inhibits adrenergic neurotransmission independent of guanylate cyclase.

Topics: Adenylate Cyclase Toxin; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Dopamine; Guanylate Cyclase; Norepinephrine; Pertussis Toxin; Pheochromocytoma; Potassium; Rats; Synaptic Transmission; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Virulence Factors, Bordetella

Nerve growth factor (NGF) induces in 2 to 10 min the redistribution of F-actin in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. The NGF specificity of this phenomenon was shown by blocking it with anti-NGF antibodies. We used the rapid F-actin redistribution as an assay to study NGF second messenger systems and their inhibition or activation by specific agents. The results show that the NGF-induced effect on the microfilament system of PC12 cells can be specifically inhibited by lithium chloride and neomycin, inhibitors of the phosphoinositol system, but cannot be mimicked by TPA and acetylcholine, the activators of the phosphoinositol system. An increase in the intracellular concentration of cyclic AMP by addition of dBcAMP (but not dBcGMP) caused rapid F-actin redistribution that nonetheless differed from the NGF-induced effect. Changes in the intracellular calcium level did not have any influence on the microfilament system of PC12 cells. The specificity of the inhibition of NGF-induced effects by methylase inhibitors was questionable, since MTA- or SAH-treated PC12 cells acquired an altered morphology even in the absence of NGF or dBcAMP. Using the microfilament- and microtubule-disrupting drugs cytochalasin B and colchicine, we showed that the microtubule system in PC12 cells is required for the initiation of neurite outgrowth and that microfilament-associated filopodial activity does not appear to be necessary.

Topics: Actin Cytoskeleton; Actins; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Axons; Bucladesine; Calcium; Colchicine; Colforsin; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Cytochalasin B; Cytoskeleton; Dibutyryl Cyclic GMP; Kinetics; Methyltransferases; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphatidylinositols; Rats; Second Messenger Systems; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The effect of protein kinase modulators on the ability of nerve and fibroblast growth factors to induce neurite outgrowth in pheochromocytoma PC12 cells was studied. The protein kinase inhibitor H7 increased the neurite-stimulating capacity of these factors. The effect of H7 was observed within 1 h and was dose-dependent. HA 1004, an inhibitor of cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases, did not affect the neurite-stimulating activity of NGF. Substances inhibiting protein kinase C, ganglioside GT1b and quercetin, acted in a similar way whereas sphingosine had an opposite effect.

Topics: 1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine; Animals; Axons; Cell Differentiation; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Drug Synergism; Fibroblast Growth Factors; Isoquinolines; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Piperazines; Protein Kinase C; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Protein Kinases; Rats; Sulfonamides; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Maitotoxin (MTX) activates calcium channels and stimulates phosphoinositide breakdown in pheochromocytoma PC12 cells, while having no effect on basal levels of the cyclic nucleotides cAMP and cGMP. Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) induces a dose-dependent accumulation of cGMP in PC12 cells through the activation of a membrane bound guanylate cyclase. Effects of ANF on cGMP are independent of extracellular concentrations of calcium. Since agents that activate phosphoinositide breakdown can indirectly affect cyclic nucleotide formation, the effects of MTX on ANF-mediated accumulation of cGMP was studied. MTX induces a dose-dependent inhibition of ANF-mediated accumulation of cGMP. The inhibition by MTX requires the presence of extracellular calcium, but is unaffected by the calcium channel blocker nifedipine. The inhibitory effect of MTX is not mimicked by the calcium ionophore ionomycin. A phorbol ester, PMA, which stimulates protein kinase C, also inhibits ANF-mediated accumulation of cGMP. Sodium nitroprusside induces large accumulations of cGMP in PC12 cells through the stimulation of a soluble guanylate cyclase. Neither MTX nor PMA inhibit nitroprusside-mediated accumulation of cGMP. The results indicate that in PC12 cells, protein kinase C activation, either directly with PMA, and indirectly with MTX through phosphoinositide breakdown and formation of diacylglycerol, leads to inhibition of ANF-mediated, but not nitroprusside-mediated accumulation of cGMP.

Topics: Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Calcium; Cyclic GMP; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Ionomycin; Marine Toxins; Nifedipine; Nitroprusside; Oxocins; Pheochromocytoma; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The presence of functional receptors for human atrial natriuretic hormone in human pheochromocytomas was recently reported. The present study reports the binding of hANH as measured by Scatchard analysis in 4 human adrenal glands and in 5 human pheochromocytomas. Binding assays using [3H]ANH revealed a single class of high-affinity binding sites for hANH in both tissues. Human pheochromocytomas present a lower number of binding sites than normal human adrenal gland (Bmax of 7.1 +/- 2.1 vs 33.6 +/- 6.9 fmol/mg protein, respectively). However, the decreased number of ANH receptors was not paralleled by modifications of tissular cyclic GMP (cGMP). Moreover, plasma hANH concentrations in 7 patients with pheochromocytomas (20.2 +/- 2.7 pmol/l) were statistically higher than those obtained in 25 normal control humans (8.1 +/- 0.6 pmol/l, p less than 0.001). We also demonstrated the presence of immunoreactive ANH in the tumour itself.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Adrenal Glands; Aldosterone; Angiotensin II; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Binding, Competitive; Chromatography, Ion Exchange; Cyclic GMP; Desoxycorticosterone; Dopamine; Humans; Neuropeptide Y; Pheochromocytoma; Receptors, Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Receptors, Cell Surface; Vasopressins

This study tests the hypothesis that atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) inhibits catecholamine release from rat pheochromocytoma cells by increasing levels of intracellular cyclic GMP (cGMP). Rat differentiated pheochromocytoma cells are a model of adrenergic nerves and allow the exploration of the effects of various hormones, autacoids, drugs and neuromodulators on adrenergic neurotransmission in cell culture. Synthetic rat ANF (99-126) inhibited K+-induced norepinephrine and dopamine release, as measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, in a concentration-dependent manner over the concentration range of 10(-11) to 10(-8) M. ANF stimulated intracellular cGMP accumulation, as measured by specific radioimmunoassay, in a concentration-dependent manner over the same concentration range. The cGMP analog, N2-2'-O-dibutyryl cGMP also inhibited K+-induced norepinephrine and dopamine release in a concentration-dependent manner. The results of this study are consistent with the hypothesis that ANF acts as an inhibitory neuromodulator in adrenergic nerves via the second messenger, cGMP.

Topics: Animals; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Catecholamines; Cyclic GMP; Dibutyryl Cyclic GMP; Pheochromocytoma; Potassium; Rats; Tumor Cells, Cultured

In order to identify the specific molecular mechanisms involved in neurosecretion, we investigated the mechanism of action of tetanus toxin, a potent presynaptic neurotoxin, in the rat adrenal pheochromocytoma PC12 cell line. It has recently been reported that tetanus toxin is a potent inhibitor of the release of depolarization-evoked 3H-acetylcholine (ACh) from nerve growth factor-differentiated PC12 cells (Sandberg et al., 1989a). In PC12 cells, as in many neural tissue preparations, cGMP accumulation in intact cells increased 6- to 17-fold when stimulated with veratridine (200 microM), carbachol (1 mM), Ba2+ (2 mM), or K+ (30 mM). Preincubation of the cells with tetanus toxin inhibits this accumulation by greater than 95%. The toxin dose-inhibition curves for 3H-ACh release and cGMP accumulation are similar, with half-maximal doses of tetanus toxin seen at approximately 5 nM. The time courses for the development of the effects of tetanus on 3H-ACh release and on cGMP accumulation were also similar. Protocols which elevated intracellular cGMP levels reversed the action of the toxin. For example, evoked ACh release was restored in intoxicated PC12 cells by a 15 min exposure to 100 microM 8-bromo-cGMP. The half-maximal dose was observed at 50 microM nucleotide. Examination of the nucleotide specificity revealed that only cyclic guanine analogs were effective in reversing the effects of tetanus toxin. These results suggested that the inhibition of depolarization-evoked cGMP accumulation is causally related to the action of tetanus toxin on neurosecretion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Acetylcholine; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Atropine; Barium; Cell Line; Cyclic GMP; Dexamethasone; Electric Stimulation; Guanylate Cyclase; Kinetics; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Potassium; Rats; Tetanus Toxin; Veratridine

Nerve growth factor (NGF) rapidly increases the cyclic GMP (cGMP) level about 2-3-fold and enhances the cGMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity about 2-fold in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. No changes in the level of cyclic AMP (cAMP) and in the activity of cAMP PDE were found. GTP and a nonhydrolysable analog of GTP, GMP-PCP, at 100 microM, were able to mimic the effect of NGF on the cGMP PDE activity. These results suggest that the cGMP system may be one of the second messengers of NGF action in PC12 cells.

Topics: 1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine; 3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases; 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Cell Line; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Enzyme Activation; Guanosine Triphosphate; Guanylyl Imidodiphosphate; Kinetics; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma

Atrial natriuretic factors (ANFs) were tested for their effects on cyclic GMP production in two neurally derived cell lines, the C6-2B rat glioma cells and the PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cells. These cell lines were selected because both are known to possess high amounts of the particulate form of guanylate cyclase, a proposed target of ANF in peripheral organs. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that ANF selectively activates particulate, but not soluble, guanylate cyclase in homogenates of a variety of rat tissues and that one class of ANF receptor appears to be the same glycoprotein as particulate guanylate cyclase. In the present study we found that four analogs of ANF stimulate cyclic GMP accumulation in both C6-2B and PC12 cells with the rank order of potency being atriopeptin III = atriopeptin II greater than human atrial natriuretic polypeptide greater than atriopeptin I. Atriopeptin II (100 nM) for 20 min elevated cyclic GMP content in C6-2B cells fourfold and in PC12 cells 12-fold. Atriopeptin II (100 nM) for 20 min also stimulated the efflux of cyclic GMP from both C6-2B cells (47-fold) and PC12 cells (12-fold). Accumulation of cyclic GMP in both cells and media was enhanced by preincubation with the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (250 microM). After 20 min of exposure to atriopeptin II, cyclic GMP amounts in the media were equal to or greater than the amounts in the cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: 1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Animals; Atrial Natriuretic Factor; Cell Line; Cyclic GMP; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Glioma; Pheochromocytoma; Rats; Time Factors

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Adult; Chronic Disease; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Female; Humans; Hyperaldosteronism; Hypertension; Hypertension, Renovascular; Kidney Diseases; Pheochromocytoma; Potassium; Pyelonephritis; Sodium

Tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine biosynthesis, is subject to regulation by a variety of agents. Previous workers have found that cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and calcium-stimulated protein kinases activate tyrosine hydroxylase. We wanted to determine whether cyclic GMP might also be involved in the regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase activity. We found that treatment of rat PC12 cells with sodium nitroprusside (an activator of guanylate cyclase), 8-bromocyclic GMP, forskolin (an activator of adenylate cyclase), and 8-bromocyclic AMP all produced an increase in tyrosine hydroxylase activity measured in vitro or an increased conversion of [14C]tyrosine to labeled catecholamine in situ. Sodium nitroprusside also increased the relative synthesis of cyclic GMP in these cells. In the presence of MgATP, both cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP increased tyrosine hydroxylase activity in PC12 cell extracts. The heat-stable cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor failed to attenuate the activation produced in the presence of cyclic GMP. It eliminated the activation produced in the presence of cyclic AMP. Sodium nitroprusside also increased tyrosine hydroxylase activity in vitro in rat corpus striatal synaptosomes and bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. In all cases, the cyclic AMP-dependent activation of tyrosine hydroxylase was greater than that of the cyclic GMP-dependent second messenger system. These results indicate that both cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP and their cognate protein kinases activate tyrosine hydroxylase activity in PC12 cells.

Topics: Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Adrenal Glands; Animals; Catecholamines; Cattle; Cell Line; Chromaffin System; Corpus Striatum; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Enzyme Activation; Nitroprusside; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Protein Kinases; Rats; Synaptosomes; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase

Tyrosine hydroxylase purified from rat pheochromocytoma was phosphorylated and activated by purified cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase as well as by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit. The extent of activation was correlated with the degree of phosphate incorporated into the enzyme. Comparable stoichiometric ratios (0.6 mol phosphate/mol tyrosine hydroxylase subunit) were obtained at maximal concentrations of either cyclic AMP-dependent or cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinases. The enzymes appeared to mediate the phosphorylation of the same residue based on the observation that incorporation was not increased when both enzymes were present. The major tryptic phosphopeptide obtained from tyrosine hydroxylase phosphorylated by each protein kinase exhibited an identical retention time following HPLC. The purified phosphopeptides also exhibited identical isoelectric points. These data provide support for the notion that the protein kinases are phosphorylating the same residue of tyrosine hydroxylase.

Topics: Animals; Cell Line; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Enzyme Activation; Isoelectric Point; Peptide Fragments; Pheochromocytoma; Phosphorylation; Protein Kinases; Pterins; Rats; Trypsin; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase

Our previous observations that serum cyclic 3',5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity varied in thyroid disorders and was positively correlated with thyroid function stimulated us to investigate the phosphodiesterase levels in sera of patients with pituitary and adrenal disorders, and the response to glucagon in normal subjects. Both serum cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (cyclic AMP-PDE) and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase (cyclic GMP-PDE) activities were measured at a low substrate concentration. Serum cyclic AMP-PDE activity was elevated in five patients with phaeochromocytoma and was not elevated in patients with Cushing's syndrome or acromegaly, compared to the level in normal subjects. Increased enzyme activities returned to normal after resection of the tumours. Intramuscular injection of glucagon to five healthy subjects elevated cyclic AMP levels and cyclic AMP-PDE activity in plasma. These results imply that the increased cyclic AMP level by the activation of cyclase may have induced cyclic AMP-PDE in the target organ and the soluble cyclic AMP-PDE may leak into blood vessels from target organs.

Topics: 3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases; 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; Acromegaly; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; Cushing Syndrome; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Glucagon; Humans; Pheochromocytoma

The mechanisms of regulation of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterases were studied using the cytoplasmic fraction of PC-12 cells sensitive to the action of nerve growth factor. The cells contain phosphodiesterases of two types. One of them possesses a high affinity for cyclic AMP (Km = 2.46 mM), whereas the other has the affinity by an order worse (Km = 37.1 mM). PC-12 cell differentiation under the action of nerve growth factor is connected with the cyclic nucleotide elevation; however, activities of both phosphodiesterases remain unchanged. This indicates that the regulation of activity of these enzymes in PC-12 cells is mediated by second messenger effects. The main object of cell regulation is phosphodiesterase with low affinity for the substrate. Its activity is modulated by the calmodulin-Ca2+ complex, cyclic GMP and NAD+ at micromolar concentrations. The effect on the phosphodiesterase system of both a "quick" messenger, Ca2+ and "slow" messengers, cyclic GMP and NAD+, has the same consequences: the turnover number of the enzymic reaction increases that is accompanied by a proportional decrease in the enzyme affinity for cyclic AMP so that the ratio Vmax/Km remains constant. A possible explanation of functional significance of such an activity modulation may be the necessity to maintain the conditions for phosphodiesterase functioning when Km much greater than [cyclic AMP] and the reaction rate are directly proportional to the substrate concentration: v = Vmax/Km [cyclic AMP]. Then the cells are transferred into such a mode when autoregulation of the cyclic nucleotide level takes place. Besides the transient effects causing changes in phosphodiesterase activity, studies of PC-12 cells revealed a chronic effect of phosphodiesterase activity change under the action of staphylococcal enterotoxin A. This protein which induces differentiation of PC-12 cells and possesses a NAD+-glycohydrolase activity is translocated into cytoplasm of cells in the presence of NAD+ and accomplishes ADP-ribosylation of phosphodiesterase. As a result, the enzyme activity falls, cyclic AMP level increases and cell differentiation starts. The activity of soluble phosphodiesterase of PC-12 cells also decreases under the effect of two neurotoxins from bee venom, melittin and tertiapin. Both the toxins at concentration of 10 microM completely block calcium regulation of the enzyme. The mechanism of tertiapin action was investigated on a model system of calmodulin-bovine brain phosphodi

Topics: 3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases; Animals; Bee Venoms; Brain Neoplasms; Calmodulin; Cell Line; Cyclic AMP; Cyclic GMP; Cytoplasm; Enzyme Activation; Models, Biological; Nerve Growth Factors; Pheochromocytoma; Rats