Cloning of a splice variant of the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) type I receptor

Characterization of the VIP receptor from SUP T1 lymphoblasts

The SUP T1 lymphoblasts express an original subtype of VIP receptors characterized by a high affinity for the VIP analogue from lizard venom named helodermin, a preference for the neuropeptide PACAP-38 over PACAP-27 and VIP, and an extremely low affinity for secretin. The molecular cloning of that receptor revealed its identity with the VIP2 receptor subtype first cloned in rat and mouse tissues. The access to selective probes permits the detection of the mRNA coding for the VIP2 receptor by Northern blot, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization. These highly selective and sensitive techniques identify the cell types that are equipped to synthesize the receptor but do not prove that the receptor is indeed efficiently expressed at the cell surface. VIP2 mRNA was detected in selected areas of the brain different from that expressing the classical VIP1 receptor, in pituitary, in pineal, in pancreatic islets, in testes and ovary. It was also detected in the stomach, in the thymus and in spleen and in T lymphoblastic cell lines. A systematic screening of the immunocompetent cells must still be performed.

Fragments of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide discriminate between type I and II recombinant receptors

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) analogues were tested for their ability to occupy the recombinant selective PACAP receptors (PACAP type I receptor) or the non-selective PACAP-vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) receptors (PACAP type II, VIP1 and VIP2 receptors) stably transfected and expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The synthetic analogues consisted of N- and/or C-terminally shortened peptides. Thus, peptides starting at amino acid 1, 2, 3 or 6 and terminating at amino acid 27, 29, 30, 32 or 38 were compared on the three receptors studied. The shortening of PACAP-(1-38) to PACAP-(1-27) was of little influence. However, in N-terminally deleted peptides the PACAP-38 derivatives were of higher affinity than the PACAP-27 fragments on PACAP type I and PACAP type II, VIP2 receptors but not on PACAP type II, VIP1 receptors. The presence of the sequence 28-32 was in all cases sufficient to reproduce the data obtained with the PACAP-38 analogues. PACAP-(3-32) is able to discriminate the PACAP type II, VIP2 subtype from the other two subtypes, and PACAP-(6-30), PACAP-(6-32) and PACAP-(6-38) can discriminate the PACAP type II, VIP1 receptors from the other two subtypes. These molecules may help in the quantitative detection of receptor subclasses in complex systems when two or more receptor subtypes are found.

Effects of intracerebroventricular administration of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) on the motor activity and reserpine-induced hypothermia in murines

We investigated the effects of i.c.v. administration of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) on the spontaneous motor activity and reserpine-induced hypothermia in murines. The administration of PACAP (1 or 2 nmol) caused a dose-dependent increase in both spontaneous motor activity and rearing behavior in the rat. The peptide (0.1 or 0.2 nmol) counteracted reserpine-induced hypothermia in a dose-dependent manner in mice. On the other hand, i.c.v. injection of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, which is structurally similar to PACAP, at a dose similar to that of PACAP (2 nmol in rats, 0.2 nmol n mice) did not show a significant effect on either behavior or body temperature. Therefore, the stimulating effect of PACAP observed here may be mediated by PACAP-specific (type I) receptors. PACAP was more potent and longer-lasting than a known potent stimulating peptide, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, in both stimulating motor activity and counteracting reserpine-induced hypothermia. Results of the present study, in combination with those of previous studies identifying endogenous PACAP in the brain, suggest that PACAP may play a important role in the CNS as a stimulant in regulating motor activity and body temperature.

Differential alternative splicing of PACAP receptor in pituitary cell subpopulations

The capability of rat pituitary cells to express receptors for pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) and VIP was evaluated by binding studies and measurement of adenylate cyclase activity on whole gland preparations and by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (TR-PCR) using specific primers on preparations from isolated cell populations enriched in PRL- and GH-producing cells. Data obtained on whole gland preparations indicated that selective PACAP receptors (PACAP Type I) predominated. The mRNA coding for PACAP Type I and for the non-selective PACAP receptors Type II VIP2 (but not VIP1) were identified. The mRNA coding for four different spliced variants of the PACAP Type I receptor were detected. In PRL producing cells, three variants and the VIP2 mRNA were detected, whereas in GH-producing cells the mRNA coding for the variant having a 28-amino acid insert (termed HOP) in the third intracellular loop was the only present.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide is expressed in autonomic neurons

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a novel vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-like peptide, which is present in neuronal elements of several peripheral organs, and thus a putative neurotransmitter/modulator. In the present study, the expression of PACAP in two parasympathetic ganglia (otic, sphenopalatine) and one mixed parasympathetic/sensory ganglion (jugular-nodose) in rat was characterized by use of in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry and compared to that of VIP and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). PACAP and VIP were expressed in virtually all nerve cell bodies in the otic and sphenopalatine ganglia; PACAP and VIP were also expressed in subpopulations of nerve cell bodies in the jugular-nodose ganglion. CGRP was expressed in numerous nerve cell bodies in the jugular-nodose ganglion and in a few, scattered, nerve cell bodies in the sphenopalatine ganglion. In the otic and sphenopalatine ganglia, PACAP- and VIP-like immunoreactivities were frequently co-localized; in the jugular-nodose ganglion, PACAP-like immunoreactivity was frequently co-localized with CGRP-like immunoreactivity in presumably sensory neurons and to a lesser extent with VIP in parasympathetic neurons. Thus, PACAP is synthesized and stored in autonomic parasympathetic neurons as well as in vagal sensory neurons, which provides an anatomical basis for the diverse effects of PACAP previously described.

Pharmacological properties of two recombinant splice variants of the PACAP type I receptor, transfected and stably expressed in CHO cells

Two splice variants of the pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) type I receptor (PACAP receptor and PACAP/HOP receptor isoform) were stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells that did not express constitutively receptors for this family of peptides. The PACAP/HOP receptor protein had a 28 amino acid extension in the C-terminal part of the third intracellular loop. The two cell lines studied, CHO 2-10 (PACAP receptor) and CHO 4-12 (PACAP/HOP receptor) expressed a receptor density of 4.6 +/- 0.3 and 2.6 +/- 0.2 pmol/mg protein, respectively, with corresponding Kd values of 14.2 +/- 2.0 and 8.2 +/- 1.0 nM for [Ac-His1]PACAP-27 used as a tracer. Tracer binding was slightly decreased by GTP in both clones. The Kd values of PACAP-27, PACAP-38, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), PACAP-27 fragments and analogues evaluated by binding competition curves, were higher in CHO 2-10 than in CHO 4-12, whereas the Kd for PACAP-38 fragments did not differ. The receptors were coupled to adenylate cyclase and the EC50 values were lower than the Kd values in both cell lines, suggesting an amplification process due to the existence of spare receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Expression of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide and receptors in human brain tumors

The capacity of brain tumor samples to synthesize pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) was evaluated by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction technique (RT-PCR). The expression of PACAP receptors was assessed by a combination of RT-PCR techniques, conventional binding techniques, and also by the ability of PACAP to stimulate adenylate cyclase activity. A weak PACAP mRNA and PACAP receptor mRNA expression was detected in only 3 of 16 meningiomas. A weak PACAP-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity (+20%) was detected in 10 of the 16 samples but binding of labeled PACAP was never observed. In the 16 gliomas studied (including two oligodendrogliomas and two ependymomas), PACAP mRNA was identified in 13 samples and PACAP receptor mRNA in 15 samples. PACAP receptors were identified in all the samples by binding studies and/or by PACAP stimulation of the adenylate cyclase activity. PACAP mRNA was never detected in pituitary adenomas (three prolactinomas, two mixed PRL-GH-producing tumors, three GH-secreting tumors, three gonadotrophinomas, one ACTH-producing tumor, two nonsecreting tumors) whereas PACAP receptor mRNA was highly expressed in all the tumors except prolactinomas, where it was at the limit of detection, confirming the binding and adenylate cyclase activation results. Thus, it is unlikely that the neuropeptide PACAP could influence meningioma's cell growth; PACAP secreted from extratumoral areas may influence pituitary tumors and PACAP could participate to gliomas development.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide stimulate two signaling pathways in CHO cells stably transfected with the selective type I PACAP receptor

The properties of the pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) type I receptor were studied on a clone of Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) stably transfected with the recombinant receptor. PACAP(1-27), PACAP(1-38) and VIP inhibited [125I-acetyl-His1]PACAP (1-27) binding, stimulated cyclic AMP and inositol phosphates production and induced [Ca2+]i increase with the same order of potency: PACAP(1-27) = PACAP(1-38) > VIP. The concentrations required for half maximal receptor occupancy, IP3- and [Ca2+]i increase were not different for both PACAPs (1 nM) and 100-fold higher than those required for cyclic AMP increase (0.010 nM). These data suggest that the occupancy of a portion of the total receptors available was sufficient for maximal cyclic AMP production but not for maximal IP3 production. It is concluded that the possibility of the type I PACAP receptor being coupled to a transduction pathway is not located at the level of the ligand but rather at the level of the G-proteins.

Properties of the VIP-PACAP type II receptor stably expressed in CHO cells

The VIP receptor cloned from rat lung (VIP1 receptor from the group of the PACAP-VIP type II receptors) was inserted into a mammalian expression vector and stably transfected into Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO). Two clones were selected, expressing respectively a high (850 +/- 50 fmol/mg protein, for clone 3) and a low (100 +/- 30 fmol/mg protein for clone 16) number of receptors. Both clones had the same apparent Kd value of binding for VIP and related peptides. The receptor expressed had the same binding properties as the natural VIP receptor, judged from the relative potency of VIP and PACAP analogues and fragments. The EC50 value of adenylate cyclase activation were 3 to 10 fold lower in clone 3 than in 16. The values observed in clone 16 were closer to the binding Kd values. The differences between the two clones were explained by the existence of spare receptors in clone 3, since: (a) the relative efficacy of some fragments were lower in clone 16 than in clone 3; (b) pretreatment of the cells with VIP reduced the number of receptors in both clones and increased the EC50 value for VIP in clone 3 but decreased peptide efficacy in clone 16 without significant change of the EC50 value.

Relative quantitative analysis of glucagon receptor mRNA in rat tissues

Total RNA prepared from nine rat tissues were analyzed for their content in glucagon receptor mRNA by two independent hybridization approaches: (1) simple dot blot analysis using labelled oligodeoxynucleotide; (2) highly specific RNase protection assay using labelled antisense RNA. Hybridization signal was quantified by laser densitometric scanning of autoradiographies. Results were expressed for each method relative to the liver content (100%) for either a constant amount of total RNA or for a constant amount of beta-actin mRNA. We obtained similar relative values of glucagon receptor mRNA per constant amount of total RNA by the two hybridization methods: in liver (100 and 100), in kidney (38 and 34), and in heart (12 and 11). The glucagon receptor mRNA was overestimated by the less specific dot assays, in adrenal glands (21 versus 10) and in adipose tissues (24 versus 5). In the stomach, brain, duodenum and lung, the signal was equal to or below the reliable quantification limit. Reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of glucagon receptor mRNA with limited cycle number were performed using two sets of primers: the first set amplified a single band at the 3' coding end, and the second, 3-6 bands at the 5' coding end, revealing tissue-specific polymorphism. RT-PCR data confirmed the presence of glucagon receptor mRNA in liver, kidney, heart, adrenal glands and adipose tissue, and allowed the detection of a very low amount of glucagon receptor mRNA in the stomach, the duodenum and brain but not in the lung.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) mobilizes intracellular free calcium in cultured rat type-2, but not type-1, astrocytes

We investigated the effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP38) on cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) at a single cell level in both type-1 and type-2 cultured rat astrocytes using a calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye, fura-2. Type-1 astrocytes were relatively silent during the 20 min observation of baseline [Ca2+]i and PACAP38 did not alter [Ca2+]i in type-1 astrocytes at concentrations up to 1 microM. In contrast, type-2 astrocytes could be divided into three subtypes (silent type, randomly-firing type and oscillatory type) based on the observation of baseline [Ca2+]i. Of 166 type-2 astrocytes tested, 145 (87.4%) were the silent type (stable basal [Ca2+]i levels) and 13 (7.8%) were the randomly-firing type (random increases in [Ca2+]i). PACAP38 could stimulate [Ca2+]i in subpopulations of all three subtypes. In the silent type-2 astrocytes (4 experiments with 255 cells/experiment), 54.4 +/- 3.6% of the total number responded to PACAP38. The half maximal concentration (ED50) of PACAP38 was 2.89 +/- 1.89 nM. Removing Ca2+ from the superfusion media did not alter the PACAP38-induced increase of [Ca2+]i. Neither 1-30 microM of forskolin nor 1-10 mM of dibutyryl cyclic AMP increased [Ca2+]i in the same type-2 astrocytes which responded to PACAP38. These findings suggest that PACAP increases [Ca2+]i in type-2, not type-1, rat astrocytes by mobilizing Ca2+ from intracellular stores, and that this action is not linked to activation of the cyclic AMP second messenger system.

Structural requirements for the occupancy of rat brain PACAP receptors and adenylate cyclase activation

N-terminally shortened analogues of PACAP(1-27) and PACAP(1-38), and analogues modified in position 1,2 or 3 were compared for their ability to interact with PACAP receptors and to activate or inhibit adenylate cyclase in rat brain hippocampus membranes. In the PACAP(1-27) series, deletion of the first two amino acids decreased the potency 3000-fold. PACAP fragments (3-27) to (9-27) were inactive on the enzyme. N-terminally shortened PACAP(1-38) analogues showed a similar profile but were 70 to 300-fold more potent than their PACAP(1-27) equivalents. PACAP(6-27) and PACAP(6-38) were competitive inhibitors of the PACAP(1-27) stimulated enzyme. The Kd values of PACAP(6-27) and PACAP(6-38) were of 1000 and 2 nM respectively. Surprisingly, the Kd values of PACAP(6-31) and (6-35), that were also unable to stimulate adenylate cyclase activity, were of 3 and 300 nM respectively. Replacement of His1 by Phe1 in PACAP(1-27) reduced the potency 600-fold. Replacement of Ser2 by Ala2 in PACAP(1-27) and PACAP(1-38) was of little consequence. Substitution of Ser2 by Phe2, DPhe2, Arg2 or DArg2 reduced 60 to 1000-fold the PACAP(1-27) potency but only 7 to 30-fold the PACAP(1-38) potency. Phe2 derivatives were inactive on the enzyme. Replacement of Asp3 by Asn reduced 4000-fold the PACAP(1-27) potency.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Sequencing of eleven introns in genomic DNA encoding rat glucagon receptor and multiple alternative splicing of its mRNA

We used the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to amplify fragments of glucagon receptor DNA from genomic DNA. Sequencing of the subcloned fragments demonstrated that genomic DNA encoding the glucagon receptor spans over 12 exons interrupted by 11 introns. The introns were located mainly at the 5' end and in the core domain of the glucagon receptor CDS totalling 23 kb. Intron positions were similar to the positions of introns in growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor and parathyroid hormone receptor, two receptors belonging to the same receptor family as the glucagon receptor. This high number of introns might be the cause of the mRNA polymorphism observed at the 5' end: when PCR was performed on cDNA using primers amplifying the central or 3' end cDNA fragments, a single band corresponding to the cloned cDNA was observed. In contrast, if primers amplifying cDNA fragments corresponding to nucleotides -8 to 680 of CDS were used, cDNA fragments of approximately 500 bp, 600 bp, 700 bp, 800 bp and 900 bp were specifically and reproducibly amplified. Sequencing of these fragments showed either incomplete intron removal or splicing at alternative positions. Two of these sequenced variants were translatable in putative glucagon receptor variants: (1) unsplicing of intron III (81 bp) gave an additional 27 amino acid sequence after Lys91 in the N-terminal domain of the receptor. In the liver, where the normal CDS represented about one third of the mRNA molecules, this mRNA variant represented 18% of total mRNA forms; (2) a 21 bp deletion in exon V giving rise to a putative deletion of 7 amino acids in glucagon receptor (delta 64-84 CDS) was also relatively abundant in the liver (10%). The observed polymorphism of the glucagon receptor mRNA may contribute to the regulation of glucagon receptor expression and perhaps to the heterogeneity of these receptors.

Molecular structure analysis of the pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide type I receptor from pig brain

In pig brain a type I receptor for pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) has been identified and structurally characterized. Scatchard analysis of the equilibrium binding data indicates a single class of binding sites with Kd of 0.50 nM and Bmax of 2.52 pmol/mg. The receptors could be efficiently solubilized with 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-2-hydroxy-1- propanesulfonate (Chapso) without altering their ligand binding parameters (Kd = 0.60 nM; Bmax = 2.46 pmol/mg). In both preparations the ligand-receptor complex was identified as a 68 kDa polypeptide by affinity crosslinking with 125I-PACAP-27 and disuccinimidyl suberate. Employment of nonreducing conditions decreased the electrophoretic mobility of the complex to a 60 kDa species suggesting that the native PACAP receptor exists in a compact conformation stabilized by intramolecular disulfide bridges. Disulfide bonds are also important for the ligand binding activity of the PACAP receptor since pretreatment of the membranes with dithiothreitol led to complete inhibition of PACAP binding and to 61% dissociation of the ligand-receptor complex. Among different sulfhydryl selective reagents tested, p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonic acid was found to inhibit PACAP binding to its receptor in a dose-dependent fashion (IC50 = 0.5 mM) suggesting that one or more sulfhydryl groups are located close to the ligand binding domain of the receptor. Desialylation of the affinity-labeled PACAP receptor with neuraminidase revealed a 61 kDa protein, whereas deglycosylation with N-glycosidase F decreased the M(r) to 52,000. Chromatography on a series of lectin agaroses showed the highest affinity for wheat germ agglutinin (WGA). WGA was also effective in dose-dependent inhibition of PACAP binding activity. Our results characterize the pig PACAP receptor as a tri- or tetraantennary non- or low fucosylated complex type glycoprotein with a protein core of about 49 kDa containing several terminal sialyl residues.

Enhanced production of pituitary adenylate-cyclase-activating polypeptide by 1, N6-dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-monophosphate, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and by the polypeptide itself in human neuroblastoma cells, IMR-32

We investigated a regulatory mechanism for the production of pituitary adenylate-cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) using the human neuroblastoma cell line, IMR-32. Although immunoreactive (ir-) PACAP38 was produced by these cells, it was not accumulated in the culture medium. To overcome this problem, we cultured the cells in the presence of a biotinylated monoclonal antibody to PACAP38 in order to trap ir-PACAP38 in the medium. Then, the trapped ir-PACAP38 was measured with a two-site enzyme immunoassay based on the biotin-avidin interaction. These studies showed that confluent IMR-32 cells constitutively secreted at least 130 pg/10(6) cells per day of ir-PACAP38. Treatment of the cells with 1 mM 1, N6-dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (Bt2cAMP) or 0.1 microM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate stimulated ir-PACAP38 production at almost twice the basal level in IMR-32 cells, and these two reagents additively stimulated ir-PACAP38 production. Northern blot analysis indicated that treatment of the cells with both Bt2cAMP and the phorbol ester increased the intensity of several mRNA bands that hybridized with a cDNA probe for human PACAP precursor. We also found that IMR-32 cells possessed high-affinity type-I PACAP receptors (Kd = 230 pM, binding sites: 8.6 x 10(4) sites/cell), which had a 1000-fold higher affinity for PACAP38 and PACAP27 than for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. The treatment of IMR-32 cells with PACAP and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide increased intracellular cAMP levels, and also increased ir-PACAP production. Northern blot analysis revealed that PACAP at 10 nM markedly stimulated the expression of a 3.7-kb mRNA band that hybridized with PACAP precursor cDNA. These results indicate that IMR-32 cells produce ir-PACAP38, and that PACAP stimulates the synthesis of PACAP mRNA and peptides by increasing intracellular cAMP. Although it remains to be investigated whether PACAP secreted by IMR-32 cells really acts in an autocrine fashion, the present study provides a useful model for further studies of the biological role of PACAP in neuronal cells that produce PACAP and also respond to PACAP.