Participation of adenosine 5'-triphosphate in the activation of membrane-bound guanylate cyclase by the atrial natriuretic factor

cGMP: the wayward child of the cyclic nucleotide family

An informal poll of neurobiologists indicates the following widely-held misconceptions about cGMP: (1) we know very little about it; (2) it must not be very different from cAMP; and (3) no new biological principles are likely to emerge from studying it. In fact, despite these prejudices, our understanding of the cGMP second messenger cascade has increased dramatically in the last few years. We now know that it is very different from the cAMP system in almost every particular, and the differences reveal interesting and novel solutions to the biological problem of receptor-effector coupling.

Calcium reveals different mechanisms of guanylate cyclase activation by atrial natriuretic factor and ATP in rat lung membranes

CaCl2 inhibited ATP-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity, but had little effect on basal and atrial natriuretic factor-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity in rat lung membranes. LaCl3 had similar effects as CaCl2 on basal and stimulated guanylate cyclase activity. LiCl and other monovalent salts inhibited ATP-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity more than basal enzyme activity. However, atrial natriuretic factor somehow stabilized the enzyme against the inhibitory effect of LiCl. These results suggest that ATP and atrial natriuretic factor activate the enzyme through different mechanisms. Since the effect of calcium on guanylate cyclase activity is different from that of monovalent salts and can be mimicked by lanthanum, it may be mediated by a specific calcium binding site or binding protein.

Microbial polysaccharide, HS-142-1, competitively and selectively inhibits ANP binding to its guanylyl cyclase-containing receptor

During the search for ANP receptor ligands of microbial origin, we isolated a novel polysaccharide, HS-142-1, from culture broth of Aureobasidium sp. HS-142-1 inhibited [125I]-rANP binding to ANP receptor in rabbit kidney cortex membranes with an IC50 of 0.3 mu g/ml, but gave no effects on specific binding of [125I]-Endothelin nor [125I]-Angiotensin II to their respective receptors in bovine lung membranes. HS-142-1 competitively and selectively inhibited ANP binding to its guanylyl cyclase-containing receptor purified from solubilized bovine adrenocortical membranes and blocked cGMP production elicited by ANP. HS-142-1 is the first non-peptide antagonist selective for ANP functional receptor and will be a powerful tool to elucidate the physiological functions of ANP.

Dual regulation of atrial natriuretic factor-dependent guanylate cyclase activity by ATP

The 'second messenger' of certain atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) signals is cyclic GMP. One type of ANF receptor linked to the synthesis of cyclic GMP is a transmembrane protein which contains both the ANF-binding and guanylate cyclase activities. The consensus is that the maximal activity of this guanylate cyclase is observed in the presence of ATP. We now show that depending upon the cofactors Mg2+ or Mn2+, ATP stimulates or inhibits the ANF-dependent guanylate cyclase activity in the testicular plasma membranes: stimulation in the presence of Mg2+ and inhibition in the presence of Mn2+. With Mg2+ as cofactor neither ATP nor ANF stimulate the cyclase activity--it is only when the two are together that the enzyme is activated. Furthermore, this investigation for the first time demonstrates binding of ATP to the ANF receptor guanylate cyclase, suggesting that ATP-mediated responses could occur by direct ATP binding to the cyclase.

Activation of particulate guanylate cyclase by Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin is regulated by adenine nucleotides

Guanylate cyclase is regulated by adenine nucleotides in membranes of intestinal mucosal cells. Basal guanylate cyclase was activated about twofold by adenine nucleotides. Activation was specific for adenine, as compared with the pyrimidine nucleotides UTP and CTP. In addition, enzyme activation was obtained in the presence of saturating concentrations of GTP, the substrate for guanylate cyclase. The most potent adenine nucleotide was the nonhydrolyzable analog of ATP, adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate). Adenine nucleotide activation was specific for the particulate form of guanylate cyclase, as compared with the soluble form. Also, adenine nucleotides potentiated the activation of guanylate cyclase by the heat-stable enterotoxin produced by Escherichia coli. Indeed, enzyme activation by adenine nucleotides and toxin was greater than the sum of individual activations by these agents. Adenine nucleotides regulate guanylate cyclase by increasing the maximum velocity of the enzyme without altering its affinity for substrate or its cooperativity. In addition to stimulating guanylate cyclase, adenine nucleotides decreased the specific binding of the heat-stable enterotoxin to receptors in intestinal membranes. The coordinated regulation of the toxin-receptor interaction and guanylate cyclase activity by a process utilizing nonhydrolyzable analogs of a purine nucleotide is similar to the mechanisms involved in the hormone regulation of adenylate cyclase by guanine nucleotide-binding proteins. These data suggest that an adenine nucleotide-dependent protein may couple the toxin-receptor interaction to the regulation of particulate guanylate cyclase in intestinal membranes.

Adenine nucleotide regulation of particulate guanylate cyclase from rat lung

Adenine nucleotides activate basal particulate guanylate cyclase in rat lung membranes. Activation is specific for adenine and not guanine, cytidine or uridine nucleotides. The concentration of adenine nucleotides yielding half-maximum activation of particulate guanylate cyclase is 0.1 mM and this nucleotide activates the enzyme by increasing maximum velocity 11-fold without altering affinity for substrate. Activation is specific for particulate guanylate cyclase, since soluble enzyme is inhibited by adenine nucleotides. Similarly, activation is specific for magnesium as the enzyme substrate cation cofactor, since adenine nucleotides inhibit particulate guanylate cyclase when manganese is used. Adenine nucleotide regulation of particulate guanylate cyclase may occur by a different molecular mechanism compared to other activators, since the effects of these nucleotides are synergistic with those of detergent, hemin and atrial natriuretic peptides. Cystamine inhibits adenine nucleotide activation of particulate guanylate cyclase at concentrations having minimal effects on basal enzyme activity suggesting a role for critical sulfhydryls in mechanisms underlying nucleotide regulation of particulate guanylate cyclase. Purification and quantitative recovery of particulate guanylate cyclase by substrate affinity chromatography results in the loss of adenine nucleotide regulation. These data suggest that adenine nucleotides may be important in the regulation of basal and activated particulate guanylate cyclase and may be mediated by an adenine nucleotide-binding protein which is separate from that enzyme.

Guanylyl cyclase-linked receptors

The guanylyl cyclase receptor family contains members that exist in both the particulate and soluble fractions of cell homogenates. Based on cloning studies, proteins with guanylyl cyclase activity contain a single transmembrane domain, or exist as heterodimers with no apparent transmembrane domains. The members containing the single transmembrane domain appear to act as cell surface receptors for peptides such as natriuretic peptides and bacterial heat-stable enterotoxins, while the heterodimeric forms are activated by nitric oxide. The concentrations of the intracellular messenger, cyclic GMP, then, are regulated by multiple primary signaling molecules, all of which appear to bind directly to the guanylyl cyclase enzyme.

The opposing effects of calmodulin, adenosine 5'-triphosphate, and pertussis toxin on phorbol ester induced inhibition of atrial natriuretic factor stimulated guanylate cyclase in SK-NEP-1 cells

In the present study, we investigated the effects of calmodulin, adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and pertussis toxin (PT) on phorbol ester (PMA) (a protein kinase C activator) induced inhibition of ANF-stimulated cyclic GMP formation in cells from the human renal cell line, SK-NEP-1. PMA inhibited ANF-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity in particulate membranes by about 65%. Calmodulin reversed this inhibition in a dose dependent manner. ATP potentiated Mg++ but not Mn++ supported guanylate cyclase activity. In PMA treated membranes, ATP potentiating effects were abolished. PMA also inhibited ANF-stimulated cGMP accumulation, but pretreatment with PT prevented this PMA inhibition. PT did not affect basal or ANF-stimulated cGMP accumulation. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that PMA (activated protein kinase C) inhibited ANF stimulation of particulate guanylate cyclase in opposition to the activating effects of calmodulin or ATP in SK-NEP-1 cells. The protein kinase C inhibitory effects appeared to be mediated via a PT-sensitive G protein.

Kinetic characterization of atrial natriuretic factor-sensitive particulate guanylate cyclase

The present investigation describes kinetic characteristics of membrane-bound and Triton X-100-solubilized atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)-sensitive guanylate cyclase from bovine adrenal cortex. The kinetic analysis of both enzyme forms suggests that in the presence of manganese, ANF induces or stabilizes at least two apparent GTP*Mn2(+)- and in addition two Mn2(+)-binding sites. Addition of the natriuretic drug amiloride favors this state. ATP increases the vmax in the presence of ANF for GTP*Mg2+, but not for GTP*Mn2+ as a substrate. With GTP*Mg2+, amiloride has no effect on basal or ANF-stimulated activity, but slightly reduces the effect of ATP. Under all conditions tested, the enzyme follows regular Michaelis-Menten kinetics in the presence of Mg2+ and exhibits positive cooperativity with Mn2+. Positive cooperativity is also retained after Triton extraction. The results indicate that Triton extraction has no major influence on the kinetic properties of particulate guanylate cyclase when the extraction procedure is done carefully. The data also support the suggestion that multiple interactions of subunits might occur upon activation of the enzyme by ANF in the presence of Mn2+.

Structural requirements of ATP for activation of basal and atrial natriuretic factor-stimulated guanylate cyclase in rat lung membranes

ATP has been reported to increase basal and atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity. The structural features of ATP involved in the activation of guanylate cyclase were examined by employing a variety of ATP analogs with modification either at the phosphate chain or at the ribose moiety. Among the natural adenine nucleotides, ATP and ADP were able to increase both basal and ANF-stimulated guanylate cyclase activities in rat lung membranes. AMP had no effect. ATP was more effective than AMPPCP (the non-hydrolyzable analog of ATP), and ADP was more effective than ADP beta S and AMPCP (the hydrolysis-resistant analogs of ADP) to increase basal and ANF-stimulated guanylate cyclase activities. Removal of the oxygen atom from the ribose moiety of ATP or ADP significantly reduced their potency. Thus, the length of the phosphate chain and the hydroxyl groups at the ribose moiety are both determinants for nucleotide mediated guanylate cyclase activation.

Caged ATP potentiates guanylate cyclase activity stimulated by atrial natriuretic factor in rat lung membranes

ATP increases both basal and atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)-stimulated guanylate cyclase activities. The present studies were designed to compare the effect of adenosine-5'-triphosphate, P3-1-(2-nitrophenyl)-ethyl ester (caged ATP), a photolabile derivative of ATP, with ATP. Caged ATP increases both basal and ANF-stimulated enzyme activities in a concentration-dependent manner, but is more potent than ATP. The effect of caged ATP significantly decreases after it is photo-converted to ATP by UV irradiation. These observations suggest that the caged group introduces a hydrophobic interaction thereby facilitating guanylate cyclase activation.

Characterization of ATP-stimulated guanylate cyclase activation in rat lung membranes

Many of the effects of ANP are mediated through the elevation of cellular cGMP levels by the activation of particulate guanylate cyclase. While the stimulation of this enzyme is receptor-mediated, the molecular mechanism of activation remains unknown. In this study we present evidence that ATP as well as its analogues adenosine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATP gamma S) and adenylylimidophosphate (AMPPNP) activates guanylate cyclase from rat lung membranes and markedly potentiates the effect of ANP on the enzyme. The order of potency is ATP gamma S greater than ATP greater than AMPPNP. The enzyme activation by adenine nucleotide and ANP together is much more than the sum of the individual activations, suggesting that ATP may be the physiological component essential for the ANP-stimulated guanylate cyclase activation. The ATP gamma S-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity diminishes in the presence of various kinds of detergents, suggesting either that the conformation of an ATP binding site in guanylate cyclase is altered by detergents or that protein-protein interaction may be involved in the activation of guanylate cyclase by ATP. Guanylate cyclase from rat lung membranes is poorly activated by ANP and/or ATP gamma S after removing the cytosolic and weakly membrane-associated proteins or factors by centrifugation. Pre-incubation of the membranes with ATP gamma S retains enzyme activation after membrane washing. These results suggest either that ATP gamma S stabilizes the conformation of nucleotide binding site in guanylate cyclase from denaturation by membrane washing, or that the stimulatory effect of ATP on guanylate cyclase activity may be mediated by accessory proteins or non-protein cofactors which are lost during membrane washing, but remain bound to membranes by ATP gamma S pretreatment.

Characterisation of atrial natriuretic peptide receptors in bovine ventricular sarcolemma

Analysis of [125I]-ANP binding data in an isolated bovine ventricular sarcolemmal membrane fraction revealed a single high affinity binding site (Kd approximately 5 x 10(-11) M). The ring deleted ANP analogue des [QSGLG]-ANP (4-23)-NH2 bound with a 1000-fold lower affinity indicating the absence of C-type receptors in this preparation. ANP stimulated guanylate cyclase activity by up to 2-fold with half-maximal activation at approximately 10(-9) M. Crosslinking [125I]-ANP to its receptor with disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS) revealed two radiolabelled bands of 120 kDa and 65 kDa on non-denaturing SDS-PAGE. Radioactive signals from both bands were lost by reducing the sample with beta-mercaptoethanol prior to electrophoresis, in which case a radioactive fragment of less than 5 kDa migrated with the dye front. These results suggest that the binding of ANP to both high and low molecular weight "receptor" proteins may be associated with the hydrolysis of the peptide.

The protein kinase domain of the ANP receptor is required for signaling

A plasma membrane form of guanylate cyclase is a cell surface receptor for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). In response to ANP binding, the receptor-enzyme produces increased amounts of the second messenger, guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate. Maximal activation of the cyclase requires the presence of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) or nonhydrolyzable ATP analogs. The intracellular region of the receptor contains at least two domains with homology to other proteins, one possessing sequence similarity to protein kinase catalytic domains, the other to regions of unknown function in a cytoplasmic form of guanylate cyclase and in adenylate cyclase. It is now shown that the protein kinase-like domain functions as a regulatory element and that the second domain possesses catalytic activity. When the kinase-like domain was removed by deletion mutagenesis, the resulting ANP receptor retained guanylate cyclase activity, but this activity was independent of ANP and its stimulation by ATP was markedly reduced. A model for signal transduction is suggested in which binding of ANP to the extracellular domain of its receptor initiates a conformational change in the protein kinase-like domain, resulting in derepression of guanylate cyclase activity.

Differential activation by atrial and brain natriuretic peptides of two different receptor guanylate cyclases

Alpha atrial natriuretic peptide (alpha-ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide are homologous polypeptide hormones involved in the regulation of fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. These two natriuretic peptides apparently share common receptors and stimulate the intracellular production of cyclic GMP as a second messenger. Molecular cloning has defined two types of natriuretic peptide receptors: the ANP-C receptor of relative molecular mass (Mr) 60-70,000 (60-70 K), which is not coupled to cGMP production and may function in the clearance of ANP and the ANP-A receptor of Mr 120-140 K, which is a membrane form of guanylate cyclase in which ligand binding to the extracellular domain activates the cytoplasmic domain of the enzyme. Here we report the cloning and expression of a second human natriuretic peptide-receptor guanylate cyclase, the ANP-B receptor. The ANP-B receptor is preferentially activated by porcine brain natriuretic peptide rather than human alpha-ANP, whereas the ANP-A receptor responds similarly to both natriuretic peptides. These observations may have important implications for our understanding of the central and peripheral control of cardiovascular homeostasis.

Atrial natriuretic peptide receptors and activation of guanylate cyclase in rat cardiac sarcolemma

Two classes of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) receptors are present in purified sarcolemmal membrane fractions isolated from rat ventricle. Scatchard analysis using [125I]-ANP reveals high affinity (Kd approximately 10(-11) M) and low affinity (Kd approximately 10(-9) M) binding sites. Basal guanylate cyclase activities associated with these membrane fractions range from 3.2 +/- 1.3 pmol/min/mg protein in the presence of Mg2+ to 129 +/- 17 pmol/min/mg protein in the presence of Mn2+. Millimolar concentrations of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) potentiates Mg2+- but not Mn2+-supported activity. Binding of ANP to the low affinity site but not the high affinity site results in a maximum 2-fold activation of Mn2+- and up to 6-fold activation of Mg2+/ATP supported guanylate cyclase activities.

Effect of ATP and amiloride on ANF binding and stimulation of cyclic GMP accumulation in rat glomerular membranes

We investigated ANF binding and stimulation of cGMP accumulation in isolated rat glomerular membranes in the presence and absence of amiloride and ATP. Amiloride enhanced high affinity binding of ANF without affecting its stimulation of cGMP. In contrast ATP decreased binding and decreased basal cGMP accumulation without affecting the ability of ANF to stimulate cGMP. These data indicate that ANF binding and stimulation of cGMP accumulation can be regulated independently supporting further the concept of receptor heterogeneity in renal glomerular membranes.

Amiloride increases the sensitivity of particulate guanylate cyclase to atrial natriuretic factor

The natriuretic agent amiloride induces a shift of the dose-response curve of particulate guanylate cyclase to atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) to the left. The ANF concentration for half-maximal activation of guanylate cyclase is shifted from 20 to 3 nM in the presence of 100 microM amiloride. This effect is observed with GTP*Mn2+, but not with GTP*Mg2+ as substrate. Amiloride derivatives, which inhibit a specific Na+-channel, also shift the dose-response curve to the left. These data suggest that some of the effects of amiloride may be mediated by an increased sensitivity of particulate guanylate cyclase to ANF.

Brain natriuretic factor. Augmentation of cellular cyclic GMP, activation of particulate guanylate cyclase and receptor binding

The newly discovered peptide, brain natriuretic factor (BNF), caused a concentration-dependent increase (up to 400-fold) in intracellular cyclic GMP levels in cultured endothelial, smooth muscle and fibroblast cells. The extent of cGMP augmentation was comparable to that produced by atrial natriuretic factor (ANF). The activity of the membrane-bound guanylate cyclase of different rat tissues and cultured cells was markedly stimulated by the peptide and the addition of ATP potentiated the stimulation. As opposed to tissue particulate guanylate cyclase, the enzyme in cell membranes was slightly more sensitive to activation by BNF than to stimulation by ANF. On bovine aortic smooth muscle (BASM) cells, specific high-affinity binding sites (Bmax = 398 fmol/10(6) cells, Kd = 0.52 nM) for BNF were observed for which ANF could compete with apparently equal affinity. These results suggest that activation of the cGMP pathway constitutes a common mechanism of action for both BNF and ANF.