Okadaic acid. Protein phosphatase inhibition and muscle contractile effects

Inhibitory effects of rubratoxin A, a potent inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2, on the Ca2+-dependent contraction of skinned carotid artery from guinea pig

Rubratoxin A, a potent inhibitor of PP2A, is known to suppress smooth muscle contraction. The inhibitory role of PP2A in smooth muscle contraction is still unclear. In order to clarify the regulatory mechanisms of PP2A on vascular smooth muscle contractility, we examined the effects of rubratoxin A on the Ca²⁺-induced contraction of β-escin skinned carotid artery preparations from guinea pigs. Rubratoxin A at 1 µM and 10 µM significantly inhibited skinned carotid artery contraction at any Ca²⁺ concentration. The data fitting to the Hill equation in [Ca²⁺]-contraction relationship indicated that rubratoxin A decreased F_max-Ca2+ and increased [Ca²⁺]₅₀, indices of Ca²⁺ sensitivity for the force and myosin-actin interaction, respectively. These results suggest that PP2A inhibition causes downregulation of the myosin light chain phosphorylation and direct interference with myosin-actin interaction.

Protein phosphatases 1 and 2A and their naturally occurring inhibitors: current topics in smooth muscle physiology and chemical biology

Protein phosphatases 1 and 2A (PP1 and PP2A) are the most ubiquitous and abundant serine/threonine phosphatases in eukaryotic cells. They play fundamental roles in the regulation of various cellular functions. This review focuses on recent advances in the functional studies of these enzymes in the field of smooth muscle physiology. Many naturally occurring protein phosphatase inhibitors with different relative PP1/PP2A affinities have been discovered and are widely used as powerful research tools. Current topics in the chemical biology of PP1/PP2A inhibitors are introduced and discussed, highlighting the identification of the gene cluster responsible for the biosynthesis of calyculin A in a symbiont microorganism of a marine sponge.

Translocation of PKC by yessotoxin in an in vitro model of Alzheimer's disease with improvement of tau and β-amyloid pathology

Yessotoxin is a marine phycotoxin that induces motor alterations in mice after intraperitoneal injection. In primary cortical neurons, yessotoxin treatment induced a caspase-independent cell death with an IC50 of 4.27 nM. This neurotoxicity was enhanced by 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid and partially blocked by amiloride. Unlike previous studies, yessotoxin did not increase cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels or produce any change in phosphodiesterase 4 steady state expression in triple transgenic neurons. Since phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are engaged in learning and memory, we studied the in vitro effect of the toxin against Alzheimer's disease hallmarks and observed that pretreatment of cortical 3xTg-AD neurons with a low nanomolar concentration of yessotoxin showed a decrease expression of hyperphosphorylated tau isoforms and intracellular accumulation of amyloid-beta. These effects were accompanied with an increase in the level of the inactive isoform of the glycogen synthase kinase 3 and also by a translocation of protein kinase C from cytosol to membrane, pointing to its activation. In fact, inhibition of protein kinase C with GF109203X blocked the effect of yessotoxin over tau protein. The data presented here shows that 1 nM yessotoxin activates protein kinase C with beneficial effects over the main Alzheimer's disease hallmarks, tau and Aβ, in a cellular model obtained from 3xTg-AD fetuses.

Ethyl acetate extract of the Mauritian sponge Jaspis sp. induces cell arrest in human promyelocytic leukemia cells

Marine sponges are considered as a gold mine of new natural products possessing numerous biological activities. We examined the cytotoxic properties of the ethyl acetate extract (JDE) of the previously unrecorded sponge, Jaspis sp. collected from Mauritius Waters. JDE displayed an interesting IC50 of 0.057±0.04μg/mL on HL-60 cells evaluated by MTS assay. Mitochondrial membrane potential change, microscopic analysis and DNA fragmentation assays also confirmed JDE induced apoptosis on HL-60 cells. Annexin V staining demonstrated that JDE induced apoptosis at different concentrations. Treatment with 100ng/mL of JDE led to an accumulation of cells in G2/M phase after 24 h, causing a significant increase of cells (24h: 5.84%; 48h: 13.41%) in sub-G1 phase suggesting that JDE can induce cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase.

Induction of apoptosis accompanying with G(1) phase arrest and microtubule disassembly in human hepatoma cells by jaspolide B, a new isomalabaricane-type triterpene

Jaspolide B is a novel isomalabaricane-type triterpene isolated from sponge Jaspis sp. We investigated its effects on human hepatoma cells in this study. After 48 h of incubation, jaspolide B inhibited the growth of Bel-7402 and HepG2 cells with IC(50) values of 29.1 and 29.5 μM, respectively. Incubation with 0.5 μM of jaspolide B caused time-dependent induction of apoptosis in up to 66.8% of Bel-7402 cells for 48 h, and the induction of apoptosis was confirmed by the enhancement of mitochondrial masses and cell membrane permeability, and nuclear condensation in Bel-7402 and HepG2 cells. Moreover, jaspolide B arrested cell cycle progression at G(1) phase of human hepatoma cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In addition, treatment of the compound caused dose-dependent disassembly of microtubule cytoskeleton in Bel-7402 cells at indicated concentrations, and this effect being similar but weaker than that of colchicine, a well-known microtubule-disassembly agent. We conclude that the anti-cancer effect of jaspolide B relates to the apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest and microtubule disassembly, and these multiple mechanisms of jaspolide B, especially the induction of apoptosis, open interesting perspectives for further exploration of the isomalabaricane-type terpenes and compounds of marine sponge origin as potential anticancer agents.

PKC and Rho in vascular smooth muscle: activation by BOXes and SAH CSF

Cerebral vasospasm (CV) remains a significant cause of delayed neurological deficit and ischemic damage after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), despite intensive research effort. The current lack of an effective therapeutic approach is somewhat due to our lack of understanding regarding the mechanism by which this pathological constriction develops. Recent evidence implicates bilirubin oxidation products (BOXes) in the etiology of CV after SAH: BOXes are found in cerebrospinal fluid from SAH patients with symptomatic or angiographically visible vasospasm (CSFV) but not in CSF from SAH patients with no vasospasm (CSFC). We have previously published research suggesting that the etiology of CV comprises two components: a physiological stimulation to constrict and a pathological failure to relax. Both these components are elicited by CSFV, but not CSFC, and BOXes synthesized in the laboratory potentiate physiological constriction in arterial smooth muscle in vitro, and elicit contraction in pial arteries in vivo. In this paper, we will present our results concerning the action of BOXes on arterial smooth muscle constriction, compared with CSFV. We will also present evidence implicating temporal changes in PKC isoforms and Rho expression in both BOXes- and CSFV-elicited smooth muscle responses.

NMDA receptor-mediated extracellular adenosine accumulation is blocked by phosphatase 1/2A inhibitors

We have previously demonstrated that NMDA receptor-mediated extracellular adenosine accumulation in neuronal cultures is receptor-mediated and requires calcium influx. Because protein kinase C (PKC) is a calcium-dependent enzyme, we hypothesized that activation of PKC might be involved in NMDA-mediated adenosine accumulation. PKC inhibitors, however, did not block NMDA-evoked adenosine accumulation, but rather, stimulated basal adenosine accumulation. These data suggested the possibility that NMDA receptor-mediated adenosine accumulation involves net dephosphorylation rather than phosphorylation of one or more substrates. Thus, inhibition of kinases would be expected to increase adenosine accumulation and inhibition of phosphatases would be expected to block adenosine accumulation. To test this hypothesis, we used the phosphatase 1/2A inhibitors calyculin A and okadaic acid. Both inhibitors significantly reduced NMDA-evoked adenosine accumulation. In contrast phosphatase 2B inhibitors did not block NMDA-evoked adenosine accumulation. These data suggest that NMDA-evoked adenosine accumulation is mediated by activation of phosphatase 1/2A. We have established previously that NMDA-mediated adenosine accumulation is associated with adenosine kinase inhibition. However, adenosine kinase is not a direct substrate for phosphatase 1/2A because inhibition of phosphatase 1/2A did not abolish NMDA-evoked adenosine kinase inhibition. Okadaic acid also had no effect on NO donor-evoked adenosine accumulation, which previously has been shown to be associated with adenosine kinase inhibition. Dephosphorylation of one or more proteins other than adenosine kinase as a consequence of NMDA receptor activation might play an important role in extracellular adenosine regulation, with important consequences for the regulation of excitatory synaptic transmission, plasticity, epileptogenesis, and excitotoxicity.

Stellettin A induces oxidative stress and apoptosis in HL-60 human leukemia and LNCaP prostate cancer cell lines

The present study has demonstrated a differential cytotoxicity of stellettin A (1) between human leukemia HL-60 cells (IC50 0.4 microg/mL) and human prostate cancer LNCaP cells (IC50 120 microg/mL). Treatment of cells with 1 revealed the activation of NADPH oxidase, the dramatic generation of reactive oxygen species, and the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potentials, with HL-60 cells being more sensitive than LNCaP cells by an order of magnitude. Immunoblotting analysis further demonstrated a stronger upregulation of the apoptosis marker proteins, FasL and caspase-3, in HL-60 cells, and pretreatment of cells with antisense oligonucleotide for caspase-3 abolished apoptosis. All available evidence suggests that 1 induces oxidative cell death through a FasL-caspase-3-apoptotic pathway.

Apoptotic activity of isomalabaricane triterpenes on human promyelocytic leukemia HL60 cells

Four isomalabaricane triterpenes were isolated from marine sponge Geodia japonica [W.H. Zhang, C.T. Che, Isomalabaricane-type nortriterpenoids and other constituents of the marine sponge Geodia japonica, J. Nat. Prod. 64 (2001) 1489-1492. ] and their cytotoxicity was evaluated using a human promyelocytic leukemia HL60 cell line. Of the four triterpenes tested, geoditin A was the most cytotoxic to HL60 cells [IC50=3 microg/ml (<6.6 microM)], followed by stellettins A and B, whereas geoditin B exhibited relatively weak cytotoxicity. The treated cells manifested nuclear changes characteristic for apoptosis, and associated with dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase 3, and decrease of cytoplasmic proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), as demonstrated by fluorescence and immunofluorescence microscopy. When the HL60 cells were exposed to geoditin A ranging from 1.25 to 25 microg/ml, a dose-dependent increase of reactive oxygen species, a progressive dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential, and an increase in annexin V-FITC binding were measured by flow cytometry. Taken together our results suggest that geoditin A markedly induced reactive oxygen species, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and mediated a caspases 3 apoptosis pathway.

Constitutive induction of p-Erk1/2 accompanied by reduced activities of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A and MKP3 due to reactive oxygen species during cellular senescence

The mechanism of senescence-associated cytoplasmic induction of p-Erk1/2 (SA-p-Erk1/2) proteins in human diploid fibroblasts was investigated. p-Erk1/2 proteins were efficiently dephosphorylated in vitro by protein phosphatases 1 and 2A (PP1/2A) and MAPK phosphatase 3 (MKP3). Specific activity of PP1/2A and MKP3 activity significantly decreased during cellular senescence, whereas their protein expression levels did not. To investigate possible mechanism of phosphatase inactivation, we measured reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis and found it was much higher in mid-old cells than the young cells. Treating the young cells once with 1 mm H2O2 remarkably induced p-Erk1/2 expression; however, it was transient unless repeatedly treated until 72 h. Multiple treatment of the cells with 0.2 mm H2O2 significantly duplicated inactivation of PP1/2A; however, thiol-specific reagents could reverse the PP1/2A activities, suggesting the oxidation of cysteine molecule in PP1/2A by the increased ROS. When the cells were pretreated with 10 mm N-acetyl-l-cysteine for 1 h, Erk1/2 activation was completely blocked. To elucidate which cysteine residue and/or metal ion in PP1/2A was modified by H2O2, electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry analyses were performed with purified PP1C-alpha and found Cys62-SO3H and Cys105-SO3H, implicating the tertiary structure perturbation. H2O2 inhibited purified PP1C-alpha activity by both oxidation of Cys residues and metal ion(s), evidenced by dithiothreitol and ascorbate-restoration assay. In summary, SA-p-Erk1/2 was most likely due to the oxidation of PP1/2A, which resulted from the continuous exposure of the cells to vast amounts of ROS generated during cellular senescence by oxidation of Cys62 and Cys105 in PP1C-alpha and metal ion(s).

Oxidation of bilirubin produces compounds that cause prolonged vasospasm of rat cerebral vessels: a contributor to subarachnoid hemorrhage-induced vasospasm

The authors have previously shown that bilirubin-oxidation products (BOXes) are present in CSF of subarachnoid hemorrhage patients with vasospasm, and that BOXes cause vasoconstriction in vitro. This study determined whether BOXes cause vasospasm in vivo. Identical volumes of either lysed blood or standardized amounts of BOXes were injected into the cisterna magna of adult rats. BOX injections caused 6 of 10 rats to die within 10 minutes, whereas 12 of 12 rats survived for 24 hours after blood injections. The mechanism for this significant (P < or = 0.01) increase in mortality was unclear. To directly test whether BOXes produced vasospasm, a cranial window technique was used. Application of 20 microL of 10-micromol/L bilirubin had little effect on the vessels. However, application of BOXes produced marked, dose-dependent small artery and arteriole vasospasm that approached a 90% decrease in diameter by 40 minutes after application in some vessels, and persisted for at least 24 hours. To determine if BOX-mediated vasospasm led to cortical injury, histology and immunocytochemistry were performed on animals that survived for 24 hours. There was a BOX-related stress protein response for HSP25 and HSP32 (HO-1) without evidence of infarction. The finding that the BOXes produce vasospasm of cerebral vessels in vivo, in conjunction with BOXes being found in CSF of vasospasm patients, supports our hypothesis that BOXes contribute to or cause cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Extensive skinning of cell membrane diminishes the force-inhibiting effect of okadaic acid on smooth muscles of Guinea pig hepatic portal vein

The influences of cell membrane permeabilization (skinning) on the okadaic acid-induced inhibition of vascular smooth muscle contraction were studied in guinea pig hepatic portal vein. Pretreatment by 1 microM okadaic acid in the absence of Ca(2+) suppressed subsequent submaximal Ca(2+)-induced contraction in preparations permeabilized with Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin or beta-escin, but not in those treated with saponin or Triton X-100. The SDS-PAGE of elutants from the preparation suggests that the loss of the inhibitory effect of okadaic acid in preparations skinned with saponin or Triton X-100 results from the leakage of some cellular components with a molecular mass of 67 to 200 kDa.

A fluorescent microplate assay for diarrheic shellfish toxins

A fluorescent enzyme inhibition assay for okadaic acid using 4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate and fluorescein diphosphate as substrates for the enzyme phosphatase 2A was developed. In the inhibition assay, performed in a microtiter plate, the PP2A was inhibited by adding okadaic acid and the resulting fluorescence enhancement derived from enzymatic hydrolysis of the substrate was quantified in a fluorescence plate reader. The measurable range of okadaic acid was 3.2 to 3200 pg/ml with an IC50 = 0.1 nM. The detection limit of okadaic acid was 2.56 pg/well in buffer solutions and 12.8 ng/g hepatopancreas in shellfish extracts. The coefficient of variation (CV, n = 22) for each point ranged from 18.80 to 37.90% (mean 28.35%). The proposed method is very convenient, rapid, and sensitive by using the enzyme inhibition assay system and fluorescent reaction as a detection system. This work demonstrates that the fluorescent assay can be used to quantify the amount of okadaic acid in shellfish samples and also is valid for very dilute samples, such as phytoplankton samples.

Force-inhibiting effect of okadaic acid on skinned rat uterus permeabilized with alpha-toxin

Effects of okadai acid (OA) on contractile force in rat uterine uterine muscles permeabilized with alpha-toxin were examined. (1) Contractile force activated by Ca2+(10(-6.5) M to 10(-4.4) M) was suppressed by relatively low concentrations of OA (30 to 300 nM). The suppressed force was further decreased after washed out of OA. (2)Addition of 10 microM OA enhanced force. Whereas, the increased tension level fell to less than the control level after washed out of OA. (3)Okadaic acid methyl ester (methyl okadaate), an OA derivative without protein phosphatase inhibition, did not affect contraction. These results suggest that the force-inhibiting effect of OA is a result of interference with contractile elements through inhibition of protein phosphatases (PPs) activity.

Estimation of the rate constants associated with the inhibitory effect of okadaic acid on type 2A protein phosphatase by time-course analysis

As is often the case with tightly binding inhibitors, okadaic acid produces its inhibitory effect on type 2A protein phosphatase (PP2A) in a time-dependent manner. We measured the rate constants associated with the binding of okadaic acid to PP2A by analysing the time-course of the reduction of the p-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) phosphatase activity of the enzyme after application of okadaic acid. The rate constants for dissociation of okadaic acid from PP2A were also estimated from the time-course of the recovery of the activity from inhibition by okadaic acid after addition of a mouse IgG1 monoclonal antibody raised against the inhibitor. Our results show that the rate constants for the binding of okadaic acid and PP2A are of the order of 10(7) M-1.s-1, a typical value for reactions involving relatively large molecules, whereas those for their dissociation are in the range 10(-4)-10(-3) s-1. The very low values of the latter seems to be the determining factor for the exceedingly high affinity of okadaic acid for PP2A. The dissociation constants for the interaction of okadaic acid with the free enzyme and the enzyme-substrate complex, estimated as the ratio of the rate constants, are both in the range 30-40 pM, in agreement with the results of previous dose-inhibition analyses.

Protein phosphatases 1 and 2A dephosphorylate B-50 in presynaptic plasma membranes from rat brain

The protein B-50 is dephosphorylated in rat cortical synaptic plasma membranes (SPM) by protein phosphatase type 1 and 2A (PP-1 and PP-2A)-like activities. The present studies further demonstrate that B-50 is dephosphorylated not only by a spontaneously active PP-1-like enzyme, but also by a latent form after pretreatment of SPM with 0.2 mM cobalt/20 micrograms of trypsin/ml. The activity revealed by cobalt/trypsin was inhibited by inhibitor-2 and by high concentrations (microM) of okadaic acid, identifying it as a latent form of PP-1. In the presence of inhibitor-2 to block PP-1, histone H1 (16-64 micrograms/ml) and spermine (2 mM) increased B-50 dephosphorylation. This sensitivity to polycations and the reversal of their effects on B-50 dephosphorylation by 2 nM okadaic acid are indicative of PP-2A-like activity. PP-1- and PP-2A-like activities from SPM were further displayed by using exogenous phosphorylase alpha and histone H1 as substrates. Both PP-1 and PP-2A in rat SPM were immunologically identified with monospecific antibodies against the C-termini of catalytic subunits of rabbit skeletal muscle PP-1 and PP-2A. Okadaic acid-induced alteration of B-50 phosphorylation, consistent with inhibition of protein phosphatase activity, was demonstrated in rat cortical synaptosomes after immunoprecipitation with affinity-purified anti-B-50 immunoglobulin G. These results provide further evidence that SPM-bound PP-1 and PP-2A-like enzymes that share considerable similarities with their cytosolic counterparts may act as physiologically important phosphatases for B-50.

Inhibitory effect of okadaic acid derivatives on protein phosphatases. A study on structure-affinity relationship

The effect of structural modifications of okadaic acid (OA), a polyether C38 fatty acid, was studied on its inhibitory activity toward type 1 and type 2A protein phosphatases (PP1 and PP2A) by using OA derivatives obtained either by isolation from natural sources or by chemical processes. The dissociation constant (Ki) for the interaction of OA with PP2A was estimated to be 30 (26-33) nM [median (95% confidence limits)]. The OA derivatives used and their affinity for PP2A, expressed as Ki (in brackets) were as follows: 35-methyl-OA (DTX1) [19 (12-25) pM], OA-9,10-episulphide (acanthifolicin) [47 (25-60) pM], 7-deoxy-OA [69 (31-138) pM], 14,15-dihydro-OA [315 (275-360) pM], 2-deoxy-OA [899 (763-1044) pM], 7-O-palmitoyl-OA [greater than 100 nM], 7-O-palmitoyl-DTX1 [greater than 100 nM], methyl okadate [much greater than 100 nM], 2-oxo-decarboxy-OA [much greater than 100 nM] and the C-15-C-38 fragment of OA [much greater than 100 nM]. The sequence of the affinity of these derivatives for PP1 was essentially the same as that observed with PP2A, although the absolute values of Ki were very different for the enzymes. The inhibitory effect of OA on PP2A was reversed by applying a murine monoclonal antibody against OA, which recognizes modifications of the 7-hydroxyl group of the OA molecule. It has been shown by n.m.r. spectroscopy and X-ray analysis that one end (C-1-C-24) of the OA molecule assumes a circular conformation. The present results suggest the importance of the conformation for the inhibitory action of OA on the protein phosphatases. The ratios of the Ki values for PP1 to that for PP2A, which were within the range 10(3)-10(4), tended to be smaller for the derivatives with lower affinity, indicating that the structural changes in OA impaired the affinity for PP2A more strongly than that for PP1.

The role of myosin I and II in cell motility

It has been recognized since the turn of the century that cell motility by non-muscle cells requires virtually continuous restructuring of the cytoskeleton (see refs [1-4]). It is also clear that cell motility requires a mechanism for converting chemical energy into mechanical work. The proteins actin and myosin, two important constituents of the cytoskeleton, have been postulated to act as the chemicomechanical transducer in motile cells. Central to their role as a force generating mechanism in motile cells is the ability of myosin (a) to hydrolyze ATP when it interacts with actin and (b) to form filaments. Recent studies on mammalian cells and on the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum have shed light and at the same time raised questions regarding the involvement of myosin in cell motility. Moreover, they have demonstrated the presence of two types of myosins, called myosin II and myosin I, that have unique biochemical and regulatory properties and that may play different roles in mediating cell motility. In this chapter we will discuss the properties of these two myosins and then describe what is known about their involvement in Dictyostelium and mammalian cell motility.

A phosphatase resistant substrate for the assay of protein kinase C in crude tissue extracts

Protein kinase C (PKC) is routinely assayed, after it is partially purified over DEAE-cellulose chromatography to eliminate any interfering protein kinases and phosphatases, by measuring the transfer of gamma-phosphate of [gamma-32P]ATP to H1 histone. Recently, it has been shown that a synthetic peptide, comprising residues 4-14 of myelin basic protein (MBP4-14), is a very selective PKC substrate which is not phosphorylated effectively by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, casein kinase I and II, Ca2+/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II or phosphorylase kinase [Yasuda, I., Kishimoto, A., Tanaka, S-I., Tominaga, M., Sakurai, A. and Nishizuka, Y. (1990) BBRC 166, 1220-1227]. We report here that once MBP4-14 is phosphorylated, it is not dephosphorylated by okadaic acid-sensitive phosphatases (protein phosphatases 1, 2A and 3) or other protein phosphatases such as calcineurin and/or PP 2C present in hippocampal homogenates. Therefore, MBP4-14 can be used for PKC assay in crude extracts of neural tissue.

Okadaic acid stimulates the ATP-dependent interaction between actin and myosin of smooth muscle via a direct effect on myosin

The direct effect of okadaic acid (OA) on the ATP-dependent interaction between actin and myosin of smooth muscle was examined not only by the conventional measurement of ATPase activity but also by application of in vitro motility assay developed recently. The motility was effectively enhanced by microM levels of OA. Measurements of the activities of myosin confirmed that the myosin mediated this effect. The result of this study, which was carried out in the absence of protein phosphatase, are not compatible with the recent reports that the stimulatory effect of OA on smooth muscle contraction is attributable to its inhibitory effect on the activity of the protein phosphatase.

Hepatocyte deformation induced by cyanobacterial toxins reflects inhibition of protein phosphatases

The cyclic peptide hepatotoxins microcystin-LR, 7-desmethyl-microcystin-RR and nodularin are potent inhibitors of the protein phosphatases type 1 and type 2A. Their potency of inhibition resembles calyculin-A and to a lesser extent okadaic acid. These hepatotoxins increase the overall level of protein phosphorylation in hepatocytes. Evidence is presented to indicate that in hepatocytes the morphological changes and effects on the cytoskeleton are due to phosphatase inhibition. The potency of these compounds in inducing hepatocyte deformation is similar to their potency in inhibiting phosphatase activity. These results suggest that the hepatotoxicity of these peptides is related to inhibition of phosphatases, and further indicate the importance of the protein phosphorylation in maintenance of structural and homeostatic integrity in these cells.

Okadaic acid uncouples myosin light chain phosphorylation and tension in smooth muscle

Tracheal smooth muscle precontracted with carbachol relaxes upon the addition of 3 microM okadaic acid. Although cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations decrease, myosin light chain remains highly phosphorylated (50%). In smooth muscle treated with carbachol alone or carbachol plus okadaic acid 32P is incorporated into a single peptide on myosin light chain which corresponds to the site phosphorylated by myosin light chain kinase. Treatment with okadaic acid alone does not result in myosin light chain phosphorylation or tension development. These results suggest that a cellular mechanism other than myosin light chain phosphorylation can regulate contractile tension.

Regulation of Ca2+-dependent K+-channel activity in tracheal myocytes by phosphorylation

Isoprenaline is a beta-adrenergic agonist of clinical importance as a remedy for asthma. In airway smooth muscle its relaxant action is accompanied by hyperpolarization of the membrane and elevation of the level of intracellular cyclic AMP. Hyperpolarization and relaxation are also induced by drugs such as forskolin, theophylline and dibutyryl cAMP, indicating that cAMP-dependent phosphorylation is involved in producing the electrical response. Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase A) has been reported to activate Ca2+-dependent K+ channels in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells and snail neurons. The membrane of tracheal smooth-muscle cells is characterized by a dense distribution of Ca2+-dependent K+-channels. We have now examined the effect of isoprenaline and protein kinase A on Ca2+-dependent K+-channels in isolated smooth muscle cells of rabbit trachea, using the patch-clamp technique. Our results show that the open-state probability of Ca2+-dependent K+-channel of tracheal myocytes is reversibly increased by either extracellular application of isoprenaline or intracellar application of protein kinase A. We also show that this effect is significantly enhanced and prolonged in the presence of a potent protein phosphatase inhibitor, okadaic acid.

Protein phosphatase composition in the smooth muscle of guinea-pig ileum studied with okadaic acid and inhibitor 2

Using okadaic acid, a potent inhibitor of type 2A and type 1 protein phosphatases, and inhibitor 2, an intrinsic inhibitory factor of type 1 phosphatase, we characterized the phosphorylated myosin light-chain (PMLC) phosphatase activity in the smooth-muscle extracts of guinea-pig ileum. In the intact fibres the control activity was 254 +/- 13 nmol of Pi/min per g wet wt. (n = 15) against 32P-labelled PMLC (4 microM) from chicken gizzard. The following phosphatase fractions were identified: an inhibitor-2-sensitive (type 1) fraction (fractional activity = 35%), a Mg2+-dependent and okadaic acid-insensitive (type 2C) fraction (17%), and two type 2A-like fractions that had different susceptibility to okadaic acid. The type 2A-like fraction with lower affinity to okadaic acid accounted for 30% of the control activity. After the cell membrane was permeabilized by Triton X-100, more than 60% of this fraction remained and accounted for about 90% of the total activity, whereas the other fractions were nearly abolished. The type 2A-like fraction may be bound to some intracellular structure such as contractile proteins.