The separation of the heme and apoheme forms of soluble guanylate cyclase

Therapeutic Targeting of the Soluble Guanylate Cyclase

The soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) is the physiological sensor for nitric oxide and alterations of its function are actively implicated in a wide variety of pathophysiological conditions. Intense research efforts over the past 20 years have provided significant information on its regulation, culminating in the rational development of approved drugs or investigational lead molecules, which target and interact with sGC through novel mechanisms. However, there are numerous questions that remain unanswered. Ongoing investigations, with the critical aid of structural chemistry studies, try to further elucidate the enzyme's structural characteristics that define the association of "stimulators" or "activators" of sGC in the presence or absence of the heme moiety, respectively, as well as the precise conformational attributes that will allow the design of more innovative and effective drugs. This review relates the progress achieved, particularly in the past 10 years, in understanding the function of this enzyme, and focusses on a) the rationale and results of its therapeutic targeting in disease situations, depending on the state of enzyme (oxidized or not, heme-carrying or not) and b) the most recent structural studies, which should permit improved design of future therapeutic molecules that aim to directly upregulate the activity of sGC.

Control of seed dormancy and germination by DOG1-AHG1 PP2C phosphatase complex via binding to heme

Abscisic acid (ABA) regulates abiotic stress and developmental responses including regulation of seed dormancy to prevent seeds from germinating under unfavorable environmental conditions. ABA HYPERSENSITIVE GERMINATION1 (AHG1) encoding a type 2C protein phosphatase (PP2C) is a central negative regulator of ABA response in germination; however, the molecular function and regulation of AHG1 remain elusive. Here we report that AHG1 interacts with DELAY OF GERMINATION1 (DOG1), which is a pivotal positive regulator in seed dormancy. DOG1 acts upstream of AHG1 and impairs the PP2C activity of AHG1 in vitro. Furthermore, DOG1 has the ability to bind heme. Binding of DOG1 to AHG1 and heme are independent processes, but both are essential for DOG1 function in vivo. Our study demonstrates that AHG1 and DOG1 constitute an important regulatory system for seed dormancy and germination by integrating multiple environmental signals, in parallel with the PYL/RCAR ABA receptor-mediated regulatory system.

The hormone abscisic acid (ABA) prevents seeds from germination when conditions are not suitable. Here the authors show that DOG1, a positive regulator of germination, impairs ABA signaling via genetic and physical interactions with the AHG1 phosphatase and that DOG1 binding to heme is required for this activity.

(1)H, (13)C, (15)N backbone and side-chain resonance assignment of Nostoc sp. C139A variant of the heme-nitric oxide/oxygen binding (H-NOX) domain

The H-NOX (Heme-nitric oxide/oxygen binding) domain is conserved across eukaryotes and bacteria. In human soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) the H-NOX domain functions as a sensor for the gaseous signaling agent nitric oxide (NO). sGC contains the heme-binding H-NOX domain at its N-terminus, which regulates the catalytic site contained within the C-terminal end of the enzyme catalyzing the conversion of GTP (guanosine 5'-triphosphate) to GMP (guanylyl monophosphate). Here, we present the backbone and side-chain assignments of the (1)H, (13)C and (15)N resonances of the 183-residue H-NOX domain from Nostoc sp. through solution NMR.

Heme oxygenase-1 induction depletes heme and attenuates pulmonary artery relaxation and guanylate cyclase activation by nitric oxide

This study examines in endothelium-denuded bovine pulmonary arteries the effects of increasing heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) activity on relaxation and soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) activation by nitric oxide (NO). A 24-h organ culture with 0.1 mM cobalt chloride (CoCl2) or 30 microM Co-protoporphyrin IX was developed as a method of increasing HO-1 expression. These treatments increased HO-1 expression and HO activity by approximately two- to fourfold and lowered heme levels by 40-45%. Induction of HO-1 was associated with an attenuation of pulmonary arterial relaxation to the NO-donor spermine-NONOate. The presence of a HO-1 inhibitor 30 microM chromium mesoporphyrin during the 24-h organ culture (but not acute treatment with this agent) reversed the attenuation of relaxation to NO seen in arteries co-cultured with agents that increased HO-1. Relaxation to isoproterenol, which is thought to be mediated through cAMP, was not altered in arteries with increased HO-1. Inducers of HO-1 did not appear to alter basal sGC activity in arterial homogenates or expression of the beta(1)-subunit of sGC. However, the increase in activity seen in the presence of 1 microM spermine-NONOate was attenuated in homogenates obtained from arteries with increased HO-1. Since arteries with increased HO-1 had decreased levels of superoxide detected by the chemiluminescence of 5 microM lucigenin, superoxide did not appear to be mediating the attenuation of relaxation to NO. These data suggest that increasing HO-1 activity depletes heme, and this is associated with an attenuation of pulmonary artery relaxation and sGC activation responses to NO.

Soluble guanylate cyclase

Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) is a mammalian nitric oxide (NO) sensor. When NO binds to the sGC heme, its GTP cyclase activity markedly increases, thus generating cyclic GMP, which serves to regulate several cell signaling functions. A good deal is known about the kinetics and equilibrium of binding of NO to sGC, leading to a proposed multistep mechanism of sGC activation that involves at least two NO-binding sites. The crystal structure of a member of a recently discovered family of prokaryotic sGC homologues has provided important insights into structure-function relationships within the sGC family of proteins.

Oxidative state in platelets and erythrocytes in aging and Alzheimer's disease

Several studies have shown involvement of peroxynitrite anion, a potent oxidative agent, in Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology. Herein, we assessed in platelets and erythrocytes of AD patients, age-matched and young adults controls: thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) production; superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and Na,K-ATPase activities; cyclic GMP (cGMP) content, both basal and after sodium nitroprusside (SNP) stimulation. Aging was associated with an increase in TBARS production and NOS activity, a decrease in basal cGMP content and no change in SOD and Na,K-ATPase activities. AD patients, compared to aged controls, have: increase in TBARS production and in NOS, SOD and Na,K-ATPase activities but no alteration in basal cGMP content. SNP increased cGMP platelets production in all groups. In conclusion, we demonstrated in platelets and erythrocytes a disruption in systemic modulation of oxidative stress in aging and with more intensity in AD.

Wei Lun Visiting Professorial Lecture: Nitric oxide in the regulation of vascular function: an historical overview

The field of nitric oxide (NO) research has developed in explosive proportions since the discovery of endogenous NO in 1986. The biological importance of NO was first shown by the findings that nitroglycerin causes vasodilation by liberating NO in the smooth muscle, and activating guanylate cyclase to raise smooth muscle levels of cyclic GMP. NO also inhibits platelet aggregation by cyclic GMP mechanisms. NO activates guanylate cyclase by heme dependent mechanisms involving the formation of a nitrosyl-heme complex. The high pharmacological potency of NO was finally understood when NO was shown to be formed endogenously, and to be the same as EDRF. Based on these properties of NO, new drugs can be developed as vasodilators and antiplatelet agents for the treatment of a variety of vascular disorders including impotency. NO elicits many other actions in mammalian systems including inhibition of cell proliferation, airway bronchodilation, antimicrobial effects, other host defense effects, and also modulates learning and memory as well as other central functions. This allows for an extensive opportunity to develop novel drugs for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of a number of different diseases, many of which are vascular in origin.

Regional and age-dependent expression of the nitric oxide receptor, soluble guanylyl cyclase, in the human brain

Nitric oxide (NO), synthesized by neuronal NO synthase (NOS-I), plays essential physiological roles in the brain. The major molecular target for NO is soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), a heterodimeric hemoprotein composed of a larger alpha and a smaller beta subunit. Both subunits of sGC are needed to generate the second messenger cyclic GMP (cGMP). Here we show using subunit-specific antibodies and Western blot analysis that sGCalpha1 and sGCbeta1 protein subunits are present in all examined human brain regions. The relative distribution of the two subunits was similar and also correlated well with the known distribution of NOS-I. The highest expression levels of sGC were found in cortex, basal ganglia and the limbic system. These regions display the most prominent biochemical and histological changes during ageing. In cortex, a negative correlation between the amounts of sGC and age was found, while sex and post-mortem delay time did not affect sGC levels significantly. Our data suggest that sGCalpha1 and sGCbeta1 subunits are widely distributed in human brain, consistent with a major role in NO signaling. Moreover, the NO/cGMP pathway appears to be affected by ageing in the human brain.

Nitric oxide as a signaling molecule in the vascular system: an overview

In retrospect, basic research in the fields of nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) during the past two decades appears to have followed a logical course, beginning with the findings that NO and cGMP are vascular smooth muscle relaxants, that nitroglycerin relaxes smooth muscle by metabolism to NO, progressing to the discovery that mammalian cells synthesize NO, and finally the revelation that NO is a neurotransmitter mediating vasodilation in specialized vascular beds. A great deal of basic and clinical research on the physiologic and pathophysiologic roles of NO in cardiovascular function has been conducted since the discovery that endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) is NO. The new knowledge on NO should enable investigators in this field to develop novel and more effective therapeutic strategies for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of numerous cardiovascular disorders. The goal of this review was to highlight the early research that led to our current understanding of the pathophysiologic role of NO in cardiovascular medicine. Furthermore, we discussed the possible mechanism of some drugs interfering with NO signaling cascade.

Effect of heme oxygenase inhibitors on soluble guanylyl cyclase activity

NO is the physiological activator of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) thereby acting as a signaling molecule in the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Despite its poor sGC-activating ability, CO, produced by the enzyme heme oxygenase (HO), has also been implicated as a physiological stimulator of sGC in neurotransmission and vasorelaxation. Zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPPIX) and tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPPIX) are competitive HO inhibitors and have been used in studies implicating a messenger role for CO in the brain and periphery; however, little is known about the specificity of these metalloporphyrins. In the present study, the effects of ZnPPIX and SnPPIX on sGC activity have been investigated in vitro. Interestingly, purified sGC is markedly activated by SnPPIX (20- to 30-fold) but has a very low affinity for this metalloporphyrin (Ka = 4.9 microM); high concentrations of SnPPIX (25 microM) still activated the enzyme. On the other hand, sGC has a high affinity for ZnPPIX (Ka = 16.1 nM). ZnPPIX activates heme-containing sGC weakly at low (nM) concentrations (3- to 4-fold) but at higher concentrations, ZnPPIX is a potent inhibitor; at 2.5 microM, it inhibits the basal activity of sGC by about 80%. These results imply that HO inhibitors may affect cGMP levels independently of HO activity.

Characterization of NS 2028 as a specific inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase

1 The haeme-containing soluble guanylyl cyclase (alpha1beta1-heterodimer) is a major intracellular receptor and effector for nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) and mediates many of their biological actions by increasing cyclic GMP. We have synthesized new oxadiazolo-benz-oxazins and have assessed their inhibitory actions on guanylyl cyclase activity in vitro, on the formation of cyclic GMP in cultured cells and on the NO-dependent relaxation of vascular and non-vascular smooth muscle. 2 Soluble guanylyl cyclase, purified to homogeneity from bovine lung, was inhibited by 4H-8-bromo-1,2,4-oxadiazolo(3,4-d)benz(b)(1,4)oxazin-1-one (NS 2028) in a concentration-dependent and irreversible manner (IC50 30 nM for basal and 200 nM for NO-stimulated enzyme activity). Evaluation of the inhibition kinetics according to Kitz & Wilson yielded a value of 8 nM for Ki, the equilibrium constant describing the initial reversible reaction between inhibitor and enzyme, and 0.2 min(-1) for the rate constant k3 of the subsequent irreversible inhibition. Inhibition was accompanied by a shift in the soret absorption maximum of the enzyme's haem cofactor from 430 to 390 nm. 3 S-nitroso-glutathione-enhanced soluble guanylyl cyclase activity in homogenates of mouse cerebellum was inhibited by NS 2028 (IC50 17 nM) and by 17 structural analogues in a similar manner, albeit with different potency, depending on the type of substitution at positions 1, 7 and 8 of the benzoxazin structure. Small electronegative ligands such as Br and Cl at position 7 or 8 increased and substitution of the oxygen at position 1 by -S-,- NH- or -CH2- decreased the inhibition. 4 In tissue slices prepared from mouse cerebellum, neuronal NO synthase-dependent activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase by the glutamate receptor agonist N-methyl-D-aspartate was inhibited by NS 2028 (IC50 20 nM) and by two of its analogues. Similarly, 3-morpholino-sydnonimine (SIN-1)-elicited formation of cyclic GMP in human cultured umbilical vein endothelial cells was inhibited by NS 2028 (IC50 30 nM). 5 In prostaglandin F2alpha-constricted, endothelium-intact porcine coronary arteries NS 2028 elicited a concentration-dependent increase (65%) in contractile tone (EC50 170 nM), which was abolished by removal of the endothelium. NS 2028 (1 microM) suppressed the relaxant response to nitroglycerin from 88.3+/-2.1 to 26.8+/-6.4% and induced a 9 fold rightward shift (EC50 15 microM) of the concentration-relaxation response curve to nitroglycerin. It abolished the relaxation to sodium nitroprusside (1 microM), but did not affect the vasorelaxation to the KATP channel opener cromakalim. Approximately 50% of the relaxant response to sodium nitroprusside was recovered after 2 h washout of NS 2028. 6 In phenylephrine-preconstricted, endothelium-denuded aorta of the rabbit NS 2028 (1 microM) did not affect relaxant responses to atrial natriuretic factor, an activator of particulate guanylyl cyclase, or forskolin, an activator of adenylyl cyclase. 7 NO-dependent relaxant responses in non-vascular smooth muscle were also inhibited by NS 2028. The nitroglycerin-induced relaxation of guinea-pig trachea preconstricted by histamine was fully inhibited by NS 2028 (1 microM), whereas the relaxations to terbutaline, theophylline and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) were not affected. The relaxant responses to electrical field stimulation of non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic nerves in the same tissue were attenuated by 50% in the presence of NS 2028 (1 microM). 8 NS 2028 and its analogues, one of which is the previously characterized 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3,-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), appear to be potent and specific inhibitors of soluble guanylyl cyclase present in various cell types. Oxidation and/or a change in the coordination of the haeme-iron of guanylyl cyclase is a likely inhibitory mechanism.

Expression and purification of soluble, active heterodimeric guanylyl cyclase from baculovirus

A method for expression and purification of active cytosolic heterodimeric histidine (His)-tagged guanylyl cyclase of the alpha 1/beta 1 isoform has been developed using recombinant baculovirus-transfected insect cells. Confirmation of expression of active cyclase was obtained by both Western analysis and enzymatic activity. A His tag on the COOH-terminus of the alpha 1 and beta 1 subunits allowed rapid purification of the heterodimeric form of guanylyl cyclase in a single affinity step using a nickel column. A second gel-filtration step was applied to reconstitute into the complex heme, a required cofactor. This was confirmed spectroscopically by absorbance in the Soret region. Like enzyme purified from tissue, the activity of recombinant guanylyl cyclase was increased by protoporphyrin IX and inhibited by both Zn- and Sn-protoporphyrin. The method described here should provide a general approach for the expression and purification of alternate forms of cytosolic guanylyl cyclase and facilitate mechanistic and structural studies of this important family of enzymes. Furthermore, the procedure demonstrates the utility of the His-tag system to purify multimeric proteins.

Isolation and characterization of a novel monomeric zinc- and heme-containing protein from bovine brain

An acidic zinc- and heme-containing protein was isolated from the soluble fraction of bovine brain and has been purified to homogeneity. The zinc-heme protein is a monomeric globular protein with a molecular mass of 31 200 Da as determined by electrospray mass spectrometry. The protein was isolated with 0.90 +/- 0.05 zinc per protein and with substoichiometric amounts of heme. Amino acid sequences of four peptides (ca. 20% of the protein) were determined and the comparison of these sequences with those of protein and gene sequence databases revealed no significant correlation with any known protein. Thus, it is concluded that it is a novel protein of currently unknown biological function.

Mechanisms of action of nitrates

Glyceryl trinitrate, isosorbide dinitrate, and isosorbide-5-mononitrate are organic nitrate esters commonly used in the treatment of angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, and congestive heart failure. Organic nitrate esters have a direct relaxant effect on vascular smooth muscles, and the dilation of coronary vessels improves oxygen supply to the myocardium. The dilation of peripheral veins, and in higher doses peripheral arteries, reduces preload and afterload, and thereby lowers myocardial oxygen consumption. Inhibition of platelet aggregation is another effect that is probably of therapeutic value. Effects on the central nervous system and the myocardium have been shown but not scrutinized for therapeutic importance. Both the relaxing effect on vascular smooth muscle and the effect on platelets are considered to be due to a stimulation of soluble guanylate cyclase by nitric oxide derived from the organic nitrate ester molecule through metabolization catalyzed by enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase, cytochrome P-450, and possibly esterases. The cyclic GMP produced by the guanylate cyclase acts via cGMP-dependent protein kinase. Ultimately, through various processes, the protein kinase lowers intracellular calcium; an increased uptake to and a decreased release from intracellular stores seem to be particularly important.

Mutation of His-105 in the beta 1 subunit yields a nitric oxide-insensitive form of soluble guanylyl cyclase

Soluble guanylyl cyclase [GTP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing); EC 4.6.1.2] is a hemoprotein that exists as a heterodimer; the heme moiety has been proposed to bind nitric oxide, resulting in a dramatic activation of the enzyme. Mutation of six conserved His residues reduced but did not abolish nitric oxide stimulation whereas a change of His-105 to Phe in the beta 1 subunit yielded a heterodimer that retained basal cyclase activity but failed to respond to nitric oxide. Heme was not detected as a component of the mutant heterodimer and protophorphyrin IX failed to stimulate enzyme activity. The activity of the His mutant was almost identical to that of the wild-type enzyme in the presence of KCN, suggesting that disruption of heme binding is the principal effect of the mutation. Thus, the mutation provides a means to inhibit the nitric oxide-sensitive guanylyl cyclase signaling pathway.

Relationship between myoglobin contents and increases in cyclic GMP produced by glyceryl trinitrate and nitric oxide in rabbit aorta, right atrium and papillary muscle

Effects of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) and nitric oxide (NO) on the cardiac functions and myocardial cyclic GMP (cGMP) contents were examined in comparison with those in the aorta and correlated with myoglobin (an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase) contents using the preparations isolated from the reserpinized rabbit. GTN (10(-10)-10(-4) mol/l) produced a dose-dependent relaxation in the aorta. However, this compound exerted no effect on the rate of the spontaneous beat of the right atrium and the contraction of the papillary muscle. A transient and significant increase in cGMP was observed in the aorta with GTN (3 x 10(-6) mol/l). Although the increase was also observed in the right atrium, it was much smaller. No definite change was observed in papillary muscle. Increases in cGMP produced by NO (3 x 10(-6) mol/l) were larger and significant in all tissues; (AUCcGMP(GTN)/AUCcGMP(NO)) ratio was 30.1 for the aorta, 65.0 for the right atrium and 16.3% for the papillary muscle. Although higher concentrations of NO were necessary in the right atrium and papillary muscle to induce increases in cGMP, no differences were noted in the three tissues as regards the maximum accumulation of this substance. Furthermore, kinetic analysis of NO-induced increases in tissue cGMP indicated no marked difference in the production rate among the three tissues, while the rate of elimination of cGMP was lower in the aorta than in the atrium or the papillary muscle. The increases in cGMP observed in these three tissues were inversely related to the contents of myoglobin in respective tissues.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Macrophage and endothelial cell nitric oxide synthesis: cell-type selective inhibition by NG-aminoarginine, NG-nitroarginine and NG-methylarginine

Many cell types are known to synthesize nitric oxide (NO.) from L-arginine. There appear to be at least two forms of NO. synthase: an inducible, tetrahydrobiopterin- and flavin-dependent activity exemplified by the macrophage enzyme and a constitutive, Ca+(+)-dependent activity exemplified by the endothelial cell enzyme. L-NG-methylarginine inhibits NO. synthesis by both cell types. We now report that L-NG-aminoarginine and L-NG-nitroarginine are about 100-fold more potent than NG-methylarginine in blocking endothelial cell NO. synthesis. In contrast, NG-aminoarginine and NG-methylarginine are about equipotent with macrophages whereas NG-nitroarginine is much less potent. Since macrophage and endothelial cell NO. synthesis are differentially sensitive to the inhibitors, the panel of inhibitors can be used in complex biological systems to determine if macrophage-like or endothelial-like cells are the predominant source of NO.. Indeed, all three inhibitors elicit a strong pressor response in the anesthetized guinea pig, a result consistent with the view that endothelial cells continually produce vasodilatory NO(.).

Radiation inactivation target-size analysis of soluble guanylate cyclase

The soluble form of guanylate cyclase, which is a heterodimer of two subunits with molecular weights of 82,000 and 70,000, was analyzed by radiation inactivation experiments to determine its functional size. Lyophilized crude extract from rat lung or the purified enzyme were irradiated with different doses from 60Co gamma-rays, and the residual activities were measured in the presence or absence of a potent activator, sodium nitroprusside. The target sizes for the basal activity and for the activity in the presence of sodium nitroprusside were calculated from the decay curve was 77 and 192 kDa, respectively, on the crude enzyme, or as 71 and 163 kDa, respectively, on the purified enzyme. The size for the activatable form of the enzyme was more than twice that of the basal activity and close to the size of the holoenzyme, implying that the enzyme activity must reside on one of the subunits and the activation by sodium nitroprusside requires interaction of both subunits.

Effects of arginine derivatives on soluble guanylate cyclase from neuroblastoma N1E 115 cells

The effects of L-arginine (Arg) derivatives on soluble guanylate cyclase from neuroblastoma N1E 115 cells were examined. The Arg derivatives were modified at the -NH2, -COOH, C alpha-proton or guanidino group of Arg. Among the synthesized derivatives, eight compounds, i.e. the 5-(dimethylamino)-1-naphthalenesulfonyl (DNS) ones, especially N-cyclohexyl-2-(N-DNSamino)-5-guanidino-2-methylvaleramide and 1-[2-(N-DNSamino)-2-(2-imino-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydropyrimidin- 4-yl)acetyl]- piperidine, were found to inhibit the activity of crude guanylate cyclase in the 105,000 g supernatant fraction of the cell homogenate. The enzyme, partially purified by a column of Chelex 100 Na+, was also inhibited by these eight compounds. The mode of the inhibition was competitive. The Ki values were in the range of 2-8 microM for the enzyme in the 105,000 g supernatant fraction and 3-16 microM for the partially purified enzyme, in the presence of Mg2+ as a metal cofactor. In contrast, a new derivative, methyl 2-amino-5-guanidinovalerate (M Arg ME), as well as the Arg methyl ester (Arg ME) and Arg; were found to enhance the activity of the partially purified guanylate cyclase; KA values of M Arg ME, Arg ME and Arg were approximately 9, 4 and 3 microM respectively. From these results, the free guanidino group including 2-imino-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydropyrimidin-4-yl or 2-imino-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydropyrimidin-5-yl and modification of the --NH2 residue with a hydrophobic group such as DNS seemed to be essential for inhibition of the guanylate cyclase; however, the guanidino and --NH2 residue of Arg should be free for activation by these Arg derivatives.

Activation of purified soluble guanylate cyclase by arachidonic acid requires absence of enzyme-bound heme

The mechanism by which arachidonic acid activates soluble guanylate cyclase purified from bovine lung is partially elucidated. Unlike enzyme activation by nitric oxide (NO), which required the presence of enzyme-bound heme, enzyme activation by arachidonic acid was inhibited by heme. Human but not bovine serum albumin in the presence of NaF abolished activation of heme-containing guanylate cyclase by NO and nitroso compounds, whereas enzyme activation by arachidonic acid was markedly enhanced. Addition of heme to enzyme reaction mixtures restored enzyme activation by NO but inhibited enzyme activation by arachidonic acid. Whereas heme-containing guanylate cyclase was activated only 4- to 5-fold by arachidonic or linoleic acid, both heme-deficient and albumin-treated heme-containing enzymes were activated over 20-fold. Spectrophotometric analysis showed that human serum albumin promoted the reversible dissociation of heme from guanylate cyclase. Arachidonic acid appeared to bind to the hydrophobic heme-binding site on guanylate cyclase but the mechanism of enzyme activation was dissimilar to that for NO or protoporphyrin IX. Enzyme activation by arachidonic acid was insensitive to Methylene blue or KCN, was inhibited competitively by metalloporphyrins, and was abolished by lipoxygenase. Whereas NO and protoporphyrin IX lowered the apparent Km and Ki for MgGTP and uncomplexed Mg2+, arachidonic and linoleic acids failed to alter these kinetic parameters. Thus, human serum albumin can promote the reversible dissociation of heme from soluble guanylate cyclase and thereby abolish enzyme activation by NO but markedly enhance activation by polyunsaturated fatty acids. Arachidonic acid activates soluble guanylate cyclase by heme-independent mechanisms that are dissimilar to the mechanism of enzyme activation caused by protoporphyrin IX.

The involvement of catalytic site thiol groups in the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase by sodium nitroprusside

Sodium nitroprusside, a potent activator of soluble guanylate cyclase, potentiated mixed disulfide formation between cystine, a potent inhibitor of the cyclase, and enzyme purified from rat lung. Incubation of soluble guanylate cyclase with nitroprusside and [35S]cystine resulted in a twofold increase in protein-bound radioactivity compared to incubations in the absence of nitroprusside. Purified enzyme preincubated with nitroprusside and then gel filtered (activated enzyme) was activated 10- to 20-fold compared to guanylate cyclase preincubated in the absence of nitroprusside and similarly processed (nonactivated enzyme). This activation was completely reversed by subsequent incubation at 37 degrees C (activation-reversed enzyme). Incorporation of [35S]cystine into guanylate cyclase was increased twofold with activated enzyme, while no difference was observed with activation-reversed enzyme, compared to nonactivated enzyme. Cystine decreased the activity of nonactivated and activation-reversed enzyme about 40% while it completely inhibited activated guanylate cyclase. Mg+2- or Mn+2-GTP inhibited the incorporation of [35S]cystine into nonactivated or activated guanylate cyclase. Also, diamide, a potent thiol oxidant that converts juxtaposed sulfhydryls to disulfides, completely blocked incorporation of [35S]cystine into nonactivated or activated guanylate cyclase. These data indicate that activation of soluble guanylate cyclase by nitroprusside results in an increased availability of protein sulfhydryl groups for mixed disulfide formation with cystine. Protection against mixed disulfide formation with diamide or substrate suggests that these groups exist as two or more juxtaposed sulfhydryl groups at the active site or a site on the enzyme that regulates catalytic activity. Differential inhibition by mixed disulfide formation of nonactivated and activated enzyme suggests a mechanism for amplification of the on-off signal for soluble guanylate cyclase within cells.

Desensitization to nitroglycerin in vascular smooth muscle from rat and human

Guanylate cyclase in high speed supernatant fractions obtained from rat thoracic aorta or human coronary arteries pretreated with nitroglycerin exhibited a marked desensitization to activation by nitroglycerin, nitroprusside, and nitric oxide. However, activation of soluble guanylate cyclase by arachidonic acid was unaffected by pretreatment of vessels with nitroglycerin. Furthermore, activation of soluble guanylate cyclase by protoporphyrin IX was increased 4-fold when vessels were pretreated with nitroglycerin. Soluble guanylate cyclase partially purified from nitroglycerin-pretreated rat thoracic aorta by immunoprecipitation with a specific monoclonal antibody exhibited persistent desensitization to nitrate-induced activation. These data suggest that nitroglycerin-induced desensitization of guanylate cyclase to activation by nitrovasodilators represents a stable alteration of the enzyme. In contrast, activation by protoporphyrin IX of guanylate cyclase immunoprecipitated from nitroglycerin-pretreated or control vessels was not significantly different. This suggests that the mechanism of protoporphyrin activation of guanylate cyclase is different than the mechanism with nitrovasodilators. Activation of particulate guanylate cyclase by Lubrol-PX, hemin, or atrial natriuretic factor was not significantly different with enzyme prepared from nitroglycerin-pretreated or control vessels from rat and human. Thus, nitroglycerin-induced desensitization of rat thoracic aorta or human coronary artery results in a relatively stable molecular alteration of soluble guanylate cyclase such that the enzyme is specifically less sensitive to activation by nitrovasodilators whereas the effects of other activators of the enzyme are either unchanged or increased.

Abnormalities of platelet function in hypertension and diabetes

The increased frequency of hypertension in diabetes and of abnormalities of carbohydrate metabolism in hypertension are now well established. It is conceivable that the high coincidence of the two diseases is based on a common metabolic defect. Studies of platelets permit the evaluation of the stimulatory, phosphoinositol-linked and the inhibitory, cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent pathways of cell activation. Furthermore, platelets may be relevant for the development of angiopathy through their contents of growth factors. Abnormalities of platelet aggregation have been demonstrated in hypertension and diabetes. They are accompanied by exaggerated stimulation of adenylate cyclase in hypertension and abnormal activity of cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate phosphodiesterase in diabetes. Defective function of platelets is also observed in patients and animals when the two diseases are present at the same time. Both increased and decreased aggregation have been described in these two diseases in the literature. The apparent discrepancies may be due to different types of platelet preparation, evaluation of aggregation, evolution of defect with age, and form of the disease. Integrated studies of biochemical mechanisms responsible for cell activation are needed to characterize the exact defect present in diabetes and hypertension in platelets.

[The heart as an endocrine organ: the discovery of a new hormone]

Ever since the early work of Henry and Gauer (1956) it has been clear that a link exists between the atria of mammals and diuresis. In 1981, De Bold et al. described that atrial extracts, injected intravenously into rats, caused diuresis. The hormone responsible for this diuresis has quickly been identified. The peptide hormone, atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), which is also known as atrial natriuretic peptide(s) (ANP), cardionatrin, cardiodilatin, atrin or auriculin, has been sequenced and synthetically produced. Its genomic DNA has been cloned. ANF raises cyclic GMP in target cells and activates particulate guanylate cyclase but not soluble guanylate cyclase. So far, no other hormone has conclusively been shown to activate particulate guanylate cyclase. ANF is formed and secreted in the atria but not in the ventricles of mammals, including man. The action of ANF involves natriuresis, vasorelaxation and inhibition of aldosterone secretion. ANF or ANF derivatives may represent a therapeutically useful new class of agents.

Requirement for heme in the activation of purified guanylate cyclase by nitric oxide

Guanylate cyclase activity was purified to apparent homogeneity from rat liver (7700-fold) and bovine lung (8600-fold) soluble fractions by ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-cellulose chromatography, agarose gel filtration and isoelectric focussing. The purified enzymes did not contain heme and did not respond to NO, nitroprusside or NO-cysteine in the absence of exogenous hematin. By contrast, preformed NO-hemoglobin increased enzyme activity 10-12-fold or 60-80-fold when 4 mM MnCl2 or 4 mM MgCl2, respectively, were employed as the metal ion co-factor. Addition of hematin to the enzyme preparations restored responsiveness to NO, nitroprusside or NO-cysteine to levels seen with NO-hemoglobin. Partial purification of guanylate cyclase from the soluble fraction of bovine lung (2400-fold) by ammonium sulfate precipitation, DEAE-cellulose chromatography, agarose gel filtration and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) resulted in a preparation which contained endogenous heme as indicated by absorbance at 436 nm and responded to NO, nitroprusside and NO-cysteine in the absence of added hematin. By contrast, guanylate cyclase purified from the hepatic supernatant by the identical procedure, did not contain detectable absorption due to heme and did not respond or responded poorly to NO, nitroprusside or NO-cysteine in the absence of exogenous hematin. Analogous to hepatic guanylate cyclase purified by isoelectric focussing, the HPLC purified hepatic enzyme was activated 14-fold by NO-hemoglobin in assays which contained 4 mM MnCl2 and 60-fold in assays with 4 mM MgCl2. Further, addition of hematin to the HPLC purified enzyme restored responsiveness to NO, nitroprusside and NO-cysteine to levels seen with NO-hemoglobin. These effects of hematin were specific for hematin and were not mimicked by albumin, sucrose or dithiothreitol. Moreover, the failure to observe stimulation of purified hepatic guanylate cyclase was not explained by a shift in the concentration response relationship between NO and guanylate cyclase activity. Several observations indicated that neither NO-thiol complexes nor [Fe(CN)5NO]-3 were the proximate moieties responsible for activation of guanylate cyclase by nitroprusside and related agents, as has been previously suggested. These results strongly support the proposal that activation of guanylate cyclase by NO and related agents specifically requires formation of an NO-heme complex.