Direct stimulation by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) of polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis in GH3 cell membranes by a guanine nucleotide-modulated mechanism

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone increases phospholipase D activity through stimulation of protein kinase C in GH3 cells

Activation of phospholipase D was investigated after treatment of GH3 cells with thyrotropin-releasing hormone. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone treatment resulted in both time- and dose-dependent increases of phospholipase D activity, translocation of protein kinase C-alpha and -beta I isozymes from cytosol to membrane within 30 min, and approx 43-fold increase of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C activity. Intracellular calcium concentration was rapidly increased and diacyglycerol level remained high up to 3 h after the treatment. Pretreatment of the cells with U73122, a potent inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C, inhibited thyrotropin-releasing hormone-induced phospholipase D activation. Protein kinase C activity was down-regulated by pretreatment of the GH3 cells with either protein kinase C inhibitors (RO320432, GF109203X) or preincubation of the cells with phorbol myristrate acetate (500 nM) for 24 h. This treatment largely abolished the thyrotropin-releasing hormone-induced activation of phospholipase D, thus further confirming the involvement of protein kinase C in the activation. These results suggest that thyrotropin-releasing hormone-induced phospholipase D activation may be due to phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C, and activation of protein kinase C isozymes is responsible for this stimulation.

Affinity purification of pancreastatin receptor-Gq/11 protein complex from rat liver membranes

Pancreastatin, a chromogranin A derived peptide, exerts a glycogenolytic effect on the hepatocyte. This effect is initiated by binding to membrane receptors which are coupled to pertussis toxin insensitive G proteins belonging to the Gq/11 family. We have recently solubilized active pancreastatin receptors from rat liver membranes still functionally coupled to G proteins. Here, we have purified pancreastatin receptors by a two-step procedure. First, pancreastatin receptors with their associated Gq/11 regulatory proteins were purified from liver membranes by lectin absorption chromatography on wheat germ agglutinin immobilized on agarose. A biotinylated rat pancreastatin analog was tested for binding to liver membranes before using it for affinity purification. Unlabeled biotinylated rat pancreastatin competed for 125I-labeled [Tyr0]PST binding to solubilized receptors with a Kd = 0.27 nM, comparable to that of native pancreastatin. The biotinylated analog was immobilized on streptavidin-coated Sepharose beads and used to further affinity purify wheat germ agglutinin eluted receptor material. Specific elution at low pH showed that the receptor protein was purified as an 80-kDa protein in association with a G protein of the q/11 family, as demonstrated by specific immunoblot analysis. The specificity of the receptor band was assessed by chemical cross-linking of the purified material followed by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography. In conclusion, we have purified pancreastatin receptor as a glycoprotein of 80 kDa physically associated with a Gq/11 protein.

Pancreastatin activates beta3 isoform of phospholipase C via G(alpha)11 protein stimulation in rat liver membranes

Pancreastatin (PST) receptors have been recently shown to mediate activation of phospholipase C (PLC) in rat liver membranes. There is evidence that the G protein that links pancreastatin receptor with PLC-beta is pertussis toxin-insensitive and belongs to the G(alpha)q family. Here, we have employed blocking antisera to sort out the specific PLC-beta isoform as well as the specific G(alpha) subunit activated by PST receptor in rat liver membranes. The presence of different PLC-beta isoforms was checked by immunoblot analysis. Only PLC-beta4 was not detected, whereas PLC-beta1, beta2 and beta3 were abundant in rat liver membranes. However, only anti-PLC-beta3 serum was able to block the PST receptor response. We also checked the expression of G(alpha)q and Galpha11 in rat liver membranes by immunoblot. Even though both isoforms were present. only anti-Galpha11 serum was able to block the PST receptor response. In order to check the specificity of the blocking antisera, we employed them to block the effect of ADP and thrombin stimulating PLC activity in platelet membranes, a system lacking Galpha11. Anti-G(alpha)q but not anti-Galpha11 sera were able to block the agonist stimulated PLC activity. These data suggest that PST receptor response is mediated by the activation of the beta3 isoform of PLC via Galpha11 protein stimulation in rat liver membranes.

Pancreastatin receptor is coupled to a guanosine triphosphate-binding protein of the G(q/11)alpha family in rat liver membranes

Pancreastatin (PST), a recently discovered regulatory peptide derived from chromogranin A, has been shown to have a glycogenolytic effect in the hepatocyte that is mediated by increasing intracellular calcium. Our previous studies on pancreastatin signaling suggested that PST receptor is coupled to some G proteins in the plasma membrane of the hepatocyte. The nature of this interaction was investigated using antisera against G(q/11)alpha by different approaches. Indirect evidence of a pertussis toxin (PT)-insensitive G protein of the family of G(q/11)alpha was obtained by measuring high-affinity guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) activity in soluble rat liver membranes. PST increased GTPase activity in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was only slightly inhibited by PT pretreatment of the membranes, whereas anti-G(q/11)alpha antisera blocked most of the PST-stimulated GTPase activity. The selective association of the PST receptor with this G protein was further studied by the coelution in wheat germ agglutinin semipurification of the receptor and by immunoprecipitation of the G protein-PST receptor complexes using G-protein-specific antisera. A G protein of the family of G(q/11)alpha was found to be associated with the semipurified PST receptor. Moreover, anti-G(q/11)alpha antisera immunoprecipitated most PST-binding activity (95%), bringing down most of the specific G protein, whereas anti-G(il,2)alpha and -G(o,i3)alpha failed to immunoprecipitate the PST-binding activity. Finally, the coupling of the PST receptor with the effector phospholipase C was disrupted by blocking with G(q/11)alpha antisera, suggesting that a G protein of the family of G(q/11)alpha is a signal mediator from PST receptors to phospholipase C activation in rat liver membranes.

Is signal transduction modulated by an interaction between heterotrimeric G-proteins and tubulin?

Although it is generally accepted that tubulin plays an important role in G-protein-mediated signal transduction in a variety of systems, the mechanism of this phenomenon is not completely understood. G-protein-tubulin interaction at the cell membrane and the cytosol, and the influence of such an interaction on cellular signaling are discussed in this review article. Because the diameter of a microtubule is 25 nm and the plasma membrane is 9-11 nm thick, it is not possible for membrane-associated tubulin to assemble into a complete microtubule in the membrane environment. However, tubulin heterodimers may be able to function in the membrane environment as individual heterodimers or as polymers arranged into short protofilaments. At the cell membrane, membrane-associated tubulin may influence hormone-receptor interaction, receptor-G-protein coupling, and G-protein-effector coupling. Structural proteins, such as tubulin, can participate in cellular signaling by communicating through physical forces. By virtue of its interaction with the submembranous network of cytoskeletal proteins, tubulin, when perturbed in one locus, can transmit large changes in conformations to other points. Thus, GTP binding to membrane-associated tubulin might lead to a conformational change in either receptors or G proteins. This may, in turn, influence the binding of an agonist to its receptor. On the other hand, in the cell cytosol, subsequent to agonist-induced translocation of G-proteins from the membrane compartment to the cytosol, G-proteins may affect microtubule formation. In GH3 and AtT-20 cells (stably expressing TRH receptor), transiently transfected with Gq alpha cDNA, soluble tubulin levels decreased in Gq alpha-transfected GH3 and AtT-20 cells, by 33% and 52%, respectively. These results suggest that G-proteins may have a direct effect on the microtubule function in vivo. Because tubulin and G-protein families are ubiquitous and highly conserved, an interaction between these two protein families may occur in vivo, and this, in turn, can have an impact on signal transduction. However, the physiological significance of this interaction remains to be demonstrated.

Solubilization and molecular characterization of active pancreastatin receptors from rat liver membranes

Pancreastatin receptors were solubilized from rat liver membranes with the nonionic detergent Triton X-100. Binding of a iodinated analog of rat pancreastatin ([125I-Tyr0]pancreastatin) to the soluble fraction was time dependent, saturable, and reversible. Scatchard analysis of binding under equilibrium conditions indicated that the soluble extracts contained a single class of pancreastatin-binding sites, with a binding capacity of 14 fmol/mg protein and a Kd of 0.3 nM. As observed with membrane-bound receptors, binding of [125I]pancreastatin to soluble extracts was inhibited by guanine nucleotides with the following rank order of potency: guanyl-5'-yl-imidodiphosphate > GTP > GDP > GMP, indicating that the soluble receptors are functionally linked to G proteins. Molecular analysis of the soluble pancreastatin receptor by covalent cross-linking to [125I]pancreastatin using disuccinimidyl suberate and further identification on SDS-PAGE indicated a single band of 85,000 Mr. Gel filtration of soluble extracts on Sephacryl S-300 revealed two molecular components with binding abilities (Mr 80,000 and 170,000). The higher molecular mass component was more sensitive to guanine nucleotides, and covalent cross-linking of both components to [125I]pancreastatin and further SDS-PAGE analysis revealed again a single band of 85,000 Mr, suggesting an association of the receptor with a G protein. Moreover, direct evidence that a Gq was present in the same chromatographic fraction was obtained by specific immunodetection. The soluble receptor is a glycoprotein that can be specifically bound to the wheat-germ agglutinin lectin. We conclude that we solubilized active pancreastatin receptors from rat liver membranes, and these results support the conclusion that the liver pancreastatin receptor consists of a 80,000 Mr glycoprotein associated with G proteins.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor expression in mammalian olfactory tissue

Two cDNAs encoding inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptors were amplified from rat olfactory tissue, and both exhibited 100% sequence identity to the short (Segment II - ) variant of type I IP3 receptor. Type III IP3 receptor was also expressed in olfactory tissue. The distribution of IP3 receptors included the olfactory epithelium, lamina propria, and glandular tissue. These results demonstrate the co-expression of multiple IP3 receptor subtypes in olfactory cells, and suggest multiple functions for IP3 receptors in this tissue.

A subtype of opioid kappa-receptor is coupled to inhibition of Gi1-mediated phospholipase C activity in the guinea pig cerebellum

PLC activity was stimulated either by 1-100 microM of GTP or by 100-3,000 microM Ca2+ in lysed synaptosomal membranes of the guinea pig cerebellum. The kappa-opioid receptor agonist selectively inhibited the PLC activity stimulated by 100 microM GTP, but not by 100-3,000 microM Ca2+. Pretreatment of membranes with PTX abolished such a kappa-agonist-induced inhibition of PLC activity. The reconstitution of Gi1, but not of Go purified from porcine brains with PTX-treated membranes showed a complete recovery of the kappa-agonist-inhibition of PLC activity. These findings suggest that a novel subtype kappa-receptor mediates inhibition of PLC through inhibiting the intrinsic activity of PTX-substrate G-proteins.

Different G proteins are involved in the biphasic response of clonal rat pituitary cells to thyrotropin-releasing hormone

In rat anterior pituitary tumour cells (GH3/B6) thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) elicits a biphasic response. First, a release of intracellularly stored Ca2+ induces a hyperpolarization of the cell. Second, a depolarization thought to be induced by a reduction of the inward-rectifying K+ current (KIR) causes an increase in action potential frequency and a plateau-like increase in [Ca2+]i. It has been proposed that the two phases are induced by the actions of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) and protein kinase C (PKC), respectively, but we demonstrate here that PKC is not responsible for the second phase increase in [Ca2+]i and suggest that the pathways diverge at the level of receptor and G protein coupling. Both phases of the TRH response were insensitive to pertussis toxin, but cholera toxin (CTX) selectively affected the second phase. After CTX pretreatment cells had a high spontaneous spiking frequency and smaller KIR amplitude. In these cells TRH failed to increase the action potential frequency after the first phase hyperpolarization, elicited only a transient peak increase in [Ca2+]i with no plateau phase and could only slightly reduce KIR. These effects of CTX are not mediated by its ability to increase cAMP via activation of GS, as increased cAMP levels neither inhibit KIR nor prevent its reduction by TRH. In addition, inhibition of protein kinase A activation did not block the second phase increase in [Ca2+]i induced by TRH, suggesting that the CTX-sensitive G protein mediating the second phase of the TRH response is not GS.

Relationships between amplitudes and kinetics of rapid cytosolic free calcium fluctuations in GH4C1 rat pituitary cells: roles for diffusion and calcium-induced calcium release

We have examined statistical relationships between the amplitudes and the kinetics (rise times, fall times, and decay constants) of cytosolic free calcium fluctuations (spikes) in a population of 353 individual GH4C1 rat pituitary cells. The fast falling phase was approximated by a single exponential decay, and the decay time constant, tau, increased linearly with spike amplitude in 80% of the cells studied. The slope of the tau versus amplitude plot for each cell was inversely related to the cell's mean spike amplitude. Thus, some process responsible for prolonging the decay phase of spikes appeared to operate strongly in cells with spikes of low amplitude, but to become less prominent in cells with high amplitude spikes. Mean tau correlated more strongly with mean rise and fall times than with mean spike amplitude, indicating that the kinetic properties of spikes were not tightly coupled to spike amplitude. These findings are consistent with a model wherein the rise phase corresponds to entry of extracellular calcium via L-type calcium channels into localized sub-plasmalemmal domains, followed by diffusion of subplasmalemmal calcium into the cell interior; and the falling phase corresponds to further calcium diffusion combined with activation of cytoplasmic calcium-induced calcium release, which prolongs the falling phase.

Altered diacylglycerol level and metabolism in neutrophils from patients with localized juvenile periodontitis

Diacylglycerol, a physiological activator of protein kinase C, was elevated nearly twofold in unstimulated peripheral blood neutrophils from patients with localized juvenile periodontitis compared with cells from normal individuals. These cells also showed an enhanced and prolonged elevation of diglyceride in response to N-formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine. The metabolism of a cell-permeant diacylglycerol by diglyceride kinase was significantly decreased, because of a fivefold or higher elevation in the apparent Km of cellular diglyceride kinase.

Phospholipase C-beta 1 is regulated by a pertussis toxin-insensitive G-protein

Regulation of phospholipase C (PLC) by receptors is mediated either through protein tyrosine phosphorylation or by activation of GTP-binding proteins (Gp). For the latter, pertussis toxin (PT)-sensitive and -insensitive pathways have been described, indicating PLC regulation by at least two types of G-proteins. The identity of PLC isoenzymes which are regulated by either type of Gp remains to be determined. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulates a PLC in GH3 cells via a PT-insensitive Gp. Reconstitution methods for the assay of the GH3-cell Gp were developed. Previously, the membrane PLC was found to be reversibly extracted from membranes by high salt and to be activated by guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]) only when membrane-associated, suggesting that Gp was retained in salt-extracted membranes. In the present work, Gp was cholate-solubilized from PLC-deficient membranes and incorporated into phospholipid vesicles, which were found to confer GTP[S]- and AlF4(-)-stimulated activity on a solubilized membrane PLC. The reconstitution provided a direct assay for the GH3-cell Gp which was shown to be distinct from Gi, Go and Gs proteins by immunodepletion studies. Incorporation of G-protein beta-gamma subunits into phospholipid vesicles with Gp inhibited GTP[S]-stimulated activity in the reconstitution. The results indicated that Gp is a heterotrimeric G-protein with the properties expected for the PT-insensitive GH3-cell Gp protein. PLC-beta 1 was fully purified and shown to be regulated by Gp in the reconstitution. In contrast, PT-sensitive G-proteins failed to affect the activity of PLC-beta 1. The results indicate (1) that a PT-insensitive Gp regulates PLC-beta 1 and (2) that PT-sensitive and -insensitive pathways of PLC regulation employ different PLC isoenzymes as well as different G-proteins.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone and thyrotropin-releasing hormone regulation of g protein function in the rat anterior pituitary lobe

Abstract In order to evaluate the role of guanine nucleotide-dependent transducer proteins (G proteins) in hormone-mediated signal transduction in the anterior pituitary lobe, we examined the effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on two parameters of G protein function, namely [(35) S]GTP(gamma)S binding and low K(m)GTPase activity. Plasma membranes were prepared from anterior pituitary lobes of adult male rats using conventional procedures. GTP binding was determined by incubating 2 to 5 mug membrane protein with approximately 100,000 cpm [(35) S]GTP(gamma)S in a buffer containing 20 mM Tris- HCl, 1 mM EDTA, 1 mM dithiothreitol, and 100 mM NaCI at a pH of 7.4 for 10 or 15 min at 37 degrees C GnRH agonist and TRH stimulated high affinity [(35) S]GTP(gamma)S binding in a concentration-dependent manner. GTP binding was maximally stimulated by GnRH agonist (1 muM) and TRH (0.1 muM) by up to 27% and 34%, respectively. A time-course study revealed that 1 muM GnRH agonist stimulated GTP binding by 30% at 15 min; 0.1 muM TRH stimulated GTP binding by 23% at 1 min, 18% at 5 min and 25% at 10 min. A stable GTP analog, 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate, inhibited GnRH- as well as TRH-stimulated GTP binding. GnRH antagonist did not affect GTP binding. However, in the presence of the antagonist, stimulation of GTP binding by the GnRH agonist was completely blocked. The low K(m)GTPase activity (EC 3.6.1.-), another parameter of G protein function, was assayed in 2 to 5 mug membrane protein using [gamma-(32) P]GTP at 37 degrees C in an ATP-regenerating buffer containing 1 muM unlabeled GTP. GnRH agonist (0.1 muM) and TRH (1 muM) maximally stimulated this GTPase activity by up to 50% and 40%, respectively. GnRH agonist (1 muM) stimulated the GTPase activity by 30% at 10 min and 48% at 30 min. TRH (1 muM) stimulated the GTPase activity at all time points monitored; stimulation was 46% at 5 min, 49% at 20 min, and 41% at 30 min. Interestingly, the GnRH antagonist stimulated GTPase activity by about 20%, but inhibited GnRH agonist-stimulated GTPase activity in a concentration-dependent manner. These results indicate that the binding of GnRH and TRH to their receptors results in interaction of the receptor with a G protein and activation of the G protein cycle.

Mode of stimulatory action of deoxycholate in signal transduction system of isolated rat pancreatic acini

Mode of stimulatory action of deoxycholate (DCA) on the secretagogue-induced amylase release and the phospholipase C reaction in isolated rat pancreatic acini was investigated using sodium fluoride (NaF), which is a direct activator of GTP-binding proteins (G proteins). DCA enhanced the amylase release induced by submaximal concentrations of NaF without affecting the maximal level of this reaction. Under the similar conditions, DCA enhanced the NaF-induced phospholipase C reaction. These stimulatory effects of DCA on the NaF-induced amylase release and phospholipase C reaction are comparable to those on the secretagogue-induced reactions reported previously. These results suggest that DCA acts on the coupling of a G protein(s) to the phospholipase C in the membrane transduction mechanism in isolated rat pancreatic acini.

Carbachol and histamine stimulation of guanine-nucleotide-dependent phosphoinositide hydrolysis in rat brain cortical membranes

Guanine nucleotides have been shown to stimulate phosphoinositide breakdown in brain membranes, but no potentiation of such an effect by agonist was demonstrated. We have studied the effect of carbachol and histamine on guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]) stimulation of inositol phosphates formation in [3H]inositol-labelled rat brain cortical membranes. In this preparation, GTP[S] enhancement of phosphoinositide hydrolysis required the presence of MgATP and low Ca2+ concentration (100 nM). Carbachol potentiation of the GTP[S] effect was only observed when 1 mM-deoxycholate was also added. Under these conditions, stimulated production of [3H]inositol phosphates was linear for at least 15 min, and [3H]inositol bisphosphate [( 3H]IP2) accounted for approx. 80%, whereas the amount of [3H]inositol trisphosphate [( 3H]IP3) was very low. Stimulation by GTP[S] was concentration-dependent (half-maximal effect at 0.86 microM), and its maximal effect (815% over basal) was increased by 1 mM-carbachol (1.9-fold) and -histamine (1.7-fold). Both agonists decreased the slope index of the GTP[S] concentration/effect curve to values lower than unity, suggesting the appearance of some heterogeneity in the population of guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins) involved. The carbachol and histamine effects were also concentration-dependent, and were inhibited by atropine and mepyramine respectively. Fluoroaluminate stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis to a higher extent than GTP[S] plus carbachol, and these stimulations were not additive, indicating that the same polyphosphoinositide phospholipase C-coupled G-protein mediates both effects.

Rapid transient elevations of cytosolic calcium triggered by thyrotropin releasing hormone in individual cells of the pituitary line GH3B6

The kinetic features of the changes in the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i, following stimulation by thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) were analysed in single cells of a pituitary line (GH3B6) by dual excitation microfluorimetry [Tsien, Rink & Poenie (1985) Cell Calcium 6, 145-157], using fura 2 as intracellular Ca2+ probe. Two phases were observed: initially, [Ca2+]i is raised in a single rapid transient to a maximum averaging 8.0 microM, and in a second phase TRH causes a series of rapid [Ca2+]i oscillations with maxima around 1.0 microM, which are probably due to the enhanced firing of action potentials. TRH triggers both phases independently, i.e. it can elicit either the first or the second phase exclusively. This is also the case in those cells in which [Ca2+]i undergoes rhythmic oscillations due to the firing of spontaneous action potentials [Schlegel, Winiger, Mollard, Vacher, Wuarin, Zahnd, Wolheim & Dufy (1987) Nature (London) 329, 719-721]. The sudden onset of the first phase of TRH action on [Ca2+]i shows that Ca2+ mobilization due to enhanced production of inositol phosphate may occur as rapidly as the firing of action potentials, i.e. in the ms time range. Due to a marked response type heterogeneity and to the randomness of the rapid events, previous monitoring of [Ca2+]i in cell populations had misleadingly suggested small and maintained changes due to TRH. It is concluded that stimulatory regulation of secretion is provided by the generation of rapid [Ca2+]i transients, the frequency of which determines secretory rate. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the regulation of [Ca2+]i by hormones and neurotransmitters in pituitary and many other cell types will have to be studied at the single cell level in order to appreciate its role in cell activation.

Phospholipase C in rabbit thymocytes: subcellular distribution and influences of calcium and GTP gamma S on the substrate dependence of cytosolic and plasma membrane-associated phospholipase C

The subcellular distribution of phospholipase C (PLC) activity in rabbit thymocytes was examined by measuring the enzyme's activity in different subcellular fractions. PLC activity was determined using exogenously added [3H]PIP2 as substrate. Approx. 80% of the activity of the cell homogenate was found in the cytosolic fraction. A minor portion of PLC activity was attached to the particulate fraction. This membrane-associated PLC activity was found to be predominantly bound to the plasma membrane. Both PIP2-cleaving PLCs (the PLC associated with the plasma membrane and the PLC in the cytosol) exhibited maximum activity at pH 5. GTP gamma S stimulated the cytosolic and the membrane-bound PLC. As revealed by computer analysis of the substrate dependence of both basal and GTP gamma S-stimulated PLC activity, GTP gamma S enhanced the Vmax of the enzymes. Calcium, at a concentration of 1 mM, decreased PLC activity, as compared to a calcium concentration of 100 nM. The characteristic increase in Vmax induced by GTP gamma S was observed at a concentration of 1 mM calcium and was similar to that at 100 nM. These data suggest that the stimulatory effect of GTP gamma S is not due to an increased affinity of PLCs to calcium.

Sequence analysis of cDNA and genomic DNA for a putative pertussis toxin-insensitive guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein alpha subunit

We have isolated cDNA clones from rat C6 glioma cells coding for several guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein (G protein) alpha subunits (G alpha). The cDNA clones were then used to isolate human chromosomal genes. Among human genomic clones isolated by cross-hybridization with the rat cDNA for the alpha subunit of the inhibitory G protein Gi2, termed Gi2 alpha, a clone designated lambda HGi62 was found to contain a sequence that is highly homologous but distinct from any of the known G alpha sequences, and we have tentatively designated this sequence Gx alpha. We have searched a rat brain cDNA library with the Gx alpha sequence and isolated a cDNA clone containing a rat sequence similar to human Gx alpha. The cDNA contained a single open reading frame of 1065 nucleotides coding for a protein of 355 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 40,879. The amino acid sequence of rat Gx alpha shows 66% and 40% similarity with rat Gi2 alpha and rat Gs alpha (the alpha subunit of the stimulatory G protein), respectively. By RNA blot hybridization analysis, mRNA of approximately 3.2 kilobases was detected mainly in brain. Interestingly, the deduced amino acid sequence of Gx alpha predicts that the Gx alpha protein may be refractory to modification by pertussis toxin since the cysteine residue in the fourth position from the C terminus of pertussis toxin-sensitive G alpha is replaced by isoleucine.

Control of glomerulosa cell function by angiotensin II: transduction by G-proteins and inositol polyphosphates

1. The receptor-activated mechanisms that mediate the steroidogenic actions of angiotensin II (AII) have been characterized in rat and bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells. In rat adrenal cells, the AII receptor is coupled to a guanine nucleotide inhibitory protein which reduces adenylate cyclase activity and cyclic AMP production. However, receptor-mediated stimulation of aldosterone production by AII is exerted through a separate pertussis-insensitive nucleotide regulatory protein that subserves coupling of activated receptors to phospholipase C. 2. In AII-stimulated glomerulosa cells, hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate (PIP2) by phospholipase C yields diacylglycerol and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins-P3), which act as second messengers by activating calcium-calmodulin and calcium-phospholipid dependent protein kinase pathways. Ins-1,4,5-P3 is a potent stimulus of intracellular calcium mobilization, and is promptly inactivated by two major routes of metabolism. Direct degradation of Ins-1,4,5-P3 by a 5-phosphatase gives inositol 1,4-bisphosphate which in turn is metabolized to inositol-4-monophosphate. The latter product can be derived only from higher inositol phosphates, and thus serves as a specific marker of polyphosphoinositide breakdown in agonist-stimulated cells. In contrast, inositol-1-phosphate is largely derived from phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis, which is not increased during the initial phase of AII action. 3. Ins-1,4,5-P3 formed in AII-stimulated glomerulosa cells is also phosphorylated by a calcium-calmodulin dependent 3-kinase to form inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (Ins-P4), which is rapidly dephosphorylated to the biologically inactive Ins-1,4,5-P3 isomer, Ins-1,3,4-trisphosphate. The latter metabolite, like Ins-1,4,5-P3, is both degraded to lower phosphates (Ins-3,4,P2 and Ins-1,3-P2) and phosphorylated to form a new tetrakisphosphate isomer (Ins-1,3,4,6-P4). Ins-1,4,5-P3 formed during AII action is bound with high affinity to specific intracellular receptors through which InsP3 causes calcium mobilization during the initiation of cellular responses to AII and other calcium-dependent ligands.

Bradykinin-activated membrane-associated phospholipase C in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells

Previous studies have demonstrated that bradykinin stimulates the rapid release of inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate (IP3) from membrane phosphatidylinositol 4,5 bisphosphate (PIP2) in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Since current evidence would suggest that the activation of phospholipase C (PLC) is mediated through a guanine nucleotide-binding protein in receptor-mediated activation of PLC, we evaluated the role of guanine nucleotide proteins in receptor-mediated (bradykinin-stimulated) activation of PLC in MDCK cells. Bradykinin at 10(-7) M produced a marked increase in IP3 formation within 10 s increasing from a basal level of 46.2 to 686.6 pmol/mg cell protein a 15-fold increase. Pretreatment of MDCK cells in culture with 200 ng/ml of pertussis toxin for 4 h reduced the bradykinin-stimulated response to 205.8 pmol/mg protein. A 41-kD protein substrate in MDCK membranes was ADP ribosylated in vitro in the presence of pertussis toxin. The ADP ribosylation in vitro was inhibited by pretreatment of the cells in culture with pertussis toxin. Membranes from MDCK cells incubated in the presence of [3H]PIP2/phosphatidyl ethanolamine liposomes demonstrated hydrolysis of [3H]PIP2 with release of [3H]IP3 when GTP 100 microM or GTP gamma S 10 microM was added. Bradykinin 10(-7) M added with GTP 100 microM markedly increased the rate of hydrolysis within 10 s, thus demonstrating a similar time course of PLC activation as intact cells. These results demonstrate that bradykinin binds to its receptor and activates a membrane-associated PLC through a pertussis toxin-sensitive, guanine nucleotide protein.

Role of inositol trisphosphate as a second messenger in signal transduction processes: an essay

This essay attempts to summarize some of the best evidence for the role of inositol trisphosphate as a second messenger in signal transduction processes. The following aspects are addressed in the essay: (a) The synthesis of inositol trisphosphate and other inositol lipids, (b) Receptor-phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate phospholipase C coupling and the N-ras protooncogene, (c) Inositol trisphosphate and intracellular calcium, (d) Cell growth and oncogenes, (e) Receptors linked to the phosphatidylinositol cycle, (f) Phototransduction and (g) Interactions between inositol trisphosphate and other second messengers.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate binds to a specific receptor and releases microsomal calcium in the anterior pituitary gland

The properties of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3) receptor sites in the anterior pituitary were evaluated by binding studies with InsP3 labeled with 32P to high specific radioactivity. Specific binding of Ins[32P]P3 was demonstrable in pituitary membrane preparations and was linearly proportional to the amount of membrane added over the range 0.5-2 mg of protein. Kinetic studies showed that specific InsP3 binding was half-maximal in about 40 sec and reached a plateau after 15 min at 0 degree C. Addition of 1 microM unlabeled InsP3 was followed by rapid dissociation of the bound ligand, according to a single exponential function with half-time of about 1 min. Scatchard analysis of the binding data was consistent with a single set of high-affinity sites with Kd of 1.1 +/- 0.4 nM and maximal binding capacity of 28 +/- 15 fmol/mg of protein (n = 6). The specificity of Ins[32P]P3 binding to these sites was illustrated by the much weaker affinity for structural analogs such as inositol 1-phosphate, phytic acid, 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate, and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate. To assess the functional relevance of the InsP3 binding sites, the Ca2+-releasing activity of InsP3 was measured in pituitary membrane preparations. In the presence of oligomycin (2.5 micrograms/ml), Ca2+ movements were monitored with the fluorescent indicator fura-2 (free acid). Under these conditions, 1 mM ATP caused rapid uptake of Ca2+ by a vesicular component of the membrane fraction. Addition of InsP3 (50-2000 nM) caused a dose-dependent release of Ca2+ with a half-maximal effect at 240 nM. In the presence of 3% polyethylene glycol, GTP also stimulated calcium release. However, a nonhydrolyzable GTP analog, guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate, did not release calcium and completely blocked the effect of GTP. Under physiological conditions within the cytosol, the high-affinity InsP3 binding sites characterized in pituitary membranes could serve as the putative receptors through which InsP3 triggers Ca2+ mobilization in the anterior pituitary gland.

Activation of polyphosphoinositide phospholipase C by guanosine 5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate and fluoroaluminate in membranes prepared from a human T cell leukemia line, JURKAT

Polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis was studied in membranes prepared from a human T cell leukemia line, JURKAT, prelabeled with myo-[2-3H]inositol. The formation of inositol bis- and trisphosphates was stimulated in a buffer with 110 nM free Ca2+ with a nonhydrolyzable GTP analogue, GTP gamma S, and NaF plus AlCl3 in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. GTP gamma S and NaF-AlCl3 had no significant effect on the inositol monophosphate level. AlCl3 enhanced the NaF-stimulated release of inositol polyphosphates. Optimum concentrations of NaF and AlCl3 produced 1.5-fold more inositol polyphosphates than that produced by optimum concentration of GTP gamma S. OKT3 monoclonal antibody, an antibody against the T-cell receptor complex, did not stimulate the inositol polyphosphate formation by JURKAT membranes even in the presence of GTP, although the antibody at the concentrations used markedly stimulated the hydrolysis of polyphosphoinositides in intact JURKAT cells.

Similar physical and kinetic properties of rat brain synaptic membrane and cytosol phosphoinositide phospholipases C

Phosphoinositide phospholipase C (PLC) was extracted from the synaptic membrane fraction of rat brain by 1% sodium deoxycholate. The molecular weight and sedimentation coefficient of the membrane PLC were about 160,000 and 6.7 as estimated by gel filtration and sucrose density gradient centrifugation, respectively. These values of the membrane PLC were identical with those of the cytosol PLC of the same tissue. Moreover, the membrane PLC showed the substrate specificity for phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylinositol-4-monophosphate and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate and the sensitivity to Ca2+, sodium deoxycholate and N-ethylmaleimide similar to those of the cytosol PLC. These results indicate that the rat brain synaptic membrane PLC is indistinguishable from the cytosol PLC in physical and kinetic properties.

Guanine nucleotide and NaF stimulation of phospholipase C activity in rat cerebral-cortical membranes. Studies on substrate specificity

Guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate (p[NH]ppG) stimulated a rapid phospholipase C-mediated breakdown of exogenously added phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) in rat cerebral-cortical membranes, with half-maximal activation at approx. 33 microM. NaF stimulated phospholipase C activity, with half-maximal activation at 0.5 mM. Stimulation of phospholipase C activity by NaF exhibited pH optima at approx. 5.5 and 7.0, with the stimulatory activity at pH 7.0 greater than that at pH 5.5. With p[NH]ppG, only stimulation at pH 7.0 was observed. Neither p[NH]ppG nor NaF stimulated hydrolysis of added phosphatidylinositol (PI) or phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PIP). Mg2+ (0.5 mM) potentiated p[NH]ppG-stimulated breakdown of PIP2. Ca2+ increased basal and p[NH]ppG-stimulated breakdown of PIP2. PI breakdown was stimulated only by high Ca2+ concentrations and was unaffected by p[NH]ppG at any Ca2+ concentration examined. These results indicate that, in cerebral-cortical membranes, activation of phospholipase C by guanine nucleotides or fluoride directly increases a phospholipase C activity which specifically hydrolyses PIP2.

GDP beta S enhances the activation of phospholipase C caused by thrombin in human platelets: evidence for involvement of an inhibitory GTP-binding protein

Guanosine 5'-O-thiotriphosphate (GTP gamma S) and thrombin stimulate the activity of phospholipase C in platelets that have been permeabilized with saponin and whose inositol phospholipids have been prelabeled with [3H]inositol. Ca2+ has opposite effects on the formation of [3H]inositol phosphates induced by thrombin or GTP gamma S. While the action of GTP gamma S on the formation of [3H]inositol phosphates is inhibited by Ca2+, action of thrombin is stimulated by Ca2+. Guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDP beta S), which inhibits the function of GTP-binding proteins, also inhibits the effect of GTP gamma S on phospholipase C stimulation but, surprisingly, increases the effect of thrombin. Ca2+ increases the inhibitory effect of GDP beta S on GTP gamma S activation of phospholipase C, but Ca2+ further enhances the stimulatory effect of GDP beta S on the thrombin activation of phospholipase C. This indicates that two mechanisms are responsible for the activation of phospholipase C in platelets. A GTP-binding protein is responsible for regulation of phospholipase C induced by GTP gamma S, while the effect of thrombin on the stimulation of phospholipase C is independent of GTP-binding proteins. However, the effect of thrombin may be modulated by the action of an inhibitory GTP-binding protein.

Pertussis toxin facilitates secretagogue-induced catecholamine release from cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

Pretreatment of cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells with pertussis toxin facilitated nicotine-induced catecholamine release. This facilitation was correlated with the ability of the toxin to catalyze the ADP-ribosylation of an approximately 40-kDa membrane protein. The actions of the toxin were reversed by isonicotinamide, an inhibitor of ADP-ribosylation. Catecholamine release due to high K+ and muscarine was also enhanced by pertussis toxin. In all cases, 45Ca2+ uptake was unaltered in cells treated with the toxin. These results suggest that ADP-ribosylation of a 40-kDa membrane protein facilitates catecholamine release from bovine chromaffin cells without affecting 45Ca2+ uptake.

Activation of phospholipase C associated with isolated rabbit platelet membranes by guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate and by thrombin in the presence of GTP

Rabbit platelets were labelled with [3H]inositol and a membrane fraction was isolated in the presence of ATP, MgCl2 and EGTA. Incubation of samples for 10 min with 0.1 microM-Ca2+free released [3H]inositol phosphates equivalent to about 2.0% of the membrane [3H]phosphoinositides. Addition of 10 microM-guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]) caused an additional formation of [3H]inositol phosphates equivalent to 6.6% of the [3H]phosphoinositides. A half-maximal effect was observed with 0.4 microM-GTP[S]. The [3H]inositol phosphates that accumulated consisted of 10% [3H]inositol monophosphate, 88% [3H]inositol bisphosphate ([3H]IP2) and 2% [3H]inositol trisphosphate ([3H]IP3). Omission of ATP and MgCl2 led to depletion of membrane [3H]polyphosphoinositides and marked decreases in the formation of [3H]inositol phosphates. Thrombin (2 units/ml) or GTP (4-100 microM) alone weakly stimulated [3H]IP2 formation, but together they acted synergistically to exert an effect comparable with that of 10 microM-GTP[S]. The action of thrombin was also potentiated by 0.1 microM-GTP[S]. Guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate not only inhibited the effects of GTP[S], GTP and GTP with thrombin, but also blocked the action of thrombin alone, suggesting that this depended on residual GTP. Incubation with either GTP[S] or thrombin and GTP decreased membrane [3H]phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate ([H]PIP) and prevented an increase in [3H]phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate ([3H]PIP2) observed in controls. Addition of unlabelled IP3 to trap [3H]IP3 before it was degraded to [3H]IP2 showed that only about 20% of the additional [3H]inositol phosphates that accumulated with GTP[S] or thrombin and GTP were derived from the action of phospholipase C on [3H]PIP2. The results provide further evidence that guanine-nucleotide-binding protein mediates signal transduction between the thrombin receptor and phospholipase C, and suggest that PIP may be a major substrate of this enzyme in the platelet.

Specific binding of [alpha-32P]GTP to cytosolic and membrane-bound proteins of human platelets correlates with the activation of phospholipase C

We have assessed the binding of [alpha-32P]GTP to platelet proteins from cytosolic and membrane fractions. Proteins were separated by NaDodSO4/PAGE and electrophoretically transferred to nitrocellulose. Incubation of the nitrocellulose blots with [alpha-32P]GTP indicated the presence of specific and distinct GTP-binding proteins in cytosol and membranes. Binding was prevented by 10-100 nM GTP and by 100 nM guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[gamma S]) or GDP; binding was unaffected by 1 nM-1 microM ATP. One main GTP-binding protein (29.5 kDa) was detected in the membrane fraction, while three others (29, 27, and 21 kDa) were detected in the soluble fraction. Two cytosolic GTP-binding proteins (29 and 27 kDa) were degraded by trypsin; another cytosolic protein (21 kDa) and the membrane-bound protein (29.5 kDa) were resistant to the action of trypsin. Treatment of intact platelets with trypsin or thrombin, followed by lysis and fractionation, did not affect the binding of [alpha-32P]GTP to the membrane-bound protein. GTP[gamma S] still stimulated phospholipase C in permeabilized platelets already preincubated with trypsin. This suggests that trypsin-resistant GTP-binding proteins might regulate phospholipase C stimulated by GTP[gamma S].

Fluoroaluminates mimic guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate in activating the polyphosphoinositide phosphodiesterase of hepatocyte membranes. Role for the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein Gp in signal transduction

Fluoride and guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP gamma S) both activate the hepatocyte membrane polyphosphoinositide phosphodiesterase (PPI-pde) in a concentration-dependent manner. AlCl3 enhances the fluoride effect, supporting the concept that [A1F4]- is the active species. Analysis of the products of inositol lipid hydrolysis demonstrate that phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate is the major lipid to be hydrolysed. Guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate (GDP beta S) is an inhibitor of activation of PPI-pde by both fluoride and GTP gamma S. These observations suggest that the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (termed Gp) bears a structural resemblance to the well-characterized G-proteins of the adenylate cyclase system and the cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase system in phototransduction.