G proteins in cardiovascular function and dysfunction

Modulation of L-type Ca2+ channels in neonatal rat heart by a novel Ca2+ channel agonist

L-type Ca2+ channels are essential in triggering the intracellular Ca2+ release and contraction in heart cells. In this study, we used patch clamp technique to compare the effect of two pure enantiomers of L-type Ca2+ channel agonists: (+)-CGP 48506 and the dihydropyridine (+)-SDZ-202 791 in cardiomyocytes from rats 2-5 days old. The predominant Ca2+ current activated by standard step pulses in these myocytes was L-type Ca2+ current. The dihydropyridine antagonist (+)-PN200-110 (5 microM) blocked over 90% of Ca2+ currents in most cells tested. CGP 48506 lead to a maximum of 200% increase in currents. The threshold concentration for the CGP effect was at 1 microM and the maximum was reached at 20 microM. SDZ-202 791 had effects in nanomolar concentrations and a maximum effect at about 2 microM. The maximal effect of (+)-SDZ-202 791 was a 400% increase in the amplitude of Ca2+ currents and was accompanied by a 10-15 mV leftward shift in the voltage dependence of activation. CGP 48506 increased the currents equally at all voltages tested. Both compounds slowed the deactivation of tail currents and lead to the appearance of slowly activating and slowly deactivating current components. However, SDZ-202 791 had larger effects on deactivation and CGP 48506 had larger effect on the rate of Ca2+ current activation. The effect of SDZ-202 791 was fully additive to that of CGP 48506 even after maximum concentrations of CGP. This observation suggests that the two Ca2+ channel agonists may act at two different sites on the L-type Ca2+ channel. We suggest that CGP 48506 would be a potential cardiotonic agent without the deleterious proarrhythmic effects attributable to the dihydropyridine agonists.

Endothelial responses to mechanical stress: where is the mechanosensor?

OBJECTIVE

The endothelium is normally subjected to mechanical deformation resulting from shear stress and from strain associated with stretch of the vessel wall. These stimuli are detected by a mechanosensor that initiates a variety of signaling systems responsible for triggering the functional responses. The identity of the mechanosensor has not been established. This article discusses the different mechanisms of mechanosensing that have been proposed and reviews the literature with respect to signaling systems that are activated in response to stress and strain in endothelium.

DATA SOURCES

Published literature related to mechanotransduction, signal transduction pathways initiated by strain in endothelium, and pathophysiologic effects of abnormal shear forces in diseases.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Proposed mechanisms of mechanosensing include stretch-sensitive ion channels, protein kinases associated with the cytoskeleton, integrin-cytoskeletal interactions, cytoskeletal-nuclear interactions, and oxidase systems capable of generating reactive oxygen species. However, the molecular identity of the mechanosensor is not known, nor is it clear whether multiple sensing mechanisms exist.

CONCLUSIONS

Many responses are initiated in cells subjected to mechanical deformation, including alterations in ion channel conductance, activation of signal transduction pathways, and altered expression of specific genes. Future progress in this field will require a critical distinction between cell systems that become activated during mechanical strain and the identity of the cellular mechanosensor that triggers subsequent responses.

Modification of beta-adrenoceptor signal transduction pathway by genetic manipulation and heart failure

The beta-adrenoceptor (beta-AR) mediated signal transduction pathway in cardiomyocytes is known to involve beta1- and beta2-ARs, stimulatory (Gs) and inhibitory (Gi) guanine nucleotide binding proteins, adenylyl cyclase (AC) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). The activation of beta1- and beta2-ARs has been shown to increase heart function by increasing Ca2+ -movements across the sarcolemmal membrane and sarcoplasmic reticulum through the stimulation of Gs-proteins, activation of AC and PKA enzymes and phosphorylation of the target sites. The activation of PKA has also been reported to increase phosphorylation of some myofibrillar proteins (for promoting cardiac relaxation) and nuclear proteins (for cardiac hypertrophy). The activation of beta2-AR has also been shown to affect Gi-proteins, stimulate mitogen activated protein kinase and increase protein synthesis by enhancing gene expression. Beta1- and beta2-ARs as well as AC are considered to be regulated by PKA- and protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated phosphorylations directly; both PKA and PKC also regulate beta-AR indirectly through the involvement of beta-AR kinase (betaARK), beta-arrestins and Gbeta gamma-protein subunits. Genetic manipulation of different components and regulators of beta-AR signal transduction pathway by employing transgenic and knockout mouse models has provided insight into their functional and regulatory characteristics in cardiomyocytes. The genetic studies have also helped in understanding the pathophysiological role of PARK in heart dysfunction and therapeutic role of betaARK inhibitors in the treatment of heart failure. Varying degrees of defects in the beta-AR signal transduction system have been identified in different types of heart failure to explain the attenuated response of the failing heart to sympathetic stimulation or catecholamine infusion. A decrease in beta1-AR density, an increase in the level of G1-proteins and overexpression of betaARK are usually associated with heart failure; however, these attenuations have been shown to be dependent upon the type and stage of heart failure as well as region of the heart. Both local and circulating renin-angiotensin systems, sympathetic nervous system and endothelial cell function appears to regulate the status of beta-AR signal transduction pathway in the failing heart. Thus different components and regulators of the beta-AR signal transduction pathway appears to represent important targets for the development of therapeutic interventions for the treatment of heart failure.

Vascular β-adrenoceptor function in hypertension and in ageing

Functional β-adrenoceptors (β-AR) have been identified and characterized in blood vessels under in vivo conditions as well as in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) grown in culture. Agonist occupancy of β-AR activates adenylyl cyclase (AC) via the stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding protein (Gs) and leads to elevations in intracellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate levels (cAMP). Increased cAMP activates the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), with subsequent phosphorylation of various target proteins. This β-AR pathway interacts with several other intracellular signalling pathways via cross-talk, so that activation by β-AR agonists may also modulate other second messengers and protein kinases. SMC β-AR play an important role in SMC function. In intact blood vessels they mediate SMC relaxation by various intracellular mechanisms, ultimately causing a decrease in intracellular Ca2+ levels. In cultured SMC, activation of the β-AR pathway results in inhibition of cellular proliferation, the development of SMC polyploidy, and SMC apoptosis. Blood vessels from hypertensive animals are characterized by an increase in SMC cell mass, a greater incidence of SMC polyploidy in the aorta, and an impairment in the β-agonist-mediated SMC relaxation. Some of these changes may result from an attenuation of β-AR function due to agonist-induced receptor desensitization caused by the uncoupling of receptors from the Gs-AC system. The phosphorylated β-AR may in turn trigger new signals and activate different intracellular pathways. However, the details of these mechanisms are still unresolved. Since functional β-AR play such a prominent and multi-faceted role in SMC function, it is important to understand how these diverse physiological effects are mediated by this receptor system, and how they contribute to the development of hypertension. With ageing, a decrease in β-AR-Gs-AC coupling is observed, and this is implicated in the reduced responsiveness of SMC. The similarities in SMC β-AR functional changes in hypertension and in ageing suggest that the underlying mechanisms are also analogous.Key words: smooth muscle, β-adrenoceptors, cyclic AMP, protein kinase A, cell proliferation, polyploidy, relaxation, apoptosis, hypertension, ageing.

Sensitivity of norepinephrine-evoked vasoconstriction to pertussis toxin in the old rat

In male Wistar rats, the in vitro vasoconstrictor response of the perfused tail artery elicited by norepinephrine or serotonin decreased with age (24 mo old vs. 3 mo old), whereas the fluorescent signal (fura 2) produced by intracellular calcium (Ca2+i) mobilization increased. Both vasoconstriction and the increase in intracellular calcium concentration elicited by a high-K+, depolarizing solution were unaffected by aging. Pertussis toxin, a G protein inhibitor, had no effect on vasoconstriction induced by high K+ but diminished vasoconstrictor responses to norepinephrine in 3- and 12-mo-old animals but not in 24-mo-old animals. Pertussis toxin had no effect on Ca2+i mobilization. The sensitivity of receptor activation to pertussis toxin in tail arteries from 24-mo-old animals was restored by pretreatment with the alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist nicergoline. Nicergoline had no effect on vasoconstriction induced by high K+. Plasma norepinephrine concentration rose with age; nicergoline had no effect on this rise. We suggest that aging leads to a decrease in the intracellular G protein-modulated amplification of vasoconstriction produced by receptor activation and that this could be linked to the hyperadrenergic state. Ca2+ sensitivity can be restored by chronic treatment with an alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist.

Flow-mediated regulation of G-protein expression in cocultured vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells

G-proteins have been implicated in the transduction of a number of flow-induced responses. We determined whether flow can modulate vascular endothelial or smooth muscle cell G-protein signaling. By use of a perfused transcapillary coculture system that permits the chronic exposure of cultured endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) to physiological shear stresses, cocultures were exposed to stepwise increases in flow up to (1) 2 mL/min (low flow: 0.5 dyne/cm2), or (2) 44 mL/min (high flow: 15 dyne/cm2) and maintained for 72 hours before SMCs and ECs were harvested separately. Using Western blot analysis, EC Gi alpha3 expression was significantly increased (41+/-2.9%) by high-flow conditions compared with low-flow. The changes in G-protein expression were associated with a significant increase in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity, elevated prostacyclin levels in the perfusing media, increased pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP ribosylation of Gi alpha substrates, and enhanced agonist-stimulated GTPase activity in cocultured ECs. In contrast, high flow induced a significant decrease in Gi alpha1-2 expression (57 5%) in SMCs cocultured with ECs, an effect that was endothelium dependent, inhibited by indomethacin, and correlated with a decrease in pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP ribosylation of Gi alpha substrates, reduced agonist-stimulated GTPase activity, and enhanced basal and G-protein-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity. These data demonstrate that flow mediates selective changes in EC and SMC G-protein expression concomitant with changes in G-protein functionality and cellular signaling capacity. Moreover, flow-induced changes in SMC G-protein signaling capacity are endothelium dependent and require a cyclooxygenase product. G-protein modulation may thus represent an important mechanism whereby hemodynamic forces regulate vessel wall function.

Regulation of Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity by dopamine in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells

We investigated the effect of dopamine on Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells. Na+,K(+)- ATPase activity was measured by a coupled enzyme assay. Our results demonstrate that dopamine and dopamine receptor agonists, SKF-38393 (a D1 receptor agonist) and quinpirole (a D2 receptor agonist) produced 62%, 50% and 49% inhibition of Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity in aortic smooth muscle cells, respectively. The combination of the two agonists produced inhibition similar to that of dopamine. Dopamine- and the agonist-induced Na+,K(+)-ATPase inhibition was blocked by selective receptor antagonists. The Na+,K(+)-ATPase inhibition by SKF-38393 but not by quinpirole was abolished by pertussis toxin. Na+,K(+)-ATPase inhibition was also achieved by guanosine triphosphate analog GTP-gamma-S. SKF-38393 but not quinpirole stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis rate in rat aortic slices. SKF-38393-induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis stimulation was reversed by SCH-23390, a dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, and attenuated by pertussis toxin. In conclusion, our observations indicate that dopamine and dopamine receptor agonists inhibit Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity through specific vascular receptors. Dopamine D1 receptors are linked to pertussis toxin sensitive-mechanism(s) and a GTP-binding protein appears to be coupled to the enzyme inhibition. Finally, the inhibition of Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity in response to dopamine D1 receptor activation may be mediated by the phospholipase C signaling pathway.

G protein alterations in hypertension and aging

Defective vasodilator function could be important in the pathogenesis and/or maintenance of the hypertensive state and the predisposition of the elderly to hypertension. Impaired beta-adrenergic-mediated vasodilation and reduced lymphocyte beta-adrenergic activation of adenyl cyclase have been demonstrated both in aging and with hypertension. The cellular mechanisms responsible for these alterations remain unclear. To determine if these defects may be due to alterations in guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins (G proteins) that link receptor activation with effector function, we assessed (1) human lymphocyte adenyl cyclase activity, (2) stimulatory G proteins by cholera toxin-mediated [32P]ADP ribosylation and, in hypertensive subjects, with alpha s-specific and beta-subunit antisera, and (3) inhibitory G proteins by pertussis toxin-mediated [32P]ADP ribosylation and, in older subjects, with alpha i,1,2- and beta-subunit-specific antisera. Lymphocytes from older subjects and from hypertensive subjects demonstrated a comparable reduction in isoproterenol-stimulated adenyl cyclase. However, aluminum fluoride-stimulated activity was reduced only in lymphocytes from hypertensive subjects. Furthermore, aluminum fluoride-stimulated activity was inversely correlated with mean arterial pressure. In lymphocytes from younger hypertensive subjects, cholera toxin-mediated labeling was significantly increased. In contrast, inhibitory G protein labeling by immunodetection was unaltered. In lymphocytes from older subjects, cholera toxin-mediated labeling was not altered; however, pertussis toxin-mediated labelling was significantly increased. In contrast, inhibitory G protein labeling by immunodetection was unaltered. Overall, the study suggests alterations of G protein function of adenyl cyclase is impaired. However, these defects are associated with divergent alterations in stimulatory and inhibitory G proteins.

Receptor-mediated activation of G proteins is reduced in postmortem brains from Alzheimer's disease patients

The effects of Alzheimer's disease (AD) on [35S]GTP gamma S binding to G proteins was examined in postmortem cerebrocortex. Stimulation of the beta-adrenergic or muscarinic cholinergic receptors in control tissue with selective agonists resulted in increases in [35S]GTP gamma S binding to G alpha proteins in a receptor-specific fashion. The responses were markedly reduced in brain tissues from AD patients. In contrast, basal [35S]GTP gamma S binding to the G alpha proteins was relatively intact in AD brains. Immunoblot analyses reveal that levels of cerebrocortical G alpha proteins in AD are not altered. The results suggest that in AD the decrease in agonist-stimulated [35S]GTP gamma S binding to G proteins may be a result of decoupling between receptors and their associated G proteins.

Some approaches to the pharmacology of multisubstrate enzyme systems

Analytical and exploratory in vitro, in situ and in vivo, physio-pharmacotoxicology, from enzymology to population epidemiology, now embraces those approaches that correlate complex dynamic multisubstrate kinetics through conventional and more recent non-invasive quantitative methodologies. Basically, substrates may be classed as pertaining to fundamental energy turnovers (first-order cellular metabolic pathways or networks) and to iso- vs allosteric modulator systems (second-order metabolic control network). Pairs of substrates and cofactors set-up the third-order multienzyme-receptor patterns, which in intact, native in vivo structures establish and maintain the compartmentalized, dynamically superimposed overall coordination of local redox and phosphate potentials. Perturbations of the various levels of the metabolic hierarchy induced by drugs, as well their relaxations, can be readily submitted to non-invasive kinetic analysis. Both indirect and direct titrations of substrate levels, their modelling and statistical ad hoc evaluations of their interrelations can lead to the identification of the multiple sites involved in drug effects as structured at the different orders/levels of concomitant functional variations. Fractal geometries contribute towards defining the space- and time-related events.