Muscarinic agents modify kinetics properties of membrane-bound guanylyl cyclase activity

Muscarinic agonists acting through M2 acetylcholine receptors stimulate the migration of an NO-sensitive guanylyl cyclase to the plasma membrane of bovine tracheal smooth muscle

Muscarinic agonists acting on bovine tracheal smooth muscle (BTSM) induce two separate cGMP signals, one at 20 sec associated with NO-sensitive-soluble-guanylyl-cyclase (NO-sGC) and another at 60 sec, linked to natriuretic-peptide-GC. The 20-sec-cGMP novel cascade starts with mAChRs, via unknown components, activates an NO-sGC. To unravel this cascade, in crude membranes isolated from intact BTSM strips exposed to muscarinic agonists, we detected GC activities increments at 20 sec and 60 sec. The 20-sec-GC is a NO-sensitive-GC, identified as alpha(1)beta(1)-heterodimer. In reconstitution experiments with purified plasma membranes and cytosol, muscarinic agonists induced an NO-sGC migration in a dose-dependent manner, being inhibited by muscarinic antagonists displaying an M(2)AChR profile and blocked by PTX, suggesting the involvement of G(o)/G(i) proteins. The NO-sGC related to migration was isolated and identified as an alpha(1)beta(1)-heterodimer. This work shows that muscarinic agonists in BTSM induce a massive and selective alpha(1)beta(1)-NO-sGC migration from cytoplasm to plasma membranes being responsible for the 20-sec-cGMP signal.

Coupling of M3 acetylcholine receptor to Gq16 activates a natriuretic peptide receptor guanylyl cyclase

Muscarinic activation of tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) involves a M(3)AChR/heterotrimeric-G protein/NPR-GC coupling mechanism. G protein activators Mastoparan (MAS) and Mastoparan-7 stimulated 4- and 10-fold the NPR-GC respectively, being insensitive to PTX and antibodies against Galpha(i/o) subfamily. Muscarinic and MAS stimulation of NPR-GC was blocked by antibodies against C-terminal of Galpha(q16), whose expression was confirmed by RT-PCR. However, synthetic peptides from C-terminal of Galpha(q15/16) stimulated the NPR-GC. Coupling of alpha(q16) to M(3)AChR is supported by MAS decreased [(3)H]QNB binding, being abolished after M(3)AChR-4-DAMP-alkylation. Anti-i(3)M(3)AChR antibodies blocked the muscarinic activation of NPR-GC, and synthetic peptide from i(3)M(3)AChR (M(3)P) was more potent than MAS increasing GTPgamma [(35)S] and decreasing the [(3)H]QNB activities. Coupling between NPR-GC and Galpha(q16) was evaluated by using trypsin-solubilized-fraction from TSM membranes, which displayed a MAS-sensitive-NPR-GC activity, being immunoprecipitated with anti-Galpha(q16), also showing an immunoreactive heterotrimeric-G-beta-subunit. These data support the existence of a novel transducing cascade, involving Galpha(q16)beta gamma coupling M(3)AChR to NPR-GC.

Characterization of a G protein-coupled guanylyl cyclase-B receptor from bovine tracheal smooth muscle

A G protein-coupled natriuretic peptide-guanylyl cyclase receptor-B (NPR-B) located in plasma membranes from bovine tracheal smooth muscle shows complex kinetics and regulation. NPR-B was activated by natriuretic peptides (CNP-53 > ANP-28) at the ligand extracellular domain, stimulated by Gq-protein activators, such as mastoparan, and inhibited by Gi-sensitive chloride, interacting at the juxtamembrane domain. The kinase homology domain was evaluated by the ATP inhibition of Mn2+-activated NPR-B, which was partially reversed by mastoparan. The catalytic domain was studied by kinetics of Mn2+/Mg2+ and GTP, and the catalytic effect with GTP analogues with modifications of the /gamma phosphates and ribose moieties. Most NPR-B biochemical properties remained after detergent solubilization but the mastoparan activation and chloride inhibition of NPR-B disappeared. Our results indicate that NPR-B is a highly regulated nano-machinery with domains acting at cross-talk points with other signal transducing cascades initiated by G protein-coupled receptors and affected by intracellular ligands such as chloride, Mn2+, Mg2+, ATP, and GTP.

Cyclic nucleotide-dependent phosphodiesterases (PDEI) inhibition by muscarinic antagonists in bovine tracheal smooth muscle

In bovine tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) strips, muscarinic antagonists (atropine, 4-DAMP, AFDX-116 and methoctramine) were able to increase simultaneously and a similar fashion the intracellular levels of cyclic nucleotides, with a cAMP/cGMP ratio higher than 2.0. These original pharmacological responses were time-and dose-dependent, exhibiting maximal values at 15 min, with a pEC(50) of 7.4 +/- 0.2 for atropine and 4-DAMP. These effects on cAMP and cGMP levels were similar to the ones obtained with isobutyl-methylxantine (IBMX, 10 microM), a non-selective cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, suggesting the involvement of PDEs in these muscarinic antagonist responses. Neither, rolipram (10 microM), a specific PDEIV inhibitor, nor zaprinast (10 microM), a PDEV inhibitor, exhibited this "atropine-like" responses. Instead, atropine enhanced the increments of cAMP levels induced by rolipram and cGMP levels by zaprinast. However, vinpocetine (20 microM), a non-calmodulin dependent PDEIC inhibitor was able to mimic these muscarinic antagonist responses in intact smooth muscle strips. In addition, in cell free systems, muscarinic antagonists inhibited the membrane-bound PDEIC activity whereas soluble (cytosol) PDEIC activity was not affected by these muscarinic drugs. These results indicate that muscarinic antagonists acting possibly as inverse agonists on M(2)/M(3)mAChRs anchored to sarcolemma membranes can initiate a new signal transducing cascade leading to the PDEIC inhibition, which produced a simultaneous rise in both cAMP and cGMP intracellular levels in tracheal smooth muscle.

Molecular and biochemical characterization of a CNP-sensitive guanylyl cyclase in bovine tracheal smooth muscle

Muscarinic activation of bovine tracheal smooth muscle (BTSM) is involved in cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) production mediated through soluble (sGC) and membrane-bound (mGC) guanylyl cyclases. A muscarinic- and NaCl-sensitive mGC exists in BTSM regulated by muscarinic receptors coupled to G proteins. To identify the mGCs expressed in BTSM, reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from total RNA was performed using degenerate oligonucleotides for amplification of a region conserved among GC catalytic domains. Cloning of amplification products revealed that 76% of all BTSM GC transcripts corresponded to the sGC beta1 subunit and 24% to the B-type (C-type NP 1-22 [CNP]-sensitive) GC receptor. cGMP production by BTSM membrane and soluble fractions confirmed that sGC activity is 3-fold with respect to mGC activity. RT-PCR using specific oligonucleotides revealed that A (atrial NP-sensitive) and C (guanylin-sensitive) mGC subtypes are also expressed in BTSM. Stimulation of basal plasma membrane GC activity by CNP was higher than that by ANP, whereas guanylin showed no effect, indicating that CNP-sensitive guanylyl cyclase (GC-B) is the predominant functional BTSM mGC subtype. Strong adenosine triphosphate inhibition of CNP-stimulated mGC activity supports the finding that the tracheal mGC isoform belongs to the natriuretic peptide-sensitive mGCs. Additionally, CNP was able to reverse the chloride inhibition of BTSM mGC activity, suggesting that this is a novel G protein-coupled GC-B receptor.

Regulation of ANP-stimulated guanylate cyclase in the presence of Mn2+ in rat lung membranes

The catalytic activity of guanylate cyclase (GCase) coupled to atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) receptor depends on the metal co-factor, Mn2+ or Mg2+. ATP synergistically stimulates the ANP-stimulated GCase in the presence of Mg2+. We have now shown the ATP regulation of the ANP-stimulated GCase in the presence of Mn2+ in rat lung membranes. ANP stimulated the GCase 2.1-fold compared to the control. ATP enhanced both the basal (basal-GCase) and the ANP-stimulated GCase maximally 1.7- and 2.3- fold compared to the control, respectively, at a concentration of 0.1 mM. The stimulation by ATP was smaller in the presence of Mn2+ than in the presence of Mg2+. The addition of inorganic phosphate to the reaction mixture altered the GCase activities in the presence of Mn2+ with or without ANP and/or ATP. In the presence of 10 mM phosphate, ATP dose-dependently stimulated the basal GCase 5-fold compared to the control at a concentration of 1 mM and augmented the ANP-stimulated GCase, which was 4.2-fold compared to the basal-GCase, 5.5-fold compared to the control at a concentration of 0.5 mM. Protein phosphatase inhibitors, okadaic acid (100 nM), H8 (1 microM) and staurosporin (1 microM), did not alter the activity. Orthovanadate (1 mM), an inorganic phosphate analogue, significantly stimulated both the basal-GCase and the ANP-stimulated GCase, which were inhibited by ATP. It was assumed that phosphate and orthovanadate might interact with the GCase to regulate the activity in the opposite manner. This was the first report that inorganic phosphate and orthovanadate affected the ATP-regulation of the ANP-stimulated GCase in the presence of Mn2+.

Effects of 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) and Nomega(6)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (NAME) on cyclic GMP levels during muscarinic activation of tracheal smooth muscle

The effects of carbachol on the cyclic GMP (cGMP) content of bovine tracheal smooth muscle in the absence of phosphodiesterase inhibitors were evaluated. Carbachol (1 x 10(-5) M) induced two cGMP peaks, at 20 and 60 sec. Both cGMP signals were carbachol concentration-dependent (1 x 10(-11) to 1 x 10(-5) M), the first being higher than the second. The cGMP signal induction was studied using an inhibitor of the soluble guanylyl cyclase (GC), 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), and a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, Nomega(6)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (NAME). ODQ (1 x 10(-7) M) did not affect the second cGMP peak but abolished the first peak, suggesting that a soluble GC may be involved. NAME (1 x 10(-4) M) did not affect the cGMP signals, but changed their 2:1 ratio and also induced a time-shift of the first peak to 10 sec and the second to 50 sec. These results indicate that the NO-soluble GC cascade is not responsible for these muscarinic effects on cGMP levels.

Two opposite signal transducing mechanisms regulate a G-protein-coupled guanylyl cyclase

Membrane-bound guanylyl cyclase (GC) is regulated by muscarinic receptors (mAChRs). Carbamylcholine (CC) induces a "dual" biological response on GC activity. Thus, an activation is observed at 0.1 nM and a maximal response at 1 nM CC. However, at higher agonist concentration (> 100 nM), there is an agonist-dependent inhibition of GC. This CC dual response is affected by 4-DAMP and HDD (M3 antagonists), which produce a right-shift of the CC curve; the maximal CC dose response with 4-DAMP is more potent than that with HDD. Moreover, AFDX-DS (an M2 antagonist) increases basal activity and decreases the agonist-dependent inhibition. Neither the CC response nor the CC maximal dose responses are affected by pirenzepine (PZ, M1 antagonist). The agonist-dependent stimulation of GC activity is inhibited by 4-DAMP showing a -log IC50 = 8.4 +/- 0.4, while AFDX116 DS poorly inhibits such activity with a -log IC50 = 5.0 +/- 0.2. The agonist-independent (basal) GC activity also was inhibited by 4-DAMP, in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC50 = 8.5 +/- 0.2. Nonetheless, other muscarinic antagonists (PZ and HDD) were not able to inhibit this basal GC. Pertussis toxin treatment produces a complete blockade of the agonist-dependent inhibition of GC with a full expression of the agonist-dependent activation of membrane-bound GC. These results indicate that membrane-bound GC is regulated by muscarinic agents through two opposite signaling pathways; one involves the activation of GC via an M3 mAchR coupled to a PTX-insensitive G protein, while the GC inhibition is mediated through a PTX-sensitive Gi/o protein possibly coupled to an M2 mAChR.

Biochemical characterization of a V-ATPase of tracheal smooth muscle plasma membrane fraction

A biochemical characterization of a Mg(2+)-ATPase activity associated with a plasma membrane fraction isolated from airway (tracheal) smooth muscle was performed. This enzyme is an integral part of the membrane remaining tightly bound after 0.6 M KCl extraction. This enzyme activity showed a cold inactivation in the presence of ATP and Mg2+. Also, this Mg(2+)-ATPase was stimulated by monovalent anions being Cl-, the best anion for such stimulation, even though Br- and I- were good substitutes and F- was ineffective. This Cl--stimulated activity showed a powerful nucleosidetriphosphatase activity having the following divalent cation specificity: Mg2+ > Mn2+ > Ca2+, where Zn2+ and Fe2+ were ineffective. This ATPase activity was not inhibited by ouabain oligomycin C and vanadate indicating that neither P- or F-ATPases were associated with this enzyme activity. However, the existence of a V-ATPase was shown by the significant inhibition causes by bafilomycin A1. Additionally, this V-ATPase seems to be coupled to Cl- conductor because duramycin inhibited this ATPase activity. The presence of a H+ pump associated to this V-ATPase was shown indirectly, through the stimulatory effect produced by uncouplers such as FCCP and 1799, which were able to produce significant stimulation of this V-ATPase indicating the existence of a H(+)-ATPase. Finally, the immunodetection of a 72 kDa polypeptide using a specific antibody against the A subunit (72 kDa) of V-ATPase from chromaffin granule demonstrated the presence of a V-ATPase in this plasma membrane fraction.

Methoctramine binding sites sensitive to alkylation on muscarinic receptors from tracheal smooth muscle

The binding of L-[benzilic-4,4'-3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate was studied in the plasma membrane fraction of bovine tracheal smooth muscle treated with the alkylating agent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). It was found that NEM (2.5 mM) reduced significantly the Bmax from 1116 to 853 fmol/mg protein and increased the KD values of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAchR) activity from 36 to 61 pM. The mAchR subtypes in these plasma membranes were studied using competition experiments with selective antagonists. Pirenzepine displayed low competitive activity, having a pKi of 6.91 +/- 0.03, which was similar to that of AF-DX 116 (11[[2-[(diethylamino)methyl]- 1-piperidinyl]-acetyl]-5,11-dihydro-6H-pyrido[2,3- b][1,4]benzodiazepine-6-one); (pKi = 6.90 +/- 0.04), whereas hexahydrodifenidol (HDD) and its p-fluoro-derivative (p-FHHSiD) showed higher affinities than pirenzepine, having pKi values of 7.45 +/- 0.05 and 7.17 +/- 0.06, respectively. The antagonist 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methobromide (4-DAMP) showed a pKi of 8.25 +/- 0.03, which did not differ significantly from the affinity shown by methoctramine (pKi = 8.00 +/- 0.04). These data indicate that the mAchR associated with the plasma membrane fraction isolated from bovine airway smooth muscle can be classified as an M2 subtype muscarinic receptor. NEM treatment altered the affinities of the mAchR towards specific antagonists, such as methoctramine (Ki increased 3 times), and the results indicated that the alkylated mAchR behaves as a chemically modified M2 subtype. This suggests the presence of thiol groups controlling the antagonist binding activity of this muscarinic receptor subtype.