Protein kinase-catalyzed membrane phosphorylation and its possible relationship to the role of calcium in the adrenergic regulation of cardiac contraction

The effect of cAMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation on the external Ca2+ binding sites of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum

Canine cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is known to be phosphorylated by adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase on a 22,000-dalton protein, Phosphorylation is associated with an increase in both the initial rate of Ca2+ uptake and the Ca(2+)-ATPase activity which is partially due to an increase in the affinity of the Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase (E) of sarcoplasmic reticulum for calcium. In this study, the effect of cAMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation on the binding of calcium to the SR and on the dissociation of calcium from the SR was examined. The rate of dissociation of the E x Ca2 was measured directly and was not found to be significantly altered by cAMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation. Since the affinity of the enzyme for Ca2+ is equal to the ratio of the on and off rates of calcium, these results demonstrate that the observed change in affinity must be due to an increase in the rate of calcium binding to the Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase of SR. In addition, an increase in the degree of positive cooperativity between the two calcium binding sites was associated with protein kinase phosphorylation.

Cardiac inotropic responses to calcium and forskolin are not altered by prolonged isoproterenol infusion

Effects of prolonged isoproterenol infusion upon the density of cardiac calcium channels, calcium-mediated contractile responses, and the ability of forskolin to enhance tension development and cyclic AMP accumulation were studied in ventricular muscle preparations from Sprague-Dawley rats. Isoproterenol infusion (400 micrograms/kg per h s.c., 4 days) significantly decreased calcium channel density (Bmax) in cardiac microsomal membranes as quantified by a 32% decrease in specific [3H]nitrendipine binding sites; binding affinity (KD) was unchanged. A 57% decrease of beta-adrenoceptors confirmed homologous down regulation. To examine functional effects of decreased [3H]nitrendipine binding sites, responses to calcium, BAY K8644 and nifedipine were determined in isolated right ventricular strips. Significant decreases in basal developed tension were observed in muscles from isoproterenol-infused rats. However, concentration-dependent increases in contractility in response to CaCl2 or BAY K8644 were comparable, and the negative inotropic effect of nifedipine was unchanged. Whereas isoproterenol infusion was associated with significantly decreased basal cardiac cyclic AMP concentrations, exposure of ventricular strips from either vehicle- or isoproterenol-infused rats to 10 microM forskolin resulted in comparable increases in cyclic AMP and in developed tension. Cumulative, submaximal concentrations of forskolin also produced similar increases in contractility with maximum responses in ventricular strips from vehicle-infused animals attained at 4.4 microM forskolin. Higher concentrations resulted in automaticity. By contrast, ventricle from isoproterenol-infused animals responded to 14.4 microM forskolin with maximal increases in force of contraction.

Compartmentation and functional mechanisms in myocardial failure and myocardial infarction

Changes in compartmentation and specific mechanism in acute myocardial failure due to global ischemia and in regional myocardial ischemia in dog hearts are described. Ischemic failure was produced by periodic arrest of flow to supported heart preparations perfused with a fluorocarbon (FC-43). Sarcolemmal vesicles (SL) prepared from ischemic failing heart preparations exhibited diminished Ca++ binding and phosphorylation. TA-064, a beta-1-agonist partially abolished the reduction in Ca++ binding and phosphorylation of SL vesicles. The addition of cyclic-AMP (cAMP) and of protein kinase (PK) increased phosphorylation of SL vesicles obtained from non failing heart preparations. Combination of cAMP and of PK had the greatest effect. In contrast to myocardial failure, myocardial infarction is known to produce a large variety of specific disturbances in intermediary cardiac metabolism. Apparently in ischemic failing heart preparations, Ca++ binding and phosphorylation by SL are deficient. The results with TA-064 and isoproterenol suggest that phosphorylation of SL may play a role in the positive inotropic effect of beta-1-agonists.

Calcium-dependent effects of cadmium on energy metabolism and function of perfused rat heart

Postequilibrated isolated rat hearts were perfused for 60 min with a standard supporting electrolyte buffer containing one of the following calcium concentrations: 0.9, 1.8, 3.5, or 5.0 mM, either with or without added cadmium. Doses of cadmium which proved to be minimally (0.03 microM Cd)--and maximally (3.0 microM Cd)--effective at 0.9 mM Ca were studied at all other calcium concentrations. A dose-dependent positive inotropy that persisted throughout the 60-min perfusion period was induced by the graded increases in the perfusate calcium concentration throughout the range from 0.9 to 5.0 mM. Atrioventricular node conductivity was prolonged significantly in hearts perfused with 0.9 mM Ca as compared to hearts perfused with higher calcium concentrations. Increasing the perfusate calcium concentration caused a dose-dependent increase in heart glycerol 3-phosphorylcholine (GPC) content. The other measured phosphatic metabolites of the heart were not altered significantly by varying the perfusate calcium level. In contrast, cadmium (3.0 microM Cd) induced extensive functional and metabolic aberrations which varied in magnitude as an inverse function of the perfusate calcium concentration. Contractile tension, rate of tension development (dT/dt), heart rate, coronary flow rate, and atrioventricular node conductivity were decreased significantly in response to cadmium perfusion. Moreover, these hearts characteristically had significantly elevated low energy phosphate (inosine monophosphate and inorganic phosphate) and decreased high energy phosphate (ATP, PCr) levels relative to their respective calcium controls. Furthermore, various phosphorylated intermediates of glycolysis (glucose 6-phosphate, fructose 6-phosphate, glucose 1-phosphate), as well as glycerol 3-phosphate, and uridine diphosphoglucose accumulated significantly in hearts perfused with cadmium at certain calcium concentrations below 5.0 mM. The calcium-activated increase in heart GPC was inhibited completely by 3 microM cadmium. At the minimally effective dose of cadmium (0.03 microM), demonstrable changes were apparent only at the lowest perfusate calcium concentration examined (0.9 mM). These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that cadmium interferes with calcium-activated and calcium-mediated physiologic and biochemical processes of the mammalian heart. The primary mechanistic basis for the action of cadmium appears to be linked to a competition with calcium for membrane and possibly intracellular binding and activation sites.

Inotropic drugs and their mechanisms of action

This report describes various old and new positive inotropic drugs with respect to their mechanisms of action. Drugs with established cardiotonic effects include cardiac glycosides, beta 1-adrenergic agents, glucagon, histamine and the methylxanthines. New agents discussed are prenalterol, beta 2- and alpha-adrenergic drugs, amrinone and sulmazole. Prenalterol is a beta 1-adrenergic agent. Beta 2-adrenergic drugs, amrinone and sulmazole, combine a positive inotropic and a vasodilator effect. The latter resemble theophylline and other methylxanthines in that they appear to act mainly as phosphodiesterase inhibitors with a subsequent increase in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). The mechanism of the positive inotropic effect of alpha-adrenergic stimulating agents (for example, phenylephrine) is unknown. It is independent of the cAMP system and is not accompanied by changes in frequency.

Phosphorylation of C-protein in intact amphibian cardiac muscle. Correlation between 32P incorporation and twitch relaxation

The molecular mechanisms by which neurotransmitters modulate the force of contraction of cardiac muscle are incompletely understood. Hartzell and Titus (1982. J. Biol. Chem. 257:2111-2120) have recently reported that C-protein, an integral component of the thick filament, is reversibly phosphorylated in response to ionotropic agents. In this communication, C-protein phosphorylation (as measured by isotopic labeling with 32P) is correlated with changes in the rate of relaxation of twitch tension. On the average, isoproterenol simultaneously increases peak systolic tension twofold, decreases twitch relaxation time from a control value of approximately 450 to approximately 300 ms, and increases C-protein phosphorylation two- to threefold, with a maximum effect occurring less than 60 s after addition of 1 microM isoproterenol. Carbamylcholine, in contrast, decreases peak systolic tension more rapidly than it affects relaxation or C-protein phosphorylation. The maximum decrease in peak tension (60%) occurs within 1 min of addition of 0.5 microM carbamylcholine, but relaxation time increases slowly to 800 ms over approximately 6 min. The increase in relaxation time correlates well with the decrease in 32P incorporation into C-protein (r = 0.94). Changing beat frequency between 0.2 and 1/s has no effect on C-protein phosphorylation but does alter relaxation time (relaxation time decreases approximately 100 ms when beat frequency is changed from 0.5 to 1/s) and thus alters the quantitative relationship between C-protein phosphorylation and relaxation rate. These results suggest that two separate processes affect relaxation. It is proposed that the level of C-protein phosphorylation sets the boundaries over which relaxation is regulated by a second process that is dependent upon beat frequency and probably involves changes in intracellular Ca.

A randomized comparison of crystalloid and blood-containing cardioplegic solutions in 60 patients

To determine whether adding blood to a cardioplegic solution affects myocardial preservation, a randomized prospective study was carried out in 60 patients undergoing coronary revascularization to compare the effects of crystalloid potassium cardioplegics (group C) and potassium cardioplegic solutions to which blood has been added (group B) on markers of myocardial metabolism (lactate, inorganic phosphate, base deficit release, glucose and lactate uptake, oxygen extraction), myocardial damage (creatine kinase [CK]-MB levels), and cardiac performance (cardiac index and left atrial pressure). The solution with added blood had a significantly (p less than .05) greater oxygen content, a lower pH, and higher concentrations of potassium, calcium, sodium, and glucose. In group B patients there was a suggestion (p less than .06) of greater uptake of oxygen during the beginning of the initial cardioplegic infusion. During reperfusion there was no evidence of differential release of the metabolites of anaerobiosis and myocardial oxygen extraction and glucose and lactate uptake were similarly depressed in both groups. Likewise, CK-MB release after bypass was the same in both groups. Prompt, adequate functional recovery of cardiac index and left atrial pressure was observed in both groups. It was concluded that although there may be more oxygen available from the blood-containing solution during early infusion, there is no evidence that under the conditions of this investigation adding blood to cardioplegic solution improves myocardial preservation.

The regulation of the Na+ -Ca2+ exchanger of heart sarcolemma

The Na+/Ca2+-exchange of calf-heart sarcolemma is activated by a treatment with ATP, Mg2+, and Ca2+, and deactivated by a treatment with phosphorylase phosphatase. The effect of the latter can be substituted by a treatment with Mg2+, Ca2+, and calmodulin. The activating treatment does not require added calmodulin, but is inhibited by calmodulin antagonists. Evidently, endogenous calmodulin is required and sufficient. Activation is half-maximal at about 2 microM Ca2+. Added calmodulin, however, decreases the Km (Ca2+) of the activating process to about 0.8 microM. Deactivation is half-maximal, at optimal calmodulin concentrations, at about 1.5 microM Ca2+. Experiments with adenosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate have shown that the activating treatment is mediated by a kinase and the deactivating treatment by a phosphatase. The concerted operation of the two enzymes is made possible by their different Ca2+ affinity. At saturating Ca2+ concentrations, the level of ATP may also influence the balance of the two enzymes.

Mechanism of adenosine inhibition of catecholamine-induced responses in heart

The properties of adenosine inhibition of catecholamine-induced responses were investigated, using an isolated rat heart preparation. Perfusion of hearts with 0.1 microM isoproterenol increased myocardial cAMP content 2.8-fold, activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase 4.4-fold, phosphorylase a formation 3.4-fold, left ventricular pressure 1.8-fold, rate of ventricular pressure development 2.1-fold, and rate of ventricular relaxation 2.2-fold within 1 minute. When perfused with the isoproterenol, 10 microM adenosine reduced the catecholamine-produced increase in cAMP, cAMP-dependent protein kinase, and phosphorylase by 30-40%, and the elevation in left ventricular pressure and rate of ventricular pressure development by 40-70% within 40 seconds. More than 2 minutes were required for the nucleoside to significantly reduce the isoproterenol-elicited increase in the rate of ventricular relaxation. Perfusion of adenosine alone at concentrations from 0.1 to 10 microM were without effect on the above parameters. Theophylline at 50 microM had no effect alone on the above parameters but blocked the inhibitory actions of adenosine on the isoproterenol-induced responses. In the presence of 15 mM Mg++ adenosine reduced by approximately 56% the 2-fold increase in myocardial membrane adenylate cyclase activity produced by 1 microM isoproterenol without affecting basal or fluoride-stimulated activity. Adenosine also reduced the isoproterenol-induced increase in enzyme activity assayed at 1-2 mM Mg++, a level that more closely approximates the intracellular activity of the ion. The results suggest that physiological concentrations of adenosine attenuate the catecholamine-induced increase in cAMP content, cAMP-dependent protein kinase activation, phosphorylase a formation, and contractile parameters in the working heart, via reducing the beta-adrenergic activation of adenylate cyclase.

Comparison of cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation of sarcolemma and sarcoplasmic reticulum from rat cardiac ventricle muscle

1. The phosphorylation by cAMP and protein kinase I of rat cardiac sarcolemma (SL) and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) isolated from the same homogenate, was compared. 2. In both fractions, the phosphate incorporation is strongly dependent on the ATP and the membrane protein concentration. 3. SDS-gel electrophoresis reveals that in the SL preparation a protein of Mr = 24,500 and a glycoprotein of Mr = 17,500 are mainly phosphorylated, while in the SR fraction the main phosphate incorporation is found in a protein having a Mr = 37,000. 4. Isoprenaline stimulates the phosphorylation of SL but not of SR. Propranolol abolished that stimulatory action of isoprenaline completely, suggesting that the beta-adrenoceptor is involved.

Potentiating effect of calmodulin and catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase on ATP-dependent Ca2+-transport by cardiac sarcolemma

Highly purified sarcolemmal membranes were prepared from pig heart homogenates by differential and density gradient centrifugations. The membrane fragments exhibit ATP-dependent Ca2+-transport and Na+/Ca2+-exchange activities. ATP-dependent Ca2+-transport (K0.5Ca2+ = 0.3 microM; Vmax = 4.6 nmol Ca2+.mg protein-1.min-1) is not stimulated by oxalate. Ca2+-uptake is also not supported by p-nitro-phenylphosphate. Preincubation of sarcolemma with MgATP, calmodulin and catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase stimulates active Ca2+-transport 1.8-fold. The effects of calmodulin and catalytic subunit are potentiating rather than additive. A large portion of the Ca2+ additionally accumulated after prephosphorylation of membranes is exchangeable for Na+ via the Na+/Ca2+-exchange system.

Injection of subunits of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase into cardiac myocytes modulates Ca2+ current

beta-Adrenergic stimulation of the heart is thought to increase cardiac muscle contractility by activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and concomitant increase in the phosphorylation of certain proteins (for refs see refs 1-6). Electrophysiological studies have shown that the stimulation of cardiac beta-adrenoreceptors, the external application of cyclic AMP or its analogues to Purkinje fibres, or the injection of cyclic AMP into single myocytes can increase the slow inward current (Isi) during the plateau phase of the action potential (AP). In heart muscle this current is mainly carried by Ca2+ (refs 10, 11) and it has been suggested that cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation of some component of the calcium channel increases the amount of Ca2+ which enters the cell during depolarization. We have investigated this hypothesis by examining the electrical responses of isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes to pressure injections of subunits of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. We report here that injection of the catalytic subunit (C) resulted in a lengthening of the action potential duration (APD) and an increase in the height of the plateau as well as the amplitude of Isi. By contrast, the injection of regulatory subunit (R) shortened the APD of fast and slow response APs, an effect which was reversed by adrenaline.

Potential biochemical mechanisms for regulation of the slow inward current: theoretical basis for drug action

Regulation of the slow inward current appears to be an important mechanism by which the autonomic nervous system modifies cardiac function. Beta-adrenergic stimulation augments the slow inward current by increasing the number of functional slow inward current channels. This effect is mediated by cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP) and presumably involves phosphorylation of membrane proteins associated with the slow channels. Beta antagonists (propranolol) act by inhibiting beta-adrenergic activation of adenylate cyclase and thereby prevent increases in cyclic AMP. The calcium channel antagonists (verapamil) act directly at the level of the slow channels to inhibit the slow inward current independent of changes in cyclic AMP. Cholinergic stimulation attenuates beta-adrenergic stimulation of the slow inward current by one or both of two potential mechanisms: reduction in cyclic AMP formation and antagonism of the distal effects of cyclic AMP.

Effects of uridine triphosphate on contractility, cyclic nucleotide levels and membrane potential in the isolated frog ventricle

A study has been made of the effects of uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP) on the isolated frog ventricle. Preparations were superfused with solutions containing different concentrations of UTP, and changes in contractility, cyclic nucleotide levels and membrane potential were measured. UTP produced a long lasting increase in isometric twitch tension, which was unaffected by adrenergic receptor antagonists (propranolol and phentolamine). The levels of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) were measured at different times during exposure of the ventricle to 10(-4) M UTP. The increase in the force of contraction was found to be accompanied by a rise in intracellular cyclic AMP. Cyclic GMP levels were seen to fall initially, but then to increase later, as both twitch and cyclic AMP started to decline. UTP also produced marked changes in the shape of the action potential; its duration and positive overshoot were both increased. The effects of UTP on twitch tension, cyclic nucleotide levels and action potential parameters were all dose-related. The change in contractility was found to be linearly related to (a) the ratio of the amount of cyclic AMP: cyclic GMP present in the fibres, and (b) to the increase in duration of the action potential. These results suggest that cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP and the availability of Ca2+ may all be involved in mediating the response to UTP.

An electrogenic Na+/Ca2+ antiporter in addition to the Ca2+ pump in cardiac sarcolemma

Vesicles isolated from rat heart, particularly enriched in sarcolemma markers, were examined for their sidedness by investigation of side-specific interactions of modulators with the asymmetric (Na+ + K+)-ATPase and adenylate cyclase complex. The membrane preparation with the properties expected for inside-out vesicles showed the highest rate of ATP-driven Ca2+ transport. The Ca2+ pump was stimulated 1.7- and 2.1-fold by external Na+ and K+, respectively, the half-maximal activation occurring at 35 mM monovalent cation concentration. In vesicles loaded with Ca2+ by pump action in a medium containing 160 mM KCl, a slow spontaneous release of Ca2+ started after 2 min. The rate of this release could be dramatically increased by the addition of 40 mM NaCl to the external medium. In contrast, 40 mM KCl exerted no appreciable effect on vesicles loaded with Ca2+ in a medium containing 160 mM NaCl. Ca2+ movements were also studied in the absence of ATP and Mg2+. Vesicles containing an outwardly directed Na+ gradient showed the highest Ca2+ uptake activity. These findings suggested the operation of a Ca2+/Na+ antiporter in addition to the active Ca2+ pump in these sarcolemmal vesicles. A valinomycin-induced inward K+-diffusion potential stimulated the Na+-Ca2+ exchange, suggesting its electrogenic nature. If in the absence of ATP and Mg2+ the transmembrane Nai+/Nao+ gradient exceeded 160/15 mM concentrations, Ca2+ uptake could be stimulated by the addition of 5 mM oxalate, indicating Na+ gradient-induced Ca2+ uptake to be a translocation of Ca2+ to the lumen of the vesicle. A sarcoplasmic reticulum contamination, removed by further sucrose gradient fractionation, contained rather low Na+-Ca2+ exchange activity. This result suggests that the activity can be entirely accounted for by the sarcolemmal content of the cardiac membrane preparation.

Phosphorylation of low molecular weight proteins in purified preparations of rat heart sarcolemma and sarcoplasmic reticulum

A rat heart sarcolemmal preparation could be obtained in which both 5'-nucleotidase and adenylate cyclase were enriched approx. 9-fold by subjecting a homogenate to a discontinuous sucrose gradient, without the use of a high salt extraction. After incubation of this fraction with Mg[gamma-32P]ATP, the majority of 32P incorporated was present in 24 000- and 9000-dalton protein components. Only when a heart cytosol fraction or a purified cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase was added, was enhancement of 32P-incorporaton found by addition of cyclic AMP. The 9000- and 24 000-dalton proteins appeared to be interconvertible. The degree of conversion could be affected by changing the temperature during solubilizaion of the membranes in SDS prior to electrophoresis. This suggested that the 24 000-dalton protein does not correspond to phospholamban, first identified by others in canine heart sarcoplasmic reticulum. Moreover, it could be excluded that the 24 000-dalton protein was derived from contaminating myofibrillar troponin I. When the sarcolemmal fraction was preincubated with Ca2+, Mg2+, ATP and oxalate, contaminating sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles, loaded with calcium oxalate, settled to a greater density in the sucrose gradient. Membrane constituents other than those with enzymatic activity were monitored to confirm the separation between sarcolemmal and sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes: Coomassie blue staining material, sialic acid, cholesterol and phospholipid. The 24 000- and 9000-dalton proteins were equally distributed among the sarolemmal and sarcoplasmic reticulum fractions present in the sucrose gradient. However, the rate of 32P-incorporation in the presence of heart cytosol fraction was much slowr in the sarcoplasmic reticulum than in the sarcolemmal fraction.

Role of calcium ions in the regulation of intramitochondrial metabolism. Effects of Na+, Mg2+ and ruthenium red on the Ca2+-stimulated oxidation of oxoglutarate and on pyruvate dehydrogenase activity in intact rat heart mitochondria

1. In uncoupled rat heart mitochondria, the kinetic parameters for oxoglutarate oxidation were very close to those found for oxoglutarate dehydrogenase activity in extracts of the mitochondria. In particular, Ca2+ greatly diminished the Km for oxoglutarate and the k0.5 value (concentration required for half-maximal effect) for this effect of Ca2+ was close to 1 microM. 2. In coupled rat heart mitochondria incubated with ADP, increases in the extramitochondrial concentration of Ca2+ greatly stimulated oxoglutarate oxidation at low concentrations of oxoglutarate, but not at saturating concentrations of oxoglutarate. The k0.5 value for the activation by extramitochondrial Ca2+ was about 20 nM. In the presence of either Mg2+ or Na+ this value was increased to about 90 nM, and in the presence of both to about 325 nM. 3. In coupled rat heart mitochondria incubated without ADP, increases in the extramitochondrial concentration of Ca2+ resulted in increases in the proportion of pyruvate dehydrogenase in its active non-phosphorylated form. The sensitivity to Ca2+ closely matched that found to affect oxoglutarate oxidation, and Mg2+ and Na+ gave similar effects. 4. Studies of others have indicated that the distribution of Ca2+ across the inner membrane of heart mitochondria is determined by a Ca2+-transporting system which is composed of a separate uptake component (inhibited by Mg2+ and Ruthenium Red) and an efflux component (stimulated by Na+). The present studies are entirely consistent with this view. They also indicate that the intramitochondrial concentration of Ca2+ within heart cells is probably about 2--3 times that in the cytoplasm, and thus the regulation of these intramitochondrial enzymes by Ca2+ is of likely physiological significance. It is suggested that the Ca2+-transporting system in heart mitochondria may be primarily concerned with the regulation of mitochondrial Ca2+ rather than cytoplasmic Ca2+; the possible role of Ca2+ as a mediator of the effects of hormones and neurotransmitters on mammalian mitochondrial oxidative metabolism is discussed.

Inotropic responses of the frog ventricle to adenosine triphosphate and related changes in endogenous cyclic nucleotides

1. A study has been made of a well documented but poorly understood response of the isolated frog ventricle to treatment with exogenous adenosine 5' triphosphate (ATP). Measurements of membrane potential, isometric twitch tension and levels of endogenous 3',5'-cyclic nucleotides have been made at various times during the ATP-induced response. 2. ATP elicits a characteristic triphasic response, which comprises an initial, abrupt increase in contractility, rising to a maximum within a few beats (first phase); followed by a period when the twitch amplitude falls, sometimes to below the control level (second phase); and superceded by a more slowly developing and longer-lasting increase in contractile force (third phase). The response is unaffected by atropine, propranolol or phentolamine. However, the prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor indomethacin depresses the first phase and entirely suppresses the third phase. 3. The inotropic effects of ATP are accompanied by changes in the shape of the action potential. These effects are dose-related. The duration of the action potential (D-30mV) and its positive overshoot (O) are increased during all phases of the response, for [ATP]o's up to 10(-5) M. However, at higher [ATP]o's, D-30mV and O ar both reduced during the second phase (but not the first or third phase), when isometric twitch tension is also depressed. The relationship between action potential duration and twitch tension (P) for different [ATP]o's is linear for all three phases of the response, but the slopes of the curves (delta P/delta D) are markedly different, indicating that the sensitivity of the contractile system to membrane depolarization is not constant, but varies continuously throughout the response. 4. ATP has a potent stimulatory effect on the metabolism of endogenous 3',5'-cyclic nucleotides. The time courses of the changes in adenosine 3','5-cyclic monophosphate (3',5'-cyclic AMP) and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (3',5'-cyclic GMP) are complex, but the accompanying change in isometric twitch tension is paralleled closely by corresponding changes in the ratio 3',5'cyclic AMP:3',5'-cyclic GMP. 5. It is concluded that ATP exerts a dual effect on the ventricle and that the contractile response is regulated by changes in the metabolism of 3',5'-cyclic nucleotides. The effects of indomethacin indicate a possible involvement of prostaglandins in mediating the ATP response. It is suggested that the initial effect of ATP on the ventricle is to increase the permeability of the fibres to Ca2+. 6. The relationship between 3',5' cyclic nucleotide levels and ventricular contractility is discussed. It is postulated that the antagonistic effects of 3',5'-cyclic AMP and 3',5'-cyclic GMP are expressed at the level of certain phosphoproteins which regulate both the availability of Ca2+ and the sensitivity of the contractile proteins to Ca2+.

Antiallergic drug cromolyn may inhibit histamine secretion by regulating phosphorylation of a mast cell protein

Cromolyn inhibited histamine release from mast cells that was induced by a classic secretagogue and correspondingly increased incorporation of radioactive phosphate into a 78,000-dalton protein. These effects on histamine secretion and on protein phosphorylation were rapid in onset and both showed tachyphylaxis. Cromolyn may therefore act by altering the phosphorylation of a protein involved in the regulation of secretion.