Compartmentalization of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterases, signalling 'crosstalk', desensitization and the phosphorylation of Gi-2 add cell specific personalization to the control of the levels of the second messenger cyclic AMP

Inhibition of phosphodiesterases as a strategy to achieve neuroprotection in Huntington's disease

Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal neurodegenerative condition, due to a mutation in the IT15 gene encoding for huntingtin. Currently, disease-modifying therapy is not available for HD, and only symptomatic drugs are administered for the management of symptoms. In the last few years, preclinical and clinical studies have indicated that pharmacological strategies aimed at inhibiting cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDEs) may develop into a novel therapeutic approach in neurodegenerative disorders. PDEs are a family of enzymes that hydrolyze cyclic nucleotides into monophosphate isoforms. Cyclic nucleotides are second messengers that transduce the signal of hormones and neurotransmitters in many physiological processes, such as protein kinase cascades and synaptic transmission. An alteration in their balance results in the dysregulation of different biological mechanisms (transcriptional dysregulation, immune cell activation, inflammatory mechanisms, and regeneration) that are involved in neurological diseases. In this review, we discuss the action of phosphodiesterase inhibitors and their role as therapeutic agents in HD.

Phosphodiesterase Inhibition and Regulation of Dopaminergic Frontal and Striatal Functioning: Clinical Implications

BACKGROUND

The fronto-striatal circuits are the common neurobiological basis for neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and Tourette's syndrome. Fronto-striatal circuits consist of motor circuits, associative circuits, and limbic circuits. All circuits share 2 common features. First, all fronto-striatal circuits consist of hyper direct, direct, and indirect pathways. Second, all fronto-striatal circuits are modulated by dopamine. Intracellularly, the effect of dopamine is largely mediated through the cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A signaling cascade with an additional role for the cyclic guanosine monophosphate/protein kinase G pathway, both of which can be regulated by phosphodiesterases. Phosphodiesterases are thus a potential target for pharmacological intervention in neuropsychiatric disorders related to dopaminergic regulation of fronto-striatal circuits.

METHODS

Clinical studies of the effects of different phosphodiesterase inhibitors on cognition, affect, and motor function in relation to the fronto-striatal circuits are reviewed.

RESULTS

Several selective phosphodiesterase inhibitors have positive effects on cognition, affect, and motor function in relation to the fronto-striatal circuits.

CONCLUSION

Increased understanding of the subcellular localization and unraveling of the signalosome concept of phosphodiesterases including its function and dysfunction in the fronto-striatal circuits will contribute to the design of new specific inhibitors and enhance the potential of phosphodiesterase inhibitors as therapeutics in fronto-striatal circuits.

Acute glucagon induces postprandial peripheral insulin resistance

Glucagon levels are often moderately elevated in diabetes. It is known that glucagon leads to a decrease in hepatic glutathione (GSH) synthesis that in turn is associated with decreased postprandial insulin sensitivity. Given that cAMP pathway controls GSH levels we tested whether insulin sensitivity decreases after intraportal (ipv) administration of a cAMP analog (DBcAMP), and investigated whether glucagon promotes insulin resistance through decreasing hepatic GSH levels.Insulin sensitivity was determined in fed male Sprague-Dawley rats using a modified euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp in the postprandial state upon ipv administration of DBcAMP as well as glucagon infusion. Glucagon effects on insulin sensitivity was assessed in the presence or absence of postprandial insulin sensitivity inhibition by administration of L-NMMA. Hepatic GSH and NO content and plasma levels of NO were measured after acute ipv glucagon infusion. Insulin sensitivity was assessed in the fed state and after ipv glucagon infusion in the presence of GSH-E. We founf that DBcAMP and glucagon produce a decrease of insulin sensitivity, in a dose-dependent manner. Glucagon-induced decrease of postprandial insulin sensitivity correlated with decreased hepatic GSH content and was restored by administration of GSH-E. Furthermore, inhibition of postprandial decrease of insulin sensitivity L-NMMA was not overcome by glucagon, but glucagon did not affect hepatic and plasma levels of NO. These results show that glucagon decreases postprandial insulin sensitivity through reducing hepatic GSH levels, an effect that is mimicked by increasing cAMP hepatic levels and requires physiological NO levels. These observations support the hypothesis that glucagon acts via adenylate cyclase to decrease hepatic GSH levels and induce insulin resistance. We suggest that the glucagon-cAMP-GSH axis is a potential therapeutic target to address insulin resistance in pathological conditions.

cGMP Signaling, Phosphodiesterases and Major Depressive Disorder

Deficits in neuroplasticity are hypothesized to underlie the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD): the effectiveness of antidepressants is thought to be related to the normalization of disrupted synaptic transmission and neurogenesis. The cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling cascade has received considerable attention for its role in neuroplasticity and MDD. However components of a closely related pathway, the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) have been studied with much lower intensity, even though this signaling transduction cascade is also expressed in the brain and the activity of this pathway has been implicated in learning and memory processes. Cyclic GMP acts as a second messenger; it amplifies signals received at postsynaptic receptors and activates downstream effector molecules resulting in gene expression changes and neuronal responses. Phosphodiesterase (PDE) enzymes degrade cGMP into 5’GMP and therefore they are involved in the regulation of intracellular levels of cGMP. Here we review a growing body of evidence suggesting that the cGMP signaling cascade warrants further investigation for its involvement in MDD and antidepressant action.

Neuroprotective potential of CB1 receptor agonists in an in vitro model of Huntington's disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in Huntington's disease (HD) has been investigated by several groups with complex and sometimes contrasting results. We sought to examine key points of intersection between cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB(1)) signalling, survival and the formation of mutant huntingtin aggregates in HD.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Using a simplified pheochromocytoma (PC12) cell model of HD expressing exon 1 of wild-type or mutant huntingtin, we assayed cell death and aggregate formation using high-throughput cytotoxicity and image-based assays respectively.

KEY RESULTS

CB(1) activation by HU210 conferred a small but significant level of protection against mutant huntingtin-induced cell death. Pertussis toxin uncoupled HU210 from the inhibition of cAMP, preventing rescue of cell death. Phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) was also critical to CB(1)-mediated rescue. Conversely, treatments that elevated cAMP exacerbated mutant huntingtin-induced cell death. Despite opposing effects on HD cell survival, both HU210 and compounds that elevated cAMP increased the formation of mutant huntingtin aggregates. The increase in aggregation by HU210 was insensitive to Pertussis toxin and UO126, suggesting a G-protein alpha subtype s (G(s))-linked mechanism.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

We suggest that the CB(1) receptor, through G-protein alpha subtype i/o (G(i/o))-linked, ERK-dependent signal transduction, is a therapeutic target in HD. However the protective potential of CB(1) may be limited by promiscuous coupling to G(s), the stimulation of cAMP formation and increased aggregate formation. This may underpin the poor therapeutic efficacy of cannabinoids in more complex model systems and suggest that therapies that are selective for the G(i/o), ERK pathway may be of most benefit in HD.

Leptin signaling: A key pathway in immune responses

Leptin is a hormone whose central role is to regulate endocrine functions and to control energy expenditure. After the discovery that leptin can also have pro-inflammatory effects, several studies have tried to address - at the molecular level - the pathways involved in leptin-induced modulation of the immune functions in normal and pathologic conditions. The signaling events influenced by leptin after its binding to the leptin receptor have been under scrutiny in the past few years, and considerable experimental work has elucidated the consequences of leptin effects on immune cells. This review examines the biochemistry, function and regulation of leptin signaling in view of possible intervention on this molecule for a better management and therapy of immune-mediated diseases.

Insulin-like stimulation of cardiac fuel metabolism by physiological levels of glucagon: involvement of PI3K but not cAMP

At concentrations around 10(-9) M or higher, glucagon increases cardiac contractility by activating adenylate cyclase/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AC/cAMP). However, blood levels in vivo, in rats or humans, rarely exceed 10(-10) M. We investigated whether physiological concentrations of glucagon, not sufficient to increase contractility or ventricular cAMP levels, can influence fuel metabolism in perfused working rat hearts. Two distinct glucagon dose-response curves emerged. One was an expected increase in left ventricular pressure (LVP) occurring between 10(-9.5) and 10(-8) M. The elevations in both LVP and ventricular cAMP levels produced by the maximal concentration (10(-8) M) were blocked by the AC inhibitor NKY80 (20 microM). The other curve, generated at much lower glucagon concentrations and overlapping normal blood levels (10(-11) to 10(-10) M), consisted of a dose-dependent and marked stimulation of glycolysis with no change in LVP. In addition to stimulating glycolysis, glucagon (10(-10) M) also increased glucose oxidation and suppressed palmitate oxidation, mimicking known effects of insulin, without altering ventricular cAMP levels. Elevations in glycolytic flux produced by either glucagon (10(-10) M) or insulin (4 x 10(-10) M) were abolished by the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY-294002 (10 microM) but not significantly affected by NKY80. Glucagon also, like insulin, enhanced the phosphorylation of Akt/PKB, a downstream target of PI3K, and these effects were also abolished by LY-294002. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that physiological levels of glucagon produce insulin-like increases in cardiac glucose utilization in vivo through activation of PI3K and not AC/cAMP.

Phosphodiesterases in the CNS: targets for drug development

The therapeutic and commercial success of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors such as Viagra, Levitra and Cialis has sparked renewed interest in the phosphodiesterases as drug discovery targets. Virtually all the phosphodiesterases are expressed in the CNS, making this gene family a particularly attractive source of new targets for the treatment of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Significantly, all neurons express multiple phosphodiesterases, which differ in cyclic nucleotide specificity, affinity, regulatory control and subcellular compartmentalization. Therefore, phosphodiesterase inhibition represents a mechanism through which it could be possible to precisely modulate neuronal activity. In this article, we review the current state of the art in the burgeoning field of phosphodiesterase pharmacology in the CNS.

Biosynthesis of agmatine in isolated mitochondria and perfused rat liver: studies with 15N-labelled arginine

An important but unresolved question is whether mammalian mitochondria metabolize arginine to agmatine by the ADC (arginine decarboxylase) reaction. 15N-labelled arginine was used as a precursor to address this question and to determine the flux through the ADC reaction in isolated mitochondria obtained from rat liver. In addition, liver perfusion system was used to examine a possible action of insulin, glucagon or cAMP on a flux through the ADC reaction. In mitochondria and liver perfusion, 15N-labelled agmatine was generated from external 15N-labelled arginine. The production of 15N-labelled agmatine was time- and dose-dependent. The time-course of [U-15N4]agmatine formation from 2 mM [U-15N4]arginine was best fitted to a one-phase exponential curve with a production rate of approx. 29 pmol x min(-1) x (mg of protein)(-1). Experiments with an increasing concentration (0- 40 mM) of [guanidino-15N2]arginine showed a Michaelis constant Km for arginine of 46 mM and a Vmax of 3.7 nmol x min(-1) x (mg of protein)(-1) for flux through the ADC reaction. Experiments with broken mitochondria showed little changes in Vmax or Km values, suggesting that mitochondrial arginine uptake had little effect on the observed Vmax or Km values. Experiments with liver perfusion demonstrated that over 95% of the effluent agmatine was derived from perfusate [guanidino-15N2]arginine regardless of the experimental condition. However, the output of 15N-labelled agmatine (nmol x min(-1) x g(-1)) increased by approx. 2-fold (P<0.05) in perfusions with cAMP. The findings of the present study provide compelling evidence that mitochondrial ADC is present in the rat liver, and suggest that cAMP may stimulate flux through this pathway.

Short-term regulation of multidrug resistance-associated protein 3 in rat and human hepatocytes

The short-term regulation of multidrug resistance-associated protein 3 (Mrp3/MRP3) by cAMP and PKC was investigated in sandwich-cultured rat and human hepatocytes and isolated perfused rat livers. The modulator glucagon (500 nM) and the phorbol ester PMA (0.1 muM) were utilized to increase intracellular cAMP and PKC levels, respectively. In glucagon-treated rat hepatocytes, efflux of the Mrp3 substrate 5-(6)-carboxy-2',7'-dichlorofluorescein (CDF) increased approximately 1.5-fold, even in hepatocytes treated with the organic anion transporter (Oatp) inhibitor sulfobromophthalein (BSP). Confocal microscopy revealed more concentrated Mrp3 fluorescence in the basolateral membrane (less diffuse staining pattern) with glucagon treatment. PMA had no effect on Mrp3 activity or localization in sandwich-cultured rat hepatocytes. Glucagon and PMA treatment in isolated perfused rat livers resulted in a threefold increase (14 +/- 4.6 mul.min(-1).g liver(-1)) and a fourfold decrease (1.3 +/- 0.3 mul.min(-1).g liver(-1)) in CDF basolateral clearance compared with control livers (4.7 +/- 2.3 mul.min(-1).g liver(-1)), whereas CDF biliary clearance was not statistically different. In sandwich-cultured human hepatocytes, glucagon treatment resulted in a 1.3-fold increase in CDF efflux and a concomitant increase in MRP3 fluorescence in the basolateral membrane. In summary, cAMP and PKC appear to be involved in the short-term regulation of Mrp3/MRP3, as demonstrated by alterations in activity and localization in rat and human hepatocytes.

Beta-adrenergic receptor agonists and antagonists counteract LPS-induced neuronal death in retinal cultures by different mechanisms

Treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 72 h was shown to dose-dependently increase nitric oxide production from 6-day-old retinal cultures. Cell death, as determined by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and an increase in neuronal labelling for TUNEL, was elevated concurrently. During treatment there was an increase of both inducible nitric oxide synthase and glial fibrillary acidic protein labelling in glial cells and a reduction in the number of gamma-aminobutyric acid-positive neurones. The NOS inhibitors, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, dexamethasone and indomethacin potently inhibited both nitric oxide stimulation and cell death caused by LPS. In this study, the beta(2)- (ICI-18551), beta(1)- (betaxolol) and mixed beta(1)/beta(2)- (timolol, metipranolol) adrenergic receptor antagonists were all shown to attenuate LPS-induced LDH release from these cultures, but to have no effect on LPS-stimulated nitric oxide production. This effect was mimicked by the calcium channel blocker, nifedipine. Interestingly, the beta-adrenergic receptor agonists, salbutamol, arterenol and isoproterenol were also able to attenuate cell death caused by LPS. Moreover, these compounds also inhibited LPS-stimulated nitric oxide release. These studies suggest that LPS stimulates nitric oxide release from cultured retinal glial cells and that this process leads to neurone death. beta-adrenergic receptor agonists prevent the effects of LPS by inhibiting the stimulation of nitric oxide production. The data also suggest that beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists can attenuate LPS-induced death of neurones, but that these compounds act in a manner that is neurone-dependent, is mimicked by blockade of calcium channels and is independent of the stimulation of nitric oxide release.

Leptin signalling

The identification of leptin as the product of the obesity (ob) gene has been followed by extensive research identifying a wide spectrum of physiological effects elicited by this adipose-derived hormone. These effects are mediated via a family of cytokine-like receptor isoforms distributed in both the central nervous system and periphery. The signal transduction pathways regulated by leptin are diverse and include those characteristic of both cytokine and growth factor receptor signalling. This review describes the structure and function of leptin receptors and summarizes recent progress that has been made in characterizing the increasing number of signal transduction pathways regulated by leptin.

Hormone-specific combinations of isoforms of adenylyl cyclase and phosphodiesterase in the rat liver

Since many isoforms of adenylyl cyclase and adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cAMP) phosphodiesterase have been cloned, it is likely that receptors of each hormone have a specific combination of these isoforms. Types I, III and VIII adenylyl cyclases are reported to be stimulated by Ca(2+)-calmodulin, type I phosphodiesterase by Ca(2+)-calmodulin, but types IV and VII (cAMP-specific) phosphodiesterases by Co2+. In the present study, we examined different effects of Ca2+ and Co2+ on hormone-induced cAMP response in the isolated perfused rat liver.The removal of Ca2+ from the perfusion medium (0 mM CaCl(2 ) + 0.5 mM EGTA) did not affect glucagon (0.1 nM)-responsive cAMP but reduced secretin (1 nM)-, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP, 1-10 nM)- and forskolin (1 microM)-responsive cAMP considerably. The addition of 1 mM CoCl2 reduced glucagon- and secretin-responsive cAMP considerably, forskolin-responsive cAMP partly, did not affect 1 nM VIP-responsive cAMP, but enhanced 10 nM VIP-responsive cAMP. Forskolin- and VIP-responsive cAMP was greater in the combination (0 mM CaCl(2) + 0.5 mM EGTA + 3 mM CoCl2) than in the Ca(2+)-free perfusion alone. These results suggest that secretin, VIP1 and VIP2 receptors are linked to Ca(2+)-calmodulin-sensitive adenylyl cyclase; glucagon receptor to Ca(2+)-calmodulin-insensitive adenylyl cyclase; VIP1 receptor to Ca(2+)-calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterase; glucagon, secretin and VIP2 receptors to cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase, respectively, in the rat liver.

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases: relating structure and function

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) comprise a superfamily of metallophosphohydrolases that specifically cleave the 3',5'-cyclic phosphate moiety of cAMP and/or cGMP to produce the corresponding 5'-nucleotide. PDEs are critical determinants for modulation of cellular levels of cAMP and/or cGMP by many stimuli. Eleven families of PDEs with varying selectivities for cAMP or cGMP have been identified in mammalian tissues. Within these families, multiple isoforms are expressed either as products of different genes or as products of the same gene through alternative splicing. Regulation of PDEs is important for controlling myriad physiological functions, including the visual response, smooth muscle relaxation, platelet aggregation, fluid homeostasis, immune responses, and cardiac contractility. PDEs are critically involved in feedback control of cellular cAMP and cGMP levels. Activities of the various PDEs are highly regulated by a panoply of processes, including phosphorylation events, interaction with small molecules such as cGMP or phosphatidic acid, subcellular localization, and association with specific protein partners. The PDE superfamily continues to be a major target for pharmacological intervention in a number of medically important maladies.

Erectogenic effect of the selective phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, DA-8159

DA-8159, a new phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, was assessed for its erectogenic potential by a penile erection test in rats, the relaxation of isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum (CC), and estimation of the intracavernous pressure (ICP) in the anesthetized dog. Oral administration of DA-8159 (0.3 to 1 mg/kg) increased the number of erections in rats with increasing dosage, with the highest penile erection index at 10 mg/kg. DA-8159 induced the relaxation of phenylephrine (PHE)-induced contractions in the rabbit CC and decreased the IC50 of the nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in a dose-dependent fashion. In pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs, the intravenous administration of DA-8159 (1 approximately 300 g/kg) potentiated the increase in ICP induced by the intracavernosal SNP in a dose-related manner. These findings suggest that DA-8159 has significant therapeutic potential in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Phosphorylation of phosphodiesterase-5 by cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinase alters its catalytic and allosteric cGMP-binding activities

In addition to its cGMP-selective catalytic site, cGMP-binding cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE5) contains two allosteric cGMP-binding sites and at least one phosphorylation site (Ser92) on each subunit [Thomas, M.K., Francis, S.H. & Corbin, J.D. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 14971-14978]. In the present study, prior incubation of recombinant bovine PDE5 with a phosphorylation reaction mixture [cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) or catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), MgATP, cGMP, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine], shown earlier to produce Ser92 phosphorylation, caused a 50-70% increase in enzyme activity and also increased the affinity of cGMP binding to the allosteric cGMP-binding sites. Both effects were associated with increases in its phosphate content up to 0.6 mol per PDE5 subunit. Omission of any one of the preincubation components caused loss of stimulation of catalytic activity. Addition of the phosphorylation reaction mixture to a crude bovine lung extract, which contains PDE5, also produced a significant increase in cGMP PDE catalytic activity. The increase in recombinant PDE5 catalytic activity brought about by phosphorylation was time-dependent and was obtained with 0.2-0.5 microM PKG subunit, which is approximately the cellular level of this enzyme in vascular smooth muscle. Significantly greater stimulation was observed using cGMP substrate concentrations below the Km value for PDE5, although stimulation was also seen at high cGMP concentrations. Considerably higher concentration of the catalytic subunit of PKA than of PKG was required for activation. There was no detectable difference between phosphorylated and unphosphorylated PDE5 in median inhibitory concentration for the PDE5 inhibitors, sildenafil, or zaprinast 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. Phosphorylation reduced the cGMP concentration required for half-maximum binding to the allosteric cGMP-binding sites from 0.13 to 0.03 microM. The mechanism by which phosphorylation of PDE5 by PKG could be involved in physiological negative-feedback regulation of cGMP levels is discussed.

Inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) mimics suckling-induced sensitization of mammotropes: involvement of a pertussis toxin (PTX) sensitive G-protein and the adenylate cyclase (AC)

In lactating rats, suckling renders mammotropes more responsive to prolactin (PRL)-releasing stimuli and less responsive to PRL-inhibiting secretagogues. We have previously shown that a decrease in the activity of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) may be responsible for the decrease in responsiveness to the inhibitory secretagogue dopamine (DA). In our present experiments, we have studied the involvement of the adenylate cyclase (AC), stimulatory and inhibitory GTP-binding proteins and also the role of PP2A in the sensitization phenomenon. Pituitary cells obtained from mother rats separated from their pups for 4 h prior to dispersion (non-suckled), suckled for 10 or 30 min after the separation period (suckled) and without separation (continual suckling) were incubated in the presence of different doses of forskolin to activate AC and DA. In a further study, pituitary cells of non-suckled rats were pretreated with cholera toxin (CTX) or pertussis toxin (PTX) and tested for the stimulatory action of forskolin or TRH on PRL release. Ocadaic acid (OA) pretreatment has been used to investigate the involvement of PP2A. Hormone secretion was measured by the reverse hemolytic plaque assay (RHPA). Our results have shown that cells from non-suckled rats were unresponsive to forskolin. A 10-min suckling stimulus sensitizes pituitary mammotropes to respond with a PRL release to a dose-dependent activation of AC by forskolin. This sensitization of AC becomes a permanent feature of the cells when suckling continues for an additional 20 min. We have also found that pituitary mammotropes from non-suckled dams respond to forskolin or TRH with PRL release when they were preincubated with either PTX or the PP2A inhibitor OA. It clearly indicates that the non-responsive pituitary can be shifted to the responsive stage by uncoupling of inhibitory G-protein from its receptor as well as by inhibition of PP2A. This latter finding, consonant with our previous results, suggests that suckling may cause selective changes in the function of G(i) of mammotropes due to a rapid phosphorylation which can remove tonic, GTP-dependent inhibitory function.

Cyclic-3',5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase isozymes in cell biology and pathophysiology of the kidney

Investigations of recent years revealed that isozymes of cyclic-3', 5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) are a critically important component of the cyclic-3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway. The superfamily of cyclic-3', 5'-phosphodiesterase (PDE) isozymes consists of at least nine gene families (types): PDE1 to PDE9. Some PDE families are very diverse and consist of several subtypes and numerous PDE isoform-splice variants. PDE isozymes differ in molecular structure, catalytic properties, intracellular regulation and location, and sensitivity to selective inhibitors, as well as differential expression in various cell types. A number of type-specific "second-generation" PDE inhibitors have been developed. Current evidence indicates that PDE isozymes play a role in several pathobiologic processes in kidney cells. In rat mesangial cells, PDE3 and PDE4 compartmentalize cAMP signaling to the PDE3-linked cAMP-PKA pathway that modulates mitogenesis and PDE4-linked cAMP-PKA pathway that modulates generation of reactive oxygen species. Administration of selective PDE isozyme inhibitors in vivo suppresses proteinuria and pathologic changes in experimental anti-Thy-1.1 mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis in rats. Increased activity of PDE5 (and perhaps also PDE9) in glomeruli and in cells of collecting ducts in sodium-retaining states, such as nephrotic syndrome, accounts for renal resistance to atriopeptin; diminished ability to excrete sodium can be corrected by administration of the selective PDE5 inhibitor zaprinast. Anomalously high PDE4 activity in collecting ducts is a basis of unresponsiveness to vasopressin in mice with hereditary nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Apparently, PDE isozymes apparently also play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute renal failure of different origins. Administration of PDE isozyme-selective inhibitors suppresses some components of immune responses to allograft transplant and improves preservation and survival of transplanted organ. PDE isozymes are a target for action of numerous novel selective PDE inhibitors, which are key components in the design of novel "signal transduction" pharmacotherapies of kidney diseases.

Evidence for the activity of five adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate-degrading phosphodiesterase isozymes in the adult rat neocortex

In the present study, the expression of the activity of adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate-degrading phosphodiesterases (cAMP-PDEs) was analyzed in rat neocortex homogenates. Following separation by anion-exchange chromatography, the isozymes were characterized by their sensitivity to modulators and by their kinetic properties. We identified the activity of five distinct cAMP-PDE isozymes: two calcium/calmodulin-dependent forms (PDE 1), one PDE 2 isozyme stimulated by guanosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP), one cGMP-inhibited form (PDE 3) and a cAMP-specific, rolipram-sensitive form (PDE 4). Our study provides, for the first time, evidence for the existence of PDE 3 enzyme activity in rat neocortex and predicts the expression of at least two isoforms (splice variants) of PDE 1A in this brain area. The existence of different cAMP-degrading phosphodiesterases modulated by different intracellular second messengers (calcium and cGMP) suggests that the activity of neocortical neurons and glia cells is regulated, inter alia, by a 'crosstalk' between calcium-, cGMP- and cAMP-dependent second messenger pathways.

Protein kinase C isoforms play differential roles in the regulation of adipocyte differentiation

In this study we first established, by immunoblotting with specific antibodies, the temporal changes in cellular levels of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms during differentiation of 3T3-F442A pre-adipocytes. Both pre-adipocyte and adipocyte 3T3-F442A cells were found to express PKC-alpha, -gamma, -delta, -epsilon, -zeta and -mu. However we were unable to detect PKC-beta, -eta or -theta. The same PKC isoform expression profile was found in rat adipocytes. The alpha, delta and gamma isoforms displayed similar temporal patterns of expression during differentiation of 3T3-F442A cells; all increased rapidly, peaking at day 2 of differentiation. Subsequently, the expression of these isoforms decreased, resulting in lower levels in fully differentiated adipocytes than in pre-adipocytes. The expression of PKC-epsilon increased steadily during differentiation, resulting in markedly elevated levels in adipocytes. Although expression of PKC-mu increased during differentiation, this was attributable to prolonged confluence rather than to the differentiation process itself. No change was observed in PKC-zeta levels during adipocyte development. Anti-sense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) were used to deplete selectively the individual PKC subtypes. Each of the ODNs used effectively depleted the specific isoforms to undetectable levels and did not affect expression of the other PKC subtypes. This approach indicated that pre-adipocyte differentiation is not dependent upon PKC-zeta but that PKC-alpha,-delta and -mu each exert an inhibitory influence upon differentiation. Use of anti-sense ODNs to deplete PKC-epsilon and -gamma revealed that pre-adipocyte differentiation is dependent upon each of these isoforms. However, PKC-gamma, but not PKC-epsilon, appeared to be necessary for the clonal expansion of differentiating cells, suggesting that PKC-epsilon is required at a later phase in the differentiation process, when its expression is elevated, for the attainment and maintenance of the adipocyte phenotype.

A photoaffinity probe covalently modifies the catalytic site of the cGMP-binding cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE-5)

The cGMP-binding cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE-5) contains distinct catalytic and allosteric binding sites, and each is cGMP-specific. Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors, such as 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), are believed to compete with cyclic nucleotides at the catalytic sites of these enzymes, but the portion of PDE-5 that accounts for interaction of either of these inhibitors of the substrates themselves with the catalytic domain of the enzymes has not been identified. IBMX was derivatized to yield the photoaffinity probe 8([3-125I,-4-azido]-benzyl)-IBMX, which is referred to as 8(125IAB)-IBMX. This probe was incubated with partially purified recombinant bovine PDE-5. After UV irradiation and SDS-PAGE, a single radiolabeled band that coincided with the position of PDE-5 was visualized on the gel, and the photoaffinity labeling of PDE-5 was linear with increasing concentration of the 8(125IAB)-IBMX. Prominent Coomassie blue-stained bands other than PDE-5 were not labeled significantly. The photoaffinity labeling was progressively blocked by cGMP at concentrations higher than 10 microM, whereas cAMP or 5'-GMP exhibited only weak inhibitory effects. Other compounds that are believed to interact with the PDE-5 catalytic site, including IBMX, cIMP, and beta-phenyl-1,N2-etheno-cGMP (PET-cGMP), also inhibited the photoaffinity labeling in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC50 of PET-cGMP for inhibition of photoaffinity labeling was 10 microM, which compared favorably with an IC50 of 5 microM for inhibition of PDE-5 catalytic activity by this compound. It is concluded that the interaction of this photoaffinity probe with PDE-5 is highly specific for the catalytic site over the allosteric binding sites of PDE-5 and could prove useful in studies to map the catalytic site of PDE-5.

Growth hormone and phorbol esters require specific protein kinase C isoforms to activate mitogen-activated protein kinases in 3T3-F442A cells

Previous studies have shown that the activation of p44 and p42 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases (ERK1 and ERK2) by growth hormone (GH) and phorbol esters, but not by epidermal growth factor, in 3T3-F442A preadipocytes is dependent on protein kinase C (PKC). In the present study two approaches have been taken to determine the PKC isoform dependence of MAP kinase activation in these cells. By immunoblotting with specific antibodies, the cells were found to express PKC-alpha, -gamma,-delta, -epsilon and -zeta. Treatment of cells with 500 nM PMA for 3 h led to the complete depletion of PKC-delta and the partial depletion of PKC-alpha but did not significantly affect the expression of the other PKC isoforms. In parallel, such treatment severely attenuated the ability of GH to activate MAP kinase. The degree of this attenuation was not increased by more prolonged PMA pretreatment, indicating that PKC-delta and perhaps PKC-alpha are important for MAP kinase activation by GH. These experiments further revealed that additional PKC isoforms were required for the full activation of MAP kinases by acute treatment with PMA. A second approach involved the use of anti-sense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) to deplete the individual PKC isoforms selectively. Each of the ODNs used effectively depleted the relevant isoform to undetectable levels and did not affect the expression of the other PKC isoforms. Pretreatment of cells with PKC-delta anti-sense ODN, but not with anti-sense ODN to the other phorbol ester-sensitive isoforms, severely attenuated the activation of MAP kinases by GH. PKC-delta anti-sense ODN also blocked (by approx. 50%) the activation of MAP kinases by PMA. Furthermore a combination of PKC-delta and -epsilon anti-sense ODNs completely blocked the effect of PMA on MAP kinases. Collectively, these results indicate that the novel PKC-delta and -epsilon isoforms can couple to the MAP kinase pathway in 3T3-F442A cells but that the activation of MAP kinases by GH specifically involves PKC-delta.

Induction of Ca2+/calmodulin-stimulated cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (PDE1) activity in Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and by the selective overexpression of protein kinase C isoforms

The cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity of CHO cells was unaffected by the addition of Ca2+ +calmodulin (CaM), indicating the absence of any PDE1 (Ca2+/CaM-stimulated PDE) activity. Treatment with the tumour promoting phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) led to the rapid transient induction of PDE1 activity which attained a maximum value after about 13 h before slowly decreasing. Such induction was attenuated by actinomycin D. PCR primers were designed to hybridize with two regions identified as being characteristic of PDE1 forms found in various species and predicted to amplify a 601 bp fragment. RT-PCR using degenerate primers allowed an approx. 600 bp fragment to be amplified from RNA preparations of rat brain but not from CHO cells unless they had been treated with PMA. CHO cells transfected to overexpress protein kinase C (PKC)-alpha and PKC-epsilon, but not those transfected to overexpress PKC-beta I or PKC-gamma, exhibited a twofold higher PDE activity. They also expressed a PDE1 activity, with Ca2+/CaM effecting a 1.8-2.8-fold increase in total PDE activity. RT-PCR, with PDE1-specific primers, identified an approx. 600 bp product in CHO cells transfected to overexpress PKC-alpha and PKC-epsilon, but not in those overexpressing PKC-beta I or PKC-gamma. Treatment of PKC-alpha transfected cells with PMA caused a rapid, albeit transient, increase in PDE1 activity, which reached a maximum some 1 h after PMA challenge, before returning to resting levels some 2 h later. The residual isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX)-insensitive PDE activity was dramatically reduced (approx. 4-fold) in the PKC-gamma transfectants, suggesting that the activity of the cyclic AMP-specific IBMX-insensitive PDE7 activity was selectively reduced by overexpression of this particular PKC isoform. These data identify a novel point of 'cross-talk' between the lipid and cyclic AMP signalling systems where the action of specific PKC isoforms is shown to cause the induction of Ca2+/CaM-stimulated PDE (PDE1) activity. It is suggested that this protein kinase C-mediated process might involve regulation of PDE1 gene expression by the AP-1 (fos/jun) system.