Guanylyl cyclase-linked receptors

From Snake Venoms to Therapeutics: A Focus on Natriuretic Peptides

Snake venom is a cocktail of multifunctional biomolecules that has evolved with the purpose of capturing prey and for defense. These biomolecules are classified into different classes based on their functions. They include three-finger toxins, natriuretic peptides, phospholipases and metalloproteinases. The focus for this review is on the natriuretic peptide (NP), which is an active component that can be isolated from the venoms of vipers and mambas. In these venoms, NPs contribute to the lowering of blood pressure, causing a rapid loss of consciousness in the prey such that its mobility is reduced, paralyzing the prey, and often death follows. Over the past 30 years since the discovery of the first NP in the venom of the green mamba, venom NPs have shown potential in the development of drug therapy for heart failure. Venom NPs have long half-lives, different pharmacological profiles, and may also possess different functions in comparison to the mammalian NPs. Understanding their mechanisms of action provides the strategies needed to develop new NPs for treatment of heart failure. This review summarizes the venom NPs that have been identified over the years and how they can be useful in drug development.

Atrial Natriuretic Peptide: Structure, Function, and Physiological Effects: A Narrative Review

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a cardiac peptide with multiple physiological effects, including natriuresis, blood pressure regulation, and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) antagonism. Pre-proANP is synthesized in the atria and must be extensively cleaved by the protease corin to produce the mature 28 amino acid ANP. The downstream signaling pathway of ANP acts through the guanylyl cyclase receptor and the second messenger cGMP. Studies on ANP's physiological effects have demonstrated its activity on channels present in the apical membrane in the renal nephron, potentially inhibiting or decreasing sodium reabsorption. Recent research has also identified several clinical conditions, such as dilated cardiomyopathy, renal failure, and aging, associated with increased and decreased ANP levels. ANP levels could serve as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of acute stages of heart failure, and ANP infusion could have a role in the management of acute or chronic heart failure.

Brain natriuretic peptide suppresses pain induced by BmK I, a sodium channel-specific modulator, in rats

Background

A previous study found that brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) inhibited inflammatory pain via activating its receptor natriuretic peptide receptor A (NPRA) in nociceptive sensory neurons. A recent study found that functional NPRA is expressed in almost all the trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons at membrane level suggesting a potentially important role for BNP in migraine pathophysiology.

Methods

An inflammatory pain model was produced by subcutaneous injection of BmK I, a sodium channel-specific modulator from venom of Chinese scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch. Quantitative PCR, Western Blot, and immunohistochemistry were used to detect mRNA and protein expression of BNP and NPRA in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and dorsal horn of spinal cord. Whole-cell patch clamping experiments were conducted to record large-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ (BK_Ca) currents of membrane excitability of DRG neurons. Spontaneous and evoked pain behaviors were examined.

Results

The mRNA and protein expression of BNP and NPRA was up-regulated in DRG and dorsal horn of spinal cord after BmK I injection. The BNP and NPRA was preferentially expressed in small-sized DRG neurons among which BNP was expressed in both CGRP-positive and IB4-positive neurons while NPRA was preferentially expressed in CGRP-positive neurons. BNP increased the open probability of BK_Ca channels and suppressed the membrane excitability of small-sized DRG neurons. Intrathecal injection of BNP significantly inhibited BmK-induced pain behaviors including both spontaneous and evoked pain behaviors.

Conclusions

These results suggested that BNP might play an important role as an endogenous pain reliever in BmK I-induced inflammatory pain condition. It is also suggested that BNP might play a similar role in other pathophysiological pain conditions including migraine.

Central role of guanylyl cyclase in natriuretic peptide signaling in hypertension and metabolic syndrome

Studied for nearly 30 years for its ability to control many parameters, such as vascular smooth muscle cell relaxation, heart fibrosis, and kidney function, the natriuretic peptide (NP) system is now considered to be a key element in several other major metabolic pathways. After stimulation by NPs, natriuretic peptide receptors (NPR) convert GTP to the second messenger cGMP. In addition to its vasodilatory effects and natriuretic and diuretic functions, cGMP has been positively associated with fat cell function, apoptosis, and NPR expression/activity modulation. The NP system is also closely linked to metabolic syndrome (MetS) progression and obesity control. A new era is now on its way targeting the NP system to not only treat high blood pressure, but to also assist in the fight against the obesity pandemic. Here, we summarize recent data on the role of NPs in hypertension and MetS.

Natriuretic peptides and their receptors in the central nervous system

Natriuretic peptides (NPs), including atrial, brain and C-type NPs, are a family of structurally related but genetically distinct peptides. These peptides, along with their receptors (NPRs), are long known to be involved in the regulation of various physiological functions, such as diuresis, natriuresis, and blood flow. Recently, abundant evidence shows that NPs and NPRs are widely distributed in the central nervous system (CNS), suggesting possible roles of NPs in modulating physiological functions of the CNS. This review starts with a brief summary of relevant background information, such as molecular structures of NPs and NPRs and general intracellular mechanisms after activation of NPRs. We then provide a detailed description of the expression profiles of NPs and NPRs in the CNS and an in-depth discussion of how NPs are involved in neural development, neurotransmitter release, synaptic transmission and neuroprotection through activation of NPRs.

Role of NPR-C natriuretic receptor in nitric oxide system activation induced by atrial natriuretic peptide

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) exerts its hypotensive, natriuretic and diuretic effects, almost in part, through the activation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). The aim was to investigate the natriuretic receptor type and the signaling cascade involved in NOS activation induced by ANP. Male Wistar rats were sacrificed and NOS activity was determined in kidney, aorta and heart with L-[U14C]-arginine, as substrate. ANP and cANP (4-23), a selective NPR-C ligand, increased NOS activity in all tissues. ANP induced a more marked activation in aorta and kidney than cANP (4-23), but no difference in atria NOS activation was observed. NOS activity induced by both peptides was blunted by nifedipine (L-type channel blocker) and calmidazolium (calmodulin antagonist) in heart and aorta. In kidney, nifedipine and calmidazolium abolished NOS activity stimulated by cANP (4-23) but only partially inhibited NOS activity elicited by ANP. Gi inhibition with pertussis toxin abolished NOS activity stimulated by ANP and cANP in atria but only partially inhibited the increased NOS activity induced by ANP and cANP in kidney, aorta and ventricle. Our results show that NPR-C receptor would mediate the activation of NOS by ANP in atria. In kidney, aorta and ventricle, NOS activation would also involve NPR-A and/or B. ANP would interact with NPR-C coupled via Gi to activation Ca2+ -dependent NOS.

C-type natriuretic peptide and its receptor are downregulated in pulmonary epithelium following birth

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is a member of the natriuretic peptide family and acts through the membrane bound guanylyl cyclase linked natriuretic peptide receptor B (NPR-B) to increase intracellular cGMP. Activation of the CNP/NPR-B pathway in pulmonary epithelium has been linked to the inhibition of amiloride-sensitive sodium absorption and to the stimulation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Given the importance of ion movement across the pulmonary epithelium of the fetal and newborn lung, we sought to examine the expression of CNP and NPR-B in pulmonary epithelium of the developing fetal lamb and following the transition to air breathing. Lambs were sacrificed at 100 and 136 days of gestation and at 3 days, and 4 weeks after full term delivery. Lung sections were immunostained for CNP and NPR-B. At 100 days of gestation, staining for CNP and NPR-B was absent within all pulmonary epithelium. At 136 days of gestation, prominent staining for both CNP and NPR-B was seen within alveolar type II cells, non-ciliated cells of the distal airways (Clara cells), and ciliated epithelium of the upper airways. At both 3 days and 4 weeks following birth, staining for CNP and NPR-B was absent in alveolar type II cells, ciliated bronchial epithelium and was markedly reduced in Clara cells. The presence of CNP and NPR-B within the pulmonary epithelium in the nearterm fetal period and its rapid downregulation following birth suggests that CNP may contribute to the maintenance of the fluid-filled lung through the regulation of trans-epithelial ion flux.

Discovery of some of the biological effects of nitric oxide and its role in cell signaling

The role of nitric oxide in cellular signaling in the past 22 years has become one of the most rapidly growing areas in biology with more than 20,000 publications to date. Nitric oxide is a gas and free radical with an unshared electron that can regulate an ever-growing list of biological processes. In many instances nitric oxide mediates its biological effects by activating guanylyl cyclase and increasing cyclic GMP synthesis from GTP. However, the list of effects of nitric oxide that are independent of cyclic GMP is also growing at a rapid rate. For example, nitric oxide can interact with transition metals such as iron, thiol groups, other free radicals, oxygen, superoxide anion, unsaturated fatty acids and other molecules. Some of these reactions result in the oxidation of nitric oxide to nitrite and nitrate to terminate its effect, while other reactions can lead to altered protein structure, function, and/or catalytic capacity. These diverse effects of nitric oxide that are either cyclic GMP dependent or independent can alter and regulate important physiological and biochemical events in cell regulation and function. Nitric oxide can function as an intracellular messenger, an autacoid, a paracrine substance, a neurotransmitter, or as a hormone that can be carried to distant sites for effects. Thus, it is a unique simple molecule with an array of signaling functions. However, as with any messenger molecule, there can be too little or too much of the substance and pathological events result. Some of the methods to regulate either nitric oxide formation, metabolism, or function have been in clinical use for more than a century as with the use of organic nitrates and nitroglycerin in angina pectoris that was initiated in the 1870's. Current and future research with nitric oxide and cyclic GMP will undoubtedly expand the clinicians' therapeutic armamentarium to manage a number of important diseases by perturbing nitric oxide and cyclic GMP formation and metabolism. Such promise and expectations have obviously fueled the interests in these signaling molecules for a growing list of potential therapeutic applications.

Cardiac and intestinal natriuretic peptides: insights from genetically modified mice

Since the original discovery of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) more than two decades ago, the application of gene targeting technology in mice has provided new insights into the diverse physiological functions of natriuretic peptides and their membrane guanylyl cyclase (GC) receptors. Disruption of the genes for ANP or its receptor, GC-A, demonstrated that this system is not only essential for the maintenance of normal blood pressure and volume, but in addition exerts local antihypertrophic effects in the heart. Disruption of the genes encoding B-type (BNP) or C-type natriuretic peptides (CNP) or the CNP-receptor, GC-B, demonstrated that these "natriuretic" peptides are in fact unlikely to physiologically regulate renal sodium excretion but instead exert important autocrine/paracrine cGMP-mediated effects on cellular proliferation and differentiation in various tissues. Notably, the intestinal peptide uroguanylin, which activates a third guanylyl cyclase receptor (GC-C), exerts diuretic/natriuretic activity and links the intestine and kidney in an endocrine way to modulate renal function in response to oral salt load. Reviewed here is the physiology of cardiac and intestinal natriuretic peptides and their guanylyl cyclase receptors, with special focus on the information gained to date from genetically modified mice.

ATP-regulated module (ARM) of the atrial natriuretic factor receptor guanylate cyclase

ATP is an obligatory agent for the atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and the type C natriuretic peptide (CNP) signaling of their respective receptor guanylate cyclases, ANF-RGC and CNP-RGC. Through a common mechanism, it binds to a defined ARM domain of the cyclase, activates the cyclase and transduces the signal into generation of the second messenger cyclic GMP. In this presentation, the authors review the ATP-regulated transduction mechanism and refine the previously simulated three-dimensional ARM model (Duda T, Yadav P, Jankowska A, Venkataraman V, Sharma RK. Three dimensional atomic model and experimental validation for the ATP-regulated module (ARM) of the atrial natriuretic factor receptor guanylate cyclase. Mol Cell Biochem 2000;214:7-14; reviewed in: Sharma RK, Yadav P, Duda T. Allosteric regulatory step and configuration of the ATP-binding pocket in atrial natriuretic factor receptor guanylate cyclase transduction mechanism. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2001;79: 682-91; Sharma RK. Evolution of the membrane guanylate cyclase transduction system. Mol Cell Biochem 2002;230:3-30). The model depicts the ATP-binding dependent configurational changes in the ARM and supports the concept that in the first step, ATP partially activates the cyclase and primes it for the subsequent transduction steps, resulting in full activation of the cyclase.

Structure, Regulation, and Function of Mammalian Membrane Guanylyl Cyclase Receptors, With a Focus on Guanylyl Cyclase-A

Besides soluble guanylyl cyclase (GC), the receptor for NO, there are at least seven plasma membrane enzymes that synthesize the second-messenger cGMP. All membrane GCs (GC-A through GC-G) share a basic topology, which consists of an extracellular ligand binding domain, a short transmembrane region, and an intracellular domain that contains the catalytic (GC) region. Although the presence of the extracellular domain suggests that all these enzymes function as receptors, specific ligands have been identified for only three of them (GC-A through GC-C). GC-A mediates the endocrine effects of atrial and B-type natriuretic peptides regulating arterial blood pressure and volume homeostasis and also local antihypertrophic actions in the heart. GC-B is a specific receptor for C-type natriuretic peptide, having more of a paracrine function in vascular regeneration and endochondral ossification. GC-C mediates the effects of guanylin and uroguanylin on intestinal electrolyte and water transport and on epithelial cell growth and differentiation. GC-E and GC-F are colocalized within the same photoreceptor cells of the retina and have an important role in phototransduction. Finally, the functions of GC-D (located in the olfactory neuroepithelium) and GC-G (expressed in highest amounts in lung, intestine, and skeletal muscle) are completely unknown. This review discusses the structure and functions of membrane GCs, with special emphasis on the physiological endocrine and cardiac functions of GC-A, the regulation of hormone-dependent GC-A activity, and the relevance of alterations of the atrial natriuretic peptide/GC-A system to cardiovascular diseases.

Molecular and cellular physiology of the dissociation of atrial natriuretic peptide from guanylyl cyclase a receptors

Guanylyl cyclase subtype A (GCA) is the main receptor that mediates the effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in the regulation of plasma volume and blood pressure. The dynamics of the dissociation of ANP from GCA were investigated in cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably transfected with wild-type (WT) or mutant GCA receptors. The rate of dissociation of specifically bound (125)I-ANP-(1-28) from intact CHOGCAWT cells at 37 degrees C was extremely rapid (K(off) = 0.49 +/- 0.02 min(-1)), whereas in isolated membranes prepared from these cells, the dissociation at 37 degrees C was >10-fold slower (K(off) = 0.035 +/- 0.006 min(-1)). The dissociation of ANP from CHOGCAWT cells showed remarkable temperature dependence. Between 22 and 37 degrees C, K(off) increased approximately 8 times, whereas between 4 and 22 degrees C, it increased only 1.5 times. Total deletion of the cytoplasmic domain or of the catalytic guanylyl cyclase sequence within this domain abolished ANP-induced increases in cGMP, dramatically slowed receptor-ligand dissociation by at least 10-fold, and abolished the temperature dependence of the dissociation of ANP. Deletion of the kinase-like domain led to maximal constitutive activation of guanylyl cyclase, markedly decreased K(off) to 0.064 +/- 0.006 min(-1), and also abolished the temperature dependence of dissociation. Substitution of Ser(506) by Ala and particularly the double substitution of Gly(505) and Ser(506) by Ala within the kinase-like domain markedly reduced ANP-induced increases in cGMP, whereas K(off) decreased modestly (albeit significantly) to 0.36 +/- 0.03 and 0.24 +/- 0.02 min(-1), respectively. As a whole, the results demonstrate for the first time that temperature per se or ATP alone cannot account for rapid GCA receptor-ligand dissociation under physiological conditions and suggest that ligand dissociation is modulated in part by the interaction of still unidentified cytosolic factors with the cytoplasmic domain of GCA.

Effects of radiation therapy on vascular responsiveness

The use of radiation therapy to inhibit vascular proliferative diseases has produced encouraging results in several clinical trials. However, little is known about the possible side effects of radiation on vascular responsiveness. Our goal was to study the in vitro vascular responses of the rabbit aorta to various agonists immediately after several regimens of radiation therapy administered at doses prescribed in clinical protocols and at two different dose rates. High-dose-rate radiation was administered either by brachytherapy, using a gamma source, iridium 192, or an external electron beam producing beta radiation. Low-dose-rate radiation was administered by brachytherapy using a liquid-filled balloon with the beta emitter 32P. Vascular reactivity after the various regimens of irradiation was determined using the organ bath pharmacology assay. Various agonists were applied to the rabbit aorta to produce full cumulative concentration-response curves. Radiation, administered using an external electron beam, did not alter endothelium-dependent relaxation of the aorta induced by acetylcholine. However, the use of a catheter-based system to deliver radiation disrupted the endothelial cell lining of the vessel, causing a lack of relaxation by acetylcholine. Therefore, to compare all modalities of radiation therapy on vascular responsiveness, the agonists used in this study are known to act directly on the smooth muscle. Radiation therapy had no effect on the contractile responses induced by the following agonists: phenylephrine and potassium chloride. Vascular dilatation induced by nitroglycerin, a nitric oxide donor, was unaffected by radiation therapy. The contractile response induced by des-Arg9-bradykinin, a kinin B1 receptor agonist, was significantly increased twofold to threefold by all types of irradiation under study. This enhanced response is attributable to an increase of mRNA levels coding for this receptor. In all cases, radiation therapy did not alter the effective concentration producing 50% of maximal responsiveness (EC50) and did not reduce the vascular responsiveness induced by agonists. Taken together, we conclude that radiation therapy does not hinder endothelium-independent vascular responsiveness and increases the kinin B1 receptor-mediated vasoconstriction.

Cellular signaling with nitric oxide and cyclic GMP

During the past two decades, nitric oxide signaling has been one of the most rapidly growing areas in biology. This simple free radical gas can regulate an ever growing list of biological processes. In most instances nitric oxide mediates its biological effects by activating guanylyl cyclase and increasing cyclic GMP synthesis. However, the identification of effects of nitric oxide that are independent of cyclic GMP is also growing at a rapid rate. The effects of nitric oxide can mediate important physiological regulatory events in cell regulation, cell-cell communication and signaling. Nitric oxide can function as an intracellular messenger, neurotransmitter and hormone. However, as with any messenger molecule, there can be too much or too little of the substance and pathological events ensue. Methods to regulate either nitric oxide formation, metabolism or function have been used therapeutically for more than a century as with nitroglycerin therapy. Current and future research should permit the development of an expanded therapeutic armamentarium for the physician to manage effectively a number of important disorders. These expectations have undoubtedly fueled the vast research interests in this simple molecule.

Calcium-sensitive particulate guanylyl cyclase as a modulator of cAMP in olfactory receptor neurons

The second messengers cAMP and inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate have been implicated in olfaction in various species. The odorant-induced cGMP response was investigated using cilia preparations and olfactory primary cultures. Odorants cause a delayed and sustained elevation of cGMP. A component of this cGMP response is attributable to the activation of one of two kinetically distinct cilial receptor guanylyl cyclases by calcium and a guanylyl cyclase-activating protein (GCAP). cGMP thus formed serves to augment the cAMP signal in a cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) manner by direct activation of adenylate cyclase. cAMP, in turn, activates cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) to negatively regulate guanylyl cyclase, limiting the cGMP signal. These data demonstrate the existence of a regulatory loop in which cGMP can augment a cAMP signal, and in turn cAMP negatively regulates cGMP production via PKA. Thus, a small, localized, odorant-induced cAMP response may be amplified to modulate downstream transduction enzymes or transcriptional events.

Hormonal and humeral considerations in hypertensive disease

This article has discussed the classic hormonal causes of hypertension. Pheochromocytoma and hyperaldosteronism have been discussed, and a clinical approach to evaluation of patients for these problems has been presented. Other humeral factors that influence volume pressure homeostasis have been discussed. It is likely that pharmacologic agents affecting these other factors will become available to patients with hypertension in the future.

Response of human artery, vein, and cultured smooth muscle cells to atrial and C-type natriuretic peptides

OBJECTIVES

We determined the response of intracellular cyclic GMP in human arteries and veins and in smooth muscle cells cultured from these vessels to C-type natriuretic peptide in comparison with atrial natriuretic peptide.

DESIGN

Repeated-measures analysis of concentration-response curves.

SETTING

Anesthesia research laboratory.

SUBJECTS

Vascular smooth muscle cells from human blood vessels obtained with Institutional Review Board approval and patient consent.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Segments of internal mammary artery and saphenous vein were obtained from patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Smooth muscle cells were cultured from these vessels. Concentration-response curves of intracellular cyclic GMP were determined and analyzed by two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures. In segments of intact saphenous vein, C-type natriuretic peptide was significantly more effective than atrial natriuretic peptide (16-fold increase in cyclic GMP in response to 1 microM of C-type natriuretic peptide vs. six-fold increase in cyclic GMP in response to 1 microM of atrial natriuretic peptide, p < .05). In rings of intact internal mammary artery, 1 microM of atrial natriuretic peptide (26-fold increase in cyclic GMP over basal value) was more effective than 1 microM of c-type natriuretic peptide (three-fold increase in cyclic GMP over basal value, p < .05). In cultured cells from these vessels, the pattern of response to C-type natriuretic peptide and atrial natriuretic peptide was the same as in the intact vessels.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicated that human smooth muscle cells in arteries and veins express both forms of natriuretic peptide receptors but that atrial natriuretic peptide acts primarily on the artery and C-type natriuretic peptide acts predominantly on the vein. Increased concentrations of C-type natriuretic peptide could contribute to venous pooling in septic shock.

Alternative splicing of natriuretic peptide A and B receptor transcripts in the rat brain

1. In the present study we searched for variants of alternative splicing of guanylyl cyclase A and B mRNA in rats in vivo. 2. Guanylyl cyclase A2 and guanylyl cyclase B2 isoforms of guanylyl cyclase produced by alternative splicing leading to the deletion of exon 9 of both transcripts were quantified in several rat organs. 3. Only one alternative splicing was found in the regulatory domain, encoded by exons 8-15. 4. Quantification of the guanylyl cyclase B2 isoform in different rat organs and in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells showed that this alternative splicing was tissue-specific and occurred predominantly in the central nervous system where the alternatively spliced variant represented more than 50% of the guanylyl cyclase B mRNA. 5. The same alternative splicing existed for guanylyl cyclase A mRNA but at very low levels in the organs studied. 6. Alternative splicing of guanylyl cyclase B exon 9 in the brain may play an important role in signal transduction, since the expressed protein possesses a constitutionally active guanylyl cyclase acting independently of C-type natriuretic peptide regulation.

Relation between cyclic GMP generation and cerebrovascular reactivity: modulation by NPY and alpha-trinositol

It is considered that cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) plays a pivotal role in mediating the relaxation of vascular and nonvascular smooth muscles. cGMP steady state levels are regulated by guanylyl cyclase, cGMP phosphodiesterases and its flux from cells. The present study examines the possible relation between cerebrovascular vasodilator agents and generation of cGMP in guinea pig cerebral vessels. Acetylcholine, substance P, nitroglycerine and sodium nitroprusside significantly increased the generation of cGMP. The application of acetylcholine, substance P, nitroglycerine and sodium nitroprusside elicited concentration-dependent relaxation of basilar artery segments. Neuropeptide Y increased the generation of cGMP by 2%-46% of control levels (at 10(-7)-10(-6)M of neuropeptide Y; *P < 0.05). In addition, neuropeptide Y (10(-6)M) induced a transient relaxation of the precontracted guinea pig basilar arteries with endothelium. This transient relaxation was blocked by nitro-L-arginine (10(-4)M). alpha-Trinositol does not alter the formation of cGMP nor the neuropeptide Y-induced relaxation. In the presence of alpha-trinositol neuropeptide Y (10(-7)-10(-6)M) did not significantly elevate the production of cGMP as compared with controls. The rise in cGMP induced by acetylcholine, substance P and nitroglycerine was slightly increased by the addition of neuropeptide Y (3 x 10(-7) M). Acetylcholine and substance P induced an endothelium-dependent relaxation of the precontracted guinea pig basilar arteries, while sodium nitroprusside and nitroglycerine induced an endothelium-independent relaxation. Acetylcholine, substance P and nitroglycerine induced concentration-dependent relaxations of basilar artery, respectively. The relaxation elicited by acetylcholine or substance P, but not nitroglycerine, was markedly attenuated by neuropeptide Y (3 x 10(-7) M).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Generation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate in brain slices incubated with atrial or C-type natriuretic peptides: comparison of the amplitudes and cellular distribution of the responses

Natriuretic peptides have been demonstrated to induce a variety of effects when administered into the brain. Most studies to date have tested the effects of 'atrial' natriuretic peptide (ANP), but C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) has recently been suggested to be the predominant form of natriuretic peptides within the brain. We therefore have compared the amplitudes of the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) responses induced by either ANP or CNP in slices form different rat brain regions. Whereas both peptides induced the generation of cGMP, CNP-evoked responses were never greater than those obtained with ANP, regardless of the brain region used or the age of the animal. In diencephalon, ANP even induced a significantly higher cGMP response than CNP. To test which cells were targets to the actions of the peptides, brain slices were incubated with fluorocitrate (a drug that selectively blocks the metabolism of glial cells). Fluorocitrate totally blocked the ANP-evoked cGMP responses in brain slices. In contrast, fluorocitrate reduced only partially the responses evoked by sodium nitroprusside (a drug that stimulates soluble guanylate cyclase, which is contained predominantly in neurons). Likewise, the cGMP response induced by CNP was only partially affected by fluorocitrate. These results indicate that: (1) CNP is not more potent than ANP in terms of its ability to generate cGMP in rat brains; (2) brain cells generating cGMP upon exposure to ANP are predominantly glial; and (3) CNP-responsive cells are partly glial, but belong at least in part to a different compartment than ANP-responsive cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

C-natriuretic peptide but not atrial natriuretic peptide increases cyclic GMP in cerebral arterial smooth muscle cells

A-type natriuretic peptide (ANP) is found primarily in the heart and is released into the circulation. C-type (CNP) is found principally in the brain and has also been detected in the systemic circulation. When injected, both peptides produce vasodilatation most likely by elevation of guanosine 3'5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) in smooth muscle cells via two distinct receptors, NPR-A and NPR-B. In this present study, we determined the effects of these two peptides on intracellular cGMP in smooth muscle cells cultured from pig cerebral and peripheral arteries. In smooth muscle cells cultured from the left anterior descending coronary artery, ANP and CNP increased cGMP with equal potency and efficacy (EC50 for ANP and CNP, 3.6 +/- 0.2 x 10(-8) M and 6.7 +/- 0.8 x 10(-8) M, respectively). In contrast, in smooth muscle cells from cerebral arteries, ANP was without effect while CNP increased cGMP in a concentration dependent manner (EC50: 9.6 +/- 1.7 x 10(-8) M). Stimulation of the soluble guanylyl cyclase with either nitroglycerin or nitroprusside was equivalent in the two cell types. The pattern of response of intracellular cGMP to CNP and ANP in isolated intact arteries from brain and heart was similar to that found in the cultured cells. These results suggest that smooth muscle cells in cerebral arteries express only NPR-B while cells from peripheral arteries can express both NPR-A and NPR-B.

Effects of C-type natriuretic peptide on rat astrocytes: regional differences and characterization of receptors

We have compared the effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) on the accumulation of cyclic GMP (cGMP) in secondary cultures of rat astrocytes. The order of potency of these peptides was CNP > ANP > BNP, which would be compatible with a predominance of guanylate cyclase B (GC-B)- versus guanylate cyclase A (GC-A)-type receptors in these cells. Accordingly, we found by northern blot analysis that the mRNA transcripts of GC-B were much more abundant in astrocytes than the transcripts of GC-A. In addition, astrocytes from diencephalon accumulated two times more cGMP in response to CNP than astrocytes from cortex. Binding experiments with 125I-labeled ANP or [Tyro]-CNP established that these ligands recognized only clearance-type receptors on astrocytes. However, the number of binding sites was approximately 100 times higher in astrocytes from cortex than in astrocytes from diencephalon and thus was inversely correlated to the amplitude of the cGMP response in the same cells. We found no further evidence for differences in the levels of GC-B receptors in astrocytes from the two regions because (a) the abundance of GC-B mRNA was similar and (b) there was no difference in particulate guanylate cyclase activity in astrocytes from each region. In addition, occupancy of clearance receptors with C-ANP4-23 did not affect the accumulation of cGMP in response to CNP; this makes it unlikely that the differences in cGMP responsiveness can be accounted for by binding and sequestration of CNP to the clearance receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cloning of guanylyl cyclase isoforms

The cloning of particulate and soluble guanylyl cyclases is summarized in Table I. With respect to transmembrane signal transduction systems, guanylyl and adenylyl cyclases can be grouped together with some protein tyrosine kinases and protein tyrosine phosphatases to form a diverse protein family with various structural and functional similarities (Garbers, 1989, 1991, 1992; Koesling et al., 1991; Chinkers and Garbers, 1991; Fig. 1). Particulate guanylyl cyclase contains a single transmembrane domain, and the peptide-binding portion (ligand receptor) is on the exterior surface and the catalytic region on the interior, similar to the protein tyrosine kinase/receptor and the protein tyrosine phosphatase/receptor families (Yarden et al., 1986; Charbonneau et al., 1988; Tonks et al., 1988). Protein tyrosine kinases and phosphatases are also activated by ligand binding to the extracellular domain, which in turn results in phosphorylation or dephosphorylation. On the other hand, soluble guanylyl cyclase exists as a heterodimer with two putative catalytic domains, and both subunits are essential for enzyme activity and activation by nitric oxide. It is thus particularly interesting that adenylyl cyclase also contains two catalytic domains, which are both necessary for catalytic activity (Tang et al., 1991). It is possible that particulate guanylyl cyclase may also dimerize on hormonal stimulation and two catalytic domains from two monomers form a functional catalytic center capable of forming cyclic GMP. The catalytic core of GC-A expressed in bacteria was shown to form a homodimer with positively cooperative kinetics (Thorpe et al., 1991). The physiological significance of the existence of multiple forms of soluble guanylyl cyclase subunits remains unclear. Future studies should reveal the differences in tissue distribution and activation by nitrovasodilators in various heterodimers of soluble guanylyl cyclase.

Correlation between vascular and cellular responses to atrial natriuretic peptide and to sodium nitroprusside

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) increase cGMP in vascular smooth muscle cells and act as vasodilators in some, but not all, blood vessels. In this present study, we attempted to correlate the ability of these two agents to dilate blood vessels with the ability to increase cGMP in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells. In the isolated guinea pig heart, SNP dose-dependently increased coronary flow while ANP was ineffective. In smooth muscle cells cultured from the coronary system, SNP increased intracellular cGMP in a dose-dependent manner while ANP had no effect on cGMP in these cells. In isolated guinea-pig thoracic aorta, precontracted with K+, both ANP and SNP produced relaxation and ANP was the more potent. In smooth muscle cells cultured from the aorta, ANP and SNP increased cGMP and the potency relationship was similar to the intact vessel. These results support the view that phenotypic properties of vascular smooth muscle cells can account for differences in the response of blood vessels to vasodilators.

Guanylyl cyclase activity in rat brain myelin and white matter

Purified myelin from rat brainstem was found to have an appreciable level of guanylyl cyclase activity, as seen in the formation of 3',5'-cyclic GMP from [3H]GTP at a rate approximately 45% that of whole brainstem. Freshly isolated myelin from pooled rat brainstems was incubated with GTP in an appropriate mixture. This gave rise to 29.9 +/- 3.6 pmol of 3',5'-cyclic GMP/mg of protein/min measured by HPLC and a similar result (26.7 +/- 2.6 pmol/mg/min) with 125I-3',5'-cyclic GMP radioimmunoassay. The latter method applied to the reaction product from whole brainstem gave a value of 56.6 +/- 3.4 pmol/mg/min. In analyzing brainstem products by HPLC we observed in most trials concurrent formation of a second radiolabeled product that comigrated with 2',3'-cyclic GMP but that, on further examination, proved not to be that product. Its identity remains unknown.