Myocardial adenosine kinase: activity and localization determined with rapid, radiometric assay

Metabolic and functional consequences of cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase-IA overexpression in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes

Adenosine exerts a spectrum of energy-preserving actions on the heart negative chronotropic effects. The pathways leading to adenosine formation have remained controversial. In particular, although cytosolic 5'-nucleotidases can catalyze adenosine formation in cardiomyocytes, their contribution to the actions of adenosine has not been documented previously. We recently cloned two closely related AMP-preferring cytosolic 5'-nucleotidases (cN-IA and -IB); the A form predominates in the heart. In this study, we overexpressed pigeon cN-IA in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes using an adenovirus. cN-IA overexpression increased adenosine formation and release into the medium caused by simulated hypoxia and by isoproterenol in the absence and presence of inhibitors of adenosine metabolism. Adenosine release was not affected by an ecto-5'-nucleotidase inhibitor, alpha,beta-methylene-ADP, but was affected by a nucleoside transporter, dipyridamole. The positive chronotropic effect of isoproterenol (130 +/-3 vs. 100 +/-4 beats/min) was inhibited (107 +/-3 vs. 94 +/-3 beats/min) in cells overexpressing cN-IA, and this was reversed by the addition of the adenosine receptor antagonist 8-(p-sulfophenyl)theophilline (120 +/- 3 vs. 90 +/- 4 beats/min). Our results demonstrate that overexpressed cN-IA can be sufficiently active in cardiomyocytes to generate physiologically effective concentrations of adenosine at its receptors.

Temporal variations of adenosine metabolism in human blood

Eight diurnally active (06:00-23:00 h) subjects were adapted for 2 days to the room conditions where the experiments were performed. Blood sampling for adenosine metabolites and metabolizing enzymes was done hourly during the activity span and every 30 min during sleep. The results showed that adenosine and its catabolites (inosine, hypoxanthine, and uric acid), adenosine synthesizing (S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase and 5'-nucleotidase), degrading (adenosine deaminase) and nucleotide-forming (adenosine kinase) enzymes as well as adenine nucleotides (AMP, ADP, and ATP) undergo statistically significant fluctuations (ANOVA) during the 24 h. However, energy charge was invariable. Glucose and lactate chronograms were determined as metabolic indicators. The same data analyzed by the chi-square periodogram and Fourier series indicated ultradian oscillatory periods for all the metabolites and enzymatic activities determined, and 24-h oscillatory components for inosine, hypoxanthine, adenine nucleotides, glucose, and the activities of SAH-hydrolase, 5'-nucleotidase, and adenosine kinase. The single cosinor method showed significant oscillatory components exclusively for lactate. As a whole, these results suggest that adenosine metabolism may play a role as a biological oscillator coordinating and/or modulating the energy homeostasis and physiological status of erythrocytes in vivo and could be an important factor in the distribution of purine rings for the rest of the organism.

Circadian variations of adenosine and of its metabolism. Could adenosine be a molecular oscillator for circadian rhythms?

The present review describes the biological implications of the periodic changes of adenosine concentrations in different tissues of the rat. Adenosine is a purine molecule that could have been formed in the prebiotic chemical evolution and has been preserved. The rhythmicity of this molecule, as well as its metabolism and even the presence of specific receptors, suggests a regulatory role in eukaryotic cells and in multicellular organisms. Adenosine may be considered a chemical messenger and its action could take place at the level of the same cell (autocrine), the same tissue (paracrine), or on separate organs (endocrine). Exploration of the circadian variations of adenosine was planned considering the liver as an important tissue for purine formation, the blood as a vehicle among tissues, and the brain as the possible acceptor for hepatic adenosine or its metabolites. The rats used in these studies were adapted to a dark-light cycle of 12 h with an unrestrained feeding and drinking schedule. The metabolic control of adenosine concentration in the different tissues studied through the 24-h cycle is related to the activity of adenosine-metabolizing enzyme: 5'-nucleotidase adenosine deaminase, adenosine kinase, and S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase. Some possibilities of the factors modulating the activity of these enzymes are commented upon. The multiphysiological action of adenosine could be mediated by several actions: (i) by interaction with extracellular and intracellular receptors and (ii) through its metabolism modulating the methylation pathway, possibly inducing physiological lipoperoxidation, or participating in the energetic homeostasis of the cell. The physiological meaning of the circadian variations of adenosine and its metabolism was focused on: maintenance of the energetic homeostasis of the tissues, modulation of membrane structure and function, regulation of fasting and feeding metabolic pattern, and its participation in the sleep-wake cycle. From these considerations, we suggest that adenosine could be a molecular oscillator involved in the circadian pattern of biological activity in the rat.

Day-night variations of adenosine and its metabolizing enzymes in the brain cortex of the rat--possible physiological significance for the energetic homeostasis and the sleep-wake cycle

The role of adenosine as a metabolic regulator of physiological processes in the brain was studied by measuring its concentrations and the activity of adenosine-metabolizing enzymes: 5'-nucleotidase, S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, adenosine deaminase and adenosine kinase in the cerebral cortex of the rat. Other purine compounds, such as, inosine, hypoxanthine and adenine nucleotides were also studied. The purines' pattern was bimodal with high levels of adenosine, inosine and hypoxanthine during the light period reaching their peak at 12.00 h, 08.00 h and 16.00 h, respectively, and small increments during the night between 02.00 h and 04.00 h. The enzymatic activities showed, in general, an unimodal profile with low activity during the day and high activities at night. The adenine nucleotide profile showed a significant diminution between 12.00 h and 24.00 h. The high adenosine level during the day might be due to a diminution of adenine nucleotide and to the low activity of adenosine-metabolizing enzymes, suggesting an accumulation of the nucleoside. The night increase, although of less magnitude, is simultaneous to high activity of adenosine-metabolizing enzymes and could be due to an increased formation of the nucleoside. The present data and the findings from other authors strongly suggest that adenosine in the brain cortex of the rat can participate at least in two physiological processes: regulation of the sleep-wake cycle and replenishment of the adenine nucleotide pool.

The distribution of enzymes involved in purine metabolism in rat kidney

Adenosine produced from 5'-AMP has been proposed as a mediator of intrinsic renal regulation. The rates of 5'-AMP and adenosine metabolism are dependent on the activities of enzyme involved in purine metabolism. The activities of adenosine kinase (AK), adenosine deaminase (ADA), 5'-nucleotidase (5'-NT), AMP deaminase, xanthine oxidase and purine nucleoside phosphorylase were measured in cytosolic and membrane fractions from glomeruli, cortical tubules, medullary thick ascending limb of Henle (MTAL) and collecting duct prepared from rat kidney by combinations of sieving and sucrose density gradient centrifugation techniques. In the cytoplasm of glomeruli cells, the activity ratios of ADA/AK and AMP deaminase/5'-NT were 70 and 2.4, respectively. The highest activity of 5'-NT was found in membrane fractions of cortical tubules where it was equally distributed between luminal and antiluminal membranes. Membrane fractions of MTAL did not contain detectable amounts of adenosine deaminase activity. The highest activity of xanthine oxidase and purine nucleoside phosphorylase was in the cytoplasm fraction of glomeruli. These results suggest that deamination of AMP and adenosine may be favored in the cytoplasm of glomeruli cells. In contrast, in the extracellular space of glomeruli and especially in the cortical tubule, AMP can be converted preferentially to adenosine by 5'-NT.

Twenty-four-hour changes of S-adenosylmethionine, S-adenosylhomocysteine adenosine and their metabolizing enzymes in rat liver; possible physiological significance in phospholipid methylation

1. The metabolic control of adenosine concentration in the rat liver through the 24-hr cycle is related to the activity of adenosine-metabolizing enzymes [5'-nucleotidase (5'N), adenosine deaminase (A.D.), adenosine kinase (A.K.) and S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (SAH-H)]. 2. Two peaks of adenosine were observed, one at 12:00 hr caused by high activity of 5'N and SAH-H, and the other at 02:00 hr, caused by a decrease in purine catabolism and purine utilization, low activity of SAH-H and de novo purine formation. 3. The similarity of the adenosine and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) profiles through the 24-hr cycle suggests a role of adenosine in transmethylation reactions, because, during the night (02:00 hr), the metabolic conditions favor the formation and accumulation of S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), with consequent inhibition of transmethylation reactions. 4. In the 24-hr variation of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), the lowest ratio of PC/PE was observed at 24:00-02:00 hr when SAH concentration is high, whereas the highest PC/PE ratio occurs at the same time as one of the SAM/SAH ratio maxima.

Absolute rates of adenosine formation during ischaemia in rat and pigeon hearts

1. The activities of ecto- and cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase (EC 3.1.3.5), adenosine kinase (EC 2.7.1.20), adenosine deaminase (EC 3.5.4.4) and AMP deaminase (EC 3.5.4.6) were compared in ventricular myocardium from man, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, pigeons and turtles. The most striking variation was in the activity of the ecto-5'-nucleotidase, which was 20 times less active in rabbit heart and 300 times less active in pigeon heart than in rat heart. The cytochemical distribution of ecto-5'-nucleotidase was also highly variable between species. 2. Adenosine formation was quantified in pigeon and rat ventricular myocardium in the presence of inhibitors of adenosine kinase and adenosine deaminase. 3. Both adenosine formation rates and the proportion of ATP catabolized to adenosine were greatest during the first 2 min of total ischaemia at 37 degrees C. Adenosine formation rates were 410 +/- 40 nmol/min per g wet wt. in pigeon hearts and 470 +/- 60 nmol/min per g wet wt. in rat hearts. Formation of adenosine accounted for 46% of ATP plus ADP broken down in pigeon hearts and 88% in rat hearts. 4. The data show that, in both pigeon and rat hearts, adenosine is the major catabolite of ATP in the early stages of normothermic myocardial ischaemia. The activity of ecto-5'-nucleotidase in pigeon ventricle (16 +/- 4 nmol/min per g wet wt.) was insufficient to account for adenosine formation, indicating the existence of an alternative catabolic pathway.

Effect of age and day time on the adenosine modulation of basal and insulin-stimulated glucose transport in rat adipocytes

1. The relationship between the activity of adenosine metabolizing enzymes 5'nucleotidase (5'N), adenosine kinase (A.K.) and adenosine deaminase (A.D.) with basal and insulin-stimulated glucose transport in isolated fat cells from young and old animals was studied at 08:00 and 16:00 hr. 2. In cells from young animals a larger insulin-stimulation of glucose transport was observed at 16:00 hr than at 08:00 hr. Also at 16:00 hr small changes in 5'N, A.K. and A.D. activities suggest a decrease in adenosine formation. 3. In the cells from old animals no effect of insulin was observed at any time, while a 3-5-fold increase in 5'N indicated a predominance of adenosine formation at both times studied. 4. An inverse relationship was observed in the changes of adenosine metabolism and insulin action.

Effect of hypercholesterolemia on vascular reactivity in the rabbit. II. Influence of treatment with dipyridamole on endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent responses in isolated aortas of control and hypercholesterolemic rabbits

The effects of cholesterol-feeding in the presence of dipyridamole (0.60 g daily) on contractile responses and on endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent relaxations in isolated rabbit aortas are described. The investigations were performed simultaneously with those described in Part I (Circ Res 1986; 58:552-564), where the effects of cholesterol feeding on vascular reactivity in rabbit arteries (n = 8 in each group) selected at random from the same group of animals was studied. In the hypercholesterolemic rabbits treated with dipyridamole for 8 or 16 weeks, both the increases in plasma cholesterol and the formation of fatty streaks were significantly less pronounced than in the hypercholesterolemic rabbits not receiving the drug. Segments of the isolated arteries were mounted in organ chambers for isometric tension recording. The contractions caused by acetylcholine, prostaglandin F2 alpha, norepinephrine, clonidine, and serotonin and the endothelium-independent relaxations to nitroglycerin were not significantly altered by the hypercholesterolemia in rabbits treated with dipyridamole, even after 16 weeks of treatment. Thus, the decreased responses to norepinephrine, clonidine, and nitroglycerin and the augmented responses to serotonin noted in aortas of hypercholesterolemic rabbits in Part I were absent in the dipyridamole-treated hypercholesterolemic animals. The endothelium-dependent relaxations to ATP and acetylcholine were not affected after 8 weeks of hypercholesterolemia in presence of dipyridamole, while after 16 weeks the relaxations to ATP and acetylcholine were attenuated only in the more severely affected arteries. The effects of hypercholesterolemia + dipyridamole on endothelium-dependent relaxations were significantly less pronounced than those induced by hypercholesterolemia alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Synthesis of adenine nucleotides from exogenous adenosine in the perfused rat heart under normoxic conditions and after ischemia]

The rate of synthesis of myocardial adenine nucleotides from exogenous adenosine was studied in the isolated rat heart perfused under normoxic conditions and following ischaemia. The rate of incorporation of adenosine depended on the extracellular concentration of the precursor, following Michaelis-Menten kinetics with a apparent Km of 51.3 microM and a maximal rate of incorporation of about 1 100 nmol g-1 (wet wt.) 30 min-1. The adenosine uptake induced an increase in ATP concentration (+ 20%) when the exogenous concentration of precursor exceeded 10 microM. Following low-flow ischaemia (0.5 ml/min, 30 min), the rate of incorporation of 5 microM adenosine was diminished (-23%), but adenine nucleotide level restoration was favoured by the nucleoside administration. After total ischaemia (24 min), the extent of the decrease in adenosine incorporation was the same as in the case of moderate ischaemia but adenine nucleotide content was not restored.

Properties of rat heart adenosine kinase

Adenosine kinase was purified 870-fold from rat heart by a combination of gel filtration and affinity chromatography. The preparation was free of purine-metabolizing enzymes that could interfere in the assay of the kinase. A study of the properties of the purified enzyme showed that it is activated by Na+ and K+, it possesses a broad pH optimum between 6 and 8, MgATP is the nucleotide substrate, free Mg2+ is an inhibitor with respect to both MgATP and adenosine, and the enzyme is subject to substrate inhibition by adenosine. The severity of this inhibition increases as the concentration of free Mg2+ increase. The Km for MgATP was calculated to be 0.8 mM and that for adenosine, at likely physiological concentrations of MgATP and free MgCl2, was about 0.2 microM. In vivo the enzyme is likely to be saturated with both MgATP and adenosine. Indeed, the adenosine concentration in rat heart in vivo is probably sufficient to cause substrate inhibition, and this would be increased by an increase in free Mg2+ concentration. Changes in the concentrations of adenosine and free Mg2+ may play a role in modifying the activity of the enzyme in vivo.

The control of adenosine concentration in polymorphonuclear leucocytes, cultured heart cells and isolated perfused heart from the rat

Rat polymorphonuclear leucocytes or neonatal-rat heart cells in culture were treated with 2'-deoxycoformycin and 5-iodotubercidin at concentrations that inhibited adenosine deaminase (EC 3.5.4.4) and adenosine kinase (EC 2.7.1.20) inside the intact cells, and the rate of adenosine accumulation was determined. The basal rate of adenosine formation was 2% (polymorphonuclear leucocytes) or 9% (heart cells) of the maximal activity of adenosine kinase also measured in intact cells. Greatly increased rates of adenosine formation were observed during adenine nucleotide catabolism. This condition also led to a decrease in adenosine kinase activity. When isolated rat hearts were perfused with 5-iodotubercidin alone at a concentration which inhibited adenosine kinase, no increase in tissue or perfusate adenosine or inosine concentration was observed. However, perfusion with hypoxic buffer or infusion of adenosine into the coronary circulation at a rate (20 nmol/min) equivalent to 40% of the activity of adenosine kinase caused large increases in effluent perfusate adenosine and inosine concentrations. These data argue unanimously against the existence of a substrate cycle controlling adenosine concentration. They suggest instead that an increase in the rate of adenosine formation is the principal cause of elevations in adenosine concentration during ATP catabolism.

Changes in brain adenosine during bicuculline-induced seizures in rats. Effects of hypoxia and altered systemic blood pressure

We analyzed brain tissue in 139 rats for adenosine and its metabolites, inosine and hypoxanthine, during the initial 120 seconds of seizures induced by bicuculline. We also measured ATP, ADP, AMP, phosphocreatine (PCr), and lactate. We divided the rats into four groups by adjustment of their preictal arterial oxygen tension: group I, PaO2 > 200 mm Hg; group II PaO2 = 50 mm Hg; and group III: PaO2 = 100 mm Hg. We treated a fourth group whose PaO2 = 100 mm Hg with phentolamine to block the 44% rise in blood pressure which occurred with the onset of seizures. PaCO2 was maintained between 30 anf 40 mm Hg in all groups. Brain tissue was sampled rapidly after 0, 10, 20, 30, 60, and 120 seconds of seizures by the freeze-blow technique. With normoxia (PaO2 = 100 mm Hg) or hyperoxia (PaO2 > 200 mm Hg), adenosine increased within ten seconds of the onset of seizures and remained elevated even after 120 seconds. Elevations in inosine and hypoxanthine were delayed compared to the increases in adenosine. A reduction in PaO2 (50 mm Hg) or systemic blood pressure during seizures caused a further augmentation in the increase in brain adenosine levels. During the seizure period, transient changes in adenine nucleotides and energy charge were observed, but PCr remained depressed and lactate continued to rise. The rapid and sustained increase in cerebral adenosine levels, temporally paralleling the changes in cerebral blood flow, supports the role for adenosine in the regulation of cerebral blood flow.

Dipyridamole affects myocardial adenosine kinase activity

Adenosine kinase (EN 2.7.1.20) from rat and dog heart was purified until it was devoid of adenosine deaminase activity. A stimulation of adenosine kinase activity by dipyridamole was observed when the enzyme was assayed under optimal conditions. At low substrate concentrations adenosine kinase was inhibited by the drug. It increased the Km for adenosine sevenfold. The effects of dipyridamole were Mg2+-dependent. The adenosine-sparing action of dipyridamole at low substrate concentrations is in keeping with the vasodilatory action of the drug.

Partial purification and properties of rat-heart adenosine kinase

The activity of myocardial adenosine kinase (E.N. 2.7.1.20) in a number of species was assayed. Rat heart contained the highest specific activity. From this source adenosine kinase was purified in a simple way 80-fold, until it was free of adenosine deaminase activity. A molecular weight of about 39 000 was measured. NSC 113939 (1), NSC 113940 and 8-azaadenosine inhibited myocardial adenosine kinase. Dipyridamole stimulated the enzyme at high adenosine levels, and inhibited at low substrate concentrations. A number of divalent cations could (partially) substitute for Mg2+. The optimal concentration of MgCl2 or MnCl2 was about 0.5 mM; concentrations exceeding 1 mM inhibited severely. An apparent Km for ATP of 0.1 mM was measured, whereas an apparent Km for adenosine of 0.5 muM was was found. The latter increased to 3.3 muM, when dipyridamole was added. Replacement of ATP by GTB or ITP increased the activity, and UTP and CTP were inferior as a phosphate donor.

Transport and metabolism of adenosine in human blood platelets

The uptake and metabolism of [14C]- or E[3H] adenosine have been studied in suspensions of washed platelets and in platelet rich plasma. The appearance of radioactivity in the platelets and the formation of radioactive adenosine metabolites have been used to determine the uptake. Adenosine is transported into human blood platelets by two different systems: a low Km system (9.8 muM) which is competitively inhibited by papaverine, and a high Km system (9.4 mM) which is competitively inhibited by adenine. Adenosine transported via the low Km system is probably directly incorporated into adenine nucleotides, while adenosine transported through the high Km system arrives unchanged inside the platelet and is then converted into inosine and hypoxanthine or incorporated into adenine nucleotides.