Multiple species and isoforms of Bordetella pertussis toxin substrates

Endogenous Expression of Adenosine A1, A2 and A3 Receptors in Rat C6 Glioma Cells

Inhibitory and stimulatory adenosine receptors have been identified and characterized in both membranes and intact rat C6 glioma cells. In membranes, saturation experiment performed with [(3)H]DPCPX, selective A(1)R antagonist, revealed a single binding site with a K (D) = 9.4 +/- 1.4 nM and B (max) = 62.7 +/- 8.6 fmol/mg protein. Binding of [(3)H]DPCPX in intact cell revealed a K (D) = 17.7 +/- 1.3 nM and B (max )= 567.1 +/- 26.5 fmol/mg protein. On the other hand, [(3)H]ZM241385 binding experiments revealed a single binding site population of receptors with K (D) = 16.5 +/- 1.3 nM and B (max) = 358.9 +/- 52.4 fmol/mg protein in intact cells, and K (D) = 4.7 +/- 0.6 nM and B (max) = 74.3 +/- 7.9 fmol/mg protein in plasma membranes, suggesting the presence of A(2A) receptor in C6 cells. A(1), A(2A), A(2B) and A(3 )adenosine receptors were detected by Western-blotting and immunocytochemistry, and their mRNAs quantified by real time PCR assays. Gialpha and Gsalpha proteins were also detected by Western-blotting and RT-PCR assays. Furthermore, selective A(1)R agonists inhibited forskolin- and GTP-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity and CGS 21680 and NECA stimulated this enzymatic activity in C6 cells. These results suggest that C6 glioma cells endogenously express A(1) and A(2) receptors functionally coupled to adenylyl cyclase inhibition and stimulation, respectively, and suggest these cells as a model to study the role of adenosine receptors in tumoral cells.

The Identification and Localization of the Guanine Nucleotide Binding Protein G0 in the Auditory System

The identification of guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G proteins) in guinea-pig tissues was assessed by the adenosine diphosphate-ribosylation of the alpha subunit by Bordetella pertussis toxin using [alpha32P]nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide as the substrate followed by sodium dodecyl sulphate - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. Three tissues (inferior colliculus, neuroblastoma cells, and the organ of Corti) contained G0alpha (39 kD), as well as Gi2alpha (40 kD) and Gi1alpha and/or Gi3alpha (41 kD). The stria vascularis and the VIIIth nerve contained mainly Gi2alpha, Gi1alpha and/or Gi3alpha, but G0alpha was barely detectable. A purified preparation of outer hair cells from the organ of Corti contained all three pertussis toxin substrates including G0alpha, with the Gi2alpha (40 kD) subunit being the most prominent. The immunocytochemical localization of the G0alpha subunit was determined by light microscopy after incubating isolated outer hair cells, Hensen cells and the stria vascularis with affinity-purified anti-G0alpha antibodies. In hair cells a positive reaction was observed along the plasma membrane and around the perimeter of the cuticular plate (zona adherens). Positive reaction was also observed within the infracuticular network extending from the cuticular plate towards the nucleus in outer hair cells. Finally, the base of the outer hair cells also contained G0alpha. However, it is likely that the G0alpha that is present in this cell region is not within the hair cell itself, but rather in nerve terminals which remained attached during dissection.

Evidence for two concentration-dependent processes for beta-subunit effects on alpha1B calcium channels

beta-Subunits of voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels regulate both their expression and biophysical properties. We have injected a range of concentrations of beta3-cDNA into Xenopus oocytes, with a fixed concentration of alpha1B (Ca(V)2.2) cDNA, and have quantified the corresponding linear increase of beta3 protein. The concentration dependence of a number of beta3-dependent processes has been studied. First, the dependence of the a1B maximum conductance on beta3-protein occurs with a midpoint around the endogenous concentration of beta3 (approximately 17 nM). This may represent the interaction of the beta-subunit, responsible for trafficking, with the I-II linker of the nascent channel. Second, the effect of beta3-subunits on the voltage dependence of steady-state inactivation provides evidence for two channel populations, interpreted as representing alpha1B without or with a beta3-subunit, bound with a lower affinity of 120 nM. Third, the effect of beta3 on the facilitation rate of G-protein-modulated alpha1B currents during a depolarizing prepulse to +100 mV provides evidence for the same two populations, with the rapid facilitation rate being attributed to Gbetagamma dissociation from the beta-subunit-bound alpha1B channels. The data are discussed in terms of two hypotheses, either binding of two beta-subunits to the alpha1B channel or a state-dependent alteration in affinity of the channel for the beta-subunit.

Biophysical properties, pharmacology, and modulation of human, neuronal L-type (alpha(1D), Ca(V)1.3) voltage-dependent calcium currents

Voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs) are multimeric complexes composed of a pore-forming alpha(1) subunit together with several accessory subunits, including alpha(2)delta, beta, and, in some cases, gamma subunits. A family of VDCCs known as the L-type channels are formed specifically from alpha(1S) (skeletal muscle), alpha(1C) (in heart and brain), alpha(1D) (mainly in brain, heart, and endocrine tissue), and alpha(1F) (retina). Neuroendocrine L-type currents have a significant role in the control of neurosecretion and can be inhibited by GTP-binding (G-) proteins. However, the subunit composition of the VDCCs underlying these G-protein-regulated neuroendocrine L-type currents is unknown. To investigate the biophysical and pharmacological properties and role of G-protein modulation of alpha(1D) calcium channels, we have examined calcium channel currents formed by the human neuronal L-type alpha(1D) subunit, co-expressed with alpha(2)delta-1 and beta(3a), stably expressed in a human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cell line, using whole cell and perforated patch-clamp techniques. The alpha(1D)-expressing cell line exhibited L-type currents with typical characteristics. The currents were high-voltage activated (peak at +20 mV in 20 mM Ba2+) and showed little inactivation in external Ba2+, while displaying rapid inactivation kinetics in external Ca2+. The L-type currents were inhibited by the 1,4 dihydropyridine (DHP) antagonists nifedipine and nicardipine and were enhanced by the DHP agonist BayK S-(-)8644. However, alpha(1D) L-type currents were not modulated by activation of a number of G-protein pathways. Activation of endogenous somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (sst2) by somatostatin-14 or activation of transiently transfected rat D2 dopamine receptors (rD2(long)) by quinpirole had no effect. Direct activation of G-proteins by the nonhydrolyzable GTP analogue, guanosine 5'-0-(3-thiotriphospate) also had no effect on the alpha(1D) currents. In contrast, in the same system, N-type currents, formed from transiently transfected alpha(1B)/alpha(2)delta-1/beta(3), showed strong G-protein-mediated inhibition. Furthermore, the I-II loop from the alpha(1D) clone, expressed as a glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion protein, did not bind Gbetagamma, unlike the alpha(1B) I-II loop fusion protein. These data show that the biophysical and pharmacological properties of recombinant human alpha(1D) L-type currents are similar to alpha(1C) currents, and these currents are also resistant to modulation by G(i/o)-linked G-protein-coupled receptors.

Pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding proteins characterized in synaptosomal fractions of embryonic avian cerebral cortex

Pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) are essential intermediaries subserving neuronal signal transduction pathways that regulate excitation-secretion coupling. Despite this established role, relatively little is known regarding the identity, subcellular distribution, and relative abundance of this class of G proteins in synaptic nerve endings. Here, sucrose density gradient centrifugation was combined with 1- and 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis to characterize PTX-sensitive G protein alpha subunits in synaptosomal fractions of embryonic (day 12) chick cerebral cortical homogenates. These findings demonstrate multiple isoforms of M(r) 40-41 kDa Gi alpha and G(o) alpha subunits that can be identified on the basis of PTX-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation and immunoblot analysis.

Natural polyamines stimulate G-proteins

The natural polyamines spermine and spermidine, the biosynthetic precursor putrescine and their analogues cadaverine and tyramine stimulate the GTPase activity of purified GTP-binding proteins (Go/Gi) from calf brain reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles. The order of potency was spermine greater than spermidine greater than putrescine = cadaverine greater than tyramine. The physiological relevance of this observation was assessed, showing the same order of potency of polyamines in the stimulation of peritoneal and tracheal rat mast cells. The activation of rat mast cells by polyamines was inhibited by benzalkonium chloride or by a 2 h pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin. The increase in inositol phosphates evoked by polyamines was also inhibited by pertussis toxin. Therefore we propose that intracellular polyamines might control the basal level of second messengers and modulate extracellular signals transduced through G-protein-coupled receptors.

Evidence for the interaction of mast cell-degranulating peptide with pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins in mast cells

K(+)-channel blocker properties have been reported for mast cell-degranulating peptide (MCD) in the central nervous system, but its action mechanism in mast cells remains unknown. We studied the effect of MCD on the membrane potential of rat peritoneal mast cells using the fluorescent probe bis-oxonol. Unexpectedly, MCD induced a decrease in bis-oxonol fluorescence, in a rapid and then a slower phase, suggesting hyperpolarization of mast cells. Other K(+)-channel blockers, tetraethylammonium and 4-aminopyridine, did not significantly modify the bis-oxonol fluorescence and did not alter the effect of MCD. The late phase of bis-oxonol fluorescence decrease was inhibited by ouabain and by potassium deprivation, whereas histamine release was not affected. The first phase of putative hyperpolarization induced by MCD coincided with histamine release and with the generation of inositol polyphosphates. Prior treatment of the cells with pertussis toxin inhibited these effects of MCD. MCD stimulated the GTPase activity of purified G proteins (G0/Gi) in a concentration-dependent manner. These results indicate that the effect of MCD on mast cells is unrelated to K+ channels but that it is relevant to the activation of pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins leading to the activation of phospholipase C. A direct interaction of MCD with G proteins is proposed, which, unlike mastoparan, does not require positive cooperativity.

Treatment of intact striatal neurones with cholera toxin or 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-(cyclic)phosphate decreases the ability of pertussis toxin to ADP-ribosylate the alpha-subunits of inhibitory and other guanine-nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins, Gi and Go. Evidence for two distinct mechanisms

Using primary cultures of striatal neurones from the mouse embryo, we showed that treatment of intact cells with cholera toxin (5 micrograms/ml, 22 h) decreases the subsequent ADP-ribosylation of the alpha subunit of the guanine-nucleotide-binding regulatory protein Go (Go alpha) and the alpha subunit of the inhibitory guanine-nucleotide-binding regulatory protein (Gi alpha) of adenylate cyclase, which is catalyzed in vitro on neuronal membranes by pertussis toxin. The inhibitory effect of cholera toxin could not only be attributed to an increased production of cAMP in neurones. Treatment of cells with 0.1 microM 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-(cyclic)phosphate (BrcAMP) for 16 h, or with 0.1 mM BrcAMP for 5 min, mimicked the effect of cholera toxin on the ADP-ribosylation of Go alpha and Gi alpha in vitro. However, the two agents seem to act through distinct mechanisms. The protein kinase inhibitor 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine prevented the action of Br8cAMP but not that of cholera toxin. In addition, measurements of the pI of the Go alpha deduced from immunoblots of two-dimensional gels performed using a specific antibody directed against Go alpha suggest that treatment of neurones with cholera toxin induces ADP-ribosylation of Go alpha in intact cells, while BrcAMP does not.

The transduction signalling protein Go during embryonic development of Drosophila melanogaster

G proteins are heterotrimeric proteins that play a key role in signalling transduction conveying signals from cell surface receptors to intracellular effector proteins. In particulate preparations from Drosophila melanogaster embryos, only one substrate of 39,000-40,000 molecular weight could be ADP-ribosylated with pertussis toxin. This substrate reacted in immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation experiments with a polyclonal antibody directed against the carboxy-terminal sequence of the alpha subunit of the mammalian Go protein. The Drosophila Go alpha protein was present at all stages of embryonic development; however, its expression markedly increased after 10 h embryogenesis, a period of time during which there is an active development of axonal tracts. Immunolocalization on whole mount embryos has indicated that this protein is principally localized in the CNS and is mainly restricted to the neuropil without any labelling of the cell bodies. In contrast, all the axon tracts of the CNS appeared to be highly labelled. The distribution of the Go alpha protein was also examined in several neurogenic mutants. The Go alpha protein expression was not altered in any of them but the pattern of labelling was disorganized as was the neuronal network. These results suggest a possible role for the Go protein during axonogenesis.

Neuroblastoma differentiation involves the expression of two isoforms of the alpha-subunit of Go

The regulation of GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) was examined during the course of differentiation of neuroblastoma N1E-115 cells. N1E-115 cell membranes possess three Bordetella pertussis toxin (PTX) substrates assigned to alpha-subunits (G alpha) of Go (a G protein of unknown function) and "Gi (a G protein inhibitory to adenylate cyclase)-like" proteins and one substrate of Vibrio cholerae toxin corresponding to an alpha-subunit of Gs (a G protein stimulatory to adenylate cyclase). In undifferentiated cells, only one form of Go alpha was found, having a pI of 5.8 Go alpha content increased by approximately twofold from the undifferentiated state to 96 h of cell differentiation. This is mainly due to the appearance of another Go alpha form having a pI of 5.55. Both Go alpha isoforms have similar sizes on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, are recognized by polyclonal antibodies to bovine brain Go alpha, are ADP-ribosylated by PTX, and are covalently myristylated in whole N1E-115 cells. In addition, immunofluorescent staining of N1E-115 cells with Go alpha antibodies revealed that association of Go alpha with the plasma membrane appears to coincide with the expression of the most acidic isoform and morphological cell differentiation. In contrast, the levels of both Gi alpha and Gs alpha did not significantly change, whereas that of the common beta-subunit increased by approximately 30% over the same period. These results demonstrate specific regulation of the expression of Go alpha during neuronal differentiation.

Direct activation of GTP-binding regulatory proteins (G-proteins) by substance P and compound 48/80

The neuropeptide substance P and the polyamine compound 48/80, both known to activate mast cell secretory processes, increased the rate of GTP S binding to G-proteins purified from calf brain (Go/Gi mixture). The GTPase activity of G-proteins was also increased by substance P and compound 48/80 in a dose-dependent and Mg2+-dependent way. These effects were similar to those of the wasp venom peptide mastoparan, another histamine releaser of rat peritoneal and human skin mast cells. This suggests that the secretory property of compound 48/80 and substance P is not due to a receptor-mediated process but, like mastoparan, results from a direct activation of G-proteins.

Purification and characterization of subforms of the guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins G alpha i and G alpha o

Five different pertussis-toxin-sensitive guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) were purified from bovine brain. Immunochemical characterization of alpha subunits identified two G alpha o proteins (G alpha o-I and G alpha o-II), two 41-kDa G alpha i proteins (G alpha i-I and G alpha i-II) and the 40-kDa G alpha i2 protein. Site-directed antisera specific for G alpha o proteins did not differentiate between G alpha o-I and G alpha o-II. However, in situ peptide mapping using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed distinct cleavage products with different proteases for each of these proteins. Additionally comparison of Rf values demonstrated a slightly faster migration for G alpha o-II than for G alpha o-I, which is the only type of G alpha o protein present in cell membranes of the neuroblastoma/glioma cell line NG 108-15. The importance of these structural differences and possible functional implications are discussed.

The adipocyte Go alpha-immunoreactive polypeptide is different from the alpha subunit of the brain Go protein

Rat adipose tissue possesses two Bordetella pertussis toxin (PTX) substrates and, in the same 39-41 kDa molecular mass range, positive immunoreactivity has also been reported with antibodies against the alpha subunit of Go, the major brain GTP-binding protein (G-protein). In this study, the presence of the brain Go alpha subunit at 39 kDa in adipocytes was reassessed, since direct correspondence between PTX substrates and Go alpha immunoreactivity has not yet been clearly established. On resolutive SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, the PTX substrates of human adipocytes were compared with the three PTX substrates found in brain. No ADP-ribosylated substrate at the level of the 39 kDa brain Go alpha could be detected in adipocyte membranes. Immunoblotting of human adipocyte membranes stained with our anti-Go alpha antibodies confirmed the presence of a positive immunoreactivity in this tissue, but the apparent molecular mass of the immunoreactive polypeptide in adipocytes was higher than that found in nervous tissues. Taken together, these results indicate that the brain Go alpha subunit is not present in adipose tissue. They also suggest the existence of a G-protein in adipocytes which is immunologically related to Go alpha but having a slightly higher molecular mass.