Activation of hepatic guanylate cyclase by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. Effects of thiols, N-ethylmaleimide, and divalent cations

The effects of nitroxyl (HNO) on soluble guanylate cyclase activity: interactions at ferrous heme and cysteine thiols

It has been previously proposed that nitric oxide (NO) is the only biologically relevant nitrogen oxide capable of activating the enzyme soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC). However, recent reports implicate HNO as another possible activator of sGC. Herein, we examine the affect of HNO donors on the activity of purified bovine lung sGC and find that, indeed, HNO is capable of activating this enzyme. Like NO, HNO activation appears to occur via interaction with the regulatory ferrous heme on sGC. Somewhat unexpectedly, HNO does not activate the ferric form of the enzyme. Finally, HNO-mediated cysteine thiol modification appears to also affect enzyme activity leading to inhibition. Thus, sGC activity can be regulated by HNO via interactions at both the regulatory heme and cysteine thiols.

Thiol oxidation inhibits nitric oxide-mediated pulmonary artery relaxation and guanylate cyclase stimulation

The mechanisms through which thiol oxidation and cellular redox influence the regulation of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) are poorly understood. This study investigated whether promoting thiol oxidation via inhibition of NADPH generation by the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) with 1 mM 6-aminonicotinamide (6-AN) or the thiol oxidant diamide (1 mM) alters sGC activity and cGMP-associated relaxation to nitric oxide (NO) donors [S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) and spermine-NONOate]. Diamide and 6-AN inhibited NO-elicited relaxation of endothelium-denuded bovine pulmonary arteries (BPA) and stimulation of sGC activity in BPA homogenates. Treatment of BPA with the thiol reductant DTT (1 mM) reversed inhibition of NO-mediated relaxation and sGC stimulation by 6-AN. The increase in cGMP protein kinase-associated phosphorylation of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein on Ser239 elicited by 10 microM SNAP was also inhibited by diamide. Activation of sGC by SNAP was attenuated by low micromolar concentrations of GSSG in concentrated, but not dilute, homogenates of BPA, suggesting that an enzymatic process contributes to the actions of GSSG. Relaxation to agents that function through cAMP (forskolin and isoproterenol) was not altered by inhibition of the pentose phosphate pathway or diamide. Thus a thiol oxidation mechanism controlled by the regulation of thiol redox by NADPH generated via the pentose phosphate pathway appears to inhibit sGC activation and cGMP-mediated relaxation by NO in a manner consistent with its function as an important physiological redox-mediated regulator of vascular function.

Urinary NItrotyrosine Content as a Marker of Peroxynitrite-induced Tolerance to Organic NItrates

BACKGROUND: Anti-ischemic therapy with nitrovaasodilators as NO-donors is complicated by the induction of tolerance. When nitrovasodilators are metabolized to release NO there is a considerable coproduction of oxygen-derived radicals leading to a diminished cyclic GMP production and to impaired vasomotory responses. We analyzed in vivo the glyceroltrinitrate-induced generation of strong oxidative/nitrating compounds contributing to development of tolerance. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 16 patients we studied the urinary nitrotyrosine excretion during either (1) placebo control conditions, (2) 2-day nonintermittent transdermal nitroglycerin administration (0.4 mg/h), (3) 2-day nonintermittent glyceroltrinitrate administration (0.4 mg/h) along with a continuous infusion of vitamin C (55 µg/kg/min) as an antioxidant, or (4) with vitamin C but without glyceroltrinitrate (diminished urinary nitrotyrosine content of 34 +/- 18 µg/day observed). Glyceroltrinitrate administration augmented urinary nitrotyrosine from 56 +/- 24 (basal) to 186 +/- 32 µg/day (glyceroltrinitrate tolerance). Coadministration of vitamin C caused complete elimination of tolerance and a decrease in urinary nitrotyrosine to 130 +/- 28 µg/day. Glyceroltrinitrate-induced formation of oxidants was confirmed in vitro comparing glyceroltrinitrate-induced and peroxynitrite-induced tachyphylaxis in isolated perfused rabbit hearts and analyzing tolerance-induced inactivation of solbule guanylyl cyclase in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells. CONCLUSIONS: Augmented urinary nitrotyrosine excretion during glyceroltrinitrate administration reflects enhanced formation of peroxynitrite and of nitrotyrosine. Glyceroltrinitrate-induced tolerance is the result of oxidative stress and can be suppressed by additional antioxidant therapy aimed to prevent glyceroltrinitrate-induced formation and/or actions of peroxynitrite.

Regulation of cytosolic guanylyl cyclase by porphyrins and metalloporphyrins

The experimental evidence is convincing that cytosolic guanylate cyclase is a hemoprotein containing stoichiometric amounts of heme, which functions as a prosthetic group for enzyme activation by NO. Nearly all of the studies described in this chapter were conducted before we began to appreciate in 1986 that mammalian vascular endothelial cells could synthesize their own NO. We know now that many different cell types synthesize NO, and that in most instances the NO interacts in a paracrine manner with adjacent target cells to activate cytosolic guanylate cyclase and elevate intracellular levels of cyclic GMP (Ignarro, 1990). The studies on endothelium-derived relaxing factor and authentic NO have shown clearly that heme and hemoproteins have a very high binding affinity for, and inhibit the actions of, these substances (Ignarro, 1989). The interaction between NO and the heme prosthetic group of guanylate cyclase appears to constitute an important signal transduction mechanism whereby NO raises intracellular cyclic GMP levels. This novel signal transduction mechanism is highly conducive to the efficient functioning of NO as a paracrine mediator of cellular function. As a small, lipophilic, and chemically labile molecule, NO diffuses out of its cells of origin and into nearby target cells. The very high binding affinity of enzyme-bound heme for NO ensures interaction of the two to cause guanylate cyclase activation and cyclic GMP formation. Thus, relatively uncomplicated mechanism can account for the paracrine function of endogenous NO in transcellular communication.

Effects of arginine derivatives on soluble guanylate cyclase from neuroblastoma N1E 115 cells

The effects of L-arginine (Arg) derivatives on soluble guanylate cyclase from neuroblastoma N1E 115 cells were examined. The Arg derivatives were modified at the -NH2, -COOH, C alpha-proton or guanidino group of Arg. Among the synthesized derivatives, eight compounds, i.e. the 5-(dimethylamino)-1-naphthalenesulfonyl (DNS) ones, especially N-cyclohexyl-2-(N-DNSamino)-5-guanidino-2-methylvaleramide and 1-[2-(N-DNSamino)-2-(2-imino-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydropyrimidin- 4-yl)acetyl]- piperidine, were found to inhibit the activity of crude guanylate cyclase in the 105,000 g supernatant fraction of the cell homogenate. The enzyme, partially purified by a column of Chelex 100 Na+, was also inhibited by these eight compounds. The mode of the inhibition was competitive. The Ki values were in the range of 2-8 microM for the enzyme in the 105,000 g supernatant fraction and 3-16 microM for the partially purified enzyme, in the presence of Mg2+ as a metal cofactor. In contrast, a new derivative, methyl 2-amino-5-guanidinovalerate (M Arg ME), as well as the Arg methyl ester (Arg ME) and Arg; were found to enhance the activity of the partially purified guanylate cyclase; KA values of M Arg ME, Arg ME and Arg were approximately 9, 4 and 3 microM respectively. From these results, the free guanidino group including 2-imino-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydropyrimidin-4-yl or 2-imino-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydropyrimidin-5-yl and modification of the --NH2 residue with a hydrophobic group such as DNS seemed to be essential for inhibition of the guanylate cyclase; however, the guanidino and --NH2 residue of Arg should be free for activation by these Arg derivatives.

N-acetylcysteine potentiates platelet inhibition by endothelium-derived relaxing factor

Recent evidence suggests that endothelium-derived relaxing factor exhibits properties of nitric oxide. Like nitric oxide, it inhibits platelet function and mediates its effects by elevating intracellular cyclic GMP. In this study we have investigated the role of reduced thiol in the mechanism of action of endothelium-derived relaxing factor on platelets. Bovine aortic endothelial cells were grown on microcarrier beads and pretreated with aspirin before use. Endothelial cells stimulated with bradykinin or exposed to stirred medium expressed a dose-dependent inhibition of platelet aggregation that was potentiated by the reduced thiol, N-acetylcysteine. Endothelial cell-mediated platelet inhibition was attenuated by methylene blue. Inhibition of platelet aggregation by endothelial cells was associated with a rise in platelet intracellular cyclic GMP, an effect that was enhanced by N-acetylcysteine. These data show that 1) the reduced thiol N-acetylcysteine potentiates platelet inhibition by endothelium-derived relaxing factor and 2) this effect is associated with increasing intracellular platelet cyclic GMP levels.

The dynamics of cGMP metabolism in neuroblastoma N1E-115 cells determined by 18O labeling of guanine nucleotide alpha-phosphoryls

The rates of phosphodiesterase-promoted hydrolysis of cGMP and cAMP have been measured in intact neuroblastoma N1E-115 cells by determining rates of 18O incorporation from 18O-water into the alpha-phosphoryls of guanine and adenine nucleotides. The basal rate of guanine nucleotide alpha-phosphoryl labeling ranged from 180 to 244 pmol X mg protein-1 X min-1. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) caused a sustained 3.4-fold increase in this 18O-labeling rate in conjunction with 28- and 50-fold increases in cellular cGMP concentration at 3 and 6 min, respectively. This 18O-labeling rate (795 pmol X mg protein-1 X min-1) corresponded with the sum of the low (1.7 microM) and high (34 microM) Km phosphodiesterase activities assayable in cell lysates which exhibited a combined maximum velocity of 808 pmol X mg protein-1 X min-1 to which the high Km species contributed 84%. This information and the characteristics of the profile of 18O-labeled molecular species indicate that cGMP metabolism was restricted to a very discrete cellular compartment(s) of approximately 12% of the cell volume. Carbachol (1 mM) produced a transient increase (6-fold) in cellular cGMP concentration and a transient increase (90%) in the rate of 18O labeling of alpha-GTP during the first minute of treatment which translates into 30 additional cellular pools of cGMP hydrolyzed in this period. IBMX (1 mM) produced a relatively rapid increase in cellular cGMP (3- to 5-fold) and cAMP (2-fold) concentrations and a delayed inhibition of 18O labeling of guanine and adenine nucleotide alpha-phosphoryls without further elevation of cyclic nucleotide levels. These results indicate that besides inhibiting cyclic nucleotide hydrolysis, IBMX also imparts a time-dependent inhibitory influence on the generation of cyclic nucleotides. The data obtained show that measurement of 18O labeling of guanine and adenine nucleotide alpha-phosphoryls combined with measurements of cyclic nucleotide steady state levels provides a means to assess the rates of cyclic nucleotide synthesis and hydrolysis within intact cells and to identify the site(s) of action of agents that alter cellular cyclic nucleotide metabolism.

Different effects of various beta-adrenoceptor antagonists on adenylate cyclase, guanylate cyclase and calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterase in heart

A series of six beta-adrenergic blocking drugs including propranolol, bufetolol, bunitrolol, pindolol, labetalol and acebutolol were examined for effects on adenylate cyclase, guanylate cyclase and calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterase from heart. The adrenergic blocking agents had no apparent effects on basal activities of adenylate cyclase, guanylate cyclase and phosphodiesterase. The drugs blocked the enhancement of adenylate cyclase activity by isoproterenol, but not by guanine nucleotide or fluoride. The inhibitory effects of beta-antagonists were overcome by sufficiently large doses of isoproterenol. Sodium azide specifically required catalase whereas NaNO2 required cysteine to activate myocardial guanylate cyclase. Among beta-adrenergic blocking drugs tested, both pindolol and acebutolol inhibited the stimulation of guanylate cyclase by NaNo2 or N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). However, other beta-blocking drugs did not significantly affect the activation by NaN3, NaNO2 and MNNG. Several beta-antagonists, such as labetalol, bunitrolol, pindolol and acebutolol were also effective in blocking the activation of phosphodiesterase by calmodulin. The inhibitory effects of beta-adrenergic blocking drugs, i.e. pindolol and acebutolol upon either nitroso compound-stimulated guanylate cyclase or calmodulin-activated phosphodiesterase display little correlation with their potency as beta-adrenergic blocking agents. These data suggest that beta-antagonists may have another site of action which is not directly related to the control of catecholamine metabolism.

Soluble guanylate cyclase activation by nitric oxide and its reversal. Involvement of sulfhydryl group oxidation and reduction

Pre-incubation of either crude or purified nitric oxide-stimulated soluble lung guanylate cyclase resulted in a temperature-dependent decay of enzyme activity. The decay of nitric oxide-stimulated activity during pre-incubation was associated with a reduced responsiveness of the enzyme to reactivation by a second exposure to nitric oxide. This loss of enzyme responsiveness to reactivation by nitric oxide was greater with purified guanylate cyclase than with the crude enzyme and was highly dependent upon the nitric oxide dose. The addition of dithiothreitol or other thiols to nitric oxide-stimulated enzyme markedly accelerated the decay of activity in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, thiols prevented the loss of responsiveness of guanylate cyclase to reactivation by nitric oxide. Nitric oxide-stimulated enzyme activity was, therefore, reversed by the addition of thiol reducing agents. The addition of the thiol oxidizing agents, diamide or oxidized glutathione, to nitric oxide-stimulated guanylate cyclase caused a rapid and irreversible loss of activity. The effects of diamide or oxidized glutathione on the crude enzyme were prevented by excess dithiothreitol. Dithiothreitol did not prevent the destruction of purified nitric oxide-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity by diamide or oxidized glutathione, however. The results suggest that nitric oxide activation and its reversal are linked to the reversible oxidation and reduction, respectively, of sulfhydryl groups on guanylate cyclase which are involved in enzyme activation. The results further suggest the existence of a second class of sulfhydryl groups involved in the maintenance of enzyme activity.

Sulfhydryl group involvement in the modulation of guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate metabolism by nitric oxide, norepinephrine, pyruvate and t-butyl hydroperoxide in minced rat lung

The cyclic GMP content of rat lung mice was increased nearly 50-fold within 4 sec following exposure to nitric oxide. This rapid increase in cyclic GMP accumulation was prevented by 10 mM, but not 1 mM, dithiothreitol which itself caused a slower yet massive (100-fold) increase in the cyclic GMP content of lung mince. Tissue cyclic GMP following nitric oxide exposure declined rapidly even in the presence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine. The decline in cyclic GMP was accelerated by the thiol oxidant diamide (1 mM). The cyclic GMP content of lung mince was also increased by norepinephrine, pyruvate and t-butyl hydroperoxide. Diamide blocked cyclic GMP accumulation in response to these other agents as well as that caused by nitric oxide or dithiothreitol. The results suggest that sulfhydryl group modification may be a common pathway for the enhancement of cyclic GMP synthesis in tissues by a variety of stimuli.

Involvement of sulfhydryl groups in the oxidative modulation of particulate lung guanylate cyclase by nitric oxide and N-methyl-N'nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine

Particulate guanylate cyclase from rat lung was activated by nitric oxide or N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) in a dose-dependent manner that was enhanced by dithiothreitol. Nitric oxide-stimulated guanylate cyclase activity decayed during a 60-min preincubation at 37 degrees, but did not decay at 24 degrees or 4 degrees. Dithiothreitol enhanced the decay of nitric oxide-stimulated enzyme at all temperatures by potentiating the reversal of nitric oxide activation. Following the reversal of nitric oxide activation at 24 degrees by dithiothreitol, the particulate enzyme could be reactivated by a second exposure to nitric oxide. Preincubation of basal particulate guanylate cyclase activity at 37 degrees resulted in the loss of enzyme responsiveness to activation by nitric oxide or MNNG that was potentiated by diamide or oxidized glutathione. The inhibitory effects of the thiol oxidants on enzyme responsiveness to activation by MNNG were prevented by dithiothreitol. The results suggest that activation of particulate guanylate cyclase by nitric oxide or MNNG involves the oxidation of key enzyme sulfhydryl groups.

Stimulation of guanylate cyclase by EDTA and other chelating agents

The partially purified soluble guanylate cyclase (GTP pyrophosphatelyase(cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.2) from human caudate nucleus is stimulated from 2 to 4-fold by metal chelating agents. EDTA (K 1/2 - 4.8 microM) is more potent than CDTA (K 1/2 = 13.2 microM) or EGTA (K 1/2 = 21.8 microM) at stimulating activity. Stimulation by chelating agents is apparently not due to removal of inhibitory divalent cations which contaminate the enzyme or reaction mixture. EDTA increases guanylate cyclase activity in part by increasing the affinity of the enzyme for the substrate (MgGTP) 10-fold. Dopamine inhibits partially purified guanylate cyclase in the presence or absence of EDTA. Dopamine increases the Ka of guanylate cyclase for the activator, free Mn2+, more than 50-fold, from 3 to 150 microM.

Rat brain guanylate cyclase. Purification, amphiphilic properties and immunological characterization

Soluble guanylate cyclase (GTP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.2) has been purified to apparent homogeneity from rat brain by chromatography on Blue-Sepharose CL-6B, precipitation with (NH4)2SO4, preparative isoelectric focusing and gel-filtration on Ultrogel AcA-34. On sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis the purified enzyme showed a single band with an apparent molecular weight 59 000, when stored in buffer without glycerol and 2-mercaptoethanol. Purified enzyme has been found to be very unstable; inactivation can however be partially reversed by an endogenous heat-stable activator fraction. A monospecific antiserum obtained by immunization of rabbits was found to precipitate guanylate cyclase. This antibody also reacted with membrane-bound enzyme, indicating a close similarity to the soluble enzyme. Metal divalent cations were in general found to be strong inhibitors of the enzyme activity, though Ca2+ had no effect. ATP, CTP or UTP were shown to be competitive inhibitors of purified guanylate cyclase. Sodium nitroprusside increased cyclic GMP formation by the purified enzyme. Lysophosphatidylcholine and oleic acid, at low concentration, activated guanylate cyclase. Other unsaturated fatty acids, particularly arachidonic acid, dramatically inhibited the enzyme activity. Lipids may regulate the enzyme activity by binding to an apolar domain, as suggested by charge-shift electrophoresis. The mechanism by which guanylate cyclase is regulated in the cell appears to be a complex phenomenon. It may occur through oxidative reductive processes, and/or depend on other effectors, such as triphospho-nucleotides, divalent cations and lipid microenvironment.

Endogenous activation of guanylate cyclase in synaptosomal soluble fraction from rat brain

Guanylate cyclase in crude mitochrondrial (P2) soluble fraction prepared from rat brain, obtained by a hypo-osmotic treatment of P2, showed extremely higher activity than that in the same fraction from other organs. In addition the soluble fraction obtained from synaptosomes (P2 - B) contained the highest enzyme activity among other subfractions of the cerebral P2 examined. Guanylate cyclase activity in the synaptosomal soluble fraction was, however, markedly suppressed by various compounds reacting with free radicals. These results suggest that guanylate cyclase in the synaptosomal soluble fraction may be activated endogenously be a free radical and involved in the regulatory mechanisms for cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cyclic GMP) at presynaptic terminals.

Kinetic effects of the concentration-dependent stimulation of soluble guanylate cyclase from rat lung

Soluble guanylate cyclase (GTP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.2) from rat lung demonstrated concentration-dependent stimulation, that is, an increase in specific activity with increasing enzyme (protein) concentration. This phenomenon persisted through several steps of enzyme purification and was apparently due to the presence of a macromolecular activator, similar in size to the enzyme. Treatment of partially purified enzyme with N-ethylmaleimide destroyed catalytic activity, but did not effect the ability of the preparation to stimulate activity. Kinetic analysis demonstrated that the stimulation was due to an increased V value with no change in the apparent Km value for MnGTP. Stimulation occurred without a time lag, the activator apparently interacting reversibly with the enzyme to increase catalytic capability. Some nonionic detergents of the Triton series inhibited enzyme activity by decreasing the V value, with no change in the Km value, and also decreased concentration-dependent stimulation. However, the two phenomena were not directly related. While the physiological significance of the activator is unclear, its presence affects estimations of recovery during enzyme purification, V determinations, and determinations of the effect of hormone or drug treatment on the activity of tissue extracts.

Oxidative modulation of soluble guanylate cyclase by manganese

Homogeneous or partially purified soluble guanylate cyclase (GTP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.2) from rat liver exhibited variable sensitivity to assay pH that was dependent upon buffer composition and the cation cofactor. Enzyme activity with 3 mM Mn2+ in excess of Mn2+-GTP was considerably less in Tris buffers above pH 8.0 than in glycine buffer. In the pH range of 6.0-7.6, however, manganese-supported activity was greater in Tris buffers than in imidazole or cacodylate buffers of corresponding pH. The differences in activity seen with various buffers were not apparent when Mg2+ was the sole cation cofactor but were dependent upon Mn2+ concentrations in excess of Mn2+-GTP. The effects of excess Mn2+ on guanylate cyclase varied with assay pH and buffer composition. At pH 7.6 in Tris-HCl buffer, excess Mn2+ increased guanylate cyclase activity with an apparent Ka of 0.25 mM and concentrations above 3 mM were slightly inhibitory. At pH 9.0 in Tris-HCl buffer, however, concentrations of excess Mn2+ above 0.1 mM were strongly inhibitory. By comparison, in cacodylate (pH 7.6) or glycine (pH 9.0) buffers, high concentrations of excess Mn2+ were considerably less inhibitory and the apparent Ka values for excess Mn2+ were greater than in Tris-HCl buffer at equivalent pH. The variable effects of Mn2+ on enzyme activity as a function of buffer pH and composition were qualitatively similar to its effects on catecholamine oxidation. Furthermore, the inhibition of guanylate cyclase by excess Mn2+ was partially prevented by dithiothreitol and the stimulation of enzyme activity by excess cation was completely blocked by the antioxidant hydroquinone. The studies suggest that the apparent requirement and preference of soluble guanylate cyclase for excess Mn2+ as cation cofactor, as well as the inhibition of enzyme activity by excess Mn2+ may be mediated by oxidative events associated with changes in the oxidation state of the free cation.

Characterization of cerebellar guanylate cyclase using N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. Presence of two different types of guanylate cyclase in soluble and particulate fractions

Some characteristics of guanylate cyclase (GTP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.2) in subcellular fractions prepared from rat cerebellum have been analyzed on the basis of responsiveness to N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and inhibitors related to N-nitroso compounds. The enzyme in 100 000 X g supernatant and crude mitochondrial (P2) fractions were differently activated (11- and 2.5-fold, respectively) by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. The soluble fraction obtained by hypo-osmotic treatment and subsequent recentrifugation of the P2 (P2-soluble) contained a significantly higher total guanylate cyclase activity than that of the starting material (P2). The P2-soluble fraction also exhibited a lower responsiveness (1.5-fold) to N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine than that found in the P2. The membrane fraction prepared from the P2 (P2-membrane) had no response to N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. Hemoglobin and vitamin A derivatives significantly inhibited both N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine-activated 100 000 X g supernatant and basal P2-soluble enzyme activities, without effect on the basal activities in 100 000 X g supernatant and P2-membrane fractions. The present results suggest that two different types of guanylate cyclase may be present in rat cerebellum in terms of the responsiveness of N-nitroso compounds, and P2-soluble guanylate cyclase seems to be activated endogenously through a mechanism similar to the action of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine.

Effect of alamethicin, gramicidin S and melittin upon the particulate guanylate cyclase from rat lung

The channel-forming antibiotic alamethicin activated rat lung particulate guanylate cyclase (GTP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing) EC 4.6.1.2), and the activated enzyme was further stimulated by sodium nitroprusside when a thiol such as 2-mercaptoethanol was present. Similar effects were seen with the antibiotic gramicidin S and with melittin, a polypeptide purified from bee venom. All of these agents are amphiphilic polypeptides. Nitroprusside was not able to stimulate both particulate and soluble enzyme treated with the nonionic amphiphile, Lubrol PX, suggesting that the membrane-active polypeptides had a different mechanism of action. These polypeptides are known to alter the membrane matrix by binding to phospholipid, and we suggest that this alteration allowed greater access of substrate and of nitroprusside to the enzyme. Lubrol PX, however, may interact preferentially with the enzyme, and thus block nitroprusside activation. The most potent of these agents was melittin, which stimulated nitroprusside activation at a concentration which had little effect by itself (7 microns), and at which others have demonstrated lytic effects on cells.

Blockade by N-methylhydroxylamine of activation of guanylate cyclase and elevations of guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate levels in nervous tissues

Hydroxylamine and N-methylhydroxylamine prevented the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase by the endogenous activator as well as by nitroso compounds such as N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine or nitroprusside, while other derivaties of hydroxylamine were ineffective. Hydroxylamine and N-methylhydroxylamine did not alter the basal guanylate cyclase activity of purified enzyme preparations. Kinetics analysis indicated that N-methylhydroxylamine competes with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine for guanylate cyclase. The activation of guanylate cyclase by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and its inhibition by N-methylhydroxylamine were reversible reactions. These effects of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and N-methylhydroxylamine were observed with guanylate cyclase from other tissues. N-Methylhydroxylamine prevented the increase of guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic GMP) levels in cerebellar slices of guinea pig by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine, veratridine and adenosine, while the elevations of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate by these agents were not effected. N-Methylhydroxylamine also blocked the increases of cyclic GMP levels by carbachol, prostaglandin E1 and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in neuroblastoma N1E 115 cells. Thus N-methylhydroxylamine prevents the activation of guanylate cyclase and the increased synthesis of cyclic GMP in response to transmitters without blocking the synthesis of cyclic GMP via basal enzyme activity.

Alterations in rat renal cortical and medullary guanosine 3'5'-monophosphate accumulation by oxygen- and calcium-dependent and -independent mechanisms: evidence for a calcium-independent action of oxygen in renal inner medulla

Factors influencing guanosine 3'5'-monophosphate (cGMP) metabolism were examined in slices of rat renal cortex, outer medulla, and inner medulla. In the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and O2, a gradation of steady-state cGMP levels was evident among the tissues (inner medulla greater than outer medulla greater than cortex). Carbamylcholine, bradykinin, histamine, and the divalent cation ionophore A23187 significantly increased cGMP in each tissue. The cGMP-stimulating action of these agents was reversibly abolished by exclusion of either Ca2+ or O2. The influence of Ca2+ and O2 on expression of effects of carbamylcholine and related cGMP agonists was interdependent in each region of the kidney, since both were required for expression of agonist action. By contrast, nitrite, nitroprusside, NH2OH, and nitrosoguanidine increased cGMP in the presence or absence of Ca2+ or O2. Thus, at least two distinct mechanisms for altering cGMP accumulation are operative or expressible in each region of the kidney: one that requires and one that does not require the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and O2. Results also suggested a role for transmembrane transport of Ca2+ in the maintenance of basal cGMP and in the expression of the responses to Ca2+-dependent agonists in renal cortex, outer and inner medulla. Thus, verapamil, which can block such transport, lowered basal cGMP and abolished these responses while ionophore A23187 enhanced cGMP in cortex and medulla only in the presence of Ca2+. The interrelationship of Ca2+ and O2 in control of basal cGMP levels clearly differed in cortex compared to inner medulla. In cortex, Ca2+ and/or O2 deprivation produced quantitatively similar reductions in cGMP. Moreover, expression of the action of O2 to increase cortical cGMP required Ca2+. Thus, O2 effects on cGMP in cortex were closely coupled with or mediated through Ca2+. By contrast, in inner medulla, O2 deprivation resulted in more pronounced reduction in basal cGMP than did Ca2+-deprivation, and O2 significantly increased inner medullary cGMP in the absence of extracellular Ca2+...

Effects of thiol inhibitors on hepatic guanylate cylase activity

Several thiol blocking agents inhibit basal guanylate cyclase activity of 100 000 X g hepatic supernatant fractions and the stimulation of enzyme activity by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), NaN3, NaNO2 and nitroprusside. The relative potency of the thiol blockers as inhibitors was CdCl2 greater than p-hydroxymercuribenzoate greater than N-ethylmaleimide greater than arsenite greater than iodoacetamide. Inhibition of basal and MNNG-responsive soluble guanylate cyclase activities by arsenite was markedly potentiated by an equimolar concentration of 2,3-dimercaprol, but not by mercaptoethanol. Inhibition of soluble guanylate cyclase by either arsenite or CdCl2 was completely reversed by excess 2,3-dimercaprol. Qualitatively similar effects were observed with DE-52 cellulose purified soluble hepatic guanylate cyclase, and suggested an involvement of closely juxtaposed thiol groups in the regulation of enzyme activity. For several reasons inhibition by thiol blockers appeared to be mediated through multiple mechanisms and/or sites of interaction: (1) Concentrations of the thiol inhibitors which had no effect on basal activity strikingly inhibited the responsiveness of the enzyme to a submaximal concentration of MNNG. (2) CdCl2 abolished the action of excess MnCl2 to stimulate purified guanylate cyclase, but was a relatively ineffective inhibitor when MnCl2 and GTP were present in equimolar concentrations. By contrast, arsenite-2,3-dimercaprol was uniformly effective in inhibiting guanylate cyclase activity in the presence or absence of excess MnCl2. (3) Arsenite-2,3-dimercaprol increased the Km for MnGTP (control, 0.13 +/- 0.02 mM; 0.2 mM arsenite-2,3-dimercaprol, 0.31 +/- 0.03 mM), whereas CdCl2 had no effect on this parameter. (4) Hepatic particulate guanylate cyclase activity was significantly inhibited by arsenite 2,3-dimercaprol but not by CdCl2. Thus, the data not only indicate that vicinal dithiol groups are required for expression of basal guanylate cyclase activity and enzyme responses to agonists, but strongly suggest the involvement of more than one interacting site containing free thiol residues.