Glutamic acid 203 of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit participates in the inhibition by two isoforms of the protein kinase inhibitor

High Density Protein Kinase Assay With Subattomole Sensitivity

A rapid assay system based on incorporation of [γ-32P]ATP into biotinylated peptide substrates and their subsequent capture onto a high capacity streptavidin-coated membrane, SAM2™, has been developed for the detection of protein kinases. The system uses prenumbered and partially cut membrane squares for analyzing a limited number of samples or can be formatted to analyze up to 1,536 samples per microtiter plate footprint of 7.0 cm X 10.6 cm. The high biotin-binding capacity and low background of the membrane allows the use of nearly saturating amounts of most substrates, giving this system very high signal-to-noise ratios at low enzyme concentrations. Using cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase A (PKA) as a model system, as little as 0.3 amol of purified enzyme in 0.2 μl can be detected with a linear response range of over 3 orders of magnitude. cAMP-dependent kinase activity can be measured directly in tissue extracts by using a specific substrate and harsh washing procedures to reduce nonspecific backgrounds from proteins phosphorylated by other kinases. For increased assay flexibility, results can be analyzed either by PhosphorImager™ quantitation or by scintillation counting.

Protein kinase inhibitor peptide (PKI): a family of endogenous neuropeptides that modulate neuronal cAMP-dependent protein kinase function

Signal transduction cascades involving cAMP-dependent protein kinase are highly conserved among a wide variety of organisms. Given the universal nature of this enzyme it is not surprising that cAMP-dependent protein kinase plays a critical role in numerous cellular processes. This is particularly evident in the nervous system where cAMP-dependent protein kinase is involved in neurotransmitter release, gene transcription, and synaptic plasticity. Protein kinase inhibitor peptide (PKI) is an endogenous thermostable peptide that modulates cAMP-dependent protein kinase function. PKI contains two distinct functional domains within its amino acid sequence that allow it to: (1) potently and specifically inhibit the activity of the free catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and (2) export the free catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase from the nucleus. Three distinct PKI isoforms (PKIalpha, PKIbeta, PKIgamma) have been identified and each isoform is expressed in the brain. PKI modulates neuronal synaptic activity, while PKI also is involved in morphogenesis and symmetrical left-right axis formation. In addition, PKI also plays a role in regulating gene expression induced by cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Future studies should identify novel physiological functions for endogenous PKI both in the nervous system and throughout the body. Most interesting will be the determination whether functional differences exist between individual PKI isoforms which is an intriguing possibility since these isoforms exhibit: (1) cell-type specific tissue expression patterns, (2) different potencies for the inhibition of cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity, and (3) expression patterns that are hormonally, developmentally and cell-cycle regulated. Finally, synthetic peptide analogs of endogenous PKI will continue to be invaluable tools that are used to elucidate the role of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in a variety of cellular processes throughout the nervous system and the rest of the body.

Activation and induction of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (PDE4) in rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells

Regulation of the rolipram-sensitive cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) gene family was studied in rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (RPMVECs). Total PDE4 hydrolysis was increased within 10 min after addition of forskolin (10 microM), reached a maximum at 20-40 min, and then gradually declined in the cells. A similar activation of PDE4 activity was observed using a protein kinase A (PKA) activator, N(6)-monobutyryl cAMP. Both the forskolin and the N(6)-monobutyryl cAMP activated PDE4 activities were blocked by the PKA-specific inhibitor, H89. This forskolin-stimulated and PKA-mediated short-term activation of PDE4 activity was further confirmed by in vitro phosphorylation of 87kDa PDE4A6 and 83kDa PDE4B3 polypeptides using exogenous PKA Calpha. Increased immunoreactivity of phosphorylated PDE4A6 in situ was detected in Western blots by a PDE4A-phospho antibody specific to the putative PKA phosphorylation sites. Following long-term treatment of RPMVECs with rolipram and forskolin medium (RFM) for more than 60 days, PDE4 activity reached ten-fold higher values than control RPMVECS with twenty-fold increases detected in intracellular cAMP content. The RFM cells showed increased immunoreactivities of the constitutive 4A6 and 4B3 isoforms plus two novel splice variants at 101kDa (4B1) and 71kDa (4B2). Treatment with H89 did not inhibit the PDE4 elevation in RFM cells. In addition to the increased levels of PDE4 in RFM cells, immunofluorescence showed a translocation of PDE4A and 4B to a nuclear region, which was normally not observed in RPMVECs. The PDE4 activity in RFM cells decayed rapidly with an even faster decline of intracellular cAMP content when forskolin/rolipram were removed from the medium. These results suggest that both the activation (short-term) and induction (long-term) of PDE4A/4B isoforms in RPMVECs are closely modulated by the intracellular cAMP content via both post-translational and synthetic mechanisms.

Characterization of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit Cγ expressed and purified from sf9 cells

The Cgamma and Calpha subunits of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) contain 350 amino acids that are highly homologous (83% amino acid sequence), with 91% homology within the catalytic domain (a.a. 40-300). Unlike Cgamma, the Calpha subunit has been readily purified and characterized as a recombinant protein in vitro, in intact cells, and in vivo. This report describes for the first time the expression, purification, and characterization of Cgamma. The expression of active Cgamma was eukaryote-specific, from mammalian and insect cells, but not bacteria. Active recombinant Cgamma was optimally expressed and purified to homogeneity from Sf9 cells with a 273-fold increase in specific activity and a 21% recovery after sequential CM-Sepharose and Sephacryl S-300 chromatography. The specific activity of pure Cgamma was 0.31 and 0.81 U/mg with kemptide and histone as substrates, respectively. Physical characterization showed Cgamma had a lower apparent molecular weight and Stokes radii than Calpha, suggesting differences in tertiary structures. Steady-state kinetics demonstrated that like Calpha and Cbeta, Cgamma phosphorylates substrates requiring basic amino acids at P-3 and P-2. However, Cgamma generally exhibited a lower Km and Vmax than Calpha for peptide substrates tested. Cgamma also exhibited a distinct pseudosubstrate specificity showing inhibition by homogeneous preparations of RIalpha and RIIalpha-subunits, but not by pure recombinant protein kinase inhibitors PKIalpha and PKIbeta, PKA-specific inhibitors. These studies suggest that Cgamma and Calpha exhibit differences in structure and function in vitro, supporting the hypothesis that functionally different C-subunit isozymes could diversify and/or fine-tune cAMP signal transduction downstream of PKA activation.

Distinctive cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase subunit localization is associated with cyst formation and loss of tubulogenic capacity in Madin-Darby canine kidney cell clones

Polycystic kidney disease is characterized by abnormal morphological development. Mechanisms that regulate cyst development may involve multiple signaling pathways. Cyst formation by Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells in three-dimensional culture is assumed to be cyclic AMP-dependent and due to cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (cAPK) activation based on pharmacological responsiveness. To determine if different cyclic AMP (cAMP) pathways are associated with morphological development, the role of cAMP in regulating morphological change was examined in MDCK clones that form tumor-like or tubular structures under basal conditions. Pharmacological cAMP pathway activators induce cyst formation and diminish formation of other structures in three clones, whereas one clone is unaffected. Tyrosine kinase-mediated morphogens have little effect. Although all clones have intact cAMP signaling pathways, each has a unique subcellular distribution of cAPK regulatory subunits. This may reflect distinct mechanisms for cAPK anchoring, allowing cAPK subtype regulation of the unique phenotypic character of each clone through preferential access to substrates. These observations suggest a molecular basis for differential cAMP responsiveness in cells that develop distinct morphological phenotypes. This evidence establishes these MDCK clones as models for understanding the mechanism and functional significance of cAPK subunit localization and may have broader implications for cystogenesis in polycystic kidney disease.

A candidate target for G protein action in brain

An effector candidate for G protein action, GRIN1, was identified by screening a cDNA expression library with phosphorylated GTPgammaS-G(z)alpha as a probe. GRIN1 is a novel protein without substantial homology to known protein domains. It is expressed largely in brain and binds specifically to activated G(z)alpha, G(o)alpha, and G(i)alpha through its carboxyl-terminal region. The protein KIAA0514 (GRIN2) is homologous to GRIN1 at its carboxyl terminus and also binds to activated G(o)alpha. Both GRIN1 and G(o)alpha are membrane-bound proteins that are enriched in the growth cones of neurites. Coexpression of GRIN1 or GRIN2 with activated G(o)alpha causes formation of a network of fine processes in Neuro2a cells, suggesting that these pathways may function downstream of G(o)alpha to control growth of neurites.

Phosphorylation-dependent inhibition of protein phosphatase-1 by G-substrate. A Purkinje cell substrate of the cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase

G-substrate, a specific substrate of the cGMP-dependent protein kinase, has previously been localized to the Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. We report here the isolation from mouse brain of a cDNA encoding G-substrate. This cDNA was used to localize G-substrate mRNA expression, as well as to produce recombinant protein for the characterization of G-substrate phosphatase inhibitory activity. Brain and eye were the only tissues in which a G-substrate transcript was detected. Within the brain, G-substrate transcripts were restricted almost entirely to the Purkinje cells of the cerebellum, although transcripts were also detected at low levels in the paraventricular region of the hypothalamus and the pons/medulla. Like the native protein, the recombinant protein was preferentially phosphorylated by cGMP-dependent protein kinase (Km = 0.2 microM) over cAMP-dependent protein kinase (Km = 2.0 microM). Phospho-G-substrate inhibited the catalytic subunit of native protein phosphatase-1 with an IC50 of 131 +/- 27 nM. Dephospho-G-substrate was not found to be inhibitory. Both dephospho- and phospho-G-substrate were weak inhibitors of native protein phosphatase-2A1, which dephosphorylated G-substrate 20 times faster than the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase-1. G-substrate potentiated the action of cAMP-dependent protein kinase on a cAMP-regulated luciferase reporter construct, consistent with an inhibition of cellular phosphatases in vivo. These results provide the first demonstration that G-substrate inhibits protein phosphatase-1 and suggest a novel mechanism by which cGMP-dependent protein kinase I can regulate the activity of the type 1 protein phosphatases.

Characterization of PKIgamma, a novel isoform of the protein kinase inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase

Attempts to understand the physiological roles of the protein kinase inhibitor (PKI) proteins have been hampered by a lack of knowledge concerning the molecular heterogeneity of the PKI family. The PKIgamma cDNA sequence determined here predicted an open reading frame of 75 amino acids, showing 35% identity to PKIalpha and 30% identity to PKIbeta1. Residues important for the high affinity of PKIalpha and PKIbeta1 as well as nuclear export of the catalytic (C) subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase were found to be conserved in PKIgamma. Northern blot analysis showed that a 1.3-kilobase PKIgamma message is widely expressed, with highest levels in heart, skeletal muscle, and testis. RNase protection analysis revealed that in most tissues examined PKIgamma is expressed at levels equal to or higher than the other known PKI isoforms and that in several mouse-derived cell lines, PKIgamma is the predominant PKI message. Partial purification of PKI activities from mouse heart by DEAE ion exchange chromatography resolved two major inhibitory peaks, and isoform-specific polyclonal antibodies raised against recombinant PKIalpha and PKIgamma identified these inhibitory activities to be PKIalpha and PKIgamma. A comparison of inhibitory potencies of PKIalpha and PKIgamma expressed in Escherichia coli revealed that PKIgamma was a potent competitive inhibitor of Calpha phosphotransferase activity in vitro (Ki = 0.44 nM) but is 6-fold less potent than PKIalpha (Ki = 0.073 nM). Like PKIalpha, PKIgamma was capable of blocking the nuclear accumulation of Flag-tagged C subunit in transiently transfected mammalian cells. Finally, the murine PKIgamma gene was found to overlap the murine adenosine deaminase gene on mouse chromosome 2. These results demonstrate that PKIgamma is a novel, functional PKI isoform that accounts for the previously observed discrepancy between PKI activity and PKI mRNA levels in several mammalian tissues.

The major catalytic subunit isoforms of cAMP-dependent protein kinase have distinct biochemical properties in vitro and in vivo

Two isoforms of the catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, Calpha and Cbeta1, are known to be widely expressed in mammals. Although much is known about the structure and function of Calpha, few studies have addressed the possibility of a distinct role for the Cbeta proteins. The present study is a detailed comparison of the biochemical properties of these two isoforms, which were initially expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. Cbeta1 demonstrated higher Km values for some peptide substrates than did Calpha, but Cbeta1 was insensitive to substrate inhibition, a phenomenon that was observed with Calpha at substrate concentrations above 100 microM. Calpha and Cbeta1 displayed distinct IC50 values for the alpha and beta isoforms of the protein kinase inhibitor, protein kinase inhibitorpeptide, and the type IIalpha regulatory subunit (RIIalpha). Of particular interest, purified type II holoenzyme containing Cbeta1 exhibited a 5-fold lower Ka value for cAMP (13 nM) than did type II holoenzyme containing Calpha (63 nM). This latter result was extended to in vivo conditions by employing a transcriptional activation assay. In these experiments, luciferase reporter activity in COS-1 cells expressing RIIalpha2Cbeta12 holoenzyme was half-maximal at 12-fold lower concentrations of 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cAMP and 5-fold lower concentrations of forskolin than in COS-1 cells expressing RIIalpha2Calpha2 holoenzyme. These results provide evidence that type II holoenzyme formed with Cbeta1 is preferentially activated by cAMP in vivo and suggest that activation of the holoenzyme is determined in part by interactions between the regulatory and catalytic subunits that have not been described previously.

Isoform-specific differences in the potencies of murine protein kinase inhibitors are due to nonconserved amino-terminal residues

We provide here a detailed characterization of two isoforms of the protein kinase inhibitor (PKI) protein of cAMP-dependent protein kinase that have dramatically different inhibition constants. Murine PKI beta 1 possesses a 32-fold higher Ki than murine PKI alpha as determined by Henderson analysis. This finding led to the investigation of C subunit.PKI interactions involving nonconserved regions in the carboxyl and amino termini of murine PKI alpha and PKI beta 1. Chimeric cDNAs coding for amino acid sequences from both PKI isoforms were constructed and expressed in bacteria. Surprisingly, exchanging the carboxyl-terminal two-thirds of PKI alpha and PKI beta 1 has relatively little effect on the inhibition constants of the two isoforms. Similarly, introducing amino acid residues corresponding to a beta-turn region of PKI alpha into PKI beta 1 fails to lower PKI beta 1 inhibition constants. However, introducing the amino-terminal alpha-helical region of PKI alpha into PKI beta 1 reduces the Ki and IC50 of PKI beta 1 to values identical with full length PKI alpha. Site-directed mutagenesis of specific residues within this region implicates the presence of a tyrosine at position 7 in PKI alpha as a major contributor to its enhanced inhibitory potency. The results of this study suggest that variations in C subunit.PKI interactions within an amino-terminal alpha-helix provide a major mechanism for altering the inhibitory properties of PKI isoforms.