Preparation and Properties of 5'-Nucleotidase from Smooth Muscle of Small Intestine

Design, synthesis and structure-activity relationship of malonic acid non-nucleoside derivatives as potent CD73 inhibitors

High levels of extracellular adenosine in tumor microenvironment (TME) has extensive immunosuppressive effect. CD73 catalyzes the conversion of AMP into adenosine and regulates its production. Inhibiting CD73 can reduce the level of adenosine and reverse adenosine-mediated immune suppression. Therefore, CD73 has emerged as a valuable target for cancer immunotherapy. Here, a new series of malonic acid non-nucleoside derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated as CD73 inhibitors. Among them, compounds 18 and 19 exhibited significant inhibition activities against hCD73 with IC50 values of 0.28 μM and 0.10 μM, respectively, suggesting the feasibility of replacing the benzotriazole moiety in the lead compound. This study explored the novelty and structural diversity of CD73 inhibitors.

Discovery of Novel 5-(Pyridazin-3-yl)pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione Derivatives as Potent and Orally Bioavailable Inhibitors Targeting Ecto-5'-nucleotidase

Ecto-5-nucleotidase (CD73) is overexpressed in a variety of cancers and associated with the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, making it an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy. Herein, we designed and synthesized a series of novel (pyridazine-3-yl)pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione derivatives as CD73 inhibitors. These compounds exhibited remarkable inhibitory activity against CD73 in both enzymatic biochemical and cellular assays. Among them, compound 35j proved to be one of the most potent inhibitors and an uncompetitive inhibitor with no obvious cytotoxicity. This compound showed high metabolic stability in rat liver microsomes and favorable pharmacokinetic profiles in rats (T1/2 = 3.37 h, F = 50.24%). Importantly, orally administered 35j significantly inhibited tumor growth in the triple-negative breast cancer 4T1 mouse model (TGI = 73.6%, 50 mg/kg). Immunoassays suggested that 35j remarkably increased the infiltration of positive immune cells, thereby reinvigorating antitumor immunity. These results demonstrate that 35j is a potent CD73 inhibitor worthy of further development.

New Method for 5'-Nucleotidase Preparation and Evaluation of Its Catalytic Activity

In this study, we established a new methodology for preparing 5'-nucleotidase (5'-NT) with the aim of enhancing our understanding of its enzyme activity and laying a basis for regulating the content of umami-enhancing nucleotides in pork. 5'-NT was prepared with Sephadex gel filtration and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and its enzymatic properties and catalytic activity were evaluated. The results show that the molecular weight of the prepared 5'-NT was 57 kDa, the optimal catalytic temperature was 40 °C, and the optimal pH was 8. Zn2+, and sucrose showed inhibitory effects on the activity of 5'-NT, while K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, glucose, fructose, and trehalose promoted the activity of the studied compound. The prepared 5'-NT exhibited higher catalytic activity and selectivity against IMP compared with its commercial counterpart, while its catalytic activity against XMP was not significant (p > 0.05). In brief, we established a new methodology for preparing 5'-NT, enhancing our understanding of its enzyme activity and providing a solid basis for regulating the content of umami-enhancing nucleotides in pork through the control of endogenous 5'-NT activity.

SIRT1-dependent restoration of NAD+ homeostasis after increased extracellular NAD+ exposure

In the last several years, NAD+ supplementation has emerged as an innovative and safe therapeutic strategy for a wide spectrum of disorders, including diabetes and neuropathy. However, critical questions remain as to how NAD+ and its precursors are taken up by cells, as well as the effects of long-lasting intracellular NAD+ (iNAD+) increases. Here, we investigated the kinetics of iNAD+ levels in different cell types challenged with prolonged exposure to extracellular NAD+ (eNAD+). Surprisingly, we found that after the initial increase, iNAD+ contents decreased back to control levels (iNAD+ resetting). Focusing our attention on HeLa cells, we found that oxygen and ATP consumption occurred with similar temporal kinetics after eNAD+ exposure. Using [³H]NAD+ and [¹⁴C]NAD+, we determined that NAD+ resetting was not due to increased dinucleotide extrusion but rather due to reduced uptake of cleaved NAD+ products. Indeed, eNAD+ exposure reduced the expression of the ecto-5′-nucleotidase CD73, the nicotinamide adenine mononucleotide transporter solute carrier family 12 member 8, and the nicotinamide riboside kinase. Interestingly, silencing the NAD+-sensor enzyme sirtuin 1 prevented eNAD+-dependent transcriptional repression of ecto-5′-nucleotidase, solute carrier family 12 member 8, and nicotinamide riboside kinase, as well as iNAD+ resetting. Our findings provide the first evidence for a sirtuin 1–mediated homeostatic response aimed at maintaining physiological iNAD+ levels in conditions of excess eNAD+ availability. These data may be of relevance for therapies designed to support the NAD+ metabolome via extracellular supplementation of the dinucleotide or its precursors.

Targeting Metabolism of Extracellular Nucleotides via Inhibition of Ectonucleotidases CD73 and CD39

In the tumor microenvironment, unusually high concentrations of extracellular adenosine promote tumor proliferation through various immunosuppressive mechanisms. Blocking adenosine production by inhibiting nucleotide-metabolizing enzymes, such as ectonucleotidases CD73 and CD39, represents a promising therapeutic strategy that may synergize with other immuno-oncology mechanisms and chemotherapies. Emerging small-molecule ectonucleotidase inhibitors have recently entered clinical trials. This Perspective will outline challenges, strategies, and recent advancements in targeting this class with small-molecule inhibitors, including AB680, the first small-molecule CD73 inhibitor to enter clinical development. Specific case studies, including structure-based drug design and lead optimization, will be outlined. Preclinical data on these molecules and their ability to enhance antitumor immunity will be discussed.

The effects of adenine nucleotide perfusion on interstitial adenosine production in rat skeletal muscle

The purpose of the present study was to utilize the microdialysis technique in rat skeletal muscle to perfuse varying concentrations of AMP, ADP, and ATP into the interstitium to examine the effects that these adenine nucleotides have on the production of adenosine in the interstitial space. Interstitial adenosine production appears to be related to the type (ATP, ADP, or AMP) and concentration (2-60 μmol/L) of the adenine nucleotide perfused. Interstitial adenosine levels increased (P < 0.05) from baseline (0.18 ± 0.02 and 0.22 ± 0.02 μmol/L) to 0.23 ± 0.02 and 0.41 ± 0.05 μmol/L following 5 and 30 μmol/L AMP perfusion, respectively. Similarly, perfusion with 30 μmol/L ADP and 30, 40, and 60 μmol/L ATP resulted in an increase (P < 0.05) in interstitial adenosine concentration from baseline (0.25 ± 0.02, 0.26 ± 0.02, 0.19 ± 0.03, and 0.14 ± 0.02 μmol/L) to 0.30 ± 0.02, 0.32 ± 0.02, 0.36 ± 0.04, and 0.33 ± 0.04 μmol/L, respectively. Interestingly, the most prominent increase in interstitial adenosine production occurred during the perfusion of 60 μmol/L ATP (126% increase from baseline). These data strongly suggest that interstitial ATP may play a more potent role in stimulating interstitial adenosine production as compared with ADP or AMP. In addition, interstitial adenosine production can occur independent of muscle contraction (voluntary or involuntary) or hypoxia when adequate concentrations of adenine nucleotides are available.

Inhibition of CD73 AMP hydrolysis by a therapeutic antibody with a dual, non-competitive mechanism of action

CD73 (ecto-5′-nucleotidase) has recently been established as a promising immuno-oncology target. Given its role in activating purinergic signaling pathways to elicit immune suppression, antagonizing CD73 (i.e., releasing the brake) offers a complimentary pathway to inducing anti-tumor immune responses. Here, we describe the mechanistic activity of a new clinical therapeutic, MEDI9447, a human monoclonal antibody that non-competitively inhibits CD73 activity. Epitope mapping, structural, and mechanistic studies revealed that MEDI9447 antagonizes CD73 through dual mechanisms of inter-CD73 dimer crosslinking and/or steric blocking that prevent CD73 from adopting a catalytically active conformation. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an antibody that inhibits an enzyme's function through 2 distinct modes of action. These results provide a finely mapped epitope that can be targeted for selective, potent, and non-competitive inhibition of CD73, as well as establish a strategy for inhibiting enzymes that function in both membrane-bound and soluble states.

CD73 Activity is Dispensable for the Polarization of M2 Macrophages

The ectoenzyme CD73 catalyzes the hydrolysis of AMP, and is one of the most important producers of extracellular adenosine. On regulatory T cells, CD73 is necessary for immunosuppressive functions, and on Th17 cells CD73-generated adenosine exerts anti-inflammatory effects. However, the expression and function of CD73 in pro-inflammatory M1 and in immunosuppressive M2 macrophages is largely unknown. Here we show that CD73 expression and enzyme activity were induced in in vitro polarized pro-inflammatory human M(LPS+TNF) monocytes/macrophages, while CD73 was absent from immunosuppressive M(IL-4+M-CSF)-polarized macrophages. Inhibition of CD73 activity with the inhibitor AMPCP did not affect the polarization of human monocytes. In mice, CD73 was present on resident peritoneal macrophages. In striking contrast, elicited peritoneal macrophages remained CD73 negative regardless of their polarization towards either a pro-inflammatory M(LPS) or anti-inflammatory M(IL-4c) direction. Finally, the ability of peritoneal macrophages to polarize to pro- and anti-inflammatory cells was perfectly normal in CD73-deficient mice in vivo. These data indicate that, in contrast to other major leukocyte subpopulations, CD73 activity on macrophages does not play a major role in their polarization and that in mice host CD73 on any cell type is not required in vivo for peritoneal macrophage polarization towards either a pro- or an anti-inflammatory direction.

Effect of Climbing Fibre Deprivation on the K+-evoked Release of Endogenous Adenosine from Rat Cerebellar Slices

We report the identification of a compound whose K+-induced Ca2+-dependent release in rat cerebellar slices was reduced following climbing fibre deprivation by 3-acetylpyridine (3-AP) treatment. Based on HPLC retention time, UV absorption spectrum, and mass spectrometry, this compound was identified as adenosine. The K+-induced, Ca2+-dependent release of adenosine was subsequently quantified in control and 3-AP-treated rats. It decreased by 60 - 70% in both the cerebellar vermis and hemispheres following climbing fibre deprivation, while 3-AP treatment had no effect on adenosine release in the cerebral cortex. Inhibition of ecto-5'-nucleotidase by alpha,beta-methylene ADP and GMP decreased basal and stimulated efflux of adenosine in the cerebellum by 50 - 60%, indicating that a significant proportion of adenosine was derived from the extracellular metabolism of released nucleotides. Taken with the reports of other groups on adenosine in cerebellum, these results suggest that climbing fibre activity increases the extracellular level of adenosine, probably through the metabolism of released nucleotides. This adenosine could then cause presynaptic inhibition of the release of the parallel fibre transmitter, which is presumably glutamate. This may account for the climbing fibre-evoked depression of Purkinje cell sensitivity to parallel fibre input.

The anticonvulsant BW534U87 depresses epileptiform activity in rat hippocampal slices by an adenosine-dependent mechanism and through inhibition of voltage-gated Na+ channels

1. The cellular and molecular actions of BW534U87 were studied using intracellular and extracellular recordings from the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices and whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings of recombinant human brain type IIA Na+ channels expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. 2. Normal excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials evoked in hippocampal slices were unaffected by BW534U87 or the adenosine deaminase inhibitor EHNA. However, epileptiform activity was depressed by BW534U87 (50 micronM) and this inhibition was reversed by the adenosine receptor antagonist 8-phenyl theophylline (8-PT, 30 micronM). EHNA (10 micronM) mimicked the effects of BW534U87. Furthermore, BW534U87 enhanced the inhibitory effects of exogenous adenosine on evoked synaptic potentials. BW534U87 (50 micronM) also voltage- and use-dependently inhibited action potentials elicited by current injection, independent of the adenosine system, since it was not affected by 8-PT. 3. In CHO cells expressing the recombinant human brain Na+ channel, BW534U87 produced a concentration- and voltage-dependent inhibition of Na+ currents with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 10 micronM at a Vh of -60 mV. Use-dependent inhibition was evident at high-frequencies (20x20 ms pulse train at 10 Hz). 4 In conclusion, BW534U87 blocks hippocampal epileptiform activity by a dual mechanism. The first action is similar to that produced by EHNA and is dependent on endogenous adenosine probably by inhibition of adenosine deaminase. Secondly, BW534U87 directly inhibits voltage-gated Na+ channels in a voltage- and frequency-dependent manner. Both actions of BW534U87 are activity-dependent and may synergistically contribute to its overall anticonvulsant effects in animal models of epilepsy.

Growth hormone and dexamethasone stimulate lipolysis and activate adenylyl cyclase in rat adipocytes by selectively shifting Gi alpha2 to lower density membrane fractions

GH, in the presence of glucocorticoid, produces a delayed increase in lipolysis in rat adipose tissue, but the biochemical mechanisms that account for this action have not been established. Other lipolytic agents rapidly activate adenylyl cyclase (AC) and the resulting production of cAMP initiates a chain of reactions that culminates in the activation of hormone-sensitive lipase. We compared responses of segments of rat epididymal fat or isolated adipocytes to 30 ng/ml GH and 0.1 microg/ml dexamethasone (Dex) with 0.1 ng/ml isoproterenol (ISO), which evoked a similar increase in lipolysis. All measurements were made during the fourth hour after the addition of GH+Dex or immediately after the addition of ISO to cells or tissues that had been preincubated for 3 h without hormone. Although no significant increases in cAMP were discernible in homogenates of GH+Dex-treated tissues, Rp-cAMPS (Rp-adenosine 3'5'-phosphothioate), a competitive inhibitor of cAMP, was equally effective in decreasing lipolysis induced by GH+Dex or ISO. The proportion of PKA that was present in the active form was determined by measuring the incorporation of 32P from [gamma-32P]ATP into kemptide in the absence and presence of saturating amounts of cAMP. GH+Dex and ISO produced similar increases in protein kinase A activity in tissue extracts. Treatment with GH+Dex did not change the total forskolin-stimulated AC present in either a crude membrane pellet sedimented at 16K x g or a less dense membrane pellet sedimented at 100K x g, but doubled the AC activity in the 16K pellet when assayed in the absence of forskolin. To evaluate possible effects on G proteins, pellets obtained from centrifugation of adipocyte homogenates at 16K x g and 100K x g were solubilized and subjected to PAGE and Western analysis. GH+Dex decreased Gi alpha2 by 44% (P < 0.02) in the 16K pellets and increased it by 52% (P < 0.01) in the 100K pellets. Gs alpha in the 16K pellet was unaffected by GH+Dex and was decreased (P < 0.05) in the 100K pellet. Sucrose density fractionation of the 16K pellets revealed a similar GH+Dex-dependent shift of Gi alpha2 to less dense fractions as determined by both Western analysis and [32P]NAD ribosylation catalyzed by pertussis toxin. No such changes were seen in the distribution of Gs alpha or 5'-nucleotidase. Colchicine (100 microM) blocked the GH+Dex-dependent shift of Gi alpha2 from the 16K to the 100K pellet and blocked the lipolytic effects of GH+Dex, but not those of ISO. We conclude that by modifying the relationship between AC and Gi alpha2, GH+Dex relieves some inhibition of cAMP production and consequently increases lipolysis.

Growth hormone regulates the distribution of L-type calcium channels in rat adipocyte membranes

Earlier studies demonstrated that deprivation of growth hormone (GH) for >/=3 h decreased basal and maximally stimulated cytosolic Ca2+ in rat adipocytes and suggested that membrane Ca2+ channels might be decreased. Measurement of L-type Ca2+ channels in purified plasma membranes by immunoassay or dihydropyridine binding indicated a two- to fourfold decrease after 3 h of incubation without GH. No such decrease was seen in unfractionated adipocyte membrane preparations. The decrease in plasma membrane channel content was largely accounted for by redistribution of channels to a light microsomal membrane fraction. Immunoassay of alpha1-, alpha2/delta-, and beta-channel subunits in membrane fractions indicated that the channels redistributed as intact complexes. Addition of GH during the 1st h of incubation prevented channel redistribution, and addition of GH after 3 h restored channel distribution to the GH-replete state of freshly isolated adipocytes. The studies suggest that GH may regulate the abundance of Ca2+ channels in the adipocyte plasma membrane and thereby modulate sensitivity to signals, the expression of which is Ca2+ dependent.

Enzymes of the purine nucleotide cycle in muscle of patients with exercise intolerance

The activities of adenylosuccinate synthetase, adenylosuccinate lyase, and adenosine monophosphate deaminase were measured in muscle from patients suffering from fatigue and cramps following exercise. Results denote the existence of secondary deficiencies of adenylosuccinate synthetase and/or adenylosuccinate lyase in subjects with congenital or acquired myopathies. They also suggest that searches are warranted for primary deficiencies of adenylosuccinate synthetase as a cause of exercise intolerance.

Ecto-enzyme and signaling functions of lymphocyte CD73

CD73 or ecto-5'-nucleotidase (5'-NT) is a widely expressed ecto-enzyme which catalyzes the dephosphorylation of AMP and other nucleoside monophosphates. CD73 participates in purine salvage through this enzymatic activity, supplying cells with precursors for energy metabolism and nucleic acid biosynthesis. As an enzyme that produces adenosine, CD73 can also regulate adenosine receptor engagement in many tissues. However, CD73 also has functions independent of its enzyme activity. Like many glycosyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored molecules, it transmits potent activation signals in T cells when ligated by antibodies. Less compelling evidence suggests that CD73 may function as a cell adhesion molecule. In the human immune system, CD73 is expressed on subsets of T and B cells, on germinal center follicular dendritic cells, and on thymic medullary reticular fibroblasts and epithelial cells. Many challenging areas remain to be explored before the role of CD73 in the immune system will be fully understood. These include an evaluation of the role of adenosine receptors in lymphoid development, the identification of physiological CD73 ligands, a functional assessment of the GPI anchor, and an analysis of the intricate cell-type-specific and developmental regulation of CD73 expression.

Adenosine formation in contracting primary rat skeletal muscle cells and endothelial cells in culture

1. The present study examined the capacity for adenosine formation, uptake and metabolism in contracting primary rat muscle cells and in microvascular endothelial cells in culture. 2. Strong and moderate electrical simulation of skeletal muscle cells led to a significantly greater increase in the extracellular adenosine concentration (421 +/- 91 and 235 +/- 30 nmol (g protein)-1, respectively; P < 0.05) compared with non-stimulated muscle cells (161 +/- 20 nmol (g protein)-1). The ATP concentration was lower (18%; P < 0.05) in the intensely contracted, but not in the moderately contracted muscle cells. 3. Addition of microvascular endothelial cells to the cultured skeletal muscle cells enhanced the contraction-induced accumulation of extracellular adenosine (P < 0.05), whereas endothelial cells in culture alone did not cause extracellular accumulation of adenosine. 4. Skeletal muscle cells were found to have ecto-forms of several enzymes involved in nucleotide metabolism, including ATPases capable of converting extracellular ATP to ADP and AMP. 5. Adenosine added to the cell medium was taken up by muscle cells and incorporated into the adenine nucleotide pool so that after 30 min of incubation, over 95% of the adenosine label was present in ATP, ADP and AMP. A similar extent of incorporation of adenosine into the nucleotide pool was evident in the endothelial cells. 6. The present data suggest that contracting muscle cells induce an elevation in the extracellular adenosine concentration. Addition of endothelial cells to muscle cells enhances the contraction-induced formation of adenosine. Adenosine taken up by muscle and endothelial cells from the extracellular space is not likely to be used for storage in intracellular pools, but may serve to regulate muscle extracellular adenosine levels.

Substrate cycling between 5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide riboside and its monophosphate in isolated rat hepatocytes

AICA (5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide)-riboside is taken up by isolated rat hepatocytes and converted by adenosine kinase (ATP:adenosine 5'-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.20) into AICAR (ZMP), an intermediate of the de novo synthesis of purine nucleotides. We investigated if, in these cells, a cycle analogous to the adenosine-AMP substrate cycle operates between AICAriboside and ZMP. When 50 microM ITu, an inhibitor of adenosine kinase, was added to hepatocytes that had metabolized AICAriboside for 30 min, the concentration of ZMP decreased immediately. This was mirrored by a reincrease of AICAriboside. Rates of the ITu-induced decrease of ZMP and the increase of AICAriboside, calculated at different concentrations of ZMP, were first order, up to the highest concentration of ZMP (approx. 5 mumol/g of cells). Dephosphorylation of ZMP added to crude cytosolic extracts of rat liver displayed hyperbolic kinetics, with a Vmax of 0.65 mumol/min per g protein and an apparent Km of 5 mM, and was markedly inhibited by Pi, an inhibitor of IMP-GMP 5'-nucleotidase (5'-ribonucleotide phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.5). We conclude that hepatocyte ZMP is continuously dephosphorylated, most likely by IMP-GMP 5'-nucleotidase, into AICAriboside, which is rephosphorylated into ZMP by adenosine kinase. Substrate cycling was also shown to occur between other nucleoside analogs and their phosphorylated counterparts.

Evidence that [3H]-alpha,beta-methylene ATP may label an endothelial-derived cell line 5'-nucleotidase with high affinity

1. In membranes prepared from a permanent cell line of endothelial origin (WEC cells), [3H]-alpha, beta-methylene ATP ([3H]-alpha, beta-meATP) labelled high (pKd = 9.5; Bmax = 3.75 pmol mg-1 protein) and low (pKd = 7.2; Bmax = 23.3 pmol mg-1 protein) affinity binding sites. The high affinity [3H]-alpha, beta-meATP binding sites in the WEC cell membranes could be selectively labelled with a low concentration of the radioligand (1 nM). In competition studies performed at a radioligand concentration of 1 nM, 88.6% of the sites possessed high affinity (pIC50 = 8.26) for alpha, beta-meATP. 2. The high affinity [3H]-alpha, beta-meATP binding sites appeared heterogeneous since in competition studies a number of nucleotide analogues (alpha, beta-meADP, ATP, ADP, AMP, GTP, GppNHp, GMP) and adenosine identified two populations of the sites labelled by 1 nM [3H]-alpha, beta-meATP. The proportion of sites with high affinity for these compounds was found to vary between 42 and 69%. 3. Approximately 60-69% of the binding sites labelled with 1 nM [3H]-alpha, beta-meATP possessed high affinity for alpha, beta-meADP (pIC50 = 8.87), AMP (pIC50 = 7.12), GMP (pIC50 = 7.34), UTP (pIC50 = 6.12), GTP (pIC50 = 7.59), GppNHp (pIC50 = 7.35) and adenosine (pIC50 = 5.45). The sites at which these compounds possessed high affinity were probably the same, since, in the presence of GMP at a concentration (10 microM) sufficient to inhibit selectively the binding of [3H]-alpha,beta-meATP, the [3H]-alpha,beta-meATP binding sites with high affinity for AMP, UTP, alpha, beta-meADP, GTP, GppNHp and adenosine were also occluded.4. WEC cell membranes were able to metabolize a trace concentration (6 nM) of [3H]-AMP to [3H]-adenosine under the conditions of the binding assay. The pIC50 values of adenosine (5.99), GMP (7.55)and the substrate AMP (7.19) for inhibiting this [3H]-AMPase activity were almost identical to their high affinity pIC50 estimates obtained in the binding assay. Although alpha, beta-meADP, alpha, beta-meATP, beta,upsilon-meATP,ATP, ADP and GppNHp identified heterogeneity in the [3H]-AMPase activity of the WEC cells, theirpIC50 values for inhibiting the major portion of the [3H]-AMPase activity were similar to their respective high affinity pIC50 values in the binding assay. It thus seems likely that WEC cells express a form of 5'-nucleotidase that possesses high affinity for both alpha,beta-meADP and alpha,beta-meATP and that this enzyme can be labelled by [3H]-alpha,beta-meATP.5. In the presence of 10 microM GMP, the affinity estimates for alpha,beta-meADP, AMP, GMP, GTP, GppNHp,ADP and adenosine at the high affinity [3H]-alpha,beta4-meATP binding sites that remained available, were lowa nd similar to their affinity estimates at the high affinity [3H]-alpha,beta-meATP binding sites of rat vas deferens. Since the high affinity [3H]-alpha,beta-meATP binding sites in rat vas deferens are thought to be P2x purinoceptors it is possible that the high affinity [3H]-alpha,beta-meATP binding sites in the WEC which possess low affinity for alpha,beta-meADP are also P2x purinoceptors.

Modulation by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide of sympathetic and sensory-motor neurotransmission via P1-purinoceptors in the rat mesenteric arterial bed

1. The pharmacological actions of the purine nucleotides beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (beta-NADP), adenosine 5'-diphosphoribose (ADP-ribose), the vitamin nicotinamide and structural analogues of NAD and NADP were tested in the isolated perfused mesenteric arterial bed of the rat. Prejunctional effects of NAD were tested against sympathetic vasoconstriction at basal tone, and against sensory-motor vasodilatation at raised tone. 2. NAD and NADP had no vasoconstrictor action but were weak vasodilators of the raised-tone mesenteric arterial bed. A rank order of vasodilator potency of ADP >> ADP-ribose >> NADP > or = NAD = adenosine was observed. The P1-purinoceptor antagonist, 8-para-sulphophenyltheophylline (8-pST; 3 microM) inhibited vasodilator responses to NAD (pKB of 6.61 +/- 0.21, n = 7) and adenosine (pKB of 5.78 +/- 0.14, n = 6), but not those elicited by NADP, ADP and ADP-ribose. Nicotinamide, and analogues of NAD and NADP, namely nicotinamide-1,N6-ethenoadenine dinucleotide phosphate, beta-nicotinamide mononucleotide, nicotinamide hypoxanthine dinucleotide phosphate, nicotinamide hypoxanthine dinucleotide, nicotinamide guanine dinucleotide, and nicotinamide-1, N6-ethenoadenine dinucleotide had no vasoconstrictor or vasodilator actions (at doses of up to 50 nmol). 3. At basal tone, electrical field stimulation (EFS) (32 Hz, 1ms, 90 V, 5 s) at 2 min intervals elicited reproducible vasoconstrictor responses due to activation of sympathetic nerves. NAD and adenosine (10-100 microM) inhibited these responses in a concentration-dependent manner with similar potencies. Nicotinamide had no effect on sympathetic vasoconstriction at concentrations of up to 0.1 mM. Postjunctional effects of NAD (100 microM), as tested on constrictor responses to NA (5 nmol), accounted for approximately 60% inhibition at this concentration.4. In preparations in which tone had been raised with methoxamine (10-40 microM), EFS (8 Hz, 0.1ms,60 V, for 30 s) elicited vasodilatation due to activation of sensory-motor nerves. This vasodilatation was inhibited by NAD and adenosine (O.1-100 microM) in a similar concentration-dependent manner: pD2 values were 6.2 +/- 0.10 (n = 11) and 6.1 +/- 0.15 (n = 6) for NAD and adenosine respectively. Nicotinamide had no effect on sensory-motor vasodilatation at concentrations of up to 0.1 mM.5. Inhibition of sympathetic constriction by NAD and adenosine was antagonized by 8-pSPT (3 microM).Inhibitory effects of NAD and adenosine on sensory-motor vasodilatation were similarly antagonized by 8-pSPT (1 microM), pKB values were 6.72 +/- 0.21 for NAD and 6.36 +/- 0.22 for adenosine, resulting in parallel rightward shifts in the concentration-inhibitory effect curves.6. The adenosine deaminase inhibitor, pentostatin (1 microM), augmented the inhibitory effects of NAD and adenosine. Concentration-inhibitory effect curves for NAD and adenosine on sympathetic vasoconstriction and sensory-motor vasodilatation were shifted to the left without a change in the maximum.7. It is concluded that NAD can act as a modulator of sympathetic and sensory-motor transmission in rat mesenteric arteries via P1-purinoceptors possibly via direct actions but with a contribution of adenosine formed following breakdown of NAD or released pre- and/or post junctionally. Structure activity relationships of NAD, NADP, ADP and ADP-ribose showed that the P1-purinoceptor activity of NAD is abolished after removal of nicotinamide, or ribose plus nicotinamide, to yield the structurally-related ADP-ribose and ADP respectively, or when there is phosphorylation of the 2'-hydroxyl group of NAD to yield NADP.

Pharmacological actions of the coenzymes NAD(H) and NADP(H) on the rat anococcygeus muscle

1. The pharmacological actions of the oxidized and reduced forms of nicotinamide-adenosine dinucleotide (NAD, NADH) and nicotinamide-adenosine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP, NADPH) were studied on rat isolated anococcygeus muscles. 2. The actions of the two nucleotides were different, but there were no apparent qualitative differences between the oxidized and reduced forms of each. 3. In fully relaxed anococcygeus muscles, NADP(H) produced transient contractions that were subject to desensitization, but NAD(H) had no effect. 4. NADP(H) slightly enhanced contractions elicited by noradrenergic nerve stimulation. In contrast, noradrenergic contractions were inhibited by NAD(H). NADH reduced the stimulation-induced release of noradrenaline, but enhanced contractions elicited by exogenous noradrenaline. 5. In anococcygeus muscles partly contracted with guanethidine, NAD(H) produced a further sustained increase in tone; in contrast, NADP(H) mainly produced transient relaxations to which there was immediate desensitization. 6. Relaxations of anococcygeus muscle elicited by nitrergic nerve stimulation were not affected by NAD. In contrast, NADP(H) reduced them. 7. The actions of NAD(H) were generally the same as those of adenosine and can be attributed to activation of P1-purinoceptors since they were blocked by the selective antagonist 8-sulphophenyltheophylline. 8. The actions of NADP resembled those of the P2-purinoceptor agonist ATP to some extent, but there were some differences. As suggested by others, NADP may act on a unique receptor.

A simple assay for ecto-5'-nucleotidase using intact pulmonary artery endothelial cells. Effect of endotoxin-induced cell injury

Adenosine may be protective in acute vascular injury by inhibiting platelet aggregation and neutrophil oxidant release. In contrast, adenine nucleotides, which may be released with acute vascular injury, stimulate platelet aggregation and neutrophil oxidant release. Ectonucleotidases, membrane enzymes that catabolize extracellular nucleotides, are the primary mechanism for degrading circulating nucleotides to adenosine. Ecto-5'-nucleotidase converts extracellular AMP to adenosine. We hypothesized that endothelial cell injury alters ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity. Using a novel assay first reported by Jamal et al. (Biochem J 250: 369-373, 1988) with rat adipocytes, we studied the properties of ecto-5'-nucleotidase in intact monolayers of cultured bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC) and examined the effect of endotoxin on enzyme activity. The assay uses a fluorescent analog of AMP, 1,N6-etheno-AMP (E-AMP), as the substrate for ecto-5'-nucleotidase, and measures ethenoadenosine (E-Ado) formation. Etheno-AMP in Hepes buffer, pH 7.4, at 22 degrees, was added to confluent monolayers of BPAEC; samples of supernatant were collected after various intervals, and E-AMP and E-Ado were quantitated by HPLC. Using these methods we found a Km of 15 +/- 6 microM, a pH optimum of 7.48, minimal effect of MgCl2 or CaCl2 at physiologic pH, and inhibition by alpha,beta-methylene ADP, a known 5'-nucleotidase inhibitor. We established that the monolayer assay was indeed measuring cell surface associated 5'-nucleotidase. To determine the effect of endotoxin, we incubated confluent monolayers with endotoxin in Minimal Essential Medium plus 10% fetal bovine serum for 24 hr, washed them, and assessed the conversion of E-AMP to E-Ado by the endotoxin-injured cells. Endotoxin stimulated endothelial ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity. This increase in 5'-nucleotidase activity in response to endotoxin injury may represent an important clearance mechanism for circulating adenine nucleotides and may be protective in acute vascular injury by increasing adenosine production.

Dual mechanism of laminin modulation of ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity

The myoblast cell surface activity of ecto-5'-nucleotidase was stimulated by a laminin substrate, whereas fibronectin and gelatin did not increase the AMPase activity of ecto-5'-nucleotidase. This increase was related to a higher expression of ecto-5'-nucleotidase on the surface of cells seeded on a laminin substrate, but without the mobilization of an intracellular pool of enzyme. Furthermore, laminin and its fragments E'1 and E8 modified the AMPase activity of the ecto-5'-nucleotidase purified from chicken striated muscle and reconstituted in liposomes. Over the range of concentrations used, intact laminin and its fragment E8, consisting of the distal half of the long arm, stimulated the AMPase activity of ecto-5'-nucleotidase. By contrast, the large fragment derived from the short arms, designated E'1, inhibited the AMPase activity. Furthermore, the monoclonal anti-ecto-5'-nucleotidase antibody, CG37, abolished the stimulatory effect of fragment E8 on the AMPase activity of ecto-5'-nucleotidase but did not reverse the inhibitory effect of fragment E'1. In conclusion, laminin stimulates the AMPase activity of ecto-5'-nucleotidase by two mechanisms: inducing the expression of ecto-5'-nucleotidase to the cell surface and direct modulation of the enzymatic activity.

N-methyl-D-aspartate- and non-N-methyl-D-aspartate-evoked adenosine release from rat cortical slices: distinct purinergic sources and mechanisms of release

Excitatory amino acids, acting at both N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA receptors, release the inhibitory neuromodulator adenosine from superfused rat cortical slices. This study was initiated to investigate the possible purinergic sources and mechanisms of release for the adenosine release evoked by NMDA and non-NMDA receptor activation. Inhibition of the bidirectional nucleoside transporter with dipyridamole greatly enhanced adenosine release evoked by glutamate. NMDA, kainate, and (RS)-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA). Inhibition of ecto-5'-nucleotidase with alpha, beta-methylene ADP and GMP had no effect on either kainate- or AMPA-evoked adenosine release, but it decreased glutamate- and NMDA-evoked adenosine release by 23 and 68%, respectively. A similar inhibition of NMDA-evoked adenosine release was observed with alpha, beta-methylene ADP alone, indicating that the inhibitory effect was not due to the reported competitive inhibition of NMDA receptors by GMP. Finally, NMDA-evoked adenosine release, but not kainate- or AMPA-evoked release, was Ca2+ dependent. These results indicate that activation of non-NMDA receptors releases adenosine per se in a Ca(2+)-independent manner. In contrast, NMDA receptor activation releases primarily a nucleotide that is subsequently converted extracellularly to adenosine; in this case, release is Ca2+ dependent. Although neither NMDA- nor non-NMDA-evoked adenosine release occurs via the nucleoside transporter, this transporter does appear to be a major route for removal of adenosine from the extracellular space.

Activation of P1- and P2Y-purinoceptors by ADP-ribose in the guinea-pig taenia coli, but not of P2X-purinoceptors in the vas deferens

1. The activity of adenosine 5'-diphosphoribose (ADP-ribose), a ribosylated purine nucleotide, was investigated on the carbachol-contracted taenia coli, a tissue possessing P1- (A2) and P2Y-purinoceptors and on the guinea-pig vas deferens which possesses P2X-purinoceptors. 2. In the vas deferens, where ATP (1 microM-1 mM) produced concentration-dependent contractions, ADP-ribose was without effect at concentrations up to 1 mM. 3. In the taenia coli, ADP-ribose (0.1 microM-1 mM) produced concentration-dependent relaxations with a potency similar to that of adenosine, but less than that of ATP. The pD2 values for ADP-ribose, adenosine and ATP were 4.5 +/- 0.07 (27), 4.4 +/- 0.10 (9) and 5.5 +/- 0.14 (21), respectively. The time-course of the relaxations elicited by ADP-ribose was found to be significantly longer than that for ATP and significantly shorter than that for adenosine. 4. The P1-purinoceptor antagonist, 8-phenyltheophylline (5 microM), produced parallel rightward shifts in the concentration-response curves of the relaxations of the taenia coli elicited by ADP-ribose and adenosine but not ATP. 5. Dipyridamole (0.3 microM), a purine nucleoside uptake inhibitor, potentiated the responses to adenosine and ADP-ribose in the taenia coli. These potentiations were sensitive to 8-phenyltheophylline (5 microM). 6. Reactive blue 2, a P2Y-purinoceptor antagonist, antagonized the inhibitory responses of ADP-ribose and ATP in the taenia coli, without significantly altering the inhibitory responses of either adenosine or noradrenaline.7. In the presence of the potassium channel blocker, apamin (0.3 microM), the inhibitory responses of ADP-ribose were severely attenuated, and the inhibitory responses of ATP in the taenia coli were converted to transient contractions. Further addition of 8-PT blocked the residual responses of ADPribose.8. The P2-purinoceptor antagonist, suramin (500 microM), antagonized responses to ATP and ADP-ribose,but not adenosine. Further addition of 8-PT antagonized the residual responses to ADP-ribose, but not to ATP.9. It is concluded that ADP-ribose has a mixed pharmacological profile, evoking both PI (A2)-purinoceptor-mediated responses and P2Y-purinoceptor-mediated responses, while being inert at P2Xpurinoceptors.It is suggested that ADP-ribose may provide a useful starting point for the generation of structural analogues which have specific activity at the P2Y-purinoceptor.

Ecto-ATPase/phosphatase activity in the olfactory sensilla of the spiny lobster, Panulirus argus: localization and characterization

Electrophysiological studies have shown that the olfactory organ (antennule) of the spiny lobster, Panulirus argus, has chemoreceptors that are selectively excited by adenine nucleotides in seawater. Biochemical studies have revealed that these same nucleotides can be rapidly dephosphorylated by ectoenzymes associated with the olfactory sensilla (aesthetascs). In this study the distribution of ecto-ATPase/phosphatase activity within aesthetascs was determined cytochemically and the nature of the adenine-nucleotide dephosphorylating activity was dissected biochemically. Cytochemically, the distribution of ATP-dephosphorylating activity was similar to that shown previously for AMP and beta-glycerol phosphate; i.e., cerium phosphate reaction product was specifically localized to the transitional zone where the sensory dendrites develop cilia and branch to form the outer dendritic segments. Unlike the dephosphorylation of AMP and beta-glycerol phosphate, Mg2+ or Ca2+ was required for ecto-ATPase/phosphatase activity. Biochemical measures of both AMP- and ATP-dephosphorylating activity within aesthetascs corroborated the cytochemical evidence that these activities are localized to the transitional zone. A major portion of the AMP dephosphorylation (about 67%) derives from nonspecific alkaline phosphatase activity that is insensitive to levamisole and L-bromotetramisole. In contrast, nonspecific phosphatase activity accounted for a much smaller part of the ATP dephosphorylation (about 15%). Ectoenzymatic activity in the transitional zone may be an important means of removing excitatory/inhibitory nucleotides from this region.

Adenosine levels in the postimplantation mouse uterus: quantitation by HPLC-fluorometric detection and spatiotemporal regulation by 5'-nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase

Extracellular adenosine has the potential to influence many aspects of target cell metabolism. The present study has determined the endogenous levels of adenosine in the pregnant mouse uterus and developing embryo-decidual unit with respect to the expression of two key enzymes of adenosine metabolism, 5'-nucleotidase (5'-NT; EC 3.1.3.5) and adenosine deaminase (ADA; EC 3.5.4.4). To measure adenosine levels, nucleoside extracts were etheno-derivatized and quantitated by high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection (0.03 pmol/mg protein sensitivity). Adenosine levels were determined to be 0.18 nmol/mg protein in the nonpregnant uterus; however, two statistically significant changes were identified in the pregnant uterus: (1) a periimplantation surge between day 3 (0.24 nmol/mg protein) and day 5 (0.59 nmol/mg protein) of gestation (plug day 0; implantation day 4); and (2) an early postimplantation decline between day 6 (0.54 nmol/mg protein) and day 7 (0.10 nmol/mg protein). The periimplantation adenosine surge coincided with uterine expression of 5'-NT, an enzyme which catalyzes the irreversible dephosphorylation of 5'-AMP to adenosine. 5'-NT expression was shown by Northern blot analysis to peak in the embryo-decidual unit on day 5 of gestation and then to decline through day 9; transcripts remained elevated in the placenta between day 9 and day 13 (the latest day examined in this study). By use of specific enzyme histochemistry, most 5'-NT activity was localized to the primary decidual zone on day 5. This expression subsequently declined during regression of the primary decidua; however, 5'-NT appeared on giant trophoblast (days 7-13) and the metrial gland (days 11-13). Other purine catabolic enzymes degrading AMP (adenylate deaminase) or generating adenosine (S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase) were not detected in the embryo-decidual unit suggesting that the net flux of utero-placental AMP catabolism proceeds with adenosine as an intermediate, this being the major pathway of adenosine formation. The sharp drop in adenosine levels between day 6 and day 7 coincided with a rise in the activity and mRNA expression of ADA, an enzyme which catalyzes the irreversible deamination of adenosine to inosine. ADA was previously localized to the secondary decidual zone (days 6-11), secondary giant cells (days 7-13), and spongiotrophoblasts (days 8-13) in the mouse (Knudsen et al., 1991). Results of developmental Northern blot analysis demonstrated a direct correlation of relative 5'-NT/ADA mRNA band intensity to adenosine content between day 4 and day 9 of gestation, suggesting that the local availability of adenosine in the antimesometrium is dependent upon the distribution of these enzymatic activities.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effect of presynaptic P2 receptor stimulation on transmitter release

Because ATP is degraded to adenosine, its effect could be mediated by both P1 and P2 receptors. Hence, the actions of an ATP analogue, resistant to enzymatic breakdown (alpha, beta-methylene ATP), were studied on the resting and electrically evoked release of radioactivity from longitudinal muscle strips of guinea pig ileum, preloaded either with [3H]choline or with [3H]noradrenaline. Their effects were compared with the actions of adenosine and ATP. Although adenosine and ATP markedly decreased the [3H]acetylcholine release evoked by field stimulation, alpha,beta-methylene-ATP, a potent and selective agonist of P2x receptors, enhanced this release. However, 2-methyl-2-thio-ATP, an agonist of the P2y receptors, neither enhanced nor inhibited the [3H]-acetylcholine release. 8-Phenyltheophylline, an antagonist of P1 receptors, increased the stimulation-evoked release of acetylcholine, indicating that the release of acetylcholine is tonically controlled by endogenous adenosine via P1 receptors. When alpha,beta-methylene-ATP and 8-phenyltheophylline were added together, their potentiating effect on the acetylcholine release proved to be additive. Because alpha,beta-methylene-ATP failed to antagonize the presynaptic effect of adenosine on P1 purinoceptors, it seems very likely that its effect to enhance transmitter release is mediated via separate receptors, i.e., via P2x receptors, located on the axon terminals. Similarly, the stimulation-evoked release of [3H]noradrenaline was enhanced slightly by alpha,beta-methylene-ATP. Our results suggest that both cholinergic and noradrenergic axon terminals are equipped with P2 receptors through which the stimulation-evoked release of transmitter can be modulated by ATP in a positive manner.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Electrophysiological and receptor binding studies to assess activation of the cardiac adenosine receptor by adenine nucleotides

Adenosine and adenine nucleotides shorten the action potential duration of atrial myocytes and activate a specific acetylcholine and adenosine receptor-operated potassium outward current referred to as IKACh,Ado. The objective of this study was to determine whether adenine nucleotides shorten the action potential duration and increase IKACh,Ado in guinea pig atrial myocytes by directly activating adenosine receptors. The potency and efficacy of AMP and adenosine in increasing IKACh,Ado and shortening atrial action potential duration were similar; the EC50 values for AMP and adenosine were 3.4 +/- 0.8 and 3.1 +/- 0.4 microM, respectively. Likewise, the maximum increases in IKACh,Ado caused by AMP and adenosine were similar (122 +/- 11% versus 123 +/- 9%). In comparison, ATP and the stable analogue of AMP, adenosine monophosphorothioate (AMPS), were significantly less potent and efficacious than adenosine and AMP, and adenosine receptor antagonist 8-(p-sulfophenyl)theophylline and abolished in the presence of adenosine deaminase and alpha, beta-methylene-ADP (APCP, an inhibitor of AMP degradation). Binding of the A1-adenosine antagonist [3H]8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX) to guinea pig atrial membranes treated with adenosine deaminase and APCP was reduced up to 60% by 100 microM concentrations of AMP, AMPS, and adenosine. Inosine inhibited binding by 43 +/- 3% at 100 microM, whereas hypoxanthine and xanthine had little (5-10% inhibition) and uric acid had no effect. Only 3% of AMP and 35% of AMPS were recovered intact after a 90-minute incubation at 21 degrees C with preparations of guinea pig atrial membranes. Percent displacement of [3H]DPCPX binding to atrial membranes by 100 microM AMP was significantly less in the presence of nucleoside phosphorylase and xanthine oxidase (to degrade inosine, hypoxanthine, and xanthine to uric acid) than in their absence (12.4 +/- 3.1% versus 49.7 +/- 1.5%). The results suggest that the observed electrophysiological actions of adenine nucleotides in cardiomyocytes are mediated by adenosine and are consistent with activation of A1-adenosine receptors.

Adenosine derived from hydrolysis of presynaptically released ATP inhibits neuromuscular transmission in the rat

It has been established that ATP is released from motor nerve terminals and that exogenous ATP depresses end-plate potential (e.p.p.) amplitudes. This study assessed whether presynaptically released ATP reduced e.p.p.s. E.p.p.s in the rat extensor digitorum longus muscle were depressed by exogenous ATP and adenosine. If ATP hydrolysis to adenoisine was blocked, however, ATP had no effect. Addition of theophylline increased e.p.p. amplitude due to removal of the depressant effect caused by ATP contained in the quantal release. This inhibition was absent when the rate of release was reduced by high Mg2+. It is concluded that e.p.p. inhibition is mediated by adenosine derived from presynaptically released ATP.

A comparison of the properties of 5'-nucleotidase purified from the cytosolic and synaptic plasma membrane fractions of rat forebrain

1. 5'-Nucleotidase was purified 1247-fold from the post-microsomal supernatant (I) and 3862-fold from the synaptic plasma membrane (II) of rat brain homogenates. 2. The apparent molecular masses of I and II were 131 and 72 kDa respectively by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecylsulphate and 268 and 286 kDa respectively by Sephacryl S-300 chromatography. 3. The activities of both I and II were strongly inhibited by concanavalin A but were affected differently by digestion with glycosidases. for II, these were 0.083 and 0.056 mM respectively. 5. Activities of both I and II were strongly inhibited by ATP and ADP.

Specificity of S-adenosylmethionine synthetase for ATP analogues mono- and disubstituted in bridging positions of the polyphosphate chain

The entire family of ATP analogues that are either mono- or disubstituted with imido and methylene bridges in the polyphosphate chain of ATP have been investigated as substrates and inhibitors of S-adenosylmethionine synthetase (ATP:L-methionine S-adenosyltransferase). The disubstituted analogues adenosine 5'-(alpha,beta:beta,gamma-diimidotriphosphate) (AMPNPNP) and adenosine 5'-(alpha,beta:alpha,beta'-diimidotriphosphate) [AMP(NP)2] have been synthesized for the first time, and a new route to adenosine 5'-(alpha,beta:beta,gamma-dimethylenetriphosphate) (AMPCPCP) has been developed. S-Adenosylmethionine synthetase catalyzes a two-step reaction: the intact polyphosphate chain is displaced from ATP, yielding AdoMet and tripolyphosphate, followed normally, but not obligatorily, by the hydrolysis of the tripolyphosphate to pyrophosphate and orthophosphate. Uniformly, the imido mono- or disubstituted derivatives are both better substrates and better inhibitors than their methylene counterparts. AMPNPNP reacts rapidly to give a single equivalent of product per active site, but subsequent turnovers are at least 1000-fold slower, enabling it to be used to quantify enzyme active site concentrations. In contrast, AMPCPCP is not detectably a substrate (less than 10(-5)% of ATP). AMP(NP)2, a branched isomer of linear AMPNPNP, was not a substrate but was a linear competitive inhibitor, greater than 100 fold more potent than ADP, indicating a reasonable degree of bulk tolerance at the alpha-phosphoryl group binding site.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The release of adenosine at the electric organ of Torpedo. A study using a continuous chemiluminescent method

Acetylcholine and ATP are costored and coreleased during synaptic activity at the electric organ of Torpedo. It has been suggested that released ATP is converted to adenosine at the synaptic cleft, and in turn this nucleoside would depress the evoked release of acetylcholine. In the present communication we have used a chemiluminescent reaction that let us to monitor continuously the presence of adenosine in this preparation. The chemiluminescent reaction is based on the conversion of adenosine into uric acid and H2O2 by adenosine deaminase, nucleoside phosphorylase, and xanthine oxidase enzymes. The hydrogen peroxide has been detected by peroxidase-luminol mixture. The reaction has a sensitivity on the picomol range and discerned between Adenosine, AMP, ADP, and ATP. We have developed this technique in the hope of understanding whether adenosine is released during synaptic activity or it comes from the released ATP. We have studied the release or formation of adenosine in fragments of the electric organ and in isolated cholinergic nerve terminals obtained from it. In both conditions we have followed the effect of potassium stimulation upon the detection of adenosine. Potassium stimulation increased the extracellular adenosine either in slices or the synaptosomal fraction of Torpedo electric organ. The presence of alpha, beta-methylene ADP, an inhibitor of 5'-nucleotidase, inhibits the detection of adenosine, suggesting that extracellular adenosine is a consequence of ectocellular dephosphorylation of released ATP.

Pharmacological activity of adenine dinucleotides in the periphery: possible receptor classes and transmitter function

1. The pharmacological actions of adenine dinucleotides, in particular beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) and a homologous series of alpha,omega-adenine dinucleotide polyphosphates has been reviewed. 2. It is apparent that many actions of NAD can be explained in terms of activation of P1-purinoceptors, but actions of NADP cannot be explained in terms of activation of P1- or P2-purinoceptors. 3. Similarly, pharmacological activities of P1,P3-diadenosine triphosphate and P1,P4-diadenosine tetraphosphate are not in keeping with activation of P1- or P2-purinoceptors. 4. In the vas deferens and urinary bladder, P1,P4-diadenosine tetraphosphate, P1,P5-diadenosine pentaphosphate and P1,P6-diadenosine hexaphosphate act on P2x-purinoceptors and can cause desensitization of these receptors. 5. It is suggested that classes of receptors for adenine dinucleotides exist which are distinct from either P1- or P2-purinoceptors. 6. It is also suggested that in view of the finding of high concentrations of alpha,omega-adenine dinucleotide polyphosphates in adrenal medullary chromaffin cells, and of the involvement of the P2x-purinoceptor in the vas deferens and urinary bladder with purinergic neuromuscular transmission, that alpha,omega-adenine dinucleotide polyphosphates may yet be discovered in autonomic neurones and serve as neurotransmitters.

Adenosine receptor activation and the regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase activity in PC12 and PC18 cells

We compared the response of rat PC12 cells and a derivative PC18 cell line to the effects of adenosine receptor agonists, antagonists, and adenine nucleotide metabolizing enzymes. We found that theophylline (an adenosine receptor antagonist), adenosine deaminase, and AMP deaminase all decreased basal cyclic AMP content and tyrosine hydroxylase activity in the PC12 cells, but not in PC18 cells. Both cell lines responded to the addition of 2-chloroadenosine and 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine, adenosine receptor agonists, by exhibiting an increase in tyrosine hydroxylase activity and cyclic AMP content. The latter finding indicates that both cell lines contained an adenosine receptor linked to adenylate cyclase. We found that the addition of dipyridamole, an inhibitor of adenosine uptake, produced an elevation of cyclic AMP and tyrosine hydroxylase activity in both cell lines. Deoxycoformycin, an inhibitor of adenosine deaminase, failed to alter the levels of cyclic AMP or tyrosine hydroxylase activity. This suggests that uptake was the primary inactivating mechanism of adenosine action in these cells. We conclude that both cell types generated adenine nucleotides which activate the adenosine receptor in an autocrine or paracrine fashion. We found that PC12 cells released ATP in a calcium-dependent process in response to activation of the nicotinic receptor. We also measured the rates of degradation of exogenous ATP, ADP, and AMP by PC12 cells. We found that the rates of metabolism of the former two were at least an order of magnitude greater than that of AMP. Any released ATP would be rapidly metabolized to AMP and then more slowly degraded to adenosine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

ATP release, adenosine formation, and modulation of dynorphin and glutamic acid release by adenosine analogues in rat hippocampal mossy fiber synaptosomes

Using a hippocampal subcellular fraction enriched in mossy fiber synaptosomes, evidence was obtained indicating that adenosine derived from a presynaptic pool of ATP may modulate the release of prodynorphin-derived peptides. and glutamic acid from mossy fiber terminals. Synaptosomal ATP was released in a Ca2+-dependent manner by K+-induced depolarization. The rapid hydrolysis of extracellular [14C]ATP in the presence of intact mossy fiber synaptosomes resulted in the production of [14C]adenosine. Micromolar concentrations of a stable adenosine analogue, 2-chloroadenosine, inhibited the K+-stimulated release of both dynorphin B and dynorphin A(1-8). 2-Chloroadenosine failed to suppress the evoked release of glutamic acid, measured in these same superfusates, unless the mossy fiber synaptosomes were pretreated with D-aspartic acid to deplete the cytosolic, Ca2+-independent, pool of this acidic amino acid. In synaptosomes pretreated in this manner, release of the remaining Ca2+-dependent pool of glutamic acid was significantly inhibited by NiCl2, 2-chloroadenosine, 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine, cyclohexyladenosine, and R(-)-N6(2-phenylisopropyl)adenosine, but not by ATP. 2-Chloroadenosine-induced inhibition was reversed when the external CaCl2 concentration was raised from 1.8 mM to 6 mM. 8-Phenyltheophylline, an adenosine receptor antagonist, effectively blocked the inhibitory effects of 2-chloroadenosine on mossy fiber synaptosomes and significantly enhanced the K+-evoked release of both glutamic acid and dynorphin A(1-8) when added alone to the superfusion medium. These results support the proposition that depolarized hippocampal mossy fiber synaptosomes release endogenous ATP and are capable of forming adenosine from extracellular ATP, and that endogenous adenosine may act at a presynaptic site to inhibit the further release of glutamic acid and the prodynorphin-derived peptides.

Metabolism of adenine nucleotides in human blood

Biologically active concentrations of potently vasoactive and platelet-active adenine nucleotides are generated in plasma by a variety of pathophysiological mechanisms. Although there is evidence that ATP and ADP are inactivated by endothelial ectonucleotidases, there has been little attempt to study the metabolic routes of their catabolism in blood or to assess the contribution of this process to their clearance in vivo. Therefore, we have studied the rates and patterns of catabolism of ATP, ADP, and AMP in whole blood, plasma, and isolated blood cells. Rates of degradation of each nucleotide in cell-free plasma ranged from 0.07-0.32 nmol/min/ml with 1 microM substrates to 1.1-3.6 nmol/min/ml with 100 microM substrates. The pattern of catabolism indicated that sequential dephosphorylation from ATP----ADP----AMP----adenosine occurs. In whole blood, the pattern was similar although ATP and ADP (but not AMP) breakdown was more rapid. This was due to leukocyte ectonucleotidase activity. The use of selective inhibitors demonstrated that catabolism was not due to nonspecific phosphatase activity and that plasma 5'-nucleotidase is distinct from ATPase or ADPase. In leukocytes, ATPase and ADPase activities were distinguishable, and each contributed substantially to the rates of catabolism in whole blood. Leukocyte 5'-nucleotidase did not measurably contribute to AMP dephosphorylation in blood. By comparison, ecto-ATPase and ecto-ADPase activities on cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells were similar to those on leukocytes while endothelial 5'-nucleotidase per 10(6) cells was equivalent to the soluble activity in 1 ml of blood or plasma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Production of AMP and adenosine in the interstitial fluid compartment of the isolated perfused normoxic guinea pig heart

The pathway of production of AMP and adenosine in the myocardial interstitial fluid compartment was studied in the isolated perfused normoxic guinea pig heart by collecting the transmyocardial effluent (t.m.e.) with the method of De Deckere and Ten Hoor (1977). Besides adenosine and inosine, AMP was found in t.m.e. Infusion of alpha,beta-methylene adenosine 5'-diphosphate (AOPCP), a specific inhibitor of the ecto 5'-nucleotidase, resulted in increases in t.m.e. AMP and inosine and a decrease in adenosine. Infusion of acetate producing a nearly twofold increase in myocardial AMP content did not increase the t.m.e. AMP even in the presence of AOPCP. In preparations made from 6-OH dopamine treated animals, the t.m.e. adenosine and inosine were reduced and AOPCP produced smaller increases in AMP and inosine, indicating that most if not all of the t.m.e. AMP originated from the sympathetic nerve terminals. Infusions of beta,gamma-imidoadenosine and beta,gamma-methylene adenosine 5'-triphosphate (AMPPNP and AMPPCP), non-hydrolysable analogs of ATP, resulted in dose-dependent increases in the t.m.e. AMP, which were much augmented in the presence of AOPCP. AMPPNP produced similar effects in 6-OH dopamine-treated preparations. As AMPPNP and AMPPCP are good substrates of ATP pyrophosphohydrolase, these findings indicate the presence of ATP pyrophosphohydrolase in the myocardial interstitial space.

Stimulation by glycerate 2,3-bisphosphate: a common property of cytosolic IMP-GMP 5'-nucleotidase in rat and human tissues

Glycerate 2,3-bisphosphate, a potent stimulator of the cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase which preferentially hydrolyzes IMP and GMP in human erythrocytes (Bontemps et al., 1988, Biochem. J. 250, 687-696), also stimulates the dephosphorylation of IMP in cytosol fractions of rat heart, liver, brain, kidney, spleen and erythrocytes, and of human polymorphonuclear leucocytes, mixed peripheral blood lymphocytes, platelets and fibroblasts. Depending on the cell type, stimulation by 5 mM glycerate 2,3-bisphosphate varied from 1.5- to 12-fold. Where investigated, glycerate 2,3-bisphosphate had an approx. 5-fold higher affinity for the enzyme than its other stimulator, ATP. These observations provide a useful tool to distinguish IMP-GMP 5'-nucleotidase from other 5'-nucleotidases, and suggest a common origin of the cytosolic IMP-GMP 5'-nucleotidase in various tissues.