Purine catabolism in isolated rat hepatocytes. Influence of coformycin

The rate of production of uric acid by hepatocytes is a sensitive index of compromised cell ATP homeostasis

Plasma levels of uric acid, the final product of purine degradation in humans, are elevated in metabolic syndrome and are strongly associated with insulin resistance and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Hepatic and blood levels of purine metabolites (inosine, hypoxanthine, and xanthine) are also altered in pathophysiological states. We optimized a rat hepatocyte model to test the hypothesis that the production of uric acid by hepatocytes is a potential marker of compromised homeostasis of hepatocellular inorganic phosphate (Pi) and/or ATP. The basal rate of uric acid production from endogenous substrates in rat hepatocytes was comparable to that in human liver and was <10% of the maximum rate with saturating concentrations of purine substrates. It was marginally (~20%) decreased by insulin and increased by glucagon but was stimulated more than twofold by substrates (fructose and glycerol) that lower both cell ATP and Pi, and by inhibitors of mitochondrial respiration (complexes I, III, and V) that lower ATP but raise cell Pi. Clearance of inosine and its degradation to uric acid were also inhibited by cell Pi depletion. Analysis of gene expression in NAFLD biopsies showed an association between mRNA expression of GCKR, the glucokinase regulatory protein that is functionally linked to uric acid production, and mRNA expression of the phosphate transporters encoded by SLC17A1/3. Uric acid production by hepatocytes is a very sensitive index of ATP depletion irrespective of whether cell Pi is lowered or raised. This suggests that raised plasma uric acid may be a marker of compromised hepatic ATP homeostasis.

L-arginine intake effect on adenine nucleotide metabolism in rat parenchymal and reproductive tissues

L-arginine is conditionally essetcial amino acid, required for normal cell growth, protein synthesis, ammonia detoxification, tissue growth and general performance, proposed in the treatment of men sterility and prevention of male impotence. The aim of the present paper was to estimate the activity of the enzymes of adenine nucleotide metabolism: 5'-nucleotidase (5'-NU), adenosine deaminase (ADA), AMP deaminase, and xanthine oxidase (XO), during dietary intake of L-arginine for a period of four weeks of male Wistar rats. Adenosine concentration in tissues is maintained by the relative activities of the adenosine-producing enzyme, 5'-NU and the adenosine-degrading enzyme-ADA adenosine deaminase. Dietary L-arginine intake directed adenine nucleotide metabolism in liver, kidney, and testis tissue toward the activation of adenosine production, by increased 5'-NU activity and decreased ADA activity. Stimulation of adenosine accumulation could be of importance in mediating arginine antiatherosclerotic, vasoactive, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant effects. Assuming that the XO activity reflects the rate of purine catabolism in the cell, while the activity of AMP deaminase is of importance in ATP regeneration, reduced activity of XO, together with the increased AMP-deaminase activity, may suggest that adenine nucleotides are presumably directed to the ATP regenerating process during dietary L-arginine intake.

AMP-activated protein kinase-independent inhibition of hepatic mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation by AICA riboside

AICA riboside (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta-D-ribofuranoside) has been extensively used in cells to activate the AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), a metabolic sensor involved in cell energy homoeostasis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of AICA riboside on mitochondrial oxidative; phosphorylation. AICA riboside was found to dose-dependently inhibit the oligomycin-sensitive JO2 (oxygen consumption rate) of isolated rat hepatocytes. A decrease in P(i) (inorganic phosphate), ATP, AMP and total adenine nucleotide contents was also observed with AICA riboside concentrations >0.1 mM. Interestingly, in hepatocytes from mice lacking both alpha1 and alpha2 AMPK catalytic subunits, basal JO2 and expression of several mitochondrial proteins were significantly reduced compared with wild-type mice, suggesting that mitochondrial biogenesis was perturbed. However, inhibition of JO2 by AICA riboside was still present in the mutant mice and thus was clearly not mediated by AMPK. In permeabilized hepatocytes, this inhibition was no longer evident, suggesting that it could be due to intracellular accumulation of Z nucleotides and/or loss of adenine nucleotides and P(i). ZMP did indeed inhibit respiration in isolated rat mitochondria through a direct effect on the respiratory-chain complex I. In addition, inhibition of JO2 by AICA riboside was also potentiated in cells incubated with fructose to deplete adenine nucleotides and P(i). We conclude that AICA riboside inhibits cellular respiration by an AMPK-independent mechanism that likely results from the combined intracellular P(i) depletion and ZMP accumulation. Our data also demonstrate that the cellular effects of AICA riboside are not necessarily caused by AMPK activation and that their interpretation should be taken with caution.

Reduced ability to release adenosine by diabetic rat cardiac fibroblasts due to altered expression of nucleoside transporters

Adenosine produced by cardiac cells is known to attenuate the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), inhibit collagen synthesis, and protect the myocardium against ischaemic and reperfusion injury. Diabetic patients' hearts exhibit ventricular hypertrophy and demonstrate reduced tolerance to hypoxia or ischaemia. In this study, we characterize the effects of glucose and insulin on processes that determine the release of adenosine from CFs. We showed that during ATP depletion, rat CFs cultured in the absence of insulin release significantly less adenosine compared to cells grown in the presence of insulin. Moreover, under both conditions the quantity of released adenosine depends on glucose concentration. We demonstrate that this is due to altered expression of nucleoside transporters. High glucose (25 mm) induced 85% decrease in nucleoside transporter ENT1 mRNA levels. Decrease of the insulin level below 10(-11) m resulted in over 3-fold increase in the nucleoside transporter CNT2 mRNA content. Measurements of adenosine transport in CFs cultured in the presence of 5 mm glucose and 10 nm insulin showed that the bidirectional equilibrative adenosine transport accounted for 70% of the overall adenosine uptake. However, cells grown in the presence of high glucose (25 mm) demonstrated 65% decrease of the bidirectional equilibrative adenosine transport. Experiments on CFs cultured in the absence of insulin showed that the unidirectional Na(+)-dependent adenosine uptake rose in these cells more than 4-fold. These results indicate that the development of diabetes may result in an increased uptake of interstitial adenosine by CFs, and reduction of the ability of these cells to release adenosine during ATP deprivation.

Identification and characterization of a small molecule AMPK activator that treats key components of type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key sensor and regulator of intracellular and whole-body energy metabolism. We have identified a thienopyridone family of AMPK activators. A-769662 directly stimulated partially purified rat liver AMPK (EC50 = 0.8 microM) and inhibited fatty acid synthesis in primary rat hepatocytes (IC50 = 3.2 microM). Short-term treatment of normal Sprague Dawley rats with A-769662 decreased liver malonyl CoA levels and the respiratory exchange ratio, VCO2/VO2, indicating an increased rate of whole-body fatty acid oxidation. Treatment of ob/ob mice with 30 mg/kg b.i.d. A-769662 decreased hepatic expression of PEPCK, G6Pase, and FAS, lowered plasma glucose by 40%, reduced body weight gain and significantly decreased both plasma and liver triglyceride levels. These results demonstrate that small molecule-mediated activation of AMPK in vivo is feasible and represents a promising approach for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome.

Depression of cell metabolism and proliferation by membrane-permeable and -impermeable modulators: role for AMP-to-ATP ratio

The metabolic and developmental depression commonly observed during natural states of dormancy, such as diapause and quiescence, is typically accompanied by an increase in the intracellular ratio of AMP to ATP. We investigated the impact of artificially increasing the AMP-to-ATP ratio in mouse macrophages. Evidence is presented here that the P2X7 receptor channel can be used as an effective means to load cells with membrane-impermeable compounds. Intracellular loading of adenosine-5'-O-thiomonophosphate (AMPS), a nonhydrolyzable analog of 5'-AMP and potent activator of AMP-activated protein kinase, significantly depresses metabolism and proliferation of macrophages. The intracellular effective AMP-to-ATP ratio obtained (the sum of AMPS plus endogenous 5'-AMP) was 0.073, well above that reported to activate AMP-activated protein kinase in vitro. Optimizing both the conditions under which the P2X7 receptor channel is opened and the duration of opening facilitates high analog uptake and approximately 98% survivorship. An advantage to AMPS is its minimal impact on other components of the nucleotide pool, most notably the unchanged concentration of ADP. An alternative way to shift the effective AMP-to-ATP ratio is by incubation with the membrane-permeable compound 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR), which is phosphorylated intracellularly to form the 5'-AMP analog ZMP. Despite a rapid intracellular accumulation of AICAR, conversion to ZMP was slow and inefficient. Furthermore, AICAR incubation increased cellular ADP, and, although cell proliferation was depressed, the overall cellular energy flow was unchanged. The rapid action of AMPS avoids upregulation of compensatory metabolic pathways and may provide a viable approach for promoting cell stasis.

A self-contained 48-well fatty acid oxidation assay

The modulation of fatty acid metabolism and especially the stimulation of fatty acid oxidation in liver or skeletal muscle are attractive therapeutic approaches for the treatment of obesity and the associated insulin resistance. However, current beta-oxidation assays are run in very low throughput, which represents an obstacle for drug discovery in this area. Here we describe results for a 48-well beta-oxidation assay using a new instrument design. A connecting chamber links two adjacent wells to form an experimental unit, in which one well contains the beta-oxidation reaction and the other captures CO(2). The experimental units are sealed from each other and from the outside to prevent release of radioactivity from the labeled substrate. CO(2) capture in this instrument is linear with time and over the relevant experimental range of substrate concentration. Cellular viability is maintained in the sealed environment, and cells show the expected responses to modulators of beta-oxidation, such as the AMP kinase activator 5-aminoimidazole carboxamide riboside. Data are presented for different lipid substrates and cell lines. The increased throughput of this procedure compared with previously described methods should facilitate the evaluation of compounds that modulate fatty acid metabolism.

Does endogenous or exogenous adenosine facilitate the functional recovery of the cochlea after ischemia?

The present study was undertaken to determine whether adenosine attenuates cochlear dysfunction induced by transient ischemia. Adenosine or erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine (EHNA), an adenosine deaminase inhibitor, was administered by perilymphatic perfusion to albino guinea pigs that were subjected to cochlear ischemic episodes of 30-minute duration. The threshold shift of the compound action potential (CAP) from the preischemic value was significantly reduced in the animals perfused with EHNA 1 hour after the onset of reperfusion. However, perfusion of adenosine at concentrations of 100 micromol/L to 10 mmol/L did not reduce the postischemic CAP threshold shift by either 1 hour or 4 hours after the onset of reperfusion. These results suggest that the elevation of the adenosine concentration did not exert a protective effect on the cochlear ischemia-reperfusion injury, and that the protective action of EHNA is unrelated to elevating the adenosine concentration.

AMP deaminase inhibitors. 2. Initial discovery of a non-nucleotide transition-state inhibitor series

A series of N3-substituted coformycin aglycon analogues are described that inhibit adenosine 5'-monophosphate deaminase (AMPDA) or adenosine deaminase (ADA). The key steps involved in the preparation of these compounds are (1) treating the sodium salt of 6, 7-dihydroimidazo[4,5-d][1,3]diazepin-8(3H)-one (4) with an alkyl bromide or an alkyl mesylate to generate the N3-alkylated compound 5 and (2) reducing 5 with NaBH(4). Selective inhibition of AMPDA was realized when the N3-substituent contained a carboxylic acid moiety. For example, compound 7b which has a hexanoic acid side chain inhibited AMPDA with a K(i) = 4.2 microM and ADA with a K(i) = 280 microM. Substitution of large lipophilic groups alpha to the carboxylate provided a moderate potency increase with maintained selectivity as exemplified by the alpha-benzyl analogue 7j (AMPDA K(i) = 0.41 microM and ADA K(i) > 1000 microM). These compounds, as well as others described in this series of papers, are the first compounds suitable for testing whether selective inhibition of AMPDA can protect tissue from ischemic damage by increasing local adenosine concentrations at the site of injury and/or by minimizing adenylate loss.

Inhibition of hepatocytic autophagy by adenosine, adenosine analogs and AMP

Autophagy, measured in isolated rat hepatocytes as the sequestration of electroinjected [3H]raffinose, was moderately (17%) inhibited by adenosine (0.4 mM) alone, but more strongly (85%) in the presence of the adenosine deaminase inhibitor, 2'-deoxycoformycin (50 microM), suggesting that metabolic deamination of adenosine limited its inhibitory effectiveness. The adenosine analogs, 6-methylmercaptopurine riboside and N6,N6-dimethyladenosine, inhibited autophagy by 89% and 99%, respectively, at 0.5 mM, probably reflecting the adenosine deaminase-resistance of their 6-substitutions. 5-Iodotubercidin (10 microM), an adenosine kinase inhibitor, blocked the conversion of adenosine to AMP and largely abolished the inhibitory effects of both adenosine and its analogs, indicating that AMP/nucleotide formation was required for inhibition of autophagy. Inhibition by adenosine of autophagic protein degradation, measured as the release of [14C]valine from prelabelled protein, was similarly potentiated by deoxycoformycin and prevented by iodotubercidin. Inhibition of autophagy by added AMP, ADP or ATP (0.3-1 mM) was, likewise, potentiated by deoxycoformycin and prevented by iodotubercidin, suggesting dephosphorylation to adenosine and intracellular re-phosphorylation to AMP. Suppression of autophagy by AMP may be regarded as a feedback inhibition of autophagic RNA degradation, or as an aspect of the general down-regulation of energy-requiring processes that occurs under conditions of ATP depletion, when AMP levels are high.

Different responses of rat liver adenosine metabolizing enzymes during in vivo and in vitro treatment with interferon-alpha 2b

Interferon-alpha 2b (IFN-alpha 2b) can exert antiproliferative activity in both normal and malignant liver tissue. To study mechanisms of its antiproliferative action, the activity of the enzymes of adenosine metabolism were investigated. We studied 5'-nucleotidase (an adenosine-producing enzyme) and adenosine deaminase (involved in adenosine degradation). Female Wistar rats (3 weeks old) were treated with IFN-alpha 2b for 48 h, as were adult rats (3 months old) and adult rats subjected to partial hepatectomy. During IFN-alpha 2b administration, the activity of 5'-nucleotidase increased in the liver of 3-week-old rats, proportionately more than in adult rats, but the greatest increase was seen in partially hepatectomised rats. The activity of adenosine deaminase decreased in the liver of 3-week-old rats, did not change significantly in 3-month-old rats, but was significantly lower in partially hepatectomised rats. As high adenosine concentrations are toxic for mammalian cells, especially during proliferation, the progressive increase of adenosine production, together with the progressive decrease of its degradation, could be one of the mechanisms of IFN-alpha 2b-induced antiproliferative activity. In vitro studies were performed using collagenase-isolated hepatocytes. They were exposed to IFN-alpha 2b, a cAMP analogue, or both. The incubation of hepatocytes with IFN-alpha 2b did not significantly change the activity of both enzymes, whereas incubation with the cAMP analogue decreased 5'-nucleotidase activity and increased adenosine deaminase activity. The mechanism of IFN-alpha 2b-induced alteration in adenosine metabolism is therefore unclear.

Myocardial ischemic injury and purine metabolism in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass

OBJECTIVES

High-energy phosphates and their catabolic products were determined in myocardium during coronary artery bypass surgery with blood cardioplegic reperfusion in order to evaluate the effects of aortic cross-clamping and reoxygenation on myocardial purine metabolism.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Transmural left ventricular biopsy specimens were taken with ITu-Cut biopsy needles, before aortic cross-clamping, before cross-clamp removal and after 30' of reperfusion; perchloric extracts of the material were analyzed for nucleotide content by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). The CZE procedure used separates the complete spectrum of purine metabolites in myocardial extracts obtained from 0.6-8.6 mg biopsy material.

RESULTS

The basal values of ATP/ADP ratio and energy charge were low, IMP content was high. After the ischemic period, ATP levels further decreased and IMP, nucleosides and bases accumulated. After reperfusion, nucleoside and base basal levels, but not energy charge, were restored to some extent.

CONCLUSIONS

The study arises the problem of myocardial preservation during heart surgery. In this investigation, capillary electrophoresis was an extremely adaptable technique for the evaluation of ischemic injury and could be useful in studying the effects of cardioplegic solutions.

Novel evidence for an ecto-phospholipid methyltransferase in isolated rat hepatocytes

Phospholipids of isolated rat hepatocytes were labelled by preincubation with either 2 microM -methyl-14C-S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) or 2 microM [methyl-14C]methionine. Subsequent addition of phospholipase C to the suspension removed 95% of the radioactivity from phospholipids methylated by [methyl-14C]AdoMet within a few minutes, but was without effect on phospholipids methylated by [methyl-14C]methionine radioactivity from the latter could, nevertheless, be removed by phospholipase C after permeabilization of the cells with digitonin. The results clearly show that the methyl group of exogenous AdoMet, contrary to that of methionine, is transferred on to phospholipids located on the external face of the plasma membrane. Accordingly, pretreatment of isolated hepatocytes with trypsin prevented the methylation of phospholipids from exogenous AdoMet by 60-80%, whereas it was almost without effect when exogenous methionine was the methyl donor. Our data corroborate previous work [Bontemps and Van den Berghe (1997) Biochem. J. 327, 383-389], which indicated that AdoMet methylates hepatocyte phospholipids without penetrating the cells.

Metabolism of exogenous S-adenosylmethionine in isolated rat hepatocyte suspensions: methylation of plasma-membrane phospholipids without intracellular uptake

Administration of S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet), the main biological methyl donor, has been shown to exert favourable effects on liver disorders in man and animal models. The mechanism of action of AdoMet has, however, remained elusive, mainly owing to controversies with respect to its capacity to enter intact liver cells. Incubation of isolated rat hepatocytes with 2 or 50 microM -methyl-14C-AdoMet showed that it was utilized predominantly to methylate cellular phospholipids, forming mainly phosphatidylcholine, although less than 0.2% of labelled AdoMet was found inside the cells. The concentration of neither AdoMet nor S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy), its demethylation product, was significantly elevated inside the cells. A slight elevation of intracellular AdoMet was only recorded on incubation with concentrations of AdoMet above 200 microM. AdoHcy, which does not penetrate cells, inhibited phospholipid methylation from [methyl-14C]AdoMet but not from [methyl-14C]Met. Elevation of intracellular AdoHcy by adenosine dialdehyde, an inhibitor of AdoHcy hydrolase, inhibited phospholipid methylation from [methyl-14C]Met, but virtually not at all from [methyl-14C]AdoMet. Taken together, these data indicate that exogenous AdoMet does not penetrate hepatocytes significantly but is utilized for phospholipid methylation on the outer surface of the plasma membrane.

Tight links between adenine and guanine nucleotide pools in mouse pancreatic islets: a study with mycophenolic acid

Glucose metabolism in pancreatic B-cells leads to an increase in the ATP/ADP ratio that might participate in the regulation of insulin secretion. Good correlations have also been observed between guanine nucleotide levels in isolated pancreatic islets and insulin secretion. To assess whether guanine nucleotides have a specific role in stimulus-secretion coupling, their concentration should be modified selectively. This was attempted by culturing mouse islets overnight in the presence of mycophenolic acid (MPA), an inhibitor of GMP synthesis at the level of IMP dehydrogenase. The drug (25-50 microg/ml) did not affect the insulin content but decreased the GTP content of the islets and inhibited insulin secretion during subsequent incubation in the presence of 15 mM glucose. However, MPA also decreased the ATP/ADP ratio in the islets. The addition of guanine to the culture medium (to stimulate the salvage pathway of GTP synthesis) restored normal GTP levels, corrected the ATP/ADP ratio and partly prevented the inhibition of insulin release. In contrast, attempts to stimulate ATP synthesis specifically (by provision of adenine or adenosine) failed to reverse any of the effects of MPA. It is concluded that guanine and adenine nucleotide pools are tightly linked and cannot be specifically affected by MPA in pancreatic islet cells, probably because of the activity of nucleoside diphosphate kinase and because of the role of GTP in several reactions leading to adenine nucleotide generation. Contrary to previous claims, MPA is not an adequate tool for evaluating a specific role of guanine nucleotides in the control of insulin secretion.

Evaluation of purine nucleotide loss, lipid peroxidation and ultrastructural alterations in post-hypoxic hepatocytes

1. Hypoxic alterations in isolated rat hepatocytes were demonstrated by a 90% ATP loss during 60 min of ischaemia and temporary increases of nucleotide degradation products. 2. The oxidative stress during reoxygenation was demonstrated in these cells by a decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration (30%) and a threefold increase in lipid peroxidation products such as 4-hydroxynonenal and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-RSs). The tremendous GSH loss could not be balanced by the slight oxidized glutathione (GSSG) increase during reoxygenation. 3. For the first time the involvement of free radicals was directly demonstrated using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy in reoxygenated liver cells. Using the spin trap 5,5-dimethylpyrroline-1-oxide (DMPO), a carbon-centred radical and the adduct of the hydroxyl radical could be detected during early reoxygenation. 4. Morphological alteration of cells was observed, beginning during hypoxia and increasing during post-hypoxic reoxygenation. Electron microscopic findings of hypoxic and post-hypoxic cell damage included pyknosis of nuclei, spherical transformation of mitochondria and increased number of vesicles.

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.

Effects of growth factors on the enzymes of purine metabolism in culture of regenerating rat liver cells

Hepatocytes are affected by many cytokines and growth factors during liver regeneration. In regenerating rat liver cells cultures, liver cell growth factor (LCGF), hepatic stimulator substance (HSS), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), as well as their combination, were tested for their ability to activate the enzymes involved in purine metabolism. The enzymes tested were 5' nucleotidase, AMP deaminase, adenosine deaminase and xanthine oxidase. The cytokines alone or in combination, activated 5' nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase. Activity of AMP deaminase was stimulated by IL-1 beta associated with LCGF, HSS and IL-1 beta. Xanthine oxidase was stimulated by IL-1 beta but not with HSS and LCGF. Associated with IL-1 beta these two substances decreased its activity. A novel approach to the understanding of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of purine metabolism during liver regeneration, is proposed.

Inhibition of protein synthesis induced by adenine nucleotides requires their metabolism into adenosine

Adenine nucleotides and adenosine inhibit the incorporation of radiolabelled leucine into proteins of isolated hepatocytes. Impairment occurred with nucleotides which can be converted into 9-beta-D-ribofuranosyladenine (adenosine) but was not observed after treatment with adenine or AMPCPP (the alpha, beta-methylene analogue of ATP). Metabolism into adenosine was further suggested by the increase in cellular ATP levels following treatment of hepatocytes with ATP, adenosine or AMPPCP (the beta, gamma-methylene ATP analogue) while AMPCPP was without any significant effect. The inhibition of protein synthesis caused by adenosine was not due to a lytic effect nor to a general disturbance in hepatic functions and was reversed when the cells were washed and transferred to a nucleoside-free medium. This impairment, however, was not coupled to the activation of adenylate cyclase, as preincubation of hepatocytes with P1 purinoceptor antagonists failed to prevent protein synthesis inhibition. In contrast, L-homocysteine enhanced the inhibitory effect of adenosine on the incorporation of radiolabelled leucine into proteins. Our results thus suggest that the inhibition of protein synthesis caused by adenine nucleotides requires their conversion into adenosine. They also indicate that the inhibitory effect of adenosine does not involve a receptor-mediated effect but may be related to an increase in S-adenosylhomocysteine content and a subsequent low level of macromolecule methylation.

Pattern of AMP degradation in ischemic rabbit lung tissue

Because adenine nucleotide catabolites may be important during postischemic lung reperfusion, we examined the pathway of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) degradation in ischemic lung tissue. Once the pattern of degradation is known, pharmacological interventions can be considered, offering new methods of reducing lung reperfusion injury. For this purpose we used the isolated rabbit lung. Rabbit lungs were flushed in situ with a modified Krebs Henseleit solution (60 ml/kg). The lungs were removed and stored deflated, immersed in saline solution at 37 degrees C. At regular times, biopsies were taken, and adenine nucleotides, nucleosides, and bases were measured in these biopsies using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). During lung ischemia, a very significant increase of inosine monophosphate (IMP) was found. Adenosine levels on the other hand did not increase. Hypoxanthine was the major end catabolite of ischemic lung tissue (constituting 92% of the nucleoside and purine base fraction at 4 hours ischemia). To further determine the pathway of AMP degradation, 400 mM of the adenosine deaminase inhibitor erythro-9-[2-hydroxy-3-nonyl]adenine (EHNA) was added to the lung flush solution. During ischemia, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) breakdown was unaltered but adenosine became the major catabolite (2.8 times the concentration of hypoxanthine at 4 hours ischemia). These data suggest that: 1) in rabbit lung tissue, dephosphorylation of AMP to adenosine is more important than deamination to IMP; 2) hypoxanthine is the major end catabolite of ischemic lung tissue. By inhibiting the enzyme deaminase, reduced hypoxanthine levels and increased adenosine levels were obtained. Pharmacological interventions are now available to interfere with the formation of adenine nucleosides and bases in ischemic lung tissue. The importance of adenine nucleotide catabolites to postischemic lung reperfusion injury is discussed.

Purification and some properties of an IMP-specific 5'-nucleotidase from yeast

An IMP-hydrolysing enzyme was purified to homogeneity from yeast extract. It was a soluble protein with an apparent molecular mass of 220 kDa, with a subunit molecular mass of 55 kDa. It was highly specific for IMP, and there was virtually no detectable activity with the other purine and pyrimidine nucleotides tested, including AMP and dIMP. The enzyme had a pH optimum of 6.0-6.5. Its activity was absolutely dependent on bivalent metal salts: Mg2+ was most potent, followed by Co2+ and Mn2+. The velocity/substrate-concentration plot of the enzyme was slightly sigmoidal (h = 1.7) and the s0.5 was 0.4 mM. ATP stimulated the enzyme by decreasing both h and s0.5. Diadenosine tetraphosphate stimulated the enzyme as effectively as ATP. Although the properties of the enzyme are similar to those of the IMP/GMP 5'-nucleotidase identified in various animals [Itoh (1993) Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 105B, 13-19], the substrate specificity of the former was much more strict than the latter.

Estimation of metabolic flux rates in liver purine catabolism of tumour-bearing mice by computer simulation of radioactive tracer experiments

Mouse hepatocytes from healthy control mice and from Ehrlich ascites tumour-bearing mice were used for tracer-kinetic studies of purine catabolism of liver cells during different periods of tumour growth. The dynamics of the radioactive tracers were modelled mathematically by a system of differential equations. Computer simulations, i.e. direct fitting of numerical solutions of these equations to the observed time-courses of metabolites and specific radioactivities, enables one to estimate unknown kinetic parameters of a simplified model of pathways of hepatic purine catabolism in tumour-bearing mice. There occurred great differences of metabolic flux rates between control hepatocytes, hepatocytes of mice during the proliferating period of tumour growth (6th day after inoculation of the tumour) and hepatocytes of mice during the resting period of tumour growth (12th day after inoculation of the tumour). The final purine degradation of hepatocytes prepared during the proliferating period was lower in comparison with that of control hepatocytes, but it was markedly higher in hepatocytes prepared during the resting period of tumour growth. The changes in hepatocyte purine catabolism during the proliferating period of tumour growth argue for transitions which aim at the maintenance of high purine nucleotide levels in the liver itself rather than for an increased nucleoside and nucleobase supply for the tumour. This suggestion is in accordance with the increased ATP level of the liver during the proliferating phase of tumour growth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Accumulation of aldehydic lipid peroxidation products during postanoxic reoxygenation of isolated rat hepatocytes

The accumulation of the aldehydic lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances was demonstrated during anoxia/reoxygenation of isolated rat hepatocytes. 4-Hydroxynonenal was detected as dinitrophenylhydrazone derivative by means of an isocratic HPLC separation. The highest 4-hydroxynonenal level was found 15 min after the beginning of reoxygenation. The concentration of 4-hydroxynonenal was compared with the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances formation, the glutathione status, and the cell viability. Addition of the xanthine oxidase inhibitor oxypurinol decreased the aldehyde formation during the reoxygenation phase. The same suppression of oxidative load by 20 microM oxypurinol (inhibition of xanthine oxidase) and by 1 mM oxypurinol (inhibition of xanthine oxidase plus radical scavenging) leads to two conclusions: First, the purine degradation is the primary radical source of postanoxic hepatocytes; second, the inhibition of radical generation by xanthine oxidase is the main component of cell protecting by oxypurinol. On the other hand, oxypurinol addition did not accelerate the adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) restoration.

Acetate-induced changes of adenine nucleotide levels in rat liver

The changes in adenine nucleotide concentration induced by acetate were investigated in rat liver in situ and in isolated rat hepatocytes. Adenosine monophosphate (AMP) concentration increased approximately threefold within 15 minutes after intraperitoneal injection of sodium acetate. A small but significant decrease in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration also occurred. Consequently, the ATP/AMP ratio decreased from approximately 14 (the value found in control or sodium chloride-injected rats) to approximately 3 (the value found in sodium acetate-injected rats). Adenosine diphosphate (ADP) concentration increased slightly, but this was statistically nonsignificant. Total adenine nucleotide concentrations after acetate injection remained essentially the same as those in control rats. Adenylate energy charge decreased after acetate administration. No significant changes in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) concentrations were found after sodium acetate injection. Similar patterns of changes in adenine nucleotide concentrations were found in isolated rat hepatocytes incubated in the presence of acetate. These data indicate that acetate, which appears in human blood either during hemodialysis with acetate-containing solution or after ethanol consumption, may alter energy equilibrium of adenine nucleotides in the liver. This is due to the conversion of ATP to AMP in the course of acetate to acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) activation. It is therefore possible that accelerated ATP turnover in the liver may contribute both to the "intolerance to acetate" in patients subjected to dialysis with the sodium acetate-containing solution and to the pathogenesis of gout associated with excessive ethanol consumption.

Mechanisms of elevation of adenosine levels in anoxic hepatocytes

Previous work has shown that normoxic isolated rat hepatocytes continuously produce adenosine from AMP and that the nucleoside is not catabolized further but immediately rephosphorylated by adenosine kinase [Bontemps, Van den Berghe and Hers (1983) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 80, 2829-2833]. We now report the effect of anoxia on adenosine production and on the AMP/adenosine substrate cycle. In cell suspensions incubated in O2/CO2, the adenosine concentration was about 0.4 microM. It increased 30-fold in cells incubated in N2/CO2 or with 5 mM KCN, and 20-fold in cells incubated with 2 mM amytal. Adenosine production, measured in hepatocytes in which adenosine kinase and adenosine deaminase were inhibited by 5-iodotubercidin and deoxycoformycin respectively, was about 18 nmol/min per g of cells in normoxia; it increased about 2-fold in anoxia, although AMP increased 8-16-fold in this condition. From studies with inhibitors of membrane 5'-nucleotidase and of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, it was deduced that adenosine is produced by the latter enzyme and by cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase in normoxia, and by cytosolic and membrane 5'-nucleotidases in anoxia. Unlike in normoxic hepatocytes, inhibition of adenosine kinase by 5-iodotubercidin neither elevated the adenosine concentration nor enhanced total purine release from adenine nucleotides in cells treated with N2/CO2 or KCN; it had only a slight effect in cells treated with amytal. This indicates that recycling of adenosine is suppressed or profoundly inhibited in anoxia. The rate of accumulation of adenosine in anoxia was several-fold lower than the rate of its rephosphorylation upon reoxygenation. It is concluded that the elevation of adenosine in anoxic hepatocytes is much more dependent on decreased recycling of adenosine by adenosine kinase than on increased production by dephosphorylation of AMP.

Phosphorylation of adenosine in anoxic hepatocytes by an exchange reaction catalysed by adenosine kinase

The elevation of adenosine levels induced by anoxia in isolated rat hepatocytes has been shown to result mainly from an arrest of the recycling of the nucleoside by adenosine kinase [Bontemps, Vincent and Van den Berghe (1993) Biochem. J. 290, 671-677]. To assess the activity of the latter enzyme in intact hepatocytes, incorporation of radioactive adenosine into the cells' adenine nucleotides was measured. Unexpectedly, despite the near-absence of ATP in anoxic cells, 40% of 50 microM [8-14C]adenosine was still incorporated into adenylates over 5 min. Moreover, whereas unlabelled and labelled adenosine were utilized in parallel in normoxic cells, uptake of [8-14C]adenosine did not correspond to a net disappearance of adenosine in anoxic cells. Addition of 1 mM unlabelled adenosine to anoxic hepatocytes in which the adenine nucleotides had been prelabelled with [U-14C]adenine induced an immediate loss of their radioactivity. The latter was recovered in the form of adenosine, but the size of the adenylate pool was not modified. Taken together, these results suggest the occurrence of an exchange reaction between AMP and adenosine. Incubation of Sephadex G-25-filtered high-speed supernatants of rat liver with 20 microM [8-14C]adenosine, 10 mM MgCl2 and 1 mM AMP resulted in the labelling of AMP in the total absence of ATP. This labelling was influenced by effectors of both adenosine kinase and cytosolic IMP-GMP 5'-nucleotidase; the latter is known to catalyse an exchange reaction [Worku and Newby (1982) Biochem. J. 205, 503-510]. Chromatography of cytosolic fractions of rat liver on DEAE-Sepharose, followed by Sephacryl S-200 and AMP-Sepharose, demonstrated that the exchange reaction between adenosine and AMP co-purified with adenosine kinase. It is concluded that incorporation of labelled adenosine into adenine nucleotides should not be considered to be proof of adenosine kinase activity in anoxia.

Different relationships between cellular adenosine or 3'-deoxyadenosine phosphorylation and cellular adenine ribonucleotide catabolism may be obtained

Treatment of BALB/c-3T3 mouse fibroblasts with 3'-deoxyadenosine led to a rapid accumulation of 3'-deoxyadenosine phosphates and the kinetics of this process has been determined. Concomitant with accumulation of these compounds, the adenine ribonucleotide pool was reduced. The kinetics of the two processes suggested that they were tightly coupled. The inhibitory effect of relatively high concentrations of coformycin indicated that IMP was an intermediate in the catabolic pathway. Similar experiments with Ehrlich ascites tumor cells were performed in Ringer-Hepes solution at pH 6.5 or 7.5 and with varying concentrations of orthophosphate. The experiments were performed with cells where ATP was [3H]-labeled. This allowed the determination of the catabolism of adenine ribonucleotides to labeled nucleosides under conditions where added adenosine was phosphorylated. The results showed that at low phosphate concentration (5.8 mM) at pH 6.5 adenosine may be phosphorylated at a rate that was completely balanced to the concomitant catabolism of adenine ribonucleotides; that is, there was apparently a tight kinetic coupling between anabolism of adenosine and catabolism of adenine ribonucleotides. With 3'-deoxyadenosine a corresponding effect was obtained although the apparent coupling between phosphorylation of 3'-deoxyadenosine and catabolism of adenine ribonucleotides was not complete. When experiments were performed at the same pH but at high concentration of phosphate (45 mM) there was in contrast no coupling between the two processes; that is, ATP was present in constant amounts while 3'-deoxyadenosine phosphates accumulated at a high rate. In experiments with adenosine under these conditions there was still some although a relatively limited degree of apparent coupling between phosphorylation of adenosine and catabolism of adenine ribonucleotides. In both lines of cells used and with both adenosine and 3'-deoxyadenosine, the main products of the catabolism of adenine ribonucleotides were inosine and hypoxanthine. With 3'-deoxyadenosine there was in addition (about 20%) formation of xanthosine, suggesting that IMP dehydrogenase had also been activated. These results lead to the suggestion that adenosine (or 3'-deoxyadenosine) may be phosphorylated in two ways. 1) Phosphorylation may depend on an adenosine kinase unrelated to catabolism of adenine ribonucleotides. 2) Phosphorylation may be tightly coupled to catabolism of adenine ribonucleotides. A nucleoside phosphotransferase may catalyze the transfer of a phosphoryl group from IMP to adenosine (or 3'-deoxyadenosine) to form AMP (or 3'-dAMP) and inosine, a process that may be tightly coupled to an AMP deaminase reaction. The IMP formed in the latter reaction may not be released but transferred to the phosphotransferase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Altered kinetics of AMP deaminase by myosin binding

AMP deaminase catalyzes the deamination of AMP to inosine 5'-monophosphate (IMP) and ammonia. Factors controlling the enzyme in muscle can rapidly promote high rates of IMP formation when ATP utilization exceeds supply. We evaluated whether binding of AMP deaminase to myosin, which occurs during intense contraction conditions, alters the kinetic behavior of the enzyme. Reaction kinetics of myosin-bound and free AMP deaminase were evaluated. Reaction kinetics of the free enzyme yielded a near-linear double-reciprocal plot with an expected Km of approximately 1 mM AMP concentration (AMP). In contrast, reaction kinetics of AMP deaminase became bimodal when bound to myosin. At [AMP] less than 0.15 mM, a high-affinity Km (0.05-0.10 mM) with maximal velocity approximately 20% that of free enzyme was evident. At [AMP] greater than 0.15 mM, the Km and maximal velocity values were similar to that of the free enzyme. The 10- to 20-fold higher affinity Km would allow for a higher rate of AMP deamination at the low [AMP] found physiologically. AMP deaminase binding to myosin also induced a marked resistance to orthophosphate inhibition (10 mM) in the presence of 50 microM ADP. Results were similar for purified preparations of AMP deaminase bound to myosin subfragment 2 and crude extracts obtained from contracting muscle. Our results add further support to the hypothesis that AMP deaminase binding to myosin serves an important role in control of enzyme activity in contracting muscle.

Quantitative separation of uric acid and allantoin from rat liver tissue

A simple procedure is described for the assay of liver uric acid and allantoin and their specific radioactivity after administration of a radioactive precursor. Uric acid was quantified by the uricase reaction in liver trichloroacetic acid (TCA) extracts. The 'true' allantoin content of the liver could be estimated only after precipitation with Hg-acetate, a step by which the standard allantoin was also quantitatively recovered. Crude extracts lead to the evaluation of 'apparent' allantoin. For the determination of specific radioactivity, the Hg-acetate precipitate was further purified by ion-exchange chromatography. The purity of the two metabolites was confirmed by ultraviolet absorbance spectra, HPLC, constancy of specific radioactivity and the absence of amino acids. The incorporation of [14C]formate into uric acid and allantoin in the liver was studied by this procedure. The radioactivity in allantoin was several-fold higher than that in uric acid up to 60 min after administration of the precursor. This quite unexpected result is not easily explained on the basis of current knowledge.

The rate of catabolism of dATP to deoxyadenosine during the growth of different cell lines in vitro

A method has been developed for the determination of the rate of formation of deoxyadenosine from dATP in cultured cell lines. The lowest rate was found in the T-cell-derived Molt cell line while it was about 70-fold higher in Balb c/3T3 mouse fibroblasts. In the B-cell-derived Raji cells and in the murine sarcoma cell line SEWA it had intermediary values. It is concluded that in some cell types like the 3T3-cells the catabolism of dATP to deoxyadenosine may have a significant regulatory effect on the cellular content of dATP.

Inhibition of glycolysis by 5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide riboside in isolated rat hepatocytes

5-Amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide riboside (AICAriboside; Z-riboside), the nucleotide corresponding to AICAribotide (AICAR or ZMP), an intermediate of the 'de novo' pathway of purine nucleotide biosynthesis, has been shown to inhibit gluconeogenesis in isolated rat hepatocytes [Vincent, Marangos, Gruber & Van den Berghe (1991) Diabetes 40, 1259-1266]. We now report that glycosis is also inhibited and even more sensitive to AICAriboside in these cells. In hepatocyte suspensions from fasted rats, production of lactate from 15 mM-glucose was half-maximally inhibited by 25-50 microM-AICAriboside. AICAriboside influenced two regulatory steps of glycolysis: (1) it decreased the release of 3H2O from [2-3H]glucose and the concentrations of both glucose 6-phosphate and fructose 6-phosphate, indicating that it diminished the phosphorylation of glucose by glucokinase; (2) it decreased the concentration of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (Fru-2,6-P2), the main physiological stimulator of liver 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase. Further studies showed that AICAriboside induced an inactivation of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase, the enzyme that produces Fru-2,6-P2, without affecting the concentration of cyclic AMP. Similarly to the inhibiton of gluconeogenesis by AICAriboside, the inhibition of glycolysis became apparent after an approx. 10 min latency and persisted when the cells were washed after addition of AICAriboside, strongly suggesting that the effects were also exerted by the Z-nucleotides, which accumulate after addition of AICAriboside to hepatocytes. An increased uptake of lactate was evident when 50-200 microM-AICAriboside was added 15 min after addition of glucose. This can be explained by the higher sensitivity of glycolysis, as compared with gluconeogenesis, to inhibition by AICAriboside, and reveals the simultaneous operation of both processes.

The effects of fructose on adenosine triphosphate depletion following mitochondrial dysfunction and lethal cell injury in isolated rat hepatocytes

Mitochondrial injury in aerobic mammalian cells is associated with a rapid depletion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which occurs prior to the onset of lethal cell injury. In this report, the relationships between ATP depletion and lethal cell injury were examined in rat hepatocytes using oligomycin as a model mitochondrial toxicant and fructose as an alternative carbohydrate source for glycolysis. Oligomycin was more potent in causing lethal cell injury in hepatocytes isolated from fasted animals than cells from fed animals. The onset of cell injury (leakage of lactate dehydrogenase) in cells from fed animals correlated with the depletion of stored glycogen and ATP. The degree and time course profile of oligomycin-induced ATP depletion could be duplicated with 50 mM fructose alone in hepatocytes from fasted animals; however, fructose did not cause lethal cell injury. Oligomycin caused marked accumulation of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) and a conservation of adenine nucleotides. In contrast, fructose (50 mM) caused a decrease in Pi, no persistent change in AMP, and a depletion of the adenine nucleotide pool. Fructose, at concentrations greater than 1.0 mM, protected hepatocytes from oligomycin-induced toxicity. Blockade of mitochondrial ATP synthesis with oligomycin resulted in massive ATP depletion. In the presence of oligomycin, 5.0 mM fructose maintained cellular ATP content similar to that of control cells, whereas 50 mM fructose did not, demonstrating the biphasic effect of increasing fructose concentrations on cellular ATP content. Fructose-induced protection of hepatocytes from oligomycin toxicity was due to glycolytic fructose metabolism as hepatocytes incubated with iodoacetate (30 microM), fructose, and oligomycin had reduced viability and ATP content. In conclusion, interruption of mitochondrial ATP synthesis leads to marked ATP depletion and lethal cell injury. Cell injury is clearly not due to ATP depletion alone since increased glycolytic ATP production from either glycogen or fructose can maintain cell integrity in the absence of mitochondrial ATP synthesis and at low cellular ATP levels.

A radiochemical enzymatic endpoint assay for GTP and GDP

We present here a radiochemical enzymatic endpoint assay for the guanine nucleotides GTP and GDP that is suitable for use with cell extracts. The major coupling enzyme used is phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase purified from chicken liver. The ancillary coupling enzyme, aspartate aminotransferase, was used to generate a low steady-state concentration of oxalacetate. GTP was determined by the overall conversion of [U-14C]aspartate into [14C]phosphoenolpyruvate. This reaction was also scaled-up as a preparative method for [U-14C]phosphoenolpyruvate. This was used with the same coupling enzymes in reverse to measure GDP by the formation of [14C]aspartate. The assay method was applied to isolated rat hepatocytes. The total GTP and GDP concentrations found were within the range reported by others for rat liver. The advantages of this assay are its sensitivity, specificity, and applicability to large numbers of samples.

Regulatory properties of AMP deaminases from rat tissues

1. Phosphocellulose column chromatography under double gradient conditions (phosphate and KCl) revealed two forms of AMP deaminase in rat heart and brain and a single form in the liver and skeletal muscle. 2. Kinetically all purified AMP deaminases were classified into two categories: those, which elute from the column at lower KCl and Pi concentrations, display low S0.5 value are only moderately affected by MgATP, MgGTP and Pi; and those which elute at higher KCl and Pi concentrations, display high S0.5 values and are strongly regulated by allosteric effectors. 3. Physiological significance of the occurrence of two kinetic forms of AMP deaminase in some tissues is discussed.

Metabolism of adenosine through adenosine kinase inhibits gluconeogenesis in isolated rat hepatocytes

In isolated hepatocytes from fasted rats, 0.5 mM adenosine inhibited gluconeogenesis from glutamine, lactate and pyruvate. This inhibition was due to adenosine conversion through adenosine kinase. An increase in ketone body release was only observed in the presence of lactate or pyruvate, and the two phenomena (i.e. inhibition of gluconeogenesis and increased ketone-body release) were linked. With alanine, dihydroxyacetone or serine as substrates, adenosine did not change gluconeogenesis; however, its conversion through adenosine kinase also inhibited gluconeogenesis. With asparagine as substrate, 0.5 mM adenosine increased gluconeogenesis; this increase was due to adenosine conversion through adenosine deaminase. However, adenosine conversion through adenosine kinase inhibited gluconeogenesis from asparagine. Thus, whatever the substrate used, adenosine conversion through adenosine kinase inhibited gluconeogenesis. The inhibitory effect of adenosine on gluconeogenesis cannot be related to the decrease in Pi concentration and to the increase in ATP pool. Beside its effect on gluconeogenesis, adenosine inhibited ketogenesis measured without added substrate; adenosine conversion through adenosine kinase was also involved in the inhibition of ketogenesis.

IMP production by ATP-depleted adult rat heart cells. Effects of glycolysis and alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation

A rapid deenergization procedure was used to probe the regulation of in situ adenylate deaminase and 5'-nucleotidase in isolated adult rat heart cells. In cells depleted of ATP, the rate of ionosine monophosphate (IMP) production was fourfold greater in cells that had been respiring prior to deenergization than in cells that had been maintaining ATP stores through anaerobic glycolysis. This effect of respiratory inhibition was fully reversed by reaeration. When phenylephrine was present during preincubation, IMP production during a subsequent 5-minute rapid deenergization was increased by 70% in respiring cells and by 88% in those that had not been respiring. These effects of phenylephrine were abolished by prazosin. Adenosine production by cells without ATP was inversely related to that of IMP, whereas it was positively correlated with the amount of AMP remaining in cells after 5 minutes. We conclude from these data that rat heart adenylate deaminase is regulated by a product(s) of anaerobic glycolysis and by alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation. The production of intracellular adenosine in cells without ATP, on the other hand, is governed primarily by the concentration of AMP and appears to be catalyzed by the cytosolic type I 5'-nucleotidase.

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.