Insulin and glucagon regulate the activation of two distinct membrane-bound cyclic AMP phosphodiesterases in hepatocytes

Glucagon, cyclic AMP, and hepatic glucose mobilization: A half‐century of uncertainty

For at least 50 years, the prevailing view has been that the adenylate cyclase (AC)/cyclic AMP (cAMP)/protein kinase A pathway is the predominant signal mediating the hepatic glucose‐mobilizing actions of glucagon. A wealth of evidence, however, supports the alternative, that the operative signal most of the time is the phospholipase C (PLC)/inositol‐phosphate (IP3)/calcium/calmodulin pathway. The evidence can be summarized as follows: (1) The consensus threshold glucagon concentration for activating AC ex vivo is 100 pM, but the statistical hepatic portal plasma glucagon concentration range, measured by RIA, is between 28 and 60 pM; (2) Within that physiological concentration range, glucagon stimulates the PLC/IP3 pathway and robustly increases glucose output without affecting the AC/cAMP pathway; (3) Activation of a latent, amplified AC/cAMP pathway at concentrations below 60 pM is very unlikely; and (4) Activation of the PLC/IP3 pathway at physiological concentrations produces intracellular effects that are similar to those produced by activation of the AC/cAMP pathway at concentrations above 100 pM, including elevated intracellular calcium and altered activities and expressions of key enzymes involved in glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis, and glycogen synthesis. Under metabolically stressful conditions, as in the early neonate or exercising adult, plasma glucagon concentrations often exceed 100 pM, recruiting the AC/cAMP pathway and enhancing the activation of PLC/IP3 pathway to boost glucose output, adaptively meeting the elevated systemic glucose demand. Whether the AC/cAMP pathway is consistently activated in starvation or diabetes is not clear. Because the importance of glucagon in the pathogenesis of diabetes is becoming increasingly evident, it is even more urgent now to resolve lingering uncertainties and definitively establish glucagon’s true mechanism of glycemia regulation in health and disease.

The Regulation of Circulating Hepatokines by Fructose Ingestion in Humans

Context

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), follistatin, angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4), and growth differential factor 15 (GDF15) are regulated by energy metabolism. Recent findings in humans demonstrate that fructose ingestion increases circulating FGF21, with increased response in conditions of insulin resistance.

Objective

This study examines the acute effect of fructose and somatostatin on circulating FGF21, follistatin, ANGPTL4, and GDF15 in humans.

Methods

Plasma FGF21, follistatin, ANGPTL4, and GDF15 concentrations were measured in response to oral ingestion of 75 g of fructose in 10 young healthy males with and without a 15-minute infusion of somatostatin to block insulin secretion. A control infusion of somatostatin was also performed in the same subjects.

Results

Following fructose ingestion, plasma FGF21 peaked at 3.7-fold higher than basal concentration (P < 0.05), and it increased 4.9-fold compared with basal concentration (P < 0.05) when somatostatin was infused. Plasma follistatin increased 1.8-fold after fructose ingestion (P < 0.05), but this increase was blunted by concomitant somatostatin infusion. For plasma ANGPTL4 and GDF15, no increases were obtained following fructose ingestion. Infusion of somatostatin alone slightly increased plasma FGF21 and follistatin.

Conclusion

Here we show that in humans (1) the fructose-induced increase in plasma FGF21 was enhanced when somatostatin was infused, suggesting an inhibitory role of insulin on the fructose-induced FGF21 increase; (2) fructose ingestion also increased plasma follistatin, but somatostatin infusion blunted the increase; and (3) fructose ingestion had no stimulating effect on ANGPTL4 and GDF15 levels, demonstrating differences in the hepatokine response to fructose ingestion.

Epinephrine responsiveness is reduced in livers from trained mice

The liver is the primary metabolic organ involved in the endogenous production of glucose through glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. Hepatic glucose production (HGP) is increased via neural-hormonal mechanisms such as increases in catecholamines. To date, the effects of prior exercise training on the hepatic response to epinephrine have not been fully elucidated. To examine the role of epinephrine signaling on indices of HGP in trained mice, male C57BL/6 mice were either subjected to 12 days of voluntary wheel running or remained sedentary. Epinephrine, or vehicle control, was injected intraperitoneally on day 12 prior to sacrifice with blood glucose being measured 15 min postinjection. Epinephrine caused a larger glucose response in sedentary mice and this was paralleled by a greater reduction in liver glycogen in sedentary compared to trained mice. There was a main effect of epinephrine to increase the phosphorylation of protein kinase-A (p-PKA) substrates in the liver, which was driven by increases in the sedentary, but not trained, mice. Similarly, epinephrine-induced increases in the mRNA expression of hepatic adrenergic receptors (Adra1/2a, Adrb1), and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6pc) were greater in sedentary compared to trained mice. The mRNA expression of cAMP-degrading enzymes phosphodiesterase 3B and 4B (Pde3b, Pde4b) was greater in trained compared to sedentary mice. Taken together, our data suggest that prior exercise training reduces the liver's response to epinephrine. This could be beneficial in the context of training-induced glycogen sparing during exercise.

Hepatokines-a novel group of exercise factors

Regular physical activity not only improves the exercise capacity of the skeletal muscle performing the contractions, but it is beneficial for the whole body. An extensive search for "exercise factors" mediating these beneficial effects has been going on for decades. Particularly skeletal muscle tissue has been investigated as a source of circulating exercise factors, and several myokines have been identified. However, exercise also has an impact on other tissues. The liver is interposed between energy storing and energy utilising tissues and is highly active during exercise, maintaining energy homeostasis. Recently, a novel group of exercise factors-termed hepatokines-has emerged. These proteins (fibroblast growth factor 21, follistatin, angiopoietin-like protein 4, heat shock protein 72, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1) are released from the liver and increased in the bloodstream during or in the recovery after an exercise bout. In this narrative review, we evaluate this new group of exercise factors focusing on the regulation and potential function in exercise metabolism and adaptations. These hepatokines may convey some of the beneficial whole-body effects of exercise that could ameliorate metabolic diseases, such as obesity or type 2 diabetes.

AMPK antagonizes hepatic glucagon-stimulated cyclic AMP signalling via phosphorylation-induced activation of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 4B

Biguanides such as metformin have previously been shown to antagonize hepatic glucagon-stimulated cyclic AMP (cAMP) signalling independently of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) via direct inhibition of adenylate cyclase by AMP. Here we show that incubation of hepatocytes with the small-molecule AMPK activator 991 decreases glucagon-stimulated cAMP accumulation, cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) activity and downstream PKA target phosphorylation. Moreover, incubation of hepatocytes with 991 increases the V_max of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B) without affecting intracellular adenine nucleotide concentrations. The effects of 991 to decrease glucagon-stimulated cAMP concentrations and activate PDE4B are lost in hepatocytes deleted for both catalytic subunits of AMPK. PDE4B is phosphorylated by AMPK at three sites, and by site-directed mutagenesis, Ser304 phosphorylation is important for activation. In conclusion, we provide a new mechanism by which AMPK antagonizes hepatic glucagon signalling via phosphorylation-induced PDE4B activation.

The diabetes drug Metformin decreases hepatic glucose production and activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Here the authors provide evidence that AMPK activation antagonizes glucagon signalling by activating PDE4B, lowering cAMP levels and decreasing PKA activation.

A novel role for thyroid-stimulating hormone: up-regulation of hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase expression through the cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A/cyclic adenosine monophosphate-responsive element binding protein pathway

Elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and hypercholesterolemia commonly coexist, as typically seen in hypothyroidism, but there is no known mechanism directly linking the two. Here, we demonstrated that in liver cells, TSH promoted the expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), a rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis, by acting on the TSH receptor in hepatocyte membranes and stimulating the cyclic adenosine monophosphate / protein kinase A / cyclic adenosine monophosphate-responsive element binding protein (cAMP/PKA/CREB) signaling system. In thyroidectomized rats, the production of endogenous thyroid hormone was eliminated and endogenous TSH was suppressed through pituitary suppression with constant administration of exogenous thyroid hormone, and hepatic HMGCR expression was increased by administration of exogenous TSH. These results suggested that TSH could up-regulate hepatic HMGCR expression, which indicated a potential mechanism for hypercholesterolemia involving direct action of TSH on the liver.

Glucagon activates Ca2+ and Cl- channels in rat hepatocytes

Glucagon is one of the major hormonal regulators of glucose metabolism, counteracting the hepatic effects of insulin when the concentration of glucose in the bloodstream falls below a certain level. Glucagon also regulates bile flow, hepatocellular volume and membrane potential of hepatocytes. It is clear that changes in cell volume and membrane potential cannot occur without significant ion fluxes across the plasma membrane. The effects of glucagon on membrane currents in hepatocytes, however, are not well understood. Here we show, by patch-clamping of rat hepatocytes, that glucagon activates two types of currents: a small inwardly rectifying Ca2+ current with characteristics similar to those of the store-operated Ca2+ current and a larger outwardly rectifying Cl- current similar to that activated by cell swelling. We show that the mechanism of glucagon action on membrane conductance involves phospholipase C and adenylyl cyclase. Contribution of the adenylyl cyclase-dependent pathway to activation of the currents depended on Epac (exchange protein directly activated by cAMP), but not on protein kinase A. The activation of Ca2+ and Cl- channels is likely to play a key role in the mechanisms by which glucagon regulates hepatocyte metabolism and volume.

Plasma membrane-bound cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Plasma membranes were isolated from 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Plasma membrane phosphodiesterase (PM-PDE) was measured in the presence of 5 microM cilostamide. Time course and cAMP dose response ranging from 0 to 2 microM were measured. PM-PDE remained linear up to 20 min. Non-linear curve fitting analysis showed that the low Km cAMP dose data fit a two component curve significantly better than a one component curve, indicating that there are two iso-forms of PDE in the plasma membrane of 3T3-L1 adipocytes, similar to swine adipocytes. The Km and Vmax values for this two component curve were Km1=0.12 microM, Vmax1=3.08 pmol min(-1) mg(-1) protein, and Km2=3.67 microM, Vmax2=83.8 pmol min(-1) mg(-1) protein. Inhibitors of PDE1, PDE2 and PDE5 failed to inhibit PM-PDE, as observed in swine adipocyte plasma membranes. However, PDE4 inhibitors were three-fold more effective at inhibiting PDE in 3T3-L1 PM compared to swine adipocyte PM. One mM 1, 3-dipropyl-8-p-sulfophenylxanthine (DPSPX) inhibited PM-PDE by approximately 75% in both preparations. These data demonstrate that PM-PDE is distinct from microsomal membrane PDE and may be responsible for extracellular cAMP metabolism to AMP in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Orthovanadate stimulates cAMP phosphodiesterase 3 activity in isolated rat hepatocytes through mitogen-activated protein kinase activation dependent on cAMP-dependent protein kinase

Orthovanadate (vanadate) as well as insulin stimulated phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3) in the particulate fraction of rat hepatocytes. The vanadate-induced activations of PDE3 and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were inhibited by H-89 and PD98059, suggesting that the MAPK activation via cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and MAPK kinase is involved in the vanadate action. On the other hand, the insulin-induced activations of PDE3 and Akt were inhibited by wortmannin, suggesting involvement of the Akt activation via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) in the insulin action. The vanadate-induced activations of PKA and PDE3 were inhibited in part by propranolol or genistein, suggesting that vanadate may exert its actions via dual signaling pathways of beta-adrenergic receptors and receptor tyrosine kinases of growth factors. Vanadate, in contrast to insulin, did not promote the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1. The vanadate-induced increase in the phosphorylation of a main isoform of MAPKs, p44 protein, was detected by immunoblotting migration patterns of SDS-PAGE. A partially purified PDE3 activity was increased by addition of MAPK or Akt to the reaction mixture, suggesting that MAPK as well as Akt acts upstream of PDE3. The activation of PDE3 by insulin was independent of a transient increase in the MAPK activity, probably due to the dephosphorylated inactivation mediated by the induced activation of MAPK phosphatases (MKPs). Vanadate did not affect the MKP activity. These results indicate that vanadate stimulates the particulate PDE3 activity by activating mainly p44 MAPK via a PKA-dependent process, and that it differs from insulin with regard to a phosphorylation cascade of PDE3 activation.

Effects of VIP and forskolin on alanine metabolism in isolated hepatocytes

The effects of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and of forskolin on alanine metabolism in hepatocytes isolated from fed and fasted rats were examined. VIP and 17 microM forskolin stimulated glucose production, gluconeogenesis from alanine, and ureagenesis, and inhibited glyconeogenesis to comparable degrees. However, combination of 17 microM forskolin with a maximal dose of VIP significantly augmented only the inhibition of glyconeogenesis. At 100 microM, forskolin induced metabolic responses comparable to those induced by glucagon, but similarly, in combination with maximal doses of VIP or glucagon, augmented only inhibition of glycogen synthesis. In addition to demonstrating modulation of alanine metabolism by VIP and forskolin, these results raise questions about the nature of the coupling between VIP receptor occupancy and metabolic response.

Membrane localization of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3). Two N-terminal domains are required for the efficient targeting to, and association of, PDE3 with endoplasmic reticulum

Subcellular localization of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) may be important in compartmentalization of cAMP/cGMP signaling responses. In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, mouse (M) PDE3B was associated with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as indicated by its immunofluorescent colocalization with the ER protein BiP and subcellular fractionation studies. In transfected NIH 3006 or COS-7 cells, recombinant wild-type PDE3A and PDE3B isoforms were both found almost exclusively in the ER. The N-terminal portion of PDE3 can be arbitrarily divided into region 1 (aa 1-300), which contains a large hydrophobic domain with six predicted transmembrane helices, followed by region 2 (aa 301-500) containing a smaller hydrophobic domain (of approximately 50 aa). To investigate the role of regions 1 and 2 in membrane association, we examined the subcellular localization of a series of catalytically active, Flag-tagged N-terminal-truncated human (H) PDE3A and MPDE3B recombinants, as well as a series of fragments from regions 1 and 2 of MPDE3B synthesized as enhanced green fluorescent (EGFP) fusion proteins in COS-7 cells. In COS-7 cells, the localization of a mutant HPDE3A, lacking the first 189 amino acids (aa) and therefore four of the six predicted transmembrane helices (H3A-Delta189), was virtually identical to that of the wild type. M3B-Delta302 (lacking region 1) and H3A-Delta397 (lacking region 1 as well as part of region 2) retained, to different degrees, the ability to associate with membranes, albeit less efficiently than H3A-Delta189. Proteins that lacked both regions 1 and 2, H3A-Delta510 and M3B-Delta604, did not associate with membranes. Consistent with these findings, region 1 EGFP-MPDE3B fusion proteins colocalized with the ER, whereas region 2 EGFP fusion proteins were diffusely distributed. Thus, some portion of the N-terminal hydrophobic domain in region 1 plus a second domain in region 2 are important for efficient membrane association/targeting of PDE3.

Effects of dexamethosone and glucagon after long-term exposure on cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase 4 in cultured rat hepatocytes

67% of total cAMP phosphodiesterase activity (PDE) in cultured rat hepatocytes could be detected in the cytosol, 15% in plasma membrane, 15% in 'dense vesicle,' and 3% in endoplasmatic reticulum fractions. Up to 84% of the PDE activity of the cytosol is represented by the rolipram-sensitive PDE 4. ICI 118233-inhibited PDE 3 was found predominantly in membranes. We were able to show that dexamethasone acts on the PDE 4 in cytosolic and plasma membrane fractions whereas glucagon effected the PDE 4 of the cytosol and the PDE 3 in 'dense vesicle' membranes. Primary culture of hepatocytes was used to study long-term effects of dexamethasone and glucagon on PDE 4 activity. Addition of dexamethasone (0.1 microM) at the beginning of cultivation leads to a decrease of total PDE 4 activity whereas after 24 h precultivation no dexamethasone effect could be observed. Glucagon effects on PDE 4 were investigated in 20 h precultured hepatocytes. Maximal stimulation was achieved after 2 h of exposure. PDE 4 subtypes A, B , D and, to a lesser degree, subtype C could be detected by RT-PCR analysis. The results of semiquantitative RT-PCR show that the presence of dexamethasone during the first 24 h of cultivation reduced selectively the transcription of PDE 4D, whereas glucagon was without any effect. Also the translation of PDE 4D was reduced as shown in the Western blot. We would like to discuss the way that dexamethasone influences PDE 4D expression-most likely in combination with other factors such as cytokines--during the time of cell plating, whereas glucagon actions are part of metabolic regulations via phosphorylation reactions.

Decreases in cAMP phosphodiesterase activity in hepatocytes cultured with herbimycin A due to cellular microtubule polymerization related to inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation of alpha-tubulin

The increase in cellular cAMP concentration during 10-min incubation of rat hepatocytes with glucagon or forskolin was enhanced markedly when the hepatocytes had been cultured for several hours with herbimycin A. This effect of herbimycin was accompanied by inhibition of tyrosine-phosphorylation of cellular proteins including alpha-tubulin, antagonized by coaddition of Na3VO4 plus H2O2, which also antagonized the herbimycin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation, and overcome by the addition to the 10-min incubation medium of a certain inhibitor of cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE), which caused a huge accumulation of cAMP. The effective PDE inhibitors were 4-[3-(cyclopentyloxy)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2-pyrrolidinone (rolipram) and 4-(3-butyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-imidazolidinone (Ro-20-1724, a PDE4 inhibitor), in addition to 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (a nonselective inhibitor). Rapid breakdown of the once-accumulated cAMP in cultured hepatocytes during the subsequent incubation without PDE inhibitors was progressively prevented when the concentration of herbimycin was increased from 0.3 to 10 microM during prior culture. This effect of herbimycin to inhibit PDE activity in intact cells was abolished by coaddition of a microtubule-disrupting agent, either colchicine or vinblastine, into the culture, but remained unchanged if the vinblastine-containing medium was further supplemented with taxol, a microtubule-stabilizing agent, which by itself mimicked the effect of herbimycin. None of these agents, which thus affected PDE activity in intact cells, inhibited the PDE activity assayable in the cell lysates. The taxol-like and vinblastine-suppressible action of herbimycin to stimulate microtubular assembly was antagonized by Na3VO4/H2O2, as confirmed by confocal microscopic images of the cells stained with fluorescein-bound anti-(alpha-tubulin). Thus, 4-h culture of hepatocytes with herbimycin inhibits phosphorylation of the C-terminal tyrosine residue of alpha-tubulin, thereby stimulating formation of a microtubular network which is responsible for the inhibition of PDE4 in the intact cells by an unknown mechanism.

Combined effects of insulin and dexamethasone on cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase 3 and glycogen metabolism in cultured rat hepatocytes

Primary cultures of rat hepatocytes were used to study the combined effects of insulin and dexamethasone on cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE 3) and glycogen metabolism. PDE activity was measured in extracts obtained by hypotonic shock treatment of the particulate fraction from cultured hepatocytes. PDE 3 was identified by inhibition with ICI 118233, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation of the activity with the use of a new PDE 3B-specific anti-peptide antibody and stimulation of the activity after adding insulin, glucagon and okadaic acid to the culture medium. Specific PDE inhibitors were always used to identify the measured PDE activities. Hypotonic extracts contained 30% PDE 3 and 50% PDE 4. Both PDE types show a nearly constant level during cultivation up to 48 h. Long-term exposure of dexamethasone alone has no effect on PDE 3 activity, whereas, in combination with insulin, the insulin stimulation of PDE 3 activity was found to be increased between 48 and 72 h of cultivation. Additionally, db-cAMP was able to stimulate PDE 3. A possible effect of insulin or db-cAMP on PDE 3B expression could not be found. On the other hand, activation of PDE 3B after 48 h of culturing decreased rapidly after removal of insulin or db-cAMP from the culture medium. Insulin-stimulated incorporation of 14C-glucose into glycogen was inhibited by PDE 3- and PDE 4-specific inhibitors as well as by the unspecific PDE inhibitor IMBX. Inhibitions by PDE 3- and PDE 4-specific inhibitors were found to be additive and reached the same extent as with IMBX. Summarising our results, we can conclude that PDE 3 and PDE 4 effectively control the hepatic glycogen metabolism. Insulin effects on PDE activity and glycogen metabolism require the presence of dexamethasone. Insulin-stimulated PDE seems to play an important role in realising insulin effects on hepatic glycogen metabolism.

Upregulation of cAMP-specific PDE-4 activity following ligation of the TCR complex on thymocytes is blocked by selective inhibitors of protein kinase C and tyrosyl kinases

We have previously shown that the major cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoforms present in murine thymocytes are the cGMP-stimulated PDE activity (PDE-2) and the cAMP-specific PDE activity (PDE-4), and that these isoforms are differentially regulated following ligation of the TCR (Michie, A.M., Lobban, M. D., Mueller, T., Harnett, M. M., and Houslay, M.D. [1996] Cell. Signalling 8, 97-110). We show here that the anti-CD3-stimulated elevation in PDE-4 activity in murine thymocytes is dependent on protein tyrosine kinase and protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated signals as the TCR-coupled increase in PDE-4 activity can be abrogated by both the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein, and the PKC selective inhibitors chelerythrine and staurosporine. Moreover, the PKC-activating phorbol ester, phorbol-12-myristate, 13-acetate (PMA) caused an increase in PDE-4 activity, similar to that observed in cells challenged with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies and which was not additive with cochallenge using anti-CD3 antibodies. Both the PMA- and the anti-CD3 antibody-mediated increases in PDE-4 activity were blocked by treatment with either cycloheximide or actinomycin D. Despite the upregulation of PDE-4 activity consequent to TCR ligation, intracellular cAMP levels increased on challenge of thymocytes with anti-CD3 antibody, indicating that adenylate cyclase activity was also increased by TCR ligation. It is suggested that the anti-CD3-mediated increase in PDE-4 activity was owing to a rapid PKC-dependent induction of PDE-4 activity following crosslinking of the TCR complex. This identifies "crosstalk" occurring between the PKA and PKC signaling pathways initiated by ligation of the antigen receptor in murine thymocytes. That both adenylate cyclase and PDE-4 activities were increased may indicate the presence of compartmentalized cAMP responses present in these cells.

Co-transfection with protein kinase D confers phorbol-ester-mediated inhibition on glucagon-stimulated cAMP accumulation in COS cells transfected to overexpress glucagon receptors

Glucagon elicited a profound increase in the intracellular cAMP concentration of COS-7 cells which had been transiently transfected with a cDNA encoding the rat glucagon receptor and under conditions where cAMP phosphodiesterase activity was fully inhibited. This was achieved in a dose-dependent fashion with an EC50 of 1.8+/-0.4 nM glucagon. In contrast with previous observations made using hepatocytes [Heyworth, Whetton, Kinsella and Houslay (1984) FEBS Lett. 170, 38-42], treatment of transfected COS-7 cells with PMA did not inhibit the ability of glucagon to increase intracellular cAMP levels. PMA-mediated inhibition was not conferred by treatment with okadaic acid, nor by co-transfecting cells with cDNAs encoding various protein kinase C isoforms (PKC-alpha, PKC-betaII and PKC-epsilon) or with the PMA-activated G-protein-receptor kinases GRK2 and GRK3. In contrast, PMA induced the marked inhibition of glucagon-stimulated cAMP production in COS-7 cells that had been co-transfected with a cDNA encoding protein kinase D (PKD). Such inhibition was not due to an action on the catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase, as forskolin-stimulated cAMP production was unchanged by PMA treatment of COS cells that had been co-transfected with both the glucagon receptor and PKD. PKD transcripts were detected in RNA isolated from hepatocytes but not from COS-7 cells. Transcripts for GRK2 were present in hepatocytes but not in COS cells, whereas transcripts for GRK3 were not found in either cell type. It is suggested that PKD may play a role in the regulation of glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase.

The effect of selective phosphodiesterase inhibitors on plasma insulin concentrations and insulin secretion in vitro in the rat

We have examined in rats the effects of Org 9935 (4,5-dihydro-6-(5,6-dimethoxy-benzo[b]-thien-2-yl)-methyl-1-(2H)-p yridazinone), a selective inhibitor of type 3 phosphodiesterase (phosphodiesterase 3) and Org 30029 (N-hydroxy-5,6-dimethoxy-benzo[b]-thiophene-2-carboximidamide HCl), an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 3/4 on rat plasma insulin and glucose concentrations in pentobarbitone-anaesthetised rats and on insulin secretion by rat isolated islets. We have also compared their effects on islet phosphodiesterase activity. Org 9935 (0.1 and 1.0 mg kg(-1) i.v. 15 min previously) dose dependently elevated fasting and post-glucose (0.25 g kg(-1) i.v.) plasma insulin concentrations. Org 30029 in a dose of 10 mg kg(-1), but not 1 mg kg(-1), also increased plasma insulin concentrations. Neither drug modified either fasting or post-glucose plasma glucose concentrations. Each drug augmented glucose-induced insulin release by rat isolated islets in a static incubation system, with approximate EC50 values of 1.5 microM for Org 9935 and 20 microM for Org 30029. Phosphodiesterase activity, in both supernatant and pellet fractions of islet homogenates, was inhibited concentration dependently by each drug. Although the shape of the concentration-inhibition curve for Org 30029 precluded estimation of an IC50 value, this drug was clearly much less potent than Org 9935 (IC50 about 50 nM) in inhibiting islet phosphodiesterase activity. We conclude that the increase in plasma insulin produced by each drug is a consequence of augmented insulin secretion, probably secondary to inhibition of phosphodiesterase 3 in the islet beta cell, with a resultant elevation in cAMP. The failure of the drugs to modify plasma glucose may be due to concomitant inhibition of cAMP phosphodiesterase in liver and adipose tissue.

Signal transduction pathways in macroautophagy

Macroautophagy is a major cellular catabolic pathway involved in the regulation of cell homeostasis. It is initiated by the sequestration of intracellular material by a wrapping membrane and terminates with the fusion of autophagic vacuoles with the lysosomal compartment. Macroautophagy has been extensively studied at the morphological level and in terms of environmental responses (nutrient deprivation, hormones). Recently a burst of data has emerged concerning the intracellular molecular events involved in the control of macroautophagic sequestration. It is becoming clear that the initial sequestration step of macroautophagy is under the control of different signalling pathways.

Rapid regulation of a cyclic AMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE IV) by forskolin and isoproterenol in LRM55 astroglial cells

Elevation of intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels by incubation of intact LRM55 astroglial cells with 0.1 mM forskolin or 0.1 microM isoproterenol (IPR) caused a rapid increase in soluble cAMP phospho-diesterase (PDE) activity. Activation did not require de novo protein synthesis and reached a maximum of > or = 100% increase over basal PDE activity after 15 min of treatment. The increase in activity was recovered in a single peak (peak 3) following DEAE chromatography; the other two peaks separated by this procedure showed no change. Peak 3 had all the characteristics of PDE IV: it was sensitive to rolipram, was insensitive to CI-930 and cyclic GMP (cGMP), had a high affinity for cAMP (K(m) approximately equal to 4 microM), and had a very low affinity for cGMP (K(m) > 100 microM). Forskolin treatment resulted in an increase of the Vmax of peak 3 without affecting its K(m). In vitro treatment of peak 3 with the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A increased activity, whereas treatment with alkaline phosphatase decreased activity. The rapid activation of this specific PDE in response to forskolin and IPR represents a novel regulation of PDE IV by a mechanism that seems to involve its phosphorylation by a cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

Streptozotocin-induced diabetes elicits the phosphorylation of hepatocyte Gi2 alpha at the protein kinase C site but not at the protein kinase A-controlled site

Streptozotocin-induced diabetes caused a profound increase in the steady-state level of phosphorylation of the alpha-subunit of the adenylate cyclase inhibitory protein Gi2 in hepatocytes. Unlike hepatocytes from control animals, those from streptozotocin-diabetic animals showed no increase in the phosphorylation of Gi2 alpha in response to a challenge with the protein kinase C activator phorbol myristate acetate. However, a stimulatory effect of 8-bromo-cAMP on Gi2 alpha phosphorylation was evident in hepatocytes from diabetic animals but this was severely reduced compared with that observed in hepatocytes from normal animals. Two-dimensional tryptic phosphopeptide mapping showed that Gi2 alpha in resting hepatocytes from diabetic animals was phosphorylated exclusively at the protein kinase C site (C-site) but no labelling was evident at the protein kinase A-regulated site (AN-site). Treatment of hepatocytes from diabetic animals with phorbol myristate acetate did not change this pattern of labelling. In contrast, challenge of hepatocytes from diabetic animals with 8-bromo-cAMP led to the appearance of a new labelled phosphopeptide that was consistent with labelling at the AN-site. Analysis of the C-site and AN-site phosphopeptides from hepatocytes of diabetic animals treated with 8-bromo-cAMP showed that the increase in labelling of Gi2 alpha caused by this ligand could be attributed almost entirely to labelling at the AN-site. Thus streptozotocin diabetes appears to cause enhanced labelling of hepatocyte Gi2 alpha by exclusively increasing phosphorylation at the C-site. It is suggested that the increased labelling at the C-site reflects an augmentation of the protein kinase C signalling system in hepatocytes from streptozotocin-induced diabetic animals. This may have wide-spread functional consequences for these cells and may result either from an increased protein kinase C activity and/or a reduction in protein phosphatase 1 and/or 2A activity.

Insulin and vasopressin elicit inhibition of cholera-toxin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in both hepatocytes and the P9 immortalized hepatocyte cell line through an action involving protein kinase C

Incubation of hepatocytes or the SV40-DNA-immortalized hepatocyte P9 cell line with cholera toxin led to a time-dependent activation of adenylate cyclase activity, which occurred after a defined lag period. When added together with cholera toxin, each of the hormones insulin and vasopressin was capable of attenuating the maximum stimulatory effect achieved by cholera toxin over a period of 60 min through a process which could be blocked by the compounds staurosporine and chelerythrine. Attenuating effects on cholera-toxin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity could also be elicited by using either the protein kinase C (PKC)-stimulating phorbol ester PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate) or the protein phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid. Alkaline phosphatase treatment of membranes reversed the inhibitory effect of PMA. Cholera toxin also stimulated the adenylate cyclase activity of intact CHO (Chinese-hamster ovary) and NIH-3T3 cells, but this activity was insensitive to the addition of PMA. Overexpression of various PKC isoforms in CHO cell lines did not confer sensitivity to inhibition by PMA upon cholera-toxin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. Rather, overexpression of the gamma isoform of PKC allowed PMA to stimulate adenylate cyclase activity in CHO cells. It is suggested that the PKC-mediated phosphorylation of a membrane protein attenuates cholera-toxin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in hepatocytes and P9 cells. The cellular selectivity of such an action may be due to the target for this inhibitory action of PKC being a particular isoform of adenylate cyclase which provides the major activity in hepatocytes and P9 cells, but not in either CHO or NIH-3T3 cells.

The in vitro pharmacology of ZM 241385, a potent, non-xanthine A2a selective adenosine receptor antagonist

1. This paper describes the in vitro pharmacology of ZM 241385 (4-(2-[7-amino-2-(2-furyl) [1,2,4]-triazolo[2,3-a][1,3,5]triazin- 5-yl amino]ethyl) phenol), a novel non-xanthine adenosine receptor antagonist with selectivity for the A2a receptor subtype. 2. ZM 241385 had high affinity for A2a receptors. In rat phaeochromocytoma cell membranes, ZM 241385 displaced binding of tritiated 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) with a pIC50 of 9.52, (95% confidence limits, c.l., 9.02-10.02). In guinea-pig isolated Langendorff hearts, ZM 241385 antagonized vasodilatation of the coronary bed produced by 2-chloroadenosine (2-CADO) and 2-[p-(2-carboxyethyl) phenethylamino]-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CGS21680) with pA2 values of 8.57 (c.l., 8.45-8.68) and 9.02 (c.l., 8.79-9.24) respectively. 3. ZM 241385 had low potency at A2b receptors and antagonized the relaxant effects of adenosine in the guinea-pig aorta with a pA2 of 7.06, (c.l., 6.92-7.19). 4. ZM 241385 had a low affinity at A1 receptors. In rat cerebral cortex membranes it displaced tritiated R-phenylisopropyladenosine (R-PIA) with a pIC50 of 5.69 (c.l., 5.57-5.81). ZM 241385 antagonized the bradycardic action of 2-CADO in guinea-pig atria with a pA2 of 5.95 (c.l., 5.72-6.18). 5. ZM 241385 had low affinity for A3 receptors. At cloned rat A3 receptors expressed in chinese hamster ovary cells, it displaced iodinated aminobenzyl-5'-N-methylcarboxamido adenosine (AB-MECA) with a pIC50 of 3.82 (c.l., 3.67-4.06). 6. ZM 241385 had no significant additional pharmacological effects on the isolated tissues used in these studies at concentrations three orders of magnitude greater than those which block A2a receptors. At 10 microM it displayed only minor inhibition of the bradycardic effects in guinea-pig atria to some concentrations of carbachol. At 10 microM, ZM 241385 had a small inhibitory effect on relaxant effects of isoprenaline in guinea-pig aortae but no effect on sodium nitrite-induced relaxation. ZM 241385(100 microM) was without effect on phenylephrine-induced tone in guinea-pig aortae.7. ZM 241385 (10 microM) had no inhibitory effect on rat hepatocyte phosphodiesterase types I, II, III and IV but caused a small inhibition of the calcium calmodulin-activated type I enzyme.8. ZM 241385 is the most selective adenosine A2a receptor antagonist yet described and is therefore a useful tool for characterization of responses mediated by A2 adenosine receptors.

Type III cGMP-inhibited cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDE3 gene family)

Seven different but related cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) gene families have been identified. Type III cGMP-inhibited (cGI) PDEs, the PDE3 gene family, are found in many tissues. cGI PDEs exhibit a high affinity for both cAMP and cGMP, and are selectively and relatively specifically inhibited by certain agents which augment myocardial contractility, promote smooth muscle relaxation and inhibit platelet aggregation. Adipocyte, platelet, and hepatocyte cGI PDE activities are regulated by cAMP-dependent phosphorylation. Insulin-induced phosphorylation/activation of adipocyte and hepatocyte cGI PDEs is thought to be important in acute regulation of triglyceride and glycogen metabolism by insulin. Two distinct cGI PDE subfamilies, products of distinct but related genes, have been identified. They exhibit the domain structure common to PDEs with a carboxyterminal region, conserved catalytic domain and divergent regulatory domain. In their catalytic domains cGI PDEs contain a 44 amino acid insertion not found in other PDE families. The expression of cGIP1 and cGIP2 mRNAs differs in different rat tissues, suggesting distinct functions for the two cGI PDE subfamilies, i.e., cGIP1 in adipose tissue, liver, testis and cGIP2 in myocardium, platelets and smooth muscle.

Dose-dependent elevation of cyclic AMP, activation of glycogen phosphorylase, and release of lactate by amylin in rat skeletal muscle

We report here our investigation of the role of cyclic AMP (cAMP) in amylin signal transduction in isolated strips of soleus muscle. Rat amylin, at 100 nM, increased cAMP levels, from 0.431 +/- 0.047 to a peak of 1.24 +/- 0.01 pmol cAMP/mg wet wt. after 5 min, in the absence of added phosphodiesterase inhibitor. The EC50 of the response was 0.48 nM (+/- 0.12 log units) in the absence of insulin and 0.3 nM (+/- 0.18 log units) in the presence of 7.1 nM insulin. The response seen with a maximally effective concentration of amylin (10 nM) was similar to that seen with a maximally effective concentration of epinephrine (1 microM) under the same conditions. Consistent with the observed rise in cAMP there was an increase in glycogen phosphorylase a (EC50 2.2 nM +/- 0.25 log units), decreased glycogen content (EC50 0.9 nM +/- 0.22 log units) and enhanced production of lactate (EC50 1.5 nM +/- 0.33 log units). These data support the concept that amylin promotes glycogenolysis in skeletal muscle and enhances production of lactate through glycolysis as a result of activation of Gs coupled receptors, stimulation of adenylate cyclase, elevation of cAMP levels and activation of glycogen phosphorylase.

Insulin inhibits the phosphorylation of alpha-Gi-2 in intact hepatocytes

Challenge of intact hepatocytes with insulin reduced the level of phosphorylated alpha-Gi-2 found under basal (resting) conditions. At maximally effective concentrations of insulin the steady-state labelling of alpha-Gi-2 was reduced by approximately 21%. Insulin achieved this in a time- and dose-dependent fashion, exhibiting an IC50 value of 109 +/- 22 pM. The increased labelling of alpha-Gi-2 seen after challenge of cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate was also attenuated by insulin. Treatment of hepatocytes with the protein phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid increased the labelling of alpha-Gi-2 in a fashion which was insensitive to the action of insulin. It is suggested that insulin may reduce the level of phosphorylation of alpha-Gi-2 by stimulating intracellular protein phosphatase activity and that this action may offer a molecular explanation for the ability of insulin to inhibit adenylate cyclase activity in hepatocytes by increasing the level of non-phosphorylated alpha-Gi-2.

GTP-binding protein-activator sequences in the insulin receptor

Some functions of the insulin receptor (insR) are assumed to be mediated by pertussis toxin-sensitive Gi/G(o) proteins. Here we have located G-protein-activator domains in the cytoplasmic region of the human insR. We searched the sequence of insR and found three candidate regions at residues 1039-1061, 1147-1168 and 1325-1345, referred to as ISRP1, ISRP2 and ISRP3, respectively. Among them, the Gi/G(o)-activating function was observed only in peptide ISRP3. ISRP1 specifically activated Gs, whereas ISRP2 had no effect on G proteins. ISRP2 and ISRP3 contained five of six autophosphorylated tyrosine residues in insR. After tyrosine phosphorylation, ISRP2 showed specific Gi-activating function, and ISRP3 potentiated its ability and became capable of activating G proteins generally. This is the first study that specifies G-protein-activator domains in insR and describes their modification by autophosphorylation.

The role of protein phosphorylation in the regulation of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases

The cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases constitute a complex superfamily of enzymes responsible for catalyzing the hydrolysis of cyclic nucleotides. Regulation of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases is one of the two major mechanisms by which intracellular cyclic nucleotide levels are controlled. In many cases the fluctuations in cyclic nucleotide levels in response to hormones is due to the hormone responsiveness of the phosphodiesterase. Isozymes of the cGMP-inhibited, cAMP-specific, calmodulin-stimulated and cGMP-binding phosphodiesterases have been demonstrated to be substrates for protein kinases. Here we review the evidence that hormonally responsive phosphorylation acts to regulate cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases. In particular, the cGMP-inhibited phosphodiesterases, which can be phosphorylated by at least two different protein kinases, are activated as a result of phosphorylation. In contrast, phosphorylation of the calmodulin-stimulated phosphodiesterases, which coincides with a decreased sensitivity to activation by calmodulin, results in decreased phosphodiesterase activity.

Extracellular calcium modulates insulin's action on enzymes controlling cyclic AMP metabolism in intact hepatocytes

Absence of physiological concentrations of extracellular Ca2+ in the Krebs-Henseleit incubation buffer did not affect the ability of 10 nM glucagon (< 5%) to increase hepatocyte intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations, but severely ablated (by approximately 70%) the ability of 10 nM insulin to decrease these elevated concentrations. Cyclic AMP metabolism is determined by production by adenylate cyclase and degradation by cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (PDE). In the absence of added extracellular Ca2+ (2.5 mM), insulin's ability to activate PDE activity was selectively compromised, showing a failure of insulin to activate two of the three insulin-stimulated activities, namely the 'dense-vesicle' and peripheral plasma-membrane (PPM) PDEs. In the absence of added Ca2+, insulin's ability to inhibit adenylate cyclase activity in intact hepatocytes was decreased dramatically. Vasopressin and adrenaline (+ propranolol) failed to elicit the activation of either the 'dense-vesicle' or the PPM-PDEs. The presence of physiological concentrations of extracellular Ca2+ in the incubation medium is shown to be important for the appropriate generation of insulin's actions on cyclic AMP metabolism.

Lung phosphodiesterase isoenzymes

The distinct phosphodiesterase isoenzyme activities in guinea-pig lung were identified and characterised. We demonstrate that protein kinase A catalyses the activation of lung Type V cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase. This occurs via a marked change in the Vmax for cyclic GMP hydrolysis. The sensitivity of the activated PDE to inhibition by zaprinast is also markedly reduced (zaprinast inhibits in PDE activity via a mixed mechanism). We suggest that activation of the PDE by protein kinase A involves a mechanism that leads to alteration in the regulatory action of a non-catalytic cyclic GMP binding site.

Regulation of cyclic AMP synthesis and degradation is modified in rat liver at late gestation

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) is known to play a key role in regulating insulin action, and it is well documented that in several cases of physiological insulin resistance its concentration is increased. Since late pregnancy in the rat is associated with liver insulin resistance, we have studied possible alterations of some cellular mechanisms regulating the cAMP metabolism. (1) Liver cAMP concentration was shown to be increased by some 30% and 50% at 18 and 22 days of pregnancy respectively, compared with virgins. (2) Basal adenylate cyclase activity was higher only in the 18-days-pregnant rat, and the forskolin-stimulated maximal activity was similar in the three groups of animals. (3) alpha s protein is decreased in term-pregnant rats; however, coupling between Gs and adenylate cyclase is only impaired in the 18-days-pregnant animals, and stimulation by glucagon is impaired in both groups of pregnant animals. (4) Gi-2 protein was shown to be unable to elicit the tonic inhibition of adenylate cyclase in pregnant rats, although it was only decreased at 22 days of gestation. The increased alpha i-2 level detected by immunoblotting at 18 days of gestation did not correlate with its decreased ADP-ribosylation, suggesting that the protein is somehow modified at this stage. (5) Pregnancy is associated with a decrease in membrane phosphodiesterase activity. Our results show that late pregnancy is associated with increases in liver cAMP levels that might be involved in eliciting the characteristic insulin-resistant state, and suggest that mechanisms leading to these increments are changing during this phase of gestation.

Effects of androgen treatment on adenylate cyclase system in rat hepatic membranes

Effects of androgen treatment of young female rats on glucagon- and catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity and adrenergic receptors of hepatic membranes have been studied. Injections of testosterone propionate for 7 days showed a significant decrease in the adenylate cyclase activity responding to isoproterenol and glucagon. The decrease in hormonal stimulation of the enzyme was accompanied with the fall in activation by non-hormonal stimuli, such as forskolin, sodium fluoride, Gpp(NH)p and Mn, without any changes in the number and the affinity of beta-adrenergic receptors of the membrane. These results suggest that androgens exert post-receptor effects by inhibiting the activity of the catalytic unit of adenylate cyclase system in rat hepatic membranes.

Characterization of GTP-binding proteins in Golgi-associated membrane vesicles from rat adipocytes

We have previously reported that guanine nucleotides inhibit glucose transport activity reconstituted from adipocyte membrane fractions. In order to further investigate the hypothetical involvement of guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins (GTP-binding proteins) in the regulation of insulin-sensitive glucose transport activity, we studied their subcellular distribution in adipocytes treated or not with insulin. Adipocytes were homogenized and fractionated to yield plasma membranes (PM) and a Golgi-enriched fraction of intracellular membranes (low-density microsomes, LDM). In these membrane fractions, total guanosine 5'-[gamma-[35S]thio]triphosphate ([35S]GTP[S]) binding, alpha- and beta-subunits of heterotrimeric G-proteins, proto-oncogenes Ha-ras and K-ras, and 23-28 kDa GTP-binding proteins were assayed. The levels of alpha s and alpha i (the alpha-subunits of Gs and Gi) were approx. 8-fold lower in LDM than in PM; beta-subunits, Ha-ras and K-ras were not detectable in LDM. Total GTP[S]-binding sites and 23-28 kDa GTP-binding proteins were present in LDM in approximately the same concentrations as in PM. Insulin gave rise to the characteristic translocation of glucose transporters, but failed to alter the subcellular distribution of any of the GTP-binding proteins. Fractionation of the LDM on a discontinuous sucrose gradient revealed that alpha s and alpha i, as detected with antiserum against a common peptide sequence (alpha common), and the bulk of the 23-28 kDa G-proteins sedimented at different sucrose densities. None of the GTP-binding proteins co-sedimented with glucose transporters. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of GTP[S] on the reconstituted transport activity was lost in the peak fractions of glucose transporters partially purified on the sucrose gradient. These data indicate that LDM from adipocytes contain several GTP-binding proteins in discrete vesicle populations. However, the intracellular GTP-binding proteins are not tightly associated with the vesicles containing the glucose transporter.

The catalytic subunit of protein kinase A triggers activation of the type V cyclic GMP-specific phosphodiesterase from guinea-pig lung

The type V cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase was partially purified from the high-speed supernatant of guinea-pig lung. The isoenzyme displayed linear kinetics for cyclic GMP hydrolysis, with Km = 2.2 +/- 0.2 microM and Vmax. = 1.2 +/- 0.08 nmol/min per mg. The selective type V phosphodiesterase inhibitor Zaprinast inhibited cyclic GMP hydrolysis with IC50 (concn. giving 50% inhibition) = 0.45 +/- 0.08 microM. Isobutylmethylxanthine promoted a 3-fold increase in the binding of cyclic GMP to the isoenzyme. The addition of the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A to an activation cocktail containing the partially purified type V phosphodiesterase resulted in a marked increase in Vmax. for cyclic GMP hydrolysis (approximately 10-fold at 40 units of protein kinase A). We have suggested that protein kinase A triggers phosphorylation of the phosphodiesterase, which results in activation of phosphodiesterase activity. In addition, the sensitivity to inhibition by Zaprinast is severely decreased (the IC50 for inhibition is 7.5 +/- 1.1 microM), suggesting that the potency of phosphodiesterase inhibitors is effected by phosphorylation of the enzyme.

Mechanisms of insulin inhibition of ACTH-stimulated steroid secretion by cultured bovine adrenocortical cells

Results of previous studies indicated that insulin at levels comparable to those in humans during hyperinsulinemia decreased ACTH-stimulated cortisol and androstenedione secretion by bovine adrenal fasciculata-reticularis cells in primary culture. In the present studies this inhibitory action was examined further by comparing the effects of insulin on ACTH-stimulated corticosteroid secretion with its effects on 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cAMP (cpt-cAMP), forskolin- and [5val]angiotensin II (Ang II)-stimulated corticosteroid secretion. Effects on corticosteroid secretion were correlated with effects on cAMP accumulation and rates of cAMP production. Monolayers were incubated for 24 h in the absence or presence of each agonist alone or in combination with insulin. Insulin (1.7 x 10(-9) or 17.5 x 10(-9) M) caused about a 50% decrease in cortisol and androstenedione secretion in response to ACTH (10(-11) or 10(-8) M). Insulin also decreased ACTH-stimulated aldosterone secretion by cultured glomerulosa cells. Cpt-cAMP (10(-4) or 10(-3) M)-stimulated increases in cortisol and androstenedione secretion were inhibited by insulin, but to a lesser extent than those in response to ACTH. The inhibition of cpt-cAMP-stimulated steroid secretion was not related to increased degradation of the cyclic nucleotide. Increases in cortisol and androstenedione secretion caused by a submaximal concentration (10(-6) M) of forskolin were decreased 50-70% by insulin. In contrast, insulin failed to significantly affect cortisol or androstenedione secretion caused by a maximal concentration (10(-5) M) of forskolin. The secretory responses to Ang II (10(-8) M) were also unaffected by insulin. The effect of insulin to inhibit ACTH-stimulated steroid secretion was accompanied by a reduction in cAMP accumulation as well as an apparent inhibition of adenylate cyclase activation. These data indicate that the effect of insulin to attenuate ACTH-stimulated corticosteroid secretion results from both an inhibition of ACTH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity and an antagonism of the intracellular actions of cAMP.

Characterization of the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase isoenzymes present in rat epididymal fat cells

Soluble and particulate fractions from extracts of rat epididymal fat cells were shown to exhibit a number of different phosphodiesterase activities, as determined by substrate specificity and sensitivity to activators and inhibitors. These activities were then further characterized following separation by MonoQ fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC). A cyclic AMP-specific activity, unaffected by the presence of calcium and calmodulin and inhibited by rolipram, was the major soluble phosphodiesterase. This fraction also contained distinct calcium and calmodulin- and cyclic-GMP-stimulated activities. Over 80% of the phosphodiesterase activity in the particulate fraction could be accounted for by an insulin-activated cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP-hydrolysing enzyme, which was sensitive to inhibition by cyclic GMP, SKF 94120, SKF 95654 and cilostamide, and eluted as a single peak during MonoQ chromatography. At 1 microM cyclic AMP, the phosphodiesterase activity in the soluble fraction was about eight times greater than in the particulate fraction. Specific inhibitors to the particulate phosphodiesterase (cilostamide and SKF 95654) were added to incubations of isolated fat cells, and were able to potentiate sub-maximal concentrations of isoproterenol in the stimulation of lipolysis. These inhibitors were also able to reverse the antilipolytic effect of insulin, demonstrating the importance of the particulate phosphodiesterase in insulin action, despite the fact that its activity represents only a small proportion of the total phosphodiesterase activity in fat cells. Inhibitors of the major soluble phosphodiesterase had no effect on lipolysis.

Characterization of guinea-pig eosinophil phosphodiesterase activity. Assessment of its involvement in regulating superoxide generation

Experiments have been performed to characterize guinea-pig peritoneal eosinophil cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity and establish whether it is involved in regulating superoxide (.O2-) generation. Eosinophils were found to contain a predominantly membrane-bound cAMP PDE(s) (92.5 +/- 2.4% of total activity) which was resistant to solubilization with Triton X-100 (1%). This particulate PDE exhibited complex kinetics (Km = 1.3 and 31.4 microM) and was unaffected by cGMP (IC50 greater than 100 microM) or CaCl2 (2 mM) + calmodulin (10 units/mL). Little cGMP PDE activity was detected in either the soluble or particulate fractions. Inhibitors of the Ro-20-1724-inhibited (Type IV) cAMP PDE, namely Ro-20-1724 (IC50 = 0.92 +/- 0.43 microM), rolipram (IC50 = 0.20 +/- 0.04 microM) and denbufylline (IC50 = 0.20 +/- 0.01 microM), potently inhibited the particulate cAMP PDE, as did the non-selective inhibitors trequinsin (IC50 = 0.11 +/- 0.02 microM) and AH-21-132 (IC50 = 2.57 +/- 0.02 microM). Eosinophil cAMP PDE was resistant to SK&F 94120 (IC50 greater than 1000 microM), the cGMP-inhibited (Type III) cAMP PDE inhibitor, and the cGMP PDE (Type I) inhibitor, zaprinast, was only weakly active (IC50 = 35.33 +/- 10.74 microM). .O2- release from resting cells was potently inhibited by rolipram (IC50 = 0.05 +/- 0.03 microM) and denbufylline (IC50 = 0.06 +/- 0.04 microM) but surprisingly, in view of its potent cAMP PDE inhibitory activity, was only weakly decreased by trequinsin (IC50 = 8.0 +/- 2.7 microM). AH-21-132 (IC50 greater than 10 microM), SK&F 94120 (IC50 greater than 10 microM) and zaprinast (IC50 greater than 10 microM) were without effect. Rolipram and denbufylline alone exerted little effect on cAMP in intact cells but, in the presence of 10 microM isoprenaline, potently increased intracellular accumulation (EC50 = 0.45 +/- 0.16 and 0.28 +/- 0.08 microM, respectively). Trequinsin and AH-21-132 only weakly enhanced isoprenaline-stimulated cAMP accumulation. Although it induced a marked rise in cAMP only in the presence of isoprenaline, rolipram (50 microM) alone was able to increase the activity ratio of cAMP-dependent protein kinase from 0.24 to 0.84. The results suggest that Ro-20-1724-inhibited cAMP PDE plays a role in regulating eosinophil .O2- generation. The poor correlation between the PDE inhibitory actions of certain compounds and their effectiveness in elevating cAMP and inhibiting .O2- suggests the existence of a barrier impeding access to the enzyme.

Variations in the antagonistic effects of insulin and glucagon on glycogen metabolism in cultured foetal hepatocytes

The antagonistic effects of insulin and glucagon on glycogen formation and mobilization were studied in cultured 18-day foetal rat hepatocytes with regard to different modes of exposure. Hormone combinations were achieved with a constant dose of 10 nM-insulin (maximal for the glycogenic effect of this hormone) and increasing doses of glucagon [from 0.03 to 10 nM: concn. causing half-maximal response (ED50) = 0.3 nM)]. When insulin and glucagon were added simultaneously, increasing glucagon concentrations progressively depressed the glycogenic effect of insulin and 0.3 nM-glucagon antagonized the insulin effect completely. The maximal glycogenolytic effect of glucagon was observed at concentrations greater than 1 nM. When the two hormones were introduced successively, with an interval of 4 h between additions, the effect of the second hormone was always fully expressed between 4 and 8 h. at which time the effect of the first hormone had ceased; the dominance of glucagon over insulin was also lost, due to cell desensitization to glucagon. Both continuous or intermittent (10 min on/10 min off periods) exposure to insulin and/or glucagon gave similar antagonistic effects, while in cells exposed to insulin plus glucagon alternating with exposure to insulin or glucagon alone, the glycogenic effect of insulin was less or more antagonized respectively by glucagon. Whatever the situation, the results obtained could not be related to antagonism by a glucagon-induced rise in either cyclic AMP levels (ED50 = 3 nM) or cell-surface hormone binding. Thus, depending on the hormonal state and the mode of hormone administration, regulation of glycogenesis in cultured foetal hepatocytes appears to be different from that predicted by the insulin/glucagon molar ratio, which is strikingly altered in the perinatal period.

Alterations in G-protein expression and the hormonal regulation of adenylate cyclase in the adipocytes of obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats

Attenuated maximal activations by forskolin, Mn+. NaF or guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]) were noted for adenylate cyclase activity in adipocytes from obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats compared with their lean (Fa/Fa) littermates. GTP[S] achieved half-maximal activation of adenylate cyclase at some 10-fold lower concentrations in membranes from lean animals compared with those from obese. Levels of the 42 and 45 kDa forms of Gs were some 40-50% lower in membranes from obese animals, and levels of Gi-1 and Gi-3 were some 62-65% lower. No differences in levels of Gi-2 alpha-subunits or G-protein beta-subunits were observed. Gi function, as assessed by inhibiting forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase, achieved by prostaglandin E1, nicotinate and phenylisopropyladenosine, was similar in membranes from both lean and obese animals. Levels of beta-adrenoceptors were some 50% lower in membranes from obese animals. It is suggested that the attenuated activation of adenylate cyclase by stimulatory ligands in membranes from obese animals may be caused by decreases in both Gs and receptors, and that this may contribute to the attenuated lipolytic response seen in adipocytes from such animals.

Okadaic acid identifies a phosphorylation/dephosphorylation cycle controlling the inhibitory guanine-nucleotide-binding regulatory protein Gi2

Recently, the alpha-subunit of the inhibitory guanine-nucleotide-binding protein Gi2 (alpha-Gi2) has been shown to be a substrate for phosphorylation both by protein kinase C and also by other unidentified kinase(s) which are activated as a result of elevated cyclic AMP levels in intact rat hepatocytes [Bushfield, Murphy, Lavan, Parker, Hruby, Milligan & Houslay (1990) Biochem. J. 268, 449-457]. Here we show that the incorporation of [32P]Pi into alpha-Gi2 was enhanced 3-fold by incubation of intact hepatocytes with the tumour promoter and protein phosphatase (1 and 2A) inhibitor, okadaic acid. This action was both time- and concentration-dependent and was accompanied by a loss of guanine-nucleotide-induced inhibition of adenylate cyclase. The increased labelling of alpha-Gi2 induced by okadaic acid was partially additive with that elicited by 8-bromo cyclic AMP, but not with that elicited by the protein kinase C activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. We suggest that, in the absence of hormones, the activity of alpha-Gi2 is under the control of a dynamic phosphorylation/dephosphorylation system involving protein kinase C and protein phosphatases 1 and/or 2A. This highlights the regulation of kinases and phosphatases as both providing potentially important mechanisms for causing 'cross-talk' between different signalling systems, in this instance controlling cellular responsiveness through regulation of alpha-Gi2 phosphorylation.