M. Imbert-Teboul

Co-expression of a Ca2+-inhibitable Adenylyl Cyclase and of a Ca2+-sensing Receptor in the Cortical Thick Ascending Limb Cell of the Rat Kidney INHIBITION OF HORMONE-DEPENDENT cAMP ACCUMULATION BY EXTRACELLULAR Ca2+

The Ca2+-sensing receptor protein and the Ca2+-inhibitable type 6 adenylyl cyclase mRNA are present in a defined segment of the rat renal tubule leading to the hypothesis of their possible functional co-expression in a same cell and thus to a possible inhibition of cAMP content by extracellular Ca2+. By using microdissected segments, we compared the properties of regulation of extracellular Ca2+-mediated activation of Ca2+ receptor to those elicited by prostaglandin E2 and angiotensin II. The three agents inhibited a common pool of hormone-stimulated cAMP content by different mechanisms as follows. (i) Extracellular Ca2+, coupled to phospholipase C activation via a pertussis toxin-insensitive G protein, induced a dose-dependent inhibition of cAMP content (1.25 mm Ca2+ eliciting 50% inhibition) resulting from both stimulation of cAMP hydrolysis and inhibition of cAMP synthesis; this latter effect was mediated by capacitive Ca2+ influx as well as release of intracellular Ca2+. (ii) Angiotensin II, coupled to the same transduction pathway, also decreased cAMP content; however, its inhibitory effect on cAMP was mainly accounted for by an increase of cAMP hydrolysis, although angiotensin II and extracellular Ca2+ can induce comparable release of intracellular Ca2+. (iii) Prostaglandin E2, coupled to pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein, inhibited the same pool of adenylyl cyclase units as extracellular Ca2+ but by a different mechanism. The functional properties of the adenylyl cyclase were similar to those described for type 6. The results establish that the co-expression of a Ca2+-inhibitable adenylyl cyclase and of a Ca2+-sensing receptor in a same cell allows an inhibition of cAMP accumulation by physiological concentrations of extracellular Ca2+.

Catecholamine sensitive adenylate cyclase activity in different segments of the rabbit nephron

SummaryThe sensitivity to catecholamines of the adenylate cyclase (AC) activity contained in single tubule samples was investigated on 10 different well defined segments, isolated by microdissection from collagenase treated rabbit kidneys.No responsiveness to isoproterenol (10−6 M) was observed in the proximal tubule (convoluted and straight portions), the thin descending and thick ascending limbs of the loop of Henle, and the first (“bright”) portion of the distal convoluted tubule (DCTb); in contrast high responses (stimulation factors: 4 to 6 fold) were obtained in the second (“granular”) portion of the distal convoluted tubule (DCTg), as well as in both the “granular” (CCTg) and the “light” (CCTl) portions of the cortical collecting tubule. In absolute value, however, the CCTl response was definitely lower than those measured in DCTg and CCTg, as is its control activity. In the medullary portion of the collecting tubule, the AC response to isoproterenol was rather poor both in absolute and relative terms.Dose-response curves measured on DCTg samples indicated a threshold response with an isoproterenol concentration below 10−8 M; half maximal effect corresponded to about 3×10−8 M. CCTl sensitivity to isoproterenol was of the same order of magnitude.Isoproterenol as well as norepinephrine effects in DCTg and CCTl were completely suppressed by 10−4 M propranolol, indicating that the observed AC stimulation was mediated via receptors of the β type.In β blocked CCTl, 10−6 M norepinephrine did not inhibit vasopressin-induced AC stimulation; in the presence of 10−6 M norepinephrine, 10−4 M phentolamine resulted in no additional AC stimulation in DCTg and CCTl; these data suggest the absence of α receptors inhibiting AC activity in these structures.In DCTg, AC stimulation induced either by 10−6 M isoproterenol or by 1 U/ml PTH were observed to be additive when the two hormones were given together.The presence of catecholamine-dependent AC activity in three distal portions of the rabbit nephron is discussed in relation to its possible physiological implications.

Inhibition of α2-adrenergic agonists on AVP-induced cAMP accumulation in isolated collecting tubule of the rat kidney

A microradioimmunoassay for cAMP was developed in order to analyse the effects of alpha-adrenergic agonists on vasopressin (AVP)-induced cAMP cell accumulation in single pieces of microdissected medullary (MCT) and cortical (CCT) rat collecting tubules. Under the experimental conditions chosen (4 min of incubation in the presence of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor), no cAMP could be detected either in the bathing solution or in non-stimulating samples of tubule. In MCT, 10(-6) M AVP stimulated cAMP generation up to 128.3 +/- 9.0 (SEM) fmoles per mm of tubule per 4 min, N = 11. The response was dose-dependent with a KA value below 10(-10) M AVP. The addition of norepinephrine (NE) (10(-5) M in the presence of propranolol) suppressed the larger part of the response to AVP (from 92% with 2 X 10(-11) M AVP to 76% with 10(-6) M AVP); the addition of 10(-7) M NE still reduced by 59% the MCT response to 10(-10) M AVP (26.2 +/- 5.9 vs. 64.0 +/- 6.4 fmoles/mm, N = 3). In CCT, 10(-5) M NE reduced by 84% the cAMP generation induced by 10(-10) M AVP (8.8 +/- 2.0 vs. 54.2 +/- 3.5 fmoles/mm, N = 3). This inhibitory action of NE against the AVP effect in CCT was mimicked by 10(-7) M clonidine; in MCT it was suppressed by phentolamine and yohimbine, but not by prazosin, suggesting that alpha 2-adrenoreceptors are involved. On the other hand, the addition of the alpha-agonists to the incubation solution produced no inhibition of the cAMP cell accumulations induced by glucagon, calcitonin and isoproterenol in CCT, or glucagon in MCT, an observation demonstrating that alpha 2-adrenergic agonists selectively inhibit vasopressin-dependent cAMP generation by these nephron segments.

Methodology for Enzymatic Studies of Isolated Tubular Segments: Adenylate Cyclase

Adenylate cyclase (AC) is an ubiquitous enzyme present in the plasma membrane of most cell types; it plays a key role in hormonal control of cell function. At the level of the cell membrane, adenylate cyclase is involved in the transduction of the extracellular signal provided by the hormone for the intracellular production of cyclic AMP. In the cell interior, cyclic AMP is responsible for inducing the appropriate biological response, and was accordingly named “the second hormonal messenger.” The specificity of hormone recognition, by the corresponding target cells, results from the presence of stereospecific hormone receptor sites located on the outer border of cell membranes. These receptor sites are coupled to the AC catalytic units facing the cell interior, so that hormone binding to the receptor results in enzyme activation (Figure 1). The nature of the response induced by cAMP depends essentially on the type of the target cell, i.e., on its specific differentiation, and is not directly related to the structure of the stimulating hormone itself.

Kallikrein along the rabbit microdissected nephron: A micromethod for its measurement

Active and inactive kallikrein were measured along the rabbit microdissected nephron. A sensitive and specific micromethod for the measurement of kininogenase activity was developed in order to quantify kallikrein in pieces of tubule as small as 0.3–0.5 mm. Our study confirms that active and inactive kallikrein are located to the connecting tubule (CNT).The effects on renal kallikrein of a chronic DOCA treatment and of adrenalectomy were studied. Urinary excretion of kallikrein was also monitored. After DOCA treatment, active kallikrein increased in the tubule and in urine but inactive kallikrein did not significantly change. Adrenalectomy decreased by 50% active and inactive contents of CNT, as well as reduced the excretion of total kallikrein. Kallikrein content in CNT was also measured in adrenalectomized rabbits 3 h after a single injection of either aldosterone (10 μg) or dexamethasone (100 μg). After either aldosterone or dexamethasone injections, kallikrein activities were not restored, whereas in the same animals Na−K-ATPase activity which was depressed on cortical and medullary collecting tubules after adrenalectomy returned toward normal values. These data indicate that kallikrein synthesis and activation are influenced by adrenal hormones. Renal kallikrein is, however, regulated at a much slower rate than Na+-K+-ATPase. This may suggest an indirect rather than direct action of corticosteroid hormones on kallikrein.

Sites of prostaglandin E2(PGE2) synthesis along the rabbit nephron

The purpose of this study was to establish whether the nephron segments recognized as PGE2 target sites in the rabbit, i.e. the proximal tubule, the thick ascending limb and the collecting tubule, are also sites of PGE2 production. We therefore developed a microimmunoassay sensitive enough to allow the measurement of PGE2 on microdissected tubular segments about 1 mm in length. Under the conditions used (30 min incubation at 20 degrees C), a basal rate of PGE2 production was measured in the cortical (CCT) and medullary portions of the collecting tubule, as could be expected. In the presence of 10(-4) M sodium arachidonate, it was shown that: (1) The thin descending limb (TDL) is also an active site of PGE2 formation. When expressed per mm tubule length the amounts formed were lower in TDL than in CCT (14.1 +/- 2.7 SE pg/mm, n = 5, vs. 93.5 +/- 10.7, n = 8). They were quite comparable, however, when expressed per microgram total proteins (0.70 ng in TDL vs 0.6 in CCT). (2) A slight PGE2 production was noted in the connecting tubule but it was likely due to contamination by adjacent CCT cells. (3) In the other nephron segments, only negligible amounts of PGE2 were formed, which are probably of no physiological significance.

Influence of chronic ADH treatment on adenylate cyclase and ATPase activity in distal nephron segments of diabetes insipidus Brattleboro rats

The medullary thick ascending limb (MAL), but not the medullary collecting tubule (MCT), has been shown to have an impaired adenylate cyclase (AC) responsiveness to ADH and a selective hypoplasia in Brattleboro diabetes insipidus (DI) rats. Since chronic ADH administration has been found to increase epithelium volume and basolateral membrane surface area in MAL but not in MCT, we investigated whether chronic ADH infusion would affect the hormone-sensitive AC and the Na−K-ATPase activity — two markers of the basolateral membrane — in single microdissected portions of thick ascending limb and collecting tubule in DI rats. Results indicate that 1. in MAL of ADH-treated rats, AC resposes to in vitro AVP and glucagon and Na−K-ATPase activity increased to the same extent as did epithelium volume (60–80%); 2. changes in the other segments were independent of any morphological alteration. In the cortical thick ascending limb, AVP and glucagonsensitive AC decreased by 30–40% whereas Na−K-ATPase activity did not change. In the collecting tubule, AC response to in vitro AVP was not altered by ADH-treatment but glucagon-sensitive AC dropped by 50% and Na−K-ATPase activity doubled, independently of any variation in plasma aldosterone and glucagon levels. These results show that, in the MAL, the ADH-induced variations in enzyme activity are a reflection of the enlargement of the basolateral membrane surface area. Further studies are needed to clarify the origin of enzymatic alterations in the other segments.

Impaired Response to Vasopressin of Adenylate Cyclase of the Thick Ascending Limb of Henle’s Loop in Brattleboro Rats with Diabetes insipidus

Brattleboro rats with diabetes insipidus (DI) exhibit an impaired urinary concentrating ability in response to exogenous vasopressin (AVP) and a decreased AVP-sensitive adenylate cyclase (AC) in homog

PGE2-induced inhibition of AVP-dependent cAMP accumulation in the OMCD of the rat kidney is cumulative with respect to the effects of α2-adrenergic and A1-adenosine agonists, insensitive to pertussis toxin and dependent on extracellular calcium

The accumulation of cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-phosphate (cAMP) elicited by antidiuretic hormone (arginine vasopressin, AVP) in the medullary collecting tubule (OMCD) microdissected from the rat kidney is inhibited by different factors: the A1 agonist of adenosine (-)-N6-(R-phenylisopropyl) adenosine (PIA), an α2-adrenergic agonist clonidine (CLO), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). The negative regulation elicited by PGE2 was further characterized by measuring summation of inhibition with other inhibitors, by testing the effect of pertussis toxin and by studying the part played by extracellular calcium. Inhibitors were used at concentrations inducing maximum effects. The simultaneous addition of 0.3 μM PGE2 with either 0.1 μM PIA or 1 μM CLO led to an inhibition of the response to AVP (80.0±3.5%, SEM, N=7 and 92.6±0.8%, N=5, respectively) greater than those elicited by each agent alone. In contrast, PIA and CLO added together induced an inhibition similar to that due to CLO alone. The action of PGE2 in combination with either PIA or CLO corresponded to a partial summation fitting with the values calculated by assuming a cumulative inhibition. Preincubation of OMCD samples with pertussis toxin (100 ng/ml or 1 μg/ml) relieved the inhibitory effects of CLO and PIA but did not affect the action of PGE2. PGE2-induced inhibition was prevented in a calcium-free medium [0 Ca2++0.1 mM [ethylene-bis (oxyethylenenitrilo)] tetraacetate (EGTA)]: values were 67.0 ±2.1% and 5.8±8.7% (± SEM) in 2 mM Ca2+ and 0 Ca2+ medium, respectively, N=7. When applied to Fura-2-loaded OMCD, 0.3 μM PGE2 increased intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) with a peak phase (in 2 mM or 0 Ca2+ medium) followed by a plateau phase (observed only in 2 mM Ca2+ medium). It is concluded that: (1) in the rat OMCD, PGE2, PIA and CLO act on the same AVP-sensitive cell, (2) PGE2 induces a cumulative inhibition on the cAMP level when combined with other inhibitors by a mechanism insensitive to pertussis toxin, (3) the presence of extracellular calcium is a prerequisite condition to observe PGE2-induced inhibition, and (4) the inhibition by PGE2 might be linked to its capacity of increasing [Ca2+]i.

Distribution of vasoactive intestinal peptide-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity along the rabbit nephron

The effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) upon adenylate cyclase (AC) activity has been determined in defined microdissected renal tubules isolated from collagenase-treated rabbit kidneys. In the presence of 10 μM GTP, 1 μM VIP gave marked stimulations of AC over basal values in the bright portion of the distal convoluted tubule (DCTb) (10.1-fold), and in the collecting tubule isolated from the inner stripe of the outer medulla (OMCTi, 7.8-fold). Less pronounced effects of VIP were found in the medullary collecting tubule isolated from the outer stripe (2.5-fold) and in the granular portion of the distal convoluted tubule (2.0-fold). VIP stimulation of AC activity in these segments amounted to 25 to 40% of the effect elicited by other agonists (arginine vasopressin, calcitonin or parathyroid hormone) in their respective target segments. A low response to VIP was observed in the cortical thick ascending limb (1.8-fold) which represented less than 5% of the calcitonin-stimulated AC activity. In the thin descending limb VIP produced a slight and variable stimulation of AC. VIP was without effect upon AC in the convoluted and straight portions of the proximal tubule, the medullary thick ascending limb and the cortical collecting tubule. Halfmaximal stimulation of AC by VIP was observed at 26±10 nM (n=3) in OMCTi and at 19 nM (n=2) in DCTb. Related peptides glucagon, secretin and PHI gave lower stimulations of AC compared to VIP in OMCTi. Conversely for rat OMCTi, under identical conditions, glucagon was much more effective than VIP.