Madhu B. Anand-Srivastava

Natriuretic peptide receptor-C signaling and regulation.

The natriuretic peptides (NP) are a family of three polypeptide hormones termed atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP). ANP regulates a variety of physiological parameters by interacting with its receptors present on the plasma membrane. These are of three subtypes NPR-A, NPR-B, and NPR-C. NPR-A and NPR-B are guanylyl cyclase receptors, whereas NPR-C is non-guanylyl cyclase receptor and is coupled to adenylyl cyclase inhibition or phospholipase C activation through inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (Gi). ANP, BNP, CNP, as well as C-ANP(4-23), a ring deleted peptide that specifically interacts with NPR-C receptor inhibit adenylyl cyclase activity through Gi protein. Unlike other G-protein-coupled receptors, NPR-C receptors have a single transmembrane domain and a short cytoplasmic domain of 37 amino acids, which has a structural specificity like those of other single transmembrane domain receptors. A 37 amino acid cytoplasmic peptide is sufficient to inhibit adenylyl cyclase activity with an apparent Ki similar to that of ANP(99-126) or C-ANP(4-23). In addition, C-ANP(4-23) also stimulates phosphatidyl inositol (PI) turnover in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) which is attenuated by dbcAMP and cAMP-stimulatory agonists, suggesting that NPR-C receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase and resultant decreased levels of cAMP may be responsible for NPR-C-mediated stimulation of PI turnover. Furthermore, the activation of NPR-C receptor by C-ANP(4-23) and CNP inhibits the mitogen-activated protein kinase activity stimulated by endothelin-3, platelet-derived growth factor, phorbol-12 myristate 13-acetate, suggesting that NPR-C receptor might also be coupled to other signal transduction system or that there may be an interaction of the NPR-C receptor and some other signaling pathways. In this review article, NPR-C receptor coupling to different signaling pathways and their regulation will be discussed.

Cytoplasmic Domain of Natriuretic Peptide Receptor-C Inhibits Adenylyl Cyclase INVOLVEMENT OF A PERTUSSIS TOXIN-SENSITIVE G PROTEIN

Natriuretic peptide receptor C (NPR-C) is a disulfide-linked homodimer with an approximately 440-amino acid extracellular domain and a 37-amino acid cytoplasmic domain; it functions in the internalization and degradation of bound ligand. The use of NPR-C-specific natriuretic peptide analogs has implicated this receptor in mediating the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase or activation of phospholipase C. In the present studies we have investigated the role of the cytoplasmic domain of NPR-C in signaling the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. Polyclonal rabbit antisera were raised against a 37-amino acid synthetic peptide (R37A) corresponding to the cytoplasmic domain of NPR-C. Incubation of anti-R37A with rat heart particulate fractions blocked atrial natriuretic peptide-dependent inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. The cytoplasmic domain peptides R37A and TMC (10 residues of transmembrane domain appended on R37A) were equipotent in inhibiting adenylyl cyclase (Ki ~1 nM) in a GTP-dependent manner, whereas K37E (a scrambled peptide control for R37A) did not inhibit adenylyl cyclase activity. Prior incubation of membranes with pertussis toxin blocked R37A or TMC inhibition of cAMP production. Detergent solubilization of the rat heart particulate fraction destroyed natriuretic peptide inhibition of adenylyl cyclase, but TMC was able to inhibit cAMP production in a dose-dependent manner. Our results provide evidence that the 37-amino acid cytoplasmic domain of NPR-C is sufficient for signaling inhibition of adenylyl cyclase through a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein.

Atrial natriuretic factor inhibits adenylate cyclase activity

The synthetic atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) (8- 33AA ) inhibited adenylate cyclase activity in aorta washed particles, mesenteric artery, and renal artery homogenates in a concentration dependent manner with an apparent Ki between 0.1 to 1nM . The extent of inhibition of adenylate cyclase by ANF varied from tissue to tissue. The adenylate cyclase from mesenteric artery and renal artery was inhibited to a greater extent as compared to that from aorta. ANF was also able to inhibit the stimulatory effects of hormones on adenylate cyclase activity and of agents such as F- and forskolin which activate adenylate cyclase by receptor- independent mechanism. In addition, ANF showed an additive effect with the inhibitory response of angiotensin II on adenylate cyclase from rat aorta. These studies for the first time demonstrate that ANF is an inhibitor of adenylate cyclase of several systems.

Atrial natriuretic factor receptors are negatively coupled to adenylate cyclase in cultured atrial and ventricular cardiocytes

We have studied the effect of synthetic rat atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) on adenylate cyclase activity in cultured cardiocytes from atria (left and right) and ventricles from neonatal rats. ANF (Arg 101-Tyr 126) inhibited adenylate cyclase activity in a concentration dependent manner in cultured atrial (right and left atria) and ventricular cells. However the inhibition was greater in atrial cells as compared to ventricular cells. The maximal inhibition observed in ventricular cells was about 35% with an apparent Ki of about 10(-10) M, whereas about 55% inhibition with an apparent Ki between 5 X 10(-10) M and 65% inhibition with an apparent Ki of 10(-9) M were observed in right and left atrial cardiocytes respectively. The inhibitory effect of ANF was dependent on the presence of guanine nucleotides. Various hormones and agents such as isoproterenol, prostaglandins, adenosine, forskolin and sodium fluoride stimulated adenylate cyclase activities to various degrees in these atrial and ventricular cardiocytes. ANF inhibited the stimulatory responses of all these agonists, however the degree of inhibition varied for each agent. In addition ANF also inhibited cAMP levels in these cells. These data indicate that ANF receptors are present in cardiocytes and are negatively coupled to adenylate cyclase.

Angiotensin II receptors negatively coupled to adenylate cyclase in rat aorta

Angiotensin II (AII) inhibited adenylate cyclase from rat aorta in a concentration dependent manner. The maximal inhibition (approximately 20%) was observed at 10 microM. The inhibitory effect of angiotensin II was dependent on monovalent cations such as Na+ or Li+ and was blocked by saralasin, an antagonist of angiotensin. Guanine nucleotides such as GTP or GMP-P (NH)P were also required to elicit the inhibition by angiotensin II. In addition, angiotensin II also inhibited the stimulation exerted by catecholamines. These data suggest that angiotensin receptors are present in aorta which are negatively coupled to adenylate cyclase.

Altered expression of G-protein mRNA in spontaneously hypertensive rats

We have recently demonstrated that the decreased ability of hormones, forskolin and GTP to stimulate adenylate cyclase in heart and aorta from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), as compared to their age‐matched Wistar—Kyoto control rats (WKY), was associated with enhanced levels of Gi‐ and not with Gs‐regulatory proteins. In the present studies we have investigated the expression of Gi‐regulatory proteins at the mRNA level by Northern blotting. Total RNA of heart ventricle and aorta from WKY and SHR was probed with radiolabeled cDNA inserts encoding Giα‐2 and Giα‐3. The Giα‐2 and Giα‐3 probes detected a message of 2–3 and 3–5 kb, respectively, in both WKY and SHR, however, the message was significantly enhanced in SHR, as compared by WKY. On the other hand the cDNA probe encoding Gsα detected a message of 1.8 kb in heart and aorta from both WKY and SHR, however, no difference in the levels of Gsα mRNA was detected in SHR and WKY tissues. These results indicate that the mRNA levels of Giα‐2 and Giα‐3 and not of Gs are overexpressed in heart and aorta from SHR, which may be responsible for the increased levels of Gi as shown earlier by immunoblotting techniques. It may be suggested that the enhanced vascular tone and impaired cardiac contractility in hypertension may partly be the consequences of increased levels of Gi in heart and aorta.

Angiotensin II receptors negatively coupled to adenylate cyclase in rat myocardial sarcolemma: Involvement of inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory protein

The effect of angiotensin II (AII) on adenylate cyclase was studied in the rat and rabbit heart sarcolemma. AII inhibited adenylate cyclase activity in the rat and rabbit sarcolemma in a concentration-dependent manner. Maximal inhibition of about 35-40% was observed in the rat, with an apparent Ki of about 3 nM; about 30% inhibition, with an apparent Ki of about 6 nM, was noted in rabbit sarcolemma. The inhibitory effect of AII was dependent on the presence of guanine nucleotides and was blocked by saralasin. In addition, AII also inhibited the stimulatory effects of isoproterenol and glucagon on adenylate cyclase. Ninhibin, a sperm factor which has been shown to modify the characteristics of inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (Gi), attenuated the inhibitory effects of AII on basal and hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase. Furthermore, pertussis toxin (PT) treatment of the sarcolemma in the presence of [32P]NAD resulted in ADP-ribosylation of a single 41-kD protein. PT also attenuated the AII-mediated inhibition of basal and hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase and enhanced the magnitude of the stimulatory effects of isoproterenol and glucagon on adenylate cyclase activity. These data suggest that the rat myocardial sarcolemma contains AII receptors that are negatively coupled to adenylate cyclase through Gi protein.

Presence of “Ra” and “P”-site receptors for adenosine coupled to adenylate cyclase in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells☆

Abstract The existence of adenosine receptors coupled to adenylate cyclase in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells from rat aorta is demonstrated in these studies. Adenosine, N 6 -phenylisopropyladenosine, adenosine N′-oxide and 2-chloroadenosine stimulated adenylate cyclase in a concentration dependent manner. The stimulation was dependent on the presence of guanine nucleotides and was blocked by 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. In contrast, 2′ deoxyadenosine inhibited adenylate cyclase activity. Adenosine and 2-chloroadenosine showed a biphasic effect on adenylate cyclase, stimulation occurred at low concentrations. The activation of adenylate cyclase by N 6 -phenylisopropyladenosine was also dependent on the Mg 2+ concentration. The data suggest that vascular smooth muscle cells have both “Ra” and “P” receptors for adenosine, and it can be postulated that the relaxant effect of adenosine on vascular smooth muscle may be mediated by its interaction with “Ra” receptors associated with adenylate cyclase.

Altered responsiveness of adenylate cyclase to adenosine and other agents in the myocardial sarcolemma and aorta of spontaneously-hypertensive rats☆

Adenylate cyclase activity was studied in the myocardial sarcolemma and aorta of spontaneously-hypertensive rats (SHR) and their respectively Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) controls. Basal enzyme activity was decreased in the SHR as compared to the WKY group. Adenylate cyclase stimulation by N-ethylcarboxamide adenosine (NECA) was significantly lower in the myocardial sarcolemma and aorta of SHR, and this decreased responsiveness was associated with a reduction in the Vmax. Other agonists, such as isoproterenol (ISO), epinephrine, dopamine (DA), and glucagon, also enhanced myocardial adenylate cyclase activity to various degrees in SHR and WKY, but stimulation (Vagonists/Vbasal) was always lower in the SHR. NaF and forskolin (FSK), which activate adenylate cyclase via receptor-independent mechanisms, augmented it in the myocardial sarcolemma of SHR to a lesser extent than in WKY. While the guanine nucleotides GTP and GMP-P(NH)P elevated adenylate cyclase in a concentration-dependent manner in both SHR and WKY, the magnitude of stimulation was significantly lower in the former group. Decreased basal adenylate cyclase activity and responsiveness to adenosine, various hormones, NaF and FSK were observed in SHR of all ages, i.e. from 4 to 24 weeks of age. In addition, basal, hormone-, NaF- and FSK-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was diminished markedly in the aorta of SHR. These results suggest that, in SHR, not only is basal adenylate cyclase activity decreased but the abilities of adenosine, other hormones and agonists, such as NaF and FSK, to stimulate adenylate cyclase, guanine nucleotide regulatory protein and the catalytic subunit of the cyclase system are also impaired in the myocardial sarcolemma and aorta.

Inactivation of Enhanced Expression of Gi Proteins by Pertussis Toxin Attenuates the Development of High Blood Pressure in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Abstract— We have previously shown that the enhanced expression of Gi proteins in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) that precedes the development of high blood pressure may be one of the contributing factors in the pathogenesis of hypertension. In the present study, we demonstrate that the inactivation of Gi proteins by intraperitoneal injection of pertussis toxin (PT, 1.5 &mgr;g/100 g body wt) into 2-week-old prehypertensive SHR prevented the development of hypertension up to 4 weeks and that, thereafter, it started to increase and reached the same level found in untreated SHR after 6 weeks. A second injection of PT after 4 weeks delayed the increase in blood pressure for another week. The PT-induced decrease in blood pressure in 6-week-old SHR was associated with a decreased level of Gi&agr;-2 and Gi&agr;-3 proteins in the heart, as determined by in vitro ADP ribosylation and immunoblotting. The decreased level of Gi proteins was reflected in decreased Gi functions. Furthermore, an augmentation of blood pressure to the same level in PT-treated SHR as found in untreated SHR was associated with enhanced expression and function of Gi. These results indicate that the inactivation of Gi proteins by PT treatment in prehypertensive SHR attenuates the development of hypertension and suggest that the enhanced levels of Gi proteins that result in the decreased levels of cAMP and associated impaired cellular functions may be contributing factors in the pathogenesis of hypertension in SHR.