scholarly journals The Role of Cyclic Nucleotides in the CNS

Author(s):  
John W. Phillis

SUMMARY:On the basis of the information presented in this review, it is difficult to reach any firm decision regarding the role of cyclic AMP (or cyclic GMP) in synaptic transmission in the brain. While it is clear that cyclic nucleotide levels can be altered by the exposure of neural tissues to various neurotransmitters, it would be premature to claim that these nucleotides are, or are not, essential to the transmission process in the pre- or postsynaptic components of the synapse. In future experiments with cyclic AMP it will be necessary to consider more critically whether the extracellularly applied nucleotide merely provides a source of adenosine and is thus activating an extracellularly located adenosine receptor, or whether it is actually reaching the hypothetical sites at which it might act as a second messenger. The application of cyclic AMP by intracellular injection techniques should minimize this particular problem, although possibly at the expense of new difficulties. Prior blockade of the adenosine receptor with agents such as theophylline or adenine xylofuranoside may also assist in the categorization of responses to extracellularly applied cyclic AMP as being a result either of activation of the adenosine receptor or of some other mechanism. Ultimately, the development of highly specific inhibitors for adenylate cyclase should provide a firm basis from which to draw conclusions about the role of cyclic AMP in synaptic transmission. Similar considerations apply to the actions of cyclic GMP and the role of its synthesizing enzyme, guanylale cyclase.The use of phosphodiesterase inhibitors in studies on cyclic nucleotides must also be approached with caution. The diverse actions of many of these compounds, which include calcium mobilization and block of adenosine uptake, could account for many of the results that have been reported in the literature.

1995 ◽  
Vol 310 (1) ◽  
pp. 263-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Nakamura ◽  
M Kimura ◽  
A Aviv

This study explores the role of cyclic nucleotides (i.e. cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP) in store-regulated external Ca2+ entry in human platelets. To stimulate store-regulated external Ca2+ entry, thapsigargin was used to deplete Ca2+ from the dense tubules, and sodium nitroprusside and iloprost respectively were used to stimulate endogenous cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP formation. Pretreatment with sodium nitroprusside and iloprost (a) attenuated the thapsigargin-evoked external Ca2+ entry and (b) reduced the rate of Ca2+ release from the dense tubules. The effects on external Ca2+ entry and Ca2+ release from the dense tubules were exerted independently and were apparently mediated through activation of the respective cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinases. Both sodium nitroprusside and iloprost reduced tyrosine kinase phosphorylation of a number of proteins, particularly a 72 kDa protein band. Both agents also attenuated the thapsigargin-evoked tyrosine kinase phosphorylation of the 72 kDa band. Intracellular Ca2+ depletion resulted in a reduction in tyrosine kinase-mediated phosphorylation of a number of protein bands, including the 72 kDa band and the further attenuation of thapsigargin-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of this band. The effects of the cyclic nucleotides on cellular Ca2+ homoeostasis in thapsigargin-treated platelets were not exerted via acceleration of Ca2+ extrusion or Ca2+ sequestration into the mitochondria. We conclude that cyclic nucleotides participate in store-regulated control of external Ca2+ entry by slowing down the rate of external Ca2+ entry and Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores. These effects are apparently mediated via cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinases and the attenuation of protein phosphorylation by tyrosine kinases.


1984 ◽  
Vol 222 (2) ◽  
pp. 477-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Lappin ◽  
D W H Riches ◽  
B Damerau ◽  
K Whaley

The time courses of changes in cyclic nucleotide levels in monocytes have been studied. Histamine and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) produced a rapid rise in cyclic AMP (peak 15 min) levels, which returned to normal within 4h, whereas cholera toxin, NaF and phosphodiesterase inhibitors produced slow sustained rises lasting over 24h. With the exception of isobutylmethylxanthine (10 mumol X 1(-1), none of these reagents altered cyclic GMP levels. alpha 1-Adrenergic and nicotinic cholinergic receptor-ligand interactions and imidazole produced rapid and relatively short-lived falls in cyclic AMP, and rises in cyclic GMP. In contrast, prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors produced delayed but more sustained falls in cyclic AMP but no rises in cyclic GMP. Agents that increased cyclic AMP decreased complement-component-C2 production, and those that decreased cyclic AMP increased C2 production. Agents that increased cyclic GMP alone (ascorbate, nitroprusside and prostaglandin F2 alpha) did not affect C2 production. Antigen-antibody complexes that stimulate C2 synthesis produced falls in cyclic AMP and rises in cyclic GMP similar to those produced by adrenergic and cholinergic ligands. Serum-treated complexes and anaphylatoxins, which inhibited C2 production, were associated with changes in cyclic AMP similar to those produced by histamine and PGE2. These data suggest that there are two transmembrane signals involved in the regulation of C2 production by monocytes. The inhibitory signal is adenylyl cyclase activation. The stimulatory signal is not so obvious, but may be Ca2+ influx, since the time courses of changes in cyclic nucleotides produced by agents that stimulate C2 synthesis are identical, and alpha 1-adrenergic agonists cause the formation of Ca2+ channels.


1983 ◽  
Vol 50 (04) ◽  
pp. 804-809 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torstein Lyberg

SummaryHuman monocytes in vitro respond to various agents (immune complexes, lectins, endotoxin, the divalent ionophore A 23187, 12-0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol 13-acetate [TPA], purified protein derivative [PPD] of Bacille Calmette-Guerin) with an increased synthesis of the protein component of thromboplastin. The effect of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP on this response has been studied. Dibutyryl-cyclic AMP, prostaglandin E1 and the phosphodiesterase inhibitors 3-butyl-1-methyl-xanthine (MIX) and rac -4-(3-butoxy-4-methoxybenzyl)-2-imidazolidinone (Ro 201724), separately and in combination have a pronounced inhibitory effect on the response to immune complexes and PPD, and a moderate effect on the response to endotoxin and lectins. The effect on TPA response and on the response to A 23187 was slight. Dibutyryl-cyclic GMP (1 mM) gave a slight inhibition of the TPA arid IC response, but had essentially no effect on the response to other inducers. The intracellular cAMP level increased when monocytes were incubated with IC, TPA or A 23187 followed by a decrease to basal levels within 1-2 hr, whereas lectin (PHA) and PPD did not induce such changes. The cAMP response to endotoxin varied. Stimulation with IC induced an increase in monocyte cGMP levels, whereas the other stimulants did not cause such changes.


1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 541-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. L. Cailla ◽  
H. Sarles ◽  
M. V. Singer

The secretion of cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP, protein, calcium, and bicarbonate in the pancreatic juice of three nonanesthetized dogs with chronic gastric and duodenal Thomas cannulae has been studied. Intravenous infusions of increasing doses of cholecystokinin–pancreozymin (CCK) (1.5, 3, 6, 12, 24 Crick Harper-Raper (CHR) U kg−1 h−1) were administered together with a continuous submaximal dose of secretin (1 clinical unit (CU) kg−1 h−1). Doubling CCK doses every 45 min induced a parallel increase in the output of both cyclic nucleotides. Cyclic AMP output peaked at between 15 and 30 min for 3 and 6 U kg−1 h−1 of CCK and later for 12 and 24 U kg−1 h−1 of CCK whereas cyclic GMP output increased more constantly. Calcium output followed a pattern similar to that of cyclic GMP secretion. Flow rate and protein output attained their peaks at between 30 and 45 min. A strong linear correlation was found between the quantities of cyclic AMP, cyclic GMP, and the quantities of protein secreted in response to each CCK dose. This study demonstrates the presence of cyclic GMP in the canine pancreatic juice and the dose-dependent stimulation of the secretion of cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP by CCK in the presence of secretin.


1979 ◽  
Vol 237 (5) ◽  
pp. C200-C204 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Stewart ◽  
J. Sax ◽  
R. Funk ◽  
A. K. Sen

Stimulation of salt galnd secretion in domestic ducks in vivo increased the cyclic GMP concentration of the tissue, but had no effect on cyclic AMP levels. Methacholine, which is known to stimulate sodium transport by the glands both in vivo and in vitro, stimulated ouabain-sensitive respiration in salt gland slices. Cyclic GMP stimulated ouabain-sensitive respiration to the same extent as methacholine. Guanylate cyclase stimulators, hydroxylamine and sodium azide, also stimulated ouabain-sensitive respiration. The stimulation of ouabain-sensitive respiration by methacholine was blocked either by atropine or by removal of calcium from the incubation medium. The stimulation of ouabain-sensitive respiration by cyclic GMP still occurred in the absence of calcium. The above observations seem to indicate that cyclic GMP acts as a tertiary link in the process of stimulus-secretion coupling in the tissue.


1973 ◽  
Vol 138 (2) ◽  
pp. 381-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry B. Strom ◽  
Charles B. Carpenter ◽  
Marvin R. Garovoy ◽  
K. Frank Austen ◽  
John P. Merrill ◽  
...  

The capacity of allosensitized thymus-derived lymphocytes to destroy target cells bearing donor alloantigens is modulated by the cellular levels of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP. Increases in the cyclic AMP levels of attacking lymphocytes by stimulation with prostaglandin E1, isoproterenol, and cholera toxin inhibit lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity; whereas, depletion of cyclic AMP with imidazole enhances cytotoxicity. The augmentation of cytotoxicity produced by cholinergic stimulation with carbamylcholine is not associated with alterations in cyclic AMP levels and is duplicated by 8-bromo-cyclic GMP. The effects of activators of adenylate cyclase, cholinomimetic agents, and 8-bromocyclic GMP are upon the attacking and not the target cells and occur at the time of initial interaction of attacking and target cells. Indeed, the level of cyclic nucleotide (cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP) at the time of initial cell-to-cell interaction determines the extent of cytotoxicity.


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