The functional activity of hypothalamic signaling systems in rats with neonatal diabetes mellitus treated with metformin.

The effect of the two-month metformin treatment (200 mg/kg/day) of rats with the neonatal model of type 2 diabetes mellitus on the functional activity of hypothalamic signaling systems was studied. It was shown that metformin treatment restored the sensitivity of hypothalamic adenylyl cyclase signaling system to agonists of the type 4 melanocortin receptor and the type 2 dopamine receptor but did not influence significantly the functions of the insulin signaling system. These data suggest new targets and mechanisms of metformin action in the CNS, which may mediate its restoring effect on energy homeostasis impaired in diabetic pathology.

[THE EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM METFORMIN TREATMENT ON THE ACTIVITY OF ADENYLYL CYCLASE SYSTEM AND NO-SYNTHASES IN THE BRAIN AND THE MYOCARDIUM OF RATS WITH OBESITY].

Biguanide metformin, which is widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, improves carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and shows a pronounced cardio- and neuroprotective effects. It is assumed that an important role in these effects of metformin plays its ability to positively influence the activity of NO-synthase catalyzing the synthesis of NO, the most important vasodilator, and the activity of hormone-sensitive adenylyl cyclase signaling system (ACSS. To prove this, we have carried out a study whose purpose was to study the effect of long-term metformin treatment on the metabolic rates in obese rats, as well as on the activity of ACSS and NO-synthase in the myocardium and the brain of these animals. The metformin treatment of Wistar rats with obesity induced by high-fat diet was carried out for 2 months (daily dose of 200 mg/kg). The treatment with metformin led to a decrease in body weight and body fat, reduced glucose and insulin levels as well as reduced insulin resistance index HOMA-IR, improved glucose tolerance, and decreased the level of atherogenic forms of cholesterol. In the myocardium of obese rats, the attenuation of ACSS stimulation induced by the agonists of ß1/ß2-adrenergic receptors (AR) and the strengthening of ß3-AR signaling has been found. At the same time, in the myocardium of animals treated with metformin, the regulation of ACSS by adrenergic agonists was restored, and the ratio of ß-AR-signaling pathways returned to normal. In the brain of rats treated with metformin, adenylyl cyclase stimulating effects of serotonin and agonists of type 4 melanocortin receptors, which had been weakenend for obesity, were restored. Metformin treatment completely restored activity of total and endothelial NO-synthase in the myocardium decreased in obesity. It as also shown that metformin treatment induced hyperactivation of NO-synthase in the myocardium and brain of healthy animals. Thus, we conclude that the effects of metformin identified by us in rats with long-term treatment of obesity may explain cardio- and neuroprotective influence of this drug.

[BETA-ADRENERGIC REGULATION OF THE ADENYLYL CYCLASE SIGNALING SYSTEM IN MYOCARDIUM AND BRAIN OF RATS WITH OBESITY AND TYPES 2 DIABETES MELLITUS AND THE EFFECT OF LONG-TERM INTRANASAL INSULIN TREATMENT].

The stimulating effect of norepinephrine, isoproterenol and selective ß-adrenoceptor (ß3-AR) agonists BRL 37344 and CL 316.243 on the adenylyl cyclase signaling system (ACSS) in the brain and myocardium of young and mature rats (disease induction at 2 and 4 months, respectively) with experimental obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), and the influence of long-term treatment of animals with intranasal insulin (I-I) were studied. The AC stimulatory effects of ß-agonist isoproterenol in animals with obesity and DM2 was shown to be practically unchanged. The respective effects of norepinephrine on the AC activity were attenuated in the brain of young and mature rats and in the myocardium if mature rats, and the I-I treatment led to their partial recovery. In the brain and myocardium of mature rats with obesity and DM2, the enhancement of the AC stimulatory effects of ß3-AR agonists was observed, white in young rats the influence of the same pathological conditions was lacking. The I-I treatment decreased the AC stimulatory effects of ß3-agonists to their levels in the control. Since functional disruption of the adrenergic agonist-sensitive ACSS can lead to metabolic syndrome and DM2, the recovery of this system by the I-I treatment offers one of the ways to correct these diseases and their complications in the nervous and cardiovascular systems.

[THE INFLUENCE OF LONG-TERM THYROXINE TREATMENT ON THE ACTIVITY OF NO-SYNTHASES IN TISSUES OF RATS WITH OBESITY INDUCED BY HIGH-FAT DIET].

Under obesity, a component of metabolic syndrome (MS), macro- and microcirculation are attenuated, which is associated with abnormalities of NO-dependent cascades and leads to pathology of the cardiovascular system. Among the activators of NO-synthases (NOS), the enzymes catalyzing NO synthesis, are thyroid hormones. Since obesity and MS are characterized by reduced functions, of the thyroid gland, the replacement therapy with thyroid hormones, possessing the properties of vasodilators, is one of approached to restore functioning of the cardiovascular system. However, data on influence of thyroid hormones on NOS activity in obesity are not currently available. The aim of this work was to study the effect of four-week treatment of rats with obesity induced by high-fat diet with L-thyroxine (at a daily dose of 20 mg-kg) on functional activity of total NOS, as well as one endothelial (eNOS) and neuronal (nNOS) isoforms of the enzyme in the brain, myocardium and skeletal muscles of animals. In obese rats the decrease of thyroid hormones level, impaired glucose toleranse, and dyslipidemia were detected. In the myocardium and skeletal muscles of obese rats the activity of total NOS and eNOS was strongly decreased, whereas in the brain the activity of these enzymes was not significantly changed. Long-term treatment of obese rats with thyroxine led to a significant increase in activity of total NOS and eNOS in the myocardium and skeletal muscles and to an increase in activity of total NOS and nNOS in the brain, with the enzyme activity exceeding that in control. In healthy animals treated with thyroxine a significant increase in activity of total NOS and eNOS in the myocardium and skeletal muscles and in activity of total NOS in the brain was also eNOS in the myocardium and skeletal muscles and in activity of total NOS in the brain was also found. A significant contribution to the increasing activity of total NOS in obese rats and healthy animals treated with thyroxine belonged to the inducible isoform of the enzyme whose activity was found by calculation. Thus, the four-week thyroxine treatment of obese rats with deficiency of thyroid hormones led to a complete restoration of activity of total NOS and eNOS, reduced in obesity, in the myocardium and skeletal muscles which indicated the prospects of thyroxine therapy for treatment of vascular pathology in obesity and MS.

[Predictive value of body mass index for perioperative hyperglycemia occurrence in cardio-surgical patients without diabetes mellitus].

UNLABELLED: Purpose of the study was to assess a predictive value of body mass index for perioperative hyperglycemia occurrence in cardio-surgical patients without a diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of glycemic profile, frequency and level of perioperative hyperglycemia was performed 120 patients without a diabetes mellitus, undergoing elective cardiac surgeries with cardiopulmonary bypass were included in the study. All patients were divided into three groups. Group-1 included patients with normal body weight (body mass index (BMI) < 25), Group-2--patients with increased body weight (BMI 25-29.9), Group-3--patients with obesity (BMI > 30). RESULTS: Elective cardiac surgeries with artificial circulation accompanied with episodes of hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia occurrence did not have relation with initial glycemic profile of the patients. Glycemia level increased during surgery and the highest levels of both glycemia increasing of hyperglycemia frequency were fixed during cardiopulmonary bypass and postperfusion period. Increased body weight and obesity are predisposing causes of perioperative hyperglycemia.

[Attenuation of inhibitory influence of hormones on adenylyl cyclase systems in the myocardium and brain of rats with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus and effect of intranasal insulin on it].

The functional state of the adenylyl cyclase signaling system (ACSS) and its regulation by hormones, the inhibitors of adenylyl cyclase (AC)--somatostatin (SST) in the brain and myocardium and 5-nonyloxytryptamine (5-NOT) in the brain of rats of different ages (5- and 7-month-old) with experimental obesity and a combination of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), and the effect of long-term treatment of animals with intranasally administered insulin (II) on ACSS were studied. It was shown that the basal AC activity in rats with obesity and DM2 was increased in the myocardium, and to the lesser extent in the brain, the treatment with II reducing this parameter. The AC stimulating effects of forskolin are decreased in the myocardium, but not in the brain, of rats with obesity and DM2. The treatment with II restored the AC action of forskolin in the 7-month-old animals, but has little effect on it in the 5-month-old rats. In obesity the basal AC activity and its stimulation by forskolin varied insignificantly and weakly changed in treatment of animals with II. The AC inhibitory effects of SST and 5-NOT in the investigated pathology are essentially attenuated, the effect of SST to the greatest extent, which we believe to be associated with a reduction in the functional activity of Gi-proteins. The II treatment of animals with obesity and with a combination of obesity and DM2 restored completely or partially the AC inhibiting effects of hormones, to the greatest extent in the brain. Since impaired functioning of ACSS is one of the causes of the metabolic syndrome and DM2, their elimination by treatments with II can be an effective approach to treat these diseases and their CNS and cardiovascular system complications.

[Regulation of adenylyl cyclase signaling system by insulin, biogenic amines, and glucagon at their separate and combined action in the muscle membranes of the mollusc Anodonta cygnea].

In smooth muscles of mollusc Anodonta cygnea, hormones produce regulatory effects on the adenylyl cyclase (AC) signaling system via receptors of the serpentine (biogenic amine, isoproterenol, glucagon) and of tyrosine kinase (insulin) types. Intracellular mechanisms of their action are interconnected. Use of hormones, their antagonists, and pertussis toxin at the combined action of insulin and biogenic amines or of glucagon on the AC activity allows revealing possible intersection points in mechanisms of their action. The combined effect of insulin and serotonin or of glucagon leads to a decrease of stimulation of AC by these hormones, whereas at action of insulin and isoproterenol the AC-stimulatory effect of insulin is blocked, while the AC-inhibitory effect of isoproterenol is preserved both in the presence and in the absence of the non-hydrolyzed GTP analog - guanylylimidodiphosphate (GppNHp). Specific blocking of the AC-stimulatory serotonin effect by cyproheptadine - an antagonist of serotonin receptors - did not affect stimulation of AC by insulin. Beta-adrenoblockers (propranolol and alprenolol) interfered with inhibition of the AC activity by isoproterenol, but did not change the AC stimulation by insulin. Pertussis toxin blocked the AC-inhibitory effect of isoproterenol and attenuated the AC-stimulatory effect of insulin. Thus, in muscles of the mollusc Anodonta cygnea there have been revealed negative interrelations between the AC system, which are realized at the combined effect of insulin and serotonin or of glucagon, probably at the level of receptor of the serpentine type (serotonin, glucagon), while at action of insulin and isoproterenol - at the level of interaction of G1 protein and AC.

[Study of hormone responsiveness of the adenylyl cyclase signaling system in erythrocyte membranes of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus].

Peptides of the insulin superfamily (insulin, insulin-like growth factor, relaxin), epidermal.growth factor (ECF) and biogenic amines (isoproterenol, adrenalin, noradrenalin, serotonin) stimulate the adenylyl cyclase signaling system (ACSS). In erythrocyte membranes from a control group of patients, the hormone activating affect on ACSS was potentiated in the presence of guanylylimidinodiphosphate (CppNHp). In erythrocyte membranes from patients of various severity of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2, early, medium and severe), the basal activity of AC was higher than in the control group and its responsiveness to hormones was different. It was reduced in patients with early and severe forms of DM2 both in the presence and absence of CppNHp. In patients with the medium severity of the disease, the stimulating effect of biogenic amines was not changed but there was no potentiating effect of CppNHp. The insulin superfamily peptides and ECF stimulated AC in the erythrocyte membranes of patients with the medium severity of DM2 to the same extent as in the control while, at the early and severe stages of the disease, the AC sensitivity to these hormones was significantly reduced. These data suggest that DM2 results in disturbances of the hormone stimulating properties of ACSS by insulin superfamily peptides, ECF and biogenic amines. In erythrocyte membranes, DM2 disturbs ACSS functions at the level of the catalytic component and its responsiveness to hormone action at the level of interactions between CG, and AC.

[A new conceptual approach for searching for molecular causes of diabetes mellitus, based on the study of functioning of hormonal signaling systems].

The review deals with analysis and generalization of the data obtained by authors on abnormalities in hormonal signal systems in diabetes mellitus (DM)--in rats with experimental models of DM of the types 1 and 2, in patients with DM, and in invertebrates (mollucs) with experimental diabetes-like state. Changes of functional state of hormonal signal systems regulated by different hormones, including biogenic amines and peptides of the insulin group, in a wide spectrum of tissues are discussed. The conclusion is made that disturbances in hormonal signal systems are the key molecular causes of physiological and metabolic abnormalities occurring in the types 1 and 2 DM. A concept on polyhormonal genesis of DM and the systemic nature of disturbances in the hormone-regulated signaling cascades under conditions of DM is formulated.

[Experimental models of diabetes mellitus of the 1st and 2nd types in rats: regulation of activity of glycogen synthase by peptides of the insulin superfamily and by epidermal growth factor in skeletal muscles].

The regulatory effect of peptides of the insulin hyperfamily--insulin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), and relaxin, as well as of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on activity of glycogen synthase (GS) in rat skeletal muscles was studied in norm and in experimental diabetes mellitus of the 1st and 2nd types (DM1, DM2). In norm, peptides in vitro stimulated maximally the GS activity at a concentration of 10-8 M. The row of efficiency of the peptide action was as follows: insulin > IGF-1 > relaxin. In DM1 the basal GS activity did not change, while effect of insulin in vitro was decreased more sharply as compared with action of IGF-1 and relaxin at the 30th day of development of diabetes, i. e., the efficiency row was as follows: IGF-1 = relaxin > insulin. Administration of insulin in vivo did not restore sensitivity of the enzyme to the action of hormone in DM1. In DM2, the GS activity (both the total and active form) decreased. while the stimulatory effect ofpeptides and EGF on the enzyme was absent. Insulin introduced in vitro did not lead to restoration of the enzyme reaction. The conclusion has been made that the insulin resistance affects the basal GS activity in rat skeletal muscles as well as the regulation of the enzyme by peptides of the insulin nature and by EGF, which is more obvious in DM2, than in DM1.

[The regulation of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glycogen synthase activities by insulin superfamily peptides in myometrium of pregnant women and its impairments under different types of diabetes mellitus].

The regulatory effects of insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and relaxin on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and glycogen synthase (GS) activities have been studied in myometrium of pregnant women of control group and with diabetes mellitus of different etiology. In patients with type 1 diabetes G6PDH activity did not differ from the control group, but the enzyme activity was sharply decreased in pregnant women with type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. In the control group maximal stimulation of G6PDH activity was observed at 10(-9) M of peptides and their stimulating effect decreased in the following order: insulin > relaxin > IGF-1. In pregnant women with types 1 diabetes insulin effect on the enzyme activity was lower than in the control, and the effects of IGF-1 and relaxin were absent. In the group of pregnant women with type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes the effects of insulin and IGF-1 were decreased, but the effect of relaxin was somewhat higher thus giving the following order in their efficiency relaxin > IGF-1 = insulin. At 10(-9) M peptides exhibited similar stimulating effects on the active form of GS-I, but had no influence on the total enzyme activity in the control group of pregnant women. In patients with type 1 diabetes GS activity remained unchanged (versus control), and peptides did not stimulate the enzyme activity. In patients with type 2 diabetes a significant decrease in GS activity was accompanied by the decrease in the effect of peptides, giving the following order of their efficiency: insulin = IGF-1 > relaxin. In myometrium of pregnant women with gestational (treated and untreated) diabetes GS activity decreased, the effect of insulin was weaker, whereas the effects of relaxin and IGF-1 increased thus giving the following order of their efficiency: relaxin > IGF-1 > insulin. Insulin therapy of type 1 diabetes incompletely restored sensitivity of the enzymes to the peptide actions. At the same time, in women with gestational diabetes and subjected to insulin therapy the stimulating effect of relaxin on the enzyme activities increased. This fact suggests that relaxin exhibits replacement functions under conditions of attenuated insulin action.

Effect of peptides of the insulin superfamily on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in skeletal muscles of river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) during prespawning starvation.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in skeletal muscles of the lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) decreased during prespawning starvation (September-May). The observed changes were particularly pronounced in January. Insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1, and relaxin produce an in vitro stimulatory effect on the enzyme. Insulin was most potent in this respect. Inactivation of the enzyme was accompanied by a decrease in its sensitivity to the stimulatory effect of insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1.

[Inhibition of the adenylyl cyclase signaling system by colchicine and vinblastine in ciliate Dileptus anser].

Cytoskeleton plays a key role in functioning of hormonal signaling systems in vertebrate animals. The data on the influence of cytoskeleton components, in particular the microtubules, on functional activity of chemosignaling systems of unicellular organisms are absent at the present time. The aim of this work was the study of influence of microtubule-disrupting agents, colchicine and vinblastine, on the adenylyl cyclase (AC) system of free-living ciliate Dileptus anser. The treatment of D. anser with colchicine and vinblastine (10(-5)-10(-6) M) weakly influenced basal activity of AC, but caused essential decrease or complete blocking of AC stimulation by non-hormonal (GppNHp, sodium fluoride) and hormonal (aldrenaline, serotonin, glucagon) agents. As a result of this treatment, a decrease of the basal level of GTP-binding of heterotrimeric G-proteins and inhibition of G-protein stumulation by the hormones were found. In the case of adrenaline it was that colchicine and vinblastine disturb the AC stimulation by the hormone, mediated with the G(s)-protein, but weakly influence its inhibitory AC effect, realized via the G(i)-protein. Thus, it was established for the first time that microtubules in unicellular organisms such as the ciliate D. anser are involved in regulation of functional activity of AC system, and their action is realized at the level of the G-proteins similar to the G(s)-proteins of the vertebrates.

[Adenylyl cyclase signaling mechanisms of the insulin superfamily peptide action and their impairment in myometrium of pregnant women with type 2 diabetes].

For the first time we found in myometrium of the women and pregnant women that adenylyl cyclase (AC) stimulating effects of relaxin, insulin and insulin growth factor 1 are realized via six-component AC signaling mechanisms involving the following signaling chain: receptor-tyrosine kinase ==> Gi protein (beta gamma dimmer) ==> phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase ==> protein kinase C (zeta) ==> Gs protein ==> adenylyl cyclase (AC), which are similar to the discovered adenylyl cyclase signaling mechanisms of insulin and relaxin action in vertebrates (rat) and invertebrates (mollusk). The effect of relaxin is more pronounced as compared with other peptides (relaxin > insulin > insulin-like growth factor-1) in myometrium of pregnant women. It is connected with the specific role ofrelaxin as main regulator of reproductive functions. For the first time we revealed the functional defects in distal parts of adenylyl cyclase signaling mechanisms of the insulin superfamily peptides action in the condition type-2 diabetes (the increase of the basal adenylyl cyclase activity and decrease of the peptide-stimulated AX activity in presence of guanilylimidodiphosphate). The defects are localized on the level of Gs protein, adenylyl cyclase and their functional coupling. The data obtained confirm our conception about molecular defects in hormoneregulated adenylyl cyclase system as a key reason of type-2 diabetes.

[Structural and functional organization of the adenylyl cyclase signaling mechanism of insulin-like growth factor 1 revealed in the muscle tissue in vertabrates and invertebrates].

Based on the earlier discovered by the authors adenylyl cyclase signaling mechanisms (ACSM) of action of insulin and relaxin, the study was performed of the presence a similar action mechanism of another representative of the insulin superfamily--the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in the muscle tissues of vertebrates (rat) and invertebrates (mollusc). For the first time there was detected participation of ACSM in the IGF-1 action, including the six component signaling cascade: receptor tyrosine kinase --> G(i)-protein (betagamma-dimer) --> phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI-3-K) --> protein kinase Czeta (PKCzeta) --> G(-)protein --> adenylyl cyclase. By this mechanism structural-functional organization at postreceptor stages, in coincides completely with the mechanism of insulin and relaxin, which we revealed in rat skeletal muscle. In smooth muscle of the mollusc Anodonta cygnea this ACSM of action of IGF-1 has only one difference--the protein kinase C included in this mechanism is represented not by PKCzeta isoform, but by another isoform close to PKCepsilon of the vertabrate brain. Earlier we revealed the same differences in muscle of this mollusc in the ACSM of action of insulin and relaxin.

[Structural and functional characteristics of the adenylyl cyclase signaling system regulated by biogenic amines and peptide hormones in the muscle of a worm Lumbricus terrestris].

It has been shown for the first time that biogenic amines (catecholamines and tryptophane derivatives) stimulate dose-dependently activity of adenylyl cyclase (AC) and GTP-binding of G-proteins in muscle of the cutaneous-muscle bag of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris. By efficiency of their stimulating action on the AC activity, biogenic amines can be arranged in the following sequence: octopamine > tyramine > tryptamine = serotonin > dopamine > isoproterenol = adrenalin. The sequence of efficiency of their action on GTP-binding is somewhat different: serotonin > tryptamine > octopamine > dopamine = tyramine > adrenaline > isoproterenol. Sensitivity of AC and G-proteins in the worm muscle to biogenic amines is similar with that in smooth muscle of the molluse Anodonta cygnea (invertebrates), but differs markedly by this parameter from the rat myocardium (vertebrates). It has also been revealed that AC in the worm muscle is regulated by peptide hormones relaxin and somatostatin whose action is comparable with that in the mollusk muscle, but much weaker that the action of these hormones on the rat myocardium AC activity. Use of C-terminal peptides of alpha-subunits of G-proteins of the stimulatory (385-394 Galpha(s)) and inhibitory (346-355 Galpha(i2)) types that disrupt selectively the hormonal signal transduction realized via G(s)- and G(i)-proteins, respectively, allowed establishing that the AC-stimulating effects of relaxin, octopamine, tyramine, and dopamine in the worm muscle are realized via the receptors coupled functionally with G(s)-protein; the AC-inhibiting effect of somatostatin is realized via the receptor coupled with G(i)-protein, whereas serotonin and tryptamine activate both types of G-proteins.

Variations in functional activity of the hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase system in tissues of gastropod mollusks with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Treatment of gastropod mollusks of pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis and orb snail Coretus corneus with streptozotocin was followed by an increase in hexose content in the hemolymph and development of the diabetic state (day 1 after treatment). Functional activity of the hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase system significantly decreased in the muscles and hepatopancreas of mollusks with diabetes. We revealed a decrease in the regulatory effects of biogenic amines and peptide hormones that were realized via stimulatory (octopamine, dopamine, serotonin, tryptamine, and relaxin) and inhibitory G proteins (somatostatin). Disturbances in the hepatopancreas were more pronounced than in the muscle. The severity of disorders in the adenylate cyclase system reached maximum 1 day after streptozotocin treatment. The sensitivity of this system to hormonal and nonhormonal agents was partially restored on days 3 and 5. Hexose content in the hemolymph was elevated after streptozotocin treatment, but returned to normal on day 3. Our results indicate that hyperglycemia is one of the key factors for dysfunction of the adenylate cyclase system in mollusks with the diabetic state.

[The disturbance of the transduction of adenylyl cyclase inhibiting hormonal signal in myocardium and brain of rats with experimental type II diabetes].

At present, the data obtained by us and other authors give evidence that disturbances in hormonal signaling systems are the main causes of development of pathological changes and complications under the diabetes. However, the molecular mechanisms of these disturbances remain obscure, especially in the case of insulin-independent type II diabetes. Using neonatal streptozotocin model of 80- and 180-days type II diabetes the changes in functional activity of hormone-regulated adenylyl cyclase (AC) signaling systems components in the myocardium and the brain striatum of diabetic rats in comparison with the control animals were found. The transduction of AC inhibitory hormonal signal meditated through Gi proteins was shown to by disturbed under diabetes. This was manifested in both the decrease of hormone inhibitory effect on AC activity and weakening of hormone stimulation of G-protein GTP-binding activity. In the case of noradrenaline (myocardium) the inhibitory pathway of AC regulation by the hormone was vanished and the stimulation pathway, in contrary, was protected. Prolongation of diabetes from 80 up to 180 days led to some weakening of Gi-protein-mediated hormonal signal transduction. Stimulating effect of biogenic amines and relaxin on the AC activity and GTP-binding in the myocardium and brain of diabetic rats were weakly changed in the case of both 80- and 180-days diabetes. To sum up, the experimental type II diabetes caused disturbances mainly in Gi-coupled signaling cascades participating in hormone inhibition of AC activity.

Studies of the molecular mechanisms of action of relaxin on the adenylyl cyclase signaling system using synthetic peptides derived from the LGR7 relaxin receptor.

The peptide hormone relaxin produces dose-dependent stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity in rat tissues (striatum, cardiac and skeletal muscle) and the muscle tissues of invertebrates, i.e., the bivalve mollusk Anodonta cygnea and the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris, adenylyl cyclase stimulation being more marked in the rat striatum and cardiac muscle. Our studies of the type of relaxin receptor involved in mediating these actions of relaxin involved the first synthesis of peptides 619-629, 619-629-Lys(Palm), and 615-629, which are derivatives of the primary structure of the C-terminal part of the third cytoplasmic loop of the type 1 relaxin receptor (LGR7). Peptides 619-629-Lys(Palm) and 615-629 showed competitive inhibition of adenylyl cyclase stimulation by relaxin in rat striatum and cardiac muscle but had no effect on the action of relaxin in rat skeletal muscle or invertebrate muscle, which is evidence for the tissue and species specificity of their actions. On the one hand, this indicates involvement of the LGR7 receptor in mediating the adenylyl cyclase-stimulating action of relaxin in rat striatum and cardiac muscle and, on the other, demonstrates the existence of other adenylyl cyclase signal mechanisms for the actions of relaxin in rat skeletal muscle and invertebrate muscle, not involving LGR7 receptors. The adenylyl cyclase-stimulating effect of relaxin in the striatum and cardiac muscles was found to be decreased in the presence of C-terminal peptide 385-394 of the alpha(s) subunit of the mammalian G protein and to be blocked by treatment of membranes with cholera toxin. These data provide evidence that in the striatum and cardiac muscle, relaxin stimulates adenylyl cyclase via the LGR7 receptor, this being functionally linked with G(s) protein. It is also demonstrated that linkage of relaxin-activated LGR7 receptor with the G(s) protein is mediated by interaction of the C-terminal half of the third cytoplasmic loop of the receptor with the C-terminal segment of the alpha(s) subunit of the G protein.