How many species are infected with Wolbachia? Cryptic sex ratio distorters revealed to be common by intensive sampling.

Inherited bacterial symbionts from the genus Wolbachia have attracted much attention by virtue of their ability to manipulate the reproduction of their arthropod hosts. The potential importance of these bacteria has been underlined by surveys, which have estimated that 17% of insect species are infected. We examined whether these surveys have systematically underestimated the proportion of infected species through failing to detect the low-prevalence infections that are expected when Wolbachia distorts the sex ratio. We estimated the proportion of species infected with Wolbachia within Acraea butterflies by testing large collections of each species for infection. Seven out of 24 species of Acraea were infected with Wolbachia. Four of these were infected with Wolbachia at high prevalence, a figure compatible with previous broad-scale surveys, whilst three carried low-prevalence infections that would have had a very low likelihood of being detected by previous sampling methods. This led us to conclude that sex-ratio-distorting Wolbachia may be common in insects that have an ecology and/or genetics that permit the invasion of these parasites and that previous surveys may have seriously underestimated the proportion of species that are infected.

Nerve growth factor inhibits PC12 cell PDE 2 phosphodiesterase activity and increases PDE 2 binding to phosphoproteins.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) has been shown to increase cyclic AMP in PC12 cells and to potentiate the actions of other agents that raise cyclic AMP. In our studies, NGF causes over 50% loss of PDE 2 activity (cyclic GMP-stimulated cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase) in PC12 cells within 24 h. After 72 h of NGF treatment, cyclic AMP hydrolysis in PC12 extracts is no longer cyclic GMP-stimulated. NGF deprivation increases the phosphodiesterase activity of treated cells. NGF does not decrease either PDE 2 mRNA or immunoreactivity of PDE 2A2 protein. Incubation of whole cells with micromolar Na(3)VO(4) mimics NGF treatment, reducing PDE 2 activity in PC12 cells by over 50% after 24 h, suggesting a phosphoprotein-mediated regulation of PDE 2 activity. Protein kinase inhibitor effects were difficult to assess due to their direct interaction with the PDE in cell lysates. To study phosphorylation in PDE 2 regulation, PDE 2A2 was epitope-tagged, and stable clonal PC12 cell transfectants were isolated (PC12B cells). When combined with metabolically labeled (32)P-phosphoproteins in vivo or in vitro, phosphoproteins of 108, 90, 64, 43, 33 and 19 kDa coprecipitated with epitope-tagged PDE 2A2 in an NGF sensitive manner. A 23-kDa phosphoprotein containing immunoreactive phosphoserine associated with the complex in an NGF independent manner. Phosphothreonine plus phosphotyrosine immunoreactivity at 23, 24, and 64 kDa as well as the phosphotyrosine immunoreactivity at 108, 90, 64, 43, 33, and 19 kDa required NGF or orthovanadate treatment. These proteins are hypothesized to be part of an NGF-regulated complex controlling PDE 2A2 activity.

Identification and characterisation of a human calmodulin-stimulated phosphodiesterase PDE1B1.

A cDNA encoding a calmodulin-stimulated 3',5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) was isolated from a human brain cDNA library. The cDNA, designated HSPDE1B1, encoded a protein of 536 amino acids that shared 96% sequence identity with the bovine "63 kDa" calmodulin-stimulated PDE. The recombinant protein had cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity that was stimulated approximately 2-fold by Ca2+/calmodulin and preferred cGMP as substrate. In addition, the enzymatic activity of HSPDE1B1 was inhibited by phosphodiesterase inhibitors with potencies similar to that displayed toward the bovine PDE1 enzymes: IBMX approximately equal to 8-methoxymethyl-IBMX > vinpocetine approximately equal to zaprinast > cilostamide > rolipram. HSPDE1B1 mRNA was found predominantly in the brain. Lower mRNA levels were found in heart and skeletal muscle. In situ hybridisation of brain revealed expression of HSPDE1B1 predominately in neuronal cells of the cerebellum, hippocampus and caudate. The HSPDE1B1 gene was mapped to human chromosome 12. A partial genomic sequence of HSPDE1B1 was isolated and shown to contain two splice junctions that are conserved in the rat PDE4 and the Drosophila dunce genes.

The calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterase gene PDE1C encodes several functionally different splice variants in a tissue-specific manner.

We report here the identification of cDNAs for three new mouse PDE1C splice variants and the characterization of their kinetics, regulation by Ca2+, sensitivities to inhibitors, and tissue/cellular expression patterns. Sequence analysis indicated that these three cDNAs (PDE1C1, PDE1C4, and PDE1C5), together with our previously reported PDE1C2 and PDE1C3, are alternative splice products of the PDE1C gene. The results from RNase protection analysis and in situ hybridization indicated that the expression of the different PDE1C splice variants is differentially regulated in a tissue/cell-specific manner. Particularly, high levels of PDE1C mRNAs were found in the olfactory epithelium, testis, and several regions of mouse brain such as cerebellar granule cells. All of these splice variants have similar kinetic properties, showing high affinities and approximately the same relative Vmax values for both cAMP and cGMP. However, they responded to Ca2+ stimulation differently. In addition, they show different sensitivities to the calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterase inhibitors, KS505a and SCH51866. Substrate competition experiments suggested the presence of only one catalytic site on these PDE1C isozymes for both cAMP and cGMP. In summary, these findings suggest that the PDE1C gene undergoes tissue-specific alternative splicing that generates structurally and functionally diverse gene products.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterase enriched in olfactory sensory neurons.

The sensing of an odorant by an animal must be a rapid but transient process, requiring an instant response and also a speedy termination of the signal. Previous biochemical and electrophysiological studies suggest that one or more phosphodiesterases (PDEs) may play an essential role in the rapid termination of the odorant-induced cAMP signal. Here we report the molecular cloning, expression, and characterization of a cDNA from rat olfactory epithelium that encodes a member of the calmodulin-dependent PDE family designated as PDE1C. This enzyme shows high affinity for cAMP and cGMP, having a Km for cAMP much lower than that of any other neuronal Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent PDE. The mRNA encoding this enzyme is highly enriched in olfactory epithelium and is not detected in six other tissues tested. However, RNase protection analyses indicate that other alternative splice variants related to this enzyme are expressed in several other tissues. Within the olfactory epithelium, this enzyme appears to be expressed exclusively in the sensory neurons. The high affinity for cAMP of this Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent PDE and the fact that its mRNA is highly concentrated in olfactory sensory neurons suggest an important role for it in a Ca(2+)-regulated olfactory signal termination.

Differential expression of the 61 kDa and 63 kDa calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterases in the mouse brain.

Based on their relative abundance and regulation by Ca2+ and by phosphorylation in vitro, it is thought that the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterases (CaM-PDEs) are important modulators of cyclic nucleotide function in the brain. Two of the most abundant CaM-PDEs in the brain are the 61 kDa and 63 kDa isozymes. In this study, the regional and cellular expression of mRNA encoding these two different isoforms in mouse brain has been determined by in situ hybridization. The 63 kDa CaM-PDE mRNA has a wide-spread but uneven distribution. Very strong hybridization signals are present in the caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens, olfactory tubercle, and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Somewhat lesser amounts of 63 kDa CaM-PDE mRNA are present in the olfactory bulb and piriform cortex. Weaker but still easily discernible hybridization signals are seen in several layers of the cerebral cortex, CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus, amygdaloid nuclear complex, thalamus, hypothalamus, midbrain, brainstem, cerebellum, and spinal cord. A weak hybridization signal was detected in the globus pallidus of the basal ganglia. In general, the distribution of the 63 kDa CaM-PDE is very similar to that of dopamine receptors, suggesting that it may modulate dopamine function. In contrast, the 61 kDa CaM-PDE mRNA has a more limited and much different distribution, with the highest level of expression in the cerebral cortex and in the pyramidal cells of the hippocampus. A moderate hybridization signal was detected in the medial habenula and amygdaloid nuclear complex. In addition, small subsets of neurons in several other regions showed specific hybridization. Both PDE mRNAs appear to be localized exclusively in neuronal cell bodies. Their distinct distribution suggests important but different physiological roles for these two isozymes in the regional regulation of cyclic nucleotides in the CNS. Since these two isozymes are differentially phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent and Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinases, the differential expression also provides a potential mechanism by which these PDEs can differentially regulate cAMP and cGMP in different brain areas. The high expression levels in specific subsets of neurons also suggest that agents increasing Ca2+ in these neurons will increase the rate of cyclic nucleotide degradation.

Affinities of bovine photoreceptor cGMP phosphodiesterases for rod and cone inhibitory subunits.

Rods and cones have analogous phototransduction components and cycles, but differ from each other in their physiological response to light. Differences between the affinities of rod and cone phosphodiesterase (PDE) catalytic subunits for their respective inhibitory subunits could potentially contribute to these physiological differences. To test this idea, we expressed both the 13 kDa PDE subunit, unique to a subset of bovine retinal cones [(1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 11259-11264], and the rod PDE 11 kDa inhibitory subunit in E. coli, purified them, and compared their abilities to inhibit rod and cone PDE catalytic subunits. Rod PDE has similar Ki values (approximately 80 pM) for both the rod and cone recombinant inhibitory subunits. Activated cone PDE has Ki values of 200 pM for the cone 13 kDa subunit and 600 pM for rod PDE gamma.

Molecular cloning of cDNA encoding a "63"-kDa calmodulin-stimulated phosphodiesterase from bovine brain.

Partially degenerate oligonucleotides based on peptide sequence were used to isolate cDNA to a 63-kDa bovine brain calmodulin-stimulated phosphodiesterase (CaM-PDE) isozyme. A 412-base pair polymerase chain reaction fragment was obtained and used along with the oligonucleotides to isolate several cDNAs each encoding sequence identical to known peptide sequences from the 63-kDa CaM-PDE. The largest cDNA contained a full-length open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 534 amino acid, 61,005-dalton protein. It had 59% amino acid identity to the 61-kDa bovine brain CaM-PDE and included a carboxyl-terminal conserved domain containing the PDE catalytic domain consensus sequences. The NH2-terminal region fits the criteria for a calmodulin-binding domain. When its expression was driven by a cytomegalovirus promoter on a pCDM8 vector in COS-7 cells, the cDNA encoded a catalytically active, calmodulin-stimulated PDE. Northern analysis of RNA from several tissues with a probe containing much of the conserved PDE catalytic domain showed only a single band of 4.0 kilobases. Hybridization was seen in mRNA from several regions of the central nervous system with the greatest signal in basal ganglia. Strong signals also were seen in other tissues including kidney papilla and adrenal medulla. Antisense RNA probes were used in RNase-protection assays to look for evidence of multiple 63-kDa CaM-PDE transcripts. A catalytic domain probe was fully protected by RNA from cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, cerebellum, hippocampus, adrenal medulla, and kidney papilla. However, a probe to the NH2-terminal region was fully protected only by brain and adrenal medullary RNA indicating the likelihood of one or more isozyme(s) divergent in this region in the kidney papilla.

Regulation and function of cyclic nucleotides.

Recent work has greatly expanded our knowledge of the structure, regulation and diversity of enzymes involved in the synthesis and degradation of cyclic nucleotides. This review focuses on recent work that provides insight into the structure and function of the cyclases and phosphodiesterases that regulate cyclic nucleotide metabolism. Particular emphasis is given to the roles played by multiple isoforms of each enzyme system.

Sequence comparison of the 63-, 61-, and 59-kDa calmodulin-dependent cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases.

Partial protein sequences from the 59-kDa bovine heart and the 63-kDa bovine brain calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterases (CaM-PDEs) were determined and compared to the sequence of the 61-kDa isozyme reported by Charbonneau et al. [Charbonneau, H., Kumar, S., Novack, J. P., Blumenthal, D. K., Griffin, P. R., Shabanowitz, J., Hunt, D. F., Beavo, J. A. & Walsh, K. A. (1991) Biochemistry (preceding paper in this issue)]. Only a single segment (34 residues) at the N-terminus of the 59-kDa isozyme lacks identity with the 61-kDa isozyme; all other assigned sequence is identical in the two isozymes. Peptides from the 59-kDa isozyme that correspond to residues 23-41 of the 61-kDa protein bind calmodulin with high affinity. The C-terminal halves of these calmodulin-binding peptides are identical to the corresponding 59-kDa sequence; the N-terminal halves differ. The localization of sequence differences within this single segment suggests that the 61- and 59-kDa isozymes are generated from a single gene by tissue-specific alternative RNA splicing. In contrast, partial sequence from the 63-kDa bovine brain CaM-PDE isozyme displays only 67% identity with the 61-kDa isozyme. The differences are dispersed throughout the sequence, suggesting that the 63- and 61-kDa isozymes are encoded by separate but homologous genes.

Receptor-mediated activation of detergent-solubilized guanylate cyclase.

Here for the first time we report the successful detergent-solubilization of the speract (Gly-Phe-Asp-Leu-Asn-Gly-Gly-Gly-Val-Gly) receptor and the subsequent activation of guanylate cyclase in response to receptor occupation. Sea urchin sperm membranes treated with a solution containing 0.5% LubrolR PX and 0.5% EmulphogeneR in the presence of MgCl2 and NaF released both the speract receptor and guanylate cyclase activity into solution. The solubilized apparent receptor was not sedimented at 400,000 x g x 15 min and was not retained by glass microfiber filters. In the presence of 125I-GGG(Y2)speract and dissuccinimidyl suberate, a major radioactive band at about Mr = 77,000 and minor bands at Mr = 35,000 and 150,000 were cross-linked. Speract but not resact (Cys-Val-Thr-Gly-Ala-Pro-Gly-Cys-Val-Gly-Gly-Gly-Arg-LeuNH2) competed in the cross-linking reaction. The amount of 125I-GGG(Y2)speract bound to solubilized receptor did not increase in a linear manner as a function of added protein but instead was concave upward. The addition of speract but not resact to the solubilized preparation resulted in the activation of the enzyme guanylate cyclase; the extent of stimulation was dependent on the amount of enzyme protein added and also was concave upward. Approximately 900 nM speract half-maximally activated guanylate cyclase. These data suggest that the speract receptor and guanylate cyclase are closely apposed, even in detergent, or that they are the same molecule.

Receptor-mediated phosphorylation of spermatozoan proteins.

These studies are the first to report egg peptide-mediated stimulation of protein phosphorylation in spermatozoa. Speract (Gly-Phe-Asp-Leu-Asn-Gly-Gly-Gly-Val-Gly) or resact (Cys-Val-Thr-Gly-Ala-Pro-Gly-Cys-Val-Gly-Gly-Gly-Arg-Leu-NH2) stimulated the incorporation of 32P into various proteins of isolated spermatozoan membranes in the presence, but not absence, of GTP. The Mr of three of the phosphorylated proteins were 52,000, 75,000, and 100,000. GTP gamma S (guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate] but not GDP beta S (guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate] or GMP-PNP (guanylyl imidodiphosphate) also supported the peptide-mediated stimulation of protein phosphorylation. The peptides markedly stimulated guanylate cyclase activity, and GTP gamma S or GTP but not GMP-PNP served as effective substrates for the enzyme. The accumulation of cyclic AMP was not stimulated by the peptides. Subsequently, it was shown that added cyclic GMP or cyclic AMP increased 32P incorporation into the same membrane proteins as those observed in the presence of peptide and GTP. The amount of cyclic GMP (up to 3 microM) formed by membranes in the presence of peptide and 100 microM GTP equated with the amount of added cyclic GMP required to increase the 32P content of a Mr 75,000 protein selected for further study. 32P-Peptide maps of the Mr 75,000 protein indicated that the same domains were phosphorylated in response to cyclic nucleotides or to egg peptide and GTP. Intact cells were subsequently incubated with 32P to determine if the radiolabeled proteins observed in isolated membranes also would be obtained in intact cells. The 32P contents of proteins of Mr 52,000, 75,000, and 100,000 were significantly increased by the addition of resact. Peptide maps confirmed that the increased 32P incorporation obtained in a Mr 75,000 protein of isolated membranes occurred on the same protein domains as the 32P found on the Mr 75,000 protein of intact cells. These results suggest that a GTP or GTP gamma S requirement for peptide-mediated protein phosphorylation in spermatozoan membranes is mainly due to the enhanced formation of cyclic GMP, and it therefore is likely that peptide-induced elevations of cyclic nucleotide concentrations in spermatozoa are responsible for the specific increases in 32P associated with at least three sperm proteins, all apparently localized on the plasma membrane.

Receptor-mediated responses of plasma membranes isolated from Lytechinus pictus spermatozoa.

Speract (Gly-Phe-Asp-Leu-Asn-Gly-Gly-Gly-Val-Gly), a peptide obtained from eggs, has been shown to bind to a plasma membrane receptor of Lytechinus pictus spermatozoa. Here, we show that the addition of speract to intact cells caused the appearance of a new protein-staining band (Mr = 140,000) on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gels; concomitantly, a protein of apparent molecular weight (Mr) 150,000 disappeared. Guanylate cyclase activity also decreased approximately 50% after the addition of speract to intact cells. Plasma membranes were subsequently prepared from spermatozoa in the presence of fluoride at pH 6.0, conditions that resulted in retention of the speract receptor and the Mr 150,000 protein. Addition of speract to the membranes resulted in a disappearance of the Mr 150,000 protein and the appearance of a Mr 140,000 protein. Coincident with the apparent change in molecular weight, guanylate cyclase activity decreased 30% at maximal speract concentrations. A physiological event that occurs in the intact cell in response to speract can now be reproduced in isolated plasma membranes; it should, therefore, now be possible to define the molecular events that occur as a result of speract: receptor interaction.

Receptor-mediated activation of spermatozoan guanylate cyclase.

The sea urchin egg peptides speract (Gly-Phe-Asp-Leu-Asn-Gly-Gly-Gly-Val-Gly) and resact (Cys-Val-Thr-Gly-Ala-Pro-Gly-Cys-Val-Gly-Gly-Arg-Leu-NH2) bind to spermatozoa of the homologous species (Lytechinus pictus or Arbacia punctulata, respectively) and cause transient elevations of cyclic GMP concentrations (Hansbrough, J. R., and Garbers, D. L. (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 1447-1452). The addition of these peptides to spermatozoan membrane preparations caused a rapid and dramatic (up to 25-fold) activation of guanylate cyclase. The peptide-induced activation of guanylate cyclase was transient, and the subsequent decline in enzyme activity coincided with conversion of a high Mr (phosphorylated) form of guanylate cyclase to a low Mr (dephosphorylated) form. When membranes were incubated at pH 8.0, the high Mr form was converted to the low Mr form without substantial changes in basal enzyme activity. However, the peptide-stimulated activity of the low Mr form of guanylate cyclase was much less than the peptide-stimulated activity of the high Mr form. Activation of the low Mr form by peptide was not transient and persisted for at least 10 min. In addition, the pH 8.0 treatment that caused the Mr conversion of guanylate cyclase also caused an increase in the peptide-binding capacity of the membranes. We propose a model in which activation of the membrane form of guanylate cyclase is receptor-mediated; the extent of enzyme activation is modulated by its phosphorylation state.

Spermatozoa contain a guanine nucleotide-binding protein ADP-ribosylated by pertussis toxin.

Spermatozoa from invertebrates (sea urchin, starfish) and vertebrates (trout, guinea pig, bull, pig, human) contain a membrane-bound protein that is ADP-ribosylated by pertussis toxin but not by cholera toxin. The Mr of this protein is 39,000 in invertebrate sperm and 41,000 in mammalian sperm, but 40,000 in trout spermatozoa. The pertussis toxin substrate from sea urchin sperm copurified with [gamma-35S]GTP binding activity. Chymotryptic maps of this ADP-ribosylated protein from sea urchin sperm were the same as those of alpha-subunit of Go from rat brain. Antiserum to the beta-subunit of bovine retinal transducin bound to a sperm protein with Mr approximately 35,000. These studies are the first describing a guanine nucleotide-binding coupling protein in sperm.

Retention of a functional resact receptor in isolated sperm plasma membranes.

Resact, a peptide obtained from eggs, causes a change in the Mr, and a loss of 32P from a plasma membrane protein identified as guanylate cyclase. Here, a resact analog (125I-[Tyr1, Ser8] resact) was synthesized and shown to bind to isolated sperm membranes. Resact, but not speract, competed with the radiolabeled ligand for binding. When membranes were prepared under appropriate conditions, guanylate cyclase remained at Mr 160,000; the incubation of membranes with gamma-32P-ATP resulted in the formation of 32P-labeled guanylate cyclase. The addition of resact to the membranes caused a shift in the Mr, a complete loss of 32P, and a 70% reduction in guanylate cyclase activity within 1 min; resact had an ED 50 at 100 nM concentration. Speract failed to cause any of these effects. This represents the first demonstration of receptor-mediated responses of isolated sperm membranes identical to those seen in the intact cell.

Retention of the speract receptor by isolated plasma membranes of sea urchin spermatozoa.

Membrane vesicle preparations enriched in plasma membrane marker proteins, such as adenylate cyclase, were prepared from spermatozoa of the sea urchin, Lytechinus pictus. These membranes, prepared by nitrogen cavitation and subsequent sucrose gradient centrifugation, retained the capacity to bind [125I]-Bolton-Hunter speract (nonspecific binding was less than 5% of specific binding). Speract (Gly-Phe-Asp-Leu-Asn-Gly-Gly-Gly-Val-Gly), Tyr-Asp-Leu-Asn-Gly-Gly-Gly-Val-Gly, Tyr-Asp-Leu-Thr-Thr-Gly-Gly-Gly-Val-Gly and Gly-Phe-Ala-Leu-Gly-Gly-Gly-Val-Gly caused a 50% decrease in [125I]-Bolton-Hunter speract binding at 10, 600, 1260 and 3160 nM concentrations, respectively. One analogue (Phe-Asp-Leu-Asn-Gly-Gly-Gly), which had no biological activity, failed to compete at concentrations as high as 10 microM. To demonstrate that the binding was due to the isolation of membranes with an intact receptor, the speract analogue (Gly-Gly-Gly-Gly-Tyr-Asp-Leu-Asn-Gly-Gly-Gly-Val-Gly) was synthesized, radiolabeled with 125I at the position of tyrosine, and covalently cross-linked to the receptor with disuccinimidyl suberate. A single radiolabeled band at an apparent molecular weight of 77,000 was detected on Na X dodecyl X SO4 gels. These studies are the first to identify a receptor for egg-associated peptides in isolated spermatozoan membranes.

Peptides associated with eggs: mechanisms of interaction with spermatozoa.

Speract (Gly-Phe-Asp-Leu-Asn-Gly-Gly-Gly-Val-Gly), a peptide obtained from the culture medium of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus eggs, stimulates the respiration and motility of S. purpuratus spermatozoa under appropriate conditions. Resact (Cys-Val-Thr-Gly-Ala-Pro-Gly-Cys-Val-Gly-Gly-Gly-Arg-LeuNH2), a peptide obtained from Arbacia punctulata eggs also stimulates the metabolism and motility of A. punctulata spermatozoa, however, it fails to stimulate S. purpuratus spermatozoa. Early biochemical responses of the spermatozoa to the egg peptides include a net H+ efflux and elevations of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP concentrations. In addition, in A. punctulata spermatozoa, a major plasma membrane protein is modified in response to resact such that its apparent molecular weight shifts from 160,000 to 150,000. If cells are incubated with 32P, the 160,000 molecular weight form of the protein becomes radiolabeled; subsequent addition of resact causes a rapid loss of 32P from the protein. The plasma membrane protein appears to be the enzyme, guanylate cyclase; coincident with the shift in apparent molecular weight, enzyme activity decreases by as much as 90%. Since speract fails to cause these responses in A. punctulata, it can be concluded that the events are receptor-mediated.