Inter-laboratory comparison of turkey in ovo carcinogenicity assessment (IOCA) of hepatocarcinogens.

In three independent laboratories carcinogens (diethylnitrosamine, DEN, 4-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone, NNK) and non-carcinogens (N-nitrosoproline, nicotine) were evaluated in turkey eggs for in ovo carcinogenicity assessment (IOCA). Compounds were injected into aseptic fertilized eggs. After incubation for 24 days, foci of altered hepatocytes (FAH), some with a pseudoglandular structure and/or signs of compression of the surrounding tissue were observed in the fetal liver. All laboratories were able to distinguish unequivocally the hepatocarcinogen-exposed groups from those exposed to non-carcinogens or the vehicle controls, based on the pre-specified evaluation parameters: tumor-like lesions, pseudoglandular areas and FAH. In addition to focal changes, only the carcinogens induced hepatocellular karyomegaly. Lower doses of the carcinogens, which did not induce FAH, were sufficient to induce hepatocellular karyomegaly. After exposure to 4 mg DEN, gall bladder agenesis was observed in all fetuses. The IOCA may be a valuable tool for early investigative studies on carcinogenicity and since it does not use rodents may complement chronic rat or mouse bioassays. Test substances that are positive in both rodents and fertilized turkey eggs are most probably trans-species carcinogens with particular significance for humans. The good concordance observed among the three laboratories demonstrates that the IOCA is a reliable and robust method.

Lack of muscarinic regulation of Ca(2+) channels in G(i2)alpha gene knockout mouse hearts.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the role of G(i2)alpha in Ca(2+) channel regulation using G(i2)alpha gene knockout mouse ventricular myocytes. The whole cell voltage-clamp technique was used to study the effects of the muscarinic agonist carbachol (CCh) and the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (Iso) on cardiac L-type Ca(2+) currents in both 129Sv wild-type (WT) and G(i2)alpha gene knockout (G(i2)alpha-/-) mice. Perfusion with CCh significantly inhibited the Ca(2+) current in WT cells, and this effect was reversed by adding atropine to the CCh-containing solution. In contrast, CCh did not affect Ca(2+) currents in G(i2)alpha-/- ventricular myocytes. Addition of CCh to Iso-containing solutions attenuated the Iso-stimulated Ca(2+) current in WT cardiomyocytes but not in G(i2)alpha-/- cells. These findings demonstrate that, whereas the Iso-G(s)alpha signal pathway is intact in G(i2)alpha gene knockout mouse hearts, these cells lack the inhibitory regulation of Ca(2+) channels by CCh. Therefore, G(i2)alpha is necessary for the muscarinic regulation of Ca(2+) channels in the mouse heart. Further studies are needed to delineate the possible interaction of G(i) and other cell signaling proteins and to clarify the level of interaction of G protein-coupled regulation of L-type Ca(2+) current in the heart.

Most central nervous system D2 dopamine receptors are coupled to their effectors by Go.

We reported previously that Go-deficient mice develop severe neurological defects that include hyperalgesia, a generalized tremor, lack of coordination, and a turning syndrome somewhat reminiscent of unilateral lesions of the dopaminergic nigro-striatal pathway. By using frozen coronal sections of serially sectioned brains of normal and Go-deficient mice, we studied the ability of several G protein coupled receptors to promote binding of GTPgammaS to G proteins and the ability of GTP to promote a shift in the affinity of D2 dopamine receptor for its physiologic agonist dopamine. We found a generalized, but not abolished reduction in agonist-stimulated binding of GTPgammaS to frozen brain sections, with no significant left-right differences. Unexpectedly, the ability of GTP to regulate the binding affinity of dopamine to D2 receptors (as seen in in situ [(35)S]sulpiride displacement curves) that was robust in control mice, was absent in Go-deficient mice. The data suggest that most of the effects of the Gi/Go-coupled D2 receptors in the central nervous system are mediated by Go instead of Gi1, Gi2, or Gi3. In agreement with this, the effect of GTP on dopamine binding to D2 receptors in double Gi1 plus Gi2- and Gi1 plus Gi3-deficient mice was essentially unaffected.

Immunocytochemical localization of the G-protein sub-unit, G(o) alpha, in rat heart. Implications for a role of G(o) alpha in secretion of cardiac hormones.

The cellular and sub-cellular localization of the G-protein subunit, G(o) alpha, in rat heart was determined by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy. Using antibodies directed against purified G(o) alpha and an antiserum raised against the C-terminal decapeptide of G(o) alpha, strong immunoreactivity was found in the conducting system of the heart, neurons, and atrial cardiomyocytes. Labeling of ventricles was weak compared to that of atria. In neurons, immunoelectron microscopy revealed G(o) alpha was localized along the inner surface of axolemma and on axoplasmal vesicles. G(o) alpha immunoreactivity in atrial and ventricular myocytes was not restricted to sarcolemma, but was also found on sub-sarcolemmal vesicles with characteristic caveolar morphology. At the level of intercalated discs, labeling was spread over the periphery of intercalated discs avoiding its membrane structures. Additionally, in atrial endocrine cardiomyocytes, approximately 60% of secretory granules revealed G(o) alpha-labeling on the cytoplasmic surface. A small number of these granules stood out due to particularly intense labeling. The observation that these granules were found most-frequently in sub-sarcolemmal areas suggests that they may be mature granules undergoing exocytosis. Therefore, G(o) alpha found on secretory granules of endocrine cardiomyocytes may have a function in regulated exocytosis of cardiac hormones. Sarcolemmal localization of G(o) alpha in atrial and ventricular cardiomyocytes supports the role of G(o) alpha in transmembrane signal transduction. Furthermore, caveolar localization of G(o) alpha may provide a compartmental basis for integrating G(o)-mediated signaling events.

Receptor-mediated activation of G-proteins by kappa opioid agonists in frog (Rana esculenta) brain membranes.

This study delineates the heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide binding regulatory protein (G-protein) types in frog (Rana esculenta) brain membranes and their activation by kappa opioid agonists. Ethylketocyclazocine (EKC), trans-(+/-)-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-[1-pyrrolidinyl]cyclohexyl)b enzeneacetamide (U-50,488) and bremazocine displayed dose-dependent, norbinaltorphimine-reversible stimulation of guanosine-5'-O-(3-[35S]thio)triphosphate ([35S]GTPgammaS) binding in crude membrane preparations. G-proteins were identified by Western-blotting using previously characterized specific antisera that were generated against mammalian G-protein alpha-subunits and beta-subunits. A photoreactive guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) analog, [alpha-32P]GTP azidoanilide ([alpha-32P]AA-GTP) irreversibly labeled four proteins in the molecular weight range of 39-43 kDa. Ethylketocyclazocine and U-50,488 stimulated photolabelling of these proteins among which the 39 kDa band comigrated with the protein specifically labelled with the alpha(i2) antibody and the 40 kDa band was identified as alpha(o1). The other two bands were also stained with the alpha(common) antibody, but were not further identified. These results suggest that the endogenously expressed kappa opioid receptors that are present in frog brain interact with multiple G-proteins in situ. Furthermore, the structure of most G-proteins seems to be well preserved during phylogenesis.

Multiple neurological abnormalities in mice deficient in the G protein Go.

The G protein Go is highly expressed in neurons and mediates effects of a group of rhodopsin-like receptors that includes the opioid, alpha2-adrenergic, M2 muscarinic, and somatostatin receptors. In vitro, Go is also activated by growth cone-associated protein of Mr 43,000 (GAP43) and the Alzheimer amyloid precursor protein, but it is not known whether this occurs in intact cells. To learn about the roles that Go may play in intact cells and whole body homeostasis, we disrupted the gene encoding the alpha subunits of Go in embryonic stem cells and derived Go-deficient mice. Mice with a disrupted alphao gene (alphao-/- mice) lived but had an average half-life of only about 7 weeks. No Goalpha was detectable in homogenates of alphao-/- mice by ADP-ribosylation with pertussis toxin. At the cellular level, inhibition of cardiac adenylyl cyclase by carbachol (50-55% at saturation) was unaffected, but inhibition of Ca2+ channel currents by opioid receptor agonist in dorsal root ganglion cells was decreased by 30%, and in 25% of the alphao-/- cells examined, the Ca2+ channel was activated at voltages that were 13.3 +/- 1.7 mV lower than in their counterparts. Loss of alphao was not accompanied by appearance of significant amounts of active free betagamma dimers (prepulse test). At the level of the living animal, Go-deficient mice are hyperalgesic (hot-plate test) and display a severe motor control impairment (falling from rotarods and 1-inch wide beams). In spite of this deficiency, alphao-/- mice are hyperactive and exhibit a turning behavior that has them running in circles for hours on end, both in cages and in open-field tests. Except for one, all alphao-/- mice turned only counterclockwise. These findings indicate that Go plays a major role in motor control, in motor behavior, and in pain perception and also predict involvement of Go in Ca2+ channel regulation by an unknown mechanism.

Inactivation of the G alpha i2 and G alpha o genes by homologous recombination.

G proteins couple receptors to effectors and thus regulate multiple biological processes. Here we report on the phenotypes of G alpha i2-deficient and G alpha o-deficient mice. G alpha i2-deficient mice display a blunted inhibitory regulation of adenylyl cyclase, alterations in T cell maturation and function, a growth retardation and also develop a lethal diffuse colitis with clinical and histopathological features closely resembling ulcerative colitis in humans, including the development of adenocarcinoma of the colon. G alpha o-deficient mice are also viable, but significantly smaller than wild-type controls.

Adenylyl cyclase inhibition and altered G protein subunit expression and ADP-ribosylation patterns in tissues and cells from Gi2 alpha-/-mice.

The inhibition of alpha i2-/- mouse cardiac isoproterenol-stimulated adenylyl cyclase (AC; EC 4.6.1.1) activity by carbachol and that of alpha i2-/- adipocyte AC by phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA), prostaglandin E2, and nicotinic acid were partially, but not completely, inhibited. While the inhibition of cardiac AC was affected in all alpha i2-/- animals tested, only 50% of the alpha i2-/- animals showed an impaired inhibition of adipocyte AC, indicative of a partial penetrance of this phenotype. In agreement with previous results, the data show that Gi2 mediates hormonal inhibition of AC and that Gi3 and/or Gi1 is capable of doing the same but with a lower efficacy. Disruption of the alpha i2 gene affected about equally the actions of all the receptors studied, indicating that none of them exhibits a striking specificity for one type of Gi over another and that receptors are likely to he selective rather than specific in their interaction with functionally homologous G proteins (e.g., Gi1, Gi2, Gi3). Western analysis of G protein subunit levels in simian virus 40-transformed primary embryonic fibroblasts from alpha i2+/+ and alpha i2-/- animals showed that alpha i2 accounts for about 50% of the immunopositive G protein alpha subunits and that loss of the alpha i2 is accompanied by a parallel reduction in G beta 35 and G beta 36 subunits and by a 30-50% increase in alpha i3. This suggests that G beta-gamma levels may be regulated passively through differential rates of turnover in their free vs. trimeric states. The existence of compensatory increase(s) in alpha i subunit expression raises the possibility that the lack of effect of a missing alpha i2 on AC inhibition in adipocytes of some alpha i2-/- animals may be the reflection of a more pronounced compensatory expression of alpha i3 and/or alpha i1.

The human thyrotropin receptor: a heptahelical receptor capable of stimulating members of all four G protein families.

Thyrotropin is the primary hormone that, via one heptahelical receptor, regulates thyroid cell functions such as secretion, specific gene expression, and growth. In human thyroid, thyrotropin receptor activation leads to stimulation of the adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C cascades. However, the G proteins involved in thyrotropin receptor action have been only partially defined. In membranes of human thyroid gland, we immunologically identified alpha subunits of the G proteins Gs short, Gs long, Gi1, Gi2, Gi3, G(o) (Go2 and another form of Go, presumably Go1), Gq, G11, G12, and G13. Activation of the thyrotropin (TSH) receptor by bovine TSH led to increased incorporation of the photoreactive GTP analogue [alpha-32P]GTP azidoanilide into immunoprecipitated alpha subunits of all G proteins detected in thyroid membranes. This effect was receptor-dependent and not due to direct G protein stimulation because it was mimicked by TSH receptor-stimulating antibodies of patients suffering from Grave disease and was abolished by a receptor-blocking antiserum from a patient with autoimmune hypothyroidism. The TSH-induced activation of individual G proteins occurred with EC50 values of 5-50 milliunits/ml, indicating that the activated TSH receptor coupled with similar potency to different G proteins. When human thyroid slices were pretreated with pertussis toxin, the TSH receptor-mediated accumulation of cAMP increased by approximately 35% with TSH at 1 milliunits/ml, indicating that the TSH receptor coupled to Gs and G(i). Taken together, these findings show that, at least in human thyroid membranes, in which the protein is expressed at its physiological levels, the TSH receptor resembles a naturally occurring example of a general G protein-activating receptor.

The human platelet ADP receptor activates Gi2 proteins.

We have previously shown that platelet ADP receptors are coupled to G-proteins by measuring the binding of [35S]guanosine-5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate ([35S]GTP gamma S) to human platelet membranes stimulated with ADP. In order to identify the activated G-proteins, we used an approach which combines photolabelling of receptor-activated G-proteins with 4-azidoanilido-[alpha-32P]GTP and immunoprecipitation of the G-protein alpha-subunits with subtype-specific antibodies. Stimulation of human platelet membranes with ADP resulted in an increase in 4-azidoanilido-[alpha-32P]GTP incorporation into the immunoprecipitates of G alpha i but not of G alpha q proteins, whereas stimulation with the thromboxane analogue U46619 resulted in an increase in 4-azidoanilido-[alpha-32P]GTP incorporation into the immunoprecipitates of G alpha q but not of G alpha i proteins, and thrombin activated both G-proteins. This effect of ADP was concentration dependent and inhibited by the class P2 purinoceptor (P2T) antagonist ATP. Using specific antisera against subtypes of Gi proteins, we found that ADP stimulated labelling of the G alpha 12 immunoprecipitate, but not of the G alpha 13 precipitate. G alpha i1 was not detectable by immunoblotting of platelet membrane proteins. These data suggest that ADP inhibits cAMP formation by activation of G alpha 12 proteins and add evidence in support of the hypothesis that human platelet ADP receptors do not activate PLC through Gq activation.

Differential activation of Gi and Gs proteins by E- and I-type prostaglandins in membranes from the human erythroleukaemia cell line, HEL.

The group of prostaglandin (PG) E2- and prostacyclin receptors consists of different subtypes, which exhibit different affinities for prostaglandins and synthetic analogues. PGE2 activities the E-type PG receptor subtypes EP1, EP2 and EP3, whereas the PGE2 analogue, sulprostone, binds only to the EP1 and EP3 receptor subtypes. The stable PGI2 analogues, iloprost and cicaprost, both activate the PGI2 receptor (IP) and iloprost, additionally, bind to the EP1 subtype. Using these subtype-selective PG receptor agonists, we studied the interaction of PG receptor subtypes with Gs and Gi-type heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) in membranes from the human erythroleukaemia cell line, HEL. Sulprostone stimulated high-affinity GTPase in HEL membranes in a pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive manner. In contrast, the stimulations induced by PGE2, iloprost and cicaprost were only partially inhibited by PTX. PGE2, sulprostone, iloprost and cicaprost stimulated cholera toxin-catalysed ADP-ribosylation as well as labelling with GTP azidoanilide of membrane proteins comigrating with immunologically identified Gi protein alpha subunits. Furthermore, PGE2, iloprost and cicaprost enhanced GTP azidoanilide-labelling of Gs protein alpha subunits, whereas sulprostone did not. We suggest that in HEL cells (1) EP1 and EP3 receptor subtypes activate G1 proteins, that (2) the EP2 receptor subtype activates Gs proteins and that (3) the IP receptor activates both Gi and Gs proteins.

Changes in G protein pattern and in G protein-dependent signaling during erythropoietin- and dimethylsulfoxide-induced differentiation of murine erythroleukemia cells.

We have studied the expression of G protein subtypes and the role of G protein-dependent signaling in two subclones of RED-1 cells, an erythropoetin(Epo)-sensitive, murine erythroleukemia cell line. Clone 6C8 showed terminal erythroid differentiation in response to a combined treatment with Epo and dimethylsulfoxide. Clone G3 was resistant to these inducers, but responded to Epo with enhanced proliferation. We measured G protein alpha subunit levels by toxin-catalyzed adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribosylation with [32P]-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and by semiquantitative immunoblotting with specific antisera. Native RED-1 cells expressed G alpha i2, alpha i3, alpha s, and alpha q/11, but not alpha i1 and alpha o. Terminal differentiation was associated with a selective loss (approximately 80%) of G alpha i3 and an increase in a truncated cytosolic form of G alpha i2, while the membrane levels of alpha i2, alpha q/11, and alpha s did not change significantly. Treatment of G3 cells with the inducers was without effect on G protein abundance. However, except for alpha s, G3 cells contained significantly higher levels of the different G protein alpha subunits tested. Stimulation of G protein-coupled receptors by thrombin and ADP caused a pertussis toxin (PTX)-inhibitable transient increase in intracellular Ca2+ that was markedly reduced in differentiated cells. In G3 cells, but not in 6C8 cells, thrombin also caused a PTX-sensitive inhibition of isoprenaline-stimulated cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) formation. Our results show that specific alterations in G protein expression and function are associated with erythroid differentiation of erythroleukemia cells but do not prove a causal relationship. The loss of G alpha i3 may affect cellular responses that are mediated via P2T purine or thrombin receptors.

Rapid isolation of G alpha 13 from bovine brain membranes: supportive effect of ethylene glycol.

G13 belongs to the G12-subfamily of heterotrimeric regulatory G-proteins. Employing specific antibodies, we isolated G alpha 13 from bovine brain by a four-step purification protocol combining conventional and affinity chromatography. The use of ethylene glycol as a protective agent influenced the elution properties of G alpha 13 markedly. Only in the presence of ethylene glycol (30% v/v) a clear separation of G alpha 13 from other G-proteins was achieved during the initial anion exchange chromatography. This allowed isolation of G alpha 13 by subunit exchange chromatography on beta gamma-agarose. G alpha 13 was only released from immobilized beta gamma-dimers via activation by AMF but not by GTP gamma S, pointing to a poor basal nucleotide exchange of this protein. In contrast, N-terminally truncated G alpha 13 did not bind to immobilized beta gamma-dimers.

Purification of the G-protein G13 from rat brain membranes.

Significant amounts of G13, a member of the recently described G12-subfamily of heterotrimeric G-proteins, have been detected in rat brain membranes by specific antisera. The alpha-subunits of G13 (G alpha 13) were purified by using a combination of conventional and subunit-exchange chromatography. Purification was facilitated by the fact that the initial anion-exchange chromatography separated G13 from most of the other G-proteins, including Gq/11. Moreover, G alpha 13-enriched fractions obtained from this chromatographic step were devoid of beta gamma-dimers, despite the absence of G-protein-activating agents. Nevertheless, the purified G alpha 13 retained its ability to interact with beta gamma-dimers under appropriate conditions, i.e. the addition of Lubrol PX instead of cholate as detergent and the omission of ethylene glycol routinely used as a protecting additive. The interaction was demonstrated by (i) the binding of G alpha 13 to immobilized beta gamma-complexes and (ii) the formation of stable heterotrimers during sucrose-density-gradient centrifugation. Furthermore, our studies on G alpha 13 provide evidence for an extremely slow basal GDP/GTP exchange rate. The purified protein showed negligible binding of guanosine 5'-[gamma-[35S]thio]triphosphate (GTP[35S]). Accordingly, dissociation of G alpha 13 from immobilized beta gamma-complexes was achieved by AlF4-/Mg2+, but not by GTP[S]. These data indicate that G13 exhibits properties highly distinct from those of other G-proteins.

Detection of G-protein heterotrimers on large dense core and small synaptic vesicles of neuroendocrine and neuronal cells.

Heterotrimeric G proteins, initially believed to be exclusively present in the plasma membrane, have also been found to be associated with intracellular membrane compartments. There they are involved in various membrane trafficking processes including regulated secretion (reviewed in Bomsel, M., K. Mostov, Mol. Biol. Cell 3, 1317-1328 (1992)). Vesicles of two distinct types enter the regulated secretory pathway, i.e. large dense core vesicles and small synaptic vesicles, which differ in their membrane composition and content. Little is known about an association of heterotrimeric G proteins with regulated secretory vesicles, that would explain some aspects of the role heterotrimeric G proteins have during secretion. By immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoreplica analysis, we provide the first demonstration of the presence of complete sets of heterotrimeric G proteins, consisting of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-subunits, on large dense core vesicles from bovine adrenal medulla (chromaffin granules) and small synaptic vesicles from rodent and bovine brain. Each of the two types of secretory vesicles contains beta-subunits (at least beta 1 and beta 2), as well as gamma-subunits (at least gamma 2 or gamma 3). Interestingly, they differ in their composition of alpha-subunits. On small synaptic vesicles, we found two G(o) alpha-subunits (alpha o1 and alpha o2) and two Gi alpha-subunits (alpha i1 and alpha i2). In contrast, on chromaffin granules so far only one alpha o-subunit but no alpha i-subunits could be detected. Functional properties such as transmitter storage and/or exocytotic membrane fusion may be modulated by the various G-protein subunits associated with chromaffin granules and small synaptic vesicles.

Gq and G11 are concurrently activated by bombesin and vasopressin in Swiss 3T3 cells.

The alpha-subunits of the widely expressed G-proteins Gq and G11 indistinguishably activate beta-isoforms of phospholipase C. In this report we have tested whether differences exist in the activation of both G-proteins via phospholipase C-linked receptors. We found that bombesin and vasopressin, with very similar potencies and time dependencies, induce the activation of both Gq and G11 in Swiss 3T3 cells, suggesting that these G-proteins, at least in part, serve interchangable functions.

Purification of a novel G-protein alpha 0-subtype from mammalian brain.

Three distinct G-protein alpha o-subtypes, i.e. alpha o1, alpha o2 and a newly observed 'alpha o3', are present in membranes of mammalian brain, each appearing as two isoforms on SDS/PAGE. Only alpha o1 and alpha o2 appear to be substrates for pertussis toxin (PTX) when membranes or partially purified proteins are examined. In order to elucidate the apparent PTX-resistance of the third alpha o-subtype, we purified alpha o3 from porcine and bovine brain membranes. During the purification procedures, alpha o3 occurred in its dissociated monomeric form and, together with beta gamma-complexes, as a heterotrimer. In a first attempt, we used purified G-protein alpha i/alpha o-mixtures to obtain a final separation of alpha o3. By using f.p.l.c. anion-exchange chromatography on a Mono Q column, complete separation of alpha i1 and alpha o2 was achieved. Partial resolution of alpha o1, alpha i2 and alpha o3 was observed; alpha o3 was eluted between alpha o1 and alpha i2. If alpha o-subunits free from alpha i contaminants were loaded on to the Mono Q column, all three alpha o-subtypes were resolved. The identity of the third subtype as an alpha o-subtype was confirmed by sequence analysis of tryptic fragments. All three alpha o-subtypes bound GTP[S]. Purified alpha o3 was ADP-ribosylated when subjected to PTX treatment in the presence of beta gamma-subunits, and on SDS/PAGE the mobility of alpha o3 was similar to that of ADP-ribosylated alpha o1. On the basis of results obtained with subtype-specific antibodies, the third alpha o-subtype is immunologically more related to alpha o1 than to alpha o2. Purified alpha o3 failed to reconstitute carbachol-mediated inhibition of Ca2+ current in PTX-pretreated SH-SY5Y-cells, whereas alpha o1 and alpha o2 did successfully restore this effect. We conclude that the novel alpha o3 forms differs from alpha o1 and alpha o2 in its primary structure and may be involved in signal-transduction pathways other than those described for alpha o1 and alpha o2.

Transfected muscarinic acetylcholine receptors selectively couple to Gi-type G proteins and Gq/11.

Regulation of effector functions by muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes is mediated by pertussis toxin-sensitive and -insensitive G proteins. In membranes from human embryonic kidney 293 cells transfected with m1, m2, and m3 muscarinic acetycholine receptors, we detected the pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins Gi1, Gi2, and Gi3 and the pertussis toxin-insensitive G proteins Gq/11 and Gs. Subtype-specific immunoprecipitation of G protein alpha subunits photolabeled with [alpha-32P] GTP azidoanilide, in the absence and presence of carbachol, revealed the selective coupling of activated muscarinic receptors to G protein subtypes. Gq/11 was activated via m1 and m3 receptors and Gi2 was activated via m2 receptors. All three receptors subtypes mediated the activation of Gi1 and Gi3. Effective activation of Gi1 and Gi3 via m1 and m3 receptors occurred only at high carbachol concentrations (EC50 about 10-20 microM), whereas carbachol with higher potency (EC50 about 1 microM) induced activation of all G1 subtypes via m2 receptors. Thus, coupling of muscarinic receptors and G protein subtypes was principally selective; however, activation of distinct G protein subtypes by different muscarinic receptors occurred with different efficacies.

The human thyrotropin receptor activates G-proteins Gs and Gq/11.

The human thyrotropin receptor leads upon activation to the stimulation of phospholipase C and adenylyl cyclase. It is presently not known whether this bifurcating signaling occurs via two different G-proteins (Gq/11 and Gs) or via one G-protein (Gs). Receptor-activated Gs releases beta gamma subunits and alpha s, which then could regulate phospholipase C and adenylyl cyclase, respectively. In order to elucidate the signaling pathways induced by the activated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor, we studied the coupling of the TSH receptor to Gs and Gq/11 in human thyroid membranes. TSH concentration dependently led to the activation of two forms of Gs (Gs short and Gs long) as well as of Gq and G11, demonstrating that signaling pathways induced by TSH already bifurcate in the course of the receptor-G-protein interaction. These data strongly suggest the concept that phospholipase C and adenylyl cyclase activation through the TSH receptor are mediated by Gq/11 and Gs, respectively.

G12 and G13 alpha-subunits are immunochemically detectable in most membranes of various mammalian cells and tissues.

The cDNAs of two putatively pertussis toxin-insensitive G-protein alpha-subunits, alpha 12 and alpha 13, were recently cloned. mRNA analyses based on the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction indicated a widespread distribution of both mRNAs [Strathmann, M. P., and Simon, M. I. (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88, 5582-5586]. Generating specific antibodies directed against internal and C-terminal peptide sequences, we identified alpha 12 protein in all and alpha 13 protein in most tissues and cell lines tested. No species differences were observed, indicating a high degree of identity between mammalian species. Strong immunoreactive signals of both proteins were obtained in neuronal cell membranes of various species. Our results support the hypothesis that G12 and G13 are involved in pertussis toxin-insensitive pathways of signal transduction common to most tissues.