Constitutively active mutants of the beta1-adrenergic receptor.

We provide the first evidence that point mutations can constitutively activate the beta(1)-adrenergic receptor (AR). Leucine 322 of the beta(1)-AR in the C-terminal portion of its third intracellular loop was replaced with seven amino acids (I, T, E, F, C, A and K) differing in their physico-chemical properties. The beta(1)-AR mutants expressed in HEK-293 cells displayed various levels of constitutive activity which could be partially inhibited by some beta-blockers. The results of this study might have interesting implications for future studies aiming at elucidating the activation process of the beta(1)-AR as well as the mechanism of action of beta-blockers.

Characterization of the phosphorylation sites involved in G protein-coupled receptor kinase- and protein kinase C-mediated desensitization of the alpha1B-adrenergic receptor.

Catecholamines as well as phorbol esters can induce the phosphorylation and desensitization of the alpha1B-adrenergic receptor (alpha1BAR). In this study, phosphoamino acid analysis of the phosphorylated alpha1BAR revealed that both epinephrine- and phorbol ester-induced phosphorylation predominantly occurs at serine residues of the receptor. The findings obtained with receptor mutants in which portions of the C-tail were truncated or deleted indicated that a region of 21 amino acids (393-413) of the carboxyl terminus including seven serines contains the main phosphorylation sites involved in agonist- as well as phorbol ester-induced phosphorylation and desensitization of the alpha1BAR. To identify the serines invoved in agonist- versus phorbol ester-dependent regulation of the receptor, two different strategies were adopted, the seven serines were either substituted with alanine or reintroduced into a mutant lacking all of them. Our findings indicate that Ser394 and Ser400 were phosphorylated following phorbol ester-induced activation of protein kinase C, whereas Ser404, Ser408, and Ser410 were phosphorylated upon stimulation of the alpha1BAR with epinephrine. The observation that overexpression of G protein-coupled kinase 2 (GRK2) could increase agonist-induced phosphorylation of Ser404, Ser408, and Ser410, strongly suggests that these serines are the phosphorylation sites of the alpha1BAR for kinases of the GRK family. Phorbol ester-induced phosphorylation of the Ser394 and Ser400 as well as GRK2-mediated phosphorylation of the Ser404, Ser408, and Ser410, resulted in the desensitization of alpha1BAR-mediated inositol phosphate response. This study provides generalities about the biochemical mechanisms underlying homologous and heterologous desensitization of G protein-coupled receptors linked to the activation of phospholipase C.

Decreased blood pressure response in mice deficient of the alpha1b-adrenergic receptor.

To investigate the functional role of different alpha1-adrenergic receptor (alpha1-AR) subtypes in vivo, we have applied a gene targeting approach to create a mouse model lacking the alpha1b-AR (alpha1b-/-). Reverse transcription-PCR and ligand binding studies were combined to elucidate the expression of the alpha1-AR subtypes in various tissues of alpha1b +/+ and -/- mice. Total alpha1-AR sites were decreased by 98% in liver, 74% in heart, and 42% in cerebral cortex of the alpha1b -/- as compared with +/+ mice. Because of the large decrease of alpha1-AR in the heart and the loss of the alpha1b-AR mRNA in the aorta of the alpha1b-/- mice, the in vivo blood pressure and in vitro aorta contractile responses to alpha1-agonists were investigated in alpha1b +/+ and -/- mice. Our findings provide strong evidence that the alpha1b-AR is a mediator of the blood pressure and the aorta contractile responses induced by alpha1 agonists. This was demonstrated by the finding that the mean arterial blood pressure response to phenylephrine was decreased by 45% in alpha1b -/- as compared with +/+ mice. In addition, phenylephrine-induced contractions of aortic rings also were decreased by 25% in alpha1b-/- mice. The alpha1b-AR knockout mouse model provides a potentially useful tool to elucidate the functional specificity of different alpha1-AR subtypes, to better understand the effects of adrenergic drugs, and to investigate the multiple mechanisms involved in the control of blood pressure.

Effect of different G protein-coupled receptor kinases on phosphorylation and desensitization of the alpha1B-adrenergic receptor.

The alpha1B-adrenergic receptor (alpha1BAR), its truncated mutant T368, different G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRK) and arrestin proteins were transiently expressed in COS-7 or HEK293 cells alone and/or in various combinations. Coexpression of beta-adrenergic receptor kinase (betaARK) 1 (GRK2) or 2 (GRK3) could increase epinephrine-induced phosphorylation of the wild type alpha1BAR above basal as compared to that of the receptor expressed alone. On the other hand, overexpression of the dominant negative betaARK (K220R) mutant impaired agonist-induced phosphorylation of the receptor. Overexpression of GRK6 could also increase epinephrine-induced phosphorylation of the receptor, whereas GRK5 enhanced basal but not agonist-induced phosphorylation of the alpha1BAR. Increasing coexpression of betaARK1 or betaARK2 resulted in the progressive attenuation of the alpha1BAR-mediated response on polyphosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis. However, coexpression of betaARK1 or 2 at low levels did not significantly impair the PI response mediated by the truncated alpha1BAR mutant T368, lacking the C terminus, which is involved in agonist-induced desensitization and phosphorylation of the receptor. Similar attenuation of the receptor-mediated PI response was also observed for the wild type alpha1BAR, but not for its truncated mutant, when the receptor was coexpressed with beta-arrestin 1 or beta-arrestin 2. Despite their pronounced effect on phosphorylation of the alpha1BAR, overexpression of GRK5 or GRK6 did not affect the receptor-mediated response. In conclusion, our results provide the first evidence that betaARK1 and 2 as well as arrestin proteins might be involved in agonist-induced regulation of the alpha1BAR. They also identify the alpha1BAR as a potential phosphorylation substrate of GRK5 and GRK6. However, the physiological implications of GRK5- and GRK6-mediated phosphorylation of the alpha1BAR remain to be elucidated.

Alterations in atrial natriuretic peptide gene expression during endurance training in rats.

Spontaneous and experimental rises of intracardiac pressure and/or volume increase the level of atrial natriuretic (ANP) mRNA in rat atrial tissue. There is expanding evidence that ANP synthesis is increased in the ventricle under such conditions. However, little is known with regard to the myocardial ANP synthesis response to physical training. In this study, plasma and atrial immunoreactive ANP concentrations were measured in Sprague-Dawley rats trained on a treadmill and compared to sedentary controls. Atrial natriuretic peptide mRNA was detected in the heart cavities of each group by dot-blot hybridization analysis. Physical training reduced the mean immunoreactive ANP plasma levels from 405 +/- 99 to 303 +/- 45 ng/l (p < 0.05). Immunoreactive ANP in the left atrium was depleted after endurance training, while immunoreactive ANP concentration in the right atrium was unaffected. Physical training resulted in a 70% (p < 0.01) rise in ANP mRNA of the right atrium, while no changes in the other compartments were found. These data indicate that during physical training: ANP mRNA does not increase in ventricles; despite depletion of immunoreactive ANP in the left atrium, no corresponding changes of ANP mRNA are detected; and ANP mRNA increases in the right atrium while its immunoreactive ANP does not. These findings suggest that during chronic exercise the ratio between immunoreactive ANP and ANP gene expression in the atria may be altered.

Truncation of the receptor carboxyl terminus impairs agonist-dependent phosphorylation and desensitization of the alpha 1B-adrenergic receptor.

The alpha 1B-adrenergic receptor (alpha 1BAR) and its truncated mutant T368 lacking the last 147 amino acids were stably expressed in Rat1 fibroblasts. The wild type alpha 1BAR was rapidly phosphorylated upon exposure to the agonist epinephrine as well as to phorbol ester as assessed by immunoprecipitation of the receptor with antiserum raised against its amino-terminal portion. Exposure of cells expressing the wild type alpha 1BAR to epinephrine resulted also in rapid homologous desensitization of receptor-mediated response on polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis. On the other hand, truncation of the serine- and threonine-rich carboxyl portion of the alpha 1BAR abolished agonist-induced phosphorylation and greatly impaired homologous desensitization of the receptor. The truncated receptor T368 could undergo agonist-induced decrease of cell surface receptors but to a lesser extent, as compared with the wild type alpha 1BAR. These results demonstrate that the carboxyl portion of the alpha 1BAR plays a crucial role in the regulation of receptor function. They also suggest a strong relationship between agonist-induced phosphorylation and desensitization of the alpha 1BAR, which were both insensitive to the inhibitor of protein kinase C RO-318220. Our findings support the emerging hypothesis that the biochemical mechanisms involved in rapid agonist-dependent regulation of G protein-coupled receptors, which activate polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis, do not primarily involve protein kinase C.

Characterization of a new tissue-specific transcription factor binding to the simian virus 40 enhancer TC-II (NF-kappa B) element.

We have biochemically and functionally characterized a new transcription factor, NP-TCII, which is present in nuclei from unstimulated T and B lymphocytes but is not found in nonhematopoietic cells. This factor has a DNA-binding specificity similar to that of NF-kappa B but is unrelated to this or other Rel proteins by functional and biochemical criteria. It can also be distinguished from other previously described lymphocyte-specific DNA-binding proteins.

Influence of sodium balance on atrial natriuretic factor in rats with one-kidney, one-clip renal hypertension.

The influence of sodium intake on the gene expression and circulating levels of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) was investigated in unanesthetized rats with one-kidney, one-clip renal hypertension. After clipping, the rats were maintained for 3 weeks either on a salt-deficient (n = 11) or a regular-sodium diet (n = 10). Animals which had received the regular-sodium diet exhibited significantly higher ANF mRNA levels in their right and left atria than salt-restricted animals, whereas there was no significant difference in plasma ANF levels.

The angiotensin I-converting enzyme (kininase II): progress in molecular and genetic structure.

The complete amino acid sequence of the human angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) has been determined by protein sequencing of the purified kidney enzyme and cDNA cloning in endothelial cell libraries. The ACE molecule comprises 1,306 amino acids. It possesses a signal peptide of 29 residues cleaved off during maturation. The enzyme is most likely anchored to the plasma membrane by a short transmembrane domain situated near the carboxy-terminal extremity. Interestingly, the molecule presents a high degree of internal homology between two large peptidic domains. Each of these domains contains short sequences identical to zinc binding and active site sequences of other zinc metallopeptidases and therefore bears a putative active site. However, earlier experiments indicate only one zinc atom bound per molecule of ACE. Competitive inhibitors seem to interact with a unique class of high-affinity binding site. These observations may suggest that, despite the duplicated structure of the enzyme, there is only one functional active site per molecule of ACE. The respective role of the two homologous domains in this active site remains to be determined. A single gene coding for ACE is present in humans, transcribed as a 4.3-kilobase mRNA species in endothelial cells. In other studies, evidence for a genetic polymorphism in plasma ACE levels has been obtained by analyzing a large group of "healthy" nuclear families. A familial association of plasma ACE levels was observed. A major gene effect can possibly explain part of the interindividual variability observed in this enzyme.

The testicular transcript of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme encodes for the ancestral, non-duplicated form of the enzyme.

The endothelial angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) is organized in two large homologous domains, each bearing a putative active site. However, only one of these sites is probably involved in catalyzing the conversion of angiotensin I into angiotensin II. The testicular form of ACE is equally active, encoded by the same gene, but translated from a shorter mRNA. Molecular cloning of the human testicular ACE cDNA indicates that the mRNA codes for 732 residues (vs 1306 in endothelium). The testicular transcript corresponds to the 3' half of the endothelial transcript and encodes one of the two homologous domains of endothelial ACE, preceded by a short specific sequence. This 5' specific sequence contains 228 nucleotides and encodes 67 amino acids, including the putative signal peptide followed by a serine/threonine-enriched region, presumably glycosylated. The testicular transcript corresponds to the ancestral, non-duplicated form of the ACE gene. Since the carboxyl-terminal domain of the endothelial ACE is expressed in the testicular enzyme, it is likely that it bears the active site in both forms.

The high-molecular-mass kininogen deficient rat expresses all kininogen mRNA species, but does not export the high-molecular-mass kininogen synthesized.

The Katholiek substrain of Brown Norway (BN/Kat) rats exhibits a very low level of circulating high-molecular-mass (HMW) kininogen and a partial deficiency in plasma prekallikrein. Northern blot analysis of liver RNA revealed that HMW kininogen and prekallikrein mRNAs are present in these rats with a similar size and abundance compared to control Brown Norway (BN/Orl) rats. The low-molecular-mass kininogen mRNA, encoded by the same kininogen gene as HMW kininogen mRNA by alternative splicing, is detected in both strains by dideoxynucleotide limited primer extension analysis. Measurement of HMW kininogen by radioimmunoassay was performed in liver subcellular fractions. It reveals that, in contrast to its absence in the cytosolic fraction, HMW kininogen in deficients rats is slightly more abundant in the microsomal fraction, than in control rats. These observations exclude both an abnormality at the level of gene transcription and a major structural modification of the transcribed RNA and of the synthesized HMW kininogen. They favour the hypothesis of an abnormal intracellular transport of the HMW kininogen in deficient rats.

Effect of sodium intake on gene expression and plasma levels of ANF in rats.

The effect of short- and long-term sodium loading and sodium restriction on the gene expression as well as on circulating plasma levels of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) was evaluated in normotensive Wistar rats. These rats were fed either a low-, a regular-, or a high-sodium diet (regular diet and 1% saline as drinking fluid) and studied after 1 and 3 wk. The ANF mRNA was determined in pooled atria and ventricles of the different groups of rats, using the dot-blot technique. Plasma ANF levels were measured with a radioimmunoassay. After 1 wk on the high-sodium diet, ANF mRNA was increased in right atria and ventricles together with circulating ANF levels when compared with animals maintained for the same period on a low-sodium diet. After 3 wk on the various diets, the differences in cardiac ANF mRNA and in plasma ANF levels had disappeared. Gene expression of ANF was also looked for in different areas of the brain, lung, thyroid, adrenals, and the kidney; no hybridization was detected in any of these organs. These data suggest that in rats, the transcription of the ANF gene and peptide release in enhanced only during short-term adaptation to dietary sodium loading.

Hormonal and cardiac effects of converting enzyme inhibition in rat myocardial infarction.

To explain how converting enzyme inhibition could improve the prognosis in cardiac insufficiency, the effect of converting enzyme inhibition (CEI) by S9490-3 (Perindopril) treatment for 2 months (treated infarctions, n = 18) on hormonal plasma variables and the quantitative and qualitative changes in myocardium were studied in an experimental model of left ventricular infarction in rats (untreated infarctions, n = 18) and compared to a sham-operated control group (n = 15). Induction of myocardial infarction was associated with a transient decrease in blood pressure. CEI treatment maintained a lower blood pressure throughout the experimental period. Plasma renin concentration was not significantly increased in the untreated infarct group (155.4 +/- 136.7 ng AI/ml/hr) as compared to the sham-operated group (47.6 +/- 15.9 ng AI/ml/hr). Plasma aldosterone did not change in the three experimental groups. The plasma level of immunoreactive atrial natriuretic factor increased in the untreated infarct group (185 +/- 245 pg/ml) as compared with the control group (76 +/- 40 pg/ml) and was normalized by CEI (66 +/- 60 pg/ml). Body weight was slightly decreased in both treated and untreated infarct groups, whereas the heart weight was significantly increased in the untreated group (1,540 +/- 310 mg) and normalized by treatment (1,145 +/- 180 mg) as compared with sham-operated controls (1,071 +/- 80 mg). The combined atria and right ventricular mass was significantly increased in the untreated infarct group (660 +/- 210 mg) and decreased by treatment (443 +/- 106 mg) but was not completely normalized (controls, 343 +/- 40 mg). Left ventricular isomyosin profiles were modified by myocardial infarction as compared with controls: V1 form decreased from 62.4 +/- 9.4% in the sham-operated group to 41.6 +/- 13.4% in the infarct group, and the V3 form increased from 13.0 +/- 4.7% in sham-operated animals to 27.4 +/- 11.8% in untreated infarct animals. CEI treatment partially, but significantly, reversed this modification of the isomyosin profile (V1, 53.0 +/- 14.4%; V3, 17.5 +/- 8.0%). Volume density of collagen was significantly increased in the untreated infarct rats (4.14 +/- 0.81% versus 2.68 +/- 0.49% in controls), and this was reversed by treatment (2.95 +/- 0.66%). Messenger RNA encoding for atrial natriuretic factor, measured by dot blot hybridization, was significantly increased in both the atria and the ventricles in the untreated infarct group, and treatment by CEI partially reversed this increase. Thus, myocardial infarction profoundly modified several variables of peripheral circulation and quantitative and qualitative myocardial protein expression.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Myocardial recruitment during ANF mRNA increase with volume overload in the rat.

A synthetic oligonucleotide probe complementary to messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) encoding for the C-terminal portion of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) has been used to study the expression of the ANF gene in rat myocardium. Four experimental models were studied: binephrectomy (for 48 h); ligature of both ureters (for 48 h); deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt (for 3 wk); and aortocaval fistula (for 2 wk). Analysis of atrial RNA by gel-blot hybridization detected a single band, corresponding in length to that of mRNA coding for ANF. Such an mRNA was also detected in ventricular RNA but was 1/50th as abundant. In the four experimental groups ANF mRNA was increased significantly as compared with controls. In all rats there was no significant difference in the ANF mRNA content between the left and the right atrium. Each experimental condition was accompanied by a highly significant increase in ANF gene expression in the left ventricle, where all of the ventricular tissue could be recruited and with a negative gradient from the base to the apex of the left ventricle. These data were confirmed by in situ hybridization. Thus all of the atrial and ventricular myocardium can express the ANF gene. Recruitment increases in response to passive stretch of the cardiac chambers.