Evidence of idiotypic modulation in the immune response to gp43, the major antigenic component of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in both mice and humans

The kinetics of the glutathione (GSH) conjugation of (+)- and (-)-enantiomers of anti- as well as syn-3,4-dihydroxy-1,2-oxy-1,2,3, 4-tetrahydrobenzo[c]phenanthrene (B[c]PDE) catalyzed by murine GSH S-transferase (GST) isoenzymes has been investigated. Murine GSTs exhibited significant differences in their enantioselectivity toward B[c]PDE stereoisomers. For example, while pi class isoenzyme mGSTP1-1 was virtually inactive toward stereoisomers with 1S configuration [(-)-syn-and (+)-anti-B[c]PDE], these stereoisomers were good substrates for alpha class isoenzyme mGSTA1-2. When GST activity was measured as a function of varying B[c]PDE concentration (10-320 microM) at a fixed saturating concentration of GSH (2 mM), each isoenzyme examined obeyed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with all four B[c]PDE stereoisomers. Alpha class isoenzyme mGSTA4-4 exhibited negligible activity toward all four stereoisomers of B[c]PDE. The catalytic efficiency of mGSTA1-2 was approximately 1.5- to 15-fold higher than other murine GSTs in the GSH conjugation of (-)-anti-B[c]PDE, which among the four B[c]PDE stereoisomers is the most potent pulmonary carcinogen in the newborn mouse model and a potent skin tumor-initiator. While alpha class isoenzymes mGSTA3-3 and mGSTA1-2 were equally efficient in the GSH conjugation of (+)-anti-B[c]PDE, their catalytic efficiencies toward this stereoisomer were significantly higher than those of mGSTP1-1 and mGSTM1-1. Likewise, mGSTA1-2 was relatively more efficient than other GSTs in the GSH conjugation of both enantiomers of syn-B[c]PDE. In summary, our results indicate that (a) murine GSTs significantly differ in their enantioselectivity in the GSH conjugation of B[c]PDE stereoisomers, which may partially account for the observed differences in the carcinogenic potency of B[c]PDE stereoisomers, and (b) mGSTA1-2 and mGSTA3-3 play a major role in the detoxification of B[c]PDE.     

Constitutively active Gs alpha is associated with an increased phosphodiesterase activity in human growth hormone-secreting adenomas

Because phosphodiesterase (PDE) expression and activity are controlled by cAMP, we investigated whether activating mutations of Gs alpha gene that occur in human GH-secreting adenomas are associated with increased PDE activity. We studied 10 adenomas with wild-type Gs alpha (gsp-) and 8 with mutant Gs alpha (gsp+). Although, in the absence of PDE inhibitors, intracellular cAMP levels were similar in gsp+ e gsp- adenomas, the PDE blockade with 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine induced a marked increase in cAMP in all but one gsp+ adenoma (% increase: from 77 to 2900) and a slight rise in only 2 gsp-. Similar results were obtained with the PDE4 selective inhibitor 4-[3-(cyclopentyloxy)-4-methoxyphenyl)]-2-pyrrolidinone. In vitro GH release was significantly higher in gsp+ than in gsp- adenomas (315 +/- 158 vs. 82 +/- 53 micrograms/well; P < 0.01), and PDE blockade caused a further increase in 3 of 5 gsp+ adenomas but not in gsp- tumors. By direct measurement, PDE activity was about 7-fold higher in gsp+ than in gsp- adenomas (320 +/- 213 vs. 48 +/- 23 pmol/min.mg protein; P < 0.05) and was largely 4-[3-(cyclopentyloxy)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2-pyrrolidinone sensitive. This study first demonstrates that activating mutations of the Gs alpha gene that naturally occur in pituitary adenomas is associated with an increased PDE activity that might, at least partially, counteract the constitutive activation of the cAMP-dependent pathway.     

Effect of PDE4 inhibitors on zymosan-induced IL-8 release from human neutrophils: synergism with prostanoids and salbutamol

1. The activation of neutrophils with particulate stimuli such as zymosan induces the generation of the C-X-C chemokine interleukin (IL)-8. There is evidence that neutrophil derived IL-8 plays an important role in human diseases such as the adult respiratory distress syndrome. In the present study, we examined the effects of cyclic AMP elevating agents on the ability of human neutrophils to generate IL-8 in response to zymosan particles. 2. The PDE4 inhibitor rolipram had limited effect on zymosan-induced IL-8 generation. In contrast, the PDE4 inhibitors RP 73401 and SB 207499 concentration-dependently suppressed IL-8 generation. The potency of these inhibitors was RP 73401 > SB 207499 > rolipram which is correlated with their rank order of potency at inhibiting the catalytic site of purified neutrophil PDE4. Pretreatment of neutrophils with the PDE3 inhibitor ORG 9935 or the PDE5 inhibitor zaprinast had no effect on IL-8 generation. 3. The prostanoids prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and PGE2 inhibited zymosan-induced IL-8 release from neutrophils in a dose-dependent manner, in response to 10(-5) M PGE1 and PGE2 inhibiting IL-8 generation by 89% and 75%, respectively. Similarly, the beta2-adrenoceptor agonist salbutamol also inhibited IL-8 generation, but it was less effective than the prostanoids. 4. Significant synergism between prostanoids or salbutamol and the PDE4 inhibitors to inhibit IL-8 generation was observed. In contrast, there was no significant synergism between PGE2 and the PDE3 inhibitor ORG 9935 or the PDE5 inhibitor zaprinast. 5. In order to evaluate the potential role of protein kinase A in mediating the inhibitory effects of cyclic AMP-elevating agents, we used the protein kinase A inhibitors, H 89 and KT 5720. Pretreatment of neutrophils with these drugs completely reversed the inhibitory effects of a combination treatment with rolipram and PGE2 on zymosan-induced IL-8 release. 6. Microscopic examination revealed that most neutrophils contained one or more zymosan particles and that combination treatment with rolipram and PGE2 noticeably reduced the number of ingested particles. Moreover, there was a significant reduction in the percentage of neutrophils which ingested three or more zymosan particles. 7. Thus, our results demonstrate that cyclic AMP-elevating agents modulate the ability of neutrophils to generate IL-8 in response to a particulate stimulus. However, these agents also modulate the ability of neutrophils to phagocytose zymosan particles. Whether this effect will translate into inhibition of the ability of neutrophils to deal with infectious agents needs to be investigated further.     

Dual inhibition of human type 4 phosphodiesterase isostates by (R, R)-(+/-)-methyl 3-acetyl-4-[3-(cyclopentyloxy)-4-methoxyphenyl]-3- methyl-1-pyrrolidinecarboxylate

Purified recombinant human type 4 phosphodiesterase B2B (HSPDE4B2B) exists in both a low- and a high-affinity state that bind (R)-rolipram with Kd's of ca. 500 and 1 nM, respectively [Rocque, W. J., Tian, G., Wiseman, J. S., Holmes, W. D., Thompson, I. Z., Willard, D. H., Patel, I. R., Wisely, G. B., Clay, W. C., Kadwell, S. H., Hoffman, C. R., and Luther, M. A. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 14250-14261]. Since the tissue distribution of the two isostates may be significantly different, development of inhibitors that effectively inhibit both forms may be advantageous pharmacologically. In this study, enzyme inhibition and binding of HSPDE4B2B by (R, R)-(+/-)-methyl 3-acetyl-4-[3-(cyclopentyloxy)-4-methoxyphenyl]-3-methyl-1-pyrrolidin ecarboxylate (1), a novel inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE 4), were investigated. Binding experiments demonstrated high-affinity binding of 1 to HSPDE4B2B with a stoichiometry of 1:1. Inhibition of PDE activity showed only a single transition with an observed Ki similar to the apparent Kd determined by the binding experiments. Deletional mutants of HSPDE4B2B, which have been shown to bind (R)-rolipram with low affinity, were shown to interact with 1 with high affinity, indistinguishable from the results obtained with the full-length enzyme. Bound 1 was completely displaced by (R)-rolipram, and the displacement showed a biphasic transition that resembles the biphasic inhibition of HSPDE4B2B by (R)-rolipram. Theoretical analysis of the two transitions exemplified in the interaction of (R)-rolipram with HSPDE4B2B indicated that the two isostates were nonexchangeable. Phosphorylation at serines 487 and 489 on HSPDE4B2B had no effect on the stoichiometry of binding, the affinity for binding, or the inhibition of the enzyme by 1. These data further illustrate the presence of two isostates in PDE 4 as shown previously for (R)-rolipram binding and inhibition. In contrast to (R)-rolipram, where only one of the two isostates of PDE 4 binds with high affinity, 1 is a potent, dual inhibitor of both of the isostates of PDE 4. Kinetic and thermodynamic models describing the interactions between the nonexchangeable isostates of PDE 4 and its ligands are discussed.     

Bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory activities of SCA40: studies in human isolated bronchus, human eosinophils, and in the guinea-pig in vivo

There is currently interest in the use of inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDE) as potential anti-asthma agents. In this study we examined the effects of SCA40 (6-bromo-8-methylaminoimidazol-[1,2-a] pyrazine-2-carbonitrile), a preferential inhibitor of PDE 3 also endowed with PDE 4 and 5 inhibitory activities, on isolated bronchus and eosinophil functions and in an animal model of asthma. SCA40 (1 nM-0.1 mM) produced concentration-dependent inhibition of spontaneous and stimulated tone of human isolated bronchus and reached a maximal relaxation similar to that of theophylline (3 mM). The potency (-log EC50 values) of SCA40 against spontaneous tone (6.52 +/- 0.10) was greater than against tone raised by equieffective concentrations (approximately 70%) of histamine (5.76 +/- 0.06), leukotriene C4 (5.44 +/- 0.11), and acetylcholine (4.98 +/- 0.09). In the presence of cytochalasin B, the chemotactic peptide N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (FMLP; 0.5 microM) induced leukotriene C4 production in human eosinophils isolated in discontinuous metrizamide gradients. The production of leukotriene C4 was inhibited by SCA40 in a concentration-related fashion (-log IC50 = 6.04 +/- 0.20; n = 6). Rolipram, a selective PDE 4 inhibitor, was also effective (-log IC50 = 7.29 +/- 0.32) but the selective PDE 3 inhibitor SKF94120 was scarcely effective (< 10% inhibition for 10 microM). In ovalbumin sensitized guinea-pigs, SCA40 (1 mg kg(-1), i.p.) given 30 min before antigen challenge significantly inhibited the acute bronchoconstriction produced by aerosol antigen (5 mg ml(-1), 30 s) (antigen response was 185 +/- 13 and 91 +/- 21 cmH2O l(-1) s(-1) in control and SCA40-treated animals, respectively, P < 0.05). Pretreatment with SCA40 (1 mg kg(-1), i.p., 30 min pre- and 3 h post-antigen exposure) prevented airway hyperreactivity to histamine which developed 24 h after exposure of conscious guinea-pigs to aerosol antigen. Eosinophil lung accumulation that accompanied airway hyperreactivity was also inhibited by SCA40 (from 6.15 +/- 0.86 in control to 1.27 +/- 0.27 in treated animals; expressed as eosinophils x 10(6); P < 0.05). SCA40 (1 mg kg(-1), i.p.) also inhibited the microvascular leakage produced after inhaled antigen (5 mg ml(-1), 30 s) at all airway levels. The haemodynamic effects of SCA40 (1 mg kg(-1), i.p.) consisted of a rapid decrease (peak at 5 min) in mean arterial blood pressure (-39.4 +/- 2.4%) and tracheal mucosal blood flow (-13.5 +/- 2.0%) that slowly recovered with time. These data support previous work showing that PDE inhibition results in antispasmogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. SCA40 was effective in vitro and in vivo and these effects are probably related to its activity as a mixed PDE inhibitor.     

Role of phosphodiesterase III in the antilipolytic effect of insulin in vivo

The effect of three types of phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors on in vivo antilipolysis was investigated in healthy subjects using a 2-h euglycemic, hyperinsulinemic (40 mU.m-2.min) clamp together with microdialysis of abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue. During hyperinsulinemia (approximately 330 pmol/l), the circulating glycerol concentration was reduced to approximately 50% of the basal level of 53.2 +/- 3.6 mumol/l, indicating an antilipolytic effect. The decrease in adipose tissue dialysate glycerol, which mirrors the change in interstitial glycerol concentration, was about 40% during hyperinsulinemia when Ringer's solution alone was perfused. Local perfusion with a selective PDE IV inhibitor, rolipram (10(-4) mol/l), did not influence the insulin-induced decrease in dialysate glycerol (F = 0.8 vs. perfusion with Ringer's solution by two-factor analysis of variance [ANOVA]), although rolipram increased the dialysate glycerol level by 144 +/- 7% of the baseline value. However, local perfusion with a selective PDE III inhibitor, amrinone (10(-3) mol/l), or a nonselective PDE inhibitor, theophylline (10(-2) mol/l), abolished the ability of insulin to lower dialysate glycerol (F = 16.5, P < 0.01 and F = 8.5, P < 0.01, respectively, as compared with perfusion with Ringer's solution). The findings could not be explained by changes in the local blood flow (as measured by a microdialysis--ethanol escape technique), which was not affected by hyperinsulinemia in the presence or the absence of PDE inhibitors in the dialysis solvent. We conclude that PDEs play an important role in mediating the antilipolytic effect of insulin in vivo and that PDE III is the dominant isoenzyme modulating this effect.     

Evaluation and management of men whose radical prostatectomies failed: results of an international survey

1. The responses of the electrically-driven right ventricle strip of the guinea-pig heart to diazepam were recorded in the absence and in the presence of different selective cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors. 2. Diazepam, at concentrations ranging from 1 microM to 100 microM, was devoid of effect on the contractile force in this preparation. 3. Conversely, diazepam (5 microM-100 microM) produced a consistent positive inotropic response in the presence of a concentration (1 microM), that was without effect in the absence of diazepam, of either of the selective PDE 3 inhibitors milrinone or SK&F 94120, but not in the presence of the selective PDE 4 inhibitor rolipram. 4. This effect of diazepam was not gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-dependent, since it was neither mimicked nor potentiated by GABA, and was not affected by either a high concentration (5 microM) of the antagonists of the benzodiazepine/GABA/channel chloride receptor complex, picrotoxin, flumazenil and beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester (betaCCMe), or by the inverse agonists, beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid N-methylamide (betaCCMa) and methyl 6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (DMCM, 0.1 microM). Furthermore, a specific antagonist of the peripheral benzodiazepine receptors, PK 11195 (5 microM), did not influence the effect of diazepam. 5. Biochemical studies with isolated PDEs, confirmed that diazepam selectively inhibits type 4 PDE from guinea-pig right ventricle rather than the other PDEs present in that tissue. The compound inhibited this enzyme in a non-competitive manner. Diazepam was also able to inhibit PDE 5, the cyclic GMP specific PDE absent from cardiac muscle, with a potency close to that shown for PDE 4. 6. Diazepam displaced the selective type 4 PDE inhibitor, rolipram from its high affinity binding site in rat brain cortex membranes, and also potentiated the rise in cyclic AMP levels induced by isoprenaline in guinea-pig eosinophils, where only type 4 PDE is present. 7. The PDE inhibitory properties of diazepam were shared, although with lower potency, by other structurally-related benzodiazepines, that also displaced [3H]-rolipram from its high affinity binding site. The order of potency found for these compounds in these assays was not related to their potencies as modulators of the GABA receptor through its benzodiazepine binding site. 8. The pharmacological and biochemical data presented in this study indicate that diazepam behaves as a selective type 4 PDE inhibitor in cardiac tissue and this effect seems neither to be mediated by the benzodiazepine/GABA/channel chloride receptor complex nor by peripheral type benzodiazepine receptors.     

7-Oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridines as novel inhibitors of human eosinophil phosphodiesterase

High-throughput file screening against inhibition of human lung PDE4 led to the discovery of 3-ethyl-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-phenyl-7-oxo-4, 5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine (11) as a novel PDE4 inhibitor. Subsequent SAR development, using an eosinophil PDE assay, led to analogues up to 50-fold more potent than 11 with IC50 values of 0.03-1.6 microM. One such compound, CP-220,629 (22) (IC50 = 0.44 microM), was efficacious in the guinea pig aerosolized antigen induced airway obstruction assay (ED50 2.0 mg/kg, po) and demonstrated a significant reduction in eosinophil (55%), neutrophil (65%), and IL-1beta (82%) responses to antigen challenge in atopic monkeys (10 mg/kg, po).     

Cyclic-3',5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase isozymes in cell biology and pathophysiology of the kidney

Investigations of recent years revealed that isozymes of cyclic-3', 5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) are a critically important component of the cyclic-3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway. The superfamily of cyclic-3', 5'-phosphodiesterase (PDE) isozymes consists of at least nine gene families (types): PDE1 to PDE9. Some PDE families are very diverse and consist of several subtypes and numerous PDE isoform-splice variants. PDE isozymes differ in molecular structure, catalytic properties, intracellular regulation and location, and sensitivity to selective inhibitors, as well as differential expression in various cell types. A number of type-specific "second-generation" PDE inhibitors have been developed. Current evidence indicates that PDE isozymes play a role in several pathobiologic processes in kidney cells. In rat mesangial cells, PDE3 and PDE4 compartmentalize cAMP signaling to the PDE3-linked cAMP-PKA pathway that modulates mitogenesis and PDE4-linked cAMP-PKA pathway that modulates generation of reactive oxygen species. Administration of selective PDE isozyme inhibitors in vivo suppresses proteinuria and pathologic changes in experimental anti-Thy-1.1 mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis in rats. Increased activity of PDE5 (and perhaps also PDE9) in glomeruli and in cells of collecting ducts in sodium-retaining states, such as nephrotic syndrome, accounts for renal resistance to atriopeptin; diminished ability to excrete sodium can be corrected by administration of the selective PDE5 inhibitor zaprinast. Anomalously high PDE4 activity in collecting ducts is a basis of unresponsiveness to vasopressin in mice with hereditary nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Apparently, PDE isozymes apparently also play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute renal failure of different origins. Administration of PDE isozyme-selective inhibitors suppresses some components of immune responses to allograft transplant and improves preservation and survival of transplanted organ. PDE isozymes are a target for action of numerous novel selective PDE inhibitors, which are key components in the design of novel "signal transduction" pharmacotherapies of kidney diseases.     

Quinazolines: combined type 3 and 4 phosphodiesterase inhibitors

A series of quinazolines has been prepared and evaluated for its ability to inhibit cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase type 3, type 4A, 4B and 4D. The most potent inhibitors showed IC50 values in the nanomolar range for type 3 and type 4 isoforms and bind with high affinity to the [3H]rolipram binding site. These quinazolines represent a new family of potent mixed PDE 3/4 inhibitors and are expected to have a therapeutic potential.     

Expression of neurotrophin mRNAs in the dorsal root ganglion after spinal nerve injury

This study aimed to characterize the interaction between nitric oxide (NO)- and cAMP-related pathways in the control of renal blood flow. Using the isolated perfused rat kidney model, we determined the effects of inhibition of NO formation by Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 1 mmol/L) and of NO administration by sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 10 micromol/L) on renal vascular resistance under conditions of elevated vascular cAMP levels. cAMP levels were increased either by adenylate cyclase activation via isoproterenol or by inhibition of cAMP phosphodiesterases (PDEs) 1, 3, and 4. We found that L-NAME markedly increased vascular resistance and that this effect was completely reversed by SNP. Both isoproterenol and inhibitors of the cAMP PDEs lowered basal vascular resistance. In the presence of isoproterenol (3 nmol/L) and inhibitors of PDE-1 [8-methoxymethyl-l-methyl-3-(2-methylpropyl)-xanthine; 8-MM-IBMX, 20 micromol/L] and PDE-4 (rolipram, 20 micromol/L), L-NAME again substantially increased vascular resistance, and this effect of L-NAME was completely reversed by SNP. In the presence of the PDE-3 inhibitors milrinone (20 micromol/L) and trequinsin (200 nmol/L), however, both L-NAME and SNP failed to exert any additional effects. Because PDE-3 is a cGMP-inhibited cAMP PDE and because the vasodilatory effect of SNP was abrogated by the guanylate cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) (20 micromol/L), our findings are compatible with the idea that an action of NO on PDE-3 could account for the vasodilatory properties of NO on the renal vasculature. Moreover, our findings suggest that PDE-3 activity is an important determinant of renal vascular resistance.     

Effects of RP 73401, a novel, potent and selective phosphodiesterase type 4 inhibitor, on contractility of human, isolated bronchial muscle

1. The aim of this study was to investigate the smooth muscle relaxant effects of the novel, selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) type 4 inhibitor, RP 73401 in comparison with the classical PDE 4 inhibitor, rolipram, the non-selective PDE inhibitor, theophylline and the beta-adrenoceptor agonist, isoprenaline on the human, isolated bronchus. 2. At resting tone, the rank order of potency (pD2) for the relaxants was RP 73401 > or = rolipram > or = isoprenaline > theophylline. In terms of maximum relaxation produced (Emax) the PDE 4-selective inhibitors were similar, but the maximal effects (70-75% of theophylline, 3 mM) were lower than that observed with isoprenaline (98% of theophylline, 3 mM) or theophylline itself (100%). 3. On the human isolated bronchus pre-contracted with acetylcholine (ACh, 0.1 or 1.0 mM), the rank order of potency remained the same. The maximal responses to RP 73401 and rolipram were however markedly reduced (Emax 39.9-46.6%) compared with isoprenaline (Emax 79-85%). 4. In tissues pre-contracted with ACh (0.1 mM), RP 73401 and rolipram (10(-9)-10(-7) M) significantly and concentration-dependently increased tissue sensitivity to isoprenaline. RP 73401 and rolipram were similar in potency. Both selective PDE 4 inhibitors also significantly increased the maximal relaxant effects of isoprenaline. These effects were not observed with the PDE 3 inhibitor, siguazodan. 5. In terms of retention by tissues (an index of duration of action), the onset of action of RP 73401 (2.11 +/- 0.53 min) and rolipram (1.70 +/- 0.45 min) was significantly slower than that of isoprenaline (0.33 +/- 0.06 min) or theophylline (1.17 +/- 0.25 min). The retention of RP 73401 (89.0 +/- 21.9 min) on the human isolated bronchial tissues after washing was however dramatically longer than that of rolipram (18.3 +/- 4.5 min), theophylline (3.43 +/- 0.58 min) or isoprenaline (2.81 +/- 0.31 min). 6. These data indicate that RP 73401 is a potent and long acting relaxant of human bronchial muscle in vitro. RP 73401 is more potent than the classical PDE 4-selective inhibitor rolipram and the non-selective PDE inhibitor theophylline and is retained in bronchial tissue for a much longer period of time.     

Synthesis, binding affinity, and cross-linking of monodentate photoactive phenothiazines to calmodulin

Various photoactive phenothiazines were synthesized that possessed a 2-azido, 3-azido, 2-benzoyl, or 1,3,4-trifluoro-2-azido functionality in combination with various modifications of the N-alkyl side chain. These phenothiazines were evaluated for their ability to inhibit the calmodulin-mediated activation of phosphodiesterase (PDE). All were active in inhibiting the action of calmodulin (CaM), but those possessing either a 3-azido and a 4-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)butyl side chain or a 2-benzoyl group and 3-(dimethylamino)propyl side chain proved to be most active (I50 = 14 +/- 3 microM and 7 +/- 1 microM, respectively) when compared to the known inhibitor, chlorpromazine (CPZ, I50 = 30 microM). Calmodulin was photolabeled with ca. 35% efficiency in a light- and calcium-dependent fashion using a radiolabeled analog, 3-azido-10-(4-(4-[14C]methyl-1-piperazinyl)butyl)phenothiazine, of one of these compounds. Competition studies using this radiolabeled analog and CPZ were consistent with binding to one or both of the hydrophobic binding pockets of CaM.     

Isolation and description of carbazole-degrading bacteria

The effects of toborinone ([(+/-)-6-[3-(3,4-dimethoxybenzylamino)-2-hydroxypropoxy]-2 (1H)-quinolinone], OPC-18790), milrinone and E-4031 (1-(2-(6-methyl-2-pyridil)-1-ethyl)-4-(4-methanesulfonyl-amino-1-b enzoyl) piperidine dihydrochloride) on membrane potential were examined in isolated guinea pig sinoatrial node preparations. Toborinone, a new positive inotropic agent, prolonged cycle length (CL), depolarized maximum diastolic potential (MDP) and decreased maximum upstroke velocity (Vmax) and action potential amplitude (APA). On the other hand, milrinone, a peak III phosphodiesterase (PDE III) inhibitor, increased Vmax and APA and shortened CL and action potential duration. E-4031, an IK blocker, prolonged CL, depolarized MDP and decreased Vmax and APA. These results suggest that toborinone modulates the action potential like an IK blocker rather than a PDE III inhibitor in a sinoatrial node.     

Local macrophage proliferation in the pathogenesis of glomerular crescent formation in rat anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) glomerulonephritis

1. Rat cultured aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) express both cyclic GMP-inhibited cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (PDE3) and Ro 20-1724-inhibited cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (PDE4) activities. By utilizing either cilostamide, a PDE3-selective inhibitor, or Ro 20-1724, a PDE4-selective inhibitor, PDE3 and PDE4 activities were shown to account for 15% and 55% of total VSMC cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity. 2. Treatment of VSMC with either forskolin or 8-bromo-cyclic AMP caused significant concentration- and time-dependent increases in total cellular cyclic AMP PDE activity. Using cilostamide or Ro 20-1724, we demonstrated that both PDE3 and PDE4 activities were increased following forskolin or 8-bromo-cyclic AMP treatment, with a relatively larger effect observed on PDE3 activity. The increase in cyclic AMP PDE activity induced by forskolin or 8-bromo-cyclic AMP was inhibited by actinomycin D or cycloheximide, demonstrating that new mRNA synthesis and protein synthesis were required. An analogue of forskolin which does not activate adenylyl cyclase (1,9-dideoxyforskolin) or an analogue of cyclic GMP (8-bromo-cyclic GMP) did not affect total cyclic AMP PDE activity. 3. Incubation of VSMC with 8-bromo-cyclic AMP for 16 h caused a marked rightward shift in the concentration-response curves for both isoprenaline- and forskolin-mediated activation of adenylyl cyclase. A role for up-regulated cyclic AMP PDE activity in this reduced potency is supported by our observation that cyclic AMP PDE inhibitors (IBMX, cilostamide or Ro 20-1724) partially normalized the effects of isoprenaline or forskolin in treated cells to those in untreated cells. 4. We conclude that VSMC cyclic AMP PDE activity is increased following long-term elevation of cyclic AMP and that increases in PDE3 and PDE4 activities account for more than 70% of this effect. Furthermore, we conclude that increases in cyclic AMP PDE activity contribute to the reduced potency of isoprenaline or forskolin in treated VSMC. These results have implications for long-term use of cyclic AMP PDE inhibitors as therapeutic agents.     

Effects of type-selective phosphodiesterase inhibitors on glucose-induced insulin secretion and islet phosphodiesterase activity

1. We examined various type-selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors on glucose-induced insulin secretion from rat isolated islets, on islet PDE activity and on islet cyclic AMP accumulation in order to assess the relationship between type-selective PDE inhibition and modification of insulin release. 2. The non-selective PDE inhibitor, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX, 10(-5)-10(-3) M), as well as the type III selective PDE inhibitors SK&F 94836 (10(-5)-10(-3) M), Org 9935 (10(-7)-10(-4) M), SK&F 94120 (10(-5)-10(-4) M) and ICI 118233 (10(-6)-10(-4) M) each caused concentration-dependent augmentation (up to 40% increase) of insulin release in the presence of a stimulatory glucose concentration (10 mM), but not in the presence of 3 mM glucose. 3. Neither the type IV PDE inhibitor rolipram (10(-4) M) nor the type I and type V PDE inhibitor, zaprinast (10(-4)-10(-3) M) modified glucose-induced insulin release when incubated with islets, although a higher concentration of rolipram (10(-3) M) inhibited secretion by 55%. However, when islets were preincubated with these drugs followed by incubation in their continued presence, zaprinast (10(-6)-10(-4) M) produced a concentration-dependent inhibition (up to 45% at 10(-4) M). Under these conditions, rolipram inhibited insulin secretion at a lower concentration (10(-4) M) than when simply incubated with islets. 4. A combination of SK&F 94836 (10(-5) M) and forskolin (5 x 10(-8) M) significantly augmented glucose-induced insulin secretion (30% increase), although neither drug alone, in these concentrations, produced any significant effect. 5. Islet cyclic AMP levels, which were not modified by forskolin (10-6 M), SK&F 94836 (10-4 M) or Org 9935 (10-5 M) were significantly elevated (approximately 3.7 fold increase) by forskolin inc ombination with either SK&F 94836 or Org 9935.6 Homogenates of rat islets showed a low Km (1.7 microM) and high Km (13 microM) cyclic AMP PDE in the supernatant fractions (from 48,000 g centrifugation), whereas the particulate fraction showed only a low Km (1.4 microM) cyclic AMP PDE activity.7. The PDE activity of both supernatant and pellet fractions were consistently inhibited by SK&F94836 or Org 9935, the concentrations required to reduce particulate PDE activity by 50% being 5.5 and 0.05 microM respectively.8 Rolipram (10-5 10-4 M) did not consistently inhibit PDE activity in homogenates of rat islets and zaprinast (10-4 M) consistently inhibited activity by 30% in the supernatant fraction, but not consistently in the pellet.9 These data are consistent with the presence of a type III PDE in rat islets of Langerhans.     

Pharmacological characterization of the novel discriminative stimulus effects of a low dose of cocaine

Twelve rats were trained to press one lever after cocaine injection (3 mg/kg i.p.) and another lever after saline injection. Once rats were reliably discriminating cocaine from saline, other drugs were examined for their efficacies in substituting for cocaine. The dopamine uptake inhibitors WIN 35,428 [2-beta-carbomethoxy-3-beta-(4-fluorophenyl)tropane-1,5-naphthalene - disulfonate] and GBR 12909 (1-[2-bis(4-fluorophenyl)methoxy]ethyl]-4-[3- phenylpropyl]piperazine dihydrochloride) fully substituted for cocaine (cocaine responding > 80%), whereas the peripherally active cocaine methiodide and the 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake inhibitor fluoxetine did not substitute at all. Pentobarbital also failed to produce any cocaine-appropriate responding. Two selective norepinephrine uptake inhibitors were tested: tomoxetine fully substituted for the 3-mg/kg dose of cocaine and nisoxetine approached full substitution (79.7% cocaine responding). The direct-acting dopamine D-1 agonists SKF 38393 [(+-)-7-bromo-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-be nzazepin e HCl], SKF 77434 [(+-)-7,8-dihydroxy-3-allyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-benzazepine HCl] and SKF 75670 [3-methyl-7,8-dihydroxyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benza zep ine HBr] fully substituted for cocaine, whereas the peripherally active dopamine D-1 agonist fenoldopam did not. Of four dopamine D-2 agonists tested, only quinpirole fully substituted; the others (N-0434 [(+-)-2-(N-propyl-N-phenylethylamino)-5-hydroxytetralin], (-)-NPA [R(-)-propylnorapomorphine HCl] and SDZ 208-912 (N-[(8-)-2,6-dimethylergoline-8-yl]-2,2-dimethyl-propanamide)) produced very limited partial substitution (cocaine responding < 32%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Identification of inhibitor specificity determinants in a mammalian phosphodiesterase

Mammalian phosphodiesterase types 3 and 4 (PDE3 and PDE4) hydrolyze cAMP and are essential for the regulation of this intracellular second messenger in many cell types. Whereas these enzymes share structural and biochemical similarities, each can be distinguished by its sensitivity to isozyme-specific inhibitors. By using a series of chimeric enzymes, we have localized the region of PDE4 that confers sensitivity to selective inhibitors. This inhibitor specificity domain lies within a short sequence at the carboxyl terminus of the catalytic domain of the protein, consistent with the competitive nature of inhibition by these compounds. Surprisingly, the identified region also includes some of the most highly conserved residues among PDE isoforms. A yeast-based expression system was used for the isolation and characterization of mutations within this area that confer resistance to the PDE4-specific inhibitor rolipram. Analysis of these mutants indicated that both conserved and unique residues are required for isoform-specific inhibitor sensitivity. In some cases, combined point mutations contribute synergistically to the reduction of sensitivity (suppression of IC50). We also report that several mutations display differential sensitivity changes with respect to distinct structural classes of inhibitors.