PURPOSE. Na, K-ATPase activity in lens epithelium is subject to control by Src family tyrosine kinases (SFKs). Previously we showed hyposmotic solution causes an SFK-dependent increase in Na, K-ATPase activity in the epithelium. Here we explored the role of cAMP in the signaling mechanism responsible for the SFK and Na, K-ATPase response. METHODS. Intact porcine lenses were exposed to hyposmotic Krebs solution (200 mOsm) then the epithelium was assayed for cAMP, SFK phosphorylation (activation) or Na, K-ATPase activity. RESULTS. An increase of cAMP was observed in the epithelium of lenses exposed to hyposmotic solution. In lenses exposed to hyposmotic solution SFK phosphorylation in the epithelium approximately doubled as did Na, K-ATPase activity and both responses were prevented by H89, a protein kinase A inhibitor. The magnitude of the SFK response to hyposmotic solution was reduced by a TRPV4 antagonist HC067047 added to prevent TRPV4-mediated calcium entry, and by a cytoplasmic Ca2+ chelator BAPTA-AM. The Na, K-ATPase activity response in the epithelium of lenses exposed to hyposmotic solution was abolished by BAPTA-AM. As a direct test of cAMP-dependent SFK activation, intact lenses were exposed to 8-pCPT-cAMP, a cell-permeable cAMP analog. 8-pCPT-cAMP caused robust SFK activation. Using Western blot, two calcium-activated adenylyl cyclases, ADCY3 and ADCY8, were detected in lens epithelium. CONCLUSIONS. Calcium-activated adenylyl cyclases are expressed in the lens epithelium and SFK activation is linked to a rise of cAMP that occurs upon hyposmotic challenge. The findings point to cAMP as a link between TRPV4 channel-mediated calcium entry, SFK activation, and a subsequent increase of Na, K-ATPase activity.

Thesis advisor: Charles Hoffman / In both mammals and fission yeast, control of cAMP levels is maintained by adenylyl cyclases (ACs), which synthesize cyclic nucleotide, and by cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs), which are responsible for its degradation. AC activity is regulated by G proteins, which respond to signals from G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that detect extracellular signaling factors such as hormones. cAMP is a second messenger that has several effectors, with protein kinase A (PKA) being a primary target of activation that phosphorylates several downstream targets and results in modulation of pathways such as cell growth and gluconeogenesis. Aberrant cAMP regulation has been linked to several human disease states, such as McCune-Albright Syndrome, which is the result of elevated cAMP levels. Whereas the targeting of PDEs with drugs and selective inhibitors has been very successful, the AC-inhibiting compounds identified to date are unfavorable for clinical use. Inhibitors may not necessarily bind to and inhibit a given AC directly but instead act on a regulatory pathway such as calmodulin signaling. Theoretically, they also may bind to the G protein, interfere with the AC-G protein stimulatory complex, or regulate a factor of AC transcription. Since more than one AC species is expressed in many human cell types, it is difficult to selectively reduce cAMP levels. Therefore, for an AC inhibitor to be favored as a candidate for drug development, it is likely that the compound should directly bind to and inhibit the AC. This thesis describes my studies on a scaffold of 41 structurally related BCAC compounds, called the BCAC51 scaffold, that was identified in a high-throughput screen (HTS) with Schizosaccharomyces pombe strains transformed with GNAS and either mammalian AC4 or AC7. I carried out a series of experiments to examine whether the compounds bind to and inhibit mammalian ACs directly. The most active compounds were further characterized for potency and specificity against a panel of ACs. Several compounds significantly reduced cAMP production, but it could not be determined if the compounds directly or indirectly altered AC activity. I also cloned and constructed strains expressing the human wild-type AC5 gene and the AC5 R418W mutant, which has shown an increased sensitivity to GNAS. cAMP assays on these strains using various BCAC compounds showed that while most compounds had similar effects on both forms of AC5, BCAC62 was significantly more effective on the wild-type enzyme than on the mutant AC5, although the reason for this is unclear. To test whether the compounds could reduce AC activity in the absence of GNAS (basal activity), a flow cytometry study was carried out using a PKA-repressed GFP reporter. Results suggested that BCAC compounds do reduce basal-AC activity and therefore do not act by binding to and inhibiting GNAS, by interfering with the AC-GNAS stimulatory complex, nor by stimulating PDE. Finally, I developed a molecular genetic screen for mutant alleles of an AC gene that confer compound-resistance. One cycle of the screen is near completion, and the screen provides a foundation for future examination of compound-resistant AC candidates. The results presented in this thesis serve as a basis for further research into members of the BCAC51 compound series being putative direct inhibitors of mammalian ACs. / Thesis (BS) — Boston College, 2022. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Scholar of the College. / Discipline: Biology.

Morphine is an opioid agonist, which can exert cardioprotective effects under certain conditions. Lipid rafts are considered important platforms for membrane organization of signaling proteins and, therefore, these structures could play a role in the effects of morphine, which acts through the opioid receptors. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the distribution of the main components of the opioid receptor and Gi/o-mediated signaling pathway in lipid rafts isolated from rat myocardium, which was affected by various doses of morphine. Because we used different isolation techniques with different solubilization agents (Triton X-100, CHAPS, cholate and sodium carbonate) for preparation of lipid rafts, it was of interest to characterize more closely these preparations. Another aim of this study was to investigate how different methods of isolating these structures affect activity of the key target enzyme of the opioid signaling pathway, i.e. adenylyl cyclase. The presence of signaling molecules of the Gi/o/AC pathway of the opioid system in membrane rafts was confirmed and the distribution of selected proteins was dependent on the type of extractant. We also observed the effect of morphine on the localization of proteins in lipid rafts. Different extractants provided different degree of...

<p>The alpha-2 adrenergic receptor (α₂-AR) subfamily includes three different subtypes, α_2A-, α_2B- and α_2C-AR, all believed to exert their function through heterotrimeric G_i/o-proteins. The present study was undertaken in order to investigate subtype differences in terms of cellular response and to explore other potential signalling pathways of α₂-ARs.</p><p>Evidence is provided for a strong G_s-protein coupling capability of the α_2B-AR, leading to stimulation of adenylyl cyclase (AC). The difference between the α_2A- and α_2B-AR subtypes, in this respect, was shown to be due to differences in the second intracellular loops of the receptor proteins. Substitution of the second loop in α_2A-AR with the corresponding domain of α_2B-AR enrolled the chimeric α_2A/α_2B receptor with functional α_2B-AR properties. Dual G_i and G_s coupling can have different consequences for AC output. Using coexpression of receptors and G-proteins, it was shown that the ultimate cellular response of α_2B-AR activation is largely dependent on the ratio of G_i- to G_s-protein amounts in the cell. Also G_i- and G_o-proteins appear to have different regulatory influences on AC. Heterologous expression of AC2 together with G_i or G_o and the α_2A-AR resulted in receptor-mediated inhibition of protein kinase C-stimulated AC2 activity through G_o, whereas activation of G_i potentiated the activity. </p><p>α₂-ARs mobilize Ca²⁺ in response to agonists in some cell types. This response was shown to depend on tonic purinergic receptor activity in transfected CHO cells. Elimination of the tonic receptor activity almost completely inhibited the Ca²⁺ response of α₂-ARs.</p><p>In conclusion, α₂-ARs can couple to multiple G-proteins, including G_i, G_o and G_s. The cellular response to α₂-AR activation depends on which receptor subtype is expressed, which cellular signalling constituents are engaged (G-proteins and effectors), and the signalling status of the effectors (dormant or primed).</p>

The alpha-2 adrenergic receptor (α2-AR) subfamily includes three different subtypes, α2A-, α2B- and α2C-AR, all believed to exert their function through heterotrimeric Gi/o-proteins. The present study was undertaken in order to investigate subtype differences in terms of cellular response and to explore other potential signalling pathways of α2-ARs. Evidence is provided for a strong Gs-protein coupling capability of the α2B-AR, leading to stimulation of adenylyl cyclase (AC). The difference between the α2A- and α2B-AR subtypes, in this respect, was shown to be due to differences in the second intracellular loops of the receptor proteins. Substitution of the second loop in α2A-AR with the corresponding domain of α2B-AR enrolled the chimeric α2A/α2B receptor with functional α2B-AR properties. Dual Gi and Gs coupling can have different consequences for AC output. Using coexpression of receptors and G-proteins, it was shown that the ultimate cellular response of α2B-AR activation is largely dependent on the ratio of Gi- to Gs-protein amounts in the cell. Also Gi- and Go-proteins appear to have different regulatory influences on AC. Heterologous expression of AC2 together with Gi or Go and the α2A-AR resulted in receptor-mediated inhibition of protein kinase C-stimulated AC2 activity through Go, whereas activation of Gi potentiated the activity. α2-ARs mobilize Ca2+ in response to agonists in some cell types. This response was shown to depend on tonic purinergic receptor activity in transfected CHO cells. Elimination of the tonic receptor activity almost completely inhibited the Ca2+ response of α2-ARs. In conclusion, α2-ARs can couple to multiple G-proteins, including Gi, Go and Gs. The cellular response to α2-AR activation depends on which receptor subtype is expressed, which cellular signalling constituents are engaged (G-proteins and effectors), and the signalling status of the effectors (dormant or primed).

No description available.

L’AMPc est un messager important de la régulation neurohormonale du cœur. En activant ses effecteurs, l’AMPc régule de nombreuses fonctions cellulaires telles que l'expression de gènes, le couplage excitation-contraction et le métabolisme cellulaire. Chez les mammifères, l'AMPc est produit par une famille d’adénylate cyclases au sein de plusieurs compartiments subcellulaires solubles ou membranaires. L'existence et le rôle de la signalisation des nucléotides cycliques dans les mitochondries ont été postulés, mais n'ont pas encore été démontrés. De plus, son implication dans la régulation de la mort cellulaire est encore inconnue. Dans cette thèse, nous avons démontré l'expression locale de plusieurs acteurs de la signalisation de l'AMPc dans les mitochondries cardiaques, à savoir une forme tronquée soluble AC (sACt) et la protéine d'échange directement activées par AMPc 1 (Epac1). Nous avons montré un rôle protecteur pour sACt contre la mort cellulaire, l'apoptose, ainsi que la nécrose de cardiomyocytes primaires. Lors de la stimulation par du bicarbonate (HCO3-) et du Ca2+, la sACt produit de l’AMPc, qui à son tour stimule la consommation d'oxygène, une augmentation du potentiel mitochondrial de membrane (ΔΨm) et la production d'ATP. L’AMPc est limitant pour l’entrée matricielle de Ca2+ via l’uniport calcique mitochondrial (MCU) et, en conséquence, prévient la transition de perméabilité mitochondriale (MPT). En outre, dans les mitochondries isolées de cœurs de rats défaillants, la stimulation de la voie de l'AMPc par le HCO3- prévient la sensibilisation des mitochondries au Ca2+. Nous avons également constaté que les familles de phosphodiestérases (PDE), PDE2, 3 et 4, sont exprimées dans les mitochondries cardiaques régulant le taux d’AMPc. Ainsi, ces protéines forment une voie de signalisation locale dans la matrice régulant la fonction mitochondriale cardiaque. Finalement, notre étude a permis d’identifier un lien entre l'AMPc mitochondrial, le métabolisme, certaines PDEs et la mort cellulaire dans le cœur, qui est indépendant de la signalisation AMPc cytosolique. Ceci pourrait constituer un nouveau mécanisme cardioprotecteur via la préservation de la fonction mitochondriale dans un contexte physiopathologique. / CAMP is an important messenger in neurohormonal regulation of the heart. By activating its effectors, cAMP regulates many cellular functions such as gene expression, excitation-contraction coupling and cellular metabolism. In mammals, cAMP is produced by a family of adenylyl cyclase with various subcellular locations and membrane anchorage. The existence and role of cyclic nucleotide signaling in mitochondria has been postulated, but has not yet been demonstrated. Moreover, its implication in the regulation of cell death is still unknown. In this thesis, we demonstrated the local expression of several actors of cAMP signaling within cardiac mitochondria, namely a truncated form of soluble AC (sACt) and the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP 1 (Epac1) and showed a protective role for sACt against cell death, apoptosis as well as necrosis, in primary cardiomyocytes. Upon stimulation with bicarbonate (HCO3-) and Ca2+, sACt produces cAMP, which in turn stimulates oxygen consumption, increased the mitochondrial membrane potential (∆Ψm) and ATP production. cAMP is rate-limiting for matrix Ca2+ entry via the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) and, as a consequence, prevented mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT). In addition, in mitochondria isolated from failing rat hearts, stimulation of the mitochondrial cAMP pathway by HCO3- rescued the sensitization of mitochondria to Ca2+-induced MPT. We also found that PDE2, 3 and 4 families are located in cardiac mitochondria. They form a local signaling pathway with soluble AC in the matrix, which regulates cardiac mitochondrial functions. Thus, our study identifies a link between mitochondrial cAMP, mitochondrial metabolism, some PDEs and cell death in the heart, which is independent of cytosolic cAMP signaling. This might constitute a novel cardioprotective mechanism through mitochondrial function preservation in pathophysiological conditions.

The aim of this thesis was to study the changes that occur in cell line H9c2 after exposure to an oxygen level reduced to 2 % for 24 hours. We monitored changes in compartmentation of chosen members of β-adrenergic signaling system. We found an increase in expression of β1AR and β2AR. Only β2AR showed change in compartmentation after hypoxia, as they relocate from membrane rafts to non-rafts fractions of membrane. AC also showed an increase of expression and was located in membrane rafts. The next aim of this work was to monitore apoptotic markers to determine whether there are activated pro-apoptotic or anti-apoptotic signals under chosen conditions of hypoxia. There was an increase in expression of both pro-apoptotic protein Bax and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. We compare ratios of Bcl-2 to Bax and we found that there is a bigger increase in protein Bax expression. Another apoptotic marker, caspase 3, was tested and we also found that there was an increase in expression of caspase 3 in cells after hypoxia. Furthermore, we studied possible activation of kinase signaling pathways that may contribute to protective effects of hypoxia. Expression of Akt and ERK kinases was increased after hypoxia, but we did not confirm activation by phosphorylation of these kinases. Levels of phosphorylated Akt...

β-Adrenergic signalization plays an important role in heart, regulating cardiac frequency and contractility. It is also involved in development of hypertension and heart hypertrophy. Spontaneous hypertensive rat strain is a common model for human essential hypertension, although the origin of blood pressure abnormalities in SHR remains unknown. Dysfunction in the regulation of fatty acid translocase Cd36 was suggested as a link to development of hypertension in SHR. Transgenic strain SHR-Tg19 (also known as SHR-Cd36) was obtained, harboring a wild type of FAT/Cd36. This thesis aimed to investigate key elements of β-adrenergic signaling in the heart of SHR-Tg19 compared to their SHR controls. Expression and distribution of β1- and β2-ARs were measured using radioligand binding and Western blot analysis along with expression of selected G proteins and expression and activity of adenylyl cyclase. Our experiments showed that there were no significant changes in the Gsα and Giα subunits expressions, along with the amount of β1-AR in both left and right ventricles, according to the Western immunoblotting, but radioligand binding showed an increase in the quantity of β-ARs, particularly β2 subtype. Alongside, an increased expression of β2- ARs was observed in the right ventricle. Different...

La trans-différenciation des cellules musculaires lisses vasculaires (CMLV) vers un phénotype migratoire, prolifératif et sécrétoire joue un rôle clé dans la progression des lésions athéromateuses et l’hyperplasie intimale qui sous-tend la resténose post-angioplastie. Nos travaux suggèrent que la transition phénotypique des CMLV implique, chez le rat, la souris et l’Homme, l’expression de novo de l’Adénylyl Cyclase 8 (AC8), une enzyme catalysant la synthèse de l’AMP cyclique (AMPc) (Clément et al., 2006; Gueguen et al., 2010; Keuylian et al., 2012; résultats non publiés). Ce travail de thèse avait pour objectif d’appréhender le rôle de l’AC8 dans la trans-différenciation des CMLV en évaluant son impact sur la signalisation AMPc. L’étude des dynamiques de production du second messager avec le biosenseur T-Epac-VV montre que l’AC8 inhibe les hausses d’AMPc dans les CMLV trans-différenciées à l’Interleukine-1β. Cette fonction non canonique est assurée par de nouvelles isoformes d’AC8 que nous avons identifiées et clonées, les AC8E1 à 4, qui partagent une délétion des cinq premiers domaines transmembranaires. Des dosages de l’accumulation d’AMPc couplés à des expériences de co-immunoprécipitation et d’immunocytochimie révèlent que les AC8E exprimées de façon hétérologue dans des cellules HEK s’hétéro-dimérisent avec les AC en transit dans le réticulum, suppriment leur activité enzymatique et préviennent leur adressage à la membrane plasmique. L’induction des AC8E dans les CMLV trans-différenciées pourrait prévenir les effets vasculoprotecteurs de l’AMPc (Douglas et al., 2005; Katakami et al., 2010), favorisant ainsi l’acquisition et/ou le maintien du phénotype synthétique. / The phenotypic switch of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) towards a migratory, proliferative and secretory state plays a key role in atherosclerotic plaque expansion and intimal hyperplasia leading to post-angioplasty restenosis. Our previous results suggest that the trans-differentiation of rat, mouse and human VSMC involves the de novo expression of the Adenylyl Cyclase 8 (AC8), an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of cyclic AMP (cAMP) (Clement et al., 2006; Gueguen et al., 2010; Keuylian et al., 2012; unpublished results). The main goal of my PhD was to decipher the impact of AC8 expression on cAMP signaling in trans-differentiated VSMC. Using the FRET-based biosensor T-Epac-VV, we showed that the de novo expression of AC8 limits increases in cellular cAMP. This non-canonical function relies on a new family of AC8 isoforms that we have identified and cloned: the AC8E1 to 4. They share a common deletion of the first five transmembrane domains. The biochemical characterization of AC8E over-expressed in HEK cells allowed us to elucidate their functioning. cAMP accumulation assays, co-immunoprecipitation experiments and immunocytochemistry revealed that AC8E hetero-dimerize with functional AC during their maturation in the reticulum, suppress their enzymatic activity and prevent their traffic to the plasma membrane. Numerous studies have shown that increases in cAMP concentration within trans-differentiated VSMC antagonize pathological vascular remodeling (Douglas et al., 2005; Katakami et al., 2010). Thus, the induction of AC8E in trans-differentiated VSMC could prevent the vasculoprotective effects of cAMP and promote the acquisition of a synthetic phenotype.