Cyclase synthesis

Stimulation of glycogen breakdown involves consumption of molecules of ATP at three different steps in the hormone-sensitive adenylyl cyclase cascade (Figure 15.19). Note that the cascade mechanism is a means of chemical amplification, because the binding of just a few molecules of epinephrine or glucagon results in the synthesis of many molecules of cyclic / MP, which, through the action of c/ MP-dependent protein kinase, can activate many more molecules of phosphorylase kinase and even more molecules of phosphorylase. For example, an extracellular level of 10 to 10 M epinephrine prompts the for-... 

Adenylyl Cyclases. Figure 1 Synthesis, degradation, and actions of cAMP. 

Shoshani I, Boudou V, Pierra C et al (1999) Enzymatic synthesis of unlabeled and [(3-32P]-labeled p-L-2, 3 dideoxyadenosine-5 -triphosphate as a potent inhibitor of adenylyl cyclases and its use as reversible binding ligand. J Biol Chem 274 34735-34741... 

Taking ai-adrenoceptors as an example, several possible mechanisms have been suggested (see Starke 1987). The first rests on evidence that these autoreceptors are coupled to a Gi (like) protein so that binding of an a2-adrenoceptor agonist to the receptor inhibits the activity of adenylyl cyclase. This leads to a fall in the synthesis of the second messenger, cAMP, which is known to be a vital factor in many processes involved in exocytosis. In this way, activation of presynaptic a2-adrenoceptors could well affect processes ranging from the docking of vesicles at the active zone to the actual release process itself... 

The exact process(es) by which a2-adrenoceptors blunt release of transmitter from the terminals is still controversial but a reduction in the synthesis of the second messenger, cAMP, contributes to this process. a2-Adrenoceptors are negatively coupled to adenylyl cyclase, through a Pertussis toxin-sensitive Gi-like protein, and so their activation will reduce the cAMP production which is vital for several stages of the chemical cascade that culminates in vesicular exocytosis (see Chapter 4). The reduction in cAMP also indirectly reduces Ca + influx into the terminal and increases K+ conductance, thereby reducing neuronal excitability (reviewed by Starke 1987). Whichever of these releasecontrolling processes predominates is uncertain but it is likely that their relative importance depends on the type (or location) of the neuron. 

Tao, L. et al., A carotenoid synthesis gene cluster from Algoriphagus sp. KK10202C with a novel fusion-type lycopene beta-cyclase gene. Mol. Genet. Genomics 379, 101, 2006. 

Despite the broad medical potentials reported so far, the total synthesis of triterpene QMs is yet to be reported. On the contrary, the biosynthesis of triterpene QMs has recently been validated as from the oxidosqualene 88 (Scheme 8.16) in the plants including Maytenus aquifolium and Salacia campestris.10S With the assistance of HPLC analysis and isotopic labeling, it was found that triterpene QMs 90 were formed only in the root of these plants from friedelin 89 and similar cyclized intermediates, which were synthesized in the leaves from oxidosqualene by cyclase. 

Activation of adenylyl cyclase by an activated G-protein coupled receptor results in the synthesis of cAMP. The cAMP activates a downstream kinase, protein kinase A. Phosphodiesterase hydrolyzes and inactivates the cAMP. 

G-proteins are easy. The GTP-bound form can interact successively with several molecules of its target before the GTP is hydrolyzed and the G-protein is inactivated. The synthesis of cyclic nucleotide second messengers by the cyclase is also an obvious amplification step. 

H, receptors in brain slices can also stimulate glycogen metabolism [5] and can positively modulate receptor-linked stimulation of cAMP synthesis. The activation of brain cAMP synthesis by histamine is a well studied phenomenon that reveals a positive interaction between histamine receptors [35]. When studied in cell-free preparations, this response shows characteristics of H2, but not H receptors. When similar experiments are performed in brain slices, however, both receptors appear to participate in the response. Subsequent work showed that H receptors do not directly stimulate adenylyl cyclase but enhance the H2 stimulation, probably through the effects of calcium and PKC activation on sensitive adenylyl cyclase iso forms (see Ch. 21). 

Activation of brain H receptors also stimulates cGMP synthesis [19]. Outside the brain, histamine is known to relax vascular smooth muscle by activation of endothelial H receptors, thereby increasing endothelial Ca2+ concentrations and stimulating the synthesis and release of nitric oxide. The latter, a diffusible agent, then activates the smooth muscle guanylyl cyclase [30]. Although less is known about these mechanisms in the CNS, there is evidence that brain H receptor activation can produce effects that depend on guanylyl cyclase activity [19]. 

Multiple forms of heterotrimeric G proteins exist in the nervous system. Three types of heterotrimeric G protein were identified in early studies. G termed transducin, was identified as the G protein that couples rhodopsin to regulation of photoreceptor cell function (see Ch. 49), and Gs and G were identified as the G proteins that couple plasma membrane receptors to the stimulation and inhibition, respectively, of adenylyl cyclase, the enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of cAMP (see Ch. 21). 

FIGURE 21-2 Chemical pathways for the synthesis and degradation of cAMP. cAMP is synthesized from ATP by the enzyme adenylyl cyclase with the release of pyrophosphate, and is hydrolyzed into 5 -AMP by the enzyme phosphodiesterase. Both reactions require Mg2. Analogous reactions underlie the synthesis and degradation of cGMP (not shown). PP, inorganic pyrophosphate. 

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