Abstract

Tissue levels of 3'-AMP were measured in several rat tissues and the sensitivities of the respective adenylyl cyclases were compared with respect to "P" site-mediated inhibition by 3'-AMP2'-deoxy-3'AMP (2'd3'-AMP), and 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine. IC50 values for these P site inhibitors of adenylyl cyclases varied widely among tissues, e.g., with skeletal muscle being least sensitive to 3'-AMP (IC50 greater than 170 microM) and brain being most sensitive (IC50 approximately 10 microM). These differences were noted when activation was with Mn2+ but diminished with Mn2+ plus forskolin and conceivably may reflect the distribution of different isozymes of adenylyl cyclase. 3'-AMP levels also varied significantly among rat tissues, with spleen having the highest levels (approximately 280 nmol/g), kidney, liver, heart, and brain having decreasing 3'-AMP content, and skeletal muscle levels being immeasureably low (less than 0.1 nmol/g). When rats were made diabetic with streptozotocin, the 3'-AMP content of livers increased from approximately 47 nmol/g in control animals to approximately 84 nmol/g, a change largely reversed by maintenance of diabetic animals with insulin. The data suggest that tissue 3'-AMP levels may be regulated and in certain tissues may be sufficient to inhibit adenylyl cyclase in vivo. Three potential sources of 3'-AMP and 2'd3'-AMP, the most potent naturally occurring P site inhibitors of adenylyl cyclase, were examined. No evidence was found for the formation of either nucleotide from the respective cyclic nucleotide by a unique cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase or from the respective nucleoside by a hypothetical adenosine 3'-kinase and ATP. Substantial 3'-AMP and 2'd3-AMP were formed by spleen and liver homogenates from the respective oligonucleotides (RNA, mRNA, and DNA) in a time- and protein-dependent manner. The data imply the existence of enzymes in these tissues to catalyze the formation of 3'-AMP and 2'd3'-AMP from nucleic acids and suggest that these activities may account for the formation of P site agonists under in vivo conditions. The data suggest that these P site inhibitors are a potential link between fluctuations in nucleic acid metabolism and altered sensitivity of membrane-bound adenylyl cyclase to stimulatory signals.