Distinct interactions of GTP, UTP, and CTP with G(s) proteins.

Abstract

Early studies showed that in addition to GTP, the pyrimidine nucleotides UTP and CTP support activation of the adenylyl cyclase (AC)-stimulating G(s) protein. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism by which UTP and CTP support G(s) activation. As models, we used S49 wild-type lymphoma cells, representing a physiologically relevant system in which the beta(2)-adrenoreceptor (beta(2)AR) couples to G(s), and Sf9 insect cell membranes expressing beta(2)AR-Galpha(s) fusion proteins. Fusion proteins provide a higher sensitivity for the analysis of beta(2)AR-G(s) coupling than native systems. Nucleoside 5'-triphosphates (NTPs) supported agonist-stimulated AC activity in the two systems and basal AC activity in membranes from cholera toxin-treated S49 cells in the order of efficacy GTP > or = UTP > CTP > ATP (ineffective). NTPs disrupted high affinity agonist binding in beta(2)AR-Galpha(s) in the order of efficacy GTP > UTP > CTP > ATP (ineffective). In contrast, the order of efficacy of NTPs as substrates for nucleoside diphosphokinase, catalyzing the formation of GTP from GDP and NTP was ATP > or = UTP > or = CTP > or = GTP. NTPs inhibited beta(2)AR-Galpha(s)-catalyzed [gamma-(32)P]GTP hydrolysis in the order of potency GTP > UTP > CTP. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that UTP is accommodated more easily within the binding pocket of Galpha(s) than CTP. Collectively, our data indicate that GTP, UTP, and CTP interact differentially with G(s) proteins and that transphosphorylation of GDP to GTP is not involved in this G protein activation. In certain cell systems, intracellular UTP and CTP concentrations reach approximately 10 nmol/mg of protein and are higher than intracellular GTP concentrations, indicating that G protein activation by UTP and CTP can occur physiologically. G protein activation by UTP and CTP could be of particular importance in pathological conditions such as cholera and Lesch-Nyhan syndrome.

• Authors: Andreas Gille, Hui-Yu Liu, Stephen R Sprang, Roland Seifert
• Journal: The Journal of biological chemistry (J Biol Chem) Vol. 277 Issue 37 Pg. 34434-42 (Sep 13 2002) ISSN: 0021-9258 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12080068 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2
• Cytidine Triphosphate
• Guanosine Triphosphate
• GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs
• Adenylyl Cyclases
• Uridine Triphosphate

Topics

• Adenylyl Cyclases (metabolism)
• Animals
• Cells, Cultured
• Cytidine Triphosphate (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Enzyme Activation
• GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs (chemistry, physiology)
• Guanosine Triphosphate (chemistry, metabolism, pharmacology)
• Models, Molecular
• Phosphorylation
• Protein Conformation
• Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 (physiology)
• Spodoptera
• Uridine Triphosphate (chemistry, pharmacology)