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The regulatory subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) are the major receptors of cAMP in most eukaryotic cells. As the cyclic nucleotide binding (CNB) domains release cAMP and bind to the catalytic subunit of PKA, they undergo a major conformational change. The change is mediated by the B/C helix in CNB-A, which extends into one long helix that now separates the two CNB domains and docks onto the surface of the catalytic subunit. We explore here the role of three key residues on the B/C helix that dock onto the catalytic subunit, Arg226, Leu233, and Met 234. By replacing each residue with Ala, we show that each contributes significantly to creating the R:C interface. By also deleting the second CNB domain (CNB-B), we show furthermore that CNB-B is a critical part of the cAMP-induced conformational switch that dislodges the B/C helix from the surface of the catalytic subunit. Without CNB-B the K(a) for activation by cAMP increases from 80 to 1000 nM. Replacing any of the key interface residues with Ala reduces the K(a) to 25-40 nM. Leu233 and M234 contribute to a hydrophobic latch that binds the B/C helix onto the large lobe of the C-subunit, while Arg226 is part of an electrostatic switch that couples the B/C helix to the phosphate binding cassette where the cAMP docks.

1. The action of the two diastereometric phosphorothioate derivatives of cAMP, Rp-cAMPs and Sp-cAMPs, was investigated on hyperpolarization-activated 'pacemaker' current (i(f)) recorded in inside-out macropatches from rabbit sino-atrial (SA) node myocytes. 2. When superfused on the intracellular side of f-channels at the concentration of 10 microM, both cAMP derivatives accelerated i(f) activation; their action was moderately less pronounced than that due to the same concentration of cAMP. 3. The measurement of the i(f) conductance-voltage relation by voltage ramp protocols indicated that both cAMP analogues shift the activation curve of i(f) to more positive voltages with no change in maximal (fully activated) conductance. 4. Dose-response relationships of the shift of the i(f) activation curve showed that both Rp-cAMPs and Sp-cAMPs act as agonists in the cAMP-dependent direct f-channel activation. Fitting data to the Hill equation resulted in maximal shifts of 9.6 and 9.5 mV, apparent dissociation constants of 0.82 and 5.4 microM, and Hill coefficients of 0.82 and 1.12 for Sp-cAMPs and Rp-cAMPs, respectively. 5. The activating action of Rp-cAMPs, a known antagonist of cAMP in the activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, confirms previously established evidence that f-channel activation does not involve phosphorylation. These results also suggest that the cAMP binding site of f-channels may be structurally similar to the cyclic nucleotide binding site of olfactory receptor channels.

Two isomers of adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate, which show agonist and antagonist activity with cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, were found to yield essentially identical positive-ion fast-atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectra, but S1 and S2 fragments of differing relative intensities in their collision-induced dissociations, studied using mass-analysed ion kinetic energy (CID/MIKE) spectra. Halogen-substituted cyclic nucleotides, used in differentiating between protein kinase cyclic nucleotide binding sites, produced FAB mass spectra and CID/MIKE spectra with fragmentations generally analogous to those of the parent cyclic nucleotides; the bromo-derivatives showed a greater propensity for dehalogenation than the chloro-derivatives. The adenosine triphosphate analogues, adenylyl-(β,γ-methylene)-diphosphate and adenylyl-imidodiphosphate, alternative substrates for adenylyl cyclase, showed similar fragmentations with the methylene and imido groups blocking cleavage between the β and γ phosphate groups. The fragmentations observed are discussed in the context of the use of these compounds in the assay of protein kinase and adenylyl cyclase activity by quantitative mass spectrometry.

— Radioactivity from [3H]-guanosine-3′,5′-monophosphate was shown to become stably linked to proteins in testis extracts during ultraviolet irradiation. Adenosine-3′,5′-monophosphate competitively inhibited incorporation into these proteins. Guanosine-3′,5′-monophosphate had a lower affinity for binding sites than did adenosine-3′,5′-monophosphate. Similar peptides were photo-labeled with [3H]-guanosine-3′,5′-monophosphate and [3H]-adenosine-3′,5′-monophosphate. Guanosine-3′,5′-monophosphate was more efficiently incorporated than was adenosine-3′,5′-monophosphate. Extracts from a number of tissues incorporated both cyclic nucleotides photochemically.