title: Melanophore pigment dispersion responses to agonists show two patterns of sensitivity to inhibitors of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C.
abstract: Melanophore pigment dispersion is a sensitive bioassay for activation of the adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C second-messenger pathways. The necessity of protein kinase activation in causing pigment dispersion was confirmed for eight agonists of endogenous melanophore receptors and for two transfected receptors. All agonists and receptors previously shown to elevate intracellular cAMP in melanophores--melanocyte stimulating hormone, light, (-) norepinephrine, 5-hydroxytrptamine, and the beta2-adrenergic receptor--were able to stimulate pigment dispersion in the presence of Ro31-8220, a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C, but were blocked in the presence of H89, an inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The bombesin receptor, which elevates intracellular IP3 in melanophores, was unable to stimulate pigment dispersion in the presence of Ro31-8220 or H89. Agonists whose mechanism of activation of pigment dispersion are unknown were also tested. Endothelin 3 responses were blocked by both H89 and Ro31-8220, predicting coupling to phospholipase C. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, oxytocin, and calcitonin gene-related peptide beta responses were blocked only by H89, predicting coupling to adenylyl cyclase.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington 40536-0084, USA.
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: McClintock
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Rising
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Lerner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008547:Melanophores / Q000378:metabolism*; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D018004:Receptors, Bombesin / Q000378:metabolism; D015290:Second Messenger Systems; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013449:Sulfonamides; D014981:Xenopus
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007211:Indoles; D007546:Isoquinolines; D018004:Receptors, Bombesin; D013449:Sulfonamides; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; D011493:Protein Kinase C; C063509:N-(2-(4-bromocinnamylamino)ethyl)-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide; C064758:Ro 31-8220