title: Nitric oxide-mediated regulation of connexin43 expression and gap junctional intercellular communication in mesangial cells.
abstract: This study investigated a potential role of nitric oxide (NO) in the regulation of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). Incubation of mesangial cells (MC) with NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) enhanced both basal and 8-bromo-cAMP-stimulated GJIC as well as expression of gap junction protein connexin43 (Cx43). This potentiating action of SNAP on Cx43 expression was mimicked by two other NO donors and significantly blocked by soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3,-alpha]quinoxalin-1-1. Guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) analogue 8-bromo-cGMP exerted an effect similar to NO, whereas another cGMP analogue, 8-pCPT-cGMP, which selectively activates cGMP-dependent kinase without affecting cGMP-inhibited phosphodiesterase (PDE3), had no effect. Moreover, the synergistic action of NO on Cx43 expression was completely prevented by protein kinase A inhibitor H89 but not by cGMP-dependent kinase inhibitor Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMP. These results suggested a possible involvement of NO-cAMP interaction via cGMP-mediated inhibition of PDE3. Indeed, PDE3 inhibitor cilostamide caused potentiation of 8-bromo-cAMP-elicited elevations of Cx43 expression that is similar to the effect of SNAP, and an elevation of intracellular cAMP was detected in SNAP-treated cells. With the use of genetically engineered reporter MC that express secreted alkaline phosphatase under the control of the cAMP response element, significant potentiation of cAMP-elicited activation of cAMP response element by SNAP was found. This effect was abrogated in the presence of PDE3 inhibitor cilostamide. Taken together, the results suggest that NO is involved in the control of GJIC and Cx43 expression. This effect of NO is due to activation of protein kinase A via cGMP-dependent inhibition of PDE3 activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Signaling, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi, Tamaho, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan. yao@yamanashi.ac.jp
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Nobuhiko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hiramatsu
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Tetsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Morioka
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oite
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kitamura
mesh_terms: D015105:3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000378:metabolism; D017869:Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D054684:Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 3; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005920:Glomerular Mesangium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors / Q000494:pharmacology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D018031:Connexin 43; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; D017869:Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; D015105:3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases; D054684:Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 3; D006152:Cyclic GMP