Cyclic AMP-mediated induction of the cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase of C-6 glioma cells

Abstract

Long-term regulation of the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase of the C-6 rat glioma cell line has been studied. Both the low K_m and high K_m activities can be induced by elevation of intracellular cyclic AMP levels following either dibutyryl cyclic AMP or norepinephrine treatment of the cells. The enzymes are maximally induced by 3-4 hr. The presence of either cycloheximide or actinomycin D prevents induction by either dibutyryl cyclic AMP or norepinephrine. Evidence is presented that the norepinephrine effect is mediated by the β-catecholamine receptor. The increased phosphodiesterase activity causes a partial refractoriness to a second challenge with norepinephrine, which can be overcome by blockade of the induction with cycloheximide. The results suggest that just as short-term regulation of cyclic AMP levels occurs via changes in the rates of synthesis or degradation, long-term alterations of the system may also involve either the adenylate cyclase or the phosphodiesterase.