Abstract
CYCLIC GMP has been implicated as an intracellular second messenger in a variety of systems. In particular, a number of hormones and neurotransmitters have been shown to raise cellular cyclic GMP levels in vitro1–9. In many of these systems, however, Ca2+ entry seems to be responsible both for the physiological effect of the hormone and for the hormone-stimulated increase in cyclic GMP (refs 4–9). We have investigated the relationship between calcium and cyclic GMP levels in muscles of the giant barnacle Balanus nubilus. This preparation has a number of advantages. Within fairly narrow limits intracellular free calcium levels in the resting muscle are known10. The depolarisation-induced increase in free calcium, and the resulting activation of contraction, have also been extensively documented10,11. In addition, the depolarisation-induced changes in intracellular free calcium can be easily manipulated because the extracellular fluid is the apparent source of the calcium which couples excitation to contraction12. We report here that either KC1 depolarisation or nerve stimulation increases the cyclic GMP content of barnacle muscle. This increase seems to be associated with Ca2+ entry rather than with a neurotransmitter–receptor interaction per se. This is the first report of an increase in cyclic GMP associated with contractile activity in cross-striated muscle.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
George, W. J., Polson, J. B., O'Toole, A. G. & Goldberg, N. D. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 66, 398–403 (1970).
Ferrendelli, J. A., Chang, M. M. & Kinscherf, D. A. J. Neurochem. 22, 535–540 (1974).
Lee, T.P., Kuo, J. F. & Greengard, P. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 69, 3287–3291 (1972).
Schultz, G., Hardman, J. G., Schultz, K., Baird, C. E. & Sutherland, E. W. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 70, 3889–3893 (1973).
Kebabian, J. W., Steiner, A. L. & Greengard, P. J. Pharmac. exp. Ther. 193, 474–488 (1975).
Clyman, R. I., Blacksin, A. S., Sandler, J. A., Manganiello, V. C. & Vaughan, M. J. biol. Chem. 250, 4718–4721 (1975).
Schultz, G. & Hardman, J. G. Adv. Cyclic Nucl. Res. 5, 339–351 (1975).
Smith, R. J. & Ignarro, L. J. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 72, 108–112 (1975).
Ferrendelli, J. A., Rubin, E. H. & Kinscherf, D. A. J. Neurochem. 26, 741–748 (1976).
Hagiwara, S. & Nakajima, S. J. gen. Physiol. 49, 807–818 (1966).
Ashley, C. C. & Ridgway, E. B. J. Physiol., Lond. 209, 105–130 (1970).
Atwater, I., Rojas, E. & Vergara, J. J. Physiol., Lond. 243, 523–551 (1974).
Hoyle, G. & Smyth, T., Jr Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 10, 291–314 (1963).
Gerschenfeld, H. M. Physiol. Rev. 53, 1–119 (1973).
Hoyle, G., McNeill, P. A. & Selverston, A. I. J. Cell Biol. 56, 74–91 (1973).
Nawrath, H. Nature 267, 72–74 (1977).
McAfee, D. A. & Greengard, P. Science 178, 310–312 (1972).
Rasmussen, H., Jensen, P., Lake, W., Friedmann, N. & Goodman, D.B.P. Adv. Cyclic Nucl. Res. 5, 375–394 (1975).
Berridge, M. J. Adv. Cyclic Nucl. Res. 6, 1–98 (1976).
Ong, S. H. & Steiner, A. L. Science 195, 183–185 (1977).
Lomo, T. & Rosenthal, J. J. Physiol., Lond. 221, 493–513 (1972).
Lowry, O. H., Rosebrough, N. J., Farr, A. L. & Randall, R. J. J. biol. Chem. 193, 265–275 (1951).
Steiner, A. L., Parker, C. W. & Kipnis, D. M. J. biol. Chem. 247, 1106–1113 (1972).
Brown, B. L., Albano, J. D. M., Ekins, R. P., Sgherzi, A. M. & Tampion, W. Biochem. J. 121, 561–562 (1971).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
BEAM, K., NESTLER, E. & GREENGARD, P. Increased cyclic GMP levels associated with contraction in muscle fibres of the giant barnacle. Nature 267, 534–536 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/267534a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/267534a0
This article is cited by
-
Activity-dependent regulation of gene expression in muscle and neuronal cells
Molecular Neurobiology (1989)
-
Glutamate regulates adenylate cyclase and guanylate cyclase activities in an isolated membrane preparation from insect muscle
Nature (1982)
-
Stimulation by high external potassium of the sodium efflux in barnacle muscle fibers
The Journal of Membrane Biology (1981)
-
Regulation of muscle acetylcoline receptor synthesis in vitro by cyclic nucleotide derivatives
Nature (1979)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.