The effect of Ca++ on cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases of superior cervical ganglion.

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase was examined in canine and bovine superior cervical ganglia. Activity in crude supernatant fractions was only slightly stimulated by Ca++ despite the presence of protein activating factor. Three forms of phosphodiesterase were resolved from bovine ganglia supernatant extracts by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. The first enzyme eluted, (DI), was almost completely specific for cyclic GMP, while the other two (DII and DIII), hydrolyzed both cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP; all were free of heat-stable protein activator. Each enzyme was inhibited by low concentrations of Ca++ in the assay medium. Inhibition by Ca++ was reversed by addition of protein activator, but activity did not increase above the control level. Cyclic AMP hydrolysis by enzyme DII was stimulated by micromolar concentrations of cyclic GMP. This stimulation was reduced by Ca++ unless protein activator was present.