Evidence for the role of cAMP-dependent protein kinase in the down-regulation of hypothalamic HD: reversal of cAMP-(ATP) induced inhibition of HD activity by the 'Walsh' inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and by cyclic GMP.

Under the total blockade of PDE1 and the presence of endogeneous ATP and MgCl2, the inhibitory effect of cAMP on HD activity could be demonstrated as low as 8.7 X 10(-8) M concentration in a 20,000 g supernatant of a sustained homogenate of rat hypothalamus. A total reverse of this action and also a partial release of the cAMP-induced inhibition of HD, occurred at higher concentrations of cAMP, and ATP could be achieved by an endogeneous inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase or by cyclic GMP. The reversal of cAMP action by PKI seems to serve a strong evidence for the role of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (EC 2.7.37: ATP-protein phosphotransferase) in this action and emphasized the involvement of a direct or an indirect phosphorylation in the regulation of HD activity. The stimulatory effect of cyclic GMP on cAMP-induced inhibition of HD or its 'direct' effect on histamine formation is asserted, probably through the activation of PDE, or through independent stimulatory machinery, coupled to the cyclic GMP system.