Isoproterenol-induced amylase release in rabbit parotid acini: relation of protein phosphorylation, cyclic AMP and related kinase activity to changes in secretory rate.

Isoproterenol-induced amylase release from rabbit parotid acini was examined in relation to cyclic AMP (cAMP) concentrations, cAMP-dependent protein kinase (cAMP-PK) activity ratios and protein phosphorylation. Initial stimulation of amylase release by isoproterenol was preceded by increases in cAMP, cAMP-PK activity ratios and phosphorylation of a 34,000 MW (major) and a 30,000 MW (minor) protein in the microsomal fraction. When propranolol was added, decreases in cAMP concentrations and cAMP-PK activity ratios preceded the reduction in amylase release. Detailed analysis was performed on the 34,000 MW protein. The relation of dephosphorylation of protein 34 and reduction in amylase release was complex. Slight dephosphorylation occurred before or concurrently with the decrease in amylase release; however, maximal dephosphorylation was preceded by maximal inhibition of amylase release. When secretion of amylase was reinstituted by isoproterenol or forskolin, increases in cAMP and cAMP-PK activity ratios occurred before or in concert with amylase release but rephosphorylation of protein 34 occurred after the start of amylase release. Photoaffinity labeling studies using [32P]-8-azidoadenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate indicated that proteins 34 and 30 were not regulatory subunits of cAMP-PK or their breakdown products. Although these data are consistent with phosphorylation of proteins 34 or 30 being required for triggering initial secretion, maximum dephosphorylation was not essential for inhibition of secretion. Furthermore, initiation of amylase release by the gland after a short period of quiescence did not depend on prior phosphorylation of protein 34. These data may indicate the absence of a requirement of amylase release for phosphorylation of protein 34.