Distribution of cyclic-GMP-dependent protein kinase in various rat tissues and cell lines determined by a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay.

Cyclic-GMP-dependent protein kinase purified from bovine lung was radioiodinated by the Bolton-Hunter procedure yielding a specific radioactivity of 2200 Ci/mmol of enzyme, Using a specific precipitating rabbit antiserum to the cyclic-GMP-dependent protein kinase, a sensitive radioimmunoassay was developed which can detect 200 pg (1.33 fmol) of cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase. Immunoreactivity like that of cyclic-GMP-dependent protein kinase was detectable in extracts of all rat tissues tested, in extracts of cultured rat brain and heart cells, and in extracts of rat glioma (C6) and neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells. In extracts of several tissues and cell lines the presence of cyclic-GMP-dependent protein kinase was also demonstrated by a photoaffinity-labeling procedure using 8-azidoinosine 3',5'-[32P]monophosphate. The results suggest that cyclic-GMP-dependent protein kinase is ubiquitously distributed although its level varies significantly from tissue to tissue and cell type to type. The results also support the hypothesis that cyclic-GMP-dependent protein kinase is involved in mediating some of the intracellular effects of those hormones, neurotransmitters and drugs which regulate the intracellular level of cyclic GMP.