Discrimination of two functions of photoreceptor cGMP phosphodiesterase gamma subunit.

cGMP phosphodiesterase, a key enzyme in phototransduction, is composed of P alpha beta and two P gamma S. P gamma has two functions in P alpha beta regulation: (I) an inhibitor of cGMP hydrolysis and (II) a stimulator of cGMP binding to their noncatalytic sites. Here we show for the first time that these functions can be discriminated. P gamma release by GTP-bound transducing from P alpha beta was stimulated by NaCl in a concentration-dependent manner. However, phosphodiesterase activity in membranes washed with NaCl-free buffer already reached the maximum level. [3H]-cGMP binding of P alpha beta in membranes washed with NaCl required more P gamma than that in membranes washed without NaCl. Other salts had a similar effect. Identical P gamma was released under different [NaCl]. These results indicate that P gamma for the function (I) is released in low [salt], but P gamma for the function (II) is released in high [salt]. These P gamma functions may be expressed separately in phototransduction.