Activation of hepatic adenylate cyclase by guanyl nucleotides. Modeling of the transient kinetics suggests an "excited" state of GTPase is a control component of the system.

A three-state model developed originally from analysis of the steady state kinetics of hepatic adenylate cyclase has been extended to account for the transient kinetics of activation by guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p). In contrast to activation by Gpp(NH)p, activation of the enzyme by GTP proceeds not only without a lag phase but is of considerably lower magnitude. These differences between Gpp(NH)p and GTP can be explained by the hypothesis that GTP is hydrolyzed at the nucleotide regulatory site(s) associated with adenylate cyclase and that GTPase activity is revealed uniquely when the enzyme system is in its state of highest adenylate cyclase activity. With this hypothesis, the characteristics of activation by GTP could be simulated. The implications of this model are discussed with respect to the actions of hormones and cholera toxin on adenylate cyclase activity.