ONIOM investigation of nucleotide selectivity in phosphodiesterases 3 and 4

The cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are drug‐targeted enzymes that down regulate cyclic nucleotide concentrations in the cell by catalyzing the hydrolysis of the O3′‐phosphorous bond, yielding the noncyclic nucleotides. Selectivity for cAMP versus cGMP (cyclic 3′,5′‐adenosine/‐guanosine monophosphate) as the favored substrate is primarily attributed to the orientation of a conserved glutamine residue which binds to the adenine/guanine ring. We use ONIOM hybrid quantum methods to accurately describe substrate binding within the catalytic sites of the cAMP‐specific PDE4 and the cGMP‐inhibited, dual‐specific PDE3 in order to understand subtle aspects of substrate selectivity. We estimate PDE4's net preference for cAMP binding to be about 16 kcal/mol; the cause of cAMP's known preference resides both in its fixed glutamine orientation (Gln 369 in PDE4D) and in the differential free energy of solvation, which disfavors the binding of cGMP relative to cAMP by about 15 kcal/mol. Also, we discuss the contributing role played by Asn 321, held in place by a partner Asp 167, in the deselection of cGMP by PDE4. PDE3's conserved glutamine (Gln 988 in PDE3B) is free to take on either a cGMP‐favorable or cAMP‐favorable orientation. We find that enthalpies of binding favor cGMP for PDE3, but only by the same amount as free energies of solvation disfavor cGMP binding. Comparison of the PDE3‐cAMP and ‐cGMP complexes and energetics reveals cAMP to be more susceptible to the attack of the hydroxide nucleophile in PDE3. We identify a key threonine residue (Thr 952) as responsible for PDE3's kinetic relative disfavor of cGMP hydrolysis by causing Gln 988 to tilt out of cGMP's purine plane. Our results are consistent with the PDE3's kinetic specificity for cAMP hydrolysis and the known competitive inhibition of PDE3 by cGMP. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008     

Active site similarity between human and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Plasmodium falciparum</Emphasis> phosphodiesterases: considerations for antimalarial drug design

Abstract  

The similarity between Plasmodium falciparum phosphodiesterase enzymes (PfPDEs) and their human counterparts have been examined and human PDE9A was found to be a suitable template for the construction of homology models for each of the four PfPDE isoforms. In contrast, the architecture of the active sites of each model was most similar to human PDE1. Molecular docking was able to model cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) substrate binding in each case but a docking mode supporting cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) binding could not be found. Anticipating the potential of PfPDE inhibitors as anti-malarial drugs, a range of reported PDE inhibitors including zaprinast and sildenafil were docked into the model of PfPDEα. The results were consistent with their reported biological activities, and the potential of PDE1/9 inhibitor analogues was also supported by docking.     

咪唑并吡啶类化合物结构及PDE抑制活性的三维构效关系研究

对咪唑并吡啶类化合物作为环核苷酸磷酸二酯酶(PDE)的抑制剂的抑制活性进行了比较分子力场分析.结果表明,立体效应和静电作用场是描述对PDE抑制活性和进行结构性能关系研究的最重要的结构参数,提出了对该类化合物进行结构修饰的方法,并由新建立的三维定量构效关系模型对该类化合物的PDE抑制活性进行了预报.     

磷酸二酯酶2 (PDE2)结构及其选择性抑制剂的研究进展

磷酸二酯酶2 (PDE2)主要分布在大脑、心脏细胞中, 作为潜在的药物靶标, 通过水解细胞内第二信使cAMP和cGMP, 对维持cAMP和cGMP的水平起着重要的作用, 其选择性抑制剂有望在内皮渗透性和改善记忆力等方面发挥作用. 综述了PDE2的组织分布、生理功能、催化区域和调节区域晶体结构的特点以及选择性的抑制剂. 最后, 根据药物设计发展的趋势对未来PDE2抑制剂的设计进行了展望.     

Additional evidence for the cyclic GMP signaling pathway resulting in the photophobic behavior of Stentor coeruleus.

We report that exo- and endogenous guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) specifically influenced the photophobic response. In behavioral experiments the slowly hydrolyzable and membrane-permeable analogs of cGMP (8-bromo-cGMP [Br-cGMP] and N6,2'-o-dibutyryl-cGMP) dramatically prolonged the time for ciliary stop response and decreased the duration of ciliary reversal in a dose-dependent manner. When analogs of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) (8-bromo-cAMP or N6,2'-o-dibutyryl-cAMP) were used, no essential effects were detected on the kinetics of the photophobic response. Both nonspecific cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity inhibitors (3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine [IBMX] and 1,3-dimethylxanthine [theophylline]) and the highly specific cGMP-PDE activity inhibitor 1,4-dihydro-5-[2-propoxyphenyl]-7H-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine-7-one (zaprinast) mimicked the effects of cGMP analogs. Treatment of cells with an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase activity (6-anilino-5,8-quinolinedione [LY 83583]) exerted an effect opposite to that of cGMP analogs and PDE activity inhibitors. The positive physiological effect of LY 83583 was significantly diminished in ciliates that were treated simultaneously with Br-cGMP. In an assay of cell cyclic nucleotide content, the exposure of dark-adapted Stentor to light evoked a transient decrease in the basal level of intracellular cGMP. Alterations in internal cGMP levels were more distinct when the intensity of applied illumination was increased. In the presence of IBMX or theophylline the basal content of cGMP was markedly enhanced, and the photoinduced changes in cGMP level were less pronounced. In this paper the possible whole molecular mechanism by which the ciliary orientation in Stentor is controlled by light is presented.     

Photosensitive signal transduction induces membrane hyperpolarization in Paramecium bursaria

The protozoan ciliate Paramecium bursaria exhibits membrane hyperpolarization in response to photostimulation, accompanied with an increased swimming speed. The external addition of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors, either theophylline (1,3-dimethylxanthine) or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthin (IBMX), increased in both amplitudes of the membrane hyperpolarization and the increase in swimming speed. Moreover, the addition of membrane permeable cyclic nucleotide analogs, either 8-bromo-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (Br-cAMP) or 8-Br-guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (Br-cGMP), increased these amplitudes. On the other hand, the addition of l-cis-diltiazem, known to block the conductance of cyclic nucleotide-gated channels, partially decreased both amplitudes of the membrane hyperpolarization and the increase in swimming speed. An enzyme immunoassay of cellular cyclic nucleotide contents showed that photostimulation induced a rapid increase in adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), but little increase in guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP), raising the possibility that a rapid increase in cAMP mediates the light-induced hyperpolarization in P. bursaria.     

Divergent function in the crotonase superfamily: an anhydride intermediate in the reaction catalyzed by 3-hydroxyisobutyryl-CoA hydrolase

3-Hydroxyisobutyryl-CoA hydrolase (HICH), a member of the enoyl-CoA (crotonase) superfamily, catalyzes the hydrolysis of 3-hydroxyisobutyryl-CoA to 3-hydroxyisobutyrate. Like other members of the superfamily, the sequence of HICH contains conserved sequences for an oxyanion hole that stabilizes anionic intermediates. In contrast to most members of the superfamily, the reaction catalyzed by HICH does not proceed via formation of a thioester enolate anion; instead, evidence based on substrate deuterium isotope effects, the reactivity of substrate analogues that cannot form thioester enolate anions, single-turnover experiments in H218O, and the kinetic phenotypes of site-directed mutants provide evidence for a mechanism involving the formation of an anhydride intermediate involving Glu143 in the active site. In the reactions catalyzed by many members of the superfamily, homologues of Glu143 abstract the alpha proton of the thioester substrate to generate the thioester enolate anion intermediate. Presumably, one or more of the anionic tetrahedral intermediates on the HICH reaction coordinate are stabilized by the oxyanion hole. Thus, we conclude that the conserved oxyanion hole in this superfamily can be used to stabilize a variety of anionic intermediates.     

磷酸二酯酶4b抑制剂定量构效关系及分子对接研究

磷酸二酯酶 4( PDE4)是第二信使环磷酸腺苷( cAMP)选择性高亲和力的水解酶,影响气道平滑肌、炎性细胞和免疫细胞的功能,选择性 PDE4b 抑制剂作为抗炎药治疗哮喘和慢性阻塞性肺病( COPD) 因为不会引起恶心呕吐等副反应而受到极大的关注。本文使用比较分子场( CoMFA) 方法,对系列嘧啶二芳基取代的 PDE4b 抑制剂构建了合理的三维定量构效关系( 3D-QSAR) 模型,使用分子对接方法研究了抑制剂与酶的相互作用,发现该系列化合物的嘧啶环 2 位引入带有较大电负性基团取代的五元环状烃基可提升活性;嘧啶环 4 位、5 位两个碳原子上建议保留小体积取代基;嘧啶环 6 位引入带有氢键给体或氢键受体取代的芳烃基可增加化合物活性。本研究可为后续合理设计高效的 PDE4b 抑制剂提供理论指导。     

Toward the identification of the cardiac cGMP inhibited-phosphodiesterase catalytic site

Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) comprise a complex group of enzymes; five major PDE families or classes with distinctive properties have been identified. Among these a great deal of interest has recently been focused on the so called cGMP-inhibited low K_m cAMP phosphodiesterase (cGI PDE) or PDE III. A number of positive inotropic agents, including the well-known milrinone, display a specific inhibition of PDE III as primary mechanism of action. Recent studies have been carried out to develop a pharmacophore model of the PDE III active site. We therefore performed molecular modelling and 3D-SAR studies so as to better define structural requirements for potent and selective enzymatic inhibition. The DISCO (DIStance COmparison) strategy has been applied on a set of compounds taken from literature and a milrinone analogue previously synthesized by us, all of which are characterized by a marked inotropic effect but with varying degrees of enzyme selectivity. A common pharmacophoric model was derived, validated and considered as starting point to perform a 3D-SAR study using the GRID force field and PCA (Principal Component Analysis) with the aim of rationally designing more selective inhibitors. This paper presents the results of this theoretical approach.     

Promiscuity in alkaline phosphatase superfamily. Unraveling evolution through molecular simulations

We here present a theoretical study of the alkaline hydrolysis of a phosphodiester (methyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate or MpNPP) in the active site of Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase (AP), a monoesterase that also presents promiscuous activity as a diesterase. The analysis of our simulations, carried out by means of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) potentials, shows that the reaction takes place through a D(N)A(N) or dissociative mechanism, the same mechanism employed by AP in the hydrolysis of monoesters. The promiscuous activity observed in this superfamily can be then explained on the basis of a conserved reaction mechanism. According to our simulations the specialization in the hydrolysis of phosphomonoesters or phosphodiesters, developed in different members of the superfamily, is a consequence of the interactions established between the protein and the oxygen atoms of the phosphate group and, in particular, with the oxygen atom that bears the additional alkyl group when the substrate is a diester. A water molecule, belonging to the coordination shell of the Mg(2+) ion, and residue Lys328 seem to play decisive roles stabilizing a phosphomonoester substrate, but the latter contributes to increase the energy barrier for the hydrolysis of phosphodiesters. Then, mutations affecting the nature or positioning of Lys328 lead to an increased diesterase activity in AP. Finally, the capacity of this enzymatic family to catalyze the reaction of phosphoesters having different leaving groups, or substrate promiscuity, is explained by the ability of the enzyme to stabilize different charge distributions in the leaving group using different interactions involving either one of the zinc centers or residues placed on the outer side of the catalytic site.     

Water-assisted reaction mechanism of monozinc beta-lactamases

Hybrid Car-Parrinello QM/MM calculations are used to investigate the reaction mechanism of hydrolysis of a common beta-lactam substrate (cefotaxime) by the monozinc beta-lactamase from Bacillus cereus (BcII). The calculations suggest a fundamental role for an active site water in the catalytic mechanism. This water molecule binds the zinc ion in the first step of the reaction, expanding the zinc coordination number and providing a proton donor adequately oriented for the second step. The free energy barriers of the two reaction steps are similar and consistent with the available experimental data. The conserved hydrogen bond network in the active site, defined by Asp120, Cys221, and His263, not only contributes to orient the nucleophile (as already proposed), but it also guides the second catalytic water molecule to the zinc ion after the substrate is bound. The hydrolysis reaction in water has a relatively high free energy barrier, which is consistent with the stability of cefotaxime in water solution. The modeled Michaelis complexes for other substrates are also characterized by the presence of an ordered water molecule in the same position, suggesting that this mechanism might be general for the hydrolysis of different beta-lactam substrates.     

Computational modeling of the catalytic mechanism of human placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP)

Alkaline phosphatases (APs) catalyze the hydrolysis and transphosphorylation of phosphate monoesters. Quantum mechanical, molecular dynamics, and molecular docking techniques were applied to computationally model the catalytic mechanism of human placental AP (PLAP). Kinetic and thermodynamic evaluations were performed for each reaction step. The functional significances of the more important residues within the active site were analyzed. The role of the metal ion at the metal binding site M3 was also examined. The calculated activation and reaction energy and free energy values obtained suggested the nucleophilic attack of the Ser92 alkoxide on the phosphorus atom of the substrate would be the rate-limiting step of the catalytic hydrolysis of alkyl phosphate monoesters by PLAP. The reactivities of the wild-type M3-Mg enzyme and the M3-Zn protein were compared, and the main difference observed was a change in the coordination number of the M3 metal for the M3-Zn enzyme. This modification in the active site structure lowered the free energy profile for the second chemical step of the catalytic mechanism (hydrolysis of the covalent phosphoserine intermediate). Consequently, a greater stabilization of the phosphoseryl moiety resulted in a small increment in the activation free energy of the phosphoserine hydrolysis reaction. These computational results suggest that the activation of APs by magnesium at the M3 site is caused by the preference of Mg(2+) for octahedral coordination, which structurally stabilizes the active site into a catalytically most active conformation. The present theoretical results are in good agreement with previously reported experimental studies.     

Cyclic nucleotides and cell growth.

Growth induction in resting fibroblast cultures by serum or growth factors induces a fast, transient cGMP peak which may constitute the intracellular signal for growth. A similar cGMP peak occurs when 3T3 cells arrested at the restriction point or in G0 by starvation for certain amino acids are induced for growth by readdition of the lacking nutrients. Both 3T3 and SV3T3 cells which are arrested randomly all around the cell cycle do not exhibit major changes in cyclic nucleotides after growth induction. Determination of intracellular cAMP and cGMP levels in normal and transformed fibroblasts under different growth conditions shows that the transition between growing and resting state (G0 arrest) is accompanied and probably induced by characteristic changes in cAMP to cGMP ratios. cGMP is decreased 2-5-fold in resting as compared to growing cultures, and increased 10-20-fold in activated cultures 20 min after serum induction. No major cGMP change was observed in growing, confluent, or serum-activated cultures of transformed cells. Measurement of guanylcyclase under unphysiological conditions (2 mM Mn++) in crude and purified membranes from 3T3 and SV3T3 cultures did not show increased enzyme activity in the transformed cells. Significant differences may only show up when synchronized cells pass through the restriction point in G1 phase. As a hypothesis it is proposed that transformed cells have an activated guanylcyclase system or a relaxed cGMP-pleiotypic response mechanism at the restriction point of their cell cycle.     

Mass spectrometric identification of Rab23 phosphorylation as a response to challenge by cytidine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate in mouse brain

While the functions and mechanisms of action of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) are well established and are the basis of the action of a large number of successful pharmaceuticals, the role of a third naturally occurring cyclic nucleotide, cytidine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cCMP), remains to be elucidated. Immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) was used to selectively extract proteins phosphorylated in mouse brain in response to challenge by cAMP, cGMP and cCMP, followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToFMS) and liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) of tryptic digests to identify Rab23 as the first protein reported to be phosphorylated only in response to cCMP.     

Use of photoaffinity nucleotide analogs to determine the mechanism of ATP regulation of a membrane-bound, cAMP-activated protein kinase.

Using a radioactively tagged, photoaffinity analog of cAMP, 8-azidoadenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-N3 cAMP) and [gamma32P]ATP, the membrane-binding properties of both the regulatory and catalytic subunits of the cAMP-activated protein kinase of human erythrocyte membranes were investigated. [32P]8-N3 cAMP was used to locate and quantify regulatory subunits. Increased phosphorylation of specific membrane proteins by [gamma32P]ATP was used to determine the presence of the catalytic subunit. The data support a mechanism which operates through a tight membrane-bound regulatory subunit and a catalytic subunit that is released from the membrane when cAMP is present and the Mg.ATP concentration is below approximately 10 micrometer. The catalytic subunit is not required for the Mg.ATP inhibition of 8-N3 cAMP binding. Experiments with a photoaffinity analog of ATP, 8-azidoadenosine triphosphate (8-N3ATP), support the hypothesis that ATP hydrolysis and phosphorylation are not involved in the regulation. The data indicate that the regulatory subunit contains an ATP regulatory site which inhibits 8-N3 cAMP binding and the release of the catalytic subunit. These results indicate that the membrane-bound type I enzyme (type IM) differs significantly from the soluble (type IS) enzyme studied on other tissues. These enzymes are compartmentalized by being in different cellular locations and are regulated differently by Mg.ATP.     

Synthesis and Pharmacological Screening of Pyridopyrimidines as Effective Anti-Diarrheal Agents through the Suppression of Cyclic Nucleotide Accumulation

The increased levels of cyclic nucleotides (cGMP and cAMP) in enterocytes trigger intracellular mechanisms of ion and fluid secretion into the lumen, causing secretory diarrhea. Twelve novel pyridopyrimidines derived from 5-(3,5-bistrifluoromethylphenyl)-1,3-dimethyl-5,11-dihydro-1H-indeno[2,1 : 5,6]pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4,6-trione (FPIPP) were synthesized and evaluated on intracellular cyclic nucleotide accumulation. All compounds had no effect on either cyclic nucleotide basal levels or on pre-contracted aortic rings. The metabolic activity and viability in T84 cells, assessed by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) and the LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) assays, respectively, were not affected by incubation with the compounds (50 μM). Compound VI almost abolished cGMP accumulation (94 % inhibition) induced by STa toxin in T834 cells and significantly reduced (69 %) forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation in Jurkat cells. Compound VI was active in an in vivo model for diarrhea in rabbits. These results prompted us to perform a microscopic histopathological analysis of intestinal tissues, showing that only compound VI preserves the intestine without significant pathological changes and with a decreased inflammatory pattern in comparison to FPIPP. In vitro stability test revealed that compound VI is resistant to oxidation promoted by atmospheric oxygen.     

Cleavage of Nucleotides by Lanthanide Metal Complexes

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Adaptation of cAMP signaling system in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells following expression of a constitutively active stimulatory G protein alpha, Q227L Gsalpha

Heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (G protein) are known to participate in the transduction of signals from ligand activated receptors to effector molecules to elicit cellular responses. Sustained activation of cAMP-G protein signaling system by agonist results in desensitization of the pathway at receptor levels, however it is not clear whether such receptor responses induce other changes in post-receptor signaling path that are associated with maintenance of AMP levels, i.e. cAMP-forming adenylate cyclase (AC), cAMP-degrading cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). Experiments were performed to determine the expression of AC, PDE, and PKA isoforms in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, in which cAMP system was activated by expressing a constitutively activated mutant of stimulatory G protein (Q227L Gsalpha). Expression of ACI mRNA was increased, but levels of ACVIII and ACIX mRNA were decreased. All of the 4 expressed isoforms of PDE (PDE1C, PDE2, PDE 4A, and PDE4B) were increased in mRNA expression; the levels of PKA RIalpha, RIbeta, and RIIbeta were increased moderately, however, those of RIIalpha and Calpha were increased remarkably. The activities of AC, PDE and PKA were also increased in the SH-SY5Y cells expressing Q227L Gsalpha. The similar changes in expression and activity of AC, PDE and PKA were observed in the SH-SY5Y cells treated with dbcAMP for 6 days. Consequently, it is concluded that the cAMP system adapts at the post-receptor level to a sustained activation of the system by differential expression of the isoforms of AC, PDE, and PKA in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma. We also showed that an increase in cellular cAMP concentration might mediate the observed changes in the cAMP system.     

QM/MM analysis suggests that Alkaline Phosphatase (AP) and nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase slightly tighten the transition state for phosphate diester hydrolysis relative to solution: implication for catalytic promiscuity in the AP superfamily

Several members of the Alkaline Phosphatase (AP) superfamily exhibit a high level of catalytic proffciency and promiscuity in structurally similar active sites. A thorough characterization of the nature of transition state for different substrates in these enzymes is crucial for understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern those remarkable catalytic properties. In this work, we study the hydrolysis of a phosphate diester, MpNPP(-), in solution, two experimentally well-characterized variants of AP (R166S AP, R166S/E322Y AP) and wild type Nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase (NPP) by QM/MM calculations in which the QM method is an approximate density functional theory previously parametrized for phosphate hydrolysis (SCC-DFTBPR). The general agreements found between these calculations and available experimental data for both solution and enzymes support the use of SCC-DFTBPR/MM for a semiquantitative analysis of the catalytic mechanism and nature of transition state in AP and NPP. Although phosphate diesters are cognate substrates for NPP but promiscuous substrates for AP, the calculations suggest that their hydrolysis reactions catalyzed by AP and NPP feature similar synchronous transition states that are slightly tighter in nature compared to that in solution, due in part to the geometry of the bimetallic zinc motif. Therefore, this study provides the first direct computational support to the hypothesis that enzymes in the AP superfamily catalyze cognate and promiscuous substrates via similar transition states to those in solution. Our calculations do not support the finding of recent QM/MM studies by López-Canut and co-workers, who suggested that the same diester substrate goes through a much looser transition state in NPP/AP than in solution, a result likely biased by the large structural distortion of the bimetallic zinc site in their simulations. Finally, our calculations for different phosphate diester orientations and phosphorothioate diesters highlight that the interpretation of thio-substitution experiments is not always straightforward.     

Light Effects on Cyclic Nucleotide Levels and Phase Shifting of the Circadian Clock in Neurospora crassa

Abstract— Mycelia of Neurospora crassa (band [bd] mutant) were exposed to white light (blue light intensity 3.5 μ.mol s^?1 m^?2) of different durations during constant darkness. The concentrations of different second messenger molecules and the phase shifting of the circadian rhythm were determined during light exposures at circadian time (ct) 12 and thereafter. These light exposures elicited 8-12 ct units delay phase shifts but did not change the amount of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (InsP₃). In contrast, significant effects of light were observed on cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP) levels, which increased transiently about 30-90 s after the onset of light. The same kinetics was observed under continued exposure to light as well as after 10 s and 2 s of light followed by darkness. The relative amount of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) in the form of its catalytic sub-units was determined in isolated nuclei of the bd strain in relation to total nuclear proteins by means of western blot analysis, using a heterologous antibody. The nuclear PKA content changed parallel to the cAMP changes. The transient increase of cAMP did not occur in the “blind”white collar mutant (wc-2). Long-term kinetics of cAMP changes after different light pulses in bd showed the initial increase and a return to control levels about 10 min after the onset of the light pulse and a subsequent longer lasting decrease. Light-induced cAMP changes and light-induced phase shifts showed different duration dependencies, thus indicating that cAMP may not play a role in the signal transduction pathway to the clock. Light exposures, furthermore, led to a significant decrease of the cyclic guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cGMP) level. Long-term kinetics of the cGMP content again showed the immediate decrease after 2 min and a slow recovery to (or above) control values after several hours. Various calcium channel blockers (nickel, cobalt, nifedipine, dantrolene, lanthanum) and the calcium calmodulin inhibitor chlorpromazine did not affect the phase shifting by light nor did they significantly phase shift the circadian rhythm in the dark themselves (again determined at ct 12). The data showed that InsP₃ did not change after exposure to light, whereas cAMP increased and cGMP decreased. There was no evidence, however, that these changes play a role in light signal transmission to the clock.