Alteration of the functional activity of Gs protein in thyrotropin-desensitized pig thyroid cells

Changes in the sensitivity of adenylyl cyclase observed in pig thyroid cells cultured 2 days in the presence of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) or forskolin were assessed by examining the properties of Gs protein. Chronic treatment of thyroid cells with various concentrations of TSH (0.01-1 mU/ml) or forskolin (0.1-10 microM) increased the response of adenylyl cyclase to a further stimulation by forskolin or NaF + AlCl3 ([AlF4]-). In contrast, the enzyme activation promoted by guanosine 5'-(beta,gamma-imido) triphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) was markedly affected. There was a significant increase in adenylyl cyclase activation by Gpp(NH)p in membranes from cells treated with low concentrations of TSH (less than or equal to 0.1 mU/ml) or forskolin (less than or equal to 1 microM) but a significant decrease in membranes from cells cultured with a higher concentration of TSH (1 mU/ml) or forskolin (10 microM). This decrease in Gpp(NH)p-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity was mimicked by 8-bromo-cAMP but not by 1,9-dideoxyforskolin, a forskolin analogue which has lost its ability to activate adenylyl cyclase. There was a good correlation with the ability of Gs protein to be ADP-ribosylated by cholera toxin: labeling of Gs protein decreased following chronic treatment of thyroid cells with TSH (1 mU/ml) or forskolin (10 microM). In contrast, under the same experimental culture conditions a slight but significant increase in the quantity of Gs subunits was observed by immunoblotting analysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)