Caged ATP potentiates guanylate cyclase activity stimulated by atrial natriuretic factor in rat lung membranes

ATP increases both basal and atrial natriuretic factor (ANF)-stimulated guanylate cyclase activities. The present studies were designed to compare the effect of adenosine-5'-triphosphate, P3-1-(2-nitrophenyl)-ethyl ester (caged ATP), a photolabile derivative of ATP, with ATP. Caged ATP increases both basal and ANF-stimulated enzyme activities in a concentration-dependent manner, but is more potent than ATP. The effect of caged ATP significantly decreases after it is photo-converted to ATP by UV irradiation. These observations suggest that the caged group introduces a hydrophobic interaction thereby facilitating guanylate cyclase activation.