[Some features of cyclic adenosine monophosphate metabolism in mouse liver and hepatoma 22]

The levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and two forms of cAMP phosphodiesterase with low (PDE1) and high (PDE2) affinity for the substrate were determined in homogenates from mouse liver and transplanted hepatoma 22. The level of cAMP in the tumour is 3 times lower than that in liver. By te kinetic parameters (Vmax, Km, pH optimum) adenylate cyclase from tumour does not show any significant differences as compared to the liver enzyme; the enzyme from hepatoma is, however, more sensitive to activation by F- ions. The activities of adenylate cyclase in liver and tumour cells are the same. Phosphodiesterases of cAMP from tumour and liver cells are similar in their Km values (3,3-10(-4) M for PDE1 and 2-10(-6) M for PDE2); however, the maximal and real rates of cAMP hydrolysis in hepatoma are much higher than in liver. The fact that both cAMP phosphodiesterase activities have similar dependence on Mg2+ and Ca2+ concentrations, suggests that PDE1 is a latent form of PDE2. In tumour cells the equilibrium between these two forms is probably shifted towards the enzyme with high affinity for the substrate. The results suggest that a decreased cAMP level in hepatoma cells (as compared to the liver) is due to the activation of PDE2.