Adenosine receptors of human leukocytes--II. Characterization of an inhibitory P-site

We have investigated the effects of 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine (DDA), 9'-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine (ARA), and 9-beta-D-xylofuranosyladenine (XFA), which have been classified as P-site adenosine agonists, on the cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) metabolism of human lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). DDA (10(-5)-2 x 10(-4) M), ARA and XFA caused a dose-dependent decrease in cAMP content of human lymphocytes. In addition to decreasing lymphocyte cAMP levels, DDA, ARA, and XFA markedly inhibited the effects of many adenylate cyclase-stimulating agents including beta-adrenergic stimuli, prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), histamine, adenosine, forskolin and cholera toxin. Theophylline and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, which are known antagonists of adenosine A1/Ri and A2/Ra receptors, did not modify the inhibiting effects of DDA. Mn2+ (1 mM) increased the sensitivity to inhibition of adenylate cyclase agonists by DDA. We also search for the presence of adenosine P-sites in human PMNs. DDA caused a significant decrease of PMN cAMP levels only at the highest concentrations used (2 x 10(-4) M). In contrast, even low concentrations of DDA (10(-6)-10(-4) M) concentration-dependently blocked the stimulatory effect of PGE1 and forskolin on PMN cAMP accumulation. The results support the existence of a purine P-site that regulates cAMP metabolism of human lymphocytes and PMNs.