Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026

Primary Culture of Rat Adrenocortical Cells and Assays of Steroidogenic Functions
Published on: March 12, 2019
ACTH, cyclic nucleotides, and brain protein phosphorylation in vitro
H Zwiers1, H D Veldhuis, P Schotman
1Division of Molecular Neurobiology Rudolf Magnus Institute for Pharmacology Laboratory of Physiological Chemistry, Medical Faculty Institute of Molecular Biology, State University of Utrecht, Padualaan 8, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Cyclic AMP (cAMP) enhances protein phosphorylation in rat brain synaptosomes. The peptide ACTH1-24 also affects protein phosphorylation, showing a biphasic effect at specific concentrations.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Synaptosomal plasma membranes are crucial for neuronal function.
- Protein phosphorylation plays a key role in signal transduction pathways.
- Cyclic AMP (cAMP) is a vital second messenger in cellular signaling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate endogenous protein phosphorylation in rat brain synaptosomes.
- To examine the effect of cyclic AMP (cAMP) on protein phosphorylation.
- To determine the influence of the peptide ACTH1-24 on synaptosomal protein phosphorylation.
Main Methods:
- In vitro study of endogenous protein phosphorylation.
- Utilized rat brain synaptosomal plasma membranes.
- Measured (32)P incorporation into proteins.
- Applied varying concentrations of ACTH1-24 (10(-10) to 10(-4) M).
Main Results:
- Cyclic AMP (cAMP) significantly stimulated (32)P incorporation in three protein bands (75,000, 57,000, and 54,000 Da).
- ACTH1-24 exhibited a biphasic effect on protein phosphorylation.
- Lower concentrations of ACTH1-24 (around 10(-8) M) significantly decreased phosphorylation, while higher concentrations (10(-4)-10(-5) M) also reduced it.
- ACTH1-24 affected phosphoprotein bands with lower molecular weights compared to cAMP.
Conclusions:
- Endogenous protein phosphorylation in rat brain synaptosomes is modulated by both cAMP and ACTH1-24.
- ACTH1-24 exerts a concentration-dependent, biphasic influence on protein phosphorylation.
- The distinct molecular weights of affected phosphoprotein bands suggest different signaling pathways are involved.
Related Concept Videos
cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase Pathways
Intracellular Signaling Cascades
GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity
Protein Kinases and Phosphatases
Protein kinases
Many proteins in the cell are regulated by phosphorylation, the addition of a phosphate group. A family of enzymes called kinases...
Amplifying Signals via Second Messengers
Secondary Messengers in Hormone Action
Many hormones bind to transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors that connect to regulatory G proteins. These G proteins can then activate enzymes such as adenylyl cyclase or phospholipase C. Adenylyl cyclase converts ATP to cAMP, activating...

