Properties of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase in normal and goitrous rat thyroid gland

Most of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity in propylthiouracil-induced goiters and control rat thyroid glands was found in the soluble fraction. The activity in the particulate fractions was cyclic AMP-independent. Protein kinase activity was 2--3-fold higher in all the subcellular fractions of goitrous tissue than of control tissue. In the presence of Triton X-100, both groups showed a significant increase in kinase activity in all subcellular fractions, and the kinase activity in the particulate fractions could now be slightly stimulated by cyclic AMP. Again, enzyme activity in fractions from goiters was significantly higher than in control tissue. Two major peaks, Types I and II, of soluble cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity could be separated by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Chronic in vivo stimulation by TSH was associated with a selective increase in Type II isoenzyme activity. Elution and pH profiles, dissociation of subunits with 0.5 M NaCl, and activity ratios (-cyclic AMP/+cyclic AMP) for various substrates for Type II isoenzyme in goitrous and control tissue were similar. The elevated activity in goitrous tissue was manifested by an increase in V for histone, ATP, Mg2+ and cyclic AMP, with no change in the apparent Km.