Effects of adrenalectomy on activation of glycogen phosphorylase in rat myocardium

Adrenalectomy causes a depressed glycogenolytic response to catecholamines in myocardium. Total phosphorylase activity (a + b) is 20% lower in isolated, perfused hearts from adrenalectomized (ADX) rats compared with hearts from sham-operated (sham) rats even though the basal activity ratios (-AMP/+AMP) do not differ. In response to epinephrine (50 nM), the sham group has a higher activity ratio than the ADX group (0.23 vs. 0.16); the difference in specific activities of phosphorylase a in the two groups is even greater, 87 versus 49 U/mg protein. The glycogen content of the heart is 30% lower in the ADX group. Adrenalectomy does not alter the accumulation of cAMP and activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase caused by epinephrine. Although rat heart contains a heat-stable phosphatase inhibitor, the activity of this inhibitor, as judged by phosphorylase phosphatase activity, is not altered by epinephrine stimulation or by adrenalectomy. Epinephrine perfusion increases the activity ratios (pH 6.8:8.2) of phosphorylase kinase equally in sham and ADX hearts; however, the specific activities of phosphorylase kinase (basal and hormone-stimulated) at either pH are lower after adrenalectomy. The sensitivity of phosphorylase kinase activity to stimulation by calcium is the same in the sham and ADX groups. A radioimmunoassay for phosphorylase kinase detects 10% less of this enzyme in hearts from adrenalectomized animals. Specific activities at pH 6.8 and 8.2 based on the quantity of phosphorylase kinase detected by radioimmunoassay suggest a lower phosphorylation state in the ADX group. Decreases in quantities of phosphorylase and phosphorylase kinase and enzyme dissociation due to glycogen depletion could all contribute to a depressed glycogenolytic response in the ADX group.