Characterization of adenylate cyclase activity in bovine and human corneal epithelium

The properties of adenylate cyclase from bovine and human corneal epithelium were investigated. Adrenergic drugs were the most effective stimulatory agents tested in bovine tissue, causing greater activation than did fluoride. Isoproterenol was the most potent agonist, followed by epinephrine and norepinephrine. Phenylephrine and dopamine also stimulated adenylate cyclase through beta-adrenergic receptors at relatively high concentrations. Enzyme stimulation by all the adrenergic drugs tested was completely inhibited by 1 microM propranolol or 0.1 microM timolol. The GTP analogue, GppNp, produced considerable activation and caused an augmented response when combined with isoproterenol, but not with fluoride. Prostaglandins E1, E2, or F2 alpha produced a small but significant stimulation over control which was not sensitive to propranolol inhibition. Adenylate cyclase from human corneal epithelium exhibited qualitatively similar characteristics to those of the bovine enzyme. Fluoride was the most effective stimulatory agent, followed by isoproterenol, phenylephrine, and dopamine. Prostaglandins failed to stimulate adenylate cyclase activity in human corneal epithelial preparations.