Control of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate level and protein phosphorylation by depolarizing agents in Coprinus...

The treatment of mycelial cells with membrane-active antibiotics, uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation and KCl leads to a transient increase in adenosine 3',-5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) levels in Coprinus macrorhizus. The maximal values and duration of increase in the cyclic AMP level depended on the kind and amount of these drugs. The treatment with these drugs simultaneously resulted in a rapid increase in the phosphorylation of three cellular proteins. The levels and time course of phosphorylation of these proteins were paralleled with the increase of cyclic AMP level in response to the drugs used. Thus, the treatment of these drugs causes the transient increase of cyclic AMP level and cyclic AMP stimulates the phosphorylation of particular proteins by activating protein kinases.