Studies on the soluble phosphodiesterases of chicken gizzard smooth muscle

In this study we describe the identification of four soluble forms of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase from chicken gizzard smooth muscle. These isoenzymes were separated from one another by ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and by calmodulin-Sepharose affinity chromatography. Each form migrates as a single discrete band when it is electrophoresed on non-denaturing polyacrylamide gels and stained for phosphodiesterase activity. Each form is also eluted as a single peak on gel-permeation chromatography, giving apparent Mr values of 114 000, 116 000, 122 000 and 59 000. All four enzymes have apparent Km values in the 0-20 microM range, although their relative specificities for cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP differ. Two of the forms bind to calmodulin in a Ca2+-dependent manner; however, only one is activated by calmodulin. The interaction of the second calmodulin-binding form with calmodulin is disrupted by the papaverine derivative verapamil without significantly altering the hydrolytic activity of the enzyme.