Activation of adenylate cyclase of rat brain by lipid peroxidation

The relationship between adenylate cyclase activity in the synaptic membrane fraction (M1) of rat brain and lipid peroxidation of these membranes was examined. In the presence of 5 mM dithiothreitol (DTT), 1 to 10 microM Fe/+ activated adenylate cyclase 2- to 4-fold. Of several metal ions, Fe2+ was the most effective. Other enzymes in M1, such as Mg2+-ATPase, (Na+-K+)-ATPase, 5'-nucleotidase, acetylcholinesterase, and phosphodiesterase, were not activated by Fe2+ plus DTT. Activation of adenylate cyclase by Fe2+ plus DTT was accompanied by production of malondialdehyde, a product of lipid peroxidation. Formation of malondialdehyde was completely parallel with enzyme activation. Ascorbic acid or a NADPH system also stimulated enzyme activity and caused lipid peroxidation. Activation of the enzyme and lipid peroxidation induced by Fe2+ plus DTT, ascorbic acid, or NADPH was completely prevented by simultaneous addition of N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine, an inhibitor of lipid peroxidation. This inhibitor also prevented the decrease in turbidity of the enzyme preparation induced by Fe2+ plus DTT. The stimulatory effects of NaF, guanylyl-5'-imidodiphosphate and calmodulin, respectively, and that of Fe2+ plus DTT on the enzyme activity were additive. Activation of adenylate cyclase by Fe2+ plus DTT was only observed in brain synaptic membranes, not in erythrocyte ghosts, liver plasma membranes, or cardiac sarcolemma. These results indicate that lipid peroxidation of synaptic membranes was accompanied by specific stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity.