ACTIVATION OF ADENYLATE-CYCLASE BY ISLET AMYLOID POLYPEPTIDE WITH COOH-TERMINAL AMIDE VIA CALCITONIN GENE-RELATED PEPTIDE RECEPTORS ON RAT-LIVER PLASMA-MEMBRANES

Both human and rat islet amyloid polypeptide with COOH-terminal amide (IAPP-NH2) dose-dependently displaced the specific binding of 125I-labeled [Tyr0] rat α-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) to rat liver plasma membranes, whereas human IAPP (IAPP-COOH) had no effect. Conversely, human or rat IAPP-NH2 but not human IAPP-COOH evoked dose-dependent activation of adenylate cyclase in the membranes, and these effects were significantly inhibited by the CGRP-receptor antagonist human CGRP-I(8-37). Moreover, the dose of human or rat IAPP-NH2 necessary for producing half-maximal activation of adenylate cyclase was comparable with that for producing a half-maximal inhibition of the label binding. Thus, IAPP-NH2 but not IAPP-COOH appears to induce adenylate cyclase activation via CGRP receptors on rat liver plasma membranes.