Photoreceptor GTP binding protein mediates fluoride activation of phosphodiesterase

Abstract In this report, we show that fluoride activates dark-adapted rod outer segment phosphodiesterase, and that this activation is mediated, in analogy with adenylate cyclase, through a GTP binding protein. The GTP binding protein is released from dark-adapted rod outer segment membranes by exposure to fluoride and subsequent centrifugation. The 39-kilodalton subunit of the GTP binding protein, released from the membrane by this procedure, exhibits altered susceptibility to limited trypsin proteolysis, identical to that seen when hydrolysis-resistant GTP analogs are bound to that subunit. Repeated exposure of dark-adapted rod outer segment membranes to fluoride and subsequent centrifugation results in maximal activation of the membrane-bound phosphodiesterase. Thus, activation of phosphodiesterase by fluoride in the dark appears similar to fluoride activation of adenylate cyclase.