Circadian change of adenylate cyclase activity in rabbit ciliary processes.

Purpose. To characterize in vivo changes of adenylate cyclase activity in rabbit ciliary processes during the circadian cycle. Methods. After removal of vitreous, lens, retina and choroid from freshly enucleated rabbit eyes, the anterior segment and attached sclera was chilled in cold buffer containing the non-selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX). Then ciliary processes were excised and homogenized in ice cold trichloro-acetic acid (TCA) 2.5 min after IBMX treatment. Increased cyclic AMP in response to PDE inhibition was measured in ciliary processes at six times during the circadian cycle, after preganglionic section of the cervical sympathetic trunk (decentralization, DX), and after topical instillation of hydroxyamphetamine, timolol, brimonidine, rauwolscine or a soluble derivative of forskolin. Results. The increase of rabbit ciliary process cyclic AMP levels in response to PDE inhibition with IBMX was enhanced at night. Much of the enhanced nocturnal increas...