Stimulation of adenylate cyclase of ciliary processes in response to decreased inflow of aqueous humour.

Intravitreal injection of ouabain was used to induce unilateral hypotony and to study the relationship of adenylate cyclase (AC) and sodium-potassium activated adenosine triphosphatase (NaK-ATPase) both of which are involved in the production of aqueous humour. After preliminary experiments, days 3 and 5 were chosen as representative times when IOP was maximally reduced and stable following ouabain injection. NaK-ATPase and adenylate cyclase activities were measured biochemically in the same homogenates of isolated ciliary processes (CP). Biochemical measurements showed that 46% of NaK-ATPase activity was inhibited after 3 days, and about 78% of NaK-ATPase was inhibited 5 days after ouabain injection. At the beginning of NaK-ATPase inhibition there was a significant stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity of the CP. The highest activities were seen 2 and 3 days after ouabain injection. The suggestion is made that these 2 enzymes are interdependent.