Effects of altered gravity on adrenergic-mediated cAMP signalling in intact cells
Spaceflight-induced cardiac atrophy and rhythm disorders are linked to dysregulation of the adrenergic-cAMP-PKA pathway. Gravity-dependent alterations in adrenergic signaling, particularly cAMP dynamics, remain poorly understood. Using fluorescence biosensors, we studied intact cells under simulated microgravity and hypergravity. We observed shifts in the EC50 of cAMP production: leftward under hypergravity and rightward in microgravity, with faster cAMP accumulation kinetics in hypergravity. Cytoskeletal remodelling, hypothesized to be a determinant of such chances, was negligible, suggesting alternative mechanisms. These findings highlight significant gravity-induced offsets in the pharmacology of a prototypical GPCR, with implications not only for adrenergic signalling but also for other pathways of pharmacological interest, potentially informing countermeasures for astronaut health and pharmacology in altered gravity settings.