Identification and quantitation of 2´,3´-cGMP in avian tissue

3',5'-cGMP is a known second messenger in eukaryotic cells that is synthesized by the particulate and soluble guanylyl cyclases. It is involved in various cardiovascular and neurological processes. Next to 3’,5’-cGMP the presence of 2',3'-cGMP in mammalian and bacterial systems has also been reported. However, little is known about the source and biological function of 2',3'-cGMP. A systematic investigation of the occurrence of 2',3'-GMP in living organisms can help to answer these questions.

For this reason, we have analyzed the tissue distribution of 2',3-cGMP in various chicken organs (heart, brain, kidney, liver, spleen, lung, glandular stomach, follicle of different developmental stages and various sections of the reproductive tract) using liquid chromatography-coupled mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This method allows the reliable identification and quantification of 2',3'-nucleoside monophosphates (2',3'-cNMPs) simultaneously with 3',5'-cNMPs (cAMP, cCMP, cGMP, cUMP).

Interestingly, we found highly variable 2',3'-cGMP concentrations in the analyzed organs, and even the ratio of 2',3'-GMP to 3',5'-cGMP was organ-specific, indicating specific functions of this metabolite.