5-Hydroxytryptamine receptors with a 5-HT6 receptor-like profile stimulating adenylyl cyclase activity in pig caudate membranes

This study deals with the characterization of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) receptors positively linked to adenylyl cyclase in membranes from pig brain caudate. 5-HT and related agonists induced a concentration-dependent stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity in pig caudate membranes, with the following rank order of potency (mean pEC₅₀ values): 5-HT (7.1) 5-methoxytryptamine (6.9) > 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5.6) > sumatriptan (<5). Maximal stimulation by 5-HT averaged 35 pmol cyclic AMP/min/mg protein over a basal activity of 159 pmol cyclic AMP/min/mg protein. 5-Methoxytryptamine and 5-carboxamidotryptamine had similar efficacies to that of 5-HT, whereas sumatriptan was about half efficacious. Other compounds known as agonists at some 5-HT receptors were weakly potent (mean pEC₅₀ values <5). They include the 5-HT_1A receptor agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin hydrobromide (8-OH-DPAT), the 5-HT₄ receptor agonist, renzapride and the 5-HT₂ receptor agonist, (1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2 aminopropane) (DOI). In antagonist studies, methiothepin (0.1 and 1 mol/l) shifted the 5-HT curve to the right with no depression of the E_max, yielding pK_B values of 7.4–8.0. Clozapine (1 mol/l) also produced surmountable antagonism of 5-HT-induced effects (pK_B 6.9). Ketanserin (10 mol/l) weakly antagonized 5-HT (pK_B 5.0). The 5-HT₄ receptor antagonists, tropisetron (ICS 205–930) and SDZ 205–557 (2-methoxy-4-amino-5-chloro-benzoic acid 2-(diethylamino) ethyl ester), each at 1 mol/l, did not significantly alter the concentration-response curve of 5-HT. The present receptor shares some characteristics of the recently cloned 5-HT₆ receptor (Monsma et al. (1993) Mol Pharmacol 43:320–327): similar pharmacological profile, location (striatum) and ability to stimulate adenylyl cyclase. It may thus represent the functional 5-HT₆ receptor in its natural environment. Correspondence to: P. Schoeffter at the above address     

5-CT stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity in guinea-pig hippocampus: evidence for involvement of 5-HT7 and 5-HT1A receptors.

1. A number of compounds, including the selective 5-HT7 receptor antagonist SB-258719, were investigated for their effect on [3H]-5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT) radioligand binding and 5-CT-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in guinea-pig hippocampal membranes, in order to confirm the presence of functionally coupled 5-HT7 receptors in this tissue. 2. The [3H]-5-CT radioligand binding profile was consistent with binding predominantly to 5-HT7 receptors. The affinity of SB-258719 (pKi 7.2+/-0.1) was similar to its reported human 5-HT7 receptor affinity. 3. In the adenylyl cyclase functional assay, 5-CT was a potent and full agonist compared to 5-HT, whereas 8-hydroxy-dipropylaminotetralin (8-OH-DPAT) was a partial agonist (intrinsic activity 0.4+/-0.1). The rank order of potency for agonists (5-CT>5-HT approximately 8-OH-DPAT) was consistent with activation of 5-HT7 receptors. SB-258719 (5 microM) and methiothepin (1 microM) surmountably antagonized the response to 5-CT, consistent with competitive antagonism. The pKB for SB-258719 (7.2+/-0.1) was in good agreement with its reported antagonist potency at the human cloned 5-HT7 receptor. 4. In the functional assay, WAY-100635 (100 nM) and cyanopindolol (1 microM) induced a biphasic 5-CT response curve, consistent with selective antagonism of a component of the response to 5-CT. The estimated pKB values for WAY-100635 and cyanopindolol (9.6 and 8.4 respectively) were in good agreement with their reported 5-HT1A receptor affinities. 5. The data are consistent with the presence of 5-HT7 receptors in guinea-pig hippocampus which are positively coupled to adenylyl cyclase. In addition, 5-HT7 receptor-mediated stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity in this tissue appears to be augmented by a mechanism involving 5-HT1A receptor activation.     

Functional characterisation of the human cloned 5-HT7 receptor (long form); antagonist profile of SB-258719

1. The functional profile of the long form of the human cloned 5-HT₇ receptor (designated h5-HT_7(a)) was investigated using a number of 5-HT receptor agonists and antagonists and compared with its binding profile. Receptor function was measured using adenylyl cyclase activity in washed membranes from HEK293 cells stably expressing the recombinant h5-HT_7(a) receptor.
2. The receptor binding profile, determined by competition with [³H]-5-CT, was consistent with that previously reported for the h5-HT_7(a) receptor. The selective 5-HT₇ receptor antagonist SB-258719 ((R)-3,N-Dimethyl-N-[1-methyl-3-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)propyl]benzene sulfonamide) displayed high affinity (pK_i 7.5) for the receptor.
3. In the adenylyl cyclase functional assay, 5-CT and 8-OH-DPAT were both full agonists compared to 5-HT and the rank order of potency for agonists (5-CT>5-HT>8-OH-DPAT) was the same in functional and binding studies.
4. Risperidone, methiothepin, mesulergine, clozapine, olanzapine, ketanserin and SB-258719 antagonised surmountably 5-CT-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity. Schild analysis of the antagonism by SB-258719 gave a pA₂ of 7.2±0.2 and slope not significantly different from 1, consistent with competitive antagonism.
5. The same antagonists also inhibited basal adenylyl cyclase activity with a rank order of potency in agreement with those for antagonist potency and binding affinity. Both SB-258719 and mesulergine displayed apparent partial inverse agonist profiles compared to the other antagonists tested. These inhibitory effects of antagonists appear to be 5-HT₇ receptor-mediated and to reflect inverse agonism.
6. It is concluded that in this expression system, the h5-HT_7(a) receptor shows the expected binding and functional profile and displays constitutive activity, revealing inverse agonist activity for a range of antagonists.

     

Species differences in presynaptic serotonin autoreceptors: mainly 5-HT1B but possibly in addition 5-HT1D in the rat, 5-HT1D in the rabbit and guinea-pig brain cortex

Summary The pharmacological properties of presynaptic serotonin autoreceptors were compared in slices of rat, rabbit, and guinea-pig brain cortex. The slices were preincubated with ³H-serotonin and then superfused with medium containing fluvoxamine 3 mol/l and stimulated four times by trains of four pulses delivered at 100 Hz. Cumulative concentration-response curves were determined and used for the calculation of agonist EC₅₀ values and maximal effects and antagonist K _B values.Unlabelled serotonin itself and the serotonin receptor agonists 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT), 5-methoxy-3-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-4-pyridinyl)-1H-indole (RU 24969) and (±)-8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) reduced the stimulation-evoked overflow of tritium with a rank order of potency 5-CT = RU 24969 > serotonin > 8-OH-DPAT in the rat and 5-CT > serotonin > RU 24969 > 8-OH-DPAT in the rabbit and guinea-pig. Ipsapirone caused no change. Metitepine and metergoline antagonized the effect of 5-CT; the K _B values were lower in the rabbit and guinea-pig than in the rat. Yohimbine at up to 1 mol/1 did not reduce the evoked overflow of tritium and did not antagonize the inhibitory effect of 5-CT in the rat but reduced the evoked overflow in the rabbit and counteracted the effect of 5-CT in the guinea-pig. (–)-Propranolol, conversely, reduced the evoked overflow of tritium in the rat but neither reduced the evoked overflow nor antagonized the effect of 5-CT in the rabbit and guinea-pig. Isamoltane did not significantly change the effect of 5-CT in any species. In the rat, it also failed to antagonize the inhibitory effect of 8-OH-DPAT but did antagonize the effect of RU 24969. The inhibition caused by 8-OH-DPAT persisted in the presence of idazoxan but was attenuated by metitepine in all species.The experimental conditions used permit the determination of the constants of agonist and antagonist action undistorted by autoinhibition. The results confirm the view that the serotonin axons of rat brain possess 5-HT_1B autoreceptors. They show by direct comparison under identical conditions that the autoreceptors in rabbit and guinea-pig are very similar to each other but differ markedly from those in the rat. The results give additional credence to previous suggestions that, in the rabbit and guinea-pig, the autoreceptors are 5-HT_1D. The serotonin axons of rat brain cortex may possess 5-_1D in addition to 5-HT_1B autoreceptors. In many previous studies agonist potencies at, and antagonist affinities for, presynaptic serotonin autoreceptors have been underestimated due to the use of too intense stimuli to elicit serotonin release. Send offprint requests to N. Limberger at the above address     

Release of endogenous aspartate from rat cerebellum slices and synaptosomes: inhibition mediated by a 5-HT2 receptor and by a 5-HT1 receptor of a possibly novel subtype

Summary The effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and of a number of 5-HT receptor agonists and antagonists on the release of endogenous aspartate were investigated in rat cerebellum slices and synaptosomes depolarized with high K⁺. The release of endogenous aspartate evoked from slices by 35 mmol/l KCl and from synaptosomes by 15 mmol/1 KCl was strongly (about 90%) calcium-dependent. In slices the release of aspartate was inhibited by exogenous 5-HT (0.1–100 nmol/1) in a concentration-dependent manner. The indoleamine was very potent, producing 30% inhibition at 0.1 nmol/l. The effect of 10 nmol/1 5-HT was partly but maximally counteracted by ketanserin (300–1000 nmol/1), a 5-HT² receptor antagonist, but fully blocked by 300 nmol/1 of the mixed 5-HT¹/5-HT² receptor antagonist methiothepin. The 5-HT^1A receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)-tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) and the 5-HT² receptor agonist 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI) inhibited the K⁺-evoked release of endogenous aspartate in a concentration-dependent manner. The effect of 8-OH-DPAT was antagonized by methiothepin, but not by ketanserin which fully antagonized the inhibition produced by DOI. In cerebellar synaptosomes the release of endogenous aspartate evoked by 15 mmol/l K⁺ was inhibited by exogenous 5-HT and by 8-OH-DPAT, but not by DOI. Methiothepin (100–300 nmol/1) antagonized the inhibitory effects of 100 nmol/l 5-HT or 8-OH-DPAT. However, 1000 nmol/l of various 5-HT receptor antagonists [ketanserin, methysergide, (–)-propranolol, spiperone or ICS 205–930] did not counteract the effect of 100 nmol/15-HT.It is concluded that: (1) 5-HT projections to the rat cerebellum may exert a potent inhibitory action on the depolarization-evoked release of aspartate; (2) this inhi bition is mediated through receptors of both the 5-HT₁ and the 5-HT² type; (3) the 5-HT² receptors appear to be sited on structures which do not survive the standard preparation of synaptosomes, while the 5-HT₁ receptors are likely to be localized on Apartate-releasing nerve terminals; and (4) the 5-HT₁ receptors do not conform to the pharmacological criteria defining the known subtypes of the 5-HT₁-binding sites.     

5-HT1D receptors in guinea-pig and pigeon brain

Summary The characteristics of high affinity [³H]5-HT (5-hydroxytryptamine) binding to non 5-HTIA non 5-HT_1A sites were examined in crude membranes prepared from different regions of guinea-pig and pigeon brains. The coupling of these sites to adenylate cyclase was examined, and its pharmacological profile investigated. In the presence of 100 nmol/1 8-OH-DPAT (8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin) and 100 nmol/l mesulergine, [³H]5-HT labelled with nanomolar affinity an apparently homogeneous population of recognition sites in guinea-pig and pigeon brain membranes. The rank order of affinities of agonists and antagonists (5-CT (5-carboxamidotryptamine) > 5-HT > RU 24969 pyridinyl)-1H indole succinate) > yohimbine rauwolscine > DP-5-CT (N,N dipropyl-5-carboxamidotryptamine) mianserin > 8-OH-DPAT > mesulergine > SDZ 21-009 ((±)-4(3-tert-butyl-amino-2-hydroxypropoxy)-in-dol-2 carbonic acid isopropyl ester) > (-)propranolol), as well as their individual pKD values, were very similar to those at porcine caudate 5-HT_1D sites and clearly different from those at rat cortex 5-HT_1B sites. In the substantia nigra of the guinea-pig the 5-HT receptor-mediated inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase had a pharmacological profile fully comparable to that of 5-HT_1D binding sites (5-CT > 5-HT > yohimbine > RU 24969 > 8-OH-DPAT > SDZ 21-009 = isamoltane > (–)pindolol > (–)propranolol). The rank order of potency of agonists and antagonists in this system closely paralleled their corresponding rank order of potency in the calf substantia nigra (5-HT_1D), but was clearly different from that in rat substantia nigra (5-HT_1B) These results demonstrate the existence of 5-HT_1D recognition sites in the guinea-pig and pigeon brain and their similarity to 5-HT_1D sites of higher mammals, in terms of both drug affinity profile and second messenger coupling. No evidence of the presence of 5-HTIB sites was obtained. The present findings also suggest that 5-HT_1D sites may be present in the brain of the majority of vertebrate species located higher than the sauropside-mammalian divergence in the phylogenic tree, whereas 5-HT_1B sites are only found in some (e.g., mouse, rat, hamster) but not in other rodents (e.g. guinea-pig).     

Alterations of In-vitro 5-HT Receptor Pharmacology as a Function of Multiple Treatment with 5-Hydroxytryptamine or 8-Hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino) Tetralin in Rat Isolated Aorta,Uterus and Fundus,and Guinea-pig Isolated Trachea

Abstract— The effects of single and multiple (5, 10, or 15 days) administration of the 5-HT_1A agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) (3 mg kg^?1, i.p.) or 5-HT (3 mg kg^?1, i.p.) in-vivo on the response of selected isolated smooth muscles to 5-HT in-vitro were investigated. Single dosing with 8-OH-DPAT did not alter the responses of the isolated tissues (rat aorta, uterus or fundus, or guinea-pig trachea) to 5-HT, while multiple dosing with 8-OH-DPAT produced rightward shifts and a suppression of the maximum response of all these tissues to 5-HT, with the exception of the rat stomach fundus. Multiple administration of 5-HT had no effect on the in-vitro response of the tissues to 5-HT. These data indicate that multiple administration of 8-OH-DPAT desensitizes or down-regulates the peripheral 5-HT₂ receptors found on the rat aorta and uterus, and guinea-pig trachea.     

Cis-(+)-8-OH-1-CH3-DPAT, (+)ALK-3, a novel stereoselective pharmacological probe for characterizing 5-HT release-controlling 5-HT1A autoreceptors

Summary The somatodendritic 5-HT_1A autoreceptor regulating 5-HT neuronal activity is currently poorly defined pharmacologically because there are no specific antagonists, but also because potent and stereoselective agonists are scarce. Moreover, there have been few, if any, attempts to specifically investigate structure-activity relationships for agonists acting at this site. Employing brain microdialysis techniques, we have examined the effects of the enantiomers of cis-8-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (ALK-3; 0.01-0.3 mg/kg s.c.), its trans-1-methyl analogue (ALK-4; 0.3 mg/kg s.c.) and the pure enantiomers of the parent compound - 8-OH-DPAT (0.3 mg/kg s.c.) — in an attempt to address stereochemical agonist structure-activity requirements of 5-HT release-controlling 5-HT_1A autoreceptors in brain. The cis-1-methylated 8-OH-DPAT analogue (+)ALK-3 was comparable to the parent compound in reducing the 5-HT output from rat ventral hippocampus. In comparison, both (–)ALK-3 and the racemic rans-diastereomer to ALK-3, ALK-4, were inactive, while the two stereoisomers of 8-OH-DPAT strongly reduced 5-HT release. Pretreatment with (–)pindolol (8 mg/kg s.c.), which has high affinity for 5-HT_1A radioligand binding sites, blocked the reduction of hippocampal 5-HT release induced by a submaximally effective dose of (+)ALK-3. The direct intrahippocampal administration of (+)ALK3 (10 M) via the perfusion medium did not affect 5-HT output.In summary, the data indicate that (+)ALK-3, like 8-OH-DPAT, is a very potent 5-HT receptor agonist which inhibits terminal 5-HT release in rat hippocampus, probably via activation of somatodendritic 5-HT_1A autoreceptors. However, unlike 8-OH-DPAT, (+)ALK-3 is highly stereoselective and may therefore represent a useful probe in the further characterization of 5-HT_1A receptor-mediated mechanisms and function. The present study defines some of the stereochemical requirements for 5-HT_1A receptor interaction, emphasizing the importance of the receptor region complementary to the C₁ and C₂ carbons of the 8-OH-DPAT molecule. These findings contribute to the establishment of structure-activity relationships for the cell body 5-HT_1A autoreceptors and might be of value in resolving structural features that determine agonist/antagonist activity at central 5-HT_1A receptors. Finally, in conjunction with our recent finding that (+)ALK-3 is a partial agonist at postsynaptic 5HT_1A receptors, the present study extends previous observations suggesting that pre- and postsynaptic 5-HT_1A receptor populations differ in their characteristics. Send offprint requests to S. Hjorth at the above address     

The effects of a 5-HT1 receptor ligand isapirone (TVX Q 7821) on 5-HT synthesis and the behavioural effects of 5-HT agonists in mice and rats

The effects of 2-(4-(4-(2-pyrimidinyl)-1-piperazinyl)-butyl)-1,2-benzoisothiazol-3(2H)one-1,1-dioxide hydrochloride (isapirone, TVX Q 7821), a putative 5-HT₁ receptor antagonist, has been studied on various models of 5-HT receptor sub-type function. In mice TVX Q 7821 produced a dose-dependent inhibition of the hypothermia induced by 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) with an ED₅₀ of 5.3 mg/kg suggesting that TVX Q 7821 was an antagonist of the presynaptic (possibly somato-dendritic) 5-HT_1A receptor. TVX Q 7821 did not alter the locomotor response to the suggested 5-HT_1B agonist RU 24969. The rate of mouse brain 5-HT synthesis was accelerated by TVX Q 7821 (10 mg/kg). 5-HT₂ receptor-mediated head twitch behaviour induced by precursor loading with 5-HTP was unaffected by TVX Q 7821 (10 mg/kg) pretreatment 75 min earlier, but the head-twitch induced by the agonist 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine was enhanced by prior treatment with TVX Q 7821.In rats the hypothermia induced by 8-OH-DPAT was partially antagonised by TVX Q 7821 while the behavioural serotonin syndrome induced by 8-OH-DPAT (a possible post-synaptic 5-HT_1B-mediated effect) was unaffected by TVX Q 7821 as was the locomotion induced by RU 24969.The data suggest that TVX Q 7821 is a good presynaptic 5-HT_1A antagonist in mice, as indicated by the 8-OH-DPAT-induced hypothermia and 5-HT synthesis rate studies. It did not antagonise 5-HT_1B-mediated behaviour in mice or rats and appeared to have an antagonist action at pre- but not post-synaptic 5-HT_1A receptors in rats. Offprint requests to: G.M. Goodwin     

Dimerization of 8-OH-DPAT increases activity at serotonin 5-HT1A receptors

[³⁵S]GTPγS binding responses can be used to measure differences between the intrinsic activity of ligands at human 5-hydroxytrypamine-_1A (h 5-HT_1A) receptors expressed in recombinant cell lines. The maximal [³⁵S]GTPγS binding response to 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) was lower than that to 5-HT in a recombinant C6-glial membrane preparation and dependent on the GDP concentration: it was attenuated by about 60% vs 5-HT by increasing the concentration of GDP from 0.3 to 30 and 300 μM. Whereas dimerization of 8-OH-DPAT almost did not affect its potency at h 5-HT_1A receptors (pEC₅₀: 7.45 and 7.40 for 8-OH-DPAT and its dimer at 30 μM GDP), it increased efficacy at h 5-HT_1A receptors. The maximal response to the 8-OH-DPAT dimer was systematically greater than the response to 8-OH-DPAT and identical to that to 5-HT; moreover in contrast to the 8-OH-DPAT monomer, the maximal response to the dimer was unaffected by increasing the GDP concentration. An enhanced [³⁵S]GTPγS binding response (44 to 63% vs 8-OH-DPAT) was also observed in the hippocampus, lateral septum, dorsal raphe and cingulate cortex of guinea-pig brain sections using autoradiography of 5-HT_1A receptor-activated G-proteins. Hence, the 8-OH-DPAT dimer shows increased efficacy at 5-HT_1A receptors compared to 8-OH-DPAT. The differential regulation of the maximal agonist responses by GDP suggests that the [³⁵S]GTPγS binding responses to these two ligands could be mediated by different G-protein subtypes upon activation of the 5-HT_1A receptor. Received: 23 June 1998 / Accepted: 29 July 1998     

Somatodendritic 5-HT1A receptors are critically involved in the anxiolytic effects of 8-OH-DPAT

In the rat shock-induced ultrasonic vocalization test, the anxiolytic effects of the 5-HT_1A receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) obtained after systemic (IP) and intracerebral injection into the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) were selectively abolished by pretreatment with the 5-HT_1A receptor antagonist WAY-100635 [N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-(2-pyridinyl) cyclo-hexanecarboxamide trihydrochloride]. This blockade was demonstrated both after systemic and DRN application of WAY-100635. Therefore, it is concluded that the anxiolytic effects of 8-OH-DPAT are mediated by activation of somatodendritic 5-HT_1A receptors.     

Pharmacological characterisation of 5-HT receptors positively coupled to adenylyl cyclase in the rat hippocampus

The pharmacological properties of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors positively coupled to adenylyl cyclase in the rat hippocampus were investigated using selective agonists and antagonists. 5-HT (0.008–125 μM) stimulated cyclic AMP formation in homogenates of rat hippocampus in a concentration-dependent manner. The maximal increase in cyclic AMP formation occurred at 1 μM (141 ± 6%) and the half-maximal effect (EC₅₀) at 50 ± 22 nM. Cyclic AMP accumulation induced by 1 μM 5-HT was partly inhibited by the selective 5-HT_1A receptor antagonist WAY 100,635 (1 μM), the selective 5-HT₄ receptor antagonist SB 203,186 (1 μM), and the 5-HT_2A/C/ 5-HT₇ receptor antagonist mesulergine (25 μM). WAY 100,635, SB 203,186 and mesulergine inhibited the effect of 5-HT (1 μM) by 47%, 33% and 49%, respectively. The combination of WAY 100,635 (1 μM) with SB 203,186 (1 μM) or mesulergine (25 μM) resulted in stronger inhibition than with each antagonist alone, and the combination of all three antagonists produced almost total blockade (95%) of 5-HT-induced cyclic AMP accumulation. 5-Carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT; 0.008–125 μM), a 5-HT₁/5-HT₇ receptor agonist, and SDZ 216–454 (0.008– 125 μM), a selective 5-HT₄ receptor agonist, concentration-dependently stimulated cyclic AMP formation, but the maximal effect of each agonist was smaller than that of 5-HT alone. SDZ 216–454 (5 μM) and 5-CT (5 μM) in combination stimulated cyclic AMP formation in an additive manner. 8-OH-PIPAT and 8-OH-DPAT, two selective 5-HT_1A agonists, produced a small but significant increase in cyclic AMP formation at concentrations above 0.04 μM and 10 μM, respectively. These findings suggest that at least three 5-HT receptor subtypes, i.e. 5-HT_1A, 5-HT₇ and 5-HT₄ receptors, are involved in mediating 5-HT-induced cyclic AMP formation in rat hippocampus. Received: 28 October 1998 / Accepted: 16 March 1999     

A Pharmacological Comparison of the Receptors Mediating Contractile Responses to 5-Hydroxytryptamine in the Rat Isolated Caudal Artery and Fundic Strip

Abstract— Contractile responses to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and to a number of 5-HT-receptor agonists have been compared on the rat isolated caudal artery and stomach fundic strip. On the caudal artery, 5-HT was the most potent agonist tested. The 5-HT₁-like agonist, 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT), was less potent than 5-HT and produced a lower maximum response. 8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)-tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) and RU24969 (5-methoxy-3(1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl)1H indole) were inactive as agonists and 8-OH-DPAT was not an antagonist. Ketanserin, ICI 169,369 (2-(2-dimethylaminoethyl-thio)-3-phenylquinoline hydrochloride) and ICI 170,809 (2-(2-dimethylamino-2-methylpropylthio)-3-phenylquinoline hydrochloride) were competitive antagonists of 5-HT on this preparation, indicating that 5-HT is acting via 5-HT₂ receptors. In contrast, all the agonists produced contractions of the fundic strip (rank order of potency, 5-HT = 5-CT > RU24969 > 8-OH-DPAT). The maximum response to RU24969 was significantly lower than the maximum responses to the other agonists. Ketanserin was only a weak antagonist of 5-HT in the fundic strip, demonstrating that 5-HT₂ receptors were not involved, but ICI 169,369 and ICI 170,809 were non-surmountable antagonists of 5-HT responses, as were methysergide and methiothepin. Since ICI 169,369 and ICI 170,809 are devoid of activity at 5-HT₃ and 5-HT₄ receptors, then these two subtypes would not appear to be implicated, a view that was confirmed in the case of 5-HT₃ receptors by experiments using ondansetron. Since radioligand binding studies have shown that ICI 169,369 and ICI 170,809 have high affinity for 5-HT_1C sites, α-methyl-5-HT, an agonist claimed to be selective for 5-HT_1C and 5-HT₂ receptors, was also tested on the fundic strip in the presence of ketanserin. This compound acted as an agonist and was antagonized in a competitive manner by ICI 170,809. Therefore, these results suggest that the receptors mediating contractile responses to 5-HT in the rat fundic strip are more similar to the 5-HT_1C subtype than any of the other subtypes that have been described previously.     

Lack of apparent receptor reserve at postsynaptic 5-hydroxytryptamine1A receptors negatively coupled to adenylyl cyclase activity in rat hippocampal membranes.

Previous studies have demonstrated the existence of a large receptor reserve for agonists at somatodendritic 5-hydroxytryptamine1A (5-HT1A) serotonin receptors in the raphe nuclei of the rat. 5-HT1A agonists with anxiolytic properties (e.g., buspirone, gepirone, and ipsapirone) display full intrinsic activity at these receptors but are partial agonists at postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors, which suggests that the latter sites may be devoid of a receptor reserve. In the present studies, this was directly determined by examining the relationship between receptor occupancy and response at postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors, in rat hippocampus, mediating the inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity, using the method of partial irreversible receptor inactivation. Rats were treated with vehicle or the irreversible antagonist N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ), and 24 hr later hippocampi were removed for saturation analysis of [3H]8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)-tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) binding to 5-HT1A receptors or for adenylyl cyclase assays. EEDQ (1 and 6 mg/kg) dose-dependently reduced the maximal number of [3H]8-OH-DPAT binding sites by 68.5 and 80%, respectively, without altering the Kd. Concentration-response curves were generated for inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity by 5-HT and the selective 5-HT1A agonist N,N-dipropyl-5-carboxamidotryptamine (DP-5-CT). EEDQ treatment dose-dependently reduced the maximal inhibitory effect of 5-HT [percentage of inhibition: control, 23.6; EEDQ (1 mg/kg), 13.4; EEDQ (6 mg/kg), 8.9], without altering either the slope factor (1.01) or the EC50 (96.4 nM). Analogous results were obtained with DP-5-CT [percentage of maximal inhibition: control, 24.1; EEDQ (1 mg/kg), 15.2; EEDQ (6 mg/kg), 10.7), again without changes in slope factor (0.89) or EC50 (9.9 nM). Analysis of double-reciprocal plots of equieffective concentrations of agonist, followed by calculation of fractional receptor occupancy, revealed a linear relationship between receptor occupancy and response for both 5-HT and DP-5-CT (i.e., an absence of receptor reserve). The receptor specificity of the effect of EEDQ was demonstrated in two ways. First, it was shown that pretreatment of rats with the selective 5-HT1A partial agonist BMY 7378 (10 mg/kg) before EEDQ afforded substantial protection (about 75%) against loss of the inhibitory effect of DP-5-CT on forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity. Second, EEDQ did not alter the inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity induced by the adenosine A1 receptor agonist phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Binding properties of the naturally occurring human 5-HT1A receptor variant with the Ile28Val substitution in the extracellular domain

The cDNA from a schizophrenic patient heterozygous for a mutation of the 5-HT_1A receptor gene was used to clone the variant and wild-type DNA into a eukaryotic expression vector. The mutation was characterized by a base pair substitution (A G) at the first position of codon 28, leading to an Ile Val amino acid exchange. COS-7 cells were transfected with the cDNA of either the wild type or the variant 5-HT_1A receptor. The potencies of the 5-HT_1A receptor agonists 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetraline (8-OH-DPAT), 5-HT and roxindole, and of the antagonists methiothepin and spiperone in inhibiting specific binding of [³H]8-OH-DPAT of the mutant and wild-type 5-HT_1A receptor were determined. All five 5-HT_1A receptor ligands concentration-dependently inhibited specific [³H]8-OH-DPAT binding to both the wild-type and the variant 5-HT_1A receptor. The rank order of potency of the ligands in inhibiting [³H]8-OH-DPAT binding was identical at both receptors and was roxindole > 8-OH-DPAT > 5-HT > methiothepin > spiperone. This rank order is characteristic for 5-HT_1A receptors. The negative logarithms of the concentrations required for 50% inhibition (pIC₅₀ values) of the ligands at the mutant 5-HT receptor correlated highly significantly with those at the wild-type receptor (r = 0.995). It is concluded that the pharmacological profile of the mutant 5-HT_1A receptor does not differ from that of the wild-type 5-HT_1A receptor.     

Pharmacology of cloned human 5-HT1D receptor-mediated functional responses in stably transfected rat C6-glial cell lines: further evidence differentiating human 5-HT1D and 5-HT1B receptors

This study was undertaken to investigate the pharmacology of human serotonin (5-HT)_1D receptor sites by measuring two functional cellular responses, inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP formation and promotion of cell growth, using transfected rat C6-glial cell lines and a broad series of 5-HT receptor agonists. Stable and separate transfection of a pcDNA3 or pRcRSV plasmid, each containing a cloned human 5-HT_1D receptor gene, in rat C6-glial cells was confirmed with RT PCR of 5-HT_1D receptor mRNA and radioligand binding with [³H] 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT) and [³H] sumatriptan. The 5-HT_1D receptor density was 350 and 1050 fmol/mg protein for the C6-glial/pcDNA3/5-HT_1D and C6-glial/pRcRSV/5-HT_1D cell line, and forskolin (100 M)-induced cAMP formation was inhibited by 45 and 78% in the presence of 1 M 5-HT, respectively. A comparison of the intrinsic agonist activities for sixteen 5-HT receptor ligands with their corresponding binding affinities for the human 5-HT_1D receptor site showed similar results for both cell lines with the exception of the partial agonist m-trifluoro-phenyl-piperazine (TFMPP). Three classes of compounds were observed: 1. efficacious agonists, such as 5-CT, 5-methoxytryptamine, 5-HT, sumatriptan, bufotenine, 5-methoxy-3(1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-4-pyridinyl)1H-indole (RU 24,969), tryptamine and 8-hydroxy-2(di-n-propilamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), with agonist potency close to their binding affinity; 2. the partial agonists metergoline, 7-trifluoromethyl-4(4-methyl-l-piperazinyl)-pyrolo-(1,2-a) quinoxaline (CGS 12066B), 1-naphthylpiperazine and 2-methyl-4-(5-methyl-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl)-biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid [4-methoxy-3-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-phenyl]-amide (GR 127,935) with marked intrinsic agonist activity but at concentrations higher than their binding affinity; and 3. the silent antagonists ritanserin, ketanserin and methiothepin, apparently free of intrinsic agonist activity, with antagonist potency close to their binding affinity. The cAMP data were further supported by the observed promotion of cell growth by stimulation of both transfected cell lines with sumatriptan under serum-free conditions; half-maximal stimulation was obtained at 4.4 nM (C6-glial/pcDNA3/5-HT_1D) fully in agreement with its EC₅₀-value (5.7 nM) for inhibition of cAMP formation. This growth promoting effect was antagonised by 1 M methiothepin and not observed in pcDNA3-plasmid-transfected and non-transfected C6-glial cells. A comparative study with a C6-glial/pcDNA3/5-HT_1B cell line expressing a similar amount of cloned human 5-HT_1B receptors (B _max: 360 fmol/mg protein) showed almost no intrinsic agonist activity for metergoline, 1-naphtylpiperazine and GR 127,935. Together with the 5-HT_1D receptor binding selectivity and antagonist activity of ketanserin and ritanserin, the findings define important pharmacological differences between cloned human 5-HT_1D and 5-HT_1B receptor sites.     

Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Studies in Rats of S-8-(2-Furyl)- and R-8-Phenyl-2-(di-n-Propylamino)Tetralin,Two Novel 5-HT1A Receptor Agonists In-vitro with Different Properties In-vivo

R- and S-8-(2-Furyl)- and R- and S-8-phenyl-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralins (R- and S-LY-55 and R- and S-LY-49, respectively), novel enantiopure dipropylaminotetralins, have been screened as 5-HT_1A receptor ligands. All had nanomolar affinities for 5-HT_1A receptors and fully inhibited forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase in-vitro (i.e. the four compounds appeared to be 5-HT_1A agonists). It was also found that the enantiomers of LY-55 behaved as typical 5-HT_1A receptor agonists in rats in-vivo by inducing a typical behavioural 5-HT syndrome, hypothermia and a decrease in 5-HT synthesis and turnover, indicating effects both on postsynaptic 5-HT_1A receptors and somatodendritic 5-HT_1A autoreceptors. In contrast, R- and S-LY-49 did not cause any 5-HT_1A receptor-related effects in-vivo except for a partial inhibition of 5-HT synthesis after high doses. The 5-HT_1A receptor antagonist WAY-100635 was shown to attenuate the R-LY-49-induced inhibition of 5-HT synthesis, indicating the compound to be a weak agonist at somatodendritic 5-HT_1A autoreceptors. R-LY-49 at a high dose and with a long pre-treatment time interval inhibited the hypothermic and behavioural effects, but not the inhibition of 5-HT synthesis induced by the 5-HT_1A receptor agonist R-8-hydroxy-(dipropylamino)tetralin (R-8-OH-DPAT). Taken together, these findings seem to indicate, that R-LY-49 is a weak partial agonist at 5-HT_1A receptors. A comparative pharmacokinetic study showed that the enantiomers of LY-55 entered the brain rapidly after subcutaneous administration and reached peak brain tissue/plasma concentration ratios within 15–30 min of injection, whereas the brain concentrations of R-LY-49 increased slowly, reaching a relatively low peak brain tissue/plasma concentration ratio 90 min after injection despite their similar lipophilicity. The differences between the pharmacological activity of the two compounds in-vivo seem to be explained by their different abilities to cross the blood-brain barrier, and a weak agonistic activity of R-LY-49 on 5-HT_1A receptors, both pre- and postsynaptically, compared with S-LY-55. Further studies are, however, needed for a deeper understanding of these differences.     

Effects of fluoxetine and buspirone on the panicolytic-like response induced by the activation of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors in the rat dorsal periaqueductal gray

Rationale Administration of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)_1A and 5-HT_2A receptor agonists into the dorsal periaqueductal gray (DPAG) inhibits escape, a defensive behavior associated with panic attacks. Long-term treatment with the antipanic compound imipramine enhances the DPAG 5-HT_1A- and 5-HT_2A-receptor-mediated inhibition of escape, implicating these receptors in the mode of action of panicolytic drugs. Objectives In the present study, we investigated whether the inhibitory effect on escape elicited by the intra-DPAG injection of 5-HT_1A and 5-HT_2A receptor agonists is also enhanced after treatment with fluoxetine, another widely used antipanic drug. The effects of fluoxetine were compared to those of buspirone, an anxiolytic drug without major effect on panic disorder. Methods Male Wistar rats, subchronically (3–6 days) or chronically (21–24 days) treated with fluoxetine (10 mg/kg i.p.) or chronically treated with buspirone (0.3 mg/kg i.p.), were intra-DPAG injected with 5-HT (20 nmol), the 5-HT_1A receptor agonist (±)-8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin hydrobromide (8-OH-DPAT; 8 nmol) or the preferential 5-HT_2A receptor agonist (±)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl) piperazine dihydrochloride (DOI; 16 nmol). The intensity of electrical current that applied to the DPAG-evoked escape behavior was measured before and after the microinjection of these agonists. Results The electrical current necessary to produce escape was increased after the microinjection of the three 5-HT receptor agonists in all groups of animals tested. However, this panicolytic-like effect was significantly higher in animals receiving long-term treatment with fluoxetine. Conclusions The results suggest that facilitation of the 5-HT_1A- and 5-HT_2A-receptor-mediated inhibition of DPAG neuronal activity is implicated in the beneficial effect of antidepressants in panic disorder.     

Cloning,expression and pharmacology of a truncated splice variant of the human 5-HT7 receptor (h5-HT7(b))

1. The rat 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)₇ receptor displays two splice variations, a long form, and a truncated splice isoform, arising from the introduction of a stop codon near the carboxy-terminus. The human 5-HT₇ receptor gene contains at least two introns and encodes a 445 amino acid 5-HT receptor.
2. A truncated splice variation in the human 5-HT₇ receptor was isolated from a human placental cDNA library. In accordance with current NC-IUPHAR nomenclature guidelines, it is suggested that this receptor be denoted as the h5-HT_7(b) receptor and the long form of the receptor as h5-HT_7(a).
3. The h5-HT_7(b) receptor was stably expressed in HEK 293 cells and ligand affinities were determined by displacement of [³H]-5-carboxyamidotryptamine (5-CT; K_d=0.28±0.06 nM, B_max=7.3±1.7 pmol mg⁻¹ protein). The rank order of affinities (pK_i) for a series of ligands was: 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT, 9.65)>5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, 9.41)>methiothepin (8.87)>mesulergine (7.87)>8-hydroxy-2(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT, 6.85)>ketanserin (6.44).
4. The h5-HT_7(b) receptor coupled positively to adenylyl cyclase in HEK 293 cells. This response was elicited by a number of agonists with the following order of potency (pEC₅₀): 5-CT (8.7±0.11)>5-MeOT (5-methoxytryptamine; 8.1±0.20)>5-HT (7.5±0.13)>tryptamine (5.6±0.36)>8-OH-DPAT (5.3±0.28)>5-methoxytryptamine (5.0±0.06). This rank order was comparable to that observed in the radioligand binding studies.
5. In a similar fashion to that described for the 5-HT_7(a) receptor, PCR studies suggested that the 5-HT_7(b) receptor mRNA is found in great abundance throughout the brain, in the small intestine and aorta.
6. It is concluded that the h5-HT₇ receptor, like the rat receptor, exists as splice variants exhibiting similar pharmacology, signal transduction and distribution. It is thus likely that there exists a complex physiological role for alternate splicing products of the 5-HT₇ receptor gene.

     

Age-related behavioural,neurochemical and radioligand binding changes in the central 5-HT system of Sprague-Dawley rats

Mature (3–4 months) and aged (18–19 months) Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were treated with 5-HT receptor agonists and drug-induced behaviours monitored. The 5-HT_2/1C agonist, 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI), induced wet dog shakes and back muscle contractions which were significantly increased in aged, compared to mature, rats, suggesting an age-related enhancement of 5-HT₂ receptor function. In contrast, the selective 5-HT_1A agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) induced forepaw treading, flat body posture, hypothermia and hyperactivity which were not significantly different in aged compared to mature rats. Levels of 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the hippocampus and frontal cortex were measured using high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. There were no age-related changes in hippocampal 5-HT or 5-HIAA. However both 5-HT and 5-HIAA were increased in the frontal cortex of aged SD rats. 8-OH-DPAT reduced 5-HIAA in both regions examined in mature rats, an effect which was attenuated in the aged rats, suggesting an age-related reduction in presynaptic 5-HT_1A receptor function. DOI did not induce any changes in 5-HT or 5-HIAA in either of the regions examined. Radioligand binding studies with [³H] ketanserin showed there to be no significant age-related changes in cortical 5-HT₂ receptor density or affinity. In the samples taken from mature rats GTP shifted the competition curve to DOI and reduced the proportion of high affinity agonist binding sites; this effect was not observed in the aged samples, suggesting that there may be age-related changes in G-protein-mediated receptor-effector coupling mechanisms.