Desensitization of serotonin-stimulated adenylate cyclase in the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica

Incubation of the intact liver fluke Fasciola hepatica with serotonin (5-HT) resulted in a time-dependent decrease in both 5-HT-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity and specific [³H]LSD binding in the subsequently prepared cell-free fluke particles. In control fluke particles, the activation of adenylate cyclase by 5-HT was biphasic, indicating a high and low affinity form of the 5-HT receptor with half-maximal activation constants (K_A) of 0.35 and 2.8 μM respectively. In contrast, 5-HT activation of desensitized particles occurred through a single set of low affinity sites having a K_A value of 6.3 μM. The maximal level of 5-HT activation of adenylate cyclase was also reduced in the desensitized particles. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was also less in the desensitized particles. However, unlike with 5-HT, activation by LSD occurred through a single set of sites for both control and desensitized particles. [³H]LSD binding studies showed that the affinity of LSD for the 5-HT receptors in the control and desensitized particles was similar. Thus, the decrease in [³H]LSD binding and serotonin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in the desensitized particles appeared to be due to a preferential loss or inactivation of the high affinity form of the 5-HT receptor. A similar time-dependent loss in 5-HT-stimulated adenylate cyclase and in [³H]LSD binding occurred in cell-free fluke particles upon the addition of 5-HT or LSD. These effects were not due to protein denaturation or metabolism of the ligand during the incubation procedure. This cell-free desensitization was reversible and temperature dependent, and was not affected by ATP or other nucleotides.     

Antagonism of serotonin-activated adenylate cyclase in the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica by levorphanol and dextrorphan

A highly active serotonin (5-HT)¹ -stimulated adenylate cyclase is present in particles from the liver fluke $\text{Fasciola hepatica}$ [1]. This enzyme is activated through a single class of receptors by indoleamines and LSD derivatives. Several recent reports showed that opiates can interact with adenylate cyclase from various tissues [2–4]. In this report we examine the effects of morphine-like drugs upon adenylate cyclase activity in cell free particles from $\text{F}$. hepatica. We report a non-stereospecific inhibition of both basal and serotonin-stimulated cyclase activity and discuss the possible mechanism of this inhibition.     

Serotonin-sensitive adenylate cyclase and [3H]serotonin binding sites in the CNS of the rat—II: Respective regional and subcellular distributions and ontogenetic developments

The 5-HT receptor linked to adenylate cyclase and the high affinity binding site of [³H]5-HT were compared on the basis of their localization and ontogenetic changes in the CNS of the rat. Subcellular fractionation of cerebral tissues from newborn rats showed a good correlation between the distributions of 5-HT-sensitive cyclase and [³H]5-HT binding sites, with the mitochondrial fraction exhibiting the highest specific adenylate cyclase activity and density of binding sites. There was also a good correlation between the regional distributions of the cyclase and the binding in the CNS of newborn rats. However, when the regional distribution of [³H]5-HT binding in newborns was compared to that of adults, no correlation was found, showing that large changes were occurring during ontogenesis. In the cortex and hippocampus, there was little change in the amount of 5-HT-sensitive adenylate cyclase during development whereas [³H]5-HT binding increased approximately 7-fold from birth to adulthood. Only in the striatum was there a positive correlation between the changes in the cyclase and the binding. The injection of kainic acid into the striatum of 10-day-old rats produced large decreases in both DA-and 5-HT-sensitive adenylate cyclase activities. The specific binding of [³H]5-HT was also reduced in the injected striatum but to a smaller extent. Therefore, the 5-HT-sensitive adenylate cyclase but not the [³H]5-HT-high affinity binding site appeared to be preferentially associated with neurons destroyed by kainic acid, i.e. neurons intrinsic to the striatum. The findings that the 5-HT-sensitive adenylate cyclase and the [³H]5-HT binding sites can develop independently and are localized, at least partly, on different types of cells provide additional evidence for the existence of multiple types of 5-HT receptors in the CNS of the rat.     

Forskolin activation of serotonin-stimulated adenylate cyclase in the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica

Properties of forskolin activation of adenylate cyclase in the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica are described. Forskolin stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in cell-free fluke particles to levels more than 30-fold above the basal rate. This activation was not dependent on guanine nucleotides and, upon washing of the particles, was rapidly reversed. Forskolin potentiated the activation of adenylate cyclase by serotonin (5-HT) and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), resulting in both an increase in the maximal level of enzyme activity and a decrease in the apparent activation constant (KA). The 5-HT antagonist 2-bromo-LSD did not inhibit enzyme activation by forskolin. Furthermore, forskolin had no effect on specific [3H]LSD binding to fluke particles. Activation of adenylate cyclase by sodium fluoride or guanine nucleotides was modified in a complex manner by forskolin with both stimulatory and inhibitory effects present. The results suggest that forskolin does not interact directly with the 5-HT receptor coupled to adenylate cyclase. Instead, it appears that forskolin effects are, at least in part, due to its ability to alter the interaction between the regulatory and catalytic components of adenylate cyclase. Incubation of intact flukes with forskolin increased their cAMP levels 2- to 3-fold. The concentration dependence of this response was similar to that for forskolin activation of adenylate cyclase in fluke particles, with 300 microM forskolin giving the maximum response. Forskolin and other agents that increased fluke cAMP levels also stimulated fluke motility.     

Serotonin-sensitive adenylate cyclase and [3]serotonin binding sites in the CNS of the rat—I: Kinetic parameters and pharmacological properties

The 5-HT receptor linked to adenylate cyclase and the high affinity binding site for [³H]-5-HT were compared on the basis of their kinetic and pharmacological properties in the CNS of new born rats. Under normal assay conditions, the apparent affinity of 5-HT for its specific binding sites (K_d = 1?2 nM) was much higher than that for the receptor coupled to adenylate cyclase (K_A app = 0.5?1.0 μM). When measured under the conditions of the cyclase assay, the apparent K_d for the binding was increased to 11.9 nM, a value which is still more than 40 times lower than the K_A app characterizing the activation of adenylate cyclase by 5-HT. GTP affected both the binding of [³H]-5-HT and the 5-HT-sensitive adenylate cyclase. Guanyl nucleotides appeared to be essential for the activation of adenylate cyclase by 5-HT as 5-HT was inactive in a preparation of washed membranes unless added in the presence of GTP or GppNHp. In whole homogenates, GTP increased the affinity of 5-HT for the receptor-adenylate cyclase complex (K_A app = 0.33μM in the presence of 10μM GTP). The specific binding of [³H]-5-HT was reduced by GTP and GppNHp but not GMP or ATP. However, the range of concentrations inducing a significant effect (?0.10mM GTP) was far higher than those which increased the 5-HT-induced activation of adenylate cyclase.There was little in common between the pharmacological profiles of the two systems. A group of 5-HT agonists containing a piperazine heterocycle [1- (m-trifluoromethylphenyl) piperazine, quipazine and MK-212] effectively displaced [³H]-5-HT from its binding sites but exerted no action on the 5-HT-sensitive cyclase, affecting neither the basal nor the 5-HT-stimulated cAMP production. Likewise, there was no correlation between the respective potencies of a series of 5-HT antagonists for inhibiting the binding of [³H]-5-HT and the 5-HT-induced cAMP production. These data suggest that the 5-HT receptor linked to adenylate cyclase is not identical with that which is measured by the binding of [³H]-5-HT and, thus, provide evidence for the possible existence of multiple receptors for 5-HT in the rat brain.     

Evidence for mediation by 5-HT2 receptors of 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced contraction of canine basilar artery

Summary The agonist potencies of 8 indole derivatives and the potencies of 19 recognized antagonists to inhibit constrictor responses to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) of canine basilar artery were established. In addition the affinities of the indole derivatives for [³H]5-hydroxytryptamine ([³H]5-HT) binding sites and the affinities of the antagonists for [¹²⁵Iodo]LSD ([¹²⁵I]LSD) binding sites in rat brain cortex membranes were determined. Comparison was also made between the potencies of the antagonists on canine basilar artery and the K _D values published for displacement of [³H]ketanserin binding (Leysen et al. 1982).There was a good correlation between the affinities of the antagonists for 5-HT₂ binding sites labelled by both [¹²⁵I]LSD and [³H]ketanserin and the affinity parameters calculated for inhibition of constrictor responses to 5-HT of canine basilar artery. No correlation could be found between the affinities of the indole derivatives for 5-HT₁ binding sites labelled by [³H]5-HT and their potencies to constrict canine basilar artery.It is concluded that constrictor responses to 5-HT of canine basilar artery are mediated by 5-HT₂-like receptors.     

Binding and uptake studies with [3H]CP-93, 129, a radiolabeled selective 5-HT1B receptor ligand

3-(1,2,5,6-Tetrahydro-4-pyridyl)-5-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridone, CP-93, 129, is a selective agonist ligand for 5-HT_1B receptors. High affinity binding sites of [³H]CP-93, 129 were found in rat whole brain membranes, which showed K_D and B_max values similar to those for 5-HT_1B sites labeled by [³H]5-HT. Uptake of [³H]CP-93, 129 in crude rat synaptosomes was also observed, which was potently inhibited by 5-HT uptake blockers and 5-HT but not by desipramine (NE uptake blocker) or tametraline (NE and DA uptake blocker). Because of this sensitivity to 5-HT uptake inhibitors and the structural similarity of CP-93, 129 to serotonin, [³H]CP-93, 129 uptake probably occurred in 5-HT neurons.     

Characterization and radioautography of [3H] LSD binding by rat brain slices in vitro: The effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine

Binding of D-[³H] lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) to rat coronal brain slices and its blockade by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) had characteristics similar to those of brain homogenates in respect of K_D, kinetics and reversibility of binding. Radioautography was done on slices that had been incubated in 6 nM [³H] LSD and on adjacent slices incubated in the same concentration of tritiated LSD plus 10^?5 M of 5-HT. Choroid plexus showed densest labeling of [³H] LSD. In neuropil, dense labeling occurred within parts of the hippocampal formation except for fields CA2 and CA3 which were sparsely labeled. All layers of the cortex except the posterior cingulate gyrus were labeled by LSD. 5-HT blocked labeling of choroid plexus, hippocampal formation, septum, pons, medulla and parts of cortex but only reduced labeling of most other structures. LSD binding sites may relate to some of its pharmacological effects.     

Binding of 2′,5′-dideoxyadenosine to brain membranes: Comparison to P-site inhibition of adenylate cyclase

Membranes from rat cerebral cortex and striatum contain a relatively large number of high-affinity binding sites for [³H]2′,5′-didepxyadenosine, [³H]adenine arabinoside, and [³H]adenosine. The binding of [³H]2′,5′-dideoxyadenosine and [³H]adenine arabinoside was virtually unaffected by relatively specific agonists and antagonists for adenosine receptors, such as 2-chloroadenosine, N⁶-phenylisopropyladenosine or theophylline. Binding of [³H]adenosine was partially blocked by such receptor ligands. The specific binding of all three ligands was antagonized by a variety of adenosine analogs which inhibit adenylate cyclase by interaction with the so-called P-site associated with this enzyme. However, potencies of adenosine analogs as P-site inhibitors of adenylate cyclase and as antagonists of binding do not correlate well. 5′-Methylthioadenosine had high potency and efficacy versus binding of [³H]2′,5′-dideoxyadenosine but had virtually no effect on activity of adenylate cyclase. 2-Fluoroadenosine was less potent than adenosine as an antagonist of specific binding of [³H]2′,5′-dideoxyadenosine, which 2-fluoroderivatives of adenosine, adenine arabinoside and adenine xylofuranoside were more potent than the parent compounds as P-site inhibitors. The significance of the binding sites for [³H]2′,5′-dideoxyadenosine remains unclear, but their presence complicates the use of [³H]adenosine and certain analogs as ligands for adenosine membrane sites associated with adenylate cyclase.     

3H]WB4101 labels the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor subtype in rat brain. Guanine nucleotide and divalent cation sensitivity

In the presence of a 30 nM prazosin mask, [3H]-2-(2,6-dimethoxyphenoxyethyl) aminomethyl-1,4-benzodioxane ([3H]WB4101) can selectively label 5-HT1 serotonin receptors. Serotonin exhibits high affinity (Ki = 2.5 nM) and monophasic competition for [3H] WB4101 binding in cerebral cortex. Furthermore, we have found a significant correlation (r = 0.96) between the affinities of a number of serotonergic and nonserotonergic compounds at [3H]WB4101-binding sites in the presence of 30 nM prazosin and [3H] lysergic acid diethylamide ([3H]LSD)-labeled 5-HT1 serotonin receptors in homogenates of rat cerebral cortex. Despite similar pharmacological profiles, distribution studies indicate that, in the presence of 5 mM MgSO4, the Bmax of [3H]WB4101 is significantly lower than the Bmax of [3H]LSD in various brain regions. WB4101 competition for [3H] LSD-labeled 5-HT1 receptors fits best to a computer-derived model assuming two binding sites, with the KH for WB4101 being similar to the KD of [3H]WB4101 binding derived from saturation experiments. This suggests that [3H]WB4101 labels only one of the subtypes of the 5-HT1 serotonin receptors labeled by [3H]LSD. Interestingly, the selective 5-HT1A serotonin receptor antagonist, spiperone, and the selective 5-HT1A agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetraline, exhibit high affinity and monophasic competition for [3H]WB4101 but compete for multiple [3H]LSD 5-HT1 binding sites. These data indicate that [3H]WB4101 selectively labels the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor, whereas [3H] LSD appears to label both the 5-HT1A and the 5-HT1B serotonin receptor subtypes. The divalent cations, Mn2+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ were found to markedly increase the affinity and Bmax of [3H]WB4101 binding in cerebral cortex. Conversely, the guanine nucleotides guanylylimidodiphosphate and GTP, but not the adenosine nucleotide ATP, markedly reduce the Bmax of [3H]WB4101 binding. These characteristics are typical of agonists interacting with receptors which modulate cellular function via a guanine nucleotide-regulatory subunit.     

Photoaffinity labelling of beta-adrenergic receptors of C6 glioma cells. Presence of a nucleophilic group in the receptor

(±) 1-[1-(p-Nitrophenoxy), 2-methyl, 2-propylamino], 3-(α-naphtyloxy), 2-propanol (PNP) was synthesized and found to be a potent photoaffinity label for β-adrenergic receptors of C₆ glioma cells.In the dark, PNP displaced all the [³H]DHA binding sites on C₆ glioma cell membranes (K_D = 5.5 × 10^?8 M).Upon photolysis on isolated C₆ glioma cell membranes: (a) PNP reduced in a dose-dependent manner maximally stimulated β-adrenergic sensitive adenylate cyclase. After extensive washing of the membranes, the maximal β-adrenergic stimulation was reduced without change in the apparent affinity for isoproterenol. A 62% decrease in activity was obtained with 10^?5 M PNP without any change in basal and NaF stimulated adenylate cyclase activities, (b) PNP also irreversibly reduced in a dose-dependent manner the total number of [³H]DHA binding sites without changing the affinity of the remaining sites. The effects of PNP on adenylate cyclase and [³H]DHA binding were suppressed in the presence of (?)alprenolol. Upon photolysis on intact C₆ glioma cells, PNP inactivated β-adrenergic receptors coupled with adenylate cyclase without any change in basal, NaF and Gpp(NH)p stimulated adenylate cyclase activities.These results indicate that PNP photolabelling occurred on the β-adrenergic receptors. Furthermore, as PNP was shown to react with model nucleophiles upon photolysis, this labelling implies the presence of a nucleophilic group in the β-adrenergic receptor.     

5-HT1A-receptors mediate stimulation of adenylate cyclase in rat hippocampus

Serotonin (5-HT) stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in homogenates of rat hippocampus. This effect was pharmacologically characterised with a series of agonists and antagonists of various structural classes. These compounds where also tested in radioligand binding studies using selective ligands for the various subtypes of 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors. 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B and 5-HT1C recognition sites were labelled with [3H]8-OH-DPAT([3H]8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)-tetralin) in pig cortex membranes, [125I]CYP([125I]iodocyanopindolol) in rat cortex and [3H]mesulergine in pig choroid plexus membranes, respectively. The rank order of potency of 13 agonists stimulating adenylate cyclase activity in homogenates of rat hippocampus was in good agreement with the rank order of affinity of these agonists for the 5-HT1A binding site: N,N-dipropyl-5-carboxamidotryptamine (DP-5-CT) greater than 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT) greater than 8-OH-DPAT greater than 5-HT greater than 5-methoxytryptamine (5-OCH3T) greater than d-LSD greater than 5-methoxy-3-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-4-pyridinyl)-1H-indole (RU 24969) greater than alpha-methylserotonin (alpha-CH3-5-HT) greater than dopamine greater than 2-methylserotonin (2-CH3-5-HT). The correlation between the respective potencies and affinities of these agonists was r = 0.934, P less than 0.001. There was no correlation between stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity by these agonists and their affinity for 5-HT1B, 5-HT1C or 5-HT2 binding sites. r = 0.381-0.108, P less than 0.20-0.73.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Unaltered 5-HT- and desipramine-sensitive [3H]imipramine binding and [3H]5-HT uptake in rat brain after chronic imipramine and norzimeldine treatment

Several reports have shown heterogeneity of [³H]imipramine binding to brain membranes. Recently, a high affinity and 5-HT sensitive [³H]imipramine binding site of protein nature, that was suggested to be identical to the substrate recognition site for 5-HT uptake, was demonstrated. Since most studies on the regulation of the [³H]imipramine binding sites by antidepressants have used desipramine displaceable binding, which is heterogenous in nature and contains binding not related to 5-HT uptake sites, the present report studies the possible effects of chronic (3 weeks) administration of imipramine or norzimeldine (10 mg/kg intraperitoneally twice daily) on 5-HT sensitive [³H]imipramine binding sites. For comparison, desipramine sensitive binding was also studied, as well as the physiological correlate 5-HT uptake. There were no changes in either [³H]imipramine binding or 5-HT uptake after the antidepressant treatment.Supported by the Swedish Medical Research Council Offprint requests to: J. Marcusson at Dept. of Geriatric Medicine     

Multiple serotonin receptors: Regional distribution and effect of raphe lesions

These studies confirm and extend the recent work suggesting that [³H]lysergic acid dielhylamide (LSD) labels two distinct binding sites in rat brain resembling serotonin (5HT) receptors. Although Scatchard analyses of [³H]LSD binding to membranes prepared from cortex/hippocampus were linear, the heterogeneity of the [³H]LSD binding sites was clearly demonstrated in displacement studies. The displacement curves for both 5HT and spiperone were bisigmoidal with the concentration required to saturate the high affinity components nearly 3 orders of magnitude lower than the concentrations necessary to saturate the low affinity components. Additivity studies suggested that the sites with high affinity for 5HT and spiperone are different, independent sites. These sites are referred to as 5HT₁ and 5HT₂, respectively. Regional analyses showed, that in the frontal cortex, the density of the 5HT₂ site was slightly greater than the 5HT₁ site, whereas the 5HT₁, site was predominant in all other brain areas, including the spinal cord. The pharmacological properties of the two sites have features in common with 5HT receptors; however, electrolytic lesions of the midbrain raphe nuclei did not change the densities or binding constants of the two apparent 5HT receptor subtypes, even though the number of high affinity 5HT uptake sites was markedly reduced.     

Tricyclic antidepressant drug treatment decreases alpha 2-adrenoreceptors on human platelet membranes

The rate of thermal inactivation of [³H]5-HT, [³H]spiroperidol and [³H]LSD binding sites in a membrane preparation from the rat frontal cortex has been studied. The binding sites were inactivated as different rates and the results are interpreted as supporting the claim that [³H]5-HT and [³H]spiroperidol bind to different sites within the frontal cortex of the rat.     

[3H]sumatriptan labels both 5-HT1D and 5-HT1F receptor binding sites in the guinea pig brain: an autoradiographic study

We have used in vitro autoradiography to visualize [³H]sumatriptan binding sites in sections of guinea-pig and rat brain. In saturation studies, this ligand recognized a single saturable population of high affinity binding sites in all regions examined (pK_D = 8.3–9.3). While 5-HT and the sumatriptan derivative CP-122,288 (5-methyl-aminosulfonylmethyl-3-(N-methylpyrrolidin-2R-yl-methyl)-1H-indole) competed for [³H]sumatriptan binding sites with a high affinity and monophasic profile, displacement experiments with 5-carboxamidotryptamine revealed the existence of 2 classes of binding sites. The high affinity component (pKD = 9.2–9.9) probably corresponded to 5-HT_1B (rat) or 5-HT_1D (guinea-pig) receptors. The intermediate affinity (pK_D = 5.7–7.3) of the other component, taken together with their high affinity for [³H]sumatriptan, was similar to that of the cloned 5-HT_1F receptor. The regional distribution of the 5-HT_1B/1D [³H]sumatriptan binding sites was in agreement with previously published studies (striatonigral system, hypothalamus, central gray, superficial layer of the superior colliculus) and corresponded to the pattern of serotonin-5-O-carboxymethyl-glycyl [¹²⁵I]tyrosinamide labeling in consecutive sections. [³H]sumatriptan binding sites with a low affinity for 5-CT predominated in the intermediate neocortical layers, the claustrum (in the guinea-pig only), the mammillary nuclei, most of the thalamic nuclei and the principal oculomotor nucleus (in the guinea-pig only). This distribution is very similar to that of 5-HT_1F mRNA, indicating further the identity of these sites with 5-HT_1F receptors. Very high densities of 5-HT_1F sites were also found in the rat parafascicular nucleus.Some regions, such as the caudate/nucleus, the lateral geniculate nuclei and the spinal trigeminal nucleus appeared to contain both 5-HT_1B/1D and 5-HT_1F binding sites. Ketanserin had a low affinity for [³H]sumatriptan binding sites in all guinea-pig brain regions, compatible with the presence of the 5-HT_1D\ subtype. An exception was the substantia nigra, where a significant proportion of sites displayed an intermediate affinity for this compound, suggesting the presence of 5-HT_1D receptors. [³H]5-HT labeled 5-HT_1F sites in the claustrum and intermediate cortical layers in the guinea-pig. However these data show that [³H]sumatriptan, in the presence of 10 nM 5-carboxamidotryptamine, is a more suitable radioligand to study the distribution of 5-HT_1F binding sites.     

The binding of serotonergic ligands to the porcine choroid plexus: characterization of a new type of serotonin recognition site

The kinetic and pharmacological characteristics of the binding of [3H]5-HT (serotonin), [3H]8-OH-DPAT (8-OH-2-di-n-propylaminotetraline), [3H]LSD, [3H]ketanserin and [3H]mesulergine to membranes from frontal cortex, hippocampus and choroid plexus of pig brain were studied. The binding of these ligands to frontal cortex and hippocampus demonstrated the presence of 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 sites in both tissues, although hippocampus was richer in 5-HT1 (subtype 5-HT1A) sites. [3H]5-HT, [3H]mesulergine and [3H]LSD labeled the pig choroid plexus with high affinity. The pharmacological profiles of [3H]5-HT and [3H]mesulergine binding to this tissue were closely comparable. Ligands reported as selective for 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B or 5-HT2 subtypes did not show high affinity for these binding sites. Therefore, these 5-HT binding sites in pig choroid plexus could be named 5-HT1C. Other drugs with a high affinity for these sites were methysergide and mianserine. In pig frontal cortex, [3H]5-HT labeled the different subtypes of 5-HT1 sites. In contrast, [3H]mesulergine bound in pig frontal cortex to a small population of sites with pharmacological properties similar to those of the choroid plexus 5-HT1C sites. Possible physiological functions in which these sites might be involved are discussed.     

Is there a connection between high affinity 3H-spiperone binding sites and DA-sensitive adenylate cyclase in corpus striatum ?

The possibility of a connection between the high affinity ³H-spiperone binding sites and the dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase system suggested by recent studies was investigated in corpus striatum. When measured under identical conditions (membrane preparation, incubation conditions, presence of dopamine), the affinity of spiperone for its binding site (1.5 × 10 ¹⁰M) was much higher than its affinity for inhibiting the dopamine sensitive adenylate cyclase (10 ⁷M). Phenoxybenzamine was found to block ³H-spiperone binding irreversibly. Phenoxybenzamine (10 ⁵M) completely supressed ³H-spiperone binding while the adenylate cyclase continued to be stimulated by dopamine (35 per cent of control stimulation) and inhibited by spiperone or haloperidol. The affinities of these neuroleptics for inhibiting the dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase were the same on control and phenoxybenzamine treated membranes. Consequently the ³H-spiperone binding site has not to be occupied to allow inhibition of the dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase. Guanosine triphosphate reduced the affinities of dopamine, 3-{2-[N-(3-hydroxyphenylethyl)N-propylamino]ethyl}phenol (RU 24926) and serotonin for ³H-spiperone binding sites and did not affect the affinity of 2-Br-α-ergocriptine. Since RU 24296 and serotonin neither stimulate nor inhibit the dopamine-sensitive adenylate eyclase, the effects of guanosine triphosphate on binding do not appear related to adenylate cyclase activation by agonists which is known to require guanosine triphosphate. Our experiments suggest that the high affnity ³H-spiperone binding sites are not related to the dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase.     

[3H]Rauwolscine: an antagonist radioligand for the cloned human 5-hydroxytryptamine2B (5-HT2B) receptor

In previous reports, [³H]5-HT has been used to characterize the pharmacology of the rat and human 5-HT_2B receptors. 5-HT, the native agonist for the 5-HT_2B receptor, has a limitation in its usefulness as a radioligand since it is difficult to study the agonist low-affinity state of a G protein-coupled receptor using an agonist radioligand. When using [³H]5-HT as a radioligand, rauwolscine was determined to have relatively high affinity for the human receptor (K_i human = 14.3 ± 1.2 nM, compared to K_i rat = 35.8 ± 3.8 nM). Since no known high affinity antagonist was available as a radioligand, these studies were performed to characterize [³H]rauwolscine as a radioligand for the cloned human 5-HT_2B receptor expressed in AV12 cells. When [³H]rauwolscine was initially tested for its usefulness as a radioligand, complex competition curves were obtained. After testing several α₂-adrenergic ligands, it was determined that there was a component of [³H]rauwolscine binding in the AV12 cell that was due to the presence of an endogenous α₂-adrenergic receptor. The α₂-adrenergic ligand efaroxan was found to block [³H]rauwolscine binding to the α₂-adrenergic receptor without significantly affecting binding to the 5-HT_2B receptor and was therefore included in all subsequent studies. In saturation studies at 37° C, [³H]rauwolscine labeled a single population of binding sites, K_d = 3.75 ± 0.23 nM. In simultaneous experiments using identical tissue samples, [³H]rauwolscine labeled 783 ± 10 fmol of 5-HT_2B receptors/mg of protein, as compared to 733 ± 14 fmol of 5-HT_2B receptors/mg of protein for [³H]5-HT binding. At 0° C, where the conditions for [³H]5-HT binding should label mostly the agonist high affinity state of the human 5-HT_2B receptor, [³H]rauwolscine (B_max = 951 ± 136 fmol/ mg), again labeled significantly more receptors than [³H]5-HT (B_max = 615 ± 34 fmol/mg). The affinity of [³H]rauwolscine for the human 5-HT_2B receptor at 0° C did not change, K_d = 4.93 ± 1.27 nM, while that for [³H]5-HT increased greatly (K_d at 37° C = 7.76 ± 1.06 nM; K_d at 0° C = 0.0735 ± 0.0081 nM). When using [³H]rauwolscine as the radioligand, competition curves for antagonist structures modeled to a single binding site, while agonist competition typically resulted in curves that best fit a two site binding model. In addition, many of the compounds with antagonist structures displayed higher affinity for the 5-HT_2B receptor when [³H]rauwolscine was the radioligand. Typically, ∼ 85% of [³H]rauwolscine binding was specific binding. These studies display the usefulness of [³H]rauwolscine as an antagonist radioligand for the cloned human 5-HT_2B receptor. This should provide a good tool for the study of both the agonist high- and low-affinity states of the human cloned 5-HT_2B receptor. Received: 26 June 1997 / Accepted: 30 August 1997     

The inhibitory action of ketamine HC1 on [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine accumulation by rat brain synaptosomal-rich fractions: comparison with [3H]catecholamine and [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid uptake.

Ketamine HO was incubated with synaptosomal-rich fractions prepared from rat cerebral cortex to evaluate the effect of this agent upon the synaptosomal accumulation of [³H]5-HT. Accumulation of [³H]5-HT was shown to be reduced by ketamine in a concentration-related fashion. This action of ketamine was also found in synaptosomal rich fractions prepared from hypothalamus, corpus striatum, medulla oblongata and midbrain. Accumulation studies carried-out in the presence of reserpine and pargyline indicated that ketamine reduced the accumulation of [³H]5-HT through a competitive action on the synaptosomal membrane high affinity transport system (neuronal reuptake system). The effect of ketamine on the high affinity transport of [³H]NE, [³H]DA and [³H]GABA was also examined. The order of inhibition of transport by ketamine was [³H]5-HT >$\text{[}{}^3\text{H}\text{]}\text{DA}\text{= [}{}^3\text{H}\text{]}\text{NE}\text{> [}{}^3\text{H}\text{]}\text{GABA}$. These results show that ketamine is a potent and preferential inhibitor of the 5-HT neuronal reuptake system. The possible role of this action of ketamine, in the post anaesthetic excitatory response seen following the administration of ketamine, is discussed.