Separate purinoceptors mediate enhancement by adenosine of concanavalin A-induced mediator release and the cyclic AMP response in rat mast cells

Adenosine caused a concentration-related enhancement of concanavalin A (Con A)-induced 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) release from rat purified peritoneal mast cells. This was accompanied by an enhancement and prolongation of the cyclic AMP response to Con A. The cyclic AMP response but not enhancement of 5-HT release was blocked by 8-phenyltheophylline suggesting the two events to be unrelated. The effects of AMP and ADP, adenosine analogues and adenosine uptake inhibitors suggest the enhancement of 5-HT release to be mediated by a P1-cell surface purinoceptor which does not show the characteristics of either A1 or A2 subtypes.     

5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine: a potent inhibitor of human platelet aggregation.

1 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) is an adenosine analogue which is 22,900 times more potent than adenosine as a vasodilator. Adenosine and some of its analogues are also inhibitors of human platelet aggregation. NECA was tested for its effects on human platelets. 2 NECA (1 microM) inhibited human platelet aggregation induced by adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP), adrenaline, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and thrombin more powerfully than adenosine. NECA was 5 to 10 times more potent than adenosine at inhibiting ADP- and adrenaline-induced aggregation. 3 NECA, like adenosine, caused dose-dependent increases in levels of platelet adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP), which were competitively inhibited by theophylline, an adenosine antagonist. 4 These effects of NECA, like those of adenosine, were completely stereospecific as the L-enantiomer of NECA was inactive. 5 NECA did not interfere with the inhibition by ADP of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1)-stimulated adenylate cyclase. 6 NECA is the most potent analogue of adenosine tested so far on human platelets, and is the first example of a 5' modification to retain affinity for the platelet adenosine receptor.     

Adenosine inhibits and potentiates IgE-dependent histamine release from human lung mast cells by an A2-purinoceptor mediated mechanism

Adenosine, at physiological concentrations, may modulate histamine release from mechanically dispersed human lung mast cells. Addition of adenosine to the dispersed mast cells at times up to 5 min before immunological challenge with anti-human IgE inhibited histamine release. When added after this time adenosine caused a small potentiation of immunological histamine release, maximum potentiation occurring with addition of adenosine 5 min after challenge, coincidental with the end of the rapid phase of histamine release. Both inhibition and potentiation of histamine release were more pronounced with low levels of immunological challenge. Theophylline, 8-phenyltheophylline, dipyridamole and analogues of adenosine were used to determine the site of action of adenosine on mast cell mediator release. Theophylline and 8-phenyltheophylline displaced the concentration-response lines for both inhibition and potentiation of mediator release by adenosine to the right whilst dipyridamole, 1 microM, was without significant effect. This suggests that both effects result from interaction of adenosine with cell surface receptors. This was confirmed by demonstrating that the P-site agonist 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine produced only inhibition of histamine release, an effect which was inhibited by dipyridamole but not by theophylline. The rank potency order of adenosine analogues, NECA much greater than adenosine greater than or equal to L-PIA greater than or equal to D-PIA in both inhibiting and potentiating immunological histamine release suggests that both effects are mediated through activation of cell surface A2-purinoceptors. Since adenosine is released into the circulation of asthmatic subjects following bronchial provocation with antigen, causes bronchoconstriction and has the ability to modulate mast cell histamine release, this nucleoside should be considered as an additional inflammatory mediator of allergic reactions.     

The potentiation of the histamine release induced by adenosine in mast cells from guinea pig lung and heart: sharp dependence on the time of preincubation.

We studied here the effect of a wide range of adenosine concentration and time of preincubation, on the histamine release induced in the guinea pig mast cells by different stimulus. Adenosine (10(-5)-10(-3)m) potentiated the histamine release induced by antigen in the guinea pig heart (isolated and dispersed tissue) and lung mast cells but not induced by ionophore A23197. The potentiation caused by adenosine (10(-4)m) was maximum after 1-3 min of preincubation and is probably an extracellular effect since it was not avoided by dipyridamol (3x10(-7)-10(-6)m) that inhibit the uptake of adenosine. Similar potentiation was also produced by the adenosine mimetic 2-chloroadenosine (10(-5)m) and both effects were inhibited by 8-phenyltheophylline indicating an effect on the type A receptors. It is suggested that the adenosine potentiation may not be related to changes on the cyclic AMP levels. 2000 Academic Press@p$hr Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

Purinoceptors in the rat heart

The effects of an intracoronary bolus of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), alpha, beta-methylene ATP (APCPP), beta, gamma-methylene ATP (APPCP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and adenosine on coronary tone and ventricular myocardial contraction were investigated in the perfused rat heart. Adenine nucleotides, given by bolus injection were negatively inotropic in amounts greater than 3 X 10(-7) mol. The potency order was ATP greater than ADP greater than AMP. Adenosine (less than 1 X 10(-5)mol) had no effect on ventricular myocardial contraction. Adenine nucleotides and adenosine (1 X 10(-10)-1 X 10(-7) mol) reduced coronary tone. The potency order was ATP greater than ADP greater than AMP = adenosine. The ATP analogue APPCP was less active than ATP at reducing coronary tone, and APCPP had no vasodilator effect. This suggests the presence of a P2-purinoceptor, subclass P2Y, which mediates vasodilation. ATP and ADP increased the concentration of prostacyclin (measured as 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha) in the perfusate, but only after injection of greater than 3 X 10(-7) mol, suggesting that the vasodilator responses to ATP and ADP were not mediated by prostacyclin. AMP and adenosine had no effect, even at 1 X 10(-5) mol. At a dose of 3 X 10(-9) mol, approximately 40% of ATP and 70% of ADP was converted to AMP and adenosine whilst passing through the heart. The amounts of AMP and adenosine formed, however, were insufficient to account for the vasodilator effects of ATP and ADP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

3H]Adenosine binding to rat mast cells--pharmacologic and functional characterization

Rat serosal mast cell adenosine receptors were characterized by [3H]adenosine binding to cell membrane particulates, and functional changes in mast cell mediator release and cyclic AMP levels were assessed, utilizing various adenosine analogs. [3H]adenosine binding to sonicated mast cell membrane preparations at 0 degrees C in the presence of deoxycoformycin is linear with initial cell number, rapid and reversible. The cells display 16,400 +/- 1600 high affinity [3H]adenosine binding sites/cell, equivalent to 118 fmol bound/mg protein, with an equilibrium dissociation constant of 27.97 +/- 3.0 nM. Competition studies reveal that adenosine greater than 2-chloroadenosine greater than NECA greater than L-PIA greater than D-PIA in competing for [3H]adenosine binding sites and that aminophylline and cromolyn sodium also bind to the putative receptor. Adenosine and its analogs, NECA, and L-PIA, appear to activate adenylate cyclase in resting mast cells by raising cyclic AMP, suggesting an Ra cell surface adenosine receptor subtype; these same analogs potentiate mast cell B-hexosaminidase release stimulated by specific antigen. The identification of rat mast cell [3H]adenosine binding sites whose stimulation augments resting cell cyclic AMP levels and antigen-induced mediator release suggests that these receptors may be important in the biochemical mechanisms of allergic diseases. The ability to assess the number and affinity of mast cell adenosine receptors will enable one to monitor receptor alterations during pharmacologic manipulation and in disease states.     

Adenosine receptor-induced cyclic AMP generation and inhibition of 5-hydroxytryptamine release in human platelets.

1. We have assessed the effects of adenosine receptor agonists and antagonists on collagen-induced 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) release and cyclic AMP generation in human platelets. 2. 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) and CGS 21680 elicited accumulations of cyclic AMP with mean EC50 values of 2678 and 980 nM, respectively. The maximal response to CGS 21680 was approximately half that of the response to 10 microM NECA. 3. NECA and CGS 21680 inhibited collagen-induced 5-hydroxytryptamine release with mean EC50 values of 960 and 210 nM, respectively. The maximal response to CGS 21680 was approximately 25% of the response to 10 microM NECA. 4. The A1/A2a-selective adenosine receptor antagonist PD 115,199 was more potent as an inhibitor of NECA-elicited responses than the A1-selective antagonist DPCPX with calculated Ki values of 22-32 nM and > 10 microM, respectively. 5. In the presence of a cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, the effects of CGS 21680 on cyclic AMP accumulation and 5-HT release were enhanced to levels similar to those elicited by 10 microM NECA. In the absence of phosphodiesterase inhibition, CGS 21680 did not antagonise the effects of NECA. Furthermore, endogenous adenosine did not contribute to the effects of CGS 21680 when phosphodiesterase was inhibited. 6. We conclude that an A2a adenosine receptor appears to be involved in the NECA-elicited increases in cyclic AMP levels and inhibition of 5-HT release in human platelets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Characterization of P2-purinoceptor mediated cyclic AMP formation in mouse C2C12 myotubes.

1. The formation of adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) and inositol(1,4,5)trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3), induced by ATP and other nucleotides was investigated in mouse C2C12 myotubes. 2. ATP (100 microM) and ATP gamma S (100 microM) caused a sustained increase in cyclic AMP content of the cells, reaching a maximum after 10 min. The cyclic AMP content reached a maximum in the presence of 100 microM ATP, followed by a decline at higher ATP concentrations. ATP-induced cyclic AMP formation was inhibited by the P2-purinoceptor antagonist, suramin. 3. Myotubes hydrolysed ATP to ADP at a rate of 9.7 +/- 1.0 nmol mg-1 protein min-1. However, further hydrolysis of ADP to AMP and adenosine was negligible. 4. The cyclic AMP formation induced by ADP (10 microM-1 mM) showed similar characteristics to that induced by ATP, but a less pronounced decline was observed than with ATP. ADP-induced cyclic AMP formation was blocked by suramin, while cyclic AMP formation elicited by adenosine (10 microM-1 mM) was insensitive to suramin. 5. The ATP analogue, alpha,beta-methylene-ATP also induced a suramin-sensitive cyclic AMP formation, while 2-methylthio-ATP and the pyrimidine, UTP, did not affect cyclic AMP levels. 6. Stimulation of the myotubes with ATP or UTP (10 microM-1 mM) caused a concentration-dependent increase in the Ins(1,4,5)P3 content of the cells. ADP (100 microM-1 mM) was less effective. Adenosine did not affect Ins(1,4,5)P3 levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of cyclic adenosine monophosphate, 5'-(N-ethylcarboxyamido)-adenosine and methylxanthines on the release of thromboxane and lysosomal enzymes from human alveolar macrophages and peripheral blood monocytes in vitro.

We have investigated the effect of the manipulation of intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP) and the stimulation of adenosine receptors on the function of human alveolar macrophages in vitro. Human alveolar macrophages harvested by bronchoalveolar lavage were stimulated by opsonised zymosan 1 mg/ml in the presence of N6,2'0-dibutyryladenosine 3':5' cyclic monophosphate (dibutyryl cyclic AMP) 5 x 10(-6) to 5 x 10(-3) M,8-bromoadenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-bromo cyclic AMP) 5 x 10(-6) to 5 x 10(-3) M, 5'-(N-ethylcarboxamido)-adenosine (NECA) 10(-7) to 10(-4) M, adenosine 10(-7) to 10(-4) M, theophylline 5 x 10(-6) to 5 x 10(-3) M and enprofylline 5 x 10(-8) to 5 x 10(-4) M. The subsequent release of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity was monitored. In addition, the release of TXB2 and NAG from zymosan stimulated human monocytes incubated in the presence of NECA 10(-7) to 10(-4) M was measured. The TXB2 release from alveolar macrophages were inhibited by dibutyryl cyclic AMP and 8-bromo cyclic AMP and to a lesser extent by NECA, theophylline and enprofylline. However, adenosine had no effect. None of the agents studied altered NAG release. In addition, monocytes showed greater sensitivity to the inhibitory effects of 5-N-ethylcarboxamido adenosine than alveolar macrophages. In conclusion, the alveolar macrophage was inhibited by stable analogues of cyclic AMP and xanthines at supratherapeutic concentrations but have no functional excitatory adenosine receptors and only a residual inhibitory adenosine receptor function compared to the precursor monocyte.     

Direct and indirect stimulations of cyclic AMP formation in human brain.

1. Adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) formation, by use of an [3H]-adenine prelabelling assay, was measured in fragments of human cerebral cortex, taken in the course of various neurosurgical procedures. 2. Large accumulations of [3H]-cyclic AMP due to isoprenaline, noradrenaline and adenosine and small effects due to forskolin were observed. Histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and the excitatory amino acids glutamate and quisqualate were ineffective. 3. The response to noradrenaline consisted of two components; a direct beta-adrenoceptor response and an enhancement mediated by an alpha-adrenoceptor which appears to be similar to that in rat cerebral cortex. 4. The response to isoprenaline was also potentiated by histamine H1 receptor stimulation but the direct effect of 2-chloroadenosine was not altered by histamine, 5-HT or quisqualate. 5. It is concluded that some, but not all, of the indirect modulations of cyclic AMP formation previously observed in experimental animal brain exist in human cerebral cortex.     

Apparent enhancement of cholinergic transmission in rabbit bronchi via adenosine A2 receptors

Adenosine and its derivatives enhanced the contractile responses to transmural nerve stimulation in rabbit isolated bronchial smooth muscle. 5'-N-Ethylcarboxamideadenosine (NECA) was the most potent adenosine analogue studied. Enhancement of contractile responses by NECA was competitively antagonized by 8-p-sulfophenyltheophylline. Guanethidine, mepyramine, capsaicin or eicosatetraynoic acid did not antagonize the enhancement elicited by adenosine or NECA. NECA did not enhance the contractile responses to exogenously applied acetylcholine or contractile responses elicited after administration of tetrodotoxin. We suggest that adenosine, via an action at A2 receptors, enhances contractile responses to nerve stimulation in rabbit bronchial muscle. Methylxanthines are competitive antagonists at these extracellular receptors. The enhancement probably involves a sodium-dependent mechanism but not adrenergic mechanisms or release of histamine, substance P or arachidonate metabolites. The enhancement indicates increased cholinergic transmitter release or action, but release of a secondary spasmogenic or decreased release of an inhibitor mediator cannot be excluded. The results may indicate a role for adenosine in asthma.     

Postnatal changes in response to adenosine and adenine nucleotides in rat duodenum.

1. The effects of adenosine and adenine nucleotides were studied in rat duodenum from postnatal day 1 to day 70. The mechanical activity of duodenal segments was recorded through an isotonic transducer connected to a polygraphic recorder. 2. In rat duodenal segments, adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP, 10(-4) M) and adenosine-5'-diphosphate (ADP, 10(-4) M) produced a contractile response on postnatal day 1. This response increased with age, peaking on day 7, followed by a gradual decrease and was non-existent by day 21. In contrast, a relaxant response to ATP and ADP was apparent on day 21, and continued to increase up to day 70. 3. The contraction caused by ATP was inhibited by indomethacin or the P2y-purinoceptor antagonist, reactive blue-2 but not by tetrodotoxin or hyoscine. Thus, it may be mediated by production of prostaglandin through the P2y-purinoceptor. The relaxation produced by ATP was inhibited by reactive blue-2 but not by tetrodotoxin, guanethidine or the P1-purinoceptor antagonist, 8-phenyltheophylline indicating that ATP acts on smooth muscle directly through the P2y-purinoceptor. The pD2 for the contractile response to ATP was 5.15 on day 7 and that for the relaxant response, 6.64 on day 70. 4. Adenosine (10(-4) M) and adenosine-5'-monophosphate (AMP, 10(-4) M) elicited no response before day 14. On day 14, both adenosine and AMP produced a small relaxant response which increased with age. The relaxation produced by adenosine was inhibited by 8-phenyltheophylline but not by tetrodotoxin or guanethidine, indicating that it is mediated by an action on the P1-purinoceptor of smooth muscle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Adenosine receptor-induced second messenger production in adult guinea-pig cerebellum.

1. The effects of adenosine receptor agonists on cyclic nucleotides accumulation were investigated in adult guinea-pig cerebellar slices by use of radioactive precursors. 2. Adenosine elicited a rapid and maintained increase in cyclic AMP, that was fully reversed upon addition of adenosine deaminase. Adenosine analogues stimulated cyclic AMP generation up to 40 fold with the rank order of potency: 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (0.6 microM) > 2-chloroadenosine (6 microM) > adenosine (13 microM). CGS 21680 (10 microM) elicited only a small stimulation (1.2 fold). 3. The cyclic AMP response to NECA was reversed by the 1,3-dipropylxanthine-based adenosine receptor antagonists 8-[4-[[[[(2-aminoethyl)amino]amino]carbonyl]methyl]oxy]- phenyl]-1,3-dipropylxanthine (XAC), 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX) and N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]N-methyl-4-(1,3-dipropylxanthine)benzene sulphonamide (PD 115,199) with estimated apparent inhibition constants of 15, 81 and 117 nM, respectively. 4. Pretreatment with adenosine also potentiated the cyclic GMP response to sodium nitroprusside, abolishing the decline in [3H]-cyclic GMP observed with sodium nitroprusside alone, and allowing [3H]-cyclic GMP levels to be maintained for at least an additional 10 min. This potentiation was fully reversed by adenosine deaminase. 5. Adenosine analogues potentiated the sodium nitroprusside-elicited cyclic GMP generation with the rank order of potency: 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (0.7 microM) > 2-chloroadenosine (6 microM) > adenosine (42 microM). 6. NECA potentiation of cyclic GMP formation was reversed by the antagonists XAC, DPCPX and PD 115,199 with apparent inhibition constants of 17, 102 and 242 nM, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Adenosine inhibits and potentiates IgE-dependent histamine release from human basophils by an A2-receptor mediated mechanism.

Adenosine added to human basophils before anti-IgE challenge inhibited histamine release, whereas addition after challenge potentiated release. Peak responses for the two effects occurred 15 min before and after challenge respectively. The effects of adenosine on histamine secretion were dose-related over concentration ranges of 1-100 microM for inhibition and 0.01-1 microM for potentiation. The capacity of adenosine to inhibit and potentiate histamine secretion was inversely related to the strength of immunological challenge. The ability of theophylline (50 microM) to inhibit and dipyridamole (1 microM) to enhance slightly adenosine-induced responses, and the differing pharmacological effect of 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine suggested that adenosine's effects on basophil histamine secretion were mediated by stimulation of cell surface adenosine receptors. The order of potency of adenosine and its analogues L- and D- N6-phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA) and 5'-N-ethylcarboxamideadenosine (NECA) in inhibiting and potentiating IgE-dependent histamine release from basophils indicated that both responses were mediated by stimulation of the adenosine A2-receptor subtype. The capacity of adenosine to cause a transient increase of cyclic AMP levels in 40-70% basophil-enriched leucocytes confirmed the association between stimulation of A2-receptors and activation of adenylate cyclase.     

Adenosine receptors on human airway epithelia and their relationship to chloride secretion.

1. We have characterized an adenosine receptor subtype present in human airway epithelial cells by measuring the changes in the intracellular levels of adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) and the rate of transepithelial Cl- secretion. 2. Primary cultures of human nasal epithelium obtained from excised surgical airway epithelial tissues and the cell lines BEAS39 and CF/T43 derived from human airway epithelium were grown on plastic dishes and labelled with [3H]-adenine for measurement of intracellular cyclic AMP accumulation. Primary cultures were loaded with the calcium indicator fura-2 to measure [Ca2+]i and studied as polarized, ion transporting epithelia on collagen matrix supports for measurement of Cl- secretion. 3. Adenosine analogues stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation with a rank order of potency characteristic of an A2-receptor: 5-N-ethyl-carboxamidoadenosine (NECA) greater than adenosine greater than R-phenylisopropyladenosine (R-PIA), 6-N-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) greater than S-PIA. NECA increased cyclic AMP accumulation in normal and cystic fibrosis (CF) primary cells as well as in the CF/T43 and BEAS39 cell lines with K0.5 values ranging from 0.3 to 3 microM. Preincubation with NECA resulted in the homologous desensitization of airway epithelial cells. The effect of NECA was specifically inhibited by the adenosine receptor antagonist, aminophylline, in a competitive manner. 4. The A1-adenosine receptor agonists CPA and R-PIA did not inhibit isoprenaline-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation in CF/T43 cells, and potentiating effects of the adenosine analogues were observed on forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation. Adenosine analogues did not cause significant changes in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in airway epithelium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Inhibition of mast cell adenosine responsiveness by chronic exposure to adenosine receptor agonists

Mast cell adenosine receptors are up-regulated functionally and numerically by chronic exposure to receptor antagonists, but their response to long-term treatment with receptor agonists has not been studied. To address this issue cultured mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells were exposed to N-ethylcarboxamide adenosine (NECA), an adenosine receptor agonist that augments stimulated mast cell mediator release. Cells grown for 3 days in 1 nM NECA responded normally to A23187 or antigen in releasing beta-hexosaminidase, but the ability of exogenous adenosine to potentiate this mediator release was attenuated markedly. This inhibition of adenosine responsiveness was partially present after 10 min of 1 microM NECA exposure and complete after 4 hr. The inhibitory effects could be reversed by washing NECA-exposed cells and returning them to culture for more than 4 hr. The adenosine present in the fetal calf serum coupled with deoxycoformycin attenuated mast cell adenosine responsiveness. The NECA-treated cells also exhibited a hyporesponsiveness to adenosine's augmentation of cell cyclic AMP content. This hyporesponsiveness was specific for adenosine receptors in that exogenous isoproterenol was able to increase cyclic AMP levels to a similar degree in both control and NECA-treated cells. Thus, chronic NECA exposure induces a homologous desensitization of mast cell adenosine receptors.     

Inhibition of 3,4-diaminopyridine-induced coronary oscillation by adenyl compounds

3,4-Diaminopyridine (DAP) contracted the isolated canine coronary arteries rhythmically. Together with the contractions, plateau potentials which were often preceded by spike-like potentials were recorded with glass microelectrodes. Adenosine inhibited both the DAP-induced contraction and the depolarization. ATP, ADP and AMP inhibited the contraction similarly. Cyclic AMP had a slight inhibitory effect on the contraction and dibutyryl cyclic AMP had no effect on it. Aminophylline antagonized the inhibitory effect of adenosine, ATP and ADP. Dilazep potentiated the effect of adenosine and indomethacin did not affect it. These results show that adenosine occupies the P1-purinoceptor and blocks the DAP-induced repetitive contractions of isolated canine coronary arteries by suppressing the rhythmic depolarization.     

Purine- and Nucleotide-mediated Relaxation of Rabbit Thoracic Aorta: Common and Different Sites of Action

Abstract— The mechanisms of the relaxant effect of purines and pyrimidines in New Zealand rabbit isolated aorta were investigated at endothelial and smooth muscle cell levels. Endothelium-mediated relaxation by ATP was only partially inhibited by the P₂-purinoceptor antagonist suramin (0·1 Mm ). The pyrimidine UTP produced vasodilation by acting at the endothelial level and relaxation was not antagonized by suramin (0·1 Mm ). This effect was not mediated by P₂ purinoceptors, indicating that UTP, like ATP to a certain extent, produces relaxation via an endothelium nucleotide (N) pyrimidinoceptor. ATP, ADP, AMP, adenosine, 5′-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) and inosine were all active as relaxants on smooth muscle. The NECA relaxant effect was not antagonized by P₁-purinoceptor antagonists 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine (50 μm ) or 1,3-dipropyl-8-(2-amino-4-chlorophenyl)xanthine (5 μm ), excluding a P₁-mediated effect. P₂-related activity was excluded because adenosine-mediated relaxation was not antagonized by suramin (0·1 Mm ). UTP was ineffective as a relaxant at smooth muscle level, thus excluding the presence of muscular nucleotide (N) pyrimidinoceptor and suggesting a P₃ purinoceptor. The rank order of potency of this muscle purinoceptor was NECA > adenosine > ATP ? ADP ? AMP ? inosine.     

Potentiation by adenosine of ATP-evoked dopamine release via a pertussis toxin-sensitive mechanism in rat phaeochromocytoma PC12 cells.

1. The effects of adenosine on adenosine 5''-triphosphate (ATP)-evoked dopamine release from rat phaeochromocytoma PC12 cells was investigated to determine whether adenosine exerts a regulatory effect on the ATP-evoked response. Adenosine potentiated ATP (30 microM)-evoked dopamine release in a concentration-dependent manner over a concentration-range of 1 to 100 microM. Adenosine (100 microM) shifted the concentration-dependence of the ATP-evoked response to the left without affecting the maximal response. 2. Aminophylline, a non-selective adenosine receptor antagonist, and CP66713, a selective antagonist at the A2 subclass of adenosine receptors, abolished the adenosine-induced potentiation. Furthermore, 8-cyclopentyltheophylline, a selective antagonist at the adenosine A1 receptor partially inhibited the adenosine-evoked potentiation. CGS22492, a selective A2 receptor agonist, potentiated ATP-evoked dopamine release whereas N6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA), a selective A1 receptor agonist, had no effect. 3. Pertussis toxin (PTX), a bacterial exotoxin which catalyzes the ADP-ribosylation of guanosine 5''-triphosphate (GTP)-binding proteins (G-proteins), inhibited the adenosine-induced potentiation of dopamine release. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP (db cyclic AMP), an analogue of cyclic AMP, had no effect on the release on the ATP-evoked response. 4. Adenosine potentiated the ATP-evoked rise in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca]i) in PC12 cells. This potentiation was also observed with CGS 22492 but not with CHA. PTX completely inhibited the adenosine-induced potentiation of the rise in [Ca]i. 5. On the basis of these findings, we suggest that the adenosine-induced potentiation of ATP-evoked dopamine release was due to an increase in [Ca]i in the cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)