Muscarinic receptor subtypes in rat pancreatic islets: binding and functional studies

Cholinergic agents are potent modulators of insulin release that act via muscarinic receptors. We now investigated the muscarinic receptor subtype present in rat pancreatic islets in binding and functional studies. Binding of 5 nM [3H]N-methylscopolamine ([3H]NMS) was half maximal at 30 min. At 60 min, the maximal total binding was 1.29% and the non-specific binding (presence of 100 microM atropine) was 0.18% of the total radioactivity per 10 micrograms islet protein. Unlabelled atropine inhibited [3H]NMS binding with an IC50 of ca. 30 nM. The rank order of antagonist high-affinity binding was atropine greater than sila-hexocyclium methyl sulfate (SiHC; M1 greater than M3 greater than M2) greater than pirenzepine (M1 greater than M2 approximately M3) = methoctramine (M2 greater than M1 greater than M3). The high-affinity Kds were 8.5, 56, 1300 and 1300 nM, respectively. The high affinity Kd of the muscarinic receptor agonist, arecaidine propargyl ester (APE), was 8.1 nM. The EC50 for the biological effects of APE on insulin and glucagon secretion was 3.2 and 2.3 nM. The rank order for the high-affinity biological effects of antagonists (inhibition of APE-mediated insulin/glucagon release) was almost the same as for binding. The data indicate that rat pancreatic islets contain neither an M1 subtype (high-affinity for pirenzepine) nor an M2 subtype (high-affinity for methoctramine) receptor. However, the data evidence an M3 receptor subtype, since SiHC in the absence of the M1 receptor subtype shows a relatively high affinity to the receptors in rat pancreatic islets.     

Muscarinic receptor heterogeneity in rat central nervous system. II. Brain receptors labeled by [3H]oxotremorine-M correspond to heterogeneous M2 receptors with very high affinity for agonists

We compared the binding characteristics of muscarinic receptors labeled by [3H]oxotremorine-M ([3H]oxo-M) in homogenates of brain cortex and heart from rat. In both tissues [3H]oxo-M bound, with the same KD (6.5 nM), to a fraction of the receptors labeled by [3H]-N-methylscopolamine ([3H]NMS). This [3H]oxo-M receptor population represented, respectively, 15-20% and 35-40% of the total number of [3H]NMS receptors in cortex and heart. The three unlabeled agonists oxotremorine, carbamylcholine, and pilocarpine, when tested in competition with [3H]oxo-M, displayed a homogeneous super high affinity toward [3H]oxo-M-labeled receptors, and were unable to discriminate between brain and heart receptors labeled by [3H]oxo-M. By contrast, selective muscarinic antagonists showed some selectivity for either brain or heart [3H]oxo-M-labeled receptors. We analyzed competition curves between [3H]oxo-M and secoverine, pirenzepine, AF-DX 116, dicyclomine, or gallamine, assuming the existence of one or two receptor subclasses. Heart muscarinic receptors labeled by [3H]oxo-M were homogeneous M2 receptors of the C type with very low affinity for pirenzepine (Ki = 400 nM). Brain [3H]oxo-M-labeled receptors were heterogeneous receptors, with 30% (the B type) having a higher affinity for dicyclomine and a lower affinity for AF-DX 116 and gallamine than cardiac receptors, whereas the remaining 70% (the C type) showed "cardiac-like" binding properties. Both [3H]oxo-M-labeled subtypes in cortex homogenates had a low affinity for pirenzepine, indicating that [3H]oxo-M labeled only B and C (M2) receptors in this tissue. GTP inhibited completely [3H]oxo-M binding in heart homogenates with an IC50 at 300 nM. In cortex homogenates, GTP showed the same potency, but its efficacy was much lower (with only 30% maximal inhibition). [3H]oxo-M dissociation kinetics were monophasic in heart homogenates and biphasic in cortex homogenates. [3H]oxo-M dissociation from both tissues was slowed by gallamine and d-tubocurarine and accelerated by GTP. We found no correlation between B versus C [3H]oxo-M receptors, GTP-sensitive versus GTP-insensitive receptors, and rapidly versus slowly dissociating receptors, suggesting that [3H] oxo-M labeled a large variety of muscarinic receptor-regulatory protein complexes, all having an SH affinity for agonists.     

On the involvement of multiple muscarinic receptor subtypes in the activation of phosphoinositide metabolism in rat cerebral cortex

We have examined the activation of phosphoinositide metabolism by muscarinic agonists in rat cerebral cortex, in an attempt to delineate the mechanisms by means of which some selective antagonists inhibit this response in a manner that deviates from simple mass action law. The accumulation of [3H]inositol phosphates induced by the full agonist carbamylcholine in cell aggregates preparations was inhibited by muscarinic antagonists with the following order of potency: telenzepine greater than atropine greater than 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methyl-piperidine methbromide greater than pirenzepine greater than hexahydro-sila-difenidol greater than AF-DX 116. The same order of potency was found for the competition of these antagonists with [3H]telenzepine binding to M1 muscarinic receptors. The inhibition of the formation of [3H]inositol phosphates activated by acetylcholine, carbamylcholine, and oxotremorine-M by pirenzepine and telenzepine showed biphasic curves, with 62-73% of the response being inhibited with high affinity. Atropine, AF-DX 116, and pirenzepine shifted the concentration-response curves of oxotremorine-M to the right in a parallel manner. However, pirenzepine at micromolar concentrations showed deviation from linearity of the Schild regression. The blockade by high concentrations of pirenzepine and telenzepine showed less than additive dose ratios when assayed in the presence of atropine, suggesting deviation of their antagonism from simple competition. However, after alkylation with propylbenzilylcholine mustard in the presence of low concentrations of pirenzepine, the response to carbamylcholine and oxotremorine-M showed monophasic inhibition curves by pirenzepine and linear Schild regression for this antagonist. These results support the interpretation that the formation of [3H]inositol phosphates is activated by multiple muscarinic receptor subtypes in rat cerebral cortex. The profile of affinities of muscarinic antagonists indicates that a major component of the response is activated by an M1 receptor subtype and a minor component is probably mediated by M3 muscarinic receptors when acetylcholine, carbamylcholine, or oxotremorine-M are used to stimulate the response. Conversely, pirenzepine inhibited the response induced by methacholine and bethanechol in a monophasic manner with high affinity (Ki = 13 nM), suggesting that these agonists can selectively stimulate phosphoinositide metabolism through activation of M1 muscarinic receptors in rat cerebral cortex.     

Direct labeling of rat M3-muscarinic receptors by [3H]4DAMP

The muscarinic receptors of rat submaxillary gland, rat heart and rat cortex were directly labeled using the ligand [3H]4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methyl-piperidine methiodide [( 3H]4DAMP). In the rat submaxillary gland, [3H]4DAMP predominantly bound with high affinity (Kd = 0.2 nM) to a population of binding sites that displayed the pharmacology of the M3 muscarinic receptor subtype. In rat heart, [3H]4DAMP labeled the M2 muscarinic receptor with low affinity (Kd = 4 nM). In rat cortex [3H]4DAMP predominantly bound to a population of sites with high affinity (Kd = 0.2 nM). The pharmacology of these sites was consistent with [3H]4DAMP labeling both M1 and M3 muscarinic receptors present in rat cortex with high affinity. These data indicate that [3H]4DAMP represents a useful ligand for selectively labeling the M1 and M3 muscarinic receptor subtypes.     

Down-regulation of muscarinic receptors in the striatum of organophosphate-treated swine

Subacute (daily) administration of diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) to male swine (Yorkshire white) resulted in a 97% inhibition of cholinesterase and a decrease of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate [( 3H]QNB) binding sites in homogenates of striata by approximately 50% after 14 days. The maximal density of receptors (Bmax) decreased from 2.1 +/- 0.3 to 1.0 +/- 0.2 pmole/mg protein. There was no significant change in the dissociation constant (Kd) for [3H]QNB binding (control: 52.6 +/- 10.7 pM; 7-day: 57 +/- 2.8 pM). Carbachol displacement of [3H]QNB binding yielded data best fit by a two-binding site model. The dissociation constants were KiL = 115 +/- 62 microM (55 +/- 3%) and KiH = 1.8 +/- 0.7 microM (45 +/- 3%), respectively, for the low- and high-affinity states. Seven-Day treatment with DFP reduced the percentage of high-affinity receptors to 22 +/- 8.6%, but affected neither the low- nor the high-affinity Kd (100 +/- 20 and 2 +/- 0.6 microM). With the addition of Mg2+, striatal homogenates had low- and high-affinity receptors in the proportion of approximately 1 to 1. In the presence of Gpp(NH)p + Mg2+ the ratio of high- to low-affinity receptors was 3:1 in homogenates of control tissue (to 26 +/- 5%). This treatment had no effect on this ratio in homogenates of tissue from 7-day DFP-treated swine (3:1) since it was already 3:1. Pirenzepine displacement of [3H]QNB binding was best described by a two-binding site model, with Ki values of 38 +/- 14 and 201 +/- 78 nM, which represent 74 and 26% of the binding sites, respectively. The high affinity Kd value was unchanged following 7 days of DFP treatment (24 +/- 5 nM). There appears to be little change in the displacement curves for pirenzepine inhibition of [3H]QNB binding. This suggests that about 75% of the receptors are of the M1 subtype. Thus, subacute administration of DFP causes not only a decrease in the number of receptors, but also a change in the proportion of agonist affinity states which is related to the interaction of the guanine nucleotide binding protein and the muscarinic receptor.     

Putative M2 muscarinic receptors of rat heart have high affinity for organophosphorus anticholinesterases

The M2 subtype of muscarinic receptor is predominant in heart, and such receptors were reported to be located in muscles as well as in presynaptic cholinergic and adrenergic nerve terminals. Muscarinic receptors of rat heart were identified by the high affinity binding of the agonist (+)-[3H]cis-methyldioxolane ([3H]CD), which has been used to label a high affinity population of M2 receptors. A single population of sites (KD 2.74 nM; Bmax of 82 fmol/mg protein) was detected and [3H]CD binding was sensitive to the M2 antagonist himbacine but much less so to pirenzepine, the M1 antagonist. These cardiac receptors had different sensitivities to NiCl2 and N-ethylmaleimide from brain muscarinic receptors, that were also labeled with [3H]CD and considered to be of the M2 subtype. Up to 70% of the [3H]CD-labeled cardiac receptors had high affinities for several organophosphate (OP) anticholinesterases. [3H]CD binding was inhibited by the nerve agents soman, VX, sarin, and tabun, with K0.5 values of 0.8, 2, 20, and 50 nM, respectively. It was also inhibited by echothiophate and paraoxon with K0.5 values of 100 and 300 nM, respectively. The apparent competitive nature of inhibition of [3H]CD binding by both sarin and paraoxon suggests that the OPs bind to the acetylcholine binding site of the muscarinic receptor. Other OP insecticides had lower potencies, inhibiting less than 50% of 5 nM [3H]CD binding by 1 microM of EPN, coumaphos, dioxathion, dichlorvos, or chlorpyriphos. There was poor correlation between the potencies of the OPs in reversibly inhibiting [3H]CD binding, and their anticholinesterase activities and toxicities. Acetylcholinesterases are the primary targets for these OP compounds because of the irreversible nature of their inhibition, which results in building of acetylcholine concentrations that activate muscarinic and nicotinic receptors and desensitize them, thereby inhibiting respiration. Nevertheless, the high affinities that cardiac muscarinic receptors have for these toxicants point to their extra vulnerability. It is suggested that the success of iv administration of the muscarinic receptor inhibitor atropine in initial therapy of poisoning by OP anticholinesterases may be related in part to the extra sensitivity of M2 receptors to certain OPs.     

Selectivity of oxomemazine for the M1 muscarinic receptors

The binding characteristics of pirenzepine and oxomemazine to muscarinic receptor were studied to evaluate the selectivity of oxomemazine for the muscarinic receptor subtypes in rat cerebral microsomes. Equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) of (-)-[3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate([3H]QNB) determined from saturation isotherms was 64 pM. Analysis of the pirenzepine inhibition curve of [3H]QNB binding to cerebral microsome indicated the presence of two receptor subtypes with high (Ki = 16 nM, M1 receptor) and low (Ki = 400 nM, M3 receptor) affinity for pirenzepine. Oxomemazine also identified two receptor subtypes with about 20-fold difference in the affinity for high (Ki = 84 nM, OH receptor) and low (Ki = 1.65 microM, OL receptor) affinity sites. The percentage populations of M1 and M3 receptors to the total receptors were 61:39, and those of OH and OL receptors 39:61, respectively. Both pirenzepine and oxomemazine increased the KD value for [3H]QNB without affecting the binding site concentrations and Hill coefficient for the [3H]QNB binding. Oxomemazine had a 10-fold higher affinity at M1 receptors than at M3 receptors, and pirenzepine a 8-fold higher affinity at OH receptors than at OL receptors. Analysis of the shallow competition binding curves of oxomemazine for M1 receptors and pirenzepine for OL receptors yielded that 69% of M1 receptors were of OH receptors and the remaining 31% of OL receptors, and that 29% of OL receptors were of M1 receptors and 71% of M3 receptors. However, M3 for oxomemazine and OH for pirenzepine were composed of a uniform population. These results suggest that oxomemazine could be classified as a selective drug for M1 receptors and also demonstrate that rat cerebral microsomes contain three different subtypes of M1, M3 and the other site which is different from M1, M2 and M3 receptors.     

Different agonist binding properties of M1 and M2 muscarinic receptors in calf brain cortex membranes

The muscarinic antagonist 1-[benzilic 4,4'-3H]-quinuclidinyl benzilate [3H]-QNB) bound to a single class of non-cooperative sites in calf cerebral cortex membranes (KD = 0.29 nM and Bmax = 1.06 pM/mg protein). Computer-assisted analysis of the shallow pirenzepine/[3H]-QNB competition binding curves indicated that 68% of these sites were of the M1-subtype and the remaining 32% of the M2 subtype. Respective Ki-values for pirenzepine were 27 nM and 1.14 microM. Binding characteristics of the antagonist atropine and of the agonist carbachol for M2 were evaluated by performing competition binding with 0.5 nM [3H]-QNB in the presence of 2 microM pirenzepine. The binding characteristics for the M1 receptors were obtained indirectly by subtracting the curve for M2 from the total curve, or directly by competition binding with 0.3 nM [3H]-pirenzepine. Atropine competition curves were steep for M1 and M2 and were not affected by 1 mM GTP nor by 1 mM N-ethylmaleimide. The carbachol competition curve was shallow for M2. The steep curves for M1 indicate that this receptor subclass was only composed of low agonist affinity sites. GTP, which caused a rightward shift and a steepening of the carbachol competition curve for M2, did not affect the curves for M1. N-ethylmaleimide provoked a leftward shift and a steepening of the carbachol competition curve for M2 and abolished GTP modulation. A leftward shift was also observed for M1, but of a smaller magnitude (i.e. 3-4-fold for M1 compared to 17-fold for M2). These data suggest that, in calf brain cortex, M1 and M2 receptors show different susceptibility towards GTP and N-ethylmaleimide modulation.     

Dopamine receptor of the porcine anterior pituitary gland. Solubilization and characterization

In the anterior pituitary gland, dopamine controls the release of prolactin from the mammotrophs. The dopamine receptors in the porcine gland have been shown to exist in two different affinity states of equal proportion, one bearing high affinity for agonists and labeled by 3H-agonist-ligands and the other displaying low affinity for agonists. Both forms of the receptor can be labeled by 3H-antagonist-ligands. Dopamine receptors from porcine anterior pituitary membranes can be solubilized with retention of their ability to interact with specific dopaminergic ligands. Treatment of membrane preparations with 1% digitonin resulted in the solubilization of 20-25% of the specific binding sites labeled by [3H] spiroperidol with a specific activity of about 100 fmoles/mg. The receptor was a glycoprotein as assessed by the interaction of these binding sites with agarose-immobilized lectin. [3H]Spiroperidol binding in solubilized preparations was saturable, of high affinity (KD = 570 pM), and to a single class of stereoselective binding sites. Agonist competition for [3H]spiroperidol binding indicated that, whereas the solubilized receptor retained its dopaminergic specificity, the high-affinity interactions of the receptor with agonists present in membranes and sensitive to guanine nucleotides were lost in solubilized preparations. Thus, the KD values calculated from the agonist competition curves for [3H]spiroperidol corresponded to the agonist affinities for the low-affinity state of the receptor documented in membranes. However, high-affinity agonist binding and its sensitivity to guanine nucleotides were preserved when the membrane-bound receptor was prelabeled with the agonist [3H]N-n-propylnorapomorphine prior to solubilization. These results suggest that a component that confers agonist high-affinity binding and guanine nucleotide responsiveness to the receptor is lost during solubilization unless a stable complex is formed with the agonist prelabeled receptor prior to solubilization.     

Muscarinic M1, M2 receptor binding. Relationship with functional efficacy

A comparison has been made between [3H]pirenzepine binding to the M1 receptor population of rat cerebral cortex and [3H]N-methylscopolamine binding to M2 receptors in rat cardiac membranes. Several standard muscarinic antagonists including trihexyphenidyl HCl, benztropine, biperidin and 4-DAMP (4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methyl piperidine methiodide) showed some selectivity for the M1 binding assay. Dicyclomine and hexahydrosiladifenidol were the only antagonists with a selectivity approaching that of pirenzepine. Gallamine and AFDX-116 were the only M2 (cardiac) selective antagonists. Muscarinic agonists displayed profiles which could be classified into two groups, apparently related to their intrinsic activity. One group displayed apparent selectivity for the heart, with low Hill coefficients and contained full agonists such as acetylcholine. The second group displayed less selectivity, intermediate Hill coefficients and contained partial agonists such as pilocarpine. Thus muscarinic agents can distinguish between different tissues not only on the basis of receptor selectivity, but also by recognition of high and low agonist affinity states. Thus the intrinsic activity of a muscarinic agonist may reflect an apparent but not true receptor-mediated selectivity.     

Muscarinic receptors in isolated gastric fundic mucosal cells. Binding-activity relationships

Muscarinic receptors are involved in the control of gastric acid secretion. The characteristics of (3H)-N-methyl-scopolamine [(3H)-NMS] binding to isolated cells from rabbit fundic gastric mucosa and inhibition of this binding by muscarinic agonists, antagonists and other pharmacological agents known to regulate acid secretion are reported. Specific binding for (3H)-NMS was described: antagonists interact with high affinity sites (KD = 0.5 nM) whereas binding curves for agonists clearly deviated from the simple mass action isotherm with a flattening of the curve suggesting the presence of more than one class of sites. The low affinity sites for agonists are in the micromolar range. Pirenzine, a gastroselective antimuscarinic compound, known to differentiate between M1 and M2 sites, inhibited (3H)-NMS binding with an IC50 of 0.05 microM. On the same gastric cell population, muscarinic agonist carbachol stimulated (14C)-aminopyrine accumulation in a dose-dependent manner with an ED-50 of 10 microM, value close to that needed to 50% inhibit (3H)-NMS binding. This stimulation was competitively inhibited by muscarinic antagonists and pA2-values for atropine, QNB and pirenzepine, calculated from linear Schild plots, were in the following order: 9.2 for atropine, 8.6 for QNB and 7.0 for pirenzepine. In conclusion, fundic gastric mucosal cells from rabbit, isolated with collagenase and EDTA, contained specific muscarinic receptors coupled to the acid secretory mechanism and pirenzepine interact with these receptors with an intermediate affinity suggesting the presence of functional M2-sites.     

Prevention of guanine nucleotide-induced reductions in muscarinic agonist binding to rabbit ileal submucosal membranes by lidamidine and tetracaine

Summary The effects of low concentrations (< = 1 mM) of the anti-diarrhoeal drug lidamidine and sub-anaesthetic concentrations (< = 1 M) of tetracaine on the binding of the muscarinic antagonist [³H] N-methylscopolamine ([³H]NMS) and the high affinity muscarinic agonist, [³H] oxotremorine-M ([³H]oxo-M) to broken cell preparations of rabbit ileal submucosal membranes were investigated. High affinity [3H]NMS binding (K _D = 0.79 ± 0.05 nM, B _max = 1.75 ± 0.13 pmoles · mg^–1) was unaffected by either lidamidine or tetracaine. Inhibition of NMS binding by the muscarinic agonist carbachol was reduced by the nonhydrolyzable analogue of GTP, GppNHp. This effect of GppNHp was partially prevented by lidamidine. Analysis of equilibrium binding of the muscarinic agonist [³H] oxotremorine-M revealed that the binding of oxotremorine-M could be best described by the presence of the least two populations of sites with affinities of 0.9 ± 0.2 and 27.7 ± 0.9 nM respectively. High affinity [³H] oxotremorine-M binding was markedly reduced by GppNHp, GDPS and fluoride (5 mM). Neither lidamidine, nor tetracaine had any effect on the binding of oxotremorine-M when added alone. However, lidamidine and tetracaine prevented GppNHp, GDPS and fluoride-induced reductions in oxotremorine-M binding. The present findings are consistent with an allosteric interaction between lidamidine or tetracaine and GppNHp-induced reductions in oxotremorine-M binding to submucosal muscarinic receptors. These effects are discussed in relation to the observed action of lidamidine in potentiating presynaptic inhibition of acetylcholine release by muscarinic agonists. Send offprint requests to D. Bleakman     

Temperature effect on the detection of muscarinic receptor-G protein interactions in ligand binding assays

The ability of guanine nucleotides to lower agonist binding affinity provides a convenient indication of receptor-G protein coupling: guanine nucleotides convert muscarinic receptors from high-affinity states for agonists to low-affinity states. We studied the influence of assay temperature on the demonstration of this coupling in rat brainstem and atrium. Agonist affinity of brainstem receptors increased as temperature was lowered, reflecting a greater proportion of receptors in high-affinity conformations. The influence of 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate, a stable analog of GTP, on agonist binding, determined directly (using [3H]oxotremorine-M) or indirectly (in [3H]N-methylscopolamine/carbamylcholine competition studies), was greatest from 16 to 20 degrees. Guanine nucleotide sensitivity was much reduced at 0-4 degrees and 37 degrees. Brainstem and atrial muscarinic receptors were similarly affected by temperature. We suggest that high-affinity receptor-G protein complexes are unstable at high temperatures, thereby decreasing agonist affinity and masking the guanine nucleotide effect. At low temperatures, the receptor-G protein complex is stabilized and fails to dissociate in the presence of guanine nucleotides. The optimum temperature for monitoring receptor-G protein interactions in binding assays was 16-20 degrees.     

Agonist high- and low-affinity states of the D2-dopamine receptor in calf brain. Partial conversion by guanine nucleotide

In order to determine whether D2-dopaminergic receptors in brain exist in different affinity states for agonists and whether these receptors could be completely converted from their agonist high-affinity state to their agonist low-affinity state, we examined the effect of a guanine nucleotide on the competition between [3H]spiperone and dopamine agonists for binding to homogenates of calf caudate nucleus. [3H]spiperone labeled sites having different affinities for agonists as well as antagonists. Agonists recognized three components of [3H]spiperone binding. Two of these components were related to the D2-dopaminergic receptor. These two sites appeared to represent interconvertible states, each having different affinities for agonists. This was supported by the observation of an apparent guanine nucleotide-induced "conversion" of sites with high affinity to those having low affinity for the agonist. This effect of the guanine nucleotide was incomplete, such that a significant proportion of the high-affinity sites (21%) remained in the presence of an excess of the nucleotide. These high-affinity, guanine nucleotide-insensitive sites may represent a distinct class of binding sites having high affinity for both agonists and antagonists or may be the result at equilibrium of an agonist-independent interaction of the receptor and the guanine nucleotide.     

Pharmacological differences between muscarinic receptors coupled to phosphoinositide turnover and those coupled to adenylate cyclase inhibition

Pharmacological differences between muscarinic cholinergic receptors coupled to phosphoinositide turnover and those coupled to adenylate cyclase were studied. Stimulation of muscarinic receptors from SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells resulted in phosphoinositide hydrolysis, but not in inhibition of cAMP formation. As has been shown previously, stimulation of muscarinic receptors from NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma cells, on the other hand, resulted in inhibition of cAMP formation without any observable phosphoinositide hydrolysis. These two cell lines provide a useful model system in which to study differential coupling of muscarinic cholinergic receptors. Inhibition of [3H]N-methyl scopolamine [( 3H]NMS) binding and inhibition of carbachol-stimulated function by the antagonists pirenzepine, AF-DX 116, and 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide (4-DAMP) were studied in this system. Pirenzepine inhibited [3H]NMS binding in both cell lines with low affinity (Ki of 130 and 160 nM in NG108-15 and SK-N-SH cells respectively), indicating that both cell lines express M2 receptors. None of the three antagonists studied exhibited any clear selectivity for the receptors in one cell line over those of the other. In contrast, several agonists including acetylcholine, bethanechol and carbachol exhibited pronounced selectivity. These agonists inhibited [3H]NMS binding to membranes from SK-N-SH cells with IC50 values that were 17-, 3- and 38-fold higher, respectively, than those of NG108-15 cells. This selectivity was still observed when whole cells rather than membranes were studied. These findings indicate that pharmacological differences between receptors coupled to phosphoinositide turnover and those coupled to cAMP inhibition can be detected with certain agonists, but not with the antagonists pirenzepine, AF-DX 116 or 4-DAMP.     

Gallamine binding to muscarinic M1 and M2 receptors, studied by inhibition of [3H]pirenzepine and [3H]quinuclidinylbenzilate binding to rat brain membranes

Whereas classic muscarinic antagonist ligands appear to recognize only a single class of muscarinic receptor sites, the recently discovered antagonist pirenzepine appears to distinguish at least two classes of sites. Its unique binding properties, demonstrated in both indirect and direct binding studies, have led to an emerging concept of high affinity (M1) and low affinity (M2) sites. This concept has been supported by pharmacologic studies of functional muscarinic responses, as well as by data suggesting different effector relationships for the two sites. Gallamine possesses muscarinic antagonist properties, and it also recognizes heterogeneity among muscarinic receptors. The purpose of this study was to define gallamine-recognized heterogeneity in terms of the pirenzepine-defined M1, M2 concept. This has been done by studying the ability of gallamine to inhibit [3H]pirenzepine binding to the M1 site, and to inhibit [3H]quinuclidinylbenzilate ([3H]QNB) binding in cerebellar membrane preparations, which contain almost exclusively the M2 site. The results show that gallamine binds with high affinity to the M2 site, with Ki = 2.4 nM, and lower affinity to the M1 site with Ki = 24 nM. Within these classes gallamine does not recognize heterogeneity. The ability of gallamine to inhibit [3H]QNB binding to cortex is best described by a two-site model comprised of 77% low affinity gallamine sites (M1) and 23% high affinity gallamine sites (M2). Thus, the heterogeneity among muscarinic receptors which is recognized by gallamine within the receptor binding paradigms of this study can be attributed to the M1, M2 subtypes as defined by pirenzepine binding. In addition, gallamine at low concentrations appears to bind as a pure competitive antagonist at these two sites, indicated by linear Schild plots with slopes of 1.0, the lack of an effect on dissociation of radioligands, and the ability to protect [3H]pirenzepine and [3H]QNB-binding sites from alkylation by propylbenzylcholine mustard. These studies do not exclude the possibility of a non-competitive interaction of gallamine with the muscarinic receptor observed by other investigators at high gallamine concentrations, and postulated to occur at a site adjacent to the primary muscarinic site. It is proposed that gallamine is capable of interacting with both the primary muscarinic site and an allosteric site. These results support the emerging concept of M1 and M2 muscarinic subclasses and suggest that gallamine and related compounds may be useful in defining muscarinic receptor subclasses, given their higher affinity for the M2 site.     

Muscarinic receptors of the vascular bed: radioligand binding studies on bovine splenic veins

Despite an obvious lack of parasympathetic innervation to the spleen, pharmacological evidence suggests the presence of cholinergic receptors in isolated bovine splenic veins. We therefore studied muscarinic cholinergic binding sites in a bovine splenic vein preparation by direct radioligand binding techniques using [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate ([3H]QNB) as radioactive probe. Saturation experiments indicated one homogeneous class of high-affinity binding sites, with a KD of 0.11 nM and a binding site density Bmax of 55 fmol/mg protein. The rate constants at 37 degrees C for formation and dissociation of the [3H]QNB receptor complex were 2.7 X 10(9) M-1 h-1 and 0.38 h-1, respectively, yielding a KD of 0.14 nM. The binding sites showed a high stereospecificity, which was evident from competition experiments with dexetimide (KI = 1.3 nM) and levetimide (KI = 4.6 microM). In competition experiments with muscarinic and nicotinic antagonists and some antidepressants, only one binding site was found, whereas with muscarinic agonists, two binding sites were detected. In the presence of 0.1 mM guanyl-imido-diphosphate, only one binding site could be identified with the muscarinic agonist carbamylcholine. The affinity of [3H]QNB, on the other hand, was slightly decreased, and Bmax values were unchanged. It is concluded that specific, saturable, high-affinity muscarinic binding sites in the bovine splenic vein have been identified and characterized that exhibit properties similar to cholinergic receptors of brain and peripheral tissues and probably mediate acetylcholine-induced relaxation of splenic veins.     

Muscarinic M1 receptors in the lateral septal area mediate cardiovascular responses to cholinergic agonists and bradykinin: supersensitivity induced by chronic treatment with atropine

The infusion of pilocarpine, acetylcholine, bradykinin and the selective M1 muscarinic agonist McNeil-A-343 into the lateral septal area produced a dose-dependent increase of arterial blood pressure and heart rate. The M1 muscarinic agonist carbamylcholine that causes a rise in arterial blood pressure when injected into the anterior lateral ventricles did not produce any cardiovascular effects when infused into the lateral septal area. Chronic treatment with atropine induced supersensitivity to the muscarinic agonists and a significant increase in the number of muscarinic receptors. In this study bradykinin failed to produce any significant change in cardiovascular activity. Pirenzepine, a M1 muscarinic blocking agent, inhibited completely the effect of both muscarinic agonists and bradykinin on cardiovascular activity. In fact, in vitro studies shows that the displacement of the binding of [3H]QNB by pirenzepine is compatible with the presence of the M1 subtype of muscarinic receptor in the lateral septal area, where it may play a major role on cardiovascular regulation.     

Presynaptic and postjunctional muscarinic receptors in dog ileum: binding studies

[3H]N-Methylscopolamine identified two distinct populations of muscarinic receptors in membranes derived from the longitudinal smooth muscle/myenteric plexus of dog ileum. In isolated axonal varicosities, the half-maximal saturation of binding sites occurred at 2.38 +/- 0.39 nM [3H]N-methylscopolamine, with maximal binding capacity 140 +/- 35 fmol/mg protein (mean +/- S.D., n = 8). In purified smooth muscle plasma membranes, the Kd value was 16 +/- 3 nM with Bmax 1960 +/- 494 fmol/mg. The displacement potencies of subtype-selective muscarinic antagonists in the fraction of axonal varicosities followed the order 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine (4-DAMP) methiodide much greater than pirenzepine = methoctramine greater than AF-DX 116 with pKi values 7.38, 5.67, 5.70 and 5.13, respectively. Both 4-DAMP methiodide and pirenzepine were approximately 4-fold less potent in displacing the ligand from the receptors in smooth muscle plasma membranes as compared to varicose receptors. The potency ratios of cardioselective antagonists methoctramine and AF-DX 116 on varicose and smooth muscle receptors were 1 and 1.7. It is concluded that presynaptic receptors located on isolated axonal varicosities have pharmacological properties similar to glandular (M3) subtype of muscarinic receptors. The binding properties of receptors present in smooth muscle plasma membranes were found incompatible with those of any of the M1, M2 or M3 subtypes.     

The binding of [3H]4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide to longitudinal ileal smooth muscle muscarinic receptors

Muscarinic receptors present in longitudinal ileum were characterized using the non-selective radioligand [3H]N-methylscopolamine [( 3H]NMS) and the M3 selective radioligand [3H]4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide [( 3H]4DAMP). In saturation studies, [3H]4DAMP, but not [3H]NMS, identified two populations of binding sites with 17% of the sites (155 fmol/mg protein) displaying high affinity (Kd = 0.39 nM) for [3H]4DAMP and the remaining sites displaying low affinity for the radioligand (Kd = 4.43 nM). In competition studies gallamine and methoctramine, but not AF-DX 116, identified two populations of [3H]NMS binding sites. Affinity estimates for gallamine and methoctramine indicated that 80% of the [3H]NMS binding sites were of the M2 subtype. The minor population of [3H]NMS binding sites could not be readily characterized, due partly to the low selectivity of the competing ligands and also to the relatively low density of the sites. In studies using the M3 muscarinic receptor selective radioligand [3H]4DAMP, the minor population of sites could be preferentially labeled by using a low concentration (0.4 nM) of [3H]4DAMP. Under these conditions, [3H]4DAMP labeled approximately equal levels of the two muscarinic receptor binding sites present in the ileum. Competition studies with AF-DX 116, gallamine and methoctramine indicated that the two [3H]4DAMP binding sites displayed the pharmacology expected of the M2 and M3 receptors, respectively. These results provide additional evidence that longitudinal ileal smooth muscle membranes contain both M2 and M3 muscarinic receptors and indicate that [3H]4DAMP is a useful ligand for identifying heterogeneity of muscarinic receptor subtypes.