Antagonists and agonists interactions with the muscarinic receptor of the rat large airways

The muscarinic receptor in the rat large airway was characterized by radioligand binding experiments. Using I-quinuclidinyl (phenyl-4-[3H])benzilate ([3H]QNB) as the radioligand, the receptor appears to be homogenous. The receptor density was 23 fmol/mg of protein and the Kd value for [3H]QNB binding was 16 pM. Competition of the [3H]QNB binding for the receptor with selective antagonists and agonists was used to characterize the muscarinic receptor. The K0.5 values for the (M1)-selective antagonists pirenzepine and telenzepine were 210 and 20 nM, respectively. The M2a-selective antagonist AF-DX 116 and the M2b-selective antagonist hexahydrosila-difenidol had K0.5 values of 130 and 120 nM, respectively. By comparing the apparent affinities of these antagonists in the large airways to their affinities in rat heart, the large airway muscarinic receptor appears to be of the M2a type. Agonists competition curves of [3H]QNB binding to the receptor were shallow. The agonist curves were modeled to one- and two-site binding models. All agonists, including M1-selective agonists, gave preferred fits to two-site models. Guanine nucleotide in the assay caused right shifts of the competition curves and decreased the apparent proportion of the receptor population that was in the higher affinity state for the agonists. Thus, it is concluded that: 1) the rat large airway muscarinic receptor interacts with antagonists in a manner which support the hypothesis that the receptors are of the M2a subtype and 2) both the high and low agonist affinity states of the M2a receptor of the rat large airways are capable of interacting with M1 agonists.     

Characterization of mu, kappa, and delta opioid binding in amphibian whole brain tissue homogenates

Opioid agonists produce analgesia in mammals through the activation of mu, kappa, or delta opioid receptors. Previous behavioral and binding studies from our laboratory using an amphibian model suggested that mu, kappa, or delta opioid agonists may activate a single type of opioid receptor in the grass frog, Rana pipiens. In the present study, kinetic, saturation, and competitive binding profiles for three opioid radioligands, [(3)H]DAMGO ([D-Ala(2),N-Me-Phe(4),Gly(5)-ol]-enkephalin) (mu-selective), [(3)H]U65953 [(5 alpha, 7 alpha,8 beta)-(+)-N-methyl-N-[7-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-1-oxaspiro[4.5]dec-8-yl]-benzeneacetamide] (kappa-selective), and [(3)H]DPDPE ([D-Pen(2),D-Pen(5)]-enkephalin) (delta-selective) were determined using frog whole brain homogenates. Kinetic analyses and experimentally derived values from saturation experiments gave affinity constants (K(D)) in the low nanomolar range. The density of opioid binding sites (B(max)) was 224.4, 118.6, and 268.9 fmol/mg for mu, kappa, and delta opioid radioligands, respectively. The affinity values did not significantly differ among the three opioid radioligands, but the kappa radioligand bound to significantly fewer sites than did the mu or delta radioligands. K(i) values for unlabeled mu, kappa, and delta competitors, including highly selective opioid antagonists, were consistent with each radioligand selectivity profile. The present data suggest that mu, kappa, and delta opioid radioligands bind to distinct opioid receptors in amphibians that are surprisingly similar to those found in mammalian brain.     

Evidence for an agonist-induced, ATP-dependent change in muscarinic receptors of intact 1321N1 cells

The binding of muscarinic agonists, partial agonists and antagonists to muscarinic receptors of intact 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells and of cell lysates was studied. Partial agonists and antagonists exhibited similar apparent affinities in intact cell competition binding assays with either the lipophilic radioligand [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate [( 3H]QNB) or the hydrophilic radioligand [3H]N-methyl scopolamine [( 3H]NMS). In contrast, full agonists exhibited markedly lower apparent affinities in intact cell competition binding assays with [3H]QNB than with [3H]NMS. The affinities of agonists and antagonists in competition for [3H] NMS binding to intact cells were slightly higher than those observed in competitions for [3H]QNB binding in cell lysates. In contrast, the affinities of agonists in competition for [3H]QNB binding to intact cells were considerably lower than those in competition for [3H]QNB binding in cell lysates. Treatment of cells with antimycin A to deplete intracellular ATP prevented agonist-induced internalization of muscarinic receptors as assessed by sucrose density gradient assays of receptor subcellular distribution. In ATP-depleted cells, the apparent affinities of full agonists vs. [3H]QNB were markedly higher and were similar to their apparent affinities vs. [3H]QNB in cell lysates. The apparent affinities of partial agonists and of antagonists were unaffected by ATP depletion. ATP depletion decreased slightly the apparent affinity of the full agonist carbachol in competition for [3H]NMS binding to intact cells, whereas the apparent affinity of atropine was unchanged. These results provide evidence for an agonist-specific, ATP-dependent low affinity state of intact cell muscarinic receptors that may be similar to those observed previously for both beta and alpha-1 adrenergic receptors and that may be related to receptor internalization/sequestration.     

CHARACTERIZATION OF β-ADRENOCEPTORS IN MYOMETRIUM OF PREPARTURIENT RATS

The purpose of this study was to characterize the beta-adrenoceptor subtypes in pregnant rat myometrial membrane fractions and to determine the concentration of beta 2-adrenoceptors in uterus during late pregnancy. Two methods are compared. A non-subtype-selective antagonist radioligand [3H]dihydroalprenolol ([3H]DHA) was used to label all of the beta-adrenoceptors. [3H]DHA bound to both beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptors with indistinguishable affinity (KD = 1.31 nM, Bmax = 174 fmol/mg protein). Computer modelling of competition curves of unlabeled selective antagonists or agonists was then required in order to determine reliably beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptor affinities and proportions: the beta 1-adrenoceptors represent 35.5% and the beta 2-adrenoceptors 64.5% of the entire beta-adrenoceptor population in rat gravid myometrium at term. The second approach utilized the radioligand [3H]hydroxybenzylisoproterenol ([3H]HBI) which is a very high-affinity beta-adrenoceptor agonist. The characteristics of the [3H]HBI binding sites are essentially those expected of beta 2-adrenoceptors, but the [3H]HBI binding sites represent only 34% of [3H]DHA binding sites and may represent the fraction of beta 2-adrenoceptors that mediate adenylate cyclase stimulation and uterine relaxation. Between 21 d 09 h and 22 d 09 h of gestation, the number of beta 2-adrenoceptors was constant (mean = 225.6 +/- 20.2 fmol/mg protein). At term, the number of [3H]HBI binding sites dropped (-75%) during the last 7 h of pregnancy, suggesting a reduced ability to elicit relaxation through beta-adrenoceptor activation in parturient myometrium of rat.     

Quantitative analysis of the selectivity of radioligands for subtypes of beta adrenergic receptors

In tissues with two classes of binding sites for a drug, it is common to estimate the proportion of each class of binding site by inhibiting the binding of a radioligand with a selective unlabeled ligand. Accurate estimates of the density of each class of binding site, however, will be obtained only if the radioligand is nonselective or used at a concentration that saturates both classes of binding sites. A method of simultaneous regression analysis of multiple inhibition curves, using the program MLAB on the PROPHET system, was used to quantify the selectivity of radioligands for beta-1 or beta-2 adrenergic receptors. The selectivity of [125I]iodopindolol, [125I]iodocyanopindolol, [125I]iodohydroxybenzylpindolol and [3H]dihydroalprenolol for beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors was assessed by inhibiting the binding of each radioligand with the beta-1-selective unlabeled ligand ICI 89,406 at increasing concentrations of the radioligand, using membranes prepared from C6 glioma cells, which have both beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors. Scatchard plots for all four radioligands were linear, with correlation coefficients greater than 0.95. [125I]Iodopindolol and [125I]iodocyanopindolol were 3.2- and 2-fold selective, respectively, and [125I]iodohydroxybenzylpindolol and [3H]dihydroalprenolol were 5.8- and 2.3-fold selective, respectively, for beta-2 adrenergic receptors. Values obtained for the densities of beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors and the affinities of the receptors for ICI 89,406 were independent of the radioligand used.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Interaction of a radiolabeled agonist with cardiac muscarinic cholinergic receptors

The interaction of a radiolabeled muscarinic cholinergic receptor agonist, [methyl-3H]oxotremorine acetate [( 3H]OXO), with a washed membrane preparation derived from rat heart, has been studied. In binding assays at 4 degrees C, the rate constants for association and dissociation of [3H]OXO were 2 X 10(7) M-1 min-1 and 5 X 10(-3) min-1, respectively, Saturation binding isotherms indicated that binding was to a single population of sites with a Kd of approximately 300 pM. The density of [3H]OXO binding sites (90-100 fmol/mg of protein) was approximately 75% of that determined for the radiolabeled receptor antagonist [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate. Both muscarinic receptor agonists and antagonists inhibited the binding of [3H]OXO with high affinity and Hill slopes of approximately one. Guanine nucleotides completely inhibited the binding of [3H]OXO. This effect was on the maximum binding (Bmax) of [3H]OXO with no change occurring in the Kd; the order of potency for five nucleotides was guanosine 5'-O-(3-thio-triphosphate) greater than 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate greater than GTP greater than or equal to guanosine/diphosphate greater than GMP. The [3H]OXO-induced interaction of muscarinic receptors with a guanine nucleotide binding protein was stable to solubilization. That is, membrane receptors that were prelabeled with [3H]OXO could be solubilized with digitonin, and the addition of guanine nucleotides to the soluble, [3H]OXO-labeled complex resulted in dissociation of [3H]OXO from the receptor. Pretreatment of membranes with relatively low concentrations of N-ethylmaleimide inhibited [3H]OXO binding by 85% with no change in the Kd of [3H]OXO, and with no effect on [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate binding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Characterization of [5,6-3H]SQ 29,548 as a high affinity radioligand, binding to thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2-receptors in human platelets

The binding of 5,6-3H(1S-[1 alpha, 2 beta(5Z), 3 beta, 4 alpha])-7-[3-([2-[(phenyl amino)carbonyl]hydrazino]methyl)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]-5- heptenoic acid to receptors in human washed platelets (WP) and platelet membranes (PM) was characterized with regard to kinetics, saturability and competitive inhibition by putative thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 (TP)-receptor ligands. Specific binding of [3H]SQ 29,548 routinely amounted to 90 to 97% of total binding. The rate of association was 1.6 x 10(7) and 2.5 x 10(7) M-1 x min-1 in WP and PM, respectively. The corresponding rate of dissociation was 0.07 and 0.12 min-1, resulting in dissociation constants of 4.1 and 5.8 nM in WP and PM, respectively. Saturable binding to a single class of receptors indicated a receptor density of 2633 fmol/mg of protein in WP (1394 receptors/platelet; kd, 4.5 nM) and 1466 fmol/mg of protein in PM (kd, 11.3 nM). Specific binding of [3H]SQ 29,548 was inhibited by five antagonists (high/low affinity kd values in nanomolar), SQ 29,548 (WP, 5.2; PM, 7.3), SQ 28,668 (WP, 32; PM, 73), SQ 30,741 (WP, 28; PM, 50), BM 13,177 (WP, 140; PM, 4834) and BM 13,505 (WP, 5/379; PM, 11). Two agonists, U 44069 and U 46619, inhibited the binding in a biphasic manner, indicating binding to two receptor sites (approximately 20/80%) with kd values of 4/72 and 4/170 nM, respectively, in WP and 7/136 and 19/502 nM, respectively in PM. The demonstrated high affinity binding of [3H]SQ 29,548 to human platelet TP-receptors should make this radioligand a suitable and potentially useful tool in future studies of function, structure and regulation of TP-receptors.     

Muscarinic cholinergic receptor subtype on frog esophageal peptic cells: binding and secretion studies

The muscarinic receptors coupled to pepsinogen secretion on isolated frog esophageal peptic cells have been characterized using functional and radioligand binding techniques. N-[3H]methylscopolamine [( 3H]NMS) binding to intact cells was complex and indicative of a high affinity, low capacity site and a high capacity uptake site. Binding to the high capacity site was inhibited by atropine with high affinity (IC50, 3 nM) and by imipramine and propranolol with IC50 values of 70 and 270 nM, respectively. After inhibition of uptake by 30 microM propranolol, [3H]NMS bound to a single population of high affinity sites (KD, 125 +/- 16 pM), which exhibited binding site maximum of 2.1 fmol/10(6) cells, equivalent to 1260 sites/cell. Binding to these sites was reversible, stereoselective and inhibited by muscarinic receptor agonists with an order of potency: oxotremorine greater than acetylcholine greater than carbachol greater than bethanechol and by antagonists with an order of potency:atropine greater than 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methobromide greater than pirenzepine greater than AF-DX 116 (11-2[2-[[diethylamino) methyl]-1-piperidinyl]acetyl]-5, 11-dihydro-6H-pyrido[2,3-b][1,4]-benzodiazepine-6-one). Pepsinogen secretion was stimulated by the agonists with an order of potency: acetylcholine greater than or equal to carbachol greater than oxotremorine greater than bethanechol. Atropine, pirenzepine and AF-DX 116 competitively inhibited carbachol-stimulated pepsinogen secretion with pA2 values of 9.58, 7.37 and 6.68, respectively, which correlated with their log (inhibition constants) for receptor binding. By contrast, agonists with significant efficacy exhibited EC50 values which were 20 to 90 times lower than their inhibition constants for binding which suggests the possibility of "spare" muscarinic receptors. Our findings indicate that functional muscarinic receptors on peptic cells exhibit similar characteristics to the high affinity sites labeled by [3H]NMS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Characterization of D-2 dopamine receptors in a tumor of the rat anterior pituitary gland

Dopamine receptors in the 7315a transplantable rat anterior pituitary tumor were characterized using radioligand binding assays with [3H]spiroperidol ([3H]SPD) and assays of adenylate cyclase activity. Scatchard analysis of the binding of [3H]SPD yielded linear plots and a Kd value of 73 pM. Studies of the inhibition of the binding of [3H]SPD were performed with a series of competing ligands, including the antagonists domperidone, (+)-butaclamol and sulpiride and the agonists dopamine, bromocriptine and N-propylnorapomorphine. Inhibition curves for the antagonists gave Hill coefficients of approximately 1, consistent with the presence of only a single class of binding sites with a high affinity for [3H]SPD. In contrast, the Hill coefficient for dopamine was significantly less than 1. When assays were carried out in the presence of 300 microM GTP, the inhibition curve for dopamine was shifted to the right and the Hill coefficient increased to approximately 1. An effect of GTP on the affinity of a receptor for agonists is consistent with the existence of at least two agonist affinity states. Inhibition of the binding of [3H]SPD by the partial agonist bromocriptine was not affected when assays were carried out in the presence of GTP. The uniform low affinity of the selective serotonin antagonist ketanserin for these sites indicated that the radioligand was not labeling serotonin-2 receptors in this tissue. A good correlation was observed between the Ki values for competing ligands measured in the tumor and in homogenates of rat striatal tissue. Dopamine was shown to inhibit forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Evidence that epinephrine acts preferentially as an antilipolytic agent in abdominal human subcutaneous fat cells: assessment by analysis of beta and alpha2 adrenoceptors properties

Investigations were carried out to demonstrate the function and the possible advantage of the interplay between beta 1 and alpha 2 adrenoceptor sites in the regulation of human subcutaneous fat-cell lipolysis. alpha 2 and beta adrenoceptor binding studies were conducted with antagonist radioligands and revealed that alpha 2-adrenoceptors ([3H]yohimbine and [3H]rauwolscine binding sites) are more numerous than beta 1-adrenoceptors ([3H]dihydroalprenolol and [3H]CGP-12177 binding sites) in human fat-cell membranes. Physiological agonists epinephrine and norepinephrine competed with [3H]-ligand sites with a higher affinity for alpha 2 sites than for beta 1 sites. Epinephrine exhibited a higher affinity than norepinephrine for the alpha 2 sites; the two amines had the same affinity for beta 1 sites. In lipolysis studies conducted in the absence of adenosine deaminase the beta lipolytic action of the biological amines predominated; after alpha 2-adrenoceptor blockade by yohimbine or idazoxan, the amines exhibited an intrinsic activity similar to that of isoproterenol. When adenosine was prevented from accumulating in the incubation medium by inclusion of adenosine deaminase, low concentrations of epinephrine and norepinephrine preferentially exerted an antilipolytic action. We conclude that: he lipolytic response in abdominal human subcutaneous fat cells to physiological amines results from the interplay between beta 1-and alpha 2-adrenoceptor stimulation; alpha 2 adrenoceptors, with their higher number and higher affinity for the physiological amines, and the adrenoceptor population involved at the lowest (i.e. physiological) concentrations of the amines.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Stabilization of antagonist binding to cardiac muscarinic acetylcholine receptors by gallamine and other neuromuscular blocking drugs

The effects of neuromuscular blocking drugs and muscarinic agonists and antagonists on the dissociation of [3H]quinuclidinylbenzilate ([3H]QNB) from muscarinic receptors was studied on rat atrial homogenates. In typical experiments the investigated drug was added to the homogenate equilibrated with [3H]QNB and the amount of undissociated [3H]QNB receptor complexes was measured 40 min later. The antagonists atropine and pirenzepine, agonists carbamoylcholine and methylfurmethide and neuromuscular blockers pancuronium, d-tubocurarine and decamethonium caused a concentration-dependent dissociation of [3H]QNB from the receptors, which may be explained by their competition with [3H]QNB for the same (primary) binding sites. In accordance with this, these drugs did not affect the dissociation of [3H]QNB elicited by an excess of atropine, which indicates that the kinetics of dissociation of the [3H]QNB receptor complex remained unchanged in their presence. Neuromuscular blockers alcuronium, gallamine and to a lesser degree tercuronium differed from the other drugs in that 1) their effect on [3H]QNB dissociation was biphasic, being higher at their low (10(-6) to 10(-5) M) than at their high concentrations (10(-4) to 10(-3) and that 2) at high concentrations they strongly inhibited the dissociation of [3H]QNB receptor complexes elicited by the excess of atropine. Their behavior may be rationalized by assuming that at low concentrations they bind to the primary binding site making rebinding of once dissociated [3H]QNB molecules improbable (competitive mechanism), whereas at high concentrations they also act on a secondary (allosteric) binding site stabilizing the [3H]QNB receptor complexes by slowing their off-kinetics.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Quantitative autoradiographic characterization of the binding of (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5, 10-imine ([3H]MK-801) in rat brain: regional effects of polyamines.

The distribution and properties of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, labeled with [3H](+)-5-methyl-10, 11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5 5,10-imine (MK-801), were examined in rat brain. In sections of brain mash, the kinetics of association and dissociation of [3H]MK-801 were monophasic in the presence of 100 microM glutamate and glycine, and Scatchard transformations of saturation isotherms resulted in linear plots. Inhibition of the binding of [3H]MK-801 by other noncompetitive antagonists produced competition curves with Hill coefficients close to 1.0, consistent with a simple bimolecular interaction between the radioligand and the receptor. Scatchard plots based upon densitometric measurements of [3H]MK-801 binding in serial sections of rat brain were also linear, with dissociation constant values ranging from 5.0 to 8.4 nM in different regions at the level of the hippocampus. The distribution of [3H]MK-801 binding sites paralleled the distribution of NMDA displaceable L-[3H]glutamate binding sites. One exception was the cerebellar granule cell layer, where the density of binding sites for [3H]MK-801 was extremely low. The relative density of [3H]MK-801 to NMDA displaceable L-[3H]glutamate binding sites was approximately 1 to 2, consistent with the existence of two transmitter recognition sites per NMDA receptor. The modulatory effects of polyamines on [3H]MK-801 binding were studied in washed brain sections. The polyamine agonists spermine and spermidine enhanced [3H]MK-801 binding in all regions studied, with increases ranging from 18% in the thalamus to 106% in the ventromedial striatum. The effects of spermine and spermidine in these regions were highly correlated. Diethylenetriamine, which blocks the effects of spermidine, by itself produced decreases in the binding of [3H]MK-801 in most regions ranging from 5 to 21% but increased binding in parts of the striatum by 3 to 22%. The decrease in binding produced by diethylenetriamine in different brain regions was negatively correlated with the increase in binding produced by the agonists, suggesting that variability in the residual concentration of endogenous polyamines contributes to the regional variability of agonist effects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Beta adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in canine myocardium. Effects of ischemia.

Experimental myocardial ischemia produced in dogs by proximal left anterior descending coronary artery ligation is accompanied by relatively rapid (1 h) increases in the number of (-) [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding sites without changing their dissociation constants in ischemic left ventricular tissue. The changes, persist for at least 8 h and are accompanied by marked decreases in myocardial tissue ischemic region norepinephrine content. In contrast, in the same canine model 1 h of proximal left anterior descending coronary artery ligation did not result in a significant change in the number of [3H]quinuclidynl benzilate binding sites of their dissociation constants. However, the number of [3H]quinuclidynl benzilate binding sites (muscarinic cholinergic receptors) are 50--70% greater than (-) [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding sites (beta adrenergic receptors) in canine left ventricular tissue. Thus, the data suggest that proximal left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion for 1 h significantly increases the number of beta adrenergic receptors in ischemic left ventricular tissue without changing the number of muscarinic cholinergic receptors. Whether the ischemia-produced increase in cardiac beta-receptor content is causally related to increased cyclic AMP levels that develop in ischemic tissue and/or an etiologic factor in arrhythmias originating from ischemic myocardial tissue will have to be determined in additional studies.     

Interaction of beta adrenergic agonists and antagonists with brain beta adrenergic receptors in vivo

There is interest in knowing whether beta adrenergic antagonists or agonists, when administered systemically, can enter the brain to interact with central beta adrenergic receptors. To study this, the reduction in the radioactive content in the brain of rats after administration of (-)-[125I]iodopindolol (IPIN) by systemically administered beta agonists or antagonists was measured. Previous studies show that after the i.v. administration of IPIN the binding in vivo to various areas of the central nervous system has the characteristics expected of binding to beta adrenergic receptors. Of the antagonists tested, pindolol and butylpindolol showed potent interactions with beta receptors in both cortex and cerebellum whereas atenolol and practolol did not interact at doses up to 30 mg/kg. CGP-12177 showed moderate potency in inhibiting IPIN binding in vivo. We have shown previously that propranolol and alprenolol inhibit IPIN binding with high potency in cortex and cerebellum. At high doses, butoxamine, a beta-2 antagonist, reduced the binding of IPIN in the cerebellum but not in the cortex. Of the agonists tested, clenbuterol and prenalterol caused a significant dose-dependent reduction of the binding of IPIN, with clenbuterol being more potent. Isoproterenol, salbutamol, salmefamol and dobutamine had no effect. With the exception of CGP-12177, the affinity of the drugs for central beta adrenergic receptors measured in vitro was correlated significantly with their ability to inhibit IPIN binding in vivo whereas their degree of lipophilicity was not correlated significantly with potency in vivo. The inhibition of IPIN binding in vivo from brain areas can be used to evaluate whether drugs penetrate into brain and interact with central beta adrenergic receptors.     

Differential recovery of beta adrenoreceptor antagonist and agonist high affinity binding sites in the guinea-pig lung after irreversible blockade

The recovery of guinea-pig lung beta adrenoreceptors and beta adrenergic-mediated airway responsiveness was studied after irreversible receptor blockade with bromoacetylalprenololmentane (BAAM). The antagonist receptor concentration and those receptors able to form the agonist high affinity binding state were determined by (-)-[3H]dihydroalprenolol (DHA) and [3H]hydroxybenzylisoproterenol (HBI) binding, respectively. Airway responsiveness was measured by the ability of isoproterenol infusions to shift the histamine dose-response curve for airway constriction. Twenty-four hours after a single i.p. injection of BAAM (20 mg/kg), both [3H]DHA and [3H]HBI binding were reduced by 48 to 51% without changing the KD value for either ligand. In addition, there was a complete block of airway responsiveness to isoproterenol infusion at 1 microgram/kg/min although responsiveness similar to control values was observed at a higher infusion rate (10 micrograms/kg/min). Ninety-six hours after BAAM treatment, [3H]DHA binding had recovered to the control value whereas no recovery of [3H]HBI binding or of airway responsiveness was observed. By 144 hr after injection, both [3H]HBI binding and airway responsiveness had recovered to control values. The data indicate that after irreversible blockade, the total receptor population as measured by antagonists recovers relatively quickly followed by a slower recovery of those receptors able to form the agonist high affinity binding state that parallels the recovery of airway responsiveness.     

Two distinct populations of [3H]prazosin and [3H]yohimbine binding sites in the plasma membranes of rat mesenteric artery

Postsynaptic alpha adrenoceptor subtypes have been investigated by radioligand binding studies in plasma membrane vesicles prepared from rat mesenteric arteries using [3H]prazosin and [3H]yohimbine. Both the radioligands displayed monophasic saturation in binding with a single component on Scatchard analysis. In the estrogenized female rat mesenteric artery, the specific binding of [3H]prazosin was rapid, saturable, reversible and of high affinity (0.65 +/- 0.05 nM) with a maximum binding capacity (Bmax) of 177 +/- 14 fmol/mg of protein. The maximum number of [3H]yohimbine binding sites were 427 +/- 31 fmol/mg of protein with the Kd equal to 34.5 +/- 3.8 nM. There was no evidence of cooperativity in the binding of both the ligands. The Kd values of [3H]prazosin and [3H]yohimbine, calculated from their respective kinetic analyses of binding, were in good agreement with the Kd values estimated from Scatchard plots. Prazosin was 15,000 times more potent in competing at the [3H]prazosin binding sites than at the [3H]yohimbine sites. In contrast, unlabeled yohimbine was 100-fold more potent in competing at the [3H]yohimbine binding sites than at the [3H]prazosin sites. The affinity of BE 2254 was 10,500 times higher for the [3H]prazosin binding sites than its affinity for the [3H]yohimbine binding sites. Non-alpha adrenoceptor antagonists competed poorly for both the radioligand binding sites. The Kd and Bmax of [3H]prazosin and [3H]yohimbine binding in the membranes of male rat mesenteric arteries were not significantly different from the corresponding values in the membranes of estrogenized female rat mesenteric artery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Alpha adrenergic receptor subtype associated with receptor binding, Ca++ influx, Ca++ release and contractile events in the rabbit aorta

The alpha-adrenergic receptor mechanism in rabbit aorta was examined for the involvement of alpha-1 or alpha-2 receptor subtypes. Agonists (phenylephrine, norepinephrine and clonidine) and antagonists (prazosin and yohimbine) with known receptor subtype selectivity were used to define the contribution of alpha-1 or alpha-2 receptors to receptor-initiated cellular Ca++ influx, intracellular release of Ca++ and overall contraction. The receptor content of isolated membranes was also measured in [3H]prazosin and [3H]yohimbine radioligand binding studies. Contraction-derived KB values for prazosin (3 nM) or yohimbine (1 microM) were similar for all three agonists, indicating that each acted on the same alpha-1 receptor. Prazosin (10(-7) M) was effective in causing inhibition of cellular Ca++ influx initiated by agonists whereas yohimbine (10(-6) M) had no effect. Prazosin but not yohimbine caused a partial reduction in phenylephrine or norepinephrine-induced stimulation of 45Ca efflux rate whereas the smaller clonidine-induced stimulation was totally inhibited by prazosin and partially inhibited by yohimbine. Alpha-1 specific binding of [3H]prazosin was observed with a KD of 3.5 nM and maximum binding site (Bmax) of 73 fmol/mg of protein. Although no alpha-2 specific binding of [3H]yohimbine was observed, binding to a low-affinity/high-capacity class of sites was found. The results indicate the sole presence and contribution of alpha-1 receptors to Ca++ flux and contractile events in the rabbit aorta.     

Ectopic beta-adrenergic receptor binding sites. possible molecular basis of aberrant catecholamine responsiveness of an adrenocortical tumor adenylate cyclase.

The molecular basis for the aberrant catecholamine responsiveness of the adenylate cyclase of adrenocortical carcinoma 494 was explored. The adenylate cyclase of this corticosteroid-producing, transplanted, adrenal cancer of the rat was stimulated not only by adrenocorticotropic hormone and fluoride, but also by the beta-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol. The adenylate cyclase of normal adrenal tissue was unresponsive to isoproterenol. Direct binding studies with the specific high affinity B-adrenergic ligand, (-)[3H]dihydroalprenolol, demonstrated the pressure of 0.094 pmol of specific binding sites per milligram of tumor membrane protein. By contrast, normal adrenal membranes contained too few binding sites to accurately measure and study using these techniques. The tumor binding sites had high affinity for (-)[3H] dihydroalprenolol with an equilibrium dissociation constant of 2.1 nM. Adrenergic agonists competed for the binding sites in an order of potency, [(-) isoproterenol greater than (-) epinephrine (-) norepinephrine], paralleling their order of potency as beta-adrenergic agonists. The beta-adrenergic antagonist, (-) propranolol, competed for binding, causing half-mzximal inhibition of specific binding at a concentration of 6 nM. The alpha-adrenergic antagonist, phentolamine, and several catecholamine metabolites and precursors did not effectively compete for the binding sites at high concentrations. Binding was stereospecific, the (+) stereoisomers of beta-adrenergic agonists and antagonists requiring 40- to 300-fold higher concentrations than the corresponding (-) stereoisomers to half maximally inhibit (-) [3H] dihydroalprenolol binding. These results indicate that adrenocortical carcinoma 494 membranes contain beta-adrenergic receptor-binding sites which are not normally present in membranes of adrenal tissue. These ectopic beta-adrenergic receptors presumably confer on the neoplastic tissue the catecholamine sensitivity of its adenylate cyclase.     

Effects of prolonged phenylephrine infusion on cardiac adrenoceptors and calcium channels

Effects of prolonged in vivo infusion of phenylephrine upon receptor binding and cardiac contractility were studied in Sprague-Dawley rats. A 1-hr i.v. infusion of phenylephrine (3 mg/kg/hr) resulted in a sustained 50% increase in diastolic blood pressure and 5% increase in heart rate. Chronic (6-day) infusion (3 mg/kg/hr) utilizing Alzet mini-osmotic pumps maintained plasma concentrations of phenylephrine at 1.0 microgram/ml, depleted myocardial norepinephrine stores 8-fold and resulted in a modest cardiac hypertrophy. Density and affinity of myocardial adrenoceptors and calcium channels were quantified by analyzing saturation isotherms of radioligand binding. [3H]Prazosin, [3H]dihydroalprenolol and [3H]nitrendipine bound specifically and with high affinity to cardiac alpha-1 and beta adrenoceptors and calcium channels, respectively. As measured by Scatchard analyses, phenylephrine infusion significantly decreased the maximum number (Bmax) of specific [3H]prazosin binding sites by 39% (430 +/- 20 vs. 263 +/- 16 fmol/mg of protein; P less than .05). Chronic phenylephrine treatment also decreased the Bmax for [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding by 31% (124 +/- 3.3 vs. 86 +/- 6.6 fmol/mg of protein; P less than .05) and the Bmax for [3H]nitrendipine binding by 32% (342 +/- 8.8 vs. 235 +/- 6.7 fmol/mg of protein; P less than .05). Binding affinities (Kd) of [3H]prazosin, [3H]dihydroalprenolol and [3H]nitrendipine remained unchanged. Administration of vehicle alone or surgical manipulation due to osmotic pump implantation did not affect either the density or affinity of [3H]prazosin, [3H]dihydroalprenolol or [3H]nitrendipine binding. Contractile responses to phenylephrine were studied in isolated ventricular strips to determine the functional significance of alpha-1 adrenoceptor down-regulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Specific, high affinity [3H]ethylketocyclazocine binding in rat central nervous system: lack of evidence for kappa receptors

The binding properties and distribution of the tritiated benzomorphan, [3H]ethylketocyclazocine, were studied in rat central nervous system (CNS). Specific binding is saturable and represents 75 to 90% of total binding. Scatchard analysis is consistent with the existence of two classes of binding sites with Kd values of 0.5 and 10.5 nM, respectively. Ethylketocyclazocine binding is increased in the presence of sodium chloride. This characteristic resembles that of opiate antagonists rather than that of other agonists. The distribution of ligands. The IC50 values of various opioid agonists and antagonists for competition with [3H]ethylketocyclazocine correlate well with their IC50 values for competition with [3H]naloxone. This evidence does not lend support to the existence of a separate kappa receptor in rat CNS.