Identification of an intracellular pool of gamma-aminobutyric acidA/benzodiazepine receptors en route to the cell surface of brain neurons in culture

We have previously shown that approximately 20% of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A/benzodiazepine receptors in intact neurons are intracellular [J. Neurosci. 6:2857-2863 (1986); Mol. Pharmacol., 35: 75-84], but the nature of this pool remained unknown. In this report, we describe the synthesis, appearance in the plasma membrane, and degradation of the GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor complex in nerve cells derived from embryonic chick brain and grown in primary monolayer cell culture. Irreversible photoaffinity labeling of the benzodiazepine-sensitive modulator site on the GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor using [3H]flunitrazepam as a permeable probe was used in conjunction with exhaustive trypsinization of intact cells and competition binding using Ro7-0213 (a benzodiazepine bearing a charged quarternary ammonium moiety). Newly synthesized intracellular receptors that are transported to the surface membrane comprise at most only 4% of total receptors and up to one fifth of the steady state intracellular pool. The kinetics of receptor recovery after photoaffinity blockade are consistent with a model in which newly synthesized receptors first appear within the cell and then undergo intracellular transit before appearing on the cell surface. This suggests a "precursor-product" relationship between newly synthesized intracellular receptors and surface receptors. However, the majority of intracellular receptors are not transported to the cell surface and may represent a "nonprecursor" pool. The kinetics of degradation for intracellular receptors are consistent with the overall kinetics for total (surface plus intracellular) receptors. Intracellular and surface receptors are pharmacologically similar with regard to their sensitivity to methyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate binding and their affinity for flunitrazepam. Degradation of the individual receptor subunits (with apparent molecular weights of 51,000 and 48,000) was monitored by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and both photoaffinity-labeled subunits degrade with indistinguishable biphasic kinetics. From these results, and the results of our previous studies, we propose a minimal model describing the dynamic cellular pathway for GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor metabolism in central nervous system neurons.     

3H]propylbenzilylcholine mustard-labeling of muscarinic cholinergic receptors that selectively couple to phospholipase C or adenylate cyclase in two cultured cell lines

Although both second messenger response systems are fully functional in both cell lines, activation of muscarinic cholinergic receptors only results in inhibition of adenylate cyclase in NG108-15 neuroblastoma X glioma cells and stimulation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells. Muscarinic receptors on both cell types were covalently labeled with [3H]propylbenzilylcholine mustard ([3H]PBCM), and the mobilities of the [3H]PBCM-labeled species of both cells were compared by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. 1321N1 and NG108-15 cells each primarily expressed a single [3H]PBCM-labeled species with an apparent size of approximately 92,000 and 66,000 Da, respectively. [3H]PBCM labeling was completely inhibited by 1 microM atropine or by down-regulation of muscarinic receptors by an overnight incubation with carbachol. The apparent size of the [3H]PBCM-labeled species of both cell lines was not altered by treatment with a series of protease inhibitors or by treatment with dithiothreitol and iodoacetamide. Since muscarinic receptors are glycoproteins, the contribution of carbohydrate groups to the difference in apparent size of the [3H]PBCM-labeled proteins was determined by treatment of [3H]PBCM-labeled membranes with endoglycosidase F, an enzyme that removes both complex and high mannose type N-linked carbohydrate chains. Endoglycosidase F treatment reduced the apparent size of the [3H]PBCM-labeled species in 1321N1 cells from 92,000 to approximately 77,000 Da and in NG108-15 cells from 66,000 to 45,000 Da. Neuraminidase produced no further reduction of the apparent size of the [3H]PBCM-labeled species from either cell after endoglycosidase F treatment, suggesting the absence of sialic acid containing O-linked carbohydrate chains on the muscarinic receptors of the two cell lines. The results suggest that different muscarinic receptor proteins may be responsible for the two different biochemical responses to muscarinic receptor activation.     

3H]-LY341495 as a novel antagonist radioligand for group II metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors: characterization of binding to membranes of mGlu receptor subtype expressing cells.

Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors are a family of eight known subtypes termed mGlu1-8. Currently, few ligands are available to study the pharmacology of mGlu receptor subtypes. In functional assays, we previously described LY341495 as a highly potent and selective mGlu2 and mGlu3 receptor antagonist. In this study, radiolabeled [3H]-LY341495 was used to investigate the characteristics of receptor binding to membranes from cells expressing human mGlu receptor subtypes. Using membranes from cells expressing human mGlu2 and mGlu3 receptors, [3H]-LY341495 (1 nM) specific binding was > 90% of total binding. At an approximate K(D) concentration for [3H]-LY341495 binding to human mGlu2 and mGlu3 receptors (1 nM), no appreciable specific binding of [3H-]LY341495 was found in membranes of cells expressing human mGlu1a, mGlu5a, mGlu4a, mGlu6, or mGlu7a receptors. However, modest (approximately 20% of mGlu2/3) specific [3H]-LY341495 (1 nM) binding was observed in human mGlu8 expressing cells. [3H]-LY341495 bound to membranes expressing human mGlu2 and mGlu3 receptors in a reversible and saturable manner with relatively high affinities (Bmax 20.5 +/- 5.4 and 32.0 +/- 7.0 pmol/mg protein; and K(D) = 1.67 +/- 0.20 and 0.75 +/- 0.43 nM, respectively). The pharmacology of [3H]-LY341495 binding in mGlu2 and mGlu3 expressing cells was consistent with that previously described for LY341495 in functional assays. [3H]-LY341495 binding provides a useful way to further investigate regulation of receptor expression and pharmacological properties of mGlu2 and mGlu3 receptor subtypes in recombinant systems.     

Gamma-aminobutyric acid enhancement of potassium-stimulated release of [3H]norepinephrine by multiple mechanisms in rat cortical slices

Gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) and GABAA agonists enhance stimulated release of [3H]norepinephrine [( 3H]NA) in several regions of the rat brain. In this study, the mechanisms by which GABA and GABAergic agonists augment potassium-stimulated release of [3H]NA from rat frontal cortical slices were examined. GABA enhanced potassium-stimulated [3H]NA release, but did not alter release of [3H]NA evoked by the calcium ionophore A23187, 10(-5) M, either in the presence or the absence of extracellular calcium. The effect of GABA on potassium-stimulated [3H]NA release was apparently reduced by the GABAA antagonist bicuculline methiodide, 10(-4) M, and by the selective inhibitor of GABA uptake SKF 89976A, 10(-5) M, but was abolished only when bicuculline methiodide and SKF 89976A were present in combination. The GABAA agonist muscimol enhanced potassium-stimulated release of [3H]NA in a manner similar to GABA. In addition, nipecotic acid, a substrate for GABA uptake, enhanced potassium-stimulated [3H]NA release. Thus, GABA appears to enhance potassium-stimulated [3H]NA release by acting upon both GABA uptake and GABAA receptors. The GABAA receptors involved in this effect may be a subtype of GABAA receptors since they are not modulated by benzodiazepines. These results support the involvement of the GABA uptake carrier and the GABAA receptor in mediating the enhancement by GABA of potassium-stimulated [3H]NA release in the cortex of the rat.     

Functional coupling of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A and benzodiazepine type II receptors: analysis using purified GABA/benzodiazepine receptor complex from bovine cerebral cortex

Possible functional coupling between gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and benzodiazepine receptors was examined using a purified GABA/benzodiazepine receptor complex. The purified receptor complex was obtained by 1012-S-acetamide adipic hydrazide Sepharose 4B affinity column chromatography, following the solubilization of synaptic membrane from the bovine cerebral cortex with Nonidet P-40. The binding of [3H]GABA to the purified GABA receptor was displaced significantly by muscimol and bicuculline, GABAA receptor agonists and antagonists, respectively, but not by baclofen, a GABAB receptor agonist. On the other hand, the binding of [3H]flunitrazepam to the purified benzodiazepine receptor was found to be displaced by microM ranges of CL 218,872, which is known to be sensitive to the benzodiazepine type II receptor. Furthermore, it was found that the binding of [3H]muscimol to these purified GABAA receptors was enhanced by benzodiazepines, while the binding of [3H]flunitrazepam to these benzodiazepine type II receptors was increased by GABA receptor agonists. These enhancements by GABA agonists and benzodiazepine agonists were found to be blocked by bicuculline and a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, Ro15-1788, respectively. These results strongly suggest that the purified receptor may consist of GABAA and benzodiazepine type II receptors and possess a functional coupling of these sites, as shown in cerebral synaptic membranes.     

Selective labelling of diazepam-insensitive GABAA receptors in vivo using [3H]Ro 15-4513

Classical benzodiazepines (BZs), such as diazepam, bind to GABAA receptors containing alpha1, alpha2, alpha3 or alpha5 subunits that are therefore described as diazepam-sensitive (DS) receptors. However, the corresponding binding site of GABAA receptors containing either an alpha4 or alpha6 subunit do not bind the classical BZs and are therefore diazepam-insensitive (DIS) receptors; a difference attributable to a single amino acid (histidine in alpha1, alpha2, alpha3 and alpha5 subunits and arginine in alpha4 and alpha6). Unlike classical BZs, the imidazobenzodiazepines Ro 15-4513 and bretazenil bind to both DS and DIS populations of GABAA receptors. In the present study, an in vivo assay was developed using lorazepam to fully occupy DS receptors such that [3H]Ro 15-4513 was then only able to bind to DIS receptors. When dosed i.v., [3H]Ro 15-4513 rapidly entered and was cleared from the brain, with approximately 70% of brain radioactivity being membrane-bound. Essentially all membrane binding to DS+DIS receptors could be displaced by unlabelled Ro 15-4513 or bretazenil, with respective ID50 values of 0.35 and 1.2 mg kg(-1). A dose of 30 mg kg(-1) lorazepam was used to block all DS receptors in a [3H]Ro 15-1788 in vivo binding assay. When predosed in a [3H]Ro 15-4513 binding assay, lorazepam blocked [3H]Ro 15-4513 binding to DS receptors, with the remaining binding to DIS receptors accounting for 5 and 23% of the total (DS plus DIS) receptors in the forebrain and cerebellum, respectively. The in vivo binding of [3H]Ro 15-4513 to DIS receptors in the presence of lorazepam was confirmed using alpha1H101R knock-in mice, in which alpha1-containing GABAA receptors are rendered diazepam insensitive by mutation of the histidine that confers diazepam sensitivity to arginine. In these mice, and in the presence of lorazepam, there was an increase of in vivo [3H]Ro 15-4513 binding in the forebrain and cerebellum from 4 and 15% to 36 and 59% of the total (i.e. DS plus DIS) [3H]Ro 15-4513 binding observed in the absence of lorazepam.     

kappa-Opioid inhibition of [3H]dopamine release from rat ventral mesencephalic dissociated cell cultures.

The present study investigated the effect of opioids on [3H]dopamine release from mixed neuronal-glial cell cultures of embryonic rat ventral mesencephalon. Each of the major morphological types of dopaminergic cell was represented in these cultures. These cells exhibited specific uptake of [3H]dopamine, which was subsequently released, in a calcium-dependent manner, in response to a double pulse of elevated extracellular potassium. Spontaneous and potassium-evoked [3H]dopamine release was inhibited by kappa- but not mu- or delta-opioid agonists. The selective kappa 1 agonist (5 alpha, 7 alpha, 8 beta)-(-)-N-methyl-N-[7-(1-pyrollidinyl)-1-oxaspiro(4,5)- dec-8-yl]benzeneacetamide (U69593) produced a dose-dependent inhibition of dopamine release. The effect of U69593 was blocked by the nonselective opiate antagonist naloxone and the selective kappa opioid antagonist norbinaltorphimine. kappa-Opioid inhibition of potassium-evoked [3H]dopamine release was maintained in the presence of tetrodotoxin. These results suggest that functional kappa receptors, modulating dopamine release, are localized on the terminals of dopaminergic neurons.     

Pharmacological modulation of adrenal medullary GABAA receptor: consistent with its subunit composition.

1. Muscimol, the specific GABAA receptor agonist, increased the secretion of catecholamines by chromaffin cells with an EC50 of 2.9 +/- 0.4 microM. 2. GABAA receptors of these cells were modulated by the same drugs which modulate GABAA receptors in brain tissue. 3. Benzodiazepines enhanced muscimol-evoked catecholamine secretion by between 20 and 80%. This effect seems to be mediated by binding to a central type of benzodiazepine receptor because it was completely blocked by the specific antagonist, Ro 15 1788. This antagonist was able to displace [3H]-flunitrazepam binding with an EC50 of 0.26 +/- 0.05 nM. 4. beta-Carbolines weakly inhibited muscimol-induced catecholamine secretion and were able to displace [3H]-flunitrazepam binding with an EC50 between 0.2 and 0.9 nM, depending on the beta-carboline used. 5. Pregnanolone and related neuroactive steroids enhanced muscimol-evoked catecholamine secretion by up to 87%, in a dose-dependent fashion. In contrast pregnenolone weakly inhibited muscimol-evoked catecholamine secretion. 6. Zn2+ did not affect GABAA receptor-induced catecholamine secretion. 7. These pharmacological results are absolutely concordant with the theoretical properties given by the GABAA receptor subunit composition of bovine adrenal medulla -alpha 1, alpha 4, beta 1-3, gamma 2-previously characterized by Western blot analysis.     

Benzodiazepine interactions with GABAA receptors on chick ciliary ganglion neurons

gamma-Aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) receptors on chick ciliary ganglion neurons can be modulated by benzodiazepines and identified by radiolabeled benzodiazepine binding. Enhancement of submaximal GABA responses by benzodiazepines was demonstrated using a multibarrel pipette to construct complete benzodiazepine dose-response curves for single cells in culture. EC50 values of 22 +/- 5 nM, 1.1 +/- 0.3 microM, and 4.6 +/- 0.5 microM were obtained for flunitrazepam, clonazepam, and chlordiazepoxide, respectively. Chlordiazepoxide shifted the GABA dose-response curve to lower GABA concentrations without increasing the maximal response to GABA, demonstrating that benzodiazepines enhance the GABA response by increasing the receptor affinity for GABA. The imidazodiazepine Ro15-1788 potentiated the GABA response with an EC50 of 250 +/- 70 nM, and Ro5-4864 (chlorodiazepam) partially blocked the GABA response both in the presence and absence of chlordiazepoxide. Scatchard analysis of data from binding studies with [3H]flunitrazepam to ganglion membrane homogenates was consistent with the presence of a single class of high affinity sites with a KD of 34 +/- 6 nM and a Bmax of 145 +/- 26 fmol/mg of protein. Several lines of evidence indicated that the sites were associated with GABAA receptors. The KD of [3H]flunitrazepam binding was similar to the EC50 for flunitrazepam modulation of the GABA response. The level of [3H]flunitrazepam binding was enhanced approximately 50% over control levels by GABA. The binding was decreased both by clonazepam and by Ro5-4864 at concentrations similar to those required for the compounds to modulate the GABA response. These studies demonstrate that ciliary ganglion GABAA receptors are similar in major respects to GABAA receptors in the central nervous system but may differ in minor pharmacological properties.     

Effects of the putative antagonists phaclofen and delta-aminovaleric acid on GABAB receptor biochemistry.

1. Phaclofen and delta-aminovaleric acid (delta-AVA) have been reported to be antagonists at gamma-aminobutyric acidB (GABAB) receptors. Phaclofen, delta-AVA and related compounds were examined for potency and specificity at GABAB and GABAA receptors in rat cortical membranes labelled with [3H]-(-)-baclofen and [3H]-muscimol, respectively. Additionally phaclofen and delta-AVA were examined in two functional tests of central GABAB activity in rat cortical slices, namely the inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation, and the potentiation of isoprenaline-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation. 2. delta-AVA (IC50 = 11.7 microM) was 20 fold more potent than phaclofen (IC50 = 229 microM) on GABAB receptor binding. All compounds possessing a phosphonic acid group, including phaclofen, which were active at GABAB receptors were inactive at GABAA receptors, while delta-AVA was equally potent at both receptors. Several compounds exhibited Hill coefficients of less than unity in displacing [3H]-(-)-baclofen binding. 3. (-)-Baclofen inhibited forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation (IC50 = 7.9 microM) but this effect was not stereospecific. Phaclofen (1 mM) was inactive against this inhibition but produced a potentiation of the forskolin effect. delta-AVA (1 mM) failed to antagonize the effect of baclofen; rather it mimicked baclofen. 4. (-)-Baclofen (10 microM) potentiated isoprenaline-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation, an effect antagonized by phaclofen (1 mM). delta-AVA (1 mM) may be a weak antagonist but also potentiated basal cyclic AMP accumulation. 5. We conclude that neither delta-AVA nor phaclofen are potent specific GABAB receptor antagonists.     

Characterization of functional interactions of imidazoquinoxaline derivatives with benzodiazepine-gamma-aminobutyric acidA receptors.

U-78875 [imidazo[1,5-a]quinoxalin-4(5H)-one, 3-(5-cyclopropyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)-5-(1-methylethyl)] belongs to a series of imidazoquinoxaline derivatives, recently discovered ligands with high affinity for benzodiazepine receptors. In this study, we have examined the drug and its analogs for their modes of interaction with the receptors, with a particular emphasis on finding molecular determinants for their functional properties. Changes in the substituents on N5 and C6 of the heterocyclic ring produced no major effects on binding characteristics but yielded drugs of widely varying efficacy (antagonist to full agonist), measured as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated 36Cl- uptake and t-butylbicyclophosphoro[35S]thionate binding in rat cerebrocortical membranes. The relative binding affinity and efficacy of the analogs measured in brain membranes were similar to those in cloned GABAA receptors of the alpha 1 beta 2 gamma 2 (type I) and alpha 3 beta 2 gamma 2 (type II) subtypes. The imidazoquinoxalines showed no marked subtype selectivity. Their Ki value against [3H]flunitrazepam binding for type I was only 2-3 times lower than that for type II, and their rank order for agonistic activity was the same in the two subtypes, measured as GABA-mediated Cl- currents in human kidney cells (A293) expressing the subtypes of GABAA receptors. According to computational modeling of the drugs using both molecular and quantum mechanics, the agonistic activity of the imidazoquinoxaline derivatives depends on the presence of a bulky alkyl substituent at N5 and the deformation of the substituted portion of the otherwise planar ring system induced by a bulky moiety at N5 or C6. With a fixed N5 substituent (isopropyl), the relative efficacy in the brain membranes, as well as in the cloned receptors, appeared to be dependent on the degree of the ring deformation. This out-of-plane portion of the imidazoquinoxalines can be assigned to the general region occupied by the 5-phenyl group of diazepam and other agonistic functional groups of several nonbenzodiazepine ligands. It seems that this region, apparently common to various agonistic ligands, interacts with an agonistic pocket in type I and type II subtypes of the benzodiazepine receptors in the brain. Our results also provide direct support for the view that the agonists and nonagonists share largely overlapping binding regions in the benzodiazepine receptor, which has been proposed earlier from in vivo efficacy measurements of other series of ligands.     

Binding of [3H](2S,1'S,2'S)-2-(9-xanthylmethyl)-2-(2'-carboxycyclopropyl)glycine ([3H]LY341495) to cell membranes expressing recombinant human group III metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes

LY341495 is a highly potent and selective antagonist for group II mGlu receptors (mGlu2 and mGlu3). High affinity binding of [3H]LY341495 to recombinant human group II mGlu receptors (mGlu2 and mGlu3), and in rat brain homogenates (Kd approximately 1 nM), has been previously described. Although LY341495 is a very selective nM-potent antagonist for group II mGlu receptors, it is also a relatively potent antagonist for group III mGlu receptors at high nanomolar to low micromolar concentrations. In this study we examined and characterized the binding of [3H]LY341495 to membranes of cells expressing recombinant human group III mGlu receptors. Using up to 100 nM of [3H]LY341495, the level of specific binding in human mGlu4a receptor-expressing cell membranes was not appreciable and binding to this site was not examined further. In contrast, we demonstrated sufficient specific binding of [3H]LY341495 to human mGlu6, mGlu7a and mGlu8a receptor-expressing cell membranes to allow for further characterizations. [3H]LY341495 binding was saturable and rapidly reversible. [3H]LY341495 bound to a single site in each cell line, with Kd and Bmax values of 31.6+/-6.8 nM and 3.3+/-0.7 pmol/mg protein (mGlu6), 72.7+/-22.0 nM and 3.7+/-0.4 pmol/mg protein (mGlu7a), and 14.0+/-1.1 nM and 3.0+/-0.2 pmol/mg protein (mGlu8a). [3H]LY341495 binding to mGlu6, 7a and 8a was displaceable by compounds which interact functionally with group III mGlu receptors. For example, L-AP4 displaced [3H]LY341495 with Ki values of 6.8+/-3.1 microM (mGlu6), 211+/-43 microM (mGlu7a) and 1.6+/-0.3 microM (mGlu8a). With L-glutamate, we obtained Ki values of 12.3+/-3.5, 869+/-154 and 4.5+/-0.83 microM, for mGlu6, mGlu7a and mGlu8a, respectively. Ki values for unlabelled LY341495 were 0.058+/-0.008, 0.22+/-0.05 and 0.029+/-0.008 microM, respectively. These studies demonstrated that [3H]LY341495 is a useful radioligand for studying the pharmacology and expression of recombinant mGlu6, 7a and 8a receptors in cell lines.     

Functional expression of adenosine A2A and A3 receptors in the mouse dendritic cell line XS-106

There is increasing evidence to suggest that adenosine receptors can modulate the function of cells involved in the immune system. For example, human dendritic cells derived from blood monocytes have recently been described to express functional adenosine A1, A2A and A3 receptors. Therefore, in the present study, we have investigated whether the recently established murine dendritic cell line XS-106 expresses functional adenosine receptors. The selective adenosine A3 receptor agonist 1-[2-chloro-6[[(3-iodophenyl)methyl]amino]-9H-purin-9-yl]-1-deoxy-N-methyl-beta-D-ribofuranuronamide (2-Cl-IB-MECA) inhibited forskolin-mediated [3H]cyclic AMP accumulation and stimulated concentration-dependent increases in p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation. The selective adenosine A2A receptor agonist 4-[2-[[-6-amino-9-(N-ethyl-beta-D-ribofuranuronamidosyl)-9H-purin-2-yl]amino]ethyl]benzene-propanoic acid (CGS 21680) stimulated a robust increase in [3H]cyclic AMP accumulation and p42/p44 MAPK phosphorylation. In contrast, the selective adenosine A1 receptor agonist CPA (N6-cyclopentyladenosine) did not inhibit forskolin-mediated [3H]cyclic AMP accumulation or stimulate increases in p42/p44 MAPK phosphorylation. These observations suggest that XS-106 cells express functional adenosine A2A and A3 receptors. The non-selective adenosine receptor agonist 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) release from XS-106 cells in a concentration-dependent fashion. Furthermore, treatment with Cl-IB-MECA (1 microM) or CGS 21680 (1 microM) alone produced a partial inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-alpha release (when compared to NECA), whereas a combination of both agonists resulted in the inhibition of TNF-alpha release comparable to that observed with NECA alone. Treatment of cells with the adenosine A2A receptor selective antagonists 4-(2-[7-amino-2-(2-furyl)[1,2,4]triazolo[2,3-a][1,3,5]triazin-5ylamino]ethyl)phenol (ZM 241385; 100 nM) and 5-amino-2-(2-furyl)-7-phenylethyl-pyrazolo[4,3-e]-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5c]pyrimidine (SCH 58261; 100 nM) and the adenosine A3 receptor selective antagonist N-[9-chloro-2-(2-furanyl)[1,2,4]-triazolo[1,5-c]quinazolin-5-benzeneacetamide (MRS 1220; 100 nM) partially blocked the inhibitory effects of NECA on lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-alpha release. Combined addition of MRS 1220 and SCH 58261 completely blocked the inhibitory effects of NECA on lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-alpha release. In conclusion, we have shown that the mouse dendritic cell line XS-106 expresses functional adenosine A2A and A3 receptors, which are capable of modulating TNF-alpha release.     

Protein kinase A-dependent coupling of mouse prostacyclin receptors to Gi is cell-type dependent

The ability of the prostacyclin (IP) receptor agonist cicaprost to activate Gs-, Gq/11- and Gi-mediated cell signalling pathways has been examined in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK 293) cells expressing the cloned human (hIP) or mouse (mIP) prostacyclin receptor, and compared with data from NG108-15 and SK-N-SH cells that endogenously express rat/mouse and human IP receptors, respectively. Cicaprost stimulated [3H]cyclic AMP production with EC50 values of 1.5-22 nM, and stimulated [3H]inositol phosphate production (EC50 values 49-457 nM) in all but the SK-N-SH cells. Cicaprost failed to inhibit forskolin-stimulated [3H]cyclic AMP production in any of these cell lines. Therefore, although both human and mouse IP receptors couple to Gs and Gq/11-mediated signalling pathways in a cell type-dependent manner, we could find no evidence for IP receptor coupling to Gi.     

The endozepine ODN stimulates [3H]thymidine incorporation in cultured rat astrocytes.

High concentrations of diazepam-binding inhibitor (DBI) mRNA have been detected in astrocytoma, suggesting that DBI-derived peptides may play a role in glial cell proliferation. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of a processing product of DBI, the octadecaneuropeptide ODN, on DNA synthesis in cultured rat astrocytes. At very low concentrations (10(-14) to 10(-11) M), ODN caused a dose-dependent increase of [3H]thymidine incorporation. At higher doses (10(-10) to 10(-5) M), the effect of ODN gradually declined. The central-type benzodiazepine receptor antagonist flumazenil (10(-6) M) completely suppressed the stimulatory action of ODN whereas the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor ligand, PK11195 (10(-6) M) had no effect. The ODN-induced stimulation of [3H]thymidine incorporation was mimicked by methyl 6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate (DMCM). The GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline (10(-4) M) suppressed the effect of both ODN and DMCM on DNA synthesis. Exposure of cultured astrocytes to the specific GABAA agonist 3APS (10(-10) to 10(-4) M) also induced a dose-related increase of [3H]thymidine incorporation. The present study indicates that ODN, acting through central-type benzodiazepine receptors associated with the GABAA receptor complex, stimulates DNA synthesis in rat glial cells. These data provide evidence for an autocrine role of endozepines in the control of glial cell proliferation.     

Stable expression of type I gamma-aminobutyric acidA/benzodiazepine receptors in a transfected cell line.

Expression plasmids were constructed with cDNAs encoding the rat gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptor alpha 1, beta 2, and gamma 2 subunits and were cotransfected into cultured human embryonic kidney 293 cells. A single cell line (WS-1) was established after G-418 treatment and clonal selection. This cell line contained saturable, high affinity binding sites for the benzodiazepines [3H] Ro 15-4513 and [3H]flunitrazepam that were modulated by GABA. Competition experiments with benzodiazepine receptor ligands suggest a profile characteristic of native "type I" benzodiazepine receptors, because strong correlations were observed between the Ki values of these ligands in WS-1 cells and in both cerebellar homogenates (r = 0.97, p < 0.0001) and 293 cells transiently transfected with the corresponding cDNAs (r = 0.96, p < 0.001). Fluorescence intensity in WS-1 cells loaded with the Cl(-)-specific probe 6-methoxy-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-quinolinium was reliably increased by GABA. This effect was blocked by bicuculline and augmented by midazolam, consistent with the presence of GABA-gated, benzodiazepine receptor-modulated, Cl- channels. Northern blot analysis revealed the presence of mRNAs encoding alpha 1 and gamma 2 receptor subunits. Southern blot analysis confirmed genomic integration of transfected alpha 1 and gamma 2 cDNAs. The beta 2 subunit was not detected in either Northern or Southern blot analysis, indicating that a functional type I GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor complex can be constituted without a beta subunit.     

Stress induced alterations in striatal GABAA receptor complex

The effect of cold-immobilized stress on the gamma-aminobutylic acid (GABA)/benzodiazepine (BZP) receptor complex in the rat striatum was examined. The stressful manipulation induced a significant decrease in the amount of [3H]muscimol binding sites in the striatal particulate fraction. On the other hand, [3H]flunitrazepam (FLN) binding and the enhancing effect of FLN or secobarbital on the [3H]muscimol binding to the striatal particulate fraction were not influenced by the stress treatment. These results suggest that cold-immobilized stress may selectively change GABAA receptor binding without altering BZP receptor binding as well as the functional coupling between GABAA and BZP receptors.     

GABA induces down-regulation of the benzodiazepine-GABA receptor complex in the rat cultured neurons

Cultured neurons from embryonic rat brain display central type benzodiazepine receptors characterized by high-affinity binding of [3H]flunitrazepam which is allosterically enhanced in the presence of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). A 48 h treatment of the cultured neurons with 1 microM diazepam, 0.1 microM clonazepam or 0.1 microM beta-carboline ester derivatives did not change either Bmax or KD values of the [3H]flunitrazepam specific binding. A 48 h incubation in the presence of GABA (1 mM) or muscimol (0.1 mM) induced a 30% decrease of the Bmax value of [3H]flunitrazepam specific binding without change of the KD value. The down-regulation was dependent on GABA concentrations and temperature, and was partially inhibited by bicuculline but not by the benzodiazepine antagonist Ro 15-1788. The other subunits of the benzodiazepine-GABA-chloride channel receptor complex also seemed to be down-regulated by GABA since there was a decrease of the specific binding of [3H]muscimol and [35S]t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate (TBPS) to the GABAA and chloride channel sites respectively. The GABA-induced down-regulation of the GABA-benzodiazepine receptor seems to be selective since the specific binding of ligands to other receptors was not affected. Our results suggests that activation of the low-affinity GABA subunit which is involved in cellular electrophysiological responses, induced the receptor down-regulation.     

Compartmentation of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells

We have identified alpha 2-adrenergic receptors on human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells, a suspension-grown cell line related to human platelets. properties of receptors were assessed in intact cells by binding of the antagonist [3H]yohimbine and by inhibition of cAMP accumulation. [3H]Yohimbine labeled 5900 +/- 2100 receptors/cell with a Kd of 3.6 +/- 0.9 nM (n = 7). alpha 2-Adrenergic receptors were potently coupled to inhibition of adenylate cyclase, with EC50 values for epinephrine, UK-14,304, and p-aminoclonidine in the low nM range. Treatment of cells with pertussis toxin abolished this response. In radioligand binding studies with membrane preparations [3H]yohimbine and [3H]UK-14,304 bound to the same number of sites (71 versus 69 fmol/mg of protein), and epinephrine competed for [3H]yohimbine binding in a biphasic manner. After addition of GTP, no high affinity [3H]UK-14,304 binding was detected, and epinephrine competed for [3H]yohimbine binding with lower affinity at both 4 degrees and 37 degrees. In studies with intact cells, we detected no specific binding of [3H]UK-14,304 at either 37 degrees or 4 degrees. At 37 degrees, epinephrine competed for all [3H]yohimbine binding sites with a low apparent affinity (Ki = 21 microM), whereas at 4 degrees epinephrine (up to 1 mM) was able to compete for only 59 +/- 13% of [3H]yohimbine-binding sites. The potency of epinephrine in competing for [3H]yohimbine sites in intact cells at 4 degrees was greater than at 37 degrees (Ki = 1 microM) and was similar to that observed with membranes in the presence of GTP. We hypothesize that sites not detectable by epinephrine at 4 degrees are sequestered within the cell. Treatment of HEL cells with pertussis toxin reduced the proportion of receptors on the surface from 51 +/- 12% to 23 +/- 7% (n = 3, p less than 0.05) of the total sites. Treatment of HEL cells with epinephrine (100 microM, 1 hr) reduced the cell surface component to 25 +/- 8% (n = 3) of the total sites. This treatment was not accompanied by significant desensitization of the ability of epinephrine to inhibit cAMP accumulation. We conclude that alpha 2-adrenergic receptors exist in more than one compartment in HEL cells and that interaction of receptors with a guanine nucleotide-binding protein or with agonist may regulate this compartmentation. These cells provide a new model system for the study of expression and metabolism of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors.     

Characterization of the thromboxane receptor mediating prostacyclin release from cultured endothelial cells.

The thromboxane A2 (TXA2) mimetic, 9,11-dideoxy-11,9-epoxymethano-prostaglandin F 2 alpha (U46619), mobilized calcium in the bovine aortic endothelial cell line AG4762 and stimulated release of prostacyclin from these cells. The U46619-stimulated release of prostacyclin could be inhibited by TXA2 antagonists with the order of potency [Is-[1 less than a, 2 less than b(5z), 3 less than b, 4 less than a]]-7-[3-[[2-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]hydrazino]methyl]-7-oxabicyclo- [2.2.1]hept-2-yl]-5- heptenoic acid (SQ29548) greater than 4-[2-(4-chlorobenzene-sulphonamido) ethyl]phenylacetic acid (BM13505) greater than 4-[2-(phenylsulphonamido)-ethyl]phenoxyacetic acid (BM13177), which was consistent with release being mediated by a TXA2 (TP) receptor. The TP receptor ligands, [3H]SQ29548 and 9,11-dimethylmethano-16(3-[125I]iodo-4-hydroxyphenyl)-13,14-dih ydr o-13-aza- 15-omega-o-tetranor-thromboxane ([125I]-PTA-OH), both appeared to bind to a homogenous population of sites in AG4762 cell membranes. The affinities of [3H]SQ29548 and [125I]PTA-OH were approximately 10 nM and approximately 0.3 nM, respectively, and the density of sites labelled by either ligand was approximately 25 fmol/mg protein. Under conditions where equilibrium was approached, the specific binding of [3H] SQ29548 or [125I]PTA-OH was displaced by SQ29548, BM13505 and BM13177 with the same order of potency and similar apparent affinities as in the functional assay, suggesting that these binding sites represent bona fide TP receptors.