Heterodimers of alpha1B- and alpha1D-adrenergic receptors form a single functional entity

Heterologous expression of alpha(1D)-adrenergic receptors (alpha(1D)-ARs) in most cell types results in intracellular retention and little or no functionality. We showed previously that heterodimerization with alpha(1B)-ARs promotes surface localization of alpha(1D)-ARs. Here, we report that the alpha(1B)-/alpha(1D)-AR interaction has significant effects on the pharmacology and signaling of the receptors, in addition to the effects on trafficking described previously. Upon coexpression of alpha(1B)-ARs and epitope-tagged alpha(1D)-ARs in both human embryonic kidney 293 and DDT(1)MF-2 cells, alpha(1D)-AR binding sites were not detectable with the alpha(1D)-AR selective antagonist 8-[2-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl)ethyl]-8-azaspiro[4,5]decane-7,9-dione (BMY 7378), despite the ability to detect alpha(1D)-AR protein using confocal microscopy, immunoprecipitation, and a luminometer cell-surface assay. However, the alpha(1B)-AR-selective mutant F18A conotoxin showed a striking biphasic inhibition in alpha(1B)/alpha(1D)-AR-expressing cells, revealing that alpha(1D)-ARs were expressed but did not bind BMY 7378 with high affinity. Studies of norepinephrine-stimulated inositol phosphate formation showed that maximal responses were greatest in alpha(1B)/alpha(1D)-AR-coexpressing cells. Stable coexpression of an uncoupled mutant alpha(1B)-AR (Delta12) with alpha(1D)-ARs resulted in increased responses to norepinephrine. However, Schild plots for inhibition of norepinephrine-stimulated inositol phosphate formation showed a single low-affinity site for BMY 7378. Thus, our findings suggest that alpha(1B)/alpha(1D)-AR heterodimers form a single functional entity with enhanced functional activity relative to either subtype alone and a novel pharmacological profile. These data may help to explain why alpha(1D)-ARs are often pharmacologically undetectable in native tissues when they are coexpressed with alpha(1B)-ARs.     

Differences in the cellular localization and agonist-mediated internalization properties of the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtypes

The cellular localization, agonist-mediated internalization, and desensitization properties of the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor (alpha(1)-AR) subtypes conjugated with green fluorescent protein (alpha(1)-AR/GFP) were assessed using real-time imaging of living, transiently transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells. The alpha(1B)-AR/GFP fluorescence was detected predominantly on the cell surface. Stimulation of the alpha(1B)-AR with phenylephrine led to an increase in extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation and promoted rapid alpha(1B)-AR/GFP internalization. Long-term exposure (15 h) to phenylephrine resulted in desensitization of the alpha(1B)-AR-mediated activation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Alpha(1A)-AR/GFP fluorescence was detected not only on the cell surface but also intracellularly. The rate of internalization of the cell surface population alpha(1A)-AR/GFPs was slower than that seen for the alpha(1B)-AR. Agonist exposure also resulted in desensitization of the alpha(1A)-AR-mediated increase in ERK1/2 phosphorylation. The alpha(1D)-AR/GFP fluorescence was detected mainly intracellularly, and this localization was unaffected by exposure to phenylephrine. Phenylephrine treatment of alpha(1D)-AR/GFP expressing cells increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation. However, this increase was not significant. Cotransfection with beta-arrestin 1 did not increase the rate or extent of agonist-stimulated alpha(1A)- or alpha(1B)-AR/GFP internalization. However, a dominant-negative form of the beta-arrestin 1, beta-arrestin 1 (319-418), blocked agonist-mediated internalization of both the alpha(1A)- and alpha(1B)-ARs. These data show that transfected alpha(1)-AR/GFP fusion proteins are functional, that there are differences in the cellular distribution and agonist-mediated internalization between the alpha(1)-ARs, and that agonist-mediated alpha(1)-AR internalization is dependent on arrestins and can be desensitized by long-term exposure to an agonist. These differences could contribute to the diversity in physiologic responses regulated by the alpha(1)-ARs.     

8-NH2-boldine, an antagonist of alpha1A and alpha1B adrenoceptors without affinity for the alpha1D subtype: structural requirements for aporphines at alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes

Structure-activity analysis of 21 aporphine derivatives was performed by examining their affinities for cloned human alpha (1A), alpha (1B) and alpha (1D) adrenoceptors (AR) using membranes prepared from rat-1 fibroblasts stably expressing each alpha (1)-AR subtype. All the compounds tested competed for [ (125)I]-HEAT binding with steep and monophasic curves. The most interesting compound was 8-NH (2)-boldine, which retains the selective affinity for alpha(1A)-AR (pKi = 6.37 +/- 0.21) vs. alpha(1B)-AR (pKi = 5.53 +/- 0.11) exhibited by 1,2,9,10-tetraoxygenated aporphines, but shows low affinity for alpha(1D)-AR (pKi < 2.5). Binding studies on native adrenoceptors present in rat cerebral cortex confirms the results obtained for human cloned alpha (1)-AR subtypes. The compounds selective for the alpha (1A) subtype discriminate two binding sites in rat cerebral cortex confirming a mixed population of alpha (1A)- and alpha (1B)-AR in this tissue. All compounds are more selective as inhibitors of [ (3)H]-prazosin binding than of [ (3)H]-diltiazem binding to rat cerebral cortical membranes. A close relationship was found between affinities obtained for cloned alpha (1A)-AR and inhibitory potencies on noradrenaline-induced contraction or inositol phosphate accumulation in tail artery, confirming that there is a homogeneous functional population of alpha(1A)-AR in this vessel. On the contrary, a poor correlation seems to exist between the affinity of 8-NH (2)-boldine for cloned alpha (1D)-AR and its potency as an inhibitor of noradrenaline-induced contraction or inositol phosphate accumulation in rat aorta, which confirms that a heterogeneous population of alpha (1)-AR mediates the adrenergic response in this vessel.     

Asp125 and Thr130 in transmembrane domain 3 are major sites of alpha1b-adrenergic receptor antagonist binding

Site-directed mutagenesis was used to investigate the molecular interactions involved in prazosin binding to the human alpha(1b)-adrenergic receptor (alpha(1b)-AR) receptor. Based on molecular modeling studies, Thr130 and Asp125 in transmembrane region III of the alpha(1b)-AR receptor were found to interact with prazosin. Thr130 and Asp125 were mutated to alanine (Ala) and expressed in HEK293 cells. The radioligand [(3)H]prazosin did not show any binding to Asp125Ala mutant of alpha(1b)-AR. Therefore, it was not possible to find any prazosin affinity to the mutant using the radioligand [(3)H]prazosin. The mutation also abolished phenylephrine-stimulated inositol phosphate (IP) formation of [(3)H]myo-inositol. On the other hand, the Thr130Ala mutant showed reduced binding affinity for [(3)H]prazosin (dissociation constant, K(d) 674.27 pM versus 90.27 pM for the wild-type receptor) and had reduced affinity for both tamsulosin and prazosin (11-fold and 9-fold, respectively). However, the Thr130Ala mutant receptor retained the ability to stimulate the formation of [(3)H]myo-inositol. The results provide direct evidence that Asp125 and Thr130 are responsible for the interactions between alpha(1b)-AR receptor and radioligand [(3)H]prazosin as well as tamsulosin.     

Selective agonists reveal alpha(1A)- and alpha(1B)-adrenoceptor subtypes in caudal artery of the young rat

Multiple alpha(1)-adrenoceptors were evaluated in caudal artery of the young Wistar rat using selective agonists and antagonists. Arteries were exposed to the selective alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor agonist, A-61603 (N-[5-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-2-hydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-1-yl] methanesulfonamide) or to phenylephrine and to prazosin (alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist), or the selective alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor antagonists 5-methylurapidil, RS 100329 (5-methyl-3-[3-[4-[2-(2,2,2,-trifluoroethoxy)phenyl]-1-piperazinyl]propyl]-2,4-(1H)-pyrimidinedione), RS 17053 (N-[2(2-cyclopropylmethoxy) ethyl]-5-chloro-alpha, alpha-dimethyl-1H-indole-3-ethanamide), and the selective alpha(1D)-adrenoceptor antagonist BMY 7378 (8-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-8-azaspiro[4.5] decane-7,9-dione). Results showed a 100-fold higher potency of A-61603 for the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor present in the artery, compared with phenylephrine. Prazosin displaced both agonists with high affinity, whereas 5-methylurapidil, RS 100329 and RS 17053 displaced A-61603 with high affinity, indicating the presence of alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors. The selective alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor antagonists blocked phenylephrine responses with low affinity, suggesting that phenylephrine activated a second receptor population in caudal artery. BMY 7378 antagonized with low affinity both A-61603 and phenylephrine-induced contractions, indicating absence of alpha(1D)-adrenoceptors in the vessel. The results suggest that functional alpha(1B)-adrenoceptors are present in caudal arteries of the young Wistar rat.     

The effect of alpha 1-acid glycoprotein on the pharmacological activity of alpha 1-adrenergic antagonists in rabbit aortic strips.

The pharmacological activity of three alpha 1-adrenergic antagonists, prazosin, tiodazosin and WB4101 has been studied in the presence and absence of 20 microM alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) in rabbit aortic strips, and measured as the ability to increase the EC50 value of the alpha 1-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine. For all three drugs, the presence of AAG diminished the pharmacological activity when compared with equivalent unbound concentrations in the absence of AAG. In the presence of AAG the EC50 value of phenylephrine at 5.69 nM unbound prazosin was on average 47% lower than in the absence of AAG (P less than 0.002), at 122 nM unbound tiodazosin, 39% lower (P less than 0.01), and at 25.6 nM unbound WB4101, 68% lower (P less than 0.002). Albumin showed no ability to modify the alpha 1-adrenergic blocking activity of prazosin (P greater than 0.7). The EC50 value for phenylephrine in the absence of antagonists was not affected by AAG. The effect of AAG on the antagonistic activity of prazosin was concentration-dependent with a maximum suppression of prazosin activity of 79% and with a half-maximum concentration of 1.1 microM AAG. AAG significantly decreased prazosin's ability to reduce alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation of calcium influx (P less than 0.05), while it had no effect on prazosin's ability to decrease alpha 1-adrenergic-stimulated formation of inositol phosphate. These results suggest that the effect of AAG on adrenoceptors appears to act selectively via alpha 1 a-receptors. Consistent with these observation was the observation that WB4101, a selective alpha 1a-antagonist was more affected by AAG than was prazosin or tiodazosin.     

Amino acids of the human alpha1d-adrenergic receptor involved in antagonist binding

Computer simulations of the human alpha(1d)-adrenergic receptor (alpha(1d)-AR) based on the crystal structure of rhodopsin have been combined with experimental site-directed mutagenesis to investigate the role of residues in the transmembrane domains in antagonist binding. Our results indicate that the amino acids Asp176 in the third transmembrane domain (TMD), Glu237 in TMD IV, and Ser258 in TMD V of alpha(1d)-AR were directly involved in prazosin and tamsulosin binding. The Asp176Ala mutant did not exhibit any affinity for [(3)H]prazosin and neither did it show agonist-stimulated inositol phosphates (IP) formation. On the other hand, the Glu237Ala and Ser258Ala mutant alpha(1d)-AR showed increased binding affinity for [(3)H]prazosin. Competition binding experiments showed that prazosin affinity had increased to 5-fold and 3-fold in the Glu237Ala and Ser258Ala mutants, respectively, versus wild-type; and tamsulosin affinity only increased in the Ser258Ala mutant (2-fold vs wild-type). It seems that these two residues constrain the receptor by interaction with other residues and this disruption of the interaction increased the receptor's binding affinity towards antagonists. However, the Glu237Ala and Ser258Ala mutant receptors retained the ability to stimulate the formation of myo-[(3)H]inositol but had activities lower than that of the wild-type receptor. The present results provide direct evidence that these amino acid residues are responsible for the interactions between alpha(1d)-AR and the radioligand [(3)H]prazosin as well as tamsulosin.     

Inverse agonism and neutral antagonism at alpha(1a)- and alpha(1b)-adrenergic receptor subtypes.

We have characterized the pharmacological antagonism, i.e., neutral antagonism or inverse agonism, displayed by a number of alpha-blockers at two alpha1-adrenergic receptor (AR) subtypes, alpha(1a)- and alpha(1b)-AR. Constitutively activating mutations were introduced into the alpha(1a)-AR at the position homologous to A293 of the alpha(1b)-AR where activating mutations were previously described. Twenty-four alpha-blockers differing in their chemical structures were initially tested for their effect on the agonist-independent inositol phosphate response mediated by the constitutively active A271E and A293E mutants expressed in COS-7 cells. A selected number of drugs also were tested for their effect on the small, but measurable spontaneous activity of the wild-type alpha(1a)- and alpha(1b)-AR expressed in COS-7 cells. The results of our study demonstrate that a large number of structurally different alpha-blockers display profound negative efficacy at both the alpha(1a)- and alpha(1b)-AR subtypes. For other drugs, the negative efficacy varied at the different constitutively active mutants. The most striking difference concerns a group of N-arylpiperazines, including 8-[2-[4-(5-chloro-2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-8-azaspiro [4, 5] decane-7,9-dione (REC 15/3039), REC 15/2739, and REC 15/3011, which are inverse agonists with profound negative efficacy at the wild-type alpha(1b)-AR, but not at the alpha(1a)-AR.     

Enhancement of apomorphine-induced penile erection in the rat by a selective alpha(1D)-adrenoceptor antagonist

1. Effects of A-322312 (alpha(1B)-adrenoceptor (AR) antagonist), A-119637 (alpha(1D)-AR antagonist), prazosin (non-selective alpha(1)-AR antagonist), and yohimbine (alpha(2)-AR antagonist) were studied in rat corpus cavernosum (CC) and cavernous artery (Acc) preparations. Effects of intracavernous (i.c.) or intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of alpha(1)-AR antagonists on apomorphine-induced erections were investigated. 2. A-119637 attenuated electrically induced contractions in isolated CC (-logIC(50); 8.12+/-0.15), and relaxed noradrenaline (NA)-contracted preparations by more than 90% at 10(-7) M. At the same concentration, the -logEC(50) value for NA in Acc was altered from 6.79+/-0.07 to 4.86+/-0.13. In the CC and Acc, prazosin similarly inhibited contractile responses. 3. Inhibitory effects of A-322312 (10(-7) M) in electrically activated CC were 32.3+/-5.1%, whereas no effect on concentration-response curves for NA was observed in the Acc. Yohimbine (10(-8) M and 10(-7) M), enhanced electrically-induced contractions in isolated CC by 20 to 50%. At 10(-6) M, inhibitory effects of yohimbine were obtained. 4. A-119637 (0.3 micromol kg(-1), i.p.) tripled the number of erections, and produced a 6 fold increase in the duration of apomorphine-induced erectile responses. A-322312, prazosin, or yohimbine did not enhance erections induced by apomorphine. None of the alpha(1)-AR antagonists significantly increased ICP upon i.c. administration. Decreases in blood pressure were seen with A-119637 and prazosin. 5. The present findings show that there is a functional predominance of the alpha(1D)-AR subtype in the rat erectile tissue, and that blockade of this receptor facilitates rat penile erection induced by a suboptimal dose of apomorphine.     

Alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated inositol phospholipid hydrolysis in rat cerebral cortex: relationship between receptor occupancy and response and effects of denervation

The characteristics of catecholamine-mediated breakdown of inositol phospholipids in rat cerebral cortex slices have been examined using a direct assay involving prelabeling with [3H]inositol and examining the production of labelled inositol phosphates in the presence of lithium. Noradrenaline produced a marked stimulation of inositol phosphate accumulation and this response could be potently and competitively antagonised by the alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin. The alpha 2-antagonist yohimbine was almost 1000-fold less potent at antagonising noradrenaline inositol phospholipid response. Noradrenaline and adrenaline were full agonists at alpha 1-adrenoceptors but phenylephrine and methoxamine were only partial agonists in their ability to stimulate inositol phospholipid metabolism. There was a significant correlation between the ability of a variety of agonists and antagonists to activate or inhibit [3H]inositol phosphate accumulation and their ability to displace the alpha 1-adrenoceptor selective ligand [3H]prazosin from specific binding sites when assays were performed on rat cerebral cortical slices under identical conditions. The similarity of EC50 values of agonists stimulating inositol phosphate accumulation and their IC50 values in [3H]prazosin binding experiments suggested a close relationship between receptor occupancy and alpha 1-mediated inositol phosphate accumulation. Further experiments were performed to examine this directly by inactivating alpha 1-adrenoceptors with the alkylating antagonist phenoxybenzamine. After washing out unbound antagonist, [3H]prazosin binding was reduced to a very similar proportion to that observed on the maximal noradrenaline-stimulated accumulation of [3H]inositol phosphates in the slices. The EC50 values for noradrenaline-stimulated inositol phosphate accumulation was unaltered and the affinity of [3H]prazosin for the remaining sites was equally unaffected. In rats treated 14 days previously with i.c.v. 6-hydroxydopamine (2 X 250 micrograms) there was a small increase in alpha 1-adrenoceptor binding sites but a parallel shift to the left in the noradrenaline [3H]inositol phosphate accumulation dose-response curve. On the other hand, the partial agonist phenylephrine induced a larger maximal response in denervated animals without a change in the EC50 values. When slices from 6-hydroxydopamine treated animals were preincubated with phenoxybenzamine, the loss in alpha 1-adrenoceptor binding sites was greater than the reduction in the maximal response to noradrenaline. This may indicate the development of a small receptor reserve after denervation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

The alpha(1D)-adrenergic receptor: cinderella or ugly stepsister

This Perspective focuses on the alpha(1D)-adrenergic receptor (AR), the often neglected sibling of the alpha(1)-AR family. This neglect is due in part to its poor cell-surface expression. However, it has recently been shown that dimerization of the alpha(1D)-AR with either the alpha(1B)-AR or the beta(2)-AR increases alpha(1D)-AR cell-surface expression, and in this issue of Molecular Pharmacology, Hague et al. (p. 45) demonstrate that dimerization of the alpha(1D)-AR with the alpha(1B)-AR not only leads to increased cell-surface expression but also results in the formation of a novel functional entity.     

Receptor subtype involved in α1-adrenergic receptor-mediated Ca^2＋ signaling in cardiomyocytes

Aim： The enhancement of intracellular Ca^＋signaling in response to α1-adrenergic receptor （α1-AR） stimulation is an essential signal transduction event in the regulation of cardiac functions, such as cardiac growth, cardiac contraction, and cardiac adaptation to various situations. The present study was intended to determine the role（s） of the α1-AR subtype（s） in mediating this response. Methods： We evaluated the effects of subtype-specific agonists and antagonists of the α1- AR on the intracellular Ca^2＋ signaling of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes using a confocal microscope. Results： After being cultured for 48 h, the myocytes exhibited spontaneous local Ca^2＋ release, sparks, and global Ca^2＋ transients. The activation of the α1-AR with phenylephrine, a selective agonist of the α1-AR, dose-dependently increased the frequency of Ca^2＋ transients with an EC5o value of 2.3 larnol/L. Blocking the α1A-AR subtype with 5-methylurapidil （5-Mu） inhi- bited the stimulatory effect of phenylephrine with an IC50 value of 6.7 nmol/L. In contrast, blockade of the α1B-AR and α1D-AR subtypes with chloroethylclonidine and BMY 7378, respectively, did not affect the phenylephrine effect. Similarly, the local Ca^2＋ spark numbers were also increased by the activation of the α1-AR, and this effect could be abolished selectively by 5-Mu. More importantly, A61603, a novel selective α1A-AR agonist, mimicked the effects of phenylephrine, but with more potency （EC50 value =6.9 nmol/L） in the potentiation of Ca^2＋ transients, and blockade of the α1A-AR by 5-Mu caused abolishment of its effects. Conclusion： These results indicate that α1-adrenergic stimulation of intracellular Ca^2＋ activity is mediated selectively by the α1-AR.     

Characterization of human recombinant alpha(2A)-adrenoceptors expressed in Chinese hamster lung cells using intracellular Ca(2+) changes: evidence for cross-talk between recombinant alpha(2A)- and native alpha(1)-adrenoceptors

1. Human alpha(2A)-adrenoceptors expressed in Chinese hamster lung (CHL) fibroblasts have been pharmacologically characterized by measuring intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)(i)) changes using the Ca(2+)-sensitive dye Fluo3-AM, in conjunction with a fluorometric imaging plate reader (FLIPR). 2. Several alpha-adrenoceptor agonists were examined including the alpha(2)-adrenoceptor agonists UK-14304, B-HT 920, dexmedetomidine and A-54741, the selective alpha(1)-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine and the non-selective adrenergic agonist noradrenaline. Of these only noradrenaline (mean pEC(50)=6.49) and A-54741 (6.90) evoked changes in Ca(2+)(i); A-54741 was a partial agonist relative to noradrenaline, achieving only 33% of the noradrenaline maximum. 3. Ca(2+)(i) changes induced by noradrenaline and A-54741 were antagonized by the alpha(2)-selective antagonist rauwolscine (10 nM) and by the alpha(1)-selective antagonists prazosin (0.1 nM) and doxazosin (1.0 nM). 4. Phenylephrine (100 microM) and UK-14304 (10 microM) alone were ineffective in causing Ca(2+)(i) increase. In the presence of a fixed concentration of UK-14304 (3.0 microM), phenylephrine induced concentration-dependent increases in Ca(2+)(i) (mean pEC(50)=5.33). In the presence of phenylephrine (30.0 microM) UK-14304 induced Ca(2+)(i) release (pEC(50)=6.92). The effects of phenylephrine were abolished by prazosin (1.0 nM) or rauwolscine (100 nM). 5. In saturation radioligand binding experiments using membranes of parental (non-transfected) CHL cells there was a small, specific binding of [(3)H]-prazosin (B(max)=24 fmol mg protein(-1); pK(D)=10. 24). 6. Collectively, these data suggest that alpha-adrenoceptor agonist-induced Ca(2+)(i) release in CHL fibroblasts transfected with the human alpha(2A)-adrenoceptor is dependent upon co-activation of the recombinant receptor and a native alpha(1)-adrenoceptor.     

Tamsulosin: assessment of affinityof (3)H-P razosin binding to two alpha-1- adrenoceptor subtypes in the canine aorta.

This study was performed to assess the affinity of tamsulosin to the alpha(1L)- in addition to alpha(1B)-adrenoceptor (alpha(1)-AR) subtypes coexisting in the canine aorta using the radioligand binding assay. The antagonistic effects of this drug on contraction of the rat aorta were also assessed, and the results were compared with those obtained with prazosin, amosulalol, labetalol, ketanserin, clonidine and propranolol. The pKi value of tamsulosin to the alpha(1L)-subtype was lower than those of prazosin and HV-723, but higher than those of amosulalol, ketanserin and labetalol. The pKi value of tamsulosin for the alpha(1B)-subtype in the canine aorta was similar to that of prazosin. However, this drug showed a higher pKi value than amosulalol, HV-723, labetalol and ketanserin. On the other hand, the order of inhibition potencies for contraction of the rat aorta by phenylephrine was as follows: prazosin > tamsulosin > amosulalol > HV-723 > labetalol > ketanserin > clonidine > propranolol. Thus, although the affinity of tamsulosin to the alpha(1B)-AR subtype in the canine aorta was as high as that in the bovine prostate reported in our previous study, the affinity (pKi 7. 87) of this drug to alpha(1L)-AR in the canine aorta was lower than that (pKi 8.99) in the bovine prostate. These observations suggested that the pharmacological potencies of tamsulosin in the aorta and prostate may be different.     

Binding and functional affinity of sarpogrelate, its metabolite m-1 and ketanserin for human recombinant alpha-1-adrenoceptor subtypes

Serotonin (5-HT(2)) antagonists show high affinity for the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor (alpha(1)-AR) in addition to the 5-HT(2) receptor. In the present study we compared the pharmacological characteristics of a new 5-HT(2) antagonist sarpogrelate and its active metabolite M-1 with those of ketanserin on human recombinant alpha(1)-AR subtypes. In the binding study, sarpogrelate, M-1 and ketanserin produced concentration-dependent inhibition of (3)H-prazosin binding to alpha(1)-ARs. Among the three drugs, ketanserin showed the highest affinity for alpha(1a)-, alpha(1b)- and alpha(1d)-ARs (pKi 8.0, 8.3 and 7.6, respectively). Sarpogrelate had a relatively low affinity for the three subtypes (6.3, 6.4 and 6.3, respectively) and M-1 showed medium affinity (7.1, 7.1 and 6.1, respectively). Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing each alpha(1)-AR subtype showed concentration-dependent inositol phosphate (IP) accumulation in response to phenylephrine. The concentration response curves were shifted to the right by three drugs, and the pKb values were close to the pKi values in the binding study. In addition to these effects, sarpogrelate and M-1, but not ketanserin produced an increase in the basal IP level of alpha(1d)-expressed CHO cells, although the increase was less than that of phenylephrine. The present results indicate that sarpogrelate and M-1 have antagonistic activity to the three alpha(1)-AR subtypes, but their affinities are significantly lower than those of ketanserin.     

Correlation between vasoconstrictor roles and mRNA expression of alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes in blood vessels of genetically engineered mice

We examined the contribution of each alpha(1)-adrenoceptor (AR) subtype in noradrenaline (NAd)-evoked contraction in the thoracic aortas and mesenteric arteries of mice. Compared with the concentration-response curves (CRCs) for NAd in the thoracic aortas of wild-type (WT) mice, the CRCs of mutant mice showed a significantly lower sensitivity. The pD(2) value in rank order is as follows: WT mice (8.21) > alpha(1B)-adrenoceptor knockout (alpha(1B)-KO) (7.77) > alpha(1D)-AR knockout (alpha(1D)-KO) (6.44) > alpha(1B)- and alpha(1D)-AR double knockout (alpha(1BD)-KO) (5.15). In the mesenteric artery, CRCs for NAd did not differ significantly between either WT (6.52) and alpha(1B)-KO mice (7.12) or alpha(1D)-KO (6.19) and alpha(1BD)-KO (6.29) mice. However, the CRC maximum responses to NAd in alpha(1D)- and alpha(1BD)-KO mice were significantly lower than those in WT and alpha(1B)-KO mice. Except in the thoracic aortas of alpha(1BD)-KO mice, the competitive antagonist prazosin inhibited the contraction response to NAd with high affinity. However, prazosin produced shallow Schild slopes in the vessels of mice lacking the alpha(1D)-AR gene. In the thoracic aorta, pA(2) values in WT mice for KMD-3213 and BMY7378 were 8.25 and 8.46, respectively, and in alpha(1B)-KO mice they were 8.49 and 9.13, respectively. In the mesenteric artery, pA(2) values in WT mice for KMD-3213 and BMY7378 were 8.34 and 7.47, respectively, and in alpha(1B)-KO mice they were 8.11 and 7.82, respectively. These pharmacological findings were in fairly good agreement with findings from comparison of CRCs, with the exception of the mesenteric arteries of WT and alpha(1B)-KO mice, which showed low affinities to BMY7378. We performed a quantitative analysis of the mRNA expression of each alpha(1)-AR subtype in these vessels in order to examine the correlation between mRNA expression level and the predominance of each alpha(1)-AR subtype in mediating vascular contraction. The rank order of each alpha(1)-AR subtype in terms of its vasoconstrictor role was in fairly good agreement with the level of expression of mRNA of each subtype, that is, alpha(1D)-AR > alpha(1B)-AR > alpha(1A)-AR in the thoracic aorta and alpha(1D)-AR > alpha(1A)-AR > alpha(1B)-AR in the mesenteric artery. No dramatic compensatory change of alpha(1)-AR subtype in mutant mice was observed in pharmacological or quantitative mRNA expression analysis.     

Prazosin-related compounds. Effect of transforming the piperazinylquinazoline moiety into an aminomethyltetrahydroacridine system on the affinity for alpha1-adrenoreceptors

In a search for structurally new alpha(1)-adrenoreceptor (alpha(1)-AR) antagonists, prazosin (1)-related compounds 2-11 were synthesized and their affinity profiles were assessed by functional experiments in isolated rat vas deferens (alpha(1A)), spleen (alpha(1B)), and aorta (alpha(1D)) and by binding assays in CHO cells expressing human cloned alpha(1)-AR subtypes. Transformation of the piperazinylquinazoline moiety of 1 into an aminomethyltetrahydroacridine system afforded compound 2, endowed with reduced affinity, in particular for the alpha(1A)-AR subtype. Then, to investigate the optimal features of the tricyclic moiety, the aliphatic ring of 2 was modified by synthesizing the lower and higher homologues 3 and 4. An analysis of the pharmacological profile, together with a molecular modeling study, indicated the tetrahydroacridine moiety as the most promising skeleton for alpha(1)-antagonism. Compounds 5-8, where the replacement of the furoyl group of 2 with a benzoyl moiety afforded the possibility to evaluate the effect of the substituent trifluoromethyl on receptor binding, resulted, except for 7, in a rather surprising selectivity toward alpha(1B)-AR, in particular vs the alpha(1A) subtype. Also the insertion of the 2,6-dimethoxyphenoxyethyl function of WB 4101 on the tetrahydroacridine skeleton of 2, and/or the replacement of the aromatic amino function with a hydroxy group, affording derivatives 9-11, resulted in alpha(1B)-AR selectivity also vs the alpha(1D) subtype. On the basis of these results, the tetrahydroacridine moiety emerged as a promising tool for the characterization of the alpha(1)-AR, owing to the receptor subtype selectivity achieved by an appropriate modification of the lateral substituents.     

Characterization of the alpha1-adrenoceptor subtype activating extracellular signal-regulated kinase in submandibular gland acinar cells

Alpha(1)-Adrenoceptors and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) regulate salivary secretion. However, whether alpha(1)-adrenoceptors couple to ERK1/2 activation and the specific alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtypes involved in salivary glands is unknown. Western blotting of ERK1/2 phosphorylation showed phenylephrine activated ERK1/2 by 2-3-fold in submandibular gland slices and 3-4-fold in submandibular acinar (SMG-C10) cells with an EC(50) of 2.7+/-2 microM. ERK1/2 activation was blocked by either prazosin or HEAT, indicating alpha(1)-adrenoceptors stimulate ERK1/2 in native glands and SMG-C10 cells. Inhibition of [(125)I]HEAT binding by 5-methylurapidil (selective for alpha(1A) over alpha(1B/)alpha(1D)), but not BMY 7378 (selective for alpha(1D) over alpha(1A/)alpha(1B)), was biphasic and best-fit by a two-site binding model with K(i)(H) and K(i)(L) values for 5-methylurapidil of 0.64+/-0.3 and 91+/-7 nM, respectively, in SMG-C10 membranes. From these binding data, we obtained subtype-selective concentrations of 5-methylurapidil to determine the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtype/s activating ERK1/2 in SMG-C10 cells. 5-methylurapidil (20 nM) did not affect phenylephrine- or A-61603- (alpha(1A)-selective agonist) induced ERK1/2 activation; whereas, 30 microM chloroethylclonidine (alpha(1B)-selective antagonist) inhibited ERK1/2 activation by phenylephrine, indicating alpha(1B)-adrenoceptors, but not alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors, activate ERK1/2 in submandibular cells. We also examined alpha(1)-adrenoceptor location and dependence on cholesterol-rich microdomains for activating ERK1/2. Sucrose density gradient centrifugation showed 71+/-3% of alpha(1)-adrenoceptor binding sites were in plasma membranes. Cholesterol-disrupting agents filipin and methyl-beta-cyclodextrin inhibited phenylephrine-stimulated ERK1/2. These results show only alpha(1B)-adrenoceptors activate ERK1/2 and suggest subtype-specific ERK1/2 signaling by alpha(1B)-adrenoceptors may be determined by localization to cholesterol-rich microdomains in submandibular cells.