Phencyclidine-induced head-twitch response in rats treated chronically with methysergide

This study was designed to assess whether phencyclidine (PCP)-induced behaviors in rats were potentiated after two days' withdrawal from chronic methysergide (a 5-HT2 receptor blocker) treatment (10 mg/kg per day i.p. for 12 days), in order to confirm the involvement of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) neurons in PCP actions. The PCP (10 mg/kg)-induced behaviors (head-twitch, head-weaving, turning and backpedalling) were attenuated by successive pretreatment with PCP (10 mg/kg per day i.p. for 12 days), while PCP- and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (2 mg/kg)-induced head-twitch increased significantly after the repeated methysergide treatment was stopped. The development of tolerance to PCP-induced head-twitch was antagonized by pretreatment with methysergide. Furthermore, Scatchard plots of specific [3H]ketanserin binding at the 5-HT2 receptors and [3H]PCP binding at the PCP receptors in the methysergide group revealed significant increases in binding capacity (Bmax) with no change in affinity (Kd). On the contrary, after development of tolerance to PCP, there were significant decreases in Bmax of [3H]ketanserin binding with no change in affinity. PCP can thus displace [3H]ketanserin at the 5-HT2 receptor site, but not [3H]5-HT at the 5-HT1 receptor site. These facts indicate that PCP may produce head-twitch via an agonistic interaction with 5-HT2 receptor sites.     

Phencyclidine-induced head-weaving and head-twitch through interaction with 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors in reserpinized rats

Phencyclidine mainly produced head-weaving and head-twitches at doses of 5-7.5 mg/kg and of 7.5-12.5 mg/kg, respectively. Phencyclidine-induced head-twitches and head-weaving were blocked by pretreatment with ritanserin (1 mg/kg), a selective serotonin (5-HT)2 receptor antagonist and with pindolol (20 mg/kg, s.c.), a 5-HT1 receptor antagonist, respectively. In reserpine-pretreated rats, the degree of utilization of 5-HT and the number of 5-HT1 ([3H]5-HT) and 5-HT2 ([3H]ketanserin) binding sites were significantly increased compared with the figures for the vehicle-pretreated rats. The intensity of phencyclidine-induced head-weaving (at the dose of 2.5 mg/kg) and head-twitch (at the doses of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg) was significantly increased in reserpine-pretreated rats compared with that of vehicle-pretreated rats. Furthermore, in the reserpine-pretreated rats, the intensity of phencyclidine (1.25 mg/kg)-induced head-weaving and head-twitches was increased in combination with imipramine, while the intensity of phencyclidine (2.5 mg/kg)-induced head-weaving and head-twitch was decreased by pretreatment with mianserin, a non-selective 5-HT receptor antagonist. These results indicate that phencyclidine induced head-weaving by interacting with 5-HT1 receptors, indirectly after the release of 5-HT and/or with some other mechanisms and induced head-twitch by interacting with 5-HT2 receptors directly and/or indirectly.     

Characteristics of the inhibition of ligand binding to serotonin receptors in rat brain membranes by verapamil

Characteristics of the interaction of verapamil with serotonin receptors were studied in rat brain membranes using a radioligand binding technique. While verapamil competed for the [3H]ketanserin binding sites at low concentrations with the Ki value of 0.41 microM, much higher concentrations were needed to inhibit the binding of [3H]serotonin to its binding sites, indicating higher affinity of verapamil binding for 5-HT2 than 5-HT1 receptors. The inhibitory action of verapamil on the [3H]ketanserin binding was stereoselective; the (-)isomer was about ten times more potent than the (+)isomer. The interaction of verapamil with [3H]-ketanserin was competitive and reversible. While D600, a verapamil derivative, also competed for the [3H]ketanserin binding sites, nifedipine and nicardipine had practically no ability to inhibit the ligand binding to 5-HT1 or 5-HT2 receptors. Although diltiazem competed for 5-HT2 receptors, the affinity was much less than verapamil and D600.     

Pharmacological characterization of the 5-HT1A, 5-HT2 and 5-HT3 receptors in the bovine ciliary muscle

We aimed to investigate the effects of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) on the bovine ciliary muscle and subsequently to characterize and identify the subtypes of 5-HT receptors involved in the serotonin-evoked contractility muscle. The binding of [3H]ketanserin, [3H]granisetron and [3H]8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin ([3H]8-OH-DPAT) was analyzed. All labelled compounds bound with high affinity to a single site in the membrane preparations studied. The affinity (K(d)) of the binding site was 7.5+/-1.2 nM for [3H]ketanserin, 6.9+/-0.8 nM for [3H]granisetron and 4.4+/-0.31 nM for [3H]8-OH-DPAT. The density of receptors (B(max)) was 1062+/-43.0 fmol/mg protein for [3H]ketanserin, 566+/-2.32 fmol/mg protein for [3H]granisetron and 205+/-4.63 fmol/mg protein for [3H]8-OH-DPAT. The serotonin-induced contraction appeared to be competitively antagonized by ketanserin (0.1, 1 and 10 microM) and ondansetron (0.1, 10 and 100 microM) which produced a pA(2) value of 8.5+/-0.12 and 8.0+/-0.19, respectively. 8-OH-DPAT and 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT) proved to be completely ineffective. We conclude that serotonin induces bovine ciliary muscle contraction via 5-HT(2) and 5-HT(3) receptors while the 5-HT(1A) receptors, although present, do not mediate the contractile response.     

Assessment of affinity and dissociation ability of a newly synthesized 5-HT2 antagonist, AT-1015: comparison with other 5-HT2 antagonists

This study investigated the binding affinities of a newly synthesized 5-HT2 antagonist, AT-1015 (N-[2-[4-(5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5-ylidene)-piperidino]ethyl]-1-formyl-4-piperidinecarboxamide monohydrochloride monohydrate) for [3H]ketanserin bindings to 5-HT2 receptors in the rabbit cerebral cortex membranes using the radioligand binding assay method. The affinity of this compound was also compared with other 5-HT2-selective antagonists such as ketanserin, sarpogrelate, cyproheptadine and ritanserin, and the results showed that AT-1015 has a high pKi value for the 5-HT2 receptor. The rank order of these antagonists are: ritanserin > ketanserin approximately equal to AT-1015 > cyproheptadine approximately equal to sarpogrelate. We also evaluated the dissociation ability (slow or rapid) of AT-1015 in the rabbit cerebral cortex membrane and compared it with other 5-HT2 antagonists using the radioligand binding assay method. The blockade of [3H]ketanserin binding sites in the rabbit cerebral cortex induced by ketanserin and sarpogrelate was readily reversed by washing, whereas the inhibition by AT-1015, cyproheptadine and ritanserin was not readily reversed by washing. The % of control after washing are 76.10% and 49.55% for AT-1015 at 10(-7.5) and 10(-7.0) M, 67.32% and 50.17% for cyproheptadine at 10(7.5) and 10(-7.0) M, and 72.38% and 39.80% for ritanserin at 10(-9.5) and 10(-9.0) M concentrations, respectively. Thus, these findings suggest that AT-1015 has antagonistic properties towards the 5-HT2 receptor and also shows that AT-1015 slowly dissociates from the 5-HT2 receptor, whereas, ketanserin and sarpogrelate dissociate rapidly from the 5-HT2 receptor, which do not correlate with their affinity.     

Chronic treatment with (+/-)DOI, a psychotomimetic 5-HT2 agonist, downregulates 5-HT2 receptors in rat brain

(+/-)DOI (2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodo-phenylisopropylamine) is a hallucinogenic phenylalkylamine that has been characterized as a 5-HT2-selective agonist. Chronic treatment with (+/-)DOI [1.0 mg/kg/day (2.8 mumol/kg) for 8 days] significantly reduced the binding of [3H]ketanserin, [125I]LSD, and [125I]R-DOI as measured at single ligand concentrations in rat cortical homogenates. In saturation studies, chronic DOI treatment significantly lowered the Bmax of [3H]ketanserin binding and the high-affinity binding of [125I]R-DOI without altering the Kd values. In rats treated acutely with a single dose of (+/-)DOI, binding of [125I]R-DOI, [125I]LSD, and [3H]ketanserin was not significantly different from controls in membranes preincubated at 37 degrees C for 60 minutes. In all experiments nonspecific binding was determined by incubation with 1 microM ritanserin. This work demonstrates that chronic treatment with a 5-HT2-selective agonist hallucinogen reduces the number of binding sites for 5-HT2 agonists as well as for 5-HT2 antagonists.     

Differential inactivation and G protein reconstitution of subtypes of [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine binding sites in brain

The sulfhydryl reagents p-chloromercuribenzoate and N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) inactivate high affinity [3H]serotonin [( 3H]5-HT) binding to bovine and rat brain membranes in a concentration-dependent manner. In both species, 15-25% of total specific high affinity [3H]5-HT binding is relatively insensitive to NEM. This study examines the NEM sensitivity of the various high affinity [3H]5-HT binding subtypes, using selective ligands, tissues, and pharmacological masks to study each subtype. Reconstitution of NEM-inactivated binding by addition of GTP-binding proteins (G proteins, Gi and Go) is also described. Agonist binding to 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, and 5-HT1D sites in rat brain and to 5-HT1A and 5-HT1D sites in bovine brain is sensitive to NEM. Binding of [3H]dihydroergotamine and [125I]iodocyanopindolol, both of which are weak partial agonists to 5-HT1B sites is relatively insensitive to NEM. Binding of [3H]5-HT to 5-HT1C sites in rat and bovine brain and choroid plexus is relatively insensitive to NEM. In the presence of spiperone to mask binding of 5-HT2 sites, binding of antagonist [( 3H]mesulergine) to 5-HT1C sites is also insensitive to NEM. Likewise, binding of the agonist [3H]4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenylisopropylamine and of the antagonist [3H]ketanserin to 5-HT2 sites is not inhibited by NEM treatment of membranes. These findings suggest that agonist binding to 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, and 5-HT1D sites is sensitive to NEM alkylation. Binding of neither agonist nor antagonist to 5-HT1C and 5-HT2 sites is sensitive to NEM. Inability of high concentrations of a variety of ligands to protect the sensitive binding sites against NEM inactivation indicates that the critical sulfhydryl group(s) are not located in the ligand binding domain of the NEM-sensitive binding sites. When membranes are treated with NEM, displacement of [125I]iodocyanopindolol by 5-HT is no longer sensitive to 5'-guanylyl imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p). Gpp(NH)p sensitivity of agonist displacement of 5-HT1B binding to NEM-treated membranes is restored by addition of purified guanine nucleotide binding proteins (Gi plus Go). In addition, NEM-inactivated binding to 5-HT1A and 5-HT1D sites can be restored by addition of Gi plus Go. These data suggest that NEM exerts its effects on 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, and 5-HT1D binding sites by inactivating the G protein(s) associated with the 5-HT receptor subtypes.     

Regulation of 5-HT2 receptors in rat cortex. Studies with a putative selective agonist and an antagonist

The phenylisopropylamine derivative 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodo-phenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI) has been suggested recently as a selective serotonin2 (5-HT2) receptor agonist. Because of the potential importance of such a tool for investigations of 5-HT2 receptor regulation, receptor binding studies were performed in rats after acute and chronic treatment with DOI, the selective 5-HT2 antagonist ketanserin, or vehicle. Single injections of 5 or 10 mg/kg DOI reduced the Bmax of cortical sites labeled with [3H]1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromo-phenyl)-2-aminopropane and [3H]ketanserin (9-32 or 32-46%, respectively). Chronic daily treatment with DOI (3-9 mg/kg) further down-regulated 5-HT2 sites in cortex identified with either [3H]ketanserin (-60%) or with [3H]DOB (-75%), without altering Kd values or affecting 5-HT1 sites. In vitro addition to the [3H]ketanserin or [3H]DOB binding assay of 10 nM to 1 microM DOI resulted in competitive inhibition, suggesting that down-regulation found in vivo was not secondary to residual drug. Chronic treatment with ketanserin (10 mg/kg) also down-regulated both [3H]ketanserin (-38%) and [3H]DOB (-58%) sites in cortex without charges in 5-HT1 sites. In naive cortex, competition experiments revealed a Ki (nM) for ( +/- )-DOI of 1.7 +/- 0.02 at sites labeled by [3H]DOB, and a KH and KL of 4.8 +/- 1.5 and 53 +/- 2 nM at sites labeled by [3H]ketanserin. These data indicate that in chronic treatment, DOI, like ketanserin, is highly selective for 5-HT2 vs 5-HT1 sites at behaviorally useful doses. However, a representative putative 5-HT2 selective agonist and antagonist have similar effects on 5-HT2 receptors labeled by agonist or antagonist radioligands.     

EMD 281014, a new selective serotonin 5-HT2A receptor antagonist

The 5-HT2A receptor ligand 7-[4-[2-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-ethyl]-piperazine-1-carbonyl]-1H-indole-3-carbonitrile HCl (EMD 281014) selectively binds to human (h) and rat 5-HT2A receptors (IC50 values 0.35 and 1 nM, respectively; vs. 1334 nM for h5-HT2C) and inhibited 5-HT-stimulated [35S]guanosine 5'-O-3-thiotriphosphate (GTPgammaS)-accumulation in h5-HT2A transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells (IC50 9.3 nM). EMD 28014 counteracted the N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ)-induced decrease of [3H]ketanserin binding in rat frontal cortex (ID50 0.4 mg/kg p.o.) and R-(-)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-aminopropane (DOI)-induced head-twitch behaviour in mice (ID50 0.01 mg/kg s.c., 0.06 mg/kg p.o.), demonstrating unique selectivity and efficacy.     

Pindolol-insensitive [3H]-5-hydroxytryptamine binding in the rat hypothalamus; identity with 5-hydroxytryptamine7 receptors.

Pindolol-insensitive [3H]-5-hydroxytryptamine ([3H]-5-HT) binding to rat hypothalamic membranes was pharmacologically and functionally characterized to resolve whether this procedure selectively labels 5-HT7 receptors. Consistent with a previous report, 3 microM and not 100 nM pindolol was required to occupy fully 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptors. Remaining [3H]-5-HT binding was saturable (KD, 1.59+/-0.21 nM; Bmax, 53.8+/-3.1 fmol x mg protein(-1)). Displacement of [3H]-5-HT with metergoline and 5-CT revealed shallow Hill slopes (<0.5) but seven other compounds had slopes >0.8 and pKi values and the rank order of affinity were significantly correlated (r = 0.81 and 0.93, respectively) with published [3H]-5-HT binding to rat recombinant 5-HT7 receptors. In the presence of pindolol, 5-HT-enhanced accumulation of [32P]-cyclic AMP was unaffected by the 5-HT4 antagonist RS39604 (0.1 microM) or the 5-ht6 antagonist Ro 04-6790 (1 microM) but significantly attenuated by mesulergine (250 nM), ritanserin (450 nM) or methiothepin (200 nM) which have high affinity for the 5-HT7 receptor. Intracerebroventricular pretreatment with the serotonergic neurotoxin 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine, 5,7-DHT, elevated the [3H]-5-HT Bmax 2 fold, indicating that the hypothalamic 5-HT7 receptor is post-synaptic to 5-HT nerve terminals and regulated by synaptic 5-HT levels. These results suggest that, in the presence of 3 microM pindolol, [3H]-5-HT selectively labels hypothalamic binding sites consistent with functional 5-HT7 receptors.     

The effects of the peptide-coupling agent, EEDQ, on 5-HT2A receptor binding and function in rat frontal cortex.

This ex vivo study in rat frontal cortex determined the influence of 5-HT receptor agonists and antagonists on EEDQ-induced depletion of 5-HT2A binding sites and reduction in their functional coupling to phospholipid hydrolysis. Twenty-four hours after EEDQ (6 mg/kg) administration a marked reduction (66%) of cortical 5-HT2A binding sites with no change in binding affinity was observed. The 5HT2A antagonists ritanserin (1 mg/kg), ketanserin (1 and 5 mg/kg), metergoline (3 mg/kg) or the 5HT2A agonist, DOI (3 and 10 mg/kg) also significantly reduced (by 15-44%) these binding sites 24 h after injection. Thirty minute pretreatment with ritanserin, ketanserin, metergoline or DOI (at the doses above) afforded 49-65% protection against the loss of 5-HT2A binding sites induced by EEDQ (6 mg/kg). DOI (10 mg/kg) pretreatment (-24 h) decreased by 26% the accumulation of [3H]inositol phosphates (IPs) evoked by 5-HT (100 microM), but did not affect that produced by DOI (100 microM). Ketanserin (5 mg/kg, -24 h) decreased 5-HT- and DOI-induced IP formation by 65% and 53%, respectively. The EEDQ (6 mg/kg, -24 h)-evoked reductions (-50%) of 5-HT- and DOI-induced IP formation were not altered by DOI (10 mg/kg) or ketanserin (5 mg/kg) given 30 min before EEDQ. G-protein-stimulated IP accumulation was unaffected by EEDQ (6 mg/kg). Overall, EEDQ reduces 5-HT2A binding sites and function in rat frontal cortex, whereas its effects on binding were attenuated by various 5-HT receptor antagonists and agonists, its effects on function was unaltered by these drugs.     

Two types of receptors for 5-hydroxytryptamine on the cholinergic nerves of the guinea-pig myenteric plexus.

The effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on spontaneous and electrically-evoked release of [3H]-acetylcholine (ACh) from guinea-pig myenteric plexus preparations preincubated with [3H]-choline have been investigated in the absence of cholinesterase inhibitors. 5-HT caused a transient increase in spontaneous release and an inhibition of the electrically-evoked release of [3H]-ACh. The 5-HT-induced contractions of the longitudinal muscle were clearly related to the increase in spontaneous release. The inhibitory effect was not due to activation of alpha-adrenoceptors since it was also observed in the presence of tolazoline and on strips from reserpine-pretreated guinea-pigs. After desensitization of the excitatory 5-HT receptors with 5-HT or metoclopramide the effects of 5-HT on spontaneous [3H]-ACh release were largely reduced. A variety of established antagonists at neuronal 5-HT receptors (i.e. metitepine 0.1-1 microM; methysergide 1 microM; ketanserin 0.1-1 microM; MDL 72222 0.1 microM; tropacocaine 1 microM) failed to block the excitation. The inhibition by 5-HT of the electrically evoked [3H]-ACh release was competitively antagonized by metitepine (pA2 7.6) and methysergide (pA2 7.0) but not by ketanserin. Tachyphylaxis to the inhibitory action of 5-HT did not occur. The results suggest that the excitatory 5-HT receptor ('M'-receptor) differs in its pharmacological properties from other neuronal 5-HT receptors. The presynaptically located inhibitory receptor may roughly correspond to the 5-HT1 receptor subtype but probably differs from the 5-HT autoreceptor.     

Serotonin-2 receptor-mediated regulation of release of acetylcholine by minaprine in cholinergic nerve terminal of hippocampus of rat

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) inhibited the K+-induced release of [3H]acetylcholine [( 3H]ACh) from slices of the hippocampus of the rat, dose-dependently. Minaprine (3-(2-morpholinoethylamino)-4-methyl-6-phenylpyridazine, Fig. 1) had no effect on the release of [3H]ACh. However, it inhibited the (formula; see text) Fig. 1. Chemical structure of minaprine dihydrochloride. attenuation of the release of [3H]ACh by 5-HT dose-dependently. The 5-HT2 receptor antagonists, mianserine, methysergide and spiperone, prevented the inhibitory effect of the 5-HT, as well as did minaprine. The attenuating effect of 5-HT was not mimicked by the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) and was not prevented by a 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B mixed receptor antagonist, propranolol, or by the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, cocaine and metoclopramide. Minaprine inhibited the bindings of [3H]5-HT, [3H]8-OH-DPAT and [3H]ketanserin in the hippocampus. The inhibitory effect of minaprine on the binding of [3H]ketanserin was more marked than on the binding of [3H]5-HT and [3H]8-OH-DPAT, and was non-competitive. The Ki value of minaprine for the binding of [3H]ketanserin was 2.9 microM. The inhibitory effect of 5-HT on the release of [3H]ACh was observed in the presence of tetrodotoxin. By electrolytic lesioning of the medial septum, the K+-induced release of [3H]ACh from the slices of hippocampus was significantly reduced and the release was no longer inhibited by 5-HT. The lesioning significantly decreased the binding of [3H]ketanserin in the hippocampus, with hardly any reduction in the binding of [3H]5-HT and [3H]8-OH-DPAT.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

[3H]Ketanserin labels 5-HT2 receptors and α1-adrenoceptors in human and pig brain membranes

The binding characteristics of [3H]ketanserin (a reported selective radioligand for serotonin 5-HT2 receptors) and [125I]BE 2254 (which labels selectively alpha 1-adrenoceptors) were characterized in brain frontal cortex membranes of pig and man. Saturation experiments indicated that both radioligands label apparently a homogeneous class of binding sites in human and pig fontal cortex membranes. Competition experiments with [125I]BE 2254 using 17 agonists and antagonists showed monophasic and steep curves in human and pig frontal cortex membranes. The pharmacological profile of these sites is typical of alpha 1-adrenoceptors. In competition experiments with [3H]ketanserin, most of the tested compounds displayed shallow or biphasic curves. In particular, alpha 1-adrenoceptor-selective antagonists (prazosin, WB 4101, BE 2254...) displaced with nanomolar affinity about 15 and 40% of the specific [3H]ketanserin binding in human and pig frontal cortex membranes, respectively. The minor component of [3H]ketanserin binding correlated highly significantly with [125I]BE 2254 binding in both membrane preparations. The major component of [3H]ketanserin binding to pig and human frontal cortex membranes correlated significantly with [3H]ketanserin binding in rat brain cortex membranes (which is essentially to 5-HT2 receptors). The present data demonstrate that [3H]ketanserin in nanomolar concentrations binds significantly to alpha 1-adrenoceptors in human and pig frontal cortex membranes; this suggests a rather limited degree of selectivity of ketanserin for 5-HT2 receptors in pig and human tissues.     

A behavioural and biochemical study in mice and rats of putative selective agonists and antagonists for 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors.

Radioligand binding techniques have demonstrated the existence of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) binding subtypes: 5-HT2, 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B. These techniques have also indicated that certain drugs appear to show sub-type specificity: 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin(8-OH-DPAT), a 5-HT1A agonist; 5-methoxy-3(1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl)1-H indole (RU 24969), a 5-HT1B agonist; and ritanserin, a 5-HT2 antagonist. (-)-Propranolol is a 5-HT1 antagonist of uncertain sub-type specificity. An examination has been made in mice and rats of the behavioural and biochemical effects of these drugs to determine whether the binding sites have physiological functions and further characterise the behavioural models. Administration of carbidopa (25 mg kg-1) plus 5-hydroxytryptophan (100 mg kg-1) produced head-twitch behaviour in mice which was antagonized by ritanserin (ED50 = 65 micrograms kg-1) but not (-)-propranolol (20 mg kg-1). 8-OH-DPAT (1-10 mg kg-1 s.c.) and RU 24949 (5 mg kg-1 i.p.) did not produce head-twitch behaviour. 8-OH-DPAT decreased 5-HTP- but not 5-methoxy-N-N-dimethyltryptamine (5 mg kg-1)-induced head-twitch by a (-)-propranolol-insensitive mechanism. Locomotor activity produced in mice by RU 24969 (3 mg kg-1) was antagonized by (-)-propranolol (20 mg kg-1) but not the (+)-isomer. (-)-Propranolol did not antagonize the behaviour induced in rats. In mice, both 8-OH-DPAT and RU 24969 markedly inhibited whole brain 5-HT synthesis and this effect was not antagonized by (-)-propranolol. In rats, 8-OH-DPAT (3 mg kg-1 s.c.) produced all the behavioural changes seen after quipazine (25 mg kg-1). (-)-Propranolol inhibited the behaviour changes produced by both agonists, while ritanserin antagonized the behaviour produced by quipazine but not 8-OH-DPAT. It is concluded, therefore, that the 5-HT1A receptor exists between the 5-HT2 receptor and the behavioural effectors. 8-OH-DPAT (at 20 degrees C ambient temperature) rapidly decreased rat body temperature, an effect antagonized by (-)-propranolol but not ritanserin. Quipazine (at 27 degrees C ambient temperature, but not 20 degrees C) increased body temperature but the effect was not blocked by either antagonist. Ritanserin does not antagonize apomorphine-induced locomotion in either species.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Characterization of presynaptic 5-HT receptors on adrenergic nerves supplying the bovine ovarian follicle.

1. The effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on contraction and release of [3H]-noradrenaline were investigated in vitro in bovine ovarian follicle strips. Using available selective agonists and antagonists, an effort was made to characterize the type of receptor mediating the inhibitory effect of 5-HT on neurogenic contraction and release of [3H]-noradrenaline by electrical field stimulation. 2. 5-Hydroxytryptamine inhibited the neurogenic contraction and release of [3H]-noradrenaline evoked by electrical field stimulation in a concentration-dependent manner. Like 5-HT, 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT) and methysergide reduced the transmitter release as well as the neurogenic contraction, whereas 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) failed to inhibit both responses in concentrations up to 0.1 microM. 3. The 5-HT (1 microM)-induced inhibition of contractile responses was more evident during stimulation at low frequencies (4 and 8 Hz) than during high frequency electrical stimulation (16 and 32 Hz). 4. Methiothepin (1 microM) and methysergide (10 microM) significantly antagonized the inhibitory effect of 5-HT on the electrically evoked release of tritium, whereas cyanopindolol, MDL 72222 and ketanserin (all 0.1 microM) were without effect. In addition, ketanserin, MDL 72222, cimetidine, pyrilamine, atropine, propranolol and indomethacin were without effect on the 5-HT-induced inhibition of the neurogenic contraction. 5. It is suggested that 5-HT inhibits the electrically evoked transmitter release from adrenergic nerves in the bovine ovarian follicle wall via prejunctional 5-HT1-like receptors. This was based on the findings that 5-CT was a potent agonist, methiothepin an antagonist and the lack of effect of MDL 72222, cyanopindolol and ketanserin.     

Ketanserin binds to the monoamine transporter of chromaffin granules and of synaptic vesicles

[3H]Ketanserin binding studies were performed on purified chromaffin granule membranes. Binding was found to occur on one class of sites and was temperature dependent. At 30 degrees the equilibrium dissociation constant KD was 45 nM. At 0 degrees, a KD value of 6 nM and a half-life of dissociation of 40 sec were measured. Methysergide, an antagonist of 5-hydroxytryptamine2 (5-HT2) receptors structurally unrelated to ketanserin, did not displace ketanserin binding. Tetrabenazine, an inhibitor of the monoamine transporter of chromaffin granules, displaced [3H]ketanserin binding. Conversely, ketanserin inhibited the binding of [3H] dihydrotetrabenazine, a ligand that specifically binds to the monoamine transporter. The inhibition was of the competitive type, indicating that both drugs bind to the same site. Ketanserin binding did not depend upon ATP-induced energization of chromaffin granules. ATP-dependent 5-HT uptake by chromaffin granule ghosts was inhibited by ketanserin with an IC50 value of 70 nM. A series of ketanserin derivatives were tested for their ability to displace [3H]dihydrotetrabenazine; EC50 values differed by more than 2 orders of magnitude and were not correlated to affinities on 5-HT2 receptors. In mouse brain, [3H]ketanserin was found to bind to methysergide-sensitive and to tetrabenazine-sensitive sites. In the striatum, tetrabenazine-sensitive sites represented a larger fraction than the methysergide-sensitive ones, whereas the reverse was true in the frontal cortex. It is concluded that nonspecific displaceable binding sites of [3H]ketanserin previously described in the striatum are tetrabenazine binding sites associated with the synaptic vesicle monoamine transporter.     

Mesulergine, a selective serotonin-2 ligand in the rat cortex, does not label these receptors in porcine and human cortex: evidence for species differences in brain serotonin-2 receptors

The kinetic and pharmacological characteristics of the binding of [3H]ketanserin and [3H]mesulergine to frontal cortical brain membranes from rat, pig and human were studied. In the 3 species [3H]ketanserin labeled sites with the characteristics of the 5-HT2 receptors previously described in the rat. In contrast, [3H]mesulergine labeled 5-HT2 receptors in rat, but not in pig and human cortices. The characteristics of the sites labeled by [3H]mesulergine in pig cortex were similar to those of sites in the choroid plexus of rats, pigs and humans. While several reputed 5-HT2 ligands presented a similar affinity for the [3H]ketanserin binding sites in the 3 species, other such ligands, e.g. mesulergine, methysergide, cinanserin and LSD which displaced these sites with high affinity in rat brain, had lower affinities in pig and human brain. These results indicate that 5-HT2 receptors show different pharmacological profiles in different species. Caution should thus be exerted in extrapolating data from laboratory animals to humans.     

Selective effects of thiol reagents on the binding sites for imipramine and neurotransmitter amines in the rat brain.

The action of the antithyroid drugs methimazole (MMI) and propylthiouracil (PTU) on the binding of [3H]-imipramine, [3H]-5-hydroxytryptamine [3H]-5-HT) (to 5-HT1-receptors) and [3H]-spiperone (to 5-HT2-, D2-receptors) of rat brain membranes has been examined. The synaptosomal uptake of [3H]-5-HT was also studied. Micromolar concentrations of the disulphide bond reducing agents MMI, PTU, dithiothreitol (DTT) and mercaptoethanol increased both the binding of [3H]-imipramine and the uptake of [3H]-5-HT. In contrast, they decreased the number of 5-HT1-receptors, and did not affect 5-HT2-and D2-sites. Reaction with membrane-bound sulphydryl (SH) groups by micromolar concentrations of N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), hydroxymercuribenzoic acid (PCMB), or Ellman's reagent (DTNB) decreased the binding of [3H]-imipramine, the number of 5-HT1-receptors, and the uptake of [3H]-5-HT. Millimolar concentrations of NEM were necessary in order to decrease partially 5-HT2- and D2-receptors. The effects of NEM on imipramine recognition sites and on the uptake of 5-HT could be prevented by DTT; protection was not obtained in other receptor systems. Three groups of receptors have been, thus, postulated, based upon their different sensitivity towards alterations in membrane [disulphide bridges in equilibrium SH] equilibrium: Group I, including imipramine recognition sites and the uptake system for 5-HT; Group II, including 5-HT1-receptors; Group III, including 5-HT2-and D2-receptors.     

3H]-Mesulergine labels 5-HT7 sites in rat brain and guinea-pig ileum but not rat jejunum

1. The primary aim of this investigation was to determine whether binding sites corresponding to the 5-HT7 receptor could be detected in smooth muscle of the rat jejunum. Binding studies in rat brain (whole brain minus cerebellum) and guinea-pig ileal longitudinal muscle were also undertaken in order to compare the binding characteristics of these tissues. Studies were performed using [3H]-mesulergine, as it has a high affinity for 5-HT7 receptors. 2. In the rat brain and guinea-pig ileum, pKD values for [3H]-mesulergine of 8.0 +/- 0.04 and 7.9 +/- 0.11 (n = 3) and Bmax values of 9.9 +/- 0.3 and 21.5 +/- 4.9 fmol mg(-1) protein were obtained respectively, but no binding was detected in the rat jejunum. [3H]-mesulergine binding in the rat brain and guinea-pig ileum was displaced with the agonists 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT) > 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) > or = 5-methoxytryptamine (5-MeOT) > sumatriptan and the antagonists risperidone > or = LSD > or = metergoline > ritanserin > > pindolol. 3. Despite the lack of [3H]-mesulergine binding in the rat jejunum, functional studies undertaken revealed a biphasic contractile response to 5-HT which was partly blocked by ondansetron (1 microM). The residual response was present in over 50% of tissues studied and was found to be inhibited by risperidone > LSD > metergoline > mesulergine = ritanserin > pindolol, but was unaffected by RS 102221 (3 microM), cinanserin (30 nM), yohimbine (0.1 microM) and GR 113808 (1 microM). In addition, the agonist order of potency was 5-CT > 5-HT > 5-MeOT > sumatriptan. 4. In conclusion, binding studies performed with [3H]-mesulergine were able to detect 5-HT7 sites in rat brain and guinea-pig ileum, but not in rat jejunum, where a functional 5-HT7-like receptor was present.