Presynaptic modulation of beta adrenergic receptors in rat cerebral cortex after treatment with antidepressants.

Treatment with desmethylimipramine (DMI), a tricyclic antidepressant, for 7 to 21 days resulted in a 35 to 45% decrease in the accumulation of adenosine cyclic 3':5'-monophosphate (cAMP) in response to a maximally effective concentration of (-)-isoproterenol (ISO) in rat cerebral cortical slices. The EC50 for ISO-stimulated cAMP accumulation was not affected by DMI administration. The diminution in responsiveness to catecholamines was accompanied by a 35 to 40% decrease in the density of beta adrenergic receptors as measured by the binding of [125I]iodohydroxybenzylpindolol. Decreases in ISO-sensitive cAMP accumulation and in beta adrenergic receptor density were temporally correlated, maximal decreases being observed within 5 to 7 days. Within 7 days after cessation of chronic DMI treatment ISO-stimulated cAMP accumulation and beta adrenergic receptor density returned to normal. The role of presynaptic nerve terminals in mediating these phenomena was also investigated. Treatment of newborn rats with 6--hydroxydopamine inhibited the development of noradrenergic nerve terminals in the cerebral cortex and blocked the effects of DMI on cortical cAMP accumulation and on beta adrenergic receptor density. The administration of the beta adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol led to increases in maximal ISO-stimulated cAMP accumulations and beta adrenergic receptor density in the rat cerebral cortex. This increase was not affected by the simultaneous administration of propranolol and DMI. Thus, the effect of DMI appears to be mediated through an action of norepinephrine at beta adrenergic receptors. Chronic treatment with two other clinically effective antidepressants, pargyline and iprindole, led to effects similar to those observed with DMI administration. Pretreatment of neonates with 6-hydroxydopamine blocked the effect of iprindole on beta adrenergic receptors. Preincubation of cortical membranes with guanosinetriphosphate before determination of the density of beta adrenergic receptors had no effect on the decreased number of receptors had no effect on the decreased number of receptors seen in DMI-treated animals. These experiments suggest that antidepressants, acting presynaptically, increase the concentration of transmitter at noradrenergic synapses and induce a compensatory decrease in the density of beta adrenergic receptors.     

Desensitization of beta adrenergic receptors linked to adrenocorticotropin secretion

Stimulation of beta adrenergic receptors on AtT-20 cells increases intracellular cyclic AMP levels and adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) release. Pretreatment of these cells with catecholamines reduces the ability of (-)-isoproterenol to stimulate both cyclic AMP formation and ACTH secretion. This beta receptor desensitization is time- and dose-dependent and is reversible. Various beta adrenergic agonists can induce this desensitization with a rank order of potency of salmefamol greater than or equal to (-)-isoproterenol greater than or equal to epinephrine greater than or equal to norepinephrine greater than or equal to (+)-isoproterenol. (+/-)-Propranolol but not practolol can block the (-)-isoproterenol-induced beta receptor desensitization. Long-term treatment of AtT-20 cells with (-)-isoproterenol reduces the density of beta receptors but does not affect the affinity of these sites for [3H]dihydroalprenolol. In addition to desensitizing beta receptors, (-)-isoproterenol pretreatment enhances basal ACTH secretion. This effect was dose-dependent and blocked by (+/-)-propranolol. Forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP formation and ACTH secretion was not altered by (-)-isoproterenol treatment indicating that the desensitization of beta receptors on AtT-20 cells is the result of receptor-adenylate cyclase uncoupling. No cross-desensitization of corticotropin releasing factor or vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors occurred as (-)-isoproterenol treatment did not alter the effect of these peptides on cyclic AMP synthesis or ACTH secretion.     

Regulation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptor density and functional responsiveness in rat brain

The effects of changes in norepinephrine availability on alpha-1 adrenergic receptor density and responsiveness were determined in several regions of rat brain. Receptor density was determined from specific 125I-BE 2254 binding, and responsiveness was determined by norepinephrine-stimulated increases in inositol phosphate accumulation and in cyclic AMP accumulation in the absence or presence of adenosine in slices where beta adrenergic receptors had been inactivated. Adrenergic input was reduced by destroying noradrenergic neurons with DSP-4, depleting amines with chronic reserpine treatment or blocking alpha-1 adrenergic receptors with chronic prazosin treatment. All three treatments caused similar increases in alpha-1 adrenergic receptor density in cerebral cortex but not in striatum or hippocampus. DSP-4 treatment increased the maximal cyclic AMP response to both norepinephrine and phenylephrine but did not alter the maximal inositol phosphate response or the maximal potentiation of the cyclic AMP response to adenosine. DSP-4 treatment also increased the potency of norepinephrine in activating all three responses in cerebral cortex. Adrenergic input was increased by chronic treatment with desmethylimipramine to block norepinephrine reuptake, chronic i.c.v. infusion of norepinephrine or chronic yohimbine treatment to block presynaptic autoreceptors. None of these treatments caused significant changes in alpha-1 adrenergic receptor density or functional responsiveness in any region studied. The results suggest that alpha-1 adrenergic receptor density and responsiveness in rat brain can be increased but not easily decreased. They also suggest that different brain regions are affected differently by alterations of adrenergic input and that the different responses are not coregulated.     

Rapid decrease in rat brain beta adrenergic receptor binding during combined antidepressant alpha-2 antagonist treatment

The delay in onset of the therapeutic effect of antidepressants is believed to be due to a progressive decrease in the density of central beta adrenergic receptors. The changes in beta adrenergic receptor density could result from an increase in the synaptic concentration of norepinephrine, which is secondary to a decrease in the sensitivity of the alpha-2 adrenergic receptor which normally inhibits release and the firing of the locus ceruleus. We have observed an acceleration of beta receptor desensitization with combined administration of antidepressants and alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists. After one day of administration of desipramine (DMI) with phenoxybenzamine, there was a marked decrease in beta adrenergic receptor density. One day of treatment with DMI alone had no significant effect on beta receptor density. Rapid desensitization occurs not only in rat limbic cortex, but also in hippocampus and mesencephalon. Furthermore, combination therapy of DMI with yohimbine or dihydroergotamine, both alpha-2 adrenergic blockers, is similar to DMI-phenoxybenzamine treatment. Combined administration with prazosin, an alpha-1 antagonist, had no effect on antidepressant-induced desensitization. Combined administration of alpha-2 antagonists accelerated beta receptor desensitization by amitriptyline, mianserin, iprindole, tranylcypromine and pargyline. These observations suggest that pharmacological blockade of alpha-2 adrenergic receptors enhances antidepressant-induced decreases in central nervous system beta-adrenergic receptor density.     

Effects of pindolol and propranolol on beta adrenergic receptors on human lymphocytes

The cardiovascular supersensitivity observed after discontinuation of administration of beta adrenergic receptor antagonists may be explained by an increase in the density of beta adrenergic receptors. Thus, a change in the density of receptors has been observed in human lymphocytes after administration of propranolol (Aarons et al., 1980). The effects of pindolol, a beta adrenergic receptor antagonist with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, were compared with those of propranolol or placebo. Pindolol (10 mg q.i.d.), propranolol (40 mg q.i.d.) or placebo were administered to 12 subjects for 8 days. The density of beta adrenergic receptors was determined by Scatchard analysis of the specific binding of [125I]iodopindolol on membranes prepared from human lymphocytes. Administration of pindolol resulted in a 30 to 50% decrease in the density of beta adrenergic receptors. This decrease was apparent within 1 day of beginning pindolol administration and it persisted for at least 8 days after discontinuation of drug administration. The reversibility of the decrease in receptors observed after pindolol administration was studied in 27 subjects given propranolol, pindolol or placebo for 4 days in a double-blind cross-over trial. Propranolol consistently induced a small increase in the density of beta adrenergic receptors. The density of receptors returned to predrug values within 2 days after discontinuation of propranolol administration. Pindolol induced a 30 to 50% decrease in the density of receptors which, as observed previously, persisted for at least 10 days after discontinuation of treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of ethanol administration and withdrawal on neurotransmitter receptor systems in C57 mice

C57BL/6 mice were treated with 7% (v/v) ethanol in a Bio-Serve liquid diet for 7 days. Some animals were then allowed to withdraw from ethanol for a period of 24 hr. The severity of the ethanol withdrawal was assessed by monitoring behavioral changes and by quantitating the decrease in body temperature that occurred during the first 16 hr of withdrawal. Animals withdrawn from ethanol for 24 hr showed a decreased hypothermic response to apomorphine suggesting that changes in dopaminergic systems had occurred. This possibility was further examined in homogenates of striatum by measuring dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity and the binding of [3H]spiroperidol. However, there were no changes observed in either basal- or dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity or in the density or affinity or receptors for [3H]spiroperidol. The affinity of apomorphine for the dopamine receptor was also unchanged. In other experiments, alpha and beta adrenergic receptor-mediated increases in cyclic AMP accumulation were assessed in slices of cerebral cortex. There was no change in cyclic AMP accumulation due to either alpha or beta adrenergic receptors. There was, however, a significant decrease in the density of beta adrenergic receptors in both the ethanol-treated mice and in the withdrawn mice. This decrease was restricted to the beta-2 receptor subtype with no change being observed in the density of beta-1 adrenergic receptors. Ethanol administration was also associated with a significant increase in the density of muscarinic cholinergic receptors in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. The effect was not observed in animals allowed to withdraw for 24 hr.     

Selective regulation of beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors by atypical agonists

The interactions of the atypical agonists pindolol and celiprolol with beta adrenergic receptors were compared with those of the full agonist, isoproterenol. Studies were carried out using intact cells as well as membranes prepared from C6 glioma cells. Computer-assisted analysis of dose-response curves resulting from the inhibition of the binding of [125I]iodopindolol by the beta-1 and beta-2 selective compounds ICI 89,406 and ICI 118,551 revealed that approximately one-third of the beta adrenergic receptors on these cells were beta-1 receptors. Addition of GTP to the binding assay simplified the dose-response curve for inhibition of the binding of [125I]iodopindolol by isoproterenol and diminished the potency of the agonist. GTP had no effect on the binding of pindolol or celiprolol, suggesting that these drugs do not induce the formation of a ternary complex with the receptor and the guanine nucleotide-binding protein for stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity. When added to the growth medium of intact C6 cells, isoproterenol induced a 40-fold increase in cyclic AMP accumulation. Pindolol and celiprolol, however, caused no elevation of enzyme activity. Addition of isoproterenol to the growth medium of intact cells resulted in an 80% decrease in the density of both beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors within 8 hr. Growing cells in the presence of pindolol or celiprolol induced a 50% decrease in the density of beta-2 receptors, which was inhibited by beta adrenergic antagonists.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Role of sympathoadrenal activations in congestive heart failure

Although sympathoneuronal activation plays a major role in maintaining circulatory homeostasis in decompensated heart failure, protracted activation adversely affects survival in patients with chronic heart failure. Endstage heart failure is associated with beta-adrenergic receptor subsensitivity phenomenon including downregulation of beta1-adrenergic receptors, uncoupling induced by receptor kinase activations, increased level of inhibitory guanine nucleotide binding protein. Abnormal calcium handling occurs as a result of dissociation of ryanodine receptors and its modulatory protein, FK506 binding proteins in addition to defective calcium uptake. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase gamma as well as defective neuronal uptake mechanism of norepinephrine have a pivotal role in mediating these alterations in adrenergic receptor signalings. In this regards, modulation of excessive adrenergic activations is essential to achieve successful management of patients with congestive heart failure.     

Effects of adrenergic stimulation on ventilation in man

The mechanism by which catecholamines affect ventilation in man is not known. Ventilatory responses to catecholamines were observed in normal subjects before and after adrenergic receptor blockade. Intravenous infusions of norepinephrine and isoproterenol caused significant increases in minute volume and decreases in end-tidal P(Co2) which were blocked by the administration of propranolol, a beta adrenergic receptor blocker. The hyperventilatory response to hypoxia was not altered by propranolol.Intravenous infusion of phenylephrine caused a small but significant decrease in minute volume which was antagonized by phentolamine, an alpha adrenergic receptor blocker. Angiotensin, a nonadrenergic pressor agent, also decreased minute volume significantly.100% oxygen was administered to suppress arterial chemoreceptors. Increases in minute volume and decreases in arterial P(Co2) in response to norepinephrine and isoproterenol were blocked by breathing 100% oxygen. The decrease in minute volume during phenylephrine was not altered by 100% oxygen.THE RESULTS INDICATE THAT: (a) beta adrenergic receptors mediate the hyperventilatory response to norepinephrine and isoproterenol but not to hypoxia. (b) the pressor agents phenylephrine and angiotensin decrease ventilation, and (c) suppression of chemoreceptors blocks the ventilatory response to norepinephrine and isoproterenol but not to phenylephrine. Implications concerning the interaction of adrenergic receptors and chemoreceptors with respect to the hyperventilatory response to catecholamines are discussed.     

Activation of alpha-2 adrenergic receptors augments neurotransmitter-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation in rat brain cerebral cortical slices

Norepinephrine-stimulated cyclic AMP (cAMP) accumulation in brain is mediated by both alpha and beta adrenergic receptors. The functional activity of these receptors can be differentiated by examining the response to isoproterenol alone and isoproterenol + 6-fluoronorepinephrine, and alpha adrenergic agonist. The present study was undertaken to define the pharmacological characteristics of the alpha adrenergic component associated with cAMP accumulation in brain. Using a prelabeling technique it was found that norepinephrine- or isoproterenol plus 6-fluoronorepinephrine-stimulated cAMP accumulation was only inhibited partially by an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist. In contrast, alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonists inhibited completely that portion of the response exceeding that produced by isoproterenol alone (alpha adrenergic augmentation). Furthermore, selective alpha-1 adrenergic agonists were incapable of enhancing the cAMP response to isoproterenol, whereas alpha-2 adrenergic agonists were active in this regard. Partial agonists for the alpha-2 adrenergic receptor were ineffective as augmentors. The data suggest that the alpha adrenergic component of the norepinephrine response in rat brain slices has characteristics of both alpha-1 and alpha-2 receptors, with the alpha-2 adrenergic component being a major contributor in this regard.     

Selective regulation of beta-2 adrenergic receptors by the chronic administration of the lipophilic beta adrenergic receptor agonist clenbuterol: an autoradiographic study

Many antidepressant drugs, when administered chronically to rats, have been shown to produce decreases in the density of beta adrenergic receptors in the central nervous system. The centrally active beta adrenergic receptor agonist clenbuterol is currently being evaluated clinically as an antidepressant. The chronic administration of this drug to rats resulted in a large decrease in the density of beta adrenergic receptors in some areas of the rat brain but not in others. Thus, autoradiographic studies revealed that the total density of beta adrenergic receptors in the molecular layer of the cerebellum, but not in layers 1 to 3 or layer 4 of the cerebral cortex, was decreased. To examine whether this regional selectivity occurred because of differences in plasticity of cerebellum and cortex or because cerebellum contains mainly beta-2 adrenergic receptors and cortex contains mainly beta-1 adrenergic receptors, separate analyses of the subtypes of beta adrenergic receptors were performed in each area. These experiments indicated that the decrease in receptor density was entirely specific for beta-2 adrenergic receptors, whereas the density of beta-1 receptors was unchanged. Thus, even in layers 1 to 3 and layer 4 of the cerebral cortex, beta-2 receptor density was decreased, with no change in beta-1 receptor density. Using the autoradiographic assay for ligand binding, it was shown that clenbuterol has equal affinity for beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors, indicating that the selective effect of this drug was not due to a selective affinity for beta-2 receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Relationship between intrinsic activities of agonists in normal and desensitized tissue and agonist-induced loss of beta adrenergic receptors

The intrinsic activities of 14 agonists at beta adrenergic receptors were determined in membranes prepared from control L6 muscle cells or from cells preincubated in the presence of isoproterenol for 20 min. Several drugs that were full agonists when studied with membranes from naive cells were partial agonists in membranes prepared from desensitized cells. Prolonged incubation of cells with agonists resulted in a 70 to 80% decrease in the density of beta adrenergic receptors. This effect was observed after incubation of cells with either full or partial agonists, suggesting that the extent of receptor loss is independent of the intrinsic activity of an agonist. The rate of receptor loss was related, however, to the intrinsic activity of an agonist. The rate of receptor loss correlated with the intrinsic activities of agonists in desensitized (r = 0.94) and control (r = 0.87) membranes.     

Effect of repeated restraint stress, desmethylimipramine or adrenocorticotropin on the alpha and beta adrenergic components of the cyclic AMP response to norepinephrine in rat brain slices

The cyclic AMP response to catecholamines in rat cortical slices is mediated by a beta adrenergic receptor which is coupled to adenylate cyclase and an alpha adrenergic receptor which potentiates the response to beta receptor stimulation. The present studies examined the effects of repeated restraint stress, adrenocorticotropin or desmethylimipramine administration on the beta and alpha adrenergic components of this response. Restraint was found to produce a small nonsignificant decrease of the beta receptor response accompanied by a significant reduction of the alpha receptor-induced potentiation of the beta response. Desmethylimipramine was found to lower the cyclic AMP response to beta receptor stimulation but not to alter the alpha-induced potentiation of the beta response. Adrenocorticotropin, like restraint stress, was found to reduce only the alpha-induced potentiation of the beta response. Experiments with adenosine and histamine showed that restraint stress lowered the alpha-induced potentiation of cyclic AMP responses to these neurohormones also. It is concluded that restraint stress acts primarily to reduce the response to stimulation of central alpha adrenergic receptors whereas desmethylimipramine acts primarily to reduce the response to stimulation of beta adrenergic receptors. Adrenocorticotropin has the same effect as restraint stress suggesting that pituitary adrenal hormones mediate the stress effect.     

Adenylate cyclase and beta adrenergic receptor development in the mouse heart

We have demonstrated previously a postnatal peak for the beta adrenergic receptor in the heart and detected the appearance of a beta adrenergic receptor before an (-)-isoproterenol inducible increase in heart rate. The present study examined 1) agonist displaceable [3H] dihydroalprenolol (DHA) binding in the neonatal and adult mouse heart and 2) adenylate cyclase in fetal, neonatal and adult mouse heart. 3[H]DHA binding displaceable by (-)-isoproterenol gave a similar Ki from 1 day neonate through adult. Similar to the result found for antagonist displacement binding, there was a dramatic increase in the agonist displaceable [3H] DHA binding postnatally. The maximum was achieved in 2 weeks and then gradually declined to adult level. Cyclase activity (basal, (-)-isoproterenol- and NaF- stimulated) paralleled beta adrenergic receptor increases before birth. However, no early postnatal peak was present. In the 13 day fetal mouse heart, there is no (-)-isoproterenol increase in heart rate, but beta adrenergic receptor (13 +/- 4% of adult) and (-)-isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity (15 +/- 5% of adult) are present. It is concluded that 1) no significant difference exists between the agonist and antagonist displaceable [3H] DHA binding during development, 2) adenylate cyclase activity increases significantly during the last third of pregnancy in parallel with the beta adrenergic receptor, 3) both the beta adrenergic receptor and adenylate cyclase activity can be detected before the heart rate responses and 4) total adenylate cyclase activity does not increase in parallel with the early postnatal beta adrenergic receptor peak.     

Characterization of a bromoacetylated derivative of pindolol as a high affinity, irreversible beta adrenergic antagonist in cultured cells

We have utilized cultured cell lines to test the utility of N8-(bromoacetyl)-N1-[3-(4-indolyoxy)-2-hydroxypropyl]-(Z)-1,8-diam ino- p-menthane, BIM, a recently synthesized, irreversible beta adrenergic antagonist. Previously available irreversible antagonists of beta adrenergic receptors have generally exhibited low affinity (typical IC50 values greater than or equal to 1 microM). By contrast, S49 lymphoma cells incubated with 10 nM BIM for 120 min and then washed extensively showed a 70% loss in beta adrenergic receptors, as measured by [125I]iodocyanopindolol binding. This loss, which could be prevented by propranolol, represented a decrease in receptor number without a change in affinity of the remaining receptors for [125I]iodocyanopindolol. The BIM-induced decrease in binding sites was persistent in membranes incubated for several hours after BIM treatment. BIM did not inactivate alpha-1 adrenergic receptors on Madin Darby canine kidney cells, alpha-2 adrenergic receptors on human erythroleukemia cells, nor did BIM treatment alter guanyl-5'-yl-imidodiphosphate-mediated regulation of agonist binding to the beta adrenergic receptors in S49 cell membranes. BIM treatment decreased cyclic AMP (cAMP) accumulation in S49 cells in response to the beta adrenergic agonist isoproterenol, but increased prostaglandin E1-stimulated cAMP accumulation (P = .09) without altering cAMP production in response to forskolin. The inactivation of beta receptors in S49 cells by BIM (IC50 = 0.30 nM) correlated closely with the loss in beta adrenergic receptor-mediated cAMP accumulation in these cells (IC50 = 0.59 nM), implying the absence of substantial receptor reserve for this response. We conclude that BIM is a potent, irreversible, selective beta adrenergic antagonist for the study of beta adrenergic receptors in cultured cells.     

Coexistence of beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors in the human heart: effects of treatment with receptor antagonists or calcium entry blockers

The properties of the binding of [125I]iodopindolol ([125I]IPIN) to beta adrenergic receptors on plasma membranes prepared from right atrial tissue removed during cardiac bypass surgery were investigated. Some of the patients from whom the tissue was removed had been treated before surgery with either a beta adrenergic receptor antagonist or a calcium entry blocker or both. The specific binding of [125I]IPIN to beta adrenergic receptors was saturable, stereoselective and rapidly reversible. Studies of the inhibition of the specific binding of [125I]IPIN by drugs selective for beta-1 or beta-2 adrenergic receptors suggested that both beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors are present in the tissue, with approximately 55% of the receptors having the properties of beta-2 adrenergic receptors. The density of receptors in patients not treated with beta adrenergic receptor antagonists or calcium entry blockers was approximately 80 fmol/mg of protein, whereas the density of beta adrenergic receptors in treated patients was increased by approximately 50%. The relative proportion of beta-1 to beta-2 adrenergic receptors in subjects treated with beta adrenergic receptor antagonists and/or calcium entry blockers was not significantly different from that in untreated subjects. Studies were also carried out with a limited number of samples of human ventricular muscle obtained from untreated subjects at the time of surgery. The density of receptors was lower than that observed in studies with atrial tissue. However, as with atrial tissue, approximately half of the receptors appeared to be beta-2 adrenergic receptors.     

Down regulation of beta adrenergic receptors in S49 lymphoma cells induced by atypical agonists

The ability of the atypical agonists celiprolol and pindolol to induce sequestration and down regulation of beta adrenergic receptors was investigated in S49 lymphoma cells. Sequestration was measured as the loss of binding sites for [3H]CGP-12177, a hydrophilic radioligand that binds only to surface beta adrenergic receptors at 6 degrees C. Down regulation was measured as the loss of binding sites for [125I]iodopindolol, a lipophilic radioligand which at 37 degrees C binds to both surface and sequestered receptors. Pindolol and celiprolol do not stimulate adenylate cyclase in membranes from wild-type (WT) S49 cells or do they induce the sequestration of beta adrenergic receptors on intact cells. Incubation of WT S49 lymphoma cells with isoproterenol for 24 hr resulted in the loss of 75% of total cellular beta adrenergic receptors (down regulation). Exposure of WT S49 cells to pindolol or celiprolol for 24 hr resulted in the loss of approximately half of the total cellular beta adrenergic receptors. In mutant S49 cells [cyc- (variant of S49 lymphoma cells which lacks Ns activity) and UNC (variant of S49 lymphoma cells in which Ns is present but cannot interact with beta adrenergic receptors)] in which interaction of beta adrenergic receptors with the stimulatory guanine nucleotide binding regulatory protein (Ns) does not occur, a 24 hr incubation with isoproterenol caused the loss of approximately half of the beta adrenergic receptors, whereas pindolol and celiprolol caused no change in the number of receptors. These results suggest that there are two mechanisms of down regulation of beta adrenergic receptors in S49 cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of imipramine and adrenocorticotropin administration on the rat brain norepinephrine-coupled cyclic nucleotide generating system: alterations in alpha and beta adrenergic components

Continuous treatment (1-3 weeks) with imipramine or adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) decreases the responsiveness of the norepinephrine-coupled cyclic nucleotide generating system in rat brain cerebral cortex. Experiments were undertaken to determine which component of the second messenger system is influenced by the hormone and antidepressant. Neither treatment modified the amount or function of extractable stimulatory guanine nucleotide binding protein or the activities of adenylate cyclase or phosphodiesterase. While both imipramine and ACTH treatment decreased the cyclic AMP response to norepinephrine, only imipramine administration influenced the response to isoproterenol. ACTH treatment was found to reduce the alpha adrenergic potentiation of isoproterenol- and 2-chloroadenosine-stimulated cyclic AMP production, as well as reduce the sensitivity of the norepinephrine response to prazosin. These findings indicate that imipramine and ACTH treatments decrease the responsiveness of the rat brain norepinephrine-stimulated cyclic AMP generating system through actions on the alpha and beta adrenergic receptor components. The results suggest that noradrenergic receptor activity may be under the control of adrenal and/or pituitary hormones.     

Guanine nucleotides are competitive inhibitors of N-methyl-D-aspartate at its receptor site both in vitro and in vivo

Guanine nucleotides were shown to alter N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-effector coupling by competitive antagonism at the glutamate binding site, rather than via interaction with an intracellularly located GTP-binding protein. Thus, in contrast to known G-protein linked receptors, micromolar concentrations of guanine nucleotides and their analogs decreased both agonist [( 3H]glutamate) and antagonist [( 3H]-3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid binding to the NMDA receptor complex. The most potent compound, the GDP analog guanosine-5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDP beta S), was studied in detail. GDP beta S exhibited almost 200-fold selectivity for the glutamate recognition site vs. the strychnine-insensitive glycine binding site. IC50 values were 2.7 +/- 1.4 and 484 +/- 97 microM, respectively. GDP beta S also inhibited N-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl-3H]piperidine binding (IC50 was 28.0 +/- 3.7 microM) in an NMDA-reversible fashion. [3H]-3-(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid saturation binding studies revealed an increase in Kd from 263 +/- 49 (control) to 552 +/- 134 nM (8 microM GDP beta S) without any change in maximum binding (4.94 +/- 0.34 and 5.19 +/- 0.58 pmol/mg of protein, respectively). GDP beta S was also a competitive inhibitor of the following NMDA-stimulated responses: elevation of cyclic GMP in neonatal rat cerebellar slices, release of preloaded [3H]norepinephrine from superfused rat hippocampal slices and elevation of cytosolic calcium concentration in fura-2-loaded cultured rat forebrain neurons. IC50 values were 78.4, 53.4 and 1.6 microM, respectively. Finally, GDP beta S resembled known NMDA receptor antagonists in its ability to block NMDA receptor-induced seizures after i.c.v. administration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

D-2 dopamine receptors in aging mouse striatum: determination of high- and low-affinity agonist binding sites

Striatal D-2 dopamine receptors in homogenates from aged male C57BL/6J mice were examined for high and low-affinity agonist binding. High-affinity dopamine binding requires the ternary complex of the D-2 receptor and a guanine nucleotide binding regulatory protein (N). Thus, changes in the interaction of D-2 and N could contribute to previously reported changes in agonist binding in aged rodents and humans. Qualitative experiments indicated no age-change in the ability of guanine nucleotides to reduce the apparent potency of dopamine at D-2 receptors. Also, no age differences were observed in the ability of guanine nucleotides to decrease N-[3H]propylnorapomorphine binding, suggesting that the ability of guanine nucleotides to dissociate D-2 and N was similar with age. Quantitative determination of the high- (RH) and low-affinity (RL) agonist binding components of striatal D-2 dopamine receptors in the absence of guanine nucleotides indicated differences in the density of RH, and the percentage of D-2 receptors measured as RH, between the ages of 3 and 12 months. No changes in RH or percentage of RH occurred after midlife. In contrast, the total D-2 receptor population, [3H]spiperone maximum binding, declined progressively from 3 to 24 months. Age-changes were restricted to D-2 receptor density; the dissociation constants for agonist and antagonist binding were similar across age. The data suggest that age-changes in striatal D-2 dopamine receptors can occur in the density of the D-2 receptor and in the mechanism that confers the property of high-affinity agonist binding upon the D-2 receptor.