3H]DuP 734 [1-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4-(2'-(4'-fluorophenyl)-2'- oxoethyl)-piperidine HBr]: a receptor binding profile of a high-affinity novel sigma receptor ligand in guinea pig brain.

The in vitro binding properties of 1-(cyclopropylmethyl)-4-(2'-(4'-fluorophenyl)-2'-oxoethyl)pipe ridi ne HBr, [3H]DuP 734, a novel sigma receptor ligand, were examined in homogenates of guinea pig brain. Specific [3H]DuP 734 binding (10 microM haloperidol-displaceable) in cerebellum was dependent on pH, temperature and membrane protein concentration, reversible, saturable and of high affinity (KD = 228 +/- 34 pM; Bmax = 3856 +/- 340 fmol/mg protein). [3H]DuP 734 binding was substantially reduced by treating the membrane with proteases and completely abolished by heat denaturation. [3H]DuP 734 binding was unaffected by the presence of ions or guanine nucleotides. The pharmacological characteristics of [3H]DuP 734 binding in cerebellum displayed the same rank order and stereospecificity as previously reported for sigma receptors in brain. [3H]DuP 734-labeled sigma receptors were heterogeneously distributed throughout the central nervous systems with highest densities present in pons/medulla, hypothalamus, spinal cord and cerebellum. In addition to labeling sigma receptors, a second, lower affinity, haloperidol-insensitive [3H] DuP 734 binding site was observed in the cerebral cortex. This second site could not be positively identified as a neuronal receptor because a series of standard compounds were unable to displace [3H]DuP 734 from the haloperidol-insensitive site; only structural analogs of DuP 734 proved effective in displacing [3H]DuP 734 from the haloperidol-insensitive site. In summary, [3H]DuP 734 is a novel ligand that binds with high affinity to sigma receptors in brain.     

Sigma receptors in post-mortem human brains

The pharmacological profile and regional distribution of sigma receptors in human autopsy brains were determined using [3H]-haloperidol as the ligand, in the presence of 50 nM spiperone to block binding to D2 dopamine sites. Specific binding in the cerebellum was to a single and saturable class of receptors with Kd = 0.95 +/- 0.12 nM and maximum binding = 358 +/- 13 fmol/mg of protein. Inhibition studies of the nondopamine [3H]haloperidol binding site in human cerebellar membranes revealed stereospecific binding and a pharmacological profile similar to that of specific sigma binding sites characterized in rodent brains using [3H]haloperidol, N-[3H]allylnormetazocine and di-o-[3H]-tolylguanidine as radioligands. The densities of sigma sites in the brain were highest in the cerebellum, nucleus accumbens and cerebral cortex. A post-mortem simulation study was performed with guinea pig brains due to the concern that sigma receptors might deteriorate in the human brain before assay. The results showed that this site was remarkably stable and insensitive to long periods of cooling or freezing.     

Sigma compounds derived from phencyclidine: identification of PRE-084, a new, selective sigma ligand.

A series of compounds derived from phencyclidine (PCP) was examined in the sigma receptor and PCP receptor binding assays. The derivatives included compounds containing methylene, ethylene or carboxyl ethylene insertion between the cycloalkyl ring and the amine group of PCP. Various phenyl substitutions, cycloalkyl rings and amines of these derivatives were also examined. The methylene and ethylene insertions decreased the compounds' potencies at PCP receptors, whereas they increased the potencies at sigma receptors. The carboxyl ethylene insertion produced compounds with negligible potencies at PCP receptors while possessing high potencies for sigma receptors. One derivative (PRE-084; 2-(4-morpholino)ethyl 1-phenylcyclohexane-1-carboxylate hydrochloride) had an IC50 of 44 nM in the sigma receptor assay, an IC50 of more than 100,000 nM for PCP receptors and an IC50 higher than 10,000 nM in a variety of other receptor systems. In general, compounds with hydroxy-substituted phenyl groups tended to have decreased potency at sigma receptors, whereas methylphenyl and chlorophenyl substitutions increased potencies. Reduction of cycloalkyl ring size decreased potencies for sigma receptors and quaternized amine groups invariably lowered the compound's potencies. Conformational analysis indicated that PRE-084 fitted onto a pharmacophore model for the sigma ligands. The study describes a new, highly selective ligand for the sigma receptor. The results of this study also confirm distinctly different structural requirements for binding to sigma and PCP receptors and provide a new structural consideration for synthesizing sigma-selective compounds.     

Distinct platelet thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptor subtypes. A radioligand binding study of human platelets.

Thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) may aggregate platelets via a common membrane receptor(s). To further characterize this receptor, binding of the radiolabeled TXA2/PGH2 mimetic [125I]BOP to washed human platelets (WP) was investigated. [125I]BOP was competitively displaced from its platelet binding site by stable TXA2/PGH2 analogues. Competition curves were shallow with Hill coefficients of -0.73 +/- 0.05 (P less than 0.001 different from unity) (90 +/- 1% specific binding). Scatchard plots were curvilinear and most consistent with two binding sites; a high-affinity site with Kd of 234 +/- 103 pM, Bmax of 0.7 +/- 0.3 pM/mg protein (180 +/- 87 sites/WP), and a lower affinity site with Kd of 2.31 +/- 0.86 nM, Bmax of 2.2 +/- 0.3 pM/mg protein (666 +/- 65 sites/WP). [125I]BOP association and dissociation kinetics gave a Kd of 157 pM without evidence of negative cooperativity. The EC50 for I-BOP-induced initial Ca2+ increase was 209 +/- 24 pM, shape change was 263 +/- 65 pM, and aggregation was 4.4 +/- 0.5 nM. Parallel binding studies using the TXA2/PGH2 receptor antagonist [125I]PTA-OH showed a single binding site. The rank order for TXA2/PGH2 analogues to displace [125I]PTA-OH was identical to that for [125I]BOP. These studies indicate that [125I]BOP binds to two distinct sites on human platelets that may represent platelet TXA2/PGH2 receptor subtypes. The close correlation of IC50 values for I-BOP-induced platelet shape change and aggregation with the two Kds for [125I]BOP binding suggests that these platelet responses may be independently mediated by the two putative receptors.     

Pharmacological and autoradiographic discrimination of sigma and phencyclidine receptor binding sites in brain with (+)-[3H]SKF 10,047, (+)-[3H]-3-[3-hydroxyphenyl]-N-(1-propyl)piperidine and [3H]-1-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine

The benzomorphan opioid, SKF 10,047, is the prototypical agonist for the sigma receptor. In this study, pharmacological and autoradiographic analyses reveal that (+)-[3H]SKF 10,047 labels two sites in brain: a high affinity site resembling the sigma receptor and a second site, labeled with lower affinity by (+)-[3H] SKF 10,047, similar to the phencyclidine (PCP) receptor. The drug specificity of the high affinity site for (+)-[3H]SKF 10,047 resembles that of the putative sigma receptor labeled with (+)-[3H]-3-[3-hydroxyphenyl]-N-(1-propyl)piperidine [(+)-[3H]-3-PPP], being potently inhibited by (+)-3-PPP, haloperidol and (+/-)-pentazocine, and demonstrating stereoselectivity for the (+)-isomer of SKF 10,047. In contrast, these drugs are weak in inhibiting binding of (+)-[3H]SKF 10,047 to the low affinity site, whereas PCP analogs, such as 1-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine (TCP) and 1-[1-(m-aminophenyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine (m-NH2-PCP), are potent inhibitors. No stereoselectivity for the isomers of SKF 10,047 is noted at the low affinity binding site. Autoradiographic localizations of high affinity (+)-[3H]SKF 10,047 binding sites closely resemble those of (+)-[3H]-3-PPP labeled sites with high levels of binding in the hippocampal pyramidal cell layer, hypothalamus, pontine and cranial nerve nuclei and cerebellum. By contrast, low affinity (+)-[3H]SKF 10,047 sites are most abundant in nonpyramidal layers of the hippocampus, the cerebral cortex and thalamic nuclei, similar to the distribution of [3H]TCP labeled PCP receptors.     

Solubilization and characterization of the liver peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor

The rat liver membrane-bound and digitonin-solubilized peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors (mPBZR and dsPBZR, respectively) were characterized. Forty percent of the receptors were solubilized from a liver homogenate with 0.25% digitonin. Scatchard analysis of saturation data for the mPBZR and the dsPBZR showed Kd = 1.5 nM and maximum number of binding sites = 3.12 pmol/mg of protein and Kd = 9.2 nM and maximum number of binding sites = 1.10 pmol/mg of protein, respectively. Estimates of Kd calculated from kinetic data agree with estimates from Scatchard analysis. The affinity of the PBZR for [3H]Ro5-4864 was not affected by guanosine 5'0-(3-thiotriphosphate) which suggests the receptor is not coupled to a G-protein. Competition for specific [3H]Ro5-4864 binding by various ligands demonstrated the same rank order potency of binding inhibition for the membrane bound and solubilized receptors (PK-11195 greater than or equal to Ro5-4864 greater than diazepam greater than clonazepam). Thus, the soluble receptor had ligand binding characteristics similar to those of the membrane PBZR. [3H]PK-14105 was used to photoaffinity label the PBZR in a rat liver homogenate. Labeling was specific for the PBZR and the molecular weight of the digitonin-solubilized photoaffinity-labeled receptor was estimated to be 170 kDa by gel filtration chromatography. Estimation of the molecular weight of the [3H]PK-14105 labeled receptor by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated a single protein corresponding to 19 kDa.     

Characterization of the enantiomers of cis-N-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-N-methyl-2-(1- pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexylamine (BD737 and BD738): novel compounds with high affinity, selectivity and biological efficacy at sigma receptors.

A novel class of compounds with very high affinity and selectivity for sigma receptors has been discovered. BD614 [(+/-)-cis-N-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]-N-methyl-2-(1- pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexylamine] and its optically pure 1S,2R-(-)-[BD737] and 1R,2S-(+)-[BD738]enantiomers bound to sigma receptors of guinea pig brain with Ki = 2.0 +/- 0.4, 1.3 +/- 0.3 and 6 +/- 3 nM, respectively. These compounds exhibited little or no affinity for dopamine-D2, kappa opiate or phencyclidine receptors and displayed high biological efficacy in assays of sigma receptor function, ability to produce alterations in motor behavior and inhibition of the muscarinic cholinergic phosphoinositide response. Microinjection of BD614 into the rat red nucleus or substantia nigra produced a dose-dependent alteration in head position and contralateral circling, respectively. BD614, BD737 and BD738 inhibited stimulation of inositol phosphate production by carbachol or oxotremorine-M in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, N-substituted cis-2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexylamines may prove useful in studies of sigma receptor structure and function.     

D-Pen2,4'-125I-Phe4,D-Pen5]enkephalin: a selective high affinity radioligand for delta opioid receptors with exceptional specific activity.

[D-Pen2,4'-125I-Phe4,D-Pen5]enkephalin ([125I]DPDPE) is a highly selective radioligand for the delta opioid receptor with a specific activity (2200 Ci/mmol) that is over 50-fold greater than that of tritium-labeled DPDPE analogs. [125I]DPDPE binds to a single site in rat brain membranes with an equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) value of 421 +/- 67 pM and a receptor density (Bmax) value of 36.4 +/- 2.7 fmol/mg protein. The high affinity of this site for delta opioid receptor ligands and its low affinity for mu or kappa receptor-selective ligands are consistent with its being a delta opioid receptor. The distribution of these sites in rat brain, observed by receptor autoradiography, is also consistent with that of delta opioid receptors. Association and dissociation binding kinetics of 1.0 nM [125I] DPDPE are monophasic at 25 degrees C. The association rate (k + 1 = 5.80 +/- 0.88 X 10(7) M-1 min-1) is about 20- and 7-fold greater than that measured for 1.0 nM [3H DPDPE and 0.8 nM [3H] [D-Pen2,4'-Cl-Phe4, D-Pen5]enkephalin, respectively. The dissociation rate of [125I]DPDPE (0.917 +/- 0.117 X 10(-2) min-1) measured at 1.0 nM is about 3-fold faster than is observed for either of the other DPDPE analogs. The rapid binding kinetics of [125I]DPDPE is advantageous because binding equilibrium is achieved with much shorter incubation times than are required for other cyclic enkephalin analogs. This, in addition to its much higher specific activity, makes [125I]DPDPE a valuable new radioligand for studies of delta opioid receptors.     

Opioid- and phencyclidine-like discriminative effects of ditolylguanidine, a selective sigma ligand

The sigma binding site in brain has affinity for psychotomimetic opioids, phencyclidine (PCP) and antipsychotic drugs, and is a separate entity from the PCP receptor. In order to demonstrate a behavioral correlate of sigma binding, rats were trained to discriminate between s.c. injections of saline and 3.0 mg/kg of ditolylguanidine (DTG), a selective and high affinity sigma ligand, and tested for generalization to novel drugs. The rats generalized dose dependently and completely or almost completely to PCP and related drugs and to mu, kappa and sigma opioid agonists. A separate group of rats trained to discriminate saline from 2.0 mg/kg of PCP generalized completely to DTG, confirming the commonalities in the discriminative effects of these drugs. DTG-like discriminative effects of opioid enantiomers showed no consistent stereoselectivity. Discriminative effects of the DTG training dose were neither mimicked by haloperidol and (-)-butaclamol, which have high affinity for the sigma site, or by the opioid antagonist naltrexone. Order of potency in producing DTG-like discriminative effects did not correlate with published reports of relative drug affinity for the sigma site or the PCP receptor. Although the discriminative effects of DTG have commonalities with those of several types of opioid and PCP-like drugs, their pharmacologic characteristics are different from the pharmacologic characteristics of opioid and PCP receptors as well as from those of the sigma binding site.     

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)     

Evaluation of elastase and alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor-elastase uptake by polymorphonuclear leukocytes and evidence of an elastase-specific receptor

Neither resting nor stimulated isolated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes did bind or ingest preformed complexes of alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor and unlabeled/125I-labeled human leukocyte elastase. In contrast, granulocytes bound unlabeled/125I-labeled elastase and the extent of binding was reduced in the presence of respiratory burst stimulators, such as 4 beta-phorbol 12 beta-myristate 13 alpha-acetate, E. coli endotoxin, and N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine. In association/dissociation and competition inhibition experiments it was demonstrated that granulocyte-elastase binding was specific and saturable. From Scatchard and non-linear regression analysis there was evidence of a two-class receptor model with independent binding sites. Calculated by the non-linear regression method assuming a two-class receptor model the characteristics of the high affinity/low capacity binding site were K1 = 216 +/- 129 X 10(6) l X mol-1 (means +/- s; n = 3) and R1 = 1.38 +/- 0.95 nmol X l-1 corresponding to 0.083 X 10(6) receptors per cell, whereas the low affinity/high capacity binding site had the characteristics K2 = 0.50 +/- 0.09 X 10(6) l X mol-1 and R2 = 237 +/- 103 nmol X l-1 corresponding to 14.3 +/- 6.2 X 10(6) receptors per cell.     

Interactions of sigma and phencyclidine receptor ligands with the norepinephrine uptake carrier in both rat brain and rat tail artery.

The interaction of several sigma and PCP receptor ligands with the norepinephrine uptake carrier was investigated in the rat tail artery and brain. These ligands include haloperidol; (+)- and (-) 3-(3-hydroxy- phenyl)-N-(1-propyl)piperidine (3-PPP), (+/-)-BMY 14802, [(+/-) alpha-(4-fluoro- phenyl)-4-(5-fluoro-2-pyrimidinyl)-1-piperazine butanol]; (+)-SKF 10047, [(+/-)-N-allyl-N-normetazocine]; 1,3-di-ortho-tolyl-guanidine; rimcazole (BW 234U), [cis-9-[3-(3,5-dimethyl-1-piperazinyl)propyl] carbazole dihydrochloride]; and MK 801, [(+)-5-methyl-10,1 1-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a, d]cyclohepten-5, 10-imine maleate]. Our results show that all ligands used, except 1,3-di-ortho-tolyl-guanidine, inhibit both neuronal [3H]norepinephrine accumulation in the rat tail artery and specific [3H] desmethylimipramine binding in the rat brain. Except for (+)-SKF 10047, the order of potency of the ligands used for inhibiting neuronal [3H]norepinephrine accumulation in the rat tail artery was similar to that measured for inhibition of specific [3H]desmethylimipramine binding in the rat brain. Despite these similarities, our results also suggest that haloperidol, (+)- and (-)3-PPP, MK 801, rimcazole and cocaine interact with the [3H]norepinephrine site in the rat tail artery and with the [3H]desmethylimipramine binding site in the rat brain in a complex fashion. These studies demonstrate an important action on the norepinephrine carrier by these sigma and PCP ligands in the rat tail artery and brain.     

Electrophysiological and binding studies on intact NCB-20 cells suggest presence of a low affinity sigma receptor

Whole cell voltage clamp studies were performed on NCB-20 cells to examine physiological responses to drugs possessing affinities for sigma receptors. Those drugs [haloperidol, alpha-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-4-(5-fluoro-2-pyrimidinyl)-1-piperazinebutano l (BMY-14802), pentazocine, N-allylnormetazocine (SKF-10047), 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N-(1-propyl)piperidine (3-PPP), phencyclidine, 1-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine (TCP), (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo-[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate (MK-801)] caused an apparent inward current, which was due to blockade of a tonic, outward potassium current. The rank order of drug potencies in producing this effect generally resembled the rank orders of sigma-receptor affinities for the drugs, except that a reverse stereoselectivity was observed for several drugs. [3H](+)-SKF-10047 labeled two sites in intact NCB-20 cells (Kd = 49 nM, Bmax = 1.0 pmol/mg protein and Kd = 9.6 microM, Bmax = 69 pmol/mg protein). The high affinity site was similar pharmacologically to the sigma receptor assayed in membrane fragments from NCB-20 cells. However, the low affinity site showed a slightly different profile, highlighted by a reverse stereoselectivity. The rank order of drug potencies was as follows at the low affinity site: haloperidol greater than BMY-14802 greater than (-)-pentazocine greater than (+)-pentazocine greater than (-)-SKF-10047 greater than (-)-3-PPP greater than (+)-SKF-10047 greater than (+)-3-PPP greater than phencyclidine greater than TCP greater than MK-801.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Multiple binding affinities of N-methylscopolamine to brain muscarinic acetylcholine receptors: differentiation from M1 and M2 receptor subtypes

The properties of the specific binding of the muscarinic receptor ligands [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate and N-[3H]methylscopolamine in rat brain were compared. The specific binding of both ligands was affected equally by heat, phospholipase A2 and trypsin. N-[3H]methylscopolamine labeled only a fraction of the total muscarinic receptors recognized by [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate in different brain areas and in the heart. Evidence is presented that N-[3H]methylscopolamine, in fact, binds to a subpopulation of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate binding sites. The distribution of the high-affinity binding sites of N-[3H]methylscopolamine did not show a different tissue dependence as compared to the total receptor population, and did not parallel the distribution of the pirenzepine-sensitive M1 receptor subtype. Similarly, the affinity of both [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate and N-[3H]methylscopolamine varied from one tissue to another by a maximum of 2-fold. Although (-)-quinuclidinyl benzilate competed for the specific binding of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate in different tissues according to the law of mass-action, N-methylscopolamine showed an anomalous interaction with two binding sites. The low-affinity binding sites of N-methylscopolamine showed saturability of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate binding and stereoselectivity. When the binding characteristics of these N-methylscopolamine-inaccessible binding sites of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate in the brain were investigated further, it was found that N-methylscopolamine bound exclusively with a single low affinity, whereas pirenzepine still interacted with two receptor populations incorporated in these sites. It is concluded from several lines of evidence that the heterogeneity of binding of N-methylscopolamine to muscarinic receptors does not represent an interaction with the muscarinic M1 and M2 receptor subtypes defined by pirenzepine. Thus, the unique binding profile of pirenzepine to muscarinic receptors cannot be explained merely on the basis of its hydrophilic nature.     

Interaction of opiate receptor binding sites and guanine nucleotide regulatory sites: selective protection from N-ethylmaleimide

Guanine nucleotides decrease the binding of opiate agonists to opiate receptors by increasing dissociation rates. To explore the relationship between receptor binding and GTP regulation, rat brain membranes were incubated with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and assayed for GTP-induced decrease of 3H-agonist binding. NEM decreased both binding of [3H]dihydromorphine and the effect of GTP on binding. The GTP effect on D-[3H]Ala2-Met5-enkephalinamide (D-Ala-enk) binding was less sensitive to NEM than the binding itself. Incubation of membranes with 0.2 microM D-Ala-enk before addition of NEM significantly protected D-[3H]Ala-enk binding, but did not protect the GTP effect, actually increasing the effect of NEM and eliminating the GTP effect. These "unregulated" receptors were still inhibited by NaCl, but were not stimulated by divalent cations. Although opiate protection alone could not protect the GTP regulation, preincubation of membranes with GTP or guanyl-yl-5'-imidodiphosphate fully protected the GTP effect from NEM and also partially protected the binding site. Preincubation of membranes either with NaCl alone or with NaCl plus D-Ala-enk protected both the GTP effect and the binding site. These results suggest that although the sites for GTP regulation and opiate receptor binding are physically distinct, interactions between sites occur upon the binding of either opiate or guanine nucleotide ligands to their respective sites, and that sodium may play a crucial role in the coupling of these interactions.     

High-affinity dextromethorphan and (+)-3-(-3-hydroxyphenyl)-N-(1-propyl)piperidine binding sites in rat brain. Allosteric effects of ropizine.

Dextromethorphan (DM) binds to high- and low-affinity sites in the rat brain. The high-affinity DM binding is inhibited by nonnarcotic antitussives, opipramol and sigma ligands with nanomolar affinities. Computer-assisted modeling of homologous and heterologous competition studies between DM and (+)-3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N-(1-propyl)piperidine [(+)-3-PPP] were performed at pH 8.4. These experiments confirmed the existence of the common high-affinity DM1/sigma 1 site (R1) for which DM and (+)-3-PPP have Kd values of 20 and 10 nM, respectively. DM also binds to a second high-affinity site (R2, Kd, 20 nM) for which (+)-3-PPP has only micromolar affinity. Similarly, (+)-3-PPP binds to another high-affinity site (R3, Kd, 60 nM) for which DM has micromolar affinity. The common high-affinity DM1/sigma 1 site is allosterically modulated by the anticonvulsant ropizine, and is (+)-pentazocine sensitive, as is the homologous site in the guinea pig. However, in the rat the common DM1/sigma 1 site is 10 times smaller than in the guinea pig. This explains the apparently different effects of the allosteric modifiers in both species. The multiplicity of binding sites for DM and (+)-3-PPP resolved in this investigation will help to establish the physiological role and the pharmacological potential of the different sites. Meanwhile, the pharmacological effects of DM and sigma ligands cannot be summarily attributed to any particular binding site or receptor. This investigation also demonstrates that the use of multiple labeled and unlabeled ligands, combined with computer-assisted modeling, is essential to resolve multiple binding sites with similar affinities and to characterize the complex effects of allosteric modifiers.     

Putative melatonin receptor in human spermatozoa.

Melatonin is present in human semen, and may affect sperm motility. The presence of melatonin receptors on spermatozoa has not yet been reported. Detection of melatonin-binding sites may be limited because of the masking of such sites by sialic acid. Spermatozoa were obtained from eligible human donors, incubated with neuraminidase to remove sialic acid residues, and saturation binding assays were carried out using 2-125I-melatonin as a receptor probe. Consistent 125I-melatonin binding could only be obtained after spermatozoa were treated with neuraminidase. Scatchard analysis revealed a low-affinity binding site (ML-2) with a Kd value of 127 +/- 6 nM and a Bmax of 25 +/- 4.5 fmol/mg protein. These results present evidence of melatonin-binding sites in spermatozoa. Sialic acid possibly regulates the binding of melatonin to these sites.     

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

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

3H]A-778317 [1-((R)-5-tert-butyl-indan-1-yl)-3-isoquinolin-5-yl-urea]: a novel, stereoselective, high-affinity antagonist is a useful radioligand for the human transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) receptor

1-((R)-5-tert-butyl-indan-1-yl)-3-isoquinolin-5-yl-urea (A-778317) is a novel, stereoselective, competitive antagonist that potently blocks transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) receptor-mediated changes in intracellular calcium concentrations (pIC50 = 8.31 +/- 0.13). The (S)-stereoisomer, 1-((S)-5-tert-butyl-indan-1-yl)-3-isoquinolin-5-yl-urea (A-778316), is 6.8-fold less potent (pIC50 = 7.47 +/- 0.07). A-778317 also potently blocks capsaicin and acid activation of native rat TRPV1 receptors in dorsal root ganglion neurons. A-778317 was tritiated ([3H]A-778317; 29.3 Ci/mmol) and used to study recombinant human TRPV1 (hTRPV1) receptors expressed in Chinese ovary cells (CHO) cells. [3H]A-778317 labeled a single class of binding sites in hTRPV1-expressing CHO cell membranes with high affinity (KD = 3.4 nM; Bmax = 4.0 pmol/mg protein). Specific binding of 2 nM [3H]A-778317 to hTRPV1-expressing CHO cell membranes was reversible. The rank-order potency of TRPV1 receptor antagonists to inhibit binding of 2 nM [3H]A-778317 correlated well with their functional potencies in blocking TRPV1 receptor activation. The present data demonstrate that A-778317 blocks polymodal activation of the TRPV1 receptor by binding to a single high-affinity binding site and that [3H]A-778317 possesses favorable binding properties to facilitate further studies of hTRPV1 receptor pharmacology.