Resiniferatoxin-type phorboid vanilloids display capsaicin-like selectivity at native vanilloid receptors on rat DRG neurons and at the cloned vanilloid receptor VR1.

1 Although the cloned rat vanilloid receptor VR1 appears to account for both receptor binding and calcium uptake, the identification of vanilloids selective for one or the other response is of importance because these ligands may induce distinct patterns of biological activities. 2 Phorbol 12,13-didecanoate 20-homovanillate (PDDHV) evoked 45Ca(2+)-uptake by rat dorsal root ganglion neurons (expressing native vanilloid receptors) in culture with an EC50 of 70 nM but inhibited [3H]-resiniferatoxin (RTX) binding to rat dorsal root ganglion membranes with a much lower potency (Ki>10,000 nM). This difference in potencies represents a more than 100 fold selectivity for capsaicin-type pharmacology. 3 45Ca2+ influx by PDDHV was fully inhibited by the competitive vanilloid receptor antagonist capsazepine, consistent with the calcium uptake occurring via vanilloid receptors. 4 PDDHV induced calcium mobilization in CHO cells transfected with the cloned rat vanilloid receptor VR1 with an EC50 of 125 nM and inhibited [3H]-RTX binding to these cells with an estimated Ki of 10,000 nM. By contrast, PDDHV failed to evoke a measurable calcium response in non-transfected CHO cells, confirming its action through VR1. 5 We conclude that PDDHV is two orders of magnitude more potent for inducing calcium uptake than for inhibiting RTX binding at vanilloid receptors, making this novel vanilloid a ligand selective for capsaicin-type pharmacology. These results emphasize the importance of monitoring multiple endpoints for evaluation of vanilloid receptor structure-activity relations. Furthermore, PDDHV now provides a tool to explore the biological correlates of capsaicin-type vanilloid pharmacology.     

Capsazepine: a competitive antagonist of the sensory neurone excitant capsaicin.

1. Capsazepine is a synthetic analogue of the sensory neurone excitotoxin, capsaicin. The present study shows the capsazepine acts as a competitive antagonist of capsaicin. 2. Capsazepine (10 microM) reversibly reduced or abolished the current response to capsaicin (500 nM) of voltage-clamped dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurones from rats. In contrast, the responses to 50 microM gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and 5 microM adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) were unaffected. 3. The effects of capsazepine were examined quantitatively with radioactive ion flux experiments. Capsazepine inhibited the capsaicin (500 nM)-induced 45Ca2+ uptake in cultures of rat DRG neurones with an IC50 of 420 +/- 46 nM (mean +/- s.e.mean, n = 6). The 45Ca2+ uptake evoked by resiniferatoxin (RTX), a potent capsaicin-like agonist was also inhibited. (Log concentration)-effect curves for RTX (0.3 nM-1 microM) were shifted in a competitive manner by capsazepine. The Schild plot of the data had a slope of 1.08 +/- 0.15 (s.e.) and gave an apparent Kd estimate for capsazepine of 220 nM (95% confidence limits, 57-400 nM). 4. Capsazepine also inhibited the capsaicin- and RTX-evoked efflux of 86Rb+ from cultured DRG neurones. The inhibition appeared to be competitive and Schild plots yielded apparent Kd estimates of 148 nM (95% confidence limits, 30-332 nM) with capsaicin as the agonist and 107 nM (95% confidence limits, 49-162 nM) with RTX as agonist. 5. A similar competitive inhibition by capsazepine was seen for capsaicin-induced [14C]-guanidinium efflux from segments of adult rat vagus nerves (apparent Kd = 690 nM; 95% confidence limits, 63 nM-1.45 microM).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

High affinity antagonists of the vanilloid receptor

The vanilloid receptor VR1 has attracted great interest as a sensory transducer for capsaicin, protons, and heat, and as a therapeutic target. Here we characterize two novel VR1 antagonists, KJM429 [N-(4-tert-butylbenzyl)-N'-[4-(methylsulfonylamino)benzyl]thiourea] and JYL1421 [N-(4-tert-butylbenzyl)-N'-[3-fluoro-4-(methylsulfonylamino)benzyl]thiourea], with enhanced activity compared with capsazepine on rat VR1 expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. JYL1421, the more potent of the two novel antagonists, inhibited [(3)H]resiniferatoxin binding to rVR1 with an affinity of 53.5 +/- 6.5 nM and antagonized capsaicin-induced calcium uptake with an EC(50) of 9.2 +/- 1.6 nM, reflecting 25- and 60-fold greater potencies than capsazepine. Both JYL1421 and KJM429 antagonized RTX as well as capsaicin and their mechanism was competitive. The responses to JYL1421 and KJM429 differed for calcium uptake by rVR1 induced by heat or pH. JYL1421 antagonized the response to both pH 6.0 and 5.5, whereas KJM429 antagonized at pH 6.0 but was an agonist at lower pH (<5.5). For heat, JYL1421 fully antagonized and KJM429 partially antagonized. Capsazepine showed only weak antagonism for both pH and heat. Responses of rVR1 to different activators could thus be differentially affected by different ligands. In cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons, JYL1421 and KJM429 likewise behaved as antagonists for capsaicin, confirming that the antagonism is not limited to heterologous expression systems. Finally, JYL1421 and KJM429 had little or no effect on ATP-induced calcium uptake in CHO cells lacking rVR1, unlike capsazepine. We conclude that JYL1421 is a competitive antagonist of rVR1, blocking response to all three of the agonists (capsaicin, heat, and protons) with enhanced potency relative to capsazepine.     

The cloned rat vanilloid receptor VR1 mediates both R-type binding and C-type calcium response in dorsal root ganglion neurons.

[(3)H]Resiniferatoxin (RTX) binding and calcium uptake by rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons show distinct structure-activity relations, suggestive of independent vanilloid receptor (VR) subtypes. We have now characterized ligand binding to rat VR1 expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK293) and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and compared the structure-activity relations with those for calcium mobilization. Human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293/VR1 cells) and Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with VR1 (CHO/VR1 cells) bound [(3)H]RTX with affinities of 84 and 103 pM, respectively, and positive cooperativity (Hill numbers were 2.1 and 1.8). These parameters are similar to those determined with rat DRG membranes expressing native VRs (a K(d) of 70 pM and a Hill number of 1.7). The typical vanilloid agonists olvanil and capsaicin inhibited [(3)H]RTX binding to HEK293/VR1 cells with K(i) values of 0.4 and 4.0 microM, respectively. The corresponding values in DRG membranes were 0.3 and 2.5 microM. HEK293/VR1 cells and DRG membranes also recognized the novel vanilloids isovelleral and scutigeral with similar K(i) values (18 and 20 microM in HEK293/VR1 cells; 24 and 21 microM in DRGs). The competitive vanilloid receptor antagonist capsazepine inhibited [(3)H]RTX binding to HEK293/VR1 cells with a K(i) value of 6.2 microM and binding to DRG membranes with a K(i) value of 8.6 microM. RTX and capsaicin induced calcium mobilization in HEK293/VR1 cells with EC(50) values of 4.1 and 82 nM, respectively. Thus, the relative potencies of RTX (more potent for binding) and capsaicin (more potent for calcium mobilization) are similar in DRG neurons and cells transfected with VR1. We conclude that VR1 can account for both the ligand binding and calcium uptake observed in rat DRG neurons.     

Direct labeling of rat M3-muscarinic receptors by [3H]4DAMP

The muscarinic receptors of rat submaxillary gland, rat heart and rat cortex were directly labeled using the ligand [3H]4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methyl-piperidine methiodide [( 3H]4DAMP). In the rat submaxillary gland, [3H]4DAMP predominantly bound with high affinity (Kd = 0.2 nM) to a population of binding sites that displayed the pharmacology of the M3 muscarinic receptor subtype. In rat heart, [3H]4DAMP labeled the M2 muscarinic receptor with low affinity (Kd = 4 nM). In rat cortex [3H]4DAMP predominantly bound to a population of sites with high affinity (Kd = 0.2 nM). The pharmacology of these sites was consistent with [3H]4DAMP labeling both M1 and M3 muscarinic receptors present in rat cortex with high affinity. These data indicate that [3H]4DAMP represents a useful ligand for selectively labeling the M1 and M3 muscarinic receptor subtypes.     

Pharmacological characterization of a receptor for calcitonin gene-related peptide on rat, L6 myocytes.

1 The L6 myocyte cell line expresses high affinity receptors for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) which are coupled to activation of adenylyl cyclase. The biochemical pharmacology of these receptors has been examined by radioligand binding or adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) accumulation. 2 In intact cells at 37 degrees C, human and rat alpha- and beta-CGRP all activated adenylyl cyclase with EC50s of about 1.5 nM. A number of CGRP analogues containing up to five amino acid substitutions showed similar potencies. In membrane binding studies at 22 degrees C in 1 mM Mg2+, the above all bound to a single site with IC50s of 0.1-0.4 nM. 3 The fragment CGRP(8-37) acted as a competitive antagonist of CGRP stimulation of adenylyl cyclase with a calculated Kd of 5 nM. The Kd determined in membrane binding assays was lower (0.5 nM). 4 The N-terminal extended human alpha-CGRP analogue Tyro-CGRP activated adenylyl cyclase and inhibited [125I]-iodohistidyl-CGRP binding less potently than human alpha-CGRP (EC50 for cyclase = 12 nM, IC50 for binding = 4 nM). 5 The pharmacological profile of the L6 CGRP receptor suggests that it most closely resembles sites on skeletal muscle, cardiac myocytes and hepatocytes. The L6 cell line should be a stable homogeneous model system in which to study CGRP mechanisms and pharmacology.     

Evidence for agonist-induced interaction of angiotensin receptor with a guanine nucleotide-binding protein in bovine adrenal zona glomerulosa

Previous studies have documented that high affinity binding of [125I]angiotensin II to adrenal cortex receptors was modulated by guanine nucleotides. Since in other receptor systems, similar properties of hormone-receptor interactions were shown to be specific for agonists, we studied the differential binding characteristics of agonists and antagonists to this receptor using a new radiolabeled antagonist [125I] [Sar1,Ile8] angiotensin II. Receptor saturation studies indicate that the antagonist is binding to a homogeneous population of sites with a Kd of 0.6-2.0 nM and with a receptor density around 1 pmol/mg of protein. Competition curves using unlabeled antagonists are characterized by a slope factor of 1 and a single Kd of 1-3 nM. Addition of guanylylimidodiphosphate to the assay is absolutely without effect on radiolabeled antagonist binding. In contrast, competition curves using the full agonists angiotensin II, [Sar1]angiotensin II, angiotensin III, and [des-Arg]angiotensin III display slope factors of 0.79, 0.87, 0.70, and 0.84, respectively. These curves can be explained by two apparent forms of the receptor having high and low affinity for the agonist. The higher affinity form associated with these four agonists is characterized by a Kd of 1.2 nM, 0.25 nM, 0.8 nM, and 3 microM, and corresponds to 60, 56, 42, and 25% of angiotensin II-binding sites, respectively. The other form displays 13- to 33-fold lower affinity. Addition of guanine nucleotide to the assay results in a 2-4-fold shift to the right and a steepening (slope factor 0.9-1.0) of agonist competition curves. Angiotensin II receptors, occupied by the full agonist [131I] [Sar1] angiotensin II or by the antagonist [125I] [Sar1, Ile8]angiotensin II, were then solubilized with the nonionic detergent octylglucoside. Dissociation of the agonist [131I] [Sar1] angiotensin II from solubilized receptors is enhanced by guanylylimidodiphosphate or sodium acetate, while dissociation of the antagonist [125I] [Sar1, Ile8]angiotensin II displays little sensitivity towards guanine nucleotides or increased ionic strength. Inclusion of bile salts in the solubilization medium preferentially destabilizes receptor-bound agonist, presumably by interfering with protein-protein interactions required for high affinity agonist binding. Separation of radiolabeled agonist and antagonist-occupied solubilized receptor complexes by steric exclusion high performance liquid chromatography reveals that the agonist-occupied receptor complex behaves as a larger protein than the antagonist-occupied receptor complex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

125I]iodoclonazepam, a specific high affinity radioligand for the identification of BZ1 and BZ2 sites in rat brain.

Binding of the radioligand [125I]iodoclonazepam to three different areas of rat brain (cerebellum, hippocampus and striatum) has been characterised. In all three regions binding is rapid, saturable and of high affinity (cerebellum Bmax = 1.49 +/- 0.3 pmol/mg of protein, Kd = 0.39 +/- 0.06 nM; hippocampus Bmax = 1.5 +/- 0.14 pmol/mg of protein, Kd = 0.38 +/- 0.6 nM and striatum Bmax = 0.53 +/- 0.1 pmol/mg of protein, Kd = 0.34 +/- 0.03 nm, n = 3). In all regions only one population of sites was apparent. However, competition for [125I]iodoclonazepam sites by a series of benzodiazepine agonists and antagonists showed some regional differences. The BZ1 selective compounds zolpidem and CL218,872 showed a 4.3-fold and 5.2-fold selectivity for cerebellar binding sites respectively. We conclude that [125I]iodoclonazepam is a novel, high affinity ligand which recognises both BZ1 and BZ2 classes of receptor and should be a useful addition to the panel of benzodiazepine ligands currently available.     

The vanilloid (capsaicin) receptor: Receptor types and species differences

1. Capsaicin was postulated to exert its pharmacological actions by interacting at a specific recognition site (receptor) expressed predominantly by primary afferent neurons.2. The actual existence of this long-sought “capsaicin-receptor” has recently been demonstrated by the specific binding of [³H]resiniferatoxin (RTX), an ultrapotent capsaicin analog with a unique spectra of actions.3. Since homovanillic acid is the key structural motif shared by capsaicin and RTX, their recognition site appears to be best termed the vanilloid receptor.4. Central (sensory ganglia and spinal cord) vanilloid receptors of the rat bind RTX with high affinity in a cooperative fashion; moreover, they recognize capsaicin with higher affinity than the competitive antagonist, capsazepine. Peripheral (urinary bladder, urethra, airways, colon) vaniiloid receptors, by contrast, bind RTX with lower affinity in a noncooperative manner. An opposite affinity for capsazepine relative to capsaicin appears to distinguish vanilloid receptors in the urinary bladder from those present in the airways or colon. These findings imply heterogeneity in the properties of vanilloid receptors.5. The affinity of [³H]RTX binding in vitro is influenced by reducing agents, suggesting an in vivo modulatory role for endogenous reducing agents in vanilloid receptor functions.6. The size of central vanilloid receptors (270 kDa) as measured by radiation inactivation and the cooperative binding both suggest a receptor cluster with cooperating subunits.7. RTX binds to vanilloid receptors with orders of magnitude higher affinity than capsaicin; its ability to induce cooperative binding is also more pronounced. These differences in receptor binding along with the pharmacokinetical differences in tissue equilibration and in plasma binding may form a rational basis to explain the peculiar spectrum of actions of RTX.8. Guinea pig spinal cord and airway membranes bind RTX with lower affinity than rat tissues. The receptor density is, however, higher in the guinea pig in keeping with the marked sensitivity of this species to vanilloid actions.9. The apparently low level of specific [³H]RTX binding sites in the hamster and rabbit is in accord with the resistance of these species to vanilloid actions.10. In post-mortem human spinal cord specific [³H]RTX binding sites can be detected; their binding parameters are similar to those determined in guinea pig spinal cord.11. The vanilloid receptor appears to display both intraspecies heterogeneity and marked interspecies differences.12. As yet, it is not known whether the vanilloid receptor is operated by endogenous ligands. It is not known either which receptor superfamily (if any) it belongs to. The [³H]RTX binding assay has, however, the potential of answering these questions. Thus, rapid progress in our knowledge may be anticipated.     

Characterization of the binding of a potent, selective, radioiodinated antagonist to the human neurokinin-1 receptor.

We have synthesized a potent, selective, radioiodinated antagonist of the human neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor and have characterized its binding to the cloned receptor expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. (cis)-2-(Diphenylmethyl)-N-[(2-iodophenyl)-methyl]-1- azabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-3-amine (L-703606) inhibits binding of 125I-Tyr8-substance P to the human NK1 receptor with an IC50 of 2 nM. This compound is a competitive antagonist of substance P-induced inositol phosphate generation, with a Kb of 29 nM. [125I]L-703606 binds to a single class of high affinity binding sites in human NK1/Chinese hamster ovary cell membranes (Kd = 0.3 nM). Substance P inhibits the binding of [125I]L-703606 to 65% of the NK1 receptor sites with a Kd of 0.04 +/- 0.03 nM and to the remaining 35% of the sites with a Kd of 1.5 +/- 0.7 nM. Addition of the nonhydrolyzable GTP analog guanylyl-5'-(beta, gamma-imido)diphosphate [Gpp(NH)p] shifts greater than 90% of the binding sites to the lower affinity state. In addition, Gpp(NH)p markedly alters the dissociation of substance P from the NK1 receptor by increasing the number of sites in the low affinity, rapidly dissociating state. However, Gpp(NH)p does not affect the rate of dissociation of [125I]L-703606. These data suggest that the pharmacological properties of [125I]L-703606 binding to the human NK1 receptor are similar to those of antagonists of nonpeptide guanine nucleotide-binding protein-coupled receptors and that this ligand will be useful for the biochemical and pharmacological characterization of the human NK1 receptor.     

Characterization of rat glomerular thromboxane A2 receptors: comparison to rat platelets.

This study was designed to characterize rat glomerular thromboxane A2 (TxA2) receptors and compare them to rat platelet TxA2 receptors. The radioligand binding characteristics of the receptors were characterized using [125I][1S-(1 alpha,2 beta(5Z),3 alpha-(1E,3R*),4 alpha]-7-[3-(3-hydroxy-4-(4'-iodophenoxy)-1-butenyl)-7-oxabicyclo- [2.2.1]heptan-2yl]-5-heptenoic acid ([125I]BOP), a TxA2 agonist. Equilibrium binding with [125I]BOP, as well as competitive binding assays between [125I]BOP and 13-azapinane TxA2 receptors antagonists, were performed in rat glomerular membranes (RGM) and washed rat platelets (WRP). [125I]BOP identified a single class of TxA2 receptor sites in glomerular membranes with a Kd of 318 +/- 55 pM and a Bmax of 260 +/- 62 fmol/mg protein (n = 14). [125I]BOP was displaced by the TxA2 agonist 15S-hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha(epoxymethano)-prosta-5Z,13E-dienoic acid (U-46,619) (IC50 = 22 +/- 6 nM, n = 3), the antagonist SQ-29,548 (IC50 = 41 +/- 7 nM, n = 4), and stereoselectively by the antagonists (-)-9-chlorobenzyl-6-fluoro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazol-1-yl acetic acid (L-657,925) (IC50 = 0.27 +/- 0.04 nM, n = 3) and (+)-9-chlorobenzyl-6-fluoro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocarbazol-1-yl acetic acid (L-657,926) (IC50 = 124 +/- 0 nM, n = 2). The ability of six 13-azapinane TxA2 antagonists to compete with [125I]BOP was evaluated. The rank orders for the 13-azapinanes showed no significant correlation between RGM and WRP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Beta-adrenergic receptors in guinea-pig liver plasma membranes and thermal lability of [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding sites

beta-Adrenergic receptors in guinea-pig liver plasma membranes were characterized by radioligand binding, using l-[3H]dihydroalprenolol ([3H]DHA), l-3-[125I]iodocyanopindolol ([125I]CYP) and dl-[3H]4-(3-tertiarybutylamino-2-hydroxypropoxy)-benzimidazole-2- one hydrochloride [( 3H]CGP-12177). The binding of both [125I]CYP and [3H]CGP-12177 to membranes exhibited high affinity (Kd = 3.5 +/- 0.2 pM for [125I]CYP and 0.75 +/- 0.10 nM for [3H]CGP-12177) and stereospecificity; the maximal binding sites were 130 +/- 15 and 137 +/- 8 fmoles/mg protein respectively. Catecholaminergic agonists competed for these binding sites in the order l-isoproterenol greater than l-epinephrine greater than l-norepinephrine, which is typical for beta 2-adrenergic receptors. The binding data are supported by parallel experiments on adenylate cyclase activation by catecholamines, and on antagonism of this activation by beta 1- and beta 2-selective blockers. The binding of [3H]DHA was excessive (Bmax = 21.4 pmoles/mg protein), exhibited low affinity (Kd = 34.6 nM), and lacked stereospecificity. When liver membranes were incubated at 50 degrees for 40 min in the presence of an agonist, l-isoproterenol, the binding of [3H]DHA to the heat-treated membranes exhibited high affinity (Kd = 1.07 +/- 0.17 nM) and the Bmax was reduced to 139 +/- 22 fmoles/mg protein. In such membranes, as opposed to native membranes, stereospecificity was evident and catecholaminergic agonists competed for the binding sites in the order typical for beta 2-adrenergic receptors. However, agonist competition of the binding to the heat-treated membranes could not be modulated by guanine nucleotides, indicating a loss of communication between the receptor and the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein.     

p-[125I]iodoclonidine is a partial agonist at the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor

The binding properties of p-[125I]iodoclonidine [( 125I]PIC) to human platelet membranes and the functional characteristics of PIC are reported. [125I]PIC bound rapidly and reversibly to platelet membranes, with a first-order association rate constant (kon) at room temperature of 8.0 +/- 2.7 x 10(6) M-1 sec-1 and a dissociation rate constant (koff) of 2.0 +/- 0.8 x 10(-3) sec-1. Scatchard plots of specific [125I]PIC binding (0.1-5 nM) were linear, with a Kd of 1.2 +/- 0.1 nM. [125I]PIC bound to the same number of high affinity sites as the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor (alpha 2-AR) full agonist [3H] bromoxidine (UK14,304), which represented approximately 40% of the sites bound by the antagonist [3H]yohimbine. Guanosine 5'-(beta, gamma-imido)triphosphate greatly reduced the amount of [125I]PIC bound (greater than 80%), without changing the Kd of the residual binding. In competition experiments, the alpha 2-AR-selective ligands yohimbine, bromoxidine, oxymetazoline, clonidine, p-aminoclonidine, (-)-epinephrine, and idazoxan all had Ki values in the low nanomolar range, whereas prazosin, propranolol, and serotonin yielded Ki values in the micromolar range. Epinephrine competition for [125I]PIC binding was stereoselective. Competition for [3H]bromoxidine binding by PIC gave a Ki of 1.0 nM (nH = 1.0), whereas competition for [3H]yohimbine could be resolved into high and low affinity components, with Ki values of 3.7 and 84 nM, respectively. PIC had minimal agonist activity in inhibiting adenylate cyclase in platelet membranes, but it potentiated platelet aggregation induced by ADP with an EC50 of 1.5 microM. PIC also inhibited epinephrine-induced aggregation, with an IC50 of 5.1 microM. Thus, PIC behaves as a partial agonist in a human platelet aggregation assay. [125I]PIC binds to the alpha 2B-AR in NG-10815 cell membranes with a Kd of 0.5 +/- 0.1 nM. [125I]PIC should prove useful in binding assays involving tissues with a low receptor density or in small tissue samples and in studies of cloned and expressed alpha 2-AR.     

Characterisation of the binding of [3H]methyllycaconitine: a new radioligand for labelling alpha 7-type neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

Methyllycaconitine (MLA), a norditerpenoid alkaloid isolated from Delphinium seeds, is one of the most potent non-proteinacious ligands that is selective for alpha bungarotoxin-sensitive neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). [3H]MLA bound to rat brain membranes with high affinity (Kd = 1.86 +/- 0.31 nM) with a good ratio of specific to non-specific binding. The binding of [3H]MLA was characterised by rapid association (t 1/2 = 2.3 min) and dissociation (t 1/2 = 12.6 min) kinetics. The radioligand binding displayed nicotinic pharmacology, consistent with an interaction with alpha bungarotoxin-sensitive nAChR. The snake alpha-toxins, alpha bungarotoxin and alpha cobratoxin, displaced [3H]MLA with high affinity (Ki = 1.8 +/- 0.5 and 5.5 +/- 0.9 nM, respectively), whereas nicotine was less potent (Ki = 6.1 +/- 1.1 microM). The distribution of [3H]MLA binding sites in crudely dissected rat brain regions was identical to that of [125I] alpha bungarotoxin binding sites, with a high binding site density in hippocampus and hypothalamus, but low density in striatum and cerebellum. [3H]MLA also labelled a sub-population of binding sites which are not sensitive to the snake alpha toxins, but which did not differ significantly from the major population with respect to their other pharmacological properties or regional distribution. [3H]MLA, therefore, is a novel radiolabel for characterising alpha 7-type nAChR. A good signal to noise ratio and rapid binding kinetics provide advantages over the use of radiolabelled alpha bungarotoxin for rapid and accurate equilibrium binding assays.     

Iodination of [Tyr11]somatostatin yields a super high affinity ligand for somatostatin receptors in GH4C1 pituitary cells

GH4C1 cells are a clonal strain of rat pituitary tumor cells which contain high affinity receptors for the inhibitory neuropeptide somatostatin (SRIF). In contrast to other peptides that bind to specific receptors on these cells, receptor-bound [125I-Tyr1]SRIF does not undergo rapid endocytosis. Rather, partial degradation to 125I-tyrosine occurs concomitantly with the dissociation of [125I-Tyr1]SRIF from cell surface receptors. In this study we characterize the binding, biological activity and receptor-mediated degradation of [125I-Tyr11]SRIF, a SRIF analog that is radiolabeled in the center of the molecule. The binding of trace concentrations of [125I-Tyr11]SRIF (less than 50 pM) required 6 hr to reach equilibrium at 37 degrees compared with the 60 min required for [125I-Tyr1]SRIF. Analysis of the kinetics of [125I- Tyr11]SRIF binding showed that the rate constant for association (kon = 1.7 x 10(8) M-8min-1) was similar to that for [125I-Tyr1]SRIF (0.8 x 10(8) M-1min-1). However, the two radioligands exhibited markedly different dissociation kinetics; the koff for [125I-Tyr11]SRIF was 0.002 min-1 compared with the value of 0.02 min-1 for [125I-Tyr1] SRIF. In agreement with its much slower rate of dissociation, [125I-Tyr11]SRIF bound to the SRIF receptor with higher affinity (Kd = 70 pM) than did [125I-Tyr1]SRIF (Kd = 350 pM). However, the apparent ED50 for [I-Tyr11]SRIF to inhibit cAMP accumulation (1.9 +/- 0.4 nM) was greater than the ED50 for SRIF (0.19 +/- 0.04 nM). The low potency of [I-Tyr11]SRIF probably resulted from the fact that subsaturating concentrations of this peptide did not achieve equilibrium binding during the 30-min incubation used to assay biological activity. As previously reported for [125I-Tyr1]SRIF, receptor-bound [125I-Tyr11]SRIF was not internalized and was released from the cells as a mixture of intact [125I-Tyr11]SRIF (30%) and the degradation product 125I-tyrosine (65%). Only approximately 5% of receptor-bound [125I-Tyr11]SRIF was released as a different degradation product. Our data demonstrate that [125I-Tyr11]SRIF is a better radioanalog than [125I-Tyr1]SRIF for binding studies with intact cells because of its higher affinity for the SRIF receptor. In addition, inasmuch as receptor-mediated degradation of bound ligand releases iodotyrosine from both position 1 and position 11 substituted analogs, aminopeptidases are unlikely to be entirely responsible for SRIF degradation. The superior binding properties of [125I-Tyr11]SRIF should facilitate the detection of SRIF receptors in other cell types.     

Molecular cloning and radioligand binding characterization of the chemokine receptor CCR5 from rhesus macaque and human

The aim of this study was to determine if macaque represents a suitable species for the pre-clinical evaluation of novel CCR5 antagonists, such as maraviroc (UK-427,857). To do this we cloned and expressed CCR5 from rhesus macaque and compared the binding properties of [125I]-MIP-1beta and [3H]-maraviroc with human recombinant CCR5. [125I]-MIP-1beta bound with similar high affinity to CCR5 from macaque (K(d) = 0.24 +/- 0.05 nM) and human (K(d) = 0.23 +/- 0.05 nM) and with similar kinetic properties. In competition binding studies the affinity of a range of human chemokines for macaque CCR5 was also similar to human CCR5. Maraviroc inhibited binding of [125I]-MIP-1beta to CCR5 from macaque and human with similar potency (IC50 = 17.50 +/- 1.24 nM and 7.18 +/- 0.93 nM, respectively) and antagonised MIP-1beta induced intracellular calcium release mediated through CCR5 from macaque and human with similar potency (IC50 = 17.50 +/- 3.30 nM and 12.07 +/- 1.89, respectively). [3H]-maraviroc bound with high affinity to CCR5 from macaque (K(d) = 1.36+/-0.07 nM) and human (K(d) = 0.86 +/- 0.08 nM), but was found to dissociate approximately 10-fold more quickly from macaque CCR5. However, as with the human receptor, maraviroc was shown to be a high affinity, potent functional antagonist of macaque CCR5 thereby indicating that the macaque should be a suitable species in which to evaluate the pharmacology, safety and potential mechanism-related toxicology of novel CCR5 antagonists.     

In vitro studies on L-771,688 (SNAP 6383), a new potent and selective alpha1A-adrenoceptor antagonist

L-771,688 (SNAP 6383, methyl(4S)-4-(3, 4-difluorophenyl)-6-[(methyloxy)methyl]-2-oxo-3-[(?3-[4-(2-pyridin yl)-1-piperidinyl]propyl?amino)carbonyl]-1,2,3, 4-tetrahydro-5-pyrimidine carboxylate) had high affinity (Ki less than or = 1 nM) for [3H]prazosin binding to cloned human, rat and dog alpha1A-adrenoceptors and high selectivity (>500-fold) over alpha1B and alpha1D-adrenoceptors. [3H]Prazosin / (+/-)-beta-[125I]-4-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl-aminomethylteralone ([125I]HEAT) binding studies in human and animal tissues known to contain alpha1A and non-alpha1A-adrenoceptors further demonstrated the potency and alpha1A-subtype selectivity of L-771,688. [3H]L-771,688 binding studies at the cloned human alpha1A-adrenoceptors and in rat tissues indicated that specific [3H]L-771,688 binding was saturable and of high affinity (Kd=43-90 pM) and represented binding to the pharmacologically relevant alpha1A-adrenoceptors. L-771,688 antagonized norepinephrine-induced inositol-phosphate responses in cloned human alpha1A-adrenoceptors, as well as phenylephrine or A-61603 (N-[5-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2yl)-2-hydroxy-5,6,7, 8-terahydro-naphthlen-1-yl] methanesulfonamide hydrobromide) induced contraction in isolated rat, dog and human prostate, human and monkey bladder neck and rat caudal artery with apparent Kb values of 0.02-0.28 nM. In contrast, the contraction of rat aorta induced by norepinephrine was resistant to L-771,688. These data indicate that L-771,688 is a highly selective alpha1A-adrenoceptor antagonist.     

Multiple types of receptors for atrial natriuretic peptide

The binding of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) to olfactory bulb, pituitary anterior lobe and thymus gland membranes was examined. [125I]ANP (rat, 99-126) bound specifically to the three types of membranes. However, the affinity for ANP receptor in olfactory bulb was much higher than those in either pituitary or thymus gland. Competitive inhibition of cold ANP (rat, 99-126) with [125I]ANP binding sites on olfactory bulb membranes gave a value of 796 +/- 80 pM (mean +/- S.E.M., n = 4) as a dissociation constant (Kd) of cold ANP (rat, 99-126), while on pituitary and thymus membranes, the competitive curve gave a value of 9.3 +/- 0.4 nM (mean +/- S.E.M., n = 3) and 25.5 +/- 2.2 nM (mean +/- S.E.M., n = 6) as a Kd of cold ANP (rat, 99-126), respectively. Furthermore, a truncated ANP fragment (rat, 111-126) did not inhibit the [125I]ANP binding in olfactory bulb, while this peptide fragment inhibited the [125I]ANP binding in either pituitary or thymus gland with affinities only 2- to 4-fold less potent than ANP (rat, 99-126). These data indicate the possibility of the existence of multiple types of ANP receptors. We propose alpha-receptor in olfactory bulb and beta-receptor in either pituitary anterior lobe or thymus gland.     

Adenosine receptors in basolateral membranes of rat renal cortex.

High affinity binding sites for adenosine were identified in rat kidney cortex basolateral membranes. Kinetic analysis indicates two sets of [3H]adenosine, [3H]ADO, binding sites, one with high affinity and Kd = 0.84 +/- 0.25 microM, one with low affinity and Kd = 4.74 +/- 0.37 microM. The ADO receptors were further characterized using ADO analogs as binding inhibitors. The most potent inhibitor of [3H]ADO binding was N-methyl-adenosine with a Kd of 5 microM, whereas 2-deoxyadenosine was about 50 times less potent. The binding of [3H]phenylisopropyladenosine, [3H]PIA, and [3H]-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine, [3H]NECA, to basolateral membranes was rapid and reversible. The Scatchard plot of [3H]PIA binding showed monophasic curves for experiments performed at 0 degrees C and 37 degrees C. The apparent Kd of [3H]PIA binding at 0 degrees C was 0.19 +/- 0.05 nM and 0.34 +/- 0.07 nM at 37 degrees C. The binding of [3H]NECA to basolateral membranes was found with an apparent affinity Kd of 110 +/- 50 nM at 0 degrees C. Pretreatment of membranes with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) inhibited the [3H]PIA binding and did not affect the [3H]NECA binding. These results demonstrate that both A1 and A2 adenosine receptors are present in basolatertal membranes of rat kidney.     

Comparison of [125I]beta-endorphin binding to rat brain and NG108-15 cells using a monoclonal antibody directed against the opioid receptor

The properties of [125I]beta h-endorphin-binding sites from rat brain membranes and membranes from the NG108-15 cell line were compared using a monoclonal antibody directed against the opioid receptor and opioid peptides as probes. The binding of [125I]beta h-endorphin to both rat brain and NG108-15 membranes yielded linear Scatchard plots with Kd values of 1.2 nM and 1.5 nM, respectively, and Bmax values of 865 fmol/mg rat brain membrane protein and 1077 fmol/mg NG108-15 membrane protein. A monoclonal antibody, OR-689.2.4, capable of inhibiting mu and delta binding but not kappa binding to rat brain membranes, noncompetitively inhibited the binding of 1 nM [125I]beta h-endorphin to rat brain and NG108-15 membranes with an IC50 value of 405 nM for rat brain membranes and 543 nM for NG108-15 membranes. The monoclonal antibody also inhibited the binding of 3 nM [3H] [D-penicillamine2, D-penicillamine5] enkephalin to NG108-15 membranes with an IC50 value of 370 nM. In addition to blocking the binding of [125I]beta h-endorphin to brain membranes, the antibody also displaced [125I]beta h-endorphin from membranes. Site-specific opioid peptides had large variations in their IC50 values depending on whether they were inhibiting [125I]beta h-endorphin binding to rat brain or the NG108-15 membranes. When the peptides were tested with the monoclonal antibody for their combined ability to inhibit [125I]beta h-endorphin binding to both membrane preparations, the peptides and antibody blocked binding as though they were acting at allosterically coupled sites, not two totally independent sites. These studies suggest that mu-, delta-, and beta-endorphin-binding sites share some sequence homology with the 35,000-dalton protein that the antibody is directed against.