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.     

Determinants of agonist binding affinity on neuronal nicotinic receptor beta subunits

The alpha and beta subunits of heteromeric neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are thought to contribute "principal" and "complementary" components to the agonist binding site, respectively. At least six loops of amino acid sequence (A, B, and C from alpha; D, E, and F from beta) are involved. We demonstrated previously that receptors containing the beta2 subunit had consistently higher affinities for a variety of agonists than beta4-containing receptors. For example, the affinity of the alpha2beta2 receptor for epibatidine, ACh, nicotine, and dimethylphenylpiperazinium (DMPP) exceeds that of alpha2beta4 by 9-, 61-, 87-, and 120-fold, respectively. Using saturation and competition analysis of receptors formed by chimeric beta subunits coexpressed with alpha2 in Xenopus laevis oocytes, we have now identified sequence segment 54-63 (corresponding to loop D) as a major determinant of affinity for epibatidine, ACh, nicotine, and DMPP. We then analyzed a series of mutant beta2 subunits in which each residue that differs between beta2 and beta4 in this region was changed from what occurs in beta2 to what occurs in beta4. The N55S, V56I, and E63T mutations each resulted in a loss of affinity for ACh and nicotine of 3- to 4-fold, whereas the T59K mutation resulted in a 7-fold loss of ACh and nicotine affinity. These mutations had little or no effect on epibatidine and DMPP affinity. The positive charge introduced by the T59K mutation does not appear to underlie loss of agonist affinity, because a similar loss of affinity was observed when a negative charge (T59D) was introduced at this position.     

Irreversible blockade of beta adrenoreceptors and their recovery in the rat heart and lung in vivo

The interaction of a bromoacetylated derivative of alprenolol (Alm-CO-CH2Br) with cardiac and lung beta adrenoreceptors was partially characterized. After a short incubation period, the concentration of Alm-CO-CH2Br that inhibited specific [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding by 50% in cardiac and lung membranes was 0.5 and 0.11 microM, respectively. The blockade was time-dependent and Scatchard analysis showed no change in the KD value for specific (-)-[3H]dihydroalprenolol binding but a loss of beta adrenoreceptor content after membrane pretreatment with Alm-CO-CH2Br. The blockade was not reversed by extensive membrane washing, although concurrent treatment with alprenolol fully protected whereas phentolamine had no protective effect. Alm-CO-CH2Br produced a dose-dependent blockade of heart and lung beta adrenoreceptors in vivo and the compound had little or no effect on the growth rate of the rat. Four hours after a single i.p. injection of Alm-CO-CH2Br at 35 mg/kg, the heart and lung beta adrenoreceptor content was decreased by 88 and 90%, respectively. The time required for complete recovery from irreversible beta adrenoreceptor blockade was about 200 hr in the heart and 650 hr in the lung. These results suggest that Alm-CO-CH2Br may be a useful probe for the beta adrenoreceptor both in vitro and for recovery studies in vivo.     

Characterisation of high affinity binding sites of androgens in primary hepatocellular carcinoma

The reported presence of androgen receptors (AR) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and foetal liver, but not in normal adult human liver, has been followed by further study of AR employing a new microassay. Tissues examined were: 5 samples of HCC with surrounding normal liver in 3 cases; 5 samples of cirrhotic liver and a single specimen of HCC in a child. High affinity binding of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) was detected in cytosol (11.5-21 fmol/mg, Kd 1.5 X 10(-10)-3.1 X 10(-11) mol/l) and in nucleosol (8.7-11.4 fmol/mg, 6.7-1.4 X 10(-11) mol/l) of the 5 HCC samples. All other liver samples exhibited non-specific binding only. Competition studies indicated that DHT, testosterone, androstenedione, 5 alpha-androstan-3 beta, 17 beta-diol, androst-5-ene-3 beta,17 beta-diol and cyproterone acetate were acting at the same receptor binding site, relative displacement of 3H-DHT being 100, 85.7, 77.4, 67.8, 34.5 and 60.2 per cent respectively. Presence of 3.5S cytosolic and both 2.8S and 4S nucleosolic receptor patterns were demonstrated in both prostatic and HCC tissue. These studies confirm the presence of a cytosolic and nucleosolic androgen receptor in HCC which possesses similar characteristics to the AR of human prostate.     

Plasma catecholamine modulation of alpha 2 adrenoreceptor agonist affinity and sensitivity in normotensive and hypertensive human platelets.

We measured alpha 2-adrenoreceptor density as well as affinity for and sensitivity to agonist on intact platelets of normotensive and hypertensive subjects before and after physiological increases in plasma catecholamines. In normotensives, posture-induced rises in plasma catecholamines correlated with reduced alpha 2-adrenoreceptor agonist affinity and fewer high affinity state receptors. Platelet aggregation and inhibition of adenylate cyclase by L-epinephrine also was reduced. Hypertensive subjects had similar rises in plasma catecholamines with upright posture, but showed no change in receptor affinity or sensitivity. No change in platelet alpha 2-adrenoreceptor number occurred in these studies. In vitro incubation with L-epinephrine revealed that platelets from hypertensives had slower desensitization than those from normotensives. Binding studies at different temperatures and with varying sodium concentrations found no thermodynamic or sodium-dependent differences between normotensive and hypertensive groups. These studies demonstrate that platelets from hypertensive subjects exhibit a defect in the ability of physiological concentrations of agonist to desensitize the alpha 2-adrenoreceptor.     

Adrenergic transmission failure via the blockade of presynaptic beta receptors in guinea-pig pulmonary arteries

Mechanisms related to the inhibitory actions of low concentrations of l- and d-propranolol on adrenergic transmission were investigated in isolated preparations of guinea-pig pulmonary arteries. In sympathetic nerve-radial muscle preparations, l-propranolol (3.3 X 10(-8) and 10(-7) M) dose-dependently inhibited by 15 to 20% contractile responses to nerve stimulation (1 Hz, 2-msec pulse width, 100-sec period and 30-min intervals) 30 and 60 min after the addition, whereas 3.3 X 10(-7) M produced a maximal inhibition. Contractile responses to cumulatively applied norepinephrine were not modified by pretreatment with l-propranolol (10(-7) - 10(-6) M). d-Propranolol (10(-7) M) produced no inhibition of adrenergic transmission. In superfused spiral preparations preloaded with [3H]norepinephrine, l-isoproterenol (3 X 10(-8) - 10(-6) M) dose-dependently facilitated total 3H efflux by transmural field stimulation by 10 to 35% under the same conditions; this facilitation was antagonized by l-propranolol (10(-7) M) but not by d-propranolol (10(-7) M). Phentolamine (3 X 10(-6) M) increased 3H efflux by approximately 3-fold. In the presence of phentolamine, l-propranolol (10(-7) M) significantly inhibited 3H efflux, whereas d-propranolol (10(-7) M) produced no effect. Presynaptic beta adrenoceptors are present on sympathetic nerve endings which innervate guinea-pig pulmonary arteries and low concentrations of propranolol inhibit adrenergic transmission via blockade of these receptors.     

Quantitative film autoradiography of opiate agonist and antagonist binding in rat brain

The binding of a radiolabeled opiate agonist ([3H]etorphine) and antagonist ([3H]naloxone) was studied using quantitative film autoradiography of rat-brain sections labeled by in vitro dipping methods. The binding activities of both [3H]naloxone and [3H] etorphine were saturable in three brain regions: noncluster striatum, nucleus accumbens and cingulate cortex. Eadie-Hofstee analysis of these regions yielded the following binding affinities and capacities: noncluster striatum binding affinity (KD) +/- S.E. = 1.59 +/- 0.23 nM, maximal binding capacity (Bmax) +/- S.E. = 28.3 +/- 1.9 fmol/mg, S.D. error of the raw data (Erad) = 6.4%; nucleus accumbens, KD +/- S.E. = 1.74 +/- 0.28 nM, Bmax +/- S.E. = 73.3 +/- 5.2 fmol/mg, S.D. (Erad) = 6.2%; cingulate cortex, KD +/- S.E. = 1.44 +/- 0.15 nM, Bmax +/- S.E. = 37.6 +/- 1.4 fmol/mg, S.D. (Erad) = 2.5%. A KD +/- S.E. = 1.72 +/- 0.29 nM, Bmax +/- S.E. = 74.1 +/- 5.3 fmol/mg, S.D. (Erad) = 5.0% was found for [3H]etorphine binding in the noncluster striatum. Hill plots of both [3H]naloxone and [3H]etorphine binding in noncluster striatum demonstrated an absence of cooperativity with slopes of 1.01 and 1.07, respectively. Stereospecificity of binding was confirmed by competition for 2.0 nM [3H]naloxone in the noncluster striatum with a levorphanol IC50 = 5.5 nM and a dextrorphan IC50 greater than 1000 nM. Rank order potency for competition for 2.0 nM [3H]naloxone binding in noncluster striatum was etorphine greater than naloxone greater than levorphanol greater than morphine greater than dextrorphan. The regional order of binding activities (femtomoles per milligram +/- S.D.) for 2.0 nM [3H]naloxone was as follows: striatal clusters (111.1 +/- 24.5) greater than interpeduncular nucleus (77.8 +/- 10.1) greater than central nucleus of amygdala (64.5 +/- 9.7) greater than nucleus accumbens (34.4 +/- 6.9) greater than median raphe (24.4 +/- 6.1) greater than striatal noncluster (23.3 +/- 3.5) greater than superior colliculus striatum grieseum (22.2 +/- 4.0). Thus, quantitative film autoradiography of brain sections labeled in vitro may be used to characterize the pharmacological binding properties of ligands in many small brain regions not amendable to study in membrane preparations.     

Identification and function of the high affinity binding sites for Ca2+ on the surface of platelets.

Extracellular Ca2+ is required for platelet aggregation and secretion in response to ADP or epinephrine. Recently, we reported that the platelet surface contains two classes of high affinity binding sites for extracellular Ca2+. To identify these sites and clarify their role in platelet function, we have now (a) studied platelets congenitally deficient in surface membrane glycoproteins and (b) examined the effect of removing surface-bound Ca2+ on platelet responses to ADP and epinephrine. Unstimulated normal platelets contained 86,000 Ca2+-binding sites/platelet with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 9 nM and 389,000 sites with a Kd of 400 nM. In contrast, thrombasthenic platelets, which lack glycoproteins IIb and IIIa, exhibited a 92% reduction in the number of higher affinity Ca2+-binding sites and a 63% reduction in the number of lower affinity sites. Bernard-Soulier platelets, which lack glycoprotein Ib, were not deficient in Ca2+-binding sites. After stimulation with ADP, both normal and thrombasthenic platelets developed approximately 138,000 new Ca2+-binding sites/platelet (Kd = 400 nM), while the larger Bernard-Soulier platelets developed 216,000 new sites. These data suggest that IIb and IIIa represent the major Ca2+-binding glycoproteins on unstimulated platelets, while neither these glycoproteins nor Ib represent the new Ca2+-binding sites on stimulated platelets. Removal of Ca2+ from the platelet surface inhibited platelet function. Despite the presence of 1 mM Mg2+, ADP- and epinephrine-induced aggregation and [14C]serotonin release were markedly decreased at free Ca2+ concentrations less than 7 nM, a value similar to the Kd of the higher affinity Ca2+-binding sites. Moreover, gadolinium, a lanthanide that competed for these Ca2+-binding sites, also inhibited aggregation and serotonin release. These studies demonstrate, therefore, that the binding of extracellular Ca2+ to glycoproteins IIb/IIIa on unstimulated platelets or to additional membrane proteins on stimulated platelets is necessary for maximal platelet responses to ADP and epinephrine. Thus, the requirement for extracellular Ca2+ during platelet activation by these agonists may actually represent a requirement for surface-bound Ca2+.     

Beta adrenoreceptor in vascular smooth muscle with special reference to subcellular localization and number of binding sites

The binding of monoiodinated cyanopindolol (ICYP) to membranes from canine and rat aortas, mesenteric arteries and mesenteric nerves has been studied. Binding of ICYP was shown by differential centrifugation and sucrose gradient purification as well as digitonin treatment to be directly related to the content of arterial muscle plasma membrane assessed by marker enzymes. The Kd values obtained were all in the range of 10 to 30 pM but maximum binding site (Bmax) values varied depending upon the extent of contamination by nonplasmalemmal membranes. The more purified plasma membrane fractions have Bmax many times higher than those reported in the literature. Although purified membrane fractions all had ICYP binding characterized by a single binding site with similar Kd values, binding to some crude fractions was complex. In addition, plasma membranes for mesenteric nerves, removed carefully by dissection in our study, were shown to contain ICYP binding sites with a similar Kd and Bmax values to those in arterial muscle membrane. Using arterial muscle purified membranes after removal of nerves by dissection, Bmax values from mesenteric arteries were demonstrated to be much larger than those from aorta in both species. Although the necessity of purifying the membranes depends on the objectives of a given experiment, our result strongly suggest that measurement of changes in receptor densities requires an analytical approach which provides plasma membrane-enriched fractions derived from a single cell type and purified to a known and comparable degree, especially when changes in density related to experimental or disease processes are being investigated.     

Ketamine and the guinea-pig ileum: possible opiate agonist and antagonist actions and effects of peptidase inhibition

The effects of ketamine and its interaction with naloxone were studied on the transmurally stimulated guinea-pig ileum preparation. Ketamine (at concentrations between 10(-4) and 10(-3) M) depressed the contractions of the ileum, showing a very steep log concentration-effect curve. Naloxone partially reversed the depressant effect of ketamine at slightly higher concentrations (between 10 nM and 1 microM) than those normally required to reverse opiate depression in this tissue. Naloxone did not affect pentobarbitone-induced depression, suggesting that ketamine has specific actions on opiate transmission. Phentolamine and propranolol did not affect the ketamine-induced depression, whereas acetylcholinesterase inhibition did not alter the action of naloxone on this depression. Ketamine showed some reversal effect on the depressant action of morphine and caused contractions of the morphine-tolerant ileum, suggesting that it may have opiate antagonist activity. Inhibition of peptidase enzymes by a mixture of dipeptides potentiated the depression after high-frequency stimulation of the ileum, but did not affect the action of ketamine. The results suggest that ketamine may interact with opiate mechanisms in the ileum to produce part of its depressant action and may also have some opiate antagonist activity.     

Cardioprotective and survival benefits of long-term combined therapy with beta2 adrenoreceptor (AR) agonist and beta1 AR blocker in dilated cardiomyopathy postmyocardial infarction

We have reported therapeutic effectiveness of pharmacological stimulation of beta2 adrenoreceptors (ARs) to attenuate the cardiac remodeling and myocardial infarction (MI) expansion in a rat model of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) post-MI. Furthermore, the combination of beta2 AR stimulation with beta1 AR blockade exceeded the therapeutic effectiveness of beta1 AR blockade. However, these studies were relatively short (6 weeks). In this study, in the same experimental model, we compared different effects, including survival benefit, of combined therapy with the beta1 AR blocker, metoprolol, plus the beta2 AR agonist, fenoterol (beta1-beta2+), and either therapy alone (beta1- or beta2+) during the 1-year study. Therapy was started 2 weeks after permanent ligation of the left coronary artery. Cardiac remodeling, MI expansion, and left ventricular function were assessed by serial echocardiography and compared with untreated animals (nT). Sixty-seven percent mortality in nT was reduced to 33% in the beta1-beta2+ (p < 0.01). Progressive cardiac remodeling observed in nT and beta1- was significantly attenuated in beta1-beta2+ during the first 6 months of treatment. In beta1-beta2+, MI expansion was completely prevented, and functional decline was significantly attenuated during the entire year. Myocardial apoptosis was significantly reduced in both beta1-beta2+ and beta1-. A reduction of cardiac beta1 AR density and decreases in chronotropic and contractile responses to beta2 AR-specific stimulation in the absence of a reduction of beta2 AR density in nT were precluded in rats receiving combined therapy. The results demonstrate the cardioprotective and survival benefit of long-term combination therapy of beta2 AR agonists and beta1 AR blockers in a model of DCM.     

Agonist and antagonist effects of interferon alpha and beta on activation of human macrophages. Two classes of interferon gamma receptors and blockade of the high-affinity sites by interferon alpha or beta

H2O2-releasing capacity and limited antitoxoplasma activity could be induced in human macrophages (derived from monocytes cultured greater than or equal to 5 d) but not in monocytes themselves (cells cultured less than or equal to 4 d) by a further 3-d incubation with pure natural or rIFN-alpha or -beta. More than 3 pM (10 U/ml) of these IFNs was required, with greatest effects at approximately 300 pM (10(3) U/ml). At 300 pM, H2O2-releasing capacity was enhanced 4.4 +/- 1.6-fold over medium control (mean +/- SD for natural INF-alpha, rIFN-alpha A, rIFN-alpha D, and rIFN-beta) compared to an 8.4 +/- 4.8-fold increase with rIFN-gamma (100 pM, 100 U/ml) in the same experiments. Unexpectedly, low concentrations of IFN-alpha or -beta (3 fM-300 pM) blocked induction of H2O2-releasing capacity by rIFN-gamma (10 pM), with a 50% inhibitory dose of approximately 80 fM. However, IFN-alpha or -beta (3 fM-300 pM) could not inhibit the effect of higher concentrations of rIFN-gamma (1 nM). In contrast to results with monocytes or young macrophages, Scatchard plots of binding of 125I-rIFN-gamma to mature macrophages (day 8 of culture) indicated two classes of binding sites: approximately 2,000 high-affinity sites (Kd approximately 0.43 nM) and approximately 23,000 low-affinity sites (Kd approximately 6.4 nM) per cell. Binding of 125I-rIFN-gamma to the high- but not the low-affinity sites was blocked by simultaneously added IFN-alpha or -beta, with a 50% inhibitory dose of approximately 2 U/0.25 ml (approximately 2 pM), or reversed by subsequently added IFN-alpha or -beta. Thus, differentiation of human mononuclear phagocytes in vitro is accompanied by the emergence of (a) an agonist response to submicromolar concentrations of IFN-alpha or -beta, (b) antagonism of the effect of picomolar IFN-gamma by femtomolar IFN-alpha or -beta, (c) two classes of IFN-gamma-Rs, and (d) nonstimulatory binding of IFN-alpha or -beta to the high- but not the low-affinity IFN-gamma-Rs, with higher affinity than rIFN-gamma itself. We speculate that traces of IFN-alpha or -beta derived from stromal cells, parenchymal cells, or resident macrophages may dampen the activation of mature tissue macrophages by the small amounts of IFN-gamma that diffuse from inflammatory sites into normal tissues. Such a mechanism could constrain the potentially destructive phenomenon of macrophage activation to areas where monocytes have recently immigrated and/or the concentration of IFNs is high.     

Bromoacetylalprenololmenthane: a potent irreversible antagonist of beta adrenergic elicited protein exocytosis in rat parotid cells

The interaction of bromoacetylalprenololmenthane (BrAlpM), an irreversible beta adrenergic receptor antagonist, with rat parotid acinar cells was studied in vitro. In the presence of BrAlpM, the rate of (-)-isoproterenol-induced exocrine secretion from cells, measured as percentage of amylase release, was markedly reduced. The concentration of (-)-isoproterenol required to elicit half-maximal protein secretion was about 100 times greater (5 microM) in the presence of 1 microM BrAlpM than in control incubations (0.05 microM). BrAlpM and propranolol were similar in their ability to inhibit parotid protein release (IC50 approximately 10(-7) M). To demonstrate that BrAlpM functioned as an irreversible beta adrenergic antagonist, cells were preincubated with BrAlpM for varying amounts of time and then washed three to six times before adding (-)-isoproterenol. At least 10 min preincubation was required to show irreversibility. Alprenolol, under the same preincubation conditions, was unable to inhibit amylase release. BrAlpM inhibited the binding of [3H]dihydroalprenolol to parotid beta adrenoreceptors over a concentration range similar to that required for inhibition of protein secretion. Cells incubated in the absence or presence of BrAlpM displayed a comparable morphologic appearance when viewed by light and electron microscopy. The degree of inhibition of isoproterenol-induced exocytosis of secretory granules by BrAlpM appeared to vary from cell to cell. These findings suggest that BrAlpM should be a useful probe to study beta adrenoreceptor function and metabolism in rat parotid acinar cells.     

Differential serotonin2 receptor recovery in mature and senescent rat brain after irreversible receptor modification: effect of chronic reserpine treatment

We report here the differential time course of recovery of [3H]ketanserin-labeled serotonin2 (5-HT2) receptors in frontal cortex of mature (4 months old) and senescent (28 months old) male Fischer 344 rats. We provide evidence that the irreversible modification of 5-HT2 serotonin receptors by N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline occurs at the ligand binding site and that this treatment does not appear to affect the interaction of these receptors with their guanine nucleotide regulatory protein. Senescent rats exhibited significantly reduced (-20%) maximum receptor density levels of 5-HT2 receptors compared with their mature counterparts. The time course of recovery of [3H] ketanserin binding to 5-HT2 receptors after irreversible receptor modification by a single peripheral injection of N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline was significantly slower in senescent rats. The slower recovery was a function of decreases in both the receptor production rate and the degradation rate constant in senescent rats compared with mature rats. Interestingly, chronic reserpine treatment resulted in a significant decrease in control maximum receptor density values in both mature (-17%) and senescent (-18%) rats. Although the receptor production rate and receptor degradation rate constants in both mature and senescent reserpinized rats were slightly decreased, there was no significant change in the overall rates of receptor recovery when compared with their respective age-matched nonreserpinized counterparts. These data indicate that both the steady state levels and "turnover" of 5-HT2 receptors are decreased in senescence and that these receptors can be down-regulated by chronic reserpine treatment.     

Novel cyclic gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) analogs with high affinity and stereoselectivity of binding to GHB sites in rat brain

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a psychotropic compound endogenous to the brain. Despite its potentially great physiological significance, its exact molecular mechanism of action is unknown. GHB is a weak agonist at GABA(B) receptors, but there is also evidence of specific GHB receptor sites, the molecular cloning of which remains a challenge. Ligands with high affinity and specificity for the reported GHB binding site are needed for pharmacological dissection of the GHB and GABA(B) effects and for mapping the structural requirements of the GHB receptor-ligand interactions. For this purpose, we have synthesized and assayed three conformationally restricted GHB analogs for binding against the GHB-specific ligand [3H]NCS-382 [(E,RS)-(6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5-hydroxy-5H-benzocyclohept-6-ylidene-)acetic acid] in rat brain homogenate. The cyclohexene and cyclopentene analogs, 3-hydroxycyclohex-1-enecarboxylic acid [(RS)-HOCHCA] and 3-hydroxycyclopent-1-enecarboxylic acid [(RS)-HOCPCA], were found to be high-affinity GHB ligands, with IC50 values in the nanomolar range, and had 9 and 27 times, respectively, higher affinity than GHB. The stereo-selectively synthesized R,R-isomer of the trans-cyclopropyl GHB analog, HOCPrCA, proved to have 10-fold higher affinity than its enantiomer. Likewise, the R-enantiomers of HOCHCA and HOCPCA selectively inhibited [3H]NCS-382 binding. The best inhibitor of these, (R)-HOCPCA, has an affinity 39 times higher than GHB and is thus among the best GHB ligands reported to date. Neither of the cycloalkenes showed any affinity (IC50 > 1 mM) for GABA(A) or GABA(B) receptors. These compounds show excellent potential as lead structures and novel tools for studying specific GHB receptor-mediated pharmacology.     

Asymmetric catecholimidazolines and catecholamidines: affinity and efficacy relationships at the alpha adrenoreceptor in rat aorta

The epinephrine (EPI) stereoisomers interact with the alpha adrenoreceptor according to the Easson-Stedman model with an order of potency of (-)-EPI greater than (+)-EPI = Epinine. A series of catecholimidazolines (CI) and catecholamidines (CA) were compared with the EPI series for the relationship of stereoisomerism to potency, affinity and efficacy. Within each group of desoxy compound and stereoisomers obtained by -OH substitution at the benzylic position, differences in potency were found to be due solely to differences in affinity; differences in efficacy were not significant. The stereoisomers of the CI and CA series followed the order of potency predicted by the Easson-Stedman model: (-)-isomer greater than (+)-isomer. The desoxy analogs, in contrast to the prediction based on the Easson-Stedman hypothesis, were equal (CI) or greater (CA) in potency than the more potent (-)-isomer of each series. Possible explanations for this include differences in physical properties in the desoxy analogs of CI and CA compared with the corresponding enantiomers. Methyl or benzyl substitution at C-4 of the imidazoline ring decreased potency over 100-fold; potency differences between enantiomers were negligible. Thus, the Easson-Stedman model cannot be extended to either the CI or CA series of alpha adrenoreceptor agonists.     

Local anesthetics differentiate dihydropyridine calcium antagonist binding sites in rat brain and cardiac membranes

Local anesthetics were used to probe differences in the binding of [3H]nitrendipine to dihydropyridine calcium antagonist binding sites on rat brain and cardiac membranes. Local anesthetics inhibited [3H]nitrendipine binding to brain and cardiac membranes with the rank order of potency, dibucaine = proadifen much greater than tetracaine greater than meproadifen greater than RAC-109 (S) greater than RAC-109 (R) greater than benzocaine. Lidocaine, procaine, piperocaine and bupivacaine produced either a small potentiation or inhibition of [3H]nitrendipine binding. Dibucaine inhibited [3H]nitrendipine binding to brain membranes (IC50, 4.9 +/- 0.5 microM) by increasing the Kd, whereas in cardiac membranes (IC50, 8.5 +/- 0.9 microM) it both increased the Kd and decreased the maximum binding site capacity of [3H]nitrendipine. The potency of dibucaine to inhibit [3H]nitrendipine binding was reduced in both tissues by monovalent (Li+ greater than Na+ = K+ = Rb+; EC50, 40-50 mM) and divalent (Ca++, Mg++ and Mn++; EC50, 10-50 microM) cations. These cations reduced the effect of dibucaine on the Kd of [3H]nitrendipine in brain and on the maximum binding site capacity of [3H]nitrendipine in cardiac membranes. Inhibition of [3H]nitrendipine binding by dibucaine was best described by high (2 microM) and low (50 microM) affinity sites. The apparent affinities of these sites, but not the fractional occupancies, were similar in brain and cardiac membranes. Na+ modulated the occupancies of these sites in brain, but not in cardiac membranes, whereas Ca++ inhibited occupancy of the high affinity site in both tissues. The effects of Li+ were similar to those of Ca++. These findings indicate that brain and cardiac dihydropyridine calcium antagonist binding sites are coupled to different allosteric effectors or exist in a different membrane environment.     

A molecular defect in two families with hemolytic poikilocytic anemia: reduction of high affinity membrane binding sites for ankyrin.

Patients from two families with chronic hemolytic anemia have been studied. The erythrocytes are very fragile and appear microcytic with a great variety of shapes. Clinical evaluation failed to identify traditionally recognized causes of hemolysis. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed no significant abnormality of the major polypeptide bands. Erythrocytes spectrin-ankyrin and ankyrin-membrane interactions were analyzed with 125I-labeled spectrin, 125I-labeled ankyrin, and inside-out vesicles. Patients' vesicles bound 125I-spectrin normally. Likewise, patients' spectrin and ankyrin competed normally for the binding sites on control membranes. None of the individual components appeared to have abnormal thermal sensitivity. Ankyrin-stripped, inside-out vesicles prepared from the patients bound less 125I-ankyrin than did vesicles prepared from normals (P less than 0.05 for all corresponding points in the high-affinity region). Scatchard analysis showed the most significant abnormality to be a 50% reduction in the high affinity ankyrin binding sites. Similar experiments were performed with blood from patients with spherocytosis and splenectomized controls, but no abnormalities were detected. The water soluble 43,000-dalton fragments of band 3 (the high-affinity ankyrin binding sites) were prepared from one of the patients and competed normally for 125I-ankyrin binding in solution. This suggests that the primary structural defect is a reduction in the number of high affinity membrane binding sites for ankyrin, and is consistent with an abnormal organization of band 3 in the membrane.