Cardiac glycoside receptors in cultured heart cells--II. Characterization of a high affinity and a low affinity binding site in heart muscle cells from neonatal rats

The binding of [3H]ouabain has been studied in (Na+ + K+)-ATPase enriched cardiac cell membranes, as well as in cardiac muscle and non-muscle cells in culture--all obtained from hearts of neonatal rats. The binding has been correlated with ouabain-induced inhibition of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase (cardiac cell membranes) and the inhibition of active (86Rb+ + K+)-influx (cardiac muscle and non-muscle cells in culture). Furthermore, the effect of ouabain on the amplitude of cell-wall motion and contraction velocity has been studied in electrically driven cardiac muscle cells. In muscle and non-muscle cells, two classes of ouabain binding sites have been identified. In rat heart muscle cells, the high affinity binding site has a dissociation constant (KD) of 3.2 X 10(-8) M and a binding capacity (B) of 0.2 pmole/mg protein (80,000 sites/cell); the values for the low affinity binding site are: KD = 7.1 X 10(-6) M; B = 2.6 pmole/mg protein (10(6) sites/cell). The binding to both types of binding sites is depressed by K+ and abolished after heat denaturation of the cells. The kinetics of [3H]ouabain binding to rat heart muscle cells (association and dissociation rate constants, K+- and temperature-dependence of association and dissociation processes) have been characterized. In rat heart muscle and non-muscle cells, the binding of [3H]ouabain to the low affinity site results in inhibition of the (86Rb+ + K+)-influx (EC50 = 1.3 and 1.5 X 10(-5) M ouabain), a decrease in cell-K+ (EC50 = 1.9 and 1.4 X 10(-5) M) and an increase in cell-Na+ (10(-5)-10(-4) M). The ouabain-induced positive inotropic effect (increase in amplitude of cell-wall motion, increase in contraction velocity) in cardiac muscle cells is observed only at ouabain concentrations greater than or equal to 5 X 10(-6) M, and it is therefore probably attributed to occupation of the low affinity binding site. Coupling of occupation of the low affinity site by ouabain with drug-induced inhibition of the sodium pump and with drug-induced positive inotropic action is further substantiated by kinetic measurements. In contrast, occupation of the high affinity binding site does not produce any measurable inhibition of the sodium pump activity or positive inotropy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Characterization of the alpha +-like Na+,K+-ATPase which mediates ouabain inhibition of adrenergic induction of N-acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.87) activity: studies with isolated pinealocytes

Ouabain inhibits (IC50 congruent to 200 nM) the congruent to 100-fold adrenergic cyclic AMP stimulation of rat pineal arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.87, serotonin N-acetyltransferase, NAT) activity in intact pineal glands. In the present study, ouabain binding sites in pineal membranes were characterized in detail and compared to sites in isolated pinealocytes, which mediate the inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase, as indicated by 86Rb uptake and norepinephrine (NE) stimulation of NAT activity. High affinity ouabain-binding sites were identified in crude preparations of pineal membranes (Kd congruent to 14 nM; Bmax congruent to 4 pmol/mg of protein) and similar sites were also found in ovine and bovine pineal tissue. The ouabain Kd value for the rat pineal binding sites was similar to the estimated ouabain IC50 values for 86Rb uptake and the NE stimulation of NAT activity in intact rat pinealocytes. In addition, the relative orders of potency of four cardiac glycosides in displacing [3H]ouabain from high affinity binding sites and inhibiting both 86Rb uptake and NE stimulation of NAT activity were the same (acetyldigitoxin greater than ouabain greater than digitoxin greater than strophanthidin). The similarities in the characteristics of the high affinity [3H]ouabain-binding sites and the sites involved in the inhibition of 86Rb uptake and stimulation of NAT activity indicate that an alpha +-like Na+,K+-ATPase mediates the inhibitory effects of ouabain on the adrenergic induction of pineal NAT activity.     

Comparison of ouabain receptors in sheep myocardium and Purkinje fibres

The conducting system of the heart has been reported to be more sensitive to the toxic effects of digitalis than the working myocardium. To investigate the molecular basis of these observations, we have characterized the ouabain receptor in Purkinje fibres and ventricular muscle of the digitalis-sensitive sheep heart using cell membrane preparations, crude homogenates and contracting heart tissues. [3H]-Ouabain binding has the following characteristics: in sheep left ventricular cell membranes, specific binding was of high affinity (KD 1.9 X 10(-9) M at 37 degrees); was co-incident with an inhibition of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase activity; and was inhibited by K+ and unlabelled cardiotonic steroids; in crude homogenates, the maximal binding capacity but not the affinity for ouabain varied in different parts of the sheep heart with Purkinje fibres containing markedly fewer binding sites (0.33 X 10(14)/g wet weight; left ventricle, 1.3 X 10(14)/g wet weight) and in isolated, contracting Purkinje fibres and right ventricular moderator band strips, concentration-response curves for [3H]-ouabain binding, increase in force of contraction and inhibition of [86Rb+]-uptake were co-incident. In both contracting tissues, a ouabain concentration of 3 X 10(-7) M occupied about 50% of the specific binding sites, gave the maximal inotropic effect without toxicity and inhibited [86Rb+]-uptake by about 50%. The maximal binding capacity was lower in contracting Purkinje fibres (2 X 10(14) binding sites/g wet weight) than in contracting moderator band strips (3.9 X 10(14) binding sites/g wet weight). The maximal inotropic effects were reached slightly faster in Purkinje fibres but toxicity also occurred faster in these fibers. We conclude that the specific ouabain binding site is the receptor mediating positive inotropy and inhibition of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase in the sheep heart. Further, this receptor is identical in both the conducting system and working myocardium but the conducting system contains many fewer receptors. This change in receptor number, rather than affinity, may underlie the increased ouabain toxicity observed in Purkinje fibres.     

Consequences of specific [3H]ouabain binding to guinea pig left atria and cardiac cell membranes

An analysis of [3H]ouabain binding to electrically stimulated, contracting guinea pig left atria gave the following results. (1) A non-linear Scatchard plot with at least two binding sites: a high-affinity site (KD 1.1 X 10(-6) M) with about 430 receptors/micron2 related to positive inotropy, and a low-affinity site (KD' 2.1 X 10(-4) M) with about 18,000 receptors/micron2, possibly related to (Na+ + K+)ATPase inhibition. A crude left atrial homogenate gave about 530 receptors/micron2. (2) Half-maximal positive inotropic effects occurred at about 4 X 10(-7) M. (3) 86Rb+-uptake was significantly increased at all inotropic ouabain concentrations (10(-7) - 10(-6) M). Toxic concentrations (above 2 X 10(-6) M) inhibited 86Rb+-uptake (half-maximal inhibition at about 5 X 10(-6) M). [3H]Ouabain binding to partly purified guinea pig cardiac cell membranes showed: (a) linear Scatchard plots for (Mg2+, Pi)- and (Na+, ATP, Mg2+)-supported binding (KD 1.18 X 10(-7) M and 1.49 X 10(-7) M, respectively); (b) non-linear Scatchard plots for (Tyrode + ATP)-supported binding (KD 4.7 X 10(-7) M; KD' 6 X 10(-6) M); and (c) half-maximal [3H]ouabain binding occurred at a lower concentration (about 3.2 X 10(-7) M) than half-maximal inhibition of (Na+ + K+)ATPase activity (about 7.2 X 10(-7) M). Thus, we conclude that there may be more than one type of ouabain binding site in guinea pig left atria, and that measurable inhibition of (Na+ + K+)ATPase is not necessarily related to positive inotropy in the guinea pig.     

Sodium pump activity and contractile effect of ouabain in human placental veins.

The aim of the present study was to determine the number and affinity of [3H]ouabain binding sites, the sodium pump activity and the mechanisms involved in the contractile effects of ouabain in human placental veins. Scatchard analysis suggested the existence of a single population of binding sites with a KD of 196.7 nM and a Bmax of 1606 fmol/mg protein. The sodium pump activity was determined from the 86Rb+ uptake, which was reduced concentration dependently by ouabain (10(-8)-10(-4) M), and from the K+ (7.5 mM)-induced relaxation in veins preincubated in a K(+)-free medium and precontracted with PGF2 alpha (10(-6) M), which was also blocked by the glycoside (10(-6) M). Ouabain (10(-7)-10(-4) M) induced concentration-dependent contractions, which were not modified by either nifedipine or Bay K 8644 (10(-7) and 10(-6) M). Ca2+ omission from the medium or amiloride (10(-4) M) inhibited these contractions, whereas monensin (10(-6) M) potentiated them. These data indicate that human placental veins possess sodium pump activity and that its inhibition by ouabain induces potent contractions mainly mediated by Ca2+ entry through the Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange system.     

Actions of vanadate on vascular tension and sodium pump activity in cat isolated cerebral and femoral arteries.

1. The mechanisms involved in the responses induced by sodium vanadate (Va3 VO4) on cat cerebral and femoral arteries were studied. The possibility that these responses were due to Na+, K+-ATPase inhibition was investigated by measuring the effect of vanadate on [3H]-ouabain binding to arterial membrane fractions, K+-induced vasodilatation and ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake. 2. The vanadium compounds (Na3VO4, VOSO4, VCl3 and O5V3) induced similar, concentration-dependent contractions in each kind of artery, the cerebral vessels being the most sensitive to these compounds. 3. Exposure of the arteries to a low-Na+ (25 mM) solution suppressed the contraction caused by vanadate in femoral but not in cerebral arteries. 4. Vanadate-induced contractions were reduced in Ca2+-free medium but remained unaffected by 3 x 10(-6) M phentolamine, reserpine pretreatment or 3 x 10(-6) M verapamil in both kinds of artery. 5. The addition of 7.5 mM K+ to the arteries immersed in a K+-free solution induced vasodilatation, which was not modified by 10(-3) M vanadate. 6. The consecutive administration of ouabain (10(-4) M) and vanadate (10(-3) M) (or vice versa), or the simultaneous administration of both agents (10(-8) to 10(-3) M) appeared to produce an additive contraction in both types of artery. 7. Vanadate (10(-7) to 10(-3) M) did not displace the [3H]-ouabain binding to arterial membrane fractions of these arteries, whereas 10(-4) M ouabain did. 8. In both kinds of artery, total 86Rb+ uptake was reduced by ouabain (10(-8) to 10(-3) M), in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas it was not modified by vanadate (10(-8)-10(-3) M).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of ouabain on isolated cerebral and femoral arteries of the cat: a functional and biochemical study

1. This study analyzes the mechanisms involved in the responses to ouabain in cat cerebral and femoral arteries and characterizes the electrogenic Na+ pump present in these vessels. The latter was accomplished by measurement of [3H]-ouabain binding to arterial membrane fractions, K+-elicited relaxation and ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptake. 2. Ouabain induced transient contraction in cylindrical segments of cerebral arteries. This contraction was reduced by verapamil (3 X 10(-6) M) and Ca2+-removal from the medium but was not modified by phentolamine (3 X 10(-6) M) or pretreatment with reserpine. However, the contraction elicited by ouabain in femoral artery segments lasted longer, and was reduced by Ca2+-omission, phentolamine or reserpine, but remained unaffected by verapamil. 3. The immersion of the arteries in low-Na+ (25 mM) medium abolished the contraction caused by ouabain. 4. The exposure of the arteries to a K+-free medium induced a small transient increase in tension, and the subsequent application of K+ (7.5 mM) elicited a marked relaxation. This effect was greater in cerebral than in peripheral arteries, and was suppressed by ouabain (10(-4) M). 5. Scatchard analysis of the [3H]-ouabain binding to arterial membrane fractions suggested a single class of binding sites. The KD values for both kinds of arteries were of similar order, while the Bmax value was greater in cerebral than in femoral arteries. 6. Total and ouabain-sensitive 86Rb+ uptakes were greater in cerebral than in femoral vessels. 7. These results indicate that: (1) ouabain-induced contraction of cerebral arteries is due to a direct effect on vascular smooth muscle cells, while in femoral arteries it is due to noradrenaline release from adrenergic nerve terminals; and (2) the electrogenic Na+ pump activity is greater in cerebral than in peripheral arteries.     

Erythrosin B inhibits high affinity ouabain binding in guinea-pig heart Na+-K+-ATPase without influence on cardiac glycoside induced contractility.

Binding of [3H]-ouabain to guinea-pig heart membranes enriched in Na+-K+-ATPase revealed two different cardiac glycoside binding sites. High affinity binding was obtained at a KD = 2.2 X 10(-7) mol 1(-1) (Bmax = 16.8 pmol ouabain mg-1 protein) whereas low affinity ouabain binding occurred at a KD much greater than 10(-6) mol 1(-1). To discover whether the two ouabain binding sites are functional in guinea-pig heart muscle, erythrosin B, an inhibitor of the high affinity ouabain binding in rat brain tissue, was tested in guinea-pig isolated heart muscle preparations. Erythrosin B proved to be a potent inhibitor of the Mg2+ (Na+)-dependent-, as well as Na+-K+-activated ATPase (ID50 = 9 X 10(-6) mol 1(-1). Contractility of guinea-pig isolated papillary muscles, however, was not influenced by erythrosin B in concentrations up to 1 X 10(-5) mol 1(-1). Only very high concentrations (4 X 10(-4) mol 1(-1) resulted in a slightly negative inotropic effect (about 20%). Erythrosin B dose-dependently inhibited [3H]-ouabain binding to the Na+-K+-ATPase (KD = - 3.6 X 10(-6) mol 1(-1). In a concentration of 1 X 10(-5) mol 1(-1) the dye abolish high affinity [3H]-ouabain binding without affecting the low affinity binding sites. In contrast, in guinea-pig isolated atria, no functional antagonism between erythrosin B (5 X 10(-5) mol 1(-1) and ouabain was observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Action of ouabain on rat heart: comparison with its effect on guinea-pig heart.

The inotropic dose-response curve of ouabain in rat cardiac ventricular strips exceeded a concentration range of two decades (1 X 10(-7) M to 3 X 10(-5) M) displaying an intermediate plateau phase. In guinea-pig ventricular strips the inotropic ouabain concentrations spanned only one decade (1 X 10(-7) M-1 X 10(-6) M). Ouabain-intoxication in guinea-pig ventricular strips occurring at 3 X 10(-6) M consisted of arrhythmia and contracture, while in rat ventricular strips at the toxic concentration of 1 X 10(-4) M only a progressive increase in diastolic tension was observed. By means of atomic absorption spectroscopy the ouabain-induced loss of cellular potassium and gain of sodium in rat ventricular strips was detected only at concentrations of ouabain higher than 10(-4) M. Ouabain reduced the activity of Na/K-ATPase prepared from rat and guinea-pig cardiac ventricles to half of its maximum at 6.5 X 10(-5) M in rat and 1.0 X 10(-6) M in guinea-pig, rat heart Na/K-ATPase thus being about 60 fold less sensitive towards ouabain. Specific [3H]-ouabain binding to membrane suspensions prepared from rat and guinea-pig ventricles was characterized by a similar affinity in rat (KD = 4 X 10(-8) M) and guinea-pig (KD = 13 X 10(-8) M). The number of ouabain binding sites in rat membranes was only about 10% of the number found in guinea-pig membranes. In rat the presence of additional ouabain-binding with low affinity and high capacity seemed possible, but could not be verified for methodological reasons. In the light of the biochemical results and binding data, the wider range of ouabain concentration exerting a positive inotropic effect in the rat may be attributed to the existence in the latter of two populations of receptors with different affinities for ouabain and different capacities. In contrast, in the guinea-pig, there is a single population. Nevertheless it is probable that all the receptors in both species are part of the Na/K-ATPase complex and mediate a positive inotropic effect after ouabain-binding in an identical manner.     

Cardiac glycoside receptor, (Na+ + K+)ATPase activity and force of contraction in rat heart

In order to elucidate the role of (Na⁺ + K⁺)ATPase and of the ouabain binding sites in the pharmacological effects of ouabain in the digitalis insensitive species rat, specific [³H]ouabain binding and (Na⁺ + K⁺)ATPase activity were measured simultaneously in a rat heart cell membrane preparation. Specific [³H]ouabain binding, ⁸⁶Rb⁺-uptake and force of contraction were also measured simultaneously in electrically stimulated contracting ventricular strips of rat heart. The following results were obtained: (1) Rat heart cell membranes exhibit two classes of [³H]ouabain binding sites with apparent dissociation constants (K_D) of the [³H]ouabain-receptor complex 1–2.3 × 10^?7 M and 2.8 × 10^?5 M. (2) (Na⁺ + K⁺)ATPase activity of rat heart cell membranes is half-maximally inhibited by ouabain at a concentration of 4 × 10^?5 M when assayed at the same conditions as [³H]ouabain binding. (3) Specific [³H]ouabain binding to electrically stimulated (1 Hz) contracting ventricular strips of rat heart exhibited only one class of receptors (K_D = 3 × 10^?7M). Force of contraction increased half-maximally at 3 × 10^?7 M ouabain when measured simultaneously and ⁸⁶Rb⁺uptake was inhibited half-maximally at 3 × 10^?5 M ouabain. Thus, there is a serious discrepancy between the effect of ouabain on (Na⁺ + K⁺)ATPase activity and ⁸⁶Rb⁺ uptake on one hand and on force of contraction on the other hand, whereas there is a good correlation between [³H]ouabain-receptor binding and increase in force of contraction. These results indicate that inhibition by ouabain of active cation transport is not a mandatory prerequisite of its positive inotropic effect, at least in the rat heart.     

Effects of ouabain on 86Rb-uptake, 3H-5-HT-uptake and aggregation by 5-HT and ADP in human platelets

In the search of sensitive models for actions of digitalis-like substances on intact cells or tissues, the effects of ouabain on human platelets were investigated. In a concentration-dependent manner ouabain 10(-8)-10(-4) M inhibited Na+-K+-ATPase activity measured as uptake of 86Rubidium (86Rb), with about 90% inhibition of the total uptake at ouabain greater than or equal to 10(-6) M. An almost identical concentration-effect curve was found for platelet uptake of 3H-serotonin (3H-5-HT). The platelet shape change reaction to exogenous 5-HT (1 X 10(-6) M) was suppressed by ouabain (10(-8)-10(-4) M) in a concentration-dependent manner, but with no clear maximum effect within the range tested. Aggregation induced by adenosine-di-phosphate (ADP 2 X 10(-6) M) was enhanced by ouabain 10(-8)-10(-6) M. At the highest concentration tested the rate of aggregation was increased by 31% and the change in light transmission by 54%. At low concentrations (less than 10(-9) M) of ouabain, there was a tendency towards increased aggregation as well as increased uptake of 86Rb, which may be a parallel to observations of positive inotropic effects of low concentration of glycosides, which do not inhibit Na+-K+-ATPase. The results show that human platelets can be used as a model tissue for studying effects of cardiac glycosides. This suggests that it may be useful for further investigations of the biological effects of agents with a similar effect profile, e.g. endogenous digitalis-like substances.     

Inhibition of gamma-[3H]aminobutyric acid uptake by organotin compounds in vitro

Trimethyltin, its tetra-, di-, and monomethyl analogs, inorganic tin (Sn II and Sn IV), triethyltin, tripropyltin, tributyltin, and triphenyltin were tested for their ability in inhibiting the uptake of gamma-[3H]aminobutyric acid (GABA) into mouse forebrain synaptosomes in vitro. All organotins containing three carbon-tin bonds were potent inhibitors of [3H]GABA uptake with IC50 values ranging from 10(-4) to 10(-6) M. Various thiol and sulfur compounds, particularly sodium sulfide, were capable of antagonizing the inhibitory effect of triphenyltin and, to a minor extent, of other organotins. All triorganotins also inhibited Na+,K+-ATPase, measured by binding of [3H]ouabain and by hydrolysis of ATP. Although a correlation between inhibition of ouabain binding and GABA uptake by organotins could be found, inhibition of [3H]GABA uptake by the specific inhibitors ouabain and strophantidin was qualitatively and quantitatively different from organotins. These results suggest that all triorganotins are capable of inhibiting synaptosomal [3H]GABA uptake in vitro by a mechanism involving, but not exclusively, inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase. The role of [3H]GABA uptake inhibition in the neurotoxicity of organotins remains to be determined.     

Ouabain inhibition of the sodium-potassium pump: estimation of ED50 in different types of human leucocytes in vitro.

1. We examined the effect of ouabain on the Na(+)-K+ pump of intact mononuclear leucocytes and polymorphonuclear leucocytes by using the radioactive potassium analogue, 86rubidium, as a tracer and measuring the cellular uptake of K+ (86Rb+). Na(+)-K+ pump activity was determined as the cellular uptake of K+ (86Rb+) that is sensitive to ouabain, 10(-5) mol l-1. 2. Dose-response curves for inhibition of the Na(+)-K+ pump were obtained after exposure of the cells to various concentrations of ouabain for 2.5 h when the level of pump inhibition was considered to be at steady state. 3. The ED50 of ouabain for the effect on the Na(+)-K+ pump was estimated to be 3 X 10(-9) mol l-1 in the absence of potassium. In the presence of potassium, 3 and 6.5 X 10(-3) mol l-1, it was increased by factors of 10 and 45 respectively. In the presence of potassium, 4 X 10(-3) mol l-1, the ED50 was similar but somewhat higher when determined in an artificial medium (Ringer solution) than when determined in autologous plasma. 4. The ED50 values observed in the present study were very similar to KD values reported in the literature on ligand binding of tritiated ouabain to the same types of human leucocytes.     

The action of excess potassium and calcium on ouabain-evoked [3H]-noradrenaline release from the rabbit pulmonary artery.

[3H]-noradrenaline [( 3H]-NA) release from the main pulmonary artery of the rabbit has been measured in the presence of neuronal (cocaine, 3 X 10(-5) M) and extraneuronal (corticosterone, 5 X 10(-5) M) uptake blockers. Removal of K from the external medium increased the [3H]-NA release. In the absence of external K, ouabain (10(-4) M) further enhanced the neurotransmitter release. The 'K-free' stimulated [3H]-NA release was inhibited by an increase of external Ca (7.5 mM), an action antagonized by ouabain. After preperfusion of the preparations for 30 min with either excess K (23.6 mM) or excess Ca (7.5 mM), the ouabain-stimulated [3H]-NA release was inhibited by about 50%; the rates of inhibition did not differ significantly from each other. However, the characteristic initial delay before ouabain-evoked neurotransmitter release was shortened in excess K, and prolonged in excess Ca-containing solution. When both excess K and Ca were applied together 30 min before ouabain perfusion, the action of ouabain in releasing neurotransmitter was also inhibited but the rate of inhibition did not differ significantly from that seen when K or Ca were applied separately. The action of K in shortening the initial delay was partly antagonized by Ca. Excess Ca antagonized the inhibition of ouabain-stimulated [3H]-NA release caused by excess K when Ca and ouabain were applied together after 30 min preperfusion with excess K-containing solution.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

gamma-Aminobutyric acid release from synaptosomes as influenced by Ca2+ and Ca2+ channel blockers

We studied the correlation between the high affinity binding of Ca2+ channel blockers to purified synaptic plasma membranes (SPM) and the effect of these drugs in blocking the 45Ca2+ uptake and the release of [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid [( 3H]GABA) by preloaded synaptosomes. The Ca2+ channel blocker binding sites were characterized by studying the binding of the dihydropyridine, [3H]nimodipine, and of the phenylalkylamine, (-)-[3H]desmethoxyverapamil, to purified SPM isolated from sheep brain cortex synaptosomes. The purified SPM had high affinity binding sites for both Ca2+ channel blockers. The binding parameters were similar to those previously reported for whole brain homogenates: KD = 0.64 nM and Bmax = 160 fmol/mg of protein for [3H]nimodipine, and KD = 7.9 nM and Bmax = 1,500 fmol/mg of protein for (-)-[3H]desmethoxyverapamil. The Ca2+ channel blockers inhibited the release of [3H]GABA induced by K+ depolarization in the presence or in the absence of Ca2+. The Ca2+-dependent component of [3H]GABA release was inhibited by verapamil, (-)-D 600, d-cis-diltiazem, nifedipine and PY 108-86 with IC50 values of 2.2 X 10(-5) M, 6.3 X 10(-5) M, 3 X 10(-4) M, greater than 10(-4) M and 3 X 10(-5) M, respectively. Furthermore, the Ca2+ channel blockers also inhibited the Ca2+-independent [3H]GABA release which occurred in the presence, but not in the absence, of external Na+. The Ca2+ channel blockers at concentrations which inhibited [3H]GABA release inhibited the entry of Ca2+ through the Ca2+ channels and also the entry of Ca2+ by Na+/Ca2+ exchange. We conclude that the concentrations of Ca2+ blockers necessary to block Ca2+ uptake through the Ca2+ channels and by Na+/Ca2+ exchange coincide with the concentrations at which they inhibit [3H]GABA release, but that their effect on the relationship between Ca2+ uptake and [3H]GABA release is different for the various blockers. The effects of the drugs on Ca2+ movements and [3H]GABA release are not specifically mediated through the high affinity binding of the drugs since relatively high concentrations were necessary (greater than 10(-5) M) for the effects reported here.     

The binding of doxepin to histamine H1-receptors in guinea-pig and rat brain

The affinity constant for doxepin obtained from inhibition of histamine-induced contraction of guinea-pig intestinal smooth muscle at 30 degrees C was 2.6 +/- 0.18 X 10(10)M-1. The slope of a Schild plot was not significantly different from unity. The affinity constant of doxepin did not vary markedly with temperature. At 37 degrees C it was 3.75 +/- 0.02 X 10(10)M-1 and at 25 degrees C 2.1 X 10(10)M-1. Doxepin was a competitive inhibitor of [3H]-mepyramine binding to guinea-pig cerebellar homogenates. The affinity constant derived for doxepin at 30 degrees C was 1.12 +/- 0.45 X 10(10)M-1. Hill coefficients for curves of doxepin or mepyramine inhibition of [3H]-mepyramine binding in guinea-pig cerebellum, cerebral cortex and hippocampus did not differ significantly from unity. The mean affinity of mepyramine for histamine H1-receptors in rat brain homogenates at 30 degrees C was 3.5 X 10(8)M-1. Hill coefficients for curves of doxepin or mepyramine inhibition of [3H]-mepyramine binding to homogenates of rat cerebral cortex or rat whole brain were near unity. These studies provide no evidence that doxepin binds preferentially to a sub-class of histamine H1-receptors in rat brain.     

Interactions of lipids with peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors

Peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors (PBRs) are present at high densities in the rat kidney distal tubule. [3H]RO 5-4864 binding to PBRs in kidney membranes is inhibited by several unidentified low molecular weight hydrophobic compounds in urine and serum. We tested representative hydrophobic compounds from several lipid classes for ability to inhibit binding to rat kidney PBRs of two high affinity ligands, [3H]RO 5-4864 and [3H]PK 11195. Unsaturated fatty acids and alcohols inhibited [3H]RO 5-4864 binding with half-maximal inhibition occurring at 3 X 10(-6) M to 10(-4) M. Inhibitory potency increased with the degree of unsaturation. Phospholipids inhibited [3H]RO 5-4864 in the same concentration range, with inhibitory potency in this case dependent both upon an unsaturated fatty acid moiety and upon the polar head group. Phosphatidylethanolamine was the most potent phospholipid tested (IC50 = 2 X 10(-6) M), whereas phosphatidylcholine was not inhibitory. Although phospholipids inhibited both [3H]RO 5-4864 and [3H]PK 11195 binding equally, unsaturated fatty acids had a much greater inhibitory effect upon [3H]RO 5-4864 than upon [3H]PK 11195 binding. Similar effects were obtained with digitonin-solubilized PBRs. These data demonstrate that in our experiments PBR binding was inhibited by specific lipids and that binding of proposed agonist (RO 5-4864) and antagonist (PK 11195) ligands was differentially affected by unsaturated fatty acids.     

Examination of the relationship between the uptake system for 5-hydroxytryptamine and the high-affinity [3H]imipramine binding site--I. Inhibition by drugs

The relationship between the binding site for imipramine and the uptake system for 5-hydroxytryptamine was examined. This was determined from the interaction between various drugs (including tricyclic antidepressants) and the high affinity accumulation of [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine in cortical synaptosomes from the rat, and with the high affinity binding of [3H]imipramine to cortical membranes of the rat. Imipramine and clomipramine, but not desipramine, were potent inhibitors of both binding of [3H]imipramine and the uptake of [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine. However, ouabain, panuramine and 5-hydroxytryptamine itself, all inhibited the binding of [3H]imipramine only at concentrations greater than those required to inhibit the uptake of [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine. Kinetic analysis revealed that inhibitors of the uptake system for 5-hydroxytryptamine produced inhibition by different mechanisms, but this did not account for their differential potency against uptake and binding. It is concluded that the binding site for [3H]imipramine and the uptake site for 5-HT are not directly linked and that drugs may inhibit the uptake of 5-HT at sites other than the binding site for [3H]imipramine.     

Effect of 3-PPP,a putative dopamine autoreceptor agonist,on [3H]ligand binding to dopamine receptors of calf and rat striatum

3-(3-Hydroxyphenyl)-N-n-propyliperidine (3-PPP) is most effective in inhibiting [³H]apomorphine binding in rat striatal membranes, with Ki values of 63 nM. 3-PPP was six to 27 times less effective when it competed with the binding of [³H]dopamine or [³H]spiperone in calf and rat striatal membranes. At concentrations up to 10 μM, 3-PPP failed to substitute for dopamine in the activation of adenylate cyclase in rat striatal membranes. 3-PPP at 4.8-5 μM caused 50% inhibition of catecholamine uptake in synaptosomes of corpus striatum and hypothalamus, therefore appearing to be a relatively weak uptake inhibitor. The higher affinity of 3-PPP for [³H]apomorphine binding sites is consistent with its binding to a subset of dopamine receptors which are characterized by a high affinity for both the agonist and antagonist of dopamine.     

Inhibition of [3H]norepinephrine uptake in peripheral organs of some mammalian species by ouabain

In order to demonstrate the possible involvement of (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase in the high affinity uptake of [³H]-norepinephrine in the sympathetic nerve endings, the effect of ouabain on [³H]norepinephrine uptake in spleen and heart slices of five mammalian species was examined. The ouabain sensitivity of [³H]norepinehrine uptake in the heart slices from various species, as determined by the estimation of IC₅₀, was, in increasing order, lamb (2.3 μM) < calf (2.5 μM) < guinea pig (4 μM) < rabbit (10 μM) << rat (>500 μM). The IC₅₀ values in the spleen slices were: lamb (1 μM) < calf (3.2 μM) < rabbit (9.5 μM) < guinea pig (25 μM) << rat (>500μM). The IC₅₀ values for the inhibition of specific [³H]ouabain binding in the microsomal fractions of spleen and heart of the five mammalian species by ouabain were similar to the IC₅₀ values for the inhibition of [³H]norepinephrine uptake by the cardiac glycoside. Since ouabain is known to bind exclusively to (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase of a microsomal fraction, these results suggest that the inhibition of [³H]norepinephrine uptake in the sympathetic nerve endings by ouabain is mediated by the inhibition of (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase.