High affinity binding of [3H]paroxetine and [3H]imipramine to human platelet membranes

Paroxetine, one of the most potent and specific serotonin uptake inhibitors, was tritiated and used for binding studies with human platelet membranes. Specific, high affinity binding was demonstrated. The binding was compared with [3H]imipramine binding; it was found that the maximal binding (Bmax) was the same for [3H]paroxetine and [3H]imipramine, whereas the affinity was much higher for [3H]paroxetine (KD 0.08 nM and 0.56 nM for paroxetine and imipramine binding, respectively). IC50 was calculated for the inhibition of [3H]paroxetine and [3H]imipramine binding by a number of antidepressants; the corresponding Hill coefficients were also calculated.     

Chemical heterogeneity of [3H]imipramine binding sites on human platelet membranes

Functional groups essential for high- and low-affinity [3H]imipramine (IMI) binding were determined by the method of chemical modification. The high-affinity recognition sites contained cysteine and lysine amino acid residues, but not aspartic or glutamic acid residues. The low-affinity recognition sites contained only cysteine residues. Moreover, probably only part of these sites contained these residues. The arginine, tyrosine and histidine residues are not likely to be functionally important for the [3H]IMI binding process. Analysis of the structure-function interaction of drug molecules reveals that, for all substances with high displacement ability, there is a conformation in which they can react with high-affinity IMI recognition sites. Data obtained allowed us to construct a tentative structure model of the high-affinity recognition IMI binding site.     

Size determination of binding polymers for [3H]imipramine and [3H]paroxetine in human platelet membranes

Imipramine and paroxetine both inhibit the transport of serotonin in serotonergic neurons and in platelets; furthermore specific high affinity binding sites for [3H]imipramine and [3H]paroxetine are located in these two cell types, probably on the serotonin transport mechanism. However, previous studies indicated that the binding site for [3H]imipramine was different from the binding site for [3H]paroxetine. We now report that the polymers on which the two binding sites are located have different molecular weights.     

Chlorimipramine--but not imipramine--rapidly reduces [3H]imipramine binding in human platelet membranes

A single dose of 50 mg chlorimipramine was followed by a rapid and pronounced decrease in [3H]imipramine binding to platelet membranes. Incubation of human platelets or platelet membranes with 25 nM chlorimipramine similarly reduced [3H]imipramine binding. Imipramine, desmethylchlorimipramine, chlorpromazine and some serotonin uptake inhibitors did not have this effect. The effect was not due to chlorimipramine remaining in the membranes during the binding analysis.     

Light-dark differences in [3H]-paroxetine binding to rabbit platelet membranes

Summary [³H]-Paroxetine binding to rabbit blood platelet membranes from samples obtained under light and dark conditions was examined. Animals were kept on a 14 h light (L) — 10 h dark (D) schedule and blood samples were collected at L + 7 and D + 5 h. Significant differences were found for B _max values of [³H]-paroxetine binding, with low B _max values during the light period and high B _max values during the dark period. The K _d values were not significantly different. These results confirm previous observations on light-dark differences of [³H]-imipramine binding in rabbit blood platelets suggesting the existence of a circadian rhythm for the 5-HT transporter complex.Send offprint requests to S. Z. Langer at the above address     

3H]yohimbine and [3H]idazoxan bind to different sites on rabbit forebrain and kidney membranes

The binding of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor ligands [3H]yohimbine and [3H]idazoxan to rabbit kidney and forebrain membranes was compared. The maximum number of [3H]yohimbine binding sites was higher than the number of [3H]idazoxan binding sites in forebrain and lower in kidney. Large differences were observed in the ability of noradrenaline, adrenaline, idazoxan, rauwolscine, yohimbine and WY 26392 to displace [3H]yohimbine and [3H]idazoxan from their binding sites. These data suggest that [3H]idazoxan and [3H]yohimbine bind to different sites on rabbit tissue membranes.     

Antidepressive drugs can change the affinity of [3H]imipramine and [3H]paroxetine binding to platelet and neuronal membranes

Serotonin transport in synapses and platelets is inhibited by tricyclic antidepressants as well as by more selective transport inhibitors. This inhibition is hypothesized to be of importance for the psychotropic effect, although it is known that some new antidepressants do not possess this transport inhibitory action. We now report that antidepressive drugs can influence the serotonin transport complex in platelets and brain in other ways: [3H]imipramine and [3H]paroxetine, which bind with high affinity to the serotonin transport complex, can be dissociated from the complex with velocity constants strongly influenced by the different antidepressants. This effect is not correlated to the inhibitory action of the drugs on serotonin transport. Furthermore the effect is seen in the micromolar range in contrast to the high affinity binding process which takes place in the pico- and nanomolar range. The effects of antidepressants on the dissociation rates of bound ligand make it possible to differentiate between serotonin reuptake inhibitors which appear identical in other assays. Antidepressive drugs can thus be divided into groups which differ from the usual classifications.     

3H]Dihydroergocryptine binding to alpha-adrenergic receptors of human platelets. A reassessment using the selective radioligands [3H]prazosin, [3H]yohimbine, and [3H]rauwolscine

Which subtype(s) of the alpha-adrenergic receptor occurs on human platelets? Studies of platelet responsiveness to adrenergic compounds and indirect radioligand binding studies addressing this question have yielded contradictory conclusions. These binding studies employed the ligand [³H]dihydroergocryptine ([³H]DHE), an alpha-adrenergic antagonist that does not select between alpha₁- and alpha₂-adrenergic receptors and that also binds to other receptor types in some tissues. To determine the subtype of the platelet alpha-adrenergic receptor, we have examined the binding to intact human platelets of [³H]prazosin (alpha₁-selective), [³H]yohimbine (alpha₂-selective), and [³H]rauwolscine (alpha₂-selective), and we have compared the binding of these selective radioligands with that of [³H]DHE. [³H]Yohimbine and [³H]rauwolscine both bound with high affinity (K_D = 2.7 and 4.6 nM, respectively) to an equal number and a single class (Hill coefficient ～1.0) of sites (～300 per platelet), but [³H]yohimbine yielded lower nonspecific binding than did [³H]rauwolscine. In paired experiments, [³H]DHE bound to 1.5 times as many (phentolamine-displaceable) sites as did [³H]yohimibine or [³H]rauwolscine. Unlabeled vohimbine and epinephrine competed for fewer [³H]DHE binding sites than did phentolamine. Thus, in addition to binding to the alpha₂-adrenergic receptors identified by [³H]yohimbine and [³H]rauwolscine, [³H]DHE seems to bind to other sites on human platelets. The nature of these sites is not clear. We found that [³H]prazosin did not identify alpha₁-adrenergic receptors on platelets, and that phenoxybenzamine only inhibited [³H]yohimbine and [³H]DHE binding at higher concentrations than usually observed for alpha₁-adrenergic receptors. We conclude that (1) all alpha-adrenergic sites on human platelets are of the alpha₂ subtype, (2) [³H]DHE may bind to additional, as yet ill-defined, sites in addition to those sites identified by [³H]yohimbine and [³H]rauwolscine, and (3) [³H]yohimbine is the preferred antagonist radioligand for studying the alpha₂-adrenergic receptors on human platelets.     

[3H] sertraline binding to rat brain membranes

Tritiated sertraline, a radiolabeled form of a potent and selective inhibitor of serotonin uptake, was found to bind with high affinity to rat whole brain membranes. Characterization studies showed that [³H] sertraline binding occurred at a single site with the following parameters:K _d 0.57 nM,B _max 821 fmol/mg protein,n _h 1.06. This binding was reversible; the dissociation constant calculated from kinetic measurements (K _d 0.81 nM) agreed with that determined by saturation binding experiments. [³H] Sertraline binding in the presence of serotonin, paroxetine, fluoxetine or imipramine suggested competitive inhibition of binding (large increase inK _d with little change inB _max). The rank order of potency of inhibition of [³H] sertraline binding was similar to that of inhibition of serotonin uptake for known uptake inhibitors and the 1-amino-4-phenyltetralin uptake blockers. A marked decrease in ex vivo [³H] sertraline binding in the brain of rats 7 days after treatment withp-chloroamphetamine was consistent with the loss of serotonin uptake sites induced by this agent. The results of our study indicated that [³H] sertraline labels serotonin uptake sites in rat brain.     

Acetylcholinesterase potentiates [3H]fluorowillardiine and [3H]AMPA binding to rat cortical membranes

In addition to its action at cholinergic synapses acetylcholinesterase (AChE) has been proposed to modulate neuronal activity by mechanisms unrelated to the hydrolysis of acetylcholine. We have investigated the effects of AChE on the binding of the specific AMPA receptor agonists (S)-[3H]5-fluorowillardiine ([3H]FW) and [3H]AMPA to rat cortical membranes. Pretreatment of membranes with AChE causes a dose-dependent increase in the binding of both radiolabelled agonists with a maximal increase to approximately 60% above control. This increase is completely blocked by the specific AChE inhibitors propidium, physostigmine, DFP and BW 284C51. AChE pretreatment had no effect on [3H]kainate binding. [3H]FW binding to membranes from young (15-day-old) rats is four orders of magnitude more sensitive to AChE modulation than membranes from adult rats (EC50 values of 4x10(-5) and 0.1 unit/ml, respectively) although the total percentage increase in binding is similar. Furthermore, the AChE-induced potentiation of [3H]FW binding is Ca2+ - and temperature-dependent suggesting an enzymatic action for AChE in this system. Saturation binding experiments with [3H]FW to adult membranes reveal high and low affinity binding sites and demonstrate that the main action of AChE is to increase the Bmax of both sites. These findings suggest that modulation of AMPA receptors could provide a molecular mechanism of action for the previously reported effects of AChE in synapse formation, synaptic plasticity and neurodegeneration.     

Effect of pyrethroids on [3H]kainic acid binding to mouse forebrain membranes

The effect of the pyrethroid insecticides, decamethrin, cis-permethrin, and trans-permethrin, was examined on the in vitro specific binding of [³H]kainic acid ([³H]KA) to receptor sites in mouse forebrain homogenates. All three pyrethroids gave rise to dose-dependent decreases in levels of specific binding. Decamethrin was the most potent in displacing bound [³H]KA giving rise to significant decreases at decamethrin concentrations of 10^?7m and above. Intracere-broventricular injections of the pyrethroids into unanesthetized mice gave rise to neurotoxic symptoms including hyperactivity, tremor, and tonic seizures. The order of potency of the three compounds in causing these symptoms of toxicity (decamethrin >cis-permethrin >trans-permethrin) was found to be the same as their order of potency in displacing bound [³H]KA from binding sites in the mouse brain. These preliminary results suggest that the neurotoxic actions of pyrethroids in mammals may be at least partially mediated via interactions with a kainic acid binding site.     

3H]clonidine and [3H]yohimbine binding to solubilized alpha 2-adrenoceptors from rat cerebral cortex

Alpha 2-adrenoceptors were solubilized from rat cerebral cortex using the zwitterionic detergent, 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]-1-propane sulfonate (CHAPS). The CHAPS extract retained binding activity for [3H]clonidine and [3H]yohimbine. Treatment of membranes with 10 mM CHAPS solubilized about 30% of the [3H]clonidine binding sites in the starting membranes. A Scatchard plot of [3H]clonidine binding to the CHAPS extract showed a non-linear curve, indicating the existence of the two distinct binding components. The effects of GTP and cations on alpha 2-agonist and antagonist binding to the CHAPS extract were similar to the effects in membrane preparations. Sepharose CL-4B column chromatography showed the alpha 2-agonist binding complex to be a larger molecule, with a Stokes radius of 85 A, than the alpha 2-antagonist binding complex with a radius of 71 A. These results indicate that the complexes between the alpha 2-adrenoceptors and GTP binding regulatory proteins remain intact throughout the CHAPS solubilization procedure.     

The binding of [3H]prazosin and [3H]clonidine to rat jejunal epithelial cell membranes

The binding of [3H]prazosin and [3H]clonidine to rat jejunal epithelial cell membranes has been studied. The membrane preparation was enriched in baso-lateral components as determined by Na+, K+ ATPase and alkaline phosphatase activities. The membranes possessed two saturable specific binding sites for [3H]prazosin, a high affinity (Kd 0.17 nM) low capacity (Bmax 27.3 fmole bound per mg protein) and a low affinity (Kd 5.0 nM) high capacity (Bmax 276 fmole bound per mg protein) site. The specificity of both sites was similar and was related to alpha 1-adrenoceptors. [3H]Clonidine bound to the membranes in a saturable fashion (Kd 7.3 nM). The specificity of this site was related to alpha 2-adrenoceptors. The [3H]clonidine binding site was present in the membranes in much lower density (Bmax 22.8 fmole bound per mg protein) suggesting that alpha 1-adrenoceptors predominate in this tissue.     

Effect of dantrolene sodium on [3H]nitrendipine binding to rat cardiac plasma membranes

Dantrolene sodium (Dantrium) has antiarrhythmic activity in addition to its direct-acting skeletal muscle relaxant activity. Dantrolene sodium exerts its skeletal muscle relaxant action by reducing Ca2+ release for sarcoplasmic reticulum. The mechanism by which dantrolene sodium produces its antiarrhythmic effects is not well defined. The effects of dantrolene sodium on [3H]nitrendipine binding to rat cardiac plasma membranes were, therefore, investigated to determine whether the antiarrhythmic action involves an interaction with calcium channels. Whereas 1,4-dihydropyridines maximally inhibited [3H]nitrendipine binding with IC50 values less than 1 nM, verapamil and gallopamil (D 600) inhibited the binding not more than 70% with IC50 values at microM concentrations. Dantrolene sodium caused only minimal inhibition at concentrations up to 100 microM. Thus, the antiarrhythmic action of the drug probably involves a mechanism(s) other than an interaction with the nitrendipine binding site of the slow inward calcium channel.     

Characterization of [3H]zetidoline binding to rat striatal membranes

The binding of [3H]zetidoline, a novel neuroleptic agent, to rat brain striatal membranes was investigated in-vitro. The optimal binding conditions for [3H]zetidoline differed from those for [3H]spiperone in pH, temperature and time. [3H]Zetidoline has high affinity for striatal dopamine receptors. Its binding is saturable, stereo-specific, has a low non-specific component and is reversible and tissue specific. The Scatchard analysis gave a biphasic curve, indicating that [3H]zetidoline interacts with more than one population of receptor sites (B'max = 67 fmol mg-1 protein, K'd = 0.11 nM; B"max = 500 fmol mg-1 protein, K'd = 2.49 nM). Kinetic analysis of rates of association and dissociation yielded a Kd value in agreement with that measured at equilibrium. Inhibition studies indicated that only dopamine and dopaminergic agents are able to displace [3H]zetidoline from its binding sites, and in a different rank order from that for displacement of [3H]spiperone. (-)-Sulpiride was especially effective in inhibiting [3H]zetidoline specific binding. Furthermore, like that of [3H]benzamides, [3H]zetidoline binding appears to be highly Na+-dependent and Li+ only partially substitutes Na+.     

Characterization of [3H]paroxetine binding to rat cortical membranes

Paroxetine is a selective and potent inhibitor of 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake into serotonergic neurons. The specific binding of [3H]paroxetine to rat cortical membranes at 22 degrees C was examined in this study. Our results indicate the presence of a single saturable high affinity binding component for [3H]paroxetine. Scatchard analysis revealed a Kd of 0.15 +/- 0.01 nM, and a Bmax of 549 +/- 36 fmol/mg protein. The kinetically derived dissociation constant was 0.034 +/- 0.008 nM. [3H]Paroxetine binding was inhibited selectively by 5-HT uptake blockers, and a good correlation was demonstrated between the potency of various drugs to inhibit [3H]paroxetine binding and [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine uptake. Also, lesions performed with the neurotoxin, 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine resulted in a 94% decrease in endogenous 5-hydroxytryptamine levels and concomitantly, a 90% reduction in [3H]paroxetine binding when compared to sham controls. These results indicate that the binding site labelled by [3H]paroxetine is associated with the neuronal 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter complex.     

Modulation of [3H]glibenclamide binding to cardiac and insulinoma membranes

The existence of a single or of multiple populations of glibenclamide binding sites is a subject of controversy. In the present study, radioligand binding techniques were employed to determine whether multiple populations of [3H]glibenclamide binding sites exist in pancreatic tumor (insulinoma) cells. Additional studies were performed to further characterize the binding of [3H]glibenclamide to insulinoma and cardiac membranes. [3H]Glibenclamide bound to high (0.1 nM) and low (240 nM) affinity binding sites in insulinoma membranes. The physiological relevance of multiple populations of sites is unknown. The binding of glibenclamide to insulinoma and cardiac membranes was altered by guanine nucleotides and not adenine nucleotides. This suggests glibenclamide binding can be modulated by G-proteins. Glibenclamide binding was also modulated by divalent cations. The divalent cations, Ca2+ and Zn2+, stimulated specific glibenclamide binding to cardiac and insulinoma membranes, while Mg2+ and Mn2+ enhanced cardiac binding only. Moreover, the lowering of pH from 7.4 to 6.5 was found to enhance specific glibenclamide binding. Interestingly, the magnitude of this effect was much larger in cardiac membranes. The specific nature of the regulation of glibenclamide binding by guanine nucleotides, divalent cations and pH remains to be explored.     

Specific [3H]neurotensin binding to rat spinal cord membranes

The binding of [3H]neurotensin to membranes prepared from rat spinal cord has been studied in vitro. Scatchard analysis of saturation binding data indicated that [3H]neurotensin binds with high affinity (Kd = 6.3 nM) to a single, saturable population of binding sites (Bmax = 12.4 pmol/g tissue). Neurotensin1-13 (IC50 = 5.9 nM) and neurotensin8-13 (IC50 = 3.7 nM) were potent inhibitors of [3H]neurotensin binding whereas neurotensin1-8 was virtually inactive at concentrations up to 10(-5) M. Sodium chloride (150 mM) significantly inhibited binding, while potassium chloride (5 mM), magnesium chloride (10 mM), manganese chloride (1 mM) and GMP-PNP (0.1 mM) were without effect. The characteristics of the binding of [3H]neurotensin obtained in this study are consistent with this ligand binding to a physiologic neurotensin receptor in rat spinal cord membranes.     

Heterogeneity of mammalian alpha 2-adrenoceptors delineated by [3H]yohimbine binding

[3H]Yohimbine binding to membrane preparations of human colon, cerebral cortex, kidney, spleen and platelets was compared with binding to preparations of animal tissues (rabbit spleen, kidney and cerebral cortex; rat cerebral cortex; guinea-pig and cat spleen). Specific binding to all preparations was saturable and indicative of binding to a uniform population of sites. The equilibrium dissociation constants (KD) of [3H]yohimbine ranged from 1.6 to 2.6 nM for human tissue and from 5.1 to 9.4 nM for the animal tissues. Binding to all tissues was displaced by drugs with an order of potency yohimbine greater than phentolamine greater than prazosin, indicating an alpha 2-adrenoceptor classification of the labelled sites. Whilst certain drugs (phentolamine, corynanthine) possessed similar affinities for all alpha 2-adrenoceptors, others (prazosin, idazoxan, WY 26392) exhibited differential potencies for alpha 2-adrenoceptors in certain species. The pharmacological characteristics of human alpha 2-adrenoceptors were conserved within the tissues examined. These results suggest that human alpha 2-adrenoceptors differ in a number of ways from those present in tissues from the other mammalian species examined. The possible existence of a spectrum of alpha 2-adrenoceptors is discussed in the light of these findings.