Reversible and irreversible inhibition of rat brain muscarinic receptors is related to different substitutions on bisquaternary pyridinium oximes

The role of the functional substituents on the pyridinium ring of bisquaternary pyridinium compounds, mostly oximes, in exerting reversible and irreversible inhibition of binding of [³H]-N-methyl-4-piperidyl benzilate ([³H]-4NMPB) to rat brain stem muscarinic receptors was studied. The drugs tested, i.e. HGG-42, HGG-12, HGG-52, HI-6, obidoxim, SAD-128 and TMB-4, could reversibly inhibit binding of [³H]-4NMPB, with the highest potency (K_I=1.7–6 M) exhibited by analogs possessing hydrophobic substituents at position 3 or 4 of the pyridinium ring. Bisquaternary drugs possessing an oxime moiety at position 2, but not at position 4 of the pyridinium ring, could also induce about 30% reduction of maximal binding capacity (B_max) (loss of muscarinic receptors) in addition to their reversible effect. Thus the structural correlates of the reversible and the irreversible effects of these drugs are different.     

The interaction of bis-pyridinium oximes with mouse brain muscarinic receptor

The bispyridinium oximes toxogonin [N, N′-oxydimethylene bis (pyridinium 4-aldoxim) dichloride] and its structural analogs HS-3, HS-6, HI-6 and MMB-4, and the bispyridinium salt SAD-128, which serve as antidotes to certain types of organophosphorus poisoning, bind competitively to mouse brain muscarinic receptors. This was determined in vitro employing the potent and specific muscarinic antagonist ³H-4NMPB (³H-4-N-methyl piperidyl benzilate). All the bispyridinium compounds also exerted a mild anti-acetylcholine activity (K_d = 10^?4?10^?5M) measured physiologically in the guinea pig ileum, which correlated well with the dissociation constants obtained from binding studies with mouse brain homogenate. The most potent muscarinic blocker was SAD-128 (K′_d = (7.1 ± 1.2) × 10^?6M for whole mouse brain), whose remarkable therapeutic action against soman intoxication may be partly attributed to this antimuscarinic activity.The binding data are best fitted by a competitive model, and the deviation from the law of mass action observed here may be related either to the heterogeneity of muscarinic receptors in the mouse brain or to nonequivalency of the number of binding sites for bisquaternary pyridines and 4-NMPB.     

Allosteric stabilization of 3H-N-methylscopolamine binding in guinea-pig myocardium by an antidote against organophosphate intoxication

W84 (hexamethylene-bis-[dimethyl-(3-phthalimidopropyl)-ammonium bromide]) protects overadditively against an organophosphate-intoxication when applied in combination with atropine. Further experimental evidence led to the hypothesis that W84 exerted an allosteric effect on muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. In order to investigate the action of W84 on the receptor level, binding studies with 3H-N-methylscopolamine were performed in homogenized and intact guinea-pig myocardium. For sake of comparison three bispyridinium oximes were included, i.e. Uno3 (trimethylene-bis-[4-hydroxyiminomethyl-pyridinium] dibromide mono-2,6-dichlorobenzylether), obidoxime, and TMB4. In cardiac membrane suspensions, all compounds inhibited 3H-NMS-binding after 2 hrs of incubation concentration-dependently by reducing its affinity, whereas leaving the number of binding sites unaltered. However, with increasing concentrations W84 suppressed 3H-NMS-binding less than expected for a competitive antagonist. Kinetic studies revealed that W84 did not only slow the association of 3H-NMS, but additionally retarded its dissociation over the entire range of concentrations that inhibited 3H-NMS-binding. At lmM, W84 augmented the half life time of the 3H-NMS-receptor complexes from a control value of 4 min to more than 120 min. The stabilization of the radioligand-receptor complexes is indicative of an allosteric effect of W84. Obidoxime, TMB4 and Uno3 at low concentrations acted like competitive inhibitors of 3H-NMS-binding. From 10(-5)M onwards, Uno3 retarded 3H-NMS-dissociation concentration-dependently. It is concluded that the effect of bisquaternary compounds on 3H-NMS-association and -dissociation is mediated via binding to two separate sites, i.e. the muscarinic receptor site and an allosteric effector site, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Interaction of the antiarrhythmic drug amiodarone with the muscarinic receptor in rat heart and brain

The possible interaction between the muscarinic receptor and the antiarrythmic drug amiodarone was studied physiologically in the guinea pig ileum, as well as by competition binding experiments in rat brain and cardiac tissues, using the highly specific tritiated muscarinic antagonist N-methyl-4-piperidyl benzilate. In these studies, amiodarone was found to affect both antagonist and agonist binding to the muscarinic receptor. The drug's inhibitory effect on the binding of antagonist to cerebral cortex muscarinic receptors was consistent with mutually exclusive binding of the compounds [KI = (1.0 +/- 0.2)10(-5) M]. On the other hand, in the brain stem and in cardiac tissues (atrium and ventricle) the inhibitory effect on the binding of muscarinic antagonist could not be fitted to a simple model of competitive inhibition. The possible mode of interaction is discussed. Compared with its activity in the cerebral cortex, amiodarone was a more potent inhibitor of muscarinic antagonist binding in the brain stem and in the atrium and ventricle of the heart [apparent KI values were (6.5 +/- 0.1)10(-6), (4.0 +/- 0.1)10(-6), and (4.0 +/- 0.1)10(-6) M, respectively]. In view of the KI values and the serum concentration of amiodarone observed therapeutically (10(-6) M), the effect of amiodarone on the muscarinic system may have clinical relevance. In both the brain stem and the cardiac preparations, amiodarone converted sites that bind agonist with high affinity into low-affinity sites. Agonist binding in the cerebral cortex was not affected.     

The oxime HGG-12 as a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist without intrinsic activity in cardiac membranes

Direct interactions of the bispyridinium oxime HGG-12 with muscarinic acetylcholine receptors were investigated in porcine cardiac atrial membranes. Competition binding experiments using the radiolabeled muscarinic receptor antagonist (³H)QNB revealed specific binding of HGG-12 to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors of porcine atrial membranes with a dissociation constant of 3.8×10^–7 mol/l. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor-stimulated binding of the radiolabeled GTP analog (³⁵S)GTP[S] to guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G-proteins) was used to study antagonistic and possible agonistic effects of HGG-12 at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. HGG-12 completely inhibited carbachol- and oxotremorine-stimulated (³⁵S)GTP[S] binding to pertussis toxin sensitive and insensitive G-proteins in a competitive manner. Inhibition constants (K_I) of HGG-12 for blockade of carbachol- and oxotremorine-stimulated GTP[S]-binding (9.7×10^–7 mol/l and 1.7×10^–6 mol/l, respectively) were higher by about a factor of 100 than those of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist atropine. In the absence of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonists, HGG-12 by itself had no stimulatory effect on (³⁵S)GTP[S] binding in porcine atrial membranes. The results of this study show that the oxime HGG-12 is a competitive antagonist without intrinsic activity at porcine atrial muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. The stimulatory action of HGG-12 on muscarinic acetylcholine receptors which has been described by several authors is, therefore, suggested to be due to partial inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by the oxime rather than to direct agonism at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors.     

Comparison of the therapeutic effects and pharmacokinetics of HI-6, HLö-7, HGG-12, HGG-42 and obidoxime following non-reactivatable acetylcholinesterase inhibition in rats

The oximes HI-6, HLö-7, HGG-12, HGG-42 and obidoxime were used in a previously developed rat model to evaluate the therapeutic effects of oximes other than acetylcholinesterase (AChE) reactivation (so-called “nonreactivating effects”). To test this, anaesthetized, atropinized and artificially ventilated rats (n=8 or 16) were poisoned with a three times LD₅₀ dose of the potent AChE-inhibitor crotylsarin (CRS, i.v.). CRS-inhibited rat AChE reactivation by the oximes. Five minutes after poisoning the rats were treated (i.v.) with an oxime or saline and 10 min later artificial ventilation was terminated. Survival times were determined. Saline-treated animals died within 15 min. In comparison, treatment with HI-6, HLö-7, HGG-12, HGG-42 or obidoxine resulted in a significant prolongation of survival time. In the groups treated with HLö-7, HI-6 or HGG-12, 12–37% of the animals survived more than 24 h. It was investigated whether differences in pharmacokinetics of the oximes. The plasma half-lives of HI-6, HLö-7, HGG-12, HGG-42 and obidoxime amounted to 67, 63, 27, 55 and 179 min, respectively. At doses of 75 or 150 μmol/kg, all oximes could be detected in brain and medulla oblongata in similar amounts (6–10 nmol/g tissue). In vitro, all oximes were effective in restoring failure of neuromuscular transmission (NMT) caused by CRS, albeit with varying potency. All oximes bound with affinities in the micromolar range to rat brain muscarinic receptors. The present results show that (1) prolongation of survival time following lethal intoxication with an organophosphate can be achieved by non-reactivating properties of the oximes and (2) the observed differences in a) pharmacokinetics, b) potency to restore NMT and c) affinity for muscarinic receptors of the various oximes do not correlate with the observed differences in therapeutic effectiveness. There-force, it is concluded that the prolongation of survival must be due to as yet undefined effects in the brain.     

Interactions of cocaine with primary and secondary recognition sites on muscarinic receptors.

Several lines of evidence have suggested that muscarinic receptors may possess more than one ligand binding site. In this study, the interactions of cocaine with primary and secondary (allosteric) sites on muscarinic receptors in membrane homogenates from post-mortem human brainstem were examined. (-)-Cocaine inhibited the binding of the tritiated muscarinic antagonists N-methylscopolamine (NMS) and pirenzepine to an apparent single class of sites, with Ki values of 200-300 microM. The binding of the muscarinic agonist [3H]oxotremorine-M was inhibited with a similar Ki value (200 microM). (+)-Cocaine, although not the naturally occurring stereoisomer, was 10-20-fold more potent than (-)-cocaine in competing for binding to the primary muscarinic recognition site. The binding of cocaine was unaffected by guanine nucleotides or N-ethylmaleimide, consistent with its purported action as a competitive antagonist. Cocaine was not selective for muscarinic receptor subtypes. Rosenthal analysis of the [3H]NMS saturation binding data in the presence of increasing concentrations of either (-)-cocaine or (+)-cocaine indicated that both isomers produced an apparent competitive-like reduction in the [3H]NMS affinity. Schild regression analysis of the saturation binding data resulted in curvilinear plots suggestive of cooperative or allosteric interactions of (-)-cocaine with the [3H]NMS-labeled receptors. The effects of (-)-cocaine on the kinetics of [3H]NMS binding were consistent with an allosteric interaction with the receptor. Increasing concentrations of cocaine markedly slowed the rate of [3H]NMS dissociation from the primary recognition site. The allosteric modulation of [3H] NMS binding by (-)-cocaine was abolished with increasing ionic strength. Taken together, these data demonstrate that (-)-cocaine interacts with primary and allosteric recognition sites on muscarinic receptors.     

Competitive interaction of pirenzepine with rat brain muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

In the present work, we studied the details of the interaction of the nonclassical muscarinic receptor antagonist pirenzepine with [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate binding sites in rat brain homogenates. Pirenzepine showed biphasic competition curves with a Hill coefficient lower than unity, and these curves were better described according to a two-site receptor model. The affinities and the relative preponderance of these sites were constant at different ligand concentrations, in accordance with a competitive type of interaction. Similarly, pirenzepine did not influence the rate of dissociation of the [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate-receptor complex, even at relatively high concentrations. However, although low concentrations of pirenzepine decreased the affinity of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate for the receptor without affecting the density of the binding sites, higher concentrations of the antagonist decreased the receptor number in a reversible fashion. Schild plots of these data indicated an apparent deviation from simple competition in this experimental design, an observation which can be attributed to the selectivity of pirenzepine for different receptor subtypes. Furthermore, pirenzepine, at concentrations high enough to saturate both its high- and low-affinity sites protected [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate binding sites in the brain against irreversible alkylation by propylbenzilylcholine mustard. Therefore, our data support a competitive nature of interaction of pirenzepine with rat brain muscarinic receptors.     

Secoverine is a non-selective muscarinic antagonist on rat heart and brain receptors

In an attempt to determine if the selectivity of secoverine observed in vivo and in isolated tissues might be due to selective association with muscarinic receptor subtypes, we analyzed the binding of secoverine to three different receptors with specific radioligands: rat cardiac receptors (M2 receptors with low affinity for atropine), and rat cerebral cortical M1 receptors and M2 receptors with high affinity for atropine. At concentrations up to 10(-6) M, secoverine interaction with muscarinic receptors was competitive and of high affinity (Ki 4.10(-9) M) for cardiac and brain receptors. A detailed analysis using, in addition to [3H]N-methylscopolamine, the agonist [3H]oxotremorine-M (selective for high affinity binding sites at cardiac receptors) and the M1-selective antagonist [3H]pirenzepine at brain receptors, revealed identical affinities towards both receptor types, making it unlikely that secoverine distinguished the different muscarinic receptor subtypes. At concentrations between 10(-6) and 10(-3) M, secoverine interaction with an additional receptor site resulted in profound changes of tracer kinetics, suggesting the formation of a ternary complex (secoverine-radioligand-muscarinic receptor). The potency of secoverine for provoking this allosteric interaction was both tracer- and tissue-dependent. It is concluded that secoverine does not differentiate between M1, brain M2 and cardiac M2 receptors or between cardiac receptors with high, low and very low affinity for agonists. At very high concentrations secoverine recognized an allosteric site on the muscarinic receptors and reduced the dissociation rates of the 3H-ligands.     

Chemical Stability of the Hagedorn Oximes HGG-12 and HI-6

The chemical stability of the soman antidotes HGG-12 and HI-6 was studied over the pH range 2–9 at various temperatures. Maximum stability for both oximes was found at pH 2. From Arrhenius plots the predicted shelf life (10% decomposition) was 2.6 years at 25° C and 60 years at 4 °C for both oximes. The apparent energy of activation was 113kJ/mol. The decay rate of both oximes apparently was not influenced by oxime concentration, buffer composition, light, and oxygen. By ion-pair HPLC the following degradation products were indentified: pyridine-2-carbaldoxime, pyridine-2-carbonitrile, 2-pyridone, formaldehyde and 3-benzoylpyridine (for HGG-12) or isonicotinamide and isonicotinic acid (for HI-6). Two additional pyridinium compounds have not yet been identified. The pattern of degradation products varied considerably with pH.     

大脑皮层~3H-三环哌酯结合位点的药理学特征

目的研究大脑皮层３Ｈ－三环哌酯（３Ｈ－ＴＣＰＮ）结合位点的药理学特征。方法在大鼠大脑皮层匀浆标本上，测定３Ｈ－ＴＣＰＮ的特异性结合位点以及药物对它的影响。结果３Ｈ－ＴＣＰＮ与大鼠大脑皮层膜标本具有特异性结合，其饱和性结合的参数与３Ｈ－ＱＮＢ的饱和性结合参数相似，其中，Ｋｄ值为０．４０ｎｍｏｌ·Ｌ－１，Ｂｍａｘ值为１２５８ｐｍｏｌ·ｇ－１。３Ｈ－ＴＣＰＮ特异性结合位点中，被阿托品取代的Ｍ受体部分占７０％，不被阿托品取代的称Ｘ位点部分占３０％；Ｘ结合位点既不为Ｎ受体激动剂烟碱和非竞争拮抗剂美加明所占据，也不为ＧＡＢＡ受体拮抗剂苦味毒素，甘氨酸受体拮抗剂士的宁和胆碱酯酶抑制剂毒扁豆碱所占据。结论大鼠大脑皮层３Ｈ－ＴＣＰＮ特异性结合位点中，７０％为Ｍ受体，其它位点的药理学性质有待进一步研究     

Characterization of the antimuscarinic effect of heptane-1,7-bis-(dimethyl-3'-phthalimidopropyl ammonium bromide)

The effect of heptane-1,7-bis-(dimethyl-3'-phthalimidopropyl ammonium bromide) (C7/3'-phthalimidopropyl), an alkane bisquaternary compound with muscarinic receptor blocking activity was studied in guinea-pig atria and ileal longitudinal muscle. C7/3'-phthalimidopropyl was a more potent inhibitor of atrial muscarinic receptors, the cardioselectivity being ca. 32-fold. Previous studies in guinea-pig atria have shown that its antimuscarinic effect was of an allosteric nature. In ileal longitudinal muscle C7/3'-phthalimidopropyl (3 to 100 microM) appeared to behave in a competitive manner towards carbachol but the combination of atropine or homatropine with C7/3'-phthalimidopropyl produced a supra-additive inhibitory effect on the responses to carbachol. In both atria and ileal longitudinal muscle homogenates, C7/3'-phthalimidopropyl also slowed the dissociation rate of [3H]QNB suggesting an allosteric mechanism. In binding studies using either [3H]QNB or [3H]oxo-M, C7/3'-phthalimidopropyl recognized two binding sites in atria and ileum. In both tissues, C7/3'-phthalimidopropyl bound with high affinity (ca. 30-70 nM) to 60-85% of the sites and with low affinity (ca. 1-9 microM) to the remaining sites. Correlation of these affinity constants with the dissociation constants obtained in functional studies in the two tissues is discussed.     

Allosteric binding sites on muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

In this issue of Molecular Pharmacology, Tr?nkle et al. (p. 1597) present new findings regarding the existence of a second allosteric site on the M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M2 mAChR). The M2 mAChR is a prototypic class A G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that has proven to be a very useful model system to study the molecular mechanisms involved in the binding of allosteric GPCR ligands. Previous studies have identified several allosteric muscarinic ligands, including the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor tacrine and the bis-pyridinium derivative 4,4'-bis-[(2,6-dichloro-benzyloxy-imino)-methyl]-1,1'-propane-1,3-diyl-bis-pyridinium dibromide (Duo3), which, in contrast to conventional allosteric muscarinic ligands, display concentration-effect curves with slope factors >1. By analyzing the interactions of tacrine and Duo3 with other allosteric muscarinic agents predicted to bind to the previously identified ;common' allosteric binding site, Tr?nkle et al. provide evidence suggesting that two allosteric agents and one orthosteric ligand may be able to bind to the M2 mAChR simultaneously. Moreover, studies with mutant mAChRs indicated that the M2 receptor epitopes involved in the binding of tacrine and Duo3 may not be identical. Molecular modeling and ligand docking studies suggested that the additional allosteric site probably represents a subdomain of the receptor's allosteric binding cleft. Because allosteric binding sites have been found on many other GPCRs and drugs interacting with these sites are thought to have great therapeutic potential, the study by Tr?nkle et al. should be of considerable general interest.     

A novel multivalent ligand that bridges the allosteric and orthosteric binding sites of the M2 muscarinic receptor

THRX-160209 is a potent antagonist at the M(2) muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor subtype that was designed using a multivalent strategy, simultaneously targeting the orthosteric site and a nearby site known to bind allosteric ligands. In this report, we describe three characteristics of THRX-160209 binding that are consistent with a multivalent interaction: 1) an apparent affinity of the multivalent ligand for the M2 receptor subtype (apparent pK(I) = 9.51 +/- 0.22) that was several orders of magnitude greater than its two monovalent components (apparent pK(I) values < 6.0), 2) specificity of THRX-160209 for the M2 receptor subtype compared with the closely related M4 (apparent pK(I) = 8.78 +/- 0.24) and M1, M3, and M5 receptors (apparent pK(I) values 10-fold) of the dissociation rate of tritium-labeled THRX-160209 from M2 receptors by competing monovalent ligands that are known to interact with either the orthosteric site (e.g., atropine) or a well characterized allosteric site (e.g., obidoxime) on the receptor. In complementary kinetic studies assessing allosteric modulation of the receptor, unlabeled THRX-160209 retarded dissociation of [3H]N-methyl scopolamine (NMS). The effects of THRX-160209 on retardation of [3H]NMS dissociation were competitively inhibited by obidoxime, suggesting that obidoxime and THRX-160209 bind to an overlapping region coincident with other typical muscarinic allosteric agents, such as 3-methyl-5-[7-[4-[(4S)-4-methyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-yl]phenoxy]heptyl]-1,2-oxazole (W84) and gallamine. Taken together, these data are consistent with the hypothesis that THRX-160209 binds in a multivalent manner to the M2 receptor, simultaneously occupying the orthosteric site and a spatially distinct allosteric site.     

New photoaffinity labels for rat brain muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

Localization of the ligand binding site on muscarinic acetylcholine receptors is one of the new fields of interest opened by the recent determination of their primary structures. Owing to their interesting photochemical properties, aryldiazonium salts may be considered as appropriate tools for "tagging" the agonist/antagonist binding domain and to get precise identification and positioning of covalently labelled residues along the primary sequence of these receptors. A series of aryldiazonium derivatives and some of their azido-analogs were synthesized and their reversible muscarinic binding component was assessed through competition experiments involving either the whole population of receptor sites [( 3H]QNB assay) or the super high affinity of their agonist binding sites [( 3H]OXO-M assay). Three compounds fulfilled the criteria for efficient photolabels, allowing substantial and irreversible occupation of the receptor sites to be obtained. Interestingly, the two diazonium derivatives which were selected have been previously described as potent photoprobes of the peripheral nicotinic receptor and of acetylcholinesterase, though displaying lower binding affinities for these acetylcholine binding proteins than for the muscarinic receptors. These findings, together with the all-to-none photolabelling efficiency observed for a quinuclidine derivative, substituted either by an azido or a diazonium group, are discussed. Finally, the apparent lack of binding selectivity of these new photo-affinity probes towards muscarinic receptor affinity states or subtypes should allow comparative studies of the acetylcholine binding site on different muscarinic receptor proteins, obtained either through purification procedures or expression of separate gene products.     

Putative M2 muscarinic receptors of rat heart have high affinity for organophosphorus anticholinesterases

The M2 subtype of muscarinic receptor is predominant in heart, and such receptors were reported to be located in muscles as well as in presynaptic cholinergic and adrenergic nerve terminals. Muscarinic receptors of rat heart were identified by the high affinity binding of the agonist (+)-[3H]cis-methyldioxolane ([3H]CD), which has been used to label a high affinity population of M2 receptors. A single population of sites (KD 2.74 nM; Bmax of 82 fmol/mg protein) was detected and [3H]CD binding was sensitive to the M2 antagonist himbacine but much less so to pirenzepine, the M1 antagonist. These cardiac receptors had different sensitivities to NiCl2 and N-ethylmaleimide from brain muscarinic receptors, that were also labeled with [3H]CD and considered to be of the M2 subtype. Up to 70% of the [3H]CD-labeled cardiac receptors had high affinities for several organophosphate (OP) anticholinesterases. [3H]CD binding was inhibited by the nerve agents soman, VX, sarin, and tabun, with K0.5 values of 0.8, 2, 20, and 50 nM, respectively. It was also inhibited by echothiophate and paraoxon with K0.5 values of 100 and 300 nM, respectively. The apparent competitive nature of inhibition of [3H]CD binding by both sarin and paraoxon suggests that the OPs bind to the acetylcholine binding site of the muscarinic receptor. Other OP insecticides had lower potencies, inhibiting less than 50% of 5 nM [3H]CD binding by 1 microM of EPN, coumaphos, dioxathion, dichlorvos, or chlorpyriphos. There was poor correlation between the potencies of the OPs in reversibly inhibiting [3H]CD binding, and their anticholinesterase activities and toxicities. Acetylcholinesterases are the primary targets for these OP compounds because of the irreversible nature of their inhibition, which results in building of acetylcholine concentrations that activate muscarinic and nicotinic receptors and desensitize them, thereby inhibiting respiration. Nevertheless, the high affinities that cardiac muscarinic receptors have for these toxicants point to their extra vulnerability. It is suggested that the success of iv administration of the muscarinic receptor inhibitor atropine in initial therapy of poisoning by OP anticholinesterases may be related in part to the extra sensitivity of M2 receptors to certain OPs.     

Clozapine interaction with the M2 and M4 subtypes of muscarinic receptors.

Available evidence indicates that the antipsychotic drug clozapine acts as a partial agonist at the muscarinic M4 and as an antagonist at the M2 receptors. We wondered whether there is indeed a fundamental difference between its action on these two receptor subtypes, and whether it interacts with their classical or allosteric binding sites. In experiments on Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing the M2 or M4 receptors, clozapine inhibited the binding of the specific muscarinic ligand [3H]N-methylscopolamine to either receptor subtype. The affinity of the high-affinity sites for clozapine was diminished by GTP in the way expected for agonists on both the M2 and the M4 receptor subtypes. Arunlakshana-Schild plots of data obtained in saturation binding experiments with [3H]N-methylscopolamine at different concentrations of clozapine were linear with a slope of unity. Clozapine did not alter the time course of [3H]N-methylscopolamine dissociation from muscarinic M2 or M4 receptors. It inhibited the synthesis of cyclic AMP in cells expressing the M4 receptor subtype, but did not measurably inhibit the synthesis of cyclic AMP in cells expressing the M2 receptor subtype. We conclude that clozapine has a high affinity for muscarinic M2 and M4 receptor subtypes, that it associates with the classical and not with the allosteric binding site, and that it acts as a partial agonist on both the M2 and the M4 receptor subtype.     

High affinity binding of [3H]acetylcholine to muscarinic receptors. Regional distribution and modulation by guanine nucleotides

The interaction of [3H]acetylcholine ([3H]AcCh) with the muscarinic receptor was studied in seven distinct rat brain regions and in heart atrium by employing 10 microM atropine to define specific binding. The specific binding exhibited by the labeled neurotransmitter was found to be sensitive to muscarinic but not to nicotinic drugs. The muscarinic high affinity agonist-binding sites were characterized with respect to their binding properties, regional distribution, pharmacology, and modulation by guanyl nucleotides and by transition metal ions. In all tissues examined, specific binding of [3H]AcCh was saturable over the range of 4-200 nM and occurred in a receptor population that was apparently homogeneous and had a dissociation constant of approximately 19-39 nM in most of the regions. The ratio of muscarinic receptors labeled by [3H]AcCh to those labeled by the potent antagonist [3H]N-methyl-4-piperidylbenzilate varied markedly among tissues, from 0.15 in the hippocampus to 0.71 in the atrium. This ratio was lower in brain regions rich in muscarinic receptors, where smaller sensitivity of [3H]AcCh binding to guanyl nucleotides was also observed. In the presence of the latter [3H]AcCh binding was decreased by 25 to 90% in different tissues, with the greatest decreases occurring in the atrium and brainstem. In the latter preparations, transition metal ions do not affect [3H] AcCh binding, while in the other preparations studied they induce an increase in the binding capacity for the labeled neurotransmitter, which is sensitive to guanine nucleotides.     

Differential distribution of muscarinic receptor subtypes and their regulation by G-protein in rat brain

1. [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate ([3H]QNB) binding in rat cerebral and cerebellar synaptosomes had different Bmax values, but similar Kd values. 2. These bindings could be displaced by classic muscarinic agents: pilocarpine (partial agonist), and atropine (antagonist), which both had similar binding affinities in rat cerebral and cerebellar synaptosomes. 3. The new muscarinic M1 selective agents: McN-A-343 (agonist), pirenzepine and trihexyphenidyl (antagonists) and higher affinities for receptor sites in the cerebrum than in the cerebellum. 4. The muscarinic M2 selective agents: carbachol, oxotremorine (agonists), and AF-DX-116 (antagonist) had higher affinities for receptor sites in the cerebellum than in the cerebrum. 5. GPP(NH)p (40 microM) decreased the binding affinities of carbachol and oxotremorine in the cerebellum, but not in the cerebrum. However, it did not decrease the binding affinities of all the antagonists studied in both brain regions. 6. These results reveal that more muscarinic M1 sites are present in the cerebrum than in the cerebellum, while the opposite is true for M2 sites. Furthermore, the regulatory role of G-protein on these muscarinic receptor subtypes in the brain is different.     

An acute effect of triazolam on muscarinic cholinergic receptor binding in the human brain measured by positron emission tomography

An acute effect of triazolam, a potent benzodiazepine agonist, on cholinergic receptor binding in the human brain was measured by PET (positron emission tomography) using [¹¹C]N-methyl-4-piperidylbenzilate ([¹¹C]NMPB), a potent muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonist. Two PET scans were performed in each subject: (1) control scan; (2) after oral administration of 0.5 mg triazolam or placebo. The previously discussed amnestic effect of triazolam was measured by immediate and delayed recall of meaningful and meaningless syllables. A compartment model employing the radioactivity in the cerebellum as an input function was used for the quantification of receptor binding. The binding parameter,k ₃, was decreased after triazolam administration in all measured regions, whereas no change was observed after placebo treatment. The reduction compared to the control study varied from 8.6±3.7% in the temporal cortex to 16.3±6.3% in the thalamus. Triazolam administration impaired both immediate and delayed recall of syllables, whereas placebo administration had no effects. Benzodiazepine agonists are reported to decrease the cortical acetylcholine release. The decrease of acetylcholine release in the synaptic cleft might be the explanation for the decreased binding of [¹¹C]NMPB.