Heparin, dextran and trypan blue allosterically modulate M2 muscarinic receptor binding properties and interfere with receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase.

The influences of heparin, dextran and trypan blue on muscarinic receptor binding properties and inhibition of adenylate cyclase were investigated in homogenates of the rat heart. These compounds caused a concentration-dependent enhancement in the specific binding of the muscarinic antagonist 3H]N-methylscopolamine (3H]NMS) when measured at a radioligand concentration of approximately 0.5 nM in magnesium-containing, low ionic strength buffer. The maximal enhancements of 3H]NMS binding were 2.89-, 1.68- and 1.43-fold increases for heparin, dextran and trypan blue, respectively; the EC50 values for this effect were 0.12, 0.033 and 4.6 microM, respectively. The effects of heparin, dextran and trypan blue on 3H]NMS binding were attributed mainly to an increase in the overall affinity of muscarinic receptors for 3H]NMS, and were greatly attenuated by 100 mM NaCl. These effects were qualitatively similar to those produced by GTP. Heparin, dextran and trypan blue also affected the binding of the muscarinic agonist oxotremorine-M in a manner similar to that of GTP; that is, in the presence of these compounds, agonist affinity was decreased. Our experiments also showed that heparin and dextran attenuate the inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity caused by oxotremorine-M in myocardial homogenates without influencing basal adenylate cyclase activity. We conclude that heparin and dextran interfere with the muscarinic receptor-G protein coupling in the rat heart.