Characterization of the human oxytocin receptor stably expressed in 293 human embryonic kidney cells

Abstract

The human oxytocin (OT) receptor was stably expressed in 293 embryonic kidney cells (293/OTR), characterized pharmacologically and compared to human uterine myometrial receptors. The cloned receptor is expressed at a reasonably high density (0.82 fmole/gmg protein) and exhibits high affinity for [ 3H]OT (K d = 0.32 nM), similar to the value found in human myometrial tissue. The rank-order of potency for various antagonist and agonist ligands from several structural classes is also similar between the cloned and native receptor, as seen in a comparison of their inhibitory constants for [ 3H]OT binding. Agonist affinity at the cloned OT receptor is decreased by guanine nucleotide analogs, demonstrating functional Gprotein-coupling. The OT receptor in 293 cells, like in human myometrium, is also coupled to the inositol phosphate pathway. In 293/OTR cells, OT stimulates inositol phosphate accumulation with an EC 50=4.1 nM, an effect blocked by a potent and selective OT antagonist, L-366,948. Additionally, the cloned receptor in 293 cells desensitizes to high concentrations of OT, similar to the desensitization in myometrial tissue and also described for several other Gprotein-coupled receptors. These results illustrate the utility of the 293 cell line for expressing human OT receptors in an environment quite comparable to the native myometrial tissue.