Serotoninergic agonists and antagonists are the modulators of α1-Adrenoceptor activity in rat brain cortical membranes

Abstract

The effects of activation and inhibition of serotonin receptors by serotonin (5-HT) and mianserin on the specific nonselective α1-antagonist [3H]prazosine binding in rat cerebral cortex membranes was studied. It was shown that the ligand-receptor interaction of α1-adrenoceptors corresponded to the model suggesting the presence of one pool of receptors and the binding of two ligand molecules to the receptor. The parameters of [3H]prazosine binding to α1-adrenoceptors were as follows: Kd =1.85 ± 0.16 nM, Bmax = 31.1 ± 0.3 fmol/mg protein, n = 2. In case of activation of 5HT-receptors by serotonin, the character of ligand binding was different: two pools of receptors were detected with the parameters Kd1 = 0.61 ± 0.04, Kd2 = 3.82 ± 0.15 nM, Bm1 = 6.6 ± 0.7, Bm2 = 25.6 ± 0.4 fmol/mg protein, n = 2. The sensitivity of the high-affinity pool increased threefold and the sensitivity of the low-affinity pool decreased twofold as compared to the control. The value of maximal reaction (Bmax) did not change. In the case of inhibition of 5HT-receptors by mianserin, radioactive ligand is bound to α1-adrenoceptors according to the same model as in the control conditions. The affinity of α1-adrenoceptors to [3H]prazosine decreases twofold and the concentration increases (Kd = 3.97 ± 0.12 nM, Bmax = 40.0 ± 0.5 fmol/mg protein). The data suggest that α1-adrenoceptors in rat cerebral cortex exist as a dimer. The modulatory effects of serotonin and mianserin on the specific binding of [3H]prazosine to α1-adrenoceptors was detected, manifesting itself as changes in the binding parameters and in the general character of ligand-receptor interactions.