Agonist Competition Curves Research Articles

Coupling of the α1-adrenergic receptor to a guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein by a discrete domain distinct from its ligand recognition site

At rat hepatic membrane α 1-adrenergic receptors, the nonhydrolyzable GTP analogue p[NH]ppG causes a rightward shift of agonist competition curves and a loss of high-affinity binding. This p[NH]ppG effect is consistent with the involvement of a guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein (G-protein) in α 1-adrenergic receptor signalling. Although readily apparent in membranes prepared to avoid retention of endogenous nucleotides and activation of Ca 2+-sensitive proteinases (+pi), this p[NH]ppG effect is not observed in membranes prepared without proteinase inhibitors (−pi), or in −pi membranes treated with Ca 2+ (−pi, +Ca 2+). In these various membrane preparations, different M r forms of the receptor are also identified by photoaffinity labelling with [ 125I]CP65 526, an aryl azide analog of the α 1-selective antagonist, prazosin, followed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. Whereas a predominant M r = 80 000 subunit is identified in +pi membranes, in −pi membranes a proteolytic M r = 59 000 fragment is also observed. In −pi, +Ca 2+ membranes, only this latter peptide is detected. To evaluate the ability of each of these forms of the receptor to couple with a G-protein, the effect of p[NH]ppG on the agonist-inhibition of [ 125I]CP65 526 labelling was determined by laser densitometry scanning and computer analysis. At the M r = 80 000 subunit, p[NH]ppG causes a rightward shift of agonist competition curves and a loss of high-affinity binding, even in −pi membranes. By contrast, agonist-binding at the M r = 59 000 subunit is of low-affinity and was not affected by p[NH]ppG. These data indicate that the cleaved M r = 59 000 fragment, while retaining hormone binding activity is unable to undergo G-protein coupling. Thus, the α 1-adrenergic receptor appears to contain a discrete domain necessary for G-protein coupling that is distinct from its ligand recognition site.

Characterization of binding of 3H-SCH 23390 to dopamine D-1 receptors. Correlation to other D-1 and D-2 measures and effect of selective lesions.

The binding of 3H-SCH 23390 to membranes from rat and mouse brain tissue has been investigated. The binding was saturable and reached equilibrium after 60 minutes. Nonspecific binding was low. Association and dissociation rates were Mg++-sensitive. In almost all respects the binding of 3H-SCH 23390 was comparable to the binding of 3H-piflutixol and 3H-cis(Z)-flupentixol. The density of binding sites in striatum was greater than in limbic structures which in turn was greater than in frontal cortex. The density of binding sites in these structures were comparable with those of 3H-piflutixol and 3H-cis(Z)-flupenthixol, 2-3 times higher than the D-2-receptor density. Whereas an increase was seen in 3H-SCH 23390 binding. The binding was decreased approximately 72% 3 weeks after unilateral kainic acid lesion whereas that of 3H-spiperone was only decreased 56%. Finally, the affinities of neuroleptics to the 3H-SCH 23390-binding sites correlated to the affinities to 3H-piflutixol-binding sites and to the effects on DA-sensitive adenylate cyclase. Agonist competition curves were shallow and the data best fit a two-site model composed of a high and a low affinity component. Thus, 3H-SCH 23390 is regarded as a highly selective ligand for brain dopamine D-1 receptors in vitro.

The characterization of [ 3H]sulpiride binding sites in rat striatal membranes

The characteristics of [ 3H]sulpiride binding to the D 2 dopamine receptor in rat striatal membranes were examined under several conditions. In the absence of sodium ions, the specific binding of [ 3H]sulpiride could not be detected. In the direct binding experiment, at 25 °C, the affinity of [ 3H]sulpiride for D 2 receptors was increased in a dose-dependent manner of sodium ions whereas magnesium ions have opposite effects on an affinity of [ 3H]sulpiride binding. The lowering incubation temperature (4 °C) also produced a further increase in affinity of the ligand. Under all conditions, [ 3H]sulpiride labeled a single homogenous site of the receptor. On the other hand, the result from quantitative analysis of agonist/[ 3H]sulpiride competition curves indicated an existence of high (RH) and low (RL) affinity states for agonists and the proportion of two-affinity states was modulated by guanosine triphosphate (GTP), magnesium ions and lowering temperatures. GTP, together with sodium ions, caused a full conversion of RH to RL, while an increase in the affinity for agonists with a partial conversion of RL to RH could be induced by magnesium ions at 25 °C. At a lower (4 °C) temperature, the agonist competition curve indicated an existence of a single agonist low-affinity state (RL) and then, the effects of GTP and magnesium ions in the agonist affinity observed at 25 °C were abolished. These results can be incorporated into a two-step, ternary complex model involving an inhibitory guanine nucleotide binding protein for the agonist and antagonist interaction with D 2 receptors. The regulation of [ 3H]sulpiride binding by sodium ions and guanine nucleotides is analogous to that of several receptors which are inversely coupled to adenylate cyclase systems. Accordingly, the specific binding of [ 3H]sulpiride appears to represent the agonist low-affinity state of D 2 receptors.

Agonist interactions at hepatic .alpha.1- and .beta.-adrenergic receptors: affinity-state regulation by guanine nucleotides and temperature

We investigated the binding characteristics of agonists to alpha 1- and beta-adrenergic receptors of intact liver cells, broken rat liver cell membranes, and detergent-solubilized preparations under varying experimental conditions, focusing on the different "states" of the receptor for agonists and the regulation of these states by temperature and guanine nucleotides. While only low-affinity binding of agonists to both receptor subtypes was evident in studies performed at 37 degrees C with solubilized preparations, biphasic competition curves for agonists were observed in both intact cells and membrane preparations; the majority of sites were of low affinity. In membrane preparations, the nonhydrolyzable GTP analogue Gpp(NH)p caused a rightward shift of agonist competition curves and a loss of high-affinity binding. These results are consistent with the involvement of guanine nucleotide binding proteins in both alpha 1- and beta-adrenergic transduction pathways. When competition studies were performed at 4 degrees C, receptor sites existed predominantly in the high-affinity configuration, in intact cells and membranes, as well as in soluble preparations. In contrast to the studies conducted at 37 degrees C, no Gpp(NH)p-induced conversion to the lower affinity state could be demonstrated in studies performed with membrane preparations at 4 degrees C. Thus, the high-affinity state of alpha 1- and beta-adrenergic receptors is stabilized at 4 degrees C in intact cells, membranes, and soluble preparations. After incubations had been performed at 37 degrees C, high-affinity binding of agonists could not be restored by subsequent incubation at 4 degrees C.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Molecular distinction between calf heart and brain muscarine receptors: Different N-ethylmaleimide modulation of agonist binding

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in calf heart and forebrain membranes were identified by binding of 1-[benzilic-4,4′- 3H] quinuclinyl benzilate ([ 3H]QNB). We were able to solubilise these receptors with a yield of 50% of the proteins by treatment of the membranes with digitonin. The existence of two or more receptor subclasses with different agonist affinity in the heart membranes was evidenced by the shallow carbachol/[ 3H]QNB competition binding curves. The receptors displayed only low agonist affinity, in the presence of GTP as well as after solubilisation. The alkylating reagent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) caused a 70-fold increase in agonist affinity for the solubilised receptors whereas GTP was ineffective. A similar difference in affinity was observed for the membranes when agonist competition curves in the presence of NEM were compared to those in the presence of GTP. NEM caused only a 2- to 3-fold increase of the agonist affinity for solubilised brain cortex membranes. These data suggest that heart and brain muscarine receptors are structurally different.

Sodium regulation of agonist and antagonist binding to beta-adrenoceptors in intact and Ns-deficient membranes.

Agonist binding to various hormone receptors mediating adenylate cyclase inhibition is decreased by sodium ions. We studied the influence of Na+ on agonist and antagonist binding to beta-adrenoceptors in membrane preparations of guinea pig lung, S49 lymphoma wild-type cells (WT) and their Ns-deficient cyc- variants by measuring binding of the antagonist, [125I]iodocyanopindolol [( 125I]CYP). At 37 degrees C, sodium decreased the receptor affinity for the agonist, isoproterenol, in all three membrane preparations. In lung and WT membranes, Na+ steepened the shallow agonist competition curves in a manner similar to and synergistic with guanine nucleotides. When binding was performed at 4 degrees C, sodium regulation but not guanine nucleotide regulation of agonist binding was preserved. At the low temperature, [125I]CYP affinity was reduced, and sodium increased [125I]CYP binding in both Ns-containing and Ns-deficient membranes by increasing the antagonist affinity without significant change in total receptor number. Compared to Na+, Li+ and K+ were much less potent and efficient in decreasing agonist and increasing antagonist binding. Na+ and Mg2+ had opposite effects on agonist binding in the Ns-containing lung and WT membranes but not in the Ns-deficient cyc- membranes. The data indicate that sodium not only regulates binding of inhibitory hormone receptors but also agonist and antagonist binding to the adenylate cyclase stimulatory beta-adrenoceptor. The finding that sodium regulation of beta-adrenoceptor binding is also observed in the Ns (alpha s)-deficient cyc- membranes, furthermore, indicates that the target of sodium is not the alpha-subunit of Ns but possibly a component common to both types of receptor systems regulating adenylate cyclase activity.

Guanine nucleotide regulation of agonist interactions at [ 3H]SCH23390-labeled D 1 dopamine receptors in rat striatum

We report here the regulation of agonist interactions with [ 3H]SCH23390-labeled D 1 dopamine receptors in rat striatum. Scatchard analyses of [ 3H]SCH23390 saturation data revealed a single high affinity binding site (K D = 0.49 nM) with a B max of 64 pmol/g tissue. The specific binding of 0.25 nM [ 3H]SCH23390 represented 90% of total binding. Antagonist competition for [ 3H]SCH23390 binding was monophasic (i.e. pseudo-Hill slope ∼ 1) and the rank order of antagonists' affinities was consistent with the pharmacology of D 1 dopamine receptors (e.g. cis-flupentixol > haloperidol > spiperone). In contrast, agonist competition curves were shallow (pseudo-Hill slope < 1) and computer-assisted analysis indicated that, for all agonist, the data best fit a two-site model composed of a high (K H) and a low (K L) affinity component. In the presence of 0.3 mM GTP, the high affinity binding component (%R H) of various agonists was reduced by approximately 50%. No significant effect of 0.3 mM GTP on [ 3H]SCH23390 binding was observed. Additionally, it was noted that [ 3H]SCH23390 labels S 2 serotonin receptors in extrastriatal brain regions. However, [ 3H]SCH23390 apparently does not have an affinity high enough to label S 2 receptors at the concentration of [ 3H]SCH23390 employed in labeling striatal D 1 dopamine receptors. These data indicate that [ 3H]SCH23390 represents a superior radioligand for labeling the two-state striatal D 1 dopamine receptor in that its high percent specific binding makes it especially suitable for detailed mechanistic studies of this receptor.

Hepatic adenylate cyclase. Development-dependent coupling to the beta-adrenergic receptor in the neonate.

Guanine nucleotide-dependent modulation of agonist binding to the beta-receptor reflects coupling of the receptor to the nucleotide regulatory protein. Similarly, guanine nucleotide-dependent stimulation of adenylate cyclase can be used as an index of coupling between the regulatory protein and the catalytic unit of the cyclase. Using both approaches we have studied coupling in the beta-adrenergic receptor-adenylate cyclase system in rabbit liver during neonatal development. With [3H]dihydroalprenolol as ligand, the Bmax was relatively unchanged (200-300 fmol/mg of protein) between birth and end of day 1 and was similar to adult values. Guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate-dependent shift in agonist (l-isoproterenol) competition curves was biphasic, decreasing from 10-fold in membranes isolated from animals at term to about 6-fold in membranes from 6-h-old neonates, and increasing progressively in older animals to a maximal measurable value of 42-fold in the adult. The ability of guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate, GTP, GTP plus isoproterenol, NaF, or forskolin to activate adenylate cyclase was also biphasic and age-dependent. With Mn2+ the measured activity was not at any time greater than the activity at term. Pretreatment of membranes with cholera toxin resulted in differential levels of enhancement of adenylate cyclase activity wherein much lower enhancement was observed in membranes from neonatal animals. With [32P]NAD as substrate, cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of membranes indicated development-dependent accumulation of Ns peptides. From these results we suggest that there is a decreased efficiency in the coupling of the beta-adrenergic receptor to hepatic adenylate cyclase in early neonatal life. The molecular basis for the biphasic nature of the coupling is presently unclear.

Direct assessment of beta-adrenergic receptors in intact rat adipocytes by binding of [3H]CGP 12177. Evidence for agonist high-affinity binding complex and for beta 1 and beta 2 receptor subtypes.

The characteristics of the binding of the hydrophilic beta-adrenergic antagonist [3H]CGP 12177 to intact rat adipocytes were studied at 37 degrees C and 6 degrees C. At both temperatures and at 90% saturation, the non-specific binding was less than 30% of the total binding. At 37 degrees C, specific [3H]CGP 12177 binding was rapid, reversible of high affinity (1.8 +/- 0.4 nM) and saturable. The number of specific binding sites per adipocyte increased with the fat cell size (about 35 000 and 115 000 sites per cell in adipocytes with diameters of 60 microns and 88 microns, respectively) but remained constant when expressed per unit fat cell surface area. Displacement of [3H]CGP 12177 bound to adipocytes by unselective and selective beta-antagonists was stereospecific, had the same characteristics as those found in adipocyte membranes and showed a heterogeneous specificity for beta 1 and beta 2 adrenergic subtypes. In contrast, beta agonist competition curves, which modeled to two affinity-states of binding, showed high-affinity-state Kd values for agonists 10-25-times higher than those found in membranes under the same experimental conditions. At 6 degrees C, although the number and affinity of the specific binding sites for [3H]CGP 12177 were the same as those found at 37 degrees C, the Kd value for (-)-isoproterenol binding to the high affinity state of these sites (3.0 +/- 0.5 nM) was 25-times lower than at 37 degrees C and similar to the value found in membrane preparations (1.5-4 nM). These results show that the [3H]CGP 12177 specific binding sites detected on intact adipocytes represent the physiological beta-adrenergic receptors. Moreover, this study extends to the adipocyte the validity of the model recently proposed for other cell lines, according to which in intact cells, but not in membranes, agonist-binding promotes a rapid and temperature-dependent conformational change of the beta-adrenergic receptors, leading to a progressive loss of capacity of agonists to form a high-affinity complex.

Guanyl nucleotide and divalent cation regulation of cortical S2 serotonin receptors.

Computer-assisted quantitative analysis of radioligand binding to rat cortical S2 serotonin receptors indicates the existence of two affinity states of the same receptor population. Monophasic antagonist competition curves for [3H]ketanserin-labelled sites suggest a uniform population of receptors with one affinity state for antagonists. Biphasic competition curves of agonists suggest that agonists discriminate high- and low-agonist-affinity forms of the S2 receptors. The affinities of agonists for the high- and low-affinity states, and the apparent percentages of high agonist-affinity forms varies with different agonists. The guanine nucleotides GTP and guanyl-5'-imido-diphosphate [Gpp(NH)p], as well as divalent cations, modulate the proportion of the sites with high affinity for agonists as evidenced by their ability to shift the agonist competition curves for [3H]ketanserin-labelled S2 receptors. GTP and Gpp(NH)p effects appear to be agonist-specific, as they do not affect antagonist competition for [3H]ketanserin-labelled S2 receptors, or [3H]ketanserin binding to S2 receptors. ATP and ADP have little or no effect on the binding properties of S2 serotonin receptors, whereas GDP is less potent than GTP. The presence of these specific nucleotide effects are the first evidence suggesting involvement of a guanine nucleotide-binding protein in the mechanism of agonist interaction with the S2 serotonin receptor. In general, the binding properties of [3H]ketanserin-labelled S2 serotonin receptors strongly resemble those of adenylate-cyclase coupled receptors such as the beta-adrenergic, the alpha 2-receptor, and the D-2 dopamine receptor. This may indicate the S2 serotonin receptor is coupled to adenylate cyclase activity, through a GTP binding protein.

Dopamine receptor of the porcine anterior pituitary gland: Solubility and characterization

In the anterior pituitary gland, dopamine controls the release of prolactin from the mammotrophs. The dopamine receptors in the porcine gland have been shown to exist in two different affinity states of equal proportion, one bearing high affinity for agonists and labeled by 3H-agonist-ligands and the other displaying low affinity for agonists. Both forms of the receptor can be labeled by 3H-antagonist-ligands. Dopamine receptors from porcine anterior pituitary membranes can be solubilized with retention of their ability to interact with specific dopaminergic ligands. Treatment of membrane preparations with 1% digitonin resulted in the solubilization of 20–25% of the specific binding sites labeled by [ 3H]spiroperidol with a specific activity of about 100 fmoles/mg. The receptor was a glycoprotein as assessed by the interaction of these binding sites with agarose-immobilized lectin. [ 3H]Spiroperidol binding in solubilized preparations was saturable, of high affinity ( K D = 570 pM), and to a single class of stereoselective binding sites. Agonist competition for [ 3H]spiroperidol binding indicated that, whereas the solubilized receptor retained its dopaminergic specificity, the high-affinity interactions of the receptor with agonists present in membranes and sensitive to guanine nucleotides were lost in solubilized preparations. Thus, the K D values calculated from the agonist competition curves for [ 3H]spiroperidol corresponded to the agonist bffinities for the low-affinity state of the receptor documented in membranes. However, high-affinity agonist binding and its sensitivity to guanine nucleotides were preserved when the membrane-bound receptor was prelabeled with the agonist [ 3 H]N-n- propylnorapomorphine prior to solubilization. These results suggest that a component that confers agonist high-affinity binding and guanine nucleotide responsiveness to the receptor is lost during solubilization unless a stable complex is formed with the agonist prelabeled receptor prior to solubilization.

Impaired formation of beta-adrenergic receptor-nucleotide regulatory protein complexes in pseudohypoparathyroidism.

Decreased activity of the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (N) of the adenylate cyclase system is present in cell membranes of some patients with pseudohypoparathyrodism (PHP-Ia) whereas others have normal activity of N (PHP-Ib). Low N activity in PHP-Ia results in a decrease in hormone (H)-stimulatable adenylate cyclase in various tissues, which might be due to decreased ability to form an agonist-specific high affinity complex composed of H, receptor (R), and N. To test this hypothesis, we compared beta-adrenergic agonist-specific binding properties in erythrocyte membranes from five patients with PHP-Ia (N = 45% of control), five patients with PHP-Ib (N = 97%), and five control subjects. Competition curves that were generated by increasing concentrations of the beta-agonist isoproterenol competing with [125I]pindolol were shallow (slope factors less than 1) and were computer fit to a two-state model with corresponding high and low affinity for the agonist. The agonist competition curves from the PHP-Ia patients were shifted significantly (P less than 0.02) to the right as a result of a significant (P less than 0.01) decrease in the percent of beta-adrenergic receptors in the high affinity state from 64 +/- 22% in PHP-Ib and 56 +/- 5% in controls to 10 +/- 8% in PHP-Ia. The agonist competition curves were computer fit to a "ternary complex" model for the two-step reaction: H + R + N in equilibrium HR + N in equilibrium HRN. The modeling was consistent with a 60% decrease in the functional concentration of N, and was in good agreement with the biochemically determined decrease in erythrocyte N protein activity. These in vitro findings in erythrocytes taken together with the recent observations that in vivo isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity is decreased in patients with PHP (Carlson, H. E., and A. S. Brickman, 1983, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 56:1323-1326) are consistent with the notion that N is a bifunctional protein interacting with both R and the adenylate cyclase. It may be that in patients with PHP-Ia a single molecular and genetic defect accounts for both decreased HRN formation and decreased adenylate cyclase activity, whereas in PHP-Ib the biochemical lesion(s) appear not to affect HRN complex formation.

In vitro desensitization of beta adrenergic receptors in human neutrophils. Attenuation by corticosteroids.

The receptor alterations involved in catecholamine-induced desensitization of adenylate cyclase in human neutrophils have been investigated as has the ability of hydrocortisone to modify such alterations. Incubation of human neutrophils with isoproterenol for 3 h in vitro resulted in an 86% reduction in the ability of isoproterenol to stimulate cyclic AMP accumulation in the cells. Two types of receptor alterations were documented. There was a 40% reduction in the number of beta adrenergic receptors (42 vs. 25 fmol/mg protein, P < 0.005) present after desensitization as assessed by [(3)H]dihydroalprenolol ([(3)H]DHA) binding. In addition the receptors appeared to be relatively uncoupled from adenylate cyclase. This uncoupling was assessed by examining the ability of the agonist isoproterenol to stabilize a high-affinity form of the receptor, detected by computer modelling of competition curves for [(3)H]DHA binding. Desensitized receptors were characterized by rightward-shifted agonist competition curves. When hydrocortisone was added to the desensitizing incubations (combined treatment) there was a statistically significant attenuation in the desensitization process as assessed by the ability of isoproterenol to increase cyclic AMP levels in the cells. Although combined treatment did not prevent the decline in receptor number, it did attenuate the uncoupling of the receptors. Combined treatment resulted in competition curves intermediate between the control and the rightward-shifted desensitization curves. Prednisolone was similar to hydrocortisone in attenuating isoproterenol-induced uncoupling. Thus, steroids appeared to attenuate agonist-induced desensitization of the beta adrenergic receptor-adenylate cyclase system by dampening the ability of agonists to uncouple receptors without modifying their ability to promote down-regulation of beta adrenergic receptors.

Properties of [3H]prazosin-labeled alpha 1-adrenergic receptors in rat brain and porcine neurointermediate lobe tissue.

[3H]Prazosin binding to alpha 1 receptors in homogenates of rat prefrontal cortical tissue and porcine pituitary neurointermediate lobe tissue was investigated. Competition curves produced by coincubating adrenergic agonists and antagonists with 0.5 nM [3H]prazosin and tissue revealed some anomalous binding properties. In the brain and pituitary tissue, agonist competition curves produced "shallow" slopes, with Hill coefficients significantly lower than unity. The IC50 of the agonists epinephrine, norepinephrine, and clonidine for inhibition of 0.5 nM [3H]prazosin binding were significantly lower in the porcine pituitary than in the rat brain. Most antagonists, such as prazosin, chlorpromazine, and piperoxan, produced "steep" competition curves with Hill coefficients close to unity, with two notable exceptions. WB-4101 and phentolamine produced competition curves with Hill coefficients significantly less than unity in the rat brain preparation. Ketanserin, an antagonist, displayed a sevenfold higher affinity for the alpha 1 sites in the pituitary tissue than in the brain tissue. These anomalies in the binding results may indicate the presence of an endogenous modulatory factor affecting agonist and antagonist affinities for the alpha 1 receptor.

Agonist interactions with alpha-adrenergic receptors.

alpha-Adrenergic receptors have been grouped into two major subtypes, termed alpha 1- and alpha 2-receptors. Radioligand binding techniques have been utilized to measure the number of alpha 1- and alpha 2-receptors in a variety of tissues. [3H]Dihydroergocryptine labels the entire alpha-receptor population; the alpha-receptor subtypes may be delineated by constricting competition curves with unlabeled selective antagonists and analyzing the data with computer modeling techniques. Alternatively, alpha 1- and alpha 2-receptors may be directly identified with selective radioligands such as [3H]prazosin and [3H]yohimbine, respectively. For example, rat liver membranes have been shown to contain alpha 1- (80%) and alpha 2- (20%) receptors; the alpha 1-receptors activate glycogen phosphorylase. Radioligands have also been used to probe the mechanism by which alpha 2-receptors may inhibit adenylate cyclase activity. Agonist competition curves with [3H]dihydroergocryptine at eht human platelet's alpha 2-receptor may be resolved into two affinity components, interconvertible by guanine nucleotides. These data suggest the agonist-promoted association of the alpha 2-receptor with an additional membrane component. More direct evidence in favor of this possibility was indicated by the increase in sedimentation velocity of solubilized agonist-labeled receptor on sucrose density gradients.