Bovine Adrenal Membranes Research Articles

Structure-activity studies with ring E analogues of methyllycaconitine on bovine adrenal alpha3beta4* nicotinic receptors.

The development of new agents that selectively interact with subtypes of neuronal nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) is of primary importance for the study of physiological processes and pathophysiological conditions involving these receptors. Our laboratory has evidence that simple ring E analogues of methyllycaconitine (MLA) act as antagonists to bovine adrenal alpha3beta4* nAChRs. The following studies were designed to characterize the concentration-response effects of several ring E analogues of MLA in order to assess structural requirements involved with their inhibitory activity on bovine adrenal alpha3beta4* nAChRs. Ring E analogues with various substitutions on the ring E nitrogen were tested for their ability to inhibit nicotinic stimulated adrenal catecholamine release and [3H]epibatidine binding to a bovine adrenal membrane preparation. Several N-alkyl derivatives inhibited secretion with IC50 values in the low micromolar range. The N-phenpropyl analogue was the most potent of the analogues tested (IC50, 11 microM) on adrenal secretion. Competition binding studies suggest a noncompetitive interaction of the analogues with bovine adrenal nAChRs. These studies identify several structural features of ring E analogues of MLA which significantly affect their inhibitory activity on bovine adrenal alpha3beta4* nAChRs.

Understanding bile salts and bilirubin metabolism: an interactive computer program integrating basic and clinical sciences

Chambers, S. L., R. Ronald, J. M. Hanesworth, D. H. Kinder and J. W. Harding. Solid-phase synthesis of hydroxyethylamine angiotensin analogues. Peptides 18(4) 505–512, 1997.—Three hydroxylethylamine analogues of angiotensins II, III, and IV were prepared by solid-phase methods. The resin-bound peptide was alkylated with the iodomethylketone derivative of the N-terminal amino acid, followed by reduction to the alcohol using sodium borohydride. The iodomethylketones can be made in good yields from commerically available N-protected amino acids. The compounds were evaluated for their ability to displace labeled angiotensins from bovine adrenal membranes, and their metabolic stability tested in kidney homogenates and aminopeptidase M preparations. The hydroxyethylamine amide bond replacement reduced the affinity of the analogues; however, they were substantially more stable to enzymatic degradation.

The globin fragment LVV-hemorphin-7 is an endogenous ligand for the AT4 receptor in the brain.

Angiotensin IV (Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe) has been reported to interact with specific high-affinity receptors to increase memory retrieval, enhance dopamine-induced stereotypy behavior, and induce c-fos expression in several brain nuclei. We have isolated a decapeptide (Leu-Val-Val-Tyr-Pro-Trp-Thr-Gln-Arg-Phe) from sheep brain that binds with high affinity to the angiotensin IV receptor. The peptide was isolated using 125I-angiotensin IV binding to bovine adrenal membranes to assay receptor binding activity. This peptide is identical to the amino acid sequence 30-39 of sheep betaA- and betaB-globins and has previously been named LVV-hemorphin-7. Pharmacological studies demonstrated that LVV-hemorphin-7 and angiotensin IV were equipotent in competing for 125I-angiotensin IV binding to sheep cerebellar membranes and displayed full cross-displacement. Using in vitro receptor autoradiography, 125I-LVV-hemorphin-7 binding to sheep brain sections was identical to 125I-angiotensin IV binding in its pattern of distribution and binding specificity. This study reveals the presence of a globin fragment in the sheep brain that exhibits a high affinity for, and displays an identical receptor distribution with, the angiotensin IV receptor. This globin fragment, LVV-hemorphin-7, may therefore represent an endogenous ligand for the angiotensin IV receptor in the CNS.

Solid-Phase Synthesis of Hydroxyethylamine Angiotensin Analogues

Chambers, S. L., R. Ronald, J. M. Hanesworth, D. H. Kinder and J. W. Harding. Solid-phase synthesis of hydroxyethylamine angiotensin analogues. Peptides 18(4) 505–512, 1997.—Three hydroxylethylamine analogues of angiotensins II, III, and IV were prepared by solid-phase methods. The resin-bound peptide was alkylated with the iodomethylketone derivative of the N-terminal amino acid, followed by reduction to the alcohol using sodium borohydride. The iodomethylketones can be made in good yields from commerically available N-protected amino acids. The compounds were evaluated for their ability to displace labeled angiotensins from bovine adrenal membranes, and their metabolic stability tested in kidney homogenates and aminopeptidase M preparations. The hydroxyethylamine amide bond replacement reduced the affinity of the analogues; however, they were substantially more stable to enzymatic degradation.

Characterization of the binding properties and physiological action of divalinal-angiotensin IV, a putative AT 4 receptor antagonist

Divalinal-Ang IV [Vψ(CH 2-NH 2)YVψ(CH 2-NH 2)HPF] is being employed increasingly as a specific AT 4 antagonist. This use, which necessitates a comprehensive physiological and pharmacological evaluation of Divalinal-Ang IV's functional and receptor binding characteristics in order to ensure its efficacy and specificity, was the stimulus for this study using bovine adrenal membranes. [ 125I]Ang IV and [ 125I]Divalinal-Ang IV were shown to bind with high affinity to a similar number of binding sites, suggesting that both bound the same receptor. This notion was verified by competition curves using [ 125I]Ang IV and [ 125I]Divalinal-Ang IV that indicated identical rank order affinities for several angiotensin-related peptides and 100% cross-displacement by Ang IV and Divalinal-Ang IV. Furthermore, an autoradiographic comparison of [ 125I]Ang IV and [ 125I]Divalinal-Ang IV in 20 μm sections of bovine adrenals revealed near identical binding distributions characterized by heavy binding in the glomerulosa layer and the medulla. Physiological studies in which test compounds were injected into the internal carotid of the rat and cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry indicated that pretreatment with Divalinal-Ang IV, but not DuP 753 or PD123177, blocked the increased flow observed with Ang IV infusion. Conversely, DuP 753, but not Divalinal-Ang IV or PD123177, inhibited the decrease in flow witnessed with Ang II. Metabolic stability studies utilizing rat kidney homogenates as a peptidase source, demonstrated that the structural changes present in Divalinal-Ang IV greatly increased its resistance to metabolism as compared to Ang IV. Together, these studies show that Divalinal-Ang IV is a stable, efficacious and specific inhibitor of AT 4 receptors.

Methylation in positions 1 and 7 of angiotensin II A structure‐activity relationship study

Six analogues of angiotensin II (Ang) were synthesized with modifications in positions 1 and 7. The study was undertaken in order to learn more about the influence of alkylations in positions 1 and 7 and their interdependence. Previous studies have shown that alpha, alpha-dimethylation of Gly (aminoisobutyric acid, Aib) in position 1 produces quite potent analogues, as does N-methylation of Gly (sarcosine). Combination of both C alpha- and N alpha-methylations to N-Me-Aib1, however, did not produce an affinity increase. Decyclisation of the Pro7-residue produced moderately active analogues with position 7 N-methylation and inactive analogues if the N-alkylation was suppressed. In order to investigate a possible stereochemical interdependence of positions 1 and 7, a group of peptides with combinations of position 1 and 7 alkylations were investigated. The following analogues were prepared: [Sar1,Aib7]Ang, [Sar1,Aib,Leu8]Ang, [Aib1,7,Leu8]Ang, [Aib1,7,Leu8]Ang, [N-Me-Aib1,Aib7]Ang, [N-Me-Aib1,Aib7,Leu8]Ang. They were synthesized by classical solid phase synthesis using the BOC-TFA-HF scheme. The biological properties of these peptides were assessed on the rabbit aorta preparation and their binding potencies were measured on bovine adrenal membranes. Both on agonistic and antagonistic [Leu8]Ang analogues single Aib substitutions in position 1 or 7 induced affinity reduction in both bioassays. Simultaneous Aib modifications in positions 1 and 7 induced more important affinity loss in a synergic manner in both bioassays and as well for agonists and antagonists. The N-Me-Aib1 modifications induce similar affinity loss with or without concomitant Aib7 modification.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Identification and characterization of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and IGF-II/mannose-6-phosphate (IGF-II/M6P) receptors in bovine adrenal cells.

We have identified and characterized insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and IGF-II/mannose-6-phosphate (IGF-II/M6P) receptors in bovine adrenal cells. Iodine-125-labeled IGF-I ([125I]IGF-I) binding was characteristic of the IGF-I receptor, and binding kinetics as well as receptor densities were similar in cortical and medullary membranes. Scatchard analysis of [125I]IGF-I binding to cultured adrenocortical cells showed a single class of high-affinity binding sites with a Kd of 1.4 nmol/l and an average of 150,000 binding sites/cell. Affinity cross-linking experiments displayed a band at an apparent molecular weight of 135 kD, corresponding to the size of the alpha-subunit of the IGF-I receptor. In analogy, the binding of [125I]IGF-II to bovine adrenal membranes was characteristic of the IGF-II/M6P receptor and no differences between cortical and medullary membrane fractions were found. Scatchard analysis revealed a single class of high-affinity binding sites in adrenocortical cells with a Kd of 1.1 nmol/l and an average of 280,000 binding sites/cell. The identity of the IGF-II/M6P receptor was confirmed by western blotting of adrenocortical membranes with an anti-IGF-II/M6P receptor antibody and by affinity cross-linking of adrenocortical cells with labeled IGF-II. In conclusion, we have identified and characterized IGF-I and IGF-II/M6P receptors in bovine adrenocortical as well as medullary cells. In both regions of the bovine adrenal gland the IGF-II/M6P receptor is much more abundant than the IGF-I receptor.

AT 4 receptor structure-binding relationship: [formula omitted] angiotensin IV analogues

The effect of structural changes in the N- terminal amino acid of AIV, with respect to AT 4 receptor binding, was examined by competition with [ 125I]AIV in bovine adrenal membranes. Analogues with modifications of the first residue α-amino group possessed lower affinities than the primary amine-containing parent compound. Peptides with a residue 1 α-carbon in the d conformation exhibited poor affinity for the AT 4 receptor. Modifications of the residue 1 R- group demonstrate that a straight chain aliphatic moiety containing four carbons is optimal for receptor-ligand binding, as evidenced by the extremely high affinity of [Nle 1]AIV ( K i = 3.59±0.51 pM ). Replacement of the 1–2 peptide bond of AIV with the methylene bond isostere Ψ (CH 2-NH), increased the K i approximately fivefold, indicating that the peptide bond may be replaced wihle maintaining relatively high-affinity receptor binding.

AT 4 receptor binding characteristics: d-Amino acid- and glycine-substituted peptides

The ability of angiotensin IV (AIV) analogs to compete for [ 125I]AIV binding in heat-treated bovine adrenal membranes was examined. Angiotensin IV displayed a K i of 2.63 ± 0.12 nM . Peptides containing mono-substitutions with glycine or the corresponding d-amino acid in positions one, two, or three possessed K i s greater than 100 n M. Conversely, substitutions at positions four, five, and six produced peptides with K i s less than 8 n M. These data suggest that the N- terminal domains of the AIV peptide are critical for receptor binding, while the C- terminal domains play a less decisive role in receptor specificity.

Proteolytic cleavage of atrial natriuretic factor receptor in bovine adrenal membranes by endogenous metalloendopeptidase

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) is a peptide hormone from the heart atrium with potent natriuretic and vasorelaxant activities. The natriuretic activity of ANF is, in part, mediated through the adrenal gland, where binding of ANF to the 130-kDa ANF receptor causes suppression of aldosterone secretion. Incubation of bovine adrenal membranes at pH < 5.6 caused a rapid and spontaneous cleavage of the 130-kDa ANF receptor, yielding a 65-kDa polypeptide that could be detected by photoaffinity labeling by 125I-labeled N alpha 4-azidobenzoyl-ANF(4-28) followed by SDS/PAGE under reducing conditions. Within 20 min of incubation at pH 4.0, essentially all the 130-kDa receptor was converted to a 65-kDa ANF binding protein. This cleavage reaction was completely inhibited by inclusion of 5 mM EDTA. When SDS/PAGE was carried out under non-reducing conditions, the apparent size of the ANF receptor remained unchanged at 130 kDa, indicating that the 65-kDa ANF-binding fragment was still linked to the remaining part(s) of the receptor polypeptide through a disulfide bond(s). The disappearance of the 130-kDa receptor was accompanied by a parallel decrease in guanylate cyclase activity in the membranes. Inclusion of EDTA in the incubation not only prevented cleavage of the 130-kDa receptor, but also protected guanylate cyclase activity, indicating that proteolysis, but not the physical effects of the acidic pH, causes inactivation of guanylate cyclase. The 130-kDa ANF receptor in adrenal membranes was competitively protected from photoaffinity labeling by ANF(1-28) or ANF(4-28), but not by atriopeptin I [ANF(5-25)] or C-ANF [des-(18-22)-ANF(4-23)-NH2]. On the contrary, the 65-kDa ANF-binding fragment generated after incubation at pH 4.0 was protected from labeling by any of the above peptides, indicating broader binding specificity. After incubation in the presence of EDTA, the 130-kDa ANF receptor, which was protected from proteolysis, retained binding specificity identical to that of the 130-kDa receptor in untreated membranes. The results indicate that the broadening of selectivity is caused by cleavage, but not by the physical effect of acidic pH. Spontaneous proteolysis of ANF receptor by an endogenous metalloendopeptidase, occurring with concomitant inactivation of guanylate cyclase activity and broadening of ligand-binding selectivity, may be responsible for the generation of low-molecular-mass receptors found in the adrenal gland and other target organs of ANF. The proteolytic process may play a role in desensitization or down-regulation of the ANF receptor.

Molecular forms and biological activity of atrial natriuretic factor in patients with cirrhosis and ascites

Patients with cirrhosis and ascites show sodium retention and normal or increased plasma levels of atrial natriuretic factor, a peptide with powerful natriuretic activity. To investigate whether this paradoxical observation could be related to a dysregulation in the process of synthesis and maturation of atrial natriuretic factor leading to abnormal molecular forms lacking biological activity, the chromatographic patterns of atrial natriuretic factor contained in plasma extracts from 10 patients with cirrhosis and ascites and 6 healthy subjects were compared. Atrial natriuretic factor from cirrhotic patients was also tested in two different radioreceptor assays, which detect the biologically active form(s) of this peptide. Patients with cirrhosis and ascites had higher plasma levels of atrial natriuretic factor (81.3 +/- 8.5 pg/ml, p less than 0.001) than control subjects (29.8 +/- 3.2 pg/ml). High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of atrial natriuretic factor showed an identical chromatographic pattern in cirrhotic patients and control subjects. Three peaks related to the atrial natriuretic factor prohormone were observed in cirrhotic patients and control subjects, accounting for 64%, 23% and 11% of the total atrial natriuretic factor in cirrhotic patients and 63%, 18% and 8% of the total atrial natriuretic factor in control subjects. The main peak eluted at the same position of synthetic human atrial natriuretic factor (Ser 99-Tyr 126), which represents the major active form of the circulating hormone. Cirrhotic atrial natriuretic factor displayed the same ability to inhibit the binding of 125I-atrial natriuretic factor to rat glomerular and bovine adrenal membrane receptors as synthetic human atrial natriuretic factor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Arrivacins, novel pseudoguaianolide esters with potent angiotensin II binding activity from Ambrosia psilostachya

Two novel pseudoguaianolide esters, arrivacins A ( 1) and B ( 2), have been isolated from the methylene chloride extract of Ambrosia psilostachya collected in Arrivaca Cienega, Arizona. The structures of the arrivacins, which are examples of sesquiterpene dimers formed from the condensation of two different pseudoguaianolide sesquiterpenes, were determined by analysis of the spectral data and chemical interconversion. Arrivacins A and B show potent binding to angiotensin II receptors in bovine adrenal membranes.

Hydrodynamic properties of the angiotensin II receptor from bovine adrenal zona glomerulosa

The bovine adrenal angiotensin II receptor was solubilized with the non-ionic detergent octyl beta-D-glucoside following its binding with the high-affinity antagonist 125I-labelled [Sar1,Ile8]angiotensin II. The complex was sufficiently stable to allow the determination of its hydrodynamic properties. The solubilized receptor migrated on a Superose 6 column as a single peak with a Stokes radius of 5.29 nm. Comparison of sedimentation behaviour through a sucrose density gradient in H2O and 2H2O lead to a partial specific volume of 0.751 ml/g and a sedimentation coefficient (S20,w) of 5.17 S. Combination of gel filtration and sedimentation data indicated that the labelled protein-detergent complex has an Mr of 124,000 and a frictional ratio of 1.42. The Mr of the angiotensin II receptor was estimated as 104,000 kDa after correction for the bound detergent. Photoaffinity cross-linking of 125I-[Sar1, (4-N3)Phe8]angiotension II with bovine adrenal membrane receptor followed by SDS/PAGE under reducing and non-reducing conditions yielded a broad band of Mr 54,000. This suggests that the angiotensin II receptor is a non-covalent dimer in which the two subunits have a similar Mr.

Human growth hormone binds to lactogenic receptors in bovine, ovine and rat adrenals.

The distribution of 125I radioactivity in the liver, kidneys, adrenals and serum of male rats was measured 10 minutes after an intravenous bolus of 125I-labelled human growth hormone (hGH) was administered in the presence or absence of a large excess of ovine growth hormone or ovine prolactin. The hGH binding sites in the adrenals had displacement properties characteristic of lactogenic receptors, whereas those in the liver had displacement properties characteristic of somatogenic receptors. Bovine and ovine adrenal microsomal membrane fractions contained high affinity (Ka = 1.4-3.3 nM-1) binding sites for hGH which showed ligand specificity typical of lactogenic receptors. It is concluded that the hGH binding site in the adrenal gland is a classical lactogenic receptor and that this tissue is a convenient and rich (42.6 +/- 6.4 fmol hGH specifically bound/mg protein) source of receptor suitable for further characterization.

The influence of certain substitutions on 1 and 2 positions of angiotensin II on biological responses

Position 1 modified analogues of angiotensin II, as well as two analogues with additional elimination of Arg in position 2, were prepared by means of solid phase peptide synthesis. These compounds, namely [Ser1]AT, [DOPA1]AT, [Cys1]AT, [Cys(Acm)1]AT, [N-MeAib1]AT, [Aib1, Aib2]AT and [GABA1, GABA2]AT, were tested in the classical smooth-muscle assay (rabbit aorta strip) and, for binding potency, on bovine adrenal membranes and possessed a pD2 value of 7·23, 6·79, 6·43, 5·80, 6·43, and IC50(10-10 mol l-1) value of 31·6, 23·2, nd, nd, 170·0, respectively. The last two analogues were found to be totally inactive.

Preferential binding of [ 3H]cholesteryl linoleyl ether-HDL 3 by bovine adrenal membranes

Membranes isolated from bovine adrenal cortex, incubated with human high-density lipoproteins (HDL 3), labeled with 125I and [ 3H]cholesteryl linoleyl ether, showed preferential binding of [ 3H]cholesteryl linoleyl ether. The preferential binding was Ca 2+ independent, temperature sensitive and was slightly increased after phospholipase C or pronase treatment. Reduction of membrane phosphatidylcholine by phospholipase A 2 resulted in a marked increase in the binding of the entire HDL 3 particle and a relative decrease in preferential binding of [ 3H]cholesteryl linoleyl ether. These findings suggest that the presence of intact phospholipid in the membrane plays an important role in the magnitude of the preferential binding.

Atrial natriuretic peptide in human plasma — comparison of radioreceptor versus radioimmunoassay

A sensitive and specific procedure for the measurement of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in human plasma by radioreceptor assay, using bovine adrenal membranes treated with Triton-X-100, is described. Plasma levels (mean ± sem) of ANP in healthy subjects on a normal sodium intake were 8.4 ± 1.4 pg/ml and could be modified by changes in sodium intake with increases in sodium intake being associated with higher levels. Mean plasma ANP was approximately 2-fold higher in patients with essential hypertension and 4-fold higher in patients with cardiac or renal disease. The values obtained were comparable in magnitude to those obtained by radioimmunoassay and there was a strong correlation ( r = 0.94; p< 0.001) between the values obtained by radioimmuno- and radioreceptor-assay. These results suggest that circulating ANP corresponds to the biologically active peptide and point to an important role of the atrial peptides in the control of sodium balance.

Gaba binding in bovine adrenal medulla membranes is sensitive to baclofen

1. The data summarized in this report reveals the existence of GABA binding in the bovine adrenal medulla membranes. 2. Since this binding was displaced not only by muscimol and bicuculline but also by baclofen, results suggest the possibility that both types of receptors (GABA A and GABA B) could be present in bovine adrenal membranes.

High-density lipoprotein binding to bovine adrenal cortex membranes

Binding studies were performed with bovine adrenal cortex membranes, human 125I-labelled high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and modified photoactivable derivatives of 125I-labelled HDL, namely 125I-labelled HDL-amidinophenylazide and 125I-labelled HDL-amidopropionyldithiophenylazide. The purity of the apolipoprotein composition of the 125I-labelled HDL and photoactivable 125I-labelled HDL used in the binding studies was determined by Coomassie blue and silver staining, and by measuring 125I-labelled cpm after SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. About 45% of the 125I-labelled HDL binding to the membranes occurred in the presence of excess EDTA and only unlabelled HDL competed for the binding site. The 125I-labelled interaction with this binding site on the membranes did not require calcium. In addition, 40% of the 125I-labelled HDL binding was to an EDTA-sensitive site, and unlabelled HDL and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) competed for the binding site. Consequently, adrenal cortex membranes have binding sites which show cross reactivity for both HDL and LDL. Modification of 58% of the apolipoprotein lysine residues of 125I-labelled HDL with methylazidophenylimidate, a reagent which maintains the positive charge at lysine residues, had little affect on binding to EDTA-sensitive and insensitive sites. In contrast, modification of 35% of apolipoprotein lysine residues of 125I-labelled HDL with N-succinimidyl(4-azidophenyldithio)propionate, a reagent which converts charged amino lysines to amide bonds, showed binding properties which were almost totally inhibited by EDTA.

The receptor-binding domain of human apolipoprotein E. Binding of apolipoprotein E fragments.

To identify the domain of apolipoprotein E (apo-E) involved in binding to low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors on cultured human fibroblasts, apo-E was cleaved and the fragments were tested for receptor binding activity. Two large thrombolytic peptides (residues 1-191 and 216-299) of normal apo-E3 were combined with the phospholipid dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and tested for their ability to compete with 125I-LDL for binding to the LDL (apo-B,E) receptors on human fibroblasts. The NH2-terminal two-thirds (residues 1-191) of apo-E3 was as active as intact apo-E3 . DMPC, while the smaller peptide (residues 216-299) was devoid of receptor-binding activity. When apo-E3 was digested with cyanogen bromide (CNBr) and the four largest CNBr fragments were combined with DMPC and tested, only one fragment competed with 125I-LDL for binding to cultured human fibroblasts (CNBr II, residues 126-218). This fragment possessed binding activity similar to that of human LDL. The 125I-labeled CNBr II . DMPC complex also demonstrated high affinity, calcium-dependent saturable binding to solubilized bovine adrenal membranes. The binding of CNBr II . DMPC was inhibited by 1,2-cyclohexanedione modification of arginyl residues or diketene modification of lysyl residues. In addition, the CNBr II had to be combined with DMPC before it demonstrated any receptor-binding activity. Pronase treatment of the membranes abolished the ability of this fragment to bind to the apo-B,E receptors. This same basic region in the center of the molecule has been implicated as the apo-B,E receptor-binding domain not only by this study but also by other studies showing that 1) natural mutants of apo-E that display defective binding have single amino acid substitutions at residues 145, 146, or 158; and 2) the apo-E epitope of the monoclonal antibody 1D7, which inhibits apo-E binding, is centered around residues 139-146.