Maximum Number Of Binding Sites Research Articles

Extracellular and cytoplasmic regions of LRIG1 play a negative role in EGFR activity: Findings of a radioligand-binding assay ⁎

Abstract Objective Leucine-rich repeats and immunoglobulin-like domains 1 (LRIG1) is a newly identified human gene that inhibits the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which on combining with a ligand, can drive tumor growth. This study investigated the interaction between human LRIG1 and EGFR and attempted to delineate the functions of as well as the mechanisms used by the extracellular (ECD) and cytoplasmic (CPD) domains of the human LRIG1 protein to downregulate human EGFR signaling activity. Methods Two constructed chimeric eukaryotic expression vectors, pIRES2-EGFP-3XFLAG-LRIG1-ET and p3FLAG-LRIG1-TC, encoding the extracellular and transmembrane regions (LRIG1-ET) and the transmembrane and cytoplasmic regions (LRIG1-TC), respectively, and the plasmid p3XFLAG-CMV-9-LRIG1 encoding full-length LRIG1 (LRIG1-FL) were transfected into the human glioma cell line U251 or primary astrocytoma cells by using liposomes. The number and affinity of cell surface EGFR on transfected cells was determined by 125I-EGF binding assay. Results The dissociation constant (KD) values for EGFR were higher, and the maximum increase was observed in the cells transfected into LRIG1-ET (1.36 folds). The number of maximal binding sites (Bmax) of the receptors was decreased in all transfected cells; the maximum decrease was noted in the cells transfected into LRIG1-FL (40.05%). Conclusion Both the ECD and CPD of LRIG1 are important to negate EGFR signaling. The ECD may interfere with the binding between EGFR and its ligand and facilitate the functions of CPD. The CPD may, when brought in proximity to EGFR, enhance receptor degradation. These two mechanisms can contribute to the downregulation of EGFR-mediated signaling by LRIG1.

荧光标记法研究鱼类GABA受体与Ro7-1986/1和Fipronil的相互作用

以苯二氮卓类化合物Ro7-1986/1和氟虫腈(Fipronil)分别与异硫氰酸荧光素(FITC)反应合成了2种 γ -氨基丁酸(GABA)受体的配体荧光复合物, 即FITC-Ro7-1986/1(简称FITC-Ro7)和FITC-Fipronil; 利用傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)和核磁共振氢谱( 1 H NMR)等手段对其结构进行了表征. 以2种荧光配体为探针, 采用荧光标记法研究了Ro7-1986/1和Fipronil与鳙鱼(Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)脑内GABA受体的相互作用, 得到了亲和常数 K d 和最大结合量[RT]. 同时考察了GABA对Ro7-1986/1与受体相互作用的影响. 研究结果表明, Ro7-1986/1和Fipronil与受体的亲和常数 K d 分别为(67±5) nmol/L和(346±6) nmol/L; 最大结合量[RT] 分别为(13.8±1.8) pmol/mg protein和(40.6±3.5) pmol/mg protein; GABA促进了Ro7-1986/1与受体的结合, 进一步的研究结果表明, 鱼类与哺乳动物脑中GABA受体结构相似; 相对于哺乳动物, 苯吡唑类杀虫剂Fipronil对鱼类GABA的亲和力较高.

Molt-inhibiting hormone stimulates vitellogenesis at advanced ovarian developmental stages in the female blue crab, Callinectes sapidus 2: novel specific binding sites in hepatopancreas and cAMP as a second messenger

The finding that molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) regulates vitellogenesis in the hepatopancreas of mature Callinectes sapidus females, raised the need for the characterization of its mode of action. Using classical radioligand binding assays, we located specific, saturable, and non-cooperative binding sites for MIH in the Y-organs of juveniles (J-YO) and in the hepatopancreas of vitellogenic adult females. MIH binding to the hepatopancreas membranes had an affinity 77 times lower than that of juvenile YO membranes (KD values: 3.22 × 10-8 and 4.19 × 10-10 M/mg protein, respectively). The number of maximum binding sites (BMAX) was approximately two times higher in the hepatopancreas than in the YO (BMAX values: 9.24 × 10-9 and 4.8 × 10-9 M/mg protein, respectively). Furthermore, MIH binding site number in the hepatopancreas was dependent on ovarian stage and was twice as high at stage 3 than at stages 2 and 1. SDS-PAGE separation of [125I] MIH or [125I] crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) crosslinked to the specific binding sites in the membranes of the J-YO and hepatopancreas suggests a molecular weight of ~51 kDa for a MIH receptor in both tissues and a molecular weight of ~61 kDa for a CHH receptor in the hepatopancreas. The use of an in vitro incubation of hepatopancreas fragments suggests that MIH probably utilizes cAMP as a second messenger in this tissue, as cAMP levels increased in response to MIH. Additionally, 8-Bromo-cAMP mimicked the effects of MIH on vitellogenin (VtG) mRNA and heterogeneous nuclear (hn) VtG RNA levels. The results imply that the functions of MIH in the regulation of molt and vitellogenesis are mediated through tissue specific receptors with different kinetics and signal transduction. MIH ability to regulate vitellogenesis is associated with the appearance of MIH specific membrane binding sites in the hepatopancreas upon pubertal/final molt.

The platelet maximum number of A 2A-receptor binding sites ( Bmax) linearly correlates with age at onset and CAG repeat expansion in Huntington's disease patients with predominant chorea

Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by an expanded CAG mutation and may show a heterogeneous clinical presentation. To date, although the age at onset mostly depends on the expanded CAG repeat number, no validated easy-to-test biomarkers exist either for following up patients progression rate or for exactly predicting age at onset (defined as the time when motor clinical manifestations first became noticeable). We tested the function of A 2A receptor, strongly expressed in the brain striatum and peripheral cells, in patients’ blood platelets and confirmed a maximum number of binding sites ( B max) higher than in controls (216 ± 9 versus 137 ± 7; p = 0.0001). We found a linear correlation between the receptor B max and the expanded CAG repeat number ( n = 52, r 2 = 0.19, p = 0.0011). When we selected the patients according to their clinical presentation (according to the predominating motor manifestations) and plotted the receptor B max against patients’ age at onset, we found a significant linear correlation only when considering those subjects with chorea predominant on all other motor symptoms ( n = 26, r 2 = 0.39, p = 0.0007). Because the typical chorea may depend on early dysfunction of the striatum in HD, peripheral A 2A amplification in blood platelets might reflect a central dysfunction in this part of the brain. Further studies on a larger sample size should confirm whether the analysis of A 2A-receptor binding in patients’ blood could be a useful clinical marker according to the patients’ phenotype.

RyR1 exhibits lower gain of CICR activity than RyR3 in the SR: evidence for selective stabilization of RyR1 channel.

We showed that frog alpha-ryanodine receptor (alpha-RyR) had a lower gain of Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release (CICR) activity than beta-RyR in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) vesicles, indicating selective "stabilization" of the former isoform (Murayama T and Ogawa Y. J Biol Chem 276: 2953-2960, 2001). To know whether this is also the case with mammalian RyR1, we determined [(3)H]ryanodine binding of RyR1 and RyR3 in bovine diaphragm SR vesicles. The value of [(3)H]ryanodine binding (B) was normalized by the number of maximal binding sites (B(max)), whereby the specific activity of each isoform was expressed. This B/B(max) expression demonstrated that ryanodine binding of individual channels for RyR1 was <15% that for RyR3. Responses to Ca(2+), Mg(2+), adenine nucleotides, and caffeine were not substantially different between in situ and purified isoforms. These results suggest that the gain of CICR activity of RyR1 is markedly lower than that of RyR3 in mammalian skeletal muscle, indicating selective stabilization of RyR1 as is true of frog alpha-RyR. The stabilization was partly eliminated by FK506 and partly by solubilization of the vesicles with CHAPS, each of which was additive to the other. In contrast, high salt, which greatly enhances [(3)H]ryanodine binding, caused only a minor effect on the stabilization of RyR1. None of the T-tubule components, coexisting RyR3, or calmodulin was the cause. The CHAPS-sensitive intra- and intermolecular interactions that are common between mammalian and frog skeletal muscles and the isoform-specific inhibition by FKBP12, which is characteristic of mammals, are likely to be the underlying mechanisms.

Endothelin ETAand ETBreceptors in postnatal intestine

We aimed to characterize endothelin (ET) receptors in the swine intestinal vasculature and to determine ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) effects on these receptors. Saturation and competitive binding assays were performed on mesenteric artery protein membranes from 1- and 40-day-old animals, both control and those subjected to 1 h of partial ischemia followed by 6 h of reperfusion in vivo. Scatchard analysis of saturation binding with (125)I-labeled ET-1 in membranes from endothelium-denuded (E(-)) vessels revealed that the maximum number of binding sites was greater in younger animals. Competitive (125)I-ET-1 binding was significant for a one-site model with ET-1, ET-3, and sarafotoxin S6c (S6c) in membranes from endothelium-intact (E(+)) and E(-) vessels in both age groups. The maximum number of ET-1 binding sites was significantly greater in younger animals. In the presence of the ET(A) receptor antagonist BQ-123, competitive (125)I-ET-1 binding was significant for a one-site model with ET-1 and S6c in membranes from E(+) vessels in both age groups. The maximum number of ET-1 binding sites was significantly greater in younger animals. After I/R, the maximum number of ET-1 binding sites was unchanged. In the presence of BQ-123, specific binding by ET-1 and S6c was eliminated in both age groups after I/R. These results suggest that both ET receptor populations are expressed to a greater degree in younger animals and I/R significantly affects the ET(B) receptor.

Functional Role for Glycosylated Subtypes of Rat Endothelin Receptors

Glycosylation of endothelin (ET) receptors was found to occur in rat cerebellar and atrial membranes. Specifically, we investigated whether the ETAand ETBreceptor subtypes differed in their sensitivity to deglycosylation treatment and whether the two affinity states (nanomolar and picomolar) observed in each receptor subtype reflect differences in glycosylation states. Pretreatment of cerebellar or atrial membranes with endoglycosidase H (endo H) caused a marked decrease in the number of maximal binding sites that bind ligand with nanomolar affinity, whereas ligand affinity remained the same. The picomolar-affinity binding sites were not affected by endo H. The use of specific antagonists indicated that the receptor subtype most likely to be influenced by glycosylation is ETA.We suggest that in both cerebellar and atrial membranes, the carbohydrate chains of the ETAreceptor contribute to the binding of ligand to the nanomolar-affinity binding sites, but not to the picomolar-affinity binding sites.

Eicosapentaenoic Acid Inhibits Mitogen-Induced Endothelin-1 Production and DNA Synthesis in Cultured Bovine Mesangial Cells

The present study was designed to examine whether eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) inhibits the production of basal or stimulated endothelin (ET)-1 by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB or epidermal growth factor (EGF), and DNA synthesis in cultured bovine mesangial cells. PDGF-BB and EGF stimulated ET-1 secretion in a dose-dependent fashion in these cells. EPA (10–100 µM) exhibited dose-related inhibition of PDGF-BB- and EGF-stimulated ET-1 secretion. EPA had no inhibitory effects on basal ET-1 secretion in these cells. Moreover, 50 µM EPA significantly attenuated PDGF-BB- and EGF-stimulated [³H]thymidine incorporation into mesangial cells. Receptor-binding experiments showed that EPA competitively inhibited ¹²⁵I-PDGF-BB or ¹²⁵I-EGF binding to mesangial cell surface receptors. Scatchard analysis for PDGF-BB receptor or EGF receptor revealed a linear regression fit and one binding site. Pretreatment with 50 µM EPA suppressed the number of maximum binding sites, but did not affect the K_d values. These results indicate that EPA potentially inhibits mesangial cell ET-1 production, when stimulated by PDGF-BB or EGF. This inhibitory effect of EPA could be related to the attenuation of mesangial cell proliferation via inhibition of the binding of PDGF-BB or EGF to their receptors due to alteration of the physicochemical characteristics of the cell membrane.

TNF-alpha inhibits isoproterenol-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in cultured airway smooth muscle cells.

Inflammation, increased cytokine production, and decreased responsiveness of airway smooth muscle (ASM) to beta-adrenergic agonists are characteristics of asthma. We questioned whether the cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) directly impaired beta-adrenergic signal transduction in cultured canine ASM cells. Confluent ASM cells exposed to TNF-alpha (0.1-10 ng/ml) for 72 h showed lower maximal levels of adenylyl cyclase activity in response to isoproterenol (10 ng/ml; 14 +/- 4.3 vs. 7.5 +/- 1.3 pmol adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate x well(-1) x 20 min(-1), control vs. treated, respectively), despite no changes in beta-adrenergic receptor numbers (maximum number of binding sites = 4.8 +/- 0.72 vs. 4.5 +/- 0.81 fmol/mg protein, control vs. treated, respectively). Adenylyl cyclase activities in response to prostaglandin E1, NaF, or forskolin were not different in treated and untreated cells. These results demonstrate that a cytokine known to be increased during exacerbation of asthmatic symptoms directly impairs beta-adrenergic function in ASM cells and suggests a mechanism by which inflammation impairs beta-adrenergic receptor signal transduction in asthma.

Decrease in myocardial Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity and ouabain binding sites in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of high dietary cholesterol on the lipid composition, Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity and ouabain receptor property of the myocardial sarcolemma. Male New Zealand white rabbits were fed with standard chow or standard chow supplemented with 0.5% (w/w) cholesterol and 10% (w/w) coconut oil to induce hypercholesterolemia. After 8 weeks, the rabbits were sacrificed; a myocardial sarcolemma fraction was then prepared from the left ventricular myocardium and analyzed for lipid composition. Assay of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity and 3H-ouabain binding studies were performed in the myocardial sarcolemma from the control and cholesterol-fed rabbits. The cholesterol content, but not the phospholipid content, of the sarcolemma was significantly greater in the cholesterol-fed group, thus, resulting in an increased cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratio in the cholesterol-fed group. In addition, a decrease in Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity was also found in this group. The decrease in Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity was selective, since the Mg(++)-ATPase and 5'-nucleotidase activities remained unchanged. In the 3H-ouabain binding study, a decrease in the number of maximum binding sites, but not the binding affinity, for 3H-ouabain was found in the cholesterol-fed group. High dietary cholesterol induces higher levels of cholesterol not only in the plasma, but also in the myocardial sarcolemma. These changes result in decreased myocardial Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity mediated by a reduction in the maximum number of binding sites for ouabain but not a change in binding affinity.

Kinetic characterization of zinc binding to brush border membranes from rat kidney cortex: interaction with cadmium

Extravesicular and intravesicular zinc bindings were evaluated in brush border membrane vesicles isolated from rat kidney cortex. The process was found to be time-, temperature- and substrate concentration-dependent and displayed saturability. Zn 2+ influx measurements revealed a progressive uptake and massive accumulation at equilibrium which was 50 times higher than the amount that could have been accommodated by the intravesicular space calculated from the equilibrium uptake of d-glucose. Initial (5 s) and equilibrium uptakes (2 h) were found not to be osmotically sensitive as modified by adding mannitol to the medium. It was concluded from these results that the uptake involved massive binding of the Zn 2+ to the brush border membranes components. The ionophore A23187 enhanced the rates of uptake and efflux of Zn 2+ without affecting equilibrium values, suggesting binding of Zn 2+ to interior sites of the membranes. Zn 2+ flux measurements led to the conclusion that two vesicular pools of Zn 2+ bindings existed: a small external pool, accessible to cation chelator (EGTA) or competitive cation cadmium and large intravesicular pool. Accumulated 65Zn was quickly removed from its internal sites only after the membrane had been permeabilized by the cation ionophore A23187 in association with exchangeable ions like zinc and cadmium. Scatchard plot analysis revealed two distinct types of extravesicular binding sites. High affinity extravesicular zinc binding sites reached saturation at 1.6 mM zinc, had a K d of 137 μM and the number of binding sites were 12 nmol/mg protein. Low affinity extravesicular zinc binding sites could not be saturated under experimental conditions up to 3.2 mM zinc. It had a K d of 526 μM and the number of binding sites 28 nmol/mg protein. Interestingly intravesicular binding of zinc revealed only one type of high affinity binding sites ( K d of 104 μM and number of maximal binding sites 400 nmol/mg protein). Furthermore, kinetic analysis of inhibitory effect of Cd 2+ on extravesicular zinc bindings showed an increase in K d of both types of binding sites but there was no significant change in number of maximal binding sites. Extravesicular zinc binding was temperature-sensitive. Arrhenius plot showed the break point at 30°C. The apparent energies of activation were 13.36 Kcal/mol and 3.1 Kcal/mol below and above the break points respectively. The inhibitory effect of sulfhydryl blocking agents on extravesicular zinc binding suggest the involvement of -SH groups in zinc translocation. An increase in initial zinc uptake was observed in the presence of outwardly directed proton gradient. Intravesicular pool of 65Zn was displaced by unlabelled 2 mM Zn 2+ or 2 mM Cd 2+ but not by calcium present in the bathing medium. It is inferred that intravesicular binding sites have a high affinity and are specific for zinc. It is concluded from the present study that in the first instance the binding of zinc to the exofacial zinc binding component and concomitantly its translocation across the membrane, and subsequently massive binding of zinc to interior sites of brush border membranes occurs.

Effect of experimental cryptorchidism on alpha 1-adrenergic receptors of rat testis.

Alpha 1-adrenergic receptors play an important role in the transport of spermatozoa through seminiferous tubules to the efferent ducts leading to the epididymis. The density of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors in adult Sprague-Dawley rat testis before and during 14 days of experimental cryptorchidism was determined by binding assays with [3H]prazosin in membrane preparations. The number of maximal binding sites (Bmax) per milligram protein began to increase at 7 days after surgery (p < .05). The testicular weight and diameter of seminiferous tubules began to decrease at 5 days after surgery (p < .01). However, Bmax per testis did not differ before and during cryptorchidism. This study demonstrates that the density of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors in rat testis is not affected by cryptorchidism.

Diurnal variation of amylase secretion is coupled with alterations of β-adrenoceptors in the rat parotid gland

Diurnal changes in the neurotransmitter receptors are important for studying the receptor function in neurophysiology. The purpose of this study is to gain an insight into the regulatory mechanisms of the diurnal variation of amylase secretion. Rat salivary amylase levels showed a diurnal variation with two peaks, a marked peak at 13 h and a lesser peak at 21 h. This increase in salivary amylase levels was completely inhibited by pretreatment of rats with the beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol, but not by the alpha-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine. Amylase level in parotid tissue homogenate also showed a diurnal change, but there was only one peak, at 13 h. The number of maximal binding sites (Bmax) for [3H]dihydroalprenolol (DHA) in parotid membranes showed a diurnal variation with two marked peaks at 13 and 21 h, but the affinity of parotid beta-adrenoceptors for agonists or antagonists did not show any diurnal changes. Phosphorylation of nuclear non-histone proteins in the rat parotid gland showed diurnal variation with two marked peaks at 13 and 21 h. These results indicate that a diurnal variation in the number of rat parotid beta-adrenoceptors, which is presumably regulated by gene expression, is coupled with a change in salivary amylase secretion.

Age-related changes in adrenergic alpha 1, alpha 2, and beta receptors of rat white fat cell membranes: an analysis using [3H]bunazosin as a novel ligand for the alpha 1 adrenoceptor.

Age-related changes in alpha 1-, alpha 2-, and beta-catecholamine receptors on membrane of rat epididymal fat cells were investigated. Both young (6 weeks old, weight about 190 g) and aged (20 weeks old, weight about 490 g) Sprague-Dawley male rats were used. For the alpha 1-adrenoceptor binding experiment, we developed a novel analytical method using the hydrophilic alpha 1-receptor selective antagonist, [3H]bunazosin. The binding of [3H]bunazosin to its binding sites was rapid, reversible, saturable, and stereospecific. Scatchard binding analysis showed a single class of binding site. The sites were characterized as alpha 1-adrenoceptors by inhibition experiments using various agonists and antagonists. The number of maximum binding sites (Bmax) of alpha 1-receptor binding was 37.0 +/- 6.5 (young) versus 24.0 +/- 3.2 (aged) fmol/mg protein (P less than 0.01). [3H]Rauwolscine and [3H]CGP-12177 were used for alpha 2- and beta-receptor binding, respectively. In alpha 2-receptor detection using [3H]rauwolscine as a ligand, Bmax increased markedly from 19.8 +/- 4.9 to 86.2 +/- 19.5 fmol/mg protein (P less than 0.01). In contrast, Bmax for beta-receptor decreased from 69.7 +/- 9.7 to 45.4 +/- 13.9 fmol/mg protein with increasing rat age (P less than 0.05). Kd showed no change in each of the binding experiments between young and aged rats. The cell volume increased from 0.07 +/- 0.02 to 0.15 +/- 0.06 nl. It is implied that anti-lipolytic activity strengthened on the whole mainly with the marked increase of alpha 2-receptor number and decrease of beta-receptor number.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The function of autonomic receptors in canine ureteral smooth muscle

I have investigated the effects of autonomic drugs and prostaglandins on in vitro smooth muscle spontaneous contractions and made the quantitative analysis of autonomic receptors in the canine ureter. Ureteral muscle strip cut helically usually generated spontaneous contractions whereas those cut circularly or longitudinally did not generate spontaneous contractions. These results suggest the importance of knowing which direction to cut the ureteral smooth muscle in order to generate spontaneous contractions. Norepinephrine (alpha), phenylephrine (alpha 1), carbachol (muscarinic) and PGF2 alpha caused significant increase in contractile force. Terbutaline (beta 2) and PGE2 caused significant decreases in contractile force, while dobutamine (beta 1) and clonidine (alpha) caused no effect. Autonomic receptor densities were determined using radiology and binding techniques. The number of maximum binding sites (Bmax) of 3H-prazosin (PZ), 3H-yohimbine (YOH), 3H-dihydroaloprenolol (DHA) and 3H-quinuclidinylbenzilate (QNB) were 53.8, 16.9, 11.2 and 5.28 fmol/ml protein, respectively. These data suggest that the contractile responses to adrenergic and cholinergic agonists in the canine ureter are mediated through functional adrenergic (alpha 1, beta 2) and muscarinic cholinergic receptors and that the prostaglandins have a role in the contraction of the canine ureter.

Possible Involvement of Pertussis Toxin‐Sensitive G Proteins and D2 Dopamine Receptors in the A1 Adenosine Receptor‐Adenylate Cyclase System in Rat Cerebral Cortex

To identify the involvement of dopamine receptors in the transmembrane signaling of the adenosine receptor-G protein-adenylate cyclase system in the CNS, we examined the effects of pertussis toxin (islet-activating protein, IAP) and apomorphine on A1 adenosine agonist (-)N6-R-[3H]phenylisopropyladenosine ([3H]PIA) and antagonist [3H]xanthine amine congener ([3H]XAC) binding activity and adenylate cyclase activity in cerebral cortex membranes of the rat brain. Specific binding to a single class of sites for [3H]XAC with a dissociation constant (KD) of 6.0 +/- 1.3 nM was observed. The number of maximal binding sites (Bmax) was 1.21 +/- 0.13 pmol/mg protein. Studies of the inhibition of [3H]XAC binding by PIA revealed the presence of two classes of PIA binding states, a high-affinity state (KD = 2.30 +/- 1.16 nM) and a low-affinity state (KD = 1.220 +/- 230 nM). Guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate or IAP treatment reduced the number of the high-affinity state binding sites without altering the KD for PIA. Apomorphine (100 microM) increased the KD value 10-fold and decreased Bmax by approximately 20% for [3H]PIA. The effect of apomorphine on the KD value increase was irreversible and due to a conversion from high-affinity to low-affinity states for PIA. The effect was dose dependent and was mediated via D2 dopamine receptors, since the D2 antagonist sulpiride blocked the phenomenon. The inhibitory effect of PIA on adenylate cyclase activity was abolished by apomorphine treatment. There was no effect of apomorphine on displacement of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate (muscarinic ligand) binding by carbachol. These data suggest that A1 adenosine receptor binding and function are selectively modified by D2 dopaminergic agents.

Development of motilin receptors and of motilin- and erythromycin-induced contractility in rabbits

The development of the motilin receptor was studied through contraction and binding studies of groups of three rabbits aged between 2 and 289 days. The contractility of small intestinal smooth muscle strips was measured isotonically. The aborally decreasing gradient in response to motilin, known to exist in adult rabbits, was already present at day 8 (maximum contractile responses expressed as a percent of the maximal response to acetylcholine were 77% ± 9%, 34% ± 10%, and 25% ± 8% for duodenal, jejunal, and ileal strips, respectively). Throughout the observation period, the doses of motilin and its agonist erythromycin that were required to induce 50% of the response remained constant and were not significantly different from doses required for adults (their negative logarithms were 8.55 ± 0.35 and 5.70 ± 0.25, respectively). The correlation between the maximum contractile response toward motilin and erythromycin was almost perfect (r2 = 0.82). Binding studies with iodinated norleucine13-porcine motilin were performed using antral smooth muscle tissue homogenates. The maximum number of binding sites increased rapidly after 8 days (3.3 ± 0.4 fmol/mg protein) and reached a peak at 21 days (20.7 ± 1.4 fmol/mg protein), but decreased at that point toward the adult value (40 days, 10.6 ± 1.3; 289 days, 9.8 ± 1.1 fmol/mg protein). The dissociation constant, however, remained unchanged. The peak value of receptor density occurred at about the time that the rate of increase of the length of the intestine and of the weight of the antrum were at maximum levels (at 18 and 27 days, respectively). Motilin receptors are expressed early postnatally, and the regional gradient in sensitivity towards motilin is also established soon after birth. If applicable to humans, an early response to erythromycin may have therapeutic value.

Abnormal Binding of Vitamin D Receptors to Deoxyribonucleic Acid in a Kindred With Vitamin D-Dependent Rickets, Type II*

Vitamin D-dependent rickets, type II, is a hereditary disease that results from target organ resistance to the action of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3]. We describe here a family (designated G) with a defect in the DNA-binding domain of the 1,25-(OH)2D receptor (VDR) manifested by normal steroid binding and decreased VDR affinity for DNA. The phenotypically normal parents are heterozygous, expressing both normal and defective forms of VDR. The affected children in this family had early-onset rickets, alopecia, hypocalcemia, and elevated serum 1,25-(OH)2D3 levels. The VDR of cultured skin fibroblasts of the affected children (G1 and G2) as well as the parents (G3 and G4) bound [3H]1,25-(OH)2D3 normally (Kd = 2-3 X 10(-11) mol/L; maximal number of binding sites = 20-40 fmol/mg protein). The cells from G1 and G2 were resistant to 1,25-(OH)2D3 action, as measured by induction of 24-hydroxylase activity, while the cells from G3 and G4 responded normally. Western blot analysis using the anti-VDR monoclonal antibody 9A7 showed that hypertonic extracts of fibroblasts from both affected children (G1 and G2) and their parents (G3 and G4) had immunoreactive bands of 48K, identical to the size of the VDR in normal cells. The VDR from G1 and G2 eluted as a single peak from DNA-cellulose columns at a lower salt concentration (0.1 mol/L) than that from normal subjects (0.2 mol/L), indicating an apparent decreased affinity for DNA. Fibroblast VDR from G3 and G4 each eluted from DNA-cellulose columns as two peaks, the normal peak (0.2 mol/L) and the abnormal peak (0.1 mol/L), which was found in G1 and G2. Western blot analysis of the 0.1 and 0.2 mol/L KCl peak fractions also confirmed that VDR was present in only the 0.1 mol/L fraction and not the 0.2 mol/L fraction from G1. However, VDR was present in both fractions from G3. In summary, this vitamin D-dependent rickets, type II, kindred has a defect in the DNA-binding domain of VDR. The parents are phenotypically normal and express both the normal and defective VDR alleles, as demonstrated by both DNA-cellulose chromatography and Western blot analysis. The affected children are resistant to 1,25-(OH)2D3 action and are homozygous for the defective VDR.

Effect of neutral endopeptidase inhibitors on 3H-substance P binding in rat lleum

To determine whether neutral endopeptidase regulates the binding of substance P to the receptors, and if so, what the mechanism is, we determined the effect of neutral endopeptidase inhibitors, thiorphan and phosphoramidon, on specific binding of 3H-substance P to homogenates of rat ileum. Specific binding was of high affinity and was saturable (dissociation constant, K D = 2.4 ± 0.17 nM and number of maximal binding sites, B max = 101.1 ± 5.5 fmol/mg protein), and the receptor subtype was substance P-P type. Neutral endopeptidase inhibitors increased the specific binding to up to 160% of control (P < 0.005). Neutral endopeptidase inhibitors prevented the degradation of 3H-substance P during the binding assay and increased the amount of 3H-substance P remaining in the assay system to up to 4.5-fold of control (P < 0.005), but did not significantly change the K D or B max values of specific binding. Protease inhibitors of kininase II, serine proteinases, or thiol proteinases did not significantly change either specific binding or the amount of 3H-substance P remaining in the assay system. We conclude that neutral endopeptidase regulates the binding of substance P to the receptors and that it does so by decreasing the amount of substance P available to the receptors, without significantly changing the affinity or the number of receptors.

Identification of thromboxane A 2 receptor in cultured vascular endothelial cells of rat aorta

The binding site for [3H]SQ29,548, a potent and selective thromboxane A2 (TXA2) receptor antagonist, was studied in cultured vascular endothelial cells (VEC) of the rat aorta. Specific binding of [3H]SQ29,548 to rat VEC at 24 degrees C was saturable, displaceable and of high affinity. Scatchard analysis of equilibrium binding studies indicated that rat VEC contain a single class of binding sites with a Kd of 2.7 nM. The number of maximum binding sites (25.8 fmol/10(6) cells) for [3H]SQ29,548 on rat VEC was respectively 23 and 3.2 times more than that on rat platelets and rat vascular smooth muscle cells. Four TXA2 receptor antagonists and U46619 completely suppressed [3H]SQ29,548 binding to rat VEC, whereas other prostanoids, such as PGD2, PGF2 alpha, PGE1 and Iloprost, displaced the ligand binding only at considerably higher concentrations. These results suggest that the specific receptor for TXA2 is present in rat vascular endothelial cells.