pKD Values Research Articles

Subclassification of presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptors: alpha 2D-autoreceptors in guinea-pig atria and brain.

The study was devised to classify, by means of antagonist and agonist affinities, the presynaptic alpha 2-autoreceptors in guinea-pig heart atria and brain cortex in terms of alpha 2A, alpha 2B, alpha 2C and alpha 2D. A set of antagonists and agonists was chosen that was able to discriminate between the four subtypes. Small pieces of the atria and slices of the brain cortex were preincubated with 3H-noradrenaline and then superfused and stimulated electrically. In one series of experiments (atria only), tissue pieces were stimulated by relatively long pulse trains (1 min) leading to marked alpha 2-autoinhibition. All 10 antagonists increased the evoked overflow of tritium. pEC30% values (concentrations causing 30% increase) were interpolated from concentration-response curves. In a second series of experiments (atria and brain slices), tissue pieces were stimulated by brief pulse trains (0.4 s or 40 ms) that led to little (atria) or no (brain slices) alpha 2-autoinhibition, and antagonist effects against the alpha 2-selective agonist 5-bromo-6-(2-imidazolin-2- ylamino)-quinoxaline (UK 14,304) were examined. All 10 (atria) or 8 (brain) antagonists shifted the concentration-inhibition curve of UK 14,304 to the right. pKd values of the antagonists were calculated from the shifts. In a third series of experiments (brain slices only), also with brief pulse trains (40 ms), pKa values (negative logarithms of dissociation constants of agonist-alpha 2-adrenoceptor complexes) were determined by comparison of concentration-inhibition curves of UK 14,304, guanoxabenz and oxymetazoline in normal tissue and in tissue in which a fraction of the receptors had been blocked by phenoxybenzamine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Presynaptic ?2A-adrenoceptors inhibit the release of endogenous dopamine in rabbit caudate nucleus slices

alpha 2-Adrenoceptors modulating the release of dopamine were identified and characterized in slices of the head of the rabbit caudate nucleus. Release of endogenous dopamine was measured by fast cyclic voltammetry as the increase in the extracellular concentration of dopamine elicited by electrical stimulation. The electrochemical signal was identified as dopamine by means of the oxidation potential, the voltammogram and the fact that the signal was not changed by desipramine, which inhibits the high affinity uptake of noradrenaline, but was greatly increased by nomifensine, which in addition inhibits the high affinity uptake of dopamine. Stimulation by 6 pulses/100 Hz increased the extracellular concentration of dopamine by about 85 nM. The selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist 5-bromo-6-(2-imidazolin-2-ylamino)-quinoxaline (UK 14,304) reduced this release with an EC50 of 173 nM and by maximally 75%. The alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists clonidine and oxymetazoline only tended to cause a decrease. Six drugs, including oxymetazoline, were tested as antagonists against UK 14,304. Their order of antagonist potency (pKD values in brackets) was rauwolscine (8.0) > oxymetazoline (7.5) > 2-(2,6-dimethoxyphenoxyethyl)aminomethyl-1,4-benzodioxane (WB 4101; 7.3) > phentolamine (7.1) > corynanthine (5.1) approximately prazosin (<6). Given alone, the antagonists did not change the release of dopamine elicited by 6 pulses/100 Hz, and the same was true for the dopamine receptor antagonist sulpiride. When caudate slices were stimulated by 10 pulses/1 Hz, sulpiride increased the release of dopamine. Desipramine and rauwolscine, in contrast, again caused no change. It is concluded that dopaminergic axons in the rabbit caudate nucleus possess release-inhibiting alpha 2-adrenoceptors.2+ off

Pharmacological characterization of alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes in the human prostate: functional and binding studies.

To characterize the alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes of the human benignly enlarged prostate using functional and binding studies. Strips of prostatic tissue taken from nine patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy who were undergoing open prostatectomy were used in the study. The strips isolated from five prostates produced a large contraction in response to noradrenaline and phenylephrine but not to clonidine. The contractile response induced by noradrenaline was competitively antagonized by representative alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonists (prazosin, WB4101, 5-methylurapidil and HV723), the dissociation constants (pKB) being < 8.5. Pre-treatment with chloroethylclonidine was without effect on the contractile response to noradrenaline. In saturation experiments with five prostates, [3H]-prazosin bound to the prostate membranes with two distinct affinities (pKD = 9.95 +/- 0.07 and 8.71 +/- 0.04, Bmax = 151 +/- 8 and 138 +/- 3 fmol/mg protein, respectively). Unlabelled prazosin and WB4101 biphasically displaced the binding of 200 pM [3H]-prazosin; the resulting high and low pKI values for each of the antagonists were consistent with the two pKD values obtained for [3H]-prazosin in the saturation experiments. 5-Methylurapidil and HV723 displaced the [3H]-prazosin binding monophasically with an affinity (pKI) close to 8.5. These results suggest the presence of at least two distinct alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes (presumably an alpha 1C subtype with a high affinity for prazosin and WB4101, and a putative alpha 1L subtype with a low affinity for the antagonists) in the human prostate, in which the latter subtype may be predominantly involved in the contractile response to noradrenaline.

Characterization of propranolol‐resistant (−)‐[125I]‐cyanopindolol binding sites in rat soleus muscle

1. The characteristics of a propranolol-resistant (-)-[125I]-cyanopindolol (CYP) binding site in rat soleus muscle were determined. 2. Saturation studies performed on homogenates of rat soleus muscle showed two phases of (-)-[125I]-CYP binding, a high affinity site (KD1 30.5 +/- 16.3 pM, Bmax 9.4 +/- 1.38 fmol mg-1 protein) and a lower affinity site (KD2 522.5 +/- 29.1 pM, Bmax 62.19 +/- 11.76 fmol mg-1 protein, n = 4). 3. In rat soleus muscle homogenates labelled with (-)-[125I]-CYP (500 pM), (-)-propranolol competition curves were biphasic with pKD values of 8.30 +/- 0.19, and 5.33 +/- 0.08, n = 7. 4. Competition between (-)-[125I]-CYP (500 pM) and (+/-)-tertatolol, (+/-)-nadolol, (+/-)-alprenolol, (+/-)-CYP, and (-) and (+)-pindolol showed that these compounds competed for binding at the propranolol-resistant site with affinities lower than those displayed at typical beta-adrenoceptors. The atypical beta-adrenoceptor agonists BRL 37344, SR58611A and ICI D7114 and the partial agonist (+/-)-CGP 12177 also competed for (-)-[125I]-CYP binding. 5. Stereoselectivity was demonstrated for the stereoisomers of alprenolol and tertalolol. The (-)-isomers of alprenolol and tertalolol had higher affinity than their corresponding (+)-isomers (3.1 and 2.6 fold respectively). These low stereoselectivity values are a characteristic of atypical beta-adrenoceptors. 6. The beta-adrenoceptor agonists, (-)-adrenaline, (-)-isoprenaline and (-)-noradrenaline, all showed lower affinity than the atypical beta-adrenoceptor agonists and competition curves appeared biphasic in nature. 7. These results confirm the presence of a propranolol-resistant (- )-[125I]-CYP binding site in rat soleus muscle. The affinities of the tested compounds at the propranolol-resistant (- )-[125I]-CYP binding site show similarities to their affinities at 'atypical' beta-adrenoceptors in adipocytes and gastrointestinal tissues and at the cloned beta 3-adrenoceptor.

L‐689,660, a novel cholinomimetic with functional selectivity for M1 and M3 muscarinic receptors

1. L-689,660, 1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, 3-(6-chloropyrazinyl)maleate, a novel cholinomimetic, demonstrated high affinity binding (pKD (apparent) 7.42) at rat cerebral cortex muscarinic receptors. L-689,660 had a low ratio (34) of pKD (apparent) values for the displacement of binding of the antagonist ([3H]-N-methylscopolamine ([3H]-NMS) compared with the displacement of the agonist [3H]-oxotremorine-M ([3H]-Oxo-M), in rat cerebral cortex. Low NMS/Oxo-M ratios have been shown previously to be a characteristic of compounds that are low efficacy partial agonists with respect to stimulation of phosphatidyl inositol turnover in the cerebral cortex. 2. L-689,660 showed no muscarinic receptor subtype selectivity in radioligand binding assays but showed functional selectivity in pharmacological assays. At M1 muscarinic receptors in the rat superior cervical ganglion, L-689,660 was a potent (pEC50 7.3 +/- 0.2) full agonist in comparison with (+/-)-muscarine. At M3 receptors in the guinea-pig ileum myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle or in trachea, L-689,660 was again a potent agonist (pEC50 7.5 +/- 0.2 and 7.7 +/- 0.3 respectively) but had a lower maximum response than carbachol. In contrast L-689,660 was an antagonist at M2 receptors in guinea-pig atria (pA2 7.2 (95% confidence limits 7, 7.4)) and at muscarinic autoreceptors in rat hippocampal slices. 3. The putative M1-selective muscarinic agonist, AF102B (cis-2-methylspiro-(1,3-oxathiolane 5,3')-quinuclidine hydrochloride) was found to have a profile similar to L-689,660 but had up to 100 times less affinity in binding and functional assays.RS-86 (2-ethyl-8-methyl-2,8-diazospiro[4,5]decan 1,3-dionehydrochloride) also had lower affinity than L-689,660, and had no binding selectivity for muscarinic receptor subtypes. RS-86 had a higher NMS/Oxo-M ratio than L-689,660 and was a full agonist at MI,M2 and M3 receptors in the functional pharmacological assays.4. The functional selectivity of L-689,660 in muscarinic pharmacological assays is consistent with the effects of a low efficacy partial agonist in tissues with different effective receptor reserves.

SDZ 205-557, a selective, surmountable antagonist for 5-HT4 receptors in the isolated guinea pig ileum.

A selective antagonist for the recently characterized 5-HT4 receptor is lacking. The only surmountable antagonist available, ICS 205-930, is a weak antagonist and is far more potent at 5-HT3-than at 5-HT4 receptors. In this paper, SDZ 205-557 (2-methoxy-4-amino-5-chloro-benzoic acid 2-(diethylamino) ethyl ester) is characterized as the first potent, selective and surmountable antagonist at 5-HT4 receptors in the isolated guinea pig ileum. SDZ 205-557 was investigated in the non-stimulated and in the field-stimulated guinea pig ileum longitudinal muscle preparation for its affinity for 5-HT4-, 5-HT3-, muscarine-, nicotine- and histamine H1 receptors. The affinity for 5-HT1-, 5-HT2-, alpha 1-, alpha 2- and opiate (mu) receptors was determined by binding assays. SDZ 205-557 was devoid of substantial affinity (pKD values below 5.6) for all receptors investigated except for 5-HT3- and 5-HT4 receptors. At these two receptors, SDZ 205-557 acted as an antagonist without measurable intrinsic activity. At the 5-HT4 receptors of the non-stimulated guinea pig ileum, responses to 5-HT and 5-methoxytryptamine were antagonized by SDZ 205-557 with identical pA2 values of 7.4. The effect of renzapride was also blocked with no significant change in the maximum response; Schild analysis, however, revealed that the interaction was not competitive with an "apparent" pA2 value of 7.6. A pA2 of 6.8 was obtained using zacopride as a contractile agent; this value differed significantly from 7.4, the value obtained for 5-HT and 5-methoxytryptamine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Competitive antagonism by recognised 5-HT2 receptor antagonists at 5-HT1C receptors in pig choroid plexus

The effects of several antagonists, known to interact with 5-HT2 receptors (ritanserin, LY 53857, ICI 169,369, methysergide, mesulergine and ketanserin), were tested against 5-HT-stimulated production of inositol phosphate in pig choroid plexus, a 5-HT1C receptor model. These antagonists produced dextral shifts of the concentration response curve to 5-HT in a parallel manner, without depressing significantly the maximal response. The following pA2 values (in parentheses) were obtained: mesulergine (8.88), methysergide (8.85), LY 53857 (8.69), ritanserin (8.69), ICI 169,369 (7.86), and ketanserin (6.57). These pA2 values were in good agreement with the pKD values determined in radioligand binding studies performed in pig choroid plexus with [3H]mesulergine. The present data demonstrate that several drugs described as 5-HT2 receptor selective antagonists (e.g. ritanserin, LY 53857 and ICI 169,369) are also potent, competitive and surmountable antagonists at 5-HT1C receptors. Thus, the results provide further evidence for the pharmacological similarity of 5-HT1C and 5-HT2 receptors. However, in contrast to the situation described with methysergide, ritanserin and LY 53857 in several 5-HT2 receptor models, none of these antagonists acted in a non-competitive or unsurmountable fashion at 5-HT1C receptors. These results suggest, but do not firmly rule out, that at least in the presence of the drugs tested in the present study, 5-HT1C receptors in the choroid plexus do not undergo an allosteric modulation; these findings are apparently in contrast to a model proposed previously for 5-HT2 receptors (Kaumann and Frenken 1985, Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch Pharmacol 328:295-300).

Contractile 5‐HT1 receptors in human isolated pial arterioles: correlation with 5‐HT1D binding sites

1. The 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor responsible for inducing vasoconstriction in human isolated pial arterioles has been pharmacologically characterized. 2. Of several 5-HT agonists tested, 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT) was the most potent and the rank order of agonist potency can be summarized as: 5-CT greater than 5-HT greater than RU 24969 = alpha-methyl-5-HT = methysergide much greater than MDL 72832 = 2-methyl-5-HT much greater than 2-dipropylamino-8-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalene (8-OH-DPAT). With few exceptions, the maximal contractile responses of these agonists were comparable to that induced by 5-HT. 3. A correlation analysis performed between the agonists vascular potency (pD2 values) and their affinities (pKD values) published at various subtypes of 5-HT binding sites showed a positive significant correlation with rat cortical 5-HT1B (r = 0.86; P less than 0.01) and human caudate 5-HT1D (r = 0.98; P less than 0.005) subtypes. 4. Selective antagonists at 5-HT2 (ketanserin, mianserin, MDL 11939) and 5-HT3 (MDL 72222) sites were totally devoid of inhibitory activity on the 5-HT-induced contraction, an observation which agreed with the agonist data and further excluded activation of these receptors. In contrast, the 5-HT1-like/5-HT2 antagonist methiothepin and the non-selective 5-HT1D compound metergoline inhibited with high affinity the contraction induced by 5-HT with respective pA2 values of 8.55 +/- 0.16 and 6.88 +/- 0.05. This contractile response was, however, insensitive to 5-HT1B (propranolol) and 5-HT1C (mesulergine, mianserin) antagonists. 5. It is concluded that a 5-HT1-like receptor, which shares strong similarities with the 5-HTID binding sites identified in human caudate membranes, is mediating the vasocontractile action of 5-HT in human pial arterioles.

Mechanism of action of H2-antagonists on histamine-or dimaprit-stimulated H2-receptors of spontaneously beating guinea-pig atrium

Cimetidine, ranitidine and famotidine are antagonists of the histamine H2-receptors on the spontaneously beating right atrium of the guinea pig. When analyzed by the classical Schild method their pA2-values are respectively: 6.3, 6.8 and 7.7 with dimaprit as agonist and 5.8, 6.5 and 7.7 with histamine as agonist. Radioligand-displacement studies with [3H]-tiotidine as radioligand resulted in pKd values for cimetidine, ranitidine and famotidine of 6.3; 6.9 and 8.2 respectively. In dimaprit-stimulated atria all antagonists added at concentrations above their Kd values depressed the maximal increase in frequency. In the presence of histamine this effect was much less pronounced and only visible at concentrations of ranitidine and famotidine around 10.Kd. The rightward shift of the curves as well as the decrease in Emax are reversible but the dissociation constants of the antagonists are small (less than 10(-3) s-1). The spontaneously beating right atrium showed receptor reserve for histamine and virtually no receptor reserve for dimaprit. The results have been interpreted in a model in which H2-antagonists act mainly by competing with the agonist for the histamine receptor site but have in addition a distinct affinity for a secondary site on the receptor. Occupation of this site by the antagonist prevents building up of the stimulus elicited by the agonist and thus decreases the Emax. In systems with receptor reserve (histamine) the effect of antagonist binding to the secondary binding site is seen only at high concentration of antagonist while in absence of receptor reserve (dimaprit) the depression of Emax is directly visible. Simulations of the model show that the affinity of this secondary binding site is 50-(famotidine) to 100-(cimetidine and ranitidine) fold lower than for the agonist binding site.

Characterization of the adenosine receptor in porcine coronary arteries

1. Relaxant responses of ring preparations from porcine ventricular coronary arteries to adenosine and various stable adenosine analogues were investigated in vitro. 2. The adenosine analogues did not produce contraction but elicited almost complete relaxation of coronary arteries preconstricted with 3 microM prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), even after removal of the endothelium. 3. The order of potency, was 5'-N-ethylcarboxamide-adenosine (NECA) greater than 2-(2-phenylethylamino)5'-N-ethylcarboxamide-adenosine (2-PEA-NECA) greater than 2-phenylamino-adenosine (CV-1808) greater than N6-[R(-)-1-phenyl-2-propyl]adenosine (R-PIA) greater than N6-[S(+)-1-phenyl-2-propyl]adenosine (S-PIA) greater than N6-cyclopentyl-adenosine (CPA) greater than adenosine greater than ATP offDP which suggested the presence of adenosine A2-receptor subtypes. 4. There was an excellent correlation between the calculated pD2 values on coronary arteries and the pKD values at adenosine A2 binding sites, whereas no correlation was obtained when the pD2 values were compared to the pKD values at adenosine A1-binding sites on membranes from porcine striata. 5. The relaxant effects of adenosine and its analogues were competitively antagonized by 8-(p-sulphophenyl)-theophylline (8-SPT), producing pA2 values similar to the respective pKD value of the antagonist at adenosine A2 binding sites. 6. It is suggested that the porcine coronary artery possesses adenosine A2 receptors which seem to be similar to the adenosine A2 binding site in pig striatum, whereas no evidence was obtained for the presence of adenosine A1 receptors.

Solution studies of haptens containing azobenzoate and substituted azobenzoate anions in water and in methanol

The dissociation constants (pKd) of o-, m- and p-(4-hydroxyphenylazo)benzoic acid and chloro-substituted 4-hydroxyphenylazobenzoic acids in water at 298.15 K have been obtained by potentiometric titration. pKd values for azobenzoic acids are higher than those for unsubstituted benzoic acid, suggesting that the 4-hydroxyphenylazo group behaves as an electron-donating group. The dissociation constants of chlorosubstituted 4-hydroxylphenylazobenzoic acids are in excellent agreement with values calculated using the Hammett equation taking as reference pKd values for unsubstituted 4-hydroxyphenylazobenzoic acids and the substitution constants for chlorine substituents. Hammett substitution constants for 4-hydroxyphenylazo substituents are reported for the first time. Conductances, ion-pair formation constants of o-, m- and p-(4-hydroxyphenylazo)benzoate and substituted azobenzoate salts in water and in methanol at 298.15 K are reported. Stokes radii for these anions in methanol and water are calculated. The data show that these anions are much more solvated in methanol than in water. Solubilities, solubility (ion activity) products and free energies of solution of a number of haptens in water and in methanol are reported. Free-energy data in water and in methanol are combined to calculate the transfer free energies of these electrolytes from water to methanol. A set of single-ion ΔG°t values based on the Ph4AsPh4B convention for azobenzoate and substituted azobenzoate anions in the water–methanol solvent system is reported.

5-HT1D receptors in guinea-pig and pigeon brain

The characteristics of high affinity [3H]5-HT (5-hydroxytryptamine) binding to non 5-HT1A non 5-HT1C sites were examined in crude membranes prepared from different regions of guinea-pig and pigeon brains. The coupling of these sites to adenylate cyclase was examined, and its pharmacological profile investigated. In the presence of 100 nmol/l 8-OH-DPAT (8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin) and 100 nmol/l mesulergine, [3H]5-HT labelled with nanomolar affinity an apparently homogeneous population of recognition sites in guinea-pig and pigeon brain membranes. The rank order of affinities of agonists and antagonists (5-CT (5-carboxamidotryptamine) greater than 5-HT greater than RU 24969 (5-methoxy-3-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-4- pyridinyl)-1H indole succinate) greater than yohimbine greater than or equal to rauwolscine greater than DP-5-CT (N,N dipropyl-5-carboxamidotryptamine) greater than or equal to mianserin greater than 8-OH-DPAT greater than mesulergine greater than SDZ 21-009 ((+/-)-4(3-tert-butyl-amino-2-hydroxypropoxy)-indol-2 carbonic acid isopropyl ester) greater than (-)propranolol), as well as their individual pKD values, were very similar to those at porcine caudate 5-HT1D sites and clearly different from those at rat cortex 5-HT1B sites. In the substantia nigra of the guinea-pig the 5-HT receptor-mediated inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase had a pharmacological profile fully comparable to that of 5-HT1D binding sites (5-CT greater than 5-HT greater than yohimbine greater than RU 24969 greater than 8-OH-DPAT greater than SDZ 21-009 = isamoltane greater than (-)pindolol greater than (-)propranolol).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

5-Hydroxytryptamine 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors mediating inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity

5-Hydroxytryptamine1B (5-HT1B) receptor mediated-inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in rat substantia nigra was characterized pharmacologically and compared to 5-HT1D receptor mediated-inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in calf substantia nigra. Special attention was paid to the effects of drugs known to bind with high affinity to 5-HT1B (pindolol, propranolol, cyanopindolol, SDZ 21-009, isamoltane) or 5-HT1D recognition sites (yohimbine, rauwolscine). pEC50 or pKB values of a variety of 5-HT-receptor ligands (6 agonists including 5-HT, and 12 antagonists) for the inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity in rat substantia nigra, correlated significantly to the corresponding pKD values at 5-HT1B binding sites (r = 0.90, P = 0.0001). Amongst the alpha 2- and beta-adrenoceptor antagonists tested, none of the drugs expressed more than 35% of the intrinsic activity of 5-HT at 5-HT1B receptors. When tested as antagonists, their pKB values were in good agreement with their pKD values for 5-HT1B sites. By contrast, these drugs displayed marked intrinsic activity at 5-HT1D receptors: their pEC50 values were close to their pKD values for 5-HT1D sites and their effects could be potently antagonized by methiothepin. The rank orders of potency of the tested compounds at 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D were markedly different. The results strengthen the identity between 5-HT receptors mediating inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity in rat and calf substantia nigra and 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D binding sites, respectively. They underline the differences between these receptors in terms of intrinsic activities and potencies of drugs.

Studies on Histaminergic Compounds, Part VII.1 Histamine H2-Binding on Guinea-Pig Cerebral Cortex Compared to Histamine (ANT)Agonism

The pKD values of series of H2-active compounds, obtained from displacement curves of 3H-tiotidine from a guinea-pig cerebral cortex homogenate were compared with the pA2/pD2 values of these compounds on the right atrium of the same animal species. A good correlation was found between the cortex pKD value and the pharmacological activity on the right atrium, especially with the antagonists, the partial agonists and the agonistic impromidine analogues (guanidines). The poor correlation between cortex pKD and atrium pD2 of some other agonists (the amines) might be explained by the presence of spare receptors for these compounds. The different number of spare receptors for the guanidines and the amines might be explained by the differences in base strength of these compounds.

Competitive interaction of agonists and antagonists with 5-HT3 recognition sites in membranes of neuroblastoma cells labelled with [3H]ICS 205-930.

[3H]ICS 205-930 labelled 5-HT3 recognition sites in membranes prepared from murine neuroblastoma N1E-115 cells. Binding was rapid, reversible, saturable and stereoselective to an apparently homogeneous population of sites. Kinetic studies revealed that agonists and antagonists produced a monophasic dissociation reaction of [3H]ICS 205-930 from its recognition sites. The dissociation rate constant of the radioligand was similar whether the dissociation was induced by an agonist or an antagonist. Competition studies carried out with agonists and antagonists also suggested the presence of a homogeneous population of [3H]ICS 205-930 recognition sites. Competition curves were best fit for a 1 site model. [3H]ICS 205-930 binding sites displayed the pharmacological profile of a 5-HT3 receptor. The interactions of agonists and antagonists with [3H]ICS 205-930 recognition sites were apparently competitive in nature, as demonstrated in kinetic and equilibrium experiments. In saturation experiments carried out with [3H]ICS 205-930 in the presence and the absence of unlabelled agonists and antagonists, apparent Bmax values were not reduced whereas apparent Kd values were increased in the presence of competing ligands. There was a good agreement between apparent pKB values calculated for the competing ligands in saturation experiments and pKd values calculated from competition experiments. The present data demonstrate that [3H]ICS 205-930 labels a homogeneous population of sites at which agonists and antagonists interact competitively.

Centrally acting hypotensive agents with affinity for 5-HT1A binding sites inhibit forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in calf hippocampus.

1. A number of centrally acting hypotensive agents and other ligands with high affinity for 5-hydroxytryptamine1A (5-HT1A) recognition sites have been tested on forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in calf hippocampus, a functional model for 5-HT1A-receptors. 2. Concentration-dependent inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was elicited by the reference 5-HT1-receptor agonists (mean EC50 value, nM): 5-HT (22), 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT, 3.2), 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)-tetralin (8-OH-DPAT, 8.6), N,N-dipropyl-5-carboxamidotryptamine (DP-5-CT, 2.3), 1-[2-(4-aminophenyl)ethyl]-4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-piperazine (PAPP or LY 165163, 20), 5-methoxy-3-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-4-pyridinyl)-1H indole (RU 24969, 20), buspirone (65) and ipsapirone (56). Emax amounted to 18-20% inhibition for all but the latter two agonists (14%). 3. The following hypotensive agents with high affinity for 5-HT1A sites were potent agonists in this system (mean EC50 value, nM): flesinoxan (24), indorenate (99), erythro-1-(1-[2-(1,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)-2-hydroxyethyl]-4-piperidyl )- 2-benzimidazolinone (R 28935, 2.5), urapidil (390) and 5-methyl-urapidil (3.5). The first two agents were full agonists, whereas the latter three acted as partial agonists with 60-80% efficacy. 4. Metergoline and methysergide behaved as full agonists and cyanopindolol as a partial agonist with low efficacy. Spiroxatrine and 2-(2,6-dimethoxyphenoxyethyl)aminomethyl- 1,4-benzodioxane (WB 4101) which bind to 5-HT1A sites with nanomolar affinity, were agonists and inhibited potently forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase in calf hippocampus, showing mean EC50 values of 23 and 15 nM, respectively. Spiroxatrine and WB 4101 yielded 90% and 50% efficacy, respectively. 5. Spiperone and methiothepin (each 1 microM) caused rightward shifts of the concentration-effect curve to 8-OH-DPAT, without loss of the maximal effect, as did the partial agonist cyanopindolol (0.1 microM) and the (-)- and (+)-enantiomers of pindolol (1 microM and 0.1 mM, respectively). 6. There was an excellent correlation (r = 0.90, P = 0.0001) between the pEC50 values (ranging from 6.4 to 8.7) of the 19 agonists tested at adenylate cyclase and their pKD for 5-HT1A recognition sites. Apparent pKB values of antagonists at adenylate cyclase and their pKD values for 5-HT1A binding sites were also significantly correlated. 7. This study further indicates that the 5-HT1A recognition site and the 5-HT receptor mediating inhibition of adenylate cyclase in hippocampus are the same. The data show that a number of centrally acting hypotensive agents with high affinity for the 5-HT1,A site are potent agonists in this model, suggesting an involvement of central 5-HTIA-receptors in the control of blood pressure.

Characteristics of beta-adrenoceptors in tracheal smooth muscle of guinea pig sensitized by egg albumin.

The effect of pretreatment with egg albumin was examined on the beta-adrenoceptors in guinea pig isolated trachea. Befunolol and carteolol acted as partial agonists and their pA2 values were significantly larger than their corresponding pD2 values in tracheae from both untreated guinea pigs and those treated with egg albumin, suggesting that the beta-adrenoceptors contain two different affinity sites. The Scatchard plot of specific [3H]befunolol binding showed two affinity sites of the receptor (high and low affinity sites) in tracheae from both untreated animals and those treated with egg albumin. The pKD values of befunolol for both low and high affinity sites were in agreement with their respective pD2 and pA2 values. The intrinsic activities of befunolol and carteolol and the pD2 values of the test drugs were decreased by the treatment with egg albumin. The treatment with egg albumin also decreased the total amount of the two affinity sites of the receptor without any change in affinity. The present results support the partial blockade of beta-adrenoceptors in asthma proposed by Szentivanyi.

A derivative of befunolol, BFE-55, interacts with only the high affinity sites in beta-adrenoceptors.

The effect of BFE-55, a derivative of befunolol (a beta-adrenergic partial agonist) on specific [3H]befunolol binding to a microsomal fraction from the guinea pig taenia caecum was tested. A Scatchard plot of specific [3H]befunolol binding in the absence of BFE-55 was concave, suggesting an existence of high and low affinity sites in beta-adrenoceptors. In contrast, the Scatchard plot of data in the presence of BFE-55 (3 X 10(-7) M) was straight. In the presence of BFE-55, the high affinity sites disappeared and the low affinity site was unaffected. In the absence and presence of BFE-55 there was no difference between the pKD values or Bmax values at the low affinity site. These findings indicate that BFE-55 interacts with only the high affinity sites in beta-adrenoceptors.

Effect of temperature on atrial and ventricular adenosine A1 receptors of the guinea pig

Cardiac adenosine receptors are coupled to adenylate cyclase inhibition. In the guinea pig heart, the relative agonist potencies observed for adenylate cyclase inhibition were R-N6-phenylisopropyladenosine (R-PIA) = N6-cyclohexyladenosine greater than 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine much greater than S-PIA. In both atrial and ventricular membranes, the antagonists 8-phenyltheophylline (8-PT) and isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) also showed similar affinities for atrial and ventricular adenosine receptors. The same pattern of relative agonist potencies was observed in experiments performed at either 25 or 37 degrees C. However, the maximal inhibition produced by R-PIA in atrial membranes decreased from 30.8 +/- 3.2% (n = 7) at 25 degrees C to 18.8 +/- 1.6% (n = 4) at 37 degrees C. No such difference in maximal inhibition was observed with ventricular membranes at these two temperatures (34.5 +/- 1.6%, n = 6 at 25 degrees C and 35.3 +/- 0.9%, n = 11 at 37 degrees C). While there was no change in agonist potencies, the affinities of the antagonists 8-PT and IBMX at cardiac adenosine A1 receptors were affected by temperature. At 25 degrees C, the pKD values for 8-PT and IBMX in ventricular membranes were 4.65 +/- 0.21 (n = 3) and 4.55 +/- 0.20 (n = 3), respectively. Their affinities were 7- to 19-fold higher at 37 degrees C, the pKD values being 5.93 +/- 0.12 (n = 7) (p less than 0.02) and 5.38 +/- 0.18 (n = 3) (p less than 0.05), respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Beta 2-adrenoreceptor binding sites in circular and longitudinal myometrial layers of the virgin guinea-pig: the influence of ovarian steroids.

Membranes prepared from both circular and longitudinal muscle layers of the uteri of two groups of virgin adult guinea-pigs were used to study the influence of ovarian steroids upon beta-adrenoreceptor binding sites. Animals were (i) treated for 14 days with oestradiol cypionate, beginning on day 9-10 of the oestrous cycle; or (ii) treated as in (i) and in addition, with progesterone for the last four days of oestradiol administration. (-)-[125I]-iodocyanopindolol ([125I]-CYP) was used to determine the numbers and characteristics of beta-adrenoreceptor binding sites in the four membrane preparations. In all cases, binding displayed characteristics of a saturable bimolecular reaction; the estimates of receptor site density (Bmax; 0.26-0.33 pmol g-1 wet weight) were similar in all four preparations, as were those of binding affinity KD; 18-31 pmol l-1). The mean negative logarithms of apparent dissociation constants (pKD) for the inhibition of specific [125I]-CYP binding by ICI 118, 551 (beta 2-adrenoreceptor selective antagonist) ranged from 8.4 to 8.6; and those for L 643, 717-01J10 (beta 1-adrenoreceptor selective antagonist) were 5.7-6.2. Thus the [125I]-CYP binding sites in all four membrane preparations displayed the characteristics expected of homogeneous populations of adrenoreceptors of the beta 2-subtype. The pKD values for isoprenaline were also similar in each type of membrane preparation (5.8-6.0). It is concluded that the clearcut differences in the contractile responsiveness, to adrenoreceptor agonists, of the circular and longitudinal myometrial preparations from oestrogen-treated guinea-pigs are not due to differences in the numbers, subtype or binding affinities of beta-adrenoreceptor binding sites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)