Beta-adrenergic receptor characteristics of postnatal rat myocardial cell preparations

Summary Primary mycolardial cell cultures and freshly isolated cardiac cells in suspension resprensent two isolated, whole cell models for investigating cellular transsarcolemmal⁴⁵Ca⁺⁺ exchange in response to a receptor-coupled stimulus. Studies were performed to characterize beta-adrenergic receptor binding, beta-adrenergic receptor mediated cellular calcium (⁴⁵Ca⁺⁺) exchange, and viability in purified primary myocardial cell cultures and freshly isolated cardiac cells in suspension obtained from 3-to 3-d-old Sprague-Dawley rats. In addition, beta-adrenergic receptor binding was characterized in whole-heart crude membrane preparations. All three preparations had saturable beta-adrenergic binding sites with the antagonist [¹²⁵I]iodopindolol ([¹²⁵I]IPIN). The suspensions had a significantly lower B _max (42±6 fmol/mg protein) than the membranes and cultures (77±8 and 95±10 fmol/mg protein, respectively). The K _D of the cultures (218±2.0 pM) was significantly higher than that for the suspensions (107 ±1.3 pM) and membranes (93±1.3 pM). Viability was significantly lower in the suspensions (57%) when compared to 94% viability in myocardial cell cultures after 3 h of incubation in Kreb's Henseleit buffer. Incubation of the cultures with 5.0×10⁻⁷ M isoproterenol resulted in a significant increase in⁴⁵Ca⁺⁺ exchange as early as 15 s. In contrast,⁴⁵Ca⁺⁺ exchange into the suspensions was not increased. Although both primary cell cultures and cardiac cells in suspension possess saturable beta-adrenergic receptors, only the monolayer cultures exhibited functional beta-adrenergic receptor-mediated⁴⁵Ca⁺⁺ exchange. Of the two intact cell models investigated, these data suggest that primary myocardial cell cultures are more suitable than cell suspensions for investigating beta-adrenergic receptor binding and functions in the postnatal rat heart. This research was supported by The University of Texas Research Institute, a grant from the Texas Advanced Research Technology Program awarded to S. W. Leslie and R. E. Wilcox, and contract 223-86-2109 from the Food and Drug Administration.     

Electric organ polyamines and their effects on the acetylcholine receptor

1. The electric organ of Torpedo nobiliana contained putrescine (PUT), spermidine (SPD), spermine (SPM), and cadaverine (CAD). Traces of acetylated SPD and SPM were occasionaly seen. 2. Upon fractionation of the tissue by differential centrifugation, the polyamines (PA) were found predominantly in the soluble fraction. The postsynaptic membrane fraction, containing a high concentration of acetylcholine receptor (AChR), was proportionally enriched in SPM. The molar ratio of SPM to AChR was approximately two in these membranes. 3. The effect of exogeneous PA on AChR function was studied by two methods: carbamoylcholine (CCh)-dependent 86Rb+ influx into receptor-rich membrane vesicles and [alpha-125I]bungarotoxin (Bgt) binding to the AChR. 4. SPM inhibited both ion influx and the rate of Bgt binding at concentrations above 1 mM, and therefore it appears to act as a competitive antagonist of the AChR. 5. At submicromolar concentrations, and only after preincubation with the receptor-rich membrane, SPM and PUT increased the ion influx by about 20% over control values. 6. Preincubation with 100 nM SPM did not affect the equilibrium binding of iodinated toxin or the rate of toxin binding, and therefore SPM was not uncovering new receptors. 7. By measuring the initial rate of toxin binding after different periods of preincubation with 1 microM CCh, the rate of the slow phase of receptor desensitization was determined. This rate was not changed by 100 nM SPM. 8. Although these results suggest that at low concentrations SPM is a positive modulator of the AChR, the precise mechanism of action is not determined yet.     

Phosphorylation of atrial natriuretic factor R1 receptor by serine/threonine protein kinases: evidences for receptor regulation

The 130 kDa atrial natriuretic factor receptor (ANF-R₁) purified from bovine adrenal zona glomerulosa is phosphorylated in vitro by serine/threonine protein kinases such as cAMP-, cGMP-dependent and protein kinase C. This phosphorylation is independent of the presence of ANF (99–126) and there is no detectable intrinsic kinase activity associated with the ANF-R₁ receptor or with its activated form. In bovine adrenal zona glomerulosa cells, TPA (phorbol ester) induces a marked inhibition of the ANF-stimulated cGMP accumulation as well as of the membrane ANF-sensitive guanylate cyclase catalytic activity without any change in the binding capacity or affinity for ¹²⁵I-ANF. However, we have demonstrated a significant ³²P incorporation in the ANF-R₁ receptor of the TPA-treated cells. The effect of TPA on the zona glomerulosa ANF-R₁ receptors was abolished by calphostin C, a specific protein kinase C inhibitor. Altered ANF actions due to blunted response of guanylate cyclase to ANF could be a consequence of the ANF receptor phosphorylation by excessive activity of protein kinase C and might be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension.Abbreviations ANF Atrial Natriuretic Factor - ANF-R₁ Atrial Natriuretic Factor Receptor, subtype 1 - ATP Adenosine Triphosphate - CaCl₂ Calcium Chloride - cAMP Adenosine cyclic 3,5-Monophosphate acid - cGMP Guanosine cyclic 35-Monophosphate acid - EDC 1-Ethyl-3-[3-Dimethylaminopropyl] Carbodiimide - EDTA Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid - GTP Guanosine Triphosphate - IBMX 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine - kDa Kilodaltons - MgCl₂ Magnesium Chloride - MgAC Magnesium Acetate - NaCl Sodium Chloride - PAGE Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis - PKA cAMP-dependent protein kinase - PKG cGMP-dependent Protein Kinase - PKC Calcium/Phospholipid-dependent Protein Kinase - RIA Radioimmunoassay - SDS Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate - SHR Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat - Tris HCl Tris (Hydroxymethyl) aminomethane Hydrochloride - TPA 12-O-Tetradecanoyl-Phorbol-13-Acetate     

Expression of the full-length rabbit prolactin receptor and its specific domains in baculovirus infected insect cells

The prolactin receptor is a membrane protein mainly involved in the development of the mammary gland and in lactation in mammals. We used specific cDNA constructs and the insect/baculovirus expression system and produced independently and in large amounts several recombinant forms of the rabbit mammary gland prolactin receptor: the full-length receptor (L1, L2), a truncated membrane form (S), a secretable form of the extracellular domain (E) and two forms of the intracellular domain (I1, I2). Of these forms, the L1 and L2 are associated with the membrane fraction, the E is predominantly secreted into the medium and the I1 and I2 are expressed as soluble proteins and surprisingly, a great portion accumulates in the culture medium. The molecular mass (94 kDa) of the expressed full-length receptor corresponds to the translation product of the entire cDNA coding region. The receptor biochemically identified in the rabbit mammary gland is however much shorter. Thus, in the mammary gland, the receptor presumably undergoes post-translational modifications. The receptor forms L1, L2 and S bind prolactin with specificity and affinity similar to those reported for the native receptor. They also interact with two monoclonal antibodies, M110 and A917, specific for the native conformation of the hormone-binding site. The I1 and I2 forms do not bind prolactin, whereas the E form does. Thus, the hormone binding site is located in the extracellular domain which can function autonomously as a PRL-binding soluble protein. However, the E form binds prolactin with a higher affinity than the native receptor and it does not bind one of the two antireceptor monoclonal antibodies, known to be hormone binding-site specific. Thus, the conformation of the native receptor and that of the E form differ.     

Immunogold labelling of the cytoplasmic estradiol receptor in resting porcine endometrium

Summary Serial sections of resting porcine endometrium were analyzed with the monoclonal antibody 13H2 using goat antimouse IgG/5 nm gold as secondary reagent or with either polyclonal antibodies from goat #402 or the rat monoclonal antibody H222, both in combination with protein G/12 nm gold. A modestly higher labelling of nuclei than of cytoplasm was seen only with the monoclonal antibody H222. Polyclonal #402 and monoclonal 13H2 showed fewer attachments over nuclear than over cytoplasmic areas. The highest densities of attachment and of predominantly cytoplasmic labelling were obtained with the monoclonal antibody 13H2. The results confirm the earlier assumption of a restricted accessiblity of estradiol receptor in the cytoplasm of resting cells for immunoreagents.     

Enhancement of epidermal growth factor receptor expression on glioma cells by recombinant tumor necrosis factor α

Summary Recombinant tumor necrosis factor (rTNF; optimal dose 1000 U/ml) significantly increased the density of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) in three of four glioma cell lines in culture as determined by binding analysis of anti-EGF-R monoclonal antibody (mAb) 425. Since enhancement of EGF-R expression by rTNF- was inhibited when cells were treated with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, the effects of rTNF may be protein-synthesis-dependent. The dose of rTNF that was optimal for up-regulation of EGF-R on glioma cells did not inhibit the growth of these cells.¹²⁵I-labeled mAb 425 lysed glioma cells in culture following its internalization into the cells. After glioma cells had been treated with rTNF, the growth-inhibitory effects of the mAb were significantly enhanced, probably a reflection of the increase in EGF-R density on the tumor cell surfaces. The rTNF effects were specific to the EGF-R and did not affect unrelated glioma-associated antigens. In our previous clinical trials,¹²⁵I-labeled mAb 425 showed immunotherapeutic effects in glioma patients. The present study provides the basis for considerations of combined immunotherapy of glioma patients with¹²⁵I-labeled mAb 425 and rTNF.     

Guanine nucleotide- and muscarinic agonist-dependent phosphoinositide metabolism in synaptoneurosomes from cerebral cortex of immature rats

Guanine nucleotide-, neurotransmitter-, and fluoride-stimulated accumulation of [³H]inositol phosphates ([³H]InsPs) was measured in [³H]inositol-labeled synaptoneurosomes from cerebral cortex of immature (7-day-old) and adult rats, in order to clarify the role of GTP-binding proteins (G-proteins) in modulating phosphoinositide (PtdIns) metabolism during brain development. GTP(S) [Guanosine 5-O-(3-thio)triphosphate] time- and concentration-dependently stimulated PtdIns hydrolysis. Its effect was potentiated by full (carbachol, metacholine) and partial (oxotremorine) cholinergic agonists through activation of muscarinic receptors. The presence of deoxycholate was required to demonstrate agonist protentiation of the guanine nucleotide effect. The response to GTP(S) was higher in adult than in immature rats, while the effect of cholinergic agonists was similar at the two ages examined. At both ages, histamine potentiated the effect of GTP(S), while norepinephrine was ineffective. At both ages, guanosine 5-O-(2-thio)diphosphate [GDP(S)] and pertussis toxin significantly decreased GTP(S)-induced [³H]InsPs formation. The phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), on the other hand, did not inhibit the guanine nucleotide response in synaptoneurosomes from immature rats. NaF mimicked the action of GTP(S) in stimulating PtdIns hydrolysis. Its effect was not affected by carbachol and was highly synergistic with that of AlCl₃, according to the concept that fluoroaluminate (AlF₄ ^–) is the active stimulatory species. No quantitative differences were found in the response to these salts between immature and adult animals. These results provide evidence that, in both the immature and adult rat brain, neuroreceptor activation is coupled to PtdIns hydrolysis through modulatory G-proteins.     

Autoradiographic study on [3H]flunitrazepam binding in rat cortex and hippocampus after chronic ethanol treatment

Ethanol alters almost all membrane functions, but it behaves essentially like a benzodiazepine-type GABAergic agonist. The mechanism by which ethanol affects the GABA/benzodiazepine complex is not clear. We studied the possible changes in [³H]flunitrazepam binding induced by chronic ethanol treatment, using light microscopic autoradiography, to try to elucidate the controversy underlying this topic. This technique allows us to measure densities of benzodiazepine receptors in different anatomical brain areas—visual cortex and hippocampus—which seem to constitute the anatomical support for the behavioral and physiological responses affected by ethanol. Autoradiographic studies on the visual cortex and hippocampus from rats chronically treated with ethanol do not show statistically significant differences in the binding of, [³H]flunitrazepam with respect to control animals. Furthermore, we did not find either rostro-caudal or medio-lateral differences, in benzodiazepine receptor densities in each layer of the visual cortex.     

Sigma receptors in schizophrenic cerebral cortices

Antipsychotics represent high affinity for sigma receptors and sigma-like drugs often have the psychotomimetic properties. Besides, the receptors are unevenly distributed in human brain. These findings suggest that sigma receptors might be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Sigma receptors in rat and human brain were measured with [³H]-1, 3, di-o-tolylguanidine (DTG) and non-specific binding of [³H]DTG was determined in the presence of 10^–5M haloperidol. Monovalent and divalent cations strongly inhibited [³H]DTG binding. Glutamate, aspartate and glycine also decreased the binding to human cerebral membranes. With post-mortem brain samples from 12 schizophrenics and 10 controls, sigma receptors were measured in 17 areas of cerebral cortex. Sigma receptors binding showed the regional differences in the cortex, but no significant differences between schizophrenics and controls were observed except the superior parietal cortex where the binding significantly increased in the schizophrenic group. These results suggest that sigma receptors in cerebral cortices might not be directly concerned with the pathophysiological role in schizophrenia.Dedicated to Dr. Morris Aprison. Received too late for publication in special issue.