Characterization of gingival epithelium epidermal growth factor receptor

The binding characteristics of gingival epithelium epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor were investigated using epithelial cell membranes from bovine gingiva. The binding of [125I]EGF was found to be time and protein concentration dependent, reversible, and specific. Unlabeled EGF competed for [125I]EGF binding with IC50 of 0.25nM and maximum displacement of 93% at 0.81nM. Scatchard analysis of the binding data inferred the presence of two binding sites, one of high affinity (Kd = 3.3 nM and Bmax = 47.3fmol/mg protein) and the other of a low affinity (Kd = 1.6 microM and Bmax = 1.9pmol/mg protein). Crosslinking of [125I]EGF to gingival membranes followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography revealed a receptor protein of 170kDa.     

The identification and partial characterization of the fibroblast growth factor receptor of baby hamster kidney cells

The binding of biologically active, 125I-labeled basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) to baby hamster kidney-derived cell line cells (BHK-21) was studied at 4 degrees C. Unlabeled FGF displaced cell surface bound 125I-FGF, but platelet-derived growth factor, epidermal growth factor, insulin, or transferrin did not. Binding was saturable both as a function of time and as a function of increasing 125I-FGF concentrations. Scatchard analysis of the binding data revealed the presence of about 1.2 X 10(5) binding sites/cell with an apparent KD of 270 pM. The number of the binding sites was down-regulated following preincubation of the cells with FGF. The density of binding sites/cell also decreased as an inverse function of cell density. When 125I-FGF binding was studied in a BHK-21 cell membrane preparation, it was found that the membranal binding site displayed a lower KD of 21 pM. 125I-FGF was covalently cross-linked to its cell surface receptor on intact BHK-21 cells using the homobifunctional agent disuccinimidyl suberate. Two macromolecular species with an apparent molecular weight of 145,000 and 125,000, respectively, were labeled under both reducing and nonreducing conditions. Unlabeled FGF competed with 125I-FGF for binding to both macromolecular species. The labeling of the macromolecules was also inhibited by heparin. No labeling was observed in the absence of the cross-linkers or when heat-inactivated 125I-FGF was used instead of radiolabeled, biologically active FGF.     

High affinity peptide histidine isoleucine-preferring receptors in rat liver

Peptide Histidine Isoleucine (PHI) is generally considered a low affinity agonist for Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) receptors. In this study, we investigated the presence and characteristics of [125I]PHI binding sites on rat liver membranes. Detergents at nonsolubilizing concentrations (1 mM CHAPS or 0.01% Tween-20) were included in the assay buffer to reduce adsorptive loss of PHI to acceptable levels and permit measurement of PHI-binding to receptors. Under these conditions, binding of PHI to liver membranes was time- and temperature-dependent, reversible and saturable. Unlabeled PHI was 9.7-fold more potent than VIP, and 357-fold more potent than secretin in displacing [125I]-PHI binding. Scatchard analysis suggested the presence of two classes of PHI receptors, with Kd 27 pM and 512 pM. The data from [125I]-PHI and [125I]-VIP binding studies suggested that one class of receptors was PHI-preferring, and the other, equally reactive with PHI and VIP. The concentration of immunoreactive PHI, measured by radioimmunoassay, in blood from the hepatic portal vein of anesthetized rats was 2-fold higher than that from the hepatic vein, suggesting uptake of circulating PHI by the liver.     

High affinity interaction of endothelin-3 with recombinant ETA receptors

Pharmacological evidence has suggested that endothelin-3 (ET-3) may act via a novel form of ET receptor that is shared by ETA receptor antagonists but not by ETB receptor selective agonists. This study analyses the properties of interaction of ET-3 with recombinant bovine ETA receptor. Apparent Kd(ET-3) values as low as 50 nM were defined from [125I]ET-1 binding experiments performed at low (5 microg/ml) protein concentrations in the assays. Larger (up to 1 microM) values were artefactually obtained in experiments performed at larger protein concentrations. The three monoiodo ET-3 derivatives were synthetized. ([125I]Y14)ET-3 did not recognize ETA receptors. ([125I]Y6)ET-3 labelled 18% of [125I]ET-1 binding sites with a Kd value of 320 pM. ([125I]Y13)ET-3 labelled 44% of [125I]ET-1 binding sites with a Kd value of 130 pM. High affinity ([125I]Y6)ET-3 and ([125I]Y13)ET-3 bindings were prevented by ET-1 (Kd = 5-7 pM), ET-3 (Kd = 70-250 pM), BQ-123 (Kd = 2 nM) and FR139317 (Kd = 2 nM) but not by low concentrations of 4-AlaET-1, sarafotoxin S6c or IRL1620. The three monoiodo ET-3 derivatives bound to recombinant rat ETB receptors with a pM affinity. The results suggest that ET-3, ([125I]Y6)ET-3 and ([125I]Y13)ET-3 should not be considered as ETB receptor specific ligands.     

Quantitative in vitro autoradiographic characterization of [125I]angiotensin III binding sites in rat adrenal gland

A single class of high-affinity binding sites for [125I]angiotensin III and [125I]angiotensin II were found in rat adrenal medulla and zona glomerulosa by quantitative autoradiography. In the medulla, Kd were 1.46 and 1.16 nM, and Bmax 1700 and 1700 fmol/mg protein, for [125I]angiotensin II and [125I]angiotensin III, respectively. In the zona glomerulosa, Kd were 0.86 and 0.90 nM, and Bmax 790 and 560 fmol/mg protein, for [125I]angiotensin II and [125I]angiotensin III, respectively. Unlabeled angiotensin III and angiotensin II displaced [125I]angiotensin III with similar potency in both adrenal zona glomerulosa and medulla. Our findings suggest that angiotensin III and angiotensin II might share the same binding sites in adrenal gland and support the hypothesis of a role for angiotensin III in the adrenal medulla and zona glomerulosa.     

Photoaffinity labeling of the K+-channel-associated apamin-binding molecule in smooth muscle, liver and heart membranes

High-affinity binding sites for mono[125I]iodoapamin were detected in membranes (Kd = 59 pM, Bmax = 24 fmol/mg protein) and cultured cells (Kd = 69 pM, Bmax = 2.8 fmol/mg protein) from rat heart and in membranes from guinea-pig ileum (Kd = 67 pM, Bmax 42 fmol/mg protein) and liver (Kd = 15 pM, Bmax = 43 fmol/mg protein). Binding was stimulated by K+ ions (K0.5 = 0.3-0.5 mM). Covalent labeling with arylazide [125I]iodoapamin derivatives showed that smooth muscle, liver and heart binding molecules are associated with a 85-87-kDa polypeptide. A second strongly labeled 57-kDa component was identified in liver membranes only.     

Characterization of epidermal growth factor receptor in rat buccal mucosal cells

1. Receptor binding for epidermal growth factor (EGF) in rat buccal mucosa was characterized. Binding of [125I]EGF to rat buccal mucosa was time, temperature, cell number and [125I]EGF concentration dependent. 2. The [125I]EGF binding was reversible and specific. Unlabeled EGF competed for binding to buccal mucosal cells with an IC50 of 1.25 nM, whereas insulin failed to compete. 3. Scatchard analysis of the binding data revealed a curvilinear plot with dissociation constants of 3.39 nM and 2.14 microM, and binding capacities of 1.23 x 10(4) and 3.38 x 10(5) receptors per cell for high and low affinity sites, respectively. 4. Crosslinking of [125I]EGF to buccal mucosa followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed one major protein with Mw 170,000 which shares similar molecular weight with other known EGF receptors from different tissues and species. 5. The study is the first report to provide biochemical parameters of the specific EGF receptors in rat buccal mucosa.     

Appearance of basic fibroblast growth factor receptors upon differentiation of rat mammary epithelial to myoepithelial-like cells in culture

The binding of [125I]-epidermal growth factor (EGF) and [125I]-basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) to a number of single-cell cloned rat mammary cell lines was measured using a saturation assay. Similar numbers of high-affinity [125I]-EGF binding sites (KD 1.3 nM) were found in epithelial and myoepithelial-like cell lines. In contrast, high-affinity (KD 35-276 pM) [125I]-bFGF binding sites were present on fibroblastic and myoepithelial-like cell lines but were not detectable on epithelial cell lines. A series of cell lines representing stages in the differentiation pathway of epithelial cells to an elongated myoepithelial-like morphology showed a graded increase in the number of bFGF receptors. The sensitivity of a cell line to stimulation of DNA synthesis by bFGF correlated with the level of expression of bFGF receptors on the cellular surface. Complexes of cell surface receptors affinity-cross-linked to [125I]-bFGF were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). In each case two distinct complexes having apparent molecular weights of 180 kDa and 160 kDa were observed.     

Bifunctional effects of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) on endothelial cell growth correlate with phenotypes of TGF-beta binding sites.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a bifunctional, dose-dependent regulator of endothelial cell proliferation induced in vitro by heparin-binding growth factor 1 (HBGF-1, acidic FGF). Here we have examined the relationship between endothelial cell growth and the expression of cell surface binding sites for TGF-beta and HBGF-1. Fetal bovine heart endothelial cell (FBHEC) growth was stimulated by low concentrations of TGF-beta and inhibited by high concentrations of TGF-beta while expressing two distinct classes of TGF-beta binding sites with binding constants of 24 pM (6300 sites/cell) and 900 pM (12,000 sites/cell). In contrast, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), whose growth was slightly promoted by TGF-beta, exhibited a single class of high-affinity TGF-beta binding sites (Kd = 45 pM, 4500 sites/cell). Affinity crosslinking using [125I]TGF-beta showed that FBHEC expressed two distinct low molecular weight TGF-beta binding sites (Mr 85,000 and 58,000), while HUVEC expressed a single type of low molecular weight TGF-beta binding site (Mr 85,000). As detected by binding of [125I]HBGF-1, preincubation of FBHEC with high concentrations of TGF-beta transmodulated the expression of high-affinity HBGF-1 receptors. In contrast, no transmodulation of HBGF-1 receptors occurred in FBHEC during preincubation with low concentrations of TGF-beta. Furthermore, preincubation of HUVEC with TGF-beta did not transmodulate the expression of HBGF-1 receptors. The data suggest that the ability of TGF-beta to stimulate or inhibit endothelial cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner correlated with the expression of specific TGF-beta binding site subtypes and involved the transmodulation of HBGF-1 receptors.     

Identification and characterization of receptor for mammalian hepatopoietin that is homologous to yeast ERV1

Hepatopoietin (HPO) is a novel polypeptide mitogen specific for hepatocytes and hepatoma cell lines, which is derived from liver and supports its regeneration. To determine whether HPO acts via a receptor-based signal transduction, recombinant human hepatopoietin was labeled by iodination and used to characterize its binding activity by specific displacement test and Scatchard analysis in primarily cultured rat hepatocytes and human hepatoma Hep-G2 cells. The binding was saturable and specific because it was replaceable by HPO but not by epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor-alpha, or insulin. Scatchard analysis indicated the presence of a single class of high affinity receptor with dissociation constant (Kd) of 2 and 0.7 pM, and a receptor density of about 10, 000 sites/cell and 55,000 sites/cell in the rat hepatocytes and human hepatoma cells, respectively. The Kd values were consistent with the half-maximum dose of HPO activity. Affinity cross-linking of the receptor with 125I-HPO revealed a polypeptide of molecular mass approximately 90 kDa by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Thus, the molecular mass of the HPO receptor was calculated to be about 75 kDa. These data demonstrated the existence of an HPO receptor in hepatocytes and hepatoma cells, which may account for biological effect.     

A reversible radioligand specific for the ETB receptor: [125I]Tyr13-Suc-[Glu9,Ala11,15]-endothelin-1(8- 21), [125I]IRL 1620.

Suc-[Glu9,Ala11,15]-endothelin(ET)-1(8-21), IRL 1620, is a linear ET-analog specific for the ET-isopeptide-nonselective ETB receptor. The radio-iodinated analog, [125I]IRL 1620, showed a single class of saturable binding to the ETB receptors in porcine lung membranes with a Kd of 18 pM and a Bmax of 930 fmol/mg protein, which are almost comparable to the values obtained with [125I]ET-3 (6 pM and 900 fmol/mg protein). In competitive binding assays with [125I]IRL 1620, unlabeled ET-1, ET-3, IRL 1620 and [monoiodo-Tyr13]-IRL 1620 showed almost identical displacement curves with Ki of 8 to 16 pM. However, [125I]IRL 1620 was dissociated from the binding sites by addition of an excess amount (100 nM) of any of these unlabeled peptides, each with the same t1/2 of 100 min. This was in marked contrast to [125I]ET-3 which was hardly dissociated from the binding sites.     

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) competes for two binding sites of CGRP.

Two distinct binding sites for [125I]human calcitonin gene-related peptide (hCGRP) were found in rat brain, skeletal muscle, and liver. Each tissue had a high affinity site with an average Kd of 46 pM and a low affinity site with an average Kd of 22 nM. Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), which has N- and C-terminal sequence homology to CGRP and is produced by islet beta-cells, bound to both sites but had a potency closer to that of CGRP at the low affinity binding site. A C-terminal fragment of IAPP competed for [125I]hCGRP binding at the low affinity site with potency comparable to that of hIAPP. No specific binding to membrane preparations was found in experiments using [125I]rIAPP, which was iodinated at the C-terminal tyrosyl residue. These results suggest that some of the previously reported biological effects occurring at nM or microM concentrations of IAPP may be mediated by IAPP binding to low affinity CGRP receptors. This study further indicates that the C-terminal region of IAPP is important for binding to low affinity CGRP receptors, and suggests that C-terminal fragments of IAPP may be of biological importance.     

Down-regulation of mt1 melatonin receptors in rat ovary following estrogen exposure.

In this study, we have demonstrated that 2-[125I]-iodomelatonin binds specifically to rat ovarian granulosa cell (GC) membranes with high affinity (KD=83 pM; Bmax=3.28 fmol/mg protein). Using immunoblot analysis and an anti-mt1 melatonin receptor antibody, we have also detected mt1 melatonin receptors in rat ovary. Because melatonin has been reported to alter the steroidogenic responses of ovarian tissues to gonadotropins, a physiological role for intra-ovarian melatonin may exist. Thus, in order to investigate a possible intra-ovarian role for melatonin, we have used both an in vivo and in vitro model of follicular development. Treatment of immature (day 21) female rats with estradiol (E; 0.2 mg/d x 3 d; subcutaneous) was used to induce follicular growth. Membranes from both untreated (U) and E-treated animals' ovaries contained high-affinity 2-[125I]-iodomelatonin (I-MEL) binding sites (Kd=83 and 23 pM, respectively). Estradiol treatment in vivo caused a significant decrease (P<0.05) in binding of 2-[125I]-iodomelatonin to ovarian membranes with untreated animals' ovaries having a Bmax=3.28 fmol/mg protein vs. estradiol-treated animals' ovaries having a Bmax=0.92 fmol/mg protein. In addition, following Estradiol treatment, mt1 melatonin receptors in rat ovary were down-regulated (approximately 95%) using immunoblot analysis. Granulosa cells isolated from E-treated rats were further matured in vitro with testosterone (T) and the pituitary gonadotropin follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Granulosa cells were cultured with either T (10 ng/ml) or FSH (5.71 ng ovine FSH-20/ml) alone, or both FSH and T for 48 h. There was no statistically significant specific binding of 2-[125I]-iodomelatonin to GC membranes cultured with T or FSH alone. However, following a 48-h exposure to FSH and T in vitro specific 2-[125I]-iodomelatonin binding occurred with total 2-[125I]-iodomelatonin binding =3.15 [corrected] fmol/mg protein. Therefore, the existence of hormonally-regulated expression of high-affinity melatonin binding sites suggests that melatonin may have an important intra-ovarian physiological role.     

2-(125I) iodomelatonin binding sites in rat adrenals: pharmacological characteristics and subcellular distribution.

Specific binding sites for 2-[125I] iodomelatonin, a selective radiolabeled melatonin receptor ligand, were detected and characterized in rat adrenal membranes. Saturation studies demonstrated that 2-[125I]iodomelatonin binds to a single class of sites with an affinity constant (Kd) of 541 pM and a total binding capacity (Bmax) of 3.23 fmol/mg protein. Competition experiments revealed that the relative order of potency of compounds tested was as follows: 6-chloromelatonin greater than 2-iodomelatonin greater than melatonin greater than 5-methoxytryptamine greater than 5-methoxytryptophol. The highest density of binding sites was found in membranes from nuclear (0.76 fmol/mg protein) and mitochondrial (1.82 fmol/mg protein) subcellular fractions.     

High affinity binding sites for basic fibroblast growth factor in rat hepatic plasma membranes

The binding of [125I]-recombinant basic FGF (rec bFGF) to rat hepatic plasma membranes was investigated. [125I] rec bFGF bound to an apparent single class of high affinity binding sites (KD = 69 pM; Bmax = 9.61 fmoles/mg proteins). The absence of low affinity sites was confirmed by the inability of sulphated polysaccharides and heparinase to interfere with FGF binding. A good correlation existed between the ability of bovine pituitary-derived bFGF, rec bFGF and bovine brain-derived aFGF to displace [125I]rec bFGF from these binding sites and their in vitro potency on bovine aortic endothelial cell proliferation.     

Characterization of specific receptors for atrial natriuretic factor in bovine adrenal zona glomerulosa

We have recently shown that synthetic rat atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) directly inhibits mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid secretion in cultured bovine adrenal cells with a potency of 100 pM. [125I]iodo-ANF was used in the present study to characterize potential receptor sites in bovine zona glomerulosa membranes. ANF binds to a class of high affinity binding sites with a pK of 10.2 and a density of 1.3 pmol/mg protein. Detailed competition curves with ANF document a class of high affinity sites with a pK of 10.2 and also a second class of lower affinity sites with a pK of 8.5. Nonspecific binding amounts to less than 10% of [125I]iodo-ANF binding at concentrations less than 100 pM. High affinity binding of [125I]iodo-ANF is reversible with a half-time of association of 15 minutes at 25 pM and a half-time of dissociation of 140 minutes. Monovalent cations Na, Li and K equipotently enhance [125I]iodo-ANF specific binding. Divalent cations Mg, Ca and Mn also increase [125I]iodo-ANF specific binding, with Mn being the most active cation. No effect of guanine nucleotide could be detected on ANF binding. The binding of [125I]iodo-ANF is very specific and is not inhibited by 1 microM angiotensin II, ACTH, VIP, somatostatin, Leu-enkephalin, dynorphin or by the N-terminal of POMC. The N-terminal fragment ANF-(1-16) is also completely inactive. Reduction of the disulfide bridge of ANF inactivates the peptide. This enabled the development of a highly specific radio-receptor assay for ANF with a minimum detectable dose of 2 femtomoles. The results document the specific receptor involved in the potent inhibitory effect of ANF on adrenal steroidogenesis and indicate that bovine adrenal zonal glomerulosa provide a highly sensitive system for studying the recently discovered atrial natriuretic factor.     

Characterization of melatonin binding sites in the harderian gland and median eminence of the rat.

The characterization of specific melatonin binding sites in the Harderian gland (HG) and median eminence (ME) of the rat was studied using [125I]melatonin. Binding of melatonin to membrane crude preparations of both tissues was dependent on time and temperature. Thus, maximal binding was obtained at 37 degrees C after 30-60 min incubation. Binding was also dependent on protein concentration (up to 1.5 mg/ml). The specific binding of [125I]melatonin was saturable, exhibiting only one class of binding sites in both tissues. The dissociation constants (Kd) were 170 and 190 pM for ME and HG, respectively. The concentration of the binding sites in ME was 8 fmol/mg protein, and in the HG 4 fmol/mg protein. In competition studies, binding of [125I]melatonin to ME or HG was inhibited by increasing concentration of native melatonin; 50% inhibition was observed at about 702 and 422 nM for ME and HG, respectively. Additionally, the [125I]melatonin binding to the crude membranes was not affected by the addition of different drugs such as norepinephrine, isoproterenol, phenylephrine, propranolol, or prazosin. The results confirm the presence of melatonin binding sites in median eminence and show, for the first time, the existence of melatonin binding sites in the Harderian gland.     

Identification and characterization of endothelin binding sites in rat renal papillary and glomerular membranes

The present study was designed to identify and characterize specific endothelin binding sites in membranes of rat renal papillae and glomeruli which appear to be target tissues for this new peptide hormone. Saturation binding studies indicate that the sites have a high and uniform affinity. The dissociation constants averaged 662 +/- 151 and 1309 +/- 123 pM and the receptor densities 7666 +/- 920 and 5831 +/- 348 fmol/mg protein for papillary and glomerular membranes, respectively. Endothelin 1, endothelin 3 and sarafotoxin all inhibited [125I]-endothelin binding with IC50's in the 100-300 pM range, whereas unrelated peptides, namely angiotensin II, atrial natriuretic peptide, and platelet-derived growth factor failed to compete for [125I]-endothelin binding. Deletion of the carboxyterminal tryptophan in endothelin 1 reduced its affinity for glomerular binding sites by 2 orders of magnitude. Specific endothelin binding to these membranes was maximal at pH 4 and was markedly inhibited as the pH was raised above 8. When [125I]-endothelin is covalently linked to glomerular membrane binding sites, SDS-PAGE of these solubilized membranes followed by autoradiography reveals a predominant specifically labeled band of 45 kDa. Whether this band represents a subunit of the endothelin receptor(s), the receptor proper, or an intracellular endothelin binding protein remains to be determined.     

Angiotensin II binding sites in frog kidney and adrenal.

Angiotensin II (AII) binding sites were localized and quantified in kidney and adrenal of the frog Rana temporaria by quantitative in vitro autoradiography. AII binding was present in kidney glomeruli and in interrenal tissue of the outer zone of the adrenal gland. Saturation experiments showed that [125I]-[Val5]AII binds to a single class of binding sites with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 548 +/- 125 pM in glomeruli and 593 +/- 185 pM in interrenal tissue (n = 8). The corresponding maximal binding capacities (Bmax) were 2.48 +/- 0.71 and 3.05 +/- 1.02 fmol/mm2, respectively. AII binding was displaced by unlabeled angiotensin analogues in the rank order: [Sar1]AII greater than human AII greater than [125I]-[Val5]AII = [Val5]AII = human AIII much greater than human AI. The AII binding sites in glomeruli and interrenal tissue suggest an influence of AII on glomerular filtration rate and adrenal steroid secretion to take part in osmomineral regulation of the frog.     

Ontogeny of insulin-receptor interaction: Correlation with circulatory insulin levels

Interaction of [¹²⁵I]-insulin with intact hepatocytes and its correlation with circulatory insulin level was examined. The hepatocytes from new-born rats bound lowest amount of [¹²⁵I]-insulin (1.39±0.41 pM/mg cell protein) when circulatory insulin level was high (8±1.5 ΜU/ml). Hepatocytes from 7 day and 21 day old animals demonstrated a more or less similar relationship, Cells from 31 day old animals exhibited maximum insulin binding, activity (5.13±0.18.pM/mg cell protein) against a low serum insulin level (4.25±0.25 ΜU/ ml). Scatchard analysis of insulin binding shows that the affinity is higher in the hepatocytes from new-born animals than in the hepatocytes of 31 day old animals. Higher binding observed in the latter case may be due to a greater number of binding sites. Hepatocytes from one year old rats bound very little insulin (2.50±0.36 pM/mg cell protein) against a high circulatory insulin level (9.25±0.85 ΜU/ml). In view of these results, it appears that the down-regulation hypothesis holds true during ontogeny too.