Characterisation of a high-affinity VIP receptor in human lung parenchyma

A method is described for preparing human lung parenchymal membranes essentially free of carbon contamination. Using this technique, a high-affinity 125I-VIP-binding site has been characterised. The receptor density is approx. 200 fmol/mg protein, and the Kd of 125I-VIP by saturation binding is 200 pM. The dissociation kinetics are complex and cannot be described by first-order kinetics. Several VIP-related peptides displace 125I-VIP from this binding site with a rank order of potency: VIP greater than rat GRF greater than PHM greater than PHI greater than human GRF greater than secretin greater than glucagon. Displacement curves of these peptides exhibited slope factors significantly less than unity with the exception of human GRF.     

VIP receptors from porcine liver: high yield solubilization in a GTP-insensitive form.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors were solubilized from porcine liver membranes using CHAPS. The binding of 125I-VIP to solubilized receptors was reversible, saturable and specific. Scatchard analysis indicated the presence of one binding site with a Kd of 6.5 +/- 0.3 nM and a Bmax of 1.20 +/- 0.15 pmol/mg protein. Solubilized and membrane-bound receptors displayed the same pharmacological profile since VIP and VIP-related peptides inhibited 125I-VIP binding to both receptor preparations with the same rank order of potency e.g. VIP greater than helodermin greater than rat GRF greater than rat PHI greater than secretin greater than human GRF. GTP inhibited 125I-VIP binding to membrane-bound receptors but not to solubilized receptors supporting functional uncoupling of VIP receptor and G protein during solubilization. Affinity labeling of solubilized and membrane-bound VIP receptors with 125I-VIP revealed the presence of a single molecular component with Mr 55,000 in both cases. It is concluded that VIP receptors from porcine liver can be solubilized with a good yield, in a GTP-insentive, G protein-free form. This represents a major advance towards the purification of VIP receptors.     

Solubilization of the active vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor from human colonic adenocarcinoma cells

The non-ionic detergent n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside was used to solubilize the VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) receptor from human colonic adenocarcinoma cell line HT29-D4. The binding of monoiodinated 125I-VIP to the solubilized receptor was specific, time-dependent, and reversible. Scatchard analysis of data obtained from competitive displacement of monoiodinated 125I-VIP by native VIP suggested the presence of two classes of VIP binding sites with Kd values of 0.32 and 46.7 nM. The binding capacities of these two classes were 1.7 x 10(10) and 30.2 x 10(10) sites/mg of proteins, respectively. The solubilized receptor retained the specificity of the human VIP receptor towards the peptides of the VIP/secretin/glucagon family. The order of potency in inhibiting monoiodinated 125I-VIP binding was VIP (IC50 = 1.0 x 10(-9) M) much greater than peptide histidine methionine amide (IC50 = 10(-7) M) greater than growth hormone-releasing factor (IC50 = 3 x 10(-7) M) greater than secretin (IC50 greater than 10(-6) M); glucagon had no effect on VIP binding. The reducing agent dithiothreitol inhibited in a dose-dependent manner the binding of 125I-VIP. Covalent cross-linking experiments between the solubilized receptor and 125I-VIP showed that after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography two major and one minor polypeptides of Mr 67,000, 72,000, and 83,000 were specifically labeled. When analyzed by gel filtration, the n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside-solubilized 125I-VIP-receptor complex was resolved into two major peaks with molecular mass in the range of 60-70 and 270-300 kDa. Thus, the soluble form of the VIP receptor was probably a multimeric complex in which disulfide bonds may play an important role to hold the receptor in an active configuration.     

Autoradiographic localization of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide receptors in the rat mesenteric vascular tree

By the use of combined in vitro radioreceptor binding and autoradiographic techniques, we analyzed the pharmacological properties and the anatomical localization of the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) receptor in rat superior mesenteric artery and in medium and small mesenteric artery branches. 125I-VIP was bound by sections of rat superior mesenteric artery in a manner consistent with the labeling of specific VIP receptors, with Kd and Bmax values of 0.23 nM and 0.71 pmol/mg protein respectively. Inhibition of 125I-VIP binding with VIP and related peptides gives the following rank order of potency: VIP greater than peptide histidine methionine greater than secretin. Light microscope autoradiography reveals specific VIP binding sites within the medial layer of superior mesenteric artery and its branches. Medium and small sized vessels are richer in 125I-VIP binding sites than the larger ones.     

A human melanoma-derived cell line (IGR39) with a very high number of vasoactive-intestinal-peptide (VIP) receptors. 1. Molecular characterization of the binding site

Using mono[125I]iodinated vasoactive intestinal peptide (125I-VIP), a very high number of specific binding sites for VIP were identified at the surface of the human melanoma cell line IGR39. The Scatchard analysis of competitive displacement experiments between native VIP and 125I-VIP was consistent with the existence of two classes of VIP-binding sites. IGR39 cells possess 0.54 x 10(6) high-affinity sites with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.66 nM and 1.3 x 10(6) sites of moderate affinity with a Kd of 4.7 nM. Pharmacological studies indicated that the order of potency in inhibiting 125I-VIP binding of the VIP/secretin family peptides was VIP much greater than peptide histidine methioninamide greater than human growth-hormone-releasing factor(1-44) greater than secretin. Glucagon has no effect on the binding of the labelled peptide. By means of photoaffinity labelling a polypeptide of Mr 63,000 was characterized. The labelling of this species was completely abolished by native VIP. The order of potency of VIP-related peptides in inhibiting 125I-VIP cross-linking to its receptor was the same as in the competition experiments. The glycoprotein nature of the VIP-binding sites of IGR39 cells has been investigated by affinity chromatography on wheat-germ-agglutinin-Sepharose.     

Pharmacology and molecular identification of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors in normal and cancerous gastric mucosa in man

In human antral membranes, VIP and its natural analogs inhibited the binding of HPLC-purified 125I-VIP, according to the following order of potency: VIP greater than rh GRF greater than helodermin greater than r PHI greater than PHM greater than p PHI greater than hp GRF greater than h, p secretin. No specific binding was detected in plasma membranes purified from the human fundus. In human antral membranes, Scatchard plots were compatible with the existence of two classes of VIP receptors, the first class with high affinity and low binding capacity (Kd = 0.1 nM, Bmax = 10 fmol/mg protein) and another class with a low affinity and higher binding capacity (Kd = 12) nM, Bmax = 1,000 fmol/mg protein). The structure of the VIP receptor in purified plasma membranes prepared from human antral glands and from the HGT-1 human gastric cancer cells was subsequently probed using the cross-linking reagent DSP and 125I-VIP. In agreement with the pharmacological study and the Scatchard analysis of the binding data, SDS gel electrophoresis of the solubilized receptor identified two radiolabeled peptides Mr 67,000 and 34,000 containing disulfide bonds. According to its sensitivity to low doses of VIP and to GTP, the Mr 67,000 binding site represents the membrane domains involved in the physiologial regulation of adenylate cyclase by VIP in normal and transformed human gastric epithelia.     

Vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor regulation of cAMP accumulation and glycogen hydrolysis in the human Ewing's sarcoma cell line WE-68

This study describes functional characteristics of receptors for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on human Ewing's sarcoma WE-68 cells. These characteristics include 125I-VIP binding capacity, cellular cAMP generation, glycogen hydrolysis, and pharmacological specificity. Binding studies with 125I-VIP showed specific, saturable, binding sites for VIP in WE-68 cells. Scatchard analysis revealed the presence of a single class of high-affinity binding sites that exhibited a dissociation constant (Kd) of 90 pM and a maximal binding capacity (Bmax) of 24 fmol/mg of protein. VIP and VIP-related peptides competed for 125I-VIP binding in the following order of potency: human (h) VIP greater than human peptide with N-terminal histidine and C-terminal methionine (PHM) greater than chicken secretin much greater than porcine secretin. Glucagon and the C-terminal fragments VIP[10-28] and VIP[16-28] and the VIP analogue (D-Phe2)VIP did not inhibit 125I-VIP binding. Addition of hVIP to WE-68 cells provoked marked stimulation of cAMP accumulation, hVIP stimulated increases in cAMP content were rapid, concentration-dependent, and potentiated by 3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine (IBMX). Half-maximal stimulation (EC50) occurred at 150 nM hVIP. The ability of hVIP and analogues to stimulate cAMP generation paralleled their potencies in displacing 125I-VIP binding. (D-Phe2)VIP, VIP[10-28], VIP[16-28], and (p-Cl-D-Phe6, Leu17)VIP, a putative VIP receptor antagonist, affected neither basal cAMP levels nor hVIP-induced cAMP accumulation. WE-68 cell responses to hVIP were desensitized by prior exposure to hVIP. Desensitization to hVIP did not modify the cAMP response to beta-adrenergic stimulation, and beta-adrenergic agonist desensitization did not modify responses to hVIP. hVIP also induced a time- and concentration-dependent hydrolysis of 3H-glycogen newly formed from 3H-glucose in WE-68 cultures. hVIP maximally decreased 3H-glycogen content by 36% with an EC50 value of about 8 nM. The order of potency of structurally related peptides of hVIP for stimulation of glycogenolysis correlated with their order of potency for inhibition of 125I-VIP binding. IBMX potentiated the glycogenolytic action of hVIP and PHM. The simultaneous presence of the calcium channel antagonist verapamil or the calcium ionophore A 23187 did not influence the glycogenolytic and cAMP stimulatory effects of hVIP. Collectively, these data indicate that Ewing's sarcoma (WE-68) cells are endowed with genuine VIP receptors which are coupled to the formation of cAMP that probably serves a second messenger role in stimulating glycogen hydrolysis in these cells in response to VIP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Characterization of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors in mammalian lung

125I-VIP bound specifically to sites on human, rat, guinea pig, and rabbit lung membranes with a dissociation constant (KD) of 60-200 pM and binding site maxima of 200-800 fmol/mg of protein. The presence of a second lower affinity site was detected but not investigated further. High affinity 125I-VIP binding was reversible and displaced by structurally related peptides with an order of potency: VIP greater than rGRF greater than PHI greater than hGRF greater than secretin = Ac Tyr1 D Phe2 GRF. 125I-VIP has been covalently incorporated into lung membranes using disuccinimidyl suberate. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis of labeled human, rat, and rabbit lung membranes revealed major 125I-VIP-receptor complexes of: Mr = 65,000, 56,000, and 64,000 daltons, respectively. Guinea pig lung membranes exhibited two 125I-VIP-receptor complexes of Mr = 66,000 and 60,000 daltons. This labeling pattern probably reflects the presence of differentially glycosylated forms of the same receptor since treatment with neuroaminidase resulted in a single homogeneous band (Mr = 57,000 daltons). Soluble covalently labeled VIP receptors from guinea pig and human lung bound to and were specifically eluted from agarose-linked wheat germ agglutinin columns. Our studies indicate that mammalian lung VIP receptors are glycoproteins containing terminal sialic acid residues.     

Molecular identification and structural requirement of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors in the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line, HT-29.

The human colon adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29 in culture exhibits a cyclic AMP production system highly sensitive to vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), making HT-29 cells a unique cultured cell system for studying the mechanism of VIP action [Laburthe, Rousset, Boissard, Chevalier, Zweibaum & Rosselin (1978) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 75, 2772-2775]. The quantitative characteristics of VIP receptors in HT-29 cells and their structural requirement and molecular size were studied. 125I-labeled VIP bound in a time-dependent manner to HT-29 cell homogenates. At equilibrium (60 min incubation at 30 degrees C), unlabelled VIP in the 0.01-10 nM concentration range competed with 125I-VIP for binding to cell homogenates. Scatchard analysis of binding data gave a straight line, indicating that VIP bound to a single population of sites with a KD of 0.12 +/- 0.02 nM and a capacity of 120 +/- 9 fmol/mg of protein. The structural requirement of these receptors was studied with peptides structurally related to VIP, either natural or synthetic. Several peptides inhibited 125I-VIP binding to HT-29 cell homogenates with the following order of potency, which is typical of the human VIP receptor: VIP (IC50 = 0.1 nM) greater than VIP-(2-28)-peptide (IC50 = 13 nM) greater than human growth hormone releasing factor (IC50 = 56 nM) greater than peptide histidine isoleucine amide (IC50 = 80 nM) greater than secretin (IC50 greater than 10 000 nM). To characterize the molecular component(s) of the VIP receptor in HT-29 cells, 125I-VIP was covalently bound to cell homogenates by using the cross-linker dithiobis(succinimidyl propionate). Sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel autoradiographic studies of affinity-labelled cell homogenates revealed two major bands, corresponding to 125I-VIP-protein complexes of Mr 66 000 and 16 000. The labelling of the Mr-66 000 component was specific, since it was abolished by native VIP, whereas that of the Mr-16 000 component was not. Densitometric scanning of autoradiographs indicated that the labelling of the Mr-66 000 complex was inhibited by low VIP concentrations in the 0.1-10 nM range (IC50 = 0.6 nM), but was unaffected by 1 microM-glucagon or octapeptide of cholecystokinin. It was also decreased by VIP-(2-28)-peptide with a potency 1% that of VIP. Assuming that one molecule of 125I-VIP bound per molecule of protein, one protein of Mr 63 000 was identified as a component of the VIP receptor in HT-29 cells.     

Solubilization of active and stable receptors for vasoactive intestinal peptide from rat liver

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors were solubilized from rat liver using the zwitterionic detergent CHAPS. Optimal conditions of solubilization were obtained with 5 mM CHAPS and 2.5 mg protein/ml. The binding of 125I-VIP to CHAPS extracts was time- and pH-dependent, saturable and reversible. The following order of potency of unlabeled VIP-related peptides for inhibiting 125I-VIP binding was observed: VIP greater than helodermin greater than peptide histidine isoleucine amide (PHI) greater than rat growth hormone releasing factor (rGRF) greater than secretin. This peptide specificity is identical to that of rat liver membrane-bound receptors. VIP binding activity in the CHAPS extract was destroyed by trypsin or dithiothreitol in accordance with the known sensitivity of membrane-bound receptors to these agents. VIP receptors in CHAPS extracts were stable for at least 5 days at 4 degrees C. Scatchard analysis of equilibrium binding data indicated the presence in CHAPS extracts of high (H) and low (L) affinity binding sites with the following characteristics: KdH = 0.27 nM and BmH = 34 fmol/mg protein; KdL = 51 nM and BmL = 1078 fmol/mg protein. The guanine nucleotide GTP inhibited 125I-VIP binding to soluble receptors and enhanced the dissociation of soluble VIP-receptor complexes, suggesting that GTP-binding proteins were functionally associated with VIP receptors in solution. Gel filtration of solubilized VIP receptors on Sephacryl S-300 revealed a single binding component with a Stokes radius of 6.1 nm. It is concluded that active VIP receptors can be extracted from liver membranes by CHAPS. The availability of this CHAPS-soluble, stable and functional receptor from a tissue which can be obtained in large amounts represents a major step toward the purification of VIP receptors.     

Covalent cross-linking of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide to its receptors on intact human lymphoblasts

125I-labeled vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (125I-VIP) was covalently cross-linked with its binding sites on intact cultured human lymphoblasts by each of three bifunctional reagents: disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS), ethylene glycol bis(succinimidyl succinate) (EGS), and N-succinimidyl 6-(4'-azido-2'-nitrophenylamino) hexanoate (SANAH). A fourth cross-linking agent with a shorter chain length, N-hydroxysuccinimidyl 4-azidobenzoate (HSAB), was much less effective in cross-linking 125I-VIP to the site. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography demonstrated a band of Mr approximately equal to 50,000 +/- 3,000, regardless of which cross-linker was used. The labeling of this band was specific in that it was prevented by 10(-6) M unlabeled VIP and was partially blocked by the homologous hormones secretin and glucagon. The relative potencies of these peptides in blocking the cross-linking of 125I-VIP to the Mr approximately equal to 50,000 band of the lymphoblasts (VIP greater than secretin greater than or equal to glucagon) were similar to those previously found for competitive inhibition of 125I-VIP binding to its putative high-affinity receptor on these cells. The covalent cross-linking required a bifunctional reagent; it was dependent on both the number of Molt cells and the concentration of 125I-VIP. The apparent molecular weight of the cross-linked species was unchanged by treatment with dithiothreitol. These observations suggest that the Mr = 50,000 species represents 125I-VIP cross-linked to a specific plasma membrane receptor and that the receptor does not contain interchain disulfide bonds.     

Demonstration of a functional receptor for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide on Molt 4b T lymphoblasts

Viable human T lymphoblasts derived from the "Molt 4b" cell line have been shown to possess functional plasma membrane receptors for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). Specific binding of 125I-VIP to these lymphoblasts is rapid, reversible and linearly dependent on the number of cells present. Analysis of binding at 17 degrees C reveals a single class of high affinity binding sites over the concentration range of 10(-7) to 10(-11) M VIP (KD = 7.3 +/- 1.3 nM). The Bmax of 0.24 +/- 0.07 nM extrapolates to 15 000 +/- 4000 sites/cell. The binding of 125I-VIP to T lymphoblasts is highly specific; secretin and glucagon, peptides of similar molecular weight which show sequence homology with VIP, are unable to competitively inhibit binding of 125I-VIP to Molt 4b lymphoblasts. VIP activates adenylate cyclase in membrane preparations from Molt 4b lymphoblasts and increases cAMP in intact cells. Half maximal activation in both membrane preparations and intact cells occurs at 5 nM VIP. This demonstration of a functional receptor for VIP suggests that the Molt 4b lymphoblastic cell line may be a useful model system in which to study neuropeptide modulation of T lymphocyte function.     

Characterization of receptors for vasoactive intestinal peptide solubilized from the lung

The zwitterionic detergent CHAPS was used to solubilize functional receptors for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) from guinea pig lung. The solubilized receptors were resolved by high performance gel filtration in 3 mM CHAPS into two active fractions with apparent Stokes radii of 5.9 +/- 0.1 and 2.3 +/- 0.1 nm. The binding of 125I-VIP to the two receptor fractions was time-dependent, reversible, and saturable. Trypsin destroyed the binding activity of the receptor fractions, indicating their proteinic nature. Unlabeled VIP competitively displaced the binding of 125I-VIP to the 5.9-nm fraction (IC50 = 240 pM) and the 2.3-nm fraction (IC50 = 1.2 microM). Scatchard analysis indicated a single class of binding sites in each receptor fraction, with Kd values 300 pM and 0.97 microM for the 5.9- and 2.3-nm Stokes radii fractions, respectively. When the high affinity, 5.9-nm Stokes radius fraction was rechromatographed in 9 nM CHAPS, 46% of the binding activity eluted in the low affinity, 2.3-nm Stokes radius fraction, indicating that the latter is a product of dissociation of the high affinity receptor complex. GTP inhibited the binding of 125I-VIP to the high affinity complex but not the low affinity species. Scatchard plots of VIP binding by the high affinity receptors treated with GTP suggested the presence of two distinct binding sites (Kd 4.4 and 153 nM), compared to a single binding site (Kd = 0.3 nM) obtained in untreated receptors. The nonhydrolyzable GTP analog, guanyl-5'-yl-imidodiphosphate, inhibited VIP binding by the high affinity receptor fraction with potency nearly equivalent to that of GTP. These observations suggest that GTP-binding regulatory proteins are functionally coupled to the VIP-binding subunit in the high affinity receptor complex. The peptide specificity characteristics of the two receptor fractions were different. Peptide histidine isoleucine and growth hormone releasing factor, peptides homologous to VIP, were 87.5- and 22.9-fold less potent than VIP in displacing 125I-VIP binding by the high affinity receptor complex, respectively. On the other hand, growth hormone-releasing factor was more potent (22.7-fold) and peptide histidine isoleucine was less potent (31.3-fold) than VIP in displacing the binding by the low affinity species.     

Covalent cross-linking of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) to its receptor in intact colonic adenocarcinoma cells in culture (HT 29)

[125I]Monoiodinated vasoactive intestinal peptide (125I-VIP) was cross-linked with human colonic adenocarcinoma cells (HT29 cells) grown as a monolayer using dithiobis(succinimidylpropionate) as cross-linking reagent. The cross-linked polypeptides were separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. A major polypeptide of Mr = 67 000 was characterized and it behaved like a high-affinity binding site for VIP according to the following data. The concentration of native VIP (0.5 nM) giving half-maximum inhibition of 125I-VIP covalent cross-linking with this polypeptide was very similar to that giving half-maximum displacement of 125I-VIP on HT 29 cells (0.6 nM). Glucagon or insulin was unable to inhibit the labelling of the Mr-67 000 component. In our experimental conditions neither specific 125I-VIP binding nor covalent labelling was observed with monolayers of Madin Darby canine kidney epithelial cells (MDCK cells) or African green monkey kidney fibroblasts (Vero cells) while the Mr-67 000 polypeptide was also characterized with human rectal adenocarcinoma cells (HRT 18 cells), known to possess the VIP receptor. Preincubation of HT 29 cells with native VIP at 37 degrees C, before 125I-VIP binding and subsequent cross-linking reaction, decreased the labelling of the Mr-67 000 polypeptide up to 80%. Assuming one molecule of 125I-VIP cross-linked per polypeptide, we have characterized, for the first time, a major polypeptide of Mr = 64 000, which belongs to the high-affinity VIP binding site of an intestinal human cell line.     

Receptors for vasoactive intestinal peptide and secretin on guinea pig pancreatic acini

We investigated the abilities of VIP and secretin to occupy receptors and to increase cellular cyclic AMP using dispersed acini from guinea pig pancreas. The dose-inhibition curve for inhibition of binding of 125I-VIP by VIP was broad with detectable inhibition at 0.1 nM VIP, half-maximal inhibition at 2 nM VIP and complete inhibition at 10 microM VIP. Secretin also inhibited binding of 125I-VIP was compatible with two VIP-preferring receptors with one class having a high affinity for VIP (Kd 1.1 nM) and a low affinity for secretin (Kd 5 microM) and the other class having an intermediate affinity for VIP (Kd 470 nM). The dose inhibition curve for inhibition of binding of 125I-secretin by secretin was not broad. Half-maximal inhibition occurred with 7 nM secretin or with 10 microM VIP. Computer analysis was compatible with a single secretin-preferring receptor with a high affinity for secretin (Kd 7 nM) and a low affinity for VIP (Kd 5.9 microM). Comparison of the ability of VIP to increase cyclic AMP with or without the secretin-receptor antagonist, secretin-5-27, demonstrated only occupation of the high affinity VIP-preferring or high affinity secretin-preferring receptors increase cyclic AMP. Our results demonstrate that, in contrast to previous reports, guinea pig pancreatic acini possess 3 classes of receptors that interact with VIP and secretin. The low affinity receptor seen with 125I-VIP is not the same as the secretin-preferring receptor and does not increase cellular cyclic AMP.     

Multiplicity of receptors for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP): differential effects of apamin on binding in brain, uterus and liver

Apamin is a neurotoxic octadecapeptide from bee venom, which has been shown to inhibit the non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic inhibitory innervation of the smooth muscle of the gut. Since vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) has been proposed as a possible inhibitory neurotransmitter, the effect of apamin on the receptor binding of 125I-VIP was studied using the following assays: (1) isolated synaptosomes from rat cerebral cortex, (2) crude plasma membranes from hog uterine smooth muscle, and (3) purified plasma membranes and isolated hepatocytes from hog liver. Apamin inhibited the receptor-bound 125I-VIP on membranes from brain or myometrium, although the binding affinity was 100-1000 times lower than for VIP. The displacement curves for VIP and apamin were parallel suggesting that apamin interacts with both the low and high affinity VIP receptors. In membranes and cells from liver, apamin was unable to displace receptor-bound 125I-VIP in concentrations up to 50 mumol/l. The findings suggest that the VIP receptors in liver are different from those in the brain cortex and myometrium.     

Autoradiographic distribution of 125I-VIP binding in the rat adrenal cortex

Using in vitro autoradiography, 125I-VIP binding was found to be concentrated in the capsule and glomerulosa of the rat adrenal cortex. The densest receptor distribution was coincident with the distribution of VIP nerve fibers that arborize extensively in the capsule and glomerulosa. The specificity of this binding was demonstrated using unlabelled VIP, ACTH and angiotensin II. The presence and distribution of 125I-VIP binding sites provides the link between the previously found VIP nerves and the steroidogenic effect of exogenous VIP, thereby substantiating the physiological role of VIP-containing autonomic nerves in the regulation of adrenocortical cell function.     

Hydrodynamic characterization of vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors extracted from rat lung membranes in Triton X-100 and n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside

Rat lung membrane vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors were covalently labeled with 125I-VIP, extracted in Triton X-100 and n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, and analyzed by gel filtration and sucrose density gradient sedimentation. The fractions were characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography, and the identity of the 125I-VIP.receptor complex was demonstrated by its co-migration with the covalently labeled 55-kDa receptor unit identified previously. Furthermore, the radioactivity in the peak corresponding to the 125I-VIP.receptor complex was displaced in the presence of unlabeled VIP in a dose-dependent manner. The following hydrodynamic properties were determined for VIP receptors in each detergent solution: in Triton X-100, Stokes radius of 6.1 +/- 0.4 nm, sedimentation coefficient (S20,w) of 7.35 +/- 0.45 S, and partial specific volume (v) of 0.809 +/- 0.015 ml/g; in n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, Stokes radius of 5.6 +/- 0.00 nm, S20,w of 10.87 +/- 0.22 S, and partial specific volume of 0.783 +/- 0.020 ml/g. The apparent molecular weight of the 125I-VIP.receptor.detergent complex was calculated as 270,000 +/- 36,000 in Triton X-100 and 320,000 +/- 32,000 in n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside. The amount of detergent bound to the receptor was estimated by using the two sets of hydrodynamic data and the significantly different partial specific volumes of the two detergents. Thus, the molecular weight of the receptor alone was calculated as 54,600 daltons, indicating that approximately 3.9 g of Triton X-100 and 4.9 g of n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside were bound per g of receptor. This species contained the 55-kDa binding unit and appeared to be glycosylated as evidenced by its specific binding to wheat germ agglutinin-Sepharose. These results indicate that the rat lung VIP receptor is a glycoprotein with a single polypeptide chain of 55 kDa. The large amount of detergent bound suggests that the receptor is extensively embedded in the membrane.     

Solubilization of rat lung vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors in the active state. Characterization of the binding properties and comparison with membrane-bound receptors

We demonstrate here that rat lung membrane vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors can be extracted in the active state using digitonin. Sepharose 4B gel filtration chromatography was utilized to demonstrate the formation of specific binding complexes between 125I-VIP and solubilized receptors. A rapid soluble receptor assay was established to separate 125I-VIP-receptor complexes from free 125I-VIP, which entailed differential precipitation of the 125I-VIP-receptor complex with polyethylene glycol and bovine gamma-globulin. Using this assay, several detergents were tested for their suitability to extract active VIP receptors, and most favorable results were obtained with digitonin, as judged by specific binding of 125I-VIP to the solubilized receptors. Time course studies indicated that the binding of 125I-VIP to digitonin extract was more rapid than to rat lung membranes. Scatchard analyses of competitive binding data indicated the presence of two classes of binding sites in the digitonin extract, as in the membrane. The values for the dissociation constants (Kd) were 200 pM for Class I and 8 nM for Class II receptors while the values for binding capacity (Bmax) were 200 and 2300 fmol/mg for Class I and II sites, respectively. Although the binding parameters of the two classes were similar to those in the membrane, the pharmacological properties were different, as evidenced by the inability of rat growth hormone releasing factor, a potent VIP agonist in the membrane, to displace specifically bound 125I-VIP from solubilized receptors. The ability to solubilize active VIP receptors represents an important step toward purification of the functional protein.     

Vasoactive intestinal peptide effects on GH3 pituitary tumor cells: high affinity binding, affinity labeling, and adenylate cyclase stimulation. Comparison with peptide histidine isoleucine and growth hormone-releasing factor

The vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) receptor was characterized on the GH3 rat pituitary tumor cell line using competitive binding studies with peptides having sequence homology with VIP. Further studies investigated receptor coupling to the adenylate cyclase complex by measurement of cAMP levels. Finally, the molecular weight of the receptor was estimated by affinity labeling techniques. Studies using 125I-VIP and unlabeled competing peptides revealed a single class of high affinity binding sites with a dissociation constant (KD) of 17 +/- 2 nM (mean +/- S.E.M.) for VIP, 275 +/- 46 nM for peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI), and 1380 +/- 800 nM for human pancreatic growth hormone releasing factor (GHRF). VIP and PHI each stimulated intracellular cAMP accumulation in a dose-dependent manner; both peptides demonstrated synergism with forskolin. In contrast, GHRF neither stimulated accumulation of cAMP nor demonstrated synergism with forskolin. VIP plus PHI (1 microM each) caused no significant increase in cAMP over either VIP or PHI alone, implying that the two peptides act through the same receptor. Covalent crosslinking of 125I-VIP to its binding site using either disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS) or ethylene glycol bis(succinimidyl succinate) (EGS) was followed by SDS-PAGE and autoradiography. The result is consistent with an Mr 47 000 VIP-binding subunit comprising or being associated with the VIP receptor of GH3 pituitary tumor cells.