Localization of tachykinin binding sites (NK1, NK2, NK3 ligands) in the rat brain

A comparative autoradiographic analysis of the distribution of tachykinin binding sites was made on brain serial sections using several ligands. (1) 3H-SP, 125I-BHSP and 3H-physalaemin labeled identical binding sites (NK1 type). (2) 3H-NKB, 125I-BHE and 3H-eledoisin also labeled identical sites (NK3 type). (3) 125I-BHNKA preferentially labeled NK3 binding sites, the distribution of 125I-BHNKA binding sites being identical to that of 3H-NKB or 125I-BHE binding sites. (4) The distributions of 3H-SP and 3H-NKB binding sites were markedly different. (5) A very low density of labeling was found with 3H-NKA or 125I-NKA, and these binding sites were distributed only in areas rich in either 3H-SP or 3H-NKB binding sites. (6) Particular efforts were made to look for the presence of tachykinin binding sites in the substantia nigra, since this structure is particularly rich in SP and NKA and contains functional tachykinin receptors of the NK1 and NK2 types as suggested by physiological studies. Confirming previous reports, low or very low labeling was observed in the substantia nigra with 3H-SP or 125I-BHSP and 3H-NKB or 125I-BHE. Similar results were found with 3H-NKA, 125I-NKA or 125I-BHNKA. In conclusion, our data do not provide evidence yet for the existence of NK2 binding sites in the rat brain.     

Characterization, distribution and plasticity of atrial natriuretic factor binding sites in brain

The [125I]iodotyrosyl derivative of atrial natriuretic factor [( 125I])ANF) apparently binds to a single class of high affinity sites in guinea pig brain membrane preparations. Ligand selectivity pattern reveals that the structural requirements of brain [125I]ANF binding sites are similar to those reported in most peripheral tissues. In vitro receptor autoradiographic studies demonstrate that the brain distribution of [125I]ANF binding sites is species dependent. In rat, high levels of binding are found in olfactory bulb, subfornical organ, area postrema, choroid plexus, and ependyma. In guinea pig, these regions are also enriched with [125I]ANF binding in addition to various thalamic nucleic, amygdala, hippocampus, and cerebellum. In monkey, high densities of sites are seen in the cerebellar cortex. This suggests that brain ANF receptor sites could mediate ANF effects related to the central integration of cardiovascular parameters, as well as other actions not associated with these systems. As in the periphery, it appears that brain [125I]ANF binding sites are associated with guanylate cyclase. Moreover, the density of [125I]ANF receptor binding sites is altered in certain brain regions in spontaneously hypertensive rats and in cardiomyopathic hamsters, demonstrating the plasticity of brain ANF receptors. Thus, ANF and ANF receptors are complementary facets of a new neurotransmitter-neuromodulator system present in mammalian brain.     

Natriuretic peptide binding sites in the brain of the Atlantic hagfish, Myxine glutinosa.

We have previously used immunohistochemistry to show that the brain of the hagfish, Myxine glutinosa, contains a rich distribution of natriuretic peptide-immunoreactive elements with the densest distribution occurring in the telencephalon and the diencephalon. In this study, the distribution of (125)I-rat ANP and (125)I-porcine CNP binding sites was determined in the brain of M. glutinosa. The binding pattern of (125)I-rat ANP and (125)I-porcine CNP showed similarities; however, some differences were observed in the olfactory bulb and the caudal brain regions. Specific (125)I-rat ANP and (125)I-porcine CNP binding was observed in the olfactory bulb, outer layers of the pallium, and in regions of the diencephalon. Very little specific binding was observed in the habenula and the primordium hippocampi. In the diencephalon, a distinct zone of specific (125)I-rANP binding separated a region of moderate binding in the lateral regions of the diencephalon from the thalamic and hypothalamic nuclei. Moderate levels of specific (125)I-rANP binding were observed in the mesencephalon and medulla oblongata; little or no (125)I-porcine CNP binding was observed in these regions. The data, in combination with previous immunohistochemical studies, show that the natriuretic peptide system of the hagfish brain is well-developed and suggest that natriuretic peptides have a long evolutionary history as neurotransmitters and/or neuromodulators in the vertebrate brain. J. Exp. Zool. 284:407-413, 1999.     

Glycolipid-lectin interactions: reactivity of lectins from Helix pomatia, Wisteria floribunda, and Dolichos biflorus with glycolipids containing N-acetylgalactosamine

The autoradiographic detection of 125I-labeled lectins binding to glycolipids on thin-layer chromatograms can be used to rapidly analyze total glycolipid extracts of cells or tissues for specific oligosaccharide structures. The Helix pomatia lectin which binds with high affinity to terminal alpha-linked GalNAc residues did not bind to globoside (terminal beta 1-3GalNAc) but did bind the ganglioside GM2 and its asialo derivative which have terminal beta 1-4GalNAc residues. The lectin from Dolichos biflorus bound specifically to the Forssman glycolipid with relatively low affinity. The lectin from Wisteria floribunda was bound to Forssman glycolipid, globoside, and the asialo derivative of the ganglioside GM2. The interactions of these lectins with the glycolipid-derived, 3H-labeled oligosaccharides was also analyzed by affinity chromatography. The results indicated that the reactivity of multivalent carbohydrate-binding proteins with polyvalent surfaces of glycolipids is strong enough to permit detection of low-affinity interactions that may not be observed in binding assays that are based on carbohydrate-protein interactions in solution. The autoradiographic analysis of 125I-Helix pomatia lectin binding to thin-layer chromatograms of total lipid extracts from human erythrocyte membranes detected the quantitative differences in the A-active glycolipids from type A1 and A2 cells.     

Subcellular distribution of somatostatin-14, somatostatin-28 and somatostatin-28 (1-12) in rat brain cortex and comparisons of their respective binding sites in brain and pituitary

Subcellular distribution and binding characteristics of the three endogenous peptides somatostatin-14 (SRIF-14), somatostatin-28 (SRIF-28) and somatostatin-28(1-12) (SRIF-28(1-12] derived from preprosomatostatin were investigated in the rat brain cortex. The three peptides are predominantly recovered from a crude mitochondrial pellet (P2), containing the pinched off nerve endings. Specific high affinity binding sites for 125I-N-Tyr-SRIF-14 and 125I-N-Tyr-SRIF-28 are present on pituitary and brain membranes. Under the same conditions, 125I-N-Tyr-SRIF-28(1-12) binding is undetectable. Moreover, SRIF-28(1-12) does not displace 125I-N-Tyr-SRIF-14 or 125I-N-Tyr-SRIF-28 binding. SRIF-28 is more potent than SRIF-14 to displace 125I-N-Tyr-SRIF-28 binding to brain and pituitary membranes, while both peptides are equipotent to displace 125I-N-Tyr-SRIF-14 binding. Finally, the regional distribution of 125I-N-Tyr-SRIF-14 and 125I-N-Tyr-SRIF-28 binding sites in the brain is identical. In conclusion, the present results are consistent with a neurotransmitter and neurohormonal role for SRIF-14 and SRIF-28. The function of SRIF-28(1-12) in brain remains to be elucidated. Additionally, a differential role for SRIF-14 and SRIF-28 both in adenohypophysis and brain cannot be ascertained at the present time.     

Pharmacological Characterization and Autoradiographic Localization of Histamine H2 Receptors in Human Brain Identified with [125I]Iodoaminopotentidine

125I-Aminopotentidine (125I-APT), a reversible probe of high specific radioactivity and high affinity and selectivity for the H2 receptor, was used to characterize and localize this histamine receptor subtype in human brain samples obtained at autopsy. On membranes of human caudate nucleus, specific 125I-APT binding at equilibrium revealed a single component, with a dissociation constant of 0.3 nM and maximal capacity of about 100 fmol/mg of protein. At 0.2 nM, 125I-APT specific binding, as defined with tiotidine, an H2-receptor antagonist chemically unrelated to iodoaminopotentidine, represented 40-50% of the total. Specific 125I-APT binding was inhibited by a series of typical H2-receptor antagonists that displayed apparent dissociation constants closely similar to corresponding values at the reference biological system, i.e., guinea pig atrium. This indicates that the pharmacology of the H2 receptor is the same in the human brain as on this reference system. However, histamine was about 10-fold more potent in inhibiting 125I-APT binding to membranes of human brain than of guinea pig brain. 125I-APT binding was also inhibited by amitriptyline and mianserin, two antidepressant drugs, in micromolar concentrations corresponding to effective plasma concentrations of treated patients. The distribution of H2 receptors was established autoradiographically with 125I-APT on a series of coronal sections of human brain after assessing the pharmacological specificity of the labeling. The highest density of 125I-APT sites was found in the basal ganglia, various parts of the limbic system, e.g., hippocampus or amygdaloid complex, and the cerebral cortex. H2 receptors displayed a laminar distribution in cerebral cortex and hippocampal formation. A low density of sites was found in cerebellum as well as in hypothalamus, the brain area where all the perikarya and the largest number of axons of histaminergic neurons are found. The widespread distribution of H2 receptors in the human brain is consistent with the alleged modulatory role of histamine mediated by this subtype of receptor.     

Novel imaging agents for β-amyloid plaque based on the N-benzoylindole core

We report the synthesis and evaluation of a series of N-benzoylindole derivatives as novel potential imaging agents for β-amyloid plaques. In vitro binding studies using Aβ(1-40) aggregates versus [(125)I]TZDM showed that all these derivatives demonstrated high binding affinities (K(i) values ranged from 8.4 to 121.6 nM). Moreover, two radioiodinated compounds [(125)I]7 and [(125)I]14 were prepared. Autoradiography for [(125)I]14 displayed intense and specific labeling of Aβ plaques in the brain sections of AD model mice (C57, APP/PS1) with low background. In vivo biodistribution in normal mice exhibited sufficient initial brain uptake for imaging (2.19% and 2.00%ID/g at 2 min postinjection for [(125)I]7 and [(125)I]14, respectively). Although additional modifications are necessary to improve brain uptake and clearance from the brain, the N-benzoylindole may be served as a backbone structure to develop novel β-amyloid imaging probes.     

Two potent central convulsant peptides, a bee venom toxin, the MCD peptide, and a snake venom toxin, dendrotoxin I, known to block K+ channels, have interacting receptor sites

Both the bee venom toxin, mast cell degranulating peptide (MCD peptide) and the mamba toxin dendrotoxin I are potent central convulsants. The two specific receptor sites for these two types of polypeptide toxins are in allosteric interaction in brain membranes. Occupation of the dendrotoxin I binding site (KI = 0.4 nM) prevents binding of the 125I-MCD peptide to its own receptor (KI = 0.23 nM). This inhibition is of the non-competitive type. Autoradiography has shown that a high enough dendrotoxin I concentration (30 nM) prevented binding of 125I MCD peptide to all brain structures where specific receptors had been identified. A lower concentration of the mamba toxin led to a nearly selective inhibition of MCD peptide binding to the hippocampal region which is responsible for the convulsant properties of the 2 types of polypeptide toxins.     

(125)I]EYF: a new high affinity radioligand to neuropeptide FF receptors

[(125)I]EYF ([(125)I]EYWSLAAPQRFamide), a new radioiodinated probe derived from a peptide present in the rat Neuropeptide FF precursor (EFWSLAAPQRFamide, EFW-NPSF) was synthesized and its binding characteristics investigated on sections of the rat spinal cord and on membranes of mouse olfactory bulb. In both tissues, [(125)I]EYF binding was saturable and revealed a very high affinity interaction with a single class of binding sites in rat and mouse (K(D) = 0.041 and 0.019 nM, respectively).Competition studies showed that [(125)I]EYF bound to one class of binding sites exhibiting a high affinity for all the different peptides the precursor could generate (NPA-NPFF, SPA-NPFF, NPFF, EFW-NPSF, QFW-NPSF) with the exception of NPSF which displayed a low affinity.Autoradiographic studies demonstrated that [(125)I]EYF binding sites were fully inhibited by a synthetic Neuropeptide FF agonist (1DMe) in all areas of the rat brain. The density of [(125)I]EYF binding sites was high in the intralaminar thalamic nuclei, the parafascicular thalamic nucleus and in the superficial layers of the dorsal horn.Non specific binding reached 5-10% of the total binding in all brain areas. Similarly, in mouse brain experiments, the non-specific binding was never superior to 10%.These findings demonstrate that putative neuropeptides generated by the Neuropeptide FF precursor and containing the NPFF or NPSF sequences should bind to the same receptor. Furthermore, these data indicate that [(125)I]EYF is a useful radiolabeled probe to investigate the NPFF receptors; its major advantages being its high affinity and the very low non-specific binding it induces.     

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.     

Distribution and characterisation of somatostatin receptor mRNA and binding sites in the brain and periphery.

The distribution and nature of (somatostatin) SRIF receptors and receptor mRNAs was studied in the brain and periphery of various laboratory animals using in situ hybridisation, autoradiography and radioligand binding. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of SRIF receptors msst1, msst2, msst3, msst4 and msst5 was studied in the adult mouse brain by in situ hybridisation histochemistry using specific oligonucleotide probes and compared to that of adult rats. As observed in rat brain, sst3 receptor mRNA is prominently expressed across the mouse brain, although equivalent binding has not yet been identified in situ. Sst1 and sst2 receptor mRNA expression, was prominent and again comparable to that observed in rat brain, whereas sst4 and especially sst5 receptor mRNA show comparatively low levels, although the former appears to be widely distributed while the latter could only be identified in a few nuclei. Altogether, the data are compatible with current knowledge, i.e. sst1 and sst2 receptor mRNA is prominent (both receptors have been functionally identified in the brain and for sst2 in the periphery), sst3 mRNA is highly expressed but in the absence of any functional correlate remains elusive. The expression of sst4 mRNA is comparatively low (especially when compared to what is seen in the lung, where high densities of sst4 receptors are present) and it remains to be seen whether sst5 receptor mRNA, which is confined to a few nuclei, will play a role in the brain, keeping in mind that high levels are found in the pituitary. Radioligand binding studies were performed in CCL39 cells expressing the five human recombinant receptors and compared to binding in membranes of rat cerebral cortex with [125I]Tyr11-SRIF14 which in the presence of 120 mM labels primarily sst1 receptor as suggested by the better correlation hsst1 and similar rank order of potency. The profile of [125I]Tyr3-octreotide labelled sites in rat cortex correlates better with recombinant sst2 than sst3 or sst5 binding profiles. Finally, [125I]LTT-SRIF28-labelled sites in rat lung express a sst4 receptor profile in agreement with previous findings. SRIF receptor autoradiography was performed in the brain and peripheral tissue of rat and/or guinea-pig using a number of ligands known to label recombinant SRIF receptors: [125I]LTT-SRIF28, [125I]CGP 23996, [125I]Tyr10-CST, or [125I]Tyr3-octreotide. Although, [125I]Tyr10-CST has been shown to label all five recombinant SRIF receptors, it is apparent that this radioligand is not useful for autoradiographic studies. By contrast, the other three ligands show good signal to noise ratios in rat or guinea-pig brain, rat lung, rat pancreas, or guinea-pig ileum. In most tissues, [125I]Tyr3-octreotide represents a prominent part of the binding (when compared to [125I]LTT-SRIF28 and [125I]CGP 23996), suggesting that sst2 receptors are strongly expressed in most tissues; it is only in rat lung that [125I]LTT-SRIF28 and [125I]CGP 23996 show marked binding, whereas [125I]Tyr3-octreotide does apparently label no sites, in agreement with the sole presence of sst4 receptors in this tissue.     

Distribution of Non-AT1, Non-AT2 Binding of 125I-Sarcosine1, Isoleucine8 Angiotensin II in Neurolysin Knockout Mouse Brains

The recent identification of a novel binding site for angiotensin (Ang) II as the peptidase neurolysin (E.C. 3.4.24.16) has implications for the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). This report describes the distribution of specific binding of ¹²⁵I-Sarcosine¹, Isoleucine⁸ Ang II (¹²⁵I-SI Ang II) in neurolysin knockout mouse brains compared to wild-type mouse brains using quantitative receptor autoradiography. In the presence of p-chloromercuribenzoic acid (PCMB), which unmasks the novel binding site, widespread distribution of specific (3 µM Ang II displaceable) ¹²⁵I-SI Ang II binding in 32 mouse brain regions was observed. Highest levels of binding >700 fmol/g initial wet weight were seen in hypothalamic, thalamic and septal regions, while the lowest level of binding <300 fmol/g initial wet weight was in the mediolateral medulla. ¹²⁵I-SI Ang II binding was substantially higher by an average of 85% in wild-type mouse brains compared to neurolysin knockout brains, suggesting the presence of an additional non-AT₁, non-AT₂, non-neurolysin Ang II binding site in the mouse brain. Binding of ¹²⁵I-SI Ang II to neurolysin in the presence of PCMB was highest in hypothalamic and ventral cortical brain regions, but broadly distributed across all regions surveyed. Non-AT₁, non-AT₂, non-neurolysin binding was also highest in the hypothalamus but had a different distribution than neurolysin. There was a significant reduction in AT₂ receptor binding in the neurolysin knockout brain and a trend towards decreased AT₁ receptor binding. In the neurolysin knockout brains, the size of the lateral ventricles was increased by 56% and the size of the mid forebrain (−2.72 to +1.48 relative to Bregma) was increased by 12%. These results confirm the identity of neurolysin as a novel Ang II binding site, suggesting that neurolysin may play a significant role in opposing the pathophysiological actions of the brain RAS and influencing brain morphology.     

Demonstration of two distinct tachykinin receptors in rat brain cortex

Eledoisin and substance P are members of a class of peptides termed tachykinins. They share a similar spectrum of biological activities but their relative potencies in various pharmacological assays differ. We have investigated whether there is more than one receptor for these tachykinins in rat brain cortex membranes. 125I-Bolton Hunter-conjugated eledoisin specifically binds to rat brain cortex membranes with high affinity. The binding is inhibited over 95% by unlabeled eledoisin (6.6 microM). Scatchard analysis of the binding of this ligand is curvilinear suggesting that there are two binding sites with KD values of 0.9 +/- 0.7 nM and 20 +/- 10 nM. We tested various analogs and fragments of substance P and eledoisin for their ability to inhibit the binding of 125I-Bolton Hunter-conjugated eledoisin and 125I-Bolton Hunter-conjugated substance P to these membranes. The following peptides are more potent as inhibitors of the 125I-Bolton Hunter-conjugated eledoisin binding site than of the 125I-Bolton Hunter-conjugated substance P binding site: nonradioactive Bolton Hunter-conjugated eledoisin (greater than 100-fold), eledoisin (12-fold), kassinin (22-fold), neuromedin K (greater than 58-fold), and pyroglutamyl substance P(6-11)hexapeptide (4-fold). In contrast, substance P (21-fold), physalaemin (8-fold), and substance P methyl ester (1200-fold) were more potent as inhibitors of 125I-Bolton Hunter-conjugated substance P binding. These results suggest that these two ligands may bind to distinct receptors. 125I-Bolton Hunter-conjugated substance P binds specifically to rat parotid cell receptors, but 125I-Bolton Hunter-conjugated eledoisin does not, indicating that parotid cells contain only one of the receptor subtypes. The cortex membrane binding of both ligands is stimulated by low concentrations of MnCl2 (ED50 = 0.05 mM) and is inhibited by guanylyl-5'-(beta, gamma-imido)diphosphate (IC50 = 0.5 microM).     

A comparative autoradiography study in post mortem whole hemisphere human brain slices taken from Alzheimer patients and age-matched controls using two radiolabelled DAA1106 analogues with high affinity to the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) system

The binding of two radiolabelled analogues (N-(5-[125I]Iodo-2-phenoxyphenyl)-N-(2,5-dimethoxybenzyl)acetamide ([125I]desfluoro-DAA1106) and N-(5-[125I]Fluoro-2-phenoxyphenyl)-N-(2-[125I]Iodo-5-methoxybenzyl)acetamide ([125I]desmethoxy-DAA1106) of the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) (or TSPO, 18kDa translocator protein) ligand DAA1106 was examined by in vitro autoradiography on human post mortem whole hemisphere brain slices obtained from Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and age-matched controls. Both [(125)I]desfluoro-IDAA1106 and [(125)I]desmethoxy-IDAA1106 were effectively binding to various brain structures. The binding could be blocked by the unlabelled ligand as well as by other PBR specific ligands. With both radiolabelled compounds, the binding showed regional inhomogeneity and the specific binding values proved to be the highest in the hippocampus, temporal and parietal cortex, the basal ganglia and thalamus in the AD brains. Compared with age-matched control brains, specific binding in several brain structures (temporal and parietal lobes, thalamus and white matter) in Alzheimer brains was significantly higher, indicating that the radioligands can effectively label-activated microglia and the up-regulated PBR/TSPO system in AD. Complementary immunohistochemical studies demonstrated reactive microglia activation in the AD brain tissue and indicated that increased ligand binding coincides with increased regional microglia activation due to neuroinflammation. These investigations yield further support to the PBR/TSPO binding capacity of DAA1106 in human brain tissue, demonstrate the effective usefulness of its radio-iodinated analogues as imaging biomarkers in post mortem human studies, and indicate that its radiolabelled analogues, labelled with short half-time bioisotopes, can serve as prospective in vivo imaging biomarkers of activated microglia and the up-regulated PBR/TSPO system in the human brain.     

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I binding to a cell membrane associated IGF binding protein-3 acid-labile subunit complex in human anterior pituitary gland

The binding characteristics of [(125) I]insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I were studied in human brain and pituitary gland. Competition binding studies with DES(1-3)IGF-I and R(3) -IGF-I, which display high affinity for the IGF-I receptor and low affinity for IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs), were performed to distinguish [(125) I]IGF-I binding to IGF-I receptors and IGFBPs. Specific [(125) I]IGF-I binding in brain regions and the posterior pituitary was completely displaced by DES(1-3)IGF-I and R(3) -IGF-I, indicating binding to IGF-I receptors. In contrast, [(125) I]IGF-I binding in the anterior pituitary was not displaced by DES(1-3)IGF-I and R(3) -IGF-I, suggesting binding to an IGF-binding site that is different from the IGF-I receptor. Binding affinity of IGF-I to this site was about 10-fold lower than for the IGF-I receptor. Using western immunoblotting we were also unable to detect IGF-I receptors in human anterior pituitary. Instead, western immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation experiments showed a 150-kDa IGFBP-3-acid labile subunit (ALS) complex in the anterior pituitary and not in the posterior pituitary and other brain regions. RT-PCR experiments showed the expression of ALS mRNA in human anterior pituitary indicating that the anterior pituitary synthesizes ALS. In the brain regions and posterior pituitary, IGFBP-3 was easily washed away during pre-incubation procedures as used in the [(125) I]IGF-I binding experiments. In contrast, the IGFBP-3 complex in the anterior pituitary could not be removed by these washing procedures. Our results indicate that the human anterior pituitary contains a not previously described tightly cell membrane-bound 150-kDa IGFBP-3-ALS complex that is absent in brain and posterior pituitary.     

Binding Properties of 3-[125I]Iodophencyclidine, a New Radioligand for N-Methyl-D-Aspartate-Gated Ionic Channels

The binding properties of the 125I-labeled phencyclidine derivative N-[1-(3-[125I]iodophenyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine (3-[125I]iodo-PCP), a new ligand of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-gated ionic channel, were investigated. Association and dissociation kinetic curves of 3-[125I]iodo-PCP with rat brain homogenates were well described by two components. About 32% of the binding was of fast association and fast dissociation, and the remaining binding was of slow association and slow dissociation. Saturation curves of 3-[125I]iodo-PCP also were well described using two binding sites: one of a high affinity (KDH = 15.8 +/- 2.3 nM) and the other of a low affinity (KDL = 250 +/- 40 nM). 3-Iodo-PCP inhibited the binding of 3-[125I]iodo-PCP with inhibition curves that were well fitted by a two-site model. The binding constants (KiH, BmaxH; KiL, BmaxL) so obtained were close to those obtained in saturation experiments. Ligands of NMDA-gated ionic channels also inhibited the binding of 3-[125I]iodo-PCP with two constants, KiH and KiL. There was a very good correlation (r = 0.987) between the affinities of these ligands to bind to NMDA-gated ionic channels and their potencies to inhibit the binding of 3-[125I]iodo-PCP with a high affinity. Moreover, the regional distribution of the high-affinity binding of 3-[125I]-iodo-PCP paralleled that of tritiated N-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine ([3H]TCP). In contrast to that of [3H] TCP, the binding of 3-[125I]iodo-PCP to well-washed rat brain membranes was fast and insensitive to glutamate and glycine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Autoradiographic localization of a non-reducible somatostatin analog (125I-CGP 23996) binding sites in the rat brain: comparison with membrane binding

The regional distribution of somatostatin binding sites in the rat brain was determined by quantitative autoradiography, using 125I-CGP 23996, a non-reducible somatostatin analog. In preliminary experiments, kinetic properties of 125I-CGP 23996 binding to rat brain membranes and slide mounted frozen brain sections were compared and found similar. In addition, distribution of 125I-CGP 23996 and 125I-N-Tyr-SRIF14 binding sites on membrane prepared from 10 different rat brain structures were closely correlated (r = 0.91, 2 p less than 0.01), indicating that the non-reducible analog recognizes the same binding site as the Tyr-extended native peptide. Highest levels of 125I-CGP 23996 binding sites were found in anterior temporal, frontal and cingular cortex as well as hippocampus. Moderate levels were found in the remaining part of the limbic system including amygdala, olfactory tubercles and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. In the brain stem, nuclei involved in the auditory system such as the ventral cochlear nucleus and the superior olive nucleus, contained high levels of 125I-CGP 23996 binding sites. The distribution of 125I-CGP 23996 binding sites roughly correlated with that of the endogenous peptide in most structures, except in the mediobasal hypothalamus.     

Saturable binding to cell membranes of the presynaptic neurotoxin, beta-bungarotoxin.

Brief exposure to the protein neurotoxin, beta-bungarotoxin, is known to disrupt neuromuscular transmission irreversibly by blocking the release of transmitter from the nerve terminal. This neurotoxin also has a phospholipase A2 activity, although phospholipases in general are not very toxic. To determine if the toxicity of this molecule might result from specific binding to neural tissue, we have looked for high affinity, saturable binding using 125I-labelled toxin. At low membrane protein concentration 125I-labeled toxin binding was directly proportional to the amount of membrane; at fixed membrane concentration 125I-labeled toxin showed saturable binding. It was unlikely that iodination markedly changed the toxin's properties since the iodinated toxin had a comparable binding affinity to that of native toxin as judged by competition experiments. Comparison of toxin binding to brain, liver and red blood cell membranes showed that all had high affinity binding sites with dissociation constants between one and two nanomolar. This is comparable to the concentrations previously shown to inhibit mitochondrial function. However, the density of these sites showed marked variation such that the density of sites was 13.0 pmol/mg protein for a brain membrane preparation, 2.4 pmol/mg for liver and 0.25 pmol/mg for red blood cell membranes. In earlier work we had shown that calcium uptake by brain mitochondria is inhibited at much lower toxin concentrations than is liver mitochondrial uptake. Both liver and brain mitochondria bind toxin specifically, but the density of 125I-labeled toxin binding sites on brain mitochondrial preparations (3.3 +/- 0.3 pmol/mg) exceeded by a factor of ten the density on liver mitochondrial preparations (0.3 +/- 0.05 pmol/mg). It is also shown that labeled toxin does not cross synaptosomal membranes, suggesting that mitochondria may not be the site of action of the toxin in vivo. We conclude that beta-bungarotoxin is an enzyme which can bind specifically with high affinity to cell membranes.     

Inhibition of beta-bungarotoxin binding to brain membranes by mast cell degranulating peptide, toxin I, and ethylene glycol bis (beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid

The presynaptically active snake venom neurotoxin beta-bungarotoxin (beta-Butx) is known to affect neurotransmitter release by binding to a subtype of voltage-activated K+ channels. Here we show that mast cell degranulating (MCD) peptide from bee venom inhibits the binding of 125I-labeled beta-Butx to chick and rat brain membranes with apparent Ki values of 180 nM and 1100 nM, respectively. The mechanism of inhibition by MCD peptide is noncompetitive, as is inhibition of 125I-beta-Butx binding by the protease inhibitor homologue from mamba venom, toxin I. Beta-Butx and its binding antagonists thus bind to different sites of the same membrane protein. Removal of Ca2+ by ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid inhibits the binding of 125I-beta-Butx by lowering its affinity to brain membranes.     

Regional distribution of somatostatin receptor affinity states in rat brain: effects of divalent cations and GTP

In the present work, we have characterized by film radioautography the effects of divalent cations and guanine nucleotide on specific receptor for somatostatin (SRIF) using 125I-TyrO-DTrp8-SRIF14 (125I-ToD8-SRIF) as a ligand. The experiments were performed on coronal 20-microM-thick sections cut at the level of the amygdala, thus allowing to study binding sites in several regions enriched in binding sites (frontal cortex, hippocampus CA1 and dentate gyrus, habenula, basolateral nucleus of the amygdala). In a preliminary set of experiments using brain cortical membranes it was found that 3 mM Mg2+ ions doubled the specific binding of 125I-ToD8-SRIF. However, Mg2+ enhanced equally by a factor of 3 affinities of high- and low-affinity binding sites as evidenced by SMS 201.995 displacement curves without modifying the ratio between high and low affinity sites. In radioautographic studies while SRIF14 and SRIF28 elicited monophasic displacement curves, SMS 201.995 displaced 125I-ToD8-SRIF binding in a biphasic manner in all regions tested but the baso-lateral nucleus of the amygdala. Radioautographic distribution of 125I-ToD8-SRIF binding sites was identical whether the sections were incubated with MgCl2 or with MnCl2 and almost undetectable in the absence of ions. In all structures investigated increasing concentrations of GTP totally inhibited 125I-ToD8-SRIF binding with an IC50 value of 3 microM. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that 125I-ToD8-SRIF-binding sites in brain occur on two different affinity states as assessed by a displacement curve using endogenous ligands and SMS 201.995. According to the comparable effects of divalent cations and GTP, the two subtypes of 125I-ToD8-SRIF-binding sites discriminated by SMS 201.995 are likely to correspond to interconvertible forms of the same receptor coupled to a G protein-transducing system.