Regional heterogeneity of two high affinity binding sites for 3H-WB-4101 in mouse brain

Binding studies of the tritium labeled α-adrenergic antagonist WB-4101 to mouse brain homogenate at equilibrium, reveal two binding sites: a super high affinity site (0.25 nM, 0.070 pmole/mg. protein) and a high affinity site (3.0 nM, 0.19 pmole/ mg. protein). Kinetic experiments, which measure the rates of association and dissociation of ³H-WB-4101 further confirm the existence of two binding sites. Differences in the distribution of the two sites in five regions of mouse brain are described. In addition, we present evidence suggestive of a postsynaptic localization of both binding sites.     

High affinity binding sites for [3H]-nitrendipine in rabbit uterine smooth muscle

The binding properties of the high affinity binding site for [³H]-nitrendipine on rabbit uteri membranes were investigated. The specific component had a dissociation constant of 0.46±.07nM and a maximal binding of 175±11 pmol/mg. A variety of other calcium channel blockers inhibited the binding of [³H]nitrendipine with varying potencies. Flunarizine demonstrated a high potency (IC₅₀ = 0.30 uM) in inhibiting binding while verapamil and bepridil were less potent with IC₅₀'s of approximately 0.6–1.5 uM. Diltiazem did not displace nitrendipine even at very high concentrations. Verapamil displayed negative cooperative inhibition suggesting that a second site exists on uterine membranes for the binding of other calcium channel blockers.     

High affinity 3H-cimetidine binding in guinea-pig tissues

Receptor binding studies have been carried out in guinea-pig cerebral cortex and gastric mucosa membrane preparations using ³H-cimetidine as the radioligand. The binding was found to be time dependent and saturable and confined to a single population of binding sites. However, the calculated K_D values were different for the two tissues, did not correlate with those reported from classical pharmacological experimentation and there was either no or limited displacement by known H₂ specific agonists. It was concluded that the observed high affinity binding site was probably related to an imidazole recognition site rather than the histamine H₂ receptor. The need for careful evaluation of the data is stressed.     

Pituitary binding sites for [3H]-labelled luteinizing hormone releasing factor (LRF)

Normal rat anterior pituitary cells in culture possess two binding sites for [³H]LRF. One is a high affinity (2 × 10^?9M), low capacity site which corresponds to the half-maximal biological potency of LRF. The second site has low affinity (2 × 10^?8M) and an enormously higher capacity to bind LRF. This second site shows only partial specificity in that inactive LRF-analogues, although not TRF, compete for binding of [³H]LRF. The high affinity site is competible by LRF, LRF-agonists and LRF-antagonists even in the presence of an excess of an inactive LRF-analogue which saturates the low affinity binding site.     

3H-dopamine binding to rat striatal D-2 and D-3 sites: Enhancement by magnesium and inhibition by guanine nucleotides and sodium

Previous studies have demonstrated high affinity ³H-dopamine binding sites on mammalian striatal membranes. These putative dopamine receptors of unknown physiological significance have been termed D-3 sites. Such studies have failed, however, to demonstrate high affinity ³H-dopamine binding to D-2 sites, which can be labeled by ³H-butyrophenones, and which represent the putative dopamine receptors most stronly implicated in the behavioral correlates of dopaminergic CNS activity. We now report that preincubation of membrane homogenates with Mg⁺⁺ and inclusion of Mg⁺⁺ (1–10mM) or other divalent metal cations during binding allows high affinity D-2 specific ³H-dopamine binding in rat striatal membranes, and that these ions also increase the Bmax of D-3 specific ³H-dopamine binding. GTP, GDP, and GppNHp can completely abolish all D-2 specific ³H-dopamine binding, while only a magnesium-dependent portion of D-3 sites appears to be GTP sensitive. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the striatal D-2 receptor exists in two agonist affinity states whose interconversion is effected by guanine nucleotides and divalent metal cations. The GTP sensitive/magnesium dependent nature of ³H-dopamine binding to so-called D-3 sites suggests that some such sites may in fact represent a high agonist-affinity state of the D-1 adenylate cyclase stimulating dopamine receptor also found in this tissue.     

Competition for adenyl cyclase coupled (3H)-prostacyclin binding sites with prostaglandin E2 in rat peritoneal macrophages

Prostaglandins regulate macrophage function by their action on membrane-associated adenyl cyclase. In order to define more directly macrophage-prostaglandin interactions, a binding assay has been developed for macrophage receptors using (³H)-PGI₂ as ligand. (³H)-PGI₂ binding was specific, saturable and reversible. Moreover, specific binding showed to be enriched in a membrane-enriched fraction of the cells. The assay conditions ensured stability of (³H)-PGI₂ during incubations and should exclude intracellular accumulation of the ligand in macrophages. Unlabelled PGE₂ and PGI₂ competed for (³H)-PGI₂ specific binding in both macrophages and membrane preparations. PGE₂ showed to be more potent in this respect than PGI₂, a phenomena which was also observed for prostaglandin activation of cAMP production in macrophages.The data suggest an interaction at receptor level of endogenously released PGE₂ and PGI₂ by peritoneal macrophages in vivo and provide support for a previously proposed mechanism of action of low concentrations of PGE₂, counteracting stimulation of cAMP production by PGI₂ in macrophages.     

Quadruplexes of human telomere dG3(TTAG3)3 sequences containing guanine abasic sites

This study was performed to evaluate how the loss of a guanine base affects the structure and stability of the three-tetrad G-quadruplex of 5′-dG₃(TTAG₃)₃, the basic quadruplex-forming unit of the human telomere DNA. None of the 12 possible abasic sites hindered the formation of quadruplexes, but all reduced the thermodynamic stability of the parent quadruplex in both NaCl and KCl. The base loss did not change the Na⁺-stabilized intramolecular antiparallel architecture, based on CD spectra, but held up the conformational change induced in dG₃(TTAG₃)₃ in physiological concentration of KCl. The reduced stability and the inhibited conformational transitions observed here in vitro for the first time may predict that unrepaired abasic sites in G-quadruplexes could lead to changes in the chromosome’s terminal protection in vivo.     

5'-p-fluorosulfonyl)benzoyl-8-azidoadenosine: a new bifunctional affinity label for nucleotide binding sites in proteins

A new bifunctional affinity label, 5'-p-(fluorosulfonyl)benzoyl-8-azidoadenosine (5'-FSBAzA), has been synthesized by condensation of p-(fluorosulfonyl)benzoyl chloride with 8-azidoadenosine. 5'-FSBAzA has been characterized by elemental analysis, thin-layer chromatography, and ultraviolet and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The affinity label contains both an electrophilic fluorosulfonyl moiety and a photoactivatable azido group which are capable of reacting with several classes of amino acids found in enzymes. 5'-FSBAzA reacts with bovine liver glutamate dehydrogenase in a two-step process: a dark reaction yielding about 0.5 mol of the sulfonylbenzoyl-8-azidoadenosine (SBAzA) group bound/mol enzyme subunit by reaction of the enzyme at the fluorosulfonyl group, followed by photolysis in which 25% of the covalently bound SBAzA becomes crosslinked to the enzyme. 5'-FSBAzA-modified glutamate dehydrogenase, both before and after photolysis, retains full catalytic activity but is less sensitive to allosteric inhibition by GTP, to activation by ADP, and to inhibition by 1 mM NADH. These results suggest the modification in the dark reaction of a regulatory nucleotide binding site. Photoactivation of the covalently bound reagent may have general applicability in relating modified amino acids which are close to each other in the region of the purine nucleotide binding sites of glutamate dehydrogenase and other proteins.     

Differential binding of 3H-imipramine and 3H-mianserin in rat cerebral cortex

Drug competition profiles, effect of raphé lesion, and sodium dependency of the binding of two antidepressant drugs ³H-imipramine and ³H-mianserin to rat cerebral cortex homogenate were compared to examine whether the drugs bound to a common “antidepressant receptor.” Of the neurotransmitters tested, only serotonin displaced binding of both ³H-imipramine and ³H-mianserin. ³H-mianserin binding was potently displaced by serotonin S₂ antagonists and exhibited a profile similar to that of ³H-spiperone binding. In the presence of the serotonin S₂ antagonist spiperone, antihistamines (H₁) potently displaced ³H-mianserin binding. ³H-Imipramine binding was displaced potently by serotonin uptake inhibitors. The order of potency of serotonergic drugs in displacing ³H-imipramine binding was not similar to their order in displacing ³H-spiperone or ³H-serotonin binding. Prior midbrain raphé lesions greatly decreased the binding of ³H-imipramine but did not alter binding of ³H-mianserin. Binding of ³H-imipramine but not ³H-mianserin was sodium dependent. These results show that ³H-imipramine and ³H-mianserin bind to different receptors. ³H-Imipramine binds to a presynaptic serotonin receptor which is probably related to a serotonin uptake recognition site, the binding of which is sodium dependent. ³H-Mianserin binds to postsynaptic receptors, possibly both serotonin S₂ and histamine H₁ receptors, the binding of which is sodium independent.     

Cation specificity of 3H-sulpiride binding involves alteration in the number of striatal binding sites

Specific ³H-sulpiride binding to rat striatal membranes shows an absolute requirement for the presence of sodium ions in the incubation buffer. Potassium, rubidium and caesium ions were unable to initiate specific ³H-sulpiride binding in a sodium free buffer, and lithium ionscould only partially replace sodium ions. Specific ³H-spiperone binding was unaffected by variation of the cation content of the incubation buffer. The alteration in ³H-sulpiride binding caused by sodium and lithium ions was due predominantly to an increase in the number of available binding sites, rather than to altered receptor affinity. Sodium ions may be essential for the accessability of ³H-sulpiride to a single site labelled also by ³H-spiperone. However, the Ki value for sulpiride displacement of ³H-spiperone in the presence of sodium ions was 20 times greater than the K_D value for ³H-sulpiride binding. So, ³H-sulpiride may interact with a highly sodium dependent binding site distinct from that labelled by ³H-spiperone.     

Identification of alpha adrenoceptor subtypes in dog arteries by (3H) yohimbine and (3H) prazosin

Binding of the alpha adrenergic antagonists (³H) prazosin and (³H) yohimbine to membranes of dog arteries exhibit the characteristics expected of alpha adrenoceptors. Binding of both ligands is saturable with dissociation constants of 0.19nM and 1.15nM for (³H) prazosin and (³H) yohimbine respectively. A series of catecholamines inhibit binding of both ligands with a potency in the order $\text{epinephrine}\text{>}\text{norepinephrine}\text{a}\text{?}\text{isoproterenol}$, corresponding with the activity of these agents at alpha adrenoceptors in blood vessels. Competition for binding in both instances is stereoselective. ?-Phenylephrine has similar potencies in inhibiting (³H) prazosin and (³H) yohimbine specific binding whilst the imidazoline related partial alpha adrenergic agonists clonidine and guanfacine are more potent in inhibiting (³H) yohimbine specific binding. The affinity of prazosin for the (³H) yohimbine binding site is approximately 2500 times less than for the (³H) prazosin site whilst yohimbine is approximately 150 times more potent in inhibiting (³H) yohimbine than (³H) prazosin specific binding. Non-selective alpha adrenergic antagonists have similar affinities for both binding sites. The concentrations of (³H) yohimbine binding sites in different arteries vary about two fold whilst for (³H) prazosin the variation was about three fold. These results indicate that there are two discrete noradrenergic binding sites in the major arteries of dog which have binding properties expected of alpha₁ and alpha₂ adrenoceptors.     

Specificity of nucleotide binding sites in isolated chloroplast coupling factor (CF1)

The binding of various nucleotides to chloroplast coupling factor CF₁ was studied by two dialysis techniques. It was found that the number of nucleoside diphosphate sites and their specificities for the base moiety is dependent on the magnesium concentration. In the presence of 50 μM added MgCl₂, the protein has a single strong site/mol protein with K_d = 0.5 μM for ADP and high specificity (K_d > 20 μM for ?ADP, GDP, CDP). In the presence of 5 mM MgCl₂, the protein has two independent tight ADP sites (K_d = 0.4 μM) of low specificity (K_d ≈ 0.8, 2, and 2 μrmM, respectively for ?ADP, GDP, and CDP). These results are compared with the specificity of the partial reactions for photophosphorylation.     

Identification of stereospecific [3H]spiroperidol binding sites in mammalian lymphocytes

Direct binding to intact rat lymphocytes has been shown for the potent dopaminergic antagonist [³H]spiroperidol. The specific binding is saturable with two components (K_D1 = 1.9 nM, K_D2 = 36.2 nM). Determination of the K_D by kinetic studies measuring rate constants for association and dissociation provided K_D values similar to those obtained in equilibrium experiments. The specific binding is proportional to cell concentration and temperature dependent with a maximum at 37°C. [³H]spiroperidol binding is stereospecific since (+)butaclamol was more effective than (?)butaclamol. The relative potencies of different antidopaminergic agents in competing for [³H]spiroperidol binding sites parallel their activity in the striatum. Dopaminergic receptors have also been demonstrated in other mammalian lymphocytes (rabbit, dog, human). Lymphocyte dopaminergic receptors could be implicated in lymphocytes mediated immune response.     

Modulation of [3H]-dopamine binding by cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8)

Cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-8) is a putative neurotransmitter which has been demonstrated previously to occur in midbrain dopamine neurones. We observe that CCK-8 causes changes in both the affinity and density of binding sites for [³H]-dopamine in rat striatal homogenates, in vitro, upon incubation with the peptide at a concentration of 1 micromolar. A dose-response study of the competetion of CCK-8 with [³H]-dopamine binding indicates an IC₅₀ for the peptide of 450 nM; desulfated CCK-8 and the related peptide caerulin are at least 4-fold less active than CCK-8. CCK-8 was also administered to rats in a separate study; the binding of [³H]-dopamine was evaluated to homogenates of striata and olfactory tubercles obtained from these animals, which had been treated with systemic injection at a dose of 20 micrograms/kg, daily, for four days. A decrease in the number of striatal binding sites for the radioligand was observed, with a concomitant increase in the number of binding sites in the olfactory tubercle. These data collectively suggest a possible regulatory role for CCK-8 in the ascending dopamine systems.     

Localization of [3H]-imipramine binding sites in rat brain by light microscopic autoradiography

The binding characteristics of [³H]-imipramine in slide mounted tissue sections of rat forebrain have been studied to ascertain the optimal binding conditions for labeling the sites prior to autoradiographic localization. The conditions for the experiments and the kinetics of the imipramine binding correspond reasonably well with those used in membrane preparations to initially define the imipramine binding site. Subsequent labeling of sections, using these parameters, allowed the autoradiographic localization of high concentrations of imipramine binding sites in such areas as the cerebral cortex, striatum, and several limbic and visual system structures. In addition, there was a marked overlap between regions demonstrating imipramine binding and areas known to be innervated by serotonergic neurons. This study outlines the potential sites of action of imipramine in the brain and defines areas for future investigations which attempt to localize brain regions involved in the etiology of depression and areas involved in the side effects of antidepressant drug therapy.     

[3H] verapamil binding sites in skeletal muscle tranverse tubule membranes

[³H]verapamil binding to muscle tubule membrane has the following properties. K_D = 27 ± 5 nM and maximum binding capacity B_max = 50 ± 5 pmol/mg of protein. A 1 = 1 stoichiometry of binding was found for the ratio of [³H]verapamil versus [³H] nitrendipine binding sites. The dissociation constant found at equilibrium is near that determined from the ratio of the rate constants for association (k₁) and dissociation (k_?1). Antiarrhythmic drugs like D600, diltiazem and bepridil are competitive inhibitors of [³H]verapamil binding with K_D values between 40 and 200 nM. Dihydropyridine analogs are apparent non competitive inhibitors of [³H]verapamil binding with half-maximum inhibition values (K_0.5) between 1 and 5 nM.     

In vitro binding of 3H-benzo(a)pyrene to chromatin DNA

Chromatin was prepared from mouse liver and incubated in an $\text{in}$$\text{vitro}$ binding assay containing ³H-benzo(a)pyrene and a NADPH-generating system. Binding to chromatin DNA was stimulated by the presence of microsomes from 3-methylcholanthrene pretreated mice. This incubation system represents an improvement over previous studies in which purified DNA is employed as the target macromolecule in that aralkylation is being investigated under conditions which better approximate those present in the cell, i.e., the genetic material is “coated” with nuclear protein.     

EphA8-ephrinA5 signaling and clathrin-mediated endocytosis is regulated by Tiam-1, a Rac-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor

Recent studies indicate that endocytosis of Eph-ephrin complexes may be one of the mechanisms by which a high affinity cell-cell adhesion is converted to a repulsive interaction. In this study, we show that EphA8 undergoes clathrin-mediated endocytosis upon treatment with ephrin-A5, and that EphA8 is associated tightly with Tiam-1, a Rac-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor. Analysis of EphA8 deletion mutants revealed that a juxtamembrane region in EphA8 is critically involved in endocytosis of EphA8-ephrinA5 complexes. An EphA8 mutant lacking this juxtamembrane portion was defective for endocytosis with ephrinA5, and also displayed a weak association with Tiam-1. Expression of an endocytosis-defective version of EphA8 resulted in a low level of Rac activity in response to ephrin-A5 stimulation. More importantly, down-regulation of Tiam-1 resulted in inefficient endocytosis of EphA8-ephrinA5 complexes. These results suggest that Tiam-1 plays a role in clathrin-dependent endocytosis of EphA8-ephrinA5 complexes.