Characterization of histamine H1-receptor on rat hepatocytes

The binding sites for [3H]pyrilamine in isolated rat hepatocytes were characterized. Scatchard analysis revealed two kinds of binding sites in hepatocytes, a high-affinity site and a low-affinity one. The rates of binding of the radioligand with the high-affinity binding site and its dissociation were rapid. The specificity of the sites for various histamine antagonists indicated that the high-affinity [3H]pyrilamine binding site is representative of the histamine H1 receptor. Treatment of hepatocytes with protease or phospholipase A2 significantly decreased the maximum binding capacity of the high-affinity site without affecting its dissociation constant, suggesting that the binding site is proteinaceous and is sensitive to a change in the lipid moiety of the membrane. Hepatocytic cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP were not significantly modulated by incubating hepatocytes with histamine. Thus, the action of histamine on hepatocytes might not be mediated by the cyclic nucleotides.     

Regulation of the Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor: Effects of Phosphorylating Conditions on Agonist and Antagonist Binding

Incubation of rat brain synaptic membranes under phosphorylating conditions (i.e., in the presence of Mg2+, ATP, and cyclic AMP) leads to a loss in muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, detectable as specific binding of the muscarinic antagonist L-[3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate. A role for protein phosphorylation in this receptor loss is indicated by the finding that 5'-adenylyl imidodiphosphate, a nonhydrolysable analogue of ATP, does not support receptor loss. Furthermore, receptor loss is inhibited by adenosine and 2-deoxyadenosine, both of which inhibit protein kinase activity. The loss of muscarinic receptors is calmodulin dependent, and it has been demonstrated here that this requirement is probably at the level of calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation. An investigation of the effects of phosphorylation on the binding of the agonist carbachol to synaptic membranes from the cortex and cerebellum demonstrated that phosphorylation altered the relative proportions of the super-high-, high-, and low-affinity binding sites. The results were consistent with an apparent conversion of high- into super-high-affinity sites. In the presence of 5'-guanylyl imidodiphosphate, agonist binding demonstrated the properties expected of a population of largely low-affinity sites. This conversion of super-high- and high-affinity sites into low-affinity sites by 5'-guanylyl imidodiphosphate was partially inhibited by phosphorylation.     

Interactions between the muscarinic receptors, sodium channels, and guanine nucleotide-binding protein(s) in rat atria

The effects of the voltage-sensitive sodium channel activator batrachotoxin (BTX) on the binding properties of muscarinic receptors were studied in homogenates of rat atria. Also studied were the effects of muscarinic ligands on the binding of tritium-labeled batrachotoxin ([3H]BTX) to the same preparation. BTX (1 microM), which induces an open state in sodium channels, enhanced the affinity of binding of several agonists to the muscarinic receptors. Analysis of the data indicated that the effect of BTX was to increase the affinity of the agonists toward the high-affinity sites. Binding of antagonists was not affected by BTX. At higher concentrations of toxin, the density of the high affinity muscarinic sites was also affected. The binding of agonists (but not of antagonists) to muscarinic receptors in turn enhanced the specific binding of [3H]BTX to sodium channels. These effects on the muscarinic receptors and on the sodium channels were inhibited in the presence of Gpp(NH)p at concentrations lower than those bringing about conversion of binding sites from the high affinity to the low affinity conformation. On the basis of these findings we suggest that the opening of sodium channels and the binding of agonists to muscarinic receptors in rat atrial membranes are coupled events which are mediated by guanine nucleotide-binding protein(s). Such a hypothesis is consistent with previously proposed models for signal transduction in the membrane.     

Opioid-Inhibited Adenylyl Cyclase in Rat Brain Membranes: Lack of Correlation with High-Affinity Opioid Receptor Binding Sites

Opioid agonists bind to GTP-binding (G-protein)-coupled receptors to inhibit adenylyl cyclase. To explore the relationship between opioid receptor binding sites and opioid-inhibited adenylyl cyclase, membranes from rat striatum were incubated with agents that block opioid receptor binding. These agents included irreversible opioid agonists (oxymorphone-p-nitrophenylhydrazone), irreversible antagonists [naloxonazine, beta-funaltrexamine, and beta-chlornaltrexamine (beta-CNA)], and phospholipase A2. After preincubation with these agents, the same membranes were assayed for high-affinity opioid receptor binding [3H-labeled D-alanine-4-N-methylphenylalanine-5-glycine-ol-enkephalin (mu), 3H-labeled 2-D-serine-5-L-leucine-6-L-threonine enkephalin (delta), and [3H]ethylketocylazocine (EKC) sites] and opioid-inhibited adenylyl cyclase. Although most agents produced persistent blockade in binding of ligands to high-affinity mu, delta, and EKC sites, no change in opioid-inhibited adenylyl cyclase was detected. In most treated membranes, both the IC50 and the maximal inhibition of adenylyl cyclase by opioid agonists were identical to values in untreated membranes. Only beta-CNA blocked opioid-inhibited adenylyl cyclase by decreasing maximal inhibition and increasing the IC50 of opioid agonists. This effect of beta-CNA was not due to nonspecific interactions with G(i), Gs, or the catalytic unit of adenylyl cyclase, as neither guanylylimidodiphosphate-inhibited, NaF-stimulated, nor forskolin-stimulated activity was altered by beta-CNA pretreatment. Phospholipase A2 decreased opioid-inhibited adenylyl cyclase only when the enzyme was incubated with brain membranes in the presence of NaCl and GTP. These results confirm that the receptors that inhibit adenylyl cyclase in brain do not correspond to the high-affinity mu, delta, or EKC sites identified in brain by traditional binding studies.     

Hippocampal astrocytes exhibit Ca2+-elevating muscarinic cholinergic and histaminergic receptors in situ

Recent findings suggest that astrocytes respond to neuronally released neurotransmitters with Ca2+ elevations. These Ca2+ elevations may trigger astrocytes to release glutamate, affecting neuronal activity. Neuronal activity is also affected by modulatory neurotransmitters that stimulate G protein-coupled receptors. These neurotransmitters, including acetylcholine and histamine, might affect neuronal activity by triggering Ca2+-dependent release of neurotransmitters from astrocytes. However, there is no physiological evidence for histaminergic or cholinergic receptors on astrocytes in situ. We asked whether astrocytes have these receptors by imaging Ca2+-sensitive dyes sequestered by astrocytes in hippocampal slices. Our results show that immunocytochemically identified astrocytes respond to carbachol and histamine with increases in intracellular free Ca2+ concentration. The H1 histamine receptor antagonist chlorpheniramine inhibited responses to histamine. Similarly, atropine and the M1-selective muscarinic receptor antagonist pirenzepine inhibited carbachol-elicited responses. Astrocyte responses to histamine and carbachol were compared with responses elicited by alpha1-adrenergic and metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists. Individual astrocytes responded to different subsets of receptor agonists. Ca2+ oscillations were the prevalent response pattern only with metabotropic glutamate receptor stimulation. Finally, functional alpha1-adrenergic receptors and muscarinic receptors were not detected before postnatal day 8. Our data show that astrocytes have acetylcholine and histamine receptors coupled to Ca2+. Given that Ca2+ elevations in astrocytes trigger neurotransmitter release, it is possible that these astrocyte receptors modulate neuronal activity.     

Partial functional reconstitution of the cardiac muscarinic cholinergic receptor

Digitonin-solubilized cardiac muscarinic receptors were reconstituted by dialysis into human erythrocyte acceptor membranes which lack high-affinity muscarinic receptors. The number of receptors reconstituted was proportional to the quantity of soluble receptors added to the reconstitution system. Specific [3H](-)-quinuclidinyl benzilate binding to the reconstituted receptor was found to be saturable with a Kd (dissociation constant) equal to 48 +/- 4 pM and a Bmax (maximal density of binding sites) equal to 50 +/- 5 fmol/mg of protein. Competitive binding studies indicated that the reconstituted receptors showed stereoselectivity and drug specificity consistent with a high-affinity muscarinic receptor. Agonist binding to the reconstituted receptor was decreased by the addition of guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate. Sixty per cent of the reconstituted receptors were found to be integral membrane proteins. The molecular weight of the reconstituted receptor as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis was 76,000 +/- 2,000 and was identical to the molecular weight of the muscarinic receptor in the original cardiac membranes. The data indicate that a partially functional, intact muscarinic receptor was reconstituted into human erythrocyte acceptor membranes and that membrane constituents may be required to stabilize the receptor in a high-affinity state for antagonists.     

Influence of phospholipase C on muscarinic acetylcholine receptor binding in rat brain

Treatment of neural membranes from rat cerebral cortex with phospholipase C (phosphatidylcholine cholinephosphohydrolase) inhibited the binding of radiolabelled antagonists to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. This inhibition was incomplete, was not competitive, and did not appear to be related to the production of inhibitory products. The affinity of carbamylcholine for cortex muscarinic receptors was increased by phospholipase C action. The distribution of receptors between states of high and low affinity was not affected by phospholipase C; rather, the affinity for carbamylcholine of the lowest affinity receptors was selectively increased. This suggests that membrane lipids influence the interaction of the receptor binding subunit with other structures in the synaptic membrane.     

Biexponential Kinetics of (R)-α-[3H]Methylhistamine Binding to the Rat Brain H3 Histamine Receptor

The H3 histamine receptor is a high-affinity receptor reported to mediate inhibition of CNS histidine decarboxylase activity and depolarization-induced histamine release. We have used (R)-alpha-[3H]methylhistamine, a specific, high-affinity agonist, to characterize ligand binding to this receptor. Saturation binding studies with rat brain membranes disclosed a single class of sites (KD = 0.68 nM; Bmax = 78 fmol/mg of protein). Competition binding assays also yielded an apparently single class of sites with a rank order of potency for ligands characteristic of an H3 histamine receptor: N alpha-methylhistamine, (R)-alpha-methylhistamine greater than histamine, thioperamide greater than impromidine greater than burimamide greater than dimaprit. In contrast, kinetic studies disclosed two classes of sites, one with fast, the other with slow on-and-off rates. Density of (R)-alpha-[3H]methylhistamine binding followed the order: caudate, midbrain (thalamus and hippocampus), cortex greater than hypothalamus greater than brainstem greater than cerebellum. These data are consistent with an H3 histamine receptor, distinct from H1 and H2 receptors, that occurs in two conformations with respect to agonist association and dissociation or with multiple H3 receptor subtypes that are at present pharmacologically undifferentiated.     

Contemporary activation of different endothelial receptors accounts for a reserve mechanism of nitric oxide-mediated relaxation

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the inhibition of one of the endothelial receptor sites in the rat pulmonary artery (muscarinic, histaminergic, purinergic, alpha2-adrenergic) affects the NO-mediated relaxation induced by the activation of the other type of receptors. Acetylcholine (ACh)-, histamine (Hist)-, adenosine (Ade)-, and clonidine (Clon)-induced endothelium-dependent relaxations were reduced by the administration of specific antagonists of muscarinic, H1-histaminergic, purinergic or alpha2-adrenergic receptors, respectively. The inhibition of H1-histaminergic receptors by chlorphenyramine did not prevent ACh-induced relaxation. Similarly, the inhibition of muscarinic receptors by atropine did not prevent the relaxations to histamine, adenosine and clonidine. On the other hand, the relaxations induced by acetylcholine, histamine, adenosine or clonidine were regularly reduced by NO-synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (10(-4) mol/l). These results suggest that the inhibition of NO-synthase abolished arterial relaxations induced by all agonists. After inhibition of one type of the endothelial receptors, the NO-dependent relaxation could still be evoked by activation of one of the others.     

Modification of the tetrodotoxin receptor in Electrophorus electricus by phospholipase A2

The effects of phospholipase A2 treatment on the tetrodotoxin receptors in Electrophorus electricus was studied. (1) The binding of [3H]tetrodotoxin to electroplaque membranes was substantially reduced by treatment of the membranes with low concentrations of phospholipase A2 from a number of sources, including bee venom, Vipera russelli and Crotalus adamanteus and by beta-bungarotoxin. (2) Phospholipase A2 from bee venom and from C. adamanteus both caused extensive hydrolysis of electroplaque membrane phospholipids although the substrate specificity differed. Analysis of the phospholipid classes hydrolyzed revealed a striking correlation between loss of toxin binding and hydrolysis of phosphatidylethanolamine but not of phosphatidylserine. (3) The loss of toxin binding could be partially reversed by treatment of the membranes with bovine serum albumin, conditions which are known to remove hydrolysis products from the membrane. (4) Equilibrium binding studies on the effects of phospholipase A2 treatment of [3H]tetrodotoxin binding showed that the reduction reflected loss of binding sites and not a change in affinity. (5) These results are interpreted in terms of multiple equilibrium states of the tetrodotoxin-receptors with conformations determined by the phospholipid environment.     

Solubilization of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors of bovine brain

The effectiveness of several detergents and salts in solubilizing the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (identified by its atropine-sensitive [³H]3-quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) binding) from bovine striatal membranes is reported. The highest density of receptor is obtained by extraction with 1% digitonin-0.1 mM EDTA. Although the total solubilized muscarinic receptors (sites/ml) are increased and the nonspecific binding is decreased when 1 M NaCl is included in this extraction medium, the receptor density (sites/mg protein) is lower. The solubilized receptors have the same specific QNB binding affinity, and sensitivity to a variety of drugs, as the membrane-bound muscarinic receptors.     

Characterization of Curaremimetic Neurotoxin Binding Sites on Cellular Membrane Fragments Derived from the Rat Pheochromocytoma PC 12

Studies were conducted on the properties of 125I-labeled alpha-bungarotoxin binding sites on cellular membrane fragments derived from the PC12 rat pheochromocytoma. Two classes of specific toxin binding sites are present at approximately equal densities (50 fmol/mg of membrane protein) and are characterized by apparent dissociation constants of 3 and 60 nM. Nicotine and d-tubocurarine are among the most potent inhibitors of high-affinity toxin binding. The affinity of high-affinity toxin binding sites for nicotinic cholinergic agonists is reversibly or irreversibly decreased, respectively, on treatment with dithiothreitol or dithiothreitol and N-ethylmaleimide. The nicotinic receptor affinity reagent bromoacetylcholine irreversibly blocks high-affinity toxin binding to PC12 cell membranes that have been treated with dithiothreitol. Two polyclonal antisera raised against the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor from Electrophorus electricus inhibit high-affinity toxin binding. These detailed studies confirm that curaremimetic neurotoxin binding sites on the PC12 cell line are comparable to toxin binding sites from neural tissues and to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors from the periphery. Because toxin binding sites are recognized by anti-nicotinic receptor antibodies, the possibility remains that they are functionally analogous to nicotinic receptors.     

Possible Involvement of Pertussis Toxin-Sensitive G Proteins and D2 Dopamine Receptors in the A1 Adenosine Receptor-Adenylate Cyclase System in Rat Cerebral Cortex

To identify the involvement of dopamine receptors in the transmembrane signaling of the adenosine receptor-G protein-adenylate cyclase system in the CNS, we examined the effects of pertussis toxin (islet-activating protein, IAP) and apomorphine on A1 adenosine agonist (-)N6-R-[3H]phenylisopropyladenosine ([3H]PIA) and antagonist [3H]xanthine amine congener ([3H]XAC) binding activity and adenylate cyclase activity in cerebral cortex membranes of the rat brain. Specific binding to a single class of sites for [3H]XAC with a dissociation constant (KD) of 6.0 +/- 1.3 nM was observed. The number of maximal binding sites (Bmax) was 1.21 +/- 0.13 pmol/mg protein. Studies of the inhibition of [3H]XAC binding by PIA revealed the presence of two classes of PIA binding states, a high-affinity state (KD = 2.30 +/- 1.16 nM) and a low-affinity state (KD = 1.220 +/- 230 nM). Guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate or IAP treatment reduced the number of the high-affinity state binding sites without altering the KD for PIA. Apomorphine (100 microM) increased the KD value 10-fold and decreased Bmax by approximately 20% for [3H]PIA. The effect of apomorphine on the KD value increase was irreversible and due to a conversion from high-affinity to low-affinity states for PIA. The effect was dose dependent and was mediated via D2 dopamine receptors, since the D2 antagonist sulpiride blocked the phenomenon. The inhibitory effect of PIA on adenylate cyclase activity was abolished by apomorphine treatment. There was no effect of apomorphine on displacement of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate (muscarinic ligand) binding by carbachol. These data suggest that A1 adenosine receptor binding and function are selectively modified by D2 dopaminergic agents.     

Autoradiographic distribution of high affinity muscarinic and nicotinic cholinergic receptors labeled with [3H]acetylcholine in rat brain

The relative distribution of muscarinic and nicotinic cholinergic receptors labeled with [3H]acetylcholine was determined using autoradiography. [3H]Acetylcholine binding to high affinity muscarinic receptors was similar to what has been described for an M-2 distribution: highest levels of binding occurred in the pontine and brainstem nuclei, anterior pretectal area and anteroventral thalamic nucleus, while lower levels occurred in the caudate-putamen, accumbens nucleus and primary olfactory cortex. Nicotinic receptors were labeled with [3H]acetylcholine to the greatest extent in the interpeduncular nucleus, several thalamic nuclei, medial habenula, presubiculum and superior colliculus, and to the least extent in the hippocampus and inferior colliculus. By using autoradiography to localize cholinergic binding sites throughout the brain it was observed that the distributions of high affinity muscarinic and nicotinic sites labeled with the endogenous ligand, [3H]acetylcholine are different from each other and are different from distributions of muscarinic and nicotinic sites labeled with muscarinic and nicotinic antagonists.     

Binding of Agonists and Antagonists to Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors on Intact Cultured Heart Cells

The binding of agonists and antagonists to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors on intact cultured cardiac cells has been compared with the binding observed in homogenized membrane preparations. The antagonists [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate and [3H]N-methylscopolamine bind to a single class of receptor sites on intact cells with affinities similar to those seen in membrane preparations. In contrast with the heterogeneity of agonist binding sites observed in membrane preparations, the agonist carbachol binds to a homogeneous class of low-affinity sites on intact cells with an affinity identical to that found for the low-affinity agonist site in membrane preparations in the presence of guanyl nucleotides. Kinetic studies of antagonist binding to receptors in the absence and presence of agonist did not provide evidence for the existence of a transient (greater than 30 s) high-affinity agonist site that was subsequently converted to a site of lower affinity. Nathanson N. M. Binding of agonists and antagonists to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors on intact cultured heart cells.     

Membrane phospholipid polar heads influence the coupling of M2 muscarinic receptors to G proteins

Treating membranes from rat heart with phospholipase C (phosphatidylcholine choline-phosphohydrolase) fromClostridium perfringens increased the affinity of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (M₂) for the agonists carbachol and oxotremorine. The affinity for antagonists was not affected. Phospholipase C activity, i.e., the cleavage of polar heads of membrane phospholipids, led to the disappearance of the guanine nucleotide-dependent rightward shift of the isotherm for agonist binding. The treatment of tracheal smooth muscle with phospholipase C led to a decrease in the maximum contractile effect of muscarinic (M₂) stimulation with no modification of the agonist EC₅₀, i.e., to the uncoupling of the stimulation-contraction process. These results demonstrate that when phospholipid polar heads are hydrolysed by phospholipase C, M₂ receptors are uncoupled from G proteins, which enhances their affinity for agonists but prevents information transfer.     

Sialic acid is selectively involved in the interaction of agonists with M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

Neuraminidase and slight acid hydrolysis were used to investigate the role of sialic acid residues in the binding of muscarinic agonists and antagonists to membranes from tissues rich in M1 and M2 receptors. Membranes were pretreated with neuraminidase at pH 5 and the binding parameters were determined from competitive experiments with (3H)-quinuclidinylbenzylate. The removal of sialic acid residues reduced the affinity of muscarinic agonists for cerebellum, heart and lung membranes (M2), in contrast to striatum (M1). The affinity of antagonists was not affected. Thus, sialic acid is selectively involved in the interaction of agonists with M2 muscarinic receptors.     

Differences and Similarities in Muscarinic Receptors of Rat Heart and Retina: Effects of Agonists, Guanine Nucleotides, and N-Ethylmaleimide

Muscarinic receptor stimulation inhibits cyclic AMP formation in rat atria but not in retina. We compared the properties of the muscarinic receptors in rat atrial and retinal membranes using the antagonist [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate. In both atria and retina there is a single binding site for antagonists, while agonists appear to interact at two classes of binding sites. Muscarinic receptors in atria and retina have the same apparent affinities for several antagonists and for a series of muscarinic agonists. In both tissues N-ethylmaleimide decreases agonist affinity for the high-affinity binding sites. Muscarinic receptors in atria and retina differ, however, in several properties relating to the proportions of high- and low-affinity agonist sites. First, guanine nucleotides markedly increase the proportion of low-affinity binding sites in atria, but not in retina. Second, for all agonists there are fewer high-affinity binding sites in retina. Third, the "partial agonist" pilocarpine appears to interact with two classes of binding sites in atria, but with only a single class of sites in retina. Our data suggest that muscarinic receptors that inhibit cyclic AMP formation and those that do not share common properties that determine receptor affinity for agonists and classic antagonists. The differences between these receptors are manifest, however, in the effects of guanine nucleotides and the ability of agonists, especially those of low efficacy, to affect the proportion of high- and low-affinity sites and to effect a biological response.     

Interactions of brain muscarinic acetylcholine receptors with plant lectins

We previously reported that muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) from porcine brains are glycoproteins. When porcine brain membranes were solubilized with digitonin or 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propane sulfonate (CHAPS), approximately 20% of the receptors were solubilized, most (90% or more) of which bound to Sepharose 4B conjugated with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA). In contrast, when membranes were solubilized with Lubrol PX, a much larger fraction (approximately 60%) of the receptors were solubilized. However, about a third of this solubilized receptor population remained unbound to WGA-Sepharose even in the presence of an excess amount of the lectin-Sepharose. These results suggested a structural heterogeneity of the mAChR in terms of its carbohydrate moiety. The effects of lectins on the ligand binding properties of mAChRs were also studied. WGA or concanavalin A (ConA) was found to cause a 2- to 3-fold increase in the affinity of membrane-bound receptors to an antagonist [3H]quinuclidinyl benzylate [( 3H]QNB) without affecting the maximum number of sites, whereas the lectins had no significant effects on the binding of the agonist [3H]cis-methyldioxolane. When the membranes were dissolved with detergents, lectin did not increase the [3H]QNB affinity: These lectins caused an approximately 2 fold decrease in the affinity of digitonin-solubilized receptors for [3H]QNB. Thus the lectins exert differential effects on agonist and antagonist binding to the brain membrane mAChRs, most likely by modulating some intermolecular interactions.     

In vitro effect of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) on muscarinic cholinergic receptors in mouse striatum

1. MPTP significantly lowered Kd of the binding of [3H]QNB to muscarine receptor without affecting Bmax values compared with those of control. Hill coefficients (nH) of control and MPTP (250 microM) added group were 1.15 +/- 0.127 and 0.56 +/- 0.202, respectively. 2. Prior addition of pargyline to MPTP did not prevent the decrease of [3H]QNB binding. The patterns of displacement of [3H]QNB by MPTP and MPP+ were similar to those by some muscarinic agonists, such as acetylcholine, carbamyl choline and methacholine. 3. These results suggest that MPTP might be muscarinic agonist and might play a role to produce Parkinsonism through directly affecting the muscarinic cholinergic receptors in vivo.