Diazepam-Sensitive Specific Binding of Phenytoin in Rat Brain

Abstract

[³H]Phenytoin binding to rat cortical membrane was significantly enhanced in the presence of diazepam. This binding is saturable, reversible and displacable by unlabelled phenytoin. Analyses of the binding data either by the Scatchard plot or by the displacement curve revealed a high and a low affinity sites with K_d values of 32 ± 5 nM and 8.5 ± 1.1 μM, respectively. Similar enhancement of [³H]phenytoin binding was observed when diazepam was replaced by Ro 5–4864 (4″-chlorodiazepam) which is selective for the ‘peripheral’ type benzodiazepine binding sites. In contrast, neither the ‘central’ type receptor selective agonist clonazepam nor the antagonist Ro 15–1788 enhanced [³H]phenytoin binding. Therefore, it seems that these phenytoin binding sites in rat cerebral cortex are associated with a benzodiazepine site similar to the ‘peripheral’ type binding site for its selective affinity for Ro 5–4864. However, judging from the micromolar concentrations required for the enhancement of [³H]phenytoin binding, they appear unlikely to be the same ‘peripheral’ type binding sites as measured by [³H]Ro 5–4864 binding (K_d approx. 1 nM). The micromolar affinity benzodiazepine recognition sites are a possibility, if they indeed exist.     

Binding of RO 5–4864 To Brain Membranes of Rats with and Without Absence-Like Phenomena

Abstract

Spontaneously occurring spike-wave discharges (SWD) in rats are used as a model for absence epilepsy in humans. In vitro, the binding parameters of ³H-Ro 5–4864, a ligand labelling the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor, were determined for brain membranes of WAG/Rij rats, an inbred strain showing SWD, and for ACI rats, an inbred strain showing no SWD. No difference in the K_d but a small difference in the B_max values between the strains were found. Recently, other investigators reported a correlation between a decrease in affinity for ³H-Ro 5–4864 and the occurrence of SWD. Our results suggest however that it is doubtful that a change in K_d of the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor is causal in the etio-pathology of the spontaneous absence like phenomena in rats.     

Peripheral benzodiazepine binding sites: Effect of PK 11195, 1-(2-chlorophenyl)-n-methyl-n-(1-methylpropyl)-3-isoquinolinecarboxamide: I. In vitro studies

[³H] R05-4864 binding sites have been characterized in kidney, heart, brain, adrenals and platelets in the rat. In all these organs the following order of potency in the R05-4864 displacement was found : R05-4864 > diazepam > clonazepam indicating that they correspond to the “peripheral type” of benzodiazepine binding sites. PK 11195, an isoquinoline carboxamide derivative, displaces [³H] R05-4864 from its binding sites in all the organs. PK 11195 was as potent as R05-4864 in the platelets, heart, adrenals, kidney and several brain regions (midbrain, hypothalamus, medulla + pons and hippocampus. However it was 5 to 10 times more effective in cortex and striatum. In conclusion PK 11195 might represent a new tool to elucidate the physiological relevance of “peripheral type” benzodiazepine binding sites and might help to discriminate the hypothetical subclasses of these binding sites.     

Partial Purification and Pharmacology of Peripheral-Type Benzodiazepine Receptors

Abstract

This report describes the results obtained with a new photo-affinity ligand for the “peripheral-type” benzodiazepine binding site (PBS), using a digitonin solubilized preparation from rat heart or adrenals.

The specific binding activity of the solubilized adrenal preparation is higher than 50 pmo1/mg protein, with binding proper-ties and pharmacological specificity identical to the membrane bound PBS. The apparent molecular weight of the solubilized PBS, determined by gel filtration is 215 KDa.

The photoaffinity ligand (PK 14105) is a nitrophenyl derivative of PK 11195, which attaches covalently and specifically to all the PBS when cardiac membranes are irradiated with this compound under ultraviolet light. After photolabelling with [³H]PK 14105 and solubilization in SDS of heart or adrenal membranes, gel electrophoresis indicates the existence of a single protein band whose molecular weight (18 KDa) is unaltered by incubation with sulphydryl-reducing or protein cross-linking agents. This molecule seems to be a low molecular weight, acidic protein.

Diethylpyrocarbonate decreases partially (60 %) the binding of [³H]PK 11195 without affecting [³H] RO5-4864 binding, which implies a vital histidine residue in the binding domain of [³H] -PK 11195. Treatment with phospholipase A₂ or mellitin, a stimulant of endogenous PLA₂, led to a selective, loss of [³H]RO5-4864 binding with no change in the binding of [³H]PK 11195.

Such differences between a benzodiazepine ligand and an isoquinoline ligand suggest that these compounds may induce.     

Differential effect of detergents on [3H]Ro 5-4864 and [3H]PK 11195 binding to peripheral-type benzodiazepine-binding sites

The present study demonstrates a differential effect of various detergent treatments on [3H]Ro 5-4864 and [3H]PK 11195 binding to peripheral benzodiazepine binding sites (PBS). Triton X-100 (0.0125%) caused a decrease of about 70% in [3H]Ro 5-4864 binding to membranes from various peripheral tissues of rat, but had only a negligible effect on [3H]PK 11195 binding. A similar effect of Triton X-100 was observed on guinea pig and rabbit kidney membranes. The decrease in [3H]Ro 5-4864 binding after treatment with Triton X-100 was apparently due to a decrease in the density of PBS, since the affinity remained unaltered. The detergents 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]-1-propane sulfonate (CHAPS), Tween 20, deoxycholic acid, or digitonin (0.0125%) caused only a minor change in [3H]Ro 5-4864 and [3H]PK 11195 binding to rat kidney membranes; but when concentrations were substantially increased (0.1%), all detergents caused a decrease of at least 50% in [3H]Ro 5-4864 binding, while [3H]PK 11195 binding to rat kidney membranes remained unaffected by the first three detergents, with only a minor decrease (15%) after treatment with digitonin. These results may further support the assumption that Ro 5-4864 and PK 11195 are agonist and antagonist, respectively, of PBS and interact with two different conformations or domains in the peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding site molecule.     

High-affinity binding sites for PK 11195, but not for RO5-4864, in porcine aortic smooth muscle

Peripheral benzodiazepine (BZ) binding sites were characterized in porcine aortic smooth muscle membrane preparation. [3H]PK11195 bound with high affinity to the membranes (Kd = 8.6 + 0.9 nM), whereas [3H]Ro5-4864 bound slightly to the membranes. The Ki value of Ro5-4864 obtained from the inhibition of [3H]PK 11195 binding was 1200 + 200 nM, which was 480 times weaker than that obtained in rat kidney. Furthermore, the Ro5-4864 effect was temperature-insensitive. When [3H]PK 11195 binding was examined in porcine, human and rat platelets, Ro5-4864 inhibited the binding in porcine and human platelets one order of magnitude less potently than that in rat platelets. These results suggest that low affinity for Ro5-4864 in porcine aorta smooth muscle originates in porcine tissue, but not in smooth muscle.     

Coexistence of central and peripheral benzodiazepine binding sites in the human pineal gland

The pineal gland and particularly its major hormone, melatonin, may participate in several physiological functions, including sleep promotion, anticonvulsant activity and the modulation of biological rhythms and affective disorders. These effects may be related to an interaction with benzodiazepine receptors, which have been demonstrated to be present in the pineal gland of several species including man. The present study examined the characteristics of benzodiazepine binding site subtypes in the human pineal gland, using [³H] flunitrazepam and [³H] PK 11195 as specific ligands for central and peripheral type benzodiazepine binding sites respectively. Scatchard analysis of [³H] flunitrazepam binding to pineal membrane preparations was linear, indicating the presence of a single population of sites. Clonazepam and RO 15-1788, which have a high affinity for central benzodiazepine binding sites, were potent competitors for [³H] flunitrazepam binding in the human pineal, whereas RO 5-4864 had a low affinity for these sites. Analyses of [³H] PK 11195 binding to pineal membranes also revealed the presence of a single population of sites. RO 5-4864, a specific ligand for peripheral benzodiazepine binding sites was the most potent of the drugs tested in displacing [³H] PK 11195, whereas clonazepam and RO 15-1788 were weak inhibitors of [³H] PK 11195 binding to pineal membranes. Overall, these results demonstrate, for the first time, the coexistence of peripheral and central benzodiazepine binding sites in the human pineal gland.     

Ca2+-Guanine Nucleotide Interactions in Brain Membranes. I. Modulation of Central 5-Hydroxytryptamine Receptors in the Rat

Abstract: The present study indicates that central 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; serotonin) receptors can be modulated in opposite directions by Ca²⁺ and guanine nucleotides [guanosine triphosphate (GTP), β, γ-imidoguanosine 5′-triphosphate (GppNHp)]. Thus CaCl₂ (≥0.5 mm ) inhibited whereas GTP and GppNHp (10 μm ) stimulated the 5-HT-sensitive adenylate cyclase in the hippocampus of newborn rats. Both the affinity (K_d ^?1) and the number (B_max) of [³H]5-HT binding sites in hippocampal membranes from adult rats were increased in the presence of Ca²⁺ (≥0.25 mm ); GTP (≥0.1 mm ) and GppNHp (≥0.3; μm ) produced reverse effects. The efficacy of guanine nucleotides in inhibiting specific [³H]5-HT binding was counteracted by Ca²⁺: the addition of this cation (5mm -CaCl₂) to the assay mixture resulted in a 40-fold increase in the IC₅₀ for GTP; the IC₅₀ for GppNHp increased five-fold under the same condition. The examination of the respective effects of Ca²⁺ and of GTP on the specific binding of [³H]5-HT to various hippocampal membrane preparations (from developing rats, from subcellular fractions of adult tissues, and from adult rats after the selective degeneration of serotoninergic innervation in the forebrain) indicated that the amplitudes of the Ca²⁺-induced increase and of the GTP-induced decrease were generally correlated. This conclusion did not apply to striatal membranes of kainic acid-treated rats because [³H]5-HT binding sites persisting after the intrastriatal injection of kainic acid (i.e., half of the total number in striatal membranes from control rats) were markedly less affected by GTP but at least as responsive as control membranes to the Ca²⁺-induced increase. These data are compatible with the hypothesis of a possible coupling of some–but not all–[³H]5-HT binding sites to adenylate cyclase in the rat brain.     

Effect of some potent adenosine uptake inhibitors on benzodiazepine binding in the CNS

A series of nucleoside transport inhibitors has been tested for their ability to displace [³H]diazepam binding to CNS membranes. No correlation between their potency as [³H]adenosine uptake blockers and as inhibitors of [³H]diazepam binding was found, either in rat or guinea-pig brain tissue. Dipyridamole, a potent adenosine transport inhibitor interacted strongly (K_i = 54 nM) with peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding sites (“acceptor sites”) and was 4–5 fold weaker in displacing [³H]methylclonazepam and [³H]Ro15-1788, ligands selective for the specific central benzodiazepine “receptor”. Unlike the benzodiazepines, dipyridamole had no anticonvulsant action against metrazole-induced convulsions in mice. Ro5-4864, a benzodiazepine which selectively interacts with the peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding site, was approximately equipotent with diazepam in inhibiting [³H]adenosine uptake in brain tissue. These results do not support the idea of a very close link between high-affinity central binding sites for clinically-active benzodiazepines and the adenosine uptake site. The possibility of a connection between benzodiazepine “acceptor” sites and the membrane nucleoside transporter is discussed.     

The specific binding of the platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonist WEB 2086 and the benzodiazepine flunitrazepam to rat hepatocytes

Thieno-triazolodiazepines WEB 2086 and BN 50739 have been described as the potent PAF receptor antagonists. Binding of radiolabeled [³H]WEB 2086 has been widely employed to characterize PAF receptors in different cells. In a search for a PAF receptor in isolated rat hepatocytes, we discovered that the binding of [³H]WEB to rat hepatocytes was highly specific but had a relatively low affinity with a K_d of 113 nM and B_max of 0.65 pmol/10⁶ cells in freshly isolated cell suspension and K_d of 1.65 μM and B_max of 2.0 pmol/plate in cultured hepatocytes. No consistent specific binding of [³H]PAF itself was found in the same cell preparations. The binding of [³H]flunitrazepam in the presence of the peripheral type of benzodiazepine receptor antagonist Ro 5-4864 was saturated and exhibited a K_i of 3.8 nM and B_max of 3.5 pmol/plate. The central type of benzodiazepine receptor antagonist clonazepam also competed for the [³H]flunitrazepam binding, however with a much lower affinity. Various antagonists inhibited the binding of [³H]WEB 2086 with a rank order BN 50739⪢Ro 5-4864≥clonazepam. Interestingly, bicuculline, a specific antagonist of GABA(A) recognition sites, also significantly reduced the binding of [³H]WEB 2086. The binding of [³H]flunitrazepam was inhibited with a rank potency BN 50739⪢WEB 2086. Taken together, these findings suggest that the specific binding of PAF receptor antagonists WEB 2086 and BN 50739 in rat hepatocytes does not involve PAF receptors and occurs via peripheral benzodiazepine and, possibly GABA(A) receptor sites.     

Properties of [3H] diazepam binding to rat peritoneal mast cells

Benzodiazepine binding to rat peritoneal mast cells was investigated using [³H] diazepam as the radioactive probe. The specific binding of [³H] diazepam reaches equilibrium within 10–15 min, is saturable and is linear with cell number. Scatchard analysis of equilibrium binding indicates the existence of only one class of binding sites with a K_D = 90 ± 10 nM and B_max of 261 ± 60 fmoles/10⁶ cells. The binding of [³H] diazepam is temperature dependent, the highest amount is bound at 0°C and shows a pH-optimum between pH 6.8 – 7.4. The binding of [³H] diazepam is reversible with $\text{t}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{= 1.2 ± 0.2}\text{min.}$ Based on the relative potency of clonazepam and Ro5-4864 in displacing the specific [³H] diazepam binding, the binding sites in the mast cell are similar to those in the peripheral tissues like lung, liver, and kidney and are different from those in the brain. These data indicate that the mast cells have benzodiazepine binding sites which are of the peripheral type.     

Histidine modification with diethylpyrocarbonate induces a decrease in the binding of an antagonist, PK 11195, but not of an agonist, RO5-4864, of the peripheral benzodiazepine receptors

[3H]PK 11195 binding to peripheral type benzodiazepine binding sites in kidney membranes is inhibited by the histidine blocking agent diethylpyrocarbonate. This reagent irreversibly decreases the Bmax for [3H]PK 11195 without affecting the affinity. By contrast binding of [3H]RO5-4864 is not affected by diethylpyrocarbonate treatment. However RO5-4864 can protect in a concentration dependent manner the [3H]PK 11195 binding site from diethylpyrocarbonate whereas clonazepam and RO15-1788 are not active. These results suggest that PK 11195 and RO5-4864 interact with different conformational states of the receptors that RO5-4864. This is in agreement with our previous hypothesis that PK 11195 is an antagonist and RO5-4864 an agonist at the "peripheral type" benzodiazepine receptors.     

Studies on the mechanism of regulation of the red-cell Ca2+ pump by calmodulin and ATP

(1) The effects of calmodulin binding on the rates of Ca²⁺-dependent phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of the red-cell Ca²⁺ pump, have been tested in membranes stripped of endogenous calmodulin or recombined with purified calmodulin. (2) In Mg²⁺-containing media, phosphorylation and dephosphorylation rates are accelerated by a large factor (at 0°C), but the steady-state level of phosphoenzyme is unaffected by calmodulin binding (at 0°C and 37°C). In Mg²⁺-free media, slower rates of phosphoenzyme formation and hydrolysis are observed, but both rates and the steady-state phosphoenzyme level are raised following calmodulin binding. (3) At 37°C and 0°C, the rate of (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity is stimulated maximally by 6–7-fold, following calmodulin binding. At 37°C the apparent Ca²⁺ affinity for sustaining ATP hydrolysis is raised at least 20-fold, K_m(Ca) ? 10 μM (—calmodulin) and K_m(Ca) < 0.5 μM (+ calmodulin), but at 0°C the apparent Ca²⁺ affinity is very high in calmodulin-stripped membranes and little or no effect of calmodulin is observed (K_m(Ca) ? 3–4 · 10^-8 M). (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity in calmodulin activated membranes and at saturating ATP levels, is sharply inhibited by addition of calcium in the range 50–2000 μM. (4) A systematic study of the effects of the nucleotide species MgATP, CaATP and free ATP on (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity in calmodulin-activated membranes reveals: (a) In the 1–10 μmolar concentration range MgATP, CaATP and free ATP appear to sustain (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity equally effectively. (b) In the range 100–2000 μM, MgATP accelerates ATP hydrolysis (K_m(MgATP) ? 360 μM), and CaATP is an inhibitor (K_i(CaATP) ? 165 μM), probably competing with MgATP fo the regulatory site. (5) The results suggest that calmodulin binding alters the conformational state of the Ca²⁺- pump active site, producing a high (Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺)-ATPase activity, high Ca²⁺ affinity and regulation of activity by MgATP.     

Peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors in human cerebral cortex, kidney, and colon.

The specific binding of [3H]PK 11195 and [3H]Ro 5-4864 to human cerebral cortex, kidney, and colon membranes was studied in order to determine whether peripheral type benzodiazepine receptors (PBR) characteristics located in human tissues are similar to those located in calf or rat tissues. While [3H]PK 11195 (0.05-10 nM, final concentration) bound with high affinity (KD about 2 nM) to human cerebral cortex, kidney, and colon membranes, yielding maximal numbers of binding sites of 255 +/- 23, 1908 +/- 28, and 1633 +/- 98 fmol/mg protein, respectively, the specific binding of [3H]Ro 5-4864 (1.25-40 nM, final concentration), was barely detectable (nonspecific binding about 90% of the total binding). Furthermore, unlabeled PK 11195 was two orders of magnitude more potent than unlabeled Ro 5-4864 in displacing [3H]PK 11195 specific binding from human cerebral cortex and kidney membranes. These results indicate that PBR binding characteristics located in human tissues are similar (but not identical) to those located in calf tissues, but not to those located in rat tissues.     

Spin label studies on rat liver and heart plasma membranes: Effects of temperature,calcium, and lanthanum on membrane fluidity

The structures of rat liver and heart plasma membranes were studied with the 5-nitroxide stearic acid spin probe, I(1 2,3). The polarity-corrected order parameters (S) of liver and heart plasma membranes were independent of probe concentration only if experimentally determined low I(1 2,3)/lipid ratios were employed. At higher probe/lipid ratios, the order parameters of both membrane systems decreased with increasing probe concentration, and these effects were attributed to enhanced nitroxide radical interactions. Examination of the temperature dependence of approximate and polarity-corrected order parameters indicated that lipid phase separations occur in liver (between 19° and 28°C) and heart (between 21° and 32°C) plasma membranes. The possibility that a wide variety of membrane-associated functions may be influenced by these thermotropic phase separations is considered. Addition of 3.9 mM CaCl₂ to I(1 2,3)-labeled liver plasma membrane decreased the fluidity as indicated by a 5% increase in S at 37°C. Similarly, titrating I(1 2,3)-labeled heart plasma membranes with either CaCl₂ or LaCl₃ decreased the lipid fluidity at 37°C, although the magnitude of the La³⁺ effect was larger and occurred at lower concentrations than that induced by Ca²⁺; addition of 0.2 mM La³⁺ or 3.2 mM Ca²⁺ increased S by approximately 7% and 5%, respectively. The above cation effects reflected only alterations in the membrane fluidity and were not due to changes in probe–probe interactions. Ca²⁺ and La³⁺ at these concentrations decrease the activities of such plasma membrane enzymes as Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and adenylyl cyclase, and it is suggested that the inhibition of these enzymes may be due in part to cation-mediated decreases in the lipid fluidity.     

Heterogeneity Between Rat and Calf Peripheral-Type Benzodiazepine Binding Sites: Differential Sensitivity to Triton X-100

Abstract

The effect of various detergents treatment on the specific binding of [³H]PK 11195 (2nM) to peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding sites (PBS) in calf and rat kidney, adrenal gland, and cerebral cortex membranes was studied. At a concentration of 0.025%, Triton X-100 increased [³H]PK 11195 specific binding to calf kidney, adrenal gland, and cerebral cortex membranes by 20–40%. At the same concentration, Triton X-100 scarcely affected specific binding of [³H]PK 11195 to rat cerebral cortex but decreased binding to rat kidney and adranal gland membranes by 20–30%. At a concentration of 0.05% of Triton X-100, [³H]PK 11195 specific binding to calf kidney, adrenal gland, and cerebral cortex membranes was increased by 10–20%; whereas [³H]PK 11195 specific binding to rat kidney, adrenal gland, and cerebral cortex membranes was decreased by more than 40%. The increase in [³H]PK 11195 specific binding to calf kidney membranes following Triton X-100 (0.05%) treatment was apparently due to an increase in the binding affinity of PBS, since the density remained unaltered; whereas, the decrease in [³H]PK 11195 specific binding to rat kidney membranes was due to a decrease in both binding affinity and density of PBS. On the other hand, the detergents 3- [(3- cholamidopropyl)- dimethylammonio] - 1 - propane sulfonate (CHAPS), Tween 20, deoxycholic acid, and digitonin have a similar effect on [³H]PK 11195 specific binding to PBS in both calf and rat kidney membranes.     

Differentiation between two ligands for peripheral benzodiazepine binding sites, [3H]RO5-4864 and [3H]PK 11195, by thermodynamic studies

The [3H]PK 11195, 1-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-N-(1-methyl-propyl)-3-isoquinolinecarboxamide, binding sites in rat cardiac membranes are saturable, with high affinity, specific GABA-independent and correspond to the peripheral type of benzodiazepine. The order of potency of displacing agents was: PK 11195 greater than RO5-4864 greater than dipyridamole greater than diazepam greater than clonazepam. The Bmax obtained with [3H]PK 11195 was equivalent of the Bmax obtained with [3H]RO5-4864 in the same experimental conditions. However thermodynamic analysis indicates that the [3H]PK 11195 binding was entropy driven whereas the [3H]RO5-4864 binding was enthalpy driven. Consequently PK 11195 might be an antagonist of these binding sites and RO5-4864 an agonist or a partial agonist. The simultaneous use of both drugs might help to elucidate the physiological relevance of peripheral benzodiazepine binding sites.     

Calcium Binding to Plasma Membranes from Normal and SV40 Transformed Hamster Lymphocytes

Abstract

The calcium binding properties of isolated plasma membranes from normal and SV40 transformed hamster lymphocytes were compared over the Ca²⁺ concentration range of 10^?5M to 5 × 10^?3M and at physiological ionic strength. At all Ca²⁺ concentrations, normal membranes bound more Ca²⁺ than tumor membranes; at blood Ca²⁺ levels (1–2 mM) plasma membranes of normal cells bind twice as much as membranes from tumor cells. Normal plasma membranes demonstrated positive cooperative Ca²⁺ binding whereas tumor membranes displayed non-interacting Ca²⁺-binding sites. Ca²⁺ binding to both membranes was insensitive to Mg²⁺ (0.1 to 2.5 mM). A pH shift from 7 to 6 resulted in a 70% decrease of normal membrane-bound Ca²⁺ compared to a 40% decrease observed with tumor membranes. Extracellular surface Ca²⁺ binding to intact cells was also studied after a 72-hour equilibration of cells with ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ and with ethylene-glycol-bis-(β-amino-ethyl ether) N, N′-tetraacetate chelation as marker for surface Ca²⁺. Tumor cell surface Ca²⁺ binding was only 10% of that observed with quiescent lymphocytes. Normal lymphocytes stimulated to divide with phytohemagglutinin also showed a decreased level of surface Ca²⁺ (50%). However, plasma membranes isolated from non-dividing and phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes exhibited equivalent Ca²⁺ binding.     

Calcium pump activity of the renal plasma membrane and renal microsomes

ATP-dependent Ca²⁺ uptake distinct from that of the mitochondria is found in both plasma membrane and microsomal membranes of rat kidney. Activity attributed to these fractions is enhanced by ammonium oxalate and is apparently insensitive to NaN₃. In contrast, rat kidney mitochondrial Ca²⁺ uptake is blocked by NaN₃. The pH of optimal activity is significantly higher for the mitochondrial fraction. Microsomal membrane Ca²⁺ uptake differs from that of the plasma membrane. Microsomal membranes are four times as active as the plasma membrane at high (5 mM) ATP levels. Apparent K_m values for Mg²⁺-ATP differ in the two preparations with a higher affinity for Mg²⁺-ATP found in the plasma membrane Ca²⁺ uptake activity of the plasma membrane preparation is readily inhibited by Na⁺. Sucrose gradient density fractionation indicates that the observed microsomal membrane Ca²⁺ pump activity is associated with membrane vesicles derived from the endoplasmic reticulum. Ca²⁺ pump activity of both plasma membrane and microsomal fraction is depressed din the adrenalectomized rat. This activity is not restored by a single natriuretic dose of aldosterone.     

Peripheral benzodiazepine binding sites: effect of PK 11195, 1-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-(1-methylpropyl)-3 isoquinolinecarboxamide. II. In vivo studies

Peripheral type of benzodiazepine binding sites were labelled in the kidney, the heart and the brain with [3H] RO5-4864 following intravenous injection in mice. The regional distribution of this in vivo binding parallels the in vitro binding: heart and kidney were more labelled than brain. Benzodiazepine potencies in reducing [3H] RO5-4864 binding in vivo parallel relative affinities for [3H] RO5-4864 binding sites in isolated organs membranes: RO5-4864 greater than diazepam greater than clonazepam. PK 11195 a new compound, chemically unrelated to benzodiazepines, which is a potent inhibitor of [3H] RO5-4864 in vitro is also very effective (more than RO5-4864) after I.P. injection and oral administration. These results emphasize the feasibility of using this technique to examine the effects on various pharmacological and physiological manipulations of these binding sites in vivo. Moreover the fact that PK 11195 binds to these sites in vivo might indicate that this compound could help to elucidate the physiological relevance of the peripheral type of benzodiazepine binding sites.