Effects of isomers of apomorphines on dopamine receptors in striatal and limbic tissue of rat brain

The optical isomers of apomorphine (APO) and N-propylnorapomorphine (NPA) were interacted with three biochemical indices of dopamine (DA) receptors in extrapyramidal and limbic preparations of rat brain tissue. There were consistent isomeric preferences for the R(-) configuration of both DA analogs in stimulating adenylate cyclase (D-1 sites) and in competing for high affinity binding of 3H-spiroperidol (D-2 sites) and of 3H-ADTN (DA agonist binding sites) in striatal tissue, with lesser isomeric differences in the limbic tissue. The S(+) apomorphines did not inhibit stimulation of adenylate cyclase by DA. The tendency for greater activity or higher apparent affinity of R(-) apomorphines in striatum may reflect the evidently greater abundance of receptor sites in that region. There were only small regional differences in interactions of the apomorphine isomers with all three receptor sites, except for a strong preference of (-)NPA for striatal D-2 sites. These results do not parallel our recent observations indicating potent and selective antidopaminergic actions of S(+) apomorphines in the rat limbic system. They suggest caution in assuming close parallels between current biochemical and functional, especially behavioral, methods of evaluating dopamine receptors of mammalian brain.     

The Effects of Corticoptropin-Releasing Factor and the Urocortins on Striatal Dopamine Release Induced by Electrical Stimulation—An in vitro Superfusion Study

The members of the CRF peptide family, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), urocortin I (Ucn I), urocortin II (Ucn II) and urocortin III (Ucn III) coordinate endocrine and behavioral responses to stress. CRF has also been demonstrated to stimulate dopamine (DA) synthesis.In our study, a superfusion system was used to investigate the effects of this peptide family on striatal DA release following electrical stimulation. The involvement of the CRF receptors was studied by pretreatment of rat striatal slices with selective CRF antagonists. CRF and Ucn I increased the release of [³H]DA while Ucn II and Ucn III were ineffective. The CRFR1 antagonist antalarmin inhibited the [³H]DA release induced by electrical stimulation and enhanced by CRF and Ucn I. The CRFR2 antagonist astressin-2B was ineffective.These results suggest that CRF and Ucn I mediate DA release through the activation of CRFR1. Ucn II and Ucn III are not involved in this process.Special Issue Dedicated to Miklós Palkovits.     

Effect of butaclamol and its enantiomers upon striatal homovanillic acid and adenyl cyclase of olfactory tubercle in rats.

Butaclamol, a new neuroleptic agent, and its (+)- enantiomer caused a pronounced dose-related elevation of rat striatal homovanillic acid concentration $\text{in}$$\text{vivo}$. In addition, each blocked the dopamine-induced increase in adenyl cyclase activity of homogenates of the olfactory tubercle, a limbic area in the brain. The (-)-enantiomer of butaclamol did not exhibit these activities indicating a stereochemical specificity for dopamine receptor-blockade activity. The (+)-enantiomer was 2–3 times more potent than butaclamol, exhibiting activities similar to those of fluphenazine. The present findings are consistent with the existence of relationships between changes in dopamine turnover in the striatum and the production of extrapyramidal side effects and between changes in adenyl cyclase activity of olfactory tubercle and antipsychotic activity.     

Exploring relationships between mimic configuration, peptide conformation and biological activity in indolizidin-2-one amino acid analogs of gramicidin S.

Indolizidin-2-one amino acids (I2aas, 6S- and 6R-1) possessing 6S- and 6R-ring-fusion stereochemistry were introduced into the antimicrobial peptide gramicidin S (GS) to explore the relationships between configuration, peptide conformation and biological activity. Solution-phase and solid-phase techniques were used to synthesize three analogs with I2aa residues in place of the d-Phe-Pro residues at the turn regions of GS: [(6S)-I2aa4-5,4'-5']GS (2), [Lys2,2',(6S)-I2aa4-5,4'-5']GS (3) and [(6R)-I2aa4-5,4'-5']GS (4). Although conformational analysis of [I2aa4-5,4'-5']GS analogs 2-4 indicated that both ring-fusion stereoisomers of I2aa gave peptides with CD and NMR spectral data characteristic of GS, the (6S)-I2aa analogs 2 and 3 exhibited more intense CD curve shapes, as well as greater numbers of nonsequential NOE between opposing Val and Leu residues, relative to the (6R)-I2aa analog 4, suggesting a greater propensity for the (6S)-diastereomer to adopt the beta-turn/antiparallel beta-pleated sheet conformation. In measurements of antibacterial and antifungal activity, the (6S)-I2aa analog 2 exhibited significantly better potency than the (6R)-I2aa diastereomer 4. Relative to GS, [(6S)-I2aa4-5,4'-5']GS (2) exhibited usually 1/2 to 1/4 antimicrobial activity as well as 1/4 hemolytic activity. In certain cases, antimicrobial and hemolytic activities of GS were shown to be dissociated through modification at the peptide turn regions with the (6S)-I2aa diastereomer. The synthesis and evaluation of GS analogs 2-4 has furnished new insight into the importance of ring-fusion stereochemistry for turn mimicry by indolizidin-2-one amino acids as well as novel antimicrobial peptides.     

Interaction of elongation factor EF-Tu with gamma-amides of GTP and beta-amides of GDP bearing the azidoaryl group or the chloroethylaminoaryl group placed at the terminal phosphate

New types of azidoaryl analogs of GTP: gamma-(4-azido)anilide of GTP (I), gamma-(n-(4-azidobenzyl)-N-methyl)amide of GTP (II) and of GDP: beta-(4-azido)anilide of GDP (III), beta-(N-(4-azidobenzyl)-N-methyl)amide of GDP (IV) have been synthesized by treatment of the nucleotide in aqueous solution with N-cyclohexyl-N-beta-(4-methylmorpholinium)-ethylcarbodiimide p-toluene sulfonate and the respective amine. The analog of GTP bearing at the gamma-phosphate an alkylating 2-chloroethylamino group: gamma-(4-N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-methylaminobenzyl)amide of GTP (V) was prepared by the method described previously for the preparation of the analog of ATP (Knorre, D.G., Kurbatov, V.A. and Samukov, V.V. (1976) FEBS Lett. 70, 105-108). Azidoaryl analogs of GTP and GDP as well as the chloroethylaminoaryl analog of GTP compete with GDP in the formation of the binary complex EF-Tu.GDP with the respective Ki values 3.9.10(-7) M (I), 2.9.10(-8)M (II), 6.9.10(-7)M (III), 5.0.10(-7)M (IV) and 3.8.10(-8)M (V) relative to GDP. The dissociation constants of the complexes of the radioactively-labeled GTP analogs I, II and V with elongation factor Tu were calculated to be 8.5.10(-6)M, 3.4.10(-7)M and 4.6.10(-8)M, respectively, or approx. 1740-, 70- and 9-times greater than that of GDP. GTP analogs I, II and V were found to substitute GTP in the stimulation of EF-Tu-dependent binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosome-mRNA complex.     

Carbocyclic substrates for de novo purine biosynthesis. Enantiospecific synthesis and enantiospecificity of enzymatic utilization.

The carbocyclic analogues of phosphoribosylamine, glycinamide ribonucleotide, and formylglycinamide ribonucleotide have been prepared enantiospecifically from D-ribonic acid gamma-lactone. These carbocycles, which have the same absolute configuration as the natural D-ribose-derived intermediates of de novo purine biosynthesis, are utilized stoichiometrically by the initial enzymes of the pathway. A comparison of the enzymatic processing of the (-)-enantiomers with those of the racemates indicates that in some cases, the (+)-enantiomer acts to inhibit the enzymatic activity.     

Lack of functional evidence for the involvement of sigma opiate receptors in the actions of the 3-PPP enantiomers on central dopaminergic systems: discrepancies between in vitro and in vivo observations

In vitro radioligand binding and autoradiographic distribution studies have suggested the possible involvement of central sigma-opiate sites in the effects of several purportedly dopaminergic agents. Specifically, Largent et al. (Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 81, 4983, 1984) proposed that "actions of 3-PPP at sigma receptors may account for the effect of the drug on behavior and dopaminergic nerve function". Using the sigma-opiate- and dopamine (DA)-preferring (-)- and (+)-enantiomer, respectively, of butaclamol, and the two enantiomers of 3-PPP, the present study was undertaken to address the in vivo functional significance of this proposal. To this end we investigated various biological responses considered to reflect drug interactions with DA cell body and terminal autoreceptors and with presumed non-synaptic and postsynaptic DA receptors in the rat CNS. (+)- but not (-)-butaclamol antagonized the 3-PPP (either enantiomer)-induced DA synthesis and prolactin decreases in GBL-treated rats, the (+)-3-PPP-induced inhibition of substantia nigra DA cell firing and the (+)-3-PPP-induced reversal of reserpine akinesia. Taken together with previous findings available data suggest that DA rather than sigma-opiate receptors mediate the neurochemical, electrophysiological, behavioral and other physiological (prolactin, body temperature) effects of 3-PPP and its enantiomers. The in vivo pharmacological relevance of the claimed non-dopaminergic, proposedly sigma-opiatergic, radioligand binding demonstrated in vitro (with e.g. (+)-3-PPP) thus remains to be established.     

Biochemical Evidence for Alteration of Neostriatal Dopaminergic Function by 5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine

Unilateral injection of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (DHT) into the rat neostriatum markedly reduced not only striatal tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) activity but also striatal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity and dopamine (DA) concentration measured 10--15 days later. The decrease in striatal TH activity was dose related over the range of 8--32 micrograms of DHT; a dose of 16 micrograms reduced striatal TH activity to 40--50% of control, DA concentration to 38% of control, and TPH activity to 5--20% of control. Intrastriatal injection of 16 micrograms of DHT reduced TH activity in the ipsilateral substantia nigra to 51% of control. Pretreatment with amfonelic acid, a potent DA uptake inhibitor, significantly reduced the effect of DHT on striatal and nigral TH activity and striatal DA concentration without affecting the DHT-induced decrease in striatal TPH activity. Desmethylimipramine (5 and 25 mg/kg) had no effect on the DHT-induced decrease in striatal TH activity. Striatal choline acetyltransferase and glutamic acid decarboxylase activities were not decreased by 16 micrograms of DHT. The results indicate that DHT can alter dopaminergic function in the rat neostriatum through a direct effect of the drug on DA neurons.     

The in vitro release of endogenousm-tyramine,p-tyramine and dopamine from rat striatum

Administration of phenelzine (100 mg/kg, i.p., 18 hr) increased rat striatal concentrations of pTA, mTA and DA by 30, 6.7 and 1.5 fold, respectively. Lesions of the medial forebrain bundle prevented these increase, permitting the conclusion that the phenelzine-induced amine increases were localized in the synaptic terminals. The release of endogenous pTA, mTA and DA from striatal slices obtained from phenelzine-treated rats was investigated. 50 mM KCl elicited releases of pTA, mTA and DA which were significantly greater than their respective basal releases. These K⁺-stimulated releases were antagonized significantly by 15 mM MgCl₂, suggesting that they are calcium-dependent in nature. We have concluded, therefore, that mTA and pTA, as well as DA, are released from striatal nerve terminals in vivo. The total amounts of mTA and DA, but not pTA, released in the release experiments were greater than those found in the nonincubated tissue. It appears, therefore, that the biosynthesis of mTA and DA was stimulated during the incubation of the striatal slices.     

Spectroscopic analysis of [Trp3]-beta-casomorphin analogs. Comparative structure conformation-activity studies

A series of [3-tryptophan]-beta-casomorphin-5([Trp3]-beta-CM-5) analogs were investigated by circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectroscopy to explore their structure-conformation properties in solution. In addition, the comparative opioid activities of these compounds were evaluated using the in vitro guinea pig ileum (GPI) and mouse vas deferens (MVD) assays. Specifically, the pentapeptide sequence of [Trp3]-beta-CM-5, H-Tyr-Pro-Trp-Pro-Gly-OH (I) was modified at Pro-2 and Pro-4 by D-Pro substitutions to provide two diastereometric analogs, [Trp3-D-Pro-4]-beta-CM-5 (II) and [D-Pro2,4,Trp3]-beta-CM-5 (III). In the GPI and MVD assays, beta-CM-5 effected IC50 values of 1.3 microM and 8.9 microM, respectively, which confirmed its known mu/delta-selectivity on these two peripheral opioid receptor subtypes. The potencies of compounds I, II, and III were 0.2, 2.0, and less than 0.005 relative to beta-CM-5 on the GPI assay. Compounds I and II exhibited pronounced mu/delta-selectivities (greater than 18.9- and 12.4-fold respectively), whereas compound III was essentially inactive in both the GPI and MVD assays. CD studies of beta-CM-5 and its [Trp3]-beta-CM-5 analogs showed striking differences in their near-UV and far-UV spectra in aqueous or organic solvents. In the far UV CD spectra, weak (20%) alpha-helicity (maximum at 193 nm and minima at 208 and 222 nm) for beta-CM-5 was obtained in trifluoroethanol (TFE); however, none of the [Trp3]-beta-CM-5 analogs showed such CD bands. Of potential relevance to gamma-turn or C7 secondary structure was the observation of a strong negative band at 245 nm for compounds II and III which was not solvent-dependent in H2O or TFE, whereas compound I showed this CD band exclusively in TFE. In the near-UV CD at 275 nm (Trp electronic transition), the relative order of intensities of this band were determined for the [Trp3]-beta-CM-5 compounds to be II greater than I greater than III, which was identical to their relative biological potencies in both the GPI and MVD assays. Fluorescence energy transfer (FET) experiments of compounds I-III provided the intramolecular distances (r) between their Tyr (donor) to Trp (acceptor) side-chains, by the F?rster method, and were as follows: [Trp3]-beta-CM-5, r = 10.6 A; [Trp3, D-Pro4]-beta-CM-5, r = 9.6 A; and [D-Pro2,4,Trp3]-beta-CM-5, r = 11.0 A.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

4-[123I]Iodospiperone as a ligand for dopamine DA receptors: In vitro and in vivo experiments in a rat model

Radioiodinated spiperone is of interest for dopamine (DA) receptor studies in the living human brain by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Stimulated by data obtained with [¹¹C]-N-methyl-spiperone we synthesized 4-[¹²³I]iodospiperone and investigated the in vitro binding characteristics of this ligand to the striatal membrane of the rat and the in vivo distribution over various rat brain regions. The in vitro binding experiments showed that this radioligand displays about 10 times less affinity for the DA receptor than spiperone and specific binding, as shown with [³H]spiperone, was not observed. Displacement by butaclamol was not observed. The in vivo studies demonstrated that both 4-[¹²³I]iodospiperone and [³H]spiperone concentrate in striatal tissue, respectively, 1.9 and 3.5 times as high as in cerebellar tissue.Haloperidol pretreatment largely prevented this accumulation. In view of the obtained target-to-non-target ratios we believe, however, that this accumulation in brain areas rich in DA-receptors does not offer prospects for clinical receptor imaging with SPECT.     

Comparison of ketamine stereoisomers on tissue metabolic activity in an in vitro model of global cerebral ischaemia

Ketamine (2-o-chlorophenenyl-2-methylaminocyclohexanone hydrochloride) is a dissociative general anaesthetic with neuroprotective properties. Since ketamine is optically active, we compared the neuroprotective efficacy of the (+)- or (-)-enantiomers in global cerebral ischaemia. Rat corticostriatal slices superfused with, or incubated in, artificial CSF at 34 degrees C were subjected to a brief ischaemic insult. Dopamine efflux was measured using fast cyclic voltammetry. Tissue metabolism was determined with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, a marker of mitochondrial enzyme activity. In control slices, ischaemia caused rapid striatal dopamine release (to 122 microM over 18 s) after an initial delay of 149s. Racemic ketamine (100 micromol/l) significantly delayed (by 24%, P<0.05), slowed (by 63%, P<0.01) and reduced (by 27%, P<0.05) ischaemia-induced dopamine release. Ischaemia (10 min) also caused significant decreases in striatal (25%, P<0.01) and cortical (31%, P<0.001) metabolic activity, manifested as a drop in mean TTC staining intensity. Racemic ketamine and its (+)- and (-)-enantiomers (each 100 microM) attenuated the loss of metabolic activity in the striatum. However, in the cortex, only (+)-ketamine (100 microM) was significantly neuroprotective. We conclude that neuroprotection by ketamine in cerebral ischaemia is both region- and isomer-dependent.     

多巴胺类似物抑制二氢蝶啶还原酶的研究

多巴胺类似物对二氢蝶啶还原酶有明显的非竞争性抑制作用(Ki或I_(50)值为10~(-5)—10~(-6)mol/L)。其中阿朴吗啡是最强的抑制剂之一(Ki或I~(50)=1-2×10~(-6)mol/L)。由于酪氨酸羟化酶和二氢蝶啶还原酶包含于同一酶促反应过程中,且限制了多巴胺合成的决定速度的那一步。这些结果可能提示出被多巴胺抑制的酪氨酸羟化作用包含着对这二种酶的抑制作用。     

TSH and prolactin secretions in Hashimoto's thyroiditis following withdrawal of thyroid hormone therapy

Changes in the pituitary-thyroid axis in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis following withdrawal of thyroid suppressive therapy were analyzed. The group of patients with thyroid adenoma served as control (group I). Patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis were divided into 2 groups on the basis of serum TSH levels 8 weeks after discontinuing the exogenous thyroid hormone (group II, less than 10 microunits/ml; group III, more than 10 microunits/ml). During treatment with L-T4(200 micrograms/day) or L-T3(50 micrograms/day), there was no significant difference in serum T4-I and T3 levels among the three groups. Following L-T4 withdrawal, basal serum TSH levels were higher at 2 to 8 weeks in groups II and III than in group I. Serum TSH response to TRH was greater at 4 to 8 weeks in groups II and III than in group I. Following L-T3 withdrawal, basal serum TSH levels were higher at 1 and 2 weeks in group II than in group I, while those of group III were consistently higher during the study. Higher TSH responses to TRH were observed at 1 to 8 weeks in groups II and III. Neither basal nor TRH-induced prolactin (PRL) secretion differed significantly among the three groups. We have demonstrated that pituitary TSH secretion in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis is affected more by withdrawal of thyroid hormone therapy than in patients with thyroid adenoma. In addition, the present findings suggest a difference between the sensitivity of thyrotrophs and lactotrophs in Hashimoto's thyroiditis after prolonged thyroid therapy is discontinued.     

Inhibition of mitochondrial succinate oxidation--similarities and differences between N-methylated beta-carbolines and MPP+.

N-Methylated beta-carbolinium compounds (N-Me-BCs), including 2-N-methyl and 2,9-N,N-dimethyl analogs, structural analogs of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), may be endogenously bioactivated, MPP(+)-like toxins, capable of inducing parkinsonism. Both MPP+ and selected N-Me-BCs inhibit NADH-linked mitochondrial respiration (Complex I). We now show that both also inhibit succinate-supported (Complex II) respiration, the greatest inhibition (80%) being seen for 2,9-dimethylharmanium. Complex I inhibition occurs at MPP+ concentrations (IC50 = 0.17 mM) about one order of magnitude lower than Complex II inhibition (greater than 1.2 mM). In contrast, Complex I and Complex II inhibition by the N-Me-BCs tested occurred at similar concentrations (I, 0.1 mM; II, 0.25 mM) and concentrations similar to Complex I inhibition by MPP+. 2,9-N,N-Dimethyl-BCs, which are the permanently charged BC analogs of MPP+, show inhibitory characteristics similar to MPP+: slow onset of inhibition, potentiation by TPB, and reversal by DNP. The fact that succinate oxidation cannot bypass the Complex II inhibition by N-Me-BCs could enhance any chronic neurotoxicity of N-Me-BCs.     

Attachment of trivaline changes the specificity of binding of netropsin analogs with DNA

In the present communication, synthesis and DNA binding activities of three analogs of the antibiotic netropsin are reported. Each analog contains two N-propylpyrrolecarboxamide units linked covalently to either Dns-Gly-Val-Val-Val-Gly-Gly- (I), Val-Val-Val-Gly-Gly (II) or Gly-Gly (III). It is shown that analogs I and II can self-associate in aqueous solution and methanol as revealed from the fact that UV absorbance and circular dichroism spectra obtained for these analogs are concentration-dependent. By contrast, analogs III exists as a monomer, even at concentration levels of the order of 1.10(-3) M. Determination of the apparent sizes of intramolecular aggregates by gel-filtration shows that analog I in aqueous solution at concentration levels of the order of 1.10(-3) M forms a series of aggregates containing from 2 to 12 monomers. Analog II exhibits a lower tendency to form intermolecular aggregates as compared with that of analog I. Dimerization constants are determined for analogs I and II in aqueous solution and methanol. The binding of N-propylpyrrolecarboxamide units and peptide fragments of analog I to DNA can be independently monitored by circular dichroism and fluorescence methods. If self-associated species of analog I (or II) are present in solution, the ligand exhibits a markedly different order of base pair sequence preferencies as compared with that of analog III. The results obtained are consistent with the inference that analogs I and II in a beta-associated form recognizes base pair sequences containing two runs of 3 AT pairs separated by two GC pairs.     

Calmodulin kinase II inhibition enhances ischemic preconditioning by augmenting ATP-sensitive K+ current

Mice with genetic inhibition (AC3-I) of the multifunctional Ca(2+)/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) have improved cardiomyocyte survival after ischemia. Some K(+) currents are up-regulated in AC3-I hearts, but it is unknown if CaMKII inhibition increases the ATP sensitive K(+) current (I(KATP)) that underlies ischemic preconditioning (IP) and confers resistance to ischemia. We hypothesized increased I(KATP) was part of the mechanism for improved ventricular myocyte survival during ischemia in AC3-I mice. AC3-I hearts were protected against global ischemia due to enhanced IP compared to wild type (WT) and transgenic control (AC3-C) hearts. IKATP was significantly increased, while the negative regulatory dose-dependence of ATP was unchanged in AC3-I compared to WT and AC3-C ventricular myocytes, suggesting that CaMKII inhibition increased the number of functional I(KATP) channels available for IP. We measured increased sarcolemmal Kir6.2, a pore-forming I(KATP) subunit, but not a change in total Kir6.2 in cell lysates or single channel I(KATP) opening probability from AC3-I compared to WT and AC3-C ventricles, showing CaMKII inhibition increased sarcolemmal I(KATP) channel expression. There were no differences in mRNA for genes encoding I(KATP) channel subunits in AC3-I, WT and AC3-C ventricles. The I(KATP) opener pinacidil (100 microM) reduced MI area in WT to match AC3-I hearts, while the I(KATP) antagonist HMR1098 (30 microM) increased MI area to an equivalent level in all groups, indicating that increased I(KATP) and augmented IP are important for reduced ischemic cell death in AC3-I hearts. Our study results show CaMKII inhibition enhances beneficial effects of IP by increasing I(KATP).     

Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+))-evoked dopamine release from rat striatal slices: possible roles of voltage-dependent calcium channels and reverse dopamine transport.

We examined the properties of voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channels (VDCCs) mediating 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+))-evoked [3H]DA release from rat striatal slices. In some cases, the Ca(2+)-independent efflux of neurotransmitters is mediated by the high-affinity neurotransmitter-uptake systems. To determine whether such a mechanism might be involved in MPP(+)-evoked [3H]DA release. MPP(+) (1,10 and 100 microM) evoked the release of [3H]DA from rat striatal slices in a concentration-dependent manner. In the absence of Ca(2+), MPP(+) (10 and 100 microM)-evoked [3H]DA release was significantly decreased to approximately 50% of control (a physiological concentration of Ca(2+)). In the presence of Ca(2+), nomifensine (0.1,1 and 10 microM) dose-dependently and significantly inhibited the MPP(+)-evoked release of [3H]DA. Nomifensine (1 and 10 microM) also dose-dependently and significantly inhibited the MPP(+)-evoked release of [3H]DA under Ca(2+)-free conditions. MPP(+)-evoked [3H]DA release was partly inhibited by nicardipine (1 and 10 microM), an L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker. On the other hand, the N-type Ca(2+) channel blocker omega-conotoxin-GVIA (omega-CTx-GVIA) (1 and 3 microM) did not affect this release. omega-agatoxin-IVA (omega-Aga-IVA) at low concentrations (0.1 microM), which are sufficient to block P-type Ca(2+) channels alone, also had no effect. On the other hand, MPP(+)-evoked [3H]DA release was significantly decreased by high concentrations of omega-Aga-IVA (0.3 microM) that would inhibit Q-type Ca(2+) channels. In addition, application of the Q-type Ca(2+) channel blocker omega-conotoxin-MVIIC (omega-CTx-MVIIC) (0.3 and 1 microM) also significantly inhibited MPP(+)-evoked [3H]DA release. These results suggest that MPP(+)-evoked [3H]DA release from rat striatal slices is largely mediated by Q-type Ca(2+) channels, and the Ca(2+)-independent component is mediated by reversal of the DA transport system.     

Biological activity and receptor binding characteristics to various human tumors of acetylated somatostatin analogs.

Several somatostatin analogs with recently synthesized acetylated N terminus were assayed in vivo for their effects on sodium pentobarbital-stimulated growth hormone (GH) levels in fed male rats and gastrin-releasing peptide (14-27)-stimulated gastrin levels in fasted male rats. The binding characteristics of these analogs to somatostatin receptors were also examined in various human tumors and normal tissues. The analog RC-101-I, injected at a dose of 0.1 micrograms/100 g body wt, significantly suppressed GH release (P less than 0.01) for at least 2 hr. Analog RC-160-II caused the longest inhibition of GH release, greater than that induced by nonacetylated parent analog RC-160, with GH levels showing significant suppression (P less than 0.01) for more than 3 hr. Analogs RC-160-II and RC-101-I and RC-160, injected at a dose of 1.0 micrograms/100 g body wt, significantly (P less than 0.01) suppressed gastrin-releasing peptide (14-27)-stimulated serum gastrin. Analog RC-101-I was active in this test at a dose of 0.1 micrograms/100 g body wt. RC-160-II showed significant binding to somatostatin-14 receptors in all investigated tissues (human colon, human colon cancer, breast cancer, human pancreas and pancreatic cancer, human prostate and prostate cancer, and rat cerebral cortex), but there were marked variations in binding affinities among various normal and cancerous tissues. The highest affinity was found in membranes of colon cancer (Ka = 18.4 nM-1) and breast cancer (Ka = 12.46 nM-1). The binding affinity of RC-160-II to somatostatin receptors in membranes of the breast cancer was similar to that of RC-160. RC-101-I showed higher binding affinity to somatostatin-14 receptors than RC-160 in human breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancer. With the exception of breast cancer tissue, the binding affinity of RC-101-I was significantly lower than that of RC-160-II in membranes of all investigated tissues. It can be concluded that acetylated somatostatin analogs RC-101-I and RC-160-II possess prolonged and enhanced biological activities in suppressing serum GH and gastrin in rats. Significant variations in binding affinities for these analogs in different tissues and various tumors suggest that differences may exist between somatostatin receptors in normal versus malignant tissues. This raises the possibility that some of these analogs could be used more selectively in the treatment of various neoplasms.     

Differential Effects of Tachykinins Injected Intranigrally on Striatal Dopamine Metabolism

The effects of intranigral injection of kassinin, eledoisin, and substance P on striatal dopamine (DA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) contents as well as circling behavior were studied in rats. Kassinin and eledoisin produced a marked dose-dependent increase of DOPAC concentrations in the ipsilateral striatum, as well as in the number of contralateral circlings. Substance P produced a similar but weaker effect. At the larger dose (5 nmol), the three tachykinins also induced an increase of DA concentrations in the ipsilateral striatum. The rank order of activity was kassinin greater than eledoisin greater than substance P. These results suggest that tachykinins stimulated the nigro-striatal dopaminergic system by accelerating the dopamine metabolism in striatum.