Noradrenaline Antagonizes and Ouabain Potentiates the Effects of iV-Methyl-D-Aspartate on Rat Cerebellar Cyclic GMP Production

Noradrenaline potently antagonizes the effects of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) (80 microM) on cyclic GMP production in immature rat cerebellar slices in vitro (IC50 = 0.6 microM). The effect is stereospecific (D-noradrenaline, IC50 = 100 microM), and also observed with adrenaline (IC50 = 0.5 microM) and isoprenaline (IC50 = 1.2 microM). The alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonists methoxamine or phenylephrine or the mixed alpha 1/alpha 2 agonists oxymetazoline or xylometazoline (100 microM) do not block the effects of NMDA, but the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine is weakly active (IC50 = 200 microM). Salbutamol and terbutaline were also inactive except at high concentrations (300 microM), as were a number of other catechol and phenylethylamine derivatives. The antagonistic effects of noradrenaline on the NMDA response were insensitive to phentolamine, atenolol, or propranolol (up to 100 microM), but were blocked by the alpha 2 antagonist idazoxan (1-10 microM). The Na+,K+-ATPase inhibitor ouabain (0.1-10 microM) markedly potentiates the effects of NMDA in this model, and also antagonizes and reverses the ability of noradrenaline (10 microM) to block the effects of NMDA. The results suggest that noradrenaline and Na+,K+-ATPase activity have potent modulatory effects on the NMDA response.     

Mechanisms of alpha-adrenoceptor mediated contractions of rat mesenteric artery

The nature of the calcium channels associated with the activation of alpha-adrenoceptors in vascular smooth muscle has been investigated. The inhibitory effects of nitrendipine, a calcium antagonist, were studied on the contractions elicited by alpha-adrenoceptor agonists in rat superior mesenteric artery. Responses to equieffective concentrations of phenylephrine (alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist), clonidine and BHT-920, (alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists), and noradrenaline (nonselective agonist) were inhibited differentially by the calcium antagonist, with the sensitivity order being as follows: BHT-920 = clonidine greater than phenylephrine greater than noradrenaline. When the contractions to two doses of noradrenaline were compared, the low dose response was more sensitive to nitrendipine inhibition than the high dose response. This differential inhibition was not seen for noradrenaline in the presence of verapamil or for phenylephrine in the presence of nitrendipine. The contractions of the vessel to the agonists in zero calcium conditions were not significantly different from each other. The sensitivity differences among the agonists to nitrendipine may arise from differences in the postreceptor mechanisms of activation. The differential sensitivity of noradrenaline responses suggests a greater heterogeneity of calcium channels than those available for the other agonists.     

Postsynaptic alpha-adrenoceptor characterization and Ca2+ channel antagonist and activator actions in rat tail arteries from normotensive and hypertensive animals

Postsynaptic alpha-adrenoceptors in the rat tail artery have been examined by determining the pA2 values for antagonists against several alpha-adrenoceptor agonists. In this tissue the alpha-adrenoceptor agonists all produce concentration-dependent mechanical responses with the following rank order of potency: clonidine greater than norepinephrine greater than phenylephrine greater than UK 14304 greater than B-HT 920. Antagonism by prazosin and yohimbine of phenylephrine, norepinephrine, and clonidine responses does not reveal the anticipated discrimination between alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors. Thus, pA2 values for prazosin (9.1-9.5), yohimbine (7.2-7.4), and corynanthine (7.0-7.1) and idazoxan (7.6) do not show large differences between these receptor agonists and suggests the predominance of alpha 1-adrenoceptor mediated contractile responses in this preparation. Significant differences between antagonist activities (pA2 values) in Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) artery preparations have not been observed. The sensitivity sequence of alpha-adrenoceptor agonist-induced responses to nifedipine and D 600 is B-HT 920 greater than clonidine greater than phenylephrine greater than norepinephrine. Dependence of agonist response upon extracellular Ca2+ parallels the sensitivity to Ca2+ channel antagonists. Sensitivity to D 600 of phenylephrine responses increased with decreasing concentration of phenylephrine or with receptor blockade by phenoxybenzamine: sensitivity of responses to B-HT 920 was not affected by these procedures. Tail artery strips from WKY and SHR do not exhibit major differences in sensitivity to D 600 or to Ca2+ depletion. Bay k 8644, a Ca2+ channel activator, produces concentration-dependent mechanical responses in the tail artery in the presence of modestly elevated K+ concentrations (10-15 mM): these actions of elevated K+ can be mimicked by both alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists including methoxamine, St 587, UK 14304, and clonidine. These studies do not provide clear evidence for the existence of discrete postsynaptic alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor populations in rat tail artery as indicated by pA2 values or Ca2+ dependence of response.     

Inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity in human fat cells by alpha-adrenergic agonists

The effects of the alpha 1-adrenergic agonist methoxamine and the alpha 2-adrenergic agonist clonidine on isoproterenol stimulated adenylate cyclase activity were examined in plasma membranes prepared from female human subcutaneous adipose tissue. It was found that in the presence of 10 microM GTP and 100 mM NaCl increasing concentrations of both agonists inhibited basal and isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. The inhibitory action of 5 x 10(-7) M clonidine could not be overcome by increasing concentrations of isoproterenol. These results suggest both alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenergic agonists inhibit beta-agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in human adipose tissue.     

Effect of aging on presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptor mechanisms in guinea pig ileum

1. Presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptor mechanisms in electrically stimulated longitudinal muscles of ilea isolated from 3, 10, 20 and 47 week-old guinea pigs were studied by analysis of the concentration-response curves of noradrenaline, a full agonist, and clonidine, a partial agonist, and the Scatchard plot of specific binding of [3H]-p-aminoclonidine to synaptosomal fractions from the longitudinal muscle of guinea pig ileum. 2. The pD2 value of noradrenaline and the maximum contraction induced by clonidine increased with age from 3 to 20 weeks and there after decreased to 47 weeks, while the pA2 value of yohimbine against noradrenaline did not alter with age. 3. The capacity of the maximum binding sites of [3H]-p-aminoclonidine increased with increasing age (3-20 weeks), while the dissociation constant (Kd) of [3H]-p-aminoclonidine did not change during the same period. 4. The changes in the presynaptic alpha 2-adrenoceptor mechanisms with age are considered to be due to the change in the total concentration of presynaptic of alpha 2-adrenoceptors.     

α2-肾上腺素受体对大鼠肠系膜动脉床降钙素基因相关肽释放的调节作用

降钙素基因相关肽（CGRP）从感觉神经末梢的释放受多种机制的调节。本文在离体灌流的大鼠肠系膜动脉床组织上,利用药理学工具药,研究了α2-肾上腺素受体对CGRP的基础和内毒素刺激后释放的作用。结果发现,α2-受体激动剂UK14304（3×10－6mol／L）可以显著抑制CGRP的基础释放和内毒素（1～5μg／ml）刺激后的释放,抑制幅度为22％～42％;用α2-受体拮抗剂Yohimbine（10－5mol／L）可以完全阻断UK14304的作用。结果表明突触前α2-受体对CGRP从外周阻力血管组织的释放,尤其是内毒素刺激后的释放具有抑制作用,在内毒素休克晚期,α2-受体功能减低可能介导了外周组织CGRP的过量释放。     

Alpha2-adrenergic agonist modulation of [35S]GTPgammaS binding to guanine-nucleotide-binding-proteins in human platelet membranes.

Alpha2-adrenoceptor (alpha2-AR)-regulated binding of the labelled GTP analog, guanosine 5'-O-(3-[35S]thiotriphosphate) ([35S]GTPgammaS), to guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) was studied in human platelet membranes. Under optimal conditions, the potent alpha2-AR agonist, 5-bromo-6-(2-imidazolin-2-ylamino)-quinoxaline (UK 14304), increased the binding of [35S]GTPgammaS up to approximately 1.8 fold, with half-maximal increase at 60 nM and was competitively inhibited by the alpha2-AR antagonist Rauwolscine. The actions of both UK 14304 and Rauwolscine were modulated by monovalent and divalent cation levels, as well as by the concentrations of GDP. [35S]GTPgammaS binding induced by UK 14304 had a Kd value of 4.5 +/- 0.3 nM and a Bmax value of 4.15 +/- 0.40 pmol/mg protein. The rank order of potencies of adrenergic ligands tested in stimulating [3S]GTPgammaS binding and inhibiting forskolin-stimulated c-AMP accumulation was UK 14304> Guanabenz acetate> Oxymetazoline hydrochloride> B-HT 920 dihydrochloride> p-Aminoclonidine hydrochloride> Clonidine hydrochloride. The data presented indicate that enhancement of [35S]GTPgammaS binding by alpha2-AR in human platelet membranes provides a simple functional measure for receptor activation and can be used for determination of potencies and efficacies of ligands at the alpha2-AR.     

Evidence that catecholamines stimulate renal gluconeogenesis through an alpha 1-type of adrenoceptor.

1. Noradrenaline stimulates gluconeogenesis through an alpha-adrenoceptor in renal cortical tubule fragments from fed rats incubated with 5 mM-lactate. 2. The selective alpha 1-adrenoreceptor agonist methoxamine stimulated gluconeogenesis, but the selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine was ineffective. 3. The selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist thymoxamine blocked the stimulatory effects on gluconeogenesis of noradrenaline and of oxymetazoline (a synthetic alpha-agonist). The selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine was ineffective in this respect. 4. It is concluded that noradrenaline and oxymetazoline stimulate gluconeogenesis in rat kidney via an alpha 1-rather than an alpha 2-type of adrenoceptor.     

Characterization and Regional Distribution of α2-Adrenoceptors in Postmortem Human Brain Using the Full Agonist [3H]UK 14304

The full agonist [3H]UK 14304 [5-bromo-6-(2-imidazolin-2-yl-amino)-quinoxaline] was used to characterize alpha 2-adrenoceptors in postmortem human brain. The binding at 25 degrees C was rapid (t1/2, 4.6 min) and reversible (t1/2, 14.1 min), and the KD determined from the kinetic studies was 0.48 nM. In frontal cortex, the rank order of potency of adrenergic drugs competing with [3H]UK 14304 or [3H]clonidine showed the specificity for an alpha 2A-adrenoceptor: UK 14304 approximately equal to yohimbine approximately equal to oxymetazoline approximately equal to clonidine greater than phentolamine approximately equal to (-)-adrenaline greater than idazoxan approximately equal to (-)-noradrenaline greater than phenylephrine greater than (+/-)-adrenaline much greater than corynanthine greater than prazosin much greater than (+/-)-propranolol. GTP induced a threefold decrease in the affinity of [3H]UK 14304, with no alteration in the maximum number of binding sites, suggesting that the radioligand labelled the high-affinity state of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor. In the frontal cortex, analyses of saturation curves indicated the existence of a single population of noninteracting sites for [3H]UK 14304 (KD = 0.35 +/- 0.13 nM; Bmax = 74 +/- 9 fmol/mg of protein). In other brain regions (hypothalamus, hippocampus, cerebellum, brainstem, caudate nucleus, and amygdala) the Bmax ranged from 68 +/- 7 to 28 +/- 4 fmol/mg of protein. No significant changes in the KD values were found in the different regions examined. The binding of [3H]UK 14304 was not affected by age, sex or postmortem delay.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Functional alpha 2-adrenoceptors in rat adipocytes: inhibition of cyclic AMP accumulation

Alpha 2-adrenoceptor activation inhibits cyclic AMP accumulation in fat cells from many species. However, the presence of alpha 2-adrenoceptors in rat adipocytes has been difficult to demonstrate. We observed that alpha 2-adrenergic activation inhibits forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation both in rat and hamster adipocytes; UK 14304, p-amino clonidine and clonidine were the agents with higher efficacy. The effect of UK 14304 was blocked by yohimbine but not by prazosin demonstrating the involvement of alpha 2-adrenoceptors. Pertussis toxin blocked the alpha 2-adrenergic effect. Our results demonstrate the presence in rat fat cells of alpha 2-adrenoceptors coupled to adenylate cyclase via "Gi".     

Noradrenaline release-inhibiting receptors on PC12 cells devoid of alpha(2(-)) and CB(1) receptors: similarities to presynaptic imidazoline and edg receptors.

The aim of the present study was to classify release-inhibiting receptors on rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. Veratridine-evoked [3H]noradrenaline release from PC12 cells was inhibited by micromolar concentrations of the imidazoline and guanidine derivatives cirazoline, clonidine, aganodine, 1,3-di(2-tolyl)guanidine, BDF6143 and agmatine, and of the cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN55,212-2 (R(+)-[2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-[(morpholinyl)methyl]pyrrolo-[1,2,3-de]-1,4-benzoxazin-yl](1-naphthalenyl)methanone mesylate), but not by noradrenaline. The inhibitory effect of clonidine was antagonized by micromolar concentrations of rauwolscine and SR141716A (N-[piperidin-1-yl]-5-[4-chlorophenyl]-1-[2,4-dichlorophenyl]-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide). The potencies of the agonists and antagonists were compatible with an action at previously characterized presynaptic imidazoline receptors. 1-Oleoyl-lysophosphatidic acid, but not sphingosine-1-phosphate, produced an inhibition of release that was antagonized by 30 microM rauwolscine, 1 microM SR141716A and 10 microM LY320135 as well as by pretreatment of the cells with 100 microM clonidine for 72 h. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) experiments on cDNA from PC12 mRNA suggest mRNA expression of lysophospholipid receptors encoded by the genes edg2, edg3, edg5 and edg7, but not of receptors encoded by edg1, edg4, edg6 and edg8, and not of alpha(2A(-))nd CB(1) receptors. In conclusion, PC12 cells are not endowed with alpha(2)-adrenoceptors and CB(1) cannabinoid receptors, but with an inhibitory receptor recognizing imidazolines, guanidines and WIN55,212-2 similar to that on sympathetic nerves. The PCR results and the ability of 1-oleoyl-LPA to mimic these drugs (also with respect to their susceptibility to antagonists) suggest that the release-inhibiting receptor may be an edg-encoded lysophospholipid receptor.     

Uncoupling of Rat Cerebral Cortical α2-Adrenoceptors from GTP-Binding Proteins by N-Ethylmaleimide

Pretreatment of membranes from rat cerebral cortex with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) decreased [3H]-clonidine binding in a concentration-dependent manner. The Bmax values of high-affinity sites for [3H]clonidine were reduced by 50 microM NEM treatment. Treatment with 500 microM NEM diminished the sum of Bmax of both high- and low-affinity components. GTP, Na+, and Mn2+ exerted little effect on [3H]clonidine binding in NEM-treated membranes. The addition of purified GTP-binding proteins caused an increase in the binding to the membranes pretreated with 50 microM NEM, but did not increase [3H]-clonidine binding in membranes treated with 500 microM NEM. In contrast, NEM pretreatment inhibited islet activating protein (IAP)-catalyzed ADP ribosylation of membrane-bound (41,000-dalton) and purified (39,000/41,000-dalton) GTP-binding proteins. From these results, it is suggested that two or three categories of essential sulfhydryl groups are involved in the coupling between agonist, alpha 2-adrenoceptor, and GTP-binding protein. One is a highly sensitive site to NEM (a concentration range of 1-50 microM), which is probably a cysteine residue, IAP-catalyzed ADP-ribosylating site on the alpha-subunit of GTP-binding protein. Other sites have low sensitivity to NEM (a concentration range of 0.1-1 mM), and are the binding domain of agonist and/or the coupling domain of GTP-binding protein on the alpha 2-adrenoceptor. In addition, Ki-ras p21 protein may lack the capacity to couple with the alpha 2-adrenoceptor.     

The alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor and muscarinic responses of normal and axotomized bullfrog sympathetic ganglia

When neurones in bullfrog paravertebral sympathetic ganglia are studied by means of the sucrose-gap technique, muscarinic agonists produce a biphasic response (an initial hyperpolarization of ganglionic C cells followed by a depolarization of ganglionic B cells). Activation of ganglionic alpha 2-adrenoceptors promotes hyperpolarization. The present experiments with selective alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists provided evidence for the existence of hitherto undescribed alpha 1-adrenoceptors, which are responsible for the production of depolarizing responses in these ganglia. Fifteen to twenty-five days after cutting postganglionic axons (axotomy), there was a nonselective depression of both alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor mechanisms but little change in muscarinic responses. These results argue against the hypothesis that C cells assume all the properties of B cells after axotomy. Since the alpha-selective agonist phenylephrine failed to depolarize axotomized ganglia, it is unlikely that an alpha 1-adrenoceptor mechanism is prominent in axotomized neurones as it is in some immature adrenergic neurones. The data are consistent with the idea that axotomy selectively affects the properties of certain types of cation channels and raise questions as to the mechanisms involved in regulating the expression and maintenance of specific neurotransmitter responses on ganglionic neurones.     

Antagonist like action of synthetic alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists on contractile response to catecholamines in smooth muscle strips isolated from rainbow trout stomach (Salmo gairdneri)

1. The effects of some synthetic alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists on the mechanical activity and on contractile responses to catecholamines were examined in smooth muscle strips isolated from rainbow trout stomach. 2. Contractile responses to noradrenaline and adrenaline in the rainbow trout stomach strips were due to alpha 2-adrenoceptor activation. 3. Clonidine, p-aminoclonidine, naphazoline and guanabenz caused no mechanical response but concentration-dependently inhibited the contractile responses to noradrenaline and adrenaline without affecting the responses to acetylcholine, carbachol, 5-hydroxytryptamine and methionine-enkephalin. The order of potency was naphazoline greater than p-aminoclonidine greater than clonidine greater than guanabenz. 4. It is suggested that in the smooth muscle preparation of the trout stomach, some synthetic compounds (clonidine, p-aminoclonidine, naphazoline and guanabenz), which act on mammalian preparations as alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists, show an antinoradrenaline (-adrenaline) effect; those compounds can be classified as alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists.     

Guanine nucleotides decrease the free [Ca2+] required for secretion of serotonin from permeabilized blood platelets. Evidence of a role for a GTP-binding protein in platelet activation

Human platelets containing granule-bound [14C]serotonin were permeabilized, equilibrated at 0 degrees C with ATP and with various Ca2+ buffers and guanine nucleotides, and then incubated at 25 degrees C with or without a stimulatory agonist. Ca2+ alone induced the ATP-dependent secretion of [14C]serotonin (50% at a pCa of 5.1) but the sensitivity of secretion to Ca2+ was greatly enhanced by guanine nucleotides [6-fold by 100 microM GTP, 100-fold by 100 microM guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate and greater than 500-fold by 100 microM guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate)] or by stimulatory agonists (10-fold by 2 units thrombin/ml and 4-fold by 1 microM 1-O-octadecyl-2-O-acetyl-sn-glyceryl-3-phosphorylcholine). When both GTP and a stimulatory agonist were added, they had synergistic effects on secretion. Cyclic GMP and GMP acted similarly to GTP. The effects of all these guanine nucleotides were inhibited by guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate), whereas those of stimulatory agonists were not. Our results demonstrate the presence in platelets of guanine nucleotide-dependent and independent mechanisms regulating the sensitivity of secretion to Ca2+.     

Differential cardiovascular effects of central clonidine and B-HT 920 in conscious rats

The effect of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonists clonidine and B-HT 920 on mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and plasma concentrations of noradrenaline and adrenaline was examined in conscious unrestrained rats. The injection of 1.0 microgram clonidine significantly decreased MAP and slightly decreased HR. Plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline levels were slightly but not significantly decreased after the injection of 1 microgram clonidine. In contrast, the injection of 0.1-10.0 micrograms B-HT 920 increased MAP and decreased HR. Plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline levels were slightly increased after the injection of the 1- and 10-micrograms doses. The i.c.v. injection of the alpha 2-antagonist rauwolscine slightly but not significantly increased MAP and plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline levels. The responses to i.c.v. injection of clonidine and B-HT 920 were not changed by prior administration of rauwolscine. Neither the pressor response to B-HT 920 nor the depressor response to clonidine was abolished by rauwolscine, suggesting that neither response was mediated by alpha 2-adrenoceptors.     

Activation of subfornical organ neurons in rats through pre- and postsynaptic alpha-adrenoceptors

The effects of noradrenaline (NA) and its analogs on subfornical organ (SFO) neurons in rat slice preparations were investigated by using whole cell patch-clamp recording. In the current-clamp mode, the application of NA at 10-100 microM produced membrane depolarization (63%, 17 responsive neurons/27 neurons tested) and hyperpolarization (22%, 6/27 neurons). In the voltage-clamp mode, NA application at 1-100 microM produced inward currents (69%, 42/61 neurons) and outward currents (23%, 14/61 neurons). These currents remained in the presence of TTX or both glutamate and GABA receptor antagonists. In most of the neurons (25/31 neurons) showing inward currents in the presence of NA, the membrane conductance was not changed by voltage ramps or hyperpolarizing pulse stimulation. Similar responses were obtained by the application of the alpha1-agonist phenylephrine. The phenylephrine-induced inward currents were inhibited by the alpha1-antagonist prazosin. The alpha2-agonist clonidine decreased the frequency of spontaneous GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents (4/10 neurons). In addition, RT-PCR assay and immunohistochemical staining showed the existence of alpha1-adrenoceptors in the SFO. The results suggest that SFO neurons in rats are activated postsynaptically through alpha1-adrenoceptors and that the activation is enhanced by suppressing GABAergic inhibitory synaptic inputs through presynaptic alpha2-adrenoceptors.     

Late expression of alpha 2-adrenergic-mediated antilipolysis during differentiation of hamster preadipocytes.

In order to study the ontogenesis of the beta- and alpha 2-adrenergic control of lipolysis during the adipose conversion process, a model based on preadipocytes isolated from the stromal-vascular fraction of hamster adipose tissue was developed. When cultured in an ITT (insulin, transferrin, triiodothyronine) medium supplemented with 2% fetal calf serum, adipose precursors differentiated into adipose-like cells. On 8-day-post-confluent differentiating preadipocytes, the rank order of potency of activation of lipolysis by various beta-adrenergic agonists (BRL37344 greater than norepinephrine = isoproterenol greater than epinephrine greater than fenoterol) was equivalent to that determined in mature adipocytes isolated from adult hamster adipose tissue. On 8-day-post-confluent differentiating preadipocytes, phenylisopropyladenosine (A1-adenosine agonist) and prostaglandin E1 evoked a strong antilipolytic response whereas that evoked by UK 14304 and clonidine (alpha 2-adrenergic agonists) remained undetectable at this step of differentiation. The activity of UK 14304 and clonidine only appeared on 20- to 25-day-post-confluent differentiating preadipocytes. They induced dose-dependent antilipolysis with a maximal effect reaching 80-85% inhibition of adenosine deaminase-stimulated lipolysis. Their action was blocked by increased concentrations of different alpha 2-adrenergic antagonists with the following order of potency, RX 821002 greater than phentolamine much greater than yohimbine. This order of potency was similar to that determined on mature adipocytes isolated from adult hamsters. Both the density of the alpha 2-adrenoceptors, identified with the selective alpha 2-adrenergic radioligand [3H]RX-821002 (19 +/- 1 vs. 30 +/- 1 fmol/mg protein: P less than 0.01) and the amount of Gi proteins identified by pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation (31 +/- 4 vs. 43 +/- 4% of the amount defined in mature fat cells from adult hamsters: P less than 0.05) were significantly increased between 8 days and 20-25 days after confluence, explaining the late emergence of the alpha 2-adrenergic control of lipolysis during preadipocyte differentiation. In conclusion, the late emergence of the alpha 2-adrenergic control of lipolysis, which is also supported by previous data obtained in vivo that demonstrated the age and/or the fat cell size dependence of alpha 2-adrenoreceptor expression in mature adipocytes, allows the alpha 2-adrenoceptor to be considered as a marker of adipocyte hypertrophy.     

Hormonal control of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate concentration in the HT29 human colon adenocarcinoma cell line. Alpha 2-adrenergic agonists counteract effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) was found to cause a dose-dependent decrease in fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase concomitant with an increase in cyclic AMP in cultured HT29 cancer cells from human colon. The maximum effect was a 41% decrease obtained with 10 nM-VIP, and half-maximum effect was obtained with 0.75 nM-VIP. The effect of 2.5 nM-VIP was almost totally counteracted (i.e. fructose 2,6-bisphosphate concentration was restored) by either adrenaline (1 microM) or the alpha 2-adrenergic agonist UK-14304 (1 microM); the alpha 2-agonist clonidine (1 microM) was less efficient, since the VIP effect was decreased by 72% only. The adrenaline effect was totally antagonized by 1 microM-yohimbine. It is concluded that, in the HT29 cancer cells, the fructose 2,6-bisphosphate-producing system is sensitive to variations of cyclic AMP concentration and is under the dual control of VIP and alpha 2-adrenergic receptors.     

GTP-dependent inhibition of insulin secretion by epinephrine in permeabilized RINm5F cells. Lack of correlation between insulin secretion and cyclic AMP levels

The mechanism by which alpha 2-adrenergic agonists inhibit exocytosis was investigated in electrically permeabilized insulin secreting RINm5F cells. In this preparation alpha 2-adrenoceptors remain coupled to adenylate cyclase, since basal- and forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP production was lowered by epinephrine and clonidine by 30-50%. Cyclic AMP levels did not correlate with the rate of insulin secretion. Thus, at low Ca2+, forskolin enhanced cyclic AMP levels 5-fold without eliciting secretion, and Ca2+-stimulated secretion was associated with decreased cyclic AMP accumulation. Epinephrine (plus propranolol) inhibited Ca2+-induced insulin secretion in a GTP-dependent manner. The maximal inhibition (43%) occurred at 500 microM GTP. Clonidine also inhibited Ca2+-stimulated secretion. Replacement of GTP by GDP or by the nonhydrolyzable GTP analog guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate as well as treatment of the cells with pertussis toxin prior to permeabilization abolished epinephrine inhibition of insulin secretion. Pertussis toxin did not affect Ca2+-stimulated secretion. Insulin release stimulated by 1,2-didecanoyl glycerol was also lowered by epinephrine suggesting an effect distal to the activation of protein kinase C (Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent enzyme). These results taken together with the ability of epinephrine to inhibit ionomycin-induced insulin secretion in intact cells suggest that alpha 2-adrenergic inhibition is distal to the generation of second messengers. A model is proposed for alpha 2-adrenoceptor coupling to two effector systems, namely the adenylate cyclase and the exocytotic site in insulin-secreting cells.