Insulin inhibits the glucocorticoid-mediated increase in hepatocyte EGF binding

Hydrocortisone and dexamethasone produced a time-dependent increase [125I]epidermal growth factor [( 125I]EGF) binding in primary cultures of isolated rat hepatocytes. Maximally effective doses of glucocorticoids resulted in a 70-100% increase in binding. The effect was similar when hepatocytes were maintained on collagen-coated plates or directly on culture dishes. The glucocorticoid-mediated increase in [125I]EGF binding could be detected after 4 h exposure to glucocorticoid and was substantial by 8 h. The major effect of glucocorticoid appeared to be to increase the number of EGF receptors. While insulin (100 nM) had no effect on basal [125I]EGF binding, it significantly inhibited the increase produced by the glucocorticoid. Since the inhibitory effect of insulin was only observed when insulin was added with the inducing glucocorticoid, insulin appears to inhibit an early hydrocortisone-mediated event.     

Modulation of the expression of the VIP receptor by serum factors on the human melanoma cell line IGR39.

IGR39 cells, isolated from a human superficial melanoma, display at their surface high and low affinity receptors for the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). When grown in DME medium supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum, cells display 1.6 x 10(5) high affinity (Kd 0.74 nM) and 5.6 x 10(5) low affinity (Kd 55 nM) VIP binding sites per cell. When cultured in a chemically defined medium containing EGF, transferrin, and selenium, IGR39 cells display many neurite-like extensions. Following these morphological changes, the specific [125I]VIP binding is increased four- to fivefold after 6 days in culture. This phenomenon is reversible and is the result of an increased number of VIP binding sites available at the cell surface, without modification of their affinities. The molecular mass of the binding sites is also unchanged whatever cell culture conditions. Increase in [125I]VIP binding is inversely correlated to the serum concentration in the culture medium. When added to the chemically defined medium, sera from various origins as well as some serum substitutes reduce [125I]VIP binding to the same extent as that of the serum. The total cAMP production by VIP-stimulated IGR39 cells is enhanced by a factor of six to seven when cells are cultured in serum-free medium, in good correlation with the increase of VIP binding capacity. These data suggest that factor(s) present in fetal calf serum inhibit(s) the expression of VIP receptor, thus demonstrating the importance of a strict control of cell culture conditions for in vitro studies.     

Effect of glucocorticoid on epidermal growth factor receptor in human salivary gland adenocarcinoma cell line HSG

Human salivary gland adenocarcinoma (HSG) cells treated with 10(-6) M triamcinolone acetonide for 48 h exhibited a 1.7- to 2.0-fold increase in [125I]human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) binding capacity as compared with untreated HSG cells. Scatchard analysis of [125I]EGF binding data revealed that the number of binding sites was 83,700 (+/- 29,200) receptors/cell in untreated cells and 160,500 (+/- 35,500) receptors/cell in treated cells. No substantial change in receptor affinity was detected. The dissociation constant of the EGF receptor was 0.78 (+/- 0.26).10(-9) M for untreated cells, whereas it was 0.93 (+/- 0.31).10(-9)M for treated cells. The triamcinolone acetonide-induced increase in [125I]EGF binding capacity was dose-dependent between 10(-9) and 10(-6)M, and maximal binding was observed at 10(-6)M. EGF receptors on HSG cells were affinity-labeled with [125I]EGF by use of the cross-linking reagent disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS). The cross-linked [125I]EGF was 3-4% of the total [125I]EGF bound to HSG cells. The affinity-labeled EGF receptor was detected as a specific 170 kDa band in the autoradiograph after SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Densitometric analysis revealed that triamcinolone acetonide amplified the intensity of this band 2.0-fold over that of the band of untreated cells. EGF receptor synthesis was also measured by immunoprecipitation of [3H]leucine-labeled EGF receptor protein with anti-hEGF receptor monoclonal antibody. Receptor synthesis was increased 1.7- to 1.8-fold when HSG cells were treated with 10(-8)-10(-6)M triamcinolone acetonide for 48 h. When the immunoprecipitated, [35S]methionine-pulse-labeled EGF receptor was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and fluorography, the newly synthesized EGF receptor was detected at the position of 170 kDa; and treatment of HSG cells with triamcinolone acetonide resulted in a 2.0-fold amplification of this 170 kDa band. There was no significant difference in turnover rate of EGF receptor between treated and untreated HSG cells. These results demonstrate that the triamcinolone acetonide-induced increase in [125I]EGF binding capacity is due to the increased synthesis of EGF receptor protein in HSG cells.     

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and insulin binding to erythrocytes of normal prepubertal children and adults.

Erythrocyte insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and insulin receptors were characterized in 10 normal prepubertal children (5 girls and 5 boys) aged 4-11 yrs and 10 normal adults (4 women and 6 men) aged 32-47 yrs. erythrocytes were purified from 5 ml of blood by Ficoll-Paque gradient centrifugation. Reticulocytes count in the erythrocyte suspensions were lower than 1%. Insulin and IGF-I binding assays were performed simultaneously. Maximal percent binding of [125I] labelled IGF-I was significantly higher in prepubertal children than in adults (8.7 +/- 0.7% versus 6.2 +/- 0.5% at a concentration of 5 x 10(9) erythrocytes/ml). Scatchard analysis revealed the high affinity constant was better in prepubertal children (Ka = 4.6 +/- 1.3 nM-1 versus 1.8 +/- 0.2 nM-1), whereas the binding capacity was similar (5.8 +/- 1.1 versus 7.7 +/- 0.8 high affinity binding sites/cell). In both groups, unlabelled IGF-I inhibited tracer-binding half maximally at about 1 nM. Insulin was 100-fold less potent. In adults, specific binding of [125I] labelled IGF-I was higher in women (7.6 +/- 0.7%) than in men (5.3 +/- 0.4%). No significant difference was observed in maximal specific binding of [125I] labelled insulin between prepubertal children (8.2 +/- 0.5%) and adults (7.2 +/- 0.7%). In both groups, competition by unlabelled insulin for [125I] labelled insulin binding gave 50% displacement for approximately 0.25 nM and IGF-I was about 80-fold less potent. Both IGF-I and insulin binding parameters were not significantly correlated with plasma hormone levels. In prepubertal children, the high-affinity IGF-I receptors number decreased with increasing high-affinity insulin receptors number.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Characterization of gingival epithelium epidermal growth factor receptor

The binding characteristics of gingival epithelium epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor were investigated using epithelial cell membranes from bovine gingiva. The binding of [125I]EGF was found to be time and protein concentration dependent, reversible, and specific. Unlabeled EGF competed for [125I]EGF binding with IC50 of 0.25nM and maximum displacement of 93% at 0.81nM. Scatchard analysis of the binding data inferred the presence of two binding sites, one of high affinity (Kd = 3.3 nM and Bmax = 47.3fmol/mg protein) and the other of a low affinity (Kd = 1.6 microM and Bmax = 1.9pmol/mg protein). Crosslinking of [125I]EGF to gingival membranes followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography revealed a receptor protein of 170kDa.     

Appearance of basic fibroblast growth factor receptors upon differentiation of rat mammary epithelial to myoepithelial-like cells in culture

The binding of [125I]-epidermal growth factor (EGF) and [125I]-basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) to a number of single-cell cloned rat mammary cell lines was measured using a saturation assay. Similar numbers of high-affinity [125I]-EGF binding sites (KD 1.3 nM) were found in epithelial and myoepithelial-like cell lines. In contrast, high-affinity (KD 35-276 pM) [125I]-bFGF binding sites were present on fibroblastic and myoepithelial-like cell lines but were not detectable on epithelial cell lines. A series of cell lines representing stages in the differentiation pathway of epithelial cells to an elongated myoepithelial-like morphology showed a graded increase in the number of bFGF receptors. The sensitivity of a cell line to stimulation of DNA synthesis by bFGF correlated with the level of expression of bFGF receptors on the cellular surface. Complexes of cell surface receptors affinity-cross-linked to [125I]-bFGF were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). In each case two distinct complexes having apparent molecular weights of 180 kDa and 160 kDa were observed.     

Biochemical and Pharmacological Characterization of Serotonin-O-Carboxymethylglycyl[125I]Iodotyrosinamide5 a New Radioiodinated Probe for 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D Binding Sites

There is a lack of radioactive probes, particularly radioiodinated probes, for the direct labeling of serotonin-1B (5-HT1B) and serotonin-1D (5-HT1D) binding sites. Serotonin-O-carboxymethylglycyltyrosinamide (S-CM-GTNH2) was shown previously to be specific for these two subtypes; we, therefore, linked a 125I to its tyrosine residue. Biochemical and pharmacological properties of S-CM-G[125I]TNH2-binding sites were studied by quantitative autoradiography on rat and guinea pig brain sections. S-CM-G[125I]TNH2 binding is saturable and reversible with a KD value of 1.3 nM in the rat and 6.4 nM in the guinea pig. Binding is heterogeneous, paralleling the anatomical distribution of 5-HT1B sites in the rat and of 5-HT1D sites in the guinea pig. The binding of 0.02 nM S-CM-G[125I]TNH2 was inhibited by low concentrations of 5-HT, S-CM-GTNH2, CGS 12066 B, 5-methoxytryptamine, and tryptamine in both species. Propranolol inhibited the radioligand binding with a greater affinity in the rat than in the guinea pig. Conversely, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin inhibited S-CM-G[125I]TNH2 binding with a greater affinity in the guinea pig than in the rat. Other competitors, specific for 5-HT1C, 5-HT2, 5-HT3, and adrenergic receptors, inhibited S-CM-G[125I]TNH2 binding in rat and guinea pig substantia nigra and in other labeled structures known to contain these receptors, but only at high concentrations. S-CM-G[125I]TNH2 is then a useful new probe for the direct study of 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D binding sites.     

Three classes of epidermal growth factor receptors on HeLa cells

The kinetics of 125I-labeled epidermal growth factor (EGF) binding to receptors on HeLa cells were investigated. Scatchard analysis revealed the presence of 22,000 high affinity receptors (Kd = 0.12 nM) and 25,000 low affinity receptors per cell (Kd = 9.2 nM). The kinetic analysis of EGF binding to high affinity receptors was performed with cells pretreated with the monoclonal antibody 2E9, which prevents specifically EGF binding to low affinity receptors. The study of EGF binding to only low affinity receptors was performed with cells pretreated with the phorbol ester phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, which induces a conversion of high affinity receptors to low affinity receptors. This kinetic analysis of EGF binding to HeLa cells revealed the presence of three types of receptors. High affinity receptors were found to consist of one receptor type (type I) with a kinetic association constant (kass) of 6.2 x 10(5) M-1.s-1 and a kinetic dissociation constant (kdis) of 3.5 x 10(-4) s-1. The low affinity receptors were found to consist of two kinetic distinguishable sites: type II or fast sites with kass = 3.3 x 10(6) M-1.s-1 and kdis = 8.1 x 10(-3) s-1 and the type III or slow sites with kass = 3.2 x 10(4) M-1.s-1 and kdis = 1.6 x 10(-4) s-1. The regulatory mechanism which may determine the EGF binding characteristics is discussed.     

Epidermal growth factor binding and steroid receptor content in human benign prostatic hyperplasia

The receptor for epidermal growth factor (EGF-R) was characterized on membrane fractions from human benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Specific binding of [125I]EGF reached equilibrium after 40 min at 25 degrees C and was stable for up to 120 min. Saturation analysis of EGF-R, performed by incubating the membranes with 0.0156-15 nM [125I]EGF in the presence and in the absence of 100-fold excess of cold EGF for 60 min, revealed the presence of two classes of binding sites with high and low affinities (Kd = 0.35 +/- 0.23 and 9.60 +/- 2.87 nM respectively). Competition experiments revealed that FSH, insulin and calcitonin did not compete with [125I]EGF. The simultaneous determination of EGF-R and that of estradiol (ER), progesterone (PR) and androgen receptors (AR) was performed using the same buffer to homogenate the tissues and to obtain cellular membranes. The steroid receptors (SR) were determined by means of the dextran-coated charcoal method. There was a significant negative correlation between nuclear SR and binding capacity of EGF-R. The presence of specific and high affinity binding sites for EGF and the modulation of the level of these sites by steroid receptors suggest a possible role of EGF in prostatic hyperplasia.     

The processing of receptor-bound [125I-Tyr11]somatostatin by RINm5F insulinoma cells

The peptide somatostatin (SRIF) is secreted by delta cells of the endocrine pancreas and inhibits the secretion of insulin from pancreatic beta cells. We have previously shown that [125I-Tyr11]SRIF binds to specific, high affinity receptors on RINm5F insulinoma cells and that these receptors mediate the action of SRIF to inhibit insulin release. In the present study we investigated the processing of receptor-bound [125I-Tyr11]SRIF in this clonal cell line. Surface-bound and internalized peptides were distinguished by the ability of an acid/salt solution (0.2 M acetic acid, 0.5 M NaCl, pH 2.5) to dissociate only exposed ligand-receptor complexes. Surprisingly, greater than 80% of saturably bound [125I-Tyr11]SRIF was removed by this acid wash independent of the time or temperature of the binding incubation. In contrast, the processing of receptor-bound [125I]EGF (epidermal growth factor) in RINm5F cells was markedly temperature-dependent. Although over 90% of saturably bound [125I]EGF was dissociated by acid after a 4 degrees C binding incubation, less than 10% was removed by acid treatment after 37 degrees C binding. The radioactivity released upon dissociation of receptor-bound [125I-Tyr11]SRIF was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography and shown to consist of a mixture of intact peptide (40%) and [125I]tyrosine (60%). However, neither the rate of [125I-Tyr11]SRIF dissociation nor its degradation were affected by NH4Cl, methylamine, or leupeptin at concentrations which inhibited the lysosomal degradation of [125I] EGF. Of 11 other protease inhibitors tested, only the metalloendoprotease inhibitor, phosphoramidon, substantially reduced the degradation of receptor-bound [125I-Tyr11]SRIF. These data indicate that, unlike [125I] EGF, receptor-bound [125I-Tyr11]SRIF is not rapidly internalized by RINm5F cells and is degraded by a nonlysosomal process which may involve a metalloendoprotease.     

Binding of epidermal growth factor by human colon carcinoma cell (Caco-2) monolayers

The objective of this study was to investigate whether Caco-2 cells bind and internalize epidermal growth factor (EGF). [125I]EGF was presented to the apical (AP) or basolateral (BL) side of Caco-2 monolayers, grown on microporous membranes, at different times in culture. At day 10, [125I]EGF binding (at 37 degrees C) to the BL membrane was 2-3 times greater than binding to the AP membrane. Of that [125I]EGF bound to the AP membrane 76% was internalized within 3 h while internalization from the BL membrane was 90%. At lower temperatures membrane-bound [125I]EGF increased while internalization decreased. At day 16, AP and BL binding decreased and then remained constant through day 25. [125I]EGF was bound to the BL membrane of 10 days old monolayers with a Kd of 0.67 nM. There was a single binding site whose numbers in the BL membrane was about 5500/cell.     

(125I)iodo-zacopride: new ligand for the study by autoradiography of central 5-HT3 receptors

This paper describes the synthesis and the pharmacological characteristics of the first radioiodinated ligand of central 5-HT3 receptors: [125I]iodo-zacopride. Specific sites having a high affinity (Kd = 4.3 nM) for [125I]iodo-zacopride have been found in membranes from the rat entorhinal cortex. In addition, a highly significant correlation (r = 0.995) existed between the Ki of several 5-HT-related drugs for displacing both [125I]iodo-zacopride from its specific binding sites, and [3H]zacopride from 5-HT3 receptors. Finally, [125I]iodo-zacopride was successfully used for the autoradiographic mapping of 5-HT3 receptors in the rat central nervous system.     

High and low affinity binding sites for endothelin on cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells

Endothelin contracts glomerular mesangial cells, thereby influencing glomerular size and filtration rate. Here, we demonstrate the presence of two ET-specific binding sites on cultured rat mesangial cells with Kds of 0.76 and 44.70 nM, and maximal binding capacity (Bmax) values of 6.78 x 10(2) and 27.60 x 10(2) binding sites/cell, respectively. Binding of [125I]-ET was maximal at 120 min at 4 degrees C, stable for the subsequent 60 min, and selective. No competition for binding was observed with greater than 1000-fold concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide, angiotensin II, arginine vasopressin, nicardipine, or nifedipine. The presence of specific receptors for ET on glomerular mesangial cells suggests a major role for this peptide in the regulation of glomerular filtration rate.     

Angiotensin-(1-7) binds at the type 1 angiotensin II receptors in rat renal cortex.

Significant angiotensin (Ang) (1-7) production occurs in kidney and effects on renal function have been observed. The present study was undertaken to investigate binding characteristics of the heptapeptide to Ang II receptors present in rat renal cortex. [125I]-Ang II binding to rat glomeruli membranes was analyzed in the presence of increasing concentrations of Ang II, Ang-(1-7), DUP 753 and PD 123319. Linearity of the Scatchard plot of the [125I]-Ang II specific binding to rat glomeruli membranes indicated a single population of receptors, with a Kd value of 0.7 +/- 0.1 nM and a Bmax of 198 +/- 0.04 fmol/mg protein. DUP 753, an specific AT1 receptor antagonist, totally displaced the specific binding of [125I]-radiolabelled hormone with a Ki of 15.8 +/- 0.9 nM, while no changes were observed in the presence of the selective AT2 receptor antagonist, PD 123319. The specific [125I]-Ang II binding to rat glomerular membranes was displaced by Ang-(1-7) with high affinity (Ki = 8.0 +/- 3.2 nM). We conclude that radioligand binding assays in the presence of selective Ang II antagonists DUP 753 and PD 123319 suggest the unique presence of AT1, receptors in rat glomeruli and a possible role in the control of the biological renal effects of Ang-(1-7).     

Amylin increases cyclic AMP formation in L6 myocytes through calcitonin gene-related peptide receptors.

The cellular function of amylin is investigated in L6 myocytes, a rat skeletal muscle cell line. Both rat amylin and human amylin-amide acutely cause a dose-dependent increase in cyclic AMP formation in L6 myocytes. 100 nM amylin stimulates intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations 12-fold, whereas human amylin-amide at this concentration causes only a 2-fold increase. Up to 10 mM human amylin has no effect on cyclic AMP levels. Rat calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is more potent than amylin, causing a 60-fold increase over basal at 1 nM, with an EC50 value of 0.2 nM. The CGRP receptor antagonist, human CGRP8-37 (hCGRP8-37), completely blocks the stimulatory effect of both rat amylin and human amylin-amide on cyclic AMP production. [125I]CGRP binds specifically to a membrane fraction prepared from L6 [125I]CGRP with a Ki of 0.9 nM, while rat amylin also displaces [125I]CGRP with a Ki of 91 nM. Specific binding of [125I]CGRP to plasma membranes of rat liver and brain is also displaced by rat amylin with Ki values of 35 nM and 37 nM, respectively. In contrast, specific binding of [125I]amylin to numerous cells and tissues, under similar conditions, can not be demonstrated. These results suggest that the cellular effects and physiological actions of amylin may be mediated through receptors for CGRP.     

Molecular characteristics and evidence for internalization of vasoactive-intestinal-peptide (VIP) receptors in the tumoral rat-pancreatic acinar cell line AR 4-2 J

1. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors were investigated in the tumoral acinar cell line AR 4-2 J derived from rat pancreas [125I]Iodo-VIP binding to cell membranes showed the following IC50 values for unlabeled peptides: VIP, 0.3 nM; peptide His-IleNH2, 2 nM; helodermin, 30 nM; secretin, 100 nM. After incubation with 20 nM dexamethasone, the binding capacity increased twofold but affinities were unchanged. External [125I]iodo-VIP binding to intact cells reached steady state after 5 min at 37 degrees C, while the sequestration-internalization of the [125I]iodo-VIP-receptor complex (tested by cold acid washing) increased progressively, reaching 75% of total binding after 1 h. This phenomenon was blocked at 4 degrees C. Further data with dexamethasone, tunicamycin, cycloheximide, low temperature, and/or phenylarsine oxide, suggested a half-life of 2 days for VIP receptors and the necessity of N-glycosylation for proper translocation. 2. For chemical [125I]iodo-VIP cross-linking bis[2-(succinimidooxycarbonyloxy)ethyl]sulfone gave the best yield when compared with five other bifunctional reagents. In membranes, the main specifically cross-linked peptide had Mr 66,000 under nonreducing conditions, and migrated with lower velocity (-5%) under reducing conditions. Cross-linking was suppressed by VIP, peptide His-IleNH2 and helodermin (competitively) and also by GTP. In intact cells, the Mr of [125I]iodo-VIP-cross-linked peptides depended on the mode of cell solubilization. After direct solubilization, the major cross-linked radioactivity migrated as a smear of Mr 130,000-180,000 but an Mr-66,000 peptide was also detectable. In contrast, the solubilization of cross-linked cells detached by mild trypsinisation gave mainly the Mr-66,000 labeled peptide. This suggests that most VIP receptors in intact, attached cells were in a high-Mr complex and that mild cell treatment was sufficient to disrupt this complex.     

Solubilization and characterization of endothelin-1 receptors in rat cardiac tissue

Adult rat cardiac endothelin-1 (ET-1) receptors were solubilized with 0.5% digitonin and then characterized. The receptors retained binding activity after solubilization. Binding was saturable (KD of 0.065 +/- 0.004 nM, Bmax of 94.6 +/- 4.5 fmol/mg protein; Hill coefficient of 0.987 +/- 0.017 n = 6) and pH dependent, with the binding increasing as the pH was decreased from 10 to 4, but decreasing dramatically as pH dropped to 2. Specifically bound [125I]-ET-1 was not dissociated by 2 x 10(-7) M unlabelled ET-1, but was dissociated by pH 10 and 2. Returning the pH to 7.4 restored the binding activity of the receptors. Unlabelled ET-1 (10(-12) - 10(-7) M) and sarafotoxin S6b(10(-12) - 10(-7) M) competed with [125I]-ET-1 for binding to the receptors.     

Chicken Insulin Discriminates Between Receptors for Insulin and Insulin-Like Growth Factor I on Centrally-and Peripherally-Derived Glial Cells

Abstract

Insulin and IGF-I receptors in G26–20 cells, derived from a mouse oligodendroglioma, and in RN-2 cells, derived from a rat Schwannoma, were characterized by specific binding to [¹²⁵I]insulin and [¹²⁵I]IGF-I respectively. In both cell lines, the Kd for insulin was 1.5 nM. Insulin receptor number was 33,000/cell for RN-2 cells and 17,000 receptors/ cell for G26–20 cells. RN-2 cells have 700,000 IGF-I receptors/cell with a Kd of 2 nM while G26–20 cells have 60,000 receptors/cell with an affinity of 4.9 nM. However, the independence of these two receptor populations in each cell type was equivocal since the subunit structure of these receptors appears identical by electrophoresis. In both cell lines, competition with insulin analogs for [¹²⁵I]insulin binding demonstrated chicken insulin>insulin>IGF-I. Competition for [¹²⁵I]IGF-I binding showed that IGF-I was approximately 85-fold more potent than insulin. Chicken insulin was ineffective at all concentrations. Thus, chicken insulin can be used as a specific ligand to unequivocally discriminate between IGF-I and insulin receptors and effects.     

Both endothelin-A and endothelin-B receptors are present on adult rat cardiac ventricular myocytes

Endothelin-A (ET(A)) and endothelin-B (ET(B)) receptors have been demonstrated in intact heart and cardiac membranes. ET(A) receptors have been demonstrated on adult ventricular myocytes. The aim of the present study was to determine the presence of ET(B) and the relative contribution of this receptor subtype to total endothelin-1 (ET-1) binding on adult ventricular myocytes. Saturation binding experiments indicated that ET-1 bound to a single population of receptors (Kd = 0.52 +/- 0.13 nM, n = 4) with an apparent maximum binding (Bmax) of 2.10 +/- 0.25 sites (x 10(5))/cell (n = 4). Competition experiments using 40 pM [125I]ET-1 and nonradioactive ET-1 revealed a Ki of 660 +/- 71 pM (n = 10) and a Hill coefficient (nH) of 0.99 +/- 0.10 (n = 10). A selective ET(A) antagonist, BQ610, displaced 80% of the bound [125I]ET-1. No displacement was observed by concentrations of an ET(B)-selective antagonist, BQ788, up to 1.0 microM. However, in the presence of 1.0 microM BQ610, BQ788 inhibited the remaining [125I]ET-1 binding. Similarly, in the presence of 1.0 microM BQ788, BQ610 inhibited the remaining specific [125I]ET-1 binding. Binding of an ET(B1)-selective agonist, [125I]IRL-1620, confirmed the presence of ET(B). ET(B) bound to ET-1 irreversibly, whereas binding to ET(A) demonstrated both reversible and irreversible components, and BQ610 and BQ788 bound reversibly. Reducing the incubation temperature to 0 degrees C did not alter the irreversible component of ET-1 binding. Hence, both ET(A) and ET(B) receptors are present on intact adult rat ventricular myocytes, and the ratio of ET(A):ET(B) binding sites is 4:1. Both receptor subtypes bind to ET-1 by a two-step association involving the formation of a tight receptor-ligand complex; however, the kinetics of ET-1 binding to ET(A) versus ET(B) differ.     

Characterization of epidermal growth factor receptors in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells of rat aorta

Characteristics of specific receptors for epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its effect on cellular proliferation and synthesis of DNA and protein were studied in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from rat aorta. Binding studies using 125I-EGF revealed the presence of high affinity binding sites for EGF on VSMC in culture: the apparent dissociation constant was approximately 2.5 X 10(-10)M and the maximal binding capacity was approximately 67,000 sites/cell. EGF stimulated cellular proliferation and incorporation of [3H]thymidine and [3H]leucine into the cells in a dose-dependent fashion; the approximate half-maximal stimulation was induced with 1.5 X 10(-10)M. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) had an additive effect with EGF on DNA synthesis by VSMC. Preincubation of VSMC with unlabeled EGF resulted in a substantial reduction in the number of receptors without changing the affinity, suggesting receptor "down-regulation" mechanism. These data indicate that rat aortic VSMCs have specific receptors for EGF, and suggest that EGF, in addition to PDGF, is also involved in the cell growth of VSMC.