Sodium and guanine nucleotide regulation of dopamine receptor agonist and antagonist binding sites in MtTW15 pituitary tumors

The modulation of the dopamine receptor in MtTW15 tumors was investigated. The antagonist dopaminergic binding site in MtTW15 tumors labelled with [3H]spiperone remains unchanged at 25 degrees C in the presence or absence of sodium or guanine nucleotides (Gpp(NH)p); by contrast at 37 degrees C sodium increases the affinity while Gpp(NH)p decreases it slightly. The dopamine receptor in this tumor, such as the intact adenohypophysis, exists in a high and low affinity state for dopamine agonists. These agonist affinity states evaluated with apomorphine competition for [3H]spiperone binding show similar affinities as those of intact tissue but have a lower proportion of the high affinity state. At 25 degrees C, a partial conversion of the high into the low affinity state is obtained in the presence of both sodium and Gpp(NH)p, while at 37 degrees C a complete conversion is observed. These data show differences in the modulation of antagonist and agonist dopaminergic binding sites in MtTW15 pituitary tumors compared with the intact pituitary.     

Differential effects of cholera toxin on guanine nucleotide regulation of beta-adrenergic agonist high affinity binding and adenylate cyclase activation in frog erythrocyte membranes

The guanine nucleotide regulatory protein(s) regulates both adenylate cyclase activity and the affinity of adenylate cyclase-coupled receptors for hormones or agonist drugs. Cholera toxin catalyzes the covalent modification of the nucleotide regulatory protein of adenylate cyclase systems. Incubation of frog erythrocyte membranes with cholera toxin and NAD+ did not substantially alter the dose dependency for guanine nucleotide activation of adenylate cyclase activity. In contrast, toxin treated membranes demonstrated a 10 fold increase in the concentrations of guanine nucleotide required for a half maximal effect in regulating beta-adrenergic receptor affinity for the agonist (+/-) [3H]hydroxybenzylisoproterenol. The data emphasize the bifunctional nature of the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein and suggest that distinct structural domains of the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein may mediate the distinct regulatory effects on adenylate cyclase and receptor affinity for agonists.     

Pertussis vaccine reduces agonist binding to the rat heart muscarinic receptor and its guanine nucleotide modulation

The injection ofBordetella pertussis, inactivated by merthiolate, causes a 2-fold increase in the IC50 of carbamylcholine (carbachol) in displacing [³H];-L(–) quinuclidinyl benzilate binding ([³H]QNB) to the receptor. In control animals, 50 M Gpp(NH)p causes a 6-fold decrease in the affinity of carbachol binding, whereas after vaccination the reduction is only 1.6-fold. After pertussis treatment there is no alteration in the affinity and number of [³H]QNB binding sites of to the muscarinic receptor.     

Reconstitution of turkey erythrocyte beta-adrenergic receptors into human erythrocyte acceptor membranes. Demonstration of guanine nucleotide regulation of agonist affinity

Digitonin-solubilized turkey erythrocyte beta-adrenergic receptors were reconstituted by dialysis into human erythrocyte acceptor membranes which lack beta receptors. Incorporation of turkey beta receptors into acceptor membranes was directly proportional to the quantity of soluble protein added to the reconstitution system. Reconstituted beta receptors demonstrate saturable [125I]iodohydroxybenzylpindolol binding (Bmax = 11.1 +/- 0.8 fmol/mg, K = 77.8 +/- 8.6 pM) and stereospecificity ((-)-propranolol, K = 11.0 nM; (+)-propranolol, K = 2000 nM; (-)-isoproterenol, K = 250 nM; (+)-isoproterenol, K = 82 micro M). Reconstituted beta receptors appear to be incorporated into acceptor membranes as integral proteins. Reconstituted beta receptors cannot be extracted by high salt or pH (3 to 11); detergent is required for resolubilization of reconstituted beta receptors. Adenylate cyclase stimulation was not obtained in reconstituted membranes since acceptor membranes lack a catalytic subunit. However, guanine nucleotide regulation of agonist affinity was observed indicating a functional reconstitution. GTP (100 micro M) produces a 5-fold decrease in the affinity of isoproterenol for reconstituted beta receptors. Experiments with sulfhydryl reagents indicate that the reconstituted beta receptor couples with the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein of the acceptor membranes. These data describe the successful reconstitution of a beta receptor and indicate that the reconstituted beta receptor can interact with the GTP binding protein of human erythrocyte acceptor membranes.     

Proteolysis of rat liver plasma membranes cancels the guanine nucleotide sensitivity of agonist binding to the alpha-adrenoceptor

Incubation of rat liver plasma membranes with a variety of proteinases causes a time and dose-dependent 2- to 3-fold increase in (?)-[³H]norepinephrine binding to the alpha-adrenergic receptor. Scatchard analysis of binding data shows that both the number of sites and the affinity of the ligand are increased. Following proteolysis, the association and dissociation rates of binding of the hormone are increased. Guanine nucleotides decrease the affinity of the agonist for the alpha-adrenoceptor in untreated membranes, but not in alpha-chymotrypsin-treated membranes. Thus, limited proteolysis of liver membranes results in drastic modifications, not only on the binding characteristics of catecholamines to the alpha-adrenoceptor, but also on its regulation by guanine nucleotides.     

Guanine nucleotide regulation of dopamine receptor agonist affinity states in rat estradiol-induced pituitary tumors

We have investigated dopamine (DA) receptor agonist high- and low-affinity states in female rat estradiol-induced prolactin (PRL)-secreting pituitary tumors and intact pituitary tissue. Estradiol treatment increased the anterior pituitary weight 9-fold and plasma prolactin levels 74-fold and these measures are correlated (R = 0.745, n = 73, p less than 0.001). Competition for [3H]-spiperone binding to the DA receptor by apomorphine was compared in normal and adenomatous pituitary tissue. The inhibition constants (Ki) and the proportions of the two apomorphine sites are unchanged in tumors compared to intact pituitary tissue. Guanosine 5'-[beta-gamma-imino]triphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) causes complete conversion of the high into low affinity dopaminergic agonist site in normal pituitary and in tumors. These results suggest that rats with primary estradiol-induced pituitary tumors have normal and functional DA receptors.     

Alpha-noradrenergic receptor binding in mammalian brain: differential labeling of agonist and antagonist states.

[³H]Clonidine, a α-noradrenergic agonist, and [³H]WB-4101, a benzodioxan derivative α-antagonist, bind with high affinity and selectivity to membranes of rat brain in a fashion indicating that they label postsynaptic α-noradrenergic receptors. Binding for both ligands is saturable with K_D values of 5 nM and 0.6 nM respectively for clonidine and WB-4101. The relative affinities of a series of phenylethylamines for binding sites corresponds well with their relative influences at α-receptors. Binding of both [³H]-ligands is stereoselective with about a 50 fold preference for (-)-norepinephrine. Of a series of ergot alkaloids, only those with known α-receptor activity have high affinities for the binding sites. Binding does not involve pre-synaptic norepinephrine nerve endings, because after an 80% depletion of endogenous norepinephrine by treatment with 6-hydroxydopamine, no decrease can be detected in [³H]clonidine and [³H]WB-4101 binding. α-Agonists have much higher affinities for [³H]clonidine than [³H]WB-4101 sites, while the reverse holds true for α-antagonists. Mixed agonist-antagonist ergots have similar affinities for binding of the two [³H]ligands. These data suggest that [³H]clonidine and [³H]WB-4101 respectively label distinct agonist and antagonist states of the α-receptor.     

The dopamine receptor: differential binding of d-LSD and related agents to agonist and antagonist states.

Dopamine receptor binding is calf striatal membranes of ³H-dopamine and ³H-haloperidol appears to differentiate agonist and antagonist states of the receptor. Agonists and antagonists have selective affinities for dopamine and haloperidol sites respectively. In evaluating relative affinities for dopamine and haloperidol binding sites, we have observed that d-LSD interacts with considerable affinity at the dopamine receptor. Its similar competition petition for binding of the two tritiated ligands suggests that it is a mixed agonist-antagonist, which is consistent with its interactions with the dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase. The effects of LSD on dopamine receptor binding are stereospecific, with d-LSD being 1,000 times more potent than d-LSD. 2-Bromo-LSD has more of an antagonist profile than d-LSD for the dopamine receptor. In binding experiments methiothepin behaves like a potent and relatively pure antagonist at dopamine receptors.     

Characterization of Leydig cell gonadotropin-releasing hormone binding sites utilizing radiolabeled agonist and antagonist

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) binding sites in intact Leydig cells and in membrane preparations were investigated using 125I-labeled GnRH agonist and antagonist. Binding was saturable and involved a single class of high affinity sites. Intact Leydig cells and a membrane preparation had a higher affinity for GnRH agonist (Kd 3.0 +/- 1.7 X 10(-10) M) than for GnRH antagonist (Kd 10.0 +/- 1.8 X 10(-10) M). With anterior pituitary membranes the Kd was 2.8 +/- 0.7 X 10(-10) M for the agonist and 2.4 +/- 1.4 X 10(-10) M for the antagonist. The Kd for GnRH was similar for Leydig cells and the anterior pituitary. Chymotrypsin and trypsin digestion decreased receptor binding, but neuraminidase increased Leydig cell binding in contrast to the decrease in binding observed with pituitary receptors. The results suggest that the Leydig cell GnRH binding sites may differ from the pituitary receptor which may be related to structural differences in GnRH-like peptides recently described in extracts of rat testis.     

Dopamine receptor binding: differentiation of agonist and antagonist states with 3H-dopamine and 3H-haloperidol.

³H-Dopamine and ³H-haloperidol bind with high affinity and selectivity to synaptic dopamine receptors in membrane preparations of the calf caudate. Binding of both ligands shows marked regional variations with greatest density in caudate, putamen, globus pallidus, nucleus accumbens and olfactory tubercle, areas rich in dopamine nerve terminals. The rank-order of phenothiazines and related agents as well as catecholamines in displacing both dopamine and haloperidol binding closely parallels their pharmacological potencies and affinities for the dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase. Dopamine's affinity for specific ³H-dopamine binding sites is 100 times its apparent affinity for the dopamine sensitive adenylate cyclase. Agonists have about 50 times more affinity for dopamine than haloperidol sites, whereas antagonists display about 100 times greater affinity for haloperidol than dopamine sites.     

Discrimination by temperature of opiate agonist and antagonist receptor binding.

Variations in incubation temperature can markedly differentiate opiate receptor binding of agonists and antagonists. In the presence of sodium increasing incubation temperatures from 0° to 30° reduces receptor binding of ³H-naloxone by 50% while tripling the binding of the agonist ³H-dihydromorphine. Lowering incubation temperature from 25° to 0° reduces the potency of morphine in inhibiting ³H-naloxone binding by 9-fold while not affecting the potency of the antagonist nalorphine. At temperatures of 25° and higher the number of binding sites for opiate antagonists is increased by sodium and the number of sites for agonists is decreased by sodium with no changes in affinity. By contrast, in the presence of sodium lowering of incubation temperature to 0° increases opiate receptor binding of the antagonist naloxone by enhancing its affinity for binding sites even though the total number of binding sites are not changed.     

Regulation of formyl peptide receptor binding to rabbit neutrophil plasma membranes. Use of monovalent cations, guanine nucleotides, and bacterial toxins to discriminate among different states of the receptor

The regulation by monovalent cations, guanine nucleotides, and bacterial toxins of [3H]FMLP binding to rabbit neutrophil plasma membranes was studied by using dissociation techniques to identify regulatory effects on separate receptor states. Under conditions of low receptor occupancy (1 nM [3H]FMLP) and in both Na+ and K+ buffers, dissociation is heterogenous, displaying two distinct, statistically significant off rates. [3H]FMLP binding was enhanced by substituting other monovalent cations for Na+. In particular, enhanced binding in the presence of K+ relative to Na+ was caused by additional binding to both rapidly and slowly dissociating receptors. Three receptor dissociation rates, two of which appear to correspond to the two affinity states detected in equilibrium binding studies, were defined by specific GTP and pertussis toxin (PT) treatments. Neither GTP, nor PT or cholera toxins (CT) had an effect on the rate of dissociation of [3H]FMLP from the rapidly dissociating form of the receptor. Both 100 microM GTP and PT treatments increased the percentage of rapidly dissociating receptors, correspondingly decreasing the percentage of slowly dissociating receptors. The observed changes in the rapidly and slowly dissociating receptors after GTP, PT, and CT treatments were caused by an absolute decrease in the amount of binding to the slowly dissociating receptors. However, complete inhibition of slowly dissociating receptor binding by GTP, PT, or both was never observed. Both GTP and PT treatments, but not CT treatment, increased by two-fold the rate of dissociation of 1 nM [3H]FMLP from the slowly dissociating form of the receptor, resulting in a third dissociation rate. Thus, slowly dissociating receptors comprise two different receptor states, a G protein-associated guanine nucleotide and PT-sensitive state and a guanine nucleotide-insensitive state.     

Structural heterogeneity of the alpha subunits of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in relation to agonist affinity alkylation and antagonist binding

The structural basis for the heterogeneity of the two agonist binding sites of the Torpedo californica acetylcholine receptor with respect to antagonist binding and reactivity toward affinity alkylating reagents was investigated. There is one agonist binding site on each of the two alpha subunits in a receptor monomer. One of these sites is easily affinity labeled with bromoacetylcholine, while more extreme conditions are required to label the other. Evidence is presented that the site which is easily labeled with bromoacetylcholine is the site with higher affinity for the antagonist d-tubocurarine. Digestion of purified alpha subunits with staphylococcal V8 protease gave two limit fragments with apparent molecular weights of 17K and 19K. Both of these fragments began at residue 46 of the alpha sequence, and both reacted with monoclonal antibodies specific for the sequence alpha 152-159 but not with antibodies specific for alpha 235-242. Their tryptic peptide maps and reactivity with a number of monoclonal antibodies were virtually identical. Only the 17-kilodalton (17-kDa) fragments stained heavily for sugars with Schiff's reagent. However, both fragments bound 125I-labeled concanavalin A. Complete removal of carbohydrate detectable with concanavalin A from V8 protease digests of alpha subunits resulted in two fragments of lower apparent molecular weights, indicating that these fragments differed not only in carbohydrate content but also in their C-termini or by another covalent modification. Covalent labeling of one of the two agonist sites of the intact receptor with bromo[3H]acetylcholine followed by digestion with V8 protease resulted in labeling of only the 19-kDa fragment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Differential effects of fluoride on adenylate cyclase activity and guanine nucleotide regulation of agonist high-affinity receptor binding.

Fluoride ion, presumably an Al3+-F- complex, has been proposed to activate the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (G-protein) of the visual system, transducin, by associating with GDP at the nucleotide-binding site and thus mimicking the effects of non-hydrolysable GTP analogues [Bigay, Deterre, Pfister & Chabre (1985) FEBS Lett. 191, 181-85]. We have examined this proposed model by using the adenylate cyclase complexes of frog erythrocytes, S49 lymphoma cells and human platelets. Preincubation of plasma membranes from frog erythrocytes and S49 cells with 20 mM-fluoride for 20 min at 30 degrees C strongly stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. In contrast, the preactivated membranes were still able to bind beta-adrenergic agonist with high affinity, as determined by radioligand-binding techniques. Moreover, high-affinity agonist binding in fluoride-treated membranes was fully sensitive to guanine nucleotide, which decreased beta-adrenergic-receptor affinity for agonist. Very similar results were obtained for [3H]prostaglandin E1 binding to S49 membranes pretreated with fluoride. Incubation of human platelet membranes with increasing concentrations of fluoride (1-50 mM) resulted in biphasic regulation of adenylate cyclase activity, with inhibition observed at concentrations greater than 10 mM. Preincubation of platelet membranes with 20 mM-fluoride did not affect agonist high-affinity binding to alpha 2-adrenergic receptors, nor receptor regulation by guanine nucleotide. These results suggest that the model developed from the study of transducin may not be generally applicable to the G-proteins of the adenylate cyclase system.     

Bombesin receptor in membranes from Swiss 3T3 cells. Binding characteristics, affinity labelling and modulation by guanine nucleotides.

Bombesin-like neuropeptides, including mammalian gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), are potent mitogens for Swiss 3T3 cells. In this study, we have characterized the bombesin receptor in membrane preparations from these cells. Addition of Mg2+ during cell homogenization was essential to preserve 125I-GRP binding activity in the resulting membrane preparation. The effect of Mg2+ was concentration dependent, with a maximum at 5 mM. Specific binding of 125I-GRP was saturable; Scatchard analysis indicated a single class of high-affinity sites of Kd = (2.1 +/- 0.3) x 10(-10) M at 15 degrees C and Kd = (1.9 +/- 0.4) x 10(-10) M at 37 degrees C, and a maximum binding capacity of 580 +/- 50 fmol/mg of protein (15 degrees C) or 604 +/- 40 fmol/mg of protein (37 degrees C). The kinetically derived dissociation constant was 1.5 x 10(-10) M. 125I-GRP binding was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by various peptides containing the highly conserved C-terminal heptapeptide of the bombesin family, including bombesin, GRP, neuromedin B and the 8-14 fragment of bombesin. In contrast, a variety of structurally unrelated mitogens and neuropeptides had no effect. The cross-linking agent ethyleneglycolbis(succinimidylsuccinate) covalently linked 125I-GRP to a single Mr 75 000-85 000 protein in membrane preparations of 3T3 cells. Affinity labelling of this molecule was specific and dependent on the presence of Mg2+ during membrane preparation. Finally, the non-hydrolysable GTP analogue guanosine-5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP[S]) caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of 125I-GRP binding and cross-linking to 3T3 cell membranes [concentration giving half-maximal inhibition (IC50) approximately 0.2 microM]. The inhibitory effect was specific (GMP, ATP or ATP[S] had no effect at 10 microM) and was due to an increase in Kd from (1.7 +/- 0.2) x 10(-10) M to (4.3 +/- 0.6) x 10(-10) M in the presence of 10 microM-GTP[S]. This modulation of ligand affinity and cross-linking implies that the bombesin receptors that mediate mitogenesis in Swiss 3T3 cells are coupled to a guanine-nucleotide-binding-protein signal-transduction pathway.     

A chemoattractant receptor on macrophages exists in two affinity states regulated by guanine nucleotides

The binding characteristics of the oligopeptide chemoattractant receptor on guinea pig macrophages and macrophage membrane preparations were characterized using detailed binding studies and computer analysis. Viable macrophages bound the radiolabeled chemoattractant N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-[3H]phenylalanine with single dissociation constant (KD) of 18.4 +/- 4.6 nM with 15,300 +/- 1,800 sites per cell. Binding data from membrane preparations indicated the presence of two classes of binding sites with KD of 1.5 +/- 0.4 nM and 25.5 +/- 11.0 nM. Approximately 23% of the receptors were in the high affinity state. In the presence of added guanine nucleotide di- or triphosphates, the high affinity receptors in the membrane preparations were converted to low affinity states with no change in the total receptor number. Nonhydrolyzable derivatives of GTP were most potent in converting the receptor from its high to low affinity state. These data suggest that the affinity state of the oligopeptide chemoattractant receptor in macrophages is regulated by guanine nucleotides and GTPase, implying that the transduction mechanisms of this receptor may be controlled by a guanine nucleotide regulatory unit.     

Regulation of follicle-stimulating hormone binding to receptors on bovine calf testis membranes by cholera toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide binding protein

In a previous study we reported that FSH receptors in bovine testes membranes are physically and functionally associated with a guanine nucleotide-binding protein (N protein). In this study we examined the mechanism whereby GTP binding to N protein regulates FSH binding to its receptors. Binding of FSH to receptors decreased in the presence of GTP in a dose-dependent and noncompetitive manner. This effect did not require the presence of Mg+2 and is in contrast to the reported requirement for Mg+2 for GTP effects on human CG binding to ovarian receptors. Equilibrium binding experiments indicated that decreased hormone binding in the presence of GTP was not due to a decrease in the number of FSH receptors per se; rather, the altered binding isotherm was the result of a decrease in affinity of receptors for FSH. Moreover, the dissociation of [125I]human FSH from preformed FSH-receptor complex was rapid in onset and significantly accelerated in the presence of GTP. In a series of nucleotides, GTP was most effective in causing this effect. Evidently, occupancy of GTP binding sites on the N protein, including low affinity and high capacity sites, is necessary for GTP regulation of FSH binding to receptors. The fact that pretreatment of bovine testis membranes with cholera toxin plus NAD, but not pertussis toxin plus NAD, eliminates the GTP effect on FSH binding to its receptors suggests that the GTP regulatory binding protein mediating the GTP regulation of FSH binding is probably Ns and not Ni. Further characterization of FSH receptor sensitivity to GTP, however, indicated that the N protein involved does not exhibit all of the characteristics reported for Ns. For example, the affinity of GTP for N protein is relatively low even under conditions where GTP hydrolysis has a minimal effect in reducing the total concentration of GTP. Also, the absence of a requirement for Mg+2 in high affinity FSH receptor-N protein coupling is different from the requirement for Mg+2 seen with the beta-adrenergic receptor and Ns. Moreover, the N protein which mediates GTP regulation of FSH-receptor binding appears to be relatively insensitive to N-ethylmaleimide, unlike the N-ethylmaleimide sensitivity of the turkey erythrocyte Ns. These results suggest that differences may exist in the structure-function features of GTP regulatory binding protein associated with different types of hormone ligands and receptors.     

Interpretation of agonist affinity estimations: the question of distributed receptor states

In the receptor-transducer model of pharmacological agonism, rejection of the traditional assumption that receptor molecules are in vast excess of transducer molecules permits the receptors to become distributed among unbound, bound and complexed states. Under these conditions, agonist affinities are liable to be overestimated when the method of irreversible receptor antagonism is used. Graphical tests have been developed to detect distribution, and these were applied to experimental data from the interaction between 5-HT and phenoxybenzamine on aortic tissue. Significant receptor distribution was not detected by the method. However, in the model it was assumed that there was a linear relation between the concentration of ternary complex and pharmacological effect. If this relation was replaced with a saturable one the effect of receptor distribution would be masked. The implications for pharmacologists and medicinal chemists are discussed.     

Localization of agonist and antagonist binding domains of the human neurokinin-1 receptor.

To identify the molecular determinants of ligand-receptor interactions, the extracellular domain of the human neurokinin-1 receptor was systematically substituted with the corresponding sequences from the other two neurokinin receptor subtypes. Three residues within the first extracellular segment and 2 residues of the second segment are required for the optimal binding of all three natural peptide agonists. The divergent nature of 4 of the 5 residues supports the hypothesis that the peptide binding site on the neurokinin-1 receptor is not highly conserved in the other two receptor subtypes. In contrast, substitution of part of the third extracellular segment and the fourth extracellular segment with the corresponding amino acids of the human neurokinin-3 receptor results in an increase in neurokinin B affinity without affecting substance P binding, suggesting that the two peptides do not interact with the same set of functional groups on the receptor. Among the four extracellular regions, only parts of the third and fourth segments affect the binding of the quinuclidine antagonist L-703,606, and these two regions may partially account for the neurokinin-1 receptor subtype specificity of this non-peptide antagonist. These studies demonstrate that both the extracellular and transmembrane domains of the neurokinin-1 receptor are involved in the binding of substance P and related peptides.