Binding of [3H] γ-Aminobutyric Acid and [3H]Muscimol in Purified Rat Brain Synaptic Plasma Membranes and the Effects of Bicuculline

Abstract: The binding of [³H] γ-aminobutyric acid ([³H]GABA) and [³H]muscimol has been studied in purified synaptic plasma membrane (SPM) preparations from rat brain. Scatchard analysis of specific binding (defined as that displaced by 100 μMγ-aminobutyrate) indicated that the binding of both radiolabelled ligands was best described by a two component Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The apparent K_D and B_max values for [³H]GABA at 4°C were K_D1, 20 nM; K_D2,165 nM; B_max1, 0.48 pmol;B_max2, 6.0 pmol. mg^?1; for [³H]muscimol at 4°C they were: K_D1, 1.75 nM; K_D2, 17.5 nM; B_maxl, 0.84 pmol. mg^?1; B_max2, 4.8 pmol.mg^?1; and for [³H]muscimol at 37°C they were: K_D1, 7.0 nM; K_m, 60 nM; B_max], 0.5 pmol-mg^?1; B_max2, 7.2 pmol-mg¹. Under the experimental conditions used, the similar B_milx values for [³H]GABA and [³H]muscimol binding to the SPM preparations suggests that the high- and low-affinity components for the two radiolabeled ligands are identical. The effects of the GAB A antagonist bicuculline on the binding of [³H]muscimol at 4^CC and 37°C were studied. At 4°C, antagonism of muscimol binding appeared to be competitive at the high-affinity site but noncompetitive at the low-affinity site. At 37°C, antagonism was again competitive at the high-affinity site but was of a mixed competitive/noncompetitive nature at the low-affinity site. Assuming that binding to the high-affinity site is associated with the pharmacological actions of bicuculline, the apparent K_D values obtained suggest a pA₂ value of 5.3 against [³H]muscimol at 4°C and 37°C. This figure is in good agreement with several estimates of the potency of bicuculline based on pharmacological measurements. Results from displacement studies using [³H]GABA and [³H]muscimol suggest that [³H]GABA might be a more satisfactory ligand than [³H]muscimol in GABA radioreceptor assays.     

Nicotinic Autoreceptors Mediating Enhancement of Acetylcholine Release Become Operative in Conditions of "Impaired" Cholinergic Presynaptic Function

Abstract: The existence in the mammalian CNS of release-inhibiting muscarinic autoreceptors is well established. In contrast, few reports have focused on nicotinic autoreceptors mediating enhancement of acetylcholine (ACh) release. Moreover, it is unclear under what conditions the function of one type of autoreceptor prevails over that of the other. Rat cerebrocortex slices, prelabeled with [³H]choline, were stimulated electrically at 3 or 0.1 Hz. The release of [³H]ACh evoked at both frequencies was inhibited by oxotremorine, a muscarinic receptor agonist, and stimulated by atropine, a muscarinic antagonist. Nicotine, ineffective at 3 Hz, enhanced [³H]ACh release at 0.1 Hz; mecamylamine, a nicotinic antagonist, had no effect at 3 Hz but inhibited [³H]ACh release at 0.1 Hz. The cholinesterase inhibitor neostigmine decreased [³H]ACh release at 3 Hz but not at 0.1 Hz; in the presence of atropine, neostigmine potentiated [³H]ACh release, an effect blocked by mecamylamine. In synaptosomes depolarized with 15 mM KCI, ACh inhibited [³H]ACh release; this inhibition was reversed to an enhancement when the external [Ca²⁺] was lowered. The same occurred when, at 1.2 mM Ca²⁺, external [K⁺] was decreased. Oxotremorine still inhibited [³H]ACh release at 0.1 mM Ca²⁺. When muscarinic receptors were inactivated with atropine, the K⁺ (15 mM)-evoked release of [³H]ACh (at 0.1 mM Ca²⁺) was potently enhanced by ACh acting at nicotinic receptors (EC₅₀? 0.6 µM). In conclusion, synaptic ACh concentration does not seem to determine whether muscarinic or nicotinic autoreceptors are activated. Although muscarinic autoreceptors prevail under normal conditions, nicotinic autoreceptors appear to become responsive to endogenous ACh and to exogenous nicotinic agents under conditions mimicking impairment of ACh release. Our data may explain in part the reported efficacy of cholinesterase inhibitors (and nicotinic agonists) in Alzheimer's disease.     

Interaction between pivaloylcarnitine and l-carnitine transport into L6 cells overexpressing hOCTN2

Patients ingesting pivalic acid containing prodrugs develop hypocarnitinemia. Pivalic acid is cleaved from such drugs and excreted renally as pivaloylcarnitine. Plasma concentrations (reflecting the concentration in the glomerular filtrate entering the proxinmal tubule) in patients treated with cefditoren pivoxil are approximately 5 μM for pivaloylcarnitine and 10 μM for carnitine. Kinetic studies were performed using L6 cells overexpressing the human kidney carnitine transporter (hOCTN2) to assess the mechanisms leading to hypocarnitinemia in such patients. l-carnitine transport showed saturation kinetics (K_m 6.3 μM) and could be inhibited competitively by pivaloylcarnitine (K_i 70 μM). Pivaloylcarnitine was also transported by OCTN2 (K_m 212 μM) and its transport could be inhibited competitively by l-carnitine (K_i 7.8 μM). Haldane and Eadie-Hofstee plots were linear for both carnitine and pivaloylcarnitine. Our data indicate that both carnitine and pivaloylcarnitine bind to OCTN2 at a single, identical site. Considering the low plasma and tubular pivaloylcarnitine concentration, the high K_m of pivaloylcarnitine regarding OCTN2 and the inhibition of pivaloylcarnitine transport by carnitine, pivaloylcarnitine is unlikely to be reabsorbed under these conditions. On the other hand, our data indicate that the renal reabsorption of carnitine is not impaired in patients treated with pivalic acid containing prodrugs. Hypocarnitinemia in such patients therefore develops due to massive renal losses of pivaloylcarnitine and not due to inhibition of carnitine reabsorption by pivaloylcarnitine.     

Green synthesis of naphthyl derivative as an optical sensor for the detection of l-carnitine in food samples

An economical and green approach to the synthesis of naphthyl derivative for detection of l -carnitine (3-hydroxy-4-N-trimethyl-aminobutyrate) is practically important. We developed a naphthyl derivative as a probe showing ‘turn-on’ response towards l -carnitine selectively at pH 7.2 through ICT mechanism with a good limit of detection (LOD) of 0.126 μM. Using Job's plot for determining the binding stoichiometry, it was found that probe could form a more stable complex (1:1) with carnitine. The binding constant (K) between probe and carnitine was calculated as 8 × 10⁷ M⁻¹ using the Benesi–Hildebrand plot. The binding interaction of the probe with l -carnitine was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance titrations, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, photo physical studies and density functional theory calculations. Meanwhile, the probe can be used to quantitatively detect carnitine in food samples.     

Ionic Requirements for the Specific Binding of [3H]GBR 12783 to a Site Associated with the Dopamine Uptake Carrier

At 0°C, when Na⁺ was the only cation present in the incubation medium, increasing the Na⁺ concentration from 3 to 10 mM enhanced the affinity of [³H]l-[2-(di-phenylmethoxy)ethyl]-4-(3-phenyl-2-propenyl)piperazine ([³H]GBR 12783) for the specific binding site present in rat striatal membranes without affecting the 5_max. For higher Na⁺ concentrations, specific binding values plateaued and then slightly decreased at 130 mM Na⁺. In a 10 mM Na⁺ medium, the K_D and the B_max were, respectively, 0.23 nM and 12.9 pmol/mg of protein. In the presence of 0.4 nM [³H]GBR 12783, the half-maximal specific binding occurred at 5 mM Na⁺. A similar Na⁺ dependence was observed at 20°C. Scatchard plots indicated that K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Tris⁺ acted like competitive inhibitors of the specific binding of [³H]GBR 12783. The inhibitory potency of various cations (K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Tris⁺, Li⁺ and choline) was enhanced when the Na⁺ concentration was decreased from 130 to 10 mM. In a 10 mM Na⁺ medium, the rank order of inhibitory potency was Ca²⁺ (0.13 mM) > Mg²⁺ > Tris⁺ > K⁺ (15 mM). The requirement for Na⁺ was rather specific, because none of the other cations acted as a substitute for Na⁺. No anionic requirement was found: Cl^-, Br^-, and F^- were equipotent. These results suggest that low Na⁺ concentrations are required for maximal binding; higher Na⁺ concentrations protect the specific binding site against the inhibitory effect of other cations.     

[3H]Nitrobenzylthioinosine Binding as a Probe for the Study of Adenosine Uptake Sites in Brain

Abstract: The binding of the potent adenosine uptake inhibitor [³H]nitrobenzylthioinosine ([³H]NBI) to brain membrane fractions was investigated. Reversible, saturable, specific, high-affinity binding was demonstrated in both rat and human brain. The K_d in both was 0.15 nM with B_max values of 140–200 fmol/mg protein. Linear Scatchard plots were routinely obtained, indicating a homogeneous population of binding sites in brain. The highest density of binding sites was found in the caudate and hypothalamus in both species. The binding site was heat labile and trypsin sensitive. Binding was also decreased by incubation of the membranes in 0.05% Triton X-100 and by treatment with dithiothreitol and iodoacetamide. Of the numerous salt and metal ions tested, only copper and zinc had significant effects on [³H]NBI binding. The inhibitory potencies of copper and zinc were IC₅₀= 160 μM and 6 mM, respectively. Subcellular distribution studies revealed a high percentage of the [³H]NBI binding sites on synaptosomes, indicating that these sites were present in the synaptic region. A study of the tissue distribution of the [³H]NBI sites revealed very high densities of binding in erythrocyte, lung, and testis, with much lower binding densities in brain, kidney, liver, muscle, and heart. The binding affinity in the former group was approximately 1.5 nM, whereas that in the latter group was 0.15 nM, suggesting two types of binding sites. The pharmacologic profile of [³H]NBI binding was consistent with its function as the adenosine transport site, distinct from the adenosine receptor, since thiopurines were very potent inhibitors of binding whereas adenosine receptor ligands, such as cyclohexyladenosine and 2-chloroadenosine, were three to four orders of magnitude less potent. [³H]NBI binding in brain should provide a useful probe for the study of adenosine transport in the brain.     

Characterisation of the Binding of [3H]WAY-100635, a Novel 5-Hydroxytryptamine1A Receptor Antagonist, to Rat Brain

Abstract: The specific binding of [³H]WAY-100635 {N-[2-[4-(2-[O-methyl-³H]methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-(2-pyridinyl)cyclohexane carboxamide trihydrochloride} to rat hippocampal membrane preparations was time, temperature, and tissue concentration dependent. The rates of [³H]WAY-100635 association (k₊₁ = 0.069 ± 0.015 nM^?1 min^?1) and dissociation (k_?1 = 0.023 ± 0.001 min^?1) followed monoexponential kinetics. Saturation binding isotherms of [³H]WAY-100635 exhibited a single class of recognition site with an affinity of 0.37 ± 0.051 nM and a maximal binding capacity (B_max) of 312 ± 12 fmol/mg of protein. The maximal number of binding sites labelled by [³H]WAY-100635 was ～36% higher compared with that of 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-[³H]-propylamino)tetralin ([³H]8-OH-DPAT). The binding affinity of [³H]WAY-100635 was significantly lowered by the divalent cations CaCl₂ (2.5-fold; p < 0.02) and MnCl₂ (3.6-fold; p < 0.05), with no effect on B_max. Guanyl nucleotides failed to influence the K_D and B_max parameters of [³H]WAY-100635 binding to 5-HT_1A receptors. The pharmacological binding profile of [³H]WAY-100635 was closely correlated with that of [³H]8-OH-DPAT, which is consistent with the labelling of 5-hydroxytryptamine_1A (5-HT_1A) sites in rat hippocampus. [³H]WAY-100635 competition curves with 5-HT_1A agonists and partial agonists were best resolved into high- and low-affinity binding components, whereas antagonists were best described by a one-site binding model. In the presence of 50 µM guanosine 5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPγS), competition curves for the antagonists remained unaltered, whereas the agonist and partial agonist curves were shifted to the right, reflecting an influence of G protein coupling on agonist versus antagonist binding to the 5-HT_1A receptor. However, a residual (16 ± 2%) high-affinity agonist binding component was still apparent in the presence of GTPγS, indicating the existence of GTP-insensitive sites.     

[3H]Bicuculline Methochloride Binding to Low-Affinity γ-Aminobutyric Acid Receptor Sites

Abstract: The binding of [³H]bicuculline methochloride (BMC) to mammalian brain membranes was characterized and compared with that of [³H]γ-aminobutyric acid ([³H]GABA). The radiolabeled GABA receptor antagonist showed significant displaceable binding in Tris-citrate buffer that was improved by high concentrations of chloride, iodide, or thiocyanate, reaching >50% displacement in the presence of 0.1 M SCN^?. An apparent single class of binding sites for [³H]BMC (K_D= 30 nM) was observed in 0.1 M SCN^? for fresh or frozen rat cortex or several regions of frozen and thawed bovine brain. The B_max was about 2 pmol bound/mg of crude mitochondrial plus microsomal membranes from unfrozen washed and osmotically shocked rat cortex, similar to that for [³H]GABA. Frozen membranes, however, showed decreased levels of [³H]BMC binding with no decrease or an actual increase in [³H]GABA binding sites. [³H]BMC binding was inhibited by GABA receptor specific ligands, but showed a higher affinity for antagonists and lower affinity for agonists than did [³H]GABA binding. Kinetics experiments with [³H]GABA binding revealed that low- and high-affinity sites showed a similar pharmacological specificity for a series of GABA receptor ligands, but that whereas all agonists had a higher affinity for slowly dissociating high-affinity [³H]GABA sites, bicuculline had a higher affinity for rapidly dissociating low-affinity [³H]GABA sites. This reverse potency between agonists and antagonists during assay of radioactive antagonists or agonists supports the existence of agonist- and antagonist-preferring conformational states or subpopulations of GABA receptors. The differential affinities, as well as opposite effects on agonist and antagonist binding by anions, membrane freezing, and other treatments, suggest that [³H]BMC may relatively selectively label low-affinity GABA receptor agonist sites. This study, using a new commercially available preparation of [³H]bicuculline methochloride, confirms the report of bicuculline methiodide binding by Mohler and Okada (1978), and suggests that this radioactive GABA antagonist will be a valuable probe in analyzing various aspects of GABA receptors.     

Characterisation of [3H]-Darifenacin as a Novel Radioligand for the Study of Muscarinic M3 Receptors

Abstract

Darifenacin, (S)-2-[1-[2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl]-3-pyrrolidinyl]-2,2-diphenylacetamide, is a novel muscarinic M₃ antagonist. In this study we have compared the binding of [³H]-darifenacin to the five cloned human muscarinic receptors (m₁ - m₅) expressed in CHO cells. [³H]-darifenacin binds with 6 fold higher affinity to m₃ (K_D = 0.33 nmol/l) over m₁ (K_D = 1.6 nmol/l) receptors. There was no specific binding of [³H]-darifenacin to m₂ receptors and specific binding to m₄ and m₅ receptors was insufficient to determine a K_D. Binding of [³H]-darifenacin to m₁ and m₃ was displaced by atropine (m₁ pK_i = 9.36, m₃ pK_i = 9.4), 4-DAMP (m₁ pK_i = 9.04, m₃ pK_i = 9.19), pirenzepine (m₁ pK_i = 8.63, m₃ pK_i = 6.85), methoctramine (m₁ pK_i = 7.28, m₃ pK_i = 6.63), and darifenacin (m₁ pK_i = 8.36, m₃ pK_i = 9.14), demonstrating that [³H]-darifenacin represents the first selective m₃ radioligand.     

Lobeline Displaces [3H]Dihydrotetrabenazine Binding and Releases [3H]Dopamine from Rat Striatal Synaptic Vesicles: Comparison with d-Amphetamine

Abstract: Lobeline, an alkaloid from Indian tobacco (Lobelia inflata), is classified as a nicotinic agonist and is currently used as a smoking cessation agent. However, our previous in vitro studies demonstrate that lobeline does not act as a nicotinic agonist but alters presynaptic dopamine (DA) storage by potently inhibiting DA uptake into synaptic vesicles. Recently, d-amphetamine has been reported to act at the level of the synaptic vesicle to alter presynaptic function. The present in vitro studies further elucidate the mechanism of lobeline's action and compare its effects with those of d-amphetamine. [³H]Dihydrotetrabenazine ([³H]DTBZ), used routinely to probe a high-affinity binding site on the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT2), bound to vesicle membranes from rat striatum with a K_D of 1.67 nM and B_max of 8.68 pmol/mg of protein. Lobeline inhibited [³H]DTBZ binding with an IC₅₀ of 0.90 µM, consistent with its previously reported IC₅₀ of 0.88 µM for inhibition of [³H]DA uptake into vesicles. These results suggest that lobeline specifically interacts with DTBZ sites on VMAT2 to inhibit DA uptake into synaptic vesicles. Interestingly, d-amphetamine inhibited [³H]DTBZ binding to vesicle membranes with an IC₅₀ of 39.4 µM, a concentration 20 times greater than reported for inhibition of VMAT2 function, suggesting that d-amphetamine interacts with a different site than lobeline on VMAT2 to inhibit monoamine uptake. Kinetic analysis of [³H]DA release from [³H]DA-preloaded synaptic vesicles in the absence of drug revealed a t_1/2 of 2.12 min. Lobeline and d-amphetamine evoked [³H]DA release with EC₅₀ values of 25.3 and 2.22 µM, respectively. At a concentration 10 times the EC₅₀, lobeline and d-amphetamine significantly decreased the t_1/2 of [³H]DA release to 1.58 and 1.48 min, respectively. Thus, in contrast to d-amphetamine, which is equipotent in inhibiting DA uptake and promoting release from the synaptic vesicles, lobeline more potently (28-fold) inhibits DA uptake (via an interaction with the DTBZ site on VMAT2) than it evokes DA release to redistribute presynaptic DA storage.     

Activity of Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors in Retinal Cells: Effect of Ascorbate/Fe2+-Induced Oxidative Stress

Abstract: The effect of oxidative stress induced by the oxidant pair ascorbate/Fe²⁺ on the activity of ionotropic glutamate receptors was studied in cultured chick retina cells. The release of [³H]GABA and the increase of the intracellular free Na⁺ concentration ([Na⁺]_i), evoked by glutamate receptor agonists, were used as functional assays for the activity of the receptors. The results show that the maximal release of [³H]GABA evoked by kainate (KA; ～20% of the total) or AMPA (～11% of the total) was not different in control and peroxidized cells, whereas the EC₅₀ values determined for peroxidized cells (33.6 ± 1.7 and 8.0 ± 2.0 µM for KA and AMPA, respectively) were significantly lower than those determined under control conditions (54.1 ± 6.6 and 13.0 ± 2.2 µM for KA and AMPA, respectively). The maximal release of [³H]GABA evoked by NMDA under K⁺ depolarization was significantly higher in peroxidized cells (7.5 ± 0.5% of the total) as compared with control cells (4.0 ± 0.2% of the total), and the effect of oxidative stress was significantly reduced by a phospholipase A₂ inhibitor or by fatty acid-free bovine serum albumin. The change in the intracellular [Na⁺]_i evoked by saturating concentrations of NMDA under depolarizing conditions was significantly higher in peroxidized cells (8.9 ± 0.6 mM) than in control cells (5.9 ± 1.0 mM). KA, used at a subsaturating concentration (35 µM), evoked significantly greater increases of the [Na⁺]_i in peroxidized cells (11.8 ± 1.7 mM) than in control cells (7.1 ± 0.8 mM). A saturating concentration (150 µM) of this agonist triggered similar increases of the [Na⁺]_i in control and peroxidized cells. Accordingly, the maximal number of binding sites for (+)-5-[³H]methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate ([³H]MK-801) was increased after peroxidation, whereas the maximal number of binding sites for [³H]KA was not affected by oxidative stress. These data suggest that under oxidative stress the activity of the ionotropic glutamate receptors is increased, with the NMDA receptor being the most affected by peroxidation.     

Solubilization of High-Affinity,Guanine Nucleotide-Sensitive μ-Opioid Receptors from Rat Brain Membranes

Abstract: High-affinity μ-opioid receptors have been solubilized from rat brain membranes. In most experiments, rats were treated for 14 days with naltrexone to increase the density of opioid receptors in brain membranes. Occupancy of the membrane-associated receptors with morphine during solubilization in the detergent 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethyl]-1-propane sulfonate appeared to stabilize the μ-opioid receptor. After removal of free morphine by Sephadex G50 chromatography and adjustment of the 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethyl]-1-propane sulfonate concentration to 3 mM, the solubilized opioid receptor bound [³H][d -Ala²,N-Me-Phe⁴,Gly-ol⁵]-enkephalin ([³H]DAMGO), a μ-selective opioid agonist, with high affinity (K_D = 1.90 ± 0.93 nM; B_max = 629 ± 162 fmol/mg of protein). Of the membrane-associated [³H]-DAMGO binding sites, 29 ± 7% were recovered in the solubilized fraction. Specific [³H]DAMGO binding was completely abolished in the presence of 10 µM guanosine 5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate). The solubilized receptor also bound [³H]diprenorphine, a nonselective opioid antagonist, with high affinity (K_D = 1.4 ± 0.39 nM, B_max = 920 ± 154 fmol/mg of protein). Guanosine 5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) did not diminish [³H]diprenorphine binding. DAMGO at concentrations between 1 nM and 1 µM competed with [³H]diprenorphine for the solubilized binding sites; in contrast, [d -Pen²,d -Pen⁵]-enkephalin, a δ-selective opioid agonist, and U50488H, a κ-selective opioid agonist, failed to compete with [³H]diprenorphine for the solubilized binding sites at concentrations of <1 µM. In the absence of guanine nucleotides, the DAMGO displacement curve for [³H]diprenorphine binding sites better fit a two-site than a one-site model with K_Dhigh = 2.17 ± 1.5 nM, B_max = 648 ± 110 fmol/mg of protein and K_Dlow = 468 ± 63 nM, B_max = 253 ± 84 fmol/mg of protein. In the presence of 10 µM guanosine 5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate), the DAMGO displacement curve better fit a one- than a two-site model with K_D = 815 ± 33 nM, B_max = 965 ± 124 fmol/mg of protein.     

Characterization of an Adenylate Cyclase-Linked Serotonin (5-HT1) Receptor in a Neuroblastoma × Brain Explant Hybrid Cell Line (NCB-20)

Clonal cell line NCB-20 (a hybrid of mouse neuroblastoma N18TG2 and Chinese hamster 18-day embryonic brain expiant) expressed both high- (K_D 180 nM) and low-affinity (>3000 nM) binding sites for [³H]serotonin (5-HT) which were absent from the parent neuroblastoma. The low-affinity binding site was eliminated by 1 μM spiperone. The order of drug potency for inhibition of high-affinity [³H]5-HT binding was consistent with a 5-HT₁ receptor (5,6 - dihydroxytryptamine = 5-HT = methysergide = 5-methoxytryptamine > cyproheptadine = clozapine = mianserin > spiperone > dopamine = morphine = ketanserin = norepinephrine). [³H]5-HT binding was inhibited by guanine nucleotides (e.g., GTP and Gpp(NH)p), whereas antagonist binding was not; as-corbate was also inhibitory. A 30-min exposure of cells to 1—2 μM 5-HT or other agonists produced a three- to fivefold stimulation of cyclic AMP levels. The order of potency for 5-HT agonist stimulation of basal cyclic AMP levels and 5-HT antagonist reversal of agonist-stimulated levels was the same as the order of drug potency for inhibition of high-affinity [³H]5-HT binding, suggesting linkage of the 5-HT₁ receptor to adenylate cyclase in NCB-20 cells.     

Interleukin-2 Modulates Evoked Release of [3H]Dopamine in Rat Cultured Mesencephalic Cells

Abstract: Mesencephalic cell cultures were used as a model to investigate the effects of interleukin-2 (IL-2) on evoked release of [³H]dopamine ([³H]DA) and γ-[³H]-aminobutyric acid ([³H]GABA). At low concentrations (10^?13-10^?12M), IL-2 potentiated [³H]DA release evoked by the excitatory amino acids N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and kainate, whereas higher IL-2 concentrations (10^?9-10^?8M) had no effect. IL-2 (10^?14-10^?8M) modulated K⁺-evoked [³H]DA release in a biphasic manner, with low concentrations (10^?12-10^?11M) of IL-2 potentiating and higher concentrations (10^?9-10^?8M) inhibiting K⁺-induced [³H]DA release. IL-2 (10^?14-10^?8M) by itself failed to alter spontaneous [³H]DA release. The inhibition by IL-2 of K⁺-evoked [³H]DA release was reversible and not due to neurotoxicity, as preexposure to IL-2 (10^?8M) had no significant effect on the subsequent ability of dopaminergic cells to take up and to release [³H]DA. Under our experimental conditions, IL-2 (10^?8 M) did not alter Ca²⁺-independent [³H]GABA release evoked by either K⁺ or NMDA. The results of this study indicate that IL-2 is able to potentiate [³H]DA release evoked by a number of different stimuli, including K⁺ depolarization and activation of both NMDA and non-NMDA receptor subtypes in mesencephalic cell cultures. IL-2 is active at very low concentrations, a finding that indicates a potent effect of IL-2 on dopaminergic neurons and implicates a physiological role for this cytokine in the modulation of DA release.     

Regulation of μ-Opioid Receptor in Neural Cells by Extracellular Sodium

Abstract: SH-SY5Y neural cells expressing μ- and δ-opioid receptors were maintained viable in isotonic, sodium-free buffer in vitro. Intracellular sodium levels were manipulated by various methods, and ligand binding to intact cells was studied. In physiological buffer containing 118 mM sodium, [³H]Tyr-d -Ala-Gly-(Me)Phe-Gly-ol ([³H]-DAMGO) and [³H]naltrexone bound to μ receptor with K_D values of 3.1 and 0.32 nM and B_max values of 94 and 264 fmol/mg of protein, respectively. Replacement of sodium by choline decreased the affinity of the antagonist and increased B_max for [³H]DAMGO, without significantly affecting the other corresponding binding parameters. Depolarizing concentrations of KCl (34 mM) in physiological buffer decreased the intracellular sodium levels by 67%, but this did not decrease the [³H]DAMGO binding to the cells. Incubation of cells with monensin and ouabain increased the intracellular sodium levels dramatically (from 78 to 250 and 300 nmol/mg, respectively), with no changes in agonist binding parameters. Ethylisopropylamiloride inhibited [³H]DAMGO and [³H]naloxone binding to intact cells with EC₅₀ values of 24 and 3,600 nM, respectively. Adenylyl cyclase activities measured in intact cells, at different concentrations of sodium, showed the physiological significance of this ion in signal transduction. Potency of DAMGO in inhibiting the forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity was significantly higher at lower concentrations of sodium. However, inhibition reached the maximal level only at 50 mM sodium, and typical sigmoidal dose-response curves were obtained only in the presence of 118 mM sodium. Furthermore, even at low or high intracellular sodium levels, DAMGO inhibition of cyclic AMP levels was normal. These results support a role for extracellular sodium in regulating not only the ligand interactions with the receptor, but also the signal transduction through the μ receptor.     

Characterization of (2S,2'R,3'R)-2-(2',3'-[3H]-Dicarboxycyclopropyl)glycine Binding in Rat Brain

Abstract: [(2S,2′R,3′R)-2-(2′,3′-[³H]Dicarboxycyclopropyl)glycine ([³H]DCG IV) binding was characterized in vitro in rat brain cortex homogenates and rat brain sections. In cortex homogenates, the binding was saturable and the saturation isotherm indicated the presence of a single binding site with a K_D value of 180 ± 33 nM and a B_max of 780 ± 70 fmol/mg of protein. The nonspecific binding, measured using 100 µM LY354740, was <30%. NMDA, AMPA, kainate, l (?)-threo-3-hydroxyaspartic acid, and (S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine were all inactive in [³H]DCG IV binding up to 1 mM. However, several compounds inhibited [³H]DCG IV binding in a concentration-dependent manner with the following rank order of potency: LY341495 = LY354740 > DCG IV = (2S,1′S,2′S)-2-(2-carboxycyclopropyl)glycine > (1S,3R)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid > (2S,1′S,2′S)-2-methyl-2-(2-carboxycyclopropyl)glycine > l -glutamate = ibotenate > quisqualate > (RS)-α-methyl-4-phosphonophenylglycine = l (+)-2-amino-3-phosphonopropionic acid > (S)-α-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine > (2S)-α-ethylglutamic acid > l (+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid. N-Acetyl-l -aspartyl-l -glutamic acid inhibited the binding in a biphasic manner with an IC₅₀ of 0.2 µM for the high-affinity component. The binding was also affected by GTPγS, reducing agents, and CdCl₂. In parasagittal sections of rat brain, a high density of specific binding was observed in the accessory olfactory bulb, cortical regions (layers 1, 3, and 4 > 2, 5, and 6), caudate putamen, molecular layers of the hippocampus and dentate gyrus, subiculum, presubiculum, retrosplenial cortex, anteroventral thalamic nuclei, and cerebellar granular layer, reflecting its preferential (perhaps not exclusive) affinity for pre- and postsynaptic metabotropic glutamate mGlu2 receptors. Thus, the pharmacology, tissue distribution, and sensitivity to GTPγS show that [³H]DCG IV binding is probably to group II metabotropic glutamate receptors in rat brain.     

Modeling of the Interaction of Na+ and K+ with the Binding of the Cocaine Analogue 3β-(4-[125I]Iodophenyl)tropane-2β-Carboxylic Acid Isopropyl Ester to the Dopamine Transporter

Abstract: The present study examines the interaction of Na⁺ and K⁺ with the binding of the cocaine analogue 3β-(4-[¹²⁵I]iodophenyl)tropane-2β-carboxylic acid isopropyl ester to dopamine transporters (DATs) in rat striatal synaptosomal membranes at 37°C. The binding increases with [Na⁺] from 10 to 100 mM and decreases with higher [Na⁺]. The presence of K⁺ reduces the maximal stimulatory effect of Na⁺ and causes a nonlinear EC₅₀ shift for Na⁺. K⁺ strongly inhibits the binding at low [Na⁺]. Increasing [Na⁺] produces a linear IC₅₀ shift for K⁺. Saturation analysis indicates a single binding site changing its affinity for the radioligand depending on [K⁺]/[Na⁺] ratio in the assay buffer. A reduced B_max was observed in the presence of 10 mM Na⁺ and 30 mM K⁺. Both high [Na⁺] and high [K⁺] accelerate the dissociation of the binding, and K⁺-induced acceleration was abolished by increasing [Na⁺]. Least squares model fitting of equilibrium data and kinetic analysis of dissociation rates reveal competitive interactions between Na⁺ and K⁺ at two sites allosterically linked on the DAT: One site mediates the stimulatory effect of Na⁺, and the other site involves the radioligand binding and the inhibitory effect of cations on the binding. Various uptake blockers and substrates, dopamine in particular, display reduced potency in inhibiting the binding at a higher [K⁺]/[Na⁺] ratio.     

High- and Low-Affinity α-[3H]Amino-3-Hydroxy-5-Methylisoxazole-4-Propionic Acid ([3H]AMPA) Binding Sites Represent Immature and Mature Forms of AMPA Receptors and Are Composed of Differentially Glycosylated Subunits

Abstract: Quantitative α-[³H]amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazole-4-propionic acid ([³H]AMPA) binding autoradiography was performed on frozen-thawed sections from rat brain after preincubation at 0 or 35°C for 1 h. Preincubation at 35°C instead of 0°C resulted in a selective decrease of [³H]AMPA binding assayed at a low concentration of [³H]-AMPA (50 nM) and an enhancement of binding at a high concentration (500 nM). The decrease in [³H]AMPA binding after preincubation at 35°C was accompanied with the loss of the lighter organelles of P3 (microsomal) fractions. These organelles were found to contain a small subpopulation of AMPA/GluR receptors exhibiting a high affinity for [³H]AMPA(K_D～14 nM), whereas heavier organelles exhibited lower affinity for AMPA (K_D～190 nM). This small subpopulation of AMPA/GluR receptors contained almost exclusively a structurally distinct species of GluR2/3 subunits with an apparent molecular mass of 103.5 kDa (assessed with anti-GluR2/3, C-terminal antibodies). Experiments using two deglycosylating enzymes, N-glycopeptidase F and endoglycosidase H, clearly indicated that the 103.5-kDa species represented a partially unglycosylated form of GluR2/3 subunits containing the high-mannose type of oligosaccharide moiety, whereas receptors present in synaptosomal fractions were composed of subunits with complex oligosaccharides. A similar result was obtained by using an antibody recognizing the N-terminal domain of GluR2(4). The same enzymatic treatment indicated that GluR1 subunits also exhibited a partially glycosylated form. These data indicate that high-affinity [³H]AMPA binding sites represent nonsynaptic, intracellular membrane-bound AMPA receptors that differ from synaptic receptors by at least the glycosylation state of GluR2 (and GluR1) subunits. In addition, our results provide a relatively simple way of assessing changes in two spatially and structurally distinct [³H]AMPA binding/GluR sites.     

Isolation of plasma membrane and binding of the Ca2+ antagonist nimodipine in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Chlorophyll-free plasma membranes of the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Dangeard were purified from a microsomal fraction using an aqueous polymer two-phase system of 6.5% (w/w) dextran T500, 6·5% (w/w) polyethylene glycol 3350, 60 mM NaCI, 0 33 M sucrose and 5 mM potassium phosphate (pH 7·8). The plasma membrane fraction contained only 2·4% of the microsomal membrane protein. Specific activity of the plasma membrane marker enzyme, K*, Mg²⁺-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3). was enriched 9-fold over the microsomal fraction, and 22% of total activity was recovered in the upper, polyethylene glycol-rich phase. Contamination from intracellular membranes was minimal. K*, Mg²⁺-ATPase showed a pH optimum at about 6·5, and addition of 0·05% (w/v) Triton X-100 stimulated the activity 3-fold. [³H]-Nimodipinc was employed to characterize 1,4-dihydropyridine-specific membrane receptors. Two apparent binding sites with different affinities to nimodipine were found in the crude microsomal fraction. The separation of plasma membranes from intracellular membranes revealed that one binding site with higher affinity (K_D= 9 nM) was located on the plasma membrane and a second binding site with lower affinity (K_D= 36 nM) on an intracellular membrane The apparent dissociation constants determined from the association and dissociation rate constants in kinetic experiments were comparable to those determined by equilibrium experiments. The maximum number of binding sites of the plasma membrane fraction and the intracellular membrane fraction was B_max= 440 and 470 fmol (mg protein)^-1, respectively. [³H]-Nimodipinc binding was inhibited by (±) verapamil and stimulated by D-cis-diltiazem in both fractions. Moreover, ethyle-neglycol-bis(2-aminoethylcther)-N, N'-tetraacctic acid (EGTA) inhibited [³H]-nimo-dipinc binding in the plasma membrane fraction but not in the intracellular membrane fraction This effect was cancelled by the addition of CaCl₂.     

Ecdysteroid receptors in a tumorous blood cell line of Drosophila melanogaster

The tumorous Drosophila melanogaster blood cell line BII has been studied for evidence for the presence of ecdysteroid receptors. The [³H]ponasterone A (pon A)* used in this study has been extensively purified, and the location of the tritium in the molecule has been partially determined. BII cells do not metabolise ecdysteroids. Intact cells demonstrate a considerable specific uptake of [³H]pon A which is saturable, apparently showing two specific components: a very high affinity component (K_D = 0.3 nM) and a high affinity component (K_D = 2 nM). The specific binding of [³H]pon A to whole cells is compatible with unlabelled ecdysteroids, but not with mammalian steroid hormones. The association rate constant (k_a) for [³H]pon A was determined to be 3 × 10⁷M^?1min^?1 at 21 °C, while the dissociation rate constant (k_d) for the specifically bound [³H]pon A was found to be 4.4 × 10^?3/min. Together, the kinetic rate constants yield a value of 0.15 nM for the K_D. The receptors have been partially characterised in a cell-free extract prepared by sonification of the cells. The optimum pH for extraction and hormone binding is 8.2. Scatchard plots of binding data indicate that the cell-free extract also contains two high affinity specific binding components (k_D = 0.1 nM and K_D = 1 nM). The hgih affinity binders are macromolecular, as shown by chromatography on Sephadex G-25, and are susceptible to protease digestion, heat, and treatment with N-ethylmaleimide. Sucrose density centrifugation of the labelled receptor shows one peak at approximately 6S. The stability of the receptor preparation has been studied and conditions have been empirically determined (10% w/v sucrose, 25 mM dithioerthreitol, and 10 mM citrate), whereby the binding capacity of the unlabelled receptor is stable for at least 8 weeks if frozen at ?20°C.