Binding of a thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 agonist [3H]U46619 to washed human platelets

The binding characteristics of [3H]U46619 to washed human platelets were studied. [3H]U46619 binding to washed human platelets was saturable and displaceable. Kinetic studies yielded a Kd of 11 +/- 4 nM (n = 4). Scatchard analysis of equilibrium binding studies revealed one class of high affinity binding sites with a Kd of 20 +/- 7 nM and a Bmax of 9.1 +/- 2.3 fmole/10(7) platelets (550 +/- 141 binding sites per platelet) (n = 4). A number of compounds that act as either agonists or antagonists of the TXA2/PGH2 receptor were tested for their ability to inhibit the binding of [3H]U46619 to washed human platelets. The Kds of the agonists and antagonists were similar to their potencies to induce or inhibit platelet aggregation. These data provide some evidence that [3H]U46619 binds to the putative human platelet TXA2/PGH2 receptor.     

Molecular pharmacology of the catecholamine transporter of chromaffin granules from the bovine adrenal medulla

Tetrabenazine (TBZ) and reserpine are two inhibitors of the catecholamine uptake system of the chromaffin granule membrane. They are structural analogs of the substrates dopamine and serotonin and they inhibit the monoamine transporter, which catalyzes a H+/neutral amine antiport. [3H]Dihydrotetrabenazine ([3H]TBZOH) is bound by chromaffin granule membranes on one class of site (T sites, KD = 3 nM); [3H]reserpine is bound on T sites and a second class of site (R1 sites, KD = 0.7 nM). The two sites are involved in monoamine translocation. The substrates displace the ligands with different efficiency: noradrenaline (Km = 10 microM) displaces reserpine efficiently (EC50 = 30 microM), but TBZOH poorly (EC50 = 2000 microM); m-iodobenzylguanidine, which has recently been shown to be a substrate of the monoamine uptake system (Km = 5 microM), displaces TBZOH efficiently (EC50 = 25 microM), but reserpine inefficiently (EC50 = 300 microM). Since both substrates are translocated by the same transporter, this result confirms the existence of two sites with different properties. T sites are characterized by a linear relationship between the reciprocal of the dissociation constants of various drugs displacing [3H]TBZOH and their partition coefficient in octanol/H2O mixtures. This relationship, which indicates a hydrophobic environment of T sites, does not exist for R1 sites. T sites have been identified by covalent labeling with a derivative of TBZ coupled to an arylazido group. The labeled sites are borne by a 65,000 dalton protein. The kinetics of reserpine binding are accelerated in the presence of ATP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

One-step purification of the serotonin transporter located at the human platelet plasma membrane.

A 68-kDa glycoprotein bearing the biological activity of the plasma membrane serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) transporter has been purified from human blood platelets, a classical cell model for the study of 5-HT uptake. After treatment of the whole platelet population or its plasma membrane fraction by sulfhydryl-dependent bacterial protein toxins or by digitonin, purification was reproducibly obtained by a one-step affinity chromatography using two different columns with 5-HT or 6-fluorotryptamine as ligands and elution by 5-HT or Na(+)-free buffer. The purified fraction migrated on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as a single band with an apparent molecular mass of 68 kDa and exhibited an apparent isoelectric point of 5.6-6.2. Two sialic acid residues were detected in the purified material. The purified glycoprotein bound the 5-HT uptake blocker [3H]paroxetine with a Kd (0.25 nM) similar to the one observed for intact human platelets. It also bound [3H] 5-HT but neither [3H]hydroxytetrabenazine nor [3H] ouabain, the respective markers of the granular monoamine transporter and of the Na+,K(+)-ATPase associated to the plasma membrane 5-HT transporter. 5-HT derivatives and 5-HT uptake inhibitors exhibited similar Ki values for 5-HT uptake and paroxetine binding in intact human platelets and in the purified glycoprotein. Under laser UV irradiation, 40% of this purified glycoprotein could be labeled by either [3H]paroxetine or [3H]cyanoimipramine. No labeling was detected with either [3H] gamma-aminobutyric acid or [3H]GBR 12783, the respective markers of gamma-aminobutyric acid and dopamine carriers. The purified 68-kDa protein is therefore likely to correspond at least to the binding domain of the 5-HT transporter located at the human platelet plasma membrane.     

High-affinity binding sites for PK 11195, but not for RO5-4864, in porcine aortic smooth muscle

Peripheral benzodiazepine (BZ) binding sites were characterized in porcine aortic smooth muscle membrane preparation. [3H]PK11195 bound with high affinity to the membranes (Kd = 8.6 + 0.9 nM), whereas [3H]Ro5-4864 bound slightly to the membranes. The Ki value of Ro5-4864 obtained from the inhibition of [3H]PK 11195 binding was 1200 + 200 nM, which was 480 times weaker than that obtained in rat kidney. Furthermore, the Ro5-4864 effect was temperature-insensitive. When [3H]PK 11195 binding was examined in porcine, human and rat platelets, Ro5-4864 inhibited the binding in porcine and human platelets one order of magnitude less potently than that in rat platelets. These results suggest that low affinity for Ro5-4864 in porcine aorta smooth muscle originates in porcine tissue, but not in smooth muscle.     

The sites of high affinity binding of L-[3H]glutamic acid in human platelets. A new type of platelet receptor?

The total membrane fraction of human platelets was found to contain high affinity sites of L-[3H]glutamic acid binding (Kd = 100 nM, Bmax = 1.06 pmol/mg protein). The pH optimum for binding is at pH approximately 6.9 Na+ (1-150 mM) inhibit glutamate binding by platelet membranes (IC50 = 12 mM). Ca2+ (50-100 microM) stimulate the binding by 10-20% and inhibit it by 20-30% at concentrations of 1-5 mM. Monoclonal antibodies to the glutamate receptor strongly suppress the L-[3H]glutamate binding by platelet membranes (IC50 = 300 nm). The presence in human platelets of a glutamate-sensitive receptor complex similar to the central nervous system glutamate receptor is postulated.     

DuP 753, the selective angiotensin II receptor blocker, is a competitive antagonist to human platelet thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 (TP) receptors.

DuP 753 is a potent, selective angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist. The possibility was investigated that DuP 753 may crossreact with thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 (TP) receptors. DuP 753 inhibited the specific binding of the TP receptor antagonist [3H]SQ 29,548 (5 nM) in human platelets with kd/slope factor values of 9.6 +/- 1.4 microM/1.1 +/- 0.02. The AT2-selective angiotensin receptor ligand, PD 123,177 was a very weak inhibitor of specific [3H]SQ 29,548 binding in platelets (Kd/slope factor:200 microM/0.86). [3H]SQ 29,548 saturation binding in the absence and presence of DuP 753 resulted in an increase in equilibrium affinity constant (Kd: 9.3, 22, 33 nM, respectively) without a concentration-dependent reduction in binding site maxima (Bmax: 3597, 4597, 3109 fmol/mg protein, respectively). Platelet aggregation induced by the TP receptor agonist U 46,619 was concentration-dependently inhibited by DuP 753 (IC50 = 46 microM). These data indicate for the first time that DuP 753 is a weak but competitive antagonist at human platelet TP receptors.     

Human apolipoprotein A-II: nucleotide sequence of a cloned cDNA, and localization of its structural gene on human chromosome 1

[3H]yohimbine, a potent and selective alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist was used to label alpha-adrenoceptors in intact human lymphocytes. Binding of [3H]yohimbine was rapid (t1/2 1.5 -2.0 min) and readily reversed by 10 microM phentolamine (t1/2 = 5 - 6 min) and of high affinity (Kd = 3.7 +/- 0.86 nM). At saturation, the total number of binding sites was 19.9 +/- 5.3 fmol/10(7) lymphocytes. Adrenergic agonists competed for [3H]yohimbine binding sites with an order of potency: clonidine greater than (-) epinephrine greater than (-) norepinephrine greater than (+) epinephrine much greater than (-) isoproterenol; adrenergic antagonists with a potency order of yohimbine greater than phentolamine greater than prazosin. These results indicate the presence of alpha 2-adrenoceptors in human lymphocytes.     

Temperature Dependence of Drug Interaction with the Platelet 5-Hydroxytryptamine Transporter: A Clue to the Imipramine Selectivity Paradox

Although [3H]imipramine is a selective radioligand for the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) transporter in human platelets, its affinity for binding to the 5-HT transporter complex at 0 degrees C (0.6 nM) is significantly higher than its potency for inhibition of [3H]5-HT uptake at the physiological temperature of 37 degrees C (Ki = 29 nM). As this apparent discrepancy could be related to the assay temperature, we studied the thermodynamics of drug interaction with the 5-HT transporter at assay temperatures between 0 degrees C and 37 degrees C, using as radioligands [3H]imipramine (0 degrees C and 20 degrees C) and [3H]paroxetine (20 degrees C and 37 degrees C), a newly available probe for the 5-HT transporter. At 20 degrees C, Ki values of 14 tricyclic and nontricyclic drugs for inhibition of [3H]imipramine and [3H]paroxetine binding to human platelet membranes were highly significantly correlated (r = 0.98, p less than 0.001), validating the use of these two radioligands to study the 5-HT transporter over a temperature range larger than was previously possible with [3H]imipramine alone. The affinity of imipramine for the 5-HT transporter is progressively enhanced with decreasing incubation temperature, thus favoring the selectivity of [3H]imipramine for the 5-HT transporter at 0 degrees C. At 37 degrees C, the Ki of imipramine for inhibition of [3H]paroxetine binding is 32 nM, and equals its Ki value for inhibition of 5-HT uptake into human platelets. With the exception of chlorimipramine, other tricyclic 5-HT uptake inhibitors showed a temperature sensitivity in their interaction with the 5-HT transporter similar to that of imipramine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Guanosine nucleotides regulate B2 kinin receptor affinity of agonists but not of antagonists: discussion of a model proposing receptor precoupling to G protein

The effect of nucleotides on binding of the B2 kinin (BK) receptor agonist [3H]BK and the antagonist [3H]NPC17731 to particulate fractions of human foreskin fibroblasts was studied. At 0 degrees C, particulate fractions exhibited a single class of binding sites with a Kd of 2.3 nM for [3H]BK and a Kd of 3.8 nM for the antagonist [3H]NPC17731. Incubation with radioligands at 37 degrees C for 5 min gave a reduction of agonist, as well as antagonist, binding that was between 0-40% depending on the preparation, even in the absence of guanosine nucleotides. As shown by Scatchard analysis, this reduction in specific binding was due to a shift in the affinity of at least a fraction of the receptors. The presence at 37 degrees C of the guanine nucleotides GTP, GDP and their poorly hydrolyzable analogs left [3H]NPC17731 binding unaffected, but reduced the receptor affinity for [3H]BK to a Kd of about 15 nM. The maximal number of receptors, however, was unchanged. This affinity change was strongly dependent on the presence of bivalent cations, in particular Mg2+. It was reversed by incubation at 0 degrees C. The rank order of the guanosine nucleotides for [3H]BK binding reduction was GTP[gammaS] = Gpp[NH]p > GTP = GDP > GDP[betaS]. GMP, ATP, ADP and AMP showed no influence on agonist binding. A model for the interaction of the B2 kinin receptor with G proteins is discussed.     

Characterization of the vesicular monoamine transporter in cultured rat sympathetic neurons: persistence upon induction of cholinergic phenotypic traits

The binding of [3H]dihydrotetrabenazine ([3H]TBZOH), a specific ligand of the reserpine-sensitive monoamine transporter in brain and adrenal medulla storage vesicles, has been measured in cultured sympathetic neurons from newborn rat in relation to their neurotransmitter phenotype. As shown previously, neurons cultured in the absence of muscle-conditioned medium displayed high activities in catecholamine synthesizing enzymes and low levels of choline acetyltransferase, and neurons cultured in conditioned medium displayed the reverse pattern (J. P. Swerts, A. Le Van Thai, A. Vigny, and M. J. Weber, Dev. Biol. 100, 1-11, 1983). The density of [3H]TBZOH binding sites as well as their subcellular distribution were identical in both types of cultures. Two other structures rich in choline acetyltransferase, the electric organ of Torpedo and the ciliary ganglion of the chick embryo did not contain measurable amounts of [3H]TBZOH binding sites, suggesting that the monoamine transporter is not an ubiquitous component of cholinergic synaptic vesicles. These data suggest that the synthesis of the monoamine transporter in sympathetic neurons is not coregulated with the syntheses of the three norpinephrine synthesizing enzymes. It is proposed that the same population of synaptic vesicles can accumulate acetylcholine or catecholamine, depending only upon which neurotransmitter synthesizing enzymes are expressed by sympathetic neurons.     

Modulation of A2A adenosine receptor(s) by K+(ATP) channels in bovine brain striatal membranes

The modulation of adenosine receptor with K+(ATP) channel blocker, glibenclamide, was investigated using the radiolabeled A2A-receptor selective agonist [3H]CGS 21680. Radioligand binding studies in bovine brain striatal membranes (BBM) indicated that unlabeled CGS 21680 displaced the bound [3H]CGS 21680 in a concentration-dependent manner with a maximum displacement being approximately 65% at 10(-4) M. In the presence of 10(-5) M glibenclamide, unlabeled CGS 21680 increased the displacement of bound [3H]CGS 21860 by approximately 28% at 10(-4) M. [3H]CGS 21680 bound to BBM in a saturable manner to a single binding site (Kd = 10.6+/-1.71 nM; Bmax = 221.4+/-6.43 fmol/mg of protein). In contrast, [3H]CGS 21680 showed saturable binding to two sites in the presence of 10(-5) M glibenclamide; (Kd = 1.3+/-0.22 nM; Bmax = 74.3+/-2.14 fmol/mg protein; and Kd = 8.9+/-0.64 nM; Bmax = 243.2+/-5.71 fmol/mg protein), indicating modulation of adenosine A2A receptors by glibenclamide. These studies suggest that the K+(ATP) channel blocker, glibenclamide, modulated the adenosine A2A receptor in such a manner that [3H]CGS 21680 alone recognizes a single affinity adenosine receptor, but that the interactions between K+(ATP) channels and adenosine receptors.     

Multiple affinity states of opiate receptor in neuroblastoma x glioma NG108-15 hybrid cells. Opiate agonist association rate is a function of receptor occupancy

The existence of multiple affinity states for the opiate receptor in neuroblastoma x glioma NG108-15 hybrid cells has been demonstrated by competition binding studies with tritiated diprenorphine and [D-Ala2, D-Leu5]enkephalin (DADLE). In the presence of 10 mM Mg2+, all receptors exist in a high affinity state with Kd = 1.88 +/- 0.16 nM. Addition of 10 microM guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) decreased the affinity of DADLE to Kd = 8.08 +/- 0.93 nM. However, in the presence of 100 mM Na+, which is required for opiate inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity, analysis of competition binding data revealed three sites: the first, consisting of 17.5% of total receptor population has a Kd = 0.38 +/- 0.18 nM; the second, 50.6% of the population, has a Kd = 6.8 +/- 2.2 nM; and the third, 31.9% of the population, has a Kd of 410 +/- 110 nM. Thus, in the presence of sodium, a high affinity complex between receptor (R), GTP binding component (Ni), and ligand (L) was formed which was different from that formed in the absence of sodium. These multiple affinity states of receptor in the hybrid cells are agonist-specific, and the percentage of total opiate receptor in high affinity state is relatively constant in various concentrations of Na+. Multiple affinity states of opiate receptor can be demonstrated further by Scatchard analysis of saturation binding studies with [3H]DADLE. In the presence of Mg2+, or Gpp(NH)p, analysis of [3H]DADLE binding demonstrates that opiate receptor can exist in a single affinity state, with apparent Kd values of [3H]DADLE in 10 mM Mg2+ = 1.75 +/- 0.28 nM and in 10 microM Gpp(NH)p = 0.85 +/- 0.12 nM. There is a reduction of Bmax value from 0.19 +/- 0.02 nM in the presence of Mg2+ to 0.14 +/- 0.03 nM in the presence of Gpp(NH)p. In the presence of 100 mM Na+, Scatchard analysis of saturation binding of [3H]DADLE reveals nonlinear plots; two-site analysis of the curves yields Kd = 0.43 +/- 0.09 and 7.9 +/- 3.2 nM. These Kd values are analogous to that obtained with competition binding studies. Again, this conversion of single site binding Scatchard plots to multiple sites binding plots in the presence of Na+ is restricted to 3H-agonist binding only.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Analysis of VMAT2 binding after methamphetamine or MPTP treatment: disparity between homogenates and vesicle preparations

[3H]Dihydrotetrabenazine ([3H]DTBZ), a specific ligand for the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT2), has been used to characterize the integrity of monoaminergic nerve terminals in experimental animals and humans. The purpose of the present studies was to compare the loss of VMAT2 binding with the loss of other neurochemical markers of the dopamine (DA) nerve terminals in mice treated with neurotoxic doses of methamphetamine (METH) or MPTP. Profound decreases (> or =70%) in DA content, tyrosine hydroxylase activity, and PH]carbomethoxy-3-(4-fluorophenyl)tropane binding to the DA transporter were observed in striatal homogenates at both 1 and 6 days after exposure to the neurotoxins. It is surprising that no significant loss of [3H]DTBZ binding in the homogenates was observed at 1 day after exposure, although a significant loss (-50%) was apparent 6 days later. However, in isolated vesicle preparations, [3H]DTBZ binding and active [3H]DA uptake were markedly reduced (>70%) at 1 day. These observations indicate that vesicle function is compromised at an early time point after exposure to neurotoxic insult. Furthermore, the changes in [H]DTBZ binding in homogenates may not be a sensitive indicator of early damage to synaptic vesicles, although homogenate binding reliably identifies a loss of VMAT2 at later times.     

Biochemical characterization of plasma membrane isolated from human skeletal muscle

Specific components of ion translocation systems were studied in excitable plasma membranes isolated from normal human muscle. Na+-K+ ATPase and ouabain-sensitive K+ phosphatase activities were 8.9 +/- 1 mumol Pi/h per mg protein and 96 +/- 9 nmol/min per mg protein, respectively. Scatchard analysis of equilibrium binding assays with [3H]ouabain showed non-linear curves consistent with high- and low-affinity sites (estimated Kd 3 nM and 0.22 microM). Two families of receptors with different affinities for a tritiated TTX derivative (estimated Kd 0.4 and 4 nM) were also identified suggesting the existence in human muscle of at least two classes of voltage-dependent Na+ channels. In addition (+)-[methyl-3H]PN200-110, a potent Ca2+ antagonist used for labeling voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, was observed to bind to a homogeneous population of receptors in the plasma membrane (Kd = 0.2 nM).     

Identification and characterization of the catecholamine transporter in bovine chromaffin granules using [3H]reserpine

Characterization of the catecholamine transporter in chromaffin granule membranes has been hampered by the lack of a radioligand with high specific activity which binds selectively to the carrier with high affinity. We report here the identification of a high affinity binding site for [3H]reserpine on chromaffin granule membranes isolated from bovine adrenal gland which has the characteristics expected of the catecholamine transporter. [3H]Reserpine bound predominately to a high affinity site with a Kd for [3H]reserpine of 9 nM and a binding site density of 7.8 pmol/mg of protein. Comparison of the characteristics of the high affinity reserpine binding site to the characteristics of catecholamine transport indicated that (a) the Ki and rank order of potency for inhibition of [3H]reserpine binding by various biogenic amines was similar to their Ki for inhibition of catecholamine transport (b) both the inhibition of (-)-[3H]norepinephrine transport and inhibition of [3H]reserpine binding showed similar stereo-specificity, and (c) Kd for binding of reserpine to chromaffin granule membranes was similar to the Ki for reserpine inhibition of catecholamine transport. These results demonstrate that the high affinity binding site for [3H]reserpine on chromaffin granule membranes is associated with the catecholamine transporter.     

Interactions of radiolabelled ligands with specific receptors: an analysis

The binding and displacement of beta-adrenoceptor blockers, [3H]propranolol ([3H]PRP) and [3H]dihydroalprenolol ([3H]DHA), were studied on isolated rat erythrocytes, their membranes and ghosts; the binding of [3H]DHA and a M-cholinoceptor blocker, [3H]quinuclidinylbenzylate ([3H]QNB), on cerebral cortex membranes. In all experiments, ligand-receptor interactions conformed to a model of two pools of receptors in the same effector system and the binding of two ligand molecules to the receptor. The results were similar for the displacement of [3H]PRP, [3H]DHA and [3H]QNB with propranolol, dihydroalprenolol and quinuclidinyl-benzylate, respectively. The parameters of [3H]PRP to beta-adrenoceptor binding for intact erythrocytes were: Kd1 = 0.74+/-0.07 nM, Kd2 = 14.40+/-0.41 nM, B1 = 24+/-2 unit/cell, B2 = 263+/-5 unit/cell; for ghosts, Kd1 = 0.70+/-0.17 nM, Kd2 = 19.59+/-2.59 nM, B1 = 9+/-1 fmol/mg protein, B2 = 39+/-4 fmol/mg protein. Receptor affinities were similar in erythrocytes and ghosts; on the ghost membrane, the number of receptors was considerably lower (B1 = 2 unit/cell, B2 = 6 unit/cell). The parameters of [3H]QNB to M-cholinoceptor binding of the cerebral cortex membrane were the following: Kd1 = 0.43 nM, Kd2 = 2.83 nM, B1 = 712 fmol/mg, B2 = 677 fmol/mg.     

Vesicular monoamine transporters heterologously expressed in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae display high-affinity tetrabenazine binding

A mammalian vesicular neurotransmitter transporter has been expressed in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The gene encoding the rat vesicular monoamine transporter (rVMAT(1)) was cloned in several expression plasmids. The transporter was expressed at detectable levels only when short sequences using codons favored by S. cerevisiae were fused preceding the start of translation of rVMAT(1). The scarce expression of the wild-type protein was, most likely, due to the fact that part of the N-terminus of the protein is encoded by codons not preferred in S. cerevisiae. Furthermore, low growth temperatures increased rVMAT(1) expression and altered its processing. Whereas at 30 degrees C the protein is not glycosylated, at lower temperatures ( approximately 16 degrees C) half of the expressed transporters undergo core glycosylation. In addition, under these conditions the levels of protein expression significantly increase. Using a functional chimeric protein composed by VMAT and the green fluorescent protein (GFP), it is shown that the punctate pattern of intracellular distribution remains invariable at the different temperatures. Using a similar fusion sequence, the bovine VMAT isoform 2 (bVMAT(2)) was also expressed in yeast. The yeast-expressed bVMAT(2) binds [(3)H]dihydrotetrabenazine ([(3)H]TBZOH) with the same characteristics found in the native protein from bovine chromaffin granules. Dodecyl maltoside-solubilized bVMAT(2) retains the conformation required for [(3)H]TBZOH binding. We exploited the robust binding to follow the transporter during purification assays on a Ni(2+)-chelating column. In this report we describe for the first time the heterologous expression of a neurotransmitter transporter in the yeast S. cerevisiae.     

Evaluation of prostaglandin-receptors in human and rat liver: interspecies differences at the prostaglandin receptor-level

The properties of PGE1-, PGE2- and iloprost (stable PGI2-analogue)-binding sites on normal human and rat liver surface cell membranes were investigated. The specific binding of [3H]PGE1 to human (rat) liver surface cell membranes could be displaced most effectively by unlabeled PGE1 (IC-50:2.5 +/- 1.7, (6.1 +/- 2.1) microM) and the specific binding of [3H]PGE2 by unlabeled PGE2 (IC-50: 1.9 +/- 0.9 (2.0 +/- 0.8) microM. The Scatchard analysis on [3H]PGE1- as well as on [3H]iloprost-binding was curvilinear whereas it was clearly linear on [3H]PGE2-binding in both the species. The high-affinity [3H]PGE1-sites showed a Bmax of 36.3 +/- 5.2 (21.3 +/- 4.3) fmol/mg protein and a Kd of 2.1 +/- 1.8 (1.9 +/- 0.7) nM, the low-affinity [3H]PGE1-sites a Bmax of 93.4 +/- 18.2 (86.1 +/- 13.2) fmol/mg protein and a Kd of 10.5 +/- 2.9 (15.1 +/- 3.2) nM. The high-affinity [3H]iloprost-sites exhibited a Bmax of 71.4 +/- 13.9 (35.9 +/- 8.2) fmol/mg protein and a Kd of 4.1 +/- 1.2 (1.7 +/- 1.8) nM, the low-affinity [3H]iloprost-sites a Bmax of 217.3 +/- 42.1 (142.9 +/- 17.8) fmol/mg protein and a Kd of 16.3 +/- 4.9 (9.2 +/- 7.2) nM. The [3H]PGE2-sites showed a Bmax of 135.4 +/- 51.9 (38.8 +/- 7.4) fmol/mg protein and a Kd of 16.2 +/- 3.2 (2.5 +/- 1.2) nM. It is assumed that prostaglandins of the E-series are promising substances in the regulation of human and rat liver function since liver cells are able to bind reasonable amounts of these substances in a high affinity manner. However, interspecies differences in the affinity of the prostaglandins to their receptor-sites make it strange to assume that the same biological findings claimed several times for the rat liver are relevant for human too.     

Reserpine binding to chromaffin granules suggests the existence of two conformations of the monoamine transporter

The binding of [3H]reserpine ([3H]RES) to purified bovine chromaffin granule membranes has been studied at low membrane concentration. Saturation isotherms indicated a dissociation equilibrium constant KD of 30 pM and a density of binding sites of 8 pmol/mg of protein at 30 degrees C. The association rate constant was 4.0 X 10(5) M-1 s-1, and the calculated dissociation rate constant was 1.2 X 10(-5) s-1, corresponding to a half-lifetime of about 16 h. Although this dissociation was too low to be measured directly, [3H]RES binding was indeed reversible since it was lost after addition of the detergent Triton X-100. Dihydrotetrabenazine (TBZOH) inhibited [3H]RES binding in a time-dependent manner, EC50 varying from 37 nM after a 1-h incubation to 600 nM after 16 h. On the contrary, [3H]RES binding inhibition by the substrate noradrenaline was time independent. It is proposed that the transporter exists in two different conformations which bind exclusively either tetrabenazine (TBZ) or RES and which are in equilibrium. The effects of detergents were consistent with this two-conformation model. The transporter solubilized by cholate bound [3H]TBZOH, but not [3H]RES. On the other hand, addition of cholate to membrane-bound [3H]RES solubilized the membrane without releasing the ligand from its binding site. It is proposed that the TBZ-binding conformation is obtained by solubilization with cholate and that RES stabilizes the RES-binding conformation, allowing its solubilization by this detergent.