Effects of Nucleotides on [3H]Bradykinin Binding in Guinea Pig: Further Evidence for Multiple B2 Receptor Subtypes

Abstract: We have suggested recently the existence of three subtypes of B₂ bradykinin receptors in tissues of guinea pigs. We have classified these B₂ bradykinin receptors into B_2a, B_2b, and B_2c subtypes depending on their affinity for various bradykinin antagonists. Because the actions of bradykinin in different cell systems appear to be both dependent on and independent of G proteins, we sought to determine whether the binding of [³H]bradykinin to the B₂ subtypes is sensitive to guanine nucleotides and, therefore, possibly coupled to G proteins. In the ileum, where we have demonstrated B_2a and B_2b subtypes, specific [³H]bradykinin binding was reduced with GDP (100 μM) and the nonmetabolized analogue of GTP, guanyl-5′-yl-imidodiphosphate (GppNHp; 100 μM). Competition studies with bradykinin and with [Hyp³]-bradykinin, which shows approximately 20-fold greater selectivity for the B_2a subtype than bradykinin, were performed in the presence or absence of GppNHp (100 μM). The competition experiments demonstrated that binding to the B_2a subtype, which has higher affinity for [Hyp³]-bradykinin and bradykinin than the B_2b subtype, was lost in the presence of GppNHp, whereas binding to the B_2b subtype was unaffected. In contrast, GppNHp (100 μM) and GDP (100 μM) failed to alter specific [³H]bradykinin binding to B_2b and B_2c subtypes in lung. [³H]Bradykinin binding was unaffected by AMP, ADP, ATP, and GMP (100 μM each). Based on this evidence, we suggest that the B_2a bradykinin subtype is coupled to G proteins. The B_2b and B_2c subtypes are either not coupled to G proteins, or may be coupled to the G^o-type GTP binding proteins, which have been suggested to be less sensitive to guanine nucleotides. These data provide further evidence for three subtypes of B₂-type bradykinin receptors in guinea pig.