Ontogenetic development of mRNA levels and binding sites of hepatic beta-adrenergic receptors in cattle

Catecholamines regulate glucose metabolism and affect hepatic glucose production mainly through beta2-adrenergic receptors. The hypothesis was tested that gene expression and numbers of hepatic beta-adrenergic receptors in calves are influenced by age. Examined developmental stages included pre-term (P0) and full-term (F0) calves immediately after birth, full-term calves on day 5 of life (F5), and veal calves (VC) at the age of 159 days. Expression of beta1-, beta2-, and beta3-adrenergic receptor mRNA was measured by real-time PCR. Receptor binding was quantified by saturation binding assays using (3H)-CGP-12177 as a ligand. Abundance of mRNA differed among beta-adrenergic subtypes (beta2 > beta1 > beta3; P < 0.01). Beta3-adrenergic receptor mRNA was undetectable in VC. mRNA abundance for beta2-adrenergic receptors was higher (P < 0.05) in VC than P0 and for beta3-adrenergic receptors was higher (P < 0.001) in F5 than P0. Binding studies revealed most binding of (3H)-CGP-12177 to beta2-adrenergic receptors, which were highest in VC (P < 0.001) and higher (P < 0.05) in F5 than P0. Binding sites correlated positively with mRNA levels of beta2-adrenergic receptors (r = 0.67; P < 0.001), with hepatic activities of phosphoenolpyruvate kinase (r = 0.73; P < 0.001) and with pyruvate kinase (r = 0.4; P < 0.05), and with plasma glucose concentrations (r = 0.5; P < 0.01). In conclusion, mRNA of all three beta-adrenergic receptor subtypes were found in liver, with beta2-adrenergic receptors being the dominant subtype. Numbers of beta2-adrenergic receptors increased with age and were mainly regulated at the transcriptional level. Numbers of beta-adrenergic receptors were positively associated with hepatic activities of gluconeogenetic enzymes and with plasma glucose levels, suggesting functional importance.

Evidence for two atypical conformations of beta-adrenoceptors and their interaction with Gi proteins

In this study, we investigated whether the responses of right atria from sinoaortic denervated rats to CGP12177 (4(3-t-butylamino-2-hydroxypropoxy benzidimidazole-2 one, hydrochloride)), isoprenaline and norepinephrine desensitized in parallel and whether CGP12177 interacted with distinct conformations of beta-adrenoceptors. Right atria from rats 48 h after sinoaortic denervation were subsensitive to isoprenaline, norepinephrine and CGP12177. One week after sinoaortic denervation, the sensitivity to CGP12177 had recovered whereas the responses to isoprenaline and norepinephrine were still subsensitive, suggesting that the binding sites for these molecules showed independent behavior. In atria from 48 h sinoaortic-denervated rats, propranolol or 3 microM CGP20712A (2-hydroxy-5(2-((2-hydroxy-3-(4-((methyl-4-trifluormethyl)1H imidazole-2-yl)-phenoxypropyl) amino) ethoxy)-benzamide monomethane sulphonate)) blocked the responses to 10 nM-1 microM CGP12177 and steepened the curves. The concentration-response curves to CGP12177 in the presence of ICI118,551 (erythro-DL-1(-methylindan-4-yloxy)-3-isopropylamino-butan-2-ol) were biphasic, suggesting that CGP12177 interacted with at least two conformations of beta-adrenoceptors that showed negative cooperativism, one acting through beta(2)-adrenoceptor-Gi and the other via beta(1)-adrenoceptor-Gs. This hypothesis was confirmed in right atria from sinoaortic-denervated rats treated with pertussis toxin.

[The relationship between expressions of beta1-, beta2-, beta3-adrenoceptor mRNA of myocardium and cardiac function in patients with heart failure]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the alteration of expressions of beta(1)-, beta(2)-, beta(3)-adrenoceptor mRNA in human myocardial tissue and the relation between their expressions and cardiac function in patient with heart failure.

METHODS

The mRNA expressions of beta(1)-, beta(2)- and beta(3)-adrenergic receptors in myocardial tissue were analyzed by using the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in 24 patients with heart failure of valvular heart disease and 5 control subjects.

RESULTS

Beta(1)-adrenergic receptor mRNA expressions in myocardium were significantly lower in patients with heart failure than those in control subjects, and progressively reduced with aggravation of heart function. By contrast, beta(3)-adrenoceptor mRNA expressions were significantly higher in patients with heart failure than those in controls, and progressively elevated with aggravation of cardiac function. No difference was observed in beta(2)-adrenergic receptor among all groups.

CONCLUSION

The changes of beta-adrenergic receptor mRNA expression are associated with the severity of heart failure.

Change in β1-adrenergic receptor protein concentration in adipose tissue correlates with diet-induced weight loss

The aim of the present study was to examine gene expression and protein concentrations of β1- and β2-adrenergic receptors in subcutaneous adipose tissue in obese subjects in response to weight loss. Eighteen obese subjects were studied during diet-induced weight loss. β-Adrenergic receptor mRNA levels were quantified by reverse transcription-PCR–HPLC. β-Adrenergic receptor protein concentrations were measured by Western blotting using fluorescence laser scanning for detection. Subjects lost 12.8±0.8 kg (mean±S.E.M.) during diet treatment. There was a 34% decrease in the β1-adrenergic receptor mRNA level (0.92±0.09 compared with 0.61±0.06 amol/μg of DNA; P<0.002). β2-Adrenergic receptor mRNA did not decrease significantly. β2-Adrenergic receptor protein concentration decreased 37% (25.5±7.1 compared with 16.0±5.6 arbitrary units/ng of DNA; P=0.008), whereas β1-adrenergic receptor protein concentration did not decrease significantly. The degree of weight loss was correlated with the concentration of β1-adrenergic receptor protein (r=0.65, P<0.003) and changes in receptor protein concentration (r=0.50, P=0.035) during the very-low-calorie diet. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates a relationship between β1-adrenergic receptor protein concentration in adipose tissue and the degree of weight loss. This relationship is not directly related to energy expenditure and deserves further investigation.

Pharmacological modulation of the hyperpolarization-activated current (If) in human atrial myocytes: focus on G protein-coupled receptors

AIMS

In human atrial myocytes (HuAM) two beta-adrenergic receptors (beta-AR) and four splicing-variants of the serotonin 5-HT(4) receptor are present. Multiple coupling with G stimulatory (G(s)) and G inhibitory (G(i)) proteins has been proposed for both beta(2)-AR and 5-HT((4b)) subtypes, but no functional data exist in HuAM. Serotonin (5-HT) and catecholamines are able to trigger arrhythmias in human atrium, but the underlying cellular mechanisms are not completely understood. The pacemaker current (I(f)) is an inward Na(+)/K(+) current, constitutively present in HuAM and directly modulated by cAMP; I(f) could play a role in triggering human atrial arrhythmias. This study evaluated the different G protein coupling of beta(1)-AR, beta(2)-AR and 5-HT(4) receptors by assessing the modulation of I(f) by selective stimuli.

METHODS

HuAM were isolated from right atrial appendages and utilized for patch-clamp recording. The coupling of receptor subtypes with G(i) proteins was tested by incubating HuAM in pertussis toxin (PTX).

RESULTS

Beta(1)-AR stimulation (Isoprenaline [ISO] + ICI 118,551), and 5-HT caused a concentration-dependent significant shift of the half activation potential of I(f) activation curve (DeltaV(h)), P < 0.01. beta(2)-AR stimulation (ISO 1 microM + CGP 20712A) also significantly shifted V(h) (P < 0.0001), but with DeltaV(h)[beta(2)-AR] significantly smaller than the effect caused by 1 microM beta(1)-AR stimulation (P < 0.05). Pre-treatment of HuAM with PTX did not alter the effect of beta(1)-AR stimulation (both 0.1 and 1 microM) and 1 microM 5-HT on I(f), but significantly increased the effect in response to beta(2)-AR stimulation and 0.1 microM 5-HT (P < 0.05 for both), thus suggesting a G(i) protein coupling of these receptors.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide the first functional evidence of the different G protein coupling of beta(1)-AR, beta(2)-AR and 5-HT(4) receptors in HuAM. Further they support the view that I(f) current might play an important role in triggering catecholamines and serotonin-induced atrial arrhythmias.

PKA-mediated phosphorylation of the beta1-adrenergic receptor promotes Gs/Gi switching

Recently, it has been shown that PKA-mediated phosphorylation of the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor (beta(2)-AR) by the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) reduces its affinity for G(s) and increases its affinity for G(i). Here we demonstrate that, like the beta(2)-AR, the beta(1)-AR is also capable of "switching" its coupling from G(s) to G(i) in a PKA-dependent manner. The beta(1)-AR is capable of activating adenylate cyclase via G(s), and can also activate the extracellular-regulated kinases, p44 and p42 (ERK1/2). In transfected CHO cells, the observed beta(1)-AR-mediated activation of ERK is both sensitive to pertussis toxin (PTX), indicating involvement of G(i)/G(o), and to the PKA inhibitor, H-89. beta(1)-ARs with PKA phosphorylation sites mutated to alanines are unable to activate ERK. Mutating these same residues to aspartic acid, mimicking PKA phosphorylation, leads to a decrease in G(s)-stimulated cAMP accumulation and an increase in PTX-sensitive ERK activation. These results strongly support the hypothesis that the beta(1)-AR, like the beta(2)-AR, can undergo PKA-dependent "G(s)/G(i) switching".

Site-directed mutagenesis of the rat beta1-adrenoceptor. Involvement of Tyr356 (7.43) in (+/-)cyanopindolol but not (+/-)[125Iodo]cyanopindolol binding

To determine the role played by Tyr(356 (7.43)) in the rat beta(1)-adrenoceptor in binding the antagonists (+/-)cyanopindolol (4-[3-(t-butylamino]-3-(2'-cyano-indoloxy)-2-propanolol) and its iodinated analogue (+/-)[(125)Iodo]cyanopindolol (1-(t-butylamino]-3-(2'-cyano-3'-iodo-indoloxy)-2-propanolol), Tyr(356 (7.43)) was mutated to either Phe or Ala and binding affinities determined for wild type and mutant rat beta(1)-adrenoceptors. Our results indicate that Tyr(356 (7.43)) is important for (+/-)cyanopindolol, but not (+/-)[(125)Iodo]cyanopindolol, binding and that (+/-)cyanopindolol adopts a "reverse" binding orientation whereas (+/-)[(125)Iodo]cyanopindolol cannot be accommodated in this binding mode. We define a "reverse" antagonist binding mode as one where the aryloxy moiety interacts with residues on transmembrane helices 1, 2, 3 and 7. The beta(1)-adrenoceptor site-directed mutagenesis results are the first to support a "reverse" antagonist binding orientation and the involvement of Tyr(356 (7.43)) in this binding mode.

Localization of beta1-adrenergic receptors in the cochlea and the vestibular labyrinth

Sympathetic activation in a "fight or flight reaction" may put the sensory systems for hearing and balance into a state of heightened alert via beta1-adrenergic receptors (beta1-AR). The aim of the present study was to localize beta1-AR in the gerbil inner ear by confocal immunocytochemistry, to characterize beta1-AR by Western immunoblots, and to identify beta1-AR pharmacologically by measurements of cAMP production. Staining for beta1-AR was found in strial marginal cells, inner and outer hair cells, outer sulcus, and spiral ganglia cells of the cochlea, as well as in dark, transitional and supporting cells of the vestibular labyrinth. Receptors were characterized in microdissected inner ear tissue fractions as 55 kDa non-glycosylated species and as 160 kDa high-mannose-glycosylated complexes. Pharmacological studies using isoproterenol, ICI-118551 and CGP-20712A demonstrated beta1-AR as the predominant adrenergic receptor in stria vascularis and organ of Corti. In conclusion, beta1-AR are present and functional in inner ear epithelial cells that are involved in K+ cycling and auditory transduction, as well as in neuronal cells that are involved in auditory transmission.

Beta-arrestin2 enhances beta2-adrenergic receptor-mediated nuclear translocation of ERK

Beta-arrestin mediates desensitization and internalization of beta-adrenergic receptors (betaARs), but also acts as a scaffold protein in extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) cascade. Thus, we have examined the role of beta-arrestin2 in the betaAR-mediated ERK signaling pathways. Isoproterenol stimulation equally activated cytoplasmic and nuclear ERK in COS-7 cells expressing beta1AR or beta2AR. However, the activity of nuclear ERK was enhanced by co-expression of beta-arrestin2 in beta2AR-but not beta1AR-expressing cells. Pertussis toxin treatment and blockade of Gbetagamma action inhibited beta-arrestin2-enhanced nuclear activation of ERK, suggesting that beta-arrestin2 promotes nuclear ERK localization in a Gbetagamma dependent mechanism upon receptor stimulation. beta2AR containing the carboxyl terminal region of beta1AR lost the beta-arrestin2-promoted nuclear translocation. As the carboxyl terminal region is important for beta-arrestin binding, these results demonstrate that recruitment of beta-arrestin2 to carboxyl terminal region of beta2AR is important for ERK localization to the nucleus.

Synthesis and first in vivo evaluation of new selective high affinity beta1-adrenoceptor radioligands for SPECT based on ICI 89,406

The results of cardiac biopsies suggest that myocardial beta1-adrenoceptor (AR) density is reduced in patients with chronic heart failure, while changes in cardiac beta2-ARs vary. A technique for visualization and quantification of beta1-AR populations rather than total beta-AR densities in the human heart would be of great clinical interest. Molecular imaging techniques, either single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET), with appropriate radiopharmaceuticals offer the possibility to assess beta-AR density noninvasively in humans, but to date, neither a SPECT nor a PET-radioligand is clinically established for the selective imaging of cardiac beta1-ARs. The aim of this study was to design a high affinity selective beta1-AR radioligand for the noninvasive in vivo imaging of cardiac beta1-AR density in man using SPECT. Based on the well-known selective beta1-AR antagonist, ICI 89,406, both the racemic iodinated target compound 11a and the (S)-enantiomer 15a were synthesized. Competition studies using the nonselective AR ligand, [(125)I]iodocyanopindolol ([(125)I]ICYP), and ventricular membrane preparations from mice showed that 11a and 15a possess higher beta1-AR affinities (up to 265-fold) and beta1-AR selectivities (up to 245-fold) than ICI 89,406. Encouraged by these results, the radioiodinated counterparts of racemic 11a (11b: (125)I, 11c: (123)I) and (S)-configurated 15a (15b: (125)I, 15c: (123)I) were synthesized. The target compounds were evaluated in rats. Biodistribution and metabolism studies in rats indicated that there is a specific heart uptake of 11b-c and especially 15b-c accompanied by rapid metabolism of the radioligands. Therefore, radioiodinated 11c and 15c appeared to be unpromising SPECT-radioligands for assessing beta1-ARs in vivo in the rat. However, the rat may metabolize beta-AR ligands more rapidly than other species as demonstrated for (S)-[(11)C]CGP 12177, a radioligand structurally related to 11a-c and 15a-c. Therefore further studies in a different animal model will be carried out.

Neuroendocrine properties of intrinsic cardiac adrenergic cells in fetal rat heart

Intrinsic cardiac adrenergic (ICA) cells in developing rat heart constitute a novel adrenergic signaling system involved in cardiac regulation. Regulatory mechanisms of ICA cells remain to be defined. Immunohistochemical study of fetal rat hearts demonstrated ICA cells with catecholamine biosynthetic enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT). The mRNA of TH and PNMP was also detected in fetal rat hearts before sympathetic innervation. Immunoreactivity of norepinephrine transporter (NET) was localized to ICA cells in rat heart tissue and primary cell culture. For the functional study, the activity of intracellular Ca2+concentration ([Ca2+]i) transients was quantified by a ratio fluorescent spectrometer in cultured ICA cells and myocytes. ICA cells generated spontaneous [Ca2+]itransients that were eliminated by tetrodotoxin or Ca2+-free solutions and showed greatly reduced amplitude with the addition of L-type Ca2+channel blocker nifedipine. [3H]norepinephrine studies demonstrate release and uptake of norepinephrine. Functional interaction between catecholamines produced by the ICA cells and cocultured myocytes was evident by the effect of the β-adrenergic blocker atenolol eliciting a dose-dependent reduction in the amplitude and frequency of [Ca2+]itransients of beating myocytes. Hypoxia inhibited [Ca2+]itransient activity of ICA cells, which subsequently produced a reoxygenation-mediated rebound augmentation of [Ca2+]itransients. We conclude that ICA cells are capable of catecholamine synthesis, release, and uptake. They generate spontaneous [Ca2+]itransient activity that can be regulated by oxygen tension. ICA cells may provide an alternative adrenergic supply to maintain cardiac contractile and pacemaker function at rest and during stress in the absence of sympathetic innervation.

The 15-amino acid motif of the C terminus of the beta2-adrenergic receptor is sufficient to confer insulin-stimulated counterregulation to the beta1-adrenergic receptor

Insulin counterregulates catecholamine action in part by inducing the sequestration of beta2-adrenergic receptors. Although similar to agonist-induced sequestration, insulin-induced internalization of beta2-adrenergic receptors operates through a distinct and better-understood cellular pathway. The effects of insulin treatment on the function and trafficking of both beta1- and beta2-adrenergic receptors were tested. The beta2-adrenergic receptors were counterregulated and internalized in response to insulin. The beta1-adrenergic receptors, in sharp contrast, are shown to be resistant to the ability of insulin to counterregulate function and induce receptor internalization. Using chimeric receptors composed of beta1-/beta2-adrenergic receptors in tandem with mutagenesis, we explored the role of the C-terminal cytoplasmic tail of the beta2-adrenergic receptors for insulin-induced counterregulation. Substitution of the C-terminal cytoplasmic tail of the beta2-adrenergic receptor on the beta1-adrenergic receptor enabled the chimeric G protein-coupled receptor to be functionally and spatially regulated by insulin. Truncation of the beta2-adrenergic receptor C-terminal cytoplasmic tail to a 15-amino acid motif harboring a potential Src homology 2-binding domain at Y350 and an Akt phosphorylation site at S345,346 was sufficient to enable receptor regulation by insulin.

Early developmental 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin exposure decreases chick embryo heart chronotropic response to isoproterenol but not to agents affecting signals downstream of the beta-adrenergic receptor

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) causes cardiovascular toxicity in laboratory animals, including alteration in several processes in which beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) signaling plays important roles. Thus, our laboratory investigated the effects of TCDD on beta-AR expression and signal transduction. Fertile chicken eggs were injected with vehicle (corn oil), 0.24 or 0.3 pmol TCDD/g egg on incubation day 0 (D0) or D5. On D10, heart function was assessed by ECG in ovo. Exposure to TCDD increased the incidence of arrhythmias and decreased the positive chronotropic responsiveness of the heart to isoproterenol. The reduced beta-AR responsiveness was, in part, independent of any overt morphological changes in the heart as chick embryos exposed to TCDD on D5 displayed an intermediate responsiveness to beta-AR agonist in the absence of the dilated cardiomyopathy observed in chick embryos exposed to TCDD on D0. TCDD did not decrease the chronotropic response of the heart to agents that stimulate signals downstream of the beta-AR. In fact, TCDD-exposed embryos were more sensitive than controls to forskolin, increasing heart rates (HR) 21.8 +/- 3.5 beats per min (bpm) above baseline versus control values at 6.3 +/- 2.7 bpm above baseline. TCDD exposure also augmented the negative chronotropic response of the heart to verapamil, decreasing HR -23.2 +/- 7.4 bpm relative to baseline versus control embryos at -12.7 +/- 5.9 bpm below baseline. Finally, the mean cardiac beta1-AR mRNA expression in D10 embryos was not significantly altered by exposure to TCDD on D0. These findings establish that a functional end point of the developing chick heart is sensitive to TCDD exposure and that the TCDD-induced reduction in beta-AR responsiveness may result from alterations in signal transduction upstream of adenylyl cyclase.

Interaction with Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator-associated Ligand (CAL) Inhibits β1-Adrenergic Receptor Surface Expression

G protein-coupled receptors such as the beta1-adrenergic receptor (beta1AR) must be trafficked to the plasma membrane in order to bind with their extracellular ligands and regulate cellular physiology. By using glutathione S-transferase pull-down techniques, we found that the beta1AR carboxyl terminus directly interacts with the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator-associated ligand (CAL; also known as PIST, GOPC, and FIG), a protein known to be primarily localized to the Golgi apparatus. CAL contains two predicted coiled-coil domains and one PSD-95/Discs-large/ZO-1 homology (PDZ) domain. The beta1AR carboxyl terminus (CT) binds to the PDZ domain of CAL, with the last few amino acids (ESKV) of the beta1AR-CT being the key determinants for the interaction. Mutation of the terminal valine residue resulted in markedly reduced association of the beta1AR-CT with CAL. Numerous other mutations to the ESKV motif also impaired the beta1AR-CT/CAL interaction, suggesting that this motif is close to optimal for association with the CAL PDZ domain. In cells, full-length beta1AR robustly associates with CAL, and this interaction is abolished by mutation of the terminal valine to alanine of the receptor (V477A), as determined by co-immunoprecipitation experiments and immunofluorescence co-localization studies. Consistent with observations that CAL is a Golgi-associated protein, overexpression of CAL reduces surface expression of beta1AR. Interaction with CAL promotes retention of beta1AR within the cell, whereas PSD-95, another beta1AR-associated PDZ domain-containing protein, competitively blocks beta1AR association with CAL and promotes receptor trafficking to the cell surface. These data reveal that CAL, a novel beta1AR-binding partner, modulates beta1AR intracellular trafficking, thereby revealing a new mechanism of regulation for beta1AR anterograde trafficking through the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi complex to the plasma membrane.

Effect of overexpressed adenylyl cyclase VI on beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptor responses in adult rat ventricular myocytes

1. Adenylyl cyclase VI (ACVI) is one of the most abundantly expressed beta adrenergic receptor (betaAR)-coupled cyclases responsible for cyclic AMP (cAMP) production within the mammalian myocardium. We investigated the role of ACVI in the regulation of cardiomyocyte contractility and whether it is functionally coupled with beta(1) adrenergic receptor (beta(1)AR). 2. Recombinant adenoviruses were generated for ACVI and for antisense to ACVI (AS). Adult rat ventricular myocytes were transfected with ACVI virus, AS or both (SAS). Adenovirus for green fluorescent protein (GFP) served as control. Myocyte contraction amplitudes (% shortening) and relaxation times (R50) were analysed. ACVI function was determined using cAMP assays. 3. ACVI-transfected cells demonstrated a strong 139 kDa ACVI protein band compared to controls. ACVI myocytes had higher steady-state intracellular cAMP levels than GFP myocytes when unstimulated (GFP vs ACVI=6.60+/-0.98 vs 14.2+/-2.1 fmol cAMP/viable cell, n=4, P<0.05) and in the presence of 1 microm isoprenaline or 10 microm forskolin. 4. ACVI myocytes had increased basal contraction (% shortening: GFP vs ACVI: 1.90+/-1.36 vs 3.91+/-2.29, P<0.0001) and decreased basal R50 (GFP vs ACVI: 62.6+/-24.2 ms (n=50) vs 45.0+/-17.2 ms (n=248), P<0.0001). ACVI myocyte responses were increased for forskolin (E(max): GFP=6.70+/-1.59 (n=6); ACVI=9.06+/-0.69 (n=14), P<0.01) but not isoprenaline. 5. ACVI myocyte responses were increased (E(max): GFP vs ACVI=3.16+/-0.77 vs 5.10+/-0.60, P<0.0001) to xamoterol (a partial beta(1)AR-selective agonist) under beta(2)AR blockade (+50 nm ICI 118, 551). AS decreased both control and ACVI-stimulated xamoterol responses (E(max): AS=2.59+/-1.42, SAS=1.38+/-0.5). ACVI response was not mimicked by IBMX. Conversely, response through beta(2) adrenergic receptor (beta(2)AR) was decreased in ACVI myocytes. 6. In conclusion, ACVI overexpression constitutively increases myocyte contraction amplitudes by raising cAMP levels. Native ACVI did not contribute to basal cAMP production or contraction amplitude and only to a minor extent to the forskolin response. beta(1)AR but not beta(2)AR coupling was dependent on ACVI.

Agonist binding and activation of the rat beta(1)-adrenergic receptor: role of Trp(134(3.28)), Ser(190(4.57)) and Tyr(356(7.43))

We investigated the role of Trp(134(3.28)), Ser(190(4.57)) and Tyr(356(7.43)) in agonist binding to, and activation of, the rat beta(1)-adrenergic receptor by comparing pK(i)s and functional responses of W134A, S190A and Y356F mutant receptors to wild type, all stably expressed in CHO cells. All three mutations significantly (P < 0.05) reduced adenylyl cyclase intrinsic activity (IA) compared to wild type in response to stimulation with both (-)-isoprenaline (53-88%) and (-)-RO363 (46-61%), and there was no significant correlation either between IA or pD(2) and pK(i) (P > 0.4), suggesting that changes in pK(i) were not sufficient to explain the fall in adenylyl cyclase activity. The most pronounced reduction in affinity (126-fold, P < 0.01) was displayed by xamoterol for the Y356F mutation, suggesting that xamoterol is able to directly interact with Tyr(356(7.43)). For the other agonists, the change in pK(i) values for the mutant receptors ranged from a 20-fold decrease to a 2-fold increase compared to the wild type. In a three-dimensional model of the rat beta(1)-adrenergic receptor, Trp(134(3.28)) and Tyr(356(7.43)) form part of a hydrophobic binding pocket involving residues in transmembrane helices 1, 2, 3 and 7. Our results suggest that Trp(134(3.28)) and Tyr(356(7.43)), together with Trp(353(7.40)), are able to interact via pi-pi interactions to stabilize the extracellular ends of transmembrane helices 3 and 7. Ser(190(4.57)) appears to be involved in a hydrogen bonding network, which maintains the spatial relationship between transmembrane helices 3 and 4. These interhelical interactions suggest that the three mutated residues stabilize the active receptor state by maintaining the proper packing of their respective transmembrane helix within the helix bundle, facilitating the appropriate movement and rotation of the transmembrane regions during the activation process.

Seeing the trees in the forest: selective electroporation of adipocytes within adipose tissue

Electroporation has been recently adapted for the transfer of macromolecules into cells of tissues in vivo. Although mature adipocytes constitute <20% of cells residing in adipose tissue, we hypothesized that fat cells might be susceptible to selective electrotransfer of plasmid DNA owing to their large size relative to other cells in the tissue. Results demonstrate the feasibility of electroporating DNA into mature fat cells with >99% selectivity over other cells in the tissue. Further experiments used the "adiporation" technique to image the subcellular targeting of fluorescent bioreporter molecules to the nucleus, mitochondria, and lipid droplets of adipocytes within intact adipose tissue. Finally, we utilized fluorescent bioreporters to examine the effects of constitutive activation of the beta-adrenergic signaling pathway in adipocytes. These results demonstrate that overexpression of rat beta1-adrenergic receptors alters the cellular morphology of white adipocytes in a fashion that mimics the effects of systemic infusion of beta3-adrenergic receptor agonists. Hallmarks of the altered morphology include pronounced fragmentation of the single lipid droplet, repositioning of the nucleus, and induction of mitochondrial biogenesis. These results indicate that activation of beta-adrenergic signaling within adipocytes is sufficient to induce a phenotype that resembles typical brown adipocytes and suggest that in vivo electroporation will allow molecular dissection of the mechanisms involved.

Differential expression of adenylyl cyclase subtypes in human cardiovascular system

In human myocardium, beta1-adrenoceptor stimulation achieves maximal inotropic response but less than 50% of maximal adenylyl cyclase activation, whereas the reverse is true of the beta2-adrenoceptor. Four types of adenylyl cyclase, type IV-VII, have been described in mammalian heart, but their expression and relative distribution in human heart and blood vessels is not known. We found that type IV, V, VI and VII adenylyl cyclases were all expressed in cardiomyocytes. Whereas types IV and VII RNA were more abundant in extra-cardiac than cardiac tissues, both absolute and relative expression of type VI was greatest in heart, and lower in tissues lacking a beta1-adrenoceptor. Type V expression was virtually confined to atrium. In situ mRNA hybridisation showed that the beta1-adrenoceptor co-localised with type VI adenylyl cyclase but not other subtypes in juxtoglomerular cells of human kidney. The tissue specific expression of these adenylyl cyclase subtypes may favour its coupling to corresponding receptors expressed in the given tissue type.

Resistance of the human beta1-adrenergic receptor to agonist-induced ubiquitination: a mechanism for impaired receptor degradation

Down-regulation is a classic response of most G protein-coupled receptors to prolonged agonist stimulation. We recently showed that when expressed in baby hamster kidney cells, the human beta1-but not the beta2-adrenergic receptor (AR) is totally resistant to agonist-mediated down-regulation, whereas both have similar rates of basal degradation (Liang, W., Austin, S., Hoang, Q., and Fishman, P. H. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 39773-39781). To identify the underlying mechanism(s) for this resistance, we investigated the role of proteasomes, lysosomes, and ubiquitination in the degradation of beta1AR expressed in baby hamster kidney and human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Both lysosomal and proteasomal inhibitors reduced beta1AR degradation in agonist-stimulated cells but were less effective on basal degradation. To determine whether beta1AR trafficked to lysosomes we used confocal fluorescence microscopy. We observed some colocalization of beta1AR and lysosomal markers in agonist-treated cells but much less than that of beta2AR even in cells co-transfected with arrestin-2, which increases beta1AR internalization. Ubiquitination of beta2AR readily occurred in agonist-stimulated cells, whereas ubiquitination of beta1AR was not detectable even under conditions optimal for that of beta2AR. Moreover, in cells expressing betaAR chimeras in which the C termini have been switched, the chimeric beta1AR with beta2AR C-tail underwent ubiquitination and down-regulation, but the chimeric beta2AR with beta1AR C-tail did not. Our results demonstrate for the first time that beta1AR and beta2AR differ in the ability to be ubiquitinated. Because ubiquitin serves as a signal for sorting membrane receptors to lysosomes, the lack of agonist-mediated ubiquitination of beta1AR may prevent its extensive trafficking to lysosomes and, thus, account for its resistance to down-regulation.

Aspartate138 is required for the high-affinity ligand binding site but not for the low-affinity binding site of the ?1-adrenoceptor

The beta(1)-adrenoceptor "two-site ligand binding hypothesis" was investigated by comparing the pharmacological activities of the receptor with an Asp to Glu mutation of amino acid 138 after transient transfection into CHO cells. The high-affinity binding of (-)-[(3)H]-CGP12177 (p K(D)=9.4) and binding inhibition by (-)-isoprenaline (p K(i)=6.2), observed with Asp138-beta(1)-adrenoceptors, were absent at Glu138-beta(1)-adrenoceptors. (-)-[(3)H]-CGP12177 bound with a p K(D)=7.6 to Glu138-beta(1)-adrenoceptors and (-)-isoprenaline enhanced binding, probably allosterically. Glu138-beta(1)-adrenoceptors compared with Asp138-beta(1)-adrenoceptors showed a 500,000-fold decrease in cyclic AMP-enhancing potency by (-)-isoprenaline and antagonism by (-)-bupranolol (1 microM) was abolished. At Glu138-beta(1)-adrenoceptors, the agonist potency of (-)-CGP12177, compared with (-)-isoprenaline was reduced five-fold, but the antagonism by (-)-bupranolol (p K(B)=7.1) was not significantly changed, compared with Asp138-beta(1)-adrenoceptor. Thus, Asp138 of the beta(1)-adrenoceptor is essential for the binding of (-)-isoprenaline, (-)-bupranolol and (-)-CGP12177 to a high-affinity site, but not for the binding of (-)-CGP12177 and (-)-bupranolol to a low-affinity site.

Estrogen modulation of adrenoceptor responsiveness in the female rat pineal gland: differential expression of intracellular estrogen receptors

The effect of different doses of 17beta-estradiol (E2) on the pineal response to beta-adrenoceptor stimulation in female rats was examined. Pinealocytes from 21-day-old ovariectomized rats were exposed to different estrogen doses and treated with beta-adrenergic agonists. Estrogen treatment produced a dose-dependent, biphasic response to beta-adrenoceptor-induced accumulation of cAMP. This effect was inhibitory at estrogen doses up to 0.1 nM and fitted to a negative exponential curve, while at doses from 0.1 to 100 nM the effect was stimulatory and fitted to a standard positive hyperbola. For in vivo studies, ovariectomized rats were treated with equivalent estrogen concentrations plus a single dose of progesterone (250 microg per rat), and their pineals exposed in vitro to beta-adrenergic agonists. Low doses of E2 (0.1-100 ng per rat) reduced both pineal cAMP accumulation and N-acetyltransferase activity after beta-adrenoceptor stimulation, while a high dose (10 microg per rat) induced the opposite response. Apparently, the final estrogen target was the pineal beta-adrenergic receptor, as a low dose of E2 (which had diminished cAMP accumulation after beta-adrenoceptor stimulation) also reduced its maximal binding capacity (Bmax) and its dissociation constant (Kd). We also found that the female rat pineal gland contains two different ER subtypes, alpha and beta, which respond to estrogen exposure with nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. These results indicate that, in the female rat, estrogen directly modulates pineal sensitivity to adrenergic stimulation in a complex, dose-dependent manner that may be related to differential expression and activity of two estrogen receptor subtypes within pineal cells.

Properties of Arg389-beta1-adrenoceptor-Gsalpha fusion proteins: comparison with Gly389-beta1-adrenoceptor-Gsalpha fusion proteins

The human beta1-adrenoceptor (beta1AR) exists in several isoforms and activates adenylyl cyclase (AC) via Gs-proteins. The Arg389-isoform of the beta1AR (beta1AR-R389) expressed in CHW cells is much more efficient than the Gly389 isoform of the beta1AR (beta1AR-G389) at stabilizing the ternary complex and activating AC (Mason et al. 1999). The beta1AR-G389 fused to the Gsalpha splice variants GsalphaL or GsalphaS is efficient at stabilizing the ternary complex and activating AC (Wenzel-Seifert et al. 2002). Here, we show that beta1AR-R389-Gsalpha fusion proteins and beta1AR-G389-Gsalpha fusion proteins are similarly efficient at stabilizing the ternary complex and activating AC. In terms of agonist efficacies and agonist potencies in the [35S]guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) binding assay, beta1AR-R389-Gsalpha fusion proteins and beta1AR-G389-Gsalpha fusion proteins are similar, too. Our present data fit to an increasing number of clinical studies that failed to detect physiology- or pathology-related functional differences between beta1AR-R389 and beta1AR-G389.

Cardioprotective effects of exercise training on myofilament calcium activation in ovariectomized rats

The risks associated with hormone replacement therapy, especially cardiac diseases in postmenopausal women, have prompted extensive studies for other preventive or therapeutic alternatives. We investigated the cardioprotective effects of exercise training on the changes in cardiac myofilament Ca2+ activation in 10-wk-old ovariectomized rats. The exercise groups were subjected to a 9-wk running program on a motor-driven treadmill 1 wk after surgery. The relationship between pCa (-log molar free Ca2+ concentration) and myofibrillar MgATPase activity of exercise-sham myofibrils or exercise-ovariectomized myofibrils was the same and could not be distinguished from that of sedentary-sham control hearts. In contrast, a significant suppression in maximum MgATPase activity and a leftward shift of pCa50 (half-maximally activating pCa) in the pCa-ATPase activity relationship were detected in sedentary-ovariectomized rats. Exercise training also prevented the shift in myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms toward β-MHC in ovariectomized hearts. The upregulation of β1-adrenergic receptors in the left ventricular membranes of ovariectomized rat hearts, as measured by receptor binding and immunoblot analyses, was no longer observed in exercise-ovariectomized hearts. Immunoblot analyses of heat shock protein (HSP) 72, an inducible form of HSP70, demonstrated a significant downregulation in ovariectomized hearts. Exercise training in ovariectomized rats completely reversed the expression of HSP72 to the same level as sham controls. Our results clearly indicate the cardioprotective effects of exercise training on changes in cardiac myofilament Ca2+ activation in ovariectomized rats. Alterations in expression of β1-adrenergic receptors and HSP72 may, in part, play a mechanistic role in the cardioprotective effects.

Binding of (-)-[3H]-CGP12177 at two sites in recombinant human beta 1-adrenoceptors and interaction with beta-blockers

To verify the hypothesis that the non-conventional partial agonist (-)-CGP12177 binds at two beta(1)-adrenoceptor sites, human beta(1)-adrenoceptors, expressed in CHO cells, were labelled with (-)-[(3)H]-CGP12177. We compared the binding affinity and antagonist potency of 12 clinically used beta-blockers against the cyclic AMP-enhancing effects of (-)-isoprenaline and (-)-CGP12177.(-)-[(3)H]-CGP12177 bound to a high affinity site (H; K(H)=0.47 nM) and low affinity site (L); K(L)=235 nM). (-)-[(3)H]-CGP12177 dissociated from the beta(1)-adrenoceptors with a fast component (k(off)=0.45 min(-1)), consistent with the L-site, and a slow component (k(off)=0.017-0.033 min(-1)), consistent with the H-site. (-)-Isoprenaline and (-)-CGP12177 caused 96-fold and 12-fold maximal increases in cyclic AMP levels with -logEC(50)M of 8.2 and 7.6. (-)-CGP12177 antagonised the effects of (-)-isoprenaline with a pK(B) of 9.9. The beta-blockers antagonised the effects of (-)-isoprenaline more than the effects of (-)-CGP12177 with potency ratios: (-)-atenolol 1,000, (+/-)-metropolol 676, (-)-pindolol 631, (-)-timolol 589, (+/-)-carvedilol 204, (+/-)-oxprenolol 138, (+/-)-sotalol 132, (-)-propranolol 120, (+/-)-bisoprolol 95, (+/-)-alprenolol 81, (+/-)-nadolol 68 and (-)-bupranolol 56. In intact cells the binding constants of beta-blockers, estimated from competition with 3-5 nM (-)-[(3)H]-CGP12177 (binding to the H-site), correlated with the corresponding affinities estimated from antagonism of the (-)-isoprenaline effects. We conclude that (-)-[(3)H]-CGP12177 binds at two sites in the recombinant beta(1)-adrenoceptor. (-)-CGP12177 is an antagonist of catecholamine effects through the H-site and a non-conventional partial agonist through the L-site. beta-blockers are more potent antagonists through the H-site than the L-site.