beta-Adrenergic receptors in pediatric tumors: uncoupled beta 1-adrenergic receptor in Ewing's sarcoma

beta-Adrenergic receptors were demonstrated in membrane preparations from 6 human Ewing's sarcomas and compared to those from 46 other pediatric cancers with the use of the beta-adrenergic antagonist (-)-(3H)dihydroalprenolol [(-)[3H]DHA]. In contrast to the high numbers of receptor sites found in Ewing's sarcomas (55-640 fmol x mg-1 protein; dissociation constant Kd, 1-2 nM), other childhood cancers (neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, brain tumors, lymphoma, osteosarcoma, hepatoblastoma, yolk sac, and Wilms' tumor) contained in general fewer beta-adrenergic receptor sites. Characteristics of (-)-[3H]DHA binding were therefore more fully characterized in the Ewing's tumors. Competition of (-)-[3H]DHA binding by classical catecholamine agonists, as well as by subtype selective agents metoprolol and zinterol, demonstrated the presence of a homogeneous population of beta 1-adrenergic sites in several Ewing's tumors. Adenylate cyclase activity in all Ewing's sarcomas was enhanced by GTP and NaF. However, in spite of high numbers of beta-adrenergic receptors, (-)-isoproterenol was not very effective in the activation of adenylate cyclase activity in several of the Ewing's tumors tested. Neither guanyl-5'-yl-imidophosphate nor GTP altered agonist potency for the receptor site in these catecholamine-insensitive tumors. Hill coefficients obtained from the competition experiments with (-)-isoproterenol (in the presence or absence of guanine nucleotide) were approximately 1.0. These uncoupled receptors were resistant to N-ethylmaleimide denaturation and were densensitized only 50% during culture in the presence of (-)-isoproterenol. Thus Ewing's sarcomas are relatively rich in beta-adrenergic sites, and several tumors appear to have a coupling lesion involving guanine nucleotide-dependent regulatory protein interaction with beta-adrenergic receptors and adenylate cyclase, similar in phenotype to that described in the (unc) variant of S49 mouse lymphoma.

Characteristics of 85 pediatric tumors heterotransplanted into nude mice

81 primary pediatric tumors and 4 tumor lines were heterotransplanted into nude mice with an overall success rate of 38.3%. There was variability in success between tumor types. Bone sarcomas were highly successful while brain, lymphoid, and benign tumors in general did poorly. With increasing passage lag times decreased but actual growth rates in general did not change. Results suggested that tumors obtained prior to therapy which grew in nude mice were more likely to recur in the patient. During the observation period 7 spontaneous mouse tumors developed, distinguished from human tumors by histology, cytogenetics, and isoenzyme studies.

Trophoblastic cells of the hydatidiform mole contain a beta 1-subtype adrenergic receptor

Both beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors have been previously described in normal human placental homogenates; the cells upon whose surface membranes these receptors reside have not been identified. In order to show that a beta 1-adrenergic receptor is present on trophoblastic cells, the cells which mediate maternal-fetal transport and produce placental hormones, beta-adrenergic receptors were demonstrated in membrane fractions of human hydatidiform mole. Microscopic sections of the mole samples used demonstrated edematous villi lined by trophoblastic cells with minimal nontrophoblastic (stromal or vascular) contamination compared with placenta. (--)-[3H]Dihydroalprenolol [(--)-[3H]DHA] binding to molar membranes was reversible and saturable to a single class of sites (Kd = 0.97 +/- 0.12 nM; n = 7; maximum binding capacity, 72.9 +/- 6.4 fmol/mg protein). (--)-[3H]DHA binding was associated with catecholamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. Agonist competition for the molar beta-adrenergic receptor showed the order of potency to be (--)isoproterenol much greater than norepinephrine = epinephrine, characteristic of a beta 1-adrenergic receptor subtype. Competition for (--)-[3H]DHA binding to trophoblastic membranes by the beta-adrenergic receptor subtype-specific agents metoprolol (beta 1 selective) and zinterol (beta 2 selective) was also characteristic of a homogeneous subtype of beta 1-adrenergic receptors. Because beta 1-adrenergic receptors alone were seen on trophoblast cells, the beta 2-adrenergic receptor in placenta must reside on nontrophoblastic elements (stromal or vascular endothelium). No differences in beta-adrenergic receptor binding were seen related with ploidy (2 or 3 N), the presence or absence of a fetus, or the progression of the mole to choriocarcinoma. Two choriocarcinoma cell lines, BeWo and JEG-3, however, showed no specific (--)-[3H]DHA binding. Human trophoblast contains beta 1-adrenergic receptors coupled to catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase, supporting a role for catecholamines in the regulation of placental metabolism.