Modulation by estradiol and progesterone of the GTP effect on striatal D-2 dopamine receptors

Agonist binding properties of rat striatal D-2 dopamine (DA) receptors were investigated after in vivo or in vitro estradiol or progesterone exposures in order to elucidate the mechanism of action of steroid hormones on DA receptors. Chronic estradiol treatment of ovariectomized rats (10 micrograms, twice each day, for 2 weeks) increased lateral striatum total receptor density and left unchanged the proportion and affinity of the agonist high- and low-affinity states of this receptor in the striatum. In addition, when GTP was added in DA competition for [3H]spiperone binding experiments, D-2 receptors in the medial part of the striatum from estrogen-treated animals were more sensitive to GTP than those in the lateral part, whereas GTP had equal activity in both parts of the striatum in vehicle-treated rats. With apomorphine, but not with DA competition for [3H]spiperone binding, addition of estradiol (1 nM) to striatal homogenates of intact male rats prevented the expected shift of the high- to the low-affinity state of D-2 receptors, normally induced by GTP (100 microM) under these conditions. This effect of estradiol was not observed in the presence of 4 mM MgCl2, while in vitro progesterone (100 nM) had no effect in either the absence or presence of MgCl2. In addition, in vivo chronic progesterone treatment of ovariectomized rats left striatal [3H]spiperone density and affinity unchanged. Moreover, 1 nM estradiol increased the IC50 of GTP for inhibition of [3H]N-propylnorapomorphine binding to the high-affinity state of striatal D-2 receptors. This effect was also observed but decreased by 2-fold in the presence of MgCl2. Our data suggest that estradiol in vivo and in vitro interferes with the effect of GTP on striatal D-2 DA receptors.

Intramembrane interactions between neurotensin receptors and dopamine D2 receptors as a major mechanism for the neuroleptic-like action of neurotensin

Evidence has been presented that behavioral actions of NT, inducing its neuroleptic-like action, can be explained on the basis of NT-D2 intramembrane receptor-receptor interactions in the basal ganglia, unrelated to the coexistence phenomenon, leading to reduced affinity and transduction of the D2 agonist binding site. By reducing selectively D2 receptor transduction at the pre- and postsynaptic level, the NT receptor appears capable of switching the DA synapses towards a D1 receptor-mediated transduction, illustrating how receptor-receptor interactions can increase the functional plasticity of central synapses (FIG. 12).

Synthesis and in vivo distribution in the rat of a dopamine agonist: N-([11C]methyl)norapomorphine

A method for the rapid production and purification of 10,11-dihydroxy-N-([11C]methyl)norapomorphine ([11C]APO), a dopamine agonist (DA), is described. The potency of this ligand for studying the D2-receptors was examined. The label was introduced by N-methylation of norapomorphine hydrobromide with no-carrier-added (n.c.a) [11C]CH3I, produced from cyclotron-produced [11C]carbon dioxide. In 60 min (EOB) a radiochemical yield of 15% (corrected for decay) was achieved, based on [11C]CH3I. The specific activity ranged from 5 to 11 GBq/mumol. The distribution, after intravenous injection, was studied in rats. The radioactivity level in the striatum was higher than in the cerebellum and frontal cortex and was decreased after D2-blockade. The highest uptake ratio (1.47) was found at 30 min after injection. Dopamine depletion with reserpine did increase the striatum/cerebellum ratio at a low dosage of [11C]APO (10 nmol/kg). High uptakes of [11C]apomorphine were found in the lungs, liver and kidneys.

Characterization of the inhibitory effect of adrenocorticotropin/melanocyte-stimulating hormone-like peptides on the binding of dopamine receptor ligands to the dopamine D2 receptor in vitro

Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)-(1-24) decreased the binding of the dopamine D2 agonist [3H]N-n-propylnorapomorphine [3H](NPA) to the dopamine D2 receptor in rat striatal membranes in vitro. The association and dissociation of [3H]NPA to the dopamine D2 receptor was inhibited by ACTH-(1-24), suggesting an apparent competitive interaction between ACTH-(1-24) and the binding of [3H]NPA. ACTH-(1-24) was able to inhibit the binding of the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist [3H]spiperone to the dopamine D2 receptor, both in the high- and the low-affinity state. These observations suggest a G-protein-independent mechanism of action. The inhibitory effect of ACTH-(1-24) and ACTH-(7-16)-NH2 was diminished after the addition of polylysine chains, presumably via a blockade of the attachment sites for ACTH-(1-24) on the dopamine D2 receptor. The effect of ACTH-(1-24) on membrane fluidity and on the inhibition of the binding of [3H]NPA to the dopamine D2 receptor appeared to be unrelated because lowering the incubation temperature from 25 degrees C to 4 degrees C, which causes a strong decrease of membrane fluidity, did not diminish the effect of ACTH-(1-24) on the binding of [3H]NPA to the dopamine D2 receptor. Furthermore, in both young and old rats, whose membranes are reported to differ in lipid composition and membrane fluidity, ACTH-(1-24) inhibited the binding of [3H]NPA to the dopamine D2 receptor to nearly the same extent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Functional modifications of the coupling of solubilized dopamine D2 receptors to guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins

The molecular basis for the regulation of high-affinity agonist, [3H]N-n-propylnorapomorphine ([3H]NPA), binding to cholate-solubilized dopamine D2 receptors was characterized using cations, guanine nucleotides and sulfhydryl-modifying agents. [3H]NPA binding displayed an absolute requirement for divalent cations in the solubilized preparation. Removal of Na+ from the solubilized preparation caused an apparent reconstitution of soluble receptors resulting in a reduced sensitivity of the agonist binding to divalent cations. The pharmacological profile of [3H]NPA binding was found to be similar in membrane and solubilized preparations. N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and thermal exposure mimicked the effects of guanine nucleotides in reducing the proportion of high-affinity agonist sites in the solubilized state. [3H]NPA binding was much more susceptible to NEM-induced alkylation or heat inactivation compared to the antagonist [3H]spiroperidol binding. Pertussis-toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of G-proteins in the solubilized preparation resulted in the labelling of only one protein with the apparent molecular weight of 39-41 kDa. Both NEM and heat treatments caused the loss of ADP-ribosylation in the solubilized preparations. A consistent pattern of correlation between receptor binding data and ADP-ribosylation response suggests functional coupling of dopamine D2 receptors to the components of the effector system in solution.

Gpp(NH)p stimulates [3H]raclopride binding to homogenates from human putamen and accumbens

The effects of the stable GTP analogue Gpp(NH)p (5'-guanylyl imido diphosphate) were examined on in vitro [3H]raclopride binding to dopamine D2 receptors in preparations from post mortem human brains. The estimated number of receptors in the brain was 29% and 38% higher in putamen and accumbens, respectively, when determined in the presence of Gpp(NH)p as compared to its absence. The interaction of agonists was biphasic confirming the two affinity state model of the receptor--G-protein complex. The addition of Gpp(NH)p to the assay abolished the two site competition of apomorphine with [3H]raclopride binding in both regions studied. The non-specific binding at high concentrations of apomorphine was not significantly affected by the addition of Gpp(NH)p, indicating that only the specific binding of [3H]raclopride to the dopamine D2 receptor is increased.

Dopaminergic innervation and binding in the rat cerebellum

In the present study, we used an antiserum against dopamine (DA), and specific [3H]ligands in order to shed more light on the dopaminergic system of the rat cerebellum. The immunocytochemical approach showed that the entire rat cerebellum is innervated by DA fibers. All cerebellar layers were found to receive a considerable amount of DA afferents but the molecular layer was the most heavily innervated. The analysis of [3H]DA and [3H]spiperone binding showed that in the rat cerebellum there exists DAergic binding with kinetic parameters similar to those reported for the mouse cerebellum. The results of the present study support the existence of a DA system in the rat cerebellum.

Stimulation of high-affinity adenosine A2 receptors decreases the affinity of dopamine D2 receptors in rat striatal membranes

Since high-affinity adenosine A2 receptors (A2a) are localized exclusively in dopamine-rich regions in the central nervous system and mediate inhibition of locomotor activity, we have examined the effect of A2a receptor activation on D1 and D2 receptor binding in membrane preparations of the rat striatum. The A2a agonist 2-[p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino]-5'- N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CGS 21680) increased the Kd of the dopamine D2 agonist L-(-)-N-[3H]propylnorapomorphine without affecting the Bmax. The increase in Kd was maximal (40%) at 30 nM CGS 21680. CGS 21680 (30 nM) decreased the dopamine-induced inhibition of [3H]raclopride (a D2 antagonist) binding due to an increase (about 3-fold) in KH and KL, the dissociation constants of high- and low-affinity binding sites. The effects of CGS 21680 were antagonized by the adenosine antagonist 8-phenyltheophylline (10 microM). (-)-N6-(2-Phenylisopropyl)adenosine produced an effect similar to that of CGS 21680, provided the concentration used was high enough to stimulate A2a receptors (300 nM). GTP (50 microM) also decreased the dopamine-induced inhibition of [3H]raclopride binding but, in contrast to CGS 21680, GTP decreased the proportion of D2 receptors in the high-affinity state. CGS 21680 (30 nM) did not affect the Kd or Bmax of [3H]raclopride and failed to affect ligand binding to D1 receptors. Thus, stimulation of A2a receptors potently reduces the affinity of D2 agonist binding sites within the plasma membrane of striatal neurons. This A2a-D2 interaction may underlie the neuroleptic-like actions of adenosine agonists and the enhancing effects of adenosine antagonists, such as caffeine, on locomotor activity.

5-Oxygenated N-alkyl- and N,N-Dialkyl-2-amino-1-methyltetralins. Effects of structure and stereochemistry on dopamine-D2-receptor affinity

The ability of a series of stereochemically well-defined 5-oxygenated 2-aminotetralins, consisting of dopamine-receptor agonists and antagonists, to displace [3H]spiperone and [3H]N-propylnorapomorphine (NPA) from calf-caudate dopamine receptor sites has been evaluated in-vitro. In addition, the partition coefficients of the compounds were determined to measure their lipophilicity. The data were compared with previously obtained in-vivo biochemical data (dopa accumulation in reserpine pretreated or non-pretreated rats). Compounds with 2S-configuration and a C5-hydroxy substituent have the highest affinity for NPA-binding sites and such derivatives also have the highest potency in-vivo. The 2R-derivatives are less efficacious and their affinity for NPA- and spiperone binding sites is influenced by their lipophilicity. On the basis of these results, a model is proposed in which the antagonists form two, and the agonists form three, strong intermolecular bonds with the D2-receptor. According to this model, the agonists, but not the antagonists, are able to donate a hydrogen bond from the phenolic hydroxyl to the receptor.

On the mechanism of mergocryptine-induced suppression of dopamine turnover in the rat striatum

The effect of mergocryptine, a new ergot alkaloid, on the cerebral dopaminergic systems was examined using Wistar rats. The administration of mergocryptine (1 and 10 mg/kg i.p.) induced a significant suppression of striatal dopamine (DA) turnover. In vitro addition of mergocryptine (0.01-100 microM) induced a dose-dependent suppression of the release of [3H]DA from striatal slices. Mergocryptine inhibited [3H]apomorphine binding to a striatal synaptosomal fraction, and its IC50 value was found to be 0.23 microM. Pretreatment with apomorphine (100 micrograms/kg s.c.) showed an additive effect on the mergocryptine (10 mg/kg)-induced suppression of DA turnover. These results suggest that mergocryptine may induce the suppression of striatal DA turnover by reducing DA release via the stimulation of presynaptic dopaminergic autoreceptors.

Vanadate inhibits agonist binding to D2 dopamine receptor

Orthovanadate (in the micromolar range) inhibits the high-affinity binding of the D2 dopamine receptor to specific agonists (apomorphine and N-propylnorapomorphine), while it does not affect the binding to D2 antagonists (spiperone and haloperidol). These effects of vanadate resemble those observed with guanine nucleotides or their analogs. However, in contrast to the guanine nucleotides, vanadate does not induce dissociation of the D2 dopamine receptor from its related G proteins, suggesting that vanadate and guanine nucleotides may exert their effect on the D2 dopamine receptor via different mechanisms. The effect of vanadate on agonist binding was shown to be ATP dependent and correlated with increased protein phosphorylation.

Synaptic concentration of dopamine in the mouse striatum in relationship to the kinetic properties of the dopamine receptors and uptake mechanism

The concentration of dopamine (DA) in the synaptic cleft in the mouse striatum in vivo was estimated from the competition between the synaptic DA and the 3H-labelled DA D2 receptor agonists N-n-propylnorapomorphine (NPA) or N,N-diethyl-N'-[(3 alpha, 4a alpha, 10 beta)-1,2,3,4,4a,5,10,10a-octahydro- 7-hydroxyl-1-propyl-3-benzo (g) quinolinyl]sulfamide (Sandoz 205-501) injected intravenously in tracer doses. Knowing the inhibitor constant for DA in inhibiting the binding of these receptor agonists in vitro, attempts were made to calculate the changes in the synaptic DA concentration from the changes in the in vivo binding of the receptor agonists evoked by various pharmacological agents. Inhibiting the firing of the dopaminergic neurons by gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) increased the binding of the receptor agonists corresponding to a decrease in the synaptic DA concentration of 55 +/- 2 nM in the experiments with [3H]Sandoz 205-501 and 48 +/- 3 nM in the experiments with tracer doses of [3H]NPA. These values may therefore approximate the normal DA concentration in the synaptic cleft in the mouse striatum. With this technique it was also possible to determine the synaptic concentration of NPA by its competition with [3H]Sandoz 205-501 for the DA D2 receptors in the striatum of GBL-treated mice in vivo. To compare the estimated synaptic concentration of DA with the affinity of DA to D1 and D2 receptors and to the DA transporter in the mouse striatum the kinetic parameters were determined at 37 degrees C in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Phosphorylation by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase modulates agonist binding to the D2 dopamine receptor

Phosphorylation of striatal membranes by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase resulted in a reduction in the affinity of the D2 dopamine receptor toward its agonist N-propylnorapomorphine while the affinity to D2-specific antagonists remained unchanted. The inhibitory effects observed by phosphorylation and guanine nucleotides on agonist binding to the D2 receptor were additive. The purified D2 dopamine receptor from bovine striatum was specifically phosphorylated by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase with an apparent stoichiometry of 0.7 mol phosphate/mol receptor. The phosphorylated purified D2 receptor also exhibited a reduced agonist binding activity with no change in antagonist binding. The action of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase on both the membrane preparation and the purified D2 receptor was inhibited by a specific inhibitor of the kinase. These data indicate that phosphorylation mediated by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase may represent a physiological pathway for modulation of the receptor binding activity.

Neurotensin decreases the affinity of dopamine D2 agonist binding by a G protein-independent mechanism

To examine whether GTP-binding proteins (G proteins) mediate the ability of neurotensin to lower the affinity of dopamine D2 agonist binding, the modulation by neurotensin in vitro of N-[3H]propylnorapomorphine [( 3H]-NPA) binding was investigated following pretreatment with pertussis toxin and N-ethylmaleimide in rat neostriatal membranes. Preincubation with N-ethylmaleimide (100 microM) markedly inhibited pertussis toxin-induced back-ADP ribosylation of three proteins with apparent molecular masses of 41, 40, and 39 kDa, respectively. This inhibition was prevented by adding dithiothreitol (250 microM) during the preincubation. N-Ethylmaleimide increased the KD (180 +/- 30%) and decreased the Bmax (-31 +/- 9%) of [3H]NPA binding sites but did not affect the binding properties of the selective D2 antagonist [3H]raclopride. N-Ethylmaleimide pretreatment did not affect the neurotensin (3 nM)-induced increase in the KD of [3H]NPA binding sites. Pertussin toxin treatment in vivo and in vitro was similarly ineffective. In conclusion, the present study indicates that neurotensin modulation of D2 agonist binding in neostriatal membranes is not mediated by G proteins.

Differential effects of repeated treatment with haloperidol and clozapine on dopamine release and metabolism in the striatum and the nucleus accumbens

The differential effects of haloperidol (HAL) and clozapine (CLOZ) on dopamine (DA) release and metabolism (dihydroxyphenylacetic acid levels) in striatum and nucleus accumbens (accumbens) of freely moving rats were investigated using microdialysis. Chronic HAL (2 mg/kg/day x 21 days in drinking water) decreased basal DA release and metabolism in both regions, and produced tolerance to HAL-induced increase in DA metabolism in striatum. No modification of HAL-induced increases in DA release and metabolism were observed in accumbens. Together with D2 receptor blockade, this may produce decreased dopaminergic neurotransmission in both regions during chronic treatment. Chronic HAL (0.5 mg/kg/day x 21 days in drinking water) also decreased basal DA release and metabolism in both regions which were not reversed by 25 micrograms/kg of (-)-apomorphine, s.c. In marked contrast, chronic CLOZ (20 mg/kg/day x 21 days in drinking water) had no effect on basal DA release and metabolism in either region, whereas it produced tolerance to CLOZ-induced increase in DA release and metabolism in accumbens. Together with weak D2 receptor blockade, this may lead to slightly decreased dopaminergic neurotransmission in accumbens and slightly increased dopaminergic neurotransmission in striatum during chronic CLOZ treatment. These differences may contribute to the clinical differences between the two agents.

R(-)2-fluoro-N-n-propylnorapomorphine: a very potent and D2-selective dopamine agonist

A series of 2-substituted N-n-propylnorapomorphine (NPA) derivatives were synthesized and compared with other DA agonists for affinity to D1 and D2 dopamine (DA) receptors in rat brain corpus striatum tissue. The 2-substituents tested reduced D1 affinity similarly, but enhanced D2 affinity in the rank order: F greater than OH greater than Br greater than OCH3 greater than H greater than or equal to NH2. The extraordinarily high D2 affinity (Ki = 12 pM) and D2 vs. D1 selectivity (57,500) of 2-F-NPA far-exceeded that of all other DA agonists tested, and it was about 10-times more potent than NPA in vivo.

Synthesis and pharmacology of the enantiomers of cis-7-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-(dipropylamino)tetralin

The enantiomers of cis-7-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-(dipropylamino)tetralin (3) have been synthesized and evaluated for activity at central dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine, and norepinephrine (NE) receptors, by use of biochemical and behavioral tests in rats. In addition, the affinities of the compounds for striatal [3H]spiroperidol and [3H]N-propylnorapomorphine binding sites were determined. The absolute configuration of the enantiomers was determined by X-ray diffraction of (+)-3. The pharmacological effects of both enantiomers are complicated, but (2R,3S)-7-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-(dipropylamino)tetralin [(-)-3] produced biochemical effects in vivo similar to those elicited by classical DA D2-receptor antagonists.

Synthesis and dopamine receptor affinities of enantiomers of 2-substituted apomorphines and their N-n-propyl analogues

Syntheses of (R)-(-)-2-methoxyapomorphine (R-8), its antipode S-8, and its (R)-(-)-N-n-propyl R-9 derivatives are described. The dopaminergic receptor affinities of these compounds and their 2-unsubstituted counterparts (R)-(-)-apomorphine (R(-)-APO, R-1), (S)-(+)-apomorphine (S(+)-APO, S-1), and (R)-(-)-N-n-propylnorapomorphine (R(-)-NPA, R-2), as well as those of (R)-(-)-2-chloroapomorphine (R(-)-2-Cl-APO, R-6), (R)-(-)-2-bromoapomorphine (R(-)-2-Br-APO, R-6), were determined with tissue membrane preparations of corpus striatum from rat brain. Contribution of both an N-n-propyl and a 2-hydroxy in (R)-(-)-2-hydroxy-N-n-propylnorapomorphine (R(-)-2-OH-NPA, R-7) or a methoxy group in (R)-(-)-2-methoxy-N-n-propylnorapomorphine (R(-)-2-OCH3-NPA, R-9) produced the highest D2 affinity (0.053 and 0.17 nM) and D2 over D1 selectivity (17,300 and 10,500 times) of the compounds evaluated. The structure-affinity relationships of these 2-substituted aporphines suggest that secondary binding sites of D2 receptors interact with 2-substituents on the A ring of aporphines through H-bonding.

Structural differences between dopamine D2 receptors present in a rat pituitary adenoma and in transplantable rat pituitary tumors 7315a and MtTW15

We have investigated the structure of dopamine (DA) D2 receptors present in an estrone-induced, prolactin (PRL)-secreting, DA-sensitive adenoma and in two PRL-secreting and DA-insensitive transplantable tumors 7315a and MtTW15, in order to identify better the anomalies present in DA-resistant lactotrophs. D2 receptors were found in both a high- and a low-affinity state in adenomatous lactotrophs as shown by displacement studies with the agonist N-propylnorapomorphine (NPA), but only in the low-affinity state in the two DA-resistant tumors. Treatment with the alkylating agent N-ethylmaleimide induced a disappearance of the high-affinity state of the D2 receptor in the adenoma and a reduction in receptor concentration, but did not have any effect on the affinity of receptors present in DA-resistant tumors. Moreover, target size analysis and radiation inactivation studies of D2 receptors, using membranes preincubated with NPA and [3H]spiperone as ligand or using [3H]NPA as ligand on membranes preparations, have shown the presence of distinct structural differences between adenomatous and tumoral D2 receptors and between the two tumoral receptors themselves; these results suggest that the normal functional unit of the D2 receptor is a dimer associated with a guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein) subunit and that tumoral D2 receptors may exist in various polymeric forms unassociated with G proteins. The anomalies found to be present in tumoral D2 receptor complexes may be responsible for the insensitivity of these tumors to dopaminergic agonists' inhibitory activity on PRL release and tumor growth.

4-(1,2,5,6-Tetrahydro-1-alkyl-3-pyridinyl)-2-thiazolamines: a novel class of compounds with central dopamine agonist properties

The design, synthesis, and pharmacological properties of a novel type of 4-(1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-1-alkyl-3-pyridinyl)-2-thiazolamine with dopaminergic properties are described. In particular, 4-(1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-1-propyl-3-pyridinyl)-2-thiazolamine (4c, PD 118440) and its allyl analogue (4i, PD 120697) have been identified as orally active dopamine (DA) agonists with pronounced central nervous system effects in tests that include [3H]-haloperidol and [3H]-N-propylnorapomorphine binding, inhibition of striatal DA synthesis, inhibition of DA neuronal firing, inhibition of spontaneous locomotor activity, and reversal of reserpine-induced depression in rats. The DA autoreceptor selectivity of these heterocyclic analogues of 3-(1-propyl-3-piperidinyl)phenol (3-PPP) was also evaluated. In this series, DA agonist activity was found to be highly dependent on the size of the N-alkyl substituent, the saturation level of the six-membered ring, and the mode of attachment of the 2-aminothiazole ring.

Synthesis and structural requirements of N-substituted norapomorphines for affinity and activity at dopamine D-1, D-2, and agonist receptor sites in rat brain

A series of N-substituted analogues of (R)-(-)-norapomorphine were synthesized to study the optimal structural requirements of the N-alkyl side chain to interact with D-1 and D-2 dopaminergic receptors as well as dopamine (DA) agonist binding sites. Evaluations included testing the affinity of these compounds for DA receptor sites in rat striatal tissue and assessing stereotypy as a behavioral index of dopaminergic activity. The electronic, steric, and lipophilic properties of the N-alkyl side chain were found to be related to affinity, D-2 selectivity, and dopaminergic activity. All 11 compounds evaluated had relatively low affinity at D-1 sites. Optimum D-2 and agonist-site affinity as well as agonist activity were exhibited by N-cyclopropylmethyl (7) greater than or equal to N-allyl (8) greater than or equal to N-propyl (4) or N-ethyl (3) substituted compounds. Branching of the N-alkyl side chain as in N-isopropyl (5) and N-isobutyl (6) markedly reduced the D-2 affinity and activity, presumably due to steric effects. The N-trifluoroethyl (10) and N-pentafluoropropyl (11) derivatives had low affinity for all their dopamine receptor sites and no agonistic activity; evidently, the highly electronegative F atoms decrease basicity of the N atom and therefore decrease the ability of the N atom to be cationic at physiological pH, a proposed requirement for high-affinity binding to DA receptors.