Interaction of atrial muscarinic receptors with three kinds of GTP-binding proteins

Purified porcine atrial muscarinic acetylcholine receptors were reconstituted into lipid vesicles with three different G proteins (Gi, Go and Gn)1 purified from porcine cerebrum. All the G proteins interacted with the receptor as evidenced by GTP-sensitive high affinity binding with acetylcholine, and stimulation by acetylcholine of GTP gamma S binding and GTPase activities. The curves of displacement by acetylcholine of [3H]QNB binding were explained by assuming two sites with the same affinity for [3H]QNB but different affinities for acetylcholine. The proportion of the high affinity site increased from 3 to 7% up to 82 to 83% of total binding sites with increasing G protein concentration, and essentially the same results were obtained with the three G proteins. The GTPase activities of Gi, Go and Gn in the reconstituted vesicles were 2.7-, 1.7- and 1.6-times higher, respectively, in the presence of 1 mM acetylcholine than those in the presence of 10 microM atropine. An obvious enhancement by acetylcholine of the GTP gamma S binding was observed in the presence of 10 to 100 microM GDP, while the enhancement was minimal, if at all, in the absence of GDP. When the molar ratios of reconstituted Gi, Go and Gn to muscarinic receptors were 54, 84 and 107, respectively, the acetylcholine-induced increase in the [35S]GTP gamma S binding was as much as 12, 35 and 27 mol with Gi, Go and Gn, respectively, per mole of the receptor molecule, indicating that the muscarinic receptors interact with G proteins catalytically.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of the lipid environment on the differential affinity of purified cerebral and atrial muscarinic acetylcholine receptors for pirenzepine

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) of porcine cerebral membrane (predominantly M1 subtype) and porcine atrial membrane (M2 subtype) showed the same affinity for the muscarinic antagonist [3H]quinuclidinylbenzylate [( 3H]QNB). In contrast, the affinity for pirenzepine (another muscarinic antagonist) of 86% of binding sites in the cerebral membrane (H sites) was 34-fold higher than that in the atrial membrane. After purification of mAChRs by affinity chromatography, this difference was less than 3-fold. This phenomenon was fully reversed by insertion of purified mAChRs into either cerebral or atrial membranes whose native muscarinic binding sites had been alkylated with propylbenzilycholine mustard, indicating that the purified receptors recovered their original affinities for pirenzepine upon interaction with membrane components. To examine the effect of the interaction between receptors and lipid components on the affinities for [3H]QNB and pirenzepine, binding experiments were carried out with mAChRs inserted into various lipid preparations. When purified cerebral and atrial mAChRs were inserted into cholesteryl hemisuccinate, their affinities for [3H]QNB and pirenzepine became close to the membrane values and were 7- and 50- to 60-fold higher than those of receptors inserted into phosphatidylcholine, respectively. When insertion was carried out into either cholesteryl hemisuccinate, phosphatidylcholine, or cholesteryl hemisuccinate/phosphatidylcholine mixtures, (80:20 and 50:50, w/w), the affinity of cerebral H sites for pirenzepine was only 3- to 5-fold higher than that of atrial receptors, but it became 20- and 60-fold higher when the receptors were inserted in a cholesteryl hemisuccinate/phosphatidylcholine mixture (20:80, w/w) and in a cholesteryl hemisuccinate/phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylinositol mixture (4:48:48, w/w), respectively. These results suggest that the affinities of mAChRs for antagonists, in particular the differential affinities of cerebral and atrial mAChRs for pirenzepine, are modulated by the lipid environment.

[A case of septic shock due to pneumonia caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae]

A 51-year-old male, who had a history of excessive drinking and chronic hepatitis, was admitted to our hospital because of high fever and shock. Physical examinations, chest X-ray films and hemodynamic data revealed that he had progressed to septic shock due to pneumonia. Combination chemotherapy of latamoxef plus piperacillin was immediately started. After Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, the antibiotics were changed to ceftizoxime plus amikacin. Furthermore human gamma globulin preparations and frozen fractional plasma were administered because of granulocytopenia and a decrease in complement. Gabexate mesylate, methylprednisolone (MP) and branched chain amino acids were given to prevent disseminated intravascular coagulation and/or multiple organ failure. With this intensive care, he recovered from shock and pneumonia. The effects of MP on the whole blood chemiluminescence (CL) were examined. Incubation of whole blood with 25, 50 or 100 micrograms/ml of MP for 10 to 60 minutes had no effects on the CL response. This indicates that MP does not affect the production of reactive oxygen species from phagocytic cells at concentrations comparable to those used in drug therapy.

[Cancer treatment in terminal stage]

The decision of treatment for cancer patient in terminal stage differs from that of patients in early stage or in stage of good P.S. (performance status). The small part of patients desire to make every effort for life-prolongation if it follows severe complications, but major part of patients desire to relief from several pains and distresses, or to maintain high quality of life and living. True and enough informations are necessary for patient to choose or decide the course of treatment. The self-decision for treatment by informed consent is desirable. The three points of terminal care are follows: 1) Life-prolonging treatment Life-prolonging treatments with less distress and complication, if that is based on informed consent, are usefull and necessary. 2) Relief for pains and distresses Pain control and aids for psycho-social-religious distresses. 3) Support for the death of desirable choice How to die is how to live. The treatment based on patient's view of life must be chosen. (A) Pre-terminal stage To keep balance the wills for social life and/or life-work and complications of treatment. (B) Final stage The decision of choice of resuscitation and/or intensive care must be decided by patient and/or family.

[Interstitial irradiation of carcinoma of the tongue]

From 1977 to 1988, 61 patients have received radical treatment for a carcinoma of the mobile tongue. Fifty-nine of these patients were treated in association with a BLM (or PEP), and 26 patients with external irradiation. The local tumor control rate at two years was 77%, and subsequent lymph node metastasis was 25%. The five year cumulative survival rate was 55% and the main causes of death were found to be regional node metastases and other related diseases particularly. The determinate survival for TxN0 tumors was 83%. Six percent and 26% had radio-osteonecrosis and soft tissue necrosis respectively and three patients required surgery.

[Hyperamylasemia in acute exacerbation in patients with chronic respiratory failure]

Serum amylase level was examined in 129 cases (225 episodes) of chronic respiratory failure at acute exacerbation, and in 59 cases (62 episodes) of pneumonia without respiratory failure as a control. Cases accompanying diseases, such as acute pancreatitis, parotiditis, ileus, and renal dysfunction, which were expected to develop hyperamylasemia were excluded. The 225 episodes were divided according to the cause of acute exacerbation into 4 groups: pneumonia, bronchitis, right heart failure without infection, and others (e.g. hemoptysis). Hyperamylasemia (greater than 400 S-U) was observed in groups of pneumonia (15/40 = 35.5%) and of bronchitis (12/95 = 12.6%) respectively, but not in those of right heart failure without infection (0/73 = 0%) and others (0/17 = 0%). As a result, hyperamylasemia was found only under conditions of inflammation of lung parenchyma and bronchi with acute exacerbation of respiratory failure. On the other hand no hyperamylasemia was observed in 62 episodes of only pneumonia without respiratory failure. It was concluded that both respiratory tract infection and acute respiratory failure are necessary factors for development of hyperamylasemia originating from lung or bronchi.

Cerebral muscarinic acetylcholine receptors interact with three kinds of GTP-binding proteins in a reconstitution system of purified components

A new GTP-binding protein, which serves as a substrate for pertussis toxin, was prepared from porcine brain. The new G protein was separated from other GTP-binding proteins, Gi and Go, by an anion-exchange column chromatography. The mobility on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the alpha subunit of the new G protein was between those of alpha subunits of Gi and Go. Evidence that the alpha subunit is not a proteolytic fragment of the alpha subunit is not a proteolytic fragment of the alpha subunit of Gi or Go was provided by experiments involving partial hydrolysis of these G proteins with thermolysin and their interaction with an antibody raised against the amino terminal peptide of the alpha subunit of Gi. In addition, the gamma subunit of the new G protein was indicated to be different from the gamma subunits of Gi and Go, because the latter were found to be phosphorylated by protein kinase C but the former was not. GTP-sensitive high affinity binding of muscarinic receptors with acetylcholine was observed when muscarinic receptors purified from porcine cerebrum were reconstituted in phospholipid vesicles with the new G protein as well as with Gi or Go. The proportion of the high affinity sites increased with the concentrations of the G proteins, the potency of the new G protein being similar to that of Gi but a little lower than that of Go. This GTP-sensitive high affinity binding was not observed when each G protein was pretreated with pertussis toxin and then reconstituted with muscarinic receptors. Acetylcholine accelerated the dissociation of [3H]GDP from the new G protein as well as from Gi and Go, which were reconstituted with muscarinic receptors. These results indicate that muscarinic receptors interact with at least the above three kinds of G proteins, in a pertussis toxin-sensitive manner.

[Development and treatment of respiratory failure due to tuberculosis]

Though the incidence, prevalence, and mortality of tuberculosis have decreased so quickly in last thirty years in Japan, we still have many persons suffering from so called tuberculosis sequelae who complain pulmonary symptoms, particularly respiratory failure. As I have been studying this problems for last many years as a part of tuberculosis treatment, I would like to summarize the present status of the problem. 1) Acute respiratory failure is observed in DIC followed by miliary tuberculosis and in far advanced cases. 2) Chronic respiratory failure is common in pulmonary tuberculosis sequelae. Sexual ratio, male to female is three to two and average age is 60.5. It is quite reasonable that advanced restrictive failure, %VC less than 40%, occurs in 70% of all cases, but obstructive disturbance, FEV1.0% less than 55%, was also observed in 40% of cases. It is still not so clear why tuberculosis sequelae shows obstructive ventilatory failure, but the response to obstruction with the administration of beta-stimulant is observed. Advanced hypoxemia, PaO2 less than 50 Torr, is observed in 30% and hypercapnea is observed in 70% of total cases. Clinical right heart disturbance is observed in 80% of cases. 3) Based on to calculation from the number of interval organ failure and questionnaire to hospitals, the number of persons suffering from respiratory failure is estimated at 20 per 100,000, and it is presumed that the prevalence of respiratory failure will begin to decrease in two to five years later. 4) Pulmonary hypertension, mPA 28.8 mmHg, and higher PVR, 402, are observed in 90 catheterized cases. alpha-NA Peptide in serum and ACT, RVET by echocardiogram are well related to the value of mPA. 5) Average accumulated survival rate is 50% after three years, and it related closely with PaO2. 6) Long term oxygen therapy is the most reasonable and practical treatment for not only to increase the life span but also to improve QOL of the patient. Exercise training is also effective. Almitrine (clinical trial base in Japan), Doxopram and other drugs are effective to recover hypoxemia and to improve pulmonary hypertension. Home mechanical ventilation just started in Japan, and two cases for tuberculosis sequelae are reported. In persons suffering from respiratory failure, special consideration should be made on the treatment of complications, for example abdominal surgery. 7) Social measures, for example, residence with sheltered workshop and vocational training center are quite important to care the respiratory failure due to tuberculosis sequelae. Profile and follow up study of the residence and the training center are reported.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effects of 2(3)-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole pretreatment on cefpiramide binding to mouse glutathione S-transferases

Binding of cefpiramide (CPM) and other beta-lactam antimicrobial agents to 2(3)-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA)-induced liver glutathione (GSH) S-transferases (EC 2.5.1.18) from CD-1 mice was studied. A marked induction of hepatic GSH S-transferase from mice fed BHA was observed. Gel chromatography of liver cytosol from mice fed BHA showed an increased binding of CPM, cefotetan and cefazolin to BHA-induced GSH S-transferases. The extent of their binding to GSH S-transferase seemed to be correlated with the extent of their excretion into the bile. Binding of CPM to the GSH S-transferase fraction was inhibited by both indocyanine green, which is known to bind liver GSH S-transferases intensively, and by cefoperazon, which is mainly excreted into the bile. This study suggests that GSH S-transferases are the main binding proteins of CPM in the liver cytosol fraction and play an important role as carrier proteins of CPM and some antimicrobial agents in mouse liver.

Agonist and antagonist binding of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors purified from porcine brain: interconversion of high- and low-affinity sites by sulfhydryl reagents

The affinity for muscarinic ligands of a preparation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors purified from porcine brain was examined by means of competitive binding of [3H]quinuclidinylbenzylate and unlabeled ligands, followed by computer-assisted nonlinear regression analysis. The displacements by antagonists fitted a single-site model. In contrast, the displacements by agonists did not fit the single-site model and could be explained by assuming two populations of binding sites. The proportion of the sites with high affinity for muscarinic agonists (H-sites) ranged from 25 to 35% of the total number of sites. GTP had no effect on the displacements by agonists, a finding indicating that H-sites did not result from interaction between receptors and GTP-binding proteins. In the presence of dithiothreitol, the affinity for muscarinic ligands decreased. The largest effects were observed on the affinity for pirenzepine and that of H-sites for carbachol. Preincubation of the preparation with 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) resulted in an increase in the proportion of H-sites to 75% of the total number of binding sites. The results of sucrose density gradient centrifugation of the preparation indicated apparent heterogeneity as to molecular size of the receptors, but this heterogeneity did not correlate with that of the affinity for agonists. In addition, the receptors were detected as a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the preparation, regardless of the presence or absence of disulfide-reducing reagents. These results suggest that the redox state of thiol groups in the receptor molecules is relevant to their affinities for ligands.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The interaction between D-2 dopamine receptors and GTP-binding proteins

D-2 dopamine receptors were solubilized from porcine striatal membranes with 0.3% sodium cholate/1 M NaCl and separated from the bulk of the guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (G-proteins) by Ultrogel AcA34 gel filtration chromatography. The partially purified D-2 receptors were reconstituted in phospholipid vesicles with Gi or Go purified from porcine brain. The dissociation constant (Kd) of the D-2 receptors in the reconstituted vesicles for [3H]spiperone binding was 82-89 pm, which was not affected by the presence or absence of G-proteins. The displacement curve for [3H]spiperone/dopamine was analyzed, assuming that there are two populations of binding sites. The Kd values for the binding sites with high affinity for agonists (HAS) and that for the binding sites with low affinity for agonists (LAS) were approximately 1 microM and 100 microM, respectively. The proportion of HAS was 8% when the receptor preparation was reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles without G-proteins, but it increased to 58-64% with increasing G-protein concentrations. The potency of Go was a little higher than that of Gi. The proportion of HAS in the presence of G-proteins decreased to about 11% on addition of GTP. When G-proteins were treated with islet-activating protein, GTP-sensitive HAS were not observed. These results indicate that at least 50% of the partially purified D-2 receptors interact with both Gi and Go.

[Laboratory and clinical studies of flomoxef]

Laboratory and clinical studies were performed on a new oxacephem antibiotic, flomoxef (FMOX, 6315-S). In vitro antibacterial activity of FMOX was evaluated in comparison to latamoxef (LMOX), cefmetazole (CMZ), cefazolin (CEZ) using clinically isolated strains of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Antibacterial activities of FMOX were stronger than LMOX, CMZ, CEZ against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella but only slightly effective against Staphylococcus aureus. This antibiotic drug was administered to 5 patients consisting of 2 cases with pneumonia, one each with pyelonephritis, chronic bronchitis and urinary tract infection. The drug was given in 1 g drip infusion twice a day for 8 to 13 days. Clinical efficacies of FMOX were excellent in 1 case, good in 2, fair in 1, and unevaluable in 1. As for bacteriological effect of FMOX, organisms were eradicated in 3 cases. No side effect was noted and there was no abnormal change in laboratory findings.

Primary structure of porcine cardiac muscarinic acetylcholine receptor deduced from the cDNA sequence

The complete amino acid sequence of the porcine cardiac muscarinic acetylcholine receptor has been deduced by cloning and sequencing the cDNA. The tissue location of the RNA hybridizing with the cDNA suggests that this muscarinic receptor species represents the M2 subtype.

Dose-response curves of central and peripheral airways to nicotine injections in dogs

The dose-response curves of the central and peripheral airways to intravenously injected nicotine were studied in 55 anesthetized dogs. With intact vagi, nicotine caused a dose-dependent increase in central airway resistance (Rc) similar to the increase in peripheral airway resistance (Rp) at concentrations ranging from 4 to 64 micrograms/kg. However, the responses of both Rc and Rp fell progressively when sequential doses of nicotine greater than 256 micrograms/kg were administered. With intact vagi and the administration of propranolol, there was a greater increase in Rp than in Rc at a nicotine dose of 64 micrograms/kg (P less than 0.05). With vagotomy, the responsiveness of both central and peripheral airways to nicotine decreased with doses of nicotine less than 64 micrograms/kg, but with doses of nicotine greater than 256 micrograms/kg the suppressive effect of nicotine on both Rc and Rp was less than that seen with intact vagi. Under conditions in which the vagi were cut and atropine administered, the responsiveness of nicotine was even further depressed. Combinations either of atropine and chlorpheniramine or atropine and phenoxybenzamine also completely blocked reactions to nicotine. Additionally reactions to nicotine were completely blocked by hexamethonium. These results suggest that nicotine increases both Rc and Rp mainly through a vagal reflex and stimulation of the parasympathetic ganglia.

Cloning, sequencing and expression of complementary DNA encoding the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor

Cloning and sequence analysis of DNA complementary to porcine cerebral messenger RNA encoding the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor predict the complete amino-acid sequence of this protein. Expression of the complementary DNA produced functional muscarinic receptor in Xenopus oocytes. The muscarinic receptor is homologous with the beta-adrenergic receptor and rhodopsin in both amino-acid sequence and suggested transmembrane topography.

[The protocol of informing cancer patients of their condition]

The seven points we must consider in informing cancer patients of their condition are as follows: It is necessary that informing the patient has one or more of the following purposes: Patients have a right to know the truth. Any patient who desires to know the nature of his own disease has a right to be told. To avoid legal action. In cases where information is uncertain, which may cause difficulty for the patient. To avoid the burden of fabricating an untrue explanation. To help the patient bear radical treatment such as surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy. To allow the patient to put an end to his/her life's work or finalize problems of property. To help the patient see the need to change his/her way of life. Are the conditions sufficient or not? Almost all these conditions must be clear. Is there any constructive purpose in informing the patient? Does the patient have a rational and receptive character? Is the patient in a mentally stable condition? Is these personal experience of death in the patient's family. Does the patient have a sure faith, thoughts and/or views of life and death? Is there enough cooperative work among the medical team? Is there enough cooperative work among the patient's family? Who tells the truth to the patient? Is there a need to inform the patient in stages? At what stage of the disease is the patient told? Where is the patient told? Comprehensive care must be given after informing the patient of his/her condition.

Reconstitution of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. Guanine nucleotide-sensitive high affinity binding of agonists to purified muscarinic receptors reconstituted with GTP-binding proteins (Gi and Go)

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors purified from porcine brain were reconstituted with two kinds of GTP-binding proteins (Gi and Go). The binding of agonists was affected by guanine nucleotides when the receptor was reconstituted with either Gi or Go, but not in the absence of one of the GTP-binding proteins. The displacement curves with agonists for the [3H]quinuclidinyl benzylate [( 3H]QNB) binding were explained by assuming there are two sites with different affinities for a given agonist. The proportion of the high affinity site increased with increasing concentrations of the GTP-binding proteins, and the maximum value represented 50-70% of the total [3H]QNB-binding sites. Reconstitution of the receptor with both Gi and Go did not increase the proportion any further. These results indicate that Gi and Go interact with the same site, which rules out the possibility that there are two kinds of muscarinic receptors, one interacting with Gi and the other with Go. GDP as well as GTP decreased the affinity for the agonists of the muscarinic receptors reconstituted with Gi or Go. The conversion of GDP to GTP during the incubation was less than 1%, indicating that the effect of GDP is not due to its conversion to GTP, and that the binding of either GTP or GDP with the GTP-binding proteins suppresses their interaction with the receptor.

Functional interaction of purified muscarinic receptors with purified inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins reconstituted in phospholipid vesicles

The GTP binding regulatory protein (Ni involved in adenylate cyclase inhibition was purified from rat brain and reconstituted, together with muscarinic cholinergic receptors purified from porcine brain, into phospholipid vesicles. Guanosine 5'-O-(3-[35S]thio)-triphosphate ([35S]GTP gamma S) binding and GTP hydrolyzing activities of reconstituted Ni were stimulated by the addition of a muscarinic agonist, carbachol. The effect of carbachol was to increase the Vmax values of these activities, but the Km values were also increased slightly in most cases. Carbachol bound to vesicles with the same order of magnitude of Km as that for stimulation of GTPase. The affinity of this binding was reduced by GTP gamma S, indicating that the high-affinity receptor-Ni complex was formed in a GTP-dependent manner in reconstituted vesicles. Incubation of Ni with NAD and islet-activating protein (IAP), pertussis toxin, caused ADP-ribosylation of the alpha-subunit of Ni. The criteria for the receptor-Ni interaction, i.e. carbachol stimulation of the activities of Ni and the GTP gamma S effect on carbachol binding, were no longer observed, when this IAP-treated Ni, instead of the nontreated Ni, was reconstituted into vesicles, though there was no difference between IAP-treated and nontreated Ni in their basal activities observable without carbachol. No, the protein with a character very similar to Ni in rat brain, was also coupled to muscarinic receptors when they were reconstituted into vesicles under the same conditions. Thus, GTP-binding proteins serving as the substrate of IAP-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation are capable of interaction functionally with muscarinic receptors in phospholipid vesicles.

Primary structure of the alpha-subunit of bovine adenylate cyclase-inhibiting G-protein deduced from the cDNA sequence

The primary structure of the alpha-subunit of the adenylate cyclase-inhibiting G-protein (Gi) has been deduced from the nucleotide sequence of cloned DNA complementary to the bovine cerebral mRNA encoding the polypeptide. A much higher degree of amino acid sequence homology is observed between the alpha-subunits of Gi and transducin (68%) than between those of Gi and the adenylate cyclase-stimulating G-protein (Gs) (43%) or between those of transducin and Gs (42%).

Chronic treatment with nifedipine does not change the number of [3H]nitrendipine and [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding sites

Possible receptor changes occurring after withdrawal of chronic nifedipine treatment or chronic propranolol treatment were examined by administering nifedipine (100 mg/kg per day) or propranolol (45 mg/kg per day) to rats for 2 weeks and then withdrawing treatment [3H]Nitrendipine and [3H]DHA binding were measured in membrane fragments of the ventricle. In propranolol-treated rats, 8 h after the last administration, the maximum binding for [3H]DHA was significantly increased from 79.9 +/- 8.0 to 139.8 +/- 12.8 fmol/mg protein (mean +/- S.E.); the dissociation constant was significantly increased from 4.9 +/- 0.7 to 10.7 +/- 1.2 nM. On the other hand, in nifedipine-treated rats, 12 and 48 h after the last administration, [3H]nitrendipine binding and [3H]DHA binding had not changed significantly. These results indicate that the mechanism of the calcium antagonist withdrawal syndrome may be different from that of beta-blocker withdrawal syndrome.

Functional reconstitution of purified muscarinic receptors and inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory protein

Muscarinic receptors trigger several different responses including an increase in concentration of cyclic GMP, a decrease in cyclic AMP concentration, breakdown of polyphosphoinositides and changes in ion permeability. It is not yet clear whether these reactions occur sequentially or independently and which directly coupled to the muscarinic receptor. Several lines of evidence indicate that muscarinic receptors in many, if not all, cell types are coupled to the inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (Ni or Gi) of adenylate cyclase. To provide direct evidence for this coupling, we have reconstituted muscarinic receptors purified from porcine brain with Ni purified from rat brain in a phospholipid vesicle. Here, we report that the GTPase activity of Ni is stimulated by carbachol. This action is blocked by the simultaneous addition of atropine and is not observed when the Ni protein is ADP-ribosylated. We conclude that one function of the muscarinic receptor is the activation of Ni.

Purification of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor from porcine brain

The muscarinic acetylcholine receptor of porcine cerebrum has been purified to apparent homogeneity by affinity chromatography, with conjugated 3-(2'-aminobenzhydryloxy)tropane (ABT) as described previously (Haga, K., and Haga, T. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 13575-13579). In a single step purification using 900 ml of digitonin/cholate-solubilized preparations and 300 ml of the ABT-agarose gel, we obtained, in a yield of 10-15%, more than 250 pmol of muscarinic receptors which bind [3H]N-methylscopolamine with a specific activity of 1,000-5,000 pmol/mg of protein (1,000-5,000-fold purification). The muscarinic receptors eluted from the ABT-agarose gel with 0.1 mM atropine were adsorbed to hydroxylapatite and then recovered as a concentrated solution. Muscarinic receptors were further purified by rechromatography with the same gel or by gel permeation high pressure liquid chromatography. The amino acid composition of the purified receptor was determined, and the specific activity of the purified preparation was estimated to be 13,100 pmol/mg of protein on the basis of amino acid composition. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the purified receptors with or without radioiodination revealed a single, major band with an apparent Mr of 70,000 either by silver staining or radioautogram. The major band corresponded to the band which specifically bound [3H]propylbenzylcholine mustard (irreversible muscarinic ligand). The purified receptor showed essentially the same specificity for muscarinic ligands as unpurified receptors.

Primary structure of the alpha-subunit of transducin and its relationship to ras proteins

A group of membrane-associated guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G-proteins) are essential for transducing signals generated at cell-surface receptors into changes in cellular function and metabolism. These proteins are a complex of three subunits designated alpha, beta and gamma. The alpha-subunit is responsible for binding guanine nucleotides and seems to be characteristic of each protein. Transducin, a member of this protein family, mediates visual transduction by coupling the signal of photolysed rhodopsin with activation of a cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase. We have now cloned and sequenced the complementary DNA encoding the alpha-subunit of bovine retinal transducin and from this we have deduced the complete amino-acid sequence. The transducin alpha-subunit shares several homologous amino-acid sequences with ras gene products. The homologous segments correspond mostly to the regions thought to be involved in the guanine nucleotide binding and GTPase activity of ras proteins and to the ADP-ribosylation sites of the transducin alpha-subunit.

Acute effects of cigarette smoke inhalation on peripheral airways in dogs

We studied the acute effects of the inhalation of cigarette smoke on the central and peripheral airways of 35 open-chested and tracheotomized dogs by the direct measurement of central (Rc) and peripheral (Rp) airway resistances. Rc was calculated by dividing the pressure difference between a tracheal catheter and a retrograde catheter by mouth flow, and Rp was obtained by dividing the pressure difference between the retrograde catheter and a pleural capsule by mouth flow. The pleural capsule was attached to the pleural surface for alveolar pressure measurement. Rc and Rp were measured by the 2-Hz forced oscillation method. With lung inhalation of the smoke of two-thirds of one cigarette in vagi intact dogs, Rp increased to 239% of the control value and Rc increased to 112%. After bilateral vagotomy, Rp increased to 143% and Rc increased to 104%. Propranolol did not influence the results. Hexamethonium and atropine both blocked these responses when vagi were intact. When the upper trachea, larynx, and nasopharynx, which were completely blocked by vagotomy, were exposed to the smoke of two-thirds of a cigarette, Rp increased to 155% and Rc increased to 144%. We thus conclude that cigarette smoke causes a major increase in Rp, mainly via the vagal reflex and partially via the stimulation of parasympathetic ganglia (probably nicotine), and a minor increase in Rc via vagal reflex.

Bioavailability and diuretic effect of furosemide during long-term treatment of chronic respiratory failure

The bioavailability and diuretic effect of furosemide 40 mg administered orally for at least 6 months have been compared in patients with chronic respiratory failure and in healthy controls. The mean urinary recovery of unchanged drug was 11.5 mg and 9.41 mg in 24 h after pre- and postprandial administration to 10 patients, whereas the recovery was 14.4 mg in 10 healthy subjects. The diuretic effect, in terms of urine flow and sodium ion excretion in the 6 h after administration, was also less in patients than in healthy subjects. This was ascribed to the lower bioavailability of furosemide in patients, based on the urinary recovery of unchanged drug, and not to a lower level of response to furosemide than in healthy subjects. The mean absolute bioavailability of furosemide in 6 patients was 41.3% and 63.4%, respectively, calculated from unchanged drug and total drug (unchanged plus glucuronide conjugate). Approximately 53.9% of the dose of furosemide was excreted as the glucuronide conjugate after oral administration, and 34.2% after i.v. injection in the 6 patients. In 3 of the 6 patients studied, a distinct first-pass effect for glucuronidation of furosemide was observed after oral administration. In another study, the mean glucuronide fraction recovered in 24-h urine was 20.7% and 7.3% (p less than 0.01) in 38 patients and 12 healthy subjects, respectively. The fraction in urine was not affected by changing the dose of furosemide from 20 to 120 mg. The lower bioavailability in patients as compared to healthy subjects is ascribed to enhanced glucuronidation and incomplete drug absorption.

Hydrodynamic properties of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors solubilized from rat forebrain

Muscarinic receptors from rat forebrain have been solubilized by Lubrol PX, lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), digitonin and cholate/1 M sodium chloride. The overall level of solubilization was characterized using receptors prelabelled with an irreversible antagonist. The recovery of nondenatured soluble binding activity was estimated using reversible tritiated antagonists. All these detergents solubilized 60-85% of the total binding sites. In Lubrol PX most of the receptors were recovered in a denatured form. In the other detergents 30-90% of the solubilized receptors were stable and capable of binding reversible [3H]-antagonists with high affinity. The hydrodynamic properties of the soluble receptors have been examined by gel filtration and sucrose gradient centrifugation in H2O and D2O. The soluble receptors in Lubrol PX, lysophosphatidylcholine and cholate were, in general, heterogeneous as regards their molecular size. Estimates of the molecular weight after correction for bound detergent, varied from 82,000 to 134,000. Conditions were identified under which the receptor was largely monodisperse, and the estimates of molecular weight agreed with values (ca. 83,000) from sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The amount of bound detergent could not be calculated for the digitonin-muscarinic receptor complex which had an estimated overall median molecular weight of about 290,000. It is concluded that a subpopulation of muscarinic receptors from the rat forebrain is capable of existing in a monomeric soluble form and binding ligands. There is also evidence that complexes with other proteins can exist, but their specificity and functional relevance are not known.

Affinity chromatography of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor

A novel compound, 3-(2'-aminobenzhydryloxy)-tropane (ABT), and an ABT-agarose gel were synthesized and used for the purification of solubilized muscarinic receptors. ABT had a high affinity with an apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of 7 nM for the muscarinic receptors solubilized from the porcine brain by digitonin. An ABT-agarose gel was prepared by coupling ABT with epoxy-activated Sepharose 6B, and the degree of substitution to the gel was determined to be 4-5 mumol/ml of the gel by UV absorption spectrum. During affinity chromatography using 10 ml of the ABT-agarose gel and 100 ml of the digitonin-solubilized preparation, 70% of muscarinic receptors were adsorbed to the gel, in marked contrast with the adsorption of only 2% of proteins. Approximately 25% of muscarinic receptors applied to the gel were eluted biospecifically with 1 mM muscarinic ligands. The purified fraction showed a high affinity for [3H]quinuclidinyl benzylate with a Kd of 0.4 nM and similar specificity for muscarinic ligands to that of unpurified soluble receptors. The protein concentration of the purified fraction was too low to be determined accurately, but very approximately a purification of 10(3)-fold was indicated.

Muscarinic receptors in porcine caudate nucleus. II. Different effects of N-ethylmaleimide on [3H]cis-methyldioxolane binding to heat-labile (guanyl nucleotide-sensitive) sites and heat-stable (guanyl nucleotide-insensitive) sites

Heat treatment of membranes from porcine caudate nucleus (50 degrees for 7 min) caused a marked decrease in [3H]cis-methyldioxolane [( 3H]CD) binding without affecting seriously the binding of [3H]3-quinuclidinyl benzilate [( 3H]QNB). Approximately 20% of the [3H]CD binding at 5 nM [3H]CD remained after the heat treatment. The remaining binding was not affected by 0.1 mM guanylyl-5'-imidodiphosphate (GppNHp) or by nickel or other cations at concentrations below 10 mM. Treatment of the membranes with trypsin (30 micrograms/mg of protein) at 20 degrees for 20 min also caused a marked decrease in [3H]CD binding without affecting seriously the binding of [3H]QNB. About 20% of the original [3H]CD binding remained in the presence of trypsin at a high concentration of protein (90 micrograms/mg). N-Ethylmaleimide (NEM) affected [3H]CD binding in two different ways: (a) preincubation of the membranes with NEM caused a marked reduction in heat- and GppNHp-sensitive [3H]CD binding, and (b) treatment with NEM caused an enhancement of heat-, GppNHp-, and trypsin-insensitive [3H]CD binding. Neither of the NEM effects required the coexistence of agonists. The concentration of NEM required for the first effect was 10 times lower than that for the second effect, indicating the existence of two NEM-binding sites with different affinities for NEM. The equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) for [3H]CD after NEM treatment was 33 nM and was not affected by GppNHp, Ni2+, or heat treatment; the Kd was only 4 times higher than that (8 nM) without NEM treatment. These findings indicated the existence of two kinds of [3H]CD binding sites with high affinities for agonists: one is sensitive to guanyl nucleotide and is abolished by NEM and the other is induced by NEM and insensitive to guanyl nucleotide.

Muscarinic receptors in porcine caudate nucleus. I. Enhancement by nickel and other cations of [3H]cis-methyldioxolane binding to guanyl nucleotide-sensitive sites

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the synaptic membrane fraction of porcine caudate nucleus were characterized by using a radiolabeled agonist, [3H]cis-methyldioxolane [( 3H]CD) and an antagonist, [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate [( 3H]QNB). Scatchard analysis of the specific binding of [3H]CD gave a single equilibrium dissociation constant of 8.1 nM when a concentration of less than 80 nM [3H]CD was used. The binding capacity was 390 fmoles/mg of protein and corresponded to about 10% of the binding sites of [3H]QNB. Agonist/[3H]CD competition binding experiments indicated that [3H]CD was selectively bound to the sites with a high affinity for agonists. [3H]CD binding was inhibited by Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ with the half-maximal effect at 10-50 mM. Nickel ion showed biphasic effects on [3H]CD binding: a 2- to 3-fold enhancement of binding at 0.1-10 mM and inhibition above 10 mM. Other cations, including Co2+, Mn2+, and Zn2+, at 1 mM also increased [3H]CD binding by a factor of 1.5-1.8. Among 18 cations examined, only Cd2+, Hg2+, and Cu2+ caused significant inhibition of [3H]CD binding at 1 mM. [3H]CD binding was decreased to about 20% of the control value in the presence of guanylyl-5'-imidodiphosphate (GppNHp), GTP, and GDP with the half-maximal effect at 1.3, 32, and 45 microM, respectively. [3H]CD binding in the presence of Ni2+ was decreased by GppNHp to a level obtained in the presence of GppNHp alone. The increase caused by Ni2+ in [3H]CD binding was due to the increase in the maximal binding capacity (Bmax) without changes in the affinity for [3H]CD. We conclude that Ni2+ increases the proportion of a muscarinic receptor subclass (or state) that is sensitive to guanyl nucleotide.

A study of long-term oxygen therapy in Japan and other Asian countries

In order to investigate the use of long-term oxygen therapy in Japan, I sent questionnaires to the national chronic disease hospitals and general hospitals that are known to frequently treat respiratory diseases. I found that 61% of the chronic disease hospitals that responded had patients receiving long-term oxygen therapy in the hospital, and 12% had patients receiving it at home. Of the general hospitals answering the questionnaire, 77% had inpatients on long-term oxygen and 39% had home patients receiving oxygen therapy. The majority of patients were on oxygen for treatment of tuberculosis, its sequelae, or obstructive lung diseases. The mean PaO2 for inpatients and outpatients on oxygen was 69 mm Hg and 65 mm Hg, respectively. The cannula is the most frequently used oxygen delivery appliance. Hospital piping systems are used for inpatients, and cylinders and concentrators are used by outpatients. Health insurance covers the cost of oxygen and equipment for hospitalized patients. Home oxygen and equipment are paid for by the patient himself, or at public expense. According to the results of my questionnaire, in Hong Kong long-term oxygen is administered in the hospital only. In Korea it is administered in the hospital and on rare occasion in the home. In Taiwan oxygen is not administered on a long-term basis.