Autoradiographic visualization of angiotensin-converting enzyme in rat brain with [3H]captopril: localization to a striatonigral pathway

The kallikrein-kinin system in the rat hypothalamus. Immunohistochemical localization of high molecular weight kininogen and T kininogen in different neuronal systems

High molecular weight kininogen (HKg) and T kininogen (TKg) were detected and localized by immunocytochemistry in adult rat hypothalamus. In addition, kininogens were measured by their direct radioimmunoassay (RIA) or by indirect estimation of kinins released after trypsin hydrolysis and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation of bradykinin (BK) and T kinin. A specific HKg immunoreactivity demonstrated with antibodies directed against the light chain (LC) of HKg was colocated with SRIF in neurons of hypothalamic periventricular area (PVA) projecting to external zone (ZE) of median eminence (ME). Heavy chain (HC) immunoreactivity which could be related to HKg or to low molecular weight kininogen (LKg) was detected in some other systems: i) parvocellular neurons of suprachiasmatic (SCN) and arcuate nuclei containing SRIF, ii) magnocellular neurons (mostly oxytocinergic) of paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic (SON) nuclei, iii) neurons of dorsomedian and lateral hypothalamic areas. TKg immunostaining was restricted to magnocellular neurons of PVN, SON, accessory nuclei (mostly vasopressinergic) and to parvocellular neurons of SCN (vasopressinergic). TKg projections are directed towards the internal zone (ZI) of ME, but very few immunoreactive terminals are detectable in neurohypophysis. TKg staining parallels with vasopressin during water deprivation, and is undetectable in homozygous Brattleboro rats. In some magnocellular neurons, TKg and HC (related to HKg or LKg) are coexpressed. TKg, was also detected in hypothalamus and cerebellum extracts by direct RIA, and BK and T kinin were identified after trypsin hydrolysis. HKg and LKg can act as precursor of BK which can play a physiological role as releasing factor, neuromodulator--neurotransmitter,--or modulator of local microcirculation in hypothalamus. The three kininogens are also potent thiolprotease inhibitors which could modulate both the maturation processes of peptidic hormones and their inactivation and catabolism.

Angiotensin II and the locus coeruleus

The locus coeruleus (LC) is a putative site of action for angiotensin II in the brain. Immunocytochemical studies have identified angiotensin II-like immunoreactive material in nerve terminals innervating the LC, and the LC contains one of the highest densities of angiotensin II receptor binding sites in the rat brain. Recent studies using selective neurotoxins suggest that the binding sites for angiotensin II in the LC are present on noradrenergic perikarya. Angiotensin II receptors are now known to exist as two subtypes that are distinguishable both pharmacologically and biochemically. Radioligand binding studies using agonists and antagonists selective for these angiotensin II receptor subtypes indicate that the rat LC contains a mixture of the two known angiotensin II receptor subtypes, but that the PD123177-sensitive AII beta receptor subtype is predominant. Comparisons of spontaneously hypertensive rats with normotensive rats indicates that angiotensin II and its receptors in the LC are elevated in the hypertensive rat strain. Studies of the biochemical and physiological actions of angiotensin II in the LC have not yet established an agreed-upon function for angiotensin II in this nucleus.

Nootropic effects of ACE inhibitors in mice

The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors captopril and enalapril and the nootropic piracetam reduced the amnesiogenic effects of cerebral electroshock treatment in mice. These compounds also directly improved passive-avoidance learning if administered before the learning trial. When given immediately after the learning trial, captopril and piracetam were active, but not enalapril. Captopril, but neither enalapril nor piracetam, facilitated memory retrieval after a 2-month retention interval. Unlike those of piracetam, the memory-improving effects of captopril and enalapril are not established by aldosterone-receptor blockade, suggesting that the two types of drug act via different mechanisms of action.

Hydrolysis of the brain dipeptide N-acetyl-L-aspartyl-L-glutamate: subcellular and regional distribution, ontogeny, and the effect of lesions on N-acetylated-alpha-linked acidic dipeptidase activity

N-Acetylated-alpha-linked acidic dipeptidase (NAALADase) is a Cl- dependent, membrane bound, metallopeptidase that cleaves the endogenous neuropeptide N-acetyl-L-aspartyl-L-glutamate (NAAG) in vitro. To examine the pattern of NAALADase expression in the CNS, subcellular, regional, and developmental studies were conducted. Subcellular fractionation of lysed synaptosomal membranes revealed a substantial enrichment of the peptidase in synaptic plasma membranes as compared to mitochondrial or myelin subfractions. Regional studies reveal an apparent restriction of peptidase activity to kidney and brain. A threefold variation in specific activity was observed among brain regions, with highest specific activity in the cerebellum and lowest in telencephalic structures, a pattern that does not, in general, correlate with NAAG levels. Ontogenetic studies demonstrate a region-dependent, postnatal pattern of expression of NAALADase activity, with adult levels attained earliest in brainstem, as was previously reported for NAAG. Postnatal NAALADase expression would not appear to support a role for the peptidase in constitutive protein processing, but rather suggests that NAALADase may play a role in synaptic peptide degradation. Glutamate (Glu) excised from NAAG by NAALADase could be transported efficiently by uptake processes. Lesion studies, however, do not support a close structural association between NAALADase activity and the corticostriatal sodium-dependent, high-affinity, Glu uptake system. Similar to in vitro data documenting the route of NAAG degradation by NAALADase, after intrastriatal injection, NAAG was rapidly cleaved to two major products, N-acetyl-aspartate and Glu, with a t1/2 of approximately 10 min. Thus, the route of in vivo catabolism of NAAG parallels results from studies on NAALADase activity in vitro. These results are consistent with a role of NAALADase in the synaptic processing of NAAG. However, certain discrepancies in the regional and ontogenetic profiles of NAAG and NAALADase suggest that this relationship is not an exclusive one and may reflect a role for NAALADase on additional N-acetylated acidic peptides in vivo.

Inhibition of tissue angiotensin converting enzyme. Quantitation by autoradiography

Inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in serum and tissues of rats was studied after administration of lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor. Tissue ACE was assessed by quantitative in vitro autoradiography using the ACE inhibitor [125I]351A, as a ligand, and serum ACE was measured by a fluorimetric method. Following oral administration of lisinopril (10 mg/kg), serum ACE activity was acutely reduced but recovered gradually over 24 hours. Four hours after lisinopril administration, ACE activity was markedly inhibited in kidney (11% of control level), adrenal (8%), duodenum (8%), and lung (33%; p less than 0.05). In contrast, ACE in testis was little altered by lisinopril (96%). In brain, ACE activity was markedly reduced 4 hours after lisinopril administration in the circumventricular organs, including the subfornical organ (16-22%) and organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (7%; p less than 0.05). In other areas of the brain, including the choroid plexus and caudate putamen, ACE activity was unchanged. Twenty-four hours after administration, ACE activity in peripheral tissues and the circumventricular organs of the brain had only partially recovered toward control levels, as it was still below 50% of control activity levels. These results establish that lisinopril has differential effects on inhibiting ACE in different tissues and suggest that the prolonged tissue ACE inhibition after a single oral dose of lisinopril may reflect targets involved in the hypotensive action of ACE inhibitors.

Radioimmunochemical methods for the quantitative autoradiographic determination of antigens in brain and other tissues

1. We have used horseradish peroxidase-conjugated protein A- and 125I-protein A to develop immunohistochemical and radioimmunohistochemical methods for the localization of antigens in brain and other tissues of the rat. 2. We visualized methionine-enkephalin fibers in the rat brain by incubating tissue sections with a specific polyclonal antibody and peroxidase-conjugated protein A. The method is simple, fast, and less expensive and more sensitive than classical immunohistochemical techniques and the principle could be used to visualize many other tissue antigens. 3. Incubation of tissue samples with specific polyclonal antibodies and 125I-protein A, followed by autoradiography, allows the permanent recording of the radioimmunohistochemical localization of brain methionine-enkephalin, tyrosine hydroxylase, and angiotensin-converting enzyme and of pituitary vasopressin and could be applied to the localization of many other tissue antigens. 4. A new quantitative radioimmunohistochemical technique for methionine-enkephalin allows the determination of the endogenous peptide content in discrete brain nuclei from 16-microns-thick sections. The method is based on the quantitative determination of the amount of 125I-protein A bound to specific tissue areas after incubation with a specific polyclonal antibody, followed by autoradiography and computerized microdensitometry. To quantify the endogenous peptide content, the values obtained are interpolated into a methionine-enkephalin internal standard curve. This standard curve was constructed by measuring endogenous concentrations of methionine-enkephalin by radioimmunoassay in specific brain regions and correlating these values with quantitative autoradiographic determinations in homologous areas of adjacent sections. Similar methods can be developed for other tissue antigens. 5. These new methods allow for the localization and quantification of tissue antigens in very discrete areas of the brain and other tissues and have a wide application in neurobiology and pathology.

Relative inhibitory potency and plasma drug levels of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in the rat

1. 125I-351A, a tyrosyl derivative of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor lisinopril, was used as a radioligand, and radioinhibitor binding and displacement assays have been established. 2. The in vitro potency of a range of ACE inhibitors against rat ACE was determined using the radioinhibitor binding displacement assay. 3. The concentration of an ACE inhibitor needed to displace 50% of 125I-351A bound to rat ACE (ID50) was closely correlated with the concentration needed to inhibit 50% of ACE enzymatic activity (IC50). 4. Radioinhibitor binding displacement assay was used to measure the plasma concentrations of lisinopril, cilazapril and perindopril in rat plasma. 5. Plasma concentrations of lisinopril measured by radioimmunoassay were identical with that measured by radioinhibitor binding assays.

The effect of captopril or enalaprilic acid on the Na appetite of Na-deplete rats

1. The converting enzyme inhibitors, captopril (SQ14 225, Squibb) or enalaprilic acid (MK 422, Merck Sharp and Dohme), were used to evaluate the role of angiotensin II in sodium (Na) appetite of Na-deplete rats given a choice of water and 0.5 mol/l NaCl to drink. Also, the effect of these drugs on taste was evaluated in water-deprived Na-replete rats and in Na-deplete rats given a choice of NaCl, sucrose and water. 2. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of furosemide (20 mg/kg) increased urinary Na loss by 1.3-1.4 mmol and subsequent Na intake by 1.5-1.8 mmol. This increase in Na intake was abolished by a high dose of captopril (50 mg/kg, i.p.) or enalaprilic acid (80 mg/kg, i.p.), but was enhanced by a low dose of captopril (50 micrograms/kg, i.p.). 3. There was no clear evidence that either captopril or enalapril affected taste for NaCl, sucrose or water in water-deprived Na-replete rats. However, the high dose of captopril or enalapril decreased the intake of NaCl and sucrose in Na-deplete rats. 4. Thus, while the results are consistent with the possibility that angiotensin II is involved in Na appetite induced by Na depletion and that the difference between the high and low doses of converting enzyme inhibitors on Na appetite may be related to their relative effectiveness in blocking angiotensin I conversion at central sites, the observation that sucrose intake is decreased by high dose converting enzyme inhibitor in Na-deplete rats suggests that other actions of the converting enzyme inhibitors may be involved.

Kallikrein-like esteroprotease activity and kininase activity in submandibular gland from a mutant mouse with human cystic fibrosis like alterations

The submandibular gland of cri/cri and control mice were compared for their activity of glandular kallikrein like esteroprotease and kininase. Esteroprotease activity is significantly reduced in cri/cri mice with respect to control, with an increased kininase activity in cri/cri mice. Since previous work showed an electrolyte abnormality in the salivary glands of this mutant mouse (1) a possible relationship between this alteration with the low activity of cellular esteroprotease and the high kininase activity is suggested.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme labeled with [3H]captopril. Tissue localizations and changes in different models of hypertension in the rat

In vitro autoradiography with [3H]captopril was used to localize and quantitate angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in various tissues in two-kidney, one-clip (2K-1C) hypertension, one-kidney, one-clip (1K-1C) hypertension, desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertension, and a normotensive control group. There were no significant differences in mean systolic blood pressure among the hypertensive groups. Plasma renin activity (PRA) was highest in the 2K-1C group (6.20 +/- 2.17 ng/ml per h), intermediate in the 1K-1C group (2.19 +/- 0.62 ng/ml per h) and control group (3.20 +/- 0.53 ng/ml per h), and lowest in the DOCA-salt group (0.07 +/- 0.06 ng/ml per h). In the lungs, aorta, mesenteric arteries, and adrenal medulla, ACE labeling was highest in the 2K-1C group, intermediate in the 1K-1C and control groups, and lowest in the DOCA-salt group. ACE levels in these tissues correlated positively with PRA. In the kidney, anterior pituitary, testis, and choroid plexus of the brain, ACE levels correlated negatively with PRA, with lowest ACE levels in the 2K-1C group and highest levels in the DOCA-salt group. In the epididymis, posterior pituitary, and other regions of the brain, ACE levels did not differ significantly among the groups.

Purification and characterization of a peptidyl dipeptidase resembling angiotensin converting enzyme from the electric organ of Torpedo marmorata

The electric organ of Torpedo marmorata contains a membrane-bound, captopril-sensitive metallopeptidase that resembles mammalian angiotensin converting enzyme (peptidyl dipeptidase A; EC 3.4.15.1). The Torpedo enzyme has now been purified to apparent homogeneity from electric organ by a procedure involving affinity chromatography using the selective inhibitor lisinopril immobilised to Sepharose via a 28-A spacer arm. The purified protein, like the mammalian enzyme, acted as a peptidyl dipeptidase in cleaving dipeptides from the C-terminus of a variety of peptide substrates, including angiotensin I, bradykinin, [Met5]enkephalin, [Leu5]enkephalin, and the model substrate hippuryl (benzoylglycyl; BzGly)-His-Leu. The hydrolysis of BzGly-His-Leu was activated by Cl-. Enzyme activity was inhibited by classical angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, including captopril, enalaprilat (MK422), and lisinopril (MK521). Torpedo angiotensin converting enzyme, like its mammalian counterpart, was also able to act as an endopeptidase in hydrolysing the amidated neuropeptide substance P. Hydrolysis of substance P occurred primarily at the Phe8-Gly9 bond with release of the C-terminal tripeptide, Gly-Leu-MetNH2, and this hydrolysis was blocked by selective inhibitors. The Torpedo enzyme was recognised by a polyclonal antibody to pig kidney angiotensin converting enzyme on immunoelectrophoretic (Western) blot analysis. Thus, on the basis of substrate specificity, inhibitor sensitivity, and immunological criteria, the Torpedo enzyme closely resembles mammalian angiotensin converting enzyme. However, the Torpedo enzyme appears somewhat larger (Mr = 190,000) than the pig kidney enzyme (Mr = 180,000) on sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The endogenous peptide substrate(s) for Torpedo electric organ angiotensin converting enzyme and the physiological role of the enzyme in this tissue remain to be evaluated.

Isolation of two differentially glycosylated forms of peptidyl-dipeptidase A (angiotensin converting enzyme) from pig brain: a re-evaluation of their role in neuropeptide metabolism

Peptidyl-dipeptidase A (angiotensin converting enzyme; ACE, EC 3.4.15.1), has been purified from pig kidney and striatum by affinity chromatography employing the selective inhibitor lisinopril as ligand. The inclusion of a 2.8 nm spacer arm improved the yield of the enzyme compared with the 1.4 nm spacer arm described in previous work. Two forms of striatal ACE (Mr 180,000 and 170,000), but only a single form of kidney ACE (Mr 180,000), were isolated by this procedure. Both forms of striatal ACE were recognized by a polyclonal antibody to kidney ACE. No significant differences in substrate specificity or inhibitor sensitivity between kidney and striatal ACE could be detected. In particular, the amidated neuropeptide, substance P, was hydrolysed identically by both preparations and no significant hydrolysis of the related tachykinin peptides neurokinin A and neurokinin B could be detected. After chemical or enzymic deglycosylation, kidney and both forms of striatal ACE migrated identically on sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis with an apparent Mr of 150,000. We suggest that the two detectable forms of ACE in pig brain are not isoenzymes but are the result of differential glycosylation in different cell types in the brain. It appears that ACE, unlike endopeptidase-24.11, does not have the general capacity to hydrolyse and inactivate the tachykinin peptides at a significant rate in brain.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition in plasma and tissues

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and the ACE inhibitor lisinopril were measured in patients with renal impairment, by both radioinhibitor 125I MK351A binding studies, and by radioimmunoassay. Plasma concentration of lisinopril estimated by radioinhibitor binding displacement correlated closely with that measured by radioimmunoassay. Plateau lisinopril concentration in 8 patients with varying degrees of renal failure treated with 5 mg lisinopril per day for 1 week, was inversely related to renal function. Plasma lisinopril concentrations of 30-70 ng/ml were required for 50% inhibition of plasma ACE activity in vivo. Acute studies in the rat showed inhibition of ACE in different tissues had different time courses. These observations suggest that 125I MK351A binding studies in tissues will be useful in establishing the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of newer ACE inhibitors, and may help delineate the contribution of ACE in different tissues to cardiovascular homeostasis.

Characterization of angiotensin converting enzyme from rat tissue by radio-inhibitor binding studies

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) derived from rat lung, aorta, epididymus, brain, kidney and plasma was characterized by radio-inhibitor (125I-MK351A) binding studies. Under optimal binding conditions at equilibrium 125I-MK351A bound to ACE was displaced from ACE in a concentration related manner by unlabelled MK351A. MK351A binding site concentration for each tissue and equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) was estimated by Scatchard analysis of binding data. Binding sites/mg protein was greatest in lung and least in brain. The KD for kidney ACE was significantly higher than that of lung, aorta, epididymus or brain ACE (P less than 0.005; t-test, d.f. = 10). 125I-MK351A bound to ACE prepared from lung and kidney was displaced in a concentration dependent manner by SQ20881, SQ14225, MK422, and Ro31-3113-000. Concentration of ACE inhibitor required to displace 50% of bound 125I-MK351A (DD50) was consistently higher for kidney-derived ACE than lung-derived ACE. The differences in radio-inhibitor binding characteristics of ACE from different rat tissues suggests that the enzyme active site may not be identical in all organs.

Parkinson's disease: nigral receptor changes support peptidergic role in nigrostriatal modulation

Autoradiographic studies reveal densities of binding to somatostatin, neurotensin, mu-opiate, and benzodiazepine receptors in substantia nigra specimens from neurologically normal human brains. Binding to nigral angiotensin converting enzyme is also dense, whereas more modest densities of kappa-opiate, dopamine, and serotonin receptors are noted. In nigral specimens taken from patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease, substantial reductions in somatostatin, neurotensin, mu-opiate and kappa-opiate receptors contrast with more modest reductions in dopamine and benzodiazepine I receptor subtypes. Angiotensin converting enzyme, serotonin, and benzodiazepine II binding are virtually unaltered. These results underscore the likelihood of strong peptidergic influences on normal and pathologically altered human nigrostriatal circuitry.

Gametes contain angiotensin converting enzyme (kininase II)

The localization of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in the gonads of the normal rabbit was studied by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy. The enzyme is present in the cytoplasm of testicular spermatids and of epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa, and on the surface of follicular and tubal oocytes. These findings support the hypothesis that ACE has a role in gamete maturation and in fertilization.

Autoradiographic comparison of the distribution of the neutral endopeptidase "enkephalinase" and of mu and delta opioid receptors in rat brain

The neutral endopeptidase EC 3.4.24.11, also designated enkephalinase, has been visualized by in vitro autoradiography using the tritiated inhibitor [3H]-N-[(2RS)-3-hydroxyaminocarbonyl-2-benzyl-1-oxopropyl] glycine, ([3H]HACBO-Gly). Specific binding of [3H]HACBO-Gly (Kd = 0.4 +/- 0.05 nM) corresponding to 85% of the total binding to brain slices was inhibited by 1 microM thiorphan, a selective inhibitor of enkephalinase, but remained unchanged in the presence of captopril, a selective inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme. Very high levels of [3H]HACBO-Gly binding were found in the choroid plexus and the substantia nigra. High levels were present in the caudate putamen, globus pallidus, nucleus accumbens, olfactory tubercle, and in the substantia gelatinosa of the spinal cord. Moderate densities were found in parts of the amygdala, the periaqueductal gray matter, the interpeduncular nucleus, and the molecular layer of the cerebellum. The distribution of enkephalinase was compared to that of mu and delta opioid receptors, selectively labeled with [3H]Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-MePhe-glycinol and [3H]Tyr-D-Thr-Gly-Phe-Leu-Thr, respectively. In the caudate putamen, [3H]HACBO-Gly binding overlapped the clustered mu sites but appeared more closely related to the diffusely distributed delta sites. High levels of enkephalinase and mu opioid binding sites were present at the level of the periaqueductal gray matter and in the substantia gelatinosa of the spinal cord, regions where only sparse delta opioid receptors could be detected. The association of enkephalinase with delta and mu opioid receptors in these areas is consistent with the observed role of the enzyme in regulating the effects of opioid peptides in striatal dopamine release and analgesia, respectively. Except for the choroid plexus and the cerebellum, the close similarity observed in numerous rat brain areas between the distribution of enkephalinase and that of mu and/or delta opioid binding sites could account for most of the pharmacological effects elicited by enkephalinase inhibitors.

Enkephalin convertase localization by [3H]guanidinoethylmercaptosuccinic acid autoradiography: selective association with enkephalin-containing neurons

Enkephalin convertase, an enkephalin-forming carboxypeptidase, is potently inhibited by guanidinoethylmercaptosuccinic acid (GEMSA). We have localized enkephalin convertase in rat brain by in vitro autoradiography with [3H]GEMSA. [3H]GEMSA-associated silver grains are highly concentrated in the median eminence, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, lateral septum, dentate gyrus, hippocampus, central nucleus of the amygdala, preoptic hypothalamus, magnocellular nuclei of the hypothalamus, interpeduncular nucleus, dorsal parabrachial nucleus, locus coeruleus, nucleus of the solitary tract, and the substantia gelatinosa of the spinal trigeminal tract. This distribution corresponds closely with immunocytochemical localizations of enkephalin-containing cells and axons, indicating that enkephalin convertase is selectively involved in enkephalin biosynthesis.

Psychotomimetic opiate receptors labeled and visualized with (+)-[3H]3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N-(1-propyl)piperidine

3-(3-Hydroxyphenyl)-N-(1-propyl)piperidine (3-PPP) has been proposed as a selective dopamine autoreceptor agonist in the central nervous system. This report describes the pharmacology and localization of specific high-affinity binding sites for (+)-[3H]3-PPP in brain. The drug specificity of (+)-[3H]3-PPP binding is identical to that of sigma receptors, which may mediate psychotomimetic effects of some opiates. Haloperidol and the opioid derivatives, pentazocine, cyclazocine, and SKF 10,047 are potent inhibitors of (+)-[3H]3-PPP binding. Stereoselectivity is exhibited for the (+) isomers of cyclazocine and SKF 10,047 at the sigma site, opposite to the stereoselectivity seen at mu, delta, and kappa opiate receptors. (+)-[3H]3-PPP does not label dopamine receptors, as potent dopamine agonists and antagonists are weak inhibitors of binding and the localization of specific (+)-[3H]3-PPP binding sites does not parallel that of dopamine neurons. Discrete localizations of (+)-[3H]3-PPP binding sites in many brain areas including limbic, midbrain, brainstem, and cerebellar regions may explain psychotomimetic actions of opiates and behavioral effects of 3-PPP.

Localization of angiotensin converting enzyme in rat forebrain and other tissues by in vitro autoradiography using 125I-labelled MK351A

The potent angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, MK351A, was radioiodinated and found to show saturable, high affinity, reversible binding to membrane fractions of rat lung. At 20 degrees C the labelled inhibitor bound to lung membranes with a T1/2 of congruent to 2-3 min and reached a plateau at 15 min; the complex dissociated with a T1/2 congruent to 65 min on addition of excess unlabelled MK521. The potency of a series of converting enzyme inhibitors in displacing the radioactive ligand closely paralleled their anticatalytic potency, strongly suggesting that the ligand labels the active site of converting enzyme. This ligand has the desired properties as a probe for autoradiographic localization of converting enzyme since it exhibits high affinity, stable binding to the enzyme with very low non-specific binding (less than 2% of total). In vitro autoradiographic analysis using 125I-MK351A revealed a very high density of converting enzyme in lung, small bowel mucosa, adrenal zona glomerulosa and medulla and renal cortex. In rat forebrain a very high density of binding was found in the choroid plexus, subfornical organ and caudate-putamen. This technique provides a promising method for the quantitative localization of angiotensin converting enzyme in tissues.

Parkinsonism-inducing neurotoxin, N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6 -tetrahydropyridine: characterization and localization of receptor binding sites in rat and human brain

N-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) produces neuropathologic and clinical abnormalities in humans and animals that closely resemble idiopathic Parkinson disease. [3H]MPTP binds with high affinity (Kd = 28 X 10(-9) M) to brain membranes. The chemical specificity of the binding sites corresponds to structure-activity requirements for neurotoxicity. Autoradiographic studies in human brain show very high receptor densities in the caudate, substantia nigra, and locus coeruleus, which may explain the neurotoxic and neurochemical sequelae of MPTP administration. In contrast to the human, rat substantia nigra and caudate display only moderate receptor concentrations. This species difference may explain the difficulty in producing selective nigrostriatal degeneration in rats. Sites densely labeled in rat brain include the locus coeruleus, interpeduncular nucleus, arcuate and periventricular hypothalamic nuclei, and the subfornical organ.

Drug and neurotransmitter receptors in the brain

Biochemical investigation of receptors for neurotransmitters and drugs in the brain has been one of the most active areas of molecular neuroscience during the past decade. This work has permitted fundamental insights into how binding of neurotransmitters to their receptors excites or inhibits neuronal firing or changes cellular metabolism. The recognition of receptor subtypes has suggested subtle ways for neurotransmitters to modulate neuronal functioning. Finally, the ability to measure receptor sites in simple test tube systems and to distinguish readily between agonists and antagonists has provided useful probes for drug discovery programs.