The interaction of U-73122 with the histamine H1 receptor: implications for the use of U-73122 in defining H1 receptor-coupled signalling pathways

EPAC1 and 2 inhibit K+ currents via PLC/PKC and NOS/PKG pathways in rat ventricular cardiomyocytes

The exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (EPAC) has been implicated in cardiac proarrhythmic signaling pathways including spontaneous diastolic Ca2+ leak from sarcoplasmic reticulum and increased action potential duration (APD) in isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes. The action potential (AP) lengthening following acute EPAC activation is mainly due to a decrease of repolarizing steady-state K+ current (IKSS) but the mechanisms involved remain unknown. This study aimed to assess the role of EPAC1 and EPAC2 in the decrease of IKSS and to investigate the underlying signaling pathways. AP and K+ currents were recorded with the whole cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique in freshly isolated rat ventricular myocytes. EPAC1 and EPAC2 were pharmacologically activated with 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-2'-O-methyl-cAMP acetoxymethyl ester (8-CPTAM, 10 µmol/L) and inhibited with R-Ce3F4 and ESI-05, respectively. Inhibition of EPAC1 and EPAC2 significantly decreased the effect of 8-CPTAM on APD and IKSS showing that both EPAC isoforms are involved in these effects. Unexpectedly, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) inhibition by AIP or KN-93, and Ca2+ chelation by intracellular BAPTA, did not impact the response to 8-CPTAM. However, inhibition of PLC/PKC and nitric oxide synthase (NOS)/PKG pathways partially prevents the 8-CPTAM-dependent decrease of IKSS. Finally, the cumulative inhibition of PKC and PKG blocked the 8-CPTAM effect, suggesting that these two actors work along parallel pathways to regulate IKSS upon EPAC activation. On the basis of such findings, we propose that EPAC1 and EPAC2 are involved in APD lengthening by inhibiting a K+ current via both PLC/PKC and NOS/PKG pathways. This may have pathological implications since EPAC is upregulated in diseases such as cardiac hypertrophy.NEW & NOTEWORHTY Exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (EPAC) proteins modulate ventricular electrophysiology at the cellular level. Both EPAC1 and EPAC2 isoforms participate in this effect. Mechanistically, PLC/PKC and nitric oxide synthase (NO)/PKG pathways are involved in regulating K+ repolarizing current whereas the well-known downstream effector of EPAC, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), does not participate. This may have pathological implications since EPAC is upregulated in diseases such as cardiac hypertrophy. Thus, EPAC inhibition may be a new approach to prevent arrhythmias under pathological conditions.

Direct modulation of TRPM4 and TRPM3 channels by the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Signalling through phospholipase C (PLC) controls many cellular processes. Much information on the relevance of this important pathway has been derived from pharmacological inhibition of the enzymatic activity of PLC. We found that the most frequently employed PLC inhibitor, U73122, activates endogenous ionic currents in widely used cell lines. Given the extensive use of U73122 in research, we set out to identify these U73122-sensitive ion channels.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

We performed detailed biophysical analysis of the U73122-induced currents in frequently used cell lines.

KEY RESULTS

At concentrations required to inhibit PLC, U73122 modulated the activity of transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) channels through covalent modification. U73122 was shown to be a potent agonist of ubiquitously expressed TRPM4 channels and activated endogenous TRPM4 channels in CHO cells independently of PLC and of the downstream second messengers PI(4,5)P2 and Ca(2+) . U73122 also potentiated Ca(2) (+) -dependent TRPM4 currents in human Jurkat T-cells, endogenous TRPM4 in HEK293T cells and recombinant human TRPM4. In contrast to TRPM4, TRPM3 channels were inhibited whereas the closely related TRPM5 channels were insensitive to U73122, showing that U73122 exhibits high specificity within the TRPM channel family.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Given the widespread expression of TRPM4 and TRPM3 channels, these actions of U73122 must be considered when interpreting its effects on cell function. U73122 may also be useful for identifying and characterizing TRPM channels in native tissue, thus facilitating the analysis of their physiology.

U-73122 reduces the cell growth in cultured MG-63 ostesarcoma cell line involving Phosphoinositide-specific Phospholipases C

The definition of the number and nature of the signal transduction pathways involved in the pathogenesis and the identification of the molecules promoting metastasis spread might improve the knowledge of the natural history of osteosarcoma, also allowing refine the prognosis and opening the way to novel therapeutic strategies. Phosphatydil inositol (4,5) bisphosphate (PIP2), belonging to the Phosphoinositide (PI) signal transduction pathway, was related to the regulation of ezrin, an ezrin-radixin-moesin protein involved in metastatic osteosarcoma spread. The levels of PIP2 are regulated by means of the PI-specific Phospholipase C (PLC) enzymes. Recent literature data suggested that in osteosarcoma the panel of expression of PLC isoforms varies in a complex and unclear manner and is related to ezrin, probably networking with Ras GTPases, such as RhoA and Rac1. We analyzed the expression and the subcellular localization of PLC enzymes in cultured human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells, commonly used as an experimental model for human osteoblasts, using U-73122 PLC inhibitor, U-73343 inactive analogue, and by silencing ezrin. The treatment with U-73122 significantly reduces the number of MG-63 viable cells and contemporarily modifies the expression and the subcellular localization of selected PLC isoforms. U-73122 reduces the cell growth in cultured MG-63 ostesarcoma cell line involving PI-specific Phospholipases C.

Selectivity of pharmacological tools: implications for use in cell physiology. A review in the theme: Cell signaling: proteins, pathways and mechanisms

Pharmacological inhibitors are frequently used to identify the receptors, receptor subtypes, and associated signaling pathways involved in physiological cell responses. Based on the effects of such inhibitors conclusions are drawn about the involvement of their assumed target or lack thereof. While such inhibitors can be useful tools for a better physiological understanding, their uncritical use can lead to incorrect conclusions. This article reviews the concept of inhibitor selectivity and its implication for cell physiology. Specifically, we discuss the implications of using inhibitor vs. activator approaches, issues of direct vs. indirect pathway modulation, implications of inverse agonism and biased signaling, and those of orthosteric vs. allosteric, competitive vs. noncompetitive, and reversible vs. irreversible inhibition. Additional problems can result from inconsistent estimates of inhibitor potency and differences in potency between cell-free systems and intact cells. These concepts are illustrated by several examples of inhibitors displaying affinity for related but distinct targets or even unrelated targets. Of note, many of the issues being addressed are also applicable to genetic inhibition strategies. The main practical conclusion following from these concepts is that investigators should be critical in the choice of inhibitor, its concentrations, and its mode of application. When this advice is adhered to, small-molecule pharmacological inhibitors can be important experimental tools in the hand of physiologists.

The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2013/14: enzymes

The Concise Guide to PHARMACOLOGY 2013/14 provides concise overviews of the key properties of over 2000 human drug targets with their pharmacology, plus links to an open access knowledgebase of drug targets and their ligands (www.guidetopharmacology.org), which provides more detailed views of target and ligand properties. The full contents can be found at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.12444/full. Enzymes are one of the seven major pharmacological targets into which the Guide is divided, with the others being G protein-coupled receptors, ligand-gated ion channels, ion channels, nuclear hormone receptors, catalytic receptors and transporters. These are presented with nomenclature guidance and summary information on the best available pharmacological tools, alongside key references and suggestions for further reading. A new landscape format has easy to use tables comparing related targets. It is a condensed version of material contemporary to late 2013, which is presented in greater detail and constantly updated on the website www.guidetopharmacology.org, superseding data presented in previous Guides to Receptors and Channels. It is produced in conjunction with NC-IUPHAR and provides the official IUPHAR classification and nomenclature for human drug targets, where appropriate. It consolidates information previously curated and displayed separately in IUPHAR-DB and the Guide to Receptors and Channels, providing a permanent, citable, point-in-time record that will survive database updates.

Structural insights into phospholipase C-β function

Phospholipase C (PLC) enzymes convert phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate into the second messengers diacylglycerol and inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate. The production of these molecules promotes the release of intracellular calcium and activation of protein kinase C, which results in profound cellular changes. The PLCβ subfamily is of particular interest given its prominent role in cardiovascular and neuronal signaling and its regulation by G protein-coupled receptors, as PLCβ is the canonical downstream target of the heterotrimeric G protein Gαq. However, this is not the only mechanism regulating PLCβ activity. Extensive structural and biochemical evidence has revealed regulatory roles for autoinhibitory elements within PLCβ, Gβγ, small molecular weight G proteins, and the lipid membrane itself. Such complex regulation highlights the central role that this enzyme plays in cell signaling. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the control of its activity will greatly facilitate the search for selective small molecule modulators of PLCβ.

The CatSper channel: a polymodal chemosensor in human sperm

The sperm-specific CatSper channel controls the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and, thereby, the swimming behaviour of sperm. In humans, CatSper is directly activated by progesterone and prostaglandins-female factors that stimulate Ca(2+) influx. Other factors including neurotransmitters, chemokines, and odorants also affect sperm function by changing [Ca(2+)](i). Several ligands, notably odorants, have been proposed to control Ca(2+) entry and motility via G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and cAMP-signalling pathways. Here, we show that odorants directly activate CatSper without involving GPCRs and cAMP. Moreover, membrane-permeable analogues of cyclic nucleotides that have been frequently used to study cAMP-mediated Ca(2+) signalling also activate CatSper directly via an extracellular site. Thus, CatSper or associated protein(s) harbour promiscuous binding sites that can host various ligands. These results contest current concepts of Ca(2+) signalling by GPCR and cAMP in mammalian sperm: ligands thought to activate metabotropic pathways, in fact, act via a common ionotropic mechanism. We propose that the CatSper channel complex serves as a polymodal sensor for multiple chemical cues that assist sperm during their voyage across the female genital tract.

A high-throughput scintillation proximity-based assay for human DNA ligase IV

Ionizing radiation (IR) and certain chemotherapeutic drugs are designed to generate cytotoxic DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in cancer cells. Inhibition of the major DSB repair pathway, nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ), will enhance the cytotoxicity of these agents. Screening for inhibitors of the DNA ligase IV (Lig4), which mediates the final ligation step in NHEJ, offers a novel target-based drug discovery opportunity. For this purpose, we have developed an enzymatic assay to identify chemicals that block the transfer of [α-(33)P]-AMP from the complex Lig4-[α-(33)P]-AMP onto the 5' end of a double-stranded DNA substrate and adapted it to a scintillation proximity assay (SPA). A screen was performed against a collection of 5,280 compounds. Assay statistics show an average Z' value of 0.73, indicative of a robust assay in this SPA format. Using a threshold of >20% inhibition, 10 compounds were initially scored as positive hits. A follow-up screen confirmed four compounds with IC(50) values ranging from 1 to 30 μM. Rabeprazole and U73122 were found to specifically block the adenylate transfer step and DNA rejoining; in whole live cell assays, these compounds were found to inhibit the repair of DSBs generated by IR. The ability to screen and identify Lig4 inhibitors suggests that they may have utility as chemo- and radio-sensitizers in combination therapy and provides a rationale for using this screening strategy to identify additional inhibitors.

Direct activation of human phospholipase C by its well known inhibitor u73122

Phospholipase C (PLC) enzymes are an important family of regulatory proteins involved in numerous cellular functions, primarily through hydrolysis of the polar head group from inositol-containing membrane phospholipids. U73122 (1-(6-((17β-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl)amino)hexyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione), one of only a few small molecules reported to inhibit the activity of these enzymes, has been broadly applied as a pharmacological tool to implicate PLCs in diverse experimental phenotypes. The purpose of this study was to develop a better understanding of molecular interactions between U73122 and PLCs. Hence, the effects of U73122 on human PLCβ3 (hPLCβ3) were evaluated in a cell-free micellar system. Surprisingly, U73122 increased the activity of hPLCβ3 in a concentration- and time-dependent manner; up to an 8-fold increase in enzyme activity was observed with an EC50=13.6±5 μm. Activation of hPLCβ3 by U73122 required covalent modification of cysteines as evidenced by the observation that enzyme activation was attenuated by thiol-containing nucleophiles, l-cysteine and glutathione. Mass spectrometric analysis confirmed covalent reaction with U73122 at eight cysteines, although maximum activation was achieved without complete alkylation; the modified residues were identified by LC/MS/MS peptide sequencing. Interestingly, U73122 (10 μm) also activated hPLCγ1 (>10-fold) and hPLCβ2 (∼2-fold); PLCδ1 was neither activated nor inhibited. Therefore, in contrast to its reported inhibitory potential, U73122 failed to inhibit several purified PLCs. Most of these PLCs were directly activated by U73122, and a simple mechanism for the activation is proposed. These results strongly suggest a need to re-evaluate the use of U73122 as a general inhibitor of PLC isozymes.

Expression pattern and sub-cellular distribution of phosphoinositide specific phospholipase C enzymes after treatment with U-73122 in rat astrocytoma cells

Phosphoinositide specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) enzymes interfere with the metabolism of inositol phospholipids (PI), molecules involved in signal transduction, a complex process depending on various components. Many evidences support the hypothesis that, in the glia, isoforms of PI-PLC family display different expression and/or sub cellular distribution under non-physiological conditions such as the rat astrocytes activation during neurodegeneration, the tumoural progression of some neoplasms and the inflammatory cascade activation after lipopolysaccharide administration, even if their role remains not completely elucidated. Treatment of a cultured established glioma cell line (C6 rat astrocytoma cell line) induces a modification in the pattern of expression and of sub cellular distribution of PI-PLCs compared to untreated cells. Special attention require PI-PLC beta3 and PI-PLC gamma2 isoforms, whose expression and sub cellular localization significantly differ after U-73122 treatment. The meaning of these modifications is unclear, also because the use of this N-aminosteroid compound remains controversial, inasmuch it has further actions which might contribute to the global effect recorded on the treated cells.

U73122, an aminosteroid phospholipase C inhibitor, is a potent inhibitor of cardiac phospholipase D by a PIP2-dependent mechanism

The aminosteroid 1-[6-({17beta-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl}amino)hexyl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (U73122) has been extensively used as a pharmacologic inhibitor of phospholipase C (PLC). The inhibitory effect of U73122 on PLC activity is most likely the result of decreased availability of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), the substrate of the PLC signal transduction pathway, rather than direct inhibition of the enzyme. PIP2 is a phospholipid with pleiotropic cellular functions, including a pivotal role in regulating cardiac phospholipase D (PLD) signal transduction. Here, we hypothesized that U73122 acts as an inhibitor of cardiac PLD activity by interference with PIP2. U73122 concentration-dependently inhibited PLD activity in rat myocardial membranes. The inhibitory effect of U73122 was significantly attenuated when assayed on solubilized PLD activity and was completely restored if solubilized PLD activity was assayed in the presence of PIP2. U73122 had no inhibitory effect on purified PLD indicating that the substance does not interact with PLD directly. These data highlight a mechanism of action of U73122 as an inhibitor of myocardial PLD by interaction with PIP2 as a cofactor for optimal PLD activity. Hence, studies using U73122 as a specific inhibitor of PLC have to take into account that PLD may be involved in some of the effects ascribed to PLC.

Phospholipase C-independent effects of 3M3FBS in murine colon

The muscarinic receptor subtype M(3) is coupled to Gq/11 proteins. Muscarinic receptor agonists such as carbachol stimulate these receptors that result in activation of phospholipase C (PLC) which hydrolyzes phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate into diacylglycerol and Ins(1,4,5)P(3). This pathway leads to excitation and smooth muscle contraction. In this study the PLC agonist, 2, 4, 6-trimethyl-N-(meta-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-benezenesulfonamide (m-3M3FBS), was used to investigate whether direct PLC activation mimics carbachol-induced excitation. We examined the effects of m-3M3FBS and 2, 4, 6-trimethyl-N-(ortho-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-benzenesulfonamide (o-3M3FBS), on murine colonic smooth muscle tissue and cells by performing conventional microelectrode recordings, isometric force measurements and patch clamp experiments. Application of m-3M3FBS decreased spontaneous contractility in murine colonic smooth muscle without affecting the resting membrane potential. Patch clamp studies revealed that delayed rectifier K(+) channels were reversibly inhibited by m-3M3FBS and o-3M3FBS. The PLC inhibitor, 1-(6-((17b-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl)amino)hexyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (U73122), did not prevent this inhibition by m-3M3FBS. Both m-3M3FBS and o-3M3FBS decreased two components of delayed rectifier K(+) currents in the presence of tetraethylammonium chloride or 4-aminopyridine. Ca(2+) currents were significantly suppressed by m-3M3FBS and o-3M3FBS with a simultaneous increase in intracellular Ca(2+). Pretreatment with U73122 did not prevent the decrease in Ca(2+) currents upon m-3M3FBS application. In conclusion, both m-3M3FBS and o-3M3FBS inhibit inward and outward currents via mechanisms independent of PLC acting in an antagonistic manner. In contrast, both compounds also caused an increase in [Ca(2+)](i) in an agonistic manner. Therefore caution must be employed when interpreting their effects at the tissue and cellular level.

Galphas-coupled receptor signaling actively down-regulates alpha4beta1-integrin affinity: a possible mechanism for cell de-adhesion

BACKGROUND

Activation of integrins in response to inside-out signaling serves as a basis for leukocyte arrest on endothelium, and migration of immune cells. Integrin-dependent adhesion is controlled by the conformational state of the molecule (i.e. change in the affinity for the ligand and molecular unbending (extension)), which is regulated by seven-transmembrane Guanine nucleotide binding Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs). alpha4beta1-integrin (CD49d/CD29, Very Late Antigen-4, VLA-4) is expressed on leukocytes, hematopoietic stem cells, hematopoietic cancer cells, and others. Affinity and extension of VLA-4 are both rapidly up-regulated by inside-out signaling through several Galphai-coupled GPCRs. The goal of the current report was to study the effect of Galphas-coupled GPCRs upon integrin activation.

RESULTS

Using real-time fluorescent ligand binding to assess affinity and a FRET based assay to probe alpha4beta1-integrin unbending, we show that two Galphas-coupled GPCRs (H2-histamine receptor and beta2-adrenergic receptor) as well as several cAMP agonists can rapidly down modulate the affinity of VLA-4 activated through two Galphai-coupled receptors (CXCR4 and FPR) in U937 cells and primary human peripheral blood monocytes. This down-modulation can be blocked by receptor-specific antagonists. The Galphas-induced responses were not associated with changes in the expression level of the Galphai-coupled receptors. In contrast, the molecular unbending of VLA-4 was not significantly affected by Galphas-coupled GPCR signaling. In a VLA-4/VCAM-1-specific myeloid cell adhesion system, inhibition of the VLA-4 affinity change by Galphas-coupled GPCR had a statistically significant effect upon cell aggregation.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that Galphas-coupled GPCRs can rapidly down modulate the affinity state of VLA-4 binding pocket through a cAMP dependent pathway. This plays an essential role in the regulation of cell adhesion. We discuss several possible implications of this described phenomenon.

The phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C inhibitor U73122 (1-(6-((17beta-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl)amino)hexyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione) spontaneously forms conjugates with common components of cell culture medium

Phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) is a key enzyme in the regulation of Ca(2+) release from inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate-sensitive stores. U73122 (1-(6-((17beta-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl)amino)hexyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione) has been extensively used as a pharmacological inhibitor of PLC to elucidate the importance of this enzyme family in signal transduction pathways. U73122 has an electrophilic maleimide group, which readily reacts with nucleophiles such as thiols and amines. In the current study the conjugation of U73122 to common components of cell culture medium, namely l-glutamine, glutathione, and bovine serum albumin (BSA), was demonstrated. The half-life of U73122 on incubation with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), Hanks' buffered saline solution (with 2 mM glutamine), optimized basal nutrient medium (MCDB131, without BSA), complete medium, Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (with 2 mM l-glutamine) was approximately 150, 60, 32, 30, and 18 min, respectively. However, U73122 was not recoverable from medium supplemented with 0.5% BSA. U73122 underwent hydrolysis of the maleimide group when incubated with PBS. Glutamine conjugates of U73122 were identified in cell culture medium. Furthermore, the inhibition of epidermal growth factor-stimulated Ca(2+) release in a human epidermoid carcinoma cell line (A431) by U73122 was substantially reduced by the presence of BSA in a time-dependent manner. In complex cellular assays, the availability of U73122 to inhibit PLC may be limited by its chemical reactivity and lead to the misinterpretation of results in pharmacological assays.

The Aminosteroid Phospholipase C Antagonist U-73122 (1-[6-[[17-β-3-Methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl]amino]hexyl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione) Potently Inhibits Human 5-Lipoxygenase in Vivo and in Vitro

U-73122 (1-[6-[[17-beta-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl]amino] hexyl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione) is a widely used antagonist of phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C (PLC) and is frequently used to define a role of PLC in receptor-mediated elevation of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). In human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs), U-73122 inhibited increases in [Ca2+]i induced by G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) agonists (N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine or platelet-activating factor; IC50 of approximately 2 to 4 microM), but it failed to suppress responses induced by ionomycin or thapsigargin. 5-Lipoxygenase (5-LO) is a Ca(2+)-regulated enzyme that can be activated in leukocytes by stimuli that elevate [Ca2+]i. Attempts to investigate the involvement of PLC in cellular 5-LO activation revealed that U-73122 suppresses 5-LO product synthesis regardless of the stimulus and independently of Ca2+. Thus, U-73122 blocked 5-LO product synthesis induced by cell stress, involving 5-LO phosphorylation pathways in the absence of Ca2+ with an IC50 of approximately 2 microM. Direct inhibition of 5-LO by U-73122 was evident in PMNL homogenates (IC50 of approximately 2.4 microM), and isolated human recombinant 5-LO enzyme was potently inhibited by U-73122 (IC50 of approximately 30 nM). Thiols (glutathione) strongly blunted the effect of U-73122 on isolated 5-LO. On the other hand, depletion of cellular thiols by N-ethylmaleimide strongly increased the efficacy of U-73122 to inhibit 5-LO in intact cells or corresponding homogenates, suggesting that U-73122 may interfere with sulfhydryl groups on 5-LO. Since 5-LO products induce increases in [Ca2+]i via GPCRs, caution should be used when interpreting data where U-73122 is used as tool to determine a direct role of PLC in receptor-mediated Ca2+ mobilization.

H1-receptor stimulation induces hyperalgesia through activation of the phospholipase C-PKC pathway

The supraspinal cellular events involved in H(1)-mediated hyperalgesia were investigated in a condition of acute thermal pain by means of the mouse hot-plate test. I.c.v. administration of the phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitors U-73122 and neomycin antagonized the hyperalgesia induced by the selective H(1) agonist FMPH. By contrast, U-73343, an analogue of U-73122 used as negative control, was unable to modify the reduction of the pain threshold induced by FMPH. In mice undergoing treatment with LiCl, which impairs phosphatidylinositol synthesis, or treatment with heparin, an IP(3)-receptor antagonist, the hyperalgesia induced by the H(1)-receptor agonist remained unchanged. Similarly, pretreatment with D-myo inositol did not alter the H(1)-induced hypernociceptive response. Neither i.c.v. pretreatment with TMB-8, a blocker of Ca(2+) release from intracellular stores, nor pretreatment with thapsigargin, a depletor of Ca(2+) intracellular stores, prevented the decrease of pain threshold induced by FMPH. On the other hand, i.c.v. pretreatment with the selective protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors calphostin C and chelerytrine resulted in a dose-dependent prevention of the H(1)-receptor agonist-induced hyperalgesia. The administration of PKC activators, such as PMA and PDBu, did not produce any effect on FMPH effect. The pharmacological treatments employed did not produce any behavioral impairment of mice as revealed by the rota-rod and hole-board tests. These results indicate a role for the PLC-PKC pathway in central H(1)-induced hyperalgesia in mice. Furthermore, activation of PLC-IP(3) did not appear to play a major role in the modulation of pain perception by H(1)-receptor agonists.

Thiomersal enhances the binding of histamine to the H1 receptor, but not histamine-stimulated inositol phosphate formation

Thiomersal (thimerosal) was a weak inhibitor of the binding of [(3)H]mepyramine to histamine H(1) receptors in guinea-pig cerebellar membranes (11 +/- 1% inhibition at 10 microM, 32 +/- 3% inhibition at 300 microM). However, in the concentration range 3-30 microM, thiomersal enhanced the binding of histamine to the H(1) receptor, as reflected by the displacement of curves of histamine inhibition of [(3)H]mepyramine binding to lower concentrations, without any change in the Hill coefficient. The ratio of the IC50 values (the concentration giving 50% inhibition) in the absence and presence of thiomersal increased from 1.8 with 3 microM to 3.6 with 30 microM thiomersal. There was no consistent effect of thiomersal at concentrations of 30 microM and below on curves of mepyramine inhibition of [(3)H]mepyramine binding. In the presence of 10 microM thiomersal histamine-induced accumulation of inositol phosphates in U373 MG astrocytoma cells was partially inhibited (37 +/- 8% inhibition of the maximum response), without any significant change in the EC50 (the concentration giving the half maximal response) for histamine. Thus although histamine binding was potentiated by thiomersal, there was no potentiation of an H(1) receptor-mediated functional response.

Comparison of signalling mechanisms involved in rat mesenteric microvessel contraction by noradrenaline and sphingosylphosphorylcholine

1 We have compared the signalling mechanisms involved in the pertussis toxin-sensitive and -insensitive contraction of rat isolated mesenteric microvessels elicited by sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) and noradrenaline (NA), respectively. 2 The phospholipase D inhibitor butan-1-ol (0.3%), the store-operated Ca(2+) channel inhibitor SK>F 96,365 (10 microM), the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein (10 microM), and the src inhibitor PP2 (10 microM) as well as the negative controls (0.3% butan-2-ol and 10 microM diadzein and PP3) had only little effect against either agonist. 3 Inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (wortmannin and LY 294,002, 10 microM each) or of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (PD 98,059 and U 126, 10 microM each) did not consistently attenuate NA- and SPC-induced contraction as compared to their vehicles or negative controls (LY 303,511 or U 124). 4 The phospholipase C inhibitor U 73,122 (10 microM) markedly inhibited the SPC- and NA-induced contraction (70% and 88% inhibition of the response to the highest NA and SPC concentration, respectively), whereas its negative control U 73,343 (10 microM) caused only less than 30% inhibition. 5 The rho-kinase inhibitors Y 27,632 (10 microM) and fasudil (30 microM) caused a rightward-shift of the NA concentration-response curve by 0.7-0.8 log units and reduced the response to 10 microM SPC by 88% and 83%, respectively. 6 These data suggest that SPC and NA, while acting on different receptors coupling to different G-protein classes, elicit contraction of rat mesenteric microvessels by similar signalling pathways including phospholipase C and rho-kinase.

Inhibition of acetylcholine-activated K(+) currents by U73122 is mediated by the inhibition of PIP(2)-channel interaction

1. We have investigated the effect of U73122, a specific inhibitor of phospholipase C (PLC), on acetylcholine-activated K(+) currents (I(KACh)) in mouse atrial myocytes. 2. In perforated patch clamp mode, I(KACh) was activated by 10 microM acetylcholine. When atrial myocytes were pretreated with U73122 or U73343, I(KACh) was inhibited dose-dependently (half-maximal inhibition at 0.12+/-0.0085 and 0.16+/-0.0176 microM, respectively). The current-voltage relationships for I(KACh) in the absence and in the presence of U73122 showed that the inhibition occurred uniformly from -120 to +40 mV, indicating a voltage-independent inhibition. 3. When U73122 was applied after I(KACh) reached steady-state, a gradual decrease in I(KACh) was observed. The time course of the current decrease was well fitted to a single exponential, and the rate constant was proportional to the concentration of U73122. 4. When K(ACh) channels were directly activated by adding 1 mM GTP gamma S to the bath solution in inside-out patches, U73122 (1 microM) decreased the open probability significantly without change in mean open time. When K(ACh) channels were activated independently of G-protein activation by 20 mM Na(+), open probability was also inhibited by U73122. 5. Voltage-activated K(+) currents and inward rectifying K(+) currents were not affected by U73122. 6. These findings show that inhibition by U73122 and U73343 of K(ACh) channels occurs at a level downstream of the action of G beta gamma or Na(+) on channel activation. The interference with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP(2))-channel interaction can be suggested as a most plausible mechanism.