Cloning and tissue expression of a rat histamine H2-receptor gene

H2 antihistamines: May be useful for combination therapies in cancer?

Cancer morbimortality is still a great concern despite advances in research and therapies. Histamine and its receptors' ligands can modulate different biological responses according to the cell type and the receptor subtype involved. Besides the wide variety of histamine functions in normal tissues, diverse roles in the acquisition of hallmarks of cancer such as sustained proliferative signaling, resistance to cell death, angiogenesis, metastasis, altered immunity and modified microenvironment have been described. This review summarizes the present knowledge of the various roles of histamine H2 receptor (H2R) ligands in neoplasias. A bioinformatic analysis of human tumors showed dissimilar results in the expression of the H2R gene according to tumor type when comparing malignant versus normal tissues. As well, the relationship between patients' survival parameters and H2R gene expression levels also varied, signaling important divergences in the role of H2R in neoplastic progression in different cancer types. Revised experimental evidence showed multiple effects of H2R antihistamines on several of the cited hallmarks of cancer. Interventional and retrospective clinical studies evaluated different H2R antihistamines in cancer patients with two main adjuvant uses: improving antitumor efficacy (which includes regulation of immune response) and preventing toxic adverse effects produced by chemo or radiotherapy. While there is a long path to go, research on H2R antihistamines may provide new opportunities for developing more refined combination therapeutic strategies for certain cancer types to improve patients' survival and health-related quality of life.

Histaminergic System and Vestibular Function in Normal and Pathological Conditions

Most neurotransmitter systems are represented in the central and peripheral vestibular system and are thereby involved both in normal vestibular signal processing and the pathophysiology of vestibular disorders. However, there is a special relationship between the vestibular system and the histaminergic system. The purpose of this review is to document how the histaminergic system interferes with normal and pathological vestibular function. In particular, we will discuss neurobiological mechanisms such as neuroinflammation that involve histamine to modulate and allow restoration of balance function in the situation of a vestibular insult. These adaptive mechanisms represent targets of histaminergic pharmacological compounds capable of restoring vestibular function in pathological situations. The clinical use of drugs targeting the histaminergic system in various vestibular disorders is critically discussed.

Histaminergic neurons in the tuberomammillary nucleus as a control centre for wakefulness

Histamine plays pleiotropic roles as a neurotransmitter in the physiology of brain function, this includes the maintenance of wakefulness, appetite regulation and memory retrieval. Since numerous studies have revealed an association between histaminergic dysfunction and diverse neuropsychiatric disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia, a large number of compounds acting on the brain histamine system have been developed to treat neurological disorders. In 2016, pitolisant, which was developed as a histamine H₃ receptor inverse agonist by Schwartz and colleagues, was launched for the treatment of narcolepsy, emphasising the prominent role of brain histamine on wakefulness. Recent advances in neuroscientific techniques such as chemogenetic and optogenetic approaches have led to remarkable progress in the understanding of histaminergic neural circuits essential for the control of wakefulness. In this review article, we summarise the basic knowledge about the histaminergic nervous system and the mechanisms underlying sleep/wake regulation that are controlled by the brain histamine system. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Neurochemistry in Japan. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.4/issuetoc.

International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. XCVIII. Histamine Receptors

Histamine is a developmentally highly conserved autacoid found in most vertebrate tissues. Its physiological functions are mediated by four 7-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors (H1R, H2R, H3R, H4R) that are all targets of pharmacological intervention. The receptors display molecular heterogeneity and constitutive activity. H1R antagonists are long known antiallergic and sedating drugs, whereas the H2R was identified in the 1970s and led to the development of H2R-antagonists that revolutionized stomach ulcer treatment. The crystal structure of ligand-bound H1R has rendered it possible to design new ligands with novel properties. The H3R is an autoreceptor and heteroreceptor providing negative feedback on histaminergic and inhibition on other neurons. A block of these actions promotes waking. The H4R occurs on immuncompetent cells and the development of anti-inflammatory drugs is anticipated.

Postsynaptic mechanisms underlying the excitatory action of histamine on medial vestibular nucleus neurons in rats

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Anti-histaminergic drugs have been widely used in the clinical treatment of vestibular disorders and most studies concentrate on their presynaptic actions. The present study investigated the postsynaptic effect of histamine on medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) neurons and the underlying mechanisms.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Histamine-induced postsynaptic actions on MVN neurons and the corresponding receptor and ionic mechanisms were detected by whole-cell patch-clamp recordings on rat brain slices. The distribution of postsynaptic histamine H₁, H₂ and H₄ receptors was mapped by double and single immunostaining. Furthermore, the expression of mRNAs for H₁, H₂ and H₄ receptors and for subtypes of Na⁺ -Ca²⁺ exchangers (NCXs) and hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels was assessed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR.

KEY RESULTS

A marked postsynaptic excitatory effect, co-mediated by histamine H₁ and H₂ receptors, was involved in the histamine-induced depolarization of MVN neurons. Postsynaptic H₁ and H₂ rather than H₄ receptors were co-localized in the same MVN neurons. NCXs contributed to the inward current mediated by H₁ receptors, whereas HCN channels were responsible for excitation induced by activation of H₂ receptors. Moreover, NCX1 and NCX3 rather than NCX2, and HCN1 rather than HCN2-4 mRNAs, were abundantly expressed in MVN.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

NCXs coupled to H₁ receptors and HCN channels linked to H₂ receptors co-mediate the strong postsynaptic excitatory action of histamine on MVN neurons. These results highlight an active role of postsynaptic mechanisms in the modulation by central histaminergic systems of vestibular functions and suggest potential targets for clinical treatment of vestibular disorders.

Plasticity of the histamine H3 receptors after acute vestibular lesion in the adult cat

After unilateral vestibular neurectomy (UVN) many molecular and neurochemical mechanisms underlie the neurophysiological reorganizations occurring in the vestibular nuclei (VN) complex, as well as the behavioral recovery process. As a key regulator, the histaminergic system appears to be a likely candidate because drugs interfering with histamine (HA) neurotransmission facilitate behavioral recovery after vestibular lesion. This study aimed at analyzing the post-lesion changes of the histaminergic system by quantifying binding to histamine H₃ receptors (H₃R; mediating namely histamine autoinhibition) using a histamine H₃ receptor agonist ([³H]N-α-methylhistamine). Experiments were done in brain sections of control cats (N = 6) and cats submitted to UVN and killed 1 (N = 6) or 3 (N = 6) weeks after the lesion. UVN induced a bilateral decrease in binding density of the agonist [³H]N-α-methylhistamine to H₃R in the tuberomammillary nuclei (TMN) at 1 week post-lesion, with a predominant down-regulation in the ipsilateral TMN. The bilateral decrease remained at the 3 weeks survival time and became symmetric. Concerning brainstem structures, binding density in the VN, the prepositus hypoglossi, the subdivisions of the inferior olive decreased unilaterally on the ipsilateral side at 1 week and bilaterally 3 weeks after UVN. Similar changes were observed in the subdivisions of the solitary nucleus only 1 week after the lesion. These findings indicate vestibular lesion induces plasticity of the histamine H₃R, which could contribute to vestibular function recovery.

One hundred years of histamine research

In this introductory chapter, we revisit some of the landmarks in the history of histamine research. Since histamine was first synthesized (1907) and isolated as a bacterial contaminant of an extract of ergot (1910), the elucidation of its role in health and disease and its molecular mechanism of action have been continuous, reflecting the application of advances in scientific knowledge, technology and therapeutics over the last 100 years. It appears that the research will continue indefinitely as the nature of the problem is inherently fractal. First, there was a single chemical entity, described in terms of state-of-the-art, two-dimensional projections of structures introduced by Fischer in 1891, and an idea that such potent chemicals produced their effects on biological systems as a consequence of an exquisite interaction with a receptive substance, the revolutionary concept of Langley (1905). Today, we recognize four receptor subtypes with multiple activation states and multiple coupling to intracellular effector systems, so that we are no longer able to reliably and in all instances classify compounds interacting with the histamine receptors simply as agonists or antagonists. The complexity is potentially overwhelming, but the promise of value to patients beyond that already provided by the first approved generations of histamine receptor blockers is a compelling driver.

Expression of a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) leads to attenuation of signaling by other GPCRs: experimental evidence for a spontaneous GPCR constitutive inactive form

The idea of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) coupling to G protein solely in their active form was abolished when it was found that certain ligands induce a G protein-coupled but inactive receptor form. This receptor form interferes with signaling of other receptors by sequestering G protein. However, the spontaneous existence of this receptor species has never been established. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the existence of the spontaneous conformation of the receptor inactively coupled to G protein able to interfere with the response of other GPCRs. According to the law of mass action, receptor overexpression should lead to increased amounts of all spontaneously occurring species. Based on this, we generated Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1)-derived cell lines expressing various amounts of the human histamine H2 receptor. In these systems, the signaling of other endogenously and transiently expressed GPCRs was attenuated proportionally to human H2 receptor expression levels. G protein transfection specifically reverted this attenuation, strongly suggesting hijacking of the G protein from a common pool. Similar attenuation effects were observed when the beta(2)- adrenergic receptor was overexpressed, suggesting that this is a more general phenomenon. Moreover, in human mammary MDA-MB-231 cells, a consistent increase in the response of other GPCRs was observed when endogenous expression of beta(2)-adrenergic receptor was knocked down using specific small interfering RNAs. Our findings show that GPCRs may interact with the signaling of other receptors by modulating the availability of the G protein and suggest the existence of GPCR spontaneous coupling to G proteins in an inactive form.

A mechanism for the inhibition of neural progenitor cell proliferation by cocaine

BACKGROUND

Prenatal exposure of the developing brain to cocaine causes morphological and behavioral abnormalities. Recent studies indicate that cocaine-induced proliferation inhibition and/or apoptosis in neural progenitor cells may play a pivotal role in causing these abnormalities. To understand the molecular mechanism through which cocaine inhibits cell proliferation in neural progenitors, we sought to identify the molecules that are responsible for mediating the effect of cocaine on cell cycle regulation.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

Microarray analysis followed by quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR was used to screen cocaine-responsive and cell cycle-related genes in a neural progenitor cell line where cocaine exposure caused a robust anti-proliferative effect by interfering with the G1-to-S transition. Cyclin A2, among genes related to the G1-to-S cell cycle transition, was most strongly down-regulated by cocaine. Down-regulation of cyclin A was also found in cocaine-treated human primary neural and A2B5+ progenitor cells, as well as in rat fetal brains exposed to cocaine in utero. Reversing cyclin A down-regulation by gene transfer counteracted the proliferation inhibition caused by cocaine. Further, we found that cocaine-induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species, which involves N-oxidation of cocaine via cytochrome P450, promotes cyclin A down-regulation by causing an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response, as indicated by increased phosphorylation of eIF2alpha and expression of ATF4. In the developing rat brain, the P450 inhibitor cimetidine counteracted cocaine-induced inhibition of neural progenitor cell proliferation as well as down-regulation of cyclin A.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that down-regulation of cyclin A underlies cocaine-induced proliferation inhibition in neural progenitors. The down-regulation of cyclin A is initiated by N-oxidative metabolism of cocaine and consequent ER stress. Inhibition of cocaine N-oxidative metabolism by P450 inhibitors may provide a preventive strategy for counteracting the adverse effects of cocaine on fetal brain development.

From the H(2) receptor gene to reclassification of the H(2) receptor antagonists

From previous studies it is known that long-term stimulation of the histamine H(2) receptor results in receptor downregulation. Two different pathways are involved in the downregulation process of the H(2) receptor: a cAMP-dependent and cAMP-independent agonist-dependent pathway. Recently, it became evident that in the absence of an agonist the H(2) receptor expressed in CHO cells already stimulate cAMP production, also referred to as spontaneous activity. The spontaneous activity can be inhibited by several H(2) antagonists, previously thought to act as competitive antagonists, and these antagonists are referred to as inverse agonists. Some antagonists, e.g. burimamide, are not able to inhibit the spontaneous activity and are referred to as neutral antagonists. Inverse agonism appears to be the mechanistic basis of upregulation. Only inverse agonists and not neutral antagonists induce receptor upregulation after long-term treatment as these compounds inhibit the spontaneous receptor activity and thus the basal receptor downregulation. Moreover it might also explain previously reported observations after long-term treatment of gastric ulcers, such as intragastric hyperacidity.

Identification of zebrafish histamine H1, H2 and H3 receptors and effects of histaminergic ligands on behavior

Neuronal histamine regulates several functions in the vertebrate brain. The zebrafish brain contains a widespread histaminergic system and H(3) receptor ligand binding has been reported. In this study we provide evidence for the existence of histamine H(1), H(2) and H(3) receptor genes in zebrafish. Single copies of putative histamine H(1), H(2) and H(3) receptors were identified and cloned from the zebrafish brain. Expression analysis suggested that they are expressed in the brain and a few other tissues. Widespread distribution of zebrafish H(2) receptor binding sites was detected with [(125)I]iodoaminopotentidine in brain sections. Zebrafish larvae were exposed to 1, 10 or 100 microM of the H(1) ligand pyrilamine, the H(2) ligand cimetidine and the H(3) ligands thioperamide and immepip for 5 days. Significant decreases in swimming distance were observed with the highest dose of all ligands, whereas cimetidine gave a significant decrease also with 1 and 10 microM doses. These results provide the first molecular biological evidence for the presence of histamine receptors in zebrafish. These histamine receptors resemble those of higher vertebrates and they provide a useful model for pharmacological and behavioral studies for characterizing the functions of histamine in more detail.

Constitutive activity and ligand selectivity of human, guinea pig, rat, and canine histamine H2 receptors

Previous studies revealed pharmacological differences between human and guinea pig histamine H(2) receptors (H(2)Rs) with respect to the interaction with guanidine-type agonists. Because H(2)R species variants are structurally very similar, comparative studies are suited to relate different properties of H(2)R species isoforms to few molecular determinants. Therefore, we systematically compared H(2)Rs of human (h), guinea pig (gp), rat (r), and canine (c). Fusion proteins of hH(2)R, gpH(2)R, rH(2)R, and cH(2)R, respectively, and the short splice variant of G(salpha), G(salphaS), were expressed in Sf9 insect cells. In the membrane steady-state GTPase activity assay, cH(2)R-G(salphaS) but neither gpH(2)R-G(salphaS) nor rH(2)R-G(salphaS) showed the hallmarks of increased constitutive activity compared with hH(2)R-G(salphaS), i.e., increased efficacies of partial agonists, increased potencies of agonists with the extent of potency increase being correlated with the corresponding efficacies at hH(2)R-G(salphaS), increased inverse agonist efficacies, and decreased potencies of antagonists. Furthermore, in membranes expressing nonfused H(2)Rs without or together with mammalian G(salphaS) or H(2)R-G(salpha) fusion proteins, the highest basal and GTP-dependent increases in adenylyl cyclase activity were observed for cH(2)R. An example of ligand selectivity is given by metiamide, acting as an inverse agonist at hH(2)R-G(salphaS), gpH(2)R-G(salphaS), and rH(2)R-G(salphaS) in the GTPase assay in contrast to being a weak partial agonist with decreased potency at cH(2)R-G(salphaS). In conclusion, the cH(2)R exhibits increased constitutive activity compared with hH(2)R, gpH(2)R, and rH(2)R, and there is evidence for ligand-specific conformations in H(2)R species isoforms.

Potentiation by neuropeptide Y of histamine H1 receptor-mediated contraction in rat blood vessels

Histamine-induced contraction and its potentiation by neuropeptide Y were investigated in rat blood vessels. Rat arteries and veins constricted with single concentrations of histamine dose-dependently (0.1-100 microM). This histamine-induced contraction immediately desensitized. Histamine H1 receptor antagonists, 1 microM mepyramine and 1 microM diphenhydramine, abolished this transient contraction completely, whereas cimetidine, phentolamine, reserpine and tetrodotoxin failed to inhibit the contraction. Histamine H1 receptor mRNA level by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was quite parallel to histamine H1 receptor-mediated contraction, indicating that the contraction is mediated through histamine H1 receptors in the smooth muscle. Neuropeptide Y (10 nM in arteries and 3 nM in veins, respectively) significantly potentiated histamine H1 receptor-mediated contraction via neuropeptide Y1 receptors in most of rat blood vessels. Since the phospholipase C inhibitors, neomycin (1 mM) and 2-nitro-4-carboxyphenyl-N, N-diphenylcarbamate (NCDC, 10 microM), respectively, specifically abolished the potentiation, the potentiation by neuropeptide Y may depend on activation of phospholipase C.

Probing Ligand-Specific Histamine H1- and H2-Receptor Conformations withNG-Acylated Imidazolylpropylguanidines

Impromidine (IMP) and arpromidine (ARP)-derived guanidines are more potent and efficacious guinea pig (gp) histamine H(2)-receptor (gpH(2)R) than human (h) H(2)R agonists and histamine H(1)-receptor (H(1)R) antagonists with preference for hH(1)R relative to gpH(1)R. We examined N(G)-acylated imidazolylpropylguanidines (AIPGs), which are less basic than guanidines, at hH(2)R, gpH(2)R, rat H(2)R (rH(2)R), hH(1)R, and gpH(1)R expressed in Sf9 cells as probes for ligand-specific receptor conformations. AIPGs were similarly potent H(2)R agonists as the corresponding guanidines IMP and ARP, respectively. Exchange of pyridyl in ARP against phenyl increased AIPG potency 10-fold, yielding the most potent agonists at the hH(2)R-G(salpha) fusion protein and gpH(2)R-G(salpha) identified so far. Some AIPGs were similarly potent and efficacious at hH(2)R-G(salpha) and gpH(2)R-G(salpha). AIPGs stabilized the ternary complex in hH(2)R-G(salpha) and gpH(2)R-G(salpha) differently than the corresponding guanidines. Guanidines, AIPGs, and small H(2)R agonists exhibited distinct agonist properties at hH(2)R, gpH(2)R, and rH(2)R measuring adenylyl cyclase activity. In contrast to ARP and IMP, AIPGs were partial H(1)R agonists exhibiting higher efficacies at hH(1)R than at gpH(1)R. This is remarkable because, so far, all bulky H(1)R agonists exhibited higher efficacies at gpH(1)R than at hH(1)R. Collectively, our data suggest that AIPGs stabilize different active conformations in hH(2)R, gpH(2)R, and rH(2)R than guanidines and that, in contrast to guanidines, AIPGs are capable of stabilizing a partially active state of hH(1)R.

Dose- and duration-dependent effects of betahistine dihydrochloride treatment on histamine turnover in the cat

Drugs interacting with the histaminergic system are currently used for vertigo treatment and it was shown in animal models that structural analogues of histamine like betahistine improved the recovery process after vestibular lesion. This study was aimed at determining the possible dose and duration effects of betahistine treatment on histamine turnover in normal adult cats, as judged by the level of messenger RNA for histidine decarboxylase (enzyme synthesizing histamine) in the tuberomammillary nuclei. Experiments were conducted on betahistine-treated cats receiving daily doses of 2, 5, 10, or 50 mg/kg during 1 week, 3 weeks, 2 months, or 3 months. The 1-week, 3-week, and 2- and 3-month treatments correspond to the acute, compensatory, and sustained compensatory stages of vestibular compensation, respectively. The lowest dose (2 mg/kg) given the longest time (3 months) was close to the dosage for vestibular defective patients. Data from the experimental groups were compared to control, untreated cats and to placebo-treated animals. The results clearly show that betahistine dihydrochloride administered orally in the normal cat interferes with histamine turnover by increasing the basal expression level of histidine decarboxylase mRNA of neurons located in the tuberomammillary nuclei of the posterior hypothalamus. The effects were both dose- and time-dependent. In conclusion, compensation of both static and dynamic deficits is subtended by long-term adaptive mechanisms that could be facilitated pharmacologically using betahistine dihydrochloride.

Histamine H1 and H2 receptor gene and protein levels are differentially expressed in the hearts of rodents and humans

Histamine is highly concentrated in the heart of animals and humans. Excessive release in pathophysiological conditions, such as immediate hypersensitivity and septic shock, causes cardiac dysfunction and arrhythmias. Previous pharmacological studies revealed that H(1) and H(2) receptors mediate these effects. Yet, an accurate estimate of the distribution and molecular characteristics of cardiac histamine receptors is missing. Recently, the genes encoding H(1) and H(2) receptors have been cloned, and the amino acid sequence and protein structure have been elucidated. Accordingly, we analyzed gene and protein expression levels of H(1) and H(2) receptors in atria and ventricles of guinea pig, rabbit, rat, and human hearts. With immunocytochemical techniques, we examined the regional expression of H(1) and H(2) receptor proteins in the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes and surrounding myocardium of the guinea pig heart. Northern and Western blot studies revealed that cardiac histamine H(1) and H(2) receptors are variably distributed among different mammalian species and different regions of the heart, whereas H(2) receptors are abundantly expressed in human atrial and ventricular myocardium. These findings agree with those of previous pharmacological studies, clearly demonstrating that the responses of the heart to histamine depend on the expression level of H(1) and H(2) receptors. The highly abundant expression of H(2) receptors in the human heart substantiates histamine arrhythmogenicity in various disease states. The new knowledge of a differential distribution of histamine receptor subtypes in the human heart will foster a better understanding of histamine roles in cardiovascular pathophysiology and may contribute to new therapeutic approaches to histamine-induced cardiac dysfunctions.

Mechanisms in histamine-mediated secretion from adrenal chromaffin cells

The great majority of the sustained secretory response of adrenal chromaffin cells to histamine is due to extracellular Ca(2+) influx through voltage-operated Ca(2+) channels (VOCCs). This is likely to be true also for other G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) agonists that evoke catecholamine secretion from these cells. However, the mechanism by which these GPCRs activate VOCCs is not yet clear. A substantial amount of data have established that histamine acts on H(1) receptors to activate phospholipase C via a Pertussis toxin-resistant G protein, causing the production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and the mobilisation of store Ca(2+); however, the molecular events that lead to the activation of the VOCCs remain undefined. This review will summarise the known actions of histamine on cellular signalling pathways in adrenal chromaffin cells and relate them to the activation of extracellular Ca(2+) influx through voltage-operated channels, which evokes catecholamine secretion. These actions provide insight into how other GPCRs might activate Ca(2+) influx in many excitable and non-excitable cells.

Betahistine dihydrochloride interaction with the histaminergic system in the cat: neurochemical and molecular mechanisms

Drugs interfering with the histaminergic system facilitate behavioral recovery after vestibular lesion, likely by increasing histamine turnover and release. The effects of betahistine (structural analogue of histamine) on the histaminergic system were tested by quantifying messenger RNA for histidine decarboxylase (enzyme synthesizing histamine) by in situ hybridization and binding to histamine H(3) receptors (mediating, namely, histamine autoinhibition) using a histamine H(3) receptor agonist ([(3)H]N-alpha-methylhistamine) and radioautography methods. Experiments were done in brain sections of control cats (N=6) and cats treated with betahistine for 1 (N=6) or 3 (N=6) weeks. Betahistine treatment induced symmetrical changes with up-regulation of histidine decarboxylase mRNA in the tuberomammillary nucleus and reduction of [(3)H]N-alpha-methylhistamine labeling in both the tuberomammillary nucleus, the vestibular nuclei complex and nuclei of the inferior olive. These findings suggest that betahistine upregulates histamine turnover and release, very likely by blocking presynaptic histamine H(3) receptors, and induces histamine H(3) receptor downregulation. This action on the histaminergic system could explain the effectiveness of betahistine in the treatment of vertigo and vestibular disease.

Regional expression of the histamine H(2) receptor in adult and developing rat brain

Histamine H(2) receptor expression was studied in adult and developing rat brain. Northern blot and in situ hybridizations indicated that histamine H(2) receptor messenger RNA expression is widespread and not limited to neurons in the adult rat brain. Prominent H(2) receptor expression in the adult brain was seen in the dentate gyrus, hippocampal subfields CA1-CA3, piriform cortex and in some diencephalic nuclei, e.g. in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and the red nucleus. Most of the adult brain nuclei displayed a very low H(2) receptor expression. Histamine H(2) receptor was also expressed during development in widespread areas of the central nervous system, coinciding with the transient production of histamine in the raphe neurons at embryonic day 15. From embryonic days 16 and 17 until birth, histamine H(2) receptor expression in the cortical plate coincided with the development and sprouting of histaminergic fibers into the cerebral cortex. The widespread and diffuse expression of histamine H(2) receptors in the adult rat brain suggests that the H(2) receptor modulates the excitability of neuron and astrocyte functions in many brain areas rather than mediating targeted cell-to-cell signals. During development, histamine H(2) receptor expression is seen in several target areas for the histaminergic fibers. This could indicate that histamine, through the H(2) receptor, regulates fetal development of the brain.

Distribution of the histamine H(2) receptor in monkey brain and its mRNA localization in monkey and human brain

The distribution of histamine H(2) receptor mRNA was determined by in situ hybridization histochemistry in human and monkey brain. In the case of monkey brain, we combined this technique with receptor ligand autoradiography to compare the distribution of mRNA and receptor binding sites. [(125)I]Iodoaminopotentidine ([(125)I]-APT), a reversible, high specific activity antagonist with high affinity and selectivity for the H(2) receptor, was used for receptor autoradiography. Radiolabeled oligonucleotides derived from the human mRNA sequence encoding this receptor were used as hybridization probes. The highest density of the H(2) receptor mRNA in human and monkey brain was found in caudate and putamen nuclei and external layers of cerebral cortex. Moderate levels were seen in the hippocampal formation and lower densities in the dentate nucleus of cerebellum. Areas such as globus pallidus, amygdaloid complex, cerebellar cortex, and substantia nigra were devoid of hybridization signal. The distribution of H(2) receptor mRNA in monkey brain is generally in good agreement with that of the corresponding binding sites: prominent in caudate, putamen, accumbens nuclei, and cortical areas. The hippocampus showed lower densities of receptors and low levels were detected in the globus pallidus pars lateralis. No binding sites were seen in amygdaloid complex and substantia nigra. The distribution of histaminergic innervation is in good correlation with the areas of high density for H(2) receptors: caudate, putamen, and external layers of cerebral cortex in monkey and human brain. The presence of mRNA in caudate and putamen nuclei, together with its absence from substantia nigra, suggests that the H(2) receptors found in the striatum are synthesized by intrinsic cells and not by nigral dopaminergic cells. These striatal H(2) receptors may be located on short circuit striatal interneurons or somatodendritically on striatal projection neurons which project to the globus pallidus pars lateralis. In conclusion, the present results, which constitute, to our knowledge, the first report of the regional distribution of mRNA encoding H(2) receptors detected by in situ hybridization, define the sites of synthesis of H(2) receptors and are the basis for future, more detailed studies that should result in a better understanding of H(2) receptor function.

Modulation of histamine H(2) receptor signalling by G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 and 3

To evaluate the role of G-protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRK) in the desensitization of the histamine H(2) receptor, the H(2) receptor was transiently cotransfected with GRK2, 3, 5 or 6 in COS-7 cells and the cyclic AMP levels in response to histamine were studied. Coexpression of the H(2) receptor with GRK2 and 3 significantly decreased both the basal cyclic AMP levels and the cyclic AMP response to 100 microM histamine. Moreover, preincubation with 100 microM histamine desensitized the H(2) receptor response to 53+/-8%. Coexpression of GRK2 and 3 increased the H(2) receptor desensitization to 27+/-4% and 24+/-4% respectively. No effect on either cyclic AMP response or desensitization was found when GRK5, GRK6 or dominant negative mutants of GRK2 or 3 (GRK2K(220)R and GRK3K(220)R) were coexpressed. To study the role of the C-terminal tail in the GRK-mediated desensitization of the H(2) receptor, three truncations of C-tail were constructed: H(2)T295, H(2)T307 and H(2)T341. H(2)T307 and 341 H(2)T341 expressed and responded normally to 100 microM histamine. The interaction of the H(2) receptor with GRK2 and 3 was also not altered upon truncation of the C-terminal tail. These findings strongly suggest a role of GRK2 and 3 in the desensitization of the H(2) receptor. Furthermore, the finding that C-terminal truncations of the H(2) receptor did not abolish the effect of GRK2 and 3 suggests that the C-terminus is not involved in the GRK mediated desensitization of the histamine H(2) receptor.

5-ht6 receptors as emerging targets for drug discovery

5-ht6 receptors are the latest serotonin receptors to be identified by molecular cloning. Their high affinity for a wide range of drugs used in psychiatry, coupled with their intriguing distribution in the brain, has stimulated significant interest. Antisense oligonucleotides, antipeptide antibodies, selective radioligands, knockout mice, and selective antagonists of the 5-ht6 receptor have recently become available. Surprisingly, 5-ht6 receptors appear to regulate cholinergic neurotransmission in the brain, rather than the expected interaction as modulators of dopaminergic transmission. This interaction predicts a possible role for 5-ht6 receptor antagonists in the treatment of learning and memory disorders. Furthermore, polymorphisms in the sequence of the 5-ht6 receptor gene may provide a genetic tool to further our understanding of the differential responses of patients to antipsychotic medications.

Transient increases of histamine H1 and H2 receptor mRNA levels in the rat striatum after the chronic administration of methamphetamine

In our previous studies, we found that behavioral sensitization evoked by repeated administration of methamphetamine (METH) was suppressed by the activation of the histaminergic neuron system in the brain. In continuation of these studies, we measured the levels of H1 and H2 receptor mRNAs in the rat striatum by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Seven days after the 21 consecutive administrations of METH (4 mg/kg, i.p.), the levels of both H1 and H2 receptor mRNAs in the rat striatum increased significantly. However, 1 and 14 days after the last administration, there were no significant changes in levels of either H1 or H2 receptor mRNA in the rat striatum. These transient increases of H1 and H2 receptor mRNAs may have some relation to chronic METH abuse and its withdrawal.

Kinin and histamine stimulate Cl- secretion in gerbil middle ear epithelium: connection to otitis media

The effects of bradykinin (BK) and histamine on transepithelial ion transport in primary cultures of gerbil middle ear epithelium were investigated. Lysyl-bradykinin (lys-BK) elicited a transient increase in short-circuit current (I(sc)) when added to apical or basolateral surfaces. Lys-BK had a larger effect than BK or des-arg9-BK on both epithelial surfaces. Histamine induced a transient increase in I(sc) only when added to the basolateral surface. Mepyramine, an H1 histamine antagonist, greatly reduced the histamine-induced I(sc). The H2 and H3 histamine antagonists were both ineffective for inhibiting the I(sc) responses to histamine. Diphenylamine-2-carboxylate or 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, Cl- channel blockers, significantly blocked the I(sc) responses to lys-BK or histamine. The Ca2+-mobilizing action of lys-BK and histamine was also investigated in single middle ear epithelial cells. BK and histamine induced an increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. 1,2-Bis-(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid-acetoxymethyl ester, a calcium chelator, greatly reduced the increase in the I(sc) responses to lys-BK or histamine. These data indicate that BK and histamine activate intracellular Ca2+-dependent mechanisms, leading to apical Cl- secretion in the cultured gerbil middle ear epithelium via B2 BK receptors and H1 histamine receptors.

Human histamine H2 receptor gene: multiple transcription initiation and tissue-specific expression

We have characterized the genomic structure of 12.3 kb of the 5'-flanking region of the human histamine H2 receptor gene. The multiple transcription initiation sites of the human histamine H2 receptor gene were mapped utilizing the 5'-end cap structure of mRNA. We found that a 85 bp segment (-610-(-)525 bp) immediately upstream of the initiation site exhibits a strong promoter activity in the gastric adenocarcinoma, MNK45, expressing human histamine H2 receptor. A 4.8 kb transcript of the human histamine H2 receptor gene was found in the placenta, spinal cord, lymph node and bone marrow in addition to the previously reported tissues including the heart, brain and stomach, whereas a 1.8 kb transcript was observed in almost all tissues examined. 3'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends revealed the corresponding length of the 3'-untranslated region. These results suggest that the 3'-untranslated region may be involved in the differential expression.

Lack of histamine synthesis and down-regulation of H1 and H2 receptor mRNA levels by dexamethasone in cerebral endothelial cells

The purpose of this work was to determine whether cerebral endothelial cells have the capacity to synthesize histamine or to express mRNA of receptors that specifically respond to available free histamine. The histamine concentrations and the expression of L-histidine decarboxylase (HDC) and histamine H1 and H2 receptor mRNA, both in adult rat brain and in cultured immortalized RBE4 cerebral endothelial cells, were investigated. In this study endothelial cells were devoid of any kind of detectable histamine production, both in vivo and in the immortalized RBE4 cells in culture. Both the immunostainings for histamine and the in situ hybridizations for HDC were negative, as well as histamine determinations by HPLC, indicating that endothelial cells do not possess the capacity to produce histamine. Also, glucocorticoid (dexamethasone) treatment failed to induce histamine production in the cultured cells. Although the cerebral endothelial cells lack histamine production, a nonsaturable uptake in RBE4 cells is demonstrated. The internalized histamine is detected both in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus, which could indicate a role for histamine as an intracellular messenger. Histamine H1 and H2 receptor mRNA was expressed in RBE4 cells, and glucocorticoid treatment down-regulated the mRNA levels of both H1 and H2 receptors. This mechanism may be involved in glucocorticoid-mediated effects on cerebrovascular permeability and brain edema.

Mechanism underlying histamine-induced desensitization of amylase secretion in rat parotid glands

1. Histamine acted on H2 receptors in rat parotid tissues and induced the amylase secretion. Immunoblot analysis by using anti-H2 receptor protein antiserum demonstrated that histamine induced the increase and decrease in the amounts of H2 receptor proteins in basolateral and intracellular membranes, respectively. 2. Short-term treatment with histamine resulted in decreases in amylase secretion, the density of H2 receptors and their affinity for the agonists during further incubation with histamine, but showed an unaltered secretory response to isoproterenol, indicating that the histamine-induced desensitization was confined to H2 receptors. 3. This treatment triggered a 20% decrease in the histamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity and a 40% decrease in the phosphorylation level of Gi2alpha protein in the tissues, resulting in an increase in pertussis toxin (IAP)-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of the protein. An enhancement of cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of Gs protein was observed only during the first incubation with histamine. 4. This treatment triggered a 30% decrease and a 60% increase in the histamine-stimulated activities of protein kinase A and protein phosphatase 2A in the tissues, respectively. 5. Pretreatment with okadaic acid completely blocked the histamine-induced decrease in amylase secretion and increase in IAP-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of Gi protein. The levels of Gi2alpha and Gs alpha proteins in the tissues were not modified by histamine treatment and the level of Gi2alpha protein was not affected by pretreatment with okadaic acid, as assessed by immunoblot analyses with anti-Gi2alpha and anti-Gs alpha protein antiserum. 6. The regulation of Gi2alpha protein phosphorylation in parotid tissues plays an important role in the histamine-induced desensitization of amylase secretion.

Novel insights into histamine H2 receptor biology

Histamine exerts multiple biological actions through one of three receptor subtypes (H1, H2, and H3). This review focuses on new developments regarding the structure and function of the H2 receptor. In addition to the important role this receptor plays in stimulating gastric acid secretion, recent studies have demonstrated that it is also involved in regulating gastrointestinal motility and intestinal secretion. The potential role of the H2 receptor in regulating cell growth and differentiation has also been added to the list of actions this biogenic amine may exert in both normal and transformed tissues. Molecular cloning of the gene indicates that it has the structural characteristics of a heptahelical G protein-linked receptor. Site-directed mutagenesis studies of this receptor reveal the presence of key amino acids within the third and fifth transmembrane domains that are critical for ligand recognition. Molecular approaches have also shed light on the structural components of the H2 receptor important in regulating desensitization and internalization. Although the H2 receptor was classically thought to couple to the adenylate cyclase pathway, recent work with the cloned receptor indicates that it can also activate the phosphoinositide signaling cascade through an independent G protein-dependent mechanism. The novel observation that histamine may stimulate c-fos gene expression lends further support to the possible role of this receptor in regulating cell growth and differentiation.

Heterologous expression of rat epitope-tagged histamine H2 receptors in insect Sf9 cells

1. Rat histamine H2 receptors were epitope-tagged with six histidine residues at the C-terminus to allow immunological detection of the receptor. Recombinant baculoviruses containing the epitope-tagged H2 receptor were prepared and were used to infect insect Sf9 cells. 2. The His-tagged H2 receptors expressed in insect Sf9 cells showed typical H2 receptor characteristics as determined with [125I]-aminopotentidine (APT) binding studies. 3. In Sf9 cells expressing the His-tagged H2 receptor histamine was able to stimulate cyclic AMP production 9 fold (EC50=2.1+/-0.1 microM) by use of the endogenous signalling pathway. The classical antagonists cimetidine, ranitidine and tiotidine inhibited histamine induced cyclic AMP production with Ki values of 0.60+/-0.43 microM, 0.25+/-0.15 microM and 28+/-7 nM, respectively (mean+/-s.e.mean, n=3). 4. The expression of the His-tagged H2 receptors in infected Sf9 cells reached functional levels of 6.6+/-0.6 pmol mg(-1) protein (mean+/-s.e.mean, n=3) after 3 days of infection. This represents about 2 x 10(6) copies of receptor/cell. Preincubation of the cells with 0.03 mM cholesterol-beta-cyclodextrin complex resulted in an increase of [125I]-APT binding up to 169+/-5% (mean+/-s.e.mean, n=3). 5. The addition of 0.03 mM cholesterol-beta-cyclodextrin complex did not affect histamine-induced cyclic AMP production. The EC50 value of histamine was 3.1+/-1.7 microM in the absence of cholesterol-beta-cyclodextrin complex and 11.1+/-5.5 microM in the presence of cholesterol-beta-cyclodextrin complex (mean+/-s.e.mean, n=3). Also, the amount of cyclic AMP produced in the presence of 100 microM histamine was identical, 85+/-18 pmol/10(6) cells in the absence and 81+/-11 pmol/10(6) cells in the presence of 0.03 mM cholesterol-beta-cyclodextrin complex (mean+/-s.e.mean, n=3). 6. Immunofluorescence studies with an antibody against the His-tag revealed that the majority of the His-tagged H2 receptors was localized inside the insect Sf9 cells, although plasma membrane labelling could be identified as well. 7. These experiments demonstrate the successful expression of His-tagged histamine H2 receptors in insect Sf9 cells. The H2 receptors couple functionally to the insect cell adenylate cyclase. However, our studies with cholesterol complementation and with immunofluorescent detection of the His-tag reveal that only a limited amount of H2 receptor protein is functional. These functional receptors are targeted to the plasma membrane.

Detailed mapping of the histamine H2 receptor and its gene transcripts in guinea-pig brain

Autoradiographic studies of the distribution of the histamine H2 receptor and its messenger RNAs were performed on serial frontal and a few sagittal sections of guinea-pig brain using [(125)I]iodoaminopotentidine for radioligand binding and a 33P-labelled complementary RNA probe for in situ hybridization, respectively. Both probes were validated by assessing non-specific labelling using non-radioactive competing H2 receptor ligands and a sense probe for binding sites and gene transcripts, respectively. In some areas, e.g., cerebral cortex, hippocampal complex or cerebellum, such studies were completed by identification of neurons expressing the H2 receptor messenger RNAs on emulsion-dipped sections. Nissl-stained sections from comparable levels were used to localize brain structures. In many brain areas, the distribution of the H2 receptor and its messenger RNAs appeared to parallel that known for histaminergic axons. For instance. high levels of both H2 receptor markers were detected in striatal and limbic areas known to receive abundant histaminergic projections. In contrast, in septum, hypothalamic, pontine and several thalamic nuclei, a comparatively low density of both H2 receptor markers was detected, suggesting that histamine actions in these areas are mediated by H1 and/or H3 receptors. Generally, the distribution of H2 receptor messenger RNA correlates well with that of [(125)I]iodoaminopotentidine binding sites, although some differences were observed. In a few regions (e.g., substantia nigra, locus coeruleus) high or moderate densities of binding sites were accompanied by a much more restricted expression of H2 receptor transcripts. Conversely, the mammillary region and the pontine nucleus exhibited higher levels of hybridization than of binding sites. In hippocampus, cerebral and cerebellar cortex there was a selective localization of the H2 receptor messenger RNA in the granule cells of dentate gyrus, pyramidal cells of the Ammon's horn and cerebral cortex, and Purkinje cells of cerebellum, whereas [(125)I]iodoaminopotentidine binding sites were located in layers where the dendritic trees of these messenger RNA-expressing neurons extend. The same discrepancy between messenger RNAs and binding sites suggests that striatonigral endings are endowed with the H2 receptor. The histamine H1 and H2 receptors both appear to be present in several brain areas, in some cases in a way suggesting their potential co-expression by the same neuronal populations, e.g., in granule and pyramidal cells in the hippocampal formation. This co-expression accounts for synergic responses, e.g., on cAMP generation, previously observed upon co-stimulation of both receptor subtypes. The widespread distribution of the H2 receptor, namely in thalamic nuclei or in telencephalic areas such as most layers of the cerebral cortex, together with its excitatory role previously established in electrophysiological studies, support its alleged function in mediating the histamine-driven control of arousal mechanisms. In addition, the detection of H2 receptor expression in brainstem areas from which other monoaminergic pathways involved in the control of states of sleep and wakefulness emanate, e.g., several raphe nuclei, locus coeruleus or substantia innominata, suggests possible interrelationships between all of these systems with highly divergent projections to the thalamus and telencephalon. The present mapping of the H2 receptor and its gene transcripts should facilitate neurochemical, neurophysiological and behavioural studies aimed at clarifying the role of histaminergic systems in brain.

Role of the C terminus in histamine H2 receptor signaling, desensitization, and agonist-induced internalization

To evaluate the role of the histamine H2 receptor C terminus in signaling, desensitization, and agonist-induced internalization, canine H2 receptors with truncated C termini were generated. Wild-type (WT) and truncated receptors were tagged at their N termini with a hemagglutinin (HA) epitope and expressed in COS7 cells. Most of the C-terminal intracellular tail could be truncated (51 of 70 residues, termed T308 mutant) without loss of functions: cAMP production, tiotidine binding, and plasma membrane targeting. In fact, the T308 mutant produced more cAMP than the WT when cell-surface expression per cell was equivalent. Pretreatment of cells with 10(-5) M histamine desensitized cAMP productions via WT and T308 receptors to similar extents. Incubation of cells expressing WT receptors with 10(-5) M histamine reduced cell-surface anti-HA antibody binding by approximately 30% (by 30 min, t1/2 approximately 15 min), but did not affect the Bmax of tiotidine in membrane fractions, which represents total receptor amounts, suggesting that WT receptors were internalized from the cell surface. In contrast, no internalization was observed with T308 receptors following histamine treatment. A mutant with a deletion of the 30 C-terminal amino acids, termed T329, was functional but was as potent as the WT in terms of cAMP production. Apart from being desensitized by histamine, the internalization of the receptor was indistinguishable from that of the WT. Internalization was observed in the T320 but not in T313 mutant, narrowing the region involved in internalization to that between Glu314 and Asn320 (ETSLRSN). Of these seven residues, either Thr315, Ser316, or both, were replaced with Ala. Thr315 and Ser316 are conserved among species. The mutation at Thr315 (but not that at Ser316) abolished internalization. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Thr315 is involved in agonist-induced internalization. Furthermore, the finding that T308 receptors were desensitized in the absence of internalization suggests that internalization and desensitization are meditated by independent mechanisms.

Histamine immunoreactivity changes in vestibular-lesioned and histaminergic-treated cats

Histamine is likely involved in vestibular function recovery since histaminergic medications are effective in vestibular-related syndromes. We investigated the histamine immunoreactivity changes after unilateral vestibular neurectomy and the effects of betahistine (a partial histamine H1 receptor agonist and an histamine H3 receptor antagonist) and thioperamide (a pure histamine H3 receptor antagonist) treatment in cats. Histamine staining was analyzed in the tuberomammillary and vestibular nuclei through immunohistochemical methods and quantification techniques in light microscopy. Unilateral vestibular neurectomy induced a strong bilateral decrease in histamine immunoreactivity in the vestibular nuclei and a smaller reduction in the tuberomammillary nuclei in both acute (1 week) and compensated (3 weeks, 1 year) cats. One-week thioperamide or betahistine treatment led to a near-total lack of staining in these structures in both lesioned and control cats. One-month betahistine treatment had weaker effects in the compensated cats. We conclude that vestibular lesions reduce histamine staining because of an increase in histamine release in the vestibular and tuberomammillary nuclei, promoting vestibular functions recovery, and betahistine could contribute to this process by acting on both the presynaptic histamine H3 and postsynaptic histamine H1 receptors.

Characterization of histamine receptors in the ureter of the dog

We investigated the effects of histamine on the motility of isolated segments from canine ureters and characterized pharmacologically the histamine receptors involved. We also evaluated the effects of various autacoids (5-HT, carbachol, noradrenaline, thromboxane, prostaglandin F2alpha) on the motility of canine ureters. Histamine as well as the H1 receptor agonist 2-(2-pyridyl)ethylamine elicited a concentration-dependent contraction. This contractile response was antagonized by dimethindene, causing a rightward shift (pA2 8.30) and a reduction of the slope and the maximal effect (pD'2 6.01) of the concentration-response curve. The histamine H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine in a concentration of 10(-5) mol/l was ineffective concerning the concentration-response curve for histamine. After precontraction of the ureter segments (5-HT, carbachol, prostaglandin F2alpha), a concentration-dependent relaxant effect was evaluated in the presence of histamine or the histamine H2 receptor agonist impromidine. The histamine H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine attenuated the relaxant response, causing a rightward shift of the concentration-response curve. All autacoids except thromboxane were capable of increasing contractility in canine ureters. Comparing the absolute contractile force in the presence of prostaglandin F2alpha, 5-HT, carbachol, noradrenaline and potassium, we found that histamine exhibits the most marked effect on this parameter in the canine ureter. It is concluded that there are two types of histamine receptors modulating contractile activity in the canine ureter: histamine H1 receptors, which mediate contraction, and histamine H2 receptors, which mediate relaxation (in the precontracted tissue).

Interaction between the two signal transduction systems of the histamine H2 receptor: desensitizing and sensitizing effects of histamine stimulation on histamine-dependent cAMP production in Chinese hamster ovary cells

The histamine H2 receptor is a member of the family of G-protein-coupled receptors and is linked to the activation of adenylate cyclase phospholipase C (PLC). In this study we examined the effects of protein kinase C (PKC) activation in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably expressing canine histamine H2 receptors. Pretreatment with 100 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate at 37 degrees C for 15 min led to significant potentiation of histamine-dependent and forskolin-dependent cAMP production, whereas the biologically inactive phorbol ester, 4 alpha-phorbol 12, 13-didecanoate, was without effect. These potentiating effects were abolished by preincubation with 0.5 microM bisindolylmaleimide, a PKC inhibitor. Thus the activation of PKCs seems to be involved in the potentiation of cAMP production by acting on a post-receptor mechanism. Preincubation of a CHO cell line, CHO-H2R, with 10 microM histamine for 30 min had two effects. Maximal histamine-dependent cAMP production and forskolin-dependent cAMP production were potentiated by 36% and 105.2% respectively. The other effect was a desensitization of the histamine-dependent adenylate cyclase response as demonstrated by a three-fold increase in EC50. Administration of 0.5 microM bisindolylmaleimide before preincubation of CHO-H2R with 10 microM histamine did not alter the desensitizing effect on cAMP production, but did abolish the sensitizing effect. Preincubation of CHO-H2R cells with 10 nM histamine resulted in moderate potentiation, which was also abolished by bisindolylmaleimide, but not in desensitization of the histamine-dependent cAMP production. Thus these results suggest that preincubation with histamine had a sensitizing effect on cAMP production mediated by PLC and PKC activation, as well as a desensitizing effect on the H2 receptor. The former effect is dependent on the intensity of PLC and PKC signals delivered by H2 receptors. The latter effect requires a higher concentration of histamine.

Case report: ranitidine-induced bradycardia in a patient with dextrocardia

Although rare, bradycardia and other cardiac arrhythmias have been associated with the use of H2-receptor antagonists. Ranitidine is among the most frequently prescribed drugs. In this article, the authors observed a ranitidine-mediated sinus bradycardia in a man with dextrocardia (situs inversus) who had acute bleeding from a duodenal ulcer. The bradycardia was resolved after ranitidine was discontinued.

Inverse agonism of histamine H2 antagonist accounts for upregulation of spontaneously active histamine H2 receptors

Histamine H2 receptors transfected in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are time- and dose-dependently upregulated upon exposure to the H2 antagonists cimetidine and ranitidine. This effect appears to be H2 receptor-mediated as no change in receptor density was observed after H1 or H3 antagonist treatment or after incubation with the structural analogue of cimetidine, VUF 8299, which has no H2 antagonistic effects. By using transfected CHO cells expressing different densities of wild-type H2 receptors or an uncoupled H2Leu124Ala receptor, the histamine H2 receptor was found to display considerable agonist-independent H2 receptor activity. Cimetidine and ranitidine, which both induce H2 receptor upregulation, actually functioned as inverse agonists in those cell lines displaying spontaneous agonist-independent H2 receptor activity. Burimamide, on the other hand, was shown to act as a neutral antagonist and did as expected not induce H2 receptor upregulation after long-term exposure. The displayed inverse agonism of H2 antagonists appears to be a mechanistic basis for the observed H2 antagonist-induced H2 receptor upregulation in transfected CHO cells. These observations shed new light on the pharmacological classification of the H2 antagonists and may offer a plausible explanation for the observed development of tolerance after prolonged clinical use.

Two distinct pathways for histamine H2 receptor down-regulation. H2 Leu124 --> Ala receptor mutant provides evidence for a cAMP-independent action of H2 agonists

Pretreatment of Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the histamine H2 receptor (CHOrH2 cells) with histamine resulted in a time-dependent (t1/2 approximately 7 h) and dose-dependent (EC50=18 nM) H2 receptor down-regulation measured as [125I]iodoaminopotentidine binding (44+/-10% down-regulation). Pretreatment of CHOrH2 cells with cholera toxin or forskolin also led to H2 receptor down-regulation. Forskolin time-dependently (t1/2 approximately 7 h) and dose-dependently (EC50 = 0.3 microM) induced H2 receptor down-regulation. Both histamine and forskolin induced rapid down-regulation of H2 receptor mRNA levels, probably caused by mRNA destabilization. Recently, Moro et al. (Moro, O. Lameh, J., Hogger, P., and Sadée, W. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 22273-22276) showed that hydrophobic amino acids in a conserved G-protein-coupled receptor motif in the second intracellular loop are implicated in G-protein coupling. To uncouple the H2 receptor from the Gs-protein, we introduced the Leu124 --> Ala mutation in the second intracellular loop of the H2 receptor. The H2 Leu124 --> Ala mutant showed altered agonist-binding parameters, attenuated histamine-induced cAMP production, and was down-regulated by concentrations of histamine that did not give rise to cAMP production. Taken together, in CHOrH2 cells, H2 receptor down-regulation appears to be induced by two distinct pathways, a cAMP-dependent and cAMP-independent pathway.

Hippocampal somatostatin receptors and modulation of adenylyl cyclase activity in histamine-treated rats

In the present study, the effects of an intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) dose of histamine (0.1, 1.0 or 10.0 micrograms) on the hippocampal somatostatin (SS) receptor/effector system in Wistar rats were investigated. In view of the rapid onset of histamine action, the effects of histamine on the somatostatinergic system were studied 2 h after its administration. Hippocampal SS-like immunoreactivity (SSLI) levels were not modified by any of the histamine doses studied. SS-mediated inhibition of basal and forskolin (FK)-stimulated adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity was markedly increased in hippocampal membranes from rats treated with 10 micrograms of histamine (23% +/- 1% vs. 17% +/- 1% and 37% +/- 2% vs. 23% +/- 1%, respectively). In contrast, neither the basal nor the FK-stimulated enzyme activities were affected by histamine administration. The functional activity of the hippocampal guanine-nucleotide binding inhibitory protein (Gi protein), as assessed by the capacity of the stable GTP analogue 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate (Gpp[NH]p) to inhibit FK-stimulated AC activity, was not modified by histamine administration. These data suggest that the increased response of the enzyme to SS was not related to an increased functional activity of Gi proteins. In fact, the increased AC response to SS in hippocampal membranes from histamine (10 micrograms)-treated rats was associated with quantitative changes in the SS receptors. Equilibrium binding data obtained with [125I]Tyr11-SS indicate an increase in the number with specific SS receptors (541 +/- 24 vs. 365 +/- 16 fmol/mg protein, P < 0.001) together with a decrease in their apparent affinity (0.57 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.41 +/- 0.03 nM, P < 0.05) in rat hippocampal membranes from histamine (10 micrograms)-treated rats as compared to control animals. With the aim of determining if these changes were related to histamine binding to its specific receptor sites, the histaminergic H1 and H2 receptor antagonists mepyramine and cimetidine, respectively, were administered 1 h before histamine injection. The pretreatment with mepyramine or cimetidine induced an increase in the number and affinity constant of the SS receptors whereas the simultaneous pretreatment with both histamine antagonists prevented the histamine-induced changes in SS binding to its receptors. Since the hippocampal SS receptor/effector system is modulated by histamine, it is tempting to speculate that in the hippocampus, SS could be involved as a mediator of the histamine effects on behaviors such as learning and memory.

G-protein-coupled receptors in HL-60 human leukemia cells

1. HL-60 human leukemia cells are a widely employed model system for the analysis of signal transduction processes mediated via regulatory heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins). HL-60 promyelocytes are pluripotent and can be differentiated into neutrophilic or monocytic cells. 2. HL-60 cells express formyl peptide-, complement C5a-, leukotriene B4 (LTB4)- and platelet-activating factor receptors, receptors for purine and pyrimidine nucleotides, histamine H1- and H2-receptors, beta 2-adrenoceptors and prostaglandin receptors. 3. The major G-proteins in HL-60 cells are pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive Gi-proteins (Gi2 > Gi3). Gs-proteins and G-proteins of the Gq-family (e.g., G16) are expressed, too. 4. G-protein-regulated effector systems in HL-60 cells are adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C-beta 2 (PLC-beta 2) and, possibly, phospholipase D (PLD), nonselective cation (NSC) channels and NADPH oxidase. 5. The expression of signal transduction pathways in HL-60 cells strongly depends on the differentiation state of cells. 6. Formyl peptides, via Gi-proteins, mediate activation of PLC, PLD, NSC channels, NADPH oxidase and azurophilic granule release and are referred to as full secretagogues. In dibutyryl cAMP (Bt2cAMP)-differentiated HL-60 cells, C5a and LTB4 are partial and incomplete secretagogues, respectively. There are substantial differences in the Gi-protein activations induced by formyl peptides, C5a and LTB4. 7. In HL-60 promyelocytes, purine and pyrimidine nucleotides mediate activation of PLC and NSC channels largely via PTX-insensitive G-proteins and induce functional differentiation. In Bt2cAMP-differentiated HL-60 cells, they additionally activate PLD, NADPH oxidase and granule release via PTX-sensitive and -insensitive pathways. ATP and UTP are partial secretagogues. Multiple types of receptors (i.e., P2Y- and P2U-receptors and pyrimidinocyeptors) may mediate the effects of nucleotides in HL-60 cells. 8. Bt2cAMP- and 1 alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol-differentiated HL-60 cells express H1-receptors coupled to Gi-proteins and PTX-insensitive G-proteins. In the former cells, histamine mediates activation of PLC and NSC channels, and in the latter, activation of NSC channels. Histamine is an incomplete secretagogue in these cells. 9. HL-60 promyelocytes express H2-receptors coupled to adenylyl cyclase, PLC, and NSC channels. There are substantial differences in the agonist/antagonist profiles of H2-receptor-mediated cAMP formation and rises in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration, indicative of the involvement of different H2-receptor subtypes. H2-receptors mediate functional differentiation of HL-60 cells. 10. Certain cationic-amphiphilic histamine receptor ligands (i.e., 2-substituted histamines, lipophilic guanidines, and a histamine trifluoromethyl-toluidide derivative) show stimulatory effects in HL-60 cells that are attributable to receptor-independent activation of Gi-proteins.

Structural and functional analysis of the canine histamine H2 receptor by site-directed mutagenesis: N-glycosylation is not vital for its action

G-protein-coupled receptors generally share a similar structure containing seven membrane-spanning domains and extracellular site(s) for N-glycosylation. The histamine H2 receptor is a member of the family of G-protein-coupled receptors, and has three extracellular potential sites for N-glycosylation (Asn-4, Asn-162 and Asn-168). To date, however, no information has been presented regarding N-glycosylation of the H2 receptor. To investigate the presence, location and functional roles of N-glycosylation of the H2 receptor, site-directed mutagenesis was performed to eliminate the potential site(s) for N-glycosylation singly and collectively. The wild-type and mutated H2 receptors were expressed stably in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells or transiently in COS7 cells. Immunoblotting of the wild-type and mutated H2 receptors with an antiserum directed against the C-terminus of the H2 receptor showed that mutation at Asn-162, but not at Asn-168, resulted in a substantial decrease in the molecular mass. A mutation at Asn-4 led to a further decrease in the molecular mass. Tunicamycin treatment of the transfected cells yielded a sharp band with a molecular mass identical to that of the mutant devoid of all three potential sites for N-glycosylation. These findings indicate that the H2 receptor is N-glycosylated, and that N-glycosylation takes place mainly at two sites, Asn-4 and Asn-162. Neither the affinity for tiotidine nor that for histamine was affected by the mutagenesis. Immunocytochemistry and tiotidine binding showed that the mutated receptors were exclusively distributed on the cell surface in a fashion similar to that of the wild-type. In addition, the glycosylation-defective receptor was capable of activating adenylate cyclase and elevating the intracellular Ca2+ concentration in response to histamine in stable CHO cell lines. Thus N-glycosylation of the H2 receptor is not required for cell surface localization, ligand binding or functional coupling to G-protein(s).

An update on histamine H3 receptors and gastrointestinal functions

The distribution and functions of histamine H3 receptors in the gastrointestinal tract is reviewed with particular reference to the effects on gastric acid secretion, mucosal protection, and intestinal motility. Histamine H3 receptor activation has negative effects on acid secretion induced by indirect secretagogues in cats, dogs, and rabbits; less clear effects were found in rats. An inhibitory effect on histamine release induced by different stimuli was observed in rats, rabbits, and dogs after H3 receptor agonists, thus supporting the idea that H3 receptors occur in ECL cells. (R)-alpha-methylhistamine has a marked protective effect against gastric lesions induced by ethanol in rats, being slightly less effective against aspirin and stress. H3 receptor activation decreases the intestinal motility induced by electrical stimulation in a variety of gut preparations, reducing both cholinergic and NANC neurotransmitter release. In this tissue the inhibitory effects mediated by histamine H3 receptors seem to be coupled, via a G protein, to a restriction of Ca2+ access into the nerve terminal; other mechanisms, however, have been suggested in the gastric mucosa. Histamine H3 receptors have already been subdivided into two receptor subtypes, H3A and H3B, the former being the subtype predominant in the gastrointestinal tissue. The increasing availability of selective agonists and antagonists of H3 receptors will unravel possible novel actions and physiological roles of histamine.