Comparisons of affinity constants of PGEs-receptor interaction with concentrations of PGEs needed for half maximal stimulation of adenylate cyclase

Prostaglandin E2-induced aldosterone release is mediated by an EP2 receptor

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is an endogenous hormone of adrenal zona glomerulosa cells and is released in response to stimulation by agonists such as angiotensin II (Ang II). It stimulates the release of aldosterone from cultured bovine adrenal zona glomerulosa cells. These studies were designed to determine whether this steroidogenic effect of PGE2 was mediated by an EP1, EP2, or EP3 receptor. Prostaglandin E2 and 11-deoxy PGE1, an EP2-selective agonist, stimulated aldosterone release in a concentration-related manner with an ED50 of 300 nmol/L for PGE2 and 2 micromol/L for 11-deoxy PGE1. The maximal effect of PGE2 was less than that of angiotensin II. 17-Phenyl trinor PGE2, an EP1-selective agonist, required concentrations of 100 micromol/L to stimulate aldosterone release and sulprostone, an EP3/EP1-selective agonist, failed to alter aldosterone release. The EP1-selective antagonist SC19220 failed to alter basal or PGE2-stimulated aldosterone release over a range of concentrations. PGE2 and 11-deoxy PGE1 also stimulated an increase in both intracellular and extracellular cAMP. This increase was time- and concentration-related. The ED50 for PGE2 was 9.8 micromol/L. 17-Phenyl trinor PGE2 and sulprostone were without effect. Using fura-2 loaded cells, PGE2 (2 micromol/L), dibutyryl cAMP (2 mmol/L), and Ang 11 (2 micromol/L) increased intracellular calcium over basal concentrations by 5.5-fold, 3-fold, and 6.2-fold, respectively. Like PGE2, dibutyryl cAMP also stimulated aldosterone release. PGE2- and dibutyryl cAMP-induced aldosterone release were blocked by the calcium channel inhibitor diltiazem. These studies indicate that PGE2 is a potent stimulus for aldosterone release and that the effect is mediated by EP2 receptors. Both cAMP and calcium appear to mediate the steroidogenic effect of PGE2 and calcium seems to be distal to cAMP.

Identification of prostaglandin E2 receptor sites in the embryonic murine palate

This study reports the existence and characteristics of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptor sites during development of the murine embryonic palate. A radioligand binding technique utilizing [3H]-PGE2 was employed in the identification and characterization of binding sites. On day 13 of gestation, palatal PGE2 receptor sites were saturable (at 3.5 nM [3H]-PGE2) with high affinity (KD 1.6 nM) and low capacity (0.018 fmole/mg protein). Specific [3H]-PGE2 binding was completely reversible by 30 min. The rank order of prostanoid binding affinity at specific PGE2 binding sites was: E2 greater than F2 alpha greater than A2 greater than E1 = D2. The ability of embryonic palate mesenchymal cells to respond to PGE2 with dose-dependent accumulations of intracellular cAMP demonstrated the functional nature of these binding sites. Analysis of palatal PGE2 receptor characteristics during the period of palatal development also indicated significant temporal alterations in both receptor affinity and density.

Further evidence for lack of specific receptors for PGE2 in the rat ovary

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) seems to stimulate cAMP accumulation in ovaries of all mammals. While it acts through specific receptors in some species, our earlier observations (1) suggest absence of PGE2 receptors in the rat ovary. In order to further substantiate this assumption we digested ovarian membranes from the bovine and the rat with various enzymes and measured cAMP after stimulation with PGE2, NaF, and hCG. Pronase, trypsin, and phospholipase C abolished cAMP accumulation completely. Neuraminidase, beta-galactosidase and phospholipase D did not interfere with cAMP formation. After treatment with phospholipase A2, PGE2-mediated cAMP accumulation was abolished in the bovine but not in the rat ovary. Formation of cAMP disappeared after hCG but not after NaF in both species. Furthermore specific binding of PGE2 could not be demonstrated in phospholipase A2-treated bovine ovaries. These findings are consistent with presence of specific PGE2 receptors in the bovine and their absence in the rat ovary.

Selected properties of [3H]prostaglandin E1 binding to dispersed bovine luteal cells

Selected properties of [3H]prostaglandin (PG) E1 binding to collagenase dispersed bovine luteal cells were studied and compared with those observed in luteal plasma membranes. [3H]-PGE1 specific binding to a relatively homogeneous population of luteal cells was a rapid (K1 = 4.2 X 10(5) M-1 .sec-1), reversible (K-1 = 3.9 X 10(-3) sec-1), saturable and specific process at 38 degrees C. The binding was homogeneous with an apparent dissociation constant of 2.4 nM and 1.8 X 10(5) receptors per cell. The presence of increasing amounts of unlabeled PGs inhibited [3H]PGE1 binding in a dose-dependent manner. The potency order for this inhibition of binding was: PGE 2 greater than PGE1, (15S)-15-methyl-PGE2 methyl ester greater than PGF2alpha greater than PGF1alpha greater than other PGs, PGE, PGF metabolites and PGF analogs. Other than the homogeneous nature of [3H]PGE1 binding and the greater effectiveness of PGE2 compared to PGE1 in cells, the rest of the properties of [3H]PGE1 binding to cells were in excellent agreement with those observed in plasma membranes.