Functional correlates of 5-HT1 recognition sites

Functional correlates of serotonin 5-HT1 recognition sites

A short overview is given of the evidence supporting the existence of subtypes of 5-HT1 receptors. As 5-HT1 receptors were first described using radioligand binding studies, a brief description of 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT1C and 5-HT1D receptor binding is given. Then, recent data obtained in biochemical, electrophysiological, behavioural and other functional studies is compared to results obtained in radioligand binding studies. The paper shows that functional correlates do indeed exist for subtypes of 5-HT1 recognition sites; moreover, these are markedly different from the effects mediated by 5-HT2 (5-HT D) or 5-HT3 (5-HT M) receptors.

Modulation of neuronal activity in the hippocampus by 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine1A selective drugs

The interactions between 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 8-hydroxy-2-(N,N-dipropylamino)-tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), buspirone, 2-(4-(4-(2-pyrimidinyl)-1-piperazinyl)butyl)-1,2-benzisothiazol-3- (2H)one-1, 1-dioxide-hydrochloride (TVX Q 7821) and ketanserin, and putative 5-HT receptors were analyzed using both radioligand techniques and an in vitro hippocampal slice preparation. The potencies of the drugs were determined at 5-HT1A binding sites labelled by [3H]8-OH-DPAT in hippocampal membranes from the rat. The binding site had similar affinity for 5-HT, 8-OH-DPAT, buspirone and TVX Q 7821, whereas ketanserin was essentially inactive. Physiological effects of these drugs were also examined using an in vitro hippocampal slice preparation. With the exception of ketanserin, application of each drug to the bath modulated the amplitude of the field potential recorded in the pyramidal layer of CA1 evoked by stimulation of Schaffer collaterals. Application of micromolar concentrations of 5-HT produced an initial increase in the population spike followed by a return to near baseline levels within 5 min. By contrast, the amplitude of the population spike was reduced in a dose-dependent manner by micromolar concentrations of 8-OH-DPAT, buspirone and TVX Q 7821, beginning 5 min after application of drug. Ketanserin did not affect the amplitude of the population spike and it did not antagonize the effects of 5-HT, buspirone or TVX Q 7821. Neither buspirone nor 8-OH-DPAT altered the initial increase in population spike induced by 5-HT.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pharmacological differentiation and characterization of 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, and 5-HT1C binding sites in rat frontal cortex

Drug interactions with 5-HT1 (5-hydroxytryptamine type 1) binding site subtypes were analyzed in rat frontal cortex. 8-Hydroxy-N,N-dipropyl-2-aminotetralin (8-OH-DPAT) displays high affinity (Ki 3.3 +/- 1 nM) for 29 +/- 3% of total [3H]5-HT binding in rat frontal cortex and low affinity (Ki 9,300 +/- 1,000) for 71 +/- 4% of the remaining 5-HT1 sites. Therefore, non-5-HT1A binding in rat frontal cortex was defined as specific [3H]5-HT binding observed in the presence of 100 nM 8-OH-DPAT. 5-Methoxy 3-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-4-pyridinyl) 1 H indole (RU 24969), 1-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine (TFMPP), mianserin, and methysergide produce shallow competition curves of [3H]5-HT binding from non-5-HT1A sites. Addition of 10(-3) M GTP does not increase the apparent Hill slopes of these competition curves. Computer-assisted iterative curve fitting suggests that these drugs can discriminate two distinct subpopulations of non-5-HT1A binding sites, each representing approximately 35% of the total [3H]5-HT binding in the rat frontal cortex. All three 5-HT1 binding site subtypes display nanomolar affinity for 5-HT and 5-methoxytryptamine. A homogeneous population of 5-HT1A sites can be directly labeled using [3H]8-OH-DPAT. These sites display nanomolar affinity for 8-OH-DPAT, WB 4101, RU 24969, 2-(4-[4-(2-pyrimidinyl)-1-piperazinyl] butyl)-1,2-benzisothiazol-3-(2H)one-1, 1-dioxidehydrochloride (TVX Q 7821), 5-methoxydimethyltryptamine, and d-lysergic acid diethylamide. The potencies of RU 24969, TFMPP, and quipazine for [3H]5-HT binding are increased by addition of 100 nM 8-OH-DPAT and 3,000 nM mianserin to the [3H]5-HT binding assay. Moreover, the drugs have apparent Hill slopes near 1 under these conditions. This subpopulation of total [3H]5-HT binding is designated 5-HT1B. By contrast, methysergide and mianserin become more potent inhibitors of residual [3H]5-HT binding to non-5-HT1A sites in the presence of 100 nM 8-OH-DPAT and 10 nM RU 24969. The drug competition curves under these conditions have apparent Hill slopes of near unity and these sites are designated 5-HT1C. Drug competition studies using a series of 24 agents reveals that each 5-HT1 subtype site has a unique pharmacological profile. These results suggest that radioligand studies can be used to differentiate three distinct subpopulations of 5-HT1 binding sites labeled by [3H]5-HT in rat frontal cortex.

Proposals for the classification and nomenclature of functional receptors for 5-hydroxytryptamine

As a result of controversy in the literature regarding the classification and nomenclature of functional receptors for 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), a framework for classification is proposed. The formulation of these proposals has only been made possible by the recent advent of new drug tools. It is considered that there are three main types of 5-HT receptor, two of which have been well characterised pharmacologically, using selective antagonists, and which it is proposed to name 5-HT2 and 5-HT3. These two groups broadly encompass the "D" and "M" receptors, respectively, which Gaddum identified in the guinea-pig ileum (Gaddum and Picarelli, 1957). The 5-HT2 receptor, which mediates a variety of actions of 5-HT, has been definitively shown to correlate with the 5-HT2 binding site in the brain. No binding studies in brain tissue have yet been published with radiolabelled ligands specific for 5-HT3 receptors. A number of other actions of 5-HT appear to be mediated via receptors distinct from 5-HT2 or 5-HT3 receptors. Since selective antagonists are not yet available, these receptors cannot be definitively characterised, although in many cases they do have some similarities with 5-HT1 binding sites, which are a heterogeneous entity. Criteria are proposed for tentatively classifying these receptors as "5-HT1-like" (Table 1). Definitive characterisation of these receptors will await the identification of specific antagonists. This classification of 5-HT receptors into three main groups (Table 1) is based largely, but not exclusively, on data from studies in isolated peripheral tissues where definitive classification is possible. However, it is believed that this working classification will be relevant to functional responses to 5-HT in the central nervous system.

An inhibitory prejunctional 5-HT1-like receptor in the isolated perfused rat kidney. Apparent distinction from the 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B and 5-HT1C subtypes

The present study has identified a receptor for 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) which functions to inhibit the stimulus-induced release of [3H] noradrenaline following sympathetic periarterial nerve stimulation to the isolated perfused rat kidney. In addition to 5-HT (IC30 = 4.5 X 10(-8) mol/l), both 5-carboxamidotryptamine (IC30 = 8 X 10(-9) mol/l) and 5-methoxy-3-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-4-pyridinyl) indole (RU-24969, IC30 = 2.5 X 10(-7) mol/l) acted as agonists whereas 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) was inactive. The inhibitory effect of 5-HT on the electrically-evoked release of tritium was antagonized in a concentration-dependent manner by methiothepin (IC50 = 4 X 10(-9) mol/l), metergoline (IC50 = 4 X 10(-8) mol/l) and methysergide (IC50 = 1.3 X 10(-7) mol/l) but not by cyproheptadine, ketanserin, mesulergine, (-)-propranolol, (+/-)-pindolol, (+/-)-cyanopindolol, metoclopramide or phentolamine. It is concluded that the receptor to 5-HT conforms to general criteria defining 5-HT1-like receptors but at the present time the receptor site cannot be fitted to the designated 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B or 5-HT1C subtypes.

Identity of inhibitory presynaptic 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) autoreceptors in the rat brain cortex with 5-HT1B binding sites

In rat brain cortex slices preincubated with [3H]5-HT, the potencies of 17 5-HT receptor agonists to inhibit the electrically evoked 3H overflow and the affinities of 13 antagonists (including several beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents) to antagonize competitively the inhibitory effect of unlabelled 5-HT on evoked 3H overflow were determined. The affinities of the compounds for 5-HT1B and 5-HT2 binding sites in rat brain cortex membranes (labelled by [125I]cyanopindolol = [125I]-CYP in the presence of 30 mumol/l isoprenaline and [3H]ketanserin, respectively), for 5-HT1A binding sites in pig and rat brain cortex membranes (labelled by [3H]8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin = [3H]8-OH-DPAT) and for 5-HT1C binding sites in pig choroid plexus membranes (labelled by [3H]mesulergine) were also determined. The affinities of the drugs for the various 5-HT recognition sites ranged over 4-5 log units (the functional experiments revealed the same range of differences between the drugs). There were no significant correlations between the affinities of the drugs at 5-HT1C and 5-HT2 binding sites and their potencies or affinities, determined for the 5-HT autoreceptors. In contrast, significant correlations were found between the potencies or affinities of the drugs for the autoreceptors and their affinities at 5-HT1A or 5-HT1B binding sites; the best correlations were obtained with the 5-HT1B binding site. Some of the drugs investigated were not included in the correlation since their agonistic or antagonistic effects on the autoreceptors were weak and pEC30 or apparent pA2 values could not be determined (less than 5.5).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Differential selectivities of RU 24969 and 8-OH-DPAT for the purported 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B binding sites. Correlation between 5-HT1A affinity and hypotensive activity

RU 24969 and 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) inhibited the specific binding of [3H]5-HT (2 nM) to rat brain membranes with shallow displacement curves. The displacement data were best fitted with a model of two independent, high and low affinity binding sites. Following addition of spiperone (1 microM) as a selective ligand for the putative 5-HT1A recognition site of [3H]5-HT, the displacement curve of RU 24969 underwent a leftward shift, whereas spiperone induced a shift to the right for the displacement curve of 8-OH-DPAT. In contrast to spiperone, pindolol (1 microM) shifted the displacement curve of RU 24969 to the right. These results suggest that RU 24969 possesses preference for the purported 5-HT1B subtype of central 5-HT1 recognition site. The reported significant linear correlation between hypotensive activity following intravenous (i.v.) administration to anesthetized rats and affinity for the central 5-HT1 binding site could only be maintained by incorporation of the affinity of RU 24969 for its low and 8-OH-DPAT for its high affinity binding site. Based on the proposal that the 5-HT1A site corresponds to the high affinity site of 8-OH-DPAT and the low affinity site of RU 24969, it is hypothesized that the late depressor phase of 5-HT agonists in rats is mediated by activation of peripheral (vascular) 5-HT receptors which have similarities with the 5-HT1A subtype of central 5-HT1 recognition site.

Binding of the putative anxiolytic TVX Q 7821 to hippocampal 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) recognition sites

The abilities of the putative non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic compound TVX Q 7821 in comparison to 5-HT and the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist ketanserin to displace 3H-5-HT from its binding sites in various regions of calf brain were studied. Binding affinities and capacities for 3H-5-HT were determined using membranes from different calf brain regions. Competition experiments with radiolabelled 3H-ketanserin using rat prefrontal cortex membranes were also performed. High affinity 3H-5-HT binding was found in all calf brain areas examined, with the hippocampus having the highest density of binding sites. TVX Q 7821 was a potent displacer (Ki-value 10 nmol/l) of 3H-5-HT binding in hippocampal membranes but not in membranes from other brain regions. No high affinity binding of TVX Q 7821 was found to the 5-HT receptors labelled with 3H-ketanserin. It is concluded, that TVX Q 7821 may bind preferentially to a special subtype of the 5-HT1 recognition site. Furthermore the results suggest that these sites may be involved in the mechanism of the anxiolytic action of TVX Q 7821.

The binding of serotonergic ligands to the porcine choroid plexus: characterization of a new type of serotonin recognition site

The kinetic and pharmacological characteristics of the binding of [3H]5-HT (serotonin), [3H]8-OH-DPAT (8-OH-2-di-n-propylaminotetraline), [3H]LSD, [3H]ketanserin and [3H]mesulergine to membranes from frontal cortex, hippocampus and choroid plexus of pig brain were studied. The binding of these ligands to frontal cortex and hippocampus demonstrated the presence of 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 sites in both tissues, although hippocampus was richer in 5-HT1 (subtype 5-HT1A) sites. [3H]5-HT, [3H]mesulergine and [3H]LSD labeled the pig choroid plexus with high affinity. The pharmacological profiles of [3H]5-HT and [3H]mesulergine binding to this tissue were closely comparable. Ligands reported as selective for 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B or 5-HT2 subtypes did not show high affinity for these binding sites. Therefore, these 5-HT binding sites in pig choroid plexus could be named 5-HT1C. Other drugs with a high affinity for these sites were methysergide and mianserine. In pig frontal cortex, [3H]5-HT labeled the different subtypes of 5-HT1 sites. In contrast, [3H]mesulergine bound in pig frontal cortex to a small population of sites with pharmacological properties similar to those of the choroid plexus 5-HT1C sites. Possible physiological functions in which these sites might be involved are discussed.

2-[125Iodo]LSD, a new ligand for the characterisation and localisation of 5-HT2 receptors

LSD was iodinated with Na125I and chloramine T, to get the radioligand [125I]LSD ( 125IOL ) and with N-I-succinimide to obtain the nonradioactive compound 2-I-LSD (IOL) for comparative pharmacological studies. The introduction of iodine in position 2 of LSD leads to an increase in selectivity for 5HT2 receptors. In rat cortex membranes, 125IOL possesses a KD = 0.9 +/- 0.1 nmol/l, Bmax = 240 +/- 20 fmoles/mg, and a nonspecific binding of 30-40% in presence of 100 nmol/l ketanserin. In competition experiments, 5HT antagonists showed monophasic displacement curves. Their KI-values correlate well with pD'2-values for inhibition of 5HT-induced contraction of canine basilar artery. It can be concluded that the sites labelled by 125IOL have pharmacological properties in common with central 5HT2 receptors, which are identical with vascular postjunctional 5HT receptors. The high specific radioactivity of 125IOL permits detection of even small 5HT2 receptor densities which exist in the guinea pig ileum. These 125IOL binding sites are pharmacologically different to those found in the brain or on the vessels and might be a special subpopulation of 5HT2 sites. For example, ketanserin has a high affinity to the sites labelled by 125IOL in the brain and a 100 times lower affinity to the sites labelled in the ileum. In a routine binding screen with various ligands, the inhibition constants of IOL for alpha 1, alpha 2, beta, histamine and muscarinic receptors are greater than 100 nmol/l with the exception for dopamine receptors, 40 nmol/l. 125IOL was employed for the autoradiographic localisation of its binding sites after in vitro labelling of microtome rat brain sections. 125IOL labelled 5HT2 sites in the cortex and dopamine receptors in the nucleus caudatus. The exposure times required were very short, compared to those of other 5HT2 ligands available.

Evidence for common pharmacological properties of [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine binding sites, presynaptic 5-hydroxytryptamine autoreceptors in CNS and inhibitory presynaptic 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors on sympathetic nerves

The affinities of 16 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor agonists (indole derivatives) and 7 5-HT receptor antagonists for [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine [( 3H]5-HT) binding sites in rat cerebral cortex membranes were determined. In addition, the potencies of the agonists for inhibiting the electrically induced tritium overflow from rat brain cortex slices preincubated with [3H]5-HT and from canine saphenous veins preincubated with [3H]noradrenaline were measured. Furthermore, the potencies of the indole derivatives for inducing contractile responses of canine saphenous veins were recorded. In addition, the interaction of the antagonists with unlabelled 5-HT at the 5-HT autoreceptor was studied in rat brain cortex slices. There was a good correlation between the binding affinities of the indole derivatives for the [3H]5-HT sites of rat brain cortex membranes and their potencies for inhibiting the evoked tritium overflow from both rat brain cortex slices and strips of canine saphenous vein. Comparison of the inhibition constants derived from the overflow experiments in both tissues again revealed a high correlation coefficient while there was only weak correlation between the binding affinities in rat brain cortex and the contractile potencies of the drugs in canine saphenous vein strips. When 5-HT receptor antagonists were investigated, metitepin and metergoline showed moderate affinities for the 5-HT autoreceptors in rat brain cortex slices, whereas quipazine had only weak affinity, and ketanserin, metoclopramide, cinanserin and cyproheptadine exhibited no antagonistic property. In binding experiments, the competition curves of most 5-HT receptor antagonists were biphasic, suggesting that the [3H]5-HT binding sites are heterogeneous.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)