Importance of thiol group(s) in the binding of 125I-labeled neurotensin to membranes from porcine brain

Regulation of neurotensin receptor function by the arachidonic acid-lipoxygenase pathway in prostate cancer PC3 cells

Neurotensin (NT) elevates leukotriene levels in animals and stimulates 5-HETE formation in prostate cancer PC3 cells. PC3 cell growth is stimulated by NT and inhibited by lipoxygenase (LOX) blockers. This led us to test LOX blockers (NDGA, MK886, ETYA, Rev5901, AA861 and others) for effects on NT binding and signaling. LOX blockers dramatically enhanced 125I-neurotensin binding to NT receptor NTR1 in PC3 cells, whereas they inhibited NT-induced inositol phosphate formation. These effects were indirect (binding to isolated membranes was unaffected), receptor-specific (binding to beta2-adrenergic, V1a-vasopressin, EGF and bombesin receptor was unaffected) and pathway-specific (cyclooxygenase inhibitors were inactive). NT receptor affinity was increased but receptor number and % internalization were unchanged. Also supporting the involvement of arachidonic acid metabolism in NTR1 regulation was the finding that inhibitors of PLA2 and DAG lipase enhanced NT binding. These findings suggest that NTR1 is regulated by specific feedback mechanism(s) involving lipid peroxidation and/or LOX-dependent processes.

Polyphenolic Antioxidants Mimic the Effects of 1,4-Dihydropyridines on Neurotensin Receptor Function in PC3 Cells

This study aimed to determine the mechanism(s) by which 1,4-dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel blockers (DHPs) enhance the binding of neurotensin (NT) to prostate cancer PC3 cells and inhibit NT-induced inositol phosphate formation. Earlier work indicated that these effects, which involved the G protein-coupled NT receptor NTR1, were indirect and required cellular metabolism or architecture. At the micromolar concentrations used, DHPs can block voltage-sensitive and store-operated Ca2+ channels, K+ channels, and Na+ channels, and can inhibit lipid peroxidation. By varying [Ca2+] and testing the effects of stimulators and inhibitors of Ca2+ influx and internal Ca2+ release, we determined that although DHPs may have inhibited inositol phosphate formation partly by blocking Ca2+ influx, the effect on NT binding was Ca2+-independent. By varying [K+] and [Na+], we showed that these ions did not contribute to either effect. For a series of DHPs, the activity order for effects on NTR1 function followed that for antioxidant ability. Antioxidant polyphenols (luteolin and resveratrol) mimicked the effects of DHPs and showed structural similarity to DHPs. Antioxidants with equal redox ability, but without structural similarity to DHPs (such as alpha-tocopherol, riboflavin, and N-acetyl-cysteine) were without effect. A flavoprotein oxidase inhibitor (diphenylene iodonium) and a hydroxy radical scavenger (butylated hydroxy anisole) also displayed the effects of DHPs. In conclusion, DHPs indirectly alter NTR1 function in live cells by a mechanism that depends on the drug's ability to donate hydrogen but does not simply involve sulfhydryl reduction.

Agonist induced conformation alteration of neurotensin receptor and the mechanism behind Na+ inhibition of 125I-NT binding

In the absence of Na+, 125I-Neurotensin (125I-NT) binding to the Neurotensin receptor (NTR) produces a stable noncovalent 125I-NT-NTR complex whose dissociation rate is extremely low even after the addition of 1 microM NT, 100 microM SR48692 (antagonist), 100 microM GPPNHP or 100 mM NaCl. Lowering the medium pH to 4.5 enhances the process (approximately 70% in 10 minutes). Labeling by photoactivatable 125I-Tyr3-Azo4-NT identifies a approximately 50 KD Mr band along with several other minor components. Interestingly, the labeling intensity is drastically reduced when binding is performed in the presence of Na+ or GPPNHP. However, a minor reduction is noticed when Na+ or GPPNHP is added to the medium after binding. The binding kinetics indicates that Na+ lowers the rate of 125I-NT association by acting as a noncompetitive inhibitor. On the contrary, Na+ favors the interaction of antagonist, SR48692 by lowering the value of Ki. GTPgamma35S binding to membranes in the presence of 30 mM NaCl suggests that Na+ inhibition of 125I-NT binding is due to the uncoupling of NTR associated G protein(s). In order to explain the entire phenomenon, a two-step, binding model has been proposed. In Step-1, interaction between NT and NTR produces a transient complex, which attains a stable state in the absence of NaCl via step-2, thereby altering the native NTR conformation. The presence of Na+ prevents step-2 by dissociating the transition complex.

Neurotensin receptor expression in prostate cancer cell line and growth effect of NT at physiological concentrations

BACKGROUND

Neurotensin (NT), a neuroendocrine peptide, exerts trophic effects in vivo and stimulates growth of some tumor cells in vitro. Androgen-sensitive prostate cells derived from lymph node carcinoma of the prostate (LNCaP) secrete NT and exhibit growth responses to NT. This study examines NT secretion, NT receptor and NT-growth responses in androgen-independent prostatic carcinoma (PC3) cells derived from prostate adenocarcinoma metastatic to bone.

METHODS

Binding of 125I-NT to PC3 membranes was studied by filtration. NT was measured by RIA. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used for NT and NT receptor mRNA. Growth was measured as 3H-thymidine incorporation into DNA.

RESULTS

Scatchard analyses gave two binding components (Kd1 = 40 pM and Kd2 = 300 pM) in equal amounts (15-30 x 10(3) sites/cell). The bioactive region of NT was essential and the specific, non-peptide NT antagonist, SR48692, inhibited (IC50 = 3 nM). GTP analogs, sodium ion and SH-directed alkylating agents also inhibited. Glutaraldehyde crosslinking labeled two substances (M(r) of 23 and 46 kDa). RT-PCR indicated robust expression of authentic NT receptor but little for NT precursor. NT was stable in PC3 cultures but it was not found in cells or conditioned media. Incubated with PC3 cells, NT exhibited a mitogenic effect with bell-shaped dose-response and maximum at 100 pM NT.

CONCLUSIONS

PC3 cells expressed genuine NT receptors and generated growth responses to physiologic levels of NT which were blocked by SR48692. If NT contributes to the survival of prostate tumor cells upon androgen deprivation therapy, NT antagonists might be useful agents in further treatment.

High affinity binding of 125I-neurotensin to dispersed cells from chicken liver and brain

Dispersed cells from chicken brain and liver were found to possess cell surface binding sites for 125I-neurotensin (125I-NT). Scatchard analyses indicated the presence of high affinity (K4, 25-80 pM) and low affinity (Kd, 250-450 pM) components in adult tissues. Binding capacity was reduced 25-40% by incubation with pertussis toxin. Ontogenetic studies indicated that NT receptor capacity increased approximately 20-fold from the embryonic stage to adult. Cross-linking of 125I-NT to intact cells labeled one major band (52 kDa, > or = 90%) and two minor bands (40 and 90 kDa, < or = 10%) which could represent distinct NT-receptors or one receptor partly degraded or cross-linked to G-protein(s). The binding of 125I-NT to dispersed cells was enhanced by reduction with dithoithreitol and suppressed by alkylation with N-ethyl-maleimide (NEM), maleimidocaproic acid (MCA) and p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonate (PCMBS). Since MCA and PCMBS do not permeate cells, this suggests that the sulfhydryl group(s) critical to binding are located within the NT receptor itself. Preincubation of cells with NT prior to treatment with NEM diminished its inhibitory effect, suggesting that the critical SH-group(s) were within the NT binding pocket or were protected by an allosteric effect. These results suggest that one or more of the nine cysteine residues in the NT receptor is involved in the NT binding reaction.

Binding and biologic activity of neurotensin in guinea pig ileum

Experiments were performed to relate receptor binding to biologic activity for the contractile effect of neurotensin (NT) in guinea pig ileum. The contractile response was examined on pieces of ileum under 1 g tension in a 5 ml bath of oxygenated Tyrode's at 38 degrees C. NT contracted the longitudinal muscle (ED50, approximately 0.3 nM), the 2-3 g response peaking at 1 min and fading rapidly. In the presence of atropine (1 microM), > or = 50% of the response was blocked and the residual effect gave an ED50 of approximately 1.4 nM. In the presence of atropine and CP-96,345, a substance P receptor antagonist (0.2 microM), no contraction was observed at 20 nM NT. Thus, there were two components to the response, one involving acetylcholine (ED50, 0.3 nM) and one substance P (ED50, 1.4 nM). Using membrane preparations and 125I-labeled NT, specific, high affinity receptors for NT were demonstrated in the muscle and myenteric plexus. Scatchard analyses indicated the presence of two binding sites (Kds: approximately 0.1 nM and approximately 2 nM). Sodium ion and GTP analogs inhibited binding. Binding and biologic activity were similar in regard to dependence on specific groups within NT and sensitivity to metal ions. The high potency of Hg++ was consistent with an involvement of free sulfhydryl group(s) in the binding reaction; this was supported by work with SH-directed agents. The results suggest that two receptor types or configurations may mediate the two components of the contractile effect of NT on guinea pig ileum.