Heterogeneity of motilin receptors in the gastrointestinal tract of the rabbit

Roles of Endothelial Motilin Receptor and Its Signal Transduction Pathway in Motilin-Induced Left Gastric Artery Relaxation in Dogs

Background: Motilin increases left gastric artery (LGA) blood flow in dogs via the endothelial motilin receptor (MLNR). This article investigates the signaling pathways of endothelial MLNR.

Methods: Motilin-induced relaxation of LGA rings was assessed using wire myography. Nitric oxide (NO), and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels were measured using an NO assay kit and cGMP ELISA kit, respectively.

Results: Motilin concentration-dependently (EC₅₀=9.1±1.2×10⁻⁸M) relaxed LGA rings precontracted with U46619 (thromboxane A₂ receptor agonist). GM-109 (MLNR antagonist) significantly inhibited motilin-induced LGA relaxation and the production of NO and cGMP. N-ethylmaleimide (NEM; G-protein antagonist), U73122 [phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor], and 2-aminoethyl diphenylborinate [2-APB; inositol trisphosphate (IP₃) blocker] partially or completely blocked vasorelaxation. In contrast, chelerythrine [protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor] and H89 [protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor] had no such effect. Low-calcium or calcium-free Krebs solutions also reduced vasorelaxation. N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester [L-NAME; nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor] and ODQ [soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) inhibitor] completely abolished vasodilation and synthesis of NO and cGMP. Indomethacin (cyclooxygenase inhibitor), 18α-glycyrrhetinic acid [18α-GA; myoendothelial gap junction (MEGJ) inhibitor], and K⁺ channel inhibition through high K⁺ concentrations or tetraethylammonium (TEA-Cl; K_Ca channel blocker) partially decreased vasorelaxation, whereas glibenclamide (K_ATP channel blocker) had no such effect.

Conclusion: The current study suggests that motilin-induced LGA relaxation is dependent on endothelial MLNR through the G protein-PLC-IP₃ pathway and Ca²⁺ influx. The NOS-NO-sGC-cGMP pathway, prostacyclin, MEGJ, and K⁺ channels (especially K_Ca) are involved in endothelial-dependent relaxation of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells.

Motilin Comparative Study: Structure, Distribution, Receptors, and Gastrointestinal Motility

Motilin, produced in endocrine cells in the mucosa of the upper intestine, is an important regulator of gastrointestinal (GI) motility and mediates the phase III of interdigestive migrating motor complex (MMC) in the stomach of humans, dogs and house musk shrews through the specific motilin receptor (MLN-R). Motilin-induced MMC contributes to the maintenance of normal GI functions and transmits a hunger signal from the stomach to the brain. Motilin has been identified in various mammals, but the physiological roles of motilin in regulating GI motility in these mammals are well not understood due to inconsistencies between studies conducted on different species using a range of experimental conditions. Motilin orthologs have been identified in non-mammalian vertebrates, and the sequence of avian motilin is relatively close to that of mammals, but reptile, amphibian and fish motilins show distinctive different sequences. The MLN-R has also been identified in mammals and non-mammalian vertebrates, and can be divided into two main groups: mammal/bird/reptile/amphibian clade and fish clade. Almost 50 years have passed since discovery of motilin, here we reviewed the structure, distribution, receptor and the GI motility regulatory function of motilin in vertebrates from fish to mammals.

Motilin: from gastric motility stimulation to hunger signalling

After the discovery of motilin in 1972, motilin and the motilin receptor were studied intensely for their role in the control of gastrointestinal motility and as targets for treating hypomotility disorders. The genetic revolution - with the use of knockout models - sparked novel insights into the role of multiple peptides but contributed to a decline in interest in motilin, as this peptide and its receptor exist only as pseudogenes in rodents. The past 5 years have seen a major surge in interest in motilin, as a series of studies have shown its relevance in the control of hunger and regulation of food intake in humans in both health and disease. Luminal stimuli, such as bitter tastants, have been identified as modulators of motilin release, with effects on hunger and food intake. The current state of knowledge and potential implications for therapy are summarized in this Review.

Long-term culture and cryopreservation of interstitial cells of Cajal

OBJECTIVE

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) in the gastrointestinal tract generate and propagate slow waves and mediate neuromuscular neurotransmission. Damage to ICCs has been described in several gastrointestinal motor disorders, and although many studies have examined ICCs in culture, they have been largely limited to freshly dissociated cells or short-term cultures. An efficient and reliable method to establish a source of ICCs is much needed. The aim of this study was to investigate methods for culturing, subculturing, cryopreservation, and recovery of ICCs.

METHODS

ICCs were derived from intestinal segments of domestic rabbits, and immunohistochemistry for c-Kit was used to identify ICCs in culture and after recovery. Recovered ICCs were also examined for motilin receptor expression.

RESULTS

Optimal conditions for ICC culture and cryopreservation were based on cell growth curves and MTT assay. On the basis of these findings, recovered cells were cultured for 7 days and then sorted via flow cytometry based on c-Kit immunoreactivity. The percent of c-Kit positive cells was 64.3%, and the number of ICCs sorted was 6.7 × 10(5). Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting verified motilin receptor expression in c-Kit-positive ICCs.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to describe the culture, passage, and recovery of ICCs and to show motilin receptor expression. Our results suggest that ICCs play an important role, at least in some species, in initiating the migrating myoelectric complex induced by motilin.

Myenteric neural network activated by motilin in the stomach of Suncus murinus (house musk shrew)

BACKGROUND

It has been shown in human and canine studies that motilin, a gastroprokinetic hormone, induces gastric phase III contractions via the enteric nervous; however, the center of motilin action in the stomach has not been clearly revealed. In the present study, we investigated the neural pathway of motilin-induced gastric contraction by using Suncus murinus, a new animal model for motilin study.

METHODS

An isolated suncus stomach was used in vitro to determine the mechanism of motilin action through the myenteric plexus. Synthetic suncus motilin (10(-11) -10(-7) molL(-1) ) was added to an organ bath, and the spontaneous contraction response was expressed as a percent of ACh (10(-5) molL(-1) ) responses. Motilin-induced contractions were also studied by a pharmacological method using several receptor antagonists and enzyme inhibitor.

KEY RESULTS

Suncus motilin induced a concentration-dependent gastric contraction at concentrations from 10(-9) to 10(-7) molL(-1) . The responses to suncus motilin in the stomach were completely abolished by atropine and tetrodotoxin treatment and significantly suppressed by administration of hexamethonium, verapamil, phentolamine, yohimbine, ondansetron, and naloxone, whereas ritanserin, prazosin, timolol, and FK888 did not affect the action of motilin. Additionally, N-nitro l-arginine methylester slightly potentiated the contractions induced by motilin.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

The results indicate that motilin directly stimulates and modulates suncus gastric contraction through cholinergic, adrenergic, serotonergic, opioidergic, and NO neurons in the myenteric plexus.

Motilin receptor expression in smooth muscle, myenteric plexus, and mucosa of human inflamed and noninflamed intestine

BACKGROUND

Besides regulation of upper gastrointestinal motility, motilin seems to play a role in the inflammatory response. Motilin receptor expression in human intestine has not been studied thoroughly. This study aimed to describe the intestinal distribution of motilin receptors in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and control patients.

METHODS

Quantitative autoradiography, immunohistochemistry, and reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to detect motilin receptors in tissue of 25 IBD patients (13 Crohn's disease [CD], 12 ulcerative colitis [UC]) and 19 patients with a neoplasm (controls).

RESULTS

Median muscular motilin binding was 3 and 8 fmol/g tissue in colon and ileum, respectively. In the gastroduodenal region the median was higher (93 fmol/g). In UC colonic muscular motilin binding was significantly increased compared to controls (7 vs. 3 fmol/g, P < or = 0.05). Expression in CD was similar to controls. Besides the binding found in the muscular compartment, motilin binding was also found in the mucosa, which was even higher than in the muscle (3 versus 11 and 8 versus 27 fmol/g for colon and ileum (P < or = 0.06), respectively). RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry confirmed the mucosal motilin receptor expression. The mucosal motilin receptors were located in the epithelial cells. In the muscular compartment receptors were strongly present in the myenteric plexus and weakly in the smooth muscle cells. In IBD tissue the expression pattern was not different.

CONCLUSIONS

The motilin receptor is expressed in human colonic and ileal smooth muscle. Further, motilin receptor expression was also shown in the mucosa. Muscular binding in UC patients is increased but no different expression pattern was found.

Molecular identification and characterization of the dog motilin receptor

Motilin, a 22-amino acid peptide hormone secreted by endocrine cells of the intestinal mucosa, plays an important role in the regulation of gastrointestinal motility. The actions of motilin agonists have been extensively investigated in dogs due to physiological similarities between the dog and human alimentary tracts. The amino acid sequence of the dog motilin receptor, however, was previously unknown. We have cloned a cDNA from dog stomach corresponding to the motilin receptor. The deduced protein shared 71% and 72% sequence identity with the human and rabbit motilin receptors, respectively. Expression of the dog motilin receptor in CHO cells promoted the typical cellular responses to the agonists, motilin and erythromycin. The rank order of potency determined for these agonists was similar to that found for the human motilin receptor, with motilin being more potent than erythromycin. Immunohistochemistry of the dog stomach revealed that the motilin receptor was localized in neuronal cell bodies and fibers. This is the first study detailing the cloning, expression, and functional characterization of the dog motilin receptor. Determination of the full sequence and functional properties of the dog motilin receptor will provide useful information enabling us to interpret previous and future studies of motilin agonists in dogs.

Effect of intraluminal distension or ischemic strangulation obstruction of the equine jejunum on jejunal motilin receptors and binding of erythromycin lactobionate

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether inflammation of the jejunum of horses decreases the number of motilin receptors and amounts of motilin receptor mRNA and alters erythromycin lactobionate binding affinity to the motilin receptor in jejunal tissues.

SAMPLE POPULATION

Jejunal segments in 6 adult horses.

PROCEDURE

Each horse was anesthetized, and a ventral median celiotomy was performed; 2 segments of jejunum underwent a sham operation, 2 segments underwent ischemic strangulation obstruction (ISO), and 2 segments underwent intraluminal distension (ILD). Treatments were maintained for 120 minutes. From each segment, full-thickness biopsy samples were collected and smooth-muscle homogenates were prepared. Affinity and distribution of motilin binding to these preparations were determined by use of iodine 125 (125I)-labeled synthetic porcine motilin. Via displacement experiments, competition between 125I-labeled motilin and erythromycin lactobionate for binding to motilin receptors in the different segments was investigated. A quantitative real-time PCR technique was used to assess motilin receptor mRNA content in the muscle preparations.

RESULTS

Compared with the ISO or ILD segments, the number of motilin receptors was significantly higher in the sham-operated segments; ILD segments contained the lowest number of motilin receptors. The expression of motilin receptor mRNA was significantly decreased in ILD segments but not in ISO segments. Erythromycin lactobionate displacement of 125I-labeled motilin from motilin receptors did not differ significantly among the jejunal segments.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Results suggest that downregulation and decreased production of motilin receptors in inflamed jejunal tissue contribute to the altered prokinetic response to erythromycin in horses with gastrointestinal disease.

Influence of motilin on gastric fundus tone and on meal-induced satiety in man: role of cholinergic pathways

BACKGROUND

Motilin agonists are strong gastroprokinetics, but their impact on symptoms in delayed gastric emptying has been disappointing. It has been speculated that it is due to the contractile effect of motilin agonists on the proximal stomach, but the pathway involved and the symptomatic consequences have been incompletely elucidated.

AIMS

To study whether motilin enhances proximal stomach tone and enhances meal-induced satiety and to evaluate whether this effect involves a cholinergic pathway.

METHODS

A gastric barostat was used to study, in healthy subjects, the effect of motilin (300 ng/kg/30 min i.v.) or saline on fasting gastric fundus tone and on post-prandial relaxation. To evaluate the involvement of a cholinergic pathway, atropine (12 microg/kg/h) was administered intravenously simultaneously with or before and during motilin infusion in the fasting state. Finally, a satiety drinking test was performed in 21 subjects twice after pretreatment with placebo or motilin and with placebo or atropine.

RESULTS

Administration of motilin caused a significant increase of fasting fundus tone expressed as decrease of the mean balloon volume (324 +/- 60 mL vs 213 +/- 62 mL, p < 0.05). Simultaneous administration of atropine and motilin did not generate a significant volume change (192 +/- 60 mL vs 181 +/- 83 mL, NS), but pretreatment with atropine alone induced a relaxation, and when motilin was added this revealed an ongoing contraction (192 +/- 24 mL vs 136 +/- 21 mL, p < or = 0.05). Motilin infusion also inhibited gastric accommodation (p < or = 0.05 vs placebo) and increased satiety during a satiety drinking test (p < or = 0.05 vs placebo).

CONCLUSIONS

Administration of motilin causes a contraction of the proximal stomach in humans and increases meal-induced satiety. The effect of motilin is atropine-resistant and involves a direct muscular pathway or a non-cholinergic neural pathway.

Motilin inhibits ganglionic transmission in the myenteric plexus of the guinea-pig ileum

Motilin is a key factor in triggering interdigestive migrating contractions. Our preceding study demonstrated that motilin caused membrane depolarizations in a minority of S and AH neurons in the myenteric plexus of the guinea-pig ileum after 18 h-fasting period; motilin depolarizations were small and seldom triggered action potentials. Then, the present study was undertaken to examine possible electrophysiological actions of motilin on the ganglionic transmission in the myenteric plexus. Intracellular recordings with sharp glass microelectrodes were made from myenteric S neurons having fast excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs), evoked by focal electrical stimulation. Motilin inhibited the fast EPSPs in amplitude, associated either with or without membrane depolarizations. Results obtained with the paired stimulus method suggested that the site for motilin-induced inhibition of fast EPSPs might be presynaptic. Furthermore, motilin did not decrease postsynaptic sensitivity to ACh, a main neurotransmitter mediating the fast EPSPs. Therefore, it is concluded that motilin might inhibit presynaptically ganglionic transmission in the myenteric plexus of the guinea-pig ileum.

Excitatory actions of motilin on myenteric neurons of the guinea-pig small intestine

Motilin is considered as a key factor in controlling interdigestive migrating contractions. The present electrophysiological experiments were performed in vitro to examine actions of motilin on myenteric neurons of guinea-pigs after 18-h fasting period. Superfusion of motilin depolarized both S and AH neurons; the lowest effective concentration was 10 nM, and motilin depolarization was observed in 9 of 23 S neurons and in 5 of 25 AH neurons. The motilin depolarizations were associated with an increase in neuronal input resistance. The motilin responses were preserved in Ca2+ free/high Mg2+ solution in which no Ca2+ dependent synaptic transmission occurred. The reversal potential of the motilin responses was estimated about -95 mV, close to the equilibrium potential for K+. Furthermore, muscarinic depolarizations were blocked during the motilin responses. All of these indicated that motilin directly excited myenteric neurons mainly by inactivating K+ channels. It is concluded that motilin might modulate neuronal excitability of the myenteric plexus, leading to the control of interdigestive migrating contractions.

The rabbit motilin receptor: molecular characterisation and pharmacology

Following identification of the human motilin receptor, we isolated the rabbit orthologue by PCR amplification and found this to be 85% identical to the open reading frame of the human receptor. The protein encoded was 84% identical to the human polypeptide. In HEK293T cells transfected with the rabbit receptor, motilin concentration-dependently increased intracellular calcium mobilisation (pEC50=9.25). After transfection with Go1alpha, motilin similarly stimulated [35S]GTPgammaS binding (pEC50=8.87). Using both systems, similar values were obtained with the human receptor, with rank-order potencies of motilin=[Nle13]-motilin>erythromycin; ghrelin was ineffective. In circular muscle preparations of rabbit gastric antrum, [Nle13]-motilin 0.1-30 nM concentration-dependently increased the amplitude of electrically-evoked, neuronally-mediated contractions (pEC50=8.3); higher concentrations increased the muscle tension (30-3000 nM). Both responses to [Nle13]-motilin faded rapidly during its continual presence. Rat or human ghrelin 0.01-10 microM were without activity. Erythromycin 30-3000 nM and 10 microM, respectively, increased neuronal activity and muscle tension in rabbit stomach. Unlike [Nle13]-motilin, the increase in neuronal activity did not fade during continual presence of submaximally-effective concentrations of erythromycin; some fade was observed at higher concentrations. We conclude that the pharmacology of the rabbit motilin receptor is similar to the human orthologue and, when expressed as a recombinant, comparable to the native receptor. However, in terms of their ability to increase neuronal activity in rabbit stomach, [Nle13]-motilin and erythromycin are distinguished by different response kinetics, reflecting different rates of ligand degradation and/or interaction with the receptor.

Differential effects of motilin on interdigestive motility of the human gastric antrum, pylorus, small intestine and gallbladder

Motilin was infused in this study with the aim of examining refractory characteristics for motilin stimulation of antral phase III and fasting gallbladder emptying. Moreover, interdigestive pyloric and small intestinal motility from duodenum to ileum were studied, as these may be target organs for motilin. Eight fasting, healthy male volunteers received, on separate subsequent days, repeated infusions of 13leucine-motilin (8 pmol (kg min)(-1) for 5 min) or saline at 30 min after phase IIIs in the duodenum. Interdigestive motility of the antrum, pylorus, duodenum, jejunum and ileum was measured for maximum 10 h by using a 21-lumen perfused catheter. Gallbladder motility was measured by ultrasonography. Motilin infusions induced antral phase IIIs, but only after a preceding phase III of duodenal origin. Under this condition, time-interval to phase III at the duodenal recording site was 30 +/- 13 (SEM) min after motilin, compared with 79 +/- 14 min after saline (P < 0.01), and compared with 121 +/- 13 min for motilin infusion following an antral phase III (P < 0.001). Motilin did not affect small intestinal motility or isolated pyloric pressure waves (IPPWs). However, the number of IPPWs was significantly affected by the origin of the preceding phase III, irrespective of whether motilin or saline was infused. Gallbladder volume decreased significantly within 10 min after each motilin infusion. We conclude that this study clearly demonstrates differential regional effects of motilin. Motilin initiates antral phase IIIs, but stimulation is subject to a refractory period which is clearly prolonged after a preceding antral phase III. Motilin induced gallbladder emptying, however, is not subject to a refractory state. Small intestinal phase IIIs as well as pyloric IPPWs are not affected by motilin.

Binding of radiolabeled porcine motilin and erythromycin lactobionate to smooth muscle membranes in various segments of the equine gastrointestinal tract

OBJECTIVE

To identify and characterize motilin receptors in equine duodenum, jejunum, cecum, and large colon and to determine whether erythromycin lactobionate competes with porcine motilin for binding to these receptors.

SAMPLE POPULATION

Specimens of various segments of the intestinal tracts of 4 adult horses euthanatized for reasons unrelated to gastrointestinal tract disease.

PROCEDURE

Cellular membranes were prepared from smooth muscle tissues of the duodenum, jejunum, pelvic flexure, and cecum. Affinity and distribution of motilin binding on membrane preparations were determined by use of 125I-labeled synthetic porcine motilin. Displacement studies were used to investigate competition between 125I-labeled synthetic porcine motilin and erythromycin lactobionate for binding to motilin receptors in various segments of bowel.

RESULTS

Affinity of 125I-labeled synthetic porcine motilin for the equine motilin receptor was estimated to be 6.1nM. A significantly higher number of motilin receptors was found in the duodenum than in the pelvic flexure and cecum. The jejunum had a significantly higher number of motilin receptors than the cecum. Erythromycin lactobionate displacement of 125I-labeled porcine motilin from the equine motilin receptor did not differ significantly among various segments of bowel.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Motilin receptors were found in the duodenum, jejunum, pelvic flexure, and cecum of horses. The highest number of motilin receptors was in the duodenum, and it decreased in more distal segments of bowel. Erythromycin lactobionate competed with motilin binding in the equine gastrointestinal tract. This suggests that 1 of the prokinetic actions of erythromycin in horses is likely to be secondary to binding on motilin receptors.

In vitro effects of erythromycin, lidocaine, and metoclopramide on smooth muscle from the pyloric antrum, proximal portion of the duodenum, and middle portion of the jejunum of horses

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate effects of erythromycin, lidocaine, and metoclopramide on smooth muscle of the pyloric antrum (PA), proximal portion of the duodenum (PD), and middle portion of the jejunum (MJ) of horses. Sample Population-Strips of smooth muscle from 7 horses.

PROCEDURE

Isolated muscle strips were suspended in a bath and attached to isometric force transducers. Once stable spontaneous contractions were observed, agents were added. Isometric stress responses were compared with the amplitude of spontaneous contractions.

RESULTS

A single dose of erythromycin to the PA increased contractile amplitude (CA) for the longitudinal smooth muscle (mean +/- SEM, 76+/-16 g/cm2) but decreased CA for circular smooth muscle (-79+/-23 g/cm2). The inhibitory effect was decreased by tetrodotoxin, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, and a vasoactive intestinal peptide antagonist. Erythromycin increased CA for the MJ, which was maximal at 10(-4)M (171+/-36 g/cm2). Lidocaine increased CA for the PD, which was maximal at 10(-4) M (60+/-5 g/cm2). Metoclopramide increased the CA, which was maximal at 10(-4) M for the PA (75+/-26 g/cm2), PD (279+/-33 g/cm2), and MJ (456+/-59 g/cm2).

CONCLUSIONS

Regional differences in responses to erythromycin, lidocaine, and metoclopramide were evident in the gastrointestinal tract of horses. Metoclopramide increased CA in all tissues used, whereas erythromycin inhibited CA in circular smooth muscle but stimulated CA in longitudinal smooth muscle from the PA. Inhibition is caused by stimulation of inhibitory nerves and is mediated, in part, by nitric oxide and vasoactive intestinal peptide.

Neural and muscular receptors for motilin in the rabbit colon

Motilin receptors were classically recognized in the gastroduodenal area, where they help to regulate interdigestive motility. More recently, motilin receptors were identified in the colon where their biologic significance remains unclear. We aimed here to characterize the motilin receptors of the rabbit colon. Distal colon and duodenum were obtained from sacrificed rabbits. Tissues homogenized by Polytron were submitted to differential centrifugation to obtain neural synaptosomes or smooth muscle plasma membranes enriched solutions. Motilin binding to these membranes was determined by the displacement of (125)I MOT by the native peptide MOT 1-22, or by peptide analogues MOT 1-12 [CH(2)NH](10-11) or GM-109 and by erythromycin derivative GM-611. Motilin binding capacity was maximum in colon nerves (49.5 +/- 6.5 fmol/mg protein vs. 19.9 +/- 2.5 in colon muscles or 9.4 +/- 2.8 and 6.6 +/- 1.2 in duodenal muscles and antral nerves respectively); all tissues expressed similar affinity for MOT 1-22, and the motilin agonist GM-611 bound equally to neural or muscle tissues from the rabbit colon; the synthetic antagonist MOT 1-12 [CH(2)NH](10-11) showed greater affinity for colon nerves than for colon muscles (plC50: 7.23 +/- 0.07 vs. 6.75 +/- 0.03). Similar results were obtained with the peptide antagonist GM-109; receptor affinity toward MOT 1-12 [CH(2)NH(10-11)] was always five times superior in neural tissues, whether they came from the colon or the antrum, than in muscle tissues, whether they were obtained from colon or from duodenum. Motilin receptors are found in very high concentration in nerves and in muscles from rabbit colon; specific motilin receptor subtypes are identified in nerves (N) and muscles (M) of the rabbit colon; N and M receptor subtypes seem independent of the organ location.

Motilin receptors in the human antrum

Motilin is an intestinal peptide that stimulates contraction of gut smooth muscle. The motilin receptor has not been cloned yet, but motilin-receptor agonists appear to be potent prokinetic agents for the treatment of dysmotility disorders. The aim of this study was to determine neural or muscular localization of motilin receptors in human upper gastrointestinal tract and to investigate their pharmacological characteristics. The binding of (125)I-labeled motilin to tissue membranes prepared from human stomach and duodenum was studied; rabbit tissues were used for comparison. Solutions enriched in neural synaptosomes or in smooth muscle plasma membranes were obtained. Various motilin analogs were used to displace the motilin radioligand from the various tissue membranes. The highest concentration of human motilin receptors was found in the antrum, predominantly in the neural preparation. Human motilin receptors were sensitive to the NH(2)-terminal portion of the motilin molecule, but comparison with rabbit showed that both species had specific affinities for various motilin analogs [i.e., Mot-(1-9), Mot-(1-12), Mot-(1-12) (CH(2)NH)(10-11), and erythromycin]. Motilin receptors obtained from synaptosomes or muscular plasma membranes of human antrum expressed different affinity for two motilin-receptor agonists, Mot-(1-12) and Mot-(1-12) (CH(2)NH)(10-11), suggesting that they correspond to specific receptor subtypes. We conclude that human motilin receptors are located predominantly in nerves of the antral wall, are functionally (and probably structurally) different from those found in other species such as the rabbit, and express specific functional (and probably structural) characteristics dependent on their localization on antral nerves or muscles, suggesting the existence of specific receptor subtypes, potentially of significant physiological or pharmacological relevance.

Receptor for motilin identified in the human gastrointestinal system

Motilin is a 22-amino acid peptide hormone expressed throughout the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of humans and other species. It affects gastric motility by stimulating interdigestive antrum and duodenal contractions. A heterotrimeric guanosine triphosphate-binding protein (G protein)-coupled receptor for motilin was isolated from human stomach, and its amino acid sequence was found to be 52 percent identical to the human receptor for growth hormone secretagogues. The macrolide antibiotic erythromycin also interacted with the cloned motilin receptor, providing a molecular basis for its effects on the human GI tract. The motilin receptor is expressed in enteric neurons of the human duodenum and colon. Development of motilin receptor agonists and antagonists may be useful in the treatment of multiple disorders of GI motility.

Localization of motilin binding sites in subcellular fractions from rabbit antral and colonic smooth muscle tissue

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Motilin stimulates gastrointestinal motility, but in vitro studies reveal a direct smooth muscle effect, whereas in vivo studies reveal a neurally mediated effect. The aim of the present study was to determine if motilin binds to microsomes (smooth muscle) and/or synaptosomes (neurons).

METHODS

Subcellular fractions were prepared from tissue of rabbit gastric antrum and colon by differential centrifugation and density gradient centrifugation and characterized by determining motilin binding and the presence of membrane markers.

RESULTS

The purified microsomal fraction, enriched in the smooth muscle marker 5'-nucleotidase, was found to have the highest specific motilin binding in both antrum and colon. In the antrum, but not in the colon, the mitochondrial fraction also showed enrichment of [3H]-saxitoxin binding (marker for synaptosomes) and motilin binding, although the latter was much lower than in the microsomal fraction. Two receptor binding sites were characterized in both the antral mitochondrial/synaptosomal and colonic microsomal fraction (antrum: pKd,1 9.89+/-0.19, pKd,2 8.18+/-0.11, colon: pKd,1 9.72+/-0.31, pKd,2 8.39+/-0.58).

CONCLUSION

Motilin binding is predominantly associated with smooth muscle membranes in both antrum and colon of the rabbit. In both organs two motilin binding sites are present with comparable affinities, but the density in the colon is much higher for both sites. Whether they represent neural and smooth muscle receptors will require studies with isolated smooth muscle cells and neurons.

Anxiolytic effect of motilin and reversal with GM-109, a motilin antagonist, in mice

There have been few reports on the effects of the brain-gut peptide motilin on the central nervous system (CNS). We administered motilin intracerebroventricularly to mice and investigated the effect of motilin on anxiety using an elevated plus-maze. Motilin produced a significant decrease in anxiety with an inverted U-shaped dose response. To determine whether the anxiolytic effect of motilin was mediated via motilin receptors in the brain, the effect of GM-109, a novel motilin receptor antagonist, was investigated. GM-109 showed a significant and dose-dependent antagonism on the motilin-induced anxiolytic effect. GM-109 administered alone had no effect on anxiety. These results suggest that motilin receptors are present in the brain and may have a role in anxiety and emotion.

Functional characterization of neural and smooth muscle motilin receptors in the chicken proventriculus and ileum

To characterize the motilin receptors present in the chicken, the effects of chicken motilin (Phe-Val-Pro-Phe-Phe-Thr-Gln-Ser-Asp-Ile-Gln-Lys-Met-Gln-Glu-Lys-Glu-Arg -Asn-Lys-Gly-Gln), Leu13 porcine motilin, canine motilin and three erythromycin derivatives (EMA, EM523, GM611) on the contractility of the chicken gastrointestinal (GI) smooth muscles were investigated in vitro and compared with those in the rabbit duodenum. In the proventriculus longitudinal and circular muscle layers, chicken motilin (3 nM-1 microM) caused an atropine- and a tetrodotoxin-sensitive contraction (EC50 = 39-49 nM), and potentiated the EFS-induced contraction without affecting the responsiveness of acetylcholine. EM523 and GM611 (3-100 microM) contracted the proventriculus longitudinal muscle, and the maximum amplitudes of contraction were about 60% of that induced by chicken motilin. Chicken motilin (0.1 nM-100 nM) also caused contraction of the ileum (EC50 = 7 nM) through direct action on the smooth muscle cells. On the other hand, erythromycin derivatives showed only a weak contractile efficacy (about 20% of the maximum response of chicken motilin) even at high concentrations (10-100 microM). The rank order of potency in the ileum was chicken motilin > canine motilin > or = Leu13 porcine motilin > > GM611 > or = EM523 > or = EMA. GM109 slightly inhibited the ideal contractions induced by Leu13 porcine motilin at 100 microM (pA2 = 3.86). In the rabbit duodenum, chicken motilin was a full agonist with the same intrinsic activity as Leu13 porcine motilin, canine motilin and the erythromycin derivatives. However, the rank order of potency (Leu13 porcine motilin > or = canine motilin > chicken motilin > GM611 > or = EM523 > EMA) was different from that in the chicken ileum. In conclusion, chicken motilin causes an excitatory response in the chicken GI tract through activation of neural (proventriculus) and smooth muscle motilin receptors (ileum). The motilin receptor present in the ileum is different from that demonstrated in the rabbit intestine, because of a different rank order of motilin peptides in producing the contraction, low contracting activity of erythromycin derivatives and low antagonistic efficacy of GM109. Different pharmacological characteristics of the mechanical response induced by motilin peptides and erythromycin derivatives between the proventriculus and the ileum are discussed.

Motilin and clinical application

Motilin is a regulatory polypeptide of 22 amino acid residues and orginates in motilin cells scattered in the duodenal epithelium of most mammals and chickens. Motilin is released into the general circulation at about 100-min intervals during the interdigestive state and is the most important factor in controlling the interdigestive migrating contractions. Recent studies have revealed that motilin stimulates endogenous release of the endocrine pancreas. Clinical application of motilin as a prokinetic has become possible since erythromycin and its derivatives were proved to be nonpeptide motilin agonists.