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A Robust Bioassay of the Human Bradykinin B 2 Receptor that Extends Molecular and Cellular Studies: The Isolated Umbilical Vein. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14030177. [PMID: 33668382 PMCID: PMC7996148 DOI: 10.3390/ph14030177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bradykinin (BK) has various physiological and pathological roles. Medicinal chemistry efforts targeted toward the widely expressed BK B2 receptor (B2R), a G-protein-coupled receptor, were primarily aimed at developing antagonists. The only B2R antagonist in clinical use is the peptide icatibant, approved to abort attacks of hereditary angioedema. However, the anti-inflammatory applications of B2R antagonists are potentially wider. Furthermore, the B2R antagonists notoriously exhibit species-specific pharmacological profiles. Classical smooth muscle contractility assays are exploited over a time scale of several hours and support determining potency, competitiveness, residual agonist activity, specificity, and reversibility of pharmacological agents. The contractility assay based on the isolated human umbilical vein, expressing B2R at physiological density, was introduced when investigating the first non-peptide B2R antagonist (WIN 64338). Small ligand molecules characterized using the assay include the exquisitely potent competitive antagonist, Pharvaris Compound 3 or the partial agonist Fujisawa Compound 47a. The umbilical vein assay is also useful to verify pharmacologic properties of special peptide B2R ligands, such as the carboxypeptidase-activated latent agonists and fluorescent probes. Furthermore, the proposed agonist effect of tissue kallikrein on the B2R has been disproved using the vein. This assay stands in between cellular and molecular pharmacology and in vivo studies.
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Lau J, Rousseau J, Kwon D, Bénard F, Lin KS. A Systematic Review of Molecular Imaging Agents Targeting Bradykinin B1 and B2 Receptors. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13080199. [PMID: 32824565 PMCID: PMC7464927 DOI: 10.3390/ph13080199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Kinins, bradykinin and kallidin are vasoactive peptides that signal through the bradykinin B1 and B2 receptors (B1R and B2R). B2R is constitutively expressed in healthy tissues and mediates responses such as vasodilation, fluid balance and retention, smooth muscle contraction, and algesia, while B1R is absent in normal tissues and is induced by tissue trauma or inflammation. B2R is activated by kinins, while B1R is activated by kinins that lack the C-terminal arginine residue. Perturbations of the kinin system have been implicated in inflammation, chronic pain, vasculopathy, neuropathy, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. In general, excess activation and signaling of the kinin system lead to a pro-inflammatory state. Depending on the disease context, agonism or antagonism of the bradykinin receptors have been considered as therapeutic options. In this review, we summarize molecular imaging agents targeting these G protein-coupled receptors, including optical and radioactive probes that have been used to interrogate B1R/B2R expression at the cellular and anatomical levels, respectively. Several of these preclinical agents, described herein, have the potential to guide therapeutic interventions for these receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Lau
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3 Canada
| | - Julie Rousseau
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3 Canada
| | - Daniel Kwon
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3 Canada
| | - François Bénard
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3 Canada
- Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Kuo-Shyan Lin
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3 Canada
- Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
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Lesage A, Gibson C, Marceau F, Ambrosi HD, Saupe J, Katzer W, Loenders B, Charest-Morin X, Knolle J. In Vitro Pharmacological Profile of a New Small Molecule Bradykinin B 2 Receptor Antagonist. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:916. [PMID: 32636746 PMCID: PMC7316994 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We here report the discovery and early characterization of Compound 3, a representative of a novel class of small molecule bradykinin (BK) B2 receptor antagonists, and its superior profile to the prior art B2 receptor antagonists Compound 1 and Compound 2. Compound 3, Compound 2, and Compound 1 are highly potent antagonists of the human recombinant B2 receptor (Kb values 0.24, 0.95, and 1.24 nM, respectively, calcium mobilization assay). Compound 3 is more potent than the prior art compounds and icatibant in this assay (Kb icatibant 2.81 nM). The compounds also potently inhibit BK-induced contraction of endogenous B2 receptors in a human isolated umbilical vein bioassay. The potencies of Compound 3, Compound 2, Compound 1, and icatibant are (pA2 values) 9.67, 9.02, 8.58, and 8.06 (i.e. 0.21, 0.95, 2.63, and 8.71 nM), respectively. Compound 3 and Compound 2 were further characterized. They inhibit BK-induced c-Fos signaling and internalization of recombinant human B2 receptors in HEK293 cells, and do not antagonize the venous effects mediated by other G protein-coupled receptors in the umbilical vein model, including the bradykinin B1 receptor. Antagonist potency of Compound 3 at cloned cynomolgus monkey, dog, rat, and mouse B2 receptors revealed species selectivity, with a high antagonist potency for human and monkey B2 receptors, but several hundred-fold lower potency for the other B2 receptors. The in vitro off-target profile of Compound 3 demonstrates a high degree of selectivity over a wide range of molecular targets, including the bradykinin B1 receptor. Compound 3 showed a lower intrinsic clearance in the microsomal stability assay than the prior art compounds. With an efflux ratio of 1.0 in the Caco-2 permeability assay Compound 3 is predicted to be not a substrate of efflux pumps. In conclusion, we discovered a novel chemical class of highly selective and very potent B2 receptor antagonists, as exemplified by Compound 3. The compound showed excellent absorption in the Caco-2 assay, predictive of good oral bioavailability, and favourable metabolic stability in liver microsomes. Compound 3 has provided a significant stepping stone towards the discovery of the orally bioavailable B2 antagonist PHA-022121, currently in phase 1 clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Lesage
- Pharvaris Netherlands B.V., Leiden, Netherlands
| | | | - François Marceau
- Axe Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Research Center, CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | | | - Jörn Saupe
- AnalytiCon Discovery GmbH, Potsdam, Germany
| | | | | | - Xavier Charest-Morin
- Axe Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Research Center, CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
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Marceau F, Bachelard H, Bouthillier J, Fortin JP, Morissette G, Bawolak MT, Charest-Morin X, Gera L. Bradykinin receptors: Agonists, antagonists, expression, signaling, and adaptation to sustained stimulation. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 82:106305. [PMID: 32106060 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Bradykinin-related peptides, the kinins, are blood-derived peptides that stimulate 2 G protein-coupled receptors, the B1 and B2 receptors (B1R, B2R). The pharmacologic and molecular identities of these 2 receptor subtypes will be succinctly reviewed herein, with emphasis on drug development, receptor expression, signaling, and adaptation to persistent stimulation. Peptide and non-peptide antagonists and fluorescent ligands have been produced for each receptor. The B2R is widely and constitutively expressed in mammalian tissues, whereas the B1R is mostly inducible under the effect of cytokines during infection and immunopathology. The B2R is temporarily desensitized by a cycle of phosphorylation/endocytosis followed by recycling, whereas the nonphosphorylable B1R is relatively resistant to desensitization and translocated to caveolae on activation. Both receptor subtypes, mainly coupled to protein G Gq, phospholipase C and calcium signaling, mediate the vascular aspects of inflammation (vasodilation, edema formation). On this basis, icatibant, a peptide antagonist of the B2R, is approved in the management of hereditary angioedema attacks. This disease is the therapeutic showcase of the kallikrein-kinin system, with an orally bioavailable B2R antagonist under development, as well as other agents that inhibit the kinin forming protease, plasma kallikrein. Other clinical applications are still elusive despite the maturity of the medicinal chemistry efforts applied to kinin receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Marceau
- Division of Infectious Disease and Immunity, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.
| | - Hélène Bachelard
- Division of Endocrinology and Nephrology, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Johanne Bouthillier
- Division of Infectious Disease and Immunity, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-Philippe Fortin
- Division of Infectious Disease and Immunity, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Guillaume Morissette
- Division of Infectious Disease and Immunity, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Thérèse Bawolak
- Division of Infectious Disease and Immunity, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Xavier Charest-Morin
- Division of Infectious Disease and Immunity, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Lajos Gera
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
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Marceau F, Bawolak MT, Fortin JP, Morissette G, Roy C, Bachelard H, Gera L, Charest-Morin X. Bifunctional ligands of the bradykinin B 2 and B 1 receptors: An exercise in peptide hormone plasticity. Peptides 2018; 105:37-50. [PMID: 29802875 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2018.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Kinins are the small and fragile hydrophilic peptides related to bradykinin (BK) and derived from circulating kininogens via the action of kallikreins. Kinins bind to the preformed and widely distributed B2 receptor (B2R) and to the inducible B1 receptor (B1R). B2Rs and B1Rs are related G protein coupled receptors that possess natural agonist ligands of nanomolar affinity (BK and Lys BK for B2Rs, Lys-des-Arg9-BK for B1R). Decades of structure-activity exploration have resulted in the production of peptide analogs that are antagonists, one of which is clinically used (the B2R antagonist icatibant), and also non-peptide ligands for both receptor subtypes. The modification of kinin receptor ligands has made them resistant to extracellular or endosomal peptidases and/or produced bifunctional ligands, defined as agonist or antagonist peptide ligands conjugated with a chemical fluorophore (emitting in the whole spectrum, from the infrared to the ultraviolet), a drug-like moiety, an epitope, an isotope chelator/carrier, a cleavable sequence (thus forming a pro-drug) and even a fused protein. Dual molecular targets for specific modified peptides may be a source of side effects or of medically exploitable benefits. Biotechnological protein ligands for either receptor subtype have been produced: they are enhanced green fluorescent protein or the engineered peroxidase APEX2 fused to an agonist kinin sequence at their C-terminal terminus. Antibodies endowed with pharmacological actions (agonist, antagonist) at B2R have been reported, though not monoclonal antibodies. These findings define classes of alternative ligands of the kinin receptor of potential therapeutic and diagnostic value.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Caroline Roy
- CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1 V 4G2, Canada
| | | | - Lajos Gera
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
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Gera L, Charest-Morin X, Jean M, Bachelard H, Marceau F. Infrared-emitting, peptidase-resistant fluorescent ligands of the bradykinin B 2 receptor: application to cytofluorometry and imaging. BMC Res Notes 2016; 9:452. [PMID: 27670785 PMCID: PMC5037861 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-016-2258-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We have previously reported the design, pharmacological properties and imaging application of bradykinin (BK) B2 receptor (B2R) ligands conjugated with fluorophores such as fluorescein derivatives at their N-terminus. To take advantage of the high penetration of infrared light into living tissues and their low autofluorescence in this region of the spectrum, additional probes conjugated with cyanine dye 7 (Cy7) were synthesized and characterized. RESULTS The antagonist B-9430 (D-Arg-[Hyp3,Igl5,D-Igl7,Oic8]-BK) and the agonist B-9972 (D-Arg-[Hyp3,Igl5,Oic7,Igl8]-BK) were N-terminally extended with the infrared fluorophore Cy7, producing the peptides B-10665 and B-10666, respectively. Pharmacological studies indicated that the agonist B-10666 lost much affinity for the B2R vs. the parent peptide, whereas the antagonist B-10665 better retained its potency vs. B-9430 (competition of [3H]BK binding to human B2R, contractility of the human isolated umbilical vein for which potency losses were more important in each case). Both probes stained HEK 293 cells that expressed the B2R-green fluorescent protein (GFP) construction in a specific manner (confocal microscopy) and with very extensive co-localization of the green and infrared fluorescence in either case. The agonist B-10666 at 100 nM promoted the endocytosis of B2R-GFP in live cells, but not the antagonist version at 10-25 nM. The Cy7-labeled peptides did not label cells expressing the β2-adrenoceptor-GFP construction. B-10665 at low nanomolar concentrations was an effective probe for the recombinant B2Rs in cytofluorometry and macroscopic imaging of cell wells (IVIS imaging system operated for infrared fluorescence detection). CONCLUSIONS Despite a propensity for non-specific binding when used at high concentrations and limited sensitivity, Cy7-conjugated peptidase-resistant B2R ligands support original imaging and cytofluorometric applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lajos Gera
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Xavier Charest-Morin
- Axe maladies infectieuses et immunitaires, Centre de recherche, CHU de Québec Université Laval, Quebec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Melissa Jean
- Axe endocrinologie et néphrologie, Centre de recherche, CHU de Québec Université Laval, Quebec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Hélène Bachelard
- Axe endocrinologie et néphrologie, Centre de recherche, CHU de Québec Université Laval, Quebec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - François Marceau
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec (CHUL), Room T1-49, 2705 Boulevard Laurier, Quebec City, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada.
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Whalley ET, Figueroa CD, Gera L, Bhoola KD. Discovery and therapeutic potential of kinin receptor antagonists. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2012; 7:1129-48. [DOI: 10.1517/17460441.2012.729038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Gera L, Roy C, Bawolak MT, Charest-Morin X, Marceau F. N-terminal extended conjugates of the agonists and antagonists of both bradykinin receptor subtypes: structure-activity relationship, cell imaging using ligands conjugated with fluorophores and prospect for functionally active cargoes. Peptides 2012; 34:433-46. [PMID: 22349904 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2012.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2011] [Revised: 02/08/2012] [Accepted: 02/09/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Peptide agonists and antagonists of both bradykinin (BK) B(1) and B(2) receptors (B(1)R, B(2)R) are known to tolerate to a certain level N-terminal sequence extensions. Using this strategy, we produced and characterized the full set of fluorescent ligands by extending both agonists and antagonist peptides at both receptor subtypes with 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (CF) and the ε-aminocaproyl (ε-ACA) optional spacer. Alternatively, kinin receptor ligands were extended with another carboxylic acid cargo (chlorambucil, biotinyl, pentafluorocinnamoyl, AlexaFluor-350 (AF350), ferrocenoyl, cetirizine) or with fluorescein isothiocyanate. N-terminal extension always reduced receptor affinity, more importantly for bulkier substituents and more so for the agonist version compared to the antagonist. This loss was generally alleviated by the presence of the spacer and modulated by the species of origin for the receptor. We report and review the pharmacological properties of these N-terminally extended peptides and the use of fluorophore-conjugated ligands in imaging of cell receptors and of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in intact cells. Antagonists (B(1)R: B-10376: CF-ε-ACA-Lys-Lys-[Hyp(3), CpG(5), D-Tic(7), CpG(8)]des-Arg(9)-BK; B(2)R: B-10380: CF-ε-ACA-D-Arg-[Hyp(3), Igl(5), D-Igl(7), Oic(8)]-BK and fluorescein-5-thiocarbamoyl (FTC)-B-9430) label the plasma membrane of cells expressing the cognate receptors. The B(2)R agonists CF-ε-ACA-BK, AF350-ε-ACA-BK and FTC-B-9972 are found in endosomes and model the endosomal degradation of BK in a complementary manner. The uneven surface fluorescence associated to the B(1)R agonist B-10378 (CF-ε-ACA-Lys-des-Arg(9)-BK) is compatible with a particular form of agonist-induced receptor translocation. CF-ε-ACA-BK binds to the carboxydipeptidase ACE with an affinity identical to that of BK. Metal- or drug-containing cargoes further show the prospect of ligands that confer special signaling to kinin receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lajos Gera
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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Bawolak MT, Lodge R, Morissette G, Marceau F. Bradykinin B2 receptor-mediated transport into intact cells: Anti-receptor antibody-based cargoes. Eur J Pharmacol 2011; 668:107-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2011.06.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2011] [Revised: 06/09/2011] [Accepted: 06/23/2011] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Gera L, Bawolak MT, Roy C, Lodge R, Marceau F. Design of Fluorescent Bradykinin Analogs: Application to Imaging of B2 Receptor-Mediated Agonist Endocytosis and Trafficking and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2011; 337:33-41. [DOI: 10.1124/jpet.110.177147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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Vascular smooth muscle contractility assays for inflammatory and immunological mediators. Int Immunopharmacol 2010; 10:1344-53. [PMID: 20831918 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2010.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2010] [Revised: 08/22/2010] [Accepted: 08/24/2010] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The blood vessels are one of the important target tissues for the mediators of inflammation and allergy; further cytokines affect them in a number of ways. We review the use of the isolated blood vessel mounted in organ baths as an important source of pharmacological information. While its use in the bioassay of vasoactive substances tends to be replaced with modern analytical techniques, contractility assays are effective to evaluate novel synthetic drugs, generating robust potency and selectivity data about agonists, partial agonists and competitive or insurmountable antagonists. For instance, the human umbilical vein has been used extensively to characterize ligands of the bradykinin B(2) receptors. Isolated vascular segments are live tissues that are intensely reactive, notably with the regulated expression of gene products relevant for inflammation (e.g., the kinin B(1) receptor and inducible nitric oxide synthase). Further, isolated vessels can be adapted as assays of unconventional proteins (cytokines such as interleukin-1, proteases of physiopathological importance, complement-derived anaphylatoxins and recombinant hemoglobin) and to the gene knockout technology. The well known cross-talks between different cell types, e.g., endothelium-muscle and nerve terminal-muscle, can be extended (smooth muscle cell interaction with resident or infiltrating leukocytes and tumor cells). Drug metabolism and distribution problems can be modeled in a useful manner using the organ bath technology, which, for all these reasons, opens a window on an intermediate level of complexity relative to cellular and molecular pharmacology on one hand, and in vivo studies on the other.
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Bawolak MT, Gera L, Morissette G, Bouthillier J, Stewart JM, Gobeil LA, Lodge R, Adam A, Marceau F. Fluorescent Ligands of the Bradykinin B1 Receptors: Pharmacologic Characterization and Application to the Study of Agonist-Induced Receptor Translocation and Cell Surface Receptor Expression. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2009; 329:159-68. [DOI: 10.1124/jpet.108.149724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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