H2 histaminic receptors in rat cerebral cortex. 2. Inhibition of [3H]histamine by H2 antagonists

Cholesterol as a determinant of cooperativity in the M2 muscarinic cholinergic receptor

M2 muscarinic receptor extracted from Sf9 cells in cholate-NaCl differs from that extracted from porcine sarcolemma. The latter has been shown to exhibit an anomalous pattern in which the capacity for N-[3H]methylscopolamine (NMS) is only 50% of that for [3H]quinuclidinylbenzilate (QNB), yet unlabeled NMS exhibits high affinity for all of the sites labeled by [3H]QNB. The effects can be explained in terms of cooperativity within a receptor that is at least tetravalent [Park PS, Sum CS, Pawagi AB, Wells JW. Cooperativity and oligomeric status of cardiac muscarinic cholinergic receptors. Biochemistry 2002;41:5588-604]. In contrast, M2 receptor extracted from Sf9 membranes exhibited no shortfall in the capacity for [3H]NMS at either 30 or 4 degrees C, although there was a time-dependent inactivation during incubation with [3H]NMS at 30 degrees C; also, any discrepancies in the affinity of NMS were comparatively small. The level of cholesterol in Sf9 membranes was only 4% of that in sarcolemmal membranes, and it was increased to about 100% by means of cholesterol-methyl-beta-cyclodextrin. M2 receptors extracted from treated Sf9 membranes were stable at 30 and 4 degrees C and resembled those from heart. Cholesterol induced a marked heterogeneity detected in the binding of both radioligands, including a shortfall in the apparent capacity for [3H]NMS, and there were significant discrepancies in the apparent affinity of NMS as estimated directly and via the inhibition of [3H]QNB. The data can be described quantitatively in terms of cooperative effects among six or more interacting sites. Cholesterol therefore appears to promote cooperativity in the binding of antagonists to the M2 muscarinic receptor.

Oligomerization of G protein-coupled receptors: past, present, and future

G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-mediated signal transduction has been studied for more than a century. Despite the intense focus on this class of proteins, a molecular understanding of what constitutes the functional form of the receptor is still uncertain. GPCRs have traditionally been conceptualized as monomeric proteins, and this view has changed little over the years until relatively recently. Recent biochemical and biophysical studies have challenged this traditional concept, and point instead to a mechanistic view of signal transduction wherein the receptor functions as an oligomer. Cooperative interactions within such an oligomeric array may be critical for the propagation of an external signal across the cell membrane and to the G protein, and may therefore underlie the mechanistic basis of signaling.

Stress and brain histaminergic system: effects of weak electric foot-shock

A weak electric foot-shock stressful stimulus (0.5 mA x 1 s x 5 times) significantly increases plasma corticosterone (CS) levels and modifies [3H]-histamine ([3H]-HA) binding site constants related to H2 receptors in rat cortical membranes. Progressive and total recovery of basal binding characteristics occurs 90 min later. A double-foot-shock stress procedure delays [3H]-HA binding characteristic recovery instead of strengthening stress effects. This finding is further evidence of involvement of the brain's histamine receptors in the response to mild stress.

Sexual dimorphism in [3H]histamine binding sites of rat cerebral cortex

[3H]Histamine binding sites, identified on rat brain homogenate membranes, displayed sexual dimorphism with higher density and lower affinity in preparations from adult female compared to the males. The ontogenetic development of [3H]histamine binding sites was studied in male and female brain cortex neural membranes. Histamine binding sites were detectable in newborn-10 day old rats. Density increased with age, reaching adult levels at 37-45 days. No significant differences between sexes were observed in the binding constants until 37 days after birth, when the [3H]histamine binding characteristics began to differentiate according to sex. Sexual dimorphism in brain histamine binding site development appeared to depend on ovarian steroids. Binding patterns in immature female rats which were ovariectomized at 21 days and killed at 37+ were similar to those found in males. On the other hand, when oestradiol replacement was administered for 10 days to ovariectomized rats a total recovery of [3H]histamine binding pattern was obtained, which was comparable to that observed in intact female rats of the same age.

Histamine receptors: subclasses and specific ligands

In this review the three main types of histamine receptors are discussed together with their specific ligands. For the classical H1-receptors much emphasis is put on the mechanism by which the receptor is stimulated. For the H1- and H2-receptor the review includes information on the several models available for establishing agonistic or antagonistic activity. In the section on the H3-receptor the ligands are discussed as well as the possible physiological role of this receptor. In the final paragraphs some less well defined activities are presented.