Renal bradykinin and vasopressin receptors: ligand selectivity and classification

Selectivity of pharmacological tools: implications for use in cell physiology. A review in the theme: Cell signaling: proteins, pathways and mechanisms

Pharmacological inhibitors are frequently used to identify the receptors, receptor subtypes, and associated signaling pathways involved in physiological cell responses. Based on the effects of such inhibitors conclusions are drawn about the involvement of their assumed target or lack thereof. While such inhibitors can be useful tools for a better physiological understanding, their uncritical use can lead to incorrect conclusions. This article reviews the concept of inhibitor selectivity and its implication for cell physiology. Specifically, we discuss the implications of using inhibitor vs. activator approaches, issues of direct vs. indirect pathway modulation, implications of inverse agonism and biased signaling, and those of orthosteric vs. allosteric, competitive vs. noncompetitive, and reversible vs. irreversible inhibition. Additional problems can result from inconsistent estimates of inhibitor potency and differences in potency between cell-free systems and intact cells. These concepts are illustrated by several examples of inhibitors displaying affinity for related but distinct targets or even unrelated targets. Of note, many of the issues being addressed are also applicable to genetic inhibition strategies. The main practical conclusion following from these concepts is that investigators should be critical in the choice of inhibitor, its concentrations, and its mode of application. When this advice is adhered to, small-molecule pharmacological inhibitors can be important experimental tools in the hand of physiologists.

Bradykinin receptors as a therapeutic target

Biologically-active kinins, including bradykinin (BK) and Lys(0)-BK (kallidin), are short-lived peptide mediators predominantly generated by the enzymatic action of kallikreins on kininogen precursors. A diverse spectrum of physiological and pathological actions attributed to local kinin production is a consequence of the activation of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Currently, two major subtypes of kinin receptor, designated B(1) and B(2), are recognised, although there is much evidence for pharmacological heterogeneity, particularly within the B(2) receptors. Considering these facts and the widespread distribution of kinin receptors in many human tissues, it is no surprise that the therapeutic potential of kinins and kinin receptor antagonists remains the focus of numerous investigations. Studies in animals and animal tissues, instrumental in elucidating the biological roles of kinins, are well-documented in numerous excellent reviews. Unfortunately, and despite the enormous potential illustrated by animal studies, attempts to develop kinin analogues as therapeutic agents to combat human disease have largely proven disappointing. Consequently, this review selectively focuses upon studies that are directly relevant to the targeting of human BK receptors as a therapeutic intervention. In addition to providing a succinct review of well-documented pathological conditions to which kinin receptors contribute, the authors have also included more recent data that illustrate new avenues for the therapeutic application of kinin analogues.

Age-dependent renal responses to the bradykinin B(2)- receptor antagonist icatibant in conscious lambs

To investigate the role of endogenously produced bradykinin in modulating renal function during postnatal maturation, various parameters of glomerular and tubular function were measured for 1 h before and after intravenous injection of 12.5 microg/kg of the specific B(2)-receptor antagonist icatibant to conscious, chronically instrumented lambs aged approximately 1 (n = 7) and approximately 6 wk (n = 7). In response to icatibant, and in the absence of any changes in renal hemodynamics, there was an approximately 80% decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at 20 min in 1-wk-old lambs that was sustained for 60 min; in 6-wk-old lambs, there was an approximately 70% decrease in GFR by 20 min, with control levels being reached by 40 min. Icatibant administration was also associated with significant decreases in urinary flow, Cl(-), and K(+) excretion rates that were similar in both groups of lambs, whereas Na(+) excretion decreased only in 6-wk-old lambs. We conclude that bradykinin modulates glomerular and tubular function in an age-dependent manner.

Identification of the glycosylation sites utilized on the V1a vasopressin receptor and assessment of their role in receptor signalling and expression

Most of the large family of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) possess putative N-glycosylation sites within their N-termini. However, for the vast majority of GPCRs, it has not been determined which, if any, of the consensus glycosylation sites are actually utilized or what the functional ramifications are of modification by oligosaccharide. The occurrence and function of glycosylation of the V(1a) vasopressin receptor (V(1a)R) has been investigated in this study. Using a combination of translation systems that are either glycosylation-competent or do not support glycosylation, we established that of the four putative N-glycosylation sites at Asn(14), Asn(27), Asn(198) and Asn(333) only the first three sites are actually modified by carbohydrate. This was confirmed by disruption of consensus sites by site-directed mutagenesis, individually and in combination. The V(1a)R is not O-glycosylated. The functionality of a series of glycosylation-defective V(1a)R constructs was characterized after expression in HEK 293T cells. It was found that carbohydrate moieties are not required for the receptor to bind any of the four classes of ligand available, or for intracellular signalling. The glycosylation status of the V(1a)R did, however, regulate the level of total receptor expression and also the abundance of receptor at the cell surface. Furthermore, the nature of this regulation (increased or decreased expression) was dictated by the locus of the oligosaccharide modification. Modification of any one of the consensus sites alone, however, was sufficient for wild-type expression, indicating a redundancy within the glycosylation sites. A role for the carbohydrate in the correct folding or stabilization of the V(1a)R is indicated. Glycosylation is not required, however, for efficient trafficking of the receptor to the cell surface. This study establishes the functional importance of N-glycosylation of the V(1a)R.

Novel strategies for the design of receptor-selective vasopressin analogues: Aib-substitution and retro-inverso transformation

1. We determined the pharmacological profile of novel backbone-modified peptides designed as protease-resistant, selective analogues of AVP. Binding affinities of peptides were determined at both V1A and V2 subtypes of vasopressin receptor (VPR). Biological potencies of selected peptides were tested in pressor and antidiuretic bioassays. 2. Substitution of the achiral alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) at position 4 or 7 of AVP produced peptides that selectively bound the V2 VPR. Both [Aib4]AVP (140 IU mg-1) and [Aib7]AVP (36 IU mg-1) are selective antidiuretic agonists with little or no activity in uterotonic and pressor assays. 3. [Aib4] and [Aib7] derivatives of the linear V1A-selective antagonist [PhaaDTyr(Et)2Arg6Tyr(NH2)9]AVP bound selectively and with high affinity (Kd 0.51 and 4.1 nM respectively) to the V1A VPR. Bioassays confirmed that these peptides were potent antivasopressor agents (pA2 8.10 and 8.36 respectively). 4. A total retro-inverso strategy was used to prepare protease-resistant mimetics of both AVP and linear V1A-selective antagonists. Cyclic retro-inverso mimetics of AVP did not bind either V1A or V2 VPRs. In contrast, rationally designed retro-inverso mimetics of linear V1A-selective antagonists selectively bound the V1A VPR. 5. Our findings indicate novel methods to improve the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic parameters of neurohypophysial hormone analogues which could be equally applicable to other peptide-receptor systems.

Fluorescent and biotinylated probes for B2 bradykinin receptors: agonists and antagonists

Peptide ligands carrying additional reporter groups are valuable research tools to facilitate biochemical and pharmacological studies of G protein-coupled receptors. B2 bradykinin receptors, widely distributed in mammalian tissues, regulate many physiological systems and are therapeutic targets. Acylation of the amino-terminus of bradykinin (BK) and a B2a-selective antagonist produced ligands derivatized with biotinamidocaproate or 7-Amino-4-methylcoumarin-3-acetate. These fluorescent and biotinylated peptides bound with high affinity to bovine and rodent B2 receptors. Analysis of second messenger production confirmed that fluorescent and biotinylated analogs of BK were B2 receptor agonists whereas derivatives of DArg0[Hyp3,DPhe7,Leu8]BK were BK receptor antagonists. The complimentary properties of these selective receptor probes will be useful in studying B2 receptor localization, expression and desensitization.