Photoaffinity labelling of the renal V2 vasopressin receptor. Identification and enrichment of a vasopressin-binding subunit

Molecular weight determination of the hepatic vasopressin receptor with a high-affinity photoprobe

We report here a study of photoaffinity labeling of the V1a-vasopressin receptor with high-affinity, V1-specific radioiodinated antagonist ligands: one containing an azidophenylalanine residue ([beta,beta-dimethyl-beta-mercaptopropionyl(1), p-azido-Phe2,Val4,Lys8,D-Tyr9] vasopressin), two others containing nitrophenylalanine, and one, highly similar but without a photosensitive function, as control. All analogues competed in the dark for the same binding site with vasopressin. Long-wavelength UV irradiation of rat liver membranes incubated in presence of the radio-iodinated azido photolabel produced a specifically labeled protein band at 53 kDa in SDS-PAGE. Identical experiments with the nitrophenylalanyl peptides produced only non-specific labeling and control experiments with the non-photosensitive analogue produced no labeling at all. Chemical crosslinking of 3H-VP to the same membrane preparation produced a result identical to that of the azido photolabel, confirming the receptor nature of the labeled protein. Deglycosylation of the labeled receptor with endoglycosidase F reduced the observed molecular weight of 53 kDa to 43 kDa. The molecular parameters reported herein of the presumed hepatic vasopressin receptor confirm the values deduced from the molecular cloning of the rat V1a receptor.

Ligand-induced cleavage of the V2 vasopressin receptor by a plasma membrane metalloproteinase

The proteolytic cleavage of a G protein-coupled peptide hormone receptor, the renal V2 vasopressin receptor, by a plasma membrane proteinase was investigated. In the absence of protease inhibitors during incubation of bovine kidney membranes with a photoreactive vasopressin agonist, V2 receptor truncation leads to a labeled receptor fragment with M(r) 30,000. The V2 receptor-degrading enzyme could be completely inhibited by zinc ions yielding the native V2 receptor glycoprotein with M(r) 58,000. Studies with inhibitors of metalloendopeptidases involved in peptide hormone metabolism and with peptide substrates spanning the V2 receptor cleavage site classify the receptor protease as metalloendoproteinase with specificity for longer substrates. Comparison of the NH2-terminal protein sequence of the truncated M(r) 30,000 V2 receptor with the sequence deduced from the cDNA of the cloned bovine V2 receptor shows that cleavage occurs between Gln92 and Val93 of the second transmembrane helix close to an extracellular agonist binding site. V2 receptor proteolysis was dependent on the presence of a hormonal ligand. It occurred rapidly after hormone binding and led to a loss of ligand binding properties of the truncated V2 receptor. The data suggest that the endogenous V2 receptor-degrading metalloendoproteinase regulates V2 receptor function. The novel pathway may contribute to the termination of signal transmission.

Renal and central vasopressin receptors: immunocytochemical localization

Employing an anti-vasopressin monoclonal antibody for immunization, anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies were obtained which induced plasminogen activator production in the renal epithelial cell line LLC-PK1. The anti-idiotypic antibodies were employed to visualize vasopressin receptors on LLC-PK1 and A7r5 smooth muscle cells by immunofluorescence. All results indicated specificity of the anti-idiotypes for both V1 and V2 vasopressin receptor subtypes. These antibodies were used for immunohistochemical localization of vasopressin receptors in rat and bovine kidney preparations. In accordance with earlier physiological and biochemical observations, vasopressin receptors were detected predominantly in collecting ducts in cortex and medulla. On the cellular level, a differential staining pattern was observed. On rat brain tissue sections, dense staining was observed within various circumventricular organs. The staining pattern corresponded to that obtained in autoradiographic studies with labeled AVP(4-9) fragment peptide and differed from the distribution of binding sites for labeled vasopressin or V1 antagonists.

Synthesis and binding characteristics of two sulfhydryl-reactive probes for vasopressin receptors

The present study describes the synthesis and receptor binding affinities of the sulfhydryl-reactive vasopressin analogs deamino[Dab(N delta-N-maleoyl-beta-alanin e)4]AVP (1a) and deamino[Lys(N epsilon-N-maleoyl-beta-alanine)8VP (2a). The analogs were obtained by introducing the sulfhydryl-reactive maleoyl-beta-analyl group at the delta-amino group of Dab4 in deamino[Dab4]AVP (1) and at the epsilon-amino group of Lys8 in deamino[Lys8]VP (2), which were synthesized by the solid-phase method. Furthermore, the analog modified at Dab4 was prepared as tritium labeled compound (1b) after catalytic iodine tritium exchange at Tyr2 in deamino[Dab4]AVP. The sulfhydryl-reactive vasopressin analogs retained high binding affinity for the V2 vasopressin receptor in membranes derived from bovine kidney inner medulla. Apparent dissociation constants Kd of 45 nM (compound 1a) and 15 nM (compound 2a) were determined. Incubation of the ligand receptor complexes at pH 5.5 resulted in dissociation of the sulfhydryl-reactive vasopressin analogs from the V2 receptor. No indications of a covalent reaction between analogs 1a, 2a and 1b and sulfhydryl groups in or close to the hormone binding site of the V2 receptor were found.

Generation of anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies recognizing vasopressin receptors in cultured cells and kidney sections

To produce anti-idiotypic antibodies against receptors for the neurohypophyseal hormone vasopressin, an anti-vasopressin monoclonal antibody with a ligand specificity similar to that of vasopressin receptors was employed for immunization. Three anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibodies were obtained which induced, like vasopressin, plasminogen activator production in the renal epithelial cell line LLC-PK1 (expressing V2-receptors). Induction of plasminogen activator synthesis by the anti-idiotypic antibodies could be inhibited by coincubation with a vasopressin antagonist. In a fashion similar to that of vasopressin itself, the anti-idiotypic antibodies induced receptor down-regulation. The anti-idiotypic antibodies were employed to visualize vasopressin receptors on LLC-PK1 and A7r5 (V1-receptor-expressing) smooth muscle cells by immunofluorescence. Antibody-mediated fluorescence was not observed in receptor-deficient mutant cell lines or vasopressin-receptor-down-regulated cells. Furthermore, these antibodies were used for immunohistochemical localization of vasopressin receptors in rat and bovine kidney preparations. In accordance with earlier physiological and biochemical observations, vasopressin receptors were detected predominantly in collecting ducts in cortex and medulla. On the cellular level, a differential staining pattern was observed.

N-glycosylation plays a role in biosynthesis and internalization of the adenylate cyclase stimulating vasopressin V2-receptor of LLC-PK1 renal epithelial cells: an effect of concanavalin A on binding and expression

The role of N-glycosylation in the function and biosynthesis of the vasopressin V2-receptor in LLC-PK1 renal epithelial cells was examined using various lectins and inhibitors operating at different steps of the glycosidic pathway. Tunicamycin, which blocks all N-glycosylation, and castanospermine, which inhibits glycosidase I and hence blocks formation of high-mannose-type N-glycosylated intermediates, resembled one another in affecting V2-receptor biosynthesis and internalization in a concentration-dependent manner. In contrast, swainsonine, an inhibitor of mannosidase II and hence of complex-type oligosaccharide formation, had no effect. Interestingly, the alpha-D-mannose/alpha-D-glucose-specific lectin concanavalin A, (Con A), in contrast to the beta-D-galactose-specific lectin ricin, had a marked effect on the V2-receptor in LLC-PK1 cells, increasing both receptor numbers up to twofold in vivo and specific [3H]AVP binding up to 50% in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner. The concentrations inducing half-maximal response were about 0.2 and 20 micrograms/ml for the in vivo and in vitro responses, respectively, implying distinct effects on V2-expression and ligand binding. That the in vitro effect on binding was due to a direct effect on the V2-receptor could be shown by the lack of a Con A effect on [3H]AVP binding in membranes prepared from LLC-PK1 cells down-regulated for the V2-receptor or from cells of the LLC-PK1 V2-receptor deficient mutant M18. All results were consistent with a functional role for N-glycosylation of the V2-receptor in LLC-PK1 cells.

Identification of the V1 vasopressin receptor by chemical cross-linking and ligand affinity blotting

Chemical and photoaffinity cross-linking experiments as well as ligand affinity blotting techniques were used to label the V1 vasopressin receptor. In order to determine the optimal reaction conditions, pig liver membranes were incubated with 5 nM [8-lysine]vasopressin (LVP) labeled with 125I and then cross-linked with the use of DMS (dimethyl suberimidate), EGS [ethylene glycol bis(succinimidyl succinate)] or HSAB (hydroxysuccinimidyl p-azidobenzoate) at different final concentrations. Consistently, EGS was found to label with high yield one band of Mr 60,000 in rat and pig liver membranes when used at a final concentration between 0.05 and 0.25 mM. The protein of Mr 60,000 is labeled in a concentration-dependent manner when pig liver membranes are incubated with increasing concentrations of 125I-LVP and then cross-linked with EGS. The label was displaced by increasing concentrations of unlabeled LVP or d(CH2)5 [Tyr2(Me),-Tyr9(NH2)]AVP (V1/V2 antagonist). A protein band of similar molecular mass was cross-linked with 125I-LVP in rat liver membranes. The reaction was specific since the incorporation of label into the protein of Mr 60,000 was inhibited by LVP, [8-arginine]vasopressin (AVP), the V1/V2-antagonist, and the specific V1-antagonist d(CH2)5 [Tyr2(Me)]AVP, only partially by [des-Gly9]AVP (V2-agonist) and by oxytocin, and not at all by angiotensin II. Incubation of nitrocellulose containing membrane proteins from pig liver with 125I-LVP showed the labeling of a band of Mr 58,000 that is inhibited by an excess of unlabeled LVP. This band of Mr 58,000 seems to correspond with the protein of Mr 60,000 revealed by the cross-linking experiment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Neuropeptide hormone receptors: strategies for identification

Study of the structure--function relationship of neuropeptide hormone receptors presents a number of technical difficulties associated with the isolation of a given receptor protein in a purified form. A variety of molecular approaches has enabled corresponding cDNA clones to be isolated without the need to embark on protein purification procedures. However, the molecular cloning approach requires that appropriate tools for identifying cDNAs encoding the respective receptor be available. Strategies designed to address this problem will be discussed and include functional expression of neuropeptide hormone receptors in frog oocytes, hybrid depletion and inactivation of receptor-encoding mRNAs by RNase H digestion, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of cDNAs encoding putative receptors, and expression of transfected receptor genes in cell cultures followed by identification using a cell sorter.

Vasopressin, insulin and peroxide(s) of vanadate (pervanadate) influence Na+ transport mediated by (Na+, K+)ATPase or Na+/H+ exchanger of rat liver plasma membrane vesicles

Uptake of 22Na+ by liver plasma membrane vesicles, reflecting Na+ transport by (Na+, K+)ATPase or Na+/H+ exchange was studied. Membrane vesicles were isolated from rat liver homogenates or from freshly prepared rat hepatocytes incubated in the presence of [Arg8]vasopressin or pervanadate and insulin. The ATP dependence of (Na+, K+)ATPase-mediated transport was determined from initial velocities of vanadate-sensitive uptake of 22Na+, the Na(+)-dependence of Na+/H+ exchange from initial velocities of amiloride-sensitive uptake. By studying vanadate-sensitive Na+ transport, high-affinity binding sites for ATP with an apparent Km(ATP) of 15 +/- 1 microM were observed at low concentrations of Na+ (1 mM) and K+ (1mM). At 90 mM Na+ and 60 mM K+ the apparent Km(ATP) was 103 +/- 25 microM. Vesiculation of membranes and loading of the vesicles prepared from liver homogenates in the presence of vasopressin increased the maximal velocities of vanadate-sensitive transport by 3.8-fold and 1.9-fold in the presence of low and high concentrations of Na+ and K+, respectively. The apparent Km(ATP) was shifted to 62 +/- 7 microM and 76 +/- 10 microM by vasopressin at low and high ion concentrations, respectively, indicating that the hormone reduced the influence of Na+ and K+ on ATP binding. In vesicles isolated from hepatocytes preincubated with 10 nM vasopression the hormone effect was conserved. Initial velocities of Na+ uptake (at high ion concentrations and 1 mM ATP) were increased 1.6-1.7-fold above control, after incubation of the cells with vasopressin or by affinity labelling of the cells with a photoreactive analogue of the hormone. The velocity of amiloride-sensitive Na+ transport was enhanced by incubating hepatocytes in the presence of 10 nM insulin (1.6-fold) or 0.3 mM pervanadate generated by mixing vanadate plus H2O2 (13-fold). The apparent Km(Na+) of Na+/H+ exchange was increased by pervanadate from 5.9 mM to 17.2 mM. Vesiculation and incubation of isolated membranes in the presence of pervanadate had no effect on the velocity of amiloride-sensitive Na+ transport. The results show that hormone receptor-mediated effects on (Na+, K+)ATPase and Na+/H+ exchange are conserved during the isolation of liver plasma membrane vesicles. Stable modifications of the transport systems or their membrane environment rather than ionic or metabolic responses requiring cell integrity appear to be involved in this regulation.

Synthesis and biological activity of a biotinylated vasopressin analog

To study vasopressin receptor-mediated endocytosis using electronmicroscopy methods and to develop avidin affinity columns for receptor purification, we synthesized and tested the biological properties of a biotinylated vasopressin (VP) analog [1-(2-mercapto) propionic acid] 8-[lysine-N6-biotin] VP (B-MLVP). B-MLVP was prepared by coupling biotin to the epsilon amine of the lysine residue in [1-(2-mercapto) propionic acid] 8-(lysine) VP (MLVP). The structure of HPLC purified B-MLVP was confirmed by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. B-MLVP effectively competed for arginine vasopressin (AVP) binding sites in canine renal plasma membranes on the surface of LLC-PK1 kidney cells. Dissociation constants of 15 nM and 202 nM were calculated from the results of competition binding assays conducted with membranes and cells, respectively. B-MLVP stimulated adenylate cyclase activity and elevated cellular 3',5',cyclic-AMP (cAMP) content in a manner similar to AVP, indicating it is an agonist of VP action in renal tissue. These observations indicate that B-MLVP is an agonist of VP action and may be used to study renal VP receptors by employing avidin coupled to various reporter groups.

Monoclonal antibodies against different epitopes of peptide hormones. Use of photoreactive analogues in studies on vasopressin

In order to produce monoclonal antibodies directed against different epitopes of the neurohypophyseal hormone vasopressin, the hormone was coupled to carrier proteins via photoreactive groups at different positions in the vasopressin sequence: [2-(4-azidophenylalanine), 8-arginine]vasopressin (peptide P1, photoreactive group at position 2) and desamino-[8-N6-(4-azidophenylamidino)lysine]vasopressin (peptide P2, photoreactive group at position 8) were conjugated to thyroglobulin by flash photolysis. Monoclonal antibodies against these conjugates bound ([3H]8-arginine]vasopressin with dissociation constants ranging over 40-400 nM. Epitope analysis by means of competitive ELISA showed that the monoclonal antibody obtained with peptide P1 as hapten was directed against the C-terminal acyclic tripeptide when its conformation was stabilized by interaction with the disulphide-linked cyclic hexapeptide. In contrast, the epitope analysis of three monoclonal anti-(peptide P2) antibodies demonstrated that they recognized antigenic determinants in the cyclic hexapeptide ring, mainly the hydrophobic surface formed by Tyr2 and Phe3. Our results suggest that monoclonal antibodies against different epitopes in small peptide hormones can be generated selectively by using photoreactive peptides in such a way that different antigenic sites are exposed in the hapten-carrier conjugate.

Probes for vasopressin receptors. Attachment of affinity and fluorescent groups in vasopressin

Fluorescent, photoreactive, and biotinylated analogs of vasopressin have been prepared in which one of these three groups has been attached to a reactive amino group in either position 4 or position 7. Using solid phase methodology, we have synthesized two active parent compounds, [1-desamino,4-lysine,7-hydroxyproline]arginine vasopressin and [1-desamino,7-aminoproline]arginine vasopressin, and acylated them to obtain biotinyl, azidobenzoyl, and fluoresceinyl derivatives. We have also prepared analogs in which a "spacer arm" was inserted between lysine in position 4 and the marker group. Some of these derivatives have good antidiuretic activity and could be valuable probes in studying hormone-receptor interaction and in receptor visualization and purification.

A system to select for mutant LLC-PK1 cells affected in cAMP mediated hormonal response using a photoactivatable analogue of vasopressin

The photoreactive analogue of vasopressin, [1-(3-mercapto)propionic acid, 8-(N6-4-azidophenyl-amidino)lysine] vasopressin (apa-LVP) could be used to elicit stimulation of cAMP production in LLC-PK renal epithelial cells, detectable up to 24 h after photoactivation by flash photolysis. This is in contrast to cells treated with vasopressin, or apa-LVP without photoactivation, where cAMP synthesis is down regulated within 4 h. The prolonged stimulation of cAMP production induced by photoactivation of apa-LVP was demonstrated to be cytotoxic to LLC-PK1 cells, whereas the vasopressin receptor negative LLC-PK1 mutant M18 was resistant to the cytotoxic effect. A selection strategy was developed for mutants resistant to this long-term stimulation of cAMP production, whereby multiple cycles of treatment with apa-LVP and photoactivation were used. Mutants so selected were then characterized using a novel screening system for detection of the production of urokinase-type plasminogen activator in response to cAMP agonists. One mutant was examined and found to be impaired in hormonal responsiveness, whereby hormone and forskolin stimulated cAMP-mediated responses were markedly reduced. It exhibited resistance to the long-term stimulation of cAMP production elicited by apa-LVP and photoactivation. This implies that apa-LVP can be used to select for novel mutants specifically impaired in cAMP metabolism and in particular down-regulation of cAMP response.

Synthesis of a biotinylated, iodinatable, and photoactivatable probe for angiotensin receptors

We propose here a biotinyl-aminohexanoyl-[Ala1, Phe(4N3)8]angiotensin II analog as a radioiodinatable and photoactivatable probe for covalent labeling, detection and isolation of angiotensin receptors. A combination of solid phase and minimum-protection segment-coupling strategy using hexafluorophosphate of (benzotriazol-1-yloxy)tris(dimethylamino)phosphonium (BOP) as a coupling reagent is proposed for the synthesis of this probe. Optimized yields were obtained by HPLC monitoring of all reactions. A complete n.m.r. study suggests an extended conformation of this molecule, allowing a simultaneous recognition of receptor and avidin. The probe binds with high affinity (Kd = 2 nM) to angiotensin II receptors from rat liver membranes.

Effects of the substitution of photoreactive groups in positions 4 and 8 of vasopressin

In an effort to synthesize potent vasopressin analogs containing photoreactive groups, we prepared, by solid phase synthesis, three analogs with proline or hydroxyproline substitutions in positions 4 and/or 7, lysine in positions 4 or 8, and beta-mercaptopropionic acid in position 1. From these three parent analogs, 1-desamino[4-proline,8-lysine]VP, 1-desamino[4-hydroxyproline,8-lysine]VP, and 1-desamino[4-lysine,7-hydroxyproline]AVP, we then prepared the corresponding azido compounds using the epsilon-amino group of lysine as the attachment point. These six analogs were then assayed for antidiuretic and pressor activities in rats. One of the resulting analogs, 1-desamino[4-lysine(N epsilon-4-azidobenzoyl),7-hydroxyproline)]AVP has the highest antidiuretic activity of any photoreactive compound reported to date.

Solubilization of a guanine nucleotide-sensitive form of vasopressin V2 receptors from porcine kidney

Vasopressin (V2) receptors were solubilized from porcine kidney membranes with the detergent egg lysolecithin. Binding of [3H]vasopressin to the solubilized fraction was rapid, specific, and saturable. The agonist dissociation constants observed in membranes and solubilized fractions were 1.7 +/- 0.3 and 2.3 +/- 0.2 nM, respectively. In competition binding experiments, the solubilized fraction exhibited the same pharmacological profile as the membranes. Chemical crosslinking of [125I]vasopressin to the solubilized fraction followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis demonstrated a 62-kDa band which was specifically labeled with [125I]vasopressin. Vasopressin binding sites from the solubilized fractions were resolved by gel filtration and ultracentrifugation on a sucrose gradient. In addition, agonist high affinity binding to V2 receptors and its sensitivity to guanine nucleotides were preserved even after solubilization in the absence of prebound agonist prior to solubilization. Addition of guanine nucleotides such as GTP gamma S decreased the specific binding of [3H]arginine vasopressin to these solubilized fractions in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting the solubilization of a V2 receptor-G protein complex. [32P]ADP ribosylation of the solubilized fraction by cholera and pertussis toxins revealed specifically labeled proteins with molecular weights of 42,000-43,000 and 39,000-41,000, respectively, on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels. Furthermore [35S]GTP gamma S binding to these solubilized fractions was enhanced by vasopressin, confirming that a significant proportion of the vasopressin receptors must be closely coupled to G proteins even when these receptors are solubilized in the absence of agonist. These results are in contrast with those reported for beta, alpha 2 adrenergic and D2 dopaminergic receptor systems, but in agreement with D1 dopaminergic and A1 adenosine receptors. The molecular mechanism responsible for this difference remains to be determined.

Photoaffinity labelling of the oxytocin receptor in plasma membranes from rat mammary gland

Plasma membranes from rat mammary gland containing a high concentration of [3H]oxytocin binding sites (2.8 pmol/mg protein) were used for photoaffinity labelling experiments. Competitive binding experiments show that these receptors bind with high affinity the specific oxytocin agonist [Thr4, Sar7]oxytocin and the analogue of 1-deamino-[8-lysine]vasopressin containing a photoreactive azidobenzoyl group (Abz) at the side chain of lysine. The tritium-labelled (50 Ci/mol) photoreactive analogue incorporated into a membrane protein with an apparent relative molecular mass of 65,000 +/- 3000 Da (n = 16). The labelling of this protein was completely suppressed by an excess of oxytocin.

Fluorescent, photoaffinity, and biotinyl analogs of oxytocin

This study reports the solid phase synthesis and biological activities of two oxytocin analogs, [1-desamino, 4-lysine,7-(L-3,4,-dehydroproline)]oxytocin and [1-desamino, 4-threonine,7-(L-3,4-dehydroproline),8-lysine]oxytocin, and several fluorescent, photoaffinity, or biotinylated derivatives of these analogs and of oxytocin. The activities (in IU/mg) of the lysine-containing parent compounds, respectively, were as follows: uterus (without Mg++) 4.8 and 54; uterus (with Mg++) 19 and 440; milk ejection 65 and 414. The above analogs were coupled through the chemically reactive epsilon-amino group of lysine in position 4 or 8 or, in the case of oxytocin, through the N-terminal amino group of fluoresceine, photoaffinity, or biotinyl ligands. Fluoresceine coupled in position 1 of oxytocin gave an analog of low to moderate uterine (3.8 without Mg+ and 1.9 with Mg++) and milk ejection (7.9) activities. Analogs with biotin or fluoresceine coupled to lysine in position 4 had moderate uterine (11 and 23 without Mg++; 38 and 11 with Mg++) and milk ejection (33 and 13) activities. Analogs with fluoresceine, photoaffinity, or biotinyl labels coupled to lysine in position 8 retained good uterine (106, 62, and 147 without Mg++; 79, 78, and 509 with Mg++) and milk ejection (101, 181, and 247) activities and represent potentially useful experimental tools for studying hormone-receptor interactions and for receptor localization and isolation.

Identification of a myometrial oxytocin-receptor protein

The specific binding of [3H]oxytoxin to uterine membrane preparations derived from different species at late pregnancy was examined. The highest receptor density (bmax value) was found in membranes derived from the myometria of guinea pigs between day 60 post-conception (bmax = 3.6 +/- 0.1 pmol/mg) and day 65 (bmax = 4.4 +/- 0.1 pmol/mg). The similarity of Kd values for oxytocin binding (Kd = 2.6 +/- 0.2 nM) and for vasopressin binding (Kd = 2.1 +/- 0.4 nM) to the same membranes derived from a guinea pig myometrium indicate a homogeneous population of high-affinity binding sites which do not discriminate between these two hormones. Competitive binding experiments with specific oxytocin agonists containing either sarcosine or N-methylalanine in the place of Pro7 demonstrated that these myometrial receptors have the pharmacological properties of oxytocin receptors. The analogue of 1-deamino-[8-lysine]vasopressin containing a photoreactive azidophenylamidino group at the sidechain of Lys8 retained roughly the same receptor affinity as oxytocin. In photoaffinity labelling experiments with the tritium-labelled analogue a membrane protein from guinea pig myometrium with an apparent relative molecular mass Mr of 78,000 +/- 5000 (n = 13) was preferentially labelled. The labelling of this protein was completely suppressed by a 100-fold molar excess of either oxytocin, or [Sar7]oxytocin or [Thr4, Sar7]oxytocin, but not by other peptide hormones. These results provide evidence that the labelled 78,000-Mr protein is a myometrial oxytocin-receptor protein.

Receptors for neuropeptides are induced by exogenous poly(A)+ RNA in oocytes from Xenopus laevis

Receptors for the hormones vasopressin, angiotensin II, and thyrotropin-releasing hormone have been studied electrophysiologically in Xenopus laevis oocytes previously injected with poly(A)+ RNA from the respective receptor-containing tissues. The injected oocytes responded to the hormones by demonstrating oscillations in membrane currents as recorded by the voltage-clamp method. The response was dependent on the hormone concentrations and detectable between 5 and 1000 nM concentrations. Size fractionation of poly(A)+ RNA from the respective tissues showed that the mRNAs encoding the three hormone receptors were larger than 18S rRNA, suggesting a length of at least 2 kilobases. When vasopressin was added to the oocyte bath, an inward membrane current was generated in oocytes injected with rat poly(A)+ RNA from liver but not from kidney. This suggests that the V1-type (liver), not the V2-type (kidney), vasopressin receptor can be expressed and electrophysiologically identified in the oocyte. A V1-specific, but not a V2-specific, antagonist suppressed the vasopressin-dependent effect. Application of angiotensin II to liver poly(A)+ RNA-injected oocytes elicited oscillations in membrane current, indicating that these oocytes also expressed receptors for angiotension II; the antagonist [Sar1, O-methionyl-Tyr4]angiotensin II blocked this effect. Poly(A)+ RNA from tumor-derived GH3B6 cells, known to contain receptors for thyrotropin-releasing hormone, injected into oocytes induced receptors responding to thyrotropin-releasing hormone; the drug chlordiazepoxide suppressed the thyrotropin-releasing hormone response.

Renal V2 vasopressin receptor proteins: identification and enrichment

The synthesis of the tritium labelled photoreactive analogue of 1-deamino-vasopressin [1-(3-mercaptopropionic acid, 8-(N6-4-azido-phenylamidino)-lysine] vasopressin is described. This analogue retains a high affinity for hepatic V1 and renal V2 vasopressin receptors (apparent dissociation constant KD approximately 1-2 nM). A membrane protein from bovine kidney and pig kidney with an apparent relative molecular mass (Mr) of 30,000 was preferentially labelled and with lower yield a protein band with a Mr-value of 50,000 to 60,000. The photolabelled 30,000-Mr protein from bovine kidney was enriched by size-exclusion chromatography and by reversed-phase-high-performance liquid chromatography.

Potent V2 vasopressin antagonists with structural changes at their C-terminals

A variety of structural changes were made in the C-terminals of four potent antidiuretic (V2) antagonists. The parent analogs were all derivatives of [1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-cyclopentamethylenepropionic acid)]arginine-vasopressin, d(CH2)5AVP, namely d(CH2)5[D-Phe2,Ile4]AVP, d(CH2)5[D-Ile2,Ile4]AVP, d(CH2)5[D-Tyr(Et)2, Val4]AVP and d(CH2)5[D-Tyr(Et)2,Ile4]AVP. A number of amino acid amides were substituted for the C-terminal 9-glycinamide without reducing their V2-antagonistic potencies in rats. Many non-amino acid structures were also tolerated at the C-terminals of these antagonists and this end of these peptides can be prolonged without interfering with antagonistic potencies. Such altered V2-antagonists may be useful for the development of radioactive ligands, affinity labels and in affinity columns for studies on antidiuretic receptors. These C-terminal modifications also provide useful information for the further development of potent and specific V2-antagonists which can be valuable pharmacological tools and also promise to become useful clinically for the treatment of excessive water retention.

Photoaffinity labelling of melanoma cell MSH receptors

UV-irradiation at 365 nm of cultured Cloudman S91 mouse melanoma cells in the presence of photoreactive alpha-MSH analogues induced longlasting receptor stimulation as revealed by the ensuring activation of tyrosinase. Receptor labelling was more efficient with 4-diazirinophenyl and 2-nitro-4-azidophenyl photolabels than with 4-azidophenyl, and was further increased when superpotent [Nle4,D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH was used as ligand. Incubation of B16 melanoma cell membranes with mono-iodinated [Nle4,D-Phe7,Trp-(Naps)9]-alpha-MSH followed by UV-irradiation at 310-550 nm labelled a single band on SDS-PAGE with a molecular mass approximately or equal to 45 kDa. The displacement curve obtained in a competitive photolabelling experiment paralleled that of the binding assay, demonstrating that the labelling was specific.

Synthesis and biological activities of a photoaffinity probe for vasotocin and oxytocin receptors

The present study describes the synthesis and biological activities of the photoreactive vasotocin analog 1-deamino[8-lysine(N epsilon-4-azidobenzoyl)] vasotocin ([Mpa1, Lys(N epsilon-4-azidobenzoyl)8]vasotocin). The analog was obtained by introducing the photoreactive aryl azido group at the epsilon-amino group of Lys8 in [Mpa1, Lys8]-vasotocin, which was synthesized by the solid phase method. In the isolated toad urinary bladder the photoaffinity analog of vasotocin retained hydroosmotic activity in the absence of u.v.-light. After irradiation the osmotic water flow across the bladder wall increased. Moreover, the water permeability remained high during repeated periods of washout, suggesting that the analog formed covalent complexes with vasotocin receptors in the toad bladder. In the rat uterotonic assay the photoreactive vasotocin analog was without photoactivation a mild agonist. These studies suggest that the photoaffinity analog of vasotocin might be useful for the isolation of vasotocin receptors in low vertebrates and oxytocin receptors in mammals.

Long-term stimulation of cAMP production in LLC-PK1 pig kidney epithelial cells by salmon calcitonin or a photoactivatable analogue of vasopressin

A photoreactive analogue of vasopressin, [1-(3-mercapto)propionic acid, 8-(N6-4-azidophenylamidino)lysine]-vasopressin, was compared to salmon calcitonin and [8-arginine]-vasopressin with respect to stimulation of cAMP synthesis in the LLC-PK1 pig kidney epithelial cell line. Without photoactivation, the vasopressin analogue-elicited responses were identical to those induced by vasopressin, in that cAMP synthesis returned to the basal, unstimulated level about 4 h after hormonal treatment. In contrast, the levels of activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase induced by salmon calcitonin returned to basal approx. 12 h after hormone addition. When activated by ultraviolet irradiation, the vasopressin analogue induced 'permanent' stimulation of adenylate cyclase, whereby cAMP production could be detected even 12.5 h after treatment. Both salmon calcitonin and the photoactivated vasopressin analogue inhibited growth of LLC-PK1 cells, in contrast to vasopressin or the nonactivated analogue. Growth inhibition appeared to be a consequence of the prolonged stimulation of adenylate cyclase. This conclusion was supported by the fact that a LLC-PK1 cell mutant in cAMP-dependent protein kinase was resistant to growth inhibition by salmon calcitonin and activated vasopressin analogue. The results imply that the cAMP-dependent protein kinase is the mediator of the hormone-stimulated growth inhibition.

Iodinated photoreactive vasopressin antagonists: labelling of hepatic vasopressin receptor subunits

To identify and characterize V1 vasopressin receptors, photoreactive antagonists of the glycogenolytic and vasoconstrictor activity of vasopressin have been synthesized. The following analogues with 3-mercapto-3,3-cyclopentamethylene-propionic acid (Mca) and N-methylalanine (MeAla) in position 1 and 7 of vasopressin (VP) were effective V1 antagonists: [Mca1, D-Tyr2, MeAla7, Lys8]VP (1), [Mca1, MeAla7, Arg8, Lys9]VP (2), [Mca1, MeAla7, Arg8, D-Lys9]VP (3). Introduction of the photoreactive 4-azidophenylamidino group into the side-chain of Lys8 in analogue 1 or into Lys9 in analogues 2 and 3 increased the potency (for analogue 1 a tenfold increase in the antiglycogenolytic effect and a fivefold increase in the antivasopressor effect) and binding affinity for the rat hepatic V1 receptor. Mono-iodination at Tyr2 with 125I resulted in photoreactive antagonists of high specific radioactivity, which had roughly the same binding affinity as vasopressin for the rat hepatic V1 receptor (Kd = 0.9-1.8 nM). In photoaffinity labelling experiments with purified rat liver membranes, containing 2--3 pmol V1 receptor/mg protein, the analogues labelled specifically two proteins with the relative molecular masses (Mr) of 30,000 and 38,000. These results and the results of a recent study using 3H-labelled photoreactive vasopressin agonists [Boer, R. and Fahrenholz, F. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 15051-15054] provide evidence that both vasopressin agonists and antagonists can interact with the same two subunits of the heterodimeric hepatic V1 receptor. Furthermore the radioiodinated photoreactive V1 antagonists should be helpful to identify V1 receptor proteins in membranes of other cell types.