Non classical, multiple-site interaction of [3H]-prazosin with the alpha 1-adrenoceptor of intact BC3H1 cells

Stimulatory effect of cinnamic acid analogues on alpha1A-adrenoceptors in-vitro

We have characterized the effects of cinnamic acid and its derivatives on alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtypes. The cinnamic acid with a methoxyl group and/or a hydroxyl group showed the ability to stimulate radioactive glucose uptake into C(2)C(12) cells, a cell line that specifically expresses the alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor subtype of alpha(1)-adrenoceptors. However, cinnamic acid without chemical modification diminished the glucose uptake into C(2)C(12) cells. It was shown that methoxylation and/or hydroxylation of cinnamic acid had higher affinities for alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors investigated using [(3)H]prazosin binding experiments in C(2)C(12) cells. The effect of these derivatives on alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors was further characterized using the displacement of [(3)H]prazosin binding in rat prostate. We found that 3,5-dimethoxy-4- hydroxycinnamic acid, the cinnamic acid derivative with two methoxyl groups and hydroxylation at the fourth carbon on the benzene ring, had a higher affinity for the alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor subtype, showing a smaller IC50 value (the concentration for production of 50% inhibition) to displace [(3)H]prazosin binding in rat prostate. Affinity of these compounds for alpha(1B)-adrenoceptors was identified using [(3)H]prazosin-binding experiments in rat spleen. However, we found no marked differences in the IC50 values between these cinnamic acid analogues to displace the [(3)H]prazosin binding in rat spleen. In conclusion, our data indicated that methoxylation and/or hydroxylation of cinnamic acid might raise the affinity for alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors.

Functional characterization of alpha-adrenoceptors on pancreatic islets of fa/fa Zucker rats

Recently, a defect in pertussis toxin-independent actions of epinephrine on pancreatic B-cells of fa/fa Zucker rats was reported (Cawthorn and Chan (1991) Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 75, 197-204). We now report studies of islet alpha 2-adrenoceptor function of fa/fa rats. Insulin and cAMP production by islets of obese rats were both inhibited by the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine. Calculated pD2 values for clonidine were 9.57 +/- 0.59 and 9.43 +/- 0.33 for lean and fa/fa rat islets, respectively. Yohimbine reversed clonidine effects equipotently in lean and obese rat islets (pA2 values of 7.48 +/- 0.57 vs 7.43 +/- 0.58). Unexpectedly, the alpha 1-antagonist prazosin stimulated insulin secretion from islets of obese but not lean rats. Functional characteristics of the alpha-adrenoceptors on fa/fa islets are thus similar to those recently designated alpha 2B. Altered expression of alpha-adrenoceptors on pancreatic islets of fa/fa rats may contribute to changes in the pertussis toxin-independent pathway of epinephrine action previously observed.

Contribution of an α1-adrenergic receptor subtype to the expression of the “ventral tegmental area syndrome”

Bilateral electrolytic lesions of the rat ventral tegmental area, a mesencephalic structure containing the cell bodies of ascending dopaminergic neurons, induce a behavioural syndrome characterized by a permanent locomotor hyperactivity. Acute intraperitoneal injections of prazosin, an alpha 1-adrenergic receptor antagonist, at a dose (0.5 mg/kg) which does not affect locomotor activities of control animals, abolished locomotor hyperactivities of lesioned rats. Antagonists of other monoaminergic receptors (propranolol, ritanserin, yohimbine), and also another antagonist of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors, 2-(2',6'-dimenthoxyphenoxyethyl)-aminomethyl-1,4-benzodioxan (WB4101) were ineffective. Comparisons of autoradiograms of brain slices incubated in the presence of 1 nM [3H]prazosin or 10 nM [3H]WB4101 indicated clear topographical differences. [3H]Prazosin labelling is present in the septum and in layer III of the cerebral cortex but absent in the striatum. [3H]WB 4101 labelling is diffuse in the superficial layers of the cerebral cortex and present in the striatum. In addition, intraperitoneal injection of WB4101 displaces, only weakly, [3H]prazosin binding in layer III of the cerebral cortex (-18%) while it decreases by 50% [3H]prazosin binding in the more superficial cortical layers. These observations strongly suggest that the binding site labelled by [3H]prazosin is different from alpha 1A- and alpha 1B-adrenergic receptor subtypes labelled by [3H]WB4101. Finally, it is proposed that the prazosin-induced blockade of the locomotor hyperactivity exhibited by ventral tegmental area lesioned animals is linked to the previously demonstrated regulatory role of noradrenergic neurons on cortical dopamine transmission.

The glutamate receptor of the Qp-type activates protein kinase C and is regulated by protein kinase C

In striatal neurons in primary culture quisqualate potently stimulated the formation of inositol phosphates via a metabotropic receptor we recently termed Qp in order to distinguish it from the classical ionotropic quisqualate receptor termed Qi. Here we show that 10 microM of quisqualate activated in a rapid and transient manner protein kinase C as assessed by its translocation from the cytosolic to the membrane fraction. As 10 microM alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA), the Qi specific agonist, was without effect, this translocation was most probably mediated by the Qp receptor. Phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate blocked in a dose-dependent manner the Qp receptor-induced inositol phosphate formation (IC50 = 2 +/- 0.4 nM). The inactive ester 4 alpha-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate was without effect. Very low concentrations of staurosporine completely reversed the phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate-induced blockade (IC50 = 2.2 +/- 1.3 nM). It can therefore be concluded that the Qp receptor is able to activate protein kinase C and that the activity of this metabotropic receptor is regulated by protein kinase C.