A comparison of the binding characteristics of the beta-adrenoceptor antagonists 3H-dihydroalprenolol and 125I-iodocyanopindolol in rat liver

8-bromo-cAMP and 8-CPT-cAMP increase the density of beta-adrenoceptors in hepatocytes by a mechanism not mimicking the effect of cAMP

Addition of 8-bromo-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-bromo-cAMP) or 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-CPT-cAMP) to hepatocytes at the time of plating enhanced the acquisition of beta-adrenoceptors that occurs spontaneously upon culturing as primary monolayers. This effect was partially suppressed by the phosphodiesterase inhibitor isobutyl methylxanthine, and was mimicked by 8-bromo-AMP, 8-bromo-adenosine, and the adenosine kinase inhibitor 5'-amino-5'-deoxyadenosine. Agents that elevated the intracellular level of cAMP, such as glucagon and forskolin, and Sp-8-bromo-adenosine 3',5'-monophosphorothioate (Sp-8-bromo-cAMPS), a cAMP analogue that is resistant towards metabolic breakdown, did not significantly enhance beta-adrenoceptor expression when used alone, but glucagon enhanced the effect of 8-bromo-adenosine. 8-bromo-cAMP and 8-bromo-adenosine decreased cellular ATP-levels. These observations suggest that the enhanced beta-adrenoceptor acquisition was mediated mainly through the action of metabolites of 8-bromo-cAMP and 8-CPT-cAMP, although there may be a cAMP-mediated component in the effect. Several mechanisms, including depletion of ATP, are probably involved, and might affect beta-adrenoceptor degradation.

Elevated level of beta-adrenoceptors in intact hepatocytes from partially hepatectomized rats

The binding characteristics of 125I-iodocyanopindolol (125I-ICYP) and 3H-CGP-12177 to intact hepatocytes and a particulate fraction prepared from hepatocytes from sham-operated and partially hepatectomized rats were compared. In the particulate fraction, the beta-adrenoceptor number increased 4-10-fold after partial hepatectomy. 125I-ICYP binding to intact cells demonstrated a high fraction of non-specific binding, although phentolamine was included in the assay to reduce non-specific binding. 3H-CGP-12177 binding to intact cells also demonstrated a higher fraction of non-specific binding than in most cell types. In intact cells, the beta-adrenoceptor number increased 5-6-fold after partial hepatectomy. The number of receptors was comparable in intact cells and the broken cell preparation, indicating that receptors are conserved during the preparation of the particulate fraction.

Alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in brown adipose tissue of infant rats--I. Identification and characteristics of binding sites in isolated plasma membranes

1. Alpha 2-Adrenoceptor antagonists [3H]yohimbine and [3H]RX 781094 and the partial alpha 2-agonist [3H]clonidine exhibited specific binding to plasma membrane fragments isolated from interscapular brown fat of 7-day-old rats. 2. Competition studies with epinephrine, yohimbine and practolol revealed that [3H]norepinephrine, the principal in vivo agonist acting upon brown adipocytes, can readily bind to alpha 2-adrenoceptors in brown fat of infant rats. 3. The presence of alpha 2-adrenoceptor subclass in brown fat of infant rats may play a role in the sympathetic regulation of this rapidly proliferating tissue.

The relationship between beta-adrenoceptor regulation and beta-adrenergic responsiveness in hepatocytes. Studies on acquisition, desensitization and resensitization of isoproterenol-sensitive adenylate cyclase in primary culture

The role of beta-adrenoceptor regulation in the mechanisms controlling beta-adrenergic responsiveness in hepatocytes was explored, using primary monolayer cultures. When plated in vitro, these cells gradually acquire a strong catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity and an enhanced ability to bind the beta-adrenoceptor ligand [125I]iodocyanopindolol (125ICYP). Examination of the time course showed that the increase in the number of 125ICYP binding sites was detectable within 1-2 h of culturing and slightly preceded the elevation of isoproterenol-responsive activity. Then the responsiveness rose steeply and between about 5-24 h it closely followed the increase in beta-receptor binding. Addition of isoproterenol (10 microM) to cells after 20 h of culturing caused a rapid homologous desensitization of the adenylate cyclase (50% after about 5 min). This was paralleled by a down-regulation of beta-adrenoceptors measured both in membrane particles and in total cell lysates. Removal of isoproterenol led to a resensitization of the adenylate cyclase, which was rapid and protein-synthesis-independent after a brief (10-min) desensitization, or slow and cycloheximide-sensitive after prolonged (4-h) exposure to the agonist. In both cases an up-regulation of the 125ICYP binding paralleled the recovery from refractoriness. In contrast, no concurring changes in 125ICYP binding were measured when the beta-adrenoceptor-linked adenylate cyclase activity was enhanced by pretreatment with pertussin toxin (islet-activating protein, IAP) or was desensitized by exposure of the cells to glucagon or 8-bromo-cAMP; however, these modulations of the adenylate cyclase were nonselective, since the pretreatments with IAP, glucagon or 8-bromo-cAMP affected both isoproterenol-sensitive and glucagon-sensitive activities. The results suggest that, in hepatocytes, regulation at the beta-adrenoceptor level is a major determinant for both short-term and long-term selective changes of the beta-adrenergic responsiveness.

Elevated level of beta-adrenergic receptors in hepatocytes from regenerating rat liver. Time study of [125I]iodocyanopindolol binding following partial hepatectomy and its relationship to catecholamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase

Hepatocytes from regenerating rat liver show an enhanced epinephrine-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity and cAMP response, which may be involved in triggering of the cell proliferation. We have determined adrenergic receptors and adenylate cyclase activity in hepatocytes isolated at various time points after partial hepatectomy. The number of beta-adrenergic receptors, measured by binding of [125I]iodocyanopindolol ([125I]CYP) to a particulate fraction prepared from isolated hepatocytes, increased rapidly after partial hepatectomy as compared with sham-operated or untreated controls. The maximal increase, which was observed at 48 h, was between 5- and 6-fold (from approximately 1 800 to approximately 10 500 sites per cell). Thereafter, the number of beta-adrenergic receptors decreased gradually. Competition experiments indicated beta 2-type receptors. Parallelism was found between the change in the number of beta 2-adrenergic receptors and the isoproterenol-responsive adenylate cyclase activity. The number of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors, determined by binding of [3H]prazosin, was transiently lowered by about 35% at 18-24 h, with no significant change in Kd. Although the results of this study do not exclude the possibility of post-receptor events, they suggest that the increased number of beta 2-adrenergic receptors is a major factor responsible for the enhanced catecholamine-responsive adenylate cyclase activity in regenerating liver.

Effect of catecholamines and metal chelating agents on the brain and brown adipose tissue Na,K-ATPase

Catecholamines stimulate Na,K-ATPase activity in the microsomal membranes of the brain and brown adipose tissue. This stimulation is apparent in the absence of soluble, cytosolic inhibitors and exhibits the same characteristics in both tissues: it occurs at high concentrations (10(-6)-10(-4) M) only; there is no difference in potency between isoprenaline, norepinephrine and epinephrine (EC50 = 1-2 X 10(-5) M); the D-stereoisomer of isoprenaline is equally as effective as the L-form; stimulation of Na,K-ATPase may also be achieved by the metal chelators EDTA, EGTA and desferal; the hydrophobic beta-blockers, propranolol and alprenolol, inhibit both the norepinephrine-stimulated and basal levels of enzyme activity at concentrations of 10(-5)-10(-3) M; phenoxybenzamine, an irreversible alpha-adrenergic blocker, inhibits basal Na,K-ATPase as well as norepinephrine-stimulated enzyme activity (EC50 = 2.5 X 10(-5) M). Because none of these observations can be related to the properties of the stereospecific adrenergic receptor (alpha or beta), it may be concluded that the catecholamine-Na,K-ATPase interaction is not mediated by the receptor. More probably, catecholamines may antagonize the Na,K-ATPase inhibition caused by some tightly membrane-bound metals (but not vanadium) via the ortho-catechol moiety of the catecholamine molecule. The stimulation of brown fat Na,K-ATPase by catecholamines does not have much relevance to the norepinephrine-stimulated thermogenesis in this tissue.

(-)[125I]iodopindolol binding to beta-adrenergic receptors in tissues of the rat with particular reference to the characterization in liver

The high affinity beta-adrenergic antagonist (-)[125I]iodopindolol was used to characterize and quantitate beta-adrenergic binding in liver and other tissues of the rat. Saturable, stereospecific binding with typical characteristics of beta-adrenergic receptors was demonstrated in all tissues examined (liver, lung, heart, kidney, fat and brain). Unlike the case with other radioactive ligands that have been used to measure beta-adrenergic receptors, assays were possible in crude homogenates as well as in purified membranes. Specific binding was defined as [125I]iodopindolol displaced by 0.1 mM isoproterenol. The percentage of [125I]iodopindolol specifically bound was greater than with other labelled antagonist ligands and it ranged from 95-60% of total binding over [125I]iodopindolol concentrations of 15-1000 pM. beta-Adrenergic binding could be quantitated in liver of animals of all ages whereas previously quantitation in liver was possible only using rats less than 2 months of age. Binding capacities ranged from a low of approximately 6 fmol/mg in liver particles precipitated at 4500 g to approximately 550 fmol/mg in 4500 g lung particles. The Kd of binding obtained by kinetic analysis was similar in all tissues. [125I]Iodopindolol is a nearly ideal ligand for the quantitation of beta-adrenergic receptors in various tissues of the rat. Because of its high affinity, stability and availability at high specific activity, this ligand should be especially useful in physiological studies requiring the accurate quantitation of receptor capacities.