The human VPAC1 receptor: three-dimensional model and mutagenesis of the N-terminal domain

The human VPAC(1) receptor for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide belongs to the class II family of G-protein-coupled receptors with seven transmembrane segments. Like for all class II receptors, the extracellular N-terminal domain of the human VPAC(1) receptor plays a predominant role in peptide ligand recognition. To determine the three-dimensional structure of this N-terminal domain (residues 1-144), the Protein Data Bank (PDB) was screened for a homologous protein. A subdomain of yeast lipase B was found to have 27% sequence identity and 50% sequence homology with the N-terminal domain (8) of the VPAC(1) receptor together with a good alignment of the hydrophobic clusters. A model of the N-terminal domain of VPAC(1) receptor was thus constructed by homology. It indicated the presence of a putative signal sequence in the N-terminal extremity. Moreover, residues (Glu(36), Trp(67), Asp(68), Trp(73), and Gly(109)) which were shown to be crucial for VIP binding are gathered around a groove that is essentially negatively charged. New putatively important residues for VIP binding were suggested from the model analysis. Site-directed mutagenesis and stable transfection of mutants in CHO cells indicated that Pro(74), Pro(87), Phe(90), and Trp(110) are indeed important for VIP binding and activation of adenylyl cyclase activation. Combination of molecular modeling and directed mutagenesis provided the first partial three-dimensional structure of a VIP-binding domain, constituted of an electronegative groove with an outspanning tryptophan shell at one end, in the N-terminal extracellular region of the human VPAC(1) receptor.

Identification of key residues for interaction of vasoactive intestinal peptide with human VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors and development of a highly selective VPAC1 receptor agonist. Alanine scanning and molecular modeling of the peptide

The widespread neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) has two receptors VPAC(1) and VPAC(2). Solid-phase syntheses of VIP analogs in which each amino acid has been changed to alanine (Ala scan) or glycine was achieved and each analog was tested for: (i) three-dimensional structure by ab initio molecular modeling; (ii) ability to inhibit (125)I-VIP binding (K(i)) and to stimulate adenylyl cyclase activity (EC(50)) in membranes from cell clones stably expressing human recombinant VPAC(1) or VPAC(2) receptor. The data show that substituting residues at 14 positions out of 28 in VIP resulted in a >10-fold increase of K(i) or EC(50) at the VPAC(1) receptor. Modeling of the three-dimensional structure of native VIP (central alpha-helice from Val(5) to Asn(24) with random coiled N and C terminus) and analogs shows that substitutions of His(1), Val(5), Arg(14), Lys(15), Lys(21), Leu(23), and Ile(26) decreased biological activity without altering the predicted structure, supporting that those residues directly interact with VPAC(1) receptor. The interaction of the analogs with human VPAC(2) receptor is similar to that observed with VPAC(1) receptor, with three remarkable exceptions: substitution of Thr(11) and Asn(28) by alanine increased K(i) for binding to VPAC(2) receptor; substitution of Tyr(22) by alanine increased EC(50) for stimulating adenylyl cyclase activity through interaction with the VPAC(2) receptor. By combining 3 mutations at positions 11, 22, and 28, we developed the [Ala(11,22,28)]VIP analog which constitutes the first highly selective (>1,000-fold) human VPAC(1) receptor agonist derived from VIP ever described.

The human vasoactive intestinal peptide/pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide receptor 1 (VPAC1) promoter: characterization and role in receptor expression during enterocytic differentiation of the colon cancer cell line Caco-2Cl.20

The basic organization of the human vasoactive intestinal peptide/pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide receptor (VPAC) 1 promoter was investigated after cloning the 5'-flanking region (1.4 kb) of the VPAC1 gene from a human genomic library. Subsequent functional analysis of various deletions of the 5'-flanking sequence, subcloned upstream of a luciferase reporter gene, was carried out in HT-29 cells. The minimal promoter region identified encompasses the -205/+76 sequence and contains a crucial CCAAT box (-182/-178) and a GC-rich sequence. Moreover a region (-1348/-933) containing a silencer element was identified. We previously showed that the expression of the VPAC1 receptor binding site is strictly dependent upon the enterocytic differentiation of human colon cancer Caco-2 cells [Laburthe, Rousset, Rouyer-Fessard, Couvineau, Chantret, Chevalier and Zweibaum (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 10180-10184]. In the present study we show that VPAC1 mRNA increases dramatically when Caco-2Cl.20 cells differentiate, as measured by RNase protection assays and reverse transcriptase-PCR. A single transcript species of 3 kb is detected in differentiated cells by Northern-blot analysis. Accumulation of VPAC1 receptor mRNA is due to a 5-fold increase of transcription rate (run-on assay) without a change in mRNA half-life (9 h). Stable transfections of various constructs in Caco-2Cl.20 cells and subsequent analysis of reporter gene expression, during the enterocytic differentiation process over 25 days of culture, further indicated that the -254/+76 5'-flanking sequence is endowed with the regulatory element(s) necessary for transcriptional regulation of VPAC1 during differentiation. Altogether, these observations provide the first characterization of the basic organization of the human VPAC1 gene promoter and unravel the crucial role of a short promoter sequence in the strict transcriptional control of VPAC1 expression during differentiation of human colon cancer Caco-2 cells.

The human vasoactive intestinal peptide/pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide receptor 1 (VPAC1) promoter: characterization and role in receptor expression during enterocytic differentiation of the colon cancer cell line Caco-2Cl.20

The basic organization of the human vasoactive intestinal peptide/pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide receptor (VPAC) 1 promoter was investigated after cloning the 5'-flanking region (1.4 kb) of the VPAC1 gene from a human genomic library. Subsequent functional analysis of various deletions of the 5'-flanking sequence, subcloned upstream of a luciferase reporter gene, was carried out in HT-29 cells. The minimal promoter region identified encompasses the -205/+76 sequence and contains a crucial CCAAT box (-182/-178) and a GC-rich sequence. Moreover a region (-1348/-933) containing a silencer element was identified. We previously showed that the expression of the VPAC1 receptor binding site is strictly dependent upon the enterocytic differentiation of human colon cancer Caco-2 cells [Laburthe, Rousset, Rouyer-Fessard, Couvineau, Chantret, Chevalier and Zweibaum (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 10180-10184]. In the present study we show that VPAC1 mRNA increases dramatically when Caco-2Cl.20 cells differentiate, as measured by RNase protection assays and reverse transcriptase-PCR. A single transcript species of 3 kb is detected in differentiated cells by Northern-blot analysis. Accumulation of VPAC1 receptor mRNA is due to a 5-fold increase of transcription rate (run-on assay) without a change in mRNA half-life (9 h). Stable transfections of various constructs in Caco-2Cl.20 cells and subsequent analysis of reporter gene expression, during the enterocytic differentiation process over 25 days of culture, further indicated that the -254/+76 5'-flanking sequence is endowed with the regulatory element(s) necessary for transcriptional regulation of VPAC1 during differentiation. Altogether, these observations provide the first characterization of the basic organization of the human VPAC1 gene promoter and unravel the crucial role of a short promoter sequence in the strict transcriptional control of VPAC1 expression during differentiation of human colon cancer Caco-2 cells.

Neurotensin and a non-peptide neurotensin receptor antagonist control human colon cancer cell growth in cell culture and in cells xenografted into nude mice

The intestine is a large endocrine organ, but the dependence of colon cancer on hormones remains unknown. We show here that neurotensin, a paracrine/endocrine peptide in the gut, and the neurotensin receptor antagonist SR 48692 control colon cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo by interacting with receptors that are ectopically expressed in colon cancers. In cell culture, neurotensin stimulates the growth of human colon cancer cell lines (SW480, SW620, HT29, HCT116 and Cl.19A) expressing the neurotensin receptor NTR1 but does not change the growth of Caco2 cells, which do not express NTR1. In SW480 cells, neurotensin is active in the 10(-10) to 10(-6) M concentration range (ED50 = 0.47 nM) while the neurotensin fragment (I-II) is inactive. Neurotensin also enhances the cellular cloning efficiency of SW480 cells in soft agar by inducing a 50% increase of colony formation. This effect is blocked by SR 48692, which alone does not alter colony formation. Subcutaneous delivery of neurotensin (0.54 micromol/kg every 24 hr) by osmotic pumps to nude mice that have been xenografted with SW480 cells results in a significant increase of tumor volume, i.e., up to 255% of control at day 20 of treatment. SR 48692 administered alone (1.7 micromol/kg every 24 hr) by daily i.p. injections reduces the development of tumors formed by xenografting SW480 cells in nude mice. A significant mean reduction of tumor volume of 38% is observed during the 22-day period of treatment. SR 48692 alone is also active at reducing tumor volume after xenografting HCT116 cells in nude mice. Our results support the notion that colon cancer growth may be dependent on blood-borne neurotensin and suggest that non-peptide neurotensin antagonists, such as SR 48692, may be useful for the development of novel therapeutic strategies of colon cancer.

The human vasoactive intestinal Peptide/Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide receptor 1 (VPAC1): constitutive activation by mutations at threonine 343

The human vasoactive intestinal peptide/pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide receptor1 (VPAC1) belongs to the class II subfamily of G protein-coupled receptors. Specific changes by mutagenesis of a strictly conserved threonine (H) into lysine (K), proline (P) or alanine (A) at position 343 of the human VPAC1 receptor resulted in its constitutive activation with respect to cAMP production. Transfection of these mutants into Cos cells evoked a 3.5 fold-increase in the cAMP level as compared to cells transfected with the wild-type receptor. In contrast other mutants such as T343C, T343E or T343F were not constitutively activated. They were otherwise expressed at the cell surface of transfected nonpermeabilized cells. Double mutants were then constructed in which the T343K mutation was associated with a point mutation in the the N-terminal extracellular domain that totally abolished VIP binding or VIP-stimulated cAMP production i.e. E36A or D68A. The corresponding double mutants T343K-E36A and T343K-D68A were no longer constitutively activated. A control double mutant (T343K-D132A) with an unaltered dissociation constant for VIP and cAMP response to VIP, was still constitutively activated. Our findings demonstrate that constitutive activation of the VPAC1 receptor can be evoked by specific mutations of T343 at the junction of the second intracellular loop and fourth transmembrane segment. This constitutive activation appears to require the functional integrity of the N-terminal extracellular VIP binding domain.

Cloning and functional characterization of the human VIP1/PACAP receptor promoter

The 5'-flanking region (1.5 kb) of the gene coding for the human VIP1/PACAP receptor was isolated, sequenced, and characterized. Transient expression of constructs containing sequentially deleted 5'-flanking sequences of the VIP1/PACAP receptor fused to a luciferase reporter gene showed that this sequence was active as a promoter in the intestinal cancer cell line, HT-29, expressing endogenous VIP1/PACAP receptor. The shortest DNA fragment with significant promoter activity encompassed the region from -205 to +76 bp. Deletion of a CCAAT-box sequence in the construction corresponding to -173 to +76 bp dramatically reduced the promoter activity. The promoter -205 to +76 bp has a housekeeping gene structure without TATA-box. It contains GC-rich regions characterized by potential Sp1 and AP2 sites and some potential regulatory elements, such as CRE and ATF, and a CCAAT-box sequence (-182 to -178) crucial for gene transcription.

Constitutive activation of the human vasoactive intestinal peptide 1 receptor, a member of the new class II family of G protein-coupled receptors

The human vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) 1 receptor belongs to the new class II subfamily of G protein-coupled receptors. Specific change by mutagenesis of a strictly conserved histidine into arginine at position 178 of the human VIP1 receptor resulted in its constitutive activation with respect to cAMP production. Transfection of the H178R mutant into COS cells resulted in a 3.5-fold increase in the cAMP level as compared with cells transfected with the wild type receptor or the vector alone. This increase was proportional to the amount of transfected cDNA. The H178R mutant exhibited an otherwise normal cAMP response to VIP as well as a dissociation constant similar to that of the wild type receptor. Other mutants at position 178 such as H178K, H178A, and H178D were not constitutively activated. They were otherwise expressed at the cell surface of transfected nonpermeabilized cells. Double mutants were then constructed in which the H178R mutation was associated with a point mutation in the the N-terminal extracellular domain that totally abolished VIP binding or VIP-stimulated cAMP production, i.e. E36A or D68A. The corresponding double mutants H178R/E36A and H178R/D68A were no longer constitutively activated. A control double mutant (H178R/D132A) with an unaltered dissociation constant for VIP and cAMP response to VIP was still constitutively activated. Our findings demonstrate that constitutive activation of the VIP1 receptor by mutation of His178 into R requires the functional integrity of the N-terminal extracellular VIP binding domain. They might provide interesting generalities about the activation process of G protein-coupled receptors.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)1 receptor. Three nonadjacent amino acids are responsible for species selectivity with respect to recognition of peptide histidine isoleucineamide

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)1 receptors in rats and humans recognize peptide histidine isoleucineamide (PHI) with high and low affinity, respectively. We took advantage of this phenotypic difference to identify the domain responsible for the selective recognition of PHI by rat and human receptors which display >80% sequence identity. After transfection of human and rat receptors in COS cells, the ratio of IC50 for PHI/IC50 for VIP (referred to as P/V) in inhibiting 125I-VIP binding was shown to be >1,000 and <40, respectively. Construction of eight rat/human receptor chimerae by overlap polymerase chain reaction and determination of their P/V ratios demonstrated that the critical domain for PHI recognition is present within a sequence comprising part of the first extracellular loop and third transmembrane domain. This domain contains three different amino acids numbered according to human and rat sequences, respectively, e.g. Gln207 (human) versus His208 (rat), Gly211 versus Ala212 and Met219 versus Val220. Site-directed mutagenesis introducing individual, double, or triple mutations in a chimeric construct revealed that all three amino acids were involved in the recognition of PHI. Triple mutations were then introduced in the wild-type receptors i.e. Q207H, G211A, M219V human VIP1 receptor and H208Q, A212G, V220M rat VIP1 receptor, resulting in a complete change in their phenotype from human to rat and from rat to human, respectively. The results demonstrate that three nonadjacent amino acids are responsible for the selective recognition of PHI by human and rat VIP1 receptors.

Stable expression of the recombinant human VIP1 receptor in clonal Chinese hamster ovary cells: pharmacological, functional and molecular properties

We stably transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells with the recombinant human vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)1 receptor. A clone referred to as Clone 15 was isolated and studied for receptor properties. The following data were obtained: (1) one class of binding site was identified by Scatchard analysis of [125I]VIP binding to cell membranes with a Kd of 0.41 nM and a Bmax of 1.62 pmol/mg protein; (2) the constant Ki for the inhibition of [125I]VIP binding by VIP and related peptides was: VIP (0.9 nM) = pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP)-27 (1.3 nM) < PACAP-38 (6.8 nM) < helodermin (46.0 nM) < human growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) (0.6 microM) < peptide histidine methionineamide (2.0 microM) < secretin (> 10 microM); (3) cross-linking experiments using [125I]VIP identified a single M(r) 67000 recombinant receptor; (4) VIP stimulated cAMP production in Clone 15 cells with an EC50 of 0.20 nM; (5) some previously described VIP receptor antagonists including [4-Cl-D-Phe6, Leu17]VIP, [Ac-Tyr1,D-Phe2]GRF-(1-29) amide and VIP-(10-28) inhibited [125I]VIP binding with a Ki of 0.7, 1.6 and 2.5 microM, respectively. They failed to stimulate cAMP production in Clone 15 cells and inhibited, at least partially, the VIP (0.3 nM)-evoked cAMP production; (6) exposure of Clone 15 cells to 10 nM VIP for 24 h resulted in a sharp decrease in Bmax in Clone 15 cells (0.43 vs. 1.62 pmol/mg protein in control cells) and in the potency and efficacy of VIP in stimulating cAMP. Moreover, immunofluorescence studies using confocal microscopy indicated that the receptor was internalized and sequestered in vesicular structures within the cells. It is concluded that Clone 15 cells provide a valuable tool to further characterize various functional and pharmacological aspects of the human VIP1 receptor.

Mutational analysis of cysteine residues within the extracellular domains of the human vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) 1 receptor identifies seven mutants that are defective in VIP binding

We have used site-directed mutagenesis to investigate the requirement of cysteine residues in the extracellular domains of the human VIP 1 receptor for binding VIP. Cys37, Cys50, Cys63, Cys72, Cys86, Cys105 and Cys122 (N-terminal extracellular domain), Cys208 and Cys215 (second extracellular loop) and Cys288 (third extracellular loop) were mutated into glycine, and mutated cDNAs transfected into Cos-7 cells. It appeared that mutants C50G, C63G, C72G, C86G, C105G, C122G, and C288G did not bind VIP whereas mutants C37G, C208G and C215G bound VIP with the same dissociation constant (#0.5 nM) as the wild-type receptor. All mutated receptor proteins were synthesized by Cos-7 cells (Western blot) and delivered at the plasma membrane level (confocal microscopy). The fact that C208G and C215G mutants retained a complete binding activity while the C288G mutant was inactive does not suggest the presence of a functionally relevant disulfide bond between the second and third extracellular loop of the human VIP receptor contrary to what has been shown in several other heptahelical receptors. It is also concluded that the six crucial cysteine residues, e.g., Cys50, Cys63, Cys72, Cys86, Cys105 and Cys122 in the N-terminal extracellular domain, may be functionally important by forming intramolecular disulfide bonds which help to maintain the topology for ligand binding in human VIP 1 receptors.

Highly conserved aspartate 68, tryptophane 73 and glycine 109 in the N-terminal extracellular domain of the human VIP receptor are essential for its ability to bind VIP

The human VIP receptor belongs to a subfamily of G protein-coupled receptors that includes secretin, glucagon and several other receptors. We have used site-directed mutagenesis to investigate the requirement of highly conserved aspartate 68 (mutant D68G), tryptophane 73 (mutant W73G), proline 87 (mutant P87G), glycine 109 (mutant delta 109) and tryptophane 110 (mutant W110G) for the ability of the human VIP receptor to bind VIP. After transfection of mutated cDNAs in Cos-7 cells, it appeared that mutants G87P and W110G bound VIP with the same dissociation constant as the wild type receptor whereas mutants W73G, P87G and delta 109 did not bind VIP. Since all mutated receptor proteins were synthesized by Cos-7 cells (Western blot) and expressed at the plasma membrane level (immunofluorescence studies), it is concluded that the N-terminal extracellular domain of the human VIP receptor contains highly conserved amino acid residues which are essential for its intrinsic binding activity.

Regional expression of epithelial dipeptidyl peptidase IV in the human intestines

The expression of DPP IV/CD26 was studied in epithelial cells from different regions of the human small intestine and colon. The following data were obtained: 1) DPP IV/CD26 activity was highest in ileum and jejunum, low in duodenum and not detectable in colon; 2) The amount of DPP IV, as analyzed by Western blotting, was very low in duodenum and increased up to the ileum. No DPP IV protein was detected in colon; 3) RT-PCR analysis showed the expected 315-bp product in the small intestine with the highest signal in ileum and jejunum and a low signal in duodenum; a faint PCR signal could be detected in colon. Similar data were obtained by Northern blot analysis which revealed a 3.6-kb transcript only in small intestine. It is concluded that DPP IV/CD26 gene expression in human intestine is highest in the distal small intestine, and that is regulated at the mRNA level.

Neurotensin receptor and its mRNA are expressed in many human colon cancer cell lines but not in normal colonic epithelium: binding studies and RT-PCR experiments

Neurotensin receptor expression was studied in 19 human colon cancer cell lines and normal human colon by i) binding experiments using [125I-Tyr3]-neurotensin; ii) RT-PCR analysis. The following data were obtained: 1) A single class of receptor (Kd ranging from 0.23 to 1.21 nM) was found in 9 out of 19 cell lines but not in normal colonic epithelium; 2) The Bmax was in the range between 1000 and 85 fmoles/mg protein with SW48 > WiDR > Cl 19A > HCT116 > SW480 > SW620 > Cl 16E > Cl 27H > HT-29. No specific binding was measurable in Caco-2, FRI, CBS, EB, HCT-8, 320HRS, 320DM and LS174T cell lines; 3) A single RT-PCR product was observed in HT-29, SW48, WIDR, Cl 19A, SW480, Cl 16E, Cl 27H, SW620 and HCT116, but not in other cell lines or in normal human colon. It is concluded that the expression of neurotensin receptors in human colon cancer cells is regulated at the mRNA level and occurs upon malignancy in > 40% of colon cancer cell lines.

Human intestinal VIP receptor: cloning and functional expression of two cDNA encoding proteins with different N-terminal domains

We describe here two human VIP receptor cDNA clones isolated from a jejunal epithelial cell cDNA library. The hIVR8 cDNA encodes a human VIP receptor consisting of 460 amino acids and has seven putative transmembrane domains like other G protein-coupled receptors. When expressed in COS-7 cells, hIVR8 conferred specific [125I]VIP binding sites (dissociation constant = 0.6 nM) with displacement patterns characteristic of the human common VIP/PACAP receptor, i.e., VIP = PACAP-27 > PACAP-38 > helodermin > growth hormone-releasing factor = peptide methionineamide > secretin. It also conferred stimulation of cAMP production by VIP (half-maximal stimulation for 0.5 nM peptide). Another clone, hIVR5, encodes a 495 amino acid VIP receptor-related protein exhibiting 100% homology with the functional VIP receptor (hIVR8) over the 428 amino acids at the C-terminus but a completely divergent 67 amino acid N-terminal domain. When expressed in COS-7 cells, this VIP receptor-related protein does not bind 125I-VIP, although it is normally addressed at the plasma membrane as assessed by immunofluorescence studies.

Characterization of a common VIP-PACAP receptor in human small intestinal epithelium

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors were characterized in epithelial plasma membranes from human small intestine. Native VIP inhibited the binding of 125I-labeled VIP to jejunal membranes, and Scatchard analysis of these data was consistent with the existence of one class of receptor with a dissociation constant of 42 pM and a maximal binding of 256 fmol/mg membrane protein. VIP stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in human jejunal membranes in the 0.01 nM-1 microM range [half-maximal effective dose = 0.7 nM]. Coupling of VIP receptors with a Gs protein was further assessed by the ability of GTP (10(-8) to 10(-3) M) to inhibit 125I-VIP binding to membranes. 125I-VIP binding was seven to eight times higher in villus cells than in crypt cells. Finally, 125I-VIP binding was detectable throughout the small and large intestines with the highest binding in jejunum. Among the natural peptides structurally related to VIP, some inhibited 125I-VIP binding with the following order of potency: VIP = pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP)-27 = PACAP-38 > helodermin >> peptide histidine methionineamide = human growth hormone-releasing factor > secretin. The same order of potency of peptides for inhibiting 125I-VIP or 125I-labeled PACAP was observed, supporting that the two tracers bound to a common VIP-PACAP receptor site. This order of potency was also observed for the stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity by these peptides. 125I-VIP was cross-linked to membranes using disuccinimidyl suberate. After sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis, one single band of 70,000 mol wt was observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Gs and Gi protein subunits during cell differentiation in intestinal crypt-villus axis: regulation at the mRNA level

The expression of subunits of the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein that mediates hormonal stimulation of adenylyl cyclase (Gs) and of the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein that mediates hormonal inhibition of adenylyl cyclase (Gi) was studied during cell migration and differentiation in the rat small intestine crypt-villus axis. Proliferative crypt cells were separated from nonproliferative mature villus cells and the following data were obtained: 1) alpha s subunits were more abundant in crypt cells than in villus cells as evidenced by cholera toxin-catalyzed [32P]NAD ribosylation and Western blotting of this relative molecular weight (M(r)) 42,000 protein; 2) alpha i2- and alpha i3-subunits (M(r) 40,000 and M(r) 41,000, respectively) were preferentially expressed in villus cells as evidenced by pertussis toxin-catalyzed [32P]NAD ribosylation and Western blotting (alpha i1-subunit was not detectable in intestinal epithelium by using these techniques); 3) Western blotting showed a higher expression of the common beta- (M(r) 36,000) subunit of G proteins in villus cells than in crypt cells; and 4) Northern blot analysis using an alpha s-subunit oligonucleotide probe showed a 1.9-kb mRNA that was more abundant in crypt cells than in villus cells. In contrast, alpha i2- and alpha i3-mRNA species (2.3 and 3.5 kb, respectively), analyzed by using specific cDNA probes, were much more abundant in villus cells than in crypt cells. Finally, two beta-subunit mRNA species of 3.3 and 1.8 kb were detectable in intestinal epithelial cells and were more abundant in villus cells than in crypt cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV expression in rat jejunal crypt-villus axis is controlled at mRNA level

The expression of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV), an intestinal brush-border hydrolase, has been studied in the rat jejunum crypt-villus axis. DPP IV enzyme activity is lower in crypt cells than in villus cells. Indirect immunofluorescence studies, using a polyclonal antibody raised against purified DPP IV, show a gradient of immunoreactivity from the crypts to the villi that was quantified using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Accordingly, Western blot analysis demonstrates that the steady-state amount of DPP IV is much lower in crypt cells than in villus cells. Northern blot analysis was performed using our cDNA probe for human DPP IV that presents more than 94% homology with rat DPP IV cDNA. Results clearly show that there is approximately seven times less DPP IV mRNA in crypt cells than in villus cells. We conclude that the differentiation-dependent expression of DPP IV in rat jejunum is primarily controlled at the mRNA level.

Solubilization and hydrodynamic properties of active peptide YY receptor from rat jejunal crypts. Characterization as a Mr 44,000 glycoprotein

Peptide YY (PYY) receptors were solubilized from rat jejunal crypts using 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl) dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonic acid (CHAPS). The binding of [125I-Tyr36]monoiodo-PYY ([125I]PYY) to CHAPS extracts was time-dependent and reversible. The order of potency of PYY-related peptides for inhibiting [125I]PYY binding was PYY greater than neuropeptide Y much greater than pancreatic polypeptide. Scatchard analysis of equilibrium binding data indicated the presence in soluble extracts of a single class of binding sites with a Kd of 1.02 +/- 0.26 nM and a Bmax of 79 +/- 6 fmol/mg protein. Gel filtration on Sephacryl S-300 and ultracentrifugation on sucrose density gradients of soluble [125I] PYY-receptor complexes revealed a single binding component with the following hydrodynamic parameters: Stokes radius, 4.43 nm; s20,w, 2.48 S; Mr, 48,000; frictional ratio, 1.82. Solubilized PYY receptors bound specifically to concanavalin A-, wheat germ agglutinin-, and soybean-coupled Sepharose, supporting their glycoproteic nature. After cross-linking with disuccinimidyl suberate, electrophoresis of covalent [125I]PYY-receptor complexes in membranes or CHAPS extracts revealed the presence of two bands of Mr 49,000 or 28,000 whose labeling was completely abolished by 1 microM unlabeled PYY. The Mr 49,000 band probably corresponded to the Mr 48,000 PYY-receptor complex evidenced by hydrodynamic studies. Assuming one molecule of [125I]PYY (Mr 4,000) was bound per molecule of receptor, these data show that intestinal PYY receptor consists of a Mr 44,000 glycoprotein after solubilization with CHAPS. The availability of this CHAPS-soluble receptor from rat jejunum represents a major step toward the purification of this newly characterized receptor.

Insulin-like growth factor II/mannose-6-phosphate receptors are transiently increased in the rat distal intestinal epithelium after resection

The levels of insulin-like growth factor II/mannose-6-phosphate (IGF-II/Man-6-P) receptor and the insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) receptor were measured in the intestinal epithelium after 50% resection of the small intestine. Controls were either pair-fed to match the reduced food intake of the resected group or fed ad libitum. [125I]IGF-II binding was transiently increased 2-fold in the distal segment of the small intestine 3 days after resection compared with the pair-fed control. Receptor levels increased from 2.60 nmol/mg protein (pair-fed) to 4.63 nmol/mg protein (resected; p less than 0.001) with no significant change in affinity of IGF-II binding (Kd = 11.2 vs. 9.8 nmol/l). The increase in IGF-II/Man-6-P receptors coincided with increased activity of thymidine kinase in the distal intestinal segment after the resection. [125I]IGF-I binding remained unchanged after the resection. However, the decreased food intake of the pair-fed and resected groups caused a 2-fold increase in the amount of IGF-I receptors (0.18 nmol/mg protein; p less than 0.001) compared with the control fed ad libitum (0.08 nmol/mg protein). IGF-II/Man-6-P receptors were only moderately increased during restricted food intake (2.60 vs. 1.78 nmol/mg protein; p less than 0.005). These results suggest that the IGF-II/Man-6-P receptor may play a role in the adaptive regenerative response of the intestinal epithelium.

Alpha-2 adrenoceptor in rat jejunum epithelial cells: characterization with [3H]RX821002 and distribution along the villus-crypt axis

Alpha-2 adrenergic receptivity of rat jejunum epithelial cells was studied using the new antagonist radioligand, [3H]RX821002 [( 3H]-2-(2-methoxy-1,4-benzodioxan-2-yl)-2-imidazoline). All the parameters of [3H]RX821002 binding were consistent with the labeling of an alpha-2 adrenoceptor. The use of this probe was moreover extremely convenient, because contrarily to [3H]yohimbine and [3H]rauwolscine, [3H]RX821002 displayed in this tissue a very high affinity (Kd = 0.54 +/- 0.12 nM) and a low level of nonspecific binding (5% at 1 nM [3H]RX821002). Competition studies with various antagonists and agonists showed that the labeled sites were alpha-2-selective and stereospecific. Oxymetazoline was much more potent than chlorpromazine or prazosin suggesting that the receptor is of the alpha-2-subtype. Yohimbine and rauwolscine were equipotent, which is also in agreement with the pharmacological definition of this subtype. These two compounds displayed, however, a rather weak affinity (Ki approximately 40 nM), which is somewhat different with what one should expect for a true alpha-2A adrenoceptor. Altogether the competition data indicated that the alpha-2 adrenoceptor from rat jejunal epithelium is neither an alpha-2A, nor an alpha-2B, nor an alpha-2c adrenoceptor and may belong to a fourth subtype.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Distribution of common peptide YY-neuropeptide Y receptor along rat intestinal villus-crypt axis

Rat small intestinal epithelium is equipped with peptide YY (PYY)-preferring receptors, which also recognize neuropeptide Y (NPY) with high affinity. We therefore examined the distribution of PYY-NPY receptors along the villus-crypt axis after separation of mature villus cells from proliferative crypt cells. Specific 125I-labeled PYY binding was nine times higher in crypt cells than in villus cells. This was not due to differential degradation of PYY or PYY binding sites by the two cell populations. Rather, Scatchard analysis of equilibrium binding data showed that binding capacity (Bmax) of receptors increased from villus to crypt. Bmax were 166 +/- 36 and 21 +/- 3 fmol/mg protein, and dissociation constants (Kd) were 0.10 +/- 0.02 and 0.05 +/- 0.02 nM in crude membranes prepared from crypt and villus cells, respectively. For all cell populations, NPY and rat pancreatic polypeptide were 8- and 1,800-fold less potent than PYY in inhibiting 125I-PYY binding, respectively. Therefore, receptors appear to be PYY preferring along the entire villus-crypt axis. Both peptides (at the maximally active concentration of 1 microM) reduced vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-stimulated adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) by 50% in crypt cells. PYY was four to six times more potent than NPY in agreement with the expression of a PYY-preferring receptor. By contrast, neither PYY nor NPY altered VIP-stimulated cAMP levels in villus cells. These results indicate that PYY-preferring receptors, negatively coupled to the cAMP production system, are preferentially expressed in crypt cells where intestinal ionic secretion is believed to take place.

Expression of two types of receptor for insulinlike growth factors in human colonic epithelium

The presence of receptors for insulinlike growth factor I and II in human colonic epithelium is demonstrated. Scatchard analysis of binding data obtained with 125I-insulinlike growth factor I showed an insulinlike growth factor I receptor with a dissociation constant of 8.6 nM and a binding capacity of 0.8 pmol/mg membrane protein. Distinct insulinlike growth factor II receptors labeled with 125I-insulinlike growth factor II were also found with a dissociation constant of 6.9 nM and a binding capacity of 4.7 pmol/mg membrane protein. Two sets of observations make it possible to discriminate between the two types of insulinlike growth factor receptors. (a) Unlabeled insulinlike growth factor I was 3 times more potent than insulinlike growth factor II in inhibiting [125I] insulinlike growth factor I binding. Conversely, unlabeled insulinlike growth factor II was 10 times more potent than insulinlike growth factor I in competing with 125I-insulinlike growth factor II for binding to membranes. Insulin and proinsulin did not compete with either of the tracers. (b) Affinity labeling of membranes followed by sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions, revealed a radio-ligand-receptor complex of molecular weight 130,000 and 250,000 using 125I-insulinlike growth factor I and 125I-insulinlike growth factor II, respectively. These observations indicate that adult human colonic epithelium is abundantly equipped with two sets of receptors that recognize preferentially either insulinlike growth factor I or insulinlike growth factor II.

Functional and immunological evidence for stable association of solubilized vasoactive-intestinal-peptide receptor and stimulatory guanine-nucleotide-binding protein from rat liver

We have reported the solubilization of complexes between vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and its receptor from rat liver in a GTP-sensitive form of Mr 150,000 [Couvineau, A., Amiranoff, B. & Laburthe, M. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 14482-14489]. In the present study, we demonstrate a stable association of solubilized VIP receptor and stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding protein (Gs protein), taking advantage of the ability of the glycoproteic VIP receptor (Mr 48,000), and the inability of the Gs protein, to adsorb to wheat germ agglutinin (WGA). 125I-VIP-receptor complexes solubilized in Triton X-100 were adsorbed on WGA-Sepharose, extensively washed and the radioactivity retained was eluted with 1 mM GTP showing that: (a) radioactivity corresponds to free 125I-VIP and (b) alpha s (Mr 42,000) and beta (Mr 35,000) subunits of Gs protein are detectable in the GTP eluate by immunoblotting using antisera against these subunits. Such an effect of GTP implied that a stable ternary complex consisting of VIP, receptor and Gs protein had been adsorbed to WGA-Sepharose. When Triton-solubilized 125I-VIP-receptor complexes were adsorbed on WGA-Sepharose, then retained material was specifically eluted with 0.3 M N-acetylglucosamine, analysis of the sugar eluate showed the following results. (a) GTP induces the dissociation of 125I-VIP-receptor complexes of Mr 150,000 contained in the eluate indicating that 125I-VIP-receptor-G protein complexes had been adsorbed to the WGA column. (b) The Mr-42,000 alpha s subunit can be specifically ADP-ribosylated by cholera toxin. (c) Immunoblotting using antisera against the alpha s and beta subunits of Gs protein, reveals Mr-42,000 and Mr-35,000 components corresponding to alpha s and beta subunits, respectively. (d) Affinity cross-linking using dithiobis(succinimidyl-propionate) of 125-I-VIP-receptor complexes eluted from the WGA column reveals a major band corresponding to Mr 150,000. Immunoblotting using antisera against the beta-subunit shows the presence of the beta subunit (Mr 35,000) in this Mr-150,000 component. In conclusion, these data provide functional and immunochemical evidence for the physical association of solubilized VIP-receptor complexes with alpha s and beta subunits of Gs protein.

VIP receptors and control of short circuit current in the human intestinal clonal cell line Cl.19A

At the maximally effective concentration of 10 nM, VIP induced a marked (12.5-fold stimulation above basal), and sustained increase in short circuit current in the human intestinal epithelial cell line Cl.19A grown on permeable filters and placed in Ussing chambers. Half-maximal increase of Isc was observed for 0.1 nM VIP. This was well correlated with the VIP-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity (ED50:0.07 nM). Binding studies using 125I-VIP indicated that Cl.19A cells express a peptide-specific VIP receptor with a dissociation constant of 0.07 nM. Covalent labeling of receptors followed by SDS-PAGE analysis of membrane proteins resulted in the identification of a 63,000 dalton binding protein in Cl.19A cells.

Functional VIP receptors in the human mucus-secreting colonic epithelial cell line CL.16E

A polarized human clonal intestinal cell line exhibiting mucus secretion (Cl.16E) was used to study the expression and function of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors in mucus-secreting cells. Cl.16E cells expressed one class of receptors with a KD of 0.13 nM and a capacity of 67 fmol/mg protein. Covalent labeling of receptors followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a receptor protein with a Mr of 63,000 in Cl.16E cells. VIP stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in membranes from Cl.16E cells with an ED50 of 0.06 nM. In conditions where carbachol stimulated mucin secretion from filter-grown Cl.16E cells, VIP, dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (DbcAMP), or forskolin did not alter basal secretion. However, VIP strongly potentiated carbachol-induced mucin secretion, since carbachol alone and VIP plus carbachol induced a 1.6- and 3.6-fold increase of mucin secretion above basal, respectively. This potentiating effect of VIP was mimicked by DbcAMP or forskolin. It was observed for VIP concentrations in the 0.1-100 nM range (ED50, 2 nM). VIP elicited a dramatic increase of intracellular cAMP levels in filter-grown Cl.16E cells with a dose-response curve (ED50, 4 nM) very similar to that observed for the modulation of mucin secretion. These studies suggest that the clonal cell line Cl.16E may be an invaluable cellular model for evaluating the neurohormonal control of mucus secretion.

Peptide-YY and neuropeptide-Y inhibit vasoactive intestinal peptide-stimulated adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate production in rat small intestine: structural requirements of peptides for interacting with peptide-YY-preferring receptors

Previous binding studies indicated that peptide-YY (PYY) and neuropeptide-Y (NPY) shared a common PYY-preferring receptor site in rat small intestinal epithelium. We showed here that PYY and NPY inhibited vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-stimulated cAMP production in epithelial cells isolated from rat small intestine and examined their structure-activity relationship. Inhibition of VIP-stimulated cAMP by PYY or NPY is time and dose dependent; half-maximal effects were observed for 10 and 107 nM, respectively. In contrast, the structurally related peptide, pancreatic polypeptide, was only active at 1 microM. PYY or NPY reduced the efficacy of VIP by about 50% without altering its potency. Both peptides also suppressed prostaglandin E1-, prostaglandin E2-, and forskolin-stimulated cAMP production and reduced basal cAMP levels. Their inhibitory effects were observed throughout the small intestine, including duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, but not in large intestine. PYY or NPY and epinephrine (through alpha 2-adrenergic receptors) did not exert additive inhibitory effects on intestinal cAMP production. Several fragments of PYY and NPY were used to characterize their structural requirement for inhibiting VIP-stimulated cAMP production and competing with [125I]PYY for binding to intestinal membranes. A highly significant correlation was observed between IC50 values measured in the two assays. No partial sequence of PYY retained the full activity of intact PYY, but the C-terminal portion of PYY was shown to be much more important than the N-terminal portion. Deletion of 21 amino acids from the N-terminus [PYY-(22-36)] only resulted in a 4- to 5-fold decrease in potency compared to that of PYY-(1-36). In contrast, PYY-(27-36) exhibited a drastic loss of potency. The N-terminal fragments PYY-(1-22) and PYY-(1-28) also had very low potencies. Similar results were obtained with NPY fragments. These results provide the first insight on the negative coupling of PYY-preferring receptors with the cAMP production system in small intestine and evidence of the crucial role of the C-terminal portion of PYY in interaction with these receptors.

Ac-Tyr1hGRF discriminates between VIP receptors from rat liver and intestinal epithelium

The vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) stimulates adenylate cyclase activity in rat liver and intestinal epithelium with low and high efficacy, respectively. The human growth hormone releasing factor (hGRF) derivative with acetylated N-terminus e.g. Ac-Tyr1hGRF binds to VIP receptors in both tissues with a similar affinity. However, Ac-Tyr1hGRF is a partial VIP agonist with high intrinsic activity in liver (50% that of VIP) whereas it behaves as a VIP antagonist in intestine. These results further argue for a possible heterogeneity of VIP receptor-coupled adenylate cyclase among tissues on a pharmacological basis.

Receptors for insulin-like growth factors I and II in rat gastrointestinal epithelium

Distinct receptors for insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) have been characterized in rat intestinal epithelium using 125I-labeled IGF-I and 125I-labeled IGF-II. In jejunal epithelial plasma membranes, IGF-I receptors were observed with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 7.2 nM and a binding capacity of 0.56 pmol/mg protein. Distinct IGF-II receptors were also found with a Kd of 9.5 nM and a binding capacity of 2.61 pmol/mg protein. For IGF-I receptors the following order of affinity was observed: IGF-I greater than IGF-II greater than insulin greater than proinsulin. IGF-II receptors recognize IGF-II with a 20-fold higher affinity than IGF-I and display no cross-reactivity with insulin and proinsulin. Affinity labeling of intestinal membranes also discriminates between the two types of receptors, revealing a radioligand-receptor complex of relative molecular weight (Mr) 130,000 using 125I-IGF-I and 250,000 for 125I-IGF-II under reducing conditions. Separation of proliferative crypt cells from mature villus cells in the small intestine makes it possible to show that a gradient of IGF receptors is present along the crypt-villus axis. 125I-IGF-I and 125I-IGF-II binding is 4.0- and 1.8-fold higher in crypt cells than in villus cells, respectively. Specific 125I-IGF binding is detectable throughout the gastrointestinal tract. The level of IGF binding is similar in stomach, small intestine, and cecum, but higher values are observed in colon.

Development of vasoactive intestinal peptide-responsive adenylate cyclase during enterocytic differentiation of Caco-2 cells in culture. Evidence for an increased receptor level

The purpose of this work was to study vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors and the adenylate cyclase response to VIP upon enterocytic differentiation of the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line Caco-2 in culture. The VIP-stimulated enzyme activity is very low, e.g. 20% above basal activity in undifferentiated cells (day 5) and is enhanced markedly at confluency reaching a maximum, e.g. 270%, above basal activity in fully differentiated cells (day 30). VIP potency is also slightly enhanced, the EC50 of VIP ranging from 0.31 nM at day 5 to 0.07 nM at day 30. Modifications of the adenylate cyclase system are not responsible for the development of VIP response. Indeed, forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity is unchanged during differentiation supporting no alteration of the enzyme catalytic subunit. The same holds true for NaF and guanosine 5'-(beta, gamma-imido)trisphosphate, indicating a constant activity of the guanine nucleotide regulatory unit which mediates hormonal stimulation of adenylate cyclase (Ns). This is further supported by the similar extent of cholera toxin-catalyzed [32P]ADP-ribosylation of the Ns protein that is observed during differentiation. In sharp contrast, a dramatic increase of VIP receptor concentration is observed ranging from 32 fmol/mg of protein at day 5 to 414 fmol/mg of protein at day 30. This is confirmed by affinity cross-linking experiments showing an increased specific incorporation of 125I-VIP in a major 66,000-dalton component during differentiation. A slight increase in receptor affinity is also observed during differentiation with Kd ranging from 0.39 nM at day 5 to 0.08 nM at day 30. These data indicate that one population of VIP receptors accumulates during Caco-2 cell differentiation, representing the crucial event in the development of adenylate cyclase response to the peptide.

Galanin receptors in a hamster pancreatic beta-cell tumor: identification and molecular characterization

High affinity binding sites for galanin are identified and characterized in membranes from a hamster pancreatic beta-cell tumor. Using the radioiodinated peptide [125I] galanin, interaction of the peptide with pancreatic membranes is shown to be saturable, reversible, and time, temperature, membrane protein concentration, pH, and ionic strength dependent. In optimized equilibrium conditions of binding (90 min at 10 C), native galanin competitively inhibits the binding of [125I]galanin in a dose-dependent manner (from 10(-11)-10(-8) M); half-maximal inhibition is induced by 1 nM peptide. Scatchard analysis indicates the existence of a single population of sites of high affinity (Kd = 1.5 nM) and low capacity (44 fmol/mg protein). The monophasic dissociation process confirms the homogeneity of galanin-binding sites. Galanin-binding sites are highly specific, since apart from native galanin, none of the numerous biologically active peptides tested competes with [125I] galanin for binding to pancreatic membranes. The cross-linking of [125I]galanin to beta-cell membranes is performed using the chemical bifunctional reagent ethylene glycol bis-(succinimidyl succinate). After sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis in the presence or absence of dithiothreitol, one single band of 57,000 mol wt is observed, which may be corresponding to the [125I]galanin-receptor complex. Indeed, labeling of this 57,000 mol wt component is abolished only by native galanin but is unaffected by various other digestive peptides. Assuming one molecule of [125I]galanin is bound per molecule of protein, a 54,000 mol wt protein is identified as the pancreatic galanin receptor. In conclusion, our results indicate for the first time the identification of galanin receptors. Their presence in pancreatic beta-cells suggests a direct role of galanin in regulating endocrine beta-cell function.

Identification and molecular characterization of galanin receptor sites in rat brain

Receptors for galanin are identified and characterized in rat brain membranes. Interaction of [125I]-galanin with its receptors is saturable, time, pH, and ionic strength-dependent. It is reversible and highly peptide specific. Scatchard analysis of binding data reveals the existence of one single class of high affinity binding sites with a KD of 0.9 nM and a capacity of 101 fmoles/mg membranes protein. Chemical cross-linking of [125I]-galanin to its brain receptor followed by SDS-PAGE analysis leads to the identification of one major protein of 56 kD corresponding to the galanin-receptor complex. Our findings provide the first biochemical characterization of galanin receptors in the central nervous system supporting a role for galanin in the control of brain functions.

Phorbol ester induces loss of VIP stimulation of adenylate cyclase and VIP-binding sites in HT29 cells

Treatment of HT29 cells with the tumor promoting phorbol ester PMA resulted in an attenuation of VIP-stimulated cAMP production in intact cells and VIP-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in cell membranes. PMA did not decrease the ability of cholera toxin and forskolin to elevate cAMP levels in intact cells. Fluoride-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in HT29 cells homogenates was not affected by PMA. The maximal VIP binding capacity of homogenates prepared from HT29 cells treated with PMA was decreased by 50%. It is concluded that protein kinase C regulates VIP receptor function possibly through phosphorylation of the VIP receptor.

Interaction of peptide YY with rat intestinal epithelial plasma membranes: binding of the radioiodinated peptide

High affinity binding sites for peptide YY (PYY) have been identified and characterized in plasma membranes prepared from rat jejunal epithelium by studying the kinetics, stoichiometry, and chemical specificity of the interaction of 125I-labeled PYY with membranes. Binding of [125I]PYY was rapid, saturable, reversible, specific, and depended on temperature, pH, and ionic strength. In optimized steady state conditions of binding (2 h of incubation at 15 C), the degradation of both [125I] PYY and binding sites did not exceed 20%. The concentration dependence of PYY binding, determined by adding increasing concentrations of [125I]PYY, indicated that specific binding saturated at 2-3 nM peptide. Scatchard analysis revealed a single class of binding sites with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 434 +/- (SE) 56 pM and a binding capacity of 336 +/- 41 fmol/mg protein (n = 11). Identical results were obtained when increasing concentrations of unlabeled PYY were added to a fixed concentration of [125I]PYY, indicating that the radioiodinated peptide has the same apparent affinity as native PYY. Peptides structurally unrelated to PYY, such as members of the vasoactive intestinal peptide family, insulin, or cholecystokinin octapeptide, were unable to compete with [125I]PYY for binding to membranes. Rat, human, and avian pancreatic polypeptides, which display, respectively, 42%, 47%, and 53% homology with PYY, did inhibit [125I]PYY binding but with an approximate or equal to 100,000-fold lower potency than PYY, indicating the strict structural requirement for recognition by PYY binding sites. In contrast, natural or synthetic neuropeptide Y, which has 25 out of 36 amino acids in common with PYY, retained a high affinity for PYY binding sites [only 4.7 +/- 1.2 (n = 5) times lower than that of PYY]. Specific [125I]PYY binding was particularly high in the upper small intestine and could not be detected in stomach, large intestine, or liver. These findings indicate that rat small intestinal epithelium expresses specific binding sites for the candidate gut hormone PYY that also binds the neuropeptide Y with high affinity, suggesting that the two peptides may regulate the function of small intestinal epithelium, through interaction with a common receptor site.

Study of species specificity in growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) interaction with vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors using GRF and intestinal VIP receptors from rat and human: evidence that Ac-Tyr1hGRF is a competitive VIP antagonist in the rat

In order to determine species specificity in growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) interaction with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) receptors, we have tested rat (r) GRF (with a His1 such as in VIP), human (h) GRF and position 1 substituted analogs of hGRF (Ala1, Ac-Tyr1, His1, Phe1, and Trp1 in the place of Tyr1) for their ability to inhibit 125I-VIP binding and to stimulate adenylate cyclase activity in human and rat intestinal epithelial membranes. We show that rGRF has a much higher affinity than hGRF for both human and rat VIP receptors. In humans, the Ki values for inhibiting 125I-VIP binding are 0.5 (VIP), 26 (rGRF), and 830 nM (hGRF). In rats the values are 0.6 (VIP), 46 (rGRF), and 1100 nM (hGRF). This is due in part to the presence of His1 in rGRF since the analog His1 hGRF has a higher affinity than hGRF in man and rat, i.e., Ki = 320 nM and 460 nM, respectively. Studies of adenylate cyclase stimulation reveal that rGRF and His1 hGRF are full VIP agonists in man and rat, whereas hGRF and its other analogs behave as partial agonists in both species. One of the hGRF analogs tested (Ac-Tyr1hGRF) is of great interest since it inhibits 125I-VIP binding to rat intestinal membranes with a Ki = 430 nM but has a negligible intrinsic activity in stimulating adenylate cyclase activity (about 6% of the efficacy of VIP). This analog does inhibit the VIP-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in a dose-dependent manner, complete inhibition of the VIP (0.01-1 nM) effect being obtained with 30 microM analog. The Schild plot of the inhibitory effect further indicates competitive antagonism. In contrast, Ac-Tyr1hGRF is a partial VIP agonist in humans (about 20% of the efficacy of VIP). These results evidence the important role of His1 for peptide interaction with VIP receptors and provide the first example of a competitive VIP antagonist.

Enterocytic differentiation and glucose utilization in the human colon tumor cell line Caco-2: modulation by forskolin

The human colon cancer line Caco-2 exhibits after confluency a concomitant increase of glycogen accumulation and an enterocytic differentiation. The purpose of this work was to investigate whether forskolin (FK), an activator of adenylate cyclase, would induce a permanent glycogenolysis and, if so, whether it would result in modifications of the differentiation pattern of the cells. FK activates adenylate cyclase in Caco-2 cells with an ED50 of 7 X 10(-6)M. Three different treatment protocols with FK (10(-5)M) were applied: 1) the cells were treated during all the time in culture (20 days); 2) the treatment was started after confluency; 3) the treatment was interrupted after confluency. The presence of FK results in a permanent stimulation of cAMP accumulation (10 to 20 fold the basal values) and in a permanently reduced glycogen content (30 or 50% of the control values). The rates of glucose consumption are increased three and five fold in protocols 1 and 3 respectively. These metabolic changes are associated with morphological changes (tightening of the intercellular spaces and shortening of the brush border microvilli) and with a dual inhibition of the activities of brush border hydrolases: a) an inhibition of the post-confluent increase of activity of sucrase, aminopeptidase N and alkaline phosphatase in the brush border enriched fraction; b) an inhibition of the post-confluent increase of activity of sucrase in the cell homogenate. A comparison of the results obtained in each protocol shows that the morphological modifications and the decrease of the enzyme activities in the brush border fraction are regularly associated with an increased cAMP accumulation, whereas the inhibition of the differentiation of sucrase is a direct consequence of the increase in glucose consumption and decrease in glycogen stores.

Interaction of PHM, PHI and 24-glutamine PHI with human VIP receptors from colonic epithelium: comparison with rat intestinal receptors

PHM, the human counterpart of porcine Peptide Histidine Isoleucine amide (PHI), is shown to be a VIP agonist with low potency on human VIP receptors located in colonic epithelial cell membranes. Its potency is identical to that of PHI but by 3 orders of magnitude lower than that of VIP itself in inhibiting 125I-VIP binding and in stimulating adenylate cyclase activity. This contrasts markedly with the behaviour of PHI on rat VIP receptors located in intestinal epithelial cell membranes where PHI is a potent agonist with a potency that is 1/5 that of VIP. In another connection, we show that 24-glutamine PHI has the same affinity as 24-glutamic acid PHI (the natural peptide) for rat or human VIP receptors. These results indicate that while PHI may exert some physiological function through its interaction with VIP receptors in rodents, its human counterpart PHM is a very poor agonist of VIP in human. Furthermore, they show that the drastic change in position 24 of PHI (neutral versus acid residue) does not affect the activity of PHI, at least on VIP receptors.

Structural requirements for VIP interaction with specific receptors in human and rat intestinal membranes: effect of nine partial sequences

Nine VIP sequences have been tested for their ability to inhibit the specific binding of 125I-VIP and to stimulate adenylate cyclase activity in intestinal epithelial membranes from rat and man. They are VIP 2-28; VIP 1-14; VIP 2-14; VIP 14-28; VIP 15-28; VIP 20-28; VIP 21-28 and two sequences where the N-terminal VIP 1-6 or VIP 1-9 have been joined covalently with the C-terminal VIP 20-28 or VIP 21-28. It appears that only VIP 2-28, VIP 14-28 and VIP 15-18 are able to inhibit competitively the binding of 125I-VIP to human and rat membranes. These analogues are respectively 88, 8,300 and 25,000 times less potent than VIP 1-28 in rat; they are respectively 70, 7,900 and 13,000 times less potent than VIP 1-28 in man. With respect to adenylate cyclase activation, VIP 14-28 and VIP 15-28 are very weak stimulators in the membranes from both species. VIP 2-28 behaves as a full VIP agonist in man whereas it is a partial VIP agonist in rat. These results indicate the structural importance of the whole VIP sequence for interacting with human and rat VIP receptors and further argue for a different structural requirement of rat and human receptors.

Molecular identification of receptors for vasoactive intestinal peptide in rat intestinal epithelium by covalent cross-linking. Evidence for two classes of binding sites with different structural and functional properties

The cleavable cross-linking reagent dithiobis (succinimidyl propionate) or DTSP was shown to link 125I-labeled vasoactive intestinal peptide (125I-VIP) covalently to its receptors in rat intestinal epithelial membranes. DTSP treatment of 125I-VIP-labeled membranes inhibited the dissociation of VIP-receptor complexes in a way which was dependent on both time and concentration (ED50 = 200 microM). Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of membrane proteins revealed three 125I-VIP-protein complexes of Mr 76 000, 36 000 and 17 000. The labeling of those compounds was not observed when: (a) treatment of membranes by DTSP was omitted; (b) the reagent quench, ammonium acetate, was added together with DTSP; (c) DTSP-treated membranes were incubated with 2-mercaptoethanol which reduces the disulfide bond present within DTSP. Labeling of Mr-76 000 and Mr-36 000 complexes was specific in that it could be abolished by native VIP, while the labeling of the Mr-17 000 was not. Densitometric scanning of autoradiographs indicated that: (a) labeling of the Mr-76 000 complex was abolished by low VIP concentrations (0.03--10 nM), by VIP agonists with the relative potency VIP greater than a peptide having N-terminal histidine and C-terminal isoleucine amide greater than secretin, and by GTP (10(-5)--1 mM) but was unaffected by various other peptide hormones; (b) labeling of the Mr-36 000 complex was inhibited by high VIP concentrations (1--300 nM), by VIP agonists at high concentrations but was not affected by GTP and various peptide hormones. Assuming one molecule of 125I-VIP was bound per molecule of protein, two proteins with Mr-73 000 and 33 000 were identified as VIP binding sites. The Mr-73 000 protein displays many characteristics (affinity, specificity, discriminating power toward agonists, sensitivity to GTP regulation) of the high-affinity VIP receptors mediating adenylate cyclase activation. The Mr-33 000 protein displays the characteristics (affinity, specificity) of a low-affinity VIP binding site. This study thus shows the molecular characteristics of the VIP receptor and further argues for the molecular heterogeneity of VIP binding sites.

Interaction of Gila monster venom with VIP receptors in intestinal epithelium of human. A comparison with rat

Gila monster venom (1-300 micrograms/ml) is shown to inhibit completely the binding of [125I]VIP to human and rat intestinal epithelial cell membranes. In both models, the venom inhibits [125I]VIP binding and stimulates adenylate cyclase with a maximal efficiency that is similar to that of VIP and a potency that is 10000-50000 times lower than that of the peptide, on a weight basis. At maximal doses, VIP and Gila monster venom do not exert an additive effect on adenylate cyclase, suggesting that the activation of the enzyme by the venom occurs through VIP receptors. As is the case for VIP, adenylate cyclase activation by Gila monster venom requires the presence of GTP in the incubation medium. Finally, no VIP-like immunoreactivity was detected in the venom using an antiserum raised against mammalian VIP. All these data suggest the presence in the venom of the Gila monster, of a new substance which behaves as a VIP agonist in human as well as rat intestine.

Interaction of GRF with VIP receptors and stimulation of adenylate cyclase in rat and human intestinal epithelial membranes. Comparison with PHI and secretin

GRF (10(-8) - 10(-5) M) is shown to inhibit competitively the binding of [125I]VIP to human and rat intestinal epithelial membranes. The affinity of GRF for VIP receptor is 700-800-times lower than that of VIP in both species. The order of affinity of different peptides is VIP greater than PHI greater than secretin greater than GRF in rat, and VIP greater than GRF greater than PHI greater than secretin in man. The important species specificity of VIP receptors in recognizing PHI and secretin does not occur in the case of GRF. GRF stimulates adenylate cyclase through its interaction with VIP receptors in rat and human membranes. However, while GRF behaves as a VIP agonist in human tissue, it is a partial agonist/antagonist of VIP in the rat.

[Calmodulin regulation of intestinal epithelium adenylate cyclase (author's transl)]

Calmodulin stimulation of intestinal adenylate cyclase was evidenced in plasma membranes from isolated Rat intestinal epithelial cells. In the presence of free calcium, 10(-7) M calmodulin significantly stimulates intestinal enzyme activity and the maximal effect is induced by 10(-5) M calmodulin. Trifluoperazine, a specific calmodulin inhibitor suppresses this effect. These results suggest that calcium, via calmodulin, plays an important role in the regulation of cyclic AMP production in intestinal epithelium.