Recovery of oligomers and cooperativity when monomers of the M2 muscarinic cholinergic receptor are reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles

FLAG- and HA-tagged M2 muscarinic receptors from coinfected Sf9 cells have been purified in digitonin-cholate and reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles. The purified receptor was predominantly monomeric: it showed no detectable coimmunoprecipitation; it migrated as a monomer during electrophoresis before or after cross-linking with bis(sulfosuccinimidyl)suberate; and it bound agonists and antagonists in a manner indicative of identical and mutually independent sites. Receptor cross-linked after reconstitution or after reconstitution and subsequent solubilization in digitonin-cholate migrated almost exclusively as a tetramer. The binding properties of the reconstituted receptor mimicked those reported previously for cardiac muscarinic receptors. The apparent capacity for N-[3H]methylscopolamine (NMS) was only 60% of that for [3H]quinuclidinylbenzilate (QNB), yet binding at saturating concentrations of [3H]QNB was inhibited fully and in a noncompetitive manner at comparatively low concentrations of unlabeled NMS. Reconstitution of the receptor with a saturating quantity of functional G proteins led to the appearance of three classes of sites for the agonist oxotremorine-M in assays with [3H]QNB; GMP-PNP caused an apparent interconversion from highest to lowest affinity and the concomitant emergence of a fourth class of intermediate affinity. All of the data can be described quantitatively in terms of cooperativity among four interacting sites, presumably within a tetramer; the effect of GMP-PNP can be accommodated as a shift in the distribution of tetramers between two states that differ in their cooperative properties. Monomers of the M2 receptor therefore can be assembled into tetramers with binding properties that closely resemble those of the muscarinic receptor in myocardial preparations.

Inhibition of ligand binding to G protein-coupled receptors by arachidonic acid

Arachidonic acid (AA), released in response to muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) stimulation, previously has been reported to function as a reversible feedback inhibitor of the mAChR. To determine if the effects of AA on binding to the mAChR are subtype specific and whether AA inhibits ligand binding to other G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the effects of AA on ligand binding to the mAChR subtypes (M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5) and to the micro-opioid receptor, beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2-AR), 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor (5-HTR), and nicotinic receptors were examined. AA was found to inhibit ligand binding to all mAChR subtypes, to the beta2-AR, the 5-HTR, and to the micro-opioid receptor. However, AA does not inhibit ligand binding to the nicotinic receptor, even at high concentrations of AA. Thus, AA inhibits several types of GPCRs, with 50% inhibition occurring at 3-25 MuM, whereas the nicotinic receptor, a non-GPCR, remains unaffected. Further research is needed to determine the mechanism by which AA inhibits GPCR function.

Monomers and Oligomers of the M2 Muscarinic Cholinergic Receptor Purified from Sf9 Cells

G protein-coupled receptors are known to form oligomers. To probe the nature of such aggregates, as well as the role and prevalence of monomers, epitope-tagged forms of the M(2) muscarinic receptor have been isolated as oligomers and monomers from Sf9 cells. Membranes from cells coexpressing the c-Myc- and FLAG-tagged receptor were solubilized in digitonin-cholate, and the receptor was purified by successive passage through DEAE-Sepharose, the affinity resin 3-(2'-aminobenzhydryloxy)tropane (ABT)-Sepharose, and hydroxyapatite. Coimmunoprecipitation of the two epitopes indicated the presence of oligomers at each stage of the purification up to but not including the fraction eluted specifically from ABT-Sepharose. The affinity-purified receptor therefore appeared to be monomeric. The failure to detect coimmunoprecipitation was not due to an ineffective antibody, nor did the conditions of purification appear to promote disaggregation. Receptor at all stages of purification bound N-[(3)H]methylscopolamine and [(3)H]quinuclidinylbenzilate with high affinity, but the capacity of receptors that were not retained on ABT-Sepharose was only 4% of that expected from densitometry of western blots probed with an anti-M(2) antibody. Similarly low activity was found with oligomers isolated by successive passage of coexpressed receptor on anti-c-Myc and anti-FLAG immunoaffinity columns. M(2) muscarinic receptors therefore appear to coexist as active monomers and largely or wholly inactive oligomers in solubilized extracts of Sf9 cells. A different pattern emerged when coinfected cells were treated with quinuclidinylbenzilate prior to solubilization, in that ABT-purified receptors from those cells exhibited coimmunoprecipitation. Treatment with the antagonist therefore led to oligomers in which at least some of the constituent sites were active and were retained by ABT-Sepharose.

Capillary electrophoresis/mass spectrometry: a promising tool for the control of some physiologically hazardous compounds. I-derivatives of 3-quinuclidinol

A method based on the coupling of capillary electrophoresis with mass spectrometry (CE/MS) was developed for the monitoring of 3-quinuclidinol and its four N-alkyl derivatives (methyl, ethyl, propyl and isopropyl derivatives). A fragmentation study (collision-induced dissociation of ions in an ion trap) and optimization of the ion optics set-up for CE/MS experiments using direct infusion of a methanolic solution of the standards into the mass spectrometer were carried out in advance. Molecular ions of all quaternary compounds and the quasi-molecular ion [M + H]+ of free 3-quinuclidinol prevail in the mass spectra. In the MS/MS of propyl and isopropyl derivatives, the elimination of the alkyl chain dominates, leading to the ion at m/z 128. The fragmentation of the other compounds is more complex. Previous CE separation of the mixture of isobaric propyl and isopropyl derivatives is necessary for their unambiguous identification. A 10 mM ammonium acetate buffer (pH 4.0) is the optimum running electrolyte, allowing the CE separation of methyl, ethyl, propyl and isopropyl derivatives. A 0.5% (v/v) solution of acetic acid in methanol provides sufficient detection sensitivity when used as the sheath liquid. Limits of detection of 0.1 ppm for 3-quinuclidinol and 0.05 ppm for quaternary derivatives were achieved under the optimum conditions. The optimized method was applied to the determination of 3-quinuclidinol and related quaternary derivatives spiked into a sample of pond water. The experimental set-up for CE/MS/MS was investigated, which strongly increases the identification capability of the technique.

Cooperativity and oligomeric status of cardiac muscarinic cholinergic receptors

Muscarinic cholinergic receptors can appear to be more numerous when labeled by [(3)H]quinuclidinylbenzilate (QNB) than by N-[(3)H]methylscopolamine (NMS). The nature of the implied heterogeneity has been studied with M(2) receptors in detergent-solubilized extracts of porcine atria. The relative capacity for [(3)H]NMS and [(3)H]QNB was about 1 in digitonin-cholate, 0.56 in cholate-NaCl, and 0.44 in Lubrol-PX. Adding digitonin to extracts in cholate-NaCl increased the absolute capacity for both radioligands, and the relative capacity increased to near 1. The latency cannot be attributed to a chemically impure radioligand, instability of the receptor, an irreversible effect of NMS, or a failure to reach equilibrium. Binding at near-saturating concentrations of [(3)H]QNB in cholate-NaCl or Lubrol-PX was blocked fully by unlabeled NMS, which therefore appeared to inhibit noncompetitively at sites inaccessible to radiolabeled NMS. Such an effect is inconsistent with the notion of functionally distinct, noninterconverting, and mutually independent sites. Both the noncompetitive effect of NMS on [(3)H]QNB and the shortfall in capacity for [(3)H]NMS can be described quantitatively in terms of cooperative interactions within a receptor that is at least tetravalent; no comparable agreement is possible with a receptor that is only di- or trivalent. The M(2) muscarinic receptor therefore appears to comprise at least four interacting sites, presumably within a tetramer or larger array, and ligands appear to bind in a cooperative manner under at least some conditions.

The determination of a degradation product in clidinium bromide drug substance by capillary electrophoresis with indirect UV detection

A capillary electrophoresis (CE) method utilizing indirect ultraviolet (UV) detection was developed for the determination of a non-UV absorbing degradation product, Ro 5-5172, in clidinium bromide drug substance. The electrophoresis buffer consisted of sodium phosphate and benzyltrimethylammonium bromide. Rinsing the capillary with sodium hydroxide followed by water then fresh capillary electrophoresis buffer was found to significantly improve the reproducibility of the migration times of the analytes. To further improve run-to-run reproducibility, an internal marker was used to account for differences in injection volumes and migration times between runs. The precision of the method was found to be less than 1% relative standard deviation for the migration time ratio and peak area ratio of Ro 5-5172 to the internal standard. The method was found to be linear for 0.05-1% Ro 5-5172 with respect to a 10 mg ml-1 sample preparation. The limit of detection was found to be less than 0.01% Ro 5-5172. Results obtained for the analysis of a clidinium bromide drug substance lot using this CE method and a thin layer chromatography method were compared and found to be in agreement.

Correction of the stereochemical assignment of the benzilic acid center in (R)-(-)-3-quinuclidinyl (S)-(+)-4-iodobenzilate [(R,S)-4-IQNB]

Radioiodinated (R)-quinuclidinyl-4-iodobenzilate (4IQNB) is a high affinity muscarinic antagonist which has been utilized for in vitro and in vivo assays, and for SPECT imaging in humans. 4IQNB exists in four different diastereomeric forms, since there are two asymmetric centers at the quinuclidinyl and benzilic acid centers. Based upon our in vivo studies, we have determined that the absolute stereochemistry previously assigned to the benzilic center was incorrect for the diastereomer that had been previously referred to as '(R)-quinuclidinyl-(R)-4-iodobenzilate' [(R,R)-4IQNB]. The correct designation for this diastereomer is '(R)-quinuclidinyl-(S)-4-iodobenzilate' [(R,S)-4IQNB].

In vivo autoradiography of radioiodinated (R)-3-quinuclidinyl (S)-4-iodobenzilate [(R, S)-IQNB] and (R)-3-quinuclidinyl (R)-4-iodobenzilate [(R,R)-IQNB]. Comparison of the radiolabelled products of a novel tributylstannyl precursor with those of the established triazene and exchange methods

Radioiodinated (R,S)-IQNB and (R,R)-IQNB are prepared either from a triazene precursor or using an exchange reaction. In both cases the radiochemical yield is low. The product of the exchange reaction also suffers from having a fairly low specific activity. A new method for preparing radioiodinated (R,S)-IQNB and (R,R)-IQNB from a tributylstannyl precursor has recently been developed. This method is more convenient and much faster than the triazene and exchange methods, and it reliably results in a high radiochemical yield of a high specific activity product. In rat brain, the in vivo properties of the radioiodinated products of the tributylstannyl method are identical to those of the corresponding radioiodinated (R,S)-IQNB and (R,R)-IQNB prepared using the triazene and exchange methods. Dissection studies of selected brain regions show that at 3 h post injection (R,S)-[125I]IQNB prepared by all three methods have indistinguishable % dose g-1 values in all brain regions studied. Autoradiographic comparison of coronal slices through the anteroventral nucleus of the thalamus, through the hippocampus and through the pons at 2 h post injection shows that (R,S)-[125I]IQNB prepared by the triazene and tributylstannyl methods have indistinguishable patterns of binding.

An improved method for rapid and efficient radioiodination of iodine-123-IQNB

The SPECT radioligand, 3-quinuclidinyl-4-[123I]iodobenzilate ([123I]IQNB), binds to muscarinic receptors and has generated interest as a potential agent for clinical SPECT. Unfortunately, cumbersome and inefficient radioiodination procedures have limited the practicality of [123I]IQNB SPECT imaging.

METHODS

We report a rapid (5 min) and simple radioiodination procedure for preparing [123I]IQNB from a tri-n-butylstannyl precursor in a no-carrier-added reaction that yields high specific activity with radiochemical yield exceeding 60%. The radiochemical purity of the final product exceeds 95%.

RESULTS

We have used this procedure to radioiodinate the four stereoisomers of [123I]IQNB. The procedure is highly reliable and reproducible. SPECT studies on a healthy human volunteer at 1, 2, 6 and 24 hr after injection of each of the four stereoisomers reveal expected differences in the kinetic and binding characteristics of the four stereoisomers. (R,S)-[123I]IQNB appears to be the SPECT agent of choice.

CONCLUSION

Radioiodination of [123I]IQNB from our tri-n-butylstannyl precursor is simpler, more efficient and less expensive than previous techniques. The potential exists for a "kit" which would be practical in a typical clinical setting.

Formation of the functional complexes of m2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors with GTP-binding regulatory proteins in solution

Sixteen different detergents were studied for solubilization of functional complexes between m2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR) and guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (G proteins). More than 40% of solubilized mAChR retained their GTP-dependent high affinity for agonist binding after solubilization with sucrose monolaurate, whereas all other detergents studied gave considerably lower solubilization yields or caused the loss of the high affinity for agonist binding. The preformation of mAChR-G protein complexes in membranes revealed that a large excess of G proteins did not increase the portion of high-affinity binding sites, but caused GTP- and Mg2(+)-dependent inhibition of the binding of radioactive antagonists to mAChR. The optimization of detergent concentration and other experimental conditions revealed that up to 47% of the solubilized receptors indicated the GTP-dependent high affinity for agonist binding after mixing solubilized mAChR with purified G proteins in sucrose monolaurate in the presence of Mg2+ and carbachol. These results give the first clear proof of the formation of functional complexes between mAChR and G proteins in solution and indicate that GTP-dependent high-affinity agonist binding is connected to the direct interactions between mAChR and G proteins and that other membrane components are not necessary.

Muscarinic binding sites of the pig intravesical ureter

1. Muscarinic receptors in the pig intravesical ureter were characterized by binding assays in which the muscarinic receptor antagonist, (-)-[3H]-quinuclidinyl benzylate ([3H]QNB) was used as radioligand. 2. The specific binding of [3H]-QNB (about 90% of the total binding, as defined with 10(-5) M unlabelled atropine) was dependent on protein concentration, saturable, and of high affinity (KD = 0.13 +/- 0.02 nM). 3. Displacement of [3H]-QNB specific binding by the M1-selective antagonist, pirenzepine, described a two-component curve, with a minor (17%) high affinity component (pKiH = 8.75), and a major (83%) low affinity one (pKiL = 6.34). The M3-preferential antagonists, hexa-hydro-sila-difenidol (HHSid) and p-fluoro-HHSiD (p-F-HHSiD) delineated also two sites, with pKiH of 8.91 and 8.57 and pKiL of 6.94 and 7.05, respectively. However, the M2-selective antagonists, 11-(2-(diethyl-amino)methyl-1-piperidinylacetyl)-5,11-dihydro-6H-p yrido-(2,3-b)- (1,4)-benzodiazepin-6-one (AF-DX 116, pKi = 6.72) and methoctramine (pKi = 8.34), as well as the M4-selective antagonists, tropicamide (pKi = 7.15) and himbacine (pKi = 8.65) fitted best to a single population of sites. Moreover, 4-diphenyl-acetoxy-N-methyl-piperidine methiodide (4-DAMP), a muscarinic antagonist that discriminates the M1 and M3 versus the M2 subtypes, also delineated one site (pKi = 8.36). 4. The antagonist profile clearly indicates the existence of an M2 population in the porcine intravesical ureter. In addition, the presence of a minor non-M2 population, which may be formed by a mixture of several muscarinic subtypes (i.e. M1, M3 and/or M4) can not be discounted. 5. The present work confirms the results obtained in previous functional studies where the stimulation of muscarinic receptors by carbachol evoked the contraction of the pig isolated intravesical ureter.

Effect of phospholipid hydrolysis by phospholipase A2 on the kinetics of antagonist binding to cardiac muscarinic receptors

Activation of phospholipases during prolonged myocardial ischemia could contribute to the functional derangement of myocardial cells by altering the phospholipid environment of a number of membrane bound proteins including receptors. The present study examined the kinetics of muscarinic receptor antagonist [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate binding ([3H]QNB) to muscarinic receptors of highly purified sarcolemmal membranes under control conditions and after treatment with phospholipase A2 (PLA2; EC 3.1.1.4). Initial binding rates of QNB exhibited saturation kinetics, when plotted against the ligand concentration in control and PLA2 treated sarcolemmal membranes. This kinetic behaviour of QNB-binding is consistent with at least a two step binding mechanism. According to this two step binding hypothesis an unstable intermediate receptor-QNB complex (R*QNB) forms rapidly, and this form undergoes a slow conversion to the high affinity ligand-receptor complex R-QNB. The Michaelis constant Km of R-QNB formation was 1.8 nM, whereas the dissociation constant Kd obtained from equilibrium measurements was 0.062 nM. After 5 min exposure of sarcolemmal membranes to PLA2QNB binding capacity (Bmax) was reduced by 62%, and the affinity of the remaining receptor sites was decreased by 47% (Kd = 0.116 nM). This PLA2-induced increase of Kd was accompanied by a corresponding increase of Km, whereas the rate constants k2 and k-2 of the hypothetical slow conversion step (second reaction step) remained unchanged. These results suggest that binding of QNB to cardiac muscarinic receptors induces a transition in the receptor-ligand configuration, which is necessary for the formation of the final high affinity R-QNB complex. PLA2-induced changes of the lipid environment result in the inability of a part of the receptor population to undergo this transition, thereby inhibiting high affinity QNB-binding.

The effect of hyperphenylalaninaemia on the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor in the HPH-5 mouse brain

Previous studies on the effect of hyperphenylalaninaemia on the development of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor in the cerebrum of the rat, using alpha-methylphenylalanine-induced hyperphenylalaninaemia, have shown a gradual and steady decrease in the number of binding sites for this neurotransmitter. The HPH-5 mouse, a phenylalanine hydroxylase mutant, can be hyperphenylalaninaemic without the use of a hydroxylase inhibitor. By employing quantitative autoradiography using [3H]quinuclinidylbenzilate to label muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, a refined analysis of this decrease in neurotransmitter binding sites can be made. The decrease was confirmed and is therefore due to the hyperphenylalaninaemia per se and not to the use of the inhibitor. Various areas of the brain reacted differently to hyperphenylalaninaemia, from no change (putamen) to a gradual decrease (external layer of the olfactory bulb, parietal, occipital and cingulate areas of the cerebral cortex, CA1 and CA3 layer of the hippocampus) to a decrease preceded by a transient increase (frontal area of the cerebral cortex, caudate nucleus). The extent of these changes depends on the duration of exposure to hyperphenylalaninaemia as well as on the degree of brain maturation, but can even be observed in the brain of the adult mouse on a hyperphenylalaninaemic regimen for 11 days. Since the hippocampus has been shown to be involved in the long-term storage of information, damage to this structure by hyperphenylalaninaemia may provide a clue to the global mental retardation observed in untreated PKU.

Synthesis and receptor affinities of new 3-quinuclidinyl alpha-heteroaryl-alpha-aryl-alpha-hydroxyacetates

Five analogues of 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate were prepared in which one phenyl ring was substituted by a heterocycle; a bromine was included on either the remaining phenyl or the heterocycle to provide information relating to the affinity of potential radiohalogenated derivatives. Their affinities for the muscarinic cholinergic receptor were determined. Replacing a phenyl ring with either the 2- or 3-furyl moiety or the 2- or 3-thienyl moiety did not significantly alter the affinity to the muscarinic receptor compared with 3-quinuclidinyl 4-bromobenzilate.

Allosteric regulation of cloned m1-m5 muscarinic receptor subtypes

Allosteric regulation of [3H]N-methylscopolamine [( 3H]NMS) and [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate [( 3H]QNB) dissociation from the m1-m5 muscarinic receptor subtypes was examined in transfected CHO-K1 cells. Half-times of dissociation of [3H]NMS from cell membranes (at 23 degrees) ranged from less than 5 min for the m2 subtype to more than 60 min for the m5 subtype. For [3H]QNB, half-times (at 37 degrees) ranged from 1 hr (m2) to almost 4 hr (m3). The presence of gallamine slowed the dissociation of [3H]NMS from all of the subtypes, with an order of potency of m2 greater than m4 greater than m1 greater than m3 greater than m5. Dissociation of [3H]QNB from m1 and m2 receptors was modulated by gallamine in the biphasic manner that we have described previously for cardiac receptors; that is, low concentrations (1-10 microM) of gallamine accelerated dissociation, while 1 mM gallamine slowed it. Verapamil slowed the dissociation of [3H]-QNB from the m2 receptor in a monophasic manner, while the action of d-tubocurarine was qualitatively similar to that of gallamine. The potency of gallamine in allosterically regulating the m2 receptor was inversely related to ionic strength. Inactivation of pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins abolished the ability of guanine nucleotides to regulate agonist affinity at the m2 receptor, but had no effect on allosteric regulation of the m2 receptor. These findings indicate that susceptibility to allosteric regulation varies in a complex way across muscarinic receptor subtypes and according to the choice of ligand.

Synthesis and muscarinic cholinergic receptor affinities of 3-quinuclidinyl alpha-(alkoxyalkyl)-alpha-aryl-alpha-hydroxyacetates

Seven analogues of 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) in which one phenyl ring was replaced by an alkoxyalkyl moiety were synthesized and their affinities for the muscarinic cholinergic receptor determined. An oxygen in the beta-position of the moiety was not well-tolerated. By contrast, an oxygen in the gamma-position did not change the affinity for the muscarinic receptor. However, when a bromine was placed on the remaining phenyl ring, the affinity was significantly reduced in striking contrast to results obtained on halogenation of QNB.

Effect of the steroidal alkaloid buxaminol-E on blood pressure, acetylcholinesterase activity and (3H)quinuclidinyl benzilate binding in cerebral cortex

Pharmacological properties of the steroidal alkaloid buxaminol-E isolated from Buxus sempervirens varietas bullata were studied in relation to the cholinergic nervous system. In anaesthetised cats buxaminol-E (1.25 mumol/kg) initially induced a small short-lasting increase in blood pressure followed by marked hypotension. Atropine (1.47 mumol/kg) inhibited the hypotensive effect almost completely and methylatropine (1.47 mumol/kg) partially. Buxaminol-E and the muscarinic agonists McN-A-343 and bethanechol inhibited the binding of the muscarinic antagonist (3H)quinuclidinyl benzilate in cat and rabbit cerebral cortex membranes in decreasing order of potency. In about 10-fold higher concentrations they also inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity in cat cerebral cortex in the same order of potency. The results suggest that the hypotensive effect of buxaminol-E could be due to both central and peripheral activation of muscarinic receptors, and to a lesser degree to inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity.

Muscarinic receptor subtype selectivity of novel heterocyclic QNB analogues

In an effort at synthesizing centrally-active subtype-selective antimuscarinic agents, we derivatized QNB (quinuclidinyl benzilate), a potent muscarinic antagonist, by replacing one of the phenyl groups with less lipophilic heterocyclic moieties. The displacement of [3H]-N-methyl scopolamine binding by these novel compounds to membranes from cells expressing m1-m4 receptor subtypes was determined. Most of the novel 4-bromo-QNB analogues were potent and slightly selective for m1 receptors. The 2-thienyl derivative was the most potent, exhibiting a 2-fold greater potency than BrQNB at m1 receptors, and a 4-fold greater potency at m2 receptors. This compound was also considerably less lipophilic than BrQNB as determined from its retention time on C18 reverse phase HPLC. This compound may therefore be useful both for pharmacological studies and as a candidate for a radioiodinated SPECT imaging agent for ml muscarinic receptors in human brain.