Normalizing dopamine D2 receptor-mediated responses in D2 null mutant mice by virus-mediated receptor restoration: comparing D2L and D2S

D2 receptor null mutant (Drd2(-/-)) mice have altered responses to the rewarding and locomotor effects of psychostimulant drugs, which is evidence of a necessary role for D2 receptors in these behaviors. Furthermore, work with mice that constitutively express only the D2 receptor short form (D2S), as a result of genetic deletion of the long form (D2L), provides the basis for a current model in which D2L is thought to be the postsynaptic D2 receptor on medium spiny neurons in the basal forebrain, and D2S the autoreceptor that regulates the activity of dopamine neurons and dopamine synthesis and release. Because constitutive genetic deletion of the D2 or D2L receptor may cause compensatory changes that influence functional outcomes, our approach is to identify aspects of the abnormal phenotype of a Drd2(-/-) mouse that can be normalized by virus-mediated D2 receptor expression. Drd2(-/-) mice are deficient in basal and methamphetamine-induced locomotor activation and lack D2 receptor agonist-induced activation of G protein-regulated inward rectifying potassium channels (GIRKs) in dopaminergic neurons. Here we show that virus-mediated expression of D2L in the nucleus accumbens significantly restored methamphetamine-induced locomotor activation, but not basal locomotor activity, compared to mice receiving the control virus. It also restored the effect of methamphetamine to decrease time spent in the center of the activity chamber in female but not male Drd2(-/-) mice. Furthermore, the effect of expression of D2S was indistinguishable from D2L. Similarly, virus-mediated expression of either D2S or D2L in substantia nigra neurons restored D2 agonist-induced activation of GIRKs. In this acute expression system, the alternatively spliced forms of the D2 receptor appear to be equally capable of acting as postsynaptic receptors and autoreceptors.

Overview of neural gene expression

This overview describes issues that must be considered before attempting to express neural cDNAs in mammalian cells, including the choice of expression vector and cell type. Considerations for introducing recombinant vectors into cells are discussed along with a comparison of achieving stable or transient expression. Finally, the appropriate promoter is crucial and must be chosen to fit the design of the expression system.

Dopamine D2 receptor-induced heterologous sensitization of adenylyl cyclase requires Galphas: characterization of Galphas-insensitive mutants of adenylyl cyclase V

Whereas acute stimulation of Galphai/o-coupled receptors inhibits the activity of adenylyl cyclase, a delayed consequence of persistent activation of the receptors is heterologous sensitization, an enhanced responsiveness of adenylyl cyclase to activators such as forskolin or agonists of Galphas-coupled receptors. Galphas-insensitive mutants of adenylyl cyclase type V were used to test the hypothesis that heterologous sensitization requires Galphas-dependent activation of adenylyl cyclase. When adenylyl cyclase was stably expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells with the D2L dopamine receptor, basal, forskolin-stimulated, and isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation were all enhanced by 2-h pretreatment with the D2 receptor agonist quinpirole. Transient expression of wild-type adenylyl cyclase and three Galphas-insensitive mutants (F379L, R1021Q, and F1093S) in HEK293 cells stably expressing the D2L receptor demonstrated that all three mutants had little or no responsiveness to beta-adrenergic receptor-mediated activation of Galphas but that the mutants retained sensitivity to forskolin and to D2L receptor-mediated inhibition. Transiently expressed adenylyl cyclase V was robustly sensitized by 2-h pretreatment with quinpirole. In contrast, the Galphas-insensitive mutants displayed no sensitization of forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation, indicating that responsiveness to Galphas is required for the expression of heterologous sensitization.

Modeling and mutational analysis of a putative sodium-binding pocket on the dopamine D2 receptor

A homology model of the dopamine D2 receptor was constructed based on the crystal structure of rhodopsin. A putative sodium-binding pocket identified in an earlier model (PDB ) was revised. It is now defined by Asn-419 backbone oxygen at the apex of a pyramid and Asp-80, Ser-121, Asn-419, and Ser-420 at each vertex of the planar base. Asn-423 stabilizes this pocket through hydrogen bonds to two of these residues. Highly conserved Asn-52 is positioned near the sodium pocket, where it hydrogen-bonds with Asp-80 and the backbone carbonyl of Ser-420. Mutation of three of these residues, Asn-52 in helix 1, Ser-121 in helix 3, and Ser-420 in helix 7, profoundly altered the properties of the receptor. Mutants in which Asn-52 was replaced with Ala or Leu or Ser-121 was replaced with Leu exhibited no detectable binding of radioligands, although receptor immunoreactivity in the membrane was similar to that in cells expressing the wild-type D2L receptor. A mutant in which Asn-52 was replaced with Gln, preserving hydrogen-bonding capability, was similar to D2L in affinity for ligands and ability to inhibit cAMP accumulation. Mutants in which either Ser-121 or Ser-420 was replaced with Ala or Asn had decreased affinity for agonists (Ser-121), but increased affinity for the antagonists haloperidol and clozapine. Interestingly, the affinity of these Ser-121 and Ser-420 mutants for substituted benzamide antagonists showed little or no dependence on sodium, consistent with our hypothesis that Ser-121 and Ser-420 contribute to the formation of a sodium-binding pocket.

Regulation of melatonin 1a receptor signaling and trafficking by asparagine-124

Melatonin is a pineal hormone that regulates seasonal reproduction and has been used to treat circadian rhythm disorders. The melatonin 1a receptor is a seven- transmembrane domain receptor that signals predominately via pertussis toxin-sensitive G-proteins. Point mutations were created at residue N124 in cytoplasmic domain II of the receptor and the mutant receptors were expressed in a neurohormonal cell line. The acidic N124D- and E-substituted receptors had high-affinity (125)I-melatonin binding and a subcellular localization similar to the neutral N124N wild-type receptor. Melatonin efficacy for the inhibition of cAMP by N124D and E mutations was significantly decreased. N124D and E mutations strongly compromised melatonin efficacy and potency for inhibition of K(+)-induced intracellular Ca(++) fluxes and eliminated control of spontaneous calcium fluxes. However, these substitutions did not appear to affect activation of Kir3 potassium channels. The hydrophobic N124L and N124A or basic N124K mutations failed to bind (125)I-melatonin and appeared to aggregate or traffic improperly. N124A and N124K receptors were retained in the Golgi. Therefore, mutants at N124 separated into two sets: the first bound (125)I-melatonin with high affinity and trafficked normally, but with reduced inhibitory coupling to adenylyl cyclase and Ca(++) channels. The second set lacked melatonin binding and exhibited severe trafficking defects. In summary, asparagine-124 controls melatonin receptor function as evidenced by changes in melatonin binding, control of cAMP levels, and regulation of ion channel activity. Asparagine-124 also has a unique structural effect controlling receptor distribution within the cell.

CoMFA-based prediction of agonist affinities at recombinant wild type versus serine to alanine point mutated D2 dopamine receptors

Agonist affinity changes dramatically as a result of serine to alanine mutations (S193A, S194A, and S197A) within the fifth transmembrane region of D2 dopamine receptors and other receptors for monoamine neurotransmitters. However, agonist 2D-structure does not predict which drugs will be sensitive to which point mutations. Modeling drug-receptor interactions at the 3D level offers considerably more promise in this regard. In particular, a comparison of the same test set of agonists across receptors differing minimally (point mutations) offers promise to enhance the understanding of the structural bases for drug-receptor interactions. We have previously shown that comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) can be applied to comparisons of affinity at recombinant D1 and D2 dopamine receptors for the same set of agonists, a differential QSAR. Here, we predicted agonist K(L) for the same set of agonists at wild type D2 vs S193A, S194A, and S197A receptors using CoMFA. Each model used bromocriptine as the template. ln(1/K(L)) values for the low-affinity agonist binding conformation at recombinant wild type and mutant D2 dopamine receptors stably expressed in C6 glioma cells were used as the target property for the CoMFA of the 16 aligned agonist structures. The resulting CoMFA models yielded cross-validated R(2) (q(2)) values ranging from 0.835 to 0.864 and simple R(2) values ranging from 0.999 to 1.000. Predictions of test compound affinities at WT and each mutant receptor were close to measured affinity values. This finding confirmed the predictive ability of the models and their differences from one another. The results strongly support the idea that CoMFA models of the same training set of compounds applied to WT vs mutant receptors can accurately predict differences in drug affinity at each. Furthermore, in a "proof of principle", two different templates were used to derive the CoMFA model for the WT and S193A mutant receptors. Pergolide was chosen as an alternate template because it showed a significant increase in affinity as a result of the S193A mutation. In this instance both the bromocriptine- and pergolide-based CoMFA models were similar to one another but different from those for the WT receptor using bromocriptine- or pergolide- as templates. The pergolide-based S193A model was more strikingly different from that of the WT receptor than was the bromocriptine-based S193A model. This suggests that a "dual-template" approach to differential CoMFA may have special value in elucidating key differences across related receptor types and in determining important elements of the drug-receptor interaction.

Viral-mediated gene delivery of constitutively activated G alpha s alters vasoreactivity

1. Decline in beta-adrenoceptor (beta-AR)-mediated function occurs with increasing age, as well as in multiple disease conditions. The mechanisms responsible for this decline include alterations in beta-AR itself, beta-AR coupling proteins, such as G-proteins, or other beta-AR-linked proteins, such as G-protein receptor kinases and/or phosphatases. 2. The present study examines the physiological effects of in vitro transfer of constitutively activated G alpha s (G alpha s-Q227L) to both cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and whole aortic tissue of 6-month-old (adult) animals via a replication-deficient Herpes simplex virus (HSV) vector. These studies were conducted to provide a model for future examination of the role of G alpha s in the age-related decline in beta-AR-mediated vasorelaxation. 3. Gene transfer was confirmed by western blotting for specific proteins. Aortic tissue infected with HSV-G alpha s-Q227L had reduced phenylephrine-induced contraction and enhanced isoproterenol-stimulated vasorelaxation. Infection of cultured VSMC with HSV-G alpha s-Q227L increased both basal- and isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP accumulation, whereas forskolin-stimulated cAMP production was unchanged. 4. These results implicate G alpha s as a target for further investigation in age-related changes in vascular reactivity and support the use of viral-mediated gene transfer as an effective tool to study adrenergic signal transduction and physiology in vascular tissue.

Characteristics of drug interactions with recombinant biogenic amine transporters expressed in the same cell type

We characterized the effects of drugs on the uptake of [3H]neurotransmitter by and the binding of [125I](3beta-(4-iodophenyl)tropane-2beta-carboxylic acid methyl ester ([125I]RTI-55) to the recombinant human dopamine (hDAT), serotonin (hSERT), or norepinephrine (hNET) transporters stably expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. RTI-55 had similar affinity for the hDAT and hSERT and lower affinity for hNET (Kd = 1. 83, 0.98, and 12.1 nM, respectively). Kinetic analysis of [125I]RTI-55 binding indicated that the dissociation rate (k-1) was significantly lower for hSERT and the association rate (k+1) was significantly lower for hNET compared with the hDAT. The potency of drugs at blocking [3H]neurotransmitter uptake was highly correlated with potency at blocking radioligand binding for hDAT and hSERT. Substrates were more potent at the inhibition of [3H]neurotransmitter uptake than radioligand binding. The potency of drugs was highly correlated between displacement of [3H]nisoxetine (Kd = 6.0 nM) and [125I]RTI-55 from the hNET, suggesting that these radioligands recognize similar sites on the transporter protein. The correlation observed between inhibitory potency for uptake and binding of either ligand at the hNET was lower than correlations between uptake and binding for hDAT and hSERT. The present results indicate that the cocaine analog [125I]RTI-55 has unique binding properties at each of the transporters and that the use of recombinant transporters expressed by a single cell type can provide a powerful screening tool for drugs interacting with biogenic amine transporters, such as possible cocaine antagonists.

Short- and long-term heterologous sensitization of adenylate cyclase by D4 dopamine receptors

The D4 dopamine receptor, a member of the D2-like dopamine receptor family, may be important in the etiology and treatment of schizophrenia. The present study was designed to examine the effects of dopamine agonist exposure on adenylate cyclase activity in HEK293 cells stably expressing recombinant-D4 receptors. Two hour pretreatment with dopamine receptor agonists resulted in heterologous sensitization of forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation in intact cells expressing the D4.2, D4.4, or D4.7 dopamine receptor variant. The potency and efficacy of dopamine for sensitization of cyclic AMP accumulation was comparable at all D4 receptor variants. D4 dopamine receptor-mediated sensitization was blocked by the D4 antagonist, clozapine, and prevented by overnight pretreatment with pertussis toxin, implying a role for Gi/Go proteins in heterologous sensitization. Further, long-term (18 h) agonist exposure resulted in a greater degree of sensitization of forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation in both intact cells and membrane preparations of cells expressing the D4 receptor, compared to 2 h agonist exposure, without altering the density of the receptors. In addition, long-term agonist exposure decreased the abundance of Gialpha without altering the abundance of Gsalpha, whereas short-term agonist treatment had no effect on the immunoreactivity of either G protein. In summary, long-term agonist-induced sensitization of adenylate cyclase by the D4 receptor may involve mechanisms that do not contribute to short-term sensitization.

Selective activation of Galphao by D2L dopamine receptors in NS20Y neuroblastoma cells

D2L dopamine receptor activation results in rapid inhibition and delayed heterologous sensitization of adenylate cyclase in several host cell types. The D2L dopamine receptor was stably transfected into NS20Y neuroblastoma cells to examine inhibition and sensitization in a neuronal cell environment and to identify the particular G-proteins involved. Acute activation of D2L receptors with the selective D2 agonist quinpirole inhibited forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation, whereas prolonged incubation (2 hr) with quinpirole resulted in heterologous sensitization (more than twofold) of forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation in NS20Y-D2L cells. To unambiguously identify the pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive G-proteins responsible for inhibition and sensitization, we used viral-mediated gene delivery to assess the ability of genetically engineered PTX-resistant G-proteins (Galphai1*, Galphai2*, Galphai3*, and Galphao*) to rescue both responses after PTX treatment. The expression and function of individual recombinant G-proteins was confirmed with Western blotting and inhibition of GTPgammaS-stimulated adenylate cyclase, respectively. To assess the specificity of D2L-Galpha coupling, cells were infected with herpes simplex virus (HSV) recombinants expressing individual PTX-resistant G-protein alpha subunits and treated with PTX, and quinpirole-induced responses were measured. Infection of NS20Y-D2L cells with HSV-Galphao* rescued both inhibition and sensitization in PTX-treated cells, whereas infection with HSV-Galphai1*, HSV-Galphai2*, or HSV-Galphai3* failed to rescue either response. In summary, the current study provides strong evidence that the D2L dopamine receptor couples to Galphao in neuronal cells, and that this coupling is responsible for both the acute and subacute effects of D2 receptor activation on adenylate cyclase activity.

CoMFA-based prediction of agonist affinities at recombinant D1 vs D2 dopamine receptors

We have previously shown that using agonist affinity at recombinant receptors selectively expressed in clonal cells as the dependent variable in three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship studies (3D-QSAR) presents a unique opportunity for accuracy and precision in measurement. Thus, a comparison of affinity's structural determinants for a set of compounds at two different recombinant dopamine receptors represents an attainable goal for 3D-QSAR. A molecular database of bound conformations of 16 structurally diverse agonists was established by alignment with a high-affinity template compound for the D1 receptor, 3-allyl-6-bromo-7,8-dihydroxy-1-phenyl-2,3,4, 5-tetrahydro-1H-benzazepin. A second molecular database of the bound conformations of the same compounds was established against a second template for the D2 receptor, bromocriptine. These aligned structures suggested three-point pharmacophore maps (one cationic nitrogen and two electronegative centers) for the two dopamine receptors, which differed primarily in the height of the nitrogen above the plane of the catechol ring and in the nature of the hydrogen-bonding region. The ln(1/KL) values for the low-affinity agonist binding conformation at recombinant D1 and D2 dopamine receptors stably expressed in C6 glioma cells were used as the target property for the CoMFA (comparative molecular field analysis) of the 16 aligned structures. The resulting CoMFA models yielded cross-validated R2 (q2) values (standard error of prediction) of 0. 879 (1.471, with five principal components) and 0.834 (1.652, with five principal components) for D1 and D2 affinity, respectively. The simple R2 values (standard error of the estimate) were 0.994 (0.323) and 0.999 (0.116), respectively, for D1 and D2 receptor. F values were 341 and 2465 for D1 and D2 models, respectively, with 5 and 10 df. The predictive utility of the CoMFA model was evaluated at both receptors using the dopamine agonists, apomorphine and 7-OH-DPAT. Predictions of KL were accurate at both receptors. Flexible 3D searches of several chemical databases (NCI, MDDR, CMC, ACD, and Maybridge) were done using basic pharmacophore models at each receptor to determine the similarity of hit lists between the two models. The D1 and D2 models yielded different lists of lead compounds. Several of the lead compounds closely resembled high-affinity training set compounds. Finally, homology modeling of agonist binding to the D2 receptor revealed some consistencies and inconsistencies with the CoMFA-derived D2 model and provided a possible rationale for features of the D2 CoMFA contour map. Together these results suggest that CoMFA-homology based models may provide useful insights concerning differential agonist-receptor interactions at related receptors. The results also suggest that comparisons of CoMFA models for two structurally related receptors may be a fruitful approach for differential QSAR.

D2 dopamine receptors stimulate mitogenesis through pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins and Ras-involved ERK and SAP/JNK pathways in rat C6-D2L glioma cells

Dopamine D2 receptors are members of the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily and are expressed on both neurons and astrocytes. Using rat C6 glioma cells stably expressing the rat D2L receptor, we show here that dopamine (DA) can activate both the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways through a mechanism involving D2 receptor-G protein complexes and the Ras GTP-binding protein. Agonist binding to D2 receptors rapidly activated both kinases within 5 min, reached a maximum between 10 and 15 min, and then gradually decreased by 60 min. Maximal activation of both kinases occurred with 100 nM DA, which produced a ninefold enhancement of ERK activity and a threefold enhancement of JNK activity. DA-induced kinase activation was prevented by either (+)-butaclamol, a selective D2 receptor antagonist, or pertussis toxin, an uncoupler of G proteins from receptors, but not by (-)-butaclamol, the inactive isomer of (+)-butaclamol. Cotransfection of RasN17, a dominant negative Ras mutant, prevented DA-induced activation of both ERK and JNK. PD098059, a specific MEK1 inhibitor, also blocked ERK activation by DA. Transfection of SEK1 (K --> R) vector, a dominant negative SEK1 mutant, specifically prevented DA-induced JNK activation and subsequent c-Jun phosphorylation without effect on ERK activation. Furthermore, stimulation of D2 receptors promoted [3H]thymidine incorporation with a pattern similar to that for kinase activation. DA mitogenesis was tightly linked to Ras-dependent mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and JNK pathways. Transfection with RasN17 and application of PD098059 blocked DA-induced DNA synthesis. Transfection with Flag delta169, a dominant negative c-Jun mutant, also prevented stimulation of [3H]thymidine incorporation by DA. The demonstration of D2 receptor-stimulated MAPK pathways may help to understand dopaminergic physiological functions in the CNS.

[3H]substrate- and cell-specific effects of uptake inhibitors on human dopamine and serotonin transporter-mediated efflux

Drug-induced efflux of substrates was characterized in C6 rat glioma cells stably expressing a recombinant human dopamine (DA) or serotonin (5-HT) transporter (C6-hDAT and C6-hSERT, respectively). In the absence of Ca2+, these cells spontaneously and rapidly released preloaded [3H]DA or [3H]5-HT, respectively, but maintained constant levels of [3H]N-methy-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) for up to 90 minutes. In C6-hSERT cells, transporter substrates such as methamphetamine, amphetamine, and dopamine induced relatively rapid release of [3H]MPP+, with t1/2 values of approximately 15 minutes, while the t1/2 value for serotonin was about 30 minutes. Similar results were obtained with C6-hDAT cells. Uptake blockers that are not substrates at the transporters had considerably greater t1/2 values, as compared to substrates, suggesting different mechanisms for altering transporter function. Dose-response curves for each drug, conducted at each drug's t1/2, indicated considerable differences in potency (EC50) at stimulating [3H]MPP+ release from C6-hSERT cells [3beta-(4-iodophenyl)tropane-2beta-carboxylic acid methyl ester (RTI-55) > imipramine > 1-[2-diphenylmethoxy]ethyl-4-(3-phenylpropyl)-piperazine (GBR-12935) threo-(+/-)-methylphenidate > cocaine > mazindol > 2-beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-fluorophenyl)tropane (CFT) > (+)methamphetamine > amphetamine > DA > fenfluramine > norepinephrine (NE) > 5-HT]. A different rank order of potency was observed for the effects of drugs on [3H]MPP+ release from C6-hDAT cells [imipramine > RTI-55 > cocaine > mazindol > CFT > GBR-12935 > threo-(+/-)-methylphenidate > amphetamine > (+)methamphetamine > fenfluramine > DA > NE > 5-HT]. Based on efficacies for stimulating [3H]MPP+ release from C6-hDAT cells, drugs could be grouped into three categories, with substrates causing release of approximately 75% of loaded [3H]MPP+, cocaine analogues causing approximately 50% release, and other drugs causing an average release of approximately 25% of loaded [3H]MPP+. The results, taken together with results from previous reports, suggest that the transfected cell type contributes to the characteristics of transporter-mediated release, that drugs interact with different sites on the transporters in the uptake and release process, and that the mechanism of transporter-mediated release may not be a simple reversal of substrate uptake.

Contribution of serine residues to constitutive and agonist-induced signaling via the D2S dopamine receptor: evidence for multiple, agonist-specific active conformations

Dopamine D2 receptors contain a cluster of serine residues in the fifth transmembrane domain that contribute to activation of the receptor as well as to the binding of agonists. We used rat D2S dopamine receptor mutants, each containing a serine-to-alanine substitution (S193A, S194A, S197A), to investigate the mechanism through which these residues affect activation of the receptor. Activation of the mutant receptor S194A was abolished in an agonist-dependent manner, such that dopamine no longer inhibited cAMP accumulation in C6 glioma cells or activated G protein-regulated K+ channels in Xenopus laevis oocytes, whereas the efficacy of several other agonists was unaffected. Dihydrexidine did not inhibit cAMP accumulation at either S193A or S194A. The decreased efficacy of dihydrexidine at S193A and S194A and dopamine at S194A was associated with a decreased ability to detect a GTP-sensitive high affinity binding state for these agonists. The ability of dopamine to stimulate [35S]guanosine-5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate binding via S194A also was decreased by approximately 50%. Finally, constitutive stimulation of [35S]guanosine-5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate binding and inhibition of adenylate cyclase by the D2S receptor was reduced by mutation of either S193 or S194. These data support the existence of multiple active receptor conformations that are differentially sensitive to mutation of serine residues in the fifth-transmembrane domain.

Modulation of rat rotational behavior by direct gene transfer of constitutively active protein kinase C into nigrostriatal neurons

The modulation of motor behavior by protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathways in nigrostriatal neurons was examined by using a genetic intervention approach. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) vectors that encode a catalytic domain of rat PKCbetaII (PkcDelta) were developed. PkcDelta exhibited a constitutively active protein kinase activity with a substrate specificity similar to that of rat brain PKC. As demonstrated in cultured sympathetic neurons, PkcDelta caused a long-lasting, activation-dependent increase in neurotransmitter release. In the rat brain, microinjection of HSV-1 vectors that contain the tyrosine hydroxylase promoter targeted expression to dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons. Expression of pkcDelta in a small percentage of nigrostriatal neurons (approximately 0.1-2%) was sufficient to produce a long-term (>/=1 month) change in apomorphine-induced rotational behavior. Nigrostriatal neurons were the only catecholaminergic neurons that contained PkcDelta, and the amount of rotational behavior was correlated with the number of affected nigrostriatal neurons. The change in apomorphine-induced rotational behavior was blocked by a dopamine receptor antagonist (fluphenazine). D2-like dopamine receptor density was increased in those regions of the striatum innervated by the affected nigrostriatal neurons. Therefore, this strategy enabled the demonstration that a PKC pathway or PKC pathways in nigrostriatal neurons modulate apomorphine-induced rotational behavior, and altered dopaminergic transmission from nigrostriatal neurons appears to be the affected neuronal physiology responsible for the change in rotational behavior.

Constitutive activity of a chimeric D2/D1 dopamine receptor

Chimeric D1/D2 receptors were constructed to identify structural determinants of drug affinity and efficacy. We previously reported that chimeras that had D1 receptor transmembrane domain VII together with amino-terminal sequence from the D2 receptor were nonfunctional. D2/D1 chimeras were constructed that contained D2 receptor sequence at the amino- and carboxyl-terminal ends and D1 receptor sequence in the intervening region. Chimeric receptors with D2 sequence from transmembrane domain 7 to the carboxyl terminus together with D2 receptor sequence from the amino terminus through transmembrane helix 4 (D2[1-4,7]) and 5 (D2[1-5,7]) bound [3H]spiperone with high affinity, consistent with the hypothesis that D2 receptor transmembrane domain I or II is incompatible with D1 receptor transmembrane domain VII. D2[1-4,7] and D2[1-5,7] had affinities similar to D1 and D2 receptors for most nonselective dopamine antagonists and had affinities for most of the selective antagonists that were intermediate between those of the parent receptors. D2[1-4,7] and D2[1-5,7] mediated dopamine receptor agonist-induced stimulation and inhibition, respectively, of cAMP accumulation. The more efficient coupling of D2[1-5,7] to inhibition of cAMP accumulation, compared with the coupling of D2[5-7] and D2[3-7], supports the view that multiple D2 receptor cytoplasmic domains acting in concert are necessary for receptor activation of Gi. In contrast, D2[1-4,7], which contains only one cytoplasmic loop (the third) from the D1 receptor, is capable of activating Gs. D2[1-4,7] exhibited several characteristics of a constitutively active receptor, including enhanced basal (unliganded) stimulation of cAMP accumulation, high affinity for agonists even in the presence of GTP, and blunted agonist-stimulated cAMP accumulation. A number of dopamine receptor antagonists were inverse agonists at D2[1-4,7], inhibiting basal cAMP accumulation. Some of these drugs were also inverse agonists at the D1 receptor. Interestingly, several antagonists also potentiated forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation via D2[1-5,7] and via the D2 receptor, which could reflect inverse agonist inhibition of native constitutive activity of this receptor.

Metabolism of catecholamines by catechol-O-methyltransferase in cells expressing recombinant catecholamine transporters

To determine if catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) metabolizes catecholamines within cell lines used for heterologous expression of plasmalemmal transporters and alters the measured characteristics of 3H-substrate transport, the uptake of monoamine transporter substrates was assessed in three cell lines (C6 glioma, L-M fibroblast, and HEK293 cells) that had been transfected with the recombinant human transporters. Uptake and cellular retention of 3H-catecholamines was increased by up to fourfold by two COMT inhibitors, tropolone and Ro 41-0960, with potencies similar to those for inhibition of COMT activity, whereas the uptake of two transporter substrates that are not substrates for COMT, [3H]serotonin and [3H]MPP+, was unaffected. Direct measurement of monoamine substrates by HPLC confirmed that tropolone (1 mM) increased the retention of the catecholamines dopamine and norepinephrine, but not the retention of serotonin in HEK293 cells. Saturation analysis of the uptake of [3H]dopamine by C6 cells expressing the dopamine transporter demonstrated that tropolone (1 mM) decreased the apparent Km of transport from 0.61 microM to 0.34 microM without significantly altering the maximal velocity of transport. These data suggest that endogenous COMT activity in mammalian cells may alter neurotransmitter deposition and thus the apparent kinetic characteristics of transport.

Activation of type II adenylate cyclase by D2 and D4 but not D3 dopamine receptors

The D2-like dopamine receptors couple to a variety of signal transduction pathways, including inhibition of adenylate cyclase, mitogenesis, and activation of potassium channels. Although these effects are mediated via pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins, G(i/o), it is likely that some of these effects are influenced by the release of G protein betagamma subunits. Type II adenylate cyclase (ACII) is highly regulated by multiple biochemical stimuli, including protein kinase C, forskolin, G protein alpha subunits, and G protein betagamma subunits. The ability of betagamma subunits to activate this enzyme in the presence of activated alpha(s) has been particularly well characterized. Although stimulation by betagamma subunits has been described as conditional on the presence of activated alpha(s), betagamma subunits also potentiate ACII activity after activation of protein kinase C. We created stable cell lines expressing ACII and the D2L receptor, the D3 receptor, or the D4.4 receptor. Activation of D2L or D4.4 receptors, but not D3 receptors, potentiated beta-adrenergic receptor/Gs-stimulated activity of ACII, as measured by the intracellular accumulation of cAMP. Similarly, stimulation of D2L or D4.4 receptors potentiated phorbol ester-stimulated ACII activity in the absence of activated alpha(s), whereas stimulation of D3 receptors did not. The effect of D2-like receptor stimulation was blocked by pretreatment with pertussis toxin and by inhibition of protein kinase C. We propose that activation of both D2L and D4.4 dopamine receptors potentiated phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-stimulated ACII activity through the release of betagamma subunits from pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins. In contrast, the lack of D3 receptor-mediated effects suggests that stimulation of D3 receptors does not result in an appreciable release of betagamma subunits.

Sensitization of endogenous and recombinant adenylate cyclase by activation of D2 dopamine receptors

Prolonged stimulation of Gi-coupled receptors often sensitizes adenylate cyclase to subsequent activation by forskolin or Gs-coupled receptors. To identify mechanisms of heterologous sensitization, we characterized sensitization of cAMP accumulation that was induced by activation of recombinant dopamine D2 receptors expressed in C6 glioma and human embryonic kidney (HEK)293 cells. Pretreatment with dopamine or other agonists for 2 hr induced heterologous sensitization that was blocked by the D2 antagonist spiperone but not by the beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol. Sensitization was evident after 15 min of treatment with dopamine and persisted for at least 2 hr after washout. The EC50 value for sensitization by dopamine in HEK-D2L cells was 100 nM(r) approximately 80-fold higher than the IC50 value for dopamine inhibition of cAMP accumulation. The D2 receptor agonists quinpirole, 7-hydroxy-dipropylamin-otetralin, and pergolide also induced sensitization, whereas the high affinity ergot agonists bromocriptine and lisuride did not. Stimulation of either D2L or D2S receptors sensitized cAMP accumulation to similar extents, but stimulation of D3 receptors did not. In C6-D21 cells, sensitization of isoproterenol-stimulated activity was manifested as a > 100% increase in maximal response, with no change in potency. In contrast, the potency for forskolin-stimulated activity was increased 4-fold, with no apparent change in maximal response. Overnight treatment with pertussis toxin (25 ng/ml) had little effect on isoproterenol or forskolin activation of adenylate cyclase per se but prevented D2 receptor-mediated sensitization in both C6-D2L and HEK-D2L cells, indicating an involvement of one or more of the pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins, Gi/Gzero. D2 receptor stimulation also sensitized type I and type II adenylate cyclases, each expressed in HEK293 cells together with D2L dopamine receptors. Rapid D2 receptor-mediated heterologous sensitization may be the result of enhanced interaction of G6 with adenylate cyclase and may represent a novel mechanism for modulation of neural activity by D2 receptors.

Comparative molecular field analysis-based prediction of drug affinities at recombinant D1A dopamine receptors

Determination of quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) for affinity at particular dopamine (DA) receptors has become an even greater priority with the cloning of five DA receptor subtypes. The use of agonist affinity at recombinant receptors selectively expressed in clonal cells as the dependent variable in QSAR presents a unique opportunity for accuracy and precision in measurement of biological values. Bound conformations of 11 agonists (for which both affinity data at the recombinant D1A DA receptor and stereochemical configurations were available) were determined by alignment with a template compound, SKF38393, which shows high affinity and selectivity for D1A receptors and is fairly rigid in structure. These aligned structures suggested a 3-point pharmacophore map (one cationic nitrogen and two electronegative centers) of the D1A DA receptor. This map shows both similarities and differences when compared with a previously reported D2 DA receptor pharmacophore map based on biological data from rat brain and with a recently published map of the native D1 DA receptor using several semirigid compounds. Log(1/K(d)) values at recombinant D1A DA receptors were used as the target property for a CoMFA (comparative molecular field analysis) of the 11 aligned structures. The resulting CoMFA model yielded a cross-validated r(2)(q(2)) value of 0.829 and a simple r(2) = 0.96. In contrast, when a CoMFA model was developed for 10 of these compounds using striatal D1 K(d) values, the q(2) value was reduced to 0.178. These results are consistent with the idea that drug affinity data obtained from clonal cells expressing recombinant receptors may be superior to that obtained using heterogeneous mixtures of native receptors prepared from brain membranes. The predictive utility of the CoMFA model was evaluated using several high-affinity dopamine agonists and m- and p-tyramine, two compounds with a single hydroxyl group on the aromatic ring. Predictions were fairly accurate for all compounds but the two tyramines.

Regulation and functional characterization of a rat recombinant dopamine D3 receptor

We stably expressed a rat D3 receptor cDNA in C6 glioma cells (C6-D3 cells), quantifying receptor expression with the radioligands [125I]epidepride (KD = 0.1 nM) and [3H]spiperone (KD = 0.7 nM). As reported previously for D2 receptors, quinpirole induced a 9-16% increase in the rate of extracellular acidification by C6-D3 cells. The acidification was inhibited by epidepride and by the Na+/H+ antiporter inhibitors, amiloride and methylisobutylamiloride, but pertussis toxin treatment had no effect on quinpirole-induced extracellular acidification. These data suggest that D3 receptor stimulation of Na+/H+ exchange in C6 glioma cells is not mediated by the pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins, Gi or G(o). Overnight treatment of C6-D3 cells with N-propylnorapomorphine, dopamine, or quinpirole resulted in large concentration-dependent increases (up to 500%) in the density of D3 receptors on membranes prepared from the cells. Antagonists had smaller, variable effects on the density of D3 receptors in C6-D3 cells, except for domperidone, which significantly increased the density of D3 receptors. Treatment with pertussis toxin had no effect on the agonist-induced receptor up-regulation, indicating that an interaction with pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins was not required. Densitometry analysis of Northern blots of RNA prepared from C6-D3 cells showed no significant N-propylnorapomorphine-induced increase in D3 receptor message. Treatment with cycloheximide, however, completely prevented receptor up-regulation by N-propylnorapomorphine. Pretreatment of C6-D2 cells with 10 microM DA resulted in a substantial heterologous sensitization, in which isoproterenol-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity was enhanced more than twofold.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Drug-induced up-regulation of dopamine D2 receptors on cultured cells

Ligand-induced up-regulation of recombinant dopamine D2 receptors was assessed using C6 glioma cells stably expressing the short (415-amino-acid; D2s) and long (444-amino-acid; D2L) forms of the receptor. Overnight treatment of C6-D2L cells with N-propylnorapomorphine (NPA) caused a time- and concentration-dependent increase in the density of receptors, as assessed by the binding of radioligand to membranes prepared from the cells, with no change in the affinity of the receptors for the radioligand. The effect of 10 microM NPA was maximal after 10 h, at which time the density of D2L receptors was more than doubled. The agonists dopamine and quinpirole also increased the density of D2L receptors. The receptor up-regulation was not specific for agonists, because the antagonists epidepride, sulpiride, and domperidone caused smaller (30-60%) increases in receptor density. Prolonged treatment with 10 microM NPA desensitized D2L receptors, as evidenced by a reduced ability of dopamine to inhibit adenylyl cyclase, whereas treatment with sulpiride was associated with an enhanced responsiveness to dopamine. The magnitude of NPA-induced receptor up-regulation in each of four clonal lines of C6-D2L cells (mean increase, 80%) was greater than in all four lines of C6-D2S cells (33%). Inactivation of pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins had no effect on the basal density of D2L receptors or on the NPA-induced receptor up-regulation. Treatment with 5 micrograms/ml of cycloheximide, on the other hand, decreased the basal density of receptors and attenuated, but did not prevent, the NPA-induced increase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Characterization of a recombinant human dopamine transporter in multiple cell lines

A 3.5-kilobase cDNA encoding the dopamine transporter was isolated from a human substantia nigra cDNA library. Sequence analysis of the coding region of the transporter identified two nucleotide differences between the cDNA and published human dopamine transporter sequences. One of the substitutions changed an amino acid conserved among previously cloned dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine transporters, Arg-344, to a methionine. C6 glioma cells or COS-7 cells transfected with the cDNA (C6-hDAT and Cos7-hDAT cells) accumulated [3H]DA with high affinity (Km = 1.2 and 1.5 microM, respectively), and DA uptake inhibitors had similar potencies in both cell lines. [3H]2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4-fluorophenyl)tropane ([3H]CFT) bound to membranes prepared from both cell lines with high affinity (Kd = 2-6 nM), although some experiments with C6-hDAT cell membranes indicated the presence of a second class of binding sites with lower affinity for the radioligand. Using the high-affinity Kd value for [3H]CFT binding determined in Cos7-hDAT cells to calculate Ki values, drug affinity for inhibition was highly correlated (r = .92) with affinity for inhibition of [3H]DA uptake, although transporter substrates were significantly more potent inhibitors of uptake than of [3H]CFT binding. The binding of [3H]1-[2-diphenylmethoxy]ethyl-4-(3-phenylpropyl)-piperazine ([3H]GBR-12935) to C6-hDAT cells could not be characterized due to high binding to untransfected C6 cells, but on Cos7-hDAT cells the radioligand labeled a single population of binding sites (Kd = 1 nM). Inhibition of [3H]GBR-12935 binding by drugs correlated highly with inhibition of either [3H]CFT binding (r = .98) or of [3H]DA uptake (r = .95).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

LSD and structural analogs: pharmacological evaluation at D1 dopamine receptors

The hallucinogenic effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) have been attributed primarily to actions at serotonin receptors. A number of studies conducted in the 1970s indicated that LSD also has activity at dopamine (DA) receptors. These latter studies are difficult to interpret, however, because they were completed before the recognition of two pharmacologically distinct DA receptor subtypes, D1 and D2. The availability of subtype-selective ligands (e.g., the D1 antagonist SCH23390) and clonal cell lines expressing a homogeneous receptor population now permits an assessment of the contributions of DA receptor subtypes to the DA-mediated effects of LSD. The present study investigated the binding and functional properties of LSD and several lysergamide and analogs at dopamine D1 and D2 receptors. Several of these compounds have been reported previously to bind with high affinity to serotonin 5HT2 (i.e., 3H-ketanserin) sites in the rat frontal cortex (K0.5 5-30 nM). All tested compounds also competed for both D1-like (3H-SCH 23390) and D2-like (3H-spiperone plus unlabeled ketanserin) DA receptors in rat striatum, with profiles indicative of agonists (nH < 1.0). The affinity of LSD and analogs for D2 like receptors was similar to their affinity for 5HT2 sites. The affinity for D1 like receptors was slightly lower (2- to 3-fold), although LSD and several analogs bound to D1 receptors with affinity similar to the prototypical D1 partial agonist SKF38393 (K0.5 ca. 25 nM). A second series of experiments tested the binding and functional properties of LSD and selected analogs in C-6 glioma cells expressing the rhesus macaque D1A receptor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Chimeric D1/D2 dopamine receptors. Distinct determinants of selective efficacy, potency, and signal transduction

D1/D2 chimeras were constructed that had D1 dopamine receptor sequence at the amino-terminal end and D2 dopamine receptor sequence at the carboxyl-terminal end. The chimeras with the first four, five and six transmembrane domains of the D1 receptor (CH2, CH3, CH4, respectively) bound the D1 receptor antagonist [3H]SCH 23390 with high affinity. Reciprocal chimeras constructed with D2 receptor sequence at the amino-terminal end displayed no detectable specific binding of [3H]SCH 23390, [125I]epidepride, or [3H]spiperone. CH2, CH3, and CH4 had lower affinity than either D1 or D2 dopamine receptors for the nonselective antagonists and agonists and D2-selective antagonists tested. The chimeric receptors had affinities for three D1-selective ligands and the D2-selective agonist, quinpirole, that were intermediate between D1 and D2 receptor affinities for the drugs. The substantial loss or gain of affinity for three ligands upon replacement of D1 transmembrane VII with D2 sequence (CH4) suggests an important role for this region in the selectivity of these drugs. Stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity by D1 agonists occurred in cells expressing CH3 and CH4, both of which included the D1 third cytoplasmic loop, but not in cells expressing CH1 or CH2, both with the D2 third cytoplasmic loop. However, only CH3 was able to mediate stimulation of adenylyl cyclase by quinpirole, implying that D2 receptor transmembrane domain VI was an important determinant of the selective efficacy of quinpirole. On the other hand, transmembrane domain VII was particularly important for the selective potency of quinpirole. Inhibition of beta-adrenergic receptor-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity by dopamine was seen in cells expressing D2 receptors and CH1, but not CH2, CH3, or CH4. Thus, the third cytoplasmic loop of D1 dopamine receptors was crucial for the coupling of the receptors to Gs, but inhibition of adenylyl cyclase via Gi required structural features, such as the second cytoplasmic loop of the D2 receptor, in addition to the 3rd cytoplasmic loop.

Release of dopamine via the human transporter

A human dopamine transporter cDNA was cloned and transfected into COS-7 cells, a cell line that lacks vesicular storage and release mechanisms. Cells expressing the dopamine transporter acquired the capacity to take up and release dopamine via the transporter. Ionic conditions that stimulate inside-out transport in vivo, such as depolarizing concentrations of K+ or low concentrations of extracellular Na+, were found to stimulate Ca(2+)-independent release of [3H]dopamine from transfected COS-7 cells. Dopamine uptake inhibitors had one of three effects on transporter-mediated efflux. Some drugs, in addition to inhibiting uptake, inhibited spontaneous release of dopamine. Drugs in this class included mazindol, GBR-12935, bupropion, nomifensine, and benztropine. All of the drugs with the potential for abuse by humans either enhanced release (methamphetamine, amphetamine, and ethanol) or had no effect on release (phencyclidine, cocaine, and WIN 35,428). The ability to define classes of uptake blockers based on their effects on human transporter-mediated dopamine efflux may lead to the identification of structural features of the transporter that differentiate abused from nonabused drugs.

Hexahydrobenzo[a]phenanthridines: novel dopamine D3 receptor ligands

We report that certain substituted hexahydrobenzo[a]phenanthridines are novel high affinity ligands selective for the dopamine D3 receptor. These data demonstrate that substitutions on the heterocyclic nitrogen and the pendant phenyl ring of this nucleus cause a marked increase in both affinity and selectivity for dopamine D3 vs. D2 receptors. Thus, these compounds represent important new tools to study the pharmacology of dopamine D3 receptors, and may also provide an opportunity for the synthesis of new radioligands for dopamine D3 receptors.

Antisense GAP-43 inhibits the evoked release of dopamine from PC12 cells

To investigate the role of the neuronal growth-associated protein GAP-43 (neuromodulin, B-50, F1, P-57) in neurotransmitter release, we transfected PC12 cells with a recombinant expression vector coding for antisense human GAP-43 cRNA. Two stable transfectants, designated AS1 and AS2, were selected that had integrated the recombinant sequence and expressed antisense GAP-43 RNA. Immunoblot analysis of proteins from AS1 and AS2 cells indicated that the level of GAP-43 in these cell lines was reduced. In the presence of extracellular calcium, a depolarizing concentration of K+ (56 mM) evoked dopamine release from control cells, but not from AS1 and AS2 cells. Similarly, the calcium ionophore A23187 evoked dopamine release from control cells, but was ineffective in stimulating dopamine release from AS1 and AS2 cells. The antisense transfectants, as well as the control cells, contained appreciable quantities of dopamine and secretory granules with a normal appearance. Because the expression of antisense GAP-43 RNA in PC12 cells leads to a decrease in GAP-43 expression and to the loss of evoked dopamine release, these results provide evidence of a role for GAP-43 in calcium-dependent neurotransmitter release.

Dopamine D2 receptor stimulation of Na+/H+ exchange assessed by quantification of extracellular acidification

A microphysiometer was used to quantify the rate of extracellular acidification by C6 glioma cells and L fibroblasts expressing recombinant dopamine D2 receptors. The dopamine D2 receptor agonist, quinpirole, accelerated the rate of acidification of the medium by C6 cells expressing either the short or long form of D2 receptors, D2(415) and D2(444), but not by wild-type cells that were not transfected with a D2 receptor cDNA. The rate of acidification increased with increasing concentrations of quinpirole up to 100 nM. Inhibition of the response by the dopamine D2 antagonist, spiperone, provided additional evidence that the enhanced extracellular acidification resulted from stimulation of D2 receptors. To test the hypothesis that D2 receptor-stimulated extracellular acidification was due to transport of protons by a Na+/H+ antiporter and reflected intracellular alkalinization, the effect of two inhibitors of Na+/H+ exchange, amiloride and methyl-isobutyl-amiloride, was determined. Both compounds inhibited quinpirole-induced extracellular acidification at concentrations that did not alter D2 receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylylcyclase or radioligand binding to D2 receptors. In addition, quinpirole-induced extracellular acidification was greatly inhibited by removal of sodium from the extracellular medium, confirming the participation of Na+/H+ exchange in the extrusion of acid. Quinpirole (100 nM) also increased the rate of extracellular acidification by L cells expressing D2(415), LZR1 cells. Treatment with pertussis toxin (100 ng/ml for 18 h) had no effect on the quinpirole-induced acid extrusion by C6D2(415) and LZR1 cells, although the same pertussis toxin treatment regimen completely prevented inhibition of adenylylcyclase. We conclude that recombinant D2 receptors accelerate Na+/H+ exchange in C6 cells and L fibroblasts by a pathway that does not involve inhibition of adenylylcyclase or pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins.

Contributions of conserved serine residues to the interactions of ligands with dopamine D2 receptors

Four dopamine D2 receptor mutants were constructed, in each of which an alanine residue was substituted for one of four conserved serine residues, i.e., Ser-193, Ser-194, Ser-197, and Ser-391. Wild-type and mutant receptors were expressed transiently in COS-7 cells and stably in C6 glioma cells for analysis of ligand-receptor interactions. In radioligand binding assays, the affinity of D2 receptors for dopamine was decreased 50-fold by substitution of alanine for Ser-193, implicating this residue in the binding of dopamine. Each mutant had smaller decreases in affinity for one or more of the ligands tested, with no apparent relationship between the class of ligand and the pattern of mutation-induced changes in affinity, except that the potency of agonists was decreased by substitution for Ser-193. The potency of dopamine for inhibition of adenylyl cyclase was reduced substantially by substitution of alanine for Ser-193 or Ser-197. Mutation of Ser-194 led to a complete loss of efficacy for dopamine and p-tyramine, which would be consistent with an interaction between Ser-194 and the p-hydroxyl substituent of dopamine that is necessary for activation of the receptors to occur. Because mutation of the corresponding residues of beta 2-adrenergic receptors has very different consequences, we conclude that although the position of these serine residues is highly conserved among catecholamine receptors, and the residues as a group are important in ligand binding and activation of receptors by agonists, the function of each of the residues considered separately varies among catecholamine receptors.

Extrastriatal dopamine D2 receptors: distribution, pharmacological characterization and region-specific regulation by clozapine

The distribution of dopamine D2 receptors in the rat brain was determined by quantitative autoradiography of the binding of [125I]epidepride and the effects of chronic drug administration on regulation of receptors in striatal and extrastriatal brain regions were characterized. [125I]Epidepride (2200 Ci/mmol) bound with high affinity to coronal tissue sections from the rat brain (Kd = 78 pM), and specific binding was detected in a number of discrete layers, nuclei or regions of the hippocampus, thalamus, cerebellum and other extrastriatal sites. Pharmacological analysis of radioligand binding to hippocampal and cerebellar membranes indicated binding to dopamine D2 receptors, and approximately 10% of the binding appeared to represent low affinity idazoxan-displaceable binding to alpha-2 adrenoceptors. The binding to extrastriatal regions resembled previously reported radioligand binding to dopamine D2 receptors in striatal and cortical membranes. Chronic (14 day) administration of two dopamine D2 receptor antagonists, either the typical neuroleptic haloperidol (1.5 mg/kg i.p.) or the atypical neuroleptic clozapine (30 mg/kg i.p.), caused a significant increase in the density of [125I]epidepride binding sites in the medial prefrontal cortex and parietal cortex. Only haloperidol caused a significant increase in the density of [3H]spiperone and [125I]epidepride binding sites in the striatum and a slight increase in [125I]epidepride binding sites in the hippocampus. Similar administration of amphetamine (5 mg/kg i.p.) had no significant effect on the density of dopamine D2 receptors in any brain region examined. In addition, no drug-induced changes in the characteristics of dopamine D2 receptors in discrete areas of the cerebellum were observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Molecular cloning and expression of the rhesus macaque D1 dopamine receptor gene

Using homologous probes for the cloning of related genes within the family of guanine nucleotide-binding protein-coupled receptors, we have cloned the gene for the rhesus macaque D1 dopamine receptor. By using the rat D1 receptor coding sequence as a probe under high stringency conditions, the rhesus D1 receptor gene was isolated from a lambda EMBL3 rhesus genomic DNA library. The rhesus D1 dopamine receptor gene is intronless and encodes a 446-amino acid protein that contains two consensus sites for asparagine-linked glycosylation (Asn-5 and Asn-176) and two consensus sites for cAMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation (Thr-136 and Thr-268). The primary amino acid sequence of the rhesus D1 dopamine receptor shows an extremely high degree of similarity (99.6%) to the human D1 receptor. Genomic DNA analyses conducted with high and reduced stringency hybridizations indicate that the rhesus macaque D1 receptor is a member of a large multigene family. Like the human D1 receptor mRNA, the rhesus D1 receptor mRNA is approximately 4 kilobases in size and is localized predominantly in the caudate, with lesser amounts in the hippocampus and cortex. The rhesus D1 receptor coding region was inserted into the cytomegalovirus promoter-driven expression vector pcDNA-1, and the recombinant (pcDNA-D1) was cotransfected with the selectable marker pRSVneo, conferring G418 resistance, into D1 receptor-deficient C6 glioma cells. Analyses of the selected transfectant demonstrate the expression of a high affinity, functional D1 dopamine receptor. The D1 receptor radioligand [3H]SCH 23390 bound transfectant membranes with an affinity (Kd), of 0.3 nM; the D2-selective ligand spiperone, the dopamine receptor ligand clozapine, and the serotonin receptor antagonist ketanserin bound with considerably lower affinities (102, 80, and 95 nM, respectively). Both dopamine and the D1-selective agonist SKF 38393 inhibited the binding of [3H]SCH 23390 to transfectant cell membranes; the binding of these agonists was sensitive to GTP. Dopamine potently stimulated the accumulation of cAMP in transfected C6 cells, whereas SKF 38393 was a partial agonist in these cells. Also, the density of recombinant D1 receptors on the transfectant cells was decreased 40% upon treatment with 10 microM dopamine, indicating that occupation of recombinant D1 receptors by agonists alters surface expression of the receptors.

Characterization and distribution of [125I]epidepride binding to dopamine D2 receptors in basal ganglia and cortex of human brain

The distribution and pharmacology of the binding of [125I]epidepride, a substituted benzamide with high affinity and selectivity for dopamine (DA) D2 receptors in rat brain (Neve et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 252: 1108-1116, 1990), is described in human brain. Saturation analysis of the binding of [125I]epidepride to membranes derived from striatum and regions of cortex demonstrated similar Kd values (34 and 28-33 pM, respectively) but differing maximum density of binding site values (152 and 3-8 fmol/mg of protein, respectively). The pharmacological profile of binding in cortex was also similar to striatum (epidepride greater than spiperone greater than butaclamol = flupenthixol greater than clozapine) except that an additional low-affinity site, blocked by the alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist idazoxan, was present in cortex. Quantification by autoradiography also demonstrated the greatest binding in the basal ganglia, with the striatum exhibiting greater binding than the pallidal complex or midbrain regions. For the pallidum, binding in the external segment was higher than the internal segment. Within the midbrain the binding of [125I]epidepride correlated well with the known distribution of DA-containing cell bodies, with the substantia nigra (pars compacta and pars lateralis) and ventral tegmental area (A10) higher than area A8 and central gray. Binding in frontal and parietal cortex was highest in the internal layers (layers V and VI). Temporal cortex showed a 2-fold higher density of binding than other cortical regions and a trilaminar pattern; binding was greater in the external (layers I and II) and internal layers than in the middle layers (III and IV). This pattern changed in the parahippocampal complex. Within the lateral occipitotemporal cortex, binding was densest in layers I to III and very low in layers IV to VI, but binding was almost nonexistent in the adjacent entorhinal cortex. Within the hippocampal complex, binding was evident in the subiculum, CA3 and dentate gyrus and almost nonexistent in the presubiculum or other fields of the hippocampus. This pattern of binding in the parahippocampal gyrus is unique to human brain and represents sites of action for DA in limbic cortex.

Pivotal role for aspartate-80 in the regulation of dopamine D2 receptor affinity for drugs and inhibition of adenylyl cyclase

An aspartate residue corresponding to aspartate-80 of dopamine D2 receptors is strictly conserved among receptors that couple to guanine nucleotide-binding proteins. Mutation of this residue alters the function of several classes of neurotransmitter receptors. Dopamine D2 receptors couple to the guanine nucleotide-binding protein Gi to inhibit adenylyl cyclase (ATP-pyrophosphate-lyase, cyclizing; EC 4.6.1.1). Like other Gi-coupled receptors, the binding of agonists and some antagonists to D2 receptors is sensitive to pH and sodium. In the present report, we demonstrate that substitution of an alanine or glutamate residue for aspartate-80 severely impairs inhibition of adenylyl cyclase by D2 receptors and also abolishes or decreases the regulation of the affinity of D2 receptors for agonists and substituted benzamide antagonists by sodium and pH. Our data support the hypothesis that the conformation of D2 receptors is maintained by interactions of monovalent cations with aspartate-80. The regulation of D2 receptors by this interaction has important consequences for the affinity of D2 receptors for ligands and for signal transduction by D2 receptors.

Regulation of dopamine D2 receptors by sodium and pH

The role of Na+ and H+ in the regulation of D2 receptor affinity for ligands was studied to determine the molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon. The potency of substituted benzamide derivatives and agonists at D2 receptors depended on the concentration of Na+ and H+, whereas the potency of other antagonists was relatively unaltered by changes in pH or Na+ concentration. The potency of agonists was generally decreased in the presence of NaCl or lowered pH. For example, in the absence of sodium the affinity of D2 receptors for dopamine was decreased 17-fold by lowering of the pH from 8.0 to pH 6.8. Addition of NaCl caused 2-4-fold decreases in affinity for most agonists. The affinity of the receptors for two substituted benzamide derivatives, on the other hand, was reduced 6-44-fold by elevated concentrations of H+ but was enhanced 7-24-fold in the presence of Na+. The regulation by H+ of the potency of dopamine was selective for D2 receptors, because binding of dopamine to neostriatal D1 receptors was unaffected by changes in pH. Decreasing of the pH from 8.0 or 7.3 to 6.8 facilitated the dissociation of the substituted benzamide ligand [125I]epidepride from D2 receptors but inhibited dissociation of [3H]spiperone. Furthermore, the presence of NaCl or lowered pH slowed inactivation of D2 receptors by N-ethylmaleimide. Together, these data suggest that the conformation of D2 receptors is regulated by both Na+ and H+. The affinity of D2 receptors for agonists and substituted benzamide antagonists varies according to the conformational state of the receptors, whereas other antagonists bind to both forms with approximately equal potency. Amiloride is a compound that interacts with many sodium-binding macromolecules. At equilibrium, amiloride inhibited the binding of [3H]spiperone and [125I]epidepride in a manner suggesting a more complex interaction than simple competitive inhibition. The rate of dissociation of both radioligands was enhanced by amiloride, as would be expected for allosteric inhibition of binding. The sensitivity of D2 receptors to pH, sodium, and amiloride may be a reflection of the ability of D2 receptors to modulate Na+/H+ exchange.

Increased abundance of alternatively spliced forms of D2 dopamine receptor mRNA after denervation

The existence of two molecular forms of D2 dopamine receptors suggests that differences in the distribution or regulation of the two forms could be exploited for the pharmacological treatment of disease. Using probes selective for each alternatively spliced variant of D2 receptor mRNA, we determined that both variants were widely distributed in rat brain and pituitary but that the ratio of the forms varied among regions. mRNA for the 444-amino acid-long variant, D2(444), was the most abundant form in pituitary and neostriatum. Intermediate levels of both D2(444) mRNA and the short form, D2(415), were detected in midbrain, and low levels of D2(444) and D2(415) mRNAs were detected in all other regions examined, including hippocampus, cerebellum, and cortex. The D2(444)/D2(415) ratio was generally lower in the regions of low expression than in pituitary and neostriatum. Dopamine-depleting lesions increased the density of D2 receptors in the denervated neostriatum by 29% without altering the affinity of the receptors for [3H]spiperone. The proliferation of receptors appeared to be due to a lesion-induced increase of up to 120% in the abundance of both variants of mRNA in the neostriatum.

Molecular cloning and expression of the rat beta 1-adrenergic receptor gene

Using the sequence homology approach for cloning related genes within the G-protein-coupled receptor gene family, we have cloned the gene for the rat beta 1-adrenergic receptor (beta 1-AR). The rat beta 1-adrenergic receptor gene was isolated from a lambda EMBL3 rat genomic DNA library using the hamster beta 2-adrenergic receptor (beta 2-AR) coding sequence as a probe under low stringency hybridization conditions. The rat beta 1-AR gene encodes a protein of 466 amino acids that contains one consensus site for N-linked glycosylation (Asn-15) and three consensus sites for cAMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation (Ser-296, Ser-301, and Ser-401). The encoded rat beta 1-AR is 98 and 91% similar at the amino acid level with the human beta 1-AR in the transmembrane domains and in the overall sequence, respectively. Genomic Southern blot and gene dosage analyses indicate that the rat beta 1-AR gene is a single copy gene. The tissue distribution of the rat beta 1-AR mRNA was highest in the pineal gland with other brain regions and peripheral tissues, including the heart, expressing the mRNA at moderate levels. The bacteriophage clone containing the rat beta 1-AR gene with its natural promoter was co-transfected with the selectable marker (pRSVneo) conferring neomycin resistance into beta 1-AR-deficient mouse L cells. Analyses of the selected transfectant demonstrates efficient expression of the beta 1-AR gene and functional receptor. 125I-Labeled iodocyanopindolol bound transfectant membranes with an affinity of KD = 24 pm; the beta 1-AR-selective antagonist ICI 89,406 displaced iodocyanopindolol binding with a Ki approximately 140 times lower than that for the beta 2-AR-selective antagonist ICI 118,551. In addition, in the transfectant cell line, adenylylcyclase was stimulated by beta-adrenergic receptor agonists with the rank order of potency of isoproterenol greater than norepinephrine = epinephrine, consistent with properties expected of the beta 1-AR subtype.

Sodium-dependent isomerization of dopamine D-2 receptors characterized using [125I]epidepride, a high-affinity substituted benzamide ligand

We have characterized the in vitro binding of a new ligand, [125I]epidepride, and used this substituted benzamide to assess the sensitivity of dopamine D-2 receptors to sodium. Both direct and indirect binding studies with [125I]epidepride and unlabeled epidepride, respectively, demonstrated that the affinity of D-2 receptors for the ligand was decreased from 20 to 30 pM in the presence of sodium to 350 to 500 pM in the absence of sodium. The density of binding sites for [125I]epidepride was identical in the presence and absence of NaCl. The time courses for association of [125I]epidepride to and dissociation from D-2 receptors in the presence of sodium were not consistent with simple bimolecular reactions, suggesting the possibility of a sodium-dependent ligand-induced receptor isomerization. Thus, dissociation of [125I]epidepride was biphasic in the presence of sodium, but monophasic in the absence of sodium. The rank order of potency for inhibition of [125I]epidepride binding by drugs was identical in rat striatum and cells expressing a D-2 receptor cDNA, and similar to the previously described pharmacological profile of D-2 receptors labeled by [3H]spiperone. [125I]Epidepride bound to two classes of binding sites in rat medial prefrontal cortex. One class, present at a density of 10 fmol/mg of protein and with a Kd value of approximately 40 pM, was pharmacologically indistinguishable from D-2 receptors in striatum and transfected cells. The pharmacological profile of the second class of sites was similar to that of alpha-2 adrenergic receptors. [125I]Epidepride had 50- to 100-fold lower affinity (approximately 2 nM) for alpha-2 receptors than for D-2 receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Coupling of a cloned rat dopamine-D2 receptor to inhibition of adenylyl cyclase and prolactin secretion

We have previously described a cDNA which encodes a binding site with the pharmacology of the D2-dopamine receptor (Bunzow, J. R., VanTol, H. H. M., Grandy, D. K., Albert, P., Salon, J., Christie, M., Machida, C., Neve, K. A., and Civelli, O. (1988) Nature 336, 783-787). We demonstrate here that this protein is a functional receptor, i.e. it couples to G-proteins to inhibit cAMP generation and hormone secretion. The cDNA was expressed in GH4C1 cells, a rat somatomammotrophic cell strain which lacks dopamine receptors. Stable transfectants were isolated and one clone, GH4ZR7, which had the highest levels of D2-dopamine receptor mRNA on Northern blot, was studied in detail. Binding of D2-dopamine antagonist [3H]spiperone to membranes isolated from GH4ZR7 cells was saturable, with KD = 96 pM, and Bmax = 2300 fmol/mg protein. Addition of GTP/NaCl increased the IC50 value for dopamine competition for [3H]spiperone binding by 2-fold, indicating that the D2-dopamine receptor interacts with one or more G-proteins. To assess the function of the dopamine-binding site, acute biological actions of dopamine were characterized in GH4ZR7 cells. Dopamine, at concentrations found in vivo, decreased resting intra- and extracellular cAMP levels (EC50 = 8 +/- 2 nM) by 50-70% and blocked completely vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) induced enhancement of cAMP levels (EC50 = 6 +/- 1 nM). Antagonism of dopamine-induced inhibition of VIP-enhanced cAMP levels by spiperone, (+)-butaclamol, (-)-sulpiride, and SCH23390 occurred at concentrations expected from KI values for these antagonists at the D2-receptor and was stereoselective. Dopamine (as well as several D2-selective agonists) inhibited forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity by 45 +/- 6%, with EC50 of 500-800 nM in GH4ZR7 membranes. Dopaminergic inhibition of cellular cAMP levels and of adenylyl cyclase activity in membrane preparations was abolished by pretreatment with pertussis toxin (50 ng/ml, 16 h). Dopamine (200 nM) abolished VIP- and thyrotropin-releasing hormone-induced acute prolactin release. These data show conclusively that the cDNA clone encodes a functional dopamine-D2 receptor which couples to G-proteins to inhibit adenylyl cyclase and both cAMP-dependent and cAMP-independent hormone secretion.

Functional characterization of a rat dopamine D-2 receptor cDNA expressed in a mammalian cell line

We recently cloned a complementary DNA for the rat dopamine D-2 receptor, making it possible to create cell lines expressing this receptor. A cell line (LZR1) was created by transfecting the D-2 cDNA (RGB-2) into mouse fibroblast Ltk- cells. LZR1 cells, previously described as L-RGB2Zem-1 cells, express a high density of D-2 receptors, whereas the wild-type cells do not. A number of agonists competitively and stereoselectively inhibited the binding of [3H]spiroperidol to the expressed D-2 receptors in a GTP-sensitive manner. The potency of dopamine was decreased by the addition of GTP. NaCl and GTP together caused a further decrease in potency and increased the Hill slope for inhibition of radioligand binding by dopamine almost to 1.0. Pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin inhibited high affinity binding of dopamine and prevented further inhibition of binding by GTP. The NaCl-induced decrease in affinity was not prevented by pertussis toxin treatment. Dopamine reduced forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity by 27% in membranes prepared from LZR1 cells. Inhibition by dopamine was blocked by (+)-butaclamol or prior treatment of intact cells with pertussis toxin. Other dopamine receptor agonists stereoselectively inhibited adenylate cyclase activity. These data indicate that the RGB-2 cDNA directs the expression of a dopamine D-2 receptor capable of interacting with guanine nucleotide-binding proteins and inhibiting adenylate cyclase activity. Furthermore, the RGB-2 cDNA provides a means of creating many cell lines that will be useful tools for the biochemical and pharmacological characterization of dopamine D-2 receptors.

Cloning and expression of a rat D2 dopamine receptor cDNA

Dopamine receptors are classified into D1 and D2 subtypes on the basis of their pharmacological and biochemical characteristics. The D2 dopamine receptor has been implicated in the pathophysiology and treatment of movement disorders, schizophrenia and drug addiction. The D2 dopamine receptor interacts with guanine nucleotide-binding proteins to induce second messenger systems. Other members of the family of receptors that are coupled to G proteins share a significant similarity in primary amino-acid sequence and exhibit an archetypical topology predicted to consist of seven putative transmembrane domains. We have taken advantage of the expected nucleotide sequence similarities among members of this gene family to isolate genes coding for new receptors. Using the hamster beta 2-adrenergic receptor gene as a hybridization probe we have isolated related genes including a cDNA encoding the rat D2 dopamine receptor. This receptor has been characterized on the basis of three criteria: the deduced amino-acid sequence which reveals that it is a member of the family of G-protein-coupled receptors; the tissue distribution of the mRNA which parallels that of the D2 dopamine receptor; and the pharmacological profile of mouse fibroblast cells transfected with the cDNA.

Interaction of beta-adrenergic receptors with the inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding protein of adenylate cyclase in membranes prepared from cyc- S49 lymphoma cells

beta-Adrenergic receptors on membranes prepared from L6 myoblasts, wild-type S49 lymphoma cells, and an adenylate cyclase-deficient variant (cyc-) of S49 lymphoma cells bind the agonist [3H]hydroxybenzylisoproterenol ([3H]HBI) with high affinity. In each case the agonist [3H]HBI is associated with a larger complex than is the antagonist [125I]iodopindolol, and the binding of [3H]HBI can be inhibited by GTP. These observations suggest that there is an agonist-dependent association of the receptor with a guanine nucleotide-binding protein. The goal of the present experiments was to investigate the possibility that an interaction of beta-adrenergic receptors with the inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding protein of adenylate cyclase was responsible for these observations. Treatment of S49 cells with pertussis toxin decreased the extent of pertussis toxin-catalyzed [32P]ADP-ribosylation of a 41,000-dalton protein, measured in vitro, and decreased the inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity observed in the presence of somatostatin or analogues of GTP. Isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was potentiated following treatment of wild-type S49 cells and L6 myoblasts with pertussis toxin. Although the ability of receptors on membranes prepared from L6 myoblasts to bind the agonist [3H]HBI was not affected by treatment of cells with pertussis toxin, treatment of cyc- S49 cells with pertussis toxin markedly decreased the ability of receptors to bind [3H]HBI. The observed inhibition of the binding of the agonist [3H]HBI to beta-adrenergic receptors on membranes prepared from cyc- S49 cells after treatment with pertussis toxin could be explained by an interaction between beta-adrenergic receptors and the inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding protein. Such an interaction may represent a mechanism through which stimulation of the activity of adenylate cyclase by beta-adrenergic receptors can be regulated or through which beta-adrenergic receptors can affect the activity of cyclic AMP-independent cellular processes.

Monoclonal antibodies with high affinity for spiroperidol

A diverse panel of monoclonal antibodies was obtained from BALB/c mice immunized with two haptens structurally related to spiroperidol (SPD). Bromoacetyl derivatives of aminospiroperidol (NH2SPD) and N-amino-phenethylspiroperidol (NAPS) were synthesized to couple the haptens covalently to a protein carrier for immunization, thereby maintaining the butyrophenone portion of the immunogen. Hybridomas were selected based on their ability to secrete antibody that binds [3H]SPD with high affinity. Equilibrium dissociation constants for these antibodies ranged from 0.2 to greater than 100 nM. The antigen binding sites of the anti-NH2SPD and anti-NAPS antibodies were characterized in studies of the inhibition of the binding of [3H]-SPD by a series of ligands that are either (a) structurally related to SPD or (b) structurally unrelated to the butyrophenones but known to be selective antagonists of the D2 subtype of dopamine receptor. Based on the patterns of inhibition of the binding of [3H]SPD by these compounds, 12 classes of antibody combining sites were identified. Most of these antibodies bound butyrophenones with high affinity. One anti-NH2SPD and four anti-NAPS antibodies also bound domperidone, a nonbutyrophenone that has a high affinity for D2 receptors. None of the antibodies bound clebopride or sulpiride, D2-selective antagonists of the benzamide class, or the agonist dopamine.

A quantitative method of analyzing the interaction of slightly selective radioligands with multiple receptor subtypes

Subclasses of receptors exist for most neurotransmitters. Frequently, two subtypes of receptors coexist in the same tissue and, in some cases, they mediate the same physiological response. In tissues with two classes of binding sites for a given hormone, an estimate of the proportion of each class of binding sites is obtained by inhibiting the binding of a single concentration of a radioligand with a selective unlabeled ligand. Accurate estimates of the density of each class of receptors will only be obtained, however, if the radioligand is entirely nonselective. Selectivity of just 2- to 3-fold can markedly influence the results of subtype analysis. The conclusion that a radioligand is nonselective is usually based on the results of a saturation binding curve. If Scatchard analysis of such data results in a linear plot, then it is concluded that the radioligand is nonselective. However, Scatchard analysis cannot distinguish between a radioligand that is nonselective and one that is slightly selective. The use of a slightly selective radioligand can lead to errors of 50% or more, depending on the concentration of the radioligand relative to the Kd values of the two classes of sites. A new analytical method has been developed that can be used to quantitate 2- to 3-fold differences in the affinity of two distinct classes of binding sites for a radioligand. This new approach requires that a series of inhibition experiments with a selective unlabeled ligand be performed in the presence of increasing concentrations of the radioligand. Analysis of the resulting inhibition curves, utilizing the mathematical modeling program MLAB on the PROPHET system, yields accurate estimates of the density of each class of receptor as well as the affinity of each receptor for the labeled and unlabeled ligands. This approach was used to determine whether 125I-iodopindolol shows selectivity for beta 1- or beta 2-adrenergic receptors. A series of inhibition curves was generated with the unlabeled ligands ICI 89,406 (beta 1-selective) and ICI 118,551 (beta 2-selective), using membranes prepared from C6 glioma cells. These cells contain both beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors. 125I-Iodopindolol was determined to be 3-fold selective for beta 2-adrenergic receptors. Since the sensitivity of this approach is superior to that of Scatchard analysis, it is likely that other radioligands, previously thought to be nonselective, will be shown to be selective when analyzed by this method.

Turnover of beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors after down-regulation or irreversible blockade

The turnover of beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors was measured after both isoproterenol-induced down-regulation and irreversible blockade of receptors. Changes in the density of receptors were quantified using the radioligands 125I-iodopindolol and 125I-iodocyanopindolol. Treatment of intact L6 myoblasts or C6 glioma cells with N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ) inactivated beta-adrenergic receptors on membranes prepared from these cells. At a concentration of 100 microM EEDQ, more than 90% of beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors were inactivated within 2 hr of treatment. Recovery of beta-adrenergic receptors on intact cells after inactivation by EEDQ required more than 24 hr and was prevented by cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis. The kinetics of recovery of the density of receptors were analyzed in terms of a model that allows estimation of the rate constants for receptor appearance in and disappearance from the membrane, assuming that the rate of appearance of receptors is constant and the rate of disappearance of receptors is proportional to the number of receptors. Beta 2-Adrenergic receptors on L6 myoblasts were incorporated into the membrane at a rate of 28 fmol/mg of protein/hr and had a half-life of 12.6 hr. On C6 glioma cells, Beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors appeared at rates of 13.3 and 6.6 fmol/mg of protein/hr, respectively, with half-lives of 9.4 and 6.4 hr. Recovery of receptors on C6 cells after isoproterenol-induced down-regulation was inhibited by cycloheximide. The rate of recovery of beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors was reduced after treatment with isoproterenol for 8 hr when compared to recovery after treatment with EEDQ. The major effect of treatment with isoproterenol was a persistent decrease in the rate of appearance of beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors (rate of synthesis and insertion into the membrane after treatment with isoproterenol = 4.0 fmol/mg of protein/hr). Since treatment with isoproterenol did not alter the rate of cell division or total protein synthesis, the isoproterenol-induced alteration was probably a specific effect on the rate of synthesis of beta-adrenergic receptors.

Quantitative analysis of the selectivity of radioligands for subtypes of beta adrenergic receptors

In tissues with two classes of binding sites for a drug, it is common to estimate the proportion of each class of binding site by inhibiting the binding of a radioligand with a selective unlabeled ligand. Accurate estimates of the density of each class of binding site, however, will be obtained only if the radioligand is nonselective or used at a concentration that saturates both classes of binding sites. A method of simultaneous regression analysis of multiple inhibition curves, using the program MLAB on the PROPHET system, was used to quantify the selectivity of radioligands for beta-1 or beta-2 adrenergic receptors. The selectivity of [125I]iodopindolol, [125I]iodocyanopindolol, [125I]iodohydroxybenzylpindolol and [3H]dihydroalprenolol for beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors was assessed by inhibiting the binding of each radioligand with the beta-1-selective unlabeled ligand ICI 89,406 at increasing concentrations of the radioligand, using membranes prepared from C6 glioma cells, which have both beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors. Scatchard plots for all four radioligands were linear, with correlation coefficients greater than 0.95. [125I]Iodopindolol and [125I]iodocyanopindolol were 3.2- and 2-fold selective, respectively, and [125I]iodohydroxybenzylpindolol and [3H]dihydroalprenolol were 5.8- and 2.3-fold selective, respectively, for beta-2 adrenergic receptors. Values obtained for the densities of beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors and the affinities of the receptors for ICI 89,406 were independent of the radioligand used.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)