Discovery of novel, orally active dual NK1/NK2 antagonists.

Exploration of the SAR around selective NK2 antagonists, SR48968 and ZD7944, led to the discovery that naphth-1-amide analogues provide potent dual NK1 and NK2 antagonists. ZD6021 inhibited binding of [3H]-NKA or [3H]-SP to human NK1 and NK2 receptors, with high-affinity (K(i)=0.12 and 0.62nM, respectively). In functional assays ZD6021 had, at 10(-7)M, in human pulmonary artery pK(B)=8.9 and in human bronchus pK(B)=7.3, for NK1 and NK2, respectively. Oral administration of ZD6021 to guinea pigs dose-dependently attenuated ASMSP induced extravasation of plasma proteins, ED(50)=0.5mg/kg, and NK2 mediated bronchoconstriction, ED(50)=13mg/kg.

Pharmacological characterization of ZD6021: a novel, orally active antagonist of the tachykinin receptors.

The tachykinins, substance P, neurokinin A, and neurokinin B, have been implicated in many diseases. The present study evaluated the pharmacological properties of a novel tachykinin antagonist ZD6021 [3-cyano-N-((2S)-2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-[4-[2-(methyl-(S)-sulfinyl)-phenyl]piperidino]butyl)-N-methyl-]-napthamide]. The affinity (K(i)) of ZD6021 for the cloned human neurokinin (NK)1, NK2, and NK3 receptors was 0.12 +/- 0.01, 0.64 +/- 0.08, and 74 +/- 13 nM, respectively. Mucin secretion by Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with the human NK1 receptor was dose dependently inhibited by ZD6021: pIC(50) = 7.6 +/- 0.1. For NK1 and NK2 receptors, the agonist concentration-response curves using isolated tissues were displaced rightward in the presence of ZD6021: rabbit pulmonary artery, pA2 = 8.7 and 8.5; human pulmonary artery and bronchus, pKB = 8.9 +/- 0.4 and 7.5 +/- 0.2, at 10(-7) M, respectively. Senktide-induced contractions of isolated guinea pig ileum were also blocked by low concentrations of ZD6021. Oral administration of ZD6021 to guinea pigs dose dependently attenuated tracheal extravasation of plasma proteins induced by the NK1 receptor agonist Ac-[Arg6,Sar9,Met(O2)11]-SP(6-11), ED50 = 0.8 micromol/kg, and bronchoconstriction, elicited by the NK2 receptor agonist [beta-Ala8]-NKA(4-10), ED50 = 20 micromol/kg. Potency was unaffected by feeding. After oral administration of ZD6021, the time to peak activity was 150 min for the NK1 receptor and 60 min for the NK2 receptor with pharmacodynamic half-lives of 280 and 458 min, respectively. These data indicate that ZD6021 is a potent, orally active antagonist of all three tachykinin receptors. This compound may be useful for future studies of tachykinin-related pathology such as asthma.

The discovery of non-basic atrial natriuretic peptide clearance receptor antagonists. Part 1.

The cyclic peptide ANP 4-23 and the linear peptide analogue AP-811 have been shown to be selective ANP-CR antagonists. Via alanine scanning and truncation studies we sought to determine which residues in these molecules were important in their binding to the clearance receptor and the relationship between these two molecules. These studies show that several modifications to these compounds are possible which improve physical properties of these molecules while retaining high affinity for the ANP-CR.

Pharmacology of leukotriene receptor antagonists.

Preclinical pharmacological studies have demonstrated that cysLT, receptor antagonists, such as zafirlukast, montelukast, and pobilukast, are potent and selective antagonists of cysteinyl leukotriene (cysLT) activity. In vitro, these agents compete with [3H]LTD4 for binding to cysLT, receptors present on guinea pig and human lung cell membranes. Both zafirlukast and montelukast have affinities that are approximately two times greater than that of the natural ligand, LTD4. These agents block LTD4- and LTE4-induced contractions of isolated guinea pig trachea, but do not antagonize LTC4-induced contractions, which are putatively mediated by a different LT receptor, cysLT2. The cysLT2 receptor, however, has not yet been found in human airway smooth muscle. In animal models, these drugs inhibit LTD4-, LTE4-, and antigen-induced bronchoconstriction, reduce inflammatory markers in models of pulmonary inflammation, and inhibit antigen-induced late-phase bronchoconstriction. This preclinical profile suggests that cysLT, receptor antagonists may be useful in treating inflammatory conditions of the respiratory system, such as asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Pharmacology of leukotriene receptor antagonists

Preclinical pharmacological studies have demonstrated that cysLT1 receptor antagonists, such as zafirlukast, montelukast, and pobilukast, are potent and selective antagonists of cysteinyl leukotriene (cysLT) activity. In vitro, these agents compete with [3H]LTD4 for binding to cysLT1 receptors present on guinea pig and human lung cell membranes. Both zafirlukast and montelukast have affinities that are approximately two times greater than that of the natural ligand, LTD4. These agents block LTD4- and LTE4-induced contractions of isolated guinea pig trachea, but do not antagonize LTC4-induced contractions, which are putatively mediated by a different LT receptor, cysLT2. The cysLT2 receptor, however, has not yet been found in human airway smooth muscle. In animal models, these drugs inhibit LTD4-, LTE4-, and antigen-induced bronchoconstriction, reduce inflammatory markers in models of pulmonary inflammation, and inhibit antigen-induced late-phase bronchoconstriction. This preclinical profile suggests that cysLT1 receptor antagonists may be useful in treating inflammatory conditions of the respiratory system, such as asthma and allergic rhinitis. Aharony D. Pharmacology of leukotriene receptor antagonists.

4-Alkylpiperidines related to SR-48968: potent antagonists of the neurokinin-2 (NK2) receptor.

A series of 4-alkylpiperidine derivatives related to the potent neurokinin-2 (NK2) receptor antagonist SR-48968 (1) is described. Simple aliphatic derivatives were found to be poorly active, but appropriate placement of an alcohol functional group afforded compounds that were of similar activity to 1. Several representatives in this series, such as the 4-(1-hydroxy-1-ethylpropyl)piperidine (14), were found to exhibit oral activity in a model of labored abdominal breathing in guinea pigs. These results expand the latitude of substituents available in this region of this series of NK2 receptor antagonists.

Pharmacological characterization of a new class of nonpeptide neurokinin A antagonists that demonstrate species selectivity.

We examined the pharmacology of ZM253,270 and two representative examples of the pyrrolopyrimidines, a new class of nonpeptide, NK-2 receptor (NK-2R) antagonists. ZM253,270 competitively inhibited [3H]NKA binding to native or cloned NK-2R from hamster urinary bladder (Ki = 2 nM), but was a weaker (48-fold) inhibitor of [3H]NKA binding to cloned human NK-2R. A similar species selectivity was observed with less potent analogs of ZM253,270. The pyrrolopyrimidines demonstrated only marginal inhibition of [3H]SP binding to NK-1R in guinea pig lung membranes (Ki > 2 microM). In hamster trachea, ZM253,270 competitively antagonized the contractile response evoked by neurokinin A (NKA, -logKB = 7.5). In human bronchus, ZM253,270 was about 90-fold less potent as a competitive antagonist of NKA. The data from ligand binding assays in cloned receptors combined with functional receptor assays in airway smooth muscles, demonstrate that the nonpeptide antagonist ZM253,270 is selective for the NK2 receptor species that are prevalent in hamster, compared with those found in human tissues.

Isolation and characterization of neurokinin A receptor cDNAs from guinea-pig lung and rabbit pulmonary artery.

cDNA clones for NK-2 receptors (NK-2R) were isolated from guinea-pig lung (GPl) and rabbit pulmonary artery (Rpa) using a polymerase chain reaction based methodology. The GPl NK-2R consists of 402 amino acids and encodes a protein with a relative molecular mass of 45,097. The Rpa NK-2R consists of 384 amino acids and encodes a protein with a relative molecular mass of 43,169. The GPl and Rpa NK-2Rs share significant amino acid sequence homology amongst themselves (90.1%), as well as with human, bovine, hamster and rat NK-2 receptors. The two receptors were stably transfected into mouse erythroleukemia cells, high-speed membranes were prepared from induced cells and their pharmacological properties examined utilizing [3H]-NKA in a receptor-binding assay. [3H]NKA bound to both NK-2Rs with high affinity (KD = 2-7 nM) and saturable (Bmax = 633-9000 fmol/mg protein) manner which was inhibited by GTP analogs. Competition experiments with agonists demonstrated identical order of potency in both NK-2Rs; NKA > [Nle10]NKA(4-10) > [beta-Ala8]NKA(4-10) > > Substance P > > > Senktide. Similarly, an identical profile for both receptors was observed with selective NK-2 antagonists: SR48,968 > MEN10,376 > > R396. The rank order of antagonist affinity is consistent with that in cloned human NK-2R and the observations of NK-2 receptor pharmacology in native human, guinea pig and rabbit tissues.

Synthesis, structure-activity relationships, and pharmacological evaluation of a series of fluorinated 3-benzyl-5-indolecarboxamides: identification of 4-[[5-[((2R)-2-methyl-4,4,4-trifluorobutyl)carbamoyl]-1-methyl indol- 3-yl]methyl]-3-methoxy-N-[(2-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]benzamide, a potent, orally active antagonist of leukotrienes D4 and E4.

The continued exploration of a series of 3-(arylmethyl)-1H-indole-5-carboxamides by the introduction of fluorinated amide substituents has resulted in the discovery of 4-[[5-[((2R)-2-methyl-4,4,4-trifluorobutyl)carbamoyl]-1-methyli ndol- 3-yl]methyl]-3-methoxy-N-[(2-methyl-phenyl)sulfonyl]benzamide (38p, ZENECA ZD3523), which has been chosen for clinical evaluation. This compound exhibited a Ki of 0.42 nM for displacement of [3H]LTD4 on guinea pig lung membranes, a pKB of 10.13 +/- 0.14 versus LTE4 on guinea pig trachea, and an oral ED50 of 1.14 mumol/kg opposite LTD4-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs. The R enantiomer was found to be modestly more potent than the S enantiomer 38o. Modification of the amide substituent to afford achiral compounds was unsuccessful in achieving comparable levels of activity. Profiling of 38p opposite a variety of functional assays has demonstrated the selectivity of this compound as a leukotriene receptor antagonist. The enantioselective synthesis of 38p, which employed a diastereoselective alkylation of (4R,5S)-3-(1-oxo-4,4,4-trifluorobutyl)-4-methyl-5-phenyl-2-oxazoli dinone (27) as the key step to establish the chirality of the amide substituent, provided an efficient route for generating 38p in > 99% enantiomeric purity.

Expression of rat NK-2 (neurokinin A) receptor in E. coli.

With the goal of obtaining sufficient functional protein for structural analysis, rat neurokinin-2 receptor was produced in Escherichia coli by linking it to the periplasmic maltose-binding protein. As a first step, we present a biochemical and pharmacological investigation of the recombinant receptor. Western-blots showed that the fusion protein was associated with the membranes. The agonist [4,5-3H-Leu9]neurokinin A and the NK-2 antagonist [3H]SR48,968 bound to the receptor in a highly specific manner. Saturation binding of the [3H]agonist demonstrated a single class of receptors (KD = 10.5 nM, Bmax = 2.5 pmol/mg protein). The [3H]antagonist bound with higher affinity to a larger receptor population (KD = 0.2 nM, Bmax = 7.2 pmol/mg protein). Competition of [3H]agonist binding with other agonists demonstrated a potency order of: neurokinin A > [Nle10]NKA(4-10) = [beta-Ala8]NKA(4-10) >> substance P >>> senktide Against the [3H]antagonist, agonists were only partially inhibitory. Selective NK-2 antagonists inhibited binding of both [3H]ligands with an identical order of potency: SR48,968 >> R396 > MEN10,376, which is consistent with NK-2 receptor pharmacology in rat tissue.

Isolation and pharmacological characterization of a hamster urinary bladder neurokinin A receptor cDNA.

Functional cDNA clones for hamster neurokinin-2 receptor (NK-2R) were isolated from hamster urinary bladder using a polymerase chain reaction-based methodology. The hamster NK-2R consists of 384 amino acids with a relative molecular weight of 43,418. Hamster NK-2R shares significant amino acid sequence homology with other tachykinin receptors, particularly with rat, bovine, and human NK-2R (94.3, 84.4, and 86.5%, respectively). To examine the pharmacology of cloned hamster NK-2R, we transfected mouse erythroleukemia cells with this receptor, prepared high speed membranes, and studied the receptor properties utilizing the ligand [4,5-3H-Leu9]NKA in a receptor-binding assay. For pharmacological comparison, we also transfected the human NK-2R into mouse erythroleukemia cells. [3H]NKA bound to hamster NK-2R receptor in a protein-dependent, high affinity (Kd1 = 4.14 +/- 0.31 nM), saturable (Bmax1 = 679 +/- 26 fmol/mg of protein), and highly specific manner (89 +/- 2%). A smaller population (10% density) of lower affinity receptors (Kd2 = 150 +/- 92 nM), was also observed in competition experiments. [3H]NKA bound to the human receptor with significantly higher affinity and overall greater receptor density (Kd1 = 0.37 +/- 0.11 nM, Bmax1 = 234 +/- 175 fmol/mg of protein; Kd2 = 9.0 +/- 2 nM, Bmax2 = 1989 + 990 fmol/mg of protein). [3H]NKA binding to both hamster and human receptors was enhanced greatly by divalent cations, whereas GTP analogs weakly inhibited binding to hamster receptor, but potently inhibited binding to the human receptor. Competition experiments with agonists demonstrated binding to high and low affinity states of NK-2 receptors, with identical order of potency in hamster or human NK-2R; NKA > [Nle10]NKA(4-10) > [beta-Ala8]NKA(4-10) >> substance P >>> Senktide. However, remarkable differences were observed in studies with selective NK-2 antagonists (hamster, SR48,968 > L659,877 > R396 >> MEN10,376 versus human, SR48,968 > MEN10,376 > L659,877 > R396). The rank order of antagonist affinity is consistent with the observations of NK-2 receptor pharmacology in the native tissues.

Characterization of bradykinin receptors in guinea pig gall bladder.

Specific binding of [3H]bradykinin (BK) to guinea pig gall bladder (GPGB) membranes was protein dependent, rapid (Kon = 0.067 min-1) with high affinity (Kd = 0.45 +/- 0.02; n = 3), saturable (Bmax = 546 +/- 56 fmol/mg of protein) and showed no cooperativity (nH = 1.19 +/- 0.08). A BK B2 receptor type was indicated by the rank order of potency for inhibition of binding by B2 antagonists, [(D)Arg-[Hyp3,Thi5,(D)Tic7-Oic8]-bradykinin (HOE140) > (D)Arg-[Hyp3,(D)HypE(transpropyl)7-Oic8]-bradykinin (NPC17731) > (D)Arg-[Hyp3,Thi5, (D)Tic7-Tic8]-bradykinin (NPC16731) > (D)Arg-[Hyp3,(D)Phe7]-bradykinin (NPC567)] and agonists (BK = kallidin = Tyr(Me)8-BK > Tyr8-BK,> Hyp4-kallidin) as well as inactivity of the B1 agonist des(Arg9)-BK. Nonhydrolyzable GTP analogs (GTP-gamma-S and guanylyl-5'-imido-diphosphate) produced 80% inhibition of specific binding suggesting receptor coupling to guanine nucleotide-binding proteins. BK increased polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis in chopped GPGB in a concentration-dependent manner (0.01-300 microM; EC50 = 414 +/- 171 nM; n = 3-9 tissues/concentration). HOE140 and NPC16731, inhibited BK-induced polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis but only the latter appeared competitive (pKb 8.09 +/- 0.19, n = 3). U73122, an inhibitor of phospholipase C pathway, also inhibited BK-induced turnover in GPGB (IC50 = 46.9 +/- 17.3 nM). BK produced a concentration-related contraction of isolated strips of GPGB. Indomethacin significantly decreased both the potency and efficacy of BK whereas thiorphan, a neutral endopeptidase inhibitor, and/or captopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, enhanced potency.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pharmacological characterization of cloned human NK-2 (neurokinin A) receptor expressed in a baculovirus/Sf-21 insect cell system.

Using the novel ligand [4,5-3H-Leu9]neurokinin A ([4,5-3H-Leu9] NKA) in a receptor binding assay, we characterized the pharmacology of a cloned neurokinin NK-2 receptor from human lung (hNK-2R), expressed in baculovirus-infected Sf-21 insect cells. Functional hNK-2R cDNA clones were isolated from human lung using a polymerase chain reaction-based methodology. hNK-2R was cloned into pAcYM1, a vector designed to couple expression to the polyhedrin promoter, and the recombinant baculovirus was isolated and used to infect Sf-21 insect cells. hNK-2R expression levels were monitored by Northern blots and 125-I-NKA binding assays. Isolates demonstrating the highest specific binding of 125-I-NKA were grown and membrane preparations from high-speed centrifugations were prepared from both hNK-2R-expressing and wild-type virus-infected cells. [3H]NKA bound in a protein-dependent, saturable (Bmax = 820 +/- 167 fmol/mg of protein), and highly specific (88 +/- 5%) manner to hNK-2R, but not to membranes from cells infected with wild-type virus (14 +/- 8%, 7 +/- 10 fmol/mg of protein). [3H]NKA binding was rapid (k1 = 0.085 nM-1 x min-1) and reversible (t1/2 = 4-5 min). Equilibrium binding experiments demonstrated binding to a mixture of receptors in high and low affinity states (Kd1 = 2.28 +/- 0.26 nM and Kd2 = 266 +/- 91 nM). Binding to hNK-2R was greatly enhanced (400%-600%) by Ca2+ and Mg2+ (EC50 values of 30 microM and 140 microM, respectively), whereas guanosine-5'-O-(3'-thio)triphosphate and guanosine-5'-(beta, gamma-imido)diphosphate were inhibitory. Competition experiments with agonists also demonstrated binding to high and low affinity states, with the following order of potency: NKA > [Nle10]NKA(4-10) > [beta-Ala8]NKA(4-10) >> substance P; Senktide and the NK-1 antagonist CP96,345 (10 microM) did not inhibit binding. Inhibition of binding by selective NK-2 antagonists was consistent with a single affinity state and demonstrated the following order of affinity: SR48,968 >> MEN10,376 > L659,877 > R396. These data suggest that infection of Sf-21 cells with baculovirus expression vector harboring the cDNA of hNK-2R resulted in expression of high affinity, G protein-coupled hNK-2R, with pharmacological selectivity compatible with the NK-2A receptor subtype.

Substituted 3-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole-5-carboxamides and 1-(phenylmethyl)indole-6-carboxamides as potent, selective, orally active antagonists of the peptidoleukotrienes.

Substituted indole-5-carboxamides and indole-6-carboxamides have been found to be potent and selective antagonists of the peptidoleukotrienes. Initial derivatives of these series (4-[[5-[(cyclopentylmethyl)carbamoyl]-1-methylindol-3-yl] methyl]-3-methoxy-N-[(2-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]benzamide (5a) and 4-[[6-[(cyclopentylmethyl)carbamoyl]-3-methylindol-1-yl] methyl]-3-methoxy-N-[(2-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]benzamide (6a), respectively), when compared to the corresponding indole amides (e.g. 28 and 29), were found to be approximately 10-fold less potent in vitro and substantially less active when administered orally to guinea pigs. Efforts to improve the potency of the title series by variation of the amide, indole, or sulfonamide substituents led to compounds of comparable in vitro potency to ICI 204,219, but of somewhat lower oral activity. A trend which suggested that more lipophilic transposed amides were needed to increase oral activity was exploited with some success and has led to the discovery of 5q (4-[[5-[(2-ethylbutyl)-carbamoyl]-1-ethylindol-3-yl]methyl]- 3- methoxy-N-[(2-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]benzamide), a transposed amide with subnanomolar affinity for the leukotriene receptor and an oral ED50 of 5 mg/kg in a model of asthma in guinea pigs. In this model, ICI 204,219 was active at 0.4 mg/kg. The absolute bioavailability of 5q has been found to be 28% in the rat, as compared to 68% for ICI 204,219, with significant levels of 5q observed in the blood of rats up to 24 h postdose.

Pharmacologic characterization of the novel ligand [4,5-3H-Leu9]neurokinin-A binding to NK-2 receptors on hamster urinary bladder membranes.

We synthesized a novel ligand [4,5-3H-Leu9]-Neurokinin A (3H-NKA, S.A 117-144 Ci/mmol), and evaluated its binding to hamster urinary bladder membranes (HUBM). The ligand bound to HUBM in a highly-specific (94 +/- 4%) and protein-dependent manner. Binding was rapid (k1 = 0.037 nM-1*min-1) and saturable (Bmax = 1210 +/- 177 fmol/mg protein), to a single population of high-affinity sites (KD = 2.41 +/- 0.15 nM, nH = 0.99 +/- 0.02). Binding was inhibited by non-hydrolyzable GTP analogs. Competition experiments with HUBM demonstrated the following rank order of potency: NKA > Kassinin > [beta-Ala8]-NKA(4-10) > [Nle10]-NKA(4-10) = Eledoisin = NKB > Physaelamin > Substance P. The selective NK-1 and NK-3 ligands, [Sar9-Met (O2)11]-SP, (+/-) CP96,345 and Senktide respectively, did not inhibit binding at 10 microM, whereas, the selective NK-2 antagonists: (+/-) SR-48,968 >> L-659,877 > R396 >> MEN-10,207 > MEN-10,376, inhibited binding in a competitive manner. In contrast, the low specific binding (< 30%) detected in guinea pig lung membranes, was not inhibited by selective NK-2 ligands. Over 30 ligands (0.1-10 microM) from other receptor classes, were not inhibitory. The data suggest that this new ligand binds with high-affinity and selectivity to homogeneous population of NK-2 receptors on HUBM but not on lung membranes, and is a suitable ligand to study NK-2 receptors.

1,3,6-trisubstituted indoles as peptidoleukotriene antagonists: benefits of a second, polar, pyrrole substituent.

1,6-Substituted and 3,5-substituted indoles and indazoles containing acylamino and N-arylsulfonyl amide appendages are potent antagonists of the peptidoleukotrienes LTD4 and LTE4. A compound from the 3,5-substituted indole series, N-[4-[[5-[[(cyclopentyloxy)carbonyl]amino]-1-methylindol- 3-yl]methyl]-3-methoxybenzoyl]-2-methyl-benzenesulfonamide (ICI 204,219), is undergoing clinical evaluation for asthma. Two new elements of structural diversity were introduced to this series of antagonists. An investigation of pyrrole substituents in the 1,6-substituted indoles demonstrated that substitution at C-2 was detrimental to biological activity, but the incorporation of hydrophilic groups at C-3 was beneficial. The introduction of a propionamide moiety at C-3 enhanced activity by 1 order of magnitude; N-[4-[[6-(cyclopentylacetamido)-3-[2-(N- methylcarbamoyl)ethyl]indol-1-yl]methyl]-3-methoxy- benzoyl]benzenesulfonamide (15c) has a pKB of 10.7 at the LTD4 receptor on guinea pig trachea. Modifications of the acylamino portion of the disubstituted antagonists demonstrated that a transposition of the amide CO and NH atoms was viable. N-Cyclopentylmethyl amides in both the 1,6- and 3,5-disubstituted indole series were 1 order of magnitude less potent than the corresponding cyclopentylacetamides. In both series this potency loss could be regained by the incorporation of a propionamide substituent at either C-3 or N-1, respectively. For example, N-[4-[[6-[N-(cyclopentylmethyl)carbamoyl]-3-[2-(pyrrolidin-1 - methylbenzenesulfonamide (39c) has a pKB of 9.5.

Leukotriene D4 increases both the force of contraction and polyphosphoinositide formation in guinea-pig papillary muscle.

Leukotriene D4 (LTD4) increased the force of contraction in guinea-pig papillary muscle. A rapid (less than 1 min), transient (less than 5 min) response to LTD4 (1 microM) reached 19.3 +/- 5.4% of isoproterenol maximum. A single exposure to LTD4 resulted in complete and homologous desensitization which was not influenced by indomethacin. LTD4 (0.1-3.0 microM) increased total inositol phosphates released from [3H]inositol-labeled tissue. ICI 198,615, a selective LT receptor antagonist, blocked both the increase in force of contraction and the increase in inositol phosphates by LTD4, but had no effect on the inotropic response to isoproterenol. These data support the existence of specific functional LTD4 receptors in myocardial tissue of guinea-pigs.

Binding of the novel ligand [4,5-3H-Leu10]substance P to high-affinity NK-1 receptors on guinea pig lung membranes: modulation by GTP analogs and sulfhydryl modifying agents.

A novel ligand, [4,5-3H-Leu10]substance P ([3H]SP), with high specific activity (137 Ci/mmole) was utilized to investigate the properties of NK (neurokinin)-1 receptors on guinea pig lung membranes (GPLM) and compared them to NK-1 receptors on rat submaxillary glands (RSGM). In the presence of a neutral endopeptidase inhibitor, thiorphan (100 microM), [3H]SP bound with high specificity (greater than 95%), rapidly (k1 = 0.116 nM-1 x min-1) and in a reversible (k-1 = 0.012 min-1) manner to a single class of high-affinity (Kd = 0.16 nM) and saturable (Bmax = 256 fmol/mg protein) receptors. High specific binding with higher density (5-fold) was also detected in RSGM, albeit with a lower affinity (Kd = 1.36 nM). Guanyl-5'-yl-imidodiphosphate and guanosine-5'-O-3-thiotriphosphate inhibited binding to GPLM (and RSGM) in a concentration-related manner. In GPLM, this effect was mediated by a reduction in affinity, mainly via enhancement of ligand dissociation rates and appearance of a lower affinity state (Kd = 3.4 nM). Preincubation of GPLM with sulfhydryl modifying agents (p-chloromercuriphenyl sulfonic acid and N-ethylmaleimide) reduced receptor density and affinity in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Competition experiments with tachykinins and analogs illustrated a rank order of potency of: SP greater than or equal to [Sar9,Met(O2)11]SP greater than SP-methyl ester greater than or equal to physalaemin greater than SP(6-11) much greater than kassinin greater than neurokinin A = eledoisin much greater than neurokinin B greater than Nle10-NKA(4-10), clearly demonstrating that these receptors are of NK-1 type. Moreover, analysis of over 30 peptide and non-peptide hormones and antagonists demonstrated exquisite selectivity (greater than 10,000-fold) towards NK-1-selective agonists (vs. other ligands. A highly significant (P less than .005) linear correlation (r = 0.924) exists between agonist affinities in GPLM and RSGM. Combined, the data suggest that [3H]SP labels a nearly homogeneous population of high-affinity, G-protein coupled NK-1 receptors on GPLM and RSGM, with very high degree of selectivity.