Validation of FLIPR membrane potential dye for high throughput screening of potassium channel modulators.

A fluorescence-based assay using the FLIPR Membrane Potential Assay Kit (FMP) was evaluated for functional characterization and high throughput screening (HTS) of potassium channel (ATP-sensitive K+ channel; K(ATP)) modulators. The FMP dye permits a more sensitive evaluation of changes in membrane potential with a more rapid response time relative to DiBAC4(3). The time course of responses is comparable to ligand-evoked activation of the channel measured by patch-clamp studies. The pharmacological profile of the K+ channel evaluated by using reference K(ATP) channel openers is in good agreement with that derived previously by DiBAC4(3)-based FLIPR assays. Improved sensitivity of responses together with the diminished susceptibility to artifacts such as those evoked by fluorescent compounds or quenching agents makes the FMP dye an alternative choice for HTS screening of potassium channel modulators.

Evaluation of electrochemiluminescent technology for inhibitors of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor binding.

An electrochemiluminescent (ECL) assay was developed to identify compounds that inhibit the interaction of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) with its recombinant human receptor. The ECL technology uses a tris-(bipyridine) chelate of ruthenium, which, in the presence of excess tripropylamine, undergoes a redox reaction cycle to produce light. Paramagnetic beads with primary antibody were coated with secondary anti-GCSF receptor antibody, which were then bound with GCSF receptor. These samples were incubated with ruthenylated GCSF in the presence and absence of test compounds. The bead density, receptor and ligand concentrations, and incubation time were optimized in the assay. A set of mixed compound plates was screened to examine the feasibility of using this technology in high throughput screening. The results from this format were found to be comparable to the assay performed using a time-resolved fluorescence format.

Alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes mediating stimulation of Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity in rat renal proximal tubules.

Although both alpha 1A- and alpha 1B-adrenoceptors are present in renal proximal tubules, the involvement of these receptor subtypes in the stimulation of Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity is not known. This study was undertaken to delineate the receptor subtype(s) involved in alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated increase in Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity and to identify the cellular signaling mechanisms such as stimulation of inositol triphosphate formation (IP3) and protein kinase C activation in this phenomenon. It was found that norepinephrine-induced increase in Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity was attenuated by prazosin, but not by rauwolscine, indicating the involvement of alpha 1-adrenoceptors. Furthermore, this response was selectively inhibited by the alpha 1B-adrenoceptor inactivator, chloroethylclonidine (100 microM), but not by the alpha 1A-adrenoceptor antagonist, WB4101 (0.01 microM). We examined whether these effects on Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity are mediated via the activation of IP3 and protein kinase C. Phenylephrine-induced increase in IP3 levels was abolished by prazosin, and significantly inhibited by WB4101, but not by chloroethylclonidine. Similarly, phenylephrine-induced activation of protein kinase C was sensitive to blockade by WB4101, but not by chloroethylclonidine. These results suggest that whereas both alpha 1A- and alpha 1B-adrenoceptors are present in proximal tubules, alpha 1B-adrenoceptors are involved in stimulating Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity and alpha 1A-adrenoceptors are predominantly linked to renal tubular IP3 production and protein kinase C activation. Therefore, it appears that norepinephrine-induced stimulation of Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity does not involve phospholipase-C-coupled protein kinase C pathway.

Identification of alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes in rat renal proximal tubules.

Although the existence of alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes has been suggested in the kidney, their characterization in the proximal tubules has not been reported. This study was undertaken to characterize the alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes in the renal proximal tubules. [3H]Prazosin bound to proximal tubules with a KD of 106 +/- 17 pM and a Bmax of 152 +/- 9 fmol/mg protein. Pretreatment of the tubules with chloroethylclonidine, 100 microM, reduced the Bmax of [3H]prazosin binding by about 50%, indicating the presence of the alpha 1B-adrenoceptor subtype. Competition studies performed with the alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists, WB 4101, (+)-niguldipine, 5-methylurapidil and phentolamine were shallow and could be distinguished into a high affinity (alpha 1A) and a low affinity site (alpha 1B) with an approximately equal distribution of both receptor subtypes. These observations clearly demonstrate the existence of alpha 1A- and alpha 1B-adrenoceptor subtypes in the renal proximal tubules.