A freezing method for cell fusions to distribute and reduce labor and permit more thorough early evaluation of hybridomas.

A method is described whereby cell fusions can be bulk-frozen shortly after the hybridization step. Recoveries are shown to be comparable to those obtained for control hybridomas cultured without freezing. Advantages are discussed in terms of labor distribution and antibody assay and evaluation strategies. It is further shown that peritoneal feeder cell preparations can be conveniently frozen as a means of workload reduction.

Design and synthesis of highly potent and selective cyclic dynorphin A analogues.

We have designed and synthesized several cyclic disulfide-containing peptide analogues of dynorphin A (Dyn A) which are conformationally constrained in the putative "address" segment of the opioid ligand. Several of these Dyn A analogues exhibit unexpected selectivities for the kappa and mu opioid receptors(s) of the central vs peripheral nervous systems. Thus, incorporation of conformational constraint in the putative "address" segment of Dyn A analogues has resulted in the kappa/mu opioid receptor ligands [Cys5,Cys11]Dyn A1-11-NH2 (1) and [Cys5,Cys11,D-Ala8]Dyn A1-11-NH2 (2), which possess high kappa and mu opioid receptor affinities centrally (guinea pig brain, GPB), but only weak activity at peripheral kappa and mu opioid receptors (guinea pig ileum, GPI). On the other hand, [Cys8,Cys13]Dyn A1-13-NH2 and [D-Cys8,D-Cys13]Dyn A1-13-NH2 (5) display high kappa potencies and selectivities at the peripheral (GPI) but not at the central (GPB) kappa opioid receptor. The lack of correlation between the pharmacological profiles observed in smooth muscle and in the brain binding assays suggests the existence of different subtypes of the kappa and mu opioid receptors in the brain and peripheral nervous systems.

Design and synthesis of somatostatin analogues with topographical properties that lead to highly potent and specific mu opioid receptor antagonists with greatly reduced binding at somatostatin receptors.

A series of conformationally restricted, cyclic octapeptides containing a conformationally stable tetrapeptide sequence related to somatostatin, -Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-, as a template, were designed and synthesized with the goal of developing highly potent and selective mu opioid antagonists with minimal or no somatostatin-like activity. Three distinct structures of the peptide became targets of chemical modifications and constraints; the N- and C-terminal amino acids and the cyclic 20-membered ring moiety. Based on the conformational analysis of active and inactive analogues of the parent peptide D-Phe1-Cys2-Tyr3-D-Trp4-Lys5-Thr6-Pen7+ ++-Thr8-NH2, CTP (Kazmierski, W.; Hruby, V. J. Tetrahedron 1988, 44, 697-710), we designed analogues to include the tetrahydroisoquinolinecarboxylate (Tic) moiety as the N-terminal amino acid instead of D-Phe, since Tic can exist only as a gauche (-) or a gauche (+) conformer. In this series, the following peptides were synthesized and pharmacologically evaluated: D-Tic-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH2 (TCTP), D-Tic-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Orn-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH2 (TCTOP), and D-Tic-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Arg-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH2 (TCTAP). In rat brain membrane opioid radioligand binding assays, all three peptides displayed high affinity for mu opioid receptors (IC50 = 1.2, 1.4, 1.2 nM, respectively), and exceptional mu vs delta opioid receptor selectivity: 7770, 11,396, and 1060, respectively. TCTOP and TCTAP also possess exceptional mu vs somatostatin receptor selectivity: 14,574 and 28,613, respectively. In the peripheral in vitro GPI bioassay, TCTP, TCTOP, and TCTAP were highly effective antagonists of the potent mu opioid receptor agonist PL017, with pA2 = 8.69 for TCTAP, 8.10 for TCTP, and 7.38 for TCTOP. Our results show that a 10-fold higher affinity and selectivity for mu opioid receptors (in both central and peripheral studies) over delta and somatostatin receptor was gained as a result of the D-Tic1 substitution. These three peptides, TCTP, TCTOP, and TCTAP, are the most potent and selective mu opioid antagonists known. CTP has been shown to possess prolonged biological action, much longer than that of naloxone. This renders these analogues potentially useful ligands for investigating the physiological functions of the mu opioid receptor. Analogues of TCTP in which the 20-membered disulfide ring was contracted by deletion of D-Trp4, and/or Lys5, and/or Thr6 led to compounds with greatly reduced potency at the mu opioid receptor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Design and synthesis of highly potent and selective cyclic dynorphin A analogs. 2. New analogs.

We have designed and synthesized several cyclic disulfide-containing peptide analogs of dynorphin A (Dyn A) which are conformationally constrained in the putative "address" segment of the opioid ligand. Several of these Dyn A analogs exhibit unexpected apparent selectivities for the kappa and mu opioid receptors(s) of the central vs peripheral nervous systems. Thus, incorporation of conformational constraint in the putative "address" segment of Dyn A analogs has resulted in the kappa/mu opioid receptor ligands [L-Pen5,Cys11]Dyn A1-11-NH2 (4), [Cys5,Cys10]Dyn A1-11-NH2 (5), [Cys5,Cys9]DynA1-11-NH2 (6), and [Cys4,Cys9,Arg10]DynA1-11-NH2(7). All of these analogs possess high kappa and mu opioid receptor affinities for the central receptor (guinea pig brain), but effect only weak potency at peripheral kappa and mu opioid receptors (GPI). In fact cyclic dynorphin A analog 4 shows > 19,000-fold differences between central kappa opioid affinity and potency in the guinea pig ileum (GPI). Additionally analog 4 is not an antagonist in the GPI, suggesting possible receptor differences between these sites. Substitution of Tyr1 by Phe1 in the cyclic 1-11 series gave the analog [Phe1,Cys5,Cys11]Dyn A1-11-NH2 (1) that was surprisingly potent in the guinea pig brain binding assay (IC50 = 15.1 nM) at the kappa receptor, but was inactive in the GPI and mouse vas deferens bioassays. D-Ala2 and Tic4 analogs of 1 had lower affinity at brain kappa receptors and had very weak potencies in the GPI and MVD bioassays. On the other hand, [Cys6,Cys10]DynA1-11-NH2 (8), [Cys8,D-Cys13]DynA1-13-NH2 (9), [D-Cys8,D-Cys12]DynA1-13-NH2 (10), and [D-Pro10,Cys5,Cys13]-Dyn A1-13-NH2 (11) were surprisingly potent in the GPI bioassay, though considerable apparent selectivity for central receptors is still retained. The apparent lack of correlation between the pharmacological profiles observed in smooth muscle and in the brain binding assays, particularly with 1 and 4, may suggest the existence of different subtypes of the kappa and mu opioid receptors in the brain and peripheral systems.

Isolation and characterization of a new peptide from hypothalamus and pituitary using a monoclonal antibody to LHRH.

A new peptide with LHRH-like immunoreactivity has been isolated from rat hypothalamus and pituitary using an immunosorbent prepared with monoclonal antibody to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH). This peptide contains part of the C-terminal sequence of LHRH and has a molecular weight of about 2000. It comprises over 20% of hypothalamic immunoreactivity recognized by the monoclonal antibody. Chromatographic and amino acid analysis data confirm the distinction between this peptide and LHRH. Immunocytochemical evidence is consistent with its being a normal constituent of the LHRH system, while its presence in the pituitary suggests that it may play a role in the regulation of this gland.

High affinity monoclonal antibodies to luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. Preparation and binding studies.

Two mouse hybridoma cell lines (50-1 and 50-11) secreting high affinity, monoclonal IgG antibodies (MCAs) against luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) have been established. Measurements of binding affinity by both equilibrium and kinetic methods give dissociation constants (Kd) of 2.3-3.2 X 10(-10) M for 50-1 and 3.0 X 10(-10) M for 50-11. Analysis of binding specificity show that both MCAs require the C-terminal glycine amide and adjacent 4 amino acids of LHRH for binding. The use of these MCAs in radioimmunoassay (RIA) is described.

The interaction of a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist (Ro15-1788) with GABA and GABA receptor antagonists at the GABA(A) receptor chloride-ionophore complex.

The effect of the GABA(A) receptor antagonists bicuculline and SR 95531 was compared with that of the antidepressants amoxapine and amitriptyline on GABA-stimulated (36)CL(?) uptake using membrane vesicles from the rat cerebral cortex. The interaction of Ro15-1788 with these drugs and the effect of Ro15-1788 on GABA-stimulated uptake of (36)Cl(?) were also investigated. GABA(A) receptor antagonists and the antidepressants inhibited 30 ?M GABA-mediated uptake of (36)Cl(?) with the rank order of potency of SR 95531 > bicuculline > amoxapine > amitriptyline. Ro15-1788 potentiated the effect of these inhibitors on 30 ?M GABA-stimulated chloride uptake. Ro15-1788 alone did not alter the effect of 30 ?M GABA on (36)Cl(?) uptake. However, it did inhibit the (36)Cl(?) uptake produced by 100 ?M GABA, and enhanced (36)Cl(?) uptake mediated by 10 ?M GABA. The data show variations in the apparent intrinsic efficacy of Ro15-1788 at the chloride channel with respect to different experimental conditions. It is suggested that the activity of Ro15-1788 depends on changes in the conformational state of benzodiazepine-GABA(A) receptor chloride-ionophore complex produced by GABA and GABA receptor antagonists.

The role of the Val353 residue in antagonist binding to rat CCK-B receptors.

The Val353 residue of the rat cholecystokinin-B (CCK-B) receptor was mutated to Leu to test whether this residue is part of a binding site for antagonists having different chemical structures. The agonist radioligand [3H]SNF 8702 showed similar affinity for both wild-type and mutant receptors. Mutation of the CCK-B receptor reversed the order of affinities for the asperlicin derivatives from L-365,260 > devazepide (wild-type) to devazepide > L-365,260 (mutant) but had no effect on the affinity of the peptoid CCK-B receptor antagonist Cam-1028. The results show that Val353 is not part of a general CCK-B receptor antagonist recognition site and that Cam-1028 is recognized at a receptor site distinct from that binding asperlicin derivatives.

Human delta opioid receptor: a stable cell line for functional studies of opioids.

A human delta opioid receptor cDNA clone (pREP10/hDOR) was transfected into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The stable cell line expressed a high density of delta opioid receptors (137,000 +/- 21,600 receptors/cell). DPDPE inhibited 90% of the forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation in these cells with high potency (EC50 = 1.3 nM). This effect of DPDPE was antagonized by naltrindole. The pseudo-pA2 value (Ke) of 155 pM for naltrindole is consistent with that measured for delta receptor antagonism in the mouse vas deferens. This is the first detailed characterization of DPDPE activity on forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation mediated through a human delta opioid receptor. The data support the use of the recombinant cell line for functional studies of opioid drugs.

Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide treatment to the brain cannabinoid receptor inhibits antinociception.

Studies using agonists from at least three major cannabinoid ligand groups suggest the mediation of several distinct effects (e.g. psychotropic, analgesia, and antiemetic) by the recently cloned CB1 cannabinoid receptor. However, other studies suggest the presence of multiple cannabinoid receptors and at least one other receptor (CB2) has been cloned. The present investigation was undertaken to determine whether one of the potential therapeutic actions of cannabinoids (i.e. antinociception) is mediated by the CB1 receptor using the antisense oligodeoxynucleotide 'knock-down' approach. Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides complementary to the 5' end of the coding region of the mouse CB1 receptor mRNA were administered to mice by the intracerebro-ventricular (i.c.v.) route twice daily for 3 days. Mismatch oligodeoxynucleotides of similar sequence, but containing six mismatched positions out of the 18 nucleotides within the oligodeoxynucleotide were administered to other mice. Treatment with antisense oligodeoxynucleotides, but not mismatched oligodeoxynucleotides, greatly inhibited the antinociceptive response of the cannabinoid agonist CP-55,940. Untreated mice and those treated with mismatched oligodeoxynucleotides showed similar, full response antinociception after CP-55,940 administration. The data provides strong evidence that the CB1 receptor-ligand interaction is essential for the antinociceptive effect.

[125I]SNF 8702: a selective radioligand for CCKB receptors.

The CCK-8 analogue, SNF 8702, was radioiodinated. [125I]SNF 8702 showed high-affinity specific binding for both guinea pig and mouse brain tissues, whereas no specific binding was seen for guinea pig pancreatic tissue. The properties of the site labeled by [125I]SNF 8702 were characterized by binding inhibition studies for a series of CCKA and CCKB receptor ligands. The binding selectivity profile corresponded to that for the CCKB receptor. The labeled compound is stable for more than 6 weeks during storage at -20 degrees C.

Differentiation between rat brain and mouse vas deferens delta opioid receptors.

Certain enkephalin analogues, including those which contain the conformationally restricted amino acid E-(2R,3S)-cyclopropylphenylalanine [2R,3S)-delta E Phe), have been shown to have high affinity for brain delta opioid receptors but are much less active in mouse vas deferens bioassays. To investigate whether there are differences between delta opioid receptors in brain and mouse was deferens, the ability of a selective delta opioid compound, [D-Pen2,pCl-Phe4,D-Pen5]enkephalin (pCl-DPDPE), and [D-Ala2,(2R,3S)-delta E Phe4,Leu5]enkephalin methyl ester (CP-OMe), to inhibit [3H]pCl-DPDPE binding in both rat brain and mouse vas deferens were measured. pCl-DPDPE recognized brain and mouse vas deferens binding sites with equal affinity, however, CP-OMe showed 33 fold lower affinity in mouse vas deferens compared to brain. This suggests that mouse vas deferens delta opioid receptors may be distinct from brain delta opioid receptors.

Opioid receptor binding properties of analgesic analogues of cholecystokinin octapeptide.

Four analogues of cholecystokinin (CCK) octapeptide having analgesic activity after i.c.v. administration and high affinity for CCK-B receptors were studied for their ability to displace specific ligands, [3H]D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Orn-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH2. [3H][D-Pen2, 4'-Cl-Phe4,D-Pen5]enkephalin and [3H]U-69,593, for mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptors, respectively. None of the analogues tested have high affinity for either mu- or kappa-receptors (IC50 values greater than 0.7 microM), but their IC50 values for delta-receptors range from 29 to 1023 nM. The results suggest a relationship between the ligand requirements of CCK-B and delta-opioid receptors which further implies a possible structural relationship between these receptors.

Properties of TAN-67, a nonpeptidic delta-opioid receptor agonist, at cloned human delta- and mu-opioid receptors.

2-methyl-4a alpha-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2,3,4,4a,5,12,12a alpha-octahydro-quinolino[2,3,30g]isoquinoline (TAN-67) is a nonpeptidic delta-opioid receptor agonist. This report describes its receptor binding affinity and agonist potency at human and mouse delta and mu-opioid receptors. The binding affinities of TAN-67 and the cyclic enkephalin analog, (D-Pen2, 4'-Cl-Phe4, D-Pen5]enkephalin (pCl-DPDPE) were measured by radioligand binding inhibition studies at mouse and human variants of the delta and mu-opioid receptor using [3H]Naltrindole and [3H]D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Orn-Thr -Pen-Thr-NH2, respectively. TAN-67 showed high binding affinity (Ki = 0.647 nM) at the human delta-opioid receptor and high delta-opioid receptor binding selectivity ( > 1000-fold) relative to the human mu-opioid receptor. TAN-67 also showed high potency (EC50 = 1.72 nM) for the inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation at human delta-opioid receptors expressed by intact Chinese hamster ovary cells but low potency (EC50 = 1520 nM) at human mu-opioid receptors expressed by intact B82 mouse fibroblast cells. The results show that TAN-67 has similar binding affinities, selectivity and potencies as pCl-DPDPE at human delta and mu-opioid receptors. These results combined with the nonpeptidic structure of TAN-67 suggest that this compound has therapeutic potential as a delta-opioid receptor agonist.

[N-methylnorleucine-(28,31)]cholecystokinin-(26-33) (SNF 8702) activity at a cloned rat CCKB receptor.

[N-methyl-Nle 28,31)]cholecystokinin-(26-33) (SNF 8702) is a highly selective ligand for the CCKB type of receptor present in the vertebrate central nervous system. Radioligand binding data showing that SNF 8702 binding affinity is reduced by the GTP analog guanylyl-imidodiphosphate suggest that SNF 8702 is an agonist but the ability of SNF 8702 to activate CCKB receptors has not been demonstrated. The present study shows that SNF 8702 is a highly potent agonist at rat CCKB receptors expressed on COS-7 cells and that these receptors are coupled to the mobilization of intracellular calcium. The A50 measured for SNF 8702-induced calcium mobilization (66 pM) is over 6-fold less than that of cholecytstokinin octapeptide (420 pM). Data are also presented showing that SNF 8702 has high binding affinity for these receptors with a Kd value (760 pM) consistent with previous measurements using guinea pig brain tissue preparations.

delta-Opioid receptor: the third extracellular loop determines naltrindole selectivity.

Human delta/mu-opioid receptor chimeras were constructed to determine the role of the second and third extracellular loops in alkaloid ligand selectivity. Exchanging the third extracellular loop of the delta-opioid receptor with that of the mu-opioid receptor dramatically decreased the affinity of naltrindole, but not that of morphine. The results suggest that different domains of the opioid receptor are involved in the binding of naltrindole and morphine.

Relative efficacies of delta-opioid receptor agonists at the cloned human delta-opioid receptor.

The present study was conducted to determine the relative efficacies of the selective delta-opioid receptor agonists SNC80 ((+)-4-[(alphaR)-alpha-((2S,5R)-4-allyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-piperazinyl )-3-methoxybenzyl]-N,N-diethylbenzamide), pCl-DPDPE (cyclic[D-Pen2,4'-ClPhe4,D-Pen5]enkephalin) and (-)-TAN67 ((-)-2-methyl-4a alpha-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2,3,4,4a,5,12,12a alpha-octahydro-quinolino-[2,3,3-g]isoquinoline). Experiments compared the abilities of the three drugs to competitively inhibit [3H]naltrindole binding and also stimulate [35S]GTPgammaS binding in membranes prepared from stably transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells that express the cloned human delta-opioid receptor. Efficacy was determined according to the formula: efficacy = (E(max-A)/Emax)(A'/A + 1) X 0.5. Results show that SNC80 and pCl-DPDPE had efficacy values that were about 6-7 times greater than that of (-)-TAN67.

Unexpected antinociceptive potency of cyclic [D-Tca1]CTAP: potential for a novel mechanism of action.

This study tested the hypothesis that compounds which may bind simultaneously to delta and mu receptors may be more potent antinociceptive agents than would be predicted from their binding affinities at individual mu and delta opioid receptors. D-Tca-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Arg-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH2 ([D-Tca1]CTAP) (where D-Tca is a cyclic D-tryptophan analogue) was synthesized and evaluated in radioligand competition assays, opioid bioassays, and in an antinociceptive assay (the tail-flick test in mice). Additionally, the metabolic stability of [D-Tca1]CTAP was evaluated in striatal and cerebellar tissue slices. In rat brain in vitro, [D-Tca1]CTAP competed weakly for sites labelled by [3H]D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Om-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH2 ([3H]CTOP) (mu-ligand), and [3H][D-Pen2,pCl-Phe4,D-Pen5]enkephalin (delta-ligand); [D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE) (delta-agonist) was 6.5-fold less and 230-fold more potent, respectively, against these ligands. Additionally, in mouse isolated vas deferens and guinea pig isolated ileum smooth muscle preparations, [D-Tca1]CTAP proved to be weak as either a delta (IC50 of approximately 2 microM) or mu (IC50 > 8 microM) receptor agonist. Surprisingly, however, i.c.v. [D-Tca1]CTAP produced antinociception with potency similar to DPDPE. The antinociceptive actions of [D-Tca1]CTAP were apparently not due to a metabolite or the release of endogenous opioids, as this compound proved stable in both striatal and cerebellar tissue slices and its antinociceptive actions were not enhanced by the 'enkephalinase' inhibitor thiorphan. The suggestion that [D-Tca1]CTAP might be acting by binding simultaneously to mu and delta receptors to produce its antinociceptive effect is supported by the demonstrated antagonism resulting from mu receptor blockade with either beta-funaltrexamine (beta-FNA) or naloxonazine, or by delta receptor blockade by ICI 174,864 ([N,N-diallyl-Tyr1,Aib2,3,Leu5] enkephalin). Furthermore, the antinociceptive properties of [D-Tca1]CTAP were antagonized by (naltrindole-5'-isothiocyanate) (5'-NTII), an antagonist at the delta 2 opioid receptor subtype, but not by the delta 1 antagonist [D-Ala2,D-Leu5,Cys6]enkephalin (DALCE). Additionally, no antagonism was produced by nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI), a kappa antagonist. From these data, [D-Tca1]CTAP appears to bind to mu, and 5'-NTII-sensitive delta 2, opioid receptors, and may represent the first of a class of compounds which may act at an opioid receptor complex via 'self-potentiation'.

Structural correlates for down-regulation of m1 and m2 muscarinic receptor subtypes.

Three chimeric receptors stably expressed in murine fibroblast (B82) cells were used to examine how different parts of the rat muscarinic m1 and m2 receptors contribute to the down-regulation process. The MCH7 chimeric m2 receptor contained a fragment between VIth TM and C-terminal end derived from the m1 receptor. The MCH3 and MCH5 receptors have exchanged N-terminal and third intracellular loop regions of the MCH7 receptor. Fibroblast cells stably expressing individual muscarinic wild type (m1, m2) or chimeric (MCH3, MCH5, or MCH7) receptors were treated with plain medium (control) or medium containing carbachol for 24 h. Receptor density changes were measured by [3H](-)1-N-methyl-3-quinuclidinyl benzilate ([3H](-)MQNB) saturation binding studies. There was a significant loss of receptor density, different for each receptor studied, following carbachol treatment relative to control cells. We related this loss of [3H](-)MQNB binding to the number of amino acids derived from m1 or m2 receptors for each constructed chimera and to the affinity of carbachol to the receptors studied. We demonstrate that: 1) the region from the VIth TMD to the end of C-terminal controls the extent of m1 and m2 receptor down-regulation; 2) the overall receptor conformation and the interaction between intracellular portions of the receptor influence the extent of receptor down-regulation; and 3) resistance to down-regulation by carbachol correlates with the affinity of carbachol to the muscarinic receptor construct.

[3H][D-Pen2, D-Pen5]enkephalin binding to delta opioid receptors on intact neuroblastoma-glioma (NG 108-15) hybrid cells.

[3H][D-Pen2, D-Pen5]enkephalin binding to intact NG 108-15 cells has been measured under physiological conditions of temperature and medium. The dissociation constant (7.78 nM), receptor density (385 fmol/mg protein), and Hill slope (1.06) values measured under these conditions are consistent with values obtained by others using membranes prepared from these cells. Kinetic analysis of the radioligand binding to these cells show biphasic association and monophasic dissociation processes suggesting the presence of different receptor affinity states for the agonist. The data show that the binding affinity of [3H][D-Pen2, D-Pen5]enkephalin under physiological conditions is not substantially different to that measured in 50 mM Tris buffer using cell membrane fractions. Unlike DPDPE, the mu opioid agonists morphine, normorphine, PL-17, and DAMGO, have much lower affinity for the delta receptor measured under these conditions than is observed by studies using 50 mM Tris buffer. The results described here suggest that this assay may serve as a useful model of delta opioid receptor binding in vivo.