Pharmacological and molecular characterization of muscarinic receptor subtypes in human esophageal smooth muscle.

Esophageal peristalsis is dependent on activation of muscarinic receptors, but little is known about the roles of specific receptor subtypes in the human esophagus. We examined muscarinic receptor expression and function in human esophageal smooth muscle obtained from patients undergoing resection for cancer. [(3)H]Quinuclidinyl benzylate (QNB)-specific binding was similar in longitudinal muscle (B(max) = 106 +/- 22 fmol/mg of protein, K(d) = 68 +/- 9 pM) and circular muscle (B(max) = 81 +/- 16 fmol/mg of protein, K(d) = 79 +/- 15 pM). Subtype-selective antagonists inhibited [(3)H]QNB similarly in muscle from both layers. Further analysis of antagonist inhibition of [(3)H]QNB binding showed a major site (60-70%) with antagonist affinity profile consistent with the M2 subtype and a second site that could not be classified. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting demonstrated the presence of all five known muscarinic receptor subtypes, and immunocytochemistry on acutely isolated smooth muscle cells confirmed the expression of each subtype on the muscle cells. Subtype-selective antagonists had similar inhibitory effects on carbachol-evoked contractions in longitudinal muscle and circular muscle strips with pA(2) values of 9.5 +/- 0.1 and 9.6 +/- 0.2 for 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide, 7.1 +/- 0.1 and 7.0 +/- 0.2 for pirenzepine, and 6.2 +/- 0.2 and 6.4 +/- 0.2 for methoctramine, respectively. We conclude that human esophageal smooth muscle expresses muscarinic receptor subtypes M1 through M5. The antagonist sensitivity profile for muscle contraction is consistent with activation of the M3 subtype.

Human esophageal smooth muscle cells express muscarinic receptor subtypes M(1) through M(5).

Receptor characterization in human esophageal smooth muscle is limited by tissue availability. We used human esophageal smooth muscle cells in culture to examine the expression and function of muscarinic receptors. Primary cultures were established using cells isolated by enzymatic digestion of longitudinal muscle (LM) and circular muscle (CM) obtained from patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer. Cultured cells grew to confluence after 10-14 days in medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum and stained positively for anti-smooth muscle specific alpha-actin. mRNA encoding muscarinic receptor subtypes M(1)-M(5) was identified by RT-PCR. The expression of corresponding protein for all five subtypes was confirmed by immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry. Functional responses were assessed by measuring free intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) using fura 2 fluorescence. Basal [Ca(2+)](i), which was 135 +/- 22 nM, increased transiently to 543 +/- 29 nM in response to 10 microM ACh in CM cells (n = 8). This response was decreased <95% by 0.01 microM 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine, a M(1)/M(3)-selective antagonist, whereas 0.1 microM methoctramine, a M(2)/M(4)-selective antagonist, and 0.1 microM pirenzepine, a M(1)-selective antagonist, had more modest effects. LM and CM cells showed similar results. We conclude that human smooth muscle cells in primary culture express five muscarinic receptor subtypes and respond to ACh with a rise in [Ca(2+)](i) mediated primarily by the M(3) receptor and involving release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores. This culture model provides a useful tool for further study of esophageal physiology.

Delayed rectifier and Ca(2+)-dependent K(+) currents in human esophagus: roles in regulating muscle contraction.

We have examined K(+) channels and their function in human esophageal smooth muscle using perforated patch recording, RT-PCR to identify channel mRNA, and muscle contraction to study the effects of channel blockers. Depolarization revealed at least two types of currents: a 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-sensitive transient delayed rectifier K(+) (K(V)) and a Ca(2+)-dependent K(+) (K(Ca)) current. K(Ca) current was active at positive potentials and was blocked by tetraethylammonium (TEA), iberiotoxin, and charybdotoxin but was insensitive to 4-AP. The mRNA encoding the gene products of Kv1.2 and Kv1.5 was identified in muscle and dissociated cells, consistent with these channel types contributing to K(V) current. 4-AP increased resting tension of muscle strips, suggesting a role for K(V) in setting the membrane potential. TEA, but not 4-AP, augmented the amplitude and duration of electrically evoked contraction, effects that were abolished by nifedipine. Here we provide the first description of macroscopic K(+) currents in human esophagus. K(V) channels participate in regulation of resting tension, whereas the K(Ca) channel limits depolarization and contraction during excitation.

Pharmacological and molecular characterization of muscarinic receptors in cat esophageal smooth muscle.

The muscarinic receptor subtypes that mediate cholinergic responses in cat esophageal smooth muscle were examined. Antagonist effects on carbachol-induced and nerve-evoked contractions were studied in vitro using muscle strips from the distal esophagus. Antagonists displayed similar relative selectivities in suppressing carbachol and nerve-mediated responses as follows: 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine (4-DAMP) > zamifenacin > para-fluoro-hexahydrosiladiphenidol > pirenzepine > AF-DX 116 > methoctramine, indicating that these responses are mediated by the same receptor subtype. 4-DAMP, pirenzepine and methoctramine effects on carbachol responses gave pA2 values characteristic of the M3 receptor in both the circular muscle (9.25 +/- 0.12, 6.79 +/- 0.09 and 6.04 +/- 0.11, respectively) and longitudinal muscle (9.46 +/- 0.14, 7.25 +/- 0.07 and 6.10 +/- 0.06, respectively). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis was done using primer sequences based on the cloned human muscarinic receptor subtypes. Messenger RNA for the m3 receptor was readily identified, whereas m2 was not detected in esophageal muscle, but was present in cardiac muscle. Sequence homology between the amplified products from cat tissue and the corresponding human m2 and m3 receptors genes were 93% and 89%, respectively. In the cat esophagus, the M3 receptor mediates functional responses and messenger RNA for the corresponding molecular form of this receptor is abundant in this tissue.

Heterogeneous tissue-specific transcription of dopamine receptor subtype messenger RNA in rat brain.

The recent identification through molecular cloning techniques of multiple dopamine receptor subtypes has raised interest in the functional interactions between some of the newly described receptors and their classic counterparts. The dopamine D5 (D1B) receptor gene is of particular interest since there is some evidence that its transcriptional tissue distribution is different than that of the D1 and D2 receptor genes, possibly implying a unique role for the receptor that this gene encodes. This study compares the relative anatomical distribution of dopamine D1, D2, and D5 receptor mRNAs in the rat brain using Northern blot analysis. The results demonstrate that the patterns of expression for these three genes are quite different and tissue specific. Although levels of D1 and D2 mRNA are highest in the striatum, levels of D5 mRNA are proportionately much higher in the midbrain, hippocampus and hypothalamus. In addition two D5 mRNA transcripts were detected in the hippocampus, but not in other brain areas. There were tissue-specific differences in the size of D5 mRNA transcripts in human brain tissue as well. These data may suggest a more specialized role for the dopamine D5 receptor within the mammalian brain.

Dopamine receptor density, sensitivity and mRNA levels are altered following self-administration of cocaine in the rat.

The effects of cocaine administration and withdrawal on D1 and D2 dopamine receptor number, affinity, and mRNA levels were examined in rats trained to self-administer cocaine for four weeks on a continuous reinforcement schedule. Two hours after the last infusion of cocaine there was a decrease in the number and agonist sensitivity of dopamine D1 receptors in the anterior forebrain as well as in the limbic region. In contrast, there were no discernible changes in dopamine D2 receptors in any of the brain regions examined. Examination of dopamine receptor gene expression using Northern blot analysis revealed that there was an increase in D1 receptor mRNA levels in the forebrain, whereas D1 and D2 receptor mRNA levels both were increased in the limbic region. One week following the last infusion of cocaine, D1 and D2 receptor mRNA levels had returned to baseline. In the limbic region, D1 receptor numbers also had normalized by this time, whereas in the forebrain, changes in D1 receptors persisted. These data indicate that repeated exposure to cocaine induces regional changes in D1 receptor sensitivity and gene expression, suggesting that the D1 dopamine system plays an important role in mediating the reinforcing effects of cocaine.

Cloning of the gene for a human dopamine D5 receptor with higher affinity for dopamine than D1.

Dopamine receptors belong to a superfamily of receptors that exert their biological effects through guanine nucleotide-binding (G) proteins. Two main dopamine receptor subtypes have been identified, D1 and D2, which differ in their pharmacological and biochemical characteristics. D1 stimulates adenylyl cyclase activity, whereas D2 inhibits it. Both receptors are primary targets for drugs used to treat many psychomotor diseases, including Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. Whereas the dopamine D1 receptor has been cloned, biochemical and behavioural data indicate that dopamine D1-like receptors exist which either are not linked to adenylyl cyclase or display different pharmacological activities. We report here the cloning of a gene encoding a 477-amino-acid protein with strong homology to the cloned D1 receptor. The receptor, called D5, binds drugs with a pharmacological profile similar to that of the cloned D1 receptor, but displays a 10-fold higher affinity for the endogenous agonist, dopamine. As with D1, the dopamine D5 receptor stimulates adenylyl cyclase activity. Northern blot and in situ hybridization analyses reveal that the receptor is neuron-specific, localized primarily within limbic regions of the brain; no messenger RNA was detected in kidney, liver, heart or parathyroid gland. The existence of a dopamine D1-like receptor with these characteristics had not been predicted and may represent an alternative pathway for dopamine-mediated events and regulation of D2 receptor activity.

Stimulation by dopamine of protein phosphorylation in rat striatal slices.

Incubation of rat striatal slices with dopamine enhanced the phosphorylation of two proteins with mol. wts. of 64,000 and 43,000. Although dopamine did increase cAMP levels in striatal slices, the addition of cAMP to striatal slices did not mimic the effects of dopamine on protein phosphorylation. The present results suggest that cAMP-independent protein kinases may mediate some of the effects of dopamine within the corpus striatum.