A novel angiotensin analog with subnanomolar affinity for angiotensin-converting enzyme.

This study demonstrates that a novel angiotensin I analog, angiotensinogen 3-11(Lys(11)), possesses a high affinity for angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), which is substantially greater than the endogenous substrates. This assessment is based on data derived from a variety of techniques. First, the binding characteristics of (125)I-angiotensinogen 3-11(Lys(11)) were examined. Equilibrium saturation isotherms utilizing guinea pig lung membranes revealed that (125)I-angiotensinogen 3-11(Lys(11)) bound a single high-affinity site in the presence of EDTA exhibiting a K(d) of 0.15 +/- 0.02 nM with a B(max) = 4295 +/- 535 fmol/mg of protein. Competition studies revealed the following rank order of binding affinity: (125)I-angiotensinogen 3-11(Lys(11)) >> bradykinin >> angiotensin I. Next, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that chemically cross-linked (125)I-angiotensinogen 3-11(Lys(11)) specifically bound a protein of M(r) 173,000 that had the same molecular weight as ACE. Utilizing in vitro autoradiography, the binding distributions of (125)I-angiotensinogen 3-11(Lys(11)) and the ACE inhibitor, (125)I-351A, were also compared. These experiments demonstrated that the binding distributions of (125)I-angiotensinogen 3-11(Lys(11)) and (125)I-351A are identical in the guinea pig lung and testes. Finally, the purification of ACE from guinea pig serum was monitored with (125)I-angiotensinogen 3-11(Lys(11)) and (125)I-351A binding. These results demonstrated that the binding site for (125)I-angiotensinogen 3-11(Lys(11)) and (125)I-351A copurified. These experiments indicate that the novel angiotensin I analog, (125)I-angiotensinogen 3-11(Lys(11)) binds to ACE and suggest that there are critical binding sites outside the catalytic domains of ACE that determine binding specificity and affinity.

Structure-binding studies of the adrenal AT4 receptor: analysis of position two- and three-modified angiotensin IV analogs.

Amino acid substitutions in positions two and three of angiotensin IV (VYIHPF) were carried out to determine which structural features of the side-chains were important for achieving high-affinity binding to bovine adrenal receptors. These studies demonstrated that an activated aromatic ring in the second position side-chain resulted in the highest-affinity binding. Position three required a hydrophobic amino acid to achieve high-affinity binding. Both aliphatic and aromatic side-chains were sufficient to yield high-affinity binding.

Contributions of the brain angiotensin IV-AT4 receptor subtype system to spatial learning.

The development of navigational strategies to solve spatial problems appears to be dependent on an intact hippocampal formation. The circular water maze task requires the animal to use extramaze spatial cues to locate a pedestal positioned just below the surface of the water. Presently, we investigated the role of a recently discovered brain angiotensin receptor subtype (AT4) in the acquisition of this spatial learning task. The AT4 receptor subtype is activated by angiotensin IV (AngIV) rather than angiotensins II or III, as documented for the AT1 and AT2 receptor subtypes, and is heavily distributed in the CA1-CA3 fields of the hippocampus. Chronic intracerebroventricular infusion of a newly synthesized AT4 agonist (Norleucine1-AngIV) via osmotic pump facilitated the rate of acquisition to solve this task, whereas treatment with an AT4 receptor antagonist (Divalinal) significantly interfered with the acquisition of successful search strategies. Animals prepared with bilateral knife cuts of the perforant path, a major afferent hippocampal fiber bundle originating in the entorhinal cortex, displayed deficits in solving this task. This performance deficit could be reversed with acute intracerebroventricular infusion of a second AT4 receptor agonist (Norleucinal). These results suggest that the brain AngIV-AT4 system plays a role in the formation of spatial search strategies and memories. Further, application of an AT4 receptor agonist compensated for spatial memory deficits in performance accompanying perforant path knife cuts. Possible mechanisms underlying this compensatory effect are discussed.

Structural analysis of angiotensin IV receptor (AT4) from selected bovine tissues.

The angiotensin IV receptor (AT4) receptor is widely distributed in both species and tissues. This broad distribution appears to be reflected in an equally diverse repertoire of physiological actions that are mediated through AT4 receptors. This breadth of location and function of AT4 receptors encourages speculation that multiple AT4 isoforms might exist. In this study, we compared the structural properties of bovine AT4 receptors from adrenals, kidney, heart, thymus, bladder, aorta, and hippocampus. These comparisons were made using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or HPLC analysis of AT4 receptors that had been covalently radiolabeled with the AT4-specific photoprobe 125I-benzoyl phenylalamine-angiotensin IV. Except for the hippocampal AT4 receptor, the binding subunit in all tissues had a molecular mass of approximately 165 kDa and associated with additional subunits via disulfide linkages. The hippocampal receptor was significantly smaller (150 kDa) and did not appear to possess other disulfide-linked subunits. The receptor was highly glycosylated in all tissues examined. Peptide mapping following cleavage of 125I-labeled receptor with endopeptidase C or cyanogen bromide resulted in complex cleavage patterns. Together these mapping studies demonstrated the uniqueness of the hippocampal receptor and further suggested that other AT4 isoforms may exist and be variably distributed among bovine tissues. In agreement with the peptide mapping studies, differences in the binding pattern of several AngIV analogs were observed among the various tissues.

Sex differences in discriminative stimulus and diuretic effects of the kappa opioid agonist U69,593 in the rat.

Female and male rats were trained to discriminate the kappa opioid agonist (5alpha,7alpha,8beta)-(-)-N-methyl-[7-(1-pyrrolidinyl) -1-oxaspiro(4,5)dec-8-yl]benzeneacetamide (U69,593, 0.13 mg/kg SC) from vehicle using a FR-10 schedule of food reinforcement. Female rats took significantly longer than males to acquire the discrimination (66.9 vs. 44.1 sessions, respectively), and the ED50 for U69,593 discrimination was significantly higher in females than in males (0.074 vs. 0.025 mg/kg). The time course of U69,593 discrimination also differed between the sexes: peak and offset occurred earlier in females than in males. The ED50 for bremazocine substitution was significantly higher in females than in males (0.0039 vs. 0.0006 mg/kg), whereas ethylketazocine substituted for U69,593 in all males and five of seven females, with no sex difference in substitution ED50. Morphine and BW373U86 did not substitute for U69,593 in a majority of rats of either sex. U69,593 also produced significantly less urine output/dose in females compared to males (e.g., 5.92 vs. 14.83 ml urine/kg body weight after 1.0 mg/kg U69,593), but was equipotent between the sexes in producing hot-plate antinociception. There was no sex difference in response rate-decreasing effect of any opioid agonist tested, and no sex difference in brain/blood ratio of [3H]U69,593 measured in a separate group of rats, suggesting that sex differences observed in some effects of U69,593 probably are not due to sex differences in U69,593 pharmacokinetics. When retested at the end of the study, U69,593 and bremazocine were no longer differentially potent as discriminative stimuli in females and males, suggesting that factors that change over time (e.g., additional training, age, hormonal status) may contribute to initial sex differences in discriminability of U69,593.

Characterization and purification of the bovine adrenal angiotensin IV receptor (AT4) using [125I]benzoylphenylalanine-angiotensin IV as a specific photolabel.

The Ang IV receptor, AT4, has been shown to play important roles in various mammalian tissues. In this study, structural properties of the AT4 receptor from bovine adrenals are described using a novel photoactive analog of Ang IV, [125I]Benzoylphenylalanine-Ang IV (BP-Ang IV), recently developed in our laboratory. [125I]BP-Ang IV is identical to Ang IV with regards to binding specificity and affinity and is easily cross-linked to the AT4 receptor under UV light, thus greatly facilitating the structural analysis of the AT4 receptor by SDS-PAGE. Comparisons between the native, reduced and nonreduced forms of the AT4 receptors by SDS-PAGE revealed that this receptor consists of multiple subunits. The subunit containing the Ang IV binding site (designated as the alpha subunit) has a molecular weight of approximately 165 kDa and contained approximately 20% N-linked carbohydrates. A subunit similar to the adrenal alpha subunit of the AT4 receptor was identified in all of the bovine tissues examined. Hippocampus and aorta contained additional [125I]BP-Ang IV bound protein bands with molecular weights of 150 and 125 kDa, respectively. Further, the alpha subunit was purified to homogeneity using a method that integrates electrofractionation with conventional protein purification techniques.

The AT4 receptor agonist [Nle1]-angiotensin IV reduces mechanically induced immediate-early gene expression in the isolated rabbit heart.

Angiotensin II (ANG II), acting principally at the AT1 receptor, modulates mechanically-induced cardiac growth. The ANG II metabolite Angiotensin IV (ANG IV) has been shown to inhibit ANG II-induced mRNA and protein synthesis in chick cardiomyocytes. This effect did not involve the AT1 receptor, but was likely an action at the AT4 receptor. To determine if ANG IV also modulates a mechanically-induced cardiac growth response, we studied the effects of two AT4 receptor ligands, [Nle1]-ANG IV and [divalinal]-ANG IV, on mechanically-induced immediate-early gene expression (c-fos, egr-1, and c-jun) in the buffer perfused (30 degrees C), ejecting, isolated rabbit heart. Mechanical load alone (high systolic pressure and high end-diastolic volume) induced approximately 23-, 49- and 5-fold increases in c-fos, egr-1 and c-jun mRNA (in comparison to control hearts). Perfusion with [Nle1]-ANG IV (10[-10] mol/l) reduced the mechanically-induced expression of c-/fos and egr-1 by 42% and 48%, respectively (P < 0.05). Mechanically-induced c-jun expression was not significantly reduced. Perfusion with [divalinal]-ANG IV (10[-8] mol/l) had no effect on mechanically-induced immediate-early gene expression. We conclude that AT4 receptor agonism influences mechanical immediate-early gene expression, and propose the hypothesis that AT1 and AT4 receptors initiate opposing effects on mechanically-induced immediate-early gene expression in the isolated rabbit left ventricle.

Solid-phase synthesis of hydroxyethylamine angiotensin analogues.

Three hydroxyethylamine analogues of angiotensins II, III, and IV were prepared by solid-phase methods. The resin-bound peptide was alkylated with the iodomethylketone derivative of the N-terminal amino acid, followed by reduction to the alcohol using sodium borohydride. The iodomethylketones can be made in good yields from commercially available N-protected amino acids. The compounds were evaluated for their ability to displace labeled angiotensins from bovine adrenal membranes, and their metabolic stability tested in kidney homogenates and aminopeptidase M preparations. The hydroxyethylamine amide bond replacement reduced the affinity of the analogues; however, they were substantially more stable to enzymatic degradation.

Characterization of the binding properties and physiological action of divalinal-angiotensin IV, a putative AT4 receptor antagonist.

Divalinal-Ang IV [V psi (CH2-NH2)YV psi (CH2-NH2)HPF] is being employed increasingly as a specific AT4 antagonist. This use, which necessitates a comprehensive physiological and pharmacological evaluation of Divalinal-Ang IV's functional and receptor binding characteristics in order to ensure its efficacy and specificity, was the stimulus for this study using bovine adrenal membranes. [125I]Ang IV and [125I]Divalinal-Ang IV were shown to bind with high affinity to a similar number of binding sites, suggesting that both bound the same receptor. This notion was verified by competition curves using [125I]Ang IV and [125I]Divalinal-Ang IV that indicated identical rank order affinities for several angiotensin-related peptides and 100% cross-displacement by Ang IV and Divalinal-Ang IV. Furthermore, an autoradiographic comparison of [125I]Ang IV and [125I]Divalinal-Ang IV in 20 microns sections of bovine adrenals revealed near identical binding distributions characterized by heavy binding in the glomerulosa layer and the medulla. Physiological studies in which test compounds were injected into the internal carotid of the rat and cerebral blood flor (CBF) was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry indicated that pretreatment with Divalinal-Ang IV, but not DuP 753 or PD123177, blocked the increased flow observed with Ang IV infusion. Conversely, DuP 753, but not Divalinal-Ang IV or PD123177, inhibited the decrease in flow witnessed with Ang II. Metabolic stability studies utilizing rat kidney homogenates as a peptidase source, demonstrated that the structural changes present in Divalinal-Ang IV greatly increased its resistance to metabolism as compared to Ang IV. Together, these studies show that Divalinal-Ang IV is a stable, efficacious and specific inhibitor of AT4 receptors.

Characterization of a functional angiotensin IV receptor on coronary microvascular endothelial cells.

A new class of angiotensin receptors has recently been identified that exhibits both high specificity and affinity for the hexapeptide (3-8) fragment of angiotensin II, angiotensin IV (AngIV). Here, utilizing radioligand binding, we fully characterize AngIV binding at the AT4 receptor on cultured bovine coronary venular endothelial cells (CVEC), and report that when AngIV and bFGF are presented simultaneously an enhancement of DNA synthesis results that is significantly greater than that produced by bFGF alone. The level of DNA synthesis was determined by the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into quiescent CVEC monolayers following exposure to 10 nM AngIV and 10 ng/ml bFGF for 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11 days. A significant enhancement of DNA synthesis (P < 0.01) was seen following 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 days exposure. In addition, AngIV does not bind to bFGF or heparin, and conversely, bFGF is unable to compete for AngIV binding which suggests that this synergistic response is mediated by independent receptors for these ligands. Results of this study indicate that microvascular endothelial cells are significantly more responsive to bFGF in the presence of nanomolar concentrations of AngIV.

AT4 receptors: specificity and distribution.

The AT4 receptor specifically binds Angiotensin (Ang) IV and is distinct from the AT1 and AT2 receptors which bind Ang II and Ang III. The AT4 receptor in bovine adrenal cortex has a Kd of 0.74 +/- 0.14 nM and a Bmax of 3.82 +/- 1.12 pmol/mg prot. Competition curves demonstrated the following rank order of affinity: Ang IV >> Ang III >> d-Arg - Ang II >> Sar1,Ile8 - Ang II = Ang II = Ang II (1-7) >> DuP753 = CGP42112A = PD 123177. AT4 receptors were present in many tissues from several mammalian species including human and monkey. AT4 and AT1/AT2 receptors revealed a differential distribution in the rat kidney.

Noise-induced elevations of plasma endothelin (ET-3).

The endothelins (ETs) are a novel family of peptides which participate in hemodynamic homeostasis. Elevated levels of circulating ETs are evident in several stress related conditions and are associated with a variety of vascular pathophysiologies. The purpose of the current study was to test the possibility that plasma concentrations of endothelin increase following noise exposure using radioimmunoassay (RIA). No difference in plasma endothelin was detected in rats subjected to brief noise exposure (30 min of 100 dB SPL broad-band noise) compared to control animals. Statistically significant elevations in plasma endothelin (ET-3) were measured in animals exposed to prolonged noise exposure (90 min and 72 h of 100 dB SPL broad-band noise). These results suggest that hemodynamic alterations, and potential vascular pathophysiologies accompanying prolonged exposure to noise are mediated by endothelin.

AT4 receptor structure-binding relationship: N-terminal-modified angiotensin IV analogues.

The effect of structural changes in the N-terminal amino acid of AIV, with respect to AT4 receptor binding, was examined by competition with [125I]AIV in bovine adrenal membranes. Analogues with modifications of the first residue alpha-amino group possessed lower affinities than the primary amine-containing parent compound. Peptides with a residue 1 alpha-carbon in the D conformation exhibited poor affinity for the AT4 receptor. Modifications of the residue 1 R-group demonstrate that a straight chain aliphatic moiety containing four carbons is optimal for receptor-ligand binding, as evidenced by the extremely high affinity of [Nle1]AIV (Ki = 3.59 +/- 0.51 pM). Replacement of the 1-2 peptide bond of AIV with the methylene bond isostere psi (CH2-NH), increased the Ki approximately fivefold, indicating that the peptide bond may be replaced while maintaining relatively high-affinity receptor binding.

AT4 receptor binding characteristics: D-amino acid- and glycine-substituted peptides.

The ability of angiotensin IV (AIV) analogs to compete for [125I]AIV binding in heat-treated bovine adrenal membranes was examined. Angiotensin IV displayed a Ki of 2.63 +/- 0.12 nM. Peptides containing mono-substitutions with glycine or the corresponding D-amino acid in positions one, two, or three possessed K(i)s greater than 100 nM. Conversely, substitutions at positions four, five, and six produced peptides with Kis less than 8 nM. These data suggest that the N-terminal domains of the AIV peptide are critical for receptor binding, while the C-terminal domains play a less decisive role in receptor specificity.

Central angiotensin IV binding sites: distribution and specificity in guinea pig brain.

Our laboratory has reported previously that a unique binding site specific for the hexapeptide angiotensin (A)II(3-8), now referred to as AIV, is present in a number of tissues including bovine adrenal gland, rabbit and guinea pig heart and guinea pig kidney, liver, lung, uterus and brain. The present results extend previous findings in the guinea pig brain and identify binding sites for AIV in the neocortex, paleocortex, hippocampus, medial habenula, superior and inferior colliculi, caudate putamen, thalamus, dorsal tegmentum, central gray, red nucleus, inferior olivary, oculomotor and hypoglossal nuclei and cerebellum. Binding of [125I]AIV in selected regions was shown to be of high affinity (Kd = 0.60-1.47 nM), saturable (maximal number of binding sites = 181-449 fmol/mg of protein) and specific. This binding site was shown to be distinct from the AT1 and AT2 sites with Ki values > 10(-4) M for DuP 753, CGP42112A and PD123177. Changes at the N-terminal of the peptide, either by removal of the valine or by extension of the peptide, resulted in a large decrease in binding affinity. In contrast, C-terminal extensions resulted in little change in affinity for the binding site. Guanosine 5'-0-(3-thiotriphosphate) was shown to have no effect on binding, suggesting that the guinea pig brain binding site is not G-protein-linked. Potential functions associated with this newly discovered A binding site are discussed.

Elucidation of a specific binding site for angiotensin II(3-8), angiotensin IV, in mammalian heart membranes.

Data are presented describing a new angiotensin binding site in rabbit and guinea pig heart, distinct from AT1 and AT2, that demonstrates high specificity and affinity for the hexapeptide fragment angiotensin II(3-8), which will be referred to here as angiotensin IV (AIV). Equilibrium binding in rabbit heart membranes was achieved in 2 hr at 37 degrees C and produced a calculated kinetic KD of .174 +/- .018 nM. Saturation equilibrium binding data for rabbit and guinea pig heart were best fit to a one-site model with Hill coefficients near unity. Guinea pig membranes exhibited a KD = 1.33 +/- .02 nM and a Bmax = 144 +/- 19 fmol/mg protein, and rabbit heart membranes had a KD = 1.70 +/- .50 nM and a Bmax = 731 +/- 163 fmol/mg protein. The binding site showed a high specificity for AIV, although it exhibited low affinity for angiotensin II, angiotensin III, Sar1,Ile8-angiotensin II, DuP 753, CGP42112A and PD123177. A large number of nonangiotensin-related peptides were unable to compete effectively for 125I-AIV binding. Deletions made from the C-terminal end of AIV caused a decrease in affinity: AIV > AII(3-7) >> AII(3-6) >> AII(3-5). Extension of the C-terminal end of AIV corresponding to the amino acids of human angiotensinogen caused little change in affinity. GTP gamma S had no effect on binding, suggesting non-G protein linkage. Binding was widely distributed throughout the heart; it was observed on cardiocytes and blood vessels as well as in the epicardium and the endocardium.

Identification and characterization of a novel angiotensin binding site in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells that is specific for the hexapeptide (3-8) fragment of angiotensin II, angiotensin IV.

This study demonstrates the existence of a previously unrecognized class of angiotensin binding sites on vascular smooth muscle that exhibit high affinity and specificity for the hexapeptide (3-8) fragment of angiotensin II (AngIV). Binding of [125I]AngIV is saturable, reversible and describes a pharmacologic profile that is distinct and separate from the classic AT1 or AT2 angiotensin receptors. Saturation binding studies utilizing cultured vascular smooth muscle cells obtained from bovine aorta (BVSM) revealed that [125I]AngIV bound to a single high affinity site with an associated Hill coefficient of 0.99 +/- 0.003, exhibiting a KD = 1.85 +/- 0.45 nM and a corresponding Bmax = 960 +/- 100 fmol mg-1 protein. Competition binding curves in BVSM demonstrated the following rank order effectiveness: AngIV > AngII(3-7) >> AngIII > Sar1,Ile8 AngII > AngII > AngII(1-7) > AngII(4-8), DuP 753, PD123177. The presence of the non-hydrolyzable GTP analog GTP gamma S, had no effect on [125I]AngIV binding affinity in BVSM. The presence of this novel angiotensin binding site on smooth muscle in high concentration suggests the possibility that this system may play an important, yet unrecognized role in vascular control.

Angiotensin II(3-8) (ANG IV) hippocampal binding: potential role in the facilitation of memory.

The present research characterizes a newly discovered ANG II(3-8) (ANG IV) binding site localized in structures associated with memory function (hippocampus, neocortex, cerebellum), as well as other brain stem structures (thalamus, inferior olivary nucleus). This site is not the AT1 or AT2 site that binds angiotensins II (ANG II) and III (ANG III) nor does it bind the nonpeptide AT1 or AT2 receptor antagonists DuP753 and PD123177, respectively. The intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of ANG IV was ineffective at inducing drinking in rats as compared with equivalent doses of ANG II and III. Although not as effective as ANG II or ANG III, ICV infusion of ANG IV did provoke a pressor response at the highest dose (100 pmol/min), which appeared to be mediated by ANG II (AT1)-type receptors and not the specific AIV binding site described here. By contrast, the ICV infusion of ANG IV resulted in greater effects upon retention and retrieval of a passive avoidance task as compared with ANG II. Specifically, ANG II was not different from the ICV infusion of artificial cerebrospinal fluid, while ANG IV improved retention and retrieval of this task.

Hypothalamic angiotensin release in response to AII or glutamic acid stimulation of the SFO in rats.

Recent evidence from our laboratory suggests that angiotensin II (AII) is synthesized, stored within cells in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus, and upon appropriate stimulation, released and rapidly converted to angiotensin III (AIII). The present investigation extends these observations by first employing a retrograde tracer to confirm a direct connection from the subfornical organ (SFO) to the PVN, and then showing that microinfusion of AII or glutamic acid into the SFO provokes release of endogenous angiotensin within the PVN. Potentially it is this release that contributes to the elevations in blood pressure and drinking that have been reported to occur with electrical and chemical stimulation of the SFO. These results represent the first evidence of releasable angiotensin provoked by the chemical activation of a neural pathway that has been histochemically demonstrated to link the SFO with the PVN and brain stem structures concerned with cardiovascular functioning.

Discovery of a distinct binding site for angiotensin II (3-8), a putative angiotensin IV receptor.

We report here the discovery of a unique and novel angiotensin binding site and peptide system based upon the C-terminal 3-8 hexapeptide fragment of angiotensin II (NH3(+)-Val-Tyr-Ile-His-Pro-Phe-COO-) (AII(3-8) (AIV)). This fragment binds saturably, reversibly, specifically, and with high affinity to membrane-binding sites in a variety of tissues and from many species. The binding site is pharmacologically distinct from the classic angiotensin receptors (AT1 or AT2) displaying low affinity for the known agonists (AII and AIII) and antagonist (Sar1,Ile8-AII). Although a definitive function has not been assigned to this system in many of the tissues in which it resides, AIV's interaction with endothelial cells may involve a role in endothelial cell-dependent vasodilation. Consequent to this action, AIV is a potent stimulator of renal cortical blood flow.