{Beta}2-adrenergic receptor agonists inhibit the proliferation of 1321N1 astrocytoma cells.

Astrocytomas and glioblastomas have been particularly difficult to treat and refractory to chemotherapy. However, significant evidence has been presented that demonstrates a decrease in astrocytoma cell proliferation subsequent to an increase in cAMP levels. The 1321N1 astrocytoma cell line, as well as other astrocytomas and glioblastomas, expresses ß(2)-adrenergic receptors (ß(2)-ARs) that are coupled to G(s) activation and consequent cAMP production. Experiments were conducted to determine whether the ß(2)-AR agonist (R,R')-fenoterol and other ß(2)-AR agonists could attenuate mitogenesis and, if so, by what mechanism. Receptor binding studies were conducted to characterize ß(2)-AR found in 1321N1 and U118 cell membranes. In addition, cells were incubated with (R,R')-fenoterol and analogs to determine their ability to stimulate intracellular cAMP accumulation and inhibit [(3)H]thymidine incorporation into the cells. 1321N1 cells contain significant levels of ß(2)-AR as determined by receptor binding. (R,R')-fenoterol and other ß(2)-AR agonists, as well as forskolin, stimulated cAMP accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. Accumulation of cAMP induced a decrease in [(3)H]thymidine incorporation. There was a correlation between concentration required to stimulate cAMP accumulation and inhibit [(3)H]thymidine incorporation. U118 cells have a reduced number of ß(2)-ARs and a concomitant reduction in the ability of ß(2)-AR agonists to inhibit cell proliferation. These studies demonstrate the efficacy of ß(2)-AR agonists for inhibition of growth of the astrocytoma cell lines. Because a significant portion of brain tumors contain ß(2)-ARs to a greater extent than whole brain, (R,R')-fenoterol, or some analog, may be useful in the treatment of brain tumors after biopsy to determine ß(2)-AR expression.

Activities of mixed NOP and mu-opioid receptor ligands.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Compounds that activate both NOP and mu-opioid receptors might be useful as analgesics and drug abuse medications. Studies were carried out to better understand the biological activity of such compounds. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Binding affinities were determined on membranes from cells transfected with NOP and opioid receptors. Functional activity was determined by [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding on cell membranes and using the mouse vas deferens preparation in vitro and the tail flick antinociception assay in vivo. KEY RESULTS: Compounds ranged in affinity from SR14150, 20-fold selective for NOP receptors, to buprenorphine, 50-fold selective for mu-opioid receptors. In the [(35)S]GTPgammaS assay, SR compounds ranged from full agonist to antagonist at NOP receptors and most were partial agonists at mu-opioid receptors. Buprenorphine was a low efficacy partial agonist at mu-opioid receptors, but did not stimulate [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding through NOP. In the mouse vas deferens, each compound, except for SR16430, inhibited electrically induced contractions. In each case, except for N/OFQ itself, the inhibition was due to mu-opioid receptor activation, as determined by equivalent results in NOP receptor knockout tissues. SR14150 showed antinociceptive activity in the tail flick test, which was reversed by the opioid antagonist naloxone. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Compounds that bind to both mu-opioid and NOP receptors have antinociceptive activity but the relative contribution of each receptor is unclear. These experiments help characterize compounds that bind to both receptors, to better understand the mechanism behind their biological activities, and identify new pharmacological tools to characterize NOP and opioid receptors.

L-type cardiac calcium channels in doxorubicin cardiomyopathy in rats morphological, biochemical, and functional correlations.

Doxorubicin (DXR) is an effective antitumor agent in a wide spectrum of neoplasms. Chronic treatment is associated with cardiomyopathy and characteristic myocardial ultrastructural changes, which include swelling of the t tubules. Accordingly, we investigated excitation-contraction coupling in cardiomyopathic rat heart resulting from chronic DXR treatment. Using the whole-cell patch clamp technique, we studied the L-type calcium channel in single cells enzymatically isolated from normal (CTRL) and DXR rat hearts. Despite similar cell dimensions, the total membrane capacitance was significantly smaller in the DXR cells (138 +/- 9 pF) than in the CTRL cells (169 +/- 11 pF) (mean +/- SEM, n = 9, P less than 0.05). The mean current and the current density-voltage relationships of the CTRL and the DXR cells were significantly different (n = 9, P less than 0.001) with the maximal peak L-type calcium current (ICa) density increased from 6.4 +/- 0.9 in CTRL cells to 10.5 +/- 2.4 microA/cm2 in the DXR cells (P less than 0.05). There was no shift either in the current-voltage relationship or the steady-state inactivation curve in the two cell groups. However, the fast time constant of inactivation was increased at a membrane voltage of -10 to 10 mV. Calcium channel antagonist equilibrium binding assays using [3H]-PN200-110 revealed no difference in the maximal receptor binding capacity (CTRL, 194 +/- 27 and DXR 211 +/- 24 fmol/mg protein; P greater than 0.05, n = 6) and in receptor affinity (CTRL, 0.15 +/- 0.05 and DXR 0.13 +/- 0.03 nM; P less than 0.05). These data suggest that a decrease in effective capacitance might be associated with t-tubular damage. Despite this decrease, ICa was increased in the DXR cells. Such an increase may result from an alteration in the properties of the calcium channels and/or recruitment of "hibernating" channels in the remaining surface and t-tubular membranes.

Development and characterization of the α3ß4α5 nicotinic receptor cellular membrane affinity chromatography column and its application for on line screening of plant extracts.

The α3ß4α5 nAChR has been recently shown to be a useful target for smoking cessation pharmacotherapies. Herein, we report on the development and characterization of the α3ß4α5 nicotinic receptor column by frontal displacement chromatography. The binding affinity of the nicotine and minor alkaloids found in tobacco smoke condensates were determined for both the α3ß4 and α3ß4α5 nicotinic receptors. It was demonstrated that while no subtype selectivity was observed for nicotine and nornicotine, anabasine was selective for the α3ß4α5 nicotinic receptor. The non-competitive inhibitor binding site was also studied and it was demonstrated while mecamylamine was not selective between subtypes, buproprion showed subtype selectivity for the α3ß4 nicotinic receptor. The application of this methodology to complex mixtures was then carried out by screening aqueous-alcoholic solutions of targeted plant extracts, including Lycopodium clavatum L. (Lycopodiaceae) and Trigonella foenum graecum L. (Fabaceae) against both the α3ß4 and α3ß4α5 nAChRs.

BU08073 a buprenorphine analogue with partial agonist activity at µ-receptors in vitro but long-lasting opioid antagonist activity in vivo in mice.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Buprenorphine is a potent analgesic with high affinity at µ, δ and κ and moderate affinity at nociceptin opioid (NOP) receptors. Nevertheless, NOP receptor activation modulates the in vivo activity of buprenorphine. Structure activity studies were conducted to design buprenorphine analogues with high affinity at each of these receptors and to characterize them in in vitro and in vivo assays. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Compounds were tested for binding affinity and functional activity using [(35) S]GTPγS binding at each receptor and a whole-cell fluorescent assay at µ receptors. BU08073 was evaluated for antinociceptive agonist and antagonist activity and for its effects on anxiety in mice. KEY RESULTS: BU08073 bound with high affinity to all opioid receptors. It had virtually no efficacy at δ, κ and NOP receptors, whereas at µ receptors, BU08073 has similar efficacy as buprenorphine in both functional assays. Alone, BU08073 has anxiogenic activity and produces very little antinociception. However, BU08073 blocks morphine and U50,488-mediated antinociception. This blockade was not evident at 1 h post-treatment, but is present at 6 h and remains for up to 3-6 days. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: These studies provide structural requirements for synthesis of 'universal' opioid ligands. BU08073 had high affinity for all the opioid receptors, with moderate efficacy at µ receptors and reduced efficacy at NOP receptors, a profile suggesting potential analgesic activity. However, in vivo, BU08073 had long-lasting antagonist activity, indicating that its pharmacokinetics determined both the time course of its effects and what receptor-mediated effects were observed. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed section on Opioids: New Pathways to Functional Selectivity. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue-2.

Replacement of the peptide-backbone amides connecting Tyr-Gly and Gly-Gly in leucine-enkephalin with ketomethylene groups: synthesis and biological activity.

A peptide analogue of Leu-enkephalin was synthesized in which the amide linkages between Tyr-Gly and Gly-Gly were replaced by ketomethylene groups. The resulting analogue, 12, had 1/4000th and 1/2400th the opiate receptor binding activity of Leu-enkephalin when (3H) [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin and (3H)naloxone, respectively, were used as tritiated ligands. When tested for analgesia in mice by the tail-flick assay, 12 produced analgesia in 50% of the mice tested at a dose of 24.3 micrograms/mouse (icv), while the ED50 of Leu-enkephalin is 240 micrograms/mouse (icv). At a dose of 40 micrograms/mouse (icv) or higher, 12 caused convulsions in a dose-dependent manner. No analgesia was observed after intravenous (iv) administration of 240 micrograms/mouse of 12.

Effects of addition of a 2-methyl group to ethyl nipecotates (beta-meperidines) on receptor affinities and opiate agonist/antagonist activities.

A series of 2-methyl-3-carbethoxy-3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)piperidine opiates (13a-d) with N-substituent variations have been synthesized, and their receptor affinities and in vivo agonist and antagonist activities and energy-conformational profiles have been determined. These are racemates of the alpha-epimer at the C-2 position, with a methyl group cis to the 3-phenyl group. One of the main goals of this study was to compare the conformational and pharmacological behavior of these 2-methyl "beta-meperidine" analogues to their 2-desmethyl racemic counterparts (14a-c) previously reported in the literature. The 2-desmethyl and 2-methyl analogues were found to have very similar phenyl equatorial conformers as their lowest energy forms with the addition of a 2-methyl group diminishing conformational flexibility. The presence of the 2-methyl group appears to diminish affinity at the mu-receptor and also to somewhat diminish already weak antinociceptic agonist activity. Given the similarity in lowest energy conformation, this reduction is most likely caused by the unfavorable interaction of the methyl group itself with a local mu-receptor binding site. Superposition of the phenol OH and protonated amine nitrogen NH of either 2-methyl enantiomer of 13a in its lowest energy conformer with the same OH and NH groups of metazocine, used as a high affinity rigid analogue, leads to reasonable overlap. However, the N-substituents and the piperidine and phenyl rings do not overlap in this proposed pharmacophore, perhaps accounting for the rather poor affinities found for these 3-phenylpiperidines and the lack of N-substituent modulation of affinity and efficacy as in fused ring opioids.

N-substituent modulation of opiate agonist/antagonist activity in resolved 3-methyl-3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)piperidines.

A series of 3-methyl-3-(m-hydroxyphenyl)piperidines with N-substituent variations have been synthesized and resolved, and an X-ray crystal structure of one analogue was determined. The compounds have been characterized, pharmacologically, by detailed opiate receptor binding studies and determination of in vivo analgesia and opiate antagonism. The results indicate that all compounds bind with high selectivity and moderate affinity to mu-receptors with no qualitative difference between enantiomeric pairs. By contrast a striking difference in activities is found, with the (-) enantiomers being pure agonists and the (+) enantiomers having both agonist and antagonist activity. The effect of N-substituents on relative agonist and antagonist potency does not mimic that of fused ring opiates with the N-phenethyl compound, the most potent antagonist. These results together with the X-ray structure obtained suggest that agonist and antagonist activity is initiated by a bimodel binding of the compounds in two different orientations at the mu-receptor site.

Structural determinants of opioid activity in the orvinols and related structures: ethers of orvinol and isoorvinol.

A series of ethers of orvinol and isoorvinol has been prepared and evaluated in opioid receptor binding and in vitro functional assays. The most striking finding was the very large difference in kappa-opioid receptor activity between the diastereomeric ethyl ethers: 46-fold in binding, 150-fold in GPI, and 900-fold in the [(35)S]GTPgammaS assay in favor of the (R)-diastereomer. Additionally in the (R)-series there was a 700-fold increase in kappa-agonist potency in the [(35)S]GTPgammaS assay when OEt was replaced by OBn. The data can be explained in a triple binding site model: an H-bonding site, a lipophilic site, and an inhibitory site with which the 20-Me group in the (S)-ethers may interact. It appears that kappa-agonist binding of the orvinols avoids the inhibitory site in the intramolecular H-bonded conformation.

Species differences in the efficacy of compounds at the nociceptin receptor (ORL1).

Recent studies have identified compounds with reduced efficacy relative to nociceptin/orphanin FQ at the opioid-like receptor ORL1. Utilizing stimulation of [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding as in vitro assays, it was determined that both [Phe(1)psi(CH(2)-NH)Gly(2)]N/OFQ(1-13)NH(2) and the hexapeptide Ac-RYYRIK-NH(2) act as partial agonists in CHO cells transfected with either human or mouse ORL1. Maximal activity for both [Phe(1)psi(CH(2)-NH)Gly(2)]N/OFQ(1-13)NH(2) and Ac-RYYRIK-NH(2) was significantly greater in cells transfected with the human receptor (90% and 73% in a high expressing clone, 76% and 68% in low expressing clone) rather than the mouse receptor (37.5 and 33%), regardless of receptor number in individual clones. In vitro studies in cells transfected with exaggerated receptor numbers can lead to unreliable estimates of agonist and antagonist activity, however, these studies suggest that animal experiments on the activity of novel compounds may not always be better predictors of the ultimate activity in humans.

Nociceptin in vitro biotransformation in human blood.

In vitro biotransformation of a newly sequenced neuropeptide of 17 amino acid residues, named nociceptin and orphanin FQ by two separate research groups, was studied in human blood using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. Processing was carried out in freshly drawn blood incubated at 37 degrees C for various time periods. It was found that cleavage at peptide linkage Phe1-Gly2 was the predominant biotransformation pathway. Nociceptin (2-17) was the major biotransformation product. Further processing also occurred with the formation of a variety of minor biotransformation products. Cleavages at basic amino acid residues were observed, although these were not major biotransformation pathways found under these in vitro experimental conditions. Biotransformation of nociceptin followed a similar pattern to that of another neuropeptide, the endogenous opioid dynorphin A(1-17), but it appeared that nociceptin was more resistant to biotransformation in human blood in vitro than dynorphin A(1-17).

Relationship between binding affinity and functional activity of nociceptin/orphanin FQ.

The relationship between binding affinity and functional activity of nociceptin/orphanin FQ binding was studied in brain membranes, membranes of Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with ORL1, and intact CHO-ORL1 cells. Binding affinities were compared with potency for the stimulation of [35S]GTP gamma S binding in cell membranes, and inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation in intact cells. Binding was conducted with [3H]14-Tyr-nociceptin, and in brain or cell membranes the affinity was found to be 50-100 pM. The binding of [3H]14-Tyr-nociceptin was found to be regulated by Na+ and GTP, as expected for an opioid-like receptor. In intact cells, saturation produced a curvilinear Scatchard Plot. Non-linear analysis indicated two states of the receptor, with the vast majority of binding being to a low affinity state of approximately 8 nM. This low affinity component is consistent with the lower potency derived from the inhibition of cAMP accumulation, stimulation of [35S]GTP gamma S binding, and other functional assays.

The use of computer analysis in describing multiple opiate receptors.

The computer curve fitting program LIGAND has been used to simultaneously analyze 50 competition experiments using five labeled opioid ligands. The results describe four or five distinct sites, although the maximum number of sites cannot be determined. A site with high affinity for all the compounds tested, similar to the mu 1 site described by Pasternak, was apparent in 4 and 5-site models.

Energy utilization in the uptake of catecholamines by synaptic vesicles and adrenal chromaffin granules.

Several inhibitors of energy metabolism decreased the ATP-stimulated uptake of catecholamines by isolated synaptic vesicles from rat brain and by chromaffin granules from bovine adrenal medulla. Catecholamine uptake was inhibited by dinitrophenol, S-13 and oleic acid, which are known to block active transport by dissipating trans-membrane proton gradients. Thus a proton gradient appears to be involved in catecholamine transport. Both catecholamine uptake and vesicle-associated Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase were inhibited by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and tributyltin, which had previously been shown to inhibit the Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase of mitochondria. However, mitochondrial ATPase was not involved in catecholamine uptake as oligomycin and aurovertin, more specific inhibitors of mitochondrial ATPase, did not affect catecholamine uptake. It is suggested that ATP stimulates catecholamine uptake by serving as a substrate for the ATPase. Activity of this enzyme causes translocation of protons across the vesicle membrane establishing a trans-membrane proton gradient. The proton gradient drives the transport of catecholamines.

Mu-opioid receptor binding in intact SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells.

In order to determine affinities at the mu opioid receptor binding was conducted to intact SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells using the mu-selective ligand [3H][H-D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Orn-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH2] [( 3H]CTOP). Binding appeared to be a single receptor site, and a single state of the mu receptor. Under intact cell conditions, some but not all mu agonists display low affinity binding, while antagonists maintain high affinity for the mu receptor. These studies indicate the usefulness of [3H]CTOP for the determination of affinities at the mu receptor under physiological conditions.

The mu-opioid activity of kappa-opioid receptor agonist compounds in the guinea pig ileum.

On the basis of their in vivo activity and binding affinity, nalorphine and (-)SKF 10,047 were classified as mixed agonist/antagonist compounds. However, in isolated tissue preparations without a selective antagonist to block their agonist effect, the characterization of these compounds and the determination of their antagonist activity were very difficult. Nor-binaltorphimine, a selective kappa-opioid receptor antagonist, was used in the longitudinal muscle preparations of the guinea pig ileum to block the kappa-agonist activity of nalorphine and (-)SKF 10,047. In the absence of their kappa-agonist activity, we were able to determine the mu-antagonist activity using the mu-selective agonist DAMGO ([D-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly-ol5]enkephalin). The pA2 values for nalorphine and (-)SKF 10,047 were 7.50 and 7.69, respectively.

Computer-assisted determination of benzodiazepine receptor heterogeneity.

The presence of benzodiazepine receptor heterogeneity was investigated on whole rat brain membranes, at 0 degree C, using computerized, weighted nonlinear least-squares regression analysis. Data from [3H]flunitrazepam and [3H] beta-carboline ethyl ester self and cross-competition studies were analyzed simultaneously with data from the inhibition of both labeled ligands by various known and novel benzodiazepine receptor ligands. The binding model which best fits the data indicated the presence of at least two independent binding sites. The benzodiazepines flunitrazepam and 2'-Cl-diazepam showed a small difference in affinity at the two sites. The beta-carbolines and Cl 218,872 showed a larger difference in affinity, and had higher affinities at the lower affinity site for the benzodiazepines. Analogous experiments could be useful in the determination of the effect of GABA on benzodiazepine receptor affinities.

Characterization of the delta-opioid receptor found in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells.

The delta-opioid receptor found in SH-SY5Y cells was characterized in terms of binding profile and ability to mediate the inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation. Both DPDPE ([D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin) and deltorphin II, compounds reported to be selective for the delta 1- and delta 2-opioid receptor respectively, were potent agonists in these cells. Binding studies indicated that naltrindole benzofuran (NTB) had significantly higher affinity than 7-benzylidenenaltrexone (BNTX); however, both compounds have high affinity for the delta-opioid receptor found in SH-SY5Y cells. Naltrindole benzofuran was found to be a potent antagonist, with an IC50 of less than 1 nM, while 7-benzylidene naltrexone was found to be a relatively weak antagonist, requiring greater than 100 nM to inhibit 50% of agonist activity. Binding to intact SH-SY5Y cells was compared to binding to cell membranes and guinea-pig brain membranes. In each case, binding affinities were very similar. These studies suggest that the receptor found in SH-SY5Y cells could probably be classified as a delta 2-opioid receptor. However, the very similar binding characteristics of SH-SY5Y cells and guinea-pig brain membranes call into question the ability to label delta 1-opioid receptors.

Determination of activity for nociceptin in the mouse vas deferens.

The recently discovered neuropeptide nociceptin was found to inhibit electrically induced contractions of the mouse vas deferens. Nociceptin and its 14-Tyr analog were each partial agonists, but with high affinity (ED50 of 20 nM). This activity was not opioid in nature, as it was not inhibited by either selective or non-selective opiate antagonists.

[3H]doxepin interactions with histamine H1-receptors and other sites in guinea pig and rat brain homogenates.

[3H]Doxepin, a tricyclic antidepressant, binds to brain homogenates with two saturable components. The high affinity component, with a dissociation constant (KD) of 0.26 nM, is associated with histamine H1-receptors. This high affinity binding shows stereospecificity in that d-chlorpheniramine is 100 times more potent than the pharmacologically less active l-isomer. Its drug specificity and regional variation closely parallel those exhibited by [3H]mepyramine binding. The drug specificity of the low affinity component is distinct from that of histamine H1-receptors, with no stereospecificity for chlorpheniramine isomers. Furthermore, all the H1-histamine antagonists tested display micromolar potency at the low-affinity doxepin sites but nanomolar potency at the high-affinity doxepin sites associated with a physiological histamine H1-receptor. The drug specificity of the low affinity site does not correspond to that of any known neurotransmitter receptor. Tricyclic antidepressants display IC50 values of 30-600 nM for the inhibition of [3H]doxepin binding to the low-affinity component with most values in the 0.1-0.3 microM affinity range.