Muscarinic regulation of intracellular signaling and neurosecretion in gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons

Agonist activation of cholinergic receptors expressed in perifused hypothalamic and immortalized GnRH-producing (GT1-7) cells induced prominent peaks in GnRH release, each followed by a rapid decrease, a transient plateau, and a decline to below basal levels. The complex profile of GnRH release suggested that acetylcholine (ACh) acts through different cholinergic receptor subtypes to exert stimulatory and inhibitory effects on GnRH release. Whereas activation of nicotinic receptors caused a transient increase in GnRH release, activation of muscarinic receptors inhibited basal GnRH release. Nanomolar concentrations of ACh caused dose-dependent inhibition of cAMP production that was prevented by pertussis toxin (PTX), consistent with the activation of a plasma-membrane Gi protein. Micromolar concentrations of ACh also caused an increase in phosphoinositide hydrolysis that was inhibited by the M1 receptor antagonist, pirenzepine. In ACh-treated cells, immunoblot analysis revealed that membrane-associated G(alpha q/11) immunoreactivity was decreased after 5 min but was restored at later times. In contrast, immunoreactive G(alpha i3) was decreased for up to 120 min after ACh treatment. The agonist-induced changes in G protein alpha-subunits liberated during activation of muscarinic receptors were correlated with regulation of their respective transduction pathways. These results indicate that ACh modulates GnRH release from hypothalamic neurons through both M1 and M2 muscarinic receptors. These receptor subtypes are coupled to Gq and Gi proteins that respectively influence the activities of PLC and adenylyl cyclase/ion channels, with consequent effects on neurosecretion.     

Metabolic mapping of the rat brain after subanesthetic doses of ketamine: potential relevance to schizophrenia

Several lines of evidence suggest the molecular and functional entity of muscarinic M1 receptors in mammalian heart. We have reported that acetylcholine (ACh) reduces the maximum upstroke velocity of action potential (Vmax) through activation of muscarinic M1 receptors, which is followed by a muscarinic M2 receptor-mediated increase. The present study sought to determine whether activation of beta-adrenergic receptors modulates the muscarinic M1 and M2 receptor-mediated effects on Vmax in isolated mouse right atria. Intracellular recordings of spontaneous action potential were done using the conventional glass microelectrode technique. Isoproterenol (3 nM) completely antagonized ACh (5 microM)-induced reduction in Vmax. The antagonism was accompanied by a subsequent increase in Vmax. Propranolol (0.3 microM) abolished the effects of isoproterenol on ACh-induced changes in Vmax. Isoproterenol antagonized McN-A-343 (4-(m-chlorophenyl-carbamoyloxy)-2-butynyltrimethylammonium chloride) (300 microM, a muscarinic M1 receptor agonist)-induced reduction in Vmax. Oxotremorine (0.03 microM), a muscarinic M2 receptor agonist, did not affect Vmax by itself, but significantly increased it in the presence of 3 nM isoproterenol. The effects of isoproterenol were mimicked by cholera toxin (100 nM, 1 hr), a Gs-protein activator, and forskolin (10 nM), a direct activator of adenylyl cyclase. H-89 (N-[2-(p-bromocinnamylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulphonamide++ +, 1 microM), a selective protein kinase (PK)-A inhibitor, abolished the antagonism by isoproterenol of ACh-induced reduction in Vmax. The present results suggest that activation of the beta-adrenergic-Gs-adenylyl cyclase system antagonizes ACh-induced reduction (muscarinic M1-mediated) and potentiates the subsequent increase (muscarinic M2 receptor-mediated) in Vmax. The beta-adrenergic antagonism of ACh-induced reduction in Vmax may involve cross-talk between PK-A and PK-C signaling pathways.     

Inverse agonism at adrenergic and opioid receptors: studies with wild type and constitutively active mutant receptors

Ligands which display inverse agonism at G protein-coupled receptors do so by decreasing the intrinsic ability of a receptor to active the cellular G protein population in the absence of an agonist ligand. Expression of the murine delta opioid receptor in Rat-1 fibroblasts resulted in the inverse agonist ICI174864 being able to cause inhibition of basal high affinity GTPase activity and of the binding of [35S]GTP gamma S in membranes of a clone (D2) of these cells which expresses high levels of the receptor. These effects were blocked by co-addition of the neutral antagonist TIPP[psi], demonstrating a requirement for the delta opioid receptor, and by pertussis toxin pretreatment of the cells, showing them to be produced via a Gi-like G protein. The inverse agonist properties of ICI174864 could also be demonstrated in whole cells. Stimulation of forskolin-amplified adenylyl cyclase activity was produced by ICI174864 following [3H]adenine prelabelling of the cells. Constitutively activated mutants of receptors should provide a convenient means to detect inverse agonists. Incubation of cells either transiently or stably transfected with a constitutively activated mutant of the human beta 2-adrenoceptor with the beta 2-inverse agonists betaxolol or sotalol, which are both able to inhibit CAM beta 2-adrenoceptor-mediated basal adenylyl cyclase activity, resulted in a strong upregulation of levels of the receptor. In the stable cells lines this effect was prevented by co-incubation with neutral antagonists but could not be reproduced by an adenylyl cyclase P-site ligand which also inhibited basal adenylyl cyclase levels.     

Lectinhistochemistry and ultrastructure of microglial response to monosodium glutamate-mediated neurotoxicity in the arcuate nucleus

The reproducibility of serotonin (5-HT) and (+)8-OH-DPAT-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity was assessed in membranes, stimulated by forskolin, of rat frontal cortex postmortem as well as of human fronto-cortical, hippocampal and dorsal raphe tissues obtained from autopsy brains. The results revealed that differences between basal and forskolin-stimulated enzyme activities were still significant after 48 h postmortem in rat cortex and in all human brain regions up to 46 h after death. However, a decrease of about 17 and 26% in forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity was observed at 24 and 48 h, respectively, in rat cortex. 5-HT and the 5-HT1A receptor agonist, (+)8-hydroxy-2(di-N-propylamino)tetraline (8-OH-DPAT), were able to inhibit forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity in a dose-dependent manner for 48 h after death in rat and human brain. In rat cortex, both 5-HT and (+)8-OH-DPAT potencies (EC50, nM) and efficacies (percent of maximum inhibition capacity, %) varied significantly with postmortem delay. Conversely, in human tissues, postmortem delay and subject age did not modify agonist potencies and efficacies. Furthermore, a regionality of 5-HT potency and efficacy was revealed in the human brain. 5-HT was equally potent in cortex and raphe nuclei, while being more potent but less effective in hippocampus. (+)8-OH-DPAT was more active in hippocampus and raphe nuclei than in cortex. (+)8-OH-DPAT behaved as an agonist in all areas, as its efficacy was similar or greater than those obtained with 5-HT. The (+)8-OH-DPAT dose-response curve was completely reversed by 5-HT1A receptor antagonists in rat cortex and all human brain areas. In conclusion, we suggest here that differences between rat and human brain might exist at the level of postmortem degradation of 5-HT-sensitive adenylyl cyclase activity. In human brain, 5-HT1A receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase seems to be reproducible, suggesting that reliable experiments can be carried out on postmortem specimens from patients with neuropsychiatric disorders.     

Chronic oxytocin pretreatment inhibits adenylyl cyclase activity in cultured rat myometrial cells

To determine whether chronic oxytocin pretreatment inhibits adenylyl cyclase, we compared adenylyl cyclase activity in membranes prepared from cultured, immortalized rat myometrial cells that were untreated or pretreated for 24 h with oxytocin. Chronic oxytocin pretreatment (1 x 10(-5) M for 24 h) attenuated basal, guanosine triphosphate (1 x 10(-5) M)-, isoproterenol (1 x 10(-4) M)-, forskolin (1 x 10(-5) M)-, MnCl2 (20 mM)- or NaF (1 x 10(-2) M)-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity by 27 +/- 5% to 39 +/- 11% (n = 6, p < 0.05). Oxytocin pretreatment for 2 h (n = 5) did not produce a significant effect. To understand the mechanism by which oxytocin pretreatment decreased activity of the adenylyl cyclase pathway, we compared effects of pretreatment with either oxytocin or phenylephrine on adenylyl cyclase activity and determined the effects of Gi inhibition and protein kinase C (PKC) depletion. Chronic (24 h) phenylephrine pretreatment (1 x 10(-4) M) had effects similar to those of oxytocin pretreatment (1 x 10(-5) M). PKC depletion with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (1 x 10(-6) M, 41 h) prevented attenuation of adenylyl cyclase activity by oxytocin pretreatment (1 x 10(-5) M for 24 h). Inhibition of Gi by pertussis toxin pretreatment (1.25 microg/ml, 41 h) had no significant effect. These findings suggest that chronic oxytocin pretreatment desensitizes the adenylyl cyclase pathway by a cross-regulatory mechanism that involves activation of Gq and PKC.     

Activation of protein kinase C by oxytocin inhibits the biological activity of the human myometrial corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor at term

The role of placental CRH in human pregnancy is currently unknown. The myometrium expresses CRH receptors that during pregnancy become coupled to adenylate cyclase. Oxytocin (OT) is one of the main regulators of uterine activity, acting via activation of the inositol triphosphate pathway. In view of the possible cross-talk between the CRH and OT signal transduction pathways we have sought to examine in more detail the second messenger mechanisms involved. CRH receptor binding affinity for CRH and activation of adenylate cyclase were reduced in the presence of OT in pregnant (at term, but not preterm) human myometrium. OT action was mediated via pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins, which directly inhibit adenylate cyclase and, via activation of protein kinase C, phosphorylate the CRH receptor, leading to desensitization. Activation of protein kinase C by OT could be partially inhibited in human pregnant myometrial cells by OT antagonists (F327 and CAP476; 1 microM) or phospholipase C inhibitors (U73122; 10 microM). These results suggest that in term myometrium, CRH receptor function is modulated by OT, leading to reduced biological activity, lower cAMP levels, and a subsequent shift in favor of contractility rather than relaxation.     

Acetylcholine contents and muscarinic receptor levels in frontal cortex, corpus striatum, and hippocampus of reserpinized rats and mice

The acetylcholine (ACh) levels in rat and mouse frontal cortex increased 155% and 124%, respectively, 24 h after ip reserpine 3 mg.kg-1. Striatal ACh contents, however, were diminished by 47% in rats and 80% in mice. ACh contents elevated 50% and scopolamine (Scop) depleted the ACh by 47% in mouse striatum 12 h following reserpine. Receptor binding assay showed that 24 h after reserpine the Bmax of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate ([3H]QNB) binding to muscarinic receptors increased in frontal cortex (by 33% in rats, by 30% in mice) and decreased in striatum (31% in rats, 26% in mice). In mouse hippocampus the ACh contents, Bmax, and affinity of muscarinic receptors lowered 63%, 19%, and 26%, respectively. But these changes were not seen in rat hippocampus.     

In vitro electro-pharmacological and autoradiographic analyses of muscarinic receptor subtypes in rat hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus: implications for cholinergic regulation of lordosis

Muscarinic agonists can act through the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus (VMN) to facilitate lordosis. To elucidate the neuronal mechanism(s) underlying this muscarinic facilitation, effects of muscarinic agents on the single-unit activity of VMN neurons recorded in brain tissue slices of estrogen-primed female rats were analyzed. All the agonists tested, including acetylcholine (ACh), oxotremorine-M (OM), carbachol (CCh) and McN-A-343 (McN), evoked primarily excitation (80-100%), some inhibition (0-20%) and occasional biphasic responses (0-8%). By comparing the response magnitude and the effectiveness in evoking a response, the rank order for evoking excitation, the primary response, was found to be: OM > CCh > ACh approximately McN, which is consistent with that (OM > CCh > McN) for facilitating lordosis reported by others. This consistency and the frequency of its occurrence suggest that the excitatory electric action of the muscarinic agonists is related to their facilitatory behavioral effect. Experiments with antagonists selective for M1 (pirenzepine), M2 (AF-DX 116) and M3 (4-DAMP and p-F-HHSiD) indicate that muscarinic excitations are mediated by M1 and/or M3, but not M2. Since M1 receptors have been shown to be neither sufficient nor necessary to mediate the muscarinic facilitation, M3 receptor may be crucially involved in this behavioral effect. Autoradiographic assays of binding to [3H]4-DAMP with or without pirenzepine and AF-DX 116, also indicate the presence of M3 receptors in the VMN. Quantitative analyses show that the M3 binding was not affected by the in vivo estrogen priming required to permit muscarinic agonists to facilitate lordosis. Thus, while the excitation mediated by M3 is likely to be involved in muscarinic facilitation of lordosis, the regulation of M3 receptor density does not seem to be involved in the permissive     

Opioid receptor and calcium channel regulation of adenylyl cyclase, modulated by GM1, in NG108-15 cells: competitive interactions

GM1 ganglioside was previously shown to function as a specific regulator of excitatory opioid activity in dorsal root ganglion neurons and F11 hybrid cells, as seen in its facilitation of opioid-induced activation of adenylyl cyclase and its ability to dramatically reduce the threshold opioid concentration required to prolong the action potential duration. The elevated levels of GM1 resulting from chronic opioid exposure of F11 cells were postulated to cause the ensuing opioid excitatory supersensitivity. We now show that GM1 promotes opioid (DADLE)-induced activation of adenylyl cyclase in NG108-15 cells which possess the delta-type of receptor. In keeping with previous studies of other systems, this can be envisioned as conformational interaction of GM1 with the receptor that results in uncoupling of the receptor from Gi and facilitated coupling to Gs. This would also account for the observation that DADLE-induced attenuation of forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase was reversed by GM1, provided the cells were not pretreated with pertussis toxin. When the cells were so pretreated, GM1 evoked an unexpected attenuation of forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase attributed to GM1-promoted influx of calcium which was postulated to inhibit a calcium-sensitive form of adenylyl cyclase. This is concordant with several studies showing GM1 to be a potent modulator of calcium flux. Pertussis toxin in these experiments exerted dual effects, one being to promote interaction of the delta-opioid receptor with Gs through inactivation of Gi, and the other to enhance the GM1-promoted influx of calcium by inactivation of Go; the latter is postulated to function as constitutive inhibitor of the relevant calcium channel. NG108-15 cells thus provide an interesting example of competitive interaction between two GM1-regulated systems involving enhancement of both opioid receptor excitatory activity and calcium influx.     

Angiotensin II AT1 receptor/signaling mechanisms in the biphasic effect of the peptide on proximal tubular Na+,K+-ATPase

The present study was designed to determine the cellular signaling mechanisms responsible for mediating the effects of angiotensin II on proximal tubular Na+,K+-ATPase activity. Angiotensin II produced a biphasic effect on Na+,K+-ATPase activity: stimulation at 10(-13) - 10(-10) M followed by inhibition at 10(-7) - 10(-5) M of angiotensin II. The stimulatory and inhibitory effects of angiotensin II were antagonized by losartan (1nM) suggesting the involvement of AT1 receptor. Angiotensin II produced inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation at 10(-13) - 10(-10) M followed by a stimulation in basal cAMP levels at 10(-7) - 10(-5) M. Pretreatment of proximal tubules with losartan (1nM) antagonized both the stimulatory and inhibitory effects of angiotensin II on cAMP accumulation. Pretreatment of the proximal tubules with pertussis toxin (PTx) abolished the stimulation of Na+,K+-ATPase activity but did not affect the inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase activity produced by angiotensin II. Pretreatment of the tubules with cholera toxin did not alter the biphasic effect of angiotensin II on Na+,K+-ATPase activity. Mepacrine (10microM), a phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor, reduced only the inhibitory effect of angiotensin II on Na+,K+-ATPase activity. These results suggest that the activation of AT1 angiotensin II receptors stimulates Na+,K+-ATPase activity via a PTx-sensitive G protein-linked inhibition of adenylyl cyclase pathway, whereas the inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase activity following AT1 receptor activation involves multiple signaling pathways which may include stimulation of adenylyl cyclase and PLA2.     

The pharmacology of adenylyl cyclase modulation by GABAB receptors in rat brain slices

GABAB receptor activation inhibits forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity but augments noradrenaline-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity. The present study investigated the pharmacology of these two GABAB receptor mediated responses. In a cross-chopped rat cortical slice preparation, it was confirmed that (-)baclofen inhibited forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity and augmented noradrenaline-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity. The potency of five further agonists was investigated (SKF97541, CGP47656, CGP44533, 3-APA and CGP44532). Of these agonists two compounds were significantly more potent as inhibitors of forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase than as augmenters of noradrenaline-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity, these were (-)baclofen (pEC50 = 6.07 +/- 0.29 and 5.04 +/- 0.17, respectively (p < 0.05)), and CGP47656 (pEC50 = 6.44 +/- 0.05 and 4.48 +/- 0.26, respectively (p < 0.05)). It is possible to explain this difference in potency by proposing that these compounds have low intrinsic efficacy, and the augmentation of noradrenaline-stimulated adenylyl cyclase has a low receptor reserve. In addition six antagonists (CGP49311A, CGP46381, CGP45024, CGP45397, CGP36742) were also tested for their ability to antagonize 10 microM (-)baclofen in these two assays. These antagonists ranged in potency as inhibitors of forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity from CGP49311A (pEC50 = 5.45 +/- 0.30) to CGP36742 (pEC50 = 3.87 +/- 0.16). Each antagonist had similar potency in the two assays, suggesting that these two responses are mediated by pharmacologically similar receptors.     

Use of a fluorescent analog of CDP-DAG in human skin fibroblasts: characterization of metabolism, distribution, and application to studies of phosphatidylinositol turnover

We studied the mechanism of action of methylene blue (Mblue), a putative guanylyl cyclase inhibitor, on the L-type calcium current (ICa) and the muscarinic activated K+ current (IK,ACh) in rat ventricular and atrial myocytes, respectively, and on the binding of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzylate in rat ventricular membranes. Superfusion, but not internal dialysis, with 30 microM Mblue antagonized the inhibitory effect of acetylcholine (ACh, 1 microM) on beta-adrenergic stimulation of ICa with isoprenaline (Iso, 10 nM or 1 microM). However, Mblue had no effect on the basal ICa or on the stimulation of ICa by Iso in the absence of ACh. The activation of IK,ACh by 3 microM ACh was also antagonized by Mblue in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, Mblue had no effect on the activation of IK,ACh by either guanosine-5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate or guanosine-5'-(beta,gamma-imido)triphosphate. Chlorpromazine (CPZ), a piperazine derivative like Mblue, also inhibited the muscarinic activation of IK,ACh in a dose-dependent manner. The specific binding of [3H]QNB, a muscarinic ligand, to rat ventricular membranes was displaced in a dose-dependent manner by Mblue and CPZ. The piperazine derivatives behaved like competitive antagonists of [3H]QNB binding, exhibiting equilibrium dissociation constant (Ki) values of 187 nM for Mblue and 366 nM for CPZ. In conclusion, Mblue exerts antimuscarinic effects on ICa and IK,ACh in rat cardiac myocytes that are best explained by the binding of Mblue to the M2 subtype of muscarinic receptors. This property probably contributes to the antimuscarinic effect of the putative guanylyl cyclase inhibitor reported in previous studies.     

Functional role of M2 and M3 muscarinic receptors in the urinary bladder of rats in vitro and in vivo

1. Urinary bladder smooth muscle is enriched with muscarinic receptors, the majority of which are of the M2 subtype whereas the remaining minority belong to the M3 subtype. The objective of the present study was to assess the functional role of M2 and M3 receptors in the urinary bladder of rat in vitro and in vivo by use of key discriminatory antagonists. 2. In the isolated bladder of rat, (+)-cis-dioxolane produced concentration-dependent contractions (pEC50 = 6.3) which were unaffected by tetrodotoxin (0.1 microM). These contractions were antagonized by muscarinic antagonists with the following rank order of affinity (pA2) estimates: atropine (9.1) > 4-diphenyl acetoxy-methyl piperidine methiodide (4-DAMP) (8.9) > darifenacin (8.5) > para fluoro hexahydrosiladifenidol (p-F-HHSiD) (7.4) > pirenzepine (6.8) > methoctramine (5.9). These pA2 estimates correlated most favourably (r = 0.99, P < 0.001) with the binding affinity (pKi) estimates of these compounds at human recombinant muscarinic m3 receptors expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, suggesting that the receptor mediating the direct contractile responses to (+)-cis-dioxolane equates with the pharmacologically defined M3 receptor. 3. As M2 receptors in smooth muscle are negatively coupled to adenylyl cyclase, we sought to determine whether a functional role of M2 receptors could be unmasked under conditions of elevated adenylyl cyclase activity (i.e., isoprenaline-induced relaxation of KCl pre-contracted tissues). Muscarinic M3 receptors were preferentially alkylated by exposing tissues to 4-DAMP mustard (40 nM, 1 h) in the presence of methoctramine (0.3 microM) to protect M2 receptors. Under these conditions, (+)-cis-dioxolane produced concentration-dependent reversal (re-contraction) of isoprenaline-induced relaxation (pEC50 = 5.8) but had marginal effects on pinacidil-induced, adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP)-independent, relaxation. The re-contractions were antagonized by methoctramine and darifenacin, yielding pA2 estimates of 6.8 and 7.6, respectively. These values are intermediate between those expected for these compounds at M2 and M3 receptors and were consistent with the involvement of both of these subtypes. 4. In urethane-anaesthetized rats, the cholinergic component (approximately 55%) of volume-induced bladder contractions was inhibited by muscarinic antagonists with the following rank order of potency (ID35%inh, nmol kg-1, i.v.): 4-DAMP (8.1) > atropine (20.7) > methoctramine (119.9) > darifenacin (283.3) > pirenzepine (369.1) > p-F-HHSiD (1053.8). These potency estimates correlated most favourably (r = 0.89, P = 0.04) with the pKi estimates of these compounds at human recombinant muscarinic m2 receptors. This is consistent with a major contribution of M2 receptors in the generation of volume-induced bladder contractions, although the modest potency of darifenacin does not exclude a role of M3 receptors. Pretreatment with propranolol (1 mg kg-1, i.v.) increased the ID35%inh of methoctramine significantly from 95.9 to 404.5 nmol kg-1 but had no significant effects on the inhibitory responses to darifenacin. These data suggest an obligatory role of beta-adrenoceptors in M2 receptor-mediated bladder contractions in vivo. 5. The findings of the present study suggest that both M2 and M3 receptors can cause contraction of the rat bladder in vitro and may also mediate reflex bladder contractions in vivo. It is proposed that muscarinic M3 receptor activation primarily causes direct contraction of the detrusor whereas M2 receptor activation can contract the bladder indirectly by reversing sympathetically (i.e. beta-adrenoceptor)-mediated relaxation. This dual mechanism may allow the parasympathetic nervous system, which is activated during voiding, to cause more efficient and complete emptying of the bladder.     

Functional coupling of endogenous serotonin (5-HT1B) and calcitonin (C1a) receptors in CHO cells to a cyclic AMP-responsive luciferase reporter gene

A cyclic AMP-responsive reporter cell line has been established through the stable expression of a luciferase reporter plasmid in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Reporter cells showed a dose-dependent expression of luciferase in response to incubation with forskolin. These CHO cells were screened for endogenous G protein-coupled receptors capable of stimulating or inhibiting adenylyl cyclase, by monitoring changes in luciferase expression. Serotonin (5-HT) receptor agonist ligands caused an inhibition of forskolin-stimulated luciferase expression in the rank order 5-carboxamidotryptamine > 5-HT > sumatriptan > 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin. The response to 5-HT was reversed by the 5-HT1 receptor antagonists cyanopindolol and pindolol, but not the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist ketanserin. Calcitonin was more potent than calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) at stimulating luciferase expression in this cell line, and these responses were insensitive to the CGRP receptor antagonist, CGRP (8-37). These results were consistent with the presence of 5-HT(1B-like) and calcitonin (C1a-like) receptors in CHO cells, with the responses to 5-HT and CGRP being pertussis and cholera toxin-sensitive, respectively. This reporter gene assay gave the expected pharmacological profile for these receptors when compared with cyclic AMP accumulation assays, confirming its value as a functional assay for G protein-coupled receptors linked to adenylyl cyclase.     

Molecular analysis of Chs3p participation in chitin synthase III activity

Adenylyl cyclase superactivation, a phenomenon by which chronic activation of inhibitory Gi/o-coupled receptors leads to an increase in cAMP accumulation, is believed to play an important role as a compensatory response of the cAMP signaling system in the cell. However, to date, the mechanism by which adenylyl cyclase activity is regulated by chronic exposure to inhibitory agonists and the nature of the adenylyl cyclase isozymes participating in this process remain largely unknown. Here we show, using COS-7 cells transfected with the various AC isozymes, that acute activation of the D2 dopaminergic and m4 muscarinic receptors inhibited the activity of adenylyl cyclase isozymes I, V, VI, and VIII, whereas types II, IV, and VII were stimulated and type III was not affected. Conversely, chronic receptor activation led to superactivation of adenylyl cyclase types I, V, VI, and VIII and to a reduction in the activities of types II, IV, and VII. The activity of AC-III also was reduced. This pattern of inhibition/stimulation of the various adenylyl cyclase isozymes is similar to that we recently observed on acute and chronic activation of the mu-opioid receptor, suggesting that isozyme-specific adenylyl cyclase superactivation may represent a general means of cellular adaptation to the activation of inhibitory receptors and that the presence/absence and intensity of the adenylyl cyclase response in different brain areas (or cell types) could be explained by the expression of different adenylyl cyclase isozyme types in these areas.     

Role of G protein betagamma subunits in muscarinic receptor-induced stimulation and inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity in rat olfactory bulb

In the olfactory bulb, muscarinic receptors exert a bimodal control on cyclic AMP, enhancing basal and Gs-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activities and inhibiting the Ca2+/calmodulin- and forskolin-stimulated enzyme activities. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of G protein betagamma subunits by examining whether the muscarinic responses were reproduced by the addition of betagamma subunits of transducin (betagamma(t)) and blocked by putative betagamma scavengers. Membrane incubation with betagamma(t) caused a stimulation of basal adenylyl cyclase activity that was not additive with that produced by carbachol. Like carbachol, betagamma(t) potentiated the enzyme stimulations elicited by vasoactive intestinal peptide and corticotropin-releasing hormone. RT-PCR analysis revealed the expression of mRNAs encoding both type II and type IV adenylyl cyclase, two isoforms stimulated by betagamma synergistically with activated Gs. In addition, betagamma(t) inhibited the Ca2+/calmodulin- and forskolin-stimulated enzyme activities, and this effect was not additive with that elicited by carbachol. Membrane incubation with either one of two betagamma scavengers, the GDP-bound form of the alpha subunit of transducin and the QEHA fragment of type II adenylyl cyclase, reduced both the stimulatory and inhibitory effects of carbachol. These data provide evidence that in rat olfactory bulb the dual regulation of cyclic AMP by muscarinic receptors is mediated by betagamma subunits likely acting on distinct isoforms of adenylyl cyclase.     

M2 muscarinic autoreceptors modulate acetylcholine release in the medial pontine reticular formation

Muscarinic autoreceptors regulate acetylcholine (ACh) release in several brain regions, including the medial pontine reticular formation (mPRF). This study tested the hypothesis that the muscarinic cholinergic receptor mediating mPRF ACh release is the pharmacologically defined M2 subtype. In vivo microdialysis was used to deliver muscarinic cholinergic receptor (MAChR) antagonists to the feline mPRF while simultaneously measuring endogenously released ACh. The lowest concentration of each antagonist that caused a significant increase in mPRF ACh release was determined and defined as the minimum ACh-releasing concentration. Data obtained from 41 mPRF dialysis sites in 10 animals showed that the order of potency (followed by the minimum ACh-releasing concentration) was scopolamine (1 nM) > AF-DX 116 (3 nM) > pirenzepine (300 nM). Comparison of these minimum ACh-releasing concentrations to the known affinities of the antagonists for the five mAChR subtypes is consistent with the conclusion that the autoreceptor regulating mPRF ACh release is the M2 subtype. Considerable evidence supports a role for cholinergic neurotransmission and postsynaptic M2 receptors in the mPRF in regulating levels of arousal. The present data suggest that presynaptic M2 receptors contribute to the regulation of arousal states by modulating mPRF ACh release.     

Muscarinic receptor-mediated dual regulation of ADP-ribosyl cyclase in NG108-15 neuronal cell membranes

Cyclic ADP-ribose (cADP-ribose) is an endogenous modulator of ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ release channels. An unsolved question is whether or not cADP-ribose mediates intracellular signals from hormone or neurotransmitter receptors. The first step in this study was to develop a TLC method to measure ADP-ribosyl cyclase, by which conversion of [3H]NAD+ to [3H]cADP-ribose was confirmed in COS-7 cells overexpressing human CD38. A membrane fraction of NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells possessed ADP-ribosyl cyclase activity measured by TLC. Carbamylcholine increased this activity by 2.6-fold in NG108-15 cells overexpressing m1 or m3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs), but inhibited it by 30-52% in cells expressing m2 and/or m4 mAChRs. Both of these effects were mimicked by GTP. Pretreatment of cells with cholera toxin blocked the activation, whereas pertussis toxin blocked the inhibition. Application of carbamylcholine caused significant decreases in NAD+ concentrations in untreated m1-transformed NG108-15 cells, but an increase in cholera toxin-treated cells. These results suggest that mAChRs couple to ADP-ribosyl cyclase within cell membranes via trimeric G proteins and can thereby control cellular function by regulating cADP-ribose formation.     

Selectivity of LG50643 for postjunctional muscarinic-receptor subtype in the guinea-pig trachea

The effects of (+/-)-LG50643, a new N-quaternary tropinic ester of phenylcyclohexene carboxylic acid, endowed with a potent antimuscarinic activity, have been investigated on muscarinic receptor-mediated responses of the guinea-pig trachea to electrical field stimulation. An isolated preparation which allows the simultaneous measurement of tritiated acetylcholine release (prejunctional effect) and smooth muscle contraction (postjunctional effect) was used. The guinea-pig epithelium-deprived trachea was stimulated with 500 pulses (20 Hz, 1 ms, 9 V for 5 s, 30 s apart) in the presence of indomethacin (1 microM). Three successive pre- and postjunctional responses were observed. The potencies (-logEC50) of (+/-)-LG50643 for pre- and postjunctional muscarinic receptors were determined and compared with those of selective muscarinic antagonists. In addition, the affinity values of (+/-)-LG50643 for muscarinic-receptor subtypes were determined in radioligand binding experiments in cerebral cortex, heart and salivary glands of rat as target tissues for M1, M2 and M3 receptors, respectively. The results obtained in both functional and binding assays indicate (+/-)-LG50643 is a potent and selective antagonist for the M3-receptor subtype.     

SR 144528, an antagonist for the peripheral cannabinoid receptor that behaves as an inverse agonist

In the present report, we investigated in detail the effects of SR 144528, a selective antagonist of the peripheral cannabinoid receptor (CB2), on two well-characterized functions mediated by CB2: the induction of the early response gene krox24 and the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. We generated Chinese hamster ovary cells doubly transfected with human CB2 and a luciferase reporter gene linked to either the murine krox24 regulatory sequence or multiple cAMP responsive elements. Our results show that (1) SR 144528 antagonizes the effect of receptor agonists-it inhibits the krox24 reporter activity and prevents the inhibition of forskolin-induced cAMP reporter activity mediated by CP 55,940; (2) CB2 is autoactivated-CB2 mediates signaling in the absence of ligand, and this basal activity is reduced by pretreating the cells with pertussis toxin; (3) SR 144528 is an inverse agonist-it reproduces the effects of pertussis toxin; and (4) inhibition of precoupled CB2 by a long-term pretreatment of cells with SR 144528 potentiates krox24 response to cannabinoid receptor agonists and restores activation of adenylyl cyclase. Taken together, these data provide evidences for the inverse agonist property of SR 144528 and the constitutive activation of CB2 in Chinese hamster ovary-expressing cells.