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Endothelins modulate hormonal secretion in the pituitary gland. Intense signaling of endothelin A receptors (ET(A)R) has been detected by in situ hybridization, binding assay and receptor autoradiography. We used light- and electron-microscopic immunohistochemistry of ET(A)R with polyclonal antibody against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the carboxyl terminus (403-427) of human ET(A)R. Immunoreactivity was observed in 6-8% of anterior pituitary cells, which were rather large polygonal or stellate cells. These cells were often clustered. Double-staining immunofluorescence showed that the ET(A)R-positive cells immunoreacted with antibody against the beta-subunit of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), but not adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) or lutenizing hormone beta (LHbeta). Pre- and postembedding electron-microscopic immunohistochemistry showed that ET(A)R-positive cells had vacuolated or parallel-lined rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) and numerous round granules in their periphery and the elongated processes. By pre-embedding immunohistochemistry, diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride (DAB) products were shown to be mostly located around the granules and occasionally underneath the plasma membrane. By postembedding immunohistochemistry, granules in the ET(A)R-positive cells were 90-150 nm in diameter, and colloidal gold particles due to ET(A)R were associated with about 10% of these granules. These results indicate that ET(A) receptors are associated mostly with the secretory granules of TSH cells.

Endothelin (ET) is known to be a potent mitogen in astrocytes. However, the contribution and signalling pathway of ET(A) and/or ET(B) receptor to the proliferation of astrocytes remain unclear. We investigated ET-induced DNA synthesis in astrocytes using ET(B) receptor-deficient mutant rats (aganglionosis rats: sl/sl). Western blotting with anti-ET receptor subtype-specific antibodies and Scatchard analysis of binding revealed that ET(B) receptor expression in astrocytes depended on gene dosage (+/+: sl/+: sl/sl=2: 1:0), whereas ET(A) receptor expression was unchanged among the three genotypes. ET-1 (10 nM) stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) activity not only in +/+ via both ET(A) and ET(B) receptors, but also in sl/sl astrocytes via ET(A) receptor with about half the extent of those observed in +/+ astrocytes. Treatment with pertussis toxin (PTX) suppressed the ET-1-induced increases in the incorporation and MAP kinase activity in +/+, but not sl/sl astrocytes, indicating that the ET(B) receptor-, but not the ET(A) receptor-, mediated pathway to DNA synthesis involves PTX-sensitive G proteins, e.g. Gi and/or Go (Gi/o). In +/+ astrocytes, ET-1 (1 nM) stimulated cAMP accumulation, and the ET(B) receptor-selective agonist IRL 1620 (1 nM) suppressed 10 microM forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation, suggesting Gs coupling to the ET(A) receptor and Gi/o coupling to the ET(B) receptor. On the other hand, ET-1 did not increase cAMP accumulation in sl/sl astrocytes, although ET-1 (1 nM) suppressed the forskolin-induced response, suggesting Gi/o coupling to the ET(A) receptor. Our results suggest the possibility that the selectivity of G protein for ET(A) receptor is changed from Gs to Gi/o in ET(B) receptor-deficient astrocytes.

Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is a congenital intestinal disease, characterized by the absence of ganglion cells in the distal portion of the intestinal tract. Recently, three susceptibility genes have been identified in HSCR, namely the RET protooncogene, the endothelin B (ETB) receptor gene (EDNRB), and the endothelin-3 (ET-3) gene (EDN3). To investigate whether mutations in EDNRB could be related with HSCR in non-inbred populations in Japan, we examined alterations of the gene in 31 isolated patients. Three novel mutations were detected as follows: two transversions, A to T and C to A at nucleotides 311 (N104I) and 1170 (S390R), respectively, and a transition, T to C at nucleotide 325 (C109R). To analyze functions of these mutant receptors, they were expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. S390R mutation did not change the binding affinities but caused the decreases in the ligand-induced increment of intracellular calcium and in the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity, showing the impairment of the intracellular signaling. C109R receptors were proved to be localized near the nuclei as an unusual 44-kDa protein with the extremely low affinity to endothelin-1 (ET-1) and not to be translocated into the plasma membrane. On the other hand, N104I receptors showed almost the same binding affinities and functional properties as those of the wild type. Therefore, we conclude that S390R and C109R mutations could cause HSCR but that N104I mutation might be polymorphous.

It is known that serum promotes squamous differentiation of airway epithelial cell culture in vitro. We investigated which types of epithelial cells produce endothelins (ETs) and ET-evoked cellular responses in cultured human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). Squamous cells, not basal cells (nondifferentiated), secrete ET-1 actively. Specific binding of [125I]ET-1, not [125I]ET-3, was observed in squamous as well as basal cells, demonstrating the existence of only the ETA receptor. ET-1 together with epidermal growth factor stimulated synergistic DNA synthesis in basal cells, whereas ET-1 alone did not. Serum failed to induce DNA synthesis in HBECs, indicating terminal differentiation into squamous cells. ET-1 (1-100 nM) dose-dependently stimulated PGE2 (0.6-2.8 ng/10(5) cells) and thromboxane B2 release (4-30 pg/10(5) cells) from squamous HBECS, but not from basal cells. Western blot analysis showed that both squamous and basal HBECs expressed inducible and endothelial nitric oxide synthase, whereas ET-1 failed to stimulate nitric oxide synthase expression. Our findings suggest that secreted ET-1 from squamous cells evokes the release of prostanoids in an autocrine manner, and stimulates DNA synthesis in basal cells as a comitogen in a paracrine manner. Thus, it is likely that ET-1 secreted from HBECs plays an important role as a local, autocrine, and paracrine modulator in airway responses.

We investigated the contribution of endothelin type A (ETA) and ETB receptors on ET-induced DNA synthesis in CCD-18Lu cells, a human lung cell line possessing both ETA and ETB (ETA/ETB ratio: 9:1). ET-1 (0.05-2 nM) potently induced [3H]thymidine incorporation by 2- to 14-fold over the basal level. An ETA-selective antagonist, FR139317, inhibited 0.2 nM ET-1-induced DNA synthesis dose dependently, showing complete inhibition at 1 microM. ET-3 was inactive up to 2 nM. In contrast, ETB-selective antagonists, 100 nM of BQ-788 or IRL 2500, partially (30-60%) inhibited 0.2 nM ET-1-induced DNA synthesis. Stimulation of either ETA or ETB evoked the increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). ETB-mediated but not ET-1-induced [Ca2+]i increase was pertussis toxin (PTX) sensitive. Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) formation via ETA was observed in PTX-treated cells, whereas the inhibition of isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP formation via ETB was observed in PTX-untreated cells. Like the ETB-selective antagonists, PTX treatment or dibutyryl cAMP partially (50-70%) inhibited ET-1-induced DNA synthesis. These data suggest that 1) ET-1 induces DNA synthesis predominantly through ETA, via PTX-insensitive G protein; 2) ETA-mediated cAMP formation inhibits DNA synthesis; and 3) stimulation of ETB coupling to Gi protein modulates ETA-mediated DNA synthesis by inhibiting cAMP formation.

Congenital aganglionosis rat is a mutant with an autosomal recessive gene (sl). Recent studies have revealed that the endothelin ETB receptor gene of sl/sl rat has a deletion of 301-bp region spanning exon 1 and intron 1 corresponding to the first and the second transmembrane domains of the receptor. In the present experiments, we examined the functions of ETB receptors in the sl/sl rats. In the membranes of cerebellum, heart, and lung of control (+/+ and sl/+) rats, ET-1 induced a monophasic, competitive displacement of [125I]ET-1 binding, whereas ET-3, IRL 1620, and BQ-123 showed biphasic displacement. In the membranes of sl/sl rats, in contrast, ET-1, BQ-123, ET-3, and IRL 1620 showed only monophasic displacement. Scatchard analysis revealed a single [125I]ET-3 binding site in the membrane of control heart but not in the sl/sl rat heart, and the specific binding sites for [125I]ET-1 in both control and sl/sl rat hearts. In the control rat aorta but not in the sl/sl rat aorta, ET-3 induced endothelium-dependent relaxation. These results suggest that sl/sl rats do not have functional ETB receptors.

1. To study endothelin (ET) receptors in guinea-pig stomach, ET-binding assays and in vitro autoradiography were performed on fundic cell suspensions and on sections of the fundus, respectively. ETA and ETB receptor subtypes were found to coexist in the parietal cells. 2. Endothelin 1 (ET-1) added to the (basolateral) bathing solution was found to activate noisy whole-cell Cl- currents within about 1 min in both single, isolated parietal cells and those within gastric glands obtained from the fundus. 3. ET-1-induced Cl- currents were rapidly blocked by a Cl- channel blocker (NPPB) added to the (basolateral) bathing solution in a concentration-dependent manner with a half-maximum inhibition concentration of 33 microM. 4. The anion selectivity sequence of the ET-1-induced conductance was I- > Br- > Cl- > F-, corresponding to Eisenman's sequence I. 5. Changes in extracellular pH between 5 and 8 did not affect the ET-1-induced activation of Cl- currents. 6. Similar activating effects were also observed with ET-3 and a specific ETB receptor agonist (IRL1620). An ETB receptor antagonist (IRL1720) prevented the ET-1 effect, whereas an ETA-selective antagonist (FR139317 or BQ123) failed to antagonize the ET-1 effect. 7. In the whole-cell mode, unitary Cl- channel events could be observed in association with ET-1-activated macroscopic currents. The single-channel conductances were around 200 and 350 pS at negative and positive membrane potentials, respectively. 8. It is concluded that gastric parietal cells of guinea-pig possess pH-insensitive 'maxi' Cl- channels coupled to ETB receptors in the basolateral membrane.

We investigated the distribution of endothelin A (ETA) and ETB receptors in single smooth muscle cells and their contribution to ET-induced contractions of guinea pig trachea. ETA and ETB receptors were detected in smooth muscle membranes (maximum binding capacities of 810 and 360 fmol/mg protein and dissociation constants of 38 and 5.1 pM for 125I-labeled ET-1 and 125I-ET-3, respectively) and visualized autoradiographically in primary cultured cells. ET-1 and ET-3 evoked concentration-dependent increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration and smooth muscle tension. The half-maximally effective concentrations of ET-1 and ET-3 at inducing contractions were 1.9 and 2.7 nM, respectively. The Ca2+ responses showed tachyphylaxis to both ETs after stimulation with ET-1, but only to ET-3 after stimulation with ET-3. Consecutive applications of ET-3 and ET-1 (10 nM each) classified the cells into ETA dominant (approximately 30%) responding to only ET-1, ETB dominant (approximately 20%) responding to only ET-3, and ETA- and ETB-possessing (approximately 50%) cells responding to both. The ETA antagonist, 10 microM BQ-123, attenuated ET-1-induced contractions but did not affect the ET-3-induced contractions. The results indicate that both receptors coexist in a major population of smooth muscle cells and cooperate in mediating ET-1-induced contractions.

Endothelin receptors, predominantly of the ETB type, were localized to cell bodies, processes, and varicosities of cholinergic and adrenergic intramural autonomic neurons that were present in primary cultures of guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle. Stimulation of the neuronal ETB receptor produced a tetrodotoxin-sensitive increase in the intracellular calcium concentration in neurons which was followed by contraction of the neighboring smooth muscle cells. These observations suggest that endothelins can induce smooth muscle contraction by means of a neuronally mediated mechanism, in addition to their direct actions on the smooth muscle.