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The electrostatic environment around nanoscale molecular junctions modulates charge transport; solvents alter this environment. Methods to directly probe solvent effects require correlating measurements of the local electrostatic environment with charge transport across the metal-molecule-metal junction. Here, we measure the conductance and current-voltage characteristics of molecular wires using a scanning tunneling microscope-break junction (STM-BJ) setup in two commonly used solvents. Our results show that the solvent environment induces shifts in molecular conductance, which we quantify, but more importantly we find that the solvent also impacts the magnitude of current rectification in molecular junctions. By incorporating electrochemical impedance spectroscopy into the STM-BJ setup, we measure the capacitance of the dipole layer formed at the metal-solvent interface and show that rectification can be correlated with solvent capacitance. These results provide a method of quantifying the impact of the solvent environment and a path toward improved environmental control of molecular devices.

Understanding how molecular geometry affects the electronic properties of single-molecule junctions experimentally has been challenging. Typically, metal-molecule-metal junctions are measured using a break-junction method where electrode separation is mechanically evolving during measurement. Here, to probe the impact of the junction geometry on conductance, we apply a sinusoidal modulation to the molecular junction electrode position. Simultaneously, we probe the nonlinearity of the current-voltage characteristics of each junction through a modulation in the applied bias at a different frequency. In turn, we show that junctions formed with molecules that have different molecule-electrode interfaces exhibit statistically distinguishable Fourier-transformed conductances. In particular, we find a marked bias dependence for the modulation of junctions where transmission is mediated thorough the van der Waals (vdW) interaction. We attribute our findings to voltage-modulated vdW interactions at the single-molecule level.

To rival the performance of modern integrated circuits, single-molecule devices must be designed to exhibit extremely nonlinear current-voltage (I-V) characteristics 1-4 . A common approach is to design molecular backbones where destructive quantum interference (QI) between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) produces a nonlinear energy-dependent tunnelling probability near the electrode Fermi energy (E F ) 5-8 . However, tuning such systems is not straightforward, as aligning the frontier orbitals to E F is hard to control 9 . Here, we instead create a molecular system where constructive QI between the HOMO and LUMO is suppressed and destructive QI between the HOMO and strongly coupled occupied orbitals of opposite phase is enhanced. We use a series of fluorene oligomers containing a central benzothiadiazole 10 unit to demonstrate that this strategy can be used to create highly nonlinear single-molecule circuits. Notably, we are able to reproducibly modulate the conductance of a 6-nm molecule by a factor of more than 10 4 .

Electron transport across a molecular junction is characterized by an energy-dependent transmission function. The transmission function accounts for electrons tunneling through multiple molecular orbitals (MOs) with different phases, which gives rise to quantum interference (QI) effects. Because the transmission function comprises both interfering and noninterfering effects, individual interferences between MOs cannot be deduced from the transmission function directly. Herein, we demonstrate how the transmission function can be deconstructed into its constituent interfering and noninterfering contributions for any model molecular junction. These contributions are arranged in a matrix and displayed pictorially as a QI map, which allows one to easily identify individual QI effects. Importantly, we show that exponential conductance decay with increasing oligomer length is primarily due to an increase in destructive QI. With an ability to "see" QI effects using the QI map, we find that QI is vital to all molecular-scale electron transport.

The title compound, [Mo(C5H5)(C2H3O)(C12H9O3P)(CO)2], was prepared by reaction of [Mo(C5H5)(CO)3(CH3)] with tris-(furan-2-yl)phosphane. The Mo(II) atom exhibits a four-legged piano-stool coordination geometry with the acetyl and phosphine ligands trans to each other. The O atom of the acetyl ligand points down, away from the Cp ring. In the crystal, mol-ecules form centrosymmetrical dimers via π-π inter-actions between furyl rings [the centroid-centroid distance is 3.396 (4) Å]. The dimers are linked by C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds into layers parallel to (100).

High concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) inhibit bone resorption by mature osteoclasts. We examined the effects of low NO concentrations on osteoclast formation in mouse bone marrow cultures. The NO releasers sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine inhibited the formation of multinucleated cells expressing tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (a marker for osteoclasts) when administered during the last 3 days of 6-day cultures (differentiation stage) but not during the first 3 days (proliferation stage). SNP (1 microM) completely inhibited pit formation on dentine wafers when added to cultures during osteoclast formation, but 100 microM SNP was required to inhibit pitting by mature osteoclasts. Conversely, the NO synthase inhibitors aminoguanidine and nitro-L-arginine methyl ester both increased osteoclast formation. Inhibition of osteoclast formation by NO likely was guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) dependent, as SNP increased cGMP in marrow cultures, and 1 mM 8-bromo-cGMP or dibutyryl-cGMP reduced osteoclast formation when administered during the differentiation stage. The cGMP-specific type V phosphodiesterase inhibitor, zaprinast (M & B 22948) also inhibited osteoclast formation (half-maximal inhibitory constant, 100 microM) only when added during the differentiation stage. We conclude that the differentiation stage of osteoclast formation is inhibited by increases in cGMP levels elicited by NO.

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) has been localized to the proximal and distal nephron. In this study, we examined the distribution and regulation of the CNP receptor, guanylyl cyclase type B (GC-B), in the rat kidney. GC-B mRNA was detected most frequently in microdissected glomeruli, thin and thick limbs of the loop of Henle, and outer and inner medullary collecting ducts by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). This pattern of expression is supported by immunofluorescent staining, using anti-GC-B-specific antiserum. Nearly equivalent levels of GC-B and guanylyl cyclase type A (GC-A) mRNAs were found by quantitative RT-PCR (5,662 +/- 1,622 and 5,187 +/- 1,204 molecules of cDNA/microgram total RNA, respectively; means +/- SE, n = 6). Renal inner medulla GC-B mRNA levels, but not renal CNP mRNA levels, were 3.2-fold greater in hypervolemic and 2.3-fold less in hypovolemic rats compared with euvolemic controls. Immunohistochemical staining also supports a greater GC-B expression with increased volume status. These data link hydration status and GC-B expression and suggest an additional and novel mechanism for regulating intravascular volume.

The polarized expression of guanylyl cyclase-coupled natriuretic peptide receptors, types A (GC-A) and B (GC-B), was measured in inner medullary collecting ducts (IMCD) of normal and ischemic rat kidneys, as well as in IMCD cells. Exposure of normal rat kidney medulla to an anti-GC-A antibody demonstrated a propensity of receptor staining on the cellular basal membrane. The polarization of GC-A receptors was lost in the ischemic kidney. The maximal binding capacity of 125I-atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) to the basal membrane of the inner medullary cell line mIMCD-K2 was five times greater than that to the apical membrane. ANF or C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) added to the basal side of cultured cells resulted in guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate formation that was greater than when applied to the apical side. Depletion of ATP stores in cultured cells was followed by an increase of 125I-ANF binding to apical cellular membranes. Similar results were obtained when receptor guanylyl cyclase activity was assayed. In conclusion, these results suggest that functional GC-A and GC-B receptors are present predominantly on the basal membrane of IMCD. However, depletion of cellular ATP stores such as in ischemia is followed by a partial loss of polarization.

The cellular distribution of guanylyl cyclase coupled natriuretic peptide receptors type A (GC-A) and type B (GC-B) was examined by immunocytochemistry in normal rat kidney, and compared with the distribution of the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase. Staining for GC-A was found in glomeruli, thin limbs of Henle's loop, cortical collecting tubule, and inner medullary collecting duct. Staining for GC-B was found in glomeruli and the same nephron sections as GC-A, with the exception of the thin limbs. In the cortical collecting tubule, GC-A was found in both principal and intercalated cells; GC-B was restricted to the apical pole of alpha intercalated cells. In inner medullary collecting duct cells, GC-A was located on the basal membrane, whereas GC-B was found in the apical pole. The different pattern of polarization of natriuretic peptide receptors in the inner medulla provides a plausible basis for the different physiologic effects of atrial natriuretic factor and C-type natriuretic peptide. The results also suggest the possibility that GC-B is involved in the regulation of bicarbonate transport in the cortical collecting tubule.

Most agents that regulate osteoclast bone resorption exert their effects indirectly, through the osteoblast. Nitric oxide, which stimulates soluble guanylyl cyclase, has been reported to inhibit osteoclast bone resorption directly, by a cGMP-independent mechanism (1). In this report, we demonstrate that C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), an activator of membrane-bound guanylyl cyclase, stimulates bone resorption by osteoclast-containing 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3)-stimulated mouse bone marrow cultures. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays and anti-CNP immunocytochemistry were used to demonstrate that CNP is expressed in mouse marrow cells cultured in the presence, but not the absence, of, 1,25-(OH)2D3. mRNA for guanylyl cyclase type B, the receptor for CNP, was expressed in cultures independent of 1,25-(OH)2D3. CNP (1 and 10 microM) elevated cGMP production in marrow cultures to 350 and 870%, respectively, of control values. 10 microM CNP increased osteoclast bone resorptive activity, measured by the resorption area on whale dentine wafers, or by the NH4Cl-inhibitable release of [3H]proline from radiolabeled bone chips, to 214 and 557% of control, respectively, without affecting osteoclast formation. Bone resorption by the marrow cultures was inhibited by 7F9.1, a monoclonal antibody raised against CNP, but not by control antibodies. These results indicate that CNP is a potent activator of osteoclast activity and may be a novel local regulator of bone remodeling.

Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of acute renal failure (ARF) in both rat and humans. The biological effects of ANF are presumed to be mediated by the generation of intracellular 3',5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Therefore, the current investigation examined whether zaprinast (M&B 22948), a guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor, would be effective in the treatment of established acute renal failure in the rat. Acute renal failure was induced by 60 minutes of bilateral renal artery clamping. Twenty-four hours after the ischemic insult, rats received either vehicle (5% Dextrose), zaprinast (0.03 or 0.3 mg/kg/min) or ANF24 (0.2 micrograms/kg/min) intravenously for four hours. Renal function, as measured by daily serum creatinine (days 1 to 7) and day 2 inulin clearances, was dramatically improved by zaprinast but not ANF treatment. Forty-eight hours post-renal ischemia, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 0.14 +/- 0.04 (ml/min/100 g body wt) in the vehicle and 0.94 +/- 0.29 in the zaprinast treated animals. To evaluate the mechanism by which zaprinast accelerated renal recovery, we measured regional blood flow in the postischemic rat kidneys during drug treatment with a laser doppler flowmeter. Both high and low dose zaprinast significantly increased cortical (17%) and outer medullary blood flow (40% and 60%), an effect not seen with ANF. In summary, zaprinast is effective in the treatment of established ischemic ARF. The mechanism by which zaprinast accelerates renal recovery is due to its unique ability to stimulate regional renal blood flow and increase intracellular cGMP in the setting of tissue ischemia.

We have previously demonstrated the synthesis of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) in the distal cortical nephron of the rat kidney. We now report the synthesis of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) in the rat, mouse, and human nephron. CNP mRNA was initially detected in the rat and mouse kidney, as well as in three transformed cell lines isolated from the proximal and distal nephron, using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Confirmation of the kidney PCR product was performed by nucleotide sequence analysis and Southern hybridization. Northern hybridization of rat brain CNP cDNA to human kidney polyadenylated RNA detected a 1.4-kb gene transcript. Rat nephron segments were microdissected and subjected to RT-PCR to localize CNP mRNA. CNP mRNA was detected in the proximal convoluted tubule, cortical collecting duct, medullary thick limbs, and inner medullary collecting ducts. CNP, as detected by immunohistochemistry, was found to colocalize with CNP mRNA.

To date, atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) mRNA has eluded detection in the mammalian kidney, although we and others have identified ANF protein in the kidney using immunohistochemical and immunoassay techniques. Furthermore, we have demonstrated the synthesis and secretion of the ANF prohormone in the distal cortical nephron of the intact rat kidney and from rat primary cultured renal distal cortical tubular epithelial cells. In the present study, we show that the ANF gene is expressed in the kidney. Amplification of RNA isolated from rat distal cortical tubular epithelial cultures using ANF specific primers produced a 213-bp fragment that specifically hybridized to a 32P-labeled ANF cDNA. We had previously demonstrated these cultures to be enriched for the renal ANF synthetic and secretory cell type. However, we were unable to detect an ANF gene transcript in total rat kidney RNA using the above-mentioned polymerase chain reaction (PCR) conditions. Reanalysis of normal rat kidney PCR products by a second round of PCR amplification using nested primers successfully identified ANF mRNA. Similar to cultured kidney epithelial cells, normal rat kidney expresses ANF mRNA, but at a very low abundance, thus necessitating two rounds of PCR amplification. Further characterization of rat cortical distal tubular epithelia poly(A)+ RNA by Northern analysis revealed two ANF gene transcripts. A 1.0-kb message that comigrated with rat atrial ANF mRNA, and a second larger 1.4-kb transcript. These studies further substantiate the synthesis of ANF in the mammalian kidney. Unlike the mammalian heart, the kidney contains two ANF gene transcripts.

Atriopeptin (AP) is synthesized and stored in the mammalian atria as a 126 amino acid prohormone (AP126). Upon secretion, the prohormone undergoes site specific proteolysis within the atria to yield the carboxyl terminal 28 amino acid hormone (AP28). The atrial cell responsible for AP126 bioactivation has not yet been determined. Primary neonatal rat atrial cell cultures were generated with and without depletion of nonmyocytic cells. The molecular form of AP detected in the conditioned media of mixed cultures was determined to be AP126. Addition of dexamethasone to these cultures resulted in the appearance of a peptide that co-migrated with AP28. In contrast, no AP126 processing was detected in the conditioned media of myocyte enriched cultures when grown in the presence of dexamethasone. Readdition of nonmyocytic atrial cells to myocyte enriched cultures successfully reconstituted the steroid induced AP126 processing. Incubation of recombinant AP126argarg with nonmyocytic atrial cell cultures resulted in the generation of AP28argarg. We conclude that a nonmyocytic atrial cell is responsible for AP126 processing in vitro.

We recently demonstrated the synthesis and secretion of an atriopeptin (AP)-like prohormone in rat neonatal and adult cortical kidney cell cultures. However, these cultures contained proximal as well as distal tubular epithelial cells; thus characterization of the peptide synthetic cell was not possible. Also, by immunohistochemical techniques, we localized this AP-like prohormone to the distal cortical nephron in adult rat kidney. In this study, we examined further details of the kidney cortical cell type that expresses and secretes this AP-like peptide in adult renal cortical cell cultures, its regulation by adenylate cyclase via adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) generation, and its ability to stimulate guanylate cyclase. Tubular fragments were derived from cortical tissue of adult Sprague-Dawley rats and separated into four fractions on Percoll density gradient. Cell cultures generated from fraction 3 secreted 5- to 10-fold the amount of this renal peptide compared with fractions 2 and 4. Further cell culture characterization was performed by agonist-stimulated cAMP formation, kallikrein localization, and prostaglandin E2 formation. From these analyses, it was determined that tissue band 3 was enriched for distal cortical connecting tubules. To further evaluate whether mammalian distal nephron synthesizes an AP-like protein, we determined that two immortalized mouse cell lines, derived from either the distal convoluted tubule or cortical collecting tubule, synthesized a radiolabeled AP after being pulsed with [35S]-methionine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Atriopeptin is synthesized in mammalian atria as a 126-amino acid (14 kDa) prohormone, but it is secreted and circulates as a 28-amino acid (2.5 kDa) peptide. We have demonstrated the synthesis and secretion of an atriopeptin-like peptide in neonatal and adult rat kidney cell cultures. In this study, we evaluated the site of renal synthesis of this protein and its expression in normal rats and rats made nephrotic with puromycin aminonucleoside. The major form of atriopeptin in normal kidneys comigrated with an apparent molecular mass of 2.5 kDa assessed by gel filtration chromatography. However, the major form of this atriopeptin-like protein in nephrotic kidneys was determined to have an apparent molecular mass similar to the heart prohormone. No atriopeptin prohormone was detected in the plasma of nephrotic rats. Localization of this renal atriopeptin-like protein was accomplished by immunocytochemistry of rat kidney frozen sections. Using an antibody generated against either the COOH-terminal or NH3-terminal region of the cardiac atriopeptin prohormone, we detected specific immunostaining in the distal cortical nephron of the nephrotic kidney. This is the first report of the anatomic localization of a renal atriopeptin-like protein and its upregulation in nephrosis.

The synthesis and secretion of an atriopeptin(AP)-like prohormone (AP126ir) has been demonstrated in rat neonatal renal cell cultures. AP126ir could be detected in the cellular extract and the medium from cultured kidney cells of neonatal and adult rats using an enzyme immunoassay specific for cardiac AP prohormone. On reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, the AP obtained from the extract and the medium comigrated with cardiac AP prohormone. Incubation of the renal AP in the medium with thrombin resulted in the generation of a single low molecular mass peak which migrated with the cardiac carboxy-terminal 28-amino acid AP. Neonatal kidney cells pulsed with [35S]methionine secreted radiolabeled AP126ir, which was detected by immunoprecipitation and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis chromatography. Incubation of neonatal kidney cell cultures with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide resulted in a significant decrease in both the cellular and media AP. No decrease in cellular and media AP was detected when neonatal atrial cultures were treated with cycloheximide. These data demonstrate the de novo synthesis of an AP prohormone-like protein in neonatal rat kidney cultures. Furthermore, unlike the atria, kidney cells appear to secrete AP solely by constitutive means. In primary adult rat kidney cultures, most of AP126ir was detected in the cortical tubule fraction demonstrating that these cells secrete AP126ir in the adult rat kidney. We hypothesize that the renal AP may be important as an autocrine or paracrine regulator of renal function.

Reactive oxygen species, probably hydroxyl radicals (OH.), have been suggested to be generated during arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism and, once released, these species can modify the rate and extent of various reactions involved in AA metabolism. We have studied this phenomenon in washed human platelets. OH. generation was quantitated using 14C-benzoic acid as a specific trap in a continuous ionization chamber system. Resting platelets did not produce any detectable signal, whereas addition of AA resulted in gradual OH. production with peak values detected at approximately 20 min. Similar studies conducted under nitrogen or after boiling the platelets almost abolished OH. generation. Aspirin had no significant effect, whereas 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid decreased the signal by greater than 90%, thus suggesting that OH. is produced primarily through the lipoxygenase pathway. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase had no effect and, as expected, phenol and mannitol decreased OH. production considerably, by greater than 50% and 90%, respectively. Azide and cyanide also reduced the OH. generation by about two thirds. We conclude that OH. is generated during AA metabolism by human platelets. It is primarily produced via the lipoxygenase pathway and may require a heme-dependent peroxidase. This highly reactive oxidant may play an important role in normal and abnormal hemostasis.

Salosolinol and tetrahydropapaveroline bind to opiate receptors in rat brain with affinities of 6.2 and 1.95 x 10(-5)M respectively. Their ability to displace 3H-naloxone is decreased about 4-fold by 100 mM sodium ion. Both of these agents have antinociceptive effects when given to rats intraventricularly. Their potency is comparable to the enkephalins, and their effect is blocked by naloxone.

Separation of all major cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid were obtained by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A C18 reverse-phase column was used in ion suppression mode to separate underivatized metabolites of arachidonic acid isolated from human and rabbit platelets. The metabolites were monitored by measuring radioactivity or ultraviolet light absorption at 192 nm (absorption by double bonds). Comparisons of TLC and HPLC separations demonstrated that the HPLC separation of metabolites of [1-14C]arachidonic acid was quantitative. HPLC also resolved several metabolites that were not detected by scanning of TLC separations.

Cellular mechanism(s) regulating atriopeptin secretion and processing by the atrial myocyte are currently unknown. Osmotic stretch of isolated atrial myocytes as well as potassium chloride depolarization were potent stimuli of atriopeptin secretion. Release was potentiated by buffering either extracellular calcium with EGTA or intracellular calcium with the intracellular chelator, BAPTA AM. Atrial release of atriopeptin was inhibited after administration of ionomycin which elevates intracellular calcium. Fetal or early neonatal ventricular myocytes actively synthesize atriopeptin. Atriopeptin secretion by ventricular myocytes was also markedly potentiated by osmotic stretch as well as KCl depolarization. Only the 126 amino acid prohormone was secreted by the stretch-stimulated atrial and ventricular myocyte. These data suggest that stretch of the myocyte plasma membrane is a major stimulus for atriopeptin secretion and that atriopeptin secretion is not stimulated by raising intracellular calcium and appears to be negatively modulated by this cation. Like the atrial myocyte, the ventricular myocyte possesses the cellular mechanism(s) necessary to secrete atriopeptin by a regulated mechanism.

Surgical removal of one or both atrial appendages was employed in rats to reduce the intrinsic stores of atriopeptin (AP). In conscious rats (with intact baroreceptor reflexes), bilateral or unilateral atrial appendectomy suppressed the diuresis and natriuresis produced by acute volume expansion. Surprisingly, volume expansion (with 4% bovine serum albumin in saline at 1.5 ml/kg per min for 15 min) did not result in an increase in plasma AP immunoreactivity (APir) in control or atrial-appendectomized conscious rats. Previous studies demonstrated that acute volume expansion in anesthetized animals caused increased plasma APir. Indeed, we found that volume expansion causes comparable diuresis-natriuresis in conscious and chloral hydrate-anesthetized rats, but only the latter group exhibits an increase in plasma APir. Brattleboro rats, which are deficient in vasopressin, exhibit the same response as Long-Evans controls in that acute volume expansion in conscious animals produces a pronounced diuresis and natriuresis but no APir release, but when these same animals are anesthetized, there is a simultaneous induction of diuresis-natriuresis and APir release by volume expansion. Plasma AP does not increase in conscious rats despite a large volume load, 30-40% of the total blood volume given in 15 min, and the natriuresis-diuresis appears to also be independent of vasopressin. On the other hand, the diuresis induced by acute volume expansion in anesthetized rats seems dependent on the elevated APir, since rats made autoimmune to AP (which are nonresponsive to exogenous AP infusions) exhibit a diuresis in conscious but not anesthetized rats. We therefore conclude that the participation of AP in volume homeostasis is more likely in pathophysiological states and that another mechanism or possibly another atrial factor mediates the diuresis-natriuresis induced by volume expansion in conscious rats.

Atriopeptin (AP), a natriuretic-diuretic and vasodilatory peptide, is synthesized and secreted from mammalian atria. The definitive role of this peptide on cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology has yet to be determined. We developed a population of autoimmune rats sensitized against their own AP to evaluate the consequences of prolonged AP deficiency on physiological and pathophysiological processes. Natriuresis in response to acute intravenous volume expansion was inhibited in the autoimmune rat, however, natriuresis produced by chronic oral salt loading was not suppressed in these animals. Plasma AP increased threefold in the spontaneously hypertensive rat when evaluated as a function of blood pressure. Immunization of these rats had no effect on the rate of development, magnitude of their developing hypertension, or their daily sodium excretion when compared with nonimmunized controls. Mineralocorticoid escape occurred during desoxycorticosterone acetate administration to rats. The ability of rats to escape from the sodium-retaining effects of this steroid was not affected by prior immunization against AP. These results suggest that AP is an important natriuretic substance in response to acute intravascular volume loading. However, atriopeptin does not appear to be involved in the natriuretic response to chronic intravascular volume loading, blood pressure regulation, or mineralocorticoid escape.

Dopamine and its specific receptors are widely distributed in man. Body regions where dopaminergic activity is of special pharmacologic interest include the basal ganglions, hypothalamus, chemoreceptor trigger zone, other less well defined areas in the central nervous system, and the renal and cardiovascular systems. The search for dopaminergic agents to modify these systems in disease states has depended heavily on in vitro and in vivo bioassays. These assays involving receptor binding, enzyme activation, smooth muscle and neuronal excitation, and modification of animal behavior have provided physicians with important therapeutic tools. Indeed, the introduction of levodopa for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and of the phenothiazines and related drugs for schizophrenia and psychosis has been a hallmark of neuropharmacologic research. However, the maximal benefits that these drugs may afford have not yet been realized due to an inadequate understanding of disease processes and a relative lack of specificity of drug action.