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Background: The research and development of drugs for the treatment of central nervous system diseases faces many challenges at present. One of the most important questions to be answered is, how does the drug cross the blood-brain barrier to get to the target site for pharmacological action. Fluoxetine is widely used in clinical antidepressant therapy. However, the mechanism by which fluoxetine passes through the BBB also remains unclear. Under physiological pH conditions, fluoxetine is an organic cation with a relatively small molecular weight (<500), which is in line with the substrate characteristics of organic cation transporters (OCTs). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the interaction of fluoxetine with OCTs at the BBB and BBB-associated efflux transporters. This is of great significance for fluoxetine to better treat depression. Moreover, it can provide a theoretical basis for clinical drug combination., Methods: In vitro BBB model was developed using human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3), and the cellular accumulation was tested in the presence or absence of transporter inhibitors. In addition, an in vivo trial was performed in rats to investigate the effect of OCTs on the distribution of fluoxetine in the brain tissue. Fluoxetine concentration was determined by a validated UPLC-MS/MS method., Results: The results showed that amantadine (an OCT1/2 inhibitor) and prazosin (an OCT1/3 inhibitor) significantly decreased the cellular accumulation of fluoxetine (P <.001). Moreover, we found that N-methylnicotinamide (an OCT2 inhibitor) significantly inhibited the cellular uptake of 100 and 500 ng/mL fluoxetine (P <.01 and P <.05 respectively). In contrast, corticosterone (an OCT3 inhibitor) only significantly inhibited the cellular uptake of 1000 ng/mL fluoxetine (P <.05). The P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitor, verapamil, and the multidrug resistance associated proteins (MRPs) inhibitor, MK571, significantly decreased the cellular uptake of fluoxetine. However, intracellular accumulation of fluoxetine was not significantly changed when fluoxetine was incubated with the breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) inhibitor Ko143. Furthermore, in vivo experiments proved that corticosterone and prazosin significantly inhibited the brain-plasma ratio of fluoxetine at 5.5 h and 12 h, respectively., Conclusion: OCTs might play a significant role in the transport of fluoxetine across the BBB. In addition, P-gp, BCRP, and MRPs seemed not to mediate the efflux transport of fluoxetine., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Adrenoceptors are the receptors for catecholamines, adrenaline, and noradrenaline. They are divided in α (α 1 and α 2 ) and β (β 1 , β 2 and β 3 ). α 1 -adrenoceptors are subdivided in α 1A , α 1B and α 1D . Most tissues express mixtures of α 1 -adrenoceptors subtypes, which appear to coexist in different densities and ratios, and in most cases, their responses are probably due to the activation of more than one type. The three subtypes of α 1 -adrenoceptors are G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR), specifically coupled to G q/11 . Additionally, the activation of these receptors may activate other signaling pathways or different components of these pathways, which leads to a great variety of possible cellular effects. The first clinically used α1 antagonist was Prazosin for Systemic Arterial Hypertension (SAH). It was followed by its congeners, Terazosin and Doxazosin. Nowadays, there are many classes of α-adrenergic antagonists with different selectivity profiles. In addition to SAH, the α 1 -adrenoceptors are used to treat Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and urolithiasis. This antagonism may be part of the mechanism of action of tricyclic antidepressants. Moreover, the activation of these receptors may lead to adverse effects such as orthostatic hypotension, similar to what happens with antidepressants and with some antipsychotics. Structure-activity relationships can explain, in part, how antagonists work and how selective they can be for each one of the subtypes. However, it is necessary to develop new molecules which antagonize the α 1 - adrenoceptors or make chemical modifications in these molecules to improve the selectivity and pharmacokinetic profile and/or reduce the adverse effects of known drugs., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

ABCG2 is one of a trio of human ATP binding cassette transporters that have the ability to bind and transport a diverse array of chemical substrates out of cells. This so-called "multidrug" transport has numerous physiological consequences including effects on how drugs are absorbed into and eliminated from the body. Understanding how ABCG2 is able to interact with multiple drug substrates remains an important goal in transporter biology. Most drugs are believed to interact with ABCG2 through the hydrophobic lipid bilayer and experimental systems for ABCG2 study need to incorporate this. We have exploited styrene maleic acid to solubilise ABCG2 from HEK293T cells overexpressing the transporter, and confirmed by dynamic light scattering and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) that this results in the extraction of SMA lipid copolymer (SMALP) particles that are uniform in size and contain a dimer of ABCG2, which is the predominant physiological state. FCS was further employed to measure the diffusion of a fluorescent ABCG2 substrate (BODIPY-prazosin) in the presence and absence of SMALP particles of purified ABCG2. Autocorrelation analysis of FCS traces enabled the mathematical separation of free BODIPY-prazosin from drug bound to ABCG2 and allowed us to show that combining SMALP extraction with FCS can be used to study specific drug: transporter interactions., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Prazosin (PRZ), a drug used to treat hypertensive patients, is an emergent contaminant in water systems. PRZ is an alpha-adrenergic receptor blocker used to treat anxiety, and is believed to reach the environment through human excretion, irresponsible disposal of unused medicine, and waste products from manufacturing plants. The purpose of this research was to isolate and characterize potential microbes for PRZ biodegradation and to identify the degradation pathway. After screening, isolated strain STP3 showed a capability for PRZ degradation and was chosen for further analysis. Resting cell assays with PRZ were conducted to identify the intermediate metabolites formed from biodegradation by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (FT-ICR MS) analysis. Two metabolites degraded from PRZ by STP3 were successfully found, and as these metabolites are derived from the main structure of PRZ, their presence proved PRZ degradation. Draft genome sequencing analysis of STP3 was performed to identify potential enzymes for PRZ biodegradation based on the metabolites found.

Oral drug delivery is a preferred administration route due to its low cost, high patient compliance and fewer adverse events compared to intravenous administration. However, many pharmaceuticals suffer from poor solubility and low oral bioavailability. One major factor that contributes to low bioavailability are efflux transporters which prevent drug absorption through intestinal epithelial cells. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (BCRP) are two important efflux transporters in the intestine functioning to prevent toxic materials from entering systemic circulation. However, due to its broad substrate specificity, P-gp limits the absorption of many therapeutics, including chemotherapeutics and antibacterial agents. Methods to inhibit P-gp with competitive inhibitors have not been clinically successful. Here, we show that micron scale devices (microdevices) made from a commonly used biomaterial, polyethylene glycol (PEG), inhibit P-gp through a biosimilar mucus in Caco-2 cells and that transporter function is restored when the microdevices are removed. Microdevices were shown to inhibit P-gp mediated transport of calcein AM, doxorubicin, and rhodamine 123 (R123) and BCRP mediated transport of BODIPY-FL-prazosin. When in contact with Caco-2 cells, microdevices decrease the cell surface amount of P-gp without affecting the passive transport. Moreover, there was an increase in mucosal to serosal transport of R123 with microdevices in an ex-vivo mouse model and increased absorption in vivo. This biomaterial-based approach to inhibit efflux transporters can be applied to a range of drug delivery systems and allows for a nonpharmacologic method to increase intestinal drug absorption while limiting toxic effects., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a multidrug transporter that is expressed on the luminal surface of epithelial cells in the kidney, intestine, bile-canalicular membrane in the liver, blood-brain barrier, and adrenal gland. This transporter uses energy of ATP hydrolysis to efflux from cells a variety of structurally dissimilar hydrophobic and amphipathic compounds, including anticancer drugs. In this regard, understanding the interaction with P-gp of drug entities in development is important and highly recommended in current US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. Here we tested the P-gp interaction of some A 3 adenosine receptor agonists that are being developed for the treatment of chronic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, chronic pain, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Biochemical assays of the ATPase activity of P-gp and by photolabeling P-gp with its transport substrate [ 125 I]-iodoarylazidoprazosin led to the identification of rigidified (N)-methanocarba nucleosides (i.e., compound 3 as a stimulator and compound 8 as a partial inhibitor of P-gp ATPase activity). Compound 8 significantly inhibited boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY)-verapamil transport mediated by human P-gp (IC 50 2.4 ± 0.6 µ M); however, the BODIPY-conjugated derivative of 8 (compound 24 ) was not transported by P-gp. In silico docking of compounds 3 and 8 was performed using the recently solved atomic structure of paclitaxel (Taxol)-bound human P-gp. Molecular modeling studies revealed that both compounds 3 and 8 bind in the same region of the drug-binding pocket as Taxol. Thus, this study indicates that nucleoside derivatives can exhibit varied modulatory effects on P-gp activity, depending on structural functionalization. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Certain A 3 adenosine receptor agonists are being developed for the treatment of chronic diseases. The goal of this study was to test the interaction of these agonists with the human multidrug resistance-linked transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp). ATPase and photolabeling assays demonstrated that compounds with rigidified (N)-methanocarba nucleosides inhibit the activity of P-gp; however, a fluorescent derivative of one of the compounds was not transported by P-gp. Furthermore, molecular docking studies revealed that the binding site for these compounds overlaps with the site for paclitaxel in the drug-binding pocket. These results suggest that nucleoside derivatives, depending on structural functionalization, can modulate the function of P-gp., (U.S. Government work not protected by U.S. copyright.)

This review examines the functions of α 1 -adrenoceptor subtypes, particularly in terms of contraction of smooth muscle. There are 3 subtypes of α 1 -adrenoceptor, α 1A- α 1B - and α 1D -adrenoceptors. Evidence is presented that the postulated α 1L -adrenoceptor is simply the native α 1A -adrenoceptor at which prazosin has low potency. In most isolated tissue studies, smooth muscle contractions to exogenous agonists are mediated particularly by α 1A -, with a lesser role for α 1D -adrenoceptors, but α 1B -adrenoceptors are clearly involved in contractions of some tissues, for example, the spleen. However, nerve-evoked responses are the most crucial physiologically, so that these studies of exogenous agonists may overestimate the importance of α 1A -adrenoceptors. The major α 1 -adrenoceptors involved in blood pressure control by sympathetic nerves are the α 1D - and the α 1A -adrenoceptors, mediating peripheral vasoconstrictor actions. As noradrenaline has high potency at α 1D -adrenceptors, these receptors mediate the fastest response and seem to be targets for neurally released noradrenaline especially to low frequency stimulation, with α 1A -adrenoceptors being more important at high frequencies of stimulation. This is true in rodent vas deferens and may be true in vasopressor nerves controlling peripheral resistance and tissue blood flow. The α lA -adrenoceptor may act mainly through Ca 2+ entry through L-type channels, whereas the α 1D -adrenoceptor may act mainly through T-type channels and exhaustable Ca 2+ stores. α 1 -Adrenoceptors may also act through non-G-protein linked second messenger systems. In many tissues, multiple subtypes of α-adrenoceptor are present, and this may be regarded as the norm rather than exception, although one receptor subtype is usually predominant., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The capacity of G protein-coupled receptors to modulate mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity is a newly emerging paradigm with the potential to link cell surface receptors with cell survival. Cardiomyocyte viability is linked to signalling pathways involving Akt and mTOR, as well as increased glucose uptake and utilization. Our aim was to determine whether the α 1A -adrenoceptor (AR) couples to these protective pathways, and increased glucose uptake. We characterised α 1A -AR signalling in CHO-K1 cells co-expressing the human α 1A -AR and GLUT4 (CHOα 1A GLUT4myc) and in neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (NRVM), and measured glucose uptake, intracellular Ca 2+ mobilization, and phosphorylation of mTOR, Akt, 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated kinase (AMPK) and S6 ribosomal protein (S6rp). In both systems, noradrenaline and the α 1A -AR selective agonist A61603 stimulated glucose uptake by parallel pathways involving mTOR and AMPK, whereas another α 1 -AR agonist oxymetazoline increased glucose uptake predominantly by mTOR. All agonists promoted phosphorylation of mTOR at Ser2448 and Ser2481, indicating activation of both mTORC1 and mTORC2, but did not increase Akt phosphorylation. In CHOα 1A GLUT4myc cells, siRNA directed against rictor but not raptor suppressed α 1A -AR mediated glucose uptake. We have thus identified mTORC2 as a key component in glucose uptake stimulated by α 1A -AR agonists. Our findings identify a novel link between the α 1A -AR, mTORC2 and glucose uptake, that have been implicated separately in cardiomyocyte survival. Our studies provide an improved framework for examining the utility of α 1A -AR selective agonists as tools in the treatment of cardiac dysfunction., (Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In renal proximal tubule cells, the organic anion transporters 1 and 3 (OAT1 and OAT3) in the basolateral membrane and the multidrug resistance-associated protein 4 (MRP4) in the apical membrane share substrates and co-operate in renal drug secretion. We hypothesized that recently identified MRP4 inhibitors dantrolene, glafenine, nalidixic acid, and prazosin also interact with human OAT1 and/or OAT3 stably transfected in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. These four drugs were tested as possible inhibitors of p -[ 3 H]aminohippurate (PAH) and [ 14 C]glutarate uptake by OAT1, and of [ 3 H]estrone-3-sulfate (ES) uptake by OAT3. In addition, we explored whether these drugs decrease the equilibrium distribution of radiolabeled PAH, glutarate, or ES, an approach intended to indirectly suggest drug/substrate exchange through OAT1 and OAT3. With OAT3, a dose-dependent inhibition of [ 3 H]ES uptake and a downward shift in [ 3 H]ES equilibrium were observed, indicating that all four drugs bind to OAT3 and may possibly be translocated. In contrast, the interaction with OAT1 was more complex. With [ 14 C]glutarate as substrate, all four drugs inhibited uptake but only glafenine and nalidixic acid shifted glutarate equilibrium. Using [ 3 H]PAH as a substrate of OAT1, nalidixic acid inhibited but dantrolene, glafenine, and prazosin stimulated uptake. Nalidixic acid decreased equilibrium content of [ 3 H]PAH, suggesting that it may possibly be exchanged by OAT1. Taken together, OAT1 and OAT3 interact with the MRP4 inhibitors dantrolene, glafenine, nalidixic acid, and prazosin, indicating overlapping specificities. At OAT1, more than one binding site must be assumed to explain substrate and drug-dependent stimulation and inhibition of transport activity., (Copyright © 2017 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.)

Inhibition of apoptosis is a potential therapy to treat human diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Parkinson's disease), stroke, and sepsis. Due to the lack of druggable targets, it remains a major challenge to discover apoptosis inhibitors. The recent repositioning of a marketed drug (i.e., terazosin) as an anti-apoptotic agent uncovered a novel target (i.e., human phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (hPgk1)). In this study, we developed a virtual screening (VS) pipeline based on the X-ray structure of Pgk1/terazosin complex and applied it to a screening campaign for potential anti-apoptotic agents. The hierarchical filters in the pipeline (i.e., similarity search, a pharmacophore model, a shape-based model, and molecular docking) rendered 13 potential hits from Specs chemical library. By using PC12 cells (exposed to rotenone) as a cell model for bioassay, we first identified that AK-918/42829299, AN-465/41520984, and AT-051/43421517 were able to protect PC12 cells from rotenone-induced cell death. Molecular docking suggested these hit compounds were likely to bind to hPgk1 in a similar mode to terazosin. In summary, we not only present a versatile VS pipeline for potential apoptosis inhibitors discovery, but also provide three novel-scaffold hit compounds that are worthy of further development and biological study.

Prazosin, a potent and selective α 1 -adrenoceptor antagonist, displaces 25% of 11 C-CUMI-101 ([O-methyl- 11 C]2-(4-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl)butyl)-4-methyl-1,2,4-triazine-3,5(2H,4H)dione) binding in monkey cerebellum. We sought to estimate the percentage contamination of 11 C-CUMI-101 binding to α 1 -adrenoceptors in human cerebellum under in vivo conditions. In vitro receptor-binding techniques were used to measure α 1 -adrenoceptor density and the affinity of CUMI-101 for these receptors in human, monkey, and rat cerebellum., Methods: Binding potential (maximum number of binding sites × affinity [(1/dissociation constant]) was determined using in vitro homogenate binding assays in human, monkey, and rat cerebellum. 3 H-prazosin was used to determine the maximum number of binding sites, as well as the dissociation constant of 3 H-prazosin and the inhibition constant of CUMI-101., Results: α 1 -adrenoceptor density and the affinity of CUMI-101 for these receptors were similar across species. Cerebellar binding potentials were 3.7 for humans, 2.3 for monkeys, and 3.4 for rats., Conclusion: Reasoning by analogy, 25% of 11 C-CUMI-101 uptake in human cerebellum reflects binding to α 1 -adrenoceptors, suggesting that the cerebellum is of limited usefulness as a reference tissue for quantification in human studies., (© 2016 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Inc.)

Since the α1-adrenergic antagonist prazosin (PRZ) was introduced into medicine as a treatment for hypertension and benign prostate hyperplasia, several studies have shown that PRZ induces apoptosis in various cell types and interferes with endocytotic trafficking. Because PRZ is also able to induce apoptosis in malignant cells, its cytotoxicity is a focus of interest in cancer research. Besides inducing apoptosis, PRZ was shown to serve as a substrate for an amine uptake mechanism originally discovered in neurones called transport-P. In line with our hypothesis that transport-P is an endocytotic mechanism also present in non-neuronal tissue and linked to the cytotoxicity of PRZ, we tested the uptake of QAPB, a fluorescent derivative of PRZ, in cancer cell lines in the presence of inhibitors of transport-P and endocytosis. Early endosomes and lysosomes were visualised by expression of RAB5-RFP and LAMP1-RFP, respectively; growth and viability of cells in the presence of PRZ and uptake inhibitors were also tested. Cancer cells showed co-localisation of QAPB with RAB5 and LAMP1 positive vesicles as well as tubulation of lysosomes. The uptake of QAPB was sensitive to transport-P inhibitors bafilomycin A1 (inhibits v-ATPase) and the antidepressant desipramine. Endocytosis inhibitors pitstop(®) 2 (general inhibitor of endocytosis), dynasore (dynamin inhibitor) and methyl-β-cyclodextrin (cholesterol chelator) inhibited the uptake of QAPB. Bafilomycin A1 and methyl-β-cyclodextrin but not desipramine were able to preserve growth and viability of cells in the presence of PRZ. In summary, we confirmed the hypothesis that the cellular uptake of QAPB/PRZ represents an endocytotic mechanism equivalent to transport-P. Endocytosis of QAPB/PRZ depends on a proton gradient, dynamin and cholesterol, and results in reorganisation of the LAMP1 positive endolysosomal system. Finally, the link seen between the cellular uptake of PRZ and cell death implies a still unknown pro-apoptotic membrane protein with affinity towards PRZ., (Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Despite the physiological and pharmacological importance of the α1A-adrenoreceptor, the mode of interactions of classical agonists and radioactive ligands with this receptor is not yet clearly defined. Here, we used mutagenesis studies and binding experiments to evaluate the importance of 11 receptor sites for the binding of (125)I-HEAT, (3)H-prazosin and epinephrine. Only one residue (F312) commonly interacts with the three molecules, and, surprisingly, D106 interacts only with epinephrine in a moderate way. Our docking model shows that prazosin and HEAT are almost superimposed into the orthosteric pocket with their tetralone and quinazoline rings close to the phenyl ring of the agonist., (Copyright © 2014 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Radioligand binding studies were done to investigate the effect of chronic administration of Amitriptyline on alpha1-adrenoceptor (alpha1-AR) receptor mediated response to inositol triphosphate (IP3) in rat brain. Our studies revealed a significant decrease in the densities of alpha1-ARs in cortex and cerebellum of rat brain after chronic administration of Amitriptyline (10 mg kg-1 b.wt.). However, there was no significant change in the affinity of [3H]prazosin to alpha1-ARs. Displacement studies showed that Amitriptyline has higher affinity for alpha1-AR with a Ki value of 182+/-16 nM. Significant change was observed in basal IP3 activity in cortex and cerebellum after Amitriptyline exposure. In cortex and cerebellum of experimental rats the NE (Norepinephrine) stimulated IP3 activity was significantly decreased (1460+/-102 DPM/g tissue; p<0.0001; 1188+/-112 DPM/g tissue; p<0.0001), when compared to NE stimulated IP3 activity (4152+/-286 and 3952+/-245 DPM/g tissue, respectively) in control rats. The decrease in NE stimulated IP3 activity in both regions may be due to the significant downregulation of alpha1-ARs in cortex after Amitriptyline exposure as these sites are positively coupled to IP3. The observed significant decrease in alphal-ARs with concomitant decrease in NE stimulated IP3 activity, after Amitriptyline treatment, suggests that Amitriptyline which has high affinity for these sites, acts by modulating the alpha1-AR receptor mediated response in brain.

Aims: The alpha1A-adrenergic receptor (α1A-AR) regulates various vascular functions and participates in the pathogenesis of primary hypertension. However, highly specific and subtype-selective antagonists of α1A-AR have not been developed., Methods and Results: Two novel antibodies against the short peptides CP-7, which is located in the second extracellular loop of α1A-AR, and CPE-8, which is located in the third extracellular loop of α1A-AR, were prepared. The two antibodies specifically bound to α1A-AR. However, neither antibody prevented [(3)H]-epinephrine or [(3)H]-prazosin from binding to the receptor. In vitro, the anti-CP-7 antibody inhibited Ca(2+)-dependent signal transduction processes including protein kinase C translocation and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) phosphorylation induced by phenylephrine (PHE). The anti-CP-7 antibody decreased the beating rates of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes with or without PHE stimulation and reduced the blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats that were immunized with CP-7-keyhole limpet haemocyanin., Conclusion: The anti-CP-7 antibody specifically inhibited the activation of α1A-AR both in vitro and in vivo. No competition binding was found between anti-CP-7 and [(3)H]-epinephrine or [(3)H]-prazosin. An antibody that specifically inhibits a receptor could be useful in research on G-protein-coupled receptors that lack specific antagonists. The antibody against the epitope CP-7 might have potential in a therapeutic application for treating primary hypertension.

The spiral modiolar artery supplies blood and essential nutrients to the cochlea. Our previous functional study indicates the α(1A)-adrenergic receptor subtype mediates vasoconstriction of the gerbil spiral modiolar artery. Although the gerbil cochlea is often used as a model in hearing research, the molecular and pharmacological characteristics of the cloned gerbil α(1a)-adrenergic receptor have not been determined. Thus we cloned, expressed and characterized the gerbil α(1a)-adrenergic receptor and then compared its molecular and pharmacological properties to those of other mammalian α(1a)-adrenergic receptors. The cDNA clone contained 1404 nucleotides, which encoded a 467 amino acid peptide with a deduced sequence having 96.8, 96.4 and 91.6% identity to rat, mouse and human α(1a)-receptors, respectively. We transiently transfected the α(1a)-adrenergic receptor into COS-1 cells and determined its pharmacological characteristics by [(3)H]prazosin binding. Unlabeled prazosin had a K(i) of 0.89±0.1nM. The α(1A)-adrenergic receptor-selective antagonists, 5-methylurapidil and WB-4101, bound with high affinity and had K(i) values of 4.9±1 and 1.0±0.1nM, respectively. BMY-7378, an α(1D)-adrenergic receptor-selective antagonist, bound with low affinity (260±60nM). The 91.6% amino acid sequence identity and K(i)s of the cloned gerbil α(1a)-adrenergic receptor are similar to those of the human α(1a)-adrenergic receptor clone. These results show that the gerbil α(1a)-adrenergic receptor is representative of the human α(1a)-adrenergic receptor, lending validity to the use of the gerbil spiral modiolar artery as a model in studies of vascular disorders of the cochlea., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Quantum dots (QDs) that are conjugated to small molecule derivatives of drugs and endogenous ligands may be useful tools to study the distribution and dynamic of membrane bound receptors, ion channels and transporters in live cells. In order to use these tools, it is necessary to functionalize QDs with bioactive ligands. In this paper, we successfully synthesized a ligand of α(1)-adrenoceptor that could be conjugated to QDs. In addition, the conjugation of the ligands to QDs and their biological activity were evaluated through binding assay with 30 nM QD conjugates in living human embryonic kidney 293 cells., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We described herein the discovery of 1-(2-(benzo[d] [1,3]dioxol-6-yl)ethyl)-4-(2-methoxyphenyl) piperazine (LASSBio-772), as a novel potent and selective alpha 1A/1D adrenoceptor (AR) antagonist selected after screening of functionalized N-phenylpiperazine derivatives in phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction of rabbit aorta rings. The affinity of LASSBio-772 for alpha 1A and alpha 1B AR subtypes was determined through displacement of [(3)H]prazosin binding. We obtained Ki values of 0.14 nM for the alpha 1A-AR, similar to that displayed by tamsulosin (K(i) = 0.13 nM) and 5.55 nM for the alpha 1B-AR, representing a 40-fold higher affinity for alpha 1A-AR. LASSBio-772 also presented high affinity (K(B) = 0.025 nM) for the alpha 1D-AR subtype in the functional rat aorta assay, showing to be equipotent to tamsulosin (K(B) = 0.017 nM)., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Metal ions have a major role in human health, and interact with many classes of receptors including the G-protein coupled receptors. In the peripheral system, zinc mainly accumulates in the soft prostate organ and, with copper, influences prostate disease progression, from normal to hypertrophic or cancerous states. The development of these pathologies may be influenced by the α(1A)-adrenoceptor, the principal regulator of prostate tonicity. There is currently no information on possible interactions between metals and the α(1A)-adrenoceptor. We therefore studied the effects of several mono- and divalent ions on this receptor subtype using binding and functional experiments performed on expressed cloned human α(1A)-adrenoceptor. Regardless of the counter anion used, Zn(2+) and Cu(2+) interact with α(1A)-adrenoceptor with apparent affinities in the low micromolar range. In addition, using specific binding experiments, we established that these ions acted as negative allosteric ligands on prazosin/α(1A)-adrenoceptor interaction, but in a different manner from the allosteric modulator 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl)-amiloride, suggesting distinct mode of interaction. In addition, the presence of Cu(2+) weakly decreased epinephrine affinity, whereas the addition of Zn(2+) shifted to the left the epinephrine binding curve, revealing a positive allosteric effect but only on half of the binding site. Finally, cell-based functional experiments demonstrated that Zn(2+) and Cu(2+) antagonized epinephrine activation in an insurmountable manner, by reducing agonist efficacy without any shift in the epinephrine activation curves. This study shows the interactions between metal ions and the α(1A)-adrenoceptor with affinities compatible with physiological concentrations and suggests that zinc and copper may have a biological role in prostate function., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Distribution of fluoroquinolones to the retina is normally restricted by ABCG2 at the blood-retinal barrier. As the cat develops a species-specific adverse reaction to photoreactive fluoroquinolones, our goal was to investigate ABCG2 as a candidate gene for fluoroquinolone-induced retinal degeneration and blindness in cats., Methods: Feline ABCG2 was sequenced and the consensus amino acid sequence was compared with that of 10 other mammalian species. Expression of ABCG2 in feline retina was assessed by immunoblot. cDNA constructs for feline and human ABCG2 were constructed in a pcDNA3 expression vector and expressed in HEK-293 cells, and ABCG2 expression was analyzed by western blot and immunofluorescence. Mitoxantrone and BODIPY-prazosin efflux measured by flow cytometry and a phototoxicity assay were used to assess feline and human ABCG2 function., Results: Four feline-specific (compared with 10 other mammalian species) amino acid changes in conserved regions of ABCG2 were identified. Expression of ABCG2 on plasma membranes was confirmed in feline retina and in cells transfected with human and feline ABCG2, although some intracellular expression of feline ABCG2 was detected by immunofluorescence. Function of feline ABCG2, compared with human ABCG2, was found to be deficient as determined by flow cytometric measurement of mitoxantrone and BODIPY-prazosin efflux and enrofloxacin-induced phototoxicity assays., Conclusion: Feline-specific amino acid changes in ABCG2 cause a functional defect of the transport protein in cats. This functional defect may be owing, in part, to defective cellular localization of feline ABCG2. Regardless, dysfunction of ABCG2 at the blood-retinal barrier likely results in accumulation of photoreactive fluoroquinolones in feline retina. Exposure of the retina to light would then generate reactive oxygen species that would cause the characteristic retinal degeneration and blindness documented in some cats receiving high doses of some fluoroquinolones. Pharmacological inhibition of ABCG2 in other species might result in retinal damage if fluoroquinolones are concurrently administered.

Objective: To explore the site of action of maprotiline, as an atypical antidepressant, on carrageenan-induced paw edema., Subjects: Male Wistar rats were used., Methods: Firstly, the anti-inflammatory effect of systemic maprotiline (12.5, 25 and 50 mg kg(-1)) was assessed using a paw edema model. Secondly, different doses of maprotiline were administrated intracerebroventricularly, intrathecally and locally before carrageenan challenge. Finally, we tried to reverse the anti-inflammatory effect of maprotiline by propranolol (10 mg kg(-1)), prazosin (4 mg kg(-1)), yohimbine (10 mg kg(-1)), naloxone (4 mg kg(-1)) and mifepristone (5 mg kg(-1))., Results: Systemic, intracerebroventricular and subplantar application of maprotiline significantly inhibited peripheral edema, but intrathecal maprotiline did not alter the degree of paw swelling. The applied antagonists failed to change the anti-inflammatory activity of maprotiline., Conclusion: These results demonstrate that maprotiline has a potent anti-inflammatory effect and this effect is linked to the peripheral and supraspinal actions of the drug.

The human breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2) mediates efflux of drugs and xenobiotics. In this study, we investigated the role of polar residues within or near the predicted transmembrane α-helices 1 and 6 of BCRP in drug transport. We substituted Asn(387), Gln(398), Asn(629), and Thr(642) with Ala, Thr(402) with Ala and Arg, and Tyr(645) with Phe, and the mutants were stably expressed in human embryonic kidney-293 or Flp-In-293 cells. Immunoblotting and confocal microscopy analysis revealed that all of the mutants were well expressed and predominantly targeted to the plasma membrane. While T402A and T402R showed a significant global reduction in the efflux of mitoxantrone, Hoechst 33342, and BODIPY-prazosin, N629A exhibited significantly increased efflux activities for all of the substrates. N387A and Q398A displayed significantly impaired efflux for mitoxantrone and Hoechst 33342, but not for BODIPY-prazosin. In contrast, T642A and Y645F showed a moderate reduction in Hoechst 33342 efflux only. Drug resistance profiles of human embryonic kidney-293 cells expressing the mutants generally correlated with the efflux data. Furthermore, N629A was associated with a marked increase, and N387A and T402A with a significant reduction, in BCRP ATPase activity. Mutations of some of the polar residues may cause conformational changes, as manifested by the altered binding of the 5D3 antibody to BCRP in the presence of prazosin. The inward-facing homology model of BCRP indicated that Thr(402) within transmembrane 1 may be important for helical interactions, and Asn(629) may be involved in BCRP-substrate interaction. In conclusion, we have demonstrated the functional importance of some of these polar residues in BCRP activity.

Nucleotide binding domains (NBDs) of the multidrug transporter of Candida albicans, CaCdr1p, possess unique divergent amino acids in their conserved motifs. For example, NBD1 (N-terminal-NBD) possesses conserved signature motifs, while the same motif is divergent in NBD2 (C-terminal-NBD). In this study, we have evaluated the contribution of these conserved and divergent signature motifs of CaCdr1p in ATP catalysis and drug transport. By employing site-directed mutagenesis, we made three categories of mutant variants. These included mutants where all the signature motif residues were replaced with either alanines or mutants with exchanged equipositional residues to mimic the conservancy and degeneracy in opposite domain. In addition, a set of mutants where signature motifs were swapped to have variants with either both the conserved or degenerated entire signature motif. We observed that conserved and equipositional residues of NBD1 and NBD2 and swapped signature motif mutants showed high susceptibility to all the tested drugs with simultaneous abrogation in ATPase and R6G efflux activities. However, some of the mutants displayed a selective increase in susceptibility to the drugs. Notably, none of the mutant variants and WT-CaCdr1p showed any difference in drug and nucleotide binding. Our mutational analyses show not only that certain conserved residues of NBD1 signature sequence (S304, G306, and E307) are important in ATP hydrolysis and R6G efflux but also that a few divergent residues (N1002 and E1004) of NBD2 signature motif have evolved to be functionally relevant and are not interchangeable. Taken together, our data suggest that the signature motifs of CaCdr1p, whether it is divergent or conserved, are nonexchangeable and are functionally critical for ATP hydrolysis., (2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Sunitinib malate (Sutent, SU11248) is a small-molecule multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) used for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma and imatinib-resistant gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Some TKIs can overcome multidrug resistance conferred by ATP-binding cassette transporter, P-glycoprotein (P-gp)/ABCB1, multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1)/ABCC1, and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP)/ABCG2. Here, we analyzed the effects of sunitinib on P-gp and on wild-type and germ-line mutant BCRPs. Sunitinib remarkably reversed BCRP-mediated and partially reversed P-gp-mediated drug resistance in the respective transfectants. The in vitro vesicle transport assay indicated that sunitinib competitively inhibited BCRP-mediated estrone 3-sulfate transport and P-gp-mediated vincristine transport. These inhibitory effects of sunitinib were further analyzed in Q141K-, R482G-, R482S-, and F431L-variant BCRPs. Intriguingly, the F431L-variant BCRP, which is expressed by a germ-line mutant allele 1291T>C, was almost insensitive to both sunitinib- and fumitremorgin C (FTC)-mediated inhibition in a cell proliferation assay. Sunitinib and FTC did not inhibit (125)I-iodoarylazidoprazosin-binding to F431L-BCRP. Thus, residue Phe-431 of BCRP is important for the pharmacological interaction with sunitinib and FTC. Collectively, this is the first report showing a differential effect of a germ-line variation of the BCRP/ABCG2 gene on the pharmacological interaction between small-molecule TKIs and BCRP. These findings would be useful for improving our understanding of the pharmaceutical effects of sunitinib in personalized chemotherapy.

Background and Purpose: Pharmacological analysis of synergism or functional antagonism between different receptors commonly assumes that interacting receptors are located in the same cells. We have now investigated the distribution of alpha-adrenoceptors, beta-adrenoceptors and cannabinoid-like (GPR55) receptors in the mouse arteries., Experimental Approach: Fluorescence intensity from vascular tissue incubated with fluorescent ligands (alpha(1)-adrenoceptor ligand, BODIPY-FL-prazosin, QAPB; beta-adrenoceptor ligand, TMR-CGP12177; fluorescent angiotensin II; a novel diarylpyrazole cannabinoid ligand (Tocrifluor 1117, T1117) was measured with confocal microscopy. Small mesenteric and tail arteries of wild-type and alpha(1B/D)-adrenoceptor-KO mice were used., Key Results: T1117, a fluorescent form of the cannabinoid CB(1) receptor antagonist AM251, was a ligand for GPR55, with low affinity for CB(1) receptors. In mesenteric arterial smooth muscle cells, alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors were predominantly located in different cells from those with beta-adrenoceptors, angiotensin receptors or cannabinoid-like (GPR55) receptors. Cells with beta-adrenoceptors predominated at arterial branches. Endothelial cells expressed beta-adrenoceptors, alpha-adrenoceptors and cannabinoid-like receptors. Only endothelial alpha-adrenoceptors appeared in clusters. Adventitia was a rich source of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), particularly fibroblasts and nerve tracts, where Schwann cells bound alpha-adrenoceptor, beta-adrenoceptor and CB-receptor ligands, with a mix of separate receptor locations and co-localization., Conclusions and Implications: Within each cell type, each GPCR had a distinctive heterogeneous distribution with limited co-localization, providing a guide to the possibilities for functional synergism, and suggesting a new paradigm for synergism in which interactions may be either between cells or involve converging intracellular signalling processes.

In view of the importance of Candida Drug Resistance Protein (Cdr1p) of pathogenic Candida albicans in azole resistance, we have characterized its ability to efflux variety of substrates by subjecting its entire transmembrane segment (TMS) 5 to site directed mutagenesis. All the mutant variants of putative 21 amino acids of TMS 5 and native CaCdr1p were over expressed as a GFP-tagged protein in a heterologous host Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Based on the drug susceptibility pattern, the mutant variants could be grouped into two categories. The variants belonging to first category were susceptible to all the tested drugs, as compared to those belonging to second category which exhibited resistance to selective drugs. The mutant variants of both the categories were analyzed for their ATP catalysis and drug efflux properties. Irrespective of the categories, most of the mutant variants of TMS 5 showed an uncoupling between ATP hydrolysis and drug efflux. The mutant variants such as M667A, F673A, I675A and P678A were an exception since they reflected a sharp reduction in both K(m) and V(max) values of ATPase activity when compared with WT CaCdr1p-GFP. Based on the competition experiments, we could identify TMS 5 residues which are specific to interact with select drugs. TMS 5 residues of CaCdr1p thus not only impart substrate specificity but also selectively act as a communication link between ATP hydrolysis and drug transport.

Background and Purpose: The expression of multiple pharmacological phenotypes including alpha(1L)-adrenoceptor has recently been reported for alpha(1)-adrenoceptors. The purpose of the present study was to identify alpha(1)-adrenoceptor phenotypes in the irises of pigmented and albino rabbits., Experimental Approach: Radioligand binding and functional bioassay experiments were performed in segments or strips of iris of pigmented and albino rabbits, and their pharmacological profiles were compared., Key Results: [(3)H]-silodosin at subnanomolar concentrations bound to intact segments of iris of pigmented and albino rabbits at similar densities (approximately 240 fmol x mg(-1) protein). The binding sites in the iris of a pigmented rabbit were composed of a single component showing extremely low affinities for prazosin, hydrochloride [N-[2-(2-cyclopropylmethoxyphenoxy)ethyl]-5-chloro-alpha,alpha-dimethyl-1H-indole-3-ethamine hydrochloride (RS-17053)] and 5-methylurapidil, while two components with high and low affinities for prazosin, RS-17053 and 5-methylurapidil were identified in irises from albino rabbits. In contrast, specific binding sites for [(3)H]-prazosin were not clearly detected because a high proportion of non-specific binding and/or low affinity for prazosin occurred. Contractile responses of iris dilator muscle to noradrenaline were antagonized by the above ligands, and their antagonist affinities were consistent with the binding estimates at low-affinity sites identified in both strains of rabbits., Conclusions and Implications: A typical alpha(1L) phenotype with extremely low affinity for prazosin is exclusively expressed in the iris of pigmented rabbits, while two distinct phenotypes (alpha(1A) and alpha(1L)) with high and moderate affinities for prazosin are co-expressed in the iris of albino rabbits. This suggests that a significant difference in the expression of phenotypes of the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor occurs in the irises between the two strains of rabbits.

Purpose: ABCG2 overexpression has been linked to resistance to topoisomerase inhibitors, leading us to examine the potential interaction between ABCG2 and becatecarin., Methods: Interaction with ABCG2 was determined by ATPase assay, competition of [(125)I]iodoarylazidoprazosin (IAAP) photolabeling and flow cytometry. Cellular resistance was measured in 4-day cytotoxicity assays. ABCG2 expression was measured by fluorescent-substrate transport assays and immunoblot., Results: Becatecarin competed [(125)I]-IAAP labeling of ABCG2, stimulated ATPase activity and, at concentrations greater than 10 microM, inhibited ABCG2-mediated transport. Becatecarin-selected A549 Bec150 lung carcinoma cells were 3.1-, 15-, 8-, and 6.8-fold resistant to becatecarin, mitoxantrone, SN-38 and topotecan, respectively. A549 Bec150 cells transported the ABCG2 substrates pheophorbide a, mitoxantrone and BODIPY-prazosin and displayed increased staining with the anti-ABCG2 antibody 5D3 compared to parental cells. Increased ABCG2 expression was confirmed by immunoblot., Conclusions: Our results suggest that becatecarin is transported by ABCG2 and can induce ABCG2 expression in cancer cells.

Saw palmetto extract (SPE), used widely for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has been shown to bind alpha(1)-adrenergic, muscarinic and 1,4-dihydropyridine (1,4-DHP) calcium channel antagonist receptors. Major constituents of SPE are lauric acid, oleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid and linoleic acid. The aim of this study was to investigate binding affinities of these fatty acids for pharmacologically relevant (alpha(1)-adrenergic, muscarinic and 1,4-DHP) receptors. The fatty acids inhibited specific [(3)H]prazosin binding in rat brain in a concentration-dependent manner with IC(50) values of 23.8 to 136 microg/ml, and specific (+)-[(3)H]PN 200-110 binding with IC(50) values of 24.5 to 79.5 microg/ml. Also, lauric acid, oleic acid, myristic acid and linoleic acid inhibited specific [(3)H]N-methylscopolamine ([(3)H]NMS) binding in rat brain with IC(50) values of 56.4 to 169 microg/ml. Palmitic acid had no effect on specific [(3)H]NMS binding. The affinity of oleic acid, myristic acid and linoleic acid for each receptor was greater than the affinity of SPE. Scatchard analysis revealed that oleic acid and lauric acid caused a significant decrease in the maximal number of binding sites (B(max)) for [(3)H]prazosin, [(3)H]NMS and (+)-[(3)H]PN 200-110. The results suggest that lauric acid and oleic acid bind noncompetitively to alpha(1)-adrenergic, muscarinic and 1,4-DHP calcium channel antagonist receptors. We developed a novel and convenient method of determining 5alpha-reductase activity using LC/MS. With this method, SPE was shown to inhibit 5alpha-reductase activity in rat liver with an IC(50) of 101 microg/ml. Similarly, all the fatty acids except palmitic acid inhibited 5alpha-reductase activity, with IC(50) values of 42.1 to 67.6 microg/ml. In conclusion, lauric acid, oleic acid, myristic acid, and linoleic acid, major constituents of SPE, exerted binding activities of alpha(1)-adrenergic, muscarinic and 1,4-DHP receptors and inhibited 5alpha-reductase activity.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative fatal disease. Drugs used in this disease need to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Only riluzole is approved for ALS treatment. We have investigated riluzole as a breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) substrate by studying its brain transport in CF1 mdr1a (-/-) mice and its intracellular uptake on BeWo cells (human placental choriocarcinoma cell line). We have also investigated the effect of riluzole on BCRP expression level and on its activity using the prazocin as a test probe for brain transport and intracellular uptake. Assays on mdr1a (-/-) mice and BeWo cells showed a higher uptake of riluzole when pretreated with a BCRP inhibitor. After repeated doses of riluzole, BCRP activity was increased in CF1 mdr1a (-/-) mice, riluzole uptake was decrease and both BCRP expression and activity were increased in BeWo cells. In conclusion, we report in this study that riluzole is transported by BCRP at the BBB level and can enhance its function. These results taken with our previous studies on riluzole and P-glycoprotein show that drug-drug interactions between riluzole and efflux transporters substrates may occur at the BBB level and should be taken into account in future clinical trial design in ALS.

Purpose: To evaluate the in vivo efficacy of curcumin as an inhibitor of the multidrug-resistance-linked ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) drug transporter, ABCG2., Methods: Photoaffinity labeling with [125I]-iodoarylazidoprazosin was used to characterize the interaction of sulfasalazine, a substrate of the mouse ABCG2, with human ABCG2. In addition, the inhibitory effect of curcumin on ABCG2 was evaluated in brain capillaries from rats. Furthermore, the effect of curcumin on absorption of orally administered sulfasalazine in wild-type and abcg2-/- mice was also determined., Results: Sulfasalazine interacted at the drug-substrate site(s) of human ABCG2. Curcumin inhibited ABCG2 activity at nanomolar concentrations at the rat blood-brain barrier in the ex vivo assay. Based on studies in wild type and abcg2-/- mice, we observed that oral curcumin increased Cmax and relative bioavailability of sulfasalazine by selectively inhibiting ABCG2 function., Conclusions: This study validates our previous in vitro results with human ABCG2 (Chearwae et al., Mol. Cancer Ther. 5:1995-2006, 2006) and provides the first in vivo evidence for the inhibition by curcumin of ABCG2-mediated efflux of sulfasalazine in mice. Based on these studies, we propose that non-toxic concentrations of curcumin may be used to enhance drug exposure when the rate-limiting step of drug absorption and/or tissue distribution is impacted by ABCG2.

P-glycoprotein (P-gp), an ATP-dependent drug efflux pump, has been implicated in multidrug resistance of several cancers as a result of its overexpression. In this work, rationally designed second-generation P-gp inhibitors are disclosed, based on dimerized versions of the substrates quinine and quinidine. These dimeric agents include reversible tethers with a built-in clearance mechanism. The designed agents were potent inhibitors of rhodamine 123 efflux in cultured cancer cell lines that display high levels of P-gp expression at the cell surface and in transfected cells expressing P-gp. The quinine homodimer Q2, which was tethered by reversible ester bonds, was particularly potent (IC(50) approximately 1.7 microM). Further studies revealed that Q2 inhibited the efflux of a range of fluorescent substrates (rhodamine 123, doxorubicin, mitoxantrone, and BODIPY-FL-prazosin) from MCF-7/DX1 cells. The reversibility of the tether was confirmed in experiments showing that Q2 was readily hydrolyzed by esterases in vitro (t(1/2) approximately 20 h) while demonstrating high resistance to nonenzymatic hydrolysis in cell culture media (t(1/2) approximately 21 days). Specific inhibition of [(125)I]iodoarylazidoprazosin binding to P-gp by Q2 verified that the bivalent agent interacted specifically with the drug binding site(s) of P-gp. Q2 was also an inhibitor of verapamil-stimulated ATPase activity. In addition, low concentrations of Q2 stimulated basal P-gp ATPase levels. Finally, Q2 was shown to inhibit the transport of radiolabeled paclitaxel (Taxol) in MCF-7/DX1 cells, and it completely reversed the P-gp-mediated paclitaxel resistance phenotype.

Background and Purpose: The alpha(1L)-adrenoceptor has pharmacological properties that distinguish it from three classical alpha(1)-adrenoceptors (alpha(1A), alpha(1B) and alpha(1D)). The purpose of this was to identify alpha(1L)-adrenoceptors in mice and to examine their relationship to classical alpha(1)-adrenoceptors., Experimental Approach: Radioligand binding and functional bioassay experiments were performed on the cerebral cortex, vas deferens and prostate of wild-type (WT) and alpha(1A)-, alpha(1B)- and alpha(1D)-adrenoceptor gene knockout (AKO, BKO and DKO) mice., Key Results: The radioligand [(3)H]-silodosin bound to intact segments of the cerebral cortex, vas deferens and prostate of WT, BKO and DKO but not of AKO mice. The binding sites were composed of two components with high and low affinities for prazosin or RS-17053, indicating the pharmacological profiles of alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors and alpha(1L)-adrenoceptors. In membrane preparations of WT mouse cortex, however, [(3)H]-silodosin bound to a single population of prazosin high-affinity sites, suggesting the presence of alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors alone. In contrast, [(3)H]-prazosin bound to two components having alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor and alpha(1B)-adrenoceptor profiles in intact segments of WT and DKO mouse cortices, but AKO mice lacked alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor profiles and BKO mice lacked alpha(1B)-adrenoceptor profiles. Noradrenaline produced contractions through alpha(1L)-adrenoceptors with low affinity for prazosin in the vas deferens and prostate of WT, BKO and DKO mice. However, the contractions were abolished or markedly attenuated in AKO mice., Conclusions and Implications: alpha(1L)-Adrenoceptors were identified as binding and functional entities in WT, BKO and DKO mice but not in AKO mice, suggesting that the alpha(1L)-adrenoceptor is one phenotype derived from the alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor gene.

Introduction: An increase in human cardiac alpha(1)-adrenoceptor (alpha(1)-AR) density is associated with various diseases such as myocardial ischemia, congestive heart failure, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and hypertension. Positron emission tomography (PET) with an appropriate radioligand offers the possibility of imaging receptor function in the normal and diseased heart. [(11)C]GB67, an analogue of prazosin, has been shown in rats to have potential as a PET ligand with high selectivity to alpha(1)-AR. However, alpha(1)-AR density is up to ten times higher in rat heart compared to that in man. The aim of the present preclinical study was to extend the previous evaluation to a large mammal heart, where the alpha(1)-AR density is comparable to man, and to validate a method for quantification before PET studies in man., Methods: Seven [(11)C]GB67 PET studies, with weight-adjusted target dose of either 5.29 MBq kg(-1) (pilot, test-retest and baseline-predose studies) or 8.22 MBq kg(-1) (baseline-displacement studies), were performed in four anaesthetised pigs (39.5 +/- 3.9 kg). Total myocardial volume of distribution (V (T)) was estimated under different pharmacological conditions using compartmental analysis with a radiolabelled metabolite-corrected arterial plasma input function. A maximum possible blocking dose of 0.12 mumol kg(-1) of unlabeled GB67 was given 20 min before [(11)C]GB67 administration in the predose study and 45 min after administration of [(11)C]GB67 in the displacement study. In addition, [(15)O]CO (3,000 MBq) and [(15)O]H(2)O, with weight adjusted target dose of 10.57 MBq kg(-1), were also administered for estimation of blood volume recovery (RC) of the left ventricular cavity and myocardial perfusion (MBF), respectively., Results: [(11)C]GB67 V (T) values (in ml cm(-3)) were estimated to be 24.2 +/- 5.5 (range, 17.3-31.3), 10.1 (predose) and 11.6 (displacement). MBF did not differ within each pig, including between baseline and predose conditions. Predose and displacement studies showed that specific binding of [(11)C]GB67 to myocardial alpha(1)-ARs accounts for approximately 50% of V (T)., Conclusion: The present study offers a methodology for using [(11)C]GB67 as a radioligand to quantify human myocardial alpha(1)-ARs in clinical PET studies.

This in vitro study was designed to investigate whether carteolol, a non-conventional partial agonists of beta(1)-adrenoceptors, relaxes phenylephrine-constricted rat aorta through activation of the low-affinity state of beta(1)-adrenoceptors or antagonist effect at alpha(1)-adrenoceptors. Carteolol-induced complete concentration-dependent relaxation of phenylephrine-contracted aorta (pD(2)=3.65+/-0.04), this effect not being modified by endothelium removal and not antagonised by NO-synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (100 microM) or cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (10 microM). The effect of carteolol was unaffected by the non-selective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol (1 microM), or the beta(2)-adrenoceptor selective antagonist (+/-)-1-[2,3-(dihydro-7-methyl-1H-inden-4-yl)oxy]-3-[(1-methylethyl)amino]-2-butanol (ICI 118,551, 1 microM). Increasing concentrations of carteolol produced a parallel rightward shift of the concentration-response curves for phenylephrine-induced contraction, exhibiting a pK(B) of 4.28+/-0.07. Carteolol affinity for alpha(1)-adrenoceptors was evaluated by means of competition experiments carried out in BHK-21 cell membranes expressing rat recombinant alpha(1D)-adrenoceptor, the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtype mainly present in rat aorta. Carteolol competed monophasically with [(3)H]prazosin, exhibiting a pK(i) value (3.39+/-0.31) similar to its pD(2) and not very far from its pK(B). In conclusion, this study indicates that carteolol relaxes phenylephrine-contracted aorta through its alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist properties, excluding the possibility that the relaxant effect is due to the activation of beta-adrenoceptors, particularly of the low-affinity state of beta(1)-adrenoceptors, by the drug.

Recent in vitro studies, performed in rat aorta, mesenteric and intrapulmonary arteries, and human pulmonary artery, demonstrated that the beta-adrenoceptor ligand CGP-12177A (4-[3-[(1,1-dimethylethyl)amino]-2-hydroxypropoxy]-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-one) is also provided with antagonist or partial agonist properties at alpha(1)-adrenoceptors. These observations were supported by estimates of CGP-12177A binding affinity at alpha(1)-adrenoceptors, which have been always performed in rat cerebral cortex membranes, as a surrogate of vascular tissue. Since alpha(1D)-adrenoceptors are predominant in both rat aorta and mesenteric artery, in the present study, we measured, for the first time, the binding affinity of CGP-12177A at recombinant rat alpha(1D)-adrenoceptors expressed in BHK-21 cell membranes. CGP-12177A binding affinity was also determined in rat cerebral cortex membranes, where various alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtypes are present. By means of [(3)H]prazosin binding competition experiments, we found that CGP-12177A bound to alpha(1D)-adrenoceptor-expressing BHK-21 cell membranes, with a binding affinity (pK(i)=5.39+/-0.27) almost identical to that measured in cerebral membranes (pK(i)=5.44+/-0.07), indicating that it is a non-subtype selective alpha(1)-adrenoceptor ligand. Moreover, CGP-12177A binding affinity was very close to its functional affinity evaluated in rat aorta in terms of antagonist potency against phenylephrine-induced contraction (pK(B)=5.65+/-0.07). In conclusion, our results demonstrate that, in order to evaluate CGP-12177A binding affinity at aorta and mesenteric artery alpha(1)-adrenoceptors, estimates in rat cerebral membranes are as reliable as those in recombinant rat alpha(1D)-adrenoceptors, since both values are very close to CGP-12177A functional affinities in isolated vessels.

The role of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2) in limiting the brain and testis penetration of xenobiotic compounds in the blood-brain and -testis barriers was investigated using Bcrp(-/-) mice. Tissue/plasma concentration ratios in the brain (K(p,brain)) and testis (K(p,testis)) obtained under steady-state conditions were significantly increased in Bcrp(-/-) mice for PhIP (2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine), N-hydroxyl PhIP, MeIQx (2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline), dantrolene, and prazosin. In addition, the K(p,brain) of triamterene and the K(p,testis) of 4'-hydroxyl PhIP were also significantly increased in Bcrp(-/-) mice. The effect of functional impairment of Bcrp on the brain uptake of PhIP, dantrolene, and daidzein in Bcrp(-/-) mice determined using in situ brain perfusion was weaker than that observed on the K(p) values. In vitro transcellular transport experiments using cell lines expressing mouse Bcrp or P-glycoprotein (Mdr1a/Abcb1a) showed that, among the tested Bcrp substrates, PhIP, MeIQx, prazosin, and triamterene are common substrates of Bcrp and P-glycoprotein. The K(p) values of common substrates exhibited a smaller increase both in the brain and testis of Bcrp(-/-) mice than expected from the in vitro Bcrp activities. The Bcrp-specific substrates were weak acids, whereas basic or neutral BCRP substrates were also P-glycoprotein substrates. These results suggest that BCRP limits the tissue penetration of xenobiotic compounds in the blood-brain and -testis barriers, but its in vivo importance is also modulated by P-glycoprotein activity.

1. Prazosin, 2-[4-(2-furanoyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-4-amino-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline, is an antihypertensive agent that has been used safely since 1976 and is currently being investigated for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder. The in vivo metabolism of prazosin in rat was first reported in 1977, although at the time analytical techniques were not as sophisticated, nor were the mass spectrometers as sensitive, as today. Recently, the in vitro metabolism of prazosin in rat liver microsomes and cryopreserved hepatocytes was investigated using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS), which revealed new metabolic pathways. 2. In the present work, rat in vivo metabolism was reinvestigated using a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer coupled with ultra-performance liquid chromatography, or chip-based nanoflow electrospray ionization, with the aim of identifying metabolites revealed by the in vitro studies and any new metabolites. 3. It is reported that prazosin was metabolized in rats to produce the metabolites observed in vitro. In addition, new phase I metabolites, M18, M20 and M21, were formed and conjugation with glucose or taurine formed the new phase II metabolites, M16 and M19, respectively. 4. Evidence for bioactivation of prazosin included detection of ring-opened metabolites (M4 and M7) and a cysteinyl-glycine conjugate (M17). Further support to the structure of the ring-opened metabolite M7 was obtained by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments on M7 isolated from urine.

The pharmacological profiles of alpha1-adrenoceptors for ketanserin, prazosin, silodosin, and BMY 7378 (8-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-8-azaspiro[4,5]decane-7,9-dione dihydrochloride) were examined under different assay conditions. Among the tested antagonists and alpha1-adrenoceptors subtypes, ketanserin showed significantly lower affinity for the alpha1B-adrenoceptor subtype in intact tissue sampled from the rat tail artery, thoracic aorta, and cerebral cortex (functional pKB and binding pKi were approximately 6), than in cerebral cortex membrane preparations or whole cell and membrane preparations of alpha1B-adrenoceptor transfected human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK 293T) cells (pKi was approximately 8). In these tissues and cells, however, ketanserin showed a similar affinity (pKi = approximately 8) for alpha1A- and alpha1D-adrenoceptors even though the assays were conducted under different conditions. In contrast, the affinities of alpha1A-, alpha1B-, and alpha1D-adrenoceptors for prazosin, silodosin, and BMY 7378 did not significantly change under different assay conditions and in different tissues. The present study reveals that the pharmacological profiles of native alpha 1B-adrenoceptors for ketanserin is strongly influenced by the assay conditions and suggest that antagonist affinity is not necessarily constant.

Cellular expression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transport proteins, such as P-glycoprotein (Pgp), multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP1), or ABCG2, is known to confer a drug-resistant phenotype. Thus, the development of effective transporter inhibitors could be of value to cancer treatment. CBT-1 is a bisbenzylisoquinoline plant alkyloid currently in development as a Pgp inhibitor. We characterized its interactions with the three major ABC transporters associated with drug resistance - Pgp, MRP1 and ABCG2 - and compared it to other known inhibitors. CBT-1 completely inhibited rhodamine 123 transport from Pgp-overexpressing cells at a concentration of 1muM. Additionally, 1 microM completely reversed Pgp-mediated resistance to vinblastine, paclitaxel and depsipeptide in SW620 Ad20 cells. CBT-1 was found to compete [(125)I]-IAAP labeling of Pgp with an IC(50) of 0.14 microM, and low concentrations of CBT-1 (<1 microM) stimulated Pgp-mediated ATP hydrolysis. In MRP1-overexpressing cells, 10 microM CBT-1 was found to completely inhibit MRP1-mediated calcein transport. CBT-1 at 25 microM did not have a significant effect on ABCG2-mediated pheophorbide a transport. Serum levels of CBT-1 in samples obtained from eight patients receiving CBT-1 increased intracellular rhodamine 123 levels in CD56+ cells 2.1- to 5.7-fold in an ex vivo assay. CBT-1 is able to inhibit the ABC transporters Pgp and MRP1, making it an attractive candidate for clinical trials in cancers where Pgp and/or MRP1 might be overexpressed. Further clinical studies with CBT-1 are warranted.

Computer simulations of the human alpha(1d)-adrenergic receptor (alpha(1d)-AR) based on the crystal structure of rhodopsin have been combined with experimental site-directed mutagenesis to investigate the role of residues in the transmembrane domains in antagonist binding. Our results indicate that the amino acids Asp176 in the third transmembrane domain (TMD), Glu237 in TMD IV, and Ser258 in TMD V of alpha(1d)-AR were directly involved in prazosin and tamsulosin binding. The Asp176Ala mutant did not exhibit any affinity for [(3)H]prazosin and neither did it show agonist-stimulated inositol phosphates (IP) formation. On the other hand, the Glu237Ala and Ser258Ala mutant alpha(1d)-AR showed increased binding affinity for [(3)H]prazosin. Competition binding experiments showed that prazosin affinity had increased to 5-fold and 3-fold in the Glu237Ala and Ser258Ala mutants, respectively, versus wild-type; and tamsulosin affinity only increased in the Ser258Ala mutant (2-fold vs wild-type). It seems that these two residues constrain the receptor by interaction with other residues and this disruption of the interaction increased the receptor's binding affinity towards antagonists. However, the Glu237Ala and Ser258Ala mutant receptors retained the ability to stimulate the formation of myo-[(3)H]inositol but had activities lower than that of the wild-type receptor. The present results provide direct evidence that these amino acid residues are responsible for the interactions between alpha(1d)-AR and the radioligand [(3)H]prazosin as well as tamsulosin.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether diabetes mellitus (DM) affected breast cancer resistance protein (Bcrp) function and expression in rat brain. 5-week and 8-week diabetic rats were induced by streptozocin (STZ). Bcrp expression and function in brain cortex were assessed by western blot and measuring the brain-to-plasma concentration ratios of two typical substrates prazosin and cimetidine, respectively. The diabetic rats were treated with three different agents insulin, aminoguanidine (AG) and metformin (MET). It was found that the brain-to-plasma ratios of prazosin and cimetidine in diabetic rats were significantly higher than those of control rats, which were dependent on duration of diabetes. Lower levels of Bcrp were found in brain cortex of diabetic rats, which were in parallel with increase of brain-to-plasma ratios. Insulin treatment may attenuate the impairment of Bcrp expression and function induced by diabetes. Aminoguanidine and metformin treatment did not prevent the impairment of Bcrp function and expression in brain cortex of diabetic rats. All results gave a conclusion that STZ-induced DM may induce the impairment of function and expression of Bcrp in brain cortex, and lower levels of insulin may mainly contribute to Bcrp dysfunction in brain.

Site-directed mutagenesis was used to investigate the molecular interactions involved in prazosin binding to the human alpha(1b)-adrenergic receptor (alpha(1b)-AR) receptor. Based on molecular modeling studies, Thr130 and Asp125 in transmembrane region III of the alpha(1b)-AR receptor were found to interact with prazosin. Thr130 and Asp125 were mutated to alanine (Ala) and expressed in HEK293 cells. The radioligand [(3)H]prazosin did not show any binding to Asp125Ala mutant of alpha(1b)-AR. Therefore, it was not possible to find any prazosin affinity to the mutant using the radioligand [(3)H]prazosin. The mutation also abolished phenylephrine-stimulated inositol phosphate (IP) formation of [(3)H]myo-inositol. On the other hand, the Thr130Ala mutant showed reduced binding affinity for [(3)H]prazosin (dissociation constant, K(d) 674.27 pM versus 90.27 pM for the wild-type receptor) and had reduced affinity for both tamsulosin and prazosin (11-fold and 9-fold, respectively). However, the Thr130Ala mutant receptor retained the ability to stimulate the formation of [(3)H]myo-inositol. The results provide direct evidence that Asp125 and Thr130 are responsible for the interactions between alpha(1b)-AR receptor and radioligand [(3)H]prazosin as well as tamsulosin.

Through extensive screening of marine sponge compounds, the authors have found that sipholenol A, a sipholane triterpene isolated from the Red Sea sponge, Callyspongia siphonella, potently reversed multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells that overexpressed P-glycoprotein (P-gp). In experiments, sipholenol A potentiated the cytotoxicity of several P-gp substrate anticancer drugs, including colchicine, vinblastine, and paclitaxel, but not the non-P-gp substrate cisplatin, and significantly reversed the MDR of cancer cells KB-C2 and KB-V1 in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, sipholenol A had no effect on the response to cytotoxic agents in cells lacking P-gp expression or expressing MDR protein 1 or breast cancer resistance protein. Sipholenol A (IC(50) > 50 microM) is not toxic to all the cell lines that were used, regardless of their membrane transporter status. Accumulation and efflux studies with the P-gp substrate [(3)H]-paclitaxel demonstrated that sipholenol A time-dependently increased the intracellular accumulation of [(3)H]-paclitaxel by directly inhibiting P-gp-mediated drug efflux. In addition, sipholenol A did not alter the expression of P-gp after treating KB-C2 and KB-V1 cells for 36 h and 72 h. However, it efficaciously stimulated the activity of ATPase of P-gp and inhibited the photolabeling of this transporter with its transport substrate [(125)I]-iodoarylazidoprazosin. Overall, the present results indicate that sipholenol A efficiently inhibits the function of P-gp through direct interactions, and sipholane triterpenes are a new class of potential reversing agents for treatment of MDR in P-gp-overexpressing tumors.

ABCG2, a transporter of the ATP-binding cassette family, is known to play a prominent role in the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of xenobiotics. Drug-transporter interactions are commonly screened by high-throughput systems using transfected insect and/or human cell lines. The determination of ABCG2-ATPase activity is one method to identify ABCG2 substrate and inhibitors. We demonstrate that the ATPase activities of the human ABCG2 transfected Sf9 cell membranes (MXR-Sf9) and ABCG2-overexpressing human cell membranes (MXR-M) differ. Variation due to disparity in the glycosylation level of the protein had no effect on the transporter. The influence of cholesterol on ABCG2-ATPase activity was investigated because the lipid compositions of insect and human cells are largely different from each other. Differences in cholesterol content, shown by cholesterol loading and depletion experiments, conferred the difference in stimulation of basal ABCG2-ATPase of the two cell membranes. Basal ABCG2-ATPase activity could be stimulated by sulfasalazine, prazosin, and topotecan, known substrates of ABCG2 in cholesterol-loaded MXR-Sf9 and MXR-M cell membranes. In contrast, ABCG2-ATPase could not be stimulated in MXR-Sf9 or in cholesterol-depleted MXR-M membranes. Moreover, cholesterol loading significantly improved the drug transport into inside-out membrane vesicles prepared from MXR-Sf9 cells. MXR-M and cholesterol-loaded MXR-Sf9 cell membranes displayed similar ABCG2-ATPase activity and vesicular transport. Our study indicates an essential role of membrane cholesterol for the function of ABCG2.

Prazosin (2-[4-(2-furanoyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-4-amino-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline) is an antihypertensive agent that was introduced to the market in 1976. It has since established an excellent safety record. However, in vitro metabolism of prazosin has not been investigated. This study describes the in vitro biotransformation of prazosin in liver microsomes from rats, dogs, and humans, as well as rat and human cryopreserved hepatocytes and characterization of metabolites using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. The major in vivo biotransformation pathways reported previously in rats and dogs include demethylation, amide hydrolysis, and O-glucuronidation. These metabolic pathways were also confirmed in our study. In addition, several new metabolites were characterized, including a stable carbinolamine, an iminium species, and an enamine-all formed via oxidation of the piperazine ring. Two ring-opened metabolites generated following oxidative cleavage of the furan ring were also identified. Using semicarbazide hydrochloride as a trapping agent, an intermediate arising from opening of the furan ring was captured as a pyridazine product. In the presence of glutathione, three glutathione conjugates were detected in microsomal incubations, although they were not detected in cryopreserved hepatocytes. These data support ring opening of the furan via a reactive gamma-keto-alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde intermediate. In the presence of UDP-glucuronic acid, prazosin underwent conjugation to form an N-glucuronide not reported previously. Our in vitro investigations have revealed additional metabolic transformations of prazosin and have shown the potential of prazosin to undergo bioactivation through metabolism of the furan ring to a reactive intermediate.

Some oxime ether-substituted aryloxypropanolamines 3-5, structurally related to the active metabolite 2 of sarpogrelate 1, were synthesized and tested for their affinities at 5-HT2A and 5-HT1A serotoninergic receptors as well as at the alpha1-adrenoceptor. The results show that the compounds possess, at least partially, the ability of the model compounds 1 and 2 to interact with the 5-HT2A-receptors; they have the same selectivity towards 5-HT2A receptors vs alpha1-adrenoceptors.

The ligand-binding characteristics (B(max) and K(D)) of alpha(1)- and beta(1)/beta(2)-adrenoceptors were investigated in membranes prepared from brown adipose tissue (BAT) of warm-acclimated, cold-acclimated, hibernating and arousing ground squirrels (Spermophillus undulatus) and hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) by specific binding of [(3)H]prazosin and [(3)H]CGP-12177, respectively. The physiological state did not change the affinity for the adrenoceptors in the BAT of ground squirrels and hamsters. There was a significant decrease in alpha(1)-receptor density in arousing ground squirrels and a significant decrease in beta(1)/beta(2) density in hibernating ground squirrels. The level of alpha(1)-receptors was in all conditions higher than that of beta(1)/beta(2) receptors. The results indicate a possible change in balance of adrenoceptor density in the processes of cold acclimation, hibernation and arousal. The balance between the various adrenoceptor subtypes may be important for the final effect of catecholamines in BAT in different physiological states.

We investigated the effects of repeated intermittent cocaine treatment, resulting in behavioral sensitization, on the density of alpha(1)-adrenoceptors in the rat brain measured by quantitative in vitro autoradiography of [(3)H]prazosin. Animals were decapitated following a short (2 h) and long (48 h) withdrawal period after an injection of cocaine (10 mg/kg) on day 10 given to either cocaine-naive (saline daily, days 1-5) or cocaine-sensitized (cocaine 10 mg/kg daily, days 1-5) rats. In cocaine-naive rats, significant decreases in alpha(1)-adrenoceptors 2 h after a single dose of cocaine were observed in the amygdaloid nuclei and hippocampus; the decreases in the centromedial nucleus of the amygdala persisted until 48th hour of withdrawal. On the contrary, increases in alpha(1)-adrenoceptors after 2-h withdrawal were seen in the nucleus accumbens core and retrosplenial cortex. In cocaine-sensitized rats, the density of alpha(1)-adrenoceptors 2 h after the challenge with cocaine increased in the centrolateral amygdala, while in the granular retrosplenial cortex and in the most of thalamic nuclei, the densities of alpha(1)-adrenoceptors decreased. After 48-h withdrawal, the density of alpha(1)-adrenoceptors increased in the nucleus accumbens core and shell (by 21% and 58%, respectively), and in the amygdaloid centromedial and basolateral nuclei (by ca. 24%), while the decline was still observed in some thalamic nuclei. Our study shows for the first time that cocaine sensitization produces significant (dependent on the withdrawal time) alterations in the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor density, and the changes in some parts of the thalamus seem to be related to processes of cocaine relapses.