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A novel human G protein-coupled receptor named AXOR12, exhibiting 81% homology to the rat orphan receptor GPR54, was cloned from a human brain cDNA library. Heterologous expression of AXOR12 in mammalian cells permitted the identification of three surrogate agonist peptides, all with a common C-terminal amidated motif. High potency agonism, indicative of a cognate ligand, was evident from peptides derived from the gene KiSS-1, the expression of which prevents metastasis in melanoma cells. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was used to study the expression of AXOR12 and KiSS-1 in a variety of tissues. The highest levels of expression of AXOR12 mRNA were observed in brain, pituitary gland, and placenta. The highest levels of KiSS-1 gene expression were observed in placenta and brain. A polyclonal antibody raised to the C terminus of AXOR12 was generated and used to show localization of the receptor to neurons in the cerebellum, cerebral cortex, and brainstem. The biological significance of these expression patterns and the nature of the putative cognate ligand for AXOR12 are discussed.

A stepwise chemical modification from human neurokinin-3 receptor (hNK-3R)-selective antagonists to potent and combined hNK-3R and hNK-2R antagonists using the same 2-phenylquinoline template is described. Docking studies with 3-D models of the hNK-3 and hNK-2 receptors were used to drive the chemical design and speed up the identification of potent and combined antagonsits at both receptors. (S)-(+)-N-(1-Cyclohexylethyl)-3-[(4-morpholin-4-yl)piperidin-1-yl]methyl-2-phenylquinoline-4-carboxamide (compound 25, SB-400238:  hNK-3R binding affinity, Ki = 0.8 nM; hNK-2R binding affinity, Ki = 0.8 nM) emerged as the best example in this approach. Further studies led to the identification of (S)-(+)-N-(1,2,2-trimethylpropyl)-3-[(4-piperidin-1-yl)piperidin-1-yl]methyl-2-phenylquinoline-4-carboxamide (compound 28, SB-414240:  hNK-3R binding affinity, Ki = 193 nM; hNK-2R binding affinity, Ki = 1.0 nM) as the first hNK-2R-selective antagonist belonging to the 2-phenylquinoline chemical class. Since some members of this chemical series showed a significant binding affinity for the human μ-opioid receptor (hMOR), docking studies were also conducted on a 3-D model of the hMOR, resulting in the identification of a viable chemical strategy to avoid any significant μ-opioid component. Compounds 25 and 28 are therefore suitable pharmacological tools in the tachykinin area to elucidate further the pathophysiological role of NK-3 and NK-2 receptors and the therapeutic potential of selective NK-2 (28) or combined NK-3 and NK-2 (25) receptor antagonists.

Opiate tolerance and dependence are major clinical and social problems. The anti-opiate neuropeptides FF and AF (NPFF and NPAF) have been implicated in pain modulation as well as in opioid tolerance and may play a critical role in this process, although their mechanism of action has remained unknown. Here we describe a cDNA encoding a novel neuropeptide Y-like human orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), referred to as HLWAR77 for which NPAF and NPFF have high affinity. Cells transiently or stably expressing HLWAR77 bind and respond in a concentration-dependent manner to NPAF and NPFF and are also weakly activated by FMRF-amide (Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-amide) and a variety of related peptides. The high affinity and potency of human NPFF and human NPAF for HLWAR77 strongly suggest that these are the cognate ligands for this receptor. Expression of HLWAR77 was demonstrated in brain regions associated with opiate activity, consistent with the pain-modulating activity of these peptides, whereas the expression in adipose tissue suggests other physiological and pathophysiological activities for FMRF-amide neuropeptides. The discovery that the anti-opiate neuropeptides are the endogenous ligands for HLWAR77 will aid in defining the physiological role(s) of these ligands and facilitate the identification of receptor agonists and antagonists.

Uridine 5'-diphosphoglucose (UDP-glucose) has a well established biochemical role as a glycosyl donor in the enzymatic biosynthesis of carbohydrates. It is less well known that UDP-glucose may possess pharmacological activity, suggesting that a receptor for this molecule may exist. Here, we show that UDP-glucose, and some closely related molecules, potently activate the orphan G protein-coupled receptor KIAA0001 heterologously expressed in yeast or mammalian cells. Nucleotides known to activate P2Y receptors were inactive, indicating the distinctly novel pharmacology of this receptor. The receptor is expressed in a wide variety of human tissues, including many regions of the brain. These data suggest that some sugar-nucleotides may serve important physiological roles as extracellular signaling molecules in addition to their familiar role in intermediary metabolism.

Optimization of the previously reported 2-phenyl-4-quinolinecarboxamide NK-3 receptor antagonist 14, with regard to potential metabolic instability of the ester moiety and affinity and selectivity for the human neurokinin-3 (hNK-3) receptor, is described. The ester functionality could be successfully replaced by the ketone (31) or by lower alkyl groups (Et, 21, or n-Pr, 24). Investigation of the substitution pattern of the quinoline ring resulted in the identification of position 3 as a key position to enhance hNK-3 binding affinity and selectivity for the hNK-3 versus the hNK-2 receptor. All of the chemical groups introduced at this position, with the exception of halogens, increased the hNK-3 binding affinity, and compounds 53 (3-OH, SB 223412, hNK-3-CHO binding Ki = 1.4 nM) and 55 (3-NH2, hNK-3-CHO binding Ki = 1.2 nM) were the most potent compounds of this series. Selectivity studies versus the other neurokinin receptors (hNK-2-CHO and hNK-1-CHO) revealed that 53 is about 100-fold selective for the hNK-3 versus hNK-2 receptor, with no affinity for the hNK-1 at concentrations up to 100 μM. In vitro studies demonstrated that 53 is a potent functional antagonist of the hNK-3 receptor (reversal of senktide-induced contractions in rabbit isolated iris sphincter muscles and reversal of NKB-induced Ca²⁺ mobilization in CHO cells stably expressing the hNK-3 receptor), while in vivo this compound showed oral and intravenous activity in NK-3 receptor-driven models (senktide-induced behavioral responses in mice and senktide-induced miosis in rabbits). Overall, the biological data indicate that (S)-N-(1-phenylpropyl)-3-hydroxy-2-phenylquinoline-4-carboxamide (53, SB 223412) may serve as a pharmacological tool in animal models of disease to assess the functional and pathophysiological role of the NK-3 receptor and to establish therapeutic indications for non-peptide NK-3 receptor antagonists.

Chimeras were generated between the human anaphylatoxin C3a and C5a receptors (C3aR and C5aR, respectively) to define the structural requirements for ligand binding and discrimination. Chimeric receptors were generated by systematically exchanging between the two receptors four receptor modules (the N terminus, transmembrane regions 1 to 4, the second extracellular loop, and transmembrane region 5 to the C terminus). The mutants were transiently expressed in HEK-293 cells (with or without Galpha-16) and analyzed for cell surface expression, binding of C3a and C5a, and functional responsiveness (calcium mobilization) toward C3a, C5a, and a C3a as well as a C5a analogue peptide. The data indicate that in both anaphylatoxin receptors the transmembrane regions and the second extracellular loop act as a functional unit that is disrupted by any reciprocal exchange. N-terminal substitution confirmed the two-binding site model for the human C5aR, in which the receptor N terminus is required for high affinity binding of the native ligand but not a C5a analogue peptide. In contrast, the human C3a receptor did not require the original N terminus for high affinity binding of and activation by C3a, a result that was confirmed by N-terminal deletion mutants. This indicates a completely different binding mode of the anaphylatoxins to their corresponding receptors. The C5a analogue peptide, but not C5a, was an agonist of the C3aR. Replacement of the C3aR N terminus by the C5aR sequence, however, lead to the generation of a true hybrid C3a/C5a receptor, which bound and functionally responded to both ligands, C3a and C5a.

Summary Leukotriene B₄(LTB₄) and 12-(R)-hydroxy-5,8,10,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (12-[R]-HETE) have been postulated to contribute to the pathophysiology of inflammatory diseases. SB 201993, (E)-3 [[[[6-(2-carboxyethenyl)-5-[lsqb;8-(4-methoxyphenyl)octyl] oxy]-2-pyridinyl] methyl] thio] methyl] benzoic acid, identified from a chemical series designed as ring-fused analogs of LTB₄, was evaluated as an antagonist of LTB₄- and 12-(R)-HETE-induced responses in vitro and for anti-inflammatory activity in vivo. SB 201993 competitively antagonized ‘³-H’-LTB₄binding to intact human neutrophils (K_i= 7.6 NM) and to membranes of RBL 2H3 cells expressing the LTB₄receptor (RBL 2H3-LTB₄R; IC₅₀= 154 nM). This compound demonstrated competitive antagonism of LTB₄- and 12-(R)-HETE-induced Ca²⁺mobilization responses in human neutrophils (IC₅₀s of 131 nM and 105 nM, respectively) and inhibited LTB₄-induced Ca²⁺mobilization in human cultured keratinocytes (IC₅₀= 61 nM), RBL 2H3-LTB₄R cells (IC₅₀= 255 nM) and mouse neutrophils (IC₅₀= 410 nM). SB 201993 showed weak LTD₄-receptor binding affinity (K_i= 1.9 μM) and inhibited 5-lipoxygenase (IC₅₀of 3.6 mM), both in vitro and ex vivo. In vivo, SB 201993 inhibited LTB₄-induced neutrophil infiltration in mouse skin and produced dose-related, long lasting topical anti-inflammatory activity against the fluid and cellular phases of arachidonic acid-induced mouse ear inflammation (ED₅₀of 580 μg/ear and 390 μg/ear, respectively). Similarly, anti-inflammatory activity was also observed in the murine phorbol ester-induced cutaneous inflammation model (ED₅₀of 770 and 730 mg/ear, respectively, against the fluid and cellular phases). These results indicate that SB 201993 blocks the actions of LTB₄and 12-(R)-HETE and inhibits a variety of inflammatory responses; and thus may be a useful compound to evaluate the role of these mediators in disease models. Copyright 1999 Harcourt Publishers Ltd

The peptidoleukotrienes and leukotriene B4, formed from arachidonic acid through the action of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), exert a spectrum of biological effects. It has been proposed that potent and selective 5-LO inhibitors will be effective therapy in diseases in which the peptidoleukotrienes and leukotriene B4 have been implicated, such as asthma and arthritis. The novel compound (S)-N-hydroxy-N-(2,3-dihydro-6-phenylmethoxy-3-benzyofuranyl )urea (SB 202235) was evaluated as a selective inhibitor of 5-LO in a cell-free system as well as in various cellular assays. In addition, the potential therapeutic value of SB 202235 was assessed in preclinical models of allergic asthma. The activity of the 5-LO enzyme isolated from rat basophilic leukemia-1 cells was inhibited by SB 202235 in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 1.9 microM. Consistent with its ability to inhibit 5-LO, SB 202235 inhibited the production of leukotriene B4 by human monocytes and in human whole blood (IC50 values of 1.5 microM and 1.1 microM, respectively). The selectivity of SB 202235 was confirmed by its lack of effect against several other enzymes and receptors. SB 202235 potently and effectively inhibited the contraction produced by a single concentration of ovalbumin in guinea pig trachea (IC50 = 20 microM) and of anti-IgE in human bronchus (IC50 = 2 microM). SB 202235 (3-30 microM) also inhibited the contraction of guinea pig trachea in response to increasing concentration of ovalbumin. When administered orally (30 mg/kg) to conscious guinea pigs, SB 202235 attenuated antigen-induced broncho-constriction and the subsequent eosinophil influx.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Guinea pig lung membranes were extracted with 1% digitonin and yielded a preparation that contained soluble leukotriene D4 (LTD4) receptor. Specific binding of the high affinity radiolabeled receptor antagonist [3H]ICI-198615 to the soluble LTD4 receptor was time dependent and reversible. The dissociation constant (Kd) and the density (Bmax) of [3H]ICI-198615 binding to the soluble LTD4 receptor was 0.2 +/- 0.08 nM and 380 +/- 40 fmol/mg of protein, respectively. Radioligand competition studies showed several classes of structurally diverse, functionally defined, receptor antagonists competed with [3H]ICI-198615 binding to the soluble receptor. The rank order of potency and specificity of these antagonists in binding to the soluble receptor were equivalent to those determined from the membrane-bound receptor binding assay and from the smooth muscle contraction assay. Binding of LTD4 to the soluble receptor was observed, in the competition assay, only in the low affinity state (Ki = 2 microM). Size-exclusion chromatography of the soluble LTD4 receptor showed that the apparent molecular weight of the LTD4 receptor in digitonin micelle was approximately 300,000.

Arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase of rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-1) cells was purified more than 1000-fold by gel filtration and anion exchange protein-high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Physical properties of the purified 5-lipoxygenase such as molecular weight (74,000-76,000), N-terminal sequence (30 amino acids), and amino acid composition were determined. The purified enzyme converted [14C]arachidonic acid at 20 degrees to [14C] 5-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HPETE) and to [14C]dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (diHETEs). Utilizing [14C] 5(S)HPETE as substrate, the purified enzyme also converted the hydroperoxy acid to [14C]diHETES. The [14C]diHETE reaction products were identified primarily (greater than 80% of recovered radioactivity) as the nonenzymatic hydrolysis products of leukotriene A4 (i.e., 6-trans-leukotriene B4 and 12-epi-6-trans-leukotriene B4) by reverse phase HPLC, scanning spectrophotometry, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The bioconversion of [14C] arachidonate and [14C]5(S)HPETE to reaction products by the purified enzyme was dependent on the presence of both Ca2+ and ATP. The enzymatic activities were inhibited in a similar manner by the lipoxygenase inhibitors nordihydroguaiaretic acid, diphenyldisulfide, and SK&F 86002. The data provide evidence that RBL-1 cell 5-lipoxygenase and leukotriene A4 synthetase activities reside on a single monomeric protein with a free N-terminus and that they possess similar biochemical characteristics.

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and closely related Glu-Leu-Arg (ELR) containing CXC chemokines, including growth-related oncogene (GRO)alpha, GRObeta, GROgamma, and epithelial cell-derived neutrophil-activating peptide-78 (ENA-78), are potent neutrophil chemotactic and activating peptides, which are proposed to be major mediators of inflammation. IL-8 activates neutrophils by binding to two distinct seven-transmembrane (7-TMR) G-protein coupled receptors CXCR1 (IL-8RA) and CXCR2 (IL-8RB), while GROalpha, GRObeta, GROgamma, and ENA-78 bind to and activate only CXCR2. A chemical lead, which selectively inhibited CXCR2 was discovered by high throughput screening and chemically optimized. SB 225002 (N-(2-hydroxy-4-nitrophenyl)-N'-(2-bromophenyl)urea) is the first reported potent and selective non-peptide inhibitor of a chemokine receptor. It is an antagonist of 125I-IL-8 binding to CXCR2 with an IC50 = 22 nM. SB 225002 showed >150-fold selectivity over CXCR1 and four other 7-TMRs tested. In vitro, SB 225002 potently inhibited human and rabbit neutrophil chemotaxis induced by both IL-8 and GROalpha. In vivo, SB 225002 selectively blocked IL-8-induced neutrophil margination in rabbits. The present findings suggest that CXCR2 is responsible for neutrophil chemotaxis and margination induced by IL-8. This selective antagonist will be a useful tool compound to define the role of CXCR2 in inflammatory diseases where neutrophils play a major role.

Here we describe the characterization of a novel human CC chemokine, tentatively named monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP-4). This chemokine was detected by random sequencing of expressed sequence tags in cDNA libraries. The full-length cDNA revealed an open reading frame for a 98-amino acid residue protein, and a sequence alignment with known CC chemokines showed high levels of similarity (59-62%) with MCP-1, MCP-3, and eotaxin. MCP-4 cDNA was cloned into Drosophila S2 cells, and the mature protein (residues 24-98) was purified from the conditioned medium. Recombinant MCP-4 induced a potent chemotactic response (EC50 = 2.88 +/- 0.15 nM) and a transient rise in cytosolic calcium concentration in fresh human peripheral blood monocytes but not in neutrophils. Binding studies in monocytes showed that MCP-4 and MCP-3 were very potent in displacing high affinity binding of 125I-MCP-1 (IC50 for MCP-4, MCP-3, and unlabeled MCP-1 of 2.1 +/- 1.4, 0.85-1.6, and 0.7 +/- 0.2 nM respectively), suggesting that all three chemokines interact with the CC chemokine receptor-2 (MCP-1 receptor). This was confirmed in binding studies with Chinese hamster ovary cells, stably transfected with the CC chemokine 2B receptor. Northern blot analysis in extracts of normal human tissues showed expression of mRNA for MCP-4 in small intestine, thymus, and colon, but the level of protein expression was too low to be detected in Western blot analysis. However, expression of MCP-4 protein was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in human atherosclerotic lesion and found to be associated with endothelial cells and macrophages.

An extensive structure−activity study based around the high-affinity leukotriene B4 (LTB4) receptor antagonist SB 201146 (1) led to the identification of (E)-3-[6-[[(2,6-dichlorophenyl)thio]methyl]-3-(2-phenylethoxy)-2-pyridinyl]-2-propenoic acid (3). This compound displays high affinity for the human neutrophil LTB4 receptor (Ki = 0.78 nM), blocks LTB4-induced Ca²⁺ mobilization with an IC50 of 6.6 ± 1.5 nM, and demonstrates potent oral and topical antiinflammatory activity in a murine model of dermal inflammation.

Previous studies with U937 cells, a human monocyte cell line, have shown that the activity of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) is increased by agents that elevate cyclic AMP content. The present experiments were conducted to determine 1) whether an increase in PDE4 steady-state message and/or protein accompanies the up-regulation of PDE4 activity and 2) whether the up-regulation changes the functional responses of U937 cells to activators of adenylyl cyclase. To up-regulate PDE4 activity, U937 cells were treated for 4 h with a combination of 1 microM salbutamol, a beta-adrenoceptor agonist, and 30 microM rolipram, a PDE4 inhibitor. Cells were washed extensively to remove drugs and used immediately in various experimental protocols. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reactions conducted with primers specific for the four PDE4 subtypes suggested that pretreatment with salbutamol and rolipram increased steady-state mRNA levels of PDE4A and PDE4B, but not PDE4C or PDE4D. Immunoblot analyses using two rabbit polyclonal antibodies, one directed against human recombinant PDE4A and PDE4D and a second directed against human recombinant PDE4B, revealed bands of immunoreactivity corresponding to approximately 125 kDa (PDE4A) and approximately 70 kDa (PDE4B), respectively, that increased in intensity after cells were treated with salbutamol and rolipram. As demonstrated in both time course and concentration-response studies with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), an agent that activates adenylyl cyclase by a non-beta-adrenoceptor-mediated mechanism, cAMP accumulation was substantially decreased in cells in which PDE4 activity had been up-regulated. The difference in PGE2-stimulated cAMP accumulation between control and PDE4 up-regulated cells was greatly reduced in the presence of rolipram, consistent with the notion that an increase in PDE4 activity was responsible for the heterologous desensitization. Functionally, up-regulation of PDE4 markedly decreased the ability of PGE2 to inhibit LTD4-induced Ca2+ mobilization in intact cells. A hypothetical implication of these results is that increasing PDE4 activity in vivo by administering beta-adrenoceptor agonists could exacerbate inflammatory processes by decreasing the activity of endogenous anti-inflammatory agents such as PGE2.

A novel class of potent and selective non-peptide neurokinin-3 (NK-3) receptor antagonists, featuring the 4-quinolinecarboxamide framework, has been designed based upon chemically diverse NK-1 receptor antagonists. The novel compounds 33−76, prompted by chemical modifications of the prototype 4, have been characterized by binding analysis using a membrane preparation of chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing the human neurokinin-3 receptors (hNK-3-CHO), and clear structure−activity relationships (SARs) have been established. From SARs, (R)-N-[α-(methoxycarbonyl)benzyl]-2-phenylquinoline-4-carboxamide (65, SB 218795, hNK-3-CHO binding Ki = 13 nM) emerged as one of the most potent compounds of this novel class. Selectivity studies versus the other neurokinin receptors (hNK-2-CHO and hNK-1-CHO) revealed that 65 is about 90-fold selective for hNK-3 versus hNK-2 receptors (hNK-2-CHO binding Ki = 1221 nM) and over 7000-fold selective versus hNK-1 receptors (hNK-1-CHO binding Ki = >100 μM). In vitro functional studies in rabbit isolated iris sphincter muscle preparation demonstrated that 65 is a competitive antagonist of the contractile response induced by the potent and selective NK-3 receptor agonist senktide with a Kb = 43 nM. Overall, the data indicate that 65 is a potent and selective hNK-3 receptor antagonist and a useful lead for further chemical optimization.

Human monocytic leukemic U-937 cells, when differentiated with dimethylsulfoxide to macrophage-like state, express receptors for platelet-activating factor (PAF). In the differentiated U-937 cells, PAF induced hydrolysis of phosphoinositides and synthesis of inositol phosphates. PAF-induced production of inositol phosphates was rapid, concentration-dependent and was inhibited by a receptor antagonist CV3988, indicating that it was mediated via a specific receptor. In fura-2-loaded, differentiated U-937 cells, PAF induced immediate and concentration-dependent calcium mobilization [( Ca++]i) that was inhibited by CV3988, but not by calcium channel blockers. Addition of an increasing concentration of calcium chelator, ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid, to the medium inhibited a large fraction (approximately 75%) of PAF receptor-induced [Ca++]i mobilization thus suggesting the majority of [Ca++]i mobilization was originated from extracellular milieu and a small portion (approximately 25%) was originated from intracellular sources. The inositol phosphate production induced by PAF, however, was independent from the extracellular calcium and was not inhibited by the addition of ethylene glycol bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid. Neither [Ca++]i mobilization or phosphoinositide metabolism in U-937 cells was sensitive to treatment of pertussis toxin, but both types of effects were sensitive to treatment by an inhibitor of phospholipase C, manoalide. These results suggest that in differentiated U-937 cells PAF receptor is coupled through a pertussis toxin-insensitive guanine nucleotide binding protein to a phosphoinositide specific phospholipase C. Inositol-trisphosphate, and possibly diacylglycerol, could be the intracellular messengers for PAF receptor in U-937 cells.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP)-induced formation of inositol phosphates and increased calcium efflux in smooth muscle cells (A-10) were inhibited by short term treatment with phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu), an activator of protein kinase C (Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase) (Aiyar, N., Nambi, P., Whitman, M., Stassen, F. L., and Crooke, S. T. (1987) Mol. Pharmacol. 31, 180–184).

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is an unusually potent phospholipid known to be produced by neuronal cells and to modulate cerebral blood flow and metabolism. In previous studies with NCB-20 cells, we reported that PAF induced a significant mobilization of intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i), which was inhibited by PAF antagonists. The increase was the result of release from intracellular stores and influx from extracellular sources. The present study was designed to characterize further PAF receptor-mediated cellular signal-transduction mechanisms in myo-[3H]inositol-labeled cells. PAF induced a concentration-dependent increase in phosphatidylinositol (Pl) metabolism, with EC50 values of 1.96 +/- 0.62 nM and 1.12 +/- 0.50 nM for inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and inositol monophosphate (IP1) formation, respectively (four experiments). The maximal production of IP3 and IP1 induced by 50 nM PAF was 254 +/- 34% and 178 +/- 25% over the basal, respectively (four experiments). PAF-induced Pl metabolism was concentration-dependently inhibited by the PAF antagonist BN50739, with an IC50 value of 6.48 +/- 0.52 nM (four experiments). The protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate concentration-dependently inhibited PAF-induced Pl metabolism and [Ca2+]i mobilization in NCB-20 cells, of NCB-20 cells with pertussis toxin (PTX) resulted in a concentration-dependent inhibition of PAF-induced IP3 production and intracellular Ca2+ release, with a maximal reduction of 66.9 +/- 3.5% and 63 +/- 6.1%, respectively, at 300 ng/ml PTX. PTX in the presence of [32P]NAD specifically [32P]ADP-ribosylated a 38-kDa protein in membranes prepared from NCB-20 cells. Pretreatment of the cells with PTX resulted in a concentration-dependent inhibition of subsequent 32P-labeling of the toxin substrate in the membranes and correlated with the uncoupling of PAF-induced IP3 formation. PAF (0.01-10 nM) elicited a concentration-related stimulation in guanosine 5'-O-(3-[35S]) triphosphate ([35S]GTP gamma S) binding to G alpha i(1,2) proteins, which was inhibited by the PAF antagonist BN50739. PAF at 10 nM also increased [35S]GTP gamma S binding to G alpha s and G alpha o. PAF-evoked activation of G alpha i(1,2) and G alpha o was reduced by preincubation with PTX. Our results reveal that neuronal cells possess PAF receptors linked through guanine nucleotide-binding proteins to phospholipase C and receptor-operated Ca2+ channels that are regulated by PKC. Both PTX-sensitive and -insensitive guanine nucleotide-binding proteins appear to couple the PAF receptor to activation of phospholipase C and the increase in [Ca2+]i. These results contribute to the further understanding of the mechanisms behind PAF actions on neuronal cells.

Differentiated U-937 cells express leukotriene B4 (LTB4) receptors and mobilize Ca++ in response to LTB4. Using this cell line, we have characterized LTB4-induced desensitization. Prior exposure of U-937 cells to LTB4 resulted in a concentration- and time-dependent decrease in Ca++ mobilization in response to a subsequent challenge with LTB4 (EC50 = 2 nM; T1/2 = 4 min). Desensitization was temperature-dependent, occurring in cells pretreated with LTB4 at 37 degrees C but not at 4 degrees C. LTB4 pretreatment (100 nM, 30 min) decreased the maximal LTB4-induced Ca++ mobilization by 50% and increased the EC50 5-fold. After the cells were treated with LTB4, Ca++ mobilization in response to LTD4, platelet activating factor and chemotactic peptide N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine were not decreased, suggesting that the desensitization was homologous and specific for LTB4. In U-937 cells, LTB4 and LTD4 induced concentration- and time-dependent and receptor-mediated phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis, which correlated with Ca++ mobilization. When U-937 cells were pretreated with LTB4, the amount of intracellular PI metabolites formed in response to LTB4 was reduced, whereas the response to LTD4 was unchanged. Examination of LTB4 membrane receptors in U-937 cells indicated that LTB4 pretreatment resulted in a 15% decrease in receptor number and a 3-fold decrease in affinity for LTB4. These results clearly demonstrate that LTB4-induced Ca++ mobilization and PI metabolism can be desensitized by prior exposure to LTB4 and that the mechanism of desensitization may involve altered affinity in agonist binding to the receptor.

U-937 cells express receptors for leukotriene D4, and LTD4 stimulates receptor-mediated Ca++ mobilization with an EC50 of 5 nM. In these cells, LTE4 produces Ca++ mobilization with an EC50 of 500 nM and a maximum response that is 15 to 20% of the LTD4 response. LTE4 was shown to be a partial agonist, with a Kp of 400 nM and a linear relationship between effect and receptor occupancy, and was used as a tool to study LTD4-induced desensitization. Pretreatment of U-937 cells with LTD4 resulted in a concentration-dependent shift to the right and a decrease in the maximum of LTE4 concentration-response curves, indicating that desensitization had occurred. LTD4-induced desensitization was homologous for LTE4 and LTD4; Ca++ mobilization produced by LTB4, N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-Phe and platelet-activating factor was not affected. LTD4-pretreatment produced a concentration-related desensitization of LTE4-induced Ca++ mobilization in both basal and dimethyl sulfoxide-differentiated U-937 cells. However, the maximal desensitization was greater in basal cells (66% +/- 4%) than in differentiated cells (33% +/- 7%). LTD4 pretreatment resulted in a greater percentage of reduction of Ca++ mobilization produced by LTE4 than that produced by LTD4, suggesting that a receptor reserve exists for LTD4. The extent of receptor reserve was assessed in basal and differentiated U-937 cells by comparing LTD4 concentration-response curves from control and desensitized cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A basophilic leukemic cell line from rat (RBL-1) was used to characterize leukotriene D4 (LTD4) receptor-mediated biochemical and pharmacological effects. [3H]LTD4 binding to the plasma membrane enriched preparation was stereo-selective, specific and saturable. Sodium ions and guanine nucleotides specifically regulated [3H]LTD4 binding to the membrane receptors. Leukotriene E4 (LTE4) and high affinity specific antagonists bound to the receptor with a rank-order potency equivalent to that for the LTD4 receptors in guinea pig lung. In the [3]myoinositol labeled RBL-1 cells, LTD4 and LTE4 induced a rapid hydrolysis of [3H]phosphoinositides. The biosynthesis of the [3H]inositol-trisphosphate was rapid and was detectable at 15-sec poststimulation. The biosynthesis of [3H]inositol-monophosphate was stereo-selective and specific and was inhibited specifically by receptor antagonists. In fura-2 loaded RBL-1 cells, LTD4 and LTE4 induced a transient intracellular Ca++ mobilization. Agonist-induced Ca++ mobilization was specific and stereo-selective and was inhibited by specific receptor antagonists. The most (greater than 85%) LTD4-induced immediate response of Ca++ mobilization was from intracellular sources, whereas a small amount (less than 15%) was derived from the extracellular milieu. Both components were stimulated by receptor agonists and inhibited by the receptor antagonists, suggesting that they were regulated by the LTD4 membrane receptors. In addition, the results also suggested that a guanine nucleotide binding protein, insensitive to islet activating protein from Bordetella pertussis (not Gi or Go), was involved in the signal transduction mechanisms for LTD4 receptors in RBL-1 cells. These results suggested that the plasma membrane enriched LTD4 receptor was coupled via an islet activating protein insensitive G protein to a phosphoinositide specific phospholipase C. Agonist binding to the receptor could activate phospholipase C and resulted in phosphoinositide hydrolysis. Diacylglycerol and inositol trisphosphate could function as intracellular messengers that trigger or contribute to calcium mobilization in RBL-1 cells.

Anesthetized open-chest dogs were instrumented for the measurement of left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) blood flow and aortic blood flow, systemic arterial blood pressure, heart rate, lead II ECG, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, left ventricular developed pressure and left ventricular positive and negative dP/dt to study the hemodynamic effects of leukotriene D4 (LTD4) and selective LTD4 antagonists on the coronary vasculature. Administration of LTD4 alone into the LCX (0.625-10 micrograms) produced a dose-dependent decrease in LCX blood flow, dP/dt and aortic blood flow and an increase in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. Systemic arterial blood pressure, left ventricular developed pressure and heart rate were unchanged by LTD4. During i.v. infusions of the LTD4 antagonists, SK&F 102922 or FPL 55712 (1 mg/kg/min), the dose-dependent decreases in LCX flow, dP/dt and aortic blood flow were blocked whereas the increase in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure remained unchanged. The thromboxane A2 antagonist, SK&F 88046 (5 mg/kg + 0.1 mg/kg/min), which has been reported previously to block the coronary blood flow reducing action of LTC4, had no effect on the LCX blood flow responses to intracoronary LTD4. In a separate study, dogs instrumented in a similar manner were given bolus injections of arginine-vasopressin (1 microgram), the thromboxane A2 mimetic, U-46619 (10 micrograms), LTD4 (10 micrograms), angiotensin II (1 microgram) and prostaglandin F2 alpha (100 micrograms) directly into the LCX to provoke coronary vasoconstriction. SK&F 102922 and FPL 55712 selectively blocked the coronary vasoconstriction produced by LTD4, but had no effect on vasoconstriction produced by the other agonists.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

SK&F 82526 (6-chloro-7,8-dihydroxy-1-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-(1H)-3-benzazepine) was evaluated for its peripheral cardiovascular activity, effect on renal and central dopamine receptors and mechanism of action. Comparisons were made with dopamine. In anesthetized dogs, SK&F 82526 i.v., produced dose-related dilation of the renal vasculature, apparently through stimulation of postsynaptic dopamine receptors. Unlike dopamine, the increased renal perfusion was not accompanied by increases in arterial blood pressure or heart rate, but rather a decrease in arterial blood pressure at higher doses. The relative lack of efficacy of SK&F 82526 on alpha and beta adrenergic receptors was confirmed in pithed rats and isolated electrically paced papillary muscles of guinea pigs. In conscious dogs, oral administration of SK&F 82526 produced dose-dependent and sustained decreases in renal vascular resistance. The renal hemodynamic activity of SK&F 82526 in anesthetized dogs was not attenuated by phenoxybenzamine, propranolol, atropine, mepyramine plus metiamide, meclofenamic acid or reserpine but was inhibited by metoclopramide and bulbocapnine in a manner suggesting competitive antagonism. In the central nervous system studies, SK&F 82526 stimulated dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase of rat caudate (which was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by haloperidol and bulbocapnine), induced contralateral rotation in caudate-lesioned rats after intracaudal injection, but did not alter serum prolactin levels after systemic administration. Peripheral administration, however, did not result in significant activation of central dopamine receptors, indicating that SK&F 82526 does not readily cross the blood-brain barrier. These findings demonstrate that SK&F 82526 is a potent, selective, orally active renal vasodilator which acts, at least in part, through stimulation of renal vascular dopamine receptors and is without significant effect on central dopamine receptors after systemic administration.

N,N‘-Diarylureas were prepared, and the structure−activity relationship relative to the CXCR2 receptor was examined. This led to the identification of a potent and highly selective CXCR2 antagonist, which in addition was shown to be functionally active both in vitro against human neutrophils and in vivo in rabbit models of ear edema and neutropenia.