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Biomedical subjects

E Hazum

Publications and source records attributed to E Hazum.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Morphiceptin (NH4-tyr-pro-phe-pro-COHN2): a potent and specific agonist for morphine (mu) receptors.

The synthetic peptide NH2-Tyr-Pro-Phe-Pro-CONH2 (morphiceptin), which is the amide of a fragment of the milk protein beta-casein, has morphinelike activities and is highly specific for morphine (mu) receptors but not for enkephalin (delta) receptors. It is as active as morphine in the guinea pig ileum but much less active in the mouse and rat vas deferens. The discovery of this specific morphine receptor ligand substantiates the hypothesis of multiple opiate receptors. The ligand, which may be of physiological significance since a very similar, or identical, activity can be detected in enzymatic digests of beta-casein, may prove useful for further investigation of the functions of opiate receptor subtypes.

Animals↗

Some characteristics of GnRH receptors in rat-pituitary membranes: differences between an agonist and and antagonist.

The interaction of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists and antagonists with pituitary membranes was studied by using 125I-labeled agonist, [D-Ser(t-Bu)6, des-Gly10-ethylamide]-GnRH, and antagonist [D-pGlu1, D-Phe2, Trp3,6]-GnRH. Their binding was affected differently by cations, and by pretreatment of membranes with proteolytic enzymes and sulfhydryl-blocking reagents. Monovalent cations at millimolar concentrations (10-100 mM) and divalent cations at lower concentrations (0.5-5 mM) reduced more significantly the binding of the agonist than that of the antagonist. Pretreatment of the membranes with trypsin and chymotrypsin abolished the specific binding of both agonist and antagonist, in a dose-response manner, with the former being less affected. Pretreatment of the membranes with sulfhydryl-blocking reagents did not alter the binding of the antagonist but enhanced the binding of the agonist. This enhancement in the specific binding was found to be due to an increase in the apparent affinity of the agonist. These results may suggest that GnRH agonists and antagonists bind differently to the same receptor.

Animals↗

Novel opiate binding sites selective for benzomorphan drugs.

The simultaneous addition of [D-Ala2, D-Leu5]-enkephalin and morphiceptin at concentrations at which 98% of enkephalin (delta) and morphine (mu) receptors are occupied only partially inhibits the binding of [3H]diprenorphine to rat brain membranes. These conditions, furthermore, do not affect the curves for displacement of [3H]diprenorphine binding by unlabeled diprenorphine. These data suggest that [3H]diprenorphine binds to a third subtype of opiate binding site, which has high affinity for diprenorphine but very low affinity for mu and delta agonists. The [3H]-diprenorphine binding observed in the presence of morphiceptin and [D-Ala2, D-Leu5]enkephalin exhibits high affinity for several benzomorphan drugs in the chemical family of 6,7-benzomorphan (e.g., cyclazocine, ethylketocyclazocine, SKF 10047, UM 1072, oxilorphan, etc). Because of its selectivity for most benzomorphan drugs, this putative receptor site is tentatively referred to as a benzomorphan binding site. Its regional distribution in rat brain is similar to that of morphine (mu) receptors but differs from that for enkephalin (delta) receptors. The content of benzomorphan binding sites in rat brain is only one-half to one-third that of morphine receptors. The relative affinities of various opioids to morphine enkephalin, and benzomorphan binding sites are also described.

Animals↗

Photoaffinity labeling of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone receptor of rat pituitary membrane preparations.

Specific LHRH receptor proteins of plasma membrane preparation from pituitary glands of the rat were identified using an 125I-labeled photoreactive LHRH derivative, [D-Lys6-N epsilon-azidobenzoyl]LHRH. This analog retained high binding affinity (apparent Kd value of 0.1 nM) to a single class of receptors. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated the specific photolabeling of two proteins, a major band with an apparent molecular weight of 60,000 daltons and a minor band of 48,000 daltons. The latter is probably a degradation product of the receptor.

Affinity Labels↗

Luteinizing hormone release and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor internalization: independent actions of GnRH.

Three different approaches are described which provide independent and new evidence that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) internalization and GnRH-stimulated LH release are distinct actions of the releasing hormone. 1) Removal of GnRH from medium bathing the pituitary cell cultures resulted in the prompt return of LH release to basal levels. This finding indicated that a continuous supply of externally applied GnRH is required for the stimulation of LH release. 2) Covalent immobilization of D-Lys6-des-Gly10-Pro9-ethylamide GnRH (a GnRH agonist) on agarose beads resulted in a derivative which stimulated LH release with full efficacy. At concentrations of immobilized releasing hormone analog sufficient to evoke gonadotropin release, the quantity of LH release was restricted by the number of beads added. This finding was interpreted as evidence that the attachment of immobilized agonist was stable during the bioassay and indicated that LH release could be stimulated with full efficacy without the requirement for GnRH internalization. 3) Comparative studies using image-intensified microscopy and the cell culture bioassay showed that 100 microM vinblastin markedly inhibited large scale patching and capping of the GnRH receptor (viewed by image-intensified microscopy), but did not alter the EC50 or efficacy of LH release stimulated by GnRH or the agonist described above. These observations indicated that internalization as well as large scale patching and capping of the GnRH receptor are not required for LH release.

Animals↗

Receptor-mediated internalization of fluorescent gonadotropin-releasing hormone by pituitary gonadotropes.

A bioactive, fluorescent derivative of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, < Glu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-D-Lys(N epsilon-tetramethylrhodamine)-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-NH2, was prepared. This peptide retained high-affinity binding (apparent dissociation constant, 3 nM) to the receptor for gonadotropin-releasing hormone and was utilized for microscopic visualization and localization of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors in cultured rat pituitary cells. The fluorescently labeled receptors were initially distributed uniformly on the cell surface and formed patches, which subsequently internalized (at 37 degrees C) into endocytic vesicles. These processes were dependent on specific binding sites for the rhodamine-labeled peptide to gonadotrope cells. Cluster formation and internalization were markedly reduced in the absence of Ca2+, which is required for gonadotropin secretion. It is possible that cluster formation, microaggregation, and internalization of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors may be important in eliciting biological effects or for the observed loss of tissue responsiveness after desensitization due to exposure to the homologous hormone.

Animals↗

Cluster formation of opiate (enkephalin) receptors in neuroblastoma cells: differences between agonists and antagonists and possible relationships to biological functions.

Neuroblastoma cells were used to study the surface distribution and organization of opiate (enkephalin) receptors and the possible relevance of changes in these variables to biological functions. Opiate receptors readily form clusters that are visible by image-intensifier fluorescent microscopy and are localized on both the cell body and processes. These clusters do not become internalized even during prolonged incubation periods. The receptors appear to pre-exist largely in a diffuse state, with only a very small number pre-existing as clusters. The clusters are induced within 1 hr and they are stable for prolonged (7-9 hr) periods, even after removal of the receptor-bound ligand. Agonists and antagonists are both equally capable of inducing receptor clustering. However, the clusters induced by agonists are different from those induced by antagonists; the former can be dispersed by treatment with dithiothreitol. This dispersion requires removal of the receptor-bound agonist, indicating that the hormone protects or stabilizes disulfide bonds which are critical for maintenance of the clustered state. Pretreatment of cells with sulfhydryl-blocking reagents (iodoacetate, iodoacetamide, and N-ethylmaleimide) prevents cluster formation but does not alter the ability of agonists to inhibit adenylate cyclase [ATP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.1] activity. Neither the number nor the affinity of binding sites is altered by pretreatment with opiates. These studies suggest that at least the acute, immediate biological effects of opiates and enkephalins occur prior to and are independent of the formation of gross receptor clusters. The possible relationship of cluster formation to the actions of opiates remains to be determined.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Possible role of distinct morphine and enkephalin receptors in mediating actins of benzomorphan drugs (putative kappa and sigma agonists).

The binding of many opiates and enkephalins to enkephalin (delta) and morphine (mu) receptors was compared by using three different binding assays: (i) 125I-labeled[D-Ala2, D-Leu5]enkephalin or 125I-labeled[D-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Met(O)5ol]-enkephalin to brain membranes; (ii) [3H]ethylketocyclazocine to brain membranes; and (iii) [3H]diprenorphine and [3H]naloxone to neuroblastoma cell and brain membranes, respectively. According to their relative binding potencies and the effects of Na+ and GTP on the binding to these two receptors, opiates and enkephalins can be classified into seven classes: (i) morphine-type mu agonists; (ii) enkephalin-type delta agonists; (iii) mixed agonists-antagonists; (iv) putative kappa agonists; (v) putative sigma agonists; (vi) nalorphine-type antagonists; and (vii) opiate antagonists. Studies with [3H]ethylketocyclazocine do not reveal specific kappa receptors distinct from those already described that bind morphine and enkephalins. The benzomorphan analogs ketocyclazocine and ethylketocyclazocine (putative kappa agonists) and N-allylnormetazocine (putative sigma agonist) bind to morphine (mu) and enkephalin (delta) receptors with similarly high affinities. The potency of putative kappa agonists, measured by competition with binding of the 3H-labeled antagonist, is greatly reduced by the presence of Na+ and GTP; the "Na+ and GTP ratios" are similar to those of morphine and enkephalins. However, Na+ and GTP greatly decrease the potency of binding of putative sigma agonists to enkephalin receptors but only slightly decrease the binding to morphine receptors. These data suggest that putative kappa agonists have agonistic activity toward both receptors, whereas putative sigma agonists behave as agonists for enkephalin receptors but have antagonist activity for morphine receptors. Mixed agonist-antagonists also show smaller difference in affinity to both receptors. These findings may have important implications for understanding the differences in the pharmacological effects of these drugs.

Animals↗

Opiate (Enkephalin) receptors of neuroblastoma cells: occurrence in clusters on the cell surface.

A bioactive, fluorescent derivative of enkephalin, Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Leu-Lys-rhodamine, was used to determine the distribution of opiate receptors in living neuroblastoma cells. The receptors appeared in clusters on the cell surface, and no internalization was detected. No specific fluorescence or clusters were observed in the presence of [D-Ala2, Leu5]enkephalin or at 4 degrees C, and the clusters were much reduced under ionic conditions (that is, with 100 millimolars sodium) that specifically decrease the binding of opiate agonists.

Animals↗

Specific nonopiate receptors for beta-endorphin.

Iodinated beta H-[2-D-alanine]endorphin exhibits specific binding to cultured human lymphocytes. The binding is inhibited by low concentrations of beta-endorphin and its D-alanine derivative, but is not affected by opiate agonists and antagonists, or by enkephalin analogs, beta-lipotropin, adrenocorticotrophic hormone, or alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone; this suggests the existence of a specific, non-opiate binding site (receptor) for beta-endorphin. The carboxy-terminal region of beta-endorphin is essential for this binding activity, since alpha-endorphin is not active. beta-Endorphin may be a circulating hormone with peripheral physiological effects that are not primarily mediated through interactions with opiate or enkephalin receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Interaction of iodinated human [D-Ala2]beta-endorphin with opitate receptors.

The interaction of beta-endorphin with opiate receptors was studied by using the radioiodinated, metabolically stable D-Ala2 derivative of human beta-endorphin. This analog binds specifically to rat brain membrane preparations with an apparent Kd of about 2.5 x 10-9 M. The ability of various enkephalin analogs, as well as opiate agonists and antagonists, to inhibit the binding of beta-endorphin clearly demonstrates that this peptide can bind to opiate receptors. However, the effects of various cations on the binding of 125I-[D-Ala2]beta-endorphin are markedly different from those found for enkephalin binding. Sodium ion at physiological concentrations decreases substantially the binding of enkephalins but only slightly decreases endorphin binding, whereas manganese enhances enkephalin binding but has no effect on endorphin binding. Moreover, potassium (100 mM) decreases the binding of beta-endorphin but does not affect enkephalin binding. These results suggest that beta-endorphin and enkephalin bind differently to the same receptor or bind to different receptors with overlapping specificity.

Animals↗