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J F Battey

Publications and source records attributed to J F Battey.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Comparative pharmacology of the nonpeptide neuromedin B receptor antagonist PD 168368.

The mammalian peptide neuromedin B (NMB) and its receptor are expressed in a variety of tissues; however, little is definitively established about its physiological actions because of the lack of potent, specific antagonists. Recently, the peptoid PD 168368 was found to be a potent human NMB receptor antagonist. Because it had been shown previously that either synthetic analogs of bombesin (Bn) or other receptor peptoid or receptor antagonists function as an antagonist or agonist depends on animal species and receptor subtype studied, we investigated the pharmacological properties of PD 168368 compared with all currently known Bn receptor subtypes (NMB receptor, gastrin-releasing peptide receptor, Bn receptor subtype 3, and Bn receptor subtype 4) from human, mouse, rat, and frog. In binding studies, PD 168368 had similar high affinities (K(i) = 15-45 nM) for NMB receptors from each species examined, 30- to 60-fold lower affinity for gastrin-releasing peptide receptors, and >300-fold lower affinity for Bn receptor subtype 3 or 4. It inhibited NMB binding in a competitive manner. PD 168368 alone did not stimulate increases in either intracellular calcium concentration or [(3)H]inositol phosphates in any of the cells studied but inhibited NMB-induced responses with equivalent potencies in cells containing NMB receptors. PD 168368 was only minimally soluble in water. When hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin rather than dimethyl sulfoxide was used as the vehicle, both the affinity and the antagonist potency of PD 168368 were significantly greater. The results demonstrate that PD 168368 is a potent, competitive, and selective antagonist at NMB receptors, with a similar pharmacology across animal species. PD 168368 should prove useful for delineating the biological role of NMB and selectively blocking NMB signaling in bioassays and as a lead for the development of more selective nonpeptide antagonists for the NMB receptor.

3T3 Cells↗

Galpha14 and Galphaq mediate the response to trypsin in Xenopus oocytes.

Xenopus oocytes respond to trypsin with a characteristic chloride current, virtually indistinguishable from responses mediated by a large number of native and expressed G protein-coupled receptors. We studied the involvement of G proteins of the Galphaq family as possible mediators of this and other G protein-coupled receptor-mediated responses in Xenopus oocytes. We have cloned the third member of the Galphaq family, Xenopus Galpha14, in addition to the previously cloned Xenopus Galphaq and Galpha11 (Shapira, H., Way, J., Lipinsky, D., Oron, Y., and Battey, J. F. (1994) FEBS Lett. 348, 89-92). Amphibian Galpha14 is 354 amino acids long and is 93% identical to its mammalian counterpart. Based on the Galpha14 cDNA sequence, we designed a specific antisense DNA oligonucleotide (antiGalpha14) that, together with antiGalphaq and antiGalpha11, was used in antisense depletion experiments. 24 h after injection into oocytes, either antiGalphaq or antiGalpha14 reduced the response to 1 microg/ml trypsin by 70%, whereas antiGalpha11 had no effect. A mixture of antiGalphaq and antiGalpha14 virtually abolished the response. These data strongly suggest that Galphaq and Galpha14 are the exclusive mediators of the trypsin-evoked response in Xenopus oocytes. Similar experiments with the expressed gastrin-releasing peptide receptor and muscarinic m1 receptor revealed the coupling of Galphaq and Galpha11, but not Galpha14, to these receptors in oocytes. These results confirm the hypothesis that endogenous members of the Galphaq family discriminate among different native receptors in vivo.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Four amino acid residues are critical for high affinity binding of neuromedin B to the neuromedin B receptor.

Three mammalian bombesin receptor subtypes have been characterized: the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRP-R), the neuromedin B receptor (NMB-R), and bombesin receptor subtype 3 (BRS-3). In a previous report we identified four amino acids that are critical for high affinity binding of bombesin and gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) to the GRP-R. These four amino acids are conserved in all species variants of the GRP-R and NMB-R which bind bombesin with high affinity, but they are diverged in BRS-3, the bombesin receptor subtype that binds bombesin with much lower affinity. Substituting these four divergent amino acids in BRS-3 for the conserved amino acids in either GRP-R or NMB-R increased the affinity of the mutated BRS-3 (4DeltaBRS-3) for bombesin compared with wild-type BRS-3. We hypothesized that the same four amino acids might be critical for high affinity NMB binding to the NMB-R. In this study we confirm this hypothesis by showing that the affinity of NMB is increased in a mutant BRS-3 receptor (4DeltaBRS-3) that contains these four substitutions resulting in an affinity that is close to the affinity of wild-type NMB-R for NMB. In contrast, these four amino acid substitutions in BRS-3 did not result in the formation of a high affinity binding site for the recently described non-peptide NMB-R antagonist PD168368.

3T3 Cells↗

Ability of various bombesin receptor agonists and antagonists to alter intracellular signaling of the human orphan receptor BRS-3.

Bombesin (Bn) receptor subtype 3 (BRS-3) is an orphan receptor that is a predicted member of the heptahelical G-protein receptor family and so named because it shares a 50% amino acid homology with receptors for the mammalian bombesin-like peptides neuromedin B (NMB) and gastrin-releasing peptide. In a recent targeted disruption study, in which BRS-3-deficient mice were generated, the mice developed obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. To date, BRS-3's natural ligand remains unknown, its pharmacology unclear, and cellular basis of action undetermined. Furthermore, there are few tissues or cell lines found that express sufficient levels of BRS-3 protein for study. To define the intracellular signaling properties of BRS-3, we examined the ability of [D-Phe6,beta-Ala11,Phe13, Nle14]Bn-(6-14), a newly discovered peptide with high affinity for BRS-3, and various Bn receptor agonists and antagonists to alter cellular function in hBRS-3-transfected BALB 3T3 cells and hBRS-3-transfected NCI-H1299 non-small cell lung cancer cells, which natively express very low levels of hBRS-3. This ligand stimulated a 4-9-fold increase in [3H]inositol phosphate formation in both cell lines under conditions where it caused no stimulation in untransfected cells and also stimulated an increase in [3H]IP1, [3H]IP2, and 3H]IP3. The elevation of [3H]IP was concentration-dependent, with an EC50 of 20-35 nM in both cell lines. [D-Phe6,beta-Ala11,Phe13,Nle14]Bn-(6-14) stimulated a 2-3-fold increase in [Ca2+]i, a 3-fold increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(FAK) with an EC50 of 0.2-0.7 nM, but failed to either stimulate increases in cyclic AMP or inhibit forskolin-stimulated increases. None of nine naturally occurring Bn peptides or three synthetic Bn analogues reported to activate hBRS-3 did so with high affinity. No high affinity Bn receptor antagonists had high affinity for the hBRS-3 receptor, although two low affinity antagonists for gastrin-releasing peptide and NMB receptors, [D-Arg1,D-Trp7,9, Leu11]substance P and [D-Pro4,D-Trp7,9,10]substance P-(4-11), inhibited hBRS-3 receptor activation. The NMB receptor-specific antagonist D-Nal,Cys,Tyr,D-Trp,Lys,Val, Cys,Nal-NH2 inhibited hBRS-3 receptor activation in a competitive fashion (Ki = 0.5 microM). Stimulation of p125(FAK) tyrosine phosphorylation by hBRS-3 activation was not inhibited by the protein kinase C inhibitor, GF109203X, or thapsigargin, alone or in combination. These results show that hBRS-3 receptor activation increases phospholipase C activity, which causes generation of inositol phosphates and changes in [Ca2+]i and is also coupled to tyrosine kinase activation, but is not coupled to adenylate cyclase activation or inhibition. hBRS-3 receptor activation results in tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(FAK), and it is not dependent on activation of either limb of the phospholipase C cascade. Although the natural ligand is not a known bombesin-related peptide, the availability of [D-Phe6,beta-Ala11, Phe13,Nle14]Bn-(6-14), which functions as a high affinity agonist in conjunction with hBRS-3-transfected cell lines and the recognition of three classes of receptor antagonists including one with affinity of 0.5 microM, should provide important tools to assist in the identification of its natural ligand, the development of more potent selective receptor antagonists and agonists, and further exploration of the signaling properties of the hBRS-3 receptor.

3T3 Cells↗

Structure and chromosomal localization of the mouse bombesin receptor subtype 3 gene.

Bombesin (BN)-like peptides/neurotransmitters mediate a broad range of physiological funtions in the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system through binding to their specific, high-affinity mammalian bombesin receptors. This family of heptahelical, G-protein coupled receptors includes the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRP-R, or bb2), neuromedin B receptor (NMB-R, or bb1), and the bombesin receptor subtype 3 (BRS-3, or bb3). The tissue distribution of BRS-3 is quite dissimilar compared to the other two BN receptors, GRP-R and NMB-R, and a natural ligand for BRS-3 is currently unknown. Nothing is known about mechanisms regulating BRS-3 gene expression and possible association with disease. To gain insight into the underlying structure and chromosomal localization of the BRS-3 genes, bacteriophage P1 genomic clones, harboring the genes for the human and mouse BRS-3, respectively, were isolated and their structure and chromosomal localizations determined. The protein-coding region of both genes is divided into three exons and spans approximately 5kb. The loci of the BRS-3 genes were mapped to a syntenic region of the human (Xq25) and mouse (XA7.1-7.2) X-chromosome, respectively. The structural data of the BRS-3 genes derived from this study will permit future investigations of the mechanisms regulating their expression.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Loss of bombesin-induced feeding suppression in gastrin-releasing peptide receptor-deficient mice.

The gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRP-R) is one of three members of the mammalian bombesin subfamily of seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors that mediate diverse biological responses including secretion, neuromodulation, chemotaxis, and growth. The X chromosome-linked GRP-R gene is expressed widely during embryonic development and predominantly in gastrointestinal, neuronal, and neuroendocrine systems in the adult. Surprisingly, gene-targeted mice lacking a functional GRP-R gene develop and reproduce normally and show no gross phenotypic abnormalities. However, peripheral administration of bombesin at dosages up to 32 nmol/kg to such mice had no effect on the suppression of glucose intake, whereas normal mice showed a dose-dependent suppression of glucose intake. These data suggest that selective agonists for the GRP-R may be useful in inducing satiety.

Amylases↗

Identification of a unique ligand which has high affinity for all four bombesin receptor subtypes.

Four subtypes of bombesin receptors are identified (gastrin-releasing peptide receptor, neuromedin B receptor, the orphan receptor bombesin receptor subtype 3 (BB3 or BRS-3) and bombesin receptor subtype 4 (BB4)), however, only the pharmacology of the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor has been well studied. This lack of data is due in part to the absence of a general ligand. Recently we have discovered a ligand, 125I-[D-Tyr6,betaAla11,Phe13,Nle14]bombesin-(6-1 4) that binds to BRS-3 receptors. In this study we investigate its ability to interact with all four bombesin receptor subtypes. In rat pancreatic acini containing only gastrin-releasing peptide receptor and in BB4 transfected BALB cells, this ligand and 125I-[Tyr4]bombesin, the conventional gastrin-releasing peptide receptor ligand, gave similar results for receptor number, affinity for bombesin and affinity for the unlabeled ligand. In neuromedin B receptor transfected BALB cells, this ligand and 125I-[D-Tyr0]neuromedin B, the generally used neuromedin B receptor ligand, gave similar results for receptor number, neuromedin B affinity or the unlabeled ligand affinity. Lastly, in BRS-3 transfected BALB cells, only this ligand had high affinity. For all four bombesin receptors this ligand had an affinity of 1-8 nM and was equal or greater in affinity than any other specific ligands for any receptor. The unlabeled ligand is specific for gastrin-releasing peptide receptors on rat pancreatic acini and did not inhibit binding of 125I-cholecystokinin octapeptide (125I-CCK-8), 125I-vasoactive intestinal peptide (125I-VIP) or 125I-endothelin to their receptors. The unlabeled ligand was an agonist only at the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor in rat acini and did not interact with CCK(A) receptors or muscarinic M3 acetylcholine receptors to increase [3H]inositol phosphates. These results demonstrate 125I-[D-Tyr6,betaAla11,Phe13,Nle14]bombesin-(6-1 4) is a unique ligand with high affinity for all subtypes of bombesin receptors. Because of the specificity for bombesin receptors, this ligand will be a valuable addition for such pharmacological studies as screening for bombesin receptor agonists or antagonists and, in particular, for investigating BRS-3 cell biology, a receptor for which no ligand currently exists.

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A human gene encodes a putative G protein-coupled receptor highly expressed in the central nervous system.

The mammalian bombesin (Bn)-like neuropeptide receptors gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRP-R) and neuromedin B receptor (NMB-R) transduce a variety of physiological signals that regulate secretion, growth, muscle contraction, chemotaxis and neuromodulation. We have used reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to isolate a cDNA from human brain mRNA, GPCR/CNS, that encodes a putative G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) based upon the presence of the paradigmatic seven heptahelical transmembrane domains in its predicted amino acid sequence. Analysis of the deduced protein sequence of GPCR/CNS reveals this putative receptor to be 98% identical to the deduced amino acid sequence of a recently reported gene product and minimally identical (approximately 23%) to both murine GRP-R and human endothelin-B (ET-B) receptor. Our deduced protein sequence differs at 12 positions, scattered throughout the open reading frame, relative to the original sequence. A 3.7 kb GPCR/CNS mRNA species is expressed in vivo in a tissue-specific manner, with highest levels detected in brain and spinal cord, lower levels found in testis, placenta and liver, but no detectable expression observed in any other tissue. Analysis of GPCR/CNS genomic clones reveals that the human gene contains one intron that is about 21 kb in length that divides the coding region into two exons and maps to human chromosome 7q31. No specific binding is observed with either a newly identified ligand (DTyr6, beta Ala11, Phe13, Nle14]Bn-(6-14)) having high affinity for all Bn receptor subtypes or Bn after GPCR/CNS is stably expressed in fibroblasts. No elevation in inositol trisphosphate is observed after the application of micromolar levels of either DPhe6, beta Ala11, Phe13, Nle14]Bn-(6-14) or Bn, a concentration of agonist known to activate all four known Bn receptor subtypes. When GPCR/CNS is expressed in Xenopus oocytes, no activation of the calcium-dependent chloride channel is detected despite the addition of micromolar levels of Bn peptide agonists. We conclude that the natural ligand for this receptor is none of the known naturally occurring Bn-like peptides and the true agonist for GPCR/CNS remains to be elucidated.

3T3 Cells↗

Correlation of expression of bombesin-like peptides and receptors with growth inhibition by an anti-bombesin antibody in small-cell lung cancer cell lines.

The murine anti-bombesin monoclonal antibody, 2A11, has been demonstrated to inhibit growth of some small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells in nude mice xenografts and in a clinical trial. To determine if the expression of bombesin-like peptides (BLP) and their receptors (GRP-R and NMB-R) correlate with an in vitro response to 2A11, we measured these parameters in seven SCLC cell lines. Gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) mRNA was detected in three of seven cell lines (NCI-H69, NCI-H345, NCI-H510) and neuromedin B (NMB) mRNA was detected in all seven lines using an RNase protection assay (RPA). Immunoreactive BLP was detected in the cell pellets of all lines (range 0.11-59.90 pmol/mg protein) by a solid phase GRP radioimmunoassay (RIA) using 125I-labeled 2A11. RPA detected GRP-receptor mRNA in two cell lines (NCI-H69 and NCI-H345) and NMB-receptor in three lines (NCI-H345, NCI-H510, and NCI-H660). Reverse transcriptase-PCR confirmed the presence of receptor mRNA in these lines and detected NMB-receptor in an additional three lines (NCI-H69, NCI-H82, and NCI-H187). Calcium mobilization in response to BLP stimulation was detected in the six cell lines expressing either GRP-R or NMB-R mRNA but not in NCI-N417, which had no detectable BLP-receptor. 2A11 (5 microg/ml) inhibited colony formation by 26-61% after 2 weeks in all cell lines except NCI-N417. Thus, growth inhibition by 2A11 requires the presence of at least one BLP-receptor. These findings may be useful in selecting patients with SCLC for treatment with 2A11.

Animals↗

Mapping and characterization of a novel cochlear gene in human and in mouse: a positional candidate gene for a deafness disorder, DFNA9.

Previously we identified a partial human cDNA for a novel cochlear transcript, hCoch-5B2 (HGMW-approved symbol D14S564E), using subtractive hybridization techniques. Herein we report isolation and characterization of both human and mouse (D12H14S564E) cDNAs for Coch-5B2. Full-length Coch5B2 deduced amino acid sequences reveal a very high degree of conservation in the coding region (89% nucleotide and 94% amino acid identity and a potential signal peptide and two regions of extensive homology to the collagen-binding type A domains of von Willebrand factor, also present in other secreted proteins, including extracellular matrix components. High levels of hCoch-5B2 expression are seen only in human fetal inner ear structures, cochlea, and vestibule, among a large panel of human fetal and adult tissues. Coch-5B2 expression in the mouse is more widespread than in the human, with message detected in mouse adult spleen, cerebrum, cerebellum/medulla, and thymus. In both species very low level expression is detected in total eye. More specifically, mouse retina shows a higher level of mCoch-5B2 message than sclera and choroid. We have mapped hCoch-5B2 to human 14q11.2-q13 by somatic cell hybrid analysis and FISH and, more precisely, using radiation hybrids to a region of markers linked to DFNA9, a nonsyndromic autosomal dominant sensorineural hearing loss with vestibular defects. Furthermore, we detect hCoch-5B2 on three overlapping YACs, two of which also contain one of the markers linked to DFNA9. mCoch-5B2 was genetically mapped in the mouse to chromosome 12, in a region of homologous synteny with human 14q11.2-q13, which contains the asp1 (audiogenic seizure prone) locus in the mouse.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Discovery of a high affinity radioligand for the human orphan receptor, bombesin receptor subtype 3, which demonstrates that it has a unique pharmacology compared with other mammalian bombesin receptors.

An orphan receptor discovered in 1993 was called bombesin receptor subtype 3 (BRS-3) because of 47-51% amino acid identity with bombesin (Bn) receptors. Its pharmacology is unknown, because no naturally occurring tissues have sufficient receptors to allow studies. We made two cell lines stably expressing the human BRS-3 (hBRS-3). hBRS-3 was overexpressed in the human non-small cell lung cancer cells, NCI-H1299, and the other was made in Balb 3T3 cells, which lack endogenous BRS-3. [D-Phe6,beta-Ala11,Phe13, Nle14]Bn-(6-14) (where Nle represents norleucine) was discovered to have high potency for stimulating inositol phosphate formation in both cell lines. [125I-D-Tyr6,beta-Ala11,Phe13, Nle14]Bn-(6-14) bound to both cell lines with high affinity. Neither Bn nor 14 other naturally occurring Bn peptides bound to hBRS-3 with a Kd <1000 nM. Twenty-six synthetic peptides that are high affinity agonists or antagonists at other bombesin receptors had an affinity >1000 nM. Guanosine 5'-(beta,gamma-imido)triphosphate inhibited binding to both cells due to a change in receptor affinity. These results demonstrate hBRS-3 has a unique pharmacology. It does not interact with high affinity with any known natural agonist or high affinity antagonist of the Bn receptor family, suggesting the natural ligand is either an undiscovered member of the Bn peptide family or an unrelated peptide. The availability of these cell lines and the hBRS-3 ligand should facilitate identification of the natural ligand for BRS-3, its pharmacology, and cell biology.

3T3 Cells↗

Identification of four amino acids in the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor that are required for high affinity agonist binding.

The bombesin family of G-protein-coupled receptors includes the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRP-R), the neuromedin B receptor (NMB-R), bombesin receptor subtype 3 (BRS-3), and bombesin receptor subtype 4 (bb4). All species homologues of GRP-R, NMB-R, and bb4 bind bombesin with dissociation constants in the nanomolar range; by comparison, human BRS-3 binds bombesin at much lower affinity (Kd >> 1 microM). We used this difference to help identify candidate residues that were potentially critical for forming the bombesin binding pocket. We reasoned that amino acids essential for bombesin binding would be conserved among all homologues of bb4, NMB-R, and GRP-R; conversely, at least one of these amino acids would not be conserved among homologues of BRS-3. Amino acid sequence alignment revealed nine residues that fit this model. We replaced each of these amino acids in mouse GRP-R with the homologous amino acid in human BRS-3. Four substitutions resulted in a significant decrease in bombesin affinity (R288H, Q121R, P199S, and A308S). The analogous mutations in BRS-3 (R127Q, H294R, S205P, and S315A) together resulted in a receptor with a 100-fold increase in bombesin and GRP affinities relative to wild-type BRS-3. From this, we propose a preliminary map of some of the amino acids comprising the agonist binding pocket.

3T3 Cells↗

Selective reconstitution of gastrin-releasing peptide receptor with G alpha q.

Identification of the molecular mechanisms that determine specificity of coupling interactions between gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRPrs) and their cognate heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins is a fundamental step in understanding the signal transduction cascade initiated by receptor-ligand interaction. To explore these mechanisms in greater detail, we have developed an in situ reconstitution assay in chaotrope-extracted membranes from mouse fibroblasts expressing the GRPr, and we have used it to measure GRPr-catalyzed binding of GTP gamma S to purified G protein alpha subunits. Binding studies with 125I-labeled [D-Tyr6]bombesin(6-13) methyl ester (125I-Tyr-ME), a GRPr specific antagonist, show a single binding site with a Kd = 1.4 nM +/- 0.4 (mean +/- SD, n = 3) and capacity of 15-22 pmol of receptor per mg of protein in the extracted membrane preparations, representing a 2- to 3-fold enrichment of binding sites compared with the membranes before extraction. Quantitative ligand displacement analysis using various unlabeled GRPr agonists shows a rank order of potency characteristic of the GRPr: bombesin > or = GRP > > neuromedin B. Reconstitution of urea extracted membranes with a purified G alpha q showed that receptor-catalyzed binding of GTP gamma S was dependent on agonist (GRP) and G beta gamma subunits. The EC50 for GRP was 3.5 nM, which correlates well with the reported Kd of 3.1 nM for GRP binding to GRPr expressed in mouse fibroblasts [Benya, R. V., et al. (1994) Mol. Pharmacol. 46, 235-245]. The apparent Kd for bovine brain G beta gamma in this assay was 60 nM, and the Km for squid retinal G alpha q was 90 nM. The GRPr-catalyzed binding of GTP gamma S is selective for G alpha q, since we did not detect receptor-catalyzed exchange using either G alpha i/o or G alpha t. These data demonstrate that GRPr can functionally couple to G alpha q but not to the pertussis toxin-sensitive G alpha i/o or retinal specific G alpha t. This in situ receptor reconstitution method will allow molecular characterization of G protein coupling to other heptahelical receptors.

3T3 Cells↗

Inhibition of protein synthesis in small cell lung cancer cells induced by the diphtheria toxin-related fusion protein DAB389 GRP.

DAB389 GRP is composed of the catalytic and transmembrane domains of diphtheria toxin fused to gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP). DAB389 GRP is selectively targeted to, and inhibits protein synthesis in, cell lines expressing GRP receptors. Protein synthesis in 5'ET4 cells (BALB/3T3 fibroblasts transfected with the gene encoding the GRP receptor) was inhibited by 50% in the presence of 20 pM DAB389 GRP (IC50, 20 pM). DAB389 GRP did not inhibit protein synthesis in untransfected BALB/3T3 cells. A second neuropeptide-conjugated toxin, DAB389 SP, directed to cells expressing substance P receptors, was not cytotoxic to 5'ET4 cells, nor was DAB389 GRP cytotoxic to substance P receptor-bearing cells. DAB389 GRP cytotoxic effects were receptor specific and were inhibited either by excess GRP or anti-GRP antibody. Cytotoxicity was mediated by passage through an acidic vesicle, because addition of 10 microM chloroquine to the reaction inhibited cytotoxicity. DAB389 GRP and DAB389 SP were tested on a number of tumor cell lines. DAB389 GRP inhibited protein synthesis in AR42J rat pancreatic acinar cells and HuTu 80 human duodenal adenocarcinoma cells with IC50s of 65 and 200 pM, respectively. DAB389 SP had an IC50 of 9.5 pM for the AR42J cells and 12 nM for the HuTu 80 cell line. A number of small cell lung cancer cell (SCLC) lines were tested, and the IC50 for DAB389 GRP ranged from 1.1 to 85 nM. Sensitivity to DAB389 GRP appeared to be based on receptor number and receptor type (i.e., GRP or neuromedin B preferring). SCLC cells were also sensitive to DAB389 SP, with IC50s ranging from 2.4 to 11.5 nM. These results suggest that a potential use exists for diphtheria-based fusion toxins as therapeutic agents for treatment of SCLC and other neuropeptide receptor-bearing cancers.

3T3 Cells↗

Effect of gastrin-releasing peptide receptor number on receptor affinity, coupling, degradation, and modulation.

The relationship between receptor number and agonist-induced intracellular responses has been well studied in receptors coupled to adenylate cyclase; however, for receptors coupled to phospholipase C (PLC), very little is known about the effect of receptor number on receptor-mediated processes. To explore this issue, we investigated the effect of the number of receptors for gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) on ligand affinity and on the ability to activate intracellular messengers [PLC, tyrosine phosphorylation of p125 focal adhesion kinase (p125FAK)] and cause receptor modulation (internalization, desensitization, down-regulation) and ligand degradation. Three BALB 3T3 cell lines were made that stably expressed the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRP-R) with receptor numbers varying by 280-fold (GRP-R-Low, GRP-R-Med, and GRP-R-Hi). Each cell line had the same affinity for agonist. The efficacy for bombesin to increase [3H]inositol phosphates but not tyrosine phosphorylation of p125FAK correlated well with receptor number. In contrast, the EC50 value for [3H]inositol phosphate generation for bombesin was the same in each cell line. Receptor number did not alter internalization. In the absence of protease inhibitors, there was an inverse correlation between receptor number and receptor down-regulation and desensitization. However, with protease inhibitors present, GRP-R-Med and GRP-R-Hi down-regulated significantly less than the GRP-R-Low. Similarly, GRP-R-Low desensitized significantly more than GRP-R-Med or GRP-R-Hi. GRP-R-Hi caused significantly greater ligand degradation than GRP-R-Low, and protease inhibitors completely inhibited degradation by GRP-R-Low and inhibited degradation by 70% for GRP-R-Hi. In conclusion, we show that for the PLC-coupled GRP-R, receptor number had little or no effect on binding affinity, potency for activating PLC, tyrosine phosphorylation of p125FAK, or extent of receptor internalization. In contrast, receptor number had an effect on ligand degradation, down-regulation, desensitization, and efficacy of PLC activation without altering the efficacy of tyrosine phosphorylation of p125FAK. These results demonstrate that the effect of receptor number differs for the different functions mediated by the GRP receptor and differs from that reported for adenylate cyclase-coupled receptors such as receptors mediating the action of adrenergic agents, secretin, and opioids.

3T3 Cells↗

Bombesin receptor structure and expression in human lung carcinoma cell lines.

Mammalian bombesin-like peptides gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and neuromedin B (NMB) are regulatory neuropeptides involved in numerous physiologic processes, and have been implicated as autocrine and/or paracrine growth factors in human lung carcinoma. Three structurally and pharmacologically distinct bombesin receptor subtypes have been isolated and characterized: the gastrin releasing peptide receptor (GRP-R), the neuromedin B receptor (NMB-R), and bombesin receptor subtype-3 (BRS-3). The three receptors are structurally related, sharing about 50% amino acid identity. They are members of the G-protein coupled receptor superfamily with a seven predicted transmembrane segment topology characteristic of receptors in this family. The signal transduction pathway for GRP-R and NMB-R involves coupling to a pertussis-toxin insensitive G-protein, activation of phospholipase C (PLC), generation of inositol trisphosphate (IP3), release of intracellular calcium, and activation of protein kinase C. While all three bombesin receptors are activated by bombesin agonists, GRP-R, NMB-R, and BRS-3 have very different affinities for the mammalian bombesin-like peptides GRP and NMB, as well as bombesin receptor antagonists. The three bombesin receptor subtypes are expressed in an overlapping subset of human lung carcinoma cell lines. Any therapeutic strategy based on modulation of bombesin growth responses in human lung carcinoma would be well served to take into account the pharmacologic heterogeneity of the relevant receptors.

3T3 Cells↗

Mechanisms of bombesin on growth of gastrinoma (PT) in vivo.

The growth of the human gastrinoma model (PT) in athymic nude mice is stimulated by bombesin (BBS), an amphibian peptide homologous to both human gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and neuromedin B (NMB). The mechanism is not known, and a potent and specific GRP-R antagonist BIM26226, which has low affinity for NMB-R, was used in vivo in athymic nude mice bearing gastrinoma subcutaneously. Both the BBS and BIM26226 stimulated the growth of PT, and the growth stimulation was even greater when given together. RT-PCR study of gastrinoma revealed the presence of both GRP-R and NMB-R mRNA, but much more abundant NMB-R mRNA. We conclude that BBS-stimulated growth of gastrinoma involves both GRP-R and NMB-R, and our findings suggest that GRP-R mediates negative and NMB-R produces positive growth effects on gastrinoma.

Animals↗