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X D Ji

Publications and source records attributed to X D Ji.

47 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Characterization of human striatal A2-adenosine receptors using radioligand binding and photoaffinity labeling.

The adenosine agonist [3H]CGS21680 (2-[4-[[2-carboxyethyl]phenyl]ethylamino]-5'- N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine) bound to A2 receptors in human striatal membranes with a Kd of 17.8 +/- 1.1 nM and a Bmax of 313 +/- 10 fmol/mg protein. The addition of 100 microM GTP diminished both the affinity of agonist radioligand for A2 adenosine binding sites and the total binding, resulting in Kd and Bmax values of 28.6 +/- 1.0 nM and 185 +/- 22 fmol/mg of protein. Adenosine ligands competed for [3H]CGS21680 with the expected potency order. The adenosine antagonist [3H]XAC (8-[4-[[[[(2-aminoethyl)-amino]carbonyl]methyl] oxy]phenyl]-1,3-dipropylxanthine), although A1-selective in the rat, binds to human striatal A2 receptors with high affinity. 25 nM CPX (8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine), an A1-selective antagonist, was added to the incubation medium and effectively eliminated 91% of [3H]XAC (1 nM) binding to human A1 receptors, yet preserved 90% of binding to A2 receptors. [3H]XAC exhibited saturable, specific binding (50% of total) to A2 sites with a Kd of 2.98 +/- 0.54 nM and a Bmax of 0.71 +/- 0.23 pmol/mg protein (25 degrees C, non-specific binding defined with 100 microM NECA). The potency order for antagonists against 1 nM [3H]XAC was CGS15943A greater than XAC approximately PD115,119 greater than PAPA-XAC greater than CPX greater than HTQZ approximately XCC approximately CP-66,713 greater than theophylline approximately caffeine, indicative of an A2-type binding site. A2a-receptors were found to be present in the human cortex, albeit at a much lower density than in the striatum. Photoaffinity labeling using 125I-PAPA-APEC revealed a molecular weight of 45K, but proteolytic cleavage was observed, resulting in fragments of MW 43K and 37K. In the absence of proteolytic inhibitors the 37K fragment, which still bound 125I-PAPA-APEC, was predominant.

Adenosine↗

Chemical modification and irreversible inhibition of striatal A2a adenosine receptors.

The ligand recognition site of A2a-adenosine receptors in rabbit striatal membranes was probed using non-site-directed labeling reagents and specific affinity labels. Exposure of membranes to diethylpyrocarbonate at a concentration of 2.5 mM, followed by washing, was found to inhibit the binding of [3H]CGS 21680 and [3H]xanthine amine congener to A2a receptors, by 86 and 30%, respectively. Protection from diethylpyrocarbonate inactivation by an adenosine receptor agonist, 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine, and an antagonist, theophylline, suggested the presence of two histidyl residues on the receptor, one associated with agonist binding and the other with antagonist binding. Binding of [3H]CGS 21680 or [3H]xanthine amine congener was partially restored after incubation with 250 mM hydroxylamine, further supporting histidine as the modification site. Preincubation with disulfide-reactive reagents, dithiothreitol or sodium dithionite, at greater than 5 mM inhibited radioligand binding, indicating the presence of essential disulfide bridges in A2a receptors, whereas the concentration of mercaptoethanol required to inhibit binding was greater than 50 mM. A number of isothiocyanate-bearing affinity labels derived from the A2a-selective agonist 2-[(2-aminoethylamino) carbonylethylphenylethylamino]-5'-N- ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (APEC) were synthesized and found to inhibit A2a receptor binding in rabbit and bovine striatal membranes. Binding to rabbit A1 receptors was not inhibited. Preincubation with the affinity label 4-isothiocyanatophenylaminothiocarbonyl-APEC (100 nM) diminished the Bmax for [3H]CGS 21680 binding by 71%, and the Kd was unaffected, suggesting a direct modification of the ligand binding site. Reversal of 4-isothiocyanatophenylaminothiocarbonyl-APEC inhibition of [3H]CGS 21680 binding with hydroxylamine suggested that the site of modification by the isothiocyanate is a cysteine residue. A bromoacetyl derivative of APEC was ineffective as an affinity label at submicromolar concentrations.

Adenosine↗

Stable isotope-labeled tryptophan as a precursor for studying the disposition of quinolinic acid in rabbits.

The utility of stable isotope-labeled tryptophan as a precursor for studying the disposition of quinolinic acid was investigated. TRP-D5 at doses of 50, 25 or 10 mg/kg was administered to rabbits. Blood and CSF samples were taken for up to 6 hours. There was no loss of deuterium from the tryptophan and the specifically tri-deuterated quinolinic acid measured in plasma and CSF. CSF levels of QUIN-D3 remained elevated 6 hours following TRP-D5 administration. Further studies of the CNS disposition of quinolinic acid and other metabolites of the kynurenine pathway employing stable isotope-labeled tryptophan as precursor at appropriate doses and with extended sampling are in progress.

Animals↗

The study on transgenic mice.

The structural gene coding for human growth hormone (hGH) was fused to the promoter of the mouse gene for metallothionein-1. These fusion genes were introduced into pronuclei of the fertilized eggs of mice by micro-injection. We have injected MT-hGH genes into 121 mouse eggs which were transferred into the oviducts of eleven pseudo-mothers. Seven out of eleven mothers gave birth. Forty-three litters were born. These litters were grown-up and their tails were cut for isolating the DNA. The DNA of each mouse was examined by dot hybridization and Southern blotting. We found that eighteen mice had incorporated the fusion genes and grew larger than control mice. Synthesis of human growth hormone was induced further by zinc, which normally induces metallothionein gene expression. We also isolated the RNA from the livers of transgenic mice. The RNA was hybridized with hGH gene. It showed that on the transcription level the hGH gene was transcribed into mRNA in the transgenic mice. Using the same method to examine the second and third generation of the transgenic mice, we found that the incorporated gene could be inherited for generations. But the body-weight of transgenic mice appeared to decrease in the progeny. The offspring obtained from different combinations of parents (carrying or not carrying hGH gene) were different.

Animals↗

Agonist derived molecular probes for A2 adenosine receptors.

The adenosine agonist 2-(4-(2-carboxyethyl)phenylethylamino)-5'-N- ethylcarboxamidoadenos ine (CGS21680) was recently reported to be selective for the A2 adenosine receptor subtype, which mediates its hypotensive action. To investigate structure/activity relationships at a distal site, CGS21680 was derivatized using a functionalized congener approach. The carboxylic group of CGS21680 has been esterified to form a methyl ester, which was then treated with ethylenediamine to produce an amine congener. The amine congener was an intermediate for acylation reactions, in which the reactive acyl species contained a reported group, or the precursor for such. For radioiodination, derivatives of p-hydroxyphenylpropionic, 2-thiophenylacetic, and p-aminophenylacetic acids were prepared. The latter derivative (PAPA-APEC) was iodinated electrophilically using [125I]iodide resulting in a radioligand which was used for studies of competition of binding to striatal A2 adenosine receptors in bovine brain. A biotin conjugate and an aryl sulfonate were at least 350-fold selective for A2 receptors. For spectroscopic detection, a derivative of the stable free radical tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO) was prepared. For irreversible inhibition of receptors, meta- and para-phenylenediisothiocyanate groups were incorporated in the analogs. We have demonstrated that binding at A2 receptors is relatively insensitive to distal structural changes at the 2-position, and we report high affinity molecular probes for receptor characterization by radioactive, spectroscopic and affinity labelling methodology.

Adenosine↗

Trifunctional agents as a design strategy for tailoring ligand properties: irreversible inhibitors of A1 adenosine receptors.

The 1,3-phenylene diisothiocyanate conjugate of XAC (8-[4-[[[[(2-aminoethyl)amino]carbonyl]methyl]- oxy]phenyl]-1,3-dipropylxanthine, a potent A1 selective adenosine antagonist) has been characterized as an irreversible inhibitor of A1 adenosine receptors. To further extend this work, a series of analogues were prepared containing a third substituent in the phenyl isothiocyanate ring, incorporated to modify the physiochemical or spectroscopic properties of the conjugate. Symmetrical trifunctional cross-linking reagents bearing two isothiocyanate groups were prepared as general intermediates for cross-linking functionalized congeners and receptors. Xanthine isothiocyanate derivatives containing hydrophilic, fluorescent, or reactive substituents, linked via an amide, thiourea, or methylene group in the 5-position, were synthesized and found to be irreversible inhibitors of A1 adenosine receptors. The effects of the 5-substituent on water solubility and on the A1/A2 selectivity ratio derived from binding assays in rat brain membranes were examined. Inhibition of binding of [3H]-N6-(2-phenylisopropyl)-adenosine and [3H] CGS21680 (2-[2-[4-carboxyethyl)phenyl]ethyl]amino] adenosine-5'-N-ethylcarboxamide) at central A1 and A2 adenosine receptors, respectively, was measured. A conjugate of XAC and 1,3,5-triisothiocyanatobenzene was 894-fold selective for A1 receptors. Reporter groups, such as fluorescent dyes and a spin-label, were included as chain substituents in the irreversible binding analogues, which were designed for spectroscopic assays, histochemical characterization, and biochemical characterization of the receptor protein.

Adenosine↗

"Cleavable trifunctional" approach to receptor affinity labeling: chemical regeneration of binding to A1-adenosine receptors.

A general approach for reversible affinity labeling of receptors has been developed. The objective is to carry out a series of chemical modifications resulting in a covalently-modified, yet functionally-regenerated, receptor protein that also may contain a reporter group. The ligand recognition site of A1-adenosine receptors in bovine brain membranes was probed to demonstrated the feasibility of this approach. Use of disulfide or ester linkages, intended for cleavage by exposure of the labeled receptor to either reducing reagents or hydroxylamine, respectively, was considered. Binding of the antagonist radioligand [3H]CPX was preserved following incubation of the native receptor with 3 M hydroxylamine, while binding was inhibited by the reducing reagent dithiothreitol (DTT) with an IC50 of 0.29 M. Hydroxylamine displaced specific agonist ([3H]PIA) binding in a noncovalent manner. Specific affinity labels containing reactive isothiocyanate groups were synthesized from XCC (8-[4-](carboxymethyl)-oxy]phenyl]-1,3-dipropylxanthine) and shown to bind irreversibly to A1-receptors. The ligands were structurally similar to previously reported xanthine inhibitors (e.g., DITC-XAC: (1989) J. Med. Chem. 32, 1043) except that either a disulfide linkage or an ester linkage was incorporated in the chain between the pharmacophore and the isothiocyanate-substituted ring. These groups were intended for chemical cleavage by thiols or hydroxylamine, respectively. Radioligand binding to A1-receptors was inhibited by these reactive xanthines in a manner that was not reversed by repeated washing. Hydroxylamine or DTT restored a significant fraction of the binding of [3H]CPX in A1-receptors inhibited by the appropriate cleavable xanthine isothiocyanate derivative.

Affinity Labels↗

Ribose modified nucleosides and nucleotides as ligands for purine receptors.

Molecular modeling of receptors for adenosine and nucleotide (P2) receptors with docked ligand, based on mutagenesis, was carried out. Adenosine 3',5'-bisphosphate derivatives act as selective P2Y1 antagonists/partial agonists. The ribose moiety was replaced with carbocyclics, smaller and larger rings, conformationally constrained rings, and acyclics, producing compounds that retained receptor affinity. Conformational constraints were built into the ribose rings of nucleoside and nucleotide ligands using the methanocarba approach, i.e. fused cyclopropane and cyclopentane rings in place of ribose, suggesting a preference for the Northern (N) conformation among ligands for P2Y1 and A1 and A3ARs.

Animals↗