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Identification of muscarinic receptor subtypes of cultured smooth muscle cells and tissue of human bladder body.

BACKGROUND: Muscarinic receptor subtypes of cultured smooth muscle cells from the human bladder body were investigated by the receptor binding assay method. The result was compared with that obtained from the human bladder body tissue to confirm whether the receptor subtypes of the cells are not changed after several passages of cell culture. METHODS: Inhibitory effects of various muscarinic antagonists on the binding of [3H]-N-methylscopolamine ([3H]-NMS) to membrane preparations obtained from cultured smooth muscle cells from the fourth subculture of the human bladder body were compared with those prepared from the human bladder body tissue and cells expressing human muscarinic receptor subtypes. RESULTS: Binding-inhibition constants (pKi) for atropine, pirenzepine, methoctramine, 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide (4-DAMP), oxybutynin and propiverine obtained from membrane preparations of cultured smooth muscle cells were 8.91, 6.35, 8.24, 8.53, 7.29 and 5.61, respectively. pKi values of these muscarinic receptor antagonists against the membrane preparation of human bladder body tissue were 9.08, 6.66, 8.05, 8.79, 7.53 and 6.04, respectively. pKi values of cultured smooth muscle cells and tissue from human bladder body were correlated closely with those of insect cells expressing the cloned human M2 receptor subtype. CONCLUSION: The binding affinities for various muscarinic receptor antagonists of cultured human smooth muscle cells were maintained through the fourth subculture and it was suggested that the M2 receptor subtype is predominantly expressed in cultured smooth muscle cells of human bladder body as well as in tissue of the human bladder body.

Cells, Cultured↗

Somatostatin receptor subtypes sst1 and sst2 elicit opposite effects on the response to glutamate of mouse hypothalamic neurones: an electrophysiological and single cell RT-PCR study.

We have previously shown that somatostatin can either enhance or decrease AMPA/kainate receptor-mediated responses to glutamate in mouse-dissociated hypothalamic neurones grown in vitro. To investigate whether this effect is due to differential activation of somatostatin (SRIF) receptor subtypes, we compared modulation of the response to glutamate by SRIF with that induced by CH-275 and octreotide, two selective agonists of sst1 and sst2/sst5 receptors, respectively. Somatostatin either significantly decreased (49%) or increased (30%) peak currents induced by glutamate, and was ineffective in the remaining cells. Only the decreased response was obtained with octreotide, whereas only increased responses were elicited by CH-275 (47 and 35% of the tested cells, respectively). Mean amplitude variations under somatostatin or octreotide on the one hand, and under somatostatin or CH-275 on the other hand, were equivalent. Pertussis toxin pretreatment significantly decreased the number of cells inhibited by somatostatin or octreotide, but had no effect on the frequency of neurones showing increased sensitivity to glutamate during somatostatin or CH-275 application. About half of the neurones tested by single cell reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) expressed only one sst receptor (sst1 in 26% and sst2 in 22% of studied cells). Out of the remaining neurones, 34% displayed neither sst1 nor sst2 mRNAs, whereas 18% showed a simultaneous expression of both mRNA subtypes. Expression of sst1 or sst2 mRNA subtypes matched totally with the effects of somatostatin on sensitivity to glutamate in 79% of the neurones processed for PCR after recordings. These data show that pertussis toxin-insensitive activation of the sst1 receptor subtype mediates somatostatin-induced increase in sensitivity to glutamate, whereas decrease in the response to glutamate is linked to pertussis toxin-sensitive activation of the sst2 receptor subtype.

6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione↗

Expression of somatostatin receptor subtypes in cultured astrocytes and gliomas.

Expression of receptors for the neuropeptide somatostatin was investigated in vitro in rat and human astrocytes, glioma cell lines, and solid human glial tumors that were all immunopositive for the astrocytic marker glial fibrillary acidic protein. After affinity labelling with a peptide-gold conjugate of known biological activity, somatostatin-binding sites could be visualized at the light-and electron-microscopic level on the surface of glial cells. Glioma cells were generally labeled more strongly than were normal astrocytes and preferentially bound the ligand at their processes and not at their somata as were normal cells. Somatostatin transmembrane receptor (SSTR) subtype expression was probed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction: In rat and human cortical astrocytes and in one glioma cell line (U 118), a pattern of three subtypes (SSTR-1, SSTR-2, and SSTR-4) was detected, whereas, in all other glioma cell lines and in six solid glial tumors investigated, the SSTR-2 subtype was relatively stronger, expressed either alone or in combination with SSTR-1; sometimes SSTR-3 or SSTR-4 was demonstrated in clearly reduced amounts. In astrocytes and gliomas, somatostatin reduced the levels of cyclic AMP elicited by the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin indicating that at least one of the receptor subtypes is negatively linked to adenylate cyclase. In contrast to other cell types, somatostatin did not inhibit the basal or the fetal calf serum-stimulated proliferation of astrocytes, glioma cell lines, or glial tumors in culture. Thus, strong SSTR-2 subtype expression characterizes glial tumors, but somatostatin is ineffective in inhibiting their growth.

Animals↗

Molecular cloning of alpha 1d-adrenergic receptor and tissue distribution of three alpha 1-adrenergic receptor subtypes in mouse.

A partial cDNA encoding most of the third intracellular loop of the mouse alpha 1d-adrenergic receptor subtype was amplified from hippocampus by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using degenerate oligodeoxynucleotide primers. This DNA fragment was used as a probe to isolate an alpha 1d-adrenergic receptor cDNA from a mouse brain cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequence encodes a potential protein of 562 amino acids, and northern hybridization of poly(A)+ RNA isolated from mouse brain detected a single 3.0-kb transcript. Partial cDNA fragments of the alpha 1b- and alpha 1a-adrenergic receptor subtypes were also amplified from mouse brain and sequenced. Analysis of the mRNA expression by RT-PCR indicated that the alpha 1-adrenergic receptors are widely distributed in mouse tissues. The alpha 1d subtype is expressed in brain areas such as hippocampus, striatum, and brainstem and also in many extracerebral tissues, such as lung, liver, heart, kidney, and spleen. The alpha 1a subtype is also expressed in many tissues, whereas the alpha 1b subtype has a more restricted expression, with high levels in striatum, brainstem, and diencephalus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Dopamine-dependent responses to cocaine depend on corticotropin-releasing factor receptor subtypes.

The effects on locomotor response to cocaine challenge, acquisition of cocaine conditioned place preference and cocaine-induced dopamine (DA) release in nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area by the non-specific corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptors antagonist alpha-helical CRF, the selective CRF receptor subtype 1 antagonist CP-154,526 and the selective CRF receptor subtype 2 antagonist anti-sauvagine-30 (AS-30) were investigated in rats. Both alpha-helical CRF (10 microg, i.c.v.) and CP-154,526 (3 microg, i.c.v.) decreased the cocaine-induced distance travelled, whereas AS-30 (3 microg, i.c.v.) did not show such an effect. The CRF receptor antagonists also have significant effects on stereotype counts induced by cocaine injection, in which the alpha-helical CRF or CP-154,526 but not AS-30 did significantly reduce the stereotype counts. alpha-Helical CRF (10 microg) prior to each injection of cocaine blocked cocaine conditioned place preference with no significant difference observed in the time spent in the drug-paired side between post- and pre-training and both 1 and 3 microg CP-154,526 also had significant inhibitory effects on cocaine-induced place preference. However, pre-treatment with an i.c.v. infusion of AS-30 (1 or 3 microg) prior to each injection of cocaine did not affect the acquisition of conditioned place preference. The alpha-helical CRF and CP-154,526 reduced extracellular DA levels of nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area in response to the injection of cocaine. However, both alpha-helical CRF and CP-154,526 did not modify extracellular DA levels under basal conditions. In contrast, the i.c.v. infusion of AS-30 had no effects on either the basal DA or the cocaine-induced increase in DA release in nucleus accumbens and ventral tegmental area. These findings demonstrate that activation of the CRF receptor is involved in behavioral and neurochemical effects of cocaine challenge and cocaine reward and that the role of CRF receptor subtypes 1 and 2 in cocaine-induced locomotion, reward and DA release is not identical. The CRF receptor subtype 1 is largely responsible for the action of the CRF system on cocaine locomotion and reward. These results suggest that the CRF receptor antagonist, particularly the CRF receptor subtype 1 antagonist, might be of some value in the treatment of cocaine addiction and cocaine-related behavioral disorders.

Animals↗

Subunit composition and quantitative importance of GABA(A) receptor subtypes in the cerebellum of mouse and rat.

In cerebellum, 13 different GABA(A) receptor subunits are expressed. The number of different receptor subtypes formed in this tissue, their subunit composition and their quantitative importance so far has not been determined. In the present study, immunodepletion by immunoaffinity chromatography, as well as immunoprecipitation and western blot analysis was performed using 13 different subunit-specific antibodies to provide an overview on the subunit composition and abundance of GABA(A) receptor subtypes in mouse and rat cerebellum. Results obtained indicate that alpha1betaxgamma2, alpha1alpha6betaxgamma2, alpha6betaxgamma2, alpha6betaxdelta and alpha1alpha6betaxdelta are the major GABA(A) receptor subtypes present in the cerebellum. In addition, small amounts of alpha1betaxdelta receptors and a series of minor receptor subtypes containing alpha2, alpha3, alpha4, alpha5, gamma1 or gamma3 subunits are also present in the cerebellum. Whereas the abundance of alpha1alpha6betaxgamma2, alpha6betaxdelta and alpha1alpha6betaxdelta receptors is different in mouse and rat cerebellum, that of other receptors is quite similar in these tissues. Data obtained for the first time provide an overview on the GABA(A) receptor subtypes present in the cerebellum and represent the basis for further studies investigating changes in receptor expression and composition under pathological conditions.

Animals↗

Identification and mapping of keratinocyte muscarinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes in human epidermis.

Acetylcholine mediates cell-to-cell communications in the skin. Human epidermal keratinocytes respond to acetylcholine via two classes of cell-surface receptors, the nicotinic and the muscarinic cholinergic receptors. High affinity muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR) have been found on keratinocyte cell surfaces at high density. These receptors mediate effects of muscarinic drugs on keratinocyte viability, proliferation, adhesion, lateral migration, and differentiation. In this study, we investigated the molecular structure of keratinocyte mAChR and their location in human epidermis. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of cDNA sequences uniquely present within the third cytoplasmic loop of each subtype demonstrated the expression of the m1, m3, m4, and m5 mAChR subtypes. To visualize these mAChR, we raised rabbit anti-sera to synthetic peptide analogs of the carboxyl terminal regions of each subtype. The antibodies selectively bound to keratinocyte mAChR subtypes in immunoblotting membranes and epidermis, both of which could be abolished by preincubating the anti-serum with the peptide used for immunization. The immunofluorescent staining patterns produced by each antibody in the epidermis suggested that the profile of keratinocyte mAChR changes during epidermal turnover. The semiquantitative analysis of fluorescence revealed that basal cells predominantly expressed m3, prickle cells had equally high levels of m4 and m5, and granular cells mostly possessed m1. Thus, the results of this study demonstrate for the first time the presence of m1, m3, m4, and m5 mAChR in epidermal keratinocytes. Because keratinocytes express a unique combination of mAChR subtypes at each stage of their development in the epidermis, each receptor may regulate a specific cell function. Hence, a single cytotransmitter, acetylcholine, and muscarinic drugs may exert different biologic effects on keratinocytes at different stages of their maturation.

Antibody Specificity↗

Characteristics and phenomenology of hair-pulling: an exploration of subtypes.

This study was designed to detail the demographic and phenomenological features of adult chronic hair-pullers. Key possible subtypes were identified a priori. On the basis of the phenomenological data, differences between the following possible subtypes were investigated: hair-pullers with and without DSM-IV trichotillomania (TTM), oral habits, automatic versus focused hair-pulling, positive versus negative affective cues prior to hair-pulling, comorbid self-injurious habits, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and tics. Forty-seven participants were drawn from an outpatient population of chronic adult hair-pullers. A structured interview that focused on hair-pulling and associated behaviors was administered to participants. Six of the participants (12.8%) were male, and 41 (87.7%) were female. A large number of hair-pullers (63.8%) had comorbid self-injurious habits. A greater proportion of male hair-pullers had comorbid tics when compared with females. Certain subgroups of chronic hair-pullers (e.g., hairpullers with or without automatic/focused hair-pulling, comorbid self-injurious habits, and oral habits) were found to differ on a number of phenomenological and hair-pulling characteristics. However, differences between other possible subgroups (e.g., hair-pullers with or without DSM-IV TTM, comorbid OCD, and negative versus positive affective cues) may reflect greater severity in hair-pulling symptomatology rather than distinct subtypes of chronic hair-pulling. The findings of the present study also indicated that chronic hair-pulling (even in cases where DSM-IV criteria for TTM were not met) has a significant impact on quality of life. The present study provided limited support for the existence of possible subtypes of chronic hair-pulling. Recommendations are made for further investigations into such subtypes.

Affect↗

Somatostatin suppresses endothelin-1-induced rat hepatic stellate cell contraction via somatostatin receptor subtype 1.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are considered therapeutic targets to decrease portal hypertension. To elucidate some of the hemodynamic effects of somatostatin (SST) on portal pressure, the presence and function of SST receptors (SSTRs) on HSCs were investigated. METHODS: SSTR messenger RNA expression, and SSTR presence was investigated using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. The function of SSTRs was studied by examining the effects of SST and specific SSTR agonists on endothelin-1(ET-1)-induced HSC contraction. RESULTS: Specific amplicons for SSTR subtypes 1, 2, and 3 were demonstrated in rat liver and in activated HSCs. The presence of SSTR subtypes 1, 2, and 3 was confirmed by Western blotting. With immunohistochemistry, a strong staining of HSCs was obtained for SSTR subtypes 1, 2, and 3 in CCl4-treated rats, but not in normal rat liver. Incubation of HSCs on collagen gels with buffer, 10(-8) mol/L SST, and 2 x 10(-8) mol/L ET-1 resulted in collagen surface area decreases of 5.5% +/- 3.3%, 6.8% +/- 4.4%, and 49.8% +/- 8.3%, respectively. Relative contraction of gels preincubated with 10(-8) mol/L SST followed by 2 x 10(-8) mol/L ET-1 or vice versa as compared with maximal contraction (100%) with 2 x 10(-8) mol/L ET-1 were 72.6% +/- 17.9% and 76.2% +/- 12.6%, respectively (P < 0.05). SSTR agonist 1, but not SSTR agonist 2 or 3, was able to counteract the contractile effect of ET-1. CONCLUSIONA: Activated rat HSCs bear SSTR subtypes 1, 2, and 3. SST causes significant partial inhibition of ET-1-induced contraction of activated HSCs, mainly by stimulation of SSTR subtype 1.

Animals↗

Effect of atorvastatin on low-density lipoprotein subtypes in patients with different forms of hyperlipoproteinemia and control subjects.

Atorvastatin is a potent hydroxy-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor that decreases low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, but little is known about its effects on LDL subtype distribution in different types of hyperlipoproteinemia. Thus, we evaluated the influence of atorvastatin (10 mg/d, 4 weeks) on lipid concentrations and LDL subtype distribution in patients with hypercholesterolemia (n = 9; LDL cholesterol, 227 +/- 30 mg/dL; triglycerides, 137 +/- 56 mg/dL), patients with type 2 diabetes and dyslipoproteinemia (n = 11; LDL cholesterol, 163 +/- 34 mg/dL; triglycerides, 260 +/- 147 mg/dL), and controls (n = 10; LDL cholesterol, 116 +/- 20 mg/dL; triglycerides, 130 +/- 47 mg/dL). Cholesterol concentration was determined in 7 LDL subfractions isolated by density gradient ultracentrifugation before and during atorvastatin treatment. Atorvastatin decreased LDL cholesterol (-36%, -28%, and -41%, all P <.01) and triglyceride (-4%, NS; -2%, NS; -24%, P <.05) concentrations but had little effect on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (-1%, NS; +10%, P <.05; +6%, NS) in hypercholesterolemic, diabetic, and control subjects, respectively. In all 3 groups, a significant reduction in cholesterol in each LDL subfraction was observed. Large-buoyant (LDL-1, LDL-2) and intermediate-dense (LDL-3, LDL-4) LDL were reduced more than small-dense (LDL-5 through LDL-7) LDL in hypercholesterolemic (-45%, -35%, and -32%, P <.05) and control subjects (-48%, -44%, and -25%, P <.05), but in diabetic patients cholesterol reduction was uniform in all LDL subtypes (-32%, -27%, and -29%, P =.45). Thus, atorvastatin decreases cholesterol concentration in all LDL subfractions in hypercholesterolemic, diabetic, and control subjects. However, the relative reduction of individual LDL subtypes differed between these groups. This finding suggests that the effect of atorvastatin on LDL subtype distribution depends on the type of underlying hyperlipoproteinemia.

Atorvastatin↗

Selective down-regulation of IP(3)receptor subtypes by caspases and calpain during TNF alpha -induced apoptosis of human T-lymphoma cells.

There are at least three types of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP(3)R) [IP(3)-gated Ca(2+)channels], which are expressed in different cell types and mammalian tissues. In this study, we have identified three IP(3)R subtypes in human Jurkat T-lymphoma cells. All three subtypes have a molecular mass of about 260 kDa, and display Ca(2+)channel properties in an IP(3)-dependent manner. We have also demonstrated that TNFalpha promotes the activity of different proteases (e.g. caspase-8, caspase-3 and calpain), alters the TCR-mediated Ca(2+)response and subsequently induces apoptosis in Jurkat cells. During the first 6 h of incubation with TNFalpha, several IP(3)R subtype-related changes occur (e.g. proteolysis of IP(3)R subtypes, inhibition of IP(3)binding and impairment of IP(3)-mediated Ca(2+)flux) concomitantly with an elevation of protease (caspase-8, caspase-3 and calpain) activity. Furthermore, the caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-fmk, significantly reduces TNFalpha-mediated perturbation of IP(3)R1 and IP(3)R2 (but not IP(3)R3) function; whereas the calpain inhibitor I, ALLN, is capable of blocking the inhibitory effect of TNFalpha on IP(3)R3 function. These findings suggest that IP(3)R1 and IP(3)R2 serve as cellular substrates for caspases, and IP(3)R3 is a substrate for calpain. We propose that the selective down-regulation of IP(3)R subtype-mediated Ca(2+)function by caspase-dependent and calpain-sensitive mechanisms may be responsible for the early onset of the apoptotic signal by TNFalpha in human T-cells.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones↗

Influence of simvastatin on LDL-subtypes in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia and in patients with diabetes mellitus and mixed hyperlipoproteinemia.

This study evaluates the influence of simvastatin on lipid concentrations and on LDL-subtype distribution in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia and in patients with type 2 diabetes and mixed hyperlipoproteinemia. Nine patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (LDL-cholesterol: 7.1 +/- 1.1 mmol/L, triglycerides: 1.3 +/- 0.4 mmol/L) and 8 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and mixed hyperlipoproteinemia (HbA1c 6.8 +/- 1.1%, LDL-cholesterol: 4.8 +/- 0.7 mmol/L, triglycerides: 2.5 +/- 1.1 mmol/L) were examined. Cholesterol concentration was determined in 7 LDL-subfractions isolated by density gradient ultracentrifugation before and during simvastatin treatment (10-20 mg/d, 4 weeks). Simvastatin decreased LDL-cholesterol (-34%/-30%, all p < 0.05) and triglycerides (-2%, n.s./-25%, p < 0.05), but had little effect on HDL-cholesterol (+7%/+2%, n.s.) in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and diabetes mellitus, respectively. In both groups a significant reduction of cholesterol in each LDL-subfraction was observed. Large-buoyant (LDL-1, LDL-2) and intermediate-dense (LDL-3, LDL-4) LDL were reduced more than small-dense (LDL-5-LDL-7) LDL-subtypes (-36%/-38%/-23%, respectively) in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, while in diabetic patients cholesterol reduction was uniform in all LDL-subtypes (-29%/-27%/-31%, respectively). Simvastatin decreases cholesterol concentration in all LDL-subfractions in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and in patients with diabetes mellitus with mixed hyperlipoproteinemia. However, the relative reduction of individual LDL-subtypes differed between both groups. This suggests that the effect of simvastatin on LDL-subtype distribution depends on the type of underlying hyperlipoproteinemia.

Adolescent↗

Surveillance for Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections in Minnesota by molecular subtyping.

BACKGROUND: Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a leading cause of diarrhea and the hemolytic-uremic syndrome. Current public health surveillance for E. coli O157:H7 requires considerable resources; traditional methods lack the sensitivity and specificity to detect outbreaks effectively. METHODS: During 1994 and 1995, the Minnesota Department of Health requested that all clinical isolates of E. coli O157:H7 be submitted to our laboratory. Isolates were subtyped by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and patients were interviewed about potential sources of infection. RESULTS: In 1994 and 1995, 344 cases of E. coli O157:H7 infection were reported to the Minnesota Department of Health; 317 (92 percent) were subtyped by PFGE, and 143 distinct PFGE patterns were identified. Ten outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 were identified; these accounted for 56 (18 percent) of the 317 subtyped cases. Four outbreaks were detected solely as a result of subtype-specific surveillance. In 11 two-week periods, the number of reported cases of E. coli O157:H7 doubled from the previous two weeks. In eight of these instances, the patterns identified were dissimilar and there were no outbreaks. Two of the remaining three increases resulted from multiple simultaneous outbreaks. CONCLUSIONS: Subtype-specific surveillance for E. coli O157:H7 can identify outbreaks that are not detected by traditional methods and can ascertain whether sudden increases in reported cases are due to sporadic isolated cases or to one or more outbreaks.

Adolescent↗

Development of ovine fetal ileal motility: role of muscarinic receptor subtypes.

OBJECTIVE: In the preterm human fetus, immaturity of gastrointestinal (GI) motility contributes to impairment of oral feeding and an increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis. In view of the limited knowledge of fetal GI motility development, and the primary role of the muscarinic system in adult GI motility, we examined the development of GI muscarinic receptor subtypes associated with ileal motility. STUDY DESIGN: Ovine term fetal, newborn, and pregnant adult ileal longitudinal muscle contractile responses to muscarinic agonists (bethanechol) and muscarinic nonspecific (atropine) and subtype specific-antagonists (M1-M4) were examined in organ baths. Immunohistochemical analysis of ileal muscle muscarinic receptor subtypes was correlated with contractile responses. RESULTS: Bethanechol induced a concentration-dependent ileal contraction at all 3 age groups. Adult ileal maximal tension was 2-fold higher than that of the fetus and newborn, while 50% effective concentration (EC(50)) was similar at all ages. Atropine (10(-6)mol/L) inhibited contractility in fetal (67%+/-7%), newborn (82%+/-5%), and adult (97%+/-2%) in an age-dependent manner. The M3 antagonist exhibited robust inhibition at all age groups while the M2 antagonist demonstrated enhanced inhibition in the fetus. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated coexpression of subtype receptors in fetal, newborn, and adult ileal smooth muscle with increasing expression with advancing age. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate a specific developmental pattern of muscarinic receptor subtype expression. Knowledge and/or alterations of GI motility regulation may aid in the treatment of the preterm fetus or newborn.

Animals↗

Repeated observation of breast tumor subtypes in independent gene expression data sets.

Characteristic patterns of gene expression measured by DNA microarrays have been used to classify tumors into clinically relevant subgroups. In this study, we have refined the previously defined subtypes of breast tumors that could be distinguished by their distinct patterns of gene expression. A total of 115 malignant breast tumors were analyzed by hierarchical clustering based on patterns of expression of 534 "intrinsic" genes and shown to subdivide into one basal-like, one ERBB2-overexpressing, two luminal-like, and one normal breast tissue-like subgroup. The genes used for classification were selected based on their similar expression levels between pairs of consecutive samples taken from the same tumor separated by 15 weeks of neoadjuvant treatment. Similar cluster analyses of two published, independent data sets representing different patient cohorts from different laboratories, uncovered some of the same breast cancer subtypes. In the one data set that included information on time to development of distant metastasis, subtypes were associated with significant differences in this clinical feature. By including a group of tumors from BRCA1 carriers in the analysis, we found that this genotype predisposes to the basal tumor subtype. Our results strongly support the idea that many of these breast tumor subtypes represent biologically distinct disease entities.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Knockout of the alpha 1A/C-adrenergic receptor subtype: the alpha 1A/C is expressed in resistance arteries and is required to maintain arterial blood pressure.

alpha 1-adrenergic receptors (ARs) play a major role in blood pressure regulation. The three alpha 1-AR subtypes (A/C, B, and D) stimulate contraction of isolated arteries, but it is uncertain how different subtypes contribute to blood pressure regulation in the intact animal. We studied the role of the alpha 1A/C subtype by using gene knockout. alpha 1A/C knockout (KO) mice were viable and overtly normal. The LacZ reporter gene replaced alpha 1A/C coding sequence in the KO, and beta-galactosidase staining was present in resistance arteries and arterioles, but not in the thoracic aorta or its main branches. By tail cuff manometer and arterial catheter in conscious mice, alpha 1A/C KO mice were hypotensive at rest, with an 8-12% reduction of blood pressure dependent on alpha 1A/C gene copy number. A61603, an alpha 1A/C-selective agonist, caused a pressor response that was lost in the KO and reduced but significant in heterozygous mice with a single copy of the alpha 1A/C. A subtype-nonselective agonist [phenylephrine (PE)] caused a pressor response in KO mice, but the final arterial pressure was only 85% of wild type. The baroreflex was reset in the KO, and heart rate variability was decreased. After baroreflex blockade with atropine, PE increased blood pressure but did not change heart rate. Cardiac and vascular responses to the beta-AR agonist isoproterenol were unchanged, and the arterial lumen area was not altered. We conclude that the alpha 1A/C-AR subtype is a vasopressor expressed in resistance arteries and is required for normal arterial blood pressure regulation. alpha 1A/C-selective antagonists might be desirable antihypertensive agents.

Animals↗

Identification of cDNA encoding an additional alpha subunit of a human GTP-binding protein: expression of three alpha i subtypes in human tissues and cell lines.

The guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins), which mediate hormonal regulation of many membrane functions, are composed of alpha, beta, and gamma subunits. We have cloned and characterized cDNA from a human T-cell library encoding a form of alpha i that is different from the human alpha i subtypes previously reported [Didsbury, J. R., Ho, Y.-S. & Snyderman, R. (1987) FEBS Lett. 211, 160-164 and Bray, P., Carter, A., Guo, V., Puckett, C., Kamholz, J., Spiegel, A. & Nirenberg, M. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84, 5115-5119]. alpha i is the alpha subunit of a class of G proteins that inhibits adenylate cyclase and regulates other enzymes and ion channels. This cDNA encodes a polypeptide of 354 amino acids and is assigned to encode the alpha i-3 subtype of G proteins on the basis of its similarity to other alpha i-like cDNAs and the presence of a predicted site for ADP ribosylation by pertussis toxin. We have determined the expression of mRNA for this and two other subtypes of human alpha i (alpha i-1 and alpha i-2) in a variety of human fetal tissues and in human cell lines. All three alpha i subtypes were present in the tissues tested. However, analysis of individual cell types reveals specificity of alpha i-1 expression. mRNA for alpha i-1 is absent in T cells, B cells, and monocytes but is present in other cell lines. The finding of differential expression of alpha i-1 genes may permit characterization of distinct physiological roles for this alpha i subunit. mRNA for alpha i-2 and alpha i-3 was found in all the primary and transformed cell lines tested. Thus, some cells contain all three alpha i subtypes. This observation raises the question of how cells prevent cross talk among receptors that are coupled to effectors through such similar alpha proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structural basis of beta-adrenergic receptor subtype specificity studied with chimeric beta 1/beta 2-adrenergic receptors.

The beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors are two structurally related, but pharmacologically distinguishable, receptor subtypes, both of which activate adenylyl cyclase in a catecholamine-dependent manner through the guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein Gs. The receptors are approximately 50% identical in amino acid sequence and each is characterized by the presence of seven putative transmembrane domains. To elucidate the structural basis for the pharmacological distinctions between these two receptor subtypes, we constructed a series of chimeric beta 1/beta 2-adrenergic receptor genes and expressed them by injection of RNA into Xenopus laevis oocytes. The pharmacological properties of the expressed chimeric receptor proteins were assessed by radioligand binding and adenylyl cyclase assays utilizing subtype-selective agonists and antagonists. Our data indicate that transmembrane region IV is largely responsible for determining beta 1 vs. beta 2 properties with respect to agonist binding (relative affinities for epinephrine and norepinephrine). Transmembrane regions VI and VII play an important role in determining binding of beta 1 vs. beta 2 selective antagonists. However, a number of the other transmembrane regions also contribute, to a lesser extent, to the determination of beta-adrenergic receptor subtype specificity for agonists and antagonists. Thus, several of the membrane-spanning regions appear to be involved in the determination of receptor subtype specificity, presumably by formation of a ligand-binding pocket, with determinants for agonist and antagonist binding being distinguishable.

Amino Acid Sequence↗