Cardiovascular rhythms and cardiac baroreflex sensitivity in AT(1A) receptor gain-of-function mutant mice.

A mutant mouse expressing a gain-of-function of the AT(1A) angiotensin II receptor was engineered to study the consequences of a constitutive activation of this receptor on blood pressure (BP). Cardiovascular rhythms and spontaneous cardiac baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) were evaluated using telemetric BP recordings of five transgenic (AT(1A)MUT) and five wild (AT(1A)WT) mice. The circadian rhythms were described with the Chronos-Fit program. The gain of the transfer function between systolic BP (SBP) and pulse intervals used to estimate the spontaneous BRS (ms/mmHg) was calculated in the low frequency (0.15-0.60 Hz) band. Transgenic AT(1A)MUT exhibited higher BP and heart rate (HR) levels compared to controls (SBP AT(1A)MUT 134.6 +/- 5.9 mmHg vs. AT(1A)WT 110.5 +/- 5.9; p < 0.05; HR AT(1A)MUT 531.0 +/- 14.9 vs. AT(1A)WT 454.8 +/- 5.4 beats/min; p = 0.001). Spontaneous BRS was diminished in transgenic mice (AT(1A)MUT 1.23 +/- 0.17 ms/mmHg vs. AT(1A)WT 1.91 +/- 0.18 ms/mmHg; p < 0.05). Motor activity did not differ between groups. These variables exhibited circadian changes, and the differences between the strains were maintained throughout the cycle. The highest values for BP, HR, and locomotor activity were observed at night. Spontaneous BRS varied in the opposite direction, with the lowest gain estimated when BP and HR were elevated (i.e., at night, when the animals were active). It is likely the BP elevation of the mutant mice results from the amplification of the effects of AngII at different sites. Future studies are necessary to explore whether AT(1A) receptor activation at the central nervous system level effectively contributed to the observed differences.

Angiotensin II AT1 receptor constitutive activation: from molecular mechanisms to pathophysiology.

Mutations activating the angiotensin II AT(1) receptor are important to identify and characterize because they give access to the activation mechanisms of this G protein coupled receptor and help to characterize the signaling pathways and the potential pathophysiology of this receptor. The different constitutively activated mutations of the AT(1) receptor are mostly localized in transmembrane domains (TM) and their characterization demonstrated that release of intramolecular constraints and movements among these TM are a necessary step for receptor activation. These mutations constitutively activate Gq linked signaling pathways, receptor internalization and maybe the G protein-independent signaling pathways. Expression of such mutations in mice is linked to hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, but such natural mutations have not been identified in human pathology.

Calcium sensing receptor-dependent and receptor-independent activation of osteoblast replication and survival by strontium ranelate.

Age-related osteopenia is characterized by a negative balance between bone resorption and formation. The anti-osteoporotic drug strontium ranelate was found to reduce bone resorption and to promote bone formation. Here, we investigated the implication of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) in the response to strontium ranelate using osteoblasts from CaSR knockout [CaSR(-/-)] and wild-type [CaSR(+/+)] mice. We showed that calcium and strontium ranelates increased cell replication in [CaSR(-/-)] and [CaSR(+/+)] osteoblasts. Strontium ranelate rapidly increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation in [CaSR(+/+)] but not in [CaSR(-/-)] osteoblasts, indicating that strontium ranelate can act independent of the CaSR/ERK1/2 cascade to promote osteoblast replication. We also showed that strontium ranelate prevented cell apoptosis induced by serum deprivation or the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in [CaSR(-/-)] and [CaSR(+/+)] osteoblasts, indicating that CaSR is not the only receptor involved in the protective effect of strontium ranelate on osteoblast apoptosis. Strontium ranelate activated the Akt pro-survival pathway in [CaSR(-/-)] and [CaSR(+/+)] osteoblasts, and pharmacological inhibition of Akt abrogated the anti-apoptotic effect of strontium ranelate. Furthermore, both the proliferative and anti-apoptotic effects of strontium ranelate in [CaSR(-/-)] and [CaSR(+/+)] osteoblasts were abrogated by selective inhibition of COX-2. The results provide genetic and biochemical evidence that the effects of strontium ranelate on osteoblast replication and survival involve ERK1/2 and Akt signalling and PGE2 production, independent of CaSR expression. The finding that CaSR-dependent and CaSR-independent pathways mediate the beneficial effects of strontium ranelate on osteoblasts, provides novel insight into the mechanism of action of this anti-osteoporotic agent on osteoblastogenesis.

N1-Benzoyl-N2-[1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl]-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexanes: Development of 4-chlorophenylcarboxamide (calhex 231) as a new calcium sensing receptor ligand demonstrating potent calcilytic activity.

A structure-activity relationship (SAR) study was performed principally at the N1 position of N1-arylsulfonyl-N2-[1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl]-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexanes, a new family of calcilytics acting at the calcium sensing receptor (CaSR). The most active compound in this series was the 4-(trifluoromethoxy)benzenesulfonyl derivative 7e, which displayed an IC50 of 5.4 +/- 0.5 microM with respect to the inhibition of calcium-induced tritiated inositol phosphate ([3H]IP) accumulation in Chinese hamster ovarian (CHO) cells expressing the CaSR. Replacement of the sulfonamide linkage of this compound by a carboxamide led to a 6-fold increase in activity (7m, IC50 = 0.9 +/- 0.2 microM). Among the carboxamides synthesized, one of the most active compounds was the 4-chlorophenylcarboxamide (1S,2S,1'R)-7n (Calhex 231, IC50 = 0.33 +/- 0.02 microM). The absolute configuration of (1S,2S,1'R)-7n was deduced from an X-ray crystallographic study of one of the diastereomers of compound 7d. The stereochemical preference for the (1S,2S,1'R)-isomers can be rationalized on the basis of a three-dimensional model of the calcilytic binding pocket of the CaSR. Removal of the C-1' methyl group or replacement of the 1-naphthyl group by a 2-naphthyl or biphenyl moiety led to appreciable loss of calcilytic activity. Compounds 7e, 7m, and Calhex 231 did not stimulate [3H]IP accumulation in CHO cells expressing or not expressing the CaSR.

Delineating a Ca2+ binding pocket within the venus flytrap module of the human calcium-sensing receptor.

The Ca(2+)-sensing receptor (CaSR) belongs to the class III G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which include receptors for pheromones, amino acids, sweeteners, and the neurotransmitters glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). These receptors are characterized by a long extracellular amino-terminal domain called a Venus flytrap module (VFTM) containing the ligand binding pocket. To elucidate the molecular determinants implicated in Ca(2+) recognition by the CaSR VFTM, we developed a homology model of the human CaSR VFTM from the x-ray structure of the metabotropic glutamate receptor type 1 (mGluR1), and a phylogenetic analysis of 14 class III GPCR VFTMs. We identified critical amino acids delineating a Ca(2+) binding pocket predicted to be adjacent to, but distinct from, a cavity reminiscent of the binding site described for amino acids in mGluRs, GABA-B receptor, and GPRC6a. Most interestingly, these Ca(2+)-contacting residues are well conserved within class III GPCR VFTMs. Our model was validated by mutational and functional analysis, including the characterization of activating and inactivating mutations affecting a single amino acid, Glu-297, located within the proposed Ca(2+) binding pocket of the CaSR and associated with autosomal dominant hypocalcemia and familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia, respectively, genetic diseases characterized by perturbations in Ca(2+) homeostasis. Altogether, these data define a Ca(2+) binding pocket within the CaSR VFTM that may be conserved in several other class III GPCRs, thereby providing a molecular basis for extracellular Ca(2+) sensing by these receptors.

Evidence in favor of a calcium-sensing receptor in arterial endothelial cells: studies with calindol and Calhex 231.

Small increases in extracellular Ca2+ dilate isolated blood vessels. In the present study, the possibility that a vascular, extracellular Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaSR) could mediate these vasodilator actions was investigated. Novel ligands that interact with the CaSR were used in microelectrode recordings from rat isolated mesenteric and porcine coronary arteries. The major findings were that (1) raising extracellular Ca2+ or adding calindol, a CaSR agonist, produced concentration-dependent hyperpolarizations of vascular myocytes, actions attenuated by Calhex 231, a negative allosteric modulator of CaSR. (2) Calindol-induced hyperpolarizations were inhibited by the intermediate conductance, Ca2+-sensitive K+ (IKCa) channel inhibitors, TRAM-34, and TRAM-39. (3) The effects of calindol were not observed in the absence of endothelium. (4) CaSR mRNA and protein were present in rat mesenteric arteries and in porcine coronary artery endothelial cells. (5) CaSR and IKCa proteins were restricted to caveolin-poor membrane fractions. We conclude that activation of vascular endothelial CaSRs opens endothelial cell IKCa channels with subsequent myocyte hyperpolarization. The endothelial cell CaSR may have a physiological role in the control of arterial blood pressure.

[New insights into the pharmacology of the extracellular calcium sensing receptor]. / Comment moduler l'activité du récepteur du calcium extracellulaire?

The extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CaR) belongs to class III of G-protein coupled receptors. The CaR is expressed at the surface of the parathyroid cells and plays an essential role in the regulation of Ca2+ homeostasis through the control of parathyroid secretion. The CaR is activated by Ca2+ and Mg2+ present in the extracellular fluids, various di- and trivalent cations, L-aminoacids and charged molecules including several antibiotics. Calcimimetics potentiate the effect of Ca2+ and are proposed to be of therapeutic benefit for the treatment of both primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Calcilytics block the Ca2+-induced activation of the CaR. Three-dimensional models of the seven transmembrane domains of the human CaR have been used to identify specific residues implicated in the recognition of calcimimetics and calcilytics. These molecules should be useful for delineating the physiological roles played by the CaR in several tissues and for clarifying the direct effects attributed to extracellular Ca2+.

N2-benzyl-N1-(1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl)-3-phenylpropane-1,2-diamines and conformationally restrained indole analogues: development of calindol as a new calcimimetic acting at the calcium sensing receptor.

The synthesis and calcimimetic activities of two new families of compounds are described. The most active derivatives of the first family, N(2)-(2-chloro-(or 4-fluoro-)benzyl)-N(1)-(1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl)-3-phenylpropane-1,2-diamine (4b and 4d, respectively, tested at 10 microM) produced 98+/-6% and 95+/-4%, respectively, of the maximal stimulation of [(3)H]inositol phosphates production obtained by 10mM Ca(2+) in CHO cells expressing the rat calcium sensing receptor (CaSR). The second family of calcimimetics was obtained by conformationally restraining the compounds of type 4 to provide the 2-aminomethyl derivatives 5. One of these compounds, (R)-2-[N-(1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl)aminomethyl]indole ((R)-5a, calindol), displayed improved calcimimetic activity compared to 4b and 4d as well as stereoselectivity. In the presence of 2mM Ca(2+), calindol stimulated [(3)H]inositol phosphates accumulation with an EC(50) of 1.0+/-0.1 or 0.31+/-0.05 microM in cells expressing the rat or the human CaSR, respectively. The calcimimetic activities of these novel compounds were shown to be due to a specific interaction with the CaSR.

Positive and negative allosteric modulators of the Ca2+-sensing receptor interact within overlapping but not identical binding sites in the transmembrane domain.

A three-dimensional model of the human extracellular Ca(2+)-sensing receptor (CaSR) has been used to identify specific residues implicated in the recognition of two negative allosteric CaSR modulators of different chemical structure, NPS 2143 and Calhex 231. To demonstrate the involvement of these residues, we have analyzed dose-inhibition response curves for the effect of these calcilytics on Ca(2+)-induced [(3)H]inositol phosphate accumulation for the selected CaSR mutants transiently expressed in HEK293 cells. These mutants were further used for investigating the binding pocket of two chemically unrelated positive allosteric CaSR modulators, NPS R-568 and (R)-2-[1-(1-naphthyl)ethylaminomethyl]-1H-indole (Calindol), a novel potent calcimimetic that stimulates (EC(50) = 0.31 microM) increases in [(3)H]inositol phosphate levels elicited by activating the wild-type CaSR by 2 mM Ca(2+). Our data validate the involvement of Trp-818(6.48), Phe-821(6.51), Glu-837(7.39), and Ile-841(7.43) located in transmembranes (TM) 6 and TM7, in the binding pocket for both calcimimetics and calcilytics, despite important differences observed between each family of compounds. The TMs involved in the recognition of both calcilytics include residues located in TM3 (Arg-680(3.28), Phe-684(3.32), and Phe-688(3.36)). However, our study indicates subtle differences between the binding of these two compounds. Importantly, the observation that some mutations that have no effect on calcimimetics recognition but which affect the binding of calcilytics in TM3 and TM5, suggests that the binding pocket of positive and negative allosteric modulators is partially overlapping but not identical. Our CaSR model should facilitate the development of novel drugs of this important therapeutic target and the identification of the molecular determinants involved in the binding of allosteric modulators of class 3 G-protein-coupled receptors.

Modeling and mutagenesis of the binding site of Calhex 231, a novel negative allosteric modulator of the extracellular Ca(2+)-sensing receptor.

A model of the Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaSR) seven transmembrane domains was constructed based on the crystal structure of bovine rhodopsin. This model was used for docking (1S,2S,1'R)-N1-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-N2-[1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl]-1,2-diaminocyclohexane (Calhex 231), a novel potent negative allosteric modulator that blocks (IC50 = 0.39 microm) increases in [3H]inositol phosphates elicited by activating the human wild-type CaSR transiently expressed in HEK293 cells. In this model, Glu-8377.39 plays a pivotal role in anchoring the two nitrogen atoms of Calhex 231 and locating the aromatic moieties in two adjacent hydrophobic pockets delineated by transmembrane domains 3, 5, and 6 and transmembrane domains 1, 2, 3, and 7, respectively. To demonstrate its validity, we have mutated selected residues and analyzed the biochemical and pharmacological properties of the mutant receptors transfected in HEK293 cells. Two receptor mutations, F684A3.32 and E837A7.39, caused a loss of the ability of Calhex 231 to inhibit Ca2+-induced accumulation of [3H]inositol phosphates. Three other mutations, F688A3.36, W818A6.48, and I841A7.43, produced a marked increase in the IC50 of Calhex 231 for the Ca2+ response, whereas L776A5.42 and F821A6.51 led to a decrease in the IC50. Our data validate the proposed model for the allosteric interaction of Calhex 231 with the seven transmembrane domains of the CaSR. Interestingly, the residues at the same positions have been shown to delimit the antagonist-binding cavity of many diverse G-protein-coupled receptors. This study furthermore suggests that the crystal structure of bovine rhodopsin exhibits sufficient mimicry to the ground state of a very divergent class 3 receptor to predict the interaction of antagonists with the heptahelical bundle of diverse G-protein-coupled receptors.