Immunohistochemical localization of distinct angiotensin II AT1 receptor isoforms in the kidneys of the Sprague-Dawley rat and the desert rodent Meriones crassus.

Employing a purified lgG fraction of a polyclonal anti-AT1 receptor anti-body, raised against a synthetic octapeptide encompassing residues 14-21 of the first extracellular domain of the AT1 polypeptide, selective AT1 receptor expression was immunohistochemically demonstrable within renal structures in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and the desert rodent Meriones crassus. In both animal models, prominent AT1 receptor labelling was evident in renal vascular elements, particularly cortical inter-lobular arteries (IA) as well as vasa recta bundles in the inner stripe of the outer medulla. Less intense labelling was observed among peritubular capillary endothelia within the deep cortex, and at both the outer stripe and the inter-bundle regions of the inner stripe of the outer medulla. The binding of the anti-peptide anti-body was, however, lacking among glomeruli and, except for the intense labelling confined to basement membranes of Bowman's capsule of deep nephrons, was virtually absent in all renal tubular structures of both animal models. Structural assessment of the expressed AT1 receptors by two-dimensional Western blotting revealed that a spectrum of structurally distinct AT1 receptor isoforms is expressed in the renal tissues of both animal models. This spectrum was constituted by isoforms of equal size (70 kDa) but distinct pls in SD rats, and of both different sizes (67-73 kDa) and isoelectric points in M. crassus. In either species, the charge and/or size heterogeneity of AT1 receptor isoforms may be attributed in part to differential post-translational glycosylation mechanisms of the AT1 receptor polypeptide backbone. The potential for the differential glycosylation state of AT1 receptors to alter recognition properties may add another level of complexity to tissue-specific and/or species-specific mechanisms underlying angiotensin II interactions in the kidney.

Evidence that the angiotensin IV (AT(4)) receptor is the enzyme insulin-regulated aminopeptidase.

Central infusion of angiotensin IV or its more stable analogues facilitates memory retention and retrieval in normal animals and reverses amnesia induced by scopolamine or by bilateral perforant pathway lesions. These peptides bind with high affinity and specificity to a novel binding site designated the angiotensin AT(4) receptor. Until now, the AT(4) receptor has eluded molecular characterization. Here we identify the AT(4) receptor, by protein purification and peptide sequencing, to be insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP). HEK 293T cells transfected with IRAP exhibit typical AT(4) receptor binding characteristics; the AT(4) receptor ligands, angiotensin IV and LVV-hemorphin 7, compete for the binding of [(125)I]Nle(1)-angiotensin IV with IC(50) values of 32 and 140 nm, respectively. The distribution of IRAP and its mRNA in the brain, determined by immunohistochemistry and hybridization histochemistry, parallels that of the AT(4) receptor determined by radioligand binding. We also show that AT(4) receptor ligands dose-dependently inhibit the catalytic activity of IRAP. We have therefore demonstrated that the AT(4) receptor is IRAP and propose that AT(4) receptor ligands may exert their effects by inhibiting the catalytic activity of IRAP thereby extending the half-life of its neuropeptide substrates.

Molecular cloning of guinea pig angiotensin type 1 receptor.

The primary structure of cDNA encoding of the angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT(1)R) was cloned from guinea pig liver. Guinea pig AT(1)R (GP-AT(1)R) cDNA clone contains a 1,077-bp open reading frame which encodes a protein consisting of 359 amino acid residues. GP-AT(1)R amino acid sequence showed a 92% level of identity among mammalian species. GP-AT(1)R is expressed in liver, kidney, adrenal gland, heart and colon.

Properties of secretin receptor internalization differ from those of the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor.

The endocytic pathway of the secretin receptor, a class II GPCR, is unknown. Some class I G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), such as the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor (beta(2)-AR), internalize in clathrin-coated vesicles and this process is mediated by G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs), beta-arrestin, and dynamin. However, other class I GPCRs, for example, the angiotensin II type 1A receptor (AT(1A)R), exhibit different internalization properties than the beta(2)-AR. The secretin receptor, a class II GPCR, is a GRK substrate, suggesting that like the beta(2)-AR, it may internalize via a beta-arrestin and dynamin directed process. In this paper we characterize the internalization of a wild-type and carboxyl-terminal (COOH-terminal) truncated secretin receptor using flow cytometry and fluorescence imaging, and compare the properties of secretin receptor internalization to that of the beta(2)-AR. In HEK 293 cells, sequestration of both the wild-type and COOH-terminal truncated secretin receptors was unaffected by GRK phosphorylation, whereas inhibition of cAMP-dependent protein kinase mediated phosphorylation markedly decreased sequestration. Addition of secretin to cells resulted in a rapid translocation of beta-arrestin to plasma membrane localized receptors; however, secretin receptor internalization was not reduced by expression of dominant negative beta-arrestin. Thus, like the AT(1A)R, secretin receptor internalization is not inhibited by reagents that interfere with clathrin-coated vesicle-mediated internalization and in accordance with these results, we show that secretin and AT(1A) receptors colocalize in endocytic vesicles. This study demonstrates that the ability of secretin receptor to undergo GRK phosphorylation and beta-arrestin binding is not sufficient to facilitate or mediate its internalization. These results suggest that other receptors may undergo endocytosis by mechanisms used by the secretin and AT(1A) receptors and that kinases other than GRKs may play a greater role in GPCR endocytosis than previously appreciated.

Angiotensin induces the urinary peristaltic machinery during the perinatal period.

The embryonic development of mammalian kidneys is completed during the perinatal period with a dramatic increase in urine production, as the burden of eliminating nitrogenous metabolic waste shifts from the placenta to the kidney. This urine is normally removed by peristaltic contraction of the renal pelvis, a smooth muscle structure unique to placental mammals. Mutant mice completely lacking angiotensin type 1 receptor genes do not develop a renal pelvis, resulting in the buildup of urine and progressive kidney damage. In mutants the ureteral smooth muscle layer is hypoplastic and lacks peristaltic movements. We show that angiotensin can induce the ureteral smooth muscles in organ cultures of wild-type, but not mutant, ureteral tissues and that, in wild-type mice, expression of both renal angiotensin and the receptor are transiently upregulated at the renal outlet at birth. These results reveal a new role for angiotensin in the unique cellular adaptations of the mammalian kidney to the physiological stresses of postnatal life.

Characterization and purification of the bovine adrenal angiotensin IV receptor (AT4) using [125I]benzoylphenylalanine-angiotensin IV as a specific photolabel.

The Ang IV receptor, AT4, has been shown to play important roles in various mammalian tissues. In this study, structural properties of the AT4 receptor from bovine adrenals are described using a novel photoactive analog of Ang IV, [125I]Benzoylphenylalanine-Ang IV (BP-Ang IV), recently developed in our laboratory. [125I]BP-Ang IV is identical to Ang IV with regards to binding specificity and affinity and is easily cross-linked to the AT4 receptor under UV light, thus greatly facilitating the structural analysis of the AT4 receptor by SDS-PAGE. Comparisons between the native, reduced and nonreduced forms of the AT4 receptors by SDS-PAGE revealed that this receptor consists of multiple subunits. The subunit containing the Ang IV binding site (designated as the alpha subunit) has a molecular weight of approximately 165 kDa and contained approximately 20% N-linked carbohydrates. A subunit similar to the adrenal alpha subunit of the AT4 receptor was identified in all of the bovine tissues examined. Hippocampus and aorta contained additional [125I]BP-Ang IV bound protein bands with molecular weights of 150 and 125 kDa, respectively. Further, the alpha subunit was purified to homogeneity using a method that integrates electrofractionation with conventional protein purification techniques.

Agonist-induced phosphorylation of the endogenous AT1 angiotensin receptor in bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells.

A polyclonal antibody was raised in rabbits against a fusion protein immunogen consisting of bacterial maltose-binding protein coupled to a 92-amino acid C-terminal fragment of the rat AT1b angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor. The antibody immunoprecipitated the photoaffinity-labeled bovine AT1 receptor (AT1-R), but not the rat AT2 receptor, and specifically stained bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells and AT1a receptor-expressing Cos-7 cells, as well as the rat adrenal zona glomerulosa and renal glomeruli. The antibody was employed to analyze Ang II-induced phosphorylation of the endogenous AT1-R immunoprecipitated from cultured bovine adrenal glomerulosa cells. Receptor phosphorylation was rapid, sustained for up to 60 min, and enhanced by pretreatment of the cells with okadaic acid. Its magnitude was correlated with the degree of ligand occupancy of the receptor. Activation of protein kinase A and protein kinase C (PKC) also caused phosphorylation of the receptor, but to a lesser extent than Ang II. Inhibition of PKC by staurosporine augmented Ang II-stimulated AT1-R phosphorylation, suggesting a negative regulatory role of PKC on the putative G protein-coupled receptor kinase(s) that mediates the majority of AT1-R phosphorylation. The antibody should permit further analysis of endogenous AT1-R phosphorylation in Ang II target cells.

Young SHR express increased type 1 angiotensin II receptors in renal proximal tubule.

A potential role for the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the development and/or maintenance of hypertension in the genetic model of rat hypertension, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), has been suggested by studies indicating that treatment of immature animals with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors prevents subsequent development of hypertension. Because young SHR also demonstrate RAS-dependent increased sodium retention, we examined proximal tubule type 1 angiotensin II receptor (AT1R) mRNA expression in young (4 wk) or adult (14 wk) SHR compared with age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Proximal tubules were isolated by Percoll gradient centrifugation, and AT1R mRNA expression was measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). At 14 wk, when SHR had established hypertension [mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) of SHR vs. WKY: 145 +/- 6 vs. 85 +/- 5 mmHg, n = 14-15], there were no differences in proximal tubule AT1R mRNA levels [SHR vs. WKY: 79 +/- 14 vs. 72 +/- 14 counts/min (cpm) per cpm mutant AT1R per cpm beta-actin x 10(-6), n = 6; not significant (NS)]. In contrast, in 4 wk SHR, at a time of minimal elevations in blood pressure (MAP: 70 +/- 8 vs. 63 +/- 3), SHR proximal tubule AT1R mRNA levels were 263 +/- 30% that of WKY (143 +/- 18 vs. 60 +/- 11 cpm per cpm of mutant AT1R per cpm beta-actin x 10(-6), n = 8; P < 0.005). We have recently shown that chronic ACE inhibition decreases proximal tubule AT1R expression and have also shown that chronic L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalamine (L-DOPA) administration inhibits AT1R expression in adult Sprague-Dawley proximal tubule and cultured proximal tubule, and this inhibition is mediated via Gs-coupled DA1 receptors. When 3-wk-old animals were given L-DOPA or captopril for 1 wk, MAP was not altered (70 +/- 8 vs. 60 +/- 4 or 61 +/- 5 mmHg), but proximal tubule AT1R mRNA was no longer significantly different between SHR and WKY (68 +/- 9 vs. 38 +/- 7 or 20 +/- 3 vs. 47 +/- 15 cpm per cpm of mutant AT1R per cpm beta-actin x 10(-6)), due to a significant decrease in proximal tubule AT1R expression in SHR (P < 0.005, compared with untreated SHR). Immunoreactive proximal tubule AT1R expression also was increased in 4 wk SHR and was reversed with captopril or L-DOPA treatment. Therefore, these results indicate that young, but not adult, SHR have increased expression of proximal tubule AT1R and that chronic L-DOPA or captopril treatment decreased the elevated AT1R expression to control levels. These results provide further support for an important role of the RAS in the development of hypertension in SHR.

Characterization of the functional angiotensin II-receptor complex isoform in rat liver plasma membrane.

In rat liver plasma membrane a single angiotensin II (Ang II) binding site (Kd of 3.71 +/- 0.33 nM and Bmax of 1143.7 +/- 83.9 fmol/mg protein) was identified using radioligand binding assay. Pharmacologically, this receptor match with the AT1 receptor subtypes in term of affinity for the selective antagonist Losartan, and probably with the AT1A receptor form in term of insensitivity for the antagonist PD123319. Nevertheless, using polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing, two 125I-Ang II binding sites migrating to pI 6.8 and 6.5 were found in these membrane preparations. Monophasic displacement of 125I-Ang II bound to isoform migrating at pI 6.8 clearly indicate that this isoform represents a functional Ang II-receptor complex. In contrast, the high concentrations of agonist and peptidic derivates of Ang necessary to displace 125I-Ang II bound to isoform migrating at pI 6.5 indicate that this atypical 125I-Ang II binding site represents a biologically nonfunctional Ang II binding molecule, presumably a nonspecific 125I-Ang II binding site.

Angiotensin II receptor subtypes and contractile responses in portal vein smooth muscle.

The selective biphenylimidazole and tetrahydroimidazopyridine antagonists exemplified by losartan (DuP 753) and PD 123319 have been shown to bind selectively to angiotensin AT1 and AT2 receptor subtypes, respectively. To characterize which subtypes of angiotensin II receptors are expressed in mammalian portal vein smooth muscle, we performed, using both membrane and strip preparations, [3H]angiotensin II binding experiments and then contraction experiments to investigate the functional relevance of these binding sites. Specific binding of [3H]angiotensin II was of high affinity, saturable and reversible. Specific binding of [3H]angiotensin II was completely displaced by angiotensin II and the peptide antagonist [Sar1,Ile8]angiotensin II. The inhibition of [3H]angiotensin II binding by losartan (2-n-butyl-4-chloro-5-hydroxymethyl-1-[(2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphe nyl-4-yl)- methyl]imidazole, potassium salt) and DuP 532 (2-n-propyl-4-pentafluoroethyl-1-[(2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)biph enyl-4-yl)- methyl]imidazole-5-carboxylic acid) was biphasic and LIGAND curve-fitting analysis revealed two populations of specific binding sites. One subpopulation represented 75% of the total binding and showed high affinity for angiotensin II, losartan and DuP 532, but low affinity for the peptide angiotensin AT2 receptor antagonist CGP 42112A (N-alpha-nicotinoyl-Tyr-Lys-[N-alpha-CBZ-Arg]-His-Pro-Ile-OH) and thus appeared identical to the cloned angiotensin AT1 receptor subtype. The remaining 25% of the sites showed nearly 1000-fold lower affinity for losartan, 6500-fold lower affinity for DuP 532 and high affinity for PD 123319 (S-1-[[4-(dimethylamino)-3-methylphenyl]methyl]-5-diphenylacetyl- 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo-[4,5-c] pyridine-6-carboxylic acid, difluoroacetate monohydrate) and CGP 42112A, with values of Ki in the same range (nM) as those found for losartan and DuP 532 at angiotensin AT1 binding sites. These sites appear to be angiotensin AT2 receptors. Only the angiotensin AT1 receptor subtype interacted with G-proteins, as indicated by the 80% inhibition of [3H]angiotensin II binding in the presence of guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiophosphate) or fluoroaluminates. Although the angiotensin II-induced contraction was completely inhibited by losartan with a pA2 value of 8.8, PD 123319 reduced the angiotensin II-induced contraction by 20-25%, indicating that both angiotensin AT1 and AT2 receptor subtypes are functional in portal vein smooth muscle.

The marked disparity between the sizes of angiotensin type 2 receptors from different tissues is related to different degrees of N-glycosylation.

We recently described the photoaffinity labeling and partial characterization of the angiotensin type 2 (AT2) receptor from human myometrium. In the present study, specific receptors for angiotensin II (AII) were also analyzed in a murine fibroblast cell line (R3T3) and a rat pheochromocytoma cell line (PC-12). Dose-displacement experiments with PD 123319 (an AT2-selective antagonist) completely inhibited 125I-AII binding, whereas L-158,809 (an AT1-selective antagonist) had no significant effect on 125I-AII binding, thus revealing that these two cell lines express exclusively AT2 sites. High yields of covalent and selective labelling of AT2 receptors from human myometrium, R3T3 cells, and PC-12 cells were obtained with the photosensitive analogue 125I-[Sar1,Val5,p-benzoyl-Phe8]AII. Gel permeation chromatography of Triton X-100-solubilized AT2 receptors from the three different sources revealed similar Stokes' radii of about 65 A. Interestingly, upon electrophoresis under reducing conditions, marked disparities were observed between the apparent molecular masses of AT2 receptors from the three different sources. As observed previously, AT2 receptors from human myometrium showed a molecular mass of 68 +/- 4.6 kDa. AT2 receptors from PC-12 cells showed a larger molecular mass of 113 +/- 12 kDa, whereas AT2 receptors from R3T3 cells showed a molecular mass of 91 +/- 7.8 kDa. After endoglycosidase digestion with an enzyme that cleaves N-linked saccharides, the molecular masses of the denatured AT2 receptors of human myometrium, R3T3 cells, and PC-12 cells were decreased by 54%, 66%, and 73%, to 31.3 +/- 1.6 kDa, 30.9 +/- 0.7 kDa, and 30.6 +/- 0.8 kDa, respectively. Kinetic studies with AT2 receptors from human myometrium revealed a complex, multiple-step process of deglycosylation involving at least three different sites of N-linked saccharides. These results suggest that the disparity in the sizes of AT2 receptors from different sources is mostly related to different degrees of N-glycosylation. They also imply that the AT2 receptor contains at least three asparagine-linked sites of glycosylation.

The angiotensin II AT1 receptor is tyrosine and serine phosphorylated and can serve as a substrate for the src family of tyrosine kinases.

Angiotensin II AT1 receptor signal transduction has recently been shown to function through the phospholipase C isozyme, PLC-gamma. Since PLC-gamma is known to interact with phosphotyrosine containing proteins through SH2 domains, we examined the phosphorylation state of the AT1 receptor. Immunoprecipitation of the [32P] labeled AT1 receptor from rat aortic smooth muscle cells followed by alkali hydrolysis demonstrated the presence of tyrosine phosphorylation. Phosphoamino acid analysis of the excised bands demonstrated the presence of phosphoserine and phosphotyrosine residues. A fusion protein comprising the intracellular tail of the AT1 receptor was used to screen for candidate kinases, and the src kinase family displayed high activity. In summary, this study shows that the AT1 receptor is serine and tyrosine phosphorylated in vivo and suggests that a soluble kinase related to the src family may be responsible for the tyrosine phosphorylation.

Affinity purification of angiotensin type 2 receptors from N1E-115 cells: evidence for agonist-induced formation of multimeric complexes.

The murine neuroblastoma N1E-115 cell line possesses type 1 and type 2 angiotensin II (AngII) receptor subtypes. In vitro differentiation of these cells substantially increases the density of the AT2-receptor subtype, whereas the density of the AT1 receptors remains unchanged. In the present study, we report that the zwitterionic detergent 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS) selectively solubilized AT2 receptors from N1E-115 cell membranes and that these receptors could be purified further to near homogeneity by affinity chromatography. More specifically, the presence of an agonist (AngII) during affinity purification of AT2 receptors resulted in the elution of high (110-kDa) and low (66-kDa) molecular mass proteins as determined by gel electrophoresis under nonreducing conditions. In contrast, when the nonselective antagonist Sar1,Ile8-AngII was used during purification, only the lower 66-kDa protein was observed. Affinity purification in the presence of the peptide and nonpeptide AT2-receptor antagonists CGP42112A and PD123319 also resulted in elution of the same 66-kDa protein, but unlike that in the presence of Sar1,Ile8-AngII, some of the high molecular weight site was observed as well. On the other hand, Losartan, an AT1-receptor antagonist, was completely ineffective in eluting any AngII receptors from the affinity column, further confirming their AT2 identity. After agonist elution, the 110-kDa band dissociated into two low molecular mass bands of 66 kDa and 54 kDa when sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis was run under reducing conditions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Purification and characterization of angiotensin II AT2 receptors from neonatal rat kidney.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) AT2 receptors were purified 40,000-fold to a nearly homogeneous state after solubilization from neonatal rat kidney membranes with 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-2-hydroxy-1-propane-sulfonic acid. Comparable IC50 values for the soluble extract (0.32 nM) and membranes (0.31 nM) were obtained by competition curves with 125I-labeled CGP42112, a selective AT2 ligand. Binding to AT2 receptors in the soluble extract was not sensitive to dithiothreitol. AT2 receptors were further purified by gel filtration and a CGP42112 Sepharose affinity column. Ang II AT2 receptors were selectively eluted with 5 microM CGP42112 at 4 degrees C, and a single band with an apparent molecular mass of 71 kDa was obtained after SDS/PAGE. Two-dimensional electrophoresis confirmed the purity of the protein and an isoelectric point of 5.3-5.5 was obtained. A highly selective elution of the AT2 receptors from the affinity column was performed with 5 nM 125I-labeled CGP42112 at room temperature after the column was treated with 1 microM losartan in the presence of high salt. After cross-linking, a major labeled protein with similar molecular mass and isoelectric point was obtained. Dissociation of the radiolabeled protein was insensitive to losartan but was enhanced by CGP42112, PD123177, Ang II, and [Sar1]Ang II. In summary, Ang II AT2 receptors were purified by CGP42112 affinity chromatography and selective elution and retain the pharmacological specificity of particulate receptors.

Sheep hypothalamus contains a non-angiotensin ligand for type 1 and type 2 angiotensin II receptors.

1. The aim of this study was to determine whether the brain contains an alternative ligand for angiotensin II (AII) receptors. 2. A radioreceptor assay based upon bovine cerebellar membranes (Type 2 AII receptors) was used to monitor the partial purification of an AII-like material from sheep hypothalami. 3. This material displaces 125I-[Sar1, Ala8]-AII from both type 1 (rat adrenal capsular membranes) and Type 2 AII receptors in a manner parallel to that of AII. It has a size of approximately 30,000 Da, is strongly cationic, is stable to boiling but is destroyed by trypsin. It is not recognized by AII antisera. 4. These data provide direct evidence for a non-angiotensin endogenous ligand for brain AII receptors. This novel ligand may play a role in the regulation of blood pressure and other actions mediated by brain AII receptors.

Development of polyclonal antibodies against angiotensin type 2 receptors.

Murine neuroblastoma N1E-115 cells are a useful system in which to study neuronal angiotensin II (AngII) receptors. N1E-115 cells possess both type 1 (AT1) and type 2 (AT2) AngII receptor subtypes, as does mammalian brain. AT2 receptors in brain or N1E-115 cells can be solubilized in 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate. In the present study, heparin-Sepharose chromatography was used to partially purify solubilized N1E-115 membranes to produce an enriched population of AT2 receptors. Subsequently, an eluted peak, containing the majority of AT2 binding activity, was used as an immunogen in the development of protein-directed polyclonal antibodies. The antibodies specifically detected immunoreactive proteins of approximately 110 and 66 kDa in both solubilized N1E-115 cells, as well as the original protein material that eluted from the heparin-Sepharose column, whereas no such immunoreactivity was detected in a kidney epithelial cell line that lacks any specific 125I-labeled AngII (125I-AngII) binding activity. Moreover, the antibodies immunoreacted with affinity-purified AT2 receptors. These antibodies were also able to immunoprecipitate AT2 receptors from solubilized N1E-115 cells, as revealed by the pharmacologic profile of 125I-AngII binding to the precipitated protein. Similarly, the antibodies were able to immunoprecipitate a 66-kDa protein that had been covalently crosslinked with 125I-AngII by use of the homobifunctional crosslinker dithiobis(succinimidyl propionate). Collectively, these results demonstrate the development of a specific AT2 receptor antibody that may be used to further characterize this receptor subtype at both the cellular and molecular levels.

Angiotensin II receptor isoforms in the rat adrenal gland: studies with the selective subtype antagonists DuP 753 and CGP42112A.

The angiotensin II (Ang II)-binding sites in rat adrenal gland membranes were characterized using 125I-radiolabelled Ang II. While Scatchard analysis identified a single population of Ang II receptor sites, isoelectric focusing (IEF) on polyacrylamide gels revealed four peaks of specific Ang II binding which migrated to isoelectric points (pI values) 6.8, 6.7, 6.5 and 6.3. In binding assays in the presence of an excess of the Ang II receptor AT1 subtype antagonist DuP 753, a monophasic dose-dependent displacement of 125I-labelled Ang II binding by the Ang II receptor AT2 subtype antagonist CGP42112A was observed, and vice versa. In this system, reduction of disulphide bridges using 1 mmol dithiothreitol (DTT)/l markedly increased the number of binding sites in the adrenal zona glomerulosa without affecting receptor affinity. Using IEF, it was found that both DuP 753 and CGP42112A were able to reduce specific binding of each of the four peaks to some extent. However, the predominant effect of DuP 753 was to reduce the labelling of the isoform at pI 6.7 substantially, while CGP42112A significantly inhibited the specific 125I-labelled Ang II binding to the pI 6.3 isoform. When DuP 753 and CGP42112A were used together, specific binding of 125I-labelled Ang II to the isoforms of pI values 6.8, 6.7 and 6.3 was completely eliminated. These data suggest that the four peaks of specific binding found may be composed of different isoforms of both AT1 and AT2 receptor subtypes and that the Ang II receptor isoforms which migrated to pI 6.7 and pI 6.3 are predominantly composed of AT1 and AT2 receptor subtypes respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Isolation and expression of a novel angiotensin II receptor from Xenopus laevis heart.

A Xenopus laevis heart cDNA library was screened using the human angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptor cDNA coding sequence as a hybridization probe. A cDNA was isolated that encodes a protein of 363 amino acids that shares 63% sequence identity with the human AT1 receptor. Radioligand binding studies with the cloned receptor expressed in COS cells indicated that it is an angiotensin II receptor that possesses pharmacological properties distinct from those of the two known mammalian receptor subtypes, AT1 and AT2. Electrophysiological studies with the recombinant receptor expressed in X. laevis oocytes revealed that the amphibian receptor, like the mammalian AT1 receptor, can functionally couple to a second messenger system, leading to the mobilization of intracellular stores of calcium. However, nonpeptide antagonists selective for the mammalian AT1 and AT2 receptors do not block angiotensin II-stimulated functional responses in injected oocytes, which confirms that the amphibian receptor is a pharmacologically unique angiotensin II receptor. Nevertheless, based on conservation of structural features and motifs and similarity in coupling mechanisms, we speculate that the cloned Xenopus receptor is the amphibian counterpart of the mammalian AT1 receptor, having acquired its unique pharmacology as a consequence of evolutionary divergence.

Comparison of COS cell transfected AT1A and AT1B angiotensin II receptors and angiotensin II receptor isoforms in rat tissues using isoelectric focusing.

Rat adrenal AT1A and AT1B receptors from transfected COS-7 cells were labelled with 125I-Angiotensin II, solubilised, and run on isoelectric focusing gels. Receptors from rat tissues were treated similarly. COS-7 cell-expressed AT1A and AT1B receptors each produced a single peak of specific radioactivity at pI 6.8. Rat liver and rat ovary tissue preparations gave peaks at pI 6.8 and 6.5, respectively. In contrast, rat adrenal tissue preparations gave four peaks at pI 7.0, 6.8, 6.5, and 6.3. The additional isoforms found in the rat adrenal tissue preparations may represent post-translationally modified or novel receptors.

Angiotensin II receptor subtypes in the kidney.

The kidney is an important target organ for angiotensin II. The diverse biologic effects of angiotensin II in the kidney and periphery suggest that angiotensin II may be interacting with more than one receptor. Recently, the synthesis of highly selective nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonists and the expression cloning of the angiotensin receptor have unequivocally demonstrated the existence of at least two angiotensin II receptor subtypes, designated AT1 and AT2. Autoradiography and ligand binding studies have shown that most tissues, including the kidney, have a mixture of both receptor subtypes. The AT1 receptor is coupled via G proteins to traditional signal transduction mechanisms such as stimulation of phospholipase C, Ca2+ mobilization, and inhibition of adenylate cyclase. The AT2 receptor does not appear to be coupled to G proteins, and the signal transduction pathway(s) associated with this receptor is not known but may involve cGMP. In the kidney, as in the periphery, all of the major physiologic actions of angiotensin II appear to be mediated by activation of the AT1 receptor. In this review, the general characteristics of the AT1 and AT2 receptors and their distribution and function in the kidney will be discussed.