Immature osteoblastic MG63 cells possess two calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor subtypes that respond differently to [Cys(Acm)(2,7)] calcitonin gene-related peptide and CGRP(8-37).

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is clearly an anabolic factor in skeletal tissue, but the distribution of CGRP receptor (CGRPR) subtypes in osteoblastic cells is poorly understood. We previously demonstrated that the CGRPR expressed in osteoblastic MG63 cells does not match exactly the known characteristics of the classic subtype 1 receptor (CGRPR1). The aim of the present study was to further characterize the MG63 CGRPR using a selective agonist of the putative CGRPR2, [Cys(Acm)(2,7)]CGRP, and a relatively specific antagonist of CGRPR1, CGRP(8-37). [Cys(Acm)(2,7)]CGRP acted as a significant agonist only upon ERK dephosphorylation, whereas this analog effectively antagonized CGRP-induced cAMP production and phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and p38 MAPK. Although it had no agonistic action when used alone, CGRP(8-37) potently blocked CGRP actions on cAMP, CREB, and p38 MAPK but had less of an effect on ERK. Schild plot analysis of the latter data revealed that the apparent pA2 value for ERK is clearly distinguishable from those of the other three plots as judged using the 95% confidence intervals. Additional assays using 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine or the PKA inhibitor N-(2-[p-bromocinnamylamino]ethyl)-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide hydrochloride (H-89) indicated that the cAMP-dependent pathway was predominantly responsible for CREB phosphorylation, partially involved in ERK dephosphorylation, and not involved in p38 MAPK phosphorylation. Considering previous data from Scatchard analysis of [125I]CGRP binding in connection with these results, these findings suggest that MG63 cells possess two functionally distinct CGRPR subtypes that show almost identical affinity for CGRP but different sensitivity to CGRP analogs: one is best characterized as a variation of CGRPR1, and the second may be a novel variant of CGRPR2.

International Union of Pharmacology. XXXII. The mammalian calcitonin gene-related peptides, adrenomedullin, amylin, and calcitonin receptors.

The calcitonin family of peptides comprises calcitonin, amylin, two calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRPs), and adrenomedullin. The first calcitonin receptor was cloned in 1991. Its pharmacology is complicated by the existence of several splice variants. The receptors for the other members the family are made up of subunits. The calcitonin-like receptor (CL receptor) requires a single transmembrane domain protein, termed receptor activity modifying protein, RAMP1, to function as a CGRP receptor. RAMP2 and -3 enable the same CL receptor to behave as an adrenomedullin receptor. Although the calcitonin receptor does not require RAMP to bind and respond to calcitonin, it can associate with the RAMPs, resulting in a series of receptors that typically have high affinity for amylin and varied affinity for CGRP. This review aims to reconcile what is observed when the receptors are reconstituted in vitro with the properties they show in native cells and tissues. Experimental conditions must be rigorously controlled because different degrees of protein expression may markedly modify pharmacology in such a complex situation. Recommendations, which follow International Union of Pharmacology guidelines, are made for the nomenclature of these multimeric receptors.

The molecular pharmacology of CGRP and related peptide receptor subtypes.

Calcitonin gene-related peptides (alpha and beta isoforms), better known as CGRPalpha and CGRPbeta, were isolated twenty years ago. In fact, these were the first peptides to be characterized using a molecular cloning strategy, which is not the traditional approach of biochemical extraction and purification. Paradoxically, progress in the characterization of CGRP receptor subtypes has been extremely slow as a result of difficulties in their cloning and the lack of selective receptor subtype agonists and antagonists. However, exciting progress has been made overthe pasttwo years and is briefly reviewed here.

CGRP(2) receptor in the internal anal sphincter of the rat: implications for CGRP receptor classification.

The CGRP receptor mediating relaxation of the rat internal anal sphincter (IAS) has been characterized using CGRP analogues, homologues, the antagonist CGRP(8 - 37) and its analogues. In isolated IAS strips, the spontaneously developed tone was concentration-dependently relaxed by halpha CGRP, hbeta CGRP and rat beta CGRP (pEC(50) 8.1+/-0.2, 8.3+/-0.1 and 8.4+/-0.2, respectively; 100% maximum response). Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) was around 7 fold more potent than halpha CGRP (pEC(50) 9.0+/-0.1; 100% maximum relaxation). [Cys(ACM(2.7))] halpha CGRP and salmon calcitonin were inactive (up to 10(-5) M). Halpha CGRP(8 - 37) (10(-5) M) antagonized responses to halpha CGRP (apparent pK(B) 5.7+/-0.3) and rat beta CGRP (apparent pK(B) 5.8+/-0.2), but not to VIP. Hbeta CGRP(8 - 37) (10(-5) M) was an antagonist against halpha CGRP (apparent pK(B) 6.1+/-0.1). Halpha CGRP(8 - 37) analogues (10(-5) M), with substitutions at the N-terminus by either glycine(8) or des-NH(2) valine(8) or proline(8), antagonized halpha CGRP responses with similar affinities (apparent pK(B) 5.8+/-0.1, 5.8+/-0.1 and 5.5+/-0.1, respectively). Peptidase inhibitors (amastatin, bestatin, captopril, phosphoramidon and thiorphan, 10(-6) M each) did not increase the agonist potency of either halpha CGRP or [Cys(ACM(2,7))] halpha CGRP, or the antagonist affinity of halpha CGRP(8 - 37) against halpha CGRP or rat beta CGRP. These data demonstrate for the first time a CGRP receptor in the rat IAS for which halpha CGRP (8 - 37) and its analogues have an affinity that is consistent with a CGRP(2) receptor. However, there is a marked species difference as the antagonist has a 100 fold lower affinity in the rat than in the same tissue of the opossum (Chakder & Rattan, 1991).

The interaction of CGRP and adrenomedullin with a receptor expressed in the rat pulmonary vascular endothelium.

An abundant, seven trans-membrane domain receptor related to the calcitonin receptor has been studied by a number of groups without identification of its ligand. A recent report claimed that the receptor was a type 1 CGRP receptor (Aiyar et al J. Biol. Chem. 271 11325-11329 (1996)). We have studied the equivalent rat sequence in transfected cells. When expressed in 293 cells the receptor interacts with CGRP and adrenomedullin with KD values of 1.2 nM for CGRP and 11 nM for adrenomedullin. Both ligands cause an elevation of intracellular cAMP with EC50 values of 4 nM and 20 nM respectively and these effects are inhibited by the antagonist CGRP8-37. The receptor is expressed at high levels in the pulmonary vascular endothelium. Both the pharmacological data and the localisation are consistent with the conclusion that the orphan receptor is a type J CGRP receptor. However, when expressed in COS-7 cells, no receptor activity could be demonstrated suggesting that 293 cells contain a factor necessary for functional receptor expression.

A potent and selective CGRP2 agonist, [Cys(Et)2,7]hCGRP alpha: comparison in prototypical CGRP1 and CGRP2 in vitro bioassays.

The development of highly selective and potent agonists and antagonists is critical in evaluating the physiological role(s) of each receptor subtype in a peptide family. The existence of at least two calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) receptor subtypes has been proposed based on the potency of CGRP8-37 to antagonize the effect of hCGRP alpha in the guinea pig atrium and the agonistic properties of the linear analogue [Cys(Acm)2,7]hCGRP alpha to mimic the effect of hCGRP alpha in the rat vas deferens. However, the rather low potency of [Cys(Acm)2,7]hCGRP alpha (ED50 = 82 +/- 7.5 nM) to activate the CGRP2 receptor subtype limits its usefulness. Accordingly, we investigated various structural modifications of this linear analogue in prototypical CGRP1 and CGRP2 in vitro bioassays. Among them, replacing the acetaminomethyl moiety (Acm) by an ethylamide group, [Cys(Et)2,7]hCGRP alpha demonstrated a high potency to inhibit the rat vas deferens twitch response (ED50 = 3.4 +/- 1.2 nM), whereas in the guinea pig atrium, this analogue induced only a slight inotropic effect at very high concentrations (1 microM). Moreover, [Cys(Et)2,7]hCGRP alpha as well as the addition of a tyrosine residue at the N-terminal, [Tyr0,Cys(Et)2,7]hCGRP alpha, competed with high affinities for [125I]hCGRP binding in rat brain homogenates (IC50 = 0.3 and 0.1 nM, respectively). Taken together, these results suggest that [Cys(Et)2,7]hCGRP alpha is a new potent analogue that could prove valuable in addressing the functional relevance of the CGRP2 receptor class.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide is released from capsaicin-sensitive nerve fibres and induces vasodilatation of human cerebral arteries concomitant with activation of adenylyl cyclase.

The vasomotor effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) analogues have been studied in circular segments of fresh human cerebral arteries obtained at neurosurgical operations using a sensitive in vitro system. Human alpha-CGRP, human beta-CGRP, rat alpha-CGRP and rat beta-CGRP induced strong and potent relaxation of precontracted circular vessel segments. The Imax (maximum relaxant effect) to human calcitonin was low and the pD2 (concentration for half maximum effect) 7.7 was much lower than that of CGRP. The CGRP-1, antagonist human alpha-CGRP8-37 blocked the response to human alpha-CGRP but not to human beta-CGRP, while the putative antagonist [Tyr]CGRP28-37 did not. Capsaicin (10(-15)-10(-8)M) caused relaxation of the cerebral arteries by 22% of precontraction. Pre-treatment with 10(-6)M human alpha-CGRP8-37 inhibited this relaxation. Human alpha-CGRP increased the cyclic AMP content of human cerebral arteries in a concentration-dependent manner. This increase in adenylyl cyclase activity was blocked by human alpha-CGRP8-37. The results suggest that CGRP-1 receptors coupled to adenylyl cyclase are present in human cerebral arteries.

Pharmacology of receptors for calcitonin gene-related peptide and amylin.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a widespread neuropeptide with multiple actions, has substantial homology with amylin, a peptide implicated in insulin-resistant diabetes, and adrenomedullin, a recently discovered potent vasodilator. There is controversy over the existence of CGRP receptor subtypes, and whether independent receptors exist for amylin and adrenomedullin. In this article, the current status of CGRP receptor classification is reviewed by David Poyner, taking particular account of species differences, and evidence is presented supporting the existence of multiple receptors for CGRP, as well as independent binding sites for amylin.

Effects of two truncated forms of human calcitonin-gene related peptide: implications for receptor classification.

We investigated the possibility that human alpha-calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP)-(8-37) and human beta CGRP-(8-37) show some selectivity as antagonists of CGRP1 and CGRP2 receptor-mediated responses. Bindings assays showed that human alpha CGRP, human alpha CGRP-(8-37) and human beta CGRP-(8-37) showed high affinity (in the nanomolar concentration range) for CGRP receptors expressed in SK-N-MC cells and also in rat brain membrane preparations. Both human alpha CGRP-(8-37) and human beta CGRP-(8-37) were potent antagonists of human alpha CGRP-stimulated cAMP accumulation in SK-N-MC cells. However, both human alpha CGRP-(8-37) and human beta CGRP-(8-37) were weakly effective in antagonizing human alpha CGRP-stimulated responses in guinea-pig atria and rat vas deferens. In rat vas deferens, but not guinea-pig atria, the effects of human alpha CGRP and human alpha CGRP-(8-37) (but not human beta CGRP-(8-37)) were potentiated by thiorphan. Neither human alpha- nor human beta CGRP-(8-37) showed selectivity for supposedly CGRP1 and CGRP2 receptor-mediated responses. Furthermore, differences in the effects of the truncated CGRP analogues may reflect differences in enzyme distribution rather than the existence of CGRP receptor subtypes.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide stimulates a positive contractile response in rat ventricular cardiomyocytes.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) elicits marked positive inotropic and chronotropic actions in the atria of several mammals. The second-messenger substance cyclic AMP and activation of L-type calcium channels have been implicated in these actions, but CGRP failed consistently to stimulate a contractile response in ventricular tissue obtained from various mammals. We assessed the actions of CGRP using isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes obtained from adult rats. Maximum changes in cell length (dL) of isolated cardiomyocytes during electrically stimulated (0.5 Hz) contractions were determined with adenosine deaminase (2.5 U/ml). In these conditions, CGRP produced a potent concentration-dependent positive contractile response that became maximal 4 min after initial stimulation. CGRP increased amplitude of cellular contractions maximally at a 1-nM concentration to a value 21.4% greater than that obtained without peptide. The EC50 value for the response was 31 pM. At concentrations greater than 1 nM, amplitude of the cellular contractile response decreased rapidly. The CGRP2-selective agonist, [cys ACM2,7] CGRP, increased the amplitude of cellular contractions maximally at 500 nM to a value 19.8% greater than that obtained without peptide. EC50 for this response was 6 nM. Salmon calcitonin (< or = 100 nM) did not elicit a significant contractile response. The fragment, CGRP8-37, a selective antagonist at the CGRP1 receptor subtype, while devoid of agonist activity, was a potent competitive antagonist of the positive contractile action of CGRP (pA2 value = 7.95). CGRP, present at maximally effective concentration (1 nM), when combined with isoprenaline ISO 100 pM-1 microM, elicited a greater increase in contractile amplitude than that elicited by ISO 100 pM-1 microM without CGRP. CGRP 1 nM combined with low concentrations of extracellular calcium ion < or = 4 mM produced a greater increase in contractile amplitude than that elicited by calcium ion < or = 4 mM without CGRP, but this additive effect was abolished in the presence of higher concentrations of extracellular calcium ion (> 4 mM). The cyclic AMP antagonist, Rp-cyclic AMPS (< or = 200 microM), did not inhibit the contractile response to CGRP 1 nM, but inhibited the contractile responses to ISO 100 nM and secretin 20 nM significantly and in a concentration-dependent manner. Diltiazem < or = 1 microM, a selective antagonist of L-type calcium channels, also failed to inhibit the contractile response to CGRP 1 nM but inhibited the contractile responses to ISO 100 nM and secretin 20 nM significantly and in a concentration-dependent manner.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)