Signalling profile differences: paliperidone versus risperidone.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Paliperidone is an active metabolite of the second-generation atypical antipsychotic, risperidone recently approved for the treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Because paliperidone differs from risperidone by only a single hydroxyl group, questions have been raised as to whether there are significant differences in the effects elicited between these two drugs. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: We compared the relative efficacies of paliperidone versus risperidone to regulate several cellular signalling pathways coupled to four selected GPCR targets that are important for either therapeutic or adverse effects: human dopamine D2 , human serotonin 2A receptor subtype (5-HT2A ), human serotonin 2C receptor subtype and human histamine H1 receptors. KEY RESULTS: Whereas the relative efficacies of paliperidone and risperidone were the same for some responses, significant differences were found for several receptor-signalling systems, with paliperidone having greater or less relative efficacy than risperidone depending upon the receptor-response pair. Interestingly, for 5-HT2A -mediated recruitment of ß-arrestin, 5-HT2A -mediated sensitization of ERK, and dopamine D2 -mediated sensitization of adenylyl cyclase signalling, both paliperidone and risperidone behaved as agonists. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: These results suggest that the single hydroxyl group of paliperidone promotes receptor conformations that can differ from those of risperidone leading to differences in the spectrum of regulation of cellular signal transduction cascades. Such differences in signalling at the cellular level could lead to differences between paliperidone and risperidone in therapeutic efficacy or in the generation of adverse effects.

Current status of inverse agonism at serotonin2A (5-HT2A) and 5-HT2C receptors.

Contemporary receptor theory was developed to account for the existence of constitutive activity, as defined by the presence of receptor signaling in the absence of any ligand. Thus, ligands acting at a constitutively active receptor, can act as agonists, antagonists, and inverse agonists. In vitro studies have also revealed the complexity of ligand/receptor interactions including agonist-directed stimulus trafficking, a finding that has led to multi-active state models of receptor function. Studies with a variety of cell types have established that the serotonin 5-HT(2A) and 5-HT(2C) receptors also demonstrate constitutive activity and inverse agonism. However, until recently, there has been no evidence to suggest that these receptors also demonstrate constitutive activity and hence reveal inverse agonist properties of ligands in vivo. This paper describes our current knowledge of constitutive activity in vitro and then examines the evidence for constitutive activity in vivo. Both the serotonin 5-HT(2A) and 5-HT(2C) receptors are involved in a number of physiological and behavioral functions and are the targets for treatment of schizophrenia, anxiety, weight control, Parkinsonism, and other disorders. The existence of constitutive activity at these receptors in vivo, along with the possibility of inverse agonism, provides new avenues for drug development.

Integrins regulate opioid receptor signaling in trigeminal ganglion neurons.

The binding of integrins to the extracellular matrix results in focal organization of the cytoskeleton and the genesis of intracellular signals that regulate vital neuronal functions. Recent evidence suggests that integrins modulate G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling in hippocampal neurons. In this study we evaluated the hypothesis that integrins regulate the mu opioid receptor in rat trigeminal ganglion neurons. For these studies, primary cultures of adult rat trigeminal ganglion neurons were used to demonstrate the colocalization of beta1 and beta3 integrins with mu opioid receptor in caveolin-1-rich membrane fractions, and at focal adhesions sites generated by integrin ligand binding. Furthermore, we show that the mu opioid receptor agonist, DAMGO ([D-Ala(2),N-MePhe(4),Gly-ol(5)]enkephalin), inhibits cyclic AMP (cAMP) accumulation in response to prostaglandin E2 (PGE(2)) stimulation in bradykinin-primed, but not unprimed, cultured trigeminal ganglia neurons. Application of soluble GRGDS (Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser) peptides that bind specific integrins (i.e. RGD-binding integrins) completely abolished the DAMGO effect in bradykinin-primed trigeminal ganglia neurons, but did not alter bradykinin-mediated hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol. Likewise, monospecific anti-beta1 and anti-beta3 integrin subunit antibodies blocked this DAMGO effect in bradykinin-primed trigeminal ganglia neurons. Indeed, application of anti-beta1 integrin subunit actually reversed DAMGO signaling, resulting in increased cAMP accumulation in these cells. This suggests that the relative amounts of specific activated integrins at focal adhesions may govern signaling by the mu opioid receptor, perhaps by altering interactions with G proteins (e.g. Galphai vs. Galphas). Collectively, these data provide the first evidence that specific integrins regulate opioid receptor signaling in sensory neurons.

Removal of cyanobacteria, cyanotoxins, heterotrophic bacteria and endotoxins at an operating surface water treatment plant.

The removal of cyanobacteria, hepatotoxins produced by them (microcystins), phytoplankton, heterotrophic bacteria and endotoxins were monitored at a surface water treatment plant with coagulation, clarification, sand filtration, ozonation, slow sand filtration and chlorination as the treatment process. Coagulation-sand filtration reduced microcystins by 1.2-2.4, and endotoxins by 0.72-2.01 log10 units. Ozonation effectively removed the residual microcystins. The treatment process reduced phytoplankton biomass by 2.2-4.6 and heterotrophic bacteria by 2.0-5.0 log10 units. In treated water, the concentration of microcystins never exceeded the WHO guide value (1 microg/L), but picoplankton and monad cells were often detected in high numbers. The heterotrophic bacterial isolates from the treated waters belonged to genera Sphingomonas, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Herbaspirillum and Bosea.

Regulation of 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(1B) receptor systems by phospholipid signaling cascades.

The 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(1B) receptor systems play central roles in the control of serotonergic neurotransmission and feature prominently in many behaviors and physiological functions. In addition, the regulation of these receptors and their effector mechanisms has been the focus of intense interest because of their potential importance in the therapeutic actions of anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs. Here we describe the regulation of 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(1B) receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase activity by receptors which activate phospholipid signaling cascades. Although it might be expected that these two highly homologous Gi-coupled receptors would be regulated similarly by activation of phospholipase C (PLC) and phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)), we have found that the regulation differs markedly between these receptor systems. Further, our data suggest that the modulation of agonist efficacy at these receptor subtypes is dependent on the nature of receptor coupling to PLC and PLA(2) activation. Moreover, regulation at the level of the effector (e.g., adenylyl cyclase) appears to play a significant role in the regulation of both the 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(1B) receptor systems by the PLA(2) signaling cascade. Such data illustrate multiple levels for control of biochemical signaling cascades within cells and demonstrate that although different receptors may couple to the same effector pathways, the ultimate cellular effects produced by these receptors may differ due to differential cross-talk regulation.

Differences in rapid desensitization of 5-hydroxytryptamine2A and 5-hydroxytryptamine2C receptor-mediated phospholipase C activation.

The serotonin (5-HT)2A and 5-HT2C receptors share a high degree of sequence homology and have very similar pharmacological profiles. Although it is generally believed that the cellular signal transduction mechanisms activated by these receptors are indistinguishable, recent data suggest significant differences in their signaling cascades. In this study we explored differences in the characteristics and mechanisms of rapid desensitization between the 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptor systems. For both receptor systems, pretreatment with 5-HT reduced the ability of a maximal concentration of 5-HT to stimulate phospholipase C-mediated inositol phosphate accumulation by about 65%, although the 5-HT2C receptor system was more sensitive to the desensitizing stimulus. Differences in the concentration dependence of the rate constant for desensitization (k(des)) suggested different mechanisms of desensitization for the 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptor systems. At very high receptor occupancy (>99%), the responsiveness of the 5-HT2A, but not the 5-HT2C, receptor system returned to control levels despite the continued presence of the agonist. This resensitization was dependent upon the activity of protein kinase C (PKC). Agonist-induced desensitization of the 5-HT2A, but not the 5-HT2C, receptor system was reduced by the PKC inhibitors staurosporine and bisindolylmaleimide, and by down-regulation of PKC. In addition, inhibitors of calmodulin (W-7) or of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, reduced 5-HT2A, but not 5-HT2C, desensitization. Desensitization of the 5-HT2C, but not the 5-HT2A, receptor system was dependent on G protein receptor kinase activity. These data further emphasize the major differences in the signaling systems coupled to 5-HT2A/2C receptors.

RNA-editing of the 5-HT(2C) receptor alters agonist-receptor-effector coupling specificity.

1. The serotonin(2C) (5-HT(2C)) receptor couples to both phospholipase C (PLC)-inositol phosphate (IP) and phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2))-arachidonic acid (AA) signalling cascades. Agonists can differentially activate these effectors (i.e. agonist-directed trafficking of receptor stimulus) perhaps due to agonist-specific receptor conformations which differentially couple to/activate transducer molecules (e.g. G proteins). Since editing of RNA transcripts of the human 5-HT(2C) receptor leads to substitution of amino acids at positions 156, 158 and 160 of the putative second intracellular loop, a region important for G protein coupling, we examined the capacity of agonists to activate both the PLC-IP and PLA(2)-AA pathways in CHO cells stably expressing two major, fully RNA-edited isoforms (5-HT(2C-VSV), 5-HT(2C-VGV)) of the h5-HT(2C) receptor. 2. 5-HT increased AA release and IP accumulation in both 5-HT(2C-VSV) and 5-HT(2C-VGV) expressing cells. As expected, the potency of 5-HT for both RNA-edited isoforms for both responses was 10 fold lower relative to that of the non-edited receptor (5-HT(2C-INI)) when receptors were expressed at similar levels. 3. Consistent with our previous report, the efficacy order of two 5-HT receptor agonists (TFMPP and bufotenin) was reversed for AA release and IP accumulation at the non-edited receptor thus demonstrating agonist trafficking of receptor stimulus. However, with the RNA-edited receptor isoforms there was no difference in the relative efficacies of TFMPP or bufotenin for AA release and IP accumulation suggesting that the capacity for 5-HT(2C) agonists to traffic receptor stimulus is lost as a result of RNA editing. 4. These results suggest an important role for the second intracellular loop in transmitting agonist-specific information to signalling molecules.

Mechanisms of regulation of agonist efficacy at the 5-HT(1A) receptor by phospholipid-derived signaling components.

The 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)(1A) receptor system plays a prominent role in a variety of physiological functions and behaviors and regulation of the responsiveness of this receptor system has been implicated in the therapeutic mechanism of action of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor class of antidepressant drugs. Here we report that the responsiveness of the 5-HT(1A) receptor system is regulated by consequences of activation of the phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) and phospholipase C effector pathways. In Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing the human 5-HT(1A) receptor, 5-HT(1A) receptor-mediated inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation was reduced by a cyclooxygenase-dependent arachidonic acid (AA) metabolite produced in response to exogenously applied AA or activation of PLA(2) directly with melittin or indirectly by receptor activation. This effect of the AA metabolite was sensitive to the activation state of adenylyl cyclase suggesting that the target of the AA metabolite-induced reduction in 5-HT(1A) responsiveness was adenylyl cyclase. Activation of protein kinase C with a phorbol ester also reduced 5-HT(1A) receptor function. In contrast, increases in intracellular calcium levels via a calcium ionophore or thapsigargin enhanced 5-HT(1A) responsiveness. The net effect of activation of phospholipid-coupled receptors on 5-HT(1A) agonist efficacy depended upon the relative capacity to produce these positive (calcium) and negative (AA) regulators. These data demonstrate that the responsiveness of the 5-HT(1A) receptor system can be enhanced or depressed by consequences of activation of phospholipid-coupled receptor systems. An understanding of the cellular mechanisms for regulation of 5-HT(1A) function may lead to novel targets for development of psychotherapeutic drugs.

Morphological changes in the testis after long-term valproate treatment in male Wistar rats.

Uncertainty exists about the effect of antiepileptic drugs on gonadal function. In females, long-term valproate treatment has been shown to induce endocrine disturbances and an increased number of ovarian cysts. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether valproate can also induce morphological changes in the testis of male animals. In addition, possible morphological changes in the liver, heart, lungs, lymphatic nodes, pancreas, kidney or brain were studied. The carcinogenic implications were evaluated by the measurement of p53. Male Wistar rats were fed perorally with valproate mixture 200 mg kg(-1)(n= 15) or 400 mg kg(-1)(n= 20), or control solution (n= 15) twice daily for 90 days. Serum concentrations measured 4-6 hours after the last dose were 105 and 404 micromol l(-1)in low- and high-dose valproate treated animals respectively. There was a highly significant, 51% decrease (P< 0.001) in testicular weight in the high-dose treated valproate rats with no changes in the other groups. There was widespread testicular atrophy with histologically verified spermatogenic arrest in 15/20 of the high-dose valproate treated animals. No changes in the testis were seen in the low-dose valproate treated rats, nor in the control rats. There were no morphological changes in the other investigated organs. None of the groups showed over-expression of p53. In conclusion, a dose-dependent effect of chronic valproate treatment was found on testicular morphology in rats. Caution must be taken before these results can be applied to humans.

Artificial insemination with frozen semen in dogs: a retrospective study.

In a retrospective study, from 1994 to 1998, of inseminations with frozen semen in dogs, a total of 312 bitches of 70 different breeds were inseminated with imported (n = 183) or domestic (n = 129) semen. The overall whelping rate was 70% and mean (+/- SEM) litter size was 5.3 +/- 0.2 pups. The whelping rate was higher after intrauterine insemination (71%; n = 305) than after intravaginal insemination (29%; n = 7; P < 0.05). Timing of insemination was crucial; timing classified as optimal resulted in a higher whelping rate and larger litter size (P < 0.05) than did timing classified as early, late or too late. In the too late category, none of the bitches (n = 5) whelped. For optimal timing, whelping rate and mean (+/- SEM) litter size were 76% (n = 252) and 5.6 +/- 0.2, for early 33% (n = 6) and 1.5 +/- 0.5, and for late 47% (n = 19) and 2.8 +/- 0.7. Two inseminations yielded a higher whelping rate (P < 0.05) and greater mean litter size (P < 0.05) than that of one insemination, 77% and 5.6 +/- 0.3, and 60% and 4.6 +/- 0.3, respectively. However, the results obtained after one insemination were poorer partly because of an over-representation of late insemination in this group. Semen classified as of poor quality (progressive motility < 50% or percentage of abnormal spermatozoa > 20%) gave a lower whelping rate (53%) than did semen of medium (progressive motility = 50%) or good quality (progressive motility > 50% and percentage of abnormal spermatozoa < 20%), which gave whelping rates of 76 and 74%, respectively (P < 0.05). The mean litter sizes were not significantly different. Eighty-two per cent of bitches (120 of 147) inseminated twice into the uterus at a time classified as optimal with frozen semen of good or medium quality whelped. The mean (+/- SEM) litter size was 5.6 +/- 0.3 pups in this group. These results show the potential of transcervical intrauterine insemination for routine artificial insemination in dogs.

Characterization of 5-HT(1A,B) and 5-HT(2A,C) serotonin receptor binding.

This unit describes assays for measuring the binding of radioligands to two major types of receptors for 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT or serotonin), 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors, in homogenates of brain tissue or cloned into cells in culture. The specific receptor subtypes covered are 5-HT(1A), 5-HT(1B), 5-HT(2A), and 5-HT(2C). In addition, methodology for using quantitative autoradiography to measure radioligand binding to serotonin receptors in brain slices is described. Protocols are provided for characterization of both saturation and competition binding assays, and instructions for data analysis of these assays is also described. In addition, methodology is provided for the quantification (image analysis) of radioligand binding in brain tissue sections to determine receptor density, preparation of rat brain sections for quantitative autoradiography, and thionin staining of thaw-mounted tissue sections to define certain brain regions.

Novel actions of inverse agonists on 5-HT2C receptor systems.

In cell systems where ligand-independent receptor activity is optimized (such as when receptors are overexpressed or mutated), acute treatment with inverse agonists reduces basal effector activity whereas prolonged exposure leads to sensitization of receptor systems and receptor up-regulation. Few studies, however, have reported effects of inverse agonists in systems where nonmutated receptors are expressed at relatively low density. Here, we investigated the effects of inverse agonists at human serotonin (5-HT)2C receptors expressed stably in Chinese hamster ovary cells ( approximately 250 fmol/mg protein). In these cells, there is no receptor reserve for 5-HT and 5-HT2C inverse agonists did not reduce basal inositol phosphate (IP) accumulation nor arachidonic acid (AA) release but behaved as simple competitive antagonists, suggesting that these receptors are not overexpressed. Prolonged treatment (24 h) with inverse agonists enhanced selectively 5-HT2C-mediated IP accumulation but not AA release. The enhancing effect occurred within 4 h of treatment, reversed within 3 to 4 h (after 24-h treatment), and could be blocked with neutral antagonists or weak positive agonists. The enhanced responsiveness was not due to receptor up-regulation but may involve changes in the expression of the G protein, Galphaq/11 and possibly Galpha12 and Galpha13. Interestingly, 24-h exposure to inverse agonists acting at 5-HT2C receptors also selectively enhanced IP accumulation, but not AA release, elicited by activation of endogenous purinergic receptors. These data suggest that actions of inverse agonists may be mediated through effects on receptor systems that are not direct targets for these drugs.

Regulation of serotonin2A receptor expression by an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide.

The regulation of 5-HT2A receptor expression by an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide, complementary to the coding region of rat 5-HT2A receptor mRNA, was examined in a cortically derived cell line and in rat brain. Treatment of A1A1 variant cells, which express the 5-HT2A receptor coupled to the stimulation of phosphatidylinositol (PI) hydrolysis, with antisense oligodeoxynucleotide decreased the maximal stimulation of PI hydrolysis by the partial agonist quipazine and the number of 5-HT2A receptor sites as measured by the binding of 2-[125I]-iodolysergic acid diethylamide. Treatment of cells with random, sense, or mismatch oligodeoxynucleotide did not alter the stimulation of PI hydrolysis by quipazine or 5-HT2A receptor number. Intracerebroventricular infusion of antisense, but not mismatch, oligodeoxynucleotide for 8 days resulted in a significant increase in cortical 5-HT2A receptor density and an increase in headshake behavior induced by the 5-HT2 receptor agonist 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane. The density of cortical 5-HT2A receptors was not altered by administration of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide for 1, 2, or 4 days. We hypothesize that in brain this antisense oligodeoxynucleotide relieved some form of translational suppression, resulting in an increase in 5-HT2A receptor expression.

The mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway inhibits ceramide-induced terminal differentiation of a human monoblastic leukemia cell line, U937.

This communication describes an extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK)-dependent signal transduction pathway that prevents the terminal differentiation of a hemopoietic cell line. Both PMA and the cell-permeable ceramide, C2-ceramide, caused differentiation of U937 cells, but with distinct cell morphology and CD11b/CD14 surface expression. While PMA activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), a downstream kinase of Raf-MEK signaling, C2-ceramide activated c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), an anchor kinase of stress-induced signaling. Furthermore, only C2-ceramide stimulated an induction of cell cycle arrest that was associated with stable expression of p21CIP1 and retinoblastoma nuclear phosphoprotein dephosphorylation. Expression of p21CIP1 and JNK activation were also observed in sphingosine-treated cells, whereas sphingosine did not induce detectable differentiation. Concomitant stimulation with C2-ceramide and PMA resulted in the PMA phenotype, and cell cycle arrest was absent. ERK activation was enhanced by C2-ceramide plus PMA stimulation, whereas the activation of JNK was aborted. Strikingly, the inhibition of MEK with PD98059 altered the phenotype of C2-ceramide- and PMA-stimulated U937 cells to that of cells treated with C2-ceramide alone. Thus, ERK and JNK pathways deliver distinct signals, and the ERK pathway is dominant to the JNK cascade. Furthermore, differentiation and cell cycle arrest caused by C2-ceramide rely on independent signaling pathways, and JNK is an unlikely signaling element for this differentiation. Importantly, during C2-ceramide and PMA costimulation, the JNK pathway is not simply blocked by ERK activation; rather, cross-talk between these MAP kinase pathways acts to simultaneously augment ERK activity and down-regulate JNK activity.

Effector pathway-dependent relative efficacy at serotonin type 2A and 2C receptors: evidence for agonist-directed trafficking of receptor stimulus.

There are many examples of a single receptor coupling directly to more than one cellular signal transduction pathway. Although traditional receptor theory allows for activation of multiple cellular effectors by agonists, it predicts that the relative degree of activation of each effector pathway by an agonist (relative efficacy) must be the same. In the current experiments, we demonstrate that agonists at the human serotonin2A (5-HT2A) and 5-HT2C receptors activate differentially two signal transduction pathways independently coupled to the receptors [phospholipase C (PLC)-mediated inositol phosphate (IP) accumulation and phospholipase A2 (PLA2)-mediated arachidonic acid (AA) release]. The relative efficacies of agonists differed depending on which signal transduction pathway was measured. Moreover, relative to 5-HT, some 5-HT2C agonists (e.g., 3-trifluoromethylphenyl-piperazine) preferentially activated the PLC-IP pathway, whereas others (e.g., lysergic acid diethylamide) favored the PLA2-AA pathway. In contrast, when two dependent responses were measured (IP accumulation and calcium mobilization), agonist relative efficacies were not different. These data strongly support the hypothesis termed "agonist-directed trafficking of receptor stimulus" recently proposed by Kenakin [Trends Pharmacol Sci 16:232-238 (1995)]. Concentration-response curves to 5-HT2C agonists were fit well by a three-state model of receptor activation, suggesting that two active receptor states may be sufficient to explain pathway-dependent agonist efficacy. Rational drug design that optimizes preferential effector activity within a group of receptor-selective drugs holds the promise of increased selectivity in clinically useful agents.

The spermatogenic cycle in the silver fox (Vulpes vulpes): frequency of the different stages prior to and during the breeding season.

In the silver fox the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium could be classified into eight characteristic stages defined on the basis of different, well-defined cell associations. The main criteria for the staging were the type of spermatogonia, the appearance of primary spermatocytes, the occurrence of meiotic figures and secondary spermatocytes and the shape and location of spermatids. In some cases more than one stage could be found within the same transverse tubular section. The average frequency of stages I to VIII was 25.2, 8.2, 9.0, 4.9, 16.2, 8.3, 10.7 and 17.5%, respectively. No significant difference was found between individuals sampled before and at the beginning and end of the breeding season. However, late in the season the migration of old spermatids and release of spermatozoa tended to be somewhat retarded, causing a slight increase in the duration and frequency of the last two stages of the cycle.

Pleiotropic behavior of 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptor agonists.

There is now considerable evidence that a single receptor subtype can couple to multiple effector pathways within a cell. Recently, Kenakin proposed a new concept, termed "agonist-directed trafficking of receptor stimulus", that suggests that agonists may be able to selectively activate a subset of multiple signaling pathways coupled to a single receptor subtype. 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors couple to phospholipase C-(PLC) mediated inositol phosphate (IP) accumulation and PLA2-mediated arachidonic acid (AA) release. Relative efficacies of agonists (referenced to 5-HT) differed depending upon whether IP accumulation or AA release was measured. For the 5-HT2C receptor system, some agonists (e.g. TFMPP) preferentially activated the PLC-IP pathway, whereas others (e.g. LSD) favored PLA2-AA. As expected, EC50's of agonists did not differ between pathways. For the 5-HT2A receptor system, all agonists tested had greater relative efficacy for PLA2-AA than for PLC-IP. In contrast, relative efficacies were not different for 5-HT2A agonists when sequential effects in a pathway were measured (IP accumulation vs. calcium mobilization). These data strongly support the agonist-directed trafficking hypothesis.

Interactions between effectors linked to serotonin receptors.

In general, there are two types of interactions between effector signaling pathways. "Homologous" interactions are those that occur within a receptor system to alter its own responsiveness, for example the loss of responsiveness (desensitization) that can occur upon agonist occupancy of a receptor. "Heterologous" interactions are those that occur between different receptor systems where the responsiveness of one receptor system is regulated (positively or negatively) by activation of another receptor system (i.e., "cross-talk"). Many, if not all receptors, couple to multiple cellular effector pathways and alterations in the responsiveness of a receptor system can be effector pathway-dependent which underscores the importance of studying each effector coupled to a receptor. Regulation of receptor system responsiveness, and consequently the efficacy of drugs, is a highly dynamic process. Perhaps by exploiting these interactions, new targets for pharmacotherapy may be uncovered which will provide for increased efficacy and specificity of drug action.

5-hydroxytryptamine2C receptor activation inhibits 5-hydroxytryptamine1B-like receptor function via arachidonic acid metabolism.

We previously reported that in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1B-like (CHO/5-HT1B) receptor-mediated inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation is inhibited by activation of transfected human 5-HT2C receptors but not 5-HT2A receptors. In the current study, we investigated the mechanism involved in the regulation of receptor-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase as a means to further elucidate differences between the signal transduction cascades of the 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptor subtypes. Activation of 5-HT2C receptors with 5-HT or (+/-)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane increased release of arachidonic acid via a phospholipase A2 (PLA2)-dependent mechanism. Incubation with (+/-)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (1 microM) abolished 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5 nM)-mediated inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation, which was blocked by the PLA2 inhibitor mepacrine (100 microM) and the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (2 microM). Furthermore, purinergic receptor-mediated PLA2 activation as well as direct activation of PLA2 with melittin reduced CHO/5-HT1B responsiveness. These data indicate that activation of the PLA2/arachidonic acid signaling cascade mediates 5-HT2C receptor regulation of the CHO/5-HT1B receptor pathway. Consistent with our previous report and in contrast to activation of 5-HT2C or purinergic receptors, activation of 5-HT2A receptors had no effect on CHO/5-HT1B receptor function, although 5-HT2A receptor-mediated activation of PLA2 was measured. Interestingly, purinergic receptor-mediated inhibition of CHO/5-HT1B receptor function was blocked when 5-HT2A receptors were activated simultaneously. These data suggest that the lack of 5-HT2A mediated regulation of CHO/5-HT1B receptors may be due to activation of a third pathway (in addition to PLC and PLA2 pathways), which results in the inhibition of the production or the actions of a cyclooxygenase-dependent arachidonic acid metabolite.

Nerve growth factor amplifies cyclic AMP production in the HT4 neuronal cell line.

There has been considerable interest and controversy in the relationship between nerve growth factor (NGF) and the cyclic AMP (cAMP) second messenger system. We have used a novel, neuronal cell line (HT4) to investigate the effect of NGF on the adenylyl cyclase signaling system. Treatment of cells with NGF (100 ng/ml, 15 min) amplified cAMP accumulation (approximately 75%) in response to activation of adenosine A2 receptors (5 min) with 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine or activation of adenylyl cyclase directly with forskolin. Basal cAMP accumulation was not altered by NGF. This amplification appears to be mediated by activation of protein kinase C (PKC) because (1) it was mimicked by activators (phorbol esters and a diacylglycerol analogue) of PKC, (2) the effects of NGF and phorbol ester on cAMP accumulation were not additive, (3) NGF amplification of cAMP accumulation was abolished by down-regulation of PKC, (4) NGF increased cytosolic PKC activity, and (5) inhibitors of PKC blocked the NGF-induced amplification of cAMP accumulation. Although NGF-induced amplification of cAMP accumulation was dependent upon PKC, mechanisms other than the classic activation pathway (i.e., hydrolysis of inositol phospholipids or the production of diacylglycerol) appeared to mediate PKC activation by NGF. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor, lavendustin A, blocked NGF-mediated amplification of cAMP accumulation, suggesting a novel interaction between a tyrosine kinase and protein kinase C.