The splice variant D3nf reduces ligand binding to the D3 dopamine receptor: evidence for heterooligomerization.

The D3 dopamine receptor belongs to the D2-like family of dopamine receptors. As with other members of this group, the D3 dopamine receptor gene contains introns which allow for alternative splicing of gene products. The best characterized of the human D3 dopamine receptor mRNA splice variants encodes a truncated protein called D3nf. The D3 dopamine receptor and D3nf were epitope-tagged and expressed in Sf9 insect cells by recombinant baculovirus infection. The D3 dopamine receptor showed saturable, high affinity binding of agonists and antagonists, consistent with reported D3 dopamine receptor pharmacology. When the D3 dopamine receptor and D3nf were co-expressed, the apparent density of D3 dopamine receptor expression, as determined by radioligand binding, was significantly lowered compared to D3 dopamine receptor expressed alone. This effect of D3nf was specific for the D3 dopamine receptor, since co-expression with the D2 dopamine receptor or beta2-adrenoceptor had no effect on binding. Confocal immunofluorescence studies were used to confirm that both D3 dopamine receptor and D3nf were well expressed on the cell surface and densitometric analysis of cell surface membrane protein confirmed that D3nf did not significantly alter the amount of D3 dopamine receptor expressed. Photoaffinity labelling with [125I]azidonemonapride showed that the amount of ligand bound by membranes co-expressing D3 dopamine receptor and D3nf was significantly less than that bound by membranes expressing D3 dopamine receptor alone. The greatest decrease in binding was observed in the D3 dopamine receptor oligomeric forms. Ligand binding to dimers and tetramers was reduced by 69 and 46%, respectively, indicating effects of a protein-protein interaction. Co-immunoprecipitation confirmed that the D3DR and D3nf interact with each other. These data indicate that D3nf heterodimerizes with the D3 dopamine receptor and decreases the capacity of D3 dopamine receptor to bind ligand.

Intestinal effects of isoprostanes: evidence for the involvement of prostanoid EP and TP receptors.

The isoprostanes, which differ from prostaglandins by the cis orientation of their side chains, are believed to exert their biological effects on either a prostanoid TP receptor or a "unique" isoprostane receptor. Preliminary experiments suggested that canine colonic epithelium possessed no prostanoid TP receptor activity, in contrast to the muscularis mucosae, which responds well to the selective prostanoid TP receptor agonist U46619. To define the receptors involved, the in vitro responses of the epithelium and muscularis mucosae from the canine proximal colon to both 8-iso-PGE2 and 8-iso-PGF2alpha were compared. The epithelium responded to 8-iso-PGE2 but not to 8-iso-PGF2alpha. Under basal conditions, 8-iso-PGE2 produced concentration-dependent increases in short circuit current (pEC50 = 6.4 +/- 0.1) that were not antagonized by the selective prostanoid TP receptor antagonist SQ29548 (10(-6) M). Cross-desensitization experiments suggested that the stimulant effects involved a prostanoid EP receptor. Desensitization of the epithelium to PGE2 resulted in unexpected decreases in short circuit current in response to 8-iso-PGE2 (10(-6) M). This effect was mimicked by the selective prostanoid TP receptor agonist U46619 (10(-5) M), and antagonized by three structurally different prostanoid TP receptor antagonists: L670596 (10(-6) M), SQ29548 (10(-6) M) and GR32191 (10(-6) M). 8-Iso-PGE2, 8-iso-PGF2alpha and U46619 caused concentration-dependent increases in the force of contraction of the muscularis mucosae strips. These responses were antagonized by selective prostanoid TP receptor antagonists, arguing for the involvement of prostanoid TP receptors. Thus, the effects of isoprostanes on the canine colon involve both prostanoid TP and EP receptors.