RESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A (3) H-labelled derivative of the novel small-molecule bradykinin (BK) B(2) receptor antagonist JSM10292 was used to directly study its binding properties to human and animal B(2) receptors in intact cells and to closely define its binding site. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Equilibrium binding, dissociation and competition studies with various B(2) receptor ligands and [(3) H]-JSM10292 were performed at 4°C and 37°C. The experiments were carried out using HEK293 cells stably (over)expressing wild-type and mutant B(2) receptors of human and animal origin. KEY RESULTS: [(3) H]-JSM10292 bound to B(2) receptors at 4°C and at 37°C with the same high affinity. Its dissociation strongly depended on the temperature and increased when unlabelled B(2) receptor agonists or antagonists were added. [(3) H]-JSM10292 is cell membrane-permeant and thus also bound to intracellular, active B(2) receptors, as indicated by the different 'nonspecific' binding in the presence of unlabelled JSM10292 or of membrane-impermeant BK. Equilibrium binding curves with [(3) H]-JSM10292 and competition experiments with unlabelled JSM10292 and [(3) H]-BK showed a different affinity profile for the wild-type B(2) receptor in different species (man, cynomolgus, rabbit, mouse, rat, dog, pig, guinea pig). Characterization of B(2) receptor mutants and species orthologues combined with homology modelling, using the CXCR4 as template, suggests that the binding site of JSM10292 is different from that of BK but overlaps with that of MEN16132, another small non-peptide B(2) receptor ligand. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: [(3) H]-JSM10292 is a novel, cell membrane-permeant, high-affinity B(2) receptor antagonist that allows direct in detail studies of active, surface and intracellularly located wild-type and mutant B(2) receptors.
Asunto(s)
Permeabilidad de la Membrana Celular , Piridonas/metabolismo , Quinolinas/metabolismo , Receptor de Bradiquinina B2/metabolismo , Animales , Unión Competitiva , Bradiquinina/metabolismo , Antagonistas del Receptor de Bradiquinina B2 , Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Perros , Cobayas , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Macaca fascicularis , Ratones , Mutación , Ornitina/análogos & derivados , Ornitina/metabolismo , Conejos , Ratas , Receptor de Bradiquinina B2/genética , Sulfonamidas/metabolismo , PorcinosRESUMEN
The effect of nucleotides on binding of the B2 kinin (BK) receptor agonist [3H]BK and the antagonist [3H]NPC17731 to particulate fractions of human foreskin fibroblasts was studied. At 0 degrees C, particulate fractions exhibited a single class of binding sites with a Kd of 2.3 nM for [3H]BK and a Kd of 3.8 nM for the antagonist [3H]NPC17731. Incubation with radioligands at 37 degrees C for 5 min gave a reduction of agonist, as well as antagonist, binding that was between 0-40% depending on the preparation, even in the absence of guanosine nucleotides. As shown by Scatchard analysis, this reduction in specific binding was due to a shift in the affinity of at least a fraction of the receptors. The presence at 37 degrees C of the guanine nucleotides GTP, GDP and their poorly hydrolyzable analogs left [3H]NPC17731 binding unaffected, but reduced the receptor affinity for [3H]BK to a Kd of about 15 nM. The maximal number of receptors, however, was unchanged. This affinity change was strongly dependent on the presence of bivalent cations, in particular Mg2+. It was reversed by incubation at 0 degrees C. The rank order of the guanosine nucleotides for [3H]BK binding reduction was GTP[gammaS] = Gpp[NH]p > GTP = GDP > GDP[betaS]. GMP, ATP, ADP and AMP showed no influence on agonist binding. A model for the interaction of the B2 kinin receptor with G proteins is discussed.
Asunto(s)
Nucleótidos de Guanina/farmacología , Receptores de Bradiquinina , Unión Competitiva/efectos de los fármacos , Bradiquinina , Antagonistas de los Receptores de Bradiquinina , Línea Celular , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Fibroblastos , Proteínas de Unión al GTP/metabolismo , Guanosina Difosfato/análogos & derivados , Guanosina Difosfato/farmacología , Guanosina Trifosfato/análogos & derivados , Guanosina Trifosfato/farmacología , Humanos , Magnesio/farmacología , Modelos Químicos , Nucleótidos/farmacología , Oligopéptidos/metabolismo , Unión Proteica/efectos de los fármacos , Receptor de Bradiquinina B2 , Receptores de Bradiquinina/agonistas , Receptores de Bradiquinina/metabolismo , Temperatura , Factores de Tiempo , TritioRESUMEN
The human B2 kinin receptor (B2KR), stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, responded to bradykinin stimulation with rapid (within minutes) ligand internalization and loss of cell surface receptors (sequestration). By contrast, B1 kinin receptors (B1KR) showed almost no ligand internalization or receptor sequestration upon stimulation with des-Arg10-Kallidin (DAK). The ability of the B2KR to internalize and sequester is conferred by information in the cytoplasmic tail of the receptor. It is normally impossible to determine receptor affinity at 37 degrees C because of internalization and sequestration processes. We created a mutant B2KR, truncated at K315 of the cytoplasmic tail, that was no longer able to internalize or sequester, and compared the affinity of this mutant, and of the B1KR, at 0 degrees C and 37 degrees C. The B1KR receptor showed the same affinity (Kd = 0.4 nM) at both 0 degrees C and 37 degrees C. By contrast, the K315 mutant of the B2KR showed a lower affinity (Kd = 2.9 nM) at 37 degrees C than at 0 degrees C (Kd = 1.4 nM), indicating more rapid ligand dissociation at 37 degrees C. After ligand exposure, clones expressing B1KR exhibited a very slow dissociation of DAK, even at 37 degrees C. Although both kinin receptor subtypes induce the generation of inositol phosphates, functional responses showed clear differences. The response to stimulation of the B2KR comprises a rapid loss of functional responses, receptor sequestration, and ligand dissociation, and, upon long term stimulation, downregulation. By contrast, ligand stimulation of the B1KR, once this receptor is expressed de novo under pathological conditions, results in persistent signaling due to lack of ligand dissociation, desensitization and receptor sequestration. Moreover, long term stimulation of this receptor actually leads to increased expression.
Asunto(s)
Receptores de Bradiquinina/agonistas , Receptores de Bradiquinina/metabolismo , Animales , Bradiquinina/metabolismo , Células CHO , Cricetinae , Regulación hacia Abajo/fisiología , Humanos , Fosfatos de Inositol/metabolismo , Ligandos , Receptor de Bradiquinina B1 , Receptor de Bradiquinina B2RESUMEN
To determine the role of the cytoplasmic carboxyl termini of human B1 and B2 kinin receptors (B1KR and B2KR, respectively) in the internalization of their respective ligands, des-Arg10-kallidin and bradykinin (BK), both wild type receptors, as well as truncated B2KRs, a mutated B2KR, and chimeric receptors were stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Incubation of [3H]BK at 37 degrees C with cells expressing wild type B2KR resulted in pronounced and rapid ligand internalization ( approximately 80% after 10 min). By contrast, incubation of 3H-labeled des-Arg10-kallidin with cells expressing B1KR resulted in a modest, slow internalization of the ligand (<20% after 10 min). Replacement, from Cys324, of the cytoplasmic carboxyl terminus of the B2KR with that of the B1KR from Cys330 (both Cys residues are putative palmitoylation sites) greatly reduced ligand internalization ( approximately 40% after 10 min) without significantly altering Kd or ligand-induced signal activation. By marked contrast, the corresponding replacement, of the sequence from Cys330 of the cytoplasmic carboxyl terminus of the B1KR with the segment of the B2KR, led to a striking increase of ligand internalization ( approximately 75% within 10 min) without altering Kd or ligand-induced signal activation. Truncation of the B2KR to within three amino acids of Cys324 (truncation at Gly327) led to strongly reduced ligand internalization ( approximately 40% after 10 min). Truncation of the B2KR up to Lys315 almost completely abolished internalization of [3H]BK (10% after 10 min). This additional reduction is apparently not caused by the loss of the potential palmitoylation site at Cys324, since a B2KR with a point mutation of Cys324 to Ala internalized [3H]BK as rapidly as the wild type B2KR. From these results we conclude that the cytoplasmic carboxyl terminus of the human B2KR contains sequences that are necessary and sufficient to permit rapid ligand-induced sequestration of human kinin receptors and internalization of their agonists.
Asunto(s)
Receptores de Bradiquinina/metabolismo , Animales , Transporte Biológico , Células CHO , Compartimento Celular , Células Cultivadas , Cricetinae , Citosol , Fibroblastos/citología , Humanos , Fosfatos de Inositol/metabolismo , Ligandos , Pulmón/citología , Modelos Moleculares , Fragmentos de Péptidos/genética , Fragmentos de Péptidos/metabolismo , Conformación Proteica , Receptor de Bradiquinina B1 , Receptor de Bradiquinina B2 , Receptores de Bradiquinina/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes de Fusión/metabolismo , Transducción de Señal , TransfecciónRESUMEN
To delineate ligand binding and functional characteristics of the human B1 kinin receptor, a stable clone of Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing a single class of binding sites for [3H]des-Arg10-lysylbradykinin with a Kd of 0.3 nM and a Bmax of 38 fmol/mg protein ( approximately 40,000 receptors/cell) was isolated. Studies with peptide analogs showed that a lysine residue at position 1 (based on the lysylbradykinin sequence) of ligands was essential for high affinity binding to the human B1 receptor. In marked contrast to cloned Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the human kinin B2 receptor, which internalized approximately 80% of the ligand within 5 min upon exposure to 2 nM [3H]bradykinin, exposure of cells expressing the B1 receptor to 1 nM [3H]des-Arg10-lysylbradykinin resulted in minimal ligand internalization. Stimulation of the B1 receptor led to inositol phosphate generation and transient increases in intracellular calcium, confirming coupling to phospholipase C, while immunoprecipitation of photoaffinity-labeled G-proteins from membranes indicated specific coupling of the receptor to Galphaq/11 and Galphai1,2. The B1, unlike the B2, receptor does not desensitize (as demonstrated by continuous phosphoinositide hydrolysis), enhancing the potential role of this receptor during inflammatory events.
Asunto(s)
Bradiquinina/análogos & derivados , Bradiquinina/metabolismo , Receptores de Bradiquinina/metabolismo , Animales , Unión Competitiva , Transporte Biológico , Antagonistas de los Receptores de Bradiquinina , Células CHO , Cricetinae , Proteínas de Unión al GTP/metabolismo , Humanos , Fosfatos de Inositol/metabolismo , Calidina/análogos & derivados , Calidina/metabolismo , Ligandos , Oligopéptidos/farmacología , Pruebas de Precipitina , Unión Proteica , Receptor de Bradiquinina B1 , Receptor de Bradiquinina B2 , Receptores de Bradiquinina/agonistas , Proteínas Recombinantes/metabolismo , Transducción de Señal , Fosfolipasas de Tipo C/metabolismoRESUMEN
Receptors for bradykinin (BK) were characterized in primary cultures of beating neonatal rat cardiomyocytes using [3H]BK was radioligand. Degradation studies demonstrated that [3H]BK was stable for at least 2 h when incubated with cardiomyocytes at 2 and 37 degrees C in the presence of bacitracin in combination with captopril or ramiprilat. Without these inhibitors, > 80% of the [3H]BK was degraded within 2 h at 37 degrees C. This indicates that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is responsible for the main BK-degrading activity in cardiomyocytes. Scatchard plots were linear and gave a Kd of 1.5 +/- 0.8 nmol/l (mean +/- SD, n = 4) and a maximum binding capacity of 55-125 fmol/mg protein. Association and dissociation studies showed that binding of [3H]BK was saturable and reversible. Binding of [3H]BK at 37 degrees C led to internalization of the ligand. Competition studies with B1 and B2 agonists and antagonists were consistent with a B2 subtype of receptor. Addition of BK to beating cardiomyocytes (> 1 nmol/l) at 37 degrees C gave a strong but transient negative chronotropic effect. This response was paralleled by changes in the pulsation amplitude, which indicated a simultaneous negative inotropic effect of BK. These results provide a basis for the hypothesis that ACE inhibition exerts its cardioprotective effect at the level of a population of cardiomyocytes by virtue of kinin receptor-mediated mechanisms.
Asunto(s)
Corazón/fisiología , Contracción Miocárdica , Miocardio/metabolismo , Receptores de Bradiquinina/fisiología , Inhibidores de la Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina/farmacología , Animales , Animales Recién Nacidos , Bacitracina/farmacología , Bradiquinina/metabolismo , Captopril/farmacología , Células Cultivadas , Frecuencia Cardíaca , Miocardio/citología , RatasRESUMEN
Bradykinin exerts a broad spectrum of cellular effects on different tissues. It is believed that these effects are predominantly mediated by the recently cloned B2 receptor. The mechanism of post-receptor signal transduction is not known in detail. Involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) was suggested and activation of the classical PKC isoforms alpha and beta was recently demonstrated. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the B2 receptor also activates new (delta, epsilon) and atypical (zeta) PKC isoforms. To investigate this, chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, stably transfected with human B2 receptor, were used. In these cells the PKC isoforms alpha, delta, epsilon and zeta were detected by immunoblotting with specific antibodies. To monitor hormone-induced PKC translocation plasma membranes were prepared. Stimulation of the cells with bradykinin resulted in a rapid (30-60 s) translocation of the PKC isoforms alpha, epsilon, and zeta. Translocation of PKC delta was not detected. The effect of bradykinin was reduced by simultaneous addition of the receptor antagonist HOE 140, a bradykinin-related decapeptide. The data show that the B2 receptor in this cell model is able to activate, in addition to the classical PKC isoform alpha, the new PKC isoform epsilon and the atypical PKC isoform zeta. To test whether these effects are as well observed in a non-transfected cell, the experiments were repeated in human foreskin fibroblasts which naturally express high levels of B2 receptors. In this cell system similar results on PKC alpha, epsilon, and zeta were observed, suggesting that all three PKC isoforms are involved in signal transduction of the B2 receptor.
Asunto(s)
Bradiquinina/farmacología , Isoenzimas/metabolismo , Proteína Quinasa C/metabolismo , Receptores de Bradiquinina/fisiología , Animales , Bradiquinina/análogos & derivados , Bradiquinina/metabolismo , Antagonistas de los Receptores de Bradiquinina , Células CHO , Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Células Cultivadas , Cricetinae , Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Humanos , Cinética , Masculino , Proteínas Recombinantes/metabolismo , Piel/metabolismo , TransfecciónRESUMEN
Three sets of monoclonal antibodies against bradykinin (MBK1, MBK2, MBK3) were generated by somatic cell fusion, characterized by their peptide specificity and compared to the known ligand specificity of the kinin receptor subtypes. By these criteria the paratope of MBK3 resembled the B2 receptor binding site whereas MBK1 shared principal binding characteristics with the B1 recrptor. Anti-idiotypic antibodies against MBK1, MBK2 and MBK3 were raised in rabbit and sheep. Specificity of the network components was verified by inhibition experiments on the level of peptide, idiotype and anti-idiotype. Anti-idiotypic antibodies against MBK3 recognized a conformation-dependent epitope which was binding site-related. Binding studies on human foreskin fibroblasts and guinea pig ileum showed mutual displacement of the anti-idiotypic antibody and bradykinin at the binding site pointing to a specific interaction of the antibody with the receptor from various species. An agonist activity of the antibodies, demonstrated in human (inositolphosphate pathway) and mouse (prostaglandin pathway) fibroblasts indicated that the anti-idiotypes bear an internal image of the ligand epitope. This molecular mimicry which was further substantiated by the detection of bradykinin specific anti-idiotypic antibodies, provides the structural basis for the observed cross-reactivity over species borders.
Asunto(s)
Anticuerpos Antiidiotipos , Cininas/metabolismo , Receptores de Neurotransmisores/inmunología , Animales , Anticuerpos Monoclonales , Sitios de Unión , Unión Competitiva , Bradiquinina/análogos & derivados , Bradiquinina/metabolismo , Reacciones Cruzadas , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Epítopos , Femenino , Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Cobayas , Humanos , Íleon/metabolismo , Técnicas In Vitro , Sistema Calicreína-Quinina/inmunología , Ratones , Receptores de Bradiquinina , Receptores de Neurotransmisores/clasificación , Receptores de Neurotransmisores/metabolismoRESUMEN
Three sets of monoclonal antibodies against bradykinin (MBK1, MBK2, and MBK3) were generated by somatic cell fusion, characterized by their peptide specificity, and compared with the known ligand specificity of the kinin receptor subtypes. By these criteria, the paratope of MBK3 resembled the B2 receptor binding site, whereas MBK1 shared principal binding characteristics with the B1 receptor. Anti-idiotypic antibodies against MBK1, MBK2, and MBK3 were raised in rabbit and sheep. Specificity of the network components was verified by inhibition experiments on the level of peptide, idiotype, and anti-idiotype. Anti-idiotypic antibodies against MBK3 recognized a conformation-dependent epitope which was binding site-related. Binding studies on human foreskin fibroblasts and guinea pig ileum showed mutual displacement of the anti-idiotypic antibody and bradykinin at the binding site pointing to a specific interaction of the antibody with the receptor from various species. An agonist activity of the antibodies, demonstrated in human (inositolphosphate pathway) and mouse (prostaglandin pathway) fibroblasts indicated that the anti-idiotypes bear an internal image of the ligand epitope. This molecular mimicry, which was further substantiated by the detection of bradykinin-specific anti-anti-idiotypic antibodies, provides the structural basis for the observed cross-reactivity over species borders.
Asunto(s)
Anticuerpos Antiidiotipos/inmunología , Anticuerpos Monoclonales/inmunología , Bradiquinina/inmunología , Receptores de Neurotransmisores/inmunología , Animales , Sitios de Unión , Bradiquinina/metabolismo , Reacciones Cruzadas , Dinoprostona/metabolismo , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Epítopos/inmunología , Cobayas , Humanos , Fosfatos de Inositol/metabolismo , Ratones , Radioinmunoensayo , Receptores de Bradiquinina , Receptores de Neurotransmisores/metabolismo , Especificidad de la EspecieRESUMEN
mAb against bradykinin, the prototypic member of the kinin family of vasodilator peptides, were generated by somatic cell fusion. The antibodies were isotyped as IgG1, kappa-type, and their target epitopes mapped with bradykinin, lysyl-bradykinin (kallidin), kinin receptor antagonists, and fragments thereof, revealing three distinct sets of mAb, i.e., mAb against bradykinin (MBK)1, MBK2, and MBK3. Comparison of the immunologic binding affinities and the known pharmacologic binding specificities of bradykinin derivatives disclosed a striking similarity in the binding profiles of mAb MBK3 and the B2 type of the kinin receptor. Anti-idiotypic antibodies against MBK1, MBK2, and MBK3 were raised in rabbit and sheep. Inhibition and competition experiments on the level of the Ag (ligand), the idiotype, and the anti-idiotype demonstrated the mutual specificity of the network system components. Anti-idiotypic antibodies against MBK3 recognized a particular idiotope that was conformation-dependent and associated with the Ag binding site of the antibody. Binding of anti-idiotypic antibodies to the B2 receptor expressed by human foreskin fibroblasts and guinea pig ileum demonstrated that the anti-idiotypes cross-react with the corresponding receptor across species. Specific stimulation of the inositol phosphate pathway in human fibroblasts and of the PG pathway in mouse fibroblasts, respectively, and inhibition of the latter effect by the B2 kinin receptor antagonist NPC 567 indicated that the anti-idiotypes bear the internal image of a bradykinin epitope. Furthermore, antibodies of the third generation (anti-anti-idiotypic antibodies) recognized the authentic Ag, i.e., bradykinin. Hence, the anti-idiotypic approach provides powerful tools to probe for the hitherto poorly characterized B2 kinin receptor.
Asunto(s)
Anticuerpos Antiidiotipos/inmunología , Anticuerpos Monoclonales/inmunología , Bradiquinina/inmunología , Receptores de Neurotransmisores/metabolismo , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Animales , Afinidad de Anticuerpos , Unión Competitiva , Reacciones Cruzadas , Dinoprostona/biosíntesis , Epítopos , Cobayas , Humanos , Técnicas In Vitro , Fosfatos de Inositol/metabolismo , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Conejos , Receptores de Bradiquinina , Transducción de SeñalRESUMEN
Active B2 bradykinin (BK) receptors were solubilized in high yields from intact monolayers or particulate fractions of cultured human foreskin fibroblasts using 4 mM of the non-denaturing zwitterionic detergent 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonic acid (CHAPS). Other detergents showed only minor (digitonin) or no (Triton X-100, n-octyl glucopyranosid) efficacy at all. The stability of CHAPS-solubilized BK binding activity was temperature dependent being reduced to 30% of initial binding after 3 days of storage at 4 degrees C. CHAPS extracts, however, retained BK binding activity for at least several days when they were stored at -20 degrees C in the presence of 10% glycerol. The pharmacological characterization gave a rank order of potency for unlabeled BK, BK agonists, and antagonists to compete with [3H]BK for specific binding very similar to that observed in intact fibroblasts. Association and dissociation kinetics demonstrated that the binding of [3H]BK to the soluble CHAPS extracts was time dependent and reversible. Scatchard analysis of equilibrium binding data exhibited saturable binding of a single class of high affinity BK-binding sites with a Kd of 1.68 +/- 0.8 nM. Gel filtration revealed an apparent molecular weight of 250,000 for the solubilized BK receptor complex in CHAPS extracts. The ability to solubilize the B2 BK receptor in an active and stable form should allow for its future purification and for the characterization of its chemical properties.
Asunto(s)
Bradiquinina/metabolismo , Receptores de Neurotransmisores/aislamiento & purificación , Células Cultivadas , Ácidos Cólicos , Cromatografía en Gel , Detergentes , Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Humanos , Receptores de Bradiquinina , Receptores de Neurotransmisores/química , SolubilidadRESUMEN
The recently isolated, naturally occurring peptide hormones [Hyp3]-bradykinin and [Hyp3]-Lys-bradykinin were investigated for their agonist activity on solubilized binding sites from human fibroblasts. Both ligands competed with [3H]bradykinin binding in a dose-dependent fashion with potencies similar to bradykinin (BK) and Lys-BK. Biological activity was assessed by determination of inositol phosphate accumulation and cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate synthesis in intact cultured cells. Stimulation by the hydroxylated peptides resulted in a pronounced accumulation of both parameters with similar effectiveness as BK and Lys-BK. These results indicate that [Hyp3]-BK and [Hyp3]-Lys-BK are agonists at the bradykinin receptor system with properties comparable to their non-hydroxylated analogues. This suggests that hydroxylation of kinins does not alter receptor interaction or signal transduction in cultured human fibroblasts.
Asunto(s)
Bradiquinina/análogos & derivados , Fosfatos de Inositol/metabolismo , Calidina/análogos & derivados , Receptores de Neurotransmisores/efectos de los fármacos , Bradiquinina/farmacología , Células Cultivadas , AMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Humanos , Hidroxilación , Calidina/farmacología , Receptores de BradiquininaRESUMEN
Intact cultured human foreskin fibroblasts can be used as an in vitro system to study the regulatory events related to kinin receptor function. Specific bradykinin (BK) receptor sites (B2 subtype) were measured by direct binding study and correlated with BK-induced biological effects such as the release of inositol phosphates, formation of prostacyclin (PGI2), and accumulation of cyclic 3'5' adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Depending on the ambient concentration of BK in the culture medium, homologous receptor downregulation accompanied by a reduction in BK-stimulated PGI2 release occurred. These events were transient and followed by the recovery of both BK binding sites and BK responsiveness that was related to destruction of BK by highly active degradation systems. The fate of receptor-bound [3H]BK was studied by the acetic acid "stripping technique" that completely removes surface-bound [3H]BK while leaving internalized material with the remaining cells. Kinetic analysis of inside/surface ratios of 3H radioactivity revealed data consistent with the hypothesis of internalization of BK-receptor complexes. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of internalized 3H counts showed significant quantities of intact [3H]BK occurring in an intracellular compartment. Compounds or drugs that enhance intracellular cAMP levels or inhibit generation of eicosanoids were shown to modify the BK response by indirect means. BK-receptor binding sites appear to be under tight regulatory control by both the mechanisms influencing the ambient concentration of BK and the interaction between multiple mediators.