Joyce Myers

Characterization and tissue distribution of H3 histamine receptors in guinea pigs by Nα-methylhistamine

We have used [3H]N alpha-methylhistamine to characterize H3-binding in the guinea pig brain and to study its tissue distribution. Kinetic and equilibrium binding experiments indicate a single class of high affinity sites in membranes isolated from guinea pig brain tissue (Kd = 0.4 nM, Bmax = 41 fmol/mg of protein). Competition binding experiments have confirmed that this ligand associates with H3-receptors and, under the conditions used in these experiments, does not bind to H1- or H2-receptors. Although there was some binding in the ileum and large intestine, H3-binding was found primarily in the central nervous system.

Characterization of human, dog and rabbit corpus cavernosum type 5 phosphodiesterases

Human, dog and rabbit corpus cavernosum type 5 phosphodiesterases (PDE5) were isolated and their characteristics were compared. The three enzymes showed Km values of 0.8, 2.1 and 2.3 uM, respectively. They exhibited similar pH-dependence with optimal pH being 7.5. They required Mg++ for activity and the activity was suppressed by high concentrations of Zn++ (0.1-1 mM). Sildenafil potently inhibited the three enzymes with IC50 values of 3.6, 1.7 and 3.0 nM, respectively. Dipyridamole and IBMX (3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine) each also inhibited the three enzymes with similar, albeit lower, potencies (IC50 about 1.1 and 5.7 uM, respectively). However, zaprinast exhibited a significantly higher potency against the rabbit enzyme (IC50 53 nM) than against the human and dog PDE5s (IC5s 332 and 217 nM, respectively). Thus, the corpus cavernosum PDE5s are very similar among the various species with the only significant difference being their sensitivity to zaprinast. Human platelet PDE5 was also characterized by comparison with the corpus cavernosum enzyme. The platelet enzyme exhibited a Km, pH-, Mg++- and Zn++-dependence, and sensitivity to sildenafil and zaprinast very similar to those of the corpus cavernosum PDE5. However, compared with corpus cavernosum PDE5, the platelet enzyme exhibited higher sensitivity to dipyridamole and IBMX (IC50 0.46 and 1.8 uM, respectively). This study shows that despite similar kinetics and enzymatic properties, corpus cavernosum PDE5s from different species, and corpus cavernosum and platelet PDE5s, can have differential sensitivity to pharmacological inhibitors.

Design and synthesis of xanthine analogues as potent and selective PDE5 inhibitors.

We have discovered potent and selective xanthine PDE5 inhibitors. Compound 25 (PDE5 IC(50)=0.6 nM, PDE6/PDE5=101) demonstrated similar functional efficacy and PK profile to Sildenafil (PDE5 IC(50)=3.5 nM, PDE6/PDE5=7).

Steroid-sensitivity of agonist binding to pituitary cell line histamine H3 receptors

Histamine H3 receptors have been identified in rat and guinea-pig pituitary glands and in the mouse pituitary tumor cell line, AtT-20. Histamine H3 receptor agonists are reported to stimulate adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) release from AtT-20 cells, an effect blocked by histamine H3 but not H1 or H2 receptor antagonists. To determine whether negative feedback regulation of the histamine H3 receptor-mediated effect might occur, we tested the effects of steroid treatment upon binding of the agonist [3H]N alpha-methylhistamine to AtT-20 cell membranes. Consistent with feedback regulation, steroid treatment of the cells reduced [3H]N alpha-methylhistamine binding. The effect was dose-dependent and was greatest for glucocorticoids among the steroids tested. As the duration of steroid treatment increased, the amount of [3H]N alpha-methylhistamine binding decreased, to 15% of control at 36 h. However, the effect was not specific for histamine H3 receptors. Somatostatin inhibits ACTH release from these cells and its binding was similarly reduced by steroid treatment. Because steroids have been reported to modulate levels of guanine nucleotide-binding proteins, the lack of receptor specificity could reflect an indirect effect of steroids upon agonist binding and, in fact, we show that [3H]N alpha-methylhistamine binding to these cells, like somatostatin, is pertussis toxin-sensitive. However, steroid treatment does not alter the apparent levels of pertussis toxin substrate in these cells. Whether steroid treatment affects histamine H3 receptors of these cells directly or through some more subtle effect upon the guanine nucleotide-binding proteins to which they couple, the result is a negative feedback loop that attenuates [3H]N alpha-methylhistamine binding to these cells.

The role of a Ca2+/calmodulin dependent plasma membrane Ca2+ channel during concanavalin A activation of MC9 mast cells

The effects of Con A on free cytoplasmic calcium concentrations in the cloned murine mast cell, MC9, have been measured using the fluorescent calcium indicator quin 2. Con A causes a rapid, small yet sustained rise in free cytosolic calcium (up to 245 nM) followed closely by increased45calcium uptake and more slowly by histamine release. The increases in45calcium uptake and histamine release require extracellular calcium. However, the Ca2+ influx blockers, nifedipine and verapamil inhibit these responses only at concentrations significantly higher than those used in smooth muscle to oppose potential-dependent events, and diltiazem is inactive. These observations suggest that, in these mast cells, other types of channels control Ca2+ entry.In contrast, the intracellular Ca2+ blocker, TMB-8, inhibits both the Con A-induced histamine release and the Ca2+ changes. The calmodulin antagonists calmidazolium, trifluoperazine and W-7 are also highly effective inhibitors of both the Ca2+ changes and histamine release in direct proportion to their potency against calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterase, implicating calmodulin in the regulation of stimulus-secretion in MC9 cells. These data imply that histamine release follows increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Free intracellular Ca2+ results from rapid release from internal stores and is followed by a slower but more sustained influx of extracellular Ca2+.