Yvette Torrens

Localization of tachykinin binding sites (NK1, NK2, NK3 ligands) in the rat brain.

A comparative autoradiographic analysis of the distribution of tachykinin binding sites was made on brain serial sections using several ligands. (1) 3H-SP, 125I-BHSP and 3H-physalaemin labeled identical binding sites (NK1 type). (2) 3H-NKB, 125I-BHE and 3H-eledoisin also labeled identical sites (NK3 type). (3) 125I-BHNKA preferentially labeled NK3 binding sites, the distribution of 125I-BHNKA binding sites being identical to that of 3H-NKB or 125I-BHE binding sites. (4) The distributions of 3H-SP and 3H-NKB binding sites were markedly different. (5) A very low density of labeling was found with 3H-NKA or 125I-NKA, and these binding sites were distributed only in areas rich in either 3H-SP or 3H-NKB binding sites. (6) Particular efforts were made to look for the presence of tachykinin binding sites in the substantia nigra, since this structure is particularly rich in SP and NKA and contains functional tachykinin receptors of the NK1 and NK2 types as suggested by physiological studies. Confirming previous reports, low or very low labeling was observed in the substantia nigra with 3H-SP or 125I-BHSP and 3H-NKB or 125I-BHE. Similar results were found with 3H-NKA, 125I-NKA or 125I-BHNKA. In conclusion, our data do not provide evidence yet for the existence of NK2 binding sites in the rat brain.

Specific Binding of a 125I-Substance P Derivative to Rat Brain Synaptosomes

Binding characteristics of 125I‐labeled Bolton‐Hunter substance P (125I‐BHSP), a radioactive analogue of substance P, were studied with a crude syn‐aptosomal fraction (P2) of the rat brain. A specific binding of 125I‐BHSP that was saturable, reversible, and temperature dependent was demonstrated. Under the conditions of the binding assay (20°C, 5 min), nonspecific binding represented no more than 25% of total binding, and in contrast to [3H]dopamine 125I‐BHSP was not taken up within synaptosomes by a ouabain‐sensitive process. Scatchard analysis indicated the existence of a single population of noninteracting sites with a high affinity (KD, 470 pM) and a low‐density (Bmax, 13 fmol/mg protein). Substance P and different substance P analogues were tested for their competitive potencies in inhibiting 125I‐BHSP binding to synaptosomes. (Tyr8) substance P, substance P, and BHSP strongly inhibited 125I‐BHSP specific binding. Among various tachykinins, physalaemin was the most potent (one fourth the potency of substance P). When substance P C‐terminal fragments were tested for their ability to compete with 125I‐BHSP binding, a good relationship was found between competitive activity and peptide length. N‐terminal fragments of substance P were ineffective. However, (nor‐Leu11)substance P and the methyl ester of substance P1‐11 slightly reduced 125I‐BHSP binding. (D‐Pro2, D‐Phe7, D‐Trp9) substance P and (D‐Pro2, D‐Trp7,9)substance P, two substance P antagonists, were also tested. (D‐Pro2, D‐Trp7,9) substance P was the only one to inhibit 125I‐BHSP binding even slightly. Results were compared with those previously obtained concerning 125I‐BHSP binding to mesencephalic embryonic cells in primary cultures using similar conditions for the binding assay.

Possible existence of a new tachykinin receptor subtype in the guinea pig ileum.

The guinea pig ileum possesses NK-1 and NK-3 tachykinin receptors. As expected, [Pro9]SP and senktide, which are selective agonists of NK-1 and NK-3 receptors, respectively, were found to be highly potent in contracting the guinea pig ileum. Surprisingly, similar observations were made with septide, SP-O-CH3, [Apa9-10]SP, or [Pro9,10]SP although, in contrast to [Pro9]SP, these four peptides showed a low affinity for 3H-[Pro9]SP-specific NK-1 binding sites on membranes from the guinea pig ileum. They were also devoid of affinity for NK-2 and NK-3 binding sites. GR 71251, a compound which has been described as a NK-1 antagonist, was more potent in inhibiting the septide- than the [Pro9]SP-evoked contracting response. Altogether, these results suggest that septide, [Apa9-10]SP, and [Pro9,10]SP exert their high contracting activity in the guinea pig ileum by acting on a new subtype of tachykinin receptors.

Autoradiographic distribution of tachykinin NK2 binding sites in the rat brain: comparison with NK1 and NK3 binding sites.

The autoradiographic distribution of tachykinin NK(2) binding sites was determined in the adult rat brain using [(125)I]neurokinin A in the presence of either senktide (NK(3) agonist) and [Pro(9)]substance P (NK(1) agonist) or senktide and SR 140333 (NK(1) antagonist). Indeed, this radioligand labels two subtypes of NK(1) binding sites (which present a high affinity not only for SP but also for neurokinin A, neuropeptide K and neuropeptide gamma) as well as NK(3) binding sites. The distribution of NK(2) binding sites was also compared with those of NK(1) and NK(3) binding sites, these sites being labeled with [(125)I]Bolton and Hunter substance P and [(125)I]Bolton and Hunter eledoisin, respectively. In agreement with our results obtained with membranes from various brain structures, NK(2)-sensitive [(125)I]neurokinin A labeling was mainly observed in few structures including the dorsal and ventral hippocampus, the septum, the thalamus and the prefrontal cortex. The density of NK(2) binding sites was weak when compared with those of NK(1) and NK(3) binding sites. Marked differences were observed in the distributions of NK(1), NK(2) and NK(3) binding sites. These results are discussed taking into consideration differences or similarities between the distributions of NK(2)-sensitive [(125)I]neurokinin A binding sites and of their endogenous ligands (neurokinin A, neuropeptide K and neuropeptide gamma) but also local NK(2) agonist responses blocked by NK(2) antagonists. Insights on the roles of endogenous tachykinins in several brain functions are also discussed on the basis of the respective distributions of different neurokinin binding sites.

Tachykinin Receptors of the NK1 Type (Substance P) Coupled Positively to Phospholipase C on Cortical Astrocytes from the Newborn Mouse in Primary Culture

Abstract: Specific 125I‐Bolton‐Hunter substance P (125I‐BHSP) binding sites are present on intact cortical astrocytes of the newborn mouse in primary culture. Therefore, these cells were used to ascertain the existence of functional substance P (SP) receptors coupled positively to phospholipase C. SP stimulated phosphoinositide breakdown with an EC50 value (4.5 × 10−10M) similar to its IC50 value (3.8 × 10−10M) for inhibiting 125I‐BHSP binding. The maximal response (to 10−6M SP for 60 min) obtained was ∼500% of control values. The rank order of potency of tachykinins was SP > neurokinin (NK) A > NKB. Long SP C‐terminal fragments were more potent than shorter ones in stimulating the accumulation of 3H‐inositol phosphates. SP free acid and SP N‐terminal fragments were without effect. [L‐Pro9]SP and SP methyl ester, two selective agonists of NK1 receptors, were almost as potent as SP. An excellent correlation was found when the abilities of tachykinins and their analogs for stimulating phosphoinositide breakdown and for inhibiting 125I‐BHSP binding were compared. Finally, when used at a concentration of 3 × 10−6M, spantide ([D‐Arg1, D‐Trp7,9, Leu11]SP), an SP antagonist, competitively reduced the stimulatory effect of SP on accumulation of 3H‐inositol phosphates. These results demonstrate the presence of functional SP receptors (NK1) on cortical astrocytes from the newborn mouse in primary culture.

Quantitative autoradiographic analysis of the distribution of binding sites for [125I]Bolton Hunter derivatives of eledoisin and substance P in the rat brain.

[125I]Bolton and Hunter eledoisin binds to a single class of non-interacting sites in rat cerebral cortex tissue sections with an apparent Kd of 9.9 nM and a Bmax of 244 fmol/mg protein. When concentrations of up to 23 nM [125I]Bolton and Hunter eledoisin were used, [125I]Bolton and Hunter eledoisin binding was specific, saturable and reversible. Kassinin, eledoisin and neurokinin B were more potent than substance P and neurokinin A in inhibiting the specific binding of [125I]Bolton and Hunter eledoisin to cerebral cortex tissue sections. These kinetic and pharmacological characteristics are consistent with results obtained from binding studies on cortical synaptosomes. When the localization of [125I]Bolton and Hunter substance P and [125I]Bolton and Hunter eledoisin binding sites were compared, differences in many areas of the brain were noted. Large differences were seen in the paraventricular and supraoptic hypothalamic nuclei, and in layers IV and V of the cerebral cortex, which were densely labeled by [125I]Bolton and Hunter eledoisin, but not by [125I]Bolton and Hunter substance P. In contrast, nuclei of the septum (diagonal band of Broca, septohippocampal nucleus, dorsal part of the lateral septal nucleus), the rostrodorsal part of the hippocampus and other discrete nuclei [endopyriform nucleus, anterior cortical amygdaloid nucleus, the vermis columns (9-10), the dorsal tegmental nucleus, the hypoglossal and ambiguus nucleus] had high levels of [125I]Bolton and Hunter substance P binding but were only labeled weakly by [125I]Bolton and Hunter eledoisin. Thus, the two ligands seem to label different sites, since these binding sites have different biochemical and pharmacological properties, and are localized in different anatomical structures.

Anandamide and WIN 55212-2 inhibit cyclic AMP formation through G-protein-coupled receptors distinct from CB1 cannabinoid receptors in cultured astrocytes

The effects of anandamide and the cannabinoid receptor agonists WIN 55212‐2 and CP 55940 on the evoked formation of cyclic AMP were compared in cultured neurons and astrocytes from the cerebral cortex and striatum of mouse embryos. The three compounds inhibited the isoproterenol‐induced accumulation of cyclic AMP in neuronal cells, and these responses were blocked by the selective CB1 receptor antagonist SR 141716A. The three agonists were more potent in cortical than striatal neurons. Interestingly, WIN 55212‐2, CP 55940 and anandamide also inhibited the isoproterenol‐evoked accumulation of cyclic AMP in astrocytes but, in contrast to WIN 55212‐2 and CP 55940, anandamide was much more potent in striatal than cortical astrocytes. Inhibition was prevented by pertussis toxin pretreatment, but not blocked by SR 141716A. Therefore, G‐protein‐coupled receptors, distinct from CB1 receptors, are involved in these astrocytic responses. Moreover, specific binding sites for [3H]‐SR 141716A were found in neurons but not astrocytes. Furthermore, using a polyclonal CB1 receptor antibody, staining was observed in striatal and cortical neurons, but not in striatal and cortical astrocytes. Taken together, these results suggest that glial cells possess G‐protein‐coupled receptors activated by cannabinoids distinct from the neuronal CB1 receptor, and that glial cells responses must be taken into account when assessing central effects of cannabinoids.

[3H]neurokinin B and 125I-Bolton Hunter eledoisin label identical tachykinin binding sites in the rat brain.

Abstract: [3H]Neurokinin B ([3H]NKB) of high specific activity (75 Ci/mmol) was synthesized for study of its binding to crude synaptosomes from the rat cerebral cortex. The specific binding of [3H]NKB (75% of total binding) was temperature dependent, saturable, and reversible. Scatchard analyses and Hill plots showed the existence of a single population of noninteracting binding sites (KD= 4.3 nM; Bmax= 123 fmol/mg of protein). Competition studies indicated the following rank order of potencies among tachykinins: NKB > eledoisin (E) > kassinin > physalaemin > neurokinin A (NKA) > substance P (SP), a result suggesting that NKB might be the endogenous ligand for [3H]NKB binding sites. It is of interest that 127I‐Bolton Hunter (BH) NKA (127I‐BHNKA) was much more potent than NKA in inhibiting the specific binding of [3H]NKB, which raises certain questions concerning the use of 125I‐BHNKA as a Iigand for NKA binding sites in the brain. These results, as well as those obtained with different SP analogues, show a close similarity to those obtained previously with 125I‐BHE binding to cortical synaptosomes. This suggested that the two ligands labeled identical binding sites. In addition, using either [3H]NKB or 125I‐BHE as ligands, similar displacement curves were obtained with increasing concentrations of NKB and 127I‐BHE. The similarity of the [3H]NKB and 125I‐BHE binding sites was further confirmed by comparison of their localization on rat brain sections by autoradiography. The distribution of binding sites for [3H]NKB and 125I‐BHE was identical throughout the brain, and the highest density of binding sites for the two ligands was found in layers IV and V of the cerebral cortex, the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (magnocellular part), and the ventral tegmental area.

Calpain product of WT‐CRMP2 reduces the amount of surface NR2B NMDA receptor subunit

The brain is particularly vulnerable to ischaemia; however, neurons can become tolerant to ischaemic insult. This tolerance has been shown to involve activation of NMDA receptors, but its mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. Using a preconditioning protocol, we show that neurons surviving to a transient NMDA exposure become resistant to the glutamatergic agonist. Using a proteomic approach, we found that alterations of the protein pattern of NMDA‐resistant neurons are restricted mainly to the five collapsin response mediator proteins (CRMPs). A sustained increase in calpain activity following NMDA treatment is responsible for the production of cleaved CRMPs. Finally, we provide evidence for the involvement of the cleaved form of WT‐CRMP2 in the down‐regulation of NR2B. Our data suggests that, beside their role in neuronal morphogenesis, CRMPs may contribute to neuronal plasticity.

A 25 year adventure in the field of tachykinins

Several aspects of our 25 year adventure in the field of tachykinins will be successively described. They concern: substance P (SP) synthesis and release in the basal ganglia, the identification and pharmacological characterization of central tachykinin NK(1), NK(2) and NK(3) binding sites and their topographical distribution, the description of some new biological tests for corresponding receptors, the identification of tachykinin NK(1) receptor subtypes or conformers sensitive to all endogenous tachykinins (substance P, neurokinin A (NKA), neurokinin B (NKB), neuropeptide gamma (NP gamma) and neuropeptide K (NPK)) and finally, the functional involvement of these receptors and their subtypes in tachykinin-induced regulations of dopamine and acetylcholine release in the striatum.