Chloroethylclonidine irreversibly activates postjunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptors in the dog saphenous vein

Interaction between nitric oxide and renal α1-adrenoreceptors mediated vasoconstriction in rats with left ventricular hypertrophyin Wistar Kyoto rats

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is associated with decreased responsiveness of renal α₁-adrenoreceptors subtypes to adrenergic agonists. Nitric oxide donors are known to have antihypertrophic effects however their impact on responsiveness of renal α₁-adrenoreceptors subtypes is unknown. This study investigated the impact of nitric oxide (NO) and its potential interaction with the responsiveness of renal α₁-adrenoreceptors subtypes to adrenergic stimulation in rats with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). This study also explored the impact of NO donor on CSE expression in normal and LVH kidney. LVH was induced using isoprenaline and caffeine in drinking water for 2 weeks while NO donor (L-arginine, 1.25g/Lin drinking water) was given for 5 weeks. Intrarenal noradrenaline, phenylephrine and methoxamine responses were determined in the absence and presence of selective α₁-adrenoceptor antagonists, 5- methylurapidil (5-MeU), chloroethylclonidine (CeC) and BMY 7378. Renal cortical endothelial nitric oxide synthase mRNA was upregulated 7 fold while that of cystathione γ lyase was unaltered in the NO treated LVH rats (LVH-NO) group compared to LVH group. The responsiveness of renal α_1A, α_1B and α_1D-adrenoceptors in the low dose and high dose phases of 5-MeU, CEC and BMY7378 to adrenergic agonists was increased along with cGMP in the kidney of LVH-NO group. These findings suggest that exogenous NO precursor up-regulated the renal eNOS/NO/cGMP pathway in LVH rats and resulted in augmented α_1A, α_1B and α_1D adrenoreceptors responsiveness to the adrenergic agonists. There is a positive interaction between H₂S and NO production in normal animals but this interaction appears absent in LVH animals.

Cystathione gamma lyase/Hydrogen Sulphide Pathway Up Regulation Enhances the Responsiveness of α1A and α1B-Adrenoreceptors in the Kidney of Rats with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the interaction between H2S and NO (nitric oxide) in the kidney and to evaluate its impact on the functional contribution of α1A and α1B-adrenoreceptors subtypes mediating the renal vasoconstriction in the kidney of rats with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). In rats the LVH induction was by isoprenaline administration and caffeine in the drinking water together with intraperitoneal administration of H2S. The responsiveness of α1A and α1B to exogenous noradrenaline, phenylephrine and methoxaminein the absence and presence of 5-methylurapidil (5-MeU) and chloroethylclonidine (CEC) was studied. Cystathione gamma lyase (CSE), cystathione β synthase (CBS), 3-mercaptopyruvate sulphar transferase (3-MST) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were quantified. There was significant up regulation of CSE and eNOS in the LVH-H2S compared to the LVH group (P<0.05). Baseline renal cortical blood perfusion (RCBP) was increased (P<0.05) in the LVH-H2S compared to the LVH group. The responsiveness of α1A-adrenergic receptors to adrenergic agonists was increased (P<0.05) after administration of low dose 5-Methylurapidil in the LVH-H2S group while α1B-adrenergic receptors responsiveness to adrenergic agonists were increased (P<0.05) by both low and high dose chloroethylclonidine in the LVH-H2S group. Treatment of LVH with H2S resulted in up-regulation of CSE/H2S, CBS, and 3-MST and eNOS/NO/cGMP pathways in the kidney. These up regulation of CSE/H2S, CBS, and 3-MST and eNOS/NO/cGMP pathways enhanced the responsiveness of α1A and α1B-adrenoreceptors subtypes to adrenergic agonists in LVH-H2S. These findings indicate an important role for H2S in modulating deranged signalling in the renal vasculature resulting from LVH development.

Pharmacological characterization of alpha1-adrenoceptors in equine digital veins

Alpha-adrenoceptors mediate contractile responses in equine digital veins (EDVs) and arteries. Vascular smooth muscle alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtypes have been implicated in a number of conditions, such as acute equine laminitis, and are therapeutic targets for the treatment of this condition. Digital veins, rather than arteries, were investigated in the present study because they have been specifically implicated in the pathophysiology of acute laminitis. The order of potency of a series of alpha(1)-adrenoceptor-selective agonists and antagonists was determined in isolated rings of EDVs under conditions of isometric tension. A61603 was the most potent agonist, with a higher potency (76-fold greater) than phenylephrine (PHE), suggesting the presence of the alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor subtype. Prazosin (30 nm) caused competitive inhibition of the responses to A61603 and PHE, with pK(b) values of 8.05 +/- 0.28 and 8.20 +/- 0.27, respectively. In addition, the alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor antagonist, WB4101 (10 nm), also caused competitive inhibition of the responses to the two agonists, with pK(b) values of 8.37 +/- 0.16 and 8.54 +/- 0.23, respectively, confirming the presence of the alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor subtype in EDVs. The selective alpha(1D)-adrenoceptor antagonist, BMY7378 (100 nm) did not cause a significant change in the response to the agonists, giving lower pK(b) values (6.97 +/- 0.27 and 6.88 +/- 0.17 vs. A61603 and PHE, respectively). Chloroethylclonidine dihydrochloride (45 microm, 30 min), used to produce selective inactivation of alpha(1B)-adrenoceptors, caused noncompetitive inhibition of the response to PHE, but was without effect on the response to A61603. These findings indicate that EDVs possess at least two different alpha(1)-adrenoceptor populations, which are predominantly of the alpha(1A) and alpha(1B) subtypes. These data may assist in the development of more selective antagonists for therapeutic use in horses.

Pharmacological characterization of alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes in the bovine tail artery

Ioudina, M. V., Dyer, D. C. Pharmacological characterization of alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes in the bovine tail artery. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 25, 363-369. The purpose of this study was to identify the alpha1-adrenoreceptor subtypes present in the bovine tail artery which mediate contractions to adrenergic agonists. A61603, an alpha1A-selective agonist, was more potent compared with norepinephrine and phenylephrine. The pKA value of A61603 was 6.93 +/- 0.19 microM (n=6). Antagonists, BMY 7378, WB 4101 and 5-methylurapidil, caused a parallel shift to the right of the concentration-response curve to A61603 with pA2 values of 6.62, 9.27 and 8.86, respectively. Prazosin, BMY 7378 and WB 4101 inhibited phenylephrine induced contraction with pA2 values of 9.47, 7.17 and 9.73, respectively. The pA2 values obtained for 5-methylurapidil, WB 4101, BMY 7378 and prazosin against alpha1-adrenoceptor agonists were significantly correlated with pKi values (Zhu, Zhang & Han, 1997, Eur. J. Pharmacol.329, 55-61) for the cloned alpha1a-adrenoceptor but not with the cloned alpha1b- or alpha1d-adrenoceptor. BMY 7378, a selective alpha1D-adrenoceptor antagonist, was significantly more potent against the nonsubtype selective agonist phenylephrine than to A61603. Chloroethylclonidine (50 microM for 10 min) did not affect contractile responses to A61603, but caused a significant inhibition of contractile responses to phenylephrine. In conclusion, it appears that alpha1A- and alpha1D-adrenoceptors play a role in adrenergic mediated contraction in the bovine tail artery.

The influence of chloroethylclonidine-induced contraction in isolated arteries of Wistar Kyoto rats: alpha1D- and alpha1A-adrenoceptors, protein kinase C, and calcium influx

BACKGROUND

It has recently been reported that chloroethylclonidine (CEC) elicited contraction in tail arteries (alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors) and aorta (alpha(1D)-adrenoceptors) from normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). This study investigated the relationship between CEC-induced contraction and the role of protein kinase C (PKC) and extracellular Ca(++) influx in tail arteries and aorta from Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY).

METHODS

Time-course of CEC-induced contraction in endothelium-denuded arteries from Wistar, WKY, and SHR rats was evaluated. In WKY arteries, calphostin C (1 x 10(-6) M) and nitrendipine (1 x 10(-6) M) were used to determine the role of PKC and extracellular Ca(+1) in the contractile response to CEC, respectively.

RESULTS

Chloroethylclonidine (1 x 10(-4) M) elicited contraction in tail arteries and aorta from normotensive and hypertensive rats. Maximal response to CEC was similar in tail arteries among strains (approximately 30% of norepinephrine effect), while in aorta CEC elicited a higher contraction in WKY and SHR than in Wistar (59, 86, and 18% of norepinephrine effect, respectively). CEC-elicited maximal contractile responses were reached in 5 min in tail arteries and in 30-45 min in aorta irrespective of the rat strain, suggesting that different intracellular signaling pathways are involved in the contractile response to CEC in these arteries. In WKY tail arteries, calphostin C and nitrendipine blocked CEC-induced contraction while in aorta nitrendipine, but not calphostin C, inhibited CEC action.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms marked strain-dependent differences in rat aorta responsiveness to CEC and suggests a central role for PKC in response to CEC in tail arteries and for extracellular Ca(+1) influx in aorta.

Differential response to chloroethylclonidine in blood vessels of normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats: role of alpha 1D- and alpha 1A-adrenoceptors in contraction

The effects of chloroethylclonidine on alpha(1)-adrenoceptor-mediated contraction in endothelium-denuded caudal arteries and aorta from normotensive Wistar and Wistar Kyoto (WKY), and from spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats were evaluated. Chloroethylclonidine elicited concentration-dependent contractions. Maximal contraction was similar in caudal arteries among strains ( approximately 40% of noradrenaline effect). However, chloroethylclonidine elicited a higher contraction in aorta from SHR than from normotensive rats. In Wistar aorta chloroethylclonidine produced the smallest contractile response. In SHR aorta, BMY 7378 and 5-methylurapidil blocked chloroethylclonidine-elicited contraction, while (+)-cyclazocine did not inhibit it; while in caudal arteries, 5-methylurapidil blocked chloroethylclonidine action; the other antagonists had no effect. In chloroethylclonidine-treated aorta noradrenaline elicited biphasic contraction-response curves, indicating a high affinity (pD(2), 8.5 - 7.5) chloroethylclonidine-sensitive component and a low affinity (pD(2), 6.3 - 5.2) chloroethylclonidine-insensitive component. The high affinity component was blocked by chloroethylclonidine; while in caudal arteries noradrenaline elicited monophasic contraction-response curves with pD(2) values (6.5 - 5.7) similar to the low affinity component in aorta. Chloroethylclonidine inhibition of noradrenaline response was greater in aorta than in caudal arteries. Chloroethylclonidine increased the EC(50) values of noradrenaline approximately 1000 fold in aorta and approximately 10 fold in caudal arteries. In SHR aorta BMY 7378 protected alpha(1D)-adrenoceptors and in caudal arteries 5-methylurapidil protected alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors from chloroethylclonidine alkylation, allowing noradrenaline to elicit contraction. These results show marked strain-dependent differences in the ability of chloroethylclonidine to contract aorta; moreover, chloroethylclonidine stimulates alpha(1D)-adrenoceptors in aorta and alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors in caudal arteries. The higher contraction observed in aorta from SHR and WKY suggests an augmented number of alpha(1D)-adrenoceptors in these strains.

Chloroethylclonidine is a partial alpha1A-adrenoceptor agonist in cells expressing recombinant alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes

Chloroethylclonidine increased cytosol [Ca2+] in rat-1 fibroblasts stably expressing alpha1a-adrenoceptors. The effect of the imidazoline was dose-dependent with a maximal effect (approximately 3-fold increase in [Ca2+]i) at 10 microM and it was blocked by phentolamine and 5-methyl urapidil, indicating that it was mediated through alpha1-adrenoceptors. Noradrenaline (1 microM) induced a much bigger effect (approximately 6-8-fold) in the same cells. When chloroethylclonidine was added before noradrenaline a dose-dependent inhibition of the effect of the natural catecholamine was observed. Chloroethylclonidine did not modified cytosol [Ca2+] in rat-1 fibroblast expressing alpha1b- or alpha1d-adrenoceptors. However, the imidazoline acutely inhibited the effect of noradrenaline in these cells. It is concluded that chloroethylclonidine interacts with alpha1a-adrenoceptors as a partial agonist inducing Ca2+ mobilization in a very short time frame and that it is able to inhibit the action of noradrenaline when co-incubated with the catecholamine in cells expressing any of the three alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes.

Chloroethylclonidine and alpha-adrenoceptor agonist interaction in blood vessels following heart failure

This study examined the interaction of chloroethylclonidine with alpha-adrenoceptor agonists in canine endothelium-denuded dorsal pedal artery and saphenous vein before (non-paced) and at end-stage heart failure which was induced by rapid ventricular pacing (250 bpm for no more than four weeks). The interaction was heterogeneous in both non-paced and heart failure blood vessels. In the dorsal pedal artery, only chloroethylclonidine (10(-4) M) reduced the maximum response to noradrenaline. At 10(-6) and 10(-5) M, chloroethylclonidine potentiated the response to noradrenaline. In the saphenous vein, chloroethylclonidine was not surmountable against noradrenaline before heart failure, but produced competitive antagonism of noradrenaline in the heart failure group (pA2 = 5.7). In the dorsal pedal artery, chloroethylclonidine potentiated the response to low concentrations of methoxamine, but inhibited the response of higher concentrations. In the saphenous vein, chloroethylclonidine (10(-6) and 10(-5) M) potentiated the response to methoxamine from non-paced dogs but did not significantly effect the response at heart failure. In the dorsal pedal artery, chloroethylclonidine (10(-4) M) potentiated low concentrations and inhibited higher concentrations of phenylephrine from non-paced animals but had no significant effect at heart failure. In contrast, in the saphenous vein, chloroethylclonidine (at all concentrations tested) inhibited the response to phenylephrine in non-paced dogs, whereas the inhibitory effect was not as marked in heart failure. In conclusion, these results indicate that differences in alpha1-adrenoceptor populations and distribution are blood vessel dependent and dependent on the pathological state.

Further investigation of the alpha-adrenoceptor-mediated actions of chloroethylclonidine in rat aorta

We have investigated the interaction between chloroethylclonidine and alpha-adrenoceptors in rat aorta. Chloroethylclonidine has two actions on rat aorta: reduction of the contraction to low concentrations of noradrenaline by alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonism and irreversible partial agonism in combination with high concentrations of noradrenaline. The former antagonist action was found to be more marked in vessels from immature rats (1 month). We have examined further the latter agonist actions in adult rats (3 month). In the absence of chloroethylclonidine, exposure to phenoxybenzamine (10 microM for 15 min) virtually abolished contractions to subsequent noradrenaline. However, when tissues were exposed to chloroethylclonidine (100 microM) for 30 min prior to exposure to phenoxybenzamine, a large contraction was produced by subsequent noradrenaline. Receptor protection with noradrenaline or the alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonists yohimbine or methoxy-idazoxan (all 10 microM), but not the alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin (10 microM), significantly reduced the ability of chloroethylclonidine to prevent the actions of phenoxybenzamine against noradrenaline. In ligand binding studies, pre-exposure to chloroethylclonidine (100 microM) for 30 min significantly reduced the maximum binding of [3H]prazosin (Bmax) to alpha1B-adrenoceptors in rat spleen membranes to 21.4 +/- 10.2% (n = 5) and the maximum binding of [3H]yohimbine (Bmax) to alpha2D-adrenoceptors in rat submandibular gland membranes to 34.8 +/- 6.3% (n = 4), as compared to pre-exposure to vehicle. These results suggest that chloroethylclonidine interacts irreversibly with alpha2-adrenoceptors in rat aorta to make contractions to subsequent noradrenaline resistant to alpha-adrenoceptor blockade. Chloroethylclonidine appears to act as a silent irreversible agonist (i.e., an agonist which persists following multiple washout but only produces effects in combination with a classical agonist).

Heterogeneity and complexity of alpha 1-adrenoceptors in the ovine uterine artery and umbilical vein

To understand the subtypes of alpha 1-adrenoceptors in the regulation of uterine and umbilical vascular function, the subtypes of alpha 1-adrenoceptors in the ovine uterine artery and umbilical vein were investigated pharmacologically. The use of the irreversible alpha 1B-adrenoceptor antagonist, chloroethylclonidine, revealed the heterogeneity of alpha 1-adrenoceptors in these two tissues. Chloroethylclonidine showed different patterns of action. While it depressed the maximal contraction to norepinephrine in the umbilical vein, it did not decrease the maximal response in the uterine artery. The alpha 1A-adrenoceptor antagonist, 2-(2,6-dimethoxyphenoxyethyl) aminomethyl-1,4-benzodioxane (WB 4101), competitively inhibited norepinephrine-induced contractile responses in the ovine uterine artery and umbilical vein with intermediate pA2 values of 8.30 and 8.45, respectively. Combined use of chloroethylclonidine with either prazosin or WB 4101 produced an additive inhibition of norepinephrine-induced contractions in both tissues, suggesting an interaction of WB 4101 with a chloroethylclonidine-insensitive alpha 1-adrenoceptor. However, the chloroethylclonidine-insensitive alpha 1-adrenoceptor differed on the affinity for prazosin in the uterine artery and umbilical vein. The Ca2+ channel blocker, nifedipine, inhibited contractions to both the chloroethylclonidine-sensitive alpha 1-adrenoceptor (alpha 1B subtype) and the chloroethylclonidine-insensitive alpha 1-adrenoceptor in both tissues. Prazosin, WB 4101 and chloroethylclonidine all inhibited norepinephrine-induced contraction due to the release of calcium from intracellular stores in both tissues. Our results suggest that there is heterogeneity and complexity of alpha 1-adrenoceptors in the ovine uterine artery and umbilical vein. Both the chloroethylclonidine-sensitive and insensitive alpha 1-adrenoceptor may use both intracellular and extracellular Ca2+ sources.

The alpha-adrenoceptor-mediated actions of chloroethylclonidine

1. Chloroethylclonidine (CEC) has an affinity for all 6 subtypes of alpha-adrenoceptor, but binds irreversibly particularly to alpha 1B-, alpha 1D-, alpha 2C-, and alpha 2A/D-adrenoceptors. 2. Functionally, CEC behaves as an irreversible alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, reducing the maximum response to noradrenaline (NA), and shows subtype selectivity in that alpha 1A-adrenoceptors are relatively insensitive to CEC. CEC also behaves as an irreversible alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist, both prejunctionally in the rat vas deferens and postjunctionally in the dog saphenous vein. 3. In the rat aorta, CEC does not produce direct contractions, but following exposure to CEC concentrations of NA of 10 microM and above produce contractions resistant to alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor blockade. We have investigated this phenomenon in detail. 4. Receptor protection experiments were carried out in the rat aorta, in which the protecting agent was present prior to and during exposure to CEC. The component of the contraction to NA resistant to alpha-blockade was still present following receptor protection with the alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin, but absent following receptor protection with NA and reduced following receptor protection with alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists. The resistant response may represent an irreversible agonist interaction between CEC, NA, and normally silent alpha 2-adrenoceptors, that cannot be affected by subsequent competitive antagonism, but that can be prevented by receptor protection with the agonist NA prior to CEC. 5. CEC has two major classes of action at alpha-adrenoceptors: irreversible antagonism at alpha 1-adrenoceptors, and irreversible agonism at alpha 2-adrenoceptors. Both actions can be demonstrated in the rat aorta.

Vascular alpha-1 adrenergic receptor subtypes in the regulation of arterial pressure

Alpha 1 (alpha 1)-adrenoceptors can be found at numerous end organs in the autonomic nervous system, especially vascular smooth muscle. The tonic sympathetic activation of vascular alpha 1-adrenoceptors maintains vascular resistance and is vital to the regulation of arterial pressure. Recent evidence clearly demonstrates that alpha 1-adrenoceptors are a heterogenous class of receptors and that each subtype may subserve specific cardiovascular functions. Elucidation of the physiological role of each subtype in the regulation of vascular resistance and arterial pressure will enhance our understanding of the cardiovascular system and may facilitate the development of therapeutics with improved efficacy and tolerability.

Investigation of the actions of chloroethylclonidine in rat aorta

1. The interaction between chloroethylclonidine (CEC) and noradrenaline (NA) has been examined at alpha-adrenoceptors mediating contractions of rat aorta. 2. In rat aorta, the competitive antagonist prazosin, over the concentration-range 0.01-10 microM, produced concentration-dependent shifts in the contractile potency of NA, so that there was no component of the NA contraction resistant to prazosin. 3. The irreversible alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonists, phenoxybenzamine (PBZ) (1-10 microM) and benextramine (10 microM) produced shifts in potency of NA and reduced the maximum response in a concentration-dependent manner. 4. The irreversible alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, CEC (100 microM), produced a non-parallel shift in the NA concentration-response curve so that low concentrations of NA produced relatively small contractions but relatively high concentrations produced further contractions, so that the maximum response was not significantly reduced. 5. The combination of CEC pretreatment and subsequent prazosin (0.1 microM) produced a parallel shift in the potency of NA. However, prazosin (10 microM) failed to produce any further effect on the response to high concentrations of NA following CEC pretreatment. Hence, a component of the contraction to NA in the presence of CEC was resistant to subsequent prazosin. Likewise, this component was resistant to a combination of prazosin (10 microM) and yohimbine (10 microM). 6. Receptor protection experiments were carried out in which tissues were exposed to NA (100 microM), yohimbine (10 microM) or prazosin (0.1 microM) prior to and during exposure to CEC. Receptor protection with NA, yohimbine or prazosin (0.1 microM), followed by washout prevented the shift in potency of NA produced by CEC. 7. Further experiments examined the effects of prazosin (10 microM) on responses to NA following receptor protection with NA (100 microM), yohimbine (10 microM), prazosin (10 microM), or xylazine (100 microM). In receptor protection studies with NA, subsequent prazosin (10 microM) produced a shift in response to NA following CEC which was not signficantly different from the shift produced by prazosin alone in the absence of receptor protection. In receptor protection studies with prazosin, yohimbine or xylazine, subsequent prazosin (10 microM) produced shifts in the response to NA following CEC which were significantly less than the shift produced by prazosin alone in the absence of receptor protection.8. It is concluded that CEC has two actions in the rat aorta. Firstly, it behaves as an irreversible a,-adrenoceptor antagonist, reducing the response to low concentrations of NA (up to 10 microM). However,after exposure to CEC, concentrations of NA of 10 microM and above produced contractions resistant toprazosin. This resistant component was still present following receptor protection with alpha1,- or alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonists, but absent following receptor protection with NA. Hence, the latter response may represent an irreversible agonist interaction between CEC, NA and alpha-adrenoceptors which cannot be affected by subsequent competitive antagonism, but which can be prevented by receptor protection with the agonist NA prior to CEC.

Interactions of chloroethylclonidine with rauwolscine- and prazosin-sensitive adrenoceptors in dog saphenous vein

1. alpha 1-Adrenoceptors have been classified pharmacologically into four subtypes (alpha 1A, alpha 1B, alpha 1C and alpha 1D) on the basis of their differential affinity for novel antagonists such as chloroethylclonidine (CEC). While CEC is considered an alpha 1B-adrenoceptor antagonist, our earlier studies revealed that it also acted like an agonist in the dog saphenous vein (DSV). The present study characterized the contraction induced by CEC in endothelium-denuded rings from DSV. 2. Concentration-response curves for CEC were constructed in the absence (EC50 value of 11.13 +/- 3.6 microM, n = 8) and presence of propranolol (beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, 30 nM), rauwolscine (alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist, 30 nM), prazosin (alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, 30 nM) or methysergide (5HT2 antagonist, 30 nM) or both prazosin and rauwolscine. Pretreatment with methysergide (9.83 +/- 5.14 microM, n = 4) or propranolol (23.78 +/- 12.32 microM, n = 4) had no consistent effect. In the presence of rauwolscine, the concentration-response curve for CEC was significantly shifted to the right with an EC50 value of 48.82 +/- 13.2 microM (n = 8). In the presence of prazosin, the CEC concentration-response curve had an EC50 value of 29.12 +/- 6.42 microM (n = 8). Pretreatment with both prazosin and rauwolscine shifted the concentration-response curve for CEC to the right with an EC50 value of 72.67 +/- 10.69 microM (n = 8, P < 0.05). Maximum responses were significantly reduced only in tissues that were treated with both prazosin and rauwolscine. 3. CEC (100 microM) pretreatment abolished prazosin binding sites and reduced the Bmax for rauwolscine by 50% without affecting the Kd value or the Hill slope.4. In Ca2+-free Krebs solution containing 50 microM EGTA, CEC produced a small transient contraction,suggesting that it can mobilize internally-stored Ca2+ . Pretreatment with rauwolscine abolished the CEC-induced contraction in Ca2+-free medium; prazosin pretreatment reduced but did not abolish CEC response in Ca2+-free medium.5. Restoring Ca2+ (0.5-2.5 mM) to the extracellular solution increased CEC contraction in a concentration-dependent manner, reaching a plateau at around 1.5mM Ca2 . The contraction was insensitive to nicardipine (1 microM), a voltage-operated Ca2+ channel blocker, but was blocked in a concentration-dependent manner by the putative receptor-operated Ca2+ channel blockers, SK&F 96365(1-1O microM) and genistein, also a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (10-100 microM).6. We conclude that CEC acts on rauwolscine- and, to a less extent, prazosin-sensitive adrenoceptors inDSV to release internally stored Ca2+ and to open receptor-operated Ca2+ channels. The inhibitory effect on CEC-induced contraction that depended on external Ca2+ by genistein suggests a role forty rosine kinase in the regulation of dihydropyridine-insensitive Ca2+ entry.