Characterization of somatostatin receptor subtypes controlling rat gastric acid and pancreatic amylase release

Somatostatin receptors: from signaling to clinical practice

Somatostatin is a peptide with a potent and broad antisecretory action, which makes it an invaluable drug target for the pharmacological management of pituitary adenomas and neuroendocrine tumors. Somatostatin receptors (SSTR1, 2A and B, 3, 4 and 5) belong to the G protein coupled receptor family and have a wide expression pattern in both normal tissues and solid tumors. Investigating the function of each SSTR in several tumor types has provided a wealth of information about the common but also distinct signaling cascades that suppress tumor cell proliferation, survival and angiogenesis. This provided the rationale for developing multireceptor-targeted somatostatin analogs and combination therapies with signaling-targeted agents such as inhibitors of the mammalian (or mechanistic) target of rapamycin (mTOR). The ability of SSTR to internalize and the development of rabiolabeled somatostatin analogs have improved the diagnosis and treatment of neuroendocrine tumors.

The anxiolytic effects of somatostatin following intra-septal and intra-amygdalar microinfusions are reversed by the selective sst2 antagonist PRL2903

Somatostatin (SST) is a polypeptide with two biological isoforms (SST14, and SST28), and five SST receptor subtypes (sst1-5). Together, they mediate a number of neural and hormonal functions. Recently, we found that intracerebroventricular (ICV), intra-amygdalar, and intra-septal microinfusions of SST14, SST28, and a selective sst2 receptor agonist L-779976 all produced anxiolytic-like effects in the elevated plus-maze, a widely used animal model of anxiety. The receptor specificity of these anxiolytic-like effects, however, has not been conclusively established. Accordingly, the anxiolytic effects of SST in the elevated plus-maze were assessed following intra-septal or intra-amygalar microinfusions of 1) SST (1.5μg per hemisphere), 2) the highly selective sst2 receptor antagonist PRL2903 (1.5μg per hemisphere), or 3) the combination of SST and PRL2903 (each 1.5μg per hemisphere). Antagonism of the anxiolytic effects of SST in the plus-maze by PRL2903 should result in open-arm exploration that is equivalent to that of 4) vehicle-injected control rats. Both intra-septal and intra-amygdalar microinfusions of SST produced anxiolytic effects in the elevated plus-maze, consistent with results found previously after ICV microinfusions (see Engin et al., 2008; Engin and Treit, 2009; Yeung et al., 2011). More importantly, infusion of PRL2903 completely reversed the anxiolytic effects of SST in both the amygdala and the septum. These results show that somatostatin's anxiolytic effects are mediated by sst2 receptors contained in the amygdala and septum of the rat brain.

Global analysis of the eukaryotic pathways and networks regulated by Salmonella typhimurium in mouse intestinal infection in vivo

BACKGROUND

Acute enteritis caused by Salmonella is a public health concern. Salmonella infection is also known to increase the risk of inflammatory bowel diseases and cancer. Therefore, it is important to understand how Salmonella works in targeting eukaryotic pathways in intestinal infection. However, the global physiological function of Salmonella typhimurium in intestinal mucosa in vivo is unclear. In this study, a whole genome approach combined with bioinformatics assays was used to investigate the in vivo genetic responses of the mouse colon to Salmonella. We focused on the intestinal responses in the early stage (8 hours) and late stage (4 days) after Salmonella infection.

RESULTS

Of the 28,000 genes represented on the array, our analysis of mRNA expression in mouse colon mucosa showed that a total of 856 genes were expressed differentially at 8 hours post-infection. At 4 days post-infection, a total of 7558 genes were expressed differentially. 23 differentially expressed genes from the microarray data was further examined by real-time PCR. Ingenuity Pathways Analysis identified that the most significant pathway associated with the differentially expressed genes in 8 hours post-infection is oxidative phosphorylation, which targets the mitochondria. At the late stage of infection, a series of pathways associated with immune and inflammatory response, proliferation, and apoptosis were identified, whereas the oxidative phosphorylation was shut off. Histology analysis confirmed the biological role of Salmonella, which induced a physiological state of inflammation and proliferation in the colon mucosa through the regulation of multiple signaling pathways. Most of the metabolism-related pathways were targeted by down-regulated genes, and a general repression process of metabolic pathways was observed. Network analysis supported IFN-γ and TNF-α function as mediators of the immune/inflammatory response for host defense against pathogen.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides novel genome-wide transcriptional profiling data on the mouse colon mucosa's response to the Salmonella typhimurium infection. Building the pathways and networks of interactions between these genes help us to understand the complex interplay in the mice colon during Salmonella infection, and further provide new insights into the molecular cascade, which is mobilized to combat Salmonella-associated colon infection in vivo.

Function and expression of somatostatin receptors of the endocrine pancreas

Somatostatin (SST) regulates multiple biological processes via five genetically distinct, G-protein coupled receptors. Clinical interest in therapy for neuroendocrine and metabolic disorders has resulted in the development of new tools for exploring the function of somatostatin receptors (SSTRs). The development of highly SSTR-selective agonists and antagonists, animal models with the deletion of individual SSTRs, as well as SSTR-specific antibodies have all been utilized in delineating SSTR functions. In the pancreas, SST is a potent regulator of insulin and glucagon secretion. Indeed, the inappropriate regulation of pancreatic A- and B-cell function in metabolic diseases provides an impetus to evaluate the SSTRs as therapeutic targets. By combining the results obtained from molecular biology, pharmacology and immunochemical studies the current review provides a summary of important recent developments which have extended our knowledge of SST actions in the endocrine pancreas.

Role of somatostatin receptors on gastric acid secretion in wild-type and somatostatin receptor type 2 knockout mice

Somatostatin, probably acting through somatostatin type 2 receptors (SSTR2), is the main inhibitor of gastric acid secretion. We characterized gastric acid secretion in SSTR2 knockout mice, and used preferential somatostatin receptor agonists to assess the relative role of SSTR1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 on gastric acid secretion. Basal gastric acid secretion and the secretory response to a meal were similar in conscious wild-type and knockout mice. However, under urethane anesthesia, which releases endogenous somatostatin, SSTR2 knockout mice had a basal secretion 11-15-fold higher than wild-type animals (micromol/10 min:1.40+/-0.09 vs. 0.10+/-0.01, p<0.05). Gastrin immunoneutralization or H(2) receptors blockade (cimetidine), but not cholinergic blockade (atropine), reduced the high basal secretion in SSTR2 knockout mice. In SSTR2 knockout mice, gastrin and histamine stimulated acid secretion with similar efficacy, while in wild-type mice histamine was more effective than gastrin. SSTR2 knockout mice showed also a hypersecretory response to pylorus ligation compared with wild-type animals. In wild-type mice, somatostatin-14, SMS 201-995, and the SSTR2-preferential agonist, DC 32-87, inhibited gastrin-stimulated acid secretion with an order of potency SMS 201-995>DC 32-87>somatostatin-14. Preferential agonists for the SSTR1, 3, 4, and 5 were devoid of any effect. None of the compounds tested affected the high basal secretion observed under urethane anesthesia in SSTR2 knockout mice. These results show that gastric antisecretory effects of peripheral somatostatin are mediated solely through SSTR2. In the absence of functional SSTR2 other somatostatin receptors do not compensate for the lack somatostatin-SSTR2-mediated inhibition. Basal acid secretion and the response to a meal are normal in conscious SSTR2 knockout mice, suggesting the presence of somatostatin-independent mechanisms that compensate for the lack of somatostatin-SSTR2-mediated inhibitory responses.

Peripheral PACAP inhibits gastric acid secretion through somatostatin release in mice

1. Studies in rats suggest that PACAP modulates gastric acid secretion through the release of both histamine and somatostatin. 2. We characterized the effects of exogenous PACAP on gastric acid secretion in urethane-anesthetized mice implanted with a gastric cannula and in conscious 2-h pylorus ligated mice, and determined the involvement of somatostatin and somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2) by using somatostatin immunoneutralization, the SSTR2 antagonist, PRL-2903, and SSTR2 knockout mice. 3. Urethane-anesthetized wild-type mice had low basal acid secretion (0.10+/-0.01 micromol (10 min)(-1)) compared with SSTR2 knockout mice (0.93+/-0.07 micromol (10 min)(-1)). Somatostatin antibody and PRL-2903 increased basal secretion in wild-type mice but not in SSTR2 knockout animals. 4. In wild-type urethane-anesthetized mice, PACAP-38 (3-270 microg kg(-1) h(-1)) did not affect the low basal acid secretion, but inhibited the acid response to pentagastrin, histamine, and bethanechol. 5. In wild-type urethane-anesthetized mice pretreated with somatostatin antibody or PRL-2903 and in SSTR2 knockout mice, peripheral infusion of PACAP-38 or somatostatin-14 did not inhibit the increased basal gastric acid secretion. 6. In conscious wild-type mice, but not in SSTR2 knockout mice, PACAP-38 inhibited gastric acid secretion induced by 2-h pylorus ligation. The antisecretory effect of PACAP-38 was prevented by immunoneutralization of somatostatin. 7. These results indicate that, in mice, peripheral PACAP inhibits gastric acid secretion through the release of somatostatin and the activation of SSTR2 receptors. There is no evidence for stimulatory effects of PACAP on acid secretion in mice.

Insights into the regulation of gastric acid secretion through analysis of genetically engineered mice

The regulation of acid secretion in the stomach involves a complex network of factors that stimulate secretion in response to the ingestion of a meal and maintain homeostasis of gastric pH. Genetically engineered mouse models have provided a new opportunity to investigate the importance and function of specific molecules and pathways involved in the regulation of acid secretion. Mouse mutants with disruptions in the three major stimulatory pathways for acid secretion in parietal cells, gastrin, histamine, and acetylcholine, have been generated. Disruption of the gastrin pathway results in a major impairment in both basal and induced acid secretion. Histamine and acetylcholine pathway mutants also have significant alterations in acid secretion, although the impairment does not appear to be as severe as in gastrin pathway mutants, perhaps due in part to the hypergastrinemia that occurs. Mice with a disruption in the somatostatin pathway have increased gastric acid secretion, which confirms an important negative regulatory role for this factor. This review discusses these genetically engineered mouse models, as well as others, that provide insight into the complex regulation of in vivo gastric acid secretion. The regulation of growth and cellular morphology of the stomach in these mouse models is also presented. In addition, transgene promoters that are expressed in the gastric epithelium are discussed because these promoters will be important tools to alter cellular physiology in new mouse models in the future.

Somatostatin receptor type 2 mediates bombesin-induced inhibition of gastric acid secretion in mice

Studies in isolated mouse stomach showed that bombesin releases somatostatin. We characterized the effects of exogenous bombesin on gastric acid secretion in mice and determined the involvement of somatostatin and somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2) by using somatostatin immunoneutralization, the SSTR2 antagonist, PRL-2903, and SSTR2 knockout mice. Gastric acid secretion was monitored under basal and pentagastrin-, histamine- or bethanechol-stimulated conditions in urethane-anaesthetized mice. Bombesin (10-40 micro g kg-1 h-1) and somatostatin-14 (20 micro g kg-1 h-1) were infused I.V. 10 and 30 min after PRL-2903 or somatostatin antibody pretreatment, respectively. Urethane-anaesthetized wild-type mice had low basal acid secretion (0.12 +/- 0.01 micro mol (10 min)-1) compared with SSTR2 knockout mice (1.43 +/- 0.10 micro mol (10 min)-1). Somatostatin antibody and PRL-2903 increased basal secretion in wild-type mice but not in SSTR2 knockout animals. In wild-type mice, bombesin inhibited secretagogue-stimulated acid secretion in a dose-dependent manner, and somatostatin-14 inhibited pentagastrin-stimulated secretion. In wild-type mice pretreated with somatostatin antibody or PRL-2903 and in SSTR2 knockout mice, bombesin and somatostatin-14 I.V. infusion did not alter the increased gastric acid secretion. These results indicate that, in mice, bombesin inhibits gastric acid secretion through the release of somatostatin and the activation of SSTR2. These observations strengthen the important role of SSTR2 in mediating somatostatin inhibitory actions on gastric acid secretion.

Somatostatin stimulates ductal bile absorption and inhibits ductal bile secretion in mice via SSTR2 on cholangiocytes

With an in vitro model using enclosed intrahepatic bile duct units (IBDUs) isolated from wild-type and somatostatin receptor (SSTR) subtype 2 knockout mice, we tested the effects of somatostatin, secretin, and a selective SSTR2 agonist (L-779976) on fluid movement across the bile duct epithelial cell layer. By RT-PCR, four of five known subtypes of SSTRs (SSTR1, SSTR2A/2B, SSTR3, and SSTR4, but not SSTR5) were detected in cholangiocytes in wild-type mice. In contrast, SSTR2A/2B were completely depleted in the SSTR2 knockout mice whereas SSTR1, SSTR3 and SSTR4 were expressed in these cholangiocytes. Somatostatin induced a decrease of luminal area of IBDUs isolated from wild-type mice, reflecting net fluid absorption; L-779976 also induced a comparable decrease of luminal area. No significant decrease of luminal area by either somatostatin or L-779976 was observed in IBDUs from SSTR2 knockout mice. Secretin, a choleretic hormone, induced a significant increase of luminal area of IBDUs of wild-type mice, reflecting net fluid secretion; somatostatin and L-779976 inhibited (P < 0.01) secretin-induced fluid secretion. The inhibitory effect of both somatostatin and L-779976 on secretin-induced IBDU secretion was absent in IBDUs of SSTR2 knockout mice. Somatostatin induced an increase of intracellular cGMP and inhibited secretin-stimulated cAMP synthesis in cholangiocytes; depletion of SSTR2 blocked these effects of somatostatin. These data suggest that somatostatin regulates ductal bile formation in mice not only by inhibition of ductal fluid secretion but also by stimulation of ductal fluid absorption via interacting with SSTR2 on cholangiocytes, a process involving the intracellular cAMP/cGMP second messengers.

Regulation of carbachol-induced c-fos mRNA expression in AR42J cells by somatostatin receptor subtypes 1, 2, and 3

INTRODUCTION

Somatostatin is an inhibitory peptide that exerts its effects tissue-specifically by activating one or more of five receptors (SSTR 1-5). Although several studies have examined which SSTR subtypes control gastrointestinal function, effects of somatostatin on pancreatic gene expression are not well defined.

AIM

To examine the effects of somatostatin and newly synthesized selective SSTR agonists on the cholinergically stimulated expression of the immediate early response gene

METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS

In pancreatic acinar AR42J cells, polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that mRNAs for SSTR 1, 2, and 3 were expressed. SSTR 4 and 5 were not detected. When AR42J cells were exposed to the cholinergic agonist carbachol in the presence of somatostatin or selective SSTR agonists, significant and dose-dependent reductions in agonist-induced levels of mRNA were noted. Pretreatment with agonists specific for SSTR 4 or 5 had no inhibitory effects. The inhibitory actions of somatostatin were pertussis toxin-sensitive. In addition, since somatostatin did not affect intracellular calcium homeostasis, the inhibitory actions of somatostatin are independent of calcium signaling.

CONCLUSION

The current studies demonstrate that somatostatin inhibits carbachol-induced increases in expression by interacting with somatostatin receptor subtypes 1, 2, and 3. In addition, because somatostatin did not affect intracellular calcium homeostasis, it can be concluded that SSTR actions are independent of carbachol-stimulated calcium signaling.

In vivo octreotide administration acutely reduces exocrine granule size in the human pancreas

BACKGROUND

Octreotide has been found to be effective in the prevention of postoperative complications of pancreatic surgery, but the benefit of preoperative octreotide administration has not been assessed.

AIMS

To evaluate the ability of octreotide in reducing the amount of digestive enzymes in the pancreas before surgery, a morphometric ultrastructural study of the gland was undertaken in patients undergoing demolitive pancreatic surgery.

METHODS

Twenty-three inpatients received saline (n = 8) or octreotide (100 micrograms s.c.) before surgery either once (n = 5), or three (n = 5) or six (n = 5) times at 8-hour intervals. At surgery, biopsies of the pancreas were taken and processed for electron microscopy. Several parameters were assessed in exocrine cells by means of ultrastructural morphometry.

RESULTS

A single administration of octreotide significantly reduced the exocrine granule number and the mean and total granular surface sectional area, and the ratio between granule area and cytoplasmic area. Repeated octreotide administrations were associated with partial (3 administrations) and complete (6 administrations) recovery of all parameters to control values.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative administration of octreotide, the synthetic analogue of somatostatin, acutely reduces exocrine granule number and size in the pancreatic cell. This finding can partially explain the prophylactic effect of the drug on early complications of pancreatic surgery. Such an effect is not maintained over multiple administrations of the somatostatin analogue. Possible explanations for this latter finding are discussed.

Somatostatin-28 regulates GLP-1 secretion via somatostatin receptor subtype 5 in rat intestinal cultures

Five somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) bind somatostatin-14 (S-14) and somatostatin-28 (S-28), but SSTR5 has the highest affinity for S-28. To determine whether S-28 acting through SSTR5 mediates inhibition of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), fetal rat intestinal cell cultures were treated with somatostatin analogs with relatively high specificity for SSTRs 2-5. S-28 dose-dependently inhibited GLP-1 secretion stimulated by gastrin-releasing peptide more potently than S-14 (EC(50) 0.01 vs. 5.8 nM). GLP-1 secretion was inhibited by an SSTR5 analog, BIM-23268, more potently than S-14 and nearly as effectively as S-28. The SSTR5 analog L-372,588 also suppressed GLP-1 secretion equivalent to S-28, but a structurally similar peptide, L-362,855 (Tyr to Phe at position 7), was ineffective. An SSTR2-selective analog was less effective than S-28, and an SSTR3 analog was inactive. Separate treatment with GLP-1-(7-36)-NH(2) increased S-28 and S-14 secretion by three- and fivefold; BIM-23268 abolished S-28 without altering S-14, whereas the SSTR2 analog was inactive. The results indicate that somatostatin regulation of GLP-1 secretion occurs via S-28 through activation of SSTR5. GLP-1-stimulated S-28 secretion is also autoregulated by SSTR5 activation, suggesting a feedback loop between GLP-1 and S-28 modulated by SSTR5.

Human somatostatin receptor specificity of backbone-cyclic analogues containing novel sulfur building units

Somatostatin-14 (somatostatin) and its clinically available analogues octreotide, lanreotide, and vapreotide are potent inhibitors of growth hormone, insulin, and glucagon release. Recently, a novel backbone cyclic somatostatin analogue c(GABA-Phe-Trp-(D)Trp-Lys-Thr-Phe-GlyC3-NH(2)) (analogue 1, PTR 3173) that possesses in vivo endocrine selectivity was described. This long-acting octapeptide exhibits high affinity to human recombinant somatostatin receptors (hsst) hsst2, hsst4, and hsst5. Its novel binding profile resulted in potent in vivo inhibition of growth hormone but not of insulin release. We report the synthesis, bioactivity, and structure-activity relationship studies of compounds related to 1. In these analogues, the lactam bridge of 1 was replaced by a backbone disulfide bridge. We present a novel approach for conformational constraint of peptides by utilizing sulfur-containing building units for on-resin backbone cyclization. These disulfide backbone cyclic analogues of 1 showed significant metabolic stability as tested in various enzyme mixtures. Receptor binding assays revealed different receptor selectivity profiles for these analogues in comparison to their prototype. It was found that analogues of 1, bearing a disulfide bridge, had increased selectivity to hsst2 and hsst5; however, they exhibited weaker affinity to hsst4 as compared to 1. These studies imply that ring chemistry, ring size, and ring position of the peptide template may affect the receptor binding selectivity.

Effect of somatostatin on cholecystokinin-induced amylase release in rat pancreatic acini

The effect of somatostatin on cholecystokinin-induced amylase release was investigated in isolated rat pancreatic acini. Acini were isolated by enzymatic digestion and incubated in a HEPES buffered Ringer's solution with testing reagents for 30 minutes at 37 degrees C. The activity of released amylase, cAMP, and inositol phosphate formation were measured. Intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was also checked. Somatostatin 14 and octreotide, a somatostatin analog, inhibited CCK-stimulated amylase release in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect of octreotide on CCK-induced amylase release was not shown when the acini were treated with 8-Br-cAMP, irrespective of the presence of IBMX. Forskolin potentiated CCK-induced amylase release and this effect was blocked by octreotide treatment; although CCK-8 (3 x 10(-11) M) failed to stimulate cAMP formation, octreotide significantly inhibited basal cAMP formation in the acini. The increase of [Ca2+]i in response to CCK was inhibited by octreotide. However, CCK-induced inositol phosphate formation was not changed by 10(-9) M octreotide. Octreotide had no effect on CCK-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation, and tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors (NaF and Na2WO4) did not influence the effect of octreotide on CCK-induced amylase release. From these results, we conclude that octreotide inhibits CCK-induced amylase release by inhibiting basal cAMP formation and decreasing the [Ca2+]i stimulated by CCK.

Somatostatin receptor subtype-5 mediates inhibition of peptide YY secretion from rat intestinal cultures

Somatostatin-14 (S-14) and somatostatin-28 (S-28) bind to five distinct membrane receptors (SSTRs), but S-28 has higher affinity for SSTR-5. Whether S-28 acting through SSTR-5 regulates inhibition of peptide YY (PYY) secretion was tested in fetal rat intestinal cell cultures. S-28 and S-14 caused dose-dependent inhibition of PYY secretion stimulated by gastrin-releasing peptide, but S-28 was more potent than S-14 (EC(50) 0.04 vs. 13.2 nM). PYY was inhibited by two analogs with affinity for SSTR-5, BIM-23268 and BIM-23052, more potently than S-14 and as effectively as S-28. The SSTR-5 analog L-362855 suppressed PYY equivalent only to S-14, but the structurally related peptide L-372588 (Phe to Tyr at position 2) was equipotent to S-28, whereas L-372587 (Phe to Tyr at position 7) caused no inhibition. An SSTR-2 analog decreased PYY secretion similar to S-14, and an SSTR-3 analog was ineffective. PYY secretion stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and by forskolin was also more potently suppressed by S-28 and the octapeptide SSTR-5 analogs. The results indicate that S-28 mediates inhibition of gastrin-releasing peptide-stimulated PYY secretion through activation of SSTR-5 and includes suppression of cAMP- and protein kinase C-dependent pathways. Substitution of a single hydroxyl group confers differences in SSTR-5 agonist properties, suggesting region specificity for the intrinsic activity of this receptor subtype.

The POU domain transcription factor Tst-1 activates somatostatin receptor 1 gene expression in pancreatic beta -cells

The peptide hormone somatostatin inhibits the release of insulin. The gene encoding somatostatin receptor 1 is expressed in pancreatic beta-cells and insulinoma RIN 1046-38 cells. In the present study the mechanisms underlying the regulation of the somatostatin receptor 1 gene in pancreatic beta-cells were investigated. Transient transfections of RIN 1046-38 cells with promoter/reporter gene constructs and footprint analysis revealed two regions, fp1 and fp2, that were necessary for the observed promoter activity. Mutagenesis of the fp2 region delineated the cis-acting element to the motif 5'-TTAATCATT-3'. The POU domain transcription factor Tst-1 was identified as trans-activator mediating the 5'-TTAATCATT-3' motif-dependent transcription in RIN 1046-38 cells and heterologous CV1 cells. Tst-1, known as a transcriptional regulator in keratinocytes, glial cells, and neurons, has been detected by immunohistochemistry in pancreatic islets. Altogether, we demonstrate Tst-1 as transcriptional regulator in pancreatic neuroendocrine cells.

Inhibitory effect of a long-acting somatostatin analogue on EGF-stimulated cell proliferation in Capan-2 cells

Numerous studies have reported diverse effects of gut-derived regulatory peptides on growth of the normal pancreas, pancreatic neoplasms induced experimentally in animals, and pancreatic cancer cell lines, but the results of these investigations are rather controversial. The stimulatory effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on cell proliferation of pancreatic cell lines is well established. Whether this action can be modulated by somatostatin is not clear. Furthermore, it is not certain whether another regulatory peptide, cholecystokinin (CCK), affects the proliferation of these cells. In the present study we investigated the presence of CCK-A and CCK-B, as well as somatostatin-2 (SSTR2) receptors by RT-PCR, and studied the actions of EGF, CCK and octreotide on DNA synthesis in the human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line Capan-2. Octreotide, a long-acting somatostatin analogue was used as somatostatin agonist. Cells were cultured in RPMI-1640 medium. They were incubated in serum free medium containing 0.2% BSA in the absence (control) or the presence of the peptides. [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA was measured after 48 h of incubation. By means of RT-PCR analysis we were able to demonstrate SSTR2 expression, but not CCK-A or CCK-B receptor mRNA in Capan-2 cells. DNA synthesis evaluated by [3H]-thymidine incorporation was found to be increased by 45.2 +/- 5.6% in response to EGF (10(-8) M) and decreased by 11.7 +/- 2.6% to octreotide (10(-8) M) compared to controls (P < 0.01). The increase in [3H]-thymidine incorporation was significantly lower when EGF treatment was combined with octreotide administration (10.1 +/- 2.5% over control). In the concentration range of 10(-11)-10(-8) M, CCK did not alter significantly the incorporation of [3H]-thymidine into DNA in Capan-2 cells. In conclusion, these data support a role for EGF as a growth factor for the human pancreatic cancer cell Capan-2. Somatostatin may play an important role in regulating cell proliferation in Capan-2 cells both under basal, and growth factor-stimulated conditions. Our results suggest, however, that CCK receptors are not expressed, and CCK does not affect cell proliferation in this transformed pancreatic cell line.

Somatostatin inhibits insulin and glucagon secretion via two receptors subtypes: an in vitro study of pancreatic islets from somatostatin receptor 2 knockout mice

Somatostatin (SST) potently inhibits insulin and glucagon release from pancreatic islets. Five distinct membrane receptors (SSTR1-5) for SST are known, and at least two (SSTR2 and SSTR5) have been proposed to regulate pancreatic endocrine function. Our current understanding of SST physiology is limited by the receptor subtype selectivity of peptidyl SST analogs, making it difficult to assign a physiological function to an identified SST receptor subtype. To better understand the physiology of SSTRs we studied the in vitro effects of potent subtype-selective nonpeptidyl SST analogs on the regulation of pancreatic glucagon and insulin secretion in wild-type (WT) and in somatostatin receptor 2 knockout (SSTR2KO) mice. There was no difference in basal glucagon and insulin secretion between islets isolated from SSTR2KO and WT mice; however, potassium/arginine-stimulated glucagon secretion was approximately 2-fold higher in islets isolated from SSTR2KO mice. Neither SST nor any SSTR-selective agonist inhibited basal glucagon or insulin release. SST-14 potently inhibited stimulated glucagon secretion in islets from WT mice and much less effectively in islets from SSTR2KO mice. The SSTR2 selective analog L-779,976 inhibited glucagon secretion in islets from WT, but was inactive in islets from SSTR2KO mice. L-817,818, an SSTR5 selective analog, slightly reduced glucagon release in both animal groups, whereas SSTR1, -3, and -4 selective analogs were inactive. SST and L-817,818 inhibited glucose stimulated insulin release in islets from WT and SSTR2KO mice. L-779,976 much less potently reduced insulin secretion from WT islets. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that SST inhibition of glucagon release in mouse islets is primarily mediated via SSTR2, whereas insulin secretion is regulated primarily via SSTR5.

Urethane-induced somatostatin mediated inhibition of gastric acid: reversal by the somatostatin 2 receptor antagonist, PRL-2903

Urethane increases the release of somatostatin (SRIF) which inhibits gastric acid secretion. The SRIF monoclonal antibody, CURE.S6 and the novel sst2 antagonist, PRL-2903 injected intravenously at maximal effective doses increased gastric acid secretion by 2 and 10 fold respectively from basal values within 30 min in urethane-anesthetized rats. Plasma gastrin levels were elevated 2.5 fold within 15 min by PRL-2903 (1.3 micromol/kg, i.v.). These data indicate that the low gastrin and acid secretion levels induced by urethane result from endogenous SRIF acting on sst2 and that PRL-2903 is a valuable SRIF antagonist to assess sst2 mediated events.

Expression of somatostatin receptor subtypes on guinea pig gastric and colonic smooth muscle cells

In vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that somatostatin can influence motility and smooth muscle contractility of the stomach and colon. Recent studies have proposed that some of these effects may be mediated by somatostatin receptors (sst) directly on the smooth muscle cells. If this is correct, the sst receptor subtypes that are present are unknown. This study aimed to resolve these points. Because nucleotide sequences of guinea pig sst genes are unknown, we used sst subtype-specific primers based on comparisons of human and rat sst subtypes and performed RT-PCR of DNase I-treated total RNA from guinea pig total brain. PCR products were cloned in pCR II and sequenced and showed 87% (sst(1)), 90% (sst(2)), 90% (sst(3)), 99% (sst(4)), and 80% (sst(5)), respectively, nucleotide homology to the same region (transmembrane 4-6) of the human sst genes. Homology to rat sequences were lower. PCR products were obtained from first-strand cDNA derived from DNase I-treated RNA from dispersed guinea pig gastric and colonic smooth muscle cells. In gastric and colonic smooth muscle cells, we detected sst(1)-sst(3) and sst(5), and all were confirmed by sequencing. The presence of sst(4) was shown by Southern blot analysis and hybridization with a guinea pig sst(4)-specific primer. RT-PCR from cultured colonic and gastric smooth muscle cells devoid of any neural elements gave identical results. These results demonstrate that in the guinea pig all five sst subtypes are present directly on gastric and colonic smooth muscle cells. Previous studies have suggested that a predominant sst(3) subtype on gastric and a sst(5) subtype on colonic muscle cells mediated somatostatin's contractile effects, but the finding here that all five sst subtypes exist on both of these cells suggests that other sst subtypes have only a small or no contractile effect, sst subtypes in guinea pig have a different pharmacological profile from rat or human sst, or these other sst subtypes have some yet undescribed physiological function in muscle cells.

Highly potent cyclic disulfide antagonists of somatostatin

The search for synthetic analogues of somatostatin (SRIF) which exhibit selective affinities for the five known receptor subtypes (sst1-5) has generated a large number of potent agonist analogues. Many of these agonists display good subtype selectivities and affinities for the subtypes 2, 3, and 5, with very few selective for sst1 or sst4. Until the recent report by Bass and co-workers (Mol. Pharmacol. 1996, 50, 709-715; erratum Mol. Pharmacol. 1997, 51, 170), no true antagonists of somatostatin had been discovered, let alone any displaying differential receptor subtype selectivity. In this present study, we further explore the effect of this putative L,5D6 antagonist motif on somatostatin octapeptide analogues with a cyclic hexapeptide core. The most potent antagonist found to date is H-Cpa-cyclo[DCys-Tyr-DTrp-Lys-Thr-Cys]-Nal-NH2, PRL-2970 (21), which has an IC50 of 1.1 nM in a rat pituitary growth hormone in vitro antagonist assay versus SRIF (1 nM). This analogue bound to cloned human somatostatin subtype 2 receptors with a Ki of 26 nM. The highest hsst2 affinity analogue was H-Cpa-cyclo[DCys-Pal-DTrp-Lys-Tle-Cys]-Nal-NH2, PRL-2915 (15), with a Ki of 12 nM (IC50 = 1.8 nM). This analogue was also selective for hsst2 over hsst3 and hsst5 by factors of 8 and 40, respectively, and had no agonist activity when tested alone at concentrations up to 10 microM. Regression analysis of the binding affinities versus the observed antagonist potencies revealed high correlations for hsst2 (r = 0.65) and hsst3 (r = 0.52) with a less significant correlation to hsst5 (r = 0.40). This is quite different from the somatostatin agonist analogues which show a highly significant correlation to hsst2 (r > 0.9). Receptor-selective somatostatin antagonists should provide valuable tools for characterizing the many important physiological functions of this neuropeptide.

Examination of somatostatin involvement in the inhibitory action of GIP, GLP-1, amylin and adrenomedullin on gastric acid release using a new SRIF antagonist analogue

1. The effect of a new type 2 selective somatostatin (SRIF) receptor antagonist (DC-41-33) on somatostatin-induced inhibition of pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion in conscious, chronic gastric fistula equipped rats was studied. 2. Infused intravenously, DC-41-33 dose-dependently inhibits SRIF-induced inhibition of pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion with an IC50 of 31.6+/-1.2 nmol kg(-1) versus 10 nmol kg(-1) SRIF and blocks the inhibitory effects of SRIF when simultaneously co-infused. Its effectiveness provides additional evidence that SRIF-inhibition of gastric acid release is a SRIF type 2 receptor-mediated process. 3. DC-41-33 is able to completely reverse the inhibitory effect of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptides, GIP and GIP-(1-30)NH2, and glucagon-like polypeptide, GLP-1(7-36)NH2, on pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion thus confirming that they exert these effects through stimulation of endogenous SRIF release. 4. DC-41-33 only partially blocks potent amylin and adrenomedullin-induced inhibition of gastric acid secretion, therefore suggesting that somatostatin may not function as a primary mediator in the action of these peptides. 5. Our results indicate that DC-41-33, is a potent in vivo inhibitor of exogenous and endogenous SRIF in rats. It represents a new class of SRIF analogues which should eventually provide excellent tools for further evaluating the many physiological roles of SRIF and its five receptor subtypes.

Intracisternal antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to the thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor blocked vagal-dependent stimulation of gastric emptying induced by acute cold in rats

Cold exposure increases TRH gene expression in hypothalamic and raphe nuclei and results in a vagal activation of gastric function. We investigated the role of medullary TRH receptors in cold (4-6 C, 90 min)-induced stimulation of gastric motor function in fasted conscious rats using intracisternal injections of TRH receptor (TRHr) antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (100 microg twice, -48 and -24 h). The gastric emptying of a methyl-cellulose solution was assessed by the phenol red method. TRH (0.1 microg) or the somatostatin subtype 5-preferring analog, BIM-23052 (1 microg), injected intracisternally increased basal gastric emptying by 34% and 47%, respectively. TRHr antisense, which had no effect on basal emptying, blocked TRH action but did not influence that of BIM-23052. Cold exposure increased gastric emptying by 64%, and the response was inhibited by vagotomy, atropine (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.), and TRHr antisense (intracisternally). Saline or mismatched oligodeoxynucleotides, injected intracisternally under similar conditions, did not alter the enhanced gastric emptying induced by cold or intracisternal injection of TRH or BIM-23052. These results indicate that TRH receptor activation in the brain stem mediates acute cold-induced vagal cholinergic stimulation of gastric transit, and that medullary TRH may play a role in the autonomic visceral responses to acute cold.

High basal gastric acid secretion in somatostatin receptor subtype 2 knockout mice

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (sst2) agonists inhibit gastric secretion. The role of sst2 in the regulation of acid secretion was assessed using sst2 knockout mice and urethane to induce somatostatin release.

METHODS

Acid secretion was monitored every 10 minutes by gastric perfusion and backtitration of perfusates in fasted, urethane-anesthetized C57/129 sst2 (-/-) mice and wild-type (+/+) mice. The ileal vein was cannulated for drug injection. Intragastric pH and serum gastrin were monitored 1 hour after anesthesia without perfusion.

RESULTS

Gastric pH values were lower in sst2 (-/-) mice (3.8 +/- 0.3) than in wild-type mice (7.1 +/- 0.1, P < 0.05), and there was no difference in gastrin levels. Basal acid output per 2 hours was 10-fold higher in sst2 knockout mice compared with wild-type mice. The gastrin antibody abolished the high basal acid secretion in sst2 (-/-) mice and had no effect in wild-type mice. The somatostatin antibody increased basal secretion by 4-fold in wild-type and had no effect in knockout mice. Somatostatin 14 or the sst2 agonist DC 32-87 inhibited pentagastrin-stimulated acid secretion in wild-type mice, but did not alter basal secretion in knockout mice.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that sst2 is the main subtype whereby endogenous somatostatin suppresses gastric acid secretion through inhibition of gastrin action.

Alternative promoter usage and tissue specific expression of the mouse somatostatin receptor 2 gene

We have cloned the 5' upstream regulatory region of the mouse somatostatin receptor 2 gene. Its genomic organization is novel among all somatostatin receptor genes. It contains two previously unrecognized exons, separated by introns larger than 25 kb, and three tissue and cell specific alternative promoters. The first promoter in front of exon 1 is active only in AtT-20 tumor cells. The second promoter, located 5' to exon 2, is used in brain, pituitary, adrenals, pancreas, NG 108-15 and AtT-20 cells. Furthermore, it contains putative DNA elements for regulation by glucocorticoids, estradiol and cAMP. A third promoter, located in exon 3, is additionally used in lung, kidney and spleen.

Potent antagonists of somatostatin: synthesis and biology

The search for synthetic analogues of somatostatin (SRIF) which exhibit selective affinities for the five known receptor subtypes (sst1-5) has generated a large number of potent agonist analogues. Many of these agonists display good subtype selectivities and affinities for the subtypes 2, 3, and 5, with very few selective for sst1 or sst4. Until the recent report by Bass and co-workers (Mol. Pharmacol. 1996, 50, 709-715; erratum, Mol. Pharmacol. 1997, 51, 170), no true antagonists had been discovered, let alone any displaying differential receptor subtype selectivity. In this present study, we explore the effect of this putative L5,D6 antagonist motif on various series of somatostatin agonist analogues, both linear and cyclic. It was found that many D5,L6 agonists could be converted into competitive antagonists by applying this motif, the most potent of which was H-Nal-cyclo[DCys-Pal-DTrp-Lys-Val-Cys]-Nal-NH2 (32). This antagonist was selective for hsst2 with an affinity of 75 nM and an IC50 of 15.1 nM against SRIF-14 in a rat in vitro antagonist bioassay. Receptor-selective somatostatin antagonists should provide valuable tools for characterizing the many important physiological functions of this neuropeptide.

Adrenomedullin, amylin, calcitonin gene-related peptide and their fragments are potent inhibitors of gastric acid secretion in rats

Adrenomedullin, amylin and calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRP) share close sequence homology and have overlapping spectra of biological activities, particularly with respect to cardiovascular and gastrointestinal functions. Comparisons of the effects of these three peptides on gastric acid release have been made by i.v. infusions in conscious rats equipped with gastric fistulae. All peptides were extremely potent inhibitors of basal, pentagastrin- and 2-deoxy-D-glucose-stimulated gastric acid secretion with IC50 values in the subnanomolar to nanomolar range. These effects were not inhibited by C-terminal extra-cyclic fragments of the peptides which often act as competitive receptor antagonists in other biological systems. At high concentrations C-terminal fragments of human adrenomedullin and rat alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide displayed some receptor agonist activity. Furthermore, the N-terminally situated disulfide-bridged ring fragments, human adrenomedullin-(15-22), rat amylin-(1-8) and rat alpha-calcitonin gene-related peptide-(1-8), retained significant gastric acid inhibitory potencies thus suggesting involvement of receptor(s) with significantly differing ligand binding profiles than those characterized previously.

Effect of somatostatin immunoneutralization on gastric acid and pancreatic enzyme secretion in anesthetized rats

The involvement of somatostatin in urethane-anesthesia-evoked suppression of gastric acid secretion has been described. The present study has examined the role of endogenous somatostatin in diminished pancreatic enzyme secretion during anesthesia, while monitoring acid secretion concurrently. Rats were anesthetized with either urethane or sodium pentobarbital. An indwelling catheter was placed into the right jugular vein. The esophagus and the pylorus were ligated, and the stomach was perfused with saline. The common bile duct was ligated at the hepatic hilum, and cannulated at the duodenal end of the duct for collecting pure pancreatic juice. Purified somatostatin monoclonal antibody (CURE.S6) or control antibody (keyhole limpet hemacyanin, KLH) was injected iv in increasing doses (0.05; 0.15; 0.5; and 1.5 mg) every 30 min (n = 6). Gastric acid and pancreatic amylase secretions were measured. The effect of the antibodies on CCK-8-stimulated (0.25-2.50 nmol/kg/h) pancreatic amylase secretion was also tested. During urethane anesthesia somatostatin antibody induced a dose-dependent increase in acid output, while control antibody did not change it. Basal pancreatic amylase secretion was not affected by either somatostatin or by control antibody. Pancreatic secretory responses to high but not to low doses CCK-8 were found to be significantly increased following immunoneutralization of somatostatin. In sodium pentobarbital-anesthetized rats somatostatin antibody stimulated basal acid secretion but did not affect basal pancreatic amylase secretion. Our data indicate that in anesthetized rats endogenous somatostatin mediates suppression of basal gastric acid secretion but not that of basal pancreatic amylase secretion, and this action does not depend on the type of anesthesia. Furthermore, endogenous somatostatin may play a physiological role in modulating stimulated pancreatic enzyme secretion in this species.

Characterization of somatostatin receptor subtypes mediating inhibition of nutrient-stimulated gastric acid and gastrin in dogs

Five somatostatin receptor subtypes (SSTR) have been cloned and characterized in various tissues, including the gastrointestinal tract. This study examined which receptor subtypes mediate the inhibitory actions of somatostatin on gastric acid secretion and gastrin release in conscious dogs. Peptide agonists with relatively high specificity for SSTR1-5 (somatostatin-14), SSTR2 (MK-678), SSTR3 (L-362823), and SSTR5 (L-362855) were infused i.v. after nutrient-stimulated gastric acid secretion and gastrin release with intraduodenal perfusions of 8% peptone and after secretagogue-stimulated acid secretion with gastrin (75 pmol kg-1 h-1) or histamine (20 micrograms kg-1 h-1). At 1000 pmol kg-1 h-1, the SSTR2 agonist inhibited peptone-stimulated acid output to baseline (P < 0.001), whereas the SSTR3 agonist decreased acid output by 58 +/- 6% (P < 0.01): the SSTR5 agonist was without effect. The SSTR2 agonist at 100 pmol kg-1 h-1 also abolished the rise of plasma gastrin. At 50 pmol kg-1 h-1 i.v. infusions of S-14, to simulate circulating S-14 rises after nutrients, decreased peptone-stimulated acid secretion by 58 +/- 8% (P < 0.01), whereas the SSTR2 agonist inhibited gastric acid by 96 +/- 2% (P < 0.001); the SSTR3 agonist was without effect. S-14 or the agonists at 50 pmol kg-1 h-1 did not alter elevations of plasma gastrin. S-14 and the SSTR2 agonist at 50 pmol kg-1 h-1 decreased gastrin-stimulated acid secretion by 42 +/- 8% (P < 0.01) and 78 +/- 4% (P < 0.001), respectively but the SSTR3 and SSTR5 agonists were without effect. In contrast, histamine-stimulated acid secretion was not altered by 1000 pmol kg-1 h-1 S-14 or the agonists. These results in conscious dogs suggest that the inhibitory actions of circulating S-14 on nutrient and gastrin-stimulated acid secretion include activation of the SSTR-2 subtype. Regulation of gastrin release by S-14 may also occur via SSTR-2, but not through an endocrine mechanism. Factors in addition to gastrin and histamine modulate intestinal protein-stimulated acid secretion yet include peripheral S-14 inhibition via SSTR2 activation.

Somatostatin sst2 receptor-mediated inhibition of parietal cell function in rat isolated gastric mucosa

1. The aim of this study was to determine the location and functional characteristics of the somatostatin (SRIF) receptor type(s) which mediate inhibition of acid secretion in rat isolated gastric mucosa. 2. Gastrin (1 nM-1 microM), dimaprit (10 microM-300 microM) and isobutyl methylxanthine (IBMX, 1 microM-100 microM) all caused concentration-dependent increases in acid output. Responses to gastrin were almost completely inhibited by ranitidine (10 microM) at a concentration which abolished the secretory response to dimaprit. In contrast, responses to IBMX were not changed by ranitidine suggesting that IBMX acts directly on the parietal cell and not indirectly by releasing histamine from enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells. 3. SRIF-14 (1 nM-1 microM) had no effect on basal acid output, but inhibited acid output produced by gastrin, dimaprit and IBMX in a concentration-dependent manner with respective EC50 values of 46, 54 and 167 nM. The peptidase inhibitors, amastatin (10 microM) and phosphoramidon (1 microM), had no effect on SRIF-induced inhibition of dimaprit stimulated gastric acid secretion. 4. The inhibitory effect of a range of SRIF analogues on gastrin-, dimaprit- and IBMX-induced acid secretion was also studied. Irrespective of the secretagogue used to increase acid output, the rank order of potencies was similar (BIM-23027 = seglitide = octreotide > SRIF-14 = SRIF-28 > L-362,855). The linear peptide BIM-23056 was devoid of agonist or antagonist activity in concentrations up to 1 microM. 5. The sst2 receptor selective peptides, BIM-23027, seglitide and octreotide were the most potent inhibitors of gastrin-, dimaprit- and IBMX-induced acid secretion suggesting that SRIF receptors resembling the recombinant sst2 receptors are involved. Furthermore, since dimaprit and IBMX stimulate gastric acid secretion independently of histamine release, sst2 receptor-mediated inhibition must occur at the level of the parietal cell itself.

Identification of ligand binding determinants in the somatostatin receptor subtypes 1 and 2

The somatostatin (SRIF) receptors (SSTRs) 1 and 2 bind SRIF and SRIF 28 with high affinity, although a number of synthetic hexapeptide and octapeptide analogs of SRIF bind selectively to SSTR2. Extracellular loop three and its adjoining trans-membrane-spanning regions contain elements essential for the binding of such analogs to murine SSTR2. In particular, a stretch of amino acids from residues 294-297 (FDFV) in murine SSTR2 in trans-membrane domain seven can determine affinity for the SSTR2-selective analogs. Within this region, Phe294 has previously been predicted to be essential for the binding of octapeptides (Kaupmann, K., Bruns, C., Raulf, F., Weber, H., Mattes, H., and Lubbert, H. (1995) EMBO J. 14, 727-735) based on the observation that SSTR1 can bind the octapeptide SMS-201-995 with reasonable affinity after a Ser-to-Phe conversion in the analogous region of this receptor (SSTR1S305F). We find that SSTR1S305F has low affinity for a number of SSTR2-selective hexapeptides, suggesting that these analogs have different binding requirements than SMS-201-995. A correlation is seen between the ability of SSTR1S305F to bind hexapeptide analogs and the presence of a phenylalanine, but not tyrosine, at position two in these small cyclic molecules. Thus, a single hydroxyl group in hexapeptides can play a critical role in determining receptor binding to these receptor mutants. We also find that the second extracellular loop of SSTR1 is important for the selectivity of certain SRIF agonists for binding to SSTR1. Taken together, our data indicate that there are multiple elements in the somatostatin receptors that can determine the binding affinity and selectivity of peptide analogs.

Receptor-specific somatostatin analogs: correlations with biological activity

A number of cyclic and linear somatostatin (SRIF) analogs have now been found to have promising levels of selectivity for rodent somatostatin receptors (rsst2,3,5), but not sst1 and sst4. Comparisons between binding affinities for these and transfected human receptors are just beginning to emerge and we present results from a comparison of affinities of several key families of peptides for sst2 present on rat AR42J cells and on cells transfected with human (h)sst2. The typical cyclic octapeptide analogs, octreotide, lanreotide, and RC-160, exhibited similar affinities to SRIF for rsst2, but somewhat lower affinities for the human receptor. Affinities of several analogs for transfected hsst5 were also measured. As with the rat receptor, octreotide-related analogs had low affinity for hsst5. The highly specific rsst5 analog, DC-23-99, was less so for the human receptor; however, a D-Tyr1 version of DC-23-99 had subnanomolar affinity (Ki, 0.68 nmol/L) and high selectivity. A new extended-ring analog, BIM-23268D, showed superior affinity to DC-23-99 and even to SRIF and SRIF-28 for hsst5 (K(i), 0.38 nmol/L), and had the highest sst5/sst2 selectivity ratio of any analog that we have tested thus far.

Somatostatin receptor subtypes SSTR2 and SSTR5 couple negatively to an L-type Ca2+ current in the pituitary cell line AtT-20

The somatostatin receptor subtypes SSTR2 and SSTR5 mediate distinct endocrine and exocrine functions of somatostatin and may also be involved in mediating the neuromodulatory actions of somatostatin in the brain. To investigate whether these receptors couple to voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels, SSTR2 and SSTR5 selective agonists were tested for their effects on AtT-20 cells using whole cell patch clamp techniques. The SSTR2 selective agonist MK 678 inhibited Ca2+ currents in AtT-20 cells. The effects of MK 678 were reversible and blocked by pertussis toxin pretreatment, suggesting that SSTR2 couples to the L-type Ca2+ channels via G proteins. Other SSTR2-selective agonists, including BIM 23027 and NC8-12, were able to inhibit the Ca2+ currents in these cells. The SSTR5 selective agonist BIM 23052 also inhibited the Ca2+ currents in these cells and this effect was reversible and blocked by pertussis toxin treatment. The ability of SSTR5 to mediate inhibition of the Ca2+ current was greatly attenuated by pretreatment with the SSTR5-selective agonist BIM 23052, whereas SSTR2-mediated inhibition of the Ca2+ current was not altered by pretreatment with the SSTR2-selective agonist MK 678. Thus, the SSTR2 and SSTR5 couplings to the Ca2+ current are differentially regulated. The peptide L362,855, which we previously have shown to have high affinity for the cloned SSTR5, had minimal effects on Ca2+ currents in AtT-20 cells at concentrations up to 100 nM and did not alter the ability of MK 678 to inhibit Ca2+ currents. However, it completely antagonized the effects of the SSTR5-selective agonist BIM 23052 on the Ca2+ currents. L362,855 is an antagonist/partial agonist at SSTR5 since it can reduce Ca2+ currents in these cells at concentrations above 100 nM. L362,855 is also an antagonist/partial agonist at the cloned rat SSTR5 expressed in CHO cells since it is able to block the inhibition of cAMP accumulation induced by somatostatin at concentrations below 100 nM but at higher concentrations can inhibit cAMP formation itself. Structural analysis of L362,855 reveals that only a single hydroxyl group at residue seven in the peptide is needed to convert the compound from an antagonist/partial agonist to a full agonist at SSTR5. These studies reveal that two different somatostatin receptor subtypes, SSTR2 and SSTR5, can mediate the inhibition of an L-type Ca2+ channel in AtT-20 cells by somatostatin. The receptor subtype responses can be distinguished by selective agonists and antagonists and are regulated differently by agonist pretreatment. The inhibition of Ca2+ influx into endocrine cells and neurons may be a major cellular mechanism by which somatostatin modulates hormone and neurotransmitter release. Our results reveal that at least two receptor subtypes can mediate this cellular response.

Messenger RNA expression of somatostatin receptor subtypes in human and rat gastric mucosae

In several tissues including gastric mucosa, somatostatin displays various biological effects. Five seven-transmembrane-domain somatostatin receptor subtypes (SSTR1-5) have been recently cloned and only SSTR1 has been shown to be present in the human stomach. We used the polymerase chain reaction on reverse transcripts (RT-PCR) to characterize further the SSTR's mRNAs in human and rat gastric mucosae and in the human gastric tumoral cell-line HGTL. The SSTR1-5's mRNAs were found in both human fundic and antral mucosae as well as in the HGT1 cell and rat antrum. The four SSTR2-5's mRNA's but not SSTR1's were detected in the rat fundic mucosa. Furthermore, the use of rat isolated and purified fundic mucosal cells allowed us to localize SSTR2-5 in the parietal cell-enriched fraction, whereas SSTR2 and SSTR5 were the only subtypes found in the endocrine cell-enriched fraction. These results are the first to demonstrate the presence of five SSTR's mRNA subtypes in the stomach.

Intracerebroventricular injection of somatostatin sst5 receptor agonist inhibits gastric acid secretion in rats

Somatostatin and its analogs act in the brain to influence gastric acid secretion. Five different somatostatin receptor subtypes have been characterized (sst1 to sst5). We studied the influence of somatostatin (0.18-0.6 nmol/rat) and selective sst2, sst3 and sst5 receptor ligands on basal gastric acid secretion in conscious rats equipped with chronic gastric and intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) cannulae. Somatostatin-14 (0.36 nmol/rat), the sst2, sst3 and sst5 receptor agonist, Des-AA1,2,4,5,12,13-[D-Tryp8,D-Cys14]somatostatin (SMS 201-995) (0.18-0.36 nmol/rat) and the sst5 receptor agonist, BIM-23052, (0.8-1.2 nmol/rat) injected i.c.v. inhibited gastric acid secretion. Maximal inhibition reaching 42%, 60% and 42% was induced by somatostatin-14 (0.36 nmol/rat), SMS 201-995 (0.18 nmol/rat) and BIM-23052 (0.8 nmol/rat) respectively. The sst2 receptor agonist, DC 32-87 (0.2-0.8 nmol/rat) and sst3 receptor agonist, BIM-23056 (0.2-1.2 nmol/rat), did not modify gastric acid secretion, except the sst3 receptor agonist at 0.4 nmol/rat which increased acid output at 20 min post-injection. The sst2 receptor agonists (0.4 nmol/rat) co-injected i.c.v. with a subthreshold dose of sst5 (0.4 nmol/rat) inhibited gastric acid secretion. These results show that i.c.v. injection of somatostatin-14 inhibits basal gastric acid secretion in conscious rats through an action on sst5 receptor subtype which can be potentiated by sst2 receptor subtype.

Somatostatin

1. Somatostatin (SRIF) exerts diverse physiological actions in the body including regulation of hormone and neurotransmitter release and neuronal firing activity. Analogs of SRIF are used clinically to treat tumors and cancers and to block the hypersecretion of growth hormone in acromegaly. 2. The recent cloning of five SRIF receptor subtypes has allowed for the identification of the molecular basis of the cellular actions of SRIF. The ligand binding domains and regions involved in coupling to G proteins and cellular effector systems are being identified and the processes by which SRIF inhibits cell growth and proliferation are being established. Furthermore, subtype selective agonists have been generated which are being used to investigate the specific biological roles of each SRIF receptor subtypes. 3. Such information will be useful in developing a new generation of SRIF drugs that could be employed to treat metabolic diseases, disorders of the gut, cancer and abnormalities in the central nervous system such as epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease.

Somatostatin receptors mediating inhibition of basal and stimulated electrogenic ion transport in rat isolated distal colonic mucosa

The aim of this study was to examine the potencies of several recently identified selective somatostatin (SRIF)-receptor ligands as inhibitors of electrogenic ion transport in the rat distal colonic mucosa with the view to identifying the SRIF receptor type involved. Under basal conditions, cumulative administration of SRIF and SRIF28 decreased short circuit current (SCC), a measure of electrogenic ion transport, with EC50 values of 4 nM and 9 nM respectively. The peptidase inhibitors, phosphoramidon (1 microM) and amastatin (10 microM), has no effect on the potencies of either SRIF or SRIF28. The inhibitory action of SRIF on basal SCC was suppressed by piretanide and diphenylamine-2-carboxylate, compatible with the assumption that the Na+K+2Cl- co-transporter and Cl- channels, respectively, may be involved in this antisecretory action of SRIF. Tetrodotoxin (1 microM) had no effect on the antisecretory action of SRIF, suggesting that the process was not neuronally mediated. All of the SRIF analogues examined, with the exception of BIM-23056, maximally inhibited basal SCC to a similar extent as SRIF. Seglitide and octreotide were both more potent antisecretory agents than SRIF (respective EC50 values, 0.4 nM and 1.5 nM) suggesting that this effect was mediated by a receptor belonging to the SRIF1 receptor group. The most distinguishing feature of the rank order of agonist potencies was the high potency of the selective sst2 receptor ligand, BIM-23027 (EC50 value 0.32 nM), the weaker potency exhibited by the selective sst5 receptor ligand, L-362855 (EC50 value 21 nM), and the lack of agonist activity displayed by the selective sst3 receptor ligand, BIM-23056 (EC50 value > 1000 nM). This profile is comparable with that observed in binding studies on the recombinant sst2 receptor. Forskolin-stimulated secretion was suppressed by SRIF analogues with the rank order of agonist potencies BIM-23027 > SRIF > L-362855 >> BIM-23056 which resembled that exhibited under basal conditions. However, the absolute potencies of these agonists were lower (respective EC50 values 2 nM, 14 nM< 38 nM and > 1000 nM) whilst the magnitude of inhibition was about three fold greater. BIM-23027 and SRIF (both 30 nM) also inhibited carbachol-stimulated increases in basal SCC by 60-70%, while a similar concentration of L-362855 inhibited these responses by 11%. BIM-23056 (1 microM) had no effect on carbachol-simulated secretion. Radioligand binding studies on rat colonic mucosal membranes using [125I]-Tyr11-SRIF suggested heterogeneity of SRIF binding sites. Thus, SRIF and SRIF28 competed for binding (IC50 values, 0.32 and 0.63 nM, respectively) with Hill slopes less than unity; while seglitide and BIM-23027 both maximally displaced only 30-40% of specific binding with apparent high affinity (respective pIC50 values, 10.1 nM and 10.0). In conclusion, SRIF decreases basal as well as both cAMP and Ca(2+)-dependent Cl- secretion in rat colonic mucosa. The rank order of agonist potencies suggests that receptors resembling the recombinant sst2 receptor mediate inhibition of basal and forskolin-stimulated secretion. Radioligand binding studies suggest that BIM-23027 interacts with a sub-population of [125I]Tyr11-SRIF binding sites in rat colonic mucosal membranes which probably corresponds to the receptors mediating the antisecretory effects described here.

Influence of intracisternal injection of somatostatin analog receptor subtypes 2, 3 and 5 on gastric acid secretion in conscious rats

Somatostatin (SST) and its analogs injected into the CSF induce different gastric acid response patterns. Five SST receptors have been characterized (SSTR-1 to -5). We studied the influence of selective SSTR-2, -3 and -5 ligands on basal gastric acid secretion after intracisternal (i.c.) injection in conscious rats equipped with chronic gastric and i.c. cannulae. Compared with pre-injection level, the SSTR-3 agonist, BIM-23056 (1 microgram) increased acid secretion by 274 +/- 43% while the SSTR-2 agonist, DC 32-87 (1 microgram) inhibited acid secretion by 50.7 +/- 13.3%. SST-14 (1 microgram), the SSTR-5 agonist, BIM-23052, (0.5-1 microgram), SSTR-3 (0.5 micrograms) and -2 (0.5 microgram) or vehicle injected i.c. did not modify basal acid secretion. These results show that the activation of brainstem SSTR-3 receptors stimulate and SSTR-2 inhibit basal gastric acid secretion in conscious rats with chronic gastric fistulae.