Utility of polycation-treated filters for the assay of receptors for VIP

Methodological aspects of quantitative receptor assays

Receptor assays occupy a particular position in the methods used in bioanalysis, as they do not exploit the physico-chemical properties of the analyte. These assays make use of the property of the analyte to bind to the specific binding site (receptor) and to competitively replace a labelled ligand from the same binding site. The amount of labelled ligand replaced is a measure of the amount as well as the affinity of the analyte. Thus, receptor assays offer additional information about the biological (pharmacological) activity of the analyte by distinguishing the compounds on the basis of their specific binding rather than specific molecular structure (chromatographic and non-chromatographic methods). This paper, starting with the general principles of receptor-ligand interaction, focuses on the application of ligand-binding techniques to the quantitative analysis. The factors which influence the sensitivity and the specificity of quantitative receptor assays, as well as the main directions in the improvement of the receptor preparation by using the solubilized and purified receptor are discussed. In order to enhance the use of these assays in routine practice, the development of solid-phase receptor assays is considered.

Potential of receptor-ligand interactions for sample handling in liquid and gas chromatography

The use of receptor proteins for biospecific sample handling in liquid and gas chromatography is described. As a model system the uterine estrogen receptor was chosen for the isolation of 17 beta-estradiol and its synthetic agonist diethylstilbestrol. Biochemical characteristics relevant for the use of receptors in sample handling such as the kinetics of receptor-ligand binding, reproducibility and capacity are examined by means of an estrogen radioreceptor assay. Different techniques for the non-covalent immobilization of the estrogen receptor were investigated. Both protamine-coated glass fibre filters and silica particles which bind the receptor via electrostatic interactions have been used for this purpose. The use of the estrogen receptor in the isolation of 17 beta-estradiol and diethylstilbestrol prior to GC-MS analysis is demonstrated and discussed.

Poly(ethyleneimine) modified filters for the removal of leukocytes from blood

Polyurethane membrane filters and filters coated with poly(ethyleneimine) were used to investigate the influence of leukocyte adhesion during filtration. Treatment of the filters with an aqueous solution of 1% (w/v) poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) led to the introduction of amine groups at the filter surfaces, as was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The modification procedure did not significantly change the porous structure in the filters, as was demonstrated by SEM and porometry. Using 14C-labeled poly(ethyleneimine) it was shown that nearly a complete coverage (approximately 0.1 mg/m2) was achieved that did not desorb from the filter surface during contact with blood plasma. When the filtration was carried out with purified leukocytes in the absence of red cells, platelets, and blood plasma, the number of cells removed by modified filters (> 95%) was significantly higher as compared to the removal with unmodified filters (approximately 80%). However, no significant differences between the filters were found when the filtration was performed with whole blood. This finding was unexpected, because it was shown before that immobilization of poly(ethyleneimine) on solid polyurethane film, surfaces promoted the adhesion of leukocytes from whole blood. Apparently, the adhesive properties of the PEI diminish during filtration. Filter coating of commercial leukocyte filters composed of polyester fibers also had no effect on the removal of leukocytes from whole blood. It was postulated that morphological factors, such as filter shape, roughness, tortuosity, and porosity rather than the physicochemical properties of the filter surface influence cell adhesion to the filter surface, and through that the filtration process.

Selective effect of castration on the anterior pituitary VIP receptor of male rats

We investigated the effect of surgical castration of male rats on the binding of [Tyr(125I)10]VIP to receptors on the anterior pituitary gland, superior mesenteric artery, brain, liver, and prostate gland. In anterior pituitary membranes the maximum number of VIP binding sites was increased whereas binding affinity was decreased 24 hours following castration. In particular, the high affinity equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) increased from 0.13 +/- 0.02 nM (mean +/- SEM) to 0.67 +/- 0.07 nM and the maximum number of high affinity binding sites (Bmax) increased from 71 +/- 9 to 470 +/- 112 fmol/mg protein. No significant change was observed in the other tissues. Anesthesia or sham operation did not alter the anterior pituitary VIP receptor binding parameters. The changes in the VIP receptor 24 hours after castration were prevented by prior injection of testosterone. These findings demonstrate tissue-selective alterations to the anterior pituitary VIP receptor by castration that are likely mediated by withdrawal of testosterone.

PHI preferentially binds to VIP receptors in normal rat tissues

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI) are homologous neuropeptides with parallel biological actions. These similarities raise the question whether VIP and PHI have common or distinct mechanisms of action, including receptors. The present study attempted to distinguish specific binding sites for VIP and PHI in normal rat tissues using the homologous radioligands [Tyr(125I)10]VIP and [Tyr(125I)10]rat PHI. In rat brain, anterior pituitary, and liver membranes both radioligands identified a VIP-preferring receptor. Rat PHI had less than 10% the binding potency of VIP in these tissues irrespective of which radioligand was used. In rat uterine membranes [Tyr(125I)10]VIP bound to a receptor with approximately 100 times greater affinity for VIP over PHI. No specific binding of [Tyr(125I)10]rat PHI to rat uterus could be demonstrated. In conclusion, these results support the predominance of VIP-preferring receptors as opposed to PHI-preferring receptors in normal rat brain, anterior pituitary, liver and uterus.

Developmental and lactational changes in the rat anterior pituitary VIP receptor

The regulation of female rat anterior pituitary vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptors was examined during postnatal development and lactation. VIP receptor binding to anterior pituitary membranes from 1- to 60-week-old rats and lactating rats was examined using HPLC purified [Tyr(125I)10]VIP. Nonlinear regression of competitive binding studies indicated the presence of 2 VIP binding sites in 3-week and older animals, whereas only 1 site was identified in 1- and 2-week-old rats. The single site did not differ significantly in affinity or number when compared to the low affinity site of older animals. The guanine nucleotide, GTP-gamma-S, decreased the specific binding of VIP by 60-80% in 3-week and older animals, but not in younger animals. Compared with adult nonlactating animals, the number of high affinity binding sites decreased significantly during lactation, with no change in receptor binding affinity.

Evidence that vascular actions of PHI are mediated by a VIP-preferring receptor

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI) are homologous neuropeptides which share vasodilatory properties. This paper addresses the question of whether PHI exerts its vascular action via a receptor distinct from that for VIP. Radioligand binding experiments were done using [Tyr(125I)10]VIP, [Tyr(125I)22]porcine PHI, [Tyr(125I)10]rat PHI and arterial preparations from rat, bovine and porcine species. The radioiodination of rat PHI by the lactoperoxidase-glucose oxidase method and analysis of the structure of the major radiolabeled derivatives were described. All the receptor binding experiments identified a VIP-preferring receptor irrespective of which radioligand or arterial preparation was utilized. VIP and PHI peptides demonstrated cross-desensitization in studies of relaxation of porcine coronary arterial strips in vitro. The present results favor the conclusion that the vascular actions of the PHI peptides are best explained by binding to a VIP-preferring receptor.