Members of CRF family and their receptors: from past to future

Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), originally isolated from the mammalian hypothalamus, is a 41 amino acid peptide that plays an important physiological role and is implicated in the pathophysiology of various diseases. In addition to CRF and its related peptides, a large number of small non-peptide CRF analogs have been recently synthesized, some currently in clinical trials having considerable therapeutic potential in the treatment of CRF-related illnesses. CRF and its related peptides exert their multiple actions by interacting with two types of plasma membrane G-protein coupled CRF receptors, the type 1 (CRF(1)) and type 2 (CRF(2)). These receptors, like all GPCRs consist of an amino-terminal extracellular region, a carboxyl-terminal intracellular tail and seven, membrane-spanning segments, connected by alternating intracellular and extracellular loops. This review describes the functional role of CRF receptors and their ligands emphasizing the structural elements that are important for their function and could potentially contribute in the development of future target-based approaches to design new CRF-related drugs which will enrich the pharmaceutical armoire against serious diseases.

Urocortin III, a brain neuropeptide of the corticotropin-releasing hormone family: modulation by stress and attenuation of some anxiety-like behaviours

Following its discovery 20 years ago, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) has been postulated to mediate both hormonal and behavioural responses to stressors. Here, we characterize and describe a behavioural role for the murine gene, UcnIII, which encodes a recently discovered CRH-related neuropeptide, urocortin III. We found that mouse UcnIII is expressed predominantly in regions of the brain known to be involved in stress-related behaviours, and its expression in the hypothalamus increases following restraint. In addition, we found that intracerebroventricular administration of mUcnIII stimulates behaviours that are associated with reduced anxiety, including exploration of an open field and decreased latency to enter the lit compartment of a dark-light chamber, but has no effect on the elevated-plus maze. Finally, we found that mUcnIII does not exert any effects on the hormonal stress response. Based upon our findings, UcnIII may be an endogenous brain neuropeptide that is modulated by stress and stimulates behaviours associated with reduced anxiety. In this capacity, UcnIII may attenuate stress-related behaviours, which may be useful both to help cope with stressful situations as well as to avoid pathology associated with excessive reaction to stressors.

Activation of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor involves disruption of an ionic lock between the cytoplasmic ends of transmembrane segments 3 and 6

The movements of transmembrane segments (TMs) 3 and 6 at the cytoplasmic side of the membrane play an important role in the activation of G-protein-coupled receptors. Here we provide evidence for the existence of an ionic lock that constrains the relative mobility of the cytoplasmic ends of TM3 and TM6 in the inactive state of the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor. We propose that the highly conserved Arg-131(3.50) at the cytoplasmic end of TM3 interacts both with the adjacent Asp-130(3.49) and with Glu-268(6.30) at the cytoplasmic end of TM6. Such a network of ionic interactions has now been directly supported by the high-resolution structure of the inactive state of rhodopsin. We hypothesized that the network of interactions would serve to constrain the receptor in the inactive state, and the release of this ionic lock could be a key step in receptor activation. To test this hypothesis, we made charge-neutralizing mutations of Glu-268(6.30) and of Asp-130(3.49) in the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor. Alone and in combination, we observed a significant increase in basal and pindolol-stimulated cAMP accumulation in COS-7 cells transiently transfected with the mutant receptors. Moreover, based on the increased accessibility of Cys-285(6.47) in TM6, we provide evidence for a conformational rearrangement of TM6 that is highly correlated with the extent of constitutive activity of the different mutants. The present experimental data together with the recent high-resolution structure of rhodopsin suggest that ionic interactions between Asp/Glu(3.49), Arg(3.50), and Glu(6.30) may constitute a common switch governing the activation of many rhodopsin-like G-protein-coupled receptors.

Novel long-acting somatostatin analog with endocrine selectivity: potent suppression of growth hormone but not of insulin

Somatostatin, also known as somatotropin release-inhibiting factor (SRIF), is a natural cyclic peptide inhibitor of pituitary, pancreatic, and gastrointestinal secretion. Its long-acting analogs are in clinical use for treatment of various endocrine syndromes and gastrointestinal anomalies. These analogs are more potent inhibitors of the endocrine release of GH, glucagon, and insulin than the native SRIF; hence, they do not display considerable physiological selectivity. Our goal was to design effective and physiologically selective SRIF analogs with potential therapeutic value. We employed an integrated approach consisting of screening of backbone cyclic peptide libraries constructed on the basis of molecular modeling of known SRIF agonists and of high throughput receptor binding assays with each of the five cloned human SRIF receptors (hsst1-5). By using this approach, we identified a novel, high affinity, enzymatically stable, and long-acting SRIF analog, PTR-3173, which binds with nanomolar affinity to human SRIF receptors hsst2, hsst4, and hsst5. The hsst5 and the rat sst5 (rsst5) forms have the same nanomolar affinity for this analog. In the human carcinoid-derived cell line BON-1, PTR-3173 inhibits forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation as efficiently as the drug octreotide, indicating its agonistic effect in this human cell system. In hormone secretion studies with rats, we found that PTR-3173 is 1000-fold and more than 10,000-fold more potent in inhibiting GH release than glucagon and insulin release, respectively. These results suggest that PTR-3173 is the first highly selective somatostatinergic analog for the in vivo inhibition of GH secretion, with minimal or no effect on glucagon and insulin release, respectively.

The forgotten serine. A critical role for Ser-2035.42 in ligand binding to and activation of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor

Previous work in the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor demonstrated critical interactions between Ser-204 and Ser-207 in the fifth membrane-spanning segment and the meta-OH and para-OH, respectively, of catecholamine agonists (Strader, C. D., Candelore, M. R., Hill, W. S., Sigal, I. S., and Dixon, R. A. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 13572-13578). Using the substituted cysteine accessibility method in the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor, we have found that in addition to Ser-204 and Ser-207, Ser-203 is also accessible on the surface of the binding-site crevice and is occluded by bound agonist. Mutation of Ser-203 to Ala, Val, or Cys reduced the binding affinity and adenylyl cyclase-activating potency of agonists containing a meta-OH, whereas their affinities and potencies were largely preserved by mutation of Ser-203 to Thr, which maintained an OH at this position. Thus both Ser-203 and Ser-204 appear to interact with the meta-OH of catecholamines, perhaps through a bifurcated H bond. Furthermore, the removal of the OH at position 203 led to a significant loss of affinity of antagonists with nitrogen in their heterocyclic ring structure. The greatest effect was seen with pindolol, a partial agonist, suggesting that a H bond between the heterocyclic ring and Ser-203 may play a role in partial agonism. In contrast, the affinities of antagonists such as propranolol or alprenolol, which have cyclic structures without H-bonding capability, were unaltered after mutation of Ser-203.

Template-constrained cyclic peptide analogues of somatostatin: subtype-selective binding to somatostatin receptors and antiangiogenic activity

Beta-turns are a common secondary structure motif found in proteins that play a role in protein folding and stability and participate in molecular recognition interactions. Somatostatin, a peptide hormone possessing a variety of therapeutically-interesting biological activities, contains a beta-turn in its bioactive conformation. The beta-turn and biological activities of somatostatin have been succesfully mimicked in cyclic hexapeptide analogues. Two novel, structured, non-peptidic molecules were developed that are capable of holding the bioactive tetrapeptide sequence of somatostatin analogues in a beta-turn conformation, as measured by somatostatin receptor (SSTR) binding. Template-constrained cyclic peptides in which the ends of the -Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val-tetrapeptide were linked by scaffolds based on either an N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-diphenylurea or a substituted biphenyl system (DJS631 and DJS811, respectively), bound selectively to mouse SSTR2B and rat and human SSTR5 with affinities as high as 1 nM. DJS811, at a dose of 3 mg/kg/day, was shown in a mouse Matrigel model to inhibit angiogenesis to a level of 79%. The development of structured turn scaffolds allows beta-turn sequences to be contained in the context of a compact structure, with less peptidic nature and potentially greater bioavailability than cyclic hexapeptides. These systems can be used to study the determinants of beta-turn formation, as well as to probe the importance of turn sequences occurring in molecular recognition interactions. The antiangiogenic activity of DJS811 suggests that it may have antitumor activity as well. In addition, because SSTR2 is overexpressed on many types of tumors, DJS631 and DJS811 may be useful in the development of agents for tumor imaging or the radiotherapy of cancer.

Mutation of a highly conserved aspartic acid in the beta2 adrenergic receptor: constitutive activation, structural instability, and conformational rearrangement of transmembrane segment 6

Movements of transmembrane segments (TMs) 3 and 6 play a key role in activation of G protein-coupled receptors. However, the underlying molecular processes that govern these movements, and accordingly control receptor activation, remain unclear. To elucidate the importance of the conserved aspartic acid (Asp-130) in the Asp-Arg-Tyr motif of the beta2 adrenergic receptor (beta2AR), we mutated this residue to asparagine (D130N) to mimic its protonated state, and to alanine (D130A) to fully remove the functionality of the side chain. Both mutants displayed evidence of constitutive receptor activation. In COS-7 cells expressing either D130N or D130A, basal levels of cAMP accumulation were clearly elevated compared with cells expressing the wild-type beta2AR. Incubation of COS-7 cell membranes or purified receptor at 37 degrees C revealed also a marked structural instability of both mutant receptors, suggesting that stabilizing intramolecular constraints had been disrupted. Moreover, we obtained evidence for a conformational rearrangement by mutation of Asp-130. In D130N, a cysteine in TM 6, Cys-285, which is not accessible in the wild-type beta2AR, became accessible to methanethiosulfonate ethylammonium, a charged, sulfhydryl-reactive reagent. This is consistent with a counterclockwise rotation or tilting of TM 6 and provides for the first time structural evidence linking charge-neutralizing mutations of the aspartic acid in the DRY motif to the overall conformational state of the receptor. We propose that protonation of the aspartic acid leads to release of constraining intramolecular interactions, resulting in movements of TM 6 and, thus, conversion of the receptor to the active state.

Structural and compositional determinants of cortistatin activity

Cortistatin-14 (CST-14) is a putative novel neuropeptide that shares 11 of its 14 residues with somatostatin-14 (SRIF-14), yet its effects on sleep physiology, locomotor behavior and hippocampal function are different from those of somatostatin. We studied the structural basis for cortistatin's distinct biological activities. As with SRIF-14, CST-14 does not show any preferred conformation in solution, as determined by circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance. Synthetic cortistatin analogs were designed and synthesized based on the cyclic structure of octreotide. Biological assays were carried out to determine their binding affinities to five somatostatin receptors (sstl-5) and their ability to produce changes in locomotor activity and to modulate hippocampal physiology and sleep. The results show that the compound with N-terminal proline and C-terminal lysine amide exhibits cortistatin-like biological activities, including reduction of population spike amplitudes in the hippocampal CA1 region, decrease in locomotor activity and enhancement of slow-wave sleep 2. These findings suggest that both proline and lysine are necessary for cortistatin binding to its specific receptor.

Constitutive activation of the beta2 adrenergic receptor alters the orientation of its sixth membrane-spanning segment

The binding site of the beta2 adrenergic receptor, like that of other homologous G-protein-coupled receptors, is contained within a water-accessible crevice formed among its seven membrane-spanning segments. Methanethiosulfonate ethylammonium (MTSEA), a charged, hydrophilic, lipophobic, sulfhydryl-specific reagent, had no effect on the binding of agonist or antagonist to wild-type beta2 receptor expressed in HEK 293 cells. This suggested that no endogenous cysteines are accessible in the binding site crevice. In contrast, in a constitutively active beta2 receptor, MTSEA significantly inhibited antagonist binding, and isoproterenol slowed the rate of reaction of MTSEA. This implies that at least one endogenous cysteine becomes accessible in the binding site crevice of the constitutively active beta2 receptor. Cys-285, in the sixth membrane-spanning segment, is responsible for the inhibitory effect of MTSEA on ligand binding to the constitutively active mutant. The acquired accessibility of Cys-285 in the constitutively active mutant may result from a rotation and/or tilting of the sixth membrane-spanning segment associated with activation of the receptor. This rearrangement could bring Cys-285 to the margin of the binding site crevice where it becomes accessible to MTSEA.

Lanthionine-somatostatin analogs: synthesis, characterization, biological activity, and enzymatic stability studies

A series of cyclic somatostatin analogs containing a lanthionine bridge have been subjected to studies of structure-activity relationships. A direct synthesis of the thioether bridged analog (1) of sandostatin (SMS 201,995) and several lanthionine hexa-, hepta-, and octapeptides was carried out by using the method of cyclization on an oxime resin (PCOR) followed by condensation reactions in solution. The structures of the target peptides were analyzed by liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry (LSIMS) and subjected to high-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID) studies after opening of the peptide ring by proteolytic cleavage. The biological activities of these compounds have been evaluated by assaying their inhibitory potencies for the release of growth hormone (GH) from primary cultures of rat anterior pituitary cells, as well as by their binding affinities to cloned somatostatin receptors (SSTR1-5). The structural modification of sandostatin by introducing a lanthionine bridge resulted in a significantly increased receptor binding selectivity. The lanthionine octapeptide with C-terminal Thr-ol (1) showed similar high affinity for rat SSTR5 compared to somatostatin[1-14] and sandostatin. However, it exhibits about 50 times weaker binding affinity for mSSTR2b than sandostatin. Similarly, the lanthionine octapeptide with the C-terminal Thr-NH2 residue (2) has higher affinity for rSSTR5 than for mSSTR2B. Both peptides (compounds 1 and 2) have much lower potencies for inhibition of growth hormone secretion than sandostatin. This is consistent with their affinities to SSTR2, the receptor which is believed to be linked to the inhibition of growth hormone release by somatostatin and its analogs. The metabolic stability of lanthionine-sandostatin and sandostatin have been studied in rat brain homogenates. Although both compounds have a high stability toward enzymatic degradation, the lanthionine analog has a 2.4 times longer half-life than sandostatin. The main metabolites of both compounds have been isolated and identified by using an in vivo technique (cerebral microdialysis) and mass spectrometry.

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.

Molecular and functional properties of somatostain receptor subtypes

Identification of the ligand binding domains of the somatostain (SRIF) receptors may facilitate the rational development of new SRIF ligands. To identify ligand-binding domains of sst1, and sst2, we tested a series of chimeras. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we found that to bind with high affinity to sst2, the sst2 agonists MK678 and SMS-201-995 require a four amino acid sequence (FDFV) at the border of the third extracellular loop and transmembrane 7. Transference of residue 294 in msst2 to sst1 conferred onto sst1 the ability to bind SMS-201-995 and other octapeptides. Cyclic peptides with a phenylalanine adjacent to the D-Trp appear to interact with Phe294 of sst2, whereas hexapeptides with a tyrosine adjacent to the D-Trp, such as MK 678 and BIM 23027, did not interact with the Phe294. We have recently identified a peptide that selectively binds to human (h)sst1, with 100-fold higher affinity than for the other cloned SRIF receptor subtypes. The second extracellular loop of sst1 is critical for this peptide to bind. This contrasts with the sites involved in binding of sst2 agonists and indicates that the two receptors have distinct ligand-binding domains. G proteins couple SRIF receptors to multiple cellular effector systems, including adenylyl cyclase and ionic conductance channels. A critical cellular action of SRIF is the inhibition of Ca2+ influx, which may be responsible for its blockade of hormone and neurotransmitter release. Various studies suggest that both sst2 and sst5 endogenously expressed in AtT-20 cells can couple to L-type Ca2+ channels; the coupling was pertussis toxin-sensitive. The coupling of sst2 to the Ca2+ channels was relatively resistant to desensitisation; 5 hours of pretreatment with MK 678 did not attenuate MK 678 inhibition of the Ca2+ current. In contrast, the sst5 receptors were desensitised by 1 hour of pretreatment with BIM 23052. Thus, the coupling of the two receptors to the Ca2+ channel could be differentially regulated. The SRIF receptor subtype coupling to the Ca2+ channel could also be distinguished by a unique antagonist, the peptide L362,855, which binds with high affinity to cloned sst5.

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.

Development of a selective agonist at the somatostatin receptor subtype sstr1

Somatostatin (SRIF) induces its biological actions by interacting with a family of five recently cloned receptors. SRIF receptor subtype, SSTR1, has high affinity for SRIF, but no ligand has been available that selectively binds to this receptor. Desamino acid(1,2,5) [DTryptophan8, N-p-isopropl-4-aminomethyl-l-phenylalanine9]SRIF(des-AA1,2,5 [DT rp8, IAmp9]SRIF inhibits the binding of [125ITyr11]SRIF to the cloned human SSTR1 with an affinity of 1.8+0.7nM, but does not bind to the other cloned SRIF receptors. des-AA1,5[125ITyr2,DTrp8,IAmp9]SRIF bound selectively, potently and saturably to SSTR1 with a Kd of 0.5 + 0.1 nM and a maximal binding density of 226 +/- 56 fmol/mg of protein. The binding of des-AA1,5[125ITyr2,DTrp8,IAmp9]SRIF to SSTR1 was potently inhibited by SRIF, [DTrp8]SRIF, des-AA1,2,5[DTrp8,IAmp9,DSer13]SRIF and SRIF 28 with K, values of 0.7+0.3, 0.2+0.2, 4.3+0.7 and 0.6+0.1 nM, respectively. SRIF analogs that selectively bind to SSTR2 and SSTR5 were impotent in displacing des-AA1,5[125ITyr2,DTrp8,IAmp9]SRIF from human SSTR1. des-AA1,5[125ITyr2,DTrp8,IAmp9]SRIF binding to SSTR1 expressed in COS-7 cells was reduced by GTPgS, and this effect was prevented by pertussis toxin treatment. In contrast, the binding of[125ITyr11]SRIF to SSTR1 was not affected by these treatments. These findings indicate that des-AA1,5[125ITyr2,DTrp8,IAmp9]SRIF may bind to SSTR1 in a defferent manner than SRIF. des-AA1,2,5[DTrp8,IAmp9]SRIF and its tyrosine analog are the first ligands that selectively bind to SSTR1 with high affinity and should be useful in localizing and determining the functional properties of this receptor.

Solubilization of active somatostatin receptors from rabbit retina

Somatostatin receptors from rabbit retinal membranes were solubilized in an active form using a mixture of the detergent n-octyl b-D-glucopyranoside (OG) and CHAPS. The binding of [125I]-Try11-somatostatin to the soluble extract was saturable and of high affinity, with an apparent affinity constant (Kd) of 0.60 +/- 0.20 nM and a maximum number of binding sites (Bmax) of 80 +/- 48 fmol/mg protein. The specific binding of [125I]Tyr11-somatostatin was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner only by the somatostatinergic analogs. The biochemical characteristics of both the membrane-bound and soluble receptors were studied by photoaffinity labeling techniques. Analysis by SDS-PAGE and subsequent autoradiography revealed the presence of a major protein of similar relative molecular mass (M(r) 54,000 and 57,000 for membrane and soluble sites, respectively). The photolabeling of this protein was specifically inhibited by somatostatin-28, somatostatin-14, SMS 201-995 (a synthetic octapeptide analog of somatostatin) but not by bombesin and somatostatin-28(1-14). The non-hydrolysable GTP analog guanosine-5'-O-(3-thio-triphosphate) (GTP gamma S) regulated the photolabeling of [125I]Tyr11-somatostatin to the membrane and soluble receptors. These studies describe for the first time the successful solubilization of the somatostatin receptor and the biochemical characterization of both membrane-bound and soluble receptors from rabbit retina.

Characterization of [125I]Tyr11-somatostatin binding sites in the rabbit retina

We have identified specific receptors for somatostatin (SS) in the rabbit retina using the radioligand [125I]Tyr11-Somatostatin. [125I]Tyr11-SS bound with high affinity to retinal membranes as was ascertained by both kinetic and saturation experiments. Scatchard analysis of the saturation data for [125I]Tyr11-SS binding to retinal membranes suggest a single population of sites with an apparent affinity constant (KD) of 0.90 +/- 0.20 nM and a maximum number of binding sites (Bmax) of 104 +/- 52 fmol/mg protein. The specific binding of [125I]Tyr11-SS was displaced in a dose-dependent manner by SS, Tyr11-SS, SMS 201-995, SS-28 and D-Trp8-SS. The inactive SS analog SS28(1-14) as well as the peptides CRF and bombesin had no effect. In addition, the specific binding of [125I]Tyr11-SS was attenuated by GTPgS. These findings demonstrate the presence of a selective receptor for SS in the rabbit retina that is coupled to guanine nucleotide binding protein(s).

Effects of acute and chronic desipramine treatment on somatostatin receptors in brain

The effects of acute (5 mg/kg, IP twice daily for 2 days) and chronic (5 mg/kg IP twice daily for 21 days) administration of desipramine (DMI) on [125I]-Tyr11-somatostatin binding sites in brain were examined. There was no change in [125I]Tyr11-somatostatin binding in membranes prepared from the frontal cortex, striatum, and hippocampus of rats acutely or chronically treated with DMI as compared to non treated animals. [125I]Tyr11-somatostatin binding was increased in membranes prepared from the rat nucleus accumbens only after chronic DMI administration. Scatchard analysis of the binding data from the nucleus accumbens showed that [125I]Tyr11-somatostatin labels a single population of somatostatin binding sites with an affinity constant, Kd, of 1.8 +/- 0.60 nM and a Bmax of 330 +/- 90 fmol/mg protein. Chronic treatment with DMI increased the Bmax (500 +/- 140 fmol/mg protein) but had no effect on the Kd. This finding shows a regional effect of DMI on [125I]Tyr11-somatostatin binding sites in rat brain and suggests that somatostatin may play a role in the pathophysiology of depression.