Expression and purification of truncated, non-glycosylated turkey beta-adrenergic receptors for crystallization

In order to purify milligram quantities of turkey beta-adrenergic receptor (betaAR) for structural analysis, we have expressed mutant betaARs using the baculovirus system. The initial betaAR construct was truncated at both N- and C-termini thus removing an N-glycosylation site. Cys 116 was mutated to leucine and a histidine tag was added at the C-terminus resulting in the betaAR construct 20-424/His6. Expression of this construct in Sf9 cells produced 0.5 mg of unpurified receptor per liter of culture which necessitated the use of a fermenter for large-scale production. The yield was improved more than 2-fold to 1.2 mg/l culture by using Tni cells which facilitated the production of receptor on a 4 litre scale in shake cultures. The receptor was purified to homogeneity with 35% recovery giving a yield of 2 mg receptor. A further deletion at the N-terminus (betaAR 34-424/His6) eliminated proteolysis which had been observed with the original construct and also increased expression more than 5-fold to 360 pmol/mg solubilized membrane protein. This expression level is one of the highest reported for a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and has enabled us to purify 10 mg betaAR for large-scale crystallization experiments.

Density and binding characteristics of beta-adrenoceptors in the normal and failing equine myocardium

Beta-adrenoceptors are important regulators of cardiac function and their characteristics are known to change in human and canine diseased myocardium. This study aimed to determine the density and subtypes of beta-adrenoceptors in the normal and failing equine ventricular myocardium. Membrane preparations of the left papillary muscles were incubated with increasing concentrations of the nonselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist [3H]-CGP12177. Saturable and reversible binding of [3H]-CGP12177 to myocardial membranes was demonstrated with Kd values (+/- s.d.) of 0.49 +/- 0.40 and 0.43 +/- 0.22 nmol/l and Bmax values of 93.4 +/- 20.5 and 110.0 +/- 21.2 and fmol/mg protein for normal (n = 19) and heart failure (n = 10) tissues, respectively. Heart failure had no significant effect on the density of ventricular beta-adrenoceptors. The cardiac beta-adrenoceptors were further characterised by studying displacement of [3H]-CGP12177 (0.6 nmol/l) with the beta1-selective antagonists CGP20712A and the beta2-selective antagonist ICI118.551. In normal ventricular muscle, CGP20712A was 26 times more potent than ICI118.551 (Ki values 30.4 +/- 24.8 and 814.1 +/- 485.2 nmol/l, respectively). In heart failure cases, CGP 20712A curves were monophasic with a Ki value of 45.6 +/- 39.7 nmol/l. ICI 118.551 curves were biphasic in 5 horses where 11-31% of the cardiac beta-adrenoceptors had a high affinity for ICI 118.551. These data suggest that the normal equine ventricular myocardium possesses predominately beta1-adrenoceptors, with no evidence for co-existence of a significant population of beta2-adrenoceptors. The density of beta-adrenoceptors did not appear to change in heart failure, but the appearance of receptors with a high affinity for ICI118.551 may suggest that, in some cases, heart failure increases the expression of beta2-adrenoceptors in equine ventricular myocardium. This study provides an insight into the role of the adrenergic system in heart disease in the horse. Further studies in this area are warranted.

Desensitization of the isolated .beta.2-adrenergic receptor by .beta.-adrenergic receptor kinase, cAMP-dependent protein kinase, and protein kinase C occurs via distinct molecular mechanisms

Exposure of beta 2-adrenergic receptors (beta 2ARs) to agonists causes a rapid desensitization of the receptor-stimulated adenylyl cyclase response. Phosphorylation of the beta 2AR by several distinct kinases plays an important role in this desensitization phenomenon. In this study, we have utilized purified hamster lung beta 2AR and stimulatory guanine nucleotide binding regulatory protein (Gs), reconstituted in phospholipid vesicles, to investigate the molecular properties of this desensitization response. Purified hamster beta 2AR was phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC), or beta AR kinase (beta ARK), and receptor function was determined by measuring the beta 2AR-agonist-promoted Gs-associated GTPase activity. At physiological concentrations of Mg2+ (less than 1 mM), receptor phosphorylation inhibited coupling to Gs by 60% (PKA), 40% (PKC), and 30% (beta ARK). The desensitizing effect of phosphorylation was, however, greatly diminished when assays were performed at concentrations of Mg2+ sufficient to promote receptor-independent activation of Gs (greater than 5 mM). Addition of retinal arrestin, the light transduction component involved in the attenuation of rhodopsin function, did not enhance the uncoupling effect of beta ARK phosphorylation of beta 2AR when assayed in the presence of 0.3 mM free Mg2+. At concentrations of Mg2+ ranging between 0.5 and 5.0 mM, however, significant potentiation of beta ARK-mediated desensitization was observed upon arrestin addition. At a free Mg2+ concentration of 5 mM, arrestin did not potentiate the inhibition of receptor function observed on PKA or PKC phosphorylation. These results suggest that distinct pathways of desensitization exist for the receptor phosphorylated either by PKA or PKC or alternatively by beta ARK.

Identification and characterisation of beta-adrenoceptors on intact equine peripheral blood lymphocytes with the radioligand (-)-[125I]-iodocyanopindolol

In this study, beta-adrenoceptors of intact equine lymphocytes were identified and subclassified by (-)-[125I]-iodocyanopindolol (ICYP) binding. ICYP binding to intact equine lymphocytes was rapid, saturable (maximal number of binding sites 320 +/- 20 ICYP binding sites/cell, n = 12) and of high affinity (KD value for ICYP 14.4 +/- 1.7 pmol/l, n = 12). Binding was stereospecific as shown by the 10 times greater potency of (-)-propranolol to inhibit binding than its (+)-isomer. Beta-adrenoceptor agonists inhibited ICYP binding with an order of potency: (-)-isoprenaline >(-)-adrenaline >(-)-noradrenaline; the same order of potency was obtained for agonist-induced stimulation of lymphocyte cyclic AMP content. The selective beta2-adrenoceptor antagonist ICI 118,551 was about 1000 times more potent in inhibiting ICYP binding than was the beta1-selective adrenoceptor antagonist CGP 20712A. It is, therefore, concluded that in intact equine lymphocytes, ICYP labels a class of functional beta-adrenoceptors that belong predominantly (>90%) to the beta2-adrenoceptor subtype; a small (<10%) beta1-adrenoceptor component, however, cannot be ruled out completely. ICYP binding to equine lymphocytes might be a suitable model to study function and regulation of the beta-adrenoceptor system in the horse in vivo. The aim of this study was to characterise the beta-adrenoreceptor subtypes present on equine lymphocytes.

[Pharmacological analysis of atypical beta-adrenoceptors in the guinea pig gastrointestinal tissue systems]

The purpose of the present study was to characterize the atypical beta-adrenoceptors involved in relaxant responses in guinea pig gastric fundus, duodenum and ileum in functional experiments with catecholamines (isoprenaline, noradrenaline and adrenaline), beta 3-adrenoceptor agonists (BRL37344 and CGP12177A) and a non-selective beta 1-, beta 2- and beta 3-adrenoceptor antagonist bupranolol, and to obtain further evidence to clarify whether there is a tissue difference in atypical beta-adrenoceptors in the guinea pig gastrointestinal tissue systems. The atypical beta-adrenoceptors are present in gastric fundus, duodenum and ileum of guinea pig. In the presence of propranolol (1 microM) or atenolol (100 microM) plus butoxamine (100 microM), bupranolol caused a concentration-dependent rightward shift of the concentration-response curves for catecholamines and beta 3-adrenoceptor agonists. There was not a significant difference of pA2 values for bupranolol against these agonists between gastric fundus, duodenum and ileum of guinea pig. These results suggest that guinea pig gastric fundus, duodenum and ileum relaxation are mediated predominantly by an atypical beta-adrenoceptor population whereas the classical beta 1- or/and beta 2-adrenoceptors play a subordinate function role and that the receptors of three tissues are pharmacological identified by functional approaches. There is not a tissue difference in atypical beta-adrenoceptors in the guinea pig gastrointestinal tissue systems between stomach and ileum.

Isolation, expression and characterization of the gene for an ADP-ribosylation factor from the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum

We have isolated an ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) gene from the human malarial parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. The gene (P. falciparum arf1) has four introns and the exons encode a protein of 181 amino acids with high similarity to the mammalian class I ARF proteins 1-3 (> or = 74% amino acid identity). Southern hybridization suggests there is at least one additional arf in the P. falciparum genome. Northern analysis identified a single P. falciparum arf1 mRNA of 1.8 kb in the asexual blood stage form of the parasite. The P. falciparum arf1 mRNA levels are developmentally regulated, reaching a maximum during nuclear division towards the end of the intraerythrocytic cycle. P. falciparum arf1 cDNA was isolated by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and used to express a recombinant protein in Escherichia coli. Recombinant P. falciparum ARF1 protein was purified with stoichiometric amounts of bound GDP, although intrinsic guanose triphosphatase activity of the protein could not be detected. The protein stimulated cholera-toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosyltransferase activity in a reaction that was dependent upon the addition of both dimyristoylglycerophosphocholine and cholate. The protein bound GTP with first-order kinetics with an apparent rate constant, k', of 0.0145 (+/- 0.0019) min-1. These results suggest that P. falciparum ARF1 is a member of the class 1 ARF family and provide additional evidence for the existence of a classical secretory pathway in P. falciparum.

Anti-peptide monoclonal antibodies to the beta-adrenergic receptor: use in purification of beta receptor

This article describes a new immunopurification procedure based on monoclonal antibodies raised against peptides of the carboxy-terminal region of the turkey beta-adrenergic receptor. This procedure constitutes a significant purification step of recombinant beta-adrenergic receptors expressed in baculovirus-infected Sf9 cells, and allows the recovery of receptors able to activate Gs in phospholipid vesicles. Additionally, this procedure can be combined with affinity chromatography to yield nearly homogeneous receptor.

Primary structure of the mouse beta 1-adrenergic receptor gene

The mouse beta 1-adrenergic receptor was isolated from a genomic library and cloned into pBluescript SK-. Characterization of the clone revealed an open reading frame which encodes a predicted protein of 466 amino acids. The mouse beta 1 receptor is 92.7% identical to the human sequence, 98.5% identical to the rat sequence, and contains a consensus site for N-linked glycosylation at Asn-15 and a cAMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation site at Ser-301.

Mutations of the alpha 2A-adrenergic receptor that eliminate detectable palmitoylation do not perturb receptor-G-protein coupling

The alpha 2A-adrenergic receptor (alpha 2AAR) is coupled to a variety of effectors via pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding proteins. Like most members of the G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily, the primary structure of the alpha 2AAR possesses a putative consensus sequence for palmitoylation in the COOH terminus at Cys-442. This study demonstrates that the alpha 2AAR incorporates [3H] palmitic acid in metabolic labeling studies and that mutation of Cys-442 to Ala or Ser eliminates detectable 3H-palmitoylation. However, mutation of Cys-442 does not alter adrenergic ligand specificity or allosteric modulation by amphipathic agents, such as amiloride analogs. Since reports in the literature suggest that a homologous mutation in the beta 2-adrenergic receptor attenuates coupling to Gs (O'Dowd, B. F., Hnatowich, M., Caron, M. G., Lefkowitz, R. J., and Bouvier, M. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 7564-7569) whereas chemical removal of palmitate from bovine rhodopsin enhances coupling to Gt (Morrison, D. F., O'Brien, P. J., and Pepperberg, D. R. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 20118-20123), we examined if mutation of Cys-442 and parallel loss of detectable palmitoylation alter alpha 2AAR coupling to G-proteins. Several independent cell lines of Madin-Darby canine kidney II cells expressing wild-type (Cys-442) or mutant (Ala-442 and Ser-442) alpha 2AARs were established. Metabolic labeling of Madin-Darby canine kidney cells expressing wild-type (Cys-442) or mutant (Ala-442) alpha 2AARs with [3H]palmitic acid indicated that only wild-type Cys-442-containing receptors incorporated [3H]palmitate, monitored following isolation of the alpha 2AAR detergent extracts using yohimbine-agarose chromatography. Receptor-G-protein coupling was assessed by evaluating sensitivity of receptor-agonist interactions to guanine nucleotides in competition for [3H]yohimbine antagonist binding, guanyl-5'-yl imidotrisphosphate sensitivity of pertussis toxin-sensitive p-[125I]iodoclonidine agonist binding, and agonist-stimulated guanosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate) binding. Using all three approaches, no detectable change in alpha 2AAR-G-protein coupling was apparent, in contrast to apparent opposite effects on the beta 2-adrenergic receptor-Gs and rhodopsin-Gt coupling reported previously by others. One interpretation is that this conserved cysteine may play differing roles at different receptor-G-protein interfaces. Alternatively, this shared structural motif may play a role in not yet investigated pathways, such as receptor expression, turnover, and localization.

Purification and functional characterization of the human beta 2-adrenergic receptor produced in baculovirus-infected insect cells

A human cDNA fragment bearing the complete coding region for the beta 2-adrenergic receptor was introduced into the genome of Autographa california nuclear polyhedrosis virus under the control of the polyhedrin promoter. Binding studies using [125I]iodocyanopindolol showed that Sf9 insect cells infected with the recombinant virus expressed approximately 1 x 10(6) beta 2-adrenergic receptors on their cell surface. Photoaffinity labeling of whole cells and membranes revealed a molecular weight of approximately 46,000 for the expressed receptor. The receptor produced in insect cells is glycosylated but the extent and pattern differ from that of the receptor from human tissue. The heterologously expressed receptor was purified by alprenolol affinity chromatography, and was able to activate isolated Gs-protein.

Binding of alpha- and beta gamma-subunits of Go to beta 1-adrenoceptor in sealed unilamellar lipid vesicles

First, we describe a preparation of sealed unilamellar lipid vesicles. When this preparation was subjected to sucrose density gradient centrifugation, two rather uniform fractions emerged, one consisting of lighter lipid-rich vesicles with average diameters ranging over 150-200 nm (fraction I), the other consisting of heavier vesicles with average diameters ranging over 30-70 nm (fraction II). When the lipid mixture containing dimyristoylglycerophosphocholine, cholesterol, dipalmitoylglycerophosphoserine and dipalmitoylglycerophosphoethanolamine at molar ratios of 54:35:10:1 was reconstituted with alpha- and beta gamma-subunits of Go-proteins purified to homogeneity from bovine brain, the lipid-rich lighter vesicle fraction I took up these subunits nearly exclusively. Whereas, when a beta 1-adrenoceptor preparation purified from turkey erythrocyte membranes was reconstituted, it was found nearly completely in the smaller heavier vesicle fraction II where it was incorporated inside-out. On co-reconstitution of either alpha o or beta gamma alone with beta 1-adrenoceptors, some of these subunits appear together with beta 1-adrenoceptors in the small vesicle fraction II, but much more alpha o was bound to the receptor in the presence of beta gamma-subunits. The observations reported are novel and surprising in several respects: firstly, they suggest that beta gamma-subunits can bind to the non-activated beta 1-receptor where they may serve as an anchor for alpha-subunits. Secondly, the binding of alpha o- and beta gamma-subunits to the beta 1-adrenoceptors enhances the basal GTPase activity of alpha o. Thirdly, since the binding domains of the beta 1-adrenoceptor for G-proteins were facing outwards in our sealed vesicle preparations, it follows that interactions of G-proteins with the beta-receptor can occur at the aqueous membrane interface as was postulated originally by M. Chabre [Trends Biochem. Sci. 12, 213-215 (1987)] for the transducin-rhodopsin interactions. Finally, the binding of Go-subunits from bovine brain to a beta 1-adrenoceptor from turkey erythrocytes was not expected, since these polypeptides are not likely to be physiological partners.

Lung beta-adrenoceptors in pulmonary hypertension. A study of biopsy specimens in children with congenital heart disease

Characteristics of beta-adrenoceptors were analyzed using radioligand-binding techniques with 3H-dihydroalprenolol in lung specimens from 11 children with pulmonary hypertension (median age, three years) undergoing surgical repair of congenital heart defects and four pediatric control subjects (median age, five years) undergoing thoracotomy for removal of neoplasms or cysts. Scatchard analysis of 3H-DHA binding to lung membranes showed similar values of the dissociation constant in both groups (Kd = 0.72 +/- 0.22 nM in patients vs 1.22 +/- 0.22 nM in controls; p = NS). The receptor density was significantly increased in patients in comparison with controls, with respective values of 164 +/- 19 and 95 +/- 13 fmol/mg of protein (p less than 0.025), and correlated directly with mean pulmonary arterial pressure (r = 0.82; p less than 0.0005). No significant relationship was observed between receptor number and pulmonary arterial medial thickness. Thus, the increase in receptor density in these patients may be related to adaptative changes in cells other than vascular smooth muscle.

Reconstitutively active G protein-coupled receptors purified from baculovirus-infected insect cells

The turkey beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR), the m1 and m2 forms of the human muscarinic cholingeric receptor (MAChR) and several other mutant and wild-type G protein-coupled receptors were produced in insect Sf9 cells by infection with recombinant baculoviruses. Maximal expression for most receptors was 5-30 pmol receptor/mg protein (2-15 nmol/liter culture). The receptors displayed typical ligand binding characteristics. The beta-AR was glycosylated; electrophoretic behavior of the two MAChRs also suggested glycosylation. The beta-AR stimulated endogenous adenylyl cyclase in response to beta-adrenergic agonists. The beta-AR and both MAChRs were purified and coreconstituted with various purified G proteins in phospholipid vesicles. The recombinant beta-AR catalyzed the agonist-dependent activation of Gs by guanosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) with the same efficiency as did the natural beta-AR. The m2 MAChR efficiently catalyzed GTP gamma S binding to Go and to the recently identified G protein Gz (Gx). The m2 MAChR also catalyzed the activation of Gj,1 and Gj,3 weakly. Activation of these same G proteins by the ml MAChR was much less efficient, consistent with its known selectivity for pertussis toxin-insensitive G proteins ("Gp") that have not yet been isolated. The beta-AR and m2 MAChR were characteristically stimulated by reduction of disulfides. These results demonstrate the general utility of the baculovirus system for production of large quantities of native G protein-coupled receptors.

The role of cytosolic and membrane factors in processing of the human beta-2 adrenergic receptor following translocation and glycosylation in a cell-free system

The beta-2 adrenergic receptor has been proposed to have seven membrane-spanning domains. Expression of functional beta-2 adrenergic receptor was achieved in a heterologous cell-free system composed of rabbit reticulocyte lysate and microsomal membranes from Xenopus laevis oocytes. The functional state of the receptor protein can be determined by ligand-binding assays and by the ability of ligands to alter the susceptibility of the receptor to proteinase K digestion. The process by which functional receptor is made was studied. The receptor protein remains nonfunctional immediately following translocation and glycosylation, and additional processing steps are needed before the receptor is able to interact with ligands. These processing steps require intact microsomal membranes as well as several cytosolic factors including ATP and one or more high molecular mass (greater than 30 kDa) factors but do not require receptor glycosylation and are not inhibited by nonhydrolyzable GTP analogues.

Localization and characterization of three different beta-adrenergic receptors expressed in Escherichia coli

After fusion with the N-proximal portion of the outer membrane protein LamB, three beta-adrenergic receptors, the human beta 1- and beta 2- and turkey beta 1-adrenergic receptor, were expressed in Escherichia coli with retention of their own specific pharmacological properties. Molecular characterization and localization of the three receptors in bacteria and comparison of the behaviour of each hybrid protein are reported. The bacteria were lysed and fractionated on a sucrose gradient. Saturable [125I]iodocyanopindolol binding activity was found associated mainly with the inner membrane fraction, suggesting that the receptor is correctly folded in this membrane. Binding activity was also found in the outer membrane fraction but varied according to the receptor type. Photoaffinity labeling experiments revealed that the receptors exhibit binding activity only after proteolytic removal of the LamB moiety from the fusion protein. The three hybrid proteins, detected in immunoblots by anti-peptide antibodies, were found mainly in the outer membrane fraction. Each of them exhibited different susceptibility to intrinsic bacterial proteolytic enzymes; sites of proteolytic cleavage were localized by the use of anti-peptide antibodies. The functional expression in E. coli of three beta-adrenergic receptors with similar structure but different amino acid sequences suggests that this expression system may be a general feature among similar receptors of the family of G-protein-coupled receptors. The level of expressed binding activity of a given receptor will be within the control of proteolytic degradation processes, depending on the primary sequence of the receptor. Constructions of new hybrid proteins, in combination with expression in protease mutants of E. coli, should help in controlling such processes.

Proteolytic degradation routes for turkey beta 1-adrenoceptor probed with antipeptide antibodies against the N-terminal sequence of the receptor

Anti-peptide antibodies, raised against the N-terminal sequence (amino acids 2-10) of the turkey beta 1-adrenoceptor [Yarden et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1986) 83, 6795-6799] recognized the 50 kDa- but not the 40 kDa-form of the receptor, thus confirming the previous assumption that the N-terminus of the 50 kDa form is lost during its conversion to the 40 kDa-form [Jür beta, R., Hekman, M. & Helmreich, E.J.M. (1985) Biochemistry 24, 3349-3354]. By in situ proteolysis small amounts of receptor fragments were formed, which could be recognized by the N-terminus specific antibody. Therefore, although the production of the stable 40 kDa receptor species by proteolytic removal of a portion of the N-terminal appears to be the predominant route, there exists an additional pathway of degradation which must involve the initial cleavage of the carboxyl terminal.

Molecular characterization of the human beta 3-adrenergic receptor

Since the classification of beta-adrenergic receptors (beta-ARs) into beta 1 and beta 2 subtypes, additional beta-ARs have been implicated in the control of various metabolic processes by catecholamines. A human gene has been isolated that encodes a third beta-AR, here referred to as the "beta 3-adrenergic receptor." Exposure of eukaryotic cells transfected with this gene to adrenaline or noradrenaline promotes the accumulation of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate; only 2 of 11 classical beta-AR blockers efficiently inhibited this effect, whereas two others behaved as beta 3-AR agonists. The potency order of beta-AR agonists for the beta 3-AR correlates with their rank order for stimulating various metabolic processes in tissues where atypical adrenergic sites are thought to exist. In particular, novel beta-AR agonists having high thermogenic, antiobesity, and antidiabetic activities in animal models are among the most potent stimulators of the beta 3-AR.

Site-directed anti-peptide antibodies define the topography of the beta-adrenergic receptor

Molecular cloning has revealed the primary structure of a number of G-protein-linked receptors. The organization and topography of these proteins predicted to have seven hydrophobic membrane-spanning domains, in contrast, have not been established. Antibodies were prepared against 11 peptides corresponding to each of the hydrophilic sequences of the hamster beta 2-adrenergic receptor. Each of the anti-peptide antibodies displayed immunoreactivity for its synthetic peptide antigen and beta 2-adrenergic receptor (Mr 65,000) on blots of cell membranes and of purified receptor. All but three anti-peptide antisera also displayed immunoreactivity toward human placental and rat fat cell beta 1-adrenergic receptors, reflecting the level of sequence identity that exists between the two subtypes, Chinese hamster ovary cells stably transfected with an expression vector harboring the cDNA encoding the hamster beta 2-adrenergic receptor provided a cell type with 2 million receptors/cell, suitable for in situ localization of the sequences used as antigens. Indirect immunofluorescence of intact and permeabilized cells performed with these site-directed anti-peptide antibodies permitted the assignment of the general topography of each of the hydrophilic sequences of this G-protein-linked receptor. The results support the predictive value of hydropathy analysis for one class of membrane proteins with multiple transmembrane-spanning domains.

Subtype-selective immunoprecipitation of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor

Most antibodies known to interact with beta-adrenergic receptors do not exhibit subtype selectivity, nor do they provide quantitative immunoprecipitation. A monoclonal antibody, G27.1 raised against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the C-terminus of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor of hamster, is selective for the beta 2 subtype. G27.1 provides nearly quantitative immunoprecipitation of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor from hamster lung that has been photoaffinity-labeled and solubilized with sodium dodecyl sulfate. Immunoprecipitation is completely blocked by nanomolar concentrations of the immunizing peptide. This antibody interacts with beta 2-adrenergic receptors from three rodent species, but not with those from humans. When C6 glioma cells, which contain both beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors, are photoaffinity-labeled in the absence or presence of subtype-selective antagonists, subtype-selective photoaffinity-labeling results. G27.1 can immunoprecipitate beta 2-, but not beta 1-, adrenergic receptors from these cells. Similar results were obtained following subtype-selective photoaffinity-labeling of membranes from rat cerebellum and cerebral cortex. The beta-adrenergic receptors from C6 glioma cells and rat cerebral cortex exist as a mixture of two molecular weight species. These species differ in glycosylation, as shown by endoglycosidase F digestion of crude and immunoprecipitated receptors.

Species differences in the localization and number of CNS beta adrenergic receptors: rat versus guinea pig

The localization and number of beta adrenergic receptors were directly compared in the brains of rats and guinea pigs. The time course of association and saturability of [125I]cyanopindolol (CYP) binding to slide-mounted tissue sections was similar in rats (Kd = 17 pM) and guinea pigs (Kd = 20 pM). The beta-1 and beta-2 receptor subtypes were examined through the use of highly selective unlabeled receptor antagonists, ICI 118,551 (50 nM) and ICI 89,406 (70 nM). Dramatic species differences between rats and guinea pigs were observed in the neuroanatomical regional localization of the beta adrenergic receptor subtypes. For example, in the thalamus prominent beta-1 and beta-2 receptor populations were identified in the rat; however, the entire thalamus of the guinea pig had few, if any, beta adrenergic receptors of either subtype. Hippocampal area CA1 had high levels of beta-2 adrenergic receptors in both rats and guinea pigs but was accompanied by a widespread distribution of beta-2 adrenergic receptors only in rats. Quantitative autoradiographic analyses of 25 selected neuroanatomical regions 1) confirmed the qualitative differences in CNS beta adrenergic receptor localization, 2) determined that guinea pigs had significantly lower levels of beta adrenergic receptors than rats and 3) indicated a differential pattern of receptor subtypes between the two species. Knowledge of species differences in receptor patterns may be useful in designing effective experiments as well as in exploring the relationships between receptor and innervation patterns. Collectively, these data suggest caution be used in extrapolation of the relationships of neurotransmitters and receptors from studies of a single species.

Identification and characterization of a homogeneous population of beta 2-adrenergic receptors on human alveolar macrophages

Human alveolar macrophages obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage were studied with the high specific activity beta-adrenergic ligand [125I]pindolol and found to possess a moderate density of beta-adrenergic receptors. Using macrophage membranes, the receptor density (Bmax) was 42 +/- 9 fmol/mg protein with an apparent equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of 44 +/- 9 pM (mean +/- SEM). With intact macrophages, the Bmax = 5,643 +/- 942 sites/cell with Kd = 29 +/- 9 pM. Competition binding studies with subtype-specific antagonists revealed an exclusive population of beta 2-adrenergic receptors. Incubation of intact macrophages with the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol caused a 6-fold increase in intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP). Prostaglandin E1 and forskolin, which activate adenylate cyclase via different mechanisms, afforded typical marked increases in macrophage cAMP. Saturation binding, competition binding, and cAMP accumulation studies may all be performed from a single sample of about 2 x 10(7) cells, which can be obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage. This should facilitate studies of in vivo regulation of human alveolar macrophage beta-adrenergic receptors with regard to immune function and mediator release, and as a possible reflection of lung parenchymal receptors.

[Isolation of a homogeneous functionally active beta-adrenergic receptor from bovine cerebellum using lauroyl sucrose. Effect of trypsin on receptor activity]

The synthesis of lauroyl sucrose capable of solubilizing 100% of beta-adrenergic receptors from bovine cerebellum membranes has been carried out. The preparative procedure for isolation of homogeneous beta-adrenergic receptors including affinity chromatography on the novel support, oxprenolol-Sepharose, is described. According to SDS-PAAG electrophoresis data, the Mr value for the beta-adrenergic receptor is 61 kD. The purified beta-adrenergic receptor can interact with the purified GTP-binding regulatory protein of adenylate cyclase (Gs) after their reconstitution into liposomes. Trypsin treatment of the purified receptor does not interfere with its functional properties, nor does it change the hydrodynamic parameters under non-denaturing conditions despite the fact that the polypeptide chain of the receptor is cleaved by trypsin.

Affinity purification of the mammalian beta-2-adrenergic receptor

The efficiency of covalently linking alprenolol to Sepharose via a 14-atom spacer prepared from 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether has been increased. This in turn has aided in increasing the specific yield of beta-2-adrenergic receptor by a factor of 3 over earlier results. Further development of extraction and solubilization protocols are also described. The adsorption of the affinity-purified receptor to stainless steel was measured, and is cited as a potential problem in further purification by high-pressure liquid chromatography.

Identification of structurally distinct alpha 2-adrenergic receptors

Recent studies involving a variety of membrane receptors and ion channels indicate that diversity exists among these proteins as evidenced by tissue-specific and developmentally related expression of different isoforms. Alpha 2-Adrenergic receptors, plasma membrane proteins involved in sympathetic neurotransmission, may similarly represent a nonhomogeneous class of binding sites based on the following observations. First, their activation can elicit a wide variety of effector cell responses, which are apparently triggered by at least three different signal transduction mechanisms. Second, alpha 2-adrenergic receptors in various tissues and species exhibit marked differences in their ligand recognition properties. To determine if heterogeneity of the receptor protein itself is involved in generating this diversity, we structurally characterized the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor in two tissues that exhibit the greatest differences in ligand recognition properties, neonatal rat lung and human platelet. We report here that these differences in ligand recognition are maintained after partial receptor purification (50-100-fold) and are associated with distinct differences in the physical and structural properties of the receptor protein. The human platelet and neonatal rat lung receptor differ in the apparent molecular weight of their hormone-binding subunits (human platelet, Mr approximately 64,000 versus neonatal rat lung, Mr approximately 44,000) as well as in the number or type of their associated oligosaccharide moieties. The observed diversity is consistent with expression of isoforms of the alpha 2-adrenergic receptor and suggests the presence of more than one gene encoding similar but distinct receptor proteins.

Reovirus type 3 and [125I]-iodocyanopindolol bind to distinct domains on the beta-adrenergic like receptor

Antireceptor antibodies have been developed as a probe to study the cellular receptor for reovirus type 3. Using this probe, a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 65-67 kilodaltons and a pI of 5.8-6.0 was isolated and identified as the reovirus receptor. This protein was also structurally similar to the affinity-purified beta-adrenergic receptor from calf lung. In this report, we employ [125I]-iodocyanopindolol, a high affinity beta-adrenergic antagonist, to further characterize this protein. We show that R1.1, a murine thymoma cell line, possesses about 2,000 receptors per cell with high affinity for ICYP (kD = 3.3 X 10(-11) M). Competitive inhibition studies suggest that the receptor is of the beta-2 subtype. Solubilized receptor proteins from R1.1 cells bound to the antireceptor antibody were further purified by SDS-PAGE and electroelution from the gel. Five percent of the proteins thus obtained could bind ICYP with high affinity (kD = 1.6 X 10(-10) M). This suggests that the purification procedure produced a collection of forms of this 65- to 67-kilodalton protein, some of which retained the conformation for binding the beta ligands. We also demonstrate that the isolated receptor protein was able to bind ICYP even when the virus binding site was occupied by the anti-idiotype, suggesting that reovirus type 3 and the beta ligands bind to distinct domains on the receptor protein.

Use of electrofocusing for the analysis and purification of turkey erythrocytes beta 1-adrenoceptors

We show that following one cycle of alprenolol affinity chromatography of turkey erythrocyte beta 1-adrenoceptors, electrofocusing on polyacrylamide gels in digitonin, followed by electroelution, results in complete receptor purification. The overall yield from the electrofocusing-electroelution step of turkey erythrocyte beta-adrenoceptor is 75 +/- 3%. In addition, we are able to demonstrate that receptor-binding assays can be performed directly on the polyacrylamide gel, using 125I-cyanopindolol. This method can be employed for minute quantities of receptor which is an advantage when one wishes to characterize rapidly the beta-adrenoceptor in its native state from tissues that may be available only in limited amounts. We also report, for comparison, on the behavior of the turkey erythrocyte beta 1-adrenoceptor on immobiline polyacrylamide gels and the ability to purify only partially the receptor on these gels.

Identification and sequence of a binding site peptide of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor

p-(Bromoacetamido)benzyl-1-[125I]iodocarazolol (125I-pBABC) is a potent derivative of the beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist p-aminobenzylcarazolol. Treatment of the receptor with 125I-pBABC results in efficient covalent incorporation of the ligand into the receptor binding site. Extensive degradation of 125I-pBABC-labeled beta 2-adrenergic receptor with either cyanogen bromide or Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease results in specifically labeled fragments having Mr's of about 1600 and 3500, respectively. Because the primary structure of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor is known, and these proteolytic reagents are highly sequence specific, the site of 125I-pBABC incorporation may be deduced from the sizes of the specifically labeled fragments. Thus the fragment generated by cyanogen bromide cleavage corresponds to residues 83-96, a region of 14 amino acids included in the second membrane spanning domain (helix II) of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor. This assignment was confirmed by direct amino acid sequencing of this labeled fragment, though the actual amino acid modified could not be determined. These data permit the assignment of a part of the hormone binding region of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor.

beta-Adrenergic receptor kinase. Activity of partial agonists for stimulation of adenylate cyclase correlates with ability to promote receptor phosphorylation

The beta-adrenergic receptor (beta AR) kinase is a recently discovered enzyme which specifically phosphorylates the agonist-occupied form of the beta-adrenergic receptor. We have utilized the agonist-dependent nature of this phosphorylation reaction to characterize the ability of partial agonists to interact with the receptor. Partial agonists were tested for their ability to: 1) stimulate adenylate cyclase activity in a three-component reconstituted system, and 2) promote phosphorylation of beta AR by beta AR kinase. There is an excellent correlation between the ability of partial agonists to stimulate adenylate cyclase activity and promote receptor phosphorylation by beta AR kinase (y = 1.02x-0.01, r = 0.996, p less than 0.001). Peptide maps of receptor phosphorylated by beta AR kinase in the presence of full or partial agonists are virtually identical with the partial agonist pattern reduced in intensity. Moreover, kinetic studies of beta AR phosphorylation by beta AR kinase suggest that partial agonists alter the Vmax of the reaction with little, if any, effect on the Km. These results suggest that at steady state partial agonists transform a smaller portion of the receptor pool into the conformationally altered or activated form which serves as the substrate for beta AR kinase, although they do not completely rule out the possibility that a partial conformational change is occurring.

Interactions of pure beta gamma-subunits of G-proteins with purified beta 1-adrenoceptor

The role of the beta gamma-subunits in the interaction of G-proteins was examined with beta 1-adrenoceptors purified from turkey erythrocytes and pure beta gamma-subunits prepared from turkey erythrocytes and bovine brain. On a non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel, the mobility of beta gamma-subunits was increased when incubated with beta 1-adrenoceptor and the beta 1-adrenergic agonist 1-(-)-isoproterenol, whereas on incubation with the antagonist 1-alprenolol the mobility was unchanged. Furthermore, the beta 1-adrenoceptor was retarded on a Sephadex G-50 column equilibrated with beta gamma-subunits and agonist. No retardation occurred in the presence of antagonist. These data suggest a direct interaction of activated beta 1-adrenoceptors with isolated beta gamma-subunits of G-proteins.

The beta-adrenergic receptor kinase: role in homologous desensitization in S49 lymphoma cells

Phosphorylation of the beta-adrenergic receptor (beta AR) is closely associated with homologous desensitization of the beta-adrenergic receptor-coupled adenylate cyclase system. Homologous desensitization and receptor phosphorylation also occur in cell mutants which are deficient in their cAMP-dependent protein kinase (kin- mutant of S49 lymphoma cells). beta AR phosphorylation is mediated by a cAMP-independent protein kinase which phosphorylates the receptor only when it is occupied by a beta-agonist. During the time course of desensitization the beta AR kinase (beta ARK) activity is translocated from a cytoplasmic to a plasma membrane location. beta ARK translocation can also be effected by prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) suggesting that this beta ARK may represent a more general enzyme capable of phosphorylating other adenylate cyclase-coupled receptors. Thus, beta ARK may play a key role in the process of homologous desensitization of adenylate cyclase coupled receptors. Extracellular hormones interact with specific receptors at the outer surface of the plasma membrane and thus initiate a cellular response. One of the best studied transmembrane signalling systems known to be coupled to the occupancy of cell surface receptors is adenylate cyclase. The adenylate cyclase system is composed of various components all of which have been purified to homogeneity (Shorr et al., 1982; Homcy et al., 1983; Benovic et al., 1984; Codina et al., 1984; Northup et al., 1980; Sternweis et al., 1981; Bokoch et al., 1984; Pfeuffer et al., 1985). Initially, agonist binding to the receptor promotes coupling of the occupied receptor to one of the guanine nucleotide binding regulatory proteins. These proteins are members of a family of heterotrimeric proteins consisting of alpha, beta and gamma subunits. Stimulatory receptors like the beta-adrenergic (Cerione et al., 1984) or glucagon (Iyengar et al., 1979) receptors couple to the stimulatory regulatory protein Ns (or Gs) whereas inhibitory receptors like the alpha 2-adrenergic (Jacobs et al., 1976) or M2-muscarinic (Harden et al., 1982) receptors couple to the inhibitory regulatory protein Ni (or Gi). Prolonged exposure to agonist hormones, either stimulatory or inhibitory, results in an attenuation of the response to the hormonal activation, a phenomenon called tachyphylaxis or desensitization (Harden, 1983; Sibley and Lefkowitz, 1985; Sharma et al., 1975). One of the best studied models for desensitization is the beta-adrenergic receptor-coupled adenylate cyclase system. In this system two different forms of desensitization have been characterized.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Human beta-adrenergic receptors. Simultaneous purification of beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic-receptor peptides

Beta-Adrenergic receptors from basal membranes of human placenta were purified from digitonin extracts by sequential rounds of affinity chromatography, hydrophobic chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography and steric-exclusion h.p.l.c. Basal membranes display both beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors, in the ratio 65:35. Affinity chromatography, hydrophobic chromatography on heptylamine-Sepharose and ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel removed most of the contaminating proteins, and final purification of the receptor to apparent homogeneity was achieved by steric-exclusion h.p.l.c. The purified receptors showed Mr 67000 on SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions. Specific binding of radioligand to the purified beta-adrenergic receptors displayed stereoselectivity, and the agonist competition profiles demonstrated the presence of both beta 1- and beta 2-receptors. By using the subtype-selective ligands CGP-20712A (beta 1-selective) and ICI-118,551 (beta 2-selective), the purified Mr-67000 species was shown to be composed of equivalent amounts of beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors. Affinity chromatography on Sepharose-alprenolol and sequential elution with 1 microM-CGP-20712A followed by 100 microM(-)-alprenolol permitted beta 1-adrenergic receptors to be resolved from the mixture of beta 1-/beta 2-adrenergic receptors. The pharmacologically distinct human beta 1 and beta 2-adrenergic receptors are shown to be structurally very similar peptides.

Photoaffinity labeling of the beta-adrenergic receptor in synaptic membranes of rat cerebral cortex and cerebellum

The beta-adrenergic receptor polypeptides in synaptic membranes of rat cerebral cortex and cerebellum have been identified using the photoaffinity label [125I]iodoazidobenzylpindolol. The major receptor polypeptides possess apparent molecular weights of 62,000 and 49,000 (cerebral cortex) or 59,000 and 46,000 (cerebellum). Treatment of the membranes with endoglycosidase F caused the receptor polypeptides from both tissues to exhibit lower apparent molecular weight (51,000) on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels, indicating that beta-adrenergic receptors in mammalian brain are glycoproteins as are the receptors in peripheral tissues.

Catecholamine-induced desensitization of adenylate cyclase coupled beta-adrenergic receptors in turkey erythrocytes: evidence for a two-step mechanism

Preincubation of turkey erythrocytes with isoproterenol is associated with (1) 50-60% attenuation of agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity, (2) altered mobility of the beta-adrenergic receptor on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, and (3) increased phosphorylation of the beta-adrenergic receptor. Using a low-cross-linked polyacrylamide gel, the beta-adrenergic receptor protein from isoproterenol-desensitized cells, labeled with 32P or with the photoaffinity label 125I-(p-azidobenzyl)carazolol, can be resolved into a doublet (Mr congruent to 37,000 and Mr congruent to 41,000) as compared to a single Mr congruent to 37,000 beta-adrenergic receptor protein from control erythrocytes. The appearance of the doublet was dependent on the concentration of agonist used to desensitize the cells. Incubation of erythrocytes with dibutyryl-cAMP did not promote formation of the doublet but decreased agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity 40-50%. Limited-digestion peptide maps of 32P-labeled beta-adrenergic receptors using papain revealed a unique phosphopeptide in the larger molecular weight band (Mr congruent to 41,000) of the doublet from the agonist-desensitized preparation that was absent in the peptide maps of the smaller band (Mr congruent to 37,000), as well as control or dibutyryl-cAMP-desensitized receptor. These data provide evidence that maximal agonist-induced desensitization of adenylate cyclase coupled beta-adrenergic receptors in turkey erythrocytes occurs by a two-step mechanism.

Immuno cross-reactivity suggests that catecholamine biosynthesis enzymes and beta-adrenergic receptors may be related

Turkey red blood cell, beta 1-adrenergic receptors (BARs) were prepared to electrophoretic homogeneity by affinity chromatography, size exclusion high performance liquid chromatography, and preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and used to prepare rabbit polyclonal anti-BAR antibodies. Anti-BAR activity was confirmed by immunoadsorption of [125I]cyanopindolol-labeled BAR to a protein A affinity column using the anti-BAR antibodies. BAR was compared to the catecholamine biosynthetic enzyme dopamine B-hydroxylase (DBH) by anti-BAR antibody cross-reactivity. DBH was purified from bovine adrenal medullae chromaffin vesicles by ion exchange, size exclusion, and concanavalin A-Sepharose chromatography. Final DBH specific activities were 42 +/- 4 units/mg of protein. Homogeneity was confirmed by nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Both DBH and BAR were recognized by the anti-BAR antibodies on Western transfer and immunoblotting. No interactions were observed with preimmune controls. Similar results were obtained with glycosylated and deglycosylated DBH, suggesting that the anti-BAR antibodies recognize specific portions of DBH amino acid sequence and not associated carbohydrate. DBH-cross-reactive antibodies were also purified by affinity chromatography using immobilized DBH and shown to immunoadsorb [125I]cyanopindolol-labeled BAR by protein A affinity chromatography. These results suggest that the catecholamine biosynthetic enzyme DBH and BAR may be related in structure.

Identification and characterisation of beta-adrenoceptors in guinea-pig skeletal muscle

(-)-[125I]Iodocyanopindolol (ICYP) was used to characterise beta-adrenoceptors in skeletal muscle of the guinea-pig. The binding if ICYP to soleus and gastrocnemius muscles was saturable and reversible with KD values of 10.7 +/- 1.1 and 11.6 +/- 1.4 pM and Bmax values of 84.0 +/- 5.7 and 59.9 +/- 8.6 fmol/mg protein for gastrocnemius and soleus muscles respectively. Hofstee plots for the selective beta 1-adrenoceptor antagonists atenolol and metoprolol and for the selective beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonist ICI 118551 were linear in both skeletal muscles suggesting the presence of homogenous populations of beta-adrenoceptors. Furthermore, from the Ki values for atenolol (8381 +/- 2063 nM), metoprolol (585 +/- 80 nM) and ICI 118551 (0.39 +/- 0.05 nM) in gastrocnemius and ICI 118551 (0.47 +/- 0.09 nM) in soleus muscle, it is concluded that the beta-adrenoceptors in skeletal muscle of the guinea-pig are predominantly if not exclusively of the beta 2-subtype.

Molecular and functional properties of beta-adrenergic receptors

The beta-adrenergic receptors from various species have been extensively studied both at the pharmacologic and the structural level. Clinical observations may now be interpreted on the basis of mechanisms of interactions between catecholamines and their membrane receptors, regulation of these receptors by guanyl nucleotide binding proteins and stimulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate production by adenylate cyclase.

Functional and structural characterization of the two beta 1-adrenoceptor forms in turkey erythrocytes with molecular masses of 50 and 40 kilodaltons

We have previously described a specific protease in turkey erythrocytes that converts the larger 50-kDa (P50) form of the beta 1-adrenoceptor to a smaller 40-kDa (P40) form [Jürss, R., Hekman, M., & Helmreich, E. J. M. (1985) Biochemistry 24, 3349-3354]. Further functional and structural characterization studies of the two forms are reported here. When purified P50 and P40 receptors were compared with respect to their relative capabilities to couple in lipid vesicles with pure stimulatory G-proteins (Gs-proteins) prepared from turkey erythrocytes or rabbit liver, a faster and larger activation of Gs-proteins was observed in response to l-isoproterenol and guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) with P40 than with P50 receptor. The kon values for P40 were 0.47 min-1 in the case of liver Gs and 0.22 min-1 in the case of erythrocyte Gs, whereas the corresponding values for P50 were 0.34 min-1 and 0.12 min-1, respectively. The binding properties of P50 and P40 forms of the receptor were not different, and desensitization of turkey erythrocytes on exposure to l-isoproterenol did not activate the protease. We furthermore ascertained that only the larger form with a molecular mass of 50 kDa carries the N-linked carbohydrates, which are removed on proteolytic conversion to the 40-kDa form and have either a triantennary or a tetraantennary nonfucosylated complex-type structure containing terminal sialyl residues.

Glucocorticoid induction of beta-adrenergic receptors in the DDT1 MF-2 smooth muscle cell line involves synthesis of new receptor

We have shown that glucocorticoids induce the appearance of beta 2-adrenergic receptors in membranes of the ductus deferens smooth muscle cell line (DDT1 MF-2). A concomitant increase in isoproterenol stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in the absence of exogenously applied GTP was observed as was a significantly increased (p less than 0.05) sensitivity of the adenylate cyclase system to exogenously applied GTP. However, no significant difference in the maximal velocity of adenylate cyclase between control and steroid treatment was measurable in the presence of sodium fluoride. Induction of beta 2-adrenergic receptors in DDT1 MF-2 cells is correlated with the presence of steroid receptors (androgen and glucocorticoid) in the cells since estrogens and progesterones had no effect on receptor levels. Finally, utilizing dense amino acid labeling of cells to measure old versus newly synthesized receptor sites by a density shift method, we have documented that glucocorticoid induction of beta 2-adrenergic receptors involves synthesis of new receptor protein.

Biochemical and immunochemical analysis of avian beta 1 and mammalian beta 2-adrenergic receptors

We have studied the molecular properties of avian beta 1-adrenergic receptor and human beta 2-adrenergic receptor. The turkey erythrocytes beta 1-receptor has been solubilized in active form by digitonin and has been purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography followed by electroelution from polyacrylamide gel. The photoactivable ligand, iodocyanopindololdiazirine, labels specifically a major 45 kDa and minor 55 kDa polypeptide in turkey erythrocytes, whereas in A431, it labels two polypeptides of molecular weights 65 kDa and 55 kDa. Both types of receptors are N- and possibly O-glycosylated but the turkey beta 1 receptor has only complex carbohydrates whereas the human beta 2 receptor has in addition oligo mannosidic polysaccharidic moiety. Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies were raised against the beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors. Polyclonal antibodies were found to mimic beta-adrenergic agonists by stimulating adenylate cyclase upon binding to the receptors. The monoclonal antibodies precipitated both intact and affinity labeled receptors which they also revealed on immunoblots.

Identification of a novel Mr = 76-kDa form of beta-adrenergic receptors

The structure of the human beta-adrenergic receptor in purified basal membranes of human placental syncytiotrophoblast was probed using photoaffinity labeling. Basal membranes display a high specific activity of receptors (4-5 pmol/mg protein) and possess both beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors subtypes. Autoradiography of membranes that were incubated with the beta-adrenergic antagonist [125I]iodoazidobenzylpindolol, photolyzed and then subjected to sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, identified four radiolabeled peptides, Mr = 65-kDa, 54-kDa, 43-kDa and a novel higher molecular weight 76-kDa form of the receptor. Photoaffinity labeling of each of these four peptides displayed the pharmacological properties expected for true beta-adrenergic receptors. The 76-kDa photoaffinity labeled receptor peptide observed in human placenta basal membranes has not been reported elsewhere. Competition studies with the beta1-selective ligand CGP-20712A demonstrate that the photoaffinity labeled receptor peptides are composed of both beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptor subtypes.

N-glycosylation in expression and function of beta-adrenergic receptors

Through the use of specific staining and the analysis of the interaction of pure beta-adrenergic receptor of S49 mouse lymphoma cells with lectins immobilized to insoluble matrices, we establish that this beta-adrenergic receptor is a glycoprotein. The effects of swainsonine (0.2 microgram/ml), an inhibitor of Golgi mannosidase II, as well as those of tunicamycin (0.2 microgram/ml), an inhibitor of N-glycosylation, on the expression and function of this integral membrane glycoprotein were investigated in S49 mouse lymphoma cells grown in culture. Preexisting receptors on the cells were inactivated by alkylation with the beta-adrenergic antagonist ligand N-(2-hydroxy-3-naphthoxylpropyl)-N'-bromoacetyl-ethylenediamine. Swainsonine did not alter the number of beta-receptors measured in intact cells, the Bmax, or Kd of receptors measured in membranes prepared from these cells as assayed by [125I]iodocyanopindolol binding or their functional coupling to adenylate cyclase. Autoradiograms of membranes photoaffinity-labeled with [125I]iodoazidobenzylpindolol and subjected to electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels reveal a reduction of 6,000 in the Mr of beta-receptors in membranes prepared from swainsonine-treated cells. This form of receptor was sensitive to endoglycosaminidase H, indicating its high mannose hybrid oligosaccharide nature. The number and affinity of beta-receptors in tunicamycin-treated S49 cells were normal. Whereas stimulation of cyclic AMP accumulation in cells or adenylate cyclase in membranes by prostaglandin E1 was essentially abolished by tunicamycin treatment, stimulation by isoproterenol was largely unaffected. The nonglycosylated receptor displays an Mr that is approximately 8,000-11,000 smaller than the native receptor. Thus, N-glycosylation does not affect the expression (steady-state) or function of the beta-adrenergic receptor, whereas prostaglandin E1 receptor function is lost. The role of N-glycosylation in receptor function is not universal among receptors coupled to adenylate cyclase.

Mammalian beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors. Immunological and structural comparisons

Beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors, pharmacologically distinct proteins, have been reported to be structurally dissimilar. In the present study three techniques were employed to compare the nature of mammalian beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors. Antibodies against each of the receptor subtypes were raised separately. Polyclonal antisera against beta 1-receptors of rat fat cells were raised in mice, and antisera against beta 2-receptors of guinea pig lung were raised in rabbits. Receptors purified from rat fat cells (beta 1-), S49 mouse lymphoma cells (beta 2-), and rat liver (beta 2-) were probed with these antisera. Each anti-receptor antisera demonstrated the ability to immunoprecipitate purified receptors of both beta 1- and beta 2- subtypes. The mobility of beta-receptors subjected to polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was probed using antireceptor antibodies and nitrocellulose blots of the gels. Fat cell beta 1-adrenergic receptors display Mr = 67,000 under reducing conditions and Mr = 54,000 under nonreducing conditions, as previously reported (Moxham, C. P., and Malbon, C. C. (1985) Biochemistry 24, 6072-6077). Both beta 1- and beta 2-receptors displayed this same shift in electrophoretic mobility observed in the presence as compared to the absence of disulfide bridge-reducing agents, as detected both by autoradiography of the radiolabeled receptors and by immunoblotting of native receptors. Finally, isoelectric focusing of purified radioiodinated beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors revealed identical isoelectric points. These data are the first to provide analyses of immunological, structural, and biochemical features of beta 1- and beta 2-subtypes in tandem and underscore the structural similarities that exist between these pharmacologically distinct receptors.

Purification and characterization of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor from calf lung

Improved methods for the solubilization and purification of the mammalian beta 2-adrenergic receptor have allowed this protein to be characterized further. In the present study, the beta 2-adrenergic receptor has been solubilized from calf lung membranes using a 0.4% digitonin/0.08% cholate-Tris buffer with multiple proteinase inhibitors. This solubilization buffer produced 60-75% solubilization of the receptor, which retained complete ligand-binding activity as determined by Scatchard analysis. Subsequent receptor purification employed a modified acebutolol-agarose affinity resin. The eluate from the affinity resin was then purified further by HPLC-gel exclusion chromatography on a Spherogel TSK-3000 column. The receptor, detected by [3H]dihydroalprenolol or [125I]iodocyanopindolol binding, eluted with a retention time identical to that of IgG (Stokes radius 49 A). Autoradiography following SDS-PAGE of the purified iodinated receptor clearly demonstrated two distinct bands: a major band of 67 kDa and a minor band of 53 kDa. With the addition of leupeptin to the proteinase inhibitor regimen, the 53-kDa band became less apparent. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis indicated that the 67-kDa peptide behaved as a predominantly single species with a pI of 6.0 +/- 0.2. The purified receptor protein recognized adrenergic ligands with a specificity identical to that of the membrane-bound beta 2-adrenergic receptor.

Subtypes of beta-adrenergic receptors in bovine coronary arteries

Whether large coronary artery dilation induced by beta-adrenergic stimulation is mediated by beta 1- or beta 2-adrenergic receptors remains controversial. This problem is particularly difficult to address in vivo due to the concomitant increase in coronary blood flow with beta-adrenergic stimulation, which by itself can dilate large coronary arteries. To reconcile this problem, 5 calves were instrumented with intraaortic and intracoronary (i.c.) catheters, ultrasonic diameter transducers, Doppler flow transducers, and hydraulic occluders on the left circumflex coronary artery. Two to six weeks following surgery, beta-adrenergic agonists were administered i.c. to avoid complicating systemic effects. Isoproterenol (0.0025 micrograms/kg, a beta 1 + beta 2-adrenergic agonist) increased coronary diameter (7.1 +/- 0.8% from 5.80 +/- 0.58 mm) (p less than 0.01). Similar increases (p less than 0.01) in coronary diameter occurred with prenalterol (0.4 micrograms/kg, beta 1-adrenergic agonist) (9.5 +/- 1.4%) and pirbuterol (0.25 micrograms/kg, beta 2-adrenergic agonist) (8.1 +/- 1.2%). When coronary blood flow was prevented from rising with the hydraulic constrictor, increases in coronary diameter to all three beta-adrenergic agonists were not attenuated. Large coronary artery dilation with prenalterol and pirbuterol was abolished with beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptor blockade, respectively, while neither beta 1- nor beta 2-adrenergic blockade alone abolished the large coronary artery dilation with isoproterenol. To identify the predominant subtype of beta-adrenergic receptor, competitive inhibition curves utilizing 125I-cyanopindolol (125I-CYP) as the radiolabel versus isoproterenol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine were generated in membrane preparations from calf heart (predominant beta 1), calf lung (predominant beta 2) and calf coronary artery. The coronary artery membrane preparations demonstrated an intermediate pattern. Competition curves with selective beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptor agonists and antagonists again demonstrated a pattern for coronary artery intermediate to that of heart and lung, further confirming the presence of both beta-adrenergic receptor subtypes in large coronary arteries, with a ratio of beta 1: beta 2 of 1.5-2.0:1.0. Thus, large coronary arteries of the calf contain both beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors identified utilizing ligand binding techniques, and stimulation of both receptor subtypes in the intact conscious animal results in large coronary artery dilation, independent of blood-flow-mediated vasodilation.

Ciba-Geigy award for outstanding research. Regulation of adrenergic receptor function by phosphorylation

The various subtypes of adrenergic receptors represent distinct structural entities which are coupled in different ways to two major transmembrane signalling systems, the adenylate cyclase and phosphatidyl-inositol pathways. Recent evidence suggests that the functional linkage of both beta and alpha 1-adrenergic receptors to their respective effector systems is regulated by covalent modification of the receptors by phosphorylation-dephosphorylation reactions. Receptor phosphorylation appears to lead to desensitization of the biological response to receptor stimulation. Several kinases including protein kinase A, protein kinase C and a cAMP independent kinase appear to participate in these reactions.

Reconstitution of beta 1-adrenoceptor-dependent adenylate cyclase from purified components

In continuation of our efforts to reconstitute from purified components into lipid vesicles the signal transmission chain from beta 1-adrenoceptors to adenylate cyclase, we now report on the total reconstitution of the hormone-dependent adenylate cyclase. In these reconstitution experiments we have employed the purified adenylate cyclase (C) from bovine brain and rabbit heart, the stimulatory GTP-binding protein (GS) purified from turkey erythrocytes and rabbit liver and the beta 1-adrenoceptor (R) from turkey erythrocytes. Several detergents were compared with respect to their suitability to allow reconstitution of subunits into phospholipid vesicles. While octyl-polyoxyethylene (octyl-POE) was almost as potent as lauroyl-sucrose for preparation of vesicles containing GS.C, the latter detergent was clearly superior for vesicles enabling productive R.GS and R.GS.C coupling. The catalytic subunit from either bovine brain or rabbit heart was equally efficient in reconstitution. However, GS from turkey erythrocytes and rabbit liver revealed significant differences in RGS and RGS.C containing vesicles. While isoproterenol-induced activation of GS by GTP gamma S was first order in both instances, kon with turkey GS was 0.12 min-1, whereas kon with rabbit liver GS was 0.6 min-1. Moreover, GTP gamma S activation of erythrocyte GS was significantly more dependent on the presence of hormone than that of liver GS, confirming observations made on the native membrane-bound system. Compared with stimulation by isoproterenol (GTP gamma S) (4-fold), stimulation by isoproterenol/GTP was modest (1.3- to 1.6-fold).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)