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Alpha-adrenoceptors in dog mesenteric vessels--subcellular distribution and number of ( sup 3 H)prazosin and ( sup 3 H)rauwolscine binding sites

Journal Article · · Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology; (USA)
; ; ;  [1]
  1. McMaster Univ., Hamilton, Ontario (Canada)

Binding of the alpha-adrenergic antagonists ({sup 3}H)prazosin and ({sup 3}H)rauwolscine to well-characterized subcellular membrane fractions isolated from dog mesenteric arteries and veins was studied. Binding of both ligands was saturable with Kd values of 0.5 +/- 0.1 nM for ({sup 3}H)prazosin and 5.85 +/- 0.85 nM for ({sup 3}H)rauwolscine in arteries, and 0.87 +/- 0.4 nM for ({sup 3}H)prazosin and 6.6 +/- 1.5 nM for ({sup 3}H)rauwolscine in veins. In veins, the maximum number of binding sites for ({sup 3}H)rauwolscine was higher than that for ({sup 3}H)prazosin, whereas in arteries the maximum number of binding sites for each ligand was similar. In microsomes from dog aorta, the maximum number of bindings sites for ({sup 3}H)prazosin was higher than that for ({sup 3}H)rauwolscine. Neuronal membrane contamination in these studies was minimized by dissection procedures and evaluated by the comparison of ({sup 3}H)saxitoxin binding in various preparations. Only mesenteric veins responded functionally to agonists acting on alpha 2 adrenoceptors. This study thus identified two distinct populations of ({sup 3}H)prazosin and ({sup 3}H)rauwolscine binding sites in the plasma membranes of dog mesenteric vessels and suggests that a much higher density of alpha 2-compared to alpha 1-adrenoceptor binding sites is required for a contractile response.

OSTI ID:
6940474
Journal Information:
Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology; (USA) Vol. 15:4; ISSN 0160-2446; ISSN JCPCD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English