title: Identification of a specific binding site for K+ channel openers in rat aorta.
abstract: The K+ channel openers (KCOs) form a structurally heterogeneous group of compounds which relax smooth muscle by opening K+ channels in the plasmalemma. At present it is not known whether these drugs open the same K+ channel in smooth muscle and, if so, whether they bind to the same site of this channel. To address these questions we present the first binding study with KCOs in a smooth muscle preparation. In intact rat aortic strips, the novel tritiated KCO, 3H-P1075 (N-cyano-N'-(1,1-dimethyl[2,2,3,3(3)H]propyl)-N"-3-pyridylguanidine++ +), a potent pinacidil analogue, showed saturable specific binding of high affinity (KD = 6 +/- 1 nM, Bmax = 23 +/- 3 fmol/mg tissue wet weight). Specific binding of 3H-P1075 was inhibited stereospecifically by representatives from all major families of K+ channel openers, with a rank order of potency that correlated well with the potencies for vasorelaxation in rat aorta. The sulfonylurea glibenclamide, a relatively specific blocker of ATP-sensitive K+ channels and an inhibitor of the effects of KCOs, also inhibited 3H-P1075 binding and increased the rate of dissociation of 3H-P1075 from the tissue in a concentration-dependent manner. Lowering temperature (from 37 degrees C to 2 degrees C) and decreasing intracellular ATP levels by metabolic poisoning, diminished specific 3H-P1075 binding by reducing Bmax. However, depolarization (KCl = 55 mM) or lowering pH from 7.4 to 6.0 did not influence binding. The data demonstrate the existence of a specific binding site for the KCO 3H-P10756 in rat isolated aorta, which seems to be of functional relevance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Department of Preclinical Research, Sandoz Pharma Ltd., Basel, Switzerland.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ouast
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Bray
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Baumlin
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Andres
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Manley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001665:Binding Sites; D005905:Glyburide / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D006146:Guanidines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D006146:Guanidines; D015221:Potassium Channels; D011725:Pyridines; C073896:N-cyano-N'-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-N''-(3-pyridinyl)guanidine; D005905:Glyburide