The effects of lectins on the release of EDRF from rabbit aorta.
The effects of the lectins, wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and concanavalin A (Con A) on endothelium intact pre-contracted rabbit aorta were investigated. WGA (8.3 microM) produced endothelium-dependent relaxations, while Con A (4.3 microM) produced a partially endothelium-dependent relaxation. The endothelium-dependent relaxations to WGA were completely reversed by N-acetylglucosamine, haemoglobin and methylene blue and were partially reversed by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA). It is suggested that WGA works as an agonist in releasing endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) from the endothelium of rabbit aorta by interacting with a glycosylated receptor on endothelial cells.
Kleha
J F
JF
Department of Pharmacology, Berlex Laboratories, Cedar Knolls, New Jersey 07927.
Devesly
P
P
Johns
A
A
D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001920:Bradykinin / Q000187:drug effects; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D011817:Rabbits; D018002:Receptors, Bradykinin; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000187:drug effects; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000187:drug effects; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000187:drug effects; D018179:Receptors, Thrombin; D013917:Thrombin / Q000187:drug effects; D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins
D018002:Receptors, Bradykinin; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; D018179:Receptors, Thrombin; D014909:Wheat Germ Agglutinins; D003208:Concanavalin A; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D013917:Thrombin; D001920:Bradykinin