title: Orphan-receptor ligand human urotensin II: receptor localization in human tissues and comparison of vasoconstrictor responses with endothelin-1.
abstract: We have determined the distribution of receptors for human urotensin-II (U-II) in human and rat CNS and peripheral tissues. In rat, [(125)I]-U-II binding density was highest in the abducens nucleus of brainstem (139.6+/-14 amol mm(-2)). Moderate levels were detected in dorsal horn of spinal cord and lower levels in aorta (22. 5+/-6 amol mm(-2)). In human tissues density was highest in skeletal muscle and cerebral cortex ( approximately 30 amol mm(-2)), with lower levels (<15 amol mm(-2)) in kidney cortex and left ventricle. Little binding was identified in atria, conducting system of the heart and lung parenchyma. Receptor density was less in human coronary artery smooth muscle (14.6+/-3 amol mm(-2), n=10) than rat aorta with no significant difference between normal and atherosclerotic vessels. In human skeletal muscle [(125)I]-U-II bound to a single receptor population with K(D)=0.24+/-0.17 nM and B(max)=1.97+/-1.1 fmol mg(-1) protein (n=4). U-II contracted human coronary, mammary and radial arteries, saphenous and umbilical veins with sub-nanomolar EC(50) values. U-II was 50 times more potent in arteries and <10 times more potent in veins than endothelin-1 (ET-1). The maximum response to U-II ( approximately 20% of control KCl) was significantly less than to ET-1 ( approximately 80% KCl). In contrast, in rat aorta, U-II and ET-1 were equipotent with similar maximum responses. This is the first report of high affinity receptors for [(125)I]-U-II in human CNS and peripheral tissues. This peptide produces potent, low efficacy, vasoconstriction in human arteries and veins. These data suggest a potential role for U-II in human physiology.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Level 6 Centre for Clinical Investigation, Box 110 Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 2QQ.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Maguire
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Kuc
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Davenport
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D001345:Autoradiography; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D011869:Radioligand Assay; D051381:Rats; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014579:Urotensins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014661:Vasoconstriction
chemical_list: D019332:Endothelin-1; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; C121697:UTS2R protein, human; D014579:Urotensins; C029677:urotensin II