Biomedical subjects

F B Davis

Publications and source records attributed to F B Davis.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

Thyroid hormone potentiates the antiviral action of interferon-gamma in cultured human cells.

Human interferon-gamma (hIFN gamma) exhibits a number of biological effects, including antiviral activity in homologous cells. The antiviral activity of recombinant (r) hIFN gamma, estimated by inhibition of vesicular stomatitis virus yield, was potentiated up to 120-fold in human fibroblast (BG-9) cells exposed to free L-T4 (0.5 x 10(-10) mol/L). Thyroid hormone alone did not induce the antiviral state in BG-9 cells. L-T3 also potentiated the antiviral action of rhIFN gamma, but D-T4 and D-T3 were ineffective. The antiviral effect of hIFN alpha in BG-9 cells was not influenced by thyroid hormone. Exposure of rhIFN gamma-treated BG-9 cells to L-T4 for only 3 h was sufficient to potentiate hIFN gamma-mediated antiviral activity. Similar potentiation by L-T4 of the antiviral effect of rhIFN gamma in HeLa cell cultures was also observed. Although the mechanism of potentiation of rhIFN gamma action by thyroid hormone is incompletely understood, the absence of antiviral activity of thyroid hormone alone indicates that the iodothyronine effect does not depend upon hormonal action on genes able to be stimulated by IFN gamma.

Antiviral Agents↗

PubMed1993

Rabbit skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase activity: stimulation in vitro by thyroid hormone analogues and bipyridines.

Sarcoplasmic reticulum-enriched membranes from rabbit skeletal muscle contained Ca(2+)-ATPase activity which was significantly enhanced (26% increase, P < 0.001) in vitro by physiological concentrations (10(-10) M) of L-thyroxine (T4) and 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3). In contrast, the biologically inactive iodothyronine analogues D-T4 and 3,3',5,5'-tetraiodothyroacetic acid (Tetrac) (10(-10) M) were without effect on enzyme activity. 3,5-Dimethyl-3'-isopropyl-L-thyronine (Dimit), a bioactive analogue, was highly effective as a Ca(2+)-ATPase stimulator, increasing enzyme activity by 43% (P < 0.02 vs. T4 effect). A bipyridine cardiac inotropic agent, milrinone, has been reported to be thyromimetic in a myocardial membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase system, and in concentrations from 10(-10) to 10(-5) M enhanced skeletal muscle SR membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in vitro (P < 0.001). Milrinone analogues which have been previously shown to enhance rabbit myocardial membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase activity, and which have a twist relationship of the pyridine rings, were also striated muscle Ca(2+)-ATPase stimulators. We conclude that (1) striated muscle is a mammalian tissue in which physiological levels of biologically relevant thyroid hormone analogues, particularly Dimit, stimulate Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in vitro by a non-genomic mechanism; (2) cardiac bipyridine analogues which are thyromimetic in vitro in rabbit heart, and which have structural homologies with thyroid hormone, are stimulators of rabbit striated muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase activity.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Acute cellular actions of thyroid hormone and myocardial function.

The mechanisms of actions of thyroid hormone in various tissues are largely viewed as cell nucleus-mediated. However, several actions of this hormone are definitively extranuclear, and these include effects on the activities of Ca(2+)-adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases) of myocardial sarcolemma and, apparently, sarcoplasmic reticulum in animal models. Both effects would serve to reduce cytoplasmic (sarcoplasmic) [Ca2+]. Sarcoplasmic reticulum uptake of Ca2+ from sarcoplasm is mediated by Ca(2+)-ATPase and is deficient in end-stage heart failure; thyroid hormone can enhance sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase activity acutely via an extranuclear mechanism or indirectly via the myosin-associated Ca(2+)-ATPase gene. Such actions would serve to improve myocardial relaxation, thus improvement in diastolic dysfunction, and may be cardioprotective if excessive levels of sarcoplasmic [Ca2+] develop during reperfusion of previously ischemic tissue. Action of thyroid hormone on sarcolemmal Ca(2+)-ATPase activity will enhance Ca2+ efflux, and a recently described effect of the hormone on myocardial Na+ inactivation current may serve to increase or reduce sarcoplasmic [Ca2+], depending upon the vector of Na+/Ca2+ exchange. This article reviews acute effects of thyroid hormone on the heart that are extranuclear in mechanism.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Thyroid hormone stimulates release of calmodulin-enhancing activity from human erythrocyte membranes in vitro.

1. Thyroid hormone (L-thyroxine, 10(-10) mol/l) incubated in vitro with human erythrocyte membranes induced the release of a soluble calmodulin-like material, the 3':5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase-stimulating activity of which was at least six-fold greater than its concentration measured by a specific calmodulin radioimmunoassay. 2. The material had the characteristics of calmodulin in that it stimulated both phosphodiesterase and erythrocyte Ca(2+)-ATPase activities, cross-reacted with and was neutralized by anti-calmodulin antibody, was adsorbed by phenothiazine-Sepharose and was heat-stable. Control supernatant from the incubation of membranes in the absence of thyroxine contained calmodulin, the bioactivity of which was not enhanced beyond that predicted from radioimmunoassay. Subsequent addition of thyroxine did not increase calmodulin bioactivity. Calmodulin-agarose removed calmodulin-enhancing activity from the supernatant. 3. Thus, the enhancing factor(s) appears to interact directly with calmodulin. These observations indicate that thyroid hormone promotes the release from human erythrocyte membranes of a soluble factor (or factors) which binds to calmodulin and significantly increases its bioactivity. This enhancing activity is similar to that of a calmodulin activator described in a rat model of hypertension (S.-L. Huang et al., J Clin Invest 1988; 82: 276-81).

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

PubMed1993

Effects of aging, diet, and sex on plasma glucose, fructosamine, and lipid concentrations in barrier-raised Fischer 344 rats.

We studied the relationships of plasma glucose, fructosamine, triglycerides, and cholesterol as a function of age, gender, and diet in barrier-raised Fischer 344 rats aged 5 to 26 months, fed a diet either ad libitum or restricted to 60% of the ad libitum caloric intake. The complex relationships of these plasma levels to age, gender, and diet led to the development of a model with age, diet, and sex as covariates. Overall, fasting plasma glucose concentrations were reduced by approximately 25% in rats on the restricted diet, compared to ad libitum-fed animals. There was a significant age-dependent decline in glucose levels in male animals, whereas in females there was an increase in plasma glucose with aging. Plasma fructosamine levels in calorie-restricted animals, overall, were reduced by 7% compared to levels in animals fed ad libitum. There was a significant positive correlation between plasma glucose and fructosamine levels. Mean plasma triglyceride content was decreased by 50% in calorie-restricted rats compared to ad libitum-fed animals. A significant decrease in triglyceride levels with increasing age was seen in male animals, and an increase with aging in females. There was a significant positive correlation between plasma glucose and triglyceride levels. Plasma cholesterol levels in calorie-restricted animals were reduced by 7% compared to levels in ad libitum-fed animals. An increase of cholesterol concentration with aging was significant in both males and females. Analysis of the data showed that there were significant differences between male and female Fischer 344 rats in the response of plasma glucose and fructosamine to aging and calorie restriction. Changes of plasma triglyceride and cholesterol with aging and dietary calorie restriction were also different in males and females. Studies of the effect of aging on glycemia and blood lipid content should take into account the contributions of animal sex.

Aging↗

PubMed1993

Inositol phosphates modulate binding of thyroid hormone to human red cell membranes in vitro.

D-Myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] and D-myo-inositol 4,5-bisphosphate (10(-6) mol/L) displaced specifically bound L-[125I] T4 from human erythrocyte membranes in vitro by up to 80%. D-Myo-inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate, D-myo-inositol 1-monophosphate, and D-myo-inositol 1,4-bisphosphate were ineffective in decreasing thyroid hormone binding to membranes. The effect of Ins(1,4,5)P3 on high affinity binding reflected a change in Kd (5.8 x 10(-11) vs. 1.5 x 10(-11) mol/L) and binding capacity (15 vs. 2 fmol/mg membrane protein) in the absence and presence of Ins(1,4,5)P3, respectively. Ins(1,4,5)P3 also displaced T3 from red cell membranes. Thus, selected inositol phosphates regulate the abundance of sites available for binding of thyroid hormone by human red cell membranes. This stereospecific action of inositol phosphates is among several plasma membrane effects recently described for these members of the signal-transducing phosphoinositide pathway.

Erythrocyte Membrane↗

PubMed1992

Hexose-specific inhibition in vitro of human red cell Ca(2+)-ATPase activity.

In a concentration-dependent manner (5.5-27.5 mmol/l), D-glucose incubated in vitro with human erythrocyte membranes at 37 degrees C for 1 h inhibited membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase activity by up to 75%. The IC50 was 11 mmol/l. L-Glucose was ineffective, as were 3-O-methylglucose, 2-deoxyglucose, sorbitol and myo-inositol. In contrast, D-fructose decreased Ca(2+)-ATPase activity nearly as effectively as D-glucose and mannose and galactose at 11 mmol/l were less than 50% as effective as D-glucose. Tunicamycin (12 pmol/l), but not 10 mmol/l aminoguanidine, progressively antagonized in vitro the D-glucose effect on the enzyme. Erythrocyte membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase activity may be regulated by glycosylation, rather than nonenzymatic glycation.

Calcium-Transporting ATPases↗

PubMed1992

Stereochemical requirements for the modulation by retinoic acid of thyroid hormone activation of Ca(2+)-ATPase and binding at the human erythrocyte membrane.

Physiological concentrations of retinoic acid can block the activation of human erythrocyte Ca(2+)-ATPase in vitro by thyroid hormone [Smith, Davis & Davis (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 687-689]. The present studies were undertaken to ascertain the nature of this blockade. Two binding sites for L-thyroxine (T4) were demonstrated on washed erythrocyte membranes; the high-affinity site had a Kd value of 2.7 x 10(-10)M and a Bmax. of 76 fmol/mg of protein. The lower-affinity site possessed a Kd of 1 x 10(-8) M. Retinoic acid was as potent a displacer of radiolabelled T4 as was the unlabelled hormone. Certain retinoic acid analogues with either ring or fatty acid side chain modifications retained some ability to displace [125I]T4 binding and to block iodothyronine activation of Ca(2+)-ATPase. The side chain terminal carboxyl group was essential for full activity of the retinoic acid molecule. Its absence or replacement with an ethylsulphone group rendered the molecule considerably less active in the ATPase model. Retinol, 13-cis-retinoic acid, benzene-substituted all-trans-retinoic acid and polyprenoic acid all failed to influence iodothyronine binding or to block activation of Ca(2+)-ATPase by T4. There was good agreement between the ability of an analogue to displace [125I]iodothyronine binding and its ability to inhibit the T4-dependent activation of the Ca(2+)-ATPase. It would appear from these observations that retinoic acid can modulate the activation of erythrocyte membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase by thyroid hormone through a mechanism which involves displacement of iodothyronine from binding sites. These activities apparently derive from both the ring structure and the fatty acid side chain of the retinoic acid molecule.

Calcium-Transporting ATPases↗

PubMed1992

The alpha 1-adrenergic receptor in human erythrocyte membranes mediates interaction in vitro of epinephrine and thyroid hormone at the membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase.

Membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase activity was stimulated in vitro separately by T4 (10(-10) M) and by epinephrine (10(-6) M). In the presence of a fixed concentration of T4, additions of 10(-8) and 10(-6) M epinephrine reduced the T4 effect on the enzyme. beta-Adrenergic blockade with propranolol (10(-6) M) prevented stimulation by epinephrine of Ca(2+)-ATPase activity, but did not prevent the suppressive action of epinephrine on T4-stimulable Ca(2+)-ATPase. In contrast, alpha 1-adrenergic blockade with unlabelled prazosin restored the effect of T4 on Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in the presence of epinephrine. Like propranolol, prazosin prevented enhancement of enzyme activity by epinephrine in the absence of thyroid hormone. Neither prazosin nor propranolol had any effect on the stimulation by T4 of red cell Ca(2+)-ATPase in the absence of epinephrine. Analysis of radiolabelled prazosin binding to human red cell membranes revealed the presence of a single class of high-affinity binding sites (Kd, 1.2 x 10(-8) M; Bmax, 847 fmol/mg membrane protein). Thus, the human erythrocyte membrane contains alpha 1-adrenergic receptor sites that are capable of regulating Ca(2+)-ATPase activity.

Calcium-Transporting ATPases↗

PubMed1992

Calorie restriction decreases microalbuminuria associated with aging in barrier-raised Fischer 344 rats.

Renal function as a sensitive biomarker of aging has been studied in specific pathogen-free (SPF) Fischer 344 rats (n = 211), and results are presented according to animal age (5, 8, 12, 18, 24 mo), sex, and diet (ad libitum vs. 40% calorie restriction). Plasma creatinine concentration, endogenous creatinine clearance, total protein excretion, and albumin excretion were measured. Kidney histology was evaluated by light microscopy. In both calorie-restricted and ad libitum-fed animals, kidney weight (KW) and body weight (BW) showed parallel changes with age. The KW-to-BW ratio was unaffected by age in all groups. There was no alteration in plasma creatinine concentration as a function of age or diet. In these SPF animals there was also no change in glomerular filtration rate with age. In animals fed ad libitum, albumin and protein excretion increased with age (females: 0.39 +/- 0.05 at 5 mo vs. 7.4 +/- 2.6 mg protein.24 h-1.g KW-1 at 24 mo; males: 4.1 +/- 0.6 at 5 mo vs. 15 +/- 3 mg protein.24 h-1.g KW-1 at 24 mo). The higher protein excretion rate in all males at 5 mo reflected the excretion of sex-dependent low-molecular-weight proteins that commenced with sexual maturation. Calorie restriction prevented the age-dependent increase in total protein excretion. Kidney histopathology was positively correlated with total protein and albumin excretion. Microalbuminuria preceded the development of lesions detectable by light microscopy. These observations support the concept that microalbuminuria in this model is a sensitive and early biomarker of nephropathy that can be monitored easily and noninvasively.

Aging↗

PubMed1992

Studies on the biological activity of triiodothyronine sulfate.

Hepatic microsomes and isolated hepatocytes in short term culture desulfate T3 sulfate (T3SO4). We, therefore, wished to determine whether T3SO4 could mimic the action of thyroid hormone in vitro. T3SO4 had no thyromimetic effect on the activity of Ca(2+)-ATPase in human erythrocyte membranes at doses up to 10,000 times the maximally effective dose of T3 (10(-10) mol/L). In GH4C1 pituitary cells, T3SO4 failed to displace [125I]T3 from nuclear receptors in intact cells or soluble preparations. Thus, T3SO4 was not directly thyromimetic in either an isolated human membrane system or a pituitary cell system in which nuclear receptor occupancy correlates with GH synthesis. Thyroid hormones inhibit [3H]glycosaminoglycan synthesis by cultured human dermal fibroblasts, and T3SO4 displayed about 0.5% the activity of T3 at 72 h. Human fibroblasts contained roughly the same level of microsomal p-nitrophenyl sulfatase activity as that previously observed in hepatic microsomes. Propylthiouracil (50 mumol/L) did not affect the action of T3SO4, suggesting that deiodination was not important for this activity of T3SO4. Thus, it appears T3SO4 has no intrinsic biological activity, but, under certain circumstances, may be reactivated by desulfation.

Calcium-Transporting ATPases↗

PubMed1991

Structure-activity relationships of retinoids as inhibitors of calmodulin-dependent human erythrocyte Ca(2+)-ATPase activity and calmodulin binding to membranes.

All-trans retinoic acid displaces the binding of radiolabelled calmodulin to human erythrocyte membranes, and inhibits the activity of plasma membrane Ca(2+)-stimulated, Mg(2+)-dependent ATPase (Ca(2+)-ATPase; EC 3.6.1.3). This enzyme is dependent upon the action of calmodulin. In this study we explored the structural attributes of the retinoids which confer this ability to inhibit enzyme activity and calmodulin binding. With respect to the fatty acid side-chain, a clear requirement for inhibition is a trans-configuration of the polar end-group. The importance of the ring structure is indicated by the ineffectiveness of polyprenoic acid and a benzene ring retinoid analogue as inhibitors of enzyme activity and calmodulin binding. There was good correlation between the relative potencies of the analogues as enzyme inhibitors and as inhibitors of calmodulin binding. The ability of selected retinoid analogues, at physiological concentrations with respect to all-trans retinoic acid, to inhibit erythrocyte Ca(2+)-ATPase activity and membrane binding of calmodulin underscores the structurally specific effects of these compounds on the interaction of calmodulin with the membrane-bound enzyme.

Calcium-Transporting ATPases↗

PubMed1991

Sex-dependent inhibition by retinoic acid of thyroid-hormone action on rabbit reticulocyte Ca2(+)-ATPase activity.

The interaction was examined in vitro of retinoic acid and thyroid hormone with rabbit reticulocyte Ca2(+)-ATPase. L-Thyroxine (T4) (0.1 nM) stimulated female-source Ca2(+)-ATPase activity (+21%; P less than 0.03) and inhibited male-source enzyme (-20%; P less than 0.05). Addition of retinoic acid (10 nM-1 microM) did not influence T4-inhibitable male-source Ca2(+)-ATPase, but caused a 52% loss of T4 effect on the female-source enzyme. Incubation of female-source membranes with testosterone caused the enzyme response to T4 and retinoic acid to become that of male-source membranes, and the male-source enzyme response was converted into the 'female' pattern by exposure to 17 beta-oestradiol. We postulate that a membrane-associated sex-steroid-dependent factor imparts a gender-specific interaction of thyroid hormone and retinoic acid on Ca2(+)-ATPase, and that ultimately the factor is shed during erythrocyte maturation.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Effects of caloric restriction and aging on erythrocyte membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in specific pathogen-free Fischer 344 rats.

Dietary caloric restriction extends life span in the Fischer 344 rat. The interaction of aging and caloric restriction was examined at the level of the plasma membrane transport-associated enzymes, Ca(2+)-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and Na,K-ATPase, in the Fischer rat. Animals were in four age groups, ranging from 6.1 to 25.0 months, and were specific pathogen-free (SPF, barrier-raised). Results from male and female animals raised on an ad libitum diet were compared with those from rats that received 60% of the age-specific caloric intake of their ad lib littermates. The responses of erythrocyte membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in vitro to thyroid hormone (L-thyroxine [T4]; 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine [T3]) and to purified calmodulin, a Ca(2+)-binding protein activator of Ca(2+)-ATPase, were measured. Erythrocyte membrane Na,K-ATPase was also compared in the two diet groups, as was plasma glucose. Plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in the absence of added thyroid hormone and calmodulin was significantly reduced in calorically restricted rats (-39%, P less than .001), compared with ad lib-fed animals, and the response was similar in the four age groups aged 6.1, 12.7, 17.0, and 25.0 months. In contrast, pooled (all ages) Ca(2+)-ATPase response in vitro to T4 and to T3 in calorically restricted animals was enhanced compared with the ad lib group (+62% and +58%, P less than .001, respectively). Calmodulin responsiveness of the enzyme was increased by 45% (P less than .001) in calorie-deprived animals, similar to the change in T4 and T3 responsiveness.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aging↗

PubMed1991

Specific inositol phosphates inhibit basal and calmodulin-stimulated Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in human erythrocyte membranes in vitro and inhibit binding of calmodulin to membranes.

D-Myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins[1,4-,5]P3) inhibits rat heart sarcolemmal Ca(2+)-ATPase activity (T. H. Kuo, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 152: 1111, 1988). We have studied the effect and mechanism of action of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and related inositol phosphates on human red cell membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.3) activity in vitro. At 10(-6) M, Ins(1,4,5)P3 and D-myo-inositol 4,5-bisphosphate (Ins[4,5]P2) inhibited human erythrocyte membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase activity in vitro by 42 and 31%, respectively. D-Myo-inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate, D-myo-inositol 1,4-bisphosphate, and D-myo-inositol 1-phosphate were not inhibitory. Enzyme inhibition by Ins(1,4,5)P3 was blocked by heparin. Exogenous purified calmodulin also stimulated red cell membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase activity; this stimulation was inhibited by Ins(1,4,5)P3. Ins(4,5)P2 and Ins(1,4,5)P3, but not Ins(1,4)P2, inhibited the binding of [125I]calmodulin to red cell membranes. Thus, specific inositol phosphates reduce plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase activity and enhancement of the latter in vitro by purified calmodulin. The mechanism of these effects may in part relate to inhibition by inositol phosphates of binding of calmodulin to erythrocyte membranes.

Calcium-Transporting ATPases↗

PubMed1990

Effect of calmodulin antagonists on the interferon system: induction and action of interferons.

Synthesis of interferon (IFN) in response to Sendai virus and the development of the resulting antiviral state were studied in human (BG-9) and murine (L-929) fibroblast cell cultures in the presence of the calmodulin antagonists, trifluoperazine (TFP) and N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7). Compared to control cultures, 16-fold and 8-fold more IFN was formed in human and murine cells, respectively, when 10 microM TFP was present in the medium for 24 h prior to IFN induction with Sendai virus. W-7 did not affect IFN production in human cells, but enhanced it in L-929 cells by 4- to 8-fold. TFP inhibited the antiviral state induced by homologous IFN in the two cell systems, and at 20 microM, there was a 3,000-fold increase in vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) yield. It also reduced the maintenance of the antiviral state in human cells. In contrast, W-7 had no effect on the development of the antiviral state in either of the two cell systems. Thus, calcium-calmodulin dependent cellular processes are involved in both induction of IFN and its action. The several patterns response to TFP and W-7 may reflect different ligand-binding sites on calmodulin.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Retinoic acid inhibits calmodulin binding to human erythrocyte membranes and reduces membrane Ca2(+)-adenosine triphosphatase activity.

Ca2(+)-ATPase activity in human red cell membranes is dependent on the presence of calmodulin. All trans-retinoic acid inhibited human red cell membrane Ca2(+)-ATPase activity in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner (10(-8) to 10(-4) M). In contrast, retinol, retinal, 13-cis-retinoic acid and the benzene ring analogue of retinoic acid did not alter enzyme activity. Purified calmodulin (up to 500 ng/ml, 3 X 10(-8) M) added to red cell membranes, in the presence of inhibitory concentrations of retinoic acid, only partially restored Ca2(+)-ATPase activity. 125I-Calmodulin bound to red cell membranes was displaced by unlabeled retinoic acid (50% reduction at 10(-8) M retinoic acid), as effectively as by unlabeled calmodulin. Another calmodulin-stimulable enzyme, bovine brain cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, was unaffected by retinoic acid. 8-Anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid bound to calmodulin, studied spectrofluorometrically, was not displaced by retinoic acid. Thus, retinoic acid inhibits calmodulin binding to red cell membranes, reducing calmodulin-stimulable Ca2(+)-ATPase activity. Retinoic acid does not directly interact with calmodulin, but rather exerts its effect by interfering with calmodulin access to the membrane enzyme. These effects occur at physiological concentrations of the retinoid.

Calcium-Transporting ATPases↗

PubMed1989

Interaction of amiodarone and its analogs with calmodulin.

Benzofurans have important actions on the electrical properties of myocardium; the biochemical basis of those actions is not known. Crystallographic examination of these compounds has revealed that benzofurans share structural homologies with the traditional calmodulin antagonists N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalene and trifluoperazine. In the present study, the ability of amiodarone, desethylamiodarone, and benziodarone to displace the fluorescent ligand 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid (ANS) from calmodulin, to modulate the fluorescence emission of dansylcalmodulin, and to inhibit the activation by calmodulin of bovine brain cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase and human erythrocyte membrane Ca2+-ATPase were investigated at concentrations ranging from 10(-8) to 10(-6) M. These benzofurans displaced ANS from calmodulin with nearly equal efficiency upon forming a 1:1 complex with that protein. Each of these compounds also produced a decreased fluorescence emission of dansylcalmodulin, but with relative efficiencies being desethylamiodarone greater than amiodarone greater than benziodarone. Amiodarone and desethylamiodarone inhibited calmodulin-stimulable phosphodiesterase activity with similar potencies. Amiodarone and benziodarone inhibited calmodulin-stimulable Ca2+-ATPase activity equally, but desethylamiodarone had no effect. The observed differential effects of the amiodarone analogs suggest that calmodulin may possess multiple benzofuran-binding sites that are recognized by specific targets and ligands of this Ca2+-binding protein and that the cellular action of amiodarone and its analogs may reflect calmodulin antagonism.

Amiodarone↗