Biomedical subjects

K N Bitar

Publications and source records attributed to K N Bitar.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

Calcium requirements for acetylcholine-induced contraction of cat esophageal circular muscle cells.

Esophageal circular muscle cells isolated by enzymatic digestion contracted in response to acetylcholine (ACh) and in response to the protein kinase C (PKC) agonist 1,2-dioctanoylglycerol (1,2 DAG). Both responses were blocked by PKC antagonists but not by calmodulin antagonists. Furthermore, specific PKC activity, measured in the particulate fraction of the muscle, increased in response to cholinergic stimulation, suggesting that ACh-induced contraction is mediated by a PKC-dependent pathway. ACh-induced contraction decreased with decreasing extracellular Ca2+ and was blocked in Ca(2+)-free physiological salt solution (PSS). Similarly, contraction by the nonhydrolyzable GTP analogue guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) was blocked by removal of Ca2+ from the PSS. Diacylglycerol production in response to ACh was reduced when extracellular Ca2+ was reduced from 2 to 0.5 mM and was abolished in Ca(2+)-free PSS. The response to 1,2-DAG, however, did not significantly change as extracellular Ca2+ or cytosolic Ca2+ was reduced to zero. Heparin (10 micrograms/ml), thapsigargin (3 microM), or the Ca2+ ionophore A-23187 (3 microM) had no effect on 1,2-DAG or ACh-induced contraction in permeable cells. The data suggest that contraction in response to ACh is mediated by influx of extracellular Ca2+ and a PKC-dependent pathway. Ca2+ may be required mainly to activate the phospholipases responsible for production of diacylglycerol, since contraction of esophageal muscle cells in response to 1,2-DAG is Ca2+ independent.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1994

Differential signal transduction pathways in cat lower esophageal sphincter tone and response to ACh.

Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) basal tone and contraction in response to maximally effective doses (Emax) of acetylcholine (ACh) may be mediated by different intracellular transduction pathways. In the basal state resting tone, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] formation and levels of diacylglycerol (DAG) (C. Hillemeier, K. N. Bitar, and P. Biancani, unpublished data) are higher in LES circular muscle than in esophageal muscle, which does not maintain tone. In vitro resting tone and spontaneously elevated formation of Ins(1,4,5)P3 in LES circular muscle strips decrease in a dose-dependent manner in response to the phospholipase C antagonist 1-[6-([(17-beta)-3-methoxyestra-1,3, 5(10)-trien-17-yl]amino)hexyl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (U-73122). Basal Ins(1,4,5)P3 formation, however, is submaximal, since it can be increased by cholinergic stimulation. These data suggest that LES tone is associated with partial activation of phospholipase C. We therefore tested submaximal doses of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and DAG in permeabilized LES muscle cells and found that they act synergistically; their interaction depends on calcium release and is mediated through a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent pathway. In contrast, we have previously shown that contraction induced by Emax of ACh is mediated through calmodulin-dependent mechanisms (14). To investigate these differences, we tested high and low doses of ACh. Contraction induced by high doses of ACh was inhibited by calmodulin but not by PKC antagonists, as previously reported, but low ACh doses were preferentially inhibited by PKC antagonists. Similarly, low Ins(1,4,5)P3 concentrations activated a PKC-dependent pathway, whereas contraction induced by Emax of Ins(1,4,5)P3 was calmodulin dependent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

PubMed1993

Expression of bombesin-receptor subtypes and their differential regulation of colonic smooth muscle contraction.

BACKGROUND: Bombesin-related peptides show different potencies, suggesting the existence of at least two receptor subtypes. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship and contribution of each receptor subtype on smooth muscle contraction. METHODS: The expression of bombesin-receptor subtype messenger RNA (mRNA) was examined in human and rabbit smooth muscle from the rectosigmoid colon, and the contribution of each of the receptor subtypes to smooth muscle contraction was investigated by blocking mRNA translation of either neuromedin B or gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptor subtype or of both. RESULTS: Neuromedin B and GRP receptor mRNAs were detected in human and rabbit colonic smooth muscle cells. Incubation with neuromedin B receptor antisense oligonucleotides inhibited the neuromedin B-induced contraction, whereas incubation with GRP receptor antisense oligonucleotides inhibited the GRP-induced contraction. Incubation with GRP plus neuromedin B receptor antisense oligonucleotides inhibited the contractile response induced by bombesin, neuromedin B, and GRP. CONCLUSIONS: Distinct neuromedin B and GRP receptor subtypes are present on smooth muscle cells of the rectosigmoid colon, and bombesin interacts with both neuromedin B and GRP receptors, resulting in a complex contraction that is sustained in nature.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Specific G proteins mediate endothelin induced contraction.

Endothelin is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide which has recently been localized in the gastrointestinal tract. We have investigated the transmembrane signaling properties of endothelin in isolated smooth muscle cells of the rabbit rectosigmoid. Endothelin induced a dose dependent contraction of smooth muscle cells in a range of 10(-10) to 10(-6)M. In normal buffer, contraction peaked at 30 sec and was sustained for up to 8 min. Incubation in 0Ca/2mM EGTA abolished the sustained contraction induced by endothelin, but had no effect on the initial transient contraction. Preincubation of saponin treated cells with G protein antisera had no effect on control cell length. Preincubation of saponin treated isolated smooth muscle cells with specific G protein antisera (rabbit antisera) for Go alpha or Gs for 60 minutes did not inhibit contraction induced by endothelin. Preincubation with an antiserum to Gi3 alpha inhibited the initial transient contraction induced by endothelin and preincubation with an antiserum to Gi1-2 alpha inhibited the sustained phase of the endothelin induced contraction. Our data indicate that: 1) Endothelin induces a direct sustained contraction of smooth cells from the rectosigmoid; 2) The transmembrane signalling of endothelin is through two specific GTP binding components that are Gi alpha, one for the initial transient contraction, and the other for the sustained phase of the contraction.

Animals↗

PubMed1991

Hsp27 is a mediator of sustained smooth muscle contraction in response to bombesin.

We have identified the low MW 27 kD heat shock protein as a major phosphoprotein constituent of smooth muscle and have investigated its potential role in agonist induced smooth muscle contraction. The neuropeptides bombesin and substance P, which are present in neurons of the anorectal region, induce contraction of isolated smooth muscle cells from this region by activating different intracellular pathways. Substance P-induced contraction is 1,4,5-inositol trisphosphate (IP3)/calmodulin dependent, while contraction induced by bombesin is mediated by a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent pathway. The sustained contraction induced by bombesin or exogenous PKC was blocked by preincubation of cells with monoclonal antibodies to hsp27, while the transient contraction induced by substance P or IP3 was unaffected by the antibodies. Preincubation with isotype matched control antibodies had no inhibitory effect on contraction induced in response to the agents used. These data support a novel role for hsp27 in the non calmodulin mediated sustained contraction induced by bombesin or PKC.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗

PubMed1991

Developmental characteristics of the kitten antrum.

The changes in dietary constituents during growth and development from predominantly liquid to mixed solid liquid meals places an increasing burden on the antrum, which is required to triturate solids. The authors hypothesize that concomitant with these changing dietary constituents different pathways are used to mediate contraction in response to acetylcholine. Smooth muscle cells were isolated by collagenase digestion from the fundus and circular muscle layer of the antrum in the adult cat and 1-week-old kitten. The unstimulated cells from the fundus and antrum were larger in the adult than in the kitten. In normal physiological salt solution, all cells contracted in a similar dose dependent manner in response to acetylcholine in both age groups. Fundic muscle cell contraction in response to acetylcholine was unchanged in calcium-free physiological salt solution or in the presence of the calcium channel blocker, methoxyverapamil. In the adult, antral cells contracted 50% less in the absence of extracellular calcium. In the kitten, antral cells did not contract under the same conditions. After permeabilization with saponin, fundic muscle cells from the adult and kitten contracted fully in response to 1,4,5-inositol trisphosphate, whereas contraction of adult antral cells was reduced by 50% and contraction of kitten antral cells was completely blocked. These data suggest that isolated muscle cells from the fundus of both the adult cat and newborn kitten use intracellular calcium stores to contract in response to acetylcholine and 1,4,5-inositol triphosphate. In adult antral cells, acetylcholine-induced contraction requires both influx of extracellular calcium and release of intracellular calcium. In kitten antral cells, intracellular calcium stores are not used or available to mediate contraction in response to acetylcholine.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1991

Regulation of smooth muscle contraction in rabbit internal anal sphincter by protein kinase C and Ins(1,4,5)P3.

We have examined the role of protein kinase C (PKC)-beta II and its functional relationship to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3] and intracellular Ca2+ in the contraction of smooth muscle cells from the rabbit internal and sphincter (IAS). PKC-beta (0.1-100 U/ml) and Ins(1,4,5)P3 (10(-9) to 10(-6) M) caused concentration-dependent contraction of IAS smooth muscle cells permeabilized by saponin. The combination of threshold concentrations of Ins(1,4,5)P3 (10(-9) M) and PKC (0.1 U/ml) was more than additive, causing near maximal shortening (28.2 +/- 2.1% decrease in cell length from control). The response to high concentrations of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and PKC used in combination was not greater than the response to either agent alone. The calmodulin antagonist W-7 (10(-9) M) inhibited the maximal contraction induced by Ins(1,4,5)P3 but not contraction caused by PKC, whereas the PKC antagonist H-7 (10(-6) M) inhibited the maximal contraction induced by PKC but not contraction caused by Ins(1,4,5)P3. Threshold doses of the ionophores A23187 (10(-9) M) and ionomycin (0.2 ng/ml) caused little contraction by themselves, but they potentiated the response elicited by a threshold concentration of PKC (0.1 U/ml), inducing maximal contraction. Preincubation of IAS cells with 4 mM Sr2+, which inhibits the release of intracellular Ca2+, abolished the potentiating effect of Ins(1,4,5)P3 and calcium ionophores on PKC, but the calmodulin antagonist W-7 did not. These data suggest that the contractile effect of maximally effective doses of PKC is independent of the effects of Ins(1,4,5)P3. At submaximal concentrations, however, PKC-dependent contraction is potentiated by Ins(1,4,5)P3 or by ionophore-mediated release of intracellular Ca2+ without requiring calmodulin activation.

Anal Canal↗

PubMed1991

Intracellular pathways for contraction in gastroesophageal smooth muscle cells.

Intracellular pathways utilized for contraction in response to acetylcholine (ACh), inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3), and KCl were examined in isolated circular smooth cells from the esophagus, lower esophageal sphincter (LES), and fundus. In physiological nutrient salt solution (PSS) intact muscle cells isolated from these three tissues responded in a similar dose-dependent manner to ACh. In all tissues the contractile response to ACh was maximal at 30 s. Contraction of smooth muscle cells from LES and fundus did not change after incubation in Ca(2+)-free medium, but contraction of esophageal cells was abolished. KCl-induced contraction of all three cell types was also abolished after incubation in Ca(2+)-free medium. After permeabilization with saponin in cytosolic (low Ca2+) salt solution, muscle cells from LES and fundus contracted in a dose-dependent manner in response to IP3, whereas cells from esophagus did not contract. Contraction of permeabilized LES and fundic cells in response to ACh was the same as that of intact muscle cells. Response to IP3 was more rapid than response to ACh; it reached 85% of maximum by 5 s and peaked at 15 s. Calmodulin antagonists W-7 and CGS 9343B blocked contraction in response to ACh in intact cells from LES and fundus but had no effect on ACh-induced contraction in esophageal cells. These antagonists blocked IP3-induced contraction in permeabilized cells from LES and fundus. KCl-induced contraction in intact cells from all three tissues was not blocked by either W-7 or CGS 9343B. These data suggest that calmodulin antagonists block contraction mediated by release of intracellular Ca2+ induced by ACh or IP3.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1990

Differential regulation of smooth muscle contraction in rabbit internal anal sphincter by substance P and bombesin.

Substance P and bombesin induce contraction of isolated IAS smooth muscle cells by different intracellular mechanisms. The cells contracted in a dose dependent manner to both peptides. The kinetics of contraction were different. Substance P induced contraction peaked at 30 seconds and declined in a time dependent manner while bombesin induced contraction peaked at 30 seconds and was maintained for up to 8 minutes. The absence of extracellular calcium in the medium (0 calcium and 2 mM EGTA) had no affect on substance P induced contraction while it blocked bombesin induced contraction. Substance P induced contraction was blocked by the calmodulin antagonist W7 (10(-9)M) and was not affected by the PKC antagonist H7 (10(-6)M). Bombesin induced contraction was blocked by the PKC antagonist H7 and was not affected by the calmodulin antagonist W7. Our data indicate that substance P induces a transient contraction utilizing intracellular calcium and a calmodulin dependent pathway, while bombesin induces a sustained contraction utilizing calcium from extracellular sources and a calmodulin independent pathway.

Anal Canal↗

PubMed1987

Identification of muscarinic M2 receptors on single muscle cells of the human and guinea pig intestine.

Muscle cells were isolated from the longitudinal muscle layer of guinea pig and human jejunum and used to identify the muscarinic receptor subtype (M1 or M2) that mediates contraction. Single muscle cells were anchored to the ceiling of a minichamber and their contraction was measured in response to acetylcholine, alone and in combination with three muscarinic antagonists: atropine, 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide (4-DAMP), and pirenzepine. Estimates of the inhibitory dissociation constants (Ki) were closely similar in human and guinea pig muscle cells (atropine 2.5-5 X 10(-11) M, 4-DAMP 1.9-2.9 X 10(10) M, and pirenzepine 8.2-9.5 X 10(-8) M). Thus, pirenzepine, a preferential M1 antagonist, was 1900-3280 times less potent than atropine and 279-500 times less potent than 4-DAMP. Comparative measurements on longitudinal muscle strips from guinea pig jejunum confirmed the greater potency of atropine and 4-DAMP relative to pirenzepine. Inactivation of muscarinic receptors on single muscle cells with dibenamine showed that only a small fraction of receptors was responsible for the response to acetylcholine. It was concluded that intestinal muscle cells contain a large reservoir of muscarinic M2 receptors that exhibit considerable spareness and heterogeneity.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1987

Receptors for substance P on isolated intestinal smooth muscle cells of the guinea pig.

Two radioligands, 125I-labeled substance P (125I-SP) and 125I-labeled substance K (125I-SK), were used to characterize the kinetics and stoichiometry of binding of mammalian tachykinins [substance P (SP), substance K (SK), and neuromedin K (NK)] to smooth muscle cells isolated from the longitudinal muscle layer of guinea pig intestine. Specific binding of 125I-SP and 125I-SK was rapid, saturable, reversible, and temperature dependent. Binding attained 63-70% of steady-state binding within 1 min, coincidentally with the time of optimal contraction. The order of potency with which mammalian tachykinins and the SP antagonist, [D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9]SP, inhibited the binding of both radioligands was identical: SP greater than SK greater than NK greater than [D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9]SP, implying preferential interaction with a site that had highest affinity for SP. SK was 2-3 times, NK 3-4 times, and [D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9]SP 7-23 times less potent than SP (IC50 0.36 nM). Except for NK, the order of potency was similar to that for contraction of isolated muscle cells. The existence of binding sites with even higher affinity was suggested by the ability of muscle cells to contract in response to concentrations as low as 10(-13) M. These binding sites were not detectable at the concentration of radioligands used. It was concluded that a SP receptor is the only tachykinin receptor subtype present on intestinal muscle cells of the guinea pig.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Contraction mediated by Ca2+ influx in esophageal muscle and by Ca2+ release in the LES.

Single cells and whole tissue specimens were used in this study to determine sources of Ca2+ utilized for contraction of the circular muscle layer of esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) of the cat. In vitro circular muscle specimens from the cat esophagus respond to electrical stimulation with phasic contractions at the end of the stimulus, whereas the LES spontaneously maintains tonic contraction and relaxes during stimulation. In Ca2+-free buffer, esophageal contractions rapidly decline and disappear within 10 min after the removal of Ca2+, while LES tone is only partially reduced. Similarly, incubation in a solution containing the Ca2+ influx blocker, La3+, abolishes esophageal contraction but only partially decreases LES tone. Conversely, strontium and caffeine substantially reduce LES tone without affecting the amplitude of esophageal contractions. In single muscle cells isolated by enzymatic digestion from the LES and the body of the esophagus, blockade of extracellular Ca2+ influx by methoxyverapamil (D 600) or ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta-aminoethylether) N,N'-tetraacetic acid abolished esophageal contraction in response to acetylcholine without affecting LES cells, and conversely, strontium abolished LES contraction without affecting esophageal cells. These data are consistent with the view that extracellular Ca2+ is required to initiate esophageal phasic contraction, while the LES has the ability to utilize intracellular Ca2+ to maintain resting tone and to contract in response to acetylcholine.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1986

Stoichiometry of contraction and Ca2+ mobilization by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in isolated gastric smooth muscle cells.

Smooth muscle cells were isolated from the circular muscle layer of guinea pig stomach and permeabilized by brief exposure to saponin. Both permeabilized and intact muscle cells contracted in response to cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) and acetylcholine, but only permeabilized muscle cells contracted in response to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP3). The contractile response to InsP3 was prompt (peak less than 5 s), concentration-dependent (EC50-0.3 microM), and insensitive to antimycin or oligomycin. Contraction induced by either InsP3 or CCK-8 was accompanied by a concentration-dependent increase in free Ca2+ that was directly correlated with the magnitude of contraction. Both InsP3 and CCK-8 caused rapid net efflux of Ca2+ from cells preloaded with 45Ca2+. Contraction, increase in free Ca2+ concentration, and net 45Ca2+ efflux elicited by a combination of maximal concentrations of InsP3 and CCK-8 were not significantly different from those elicited by maximal concentrations of either agent alone. Repeated stimulation of single muscle cells with either InsP3 or CCK-8 in Ca2+-free medium caused eventual loss of the contractile response to all agents. The response to all agents was restored upon re-exposure of the cell to a cytosol-like concentration of Ca2+, implying equal access of InsP3 and receptor-linked agonists to the same intracellular Ca2+ store. The results demonstrate that InsP3 mimics the effects of receptor-linked agonists on contraction and mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ in permeabilized smooth muscle cells that retain the functional properties of intact smooth muscle cells and support a role for InsP3 as membrane-derived messenger responsible for mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ in smooth muscle cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Cytosolic calcium during contraction of isolated mammalian gastric muscle cells.

During activation of visceral smooth muscle there is an increase in cytosolic-free calcium, but the source (intracellular calcium release or calcium influx), kinetics, and stoichiometry of this increase have not been determined. Here, the fluorescent indicator, quin2-acetoxymethyl ester, was used to measure directly cytosolic-free calcium during contraction of isolated stomach muscle cells induced by the two neuropeptides cholecystokinin-octapeptide and Met-enkephalin as well as acetylcholine. An increase in cytosolic-free calcium was seen that was (i) dependent on the concentration of contractile agonist, (ii) derived from intracellular sources (that is, not significantly affected by removal of ambient calcium or addition of a calcium channel blocker), and (iii) kinetically and stoichiometrically related to net calcium efflux and contraction. In contrast, the increase in cytosolic-free calcium induced by depolarizing concentrations of potassium was caused by influx of calcium through voltage-dependent calcium channels.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1986

Source of activator calcium in isolated guinea pig and human gastric muscle cells.

The source of Ca2+ responsible for contraction was examined in suspensions of smooth muscle cells and in perfused single muscle cells from guinea pig and human stomach. In both preparations removal of Ca2+ from the medium or addition of the Ca2+ channel blocker methoxyverapamil had no effect on the contractile response to various agonists, including cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8) and acetylcholine, but inhibited the response to high extracellular K+ by 76-82%. Repeated stimulation of guinea pig or human single muscle cells in Ca2+-free medium, or in the presence of methoxyverapamil caused a progressive decrease and eventual abolition of contractile response; response was restored on restitution of Ca2+ to the medium or elimination of methoxyverapamil. Measurement of 45Ca2+ content in guinea pig muscle cells showed that CCK-8 had no effect on the rate of Ca2+ influx but increased the rate of Ca2+ efflux transiently by sixfold. Net peak efflux coincided with the time of peak contraction and was stoichiometrically related to the degree of contraction. Equipotent, maximally effective contractile doses of CCK-8, acetylcholine, and methionine-enkephalin caused equivalent degrees of net Ca2+ efflux. The results indicate that contractile agonists cause release of Ca2+ from a depletable intracellular store in gastric muscle cells. The release is accompanied by a dose-dependent increase in Ca2+ efflux and is capable of sustaining an initial maximal contraction. Repeated contractile activity requires influx of Ca2+ from extracellular sources.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1986

Measurement of function in isolated single smooth muscle cells.

Smooth muscle cells, isolated from the stomach of guinea pig, were anchored electrostatically to a poly-L-lysine-treated cover slip that formed the ceiling of a minichamber. The cells could be perfused at high flow rates for long periods without being dislodged. Contractile responses, measured by image-splitting micrometry, were obtained repeatedly and reproducibly at intervals of 5 s-5 min for up to 3 h. Peak response in single cells was attained in 1.5-2 min by comparison with peak response in suspensions of muscle cells (0.5 min). The delay was probably due to unstirred layers covering anchored single cells. Otherwise, the magnitude of response of single cells and their sensitivity to various agonists (C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin, methionine-enkephalin, and acetylcholine), as expressed in the D50 values, were identical to those obtained from measurements on large populations (suspensions) of muscle cells. The identity of dose-response profiles of single cells and suspensions of cells, particularly the wide span of the dose-response curves and the low Hill coefficients (0.30-0.35), implied that receptor heterogeneity was an inherent property of each muscle cell rather than a reflection of differences between muscle cells. This simple, precise, and economical method offers notable advantages in studies of isolated smooth muscle cells.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1985

Selective presence of opiate receptors on intestinal circular muscle cells.

Smooth muscle cells isolated separately from the longitudinal and circular muscle layers of guinea pig and human intestine exhibited a unique pattern of response to derivatives of proenkephalin and prodynorphin present in the myenteric plexus. Receptors for other myenteric transmitters (acetylcholine, the octapeptide of cholecystokinin and substance P) capable of mediating contraction, were present on both circular and longitudinal muscle cells, whereas opiate receptors were present on circular muscle cells and selectively absent from longitudinal muscle cells in both species. The opiate myoreceptors belonged to the three main subclasses (kappa, delta and mu) and exhibited a rank order of sensitivity similar to that of opiate neuroreceptors. The distribution of these receptors parallels the distribution of opioid nerve fibers and appears to reflect the role of opioids in the regulation of neuromuscular activity.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed1985

Receptors for mammalian tachykinins on isolated intestinal smooth muscle cells.

The existence of receptors for three mammalian tachykinins, substance P (SP), substance K (SK), and neuromedin K (NK), was examined in smooth muscle cells, isolated separately from the longitudinal and circular muscle layers of guinea pig ileum. Tachykinin receptors capable of mediating contraction were present in muscle cells from both layers. The receptors were selectively blocked by the tachykinin antagonist [D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9]substance P but not by muscarinic, gastrin/cholecystokinin, or opiate antagonists (0.3 nM atropine, 1 mM proglumide, and 0.3 nM naloxone, respectively). The rank order of potency of tachykinins in causing contraction, NK greater than SP greater than SK, was similar in both muscle cell types. The results obtained in isolated muscle cells were closely paralleled by results obtained in intact muscle strips; the main difference was the greater sensitivity of isolated cells to tachykinin agonists (250-fold) and antagonist (210-fold). The inhibitory dissociation constant (Ki) of [D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9]substance P estimated from the displacement of dose-response curves (muscle cells) or from Schild plots (muscle strips) differed minimally or not at all, when either SP or SK was used as agonist, consistent with interaction of the two peptides with the same receptor subtype. The notion of a single receptor subtype in ileal muscle cells of the guinea pig was further supported by the occurrence of complete cross-desensitization between SP and SK in muscle strips.

Animals↗