The agonist SR 146131 and the antagonist SR 27897 occupy different sites on the human CCK(1) receptor.

1-[2-(4-(2-Chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl) aminocarbonyl indoyl] acetic acid (SR 27897) is an effective CCK(1) receptor antagonist, while the structurally related molecule 2-[4-(4-chloro-2, 5-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-(2-cyclohexyl-ethyl)-thiazol-2-ylcarbamoyl ]-5, 7-dimethyl-indol-1-yl-1-acetic acid (SR 146131) is a highly potent and specific agonist for the same receptor. To discover how the two molecules interact with the human cholecystokinin (CCK) CCK(1) receptor, we have carried out binding and activity studies with 33-point mutated receptors. Only six mutants showed altered [3H]SR 27897 binding properties, Lys(115), Lys(187), Phe(198), Trp(209), Leu(214) and Asn(333).

Essential role of extracellular charged residues of the human CCK(1) receptor for interactions with SR 146131, SR 27897 and CCK-8S.

We hypothesized that charge-charge interactions may be important for the binding of the human cholecystokinin type 1 (CCK(1)) receptor-specific non-peptide full agonist SR 146131, (2-[4-(4-chloro-2, 5-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-(2-cyclohexyl-ethyl)-thiazol-2-ylcarbamoyl ]-5, 7-dimethyl-indol-1-yl-1-acetic acid), the competitive antagonist SR 27897, (1-[2-(4-(2-chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl) aminocarbonyl indoyl] acetic acid) and the natural octapeptide CCK-8S to the CCK(1) receptor. Alanine replacement studies of positively charged residues in the extracellular domains of the receptor showed that only the R336A mutation affected SR 146131 potency of mutated receptors transiently expressed in monkey kidney epithelial COS-7 cells. Two residues, Lys(115) and Lys(187), were implicated in SR 27897 binding.

Contrasting roles of leu(356) in the human CCK(1) receptor for antagonist SR 27897 and agonist SR 146131 binding.

A new highly specific, potent non-peptide agonist for the cholecystokinin subtype 1 receptor (CCK(1)), SR 146131 (2-[4-(4-chloro-2, 5-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-(2-cyclohexyl-ethyl)-thiazol-2-ylcarbamoyl ]-5, 7-dimethyl-indol-1-yl-1-acetic acid) was recently described [Bignon, E., Bachy, A., Boigegrain, R.

Dual intracellular signaling pathways mediated by the human cannabinoid CB1 receptor.

It has long been established that the cannabinoid CB1 receptor transduces signals through a pertussis toxin-sensitive Gi/Go inhibitory pathway. Although there have been reports that the cannabinoid CB1 receptor can also mediate an increase in cyclic AMP levels, in most cases the presence of an adenylyl cyclase costimulant or the use of very high amounts of agonist was necessary. Here, we present evidence for dual coupling of the cannabinoid CB receptor to the classical pathway and to a pertussis toxin-insensitive adenylyl cyclase stimulatory pathway initiated with low quantities of agonist in the absence of any costimulant.

Evidence for the presence of beta 3-adrenergic receptor mRNA in the human brain.

The beta 3-adrenergic receptor (AR) is widely distributed in peripheral tissues, but up to now it has not been detected in the central nervous system. By using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, we found the beta 3-AR mRNA to be present in all the regions of the human brain we investigated. The quantities found were very low compared to those of the beta 1-AR and beta 2-AR mRNAs, being hardly detectable in adult brain.

An amino-terminal variant of the central cannabinoid receptor resulting from alternative splicing.

The cDNA sequences encoding the central cannabinoid receptor, CB1, are known for two species, rat and human. However, little information concerning the flanking, noncoding regions is presently available. We have isolated two overlapping clones from a human lung cDNA library with CB1 cDNA inserts.

Protease determination using an optimized alcohol enzyme electrode.

A new method for the determination of protease activities is described. In this large family, trypsin is used as a protease model that cleaves the ethyl or methyl ester of artificial substrates producing ethanol or methanol. Alcohol is detected using an alcohol oxidase enzyme electrode.

Cannabinoid-receptor expression in human leukocytes.

Marijuana and many of its constituent cannabinoids influence the central nervous system (CNS), probably through the cannabinoid receptor, which has recently been cloned in rat and human. While numerous reports have also described effects of cannabinoids on the immune system, the observation of both mRNA and cannabinoid receptor has hitherto been exclusively confined to the brain, a reported detection in the testis being the sole example of its presence at the periphery. Here we report the expression of the cannabinoid receptor on human immune tissues using a highly sensitive polymerase-chain-reaction-based method for mRNA quantification.

Biologically active A-chain of the plant toxin ricin expressed from a synthetic gene in Escherichia coli.

To assess the biological activity and pharmacokinetic properties of nonglycosylated ricin A-chain (RA), we have obtained the polypeptide following expression of a synthetic 842-bp RA gene in Escherichia coli. Expression of the gene was carried out using the phage T5 PN25 promoter fused to the E. coli lac operator.