ly-320135 and 3-(2-hydroxy-4-(1-1-dimethylheptyl)phenyl)-4-(3-hydroxypropyl)cyclohexanol

The seven transmembrane alpha-helices of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the hallmark of this superfamily. Intrahelical interactions are critical to receptor assembly and, for the GPCR subclass that binds small molecules, ligand binding. Most research has focused on identifying the ligand binding pocket within the helical bundle, whereas the role of the extracellular loops remains undefined. Molecular modeling of the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) extracellular loop 2 (EC2), however, suggests that EC2 is poised for key interactions. To test this possibility, we employed alanine scanning mutagenesis of CB1 EC2 and identified two distinct regions critical for ligand binding, G protein coupling activity, and receptor trafficking. Receptors with mutations in the N terminus of EC2 (W255A, N256A) were retained in the endoplasmic reticulum and did not bind the agonist (1R,3R,4R)-3-[2-hydroxy-4-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-phenyl]-4-(3-hydroxypropyl)cyclohexan-1-ol (CP55940) or the inverse agonist N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide(SR141716A). In contrast, the C terminus of EC2 differentiates agonist and inverse agonist; the P269A, H270A, and I271A receptors exhibited diminished binding for several agonists but bound inverse agonists SR141716A, N-(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-iodophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (AM251), and 4-[6-methoxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)benzofuran-3-carbonyl]benzonitrile (LY320135) with wild-type receptor affinity. The F268A receptor involving substitution in the Cys-X-X-X-Ar motif, displayed both impaired localization and ligand binding. Other amino acid substitutions at position 268 revealed that highly hydrophobic residues are required to accomplish both functions. It is noteworthy that a F268W receptor was trafficked to the cell surface yet displayed differential binding preference for inverse agonists comparable with the P269A, H270A, and I271A receptors. The findings are consistent with a dual role for EC2 in stabilizing receptor assembly and in ligand binding.

Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Benzofurans; Cell Line; Cyclohexanols; Humans; Ligands; Microscopy, Confocal; Models, Molecular; Molecular Sequence Data; Mutagenesis; Radioligand Assay; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; X-Ray Diffraction

Circadian activity rhythms in hamsters are entrained to the daily light:dark cycle by photic information arriving from the retina to the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the site of the master circadian pacemaker in mammals. The effects of light on adjusting the timing of the circadian pacemaker is modified, both positively and negatively, by a variety of transmitter systems, but the effects of endocannabinoids have not been reported. Therefore, in this study we evaluated cannabinoids specific for the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB(1)) for their ability to modulate light-induced phase advances in hamster circadian activity rhythms. All compounds were administered intraperitoneally. The CB(1) agonist CP55940 potently inhibited light-induced phase shifts with near 90% inhibition achieved with a dose of 0.125 mg/kg. The inhibitory effect of CP55940 was partially reversed by the CB(1) antagonist LY320135 and completely reversed with 1 mg/kg of the CB(1) antagonist AM 251. Neither LY320135 nor AM 251 had any effect on light-induced phase shifts when administered alone. Further evidence for CB(1) involvement in hamster circadian rhythms was provided by immunohistochemical detection of CB(1) receptors in four separate nuclei comprising the principal components of the hamster circadian system: the suprachiasmatic nucleus, intergeniculate leaflet of the thalamus, and dorsal and median raphe nuclei. Altogether these data indicate that the endocannabinoid system has the capability to modulate circadian rhythms in the hamster and cannabis use should be evaluated for adverse effects on circadian rhythms in humans.

Topics: Analgesics; Animals; Benzofurans; Cannabinoids; Circadian Rhythm; Cricetinae; Cyclohexanols; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Interactions; Gene Expression Regulation; Male; Piperidines; Pyrazoles; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1

We have previously shown that the endocannabinoid anandamide and its metabolically stable analog (R)-methanandamide produce vasorelaxation in rabbit aortic ring preparations in an endothelium-dependent manner that could not be mimicked by other CB(1) cannabinoid receptor agonists (Am J Physiol 282: H2046-H2054, 2002). Here, we show that (R)-methanandamide and abnormal cannabidiol stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production in rabbit aortic endothelial cells (RAEC) in a dose-dependent manner but that other CB(1) and CB(2) receptor agonists, such as cis-3R-[2-hydroxy-4-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)phenyl]-trans-4R-3(3-hydroxypropyl)-1R-cyclohexanol (CP55940) and (R)-(+)-[2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-(4-morpholinylmethyl) pyrrolo-[1,2,3-d,e]-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl]-1-naphthalenyl-methanone (WIN55212-2), failed to do so. CB(1) antagonists rimonabant [also known as SR141716; N-piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide] and 6-methoxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)benzo[b]-thien-3-yl][4-cyanophenyl]methanone (LY320135) and CB(2) antagonist N-[(1S)-endo-1,3,3,-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-yl]-5-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)-1-(4-methylbenzyl)-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (SR144528) failed to block (R)-methanandamide-mediated NO production in RAEC. However, anandamide receptor antagonist (-)-4-(3-3,4-trans-p-menthadien-(1,8)-yl)-orcinol (O-1918) blocked (R)-methanandamide-mediated NO production in RAEC. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses failed to detect the CB(1) receptor in RAEC, making this a good model to study non-CB(1) responses to anandamide. (R)-Methanandamide produced endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation via the activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt signaling. Inhibition of G(i) signaling with pertussis toxin, or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity with 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (LY294002), resulted in a decrease in (R)-methanandamide-induced Akt phosphorylation and NO production. Results from this study suggest that in RAEC, (R)-methanandamide acts on a novel non-CB(1) and non-CB(2) anandamide receptor and signals through G(i) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, leading to Akt activation, eNOS phosphorylation, and NO production.

Topics: Animals; Arachidonic Acids; Benzofurans; Benzoxazines; Camphanes; Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators; Cells, Cultured; Chromones; Cyclohexanols; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Endocannabinoids; Endothelial Cells; Enzyme Inhibitors; GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go; Morpholines; Naphthalenes; Nitric Oxide; Pertussis Toxin; Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors; Phosphorylation; Piperidines; Polyunsaturated Alkamides; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Pyrazoles; Rabbits; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2; Resorcinols; Rimonabant; Signal Transduction

Noradrenaline and ATP are sympathetic co-transmitters. In the rat perfused mesenteric bed cannabinoids have been shown to modify the overall response to sympathetic nerve stimulation. This study has assessed whether cannabinoid receptor activation modulates differentially the noradrenergic and purinergic components of sympathetic vasoconstriction.. Rat mesenteric beds were perfused with physiological salt solution and the effects of cannabinoids on responses to nerve stimulation, or exogenous noradrenaline or alpha,beta-methylene ATP (alpha,beta-meATP; P2X receptor agonist) were determined after raising tone with U46619. The effects of cannabinoids on the noradrenaline and ATP components of sympathetic neurotransmission were assessed using the alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, prazosin, or after P2X receptor desensitization with alpha,beta-meATP.. Anandamide, WIN 55,212-2 and CP55,940 attenuated sympathetic neurogenic vasoconstrictor responses. The inhibitory actions of anandamide and WIN 55,212-2 were blocked by LY320135, a CB1 receptor antagonist, but not by SR144528, a CB2 receptor antagonist. The inhibitory actions of CP55,940 were unaffected by LY320135 and SR144528. WIN 55,212-3, the inactive S(-) enantiomer of WIN 55,212-2, had no effect on sympathetic neurogenic responses. None of the cannabinoids affected contractile responses to exogenous noradrenaline or alpha,beta-meATP. Anandamide and WIN 55,212-2 inhibited both the noradrenaline and ATP components of the sympathetic neurogenic contractile responses, with effects on the ATP component being most marked.. These results indicate that prejunctional CB1-like receptors mediate the sympathoinhibitory action of anandamide and WIN 55,212-2, but not CP55,940, in the rat mesenteric bed. Cannabinoids inhibit both the noradrenergic and purinergic components of sympathetic neurotransmission.

Topics: 15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5,13-dienoic Acid; Adenosine Triphosphate; Adrenergic Fibers; Animals; Arachidonic Acids; Benzofurans; Benzoxazines; Camphanes; Cannabinoids; Cyclohexanols; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Electric Stimulation; Endocannabinoids; In Vitro Techniques; Male; Mesenteric Arteries; Morpholines; Muscle Tonus; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Naphthalenes; Norepinephrine; Perfusion; Polyunsaturated Alkamides; Prazosin; Pyrazoles; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB2; Receptors, Purinergic P2

The present study investigated the effects of different classes of cannabinoid (CB) receptor ligands on sensory neurotransmission in the rat isolated mesenteric arterial bed. Electrical field stimulation of the mesenteric bed evoked frequency-dependent vasorelaxation due to the activation of capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves and release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). The CB(1)/CB(2) cannabinoid agonists WIN55,212 [(R)-(+)-[2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-(4-morpholinylmethyl)pyrrolo[1,2,3-de]-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl]-1-naphthalenylmethanone] and CP55,940 [(-)-cis-3-[2-hydroxy-4-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)phenyl]-trans-4-(3-hydroxypropyl) cyclohexanol] (0.01-1 microM) attenuated sensory neurogenic relaxation in a concentration-dependent manner. At 0.1 microM, WIN55,212 and CP55,940 were largely ineffective in the presence of the CB(1) antagonists SR141716A [N-piperidino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichloro phenyl)-4-methyl-3-pyrazole-carboxamide] and LY320135 [[6-methoxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)benzo[b]-thien-3-yl][4-cyanophenyl] methanone] (1 microM), but their inhibitory actions remained in the presence of the CB(2)-selective antagonist SR144528 [N-[1S)-endo-1,3,3,-trimetyl bicyclo [2.2.1]heptan-2-yl]-5-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)-1-(4-methylbenzyl)-pyrazole-3-carboxamide] (1 microM). The CB(1)/CB(2) agonist Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (1 microM) attenuated sensory neurogenic relaxations, as did the CB(2) agonist JWH-015 [(2-methyl-1-propyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-1-naphthalenylmethanone]. The inhibitory actions of both THC and JWH-015 were still evident in the presence of SR141716A (1 microM) and SR144528 (1 microM). None of the cannabinoid agonists investigated had an effect on vasorelaxation elicited by exogenous CGRP, indicating a prejunctional mechanism. These data demonstrate that different classes of cannabinoid agonists attenuate sensory neurotransmission via a prejunctional site and provide evidence for mediation by a CB(1) and/or a non-CB(1)/CB(2) receptor.

Topics: Animals; Benzofurans; Benzoxazines; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; Camphanes; Cannabinoids; Capsaicin; Cyclohexanols; Dronabinol; Electric Stimulation; Indoles; Male; Mesenteric Arteries; Morpholines; Naphthalenes; Piperidines; Pyrazoles; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, Cannabinoid; Rimonabant; Vasodilation

1. The interaction between the cannabinoid agonists, WIN 55,212-2 or CP 55,940 with the CB(1) receptor-selective antagonists, SR141716A or LY320135 was investigated using the rat electrically-stimulated vas deferens bioassay. 2. Tissues were stimulated by single-field pulses (150 V, 0.5 ms) delivered every 30 mins. In the presence of nifedipine (3 microM), agonists elicited a concentration-dependent inhibition of the contractile response, with pEC(50) values of 7.93 and 6.84 for WIN 55,212-2 and CP 55,940, respectively. 3. SR141716A and LY320135 caused parallel dextral displacements of the agonist concentration-response curves. However, the shift of the agonist curves by either antagonist was accompanied by a concentration-dependent enhancement of basal (agonist-independent) tissue contraction. 4. Addition of the amidase inhibitor, phenylmethylsulphonylfluoride (200 microM), resulted in a significant reduction of the basal twitch response, an effect consistent with the presence of tonic receptor activation mediated by the endogenous cannabinoid, anandamide. 5. In light of these findings, we propose a theoretical model of competitive agonist-antagonist interaction in the presence of endogenous agonist tone that was used to derive an optimized analytical approach for the determination of antagonist potency estimates under conditions of tonic receptor activation. 6. This approach yielded pK(B) estimates for SR141716A and LY320135 that were in good agreement with their activity at cannabinoid CB(1) receptors. 7. It is concluded that the rat vas deferens contains prejunctional cannabinoid CB(1) receptors that are under tonic activation from endogenous substances; under these conditions our analytical approach is preferable to the standard methods for the determination of antagonist potency.

Topics: Animals; Benzofurans; Benzoxazines; Calcium Channel Blockers; Cyclohexanols; Electric Stimulation; In Vitro Techniques; Male; Morpholines; Naphthalenes; Piperidines; Pyrazoles; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Cannabinoid; Receptors, Drug; Rimonabant; Vas Deferens