neurokinin-a and cyanine-dye-3

Fluorescence polarization (FP) is an established technique for the study of biological interactions and is frequently used in the high-throughput screening (HTS) of potential new drug targets. This work describes the miniaturization of FP receptor assays to 1536-well formats for use in HTS. The FP assays were initially developed in 384-well microplates using CyDye-labeled nonpeptide and peptide ligands. Receptor expression levels varied from approximately 1 to 10 pmols receptor per mg protein, and ligand concentrations were in the 0.5- to 1.0-nM range. The FP assays were successfully miniaturized to 1536-well formats using Cy3B-labeled ligands, significantly reducing reagent consumption, particularly the receptor source, without compromising assay reliability. Z' factor values determined for the FP receptor assays in both 384- and 1536-well formats were found to be > 0.5, indicating the assays to be robust, reliable, and suitable for HTS purposes.

Topics: Animals; Atropine; Binding, Competitive; Carbocyanines; CHO Cells; Cricetinae; Fluorescence Polarization; Fluorescent Dyes; Humans; Kinetics; Miniaturization; Neurokinin A; Peptides; Pirenzepine; Receptors, Cell Surface; Receptors, Muscarinic; Receptors, Neurokinin-1; Sensitivity and Specificity; Substance P

The localisation of NK(3) tachykinin receptors in guinea-pig ileum was studied using the fluorescently labelled agonists, Cy3. 5-neurokinin A and Cy3.5-kassinin. Binding to nerve cell bodies in the myenteric and submucosal plexuses was visualised using confocal microscopy. Binding to NK(1) receptors was blocked by the NK(1) receptor antagonist, CP-99994. NK(3) receptors, demonstrated by binding in the presence of CP-99994, occurred in 72% of myenteric and 38% of submucosal neurons. Colocalisation with other markers was examined to deduce the classes of neurons with NK(3) receptors. In myenteric ganglia, NK(3) receptors were present on the following: 73% of calbindin-immunoreactive (IR) intrinsic primary afferent neurons, 63% of calretinin-IR excitatory motor neurons and ascending interneurons, 63% of nitric oxide synthase-IR inhibitory motor neurons and descending interneurons, 79% of strongly neuropeptide Y (NPY)-IR secretomotor neurons, 67% of weakly NPY-IR descending interneurons and motor neurons, and 46% of NK(1) receptor-IR neurons. In submucosal ganglia, NK(3) receptors were on 65% of calretinin-IR secretomotor/vasodilator neurons, 81% of NPY-IR cholinergic secretomotor neurons, 2% of vasoactive intestinal peptide-IR non-cholinergic secretomotor neurons and were completely absent from substance P-IR intrinsic primary afferent neurons. The results support physiological studies suggesting that NK(3) receptors mediate tachykinin transmission between myenteric sensory neurons and to interneurons and/or motor neurons in descending inhibitory and ascending excitatory pathways.

Topics: Animals; Carbocyanines; Cell Count; Female; Fluorescent Dyes; Guinea Pigs; Ileum; In Vitro Techniques; Kassinin; Male; Microscopy, Confocal; Myenteric Plexus; Neurokinin A; Neurons; Piperidines; Receptors, Neurokinin-3; Submucous Plexus

Peptides labelled with the fluorophore cyanine 3 were used to study naturally expressed neuropeptide receptors by confocal microscopy in continuous cell lines, primary cultures, and unfixed tissue. Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts bound cyanine 3-gastrin-releasing peptide at 4 degrees C, and internalized the peptide after 10 min at 37 degrees C. Internalization was specific, since it was blocked by incubation with unlabelled peptide. Primary cultures of myenteric neurons of the guinea pig incubated with cyanine 3-substance P at 4 degrees C had specific surface labelling. After 30 s at 37 degrees C, the peptide was internalized into vesicles in both the soma and neurites. Direct observation of live neurons showed movement of fluorescent vesicles to a perinuclear region after 30 min. Endocytosis was associated with a loss of surface binding sites. Unfixed whole mounts of guinea pig and rat ileum were incubated with cyanine 3-neurokinin A at 4 degrees C. After 5 min at 37 degrees C, Cy3-neurokinin A was specifically internalized in neurons and smooth muscle cells. After 30 min, a perinuclear labelling occurred in some cells. Labelling in rat neurons was diminished by the NK3-R antagonist SR142801. Thus, cyanine 3-neuropeptides are valuable tools to study expression and endocytosis of naturally expressed receptors.

Topics: 3T3 Cells; Animals; Carbocyanines; Endocytosis; Fluorescent Dyes; Mice; Microscopy, Confocal; Neurokinin A; Neurons; Neuropeptides; Rats; Receptors, Bombesin; Receptors, Tachykinin; Substance P

We labeled substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA), and [Lys0]gastrin-releasing peptide-27 (GRP) with cyanine 3.18 (cy3). Cy3-peptides purified by HPLC were fully active, determined by [Ca2+]i mobilization. Binding was specific because it was abolished by unlabeled peptides and receptor antagonists. Transfected cells yielded a log-fold greater cy3 intensity than control cells by FACS. Confocal microscopy of transfected cells and cultured enteric neurons showed that cy3-SP bound to surface receptors and was internalized. Internalization was observed in living cells by capture of sequential images. Recovery of surface binding sites was monitored by flow cytometry using cy3-SP. Thus, cy3 neuropeptides can be used to isolate and study receptor-bearing cells.

Topics: Animals; Carbocyanines; Cell Line, Transformed; Cells, Cultured; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Computer Systems; Endocytosis; Flow Cytometry; Fluorescent Dyes; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide; Guinea Pigs; Neurokinin A; Peptides; Rats; Receptors, Neuropeptide; Substance P; Transfection