Clonidine-displacing substance from bovine brain binds to imidazoline receptors and releases catecholamines in adrenal chromaffin cells

Abstract

Identification of nonadrenergic binding sites for clonidine and related imidazolines in brain and peripheral tissues and partial purification of an endogenous ligand for these sites have led to the postulation of a novel transmitter/receptor system. The receptors seem to be present in adrenal medulla and to regulate chromaffin cell function. The present study was undertaken to test the ability of the putative endogenous ligand clonidine-displacing substance (CDS) to displace [3H]idazoxan binding to adrenal chromaffin cell membranes and to release catecholamines from cultured chromaffin cells. CDS potently displaces [3H]idazoxan binding to chromaffin cell membranes, with an IC50 of 5 units. The displacement of [3H]idazoxan binding by CDS was not modified by guanosine 5'-(beta, gamma-imido)triphosphate, suggesting that the imidazoline binding sites may not be GTP-binding protein-coupled receptors. CDS produced a large release of catecholamines from chromaffin cells, and the release was partially blocked by cobalt, a calcium channel blocker. The calcium-dependent release reached a plateau above 5 units of CDS, with a maximal response at 15 min. It is concluded that endogenous CDS, prepared from brain, regulates the secretion of catecholamines from adrenal chromaffin cells, probably by activating imidazole receptors.