Binding characteristics and functional G protein coupling of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in rat duodenum smooth muscle membranes.

The non-selective labelled antagonist [3H]N-methyl-scopolamine ([3H]NMS) was used to identify muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in rat duodenum smooth muscle membranes. Saturation and kinetic experiments revealed a binding site with a KD-value of 0.2-0.3 nmol/l and a receptor concentration (Bmax) of 100 fmol/mg protein. The affinities of eight selective muscarinic antagonists were determined and compared with those at M1 (rat cerebral cortex), M2 (rat heart), M3 (rat submandibular gland) and M4 (data from Dörje et al. 1991) receptors. The "M2-selective" agent AF-DX 116, the group of "M2/M4-selective" compounds himbacine, AF-DX 384, AQ-RA 741 and methoctramine but also the "M3-selective" HHSiD showed affinities corresponding to M2 and/or M4 sites. The intermediate affinity of 4-DAMP favours a mixed M2/M4 receptor population mainly containing M2 receptors. Two compounds, pirenzepine and AQ-RA 741, displayed biphasic displacement curves indicating the presence of a small population of putative M1 receptors. The rat duodenum antagonist binding profile, however, is not consistent with the presence of M3 receptors. We further demonstrate a concentration-dependent stimulation of [35S]GTP[S] binding to duodenal G proteins by the muscarinic agonist oxotremorine. Estimation of the binding parameters of GTP[S] in absence and presence of oxotremorine provided evidence for a catalytic activation of G proteins by agonist-activated muscarinic receptors in rat duodenal membranes and a strong signal amplification on the G protein level.