Gastric smooth muscle cells possess two classes of endothelin receptors but only one alters contraction.

Endothelin (ET)-like immunoreactivity and ET binding sites are widely distributed in the gastrointestinal tract, and ET causes contraction of stomach muscle strips. To determine whether ETs could interact with gastric smooth muscle cells directly and alter function, we measured binding of 125I-ET-1, 125I-ET-2, and 125I-ET-3 to dispersed gastric smooth muscle cells from guinea pig and their abilities to alter cell length. Each ligand bound in a time- and temperature-dependent manner, which was specific and saturable. Analysis of the dose-inhibition curves of both ET-1 and ET-3 for binding of each ligand indicated the presence of two classes of receptors, one class (ETA receptor) with a high affinity for ET-1 and ET-2 but a low affinity for ET-3, and the other (ETB receptor) with a high affinity for ET-1, ET-2, and ET-3. The ligands were rapidly internalized by both receptors; however, it was greater with ETA receptors. ET-1 stimulated muscle contraction (50% effective concentration approximately 2 nM), whereas ET-3 did not stimulate contraction or cause relaxation. These results demonstrate that gastric smooth muscle cells possess two classes of ET receptors. One type (ETA) has a high affinity for ET-1 and ET-2 and a low affinity for ET-3, and receptor occupation results in rapid ligand internalization and muscle contraction; the other type (ETB) has a high affinity for ET-1, ET-2, and ET-3, and receptor occupation results in a lesser degree of ligand internalization than the ETA receptor and does not alter contractile behavior.