Characterization and autoradiographic localization of tachykinin receptors in rat gastric fundus.

Tachykinin receptors in rat gastric fundus were characterized using radioligand binding, functional and autoradiographic techniques. In crude homogenates of fundus, the specific binding of 125I-iodohistidyl-neurokinin A (INKA), 125I-Bolton-Hunter eledoisin (BHELE) and 125I-Bolton-Hunter [Sar9,Met(O2)11]-SP (BHSar-SP) was reversible and saturable. INKA and, in particular, BHSar-SP showed high affinity binding (Kds, 2.2 and 0.6 nM, respectively), with lower affinity for BHELE (Kd, 17 nM). The binding capacity was higher for INKA and BHELE than for BHSar-SP. The superior potency of neurokinin (NK)-2-preferring agonists (neuropeptide gamma > or = [Lys5,MeLeu9,Nle10]-NKA(4-10) > or = neuropeptide K > neurokinin A [NKA] > [Sar9,Met(O2)11]-SP >> senktide) and antagonists (SR 48,968 > GR 94,800 > MDL 29,913 > L-659,877 > MEN 10,207) as competitors for INKA and BHELE binding suggests interaction at mainly NK-2 sites. Additional competition studies showed that BHSar-SP was binding to NK-1 sites. Autoradiographic studies revealed very dense INKA and BHELE specific binding over the circular muscle and muscularis mucosae, while BHSar-SP binding was observed only to the circular muscle. The weak specific binding for 125I-Bolton-Hunter scyliorhinin II localized to the muscularis mucosae may indicate NK-3 sites. This was consistent with functional studies showing concentration-dependent contractions of fundus strips by NK-2-preferring tachykinin agonists (potency, pD2s, 7.1 to 8.1) and [Sar9, Met(O2)11]-SP (pD2, 7.1). The NK-2 selective antagonist MDL 29,913 inhibited INKA binding (Kd, 14 nM) with more than tenfold greater affinity than did MEN 10,207. The antagonism by MDL 29,913 was noncompetitive, with a nonparallel rightward shift of the concentration-response curves to the agonists neuropeptide gamma, neuropeptide K, NKA and [Lys5,MeLeu9,Nle10]-NKA(4-10) (dose ratios at 400 nM MDL 29,913 were 230, 62, 40 and 23, respectively). These data indicate that classic NK-2 receptors predominate in the rat fundus and that NK-1 and perhaps NK-3 receptors also exist.