• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.206-206
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• 1996

The C-terminus ends of the second putative transmembrane domains of both m1 and m2 muscarinic receptors contain a triplet of amino acid residues consisting of leucine (L), tyrosine (Y) and threonine (T), This triplet is repeated as LYT-LYT in m2 receptors at the interface between the second transmembrane domain and the first extracellular loop. Interestingly, however, it is repeated in a transposed fashion (LYT-TYL) in the sequence of m1 receptors. In this work we employed site-directed mutagenesis to investigate the possible significance of this unique sequence diversity for determining the distinct differential drug-receptor interaction and cellular function at m1 muscarinic receptor. Mutation of the LYTTYL sequence of m1 receptors to the corresponding m2 receptor LYTLYT sequence, however, did not result in a significant change in the binding affinity of the agonist carbachol or in the affinity of the majority of a series of receptor antagonists which are able to discriminate between wild-type m1 and m2 receptors. Surprisingly, the LYTLYT ml receptor mutant demonstrated markedly enhanced coupling to activation of phospholipase C without a change in its coupling to increased cyclic AMP formation. There was also an enhanced receptor sensitivity in transducing elevation of intracellular Ca$\^$2+/. These changes were not due to alterations in the rate of receptor. desensitization or sequestration, On the other hand, the reverse LYTLYT-LYTTYL mutation in the m2 receptor did not alter its coupling to inhibition of adenylate cyclase, but slightly enhanced its coupling to stimulation of PI hydrolysis, Our data suggest that the LYTTYL/LYTLYT sequence difference between ml and n12 muscarinic receptors is not involved in determining receptor pharmacology. On the other hand, while these differences might play a role in the modulation of muscarinic receptor coupling to PI hydrolysis, they are not important for specifying coupling of various subtypes of muscarinic receptors to different cellular signaling pathways.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 1998

$Mg^{2+}$ is an important regulator of many cardiac functions. However, regulation of intracellular $Mg^{2+}$ activity in the heart is not well characterized. To assess the effect of histamine $H_2$-receptor stimulation on intracellular $Mg^{2+}$ regulation, changes in extracellular $Mg^{2+}$ concentration were examined under a variety of conditions in perfused guinea pig hearts. $Mg^{2+}$ in the cardiac perfusate was measured by atomic absorbance spectrophotometry. The histamine ($10^{-6}$ M) inuced a marked $Mg^{2+}$ efflux from the heart. The $H_2$-receptor antagonists, cimetidine ($10^{-6}$ M), ranitidined ($10^{-5}$ M), but not a H1-receptor antagonist, diphenhydramine ($3{\times}10^{-6}$ M), completely blocked the histamine-induced $Mg^{2+}$ efflux. The $Mg^{2+}$ efflux could also be induced by forskolin ($3{\times}10^{-6}$ M), 8-Cl-cAMP ($2{\times}10^{-4}$ M), permeable cAMP analogue, or dimaprit, ($10^{-5}$ M). However, the carbachol ($10^{-5}$ M) considerably decreased the efflux of $Mg^{2+}$. In the presence of papaverine ($10^{-5}$ M), a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, dimaprit-induced $Mg^{2+}$ efflux was potentiated. These results suggest that a significant $Mg^{2+}$ efflux from perfused guinea pig heart by histamine can be induced by the histamine $H_2$-receptor stimulation and it is suggested that cytosolic cAMP may be linked.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.59-64
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• 2008

In our previous study, we found that spermine and putrescine inhibited spontaneous and acetylcholine (ACh)-induced contractions of guinea-pig stomach via inhibition of L-type voltage- dependent calcium current ($VDCC_L$). In this study, we also studied the effect of spermidine on mechanical contractions and calcium channel current ($I_{Ba}$), and then compared its effects to those by spermine and putrescine. Spermidine inhibited spontaneous contraction of the gastric smooth muscle in a concentration-dependent manner ($IC_{50}=1.1{\pm}0.11mM$). Relationship between inhibition of contraction and calcium current by spermidine was studied using 50 mM high $K^+$-induced contraction: Spermidine (5 mM) significantly reduced high $K^+$ (50 mM)-induced contraction to 37${\pm}$4.7% of the control (p<0.05), and inhibitory effect of spermidine on $I_{Ba}$ was also observed at a wide range of test potential in current/voltage (I/V) relationship. Pre- and post-application of spermidine (5 mM) also significantly inhibited carbachol (CCh) and ACh-induced initial and phasic contractions. Finally, caffeine (10 mM)-induced contraction which is activated by $Ca^{2+}$-induced $Ca^{2+}$ release (CICR), was also inhibited by pretreatment of spermidine (5 mM). These findings suggest that spermidine inhibits spontaneous and CCh-induced contraction via inhibition of $VDCC_L$ and $Ca^{2+}$ releasing mechanism in guinea-pig stomach.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.525-530
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• 2014

Transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) was originally found in sensory neurons. Recently, it has been reported that TRPV1 is expressed in salivary gland epithelial cells (SGEC). However, the physiological role of TRPV1 in salivary secretion remains to be elucidated. We found that TRPV1 is expressed in mouse and human submandibular glands (SMG) and HSG cells, originated from human submandibular gland ducts at both mRNA and protein levels. However, capsaicin (CAP), TRPV1 agonist, had little effect on intracellular free calcium concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) in these cells, although carbachol consistently increased $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. Exposure of cells to high temperature (> $43^{\circ}C$) or acidic bath solution (pH5.4) did not increase $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, either. We further examined the role of TRPV1 in salivary secretion using TRPV1 knock-out mice. There was no significant difference in the pilocarpine (PILO)-induced salivary flow rate between wild-type and TRPV1 knock-out mice. Saliva flow rate also showed insignificant change in the mice treated with PILO plus CAP compared with that in mice treated with PILO alone. Taken together, our results suggest that although TRPV1 is expressed in SGEC, it appears not to play any direct roles in saliva secretion via transcellular pathway.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.899-910
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• 2007

Extracellular Regulated Kinases (ERK) and Protein Kinase B (Akt) are intermediaries in relaying extracellular growth signals to intracellular targets. Each pathway can become activated upon stimulation of G protein-coupled receptors mediated by $G_q$ and $G_{i/o}$ proteins subjected to regulation by RGS proteins. The goal of the study was to delineate the specificity in which cardiac RGS proteins modulate $G_{q^-}$ and $G_{i/o}$-induced ERK and Akt phosphorylation. To isolate $G_{q^-}$ and $G_{i/o}$-mediated effects, we exclusively expressed muscarinic $M_2$ or $M_3$ receptors in COS-7 cells. Western blot analyses demonstrated increase of phosphorylation of ERK 1.7-/3.3-fold and Akt 2.4-/6-fold in $M_{2^-}/M_{3^-}$ expressing cells through carbachol stimulation. In co-expressions, $M_3/G_q$-induced activation of Akt was exclusively blunted through RGS3s/RGS3, whereas activation of ERK was inhibited additionally through RGS2/RGS5. $M_2/G_{i/o}$ induced Akt activation was inhibited by all RGS proteins tested. RGS2 had no effect on $M_2/G_{i/o}$-induced ERK activation. The high degree of specificity in RGS proteins-depending modulation of $G_{q^-}$ and $G_{i/o}$-mediated ERK and Akt activation in the muscarinic network cannot merely be attributed exclusively to RGS protein selectivity towards $G_q$ or $G_{i/o}$ proteins. Counter-regulatory mechanisms and inter-signaling cross-talk may alter the sensitivity of GPCR-induced ERK and Akt activation to RGS protein regulation.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.220-229
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• 1992

The muscarinic acetylcholine receptors of the dog unpregant uterus were characterized using $[^3H]quinuclidinyl$ benzilate(QNB) as a radioligand and the binding of muscarinic receptor agonists and antagonists in the uterus was compared to that in the urinary bladder which contains almost exclusively the M2 receptors in order to determine the receptor subtypes in the uterus. $[^3H]QNB$ binding to uterus and bladder was rapid, saturable and reversible. Scatchard analysis of the saturation data gave linear plots and the Hill coefficients were close to unit, which indicated that each preparation contained a single population of specific binding sites for $[^3H]QNB$. The KD values(120 pM) for QNB were almost identical in both organs, whereas the $B_{max}$ value of 256 fmol/mg protein in the uterus was significantly different from that of 563 fmol/mg protein in the bladder. Muscarinic agonists and antagonists inhibited in a competitive manner the $[^3H]QNB$ binding to the same extent in both organs. The competition binding studies using antagonists(atropine and pirenzepine) exhibited a single binding site and this site had a low affinity for pirenzepine with the Ki value of about 330 nM. However, high and low affinity binding sites were observed with carbachol, methacholine and oxotremorine. These binding studies with agonists and antagonists did not show any differences in drug affinities between uterus and bladder. These results indicate that the muscarinic receptors in the uterus are M2 receptors which have a low affinity for pirenzepine.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.454-474
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• 2002

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a very potent dilatator and a nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) neurotransmitter or neuromodulator in the peripheral and the central nervous systems. The mechanisms of action of VIP were examined in aortic circular and in uterine longitudinal smooth muscle strips of the rat. The effects of sympathetic neurotransmitter were investigated in gastric and aortic circular muscle strips of the mouse and the rat. The effects of silver spike point, SSP, low frequency electrical stimulations of VIP, sympathetic neurotransmitter and $\beta$-endorphin were examined in plasma, serum and 24h urine from the healthy volunteer. In gastric smooth muscle strips from the mouse, adrenergic neurotransmitter norepinephrine was inhibitory effected, followed by caused phasic and tonic contraction to the, muscrine receptor agonist carbachol and acetylcholine, respectively. In urine from the healthy volunteer, both norepinephrine and epinephrine were significantly decreased in continue type and low frequency (3 Hz) of SSP electrical stimulations. The contractile responses to S-HT in uterine longitudinal smooth muscle strips of the rats were completely decreased by a VIP 1 $\mu$M. The contractile responses to PGF2$\alpha$ were not decreased by a VIP. In plasma and serum from the healthy volunteer, both VIP and $\beta$-endorphin were significantly increased in continue type and low frequency (3 Hz) of SSP electrical stimulations. Therefore, this study demonstrate that VIP has the capacity to relax vascular or gastric smooth muscles in part by stimulating the generation of NO, and silver spike point low frequency electrical stimulation has the capacity both to decrease sympathetic neurotransmitters and to increase VIP, $\beta$-endorphin.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.103-110
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• 1997

The experiments were carried out to elucidate the relationships between neurogenic effects of electrical transmural nerve stimulation and effect of adenosine 5'-triphosphate(ATP) to purinoceptor on the urinary bladder smooth muscle of pig. The results were as follows : 1. The contractile responses induced by electrical transmural nerve stimulation(10V or 20V, 0.5msec, 10sec) were the frequency(2~64Hz) dependent manner. 2. The contractile response induced by carbachol was responsed with a dose-dependent manner and the maximum contractility was $10^{-4}M$. 3. The contractile responses induced by ATP were increased in a dose-dependent manner ($10^{-5}{\sim}10^{-3}M$). 4. The contractile response induced by electrical transmural nerve stimulation(10V, 2~32Hz, 0.5msec, 10sec) was partially blocked by the treatment with atropine($10^{-5}M$), and was powerfully inhibited by 3 times of addition with ATP($10^{-5}M$). 5. The contractile response induced by electrical transmural nerve stimulation(10V, 2~32Hz, 0.5msec, 10sec) was partially blocked by the treatment with atropine($10^{-5}M$), and was completely blocked by the desensitization of the $P_{2X}$-purinoceptor using ${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$-methylene ATP($5{\times}10^{-5}M$). These results suggest that purinergic nerve was innervated, and ATP and acetylcholine was released by the electrical transmural nerve stimulation in urinary bladder smooth muscle of pig.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.435-441
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• 2005

Classical transient receptor potential channels (TRPCs) are thought to be candidates for the nonselective cation channels (NSCCs) involved in pacemaker activity and its neuromodulation in murine stomach smooth muscle. We aimed to determine the role of TRPC4 in the formation of NSCCs and in the generation of slow waves. At a holding potential of -60 mV, $50{\mu}M$ carbachol (CCh) induced $I_{NSCC}$ of amplitude [$500.8{\pm}161.8pA$ (n = 8)] at -60 mV in mouse gastric smooth muscle cells. We investigated the effects of commercially available antibodies to TRPC4 on recombinant TRPC4 expressed in HEK cells and CCh-induced NSCCs in gastric smooth muscle cells. TRPC4 currents in HEK cells were reduced from $1525.6{\pm}414.4pA$ (n = 8) to $146.4{\pm}83.3pA$ (n = 10) by anti-TRPC4 antibody and $I_{NSCC}$ amplitudes were reduced from $230.9{\pm}36.3pA$ (n = 15) to $49.8{\pm}11.8pA$ (n = 9). Furthermore, $I_{NSCC}$ in the gastric smooth muscle cells of TRPC4 knockout mice was only $34.4{\pm}10.4pA$ (n = 8) at -60 mV. However, slow waves were still present in the knockout mice. Our data suggest that TRPC4 is an essential component of the NSCC activated by muscarinic stimulation in the murine stomach.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.171-177
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• 2011

Tonic smooth muscle exhibit the latch phenomenon: high force at low myosin regulatory light chains (MRLC) phosphorylation, shortening velocity (Vo), and energy consumption. However, the kinetics of MRLC phosphorylation and cellular activation in phasic smooth muscle are unknown. The present study was to determine whether $Ca^{2+}$-stimulated MRLC phosphorylation could suffice to explain the agonist- or high $K^+$-induced contraction in a fast, phasic smooth muscle. We measured myoplasmic [$Ca^{2+}$], MRLC phosphorylation, half-time after step-shortening (a measure of Vo) and contractile stress in rabbit urinary bladder strips. High $K^+$-induced contractions were phasic at both $22^{\circ}C$ and $37^{\circ}C$: myoplasmic [$Ca^{2+}$], MRLC phosphorylation, 1/half-time, and contractile stress increased transiently and then all decreased to intermediate values. Carbachol (CCh)-induced contractions exhibited latch at $37^{\circ}C$: stress was maintained at high levels despite decreasing myoplasmic [$Ca^{2+}$], MRLC phosphorylation, and 1/half-time. At $22^{\circ}C$ CCh induced sustained elevations in all parameters. 1/half-time depended on both myoplasmic [$Ca^{2+}$] and MRLC phosphorylation. The steady-state dependence of stress on MRLC phosphorylation was very steep at $37^{\circ}C$ in the CCh- or $K^+$-depolarized tissue and reduced temperature flattend the dependence of stress on MRLC phosphorylation compared to $37^{\circ}C$. These data suggest that phasic smooth muscle also exhibits latch behavior and latch is less prominent at lower temperature.