RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Characterization of Alpha-Adrenergic Receptors in Guinea-pig Vas Deferens by [3H]Dihydroergocryptine Binding JF Molecular Pharmacology JO Mol Pharmacol FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics SP 77 OP 90 VO 16 IS 1 A1 MARK I. HOLCK A1 BERNARD H. MARKS A1 CYNTHIA A. WILBERDING YR 1979 UL http://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/16/1/77.abstract AB [3H]Dihydroergocryptine binds to membrane sites on guinea-pig vas deferens, which have the characteristics expected of α-adrenoreceptors. Specific binding is rapid, reversible and saturable, with a maximal occupancy of 190 fmol [3H]dihydroergocryptine bound/mg protein. Saturable binding occurs to a single population of high affinity sites (KD = 1.55 nM) with no evidence for cooperative interactions. [3H]Dihydroergocryptine binding is markedly pH and temperature sensitive. While Na+ and K+ do not affect binding, maximal [3H]dihydroergocryptine binding observed in the presence of Mg2+ is antagonized by increasing concentrations of Ca2+. α-Adrenoreceptor agonists and antagonists of several classes inhibit binding to vas deferens membranes. Catecholamines show marked stereo-specificity in relation to inhibition of binding of [3H]dihydroergocryptine. The potency for displacement of [3H]dihydroergocryptine by phenylethylamine agonists is identical to their agonistic potency in eliciting contractile responses of the isolated guinea-pig vas deferens. Some discrepancies between binding and physiological affinities of imidazoline α-adrenoreceptor ligands were observed and discussed. There is close agreement between dissociation constants of azapetine and dihydroergocryptine, as estimated from radioligand binding and antagonism of physiological responses. As no other biogenic amine receptors binds [3H]dihydroergocryptine, there is no interference in using this radioligand to study α-adrenoreceptor mechanisms in guinea-pig vas deferens.