Abstract

Several 2-amino-3-benzoylthiophenes were found to increase the binding of [3H]N6-cyclohexyladenosine to A1 adenosine receptors in rat brain membranes. Concentration-response curves were bell-shaped, with up to 45% stimulation of binding at 10 microM followed by inhibition at higher concentrations. Because these compounds originated from a series of nonxanthine adenosine antagonists, the inhibition of binding was attributed to the presence of interfering adenosine antagonist activity. The compounds stimulated binding of several A1 agonist ligands but only inhibited binding of the A1 antagonist ligand [3H]8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine, indicating that enhancement was specific for the agonist conformation of the receptor. The enhancement was also specific for the A1 receptor, because agonist binding to A2 adenosine, M2 muscarinic, alpha 2 adrenergic, and delta opiate receptors showed little or no enhancement. Uncoupling of the A1 receptor from the inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding protein did not prevent enhancement. The enhancers slowed the dissociation of [3H]N6-cyclohexyladenosine from the A1 receptor, implying an allosteric mechanism of action. The inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation in FRTL-5 cells was employed as a functional index of A1 receptor activation. The enhancers caused up to 19-fold leftward shifts in the concentration-response curve for N6-cyclopentyladenosine and also caused up to 55% inhibition of cyclic AMP accumulation in the absence of agonist. The binding and functional results are consistent with a model in which the enhancers bind preferentially to the agonist conformation of the A1 receptor, thereby shifting the receptor equilibrium in favor of agonist binding. Adenosine enhancers may be useful for ischemia and other conditions involving local energy deficits. More generally, allosteric enhancers may provide a means for strengthening physiological control circuits in a variety of receptor systems.