Characterization of cholinergic receptors in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells

Muscarinic-type cholinergic receptors coupled to the phosphoinositide (PI) second messenger system are reported to be present in the inner medullary collecting duct cells. Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells have several characteristics of collecting duct cells and have been shown to respond to muscarinic agonists. To determine if MDCK cells have PI-coupled muscarinic receptors, the radioligand binding and the effects of cholinergic agonists and antagonists on PI hydrolysis in MDCK cells were studied. The specific binding of [3H]1-quinuclidinyl benzilate ([3H]QNB), a muscarinic antagonist, to MDCK cell membranes had a Kd = 88 +/- 7 pM and a Bmax = 1464 +/- 88 fmol/mg of protein. The displacement of [3H]QNB from MDCK cell membranes by various cholinergic antagonists and agonists showed the order of potency: atropine greater than 4-diphenylacetoxy N-methylpiperidine (4-DAMP) greater than p-fluorohexahydrosiladifenidol greater than pirenzepine greater than metoctramine greater than arecoline greater than carbachol. The cholinergic agonists carbachol and arecoline stimulated PI hydrolysis in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC50 of 3.7 and 1.3 microM, respectively. Muscarinic antagonists abolished carbachol-stimulated PI hydrolysis in the following order of potency: atropine greater than 4-DAMP greater than pirenzepine much greater than methoctramine. The order of potency of muscarinic antagonists is consistent with the characteristics of the M3 subtype of muscarinic receptors. It is concluded that: (1) muscarinic receptor density in MDCK cells is 50 times higher than that in inner medullary collecting duct cells; (2) muscarinic receptors in MDCK cells are putative M3 subtype; and (3) muscarinic receptors in MDCK cells are functionally coupled to the PI second messenger system. This intracellular messenger system may, at least, be partially responsible for the action of cholinergic agonists in these cells and in the kidney.