Identification of A1 and A2 adenosine receptors in the rat spinal cord

The adenosine receptors in membranes prepared from rat ventral and dorsal lumbar spinal cord were characterized by comparing the binding characteristics of [3H]5'-N-ethylcarboxamide adenosine ([3H]NECA), an agonist with nearly equal affinities at the A1 and A2 adenosine receptor subtypes, with those of [3H]N6-[(R)-1-methyl-2-phenylethyl]adenosine ([3H]R-PIA), an A1-selective agonist. Saturation isotherms of the ventral and dorsal spinal cord yielded Kd values 1.9 to 2.3 nM for [3H]R-PIA and 18.1 to 19.5 nM for [3H]NECA. The Bmax for [3H]NeCA was approximately twice the Bmax for [3H]R-PIA in ventral and dorsal halves (267 vs. 128 fmol/mg of protein and 402 vs. 206 fmol/mg of protein, respectively). Displacement of specific [3H]NECA binding by the A2-selective agonist, 2-(phenylamino)adenosine, the relatively nonselective antagonist, theophylline and six A1-selective agonists, R-PIA, S-PIA, N6-(cyclohexyl)adenosine, N6-(cyclopentyl)adenosine, N6-(m-aminophenyl)adenosine and N6-(m-iodophenyl)adenosine, revealed two [3H]NECA binding components with the characteristics of A1 and A2 receptors. All curves best fit a two-site model when analyzed by the computer program LIGAND. R-PIA, N6-(cyclohexyl)adenosine and N6-(cyclopentyl)adenosine were the most potent displacers at the first site (Ki = 0.6-1.4 nM). All A1-selective agonists were poor displacers of [3H]NECA at the second site (Ki = 0.6-18.6 microM). The A2-selective agonist, 2-(phenylamino)adenosine, was as potent as R-PIA in displacing [3H]NECA from this site with a Ki value 0.57 microM. Finally, the A1 and A2 adenosine receptor-mediated inhibition and stimulation of adenylate cyclase were demonstrated directly in synaptic membranes prepared from the spinal cord.