Functional activation of Gα q/11 protein via α 1 ‐adrenoceptor in rat cerebral cortical membranes

: Although it is recognized that α1 -adrenoceptors are coupled to diverse intracellular signalling pathways, its primary transduction mechanisms are evoked by activating phospholipase C in the cell membrane through Gαq/11 , resulting in production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol. However, there have been few studies that indicate directly the involvement of Gαq/11 proteins in this signalling pathway in the central nervous system. In the current study, we tried to pharmacologically characterize (-)-adrenaline-stimulated [35 S]GTPγS binding to Gαq/11 in rat brain membranes. Functional activation of Gαq/11 coupled to α1 -adrenoceptor was investigated by using [35 S]GTPγS binding/immunoprecipitation assay in the membranes prepared from rat cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and striatum. The specific [35 S]GTPγS binding to Gαq/11 was stimulated by (-)-adrenaline in a concentration-dependent and saturable manner in rat cerebral cortical membranes. In hippocampal or striatal membranes, the stimulatory effects of (-)-adrenaline were scarce. The effect of (-)-adrenaline was potently inhibited by prazosin, a potent and selective α1 -adrenoceptor antagonist, but not by yohimbine, a selective α2 -adrenoceptor antagonist. The response was mimicked by cirazoline, but not by R(-)-phenylephrine. Although oxymetazoline also stimulated the specific [35 S]GTPγS binding to Gαq/11 as an apparent "super-agonist", detailed pharmacological characterization revealed that its agonistic properties in this experimental system were derived from off-target effects on 5-HT2A receptors, but not via α1 -adrenoceptors. In conclusion, functional coupling of α1 -adrenoceptors to Gαq/11 proteins are detectable in rat brain membranes by means of [35 S]GTPγS binding/immunoprecipitation assay. It is necessary to interpret the experimental data with caution when oxymetazoline is included as an agonist at α1 -adrenoceptors.