Structure-activity relationship of subtypes of cholecystokinin receptors in the cat lower esophageal sphincter.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) causes relaxation of the cat lower esophageal sphincter (LES) by stimulating CCK receptors on the noncholinergic, nonadrenergic inhibitory neurons and causes contraction by stimulating CCK receptors on the sphincter muscle. Studies were performed in anesthetized cats to identify differences between the two CCK receptors by investigating the structure-activity relationships of various fragments of CCK or gastrin molecule. Lower esophageal sphincter pressures were monitored continuously, using continuously perfused catheters, and agents were administered intravenously or close intraarterially. Based on their doses and the presence or absence of tetrodotoxin pretreatment, CCK analogues produced either relaxation or contraction of the sphincter. The relative potencies of CCK analogues on the inhibitory (neural) response were CCK-8 greater than G-17-I greater than or equal to dCCK greater than CCK-4(1:1/14,000: 1/15,000: 1/335,000). Sulfated gastrin was nearly as potent as CCK-8. The relative potency of these agents on the contractile (muscle) response was CCK-8 = G-17-I greater than or equal to dCCK-8 greater than CCK-4 (1:1:1/4.5: 1/2000). Deamidated CCK-8 was inactive. Proglumide shifted the dose-response curves of the inhibitory as well as excitatory effects of CCK analogues to the right. These studies show that there are two distinct species of CCK receptors: (a) The CCK alpha receptors, present on the inhibitory neurons, are very discriminative and are critically dependent on SO4; and (b) the CCK beta receptors, present on the sphincter muscle, are not discriminative and are not critically dependent on SO4. Nonsulfated gastrin may share the CCK beta receptors with CCK.