NS-49, a novel alpha 1a-adrenoceptor-selective agonist characterization using recombinant human alpha 1-adrenoceptors.

alpha 1-Adrenoreceptors comprise a heterogeneous family and subtype-selective ligands are valuable in studying the functional role of each receptor subtype. Using the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably expressing the cloned human alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtypes (alpha 1a, alpha 1b, and alpha 1d)1, we have compared a newly synthesized phenethylamine class agonist (R)-(-)-3'-(2-amino-1-hydroxyethyl)-4'-fluoromethanesulfonanilide hydrochloride (NS-49) with imidazoline class agonist oxymetazoline in their binding affinities and intrinsic activities in causing transient increases of cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+¿i response). Radioligand binding studies with 2-[beta-(4-hydroxyl-3-[125I]iodophenyl)ethylamino-methyl]tetralone ([125I]HEAT) showed NS-49 and oxymetazoline had higher affinities at alpha 1a-than at alpha 1b- and alpha 1d-subtypes (-log Ki values at alpha 1a-, alpha 1b-and alpha 1d-subtype: 6.18, 5.13, and 5.38 for NS-49: 8.19, 6.50, and 6.44 for oxymetazoline, respectively). In functional studies, both oxymetazoline and NS-49 worked as a selective and partial agonist at alpha 1a-subtype: however, NS-49 is more efficacious than oxymetazoline. NS-49 is the phenethylamine class of alpha 1-adrenoceptor partial agonist relatively selective and efficacious for the human alpha 1a-adrenoceptor subtype, NS-49 would be potentially useful for studying the physiological role of alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtype.