Differences in endothelin receptor types in the vasculature of Bothrops jararaca (Viperidae) and Oxyrhopus guibei (Colubridae) snakes

Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol. 2008 Jul;148(1):61-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2008.03.007. Epub 2008 Mar 14.

Abstract

Endothelins (ETs) are vasoactive peptides evolutionary well conserved that exert their effects through two specific receptors (ET(A) and ET(B)) widely distributed in all vertebrates. In snakes, the presence and function of endothelins and their receptors are still scarcely described. We have recently demonstrated the presence of ET(A) and ET(B2) receptors in the snake Bothrops jararaca (Bj). In the present work we showed that distinctively from Bj, the vascular contraction induced by endothelin in Oxyrhopus guibei (Og) snake is mediated only by ET(A) receptors. Selective ET(B) agonists (SRTX-c and IRL(1620)) and antagonists (IRL(1038) and BQ(788)) were ineffective in Og preparations of isolated aorta. We also showed that ET-1 response on Og arterial blood pressure was monophasic hypertensive as opposed to biphasic (hypotension followed by hypertension) in Bj. Furthermore, we characterized the relaxing properties of endothelin receptor ET(B1) in pre-contracted aorta preparations. We showed that IRL(1620) induced relaxation of pre-contracted Bj aorta but was ineffective in relaxing Og preparations. IRL(1620) relaxing effect on Bj aorta was abolished by l-NAME, indicating involvement of NO release, and was reduced by selective ET(B) antagonists. Our findings suggest that Og snake has a more primitive spectrum of ET receptors (only ET(A) receptor) than Bj (presence of ET(A), ET(B1) and ET(B2) receptors).

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aorta / drug effects
  • Aorta / metabolism*
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Bothrops / metabolism*
  • Colubridae / metabolism*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Endothelins / metabolism*
  • Endothelins / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / pharmacology
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / metabolism
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology
  • Peptide Fragments / pharmacology
  • Peptides / pharmacology
  • Piperidines / pharmacology
  • Receptor, Endothelin A / drug effects
  • Receptor, Endothelin A / metabolism*
  • Receptor, Endothelin B / drug effects
  • Receptor, Endothelin B / metabolism*
  • Vasoconstriction* / drug effects
  • Vasodilation* / drug effects
  • Viper Venoms

Substances

  • Endothelins
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Oligopeptides
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Peptides
  • Piperidines
  • Receptor, Endothelin A
  • Receptor, Endothelin B
  • Viper Venoms
  • sarafotoxin-c
  • sovateltide
  • Cys(11)-Cys(15)-endothelin-1 (11-21)
  • Nitric Oxide
  • BQ 788
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester