Characterization of muscarinic receptors in the human bladder mucosa: direct quantification of subtypes using 4-DAMP mustard.

Objective To characterize pharmacologically relevant muscarinic receptors in the human bladder mucosa and detrusor muscle using radioligand binding assays with [N-methyl- 3 H]scopolamine methyl chloride ([ 3 H]NMS) and 4-DAMP mustard. Methods Muscarinic receptors in homogenates of bladder mucosa, detrusor muscle, and parotid gland were measured using the radioligand [ 3 H]NMS. 4-DAMP mustard was used to inactivate M 3 receptors irreversibly. Results Specific [ 3 H]NMS binding in the homogenates of the mucosa and detrusor muscle was saturable and of high affinity as shown by dissociation constants ( K d ) of 260 ±82 and 237 ±49 pM, respectively. Antimuscarinic agents (oxybutynin, propiverine, tolterodine, and darifenacin) and their active metabolites competed with [ 3 H]NMS for the binding sites in the human mucosa in a concentration-dependent manner. These agents exhibited similar affinity in the detrusor muscle. The B max. values of [ 3 H]NMS in the detrusor, bladder mucosa, and parotid gland were significantly decreased by pretreatment with 4-DAMP mustard (36%, 41% and 63%, respectively). Conclusion The density and binding affinity profile of the muscarinic receptor population in the human bladder mucosa was shown to be similar to that of the detrusor muscle. The density of the M 3 subtype in the mucosa was similar to that in the detrusor muscle but lower than that in the parotid gland.