BML-241 fails to display selective antagonism at the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor, S1P(3)

The thiazolidine carboxylic acid, BML-241, has been proposed as a lead compound in development of selective antagonists at the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor (S1P3), based on its inhibition of the rise in intracellular calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in HeLa cells overexpressing S1P receptors. We have studied the antagonistic properties of BML-241 for the S1P(3) receptor in more detail. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably transfected with the S1P3, S1P2 or alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors were used to investigate the effect of BML-241 on increases in [Ca2+]i mediated via different receptors. CHO-K1 cells were used to study ATP-induced [Ca2+]i elevations. Effects on S1P3 -mediated inhibition of forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation and on binding to alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors were also investigated. In addition, the effect of BML-241 on contractions of rat mesenteric artery induced by phenylephrine was studied in an organ bath. High concentrations of BML-241 (10 microM) inhibited the rise in [Ca2+]i induced by S1P3 and S1P2 receptor stimulation; lower concentrations were ineffective. This high concentration of BML-241 also inhibited [Ca2+]i increases via P2 (nucleotide) receptor or alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor stimulation. Moreover, BML-241 (10 microM) inhibited alpha(1)-adrenoceptor-mediated contraction of rat mesenteric artery but did not displace [3H]-prazosin from alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors in concentrations up to 100 microM. BML-241 (10 microM) did not affect the S1P3 -mediated decrease of forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation. We conclude that BML-241 is a low potency, non-selective inhibitor of increases in [Ca2+]i, rather than a specific antagonist at the S1P3 receptor.