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F I Carroll

Publications and source records attributed to F I Carroll.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Studies of the biogenic amine transporters. VI. Characterization of a novel cocaine binding site, identified with [125I]RTI-55, in membranes prepared from whole rat brain minus caudate.

Previous studies showed that the cocaine analog [125I]RTI-55 labels dopamine and serotonergic (5-HT) biogenic amine transporters (BATs) with high affinity. Here we characterized [125I]RTI-55 binding to membranes prepared from whole rat brain minus the caudate nuclei. Paroxetine (50 nM) was used to block [125I]RTI-55 binding to 5-HT transporter sites. Initial experiments identified drugs that displaced [125I]RTI-55 binding with moderately low slope factors. Binding surface analysis of the interaction of 3 beta-(4-chlorophenyl)tropan-2 beta-carboxylic acid phenyl ester hydrochloride (RTI-113) and 3 beta-(4-iodophenyl)tropan-2 beta-carboxylic acid phenyl ester hydrochloride (RTI-122) with [125I]RTI-55 binding sites readily resolved two binding sites for [125I]RTI-55 with Kd values of 0.44 nM and 17 nM and Bmax values of 31 and 245 fmol/mg protein. Potent 5-HT and noradrenergic uptake inhibitors had low affinity for both sites. Whereas cocaine, CFT and WIN35,065-2 were 6.0-, 25- and 14-fold selective for the first site, benztropine, PCP and the novel pyrrole, (+-)-(2RS,3aSR,8bRS)-1,2,3,3a,4,8b-hexahydro- 2-benzyl-1-methylindeno-[1,2-b]pyrrole resorcylate [(+-)-HBMP, formerly called (+-)-RTI-4793-14], were moderately selective for the second site. A single binding site with the characteristics of site 1 was resolved using COS cells transiently expressing the cloned rat dopamine transporter. Lesion studies with 6-hydroxydopamine and 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine were conducted to test the hypothesis that site 1 and site 2 are physically distinct. The data showed that these neurotoxins differentially decreased [125I]RTI-55 binding to sites 1 and 2. The differential distribution of sites 1 and 2 in rat brain provides further support for this hypothesis. Viewed collectively, these data show that [125I]RTI-55 labels a novel binding site in rat brain membranes, termed DATsite2, which is not associated with the classic dopamine, serotonin or norepinephrine transporters.

Animals↗

Studies of the biogenic amine transporters. V. Demonstration of two binding sites for the cocaine analog [125I]RTI-55 associated with the 5-HT transporter in rat brain membranes.

Earlier work characterized the binding of the high-affinity cocaine analog 3 beta-(4-125iodophenyl)-tropane-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester ([125I]RTI-55) to membranes prepared from rat caudate. That investigation demonstrated that [125I]RTI-55-labeled serotonin (5-HT) transporters in addition to dopamine (DA) transporters and resolved [125I]RTI-55 binding to 5-HT transporters into two distinct components. In the present study, we characterized [125I]RTI-55 binding to membranes prepared from whole rat brain minus caudate. The first series of experiments established that [125I]RTI-55 labels both DA and 5-HT transporters and that 50 nM paroxetine and either 1000 nM 1-[2-(diphenylmethoxy)ethyl]-4-(3-phenylpropyl)homopiperazine (LR1111) or 500 nM (RTI-120) could be used to block [125I]RTI-55 binding to the 5-HT and DA transporters, thereby generating selective assay conditions for the DA and 5-HT transporters, respectively. Selective lesioning of dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons with intracerebroventricular 6-hydroxydopamine and 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine selectively decreased [125I]RTI-55 binding to DA and 5-HT transporters, respectively, thereby confirming the selectivity of the assay conditions. The ligand-selectivity pattern of the whole brain minus caudate 5-HT transporter correlated significantly with that of the caudate 5-HT transporter, although there were some striking differences for selected test agents. Additional experiments resolved [125I]RTI-55 binding to the 5-HT transporter into two components. A ligand-selectivity analysis of the two components failed to identify a highly selective test agent. In summary, the major findings of the present study are that [125I]RTI-55 labels both DA and 5-HT transporters in membranes prepared from whole brain minus caudate, that 50 nM paroxetine and either 1000 nM LR1111 or 500 nM RTI-120 can be used as a blocking agent to generate selective assay conditions for the DA and 5-HT transporters, respectively, and that [125I]RTI-55 binding to the 5-HT transporter can be resolved into two similar components.

Animals↗

Selective labeling of the dopamine transporter by the high affinity ligand 3 beta-(4-[125I]iodophenyl)tropane-2 beta-carboxylic acid isopropyl ester.

The iodine-125 analog of the dopaminergically selective cocaine analog 3 beta-(4-iodophenyl)tropane-2 beta-carboxylic acid isopropyl ester (RT1-121) was evaluated as a probe for the dopamine transporter in rat striatum. Saturation and kinetic studies indicated that [125I]RTI-121 binds to both high and low affinity components. The Kd of the high affinity component was 0.14 +/- 0.01 nM (mean +/- standard error), whereas the low affinity component demonstrated an affinity of 1.59 +/- 0.09 nM. The corresponding numbers of striatal binding sites labeled by [125I]RTI-121 were 295 +/- 6 and 472 +/- 59 pmol/g of tissue (original wet weight), respectively. Intrastriatal injections of 6-hydroxydopamine eliminated > 90% of specific [125I]RTI-121 binding in the striatum. The pharmacological profile of specific [125I]RTI-121 binding in the rat striatum was consistent with that of the dopamine transporter. There was a strong (r = 0.98, p < 0.0001) correlation between the potencies of drugs that displaced specific [125I]RTI-121 binding and the potencies of these drugs to inhibit the uptake of [3H]dopamine. In contrast, no correlation was found for the potencies of drugs to inhibit the uptake of either [3H]norepinephrine or [3H]serotonin. Autoradiographs produced using [125I]RTI-121 demonstrated a distribution of label consistent with the distribution of dopaminergic neurons in rat brain. Because of its high affinity and high selectivity for the dopamine transporter, [125I]RTI-121 may be an extremely useful ligand for the dopamine transporter.

Animals↗

Synthesis, ligand binding, and QSAR (CoMFA and classical) study of 3 beta-(3'-substituted phenyl)-, 3 beta-(4'-substituted phenyl)-, and 3 beta-(3',4'-disubstituted phenyl)tropane-2 beta-carboxylic acid methyl esters.

Several new 3 beta-(4'-substituted phenyl)-, 3-beta-(3'-substituted phenyl)-, and 3 beta-(3',4'-disubstituted phenyl)tropane-2 beta-carboxylic acid methyl esters were prepared and assayed for inhibition of [3H]WIN 35,428 binding to the dopamine transporter. The 3 beta-(3',4'-dichloro) and 3 beta-(4'-chloro-3'-methyl) analogues (2w and 2y; RTI-111 and RTI-112, respectively) with IC50 values of 0.79 and 0.81 nM showed the highest affinity. The contributions of quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models derived from the classical and comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) approaches to rational drug design were examined. CoMFA models were derived using steric and electrostatic potentials with SYBYL default values while the classical models were derived from pi and MR parameters. Using a 12-compound training set, both models were used for predicting the binding affinity of compounds both inside and outside the training set. The CoMFA study provided new insight into the steric and electrostatic factors influencing binding to the DA transporter and provided additional support for our original finding that CoMFA is useful in predicting and designing new compounds for study. The classical QSAR models, which were easier to obtain, suggest that the distribution property (pi) of the compounds is an important factor. Overall, the SAR, CoMFA, and conventional QSAR studies elaborated some features of the cocaine binding site pharmacophore and provided useful predictive information.

Animals↗

Secondary amine analogues of 3 beta-(4'-substituted phenyl)tropane-2 beta-carboxylic acid esters and N-norcocaine exhibit enhanced affinity for serotonin and norepinephrine transporters.

N-Norcocaine (2) and six N-nor-3 beta-(4'-substituted phenyl)tropane-2 beta-carboxylic acid esters (4a-f) were synthesized by N-demethylation of cocaine (1) and the appropriate 3 beta-(substituted phenyl)-tropane analogues (3a-f) with alpha-chloroethyl chloroformate. Radioligand binding affinities of 2 and 4a-f at the DA, 5-HT, and NE transporter were measured and compared to those of 1 and 3a-f. N-Demethylation produced relatively small effects at the DA transporter. In contrast, 4-19-fold and 2-44-fold enhanced affinity at the serotonin and norepinephrine transporter resulted from demethylation. N-Nor-3 beta-(4'-iodophenyl)tropane-2 beta-carboxylic acid methyl ester (4d) with an IC50 = 0.36 nM showed the greatest affinity for the serotonin transporter. However, N-nor-3 beta-(4'-ethylphenyl)tropane-2 beta-carboxylic acid methyl ester (4e) showed the greatest selectivity for the serotonin transporter.

Animals↗

RTI-4793-14, a new ligand with high affinity and selectivity for the (+)-MK801-insensitive [3H]1-]1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine binding site (PCP site 2) of guinea pig brain.

[3H]TCP, an analog of the dissociative anesthetic phencyclidine (PCP), binds with high affinity to two sites in guinea pig brain membranes, one that is MK-801 sensitive and one that is not. The MK-801-sensitive site (PCP site 1) is associated with NMDA receptors, whereas the MK-801-insensitive site (PCP site 2) may be associated with biogenic amine transporters (BAT). Although several "BAT ligands" are known that bind selectively to PCP site 2 and not to PCP site 1 (such as indatraline), these compounds have low affinity for site 2 (Ki values > 1 microM). Here we demonstrate that the novel pyrrole RTI-4793-14 is a selective, high affinity ligand for PCP site 2. We determined the IC50 values of RTI-4793-14 and several reference compounds [PCP, (+)-MK801 and indatraline] for PCP site 1 (assayed with [3H](+)-MK801), PCP site 2 (assayed with [3H]TCP in the presence of 500 nM (+)-MK801) and a variety of BAT-related measures ([3H]CFT binding to the DA transporter, [3H]nisoxetine binding to the norepinephrine transporter, [3H]dopamine uptake, [3H]serotonin uptake). In addition, we determined the ability of RTI-4793-14 to block NMDA responses in cultured hippocampal neurons under voltage clamp. (+)-MK801 had high affinity for PCP site 1 (4.6 nM) and potently inhibited NMDA-induced responses, but was much less potent in the BAT-related measures (IC50 s > 10 microM). PCP had high affinity at PCP site 1 (IC50 = 92 nM) and PCP site 2 (IC50 = 117 nM), and was moderately potent in all BAT-related measures except [3H]nisoxetine binding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Studies of the biogenic amine transporters. 1. Dopamine reuptake blockers inhibit [3H]mazindol binding to the dopamine transporter by a competitive mechanism: preliminary evidence for different binding domains.

The present study addressed the hypothesis that the DA transporter ligand, [3H]mazindol, labels multiple sites/states associated with the dopamine (DA) transporter in striatal membranes. Incubations with [3H]mazindol proceeded for 18-24 hr at 4 degrees C in 55.2 mM sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, with a protease inhibitor cocktail. In order to obtain data suitable for quantitative curve fitting, it was necessary to repurify the [3H]mazindol by HPLC before a series of experiments. Under these conditions, we observed greater than 80% specific binding. The method of binding surface analysis was used to characterize the interaction of GBR12935, BTCP, mazindol, and CFT with binding site/sites labeled by [3H]mazindol. A one site model fit the data as well as the two site model: Bmax = 16911 fmol/mg protein, Kd of [3H]mazindol = 75 nM, Ki of GBR12935 = 8.1 nM, Ki of CFT = 50 nM and Ki of BTCP = 44 nM. The inhibitory mechanism (competitive or noncompetitive) of several drugs (GBR12935, CFT, BTCP, cocaine, cis-flupentixol, nomifensine, WIN35,065-2, bupropion, PCP, and benztropine) was determined. All drugs inhibited [3H]mazindol binding by a competitive mechanism. Although the ligand-selectivity of the [3H]mazindol binding site indicates that it is the uptake inhibitor recognition site of the classic DA transporter, the quantitative differences among the ligand-selectivities of different radioligands for the same site suggest that each radioligand labels different overlapping domains of the DA uptake inhibitor recognition site. It is likely that development of domain-selective drugs may further our understanding of the DA transporter.

Animals↗

Evaluation of retinoids as therapeutic agents in dermatology.

Evaluation of 13-cis-12-substituted analogues of retinoic acid in a series of dermatologic screens has revealed that structural modifications can lead to selectivity and specificity. An analogue, 11-cis,13-cis-12-hydroxymethylretinoic acid, delta-lactone, has been found to have good activity and to be devoid of topical and systemic toxicity.

Administration, Topical↗

Development of PET/SPECT ligands for the serotonin transporter.

There is a great need for PET and SPECT ligands with high affinity and selectivity for the serotonin uptake site. These imaging agents would be useful in screening human populations at risk (e.g., individuals exposed to neurotoxic amphetamines such as MDMA and fenfluramine). Moreover, these radioligands would allow the study of serotonergic function in the normal living human brain, and they also would be useful in the examination of altered serotonergic neurotransmission in diseases such as depression and obsessive-compulsive and other neuropsychiatric disorders. Over the past several years, a number of radioligands have been studied in several laboratories for their in vivo binding to 5-HT uptake sites. Although [3H]paroxetine showed promising binding characteristics, conversion of authentic paroxetine into a PET or SPECT tracer turned out to be difficult and has not been achieved yet. Analogs of paroxetine displayed considerable loss of binding affinity and were, therefore, not useful for imaging purposes. For [11C]fluoxetine, [11C]citalopram, and cis-[11C]DDPI, target-to-nontarget (hypothalamus-to-cerebellar) ratios remained less than 2.0:1 over a 90-min period after injection. The most promising PET agents identified today are [11C]RTI-55 and [11C]McN-5652-X. [11C]RTI-55 labels both 5-HT and DA uptake sites. [11C]McN-5652-X is highly selective for 5-HT uptake sites, and its distribution is consistent with the neuroanatomical distribution of the 5-HT uptake site. Because [11C]McN-5652-Z is a racemic mixture of two stereoisomers, of which the (+) isomer (McN-5652-X) binds to the 5-HT uptake site in vivo and the (-) isomer (McN-5652-W) does not, the possibility exists that regional-specific binding can be determined by subtracting nonspecific binding of the (-) isomer from total radioactivity counts obtained with the (+) isomer. [11C]McN-5652-X is the best PET radioligand for the 5-HT uptake site described thus far. This tracer warrants further testing in nonhuman primates. Efforts are underway to obtain an investigational new drug application for use of the tracer in humans. Promising candidates as SPECT imaging agents for the 5-HT uptake site are [123I]RTI-55 and [123I]-iodo-6-nitroquipazine. Both agents are under intense investigation in different laboratories in the United States.

Animals↗

Studies of the biogenic amine transporters. III. Demonstration of two binding sites for [3H]GBR12935 and [3H]BTCP in rat caudate membranes.

The present study addressed the hypothesis that there exist multiple sites/states associated with the dopamine (DA) transporter ligands. The authors used [3H](1-[2-(diphenylmethoxy)ethyl]-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazine) (GBR12935) and [3H]-N-(1-(2-benzo[b]thiophenyl)cyclohexyl)piperidine ([3H]BTCP) to label binding sites present in striatal membranes and conducted experiments under nearly identical assay conditions, i.e., 18- to 24-hr incubations at 4 degrees C in 55.2 mM sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, with a protease inhibitor and antioxidant cocktail. To obtain data suitable for quantitative curve fitting, it was necessary to repurify the [3H]ligands periodically by high-performance liquid chromatography. Under these conditions, greater than 90% specific binding was observed. The method of binding surface analysis was used to characterize the interaction of GBR12935, BTCP, mazindol and 2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4-fluorophenyl) tropane with binding sites labeled by the [3H]ligands. Nonlinear least-squares curve fitting of the data to one- and two-site binding models demonstrated that, for both [3H]ligands, the two-site model fit the data far better than did the one-site model. The results indicated that [3H]GBR12935 labeled two binding sites, with higher (GBR site 1) and lower affinity (GBR site 2) for BTCP (Ki values of 5.84 nM and 1394 nM). [3H]BTCP labeled two sites with high affinity (Kd values of 9.3 nM and 6.3 nM) at which GBR12935 also had high affinity (Ki values of 8.9 nM and 0.98 nM). Intrastriatal 6-hydroxy-DA lesions decreased the density of both [3H]GBR12935 binding sites but affected site 1 much more than site 2, which indicated that a greater portion of GBR site 1 is localized on striatal nerve terminals. By contrast, the 6-hydroxy-DA lesions decreased BTCP site 2 without significantly decreasing BTCP site 1, which indicated that BTCP site 1 is not located on DA nerve terminals. The i.c.v. administration of 5,7,-dihydroxytryptamine did not decrease GBR site 1 or 2, which indicated that neither is located on serotonin striatal nerve terminals. Viewed collectively with other reports, these data support the hypothesis that DA transporter ligands label multiple binding sites in caudate membranes. The identification of selective agents for these sites may be valuable tools for identifying drugs that might modulate the effects of cocaine.

Animals↗

Studies of the biogenic amine transporters. IV. Demonstration of a multiplicity of binding sites in rat caudate membranes for the cocaine analog [125I]RTI-55.

The drug 3 beta-[4'-iodophenyl]tropan-2 beta-carboxylic acid methyl ester (RTI-55) is a cocaine congener with high affinity for the dopamine transporter (Kd < 1 nM). The present study characterized [125I]RTI-55 binding to membranes prepared from rat, monkey and human caudates and COS cells transiently expressing the cloned rat dopamine (DA) transporter. Using the method of binding surface analysis, two binding sites were resolved in rat caudate: a high-capacity binding site (site 1, Bmax = 11,900 fmol/mg of protein) and a low-capacity site (site 2, Bmax = 846 fmol/mg of protein). The Kd (or Ki) values of selected drugs at the two sites were as follows: (Ki for high-capacity site and Ki for low-capacity site, respectively): RTI-55 (0.76 and 0.21 nM), 1-[2-diphenyl-methoxy)ethyl]-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazine (0.79 and 358 nM), mazindol (37.6 and 631 nM), 2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4-fluorophenyl)tropane (45.0 and 540 nM) and cocaine (341 and 129 nM). Nisoxetine, a selective noradrenergic uptake blocker, had low affinity for both sites. Serotonergic uptake blockers had a high degree of selectivity and high affinity for the low-capacity binding site (Ki of citalopram = 0.38 nM; Ki of paroxetine = 0.033 nM). The i.c.v. administration of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine to rats pretreated with nomifensine (to protect dopaminergic and noradrenergic nerve terminals) selectively decreased the Bmax of site 2, strongly supporting the idea that site 2 is a binding site on the serotonin (5-HT) transporter. This serotonergic lesion also increased the affinity of [125I]RTI-55 for the DA transporter by 10-fold. The ligand selectivity of the caudate 5-HT transporter was different from the [I125]RTI-55 binding site on the 5-HT transporter present in membranes prepared from whole rat brain minus caudate. The [125I]RTI-55 binding to the DA transporter was further resolved into two components, termed sites 1a and 1b, by using human and monkey (Macaca mulatta) caudate membranes but not the membranes prepared from rat caudate or COS cells that transiently expressed the cloned cocaine-sensitive DA transporter complementary DNA. Similar experiments also resolved two components of the caudate 5-HT transporter. Viewed collectively, these data provide evidence that [125I]RTI-55 labels multiple binding sites associated with the DA and 5-HT transporters.

Animals↗

Cocaine use increases [3H]WIN 35428 binding sites in human striatum.

Animal studies suggest that chronic cocaine exposure may increase the function and/or synthesis of the dopamine transporter (DAT) under certain conditions, but the literature is complex. In order to test the hypothesis that cocaine exposure alters the DAT in humans, preliminary studies were done characterizing [3H]WIN 35428 binding in human striatum from normal controls. Following these experiments, the effects of chronic cocaine were examined in post mortem striatal specimens from 7 cocaine users and 7 controls matched for age and post mortem interval, employing quantitative autoradiography. Initial saturation experiments indicated that a one-site model was preferred with a Kd of 11 +/- 4 nM. [3H]WIN 35420 binding was then examined in cocaine users and controls at 0.5, 5, 10, and 50 nM radioligand concentrations. At each concentration of [3H]WIN 35420, optical densities for cocaine-exposed subjects were increased in caudate, putamen, and accumbens. The results suggest that total numbers of binding sites were increased in cocaine users. Based on the present and previous results, it appears that the regulation of the DAT is fairly plastic, and is highly sensitive to cocaine dosing regimes and withdrawal intervals. Chronic adaptations induced by cocaine in the DAT could contribute to the symptoms of binging, withdrawal depression, and/or craving.

Adult↗

3-Aryl-2-(3'-substituted-1',2',4'-oxadiazol-5'-yl)tropane analogues of cocaine: affinities at the cocaine binding site at the dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine transporters.

Previous studies have shown that 3 beta-(substituted phenyl)tropan-2 beta-carboxylic acid esters possess high affinity for the cocaine binding site on the dopamine transporter both in vitro and in vivo and inhibit dopamine uptake in vitro. Since 1,2,4-oxadiazoles are excellent bioisosteres of ester groups, we have prepared several 3 beta-(substituted phenyl)-2 beta-(3-substituted 1',2',4'-oxadiazol-5'-yl)tropanes (5b-h) and all four stereoisomers of (1R,5S)-3 phenyl-2-(3-methyl-1',2',4'-oxadiazol-5'-yl)tropane (5a and 6-8). The 3 alpha-phenyl-2-alpha-(3'-methyl-1',2',4'-oxadiazole) isomer 7 was prepared from a stereoselective addition of phenyllithium to (1R,5S)-2-(3'-methyl-1',2',4'-oxadiazol-5-yl)-8-methyl-8- azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-ene (11). The binding affinities for 5a-h and 6-8 at the dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine transporters were obtained. In general these bioisosteres showed potencies for the dopamine transporter similar to those of their parent esters. 3 beta-(4'-Chlorophenyl)-2 beta-(3'-phenyl-1',2',4'-oxadiazol-5'-yl)tropane (5d) was the most potent analogue with an IC50 of 1.62nM. However, 3 beta-(4'-chlorophenyl)-2 beta-(3'-methoxyphenyl-1',2'4'- oxadiazol-5'-yl)tropane (5e) with an IC50 of 1.81 nM was the most selective analogue for the dopamine transporter showing NE/DA and 5-HT/DA ratios of 461 and 186, respectively. The cis- and trans-3 alpha-phenyl-2-(3'-methyl-1',2',4'-oxadiazol-5'-yl)tropanes (7 and 8), which exist in a boat conformation, have IC50 values only slightly greater than that of the 3 beta,2 beta-isomer (5a) which possesses the cocaine stereochemistry.

Animals↗

Potent cocaine analogs inhibit [3H]dopamine uptake in rat mesencephalic cells in primary cultures: pharmacological selectivity of embryonic cocaine sites.

The cellular localization of the cocaine binding sites in primary cultures of embryonic rat mesencephalic cells was previously reported to differ from that observed in adult rat brain. In order to know whether this different localization was associated with a different pharmacological selectivity, we tested the effect of new cocaine analogs on tritiated dopamine ([3H]DA) uptake in primary cultures of rat embryonic mesencephalic cells. In these cultures, [3H]DA was taken up by a nomifensine-sensitive, but desipramine and fluoxetine-insensitive process, reflecting selective uptake by the dopaminergic transporter. 3 beta-(4-Chlorophenyl)tropan-2 beta-carboxylic acid methyl ester (RTI-COC-31) was by far the most potent inhibitor of the [3H]DA uptake, presenting an IC50 of 3.8 nM, while the corresponding analog with an unsubstituted phenyl ring (WIN 35,065-2) was 38 times less potent. The enantiomer of WIN 35,065-2, namely WIN 35,065-3, was 30 times less potent than the former. A similar pattern was found for the relative ability of these compounds to inhibit binding of the radiolabeled cocaine derivative [125I]RTI-55 to membranes prepared from mesencephalic cultures. The order of potencies found for the three cocaine analogs on mesencephalic cultures was similar to that previously obtained in [3H] WIN 35,428 binding experiments and [3H]DA uptake inhibition in adult rat striatum, suggesting that the pharmacological selectivity of cocaine sites functionally related to the DA transporter in cultured embryonic neurons does not differ from that obtained in adult rat brain.

Animals↗

A comparison of (-)-deoxybenzomorphans devoid of opiate activity with their dextrorotatory phenolic counterparts suggests role of sigma 2 receptors in motor function.

Three novel benzomorphans, (+)-N-benzylnormetazocine, (-)-deoxy-N-benzylnormetazocine, and (-)-deoxypentazocine were tested for their ability to produce circling behavior in rats following intranigral microinjections. Dose studies revealed the following rank order of potency: (-)-deoxypentazocine > (-)-deoxy-N-benzylnormetazocine > (+)-N-benzylnormetazocine. This rank order approximates that for affinities for sigma 2 receptors but not sigma 1 receptors. It is very unlikely that the effects of the (-)-deoxybenzomorphans were mediated by opiate receptors for the following reasons: (1) consistent with the known requirement for the phenolic hydroxyl group for opiate activity, both (-)-deoxy compounds showed very low affinity for opiate receptors; (2) naloxone (4 micrograms) co-administered with (-)-deoxy-N-benzylnormetazocine failed to reduce its efficacy; (3) both (-)-deoxy compounds failed to produce marked analgesic effects in the tail flick test following systemic injections of 20 mg/kg s.c. These finding suggest that sigma 2 receptors mediate the motor effects of sigma ligands in rats.

Animals↗

Stereochemical requirements for pseudoirreversible inhibition of opioid mu receptor binding by the 3-methylfentanyl congeners, RTI-46144 and its enantiomers: evidence for different binding domains.

Fentanyl and its congeners are of interest not only because of their clinical applications, but also because certain members of this series of opioid analgesics exhibit unique properties, such as acting as pseudoirreversible inhibitors of mu receptor binding, both in vitro and in vivo. Previous studies showed that pretreatment of membranes with (+)-cis-3-methylfentanyl resulted in a lower affinity interaction of [3H]ohmefentanyl with the mu binding site, as well as an increased dissociation rate. The present study was undertaken to determine the stereochemical requirements for pseudoirreversible inhibition of mu receptor binding using the methylfentanyl congeners, (+-)-cis-N-[1-(2-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)-3-methyl-4-piperidyl]-N- phenylpropanamide HCl (RTI-4614-4) and its four resolved enantiomers. AR configuration of the 2-hydroxy group was essential for high affinity binding and pseudoirreversible inhibition. The two enantiomers with this configuration, 1b((2R,3R,4S)-N-[1-(2-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)-3-methyl-4-piperidyl]-N- phenylpropanamide oxolate) and 1c 1c ((2R,3S,4R)-N-[1-(2-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)-3-methyl-4-piperidyl]-N- phenylpropanamide HCl), acted as pseudoirreversible inhibitors of the mu receptor as labeled with [3H][D-Ala2-MePhe4,Gly-ol5]enkaphalin, [3H]fentanyl or [3H]etorphine. RTI-4614-4, 1b, and 1c decreased the Bmax of [3H][D-Ala2-MaePhe4,Gly-ol5]enkepalin binding sites without altering the dissociation rate. These drugs had a lesser effect on steady-state [3H]fentanyl and [3H]etorphine binding but did produce statistically significant changes in the parameters of the two-component dissociation model, which accurately described the dissociation of these [3H]ligands. Viewed collectively, these data indicate that the mechanism of the pseudoirreversible inhibition appears to depend on the radioligand used to label the mu receptor. To explain these data, a pseudoallosteric model is proposed that postulates that certain mu ligands bind to different domains of the drug recognition site of the mu receptor and that the prebinding of pseudoirreversible inhibitors to the recognition site changes the domains available to a radioligand, leading to alterations in steady-state binding levels and dissociation kinetics.

Animals↗

Studies of the biogenic amine transporters. II. A brief study on the use of [3H]DA-uptake-inhibition to transporter-binding-inhibition ratios for the in vitro evaluation of putative cocaine antagonists.

The cocaine receptor on the dopamine transporter is a logical target binding site for the design and synthesis of novel agents for evaluation as possible cocaine antagonists. Although there is no widely accepted and validated assay for detecting a cocaine antagonist, one commonly accepted strategy is to compare the IC50 value of a test agent for inhibition of [3H]dopamine uptake and its IC50 value for inhibition of the binding of a transporter ligand such as [125I]RTI-55. The goal of such a comparison is to guide the synthesis of agents which have high "uptake-to-binding ratios", i.e. agents which are much more potent in the binding assay than they are in the uptake assay. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that ratios different from unity can result from the fact that the two assays are conducted under markedly different conditions. The results showed that conducting the uptake and binding assays under identical conditions reduced the GBR12935 uptake-to-binding ratio of 6.20 (under standard assay conditions) to 0.36. These data indicate that uptake-to-binding ratios must be interpreted with caution, and emphasizes the need for simpler and less expensive methods than cocaine self-administration paradigms to screen compounds as modulators of cocaine reinforcement.

Animals↗