Evidence for an irreversible interaction of bromocryptine with central dopamine receptors

Summary The effects of the dopamine agonist bromocryptine on several measures dopaminergic function were assessed in the rat. Following inhibition of impulse flow with -butyrolactone, and after dopa decarboxylase inhibition, dopa accumulation and its reversal by dopamine agonists is easily studied. In this model, bromocryptine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) caused a significant decrease in dopa accumulation in both the striatum and olfactory tubercle which was prevented, but not reversed, by the dopamine antagonist (+)-butaclamol (4 mg/mg, i.p.). The inactive isomer, (–)-butaclamol was without effect. Analysis of in vitro ³H-spiperone binding 2 h after bromocryptine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) revealed a 30% decrease in the number of striatal dopamine receptors labelled (B _max), with no change in receptor affinity for ³H-spiperone. No changes in binding were seen when animals were sacrificed 30 min or 48 h after bromocryptine. In extracellular single unit recording experiments, bromocryptine-induced depression of nigrostriatal dopamine cell firing was found to be largely reversible by the dopamine antagonist haloperidol when injected within 5 min of intravenous bromocryptine. However, when haloperidol was injected more than 20 min after bromocryptine, no reversal of bromocryptine-induced depression of cell firing was obtained. These results strongly suggest that bromocryptine interacts in an irreversible fashion with central dopaminergic receptors.     

The selective dopamine D2 receptor antagonist raclopride discriminates between dopamine-mediated motor functions

The actions on central dopamine (DA) mechanisms of raclopride, a new substituted benzamide, were studied by means of behavioural and biochemical methods in the rat. Raclopride blocked the in vitro binding of the dopamine D₂ antagonist ³H-spiperone (IC₅₀=32 nM), but not of the unselective D₁ antagonist ³H-flupenthixol (IC₅₀>100,000 nM) in rat striatum, and failed to inhibit striatal DA-sensitive adenylate cyclase in vitro (IC₅₀>100,000 nM). Raclopride caused a dose-dependent increase in the DA metabolites HVA and DOPAC in the striatum and olfactory tubercle. Behavioural studies showed that raclopride discriminates between the motor behaviours induced by the DA agonist apomorphine. Thus, unlike haloperidol, raclopride blocked apomorphine-induced hyperactivity at considerably lower doses than those inhibiting oral stereotypies. Moreover, raclopride showed a high separation between the doses for blockade of apomorphine-induced hyperactivity and those inducing catalepsy in rats. Raclopride caused a dose-dependent blockade of the specific binding of ³H-spiperone and ³H-N-n-propylnorapomorphine (³H-NPA) in vivo at doses similar to those blocking the behavioural effects of apomorphine. The maximal blockade of ³H-spiperone binding in vivo was lower for raclopride than for haloperidol. Raclopride caused a greater inhibition of ³H-NPA than of ³H-spiperone in vivo binding in the striatum. It is suggested that the ability of raclopride to discriminate between different DA-mediated functions may be attributed to a preferential blockade of a subclass of functionally coupled dopamine D₂ receptors in striatal as well as in extrastriatal brain regions in the rat.     

NCQ 298, a new selective iodinated salicylamide ligand for the labelling of dopamine D2 receptors

NCQ 298 ((S)-3-iodo-N-[(1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)methyl]-5,6-dimethoxysalicylamide) has an iodine substituent. We have labelled NCQ 298 with¹²³I and¹²⁵I, and used the radioligands as tracers in receptor studies in vitro, in vivo in autoradiography and in SPECT studies on Cynomolgus monkeys.[¹²⁵I]NCQ 298 bound in vitro to a single binding site with a K^D=19 pM. NCQ 298 has thus a 10-fold higher affinity for the dopamine D₂ receptors than the corresponding des-5-methoxy compound FLA 961 (IBZM), previously used in SPECT studies. The binding of [¹²⁵I]NCQ 298 was entirely reversible (T1/2=17.5 min at 37° C). Autoradiographical studies in vitro on rat and monkey brain tissue sections showed a distinct binding in caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens, substantia nigra, and in layer 5 of the cerebral cortex. In vivo binding studies in mice showed a ratio of 10 between [¹²⁵I]NCQ 298 binding in striatum and cerebellum. Binding was displaced by the selective dopamine D₂ receptor antagonist raclopride. In SPECT studies with [¹²³I]NCQ 298 in two Cynomolgus monkeys, radioactivity accumulated in the basal ganglia. The measured striatum to cerebellum ratio was about 15 after 3 h. A monkey brain phantom was constructed for the determination of conversion factors from pixel events to actual radioactivity. The resulting, corrected striatum to cerebellum ratio obtained was 30. After administration of 12 mg raclopride to one of the monkeys there was a substantial decrease in striatal radioactivity. [¹²⁵I]NCQ 298 is a suitable ligand for the labelling of dopamine D₂ receptors in vitro and in vivo. The specific properties of [¹²³I]NCQ 298 suggest that this compound is a useful ligand for quantitative SPECT studies of dopamine D₂ receptors in man.     

Regulation of CART mRNA in the rat nucleus accumbens via D3 dopamine receptors

A variety of studies indicate that CART in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) is involved in the action of psychostimulants. In order to understand in more detail if and how dopamine is involved in the regulation of CART mRNA in the NAcc, the present studies of individual receptors were performed. The D1 agonist, dihydrexidine, and the D1 antagonist, SCH23,390, were administered separately and in combination to adult male rats; however, no changes were found in CART mRNA as measured by in situ hybridization. The D2/3 agonist, quinpirole, was administered either separately or in combination with the D2 selective antagonist, L741,626, or the D3 selective antagonist, GR103,691. Quinpirole produced a decrease in CART mRNA of up to 43%. This effect was blocked by pretreatment with the D3 antagonist GR103, 691, but not by the D2 antagonist, L741,626. CART peptide levels showed a similar decrement after acute quinpirole. CART mRNA levels in the NAcc of D3 mutant mice were found to be higher than that in wild-type animals, but treating the mutants with quinpirole failed to produce a decrease in CART expression like that observed in wild-type rodents. These findings demonstrate that CART is regulated by dopamine in the NAcc, at least partly by D3 dopamine receptors.     

[3H]MDL 100,907: a novel selective 5-HT2A receptor ligand

In studies using standard radioligands, unlabeled MDL 100,907 (R-(+)--(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)ethyl]-4-piperidinemethanol) has been shown to have a high degree of selectivity for the 5-HT_2A receptor. The present study was undertaken to investigate the receptor binding characteristics of [³H]MDL 100,907 in rat cortical homogenates. [³H]MDL 100,907 was found to reach equilibrium at 37°C after 15 min. Saturation experiments indicated binding to a single site with a K_D of 0.56 nM, Hill slope of 1.15, and a B_max of 512 fmol/mg protein. In parallel experiments with the standard 5-HT_2A receptor radioligand, [³H]ketanserin, with prazosin added to block ₁ receptors, a similar Hill slope and B_max was noted but a two-fold higher K_D was found. In competition binding studies using 0.5 nM [³H]MDL 100,907, some 19 standard ligands to various receptors including the 5HT_1A, D₂, ₁, and receptors resulted in estimated K_I values that were consistent with [³H]MDL 100,907 selectively binding to the 5-HT_2A receptor. A comparison of the K_I values for 17 standard 5-HT_2A receptor agonists and antagonists displacing [³H]MDL 100,907 versus [³H]ketanserin resulted in a highly significant linear correlation (R² = 0.96, P<0.001). Taken together these results suggest that [³H]MDL 100,907 is binding to the 5-HT_2A receptor with a sub-nanomolar affinity without the use of secondary blocking agents.     

[3H]-Spiroperidol labels dopamine receptors in membranes from rabbit mesenteric artery

Summary The potent dopamine receptor antagonist [³H]-spiroperidol was used to label binding sites in a membrane fraction derived from rabbit mesenteric artery which had characteristics expected for dopamine receptors. The binding was of high affinity with an equilibrium dissociation constant (K_D) of 13.1 nM; it was saturable with 110 fmol of [³H]-spiroperidol bound/mg protein at maximal occupancy of the sites. Binding at 37° C was rapid and readily reversible with rate constants of 0.0154 nM^–1 min^–1 and 0.114 min^–1 for forward and reverse reaction, respectively. Dopamine receptor antagonists were about 100–200 times more potent than -adrenolytic drugs in competing for the [³H]-spiroperidol binding sites and dopamine was much more potent than (–)-noradrenaline, adrenaline, (–)-isoprenaline, clonidine or serotonin. It is concluded that in a membrane fraction of the rabbit mesenteric artery there exist binding sites for [³H]-spiroperidol indistinguishable from dopamine receptors. Thus the present results support the view that in vascular smooth muscle there exist specific dopamine receptors.This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft     

[3H]-Domperidone labels only a single population of receptors which convert from high to low affinity for dopamine in rat brain

Summary Dopamine recognized and competed for a single population of [³H]-domperidone-binding sites in rat striatum and olfactory tubercle when tested in the presence of sodium ions and guanine nucleotide [Gpp(NH)p]. In the absence of Na⁺ and Gpp(NH)p, however, dopamine recognized two components of [³H]-domperidone binding. Thus, [³H]-domperidone labelled only a single population of dopamine receptors (type D₂) which fully converted from high to low affinity for dopamine. These results agree with those found previously using [³H]-spiperone and [³H]-YM-09151-2.     

[3H] GR67330, a very high affinity ligand for 5-HT3 receptors

Summary GR67330 potently inhibited 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-induced depolarizations of the rat isolated vagus nerve. At the higher concentrations used (0.3 nmol/l–1 nmol/l) this was accompanied by a marked reduction in the maximum response to 5-HT. The calculated pK_B value was 10.2.The binding of the tritiated derivative of GR67330 to homogenates of rat entorhinal cortex was examined. Kinetic analysis revealed that specific [³H] GR67330 (0.1 nmol/l) binding was rapid and reversible. Association and dissociation rate constants were 1.48 ± 0.36 × 10⁸ mol/l^–1 s^–1 and 7.85 ± 0.41 × 10^–3 s^–1 respectively. Equilibrium saturation analysis revealed specific binding was to a single site (Bmax 22.6±0.21 fmol/mg protein) of high affinity (Kd 0.038±0.003 nmol/l). At low ligand concentrations, specific binding was up to 90% of total binding. If unlabelled GR67330 was used to define non-specific binding two sites were evident (Kd₁ 0.066 ± 0.007 nmol/l, Kd₂ 20.1 ± 9.7 nmol/l; Bmax₂ 31.5 ± 3.2 fmol/mg protein, Bmax₂ 1110 ± 420 fmol/mg protein). [³H] GR67330 binding was inhibited potently by 5-HT₃ antagonists and agonists. Ligands for other 5-HT receptors and other neurotransmitter receptors were either only weakly active or inactive at inhibiting binding. Hill numbers for antagonist inhibition of binding were close to unity, except for quipazine which was significantly greater than one. In common with other 5-HT₃ binding studies, all 5-HT₃ agonist tested had Hill numbers greater than one (1.51–1.71). GR38032 and GR65630 inhibited a greater proportion of binding than other 5-HT₃ antagonists, this additional binding was interpreted as inhibition from a second saturable site unrelated to the 5-HT₃ receptor.Homogenates of five areas of rat brain were examined for specific [³H]-GR67330 binding (entorhinal cortex, cingulate cortex, parietal cortex, hippocampus and nucleus accumbens/olfactory tubercle). In each brain area a site of very high affinity was labelled. Drug inhibition profiles were also very similar in each brain area. It is concluded that, because of its high affinity, [³H] GR67330 will be a useful ligand to label 5-HT₃ receptors especially in tissues with low receptor densities and to map 5-HT₃ receptors autoradiographically.Abbreviations 5-HT 5-Hydroxytryptamine - 8-OH-DPAT 8-hydroxy-2-di-N-propylaminotetralin - 5-CT 5-carboxyamidotryptamine - GR38032 (±) 1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-9-methyl-3[(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl]-4H-carbazol-4-one - GR65630 3-(5-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1-(1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl) -1-propanone - GR67330 (±)1,2,3,9 - tetrahydro-9-methyl-3-[(5-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)methyl]-4H-carbazol-4-one - MDL72222 1H,3,5H-tropan-3-yl-3,5-dichlorobenzoate - ICS 205–930 (3-tropanyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxylic acid ester - BRL24924 endo-4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxy-N-(1-azabicyclo[3,3,1]non-4-yl)benzamide - BRL43694 endo-N-(9-methyl-9-azabicyclo[3,3,1]non-3-yl)-1-methyl-indazole-3-carboxamide - SDZ 206-830 (3-homotropanyl)-1-methyl-5-fluoro-indole-3-carboxylic acid ester - mCPP meta-chlorophenylpiperazine Send offprint requests to G. J. Kilpatrick at the above address     

3H-flupenthixol binding in post-mortem brains of schizophrenics: Evidence for a selective increase in dopamine D2 receptors

The binding of ³H-cis flupenthixol (³H-FPT) to dopamine receptors in membrane preparations from control subjects and schizophrenics was studied. Using a fixed concentration of ³H-FPT, no differences were observed between controls and all schizophrenics, although ³H-FPT binding was increased in schizophrenics who apparently were drug-free at the time of death. Scatchard analysis of ³H-FPT binding revealed that in drug-treated schizophrenics both the number of binding sites (B_M) and the dissociation constant (K_D) were increased, whilst in drug-free schizophrenics only the B_M was increased. Using domperidone to differentiate ³H-FPT binding to D1 and D2 dopamine sites, it was found that only D2 sites were increased in drug-free schizophrenics. The results are discussed with reference to previous studies on dopamine receptors in schizophrenia, and the effects of neuroleptic treatment. It is suggested that a selective increase in D2 receptors may be associated with the disease process in schizophrenia.     

Effects of discriminant and non-discriminant dopamine antagonists on in vivo accumulation of 3H-N-propyl-norapomorphine in mouse striatum and tuberculum olfactorium

Summary The in vivo accumulation of ³H-N-propyl norapomorphine in mouse striatum and tuberculum olfactorium and its inhibition by a series of classical neuroleptics and discriminant benzamide derivatives previously identified in behavioural and radioligand experiments has been studied.The ID₅₀ values in the two brain areas did not significantly differ with any studied compound. In addition the regional distribution of a discriminant compound related to sulpiride and administered in tritiated form to rats was rather homogeneous.These data do not indicate a preferential accumulation of these compounds in limbic as opposed to striatal areas.     

CGP 25454A,a novel and selective presynaptic dopamine autoreceptor antagonist

N-(diethylamino-ethyl)-4-chloro-5-cyano-2-methoxy-benzamide-hydrochloride (CGP 25454A) is a new benzamide derivative now in clinical trials in patients with major depression. Here we describe some basic neurochemical and behavioural properties in animal experiments. In vitro, CGP 25454A increased the field-stimulated [³H]- and [¹⁴C]-overflow from rat striatal slices preloaded with [³H]dopamine and [¹⁴C] choline, indicating that CGP 25454A was able to enhance the release of both dopamine (DA) and acetylcholine (ACh). However, CGP 25454A was 12.9 times more potent in increasing, by 1/6 of the apparent maximal increase, the release of [³H]DA than that of [¹⁴C]ACh. In vivo, CGP 25454A increased [³H]spiperone binding to receptors of the D₂ family in rat striatum by 90–110% (ED₅₀: 13 mg/kg i.p.). As a similar increase in [³H]spiperone binding was found with a variety of agents which increase the synaptic concentration of endogenous DA, the effect of CGP 25454A most probably reflects an enhanced release of DA under in vivo conditions. At 30–100 mg/kg, CGP 25454A inhibited [³H]spiperone binding in the pituitary of the same animals as a result of a blockade of postsynaptic DA receptors. This dual mode of action was also apparent in terms of behavioral changes. At doses as low as 5–10 mg/kg, CGP 25454A produced a weak stimulation, suggested by a trend of increased spontaneous rearing and corroborated by a significant potentiation of the elevated rearing induced by (+)-amphetamine. By contrast, at doses of 30–100 mg/kg, it exerted clear-cut sedative and neuroleptic-like properties. These data obtained from three different experimental approaches suggest that CGP 25454A selectively blocks presynaptic DA autoreceptors in the lower dose range whereas at higher doses it also blocks the postsynaptic receptors. Correspondence to: S. Bischoff at the above address     

Discriminative stimulus effects of apomorphine and 7-OH-DPAT: a potential role for dopamine D3 receptors

Previous studies have reported that the non-selective dopamine agonist, apomorphine, can serve effectively as a discriminative stimulus in experimental animals, and evidence has been presented that this effect is mediated by dopamine D₂ receptors. More recently, it has been found that another dopamine agonist, 7-OH-DPAT, which has some selectivity for D₃ receptors, also produces a discriminative cue in rats. The present study set out to make a direct comparison of the discriminative stimulus effects of these two compounds. Rats were trained to discriminate either apomorphine (0.05 mg/kg, SC) or 7-OH-DPAT (0.1 mg/kg, IP) from saline. Both discriminations were acquired but extended training was necessary. Cross generalisation occurred between the two compounds and both cues generalised to the dopamine agonists, quinpirole, quinelorane, PD 128207, and bromocriptine. When the potencies of these compounds to produce the apomorphine or 7-OH-DPAT cues were correlated with their potencies to produce D₂ or D₃ functional responses in vitro (mitogenesis in transfected cells–results taken from the literature) stronger correlations with D₃ than with D₂ responses were observed. Both the cueing and the response rate-decreasing effects of apomorphine and 7-OH-DPAT were antagonised by the autoreceptor selective dopamine antagonist amisulpride, and sulpiride also antagonised the cues but without affecting response rates. In contrast, haloperidol blocked the cues but potentiated the response rate decreases. These results suggest that, at the doses used, apomorphine and 7-OH-DPAT produce similar discriminative stimuli, which may be mediated by presynaptically located dopamine D₃ receptors. Received: 5 October 1996 / Final version: 15 November 1996     

3- and 4-O-sulfoconjugated and methylated dopamine: highly reduced binding affinity to dopamine D2 receptors in rat striatal membranes

Summary The binding properties of 3- and 4-O-sulfoconjugated dopamine (DA-3-0-S, DA-4-0-S) as well as 3-O-methylated dopamine (MT) to rat striatal dopamine D₂ receptors were investigated. ³H-spiperone was used as a radioligand in the binding studies. In saturation binding experiments (+)butaclamol, which has been reported to bind to dopaminergic D₂ and serotoninergic 5HT₂ receptors, was used in conjunction with ketanserin and sulpiride, which preferentially label 5HT₂ and D₂ receptors, respectively, in order to discriminate between ³H-spiperone binding to D₂ and to 5HT₂ receptors. Under our particular membrane preparation and assay conditions, ³H-spiperone binds to D₂ and 5HT₂ receptors with a maximal binding capacity (B _max) of 340 fmol/mg protein in proportions of about 75%:25% with similar dissociation constants K _D (35 pmol/l; 43 pmol/l). This result was verified by the biphasic competition curve of ketanserin, which revealed about 20% high (K _D = 24 nmol/l) and 80% low (K _D = 420 nmol/l) affinity binding sites corresponding to 5HT₂ and D₂ receptors, respectively. Therefore, all further competition experiments at a tracer concentration of 50 pmol/l were performed in the presence of 0.1 mol/l ketanserin to mask the 5HT₂ receptors. DA competition curves were best fitted assuming two binding sites, with high (K _H = 0.12 mol/l) and low (K_L = 18 mol/l) affinity, present in a ratio of 3:1. The high affinity binding sites were interconvertible by 100 mol/l guanyl-5-yl imidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p], resulting in a homogenous affinity state of DA receptors (K _D = 2.8 mol/l). Competition experiments with various compounds confirmed the binding of ³H-spiperone to D₂ receptors. DA-3-O-S, DA-4-O-S, and MT were more than 5,000-, more than 10,000-, and 530-fold less potent in competing for ³H-spiperone binding when compared with DA at the high affinity binding site which mediates biological effects. Therefore, it is concluded that these DA metabolites are biologically ineffective at central D₂ receptors. Send offprint requests to E. Werle at the above address     

Dopamine D2 receptors selectively labeled by a benzamide neuroleptic: [3H]-YM-09151-2

Summary In order to label dopamine D₂ receptors selectively we tritiated the potent benzamide neuroleptic, YM-09151-2 (26.7 Ci/mmol). The binding of [³H]-YM-09151-2 to canine striatal membranes was saturable and specific with a K _D of 57 pmol/l and B _max of 36 pmol/g tissue as determined by Scatchard analysis. The K _D, but not the B _max, of [³H]-YM-09151-2 increased 6-fold in the absence of sodium chloride. [³H]-YM-09151-2 labeled 40% more sites than [³H]-spiperone in the same tissue homogenate. [³H]-YM-09151-2 binding was inhibited by dopaminergic drugs in a concentration and stereoselective manner with the appropriate dopamine D₂ receptor profile. Thus, dopamine agonists inhibited [³H]-YM-09151-2 binding to canine striatal membranes with the following rank order of potency: (–)-N-n-propylnorapomorphine > apomorphine > (±)-6,7-dihydroxy-2-aminotetralin > (+)-N-n-propylnorapomorphine > dopamine > (–)-noradrenaline > serotonin > (–)-isoprenaline. Dopaminergic antagonists competed for [³H]-YM-09151-2 binding with the following order of potency: spiperone > (+)-butaclamol > haloperidol > clebopride > (–)-sulpiride > SCH-23390 > (–)-butaclamol. Furthermore, dopamine agonists recognized 2 states of the receptor labeled by [³H]-YM-09151-2, D ₂ ^high and D ₂ ^low . The D ₂ ^high state of the receptor could be converted to D ₂ ^low by guanine nucleotides and sodium ions as is the case for [³H]-spiperone binding to D₂ receptors. [³H]-YM-09151-2 appears to be a more selective ligand for dopamine D₂ receptors than [³H]-spiperone, since YM-09151-2 displays approximately 9-fold lower affinity than spiperone for cortical serotonergic (S₂) receptors. [³H]-YM-09151-2 may become a useful tool for the selective characterization of dopamine D₂ receptors.Abbreviations used (±)ADTN (±)-2-amino-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene - NPA N-n-propylnorapomorphine - Gpp(NH)p 5-guanylylimidodiphosphate     

Presynaptic dopamine receptors: Insensitivity to kainic acid and the development of supersensitivity following chronic haloperidol

Summary The effects of kainic acid lesions and chronic haloperidol treatment on rat striatal dopaminergic presynaptic receptors were studied. Following the -butyrolactone-induced inhibition of dopaminergic impulse flow, and after dopa decarboxylase inhibition, dopa accumulation and its reversal by dopamine agonists was measured in vivo.³H-apomorphine (a dopamine receptor ligand with purported presynaptic specificity) was used for in vitro binding experiments. Presynaptic dopamine receptors, as assessed by both methods, were unaffected by intrastriatal kainic acid injection 5–6 days before sacrifice. Seven days after termination of chronic haloperidol treatment (28 days, 0.5 mg/kg/day s.c.) both an increased apomorphine response using the dopa accumulation method and an increase in³H-apomorphine binding were observed, indicating the development of presynaptic dopamine receptor supersensitivity.     

Further evidence that 3H-cis(Z)flupenthixol binds to the adenylate cyclase-associated dopamine receptor (D-1) in rat corpus striatum

The proposal that ³H-cis(Z)flupenthixol (³H-FPT) preferentially binds to striatal dopamine receptors associated with adenylate cyclase activity (D-1), distinct from dopamine receptors to which ³H-haloperidol (³H-hal) binds (D-2), has been investigated further. The dopamine agonists bromocriptine and ergotamine were 60-times more potent as displacers of ³H-hal than ³H-FPT binding. Other dopamine agonists (ergometrine, dopamine, apomorphine, 2-amino-6,7-dihydroxy-tetralin (ADTN), and ergocornine) also shared this profile, although a smaller ratio was found for these compounds. Substituted benzamides (clebopride > sultopride > sulpiride > metoclorpramide > tiapride) displace ³H-hal but have only a very slight displacing effect towards ³H-FPT, and did not inhibit dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. The same pattern is shared by oxiperomide and molindone. Together, these results support the idea that ³H-FPT labels another class of dopamine receptors than does ³H-hal, and that the former class most likely is associated with adenylate cyclase.     

[125I] N6-p-hydroxyphenylisopropyladenosine,a new ligand for Ri adenosine receptors

Summary N⁶-p-Hydroxyphenylisopropyladenosine (HPIA) has been labelled with carrier-free Na[¹²⁵I] to very high specific activity (2,175 Ci/mmol) and used as an agonist ligand to characterize R_i adenosine receptors in rat cerebral cortex membranes. The binding is saturable, reversible, stereospecific and dependent on protein concentration. The specific binding at 37°C was of high affinity with an equilibrium dissociation constant K_D of 0.48 nmol/l and was saturable with 0.23 pmol of [¹²⁵I]HPIA per mg of protein. The rate constant of association, k₁, was 3.25×10⁸ l mol^–1 min^–1 and that of dissociation, k₂, 0.0110 min^–1 yielding a t_1/2 of 63 min. In competition experiments the (–)isomer of N⁶-phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA) was 16-fold more potent than the (+)isomer in competing for the binding sites. Specific binding was most effectively displaced by N⁶-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA, k_i=0.26 nmol/l), (–)PIA (k_i=0.33 nmol/l) and HPIA (k_i=0.52 nmol/l), whereas 5-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA, k_i-1.42 nmol/l) was less effective. The methylxanthines 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), theophylline and caffeine which have been classified as adenosine antagonists had k_i values between 5–34 mol/l. Binding of [¹²⁵I]HPIA was regulated by guanine nucleotides and divalent cations. The results indicate that [¹²⁵I]HPIA labels R_i adenosine receptors in rat brain membranes.     

Preferential involvement of D3 versus D2 dopamine receptors in the effects of dopamine receptor ligands on oral ethanol self-administration in rats

There is evidence that dopamine transmission is involved in reinforcement processes and the present study investigated the relative involvement of D₃ versus D₂ dopamine receptors in the effects of dopamine ligands on the reinforcing action of ethanol. Rats were trained to self-administer ethanol (10% v/v) orally in a free-choice two-lever operant task using a saccharin-fading procedure. When preference in responding for ethanol over water had developed the rats were tested with several dopamine agonists and antagonists. Pretreatment with the non-selective dopamine agonist, apomorphine (0.01–0.1 mg/kg), the preferential D₂ agonist, bromocriptine (1–10 mg/kg) and the selective D₃ agonists, 7-OH-DPAT (0.003–0.1 mg/kg), PD 128907 (0.1–3 mg/kg), (+)3PPP (0.3–3 mg/kg), quinelorane (0.0001–0.003 mg/kg) and quinpirole (0.003–0.03 mg/kg), resulted in dose-dependent decreases in responding for ethanol. The relative potencies of the dopamine agonists to decrease ethanol self-administration were highly correlated with their published potencies to produce in vitro functional D₃ but not D₂ responses. Active doses could be considered as those selectively stimulating receptors involved in the control of dopamine release, suggesting that reduction of dopamine transmission was associated with a decrease in ethanol-reinforced responding. This conclusion was further supported by the finding that pretreatment with the D₂/D₃ dopamine antagonists, haloperidol (0.1–0.4 mg/kg) and tiapride (10–60 mg/ kg), decreased responding for ethanol at doses which have been shown previously to block dopamine transmission. Received: 25 January 1998/Final version: 24 April 1998     

In vivo occupancy of dopamine D2 receptors by antipsychotic drugs and novel compounds in the mouse striatum and olfactory tubercles

Interaction with dopamine D₂-like receptors plays a major role in the therapeutic effects of antipsychotic drugs. We examined in vivo dopamine D₂ receptor occupancy of various established and potential antipsychotics in mouse striatum and olfactory tubercles 1 h after administration of the compound, using [³H]nemonapride as a ligand. All the compounds reduced in vivo binding of [³H]nemonapride in the striatum. When administered systemically, conventional antipsychotics, D₂ antagonists, nemonapride (ID₅₀: 0.034 mg/kg), eticlopride (0.047), haloperidol (0.11) and raclopride (0.11) potently inhibited [³H]nemonapride binding. The ‘atypical’ antipsychotics, risperidone (0.18), ziprasidone (0.38), aripiprazole (1.6), olanzapine (0.99), and clozapine (11.1) were less potent for occupying D₂-like receptors. New compounds, displaying marked agonism at 5-HT_1A receptors in addition to D₂ receptor affinity, exhibited varying D₂ receptor occupancy: bifeprunox (0.25), SLV313 (0.78), SSR181507 (1.6) and sarizotan (6.7). ID₅₀ values for inhibition of [³H]nemonapride binding in the striatum correlated with those in the olfactory tubercles (r=0.95, P<0.0001). These values also correlated with previously-reported in vitro affinity of the compounds at rat D₂ receptors (r=0.85, P=0.0001) and with inhibition of apomorphine-induced climbing in mice (r=0.79 P=0.0005). In contrast, there was no significant correlation between ID₅₀ values herein and previously-reported ED₅₀ values for catalepsy in mice. These data indicate that: (1) there is no difference in D₂ receptor occupancy in limbic versus striatal regions between most classical and atypical or potential antipsychotics; and (2) high occupancy of D₂ receptors can be dissociated from catalepsy, if the drugs also activate 5-HT_1A receptors. Taken together, these data support the strategy of simultaneously targeting D₂ receptor blockade and 5-HT_1A receptor activation for new antipsychotics.