| Abstract: | The effect of the irreversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) on mouse brain muscarinic acetylcholine receptors was assessed using the muscarinic antagonists 3H]N-methylscopolamine ( 3H]NMS) and 3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate ( 3H]QNB). No alteration in the maximal binding capacity (Bmax) or equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) was observed in brain homogenates obtained from mice 12 h after a single injection of DFP when 3H]NMS was employed as the ligand. However, one administration of DFP produced a 24 and 33% decrease in Bmax as measured by 3H]NMS binding after 18 and 24 h, respectively. A similar decrease in Bmax was found after two (31%) and three (29%) days of daily DFP treatment. On the other hand, Scatchard analysis using 3H]QNB binding in the brain revealed no difference in KD or Bmax between untreated and 24 h DFP-treated mice. Thus, there is a differential alteration in mouse brain muscarinic acetylcholine receptors using these two ligands which suggests that 3H]NMS binding sites are more sensitive to regulation following acute organophosphate administration. |
