Specific binding of [3H]phencyclidines to membrane preparation. Possible interaction with the cholinergic ionophore

Nicotinic Agonists, Antagonists, and Modulators From Natural Sources

1. Acetylcholine receptors were initially defined as nicotinic or muscarinic, based on selective activation by two natural products, nicotine and muscarine. Several further nicotinic agonists have been discovered from natural sources, including cytisine, anatoxin, ferruginine, anabaseine, epibatidine, and epiquinamide. These have provided lead structures for the design of a wide range of synthetic agents. 2. Natural sources have also provided competitive nicotinic antagonists, such as the Erythrina alkaloids, the tubocurarines, and methyllycaconitine. Noncompetitive antagonists, such as the histrionicotoxins, various izidines, decahydroquinolines, spiropyrrolizidine oximes, pseudophrynamines, ibogaine, strychnine, cocaine, and sparteine have come from natural sources. Finally, galanthamine, codeine, and ivermectin represent positive modulators of nicotinic function, derived from natural sources. 3. Clearly, research on acetylcholine receptors and functions has been dependent on key natural products and the synthetic agents that they inspired.

The effects of drugs on the incorporation of a conformationally-sensitive, hydrophobic probe into the ion channel of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

The pattern of incorporation of the hydrophobic photolabel 3-(trifluoromethyl)-3-(m-[125I]iodophenyl)diazirine([125I]TID) into the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) is a sensitive measure of AChR conformation (resting state or desensitized). We determined the ability of tetracaine, dibucaine, procaine, lidocaine, chlorpromazine or phencyclidine to inhibit [125I]TID photolabeling of the AChR as a function of drug concentration, both as a measure of the ability of these drugs to desensitize the AChR, and to characterize the [125I]TID binding site. To localize the site(s) of drug action, experiments were performed in the absence and presence of saturating concentrations of alpha-bungarotoxin (BgTx), to block drug binding to the agonist binding site. On the basis of the concentration dependence of their effects, which was not altered by the presence of BgTx, tetracaine and dibucaine appeared to block [125I]TID incorporation competitively, suggesting that the high-affinity [125I]TID binding site is the non-competitive blocker binding site presumed to exist in the interior of the AChR ion channel. Procaine, chlorpromazine, lidocaine and phencyclidine blocked [125I]TID incorporation at lower concentrations in the absence of BgTx than in its presence, suggesting that these drugs block incorporation by inducing desensitization when bound to their high-affinity non-competitive blocker binding sites and that BgTx countered the drug effect by allosterically stabilizing the resting state.

Binding of [3H]phencyclidine to adrenal medullary cells: inhibition of 22Na influx, 45Ca influx, 86Rb efflux and catecholamine secretion caused by carbachol and veratridine

In bovine adrenal medullary cells, phencyclidine inhibited carbachol-induced influx of 22Na, 45Ca and secretion of catecholamines in a concentration-dependent manner with a similar potency (IC50 7.0 microM). Phencyclidine also suppressed veratridine-induced influx of 22Na, 45Ca and secretion of catecholamines (IC50 60.0 microM). High K-induced 45Ca influx and catecholamine secretion were not affected by phencyclidine. In the cells preloaded with 86Rb (an alternative tracer for 42K), phencyclidine inhibited the efflux of 86Rb caused by carbachol (IC50 10.0 microM) or by veratridine (IC50 56.0 microM), but had no effect on high K-induced 86Rb efflux. [3H]Phencyclidine bound specifically to adrenal medullary cells, and binding was saturable, reversible and with two different equilibrium dissociation constants (4.3 and 77.4 microM). In a competition experiment, the specific binding of [3H]phencyclidine was not inhibited by carbachol, muscarine, D-tubocurarine, hexamethonium, tetrodotoxin, veratridine and scorpion venom. The present findings suggest: (1) phencyclidine does not inhibit voltage-dependent Ca channels and Ca-dependent K channels; (2) phencyclidine binds to two populations of sites, each of which is functionally linked to nicotinic receptor-ion channel complex and to voltage-dependent Na channels, and inhibits Na influx caused by carbachol and veratridine. Inhibition of Na influx by phencyclidine leads to the reduction of Ca influx, K efflux and catecholamine secretion caused by carbachol and veratridine.

PCP and analogs prevent the proliferative response of T lymphocytes by lowering IL2 production. An effect related to the blockade of mitogen-triggered enhancement of free cytosolic calcium concentration

The psychotomimetic drug PCP displays a vast array of known pharmacological effects, among them its capacity to affect cation transport in nervous and myocardiac tissues. Since increased movements of cations are essential for the immune responses, it has been mentioned that PCP could also depress immune functions by this mechanism. In order to check this hypothesis, we have investigated the effects of PCP and of many other structural derivatives on the blastogenic response of murine or human T lymphocytes. We find that all the drugs block an early event of T lymphocyte activation and prevent their further proliferation; conversely they do not affect primed lymphocytes. The compounds, which do not inhibit interleukin-1 (IL-1) production in stimulated macrophages, lower interleukin-2 (IL-2) synthesis in activated T helper cells. This negative action appears to be related to the inhibition of the rise of free cytosolic calcium concentration [Ca2+]i observed soon after the T receptor triggering and which is an essential message for IL-2 production. The lymphocyte membrane depolarization induced by the drugs could explain the blockade of the lectin-induced [Ca2+]i changes. The study of the structure-activity relationship shows that the PCP analogs which possess a quasi-rigid conformational structure express an inhibitory capacity of T lymphocyte proliferation higher than that of PCP (200 times for some products). Since these compounds interact poorly with the CNS tissues and have few behavioral effects, we suggest that PCP exerts its negative action on lymphocytes on cell components different from its receptor(s) in the CNS.

Discriminative stimulus properties of phencyclidine (PCP)-related compounds: correlations with 3H-PCP binding potency measured autoradiographically

Several PCP analogs, the putative PCP agonist MDP, and the sigma receptor agonists SKF-10,047 and dexoxadrol were tested for their ability to substitute for PCP in animals trained to discriminate PCP from saline. The potencies of these compounds in substituting for PCP in the behavioral task correlated with their abilities to inhibit the specific binding of 3H-PCP to rat hippocampal sections measured autoradiographically, which occurred at a single class of sites with an affinity of 85 nM and a capacity of 2646 fmol/mg protein. In addition to this specific binding, an additional nonspecific but displaceable fraction of total 3H-PCP binding was present. These results suggest that the specific 3H-PCP binding site measured in the hippocampus may be the type of binding site which mediates the behavioral effects of PCP and related compounds. Therefore, measurement of the inhibition of 3H-PCP binding at this site might aid in the search for PCP antagonists.

Enhancement of brain calcium antagonist binding by phencyclidine and related compounds

The abilities of compounds structurally or pharmacologically related to phencyclidine to increase the apparent affinity of the [3H]dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist [3H]nitrendipine were examined in lysed synaptosomal membrane preparations of rat brain. The p-bromo analog of phencyclidine (1-(1-(4-bromophenyl)cyclohexyl)piperidine) was the most efficacious compound tested in enhancing the apparent affinity of [3H]nitrendipine. The efficacy of this compound was approximately two-fold greater than PCP. The stereoisomers of PCMP (1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl-3-methylpiperidine) were also more efficacious than phencyclidine, although only a small degree of stereoselectivity was observed. Levoxadrol, dexoxadrol and the enantiomers of ketamine did not potentiate [3H]nitrendipine binding. The enantiomers of SKF 10047 (n-allylormetazocine), dextrorphan, levorphanol and the ion channel toxins histrionicotoxin and pumiliotoxin-B also increased the apparent affinity of [3H]nitrendipine, while several local anesthetics and mu-opiate receptor ligands were without effect. These studies suggest that the ability of phencyclidine and structurally related compounds to increase the apparent affinity of [3H]nitrendipine is not mediated through an interaction with phencyclidine receptors, but may represent a unique site for allosteric modulation of neuronal dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist binding sites.

Phencyclidine increases the affinity of dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist binding in rat brain

Phencyclidine (PCP) significantly reduces the apparent dissociation constant (KD) of the dihydropyridine (DHP) calcium channel antagonist, [3H]nitrendipine, in synaptosomal membranes of rat and mouse brain without significantly effecting the maximum binding capacity (Bmax). At an optimum concentration of PCP (10 microM) the apparent KD of [3H]nitrendipine was reduced from 178 +/- 9 pM to 112 +/- 9 pM in rat forebrain, a 58% increase in affinity. The structural derivatives of PCP, P-Br-PCP [1-[1-(4-bromo-phenyl-cyclohexyl)piperidine]], m-NH2-PCP [1-[1-(3-anilo)-cyclohexyl]piperidine], (+/-)-PCMP [1-(1-phenyl)-cyclo-hexyl-3-methylpiperidine] also increased the apparent affinity of [3H]nitrendipine in the following order, p-Br-PCP much greater than PCMP greater than PCP greater than m-NH2-PCP. Local anesthetics either reduced the apparent affinity of [3H]nitrendipine or had no effect. Kinetic analysis revealed that PCP both increased the microassociation rate constant and decreased the microdissociation rate constant of [3H]nitrendipine. The magnitude of this enhanced binding varied with the brain region studied; the greatest increase in apparent affinity of [3H]nitrendipine was observed in striatum, while no significant increase in affinity was observed in brainstem. In some brain areas, PCP was more effective in reducing the KD in crude homogenates than in washed tissue. PCP (10 microM) did not alter the KD of [3H]nitrendipine to rat cardiac tissue. Both Ca2+ and Mg2+ inhibited the effect of PCP, while monovalent ions were ineffective in this regard.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of phencyclidine and analog drugs on acetylcholine receptor of cultured muscle cells

Myotubes grown in culture provided a convenient experimental system for the study of the effects of phencyclidine (PCP) and analog drugs on both acetylcholine receptor (AChR) function and on its binding properties. The extent of PCP retention by these cells was studied on the same preparations. PCP, N-ethyl-l-phenylcyclohexylamine (PCE), PCP methiodide (PCPMeI), 1-[1-(3-aminophenyl)-cyclohexyl] piperidine (NH2PCP) and 1-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl] piperidine (TCP) were found to inhibit carbamylcholine (CbCh)-induced 22Na and 45Ca ion fluxes with 50% inhibition (I50) at 2-6 microM drug concentration. The I50 for CbCh-induced 42K+ efflux was 8-20 microM. Ketamine was less efficient with an I50 of 100 microM. Binding of [125I] alpha-bungarotoxin [( 125I]alpha-BGT) was not affected at drug concentrations that cause 100% inhibition of ion fluxes. Retention of [3H]PCP by the myotubes was a saturable process with half-maximal saturation at approximately 20 microM PCP. It was inhibited by PCP and several tertiary analogs, with and I50 of approximately 20 microM. PCPMeI was much less effective, with an I50 of 1 mM. PCPMeI was, however, as potent as PCP in its inhibition of the AChR function although the amount retained by the cells was 50-fold lower than that of PCP. These results are consistent with the theory that PCP and analog drugs affect AChR at a site other than the alpha-BGT binding site, possibly at the ionic channel of the nicotinic receptor.

Aryldiazonium salts as photoaffinity labels of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor PCP binding site

Several aryldiazonium salts are described as irreversible blockers of the phencyclidine binding site of the nicotinic cholinergic receptor. A partial hydrophobic character increases the affinity of these salts for the phencyclidine binding site. Photoaffinity labelling with a tritiated diazonium salt in the presence of either carbamylcholine or alpha-bungarotoxin leads to incorporation of radioactivity into the 4 subunits of the receptor. Among these diazonium salts, an imidazole derivative is unique in that the photoinduced irreversible blocking in only effective when the receptor is in a desensitised state.

Acetylcholine receptor: an allosteric protein

The nicotine receptor for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine is an allosteric protein composed of four different subunits assembled in a transmembrane pentamer alpha 2 beta gamma delta. The protein carries two acetylcholine sites at the level of the alpha subunits and contains the ion channel. The complete sequence of the four subunits is known. The membrane-bound protein undergoes conformational transitions that regulate the opening of the ion channel and are affected by various categories of pharmacologically active ligands.

Multiple binding sites for phencyclidine on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo ocellata electric organ

Binding of [3H]-phencyclidine ( [3H]-PCP) to acetylcholine-receptor enriched membrane from Torpedo ocellata electric organ was studied over a ligand concentration range of 1 to 200 microM. The results indicate that [3H]-PCP is bound to two classes of sites: high affinity (Kd = 6-9 microM) and low affinity (Kd = 85 microM) binding sites. In the absence of cholinergic drugs the ratio of high affinity [3H]-PCP binding sites to 125I-alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-Bgt) binding sites is 0.37, and that of low affinity [3H]-PCP binding sites to 125I-alpha-Bgt is 1.06. Low affinity [3H]-PCP binding can be completely inhibited by alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha-Bgt), carbamylcholine and d-tubocurarine. This inhibition, together with the one to one stoichiometry with 125I-alpha-Bgt, suggests that the sites to which [3H]-PCP binds with low affinity are the acetylcholine (AcCho) binding sites. In the presence of 1 microM alpha-Bgt which blocks binding of [3H]-PCP to the AcCho binding sites, the ratio of high affinity [3H]-PCP sites to 125I-alpha-Bgt sites is 0.5, indicating the existence of one high affinity PCP site per receptor molecule, The toxin, however, decreases the apparent affinity of [3H]-PCP towards the AcCho receptor as well as the potency of tetracaine or dibucaine in inhibiting [3H]-PCP binding to that receptor. In the latter case the effect involves changes from a biphasic to a simple inhibition curve. The results suggest that non-competitive blockers to the AcCho receptors may affect their own sites as well, and that they do this also by binding to the AcCho binding sites. This is also inferred from the accelerated dissociation of [3H]-PCP from its high affinity binding sites by unlabeled PCP in the concentration range of 10(-3) to 10(-4) M, at which the drug occupies AcCho binding sites as well.

[3H]TCP: a new tool with high affinity for the PCP receptor in rat brain

PCP binding sites have previously been demonstrated in the central nervous system with [3H]PCP. We now describe the binding properties to rat brain membranes of [3H]TCP, a PCP derivative. It is very advantageous to use [3H]TCP instead of [3H]PCP for the 3 following reasons: (i) it has a better affinity (Kd = 7.4 nM) for PCP binding sites than PCP itself; (ii) it dissociates slowly from its binding sites (t 1/2 = 20 min); (iii) the non-specific binding component obtained with [3H]TCP is much lower than that found with [3H]PCP.

Phencyclidine inhibition of the acetylcholine receptor: measurement of cation flux in a sympathetic neuronal cell line using 22Na+ and spectroscopic detection of Cs+

The site of action of phencyclidine, a powerful and increasingly abused drug, in sympathetic nerve cells has not previously been identified. Here it is demonstrated that phencyclidine is a powerful, noncompetitive inhibitor of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in a sympathetic nerve cell line, PC-12. In the presence of 1 mM carbamoylcholine the rate of the receptor-controlled influx of 22Na+ is reduced by a factor of 2 by 0.7 microM phencyclidine. Increasing concentrations of carbamoylcholine cannot reverse the inhibitory effect of the drug. Both the transmission of electrical signals between nerve cells and the secretion of catecholamines in the PC-12 cell line depend on the receptor-controlled ion flux. Thus phencyclidine interferes with at least two specific, physiologically important functions of these nerve cells. A new spectroscopic method has been developed to measure cation flux in cells. It is shown that this method can replace measurements of tracer ion flux.

Species differences determine azido phencyclidine labeling pattern in desensitized nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Acetylcholine receptor enriched membranes from Torpedo ocellata, Torpedo marmorata and Torpedo californica were studied using [3H] azido-phencyclidine (AZ-PCP). [3H]-PCP binding to receptors from all three species revealed marked similarities. Photoaffinity labeling by [3H]-AZ-PCP resulted in the tagging of mainly alpha, beta and delta subunits in all species. When carbamylcholine was added, it enhanced the labeling of beta subunits in T. ocellata, delta in T. marmorata and alpha in T. californica, suggesting species differences in the photolabeling pattern. Multiple homologous binding sites for PCP between the receptor subunits would allow small variations in receptor structure to be manifested in labeling by AZ-PCP, with no differences in binding and functional properties of the receptors.

Phencyclidine in nanomolar concentrations binds to synaptosomes and blocks certain potassium channels

Phencyclidine [1-(phenylcyclohexyl)piperidine; PCP], in low dose (approximately equal to 0.1-0.2 mg/kg of body weight), induces a schizophrenia-like behavioral syndrome in man; this effect has been attributed to block of neuronal K channels. We used a K-stimulated 86Rb efflux assay to demonstrate that low concentrations of PCP (10-50 nM) block a class of depolarization-activated K channels in rat brain synaptosomes--pinched-off presynaptic nerve terminals. The dose-response curve is biphasic, and much higher PCP concentrations (greater than 10 microM) are required to block the remainder of the K-stimulated 86Rb efflux. The [3H]PCP binding curve for synaptosomes is also biphasic: PCP binds to some components with high affinity (Kd approximately equal to 6.0 X 10(-8) M), and to other components with much lower affinity (Kd approximately equal to 1.15 X 10(4) M). PCP can be photoactivated with UV light to form covalent bonds: after UV irradiation, previously-bound [3H]PCP is no longer displaceable by a large excess of unlabeled PCP. Preliminary data from NaDodSO4/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis studies after covalent binding of [3H]PCP to synaptosomes, suggest that the high-affinity binding site may be on a large protein (Mr approximately equal to 220,000). We conclude that the high-affinity PCP binding protein is associated with the K channels that are blocked by nanomolar concentrations of PCP. Block of these channels could, by prolonging action-potential duration in presynaptic nerve terminals, enhance calcium entry and neurotransmitter release, thereby altering transmission at central synapses involved in behavioral expression.

Characterization of the interaction of phencyclidine and its derivatives with the ionic channel of the nicotinic receptor

(3H)-Phencyclidine (PCP) binds specifically to the cholinergic ionophore in synaptic membranes prepared from Torpedo electric organ. Experiments performed by the centrifugation method establish that the binding is saturable, reversible and selective and can be characterized by a single dissociation constant (3.6 +/- 1.8 microM). The maximal binding capacity is 600 +/- 150 pmol/mg of membrane protein. Bound (3H)-PCP can be displaced by unlabelled PCP and a series of its derivatives. The reactivity of PCP derivatives in binding to (3H)-PCP binding sites, as related to structural changes at the phenyl, piperidyl and cyclohexyl moieties, is discussed.

Interaction of histrionicotoxin with the putative nicotinic acetylcholine receptor of the chick visual system

The frog alkaloid histrionicotoxin inhibits neuromuscular transmission in a non-competitive fashion and is thought to bind to the ion channel region of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) of skeletal muscle and fish electric organ. Here, the use of histrionicotoxin as a probe for the putative nAChR of the chick visual system was investigated. Histrionicotoxin inhibited the binding of [125I]alpha-bungarotoxin to synaptic membranes of optic lobe or of retina in a competitive manner (Ki = 6 +/- 3 microM). However, the number of displaceable membrane binding sites for the physiologically active derivative [3H]perhydrohistrionicotoxin was 20-100-fold higher than of [125I]alpha-bungarotoxin binding sites. Also, the binding of [3H]perhydrohistrionicotoxin to the membranes could be displaced by local anaesthetics and phencyclidine, but was insensitive to nicotinic-cholinergic ligands or to alpha-bungarotoxin. It is concluded that histrionicotoxins are not specific ligands for nAChR in the chick CNS.

Stereoselective antagonism of phencyclidine's discriminative properties by adenosine receptor agonists

Rats trained to discriminate between phencyclidine and saline vehicle were used to test various agents for their ability to mimic or block the phencyclidine cue. ketamine, dexoxadrol, tiletamine, and phencyclidine analogs were found to mimic phencyclidine's behavioral effects. Treatment with the adenosime receptor agonists N6-cyclohexyladenosine and L-phenylisopropyladenosine blocked the discriminative properties of phencyclidine. These results suggest that adenosine receptor agonists might be useful in treating phencyclidine-induced psychosis.

Biochemical properties of the brain phencyclidine receptor

This paper gives a detailed account of techniques which can be used to measure [3H]phencyclidine binding to its receptor. The main properties of the binding component are the following: (i) It is rapidly heat-inactivated at temperatures over 50 degrees C. (ii) It is destroyed by proteases like trypsin, pronase or papain suggesting that it is of a protein nature. The receptor structure is resistant to chymotrypsin. (iii) A good correlation was found between the pharmacological activity of 30 different analogs as measured by the rotarod assay and the affinity of these different molecules for the phencyclidine receptor. (iv) Monovalent and divalent cations antagonize [3H]phencyclidine binding to its receptor. The dissociation constant is 15 mM, the same for Na+, Li+, K+, cholinium or Tris. Na+ (and other monovalent cations) and phencyclidines bind to distinct sites. The saturation of the Na+ site by Na+ modulates the affinity of phencyclidine for its receptor. Divalent cations antagonize [3H]phencyclidine binding in the absence of Na+. This antagonism is of the non-competitive type. (v) [3H]phencyclidine binding is also antagonized by histrionicotoxin and by local anaesthetics.

Interaction of phencyclidine with mouse neuroblastoma cells

Growth of mouse neuroblastoma (Nb) cell (clone M1) was not affected by phencyclidine (PCP) concentrations of 10(-6)M up to 2 x 10(-4)M, whereas 10(-3)M PCP caused a 100% inhibition of cell growth. Several PCP analogs, including the quaternary PCP methiodide, exerted effects similar to those of PCP. The uptake of [piperidyl-3,4-3H]PCP ([3H]PCP) by the Nb cells was studied using cell monolayers in Petri dishes. Non-specific entry of PCP into the cells was linear with added substrate but specific uptake exhibited saturation kinetics. The concentration for half-maximum specific uptake was 2 x 10-(5)M, and the capacity of the cells at saturation was 2-3 nmoles [3H]PCP/mg protein, at 22 degrees. The uptake rate constant was 0.2 +/- 0.05 x 10(5) (M-1 min-1) and the dissociation constant was 0.25 +/- 0.05 (min-1). Uptake was temperature dependent and was inhibited by 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP). This may indicate that this binding represents (at least in part) an active uptake process of PCP into the cells.

Selective labeling of the delta subunit of the acetylcholine receptor by a covalent local anesthetic

A radioactive photoaffinity derivative of the potent local anesthetic trimethisoquin, 5-azido[3H]trimethisoquin, was used to label the acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo marmorata electric organ. The product labeled the 66 000-dalton (delta) subunit of the receptor with the selectivity expected for an affinity label of the site for noncompetitive blockers. That is, the labeling was enhanced by cholinergic agonists and inhibited by other noncompetitive blockers. The 40 000-dalton (alpha)( subunit of the receptor was labeled in a manner consistent with the attachment of 5-azido[3H]trimethisoquin to an acetylcholine binding site as the incorporation of radioactivity into the alpha chain was inhibited by cholinergic agonists and antagonists, such as carbamylcholine, d-tubocurarine, and alpha-bungarotoxin. The reversible binding of [3H]phencyclidine, a potent noncompetitive blocker, to acetylcholine receptor rich membranes resembled qualitatively and quantitatively the 5-azido[3H]trimethisoquin labeling of the delta subunit and was inhibited by the prior covalent labeling of the membranes with nonradioactive 5-azidotrimethisoquin. Thus, 5-azido[3H]-trimethisoquin labels at least a portion of the binding site for noncompetitive blockers at the level of the delta subunit. The functional significance of this site and the use of 5-azidotrimethisoquin in the study of acetylcholine receptor structure and function are discussed.

Ultraviolet light-induced labeling by noncompetitive blockers of the acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo marmorata

Reversible ligands were attached covalently to membrane-bound acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo marmorata by a method which is generally applicable and does not require the synthesis of specially designed molecules. UV irradiation of the receptor in the presence of [3H]trimethisoquin, [3H]phencyclidine, or [3H]perhydrohistrionicotoxin resulted in the labeling of the binding site(s) for these noncompetitive blockers of the permeability response. The labeling of the delta chain was enhanced by carbamoylcholine, and this increase was blocked by snake alpha-toxins. The effect of carbamoylcholine on [3H]trimethisoquin binding was more pronounced than with the other two noncompetitive blockers; in all instances, the labeling was abolished by unlabeled histrionicotoxin. These three compounds therefore interact with the high-affinity site for noncompetitive blockers. Incorporation of radioactivity also occurred into the alpha chain but either was insensitive to cholinergic effectors or decreased in the presence of carbamoylcholine (or snake alpha-toxin), probably as a result of an interaction with the acetylcholine-binding site. In contrast to the other noncompetitive blockers tested, [3H]chlorpromazine heavily labeled the four receptor polypeptides (alpha, beta, gamma, delta), and this labeling also was enhanced by carbamoylcholine and decreased by histrionicotoxin. These data indicate a contribution of the delta chain to the binding site(s) of several well-characterized noncompetitive blockers and suggest that other receptor polypeptides may also contribute to this binding.

[3H]Phencyclidine: a probe for the ionic channel of the nicotinic receptor

To evaluate [3H]phencyclidine ([3H]PCP)as a probe for the ionic channel of the nicotinic receptor, the characteristics of its binding to electric organ membranes od Torpedo ocellata and its effects on frog sartorius muscle were studied. Similar to PCP, [3H]PCP depressed the peak amplitude of endplate current, caused nonlinearity in the voltage-current relationship at negative potentials, accelerated the decay time of the end-plate current, and shortened the channel lifetime. Thus, [3H]PCP interacted with the ionic channel of the nicotinic receptor, although there were a few differences between its effect and that of PCP. Binding of [3H]PCP to Torpedo membranes was to sites on the ionic channel of acetylcholine (AcCho) receptor because it was saturable, dependent upon protein concentration, and inhibited by drugs that interact with the ionic channel, and the initial rate of binding was potentiated by receptor agonists. Equilibrium binding of [3H]PCP to Torpedo membranes was with two affinities, but in the presence of AcCho, [3H]PCP binding was with a single affinity. The affinities of channel drugs obtained by inhibition of binding of [3H]PCP and [3H[perhydrohistrionicotoxin to Torpedo membranes were different, with correlation coefficients of 0.52 and 0.82 in the absence and presence of a receptor agonist, respectively; this suggests differences in their binding sites on the ionic channel of the AcCho receptor.