Metaphit, an acylating ligand for phencyclidine receptors: Characterization of in vivo actions in the rat

P. C. Contreras, S. Johnson, R. Freedman, B. Hoffer, K. Olsen, M. F. Rafferty, R. A. Lessor, K. C. Rice, A. E. Jacobson, T. L. O'Donohue

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Metaphit, which acylates phencyclidine (PCP) receptors in vitro, was shown to acylate PCP receptors and antagonize the behavioral and electrophysiological effects of PCP in vivo. Metaphit (2 μmol/rat) administered i.c.v. produced PCP-like stereotyped behavior and ataxia in 10 to 20% of rats. At a lower dose, Metaphit (1 μmol/rat) antagonized the ability of PCP to induce stereotyped behavior and ataxia for 3 and 4 days, respectively. The Metaphit-induced antagonism of PCP induction of stereotyped behavior and ataxia was dose-dependent and specific as Metaphit did not antagonize induction of stereotyped behavior by amphetamine. Further evidence for a specific PCP receptor mechanism was the finding that PCP pretreatment blocked the effects of subsequent Metaphit administration. Metaphit also antagonized PCP-induction of stereotyped behavior, but not ataxia, after i.v. administration. Doses of Metaphit that produced long-term antagonism of the behavioral effects of PCP also produced a significant decrease in the maximum binding, but not K(d), of the binding of the PCP analog, [3H]-1-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl]piperidine, in Metaphit-pretreated rats. The binding of [3H]etorphine and [3H]spiroperidol was not altered significantly by pretreating rats with Metaphit. (-)-Cyclazocine and (+)-SKF 10,047 induced stereotyped behavior and ataxia that was not antagonized by Metaphit-pretreatment. In electrophysiological experiments, Metaphit, like PCP, initially depressed the firing of caudate neurons as does PCP, but then irreversibly inhibited PCP-induced depression of caudate neurons. These results suggest that metaphit antagonized the effects of PCP by selectively acylating PCP receptors and that (-)-cyclazocine- and (+)-SKF 10,047-induced behavioral effects are not mediated primarily by PCP receptors.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1101-1107
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
Volume238
Issue number3
StatePublished - 1986
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Metaphit, an acylating ligand for phencyclidine receptors: Characterization of in vivo actions in the rat'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this