Heterogeneous binding of sigma radioligands in the rat brain and liver: possible relationship to subforms of cytochrome P-450.

The binding of four sigma receptor ligands, 3H-(+)-N-allyl-N-normetazocine (3H-(+)-SKF 10,047), 3H-(+)-3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N-(1-propyl)piperidine (3H-(+)-3-PPP), 3H-haloperidol and 3H-N,N'-di(o-totyl)guanidine (3H-DTG), and the cytochrome P450IID6 ligand and dopamine uptake inhibitor 3H-1-[2-(diphenylmethoxy)ethyl]-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazine (3H-GBR 12935) to membranal preparations of rat liver or whole rat brain was examined regarding kinetical properties and inhibition by various compounds with affinity for sigma binding sites or cytochrome P-450. In rat brain the density of binding sites was increased in order (+)-SKF 10,047 less than (+)-3-PPP less than DTG much less than GBR 12935. In liver the corresponding order was (+)-SKF 10,047 less than DTG less than haloperidol less than (+)-3-PPP less than GBR 12935. The inhibition pattern of each ligand was similar in brain and liver, indicating that the binding sites were similar in the two tissues. With the exception of 3H-(+)-SKF 10,047 which appears to bind to a homogeneous haloperidol-sensitive site, there were quite marked differences between the ligands studied, suggesting heterogeneous binding sites. For instance, (+)-SKF 10,047 and progesterone were potent inhibitors of the binding of 3H-(+)-SKF 10,047, 3H-(+)-3-PPP and 3H-haloperidol but inhibited only a minor fraction of the binding of 3H-DTG to the brain and liver preparations. Multiple binding sites were also indicated by the low Hill coefficients found for most of the compounds studied.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)