The effect of prototypic sigma ligands on the binding of [3H]dextromethorphan to guinea pig brain.

We studied the effects of several prototypic sigma site ligands on the binding of [3H]dextromethorphan ([3H]DM) to guinea pig brain. Haloperidol, 3-(-3-Hydroxyphenyl)-N-(1-propyl)piperidine [+)-3-PPP) and (+)-N-allyl-N-normetazocine [+)-NANM or (+)-SKF10,047), which are potent sigma site ligands, showed high affinity for [3H]DM binding sites. The rank order of potency of sigma ligands, as indicated by the Ki values for the high-affinity sites is: haloperidol greater than (+)-pentazocine greater than (+)-cyclazocine greater than (+)-SKF10,047 greater than (-)-butaclamol much greater than (+)-butaclamol greater than (-)-SKF10,047. This rank order of potency is similar to that for the sites labeled with 3H-3-PPP and 3H-SKF10,047. The (+)-isomers of several benzomorphans displayed higher affinity than the (-)-isomers. (-)-Butaclamol competed against [3H]DM binding more effectively than the (+)-isomer, displaying the same stereospecificity shown for sigma sites. The findings reported here demonstrate that there are previously unrecognized similarities between DM and sigma sites. It is evident that further exploration of the DM, sigma and phencyclidine (PCP) sites will be necessary to establish the physiological role and therapeutic potential of these sites.