PAF-receptor. 1. 'Cache-oreilles' effect of selected high-potency platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonists.

Three-dimensional electrostatic maps were calculated for six potent antagonists of platelet-activating factor (PAF), the antagonists being selected for their apparent structural heterogeneity. The molecules examined were the compact Ginkgolides BN 52020, BN 52021 and BN 52022 (1, 2 and 3), the semi-rigid kadsurenone (4), a flexible synthetic dinor type C furanoid lignan L-652,731 (5a) and the triazolothienobenzodiazepine WEB 2086 (7). Calculation of the electrostatic potential generated around all the above molecules showed the existence of two wells of negative potential or 'cache-oreilles' (ear-muffs), i.e., the isocontours drawn at -10 kcal/mol, located at 180 degrees from each other and separated by a maximum distance of 22-27 A. Except for the synthetic dinor type C furanoid lignan (5a), the molecules also presented a moderate hydrophobic fragment, which constitutes a third point of interaction with the high-affinity binding site in rabbit and human platelets. The findings of the present study allow speculation that this high-affinity acceptor site may be a 'polarized cylinder' with a diameter of 10-12 A.