[3H]-Nitrendipine, a potent calcium antagonist, binds with high affinity to cardiac membranes.

The tritiated calcium antagonist 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-3,5-pyridine carboxylic acid, 3-ethyl-5-methyl ester (nitrendipine, Bay e 5009), a potent analogue of nifedipine, binds in a reversible and saturable manner to partially purified guinea-pig heart membranes. The analyses of the equilibrium binding data with Scatchard plots is in accord with either negative cooperativity of binding or with the assumption of two classes of binding sites, where one site has an equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd value) of 0.1 nmol/l and a density of 300 fmol/mg of protein. The binding sites are stereoselective and discriminate between (+)-nitrendipine and (-)-nitrendipine. We conclude that a high-affinity binding site at which 1,4-dihydropyridines bind, has now been identified with radioligand binding techniques. This site may well represent the locus where the potent 1,4-dihydropyridines exert their pharmacological action.