title: [3H]Phenytoin identifies a novel anticonvulsant-binding domain on voltage-dependent sodium channels.
abstract: The voltage-dependent sodium channel has been proposed as a specific target for the actions of the anticonvulsant drug phenytoin. Working at 0-4 degrees, we previously reported the existence of specific [3H]phenytoin binding sites in rat brain membranes. In the present study, the binding of [3H]phenytoin was assessed at 22 degrees, a temperature favorable to the binding of sodium channel ligands. At 22 degrees, the site had a Kd of 1.5 microM, which is in the relevant therapeutic concentration range for anticonvulsant activity (1-10 microM), and a calculated Bmax of 4.5 pmol/mg of protein, which is similar to previous estimates of sodium channel concentration in brain membranes. In competition experiments, specific [3H]phenytoin binding was found to be inhibited by drugs that interact with the sodium channel, including antiarrhythmics, local anesthetics, anticonvulsants, and site-specific neurotoxins (the steroidal alkaloid activators, beta-scorpion venoms, and brevetoxin-3). Diazepam, used clinically in the management of tonic-clonic status epilepticus, and flunarizine, a calcium channel blocker with anticonvulsant activity, potentiated [3H]phenytoin binding at micromolar concentrations. Other drugs and ligands, including neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, and ligands for other ion channels, had no effect. Depolarization with KCl showed [3H]phenytoin binding to be voltage sensitive. Experiments with batrachotoxin (a specific site 2 toxin) and anticonvulsants demonstrated that the interactions between these compounds and the [3H]phenytoin binding site are allosteric in nature. These results provide direct evidence that phenytoin interacts with the voltage-dependent sodium channel and indicate that such interactions take place at therapeutic concentrations. They support previous proposals, based on toxin-binding and electrophysiological studies, that the therapeutic effects of phenytoin result from a selective inhibition of voltage-dependent sodium flux.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Bloorview Epilepsy Program, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Burnham
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D015640:Ion Channel Gating; D008297:Male; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D013574:Synaptosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D013696:Temperature; D014316:Tritium; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D015222:Sodium Channels; D014316:Tritium; D010672:Phenytoin