Quantitative localization of [3H]TCP binding in rat brain by light microscopy autoradiography.
The anatomical localization of phencyclidine (PCP)/sigma-opiate receptors in rat brain was determined by quantitative light microscopy autoradiography using the new ligand N-(1-[2-thienyl]cyclohexyl) [3H]piperidine ([3H]TCP). TCP is a potent analog of PCP which possesses a higher affinity for PCP/sigma-opiate receptor than does PCP itself. The highest level of [3H]TCP binding was detected in the hippocampus. Intermediate levels were found in frontal cortex, striatum, amygdala and cerebellum. Specific [3H]TCP binding was undetectable in anterior commissure and corpus callosum. The distribution pattern of [3H]TCP binding sites is similar to the pattern obtained with [3H]PCP but more sharply defined. On the basis of its greater potency and specificity, [3H]TCP may prove superior to [3H]PCP as a molecular probe for the study of brain sigma opiate/phencyclidine receptors.
D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D010622:Phencyclidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000378:metabolism*; D017465:Receptors, Opioid, delta
D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D017465:Receptors, Opioid, delta; C012058:tenocyclidine; D010622:Phencyclidine