J. Biol. Chem., Vol. 261, Issue 16, 7300-7305, 06, 1986
Structural requirements for cocaine congeners to interact with [3H]batrachotoxinin A 20-alpha-benzoate binding sites on sodium channels in mouse brain synaptosomes
ME Reith, SS Kim and A Lajtha
The present study examines the possible role of sodium channels in the
behavioral effects of cocaine. Cocaine congeners are apparent competitive
inhibitors of the scorpion toxin-enhanced binding of [3H]batrachotoxinin A
20-alpha-benzoate to sodium channels in mouse cerebrocortical synaptosomes.
However, in agreement with the allosteric model for heterotropic
cooperative interactions, the compounds produce a concentration-dependent
increase in the rate of dissociation of binding. Concentrations that give a
2-fold increase of k-1 are close to Ki values for inhibiting equilibrium
binding of [3H]bactrachotoxinin A 20-alpha-benzoate, suggesting that the
inhibitory effect on binding results mostly from an increase of the
apparent dissociation rate constant. The ester linkage between the tropane
and benzoyl ring of cocaine is not essential for the inhibitory potency,
and for both the C- 2 and C-3 substituents the equatorial position results
in a higher potency than the axial position. There is reasonable agreement
between the rank order of potencies in blocking the sodium channel and in
inhibiting locomotor behavior. The present results do not support a
relationship between the capability of cocaine congeners in blocking sodium
flux and in inhibiting uptake of dopamine into striatal synaptosomes.
However, peak levels of cocaine in the brain of cocaine addicts could be
high enough to interfere with sodium channel functioning, possibly
contributing to some of cocaine's actions.