The fluorescein conjugate, FITC-APEC (2-[2-[4-[2-[2-[1,3-dihydro-l,l-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-oxo-5-isobenzofuranthioureidyl]ethylaminocarbonyl]ethyl]phenyl]ethylamino]-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine), is a novel ligand derived from a series of functionalized congeners that act as selective A2a-adenosine receptor agonists. The binding of FITC-APEC to bovine striatal A2a,-adenosine receptors measured by fluorescence techniques was saturable and of a high affinity, with a Bmax, of 2.3 ± 0.3 pmol/mg protein and KD of 57 ± 2 nM. The KD value estimated by fluorescence was consistent with the Ki (11 ± 0.3 nM) obtained by competition studies with [3H]CGS 21680. Additionally, the Bmax, value found by FITC-APEC measurement was in agreement with Bmax, values obtained using radioligand binding. FITC-APEC exhibited rapid and reversible binding to bovine striatum. The potencies of chemically diverse A2a-adenosine receptor ligands estimated by inhibition of FITC-APEC binding were in good agreement with their potencies determined using radioligand binding techniques (r = 0.97, P = 0.0003). FITC-APEC binding was not altered by purine derivatives that do not recognize A2a-adenosine receptors. These findings demonstrate that the novel fluorescent ligand FITC-APEC can be used in the quantitative characterization of ligand binding to A2a-adenosine receptors.