Biomaterial Database

Dextromethorphan binding sites in the guinea pig brain. 1988

J M Musacchio, and M Klein

Department of Pharmacology, New York University Medical Center, New York 10016.

1. Dextromethorphan (DM), a dextrorotatory nonopioid antitussive, binds to specific high-affinity sites in the central nervous system. These sites are distinct from the opioid and other known neurotransmitter receptor sites. Antitussives such as carbetapentane and caramiphen also bind to DM sites with a nanomolar affinity. 2. The anticonvulsant drugs phenytoin and ropizine produce an allosteric enhancement of the binding of [3H]DM to guinea pig brain. DM, carbetapentane, and caramiphen also are efficacious anticonvulsant agents in the rat maximal electroshock seizures test, and DM enhances the anticonvulsant effects of phenytoin (PHT). 3. These results suggest that drugs that bind to the DM sites could be used alone as anticonvulsants or in combination with PHT to lower its effective dose and reduce its side effects. 4. The investigation of the DM binding sites may help to open new approaches for the treatment of convulsive disorders and to explain further some of the molecular mechanisms of neutronal excitability.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007981	Levorphanol	A narcotic analgesic that may be habit-forming. It is nearly as effective orally as by injection.	Levorphan,3-Hydroxy-N-methylmorphinan,L-Dromoran,Levo-Dromoran,Levodroman,Levorphanol Tartrate,3 Hydroxy N methylmorphinan,L Dromoran,Levo Dromoran,LevoDromoran,Tartrate, Levorphanol
D011955	Receptors, Drug	Proteins that bind specific drugs with high affinity and trigger intracellular changes influencing the behavior of cells. Drug receptors are generally thought to be receptors for some endogenous substance not otherwise specified.	Drug Receptors,Drug Receptor,Receptor, Drug
D001921	Brain	The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.	Encephalon
D002118	Calcium	A basic element found in nearly all tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes.	Coagulation Factor IV,Factor IV,Blood Coagulation Factor IV,Calcium-40,Calcium 40,Factor IV, Coagulation
D003915	Dextromethorphan	Methyl analog of DEXTRORPHAN that shows high affinity binding to several regions of the brain, including the medullary cough center. This compound is an NMDA receptor antagonist (RECEPTORS, N-METHYL-D-ASPARTATE) and acts as a non-competitive channel blocker. It is one of the widely used ANTITUSSIVES, and is also used to study the involvement of glutamate receptors in neurotoxicity.	d-Methorphan,Delsym,Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide,Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide, (+-)-Isomer,Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide, Monohydrate,Dextromethorphan Hydrochloride,Dextromethorphan, (+-)-Isomer,Racemethorphan,Hydrobromide, Dextromethorphan,Hydrochloride, Dextromethorphan
D006168	Guinea Pigs	A common name used for the genus Cavia. The most common species is Cavia porcellus which is the domesticated guinea pig used for pets and biomedical research.	Cavia,Cavia porcellus,Guinea Pig,Pig, Guinea,Pigs, Guinea
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000927	Anticonvulsants	Drugs used to prevent SEIZURES or reduce their severity.	Anticonvulsant,Anticonvulsant Drug,Anticonvulsive Agent,Anticonvulsive Drug,Antiepileptic,Antiepileptic Agent,Antiepileptic Agents,Antiepileptic Drug,Anticonvulsant Drugs,Anticonvulsive Agents,Anticonvulsive Drugs,Antiepileptic Drugs,Antiepileptics,Agent, Anticonvulsive,Agent, Antiepileptic,Agents, Anticonvulsive,Agents, Antiepileptic,Drug, Anticonvulsant,Drug, Anticonvulsive,Drug, Antiepileptic,Drugs, Anticonvulsant,Drugs, Anticonvulsive,Drugs, Antiepileptic
D000996	Antitussive Agents	Agents that suppress cough. They act centrally on the medullary cough center. EXPECTORANTS, also used in the treatment of cough, act locally.	Antitussive,Antitussive Agent,Antitussive Drug,Cough Suppressant,Antitussive Drugs,Antitussives,Cough Suppressants,Agent, Antitussive,Agents, Antitussive,Drug, Antitussive,Drugs, Antitussive,Suppressant, Cough,Suppressants, Cough
D001667	Binding, Competitive	The interaction of two or more substrates or ligands with the same binding site. The displacement of one by the other is used in quantitative and selective affinity measurements.	Competitive Binding