Long-term blockade of the dopamine uptake complex by metaphit, an isothiocyanate derivative of phencyclidine

[3H]Mazindol was used to label the dopamine uptake complex in mouse striatum in vitro in the presence and absence of metaphit, an isothiocyanate derivative of phencyclidine. In some experiments, metaphit was present in the incubation fluid throughout the procedure; in other experiments it was eliminated by several washings and centrifugations. It was found that after removal of the metaphit by washing and centrifugation, the mazindol binding was not restored. Membranes that were pretreated with metaphit and washed had a lower density of mazindol binding sites than control membranes; the remaining mazindol sites had the same afinity for [3H]mazindol. These findings are in agreement with the previous studies on [3H]cocaine and [3H]methylphenidate binding. The following observations support that metaphit is irreversibly acting and not slowly dissociating from the mazindol recognition sites of the dopamine uptake carrier complex: 1) Metaphit did not change the off-rate of [3H]mazindol binding, arguing against an allosteric action at a distinct site. 2) The presence of cocaine protected the mazindol binding sites from the action of metaphit, supporting binding of metaphit and mazindol to the same site. 3) Nine hours after metaphit pretreatment and removal, the degree of inhibition of mazindol binding was the same as immediately after pretreatment, consonant with an irreversible effect of metaphit. 4) The potency of metaphit in inhibiting mazindol binding was greater under slightly alkaline conditions, consistent with acylation of the mazindol sites. Furthermore, it was found that intracerebroventricular application of metaphit did not result in a decrease in the binding of [3H]mazindol 5 hr after the administration.