[3H]ethylketocyclazocine binding to NCB-20 hybrid neurotumor cells

Ethylketocyclazocine (EKC) binds to two sites on NCB-20 neuroblastoma X Chinese hamster brain hybrid cells (KDH = 2 nM, Bmax = 21,000 sites/cell; KDL = 27 nM, Bmax = 140,000 sites/cell. The high-affinity site has been characterized as a delta opiate receptor. The low-affinity site is relatively benzomorphan-specific; opioid peptides, morphine, etorphine, and naloxone do not compete at it. Rank order of potency among benzomorphans is (+)-EKC greater than Mr 2267 greater than (+)-ketocyclazocine greater than (+)-SKF 10047 greater than bremazocine greater than cyclazocine. Among other drugs of interest that inhibit [3H]EKC binding are phencyclidine and its analogues, Ki values for which are 0.2-40 microM. Stereoselectivity is the reverse of other opioid receptors: (+)-EKC much much greater than (-)-EKC, Mr 2267 greater than Mr 2266, (+)-SKF 10047 greater than (-)-SKF 10047. The site is sensitive to trypsin, but not to N-ethylmaleimide. Binding is insensitive to nucleotides, slightly sensitive to physiological concentrations of sodium, magnesium, and manganese ions and to EDTA but not EGTA.