Characterization of the Binding of a Novel Non-Xanthine Adenosine Antagonist Radioligand, [3H]CGS 15943, to Multiple Affinity States of the Adenosine A1Receptor in the Rat Cortex

The use of xanthine adenosine receptor antagonists such as 1,3-dipropyl-8-phenylxanthine (DPX) as radioligands for the characterization of adenosine receptor Pharmacology have been limited by their high lipophilicity, low specific activity, and their general lack of selectivity and affinity for adenosine receptors. Recent attempts to address the technical problems associated with this class of compounds has resulted in the development of several xanthine derivatives (e.g. the functionalized xanthine congeners [3H]XCC and [3H]XAC2, and [3H]CPX3) which bind with high and selective affinity to the adenosine A1 receptor subtype. Based on efforts to optimize non-xanthine adenosine receptor antagonists, CGS 15943, a derivative of the pyrazoloquinazoline benzodiazepine receptor inverse agonist CGS 82165, represents the first reported non-xanthine structure that potently blocks adenosine receptors6. CGS 15943 has nanomolar affinity for both A1 and A2 receptor subtypes6. However, in contrast to many of the xanthine adenosine receptor antagonists, CGS 15943 is not a phosphodiesterase inhibitor and does not interact with adenosine transporter sites6. This compound is a potent and selective adenosine receptor antagonist in vivo 7 with a solubility/affinity ratio of greater than 10007. In the present studies, the binding of [3H]CGS 15943 to the adenosine A1 receptor was characterized.