DIFFERENCES IN BRAIN 5-HT TRANSPORTER DISSOCIATION RATES AMONG ANIMALSPECIES

The potential of using receptor-ligand dissociation rates as a model f or investigating molecular changes in receptors was tested using the d issociation of[H-3]citalopram, [H-3]paroxetine and [H-3]imipramine fro m the brain 5-HT transporter of four different species (mouse, rat, pi g and man). Since the dissociation rates of each of the three ligands differed in most of the species investigated, receptor-ligand dissocia tion rate constants would seem to be a sensitive measure of receptor c onformation. The model could be useful in the search of structural var iation in receptors whether attributable to genetic factors or to post translational modification.