As. Unis, CONCENTRATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF [H-3] SCH23390 AND [H-3] YM09151-2 BINDING-SITES IN MIDGESTATIONAL HUMAN FETAL CORTEX, Psychopharmacology bulletin, 29(3), 1993, pp. 415-425
Binding sites for the dopamine receptor antagonists [H-3]-SCH23390 and
[H-3]-YM09151-2 have been demonstrated in human fetal forebrain at th
e sixth gestational week and appear to increase in concentration in an
age-related fashion throughout the first trimester. Using the techniq
ues of receptor autoradiography with midsecond trimester human fetal c
ortex (gestational weeks 17 and 20), the distribution and concentratio
n of binding sites for these radiolabeled ligands were compared. Satur
able [H-3]-SCH23390 specific binding was demonstrated in the cortical
plate of the tissue obtained at gestational week 17 (K-D = 0.16 nM, B-
MAX = 0.005 fmol/mm(2)). Although saturable binding for [H-3]-SCH23390
could be demonstrated in the cortical plate at gestational week 20 (K
-D = 2.35 nM, B-MAX = 0.008 fmol/mm(2)), image subtraction revealed sp
ecific binding in the intermediate zone as well. Saturable [H-3]-YM091
51-2 specific binding was likewise demonstrated in the cortical plate
at gestational week 17 (K-D = 0.36 nM, B-MAX = 0.044 fmol/mm(2)). At g
estational week 20, specific and saturable [H-3]-YM09151-2 binding app
eared to be stratified in the subplate zone, between the cortical plat
e and the intermediate zone (K-D = 2.02 nM, B-MAX = 0.076 fmol/mm(2)).
These data suggest that specific, saturable binding for dopamine rece
ptor antagonists can be demonstrated in human cortex by the completion
of corticogenesis and at the earliest stages of cortical differentiat
ion. The cells that express these binding sites may play a role in dev
eloping forebrain dopaminergic neuronal systems, the disturbance of wh
ich may be relevant to adult psychopathology.