ALPHA(2)-AGONIST BINDING-SITES IN BRAIN - [I-125] PARA-IODOCLONIDINE VERSUS [H-3] PARA-AMINOCLONIDINE

The localization of alpha2-receptors was determined by quantitative au toradiography using [I-125]para-iodoclonidine ([I-125]PIC) and [H-3]pa ra-aminoclonidine ([H-3]PAC). In cortical tissue, [I-125]PIC and [H-3] PAC were equipotent in their capacity to bind sites recognized by oxym etazoline (preferentially binds to the alpha2A receptor subtype). The iodinated ligand was about 10 times more potent than [H-3]PAC for bind ing to the heterogenous receptor population labeled by ARC-239 (alpha2 B and alpha2C). The density of [I-125]PIC binding was found to be two- fold higher than that of [H-3]PAC in many brain areas and the disparit y was even greater in regions such as the dentate gyrus, stria termina lis, and granular layer of the cerebellum. By contrast, other regions of the brain such as the laterodorsal thalamic nucleus, the locus coer uleus, and several amygdaloid areas had equivalent levels of binding. These observations indicate that [H-3]PAC has selectivity for the alph a2A receptor subtype and thus offer a restricted view of alpha2-adrene rgic receptor distribution. The iodinated ligand provides a more compl ete picture of the overall alpha2 receptor population.