CAMP-DEPENDENT PHOSPHORYLATION SYSTEM AFTER SHORT AND LONG-TERM ADMINISTRATION OF MOCLOBEMIDE

Accumulating evidence suggested that signal transduction cascade inclu ding protein phosphorylation is implicated in the neurochemical action of antidepressant agents. Clinical data indicated that moclobemide, a short acting and reversible inhibitor of monoamino oxidase type A, is an effective antidepressant medication. However, little is known abou t the intracellular effects of this compound. Thus, in the present stu dy we assessed the binding of cAMP to cAMP-dependent protein kinase (P KA) in rat cerebral cortex following short and long-term administratio n of moclobemide. The results showed that 21 days of treatment with mo clobemide significantly increased the specific [P-32]-cAMP covalent bi nding into the soluble 52-54 kDa cAMP-receptor. This effect was not se en following 1, 5 and 12 days of treatment. These findings suggest tha t PKA could be implicated in the biochemical effects of moclobemide. ( C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.