N-[2-[4-(4-Chlorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl]ethyl]-3-tnethoxybenzamide (PB12), a
potent and selective dopamine D-4 receptor ligand, was used as a probe for
the direct determination of the dopamine D4 receptor density in rat striat
um as an alternative to the subtraction method. The experiment was performe
d using [H-3]spiroperidol to label D-2, D-3 and D-4 receptors and PB12 to d
etermine directly dopamine D-4 receptor specific binding. The determined B-
max value was 82 fmol/mg protein. The contribution of the dopamine D4 recep
tor to the overall population of D-2-like receptors was 63%; however, this
value cannot be considered reliable because of the observed difference in t
he kinetic profiles of D-2, D-3 and D-4 receptors. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scienc
e B.V. All rights reserved.