Macroscopic and macromolecular specificity of alkylphenol anesthetics for neuronal substrates

Brian P. Weiser, Michael A. Hall, Nathan L. Weinbren, Kellie A. Woll, William P. Dailey, Maryellen F. Eckenhoff, Roderic G. Eckenhoff

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

We used a photoactive general anesthetic called meta-azi-propofol (AziPm) to test the selectivity and specificity of alkylphenol anesthetic binding in mammalian brain. Photolabeling of rat brain sections with [3H]AziPm revealed widespread but heterogeneous ligand distribution, with [3H]AziPm preferentially binding to synapse-dense areas compared to areas composed largely of cell bodies or myelin. With [3H]AziPm and propofol, we determined that alkylphenol general anesthetics bind selectively and specifically to multiple synaptic protein targets. In contrast, the alkylphenol anesthetics do not bind to specific sites on abundant phospholipids or cholesterol, although [3H]AziPm shows selectivity for photolabeling phosphatidylethanolamines. Together, our experiments suggest that alkylphenol anesthetic substrates are widespread in number and distribution, similar to those of volatile general anesthetics, and that multi-target mechanisms likely underlie their pharmacology.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number9695
JournalScientific Reports
Volume5
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 8 2015
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General

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