[Isolation of substances inhibiting the specific binding of imipramine and serotonin uptake from the brain of the bull]

Abstract

Several fractions that inhibit specific binding of 3H-imipramine and reverse uptake of 3H-serotonin in rat brain synaptosomes were obtained by gel chromatography on Sephadex G-10 from an acidic extract of brain homogenates. The profiles of inhibition of 3H-imipramine specific binding and reverse uptake of 3H-serotonin were found to be in a good agreement. This finding suggests that substances identified in the brain extract may have both types of activities. Further investigations relative to the purification and identification of the substances isolated from bovine brain should be aimed at the search for endogenous ligands for the "imipramine receptor".