Interaction between enantiomers of mianserin and ORG3770 at 5-HT3 receptors in cultured mouse neuroblastoma cells

Stereoselective effects of mianserin and ORG3770 on serotonin 5-HT3 receptors in mouse neuroblastoma N1E-115 cells have been investigated in radioligand binding and in whole-cell voltage clamp experiments. The specific binding of [3H]GR65630 to 5-HT3 recognition sites in N1E-115 cell homogenates is reduced by mianserin and ORG3770 and their enantiomers. The pKi values of the more potent (R)enantiomers of mianserin and ORG3770 are 8.44 and 8.62, respectively. The (R)enantiomers of mianserin and ORG3770 are 15 and 37 times more potent than their respective (S)enantiomers. The racemates are only 1.9 and 3.3 times less potent than the corresponding (R)enantiomers. In voltage clamp experiments the (R)enantiomers block the 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)-induced ion current with pIC50 values of 8.52 for (R)mianserin and 8.26 for the (R)enantiomer of ORG3770. The (R)enantiomers of mianserin and ORG3770 are 24 and 145 times more potent in blocking the 5-HT-induced ion current than their respective (S)enantiomers. The racemates are 6 and 13 times less potent than the corresponding (R)enantiomers. In addition, the block of 5-HT-induced ion current by the (R)enantiomer of ORG3770 is partially reversed by a low concentration of its (S)enantiomer. The results indicate that the two enantiomers block the 5-HT3 receptor-mediated ion current in a mutually dependent manner.