RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 The Entry of [d-Penicillamine2,5]Enkephalin into the Central Nervous System: Saturation Kinetics and Specificity JF Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics JO J Pharmacol Exp Ther FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics SP 1235 OP 1240 VO 280 IS 3 A1 Sarah A. Thomas A1 Thomas J. Abbruscato A1 Victor J. Hruby A1 Thomas P. Davis YR 1997 UL http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/280/3/1235.abstract AB The delta opioid receptor-selective, enzymatically stable peptide [d-Penicillamine2,5]enkephalin (DPDPE) has recently acquired special significance with the identification of a saturable uptake system for this analgesic into the CNS. The aim of the present study was to characterize further the entry of [3H]DPDPE into the brain and CSF by means of a bilateralin situ brain perfusion method. Initial experiments revealed a saturable [3H]DPDPE uptake into the brain that followed Michaelis-Menten type kinetics with a K m value of 45.5 ± 27.6 μM, a V max value of 51.1 ± 13.2 pmol · min−1 · g−1 and a K d value of 0.6 ± 0.3 μl · min−1 · g−1. Uptake of [3H]DPDPE into the CSF could not be inhibited (K d = 0.9 ± 0.1 μl · min−1 · g−1). Entry of [3H]DPDPE into the CNS was not inhibited in the presence of 10 mM 2-aminobicyclo-[2,2,1]-heptane-2-carboxylic acid (BCH) or 50 μM ICI 174,864, which suggests that the saturable mechanism does not involve the large neutral amino acid transporter or binding to opioid receptors. It would also appear that [3H]DPDPE is not in competition with either poly-l-lysine or insulin to enter the CNS. However, both of these substances significantly increased the CNS entry of [3H]DPDPE but not that of the vascular space marker [14C]sucrose, and this may have valuable clinical implications. It is not known at present which saturable uptake mechanism is responsible for the CNS entry of [3H]DPDPE, but overall the results suggest a carrier-mediated transport system. The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics