Inhibition of alpha 1-adrenergic responsiveness in intact cells by a new, irreversible receptor antagonist

A novel alpha 1-adrenoreceptor antagonist, 1-(4-amino-6,7-dimethoxy-2-quinazolinyl)-4-(2-bicyclo [2.2.2] octa-2,5-dienylcarbonyl) piperazine, was synthesized and shown to potently block alpha 1-adrenoceptor-induced Ca2+ mobilization in intact rat parotid acinar cells. Irreversible inhibition was complete in less than 5 min. This alkylating prazosin derivative blocked Ca2+ release (IC50 approximately 5 X 10(-10)M) and [3H]-prazosin membrane binding (IC50 approximately 3 X 10(-10)M) in a concentration dependent fashion and increased the EC50 of epinephrine for Ca2+ efflux by approximately 35 fold. The agent however had no effect on muscarinic receptor-induced Ca2+ mobilization, or beta-adrenoreceptor-induced protein secretion, from cells. These findings suggest that this irreversible alpha 1-adrenoreceptor antagonist will be a valuable tool in probing alpha 1-adrenoreceptor function and metabolism in intact cells.