Identification and characterization of deschloro-chlorothricin obtained from a large natural product library targeting aurora A kinase in multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a devastating disease with low survival rates worldwide. The mean lifetime of patients may be extendable with new drug alternatives. Aurora A kinase (AURKA) is crucial in oncogenesis, because its overexpression or amplification may incline the development of various types of cancer, including MM. Therefore, inhibitors of AURKA are innovative and promising targets. Natural compounds always represented a valuable resource for anticancer drug development. In the present study, based on virtual drug screening of more than 48,000 natural compounds, the antibiotic deschloro-chlorotricin (DCCT) has been identified to bind to AURKA with even higher binding affinity (free bindung energy: -12.25 kcal/mol) than the known AURKA inhibitor, alisertib (free binding energy: -11.25 kcal/mol). The in silico studies have been verified in vitro by using microscale thermophoresis. DCCT inhibited MM cell lines (KMS-11, L-363, RPMI-8226, MOLP-8, OPM-2, NCI-H929) with IC50 values in a range from 0.01 to 0.12 µM. Furthermore, DCCT downregulated AURKA protein expression, induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and disturbed the cellular microtubule network as determined by Western blotting, flow cytometry, and fluorescence microscopy. Thus, DCCT may be a promising lead structure for further derivatization and the development of specific AURKA inhibitors in MM therapy.

aBETting therapeutic resistance by Wnt signaling.

BET inhibition has emerged as a promising epigenetic therapy for malignancies in the last five years, but little consensus has developed regarding what may mediate the axis between sensitivity and resistance. Two recent papers published in Nature attempt to address this question in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and independently identify the Wnt signaling pathway as a driver and biomarker of therapeutic resistance.

Binding pathways of ligands to HIV-1 protease: coarse-grained and atomistic simulations.

Multiscale simulations (coarse-grained Brownian dynamics simulations and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations in implicit solvent) were applied to reveal the binding processes of ligands as they enter the binding site of the HIV-1 protease. The initial structures used for the molecular dynamics simulations were generated based on the Brownian dynamics trajectories, and this is the first molecular dynamics simulation of modeling the association of a ligand with the protease. We found that a protease substrate successfully binds to the protein when the flaps are fully open. Surprisingly, a smaller cyclic urea inhibitor (XK263) can reach the binding site when the flaps are not fully open. However, if the flaps are nearly closed, the inhibitor must rearrange or binding can fail because the inhibitor cannot attain proper conformations to enter the binding site. Both the peptide substrate and XK263 can also affect the protein's internal motion, which may help the flaps to open. Simulations allow us to efficiently study the ligand binding processes and may help those who study drug discovery to find optimal association pathways and to design those ligands with the best binding kinetics.

Inhibition of the metabolism of brotizolam by erythromycin in humans: in vivo evidence for the involvement of CYP3A4 in brotizolam metabolism.

AIMS: To obtain in vivo evidence for the involvement of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 in the metabolism of brotizolam. METHODS: Fourteen healthy male volunteers received erythromycin 1200 mg day(-1) or placebo for 7 days in a double-blind randomized crossover manner. On the 6th day they received a single oral 0.5-mg dose of brotizolam, and blood samplings were performed for 24 h. RESULTS: Erythromycin treatment significantly increased the peak plasma concentration (P < 0.05), total area under the plasma concentration-time curve (P < 0.01), and elimination half-life (P < 0.01) of brotizolam. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides in vivo evidence for the involvement of CYP3A4 in brotizolam metabolism.

Specific PAF antagonist WEB-2086 induces terminal differentiation of murine and human leukemia cells.

A pharmacological approach to neoplasia by differentiation therapy relies on the availability of cytodifferentiating agents whose antitumor efficacy is usually assayed first on malignant cells in vitro. Using murine erythroleukemia cells (MELCs) as the model, we found that WEB-2086, a triazolobenzodiazepine-derived PAF antagonist originally developed as an anti-inflammatory drug, induces a dose-dependent inhibition of MELC growth and hemoglobin accumulation as a result of a true commitment to differentiation. MELCs treated for 5 days with 1 mM WEB-2086 show greater than or equal to 85% benzidine-positive cells, increased expression of alpha- and beta-globin genes, and down-regulation of c-Myb. This differentiation pattern, which does not involve histone H4 acetylation and is abrogated by the action of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, recalls the pattern induced by hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA). In addition to MELCs, human erythroleukemia K562 and HEL and myeloid HL60 cells are massively committed to maturation by WEB-2086 and, with some differences, by its analog, WEB-2170. This suggests that WEB-2086, structurally distant from other known inducers, might be a member of a new class of cytodifferentiation agents active on a broad range of transformed cells in vitro and useful, prospectively, for anticancer therapy due to their high tolerability in vivo.

Decrease of ciliary beat frequency by platelet activating factor: protective effect of ketotifen.

The ciliary beat frequency (CBF) of the tracheal epithelial cells controls in part the respiratory tract mucociliary transport efficiency. We investigated the effects on CBF of PAF-acether (PAF) and its metabolite/precursor lyso-PAF. Guinea-pig tracheal rings were incubated for 3 to 6h with 1 microM PAF (C16, C18, C16/C18: 80/20%), lyso-PAF C16 or lyso-phosphatidylcholine (LPC). CBF changes were assessed by microphotooscillography (mean number of measures per ring = 14). We also examined the effect on PAF-induced CBF changes of the PAF receptor-antagonist WEB 2086, the anti-asthmatic/anti-anaphylactic drug ketotifen and the anti-histamine H1 pyribenzamine. CBF of control rings exposed to vehicle only from 0 to 6h showed no significant statistical variations (hertz, mean +/- SEM): 10.8 +/- 0.1 (n of measures = 890). By contrast, 1 microM C16, C18, and C16/C18 PAF significantly inhibited CBF after 3 to 6h incubation. C16 and C16/C18 PAF were more potent than C18 PAF (8.8 +/- 0.2, n = 112, 8.7 +/- 0.2, n = 64, and 9.6 +/- 0.1, n = 537 respectively; ANOVA analysis, p < 0.001 from control). At the same concentration, lyso-PAF also inhibited CBF, 9.5 +/- 0.1 (n = 197, p < 0.001) but not LPC, 10.5 +/- 0.2 (n = 127). WEB 2086 inhibited lyso-PAF and C16/18 PAF-induced CBF decrease. Preincubation (20 min) with ketotifen but not with pyribenzamine (1 microM) also suppressed the CBF inhibitory effect of PAF and lyso-PAF. Incubation of [3H]PAF with tracheal rings from 10 min to 6h resulted in its partial metabolism (25%) into [3H]lyso-PAF and a compound with a short retention time (10 min). [3H]lyso-PAF incubated for 3h with tracheal rings was partially metabolized (10%) into [3H]PAF and a compound with a short retention time. The PAF-induced decrease of CBF is congruent with its influence on pulmonary clearance, possibly via a specific receptor, since WEB 2086 abolished the effect of PAF. The inhibition of the PAF-induced CBF decrease by ketotifen may contribute to the therapeutic properties of this antiallergic drug.

Partial agonistic effects of OPC-14597, a potential antipsychotic agent, on yawning behavior in rats.

The present experiments were performed to examine the behavioral effects of OPC-14597, which acts on dopamine receptors in rats. OPC-14597 administered subcutaneously (SC) at doses of 0.1-5 mg/kg elicited yawning, as did OPC-4392 (0.5-2 mg/kg, SC) and (-)-3-PPP (2.5-10 mg/kg, SC). These yawning responses were blocked by intraperitoneal (IP) pretreatment with haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg) but were increased by pindolol (20 mg/kg, IP) or reserpine (5 mg/kg, IP), which per se did not elicit yawning. The yawning induced by talipexole, a selective dopamine D2 receptor agonist, was inhibited by OPC-14597 (0.5-5 mg/kg, SC) and (-)-3-PPP (10 mg/kg, SC). Apomorphine (0.5 mg/kg, SC), a dopamine D1/D2 receptor agonist, elicited stereotypy such as sniffing and licking but OPC-14597 (5-20 mg/kg, SC) did not induce this behavior. The stereotypy induced by apomorphine was inhibited not only by haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg, IP) and (-)-3-PPP (10 mg/kg, SC) but also by OPC-14597 (5-20 mg/kg, SC), without being affected by OPC-4392 (2 mg/kg, SC). In 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-treated rats, apomorphine (0.5 mg/kg, SC) elicited rotation behavior whereas OPC-14597, OPC-4392 and (-)-3-PPP did not produce this behavior. These findings suggest that OPC-14597 provokes yawning without causing stereotypy and rotation but markedly antagonizes the talipexole-induced yawning and apomorphine-induced stereotypy, and that OPC-14597 thus exerts partial agonistic effects on yawning behavior but antagonistic effects on stereotypy in rats.

The action of 1,2,3,5,6,11b-hexahydro-[1]benzothieno [3,2-g]indolizine hydrochloride (ADT 16) on peripheral and central responses mediated by 5-hydroxytryptaminergic and adrenergic systems of the rat.

Some acute pharmacological effects have been examined of racemic ADT 16 (1,2,3,5,6,11b-hexahydro[1]benzothieno[3,2-g]indolizine hydrochloride), on peripheral and central responses mediated by 5-HT and adrenergic systems in the rat. In-vitro, ADT 16 (10-1000 nM), similarly to mianserin, antagonized the inhibitory responses to B-HT 920 of the electrically-stimulated rat isolated prostatic vas deferens. High concentrations of ADT 16 (10 microM), also resembled those of mianserin by potentiating twitch responses to electrical stimulation of the tissue. Contractile responses to phenylephrine of rat isolated epididymal vas deferens were antagonized by ADT 16 (0.3-1 microM). In the rat stomach fundus strip, ADT 16 (1-3 microM) antagonized contractions due to 5-HT. ADT 16 (0.1-1 microM) had no effect on responses to acetylcholine of the guinea-pig isolated ileum. In-vivo, in spinalized, decerebrated rats, fenfluramine- or clonidine-induced facilitation of flexor reflex activity of the anterior tibialis muscle was attenuated by ADT 16 (3 and 10 mg kg-1, i.v., and 3 mg kg-1, i.v. respectively). In the anaesthetized rat, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa)- or L-5-hydroxytryptophan (L-5-HTP)-induced increases in the frequency of spontaneous twitches of the anterior digastricus muscle were attenuated by ADT 16 (1 and 3 mg kg-1, i.v.; n = 4). It is concluded that ADT 16, similarly to mianserin, is a novel peripherally and centrally active antagonist of 5-HT and adrenergic responses in the rat.

Nifedipine inhibits responses to alpha-adrenoceptor stimulation in canine blood vessels: impact of heart failure.

The effects of nifedipine (10(-8) and 10(-7) M) on alpha-adrenergic responses of the dorsal pedal artery and saphenous vein were examined from dogs with pacing-induced heart failure. Two groups of dogs had their right ventricles paced at 250 beats/min: group (1) 1 week of pacing (mild heart failure) and group (2) paced for a mean period of 25.8 days (peak heart failure). Nifedipine non-competitively antagonised 6-allyl-2-amino-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H- thiazolo[4,5-d]azepin dihydrochloride (BHT 920)-induced contractions to the same extent (i.e. at control, mild heart failure and peak heart failure) and IC50 values were as follows: for dorsal pedal artery 3.9 (1.8-6.1) nM, 4.4 (1.2-8.4) nM and 8.5 (2.9-38.9) nM, respectively; for saphenous vein 13.0 (4.6-26.0) nM, 13.0 (7.3-18.6) nM and 19.0 (9.3-32.8) nM, respectively). Before the onset of pacing, nifedipine did not affect concentration-effect curves generated to noradrenaline or phenylephrine in either the artery or the vein. After 1 week of pacing, nifedipine (10(-7) M) inhibited contractions to noradrenaline in the artery and the vein (70 +/- 5% for the artery and 51 +/- 4% for the vein). Nifedipine had no effect on phenylephrine-induced contractions. At peak heart failure, nifedipine inhibited both noradrenaline and phenylephrine contractions. These results indicate that nifedipine is useful in differentiating contractile activity of vascular smooth muscle with respect to alpha-adrenoceptor agonism.

Hypotensive and bradycardic effects of talipexole (B-HT 920) in anaesthetized rabbits are antagonized by metoclopramide but not by yohimbine.

The interactions of talipexole (B-HT 920) and clonidine with selective alpha-adrenoceptor antagonists, yohimbine (alpha 2) and prazosin (alpha 1), as well as with dopamine receptor antagonists, metoclopramide (D2), domperidone (D2) and SCH23,390 (D1) were investigated in anaesthetized rabbits after i.v. administration. Both talipexole (0.03-0.1 mg/kg) and clonidine (0.01-0.03 mg/kg) dose-dependently induced hypotension and bradycardia. Talipexole had a shorter duration of action. The hypotensive effect of the alpha 2-adrenoceptor and D2 agonist talipexole (0.03 mg/kg) was antagonized by pretreatment with metoclopramide (3 mg/kg) or domperidone (0.3-3 mg/kg), but not with yohimbine (3 mg/kg), prazosin (0.1 mg/kg) or SCH23,390 (1 mg/kg). Its bradycardic effect was antagonized only by metoclopramide (3 mg/kg). The hypotensive and bradycardic effects of clonidine (0.03 mg/kg) were most effectively antagonized by yohimbine (0.3-3 mg/kg). These findings indicate that in anaesthetized rabbits after i.v. administration, talipexole may lower blood pressure by peripheral, and heart rate by central, dopamine D2 agonism.

Inhibition by talipexole, a thiazolo-azepine derivative, of dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area.

A microiontophoretic study using rats anesthetized with chloral hydrate and immobilized with gallamine triethiodide was carried out to compare the effect of talipexole (B-HT 920 CL2:2-amino-6-allyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-thiazolo [4,5-d]-azepine-dihydrochloride), a dopamine autoreceptor agonist, on dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to non-dopaminergic neurons in the VTA. VTA neurons were classified into two types according to the responses to antidromic stimulation of the nucleus accumbens (Acc): type I neurons with a long spike latency (8.69 +/- 0.24 msec) upon Acc stimulation and low spontaneous firing rate (6.80 +/- 1.34/sec), and type II neurons with a short latency (2.76 +/- 0.20 msec) and high spontaneous firing rate (26.77 +/- 7.05/sec), probably corresponding to dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic neurons, respectively. In type I neurons, microiontophoretic application of talipexole and dopamine inhibited antidromic spike generation elicited by Acc stimulation, and talipexole-induced inhibition was antagonized by domperidone (dopamine D-2 antagonist). In type II neurons, however, the antidromic spikes were not affected by either talipexole or dopamine. Furthermore, spontaneous firing was also inhibited by iontophoretically applied talipexole and dopamine in most type I neurons, but rarely affected by either drug. Inhibitory effects of talipexole were antagonized by domperidone. These results suggest that talipexole acts on dopamine D-2 receptors, thereby inhibiting the dopaminergic neurons in the VTA.

Chronic imipramine "reverses" B-HT 920-induced hypomotility in rats.

B-HT 920, a selective DA autoreceptor agonist, reduced motor activity in rats. Chronic, but not acute, treatment with imipramine (IMI) reversed this effect. The mechanism by which chronic IMI reverses the B-HT 920 effect is discussed.

Effects of morphine, H-Tyr-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH2 (DALDA) and B-HT920 on non-cholinergic nerve-mediated bronchoconstriction in pithed guinea-pigs.

1. Electrical stimulation (1 ms, 5 Hz, 80 V) for 5 or 15 s at the level of C4-T1 in the spinal canal of artificially respired pithed guinea-pigs (which had received intravenously (i.v.) (+)-tubocurarine chloride 2 mg kg-1, atropine sulphate 2 mg kg-1 and pentolinium tartrate 5 mg kg-1) caused constriction of airways, indicated by increased insufflation pressure. 2. This non-cholinergic constriction was inhibited by morphine (1-3 mg kg-1, i.v.), the peripherally acting mu-receptor agonist, H-Tyr-D-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH2 (DALDA, 0.1-1 mg kg-1, i.v.) or the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist B-HT920 (1-3 mg kg-1, i.v.). 3. The effects of either morphine (3 mg kg-1, i.v.) or DALDA (1 mg kg-1, i.v.) were inhibited by naloxone (3 mg kg-1, i.v.). Idazoxan (3 mg kg-1, i.v.) inhibited the anti-constrictor effect of B-HT920 (3 mg kg-1, i.v.), but not that of DALDA (0.1 mg kg-1, i.v.). 4. Thus activation of peripheral mu-opioid receptors or alpha 2-adrenoceptors inhibits airways constriction induced by non-cholinergic nerve stimulation in the pithed guinea-pig. This preparation therefore provides a further method for the in vivo examination of the effects of drugs on non-cholinergic tracheobronchial constrictor nerve function.

The effectiveness of alpha 2-adrenoceptor activation increases from the distal to the proximal part of the veins of canine limbs.

1. The effectiveness of alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor activation was compared at different levels of the saphenous and cephalic vein of the dog in vitro. 2. Helically cut strips were used to determine concentration-response curves to phenylephrine, noradrenaline, UK-14,304 (5-bromo-6-(imidazoline-2-ylamino)-quinoxaline) and B-HT 920 (2-amino-6-allyl-5,6,7,8-tetra-hydro-4H-(thiazo)-4,5-d-azepine). The effect of prazosin and yohimbine on these curves was also studied. 3. At the distal level, the maximum response to UK-14,304 amounted to 33 and 50% of those to noradrenaline in the saphenous and cephalic vein, respectively, while at the proximal level the maximum response to UK-14,304 amounted to 72 and 78% of those to noradrenaline, in the saphenous and cephalic vein, respectively. 4. In both vessels, the results obtained with B-HT 920 were very similar to those for UK-14,304. 5. The pD2 values for UK-14,304 - which were identical at the three levels of both vessels - and the pA2 values for the antagonism exerted by either prazosin or yohimbine against the responses to UK-14,304 indicate that the alpha 2-adrenoceptors are identical at the different levels of both vessels. 6. These results show that the effectiveness of alpha 2-adrenoceptor stimulation increases from the distal to the proximal regions of canine limb veins. Apparently, this is due to a greater density of alpha 2-adrenoceptors in the proximal regions. 7. Yohimbine is much more potent against phenylephrine distally than proximally in both vessels. However, after 30 nm phenoxybenzamine - a concentration which eliminates the vast majority of alpha,-adrenoceptors without affecting alpha 2-adrenoceptors - yohimbine became equally potent at both levels, suggesting that the difference existing before phenoxybenzamine depended on alpha,-adrenoceptors. Hence it is concluded that alpha,-adrenoceptors in distal and proximal portions may differ.

Changes in prejunctional potency of B-HT 933 during aging in the rat vas deferens.

1. Age-related changes in prejunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptors were examined in the rat vas deferens using pharmacological techniques. 2. B-HT 933 (1 x 10(-8) - 1 x 10(-6) mol/L) caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of isometric contractions (tetrodotoxin-sensitive) induced by stimulation with single field-stimulus pulses, in both the epididymal and prostatic regions of rat vas deferens. The concentration-response curve to B-HT 933 was shifted to the right with age in the prostatic regions of the vas deferens. 3. In high concentrations (10(-6) - 3 x 10(-4) mol/L), B-HT 933 caused concentration-dependent enhancement of the contractile response to stimulation and evoked spontaneous contractile activity. No significant difference in this postjunctional activity occurred with age in either the prostatic or epididymal regions of the vas deferens. 4. Schild analysis revealed no significant differences in pA2 values for the antagonisms of the prejunctional inhibitory effect of B-HT 933 by rauwolscine in either the prostatic or epididymal regions of vas deferens between young and old rats. 5. These results could be interpreted as a decrease in alpha 2-adrenoceptor number with age. The more marked decrease in the prejunctional inhibitor potency of B-HT 933 in prostatic regions of vas deferens with aging may be due to a smaller receptor reserve in this region of the vas deferens.

Long posterior ciliary arterial blood flow and systemic blood pressure.

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the relationship between systemic blood pressure (BP) and long posterior ciliary arterial (LPCA) blood flow (BF) in response to autonomic drugs, and to determine the types of receptors involved. LPCA BF was measured in anesthetized rabbits at the retrobulbar region using laser Doppler flowmetry. The observation that most of the short posterior ciliary arteries diverge from two LPCAs in rabbits was confirmed using a vascular casting technique. Therefore, the LPCA BF at the retrobulbar region should be representative of total uveal BF. Norepinephrine (IV) increased systemic BP and decreased LPCA BF. These responses were suppressed only slightly by yohimbine, but were inhibited markedly by prazosin and by the combination of yohimbine and prazosin. B-HT 920 (IV), a selective alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist, increased systemic BP and decreased LPCA BF. B-HT 920 (IA) also decreased LPCA BF, with all effects of B-HT 920 antagonized by yohimbine. Methacholine (IV) decreased systemic BP and increased LPCA BF whether administered IV or IA. These effects were blocked uniformly by atropine. The current results suggest that LPCA BF is controlled both by systemic BP and local ocular vascular tone. There are vasoconstrictive alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenoceptors and vasodilative muscarinic receptors in the rabbit ocular vascular tree.

Effects of azepexole on opioid receptors and endogenous opioid release in the guinea pig ileum.

The interactions of the opioid and adrenergic systems were investigated in the guinea pig myenteric plexus longitudinal muscle preparation. Morphine and azepexole (a highly selective alpha 2-adrenergic agonist) inhibit the electrically induced contractions with ED50 of 1.9 X 10(-7) M and 3.1 X 10(-6) M, respectively. The effect of morphine but not that of azepexole was competitively antagonized by naloxone. Stimulation of the preparation at 10 Hz was used to induce endogenous opioid release that was unaffected by azepexole. The authors' findings indicate that the effects of morphine and azepexole are additive, but that there is no direct interaction between the opioid and adrenergic receptors in the ileum. These observations provide some additional insight into the ability of alpha 2-agonists to enhance the effects of opioids and inhalation anesthetics.

Felodipine prevents the poststenotic myocardial ischemia induced by alpha 2-adrenergic coronary constriction.

Alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated coronary constriction contributes to the precipitation of myocardial ischemia during sympathetic activation. Felodipine is a novel dihydropyridine calcium-channel antagonist with vascular selectivity. In this study, the effect of felodipine on alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated poststenotic coronary constriction was investigated. In ten open-chest dogs, the selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist BHT 933 (200 micrograms IC) was infused before and after production of a severe stenosis on the left circumflex coronary artery. BHT 933 increased calculated resistance of the intact left circumflex coronary artery from 1.16 +/- 0.30 (SD) to 2.00 +/- 0.70 mmHg*min*100 g/ml (p less than 0.05) without changing posterior systolic wall thickening (sonomicrometry) (14.2 +/- 2.8% vs. 14.1 +/- 2.7%). In the presence of a severe stenosis, BHT 933 increased poststenotic coronary resistance from 1.59 +/- 0.54 to 2.88 +/- 1.16 mmHg*min*100 g/ml (p less than 0.05) and decreased posterior systolic wall thickening from 11.9 +/- 2.7% to 8.2 +/- 3.1% (p less than 0.05). In contrast, after intravenous pretreatment with felodipine (4 micrograms/kg), intracoronary infusion of BHT 933 did not change coronary resistance (1.69 +/- 0.61 vs. 1.61 +/- 0.64 mmHg*min*100 g/ml) and posterior systolic wall thickening (12.1 +/- 3.0% vs. 12.6 +/- 2.9%). In conclusion, felodipine prevents alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated coronary constriction and ischemic regional myocardial dysfunction distal to a severe coronary stenosis.

The alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists idazoxan and yohimbine can unmask the postsynaptic dopamine agonist effects of B-HT 920.

Administration of B-HT 920 alone produced weak stereotypy in a small percentage (4-8%) of rats. In contrast, after combined administration of idazoxane and B-HT 920, stereotyped behaviors (sniffing and licking) were consistently produced in all rats. The appearance of stereotypy after combined treatment with yohimbine and B-HT 920 was inversely related to the dose of yohimbine. These data suggest that the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist effects of B-HT 920 can mask it's postsynaptic dopamine agonist effects.