Neuroleptic-sensitive binding sites in the nigrostriatal system: evidence for differential distribution of sigma sites in the substantia nigra, pars compacta of the cat.

The sigma site is a recently described binding site to which dextrorotary isomers of certain psychotomimetic benzomorphans bind specifically. Classical and nonclassical neuroleptics also have high affinity for the sigma site, including neuroleptics known to bind to the D2 dopamine receptor. The affinity of some D2-binding neuroleptics for the sigma site has raised the possibility that certain important effects of antipsychotic drugs may relate to the sigma site. Left unresolved has been the question of how these actions could relate to dopaminergic systems. To explore this issue we carried out an autoradiographic binding study of the distribution of the sigma-selective ligand 3H-DTG in the nigrostriatal system. We report here that haloperidol-displaceable 3H-DTG binding sites are densely concentrated in an anatomically discrete subdivision of the cat's substantia nigra pars compacta. This zone, identifiable as the striosome-projecting densocellular zone of the pars compacta, also shows heightened D2-related ligand binding but has reduced D1-related ligand binding relative to other parts of the nigral complex. This evidence suggests that sigma-mediated interactions with dopaminergic systems may occur in the substantia nigra pars compacta and that the functional effects of these interactions may influence the nigrostriatal projection to striosomes differentially.