A series of dATP and dCTP nucleotide analogs have been synthesized which are modified by attachment of aliphatic linkers containing a functional group to the amino-nitrogen at the hydrogen bonding positions of the bases, that is, at the 6-position of adenine and the 4-position of cytosine. These nucleotides are incorporated into DNA probes by standard nick-translation protocols. DNA probes labeled with biotin derivatives of these nucleotides are effectively hybridized to target DNA sequences and can be detected by a streptavidin and calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase conjugate with a sensitivity (0.25 pg DNA) sufficient for reproducible and rapid detection of single copy genes in a Southern blot of mammalian DNA. Also, a procedure has been developed to allow reprobing of nylon filters that have been hybridized with biotinylated probes and developed with the streptavidin/alkaline phosphatase conjugate and a standard dye system.

Two derivatives of (RS)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl (RS)-alpha-hydroxy-alpha-(4-iodophenyl)-alpha-phenylacetate (1a) and three partially resolved (R)- or (S)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl (RS)-alpha-hydroxy-alpha-(4-iodophenyl)-alpha-phenylacetates labeled with no carrier added iodine-125 (1b, 18, and 19) and iodine-123 (1c and 18a) were synthesized by the Wallach triazene approach. We have found that this approach is necessary to obtain no carrier added labeling and gives far better results than the direct electrophilic iodination. The obtained yields were 7 to 18% when using iodine-123 (yield dependent on the source of iodide) and up to 17% for iodine-123 (yield dependent on the source of iodide) and up to 17% for iodine-125 labeled compounds. Our preliminary distribution studies indicate that 1b localizes in the organs known to have a large concentration of muscarinic receptors and that this localization is due to binding to those receptors.

A series of 1-(aralkylamino)-3-(aryloxy)propan-2-ols were synthesized, and their apparent dissociation constants (Kapp) were determined by using rat ventricular muscle (RVM) and rat lung membrane (RLM) preparations. Analysis of the binding studies suggests the existence of different modes of binding dependent on the presence or absence of the 4-substituent in the aryloxy ring and the nature of that ring. Without 4-substitution only one compound (4), bearing the 2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)ethyl substituent on the amino group, shows high cardioselectivity. Introduction of the 4-acylamido substituent into the phenoxy ring renders all compounds cardioselective. The cardioselective influence of 4-substitution is diminished or eliminated when the phenoxy ring is replaced by naphth-1-yloxy.

A number of analogues of 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) have been synthesized and their affinities to muscarinic receptor from rat or dog ventricular muscle measured. We have determined that the muscarinic receptor can to a different degree accommodate either a halogen in the ortho, meta, or para position of one phenyl ring or the replacement of one phenyl ring with an alkyl group. Our in vitro competition studies show that the affinities lie within a 270-fold range, from the highest affinity compound, 3-quinuclidinyl alpha-hydroxy-alpha-cyclopentylphenylacetate (2), to the lowest affinity compound, 3-quinuclidinyl alpha-hydroxy-alpha-2-propargylphenylacetate (11).