cAMP-dependent phosphorylation system after short and long-term administration of moclobemide

Accumulating evidence suggested that signal transduction cascade including protein phosphorylation is implicated in the neurochemical action of antidepressant agents. Clinical data indicated that moclobemide, a short acting and reversible inhibitor of monoamino oxidase type A, is an effective antidepressant medication. However, little is known about the intracellular effects of this compound. Thus, in the present study we assessed the binding of cAMP to cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) in rat cerebral cortex following short and long-term administration of moclobemide. The results showed that 21 days of treatment with moclobemide significantly increased the specific [P-32]-cAMP covalent binding into the soluble 52-54 kDa cAMP-receptor. This effect was not seen following 1, 5 and 12 days of treatment. These findings suggest that PKA could be implicated in the biochemical effects of moclobemide. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.