2,3-dichloroquinoxaline-6-sulfonyl chloride (CAS 2149-05-5)

2,3-Dichloroquinoxaline-6-sulfonyl chloride (DCQX) is a chemical compound that has garnered significant attention in neuroscience research for its capacity to block specific types of glutamate receptors. Glutamate, a prevalent excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, plays a fundamental role in physiological processes such as learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity. 2,3-dichloroquinoxaline-6-sulfonyl chloride emerges as a potent antagonist targeting the AMPA (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) receptor subtype of glutamate receptors, primarily responsible for rapid synaptic transmission within the central nervous system. Functioning as a non-competitive antagonist of the AMPA receptor subtype, 2,3-Dichloroquinoxaline-6-sulfonyl chloride binds to a distinct site on the receptor, separate from the glutamate binding site. Consequently, it hinders the receptor from opening in response to glutamate binding. By obstructing the AMPA receptor, 2,3-Dichloroquinoxaline-6-sulfonyl chloride effectively inhibits fast synaptic transmission and diminishes the strength of synaptic connections. The broad utilization of 2,3-Dichloroquinoxaline-6-sulfonyl chloride in neuroscience research primarily revolves around elucidating the role of AMPA receptors in various physiological processes. For instance, it has proven valuable in investigating the contribution of AMPA receptors to long-term potentiation (LTP), an essential mechanism behind the strengthening of synaptic transmission following repetitive stimulation.