Aminoalkylcarbamate derivatives of forskolin have been synthesized at the 6- and 7-hydroxyl positions which have different selectivity for adenylyl cyclase and a glucose transporter, respectively. They were radioiodinated using the Bolton-Hunter reagent to yield [I-125]-2-[3-(4-hydroxy-3-iodophenyl)propanamido]-N-ethyl-6-(aminocarbonyl)forskolin ([I-125]6-IHPP-Fsk) and [I-125]-2-[3-(4-hydroxy-3-iodophenyl)(propanamidol]-N-ethyl-7-(aminocarbonyl)-7-desacetylforskolin ([I-125]7-IHPP-Fsk) and tested as autoradiographic probes for adenylyl cyclase and a glucose transporter. In slide-mounted rat brain sections [I-125]6-IHPP-Fsk binding was potently inhibited by 1 muM 6-HPP-Fsk (95%) but unaffected by 500 mM D-glucose. In contrast, [I-125]7-IHPP-Fsk was only partially inhibited by 1 muM 6-HPP-Fsk (37%), but residual [I-125]7-IHPP-Fsk binding was further inhibited 56% by 500 mM D-glucose. These data suggest that while [I-125]6-IHPP-Fsk binds exclusively to adenylyl cyclase, a significant fraction of [I-125]7-IHPP-Fsk is binding to a glucose transporter in brain. Autoradiographic patterns of [I-125]6-IHPP-Fsk and glucose-sensitive [I-125]7-IHPP-Fsk binding were different. [I-125]6-IHPP-Fsk binding was heterogeneously distributed and resembled [H-3] forskolin binding. Highest densities of binding sites were noted in olfactory tubercle, caudate putamen, nucleus accumbens, pyramidal and granule cell layers of hippocampus, molecular layer of cerebellum and substantia nigra. In contrast, of glucose-sensitive [I-125]7-IHPP-Fsk, binding appeared more homogeneous and similar to [H-3]cytochalasin B, a compound which inhibits glucose transport. Highest densities of binding were noted in caudate putamen, nucleus accumbens, cerebral cortex and molecular layer of cerebellum. Less binding was noted in hippocampus pyramidal and granule cell layers. The data show that [I-125] 6-IHPP-Fsk and [I-125]7-IHPP-Fsk can be used, respectively, to label selectively adenylyl cyclase and glucose transporter. These compounds may have potential as in vivo diagnostic probes to reveal brain pathology or as sites of action of physiological insults or drugs which affect signal transduction or brain metabolism.