In transfected CHO cells expressing the human metabotropic glutamate receptor mGlu1 alpha, 7- hydroxyimino)cyclopropan[b]chromen-1a-carboxylic acid ethylester (CPCCOEt) was found to antagonize L-quisqualate-induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis in a non-competitive and reversible manner (apparent pK(i) value, 4.76 +/- 0.18: It = 3. This suggests that CPCCOEt antagonizes type Ir metabotropic glutamate receptor activation by interacting with a site distinct from the agonist binding site. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.