1 We investigated the antagonistic effect of 1-piperidinecarboxamide, N-[2-[[5amino-l-[[4-(4-pyridinyl)-l-piperazinyl]carbonyl]pentyl]amino]-1- [(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl]-2-oxoethyl]-4-(1,4-dihydro-2-oxo-3(2H)-quinazolinyl) (BIBN4096BS) on the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-induced responses by using isometric myograph and FURA-2 technique in human subcutaneous arteries removed in association with abdominal surgery. 2 BIBN4096BS, at the concentration of 1 pM, had no significant effect on the CGRP-induced relaxation in these vessels. 3 At the concentration of 10 pM, BIBN4096BS had a competitive antagonistic-like behaviour characterized by parallel rightward shift in the log CGRP concentration-tension curve with no depression of the E max . 4 At the higher concentrations (0.1 and 1 nM), BIBN4096BS had a concentration-dependent noncompetitive antagonistic effect on the CGRP-induced responses. 5 The efficacy and potency of CGRP was significantly greater in the smaller (lumen diameter B200 mm) human subcutaneous arteries compared to the larger ones. 6 The apparent agonist equilibrium dissociation constant, K A , for CGRP 1 receptors in the human subcutaneous arteries was approximately 1 nM. Analysis of the relationship between receptor occupancy and response to CGRP indicates that the receptor reserve is relatively small. 7 Using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the presence of mRNA sequences encoding the calcitonin receptor-like receptor, receptor activity modifying protein (RAMP1, RAMP2, RAMP3) and receptor component protein were demonstrated in human subcutaneous arteries, indicating the presence of CGRP 1 -like receptor and the necessary component for the receptor activation. 8 In conclusion, the inhibitory action of BIBN4096BS at the low concentration (10 pM) on the CGRP-tension curve (but not intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca 2 þ ] i ) resembles what is seen with a reversible competitive antagonist. However, at the higher concentrations (0.1 and 1 nM), BIBN4096BS acts as a selective noncompetitive inhibitor at CGRP 1 receptors in human subcutaneous arteries.