deltorphin and deltakephalin

In this work, we have characterized the opioid receptor expressed by the human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-BE and compared its hydrodynamic behaviour with those of well known opioid receptors: mu-opioid receptor of rabbit cerebellum and delta-opioid receptor of the hybrid cell line NG 108-15. Human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-BE expresses a substantial amount of opioid receptors (200-300 fmoles/mg of protein). Pharmacological characterization suggests an heterogenous population of receptors and the presence of two delta subtypes which are, at least partially, negatively coupled with adenylate cyclase via a Gi protein. These receptors exist under two different molecular forms and, in this respect, strikingly contrast with the archetypic delta receptors of NG 108-15 hybrid cell line which show only a high molecular weight form and appear more tightly coupled with the G protein. Hydrodynamic behaviour of SK-N-BE opioid receptors is reminiscent of the profile observed with the rabbit cerebellum mu-opioid receptor. This observation is consistent with the presence of two delta-opioid receptors subtypes, one of which exhibiting properties close to those of mu opioid receptors. Taken overall, our results suggest that different types and subtypes of opioid receptors, even if they are coupled to the same inhibitory G protein, are more or less tightly coupled with their transduction proteins and that closely related opioid receptors can form allosterically interacting complexes.

Topics: 3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer; Adenylyl Cyclases; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Binding, Competitive; Cerebellum; Colforsin; Diprenorphine; Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; Enkephalin, D-Penicillamine (2,5)-; Enkephalins; Etorphine; GTP-Binding Proteins; Guinea Pigs; Humans; Hybrid Cells; Molecular Sequence Data; Morphine; Naloxone; Neoplasm Proteins; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Neuroblastoma; Oligopeptides; Pyrrolidines; Rabbits; Receptors, Opioid; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Receptors, Opioid, mu; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Dermorphin (Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Ser-NH2), dermenkephalin (Tyr-D-Met-Phe-His-Leu-Met-Asp-NH2) and deltorphin I (Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Asp-Val-Val-Gly-NH2) are the first naturally occurring peptides highly potent for and almost specific to the mu- and delta-opioid receptors, respectively. The amino-terminal domains Tyr-D-X-Phe (where X is either Ala or Met) of these peptides behave as selective and potent mu-receptor ligands. Routing of Tyr-D-X-Phe to the delta- or the mu- receptor is associated with the presence or the absence at the C-terminus of an additional hydrophobic and negatively charged tetrapeptide by-passing the mu-addressing ability of the amino-terminal moiety. A study of 20 Tyr-D-X-Phe-Y-NH2 analogs with substitution of X and Y by neutral, hydrophobic, aromatic amino acids as well as by charged amino acid residues shows that tetrapeptides maintain high binding affinity and selectivity for the mu-opioid receptor. Although residue in position 4 serves a delta-address function, the tripeptide motif at the C-terminus of dermenkephalin and deltorphin I are critical components for high selectivity at delta-opioid receptor. Results demonstrate that mu- and delta-opioid receptors share topologically equivalent ligand-binding domains, or ligand-binding sequences similarities, that recognized Tyr-D-X-Phe as a consensus message-binding sequence. The delta-receptor additionally contains a unique address subsite at or near the conserved binding domain that accommodates the C-terminal tetrapeptide motif of dermenkephalin and deltorphin I.

Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Binding Sites; Brain; Cell Membrane; Molecular Sequence Data; Oligopeptides; Opioid Peptides; Rats; Receptors, Opioid; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Receptors, Opioid, mu

Although numerous data support the existence of a presynaptic inhibitory control by opioids of substance P-containing primary afferent fibres entering the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, the exact nature of the opioid receptor involved in this control is still a matter of debate. In the present study, the potential role of delta opioid receptors was investigated by looking for the possible effects of selective delta ligands on the in vivo release of substance P-like material from the whole spinal cord in halothane-anaesthetized rats. Perfusion of the intrathecal space allowed the collection of substance P-like material that was released at a constant rate of approximately 0.65 pg substance P equivalents/min for at least 135 min. The addition of Tyr-D-Thr-Gly-Phe-Leu-Thr (10 microM) or dermenkephalin (10 microM), two selective delta agonists, to the perfusing fluid produced a marked reduction (-50-65%) in substance P-like material outflow which could be prevented by the selective delta antagonist naltrindole (10 microM) but not by naloxone (10 microM), which acts preferentially on mu opioid receptors. Furthermore, naltrindole alone (or the association of this antagonist plus dermenkephalin) enhanced the outflow of substance P-like material (+ 170%) as expected from the blockade of a tonic inhibitory control due to the stimulation of delta receptors by endogenous opioids.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Depression, Chemical; Indoles; Injections, Spinal; Male; Molecular Sequence Data; Morphinans; Naloxone; Naltrexone; Oligopeptides; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Receptors, Opioid; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Secretory Rate; Spinal Cord; Substance P

Processing of the polyprotein precursor pro-dermorphin generates two distantly related D-amino acid-containing peptides, dermorphin and dermenkephalin, which are among the most selective high affinity agonists described, respectively, for the mu- and delta-opioid receptors. Dermenkephalin, Tyr-D-Met-Phe-His-Leu-Met-Asp-NH2, is a linear, potentially flexible peptide devoid of structural homology with either enkephalins, endorphins, or dynorphins and, as such, represents a useful tool for identifying determinants of high affinity and selective binding of opioids to the delta-receptor. A series of selected dermenkephalin analogs and homologs was investigated for affinity at the mu- and delta-sites in the brain. Whereas dermenkephalin has high affinity and specificity for the delta-opioid receptors, its tetrapeptide amino end, dermenkephalin-[1-4]-NH2 binds almost exclusively at the mu-receptors. Dermorphin, Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Ser-NH2, is only marginally more selective for the u-sites than is dermenkephalin-[1-4]-NH2. Using dermorphin-dermenkephalin peptide hybrids and C-terminal deletion analogs of dermenkephalin, we showed the critical role that the C-terminal residues Met6 and Asp7 play in specifying correct addressing of dermenkephalin toward delta-receptors. The potent mu-deteminant located within the amino end of dermenkephalin is over-whelmed by the powerful delta-directing ability of the carboxy end. The negatively charged side chain of Asp7 makes a significant contribution to the delta-addressing ability of the C-terminal region, a finding consistent with Schwyzer's membrane selection model (Schwyzer, R. (1986) Biochemistry 25, 6335-6342). The Leu residue in position 5 and D-configuration about the alpha-carbon of Met2 were found to be of crucial importance for high affinity binding to delta-receptors. Whereas the Met residue in position 6 in dermenkephalin could safely be oxidized or replaced with D-Met, oxidation of Met2 led to deleterious effects, this analog being 1/100 as potent as dermenkephalin at delta-sites. Overall, the data collected demonstrate that highest levels of selectivity and affinity for the delta-opioid receptors can be achieved with small-sized, potentially flexible, linear peptides and further support the model according to which, in addition to optimum accommodation at the receptor, selection for delta-receptors is reduced by the effective positive charge of the molecule. Dermenkephalin may provide a starting point for

Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Male; Molecular Sequence Data; Oligopeptides; Opioid Peptides; Peptide Fragments; Protein Conformation; Protein Multimerization; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Receptors, Opioid; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Receptors, Opioid, mu; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; Structure-Activity Relationship