mr-2266 and preproenkephalin

To investigate the effects of the endogenous kappa-receptor agonists dynorphin and leumorphin on neurons of the supraoptic nucleus in the rat hypothalamus, intracellular recordings were made from 62 supraoptic neurons in slice preparations. Bath application of dynorphin and leumorphin at 10(-7) M to 3 x 10(-6) M decreased the spontaneous firing rate with slight hyperpolarization of the membrane potential (-3.8 +/- 0.5 mV, mean +/- S.E.M.) but did not detectably change input resistance. The inhibitory effects were blocked by the relatively selective kappa-antagonist MR-2266. The synthetic kappa-receptor agonist U-50,488H had similar inhibitory effects on supraoptic neurons. Postsynaptic potentials evoked by electrical stimulation dorsal or dorsolateral to the supraoptic nucleus were suppressed by dynorphin and leumorphin. Morphine and [D-Ala, D-Leu]enkephalin, which are relatively selective to mu- and delta-receptors, respectively, influenced the postsynaptic potentials less. Dynorphin and leumorphin also decreased the duration of action potentials that were prolonged by either bath application of tetraethylammonium chloride at 5-10 mM or intracellular injection of Cs ions from the recording electrodes which were filled with 3 M cesium citrate. The prolongation was blocked by 1 mM MnCl2 and 2 mM CoCl2, which suggested that the components were due to voltage-dependent Ca2+ influx. The results suggest that endogenous kappa-receptor agonists inhibit neurosecretory cells of the supraoptic nucleus to suppress synaptic events and Ca2+ components of action potentials.

Topics: 3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer; Action Potentials; Analgesics; Animals; Benzomorphans; Calcium; Cesium; Dynorphins; Electric Stimulation; Electrophysiology; Enkephalins; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Male; Membrane Potentials; Narcotic Antagonists; Neurosecretory Systems; Protein Precursors; Pyrrolidines; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, Opioid, kappa; Supraoptic Nucleus; Synapses; Tetraethylammonium Compounds

The three endogenous opioid precursors of almost 30000 Da are pro-opiocortin, proenkephalin and prodynorphin. Pro-opiocortin contains beta-endorphin, melanotropins and ACTH. Proenkephalin yields one [Leu5]enkephalin, three [Met5]enkephalins, one [Met5] enkephalyl-Arg-Arg-Val-NH2 (metorphamide or adrenorphin), one [Met5]enkephalyl-Arg-Gly-Leu and one [Met5]enkephalyl-Arg-Phe. [Leu5]enkephalin is common to all fragments of prodynorphin; its carboxyl extension by Arg-Lys leads to alpha- and beta-neo-endorphin and its carboxyl extension by Arg-Arg gives two dynorphins A and B of 17 and 13 amino acids, respectively. Another endogenous peptide is dynorphin A (1-8). The three main opioid binding sites are mu, delta and kappa. Their analysis has been facilitated by the synthesis of analogues of peptides and non-peptide compounds, which have selective agonist or antagonist action at only one site. The various physiological roles of the three types of the opiate receptor have so far not been sufficiently investigated.

Topics: 3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer; Animals; Benzomorphans; Binding Sites; Brain; Cyclazocine; Diprenorphine; Enkephalin, Leucine; Enkephalins; Ethylketocyclazocine; Guinea Pigs; Ileum; In Vitro Techniques; Male; Mice; Muscle Contraction; Muscle, Smooth; Myenteric Plexus; Naloxone; Pro-Opiomelanocortin; Protein Precursors; Pyrrolidines; Radioligand Assay; Rats; Receptors, Opioid; Vas Deferens

The opioid activity and opioid receptor type specificity of synthetic human leumorphin were studied in vitro. Human leumorphin inhibited the contraction of the myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle preparation of the guinea pig ileum and was similar in opioid potency to porcine leumorphin. This action of human leumorphin was antagonized less effectively by naloxone than by the opiate antagonist Mr 2266. Human leumorphin also inhibited the contraction of the rabbit vas deferens which has only the kappa-type opioid receptor. It is concluded that human leumorphin has potent opioid activity and acts as an agonist at the kappa-type opioid receptor, like porcine leumorphin and other peptides derived from preproenkephalin B.

Topics: Animals; Benzomorphans; Depression, Chemical; Dynorphins; Endorphins; Enkephalins; Guinea Pigs; Humans; Ileum; Male; Naloxone; Protein Precursors; Rabbits; Receptors, Opioid; Receptors, Opioid, kappa; Swine; Vas Deferens