7-benzylidenenaltrexone and Neuroblastoma

The delta-opioid receptors in mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma NG108-15 cells were characterized by receptor binding and cAMP assays. Saturation binding assays using [3H][D-Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE) or [3H][D-Ser2, Leu5, Thr6]enkephalin (DSLET) gave similar binding capacities (Bmax). Competition binding assays showed that DPDPE and DSLET have similar affinity for the [3H]DPDPE or 3[H]DSLET binding sites. The rank order of potency of competition with [3H]DPDPE and [3H]DSLET was similar: naltriben approximately DSLET > or = DPDPE > 7-benzylidenenaltrexone (BNTX). Both DPDPE and DSLET were found to decrease cAMP formation. The action of DSLET was antagonized by naltriben but not BNTX, while the action of DPDPE was reversed by both antagonists. Therefore, the delta-opioid receptor in NG108-15 cells has similar affinity for the agonists DPDPE and DSLET, and a higher affinity for the antagonist naltriben than BNTX.

Topics: Animals; Benzylidene Compounds; Cyclic AMP; Enkephalin, D-Penicillamine (2,5)-; Enkephalin, Leucine; Enkephalins; Glioma; Mice; Naltrexone; Neuroblastoma; Rats; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The ability of the delta opioid agonist DPDPE ([D-Pen2, D-Pen4]enkephalin) to stimulate binding of the GTP analog guanosine-5'-O-(3-[35S]thio)triphosphate ([35S]GTPgammaS) to pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins has been characterized in membranes from NG108-15 mouse neuroblastoma X rat glioma cells. The presence of GDP, or its hydrolysis-resistant analog GDPbetaS, and Mg++ ions was essential to observe agonist-mediated stimulation of [35S]GTPgammaS binding, although the guanine dinucleotides alone had complex inhibitory and stimulatory effects on [35S]GTPgammaS binding. The relative ability of the delta antagonists benzylidenenaltrexone and naltriben to inhibit DPDPE-stimulated [35S]GTPgammaS binding suggested the opioid receptor involved was of the delta-2 subtype. Ligand binding assays demonstrated biphasic binding of these antagonists to this single receptor type. [35S]GTPgammaS binding was also stimulated by [D-Ser2,Leu5,Thr6]enkephalin > deltorphin II = DPDPE = etorphine > levallorphan = diprenorphine = nalorphine = naltrindole. The delta antagonists benzylidenenaltrexone, TIPP (Tyr-Tic-Phe-Phe) and naltriben had no effect, but ICI 174864 (N, N-diallyl-Tyr-Aib-Phe-Leu-OH) acted as an inverse agonist and inhibited [35S]GTPgammaS binding. Pertussis toxin pretreatment blocked agonist stimulation of [35S]GTPgammaS binding and also reduced basal binding, thus confirming the presence of constitutively active delta receptors. Replacement of Na+ in the assay buffer with K+ afforded an increased level of basal [35S]GTPgammaS binding and an apparent increase in both the inverse agonist activity of ICI 174864 and the agonist activity of the partial agonist diprenorphine relative to the full agonist [D-Ser2, Leu5,Thr6]enkephalin. The stimulation of [35S]GTPgammaS binding to NG108-15 cell membranes allows a functional measure of delta opioid activity that can provide systems of differing relative efficacy.

Topics: Animals; Benzylidene Compounds; CHO Cells; Cricetinae; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Enkephalin, D-Penicillamine (2,5)-; Enkephalin, Leucine; Enkephalins; Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate); Mice; Naltrexone; Neuroblastoma; Rats; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Sodium