enkephalin--ala(2)-mephe(4)-gly(5)- and Glioma

Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins act as GTPase-accelerating protein to negatively modulate G protein signaling and are defined by a conserved RGS domain with considerable amino acid diversity. To determine the effects of specific, purified RGS proteins on mu-opioid signaling, C6 cells stably expressing a mu-opioid receptor were rendered permeable to proteins by treatment with digitonin. Mu-opioid inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase by [D-Ala(2),N-Me-Phe(4),Gly-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO), a mu-specific opioid peptide, remained fully intact in permeabilized cells. Purified RGS domain of RGS4 added to permeabilized cells resulted in a twofold loss in DAMGO potency but had no effect in cells expressing RGS-insensitive G proteins. The inhibitory effect of DAMGO was reduced to the same extent by purified RGS4 and RGS8. In contrast, the RGS domain of RGS7 had no effect and inhibited the action of RGS8 as a result of weak physical association with Galphai2 and minimal GTPase-accelerating protein activity in C6 cell membranes. These data suggest that differences in conserved RGS domains of specific RGS proteins contribute to differential regulation of opioid signaling to adenylyl cyclase and that a permeabilized cell model is useful for studying the effects of specific RGS proteins on aspects of G protein-coupled receptor signaling.

Topics: Adenylyl Cyclases; Analgesics, Opioid; Animals; Cell Line, Tumor; Colforsin; Cyclic AMP; Digitonin; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; Flow Cytometry; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Glioma; Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate); Protein Binding; Rats; Receptors, Opioid, mu; RGS Proteins; Signal Transduction

Regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS) proteins are a family of molecules that control the duration of G protein signaling. A variety of RGS proteins have been reported to modulate opioid receptor signaling. Here we show that RGS4 is abundantly expressed in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells that endogenously express mu- and delta-opioid receptors and test the hypothesis that the activity of opioids in these cells is modulated by RGS4. Endogenous RGS4 protein was reduced by approximately 90% in SH-SY5Y cells stably expressing short hairpin RNA specifically targeted to RGS4. In these cells, the potency and maximal effect of delta-opioid receptor agonist (SNC80)-mediated inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation was increased compared with control cells. This effect was reversed by transient transfection of a stable RGS4 mutant (HA-RGS4C2S). Furthermore, MAPK activation by SNC80 was increased in cells with knockdown of RGS4. In contrast, there was no change in the mu-opioid (morphine) response at adenylyl cyclase or MAPK. FLAG-tagged opioid receptors and HA-RGS4C2S were transiently expressed in HEK293T cells, and co-immunoprecipitation experiments showed that the delta-opioid receptor but not the mu-opioid receptor could be precipitated together with the stable RGS4. Using chimeras of the delta- and mu-opioid receptors, the C-tail and third intracellular domain of the delta-opioid receptor were suggested to be the sites of interaction with RGS4. The findings demonstrate a role for endogenous RGS4 protein in modulating delta-opioid receptor signaling in SH-SY5Y cells and provide evidence for a receptor-specific effect of RGS4.

Topics: Analgesics, Opioid; Animals; Benzamides; Cell Line, Tumor; Colforsin; Cyclic AMP; Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; Glioma; Glycosylation; Humans; Kidney; Mice; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Morphine; Neuroblastoma; Piperazines; Rats; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Receptors, Opioid, mu; Recombinant Fusion Proteins; RGS Proteins; RNA Interference; Signal Transduction; Transfection

Chronic activation of mu-opioid receptors, which couple to pertussis toxin-sensitive Galphai/o proteins to inhibit adenylyl cyclase (AC), leads to a compensatory sensitization of AC. Pertussis toxin-insensitive mutations of Galphai/o subtypes, in which the pertussis toxin-sensitive cysteine is mutated to isoleucine (Galpha ), were used to determine whether each of the Galphai/o subtypes is able to mediate sensitization of AC. Galpha , G , G or G were individually transiently transfected into C6 glioma cells stably expressing the mu-opioid receptor, or transiently co-expressed with the mu-opioid receptor into human embryonic kidney (HEK)293T cells. Cells were treated with pertussis toxin to uncouple endogenous Galphai/o proteins, followed by acute or chronic treatment with the mu-opioid agonist, [D-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly5-ol]enkephalin (DAMGO). Each Galphai/o subtype mediated acute DAMGO inhibition of AC and DAMGO-induced sensitization of AC. The potency for DAMGO to stimulate sensitization was independent of the Galphai/o subtype, but the level of sensitization was increased in clones expressing higher levels of Galphai/o subunits. Sensitization of AC mediated by a component of fetal bovine serum, which was also dependent on the level of functional Galphai/o subunits in the cell, was observed. This serum-mediated sensitization partially masked mu-opioid-mediated sensitization when expressed as percentage overshoot due to an apparent increase in AC activity.

Topics: 1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine; Adenylyl Cyclases; Analgesics, Opioid; Blotting, Western; Cell Line; Colforsin; Cyclic AMP; Cysteine; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Interactions; Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; Gene Expression; Glioma; GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gi-Go; Humans; Mutation; Pertussis Toxin; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Receptors, Opioid, mu; Time Factors; Transfection

Chronic exposure of cells to mu-opioid agonists leads to tolerance which can be measured by a reduced ability to activate signaling pathways in the cell. Cell signaling through inhibitory G proteins is negatively regulated by RGS (regulator of G protein signaling) proteins. Here we examine the hypothesis that the GTPase accelerating activity of RGS proteins, by altering the lifetime of Galpha and Gbetagamma, plays a role in the development of cellular tolerance to mu-opioids. C6 glioma cells were stably transfected with mu-opioid receptor and pertussis toxin (PTX)-insensitive Galpha(o) that was either sensitive or insensitive to endogenous RGS proteins. Cells were treated with PTX to uncouple endogenous Galpha proteins followed by exposure to the mu-opioid agonists [d-Ala(2),N-Me-Phe(4),Gly(5)-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO) or morphine. Receptor desensitization as measured by agonist-stimulated [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding and receptor down-regulation as measured by [(3)H]diprenorphine binding were increased in cells expressing RGS-insensitive Galpha(o). Exposure to high concentrations of morphine or the peptidic mu-opioid agonist DAMGO led to a tolerance to inhibit adenylyl cyclase activity in both cell types with a rapid (30 min) and a slower component. Using a submaximal concentration of DAMGO to induce a reduced level of tolerance, a shift in the concentration-effect curve for DAMGO to inhibit adenylyl cyclase activity was seen in the cells expressing RGS-insensitive Galpha(o), but not in the cells expressing RGS-sensitive Galpha(o), which can be partly explained by an increased supersensitization of the adenylyl cyclase response. The results show that RGS proteins endogenously expressed in C6 cells reduce agonist-induced mu-opioid receptor desensitization, down-regulation, and sensitivity to tolerance to inhibit adenylyl cyclase activity.

Topics: Adenylyl Cyclases; Analgesics, Opioid; Cell Line, Tumor; Cells, Cultured; Cyclic AMP; Down-Regulation; Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; Glioma; GTP Phosphohydrolases; Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate); Humans; Pertussis Toxin; Receptors, Opioid, mu; RGS Proteins

Mitogenic signaling of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) can proceed via sequential epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) transactivation and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation. Although the mu-opioid receptor (MOR) mediates stimulation of ERK via EGFR transactivation in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, the mechanism of acute MOR signaling to ERK has not been characterized in rat C6 glioma cells that seem to contain little EGFR. Herein, we describe experiments that implicate fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor (FGFR) transactivation in the convergence of MOR and growth factor signaling pathways in C6 cells. MOR agonists, endomorphin-1 and morphine, induced a rapid (3-min) increase of ERK phosphorylation that was abolished by MOR antagonist D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Arg-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH2. By using selective inhibitors and overexpression of dominant negative mutants, data were obtained to suggest that MOR signaling to ERK is transduced by Gbetagamma and entails Ca2+- and protein kinase C-mediated steps, whereas the FGFR branch of the pathway is Ras-dependent. An intermediary role of FGFR1 transactivation was suggested by MOR- but not kappa-opioid receptor (KOR)-induced FGFR1 tyrosine phosphorylation. A dominant negative mutant of FGFR1 attenuated MOR- but not KOR-induced ERK phosphorylation. Thus, a novel transactivation mechanism entailing secreted endogenous FGF may link the GPCR and growth factor pathways involved in MOR activation of ERK in C6 cells.

Topics: Animals; Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; Glioma; Humans; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Rats; Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor; Receptors, Opioid, mu; Signal Transduction; Transcriptional Activation; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Opioid agonists acting at their receptors alter intracellular events by initiating activation of various types of Gi/Go proteins. This can be measured by the binding of the stable GTP analog [(35)S]guanosine-5'-O-(3-thio)triphosphate ([(35)S]GTPgammaS). In this study agonist efficacy is defined by the degree to which an opioid stimulates the binding of [(35)S]GTPgammaS. This allows for a definition of full and partial agonists; a full agonist causing a greater stimulation of [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding than a partial agonist. The hypothesis that the rate of agonist-stimulated [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding is dependent upon agonist efficacy was tested using membranes from C6 glioma cells expressing mu- or delta-opioid receptors. At maximal concentrations the rate of agonist-stimulated [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding followed the efficacy of mu-agonists in stimulating [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding, i.e., [D-Ala(2),N-Me-Phe(4),Gly(5)-ol]-enkephalin > morphine > meperidine > butorphanol > nalbuphine. At submaximal concentrations of mu- or delta-full agonists the [(35)S]GTPgammaS association rate was also reduced, such that the rate of [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding correlated with the extent of [(35)S]GTPgammaS bound, whether this binding was stimulated by a full agonist or a partial agonist. Agonists also stimulated [(35)S]GTPgammaS dissociation, showing that binding of this stable nucleotide was reversible. Comparison of the delta-agonists [D-Ser(2),Leu(5)]-enkephalin-Thr and (+/-)-4-((alpha-R*)-alpha-((2S*,5R*)-4-allyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-piperazinyl)-3-hydroxylbenzyl)-N,N-diethylbenzamide, a compound with slow dissociation kinetics, showed the measured rate of G protein activation was not influenced by the agonist switching between receptors. The results are consistent with the idea that the active state(s) of the receptor induced by full or partial agonists is the same, but the number of activated receptors determines the rate of G protein activation.

Topics: Biotransformation; Cell Membrane; Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; Glioma; GTP-Binding Proteins; Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate); Half-Life; Humans; Kinetics; Molecular Conformation; Nalbuphine; Narcotic Antagonists; Receptors, Opioid; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Receptors, Opioid, mu; Sulfur Radioisotopes; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The guanosine-5'-O-(3-[35S]thio)triphosphate ([35S]GTPgammaS) binding assay for the determination of relative opioid efficacy has been adapted to measure G protein activation in digitonin-permeabilized C6 rat glioma cells expressing a cloned mu-opioid receptor. The mu-agonist [D-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly5-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO) caused a 3-fold increase in [35S]GTPgammaS binding over basal in a naloxone-sensitive manner. Relative mu-agonist efficacy was DAMGO > fentanyl > or = morphine > buprenorphine. Nalbuphine showed no efficacy. G protein activation by receptors has been predicted to occur by random encounter. In this model a reduction in the number of receptors will decrease the rate of G protein activation but not the maximum number of G proteins activated. To test this model C6 mu cells were treated with the irreversible mu-antagonist beta-funaltrexamine (10 nM) prior to permeabilization. This reduced the number of mu-opioid receptors determined with [3H]diprenorphine to 23 +/- 3% of control with no change in affinity. A commensurate reduction (to 29 +/- 10% of control) in the level of [35S]GTPgammaS binding stimulated by DAMGO was observed, but the t(1/2) for [35S]GTPgammaS binding remained unchanged. Thus, random encounters of receptor and G protein failed to occur in this permeabilized cell preparation. A model that assumes an organized association of G proteins with receptors better describes the activation of G proteins by opioid mu-receptors.

Topics: Analgesics, Opioid; Animals; Digitonin; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; Glioma; GTP-Binding Proteins; Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate); Indicators and Reagents; Naloxone; Naltrexone; Narcotic Antagonists; Rats; Receptors, Opioid, mu; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The influence of membrane microviscosity on mu-opioid agonist and antagonist binding, as well as agonist efficacy, was examined in membranes prepared from SH-SY5Y cells and from a C6 glioma cell line stably expressing the rat mu-opioid receptor (C6mu). Addition of cholesteryl hemisuccinate (CHS) to cell membranes increased membrane microviscosity and reduced the inhibitory effect of sodium and guanine nucleotides on the affinity of the full agonists sufentanil and [D-Ala2,N-MePhe4,Gly-ol5]enkephalin (DAMGO) for the mu-opioid receptor. Binding of the antagonists [3H]naltrexone and [3H]diprenorphine and the partial agonist nalbuphine was unaffected by CHS. The effect of CHS on agonist binding was reversed by subsequent addition of cis-vaccenic acid, suggesting that the effect of CHS is the result of increased membrane microviscosity and not a specific sterol-receptor interaction. CHS addition increased the potency of DAMGO to stimulate guanosine-5'-O-(3-[35S]thio)triphosphate binding by fourfold, whereas the potency of nalbuphine was unaffected. However, nalbuphine efficacy relative to that of the full agonist DAMGO was strongly increased in CHS-treated membranes compared with that in control membranes. Membrane rigidification also resulted in an increased efficacy for the partial agonists meperidine, profadol, and butorphanol relative to that of DAMGO as measured by agonist-stimulated GTPase activity in control and CHS-modified membranes. These findings support a regulatory role for membrane microviscosity in receptor-mediated G protein activation.

Topics: Animals; Cell Line; Cell Membrane; Cholesterol Esters; Diprenorphine; Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; Enkephalins; Glioma; Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate); Membrane Fluidity; Nalbuphine; Naltrexone; Narcotic Antagonists; Narcotics; Neuroblastoma; Protein Conformation; Rats; Receptors, Opioid, mu; Sodium Chloride; Sufentanil; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Viscosity

Monoclonal antibodies generated against multiple antigenic peptides of the N-terminal sequence (3LVPSARAELQSSPLV17) of the cloned delta opioid receptor immunoprecipitated a 58 kDa protein from CHAPS-solubilized NG108-15 membranes. The immunoprecipitates bound [3H]DPDPE--but not [3H]DAMGO--with a Kd of 6.4 nM and a Bmax of 75 pM. Western blot analysis revealed a distinct band of 58 kDa. The antibodies inhibited basal and PGE1-stimulated cAMP levels, and mimicked the effect of agonists manifest in a compensatory increase in cAMP formation. The antibody will be potentially useful in the analysis of functional epitopes on the delta opioid receptor.

Topics: Adenylyl Cyclases; Alprostadil; Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Blotting, Western; Cyclic AMP; Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; Enkephalin, D-Penicillamine (2,5)-; Enkephalins; Epitopes; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Glioma; Molecular Sequence Data; Neuroblastoma; Precipitin Tests; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Tumor Cells, Cultured

To compare activation of G proteins by opioid receptors, opioid agonist-stimulated guanosine 5'-O-(3-[35S]thiotriphosphate) ([35S]GTP gamma S) binding in the presence of excess GDP was assayed in membranes from NG108-15 (delta) and SK-N-SH (primarily mu) cells. Basal [35S]GTP gamma S binding consisted of a single class of low-affinity sites (KD 400-500 nM). Addition of agonists produced a high-affinity site 100-300-fold higher in affinity than the basal site. The receptor/transducer amplification factor (ratio of activated G protein Bmax to opioid receptor Bmax) was 10-fold higher for SK-N-SH mu receptors than for NG108-15 delta receptors. Chronic delta agonist ([D-Ser2]-Leu-enkephalin-Thr; DSLET) treatment of NG108-15 cells resulted in an 80% loss of DSLET-stimulated [35S]-GTP gamma S binding within 1 h. Morphine treatment of SK-N-SH cells decreased mu agonist ([D-Ala2, N-Me-Phe4,Gly5-ol]-enkephalin; DAMGO)-stimulated [35S]GTP gamma S binding by 45% after 16 h, with no effect after 1 h. Loss of agonist response was due to a decrease in the Bmax of activated G proteins with no change in the KD. These results provide a quantitative description of G protein activation occurring on acute and chronic exposure to opioid agonists.

Topics: Analgesics; Animals; Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; Enkephalin, Leucine; Enkephalins; Glioma; GTP-Binding Proteins; Guanosine 5'-O-(3-Thiotriphosphate); Humans; Hybrid Cells; Membrane Proteins; Mice; Naloxone; Naltrexone; Narcotic Antagonists; Narcotics; Neuroblastoma; Protein Binding; Rats; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Receptors, Opioid, mu; Signal Transduction; Sulfur Radioisotopes; Time Factors

gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and morphine induce a number of similar effects. Moreover, the effects they elicit can be reversed by the opiate antagonist naloxone (NX), suggesting that GHB may produce at least some of its central effects by acting as an opiate agonist. The present study considered this possibility by examining the effect of GHB on mu, delta, and kappa-opioid receptor binding in concentrations of 1 nM-0.1 mM. GHB was inactive in each instance, at every dose examined. GHB is consequently not a direct opiate receptor agonist. It is also unlikely to be an indirect (enkephalin or dynorphin release-stimulating) agonist. The mechanism of action involved whereby NX can reverse the effects of GHB must therefore not involve opioid mechanisms; at least not directly.

Topics: Adjuvants, Anesthesia; Analgesics; Animals; Diprenorphine; Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; Enkephalins; Etorphine; Glioma; Guinea Pigs; Naloxone; Narcotic Antagonists; Narcotics; Neuroblastoma; Receptors, Opioid; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Receptors, Opioid, kappa; Receptors, Opioid, mu; Sodium Oxybate; Tritium; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Voltage-dependent Ca2+ currents were measured in NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells transformed to express the rat mu-opioid receptor by the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique with Ba2+ as charge carrier. A mu-opioid receptor-selective agonist, [D-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly5-ol]-enkephalin caused significant inhibition of voltage-dependent Ca2+ currents in mu-receptor-transformed NG108-15 cells but not in nontransfected or vector-transformed control cells. On the other hand, a delta-opioid receptor-selective agonist, [D-penicillamine2,D-penicillamine5]enkephalin, induced inhibition of voltage-dependent Ca2+ currents in both control and mu-receptor-transformed cells, which is mediated by the delta-opioid receptor expressed endogenously in NG108-15 cells. The inhibition of voltage-dependent Ca2+ currents induced by [D-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly5-ol]enkephalin [D-penicillamine2,D-penicillamine5]enkephalin was reduced by pretreatment of the cells with pertussis toxin or omega-contoxin GVIA. These results indicate that the mu-opioid receptor expressed from cDNA functionally couples with omega-contoxin-sensitive N-type Ca2+ channels through the action of pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins in NG108-15 cells.

Topics: Animals; Calcium Channels; Cloning, Molecular; DNA, Complementary; Electric Conductivity; Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; Enkephalin, D-Penicillamine (2,5)-; Enkephalins; Gene Expression; Glioma; GTP-Binding Proteins; Hybrid Cells; Neuroblastoma; omega-Conotoxin GVIA; Peptides; Pertussis Toxin; Rats; Receptors, Opioid, mu; Transfection; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Virulence Factors, Bordetella

Opioids elicit an increase in the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells, which, depending upon growth conditions, results from either Ca2+ influx in differentiated cells or Ca2+ release from internal stores in undifferentiated cells (Jin et al., 1992). In this report we describe fura-2-based digital imaging studies that demonstrate that opioid-evoked Ca2+ release in these cells results from the activation of phospholipase C (PLC) and subsequent mobilization of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-sensitive store. D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin (DA-DLE) evoked concentration-dependent increases in [Ca2+]i (EC50 approximately equal to 4 nM). The response was blocked by naloxone (1 microM). In single cells, sequential application of selective opioid agonists (10 nM) evoked responses of the rank order DADLE = D-Pen2, D-Pen5-enkephalin (DPDPE) > trans-(+/-) 3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-[1- pyrrolidinyl]cyclohexyl) benzeneacetamide (U50488) > D-ala2, N-Me-Phe4, Gly5-ol-enkephalin (DAMGO), consistent with activation of a delta-opioid receptor. Forty percent (n = 198) of the cells responded to 100 nM DADLE with a net [Ca2+]i increase of 483 +/- 40 nM. Bradykinin (100 nM) elicited a response in 91% of the cells with a mean net amplitude of 707 +/- 36 nM. The DADLE-evoked responses were not blocked by removal of extracellular Ca2+; instead, they were abolished by treatment with 10 nM thapsigargin, an agent that depletes and prevents refilling of IP3-sensitive Ca2+ stores. A 1 microM concentration of U73122, an aminosteroid inhibitor of PLC, completely blocked the DADLE-evoked [Ca2+]i increase, while an inactive analog, U73433, was without effect. To explore the possible role of G-proteins in mediating opioid-induced [Ca2+]i increases in NG108-15 cells, we pretreated cells with pertussis or cholera toxin; pertussis toxin blocked the opioid-induced response while cholera toxin was without effect, consistent with a Gi- or Go-mediated effect. Activation of the opioid inhibitory pathway previously described for these cells appears to stimulate the phosphoinositide (PI) cascade as well. Including the PI cascade among the multiple second messenger systems modulated by opioids may be key to understanding the biochemical events that underlie acute and chronic opioid action.

Topics: 3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer; Analgesics; Animals; Calcium; Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; Enkephalin, D-Penicillamine (2,5)-; Enkephalin, Leucine-2-Alanine; Enkephalins; Fluorescent Dyes; Fura-2; Glioma; Hybrid Cells; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate; Kinetics; Mice; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Naloxone; Narcotics; Neuroblastoma; Pyrrolidines; Rats; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Functional delta opioid receptors were expressed in Xenopus oocytes following injection of poly(A+)RNA isolated from the mouse neuroblastoma X rat glioma hybrid cell line, NG108-15. Oocytes coinjected with in vitro transcribed beta 2-adrenergic receptor mRNA and NG108-15 cell mRNA had 3-fold elevated cAMP levels following isoproterenol treatment. Application of delta opioids to these oocytes caused dose-dependent inhibition of isoproterenol-induced increase of cAMP, which was antagonized by naltrexone. This is the first demonstration of the expression of opioid receptors in Xenopus oocytes. The ability to assay expression of delta opioid receptors functionally coupled to the inhibition of adenylate cyclase in Xenopus oocytes following injection of exogenous mRNA will provide a system to investigate the relationship of molecular structure to function of opioid receptors.

Topics: Adenylyl Cyclases; Analgesics; Analysis of Variance; Animals; Cyclic AMP; Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; Enkephalin, D-Penicillamine (2,5)-; Enkephalin, Leucine-2-Alanine; Enkephalins; Female; Glioma; Hybrid Cells; Isoproterenol; Mice; Naltrexone; Neuroblastoma; Oocytes; Poly A; Rats; Receptors, Opioid, delta; RNA; RNA, Messenger; Xenopus laevis

The intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was measured in single NG108-15 cells using indo-1-based microfluorimetry. In cells differentiated for 6-14 days in serum-free, forskolin (5 microM)-supplemented medium, application of micromolar concentrations of [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]-enkephalin (DADLE) inhibited Ca2+ influx mediated by voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. DADLE, at concentrations ranging from 1 nM to 1 microM, also produced rapid transient increases in [Ca2+]i (EC50 = 10 nM). The [Ca2+]i increases elicited by DADLE did not correlate with the inhibitory effects of the peptide. DADLE-induced [Ca2+]i increases were blocked by naloxone. In single cells, sequential application of selective opioid agonists (30 nM) evoked responses of the rank order DADLE = [D-Pen2,D-Pen5]-enkephalin > (trans)-(+-)-3,4-dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-[1-pyrrolidinyl]cyclohexyl) benzeneacetamide > [D-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly5-ol]-enkephalin, consistent with activation of a delta-opioid receptor. The response was completely blocked by removal of extracellular Ca2+ or application of 1 microM nitrendipine, indicating that the increase in [Ca2+]i results from Ca2+ influx via dihydropyridine-sensitive, voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. Substitution of N-methyl-D-glucamine for extracellular Na+ or application of 1 microM tetrodotoxin greatly reduced, and in some cases blocked, the DADLE-induced [Ca2+]i increase, consistent with amplification of the response by voltage-gated Na+ channels. The [Ca2+]i increase was mimicked by both dibutyryl-cAMP and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate. These findings are consistent with a delta-opioid-induced depolarization, possibly mediated by a second messenger, that subsequently recruits voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels. In contrast to differentiated cells, undifferentiated cells responded to DADLE with a modest [Ca2+]i increase that was not sensitive to nitrendipine. In these cells, activation of the same second messenger system may elevate [Ca2+]i by mobilization from intracellular stores rather than influx. In addition to previously described inhibitory coupling to adenylyl cyclase and Ca2+ channels in NG108-15 cells, these results suggest that a novel, excitatory, effector system may also couple to opioid receptors.

Topics: 3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-(2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-cyclohexyl)-benzeneacetamide, (trans)-Isomer; Bucladesine; Calcium; Calcium Channels; Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; Enkephalin, D-Penicillamine (2,5)-; Enkephalin, Leucine-2-Alanine; Enkephalins; Glioma; Hybrid Cells; Ion Channel Gating; Narcotics; Neuroblastoma; Phorbol 12,13-Dibutyrate; Pyrrolidines; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Regulation of [125I]beta h-endorphin binding by guanine nucleotides was investigated in membrane preparations from two opioid receptor-containing cell lines: NG108-15, which contains only delta opioid receptors, and SK-N-SH, which contains predominantly mu opioid receptors. In contrast to the binding of the delta-selective agonist [3H][D-penicillamine2,D-penicillamine5]enkephalin to NG108-15 cell membranes, and of the mu-selective agonist [3H][D-Ala2,MePhe4,Gly-ol5]enkephalin to SK-N-SH cell membranes, [125I]beta h-endorphin binding to NG108-15 and SK-N-SH cell membranes was not altered by guanosine triphosphate (GTP) or guanylyl-5'-imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) in the absence of cations. However, in the presence of NaCl, [125I]beta h-endorphin binding to both cell lines was inhibited by GTP and Gpp(NH)p in a concentration-dependent manner. In SK-N-SH cell membranes, the ability of sodium to promote regulation of [125I]beta h-endorphin binding by GTP was mimicked by the monovalent cations lithium and potassium, but not by the divalent cations magnesium, calcium, or manganese. In NG108-15 cell membranes, only sodium was effective in promoting inhibition of [125I]beta h-endorphin binding by GTP. The effect of GTP or Gpp(NH)p in the presence of sodium was also observed with guanosine diphosphate, but not guanosine monophosphate or any of the non-guanine nucleotides tested. These results indicate that the presence of monovalent cations is required for regulation of [125I]beta h-endorphin binding by guanine nucleotides, and that the specificity of this cation requirement differs between the mu and delta receptor-containing cell lines.

Topics: beta-Endorphin; Cations; Cell Membrane; Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; Enkephalin, D-Penicillamine (2,5)-; Enkephalin, Leucine; Enkephalins; Glioma; Guanine Nucleotides; Guanosine Diphosphate; Guanosine Triphosphate; Guanylyl Imidodiphosphate; Humans; Hybrid Cells; Neuroblastoma; Oligopeptides; Receptors, Opioid; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Receptors, Opioid, mu; Sodium Chloride; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The properties of [125I]beta h-endorphin-binding sites from rat brain membranes and membranes from the NG108-15 cell line were compared using a monoclonal antibody directed against the opioid receptor and opioid peptides as probes. The binding of [125I]beta h-endorphin to both rat brain and NG108-15 membranes yielded linear Scatchard plots with Kd values of 1.2 nM and 1.5 nM, respectively, and Bmax values of 865 fmol/mg rat brain membrane protein and 1077 fmol/mg NG108-15 membrane protein. A monoclonal antibody, OR-689.2.4, capable of inhibiting mu and delta binding but not kappa binding to rat brain membranes, noncompetitively inhibited the binding of 1 nM [125I]beta h-endorphin to rat brain and NG108-15 membranes with an IC50 value of 405 nM for rat brain membranes and 543 nM for NG108-15 membranes. The monoclonal antibody also inhibited the binding of 3 nM [3H] [D-penicillamine2, D-penicillamine5] enkephalin to NG108-15 membranes with an IC50 value of 370 nM. In addition to blocking the binding of [125I]beta h-endorphin to brain membranes, the antibody also displaced [125I]beta h-endorphin from membranes. Site-specific opioid peptides had large variations in their IC50 values depending on whether they were inhibiting [125I]beta h-endorphin binding to rat brain or the NG108-15 membranes. When the peptides were tested with the monoclonal antibody for their combined ability to inhibit [125I]beta h-endorphin binding to both membrane preparations, the peptides and antibody blocked binding as though they were acting at allosterically coupled sites, not two totally independent sites. These studies suggest that mu-, delta-, and beta-endorphin-binding sites share some sequence homology with the 35,000-dalton protein that the antibody is directed against.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; beta-Endorphin; Brain; Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; Enkephalin, D-Penicillamine (2,5)-; Enkephalin, Leucine; Enkephalin, Leucine-2-Alanine; Enkephalins; Glioma; Immunoglobulin M; In Vitro Techniques; Iodine Radioisotopes; Male; Molecular Weight; Neuroblastoma; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Receptors, Opioid; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Receptors, Opioid, mu; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The effects of varying the sodium concentration (at constant ionic strength) on opioid binding at mu- and delta-opioid receptors in 7315c and NG108-15 cells has been examined. The binding of [3H]etorphine to mu-receptors on 7315c cells was increased by replacing the sodium in the incubation medium with potassium or N-methyl-D-glucamine. This effect was shown to be attributable to an increase in affinity, with no change in the maximum number of binding sites, both in cell membrane suspensions and in intact 7315c cells. Replacement of sodium with potassium or N-methyl-D-glucamine in NG108-15 membrane or intact cell suspensions also resulted in an increase in [3H]etorphine binding, but in these cells the effect was associated with an increase in the number of binding sites measurable under these experimental conditions. The effects of sodium on opioid inhibition of adenylate cyclase in membrane preparations from 7315c and NG108-15 cells also differed. Sodium reduced apparent agonist affinity in 7315c membranes. In NG108-15 cell membranes, sodium was essential for the demonstration of opioid inhibition of cyclase activity. Increasing the sodium concentration above 0.5 mM resulted in an increase in the fraction of total enzyme activity inhibited by opioid, but the opioid IC50 did not change. In the companion paper, it is shown that the effects of sodium removal on mu- and delta-receptor binding in guinea pig brain neural membranes were similar to those observed in the cell preparations. An increase in intracellular sodium concentration without change in extracellular concentration was effected by incubation of 7315c and NG108-15 cells with the sodium-selective ionophore, monensin. When sodium was present in the extracellular medium, monensin reduced [3H]etorphine binding by 50% or more, both at mu-receptors in 7315c cells and at delta-receptors in NG108-15 cells. In the absence of sodium, however, monensin treatment produced only a small inhibition of binding. These results suggest that sodium acts at an intracellular site to regulate opioid agonist binding at both mu- and delta-receptors, but that the mode of regulation is not identical at each site. Since a reduction in intracellular sodium concentration by removal of extracellular sodium increases agonist binding, and an increase in intracellular sodium following monensin treatment reduces agonist binding, it is probable that the intracellular sodium concentration is a critical regulator of opioid agonist b

Topics: Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors; Animals; Cell Line; Cell Membrane; Cyclazocine; Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; Enkephalin, Leucine; Enkephalin, Leucine-2-Alanine; Enkephalins; Ethylketocyclazocine; Etorphine; Glioma; Guinea Pigs; Monensin; Naloxone; Neuroblastoma; Pituitary Neoplasms; Rats; Receptors, Opioid; Receptors, Opioid, delta; Receptors, Opioid, mu; Sodium