ISSN:
1471-4159
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract: The cellular mechanisms underlying opioid action remain to be fully determined, although there is now growing indirect evidence that some opioid receptors may be coupled to phospholipase C. Using SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells (expressing both μ-and δ-opioid receptors), we demonstrated that fentanyl, a μ-preferring opioid, caused a dose-dependent (EC50= 16 nM) monophasic increase in inositol (1,4,5)trisphosphate mass formation that peaked at 15 s and returned to basal within 1–2 min. This response was of similar magnitude (25.4 ± 0.8 pmol/mg of protein for 0.1 μM fentanyl) to that found in the plateau phase (5 min) following stimulation with 1 mM carbachol (18.3 ± 1.4 pmol/mg of protein), and was naloxone-, but not naltrindole-(a δ antagonist), reversible. Further studies using [d-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly(ol)5]enkephalin and [d-Pen2,5]enkephalin confirmed that the response was specific for the μ receptor. Incubation with Ni2+ (2.5 mM) or in Ca2+-free buffer abolished the response, as did pretreatment (100 ng/ml for 24 h) with pertussis toxin (control plus 0.1 μM fentanyl, 26.9 ± 1.5 pmol/mg of protein; pertussis-treated plus 0.1 μM fentanyl, 5.1 ± 1.3 pmol/mg of protein). In summary, we have demonstrated a μ-opioid receptor-mediated activation of phospholipase C, via a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein, that is Ca2+-dependent. This stimulatory effect of opioids on phospholipase C, and the potential inositol (1,4,5)trisphosphate-mediated rises in intracellular Ca2+, could play a part in the cellular mechanisms of opioid action.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1471-4159.1994.62031009.x
