Age-dependent changes in the subcellular distribution of rat brain mu-opioid receptors and GTP binding regulatory proteins

The relative subcellular distributions of mu-opioid receptors and guanine nucleotide binding regulatory proteins (G proteins) in 1-day-old (P1) and adult rat forebrain were compared. Light membranes (LMs) were resolved from heavy membranes (HM) by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Marker enzyme analyses indicated that LMs contained most of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes, whereas HMs were enriched in plasma membranes. Binding distribution and properties of mu-opioid sites were assessed using [3H] [D-Ala2,Me-Phe4,Gly-ol5]enkephalin. P1 LMs possessed 43% of the total mu-opioid binding detected compared to 16% in the adult. Although NaCl inhibited mu binding in LMs to a greater extent than in HMs, age-dependent differences were not observed. P1 LM mu binding possessed greater sensitivity to 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate than their adult counterpart. Moreover, P1 LMs contained more Go alpha protein than P1 HMs or adult LMs, as demonstrated by immunoblotting with antisera against Go alpha after one- or two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. These results suggest that P1 LMs contain a greater proportion of newly synthesized intracellular mu sites than adult LMs.

Up-regulation of delta opioid receptors in neuroblastoma hybrid cells: evidence for differences in the mechanisms of action of sodium butyrate and naltrexone

Opioid binding in subcellular fractions from neurohybrid cells was assessed using two models of up-regulation. Homologous up-regulation was achieved by treating NG108-15 cells with the opioid antagonist naltrexone. Na butyrate was added to NCB-20 cell cultures to affect heterologous up-regulation. In both paradigms light and heavy membranes were resolved by concanavalin A (con A) pretreatment of cells followed by density centrifugation. [3H][D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin (DADLE) and [3H]diprenorphine Bmax values for these fractions increased without changes in affinity. In contrast to 48 h of antagonist treatment, 5 min of exposure to naltrexone down-regulated heavy membrane delta sites. Under both conditions of up-regulation, inhibition of LM [3H]DADLE specific binding by 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate was enhanced suggesting greater receptor coupling to guanine nucleotide binding regulatory proteins. Although attenuated by addition of cycloheximide, [3H]DADLE binding to total homogenates increased upon naltrexone treatment of NG108-15 cells. Heavy membrane Bmax values were also augmented in the presence of cycloheximide and naltrexone for 48 h. Activities of beta-glucuronidase and beta-hexoseaminidase were diminished in total homogenates and subcellular fractions from naltrexone-treated cells, suggesting an opioid-induced alteration in lysosomal enzyme trafficking. Comparable receptor down- and up-regulation and attenuation of lysosomal enzyme activity were elicited by the delta-selective opioid peptide antagonist (allyl)2 Tyr-Aib-Aib-Phe-Leu-OH. These results suggest that homologous up-regulation entails initial down-regulation and blockade of receptor degradation.

Desipramine modulation of sigma and opioid peptide receptor expression in glial cells

Exposure of C6 glial cell cultures to desipramine induced the appearance of opioid receptors and up-regulated sigma receptors. Opioid binding was demonstrated with 3H-etorphine and 3H-dihydromorphine (DHM), but was not observed with the mu, delta and kappa ligands 3H-DAMGE, 3H-DADLE or 3H-(-)ethylketocyclazocine in the presence of specific blockers, respectively. Competition experiments with 3H-DHM and either (-)naloxone or (+)naloxone indicated the presence of authentic opioid receptors. In similar studies with beta-endorphin, its truncated form (1-27) or their N-acetyl derivatives, beta-endorphin proved to have the highest affinity. Opioid receptors in glial cell aggregates were primarily kappa, with few mu and delta sites. Desipramine increased Bmax values for kappa but not mu and delta.

A monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibody to mu and delta opioid receptors

A mouse monoclonal, anti-idiotypic, anti-opioid receptor antibody (Ab2-AOR) has been generated from monoclonal anti-morphine antibodies (Ab1). Hybridoma culture supernatants were screened by a solid phase radioimmunoassay (RIA), based on their competition with radiolabelled morphine for Ab1. One of the Ab2s that gave a positive RIA also competed at rat brain opioid receptors with tritiated opioid ligands dihydromorphine (DHM), naloxone, etorphine, Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-D-Leu (DADLE), Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-NMe-Phe-Gly-ol (DAMGE) and Tyr-D-Pen-Gly-Phe-D-Pen (DPDPE). SDS-PAGE revealed Ab2-AOR to be highly purified after successive affinity and protein A-Sepharose chromatography. Ab2-AOR at concentrations of 10-100 nM competed with both mu- and delta-selective specific ligands for brain opioid receptors. Less than 13 micrograms/ml Ab2-AOR completely inhibited specific opioid radioligand binding to both soluble and membrane-bound opioid receptors. To demonstrate its anti-delta receptor activity further, a double-antibody ELISA procedure was developed that is based on the binding of Ab2-AOR to immobilized NG 108-15 cells (which contain only delta opioid receptors). Dose-dependent, opioid peptide- and opiate alkaloid-competitive binding of Ab2-AOR-containing ascites fluid to NG 108-15 cells was observed. A mu opioid agonist effect was demonstrated for Ab2-AOR, in that it decreased by 70% [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA of fetal brain cell aggregates. This agonist-like action of Ab2-AOR was blocked by naltrexone. The antibody bound specifically to brain tissue sections and the presence of diprenorphine blocked this interaction. Hence, an Ab2 with mu and delta specificity has been characterized.

The prenatal development profile of expression of opioid peptides and receptors in the mouse brain

Although the postnatal development of opioid systems of mammalian brain has been well studied, little is known about the ontogeny of and relationship between embryonic (E) opioid peptides and their receptors. Moreover, a simultaneous assessment of levels of the 3 classes of opioid peptides and their putative receptors during embryonal development has not been made. To this end, the ontogeny of opioid peptides and receptors in mouse brain were examined during the period E11.5 to postnatal day 1 (P1). Met-enkephalin, dynorphin and beta-endorphin immunoreactivity were detected before their putative opioid receptors. beta-Endorphin can be discerned as early as E11.5, whereas mu binding was first observed at E12.5. Although dynorphin and Met-enkephalin were measurable at the same time as beta-endorphin, kappa-receptors were not detected until E14.5 and delta sites were not found at all prenatally. Differences in immunoreactivity levels of the 3 peptides occur with dynorphin being lower than Met-enkephalin and beta-endorphin, consistent with a low Bmax for kappa binding. Expression of the 3 opioid peptides as well as mu and kappa opioid receptors rapidly increase in parallel from E14.5 to E18.5. Interestingly, levels of beta-endorphin diminish by P1, the stage at which a sharp rise of mu receptors occurs. In a comparative study of the binding of beta-endorphin 1-31, its truncated form (1-27) and their N-acetyl derivatives to E14.5 brain membranes, beta-endorphin 1-31 exhibited the highest affinity.

Evidence for delta-opioid binding and GTP-regulatory proteins in 5-day-old rat brain membranes

The availability of the bispenicillamine enkephalin [3H] [D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin ([3H]DPDPE) a highly selective ligand for delta-opioid receptors, has made possible a more definitive examination of the ontogeny of this receptor subtype. In this report, the binding characteristics of [3H]DPDPE in 5-day-old neonatal (P-5) and adult rat brain are compared. Analysis of saturation curves as well as homologous displacement data revealed no significant difference in the binding affinity of [3H]DPDPE between P-5 animals and adults. Conversely, the binding capacity increased fivefold during this period. The delta-specificity of the sites was further proven by competition experiments with mu- and delta-selective ligands. Mn2+ (0.5 mM) elevated [3H]DPDPE specific binding by lowering the Kd, whereas 50 microM 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate inhibited it by decreasing the total number of high-affinity binding sites in both P-5 animals and adults. Pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP ribosylation experiments revealed the presence of 40-kDa proteins, with a molecular mass corresponding to G protein subunits alpha i/alpha o, as early as 1 h after birth. There was a low, but detectable, basal low-Km GTPase activity in P-5 animals, which increased fivefold during postnatal development. The present report establishes the existence of high-affinity [3H]DPDPE binding as well as GTP-regulatory proteins 5 days after birth. Yet, heterologous competition studies and ionic effects suggest that neonatal binding sites differ from adult receptors. Whether the neonatal sites are newly synthesized, incompletely processed sites or a developmentally programmed isoform remains to be determined.

Sigma and opioid receptors in human brain tumors

Human brain tumors (obtained as surgical specimens) and nude mouse-borne human neuroblastomas and gliomas were analyzed for sigma and opioid receptor content. Sigma binding was assessed using [3H]1,3-di-o-tolylguanidine (DTG), whereas opoid receptor subtypes were measured with tritiated forms of the following: mu, [D-ala2,mePhe4,gly-ol5]enkephalin (DAMGE); kappa, ethylketocyclazocine (EKC) or U69,593; delta, [D-pen2,D-pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE) or [D-ala2,D-leu5]enkephalin (DADLE) with mu suppressor present. Binding parameters were estimated by homologous displacement assays followed by analysis using the LIGAND program. Sigma binding was detected in 15 of 16 tumors examined with very high levels (pmol/mg protein) found in a brain metastasis from an adenocarcinoma of lung and a human neuroblastoma (SK-N-MC) passaged in nude mice. kappa opioid receptor binding was detected in 4 of 4 glioblastoma multiforme specimens and 2 of 2 human astrocytoma cell lines tested but not in the other brain tumors analyzed.

A mu-specific opioid peptide agonist increases excitability of pyramidal neurons in untreated and receptor up-regulated hippocampus

The rat hippocampus contains the major types of opioid receptors, delta, mu, and kappa, as determined by autoradiographic and membrane binding analyses. Chronic exposure to excessive amounts of opioid antagonists results in a doubling of the number of binding sites. However, the direct electrophysiological significance of this increased number of opioid receptors in the central nervous system remains uncharacterized. We examined the effects of an opioid peptide with high affinity and high specificity for mu receptors, DAMGO (D-ala2-mePhe4-gly-ol5 enkephalin), under normal conditions and after 1 or 2 weeks of continuous infusion of the opiate antagonist naltrexone. Chronic infusion of naltrexone administered to the whole animal resulted in significant up-regulation (71%) of mu opioid receptors in the rat hippocampus. Slices of the hippocampus were perfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid while recording population spikes in stratum pyramidale, excitatory postsynaptic potentials in stratum radiatum and while stimulating afferents in the Schaffer collaterals. Superfusion of slices with DAMGO produced a concentration-dependent increase in the amplitude of population spikes. No significant change was observed in the simultaneously recorded excitatory postsynaptic potential slope. This selective increase in population spike amplitude led to a leftward shift (19%) in the derived input-output curve. In addition, DAMGO superfusion produced extra spiking at higher stimulus intensities. Naltrexone reversed the DAMGO-induced increase in excitability, as well as prevented additional spikes. DAMGO superfusion of slices taken from chronically treated rats produced a much greater shift (42%) in the input-output curve than it did in untreated controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ultrastructural changes associated with the accumulation and secretion of sanguinarine in Papaver bracteatum suspension cultures treated with fungal elicitor

Suspension cultures of Papaver bracteatum Arya II Lindl., grown without hormone in the presence of conidial extracts of Verticillium dahliae Kleb., accumulate millimolar quantities of the benzophenanthridine alkaloid, sanguinarine. Under the fluorescence microscope, the elicitor-treated cells display an orange-yellow fluorescence characteristic of sanguinarine, primarily near the periphery of the cells. Electron-microscopic inspection showed the presence of slightly dilated endoplasmic reticulum and of electron-dense protuberances on the tonoplast of large central vacuoles. These osmiophilic aggregates lining the tonoplast bud into spherical bodies, appear to become detached from the membrane and are released into the vacuole. Upon subcellular fractionation of elicited cells on Renografin step gradients, sanguinarine was found to be distributed in all bands but with 86% concentrated in the gradient pellet. Analysis of the pellet by electron microscopy showed that it contained electron-dense fragments similar to the osmiophilic bodies observed on the tonoplast of intact elicited cells. In elicited cell cultures, most of the sanguinarine was recovered from medium in a 100·g sedimenting, cell-free, particulate fraction accounting for as much as 85% of the media sanguinarine and 62% of the total sanguinarine. The sanguinarine-rich 100·g media pellet was determined to be two-thirds protein, one-third RNA and was essentially devoid of phenolics, phospholipid and DNA. The pellet consisted of electrondense material and cytoplasmic remnants resembling those found in the Renografin pellet and tonoplast aggregates of intact cells. When placed under hypotonic conditions or extracted with aqueous buffer, pH 3-11, the pellet did not release sanguinarine. These observations provide evidence for storage of sanguinarine at electron-dense deposits which occur on the tonoplast and as freely floating bodies in vacuoles.

Cross-linking of [125I]beta-endorphin to mu-opioid receptors during development

Radioiodinated human beta-endorphin was cross-linked to opioid receptors from rat brain membranes using the bifunctional reagents bis-[2-(succinimidooxycarbonyloxy)ethyl] sulfone (BSCOES) and disuccinimidyl suberate (DSS). Major radiolabeled bands migrated with Mr values of 65,000, 55,000 and 33,000, however the presence of the 55 kDa band was variable. The 65 kDa band was characterized as the mu-receptor: the binding of [125I]beta-endorphin to this band was displaced by mu-selective ligands and blocked by alkylation of the receptor by mu-specific, but not delta-specific alkylating agents. The cross-linked receptor underwent alterations in mol. wt. during development. Early in development, embryonic day 18 and postnatal day 1, the [125I]beta-endorphin-labeled material migrated as a single band of mol. wt. 55 kDa. By day 21 postnatally the higher mol. wt. band of 65 kDa was present, as was material of 53, 47 and 43 kDa. Although the protein labeled early in development migrated with a mol. wt. of 55 kDa similar to the delta-receptor isolated from NG108-15 neuroblastoma-glioma cells, competition studies suggest this protein is not the delta-receptor. The 65 kDa band, tentatively identified as the mu-receptor, was present in adults but not detected in neonates, despite competition binding data indicating the presence of mu-sites. The results suggest that the 55 kDa band found in the 1-day-old neonate may be an immature form of the mu-opioid receptor that undergoes posttranslational modification, perhaps glycosylation, during development.

Binding kinetics of delta opioid receptors differ for microsomal and synaptic sites

Earlier, we demonstrated that agonist binding to synaptic plasma membranes involves a multi-step association process. In this study, high affinity binding kinetics of an agonist, [3H]D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin (DADLE), to delta sites on bovine hippocampal microsomal and synaptic plasma membranes (SPM) were compared. delta site selectivity of DADLE was ensured by suppressing undesirable mu site binding with 20 nM unlabeled D-Ala2-MePhe4-Glyol5-enkephalin. The kinetics of receptor binding to microsomal delta sites are generally more rapid than those of SPMs. Furthermore, the association time-dependent rate of dissociation, which is readily observed with SPMs, was not detected for microsomal binding sites. Although the apparent KD of DADLE did not differ significantly from that in SPMs, kinetic analysis indicated that little or no formation of the high affinity, slowly dissociating, complex occurred with microsomes. The absence of this complex, shown previously in SPMs to be most sensitive to guanine nucleotides, appeared to account for the attenuated effect of guanyl 5'-yl-imidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p] on dissociation from microsomes. Nevertheless, the presence in microsomes of inhibitory guanine nucleotide binding proteins was demonstrated by specific 32P-labeling by pertussis toxin of bands at 39 and 41 kDa, attributable to the alpha subunit of Go and Gi, respectively. The action of 100 mM Na+ to increase the off-rate is similar for both preparations. In contrast, addition of Mn2+ reduced the rates of association and dissociation for both subcellular fractions. The off-rate in the presence of Mn2+ is similar for SPMs and microsomes, displaying association time-dependent rates of dissociation for both. To determine whether Mn2+ promotes coupling in microsomes, the effect of Gpp(NH)p was examined. After a 60-min association, Gpp(NH)p did not affect microsomal kinetics but increased the off-rate from SPMs. The actions of both Na+ and Mn2+ appear to be mediated at early steps in the association process.

Stimulation of Sanguinarine Production by Combined Fungal Elicitation and Hormonal Deprivation in Cell Suspension Cultures of Papaver bracteatum

Fungal elicitor preparations from either homogenized mycelia of Dendryphion penicillatum (Cda.) Fr., a specific pathogen of Papaver species, or conidia of Verticillium dahliae Kleb., a general pathogen, were added to 14-day-old suspension cultures of Papaver bracteatum. Plant tissue cultures were grown either in the presence or absence of 0.1 milligram of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid per liter and 0.5 milligram of 6-benzylam-inopurine per liter. Dendryphion extracts elicited an accumulation of the benzophenanthridine alkaloid, sanguinarine, which was not greatly influenced by hormone deprivation. Millimolar concentrations of dopamine were detected under all conditions. Thebaine was found when cells were cultured in hormone-free media, but it was not elicitor dose dependent. Verticillium-elicited cultures accumulated sanguinarine in an elicitor-dose-dependent manner only under conditions of hormonal deprivation, resulting in an elevation of sanguinarine levels 5- to 500-fold greater than controls (2-10% dry weight). Most of the sanguinarine accumulated in the medium (23 milligrams per liter), with 85% of the alkaloid associated with a 100g sedimenting fraction that, upon light microscopic inspection, proved to be devoid of cells. In bioassays, sanguinarine showed significant biological activity at concentrations as low as 5 to 10 micrograms per milliliter against three general plant pathogens, Verticillium dahliae, Botrytis cinerea Pers. ex Fr., and Rhizoctonia solani Kuehn. Dendryphion was less affected by sanguinarine addition and displayed an ability to metabolize the alkaloid as evidenced by its loss from the media, subsequent accumulation in the mycelia, and ultimate disappearance over a 48-hour period. By comparison, dopamine and thebaine were less toxic to the general plant pathogens.

Implication of tyramine in the biosynthesis of morphinan alkaloids in Papaver

Doubly-labeled [(3)H, (14)C]tyrosines, [1-(13)C-]tyramine or [2-(14)C]tyramine, administered to the stems of intact Papaver somniferum L. plants, were found to be incorporated into the morphinan alkaloids of the plant with comparable efficiency. (3)H/(14)C ratios of alkaloids from plants fed the tyrosines were consistent with an almost equal conversion of this amino acid into the tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ) and benzyl-derived segments. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses of morphine isolated after administration of [1-(13)C]tyramine demonstrated selective labeling of C-16 of the alkaloid, indicating the conversion of this amine primarily into the TIQ-derived moiety. Morphine and thebaine labeled by [2-(14)C]tyramine were degraded to phenanthridines and N,N'-dimethyl ethylamines. Of the total radioactivity in the alkaloids 97% was found to be associated with the ethylamines, a distribution consistent with the NMR data. This preferential utilization of tyramine in the biosynthesis of morphinan alkaloids can be explained by the compartmentalization of intermediates and enzymes of the pathway.

Multiple interconvertible affinity states for the delta opioid agonist-receptor complex

Previously we demonstrated that rates of dissociation of [3H-D-Ala2-D-Leu5]enkephalin [( 3H]DADL) from bovine hippocampal synaptic plasma membranes (SPMs) varied depending upon association time, suggesting a multistep binding process. To characterize different kinetic intermediates, we examined the effects of guanine nucleotide on dissociation rate. Control off-rates were compared to those obtained when guanyl-5'-yl-imidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) (50 microM) was added either coincident with the radioligand at association or with 1 microM unlabeled DADL which initiated dissociation. delta site selectivity of [3H]DADL was ensured by addition of 20 nM unlabeled [D-Ala2-Me-Phe4-Gly-Ol5]enkephalin which suppressed mu site cross-reactivity in this preparation. Addition of Gpp(NH)p at the onset of dissociation increased the off-rate to a much greater extent after steady state binding was reached (60 min) compared to that following an association time of only 7 or 20 min. A slowly formed high affinity state appeared to be rapidly converted to a lower affinity state under these conditions. When Gpp(NH)p was present throughout the association period, the slowly dissociating state was no longer observed. Also, the off-rate following a 7-min association is linear and much faster than control, suggesting that Gpp(NH)p may affect an initial intermediate state as well as the high affinity complex. Pretreatment of the membranes with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) eliminated the association time-dependent dissociation rates, apparently preventing time-dependent formation of a high affinity state. This state is thought to be possibly a ligand-receptor complex interacting with a GTP binding protein. However, the rate of dissociation from NEM-treated membranes was accelerated by addition of Gpp(NH)p and the effect was not association time-dependent. NEM treatment resulted in an increased potency for Gpp(NH)p inhibition of [3H]DADL steady state binding. These results suggest the occurrence of at least three steps in the association of DADL to bovine hippocampal synaptic membranes.

Guanine nucleotide and cation regulation of mu, delta, and kappa opioid receptor binding: evidence for differential postnatal development in rat brain

A study of the onset of cation and guanine nucleotide regulation of delta, mu, and kappa rat brain opioid receptors during postnatal development was undertaken. Site-specific binding assays were utilized for each receptor type and the effects of 0.5 mM MnCl2, 100 mM NaCl, and/or 50 microM guanosine-5'-(beta, gamma-imido) triphosphate [Gpp(NH)p] were assessed. The most pronounced changes of opioid binding were seen in the presence of Mn2+. In adults, agonist binding to delta sites was stimulated by Mn2+, whereas that to mu sites was not affected and kappa binding was inhibited. The postnatal development of Mn2+ regulation for the three receptor subtypes was distinctly different. The largest effects were seen on delta sites detected in the early neonatal period, Mn2+ eliciting a 68% stimulation of binding over controls at day 1. Significant inhibition of kappa site binding by Mn2+ was detected only after the third postnatal week. Mn2+ caused a significant reversal of Gpp(NH)p inhibition of delta binding in the early neonatal period, exceeding that in the absence of regulators. Inhibition of mu and delta receptor binding by Na+ was greater, and the Mn2+ reversal of this effect was smaller, in the first 2 postnatal weeks than in adults. Gpp(NH)p + Na+ regulation did not change appreciably during the postnatal period. However, Mn2+ reversal of the considerable inhibition elicited by the combination of Na+ and Gpp(HN)p was developmental time-dependent. The data are discussed in terms of multiple sites of interaction for guanine nucleotides and cations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Exogenous cholecystokinin (CCK) reduces neonatal rat brain opioid receptor density and CCK levels

Newborn rats were given saline or cholecystokinin8 (CCK8) (5 micrograms/kg, twice daily) i.p. for 3 weeks. On day 21, effects on brain development were assessed. CCK-like immunoreactivity was measured in 7 brain regions; a small (12-18%) but significant decrease in endogenous levels of this peptide was detected in cerebral cortex, medulla and pons of the CCK-treated rats. Morphometric measurements revealed a slight reduction in thickness of most cerebral cortical sections within the CCK-treated group. The area of a midsagittal section of the cerebellum was unchanged except for the Purkinje/granule cell layer, which was smaller in CCK-treated animals. Levels of mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptors were estimated by homologous displacement binding assays using selective radioligands. The CCK treatment resulted in a significant decrease in levels of mu- (11%) and delta- (13%)-sites in the cerebral cortex. Neither binding affinities nor kappa-receptor densities were altered. Other animals received the same treatment regimens for 21 days and were maintained for an additional 29 days without treatment; these rats had reductions only in cortical mu-sites (15%). Chronic intraventricular administration of CCK (0.1 microgram/h) to adult rats did not elicit a similar down-regulation of cortical mu or delta receptors, suggesting that the effects observed in neonates reflected developmental processes.

Differential ontogeny of divalent cation effects on rat brain delta-, mu-, and kappa-opioid receptor binding

The effect of the divalent cations, Mn2+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ on rat forebrain delta-, mu- and kappa-receptor binding was examined during postnatal development. It was found that delta-receptor binding, assessed with [3H]D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin ([3H]DADLE) (+ 10 nM D-Ala2- MePhe4-Gly-ol5-enkephalin (DAMGE)), was stimulated by the 3 cations in a dose- and developmental time-dependent manner. delta-Binding was most sensitive to the cations during the first week postnatal, prior to the appearance of high-affinity delta-binding. In contrast, inhibition of mu-receptor binding ([3H]DAMGE) by divalent cations appeared early in development and remained constant throughout the postnatal period. Divalent cation inhibition of kappa-binding ([3H]ethylketocyclazocine ([3H]EKC) + 100 nM DAMGE and 100 nM DADLE) appeared after the second week postnatal. These results demonstrate that the characteristics and postnatal development of divalent cation modulation of mu-, delta- and kappa-binding is distinctly different. Thus, the neonate may be a good model system to examine the binding properties and functions of delta- and kappa-receptor subtypes.

Detection and characterization of beta-adrenergic receptors and adenylate cyclase in coated vesicles isolated from bovine brain

To assess whether internalization of beta-adrenergic receptor occurs in the CNS, we have isolated clathrin-coated vesicles from bovine forebrain and examined them for the presence of beta-adrenergic receptor binding and adenylate cyclase activities. A coated vesicle enriched preparation isolated by successive D2O-Ficoll density gradient centrifugations was applied to a glass bead permeation column to achieve further purification. Two major peaks of protein were eluted from the column and monitored by electron microscopy and SDS-PAGE. Peak II contained almost exclusively coated vesicles (98%), whereas peak I, which appeared in the void volume, contained larger smooth vesicles and few coated vesicles. beta-Adrenergic receptor binding to peaks I and II was measured with 125I-cyanopindolol (CYP) as ligand in Sepharose 4B column assays. 125I-CYP was found to bind specifically and saturably to both peaks I and II with a Bmax of 28 +/- 4 and 32 +/- 3 fmol/mg protein, respectively. 3H-CGP 12177, a hydrophilic beta-adrenergic receptor ligand, did not label receptors present in peak II, but it specifically bound to synaptic plasma membranes (SPM) prepared from bovine hippocampus and, to a lesser extent, to peak I. These results suggest that receptors present in coated vesicles are cryptic in nature. In the displacement of 125I-CYP binding by (-)-isoproterenol, addition of 50 microM GppNHp caused a significant "right shift" with SPM and peak I but not the peak II preparation. Adenylate cyclase activities could also be detected in both peaks I and II (specific activities, 21 +/- 0.6 and 24 +/- 0.5 pmol cAMP/mg protein/min, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

An assessment of the role of opioid receptors in the response to cannabimimetic drugs

Cannabimimetic drugs have been shown to inhibit adenylate cyclase activity in N18TG2 neuroblastoma cells. This investigation examines the possible role of opioid receptors in the cannabimimetic response. Opioid receptors of the delta subtype were found on N18TG2 membranes using [3H]D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin. No mu or kappa receptors were detected using selective ligands for these sites. The delta binding affinity and capacity were unaltered by cannabimimetic drugs. To test if cannabimimetic drugs may modulate opioid effector mechanisms, cyclic AMP metabolism was determined in intact cells and in membranes. N18TG2 adenylate cyclase was inhibited by the cannabimimetic drugs delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol and desacetyllevonantradol, and by the opioid agents morphine, etorphine, and D-Ala2-Met5-enkephalinamide. The opioid inhibition was reversed by naloxone and naltrexone; however, the cannabimimetic response was unaffected. Both cannabimimetic and opioid drugs decreased cyclic AMP accumulation in intact cells, but opioid antagonists blocked the response only to the latter. Thus, cannabimimetic effects are observed even though opioid receptors are blocked by antagonist drugs. The interaction between desacetyllevonantradol and etorphine was neither synergistic nor additive at maximal concentrations, suggesting that these two drugs operate via the same effector mechanism. Other neuronal cell lines having an opioid response were also examined. The cannabimimetic inhibition of cyclic AMP accumulation in NG108-15 neuroblastoma X glioma cells was not as great as the response in N18TG2. N4TG1 neuroblastoma cells did not respond to cannabimimetic drugs under any conditions tested. Thus, the cannabimimetic inhibition of adenylate cyclase is not universally observed, and the efficacy of the cannabimimetic response does not correlate with the efficacy of the opioid response.

Subcellular Localization of Alkaloids and Dopamine in Different Vacuolar Compartments of Papaver bracteatum

Fractionation of Papaver bracteatum Arya II Lindl. latex on Renografin step gradients revealed that 43% of the dopamine was compartmentalized along with alpha-mannosidase (40%) in vacuoles sedimenting in the 2% fraction. Twenty-two percent of the dopamine was in the supernatant, but a corresponding amount (18%) of alpha-mannosidase was also present suggesting vacuole breakage during isolation. By subcellular fractionation of protoplasts from cultured P. bracteatum cells, the 1,000g sedimenting organelles have been identified as the major site of accumulation of the morphinan alkaloid, thebaine (99+/-0.8%), and the benzophenanthridine alkaloid, sanguinarine (96+/-3%). Although the 1,000g pellet also contained 33+/-4% of the total alkaloid precursor, dopamine, and half of the total vacuolar marker enzyme, alpha-mannosidase, 62+/-10% of the amine was localized in the 100,000g supernatant. A differential distribution of the alkaloids was discovered upon resolution of the lysed protoplasts on Renografin step gradients. Over 40% of the dopamine was in the supernatant with 15% in a 2% Renografin band. The remainder was evenly distributed in denser fractions of the gradient. The 4 to 8% interface, previously found to contain the largest amount of thebaine and small amounts of sanguinarine and dopamine, has been shown to be enriched in vacuoles by electron microscopy. Using a histofluorescence method, dopamine compartmentation in vacuoles of intact cultured cells was corroborated. In summary, dopamine, sanguinarine, and thebaine occur in vacuoles of different densities. A large fraction of the total dopamine in cultured cells was found in the 100,000g supernatant along with 37% of the alpha-mannosidase suggesting that the amine may be sequestered in more fragile vacuoles than the alkaloids. The possibility that some dopamine may be cytosolic cannot be ruled out.

Stereospecific opiate-binding sites occur in coated vesicles

We prepared clathrin-coated vesicles from bovine forebrain utilizing sucrose or deuterium oxide-Ficoll density gradient centrifugation followed by permeation chromatography. Homogeneity was monitored by electron microscopy (EM) and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). EM revealed that the predominant (up to 98% of the total) organelles were coated vesicles and empty hexagonal baskets. Diameters of the coated vesicles ranged from 37 to 120 nm with a mean of 65.2 +/- 2.2. Upon SDS-PAGE of the coated vesicle fraction, the most prominent band appeared at 180,000 daltons. There were also three additional bands at 100,000, 50,000 and 35,000 daltons, giving the overall pattern characteristic of coated vesicles. Both 0.5 nM tritiated naltrexone and etorphine displayed specific binding to coated vesicles. Naltrexone binding in coated vesicles from gradient fractions was increased 2.5-fold over the original 100,000 X g pellet. An additional 4-fold enrichment in specific binding was observed after permeation chromatography which was concomitant with an increase in the volume density of coated vesicles in electron micrographs. Naltrexone binding was stereospecific and etorphine binding was inhibited by 100 mM NaCl (40%). Both naltrexone and etorphine binding were inhibited by 50 microM guanyl-5'-yl imidodiphosphate (40 to 50%). In summary, purified bovine brain-coated vesicles contained high affinity stereospecific opiate alkaloid-binding sites with characteristic opioid binding properties.

Differential up-regulation of microsomal and synaptic membrane mu opioid receptors

Naltrexone was administered to rats for 7 days by osmotic minipump (5 mg/kg/day) and thereupon, forebrain mu opioid receptor levels in subcellular fractions were monitored by homologous displacement of [3H]D-ala2-mePhe4-gly-ol5 enkephalin binding. Microsomes displayed increases in mu receptor concentrations that were twofold greater than those associated with synaptic plasma membrane fractions (92 vs. 51%). Levels in crude membranes rose 77%. Binding affinities were unchanged.

Correlation of the appearance of morphinan alkaloids and laticifer cells in germinating Papaver bracteatum seedlings

The course of alkaloid accumulation and laticifer cell appearance was compared in germinating P. bracteatum seedlings. Seedlings of various ages (0-14 days old) were analyzed for their dopamine, thebaine, morphinan alkaloid immunoreactivity, and benzophenanthridine alkaloid levels. Simultaneous electron microscopic studies revealed that seedlings were devoid of laticifer initials until day 3, where-upon their numbers increased with time. The appearance of appreciable amounts of thebaine only occurred after day 4 of germination. Conversely, dopamine was rapidly formed at the onset of germination and reached millimolar concentrations well before laticifer cells were detected. Benzophenanthridine alkaloid levels remained fairly constant over the period analyzed. These results support the theory that the presence of laticifer cells is necessary for the accumulation of morphinan but neither benzophenanthridine alkaloids nor their mutual precursor, dopamine.

Substantial reduction of noradrenaline in kitten visual cortex by intraventricular injections of 6-hydroxydopamine does not always prevent ocular dominance shifts after monocular deprivation

Ten kittens had cannulas inserted into their lateral ventricles for daily injections of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). At 5-6 weeks of age one eye was sutured shut, and one week later recordings were made from the visual cortex to assay the ocular dominance of a sample of cells. In six kittens the injections of 6-OHDA were continued until the day before recording, while in four kittens the injections were stopped around the time of eye suture, on the assumption that continued injections of 6-OHDA over several days has effects that are not specific to the noradrenaline (NA) system and that the two procedures might show different results. In all animals the concentration of NA in the visual cortex near the site of recording was reduced by approximately 90%. In all animals the ocular dominance histograms recorded from the visual cortex were shifted so that the majority of cells (83 +/- 13%) were dominated by the open eye. There were no substantial differences between the two groups of experimental animals or between the experimental animals and two control animals that had cannulas implanted and ascorbate alone injected without 6-OHDA. We conclude that the concentration of NA in the visual cortex can be reduced substantially by injections of 6-OHDA into the lateral ventricle without preventing the shift in ocular dominance that usually occurs after suturing shut the eyelids of one eye.