Mu and delta opioid receptors inhibit serotonin release in rat hippocampus

We studied the influence of opioid agonists on the release of serotonin (5-HT) elicited by K+ (20 mM) in superfused slices of rat hippocampus. K+-evoked outflow of serotonin was inhibited significantly up to 50% in the presence of the mu-selective agonist [D-Ala2,N-methyl-Phe4,Gly5-ol]enkephalin (DAGO) and of the delta-selective agonist [D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE). U50,488H a selective kappa agonist, at concentrations between 0.1 to 1 microM, produced an inhibition of 5-HT-release lower than that observed in the presence of mu and delta agonists. The delta antagonist ICI 174,864 (N,N-diallyl-Tyr1,Aib2,Aib3)Leu-enkephalin potently inhibited the effect of DPDPE but did not affect the inhibition produced by DAGO. In contrast, the mu-selective antagonist D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Nle-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH2 at 1 microM significantly reversed the inhibitory effect produced by a maximal dose of DAGO (0.1 microM) but not the corresponding effect produced by a maximal dose of DPDPE (1 microM). Naloxone was a competitive antagonist of DAGO but noncompetitive antagonist of DPDPE. Treatment of hippocampal slices with pertussis toxin did not alter the K+-evoked release of 5-HT but abolished the inhibitory effect of both DAGO and DPDPE.

Kluver-Bucy syndrome in systemic lupus erythematosus

The Kluver-Bucy syndrome has not been previously reported as a complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A 48-year-old female is described who sustained several cerebral infarcts, some of which were bitemporal, due to SLE vasculopathy. She developed a complex behavioural picture consisting of global aphasia, left-side neglect, hyperorality, hypermetamorphosis and hypersexuality. She displayed appropriate emotional reaction to visually presented objects, indicating that her Kluver-Bucy syndrome could not be explained by lack of visual recognition.

Enzymatic degradation of GTP and its "stable" analogues produce apparent isomerization of opioid receptors

GTP reduces the affinity of agonists to opioid receptors in membranes from NG 108-15 cells. This can be demonstrated using a short incubation time in equilibrium binding and in dissociation experiments: GTP decreases equilibrium binding, increases the percentage of fast dissociating binding and produces a conversion of high into low affinity receptors. However, upon prolonged incubation time (more than 60 min) these effects of GTP are gradually lost. This loss of guanine nucleotide effect is also observed with other nucleotides, namely GDP, GTP gamma S and GppNHp. Incubation of radioactive GTP with membranes and subsequent analysis of the guanine nucleotides by TLC (thin layer chromatography) reveals that GTP is rapidly hydrolyzed to GDP and thereupon to the inactive nucleotide GMP and guanosine. The so-called "hydrolysis-resistant" analogues of GTP, GTP gamma S and GppNHp are also degraded under these experimental conditions. The hydrolysis is apparent with membranes from different tissues and occurs with half times of less than 5 min for GTP and of 10 - 30 min for GDP and "stable" GTP-analogues. Conditions that reduce the degradation of guanine nucleotides during incubation with membranes are described.

Distribution of the alpha-subunit of the guanine nucleotide-binding protein Gi2 and its comparison to G alpha o

Site specific antisera against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the sequence 3-17 of G alpha 12 have been raised and the specificity examined using purified homogeneous Go, Gi2 and Gi containing a 41 kDa alpha-subunit. The distribution of G alpha i2 was investigated in plasma membranes from different tissues and cells and compared to the distribution of G alpha o and other pertussis toxin sensitive G alpha. Considerable amounts of G alpha i2 were found in endocrine tissue especially in membranes from the adrenal and thyroid, in leucocytes and platelets where it constitutes the major, if not only, pertussis toxin-sensitive G alpha, as well as in some cell lines (C6, NG 108-15, S49 cyc-); erythrocytes contained a 41 kDa G alpha i which was different from G alpha i2. G alpha o was present abundantly in nervous tissue, adrenal medulla and cortex but also found in low amounts in other membranes except for lung, liver and blood cells. Subcellular fractionation of cardiac ventricular muscle demonstrated the presence of G alpha o and low amounts of G alpha i2 in sarcolemma, but only 41kDa G alpha i was present in sarcoplasmic reticulum. The importance of the distinct distribution in terms of signal transduction is discussed.

Opioid receptors are coupled tightly to G proteins but loosely to adenylate cyclase in NG108-15 cell membranes

Opioid receptors in intact NG 108-15 cells were irreversibly inactivated with increasing concentrations of the alkylating antagonist beta-chlornaltrexamine (CNA). The consequence of the reduction in density of opioid binding sites (quantified by saturation analysis of opioid binding in membranes) was studied at two steps of opioid receptor-mediated responses, (a) stimulation of high affinity GTPase and (b) inhibition of basal adenylate cyclase. Both agonist-mediated stimulation of GTPase and inhibition of adenylate cyclase activities were progressively reduced as the concentration of CNA in the pretreatment was increased. However, the loss of responsiveness for the two enzymes differed in two aspects. First, the diminution of GTPase responsiveness was in agreement with the loss of binding sites and took place at concentrations of CNA that were lower than those necessary to reduce responsiveness of adenylate cyclase. Second, the loss of responsiveness of GTPase occurred simply as reduction of maximal stimulation, whereas that of adenylate cyclase involved an initial reduction of apparent agonist affinity (10-fold) that was followed by a decrease in maximal effect. We next examined the loss of responsiveness of both GTPase and adenylate cyclase in membranes prepared from cells that had been exposed to increasing concentrations of pertussis toxin (PTX) to inactivate PTX-sensitive G proteins in vivo. Also in this case, the extent of reduction in responsiveness was more pronounced for GTPase than for adenylate cyclase, especially in membranes treated with high concentrations of PTX. However, the pattern of loss was identical for the two enzymes and involved a main reduction in maximal effect of the agonist that was followed only after a large degree of inactivation (greater than 60%) by a diminished apparent affinity for the agonist. Opioid receptor-mediated inhibition of cAMP accumulation in intact cells exhibits an IC50 for the agonist that is 30-10 times lower than that measured in membranes for stimulation of GTPase or inhibition of cyclase, respectively. Treatment of cells with either CNA (1 microM) or various concentrations of PTX altered the concentration-response curves for agonist-mediated inhibition of cAMP accumulation in a manner similar to that observed for adenylate cyclase in membranes, inasmuch as both maximal inhibition and apparent affinities for the agonist were decreased. However, this decrease in affinity (5-fold) was not sufficient to eliminate the discrepancy in agonist potency between membranes and intact cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Pertussis toxin inactivates the presynaptic serotonin autoreceptor in the hippocampus

The serotonin (5-HT) agonists, D-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and 5-methoxytryptamine (5-Me-O-T), dose dependently inhibited the K+-evoked outflow of [3H]5-HT from preloaded rat hippocampal slices in vitro, indicating activation of the 5-HT autoreceptor. However, this effect was abolished in slices pretreated with pertussis toxin. It is thus concluded that the 5-HT autoreceptor in the hippocampus is coupled to G proteins.

Sodium modulates opioid receptors through a membrane component different from G-proteins. Demonstration by target size analysis

The target size for opioid receptor binding was studied after manipulations known to affect the interactions between receptor and GTP-binding regulatory proteins (G-proteins). Addition of GTP or its analogs to the binding reaction, exposure of intact cells to pertussis toxin prior to irradiation, or treatment of irradiated membranes with N-ethylmaleimide did not change the target size (approximately equal to 100 kDa) for opioid receptors in NG 108-15 cells and rat brain. These data suggest that the 100-kDa species does not include an active subunit of a G-protein or alternatively that GTP does not promote the dissociation of the receptor-G-protein complex. The presence of Na+ (100 mM) in the radioligand binding assay induced a biphasic decay curve for agonist binding and a flattening of the monoexponential decay curve for a partial agonist. In both cases the effect was explained by an irradiation-induced loss of the low affinity state of the opioid receptor produced by the addition of Na+. This suggests that an allosteric inhibitor that mediates the effect of sodium on the receptor is destroyed at low doses of irradiation, leaving receptors which are no longer regulated by sodium. The effect of Na+ on target size was slightly increased by the simultaneous addition of GTP but was not altered by pertussis toxin treatment. Thus, the sodium unit is distinct from G-proteins and may represent a new component of the opioid receptor complex. Assuming a simple bimolecular model of one Na+ unit/receptor, the size of this inhibitor can be measured as 168 kDa.

Synthesis and receptor binding characteristics of [D-Ala2, cysteamine 5] enkephalin, a thiol-containing probe for structural elements of opiate receptors

For the elucidation of structural elements in the opiate receptors, a thiol-containing enkephalin analog [D-Ala2, cysteamine 5]enkephalin, and its dimeric analog were synthesized and evaluated in the radio-ligand receptor binding assays using rat brain membranes. The dimeric analog was very potent in both delta and mu assays. Comparison of receptor affinities of the thiol-containing enkephalin with those of standard mu or delta receptor specific ligands suggested that the mu receptor contains an essential thiol group which may interact with the thiol group at the C-terminus of the enkephalin analog. It also appears that no metal-ion site, postulated for the delta receptors, is present in the delta binding site.

A highly selective ligand for brain delta opiate receptors, a cyclopropyl(E)Phe(4)-enkephalin analog, suppresses mu receptor-mediated thermal analgesia by morphine

[D-Ala(2)(2R,3S)-delta(E)Phe(4)Leu(5)]enkephalin (CP-OH) [delta denoting cyclopropyl; superscript E indicating the E-configuration about the cyclopropane ring], a highly selective opioid ligand for delta receptors in rat brain, but not for those in the mouse vas deferens, was examined for in vivo biological activities by intracerebroventricular administration. CP-OH (5-20 micrograms) showed no analgesic activity in the hot plate (51 degrees C) test using rats. However, it suppressed completely the analgesic effects of intraperitoneally administered morphine (3 mg/kg rat) in a dose-dependent manner. CP-OH showed no binding affinity for brain kappa receptors to which dynorphin, an opioid peptide that inhibits morphine analgesia, binds predominantly. These results suggest that, besides the conventional delta receptors which mediate analgesia, the rat brain contains another delta-like receptor which has a modulatory role to attenuate morphine-induced analgesia mediated through the mu receptors, and that this modulatory receptor does not exist in the mouse vas deferens.

Pertussis toxin abolishes the antinociception mediated by opioid receptors in rat spinal cord

Intrathecal injection of pertussis toxin (1 microgram) in rats produced a marked decrease in the antinociceptive effect of the intrathecally administered opioid agonists [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin, [D-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly5-ol]enkephalin and bremazocine. The effect of the toxin was time-dependent, since it was more pronounced at 6 than at 2 days after its injection. The pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP ribosylation of a 40 KDa substrate in membranes prepared from the spinal cord of toxin-injected rats was strongly reduced as compared to controls. The data indicate that the antinociceptive effect produced by opioid agonists with different receptor preference is initiated at receptor sites which interact with G-protein substrates of pertussis toxin.

Differential expression of alpha-subunits of G-proteins in human neuroblastoma-derived cell clones

The distribution of alpha- and beta-subunits of G-proteins was analyzed in membranes of three cell clones which are derived from the human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-SH. The neuroblast-like clone SH-SY5Y shows a pattern of G-proteins very similar to that of human brain cortex with high levels of Gi alpha and Go alpha but low levels of G40 alpha. The intermediate clone SH-IN contains high levels of Go alpha and Gi alpha and moderate levels of G40 alpha. The non-neuronal clone SH-EP shows high levels of G40 alpha but lacks Go alpha. Differentiation of the neuroblast-like clone SH-SY5Y by retinoic acid or nerve growth factor does not change the amount of Gi alpha or Go alpha in the membrane.

Synthesis, receptor binding activity and fluorescence property of fluorescent enkephalin analogs containing L-1-pyrenylalanine

The novel fluorescent amino acid, L-1-pyrenylalanine (L-Pya), was prepared by the asymmetric hydrogenation of cyclic dehydrodipeptide. Fluorescent enkephalins containing one or two Pya residues at position 1,4 or 5 of [D-Ala2, Leu5]enkephalin were synthesized by the solution method. Mono-Pya-enkephalins showed strong fluorescence intensities and potent binding affinities with specificity and selectivity for opiate receptors. However, di-Pya-enkephalins showed markedly decreased receptor binding affinities. These results indicate that the incorporation of two Pya residues into enkephalin makes the peptide unable to interact with the opiate receptors, although introduction of one Pya residue is effective to elicit a specific receptor interaction. Di-Pya-enkephalins showed intramolecular excimer spectra, indicating that the peptides are able to take possible folded conformations.

Antisera against the 3-17 sequence of rat G alpha i recognize only a 40 kDa G-protein in brain

To obtain antisera specific for the GTP-binding protein Gi alpha we immunized rabbits against a synthetic peptide derived from the N-terminal (3-17) sequence predicted from the rat Gi alpha cDNA clone published by Itoh et al. (1986) (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83, 3776-3780). Western-blot analysis of bovine brain G-proteins purified and resolved by hydrophobic chromatography and of rat striatal membranes, indicate that this antiserum does not recognize 41 kDa alpha i or 39 kDa alpha o. However, it reacts with a 40 kDa alpha-subunit. The data suggest that the sequence deduced from the rat G alpha i cDNA corresponds to a G40 alpha protein and that N-terminus directed antisera are useful tools to discriminate between two different G alpha i-like types of G-proteins present in mammalian brain.

delta EPhe4-enkephalin analogs. Delta receptors in rat brain are different from those in mouse vas deferens

Conformationally restricted enkephalin analogs containing E-cyclopropylphenylalanine (delta EPhe), [D-Ala2, (2R,3S)-delta EPhe4,Leu5]enkephalin and its (2S,3R) isomer, were evaluated in receptor-binding assays using rat brain and in assays using muscle preparations. The (2S,3R) isomer was almost completely inactive in all assays. In contrast, the (2R,3S) isomer showed a very high affinity for the delta and a very weak affinity for the mu receptors in rat brain. The extent of delta affinity and the selectivity of this isomer were almost equal to those of [D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin. However, the (2R,3S) isomer was inactive in both the mouse vas deferens and guinea pig ileum assays, and showed no antagonistic activity in these tissues. These results indicate that the (2R,3S) isomer interacts with the delta receptors in rat brain, but not with those in the mouse vas deferens, and they suggest that the delta receptors in the central and peripheral nervous systems are different from each other.

Opioid receptor desensitization in NG 108-15 cells. Differential effects of a full and a partial agonist on the opioid-dependent GTPase

Opioid-receptor binding and the opioid-mediated stimulation of low Km GTPase and inhibition of adenylate cyclase were studied in membranes derived from NG 108-15 cells pretreated with either the opioid peptide [D-Ala2, D-Leu5]enkephalin (DADLE) or morphine. Pretreatment with DADLE resulted in a concentration-dependent loss of responsiveness of GTPase to the peptide; this effect was entirely accounted for by a reduction in the maximal stimulation produced acutely by DADLE, without changes in the EC50 of the peptide, indicating a non-competitive type of desensitization. The degree of desensitization of GTPase was similar after one and 24 hr of pretreatment with DADLE, indicating that the process occurs rapidly. In contrast, morphine, which was 70-80% as potent as DADLE in stimulating GTPase and inhibiting adenylate cyclase in acute conditions, induced only a minimal desensitization of the opioid-GTPase system and, in contrast to DADLE, did not desensitize adenylate cyclase. Pretreatment with DADLE for one hour led to a decrease in opioid receptor density which was quantitatively similar to the degree of desensitization of GTPase: both these effects of DADLE were antagonized to a similar extent when morphine was also present in the pretreatment. Thus, desensitization of the opioid-stimulated GTPase appears to be correlated with down-regulation of the opioid receptor. Moreover, these findings suggest that partial agonists cannot induce this process.

GTPase and adenylate cyclase desensitize at different rates in NG108-15 cells

The time course of opioid receptor binding disappearance and loss of responsiveness of the opioid-controlled GTPase and adenylate cyclase were compared in membranes derived from NG108-15 cells pretreated with the opioid peptide agonist [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin (DADLE). Upon pretreatment with DADLE, a rapid desensitization of the opioid-stimulated GTPase occurred with a time course distinguishable as two exponential components having respective half-lives of 5-9 and 60-80 min. Opioid receptor binding activity, as assessed using [3H]diprenorphine, also decayed as two exponential components whose half-lives were similar to those for GTPase desensitization (7 and 120 min). However, when [3H]diprenorphine binding was measured in the presence of sodium and GTP, only the second, slow component was apparent. In contrast, desensitization of the opioid-controlled adenylate cyclase occurred as only one exponential decaying process, displaying a half-life of 57 min. Whereas the loss of responsiveness of GTPase to DADLE was entirely accounted for by a reduction in the maximal stimulation produced acutely by DADLE, desensitization of adenylate cyclase was characterized by both a decrease in maximal inhibition and a shift to the right of the EC50 of the agonist in inhibiting acutely the enzyme. In addition, after 1 hr of pretreatment with DADLE, the opioid-stimulated GTPase was desensitized by 65%, whereas 80% of maximal inhibition of adenylate cyclase could still be achieved. We suggest that: the rapid loss of responsiveness of the opioid-GTPase system results from an uncoupling between the receptor and the nucleotide-binding regulatory protein (N); the fast decaying GTPase activity appears to be not directly related to the opioid-mediated inhibition of adenylate cyclase; and the slow decaying GTPase activity, as well as the desensitization of the opioid-adenylate cyclase, is most likely accounted for by down-regulation of the opioid receptor. These findings may indicate that part of the opioid-stimulated GTPase in the membrane is not involved in inhibition of the cyclase and could reflect the activity of a regulatory protein which couples opioid receptors to another membrane effector. Alternatively, they might be interpreted on the basis of a model which involves a tight coupling between receptor activation and N protein and a large amplification mechanism between N protein and adenylate cyclase.

Radiologic findings in the Proteus syndrome

The radiological findings in two patients with the Proteus syndrome are described. Features in our two cases not previously mentioned or stressed include vertebral dysplasia and enlargement (megaspondylodysplasia), bilateral genu valgum, recurrent after surgery and intraabdominal and mesenteric lipomatosis. Emergency laparotomy was performed on the first patient who had a twisted necrotic portion of mesenteric fat. Macrodactyly, skeletal muscle atrophy and subcutaneous fat accumulation in the abdominal wall were present in both. In addition the second patient was mentally retarded and had frontal bony prominence of skull. Computed tomography was used for the specific diagnosis of the lipomatous tissues in both patients.

Effects of sodium and GTP on the binding kinetics of [3H]diprenorphine in NG 108-15 cell membranes

Equilibrium binding isotherms of [3H]diprenorphine in membranes from NG 108-15 cells are consistent with a homogeneous population of binding sites. Upon addition of Na+, Mg2+ and GTP, only a 2-fold reduction in affinity with a minor decrease in the number of sites is observed. Dissociation curves of [3H]diprenorphine, however, are clearly biphasic: in the absence of Na+, Mg2+ and GTP, 80% of the bound ligand dissociates slowly with a t1/2 of 100 min, and only 20% rapidly (t1/2 4.5 min). In the presence of Mg2+, nearly all the binding is found in the slowly dissociating form. Upon the addition of either Na+ or GTP, 20-30% of the binding dissociates more rapidly. The rate constant of the rapidly dissociating form generated by Na+, however, is 2.5 times greater than that induced by the presence of GTP. Thus, the addition of both, Na+ and GTP, converts about 80% of the receptor into a very fast dissociating form (t1/2 1.7 min). Exposure of intact cells to pertussis toxin (10 ng/ml) or treatment of membranes with N-ethyl maleimide (500 microM), strongly reduces the proportion of the slowly dissociating component. Following these treatments, the effect of GTP is reduced or abolished, but that of Na+ remains unaffected. We conclude from these data that the effects of Na+ and GTP are not only distinct in site but also in mechanism of action and that there are three forms of opioid receptors that can be differentiated by their kinetic properties. The slowly dissociating receptor form requires a functional N unit.

Differential sensitivity of basal and opioid-stimulated low Km GTPase to guanine nucleotide analogs

In membranes derived from NG108-15 cells, the opioid peptide [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin (DADLE) stimulates a low Km GTPase. The nucleotide analogs guanosine 5'-O-(2-thio)diphosphate (GDP beta S), guanosine 5'-(beta,gamma-imido)triphosphate [Gpp(NH)p] and guanosine 5'-O-(3-thio)-triphosphate (GTP gamma S) inhibit the basal enzymatic activity with the order of potency GTP gamma S greater than Gpp (NH)p greater than GDP beta S. In the presence of DADLE, the inhibition isotherms of GDP beta S and Gpp(NH)p are shifted to the right five- and fourfold, respectively, compared to the inhibition observed in the absence of DADLE. In contrast, the IC50 of GTP gamma S for inhibiting the enzyme is reduced by 55% in the presence of the opioid. Both Gpp(NH)p and GTP gamma S produce a concentration-dependent increase in the Km(app) of GTPase, without affecting its Vmax, indicating a competitive inhibition. However, the replots of Km(app) versus inhibitor concentration are hyperbolic, suggesting a partial type of inhibition. Both Gpp(NH)p and GTP gamma S, but not GTP, induce an increase in the EC50 of DADLE for stimulating GTPase. These findings indicate that the basal and the opioid-stimulated low Km GTPase differ in their respective sensitivities to inhibition by guanine nucleotide analogs.

Association of amyoplasia with gastroschisis, bowel atresia, and defects of the muscular layer of the trunk

We reviewed 225 cases of amyoplasia, and the association of amyoplasia with gastroschisis and with monozygotic twinning was confirmed. In addition, an apparently increased association of bowel atresia and defects in the muscular layer of the trunk wall with amyoplasia was observed. The association of amyoplasia, monozygotic twinning, and these trunk wall defects strongly suggests that the pathogenesis of amyoplasia is linked to some type of vascular compromise.

Opiate receptor binding characteristics of dimeric analogues of mu-selective DAGO-enkephalin

DAGO-enkephalin ([ D-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly-ol5]enkephalin), a highly selective ligand for mu opiate receptors, was dimerized with a series of alpha,omega-alkanedioic acids (n = 2-12) at the OH-terminus. In the radioligand receptor binding assays with rat brain, most of the DAGO-enkephalin dimers with cross-linking methylene chain n (DEDn) were more potent than DAGO monomer. For delta receptors, affinity of DEDn was maximized with n = 8, which might be related to an optimal distance between two binding sites. For mu receptors, an increase in chain length resulted in a progressive loss of potency. Although all of DEDn are considerably mu-selective, with a mu/delta ratio of 15-50, DEDn exhibited fairly flat binding curves with 15-50% smaller sloped than that of DAGO, suggesting that the dimers interact more strongly with one of the possible two mu binding sites.

New disorder of vitamin B12 metabolism (cobalamin F) presenting as methylmalonic aciduria

An infant with vitamin B12-responsive methylmalonic aciduria and no homocystinuria or megaloblastic anemia presented with stomatitis, glossitis, convulsions, and developmental delay. Cultured fibroblasts showed defective incorporation of both [14C]5-methyltetrahydrofolate and [14C]propionate into protein by whole cells and a decrease of methionine synthase activity in cell extracts. Despite excessive incorporation of [57Co]cyano-B12 by fibroblasts from the patient, free vitamin B12 was unable to efflux from lysosomes, and, therefore, synthesis of both adenosyl-B12 and methyl-B12 was impaired.

Interaction of dimeric and monomeric enkephalins with NG108-15 hybrid cells. A kinetic analysis

The binding of the enkephalin dimer [D-Ala2, Leu5-NH-CH2-]2 (DPE2) is characterized by its high affinity for receptors on NG108-15 hybrid cells, the affinity constant K = 4.7 X 10(9) M-1 is up to 8-fold that of monomers (0.6 to 1.0 X 10(9) M-1), and a maximal binding capacity equal to one half that of the monomers. Kinetic studies showed that DPE2 binds with a 2-fold higher rate, k1 = 6.3 X 10(7) M-1min-1, than monomers (2.4 to 3.8 X 10(7) M-1min-1), and dissociates at a slower rate than monomers. Dissociation of DPE2 was consistently bi- or multiphasic but increased about 12% only after 3 hr of dissociation in the presence of a large excess of unlabeled enkephalin. The dissociation kinetics of monomers varied with enkephalin and experimental conditions used. Consistent with the value for the maximal binding capacity, the kinetic studies are interpreted in support of the hypothesis that DPE2 binds by cross-linking two subunits of one receptor.

Tyr1-substituted and fluorescent Pya1-enkephalins bind strongly and selectively to mu and delta opiate receptors

The fluorescent enkephalins in which an essential Tyr1 residue is replaced by L-1-pyrenylalanine (Pya) were synthesized and examined in the receptor binding assays. [Pya1, Leu5]Enkephalin and its methyl ester showed binding characteristics specific for the opiate receptors, exhibiting a potent inhibition of Tyr1-containing enkephalins. Surprisingly, the methyl ester displayed almost the same potencies to those of DAGO-enkephalin. This analog bound 24-fold more strongly to mu than to delta-receptors. C-terminal free analog Pya1-Enk-OH was delta-preferential with a fairly good affinity. These results indicate that Tyr1 in enkephalin is not necessary to recognition of the opiate receptors.