Calmodulin binding to G protein-coupling domain of opioid receptors

The ubiquitous intracellular Ca(2+) sensor calmodulin (CaM) regulates numerous proteins involved in cellular signaling of G protein-coupled receptors, but most known interactions between GPCRs and CaM occur downstream of the receptor. Using a sequence-based motif search, we have identified the third intracellular loop of the opioid receptor family as a possible direct contact point for interaction with CaM, in addition to its established role in G protein activation. Peptides derived from the third intracellular loop of the mu-opioid (OP(3)) receptor strongly bound CaM and were able to reduce binding interactions observed between CaM and immunopurified OP(3) receptor. Functionally, CaM reduced basal and agonist-stimulated (35)S-labeled guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate incorporation, a measure of G protein activation, in membranes containing recombinant OP(3) receptor. Changes in CaM membrane levels as a result of overexpression or antisense CaM suppression inversely affected basal and agonist-induced G protein activation. The ability of CaM to abolish high affinity binding sites of an agonist at OP(3) further supports the hypothesis of a direct interaction between CaM and opioid receptors. An OP(3) receptor mutant with a Lys(273) --> Ala substitution (K273A-OP(3)), an amino acid predicted to play a critical role in CaM binding based on motif structure, was found to be unaffected by changes in CaM levels but coupled more efficiently to G proteins than the wild-type receptor. Stimulation of both the OP(1) (delta-opioid) and OP(3) wild-type receptors, but not the K273A-OP(3) mutant, induced release of CaM from the plasma membrane. These results suggest that CaM directly competes with G proteins for binding to opioid receptors and that CaM may itself serve as an independent second messenger molecule that is released upon receptor stimulation.

ASP147 in the third transmembrane helix of the rat mu opioid receptor forms ion-pairing with morphine and naltrexone

We tested the hypotheses that the carboxylate side chain of Asp147 of the mu opioid receptor interacts with the protonated nitrogen of naltrexone and morphine and that this interaction is important for pharmacological properties of the two compounds. Mutation of Asp147 to Ala or Asn substantially reduced the affinity of naltrexone and the affinity, potency and efficacy of morphine, while the Glu mutant had similar properties as the wildtype, indicating the significant role of the carboxylate group of Asp147 in receptor binding and activation. This role could be due to its direct interaction with ligands or involvement in interhelical interactions. The unprotonated analogs of naltrexone and morphine, cyclopropylcarbonyl noroxymorphone (CPCNOM) and N-formylnormorphine (NFNM), respectively, were used to discriminate between these mechanisms. CPCNOM was much less potent as an antagonist and had substantially lower affinity for the mu receptor than naltrexone. Similarly, NFNM was unable to activate the mu receptor and had much lower affinity than morphine. These results indicate the importance of the protonated nitrogen. Notably, the D147A and D147N mutations did not appreciably affect the binding affinities of CPCNOM and NFNM. In addition, the D147E mutant had similar affinities for CPCNOM and NFNM as the D147A and D147N mu receptors. Thus, the carboxylate group of Asp147 is not important for binding of the two unprotonated compounds. These results indicate that the carboxylate group of Asp147 of the mu receptor interacts directly with the protonated nitrogen of naltrexone and morphine and this interaction is important for binding and receptor activation.

Morphine-like activity of natural human IgG autoantibodies is because of binding to the first and third extracellular loops of the mu-opioid receptor

We have previously demonstrated that randomly selected healthy individuals express anti-human mu-opioid receptor antibodies which behave as agonist in vitro. In this study, we show that the activity of these antibodies was not affected by the deletion of the amino-terminal region of the receptor. Using agarose-bound peptide columns, we affinity-purified IgG specifically directed toward each extracellular loop. Whatever its specificity, each anti-human mu-opioid receptor (hMOR) extracellular loop peptide IgG preparation was unable, when examined individually, to reduce adenylate cyclase activity. Activation of the hMOR was, however, achieved by the simultaneous binding of IgG to the first and third extracellular loops of the receptor. Our results suggest that the simultaneous binding of IgG antibodies to these two loops mimics morphine-induced receptor activation by triggering a coordinated shift of the third and sixth transmembrane helices.

Solution structure of dynorphin A (1-17): a NMR study in a cryoprotective solvent mixture at 278 K

Dynorphin A, the endogenous agonist for the kappa opioid receptor, has been studied by NMR spectroscopy in methanol, acetonitrile, DMSO and in mixtures of hexafluoroacetone/water and DMSO/water. NMR data in the DMSO/water cryomixture at 278 K are consistent with a conformer in which the N-terminal part, like the corresponding message domain of enkephalins, is poorly ordered, whereas the C-terminal part is folded in a loop centred around Pro10. The folded structure of the C-terminal part (address moiety) may shed light on the role of the essential residues Arg7, Lys11 and Lys13.

Membrane microviscosity modulates mu-opioid receptor conformational transitions and agonist efficacy

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.

Functional role of the spatial proximity of Asp114(2.50) in TMH 2 and Asn332(7.49) in TMH 7 of the mu opioid receptor

We examined whether a proposed spatial proximity between Asp114(2.50) and Asn332(7.49) affected the functional properties of the mu opioid receptor. The D114(2.50)N mutant had reduced binding affinities for morphine, DAMGO and CTAP, but not for naloxone and [3H]diprenorphine; this mutation also abolished agonist-induced increase in [35S]GTPgammaS binding. The N332(7.49)D mutation eliminated detectable binding of either [3H]diprenorphine or [3H]DAMGO. The combined D114(2.50)N-N332(7.49)D mutation restored high affinity binding for [3H]diprenorphine, CTAP and naloxone, and restored partially the binding affinities, potencies and efficacies of morphine and DAMGO. Thus, reciprocal mutations of Asp114(2.50) and Asn332(7.49) compensate for the detrimental effects of the single mutations, indicating that the residues are adjacent in space and that their chemical functionalities are important for ligand binding and receptor activation.

Inactivation of the purified bovine mu opioid receptor by sulfhydryl reagents

We have investigated the role of cysteine residues in a highly purified mu opioid receptor protein (muORP) by examining the effect of -SH reagents on the binding of opioid ligands. Treatment of muORP, which is devoid of additional proteins, eliminates complications that arise from reaction of -SH reagents with other components, such as G proteins. Reagents tested include N-ethylmaleimide, 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic) acid, and two derivatives of methanethiosulfonate. Specific opioid binding was inactivated by micromolar concentrations of all -SH reagents tested. Agonist binding ([3H]DAMGO) was much more sensitive to inactivation than antagonist binding ([3H]bremazocine). Prebinding muORP with 100 nM naloxone protected antagonist and agonist binding from inactivation by -SH reagents. The results of these experiments strongly suggest that at least one, and possibly more, reactive cysteine residue(s) is present on the mu opioid receptor protein molecule, positioned near the ligand binding site and accessible to -SH reagents.

Palmitoylation of the rat mu opioid receptor

We examined whether the mu opioid receptor was palmitoylated and attempted to determine sites of palmitoylation. Following metabolic labeling with [3H]palmitic acid and immunoaffinity purification of the mu opioid receptor, SDS-PAGE and fluorography revealed a broad labeled band with Mr of approximately 80 kDa in CHO cells stably expressing the rat mu receptor, but not in CHO cells transfected with the vector alone, indicating that the mu receptor is palmitoylated. Activation of the receptor with morphine did not affect the extent of palmitoylation. Hydroxylamine or dithiothreitol treatment removed most of the radioactivity, demonstrating that [3H]palmitic acid is incorporated into Cys residue(s) via thioester bond(s). Surprisingly, mutations of the only two Cys residues in the C-terminal domain did not reduce [3H]palmitic acid incorporation significantly. Thus, unlike many G-protein coupled receptors, the palmitoylation site(s) of the rat mu opioid receptor do(es) not reside in the C-terminal domain.

Conformational analysis of the endogenous mu-opioid agonist endomorphin-1 using NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling

Endomorphin-1 (Tyr-Pro-Trp-Phe-NH2) is a highly selective and potent agonist of the mu-opioid receptor. To identify structural attributes unique to this opioid peptide and potential sites of recognition, a conformational analysis has been performed using multidimensional NMR and molecular modeling techniques. The spectroscopic results, derived from experiments in both DMSO and water, indicate that endomorphin-1 exists in the cis- and trans-configuration with respect to the Pro-omega bond in approximately 25% and 75% populations, respectively. In DMSO, the cis-configuration adopts a compact sandwich conformation in which the Tyr and Trp aromatic rings pack against the proline ring, whereas the trans-configuration adopts an extended conformation. Although non-random structure was not observed in water, condensed phase molecular dynamics calculations indicate that trans-isomers dominate the population in this higher dielectric medium. Structural comparison of the cis- and trans-configurations with morphine and selective mu-peptide ligands PL-017 and D-TIPP, as well as the delta-selective peptide ligands TIPP (delta-antagonist, mu-agonist) and DPDPE were also performed and suggest the trans-isomer is likely the bioactive form. A hypothesis is proposed to explain mu- and delta-selectivity based on the presence of spatially distinct selectivity pockets among these ligands.

Selective interference of beta-arrestin 1 with kappa and delta but not mu opioid receptor/G protein coupling

The role of beta-arrestin 1 (beta-arr1) in regulation of responsiveness of kappa, delta, and mu opioid receptors has been investigated in human embryonic kidney 293 cells cotransfected with opioid receptor and beta-arr1. Expression of human beta-arr1 attenuated kappa and delta opioid receptor subtype-mediated inhibition of cAMP production and resulted in a 100-fold increase of EC50 values for kappa-agonist U69593 and delta-agonist [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]enkephalin and 30-40% reduction of their maximal responses. In contrast, coexpression of beta-arr1 with mu opioid receptor did not affect the concentration-effect relationship of mu-agonist [D-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly5-ol]enkephalin. In parallel, kappa and delta receptor-mediated G protein activation was also remarkably attenuated by overexpression of beta-arr1, while the mu-agonist-stimulated response remained intact. These results indicate that beta-arr1 interferes receptor/G protein coupling and differentially regulates the responsiveness of opioid receptors. Truncation of kappa and delta opioid receptors at carboxyl termini abolished inhibition of beta-arr1 on the responsiveness of both receptors. Furthermore, mu opioid receptor became sensitive to beta-arr1 regulation following replacement of its carboxyl terminus with the corresponding portion of the delta receptor. Removal of potential phosphorylation sites on the carboxyl terminus of kappa opioid receptor led to reduced effect of beta-arr1 on the receptor-mediated response. These results suggest that receptor carboxyl terminus and its phosphorylation play an important role in the interaction of beta-arr1 and opioid receptors.

Opioid receptor three-dimensional structures from distance geometry calculations with hydrogen bonding constraints

Three-dimensional structures of the transmembrane, seven alpha-helical domains and extracellular loops of delta, mu, and kappa opioid receptors, were calculated using the distance geometry algorithm, with hydrogen bonding constraints based on the previously developed general model of the transmembrane alpha-bundle for rhodopsin-like G-protein coupled receptors (Biophys. J. 1997. 70:1963). Each calculated opioid receptor structure has an extensive network of interhelical hydrogen bonds and a ligand-binding crevice that is partially covered by a beta-hairpin formed by the second extracellular loop. The binding cavities consist of an inner "conserved region" composed of 18 residues that are identical in delta, mu, and kappa opioid receptors, and a peripheral "variable region," composed of 19 residues that are different in delta, mu, and kappa subtypes and are responsible for the subtype specificity of various ligands. Sixteen delta-, mu-, or kappa-selective, conformationally constrained peptide and nonpeptide opioid agonists and antagonists and affinity labels were fit into the binding pockets of the opioid receptors. All ligands considered have a similar spatial arrangement in the receptors, with the tyramine moiety of alkaloids or Tyr1 of opioid peptides interacting with conserved residues in the bottom of the pocket and the tyramine N+ and OH groups forming ionic interactions or H-bonds with a conserved aspartate from helix III and a conserved histidine from helix VI, respectively. The central, conformationally constrained fragments of the opioids (the disulfide-bridged cycles of the peptides and various ring structures in the nonpeptide ligands) are oriented approximately perpendicular to the tyramine and directed toward the extracellular surface. The results obtained are qualitatively consistent with ligand affinities, cross-linking studies, and mutagenesis data.

DAMGO recognizes four residues in the third extracellular loop to discriminate between mu- and kappa-opioid receptors

Previously, we reported that replacement of the region from the fifth transmembrane domain to the C-terminus of kappa-opioid receptor with the corresponding region of mu-opioid receptor gives high affinity for [D-Ala2, N-MePhe4, Gly-ol5]enkephalin (DAMGO), a mu-opioid receptor-selective ligand, to the resultant chimeric receptor, suggesting that the difference in the amino acid sequence within this region is critical for the discrimination between mu- and kappa-opioid receptors by DAMGO. In the present study, we constructed further six mu/kappa-chimeric receptors and revealed that at least two separate regions around the third extracellular loop are critical for the discrimination between mu- and kappa-opioid receptors by DAMGO. Furthermore, we constructed several mutant receptors by a site-directed mutagenesis technique and found that the difference between Glu297 of kappa-opioid receptor and Lys303 of mu-opioid receptor in one region, and the difference between Ser310, Tyr312 and Tyr313 of kappa-opioid receptor and Val316, Trp318 and His319 of mu-opioid receptor in the other region, are critical for the discrimination between these receptors by DAMGO. The mutant receptor, kappa (E297K + Y313H + Y312W + S310V), in which the Glu297, Ser310, Tyr312 and Tyr313 of kappa-opioid receptor were changed to Lys, Val, Trp and His, respectively, bound to DAMGO with high affinity (Kd = 8.7 +/- 1.2 nM) and efficiently mediated the inhibitory effect of DAMGO on intracellular cAMP accumulation. The present results showed that these four amino acid residues act as determinants for the discrimination between mu- and kappa-opioid receptors by DAMGO.

Signal transduction within G-protein coupled receptors via an ion tunnel: a hypothesis

Based on molecular modeling of the complexes between the mu-opioid receptor and its ligands, we present a hypothesis that accounts for several of the experimental data including the importance of conserved polar residues in rhodopsin-like G-protein-coupled receptors and the effect of Na+ on the binding of ligands to these receptors. We propose that agonists, but not antagonists, would displace Na+ from its initial binding site at the conserved D2.50 residue in the second transmembrane alpha-helical segment, H2. The displaced Na+ would pass through a "gate" of conserved hydrophobic residues and move along a tunnel-like interface (formed of H2, H3 and H7) enriched with several conserved hydrophilic residues including D3.49. Interaction of Na+ with D3.49 would result in the breaking of a salt-bridge between D3.49 and the conserved R3.50 residue thus exposing the latter for interaction with the G-protein.

Opioid peptide receptor studies. 7. The methylfentanyl congener RTI-4614-4 and its four enantiomers bind to different domains of the rat mu opioid receptor

Mutational analysis of opioid receptors supports the hypothesis that dissimilar receptor domains contribute to the binding affinity of different ligands. To determine whether enantiomeric ligands can serve to distinguish between different binding pockets (which focuses the analysis on asymmetric structural factors while avoiding confounding changes in physiochemical characteristics), we analyzed the binding of the 3-methylfentanyl congeners RTI-4614-4 [(+/-)-cis-N-[1-(2-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)-3-methyl-4-piperidyl]-N- phenylpropanamide HCl)], its four stereoisomers [(2S,3R,4S)-1a, (2R,3R,4S)-1b, (2R,3S,4R)-1c, and (2S,3S,4R)-1d], and other mu agonists with cloned rat mu opioid receptors stably expressed in HEK-293 cells and mu/kappa receptor chimeras. Chimera III (kappa[aminoacids 1-141]/mu[aminoacids 151-398]), chimera IV (mu[aminoacids 1-150]/kappa[aminoacids 142-380]), and chimera XII (kappa[aminoacids 1-262]/mu[aminoacids 269-398]) bound [(125)I]IOXY (6beta-iodo-3,14-dihydoxy-17-cyclopropylmethyl-4,5alpha++ +-epoxymorphinan) with high affinities. The Ki values of 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d at the wild-type mu receptor were 0.55 nM, 0.66 nM, 124 nM, and 59.2 nM, respectively. When the region from the N terminal to the start of the transmembrane helix 3 (TMH3) of the mu receptor was substituted by that of the kappa receptor (chimera III), the Ki value of 1b was increased (relative to the mu receptor) 590-fold compared to a 73-fold increase for 1a. When this portion of the kappa receptor was replaced by that of the mu receptor (chimera IV), the loss of affinity was not as great: 11.7-fold for 1a and 58.5-fold for 1b. Replacement of the middle of the third intracellular loop and third extracellular loop (e3) of the kappa receptor with that of the mu receptor (chimera XII) lowered (relative to their Ki values at the kappa receptor) the Ki values of [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin and [D-Ala2-MePhe4,Gly-ol5]enkephalin to a much greater extent than the Ki values of the isomers. The kappa/chimera XII shift was greater for isomers 1c and 1d than for 1b and 1a. Viewed collectively, these data suggest that the region from the N terminal to the start of the TMH3 of the mu opioid receptor determines the binding affinity of RTI-4614-4 and its isomers and that the e3 loop also plays a major role in determining the binding affinity of mu agonist peptides. These data also show that the stereoisomers of RTI-4614-4 probably bind to different domains of the mu receptor and suggest that manipulation of stereochemistry may be a useful tool for designing domain-specific ligands.

Immunolocalization of two mu-opioid receptor isoforms (MOR1 and MOR1B) in the rat central nervous system

We have recently shown that the cytoplasmic tail of the rat mu-opioid receptor undergoes alternative splicing giving rise to two isoforms, rMOR1 and rMOR1B. These isoforms exhibit similar pharmacological profiles, however, differ in agonist-induced desensitization of coupling to adenylate cyclase. In the present study, we have raised polyclonal antibodies that specifically detect either rMOR1 or rMOR1B and used these antisera for immunocytochemical localization of the receptor proteins in the rat central nervous system. Prominent MOR1B-like immunoreactivity was found in the external plexiform layer of the main olfactory bulb localized to a dense plexus of dendrites mostly originating from mitral cells and extending into the glomerular layer. MOR1-like immunoreactivity was restricted to the perikarya of mitral cells and to distinct juxtaglomerular cells as well as their processes. While MOR1-, DOR1- and KOR1-like immunoreactivity was absent from the external plexiform layer, high densities of opioid peptides were found in this layer suggesting that MOR1B may be a targeted receptor of these peptides. MOR1-like immunoreactivity was observed in many pain-controlling brain areas including the spinal cord dorsal horn, sensory trigeminal complex, raphe nuclei and periaqueductal gray while MOR1B-like immunoreactivity was not detectable in these regions. Taken together, we provide evidence that the mu receptor isoforms, MOR1 and MOR1B, exhibit a strikingly different distribution in that MOR1 appears to be the major isoform widely distributed throughout the central nervous system and MOR1B being predominantly localized to the olfactory bulb.

Agonist-induced desensitization of the mu opioid receptor is determined by threonine 394 preceded by acidic amino acids in the COOH-terminal tail

To identify the structural determinants necessary for mu opioid receptor desensitization, we serially ablated potential phosphorylation sites in the carboxyl tail of the receptor and examined their effects on [D-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly-ol5]enkephalin (DAMGO)-induced desensitization. First, we replaced Thr394 with alanine (T394A) and stably expressed this mutant receptor in Chinese hamster ovary cells. The T394A receptor did not desensitize after 1 h of treatment with DAMGO, indicating that Thr394 is required for agonist-induced early desensitization. To test whether Thr394 was the only residue necessary, we investigated the importance of 7 potential phosphorylation sites between residues 363 and 383, which were all replaced by alanines with the Thr394 maintained. This mutant (AT) showed partial loss of desensitization (30%), which was attributable to the Ala mutation at Thr383, since complete desensitization was achieved by restoring Thr383 (ATT). These results suggest that Thr394 is the primary recognition site for G protein-coupled receptor kinases, but Thr383 is also required for complete agonist-induced desensitization. The specificity of Thr394 as the primary initiation site appears to be dependent on the preceding acidic amino acid stretch, because in a mutant in which glutamic acid residues at 388, 391, and 393 were replaced by glutamines (EQ), agonist-induced desensitization was completely abolished, identical to the T394A mutant.

Agonist-induced signaling and trafficking of the mu-opioid receptor: role of serine and threonine residues in the third cytoplasmic loop and C-terminal domain

The human mu-opioid receptor and a mutant form, muS/ T[i3+Cter]A, in which all Ser and Thr residues from the third cytoplasmic loop and C-terminal domain were changed to Ala, were studied after expression in CHO-K1 cells. Although the mutant receptors had similar affinities for agonists and EC50 values for inhibition of adenylyl cyclase as compared to wild-type receptors, the Emax were almost 2-fold decreased, suggesting a role of the mutated residues in G-protein coupling. After chronic morphine or etorphine, the EC50 values of the agonists were about 5-fold increased at both receptors but the Emax values were not altered; upon agonist withdrawal forskolin-stimulated cAMP levels were increased to almost 200% of control levels. Sequestration and rapid down-regulation of the mu-opioid receptor were induced by DAGO and etorphine but not morphine. In contrast, the muS/T[i3+Cter]A receptor was not sequestered and was up-regulated (150-380%) after treatment with agonists. The results indicate that the Ser and Thr residues in the third cytoplasmic loop and C-terminus of the mu-opioid receptor are not involved in the limited desensitization or in the adenylyl cyclase superactivation promoted by agonists but that their integrity and/or their phosphorylation is required in the intricate and coordinately regulated pathways involved in receptor signaling and trafficking.

Comparative modeling and molecular dynamics studies of the delta, kappa and mu opioid receptors

Molecular models of the trans-membrane domains of delta, kappa and mu opioid receptors, members of the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily, were developed using techniques of homology modeling and molecular dynamics simulations. Structural elements were predicted from sequence alignments of opioid and related receptors based on (i) the consensus, periodicities and biophysical interpretations of alignment-derived properties, and (ii) tertiary structure homology to rhodopsin. Initial model structures of the three receptors were refined computationally with energy minimization and the result of the first 210 ps of a 2 ns molecular dynamics trajectory at 300K. Average structures from the trajectory obtained for each receptor subtype after release of the initial backbone constraints show small backbone deviations, indicating stability. During the molecular dynamics phase, subtype-differentiated residues of the receptors developed divergent structures within the models, including changes in regions common to the three subtypes and presumed to belong to ligand binding regions. The divergent features developed by the model structures appear to be consistent with the observed ligand binding selectivities of the opioid receptors. The results thus implicate identifiable receptor microenvironments as primary determinants of some of the observed subtype specificities in opiate ligand binding and in functional effects of mutagenesis. Networks of interacting residues observed in the models are common to the opiate receptors and other GPCRs, indicating core interfaces that are potentially responsible for structural integrity and signal transduction. Analysis of extended molecular dynamics trajectories reveals concerted motions of distant parts of ligand-binding regions, suggesting motion-sensitive components of ligand binding. The comparative modeling results from this study help clarify experimental observations of subtype differences and suggest both structural and dynamic rationales for differences in receptor properties.

Molecular modeling of mu opioid receptor and receptor-ligand interaction

AIM

To construct the 3D structural model of mu opioid receptor (mu OR) and study the interaction between mu OR and fentanyl derivatives.

METHODS

The 3D structure of mu OR was modeled using the bacteriorhodopsin (bRh) as a template, in which the alignments of transmembrane (TM) of bRh and mu OR were achieved by scoring the alignment between the amino acid sequence of mu OR and the structure of bRh. The fentanyl derivatives were docked into the 7 helices of mu OR and the binding energies were calculated.

RESULTS

(1) The receptor-ligand interaction models were obtained for fentanyl derivatives. (2) In these models, the fundamental binding sites were possibly Asp147 and His297. The negatively charged oxygen of Asp147 and the positively charged ammonium group of ligand formed the potent electrostatic and hydrogen-binding interactions. Whereas the interactions between the positively charged nitrogen of His297 and the carbonyl oxygen of ligand were weak. In addition, there were some pi-pi interactions between the receptor and the ligand. (3) The binding energies of the receptor-ligand complexes had a good correlation with the analgesic activities (-lg ED50) of the fentanyl derivatives.

CONCLUSION

This model is helpful for understanding the receptor-ligand interaction and for designing novel mu OR selective ligands.

Identification in the mu-opioid receptor of cysteine residues responsible for inactivation of ligand binding by thiol alkylating and reducing agents

Inactivation by thiol reducing and alkylating agents of ligand binding to the human mu-opioid receptor was examined. Dithiothreitol reduced the number of [3H]diprenorphine binding sites. Replacement by seryl residues of either C142 or C219 in extracellular loops 1 and 2 of the mu receptor resulted in a complete loss of opioid binding. A disulfide bound linking C142 to C219 may thus be essential to maintain a functional conformation of the receptor. We also demonstrated that inactivation of ligand binding upon alkylation by N-ethylmaleimide occurred at two sites. Alteration of the more sensitive (IC50 = 20 microM) did not modify antagonists binding but decreased agonist affinity almost 10-fold. Modification of the less reactive site (IC50 = 2 mM) decreased the number of both agonist and antagonist binding sites. The alkylation site of higher sensitivity to N-ethylmaleimide was shown by mutagenesis experiments to be constituted of both C81 and C332 in transmembrane domains 1 and 7 of the mu-opioid receptor.

Interaction models of 3-methylfentanyl derivatives with mu opioid receptors

AIM

To study the interaction model of 3-methylfentanyl derivatives with mu opioid receptor.

METHODS

After a systematic conformational search, a three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship study was carried out with comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA).

RESULTS

1) The 6 CoMFA models had good predictive values and each model corresponded to the minimum-energy conformations of 13 compounds studied; 2) The important geometric parameters of mu pharmacophore d1 (A), d2 (A), d3 (A), d4 (A), d5 (A), and d6 (A) were 5.2, 5.4, 4.9, 10.6, 10.2, and 5.8 in Model A; 5.2, 6.5, 3.6, 10.6, 11.6, and 5.8 in Model B; 5.2, 4.6, 4.9, 11.6, 9.2, and 6.5 in Model C; 5.2, 5.4, 4.9, 10.5, 10.3, and 5.8 in Model D; 3.6, 5.4, 4.9, 5.7, 7.5, and 5.7 in Model E; 5.2, 4.7, 4.9, 11.2, 9.5, and 6.4 in Model F, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The several bioactive conformations of fentanyl analogs possibly existed and did not need to be the absolute minimum-energy conformation, each of which was involved in the interaction with mu opioid receptor.

Identification and characterization of opioid and somatostatin binding sites in the opossum kidney (OK) cell line and their effect on growth

Opioids and somatostatin analogs have been implicated in the modulation of renal water handling, but whether their action is accomplished through central and/or peripheral mechanisms remains controversial. In different cell systems, on the other hand, opioids and somatostatin inhibit cell proliferation. In the present study, we have used an established cell line, derived from opossum kidney (OK) proximal tubules, in order to characterize opioid and somatostatin receptors and to investigate the action of opioids and somatostatin on tubular epithelial tissue. Our results show the presence of one class of opioid binding sites with kappa, selectivity (KD 4.6 +/- 0.9 nM, 57,250 sites/cell), whereas delta, mu, or other subtypes of the kappa site were absent. Somatostatin presents also a high affinity site on these cells (KD 24.5 nM, 330,000 sites/cell). No effect of either opioids or somatostatin on the activity of the NA+/Pi cotransporter was observed, indicating that these agents do not affect ion transport mechanisms. However, opioid agonists and somatostatin analogs decrease OK cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner; in the same nanomolar concentration range, they displayed reversible specific binding for these agents. The addition of diprenorphine, a general opioid antagonist, reversed the effects of opioids, with the exception of morphine. Furthermore, morphine interacts with the somatostatin receptor in this cell line too, as was the case in the breast cancer T47D cell line. Our results indicate that in the proximal tubule opioids and somatostatin do not affect transport, but they might have a role in the modulation of renal cell proliferation either during ontogenesis or in kidney repair.

Ligand recognition in mu opioid receptor: experimentally based modeling of mu opioid receptor binding sites and their testing by ligand docking

For three-dimensional understanding of the mechanisms that control potency and selectivity of the ligand binding at the atomic level, we have analysed opioid receptor-ligand interaction based on the receptor's 3D model. As a first step, we have constructed molecular models for the multiple opioid receptor subtypes using bacteriorhodopsin as a template. The S-activated dihydromorphine derivatives should serve as powerful tools in mapping the three-dimensional structure of the mu opioid receptor, including the nature of the agonist-mediated conformational change that permits G protein-coupling to "second messenger' effector molecules, and in identifying specific ligand-binding contacts with the mu opioid receptor. The analyses of the interactions of some opioid ligands with the predicted ligand binding sites are consistent with the results of the affinity labeling experiments.

Conformational and electrostatic similarity between polyprotonated and Ca(2+)-bound mu-opioid peptides

In a previous paper (Zhorov and Ananthanarayanan, J. Biomol, Struct. Dynam. 1995, 13:1-13) we had calculated the minimum-energy conformations of monoprotonated and zwitterionic mu-opioid peptides and demonstrated the remarkable similarity between Ca(2+)-bound morphine on the one hand and the Ca(2+)-bound forms of these peptides on the other. We postulated that the Ca(2+)-bound forms of mu-opioids would activate the mu-receptor. To assess further the involvement of multiple positive charges on some of the mu-opioid ligands in their interaction with the receptor, we have, in this work, studied the geometry of five mu-opioid peptides containing two to four protonated groups and having chemical structures essentially different from the endogenous mu-opioid peptide Met-enkephalin (EK). Conformational space was searched using the Monte Carlo-with-energy-minimization method. Ca(2+)-bound forms of the selected peptides were found to be energetically unfavourable implying that one of the protonated groups plays a role similar to that Ca2+ plays in EK-Ca2+ complex. Bioactive conformations of the polyprotonated peptides were then selected using the criteria formulated earlier for Ca(2+)-bound ligands as well as additional criteria requiring ligands to have an elongated conical overall shape complementary to the interface between the transmembrane segments of mu-receptor. Low-energy conformations meeting these criteria were found in all the peptides considered, the protonated groups being separated from each other by about 8 and 16 A. The possible role of the ligands' cationic groups in mu-receptor activation is discussed.

Functional coupling of the delta-, mu-, and kappa-opioid receptors to mitogen-activated protein kinase and arachidonate release in Chinese hamster ovary cells

To examine whether the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) are involved in the signal transduction mechanism of the opioid receptor, the delta-, mu-, and kappa-opioid receptors were stably expressed from cDNA in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Activation of the delta-, mu-, and kappa-receptors by agonists induced a rapid and transient increase in MAPK activity accompanied by reduced electrophoretic mobility of the 42-kDa isoform of MAPK (p42), probably owing to phosphorylation. The opioid receptor-mediated increase in MAPK activity was suppressed not only by pretreatment with genistein, a tyrosine protein kinase inhibitor, but also by prolonged exposure to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and pretreatment with GF 109203X, a selective protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, suggesting the involvement of PKC as well as tyrosine protein kinase. Furthermore, stimulation of the delta-, mu-, and kappa-receptors with opioid agonists in the presence of A23187, a calcium ionophore, resulted in an increase in arachidonate release, suggesting that PLA2 is activated by the opioid receptors when the intracellular Ca2+ concentration is elevated. Both MAPK activation and increase in arachidonate release mediated by the opioid receptors were abolished by pretreatment with pertussis toxin, suggesting that these responses are mediated by Gi or Go types of GTP-binding regulatory proteins.