Pharmacological characterization of [D-Ala2,Leu5,Ser6]enkephalin (DALES): antinociceptive actions at the delta non-complexed-opioid receptor

Dual efficacy of delta opioid receptor-selective ligands for ethanol drinking and anxiety

Alcoholism and anxiety disorders have a huge impact on society and afflict 17.6 million and 40 million people in the United States, respectively. A strong comorbidity exists between alcoholism and anxiety disorders. Indeed, alcohol withdrawal-induced anxiety is a primary contributing factor for relapse, and anxiolytics are a common adjuvant therapy prescribed for treatment-seeking alcoholics. It is thought that the use of alcohol to self-medicate and relieve anxiety contributes to the development of addiction. Treatment for anxiety disorders and alcoholism exist but are not universally effective. The delta opioid receptor (DOR) plays a role in both alcohol consumption and anxiety, making it a very interesting clinical target. Two pharmacologically distinct DORs have been described: DOR1 and DOR2. We find here that the relative specificity of DOR agonists for DOR1 or DOR2 can greatly affect the effects they exert on ethanol consumption and anxiety. The DOR1 agonist 2-methyl-4aα-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2,3,4,4a,5,12,12aα-octahydro-quinolino[2,3,30g]isoquinoline (TAN-67), although not effective in decreasing anxiety-like behavior in naive mice, has anxiolytic-like properties in ethanol-withdrawn mice. In contrast, a less subtype-selective agonist, (+)-4-[(αR)-α-((2S,5R)-4-allyl-2,5-dimethyl-1-piperazinyl)-3-methoxybenzyl]-N,N-diethylbenzamide (SNC80), while also reducing anxiety-like behavior, increases ethanol consumption. In addition, we found that the conical anxiolytic diazepam [DZ; 7-chloro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-3H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2(1H)-one] is a less effective anxiolytic in ethanol-withdrawn mice than in naive mice. Together, our findings suggest that selective DOR agonists can decrease anxiety-like behavior and are more effective than diazepam at reducing ethanol consumption. We believe the dual efficacy of DOR1 agonists makes these receptors an interesting therapeutic target for treatment-seeking alcoholics.

Quantitative autoradiographic mapping of opioid receptors in the brain of delta-opioid receptor gene knockout mice

Using quantitative receptor autoradiography we have determined if deletion of the delta-opioid receptor gene (Oprd1) results in compensatory changes in the expression of other opioid receptors. Gene targeting was used to delete exon 1 of the mouse delta-opioid receptor gene and autoradiography was carried out on brains from wild-type, heterozygous and homozygous knockout mice. Delta-opioid receptors were labeled with [(3)H]deltorphin I (7 nM), mu- with [(3)H]DAMGO (4 nM), and kappa- with [(3)H]CI-977 (2.5 nM) or [(3)H]bremazocine (2 nM in the presence of DPDPE and DAMGO) and non-specific binding determined with naloxone. [(3)H]Deltorphin I binding was reduced by approximately 50% in heterozygous animals. In homozygous animals specific binding could only be detected after long-term film exposure (12 weeks). Regions exhibiting this residual [(3)H]deltorphin I binding correlated significantly with those demonstrating high levels of the mu-receptor and were abolished in the presence of the mu-agonist DAMGO. Autoradiographic mapping showed significant overall reductions in [(3)H]DAMGO and [(3)H]CI-977 binding throughout the brain following loss of both copies of the Oprd1 gene. In contrast, overall levels of [(3)H]bremazocine binding were higher in brains from -/- than +/+ mice. Our findings suggest that residual [(3)H]deltorphin I binding in the brain of delta-receptor gene knockout mice is the result of cross-reactivity with mu-sites and that there are no delta-receptor subtypes derived from a different gene. Changes in mu- and kappa-receptor labeling suggest compensatory changes in these subtypes in response to the absence of the delta-receptor. The differences in [(3)H]CI-977 and [(3)H]bremazocine binding indicate these ligands show differential recognition of the kappa-receptor.

mu/delta Cooperativity and opposing kappa-opioid effects in nucleus accumbens-mediated antinociception in the rat

We previously demonstrated that noxious peripheral stimulation (e.g. subdermal capsaicin injection in the hind paw) produces antinociception that is mediated by opioid receptors in nucleus accumbens. The current study used the trigeminal jaw-opening nociceptive reflex responses in the rat to assess the role of intra-accumbens mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptors in the antinociceptive effect of noxious stimulation and intra-accumbens opioid agonism. Whilst intra-accumbens injection of either the mu-receptor-selective antagonist Cys2,Tyr3,Orn5,Pen7amide (CTOP) or the delta-receptor-selective antagonist naltrindole blocked capsaicin-induced antinociception, neither the selective mu-agonist [D-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly5-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO; 150 or 300 ng) nor the selective delta-agonist D-Pen2,5-enkephalin (DPDPE; 150 or 300 ng) alone induced antinociception. Simultaneous injection of DAMGO and DPDPE (150 ng each), however, produced significant antinociception. Capsaicin-induced antinociception was not blocked by the selective kappa-receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphimine, but was blocked by the kappa-agonist U69,593. U69,593 also antagonized the antinociceptive effect of the DAMGO/DPDPE combination. Thus, in nucleus accumbens, mu- and delta- but not kappa-opioid receptors contributed to capsaicin-induced antinociception; selective activation of individual receptor subtypes was insufficient, but coactivation of mu- and delta-opioid receptors induced antinociception, and kappa-receptors appeared to play an antianalgesic role in nucleus accumbens.

Novel met-enkephalin analogue: a potent systemic mu agonist antinociceptive agent

A new met-enkephalin analogue (compound 82/205) was evaluated for its opioidergic activity in mice. The compound showed antinociception (warm water tail-flick test), tolerance, cross tolerance to morphine and physical dependence. The time course of antinociceptive effect of the compound was comparable to morphine. The antinociceptive ED50 (mumol kg-1, i.p.) values for the compound and morphine base were 5.31 and 7.59, respectively. Its antinociceptive effect was blocked by naloxone, beta-FNA (mu antagonist) and naloxonazine (mu1 antagonist) but not by ICI 174,864 (delta antagonist). Naloxone precipitated withdrawal jumpings were 2.6 times less in compound 82/205 treated mice than the morphine treated group. The new analogue compound 82/205 is a potent mu agonist antinociceptive with a possible weak dependence liability.

Opioid peptide receptor studies. 1. Identification of a novel delta-opioid receptor binding site in rat brain membranes

Our laboratory was among the first to propose the existence of delta receptor subtypes: a delta site thought to be associated with a mu-delta-opioid receptor complex termed the delta cx binding site and delta site not associated with the mu-delta-opioid receptor complex, termed the delta ncx site. In previous studies, we assayed the delta cx site with [3H][D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin using rat brain membranes depleted of delta ncx sites by pretreatment with the site-directed acylating agent, (+)-trans-SUPERFIT. In the present study, we investigated, using (+)-trans-SUPERFIT-pretreated membranes, the possibility of heterogeneity of the delta cx binding site. Two sites were resolved: the delta cx-1 site at which mu ligands are potent noncompetitive inhibitors and delta ligands are weak competitive inhibitors, and the delta cx-2 site where delta ligands are potent and mu ligands are weak, mixed competitive-noncompetitive inhibitors. Although the delta cx-2 site has a delta-like ligand-selectivity profile, several experiments distinguished it from the delta ncx site. Two lines of evidence suggest that the delta ncx site corresponds to the cloned delta receptor. One, the delta receptor was cloned from the NG108-15 cell line, and this receptor, like the delta ncx binding site, irreversibly binds SUPERFIT and (+)-trans-SUPERFIT. Secondly, administration of delta-antisense DNA selectively decreases delta ncx binding. Viewed collectively, the major finding of this study is the discovery of a novel SUPERFIT-insensitive and delta-antisense-insensitive delta cx-2 binding site.

Identification of a human delta opioid receptor: cloning and expression

The delta opioid receptor is an important target for analgesic drug development. This report describes the identification of delta opioid receptor clones from human cDNA libraries and the preparation of a human delta receptor cDNA in the pcDNA3 expression vector for transfection studies. The cDNA encodes a 372 amino acid protein that has 93% amino acid identity to mouse and rat delta receptors. COS-7 cells transfected with this clone express over 1.0 pmol receptor/mg protein when measured by saturation binding with [3H]naltrindole. The delta receptor selective ligands NTB, BNTX, [4'-Cl-Phe4]DPDPE and [D-Ala2,Glu4]deltorphin all have Ki values under 10 nM while the affinities of the mu and kappa opioid receptor ligands CTAP and U-69593, respectively, are over 4.0 microM. Agonists show binding to multiple affinity states of the receptor consistent with the presence of G-protein coupled and uncoupled forms of the expressed receptor. The 8-fold higher affinity of NTB relative to BNTX suggests that the human delta receptor is of the delta 2 subtype.

Differential binding of opioid peptides and other drugs to two subtypes of opioid delta ncx binding sites in mouse brain: further evidence for delta receptor heterogeneity

Research into the functional role of the opioid delta receptor has intensified with the recent in vivo identification of delta receptor subtypes, termed delta 1 and delta 2, which mediate antinociception in the mouse. A variety of data also support the hypothesis of an opioid receptor complex composed of distinct, yet interacting, mu, delta, and perhaps kappa binding sites. This model postulates two classes of delta binding sites: a delta binding site not associated with the opioid receptor complex, termed the delta ncx site, and a delta site associated with the receptor complex, termed the delta cx site. A major purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between the delta ncx binding sites and the delta 1 and delta 2 receptors. Mouse brain membranes were depleted of mu sites by pretreatment with the site-directed acylating agent, BIT, and the delta ncx binding sites were labeled with [3H][D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin. Binding surface analysis readily resolved two binding sites (delta ncx-1 and delta ncx-2) in the absence and presence of 100 mM NaCl. Control experiments with guanine nucleotides and the ligand-selectivity analysis indicated that the two sites were not two states of a single receptor. Pretreatment of membranes with DALCE, but not [Cys4]deltorphin, decreased [3H] [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin and [3H][D-Ser2,Thr6]enkephalin binding. Ligand-selectivity analysis of the two binding sites suggested that neither delta ncx binding site had the characteristics expected of the delta 2 receptor, and that the delta ncx-1 site, but not the delta ncx-2 site, was synonymous with the delta 1 receptor. Moreover, our finding that the racemic nonpeptide delta agonist, BW373U86, had high affinity at and selectivity for the delta ncx-2 site suggests that this site may be a novel delta receptor that mediates some of the effects of BW373U86.

Pseudoirreversible binding characteristics of [D-Ala2,Glu4]deltorphin and its Cys4 substituted derivative to delta-opioid receptors

Following the identification of [D-Ala2,Glu4]deltorphin as a selective delta 2-opioid receptor agonist in vivo, we synthesized the Cys4-substituted analogue as a potential ligand which might bind 'irreversibly' at this site through a proposed thiol-disulfide exchange mechanism. Previous studies showed that intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) pretreatment with [D-Ala2,Cys4]deltorphin, 24 h prior to antinociceptive testing, produced a selective antagonism of [D-Ala2,Glu4]deltorphin-induced antinociception in mice. Surprisingly, however, the Ser4-analogue (synthesized as a control) and even the parent molecule, [D-Ala2,Glu4]deltorphin, had the same antagonistic effect following pretreatment in vivo, while pretreatment with an equiantinociceptive dose of [D-Ser2,Leu5,Thr6]-enkephalin, a structurally unrelated delta 2-opioid receptor agonist did not exhibit long-lasting antinociceptive actions. These data raised questions regarding the mechanism of the antagonism observed in vivo with the deltorphins; the present studies have attempted to explore these issues using radioligand binding techniques. The results demonstrate a decrease in the Bmax of [tyrosyl-3',5'-3H,D-Pen2,p-Cl-Phe4,D-Pen5]-enkephalin ([3H]p-Cl-DPDPE) (delta-opioid receptor ligand) following i.c.v. pretreatment of mice (at -24 h) with [D-Ala2,Cys4]deltorphin or [D-Ala2,Glu4]deltorphin, but not with [D-Ala2,Ser4]deltorphin, suggesting a difference in mechanism of antagonism seen in vivo with these compounds. Incubation of mouse whole brain homogenates in vitro with [D-Ala2,Cys4]deltorphin or with [D-Ala2,Glu4]deltorphin, also resulted in a decrease in the radioligand binding of [3H]p-Cl-DPDPE, but this effect was not prevented by coincubation with dithiothreitol, a thiol-reducing agent.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A study of the effect of the irreversible delta receptor antagonist [D-Ala2,Leu5,Cys6]-enkephalin on delta cx and delta ncx opioid binding sites in vitro and in vivo

Several lines of data support the existence of two classes of delta receptors: the delta cx binding site, which is the delta binding site of the mu-delta opioid receptor complex, and the delta ncx, which is the noncomplexed delta receptor. [D-Ala2,Leu5,Cys6]Enkephalin (DALCE) is an extended analog of [Leu5]enkephalin, which has been shown to bind irreversibly to delta receptors via the terminal cysteine by formation of a disulfide bond with the receptor. In vivo studies have shown that DALCE produces short-lived antinociceptive actions, followed by long-term antagonism of delta receptor-mediated antinociception. The major goal of the present study was to examine the effect of DALCE on the delta cx and delta ncx binding sites in vitro and in vivo. Intracerebroventricular administration of 40 micrograms DALCE failed to decrease [3H][D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin binding to the delta cx and delta ncx binding sites. Pretreatment of membranes with DALCE in vitro greatly reduced the Bmax of the delta ncx binding site, without significantly altering the Bmax of the delta cx binding site. These findings suggest that when administered in vivo, DALCE fails to distribute uniformly throughout the brain, and that it therefore binds covalently to opioid receptors mostly in the periventricular regions. Viewed collectively, these data support the hypothesis that DALCE acts as a selective delta ncx antagonist, and that the delta ncx binding site, which is sensitive to DALCE, is most likely synonymous with the recently described delta 1 receptor.

Hypothermic effect of D-Ala-deltorphin II, a selective delta opioid receptor agonist

The natural heptapeptide D-Ala-deltorphin II, the most selective agonist for delta-receptors currently available, was used to study the role of brain delta opioid receptors in the control of body temperature. In rats placed in a cold ambient temperature (4 degrees C), intracerebroventricular injections of D-Ala-deltorphin II produced a significant hypothermia. In animals at an ambient temperature of 22 degrees C, only the highest dose employed induced a slight fall in body temperature. At a warm temperature (34 degrees C), D-Ala-deltorphin II induced no significant changes in body temperature. D-Ala-deltorphin II-induced hypothermia, unaffected by naloxone, was significantly reduced by the selective delta receptor antagonist naltrindole. These findings indicate that D-Ala-deltorphin II produces its hypothermic effects at a supraspinal delta receptor, and support the involvement of delta receptors in central control of body temperature.