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Hovah ME, Holzgrabe U. Bivalent and bitopic ligands of the opioid receptors: The prospects of a dual approach. Med Res Rev 2024; 44:2545-2599. [PMID: 38751227 DOI: 10.1002/med.22050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024]
Abstract
Opioid receptors belonging to the class A G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the targets of choice in the treatment of acute and chronic pain. However, their on-target side effects such as respiratory depression, tolerance and addiction have led to the advent of the 'opioid crisis'. In the search for safer analgesics, bivalent and more recently, bitopic ligands have emerged as valuable tool compounds to probe these receptors. The activity of bivalent and bitopic ligands rely greatly on the allosteric nature of the GPCRs. Bivalent ligands consist of two pharmacophores, each binding to the individual orthosteric binding site (OBS) of the monomers within a dimer. Bitopic or dualsteric ligands bridge the gap between the OBS and the spatially distinct, less conserved allosteric binding site (ABS) through the simultaneous occupation of these two sites. Bivalent and bitopic ligands stabilize distinct conformations of the receptors which ultimately translates into unique signalling and pharmacological profiles. Some of the interesting properties shown by these ligands include improved affinity and/or efficacy, subtype and/or functional selectivity and reduced side effects. This review aims at providing an overview of some of the bivalent and bitopic ligands of the opioid receptors and, their pharmacology in the hope of inspiring the design and discovery of the next generation of opioid analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Emilie Hovah
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Holzgrabe
- Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Wuerzburg, Am Hubland, Wuerzburg, Germany
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2
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Singleton S, Dieterle C, Walker DJ, Runeberg T, Oswald AS, Rosenqvist G, Robertson L, McCarthy T, Sarkar S, Baptista-Hon D, Hales TG. Activation of μ receptors by SR-17018 through a distinctive mechanism. Neuropharmacology 2024; 258:110093. [PMID: 39067665 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.110093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Agonists at μ opioid receptors relieve acute pain, however, their long-term use is limited by side effects, which may involve β-arrestin2. Agonists biased against β-arrestin2 recruitment may be advantageous. However, the classification of bias may be compromised by assays utilising overexpressed μ receptors which overestimate efficacy for G-protein activation. There is a need for re-evaluation with restricted receptor availability to determine accurate agonist efficacies. We depleted μ receptor availability in PathHunter CHO cells using the irreversible antagonist, β-funaltrexamine (β-FNA), and compared efficacies and apparent potencies of twelve agonists, including several previously reported as biased, in β-arrestin2 recruitment and cAMP assays. With full receptor availability all agonists had partial efficacy for stimulating β-arrestin2 recruitment relative to DAMGO, while only TRV130 and buprenorphine were partial agonists as inhibitors of cAMP accumulation. Limiting receptor availability by prior exposure to β-FNA (100 nM) revealed morphine, oxycodone, PZM21, herkinorin, U47700, tianeptine and U47931e are also partial agonists in the cAMP assay. The efficacies of all agonists, except SR-17018, correlated between β-arrestin2 recruitment and cAMP assays, with depleted receptor availability in the latter. Furthermore, naloxone and cyprodime exhibited non-competitive antagonism of SR-17018 in the β-arrestin2 recruitment assay. Limited antagonism by naloxone was also non-competitive in the cAMP assay, while cyprodime was competitive. Furthermore, SR-17018 only negligibly diminished β-arrestin2 recruitment stimulated by DAMGO (1 μM), whereas fentanyl, morphine and TRV130 all exhibited the anticipated competitive inhibition. The data suggest that SR-17018 achieves bias against β-arrestin2 recruitment through interactions with μ receptors outside the orthosteric agonist site. This article is part of the Special Issue on "Ligand Bias".
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Singleton
- Institute of Academic Anaesthesia, Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 9SY, UK
| | - Clara Dieterle
- Institute of Academic Anaesthesia, Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 9SY, UK
| | - David J Walker
- Institute of Academic Anaesthesia, Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 9SY, UK
| | - Tyko Runeberg
- Institute of Academic Anaesthesia, Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 9SY, UK
| | - Andrew S Oswald
- Institute of Academic Anaesthesia, Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 9SY, UK
| | - Greta Rosenqvist
- Institute of Academic Anaesthesia, Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 9SY, UK; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Laura Robertson
- Institute of Academic Anaesthesia, Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 9SY, UK
| | - Taylor McCarthy
- Institute of Academic Anaesthesia, Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 9SY, UK
| | - Shuvam Sarkar
- Institute of Academic Anaesthesia, Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 9SY, UK
| | - Daniel Baptista-Hon
- Institute of Academic Anaesthesia, Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 9SY, UK; Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau SAR, China
| | - Tim G Hales
- Institute of Academic Anaesthesia, Division of Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 9SY, UK.
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Zamarripa CA, Pareek T, Pham LM, Blough BE, Schrock HM, Vallender EJ, Sufka KJ, Freeman KB. Comparison of the reinforcing, antinociceptive, and respiratory depressant effects of prototypical and G-protein biased mu-opioid receptor agonists in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024:10.1007/s00213-024-06690-x. [PMID: 39333403 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06690-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 09/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/29/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE G-protein biased mu-opioid receptor (MOR) agonists have been reported to exhibit superior therapeutic windows compared to prototypical MOR agonists when relating antinociception to respiratory depression. However, there is relatively little research on the abuse potential of G-protein biased MOR agonists in relation to other behavioral endpoints. OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to quantitatively compare the reinforcing, antinociceptive, and respiratory-depressant effects of the prototypical MOR agonists, fentanyl and oxycodone, to the G-protein biased MOR agonists, SR14968 and SR17018, in male and female rats. METHODS In the self-administration study, four separate groups of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats self-administered intravenous (i.v.) fentanyl, oxycodone, SR14968, and SR17018 under a progressive-ratio schedule of reinforcement. Using a within-subjects design, separate cohorts of SD rats were tested with i.v. fentanyl, oxycodone, SR14968, and SR17018 using a hot-plate assay, assays of neuropathic and inflammatory antinociception, and whole-body plethysmography. RESULTS All MOR agonists functioned as reinforcers, but SR14968 and SR17018 were less efficacious relative to oxycodone and fentanyl. Moreover, all MOR agonists produced dose-dependent and fully efficacious antinociception across all nociception modalities. Oxycodone and fentanyl, but not SR14968 or SR17018, produced respiratory depression in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION The present results indicate that the G-protein biased MOR agonists tested herein produce MOR-typical antinociception, exhibit reduced but apparent abuse potential, and do not produce respiratory effects at doses that are above the antinociceptive range. Atypical MOR agonists within the SR series should be further studied as foundational molecules for the development of safter analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Austin Zamarripa
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA.
| | - Tanya Pareek
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Loc M Pham
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | | | - Hayley M Schrock
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Eric J Vallender
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Kenneth J Sufka
- Department of Psychology, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, USA
| | - Kevin B Freeman
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
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Su LY, Jiao L, Liu Q, Qiao X, Xie T, Ma Z, Xu M, Ye MS, Yang LX, Chen C, Yao YG. S-nitrosoglutathione reductase alleviates morphine analgesic tolerance by restricting PKCα S-nitrosation. Redox Biol 2024; 75:103239. [PMID: 38901102 PMCID: PMC11253161 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2024.103239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Morphine, a typical opiate, is widely used for controlling pain but can lead to various side effects with long-term use, including addiction, analgesic tolerance, and hyperalgesia. At present, however, the mechanisms underlying the development of morphine analgesic tolerance are not fully understood. This tolerance is influenced by various opioid receptor and kinase protein modifications, such as phosphorylation and ubiquitination. Here, we established a murine morphine tolerance model to investigate whether and how S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) is involved in morphine tolerance. Repeated administration of morphine resulted in the down-regulation of GSNOR, which increased excessive total protein S-nitrosation in the prefrontal cortex. Knockout or chemical inhibition of GSNOR promoted the development of morphine analgesic tolerance and neuron-specific overexpression of GSNOR alleviated morphine analgesic tolerance. Mechanistically, GSNOR deficiency enhanced S-nitrosation of cellular protein kinase alpha (PKCα) at the Cys78 and Cys132 sites, leading to inhibition of PKCα kinase activity, which ultimately promoted the development of morphine analgesic tolerance. Our study highlighted the significant role of GSNOR as a key regulator of PKCα S-nitrosation and its involvement in morphine analgesic tolerance, thus providing a potential therapeutic target for morphine tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Yan Su
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, and KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650204, China; College of Food Science and Technology, and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Precision Nutrition and Personalized Food Manufacturing, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650201, China
| | - Lijin Jiao
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, and KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650204, China
| | - Qianjin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, and KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650204, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650204, China
| | - Xinhua Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules (CAS), National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Ting Xie
- Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules (CAS), National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Zhiyu Ma
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, and KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650204, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650204, China
| | - Min Xu
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, and KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650204, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650204, China
| | - Mao-Sen Ye
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, and KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650204, China
| | - Lu-Xiu Yang
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, and KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650204, China
| | - Chang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules (CAS), National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Yong-Gang Yao
- Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms, and KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650204, China; Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650204, China; National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), National Resource Center for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, 650107, China.
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Ding Z, Zhang C, Yang H, Chen J, Sun Z, Zhen X. KCTD proteins regulate morphine dependence via heterologous sensitization of adenylyl cyclase 1 in mice. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002716. [PMID: 39008526 PMCID: PMC11271871 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Heterologous sensitization of adenylyl cyclase (AC) results in elevated cAMP signaling transduction that contributes to drug dependence. Inhibiting cullin3-RING ligases by blocking the neddylation of cullin3 abolishes heterologous sensitization, however, the modulating mechanism remains uncharted. Here, we report an essential role of the potassium channel tetramerization domain (KCTD) protein 2, 5, and 17, especially the dominant isoform KCTD5 in regulating heterologous sensitization of AC1 and morphine dependence via working with cullin3 and the cullin-associated and neddylation-dissociated 1 (CAND1) protein. In cellular models, we observed enhanced association of KCTD5 with Gβ and cullin3, along with elevated dissociation of Gβ from AC1 as well as of CAND1 from cullin3 in heterologous sensitization of AC1. Given binding of CAND1 inhibits the neddylation of cullin3, we further elucidated that the enhanced interaction of KCTD5 with both Gβ and cullin3 promoted the dissociation of CAND1 from cullin3, attenuated the inhibitory effect of CAND1 on cullin3 neddylation, ultimately resulted in heterologous sensitization of AC1. The paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PVT) plays an important role in mediating morphine dependence. Through pharmacological and biochemical approaches, we then demonstrated that KCTD5/cullin3 regulates morphine dependence via modulating heterologous sensitization of AC, likely AC1 in PVT in mice. In summary, the present study revealed the underlying mechanism of heterologous sensitization of AC1 mediated by cullin3 and discovered the role of KCTD proteins in regulating morphine dependence in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong Ding
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Chunsheng Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Huicui Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jiaojiao Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhiruo Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xuechu Zhen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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6
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Snyder GL, Li P, Martin T, Zhang L, Yao W, Zheng H, Maguire DR, Gerak LR, Vanover KE, France CP, Davis R. Pharmacologic profile of ITI-333: a novel molecule for treatment of substance use disorders. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024; 241:1477-1490. [PMID: 38710856 PMCID: PMC11199232 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06578-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Medications are urgently needed to treat symptoms of drug withdrawal and mitigate dysphoria and psychiatric comorbidities that drive opioid abuse and relapse. ITI-333 is a novel molecule in development for treatment of substance use disorders, psychiatric comorbidities, and pain. OBJECTIVE Characterize the preclinical profile of ITI-333 using pharmacological, behavioral, and physiological assays. METHODS Cell-based assays were used to measure receptor binding and intrinsic efficacy of ITI-333; animal models were employed to assess effects on opioid reinstatement, precipitated oxycodone withdrawal, and drug abuse liability. RESULTS In vitro, ITI-333 is a potent 5-HT2A receptor antagonist (Ki = 8 nM) and a biased, partial agonist at μ-opioid (MOP) receptors (Ki = 11 nM; lacking β-arrestin agonism) with lesser antagonist activity at adrenergic α1A (Ki = 28 nM) and dopamine D1 (Ki = 50 nM) receptors. In vivo, ITI-333 blocks 5-HT2A receptor-mediated head twitch and MOP receptor-mediated effects on motor hyperactivity in mice. ITI-333 alone is a naloxone-sensitive analgesic (mice) which suppresses somatic signs of naloxone-precipitated oxycodone withdrawal (mice) and heroin cue-induced reinstatement responding without apparent tolerance or physical dependence after chronic dosing (rats). ITI-333 did not acutely impair gastrointestinal or pulmonary function (rats) and was not intravenously self-administered by heroin-maintained rats or rhesus monkeys. CONCLUSIONS ITI-333 acts as a potent 5-HT2A receptor antagonist, as well a biased MOP receptor partial agonist with low intrinsic efficacy. ITI-333 mitigates opioid withdrawal/reinstatement, supporting its potential utility as a treatment for OUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gretchen L Snyder
- Intra-Cellular Therapies Inc., 430 East 29th Street, Suite 900, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
| | - Peng Li
- Intra-Cellular Therapies Inc., 430 East 29th Street, Suite 900, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Terry Martin
- Intra-Cellular Therapies Inc., 430 East 29th Street, Suite 900, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Lei Zhang
- Intra-Cellular Therapies Inc., 430 East 29th Street, Suite 900, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Wei Yao
- Intra-Cellular Therapies Inc., 430 East 29th Street, Suite 900, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - Hailin Zheng
- Intra-Cellular Therapies Inc., 430 East 29th Street, Suite 900, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - David R Maguire
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive (Mail Code 7764), San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA
- Addiction Research, Treatment and Training Center of Excellence, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Lisa R Gerak
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive (Mail Code 7764), San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA
- Addiction Research, Treatment and Training Center of Excellence, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | | | - Charles P France
- University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive (Mail Code 7764), San Antonio, TX, 78229-3900, USA
- Addiction Research, Treatment and Training Center of Excellence, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Robert Davis
- Intra-Cellular Therapies Inc., 430 East 29th Street, Suite 900, New York, NY, 10016, USA
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Cui D, Zhang Y, Zhang M. The effect of cannabinoid type 2 receptor agonist on morphine tolerance. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2024; 16:43-50. [PMID: 38145173 PMCID: PMC10733637 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2023.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Pain highly impacts the quality of life of patients. Morphine is used for pain treatment; however, its side effects, especially morphine tolerance, limit its use in the clinic. The problem of morphine tolerance has plagued health workers and patients for years. Unfortunately, the exact mechanism of morphine tolerance has not been fully clarified. The mechanisms of morphine tolerance that are currently being studied may include μ-opioid receptor (MOR) desensitization and internalization, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway activation and crosstalk, the effects of microglia and the increase in inflammatory factors. Morphine tolerance can be alleviated by improving the pathophysiological changes that lead to morphine tolerance. Previous studies have shown that a cannabinoid type 2 (CB2) receptor agonist could attenuate morphine tolerance in a variety of animal models. Many studies have shown an interaction between the cannabinoid system and the opioid system. The CB2 receptor may modulate the effect of morphine through a pathway that is common to the MOR, since both receptors are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). This study introduces the potential mechanism of morphine tolerance and the effect of CB2 receptor agonists on reducing morphine tolerance, which can provide new ideas for researchers studying morphine and provide beneficial effects for patients suffering from morphine tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Cui
- Department of Anesthesiology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
| | - Mingyue Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, China
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8
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Makvand M, Mirtorabi SD, Campbell A, Zali A, Ahangari G. Exploring neuroadaptive cellular pathways in chronic morphine exposure: An in-vitro analysis of cabergoline and Mdivi-1 co-treatment effects on the autophagy-apoptosis axis. J Cell Biochem 2024; 125:e30558. [PMID: 38577900 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
The complex impacts of prolonged morphine exposure continue to be a significant focus in the expanding area of addiction studies. This research investigates the effectiveness of a combined treatment using Cabergoline and Mdivi-1 to counteract the neuroadaptive changes caused by in vitro morphine treatment. The impact of Methadone, Cabergoline, and a combination of Cabergoline and Mdivi-1 on the cellular and molecular responses associated with Morphine-induced changes was studied in human Neuroblastoma (SK-N-MC) and Glioblastoma (U87-MG) cell lines that were exposed to prolong Morphine treatment. Cabergoline and Mdivi-1 combined treatment effectively influenced the molecular alterations associated with neuroadaptation in chronic morphine-exposed neural cells. This combination therapy normalized autophagy and reduced oxidative stress by enhancing total-antioxidant capacity, mitigating apoptosis, restoring BDNF expression, and balancing apoptotic elements. Our research outlines morphine's dual role in modulating mitochondrial dynamics via the dysregulation of the autophagy-apoptosis axis. This emphasizes the significant involvement of DRP1 activity in neurological adaptation processes, as well as disturbances in the dopaminergic pathway during in vitro chronic exposure to morphine in neural cells. This study proposes a novel approach by recommending the potential effectiveness of combining Cabergoline and Mdivi-1 to modulate the neuroadaptations caused by morphine. Additionally, we identified BDNF and PCNA in neural cells as potential neuroprotective markers for assessing the effectiveness of drugs against opioid toxicity, emphasizing the need for further validation. The study uncovers diverse effects observed in pretreated morphine glioblastoma cells under treatment with Cabergoline and methadone. This highlights the potential for new treatments in the DRD2 pathway and underscores the importance of investigating the interplay between autophagy and apoptosis to advance research in managing cancer-related pain. The study necessitates an in-depth investigation into the relationship between autophagy and apoptosis, with a specific emphasis on protein interactions and the dynamics of cell signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Makvand
- Department of Medical Genetics, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Arezoo Campbell
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, USA
| | - Alireza Zali
- Functional Neurosurgery Research Center, Shohada Tajrish Comprehensive Neurosurgical Center of Excellence, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ghasem Ahangari
- Department of Medical Genetics, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
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9
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Badshah I, Anwar M, Murtaza B, Khan MI. Molecular mechanisms of morphine tolerance and dependence; novel insights and future perspectives. Mol Cell Biochem 2024; 479:1457-1485. [PMID: 37470850 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-023-04810-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Drug addiction is a devastating condition that poses a serious burden on the society. The use of some drugs like morphine for their tremendous analgesic properties is also accompanied with developing tolerance, dependence and the withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms are frequently severe enough to reinforce the person in recovery to start over the use of drug again and hinder the clinical use of drugs like morphine for chronic pain. Research into opioid receptors and related molecular pathways has seen resurgence in the wake of the growing opioid epidemic. The current study provides a comprehensive scientific exploration of the molecular mechanisms and underlying signalling in morphine tolerance and dependence. It also critically evaluates current therapeutic approaches, shedding light on their efficacy and limitations, and future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismail Badshah
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, G-7/4 Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Maira Anwar
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, G-7/4 Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Babar Murtaza
- Riphah Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, G-7/4 Campus, Islamabad, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Imran Khan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Pak Austria Fachhochschule: Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology, Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
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10
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Avila-Zozaya M, Zachariou V. Genetic mouse models in opioid research: current status and future directions. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2024; 131:491-494. [PMID: 38436758 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-024-02762-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic and semi-synthetic opioids are prescribed for the management of severe pain conditions, but their long-term use is often leading to physical dependence and addiction disorders. Understanding the complex neurobiology of the opioid system in preclinical models will be essential for the development of safe and efficacious analgesics. With rising numbers of synthetic opioid users and overdose cases, a better understanding of the neuroanatomical and cellular pathways associated with physical dependence and addiction is expected to guide treatment approaches for opioid use disorders. In this commentary, we highlight the importance of advanced genetic mouse models for studying the regional effects of opioid receptors, and we discuss the need of genetic mouse models for the investigation of the regional, circuit and cell compartment-specific role of intracellular mediators of opioid actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monserrat Avila-Zozaya
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Venetia Zachariou
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
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11
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Eliasof A, Liu-Chen LY, Li Y. Peptide-derived ligands for the discovery of safer opioid analgesics. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:103950. [PMID: 38514040 PMCID: PMC11127667 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.103950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Drugs targeting the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) remain the most efficacious analgesics for the treatment of pain, but activation of MOR with current opioid analgesics also produces harmful side effects, notably physical dependence, addiction, and respiratory depression. Opioid peptides have been accepted as promising candidates for the development of safer and more efficacious analgesics. To develop peptide-based opioid analgesics, strategies such as modification of endogenous opioid peptides, development of multifunctional opioid peptides, G protein-biased opioid peptides, and peripherally restricted opioid peptides have been reported. This review seeks to provide an overview of the opioid peptides that produce potent antinociception with much reduced side effects in animal models and highlight the potential advantages of peptides as safer opioid analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbe Eliasof
- College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Lee-Yuan Liu-Chen
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Yangmei Li
- College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
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12
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Wang W, Ma X, Du W, Lin R, Li Z, Jiang W, Wang LY, Worley PF, Xu T. Small G-Protein Rheb Gates Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Signaling to Regulate Morphine Tolerance in Mice. Anesthesiology 2024; 140:786-802. [PMID: 38147625 DOI: 10.1097/aln.0000000000004885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Analgesic tolerance due to long-term use of morphine remains a challenge for pain management. Morphine acts on μ-opioid receptors and downstream of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathway to activate the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Rheb is an important regulator of growth and cell-cycle progression in the central nervous system owing to its critical role in the activation of mTOR. The hypothesis was that signaling via the GTP-binding protein Rheb in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord is involved in morphine-induced tolerance. METHODS Male and female wild-type C57BL/6J mice or transgenic mice (6 to 8 weeks old) were injected intrathecally with saline or morphine twice daily at 12-h intervals for 5 consecutive days to establish a tolerance model. Analgesia was assessed 60 min later using the tail-flick assay. After 5 days, the spine was harvested for Western blot or immunofluorescence analysis. RESULTS Chronic morphine administration resulted in the upregulation of spinal Rheb by 4.27 ± 0.195-fold (P = 0.0036, n = 6), in turn activating mTOR by targeting rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). Genetic overexpression of Rheb impaired morphine analgesia, resulting in a tail-flick latency of 4.65 ± 1.10 s (P < 0.0001, n = 7) in Rheb knock-in mice compared to 10 s in control mice (10 ± 0 s). Additionally, Rheb overexpression in spinal excitatory neurons led to mTORC1 signaling overactivation. Genetic knockout of Rheb or inhibition of mTORC1 signaling by rapamycin potentiated morphine-induced tolerance (maximum possible effect, 52.60 ± 9.56% in the morphine + rapamycin group vs. 16.60 ± 8.54% in the morphine group; P < 0.0001). Moreover, activation of endogenous adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase inhibited Rheb upregulation and retarded the development of morphine-dependent tolerance (maximum possible effect, 39.51 ± 7.40% in morphine + metformin group vs. 15.58 ± 5.79% in morphine group; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests spinal Rheb as a key molecular factor for regulating mammalian target of rapamycin signaling. EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenying Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaqing Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjie Du
- Department of Anesthesiology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Raozhou Lin
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Zhongping Li
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Wei Jiang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu-Yang Wang
- Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul F Worley
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Tao Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Suzhou Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Suzhou, China; and Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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13
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González AM, Jubete AG. Dualism, allosteric modulation, and biased signaling of opioid receptors: Future therapeutic potential. REVISTA ESPANOLA DE ANESTESIOLOGIA Y REANIMACION 2024; 71:298-303. [PMID: 37683976 DOI: 10.1016/j.redare.2022.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Opioids are still the drugs of choice for the treatment of acute post-surgical pain and chronic cancer pain. Overprescribing of these drugs has given rise to an "opioid crisis" in some countries. In this context, attention has been drawn to the therapeutic potential of various ligands that act as allosteric modulators of orthosteric binding sites and modulate the drug's activity, affinity, potency, and even efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M González
- Service of Anesthesiology, Universitary Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, Cantabria, Spain.
| | - A G Jubete
- Service of Anesthesiology, Universitary Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, Cantabria, Spain
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14
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Zhang YZ, Wang SY, Guo XC, Liu XH, Wang XF, Wang MM, Qiu TT, Han FT, Zhang Y, Wang CL. Novel endomorphin analogues CEMR-1 and CEMR-2 produce potent and long-lasting antinociception with a favourable side effect profile at the spinal level. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:1268-1289. [PMID: 37990825 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Endomorphins have shown great promise as pharmaceutics for the treatment of pain. We have previously confirmed that novel endomorphin analogues CEMR-1 and CEMR-2 behaved as potent μ agonists and displayed potent antinociceptive activities at the supraspinal and peripheral levels. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the antinociceptive properties of CEMR-1 and CEMR-2 following intrathecal (i.t.) administration. Furthermore, their antinociceptive tolerance and opioid-like side effects were also determined. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The spinal antinociceptive effects of CEMR-1 and CEMR-2 were determined in a series of pain models, including acute radiant heat paw withdrawal test, spared nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain, complete Freund's adjuvant-induced inflammatory pain, visceral pain and formalin pain. Antinociceptive tolerance was evaluated in radiant heat paw withdrawal test. KEY RESULTS Spinal administration of CEMR-1 and CEMR-2 produced potent and prolonged antinociceptive effects in acute pain. CEMR-1 and CEMR-2 may produce their antinociception through distinct μ receptor subtypes. These two analogues also exhibited significant analgesic activities in neuropathic, inflammatory, visceral and formalin pain at the spinal level. It is noteworthy that CEMR-1 showed non-tolerance-forming analgesic properties, while CEMR-2 exhibited substantially reduced antinociceptive tolerance. Furthermore, both analogues displayed no or reduced side effects on conditioned place preference response, physical dependence, locomotor activity and gastrointestinal transit. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The present investigation demonstrated that CEMR-1 and CEMR-2 displayed potent and long-lasting antinociception with a favourable side effect profile at the spinal level. Therefore, CEMR-1 and CEMR-2 might serve as promising analgesic compounds with minimal opioid-like side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Zhe Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Si-Yu Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Xue-Ci Guo
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Xiao-Han Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | | | - Meng-Meng Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Ting-Ting Qiu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Feng-Tong Han
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Chang-Lin Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
- State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, China
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15
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Kise R, Inoue A. GPCR signaling bias: an emerging framework for opioid drug development. J Biochem 2024; 175:367-376. [PMID: 38308136 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvae013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Biased signaling, also known as functional selectivity, has emerged as an important concept in drug development targeting G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Drugs that provoke biased signaling are expected to offer an opportunity for enhanced therapeutic effectiveness with minimized side effects. Opioid analgesics, whilst exerting potent pain-relieving effects, have become a social problem owing to their serious side effects. For the development of safer pain medications, there has been extensive exploration of agonists with a distinct balance of G-protein and β-arrestin (βarr) signaling. Recently, several approaches based on protein-protein interactions have been developed to precisely evaluate individual signal pathways, paving the way for the comprehensive analysis of biased signals. In this review, we describe an overview of bias signaling in opioid receptors, especially the μ-opioid receptor (MOR), and how to evaluate signaling bias in the GPCR field. We also discuss future directions for rational drug development through the integration of diverse signal datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoji Kise
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, 6-3, Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578, Japan
| | - Asuka Inoue
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, 6-3, Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578, Japan
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16
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Kajino K, Tokuda A, Saitoh T. Morphinan Evolution: The Impact of Advances in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. J Biochem 2024; 175:337-355. [PMID: 38382631 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvae021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Morphinan-based opioids, derived from natural alkaloids like morphine, codeine and thebaine, have long been pivotal in managing severe pain. However, their clinical utility is marred by significant side effects and high addiction potential. This review traces the evolution of the morphinan scaffold in light of advancements in biochemistry and molecular biology, which have expanded our understanding of opioid receptor pharmacology. We explore the development of semi-synthetic and synthetic morphinans, their receptor selectivity and the emergence of biased agonism as a strategy to dissociate analgesic properties from undesirable effects. By examining the molecular intricacies of opioid receptors and their signaling pathways, we highlight how receptor-type selectivity and signaling bias have informed the design of novel analgesics. This synthesis of historical and contemporary perspectives provides an overview of the morphinan landscape, underscoring the ongoing efforts to mitigate the problems facing opioids through smarter drug design. We also highlight that most morphinan derivatives show a preference for the G protein pathway, although detailed experimental comparisons are still necessary. This fact underscores the utility of the morphinan skeleton in future opioid drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keita Kajino
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (IIIS), University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
- Degree Programs in Pure and Applied Sciences, Graduate School of Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8571, Japan
| | - Akihisa Tokuda
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (IIIS), University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
- Doctoral Program in Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Saitoh
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (IIIS), University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
- Doctoral Program in Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
- Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
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17
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Gooding SW, Felth L, Foxall R, Rosa Z, Ireton K, Sall I, Gipoor J, Gaur A, King M, Dirks N, Whistler CA, Whistler JL. Deletion of arrestin-3 does not improve compulsive drug-seeking behavior in a longitudinal paradigm of oral morphine self-administration. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.03.30.534994. [PMID: 38562752 PMCID: PMC10983877 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.30.534994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Opioid drugs are potent analgesics that mimic the endogenous opioid peptides, endorphins and enkephalins, by activating the μ-opioid receptor. Opioid use is limited by side effects, including significant risk of opioid use disorder. Improvement of the effect/side effect profile of opioid medications is a key pursuit of opioid research, yet there is no consensus on how to achieve this goal. One hypothesis is that the degree of arrestin-3 recruitment to the μ-opioid receptor impacts therapeutic utility. However, it is not clear whether increased or decreased interaction of the μ-opioid receptor with arrestin-3 would reduce compulsive drug-seeking. To examine this question, we utilized three genotypes of mice with varying abilities to recruit arrestin-3 to the μ-opioid receptor in response to morphine in a novel longitudinal operant self-administration model. We demonstrate that arrestin-3 knockout and wild type mice have highly variable drug-seeking behavior with few genotype differences. In contrast, in mice where the μ-opioid receptor strongly recruits arrestin-3, drug-seeking behavior is much less varied. We created a quantitative method to define compulsivity in drug-seeking and found that mice lacking arrestin-3 were more likely to meet the criteria for compulsivity whereas mice with enhanced arrestin-3 recruitment did not develop a compulsive phenotype. Our data suggest that opioids that engage both G protein and arrestin-3, recapitulating the endogenous signaling pattern, will reduce abuse liability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lindsey Felth
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Randi Foxall
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, & Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire
| | - Zachary Rosa
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Kyle Ireton
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Izabella Sall
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, & Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire
| | - Joshua Gipoor
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Anirudh Gaur
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Madeline King
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Noah Dirks
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Cheryl A Whistler
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, & Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire
| | - Jennifer L Whistler
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, UC Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA, USA
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18
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Gooding SW, Whistler JL. A Balancing Act: Learning from the Past to Build a Future-Focused Opioid Strategy. Annu Rev Physiol 2024; 86:1-25. [PMID: 38029388 PMCID: PMC10987332 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-physiol-042022-015914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
The harmful side effects of opioid drugs such as respiratory depression, tolerance, dependence, and abuse potential have limited the therapeutic utility of opioids for their entire clinical history. However, no previous attempt to develop effective pain drugs that substantially ameliorate these effects has succeeded, and the current opioid epidemic affirms that they are a greater hindrance to the field of pain management than ever. Recent attempts at new opioid development have sought to reduce these side effects by minimizing engagement of the regulatory protein arrestin-3 at the mu-opioid receptor, but there is significant controversy around this approach. Here, we discuss the ongoing effort to develop safer opioids and its relevant historical context. We propose a new model that reconciles results previously assumed to be in direct conflict to explain how different signaling profiles at the mu-opioid receptor contribute to opioid tolerance and dependence. Our goal is for this framework to inform the search for a new generation of lower liability opioid analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer L Whistler
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, California, USA;
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, UC Davis School of Medicine, Davis, California, USA
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19
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Costa AR, Tavares I, Martins I. How do opioids control pain circuits in the brainstem during opioid-induced disorders and in chronic pain? Implications for the treatment of chronic pain. Pain 2024; 165:324-336. [PMID: 37578500 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Brainstem areas involved in descending pain modulation are crucial for the analgesic actions of opioids. However, the role of opioids in these areas during tolerance, opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH), and in chronic pain settings remains underappreciated. We conducted a revision of the recent studies performed in the main brainstem areas devoted to descending pain modulation with a special focus on the medullary dorsal reticular nucleus (DRt), as a distinctive pain facilitatory area and a key player in the diffuse noxious inhibitory control paradigm. We show that maladaptive processes within the signaling of the µ-opioid receptor (MOR), which entail desensitization and a switch to excitatory signaling, occur in the brainstem, contributing to tolerance and OIH. In the context of chronic pain, the alterations found are complex and depend on the area and model of chronic pain. For example, the downregulation of MOR and δ-opioid receptor (DOR) in some areas, including the DRt, during neuropathic pain likely contributes to the inefficacy of opioids. However, the upregulation of MOR and DOR, at the rostral ventromedial medulla, in inflammatory pain models, suggests therapeutic avenues to explore. Mechanistically, the rationale for the diversity and complexity of alterations in the brainstem is likely provided by the alternative splicing of opioid receptors and the heteromerization of MOR. In conclusion, this review emphasizes how important it is to consider the effects of opioids at these circuits when using opioids for the treatment of chronic pain and for the development of safer and effective opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rita Costa
- Department of Biomedicine, Unit of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- IBMC-Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- I3S- Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. Costa is now with the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden and Science for Life Laboratory, Solna, Sweden
| | - Isaura Tavares
- Department of Biomedicine, Unit of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- IBMC-Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- I3S- Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. Costa is now with the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden and Science for Life Laboratory, Solna, Sweden
| | - Isabel Martins
- Department of Biomedicine, Unit of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- IBMC-Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- I3S- Institute of Investigation and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. Costa is now with the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden and Science for Life Laboratory, Solna, Sweden
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20
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Kee TR, Khan SA, Neidhart MB, Masters BM, Zhao VK, Kim YK, McGill Percy KC, Woo JAA. The multifaceted functions of β-arrestins and their therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative diseases. Exp Mol Med 2024; 56:129-141. [PMID: 38212557 PMCID: PMC10834518 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01144-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Arrestins are multifunctional proteins that regulate G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) desensitization, signaling, and internalization. The arrestin family consists of four subtypes: visual arrestin1, β-arrestin1, β-arrestin2, and visual arrestin-4. Recent studies have revealed the multifunctional roles of β-arrestins beyond GPCR signaling, including scaffolding and adapter functions, and physically interacting with non-GPCR receptors. Increasing evidence suggests that β-arrestins are involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and Parkinson's disease (PD). β-arrestins physically interact with γ-secretase, leading to increased production and accumulation of amyloid-beta in AD. Furthermore, β-arrestin oligomers inhibit the autophagy cargo receptor p62/SQSTM1, resulting in tau accumulation and aggregation in FTD. In PD, β-arrestins are upregulated in postmortem brain tissue and an MPTP model, and the β2AR regulates SNCA gene expression. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of β-arrestin1 and β-arrestin2, and describe their physiological functions and roles in neurodegenerative diseases. The multifaceted roles of β-arrestins and their involvement in neurodegenerative diseases suggest that they may serve as promising therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa R Kee
- Department of Pathology, CWRU School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, USF Health College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - Sophia A Khan
- Department of Pathology, CWRU School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Maya B Neidhart
- Department of Pathology, CWRU School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Brianna M Masters
- Department of Pathology, CWRU School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Victoria K Zhao
- Department of Pathology, CWRU School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Yenna K Kim
- Department of Pathology, CWRU School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | | | - Jung-A A Woo
- Department of Pathology, CWRU School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
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21
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Jones RD. Information Transmission in G Protein-Coupled Receptors. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1621. [PMID: 38338905 PMCID: PMC10855935 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest class of receptors in the human genome and constitute about 30% of all drug targets. In this article, intended for a non-mathematical audience, both experimental observations and new theoretical results are compared in the context of information transmission across the cell membrane. The amount of information actually currently used or projected to be used in clinical settings is a small fraction of the information transmission capacity of the GPCR. This indicates that the number of yet undiscovered drug targets within GPCRs is much larger than what is currently known. Theoretical studies with some experimental validation indicate that localized heat deposition and dissipation are key to the identification of sites and mechanisms for drug action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger D Jones
- European Centre for Living Technology, University of Venice, 30123 Venice, Italy
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22
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Jiang C, Huang H, Yang X, Le Q, Liu X, Ma L, Wang F. Targeting mitochondrial dynamics of morphine-responsive dopaminergic neurons ameliorates opiate withdrawal. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e171995. [PMID: 38236644 PMCID: PMC10904060 DOI: 10.1172/jci171995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Converging studies demonstrate the dysfunction of the dopaminergic neurons following chronic opioid administration. However, the therapeutic strategies targeting opioid-responsive dopaminergic ensembles that contribute to the development of opioid withdrawal remain to be elucidated. Here, we used the neuronal activity-dependent Tet-Off system to label dopaminergic ensembles in response to initial morphine exposure (Mor-Ens) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Fiber optic photometry recording and transcriptome analysis revealed downregulated spontaneous activity and dysregulated mitochondrial respiratory, ultrastructure, and oxidoreductase signal pathways after chronic morphine administration in these dopaminergic ensembles. Mitochondrial fragmentation and the decreased mitochondrial fusion gene mitofusin 1 (Mfn1) were found in these ensembles after prolonged opioid withdrawal. Restoration of Mfn1 in the dopaminergic Mor-Ens attenuated excessive oxidative stress and the development of opioid withdrawal. Administration of Mdivi-1, a mitochondrial fission inhibitor, ameliorated the mitochondrial fragmentation and maladaptation of the neuronal plasticity in these Mor-Ens, accompanied by attenuated development of opioid withdrawal after chronic morphine administration, without affecting the analgesic effect of morphine. These findings highlighted the plastic architecture of mitochondria as a potential therapeutic target for opioid analgesic-induced substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changyou Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Departments of Neurosurgery and Hand Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China
| | - Han Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Departments of Neurosurgery and Hand Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Departments of Neurosurgery and Hand Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China
| | - Qiumin Le
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Departments of Neurosurgery and Hand Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China
| | - Xing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Departments of Neurosurgery and Hand Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China
| | - Lan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Departments of Neurosurgery and Hand Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China
| | - Feifei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science and School of Basic Medical Sciences, Departments of Neurosurgery and Hand Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Addiction Memory, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU009), Shanghai, China
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23
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Pearl-Dowler L, Posa L, Lopez-Canul M, Teggin A, Gobbi G. Anti-allodynic and medullary modulatory effects of a single dose of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in neuropathic rats tolerant to morphine. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2023; 127:110805. [PMID: 37257771 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Neuropathic pain (NP) is often treated with opioids, the prolonged use of which causes tolerance to their analgesic effect and can potentially cause death by overdose. The phytocannabinoid delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) may be an effective alternative analgesic to treat NP in morphine-tolerant subjects. Male Wistar rats developed NP after spared nerve injury, and were then treated with increasing doses of THC (1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), which reduced mechanical allodynia at the dose of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg. Another group of NP rats were treated with morphine (5 mg/kg, twice daily for 7 days, subcutaneously), until tolerance developed, and on day 8 received a single dose of THC (2.5 mg/kg), which significantly reduced mechanical allodynia. To evaluate the modulation of THC in the descending pain pathway, in vivo electrophysiological recordings of pronociceptive ON cells and antinociceptive OFF cells in the rostroventral medulla (RVM) were recorded after intra-PAG microinjection of THC (10 μg/μl). NP rats with morphine tolerance, compared to the control one, showed a tonic reduction of the spontaneous firing rate of ON cells by 44%, but the THC was able to further decrease it (a hallmark of many analgesic drugs acting at supraspinal level). On the other hand, the firing rate, of the antinociceptive OFF cells was increased after morphine tolerance by 133%, but the THC failed to further activate it. Altogether, these findings indicate that a single dose of THC produces antiallodynic effect in individuals with NP who are tolerant to morphine, acting mostly on the ON cells of the descending pain pathways, but not on OFF cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leora Pearl-Dowler
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Luca Posa
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Martha Lopez-Canul
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Alexandra Teggin
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gabriella Gobbi
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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24
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Zhang M, Zhang Y, Li J, Li J, Ji J, Wang Z. μ opioid receptor carboxyl terminal-derived peptide alleviates morphine tolerance by inhibiting β-arrestin2. Neuroreport 2023; 34:853-859. [PMID: 37942736 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
The interaction between the μ opioid receptor (MOR) and β-arrestin2 serves as a model for addressing morphine tolerance. A peptide was designed to alleviate morphine tolerance through interfering with the interaction of MOR and β-arrestin2. We developed a peptide derived from MOR. The MOR-TAT-pep peptide was expressed in E. coli Bl21(DE3) and purified. The effects of MOR-TAT-pep in alleviating morphine tolerance was examined through behavior tests. The potential mechanism was detected by Western blotting, Mammalian Two-Hybrid and other techniques. The pretreatment with MOR-TAT-pep prior to morphine usage led to an enhanced analgesic effectiveness of morphine and a significant reduction in the development of morphine tolerance. The peptide directly interacted with β-arrestin2 during morphine treatment and deceased the membrane recruitment of β-arrestin2. MOR-TAT-pep effectively suppressed the increase of β-arrestin2 induced by morphine. The MOR-TAT-pep could alleviate morphine tolerance through inhibition of β-arrestin2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Central Hospital of Xuzhou, Affiliated Hospital of Southeast University
| | - Yanling Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Central Hospital of Xuzhou, Affiliated Hospital of Southeast University
| | - Jian Li
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Junliang Li
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Junwei Ji
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhongshan Wang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Analgesia Application Technology, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
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25
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Zhang R, Chen J. Research progress on the role of orphan receptor GPR139 in neuropsychiatric behaviours. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 960:176150. [PMID: 38059447 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
The study of orphan G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) holds much promise for increasing our understanding of neuropsychiatric diseases and for the development of new therapeutic strategies for these diseases. GPR139 is an orphan GPCR expressed in the central nervous system, especially in areas of the brain that control movement, motivation, and reward, and those that regulate neuropsychiatric behaviour. This review provides information about the discovery, tissue expression, signal transduction pathways, and physiological functions of GPR139, as well as how GPR139 interacts with other GPCRs, which form heteromeric complexes that affect their pharmacology and function. We also discuss the utility and therapeutic potential of ligands that target GPR139, including the pharmacological properties of reported agonists and antagonists. Finally, we highlight the pathologic role of GPR139 in neuropsychiatric behaviour and its potential as a therapeutic target in neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rumin Zhang
- Neurobiology Key Laboratory of Jining Medical University, Jining, 272067, China; School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, 272067, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Neurobiology Key Laboratory of Jining Medical University, Jining, 272067, China; School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, 272067, China; Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV47AL, UK.
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26
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Che T, Roth BL. Molecular basis of opioid receptor signaling. Cell 2023; 186:5203-5219. [PMID: 37995655 PMCID: PMC10710086 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.10.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Opioids are used for pain management despite the side effects that contribute to the opioid crisis. The pursuit of non-addictive opioid analgesics remains unattained due to the unresolved intricacies of opioid actions, receptor signaling cascades, and neuronal plasticity. Advancements in structural, molecular, and computational tools illuminate the dynamic interplay between opioids and opioid receptors, as well as the molecular determinants of signaling pathways, which are potentially interlinked with pharmacological responses. Here, we review the molecular basis of opioid receptor signaling with a focus on the structures of opioid receptors bound to endogenous peptides or pharmacological agents. These insights unveil specific interactions that dictate ligand selectivity and likely their distinctive pharmacological profiles. Biochemical analysis further unveils molecular features governing opioid receptor signaling. Simultaneously, the synergy between computational biology and medicinal chemistry continues to expedite the discovery of novel chemotypes with the promise of yielding more efficacious and safer opioid compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Che
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| | - Bryan L Roth
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27599, NC, USA.
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27
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Ramos-Gonzalez N, Paul B, Majumdar S. IUPHAR themed review: Opioid efficacy, bias, and selectivity. Pharmacol Res 2023; 197:106961. [PMID: 37844653 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Drugs acting at the opioid receptor family are clinically used to treat chronic and acute pain, though they represent the second line of treatment behind GABA analogs, antidepressants and SSRI's. Within the opioid family mu and kappa opioid receptor are commonly targeted. However, activation of the mu opioid receptor has side effects of constipation, tolerance, dependence, euphoria, and respiratory depression; activation of the kappa opioid receptor leads to dysphoria and sedation. The side effects of mu opioid receptor activation have led to mu receptor drugs being widely abused with great overdose risk. For these reasons, newer safer opioid analgesics are in high demand. For many years a focus within the opioid field was finding drugs that activated the G protein pathway at mu opioid receptor, without activating the β-arrestin pathway, known as biased agonism. Recent advances have shown that this may not be the way forward to develop safer analgesics at mu opioid receptor, though there is still some promise at the kappa opioid receptor. Here we discuss recent novel approaches to develop safer opioid drugs including efficacy vs bias and fine-tuning receptor activation by targeting sub-pockets in the orthosteric site, we explore recent works on the structural basis of bias, and we put forward the suggestion that Gα subtype selectivity may be an exciting new area of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nokomis Ramos-Gonzalez
- Department of Anesthesiology and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Barnali Paul
- Department of Anesthesiology and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Susruta Majumdar
- Department of Anesthesiology and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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28
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Sullere S, Kunczt A, McGehee DS. A cholinergic circuit that relieves pain despite opioid tolerance. Neuron 2023; 111:3414-3434.e15. [PMID: 37734381 PMCID: PMC10843525 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Chronic pain is a tremendous burden for afflicted individuals and society. Although opioids effectively relieve pain, significant adverse outcomes limit their utility and efficacy. To investigate alternate pain control mechanisms, we explored cholinergic signaling in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG), a critical nexus for descending pain modulation. Biosensor assays revealed that pain states decreased acetylcholine release in vlPAG. Activation of cholinergic projections from the pedunculopontine tegmentum to vlPAG relieved pain, even in opioid-tolerant conditions, through ⍺7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Activating ⍺7 nAChRs with agonists or stimulating endogenous acetylcholine inhibited vlPAG neuronal activity through Ca2+ and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPAR⍺)-dependent signaling. In vivo 2-photon imaging revealed that chronic pain induces aberrant excitability of vlPAG neuronal ensembles and that ⍺7 nAChR-mediated inhibition of these cells relieves pain, even after opioid tolerance. Finally, pain relief through these cholinergic mechanisms was not associated with tolerance, reward, or withdrawal symptoms, highlighting its potential clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivang Sullere
- Committee on Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Alissa Kunczt
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Daniel S McGehee
- Committee on Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
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29
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Singleton S, Sneddon C, Bakina A, Lambert JJ, Hales TG. Early-life adversity increases morphine tolerance and persistent inflammatory hypersensitivity through upregulation of δ opioid receptors in mice. Pain 2023; 164:2253-2264. [PMID: 37171192 PMCID: PMC10502877 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Exposure to severely stressful events during childhood is associated with poor health outcomes in later life, including chronic pain and substance use disorder. However, the mediators and mechanisms are unclear. We investigated the impact of a well-characterized mouse model of early-life adversity, fragmented maternal care (FC) between postnatal day 2 and 9, on nociception, inflammatory hypersensitivity, and responses to morphine. Male and female mice exposed to FC exhibited prolonged basal thermal withdrawal latencies and decreased mechanical sensitivity. In addition, morphine had reduced potency in mice exposed to FC and their development of tolerance to morphine was accelerated. Quantitative PCR analysis in several brain regions and the spinal cords of juvenile and adult mice revealed an impact of FC on the expression of genes encoding opioid peptide precursors and their receptors. These changes included enhanced abundance of δ opioid receptor transcript in the spinal cord. Acute inflammatory hypersensitivity (induced by hind paw administration of complete Freund's adjuvant) was unaffected by exposure to FC. However, after an initial recovery of mechanical hypersensitivity, there was a reappearance in mice exposed to FC by day 15, which was not seen in control mice. Changes in nociception, morphine responses, and hypersensitivity associated with FC were apparent in males and females but were absent from mice lacking δ receptors or β-arrestin2. These findings suggest that exposure to early-life adversity in mice enhances δ receptor expression leading to decreased basal sensitivity to noxious stimuli coupled with accelerated morphine tolerance and enhanced vulnerability to persistent inflammatory hypersensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Singleton
- The Institute of Academic Anaesthesia, Division of Cellular and Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Claire Sneddon
- The Institute of Academic Anaesthesia, Division of Cellular and Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Alice Bakina
- The Institute of Academic Anaesthesia, Division of Cellular and Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Jeremy J. Lambert
- The Institute of Academic Anaesthesia, Division of Cellular and Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Tim G. Hales
- The Institute of Academic Anaesthesia, Division of Cellular and Systems Medicine, School of Medicine, Ninewells Hospital, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
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30
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Wess J, Oteng AB, Rivera-Gonzalez O, Gurevich EV, Gurevich VV. β-Arrestins: Structure, Function, Physiology, and Pharmacological Perspectives. Pharmacol Rev 2023; 75:854-884. [PMID: 37028945 PMCID: PMC10441628 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.121.000302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The two β-arrestins, β-arrestin-1 and -2 (systematic names: arrestin-2 and -3, respectively), are multifunctional intracellular proteins that regulate the activity of a very large number of cellular signaling pathways and physiologic functions. The two proteins were discovered for their ability to disrupt signaling via G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) via binding to the activated receptors. However, it is now well recognized that both β-arrestins can also act as direct modulators of numerous cellular processes via either GPCR-dependent or -independent mechanisms. Recent structural, biophysical, and biochemical studies have provided novel insights into how β-arrestins bind to activated GPCRs and downstream effector proteins. Studies with β-arrestin mutant mice have identified numerous physiologic and pathophysiological processes regulated by β-arrestin-1 and/or -2. Following a short summary of recent structural studies, this review primarily focuses on β-arrestin-regulated physiologic functions, with particular focus on the central nervous system and the roles of β-arrestins in carcinogenesis and key metabolic processes including the maintenance of glucose and energy homeostasis. This review also highlights potential therapeutic implications of these studies and discusses strategies that could prove useful for targeting specific β-arrestin-regulated signaling pathways for therapeutic purposes. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The two β-arrestins, structurally closely related intracellular proteins that are evolutionarily highly conserved, have emerged as multifunctional proteins able to regulate a vast array of cellular and physiological functions. The outcome of studies with β-arrestin mutant mice and cultured cells, complemented by novel insights into β-arrestin structure and function, should pave the way for the development of novel classes of therapeutically useful drugs capable of regulating specific β-arrestin functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Wess
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland (J.W., A.-B.O., O.R.-G.); and Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee (E.V.G., V.V.G.)
| | - Antwi-Boasiako Oteng
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland (J.W., A.-B.O., O.R.-G.); and Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee (E.V.G., V.V.G.)
| | - Osvaldo Rivera-Gonzalez
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland (J.W., A.-B.O., O.R.-G.); and Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee (E.V.G., V.V.G.)
| | - Eugenia V Gurevich
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland (J.W., A.-B.O., O.R.-G.); and Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee (E.V.G., V.V.G.)
| | - Vsevolod V Gurevich
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland (J.W., A.-B.O., O.R.-G.); and Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee (E.V.G., V.V.G.)
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31
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Sanchez-Reyes OB, Zilberg G, McCorvy JD, Wacker D. Molecular insights into GPCR mechanisms for drugs of abuse. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105176. [PMID: 37599003 PMCID: PMC10514560 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Substance abuse is on the rise, and while many people may use illicit drugs mainly due to their rewarding effects, their societal impact can range from severe, as is the case for opioids, to promising, as is the case for psychedelics. Common with all these drugs' mechanisms of action are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which lie at the center of how these drugs mediate inebriation, lethality, and therapeutic effects. Opioids like fentanyl, cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol, and psychedelics like lysergic acid diethylamide all directly bind to GPCRs to initiate signaling which elicits their physiological actions. We herein review recent structural studies and provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of opioids, cannabinoids, and psychedelics at their respective GPCR subtypes. We further discuss how such mechanistic insights facilitate drug discovery, either toward the development of novel therapies to combat drug abuse or toward harnessing therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar B Sanchez-Reyes
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Gregory Zilberg
- Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - John D McCorvy
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
| | - Daniel Wacker
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.
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32
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Ye L, Li C, Jiang W, Yang Y, Wang W, Zhu H, Hu Z, Li N, Cen X, Wang H, Tian J. Subacute toxicity evaluations of LPM3480392 in rats, a full µ-opioid receptor biased agonist. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1218380. [PMID: 37601058 PMCID: PMC10436550 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1218380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Opiates produce analgesia via G-protein signaling, and adverse effects, such as respiratory depression and decreased bowel motility, by β-arrestin pathway. Oliceridine, a G protein-biased MOR agonist, only presents modest safety advantages as compared to other opiates in clinical trials, possibly due to its limited bias. Our previous study shown that LPM3480392, a full MOR biased agonist, is selective for the Gi pathway over the β-arrestin-2. In the present article, we evaluated the subacute toxicity of LPM3480392 in rats. The rats were administered with control article or LPM3480392 0.6, 1.2 or 2.4 mg/kg/day for 4 consecutive weeks followed by a 4-week recovery phase. Intravenous infusion was conducted at tail vein at 0.2, 0.4 or 0.8 mg/kg/day with a dosing volume of 10 mL/kg and 5 min/rat/dose, three times a day with an interval of approximately 4 h. The concomitant toxicokinetics study was conducted. Two unscheduled rats at 2.4 mg/kg/day died with no clear cause. For the scheduled necropsy, the major effects were associated with the MOR agonist-related pharmacodynamic properties of LPM3480392 (e.g., increased activity, increased muscle tone; decreased food consumption and body weight gain; and clinical chemistry changes related with decreased food consumption) in three LPM3480392 groups. In addition, LPM3480392 at 2.4 mg/kg/day also induced deep respiration and histopathology changes in testis and epididymis in sporadic individual rats. However, different from other opiates, LPM3480392 presents weak/no immunosuppression and the decreased adrenal gland weight, which may be due to LPM3480392' full MOR bias. At the end of recovery phase, all findings were recovered to some extent or completely. In the toxicokinetics study, the dose-dependent elevation of drug exposure was observed, which partly explained the toxicity of high dose. In summary, LPM3480392 has exhibited good safety characteristics in this subacute toxicity study in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Ye
- School of Public Health and Management, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Chunmei Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Wanglin Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Yifei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Wenyan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Haibo Zhu
- School of Public Health and Management, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Zhengping Hu
- Medicine and Pharmacy Research Center, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Ning Li
- School of Public Health and Management, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaobo Cen
- WestChina-Frontier PharmaTech Co., Ltd., Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hongbo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Jingwei Tian
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation, School of Pharmacy, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, China
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Piscura MK, Henderson-Redmond AN, Barnes RC, Mitra S, Guindon J, Morgan DJ. Mechanisms of cannabinoid tolerance. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 214:115665. [PMID: 37348821 PMCID: PMC10528043 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis has been used recreationally and medically for centuries, yet research into understanding the mechanisms of its therapeutic effects has only recently garnered more attention. There is evidence to support the use of cannabinoids for the treatment of chronic pain, muscle spasticity, nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, improving weight gain in HIV-related cachexia, emesis, sleep disorders, managing symptoms in Tourette syndrome, and patient-reported muscle spasticity from multiple sclerosis. However, tolerance and the risk for cannabis use disorder are two significant disadvantages for cannabinoid-based therapies in humans. Recent work has revealed prominent sex differences in the acute response and tolerance to cannabinoids in both humans and animal models. This review will discuss evidence demonstrating cannabinoid tolerance in rodents, non-human primates, and humans and our current understanding of the neuroadaptations occurring at the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R) that are responsible tolerance. CB1R expression is downregulated in tolerant animals and humans while there is strong evidence of CB1R desensitization in cannabinoid tolerant rodent models. Throughout the review, critical knowledge gaps are indicated and discussed, such as the lack of a neuroimaging probe to assess CB1R desensitization in humans. The review discusses the intracellular signaling pathways that are responsible for mediating CB1R desensitization and downregulation including the action of G protein-coupled receptor kinases, β-arrestin2 recruitment, c-Jun N-terminal kinases, protein kinase A, and the intracellular trafficking of CB1R. Finally, the review discusses approaches to reduce cannabinoid tolerance in humans based on our current understanding of the neuroadaptations and mechanisms responsible for this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary K Piscura
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25755, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Auburn, AL 36832, USA
| | | | - Robert C Barnes
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Swarup Mitra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25755, USA
| | - Josée Guindon
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Daniel J Morgan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25755, USA.
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Hsu YT, Chen SR, Chang YC, Chang HF, Yeh TK, Chuang JY, Loh HH, Hsieh HP, Ueng SH, Yeh SH. A dual nociceptin and mu opioid receptor agonist exhibited robust antinociceptive effect with decreased side effects. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 258:115608. [PMID: 37437352 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The compelling demand of a consummate analgesic medication without addiction is rising due to the clinical mistreatment. Additionally, the series of severe untoward effects usually deterred the utilization while coping with serious pain. As a possible turning point, we revealed that compound 14 is a dual agonist of mu opioid receptor (MOR) and nociceptin-orphanin FQ opioid peptide (NOP) receptor in this study. More importantly, compound 14 achieves pain relieving at very small doses, meanwhile, reduces several unwanted side effects such as constipation, reward, tolerance and withdrawal effects. Here, we evaluated the antinociception and side effects of this novel compound from wild type and humanized mice to further develop a safer prescription analgesic drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Ting Hsu
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC; The Ph.D. Program in Medical Neuroscience, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, 110, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shen-Ren Chen
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yung-Chiao Chang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsiao-Fu Chang
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Teng-Kuang Yeh
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jian-Ying Chuang
- The Ph.D. Program in Medical Neuroscience, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, 110, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Horace H Loh
- Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, 10005, China; Department of Pharmacology, Medical School University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455-0217, USA
| | - Hsing-Pang Hsieh
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shau-Hua Ueng
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC; School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 701, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Shiu-Hwa Yeh
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan, ROC; The Ph.D. Program in Medical Neuroscience, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University and National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, 110, Taiwan, ROC.
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35
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Krantz MJ, Rudo TJ, Haigney MCP, Stockbridge N, Kleiman RB, Klein M, Kao DP. Ventricular Arrhythmias Associated With Over-the-Counter and Recreational Opioids. J Am Coll Cardiol 2023; 81:2258-2268. [PMID: 37286256 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2023.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemic increases in opioid deaths prompted policies limiting access to prescription opioids in North America. Consequently, the over-the-counter opioids loperamide (Imodium A-D) and mitragynine, the herbal ingredient in kratom, are increasingly used to avert withdrawal or induce euphoria. Arrhythmia events related to these nonscheduled drugs have not been systematically studied. OBJECTIVES In this study, we sought to explore opioid-associated arrhythmia reporting in North America. METHODS The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Adverse Event Reporting System (CAERS), and Canada Vigilance Adverse Reaction (CVAR) databases were searched (2015-2021). Reports involving nonprescription drugs (loperamide, mitragynine) and diphenoxylate/atropine (Lomotil) were identified. Methadone, a prescription opioid (full agonist), served as a positive control owing to its established arrhythmia risk. Buprenorphine (partial agonist) and naltrexone (pure antagonist), served as negative controls. Reports were classified according to Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities terminology. Significant disproportionate reporting required a proportional reporting ratio (PRR) of ≥2, ≥3 cases, and chi-square ≥4. Primary analysis used FAERS data, whereas CAERS and CVAR data were confirmatory. RESULTS Methadone was disproportionately associated with ventricular arrhythmia reports (PRR: 6.6; 95% CI: 6.2-7.0; n = 1,163; chi-square = 5,456), including 852 (73%) fatalities. Loperamide was also significantly associated with arrhythmia (PRR: 3.2; 95% CI: 3.0-3.4; n = 1,008; chi-square = 1,537), including 371 (37%) deaths. Mitragynine demonstrated the highest signal (PRR: 8.9; 95% CI: 6.7-11.7; n = 46; chi-square = 315), with 42 (91%) deaths. Buprenorphine, diphenoxylate, and naltrexone were not associated with arrhythmia. Signals were similar in CVAR and CAERS. CONCLUSIONS The nonprescription drugs loperamide and mitragynine are associated with disproportionate reports of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia in North America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mori J Krantz
- Global Cardiac Safety, Clario, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cardiovascular Imaging, Clario, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
| | - Todd J Rudo
- Global Cardiac Safety, Clario, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mark C P Haigney
- Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research, Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | - Michael Klein
- Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research, Department of Medicine, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - David P Kao
- Cardiology Division, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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36
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Acevedo-Canabal A, Grim TW, Schmid CL, McFague N, Stahl EL, Kennedy NM, Bannister TD, Bohn LM. Hyperactivity in Mice Induced by Opioid Agonists with Partial Intrinsic Efficacy and Biased Agonism Administered Alone and in Combination with Morphine. Biomolecules 2023; 13:935. [PMID: 37371516 PMCID: PMC10295947 DOI: 10.3390/biom13060935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Opioid analgesics such as morphine and fentanyl induce mu-opioid receptor (MOR)-mediated hyperactivity in mice. Herein, we show that morphine, fentanyl, SR-17018, and oliceridine have submaximal intrinsic efficacy in the mouse striatum using 35S-GTPγS binding assays. While all of the agonists act as partial agonists for stimulating G protein coupling in striatum, morphine, fentanyl, and oliceridine are fully efficacious in stimulating locomotor activity; meanwhile, the noncompetitive biased agonists SR-17018 and SR-15099 produce submaximal hyperactivity. Moreover, the combination of SR-17018 and morphine attenuates hyperactivity while antinociceptive efficacy is increased. The combination of oliceridine with morphine increases hyperactivity, which is maintained over time. These findings provide evidence that noncompetitive agonists at MOR can be used to suppress morphine-induced hyperactivity while enhancing antinociceptive efficacy; moreover, they demonstrate that intrinsic efficacy measured at the receptor level is not directly proportional to drug efficacy in the locomotor activity assay.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Laura M. Bohn
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
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37
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Lambert DG. Opioids and opioid receptors; understanding pharmacological mechanisms as a key to therapeutic advances and mitigation of the misuse crisis. BJA OPEN 2023; 6:100141. [PMID: 37588171 PMCID: PMC10430815 DOI: 10.1016/j.bjao.2023.100141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Opioids are a mainstay in acute pain management and produce their effects and side effects (e.g., tolerance, opioid-use disorder and immune suppression) by interaction with opioid receptors. I will discuss opioid pharmacology in some controversial areas of enquiry of anaesthetic relevance. The main opioid target is the µ (mu,MOP) receptor but other members of the opioid receptor family, δ (delta; DOP) and κ (kappa; KOP) opioid receptors also produce analgesic actions. These are naloxone-sensitive. There is important clinical development relating to the Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ (NOP) receptor, an opioid receptor that is not naloxone-sensitive. Better understanding of the drivers for opioid effects and side effects may facilitate separation of side effects and production of safer drugs. Opioids bind to the receptor orthosteric site to produce their effects and can engage monomer or homo-, heterodimer receptors. Some ligands can drive one intracellular pathway over another. This is the basis of biased agonism (or functional selectivity). Opioid actions at the orthosteric site can be modulated allosterically and positive allosteric modulators that enhance opioid action are in development. As well as targeting ligand-receptor interaction and transduction, modulating receptor expression and hence function is also tractable. There is evidence for epigenetic associations with different types of pain and also substance misuse. As long as the opioid narrative is defined by the 'opioid crisis' the drive to remove them could gather pace. This will deny use where they are effective, and access to morphine for pain relief in low income countries.
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38
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Leon Duque MA, Vallavoju N, Woo CM. Chemical tools for the opioids. Mol Cell Neurosci 2023; 125:103845. [PMID: 36948231 PMCID: PMC10247539 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2023.103845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The opioids are potent and widely used pain management medicines despite also possessing severe liabilities that have fueled the opioid crisis. The pharmacological properties of the opioids primarily derive from agonism or antagonism of the opioid receptors, but additional effects may arise from specific compounds, opioid receptors, or independent targets. The study of the opioids, their receptors, and the development of remediation strategies has benefitted from derivatization of the opioids as chemical tools. While these studies have primarily focused on the opioids in the context of the opioid receptors, these chemical tools may also play a role in delineating mechanisms that are independent of the opioid receptors. In this review, we describe recent advances in the development and applications of opioid derivatives as chemical tools and highlight opportunities for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Anthony Leon Duque
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States of America
| | - Nandini Vallavoju
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States of America
| | - Christina M Woo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford St, Cambridge, MA 02138, United States of America.
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39
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Mustafa S, Bajic JE, Barry B, Evans S, Siemens KR, Hutchinson MR, Grace PM. One immune system plays many parts: The dynamic role of the immune system in chronic pain and opioid pharmacology. Neuropharmacology 2023; 228:109459. [PMID: 36775098 PMCID: PMC10015343 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
The transition from acute to chronic pain is an ongoing major problem for individuals, society and healthcare systems around the world. It is clear chronic pain is a complex multidimensional biological challenge plagued with difficulties in pain management, specifically opioid use. In recent years the role of the immune system in chronic pain and opioid pharmacology has come to the forefront. As a highly dynamic and versatile network of cells, tissues and organs, the immune system is perfectly positioned at the microscale level to alter nociception and drive structural adaptations that underpin chronic pain and opioid use. In this review, we highlight the need to understand the dynamic and adaptable characteristics of the immune system and their role in the transition, maintenance and resolution of chronic pain. The complex multidimensional interplay of the immune system with multiple physiological systems may provide new transformative insight for novel targets for clinical management and treatment of chronic pain. This article is part of the Special Issue on "Opioid-induced changes in addiction and pain circuits".
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanam Mustafa
- School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Davies Livestock Research Centre, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA, Australia.
| | - Juliana E Bajic
- School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Davies Livestock Research Centre, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA, Australia
| | - Benjamin Barry
- School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Samuel Evans
- School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Davies Livestock Research Centre, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA, Australia
| | - Kariel R Siemens
- School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Mark R Hutchinson
- School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Davies Livestock Research Centre, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA, Australia
| | - Peter M Grace
- Laboratories of Neuroimmunology, Department of Symptom Research, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; MD Anderson Pain Research Consortium, Houston, TX, USA
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40
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Cai B, El Daibani A, Bai Y, Che T, Krusemark CJ. Direct Selection of DNA-Encoded Libraries for Biased Agonists of GPCRs on Live Cells. JACS AU 2023; 3:1076-1088. [PMID: 37124302 PMCID: PMC10131204 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.2c00674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest superfamily of human membrane target proteins for approved drugs. GPCR ligands can have a complex array of pharmacological activities. Among these activities, biased agonists have potential to serve as both chemical probes to understand specific aspects of receptor signaling and therapeutic leads with more specific, desired activity. Challenges exist, however, in the development of new biased activators due, in part, to the low throughput of traditional screening approaches. DNA-encoded chemical libraries (DELs) dramatically improve the throughput of drug discovery by allowing a collective selection, rather than discrete screening, of large compound libraries. The use of DELs has been largely limited to affinity-based selections against purified protein targets, which identify binders only. Herein, we report a split protein complementation approach that allows direct identification of DNA-linked molecules that induce the dimerization of two proteins. We used this selection with a DEL against opioid receptor GPCRs on living cells for the identification of small molecules that possess the specific function of activation of either β-arrestin or G protein signaling pathways. This approach was applied to δ-, μ-, and κ-opioid receptors and enabled the discovery of compound [66,66], a selective, G-protein-biased agonist of the κ-opioid receptor (EC50 = 100 nM, E max = 82%, Gi bias factor = 6.6). This approach should be generally applicable for the direct selection of chemical inducers of dimerization from DELs and expand the utility of DELs to enrich molecules with a specific and desired biochemical function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Cai
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue Center for
Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Amal El Daibani
- Center
for Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Yuntian Bai
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue Center for
Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Tao Che
- Center
for Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Casey J. Krusemark
- Department
of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue Center for
Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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Li Z, Liu J, Dong F, Chang N, Huang R, Xia M, Patterson TA, Hong H. Three-Dimensional Structural Insights Have Revealed the Distinct Binding Interactions of Agonists, Partial Agonists, and Antagonists with the µ Opioid Receptor. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087042. [PMID: 37108204 PMCID: PMC10138646 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The United States is experiencing the most profound and devastating opioid crisis in history, with the number of deaths involving opioids, including prescription and illegal opioids, continuing to climb over the past two decades. This severe public health issue is difficult to combat as opioids remain a crucial treatment for pain, and at the same time, they are also highly addictive. Opioids act on the opioid receptor, which in turn activates its downstream signaling pathway that eventually leads to an analgesic effect. Among the four types of opioid receptors, the µ subtype is primarily responsible for the analgesic cascade. This review describes available 3D structures of the µ opioid receptor in the protein data bank and provides structural insights for the binding of agonists and antagonists to the receptor. Comparative analysis on the atomic details of the binding site in these structures was conducted and distinct binding interactions for agonists, partial agonists, and antagonists were observed. The findings in this article deepen our understanding of the ligand binding activity and shed some light on the development of novel opioid analgesics which may improve the risk benefit balance of existing opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Li
- National Center for Toxicological Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - Jie Liu
- National Center for Toxicological Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - Fan Dong
- National Center for Toxicological Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - Nancy Chang
- Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20903, USA
| | - Ruili Huang
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Menghang Xia
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tucker A Patterson
- National Center for Toxicological Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
| | - Huixiao Hong
- National Center for Toxicological Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA
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Milella MS, D'Ottavio G, De Pirro S, Barra M, Caprioli D, Badiani A. Heroin and its metabolites: relevance to heroin use disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:120. [PMID: 37031205 PMCID: PMC10082801 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02406-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Heroin is an opioid agonist commonly abused for its rewarding effects. Since its synthesis at the end of the nineteenth century, its popularity as a recreational drug has ebbed and flowed. In the last three decades, heroin use has increased again, and yet the pharmacology of heroin is still poorly understood. After entering the body, heroin is rapidly deacetylated to 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM), which is then deacetylated to morphine. Thus, drug addiction literature has long settled on the notion that heroin is little more than a pro-drug. In contrast to these former views, we will argue for a more complex interplay among heroin and its active metabolites: 6-MAM, morphine, and morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G). In particular, we propose that the complex temporal pattern of heroin effects results from the sequential, only partially overlapping, actions not only of 6-MAM, morphine, and M6G, but also of heroin per se, which, therefore, should not be seen as a mere brain-delivery system for its active metabolites. We will first review the literature concerning the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of heroin and its metabolites, then examine their neural and behavioral effects, and finally discuss the possible implications of these data for a better understanding of opioid reward and heroin addiction. By so doing we hope to highlight research topics to be investigated by future clinical and pre-clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Stanislaw Milella
- Toxicology Unit, Policlinico Umberto I University Hospital, Rome, Italy.
- Laboratory affiliated to the Institute Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti-Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Ginevra D'Ottavio
- Laboratory affiliated to the Institute Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti-Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Santa Lucia Foundation (IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia), Rome, Italy
| | - Silvana De Pirro
- Laboratory affiliated to the Institute Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti-Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research (SERAF), Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Sussex Addiction and Intervention Centre (SARIC), School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | | | - Daniele Caprioli
- Laboratory affiliated to the Institute Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti-Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
- Santa Lucia Foundation (IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia), Rome, Italy.
| | - Aldo Badiani
- Laboratory affiliated to the Institute Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti-Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
- Sussex Addiction and Intervention Centre (SARIC), School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.
- Fondazione Villa Maraini, Rome, Italy.
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43
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Groom S, Blum NK, Conibear AE, Disney A, Hill R, Husbands SM, Li Y, Toll L, Kliewer A, Schulz S, Henderson G, Kelly E, Bailey CP. A novel G protein-biased agonist at the μ opioid receptor induces substantial receptor desensitisation through G protein-coupled receptor kinase. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:943-957. [PMID: 33245558 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE G protein-biased μ opioid receptor agonists have the potential to induce less receptor desensitisation and tolerance than balanced opioids. Here, we investigated if the cyclic endomorphin analogue Tyr-c[D-Lys-Phe-Tyr-Gly] (Compound 1) is a G protein-biased μ agonist and characterised its ability to induce rapid receptor desensitisation in mammalian neurones. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The signalling and trafficking properties of opioids were characterised using bioluminescence resonance energy transfer assays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and phosphosite-specific immunoblotting in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Desensitisation of opioid-induced currents were studied in rat locus coeruleus neurones using whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology. The mechanism of Compound 1-induced μ receptor desensitisation was probed using kinase inhibitors. KEY RESULTS Compound 1 has similar intrinsic activity for G protein signalling as morphine. As predicted for a G protein-biased μ agonist, Compound 1 induced minimal agonist-induced internalisation and phosphorylation at intracellular μ receptor serine/threonine residues known to be involved in G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK)-mediated desensitisation. However, Compound 1 induced robust rapid μ receptor desensitisation in locus coeruleus neurons, to a greater degree than morphine. The extent of Compound 1-induced desensitisation was unaffected by activation or inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) but was significantly reduced by inhibition of GRK. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Compound 1 is a novel G protein-biased μ agonist that induces substantial rapid receptor desensitisation in mammalian neurons. Surprisingly, Compound 1-induced desensitisation was demonstrated to be GRK dependent despite its G protein bias. Our findings refute the assumption that G protein-biased agonists will evade receptor desensitisation and tolerance. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed issue on Advances in Opioid Pharmacology at the Time of the Opioid Epidemic. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v180.7/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Groom
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK.,School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Nina K Blum
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Alexandra E Conibear
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Alexander Disney
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Rob Hill
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - Yangmei Li
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Lawrence Toll
- Department of Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
| | - Andrea Kliewer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Stefan Schulz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Graeme Henderson
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Eamonn Kelly
- School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Chris P Bailey
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
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44
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Ventriglia E, Rizzo A, Gomez JL, Friedman J, Lam S, Solís O, Rais R, Bonaventura J, Michaelides M. Essential role of P-glycoprotein in the mechanism of action of oliceridine. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:831-842. [PMID: 36434081 PMCID: PMC10066384 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01507-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Mu opioid receptor (MOR) agonists comprise the most effective analgesics, but their therapeutic utility is limited by adverse effects. One approach for limiting such effects has been to develop "biased" MOR agonists that show preference for activating G protein over β-Arrestin signaling. However, the notion of biased agonism has been challenged by recent studies. Oliceridine (Olinvyk®, TRV-130, OLC) is a selective MOR agonist approved by the FDA in 2020 for pain management in controlled clinical settings. Oliceridine purportedly demonstrates diminished adverse effects compared to morphine or other MOR agonists, a profile attributed to its biased agonism. However, recent studies suggest that oliceridine does not display biased agonism but instead weak intrinsic efficacy for G protein and β-Arrestin activation. Nevertheless, these insights have been derived from in vitro studies. To better understand oliceridine's in vivo efficacy profile, we performed a comprehensive assessment of its in vitro and in vivo pharmacology using both cultured cells and rodents. In vitro, oliceridine displayed high MOR affinity and weak intrinsic efficacy. In vivo, oliceridine showed impaired brain penetrance and rapid clearance, effects we attributed to its interaction with the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux transporter. Moreover, we found that P-gp was essential for oliceridine's in vivo efficacy and adverse effect profiles. Taken together with prior studies, our results suggest that oliceridine's in vivo efficacy and adverse effect profiles are not attributed solely to its weak intrinsic efficacy or biased agonism but, to a large extent, its interaction with P-gp as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilya Ventriglia
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Arianna Rizzo
- Departament de Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Institute de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain
- Neuropharmacology & Pain Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Juan L Gomez
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Jacob Friedman
- Medications Development Program, Molecular Targets and Medication Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Sherry Lam
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Oscar Solís
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Rana Rais
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Jordi Bonaventura
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
- Departament de Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Institute de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain.
- Neuropharmacology & Pain Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Michael Michaelides
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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45
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Gabel F, Hovhannisyan V, Andry V, Goumon Y. Central metabolism as a potential origin of sex differences in morphine antinociception but not induction of antinociceptive tolerance in mice. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:843-861. [PMID: 34986502 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In rodents, morphine antinociception is influenced by sex. However, conflicting results have been reported regarding the interaction between sex and morphine antinociceptive tolerance. Morphine is metabolised in the liver and brain into morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G). Sex differences in morphine metabolism and differential metabolic adaptations during tolerance development might contribute to behavioural discrepancies. This article investigates the differences in peripheral and central morphine metabolism after acute and chronic morphine treatment in male and female mice. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Sex differences in morphine antinociception and tolerance were assessed using the tail-immersion test. After acute and chronic morphine treatment, morphine and M3G metabolic kinetics in the blood were evaluated using LC-MS/MS. They were also quantified in several CNS regions. Finally, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability of M3G was assessed in male and female mice. KEY RESULTS This study demonstrated that female mice showed weaker morphine antinociception and faster induction of tolerance than males. Additionally, female mice showed higher levels of M3G in the blood and in several pain-related CNS regions than male mice, whereas lower levels of morphine were observed in these regions. M3G brain/blood ratios after injection of M3G indicated no sex differences in M3G BBB permeability, and these ratios were lower than those obtained after injection of morphine. CONCLUSION These differences are attributable mainly to morphine central metabolism, which differed between males and females in pain-related CNS regions, consistent with weaker morphine antinociceptive effects in females. However, the role of morphine metabolism in antinociceptive tolerance seemed limited. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed issue on Advances in Opioid Pharmacology at the Time of the Opioid Epidemic. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v180.7/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Gabel
- CNRS UPR3212, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Volodya Hovhannisyan
- CNRS UPR3212, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Virginie Andry
- CNRS UPR3212, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,SMPMS-INCI, Mass Spectrometry Facilities of the CNRS UPR3212, CNRS UPR3212, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Yannick Goumon
- CNRS UPR3212, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,SMPMS-INCI, Mass Spectrometry Facilities of the CNRS UPR3212, CNRS UPR3212, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique and University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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46
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Gaborit M, Massotte D. Therapeutic potential of opioid receptor heteromers in chronic pain and associated comorbidities. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:994-1013. [PMID: 34883528 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic pain affects 20% to 45% of the global population and is often associated with the development of anxio-depressive disorders. Treatment of this debilitating condition remains particularly challenging with opioids prescribed to alleviate moderate to severe pain. However, despite strong antinociceptive properties, numerous adverse effects limit opioid use in the clinic. Moreover, opioid misuse and abuse have become a major health concern worldwide. This prompted efforts to design original strategies that would efficiently and safely relieve pain. Targeting of opioid receptor heteromers is one of these. This review summarizes our current knowledge on the role of heteromers involving opioid receptors in the context of chronic pain and anxio-depressive comorbidities. It also examines how heteromerization in native tissue affects ligand binding, receptor signalling and trafficking properties. Finally, the therapeutic potential of ligands designed to specifically target opioid receptor heteromers is considered. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Advances in Opioid Pharmacology at the Time of the Opioid Epidemic. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v180.7/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Gaborit
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Strasbourg, France
| | - Dominique Massotte
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Strasbourg, Institut des Neurosciences Cellulaires et Intégratives, Strasbourg, France
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47
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Varga B, Streicher JM, Majumdar S. Strategies towards safer opioid analgesics-A review of old and upcoming targets. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:975-993. [PMID: 34826881 PMCID: PMC9133275 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioids continue to be of use for the treatment of pain. Most clinically used analgesics target the μ opioid receptor whose activation results in adverse effects like respiratory depression, addiction and abuse liability. Various approaches have been used by the field to separate receptor-mediated analgesic actions from adverse effects. These include biased agonism, opioids targeting multiple receptors, allosteric modulators, heteromers and splice variants of the μ receptor. This review will focus on the current status of the field and some upcoming targets of interest that may lead to a safer next generation of analgesics. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Advances in Opioid Pharmacology at the Time of the Opioid Epidemic. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v180.7/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balazs Varga
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - John M. Streicher
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Susruta Majumdar
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
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48
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Qu Q, Huang W, Aydin D, Paggi JM, Seven AB, Wang H, Chakraborty S, Che T, DiBerto JF, Robertson MJ, Inoue A, Suomivuori CM, Roth BL, Majumdar S, Dror RO, Kobilka BK, Skiniotis G. Insights into distinct signaling profiles of the µOR activated by diverse agonists. Nat Chem Biol 2023; 19:423-430. [PMID: 36411392 PMCID: PMC11098091 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01208-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Drugs targeting the μ-opioid receptor (μOR) are the most effective analgesics available but are also associated with fatal respiratory depression through a pathway that remains unclear. Here we investigated the mechanistic basis of action of lofentanil (LFT) and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MP), two μOR agonists with different safety profiles. LFT, one of the most lethal opioids, and MP, a kratom plant derivative with reduced respiratory depression in animal studies, exhibited markedly different efficacy profiles for G protein subtype activation and β-arrestin recruitment. Cryo-EM structures of μOR-Gi1 complex with MP (2.5 Å) and LFT (3.2 Å) revealed that the two ligands engage distinct subpockets, and molecular dynamics simulations showed additional differences in the binding site that promote distinct active-state conformations on the intracellular side of the receptor where G proteins and β-arrestins bind. These observations highlight how drugs engaging different parts of the μOR orthosteric pocket can lead to distinct signaling outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianhui Qu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Fudan University and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism (Ministry of Science and Technology), Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Department of Systems Biology for Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weijiao Huang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Deniz Aydin
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Joseph M Paggi
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Alpay B Seven
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Haoqing Wang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Soumen Chakraborty
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Tao Che
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jeffrey F DiBerto
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Michael J Robertson
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Asuka Inoue
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Carl-Mikael Suomivuori
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Bryan L Roth
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Susruta Majumdar
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy at St. Louis and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Ron O Dror
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Computer Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Institute for Computational and Mathematical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Brian K Kobilka
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Georgios Skiniotis
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
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49
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Emerging Field of Biased Opioid Agonists. Anesthesiol Clin 2023; 41:317-328. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anclin.2023.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
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50
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Kossoń P, Dyniewicz J, Lipiński PFJ, Matalińska J, Misicka A, Bojarski AJ, Mordalski S. Gα i-derived peptide binds the µ-opioid receptor. Pharmacol Rep 2023; 75:465-473. [PMID: 36840824 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-023-00457-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) transduce external stimuli into the cell by G proteins via an allosteric mechanism. Agonist binding to the receptor stimulates GDP/GTP exchange within the heterotrimeric G protein complex, whereas recent structures of GPCR-G protein complexes revealed that the H5, S1 and S2 domains of Gα are involved in binding the active receptor, earlier studies showed that a short peptide analog derived from the C-terminus (H5) of the G protein transducin (Gt) is sufficient to stabilize rhodopsin in an active form. METHODS We have used Molecular Dynamics simulations along with biological evaluation by means of radio-ligand binding assay to study the interactions between Gαi-derived peptide (G-peptide) and the µ-opioid receptor (µOR). RESULTS Here, we show that a Gαi-derived peptide of 12 amino acids binds the µ-opioid receptor and acts as an allosteric modulator. The Gαi-derived peptide increases µOR affinity for its agonist morphine in a dose-dependent way. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that the GPCR-Gα peptide interaction observed so far for only rhodopsin can be extrapolated to µOR. In addition, we show that the C-terminal peptide of the Gαi subunit is sufficient to stabilize the active conformation of the receptor. Our approach opens the possibility to investigate the GPCR-G protein interface with peptide modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Kossoń
- Department of Neuropeptides, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jolanta Dyniewicz
- Department of Neuropeptides, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr F J Lipiński
- Department of Neuropeptides, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Matalińska
- Department of Neuropeptides, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Misicka
- Department of Neuropeptides, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Andrzej J Bojarski
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smetna 12, 313-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Stefan Mordalski
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smetna 12, 313-343, Kraków, Poland.
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