1
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Underwood O, Fritzwanker S, Glenn J, Blum NK, Batista-Gondin A, Drube J, Hoffmann C, Briddon SJ, Schulz S, Canals M. Key phosphorylation sites for robust β-arrestin2 binding at the MOR revisited. Commun Biol 2024; 7:933. [PMID: 39095612 PMCID: PMC11297201 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06571-1] [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: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Desensitisation of the mu-opioid receptor (MOR) is proposed to underlie the initiation of opioid analgesic tolerance and previous work has shown that agonist-induced phosphorylation of the MOR C-tail contributes to this desensitisation. Moreover, phosphorylation is important for β-arrestin recruitment to the receptor, and ligands of different efficacies induce distinct phosphorylation barcodes. The C-tail 370TREHPSTANT379 motif harbours Ser/Thr residues important for these regulatory functions. 375Ser is the primary phosphorylation site of a ligand-dependent, hierarchical, and sequential process, whereby flanking 370Thr, 376Thr and 379Thr get subsequently and rapidly phosphorylated. Here we used GRK KO cells, phosphosite specific antibodies and site-directed mutagenesis to evaluate the contribution of the different GRK subfamilies to ligand-induced phosphorylation barcodes and β-arrestin2 recruitment. We show that both GRK2/3 and GRK5/6 subfamilies promote phosphorylation of 370Thr and 375Ser. Importantly, only GRK2/3 induce phosphorylation of 376Thr and 379Thr, and we identify these residues as key sites to promote robust β-arrestin recruitment to the MOR. These data provide insight into the mechanisms of MOR regulation and suggest that the cellular complement of GRK subfamilies plays an important role in determining the tissue responses of opioid agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Owen Underwood
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), Universities of Nottingham and Birmingham, Birmingham, Midlands, UK
| | - Sebastian Fritzwanker
- Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Jaqueline Glenn
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), Universities of Nottingham and Birmingham, Birmingham, Midlands, UK
| | - Nina Kathleen Blum
- Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Arisbel Batista-Gondin
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Julia Drube
- Institut fur Molekulare Zellbiologie, CMB - Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Carsten Hoffmann
- Institut fur Molekulare Zellbiologie, CMB - Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Stephen J Briddon
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), Universities of Nottingham and Birmingham, Birmingham, Midlands, UK
| | - Stefan Schulz
- Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Jena, Germany
- 7TM Antibodies GmbH, Hans-Knöll-Straße 6, D-07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Meritxell Canals
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
- Centre of Membrane Proteins and Receptors (COMPARE), Universities of Nottingham and Birmingham, Birmingham, Midlands, UK.
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2
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Jaeckel ER, Herrera YN, Schulz S, Birdsong WT. Chronic Morphine Induces Adaptations in Opioid Receptor Signaling in a Thalamostriatal Circuit That Are Location Dependent, Sex Specific, and Regulated by μ-Opioid Receptor Phosphorylation. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e0293232023. [PMID: 37985179 PMCID: PMC10860620 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0293-23.2023] [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: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic opioid exposure induces tolerance to the pain-relieving effects of opioids but sensitization to some other effects. While the occurrence of these adaptations is well understood, the underlying cellular mechanisms are less clear. This study aimed to determine how chronic treatment with morphine, a prototypical opioid agonist, induced adaptations to subsequent morphine signaling in different subcellular contexts. Opioids acutely inhibit glutamatergic transmission from medial thalamic (MThal) inputs to the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) via activity at μ-opioid receptors (MORs). MORs are present in somatic and presynaptic compartments of MThal neurons terminating in the DMS. We investigated the effects of chronic morphine treatment on subsequent morphine signaling at MThal-DMS synapses and MThal cell bodies in male and female mice. Surprisingly, chronic morphine treatment increased subsequent morphine inhibition of MThal-DMS synaptic transmission (morphine facilitation) in male, but not female, mice. At MThal cell bodies, chronic morphine treatment decreased subsequent morphine activation of potassium conductance (morphine tolerance) in both male and female mice. In knock-in mice expressing phosphorylation-deficient MORs, chronic morphine treatment resulted in tolerance to, rather than facilitation of, subsequent morphine signaling at MThal-DMS terminals, suggesting phosphorylation deficiency unmasks adaptations that counter the facilitation observed at presynaptic terminals in wild-type mice. The results of this study suggest that the effects of chronic morphine exposure are not ubiquitous; rather adaptations in MOR function may be determined by multiple factors such as subcellular receptor distribution, influence of local circuitry, and sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth R Jaeckel
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - Yoani N Herrera
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
| | - Stefan Schulz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller University, D-07747 Jena, Germany
| | - William T Birdsong
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
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3
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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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4
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Taboun ZS, Sadeghi J. The bidirectional relationship between opioids and the gut microbiome: Implications for opioid tolerance and clinical interventions. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 125:111142. [PMID: 37918085 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111142] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Opioids are widely used in treating patients with acute and chronic pain; however, this class of drugs is also commonly abused. Opioid use disorder and associated overdoses are becoming more prevalent as the opioid crisis continues. Chronic opioid use is associated with tolerance, which decreases the efficacy of opioids over time, but also puts individuals at risk of fatal overdoses. Therefore, it is essential to identify strategies to reduce opioid tolerance in those that use these agents. The gut microbiome has been found to play a critical role in opioid tolerance, with opioids causing dysbiosis of the gut, and changes in the gut microbiome impacting opioid tolerance. These changes in turn have a detrimental effect on the gut microbiome, creating a positive feedback cycle. We review the bidirectional relationship between the gut microbiome and opioid tolerance, discuss the role of modulation of the gut microbiome as a potential therapeutic option in opioid-induced gut dysbiosis, and suggest opportunities for further research and clinical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra S Taboun
- Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Javad Sadeghi
- School of Engineering, University of British Columbia - Okanagan, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
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5
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Coutens B, Ingram SL. Key differences in regulation of opioid receptors localized to presynaptic terminals compared to somas: Relevance for novel therapeutics. Neuropharmacology 2023; 226:109408. [PMID: 36584882 PMCID: PMC9898207 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Opioid receptors are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that regulate activity within peripheral, subcortical and cortical circuits involved in pain, reward, and aversion processing. Opioid receptors are expressed in both presynaptic terminals where they inhibit neurotransmitter release and postsynaptic locations where they act to hyperpolarize neurons and reduce activity. Agonist activation of postsynaptic receptors at the plasma membrane signal via ion channels or cytoplasmic second messengers. Agonist binding initiates regulatory processes that include phosphorylation by G protein receptor kinases (GRKs) and recruitment of beta-arrestins that desensitize and internalize the receptors. Opioid receptors also couple to effectors from endosomes activating intracellular enzymes and kinases. In contrast to postsynaptic opioid receptors, receptors localized to presynaptic terminals are resistant to desensitization such that there is no loss of signaling in the continuous presence of opioids over the same time scale. Thus, the balance of opioid signaling in circuits expressing pre- and postsynaptic opioid receptors is shifted toward inhibition of presynaptic neurotransmitter release during continuous opioid exposure. The functional implication of this shift is not often acknowledged in behavioral studies. This review covers what is currently understood about regulation of opioid/nociceptin receptors, with an emphasis on opioid receptor signaling in pain and reward circuits. Importantly, the review covers regulation of presynaptic receptors and the critical gaps in understanding this area, as well as the opportunities to further understand opioid signaling in brain circuits. This article is part of the Special Issue on "Opioid-induced changes in addiction and pain circuits".
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Affiliation(s)
- Basile Coutens
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Susan L Ingram
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
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6
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Jaeckel ER, Arias-Hervert ER, Perez-Medina AL, Herrera YN, Schulz S, Birdsong WT. Chronic morphine induces adaptations in opioid receptor signaling in a thalamo-cortico-striatal circuit that are projection-dependent, sex-specific and regulated by mu opioid receptor phosphorylation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.13.528057. [PMID: 36824766 PMCID: PMC9949156 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.13.528057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Chronic opioid exposure induces tolerance to the pain-relieving effects of opioids but sensitization to some other effects. While the occurrence of these adaptations is well-understood, the underlying cellular mechanisms are less clear. This study aimed to determine how chronic treatment with morphine, a prototypical opioid agonist, induced adaptations to subsequent morphine signaling in different subcellular contexts. Opioids acutely inhibit glutamatergic transmission from medial thalamic (MThal) inputs to the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) via activity at μ-opioid receptors (MORs). MORs are present in somatic and presynaptic compartments of MThal neurons terminating in both the DMS and ACC. We investigated the effects of chronic morphine treatment on subsequent morphine signaling at MThal-DMS synapses, MThal-ACC synapses, and MThal cell bodies in male and female mice. Surprisingly, chronic morphine treatment increased subsequent morphine inhibition of MThal-DMS synaptic transmission (morphine facilitation), but decreased subsequent morphine inhibition of transmission at MThal-ACC synapses (morphine tolerance) in a sex-specific manner; these adaptations were present in male but not female mice. Additionally, these adaptations were not observed in knockin mice expressing phosphorylation-deficient MORs, suggesting a role of MOR phosphorylation in mediating both facilitation and tolerance to morphine within this circuit. The results of this study suggest that the effects of chronic morphine exposure are not ubiquitous; rather adaptations in MOR function may be determined by multiple factors such as subcellular receptor distribution, influence of local circuitry and sex.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yoani N. Herrera
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Stefan Schulz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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7
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Zhou J, Ma R, Jin Y, Fang J, Du J, Shao X, Liang Y, Fang J. Molecular mechanisms of opioid tolerance: From opioid receptors to inflammatory mediators (Review). Exp Ther Med 2021; 22:1004. [PMID: 34345286 PMCID: PMC8311239 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioids are considered the most effective analgesics for the treatment of both acute and chronic pain. However, prolonged opioid use can induce a certain level of tolerance to its analgesic effects, leading to a reduction in its effectiveness, addiction and abuse. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying opioid tolerance may provide insights into this phenomenon and aid in the development of novel methods to combat the side effects of opioid tolerance. The present review focused on two major contributors to tolerance, opioid receptors and inflammatory mediators. The molecular mechanisms involved in the desensitization of the opioid receptors were briefly described, including their phosphorylation, internalisation and recycling. Subsequently, the effects of Toll like receptor 4/NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3-mediated proinflammatory responses in opioid tolerance were discussed, aiming in supporting the identification of novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhou
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310005, P.R. China
| | - Ruijie Ma
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310005, P.R. China
| | - Ying Jin
- Department of Rehabilitation in Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310000, P.R. China
| | - Junfan Fang
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, P.R. China
| | - Junying Du
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, P.R. China
| | - Xiaomei Shao
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, P.R. China
| | - Yi Liang
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, P.R. China
| | - Jianqiao Fang
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Neurology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, P.R. China
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8
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Chakrabarti S, Liu NJ, Gintzler AR. Relevance of Mu-Opioid Receptor Splice Variants and Plasticity of Their Signaling Sequelae to Opioid Analgesic Tolerance. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2021; 41:855-862. [PMID: 32804312 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-020-00934-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Opioid dose escalation to effectively control pain is often linked to the current prescription opioid abuse epidemic. This creates social as well as medical imperatives to better understand the mechanistic underpinnings of opioid tolerance to develop interventions that minimize it, thereby maximizing the analgesic effectiveness of opioids. Profound opioid analgesic tolerance can be observed in the absence of mu-opioid receptor (MOR) downregulation, aggregate MOR G protein uncoupling, and MOR desensitization, in the absence of impaired G protein coupled receptor kinase phosphorylation, arrestin binding, or endocytosis. Thus, we have explored alternative biochemical sequelae that might better account for opioid analgesic tolerance. Our findings indicate that substantial plasticity among upstream and downstream components of opioid receptor signaling and the emergence of alternative signaling pathways are major contributors to opioid analgesic tolerance. An exemplar of this plasticity is our findings that chronic morphine upregulates the MOR variants MOR-1B2 and MOR-1C1 and phosphorylation of their C-terminal sites not present in MOR-1, events causally associated with the chronic morphine-induced shift in MOR G protein coupling from predominantly Gi/Go inhibitory to Gs-stimulatory adenylyl cyclase signaling. The unique feature(s) of these variants that underlies their susceptibility to adapting to chronic morphine by altering the nature of their G protein coupling reveals the richness and pliability of MOR signaling that is enabled by generating a wide diversity of MOR variants. Furthermore, given differential anatomical expression patterns of MOR variants, MOR splice variant-dependent adaptations to chronic morphine could enable mechanistic underpinnings of tolerance and dependence that are CNS region- and cell-specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumita Chakrabarti
- Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA
| | - Nai-Jiang Liu
- Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA
| | - Alan R Gintzler
- Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn, NY, 11203, USA.
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9
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Ehrlich AT, Darcq E. Recent advances in basic science methodology to evaluate opioid safety profiles and to understand opioid activities. Fac Rev 2021; 10:15. [PMID: 33718932 PMCID: PMC7946392 DOI: 10.12703/r/10-15] [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] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioids are powerful drugs used by humans for centuries to relieve pain and are still frequently used as pain treatment in current clinical practice. Medicinal opioids primarily target the mu opioid receptor (MOR), and MOR activation produces unmatched pain-alleviating properties, as well as side effects such as strong rewarding effects, and thus abuse potential, and respiratory depression contributing to death during overdose. Therefore, the ultimate goal is to create opioid pain-relievers with reduced respiratory depression and thus fewer chances of lethality. Efforts are also underway to reduce the euphoric effects of opioids and avoid abuse liability. In this review, recent advances in basic science methodology used to understand MOR pharmacology and activities will be summarized. The focus of the review will be to describe current technological advances that enable the study of opioid analgesics from subcellular mechanisms to mesoscale network responses. These advances in understanding MOR physiological responses will help to improve knowledge and future design of opioid analgesics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliza T Ehrlich
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Emmanuel Darcq
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Research Center, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
- INSERM U1114, UNISTRA University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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10
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Gurevich EV, Gurevich VV. GRKs as Modulators of Neurotransmitter Receptors. Cells 2020; 10:cells10010052. [PMID: 33396400 PMCID: PMC7823573 DOI: 10.3390/cells10010052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Many receptors for neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and neuropeptides, belong to the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). A general model posits that GPCRs undergo two-step homologous desensitization: the active receptor is phosphorylated by kinases of the G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK) family, whereupon arrestin proteins specifically bind active phosphorylated receptors, shutting down G protein-mediated signaling, facilitating receptor internalization, and initiating distinct signaling pathways via arrestin-based scaffolding. Here, we review the mechanisms of GRK-dependent regulation of neurotransmitter receptors, focusing on the diverse modes of GRK-mediated phosphorylation of receptor subtypes. The immediate signaling consequences of GRK-mediated receptor phosphorylation, such as arrestin recruitment, desensitization, and internalization/resensitization, are equally diverse, depending not only on the receptor subtype but also on phosphorylation by GRKs of select receptor residues. We discuss the signaling outcome as well as the biological and behavioral consequences of the GRK-dependent phosphorylation of neurotransmitter receptors where known.
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11
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GRKs as Key Modulators of Opioid Receptor Function. Cells 2020; 9:cells9112400. [PMID: 33147802 PMCID: PMC7692057 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the link between agonist-induced phosphorylation of the mu-opioid receptor (MOR) and the associated physiological effects is critical for the development of novel analgesic drugs and is particularly important for understanding the mechanisms responsible for opioid-induced tolerance and addiction. The family of G protein receptor kinases (GRKs) play a pivotal role in such processes, mediating phosphorylation of residues at the C-tail of opioid receptors. Numerous strategies, such as phosphosite specific antibodies and mass spectrometry have allowed the detection of phosphorylated residues and the use of mutant knock-in mice have shed light on the role of GRK regulation in opioid receptor physiology. Here we review our current understanding on the role of GRKs in the actions of opioid receptors, with a particular focus on the MOR, the target of most commonly used opioid analgesics such as morphine or fentanyl.
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12
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Møller TC, Pedersen MF, van Senten JR, Seiersen SD, Mathiesen JM, Bouvier M, Bräuner-Osborne H. Dissecting the roles of GRK2 and GRK3 in μ-opioid receptor internalization and β-arrestin2 recruitment using CRISPR/Cas9-edited HEK293 cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17395. [PMID: 33060647 PMCID: PMC7567791 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73674-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Most G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) recruit β-arrestins and internalize upon agonist stimulation. For the μ-opioid receptor (μ-OR), this process has been linked to development of opioid tolerance. GPCR kinases (GRKs), particularly GRK2 and GRK3, have been shown to be important for μ-OR recruitment of β-arrestin and internalization. However, the contribution of GRK2 and GRK3 to β-arrestin recruitment and receptor internalization, remain to be determined in their complete absence. Using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing we established HEK293 cells with knockout of GRK2, GRK3 or both to dissect their individual contributions in β-arrestin2 recruitment and μ-OR internalization upon stimulation with four different agonists. We showed that GRK2/3 removal reduced agonist-induced μ-OR internalization and β-arrestin2 recruitment substantially and we found GRK2 to be more important for these processes than GRK3. Furthermore, we observed a sustained and GRK2/3 independent component of β-arrestin2 recruitment to the plasma membrane upon μ-OR activation. Rescue expression experiments restored GRK2/3 functions. Inhibition of GRK2/3 using the small molecule inhibitor CMPD101 showed a high similarity between the genetic and pharmacological approaches, cross-validating the specificity of both. However, off-target effects were observed at high CMPD101 concentrations. These GRK2/3 KO cell lines should prove useful for a wide range of studies on GPCR function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thor C Møller
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Mie F Pedersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jeffrey R van Senten
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sofie D Seiersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesper M Mathiesen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michel Bouvier
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Hans Bräuner-Osborne
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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13
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Gillis A, Sreenivasan V, Christie MJ. Intrinsic Efficacy of Opioid Ligands and Its Importance for Apparent Bias, Operational Analysis, and Therapeutic Window. Mol Pharmacol 2020; 98:410-424. [PMID: 32665252 DOI: 10.1124/mol.119.119214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence from several novel opioid agonists and knockout animals suggests that improved opioid therapeutic window, notably for analgesia versus respiratory depression, is a result of ligand bias downstream of activation of the µ-opioid receptor (MOR) toward G protein signaling and away from other pathways, such as arrestin recruitment. Here, we argue that published claims of opioid bias based on application of the operational model of agonism are frequently confounded by failure to consider the assumptions of the model. These include failure to account for intrinsic efficacy and ceiling effects in different pathways, distortions introduced by analysis of amplified (G protein) versus linear (arrestin) signaling mechanisms, and nonequilibrium effects in a dynamic signaling cascade. We show on both theoretical and experimental grounds that reduced intrinsic efficacy that is unbiased across different downstream pathways, when analyzed without due considerations, does produce apparent but erroneous MOR ligand bias toward G protein signaling, and the weaker the G protein partial agonism is the greater the apparent bias. Experimentally, such apparently G protein-biased opioids have been shown to exhibit low intrinsic efficacy for G protein signaling when ceiling effects are properly accounted for. Nevertheless, such agonists do display an improved therapeutic window for analgesia versus respiratory depression. Reduced intrinsic efficacy for G proteins rather than any supposed G protein bias provides a more plausible, sufficient explanation for the improved safety. Moreover, genetic models of G protein-biased opioid receptors and replication of previous knockout experiments suggest that reduced or abolished arrestin recruitment does not improve therapeutic window for MOR-induced analgesia versus respiratory depression. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Efforts to improve safety of µ-opioid analgesics have focused on agonists that show signaling bias for the G protein pathway versus other signaling pathways. This review provides theoretical and experimental evidence showing that failure to consider the assumptions of the operational model can lead to large distortions and overestimation of actual bias. We show that low intrinsic efficacy is a major determinant of these distortions, and pursuit of appropriately reduced intrinsic efficacy should guide development of safer opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Gillis
- Discipline of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (A.G., M.J.C.) and EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia (V.S.)
| | - Varun Sreenivasan
- Discipline of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (A.G., M.J.C.) and EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia (V.S.)
| | - Macdonald J Christie
- Discipline of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (A.G., M.J.C.) and EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia (V.S.)
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14
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Lemos Duarte M, Devi LA. Post-translational Modifications of Opioid Receptors. Trends Neurosci 2020; 43:417-432. [PMID: 32459993 PMCID: PMC7323054 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2020.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are key events in signal transduction since they affect protein function by regulating their abundance and/or activity. PTMs involve the covalent attachment of functional groups to specific amino acids. Since they tend to be generally reversible, PTMs serve as regulators of signal transduction pathways. G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are major signaling proteins that undergo multiple types of PTMs. In this Review, we focus on the opioid receptors, members of GPCR family A, and highlight recent advances in the field that have underscored the importance of PTMs in the functional regulation of these receptors. Since opioid receptor activity plays a central role in the development of tolerance and addiction to morphine and other drugs of abuse, understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating receptor activity is of fundamental importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Lemos Duarte
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lakshmi A Devi
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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15
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Leff ER, Arttamangkul S, Williams JT. Chronic Treatment with Morphine Disrupts Acute Kinase-Dependent Desensitization of GPCRs. Mol Pharmacol 2020; 98:497-507. [PMID: 32362586 DOI: 10.1124/mol.119.119362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Based on studies using mutations of the µ-opioid receptor (MOR), phosphorylation of multiple sites on the C-terminus has been recognized as a critical step underlying acute desensitization and the development of cellular tolerance. The aim of this study is to explore which kinases mediate desensitization of MOR in brain slices from drug-naïve and morphine-treated animals. Whole-cell recordings from locus coeruleus neurons were made, and the agonist-induced increase in potassium conductance was measured. In slices from naïve animals, pharmacological inhibition of G-protein receptor kinase (GRK2/3) with compound 101 blocked acute desensitization. Following chronic treatment with morphine, compound 101 was less effective at blocking acute desensitization. Compound 101 blocked receptor internalization in tissue from both naïve and morphine-treated animals, suggesting that GRK2/3 remained active. Kinase inhibitors aimed at blocking protein kinase C and c-Jun N-terminal kinase had no effect on desensitization in tissue taken from naïve animals. However, in slices taken from morphine-treated animals, the combination of these blockers along with compound 101 was required to block acute desensitization. Acute desensitization of the potassium conductance induced by the somatostatin receptor was also blocked by compound 101 in slices from naïve but not morphine-treated animals. As was observed with MOR, it was necessary to use the combination of kinase inhibitors to block desensitization of the somatostatin receptor in slices from morphine-treated animals. The results show that chronic treatment with morphine results in a surprising and heterologous adaptation in kinase-dependent desensitization. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The results show that chronic treatment with morphine induced heterologous adaptations in kinase regulation of G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) desensitization. Although the canonical mechanism for acute desensitization through phosphorylation by G protein-coupled receptor kinase is supported in tissue taken from naïve animals, following chronic treatment with morphine, the acute kinase-dependent desensitization of GPCRs is disrupted such that additional kinases, including protein kinase C and c-Jun N-terminal kinase, contribute to desensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Leff
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | | | - John T Williams
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
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16
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Birdsong WT, Williams JT. Recent Progress in Opioid Research from an Electrophysiological Perspective. Mol Pharmacol 2020; 98:401-409. [PMID: 32198208 PMCID: PMC7562972 DOI: 10.1124/mol.119.119040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Electrophysiological approaches provide powerful tools to further our understanding of how different opioids affect signaling through opioid receptors; how opioid receptors modulate circuitry involved in processes such as pain, respiration, addiction, and feeding; and how receptor signaling and circuits are altered by physiologic challenges, such as injury, stress, and chronic opioid treatment. The use of genetic manipulations to alter or remove μ-opioid receptors (MORs) with anatomic and cell type specificity and the ability to activate or inhibit specific circuits through opto- or chemogenetic approaches are being used in combination with electrophysiological, pharmacological, and systems-level physiology experiments to expand our understanding of the beneficial and maladaptive roles of opioids and opioid receptor signaling. New approaches for studying endogenous opioid peptide signaling and release and the dynamics of these systems in response to chronic opioid use, pain, and stress will add another layer to our understanding of the intricacies of opioid modulation of brain circuits. This understanding may lead to new targets or approaches for drug development or treatment regimens that may affect both acute and long-term effects of manipulating the activity of circuits involved in opioid-mediated physiology and behaviors. This review will discuss recent advancements in our understanding of the role of phosphorylation in regulating MOR signaling, as well as our understanding of circuits and signaling pathways mediating physiologic behaviors such as respiratory control, and discuss how electrophysiological tools combined with new technologies have and will continue to advance the field of opioid research.
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Affiliation(s)
- William T Birdsong
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (W.T.B.) and Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (J.T.W.)
| | - John T Williams
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (W.T.B.) and Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon (J.T.W.)
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17
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Chakrabarti S, Liu NJ, Gintzler AR. Phosphorylation of unique C-terminal sites of the mu-opioid receptor variants 1B2 and 1C1 influences their Gs association following chronic morphine. J Neurochem 2019; 152:449-467. [PMID: 31479519 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
We recently demonstrated in rat spinal cord that a regimen of escalating doses of systemic morphine, analogous to regimens used clinically for chronic pain management, selectively up-regulates the mu-opioid receptor (MOR) splice variants MOR-1B2 and MOR-1C1 mRNA and functional protein. This study investigated the potential relevance of up-regulating MOR-1B2 and MOR-1C1 to the ability of chronic morphine to shift MOR signaling from predominantly Gi /Go inhibitory to Gs stimulatory. Specifically, we tested the hypotheses that chronic morphine induces phosphorylation of carboxyl terminal sites unique to MOR-1B2 and MOR-1C1, and that this phosphorylation is causally related to augmented association of these variants with Gs α. Hypotheses were validated by (i) abolition of the chronic morphine-induced increment in MOR-1C1 and MOR-1B2 association with Gs α by inhibitors of protein kinase A and Casein kinase 2, respectively; (ii) failure of chronic morphine to augment MOR variant Gs α interactions in Chinese hamster ovary cells transiently transfected with either rat MOR-1C1 or MOR-1B2 in which targeted protein kinase A and Casein kinase 2 serine phosphorylation sites, respectively, were mutated to alanine; (iii) abrogation of chronic morphine-induced augmented MOR Gs α association in spinal cord of male rats following intrathecal administration of dicer substrate small interfering RNAs targeting MOR-1B2/MOR-1C1 mRNA. The ability of chronic morphine to not only up-regulate-specific MOR variants but also their carboxyl terminal phosphorylation and consequent augmented association with Gs α may represent a novel component of opioid tolerance mechanisms, suggesting novel potential targets for tolerance abatement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumita Chakrabarti
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Nai-Jiang Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
| | - Alan R Gintzler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA
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18
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Arttamangkul S, Leff ER, Koita O, Birdsong WT, Williams JT. Separation of Acute Desensitization and Long-Term Tolerance of µ-Opioid Receptors Is Determined by the Degree of C-Terminal Phosphorylation. Mol Pharmacol 2019; 96:505-514. [PMID: 31383769 DOI: 10.1124/mol.119.117358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Phosphorylation of sites on the C terminus of the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) results in the induction of acute desensitization that is thought to be a precursor for the development of long-term tolerance. Alanine mutations of all 11 phosphorylation sites on the C terminus of MORs almost completely abolished desensitization and one measure of tolerance in locus coeruleus neurons when these phosphorylation-deficient MORs were virally expressed in MOR knockout rats. In the present work, we identified specific residues that underlie acute desensitization, receptor internalization, and tolerance and examined four MOR variants with different alanine or glutamate mutations in the C terminus. Alanine mutations in the sequence between amino acids 375 and 379 (STANT-3A) and the sequence between amino acids 363 and 394 having four additional alanine substitutions (STANT + 7A) reduced desensitization and two measures of long-term tolerance. After chronic morphine treatment, alanine mutations in the sequence between 354 and 357 (TSST-4A) blocked one measure of long-term tolerance (increased acute desensitization and slowed recovery from desensitization) but did not change a second (decreased sensitivity to morphine). With the expression of receptors having glutamate substitutions in the TSST sequence (TSST-4E), an increase in acute desensitization was present after chronic morphine treatment, but the sensitivity to morphine was not changed. The results show that all 11 phosphorylation sites contribute, in varying degrees, to acute desensitization and long-term tolerance. That acute desensitization and tolerance are not necessarily linked illustrates the complexity of events that are triggered by chronic treatment with morphine. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: In this work, we showed that the degree of phosphorylation on the C terminus of the μ-opioid receptor alters acute desensitization and internalization, and in measures of long-term tolerance to morphine. The primary conclusion is that the degree of phosphorylation on the 11 possible sites of the C terminus has different roles for expression of the multiple adaptive mechanisms that follow acute and long-term agonist activation. Although the idea that acute desensitization and tolerance are intimately linked is generally supported, these results indicate that disruption of one phosphorylation cassette of the C terminus TSST (354-357) distinguishes the two processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emily R Leff
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Omar Koita
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | | | - John T Williams
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
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19
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Birdsong WT, Jongbloets BC, Engeln KA, Wang D, Scherrer G, Mao T. Synapse-specific opioid modulation of thalamo-cortico-striatal circuits. eLife 2019; 8:45146. [PMID: 31099753 PMCID: PMC6541437 DOI: 10.7554/elife.45146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The medial thalamus (MThal), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and striatum play important roles in affective-motivational pain processing and reward learning. Opioids affect both pain and reward through uncharacterized modulation of this circuitry. This study examined opioid actions on glutamate transmission between these brain regions in mouse. Mu-opioid receptor (MOR) agonists potently inhibited MThal inputs without affecting ACC inputs to individual striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs). MOR activation also inhibited MThal inputs to the pyramidal neurons in the ACC. In contrast, delta-opioid receptor (DOR) agonists disinhibited ACC pyramidal neuron responses to MThal inputs by suppressing local feed-forward GABA signaling from parvalbumin-positive interneurons. As a result, DOR activation in the ACC facilitated poly-synaptic (thalamo-cortico-striatal) excitation of MSNs by MThal inputs. These results suggest that opioid effects on pain and reward may be shaped by the relative selectivity of opioid drugs to the specific circuit components.
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Affiliation(s)
- William T Birdsong
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Bart C Jongbloets
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Kim A Engeln
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, United States
| | - Dong Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, United States.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, United States.,Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, United States
| | - Grégory Scherrer
- Department of Anesthesiology Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, United States.,Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, United States.,Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, United States.,New York Stem Cell Foundation - Robertson Investigator, Stanford University, Palo Alto, United States
| | - Tianyi Mao
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, United States
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20
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Temporal dependence of shifts in mu opioid receptor mobility at the cell surface after agonist binding observed by single-particle tracking. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7297. [PMID: 31086197 PMCID: PMC6514008 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43657-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Agonist binding to the mu opioid receptor (MOR) results in conformational changes that allow recruitment of G-proteins, activation of downstream effectors and eventual desensitization and internalization, all of which could affect receptor mobility. The present study employed single particle tracking (SPT) of quantum dot labeled FLAG-tagged MORs to examine shifts in MOR mobility after agonist binding. FLAG-MORs on the plasma membrane were in both mobile and immobile states under basal conditions. Activation of FLAG-MORs with DAMGO caused an acute increase in the fraction of mobile MORs, and free portions of mobile tracks were partially dependent on interactions with G-proteins. In contrast, 10-minute exposure to DAMGO or morphine increased the fraction of immobile FLAG-MORs. While the decrease in mobility with prolonged DAMGO exposure corresponded to an increase in colocalization with clathrin, the increase in colocalization was present in both mobile and immobile FLAG-MORs. Thus, no single mobility state of the receptor accounted for colocalization with clathrin. These findings demonstrate that SPT can be used to track agonist-dependent changes in MOR mobility over time, but that the mobility states observed likely arise from a diverse set of interactions and will be most informative when examined in concert with particular downstream effectors.
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21
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Kliewer A, Schmiedel F, Sianati S, Bailey A, Bateman JT, Levitt ES, Williams JT, Christie MJ, Schulz S. Phosphorylation-deficient G-protein-biased μ-opioid receptors improve analgesia and diminish tolerance but worsen opioid side effects. Nat Commun 2019; 10:367. [PMID: 30664663 PMCID: PMC6341117 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-08162-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 211] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Opioid analgesics are powerful pain relievers; however, over time, pain control diminishes as analgesic tolerance develops. The molecular mechanisms initiating tolerance have remained unresolved to date. We have previously shown that desensitization of the μ-opioid receptor and interaction with β-arrestins is controlled by carboxyl-terminal phosphorylation. Here we created knockin mice with a series of serine- and threonine-to-alanine mutations that render the receptor increasingly unable to recruit β-arrestins. Desensitization is inhibited in locus coeruleus neurons of mutant mice. Opioid-induced analgesia is strongly enhanced and analgesic tolerance is greatly diminished. Surprisingly, respiratory depression, constipation, and opioid withdrawal signs are unchanged or exacerbated, indicating that β-arrestin recruitment does not contribute to the severity of opioid side effects and, hence, predicting that G-protein-biased µ-agonists are still likely to elicit severe adverse effects. In conclusion, our findings identify carboxyl-terminal multisite phosphorylation as key step that drives acute μ-opioid receptor desensitization and long-term tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Kliewer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - F Schmiedel
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07747, Jena, Germany
| | - S Sianati
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - A Bailey
- Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education, St George's University of London, London, SW17 ORE, UK
| | - J T Bateman
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32608, USA
| | - E S Levitt
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32608, USA
| | - J T Williams
- The Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181S.W. Sam Jackson Pk. Rd., Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - M J Christie
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - S Schulz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07747, Jena, Germany.
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22
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Miess E, Gondin AB, Yousuf A, Steinborn R, Mösslein N, Yang Y, Göldner M, Ruland JG, Bünemann M, Krasel C, Christie MJ, Halls ML, Schulz S, Canals M. Multisite phosphorylation is required for sustained interaction with GRKs and arrestins during rapid μ-opioid receptor desensitization. Sci Signal 2018; 11:11/539/eaas9609. [PMID: 30018083 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aas9609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
G protein receptor kinases (GRKs) and β-arrestins are key regulators of μ-opioid receptor (MOR) signaling and trafficking. We have previously shown that high-efficacy opioids such as DAMGO stimulate a GRK2/3-mediated multisite phosphorylation of conserved C-terminal tail serine and threonine residues, which facilitates internalization of the receptor. In contrast, morphine-induced phosphorylation of MOR is limited to Ser375 and is not sufficient to drive substantial receptor internalization. We report how specific multisite phosphorylation controlled the dynamics of GRK and β-arrestin interactions with MOR and show how such phosphorylation mediated receptor desensitization. We showed that GRK2/3 was recruited more quickly than was β-arrestin to a DAMGO-activated MOR. β-Arrestin recruitment required GRK2 activity and MOR phosphorylation, but GRK recruitment also depended on the phosphorylation sites in the C-terminal tail, specifically four serine and threonine residues within the 370TREHPSTANT379 motif. Our results also suggested that other residues outside this motif participated in the initial and transient recruitment of GRK and β-arrestins. We identified two components of high-efficacy agonist desensitization of MOR: a sustained component, which required GRK2-mediated phosphorylation and a potential soluble factor, and a rapid component, which was likely mediated by GRK2 but independent of receptor phosphorylation. Elucidating these complex receptor-effector interactions represents an important step toward a mechanistic understanding of MOR desensitization that leads to the development of tolerance and dependence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Miess
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital-Friedrich Schiller University Jena, D-07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Arisbel B Gondin
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Arsalan Yousuf
- Discipline of Pharmacology, University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Ralph Steinborn
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital-Friedrich Schiller University Jena, D-07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Nadja Mösslein
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Philipps-University Marburg, D-35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Yunshi Yang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Philipps-University Marburg, D-35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Martin Göldner
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Philipps-University Marburg, D-35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Julia G Ruland
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Philipps-University Marburg, D-35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Moritz Bünemann
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Philipps-University Marburg, D-35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Cornelius Krasel
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Philipps-University Marburg, D-35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - MacDonald J Christie
- Discipline of Pharmacology, University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Michelle L Halls
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Stefan Schulz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital-Friedrich Schiller University Jena, D-07747 Jena, Germany.
| | - Meritxell Canals
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria 3052, Australia.
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23
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Arttamangkul S, Heinz DA, Bunzow JR, Song X, Williams JT. Cellular tolerance at the µ-opioid receptor is phosphorylation dependent. eLife 2018; 7:34989. [PMID: 29589831 PMCID: PMC5873894 DOI: 10.7554/elife.34989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphorylation of the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) is known as a key step in desensitization and internalization but the role in the development of long-term tolerance at the cellular level is not known. Viral expression of wild type (exWT) and mutant MORs, where all phosphorylation sites on the C-terminus (Total Phosphorylation Deficient (TPD)) were mutated to alanine, were examined in locus coeruleus neurons in a MOR knockout rat. Both receptors activated potassium conductance similar to endogenous receptors in wild type animals. The exWT receptors, like endogenous receptors, acutely desensitized, internalized and, after chronic morphine treatment, displayed signs of tolerance. However, TPD receptors did not desensitize or internalize with agonist treatment. In addition the TPD receptors did not develop cellular tolerance following chronic morphine treatment. Thus C-terminal phosphorylation is necessary for the expression of acute desensitization, trafficking and one sign of long-term tolerance to morphine at the cellular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seksiri Arttamangkul
- The Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Oregon, United States
| | - Daniel A Heinz
- The Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Oregon, United States
| | - James R Bunzow
- The Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Oregon, United States
| | - Xianqiang Song
- The Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Oregon, United States
| | - John T Williams
- The Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Oregon, United States
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24
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Paul AK, Gueven N, Dietis N. Age-dependent antinociception and behavioral inhibition by morphine. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2018; 168:8-16. [PMID: 29548597 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2018.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Revised: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
In current clinical practice, morphine is dosed in older patients based on patient-weight, with different calculations for adjustment. However, at present, neither clinical experience nor the literature offers a clear evidence base for the relationship between antinociception, behavioral effects and morphine administration in older patients. In this study, we compared the nociceptive response of 8 and 24 week old rats after subcutaneous administration of morphine per body weight and analyzed their behavior using an advanced multi-conditioning system. Residual morphine in all major tissues was determined. We observed prolonged morphine-induced antinociception in older rats compared to younger rats. Moreover, morphine significantly stimulated locomotor and rearing behavior 180 min after injection, which was significantly higher in the 8 week compared to 24 week old rats. Tissue analysis from animals extracted 240 min post-injection revealed a significantly higher concentration of residual morphine in the brains of older versus younger animals when standardized on tissue weight. However, this effect was not observed when residual morphine was standardized on protein content. Collectively, our data suggest that in older rats morphine exhibits higher antinociception and increased behavioral inhibition compared to younger animals. This effect is likely due to a significantly higher accumulation of morphine in the brain of older animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alok Kumar Paul
- Division of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Australia.
| | - Nuri Gueven
- Division of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Australia
| | - Nikolas Dietis
- Division of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Australia
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Levitt ES, Williams JT. Desensitization and Tolerance of Mu Opioid Receptors on Pontine Kölliker-Fuse Neurons. Mol Pharmacol 2018; 93:8-13. [PMID: 29097440 PMCID: PMC5708089 DOI: 10.1124/mol.117.109603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute desensitization of mu opioid receptors is thought to be an initial step in the development of tolerance to opioids. Given the resistance of the respiratory system to develop tolerance, desensitization of neurons in the Kölliker-Fuse (KF), a key area in the respiratory circuit, was examined. The activation of G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium current was measured using whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings from KF and locus coeruleus (LC) neurons contained in acute rat brain slices. A saturating concentration of the opioid agonist [Met5]-enkephalin (ME) caused significantly less desensitization in KF neurons compared with LC neurons. In contrast to LC, desensitization in KF neurons was not enhanced by activation of protein kinase C or in slices from morphine-treated rats. Cellular tolerance to ME and morphine was also lacking in KF neurons from morphine-treated rats. The lack of cellular tolerance in KF neurons correlates with the relative lack of tolerance to the respiratory depressant effect of opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica S Levitt
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (E.S.L.) and Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon (J.T.W.)
| | - John T Williams
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (E.S.L.) and Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon (J.T.W.)
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Abstract
This paper is the thirty-eighth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2015 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior, and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia, stress and social status, tolerance and dependence, learning and memory, eating and drinking, drug abuse and alcohol, sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology, mental illness and mood, seizures and neurologic disorders, electrical-related activity and neurophysiology, general activity and locomotion, gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions, cardiovascular responses, respiration and thermoregulation, and immunological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, United States.
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Ronsisvalle S, Aricò G, Panarello F, Spadaro A, Pasquinucci L, Pappalardo MS, Parenti C, Ronsisvalle N. An LP1 analogue, selective MOR agonist with a peculiar pharmacological profile, used to scrutiny the ligand binding domain. Bioorg Med Chem 2016; 24:5280-5290. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2016.08.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Revised: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Moulédous L, Froment C, Burlet-Schiltz O, Schulz S, Mollereau C. Phosphoproteomic analysis of the mouse brain mu-opioid (MOP) receptor. FEBS Lett 2015; 589:2401-8. [PMID: 26226422 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2015.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Revised: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Many in vitro data have shown that the efficacy of several opioid drugs is correlated with differential mu-opioid (MOP) receptor phosphorylation. Label-free semiquantitative on-line nanoflow liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (nanoLC-MS/MS) analyses were performed to compare the endogenous MOP receptor phosphorylation patterns of mice administered with morphine, etonitazene and fentanyl. The analysis identified S363, T370 and S375 as phosphorylated residues in the carboxy-terminus. Only T370 and S375 were regulated by agonists, with a higher propensity to promote double phosphorylation for high efficacy agonists. Our study provides confirmation that differential agonist-driven multi-site phosphorylation of MOP receptor occurs in vivo and validate the use of MS to study endogenous GPCR phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lionel Moulédous
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale CNRS/Université de Toulouse, 205 route de Narbonne, 31077 Toulouse, France
| | - Carine Froment
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale CNRS/Université de Toulouse, 205 route de Narbonne, 31077 Toulouse, France
| | - Odile Burlet-Schiltz
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale CNRS/Université de Toulouse, 205 route de Narbonne, 31077 Toulouse, France
| | - Stefan Schulz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Drackendorfer Strasse 1, 07747 Jena, Germany.
| | - Catherine Mollereau
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale CNRS/Université de Toulouse, 205 route de Narbonne, 31077 Toulouse, France.
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29
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Canals M. The Complex Roles of μ-Opioid Receptor Phosphorylation: A Key Determinant in Receptor Signaling and Regulation. Mol Pharmacol 2015; 88:814-5. [PMID: 26152197 DOI: 10.1124/mol.115.100180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2014] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This Commentary focuses on two articles in the October 2015 issue of Molecular Pharmacology that investigate the role of μ-opioid receptor phosphorylation in receptor agonist binding and desensitization. The work of Birdsong et al. and Yousuf et al. clearly highlights the complexity that researchers face when trying to assess the signaling and regulatory consequences of G protein-coupled receptor phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meritxell Canals
- Drug Discovery Biology Theme and ARC Center of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Yousuf A, Miess E, Sianati S, Du YP, Schulz S, Christie MJ. Role of Phosphorylation Sites in Desensitization of µ-Opioid Receptor. Mol Pharmacol 2015; 88:825-35. [PMID: 25969388 DOI: 10.1124/mol.115.098244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphorylation of residues in the C-terminal tail of the µ-opioid receptor (MOPr) is thought to be a key step in desensitization and internalization. Phosphorylation of C-terminal S/T residues is required for internalization (Just et al., 2013), but its role in desensitization is unknown. This study examined the influence of C-terminal phosphorylation sites on rapid desensitization of MOPr. Wild-type MOPr, a 3S/T-A mutant (S363A, T370A, S375A) that maintains internalization, 6S/T-A (S363A, T370A, S375A, T376A, T379A, T383A) and 11S/T-A (all C-terminal S/T residues mutated) mutants not internalized by MOPr agonists were stably expressed in AtT20 cells. Perforated patch-clamp recordings of MOPr-mediated activation of G-protein-activated inwardly rectifying potassium channel (Kir3.X) (GIRK) conductance by submaximal concentrations of Met(5)-enkephalin (ME) and somatostatin (SST; coupling to native SST receptor [SSTR]) were used to examine desensitization induced by exposure to ME and morphine for 5 minutes at 37°C. The rates of ME- and morphine-induced desensitization did not correlate with phosphorylation using phosphorylation site-specific antibodies. ME-induced MOPr desensitization and resensitization did not differ from wild-type for 3S/T-A and 6S/T-A but was abolished in 11S/T-A. Morphine-induced desensitization was unaffected in all three mutants, as was heterologous desensitization of SSTR. Morphine-induced desensitization (but not ME) was reduced by protein kinase C inhibition in wild-type MOPr and abolished in the 11S/T-A mutant, as was heterologous desensitization. These findings establish that MOPr desensitization can occur independently of S/T phosphorylation and internalization; however, C-terminal phosphorylation is necessary for some forms of desensitization because mutation of all C-terminal sites (11S/T-A) abolishes desensitization induced by ME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arsalan Yousuf
- Discipline of Pharmacology, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia (A.Y., S.Si., Y.-P.D., M.J.C.); and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany (E.M., S.Sc.)
| | - Elke Miess
- Discipline of Pharmacology, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia (A.Y., S.Si., Y.-P.D., M.J.C.); and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany (E.M., S.Sc.)
| | - Setareh Sianati
- Discipline of Pharmacology, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia (A.Y., S.Si., Y.-P.D., M.J.C.); and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany (E.M., S.Sc.)
| | - Yan-Ping Du
- Discipline of Pharmacology, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia (A.Y., S.Si., Y.-P.D., M.J.C.); and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany (E.M., S.Sc.)
| | - Stefan Schulz
- Discipline of Pharmacology, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia (A.Y., S.Si., Y.-P.D., M.J.C.); and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany (E.M., S.Sc.)
| | - MacDonald J Christie
- Discipline of Pharmacology, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Sydney, Australia (A.Y., S.Si., Y.-P.D., M.J.C.); and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany (E.M., S.Sc.)
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