Combined autoradiographic-immunocytochemical analysis of opioid receptors and opioid peptide neuronal systems in brain

Journal Article · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1984 · Peptides (Fayetteville, N.Y.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0196-9781(85)90010-5· OSTI ID:6334057

Lewis, M E; Khachaturian, H; Watson, S J

Using adjacent section autoradiography-immunocytochemistry, the distribution of (TH)naloxone binding sites was studied in relation to neuronal systems containing (Leu)enkephalin, dynorphin A, or beta-endorphin immunoreactivity in rat brain. Brain sections from formaldehyde-perfused rats show robust specific binding of (TH)naloxone, the pharmacological (mu-like) properties of which appear unaltered. In contrast, specific binding of the delta ligand (TH)D-Ala2,D-Leu5-enkephalin was virtually totally eliminated as a result of formaldehyde perfusion. Using adjacent section analysis, the authors have noted associations between (TH)naloxone binding sites and one, two, or all three opioid systems in different brain regions; however, in some areas, no apparent relationship could be observed. Within regions, the relationship was complex. The complexity of the association between (TH)naloxone binding sites and the multiple opioid systems, and previous reports of co-localization of mu and kappa receptors in rat brain, are inconsistent with a simple-one-to-one relationship between a given opioid precursor and opioid receptor subtype. Instead, since differential processing of the three precursors gives rise to peptides of varying receptor subtype potencies and selectivities, the multiple peptide-receptor relationships may point to a key role of post-translational processing in determining the physiological consequences of opioid neurotransmission.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• OSTI ID: 6334057
• Journal Information: Peptides (Fayetteville, N.Y.); (United States), Journal Name: Peptides (Fayetteville, N.Y.); (United States); ISSN PPTDD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ANALGESICS
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM AGENTS
AUTORADIOGRAPHY
BIOCHEMISTRY
BODY
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DEPRESSANTS
CHEMISTRY
CYTOCHEMISTRY
DISTRIBUTION
DRUGS
ENDORPHINS
ENKEPHALINS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
NARCOTICS
NERVE CELLS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NEUROREGULATORS
OPIUM
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PEPTIDES
PHYSIOLOGY
POLYPEPTIDES
PROTEINS
RATS
RECEPTORS
RODENTS
SOMATIC CELLS
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS
VERTEBRATES