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

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985 · 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, MI (United States)
• OSTI ID: 6334057
• Journal Information: Peptides (Fayetteville, N.Y.); (United States), Journal Name: Peptides (Fayetteville, N.Y.); (United States)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BRAIN
AUTORADIOGRAPHY
CYTOCHEMISTRY
RECEPTORS
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS
ENKEPHALINS
NERVE CELLS
OPIUM
PHYSIOLOGY
RATS
ANALGESICS
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM AGENTS
BIOCHEMISTRY
BODY
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DEPRESSANTS
CHEMISTRY
DISTRIBUTION
DRUGS
ENDORPHINS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
NARCOTICS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NEUROREGULATORS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PEPTIDES
POLYPEPTIDES
PROTEINS
RODENTS
SOMATIC CELLS
VERTEBRATES
550601* - Medicine- Unsealed Radionuclides in Diagnostics
551001 - Physiological Systems- Tracer Techniques