Delta opioid receptor radioligands

Ionic storm in hypoxic/ischemic stress: can opioid receptors subside it?

Neurons in the mammalian central nervous system are extremely vulnerable to oxygen deprivation and blood supply insufficiency. Indeed, hypoxic/ischemic stress triggers multiple pathophysiological changes in the brain, forming the basis of hypoxic/ischemic encephalopathy. One of the initial and crucial events induced by hypoxia/ischemia is the disruption of ionic homeostasis characterized by enhanced K(+) efflux and Na(+)-, Ca(2+)- and Cl(-)-influx, which causes neuronal injury or even death. Recent data from our laboratory and those of others have shown that activation of opioid receptors, particularly delta-opioid receptors (DOR), is neuroprotective against hypoxic/ischemic insult. This protective mechanism may be one of the key factors that determine neuronal survival under hypoxic/ischemic condition. An important aspect of the DOR-mediated neuroprotection is its action against hypoxic/ischemic disruption of ionic homeostasis. Specially, DOR signal inhibits Na(+) influx through the membrane and reduces the increase in intracellular Ca(2+), thus decreasing the excessive leakage of intracellular K(+). Such protection is dependent on a PKC-dependent and PKA-independent signaling pathway. Furthermore, our novel exploration shows that DOR attenuates hypoxic/ischemic disruption of ionic homeostasis through the inhibitory regulation of Na(+) channels. In this review, we will first update current information regarding the process and features of hypoxic/ischemic disruption of ionic homeostasis and then discuss the opioid-mediated regulation of ionic homeostasis, especially in hypoxic/ischemic condition, and the underlying mechanisms.

Neuroprotective role of delta-opioid receptors against mitochondrial respiratory chain injury

It is recognized in recent years that activation of delta-opioid receptor (DOR) elicits neuroprotection against hypoxia and ischemia. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood yet. Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a key role in hypoxic neuronal injury, but the effect of DOR activation on neurons with a mitochondrial respiratory chain deficiency is poorly elucidated. In this study we tested the effects of DOR activation and inhibition on cultured cortical neurons after inhibiting mitochondrial respiratory chain with sodium azide (NaN(3)) in days 8 cultures. Neuronal injury was assessed by lactate dehydrogenase release. Changes in DOR proteins were investigated using an antibody against the N-terminus of the DOR, which recognizes the 60, 48, and 32 kDa proteins. Our main findings are that 1) delta- but not mu-opioid receptor activation reduces NaN(3)-induced neuronal damage, and this neuroprotective effect is abolished by DOR antagonist (naltrindole, NTI); 2) prolonged DOR inhibition with NTI further increases NaN(3)-induced neuronal damage; 3) NaN(3) treatment down-regulates DOR protein levels in neurons, and the 60 and 32 kDa proteins are particularly sensitive; 4) DADLE, besides activating DOR directly, also reverses the decrease of neuronal DOR protein levels induced by NaN(3), which may contribute greatly to its neuroprotective effect; 5) NTI reverses NaN(3)-induced down-regulation of DOR proteins as well, the effect of NTI amplifying NaN(3)-induced neuronal damage therefore is probably due to its inhibition on DOR activity only. In conclusion, these data suggest that DOR activation plays an important role in neuroprotection against mitochondrial respiratory chain injury.

delta-, but not mu-, opioid receptor stabilizes K(+) homeostasis by reducing Ca(2+) influx in the cortex during acute hypoxia

Past work has shown that delta-opioid receptor (DOR) activation by [D-Ala(2),D-Leu(5)]-enkephalin (DADLE) attenuated the disruption of K(+) homeostasis induced by hypoxia or oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) in the cortex, while naltrindole, a DOR antagonist blocked this effect, suggesting that DOR activity stabilizes K(+) homeostasis in the cortex during hypoxic/ischemic stress. However, several important issues remain unclear regarding this new observation, especially the difference between DOR and other opioid receptors in the stabilization of K(+) homeostasis and the underlying mechanism. In this study, we asked whether DOR is different from micro-opioid receptors (MOR) in stabilizing K(+) homeostasis and which membrane channel(s) is critically involved in the DOR effect. The main findings are that (1) similar to DADLE (10 microM), H-Dmt-Tic-NH-CH (CH(2)--COOH)-Bid (1-10 microM), a more specific and potent DOR agonist significantly attenuated anoxic K(+) derangement in cortical slice; (2) [D-Ala(2), N-Me-Phe(4), glycinol(5)]-enkephalin (DAGO; 10 microM), a MOR agonist, did not produce any appreciable change in anoxic disruption of K(+) homeostasis; (3) absence of Ca(2+) greatly attenuated anoxic K(+) derangement; (4) inhibition of Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK) channels with paxilline (10 microM) reduced anoxic K(+) derangement; (5) DADLE (10 microM) could not further reduce anoxic K(+) derangement in the Ca(2+)-free perfused slices or in the presence of paxilline; and (6) glybenclamide (20 microM), a K(ATP) channel blocker, decreased anoxia-induced K(+) derangement, but DADLE (10 microM) could further attenuate anoxic K(+) derangement in the glybenclamide-perfused slices. These data suggest that DOR, but not MOR, activation is protective against anoxic K(+) derangement in the cortex, at least partially via an inhibition of hypoxia-induced increase in Ca(2+) entry-BK channel activity.

Characterization of [125I]AR-M100613, a high-affinity radioligand for delta opioid receptors

AR-M100613 ([I]-Dmt-c[-D-Orn-2-Nal-D-Pro-D-Ala-]) is the iodinated analog of a cyclic casomorphin previously shown to be a potent antagonist at the delta opioid receptor. Specific [125I]AR-M100613 binding to rat whole brain membranes was saturable, reversible, and best fit to a one-site model (Kd = 0.080 +/- 0.008 nM, Bmax = 45.2 +/- 4.4 fmol/mg protein). [125I]AR-M100613 binding was displaced with high affinity by the delta opioid receptor ligands SNC-80, Deltorphin II and DPDPE but not the mu or kappa-selective receptor ligands DAMGO and U69593. Residual non-selective binding of [125I]AR-M 100613 to mu opioid receptors is blocked by the addition of CTOP to the assay buffer. [35S]GTPgammaS binding assays indicate that AR-M100613 is a potent, selective, and reversible antagonist for delta opioid receptors in rat brain membranes. The high-affinity, high specific activity, low nonspecific binding and antagonist profile of [125I]AR-M100613 favor its use as a radiochemical probe for delta opioid receptors.

What peptides these deltorphins be

The deltorphins are a class of highly selective delta-opioid heptapeptides from the skin of the Amazonian frogs Phyllomedusa sauvagei and P. bicolor. The first of these fascinating peptides came to light in 1987 by cloning of the cDNA of from frog skins, while the other members of this family were identified either by cDNA or isolation of the peptides. The distinctive feature of deltorphins is the presence of a naturally occurring D-enantiomer at the second position in their common N-terminal sequence, Tyr-D-Xaa-Phe, comparable to dermorphin, which is the prototype of a group of mu-selective opioids from the same source. The D-amino acid and the anionic residues, either Glu or Asp, as well as their unique amino acid compositions are responsible for the remarkable biostability, high delta-receptor affinity, bioactivity and peptide conformation. This review summarizes a decade of research from many laboratories that defined which residues and substituents in the deltorphins interact with the delta-receptor and characterized pharmacological and physiological activities in vitro and in vivo. It begins with a historical description of the topic and presents general schema for the synthesis of peptide analogues of deltorphins A, B and C as a means to document the methods employed in producing a myriad of analogues. Structure activity studies of the peptides and their pharmacological activities in vitro are detailed in abundantly tabulated data. A brief compendium of the current level of knowledge of the delta-receptor assists the reader to appreciate the rationale for the design of these analogues. Discussion of the conformation of these peptides addresses how structure leads to further hypotheses regarding ligand receptor interaction. The review ends with a broad discussion of the potential applications of these peptides in clinical and therapeutic settings.

Mapping the receptor domains critical for the binding selectivity of delta-opioid receptor ligands

While a good deal has been learned about determinants of high affinity ligand/receptor interactions in G-protein-coupled receptors, less is known about mechanisms of ligand selectivity. The opioid receptors offer an excellent opportunity to study the mechanisms whereby structurally very similar receptors discriminate between different but structurally highly related ligands. In the current study, we use a series of chimeric constructs between the delta-opioid receptor and either the mu- or the kappa-opioid receptors to investigate the structural basis of binding selectivity of multiple classes of delta-opioid receptor selective ligands. Our results demonstrate that a region containing the sixth transmembrane domain (TM6) and the third extracellular loop (EL3) in the delta-opioid receptor is absolutely critical for delta-opioid receptor selectivity. The introduction of this region into the kappa-opioid receptor is sufficient to impart a delta profile for delta-opioid receptor selective alkaloids such as naltrindole and naltriben. In order to locate the amino acid residues that may be involved in ligand selectivity in TM6 and EL3 of the delta-opioid receptor, several mutations were introduced into that region. These mutations showed differential effects on peptide and alkaloid ligands. In addition, none of the individual mutations alone could account for the changes exhibited by the chimeric receptors. We conclude that the selectivity of most delta-opioid ligands is achieved through their interaction with many different residues in the TM6/EL3 region. Our results also support a view that the extracellular domains of peptide receptors may provide the basis of a sorting mechanism for ligand selectivity.

In vivo labeling of delta opioid receptors in mouse brain by [3H]benzylidenenaltrexone, a ligand selective for the delta 1 subtype

(E)-7-Benzylidenenaltrexone (BNTX) is a selective ligand for the putative delta 1 (delta 1) opioid receptor. To explore the feasibility of labeling delta 1 sites in vivo; we determined the cerebral distribution of radioactivity after systemic administration of [3H]BNTX to CD1 mice. Uptake was highest in striatum and lowest in cerebellum throughout the 4 hr time course. Specific radioligand binding, approximated as the difference in radioactivity concentrations between striatum and cerebellum, peaked at 0.32 percent injected dose/g at 30 min and comprised a modest 23% of total striatal radioactivity. For seven brain regions, radioactivity concentrations correlated with delta site densities known from prior in vitro studies (rS = 0.79, p = 0.03), and also with the uptake of N1'-([11C]methyl)naltrindole in vivo (rS = 0.78, p = 0.04) in mice. Specific binding in striatum, olfactory tubercles and cortical regions was saturable by BNTX, and was inhibited stereoselectively by the optical isomers of naloxone. Naltrindole and naltriben (NTB), delta antagonists, blocked 65-99% of [3H]BNTX specific binding at a dosage of 5.0 mumol/kg. Similar doses of the mu antagonist cyprodime, or the kappa agonist U50,488H, did not inhibit binding. Adjusted for the four-fold greater brain penetration of NTB relative to BNTX, dose-response studies suggested that delta 1 selective BNTX (ED50 = 1.51 mumol/kg) was 50% more potent than delta 2 selective NTB (ED50 = 0.56 mumol/kg) in blocking specific [3H]BNTX binding in striatum. In CXBK mice, a strain with functional delta 1 but not delta 2 receptors in antinociceptive assays, radioligand uptake and distribution proved similar to that in CD1 mice. In sum, [3H]BNTX labels murine delta opioid receptors in vivo with a low extent of specific binding. The data is consistent with, but not conclusive for, selective labeling of the delta 1 subtype.

Properties of TAN-67, a nonpeptidic delta-opioid receptor agonist, at cloned human delta- and mu-opioid receptors

2-methyl-4a alpha-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2,3,4,4a,5,12,12a alpha-octahydro-quinolino[2,3,30g]isoquinoline (TAN-67) is a nonpeptidic delta-opioid receptor agonist. This report describes its receptor binding affinity and agonist potency at human and mouse delta and mu-opioid receptors. The binding affinities of TAN-67 and the cyclic enkephalin analog, (D-Pen2, 4'-Cl-Phe4, D-Pen5]enkephalin (pCl-DPDPE) were measured by radioligand binding inhibition studies at mouse and human variants of the delta and mu-opioid receptor using [3H]Naltrindole and [3H]D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Orn-Thr -Pen-Thr-NH2, respectively. TAN-67 showed high binding affinity (Ki = 0.647 nM) at the human delta-opioid receptor and high delta-opioid receptor binding selectivity ( > 1000-fold) relative to the human mu-opioid receptor. TAN-67 also showed high potency (EC50 = 1.72 nM) for the inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation at human delta-opioid receptors expressed by intact Chinese hamster ovary cells but low potency (EC50 = 1520 nM) at human mu-opioid receptors expressed by intact B82 mouse fibroblast cells. The results show that TAN-67 has similar binding affinities, selectivity and potencies as pCl-DPDPE at human delta and mu-opioid receptors. These results combined with the nonpeptidic structure of TAN-67 suggest that this compound has therapeutic potential as a delta-opioid receptor agonist.

Synthesis of radioiodinated naltrindole analogues: ligands for studies of delta opioid receptors

Analogues of naltrindole and N1'-methylnaltrindole having radioiodine in the 7'-position of the indole ring have been prepared for evaluation as delta opioid receptor ligands. The no-carrier-added radiosyntheses were conducted by Cu(I) assisted nucleophilic exchange of radioiodide for bromide under reducing conditions at 190 degrees C. A combination of HPLC and solid-phase extraction gave the 125I- or 123I-labeled products in satisfactory yields (47%) with high radiochemical purities (> 98%) and high specific activities (125I: 43-68 GBq/mumol, 1155-1833 mCi/mumol; 123I: > 92 GBq/mumol, 2500 mCi/mumol).

Immunocytochemical localization of delta opioid receptors in mouse brain

An affinity-purified anti-peptide antibody generated against the carboxy-terminal region of the delta opioid receptor was used to localize delta opioid receptors in mouse brain. delta Opioid receptor immunoreactivity was found in axons and nerve terminals in regions of the olfactory bulb, hippocampal formation, cerebral and cerebellar cortex, midbrain and hindbrain. The immunocytochemical distribution correlated well, though not completely with autoradiographic distribution of delta opioid receptors in mouse brain using either [3H][2-D-penicillamine, 5-D-penicillamine]-enkephalin (DPDPE) or [3H]naltrindole. Confocal microscopy of double-labeled tissue provided direct evidence that delta opioid receptors are principally expressed on GABAergic terminals in the hippocampus. These anatomical findings complement extensive physiological studies to provide a more detailed description of endogenous opioid circuitry.

Binding characteristics of the novel highly selective delta agonist, [3H]IIe5,6deltorphin II

Following the description of the [3H]deltorphin II, it has been reported that the modification of deltorphin II with the substitution of Val5,6 residues by the more hydrophobic IIe5,6 residues leads to an increased affinity and selectivity. The IIe5,6 deltorphin II (Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-IIe-IIe-HH2) was tritiated by catalytic dehalogenation and labelled rat brain membrane sites with a Kd value of 0.40 nM and a Bmax of 121 fmol/mg protein. Competition binding experiments with various unlabelled subtype specific opioid receptor ligands resulted in mu/delta and kappa/delta selectivity ratios of 2400 and 18,000 respectively. Due to its high delta receptor affinity, delta selectivity and very low non-specific binding (< 20%), [3H]IIe5,6 deltorphin II, is a very useful tool for the identification and characterisation of delta opioid receptors.