HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Related articles in The JI Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Cadet, P. Articles by Stefano, G. B. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Cadet, P. Articles by Stefano, G. B.

Molecular Identification and Functional Expression of µ₃, a Novel Alternatively Spliced Variant of the Human µ Opiate Receptor Gene¹

Neuroscience Research Institute, State University of New York, Old Westbury, NY 11568

Studies from our laboratory have revealed a novel µ opiate receptor, µ₃, which is expressed in both vascular tissues and leukocytes. The µ₃ receptor is selective for opiate alkaloids and is insensitive to opioid peptides. We now identify the µ₃ receptor at the molecular level using a 441-bp conserved region of the µ₁ receptor. Sequence analysis of the isolated cDNA suggests that it is a novel, alternatively spliced variant of the µ opiate receptor gene. To determine whether protein expressed from this cDNA exhibits the biochemical characteristics expected of the µ₃ receptor, the cDNA clone was expressed in a heterologous system. At the functional level, COS-1 cells transfected with the µ₃ receptor cDNA exhibited dose-dependent release of NO following treatment with morphine, but not opioid peptides (i.e., Met-enkephalin). Naloxone was able to block the effect of morphine on COS-1 transfected cells. Nontransfected COS-1 cells did not produce NO in the presence of morphine or the opioid peptides at similar concentrations. Receptor binding analysis with [³H]dihydromorphine further supports the opiate alkaloid selectivity and opioid peptide insensitivity of this receptor. These data suggest that this new µ opiate receptor cDNA encodes the µ₃ opiate receptor, since it exhibits biochemical characteristics known to be unique to this receptor (opiate alkaloid selective and opioid peptide insensitive). Furthermore, using Northern blot, RT-PCR, and sequence analysis, we have demonstrated the expression of this new µ variant in human vascular tissue, mononuclear cells, polymorphonuclear cells, and human neuroblastoma cells.

Related articles in The JI:

IN THIS ISSUE

The JI 2003 170: 4879-4880. [Full Text]  

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M.-P. Bonnet, H. Beloeil, D. Benhamou, J.-X. Mazoit, and K. Asehnoune The {micro} Opioid Receptor Mediates Morphine-Induced Tumor Necrosis Factor and Interleukin-6 Inhibition in Toll-Like Receptor 2-Stimulated Monocytes Anesth. Analg., April 1, 2008; 106(4): 1142 - 1149. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Cadet, K. J. Mantione, W. Zhu, R. M. Kream, M. Sheehan, and G. B. Stefano A Functionally Coupled {micro}3-Like Opiate Receptor/Nitric Oxide Regulatory Pathway in Human Multi-Lineage Progenitor Cells J. Immunol., November 1, 2007; 179(9): 5839 - 5844. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. P. Williams, J. P. Thompson, J. McDonald, T. A. Barnes, T. Cote, D. J. Rowbotham, and D. G. Lambert Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Express Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ, but Not {micro}, {delta}, or {kappa} Opioid Receptors Anesth. Analg., October 1, 2007; 105(4): 998 - 1005. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. Zhu, P. Cadet, G. Baggerman, K. J. Mantione, and G. B. Stefano Human White Blood Cells Synthesize Morphine: CYP2D6 Modulation J. Immunol., December 1, 2005; 175(11): 7357 - 7362. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]