• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 1999

In the present study we have analyzed the characteristics and distribution of the mu-opioid receptor(MOR) by raising anti-peptide antisera to the C-terminal peptide of MOR. The antisera against MOR was produced in New Zealand White rabbit against 15 residue corresponding to amino acids, 384-398 of the cloned rat MOR. The antigenic peptide was synthesized using an Applied Biosystems 432 solid-phase peptide synthesizer. The specificity and identification of the antisera were tested by analysis of transfected cells, epitope mapping and immunohistochemical method. COS-7 cells electroporated with MOR cDNA were used to evaluate the characteristics and subcellular distribution of MOR. MOR immunoreactivity was prodominent in the plasmalemma and subcellular compartments such as endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and vesicle like structure. Furthermore, both tissue sections and transfected cell lines could be immunostained with these antisera and the immunoreactivity was abolished when anti-MOR sera were preincubated with the peptide against which they were raised. Based on epitope mapping analysis, all antisera appeared to have a similar epitope, which was determined to be within the last amino acid, 391-398. Moreover, immunohistochemistry showed that MOR immunoreactivity was observed in many brain areas including cerebral cortex, striatum, hippocampus, locus coeruleus and the superficial laminae of the dorsal horn. These stained spinal cord and brain areas showed the mirrored pattern observed in auto radiographic studies of mu-opioid binding as well as a pattern similar to that seen by is situ hybridization for MOR. Thus, several lines of evidence support the conclusion that the antisera produced in the present study most likely recognize mu-opioid receptor. These results suggest that MOR antisera may be utilized as useful tool to analyze the physiological and pharmacological studies for mu-opioid receptor in the future.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.656-662
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• 2008

Antagonists of the d -opioid receptor are effective in overcoming resistance against analgesic drugs such as morphine. To identify novel antagonists of the d -opioid receptor that display high potency and low resistance, we performed 3D-QSAR analysis using chemical feature-based pharmacophore models. Chemical features for d -opioid receptor antagonists were generated using quantitative (Catalyst/HypoGen) and qualitative (Catalyst/HipHop) approaches. For HypoGen analysis, we collected 16 peptide and 16 non-peptide antagonists as the training set. The best-fit pharmacophore hypotheses of the two antagonist models comprised identical features, including a hydrophobic aromatic (HAR), a hydrophobic (HY), and a positive ionizable (PI) function. The training set of the HipHop model was constructed with three launched opioid drugs. The best hypothesis from HipHop included four features: an HAR, an HY, a hydrogen bond donor (HBD), and a PI function. Based on these results, we confirm that HY, HAR and PI features are essential for effective antagonism of the d -opioid receptor, and determine the appropriate pharmacophore to design such antagonists.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.53-58
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• 1997

$[Lys^7$]dermorphin, abbreviated K7DA, which has structural features similar to a metabolically stable $\mu$-opioid peptide agonist $[D-Arg^2, Lys^4$]dermorphin analogue (DALDA), but is intrinsically more potent with respect to binding to the $\mu$-opioid peptide receptor. The present studies report on attempts to enhance brain uptake of systemically administered K7DA by conjugation to a complex of streptavidin (SA) and the OX26 murine monoclonal antibody to the rat transferrin receptor, which undergoes receptor-mediated transcytosis through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). SA-OX26 conjugate mediates BBB transport of biotinylated therapeutics. The K7DA is monobiotinylated at the $\varepsilon$-amino group of the $[Lys^7$] residue with cleavable linker using NHS-SS-biotin. The brain uptake of $^{125}I$ labeled biotinylated K7DA ($^{125}I$-bio-SSa-K7DA) was very small and rapidly metabolized after intravenous injection. The brain uptake, expressed as percent of injected dose delivered per gram of brain, of the $^{125}I$-bio-55-K7DA bound to the SA-OX26 conjugate $^{125}I$-bio-SS-K7DA/SA-OX26) was 0.14$\pm$0.01, a level that is 2-fold greater than the brain uptake of morphine. The cleavability of the disulfide linker in vivo in rat plasma and brain was assessed with gel filtration HPLC and intravenous injection of labeled opioid chimeric peptides. The disulfide linker is stable in plasma in vivo but is cleaved in rat brain in vivo. In conclusion, these studies show that delivery of these potential opioid peptides to the brain may be improved by coupling them to vector-mediated BBB drug delivery system.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.427-448
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• 2019

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) and its receptor, nociceptin opioid peptide (NOP) receptor, are localized in brain areas implicated in depression including the amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, habenula, and monoaminergic nuclei in the brain stem. N/OFQ inhibits neuronal excitability of monoaminergic neurons and monoamine release from their terminals by activation of G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying $K^+$ channels and inhibition of voltage sensitive calcium channels, respectively. Therefore, NOP receptor antagonists have been proposed as a potential antidepressant. Indeed, mounting evidence shows that NOP receptor antagonists have antidepressant-like effects in various preclinical animal models of depression, and recent clinical studies again confirmed the idea that blockade of NOP receptor signaling could provide a novel strategy for the treatment of depression. In this review, we describe the pharmacological effects of N/OFQ in relation to depression and explore the possible mechanism of NOP receptor antagonists as potential antidepressants.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.153-164
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• 1988

The potential role of endogenous opioid peptides (EOPS) in cardiovascular regulation has only recently been entertained. EOPS have been localized in brain, spinal cord, autonomic ganglia, particularly the adrenal gland, and many other peripheral tissues. There are at least five major types of opioid receptors; namely ${\mu},\;{\delta},\;k,\;{\sigma},\;and\;{\varepsilon}$ and Experimental evidence indicates that cardiovascular actions of the peptide are mediated primarily by ${\mu},\;{\delta}$ and k receptors, and that these receptor types may be allosterically coupled. In anesthetized rabbits met-enkephalin decreased blood pressure and heart rate, which closely paralleled a reduction in sympathetic discharge. Naloxone, but not naloxone methobromide, antagonized these effects, which suggests a central site of action of met-enkephalin. A number of autonomic agents, particularly adrenergic ${\alpha}$-and, ${\beta}-agonists$ and antagonists modify the cardiovascular actions of met-enkephalin. Experiments in reserpine-treated and adrenalectomized rats provide no evidence of sympathetic nervous system involvement in the pressor responses to intravenous injection of opioid peptides, but rather suggest a direct peripheral action. Finally, activation of a beta-endorphinergic pathway projecting from the arcuate nucleus to the nucleus tractos solitarii in rats can cause naloxone reversible hypotension and bradycardia. There is evidence to implicate this pathway in antihypertensive drug action and in the modulation of baroreflex activity.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.236-241
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• 2010

Background: Selective inhibitors of cycloosygenase (COX)-2 are commonly used analgesics in various pain conditions. Although their actions are largely thought to be mediated by the blockade of prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis, evidences suggesting endogenous opioid peptide link in spinal antinociception of COX inhibitor have been reported. We investigated the roles of opioid receptor subtypes in the spinal antionociception of selective COX-2 inhibitor. Methods: To examine the antionociception of a selective COX-2 inhibitor, DUP-697 was delivered through an intrathecal catheter, 10 minutes before the formalin test in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Then, the effect of intrathecal pretreatment with CTOP, naltrindole and GNTI, which are ${\mu}$, $\delta$, and k opioid receptor antagonist, respectively, on the analgesia induced by DUP-697 was assessed. Results: Intrathecal DUP-697 reduced the flinching response evoked by formalin injection during phase 1 and 2 Naltrindole and GNTI attenuated the antinociceptive effect of intrathecal DUP-697 during both phases of the formalin test, CTOP reversed the antinociception of DUP-697 during phase 2, but not during phase 1, Conclusions: Intrathecal DUP-697, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, effectively relieved inflammatory pain in rats. The $\delta$ and $\kappa$ opioid receptors are involved in the activity of COX-2 inhibitor on the facilitated state as well as acute pain at the spinal level, whereas the ${\mu}$ opioid receptor is related only to facilitated pain.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1998.11a
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• pp.150-151
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• 1998

Drug delivery to the brain is facilitated by the synthesis of chimeric peptides, where in neuropharmaceuticals are linked to a vector such as an antibody to the transferrin receptor that mediates transcytosis through the blood-brain barrier (BBB). When disulfide linkers are used in the chimeric peptide, it is crucial that the S-S bridge is stable during transit and that cleavage does not occur prematurely within endothelial cells, as the peptide drug moiety would then be sequestered by the BBB instead of passing through it. The present study addressed that problem. As a model drug a metabolically stable opioid peptide, [$^3$H]DALDA (Tyr-dArg-Phe-Lys-NH$_2$), was used. It was monobiotinylated with NHS-SS-biotin to yield bio-[$^3$H]DALDA. The biotinylated peptide was bound to the vector OX26-SA which is a covalent conjugate of OX26 and streptavidin (molar ratio = 1: 1). In vitro treatment of the chimeric peptide, bio-[$^3$H]DALDA/OX26-SA, with a reducing agent, dithiothreitol, released the labeled peptide from the vector by conversion of bio-[$^3$H]DALDA to the desbiotinylated derivative, desbio-[$^3$H]DALDA.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.230-237
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• 2015

Purpose: Various gastrointestinal factors may contribute to maladaptive behavior in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). To determine the association between maladaptive behavior in children with ASD and gastrointestinal symptoms such as severity, intestinal microbiota, inflammation, enterocyte damage, permeability and absorption of opioid peptides. Methods: This observational cross-sectional study compared children with ASD to healthy controls, aged 2-10 years. Maladaptive behavior was classified using the Approach Withdrawal Problems Composite subtest of the Pervasive Developmental Disorder Behavior Inventory. Dependent variables were gastrointestinal symptom severity index, fecal calprotectin, urinary D-lactate, urinary lactulose/mannitol excretion, urinary intestinal fatty acids binding protein (I-FABP) and urinary opioid peptide excretion. Results: We did not find a significant difference between children with ASD with severe or mild maladaptive behavior and control subjects for gastrointestinal symptoms, fecal calprotectin, urinary D-lactate, and lactulose/mannitol ratio. Urinary opioid peptide excretion was absent in all children. Children with ASD with severe maladaptive behavior showed significantly higher urinary I-FABP levels compared to those with mild maladaptive behavior (p=0.019) and controls (p=0.015). Conclusion: In our series, maladaptive behavior in ASD children was not associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, intestinal inflammation (no difference in calprotectin), microbiota (no difference in urinary D-lactate) and intestinal permeability (no difference in lactulose/manitol ratio). ASD children with severe maladaptive behavior have significantly more enterocyte damage (increased urinary I-FABP) than ASD children with mild maladaptive behavior and normal children.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.145-154
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• 2006

Objectives : To research the recent trends of study related to pain modulation of acupuncture. Methods : We searched the resent study related to pain modulation of acupuncture. Results & Conclusion : 1) Early studies demonstrated that the analgesic effects of acupuncture are mediated by opioid peptides in the periaqueductal gray. Recent evidences show that nitric oxide plays an important role in mediating the cardiovascular responses to acupuncture stimulation through gracile nucleus-thalamic pathway. 2) Recent evidences show that acupuncture stimulate gene expression related to pain. 3) By using functional magnetic resonance and positron emission tomography, recent study suggest that acupuncture has regionally specific, quantifiable effects on pain-relevant brain structures.

• The Science & Technology
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• v.32 no.8 s.363
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• pp.28-29
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• 1999

한림대 의대 약리학교실 서홍원교수는 마약성분이 없고 부작용도 적은 강력한 진통제 개발에 땀을 흘리고 있다. 신경약리 및 신경과학 분야가 주 전공인 서교수는 마약과 같은 성분으로 우리 몸 안에서 통증을 없애주는 엔도르핀의 진통작용과 엔도르핀을 생성시키는 Opioid peptide유전자 발현 조절기전에 대한 연구를 발표하여 학계의 관심을 모으고 있다. 마약성 성분을 보유하고 있지 않은 강력한 진통제의 탄생을 기대한다.