Beta-endorphin modulates T-cell intracellular calcium flux and c-myc expression via a potassium channel

To characterize the effect of beta-endorphin on T-lymphocyte activation, we examined its influence on membrane currents, intracellular calcium flux, and c-myc mRNA levels during mitogenic stimulation of Jurkat cells. While beta-endorphin weakly enhanced voltage-activated K+ currents of Jurkat cells by itself, it suppressed these currents in the presence of mitogen. Naloxone, by itself, also enhanced K+ current amplitude, but in the presence of mitogen partially reversed the suppressive effect of beta-endorphin. A 5-30 min exposure to beta-endorphin resulted in an increase in the rate of mitogen-stimulated intracellular calcium release and an increase in c-myc mRNA levels relative to controls. Longer exposure (1-2 h) to beta-endorphin retarded intracellular calcium release, and suppressed c-myc expression. The suppressive effects were reversed by naloxone and mimicked by the K+ channel blocker, tetraethylammonium ion. These data suggest that opiate receptors and K+ channels of Jurkat cells are functionally coupled in a way that modulates intracellular calcium release and c-myc expression - two key processes in T-cell mitogenesis.