Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026

10:36
Measurements of Physiological Stress Responses in C. Elegans
Published on: May 21, 2020
Thioredoxin-1 expression regulated by morphine in SH-SY5Y cells
Fu-Cheng Luo1, Yue-Mei Feng, Lu Zhao
1Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China.
Neuroscience Letters
|June 27, 2012
Summary
Morphine treatment increases thioredoxin-1 (a protein involved in cell regulation) in nerve cells. This suggests thioredoxin-1 may play a role in how morphine affects the body.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Morphine is a widely used analgesic with significant side effects.
- Identifying genes targeted by morphine is crucial for developing safer pain treatments.
- Thioredoxin-1 is a key protein regulating cellular redox balance, apoptosis, and inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of morphine on thioredoxin-1 expression in neuronal cells.
- To elucidate the signaling pathways involved in morphine-induced thioredoxin-1 modulation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells.
- Administered morphine to cell cultures.
- Assessed thioredoxin-1 expression levels.
- Investigated the involvement of opioid receptor, PI3K, and ERK signaling pathways.
Main Results:
- Morphine significantly induced thioredoxin-1 expression in SH-SY5Y cells.
- Opioid receptor, PI3K, and ERK pathways were found to be involved in this induction.
- These findings indicate a molecular link between morphine action and thioredoxin-1.
Conclusions:
- Thioredoxin-1 is upregulated by morphine in neuronal cells.
- The opioid receptor, PI3K, and ERK pathways mediate morphine's effect on thioredoxin-1.
- Thioredoxin-1 may play a functional role in the cellular actions of morphine, warranting further investigation.
Related Concept Videos
Opioid Receptors: Overview
Opioid receptors, including the mu (μ, MOR), delta (δ, DOR), and kappa (κ, KOR) types, belong to the rhodopsin family of G protein-coupled receptors. These receptors are located throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems and in non-neuronal tissues such as macrophages and astrocytes. Opioid receptor ligands can be categorized into agonists or antagonists. Highly selective agonists include [d-Ala2, MePhe4, Gly(ol)5]-enkephalin or DAMGO for MOR, [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]-enkephalin or DPDPE for...
Riboswitches
Riboswitches are non-coding mRNA domains that regulate the transcription and translation of downstream genes without the help of proteins. Riboswitches bind directly to a metabolite and can form unique stem-loop or hairpin structures in response to the amount of the metabolite present. They have two distinct regions – a metabolite-binding aptamer and an expression platform.
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
The aptamer has high specificity for a particular metabolite which allows riboswitches to specifically regulate...
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners
Opioids are a class of drugs that mimic endogenous opioid peptides and act on opioid receptors, and help in pain relief. These compounds are classified as natural, synthetic, or semi-synthetic. Natural opioids, like morphine, codeine, and thebaine, are derived from the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum or Papaver album) and are termed opiates. Synthetic opioids are artificial, while semi-synthetic opioids combine natural and synthetic compounds. Morphine, a prototypical opioid, possesses a...
