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Delta-sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP) stimulates the release of immunoreactive Met-enkephalin from rat lower brainstem

A Nakamura1, M Nakashima, K Sakai

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Fukuyama University, Japan.

Brain Research
|February 27, 1989
PubMed

Insights

Delta-sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP) does not directly bind opioid receptors. Instead, DSIP indirectly activates opioid receptors by stimulating the release of Met-enkephalin, contributing to pain relief.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Opioid receptors are crucial for pain modulation.
  • Delta-sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP) is known for its sleep-inducing and potential analgesic properties.
  • The precise mechanism of DSIP's action on the opioid system remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether delta-sleep-inducing peptide (DSIP) directly or indirectly interacts with opioid receptors.
  • To elucidate the role of Met-enkephalin in DSIP-mediated effects.

Main Methods:

  • Binding assays were performed to assess DSIP's affinity for opioid receptor subtypes.
  • Superfused rat brainstem slices were used to measure the release of immunoreactive Met-enkephalin (iME) upon DSIP stimulation.
  • Calcium dependency of iME release was evaluated.

Main Results:

  • DSIP exhibited no binding activity to any opioid receptor subtype.
  • DSIP, at concentrations of 1 pM to 1 nM, significantly stimulated the release of iME from rat brainstem slices.
  • The release of iME induced by DSIP was dependent on the presence of calcium ions.

Conclusions:

  • DSIP does not act directly on opioid receptors.
  • DSIP exerts its effects indirectly by stimulating the release of Met-enkephalin.
  • This indirect mechanism, involving Met-enkephalin release, likely underlies DSIP's antinociceptive properties.

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