An OPRM1-SNAP-tag/CMC method to directly identify drug components in sewage

The scourge of drug addiction and abuse poses a significant challenge to society. Opioid drugs acting on μ-opioid receptor (OPRM1) make it one of the pivotal targets for drug addiction. In the past decade, sewage analysis has become a prevalent method of drug monitoring. However, traditional methods of detecting drugs in sewage are cumbersome, and rapid detection methods are relatively lacking. To address this, an innovative OPRM1-SNAP-tag/CMC method to directly identify drug components in sewage was established. Cell membrane chromatography (CMC) is an affinity chromatography technique which effectively detects receptor affinity substances. Cells constructed with high expression of specific receptor could be used to screen for compounds acting on the receptor. CMC based on OPRM1 provides a potentially convenient and effective tool for the detection of targeted drug components in sewage. In this study, the selectivity, reproducibility, column lifetime, and carryover of the CMC column had been assessed. Initially, we eluted the collected domestic sewage with methanol and acetonitrile, and the retention peaks were observed on the CMC system. Subsequently, without any preliminary sample preparation, we directly injected filtered samples of suspicious sewage into the OPRM1-SNAP-tag/CMC system, where we observed retention peaks as well. The retained components were further identified as morphine by using UPLC-MS/MS. In conclusion, the OPRM1-SNAP-tag/CMC method stands out as a reliable and robust model for the detection of drug components in sewage. It provides a valuable analytical tool for frontline drug control efforts, enhancing our capacity to monitor and mitigate the impact of drug abuse on society.