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[3H]Etorphine binding activity in early chick embryos: brain and body tissue
Brain Research
|May 1, 1982
Summary
Opiate receptors are present in chick embryos from day 4, functioning universally before cell differentiation. Later, these receptors adopt classical neurotransmitter roles in neuronal tissues.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Opiate receptors are crucial in the adult nervous system.
- Their role during early embryonic development is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of opiate receptors in early chick embryos.
- To determine the developmental trajectory and potential functions of these receptors.
Main Methods:
- Utilized stereospecific [3H]etorphine binding assays.
- Examined binding activity in chick embryo tissues at different developmental stages (day 4 and day 10).
- Assessed the influence of ions and GTP on binding characteristics.
Main Results:
- Stereospecific [3H]etorphine binding was detected in chick embryos as early as day 4 in both brain and body tissue.
- By day 10, binding was undetectable in nonneuronal tissues.
- Early embryonic opiate binding sites exhibited high affinity and responded to ion and GTP regulation, similar to adult brain tissue.
Conclusions:
- Embryonic cells contain opiate receptors prior to differentiation, suggesting a role beyond neurotransmission.
- Opiate receptors appear to have a dual function: a non-neuronal role early in embryogenesis and a classical neurotransmitter role later in development and adulthood.