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Morphine receptors in immunocytes and neurons
1Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461.
Advances in Neuroimmunology
|January 1, 1994
Summary
A novel morphine receptor, mu 3, has been identified in immune and neural cells. This receptor selectively binds opiate alkaloids and may link the neuro-immune system, influencing responses to stress and infection.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Classical opioid receptors (delta, mu, kappa) bind endogenous peptides and exogenous opiates.
- Opiate alkaloids like morphine interact with known opioid receptor subtypes.
- A unique receptor with distinct binding properties has been recently discovered.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review receptor interactions of morphine.
- To characterize a newly discovered opiate receptor, designated mu 3.
- To explore the potential roles of the mu 3 receptor in immune and neural systems.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of opiate receptor interactions.
- Identification and characterization of the mu 3 receptor in various cell types.
- Functional studies on the effects of morphine mediated by the mu 3 receptor in immunocytes.
Main Results:
- The mu 3 receptor selectively binds morphine and certain opiate alkaloids, with low affinity for endogenous opioid peptides.
- This receptor is found in invertebrate immunocytes, human monocytes, granulocytes, macrophage cell lines, neuroblastoma, and neural cell lines.
- In immunocytes, the mu 3 receptor mediates morphine's inhibition of chemotaxis.
Conclusions:
- The mu 3 receptor represents a distinct class of opiate receptor, primarily binding opiate alkaloids.
- It is proposed as a key neuro-immune link, potentially mediating endogenous opiate-like substance effects.
- The mu 3 receptor offers a novel pharmacological target for opiate drugs and may influence stress, infection, and cancer responses.