Tyrosine phosphorylation of a 58 kDa protein induced by morphine in SK-N-SH cells

A 58 kDa protein which was phosphorylated on tyrosine residues with morphine was found in human neuroblastoma cells (SK-N-SH cells) by immunoblot with monoclonal anti-phosphotyrosine antibody. The tyrosine phosphorylation was induced by morphine in 5 min in a dose-dependent manner and the increment was completely inhibited by naloxone. A Delta (d) agonist, [D-Pen2,Pen5]-enkephalin (DPDPE), but not a m agonist, [D-Ala2,N-Me-Phe,Gly5-ol]-enkephalin (DAGO), stimulated the phosphorylation and treatment of the cells with pertussis toxin inhibited the phosphorylation by morphine. These data suggest that d receptor-stimulation increases tyrosine phosphorylation of the 58 kDa protein through Gi protein in SK-N-SH cells.