Structural and functional interactions between six-transmembrane μ-opioid receptors and β2-adrenoreceptors modulate opioid signaling.
Published online
Journal Article
The primary molecular target for clinically used opioids is the μ-opioid receptor (MOR). Besides the major seven-transmembrane (7TM) receptors, the MOR gene codes for alternatively spliced six-transmembrane (6TM) isoforms, the biological and clinical significance of which remains unclear. Here, we show that the otherwise exclusively intracellular localized 6TM-MOR translocates to the plasma membrane upon coexpression with β2-adrenergic receptors (β2-ARs) through an interaction with the fifth and sixth helices of β2-AR. Coexpression of the two receptors in BE(2)-C neuroblastoma cells potentiates calcium responses to a 6TM-MOR ligand, and this calcium response is completely blocked by a selective β2-antagonist in BE(2)-C cells, and in trigeminal and dorsal root ganglia. Co-administration of 6TM-MOR and β2-AR ligands leads to substantial analgesic synergy and completely reverses opioid-induced hyperalgesia in rodent behavioral models. Together, our results provide evidence that the heterodimerization of 6TM-MOR with β2-AR underlies a molecular mechanism for 6TM cellular signaling, presenting a unique functional responses to opioids. This signaling pathway may contribute to the hyperalgesic effects of opioids that can be efficiently blocked by β2-AR antagonists, providing a new avenue for opioid therapy.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Samoshkin, A; Convertino, M; Viet, CT; Wieskopf, JS; Kambur, O; Marcovitz, J; Patel, P; Stone, LS; Kalso, E; Mogil, JS; Schmidt, BL; Maixner, W; Dokholyan, NV; Diatchenko, L
Published Date
- December 11, 2015
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 5 /
Start / End Page
- 18198 -
PubMed ID
- 26657998
Pubmed Central ID
- 26657998
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 2045-2322
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1038/srep18198
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- England