Opiate binding properties of naturally occurring N- and C-terminus modified beta-endorphins

Beta-endorphin is further processed within the pituitary and brain by either N-terminal acetylation, carboxy-terminal proteolysis, or both. These naturally occurring analogues are stored intracellularly and, in some tissues, represent the majority of beta-endorphin immunoreactivity detected by antisera. It is therefore critical to determine their relative potencies at the opiate receptor. This study demonstrates that cleavage of the C-terminus tetrapeptide brings about a 10-fold decrease in opiate binding potency of either camel or human beta-endorphin. N-Acetylation, on the other hand, causes over a thousand fold loss in opiate potency rendering the peptide effectively inactive. Since unmodified beta-endorphin is approximately equipotent at multiple opiate receptors, we tested for possible differential shifts towards mu or delta-type receptors which may result from the modification. Our results show no change in selectivity, but simply an overall loss of potency.     

Effect of beta-endorphin and myelopeptides on the cAMP level and proliferation of lymphocytes in vitro

Beta-endorphin (10(-11)-10(-9) M) has been shown to induce naloxone-independent depression of the proliferative activity of human peripheral lymphocytes (HL), stimulated by pokeweed mitogen without affecting PHA-stimulated HL proliferation. Beta-endorphin (10(-10)-10(-7) M) also caused changes in HL cAMP level, that were blocked by naloxone. Marked individual sensitivity to beta-endorphin effects has been noted. It has been also shown that a bone marrow preparation, stimulating antibody production (myelopeptides), causes naloxone-independent depression in the proliferative activity of HL, stimulated by PHA and pokeweed mitogen, as well as naloxone-blocked decrease in cAMP HL level. It has been concluded that beta-endorphin interacts with several types of opiate lymphocyte receptors and that opioids, contained in myelopeptides, are involved in the realization of myelopeptide effect on lymphocytes.     

Beta-endorphin regulation of FSH-stimulated inhibin production is a component of a short loop system in testis

Inhibin, a hormone produced by Sertoli cells in response to FSH, regulates androgen production in nearby Leydig cells. Beta-endorphin synthesized by Leydig cells under LH control is also known to regulate Sertoli function. To delineate whether beta-endorphin might constitute part of a short loop regulatory system between these two testicular cells, the effect of this opiate on inhibin secretion was examined. Beta-endorphin alone did not alter basal inhibin accumulation in primary Sertoli cell-enriched cultures, however it did significantly reduce FSH-induced inhibin production and adenylyl cyclase activity but had no effect on forskolin-stimulated inhibin accumulation or adenylyl cyclase activity. Other opioid peptides (ACTH, dMSH, methionine-enkephalin) were without effect. These observations suggest that beta-endorphin regulates inhibin secretion by inhibiting FSH receptor coupling to adenylyl cyclase.     

Endorphins stimulate normal human peripheral blood lymphocyte natural killer activity

Opioid peptides are present in peripheral blood, and may bind to human lymphocytes. In order to determine their influence on human lymphocytes we studied the effect of endogenous opioid peptides on human lymphocyte natural killer function. Beta-endorphin and several analogues (i.e., gamma-endorphin) are shown to enhance human peripheral blood natural killer function. The enhancement of natural killing by these opioid peptides was dose-dependent and naloxone (an opiate antagonist) reversible. In studying various analogues of beta-endorphin, beta-lipotropin and gamma-endorphin were approximately 3-5 times more effective at enhancing peripheral blood NK function than Leu-enkephalin and -endorphin. In addition, we observed that naloxone reversed human fibroblast interferon mediated enhancement of human blood lymphocyte natural killer function. These observations suggest that circulating endogenous opioid peptides may have a physiologic role in regulating human blood lymphocyte natural killing.     

Peptide E: opiate receptor binding profile in the rat brain membrane assay. Comparison with beta-endorphin

Beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and peptide E were compared in respect to their binding potency in the rat brain membrane by radioreceptor binding assay using tritiated human beta-EP, [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]-enkephalin (DADLE), dihydromorphine (DHM) and ethylketocyclazocine (EKC) as primary ligands. When the potency of beta h-EP was chosen to be 100%, peptide E was equipotent with beta-EP in displacing DHM (95%) and EKC (103%) less potent for competing with beta h-EP (60%) and least active (7%) for displacing DADLE. It may be concluded that peptide E binds preferentially with the opiate mu and kappa receptors in the rat brain membrane.     

Evidence for endorphin-mediated cross-tolerance between chronic stress and the behavioral effects of ionizing radiation

C57BL/6J mice exhibit a naloxone-reversible locomotor hyperactivity after exposure to ionizing radiation. These data implicate endogenous opiates in this radiogenic behavioral change. Similarly, endorphins mediate analgesia produced by chronic stress (e.g., foot shock or restraint) and levels of plasma Beta-endorphin are elevated following exposure to acute stress. Therefore, the present study sought to determine if behavioral cross-tolerance could be obtained between endorphin-producing stressors and radiation exposure. Repeated pretreatment with foot shock or restraint subsequently inhibited the locomotor-activating effects of radiation. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that cross-tolerance developed between the effects of stress-induced endogenous opiate release and the radiation-induced release of endorphins.     

Cocaine influences beta-endorphin levels and release

Immunoreactive beta-endorphin (IR-BE) was measured in the plasma, anterior pituitary (AP), neurointermediate lobe of the pituitary (NIL) and hypothalamus of male rats treated chronically (once daily for ten days) with cocaine. Cocaine produced a consistent elevation in the concentration of IR-BE in the plasma, the AP and the NIL at doses of 2.5 - 20 mg/kg/ip. The release of IR-BE from the AP and the NIL was determined in vitro and was found to be increased by treatment with cocaine. Chronic administration of cocaine did not affect the concentration of IR-BE in the hypothalamus. Chromatographic analysis revealed that cocaine produced a slight decrease in the amount of beta-endorphin relative to beta-lipotropin in the AP. Beta-endorphin was the major form of IR-BE released by the AP and the sole constituent and secretory product of the NIL. These data indicate that chronic administration of cocaine stimulates the endogenous opiate system, elevating the levels of IR-BE in the pituitary and promoting beta-endorphin release.     

Age-dependent effects of zinc on the transformation response of human lymphocytes to mitogens.

The addition of zinc to human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) stimulated with mitogens demonstrated an age-dependent effect on blastogenesis. PBL from young persons showed either no change or an enhancement in the mitogenic response whereas blastogenesis by PBL from aged donors was suppressed by zinc. It is likely that the action of zinc might be due to its effects on the surface membrane of lymphocytes. Thus, zinc might serve as a useful probe for studying membrane changes associated with aging.     

The effect of estrogen on the incorporation of 3H-thymidine by PHA-stimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes

The effect of estrogen on the incorporation of tritiated thymidine by phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes was evaluated in 15 adult males. Varying concentrations of diethylstilbestrol diphosphate (DEP-S) were added to peripheral blood lymphocytes with and without PHA to study the effects of estrogen on blastogenesis. Maximum suppression of blastogenesis occurred after the addition of 500 mcg/ml culture of DEP-S. The absence and presence of DEP-S 500 mcg/ml culture resulted in a 52% reduction in lymphocytic reactivity (p.002). It was concluded that this reduction or suppression of lymphocytic blastogenesis in the presence of estrogen suggests that the palliative effects of estrogenic therapy in treating patients with hormone-dependent tumors may be countered by its adverse effect on the host's immunologic responsiveness to malignancy.     

The influence of glutamine, its decomposition products, and glutaminase on the transformation of human and mouse lymphocytes.

The extent of blast transformation for human and BALB/c mouse lymphocytes has been examined over a wide range of glutamine concentrations with several agents which initiate blastogenesis. Maximum [3H] thymidine incorporation was seen at 0.5 mM glutamine for lymphoid tissues stimulated in the following manner: human and BALB/c splenic and peripheral blood lymphocytes with phytohemagglutinin, BALB/c splenic lymphocytes with lipopolysaccharide, and BALB/c vs C3H/HeJ two-way mixed lymphocyte cultures. The inhibition of blastogenesis exerted by glutamine concentrations greater than 0.5 mM could not be reversed by washing and reculturing the cells at 0.5 mM glutamine. To elucidate the reason for inhibition by higher glutamine concentrations, the products of spontaneous glutamine decomposition, L-2-pyrrolidone-5-carboxylic acid and ammonia were tested for their in vitro influence on BALB/c splenocyte blastogenesis. Pyrrolidone-carboxylic acid, in concentrations up to 5 mM, was without effect. In contrast, ammonia concentrations exceeding 1 mM became increasingly more inhibitory. The genesis of inhibitory levels of ammonia in culture medium was confirmed and has been considered as primarily responsible for inhibiton by high glutamine. Addition of Escherichia coli glutaminase (pH optimum 4.9) to cultures of BALB/c splenocytes or human peripheral blood lymphocytes had no effect on either the extent of blastogenesis of these tissues or the glutamine levels in their culture medium.     

A functionally coupled mu3-like opiate receptor/nitric oxide regulatory pathway in human multi-lineage progenitor cells

Ongoing studies from our group support the existence and biological importance of a distinct cellular signaling pathway involving endogenously synthesized, chemically authentic, l-morphine, its cognate mu(3) opiate receptor subtype, and constitutive NO synthase. Based on prior studies indicating evolutionary conservation and adaptation of morphinergic/NO-coupled signaling to mediate autocrine/paracrine control of cellular functions, our goal was to determine whether a functionally competent mu(3) opiate receptor/NO-coupled regulatory pathway exists in human multilineage progenitor cells (MLPC) prepared from umbilical cord blood. Real-time PCR analysis indicated significant expression of mu(3) opiate receptor-encoding RNA by undifferentiated human MLPC, in the absence of traditional mu(1) opioid receptor-encoding RNA expression. Unpredictably, confirmatory RT-PCR analyses indicated cellular expression of a splice variant of the previously characterized mu(3) opiate receptor-encoding mRNA. Pharmacological analyses provided critical validating evidence of functional mu(3)-like opiate receptor/NO-coupled signaling within primary cultures of undifferentiated human MLPC via morphine-evoke real-time release of NO. Control analyses indicated that morphine-stimulated NO release was markedly inhibited by prior treatment with the opiate antagonist l-naloxone or the constitutive NO synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester and unresponsive to stimulation by the opioid peptide methionine enkephalin. Complementary microarray analysis demonstrated that traditional mu(1), delta, and kappa opioid receptor gene expression is not detected in both undifferentiated and differentiated MLPC. Chemical differentiation of MLPC into neuronal progenitor cells effected significant phenotypic expression of a variety of neurally-associated genes. Our data provide compelling evidence in support of both the evolutionary primacy and primordial regulatory role of mu(3)-like opiate receptor/NO signaling in embryogenesis.     

Intravenous beta-endorphin: behavioral and physiological effects in conscious monkeys

Beta-endorphin (0.7 and 2.8 mg/kg) and morphine (0.15 and 0.60 mg/kg) were administered intravenously to rhesus monkeys responding on an operant schedule. Beta-endorphin injections resulted in dose-dependent effects which included marked, but relatively brief disruptions in behavioral responding, decreases in systolic blood pressure, and more protracted increases in heart rate. Morphine injections were followed by much longer duration decreases in response rates and systolic blood pressure, and an irregular but largely deceleratory heart rate response. On a molar basis, beta-endorphin was approximately twice as potent as morphine. It was concluded that intravenously administered beta-endorphin exerts behavioral and physiological effects in the unanesthetized primate.     

The interaction of bisulfite and its free radical analog-nitroxyldisulfonate with periodic acid-oxidized lymphocytes and their effect on blastogenesis

Nitroxyldisulfonate [Fremy's salt; (KSO3)2NO.] and bisulfite (NaHSO3) have abolished periodic acid (H5IO6)-induced blastogenesis of human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBL), but only inhibited the blastogenic response of H5IO6-oxidized rat and mouse lymphocytes, as determined by the rates of nucleic acids synthesis, BrdUrd incorporation and by cell numbers in S + G2 + M phases of the cell cycle. The viability of the intact human, rat and mouse lymphocytes remained essentially unimpaired by 30 min pulses of 1 mM Fremy's salt or bisulfite. The marked inhibition of periodic acid-induced blastogenesis, exerted by Fremy's salt and by bisulfite, was attributed to the effect of the corresponding carbonyl addition derivatives formed in situ of the oxidized cell membranes. Consequently, it is concluded that Fremy's salt like bisulfite possibly forms addition derivatives with membrane carbonyls of viable target cells.     

Lymphocyte activation by the tumor-promoting agent 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA).

TPA, a highly active tumor-promoting agent, is an effective mitogen for primate peripheral blood lymphocytes. Optimal stimulation of human lymphocytes was obtained 4 days after the addition of TPA at a concentration of 7.5 ng/ml. Lymphocyte fractionation experiments demonstrated that both T and B cells incorporated 3H-thymidine significantly in response to TPA. Lymphocyte blastogenesis was not due to the reactivation of latent herpesviruses by the tumor promoter, since similar responses to TPA were obtained with virus-genome positive or negative cells. Increased levels of DNA synthesis were observed when TPA was added to marmoset, baboon, rhesus monkey, or chimpanzee peripheral blood lymphocytes. Canine peripheral blood lymphocytes and spleen cells from guinea pigs, rats, and mice were not stimulated by TPA. These observations suggest that TPA-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis may be useful for studies of lymphocyte activation and of the molecular mechanisms of action of tumor-promoting phorbol esters.     

Dual action of beta-endorphin on insulin release in genetically obese and lean mice

Intraperitoneal administration of beta-endorphin (1 mg/kg) to ob/ob mice doubled fasting plasma insulin concentrations within 30 min, while plasma glucose concentrations were unaltered. In lean mice, beta-endorphin failed to alter plasma insulin or glucose responses. In glucose-loaded ob/ob mice, beta-endorphin (1 mg/kg) reduced insulin levels at 40 min, and delayed glucose disposal. A lower dose of beta-endorphin (0.1 mg/kg) decreased plasma insulin at 90 min, with no effect on plasma glucose disposal. In lean mice, only the higher dose of beta-endorphin suppressed the glucose-stimulated rise in plasma insulin concentrations, without affecting plasma glucose. Beta-endorphin's actions were blocked by naltrexone and could not be mimicked by N-acetyl-beta-endorphin. Beta-endorphin (10(-8)M) enhanced insulin release from isolated ob/ob and lean mouse islets incubated in medium containing 6 mM glucose, but inhibited release when 20 mM glucose was present. These effects were naloxone reversible. The results indicate that 1) ob/ob mice display a greater magnitude of response in vivo to beta-endorphin's actions on insulin release compared with lean mice, 2) high concentrations of beta-endorphin exacerbate glucose disposal in ob/ob mice. 3) the prevailing glucose concentration is an important determinant of whether beta-endorphin's effects on insulin release will be stimulatory or inhibitory and 4) these actions are mediated via opiate receptors.     

Isolation of a novel tetrapeptide with opiate and antiopiate activity from human brain cortex: Tyr-Pro-Trp-Gly-NH2 (Tyr-W-MIF-1).

A novel tetrapeptide, Tyr-Pro-Trp-Gly-NH2 (Tyr-W-MIF-1), was purified from extracts of frontal cortex of human brain tissue by several consecutive reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic steps followed by a radioimmunoassay originally developed for Tyr-Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2 (Tyr-MIF-1). Sequencing, mass spectrometric analysis, and comparison of its chromatographic behavior with that of the synthetic peptide confirmed the structure. Like Tyr-MIF-1, which was previously isolated from human brain tissue, Tyr-W-MIF-1 can inhibit the binding of 3H-DAMGO (selective for mu opiate receptors) to rat brain and can act as an opiate agonist as well as antagonist. Tyr-W-MIF-1 was a more potent opiate agonist than Tyr-MIF-1, the free acid of Tyr-W-MIF-1, and the structurally related hemoglobin-derived opiate peptide hemorphin-4 (Tyr-Pro-Trp-Thr) in the guinea pig ileum. Each of these peptides acted as opiate antagonists on the ileum from morphine-tolerant guinea pigs; the free acid of Tyr-W-MIF-1 was the most potent antagonist in inhibiting the activity of DAMGO. The results demonstrate the presence in human brain of a new member of the Tyr-MIF-1 family of biologically active peptides.     

HTLV-III large envelope protein (gp120) suppresses PHA-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis

The addition of inactivated preparations of purified human T cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV-III) was found to inhibit normal human lymphocyte phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced blastogenesis but had no effect on concanavalin A (Con A), pokeweek mitogen, or allogeneic stimulation. The inhibition was concentration-dependent and also dependent on adding the virus preparation before or at the same time as PHA. The CD4 molecule is the receptor for HTLV-III binding. Immunopurified large envelope protein (gp120) from HTLV-III was found to bind to the CD4 molecule and also inhibited PHA-induced lymphocyte blastogenesis. These results suggest that the gp120 viral protein may alter immune function by binding to the CD4 molecule, which in turn serves as an "off" signal to lymphocyte response to PHA stimulation. Alternatively, by binding to the CD4 molecule, gp120 may interfere with the interaction of this molecule with class II histocompatibility antigens on accessory cells, thus selectively suppressing PHA response.     

T-cell activation is required for efficient replication of human herpesvirus 6.

We have investigated whether T-cell activation is required for the replication of the T-lymphotropic human herpesvirus 6. The virus did not replicate in quiescent peripheral blood lymphocytes but replicated efficiently following exposure of the cells to the polyclonal mitogen phytohemagglutinin (PHA). When purified T cells were treated with PHA in the absence of accessory cells, no virus replication was observed unless exogenous interleukin-2 (IL-2) was added to the medium, promoting cell division. Incubation of peripheral blood lymphocytes in the absence of PHA but in the presence of IL-2 resulted in delayed cell blastogenesis and virus replication. Cell blastogenesis and virus replication did not occur in the purified T-cell cultures incubated with IL-2 alone. Taken together, the results show that human herpesvirus 6 replication requires full progression of the cell cycle. This finding might have implications for the pathogenicity of the virus in the human host.     

Opioid receptor agonists and Ca2+ modulation in human B cell lines.

Opiates and opioid peptides have been shown to modulate lymphocyte functions; however, little attention has been given to the type of receptors or receptor signaling mechanisms that are involved. Receptor-mediated signaling via ionized free Ca2+ is an event thought to be important in the triggering of lymphocyte activities. We report use of the calcium indicator dye, indo-1, and flow cytometry to identify B lymphocyte calcium responses to physiologic concentrations of opioid peptides. The human B cell lines Nalm 6 and JY responded to the naturally occurring opioid pentapeptide methionine-enkephalin or other opiate receptor agonists with a rapid, dose-dependent rise in free cytoplasmic Ca2+. This opioid peptide effect on Ca2+ modulation was inhibited by the opiate receptor antagonist naloxone. The synthetic enkephalin analogue DAMGO with specificity for mu-type opiate receptors and the synthetic opiate receptor agonists U50,488H and U69,593 with selectivity for kappa-type sites also stimulated calcium responses when applied to the B cell lines. These studies provide evidence that human B cell lines express functional opiate receptors of the mu- and kappa-types and suggest that such receptors, coupled with Ca2+ modulation, are instrumental in the B cell response to opiates and endogenous opioid neuropeptides.