Using prototypic ligands for each type of opioid receptors (μ, δ, κ, and σ) as well as compounds derived from each class of endogenous opioid peptides (β-endorphin, enkephalins, and dynorphins), we have undertaken the characterization of adrenomedullary opioid binding sites. The specific binding of [3H]etorphine ([3H]ET) to a membrane preparation of bovine adrenal medulla was greatly increased when the incubation temperature was raised from 22 to 37 °C. Characterization of the opioid binding sites was obtained at 37 °C with [3H]ET (nonspecific opioid ligand), [3H]ethylketocyclazocine ([3H]EKC; κ), [3H]dihydromorphine ([3H]DHM; μ), [3H]-[D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin ([3H]DADLE; δ), and N-[3H]allylnormetazocine ([3H]SKF-10047; σ) in the absence or presence of blocking agents for cross-reacting receptors. [3H]ET had a high affinity binding site (KD = 0.98 nM) with a Bmax of 119 pmol/g protein. All the other opioid compounds showed biphasic saturation curves with KD ranging from 0.6 to 1.29 nM for the high affinity binding site and from 2.49 to 12.1 nM for the low affinity binding site. The opioid μ-receptor was characterized by the high affinity binding site for [3H]DHM (KD = 1.29 nM; Bmax = 38 pmol/g protein). Blockade of the cross-reacting receptor sites for [3H]EKC, [3H]DADLE, and [3H]SKF-10047 revealed the presence of κ (KD = 0.66 nM; Bmax = 12 pmol/g protein), κ2 (benzomorphan site; KD = 11.1 nM; Bmax = 56 pmol/g protein), δ (KD = 0.67 nM; Bmax = 4.7 pmol/g protein), and σ (KD = 4.54 nM; Bmax = 32 pmol/g protein) opioid receptors. The ability of various opioid ligands to displace the binding of [3H]ET indicates a high potency for (−)-(1R,5R,9R,2″S)-5,9-dimethyl-2′-hydroxy-2-tetrahydrofurfuryl-6,7-benzomorphan hydrogen D-tartrate (MR-2034, a κ-opioid ligand; Ki = 6.2 nM), dihydromorphinone (DHMone; Ki = 6.9 nM), oxymorphone (Ki = 8.6 nM), DADLE (Ki high affinity = 8.4 nM) EKC (Ki = 31.8 nM), SKF-10047 (Ki = 75 nM), and opioid agonists/antagonists. trans-(+)-3,4-Dichloro-N-methyl-N-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)cyclohexyl]benzeneacetamide methanesulfonate hydrate (U-50,488H), the most specific κ-agonist, was a poor competitor (Ki = 5150 nM). However, the presence of κ-opioid receptors was supported by the ability of U-50,488H to displace [3H]EKC binding (Ki high affinity = 2.5 nM). The relative potency of various endogenous opioid peptides in displacing [3H]ET binding was as follows: β-endorphin [Formula: see text] dynorphin(1-17) > dynorphin(1-13) > [Arg6,Phe7)Met-enkephalin > Met-enkephalin > Leu-enkephalin. In addition, the presence of a high affinity binding site for dynorphin was demonstrated by the high potency of dynorphin (1-13) to displace [3H]EKC binding (Ki high affinity = 2.3 nM). These data provide further insights into the characterization of adrenal opioid receptors and suggest an in situ physiological role for adrenal opioid peptides.
Identification of the angiotensin II receptor in rat mesenteric artery