Orphanin FQ/nociceptin potentiates [D-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly5-ol]-enkephalin-Induced mu-opioid receptor phosphorylation

• Published in: Molecular pharmacology Vol. 68; no. 2; pp. 447 - 456
• Main Authors: Ozsoy, Hatice Z, Thakker, Deepak R, Standifer, Kelly M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.08.2005
• Subjects: Cell Line, Tumor; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Synergism; Enkephalin, Ala-MePhe-Gly- - metabolism; Enkephalin, Ala-MePhe-Gly- - pharmacology; Humans; Nociceptin; Opioid Peptides - metabolism; Opioid Peptides - pharmacology; Phosphorylation - drug effects; Receptors, Opioid, mu - metabolism
• ISSN: 0026-895X; 1521-0111
• DOI: 10.1124/mol.105.011536

In this study, we investigate the molecular mechanisms by which acute orphanin FQ/nociceptin (OFQ/N), acting through the nociceptin opioid peptide (NOP) receptor, desensitizes the mu-opioid receptor. We described previously the involvement of protein kinase C and G-protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRK) 2 and 3 in OFQ/N-induced mu receptor desensitization. Because phosphorylation of the mu receptor triggers the successive regulatory mechanisms responsible for desensitization, such as receptor uncoupling, internalization, and down-regulation, we investigated the ability of OFQ/N to modulate [d-Ala(2),N-Me-Phe(4),Gly(5)-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO)-induced mu receptor phosphorylation in BE(2)-C human neuroblastoma cells transfected with epitope-tagged mu receptors. OFQ/N treatment (100 nM, 60 min) potentiated DAMGO-induced mu receptor phosphorylation; inhibition of GRK2 or protein kinase C concomitant with OFQ/N treatment blocked the OFQ/N-mediated increase in DAMGO-induced phosphorylation. Inclusion of the NOP antagonist peptide III-BTD during OFQ/N pretreatment blocked the potentiation of DAMGO-induced phosphorylation by OFQ/N, which is consistent with the potentiation being mediated via actions of the NOP receptor. In addition, in cells expressing mu receptors in which the GRK-mediated phosphorylation site Ser(375) was mutated to alanine, OFQ/N treatment failed to potentiate DAMGO-induced mu receptor phosphorylation and failed to desensitize the mu receptor. However, DAMGO-induced mu receptor phosphorylation and OFQ/N-induced mu receptor desensitization occurred in cells expressing mu receptors lacking non-GRK phosphorylation sites. These data suggest that OFQ/N binds to NOP receptors and activates protein kinase C, which then increases the ability of GRK2 to phosphorylate the agonist-occupied mu receptor, heterologously regulating homologous mu receptor desensitization.