title: Further evidence for the existence of a homogenous beta-endorphin-sensitive receptor population in the rat tail artery.
abstract: Isolated rat tail arteries were perfused and vasoconstriction was evoked by electrical field stimulation (2 pulses at 1 Hz every 2 min). The vasoconstriction was depressed by DAGO (IC50 = 611 nM) and beta-endorphin (IC50 = 37 nM). Structuraly analogues and shorter fragments of beta-endorphin were also tested. beta-Endorphin and beta-endorphin-(1-26) were about equipotent whereas the beta-endorphin fragments 1-17, 1-16 and 6-31 were inactive. The potencies of beta-endorphin, beta-endorphin-(1-26), -(1-17) and -(1-16) were not changed in the presence of peptidase inhibitors. Structural analogues such as [D-Ala2]beta-endorphin or [Leu5]beta-endorphin had a somewhat lower potency than beta-endorphin itself. Naloxone 30 nM antagonized the effects of DAGO and beta-endorphin to a similar extent with dissociation constants 3.8 and 3.7 nM, respectively for the antagonist against the agonists. The results support the existence in the rat tail artery of a homogenous population of beta-endorphin-sensitive receptors which may belong to the epsilon-type.
authors.affiliation: Unité de Pharmacologie Cellulaire et Moléculaire, C.N.R.S., Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bucher
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Stoclet
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Illes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004723:Endorphins / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects*; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D013623:Tail / Q000098:blood supply; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004723:Endorphins; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D001615:beta-Endorphin