Endotoxin-induced formation of specific beta-endorphin binding sites in human serum.
Specific binding of human beta-endorphin is demonstrated to sites that are present in endotoxin-treated, but not in native, human serum. Binding is saturable and reversible and is mediated by a nonopioid segment of beta H-endorphin to sites that are located on the terminal SC5b-9 complement complex. Since endotoxemia causes both the secretion of beta-endorphin into blood (1) and the formation of specific beta-endorphin binding sites therein, both effects might be elements of a common physiological process.
D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D015938:Complement Membrane Attack Complex; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D004723:Endorphins / Q000097:blood*; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000187:drug effects*; D001615:beta-Endorphin
D015938:Complement Membrane Attack Complex; D004723:Endorphins; D004731:Endotoxins; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D003165:Complement System Proteins