Mu3 opiate receptor expression in lung and lung carcinoma: ligand binding and coupling to nitric oxide release.
The mu3 opiate receptor subtype is expressed in human surgical specimens of both normal lung and non-small-cell lung carcinoma. Nitric oxide (NO) release is mediated through the mu3 receptor, and in lung carcinoma, morphine-stimulated NO release is significantly higher and prolonged than in normal lung. Using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Southern blot analysis we show that specific mu opioid receptor transcripts are present in lung carcinoma and other cells with the mu3 profile. Our findings identify a unique role for the mu3 opiate receptor in opiate-mediated NO release and suggest that endogenous opiates, through their release of NO, may play a role in cancer progression.
Fimiani
C
C
Neuroscience Research Institute, State University of New York, College at Old Westbury, 11568, USA.
Arcuri
E
E
Santoni
A
A
Rialas
C M
CM
Bilfinger
T V
TV
Peter
D
D
Salzet
B
B
Stefano
G B
GB
D004090:Dihydromorphine / Q000378:metabolism; D020875:Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)- / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000737:chemistry*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu; D020875:Enkephalin, Ala(2)-MePhe(4)-Gly(5)-; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D004090:Dihydromorphine