Evidence of endogenous mu opioid receptor regulation by epigenetic control of the promoters.

ABSTRACT: The pharmacological effect of morphine as a painkiller is mediated mainly via the mu opioid receptor (MOR) and is dependent on the number of MORs in the cell surface membrane. While several studies have reported that the MOR gene is regulated by various cis- and trans-acting factors, many questions remain unanswered regarding in vivo regulation. The present study shows that epigenetic silencing and activation of the MOR gene are achieved through coordinated regulation at both the histone and DNA levels. In P19 mouse embryonal carcinoma cells, expression of the MOR was greatly increased after neuronal differentiation. MOR expression could also be induced by a demethylating agent (5'-aza-2'-deoxycytidine) or histone deacetylase inhibitors in the P19 cells, suggesting involvement of DNA methy

SUBMITTER: Hwang CK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1951474 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature