Opiate antagonist prevents μ- and δ-opiate receptor dimerization to facilitate ability of agonist to control ethanol-altered natural killer cell functions and mammary tumor growth.

ABSTRACT: In the natural killer (NK) cells, δ-opiate receptor (DOR) and μ-opioid receptor (MOR) interact in a feedback manner to regulate cytolytic function with an unknown mechanism. Using RNK16 cells, a rat NK cell line, we show that MOR and DOR monomer and dimer proteins existed in these cells and that chronic treatment with a receptor antagonist reduced protein levels of the targeted receptor but increased levels of opposing receptor monomer and homodimer. The opposing receptor-enhancing effects of MOR and DOR antagonists were abolished following receptor gene knockdown by siRNA. Ethanol treatment increased MOR and DOR heterodimers while it decreased the cellular levels of MOR and DOR monomers and homodimers. The opioid receptor homodimerization was associated with an increased receptor binding,

SUBMITTER: Sarkar DK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3351352 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature