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M Abood

Publications and source records attributed to M Abood.

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Role for C-tail residues in delta opioid receptor downregulation.

The delta opioid receptor, a member of the G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily, was used as a model system to characterize opioid receptor downregulation. Metabolic labeling followed by immunoprecipitation resulted in the isolation of the epitope-tagged mouse delta opioid receptor as a approximately 60-kDa protein. Prolonged agonist treatment with 100 nM d-Ala2, d-Leu5-enkephalin (DADLE) caused significant (approximately 60%) reduction in the level of receptor. The delta opioid receptor contains a number of phosphorylatable residues in the C tail. Point mutations of the majority of Ser/Thr sequences did not affect the level of downregulation, whereas mutation of Thr353 to Ala did. In order to test if phosphorylation at this site is involved in receptor downregulation, we generated a Thr353Glu mutant that would mimic the phosphorylated Thr at this site. This mutant exhibited a significantly higher extent of downregulation than the Thr353Ala mutant. In order to critically evaluate the requirement of Thr353 in receptor downregulation, we examined the downregulation of wildtype rat delta receptor (which does not contain Ala353) and an Ala353Thr point-mutant rat delta receptor. The wild-type receptor exhibited poor agonist-mediated downregulation, whereas Ala353Thr mutant exhibited increased downregulation. These results and results from additional studies with rat/mouse chimeric receptors support a role for phosphorylation of sites within the C tail in efficient downregulation of delta opioid receptors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cannabinoid receptor down-regulation without alteration of the inhibitory effect of CP 55,940 on adenylyl cyclase in the cerebellum of CP 55,940-tolerant mice.

The objective of this study was to determine whether the development of tolerance to CP 55,940, a potent cannabinoid agonist, was due to changes in the receptor or second messenger system. ICR mice treated with CP 55,940 (2 mg/kg) twice a day for 6 and one-half days developed a high degree of tolerance to the pharmacological effects of CP 55,940. The ability of CP 55,940 to produce motor hypoactivity, hypothermia and immobility was reduced 163-, 97- and 19-fold, respectively. Evaluation of 3H-CP 55,940 binding to rat brain membranes indicated no difference in receptor affinity between the vehicle- and CP 55,940-treated animals. However, these binding studies revealed a 50% decrease in receptor number in the cerebellum of the CP 55,940-tolerant mice. Although cAMP is generally considered to be the second messenger for cannabinoid receptors, little difference was observed in the inhibitory effects of CP 55,940 on adenylyl cyclase activity in cerebellum between vehicle and drug-treated mice. However, there was an increase in receptor mRNA which suggests a compensation for receptor loss. There are several possible explanation for these results. There may be sufficient spare receptors such that CP 55,940-tolerant mice are capable of producing a maximal effect on the second messenger system. On the other hand, one could conclude that cannabinoid receptor down-regulation does not account for the development of tolerance to all of the effects of CP 55,940 in mice.

Adenylyl Cyclase Inhibitors↗