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M Szücs

Publications and source records attributed to M Szücs.

45 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Solubilization and characterization of opioid binding sites from frog (Rana esculenta) brain.

Active opioid receptors were solubilized from frog (Rana esculenta) brain membrane fractions by the use of 1% digitonin. It was found by kinetic as well as by equilibrium measurements that both the membrane and the solubilized fractions contain two binding sites. For the membrane preparations, KD values were 0.9 and 3.6 nM, and Bmax values were 293 and 734 fmol/mg protein. For the solubilized preparations, KD values were 0.4 and 2.6 nM, an Bmax values were 35 and 266 fmol/mg protein. The stereospecificity of the binding did not change during solubilization. Both the membrane-bound and the solubilized receptors showed weak binding of enkephalin and mu-specific drugs, suggesting that they are predominantly of the kappa-type. The membrane-bound and the soluble receptors showed the same distribution of subtypes, i.e., 70% kappa, 13% mu, and 17% delta for the membrane-bound and 71% kappa, 17% mu, and 12% delta for the soluble receptors.

Animals↗

Binding characteristics and analgesic activity of D-ALA2-Leu5-enkephalin chloromethyl ketone.

The chloromethyl ketone derivative of D-Ala2-Leu5-enkephalin (DALECK) was synthesized and its potency was tested in competing for 3H-naloxone binding sites and inducing analgesia. It was established that the compound is a potent affinity reagent at alkaline pH, blocking selectively and irreversibly the high-affinity (KD less than 1 nM) binding site. Intracisternally given DALECK showed a long-lasting, dose-dependent antinociceptive effect in the rat tail-withdrawal test. This could be completely antagonized by naloxone administration showing the reversible nature of DALECK in this in vivo assay. It is suggested that DALECK binds reversibly to the morphine receptor which mediates analgesia but irreversibly to the enkephalin receptor, the function of which remains to be elucidated.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones↗

A new potential affinity label for the opiate receptor.

D-Ala2-Leu5-enkephalin (DALA) was elongated with the methyl ester of melphalan (Mel), a nitrogen mustard on the C-terminus. The new derivative, DALA-Mel-OMe might be a potential affinity label of the opiate receptor. The compound shows high affinity in displacement experiments with an IC50 of 10 nM and 100 nM against 3H-D-Ala2-Leu5-enkephalin and 3H-naloxone, respectively. 10-100 microM of DALA-Mel-OMe causes a significant inhibition of 3H-naloxone binding, which effect can't be reversed by extensive washes. This irreversible blockade is significantly but only partially protected by high concentrations of naloxone and Leu-enkephalin. Our results suggest that DALA-Mel-OMe binds irreversibly to the opiate receptor, but nonspecific labelling also occurs.

Affinity Labels↗

The in vitro effect of ethanol on the histamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase system.

The effect of low concentrations (1-5%) of ethanol on the histamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase system was examined in guinea pig gastric mucosa and hippocampus homogenate. Ethanol in these concentrations caused a dose-dependent increase of the adenylate cyclase activity, and this effect was not inhibited by histamine antagonists. Phosphodiesterase activities were not affected by these concentrations of alcohol. Our in vitro findings agree well with the results of BUNCE and PARSONS [10].

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗

[Appearance of disseminated hyperpigmented lesions during PUVA therapy].

Disseminated, hyperpigmented lesions were observed in two patients with psoriasis under PUVA treatment independently from psoriatic lesions. Light microscopic examination revealed besides hypertrophy of melanocytes no considerable changes. Additionally to the formation of large melanosomes (Longitudinal diameter over 8,8 micrometers) and the pronounced melanin-storage in the melanophages, electron microscopic results referred to degenerative processes of melanocytes and the epidermal basal lamina.

Adult↗

Opiate receptor binding affinities of some D-amino acid substituted beta-casomorphin analogs.

beta-Casomorphin-(5) and some analogs modified by the introduction of some D-amino acids and D-pipecolic acid as well as by C-terminal amidation were tested for their affinities to mu- and delta-binding sites in rat brain membranes. The binding affinities of these compounds are compared with the known activities in the guinea pig ileum (GPI) and mouse vas deferens (MVD) test and their antinociceptive potencies in rats. The substitution of D-proline for proline in position 4 in beta-casomorphin-(5) and beta-casomorphin-(4)amide (morphiceptin) results in derivatives with very high mu-binding affinity and mu-selectivity. These affinities correspond to the respective analgesic potencies. Both binding to mu-receptors and analgesic potency are also enhanced by the introduction of D-Phe in position 3. Testing D-Ala2 substituted derivatives with respect to their ability to compete for 3H-naloxone, we observed apparent differences between the pentapeptide amides (biphasic displacement curves) and the tetrapeptide amides (monophasic displacement curves). The substitution of L-Pro2 by D-pipecolic acid yields an analog with preferential delta-receptor affinity in the organ preparations (MVD) but preferential mu-receptor affinity in brain membranes. This finding suggests a possible difference between peripheral and central mu-binding sites.

Amino Acids↗

Thermodynamic parameters of opioid binding in the presence and absence of G-protein coupling.

We have investigated the thermodynamic parameters of various opioid ligands interacting with their receptors in rat brain membranes. Affinity constants (Ka), enthalpy and entropy values were obtained from homologous displacement experiments performed at 0, 24 and 33 degrees C. It was found that all the opioid agonists tested ([3H]dihydromorphine (DHM) mu alkaloid; [3H]DAMGO mu peptide; [3H]deltorphin-B delta peptide) display endothermic binding accompanied with a large entropy increase, regardless of their chemical structure (alkaloid or peptide), or of their mu or delta receptor selectivity. In contrast, binding of the antagonist naloxone is exothermic, mainly enthalpy driven. Na+ or Mg2+ results only in quantitative changes of the thermodynamic parameters. In the presence of the GTP-analog Gpp(NH)p; or Gpp(NH)p + Na+; or Gpp(NH)p + Na- + Mg2+ the affinity of DHM binding dramatically decreases which might reflect functional uncoupling of the receptor-ligand complex and G-proteins. This altered molecular interactions are also indicated by curvilinear van't Hoff plot and entropy increase. It is concluded that the thermodynamic analysis provides means of determining the underlying driving forces of ligand binding and helps to delineate its mechanism.

Animals↗