Involvement of beta-arrestin-2 in modulation of the spinal antinociception induced by mu-opioid receptor agonists in the mouse

Neurosci Lett. 2003 Jul 31;346(1-2):13-6. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3940(03)00591-3.

Abstract

Beta-arrestins have been suggested to regulate mu-, delta-, and kappa-opioid receptor-mediated responses. In the present study, we examined the effects of pretreatment with beta-arrestin-2 antibody on tail-flick inhibition induced by opioid receptor agonists in the mouse spinal cord. Intrathecal (i.t.) pretreatment with beta-arrestin-2 antibody potentiated the antinociception induced by i.t.-administered mu-opioid receptor agonists [D-Ala(2),NMePhe(4),Gly-ol(5)]enkephalin (DAMGO) and endomorphin-1, but not endomorphin-2, the delta-opioid receptor agonist [D-Ala(2)]deltorphin II or the kappa-opioid receptor agonist U50,488H. The present result suggests that beta-arrestin-2 may tonically down-regulate a selected population of mu-opioid receptors activated by endomorphin-1 or DAMGO in the mouse spinal cord.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / pharmacology*
  • Analgesics, Opioid / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Antibodies / pharmacology
  • Antibodies / physiology
  • Arrestins / pharmacology*
  • Arrestins / physiology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Pain Measurement / drug effects*
  • Pain Measurement / methods
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / agonists*
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / physiology
  • Spinal Cord / drug effects*
  • Spinal Cord / physiology
  • beta-Arrestin 2
  • beta-Arrestins

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Antibodies
  • Arrb2 protein, mouse
  • Arrestins
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu
  • beta-Arrestin 2
  • beta-Arrestins