Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
M. Carmen Ruiz-Cantero, Elsa Cortes-Montero, Aakanksha Jain, Angeles Montilla-Garcia, Inmaculada Bravo-Caparros, Jaehoon Shim, Pilar Sanchez-Blazquez, Clifford J. Woolf, Jose M. Baeyens, Enrique J. Cobos
Summary: The sigma-1 receptor interacts with TRPV1 and the μ-opioid receptor, and antagonizing sigma-1 receptor can reduce PGE2- and NGF-induced hyperalgesia by increasing the activity of the μ-opioid receptor. This mechanism is not effective against GDNF-induced hyperalgesia. The sigma-1 antagonism transfers the sigma-1 receptor from TRPV1 to μ-opioid receptor and harnesses endogenous opioids produced by TRPV1+ neurons to reduce hyperalgesia.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tao Che, Bryan L. Roth
Summary: This article explores the molecular basis of opioid receptor signaling, including the binding of opioids to receptors and the molecular determinants of signaling pathways. Additionally, the synergy between computational biology and medicinal chemistry is mentioned as a means to expedite the discovery of more effective and safer opioid compounds.
Review
Cell Biology
Juane Lu, Tao Wu, Biao Zhang, Suke Liu, Wenjun Song, Jianjun Qiao, Haihua Ruan
Summary: This article summarizes the types of nuclear localization signals, focuses on recently reported proteins containing such signals, and briefly outlines mechanisms for nuclear entry that do not rely on nuclear localization signals.
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Paulo A. De Oliveira, Estefania Moreno, Nil Casajuana-Martin, Veronica Casado-Anguera, Ning-Sheng Cai, Gisela Andrea Camacho-Hernandez, Hu Zhu, Alessandro Bonifazi, Matthew D. Hall, David Weinshenker, Amy Hauck Newman, Diomedes E. Logothetis, Vicent Casado, Leigh D. Plant, Leonardo Pardo, Sergi Ferre
Summary: Recent studies suggest that the heteromers of mu-opioid receptors (MORs) and galanin Gal(1) receptors (Gal(1)Rs) in the mesencephalon play a role in mediating the dopaminergic effects of opioids. This study provides evidence for a predominant homodimeric structure of MOR and Gal(1)R when expressed individually and for their preference to form functional heterotetramers when co-expressed. The results show that this heteromerization leads to a change in G-protein coupling, providing a framework for Gs-Gi antagonist interaction.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yongsheng Zhu, Kejia Wang, Tengfei Ma, Yuanyuan Ji, Yin Lou, Xiaoyu Fu, Ye Lu, Yige Liu, Wei Dang, Qian Zhang, Fangyuan Yin, Kena Wang, Bing Yu, Hongbo Zhang, Jianghua Lai, Yunpen Wang
Summary: This study identified neural pathways involved in controlling depressive-like behaviors and acute withdrawal symptoms after morphine withdrawal. Furthermore, a new DBS treatment protocol was developed to reverse abnormal plasticity and alleviate withdrawal symptoms and depressive-like behaviors.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Article
Virology
Luis Adrian De Jesus-Gonzalez, Selvin Noe Palacios-Rapalo, Jose Manuel Reyes-Ruiz, Juan Fidel Osuna-Ramos, Carlos Noe Farfan-Morales, Carlos Daniel Cordero-Rivera, Bulmaro Cisneros, Ana Lorena Gutierrez-Escolano, Rosa Maria del Angel
Summary: Recent evidence suggests that nuclear elements play a role in the replication of Flaviviruses, with certain viral proteins being imported into the nucleus. Furthermore, nuclear localization of these proteins has been observed in infected cells. The presence of ZIKV NS3 in the nucleus has been investigated, showing that NS3 is imported into the nucleus via the importin pathway and exported back to the cytoplasm.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Dasiel O. Borroto-Escuela, Karolina Wydra, Ramon Fores-Pons, Lakshmi Vasudevan, Wilber Romero-Fernandez, Malgorzata Frankowska, Luca Ferraro, Sarah Beggiato, Minerva Crespo-Ramirez, Alicia Rivera, Luisa L. Rocha, Miguel Perez de la Mora, Christophe Stove, Malgorzata Filip, Kjell Fuxe
Summary: The widespread distribution of heteroreceptor complexes with allosteric receptor-receptor interactions in the CNS plays a key role in learning, memory, and the development of substance use disorders like morphine and cocaine use disorders. These complexes could be potential pharmacological targets to modulate reward and substance use disorders.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Min Chen, Xue Yang, Haiyang Liu, Jun Wan
Summary: In this study, a functional bipartite nuclear localization signal (bNLS) in the ANKRD11 gene was identified. It was found that this bNLS is responsible for the nuclear import of ANKRD11 and certain clinical variants of this signal may be related to disease development.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Seksiri Arttamangkul, Emily J. Platt, James Carroll, David Farrens
Summary: The study found that single cholinergic neurons in the mouse striatum express both MORs and DORs, and through fluorescent labeling and selective activation experiments, it was revealed their mechanisms in regulating cellular electrical activity. The results indicate that the two receptors function independently.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xin Zhang, Meng-Yang Sun, Xue Zhang, Chang-Run Guo, Yun-Tao Lei, Wen-Hui Wang, Ying-Zhe Fan, Peng Cao, Chang-Zhu Li, Rui Wang, Xing-Hua Li, Ye Yu, Xiao-Na Yang
Summary: This study explores the different interactions of morphine and naloxone with the mu-opioid receptor (MOR) through molecular dynamics simulations. The results show that morphine adjusts its pose by flipping deeper into the receptor pocket, while naloxone fails to penetrate deeper due to conflicts with certain residues. Additionally, the endogenous peptide ligand EM-1 undergoes minimal conformational changes during the simulations. The study also identifies key residues involved in the recognition of morphine and naloxone and highlights the importance of deep binding in the agonistic effect of MOR.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Md Reyaz Alam, Shamsher Singh
Summary: Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons, resulting in motor and non-motor symptoms. Recent research suggests that targeting opioid and cannabinoid receptors as well as the NLRP3 pathway may provide novel therapeutic approaches for Parkinson's disease management.
INFLAMMOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pooja Parishar, Neha Sehgal, Soumya Iyengar
Summary: The study found high expression of δ-OR mRNA in song control and auditory nuclei of male zebra finches, suggesting a potential role in modulating singing, song learning, and spatial learning.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Susana Mendez-Gomez, Heidi Espadas-Alvarez, Ivette Ramirez-Rodriguez, Lilianha Dominguez-Malfavon, Refugio Garcia-Villegas
Summary: The localization of TRPV4 ion channel between the nucleus and plasma membrane is crucial for its cellular functions, and mutations may lead to TRPV4 channelopathies.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Anagha Gadepalli, Obulapathi Ummadisetty, Akhilesh, Deepak Chouhan, Anmol, Vinod Tiwari
Summary: This study demonstrates the therapeutic effect of loperamide, a peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor agonist, on neuropathic pain in rats and elucidates its underlying mechanism.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Maksim M. M. Karasev, Mikhail Baloban, Vladislav V. V. Verkhusha, Daria M. M. Shcherbakova
Summary: Researchers developed a non-opsin optogenetic tool for light-controlled nuclear export of a protein in neurons. They found that commonly used nuclear localization signals (NLSs) are suboptimal in neurons and identified uncommon NLSs that mediate fast nuclear import. By adjusting the NLSs, they optimized the tool for lower background and higher contrast in neurons.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)