Summary Activation of the μ-opioid receptor (μOR) is responsible for the efficacy of the most effective analgesics. To understand the structural basis for μOR activation, we obtained a 2.1 Å X-ray crystal structure of the μOR bound to the morphinan agonist BU72 and stabilized by a G protein-mimetic camelid-antibody fragment. The BU72-stabilized changes in the μOR binding pocket are subtle and differ from those observed for agonist-bound structures of the β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) and the M2 muscarinic receptor (M2R). Comparison with active β2AR reveals a common rearrangement in the packing of three conserved amino acids in the core of the μOR, and molecular dynamics simulations illustrate how the ligand-binding pocket is conformationally linked to this conserved triad. Additionally, an extensive polar network between the ligand-binding pocket and the cytoplasmic domains appears to play a similar role in signal propagation for all three GPCRs.

Rationale-Identification of behaviors specifically mediated by the dopamine D2 and D3 receptors would allow for the determination of in vivo receptor selectivity and aide the development of novel therapeutics for dopamine-related diseases.Objectives-These studies were aimed at evaluating the specific receptors involved in the mediation of D2/D3 agonist-induced yawning and hypothermia.Correspondence to: James H. Woods. NIH Public AccessAuthor Manuscript Psychopharmacology (Berl) Methods-The relative potencies of a series of D2-like agonists to produce yawning and hypothermia were determined. The ability of D3-and D2-selective antagonists to inhibit the induction of yawning and hypothermia were assessed, and a series of D2/D3 antagonists were characterized with respect to their ability to alter yawning induced by a low and high dose of PD-128,907 as well as sumanirole-induced hypothermia.Results-D3-preferring agonists induced yawning at lower doses than those required to induce hypothermia, and the D2-preferring agonist, sumanirole, induced hypothermia at lower doses than were necessary to induce yawning. The rank order of D3 selectivity was pramipexole > PD-128,907 = 7-OH-DPAT = quinpirole = quinelorane > apomorphine = U91356A. Sumanirole had only D2 agonist effects. PG01037, SB-277011A and U99194 were all D3-selective antagonists, whereas haloperidol and L-741,626 were D2-selective antagonists and nafadotride's profile of action was more similar to the D2 antagonists than to the D3 antagonists.Conclusions-D3 and D2 receptors have specific roles in the mediation of yawning and hypothermia, respectively, and the analysis of these effects allow inferences to be made regarding the selectivity of D2/D3 agonists and antagonists with respect to their actions at D2 and D3 receptors.

Background and PurposePZM21 is a novel μ‐opioid receptor ligand that has been reported to induce minimal arrestin recruitment and be devoid of the respiratory depressant effects characteristic of classical μ receptor ligands such as morphine. We have re‐examined the signalling profile of PZM21 and its ability to depress respiration.Experimental ApproachG protein (Gi) activation and arrestin‐3 translocation were measured in vitro, using BRET assays, in HEK 293 cells expressing μ receptors. Respiration (rate and tidal volume) was measured in awake, freely moving mice by whole‐body plethysmography, and antinociception was measured by the hot plate test.Key ResultsPZM21 (10−9 – 3 × 10−5 M) produced concentration‐dependent Gi activation and arrestin‐3 translocation. Comparison with responses evoked by morphine and DAMGO revealed that PZM21 was a low efficacy agonist in both signalling assays. PZM21 (10–80 mg·kg−1) depressed respiration in a dose‐dependent manner. The respiratory depression was due to a decrease in the rate of breathing not a decrease in tidal volume. On repeated daily administration of PZM21 (twice daily doses of 40 mg·kg−1), complete tolerance developed to the antinociceptive effect of PZM21 over 3 days but no tolerance developed to its respiratory depressant effect.Conclusion and ImplicationsThese data demonstrate that PZM21 is a low efficacy μ receptor agonist for both G protein and arrestin signalling. Contrary to a previous report, PZM21 depresses respiration in a manner similar to morphine, the classical opioid receptor agonist.

Regulators of G-Protein signaling (RGS) proteins are potent negative modulators of signal transduction through G-Protein coupled receptors. They function by binding to activated (GTP-bound) Gα subunits and accelerating the rate of GTP hydrolysis. Modulation of RGS activity by small molecules is an attractive mechanism to fine-tune GPCR signaling for therapeutic and research purposes. Here we describe the pharmacologic properties and mechanism of action of CCG-50014, the most potent small molecule RGS inhibitor to date. It has an IC50 for RGS4 of 30 nM and is >20-fold selective for RGS4 over other RGS proteins. CCG-50014 binds covalently to the RGS, forming an adduct on two cysteine residues located in an allosteric regulatory site. It is not a general cysteine alkylator as it does not inhibit activity of the cysteine protease papain at concentrations >3,000 fold higher than those required to inhibit RGS4 function. It is also >1,000-fold more potent as an RGS4 inhibitor than are the cysteine alkylators N-ethylmaleimide or iodoacetamide. Analysis of the cysteine reactivity of the compound shows that compound binding to Cys107 in RGS8 inhibits Gα- binding in a manner that can be reversed by cleavage of the compound-RGS disulfide bond. If the compound reacts with Cys160 in RGS8, the adduct induces RGS denaturation and activity cannot be restored by compound removal. The high potency and good selectivity of CCG-50014 make it a useful tool for studying the functional roles of RGS4.

Despite the critical need, no previous research has substantiated safe opioid analgesics without abuse liability in primates. Recent advances in medicinal chemistry have led to the development of ligands with mixed mu opioid peptide (MOP)/nociceptin-orphanin FQ peptide (NOP) receptor agonist activity to achieve this objective. BU08028 is a novel orvinol analog that displays a similar binding profile to buprenorphine with improved affinity and efficacy at NOP receptors. The aim of this preclinical study was to establish the functional profile of BU08028 in monkeys using clinically used MOP receptor agonists for side-by-side comparisons in various wellhoned behavioral and physiological assays. Systemic BU08028 (0.001-0.01 mg/kg) produced potent long-lasting (i.e., >24 h) antinociceptive and antiallodynic effects, which were blocked by MOP or NOP receptor antagonists. More importantly, the reinforcing strength of BU08028 was significantly lower than that of cocaine, remifentanil, or buprenorphine in monkeys responding under a progressive-ratio schedule of drug self-administration. Unlike MOP receptor agonists, BU08028 at antinociceptive doses and ∼10-to 30-fold higher doses did not cause respiratory depression or cardiovascular adverse events as measured by telemetry devices. After repeated administration, the monkeys developed acute physical dependence on morphine, as manifested by precipitated withdrawal signs, such as increased respiratory rate, heart rate, and blood pressure. In contrast, monkeys did not show physical dependence on BU08028. These in vivo findings in primates not only document the efficacy and tolerability profile of bifunctional MOP/NOP receptor agonists, but also provide a means of translating such ligands into therapies as safe and potentially abusefree opioid analgesics.N/OFQ peptide receptor | respiratory depression | reinforcing effects | physical dependence | mu opioid peptide receptor P ain, a symptom of numerous clinical disorders, afflicts millions of people worldwide. Despite the remarkable advances in the identification of potential targets as analgesics in the last decade, mu opioid peptide (MOP) receptor agonists remain the most widely used analgesics for pain management (1). Several side effects associated with MOP receptor agonists have severely limited the value of opioid analgesics, however (2). Owing to the abuse liability and the high mortality rate caused by respiratory arrest, opioid abuse not only has dire consequences, but also leads to mounting medical and economic burdens in our society (3-5). There is a clear, unmet need for safe analgesics without abuse liability in the global community.Buprenorphine, a partial MOP receptor agonist, is considered a safe analgesic because of its ceiling effect on respiratory depression (6, 7). Buprenorphine is commonly used in both human and veterinary medicine to treat various pain conditions, including cancer pain and neuropathic pain (7,8). However, buprenorphine is not devoid of reinforcing effects, the most devastating side effect...