Dermorphins, Opioid Peptides from Amphibian Skin, Act on Opioid Receptors of Mouse Neuroblastoma x Rat Glioma Hybrid Cells

Dermorphin and its Hyp6 analogue are opiate-like heptapeptides originally discovered in frog skin and characterized by the presence of a D-Ala2 residue in their sequence. They were assayed for their capacity to compete with [3H]Leu-enkephalin for binding to opioid receptors in membranes of neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells. In the presence of 7 nM-[3H]Leu-enkephalin, the concentrations at which they caused 50% inhibition of [3H]enkephalin binding (IC50 values) are 0.1 micro M and 0.3 micro M, respectively. In contrast, the synthetic L-Ala2-dermorphin shows very low affinity for the opioid receptors. In addition, like other opioid peptides, dermorphin and hyp6-dermorphin inhibit the elevation by prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) of the level of adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) (IC50 values 0.2 micro M and 0.4 micro M, respectively). The inhibition is prevented by the opiate antagonist naloxone, L-Ala2-dermorphin is at least three orders of magnitude less potent in inhibiting the PGE1-evoked increase in the level of cyclic AMP. The results show that peptides with an amino acid sequence quite different from that of the enkephalins can bind to opioid receptors of the hybrid cells.     

The presence of enkephalin-like substances in the eyestalk and brain of the land crabGecarcinus lateralis

The eyestalk of the land crab, Gecarcinus lateralis, is rich in Met-enkephalin-like materials. Leu-enkephalin, if present, is at a level which is below the sensitivity of our assay. The brain (cerebral ganglion) of this organism contains both Met- and Leu-enkephalin-like materials. Material which was reactive with our Met-enkephalin antibody was also detected in a peak that migrated after Leu-enkephalin. This biochemical study confirms earlier immunohistochemical reports which indicated that opioid substances are present in crustaceans. It also strongly supports the concept that opioid mechanisms are a product of early evolution and further demonstrates that the sequence of the smaller opioid compounds has been conserved.     

Reexamination of Opioid Stimulation of cGMP Formation in Cell Lines of Neuronal Origin

1. The present study reexamines a previous notion on opioid stimulation of cyclic GMP (cGMP) formation and the retraction of the original findings.2. The effect of opioid agonists on cGMP accumulation in two cell lines of neuronal origin was measured. The proportion of cGMP stimulation in NG108-15 neuroblastoma × glioma hybrid cells resembled the proportion of [Ca²⁺]_in elevation by opioids in this culture. The failure of opioids to stimulate cGMP formation in SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma coincided with the lack of cGMP stimulation by other Ca²⁺ mobilizing agents in these cells. The nitric oxide donor nitroprusside elevated cGMP in both cell lines.3. The implication of the opioid-Ca²⁺-NO-cGMP cellular pathway for opioid activity in vivo is discussed.     

Evidence that Inhibition of Nicotine-Mediated Catecholamine Secretion from Adrenal Chromaffin Cells by Enkephalin, β-Endorphin, Dynorphin (1-13), and Opiates is not Mediated via Specific Opiate Receptors

Abstract: The opioid peptides Met- and Leu-enkephalin, dynorphin (1-13), and β-endorphin and the narcotic analgesics, morphine, levorphanol, and dextrorphan all produced a dose-dependent inhibition of nicotine (5 × 10^?6m )-mediated release of [³H]norepinephrine ([³H]NE) from bovine adrenal chromaffin cells in culture. None of these agents affected [³H]NE release induced by high K⁺ (56 mm ). Although the above results suggest that the opioid peptides and narcotic analgesics inhibit catecholamine release from adrenal chromaffin cells in culture, we suggest that these effects are not mediated by specific opiate binding sites, since (1) the inhibition was only produced with high concentrations of the agents—the threshold concentrations were 10^?7 to 10^?5m and higher; (2) the inhibition produced by the narcotic analgesics did not display stereospecificity, because the (d-isomer, dextrorphan, was slightly more active than the l-isomer, levorphanol; (3) the narcotic antagonists naloxone, naltrexone, and levallorphan did not reverse the inhibition produced by either the narcotic analgesics (e.g., morphine) or the opioid peptides (e.g., dynorphin). These three antagonists themselves inhibited the nicotine-mediated release of [³H]NE from the adrenal chromaffin cells in culture. Finally (4), the I₂-Tyr¹ substituted analogues of β-endorphin and dynorphin that are biologically less active than the parent compounds produced an inhibition of the nicotine-mediated [³H]NE release similar to that of their parent compounds. These results do not support the idea that high-affinity stereospecific opiate binding sites are involved in the inhibitory modulation of nicotinic evoked catecholamine release from bovine adrenal chromaffin cells in culture.     

A human neuroblastoma cell line expresses mu and delta opioid receptor sites

A series of neuroblastoma cell lines were screened for the presence of opioid receptor sites with the tracers [3H]diprenorphine (mu, delta, kappa ligand) and [3H]naloxone (mu-selective ligand). One human neuroblastoma cell line, SK-N-SH, displayed avid binding for both tracers. Binding experiments with multiple tracers revealed the presence of both mu and delta sites. These sites were stereospecific, saturable, and proteinaceous in character. Saturation binding experiments provided an estimate of 50,000 mu and 10,000 delta sites/cell. NaCl (100 mM) and guanine nucleotide, guanylyl imidodiphosphate (50 microM), reduced opioid agonist but not antagonist binding to these sites. Etorphine at 1 nM inhibited prostaglandin E1-stimulated cyclic AMP production by approximately 20%, which was reversible by naloxone. The opioid-binding sites on SK-N-SH cells closely resemble the previously reported mu and delta sites in human and rodent brain. Therefore, the SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cell line represents a useful tool to study the molecular functions of opioid receptors.     

Photolabile opioid derivatives of D-Ala2-Leu5-enkephalin and their interactions with the opiate receptor

Photolabile derivatives of D-Ala2-Leu5-enkephalin were prepared by synthetic procedures in which a 2-nitro-4-azidophenyl group is linked to the terminal carboxyl group of the enkephalin by means of an ethylenediamine or ethylenediamine beta-alanine spacer. These peptides bind to opiate receptors with nanomolar affinities and inhibit electrically stimulated contractions of the mouse vas deferens and adenylate cyclase activity of NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cell membranes. Both inhibitions are reversed by the opiate antagonist naloxone. Photolysis of the ligands bound to rat brain membranes results in the loss of approximately 50% of the receptor sites. This decrease in receptor number is blocked by naloxone and requires light. A photolabile [3H]enkephalin derivative labels an equivalent number of sites under similar irradiation conditions.     

Opioid Peptides in the Rabbit Carotid Body: Identification and Evidence for Co-Utilization and Interactions with Dopamine

Abstract: The rabbit carotid body is a catecholaminergic organ that contains dopamine and norepinephrine in a proportion of nearly 5:1. Chronic (15 days) carotid sinus nerve denervation or superior cervical ganglionectomy did not modify the carotid body dopamine content (5–6 nmol/mg of protein, equivalent to 250 pmol per carotid body), but sympathectomy reduced by ～ 50% the norepinephrine content. The carotid body has also a very high content of opioid activity (250 equivalent pmol of Leu-enkephalin/mg of protein) as measured by a radioreceptor assay that detects preferentially δ-opioid activity. In the carotid body the degree of opioid posttranslational processing to low-molecular-weight peptides (mostly Leu- and Met-enkephalin) is nearly 80%. HPLC identification of opioid peptides revealed that the sequences of Met- and Leu-enkephalin were in a proportion of nearly 6:1, indicating that the main opioid precursor in the carotid body is proenkephalin A. Chronic denervations of the carotid body did not modify the levels or the degree of opioid precursor processing. Acute hypoxic exposure of the animals (8% 0₂ in N₂; 3 h) resulted in a parallel decrease of dopamine and opioid activity, without any change in the degree of opioid processing. Norepinephrine levels were not affected by hypoxia. These findings suggest corelease of dopamine and opioids during natural hypoxic stimulation. In agreement with the analytical data. [d -Ala², d -Leu⁵]enkephalin, but not [d -Ala²,N-Me-Phe⁴ Gly⁵-ol]-enkephalin, reduced the in vitro release of dopamine induced by low Po₂, a high external K⁺ concentration, and dinitrophenol. Naloxone augmented the release response elicited by low Po₂ stimulation. These findings indicate that the previously described inhibitory actions of opioids are mediated, at least in part, by receptors located in chemoreceptor cells. Additional targets for opioid peptides, e.g., sensory nerve endings or blood vessels, and additional actions of opioids on chemoreceptor cells, e.g., long-term trophic actions, are not excluded.     

Opioid activities and structures of alpha-casein-derived exorphins

Exorphins, peptides with opioid activity, have previously been isolated from pepsin hydrolysates of alpha-casein [Zioudrou, C., Streaty, R. A., & Klee, W. A. (1979) J. Biol. Chem. 254, 2446-2449]. Analysis of these peptides shows that they correspond to the sequences 90-96, Arg-Tyr-Leu-Gly-Tyr-Leu-Glu, and 90-95, Arg-Tyr-Leu-Gly-Tyr-Leu, of alpha-casein. These peptides, as well as two of their analogues Tyr-Leu-Gly-Tyr-Leu-Glu (91-96) and Tyr-Leu-Gly-Tyr-Leu (91-95), have now been synthesized and characterized. Their opioid activity was examined by three different bioassays: (a) displacement of D-2-alanyl[tyrosyl-3,5-3H]enkephalin-(5-L-methioninamide) and [3H]dihydromorphine from rat brain membranes; (b) naloxone-reversible inhibition of adenylate cyclase in homogenates of neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells; (c) naloxone-reversible inhibition of electrically stimulated contractions of the mouse vas deferens. The synthetic peptide of sequence 90-96 was the most potent opioid in all three bioassays and its potency was similar to that of the isolated alpha-casein exorphins. The synthetic peptides were totally resistant to hydrolysis by trypsin and homogenates of rat brain membranes, but were partially inactivated by chymotrypsin and subtilisin. The difference in opioid activity of alpha-casein exorphins may be related to differences in conformational flexibility observed by NMR spectroscopy.     

Endogenous opioids and the growth regulation of a neural tumor

Endogenous opioid systems (endogenous opioids and their receptors) are known to participate in the regulation of tumor growth. The present study was conducted to examine whether [Met5]-enkephalin influences the growth of transplanted neuroblastoma, and to explore the role of other opioid peptides in carcinogenesis. A/Jax mice were inoculated with 10(6) S20Y cells and received daily injections of [Met5]-enkephalin. Dosages of 0.5 to 30 mg/kg delayed tumor appearance and prolonged survival of these mice; antitumor effects were blocked by concomitant injections of naloxone. Daily administration (10 mg/kg) of [Leu5]-enkephalin had no effect on neurotumor growth. [D-Ala2, D-Leu5]-enkephalin and ethylketocyclazocine, ligands selective for delta and kappa receptors, respectively, also did not influence neuro-oncogenesis. These results demonstrated the potent growth inhibiting effects of the naturally occurring opioid pentapeptide, [Met5]-enkephalin, and substantiate reports identifying and characterizing an opioid receptor (i.e., zeta) for which [Met5]-enkephalin is the most potent ligand.     

Morphine enhances the phosphorylation of a 58 kDa protein in mouse brain membranes.

Morphine and [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalinamide enhance the phosphorylation of a 58 kDa protein in mouse brain synaptosomal membranes. The enhancement of phosphorylation was inhibited by naloxone, an antagonist of morphine. The phosphorylated 58 kDa protein was retained on wheat-germ-agglutinin-agarose and morphinone-Affi-Gel 401 columns and biospecifically eluted out from the columns with N-acetyl-D-glucosamine and naloxone respectively. These results suggest a strong possibility that the opiate-binding protein undergoes phosphorylation by endogenous protein kinase. Since the molecular mass of a mu-type opioid receptor in mouse brain is suggested to be 58 kDa, coincident with those of rat brain and neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells, it is conceivable that the phosphorylated 58 kDa protein is a mu-type receptor.     

Characterization of opioid receptors on isolated canine gallbladder smooth muscle cells

Smooth muscle cells were isolated from the fundus of the canine gallbladder and examined for the presence of opioid receptors. The cells contracted in a concentration-dependent manner in response to three opioid peptides (Met-enkephalin, dynorphin1-13 and Leu-enkephalin), which are known derivatives of opioid precursors present in myenteric neurons of the gut. The order of potency was Met-enkephalin greater than dynorphin1-13 greater than Leu-enkephalin. The contractile response to opioid agonists was selectively inhibited by opioid antagonists (naloxone and Mr2266) but not by muscarinic, CCK/gastrin or tachykinin antagonists. Equivalent responses to the three opioid peptides exhibited differential sensitivity to preferential antagonists of mu (naloxone) and kappa (Mr2266) opioid receptors consistent with the presence of the three main types of opioid receptors (mu, delta and kappa) on canine gallbladder muscle cells.     

Dimerization of morphine and orphanin FQ/nociceptin receptors: generation of a novel opioid receptor subtype

Although orphanin FQ/nociceptin (OFQ/N) receptors are a member of the opioid receptor family of receptors, they bind traditional opioids with very poor affinity. We now demonstrate that mu opioid receptors can physically associate with OFQ/N receptors, resulting in a complex with a unique binding selectivity profile. Immunoprecipitation of epitope-tagged OFQ/N receptors co-precipitates mu receptors. When the two receptors were co-expressed in CHO cells, [3H]OFQ/N retained its high binding affinity for its receptor. However, co-expression of the two receptors increased by up to 250-fold the affinity of a series of opioids in [3H]OFQ/N binding assays. This enhanced affinity was limited to agonists with high affinity for mu receptors. Selective kappa(1) and delta opioids did not lower binding. Despite the dramatic increase in affinity for the opioid agonists in co-expressing cells, the opioid antagonists naloxone and diprenorphine failed to compete [3H]OFQ/N binding.     

Antibodies which recognize the C-terminus of the inhibitory guanine-nucleotide-binding protein (Gi) demonstrate that opioid peptides and foetal-calf serum stimulate the high-affinity GTPase activity of two separate pertussis-toxin substrates.

We investigated the mechanisms of receptor-mediated stimulation of high-affinity GTPase activity in response to opioid peptides and to foetal-calf serum in membranes of the neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid cell line NG108-15. Increases in GTPase activity in response to both of these ligands was abolished by prior exposure of the cells to pertussis toxin. Pertussis toxin in the presence of [32P]NAD+ catalysed incorporation of radioactivity into a broad band of approx. 40 kDa in membranes prepared from untreated, but not from pertussis-toxin-pretreated, cells. Additivity studies indicated that the responses to opioid peptides and to foetal-calf serum were mediated by separate guanine-nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins). Whereas opioid peptides produced an inhibition of adenylate cyclase in membranes of untreated cells, foetal-calf serum did not. Affinity-purified antibodies which recognize the C-terminus of the inhibitory G-protein identified a 40 kDa polypeptide in membranes of NG108-15 cells. These antibodies attenuated opioid-stimulated high-affinity GTPase activity, but did not markedly affect the response to foetal-calf serum. We conclude that receptors for the opioid peptides function via the inhibitory G-protein (Gi), whereas foetal-calf serum activates a second pertussis-toxin-sensitive G-protein, which has a C-terminal sequence significantly different from that of Gi.     

Irreversible Activation of the Opiate Receptor of Neuroblastoma × Glioma Hybrid Cells by an Alkylating Benzomorphan Derivative

The benozomorphan derivative (-)-2-[2-(p-bromoacetamidophenyl)ethyl]-5,9 alpha-dimethyl-2'-hydroxy-6,7-benzomorphan (BAB), capable of reacting with nucleophilic groups, acts on neuroblastoma X glioma hybrid cells as a potent, irreversible opiate agonist. Its potency in inhibiting the increase in cellular cyclic AMP, evoked by prostaglandin E1, is comparable to that of Leu-enkephalin. This also applies to its capacity to compete with [3H]D-Ala2-Met-enkephalinamide ([3H]DAEA) in binding on cell membrane preparations. The comparatively lower potency of (-)-2-[2-(p-acetamidophenyl)-ethyl]-5,9 alpha-dimethly-2'-hydroxy-5,7-benzomorphan (AB), which differs from BAB in the substitution of the bromoacetamido group by an acetamido group, is of the same order of magnitude as that of morphine. The covalent interaction of BAB with the opiate receptors is deduced from the observations that (1) it is not possible to wash away this compound from the receptors, (2) the potency of BAB in inhibiting the specific binding of [3H]DAEA increases with prolonged preincubation time, and (3) AB behaves as a reversible agonist.     

Opioid peptides derived from food proteins. The exorphins.

Peptides with opioid activity are found in pepsin hydrolysates of wheat gluten and alpha-casein. The opioid activity of these peptides was demonstrated by use of the following bioassays: 1) naloxone-reversible inhibition of adenylate cyclase in homogenates of neuroblastoma X-glioma hybrid cells; 2) naloxone-reversible inhibition of electrically stimulated contractions of the mouse vas deferens; 3) displacement of [3H]dihydromorphine and [3H-Tyr, dAla2]met-enkephalin amide from rat brain membranes. Substances which stimulate adenylate cyclase and increase the contractions of the mouse vas deferens but do not bind to opiate receptors are also isolated from gluten hydrolysates. It is suggested that peptides derived from some food proteins may be of physiological importance.     

Transport of Leucine-Enkephalin Across the Blood-Brain Barrier in the Perfused Guinea Pig Brain

Transport of [tyrosyl-3,5-3H]enkephalin-(5-L-leucine) [( 3H]Leu-enkephalin) across the blood-brain barrier was studied in the adult guinea pig, by means of vascular perfusion of the head in vivo. The unidirectional transfer constant (Kin) estimated from the multiple-time uptake data for [3H]Leu-enkephalin ranged from 3.62 X 10(-3) to 3.63 X 10(-3) ml min-1 g-1 in the parietal cortex, caudate nucleus, and hippocampus. Transport of [3H]Leu-enkephalin was not inhibited by unlabelled L-tyrosine (the N-terminal amino acid) at a concentration as high as 5 mM, or by the inhibitor of aminopeptidase activity bacitracin (2 mM), suggesting that there was no enzymatic degradation of peptide at the blood-brain barrier. By contrast, 2 mM unlabelled Leu-enkephalin strongly inhibited the unidirectional blood-to-brain transport of [3H]Leu-enkephalin by 74-78% in the parietal cortex, caudate nucleus, and hippocampus. The tetrapeptide tyrosyl-glycyl-glycyl-phenylalanine (without the C-terminal leucine of Leu-enkephalin), at a concentration of 5 mM, caused a moderate inhibition ranging from 15 to 29% in the brain regions studied, whereas the tetrapeptide glycyl-glycyl-phenylalanyl-leucine (without the N-terminal tyrosine) at 5 mM was without effect on Leu-enkephalin transport. Unidirectional brain uptake of Leu-enkephalin was not altered in the presence of naloxone at a concentration as high as 3 mM (1 mg/ml), suggesting that there is no binding of Leu-enkephalin to opioid receptors at the blood-brain barrier. It is concluded that there is a specific transport mechanism for Leu-enkephalin at the blood-brain barrier in the guinea pig.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

An Assessment of the Role of Opioid Receptors in the Response to Cannabimimetic Drugs

Cannabimimetic drugs have been shown to inhibit adenylate cyclase activity in N18TG2 neuroblastoma cells. This investigation examines the possible role of opioid receptors in the cannabimimetic response. Opioid receptors of the delta subtype were found on N18TG2 membranes using [3H]D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin. No mu or kappa receptors were detected using selective ligands for these sites. The delta binding affinity and capacity were unaltered by cannabimimetic drugs. To test if cannabimimetic drugs may modulate opioid effector mechanisms, cyclic AMP metabolism was determined in intact cells and in membranes. N18TG2 adenylate cyclase was inhibited by the cannabimimetic drugs delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol and desacetyllevonantradol, and by the opioid agents morphine, etorphine, and D-Ala2-Met5-enkephalinamide. The opioid inhibition was reversed by naloxone and naltrexone; however, the cannabimimetic response was unaffected. Both cannabimimetic and opioid drugs decreased cyclic AMP accumulation in intact cells, but opioid antagonists blocked the response only to the latter. Thus, cannabimimetic effects are observed even though opioid receptors are blocked by antagonist drugs. The interaction between desacetyllevonantradol and etorphine was neither synergistic nor additive at maximal concentrations, suggesting that these two drugs operate via the same effector mechanism. Other neuronal cell lines having an opioid response were also examined. The cannabimimetic inhibition of cyclic AMP accumulation in NG108-15 neuroblastoma X glioma cells was not as great as the response in N18TG2. N4TG1 neuroblastoma cells did not respond to cannabimimetic drugs under any conditions tested. Thus, the cannabimimetic inhibition of adenylate cyclase is not universally observed, and the efficacy of the cannabimimetic response does not correlate with the efficacy of the opioid response.     

A novel analogue of clonidine with opiate-receptor agonist activity

A new analogue of the α₂-adrenergic receptor ligand clonidine, N-(4-hydroxphenacetyl)-4-aminoclonidine, was synthesized. The analogue possesses opiate-receptor agonist activity in addition to α-adrenergic partial agonist activity. The analogue elicits inhibition of adenylate cyclase of NG108-15 neuroblastoma × glioma hybrid cells; most of the inhibition is reversed by the opiate-receptor antagonist naloxone. The analogue also inhibits the binding of [³H]D-Ala²-Met⁵-enkephalinamide and [³H]dihydromorphine to rat brain opiate receptors. The structure of the analogue suggests common elements in the ligand binding sites of α- and opiate receptors and may lead to a new class of opiate analgesics.     

Focal Stimulation of the Mossy Fibers Releases Endogenous Dynorphins That Bind K1-Opioid Receptors in Guinea Pig Hippocampus

Physiological release of endogenous opioids in guinea pig hippocampal slices was detected in an in vitro competition binding assay using [3H]U69,593, a kappa 1-selective radioligand. Veratridine-induced opioid release caused a decrease in [3H]U69,593 binding that was blocked by either tetrodotoxin addition or the removal of calcium from the incubation buffer. Focal electrical stimulation of opioid peptide-containing afferent pathways resulted in a decrease in [3H]U69,593 binding, whereas stimulation of a major afferent lacking endogenous opioid immunoreactivity had no effect. The addition of 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione blocked the reduction in [3H]U69,593 binding caused by perforant path stimulation, but not the reduction caused by mossy fiber stimulation, suggesting that the primary source of endogenous kappa ligands was likely to be the dentate granule cells. Antisera against dynorphin A(1-8) or dynorphin B peptides inhibited the effects of mossy fiber stimulation in the [3H]U69,593 displacement assay. Antisera against other prodynorphin- and proenkephalin-derived opioid peptides had no effect. As shown by receptor autoradiography, the distribution of kappa 1 binding sites was limited to the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus and the presubiculum region of temporal hippocampal slices. These results indicate that prodynorphin-derived opioids released under physiological conditions from the mossy fibers act at kappa 1 receptors in the guinea pig dentate gyrus.     

Subcellular Compartmentation of Opioid Receptors: Modulation by Enkephalin and Alkaloids

Abstract: A subclone of NG108–15 neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid cells was used to study the intracellular distribution of opioid receptors. Subcellular organelles were separated on self-generating Percoll-sucrose gradients and the enzymes β-glucuronidase, galactosyltransferase, 5′-nucleotidase, and glucose-6-phosphatase were used as markers to localize the various structures. Analysis of the receptor distribution from untreated cells shows that the plasma membranes contained the highest receptor density, but a significant portion of the opioid binding sites was unevenly distributed between the lysosomes, microsomes, and Golgi elements. The enzyme markers indicated that appearance of opioid receptors in these intracellular structures does not result merely from contamination with plasma membranes. About 11% of the receptors appeared in a fraction lighter than plasma membranes. The antilysosomal agent chloroquine altered the intracellular compartmentation of the receptors, possibly by blocking their translocation in the cells. Leu-enkephalin induced time-dependent loss of receptors from all four intracellular compartments examined, but a kinetic analysis showed that the rate of receptor loss in these fractions was not identical. Thus, the percent of receptors appearing in the lysosomal fraction that could still bind [³H]-D-Ala²D-Leu⁵-enkephalin in vitro was increased on treatment with Leu-enkephalin. As an additional approach to follow the intracellular fate of the receptors, cells were labeled with [³H]diprenorphine, chased with various unlabeled opiates, and the distribution of ³H-ligand-receptors in the cells was monitored. Leu-enkephalin and etorphine altered the distribution of receptor-bound [³H]diprenorphine between the plasma membranes, lysosomes, and Golgi elements, whereas morphine had no such effect. The study sheds light on the role of intracellular structures in the metabolism of opioid receptors in untreated and opioid-treated cells.