Dynorphin uses a non-opioid mechanism to potentiate N-methyl-D- aspartate currents in single rat periaqueductal gray neurons

Shung Lon Lai, Yanping Gu, Li Yen Mae Huang*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

46 Scopus citations

Abstract

The interaction of the endogenous K-opioid, dynorphin, with N-methyl-D- aspartate (NMDA) receptors was studied in single periaqueductal gray (PAG) cells using the whole cell patch recording technique. We have found that dynorphin A (1-17) rapidly and reversibly potentiates NMDA-activated currents in a subpopulation of PAG cells. The potentiation cannot be blocked by the non-specific opioid antagonist, naloxone, nor can it be reversed by the specific κ-opioid antagonist, nor-BNI. In addition, the non-opioid fragment of dynorphin, dynorphin A (2-17), is effective in potentiating NMDA currents, while the specific κ-opioid, U50,488, cannot mimic the action of dynorphin A (1-17). The non-opioid dynorphin action and the rapid onset and recovery of the potentiation are consistent with the idea that dynorphin interacts directly with NMDA receptors in PAG cells.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)115-118
Number of pages4
JournalNeuroscience Letters
Volume247
Issue number2-3
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 05 1998
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Dynorphin
  • Excitatory opioid action
  • N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor
  • Non-opioid
  • Periaqueductal gray
  • κ-Opioid

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