Opioid inhibition of adenylate cyclase in the striatum and vas deferens of the rat

Abstract

1 The activity of adenylate cyclase in striatal membrane-enriched fractions (25,000 g) was inhibited by morphine, β-endorphin, [D-Ala²-D-Leu⁵] enkephalin (DADLenk), fentanyl and bremazocine. Whereas guanosine triphosphate (GTP) appeared essential for the expression of this effect, sodium chloride seemed to enhance the degree of inhibition. Dopamine stimulation and sodium fluoride activation of the enzyme was also suppressed by morphine, β-endorphin and DADLenk. 2 β-Endorphin and DADLenk inhibited adenylate cyclase activity in vasa deferentia membrane-enriched fractions (25,000 g); both opioids required GTP and NaCl and were inhibited by a δ-opioid receptor antagonist and by naloxone. Morphine, bremazocine and tifluadom did not significantly alter the activity of the vas deferens enzyme. 3 Basal cyclic AMP values of striatal slices were not significantly altered by morphine, β-endorphin or DADLenk. However, dopamine-induced elevation of cyclic AMP was reduced by morphine and this effect of the opiate was suppressed by naloxone. 4 Only β-endorphin lowered the basal cyclic AMP values in the vas deferens. 5 The physiological relevance of adenylate cyclase coupling to opioid receptor subtypes is considered.