A neuropeptide courier for delta-opioid receptors?
basic_science · Level V
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Abstract
The delta-opioid receptor and the precursor protein of a neuropeptide, substance P, are colocalized in the large dense-core vesicles of pain-sensing neurons. In this issue of Cell, report that trafficking of the delta-opioid receptor to these vesicles depends on its physical interaction with the substance P domain of its precursor polyprotein (protachykinin). Moreover, in mice lacking this precursor, the contribution of the delta-opioid receptor to pain processing is dramatically altered. These observations suggest a new role for peptide precursors as sorting signals in vesicular transport.
Medical subject headings
- Neurons, Afferent
- Pain
- Protein Precursors
- Receptors, Opioid, delta
- Secretory Vesicles
- Tachykinins