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Small cell carcinoma cell lines contain opioid peptides and receptors
Author(s) -
Roth Kevin A.,
Barchas Jack D.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19860215)57:4<769::aid-cncr2820570415>3.0.co;2-j
Subject(s) - receptor , etorphine , cell culture , cell , autocrine signalling , opioid peptide , opioid , endorphins , opioid receptor , medicine , small cell lung carcinoma , endocrinology , microbiology and biotechnology , small cell carcinoma , carcinoma , biology , biochemistry , (+) naloxone , genetics
Two human small cell carcinoma cell lines were assayed for total opioid and beta‐endorphin‐like immunoreactivity. Small cell carcinoma cell line NCI‐H146 contained approximately 1.1 pmol/mg protein of total opioid immunoreactivity. This material was similar in size and immunoreactive determinants to C‐terminally modified beta‐endorphin. Small cell carcinoma cell line NCI‐H187 contained approximately 0.2 pmol/mg protein total opioid immunoreactivity, which was of low molecular weight. NCI‐H187 also contained approximately 1.2 pmol/mg protein of material similar in size and immunoreactive determinants to beta‐lipotropin. The two small cell carcinoma cell lines were also examined for opioid receptors with the use of [ 3 H]‐etorphine as ligand. Both cell lines contained between 50 and 100 fmol/mg protein of specific, saturable, high‐affinity opioid receptor binding sites. Together, these findings suggest a possible autocrine role for opioids in small cell carcinoma of the lung.