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. 1992 Apr;12(2):107–119. doi: 10.1007/BF00713365

Distinct receptors for Leu- and Met-enkephalin on the metacerebral giant cell ofAplysia

G Kemenes 1, K S-Rózsa 1, G Stefano 2, D O Carpenter 3,✉
PMCID: PMC11567341  PMID: 1318164

Abstract

  1. The effects ofd-Ala2-Leu-enkephalin (DALEU),d-Ala2-Met-enkephalin (DAMET), and FMRFamide on the metacerebral cell (MCC) ofAplysia were determined in current- and voltage-clamp experiments.

  2. Distinct receptors exist on this neuron for the three substances.

  3. DALEU elicited a depolarizing response due to an inward current but not accompanied by a significant change in membrane conductance.

  4. In contrast, DAMET elicited a hyperpolarizing response due to an outward current, also not associated with a significant change in membrane conductance.

  5. Both the DALEU and the DAMET responses increased with hyperpolarization, decreased with depolarization, but did not reverse at potentials less than -30 mV. Neither response was sensitive to naloxone.

  6. FMRFamide induced a voltage-dependent outward current that reversed at about -76 mV. This neuron was responsive to much lower concentrations of FMRFamide than either of the enkephalins, and the response to FMRFamide appears to be a conductance increase to K+.

  7. These results suggest that the MCC neuron has distinct receptors for Leuand Met-enkephalin that activate unusual responses of opposite polarity, as well as more usual inhibitory responses to FMRFamide.

Key words: opiates, FMRFamide, Aplysia neurons, voltage clamp

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