ENHANCEMENT OF THE RATE OF GTP HYDROLYSIS IN RAT-BRAIN BY REPEATED KAPPA-OPIOID TREATMENT

To investigate the G protein and protein kinase C (PKC) systems during the initial state of kappa-opioid tolerance, the low K-m GTPase and PKC activities were measured following repeated treatment of rat with the kappa-agonist, U-50,488. In behavioral studies, antinociceptive tolerance to U-50,488 was developed following 7-day treatment with U-50,488. Under these conditions, repeated administration of U-50,488 significantly enhanced the basal low K-m GTPase activity in the pons/medulla but not in the cortex and midbrain regions. On the other hand, repeated U-50,488 treatment had no effect on PKC activity in cytosol and membrane fractions under the calcium-chelating conditions. These results indicate that repeated administration of kappa-agonist, U-50,488, increases in the basal hydrolysis of GTP to GDP in rat pons/medulla but not PKC activity which was observed in the case of repeated administration with morphine in rats.