Mu-opioid receptor binding in intact SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells

In order to determine affinities at the mu opioid receptor binding was conducted to intact SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells using the mu-selective ligand [3H][H-D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Orn-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH2] [( 3H]CTOP). Binding appeared to be a single receptor site, and a single state of the mu receptor. Under intact cell conditions, some but not all mu agonists display low affinity binding, while antagonists maintain high affinity for the mu receptor. These studies indicate the usefulness of [3H]CTOP for the determination of affinities at the mu receptor under physiological conditions.