New Modes of GPCR Signalling

Morphine Regulated Thioredoxin-1 Expression
in Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y Cells
Yuemei Feng, Kui Li, Shengdong Wang, Yanhui Li, Junying Song, Fucheng Luo, Jie
Bai*
College of life science and technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology,
Kunming 650224, China
Aim: Thioredoxin-1 (TRX-1) plays multiple roles in regulation of redox, inhibition of
apoptosis and regulation of transcription factors. Recent studies showed that morphine
could cause oxidative stress in cells and tissues. The aim of current study is to
investigate the expression of TRX-1 under morphine administration in human
neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Methods: Cell culture, Western blotting. Results: The
expression of TRX-1 was decreased after 1-2h then increased from 4 -24h after
morphine treatment in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y. The decreased expression of
TRX-1 by morphine was restored by an inhibitor of GSK3β, lithium chloride. The
increased expression of TRX-1 induced by morphine was suppressed by LY294002,
which is one of the PI3K inhibitor and was suppressed by the antagonist of opioid
receptor, naloxone. The increased expression of TRX-1 recovered to normal level after
morphine withdrawal. These data suggested that TRX-1 was induced through the opioid
receptor and the PI3K/GSK3β pathway. The expression of TRX-1 is dependent on the
morphine administration. Conclusion: Our study suggested that TRX-1 might be
associated with morphine tolerance and abuse.
Key words: thioredoxin-1, morphine, neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells
*Author for correspondence: Tel.: +86 13354980126; fax: +86 8713801191, E-mail:
jiebai662001@yahoo.com.cn