Sigma 1 receptor

Characteristics

The σ₁ receptor is defined by its unique pharmacological profile. In 1976 Martin reported that the effects of N-allylnormetazocine (SKF-10,047) could not be due to activity at the μ and κ receptors (named from the first letter of their selective ligands morphine and ketazocine, respectively) and a new type of opioid receptor was proposed; σ (from the first letter of SKF-10,047). However, ligands acting at this new “opioid” receptor were not blocked by the classical opioid antagonists naloxone and naltrexone. Consequently, the opioid classification was eventually dropped and the receptor was later termed the σ₁ receptor. It was found to have affinity for the (+)-stereoisomers of several benzomorphans (e.g., (+)-pentazocine and (+)-cyclazocine), various structurally and pharmacologically distinct psychoactive chemicals such as haloperidol and cocaine, and neuroactive steroids like progesterone.

Structure

The mammalian σ₁ receptor is an integral membrane protein with 223 amino acids. It shows no homology to other mammalian proteins but strikingly shares 30% sequence identity and 69% similarity with the ERG2 gene product of yeast, which is a C 8-C7 sterol isomerase in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway. Hydropathy analysis of the σ₁ receptor indicates three hydrophobic regions. A crystal structure of the σ₁ receptor was published in 2016.

Functions

A variety of specific physiological functions have been attributed to the σ₁ receptor. Chief among these are modulation of Ca²⁺ release, modulation of cardiac myocyte contractility, and inhibition of voltage gated K⁺ channels. The reasons for these effects are not well understood, even though σ₁ receptors have been linked circumstantially to a wide variety of signal transduction pathways. Links between σ₁ receptors and G-proteins have been suggested such as σ₁ receptor antagonists showing GTP-sensitive high affinity binding, there is also, however, some evidence against a G-protein coupled hypothesis. The σ₁ receptor has been shown to appear in a complex with voltage gated K⁺ channels (K_v1.4 and K_v1.5), leading to the idea that σ₁ receptors are auxiliary subunits. σ₁ receptors apparently co-localize with IP₃ receptors on the endoplasmic reticulum. Also, σ₁ receptors have been shown to appear in galactoceramide enriched domains at the endoplasmic reticulum of mature oligodendrocytes. The wide scope and effect of ligand binding on σ₁ receptors has led some to believe that σ₁ receptors are intracellular signal transduction amplifiers.

Knockout mice

σ₁ receptor knockout mice were created in 2009 to study the effects of endogenous DMT. Strangely, the mice demonstrated no overt phenotype. As expected, however, they did lack locomotor response to the σ ligand (+)-SKF-10,047 and displayed reduced response to formalin induced pain. Speculation has focused on the ability of other receptors in the σ family (e.g., σ₂, with similar binding properties) to compensate for the lack of σ₁ receptor.

Clinical significance

Mutations in sigma-1 receptor have been associated with distal spinal muscular atrophy type 2.

Ligands

The following ligands have high affinity for the σ₁ receptor and possess high binding selectivity over the subtype σ₂:

Agents exist that have high σ₁ affinity but either lack subtype selectivity or have high affinity at other binding sites, thus being more or less dirty/multifunctional, like haloperidol. Furthermore, there is a wide range of agents with an at least moderate σ₁ involvement in their binding profile.