Molecular mechanisms of ligand binding to opioid receptors: selective inhibition by ethanol?

Effects of varying concentrations of ethanol on the conformations of DAGO, a mu-specific opioid ligand were monitored by FT-IR spectroscopy. The binding of 3H-labeled DAGO (mu-agonist) and DSLET (delta-agonist) to opioid receptors in the presence of varying concentrations of alcohol was also determined. The results indicate that the conformational features of the ligands are altered and conformational factors may play a role in ligand-receptor interaction.