High-throughput screening and validation of antibodies against synaptic proteins to explore opioid signaling dynamics

Commun Biol. 2021 Feb 22;4(1):238. doi: 10.1038/s42003-021-01744-8.

Abstract

Antibodies represent powerful tools to examine signal transduction pathways. Here, we present a strategy integrating multiple state-of-the-art methods to produce, validate, and utilize antibodies. Focusing on understudied synaptic proteins, we generated 137 recombinant antibodies. We used yeast display antibody libraries from the B cells of immunized rabbits, followed by FACS sorting under stringent conditions to identify high affinity antibodies. The antibodies were validated by high-throughput functional screening, and genome editing. Next, we explored the temporal dynamics of signaling in single cells. A subset of antibodies targeting opioid receptors were used to examine the effect of treatment with opiates that have played central roles in the worsening of the 'opioid epidemic.' We show that morphine and fentanyl exhibit differential temporal dynamics of receptor phosphorylation. In summary, high-throughput approaches can lead to the identification of antibody-based tools required for an in-depth understanding of the temporal dynamics of opioid signaling.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics, Opioid / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Antibodies / immunology
  • Antibodies / pharmacology*
  • Antibody Specificity*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Fentanyl / pharmacology
  • HEK293 Cells
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Morphine / pharmacology
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Kinase C / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Protein Kinase C / immunology
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism
  • Rabbits
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / immunology
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Synapses / drug effects*
  • Synapses / immunology
  • Synapses / metabolism
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Antibodies
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu
  • Morphine
  • Protein Kinase C
  • Fentanyl