Kappa Opioid Receptor Visualization in Oligodendrocyte-like Cells
Molloy Faculty Mentor
Brian Reed
Presenter Major
Biology (Pre-Professional)
Presentation Type
Poster
Location
Wilbur 2nd Floor Corridor, Wilbur Arts Building, Molloy University
Start Date
1-5-2026 10:30 AM
End Date
1-5-2026 11:15 AM
Description (Abstract)
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune, neurodegenerative disease that causes demyelination in the central nervous system. While multiple treatments have been established, none have been fully effective in relieving the debilitating symptoms. Past studies on animal models have introduced a promising pharmacotherapeutic target, the kappa opioid receptor, one of three receptors in the endogenous opioid system. Past research has also suggested that C6 glioma cells can be induced to differentiate into oligodendrocytes. Our primary goal was to identify the kappa opioid receptor in C6 glioma cells, which have been reported to express kappa opioid receptors. We synthesized two fluorescent compounds, ROSL-1 and BRaGz, to bind to the kappa opioid receptor and provide visualization. The C6 cells were placed under specific conditions with respective fluorescents and read in a multi-well plate reading fluorimeter. Binding to kappa opioid receptors in the C6 glioma cell line was not seen for either of the fluorescents, suggesting the possibility that the receptor is not expressed or expressed at a very low level under the conditions we grow the cells. Further investigation is required to determine the true effectiveness of the fluorescents and the presence of kappa opioid receptors in C6 cells and other cell lines.
Keywords
Kappa Opioid Receptor, Cell Biology, Oligodendrocytes, Multiple Sclerosis
Related Pillar(s)
Study
Kappa Opioid Receptor Visualization in Oligodendrocyte-like Cells
Wilbur 2nd Floor Corridor, Wilbur Arts Building, Molloy University
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune, neurodegenerative disease that causes demyelination in the central nervous system. While multiple treatments have been established, none have been fully effective in relieving the debilitating symptoms. Past studies on animal models have introduced a promising pharmacotherapeutic target, the kappa opioid receptor, one of three receptors in the endogenous opioid system. Past research has also suggested that C6 glioma cells can be induced to differentiate into oligodendrocytes. Our primary goal was to identify the kappa opioid receptor in C6 glioma cells, which have been reported to express kappa opioid receptors. We synthesized two fluorescent compounds, ROSL-1 and BRaGz, to bind to the kappa opioid receptor and provide visualization. The C6 cells were placed under specific conditions with respective fluorescents and read in a multi-well plate reading fluorimeter. Binding to kappa opioid receptors in the C6 glioma cell line was not seen for either of the fluorescents, suggesting the possibility that the receptor is not expressed or expressed at a very low level under the conditions we grow the cells. Further investigation is required to determine the true effectiveness of the fluorescents and the presence of kappa opioid receptors in C6 cells and other cell lines.
