Heroin and Cell Signaling

By: Carley, Kai, and Matt

What is Heroin?● A highly addictive illegal

drug.● Basically an altered form

of morphine.○ From the opium sap of a

poppy plant.● Usually comes in form of

a fine powder, but is often diluted with other substances for various forms of intake .○ Usually injected,

smoked, or sniffed.

http://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/images/1200*675/Heroin+generic.jpg

Heroin and Cell Signaling

● Ligand: Opioid● Receptor:

Opioid/Opiate Receptor ○ G-proteins that are

widely distributed throughout the brain.■ Normally receive and

act on natural opioids such as endorphins (natural pain and stress reliever).

https://ehumanbiofield.wikispaces.com/file/view/opiate.jpg/43201255/448x209/opiate.jpg

Heroin and Cell SignalingHeroin, like morphine, is an

artificial opioid that fits into the opioid receptors and provides pain relief, stress relief, and just generally makes the user “feel good” (as one website put it, “general euphoria”).

Abusing heroin causes the brain to be overstimulated with opioids, causing the user’s body to be unable to bring the natural opioids to a normal level (cutting off all relief).

http://www.patmoorefoundation.com/sites/default/files/heroin-short-term-effects.gif

Transduction Pathway● Heroin functions like

natural opiates.● Heroin binds to opiate

receptors and prevents the release of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter.

● GABA normally stops the production of dopamine.

● Without GABA, dopamine floods the synapse.

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/141719987/Drug-review-from-mouse-partydoc---VitaAPPsych

Normal GABA inhibition Effects of opiates

Transduction Pathway (cont.)● G protein receptors lead to the formation of cAMP● cAMP opens K+ channels while closing Ca+ channels

Cellular Response● Dopamine will enter the

synapse and bind to the dopamine receptors.

● The user will feel an intense rush of pleasure and happiness.

● After the initial effects:o Vomitingo Nauseao Several hours of

drowsinesso Clouded mindo Breathing slows down

http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/teaching-packets/brain-actions-cocaine-opiates-marijuana/section-iii-introduction-to-drugs-abuse-cocaine-opiat-1

BibliographyWorks Cited

Conrad Stoppler, Melissa, MD. "Endorphins: Natural Pain and Stress Fighters." MedicineNet. N.p., 1 Dec. 2014. Web. 07 Dec. 2014."Opioid Receptor." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 July 2014. Web. 08 Dec. 2014.Sherman, Carl. "Impacts of Drugs on Neurotransmission." The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 1 Oct. 2007. Web. 04 Dec. 2014."What Is Heroin? How Is Heroin Made? What Is Heroin Made Of?" Drug-Free World. Foundation for a Drug-Free World, n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2014.http://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/cms/lib7/NJ01001050/Centricity/Domain/156/Heroin%20Project.pptxfile:///C:/Users/Kai/Downloads/12.full.pdfhttp://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/mouse/file:///C:/Users/Kai/Downloads/12.full.pdfhttp://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/heroinhttps://neuroswag.wordpress.com/category/ion-channels/http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin/what-are-immediate-short-term-effects-heroin-use