A novel dopamine D2 receptor-NR2B protein complex might contribute to morphine use disorders

Dopamine receptors can form heteromeric interactions with other receptors, including glutamate receptors, and present a novel pharmacological target because it contribute to dopamine-dysregulated brain disorders such as addiction and other motor-related diseases. In addition, dopamine receptors D2 (D2Rs) and glutamate NMDA receptors subtype-NR2B have been implicated in morphine use disorders; however, the molecular mechanism underlying the heteromeric complex of these two receptors in morphine use disorders is unclear. Herein, we focus on interactions between D2R and NR2B in morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) and hyperlocomotion mice models. We found that the D2R–NR2B complex significantly increases in morphine-induced mice models, accompanied by ERK signaling impairment, implying the complex could contribute to the morphine addiction pathophysiological process. Further, we design a brain-penetrant interfering peptide (TAT-D2-KT), which could disrupt interactions of D2R–NR2B and decrease addictive-like behaviors concurrent to ERK signaling improvement. In summary, our data provided the first evidence for a D2R-NMDAR complex formation in morphine use disorders and its underlying mechanism of ERK signaling, which could present a novel therapeutic target with direct implications for morphine acquisition and relapse treatment.