Introduction to Sigma Proteins: Evolution of the Concept of Sigma Receptors.

For over 40 years, scientists have endeavored to understand the so-called sigma receptors. During this time, the concept of sigma receptors has continuously and significantly evolved. With thousands of publications on the subject, these proteins have been implicated in various diseases, disorders, and physiological processes. Nevertheless, we are just beginning to understand what sigma proteins do and how they work. Two subtypes have been identified, Sigma1 and Sigma2. Whereas Sigma1 (also known as sigma-1 receptor, Sig1R, σ1 receptor, and several other names) was cloned over 20 years ago, Sigma2 (sigma-2 receptor, σ2 receptor) was cloned very recently and had remained a pharmacologically defined entity. In this volume, we will focus primarily on Sigma1. We will highlight several key subject areas in which Sigma1 has been well characterized as well as (re)emerging areas of interest. Despite the large number of publications regarding Sigma1, several fundamental questions remain unanswered or only partially answered. Most of what we know about Sigma1 comes from pharmacological studies; however, a clearly defined molecular mechanism of action remains elusive. One concept has become clear; Sigma1 is not a traditional receptor. Sigma1 is now considered a unique pharmacologically regulated integral membrane chaperone or scaffolding protein. A number of landmark discoveries over the past decade have begun to reshape the concept of sigma receptors. With the rapid emergence of new information, development of new tools, and changing conceptual frameworks, the field is poised for a period of accelerated progress.

Understanding the molecular mechanism of sigma-1 receptors: towards a hypothesis that sigma-1 receptors are intracellular amplifiers for signal transduction.

Although sigma receptors were discovered in 1982, the biochemical and physiological roles of sigma receptors have just begun to unveil. Sigma receptors are non-opioid, non-phencyclidine receptors that contain two subtypes: sigma-1 and sigma-2 receptors. The sigma-1 receptor has been cloned and its sequence does not resemble that of any mammalian protein. Sigma-2 receptors have not been cloned. The focus of this review will be on sigma-1 receptors. Sigma-1 receptors contain 223 amino acids and reside primarily at the endoplasmic reticulum. Sigma-1 receptors exist mainly in the central nervous system, but also in the periphery. Sigma-1 receptor ligands include cocaine, (+)-benzomorphans like (+)-pentazocine and (+)N-allyl-normetazocine (or (+)-SKF-10047), and endogenous neurosteroids like progesterone and pregnenolone sulfate. Many pharmacological and physiological actions have been attributed to sigma-1 receptors. These include the regulation of IP3 receptors and calcium signaling at the endoplasmic reticulum, mobilization of cytoskeletal adaptor proteins, modulation of nerve growth factor-induced neurite sprouting, modulation of neurotransmitter release and neuronal firing, modulation of potassium channels as a regulatory subunit, alteration of psychostimulant-induced gene expression, and blockade of spreading depression. Behaviorally, sigma-1 receptors are involved in learning and memory, psychostimulant-induced sensitization, cocaine-induced conditioned place preference, and pain perception. Notably, in almost all the aforementioned biochemical and behavioral tests, sigma-1 agonists, while having no effects by themselves, caused the amplification of signal transductions incurred upon the stimulation of the glutamatergic, dopaminergic, IP3-related metabotropic, or nerve growth factor-related systems. Thus, it is hypothesized that sigma-1 receptors, at least in part, are intracellular amplifiers creating a supersensitized state for signal transduction in the biological system.