Kappa opioids promote the proliferation of astrocytes via Gbetagamma and beta-arrestin 2-dependent MAPK-mediated pathways.

GTP binding regulatory protein (G protein)-coupled receptors can activate MAPK pathways via G protein-dependent and -independent mechanisms. However, the physiological outcomes correlated with the cellular signaling events are not as well characterized. In this study, we examine the involvement of G protein and beta-arrestin 2 pathways in kappa opioid receptor-induced, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2)-mediated proliferation of both immortalized and primary astrocyte cultures.