The binding of integrins to the extracellular matrix results in focal organization of the cytoskeleton and the genesis of intracellular signals that regulate vital neuronal functions. Recent evidence suggests that integrins modulate G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling in hippocampal neurons. In this study we evaluated the hypothesis that integrins regulate the mu opioid receptor in rat trigeminal ganglion neurons. For these studies, primary cultures of adult rat trigeminal ganglion neurons were used to demonstrate the colocalization of β1 and β3 integrins with mu opioid receptor in caveolin-1-rich membrane fractions, and at focal adhesions sites generated by integrin ligand binding. Furthermore, we show that the mu opioid receptor agonist, DAMGO ([DAla 2 ,N-MePhe 4 ,Gly-ol 5 ]enkephalin), inhibits cAMP accumulation in response to PGE 2 stimulation in bradykinin-primed, but not unprimed, cultured trigeminal ganglia neurons. Application of soluble GRGDS (Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser) peptides that bind specific integrins (i.e., RGD-binding integrins) completely abolished the DAMGO effect in bradykinin-primed trigeminal ganglia neurons, but did not alter bradykinin-mediated hydrolysis of phosphytidylinositol. Likewise, monospecific anti-β1 and anti-β3 integrin subunit antibodies blocked this DAMGO effect in bradykinin -primed trigeminal ganglia neurons. Indeed, application of anti-β1 integrin subunit actually reversed DAMGO signaling, resulting in increased cAMP accumulation in these cells. This suggests that the relative amounts of specific activated integrins at focal adhesions may govern signaling by the mu opioid receptor, perhaps by altering interactions with G proteins (e.g., Gαi vs. Gαs). Collectively, these data provide the first evidence that specific integrins regulate opioid receptor signaling in sensory neurons. Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Cells interact with the extracellular matrix via heterodimeric (αβ) transmembrane receptors, termed integrins (Giancotti and Rouslahti, 1999). Integrins are expressed by virtually every cell type and are known to be involved in the regulation of several vital cell functions, including adhesion, migration, proliferation, and differentiation (Milam et al., 1991, Hynes, 1992, Curley et al., 1999, Giancotti and Rouslahti, 1999, Schlaepfer et al., 1999, Coppolino and Dedhar, 2000, Bouvard et al., 2001, Zamir and Geiger, 2001, Alenghat and Ingber, 2002, Martin et al., 2002, Miranti and Brugge, 2002. Eighteen α and eight β subunits have been identified forming at least 24 different αβ integrins (van der Fli...