Opioid Receptors

P. Y. Law, Horace H Loh

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Opioid receptor, being a member of the superfamily of membrane proteins that transduces its signals via the heterotrimeric G proteins, has myriad of activities upon activation by exogenous alkaloid and endogenous peptide ligands. The most important of these functions is the modulation of pain perception. The many side effects that associated with the receptor activation, especially those that can lead to addiction to the exogenous alkaloid ligands, mandate the investigation into the mechanism of opioid receptor action in order to develop an ideal analgesic agent. The synaptic location of the receptor, the presence of multiple opioid receptor, the multiple pathways that the receptor could transduce its signal, and the probability that the receptors could form oligomeric protein complexes add to the complexity of the opioid receptor signal mechanism. In this chapter, we examine some of the opioid receptor signaling complexity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationEncyclopedia of Biological Chemistry
Subtitle of host publicationSecond Edition
PublisherElsevier Inc.
Pages354-358
Number of pages5
ISBN (Electronic)9780123786319
ISBN (Print)9780123786302
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 15 2013

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Alkaloid ligands
  • Distribution
  • Endogenous opioids
  • Multiple receptor types

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