Pharmacological Profiles of Oligomerized μ-Opioid Receptors

Cells

Cynthia Wei-Sheng Lee¹ 

[1] Center for Drug Abuse and Addiction, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan; E-Mail:

关键词: μ-opioid receptor;    bivalent ligand;    receptor oligomerization;   

DOI  :  10.3390/cells2040689

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Opioids are widely prescribed pain relievers with multiple side effects and potential complications. They produce analgesia via G-protein-protein coupled receptors: μ-, δ-, κ-opioid and opioid receptor-like 1 receptors. Bivalent ligands targeted to the oligomerized opioid receptors might be the key to developing analgesics without undesired side effects and obtaining effective treatment for opioid addicts. In this review we will update the biological effects of μ-opioids on homo- or hetero-oligomerized μ-opioid receptor and discuss potential mechanisms through which bivalent ligands exert beneficial effects, including adenylate cyclase regulation and receptor-mediated signaling pathways.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.