Functional relevance of mu-delta opioid receptor heteromerization: A Role in novel signaling and implications for the treatment of addiction disorders: From a symposium on new concepts in mu-opioid pharmacology

作者：Stockton Steven D Jr; Devi Lakshmi A^*

来源：Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2012, 121(3): 167-172.

DOI：10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2011.10.025

• Opiate receptor
• Endorphin
• G protein coupled receptor
• Heterodimer
• Oligomerization
• Opiate addiction
• Opiate tolerance
• Opiate dependence

Morphine and other opiates are among the most widely prescribed and clinically useful medications for the treatment of chronic pain. However, the applicability of these compounds has been severely hampered by the rapid development of tolerance and physical dependence that typically accompanies their repeated use. A growing body of evidence has implicated the regulated functioning of mu-delta opioid receptor heteromers in both the modulation of morphine-mediated antinociception, and in the limitation of undesirable side effects resulting from chronic opiate exposure. Moreover, mu-delta heteromers exhibit unique ligand binding characteristics and signaling properties, indicating that pharmacological targeting of the mu-delta heteromer may represent a novel therapeutic approach for the management of chronic pain and addiction disorders. Therefore, the present review will attempt to summarize the latest relevant findings regarding the regulation and functional characteristics of the mu-delta heteromer both in vitro and in vivo.

• 出版日期2012-3-1