NIH R01 · 2024
Regulation Of Opioid Receptor Signaling by Endogenous Peptides
The current opioid epidemic highlights the need for a deeper understanding of how opioid receptors are activated in our body. Our knowledge about the downstream events following opioid receptor activation comes mainly from studies on opiates (e.g., morphine), synthetic drugs (e.g., fentanyl), and modified peptides (e.g., DAMGO). While these studies are important, the physiological ligands of the opioid receptors are endogenous opioid peptides such as endorphins, enkephalins, and dynorphins. Over 20 different opioid peptides have been identified in the brain, all of which activate the three types of opioid receptors (µOR, dOR, kOR) albeit with different affinities and efficacies for G…
From the public funding record at NIH RePORTER. Describes the funded project, not the reviews below.