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Updated: Mar 8, 2026

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Published on: July 9, 2016
Heteromer Induction: An Approach to Unique Pharmacology?
Philip S Portoghese1, Eyup Akgün1, Mary M Lunzer1
1Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States.
Abstract:
It is proposed that two types of opioid receptor heteromers exist: a) those that are constitutive and b) those that are induced by bivalent ligands. Mu opioid agonists interact with constitutive MOR-DOR heteromer to mediate tolerance and dependence. Bivalent ligand, MDAN21, is devoid of these adverse effects by virtue of its DOR antagonist pharmacophore. We propose that bivalent ligands MMG22 and MCC22 induce colocalized receptors to form heteromers (MOR-mGluR5 and MOR-CCR5, respectively) that do not occur naturally, thereby promoting unique pharmacology. Heteromer induction with bivalent ligands offers a general approach to unique pharmacology that complements traditional SAR.
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