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Opioid receptor types and subtypes: the delta receptor as a model
P A Zaki1, E J Bilsky, T W Vanderah
1Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles 90024, USA.
Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology
|January 1, 1996
Summary
This review explores evidence for multiple delta opioid receptor subtypes. It discusses pharmacological data and proposes hypothetical mechanisms for their generation, advancing opioid receptor research.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Opioid receptors were discovered over two decades ago.
- Molecular cloning identified three opioid receptor types: mu, delta, and kappa.
- These receptors are homologous and belong to the G protein-coupled receptor family.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present pharmacological data supporting multiple delta opioid receptor subtypes.
- To propose hypothetical mechanisms for the generation of these subtypes.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing pharmacological data.
- Analysis of molecular cloning findings.
- Hypothetical mechanism proposal.
Main Results:
- Pharmacological studies suggest the existence of multiple delta opioid receptor subtypes.
- Molecular cloning has confirmed the main opioid receptor types but not their subtypes.
- Hypothetical mechanisms for subtype generation are presented.
Conclusions:
- The concept of multiple delta opioid receptor subtypes is supported by pharmacological evidence.
- The molecular basis for these proposed subtypes requires further elucidation.
- This review provides a framework for future research into delta opioid receptor heterogeneity.