opiate receptor


Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Legal, Encyclopedia.

opiate receptor

Etymology: Gk, opion, poppy juice; L, recipere, to receive
transmembrane proteins that bind to endogenous opioid neuropeptides and exogenous morphine and similar natural or synthetic compounds. The three major classes of these receptors are designated mu, kappa, and delta. Morphine preferentially stimulates mu receptors to produce analgesia, euphoria, respiratory depression, constipation, and pinpoint pupils. Some other drugs (e.g., butorphanol) can selectively block mu receptors while stimulating kappa receptors; this provides moderate to high pain relief with low abuse potential. Stimulation of delta receptors can also contribute to analgesia. The receptors are found in high concentrations in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and in the brain regions involved with pain modulation or pain transmission. Endogenous agonists at these receptors include endorphins, enkephalins, and dynorphins.

opiate receptor

A specific site on a cell surface that interacts in a highly selective fashion with opiate drugs. These receptors mediate the major known pharmacological actions and side effects of opiates and the functions of the endogenous opiate-like substances (endorphins and enkephalins).
See also: receptor
Mentioned in ?
References in periodicals archive ?
Buprenorphine is a partial opiate agonist at the mu receptor and an opiate antagonist at the kappa opiate receptor.
Buprenorphine in the treatment of opiate dependence
Effects of ethanol, temperature, and endogenous regulatory factors on the characteristics of striatal opiate receptors.
How adaptation of the brain to alcohol leads to dependence: a pharmacological perspective
Wang said this is the first time black cohosh has been linked to the activity of the opiate receptors.
'Secret' of Black Cohosh as Natural Menopausal Treatment May be Tied to Human Opiate Receptors
These receptors are known as opiate receptors, and there are three different subtypes designated the w, 6, and K receptors (Connor and Christie 1999).
Communication networks in the brain: neurons, receptors, neurotransmitters, and alcohol
Kieffer of the Ecole Superieure de Biotechnologie in Strasbourg, France, and her co-workers describe an opiate receptor that looks remarkably similar to the one the U.
Marijuana and the brain: scientists discover the brain's own THC
As a private company they have developed a substantial knowledge of the chemistry and pharmacology of the delta receptor, including a library of approximately 1,000 compounds that demonstrate specific opiate receptor activity.
Enhance Biotech to Merge with Privately-Held Ardent Pharmaceuticals; Combined entity to offer deep pipeline of exciting late stage products
Bicifadine is not a narcotic and, in preclinical studies, it has been shown not to act at any opiate receptor.
DOV Pharmaceutical, Inc. Presents Poster at 22nd Annual Scientific Meeting Of The American Pain Society, in Chicago, IL
Bicifadine has been shown not to act at any opiate receptor and therefore is not a narcotic.
DOV Pharmaceutical Announces Phase III Trial Initiation For Its Novel, Non-Narcotic Analgesic
The program is the only one in the world that concentrates on not stimulating the opiate receptors or even suppressing them naturally through specially designed menus.
Strategic Vision Selected by NAMED for Company Launch
The action of these medications includes binding to opiate receptors and changing the perception of and response to painful stimuli while producing central nervous system depression that is generalized (Florence & Palmer, 2003).
Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic pain management for the laboring patient in obstetrics
Suboxone contains a partial opiate agonist, which attaches to the opiate receptors in the brain, minimizing cravings without causing a high.
The Suboxone fix
He explained that naloxone travels to the brain, where it works to push opiates off of opiate receptors.
APW has been out front on overdose prevention

Medical browser ?
Full browser ?