[Opioid receptors in the era of molecular biology: they account for more than 6,000 years of empirical pharmacology].
The medicinal use of opium and of morphine in different cultures and ancient civilizations is described. Research within the past 40 years have demonstrated the existence of brain opiate receptors. Morphine and related opioid analgetic interact at these sites in the nervous system to produce the characteristic pharmacological effects of these drugs. The opiate receptors have structural homologies with a variety of other cell membrane receptors; they activate second messenger-based chemical transduction systems in the cell membrane and are endowed with several regulation mechanisms. These opiate receptors are presumably activated under specific physiological conditions by endogenous ligands (opiopeptins). It is currently thought that morphine mimicks the opiopeptins by interacting with these receptors either at different molecular subsites or with a different mode of action.
Escuela de Psicología, Universidad de las Condes, Santiago de Chile.
J P
JP
Huidobro-Toro
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D009294:Narcotics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects*; D018847:Opioid Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D009892:Opium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000235:genetics / Q000266:history / Q000502:physiology*; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu / Q000502:physiology
D009294:Narcotics; D018847:Opioid Peptides; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D017450:Receptors, Opioid, mu; D009020:Morphine; D009892:Opium
Receptores opioides a la luz de la biología molecular: explican mas de 6.000 años de farmacología empírica.