Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Kim JA
PROVIDER: S-EPMC2997702 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jan
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Kim Joseph A JA Bartlett Selena S He Li L Nielsen Carsten K CK Chang Amy M AM Kharazia Viktor V Waldhoer Maria M Ou Chrissi J CJ Taylor Stacy S Ferwerda Madeline M Cado Dragana D Whistler Jennifer L JL
Current biology : CB 20080101 2
Opioid drugs, such as morphine, are among the most effective analgesics available. However, their utility for the treatment of chronic pain is limited by side effects including tolerance and dependence. Morphine acts primarily through the mu-opioid receptor (MOP-R) , which is also a target of endogenous opioids. However, unlike endogenous ligands, morphine fails to promote substantial receptor endocytosis both in vitro, and in vivo. Receptor endocytosis serves at least two important functions in ...[more]