opioid receptor subtype mu, member of the class A family of seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors
The mu-opioid receptor binds endogenous opioids such as beta-endorphin and endomorphin. The opioid receptor family is composed of four major subtypes: mu (MOP), delta (DOP), kappa (KOP) opioid receptors, and the nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide receptor (NOP). They are distributed widely in the central nervous system and respond to classic alkaloid opiates, such as morphine and heroin, as well as to endogenous peptide ligands, which include dynorphins, enkephalins, endorphins, endomorphins, and nociceptin. Opioid receptors are coupled to inhibitory G proteins of the G(i/o) family and involved in regulating a variety of physiological functions such as pain, addiction, mood, stress, epileptic seizure, and obesity, among many others.
Comment:based on the structures of some class A family members with bound ligands (peptides or chemicals), agonists, or antagonists
Comment:Opioid receptors respond to classical opioid alkaloids such as morphine and heroin, as well as to endogenous peptide ligands like dynorphins, enkephalins, endorphins, endomorphins and nociceptin.
Comment:Small-molecule chemical ligands tend to bind deeper within the receptor core, compared to a peptide ligand neurotensin, which binds towards the extracellular surface of its receptor.
Structure:4DKL: Mouse mu-opiod receptor binds a morphinan antagonist, contacts at 4A. - View structure with Cn3D
Jiyao W et al.(2023). "The conserved domain database in 2023.",