The aim of this study was to use site directed mutagenesis technique to construct a vector in which serine363 and serine375 residues of the COOH-terminal portion of the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) were substituted by alanine. These constructs are essential in studying G-protein coupled receptor kinase-mediated MOR desensiti-zation. The nested PCR carried out for conversio...

In our previous studies, a new opioid (NFEPP) was developed to only selectively bind the μ-opoid receptor (MOR) in inflamed tissue and thus avoid severe side effects of fentanyl. We know that NFEPP has reduced binding affinity MOR healthy tissue. Inspired by modelling simulations performed Sutcliffe et al., we present own results coarse-grained molecular dynamics fentanyl with regards their int...

JDTic analogues 4-15 which have the hydroxyl groups replaced with other groups were synthesized and their in vitro efficacy at the μ, δ, and κ opioid receptors determined and compared to JDTic using [(35)S]GTPγS assays. Compounds 4, 5, 6, 13, 14, and 15 had Ke = 0.024, 0.01, 0.039, 0.02, 0.11, and 0.041 nM compared to the Ke = 0.02 nM for JDTic at the κ receptor and were highly selective for th...

The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is the major amygdaloid nucleus distributed with μ opioid receptors. The afferent input from the BLA to the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is considered important for opioid analgesia. However, little is known about the effect of μ opioids on synaptic transmission in the BLA. In this study, we examined the effect of μ opioid receptor stimulation on the inhi...