A Visual Guide to Opioid Receptors

A video on Mu, Delta, Kappa and ORL1 receptors on Pharmacology Corner
This lecture discusses the following topics:

• General classification
• Cellular actions of opioid receptors
• Anatomical distribution and physiologic effects of mu, delta and kappa receptors
• Agonists and antagonists
• ORL-1 receptors

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Part 1: Classification and Cellular Actions
Provides an introduction to the classification of  opioid receptors,  it also discusses the cellular effects of  opioid receptor activation (presynaptic inhibition of neurotransmitter release).

Part 2: Mu, Kappa and Delta receptors 
Lists the most relevant agonists and antagonists for the different subtypes of opioid receptor, then effects upon activation (opioid physiology) are reviewed.

Part 3: ORL1, Nociceptin or Orphanin FQ receptor
An overview on the recently discovered ORL1 receptor.

References and Further Reading

• Katzung, B. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. McGraw Hill Medical, 2009
• Koneru A, Sreemantula S, Rizwan. Endogenous Opioids: Their Physiological Role and Receptors. Global J. Pharmacol., 3 (3): 149-153, 2009
• McDonald J, Lambert DJ. Opioid Receptors. Continuing Education in Anaesthesia, Critical Care & Pain 2005 5:1
• Trescot A, Sukdeb D. Opioid Pharmacology. Pain Physician 2008; 11:S133-S153