Tutorial:The opioid receptor, a molecular switch

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Conceptual model of the opioid receptor. Parts of the receptor between the two cardboard pieces are integrated in the cell membrane, with other parts sticking out and "sticking in"

The opioid receptor, a protein on the surface of nerve cells, binds to opioids such as morphine, oxicodone, heroin, and fentanyl. Repeated intake of opioids changes the response to these molecules, and can lead to addiction. This article explains, at a level appropriate to high school students or beginning college students, how the opioid receptor is switched on and off, and what happens inside the brain as a consequence.

Relevance

When we want to turn on the lights in a dark room, we don't have to climb up a ladder to screw in a light bulb. All we have to do is flip a switch. A biological cell has switches, too, called receptors. Most are on the cell surface with a part sticking out, ready to bind to a signaling molecule. Another part of the receptor reaches into the inside of the cell, transmitting the signal. The opioid receptor can be switched on to relieve pain, for example during surgery. Tragically, it is very easy to become physically dependent on the signaling molecules. The ongoing opioid crisis in the USA shows how addictive molecules such as morphine, oxicodone, heroin, and fentanyl are, with overdose deaths decreasing average life expectancy across the US population significantly.

Natural Function

Talk about endorphins here

Disease and treatment

Talk about pain medication, drug abuse and overdose treatment with naloxone here.

Structural highlights

References