Delta opioid receptor

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opioid receptor, delta 1
Identifiers
Symbol	OPRD1
HUGO	8153
Entrez	4985
OMIM	165195
RefSeq	NM_000911
UniProt	P41143
Other data
Locus	Chr. 1 p36.1-34.3

δ-Opioid receptor activation produces analgesia. Some research suggests that they may also be related to seizures. The endogenous ligands for the δ receptor are the enkephalins. Until quite recently, there were few pharmacological tools for the study of δ receptors. As a consequence, our understanding of their function is much more limited than those of the other opioid receptors.

Recent work indicates that exogenous ligands which activate the delta receptors mimic the phenomenon known as 'ischemic preconditioning'. Experimentally, if short periods of transient ischemia are induced the downstream tissues are robustly protected if permanent interruption of the blood supply is then effected.

Opiates and opioids with delta activity mimic this effect. In the rat model introduction of delta active ligands results in significant cardioprotection.

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• MeSH delta+Opioid+Receptor