"Mechanisms for Functional Regulation between Opioid Receptors" 張旭 博士（Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences）-2010.11.30

時間：2010年11月30日 10:00

地點：理科大樓A508

報告題目：Mechanisms for Functional Regulation between Opioid Receptors

報告人：張旭 博士 中國科學院上海生命科學研究院

報告人簡介：現任中國科學院上海生命科學研究院神經科學研究研究員，感覺系統研究組組長，兼任中國科學院上海生命科學研究院副院長。主要從事初級感覺神經元的分子和細胞生物學以及痛覺機理研究，在著名的《Cell》、《Neuron》、《PNAS》在內的國際學術期刊上發表研究論文73篇和綜述12篇，被引用3981余次。曾獲得國家杰出青年科學基金，上海科技進步獎二等獎，上海市自然科學牡丹獎等。

報告簡介：Three major types of opioid receptors, μ-, δ- and κ-opioid receptors, are expressed in small DRG neurons and in intrinsic neurons in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. The effects of endogenous opioid peptides are mainly mediated by δ-opioid receptors (DORs). Morphine and other opioid analgesics activate μ-opioid receptors (MORs) and produce potent spinal analgesia. Among all of the agents used in pain treatments, opioid analgesics are most efficacious in the control of moderate and severe pain. There are also concerns about the use of opioid analgesics for long-term treatment of pain, because of the risk of development of tolerance and dependence, as well as many adverse effects. An important and unresolved question is the mechanism of opioid tolerance, which is a pharmacological phenomenon that develops with the repeated use of opioids and brings about the need to increase the dose to maintain equipotent analgesic effects. DORs form heteromers with MORs and negatively regulate MOR-mediated spinal analgesia. However, the underlying mechanism remains largely unclear. Our recent study uncovers a mechanism for functional regulation between DORs and MORs, and further provides a potential strategy to improve opioid analgesic therapies.