Abstract
Of the opioid receptors, the μ opioid receptor is the most well known as it mediates the important physiological states of analgesia and addiction. By contrast, the delta (δ) opioid receptor is not as well recognized and its role remains, for the most part, elusive. Drawing from recent studies, this chapter examines new information highlighting specific roles of this receptor that have begun to clarify its role. We briefly discuss how the δ receptor was first cloned and the little we do know of its phylogeny. The unique manner in which this receptor is processed and then signals once on the cell membrane is then described. Finally, we discuss the specific behaviors in which the δ receptor plays a role highlighting possible pharmaceutical benefits.
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Walwyn, W., Sánchez-Simon, F.M., Rodriguez, R., Evans, C.J. (2011). Delta Opioid Receptors. In: Pasternak, G. (eds) The Opiate Receptors. The Receptors. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-993-2_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-993-2_7
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