Diversity and complexity of the mu opioid receptor gene: Alternative pre-mRNA splicing and promoters Journal Article


Author: Pan, Y. X.
Article Title: Diversity and complexity of the mu opioid receptor gene: Alternative pre-mRNA splicing and promoters
Abstract: Mu opioid receptors play an important role in mediating the actions of a class of opioids including morphine and heroin. Binding and pharmacological studies have proposed several mu opioid receptor subtypes: mu 1, mu 2, and morphine-6β-glucuronide (M6G). The cloning of a mu opioid receptor, MOR-1, has provided an invaluable tool to explore pharmacological and physiological functions of mu opioid receptors at the molecular level. However, only one mu opioid receptor (Oprm) gene has been isolated. Alternative pre-mRNA splicing has been proposed as a molecular explanation for the existence of pharmacologically identified subtypes. In recent years, we have extensively investigated alternative splicing of the Oprm gene, particularly of the mouse Oprm gene. So far we have identified 25 splice variants from the mouse Oprm gene, which are controlled by two diverse promoters, eight splice variants from the rat Oprm gene, and 11 splice variants from the human Oprm gene. Diversity and complexity of the Oprm gene was further demonstrated by functional differences in agonist-induced G protein activation, adenylyl cyclase activity, and receptor internalization among carboxyl terminal variants. This review summarizes these recent results and provides a new perspective on understanding and exploring complex opioid actions in animals and humans. © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
Keywords: unclassified drug; promoter region; exons; review; animals; mice; gene; carboxy terminal sequence; opiate; genetic variability; phosphorylation; animalia; amino acid sequence; molecular sequence data; alternative splicing; rats; morphine; guanine nucleotide binding protein; mu opiate receptor; receptors, opioid, mu; rna splicing; rna precursors; diamorphine; mu 1 opiate receptor; messenger rna precursor; adenylate cyclase; oprm gene; receptor subtype; promoter regions (genetics); mu2 opiate receptor
Journal Title: DNA and Cell Biology
Volume: 24
Issue: 11
ISSN: 1044-5498
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc  
Date Published: 2005-11-01
Start Page: 736
End Page: 750
Language: English
DOI: 10.1089/dna.2005.24.736
PUBMED: 16274294
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 50" - "Export Date: 24 October 2012" - "CODEN: DCEBE" - "Source: Scopus"
Altmetric
Citation Impact
BMJ Impact Analytics
MSK Authors
  1. Yingxian Pan
    133 Pan