The Life Cycle of the Mu-Opioid Receptor

Abstract

Opioid receptors (ORs) are undisputed targets for the treatment of pain. Unfortunately, targeting these receptors therapeutically poses significant challenges including addiction, dependence, tolerance, and the appearance of side effects, such as respiratory depression and constipation. Moreover, misuse of prescription and illicit narcotics has resulted in the current opioid crisis. The mu-opioid receptor (MOR) is the cellular mediator of the effects of most commonly used opioids, and is a prototypical G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) where new pharmacological, signalling and cell biology concepts have been coined. This review summarises the knowledge of the life cycle of this therapeutic target, including its biogenesis, trafficking to and from the plasma membrane, and how the regulation of these processes impacts its function and is related to pathophysiological conditions.

Keywords: G protein-coupled receptor; OPRM1; addiction; mu-opioid signalling; pain; reward.