Chemicals and Drugs

Opioid Receptors

Cell membrane proteins that bind opioids and trigger intracellular changes which influence the behavior of cells. The endogenous ligands for opioid receptors in mammals include three families of peptides, the enkephalins, endorphins, and dynorphins. The receptor classes include mu, delta, and kappa receptors. Sigma receptors bind several psychoactive substances, including certain opioids, but their endogenous ligands are not known.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Cell membrane proteins that bind opioids and trigger intracellular changes which influence the behavior of cells. The endogenous ligands for opioid receptors in mammals include three families of peptides, the enkephalins, endorphins, and dynorphins. The receptor classes include mu, delta, and kappa receptors. Sigma receptors bind several psychoactive substances, including certain opioids, but their endogenous ligands are not known.

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

25 entry terms
  • Opiate Receptor
  • Opiate Receptors
  • Opioid Receptor
  • Receptors, Opiate
  • Receptors, Opioid
  • Receptor, Opiate
  • Receptor, Opioid
  • Endorphin Receptor
  • Endorphin Receptors
  • Enkephalin Receptor
  • Enkephalin Receptors
  • Narcotic Receptors
  • Normorphine Receptors
  • Receptors, Endorphin
  • Receptors, Enkephalin
  • Receptors, Narcotic
  • Receptors, Normorphine
  • Receptors, beta-Endorphin
  • beta-Endorphin Receptor
  • Receptor, Endorphin
  • Receptor, Enkephalin
  • Receptor, beta-Endorphin
  • Receptors, beta Endorphin
  • beta Endorphin Receptor
  • beta-Endorphin Receptors

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

18 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, agonists, analysis, biosynthesis, blood, chemistry, classification, deficiency, drug effects, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, physiology, radiation effects, therapeutic use, ultrastructure.

MeSH Record

History Note

94; was RECEPTORS, ENDORPHIN 1980-93; was RECEPTORS, NARCOTIC 1977-79

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Narcotics (1966-1976)
  • Receptors, Drug (1966-1976)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. D12.776w.543w.750w.695w.620w
  2. D12.776w.543w.750w.720w.600w.610w
  3. D12.776w.543w.750w.750w.555w.610w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Opioid Receptors. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D011957. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D011957
  2. Opioid Receptors. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opioid_receptor
  3. Opioid Receptors. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q421797