Role of the delta -opioid receptor in the regulation of mu -opioid receptor function during morphine tolerance

Abstract

Morphine tolerance involves numerous and complex mechanisms. The heterodimerization of mu and delta opioid receptors put forward recently is one of the important mechanisms which cause the development of opiate tolerance. Once transported to the membrane of neural cells, delta opioid receptors (DOR) combine with mu opioid receptors (MOR) to form MOR-DOR heterodimers,leading to the formation of new signaling pathway. This novel mechanism plays the critical role of DOR in the development of morphine tolerance. This review summarizes the regulation of DOR on MOR function during morphine tolerance in light of the recent findings about the regulation of DOR membrane transport and the new complex: MOR-DOR heterodimer. Key words: Morphine tolerance; MOR-DOR heterodimerization; MOR gene knockout; β-arrestin; Signaling regulation