Genetic Characterization and Exploration of Mu-Opioid Receptor Signaling in C. elegans

Opioids are the most potent pain killers available but feature severe negative side effects, highlighting the need for safer analgesic drugs. The key receptor that mediates analgesia and problematic side effects is the mu-opioid receptor (MOR). Mammalian studies have suggested MOR principally signals though Gai with relatively little known about the role of Gao in MOR signaling. Our lab pioneered the development of a cross-species transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans model expressing mammalian MOR (tgMOR) that yields opioid-induced behavior as its primary readout.

Source: The Journal of Pain - April 1, 2024 Category: Materials Science Authors: Deziree L. Coleman, Rachel J. Ren, Karla J. Opperman, Brock Grill Source Type: research