or GPCRs tagged posts

This is an illustration of the active state kappa opioid receptor bound to a morphine derivative (purple). Credit: Tao Che and Daniel Wacker, Roth Lab, UNC School of Medicine

Researchers show how to activate only one kind of brain receptor vital for pain relief, a key step in the creation of better pain medications. For the first time, scientists at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and collaborators solved the crystal structure of the activated kappa opioid receptor bound to a morphine derivative. They then created a new drug-like compound that activates only that receptor, a key step in the development of new pain medications. The research shows a route toward creating opioids that relieve pain without causing the severe side effects at the heart of the opioid epidemic.