|
NYU Reference Number- DEV01-01
Background
The opioid system modulates several physiological processes including analgesia,
stress response, immune response and neuroendocrine function. Three types of opioid
receptors (m, d, and k) have been characterized pharmacologically and genes encoding
these receptors have been cloned. Other types of opioid receptors have been postulated
but are less well characterized and have not been cloned. There is a significant
clinical need for the development of new, more selective, drugs that interact with
the opioid system for the analgesic uses and for several other diseases where the
opioid receptors interact with other receptors.
Description of the Project
Investigators at NYU were the first to report that delta opioid receptors homodimerize.
Furthermore, research in this group has shown that a mechanism of action of opioid
agonist treatment occurs via the modulation of dimer expression. Their current research
relates to the discovery that the opioid receptors are capable of forming functional
heterodimers. Heterodimers can be formed with other opioid receptors and, importantly,
with other classes of G-coupled protein receptors. These heterodimers can be exploited
for high-throughput screening of compounds to identify heterodimer opioid receptor
modulators (agonists and antagonists). These investigations may also lead to the
efficient development of novel heterodimer receptor ligands and synergistic compositions
based upon the improved understanding of the mechanism of action of opioid receptor
signal transduction. Additional research is resolving the mechanisms by which the
opioid system influences the cardiovascular system, the immune system and other physiologic
processes. Understanding possible differences in the affinity and efficacy of various
agonists and antagonists for the various forms of these receptors and their differential
ability to transmit signals will help explain the differences in the physiological
responses induced and will be instrumental in identifying and developing novel therapeutic
compounds and formulations.
Patent status
World wide patent protection covering this technology is being sought.
For further information please contact:
Office for Industrial Liaison
New York University School of Medicine
650 First Avenue, New York NY 10016
Tel: (212) 263-8178
Fax: (212) 263-8189
|
