DELTA RECEPTOR Meaning and
Definition
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Delta receptors, also known as delta opioid receptors, are a type of G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) that are predominantly found in the central nervous system (CNS). They are part of the opioid receptor family along with mu (μ) and kappa (κ) opioid receptors. Delta receptors are involved in mediating the analgesic (pain relief) effects of endogenous opioid peptides, such as enkephalins.
Activation of delta receptors produces a range of physiological responses, including analgesia, respiratory depression, and euphoria. These receptors are targets for opioids such as morphine, which bind to them and mimic the effects of endogenous opioids. However, unlike the mu receptor, activation of the delta receptor has been associated with less addictive potential and fewer side effects, making it an attractive target for the development of new analgesic drugs.
Delta receptors are widely distributed throughout the CNS, with high concentrations found in areas involved in pain processing, including the spinal cord and brain regions like the periaqueductal gray (PAG) and rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM). They are also present in the gastrointestinal tract and immune cells, where they exert additional effects.
In summary, delta receptors are a type of opioid receptor that play a crucial role in modulating pain perception and mediating analgesia. Understanding the function and pharmacology of delta receptors has important implications for the development of novel pain medications with improved therapeutic profiles.
Common Misspellings for DELTA RECEPTOR
- selta receptor
- xelta receptor
- celta receptor
- felta receptor
- relta receptor
- eelta receptor
- dwlta receptor
- dslta receptor
- ddlta receptor
- drlta receptor
- d4lta receptor
- d3lta receptor
- dekta receptor
- depta receptor
- deota receptor
- delra receptor
- delfa receptor
- delga receptor
- delya receptor
- del6a receptor
Etymology of DELTA RECEPTOR
The term "delta receptor" comes from the Greek letter "delta" (Δ), which is used in the scientific community to denote the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet. In pharmacology and medicine, receptors are proteins found in cell membranes that are responsible for detecting and responding to specific molecules or signals. The delta receptor is a specific type of receptor that is sensitive to certain substances and has been found to be involved in various physiological processes, including pain perception and analgesia. Thus, the term "delta receptor" refers to the specific receptors that are sensitive to certain molecules and play a role in physiological functions.
