RGS Proteins and Opioid Signaling.
- Author:
Kyung Seon KIM
1
;
Pamela Pierce PALMER
;
Ki Jun KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords: opioid; regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) protein; tolerance
- MeSH: Acceleration; Analgesics, Opioid; Anesthesia; GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits; GTP-Binding Proteins; GTPase-Activating Proteins; RGS Proteins*; Signal Transduction
- From:The Korean Journal of Pain 2006;19(1):8-16
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
- Abstract: The regulators of the G protein signaling (RGS) proteins are responsible for the rapid acceleration of the GTPase-activity intrinsic to the heterotrimeric G protein alpha subunits. As GTPase-activating proteins (GAP), the RGS proteins negatively regulate the G-protein signals. Recently, the RGS proteins are known to be one of the important regulators of opioid signal transduction and the development of tolerance. The aim of this study was to review the recent discovery and understanding of the role of RGS proteins in opioid signaling and the development of tolerance. This information will be useful for medical personnel, particularly those involved in anesthesia and pain medicine, by helping them improve the effective use of opioids and develop new drugs that can prevent opioid tolerance.
