Fluorescent Opioid Receptor Ligand for Opioid Receptor Detection and Quantification
Faculty Department
BCES
Presentation Type
Powerpoint
Location
Reception Room
Start Date
25-2-2026 3:35 PM
End Date
25-2-2026 3:50 PM
Description (Abstract)
The endogenous opioid receptor system plays important roles in various physiological systems, including pain, reward and respiratory control centers of the brain, motility-regulating gut cells, cardiovascular tissues and skin cells. We have developed novel fluorescent opioid receptor ligands which allow us visualize where these receptors are localized and to study their levels and regulation. CLICK-chemistry reactions were used to label the broad-spectrum opioid antagonist naltrexone with diverse fluorescent molecules with varied spectral characteristics. The use of selective opioid antagonists allows specific visualization of the mu, delta, or kappa opioid receptors. These novel fluorescent ligands will be used in in vitro models of multiple sclerosis as well as studies of interaction of the opioid and melanocortin systems.
Keywords
kappa opioid receptor, Mu opioid receptor, delta opioid receptor, fluorescence, GPCR, receptor binding, receptor expression
Related Pillar(s)
Study
Fluorescent Opioid Receptor Ligand for Opioid Receptor Detection and Quantification
Reception Room
The endogenous opioid receptor system plays important roles in various physiological systems, including pain, reward and respiratory control centers of the brain, motility-regulating gut cells, cardiovascular tissues and skin cells. We have developed novel fluorescent opioid receptor ligands which allow us visualize where these receptors are localized and to study their levels and regulation. CLICK-chemistry reactions were used to label the broad-spectrum opioid antagonist naltrexone with diverse fluorescent molecules with varied spectral characteristics. The use of selective opioid antagonists allows specific visualization of the mu, delta, or kappa opioid receptors. These novel fluorescent ligands will be used in in vitro models of multiple sclerosis as well as studies of interaction of the opioid and melanocortin systems.
Short Biography
Brian Reed, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biology in the Department of Biology, Chemistry & Environmental Scientists. He has a long record of studying diverse aspects of the endogenous opioid system, at the mechanistic level as well as the role the diverse components of this system play in substance use disorders and other related disorders. More recently he has focused on the role of the endogenous opioid system in in vitro models of demyelination disorders such as multiple sclerosis. With a background in chemistry, he has been developing novel fluorescent molecules which bind to the endogenous opioid receptors. He has recently begun collaborating with Dr. Jodi Evans on a project to develop additional fluorescent ligands, and using them to probe the interaction of the opioid and melanocortin systems at the cellular level.