Mu-type opioid receptor mRNA (OPRM1 mRNA) (OPRM1 mRNA)

The OPRM1 mRNA is the primary transcript of the OPRM1 gene, which encodes the Mu-type opioid receptor (MOR), a G protein-coupled receptor essential for the analgesic effects of both endogenous and exogenous opioids [1, 2]. This mRNA is notable for its extensive alternative splicing, which generates numerous isoforms that vary in their C-terminal sequences, influencing receptor trafficking, signaling efficiency, and the pharmacological profile of opioid ligands [3, 5]. While the MOR protein is the direct target of drugs like morphine and fentanyl, the OPRM1 mRNA is a target for experimental therapeutic strategies, including antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and RNA interference (RNAi), designed to modulate receptor expression or selectively target specific splice variants [4, 5]. Such approaches aim to mitigate opioid-related side effects, such as respiratory depression and physical dependence, by fine-tuning the opioid system at the post-transcriptional level [3, 5]. Additionally, variations in OPRM1 mRNA expression and the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) like A118G are significant biomarkers for individual differences in pain sensitivity and susceptibility to opioid use disorder [2, 6].

Other names

MOR-1 mRNAOpioid receptor mu 1 mRNAOPRM1 transcriptMu opioid receptor mRNA

Antisense-mediated degradation of mRNA, inhibition of translation, and modulation of alternative splicing via splice-switching oligonucleotides [4, 5].