September 27, 2019 – Laura Bohn – Harnessing opioid receptor signaling to improve therapeutic potential

Neuroscience Seminar Series

Friday, September 27th. 2019, 11:30, R229 (2e étage), Centre Universitaire des Saints Pères, 45 rue des Saints Pères, 75006 Paris

Laura M. Bohn, Professor of Molecular Medicine and Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter, FL, USA
Title:

Abstract:

When drugs bind to receptors, they coordinate a series of signaling events that lead to
physiological responses. Opioid receptors are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs);
in addition to coupling to G proteins, they can be regulated by many different cellular
proteins. The interactions between receptors and their signaling partners can vary
between neuronal populations and tissues throughout the body; therefore there may
be an opportunity to maintain efficacy in pain pathways while avoiding other side
effects associated with opioid pain management. We are developing compounds
that selectively engage certain signaling pathways over others to directly test if we
can improve mu opioid receptor (MOR)- mediated pain relief while avoiding certain
side effects, such as opioid overdose. Studies will also be presented comparing these
compounds to conventional opioids in studies of antinociceptive tolerance and
biological adaptations that accompany prolonged administration.
Those interested in meeting with the speaker please contact
nicolas.marie@parisdescartes.fr