Product Description

The kappa opioid receptor (κ-OR) is one of the three principal members of the opioid receptor family, belonging to the class of G protein-coupled receptors. It is widely distributed within the central nervous system, including the hypothalamus, nucleus accumbens, periaqueductal gray, and spinal cord, and is also expressed in some peripheral tissues such as the gastrointestinal tract. Its primary functions, upon activation by endogenous ligands like dynorphins, include mediating analgesia (particularly effective against visceral pain), producing sedation and diuresis, and modulating mood (often associated with dysphoria). Unlike mu receptor agonists, kappa agonists do not typically produce euphoria and carry a lower risk of respiratory depression, making the κ-OR a potential target for developing non-addictive analgesics. However, challenges such as the dysphoric and psychotomimetic side effects associated with its activation remain to be addressed.

Screeningbio’s CHO-K1/Human κ cell line overexpress OPRK1 and is designed to detect inhibition in intracellular cAMP levels in response to agonist stimulation of the receptor. Cisbio HTRF cAMP kit can be used to detect the signal.