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Comparative Aspects of Endogenous Morphine Synthesis and Signaling in Animals
Author(s) -
Zhu Wei,
Stefano George B.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2008.03623.x
Subject(s) - morphine , endogeny , opiate receptors , opiate , pharmacology , receptor , neuroscience , biology , medicine , endocrinology , opioid , (+) naloxone
For many years it has been believed that animals cannot make morphine. However, within the last 30 years scientific documents have emerged reporting on endogenous animal opiate synthesis, including morphine biosynthesis in animals and specific tissues. These data are complemented by other reports demonstrating the presence of opiate receptors specifically used for morphinergic signaling in animal tissues, bringing together the lock‐and‐key concept for an animal morphine chemical messenger hypothesis.