OPRM1

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Common variations (polymorphisms) in the OPRM1 gene have been studied as risk factors for opioid addiction. Opioid addiction is a long-lasting (chronic) disease characterized by a powerful, sometimes uncontrollable urge to use opioid drugs. Opioid addiction has major health, social, and economic effects.

The best-studied OPRM1 gene polymorphism, called A118G or rs1799971, changes a protein building block (amino acid) in a particular place in the μ opioid receptor protein. Specifically, it replaces the amino acid asparagine with the amino acid aspartic acid. The A118G polymorphism likely has an effect on the amount of μ opioid receptor present in the membrane surrounding neurons, and on the ability of the receptor to transmit chemical signals. 

Research into the association of this polymorphism with opioid addiction has had mixed results. Some studies suggest that having aspartic acid instead of asparagine increases the amount of an opioid medication needed to achieve pain relief and raises the risk of opioid addiction. However, other studies found no association between the polymorphism and opioid addiction, and still others reported a lower risk with the aspartic acid version of the receptor.

The A118G polymorphism is much more common in certain populations, such as people of Asian or European ancestry, than in others, such as people of African or African American ancestry. These differences may help explain why the results of studies examining its role in opioid addiction have had conflicting results. Researchers suggest that studies with many more people would be needed to confirm an association between this polymorphism and the risk of opioid addiction in any particular population.

Common variations in the OPRM1 gene other than A118G have also been associated with opioid addiction in specific populations, such as Han Chinese, European Americans, and African Americans. The A118G polymorphism and other common variations are among many suspected risk factors for opioid addiction. It is likely that a combination of health, social, economic, and lifestyle factors interact with genetic factors to determine an individual's risk of developing this complex disease.

Variations in the OPRM1 gene have been associated with addiction to several additional substances. The μ opioid receptor appears to play a critical role in regulating the pleasure and reward that come from the use of alcohol, nicotine, and certain other drugs of abuse. Although these substances do not interact directly with the μ opioid receptor, they affect the levels of other neurotransmitters in the brain, triggering the body's own endogenous opioids to attach to the receptor. This interaction starts the cascade of chemical signaling in the brain that leads to pain relief and feelings of relaxation and pleasure.

As with opioid addiction (described above), most of the research on the connection between the μ opioid receptor and other addictions has focused on the A118G polymorphism. Studies of the effects of this polymorphism on nicotine and alcohol abuse have had inconsistent results, with different studies suggesting an increased risk, a decreased risk, or no effect of having aspartic acid versus asparagine at that particular location in the receptor. A person's geographic and ethnic background may be important, and larger studies would be necessary to determine whether a true association exists.

Studies have also found associations between the A118G polymorphism and a variety of other traits, including perception of physical and psychological pain, sensitivity to social rejection, a preference for sweet and fatty foods, and how the body responds to stress. It is unclear how this genetic variation causes changes in the brain that influence these traits.

Another polymorphism in the OPRM1 gene, usually written as rs540825, is associated with the effectiveness of a drug called citalopram in people with major depressive disorder. This polymorphism changes a single amino acid near one end of the μ opioid receptor. People with major depressive disorder who have this polymorphism are more likely to experience periods without any symptoms (remission) when treated with citalopram than those who do not have the polymorphism.