Chemicals and Drugs

sigma Receptors

A class of cell surface receptors recognized by its pharmacological profile. Sigma receptors were originally considered to be opioid receptors because they bind certain synthetic opioids. However they also interact with a variety of other psychoactive drugs, and their endogenous ligand is not known (although they can react to certain endogenous steroids). Sigma receptors are found in the immune, endocrine, and nervous systems, and in some peripheral tissues.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A class of cell surface receptors recognized by its pharmacological profile. Sigma receptors were originally considered to be opioid receptors because they bind certain synthetic opioids. However they also interact with a variety of other psychoactive drugs, and their endogenous ligand is not known (although they can react to certain endogenous steroids). Sigma receptors are found in the immune, endocrine, and nervous systems, and in some peripheral tissues.

MeSH Record

Classification

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

7 entry terms
  • Opioid Receptors, sigma
  • Receptors, Opioid, sigma
  • Receptors, sigma
  • Receptors, sigma Opioid
  • sigma Receptor
  • Receptor, sigma
  • sigma Opioid Receptors

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

19 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, agonists, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, chemistry, classification, deficiency, drug effects, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, physiology, radiation effects, therapeutic use, ultrastructure.

MeSH Record

History Note

93; was SIGMA RECEPTOR (NM) 1981-92

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Receptors, Endorphin (1981-1992)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. D12.776w.543w.750w.695w.620w.775w
  2. D12.776w.543w.750w.720w.600w.610w.775w
  3. D12.776w.543w.750w.750w.555w.610w.775w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. sigma Receptors. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D017480. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D017480
  2. sigma Receptors. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigma_receptor
  3. sigma Receptors. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7512419