Professor Graeme Henderson

Professor Graeme Henderson
BSc(Glas), MA, PhD(Aberd)

Professor of Pharmacology

Area of research

Opioid Drug Action

Office C5/C11
School of Medical Sciences,
University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD
(See a map)

Alt. +44 (0) 117 331 1455
Tel. +44 (0) 117 331 1431
graeme.henderson@
bristol.ac.uk

Research summary

By combining patch clamp recording and cell imaging we are investigating the processes that underly the acute and chronic effects of opioid drugs such as morphine. Currently we are seeking to determine why morphine does not induce rapid receptor desensitization and internalization, and yet does induce tolerance.

We are investigating the protein-protein interactions that take place following opioid receptor activation. Opioid receptors are coupled to G-proteins and trigger intracellular signal transduction pathways; we are focusing our attention on the role played by Protein Kinase C.

Recent publications

Hull, LC, Gabra, BH, Bailey, CP, Henderson, G & Dewey, WL 2013, ‘Reversal of Morphine Analgesic Tolerance by Ethanol in the Mouse’. The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics.
Williams, JT, Ingram, SL, Henderson, G, Chavkin, C, Zastrow, Mv, Schulz, S, Koch, T, Evans, CJ & Christie, MJ 2013, ‘Regulation of μ-opioid receptors: desensitization, phosphorylation, internalization, and tolerance’. Pharmacological Reviews, vol 65., pp. 223-54

Physiology and Pharmacology

Professor Graeme Henderson