[The role of membrane lipids in regulating the function of neuromediator receptors].

The role of membrane lipids in the interactions between neurotransmitters and membrane-bound receptors has been studied with regard to: (i) the specificity of interactions between the lipids and the neurotransmitter molecules; (ii) the modulation of the receptor binding activity by annular lipids and (iii) the physical state of the membrane lipid bilayer as a whole. These aspects are discussed for various receptor systems. Particular emphasis has been placed on the lipid regulation of the ligand binding to opioid receptors. A new methodological approach to the study of receptor regulation by lipids is considered. This approach consists in the study of spontaneous inactivation of selective ligands binding as applied to the study of lipid regulation of opioid receptors in rat brain.