The orexin receptor (also referred to as the hypocretin receptor) is a G-protein-coupled receptor that binds the neuropeptide orexin. There are two variants, OX1 and OX2, each encoded by a different gene (HCRTR1, HCRTR2).[1]
Both orexin receptors exhibit a similar pharmacology – the 2 orexin peptides, orexin-A and orexin-B, bind to both receptors and, in each case, agonistbinding results in an increase in intracellularcalcium levels. However, orexin-B shows a 5- to 10-fold selectivity for orexin receptor type 2, whilst orexin-A is equipotent at both receptors.[2][3]
Several orexin receptor antagonists are in development for potential use in sleep disorders.[4] The first of these, suvorexant, has been on the market in the United States since 2015.[5] There were two orexin agonists under development as of 2019[update].[6]
^Spinazzi R, Andreis PG, Rossi GP, Nussdorfer GG (March 2006). "Orexins in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis". Pharmacological Reviews. 58 (1): 46–57. doi:10.1124/pr.58.1.4. PMID16507882. S2CID17941978.