Orexin Receptor (OX Receptor)

Orexin receptors, also known as OX receptors, are a pair of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) called OX1 and OX2. They are activated by neuropeptides orexin-A and orexin-B, which are crucial for regulating arousal, wakefulness, appetite, and energy expenditure. These receptors are predominantly expressed in the hypothalamus but have implications across multiple brain regions influencing sleep-wake cycles, feeding behaviors, and neuroendocrine homeostasis. Dysfunction in orexin signaling is notably linked to sleep disorders like narcolepsy. The orexin receptor system is a target for pharmacological intervention, with medications aiming to modulate this pathway to treat sleep disorders and potentially other conditions related to arousal and metabolic balance.