The series of molecular signals generated as a consequence of an opioid growth factor receptor binding to its physiological ligand, opioid growth factor (OGF, met-enkephalin). The OGF-OGFr complex leads to the increase in the synthesis of the selective cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor proteins, p12 (POLD4) and p16 (CDKN2A).
Source:PMID:19675283,
PMID:19923357
Comment
Note that this term represents the activation of the zeta-opioid receptor. Do not confuse with GO:0038003 ; G protein-coupled opioid receptor signaling pathway, activated by the delta, kappa, mu, and nociceptin opioid receptors.