The mu-opioid receptor (OPRM1 gene)is the site of action of endogenous opioid peptides and opioid analgesic drugs like morphine. There is a common genetic variant of this receptor at the 40th amino acid of the protein, with asparagine and asparate being present in different people. The less common variant (aspartate), present in 25-30% of the overall American population (higher in Asian populations, lower in Blacks) at codon 40 that has been shown in many studies to affect opioid analgesia.