RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The Molecular and Behavioral Pharmacology of the Orphanin FQ/Nociceptin Peptide and Receptor Family
JF Pharmacological Reviews
JO Pharmacol Rev
FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
SP 381
OP 415
VO 53
IS 3
A1 Jeffrey S. Mogil
A1 Gavril W. Pasternak
YR 2001
UL http://pharmrev.aspetjournals.org/content/53/3/381.abstract
AB The isolation of an opioid receptor-related clone soon led to the isolation and characterization of a new neuropeptide, termed orphanin FQ or nociceptin (OFQ/N). This heptadecapeptide binds to the NOP1 (previously termed ORL1) receptor with exceedingly high affinity, but does not interact directly with classical opioid receptors. Functionally, the actions of OFQ/N are diverse and intriguing. Most work has focused upon pain mechanisms, where OFQ/N has potent anti-analgesic actions supraspinally and analgesic actions spinally. Other OFQ/N activities are less clear. The diversity of responses might reflect NOP1 receptor heterogeneity, but this remains to be established. The actions of this neurochemical system may also be uniquely dependent on contextual factors, both genetic and environmental. This review will address the molecular biology and behavioral pharmacology of OFQ/N and its receptor.