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OrphaninFQ: role in behavioral fear responses and vulnerability to stress?

Molecular Psychiatry volume 5, pages 572–574 (2000)Cite this article

OrphaninFQ (also known as nociceptin, abbreviated OFQ/N) is a 17-aminoacid neuropeptide generated from a large 181-aminoacid precursor peptide (prepro-OFQ/N). The prepro-OFQ/N gene is located on the p21 short arm of human chromosome 8 and encodes a sequence that is highly conserved across mouse, rat, bovine and human species and has hallmarks of opioid peptides precursor proteins.1 OFQ/N has been purified from brain extracts as the natural ligand of the ‘orphan’ G-protein coupled receptor ORL-1.2, 3 The ORL1 gene is in the q13.2–13.3 region of human chromosome 20. Introns and exons are organized like in mu, delta and kappa opioid receptor genes, suggesting that all four genes have a common ancestor and belong to the same family. ORL1 has sequence homology to opioid receptors yet has little or no affinity for opioid peptides. Likewise, OFQ/N shares structural resemblance with opioid peptides, particularly with dynorphin A, but has no affinity for opioid receptors. Although structurally related to the opioid system, OFQ/N and its receptor do not share identical biological properties with opioids.

OFQ/N, prepro-OFQ/N and ORL1 are more densely located in the brain than in the periphery and their distribution pattern is distinct from that of opioid peptides and receptors. Very high densities are found in regions of the brain involved in the integration of the emotional components of fear and stress such as the amygdaloid complex, the septohippocampal region, thalamic and hypothalamic nuclei or periventricular regions.4, 5

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Roche Pharma division, CNS Research, Basel, CH4070, Switzerland

    F Jenck, A M Ouagazzal & J-L Moreau

  2. Roche Pharma division, Genetics, Basel, CH4070, Switzerland

    M Pauly-Evers

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  1. F Jenck
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  2. A M Ouagazzal
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  3. M Pauly-Evers
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  4. J-L Moreau
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Correspondence to F Jenck.

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Jenck, F., Ouagazzal, A., Pauly-Evers, M. et al. OrphaninFQ: role in behavioral fear responses and vulnerability to stress?. Mol Psychiatry 5, 572–574 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.mp.4000793

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