Recombinant Human Nociceptin protein (denatured)

Supplementary information

This supplementary information is collated from multiple sources and compiled automatically.

Nociceptin also known as Orphanin FQ is a neuropeptide that functions as a ligand for the nociceptin receptor (NOP receptor or ORL1). It is a peptide made of 17 amino acids with an approximate mass of 2 kDa. Nociceptin is widely expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems including the brain spinal cord and peripheral sensory neurons. It is involved in modulating various physiological processes through interaction with its receptor influencing neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity.

Biological function summary

Nociceptin impacts pain modulation stress response and behavioral regulation. It forms a signaling complex with the NOP receptor which is a member of the opioid receptor family. Unlike classical opioid peptides nociceptin does not bind to opioid receptors (mu delta or kappa) and is considered to have a distinct role in the nervous system. Its action can be anti-opioid or analgesic depending on the context of its expression and the physiological state influenced.

Pathways

Nociceptin plays a significant role in nociceptive pathways and stress-related pathways. In the nociceptive pathways it regulates pain transmission through its interaction with the NOP receptor which can inhibit neurotransmitter release and hyperalgesia. Related proteins in these pathways include neurotransmitters like substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). In stress-related pathways nociceptin interacts with components involved in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis modulating stress hormone release and affecting behavioral responses to stress.

Nociceptin has been linked to chronic pain conditions and anxiety disorders. Its dysregulation can contribute to altered pain perception seen in chronic pain syndromes with connections to proteins like cyclooxygenase (COX) in the peripheral inflammation response. In anxiety disorders nociceptin's influence on behavioral responses to stress relates to pathways involving corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) which also interacts with the HPA axis. By understanding these connections researchers aim to explore nociceptin as a potential therapeutic target for these disorders.