RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Cellular mechanisms of Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) peptide (NOP) receptor regulation and heterologous regulation by N/OFQ
JF Molecular Pharmacology
JO Mol Pharmacol
FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
SP mol.112.084632
DO 10.1124/mol.112.084632
A1 Courtney L Donica
A1 Hibah O Awwad
A1 Deepak R Thakker
A1 Kelly M. Standifer
YR 2013
UL http://molpharm.aspetjournals.org/content/early/2013/02/08/mol.112.084632.abstract
AB The Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) peptide (NOP) receptor is the fourth and most recently discovered member of the opioid receptor superfamily that also includes μ, δ and κ opioid receptor subtypes (MOR, DOR and KOR, respectively). The widespread anatomical distribution of the NOP receptor enables the modulation of several physiological processes by its endogenous agonist, N/OFQ. Accordingly, the NOP receptor has gained a lot of attention as a potential target for the development of ligands with therapeutic utility in several pathophysiological states. NOP receptor activation frequently results in effects opposing classical opioid receptor action, therefore regulation of the NOP receptor and conditions affecting its modulatory tone are important to understand. Mounting evidence illustrates a heterologous interaction of the NOP receptor with other G protein-coupled receptors, including MOR, DOR and KOR, which may subsequently influence their function. Our focus in this review is to summarize and discuss the findings that delineate the cellular mechanisms of NOP receptor signaling and regulation as well as the regulation of other receptors by N/OFQ and the NOP receptor.