title: Structure and regional distribution of nociceptin/orphanin FQ precursor.
abstract: We have cloned cDNA carrying the entire coding sequence of the precursor protein for nociceptin/orphanin FQ, a neuropeptide-ligand for an opioid-receptor like G-protein coupled receptor. The deduced nociceptin/orphanin FQ precursor shows sequence similarity to the opioid peptide precursors and shares characteristic structural features particularly with preprodynorphin. In situ hybridization analysis of nociceptin precursor mRNA in the mouse central nervous system revealed that it is highly expressed in discrete neuronal sites with the pattern distinct from those of opioid peptides.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Kansai Medical University, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Houtani
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nishi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takeshima
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nukada
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sugimoto
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017931:DNA Primers; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004399:Dynorphins / Q000737:chemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D018847:Opioid Peptides / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D009928:Organ Specificity; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000819:agonists; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism*; D000097629:Nociceptin
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D004399:Dynorphins; D018847:Opioid Peptides; D011498:Protein Precursors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D000097629:Nociceptin