title: Neuropeptide FF receptor 2 (NPFF2) is localized to pain-processing regions in the primate spinal cord and the lower level of the medulla oblongata.
abstract: Studies have suggested that NPFF-like peptides and their receptors play important roles in physiological and pathological conditions. Here, we show, using multiple expression modalities, that the type 2 NPFF receptor (hNPFF2) is expressed in regions of the primate spinal cord and brainstem mediating pain sensation. In situ hybridization using an NPFF2 riboprobe, and immunohistochemistry using a novel NPFF2 antibody, demonstrated strong NPFF2 expression in the superficial layer of the dorsal horn, and in the spinal trigeminal nucleus of the brainstem of the African green monkey (AGM). In addition, autoradiography using a radiolabeled NPFF analog ([125I]1DMe) revealed dense binding signal in the superficial layer of the dorsal horn in the spinal cord. The distribution pattern of hNPFF2 in the AGM spinal cord and the lower level of the brainstem are consistent with a hypothesized potential role for NPFF peptides in modulation of sensory input, opioid analgesia and morphine tolerance through spinal and supraspinal mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Merck Research Laboratories, WP26A-3000, P.O. Box 4, West Point, PA 19486, USA. zhizhen_zeng@merck.com
authors.forename: Zhizhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Terrence P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: Ruiping
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Qingyun
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Christopher P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Austin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010146:Pain / Q000378:metabolism; D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide / Q000378:metabolism*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018013:Receptors, Neuropeptide; C083929:neuropeptide FF receptor