Anti-PNOC

Nociception, a pain response mechanism, occurs in response to stimuli that threaten the integrity of an organism. The first synapses produced as a result of the initiation of nociception are modulated by excitatory amino acids (glutamate and aspartate) and many peptides (substance P, CGRP, CCK, endogenous opioids). Nociceptin (also designated orphanin FQ) is a neuronal peptide that is similar to opioid peptides. Nociceptin activates KOR-3 (kappa-type opioid receptor, also designated ORL1), a G protein-coupled receptor. Although similar to dynorphin A, a kappa opioid peptide, nociceptin functions to make animals hyperreactive to nociceptive stimulations. Nociceptin is also involved in locomotor behavior and may be involved in the modulation of synaptic plasticity in learning and memory. Protein function: Nociceptin: Ligand of the opioid receptor-like receptor OPRL1. It may act as a transmitter in the brain by modulating nociceptive and locomotor behavior. May be involved in neuronal differentiation and development. [The UniProt Consortium]