Endogenous ligand for the ORL1
(Opioid Receptor-Like1) member of the opioid receptor family (pKi
= 8.6). Has no significant activity at μ,
δ or κopioid receptors (pKi < 6).
Meunier et al (1995) Isolation and structure of the endogenous agonist of
opioid receptor-like ORL1 receptor. Nature 377 352. Reinscheid et
al (1995) Orphanin FQ: a neuropeptide that activates an opioid like G
protein coupled receptor. Science 270 792. Henderson and
McKnight (1997) The orphan opioid receptor and its endogenous
ligand-nociceptin/orphanin FQ. TiPS 18 293. Guerriniet
al (2000) Structure-activity relationships of nociceptin and related
peptides: comparison with dynorphin A. Peptides 21 923.