Nociceptin

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ), a 17 amino acid neuropeptide, is the endogenous ligand for the nociceptin receptor (NOP, ORL-1). It is derived from the prepronociceptin (ppN/OFQ) protein, as are a further 2 peptides, nocistatin (NS) & NocII. The gene is located on Ch8p21

The N/OFQ-NOP system is found in central and peripheral nervous tissue, where it is well placed to modulate nociception.