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Minireview: Characterization of Influence of Central Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ on Consummatory Behavior

Minnesota Obesity Center, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417; and University of Minnesota, Department of Psychiatry, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Allen S. Levine, Ph.D., Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Research Service (151), One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417. E-mail: allenl{at}umn.edu.

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ), a peptide closely related to dynorphin A, is the endogenous agonist of the NOP receptor that moderately increases food intake under various conditions. Its orexigenic properties are mediated by the brain circuitry. In the present review, we focus on discussing the nature of hyperphagic effects of N/OFQ with special emphasis on its function within feeding-related neural networks. Although some of N/OFQ’s orexigenic effects resemble those induced by opioids, reward-dependent feeding appears to be affected in a different manner by agonists of the NOP and classical opioid receptors. Also, data suggest that N/OFQ may not only promote feeding initiation, but rather its role may be to inhibit signaling responsible for inhibition of consummatory behavior. Central systems involved in termination of feeding that seem to be influenced by N/OFQ encompass oxytocin, -MSH, and CRH.

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