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Toll L, Cippitelli A, Ozawa A. The NOP Receptor System in Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders: Discrepancies, Peculiarities and Clinical Progress in Developing Targeted Therapies. CNS Drugs 2021; 35:591-607. [PMID: 34057709 PMCID: PMC8279133 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-021-00821-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The nociceptin opioid peptide (NOP) receptor and its endogenous ligand nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) are the fourth members of the opioid receptor and opioid peptide families. Although they have considerable sequence homology to the other family members, they are not considered opioid per se because they do not have pharmacological profiles similar to the other family members. The number of NOP receptors in the brain is higher than the other family members, and NOP receptors can be found throughout the brain. Because of the widespread distribution of NOP receptors, N/OFQ and other peptide and small molecule agonists and antagonists have extensive CNS activities. Originally thought to be anti-opioid, NOP receptor agonists block some opioid activities, potentiate others, and modulate other activities not affected by traditional opiates. Because the effect of receptor activation can be dependent upon site of administration, state of the animal, and other variables, the study of NOP receptors has been fraught with contradictions and inconsistencies. In this article, the actions and controversies pertaining to NOP receptor activation and inhibition are discussed with respect to CNS disorders including pain (acute, chronic, and migraine), drug abuse, anxiety and depression. In addition, progress towards clinical use of NOP receptor-directed compounds is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence Toll
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Rd, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA.
| | - Andrea Cippitelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Rd, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA
| | - Akihiko Ozawa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Rd, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA
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Park JY, Chae S, Kim CS, Kim YJ, Yi HJ, Han E, Joo Y, Hong S, Yun JW, Kim H, Shin KH. Role of nociceptin/orphanin FQ and nociceptin opioid peptide receptor in depression and antidepressant effects of nociceptin opioid peptide receptor antagonists. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF PHARMACOLOGY 2019; 23:427-448. [PMID: 31680765 PMCID: PMC6819898 DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2019.23.6.427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 08/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) and its receptor, nociceptin opioid peptide (NOP) receptor, are localized in brain areas implicated in depression including the amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, habenula, and monoaminergic nuclei in the brain stem. N/OFQ inhibits neuronal excitability of monoaminergic neurons and monoamine release from their terminals by activation of G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying K+ channels and inhibition of voltage sensitive calcium channels, respectively. Therefore, NOP receptor antagonists have been proposed as a potential antidepressant. Indeed, mounting evidence shows that NOP receptor antagonists have antidepressant-like effects in various preclinical animal models of depression, and recent clinical studies again confirmed the idea that blockade of NOP receptor signaling could provide a novel strategy for the treatment of depression. In this review, we describe the pharmacological effects of N/OFQ in relation to depression and explore the possible mechanism of NOP receptor antagonists as potential antidepressants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong Yung Park
- Department of Pharmacology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Suji Chae
- Department of Pharmacology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Chang Seop Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Yoon Jae Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Hyun Joo Yi
- Department of Pharmacology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Eunjoo Han
- Department of Pharmacology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Youngshin Joo
- Department of Pharmacology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Surim Hong
- Department of Pharmacology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Jae Won Yun
- Department of Pharmacology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Hyojung Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Kyung Ho Shin
- Department of Pharmacology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Korea
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Holanda VAD, Santos WB, Asth L, Guerrini R, Calo' G, Ruzza C, Gavioli EC. NOP agonists prevent the antidepressant-like effects of nortriptyline and fluoxetine but not R-ketamine. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:3093-3102. [PMID: 30145654 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-5004-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is the endogenous ligand of a Gi protein-coupled receptor named NOP. Both N/OFQ and NOP receptor are widely expressed in brain areas involved in the control of emotional processes. Clinical and preclinical studies support antidepressant effects due to the blockade of NOP receptor signaling. By contrast, NOP receptor activation did not evoke any change in behavioral despair tests. OBJECTIVES The present study aimed to investigate the effects of the co-administration of NOP agonists and classic antidepressant drugs in the forced swimming test (FST) and learned helplessness model (LH) in mice. METHODS Male Swiss mice were co-administered with NOP agonists (N/OFQ and Ro 65-6570) and antidepressants (nortriptyline, fluoxetine, and R-ketamine) or SB-612111 (NOP antagonist) and the behavioral effects were assessed in the FST and LH tests. RESULTS Fluoxetine, nortriptyline, R-ketamine and the NOP antagonist SB-612111 displayed antidepressant-like effects in the FST. The administration of the NOP agonists N/OFQ and Ro 65-6570 did not induce any behavioral change. However, co-administration of NOP agonists blocked the antidepressant effects of SB-612111, fluoxetine, and nortriptyline, but not R-ketamine in the FST. Similarly, in the LH, the systemic injection of SB-612111, nortriptyline, and R-ketamine reversed helplessness. The co-administration of Ro 65-6570 blocked the antidepressant-like effects of SB-612111 and nortriptyline, but not R-ketamine. CONCLUSIONS NOP receptor activation inhibits the acute antidepressant effects of nortriptyline and fluoxetine, but not R-ketamine. The present findings contribute to further understand the role played by the N/OFQ-NOP receptor system in regulating mood states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor A D Holanda
- Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Senador Salgado Filho, sn, Campus Universitário, Lagoa Nova, Natal, 59072-970, Brazil
| | - Wilton B Santos
- Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Senador Salgado Filho, sn, Campus Universitário, Lagoa Nova, Natal, 59072-970, Brazil
| | - Laila Asth
- Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Senador Salgado Filho, sn, Campus Universitário, Lagoa Nova, Natal, 59072-970, Brazil
| | - Remo Guerrini
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Girolamo Calo'
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Chiara Ruzza
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Elaine C Gavioli
- Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Senador Salgado Filho, sn, Campus Universitário, Lagoa Nova, Natal, 59072-970, Brazil.
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McHugh KL, Kelly JP. Modulation of the central opioid system as an antidepressant target in rodent models. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2018; 239:49-87. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2018.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Lutfy K, Zaveri NT. The Nociceptin Receptor as an Emerging Molecular Target for Cocaine Addiction. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2015; 137:149-81. [PMID: 26810001 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2015.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine addiction is a global public health and socioeconomic issue that requires pharmacological and cognitive therapies. Currently there are no FDA-approved medications to treat cocaine addiction. However, in preclinical studies, interventions ranging from herbal medicine to deep-brain stimulation have shown promise for the therapy of cocaine addiction. Recent developments in molecular biology, pharmacology, and medicinal chemistry have enabled scientists to identify novel molecular targets along the pathways involved in drug addiction. In 1994, a receptor that showed a great deal of homology to the traditional opioid receptors was characterized. However, endogenous and exogenous opioids failed to bind to this receptor, which led scientists to name it opioid receptor-like receptor, now referred to as the nociceptin receptor. The endogenous ligand of NOPr was identified a year later and named orphanin FQ/nociceptin. Nociceptin and NOPr are widely distributed throughout the CNS and are involved in many physiological responses, such as food intake, nociceptive processing, neurotransmitter release, etc. Furthermore, exogenous nociceptin has been shown to regulate the activity of mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons, glutamate, and opioid systems, and the stress circuit. Importantly, exogenous nociceptin has been shown to reduce the rewarding and addictive actions of a number of drugs of abuse, such as psychostimulants, alcohol, and opioids. This paper reviews the existing literature on the role of endogenous nociceptin in the rewarding and addictive actions of cocaine. The effect of exogenous nociceptin on these processes is also reviewed. Furthermore, the effects of novel small-molecule NOPr ligands on these actions of cocaine are discussed. Overall, a review of the literature suggests that NOPr could be an emerging target for cocaine addiction pharmacotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kabirullah Lutfy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, USA.
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Abstract
This paper is the thirty-sixth consecutive installment of the annual review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system. It summarizes papers published during 2013 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides, opioid receptors, opioid agonists and opioid antagonists. The particular topics that continue to be covered include the molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors related to behavior, and the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia; stress and social status; tolerance and dependence; learning and memory; eating and drinking; alcohol and drugs of abuse; sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology; mental illness and mood; seizures and neurologic disorders; electrical-related activity and neurophysiology; general activity and locomotion; gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions; cardiovascular responses; respiration and thermoregulation; and immunological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Bodnar
- Department of Psychology and Neuropsychology Doctoral Sub-Program, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, United States.
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Filaferro M, Ruggieri V, Novi C, Calò G, Cifani C, Micioni Di Bonaventura MV, Sandrini M, Vitale G. Functional antagonism between nociceptin/orphanin FQ and corticotropin-releasing factor in rat anxiety-related behaviors: involvement of the serotonergic system. Neuropeptides 2014; 48:189-97. [PMID: 24894718 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2014.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2013] [Revised: 05/05/2014] [Accepted: 05/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) acts as an anxiolytic-like agent in the rat and behaves as a functional antagonist of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) due to its ability to oppose CRF biological actions. In response to stress, CRF triggers changes in neurotransmitter systems including serotonin (5-HT). The role of 5-HT1A receptor in anxiety has been supported by preclinical and clinical studies. The present study investigated the possible functional antagonism between N/OFQ (1nmol/rat) and CRF (0.2nmol/rat) in anxiety-related conditions in rats, using elevated plus maze and defensive burying tests, in order to confirm previous literature results. Moreover, possible changes in the serotonergic system were studied in areas rich of serotonergic neurons: frontal cortex and pons. In both tests N/OFQ showed anxiolytic-like effects while CRF displayed anxiogenic-like effects. N/OFQ before CRF treatment counteracted the anxiogenic-like effects evoked by CRF. In frontal cortex, N/OFQ significantly decreased 5-HT levels but did not modify the hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) ones; CRF modified neither 5-HT nor 5-HIAA content but counteracted changes induced by N/OFQ alone. In pons, N/OFQ induced no change in serotonergic activity while CRF significantly decreased 5-HT levels and increased 5-HIAA content. The two peptides' combination reinstated serotonergic parameters to controls. In frontal cortex, N/OFQ increased the 5HT1A receptor density but reduced its affinity, while CRF alone did not induce any change. In pons, CRF decreased 5HT1ABmax and KD whereas N/OFQ was ineffective. All biochemical modifications were reverted by N/OFQ plus CRF treatment. The present study confirms that N/OFQ counteracts CRF anxiogenic-like effects in the behavioral tests evaluated. These effects may involve central serotonergic mechanisms since N/OFQ plus CRF induces a reversion of serotonergic changes provoked by single peptide. Our data support the hypothesis that N/OFQ may behave as functional CRF antagonist, this action being of interest for the treatment of anxiety disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Filaferro
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic Sciences and Neurosciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - V Ruggieri
- Department of Life Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - C Novi
- Department of Life Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - G Calò
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Via Fossato di Mortara 19, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - C Cifani
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Macerata, Italy
| | - M V Micioni Di Bonaventura
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Macerata, Italy
| | - M Sandrini
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic Sciences and Neurosciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - G Vitale
- Department of Life Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy.
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