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Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ Peptide in Hypothalamic Neurones Associated with the Control of Feeding Behaviour
Author(s) -
Maolood N.,
Meister B.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of neuroendocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.062
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1365-2826
pISSN - 0953-8194
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2009.01946.x
Subject(s) - nociceptin receptor , medicine , endocrinology , orexin , arc (geometry) , chemistry , orexigenic , hypothalamus , neuropeptide , neuropeptide y receptor , arcuate nucleus , melanin concentrating hormone , receptor , opioid peptide , biology , opioid , geometry , mathematics
Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ), an endogenous peptide agonist of the opioid N/OFQ receptor, has been implicated in the regulation of energy balance. In the present study, we have used immunohistochemistry to investigate the cellular localisation and colocalisation of N/OFQ‐immunoreactive cell bodies in hypothalamic regions containing neurones producing orexigenic or anorexigenic transmitters. In colchicine‐treated rats, N/OFQ immunoreactivity was demonstrated in many cell bodies of the arcuate nucleus (Arc), paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and lateral hypothalamic area (LHA). Double‐labelling revealed that N/OFQ was present in some neurones located in the ventrolateral part of the Arc producing pro‐opiomelanocortin, as shown by the presence of the anorexigenic peptides α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) and cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript and, occasionally, in single neurones of the ventrolateral Arc producing orexigenic agouti‐related peptide, but not neuropeptide Y. N/OFQ immunoreactivity was also demonstrated in a few tyrosine hydroxylase‐ or dynorphin (DYN)‐containing neurones in the dorsomedial part of the Arc. In the parvocellular PVN, N/OFQ was demonstrated in some thyrotrophin‐releasing hormone‐ or DYN‐, but not corticotrophin‐releasing hormone‐containing neurones. Most N/OFQ‐immunoreactive neurones in the LHA contained orexin‐ and DYN, but not melanin‐concentrating hormone. The results obtained, demonstrating the presence of N/OFQ in some α‐MSH‐ and in many orexin‐containing neurones, suggest a functional relationship between these neuropeptides and N/OFQ in the control of feeding behaviour and body weight.