Pain regulation by nocistatin-targeting molecules: G protein-coupled-receptor and nocistatin-interacting protein

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) and nocistatin (NST) are neuropeptides produced from the same precursor protein. N/OFQ is involved in a broad range of central functions including pain, learning, memory, anxiety, and feeding. However, NST has opposite effects on various central functions evoked by N/OFQ. The regulation of their receptors may be important for these opposite functions of NST and N/OFQ. Although N/OFQ binds to a specific N/OFQ receptor, the target molecule of NST remains unclear. Some biological effects of NST are mediated by a G protein-coupled receptor. Furthermore, using high-performance affinity nanobeads, we recently identified a 4-nitrophenylphosphatase domain and nonneuronal SNAP25-like protein homolog 1 (NIPSNAP1) as a protein that interacts with NST in the mouse spinal cord. The inhibition of N/OFQ-evoked tactile pain allodynia by NST is mediated by NIPSNAP1. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms of pain regulation by the target molecules of NST including a G protein-coupled receptor and NIPSNAP1.