Ready-to-use models

OPRL1 Knock-out rat model

for pain, drug addiction and depression

The nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) opioid peptide receptor (NOPr) encoded by the OPRL1 gene is a new member of the opioid receptor family consisting of mu, delta and kappa opioid receptors. The antiopioid properties of its endogenous ligand, N/OFQ provide the receptor interesting potentials in symptoms and processes related to nociception, drug addiction, anxiety & depression and learning & memory.
An OPRL1 Knock-out rat model has been developed by the team of E. Cuppen from the Hubrecht Institute. genOway is making this valuable model available for your research.

Biochemical characterization revealed that the OPRL1 functional protein (nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor) is completely absent in homozygous knock-out rats, and that there is a gene dose- dependent reduction in the expression and function of the nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor in heterozygous knock-out rats. (Figure 1)

Figure 1: Representative [3H]nociceptin autoradio-grams of coronal sections from male OPRL1+/+, OPRL1+/- and OPRL-/- rats show that protein is completely absent in homozygous knockout animals and is reduced in heterozygous animals. Images for all three genotypes were taken from the same experiment. mPFC: Medial prefrontal cortex , OFC: Orbitofrontal cortex, Nacc: Nucleus accumbens, CA1: hippocampal layer, DG: Dentate gyrus, SuG: Superficial gray layer of the superior colliculus, CA2:hippocampal layer, SN: Substantia nigra, CA3:hippocampal layer (J.R.Homberg et al. Neuroscience. 2009.)

The Knock-out of the nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor in the rat does not induce compensatory changes in mu, delta and kappa opioid receptors (Figure 2)

Figure 2: Representative (A) [3H]DAMGO, (B) [3H]deltorphin and (C) [3H]CI-977 autoradiograms of coronal sections from male OPRL1+/+, OPRL1+/- and OPRL-/- rats showing no compensatory changes in mu, delta and kappa opioid receptors mPFC: Medial prefrontal cortex , OFC: Orbitofrontal cortex, Nacc: Nucleus accumbens, CA1: hippocampal layer, SuG: Superficial gray layer of the superior colliculus, SN: Substantia nigra, CA3:hippocampal layer (J.R.Homberg et al. Neuroscience. 2009.)

Rat line information:

• Genetic background is BN, 7+ Wistar
• Rat delivered are SPF / VAF (Specific Pathogen Free/Virus and Antibody Free conditions) certified by Charles River

Reference

Complete knockout of the nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor in the rat does not induce compensatory changes in mu, delta and kappa opioid receptors.
Homberg JR, Mul JD, de Wit E, Cuppen E. Neuroscience. 2009 Sep 29;163(1):308-15.