Rat neuronal cells in primary culture as a model for nociceptin/orphanin FQ metabolism.

Cortical cells in primary culture contain active proteolytic enzymes capable of cleaving nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) and dynorphins to shorter, bioactive fragments. Cells were divided into subpopulations (neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes), and the metabolic pathways in particular populations of the cells were investigated. Processing of N/OFQ and dynorphins in the cytosolic fractions differed significantly. The proposed cell model can be used for the more detailed studies on the central nervous system proteomics.