cDNA cloning and regional distribution of a novel member of the opioid receptor family

We have cloned a cDNA for a novel member of the opioid receptor family, designated as ROR-C, from the rat cerebrum cDNA library using the probe derived from the delta-opioid receptor subtype cDNA. The deduced amino acid sequence of ROR-C shows high homology with those of ROR-A (rat delta-opioid receptor subtype), ROR-B (rat mu-subtype) and ROR-D (rat kappa-subtype). RNA blot hybridization and in situ hybridization analysis revealed that ROR-C mRNA is expressed in discrete regions of the rat central nervous system.