Objective  The gene related to an important neuroendocrine receptor of NPFF (neuropeptide FF), NPFFR2 (Neuropeptide FF receptor 2), that participates in the regulation of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRT) and anxiety-like behaviors was analyzed for study on the stress response of Minxinan black rabbit.

  Method  NPFFR2 was cloned, sequenced, and analyzed.

  Result  Two transcript variants of NPFFR2 from Minxinan black rabbits were cloned to show the contents of 1 815 bp and 1 824 bp nucleic acid sequences. They had same sequences in 5′-UTR and coding region but multiple mutations in 3′-UTR. The predicted mRNA secondary structure displayed multiple mutations in the 3′-UTR which could cause changes on the structure as well as the function of NPFFR2. The phylogenetic analysis indicated the NPFFR2 from the rabbit was most closely related to that from Homo sapiens. According to the predicted protein structure and subcellular location, NPFFR2 protein belonged to the G protein-coupled receptors family and had 414 amino acids and 7 transmembrane α-helixes.

  Conclusion  Two transcript variants of NPFFR2 from Minxinan black rabbits were cloned. The structures and functions of the transcripts and translated proteins were predicted by bioinformatics obtained. The results would be helpful for further study on the functions of NPFFR2 of Minxinan black rabbit.