The synthesis and pharmacological activity of novel nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) analogues modified in the Phe(1)-Gly(2) peptide bond are reported. The aim of the present work was to elucidate the importance of this peptide bond for the N/OFQ receptor (NOP) interaction. Our study indicates that the first peptide bond in N/OFQ is important but not crucial for interaction with the N/OFQ receptor; for