Neuropeptide Y (13-36), amide, human (Neuropeptide Y (13-36), human)

Neuropeptide Y receptor subtypes, Y1 and Y2

Heterogeneity among NPY (and PYY) receptors was first proposed on the basis of studies on sympathetic neuroeffector junctions, where NPY (and PYY) can exert three types of action: 1) a direct (e.g., vasoconstrictor) response; 2) a postjunctional potentiating effect on NE-evoked vasoconstriction; and 3) a prejunctional suppression of stimulated NE release; the two latter phenomena are probably reciprocal, since NE affect NPY mechanisms similarly. It was found that amidated C-terminal NPY (or PYY) fragments, e.g., NPY 13-36, could stimulate selectively prejunctional NPY/PYY receptors, which were termed Y2-receptors. Consequently, the postjunctional receptors which were activated poorly by NPY/PYY fragments, were termed Y1-receptors. Later work has indicated that the Y2-receptor may occur postjunctionally in selected sympathetic effector systems. The central nervous system appears to contain a mixture of Y1- and Y2-receptors as indicated by functional as well as binding studies. For instance, NPY and NPY 13-36 produced diametrically opposite effects on behavioral activity, indicating the action of the parent peptide on two distinct receptors. Cell lines, most importantly neuroblastomas, with exclusive populations of Y1- or Y2-receptors, have been characterized by binding and second messenger studies. In this work, selectiveagonists for the two receptor subtypes were used. Work of many investigators has formed the basis for subclassifying NPY/PYY effects being mediated by either Y1- or Y2-receptors. A preliminary subclassification based on effects of NPY, PYY, fragments and/or analogs is provided in Table 6. It is, however, to be expected that further receptor heterogeneity will be revealed in the future. It is argued that mast cells possess atypical NPY/PYY receptors. The histamine release associated with stimulation of the latter receptors may, at least in part, underlie the capacity of NPY as well as of short C-terminal fragments to reduce blood pressure. Fragments, such as NPY 22-36, appear to be relatively selective vasodepressor agents because of their weak vasopressor properties.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Structure of prejunctional receptor binding analog of human neuropeptide Y dimer ANA-NPY

Human neuropeptide Y (NPY) analog ANA-NPY or [L17, Q19, A20, A23, L28, L31]NPY (13-36)-amide binds weakly to postjunctional receptors to raise blood pressure but binds tightly to prejunctional receptors to inhibit neurotransmitter release. ANA-NPY forms a well-conserved anti-parallel helical structure overlapping E23-Y36 with strong amphipathic character. The C-terminal portions of the monomers are better defined than the N-terminal ends. The N-terminal helices extend only from D16-E23/L24. The prejunctional receptor-specific binding site is confined within the C-terminal helices while the residues responsible for partial binding to the postjunctional receptors are located in the more disordered N-terminal segments.

Conformational analysis of neuropeptide Y segments by CD, NMR spectroscopy and restrained molecular dynamics

Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a peptide amide comprising 36 residue has been shown to act as a potent vasoconstrictor. In order to shed light on the structural requirements for the biological activities with respect to the different prerequisites for affinity to the NPY receptor subtypes Y1 and Y2, in the present study the syntheses and conformational analyses of two C-terminal segments, NPY(18-36) and NPY(13-36), are described. The results obtained by CD measurements, two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy and a conformational refinement of the NMR-derived structure by molecular mechanics stimulations support the findings of previously published structure-activity relationship studies for biologically active and selective compounds. In particular, the alpha-helical conformation as well as an appropriate exposure of the side chains of the critical C-terminal dipeptide within NPY(18-36) are in agreement with the prerequisites proposed for Y2 receptor binding of that segment.

Neuropeptide Y receptor in pig spleen: binding characteristics, reduction of cyclic AMP formation and calcium antagonist inhibition of vasoconstriction

Specific, high-affinity binding sites for 125I-porcine neuropeptide Y (NPY) were demonstrated in membranes from the pig spleen. The equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) of the receptor 125I-NPY complex was 532 +/- 87 pM and the maximal number of specific binding sites (Bmax) 23 +/- 3 fmol/mg protein. The Scatchard plot for 125I-NPY binding under equilibrium conditions showed a best-fit to a straight line, whereas the dissociation appeared biphasic. 125I-NPY binding was unaffected by adrenoceptor antagonists and was inhibited by the guanosine triphosphate (GTP) analogue guanylylimidodiphosphate, suggesting regulation by a GTP binding protein. A series of NPY analogues showed a good correlation between binding, inhibition of forskolin-induced cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) formation and vasoconstrictor activity in vivo. A large carboxyl terminal portion of NPY and the carboxyl terminal amide were essential for binding, inhibition of cAMP formation and vasoconstrictor effects. The NPY fragment 13-36, which has been reported to act only on prejunctional NPY receptors, showed only a 10-fold lower potency than NPY-(1-36) both in binding to splenic membranes and vasoconstrictor activity in vivo. Phenylephrine increased phosphatidyl inositol turnover whereas NPY-(1-36) or -(13-36) did not induce formation of inositol phosphates. The calcium antagonists felodipine and nifedipine attenuated the splenic vasoconstrictor response to NPY in vivo but not the NPY-evoked inhibition of cAMP accumulation or the specific binding of 125I-NPY.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Treatment strategies targeting excess hippocampal activity benefit aged rats with cognitive impairment

Excess neural activity in the CA3 region of the hippocampus has been linked to memory impairment in aged rats. We tested whether interventions aimed at reducing this excess activity would improve memory performance. Aged (24 to 28 months old) male Long-Evans rats were characterized in a spatial memory task known to depend on the functional integrity of the hippocampus, such that aged rats with identified memory impairment were used in a series of experiments. Overexpression of the inhibitory neuropeptide Y 13-36 in the CA3 via adeno-associated viral transduction was found to improve hippocampal-dependent long-term memory in aged rats, which had been characterized with impairment. Subsequent experiments with two commonly used antiepileptic agents, sodium valproate and levetiracetam, similarly produced dose-dependent memory improvement in such aged rats. Improved spatial memory with low doses of these agents was observed in both appetitve and aversive spatial tasks. The benefits of these different modalities of treatment are consistent with the concept that excess activity in the CA3 region of the hippocampus is a dysfunctional condition that may have a key role underlying age-related impairment in hippocampal-dependent memory processes. Because increased hippocampal activation occurs in age-related memory impairment in humans as observed in functional neuroimaging, the current findings also suggest that low doses of certain antiepileptic drugs in cognitively impaired elderly humans may have therapeutic potential and point to novel targets for this indication.