title: Novel neuropeptides as ligands of orphan G protein-coupled receptors.
abstract: Neuropeptides control a wide spectrum of physiological functions. They are central to our understanding of brain functions. They exert their actions by interacting with specific G protein-coupled receptors. We however have not found all the neuropeptides that exist in organisms. The search for novel neuropeptides is thus of great interest as it will lead to a better understanding of brain function and disorders. In this review, we will discuss the historical as well as the current approaches to neuropeptide discovery, with a particular emphasis on the orphan GPCR-based strategies. We will also discuss two novel peptides, neuropeptide S and neuromedin S, as examples of the impact of neuropeptide discovery on our understanding of brain functions. Finally, the challenges facing neuropeptide discovery will be discussed.
authors: Department of Pharmacology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, United States.
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Zhang
authors: Zhiwei
authors: Z
authors: Wang
authors: Gregory Scott
authors: GS
authors: Parks
authors: Olivier
authors: O
authors: Civelli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands; D009479:Neuropeptides; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; C497950:neuromedin S; C506531:neuropeptide S, human