title: Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor signaling in the integration of stress and memory.
abstract: Neuropeptides act as signaling molecules that regulate a range of aspects of brain function. Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) is a 27-amino acid mammalian neuropeptide, homolog of the amphibian peptide bombesin. GRP acts by binding to the GRP receptor (GRPR, also called BB2), a member of the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily. GRP produced by neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) plays a role in synaptic transmission by activating GRPRs located on postsynaptic membranes, influencing several aspects of brain function. Here we review the role of GRP/GRPR as a system mediating both stress responses and the formation and expression of memories for fearful events. GRPR signaling might integrate the processing of stress and fear with synaptic plasticity and memory, serving as an important component of the set of neurobiological systems underlying the enhancement of memory storage by aversive information.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Neural Tumor Biology, Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, 90050-170-Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Cancer Research Laboratory, University Hospital Research Center (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), 90035-003 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: rafael.roesler@pq.cnpq.br.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Roesler
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada.
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kent
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphological Sciences, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, 90050-170-Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Luft
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research Laboratory, University Hospital Research Center (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM), 90035-003 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gilberto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schwartsmann
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada; Institute of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada.
authors.forename: Zul
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Merali
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005239:Fear / Q000502:physiology*; D019886:Gastrin-Releasing Peptide / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D018004:Receptors, Bombesin / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018004:Receptors, Bombesin; D019886:Gastrin-Releasing Peptide
keywords: Bombesin receptor; Fear memory; Gastrin-releasing peptide; Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor; Memory consolidation; Stress