Neuromedin U: A Multifunctional Neuropeptide with Pleiotropic Roles
| Autor: | Lorraine O'Driscoll, Vanesa G. Martinez |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2015 |
| Předmět: |
medicine.medical_specialty
Molecular Sequence Data Clinical Biochemistry Neuropeptide Blood Pressure Biology 03 medical and health sciences chemistry.chemical_compound 0302 clinical medicine Internal medicine medicine Animals Homeostasis Humans Tissue Distribution Amino Acid Sequence Receptor 030304 developmental biology 0303 health sciences Sequence Homology Amino Acid Neuropeptides Biochemistry (medical) Muscle Smooth Feeding Behavior 3. Good health Endocrinology chemistry Blood Circulation Uterine smooth muscle contraction Neurokinin A Neurokinin B Signal transduction 030217 neurology & neurosurgery Neuromedin U Muscle Contraction Signal Transduction Neurotensin |
| Zdroj: | Clinical Chemistry. 61:471-482 |
| ISSN: | 1530-8561 0009-9147 |
| DOI: | 10.1373/clinchem.2014.231753 |
| Popis: | BACKGROUNDNeuromedin U (NmU) belongs to the neuromedin family, comprising a series of neuropeptides involved in the gut–brain axis and including neuromedins B and C (bombesin-like), K (neurokinin B), L (neurokinin A or neurotensin), N, S, and U.CONTENTAlthough initially isolated from porcine spinal cord on the basis of their ability to induce uterine smooth muscle contraction, these peptides have now been found to be expressed in several different tissues and have been ascribed numerous functions, from appetite regulation and energy balance control to muscle contraction and tumor progression. NmU has been detected in several species to date, particularly in mammals (pig, rat, rabbit, dog, guinea pig, human), but also in amphibian, avian, and fish species. The NmU sequence is highly conserved across different species, indicating that this peptide is ancient and plays an important biological role. Here, we summarize the main structural and functional characteristics of NmU and describe its many roles, highlighting the jack-of-all-trades nature of this neuropeptide.SUMMARYNmU involvement in key processes has outlined the possibility that this neuropeptide could be a novel target for the treatment of obesity and cancer, among other disorders. Although the potential for NmU as a therapeutic target is obvious, the multiple functions of this molecule should be taken into account when designing an approach to targeting NmU and/or its receptors. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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