L9 - neuropeptide traansmitters Flashcards
what are the families of neuropeptides
- neurokinins (including substance P) -> sensory transmitters
- enkephalins and opioid peptides
- Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and analogues
- vasoactive intestinal Polypeptide (VIP)
- CGRP (calcitonin gene related peptide)
many more
describe neuropeptide synthesis
they are cleaved from larger inactive precursors by enzymes then transported to golgi for packaging into large dense- core vesicles
how was substance P discovered
von euler and goddum were studying ACh when they discovered a substance that was insensitive to atropine but could cause elevated blood pressure and gut smooth muscle contraction
what effect do enkephalins have?
analgesia
are expression levels of neuropeptides constant
no they can vary depending on pathology, or nerve injury
describe the processing of NPY
gene transcribed into precursor which is cleaved giving NPY and CPON (C-terminal peptide of NPY) which is inactive
precursor must have an NH2 group added post-transcriptionally to its C terminal for NP to be active
what two genes are responsible for production of Substance P and NKs
PPT1
PPT2
preprotachykinin 1&2
what are the main neuropeptides produced by PPT1
substance P and NKA
often co expressed
(predominantly found in enteric nervous system)
what are the main neuropeptides produced by PPT2
NKB
where is substance P found
CNS
ENS
sensory nerves
describe the degradation of neuropeptides
non specific unlike other NTs
one enzyme can degrade many neuropeptides
give example of enzyme that degrades neuropeptides and give examples of what it can degrade
enkephalinase
can degrade:
- Met and Leu enkephalins
- SP
- NKA
- NKB
- NPY
describe the mechanism of neuropeptide degradation by enkephalinase (NEP)
NEP -> natural endopeptidase
- enkephalinase cleaves the protein between a Hphobic residue and a tyrosine/phenylalanine
if the peptide doesnt have this in its sequence it wont be degraded by enkephalinase
what effect does phosphoramidon have
phosphoramidon is a high affinity NEP inhibitor and so will prolong and exaggerate effects of Neuropeptides
name a NEP inhibitor
phosphoramidon
what else, other than NEP can degrade NPY
aminopeptidase DPPIV
describe mechanism of degradation of NPY by aminopeptidase DPPIV
- aminopeptidase cleaves 2 AAs from the N terminal of NPY
2. this cleavage forms NPY 3-36
what effect does amiopeptidase degradation have on NPY receptor activation
NPY can activate receptors Y1 and Y2
after degradation to NPY(3-36), this peptide can activate Y2 receptors but not Y1
so aminopeptidase degradation doesnt fully inactivate NPY but changes its singalling ability