Neuropeptides Flashcards
Neuropeptides
Similar in design and function to many peptide hormones of
pituitary or gastrointestinal systems
Many pituitary and GI hormones are
neuroactive and used at
selective sites in the CNS
Far more neuropeptides than
classical neurotransmitters
Far more neuropeptides than classical neurotransmitters Over
100 identified neuroactive peptides currently identified
Far more neuropeptides than classical neurotransmitters how many families and how many genes
At least 10 families, over 90 genes, many responsible for
expression of multiple neuropeptides
Neuroactive peptides derive from
proteins
Peptides formed from
cleavage of
polypeptides
Specific polypeptide precursors are
termed
propeptides or pre-propeptides
Peptides formed from cleavage of
polypeptides inactive proteins that function
exclusively as
precursors to peptides
Neuroactive peptides derive from proteins Contain 2 or more
amino acids linked
by a peptide bond
Neuroactive peptides derive from proteins Smaller than
proteins
Peptide structures * Like proteins, peptides and pre-propeptides
have a
specific sequence of amino acids
Like proteins, peptides and pre-propeptides
have a specific sequence of amino acids
- N- and C-terminus
Peptides with similar structure often have very
different functions
Jellyfish, hydras, and corals often use
e peptides
rather than classical neurotransmitters
Peptides are
Phylogenetically old
Peptides are synthesized as
s polypeptide
precursors, generally at least 90 amino acids
Peptide synthesis Same general process as
protein biosynthesis
Peptide synthesis Occurs only in
cell body
Metabolism to active peptide is
tissue specific
Metabolism to active peptide is tissue specific Most precursors are
expressed in more than
one tissue and the processing is yields tissue
specific peptide
Pre-propeptides typically contain a series of
hydrophobic amino acids at the N-terminus
Pre-propeptides typically contain a series of
hydrophobic amino acids at the N-terminus signaling
sequence targets the transcribed
polypeptide to the endoplasmic reticulum
In the ER the signal sequence is
s cleaved by a
signal peptidase
- Cleavage of the signal sequence produces
an
inactive propeptide
Propeptides are packaged into
large densecore vesicles (LDCV) for transport to the
nerve terminal
Propeptide cleavage to active peptide Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) gene
produces a propeptide for
- α-, β-, and γ- (MSH)
- adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
- β-endorphins
- β- and γ-lipoproteins (LPH)
- Corticotropin-like intermediate peptide
(CLIP)
Propeptide cleavage to
active peptides occurs
inside
trafficking vesicles by
synthesizing peptidases.
Signal peptidases (ER)
Cleave signal sequence from pre-propeptide to generate
propeptide
Synthesizing peptidases (LDCV)
Cleave propeptides to generate neuroactive peptides
Catabolic peptidases (extracellular)
- Cleave active peptides to inactivate signalling
Exopeptidases
cleave single amino acid residues from either end of a peptide
Endopeptidases
cleave peptides within the sequence of the peptide
Catabolic peptidases are typically
exopeptidases
Signalling
synthesizing peptidases are typically
endopeptidases
Neurotransmitter Synthesized in
n the nerve terminal
Neurotransmitter Synthetic machinery transported to
nerve terminal from
soma
Neurotransmitter Released from small
synaptic vesicles by exocytosis
Neurotransmitter Released from small synaptic vesicles by exocytosis Closely coupled to
Ca2+
-channels
Neurotransmitter Released from small synaptic vesicles by exocytosis Relatively low
Ca2+
-sensitivity
Neurotransmitter Released from small synaptic vesicles by exocytosis Ca2+ from
external sources
Neurotransmitter Recycled at the
nerve terminal
Neurotransmitter High concentrations at
nerve terminal
Neurotransmitter High concentrations at nerve terminal
Receptors respond to relatively high concentrations of
NT
Neurotransmitter * Release occurs at
synapse
Neuropeptide Synthesized only in the
cell body
Neuropeptide Synthesized only in the cell body
Propeptides transported to nerve terminal from soma
Neuropeptide Released from
LDCV by exocytosis
Neuropeptide Released from LDCV by exocytosis Distant from sites of
Ca2+
-entry
Neuropeptide Released from LDCV by exocytosis Highly sensitive to
Ca2+
Neuropeptide Released from LDCV by exocytosis Ca2+ from
internal or external sources
Neuropeptides Degraded after
release
Neuropeptide Low concentrations at
nerve terminal
Neuropeptide Low concentrations at nerve terminal
- Receptors respond to relatively low concentrations of
neuropeptides
Neuropeptide Release can be
extrasynaptic
- Neuropeptides are proposed to function as
modulators of classic
neurotransmitter systems
- Neuropeptide release can
strengthen or prolong actions of primary
neurotransmitters