Orphan G Protein Coupled Receptors And Novel Neuropeptides

Over the last decade it has been shown that orphan G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) can be used as targets to discover novel neuropeptides. A dozen neuropeptides have been identified through this approach. Each of these neuropeptides has opened new doors for our understanding of fundamental physiological or behavioral responses. For example the orexins, MCH and ghrelin carry fundamental roles in regulating food intake while neuropeptide S, neuromedin S, the prokineticins and the orexins are major players in modulating sleep and circadian rhythms. The chapters of this book review the latest research in the field, most of them are written by the original discoverers of the respective novel neuropeptide. Emphasis is set not only on their discovery but also on their functional significance. Since many of these neuropeptides are part of drug discovery programs, this book impacts academic as well as pharmaceutical research.

Over the last decade it has been shown that orphan G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) can be used as targets to discover novel neuropeptides. A dozen neuropeptides have been identified through this approach. Each of these neuropeptides has opened new doors for our understanding of fundamental physiological or behavioral responses. For example the orexins, MCH and ghrelin carry fundamental roles in regulating food intake while neuropeptide S, neuromedin S, the prokineticins and the orexins are major players in modulating sleep and circadian rhythms. The chapters of this book review the latest research in the field, most of them are written by the original discoverers of the respective novel neuropeptide. Emphasis is set not only on their discovery but also on their functional significance. Since many of these neuropeptides are part of drug discovery programs, this book impacts academic as well as pharmaceutical research.

Neuropeptides mediate their effects by binding and activating receptors that are responsible for converting these extracellular stimuli into intracellular responses. Most neuropeptides interact with G protein-coupled receptors that transduce the signal by activating heterotrimeric G proteins leading to alterations in second messenger systems to amplify the signal and elicit the intracellular response. In this review, we describe the general structure of G protein-coupled receptors including the information obtained from crystal structure determination that has given an insight into the activation mechanism of these receptors. In addition, we summarize the components of the signal transduction system (including G proteins, effectors and second messengers generally activated by the neuropeptide receptors). Using select examples of neuropeptide-receptor systems, we highlight the neuropeptides and corresponding receptors involved in modulation of pain and analgesia, body weight regulation, and hormonal regulation. Finally, we discuss the enzyme-linked tyrosine kinase receptors activated by growth factors and discuss the emerging concepts in targeting neuropeptide receptors for the identification of novel therapeutics targeting these systems. Table of Contents: Abbreviations / Overview of Neuropeptide Receptors / G Protein-Coupled Receptors: General Structure & Function / G Protein-Coupled Receptor Signaling / Neuropeptide Processing and Regulation / Neuropeptide Receptors / Perspectives / References

A comprehensive survey of the many recent advances in the field of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). The authors describe the current knowledge of GPCR receptor structure and function, the different mechanisms involved in the regulation of GPCR function, and the role of pharmacological chaperones in GPCR folding and maturation. They also present new findings about how GPCR dimerization/oligomerization modifies the properties of individual receptors and show how recent developments are leading to significant advances in drug discovery, such as the detection of ligands for orphan GPCRs. Also discussed are the most recent developments that could lead to new drug discoveries: the role of GPCRs in mediating pain, the development of receptor-type selective drugs based on the structural plasticity of receptor activation, and the identification of natural ligands of orphan GPCRs (deorphanization) as possible drug targets.

The broad range of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) encompasses all areas of modern medicine and have an enormous impact on the process of drug development. Using disease-oriented methods to cover everything from screening to expression and crystallization, G Protein-Coupled Receptors in Drug Discovery describes the physiological roles of GPCRs

Document from the year 2016 in the subject Biology - Evolution, grade: -, Agricultural University of Tirana, language: English, abstract: G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are members of a large protein family that share common structural motifs, including seven transmembrane helices, and play pivotal roles in cell-to-cell communications and in the regulation of cell functions. GPR103 is an orphan GPCR that shows similarities with orexin, neuropeptide FF, and cholecystokinin receptors. In humans, 26RFa/QRFP has been found to be an endogenous ligand for the orphan receptor, GPR103 and it is one of the RFamide peptides, which have been shown to exert important neuroendocrine, behavioural, sensory and autonomic functions. All the information we have till know couldn' be available if we didn't know the evolution of this important proteins and the relative interactions, which were discovered recently to be important for the regulation of locomotor activity, sleep and these neuropeptides and receptors exert neuroprotective effect in Alzheimer's Disease. Anyway, there is a long way to be walked on, because there is a need of additional information, while studing the molecular evolution of these proteins and peptides. What is the Molecular Evolution? In the First chapter the readers can find all about this branch of science and the problems this branch had overcomed in order to bring to the scientific community the molecularisation of the evolution concepts. In the following chapter to the readers is presented a descriptive overview of G-proteins and G-protein coupled receptor. In the other chapters it is also presented 26RFA/QRFP and pyroglutamylated RFamide peptide receptor (QRFPR) molecular evolution, where it is described the molecular phylogeny and the functional implication. It is even shown the unique study regarding the presence on natural selection (positive or negative selection) during the evolution of QRFPRs in mammals and fish species. In the end of

Molecular Neuroendocrinology: From Genome to Physiology, provides researchers and students with a critical examination of the steps being taken to decipher genome complexity in the context of the expression, regulation and physiological functions of genes in neuroendocrine systems. The 19 chapters are divided into four sectors: A) describes and explores the genome, its evolution, expression and the mechanisms that contribute to protein, and hence biological, diversity. B) discusses the mechanisms that enhance peptide and protein diversity beyond what is encoded in the genome through post-translational modification. C) considers the molecular tools that today’s neuroendocrinologists can use to study the regulation and function of neuroendocrine genes within the context of the intact organism. D) presents a range of case studies that exemplify the state-of-the-art application of genomic technologies in physiological and behavioural experiments that seek to better understand complex biological processes. • Written by a team of internationally renowned researchers • Both print and enhanced e-book versions are available • Illustrated in full colour throughout This is the third volume in a new Series ‘Masterclass in Neuroendocrinology’ , a co- publication between Wiley and the INF (International Neuroendocrine Federation) that aims to illustrate highest standards and encourage the use of the latest technologies in basic and clinical research and hopes to provide inspiration for further exploration into the exciting field of neuroendocrinology. Series Editors: John A. Russell, University of Edinburgh, UK and William E. Armstrong, The University of Tennessee, USA

The need to continually discover new agents for the control or treatment of invertebrate pests and pathogens is undeniable. Agriculture, both animal and plant, succeeds only to the extent that arthropod and helminth consumers, vectors and pathogens can be kept at bay. Humans and their companion animals are also plagued by invertebrate parasites. The deployment of chemical agents for these purposes inevitably elicits the selection of resistant populations of the targets of control, necessitating a regular introduction of new kinds of molecules. Experience in other areas of chemotherapy has shown that a thorough understanding of the biology of disease is an essential platform upon which to build a discovery program. Unfortunately, investment of research resources into understanding the basic physiology of invertebrates as a strategy to illuminate new molecular targets for pesticide and parasiticide discovery has been scarce, and the pace of introduction of new molecules for these indications has been slowed as a result. An exciting and so far unexploited area to explore in this regard is invertebrate neuropeptide physiology. This book was assembled to focus attention on this promising field by compiling a comprehensive review of recent research on neuropeptides in arthropods and helminths, with contributions from many of the leading laboratories working on these systems.