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Neuropeptide S
Justin P. Smith
What are they?
• Small protein-like molecules (peptides)
• Used by neurons to communicate
• Influence activity, act on neuronal surface
receptors
• NPSR- G-protein coupled receptor
– Stimulates Ca++ and cAMP
NPS Structure
Discovered via reverse pharmacology, deorphanized receptor
NPS functional role in:
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Anxiety
Arousal
Locomotion
Food intake
Memory
Drug addiction
NPS expression
• Co-expressed with excitatory
neurotransmitters
• Additional (+) input to postsynaptic target of
excitatory neurons
• Anxiolytic-like effects
– EPM, light-dark box, open field, elevated zero
maze
– No effect in: Tail suspension or forced swim
NPSR
• NPSR mRNA- expressed in stress related areas
– Amygdala
– BNST
– Hypothalamus
– Raphe Nucleus
– Ventral tegmental area
• Pre-synaptic inhibitory effects of NPS on 5-HT
and NE in cortex, role in anxiolytic effect?
NPS & Learning and Memory
• Regulation of learning process
– Interferes with contextual expression of fear
memory (but not auditory)
– Facilitates conditioned fear response extinction
(when injected into amygdala)
• Improved memory
– Novel object recognition test
– Morris water maze
When finding articles
• Neuroscience and behavior
• Use this review as a starting point
– Check to see what the groups mentioned herein
are doing now
– Key words extravaganza
– Pick what interests you!
– Ask me or Dr. Summers for help