Neuromedin U induces an invasive phenotype in CRC cells expressing the NMUR2 receptor.

Background: Successful colorectal cancer (CRC) therapy often depends on the accurate identification of primary tumours with invasive potential. There is still a lack of identified pathological factors associated with disease recurrence that could help in making treatment decisions. Neuromedin U (NMU) is a secretory neuropeptide that was first isolated from the porcine spinal cord, and it has emerged as a novel factor involved in the tumorigenesis and/or metastasis of many types of cancers.

Effects of neuromedin U-8 on stress responsiveness and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activity in male C57BL/6J mice.

Neuromedin U (NMU) is a highly conserved neuropeptide that has been implicated in the stress response. To better understand how it influences various aspects of the stress response, we studied the effects of intracerebroventricular NMU-8 administration on stress-related behavior and activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in male C57BL/6J mice. We investigated these NMU-8 effects when mice remained in their home cage and when they were challenged by exposure to forced swim stress.

Neuromedin U and Structural Analogs: An Overview of their Structure, Function and Selectivity.

The neuromedin U peptide sequence is highly conserved between various species. Neuromedin U is involved in a variety of physiological processes. It exerts its effects via two neuromedin U receptors, NMUR1 and NMUR2.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Stabilized and Selective Neuromedin U-1 Receptor Agonists.

Neuromedin U (NMU) is a multifunctional neuropeptide which is characterized by a high conservation through all species. Herein, we describe the synthesis of a novel set of NMU-analogs based on the truncated NMU-8. Through combination of previously reported modifications, an elaborate structure-activity relationship study was performed aiming for the development of peptides with an increased selectivity toward NMU receptor 1 (NMUR1).

Development of potent and proteolytically stable human neuromedin U receptor agonists.

Neuromedin U (NMU) is a highly conserved endogenous peptide that is involved in a wide range of physiological processes such as regulation of feeding behavior, the stress response and nociception. The major limitation to use NMU as a therapeutic is its short half-life. Here, we describe the development of a set of novel NMU-analogs based on NMU-8, by introducing unnatural amino acids into the native sequence.

Challenges for the in vivo quantification of brain neuropeptides using microdialysis sampling and LC-MS.

In recent years, neuropeptides and their receptors have received an increased interest in neuropharmacological research. Although these molecules are considered relatively small compared with proteins, their in vivo quantification using microdialysis is more challenging than for small molecules. Low microdialysis recoveries, aspecific adsorption and the presence of various multiply charged precursor ions during ESI-MS/MS detection hampers the in vivo quantification of these low abundant biomolecules.

In-depth behavioral characterization of the corticosterone mouse model and the critical involvement of housing conditions.

Depression and anxiety are disabling and highly prevalent psychiatric disorders. To better understand the neurobiological basis of mood and anxiety disorders, relevant animal models are needed. The corticosterone mouse model is frequently used to study depression.

Neuropeptide FF receptors as novel targets for limbic seizure attenuation.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a well established anticonvulsant and first-in-class antiepileptic neuropeptide. In this study, the controversial role of NPY1 receptors in epilepsy was reassessed by testing two highly selective NPY1 receptor ligands and a mixed NPY1/NPFF receptor antagonist BIBP3226 in a rat model for limbic seizures. While BIBP3226 significantly attenuated the pilocarpine-induced seizures, neither of the highly selective NPY1 receptor ligands altered the seizure severity.