Aplysia allatotropin-related peptide and its newly identified d-amino acid-containing epimer both activate a receptor and a neuronal target.

l- to d-residue isomerization is a post-translational modification (PTM) present in neuropeptides, peptide hormones, and peptide toxins from several animals. In most cases, the d-residue is critical for the biological function of the resulting d-amino acid-containing peptide (DAACP). Here, we provide an example in native neuropeptides in which the DAACP and its all-l-amino acid epimer are both active at their newly identified receptor and at a neuronal target associated with feeding behavior.

Newly Identified Aplysia SPTR-Gene Family-Derived Peptides: Localization and Function.

When individual neurons in a circuit contain multiple neuropeptides, these peptides can target different sets of follower neurons. This endows the circuit with a certain degree of flexibility. Here we identified a novel family of peptides, the Aplysia SPTR-Gene Family-Derived peptides (apSPTR-GF-DPs).

[Anti-tumor effect and impact on tumor immune microenvironment of tumor-targeted Salmonella VNP20009].

Salmonella is a gram-negative bacterium that has an ability of tumor-targeting growth and proliferation. Attenuated Salmonella VNP20009 is a virulence genes-knockout bacterial strain based on Salmonella typhimurium, and it has an advantage of good therapeutic effect and low toxicity. One of the mechanisms of anti-tumor effect of VNP20009 is the induction of inflammatory reaction within tumor tissues.