Neuropeptides play crucial, mediatory roles in many processes that occur in both CNS and PNS. The commonly accepted dogma for the release of bioactive peptides involves cleavage of inactive precursor by sequential action of proteinases recognizing dibasic stretches, followed by truncation of C-terminal Arg/Lys by the carboxypeptidase-like enzyme(s). Dynorphin convertases play an important role in CNS by regulating dynorphins level and also releasing enkephalins, thus maintaining a balance between these neuropeptides and their distinct functions (dynorphins are preferentially bound to kappa receptors and enkephalins are directed toward delta receptors). Knowledge on the cleavage fragments of dynorphins is important for understanding the pharmacological activity of these peptides. As some new data emerged in the literature, we would like to update recent achievements and progress concerning functions of such convertases, inhibitors, and their potential role in future pharmacotherapy.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612811319060006 | DOI Listing |
Neuropeptides
October 2017
Groupe de Recherche en Pharmacologie Animal du Québec (GREPAQ), Département de biomédecine vétérinaire, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada. Electronic address:
Tachykinin and opioid neuropeptides play a fundamental role in pain transmission, modulation and inhibition. The proteolysis control of endogenous tachykinin and opioid neuropeptides has a significant impact on pain perception. The role of proprotein convertases (PCs) in the proteolysis of proneuropeptides was previously established but very few studies have shown the direct impact of PCs on the regulation of specific tachykinin and opioid peptides in the central nervous system.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Proteome Res
April 2017
Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, United States.
The neural circuit of the dorsal hippocampus (dHip) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) contributes to cue-induced learning and addictive behaviors, as demonstrated by the escalation of ethanol-seeking behaviors observed following deletion of the adenosine equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) in mice. Here we perform quantitative LC-MS/MS neuroproteomics in the dHip and NAc of ENT1 mice. Using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, we identified proteins associated with increased long-term potentiation, ARP2/3-mediated actin cytoskeleton signaling and protein expression patterns suggesting deficits in glutamate degradation, GABAergic signaling, as well as significant changes in bioenergetics and energy homeostasis (oxidative phosphorylation, TCA cycle, and glycolysis).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeuropeptides
June 2016
Groupe de Recherche en Pharmacologie Animal du Québec (GREPAQ), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Département de Biomédecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada. Electronic address:
Dynorphins are important neuropeptides with a central role in nociception and pain alleviation. Many mechanisms regulate endogenous dynorphin concentrations, including proteolysis. Proprotein convertases (PCs) are widely expressed in the central nervous system and specifically cleave at C-terminal of either a pair of basic amino acids, or a single basic residue.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCereb Cortex
January 2015
Division of Biological Research on Drug Dependence, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences.
Lateralization of the processing of positive and negative emotions and pain suggests an asymmetric distribution of the neurotransmitter systems regulating these functions between the left and right brain hemispheres. By virtue of their ability to selectively mediate euphoria, dysphoria, and pain, the μ-, δ-, and κ-opioid receptors and their endogenous ligands may subserve these lateralized functions. We addressed this hypothesis by comparing the levels of the opioid receptors and peptides in the left and right anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a key area for emotion and pain processing.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurr Pharm Des
July 2013
Department of Biochemistry and Neurobiology, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Science and Technology, Krakow, Poland.
Neuropeptides play crucial, mediatory roles in many processes that occur in both CNS and PNS. The commonly accepted dogma for the release of bioactive peptides involves cleavage of inactive precursor by sequential action of proteinases recognizing dibasic stretches, followed by truncation of C-terminal Arg/Lys by the carboxypeptidase-like enzyme(s). Dynorphin convertases play an important role in CNS by regulating dynorphins level and also releasing enkephalins, thus maintaining a balance between these neuropeptides and their distinct functions (dynorphins are preferentially bound to kappa receptors and enkephalins are directed toward delta receptors).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!