Neuronostatin is co-expressed with somatostatin and mobilizes calcium in cultured rat hypothalamic neurons

Neuronostatin regulates neuronal function and energetic metabolism in Alzheimer's disease in a GPR107-dependent manner

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease, which is characterized by the accumulation and aggregation of amyloid in brain. Neuronostatin (NST) is an endogenous peptide hormone that participates in many fundamental neuronal processes. However, the metabolism and function of NST in neurons of AD mice are not known. In this study, by combining the structural analyses, primary cultures, knockout cells, and various assessments, the behavior, histopathology, brain-wide expression and cellular signaling pathways in the APP/PS1 mice were investigated. It was found that NST directly bound to GPR107, which was primarily expressed in neurons. NST modulated the neuronal survivability and neurite outgrowth induced by Aβ via GPR107 in neurons. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of NST attenuated learning and memory abilities, reduced the synaptic protein levels of hippocampus, but improved amyloid plaques in the cortex and hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice. NST modulated glucose metabolism of hypothalamus-hippocampus-cortex axis in APP/PS1 mice and decreased ATP levels via the regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in response to Aβ, suppressed energetic metabolism, and mitochondrial function in neurons via GPR107/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway. In summary, our findings suggest that NST regulates neuronal function and brain energetic metabolism in AD mice via the GPR107/PKA signaling pathway, which can be a promising target for the treatment of AD.

Emerging functions of neuronostatin in physiology, pathology, and potential therapeutics

Neuronostatin, a bioactive peptide hormone, was encoded by pro-somatostatin and discovered using a bioinformatic method in 2008. Neuronostatin is widely expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral tissues, it is also highly conserved among humans, rodents, and even goldfish. The 13 and 19 amino acids and the C-terminal amidation type play important roles in physiological and pathological functions. The present study reviews the roles of neuronostatin in food intake and drinking of water, as well as in the neuroendocrine processes, pain regulation, cardiovascular and circulation function, memory and studies, depression-like effect, and energy metabolism in animals. However, the information on the physiology and pathology of neuronostatin, especially the molecular mechanism, remains scarce. Considering the broad functions of neuronostatin, this endogenous neuropeptide could be a promising therapeutic target for future research and drug design if the exact receptor could be found in humans.

Intrathecal administration of neuronostatin induces an antinociceptive effect in a mouse visceral pain model

Neuronostatin (NST) is a peptide encoded by the somatostatin gene that serves important physiological functions in diverse tissues. Previous studies have shown that intracerebroventricular administration of NST induces antinociceptive effects and hyperalgesic effects as determined by the tail immersion assay and formalin test, respectively. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of intrathecal (i.t.) injection of NST on nociception in a model of visceral pain, and determine possible mechanisms of action in mice. NST (1, 3, 6, or 12 nmol) was administered to mice, leading to a dose‐dependent antinociceptive effect as determined by the acetic acid‐induced writhing test in mice. NST (1 nmol) also enhanced the antinociceptive effect of morphine (2.5 and 5 μg/kg) in the spine. Naloxone and β‐funaltrexamine hydrochloride significantly antagonized the antinociceptive effect of NST. The expression of G‐protein‐coupled receptor 107 (GPR107) protein and the phosphorylation of PKA at Thr197 were increased after i.t. administration of NST, suggesting that the μ‐opioid receptor and GPR107/PKA signaling pathway are involved in the analgesic response. In conclusion, i.t. injection of NST may potentially be used as a new approach in the mediation of visceral pain.

Nesfatin-1 and neuronostatin neurons are co-expressed with glucocorticoid receptors in the hypothalamus

Nesfatin-1 and neuronostatin in the central nervous system participate in regulating stress responses. Glucocorticoid hormones affect the brain through glucocorticoid receptors (GR). We investigated in the rat the possibility of co-localizing nesfatin-1 and neuronostatin neurons in hypothalamic areas with GR. using immunohistochemistry. We counted nesfatin-1 and neuronostatin stained neurons. We counted GR positive nesfatin-1 neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and GR positive neuronostatin neurons in the periventricular nucleus (PeN). The percentage of nesfatin-1 neurons that expressed GR was 38.4% in female rats and 21.9% in male rats in the ARC, and 33.3% in female rats and 29.2% in male rats in the PVN. The percentage of neuronostatin neurons that expressed GR was 39.1% in female rats and 39.9% in male rats in the PeN. We found that a substantial portion of nesfatin-1 and neuronostatin neurons were stained for GR. We speculate that the pattern of GR might permit secretion of neuropeptides to be stimulated by peripheral glucocorticoid signals. Stress can suppress food intake, in part, through the GR in neurons that express nesfatin-1, which is a satiety molecule, and in neurons that express neuronostatin, which is an anorexigenic peptide.

Neuronostatin Promotion Soluble Aβ1-42 Oligomers: Induced Dysfunctional Brain Glucose Metabolism in Mice

Neuronostatin (NST) is an endogenous peptide hormone, it has the ability to improve oligomeric Aβ (oAβ)-induced cognitive impairments and increase blood glucose levels in mice. However, the relationship between NST and oAβ regarding brain glucose metabolism has not yet been established. The present study defined the contributions of NST and oAβ in the brain glucose metabolism in mice. It was found that i.c.v. co-administration of NST (3 nmol/mouse) and oAβ (1 nmol/mouse) decreased the mRNA expressions of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and phosphofructokinase. The treatments were observed to reduce ATP production and the enzyme activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and hexokinase in both the cortex and hippocampus. Simultaneously, co-injection of NST and oAβ inhibited the mRNA and protein expression of glucose transporters GLUT3 and GLUT1 in the cortex and hippocampus. NST promoted the oAβ-induced decreased the cortical NeuN staining, while oAβ increased the levels of NST in both the cortex and hippocampus. I.c.v. co-administration of NST and oAβ led to increase the levels of GPR107 expression and the phosphorylation of PKA, Akt, PERK and eIF-2α in the cortex. These findings suggest that NST promoted oAβ-induced dysfunctional glucose metabolism through the GPR107/PKA/Akt signaling pathway and PERK/eIF2α axis in the brain, which thus contributes to metabolic dysfunction and Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology.

Unleashing the Diagnostic, Prognostic and Therapeutic Potential of the Neuronostatin/GPR107 System in Prostate Cancer

Certain components of the somatostatin-system play relevant roles in Prostate Cancer (PCa), whose most aggressive phenotype (Castration-Resistant-PCa (CRPC)) remains lethal nowadays. However, neuronostatin and the G protein-coupled receptor 107 (GPR107), two novel members of the somatostatin-system, have not been explored yet in PCa. Consequently, we investigated the pathophysiological role of NST/GPR107-system in PCa. GPR107 expression was analyzed in well-characterized PCa patient's cohorts, and functional/mechanistic assays were performed in response to GPR107-silencing and NST-treatment in PCa cells (androgen-dependent (AD: LNCaP) and androgen-independent (AI: 22Rv1/PC-3), which are cell models of hormone-sensitive and CRPC, respectively), and normal prostate cells (RWPE-1 cell-line). GPR107 was overexpressed in PCa and associated with key clinical parameters (e.g., advance stage of PCa, presence of vascular invasion and metastasis). Furthermore, GPR107-silencing inhibited proliferation/migration rates in AI-PCa-cells and altered key genes and oncogenic signaling-pathways involved in PCa aggressiveness (i.e., KI67/CDKN2D/MMP9/PRPF40A, SST5TMD4/AR-v7/In1-ghrelin/EZH2 splicing-variants and AKT-signaling). Interestingly, NST treatment inhibited proliferation/migration only in AI-PCa cells and evoked an identical molecular response than GPR107-silencing. Finally, NST decreased GPR107 expression exclusively in AI-PCa-cells, suggesting that part of the specific antitumor effects of NST could be mediated through a GPR107-downregulation. Altogether, NST/GPR107-system could represent a valuable diagnostic and prognostic tool and a promising novel therapeutic target for PCa and CRPC.

Glutamatergic Activation of Neuronostatin Neurons in the Periventricular Nucleus of the Hypothalamus

Neuronostatin, a newly identified anorexigenic peptide, is present in the central nervous system. We tested the hypothesis that neuronostatin neurons are activated by feeding as a peripheral factor and that the glutamatergic system has regulatory influences on neuronostatin neurons. The first set of experiments analyzed the activation of neuronostatin neurons by refeeding as a physiological stimulus and the effectiveness of the glutamatergic system on this physiological stimulation. The subjects were randomly divided into three groups: the fasting group, refeeding group, and 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX)+refeeding group. We found that refeeding increased the phosphorylated signal transducers and transcription activator-5 (pSTAT5) expression in neuronostatin-positive neurons and that the CNQX injection significantly suppressed the number of pSTAT5-expressing neuronostatin neurons. The second set of experiments analyzed the activation pathways of neuronostatin neurons and the regulating effects of the glutamatergic system on neuronostatin neurons. The animals received intraperitoneal injections of glutamate receptor agonists (kainic acid, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5methyl-4-isoazepropionic acid (AMPA), and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)) or 0.9% NaCl. The number of c-Fos-expressing neuronostatin neurons significantly increased following the AMPA and NMDA injections. In conclusion, we found that the neuronostatin neurons were activated by peripheral or central signals, including food intake and/or glutamatergic innervation, and that the glutamate receptors played an important role in this activation.

Neuronostatin promotes soluble Aβ1-42 oligomers -induced spatial learning and memory impairments in mice

Neuronostatin (NST) is composed of a 13-amino acid and amidated peptide hormone encoded in the somatostatin (SST) gene, and plays an important physiological function in diverse tissues. Previous studies have shown that intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) and intra-hippocampally administration of NST can significantly decrease the percentage of novel object exploration time in the step-down test. In this study, to define the contribution of NST to cognitive impairments induced by soluble Aβ42 oligomers (oAβ), along with the underlying mechanisms. This study used behavioral, biochemical and immunohistological methods to find that i.c.v. administration of NST (3 nmol/mouse) disrupted the ability of spatial learning and memory in mice, led to increase the levels of cAMP, GPR107 protein expression and phosphorylation of PKA at Thr197 in the cortex and hippocampus. NST promoted oAβ (1 nmol/mouse) -induced cognitive impairments, subsequently co-injection of NST and oAβ increased the levels of GPR107 expression and PKA phosphorylation, which also led to hyperactivation of GFAP in the cortex and neuroinflammation cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα) both in the cortex and hippocampus. Moreover, it was demonstrated that co-administration of NST and oAβ had increased the phosphorylation of Akt and GSK3β and reduced the levels of ATP and hexokinase (HK) activity in the cortex. Therefore, taken together, this study provided powerful insight into the mechanism of NST for memory impairments induced by oAβ, and may potentially serve as a promising target for future Alzheimer's disease interventions.

Sustained somatostatin gene expression reverses kindling-induced increases in the number of dividing Type-1 neural stem cells in the hippocampi of behaviorally responsive rats

Neurogenesis persists throughout life in the hippocampi of all mammals, including humans. In the healthy hippocampus, relatively quiescent Type-1 neural stem cells (NSCs) can give rise to more proliferative Type-2a neural progenitor cells (NPCs), which generate neuronal-committed Type-2b NPCs that mature into Type-3 neuroblasts. Many Type-3 neuroblasts survive and mature into functionally integrated granule neurons over several weeks. In kindling models of epilepsy, neurogenesis is drastically upregulated and many new neurons form aberrant connections that could support epileptogenesis and/or seizures. We have shown that sustained vector-mediated hippocampal somatostatin (SST) expression can both block epileptogenesis and reverse seizure susceptibility in fully kindled rats. Here we test whether adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector-mediated sustained SST expression modulates hippocampal neurogenesis and microglial activation in fully kindled rats. We found significantly more dividing Type-1 NSCs and a corresponding increased number of surviving new neurons in the hippocampi of kindled versus sham-kindled rats. Increased numbers of activated microglia were found in the granule cell layer and hilus of kindled rats at both time points. After intrahippocampal injection with either eGFP or SST-eGFP vector, we found similar numbers of dividing Type-1 NSCs and -2 NPCs and surviving BrdU⁺ neurons and glia in the hippocampi of kindled rats. Upon observed variability in responses to SST-eGFP (2/4 rats exhibited Grade 0 seizures in the test session), we conducted an additional experiment. We found significantly fewer dividing Type-1 NSCs in the hippocampi of SST-eGFP vector-treated responder rats (5/13 rats) relative to SST-eGFP vector-treated non-responders and eGFP vector-treated controls that exhibited high-grade seizures on the test session. The number of activated microglia was upregulated in the GCL and hilus of kindled rats, regardless of vector treatment. These data support the hypothesis that sustained SST expression exerts antiepileptic effects potentially through normalization of neurogenesis and suggests that abnormally high proliferating Type-1 NSC numbers may be a cellular mechanism of epilepsy.

Neuronostatin exerts actions on pituitary that are unique from its sibling peptide somatostatin

Neuronostatin, a somatostatin gene-encoded peptide, exerts important physiological and metabolic actions in diverse tissues. However, the direct biological effects of neuronostatin on pituitary function of humans and primates are still unknown. This study used baboon (Papio anubis) primary pituitary cell cultures, a species that closely models human physiology, to demonstrate that neuronostatin inhibits basal, but not ghrelin-/GnRH-stimulated, growth hormone (GH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion in a dose- and time-dependent fashion, without affecting the secretion of other pituitary hormones (prolactin, ACTH, FSH, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)) or changing mRNA levels. Actions of neuronostatin differs from somatostatin which in this study reduced GH/PRL/ACTH/LH/TSH secretion and GH/PRL/POMC/LH gene expression. Remarkably, we found that inhibitory actions of neuronostatin are likely mediated through: (1) the orphan receptor GPCR107 (found to be highly expressed in pituitary compared to somatostatin-receptors), (2) common (i.e. adenylyl cyclase/protein kinase A/MAPK/extra-/intracellular Ca²⁺ mobilization, but not phospholipase C/protein kinase C/mTOR) and distinct (i.e. PI3K) signaling pathways than somatostatin and; (3) dissimilar molecular mechanisms than somatostatin (i.e. upregulation of GPCR107 and downregulation of GHS-R/Kiss1-R expression by neuronostatin and, upregulation of sst1-5 expression by somatostatin). Altogether, the results of this study provide the first evidence that there is a functional neuronostatin signaling circuit, unique from somatostatin, which may work in concert with somatostatin to fine-tune hormone release from somatostropes and gonadotropes.

Phoenixin: a novel brain-gut-skin peptide with multiple bioactivity

In this brief review we summarize the current fndings relative to the discovery of a small peptide ligand, phoenixin (PNX). Using a bioinformatic approach, two novel peptides PNX-14 and PNX-20 containing 14 and 20 amino acids, respectively, were isolated from diverse tissues including the brain, heart, lung and stomach. Mass spectrometry analysis identified a major and minor peak corresponding to PNX-14 and PNX-20, in rat or mouse spinal cord extracts. With the use of a rabbit polyclonal antiserum, phoenixin immunoreactivity (irPNX) was detected in discrete areas of the rodent brain including several hypothalamic subnuclei and dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. In addition, irPNX was detected in a population of sensory ganglion cells including dorsal root ganglion, nodose ganglion and trigeminal ganglion, and in cell processes densely distributed to the superficial layers of the dorsal horn, nucleus of the solitary tract and spinal trigeminal tract. irPNX cell processes were also detected in the skin and myenteric plexus, suggesting a brain-gut and/or brain-skin connection. Pharmacological studies show that PNX-14 injected subcutaneously to the nape of the neck of mice provoked dose-dependent repetitive scratching bouts directed to the back of the neck with the hindpaws. Our result suggests that the peptide PNX-14 and/or PNX-20, may serve as one of the endogenous signal molecules transducing itch sensation. Additionally, results from other laboratories show that exogenous PNX may affect a number of diverse behaviors such as memory formation, depression, reproduction, food-intake and anxiolytic-like behaviors.

Neuronostatin acts via GPR107 to increase cAMP-independent PKA phosphorylation and proglucagon mRNA accumulation in pancreatic α-cells

Neuronostatin (NST) is a recently described peptide that is produced from the somatostatin preprohormone in pancreatic δ-cells. NST has been shown to increase glucagon secretion from primary rat pancreatic islets in low-glucose conditions. Here, we demonstrate that NST increases proglucagon message in α-cells and identify a potential mechanism for NST's cellular activities, including the phosphorylation of PKA following activation of the G protein-coupled receptor, GPR107. GPR107 is abundantly expressed in the pancreas, particularly, in rodent and human α-cells. Compromise of GPR107 in pancreatic α-cells results in failure of NST to increase PKA phosphorylation and proglucagon mRNA levels. We also demonstrate colocalization of GPR107 and NST on both mouse and human pancreatic α-cells. Taken together with our group's observation that NST infusion in conscious rats impairs glucose clearance in response to a glucose challenge and that plasma levels of the peptide are elevated in the fasted compared with the fed or fasted-refed state, these studies support the hypothesis that endogenous NST regulates islet cell function by interacting with GPR107 and initiating signaling in glucagon-producing α-cells.

Understanding peptide biology: The discovery and characterization of the novel hormone, neuronostatin

The Human Genome Project provided the opportunity to use bioinformatic approaches to discover novel, endogenous hormones. Using this approach we have identified two novel peptide hormones and review here our strategy for the identification and characterization of the hormone, neuronostatin. We describe in this mini-review our strategy for determining neuronostatin's actions in brain, heart and pancreas. More importantly, we detail our deductive reasoning strategy for the identification of a neuronostatin receptor and our progress in establishing the physiological relevance of the peptide.

Neuronostatin: peripheral site of action in mouse stomach

Neuronostatin is a 13-amino acid peptide encoded by somatostatin gene. It is distributed in different organs including gastrointestinal tract and has been involved in the control of food intake and gastrointestinal motility, likely through an action in the brain. So far, there are no reports about the occurrence of peripheral action sites in the gut. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to examine, in the mouse, the effects of peripheral administration of neuronostatin on food intake within 24h and on gastrointestinal motility and to analyse neuronostatin actions on the gastric and intestinal mechanical activity in isolated preparations in vitro. When compared with PBS-treated mice, intraperitoneal neuronostatin reduced food intake in doses ranging from 1 to 15ng/g b.w. only in the first hour postinjection with a maximum effect obtained at the dose of 15ng/g b.w. (-46.9%). The peptide (15ng/g b.w.) significantly reduced gastric emptying rate (-31.1%) and gastrointestinal intestinal transit. Non-amidated neuronostatin failed to affect food intake, gastric emptying and intestinal transit, suggesting the specificity of action. In vitro, neuronostatin induced concentration-dependent gastric relaxation, which was abolished by tetrodotoxin. Neuronostatin failed to affect the spontaneous mechanical activity or the evoked cholinergic contractions in duodenum. These results suggest that exogenous neuronostatin is able to reduce mouse gastric motility by acting peripherally in the stomach, through intramural nervous plexuses. This indirectly action could cause reduction of food intake in the short term.

Central action of FGF19 reduces hypothalamic AGRP/NPY neuron activity and improves glucose metabolism

Tight control of glucose excursions has been a long-standing goal of treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in order to ameliorate the morbidity and mortality associated with hyperglycemia. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 19 is a hormone-like enterokine released postprandially that emerged as a potential therapeutic agent for metabolic disorders, including diabetes and obesity. Remarkably, FGF19 treatment has hypoglycemic actions that remain potent in models of genetic and acquired insulin resistance. Here, we provided evidence that the central nervous system responds to FGF19 administered in the periphery. Then, in two mouse models of insulin resistance, leptin-deficiency and high-fat diet feeding, third intra-cerebro-ventricular infusions of FGF19 improved glycemic status, reduced insulin resistance and potentiated insulin signaling in the periphery. In addition, our study highlights a new mechanism of central FGF19 action, involving the suppression of AGRP/NPY neuronal activity. Overall, our work unveils novel regulatory pathways induced by FGF19 that will be useful in the design of novel strategies to control diabetes in obesity.

Phoenixin: a novel peptide in rodent sensory ganglia

Phoenixin-14 amide, herein referred to as phoenixin, is a newly identified peptide from the rat brain. Using a previously characterized rabbit polyclonal antiserum against phoenixin, enzyme-immunoassay detected a high level (>4.5 ng/g tissue) of phoenixin-immunoreactivity (irPNX) in the rat spinal cords. Immunohistochemical studies revealed irPNX in networks of cell processes in the superficial dorsal horn, spinal trigeminal tract and nucleus of the solitary tract; and in a population of dorsal root, trigeminal and nodose ganglion cells. The pattern of distribution of irPNX in the superficial layers of the dorsal horn was similar to that of substance P immunoreactivity (irSP). Double-labeling the dorsal root ganglion sections showed that irPNX and irSP express in different populations of ganglion cells. In awake mice, intrathecal injection of phoenixin (1 or 5 μg) did not significantly affect the tail-flick latency as compared to that in animals injected with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF). Intrathecal administration of phoenixin (0.5, 1.25 or 2.5 μg) significantly reduced the number of writhes elicited by intraperitoneal injection of acetic acid (0.6%, 0.3 ml/30 g) as compared to that in mice injected with aCSF. While not affecting the tail-flick latency, phoenixin antiserum (1:100) injected intrathecally 10 min prior to the intraperitoneal injection of acetic acid significantly increased the number of writhes as compared to mice pre-treated with normal rabbit serum. Intrathecal injection of non-amidated phoenixin (2.5 μg) did not significantly alter the number of writhes evoked by acetic acid. Our result shows that phoenixin is expressed in sensory neurons of the dorsal root, nodose and trigeminal ganglia, the amidated peptide is bioactive, and exogenously administered phoenixin may preferentially suppress visceral as opposed to thermal pain.

Irisin-immunoreactivity in neural and non-neural cells of the rodent

Irisin is a recently identified myokine secreted from the muscle in response to exercise. In the rats and mice, immunohistochemical studies with an antiserum against irisin peptide fragment (42-112), revealed that irisin-immunoreactivity (irIRN) was detected in three types of cells; namely, skeletal muscle cells, cardiomyocytes, and Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. Tissue sections processed with irisin antiserum pre-absorbed with the irisin peptide (42-112) (1 μg/ml) showed no immunoreactivity. Cerebellar Purkinje cells were also immunolabeled with an antiserum against fibronectin type II domain containing 5 (FNDC5), the precursor protein of irisin. Double-labeling of cerebellar sections with irisin antiserum and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) antibody showed that nearly all irIRN Purkinje cells were GAD-positive. Injection of the fluorescence tracer Fluorogold into the vestibular nucleus of the rat medulla retrogradely labeled a population of Purkinje cells, some of which were also irIRN. Our results provide the first evidence of expression of irIRN in the rodent skeletal and cardiac muscle, and in the brain where it is present in GAD-positive Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. Our findings together with reports by others led us to hypothesize a novel neural pathway, which originates from cerebellum Purkinje cells, via several intermediary synapses in the medulla and spinal cord, and regulates adipocyte metabolism.

A novel reproductive peptide, phoenixin

Normal anterior pituitary function is essential for fertility. Release from the gland of the reproductive hormones luteinising hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone is regulated primarily by hypothalamically-derived gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), although other releasing factors (RF) have been postulated to exist. Using a bioinformatic approach, we have identified a novel peptide, phoenixin, that regulates pituitary gonadotrophin secretion by modulating the expression of the GnRH receptor, an action with physiologically relevant consequences. Compromise of phoenixin in vivo using small interfering RNA resulted in the delayed appearance of oestrus and a reduction in GnRH receptor expression in the pituitary. Phoenixin may represent a new class of hypothalamically-derived pituitary priming factors that sensitise the pituitary to the action of other RFs, rather than directly stimulating the fusion of secretary vesicles to pituitary membranes.

Intracerebroventricular administration of neuronostatin delays gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit in mice

Neuronostatin is a 13-amino acid amidated peptide widely distributed in various organs including gastrointestinal tract. However, the effect of neuronostatin on gastrointestinal motility has not been well characterized. In the present work, effects of central administration of neuronostatin on gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit were investigated. The results indicated that intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of neuronostatin (1, 5, 10 or 20nmol/mouse) delayed gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit in a dose-related manner in mice. The effects were significantly reversed by melanocortin 3/4 receptor antagonist SHU9119 or classical opioid receptor antagonist naloxone, suggesting that the central melanocortin system and opioid system may be involved in the gastrointestinal effects elicited by i.c.v. administration of neuronostatin. In addition, we found that C-terminal amidation modification of neuronostatin is essential to exert its gastrointestinal effects. These results indicated that neuronostatin may play an important role in regulating gastrointestinal function.

Central administration of neuronostatin induces antinociception in mice

Neuronostatin, a recently discovered endogenous bioactive peptide, was encoded by pro-mRNA of somatostatin that contributes to modulation of nociception. However, nociceptive effect of neuronostatin is still not fully known. The aim of this study was to evaluate effect of neuronostatin on nociception and elucidate its possible mechanism of action. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of neuronostatin (0.3, 3, 6, 12nmol/mouse) produced a dose- and time-related antinociceptive effect in the tail immersion assay in mice, an acute pain model. The antinociceptive effect of neuronostatin was significantly antagonized by naloxone, and was strongly inhibited by co-injection with β-funaltrexamine or nor-binaltorphimine, but not by naltrindole. Also, melanocortin 3/4 receptor antagonist, SHU9119, completely blocked the effect of neuronostatin. These data indicated the involvement of both μ- and κ-opioid receptors and central melanocortin system in the analgesic response induced by neuronostatin. In addition, neuronostatin (6nmol, i.c.v.) increased c-Fos protein expression in the periaqueductal gray (PAG) and the nucleus raphe magnus (NRM) that have a pivotal role in regulating descending pain pathways. Taken together, this study is the first to reveal that neuronostatin produces antinociceptive effect via opioid and central melanocortin systems, which is associated with an increase in neuronal activity the PAG and NRM.

Intracerebroventricular administration of neuronostatin induces depression-like effect in forced swim test of mice

Neuronostatin is a recently discovered endogenous bioactive peptide that is encoded by pro-mRNA of somatostatin. In the present study, we investigated the effect of neuronostatin on mood regulation in the forced swim test of mice. Our results showed intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of neuronostatin produced an increase in the immobility time, suggesting that neuronostatin induced depression-like effect. In order to rule out the possibility that neuronostatin had increased immobility time by a non-specific reduction in general activity, the effect of neuronostatin on locomotor activity was examined. Neuronostatin had no influence on locomotor activity in mice. In addition, the depression-like effect of neuronostatin was completely reversed by melanocortin 3/4 receptor antagonist SHU9119 or GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline, but not by opioid receptor antagonist naloxone. These data suggested that the depression-like effect induced by i.c.v. administered neuronostatin was dependent upon the central melanocortin system and GABAA receptor. In conclusion, the results of this study report that neuronostatin induces depression-like effect. These findings reveal that neuronostatin is a new neuropeptide with an important role in regulating depressive behavior.

The melanocortins, not oxytocin, mediate the anorexigenic and antidipsogenic effects of neuronostatin

Neuronostatin, a recently discovered peptide derived from the somatostatin preprohormone, significantly inhibited both food and water intake when administered centrally in adult male rats. Because neuronostatin is highly produced in the hypothalamus, an area of the brain through which important feeding circuits, including the central melanocortin system, communicate, we sought to determine if the anorexigenic and antidipsogenic effects of neuronostatin would be reversed by pretreatment with the melanocortin 3/4 receptor antagonist, SHU9119. SHU9119 pretreatment reversed the effect of neuronostatin on both food and water intake. We have shown recently that the central oxytocin system is a potential downstream mediator of the anorexignic action of alpha-MSH. We therefore tested whether the effects of neuronostatin also were dependent upon central oxytocin receptors. Neuronostatin-induced anorexia was not reversed by pretreatment with the oxytocin receptor antagonist, OVT, suggesting that neuronostatin acts through a unique subset of POMC neurons that do not signal via central oxytocin receptors.