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Chen X, Feng Y, Dai S, Guo B, Yan L, Liu J, Zhu H. Advances in research on spexin-mediated regulation of reproductive function in vertebrates. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1422711. [PMID: 38915898 PMCID: PMC11194384 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1422711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Spexin (SPX, NPQ) is a 14-amino acid neuroactive peptide identified using bioinformatics. This amino acid sequence of the mature spexin peptide has been highly conserved during species evolution and is widely distributed in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues and organs. Therefore, spexin may play a role in various biological functions. Spexin, the cognate ligand for GALR2/3, acting as a neuromodulator or endocrine signaling factor, can inhibit reproductive performance. However, controversies and gaps in knowledge persist regarding spexin-mediated regulation of animal reproductive functions. This review focuses on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of spexin on reproduction. Through this review, we aim to enhance understanding and obtain in-depth insights into the regulation of reproduction by spexin peptides, thereby providing a scientific basis for future investigations into the molecular mechanisms underlying the influence of spexin on reproductive function. Such investigations hold potential benefits for optimizing farming practices in livestock, poultry, and fish industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuyan Feng
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shudi Dai
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Binbin Guo
- Key Laboratory of Crop and Livestock Integration, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Animal Breeding, Nanjing, China
| | - Leyan Yan
- Key Laboratory of Crop and Livestock Integration, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Animal Breeding, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Key Laboratory of Crop and Livestock Integration, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Animal Breeding, Nanjing, China
| | - Huanxi Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Crop and Livestock Integration, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Precision Animal Breeding, Nanjing, China
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Meng F, Yu Y, Li J, Han X, Du X, Cao X, Liang Q, Huang A, Kong F, Huang L, Zeng X, Bu G. Characterization of spexin (SPX) in chickens: molecular cloning, functional analysis, tissue expression and its involvement in appetite regulation. Poult Sci 2022; 102:102279. [PMID: 36402041 PMCID: PMC9673105 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2022.102279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Spexin (SPX) is a conservative tetradecapeptide which has been proven to participate in multiple physiological processes, including anxiety, feed intake, and energy metabolism in fish and mammals. However, whether SPX exists and functions in birds remain largely unknown. Using chicken (c-) as a model, the full-length cDNA encoding cSPX precursor was cloned, and it was predicted to generate a mature peptide with 14 amino acids conserved across vertebrates. The pGL4-SRE-luciferase reporter system-based functional analysis demonstrated that cSPX was effective in activating chicken galanin type Ⅱ receptor (cGALR2), cGALR2-like receptor (cGALR2L) and galanin type Ⅲ receptor (cGALR3), thus to stimulate intracellular MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that SPX was widely expressed in chicken tissues, especially abundant in the central nervous system, pituitary, testes, and pancreas. Interestingly, it was noted that chicken hypothalamic SPX mRNA could be up-regulated by 24-h and 36-h fasting, heralding its latent capacity in appetite regulation. In accordance with this speculation, peripheral injection of cSPX was proved to be functional in reducing feed intake of 3-wk-old chicks. Furthermore, we found that cSPX could reduce the expression of AgRP and MCH, with a concurrent rise in CART1 mRNA level in the hypothalamic of chicks. Collectively, our findings not only provide the evidences that SPX can act as a satiety factor by orchestrating the expression of key feeding regulators in the chicken hypothalamus but also help to facilitate a better understanding of its functional evolution across vertebrates.
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Liu J, Dai S, Shao X, Wei C, Dai Z, Yang P, Lei M, Chen R, Zhu H. Spexin mRNA profile and its response to different photoperiods in Chinese Yangzhou geese (Anas cygnoides). Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:961431. [PMID: 36118333 PMCID: PMC9479540 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.961431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Spexin (SPX, NPQ), a novel neuropeptide composed of 14 amino acid residues, is evolutionarily conserved among different species. Spexin has been suggested to have pleiotropic functions in mammals. However, reports on spexin in birds are limited. To clarify the role of spexin in goose reproduction, the spexin gene was cloned and analyzed. Analysis of tissue distribution by RT-PCR showed that the expression of spexin and its two receptors was widespread. During the long photoperiod, the expression levels of spexin in the pituitary and hypothalamus and of GALR2/3 in the pituitary decreased, and the GnRH, LHβ, and FSHβ expression levels increased significantly. This suggests that a long photoperiod regulates reproductive activities by activating the gonadotrope-axis, which is modulated by decreased spexin levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- Key Laboratory of Crop and Livestock Integration, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Shudi Dai
- School of Life Science, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Xibing Shao
- Anhui Tianzhi-jiao Goose Industry Co., Ltd., Chuzhou, China
| | - Chuankun Wei
- Anhui Tianzhi-jiao Goose Industry Co., Ltd., Chuzhou, China
| | - Zichun Dai
- Key Laboratory of Crop and Livestock Integration, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Pengxia Yang
- Key Laboratory of Crop and Livestock Integration, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Mingming Lei
- Key Laboratory of Crop and Livestock Integration, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Rong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Crop and Livestock Integration, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Huanxi Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Crop and Livestock Integration, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanjing, China
- Institute of Animal Science, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Huanxi Zhu
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Mohd Zahir I, Ogawa S, Dominic NA, Soga T, Parhar IS. Spexin and Galanin in Metabolic Functions and Social Behaviors With a Focus on Non-Mammalian Vertebrates. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:882772. [PMID: 35692389 PMCID: PMC9174643 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.882772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Spexin (SPX) and galanin (GAL) are two neuropeptides that are phylogenetically related and have descended from a common ancestral gene. Considerable attention has been given to these two multifunctional neuropeptides because they share GAL receptors 1,2, and 3. Since GAL and SPX-synthesizing neurons have been detected in several brain areas, therefore, it can be speculated that SPX and GAL are involved in various neurophysiological functions. Several studies have shown the functions of these two neuropeptides in energy regulation, reproduction, and response to stress. SPX acts as a satiety factor to suppress food intake, while GAL has the opposite effect as an orexigenic factor. There is evidence that SPX acts as an inhibitor of reproductive functions by suppressing gonadotropin release, while GAL modulates the activity of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons in the brain and gonadotropic cells in the pituitary. SPX and GAL are responsive to stress. Furthermore, SPX can act as an anxiolytic factor, while GAL exerts anti-depressant and pro-depressive effects depending on the receptor it binds. This review describes evidence supporting the central roles of SPX and GAL neuropeptides in energy balance, reproduction, stress, and social behaviors, with a particular focus on non-mammalian vertebrate systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izzati Mohd Zahir
- Brain Research Institute Monash Sunway, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Satoshi Ogawa
- Brain Research Institute Monash Sunway, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
| | | | - Tomoko Soga
- Brain Research Institute Monash Sunway, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
| | - Ishwar S. Parhar
- Brain Research Institute Monash Sunway, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
- *Correspondence: Ishwar S. Parhar,
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Ogawa S, Parhar IS. Functions of habenula in reproduction and socio-reproductive behaviours. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 64:100964. [PMID: 34793817 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2021.100964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Habenula is an evolutionarily conserved structure in the brain of vertebrates. Recent reports have drawn attention to the habenula as a processing centre for emotional decision-making and its role in psychiatric disorders. Emotional decision-making process is also known to be closely associated with reproductive conditions. The habenula receives innervations from reproductive centres within the brain and signals from key reproductive neuroendocrine regulators such as gonadal sex steroids, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), and kisspeptin. In this review, based on morphological, biochemical, physiological, and pharmacological evidence we discuss an emerging role of the habenula in reproduction. Further, we discuss the modulatory role of reproductive endocrine factors in the habenula and their association with socio-reproductive behaviours such as mating, anxiety and aggression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Ogawa
- Brain Research Institute, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ishwar S Parhar
- Brain Research Institute, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Spexin: Its role, regulation, and therapeutic potential in the hypothalamus. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 233:108033. [PMID: 34763011 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.108033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Spexin is the most recently discovered member of the galanin/kisspeptin/spexin family of peptides. This 14-amino acid peptide is highly conserved and is implicated in homeostatic functions including, but not limited to, metabolism, energy homeostasis, and reproduction. Spexin is expressed by neurons in the hypothalamus, which coordinate energy homeostasis and reproduction. Critically, levels of spexin appear to be altered in disorders related to energy homeostasis and reproduction, such as obesity, diabetes, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. In this review, we discuss the evidence for the involvement of spexin in the hypothalamic control of energy homeostasis and reproduction. The anorexigenic properties of spexin have been attributed to its effects on the energy-regulating neuropeptide Y/agouti-related peptide neurons and proopiomelanocortin neurons. While the role of spexin in reproduction remains unclear, there is evidence that gonadotropin-releasing hormone expressing neurons may produce and respond to spexin. Furthermore, we discuss the disorders and concomitant treatments, which have been reported to alter spexin expression, as well as the underlying signaling mechanisms that may be involved. Finally, we discuss the biochemical basis of spexin, its interaction with its cognate receptors, and how this information can be adapted to develop therapeutics for disorders related to the alteration of energy homeostasis and reproduction.
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