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Fang C, Zhang J, Wan Y, Li Z, Qi F, Dang Y, Li J, Wang Y. Neuropeptide S (NPS) and its receptor (NPSR1) in chickens: cloning, tissue expression, and functional analysis. Poult Sci 2021; 100:101445. [PMID: 34634709 PMCID: PMC8507198 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2021.101445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptide S (NPS) and its receptor neuropeptide S receptor 1 (NPSR1) have been suggested to regulate many physiological processes in the central nervous system (CNS), such as arousal, anxiety, and food intake in mammals and birds, however, the functionality and tissue expression of this NPS-NPSR1 system remain unknown in birds. Here, we cloned NPS and NPSR1 cDNAs from the chicken brain and reported their functionality and tissue expression. The cloned chicken NPS is predicted to encode a mature NPS peptide of 20 amino acids, which shows a remarkable sequence identity (∼94%) among tetrapod species examined, while NPSR1 encodes a receptor of 373 amino acids conserved across vertebrates. Using cell-based luciferase reporter systems, we demonstrated that chicken NPS could potently activate NPSR1 expressed in vitro and thus stimulates multiple signaling pathways, including calcium mobilization, cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A (cAMP/PKA), and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling pathways, indicating that NPS actions could be mediated by NPSR1 in birds. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that NPS and NPSR1 are widely expressed in chicken tissues, including the hypothalamus, and NPSR1 expression is likely controlled by a promoter upstream exon 1, which shows strong promoter activities in cultured DF-1 cells. Taken together, our data provide the first proof that the avian NPS-NPSR1 system is functional and helps to explore the conserved role of NPS and NPSR1 signaling in tetrapods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Fang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China; The Brain Cognition & Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jiannan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Yiping Wan
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Zejiao Li
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Feiyang Qi
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Yuanhao Dang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Juan Li
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Yajun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-resources and Eco-environment of Ministry of Education, Animal Disease Prevention and Food Safety Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China.
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The Neural Network of Neuropeptide S (NPS): Implications in Food Intake and Gastrointestinal Functions. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14040293. [PMID: 33810221 PMCID: PMC8065993 DOI: 10.3390/ph14040293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Neuropeptide S (NPS), a 20 amino acids peptide, is recognized as the endogenous ligand of a previously orphan G protein-coupled receptor, now termed NPS receptor (NPSR). The limited distribution of the NPS-expressing neurons in few regions of the brainstem is in contrast with the extensive expression of NPSR in the rodent central nervous system, suggesting the involvement of this receptor in several brain functions. In particular, NPS promotes locomotor activity, behavioral arousal, wakefulness, and unexpectedly, at the same time, it exerts anxiolytic-like properties. Intriguingly, the NPS system is implicated in the rewarding properties of drugs of abuse and in the regulation of food intake. Here, we focus on the anorexigenic effect of NPS, centrally injected in different brain areas, in both sated and fasted animals, fed with standard or palatable food, and, in addition, on its influence in the gastrointestinal tract. Further investigations, regarding the role of the NPS/NPSR system and its potential interaction with other neurotransmitters could be useful to understand the mechanisms underlying its action and to develop novel pharmacological tools for the treatment of aberrant feeding patterns and obesity.
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