Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens
Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a neuropeptide found in human and mammalian brain, mainly produced by neurons in the amygdala and between Barrington's nucleus and the locus coeruleus, although NPS-responsive neurons extend projections into many other brain areas.[5][6][7] NPS binds specifically to a G protein-coupled receptor, NPSR.[8][9] Animal studies show that NPS suppresses anxiety and appetite, induces wakefulness and hyperactivity, including hyper-sexuality, and plays a significant role in the extinction of conditioned fear.[10][11][12][13][14][15][16] It has also been shown to significantly enhance dopamine activity in the mesolimbic pathway,[16] and inhibits motility and increases permeability in neurocrine fashion acting through NO in the myenteric plexus in rats and humans.[17]
Synthetic ligands
The non-peptide NPS receptor antagonist SHA-68 blocks the effects of NPS in animals and is anxiogenic.[18] Several peptide derived NPS agonists and antagonists have also been developed.[19][20][21][22][23]
Peptide sequence
Below are the sequences of mature neuropeptide S in several representative species in which it is expressed:
species
|
sequence
|
MW
|
human
|
SFRNGVGTGMKKTSFQRAKS
|
2187.5
|
rat
|
SFRNGVGSGVKKTSFRRAKQ
|
2210.5
|
mouse
|
SFRNGVGSGAKKTSFRRAKQ
|
2182.5
|
dog, chimp
|
SFRNGVGTGMKKTSFRRAKS
|
2215.6
|
chicken
|
SFRNGVGSGIKKTSFRRAKS
|
2183.5
|
consensus
|
SFRNGVGxGXKKTSFxRAKx
|
N/A
|
According to Pfam's HMM logo, there is a conserved "KR" cleave site immediately N-terminal to the C-terminal mature peptide.