Neuropeptide Y and gamma-melanocyte stimulating hormone (gamma-MSH) share a common pressor mechanism of action

Endocrine. 2009 Jun;35(3):312-24. doi: 10.1007/s12020-008-9141-3. Epub 2009 Apr 11.

Abstract

Central circuits known to regulate food intake and energy expenditure also affect central cardiovascular regulation. For example, both the melanocortin and neuropeptide Y (NPY) peptide families, known to regulate food intake, also produce central hypertensive effects. Members of both families share a similar C-terminal amino acid residue sequence, RF(Y) amide, a sequence distinct from that required for melanocortin receptor binding. A recently delineated family of RFamide receptors recognizes both of these C-terminal motifs. We now present evidence that an antagonist with Y1 and RFamide receptor activity, BIBO3304, will attenuate the central cardiovascular effects of both gamma-melanocyte stimulating hormone (gamma-MSH) and NPY. The use of synthetic melanocortin and NPY peptide analogs excluded an interaction with melanocortin or Y family receptors. We suggest that the anatomical convergence of NPY and melanocortin neurons on cardiovascular control centers may have pathophysiological implications through a common or similar RFamide receptor(s), much as they converge on other nuclei to coordinately control energy homeostasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arginine / analogs & derivatives
  • Arginine / pharmacology
  • CHO Cells
  • Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena* / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • Energy Metabolism / drug effects
  • Energy Metabolism / physiology
  • Hormone Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Neuropeptide Y / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Neuropeptide Y / metabolism
  • Neuropeptide Y / physiology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Vasomotor System / drug effects
  • Vasomotor System / metabolism
  • Vasomotor System / physiology
  • gamma-MSH / metabolism
  • gamma-MSH / physiology*

Substances

  • Hormone Antagonists
  • Neuropeptide Y
  • gamma-MSH
  • Arginine
  • BIBO 3304