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

Peptides. 2015 Oct:72:192-5. doi: 10.1016/j.peptides.2015.05.011. Epub 2015 Jun 4.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Hypothalamus; Neuropeptides; Pituitary; Receptors.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Genome, Human*
  • Humans
  • Myocardium / metabolism*
  • Pancreas / metabolism*
  • Peptide Hormones / genetics
  • Peptide Hormones / metabolism*

Substances

  • Peptide Hormones
  • neuronostatin, human