News Excerpt:
Researchers have developed and characterized a series of highly selective and sensitive GPCR activation-based sensors (GRABs) for detecting several neuropeptides.
About Neuropeptides:
- Neuropeptides are small chains of amino acids that play vital roles in the endocrine and nervous systems.
- Neuropeptides are important signaling molecules in the brain that control several vital physiological processes, including metabolism, circadian rhythm, digestion, sleep, and higher-order cognitive activities.
- This makes neuropeptide signaling, which is mostly controlled by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), an important target for medications treating a variety of illnesses and ailments, including diabetes, obesity, chronic pain, and sleeplessness.
- There are various neuropeptides:
- Somatostatin (SST)
- Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)
- Cholecystokinin (CCK)
- Neuropeptide Y (NPY)
- Neurotensin (NTS)
- Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP).