Identification of multiple neuropeptide Y receptor subtypes in the human frontal cortex

Agrp-negative arcuate NPY neurons drive feeding under positive energy balance via altering leptin responsiveness in POMC neurons

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) is known as one of the most critical regulators of feeding. However, how NPY promotes feeding under obese conditions is unclear. Here, we show that positive energy balance, induced by high-fat diet (HFD) or in genetically obese leptin-receptor-deficient mice, leads to elevated Npy2r expression especially on proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons, which also alters leptin responsiveness. Circuit mapping identified a subset of ARC agouti-related peptide (Agrp)-negative NPY neurons that control these Npy2r expressing POMC neurons. Chemogenetic activation of this newly discovered circuitry strongly drives feeding, while optogenetic inhibition reduces feeding. Consistent with that, lack of Npy2r on POMC neurons leads to reduced food intake and fat mass. This suggests that under energy surplus conditions, when ARC NPY levels generally drop, high-affinity NPY2R on POMC neurons is still able to drive food intake and enhance obesity development via NPY released predominantly from Agrp-negative NPY neurons.

Differential NPY-Y1 Receptor Density in the Motor Cortex of ALS Patients and Familial Model of ALS

Destabilization of faciliatory and inhibitory circuits is an important feature of corticomotor pathology in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). While GABAergic inputs to upper motor neurons are reduced in models of the disease, less understood is the involvement of peptidergic inputs to upper motor neurons in ALS. The neuropeptide Y (NPY) system has been shown to confer neuroprotection against numerous pathogenic mechanisms implicated in ALS. However, little is known about how the NPY system functions in the motor system. Herein, we investigate post-synaptic NPY signaling on upper motor neurons in the rodent and human motor cortex, and on cortical neuron populations in vitro. Using immunohistochemistry, we show the increased density of NPY-Y1 receptors on the soma of SMI32-positive upper motor neurons in post-mortem ALS cases and SOD1^G93A excitatory cortical neurons in vitro. Analysis of receptor density on Thy1-YFP-H-positive upper motor neurons in wild-type and SOD1^G93A mouse tissue revealed that the distribution of NPY-Y1 receptors was changed on the apical processes at early-symptomatic and late-symptomatic disease stages. Together, our data demonstrate the differential density of NPY-Y1 receptors on upper motor neurons in a familial model of ALS and in ALS cases, indicating a novel pathway that may be targeted to modulate upper motor neuron activity.

Pathogenic or protective? Neuropeptide Y in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is an endogenous peptide of the central and enteric nervous systems which has gained significant interest as a potential neuroprotective agent for treatment of neurodegenerative disease. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an aggressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor deficits and motor neuron loss. In ALS, recent evidence from ALS patients and animal models has indicated that NPY may have a role in the disease pathogenesis. Increased NPY levels were found to correlate with disease progression in ALS patients. Similarly, NPY expression is increased in the motor cortex of ALS mice by end stages of the disease. Although the functional consequence of increased NPY levels in ALS is currently unknown, NPY has been shown to exert a diverse range of neuroprotective roles in other neurodegenerative diseases; through modulation of potassium channel activity, increased production of neurotrophins, inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy, reduction of excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and hyperexcitability. Several of these mechanisms and signalling pathways are heavily implicated in the pathogenesis of ALS. Therefore, in this review, we discuss possible effects of NPY and NPY-receptor signalling in the ALS disease context, as determining NPY's contribution to, or impact on, ALS disease mechanisms will be essential for future studies investigating the NPY system as a therapeutic strategy in this devastating disease.

Neuropeptide Y Y2 receptor in health and disease

We briefly survey the current knowledge and concepts regarding structure and function of the neuropeptide Y Y2 receptor and its agonists, especially as related to pharmacology of the receptor and its roles in pathological processes. Specific structural features are considered that could be responsible for the known compartmentalization and participation of the receptor in cell and tissue organization. This is further discussed in relation to changes of levels of the Y2 receptor in pathological conditions (especially in epilepsy and drug abuse), to endocytosis and recycling, and to participation in wound healing, retinopathy and angiogenesis. Properties of the receptor and of Y2 agonists are considered and reviewed in connection to the negative regulation of transmitter release, feeding, mood and social behavior. The possible involvement of the Y2 receptor in diabetes, carcinogenesis and bone formation is also reviewed.

Distribution of neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive neurons in the human brainstem, cerebellum, and cortex during development

1. Neuropeptide Y is found throughout the central nervous system where it appears to play a wide range of often poorly understood functions. In this study, the distribution of neuropeptide Y immunoreactive (NPY-ir) neurons in the brainstem, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex of human fetuses ranging in age from 11 gestational weeks to term was investigated by immunohistochemistry. 2. The NPY-ir cells were detected in the dorsal and ventral rostral midbrain and the interpeduncular nucleus by 21 weeks and 32 weeks of gestation, respectively. Although no positive cells were found in the pons, the NPY-ir fibers were detected there at 32 gestational weeks. 3. The vagal, hypoglossal, and olivary nuclei of the medulla oblongata contained immunoreactive cells by week 21 and the medullary reticular formation by week 25 of gestation. In most of these locations, both the number and size of neuropeptide Y positive cells were greater at birth and reached maximal values of 100-400 cells per 1 mm2 and 2-5 microm in diameter, respectively. 4. In the cerebellum, numerous NPY-ir horizontal and granule cells, as well as the cells within the dentate nucleus were observed as early as 21 weeks of gestation. 5. The NPY-ir cells were also detected in the developing cerebral cortex, with the earliest activity observed within the temporal cortex at 14 weeks of gestation. By week 21, positive cells appeared in the visual, frontal, sensory, and motor cortices. Most of these cells were bipolar or multipolar in morphology but their numbers at birth were relatively low. 6. Our results show a wide distribution of the NPY-ir cells in the developing human brain and offer supporting evidence for the important modulatory role of NPY in both the fetus and adult.

Receptor autoradiography as mean to explore the possible functional relevance of neuropeptides: focus on new agonists and antagonists to study natriuretic peptides, neuropeptide Y and calcitonin gene-related peptides

Over the past 20 years, receptor autoradiography has proven most useful to provide clues as to the role of various families of peptides expressed in the brain. Early on, we used this method to investigate the possible roles of various brain peptides. Natriuretic peptide (NP), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and calcitonin (CT) peptide families are widely distributed in the peripheral and central nervous system and induced multiple biological effects by activating plasma membrane receptor proteins. The NP family includes atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP). The NPY family is composed of at least three peptides NPY, peptide YY (PYY) and the pancreatic polypeptides (PPs). The CT family includes CT, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), amylin (AMY), adrenomedullin (AM) and two newly isolated peptides, intermedin and calcitonin receptor-stimulating peptide (CRSP). Using quantitative receptor autoradiography as well as selective agonists and antagonists for each peptide family, in vivo and in vitro assays revealed complex pharmacological responses and radioligand binding profile. The existence of heterogeneous populations of NP, NPY and CT/CGRP receptors has been confirmed by cloning. Three NP receptors have been cloned. One is a single-transmembrane clearance receptor (NPR-C) while the other two known as CG-A (or NPR-A) and CG-B (or NPR-B) are coupled to guanylate cyclase. Five NPY receptors have been cloned designated as Y(1), Y(2), Y(4), Y(5) and y(6). All NPY receptors belong to the seven-transmembrane G-protein coupled receptors family (GPCRs; subfamily type I). CGRP, AMY and AM receptors are complexes which include a GPCR (the CT receptor or CTR and calcitonin receptor-like receptor or CRLR) and a single-transmembrane domain protein known as receptor-activity-modifying-proteins (RAMPs) as well as an intracellular protein named receptor-component-protein (RCP). We review here tools that are currently available in order to target each NP, NPY and CT/CGRP receptor subtype and establish their respective pathophysiological relevance.

Development and characterization of a highly selective neuropeptide Y Y5 receptor agonist radioligand: [125I][hPP1-17, Ala31, Aib32]NPY

(1) The existence of multiple classes of neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptors (Y(1), Y(2), Y(4), Y(5) and y(6)) is now well established. However, one of the major difficulties in the study of these various receptor subtypes is the current lack of highly selective probes to investigate a single receptor class. Up to most recently, this was particularly true for the Y(4) and Y(5) subtypes. (2) [hPP(1-17), Ala(31), Aib(32)]NPY, the first highly selective Y(5) agonist, was iodinated using the chloramine T method and purified by high-pressure liquid chromatography. (3) Binding performed in rat brain homogenates revealed that equilibrium was reached after 120 min (t(1/2)=21 min) and 60 min (t(1/2)=12 min) at 25 and 100 pM [(125)I][hPP(1-17), Ala(31), Aib(32)]NPY, respectively. (4) Isotherm saturation binding experiments demonstrated that [(125)I][hPP(1-17), Ala(31), Aib(32)]NPY binds to an apparent single population with high-affinity (K(D) of 1.2 and 1.7 nM) and low-capacity (B(max) of 14+/-3 fmol/100,000 cells and 20+/-5 fmol/mg protein) sites in Y(5) receptor HEK293-transfected cells and rat brain membrane homogenates, respectively. No specific [(125)I][hPP(1-17), Ala(31), Aib(32)]NPY binding sites could be detected in Y(1), Y(2) or Y(4) receptors transfected HEK293 cells, demonstrating the high selectivity of this ligand for the Y(5) subtype. (5) Competition binding experiments performed in rat brain membrane homogenates and Y(5)-receptor transfected HEK293 cells demonstrated that specific [(125)I][hPP(1-17), Ala(31), Aib(32)]NPY binding was competed with high affinity by Y(5) agonists and antagonists such as [Ala(31), Aib(32)]NPY, [hPP(1-17), Ala(31), Aib(32)]NPY, hPP, CGP71683A and JCF109, but not by Y(1) (BIBP3226), Y(2) (BIIE0246) and Y(1)/Y(4) (GR231118) preferential ligands. (6) Taken together, these data demonstrate that [(125)I][hPP(1-17), Ala(31), Aib(32)]NPY is the first highly selective Y(5) radioligand to be developed. This new probe should prove most useful for further detailed studies of the molecular and pharmacological properties of this receptor subtype in brain and peripheral tissues.

[(125)I]-GR231118: a high affinity radioligand to investigate neuropeptide Y Y(1) and Y(4) receptors

GR231118 (also known as 1229U91 and GW1229), a purported Y(1) antagonist and Y(4) agonist was radiolabelled using the chloramine T method. [(125)I]-GR231118 binding reached equilibrium within 10 min at room temperature and remained stable for at least 4 h. Saturation binding experiments showed that [(125)I]-GR231118 binds with very high affinity (K(d) of 0.09 - 0.24 nM) in transfected HEK293 cells with the rat Y(1) and Y(4) receptor cDNA and in rat brain membrane homogenates. No specific binding sites could be detected in HEK293 cells transfected with the rat Y(2) or Y(5) receptor cDNA demonstrating the absence of significant affinity of GR231118 for these two receptor classes. Competition binding experiments revealed that specific [(125)I]-GR231118 binding in rat brain homogenates is most similar to that observed in HEK293 cells transfected with the rat Y(1), but not rat Y(4), receptor cDNA. Autoradiographic studies demonstrated that [(125)I]-GR231118 binding sites were fully inhibited by the Y(1) antagonist BIBO3304 in most areas of the rat brain. Interestingly, high percentage of [(125)I]-GR231118/BIBO3304-insensitive binding sites were detected in few areas. These [(125)I]-GR231118/BIBO3304-insensitive binding sites likely represent labelling to the Y(4) receptor subtype. In summary, [(125)I]-GR231118 is a new radiolabelled probe to investigate the Y(1) and Y(4) receptors; its major advantage being its high affinity. Using highly selective Y(1) antagonists such as BIBO3304 or BIBP3226 it is possible to block the binding of [(125)I]-GR231118 to the Y(1) receptor allowing for the characterization and visualization of the purported Y(4) subtype. British Journal of Pharmacology (2000) 129, 37 - 46

Characterization of the neuropeptide Y5 receptor in the human hypothalamus: a lack of correlation between Y5 mRNA levels and binding sites

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a 36-amino-acid peptide that appears to play a central role in the control of feeding behavior. Recently, a cDNA encoding a novel NPY receptor subtype (Y5) was cloned from the rat and human hypothalamus, and shown to have a pharmacology consistent with NPY-induced feeding. We have subsequently cloned this cDNA from human hypothalamus and stably expressed it in CHO cells. Consistent with earlier reports, hY5 has a high affinity for NPY, [Leu31, Pro34]NPY, and NPY(3-36), but low affinity for larger C-terminal deletions of NPY and BIBP3226. High levels of hY5 mRNA were found in the human testis, brain, spleen and pancreas, with lower levels in several other tissues. In the human brain, hY5 mRNA levels were typically higher than hY2, but lower in comparison to hY1 receptor mRNA. To quantify the relative amounts of hY1, hY2 and hY5 mRNA in the human hypothalamus, we employed competitive RT-PCR. Interestingly, the relative amount of hY5 mRNA was substantially higher than either hY1 or hY2. However, pharmacological characterization of NPY binding sites in human hypothalamus membranes revealed predominantly the hY2 subtype. These data establish that while hY5 mRNA levels are very high in the human hypothalamus, conventional radioligand binding techniques do not detect hY5-like binding site. Whether hY5-like binding sites exist in the other human tissues that express hY5 mRNA (and what function hY5 has in those tissues) awaits future investigation.

Divalent cations influencing neuropeptide Y receptor subtype binding in rat hippocampus and cortex membranes as well as in recombinant cells

At least six types of neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptors (Y1-Y6) have been pharmacologically distinguished of which only the Y1, Y2, Y4 and Y5 subtypes have been thoroughly characterized. In order to further classify receptor subtypes in the brain, we performed receptor binding studies using rat cortical and hippocampal membranes and, in particular, studied the effects of different ion compositions of the buffer on the binding behaviour of several NPY agonists and the Y1 receptor antagonist BIBO3304. Ca2+ was necessary for reliable Y1 receptor subtype classification in rat cortical membranes (with Hill coefficients close to unity) for the peptide agonists. This was further substantiated by the Y1 selective antagonist BIBO3304 displaying an IC50 value of 0.9+/-0.5 nM for 80% of the total receptors, the remaining sites being BIBO3304 insensitive (IC50 > 10,000 nM). Replacing Ca2+ by Mn2+ resulted in a complete loss of BIBO3304 sensitive sites. On the other hand, using hippocampal membrane preparations, displacement curves with Hill coefficients close to unity were only obtained in the presence of Mn2+ ions, yielding a binding profile of receptors with low affinity for [Leu31,Pro34]NPY (IC50 = 50 nM) and for BIBO3304 (IC50 > 10,000 nM). Addition of Mn2+ ions to cortical or of Ca2+ ions to hippocampal membrane preparations resulted in binding profiles differing from typical receptor classification. Therefore, the influence of divalent cations on Y1 receptors expressed on recombinant cells was studied. In this monoreceptor system, Ca2+ was necessary to detect high amounts of specific binding and Mn2+ ions induced a change in the affinity state. These findings indicate that apparent NPY receptor heterogeneity does not only depend on the brain region examined and that divalent ions modulate ligand binding properties.